Abstract: The study was conducted to produce case studies from
the Malaysian public universities stands point East Coast of
Malaysia. The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of
knowledge management on human capital toward organizational
innovation. The focus point of this study is on the management
member in the faculties of these three Malaysian Public Universities
in the East Coast state of Peninsular Malaysia. In this case,
respondents who agreed to further participate in the research will be
invited to a one-hour face-to-face semi-structured, in-depth interview.
As a result, the sample size for this study was 3 deans of Faculty of
Management. Lastly, this study tries to recommend the framework of
organizational innovation in Malaysian Public Universities.
Abstract: Ancillary services are support services which are
essential for humanizing and enhancing the reliability and security of
the electric power system. Reactive power ancillary service is one of
the important ancillary services in a restructured electricity market
which determines the cost of supplying ancillary services and finding
of how this cost would change with respect to operating decisions.
This paper presents a new formation that can be used to minimize the
Independent System Operator (ISO)’s total payment for reactive
power ancillary service. The modified power flow tracing algorithm
estimates the availability of reserve reactive power for ancillary
service. In order to find optimum reactive power dispatch,
Biogeography based optimization method (BPO) is proposed. Market
Reactive Clearing Price (MRCP) is then estimated and it encourages
generator companies (GENCOs) to participate in an ancillary service.
Finally, optimal weighting factor and real time utilization factor of
reactive power give the minimum ISO’s total payment. The
effectiveness of proposed design is verified using IEEE 30 bus
system.
Abstract: In MANET, mobile nodes communicate with each
other using the wireless channel where transmission takes place with
significant interference. The wireless medium used in MANET is a
shared resource used by all the nodes available in MANET. Packet
reserving is one important resource management scheme which
controls the allocation of bandwidth among multiple flows through
node cooperation in MANET. This paper proposes packet reserving
and clogging control via Routing Aware Packet Reserving (RAPR)
framework in MANET. It mainly focuses the end-to-end routing
condition with maximal throughput. RAPR is complimentary system
where the packet reserving utilizes local routing information
available in each node. Path setup in RAPR estimates the security
level of the system, and symbolizes the end-to-end routing by
controlling the clogging. RAPR reaches the packet to the destination
with high probability ratio and minimal delay count. The standard
performance measures such as network security level,
communication overhead, end-to-end throughput, resource utilization
efficiency and delay measure are considered in this work. The results
reveals that the proposed packet reservation and clogging control via
Routing Aware Packet Reserving (RAPR) framework performs well
for the above said performance measures compare to the existing
methods.
Abstract: Recent concerns about the value of teaching cursive
handwriting in the classroom are based on the belief that cursive
handwriting or penmanship is an outdated and unnecessary skill in
today’s online world. The discussion of this issue begins with a
description of current initiatives to eliminate handwriting instruction
in schools. This is followed by a brief history of cursive writing
through the ages. Next considered is a description of its benefits as a
preliminary process for younger children as compared with
immediate instruction in keyboarding, particularly in the areas of
vision, cognition, motor skills and automatic fluency. Also
considered, is cursive’s companion, paper itself, and the impact of a
paperless, “screen and keyboard” environment. The discussion
concludes with a consideration of the unique contributions of cursive
and keyboarding as written forms of communication, along with their
respective surfaces, paper and screen. Finally, an assessment of the
practical utility of each skill is followed by an informal assessment of
what is lost and what remains as we move from a predominantly
paper and pen world of handwriting to texting and keyboarding in an
environment of screens.
Abstract: This paper considers the characterization of a complex
electromagnetic environment due to multiple sources of
electromagnetic radiation as a five-dimensional surface which can be
described by a set of several surface sections including: instant EM
field intensity distribution maps at a given frequency and altitude,
instantaneous spectrum at a given location in space and the time
evolution of the electromagnetic field spectrum at a given point in
space. This characterization if done over time can enable the
exposure levels of Radio Frequency Radiation at every point in the
analysis area to be determined and results interpreted based on
comparison of the determined RFR exposure level with the safe
guidelines for general public exposure given by recognized body
such as the International commission on non-ionizing radiation
protection (ICNIRP), Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
(IEEE), the National Radiation Protection Authority (NRPA).
Abstract: This paper presents a 4-DOF nonlinear model of a
cracked de Laval rotor-stator system derived based on Energy
Principles. The model has been used to simulate coupled torsionallateral
response of the faulty system with multiple parametric
excitations; rotor-stator-rub, a breathing transverse crack, eccentric
mass and an axial force. Nonlinearity of a “breathing” crack is
incorporated in the model using a simple hinge mechanism suitable
for a shallow crack. Response of the system while passing via its
critical speed with intermittent rotor-stator rub is analyzed. Effects of
eccentricity with phase and acceleration are investigated. Features of
crack, rub and eccentricity in vibration response are explored for
condition monitoring. The presence of a crack and rub are observable
in the power spectrum despite excitations by an axial force and rotor
unbalance. Obtained results are consistent with existing literature and
could be adopted into rotor condition monitoring strategies.
Abstract: The article discusses multimodal mobility in
contemporary societies as a main planning and organization issue in
the functioning of administrative bodies, a problem which really
exists in the space of contemporary cities in terms of shaping modern
transport systems. The article presents classification of available
resources and initiatives undertaken for developing multimodal
mobility. Solutions can be divided into three groups of measures –
physical measures in the form of changes of the transport network
infrastructure, organizational ones (including transport policy) and
information measures. The latter ones include in particular direct
support for people travelling in the transport network by providing
information about ways of using available means of transport. A
special measure contributing to this end is a trip planner. The article
compares several selected planners. It includes a short description of
the Green Travelling Project, which aims at developing a planner
supporting environmentally friendly solutions in terms of transport
network operation. The article summarizes preliminary findings of
the project.
Abstract: A relationship between face and signature biometrics
is established in this paper. A new approach is developed to predict
faces from signatures by using artificial intelligence. A multilayer
perceptron (MLP) neural network is used to generate face details
from features extracted from signatures, here face is the physical
biometric and signatures is the behavioural biometric. The new
method establishes a relationship between the two biometrics and
regenerates a visible face image from the signature features.
Furthermore, the performance efficiencies of our new technique are
demonstrated in terms of minimum error rates compared to published
work.
Abstract: Age ratings are very helpful in providing parents with
relevant information for the purchase and use of digital technologies
by the children; this is why the non-definition of age ratings for the
use of ICTs by children in schools is a major concern; and this
problem serves as a motivation for this study whose aim is to
examine the factors affecting the perceptions of educators on the
learners’ youngest age for the introduction of ICTs in schools. This
aim is achieved through two types of research objectives: the
identification and design of theories and models on age ratings, and
the empirical testing of such theories and models in a survey of
educators from the Camperdown district of the South African
KwaZulu-Natal province. A questionnaire is used for the collection
of the data of this survey whose validity and reliability is checked in
SPSS prior to its descriptive and correlative quantitative analysis. The
main hypothesis supporting this research is the association between
the demographics of educators, their personality, and their
perceptions on the learners’ youngest age for the introduction of ICTs
in schools; as claimed by existing research; except that the present
study looks at personality from three dimensions: self-actualized
personalities, fully functioning personalities, and healthy
personalities. This hypothesis was fully confirmed by the empirical
study conducted by this research except for the demographic factor
where only the educators’ grade or class was found to be associated
with the personality of educators.
Abstract: In the culture of Thailand, the Yak serve as a mediated
icon representing strength, power, and mystical protection not only
for the Buddha, but for population of worshipers. Originating from
the forests of China, the Yak continues to stand guard at the gates of
Buddhist temples. The Yak represents Thai culture in the hearts of
Thai people. This paper presents a qualitative study regarding the
curious mix of media, culture, and religion that projects the Yak of
Thailand as a larger than life message throughout the political,
cultural, and religious spheres. The gate guardians, or gods as they
are sometimes called, appear throughout the religious temples of
Asian cultures. However, the Asian cultures demonstrate differences
in artistic renditions (or presentations) of such sentinels. Thailand
gate guards (the Yak) stand in front of many Buddhist temples, and
these iconic figures display unique features with varied symbolic
significance. The temple (or wat), plays a vital role in every
community; and, for many people, Thailand’s temples are the
country’s most endearing sights. The authors applied folknography as
a methodology to illustrate the importance of the Thai Yak in serving
as meaningful icons that transcend not only time, but the culture,
religion, and mass media. The Yak represents mythical, religious,
artistic, cultural, and militaristic significance for the Thai people.
Data collection included interviews, focus groups, and natural
observations. This paper summarizes the perceptions of the Thai
people concerning their gate sentries and the relationship,
communication, connection, and the enduring respect that Thai
people hold for their guardians of the gates.
Abstract: In order to verify the performance of lunar lander
structure, landing-impact test is urgently needed. And the test
equipment is necessary for the test. The functions and the key points of
the equipment are presented to satisfy the requirements of the test, and
the design scheme is proposed. The composition, the major function
and the critical parts’ design of the equipment are introduced. By the
load test of releasing device and single-beam hoist, and the
compatibility test of landing-impact testing system, the rationality and
reliability of the equipment is proved.
Abstract: Urban greenery remains the bastion of urban
landscape and a key to sustainable development due to its integral
connections to the general health and wellbeing of urban residents.
However, in an era of rapid urbanisation, recent studies indicate that
urban greenery, especially ecologically sensitive areas, in many
African cities is becoming increasingly depleted. Given the scale and
rate of natural and anthropogenic change, effective management of
urban greenery as the ultimate goal of restoring depleting urban
landscapes is urgent. This review advocates for an urban resilience
model to managing urban greenery.
Abstract: The use of IT equipment has become a part of every
day. However, each device that is part of cyberspace should be
secured against unauthorized use. It is very important to know the
basics of these security devices, but also the basics of safe conduct
their owners. This information should be part of every curriculum
computer science education in primary and secondary schools.
Therefore, the work focuses on the education of pupils in primary and
secondary schools on the Internet. Analysis of the current state
describes approaches to the education of pupils in security issues on
the Internet. The paper presents a questionnaire-based survey which
was carried out in the Czech Republic, whose task was to ascertain
the level of opinion pupils in primary and secondary schools on the
issue of communication in social networks. The research showed that
awareness of socio-pathological phenomena on the Internet
environment is very low. Based on the results it was proposed
appropriate ways of teaching to this issue and its inclusion a proposal
of curriculum for primary and secondary schools.
Abstract: Characterization of the engineering behavior of
unsaturated soil is dependent on the soil-water characteristic curve
(SWCC), a graphical representation of the relationship between water
content or degree of saturation and soil suction. A reasonable
description of the SWCC is thus important for the accurate prediction
of unsaturated soil parameters. The measurement procedures for
determining the SWCC, however, are difficult, expensive, and timeconsuming.
During the past few decades, researchers have laid a
major focus on developing empirical equations for predicting the
SWCC, with a large number of empirical models suggested. One of
the most crucial questions is how precisely existing equations can
represent the SWCC. As different models have different ranges of
capability, it is essential to evaluate the precision of the SWCC
models used for each particular soil type for better SWCC estimation.
It is expected that better estimation of SWCC would be achieved via
a thorough statistical analysis of its distribution within a particular
soil class. With this in view, a statistical analysis was conducted in
order to evaluate the reliability of the SWCC prediction models
against laboratory measurement. Optimization techniques were used
to obtain the best-fit of the model parameters in four forms of SWCC
equation, using laboratory data for relatively coarse-textured (i.e.,
sandy) soil. The four most prominent SWCCs were evaluated and
computed for each sample. The result shows that the Brooks and
Corey model is the most consistent in describing the SWCC for sand
soil type. The Brooks and Corey model prediction also exhibit
compatibility with samples ranging from low to high soil water
content in which subjected to the samples that evaluated in this study.
Abstract: Web-based Cognitive Writing Instruction (WeCWI) is
a hybrid e-framework for the development of a web-based instruction
(WBI), which contributes towards instructional design and language
development. WeCWI divides its contribution in instructional design
into macro and micro perspectives. In macro perspective, being a 21st
century educator by disseminating knowledge and sharing ideas with
the in-class and global learners is initiated. By leveraging the virtue
of technology, WeCWI aims to transform an educator into an
aggregator, curator, publisher, social networker and ultimately, a
web-based instructor. Since the most notable contribution of
integrating technology is being a tool of teaching as well as a
stimulus for learning, WeCWI focuses on the use of contemporary
web tools based on the multiple roles played by the 21st century
educator. The micro perspective in instructional design draws
attention to the pedagogical approaches focusing on three main
aspects: reading, discussion, and writing. With the effective use of
pedagogical approaches through free reading and enterprises,
technology adds new dimensions and expands the boundaries of
learning capacity. Lastly, WeCWI also imparts the fundamental
theories and models for web-based instructors’ awareness such as
interactionist theory, cognitive information processing (CIP) theory,
computer-mediated communication (CMC), e-learning interactionalbased
model, inquiry models, sensory mind model, and leaning styles
model.
Abstract: This study has been presented which is a detailed
work of seismic microzonation of the city center. For seismic
microzonation area of 225 km2 has been selected as the study area.
MASW (Multichannel analysis of surface wave) and seismic
refraction methods have been used to generate one-dimensional shear
wave velocity profile at 250 locations and two-dimensional profile at
60 locations. These shear wave velocities are used to estimate
equivalent shear wave velocity in the study area at every 2 and 5 m
intervals up to a depth of 60 m. Levels of equivalent shear wave
velocity of soil are used the classified of the study area. After the
results of the study, it must be considered as components of urban
planning and building design of Denizli and the application and use
of these results should be required and enforced by municipal
authorities.
Abstract: This paper involved the performance of a hightemperature
X-Ray powder diffraction analysis (XRD) of a sample of
chemical gypsum generated in the production of titanium white; this
gypsum originates by neutralizing highly acidic water with limestone
suspension. Specifically, it was gypsum formed in the first stage of
neutralization when the resulting material contains, apart from
gypsum, a number of waste products resulting from the
decomposition of ilmenite by sulphuric acid. So it can be described as
red titanogypsum. By conducting the experiment using XRD
apparatus Bruker D8 Advance with a Cu anode (λkα=1.54184 Å)
equipped with high-temperature chamber Anton Paar HTK 16, it was
possible to identify clearly in the sample each phase transition in the
system of CaSO4·xH2O.
Abstract: Theoretical optimization of a copper-water negative
inclination heat pipe with internal composite wick structure had been
performed, regarding a new introduced parameter: the ratio between
the coarse mesh wraps and the fine mesh wraps of the composite
wick. Since in many cases, the design of a heat pipe matches specific
thermal requirements and physical limitations, this work
demonstrates the optimization of a 1m length, 8mm internal diameter
heat pipe without an adiabatic section, at a negative inclination angle
of -10º. The optimization is based on a new introduced parameter, LR:
the ratio between the coarse mesh wraps and the fine mesh wraps.
Abstract: OEE has been used in many industries as measure of
performance. However due to limitations of original OEE, it has been
modified by various researchers. OEE for mining application is
special version of classic equation, carries these limitation over. In
this paper it has been aimed to modify the OEE for mining
application by introducing the weights to the elements of it and
termed as Mine Production index (MPi). As a special application of
new index MPishovel has been developed by authors. This can be used
for evaluating the shovel effectiveness. Based on analysis, utilization
followed by performance and availability were ranked in this order.
To check the applicability of this index, a case study was done on
four electrical and one hydraulic shovel in a Swedish mine. The
results shows that MPishovel can evaluate production effectiveness of
shovels and can determine effectiveness values in optimistic view
compared to OEE. MPi with calculation not only give the
effectiveness but also can predict which elements should be focused
for improving the productivity.
Abstract: This study is an attempt to raise the awareness of the
stakeholders and the authorities on the sensitivity of Algerian
secondary school teachers of English as a Foreign Language about
the students’ loss of English language skills learned during formal
schooling with effort and at expense and the supposed measures to
arrest that loss. Data was collected from secondary school teachers of
EFL and analyzed quantitatively using a questionnaire containing
open-ended and close-ended questions. The results advocate a
consensus about the need for actions to be adopted to make
assessment techniques outcome-oriented. Most of the participants
were in favor of including curricular activities involving
contextualized learning, problem-solving learning critical selfawareness,
self and peer-assisted learning, use of computers and
internet so as to make learners autonomous.