Abstract: The notion of communicative competence has been deemed fuzzy in communication studies. This fuzziness has led to tensions among engineers across tenures in interpreting what constitutes communicative competence. The study seeks to investigate novice and professional engineers- understanding of the said notion in terms of two main elements of communicative competence: linguistic and rhetorical competence. Novice engineers are final year engineering students, whilst professional engineers represent engineers who have at least 5 years working experience. Novice and professional engineers were interviewed to gauge their perceptions on linguistic and rhetorical features deemed necessary to enhance communicative competence for the profession. Both groups indicated awareness and differences on the importance of the sub-sets of communicative competence, namely, rhetorical explanatory competence, linguistic oral immediacy competence, technical competence and meta-cognitive competence. Such differences, a possible attribute of the learning theory, inadvertently indicate sublime differences in the way novice and professional engineers perceive communicative competence.
Abstract: This paper presents a solution for ceramic cutting tools availability in interrupted machining. Experiments were performed on a special fixture – the interrupted cut simulator. This fixture was constructed at our Department of Machining and Assembly within the scope of a project by the Czech Science Foundation. The goals of the tests were to contribute to the wider usage of these cutting materials in machining, especially in interrupted machining. Through the centuries, producers of ceramic cutting tools have taken big steps forward. Namely, increasing durability in maintaining high levels of strength and hardness lends an advantage. Some producers of these materials advise cutting inserts for interrupted machining at the present time [1, 2].
Abstract: This paper deals with dynamic load balancing using PVM. In distributed environment Load Balancing and Heterogeneity are very critical issues and needed to drill down in order to achieve the optimal results and efficiency. Various techniques are being used in order to distribute the load dynamically among different nodes and to deal with heterogeneity. These techniques are using different approaches where Process Migration is basic concept with different optimal flavors. But Process Migration is not an easy job, it impose lot of burden and processing effort in order to track each process in nodes. We will propose a dynamic load balancing technique in which application will intelligently balance the load among different nodes, resulting in efficient use of system and have no overheads of process migration. It would also provide a simple solution to problem of load balancing in heterogeneous environment.
Abstract: Group contribution based models are widely used in
industrial applications for its convenience and flexibility. Although a
number of group contribution models have been proposed, there were
certain limitations inherent to those models. Models based on group
contribution excess Gibbs free energy are limited to low pressures and
models based on equation of state (EOS) cannot properly describe
highly nonideal mixtures including acids without introducing
additional modification such as chemical theory. In the present study
new a new approach derived from quantum chemistry have been used
to calculate necessary EOS group interaction parameters. The
COSMO-RS method, based on quantum mechanics, provides a
reliable tool for fluid phase thermodynamics. Benefits of the group
contribution EOS are the consistent extension to hydrogen-bonded
mixtures and the capability to predict polymer-solvent equilibria up to
high pressures. The authors are confident that with a sufficient
parameter matrix the performance of the lattice EOS can be improved
significantly.
Abstract: Adolescents in Northern Uganda are at risk of teenage
pregnancies, unsafe abortions and sexually transmitted infections
(STIs). There is silence on sex both at home and school. This cross
sectional descriptive analytical study interviews a random sample of
827 students and 13 teachers on knowledge, perception and
acceptability to a comprehensive adolescent sexual and reproductive
health education in “O” and “A” level secondary schools in Gulu
District. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS 16.0. Directed
content analysis of themes of transcribed qualitative data was
conducted manually for common codes, sub-categories and
categories. Of the 827 students; 54.3% (449) reported being in a
sexual relationship especially those aged 15-17 years. Majority
96.1% (807) supported the teaching of a comprehensive ASRHE,
citing no negative impact 71.5% (601). Majority 81.6% (686) agreed
that such education could help prevention of STIs, abortions and
teenage pregnancies, and that it should be taught by health workers
69.0% (580). Majority 76.6% (203) reported that ASRHE was not
currently being taught in their schools. Students had low knowledge
levels and misconceptions about ASRHE. ASRHE was highly
acceptable though not being emphasized; its success in school
settings requires multidisciplinary culturally sensitive approaches
amongst which health workers should be frontiers.
Abstract: Understanding how precipitation inter-annually
changes and its implication in agricultural drought and production change in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth season is critical for crop production in China. MODIS Temperature-Vegetation Dryness Index (TVDI) and daily mean precipitation time series for the main growth season(Feb. to May) of winter wheat from 2000 to 2010
were used to analyze the distribution of trends of precipitation,
agricultural drought and winter wheat yield change respectively, and
relationships between them in North China region(Huang-huai-hai
region, HHH region), China. The results indicated that the trend of
precipitation in HHH region past 11 years was increasing, which had
induced generally corresponding decreasing trend of agricultural
drought and increasing trend of wheat yield, while the trend of drought
was spatially diverse. The study could provide a basis for agricultural
drought research during winter wheat season in HHH region under the
ground of climate change.
Abstract: In order to meet the limits imposed on automotive
emissions, engine control systems are required to constrain air/fuel
ratio (AFR) in a narrow band around the stoichiometric value, due to
the strong decay of catalyst efficiency in case of rich or lean mixture.
This paper presents a model of a sample spark ignition engine and
demonstrates Simulink-s capabilities to model an internal combustion
engine from the throttle to the crankshaft output. We used welldefined
physical principles supplemented, where appropriate, with
empirical relationships that describe the system-s dynamic behavior
without introducing unnecessary complexity. We also presents a PID
tuning method that uses an adaptive fuzzy system to model the
relationship between the controller gains and the target output
response, with the response specification set by desired percent
overshoot and settling time. The adaptive fuzzy based input-output
model is then used to tune on-line the PID gains for different
response specifications. Experimental results demonstrate that better
performance can be achieved with adaptive fuzzy tuning relative to
similar alternative control strategies. The actual response
specifications with adaptive fuzzy matched the desired response
specifications.
Abstract: A topologically oriented neural network is very
efficient for real-time path planning for a mobile robot in changing
environments. When using a recurrent neural network for this
purpose and with the combination of the partial differential equation
of heat transfer and the distributed potential concept of the network,
the problem of obstacle avoidance of trajectory planning for a
moving robot can be efficiently solved. The related dimensional
network represents the state variables and the topology of the robot's
working space. In this paper two approaches to problem solution are
proposed. The first approach relies on the potential distribution of
attraction distributed around the moving target, acting as a unique
local extreme in the net, with the gradient of the state variables
directing the current flow toward the source of the potential heat. The
second approach considers two attractive and repulsive potential
sources to decrease the time of potential distribution. Computer
simulations have been carried out to interrogate the performance of
the proposed approaches.
Abstract: Over the past few years, a number of efforts have
been exerted to build parallel processing systems that utilize the idle
power of LAN-s and PC-s available in many homes and corporations.
The main advantage of these approaches is that they provide cheap
parallel processing environments for those who cannot afford the
expenses of supercomputers and parallel processing hardware.
However, most of the solutions provided are not very flexible in the
use of available resources and very difficult to install and setup.
In this paper, a multi-level web-based parallel processing system
(MWPS) is designed (appendix). MWPS is based on the idea of
volunteer computing, very flexible, easy to setup and easy to use.
MWPS allows three types of subscribers: simple volunteers (single
computers), super volunteers (full networks) and end users. All of
these entities are coordinated transparently through a secure web site.
Volunteer nodes provide the required processing power needed by
the system end users. There is no limit on the number of volunteer
nodes, and accordingly the system can grow indefinitely. Both
volunteer and system users must register and subscribe. Once, they
subscribe, each entity is provided with the appropriate MWPS
components. These components are very easy to install.
Super volunteer nodes are provided with special components that
make it possible to delegate some of the load to their inner nodes.
These inner nodes may also delegate some of the load to some other
lower level inner nodes .... and so on. It is the responsibility of the
parent super nodes to coordinate the delegation process and deliver
the results back to the user.
MWPS uses a simple behavior-based scheduler that takes into
consideration the current load and previous behavior of processing
nodes. Nodes that fulfill their contracts within the expected time get a
high degree of trust. Nodes that fail to satisfy their contract get a
lower degree of trust.
MWPS is based on the .NET framework and provides the minimal
level of security expected in distributed processing environments.
Users and processing nodes are fully authenticated. Communications
and messages between nodes are very secure. The system has been
implemented using C#.
MWPS may be used by any group of people or companies to
establish a parallel processing or grid environment.
Abstract: The development of the poultry industry in Albania is mainly based on the existence of intensive modern farms with huge capacities, which often are mixed with other forms. Colibacillosis is commonly displayed regardless of the type of breeding, delivering high mortality in poultry industry. The mechanisms with which pathogen enterobacters are able to cause the infection in poultry are not yet clear. The routine diagnose in the field, followed by isolation of E. coli and species of Salmonella genres in reference laboratories cannot lead in classification or full recognition of circulative strains in a territory, if it is not performed a differentiation among the present microorganisms in intensive farms and those in rural areas. In this study were isolated 1.496 strains of E. coli and 378 Salmonella spp. This study, presents distribution of poultry pathogenosity of E.coli and Salmonella spp., based on the usage of innovative diagnostic methods.
Abstract: Multiparty voice over IP (MVoIP) systems allows a group of people to freely communicate each other via the internet, which have many applications such as online gaming, teleconferencing, online stock trading etc. Peertalk is a peer to peer multiparty voice over IP system (MVoIP) which is more feasible than existing approaches such as p2p overlay multicast and coupled distributed processing. Since the stream mixing and distribution are done by the peers, it is vulnerable to major security threats like nodes misbehavior, eavesdropping, Sybil attacks, Denial of Service (DoS), call tampering, Man in the Middle attacks etc. To thwart the security threats, a security framework called PEERTS (PEEred Reputed Trustworthy System for peertalk) is implemented so that efficient and secure communication can be carried out between peers.
Abstract: Nowadays, cardiac disease is one of the most common
cause of death. Each year almost one million of angioplasty interventions and stents implantations are made all over the world.
Unfortunately, in 20-30% of cases neointimal proliferations leads to
restenosis occurring within the following period of 3-6 months. Three major factors are believed to contribute mostly to the edge
restenosis: (a) mechanical damage of the artery-s wall caused by the
stent implantation, (b) interaction between the stent and the blood constituents and (c) endothelial growth stimulation by small (lower
that 1.5 Pa) and oscillating wall shear stress. Assuming that this last actor is particularly important, a numerical model of restenosis
basing on wall shear stress distribution in the stented artery was elaborated. A numerical simulations of the development of in-stent
restenosis have been performed and realistic geometric patterns of a
progressing lumen reduction have been obtained
Abstract: Dioscorea species or commonly named as yam is
reported to be one of the major food sources worldwide. This
ethnobotanical study was conducted to document local knowledge
and potentials of DioscoreahispidaDennst. and to investigate and
record its distribution in three districts of Terengganu. Information
was gathered from 23 villagers from three districts of Besut, Marang
and Setiu by using semi-structured questionnaire. The villagers were
randomly selected and no appointment was made prior to the visits.
For distribution, the location of Dioscoreahispida was recorded by
using the Global Positioning System (GPS). The villagers identified
Dioscoreahispida or locally named ubigadong by looking at the
physical characteristics that include its leaf shape, stem and the color
of the tuber-s flesh. The villagers used Dioscoreahispida in many
ways in their life such as for food, medicinal purposes and fish
poison.
Abstract: Pregnancy is considered a special period in a woman’s life. There are myths about pregnancy that describe gender predictions, dietary beliefs, pregnancy signs, and risk of magic or witchcraft. Majority of these myths is in connection with the early childcare. In traditional societies midwives and experienced women practice and teach these myths to young mothers. Mother who feel special and vulnerable, at the same time feel secure in following these socially transmitted myths. Rural Punjab, a province of Pakistan has a culture rich with beliefs and myths. Myths about pregnancy are significant in rural culture and pregnancy care is seen as mother and childcare. This paper presents my research reflections that I did as a part of my Ph.D studies about early childcare beliefs and rituals practiced in rural Punjab, Pakistan.
Abstract: In general fuzzy sets are used to analyze the fuzzy
system reliability. Here intuitionistic fuzzy set theory for analyzing
the fuzzy system reliability has been used. To analyze the fuzzy
system reliability, the reliability of each component of the system as
a triangular intuitionistic fuzzy number is considered. Triangular
intuitionistic fuzzy number and their arithmetic operations are
introduced. Expressions for computing the fuzzy reliability of a
series system and a parallel system following triangular intuitionistic
fuzzy numbers have been described. Here an imprecise reliability
model of an electric network model of dark room is taken. To
compute the imprecise reliability of the above said system, reliability
of each component of the systems is represented by triangular
intuitionistic fuzzy numbers. Respective numerical example is
presented.
Abstract: The issue of leadership has been investigated from
several perspectives; however, very less from ethical perspective.
With the growing number of corporate scandals and unethical roles
played by business leaders in several parts of the world, the need to
examine leadership from ethical perspective cannot be over
emphasized. The importance of leadership credibility has been
discussed in the authentic model of leadership. Authentic leaders
display high degree of integrity, have deep sense of purpose, and
committed to their core values. As a result they promote a more
trusting relationship in their work groups that translates into several
positive outcomes. The present study examined how authentic
leadership contribute to subordinates- trust in leadership and how this
trust, in turn, predicts subordinates- work engagement. A sample of
395 employees was randomly selected from several local banks
operating in Malaysia. Standardized tools such as ALQ, OTI, and
EEQ were employed. Results indicated that authentic leadership
promoted subordinates- trust in leader, and contributed to work
engagement. Also, interpersonal trust predicted employees- work
engagement as well as mediated the relationship between this style of
leadership and employees- work engagement.
Abstract: In this paper we present a statistical analysis of Voice
over IP (VoIP) packet streams produced by the G.711 voice coder
with voice activity detection (VAD). During telephone conversation,
depending whether the interlocutor speaks (ON) or remains silent
(OFF), packets are produced or not by a voice coder. As index of
dispersion for both ON and OFF times distribution was greater than
one, we used hyperexponential distribution for approximation of
streams duration. For each stage of the hyperexponential distribution,
we tested goodness of our fits using graphical methods, we calculated
estimation errors, and performed Kolmogorov-Smirnov test.
Obtained results showed that the precise VoIP source model can be
based on the five-state Markov process.
Abstract: An experimental study is realized in order to verify the
Mini Heat Pipe (MHP) concept for cooling high power dissipation
electronic components and determines the potential advantages of
constructing mini channels as an integrated part of a flat heat pipe. A
Flat Mini Heat Pipe (FMHP) prototype including a capillary structure
composed of parallel rectangular microchannels is manufactured and
a filling apparatus is developed in order to charge the FMHP. The
heat transfer improvement obtained by comparing the heat pipe
thermal resistance to the heat conduction thermal resistance of a
copper plate having the same dimensions as the tested FMHP is
demonstrated for different heat input flux rates. Moreover, the heat
transfer in the evaporator and condenser sections are analyzed, and
heat transfer laws are proposed. In the theoretical part of this work, a
detailed mathematical model of a FMHP with axial microchannels is
developed in which the fluid flow is considered along with the heat
and mass transfer processes during evaporation and condensation.
The model is based on the equations for the mass, momentum and
energy conservation, which are written for the evaporator, adiabatic,
and condenser zones. The model, which permits to simulate several
shapes of microchannels, can predict the maximum heat transfer
capacity of FMHP, the optimal fluid mass, and the flow and thermal
parameters along the FMHP. The comparison between experimental
and model results shows the good ability of the numerical model to
predict the axial temperature distribution along the FMHP.
Abstract: Study of the vibration cylindrical shells made of
a functionally gradient material (FGM) composed of stainless
steel and nickel is important. Material properties are graded in
the thickness direction of the shell according to volume
fraction power law distribution. The objective is to study the
natural frequencies, the influence of constituent volume
fractions and the effects of boundary conditions on the natural
frequencies of the FG cylindrical shell. The study is carried
out using third order shear deformation shell theory. The
governing equations of motion of FG cylindrical shells are
derived based on shear deformation theory. Results are
presented on the frequency characteristics, influence of
constituent volume fractions and the effects of clampedclamped
boundary conditions.
Abstract: In this paper, based on the work in [1], we further give
a general model for acquiring knowledge, which first focuses on the
research of how and when things involved in problems are made
then describes the goals, the energy and the time to give an optimum
model to decide how many related things are supposed to be involved
in. Finally, we acquire knowledge from this model in which there are
the attributes, actions and connections of the things involved at the
time when they are born and the time in their life. This model not
only improves AI theories, but also surely brings the effectiveness
and accuracy for AI system because systems are given more
knowledge when reasoning or computing is used to bring about
results.