Abstract: Response Surface Methods (RSM) provide
statistically validated predictive models that can then be manipulated
for finding optimal process configurations. Variation transmitted to
responses from poorly controlled process factors can be accounted
for by the mathematical technique of propagation of error (POE),
which facilitates ‘finding the flats’ on the surfaces generated by
RSM. The dual response approach to RSM captures the standard
deviation of the output as well as the average. It accounts for
unknown sources of variation. Dual response plus propagation of
error (POE) provides a more useful model of overall response
variation. In our case, we implemented this technique in predicting
compressive strength of concrete of 28 days in age. Since 28 days is
quite time consuming, while it is important to ensure the quality
control process. This paper investigates the potential of using design
of experiments (DOE-RSM) to predict the compressive strength of
concrete at 28th day. Data used for this study was carried out from
experiment schemes at university of Benghazi, civil engineering
department. A total of 114 sets of data were implemented. ACI mix
design method was utilized for the mix design. No admixtures were
used, only the main concrete mix constituents such as cement, coarseaggregate,
fine aggregate and water were utilized in all mixes.
Different mix proportions of the ingredients and different water
cement ratio were used. The proposed mathematical models are
capable of predicting the required concrete compressive strength of
concrete from early ages.
Abstract: This study evaluated the acute toxicity and tissue
distribution of intravenously administered gold nanoparticles
(AuNPs) in male rabbits. Rabbits were exposed to single dose of
AuNPs (300 μg/ kg). Toxic effects were assessed via general
behavior, hematological parameters, serum biochemical parameters,
and histopathological examination of various rabbits’ organs.
Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used
to determine gold concentrations in tissue samples collected at
predetermined time intervals. After one week, AuNPs exerted no
obvious acute toxicity in rabbits. However, inflammatory reactions
were observed in liver, lungs and kidneys accompanied with mild
absolute neutrophilia and significant monocytosis. The highest gold
levels were found in the spleen and liver followed by lungs, and
kidneys. These results indicated that AuNPs could be distributed
extensively to various tissues in the body, but primarily in the spleen
and liver.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to propose a general
framework for storing, analyzing, and extracting knowledge from
two-dimensional echocardiographic images, color Doppler images,
non-medical images, and general data sets. A number of high
performance data mining algorithms have been used to carry out this
task. Our framework encompasses four layers namely physical
storage, object identification, knowledge discovery, user level.
Techniques such as active contour model to identify the cardiac
chambers, pixel classification to segment the color Doppler echo
image, universal model for image retrieval, Bayesian method for
classification, parallel algorithms for image segmentation, etc., were
employed. Using the feature vector database that have been
efficiently constructed, one can perform various data mining tasks
like clustering, classification, etc. with efficient algorithms along
with image mining given a query image. All these facilities are
included in the framework that is supported by state-of-the-art user
interface (UI). The algorithms were tested with actual patient data
and Coral image database and the results show that their performance
is better than the results reported already.
Abstract: With the introduction of cash-less society policy by
the Central Bank of Nigeria, the concept of e-banking services have
over the years’ experience a significant improvement. Today quite a
number of people are embracing e-banking activities especially
ATM, thereby moving away from the conventional banking system.
This paper presents a review of the underlying Architectural Layout
of Intra-Bank and Inter-Bank ATM connectivity in Nigeria. The
paper further investigates and discusses factors affecting the Intra-
Bank and Inter-Bank ATM connectivity in Nigeria. In addition, as
well possible solutions to these factors affecting ATM Connectivity
and Operations are proposed.
Abstract: In 2009, the new HRM policy was implemented in
Qatar for public sector organisations. The purpose of this research is
to examine how Qatar’s 2009 HRM policy was significant in
influencing employee retention in public organisations. The
conducted study utilised quantitative methodology to analyse the data
on employees’ perceptions of such HRM practices as Performance
Management, Rewards and Promotion, Training and Development
associated with the HRM policy in public organisations in
comparison to semi-private organisations. Employees of seven public
and semi-private organisations filled in the questionnaire based on
the 5-point Likert scale to present quantitative results. The data was
analysed with the correlation and multiple regression statistical
analyses. It was found that Performance Management had the
relationship with Employee Retention, and Rewards and Promotion
influenced Job Satisfaction in public organisations. Relationship
between Job Satisfaction and Employee Retention was also observed.
However, no significant differences were observed in the role of
HRM practices in public and semi-private organisations.
Abstract: In this paper, for an arbitrary multiplicative functional
f from the set of all upper triangular fuzzy matrices to the fuzzy
algebra, we prove that there exist a multiplicative functional F and a
functional G from the fuzzy algebra to the fuzzy algebra such that the
image of an upper triangular fuzzy matrix under f can be represented
as the product of all the images of its main diagonal elements under
F and other elements under G.
Abstract: The purposes of this research are to make comparisons in
respect of the behaviors on the use of the services of metered taxi
classified by the demographic factor and to study the influence of the
recognition on service quality having the effect on usage behaviors of
metered taxi services of consumers in Bangkok Metropolitan Areas. The
samples used in this research were 400 metered taxi service users in
Bangkok Metropolitan Areas and questionnaire was used as the tool for
collecting the data. Analysis statistics are mean and multiple regression
analysis. Results of the research revealed that the consumers recognize the
overall quality of services in each aspect include tangible aspects of the
service, responses to customers, assurance on the confidence,
understanding and knowing of customers which is rated at the moderate
level except the aspect of the assurance on the confidence and
trustworthiness which are rated at a high level. For the result of
hypothetical test, it is found that the quality in providing the services on
the aspect of the assurance given to the customers has the effect on the
usage behaviors of metered taxi services and the aspect of the frequency
on the use of the services per month which in this connection. Such
variable can forecast at one point nine percent (1.9%). In addition, quality
in providing the services and the aspect of the responses to customers
have the effect on the behaviors on the use of metered taxi services on the
aspect of the expenses on the use of services per month which in this
connection, such variable can forecast at two point one percent (2.1%).
Abstract: This paper presents the results of a study on the
influence of varying percentages of rock bridges along a basal surface
defining a biplanar failure mode. A pseudo-coupled-hydromechanical
brittle fracture analysis is adopted using the state-of-the-art code
Slope Model. Model results show that rock bridge failure is strongly
influenced by the incorporation of groundwater pressures. The
models show that groundwater pressure can promote total failure of a
5% rock bridge along the basal surface. Once the percentage of the
rock bridges increases to 10 and 15%, although, the rock bridges are
broken, full interconnection of the surface defining the basal surface
of the biplanar mode does not occur. Increased damage is caused
when the rock bridge is located at the daylighting end of the basal
surface in proximity to the blast damage zone. As expected, some
cracking damage is experienced in the blast damage zone, where
properties representing a good quality controlled damage blast
technique were assumed. Model results indicate the potential increase
of permeability towards the blast damage zone.
Abstract: Frozen shrimp industry plays an important role in the
development of production industry of the country. There has been a
continuing development to response the increasing demand; however,
there have been some problems in running the enterprises. The
purposes of this study are to: 1) investigate problems related to basic
factors in operating frozen shrimp industry based on the
entrepreneurs’ points of view. The enterprises involved in this study
were small and medium industry receiving Thai Frozen Foods
Association. 2) Compare the problems of the frozen shrimp industry
according to their sizes of operation in 3 provinces of the central
region Thailand. Population in this study consisted of 148 managers
from 148 frozen shrimp enterprises Thai Frozen Foods Association
which 77 were small size and 71 were medium size. The data were
analyzed to find percentage, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, and
independent sample T-test with the significant hypothesis at .05. The
results revealed that the problems of the frozen shrimp industries of
both size were in high level. The needs for government supporting
were in high level. The comparison of the problems and the basic
factors between the small and medium size enterprises showed no
statistically significant level. The problems that they mentioned
included raw materials, labors, production, marketing, and the need
for academic supporting from the government sector.
Abstract: This study investigates how the site specific traffic
data differs from the Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design
Software default values. Two Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) stations were
installed in Interstate-40 (I-40) and Interstate-25 (I-25) to developed
site specific data. A computer program named WIM Data Analysis
Software (WIMDAS) was developed using Microsoft C-Sharp (.Net)
for quality checking and processing of raw WIM data. A complete
year data from November 2013 to October 2014 was analyzed using
the developed WIM Data Analysis Program. After that, the vehicle
class distribution, directional distribution, lane distribution, monthly
adjustment factor, hourly distribution, axle load spectra, average
number of axle per vehicle, axle spacing, lateral wander distribution,
and wheelbase distribution were calculated. Then a comparative
study was done between measured data and AASHTOWare default
values. It was found that the measured general traffic inputs for I-40
and I-25 significantly differ from the default values.
Abstract: The end panels of a large rectangular industrial duct,
which experience significant internal pressures, also experience
considerable transverse shear due to transfer of gravity loads to the
supports. The current design practice of such thin plate panels for
shear load is based on methods used for the design of plate girder
webs. The structural arrangements, the loadings and the resulting
behavior associated with the industrial duct end panels are, however,
significantly different from those of the web of a plate girder. The
large aspect ratio of the end panels gives rise to multiple bands of
tension fields, whereas the plate girder web design is based on one
tension field. In addition to shear, the industrial end panels are
subjected to internal pressure which in turn produces significant
membrane action. This paper reports a study which was undertaken
to review the current industrial analysis and design methods and to
propose a comprehensive method of designing industrial duct end
panels for shear resistance. In this investigation, a nonlinear finite element model was
developed to simulate the behavior of industrial duct end panel, along
with the associated edge stiffeners, subjected to transverse shear and
internal pressures. The model considered the geometric imperfections
and constitutive relations for steels. Six scale independent
dimensionless parameters that govern the behavior of such end panel
were identified and were then used in a parametric study. It was
concluded that the plate slenderness dominates the shear strength of
stockier end panels, and whereas, both the plate slenderness and the
aspect ratio influence the shear strength of slender end panels. Based
on these studies, this paper proposes design aids for estimating the
shear strength of rectangular duct end panels.
Abstract: Coal fly ash, an industrial by product of coal
combustion thermal power plants is considered as a hazardous
material and its improper disposal has become an environmental
issue. On the other hand, manufacturing conventional clay bricks
involves on consumption of large amount of clay and leads
substantial depletion of topsoil. This paper unveils the possibility of
using fly ash as a partial replacement of clay for brick manufacturing
considering the local technology practiced in Bangladesh. The effect
of fly ash with different replacing ratio (0%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and
50% by volume) of clay on properties of bricks was studied. Bricks
were made in the field parallel to ordinary bricks marked with
specific number for different percentage to identify them at time of
testing. No physical distortion is observed in fly ash brick after
burning in the kiln. Results from laboratory test show that
compressive strength of brick is decreased with the increase of fly
ash and maximum compressive strength is found to be 19.6 MPa at
20% of fly ash. In addition, water absorption of fly ash brick is
increased with the increase of fly ash. The abrasion value and
Specific gravity of coarse aggregate prepared from brick with fly ash
also studied and the results of this study suggests that 20% fly ash
can be considered as the optimum fly ash content for producing good
quality bricks utilizing present practiced technology.
Abstract: Agricultural machinery industry plays an important
role in the industrial development especially the production industry
of the country. There has been continuing development responding to
the higher demand of the production. However, the problem in
agricultural machinery production still exists. Thus, the purpose of
this research is to investigate problems on fundamental factors of
industry based on the entrepreneurs’ point of view. The focus was on
the small and medium size industry receiving factory license type
number 0660 from the Department of Industrial Works. The
investigation was on the comparison between the management of the
small and medium size agricultural industry in 3 provinces in the
central region of Thailand. Population in this study consisted of 189
company managers or managing directors, of which 101 were from
the small size and 88 were from the medium size industry. The data
were analyzed to find percentage, arithmetic mean, and standard
deviation with independent sample T-test at the statistical
significance .05. The results showed that the small and medium size
agricultural machinery manufacturers in the central region of
Thailand reported high problems in every aspect. When compared the
problems on basic factors in running the business, it was found that
there was no statistically difference at .05 in managing of the small
and medium size agricultural machinery manufacturers. However,
there was a statistically significant difference between the small and
medium size agricultural machinery manufacturers on the aspect of
policy and services of the government. The problems reported by the
small and medium size agricultural machinery manufacturers were
the services on public tap water and the problem on politic and
stability of the country.
Abstract: Biochar can be produced from the waste matter and its
application has been associated with returning of carbon in large
amounts into the soil. The impacts of this material on physical and
chemical properties of soil have been described. The biggest part of
the research work is dedicated to the hypothesis of this material’s
toxic effects on the soil life regarding its effect on the soil biological
component. At present, it has been worked on methods which could
eliminate these undesirable properties of biochar. One of the
possibilities is to mix biochar with organic material, such as compost,
or focusing on the natural processes acceleration in the soil. In the
experiment has been used as the addition of compost as well as the
elimination of toxic substances by promoting microbial activity in
aerated water environment. Biochar was aerated for 7 days in a
container with a volume of 20 l. This way modified biochar had six
times higher biomass production and reduce mineral nitrogen
leaching. Better results have been achieved by mixing biochar with
compost.
Abstract: Job satisfaction and motivation have been given an
important attention in psychology because they are seen as main
instruments in maintaining organizational growth and development;
they are also used to accomplish organizational aims and objectives.
However, it has been observed that some institutions failed in
motivating and stimulating their workers; in contrast, workers may be
motivated but not satisfied with the job and failed to perform
efficiently and effectively. It is hoped that the study of this nature
would be of significance value to all stakeholders in education
specifically, lecturers in higher institutions in Nigeria. Also, it is
hoped that the findings of this study will enhance lecturers’
effectiveness and performance in discharging their duties. In the light
of the above statements, this study investigated whether job
satisfaction and motivation predict lecturers’ effectiveness in Nigeria
Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State. Correlational research method
was adopted for the study, while purposive sampling technique was
used to choose the institution and the sampled lectures (70). Simple
random sampling technique was used to select one hundred cadets
across the academy. Two instruments were used to elicit information
from both lecturers and cadets. These were job satisfaction and
motivation; and lecturers’ effectiveness Questionnaires. The
instruments were subjected to pilot testing and found to have
reliability coefficient of 0.69 and 0.71 respectively. The results of the
study revealed that there was a significance relationship among job
satisfaction, motivation and lecturers effectiveness in Nigeria Police
Academy. There was a significance relationship between job
satisfaction and lecturers’ effectiveness in Nigeria Police Academy
the cal r is 0.21 while the crt r is 0.19. at p
Abstract: Present empirical paper investigates the relationship
between FDI and economic growth by 10 selected industries in 10
Central and Eastern European countries from the period 1995 to
2012. Different estimation approaches were used to explore the
connection between FDI and economic growth, for example OLS,
RE, FE with and without time dummies. Obtained empirical results
leads to some main consequences: First, the Central and East
European countries (CEEC) attracted foreign direct investment,
which raised the productivity of industries they entered in. It should
be concluded that the linkage between FDI and output growth by
industries is positive and significant enough to suggest that foreign
firm’s participation enhanced the productivity of the industries they
occupied. There had been an endogeneity problem in the regression
and fixed effects estimation approach was used which partially
corrected the regression analysis in order to make the results less
biased. Second, it should be stressed that the results show that time
has an important role in making FDI operational for enhancing output
growth by industries via total factor productivity. Third, R&D
positively affected economic growth and at the same time, it should
take some time for research and development to influence economic
growth. Fourth, the general trends masked crucial differences at the
country level: over the last 20 years, the analysis of the tables and
figures at the country level show that the main recipients of FDI of
the 11 Central and Eastern European countries were Hungary, Poland
and the Czech Republic. The main reason was that these countries
had more open door policies for attracting the FDI. Fifth, according
to the graphical analysis, while Hungary had the highest FDI inflow
in this region, it was not reflected in the GDP growth as much as in
other Central and Eastern European countries.
Abstract: A three-dimensional numerical simulation of flow
through mini and microchannels with designed roughness is
conducted here. The effect of the roughness height (surface
roughness), geometry, Reynolds number on the friction factor, and
Nusselt number is investigated. The study is carried out by
employing CFD software, CFX. Our work focuses on a water flow
inside a circular mini-channel of 1 mm and microchannels of 500 and
100 m in diameter. The speed entry varies from 0.1 m/s to 20 m/s.
The general trend can be observed that bigger sizes of roughness
element lead to higher flow resistance. It is found that the friction
factor increases in a nonlinear fashion with the increase in obstruction
height. Particularly, the effect of roughness can no longer be ignored
at relative roughness height higher than 3%. A significant increase in
Poiseuille number is detected for all configurations considered. The
same observation can be done for Nusselt number. The transition
zone between laminar and turbulent flow depends on the channel
diameter.
Abstract: Gladiolus is an important cash crop and is grown
mainly for its elegant spikes. Traditionally the gladiolus corms are
planted manually which is very tedious, time consuming and labor
intensive operation. So far, there is no planter available for planting
of gladiolus corms. With a view to mechanize the planting operation
of this horticultural crop, a prototype of 4-row gladiolus planter was
developed and its performance was evaluated in-situ condition. Cupchain
type metering device was used to place each single gladiolus
corm in furrow at required spacing while planting. Three levels of
corm spacing viz 15, 20 and 25 cm and four levels of forward speed
viz 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 km/h was taken as evaluation parameter for
the planter. The performance indicators namely corm spacing in each
row, coefficient of uniformity, missing index, multiple index, quality
of feed index, number of corms per meter length, mechanical damage
to the corms etc. were determined during the field test. The data was
statistically analyzed using Completely Randomized Design (CRD)
for testing the significance of the parameters. The result indicated
that planter was able to drop the corms at required nominal spacing
with minor variations. The highest deviation from the mean corm
spacing was observed as 3.53 cm with maximum coefficient of
variation as 13.88%. The highest missing and quality of feed indexes
were observed as 6.33% and 97.45% respectively with no multiples.
The performance of the planter was observed better at lower forward
speed and wider corm spacing. The field capacity of the planter was
found as 0.103 ha/h with an observed field efficiency of 76.57%.
Abstract: Sentiment analysis means to classify a given review
document into positive or negative polar document. Sentiment
analysis research has been increased tremendously in recent times
due to its large number of applications in the industry and academia.
Sentiment analysis models can be used to determine the opinion of
the user towards any entity or product. E-commerce companies can
use sentiment analysis model to improve their products on the basis
of users’ opinion. In this paper, we propose a new One-class Support
Vector Machine (One-class SVM) based sentiment analysis model
for movie review documents. In the proposed approach, we initially
extract features from one class of documents, and further test the
given documents with the one-class SVM model if a given new test
document lies in the model or it is an outlier. Experimental results
show the effectiveness of the proposed sentiment analysis model.
Abstract: In this paper, approach to incoherent signal detection
in multi-element antenna array are researched and modeled. Two
types of useful signals with unknown wavefront were considered:
first one, deterministic (Barker code), and second one, random
(Gaussian distribution). The derivation of the sufficient statistics took
into account the linearity of the antenna array. The performance
characteristics and detecting curves are modeled and compared for
different useful signals parameters and for different number of
elements of the antenna array. Results of researches in case of some
additional conditions can be applied to a digital communications
systems.