Abstract: Cyber exercises used to assess the preparedness of a
community against cyber crises, technology failures and Critical
Information Infrastructure (CII) incidents. The cyber exercises also
called cyber crisis exercise or cyber drill, involved partnerships or
collaboration of public and private agencies from several sectors.
This study investigates Organisation Cyber Resilience (OCR) of
participation sectors in cyber exercise called X Maya in Malaysia.
This study used a principal based cyber resilience survey called CSuite
Executive checklist developed by World Economic Forum in
2012. To ensure suitability of the survey to investigate the OCR, the
reliability test was conducted on C-Suite Executive checklist items.
The research further investigates the differences of OCR in ten
Critical National Infrastructure Information (CNII) sectors
participated in the cyber exercise. The One Way ANOVA test result
showed a statistically significant difference of OCR among ten CNII
sectors participated in the cyber exercise.
Abstract: The goal of this experiment is to evaluate the
effectiveness of different leachate pre-treatment options in terms of
COD and ammonia removal. This research focused on the evaluation
of physical-chemical methods for pre-treatment of leachate that
would be effective and rapid in order to satisfy the requirements of
the sewer discharge by-laws. The four pre-treatment options
evaluated were: air stripping, chemical coagulation, electrocoagulation
and advanced oxidation with sodium ferrate. Chemical
coagulation reported the best COD removal rate at 43%, compared to
18% for both air stripping and electro-coagulation, and 20% for
oxidation with sodium ferrate. On the other hand, air stripping was
far superior to the other treatment options in terms of ammonia
removal with 86%. Oxidation with sodium ferrate reached only 16%,
while chemical coagulation and electro-coagulation removed less
than 10%. When combined, air stripping and chemical coagulation
removed up to 50% COD and 85% ammonia.
Abstract: In this paper, an autonomous hovering control method
of multicopter using only Web camera is proposed. Recently, various
control method of an autonomous flight for multicopter are proposed.
But, in the previous proposed methods, a motion capture system
(i. e., OptiTrack) and laser range finder are often used to measure
the position and posture of multicopter. To achieve an autonomous
flight control of multicopter with simple equipments, we propose
an autonomous flight control method using AR marker and Web
camera. AR marker can measure the position of multicopter with
Cartesian coordinate in three dimensional, then its position connects
with aileron, elevator, and accelerator throttle operation. A simple
PID control method is applied to the each operation and adjust
the controller gains. Experimental results are given to show the
effectiveness of our proposed method. Moreover, another simple
operation method for autonomous flight control multicopter is also
proposed.
Abstract: The environmental, cultural, social, and technological
changes have led higher education institutes to question their
traditional roles. Many declarations and frameworks highlight the
importance of fulfilling social responsibility of higher education
institutes. The study aims at developing a framework of university
social responsibility and sustainability (USR&S) with focus on South
Valley University (SVU) as a case study of Egyptian Universities.
The study used meetings with 12 vice deans of community services
and environmental affairs on social responsibility and environmental
issues. The proposed framework integrates social responsibility with
strategic management through the establishment and maintenance of
the vision, mission, values, goals and management systems;
elaboration of policies; provision of actions; evaluation of services
and development of social collaboration with stakeholders to meet
current and future needs of the community and environment. The
framework links between different stakeholders internally and
externally using communication and reporting tools. The results show
that SVU integrates social responsibility and sustainability in its
strategic plans. It has policies and actions however fragmented and
lack of appropriate structure and budgeting. The proposed framework
could be valuable for researchers and decision makers of the
Egyptian Universities. The study proposed recommendations and
highlighted building on the results and conducting future research.
Abstract: Acoustic properties of polymeric liquids are high
sensitive to free gas traces in the form of fine bubbles. Their presence
is typical for such liquids because of chemical reactions, small
wettability of solid boundaries, trapping of air in technological
operations, etc. Liquid temperature influences essentially its
rheological properties, which may have an impact on the bubble
pulsations and sound propagation in the system. The target of the
paper is modeling of the liquid temperature effect on single bubble
dynamics and sound dispersion and attenuation in polymeric solution
with spherical gas bubbles. The basic sources of attenuation (heat
exchange between gas in microbubbles and surrounding liquid,
rheological and acoustic losses) are taken into account. It is supposed
that in the studied temperature range the interface mass transfer has a
minor effect on bubble dynamics. The results of the study indicate
that temperature raise yields enhancement of bubble pulsations and
increase in sound attenuation in the near-resonance range and may
have a strong impact on sound dispersion in the liquid-bubble
mixture at frequencies close to the resonance frequency of bubbles.
Abstract: Numerical studies have been carried out using a
validated two-dimensional standard k-omega turbulence model for
the design optimization of a thrust vector control system using shock
induced self-impinging supersonic secondary double jet. Parametric
analytical studies have been carried out at different secondary
injection locations to identifying the highest unsymmetrical
distribution of the main gas flow due to shock waves, which produces
a desirable side force more lucratively for vectoring. The results from
the parametric studies of the case on hand reveal that the shock
induced self-impinging supersonic secondary double jet is more
efficient in certain locations at the divergent region of a CD nozzle
than a case with supersonic single jet with same mass flow rate. We
observed that the best axial location of the self-impinging supersonic
secondary double jet nozzle with a given jet interaction angle, built-in
to a CD nozzle having area ratio 1.797, is 0.991 times the primary
nozzle throat diameter from the throat location. We also observed
that the flexible steering is possible after invoking ON/OFF facility to
the secondary nozzles for meeting the onboard mission requirements.
Through our case studies we concluded that the supersonic self-impinging
secondary double jet at predesigned jet interaction angle
and location can provide more flexible steering options facilitating
with 8.81% higher thrust vectoring efficiency than the conventional
supersonic single secondary jet without compromising the payload
capability of any supersonic aerospace vehicle.
Abstract: This paper investigates the connotation, and some of
the realistic implications, of the economic reform of health sector in
under developed countries. The paper investigates the issues that
economic reforms have to address, and the policy targets they are
considered to accomplish. The work argues that the development of
economic reform is not connected only with understanding the
priorities and refining them, furthermore with reformation and
restructuring the organizations through which health policies are
employed. Considering various organizational values, that are likely
to be regular to all economic reform programs, a regulatory approach
to institutional reform is unsuitable. The paper further investigates the
selection of economic reform that may as well influence via technical
suggestions and analysis, but the verdict to continue, and the
consequent success of execution, eventually depends on the
progressive political sustainability. The paper concludes by giving
examples of institutional reforms from various underdeveloped
countries and includes recommendation of the responsibility and
control of donor organizations.
Abstract: In recent research copper and manganese systems
were found to be the most active in CO and organic compounds
oxidation among the base catalysts. The mixed copper manganese
oxide has been widely studied in oxidation reactions because of their
higher activity at low temperatures in comparison with single oxide
catalysts. The results showed that the formation of spinel
CuxMn3−xO4 in the oxidized catalyst is responsible for the activity
even at room temperature. That is why the most of the investigations
are focused on the hopcalite catalyst (CuMn2O4) as the best coppermanganese
catalyst. Now it’s known that this is true only for CO
oxidation, but not for mixture of CO and VOCs. The purpose of this
study is to investigate the alumina supported copper-manganese
catalysts with different Cu/Mn molar ratio in terms of oxidation of
CO, methanol and dimethyl ether. The catalysts were prepared by impregnation of γ-Al2O3 with
copper and manganese nitrates and the catalytic activity
measurements were carried out in two stage continuous flow
equipment with an adiabatic reactor for simultaneous oxidation of all
compounds under the conditions closest possible to the industrial. Gas
mixtures on the input and output of the reactor were analyzed with a
gas chromatograph, equipped with FID and TCD detectors. The
texture characteristics were determined by low-temperature (- 196oС)
nitrogen adsorption in a Quantachrome Instruments NOVA 1200e
(USA) specific surface area & pore analyzer. Thermal, XRD and
TPR analyses were performed. It was established that the active component of the mixed Cu-
Mn/γ–alumina catalysts strongly depends on the Cu/Mn molar ratio.
Highly active alumina supported Cu-Mn catalysts for CO, methanol
and DME oxidation were synthesized. While the hopcalite is the best
catalyst for CO oxidation, the best compromise for simultaneous
oxidation of all components is the catalyst with Cu/Mn molar ratio
1:5.
Abstract: Studying stress and strain trends in the femur and
recognizing femur failure mechanism is very important for
preventing hip fracture in the elderly. The aim of this study was to
identify high stress and strain regions in the femur during normal
walking and falling to find the mechanical behavior and failure
mechanism of the femur. We developed a finite element model of the
femur from the subject’s quantitative computed tomography (QCT)
image and used it to identify potentially high stress and strain regions
during the single-leg stance and the sideways fall. It was found that
fracture may initiate from the superior region of femoral neck and
propagate to the inferior region during a high impact force such as
sideways fall. The results of this study showed that the femur bone is
more sensitive to strain than stress which indicates the effect of
strain, in addition to effect of stress, should be considered for failure
analysis.
Abstract: Background subtraction and temporal difference are
often used for moving object detection in video. Both approaches are
computationally simple and easy to be deployed in real-time image
processing. However, while the background subtraction is highly
sensitive to dynamic background and illumination changes, the
temporal difference approach is poor at extracting relevant pixels of
the moving object and at detecting the stopped or slowly moving
objects in the scene. In this paper, we propose a simple moving object
detection scheme based on adaptive background subtraction and
temporal difference exploiting dynamic background updates. The
proposed technique consists of histogram equalization, a linear
combination of background and temporal difference, followed by the
novel frame-based and pixel-based background updating techniques.
Finally, morphological operations are applied to the output images.
Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can solve the
drawbacks of both background subtraction and temporal difference
methods and can provide better performance than that of each method.
Abstract: In recent decades, particulate matter (PM10) have
received much attention due to its potential adverse health impact and
the subsequent need to better control or regulate these pollutants.
The aim of this paper is focused on study risk assessment of PM10
in four different districts (Shebikah, Masfalah, Aziziyah, Awali) in
Makkah, Saudi Arabia during the period from 1 Ramadan 1434 AH -
27 Safar 1435 AH. Samples were collected by using Low Volume
Sampler (LVS Low Volume Sampler) device and filtration method
for estimating the total concentration of PM10.
The study indicated that the mean PM10 concentrations were 254.6
(186.1 - 343.2) μg/m3 in Shebikah, 184.9 (145.6 - 271.4) μg/m3 in
Masfalah, 162.4 (92.4-253.8) μg/m3 in Aziziyah, and 56.0 (44.5 -
119.8) μg/m3 in Awali. These values did not exceed the permissible
limits in PME (340 μg/m3 as daily average). Furthermore, health
assessment is carried out using AirQ2.2.3 model to estimate the
number of hospital admissions due to respiratory diseases. The
cumulative number of cases per 100,000 were 1534 (18-3050 case),
which lower than that recorded in the United States, Malaysia. The
concentration response coefficient was 0.49 (95% CI 0.05 - 0.70) per
10 μg/m3 increase of PM10.
Abstract: Traditionally, the embodied energy of design choices
which reduce operational energy were assumed to have a negligible
impact on the life cycle energy of buildings. However with new
buildings having considerably lower operational energy, the
significance of embodied energy increases. A life cycle assessment of
a population of house designs was conducted in a mild and mixed
climate zone. It was determined not only that embodied energy
dominates life cycle energy, but that the impact on embodied of
design choices was of equal significance to the impact on operational
energy.
Abstract: This paper aims to project the construction of a
prototype azimuthal thruster, mounted with materials of low cost and
easy access, testing in a controlled environment to measure their
performance, characteristics and feasibility of future projects. The
construction of the simulation of dynamic positioning software,
responsible for simulating a vessel and reposition it when necessary.
Validation tests were performed in the form of partial or complete
system. These tests validate the system manually or automatically.
The system provides an interface to the user and simulates the
conditions unfavorable positioning of a vessel, accurately calculates
the azimuth angle, the direction of rotation of the helix and the time
that this should be turned on so that the vessel back to position
original. A serial communication connects the Simulation Dynamic
Positioning System with Embedded System causing the usergenerated
data to simulate the DP system arrives in the form of
control signals to the motors of the propellant. This article addresses
issues in the marine industry employees.
Abstract: The study is in application and analysis of two tourism
management tools that can contribute to making public managers
decision: the Barometer of Tourism Sustainability (BTS) and the
Ecological Footprint (EF). The results have shown that BTS allows
you to have an integrated view of the tourism system, awakening to
the need for planning of appropriate actions so that it can achieve the
positive scale proposed (potentially sustainable). Already the
methodology of ecological tourism footprint is an important tool to
measure potential impacts generated by tourism to tourist reality.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to present a modeling and
control of a quarter-car active suspension system with unknown
mass, unknown time-delay and road disturbance. The objective of
designing the controller is to derive a control law to achieve stability
of the system and convergence that can considerably improve ride
comfort and road disturbance handling. This is accomplished by
using Routh-Hurwitz criterion based on defined parameters.
Mathematical proof is given to show the ability of the designed
controller to ensure the target of design, implementation with the
active suspension system and enhancement dispersion oscillation of
the system despite these problems. Simulations were also performed
to control quarter car suspension, where the results obtained from
these simulations verify the validity of the proposed design.
Abstract: Contemporary theories of sustainability, concerning
the natural and built environment, have recently introduced an
environmental attitude towards the architectural design that, in turn,
affects the practice of conservation and reuse of the existing building
stock. This paper presents an environmentally friendly approach
towards the conservation of vernacular architecture and it is based on
the results of a research program which involved the investigation of
sustainable design elements of traditional buildings in Cyprus. The
research in question showed that Cypriot vernacular architecture gave
more emphasis on cooling rather than heating strategies. Another
notable finding of the investigation was the great importance given to
courtyards as they enhance considerably, and in various ways, the
microclimatic conditions of the immediate environment with
favorable results throughout the year. Moreover, it was shown that
the reduction in temperature fluctuation observed in the closed and
semi-open spaces, compared to the respective temperature fluctuation
of the external environment -due to the thermal inertia of the building
envelope- helps towards the achievement of more comfortable living
conditions within traditional dwellings. This paper concludes with a
proposal of a sustainable approach towards the conservation of the
existing environment and the introduction of new environmental
criteria for the conservation of traditional buildings, beyond the
aesthetic, morphological and structural ones that are generally
applied.
Abstract: Sodium formate is the chemical substance used for
food additive. Catalase is the important antioxidative enzyme in
protecting the cell from oxidative damage by reactive oxygen species
(ROS). The resultant level of oxidative stress in sodium formatetreated
lymphocytes was investigated. The sodium formate
concentrations of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 mg/mL were treated in
human lymphocytes for 12 hours. After 12 treated hours, catalase
activity change was measured in sodium formate-treated
lymphocytes. The results showed that the sodium formate
concentrations of 0.4 and 0.6 mg/mL significantly decreased catalase
activities in lymphocytes (P < 0.05). The change of catalase activity
in sodium formate-treated lymphocytes may be the oxidative damage
marker for detect sodium formate exposure in human.
Abstract: The using of waste materials in the construction
industry can reduce the dependence on the natural aggregates which
are going at the end to deplete. The glass waste is generated in a huge
amount which can make one of its disposals in concrete industry
effective not only as a green solution but also as an advantage to
enhance the performance of mechanical properties and durability of
concrete. This article reports the performance of concrete specimens
containing different percentages of milled glass waste as a partial
replacement of cement (Powder), when they are subject to cycles of
freezing and thawing. The tests were conducted on 75-mm cubes and
75 x 75 x 300-mm prisms. Compressive strength based on laboratory
testing and non-destructive ultrasonic pulse velocity test were
performed during the action of freezing-thawing cycles (F/T). The
results revealed that the incorporation of glass waste in concrete
mixtures is not only feasible but also showed generally better strength
and durability performance than control concrete mixture. It may be
said that the recycling of waste glass in concrete mixes is not only a
disposal way, but also it can be an exploitation in concrete industry.
Abstract: This paper presents the design, development and
evaluation of an application prototype developed to support
tuberculosis (TB) patients’ treatment adherence. The system makes
use of graphics and voice reminders as opposed to text messaging to
encourage patients to follow their medication routine. To evaluate the
effect of the prototype applications, participants were given mobile
phones on which the reminder system was installed. Thirty-eight
people, including TB health workers and patients from Zanzibar,
Tanzania, participated in the evaluation exercises. The results
indicate that the participants found the mobile image-based
application is useful to support TB treatment. All participants
understood and interpreted the intended meaning of every image
correctly. The study findings revealed that the use of a mobile visualbased
application may have potential benefit to support TB patients
(both literate and illiterate) in their treatment processes.
Abstract: In light of the technological development and its
introduction into the field of education, an online course was
designed in parallel to the 'conventional' course for teaching the
''Qualitative Research Methods''. This course aimed to characterize
learning-teaching processes in a 'Qualitative Research Methods'
course studied in two different frameworks. Moreover, its objective
was to explore the difference between the culture of a physical
learning environment and that of online learning. The research
monitored four learner groups, a total of 72 students, for two years,
two groups from the two course frameworks each year. The courses
were obligatory for M.Ed. students at an academic college of
education and were given by one female-lecturer. The research was
conducted in the qualitative method as a case study in order to attain
insights about occurrences in the actual contexts and sites in which
they transpire. The research tools were open-ended questionnaire and
reflections in the form of vignettes (meaningful short pictures) to all
students as well as an interview with the lecturer. The tools facilitated
not only triangulation but also collecting data consisting of voices
and pictures of teaching and learning. The most prominent findings
are: differences between the two courses in the change features of the
learning environment culture for the acquisition of contents and
qualitative research tools. They were manifested by teaching
methods, illustration aids, lecturer's profile and students' profile.