Abstract: The term hybrid composite refers to the composite
containing more than one type of fiber material as reinforcing fillers.
It has become attractive structural material due to the ability of
providing better combination of properties with respect to single fiber
containing composite. The eco-friendly nature as well as processing
advantage, light weight and low cost have enhanced the attraction
and interest of natural fiber reinforced composite. The objective of
present research is to study the mechanical properties of jute-coir
fiber reinforced hybrid polypropylene (PP) composite according to
filler loading variation. In the present work composites were
manufactured by using hot press machine at four levels of fiber
loading (5, 10, 15 and 20 wt %). Jute and coir fibers were utilized at a
ratio of (1:1) during composite manufacturing. Tensile, flexural,
impact and hardness tests were conducted for mechanical
characterization. Tensile test of composite showed a decreasing trend
of tensile strength and increasing trend of the Young-s modulus with
increasing fiber content. During flexural, impact and hardness tests,
the flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact strength and hardness
were found to be increased with increasing fiber loading. Based on
the fiber loading used in this study, 20% fiber reinforced composite
resulted the best set of mechanical properties.
Abstract: The spiral angle of the elementary cellulose fibril in
the wood cell wall, often called microfibril angle, (MFA). Microfibril
angle in hardwood is one of the key determinants of solid timber
performance due to its strong influence on the stiffness, strength,
shrinkage, swelling, thermal-dynamics mechanical properties and
dimensional stability of wood. Variation of MFA (degree) in the S2
layer of the cell walls among Acacia mangium trees was determined
using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The length and
orientation of the microfibrils of the cell walls in the irradiated
volume of the thin samples are measured using SAXS and optical
microscope for 3D surface measurement. The undetermined
parameters in the analysis are the MFA, (M) and the standard
deviation (σФ) of the intensity distribution arising from the wandering
of the fibril orientation about the mean value. Nine separate pairs of
values are determined for nine different values of the angle of the
incidence of the X-ray beam relative to the normal to the radial
direction in the sample. The results show good agreement. The
curve distribution of scattered intensity for the real cell wall structure
is compared with that calculated with that assembly of rectangular
cells with the same ratio of transverse to radial cell wall length. It is
demonstrated that for β = 45°, the peaks in the curve intensity
distribution for the real and the rectangular cells coincide. If this
peak position is Ф45, then the MFA can be determined from the
relation M = tan-1 (tan Ф45 / cos 45°), which is precise for rectangular
cells. It was found that 92.93% of the variation of MFA can be
attributed to the distance from pith to bark. Here we shall present our
results of the MFA in the cell wall with respect to its shape, structure
and the distance from pith to park as an important fast check and yet
accurate towards the quality of wood, its uses and application.
Abstract: e-Government structures permits the government to operate in a more transparent and accountable manner of which it increases the power of the individual in relation to that of the government. This paper identifies the factors that determine customer-s attitude towards e-Government services using a theoretical model based on the Technology Acceptance Model. Data relating to the constructs were collected from 200 respondents. The research model was tested using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) techniques via the Analysis of Moment Structure (AMOS 16) computer software. SEM is a comprehensive approach to testing hypotheses about relations among observed and latent variables. The proposed model fits the data well. The results demonstrated that e- Government services acceptance can be explained in terms of compatibility and attitude towards e-Government services. The setup of the e-Government services will be compatible with the way users work and are more likely to adopt e-Government services owing to their familiarity with the Internet for various official, personal, and recreational uses. In addition, managerial implications for government policy makers, government agencies, and system developers are also discussed.
Abstract: This paper presents a means for reducing the torque
variation during the revolution of a vertical-axis water turbine
(VAWaterT) by increasing the blade number. For this purpose, twodimensional
CFD analyses have been performed on a straight-bladed
Darrieus-type rotor. After describing the computational model and
the relative validation procedure, a complete campaign of
simulations, based on full RANS unsteady calculations, is proposed
for a three, four and five-bladed rotor architectures, characterized by
a NACA 0025 airfoil. For each proposed rotor configuration, flow
field characteristics are investigated at several values of tip speed
ratio, allowing a quantification of the influence of blade number on
flow geometric features and dynamic quantities, such as rotor torque
and power. Finally, torque and power curves are compared for the
three analyzed architectures, achieving a quantification of the effect
of blade number on overall rotor performance.
Abstract: The POD-assisted projective integration method based on the equation-free framework is presented in this paper. The method is essentially based on the slow manifold governing of given system. We have applied two variants which are the “on-line" and “off-line" methods for solving the one-dimensional viscous Bergers- equation. For the on-line method, we have computed the slow manifold by extracting the POD modes and used them on-the-fly along the projective integration process without assuming knowledge of the underlying slow manifold. In contrast, the underlying slow manifold must be computed prior to the projective integration process for the off-line method. The projective step is performed by the forward Euler method. Numerical experiments show that for the case of nonperiodic system, the on-line method is more efficient than the off-line method. Besides, the online approach is more realistic when apply the POD-assisted projective integration method to solve any systems. The critical value of the projective time step which directly limits the efficiency of both methods is also shown.
Abstract: In this paper electrical characteristics of various kinds
of multiple-gate silicon nanowire transistors (SNWT) with the
channel length equal to 7 nm are compared. A fully ballistic quantum
mechanical transport approach based on NEGF was employed to
analyses electrical characteristics of rectangular and cylindrical
silicon nanowire transistors as well as a Double gate MOS FET. A
double gate, triple gate, and gate all around nano wires were studied
to investigate the impact of increasing the number of gates on the
control of the short channel effect which is important in nanoscale
devices. Also in the case of triple gate rectangular SNWT inserting
extra gates on the bottom of device can improve the application of
device. The results indicate that by using gate all around structures
short channel effects such as DIBL, subthreshold swing and delay
reduces.
Abstract: Series of tellurite glass of the system 78TeO2-10PbO-
10Li2O-(2-x)Nd2O3-xEr2O3, where x = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 was
successfully been made. A study of upconversion luminescence of
the Nd3+/Er3+ co-doped tellurite glass has been carried out. From
Judd-Ofelt analysis, the experimental lifetime, exp. τ of the glass
serie are found higher in the visible region as they varies from
65.17ms to 114.63ms, whereas in the near infrared region (NIR) the
lifetime are varies from 2.133ms to 2.270ms. Meanwhile, the
emission cross section,σ results are found varies from 0.004 x 1020
cm2 to 1.007 x 1020 cm2 with respect to composition. The emission
spectra of the glass are found been contributed from Nd3+ and Er3+
ions by which nine significant transition peaks are observed. The
upconversion mechanism of the co-doped tellurite glass has been
shown in the schematic energy diagrams. In this works, it is found
that the excited state-absorption (ESA) is still dominant in the
upconversion excitation process as the upconversion excitation
mechanism of the Nd3+ excited-state levels is accomplished through a
stepwise multiphonon process. An efficient excitation energy transfer
(ET) has been observed between Nd3+ as a donor and Er3+ as the
acceptor. As a result, respective emission spectra had been observed.
Abstract: To evaluate the ability to predict xerostomia after
radiotherapy, we constructed and compared neural network and
logistic regression models. In this study, 61 patients who completed a
questionnaire about their quality of life (QoL) before and after a full
course of radiation therapy were included. Based on this questionnaire,
some statistical data about the condition of the patients’ salivary
glands were obtained, and these subjects were included as the inputs of
the neural network and logistic regression models in order to predict
the probability of xerostomia. Seven variables were then selected from
the statistical data according to Cramer’s V and point-biserial
correlation values and were trained by each model to obtain the
respective outputs which were 0.88 and 0.89 for AUC, 9.20 and 7.65
for SSE, and 13.7% and 19.0% for MAPE, respectively. These
parameters demonstrate that both neural network and logistic
regression methods are effective for predicting conditions of parotid
glands.
Abstract: Rice, which is the staple food in Sierra Leone, is
consumed on a daily basis. It is the most imperative food crop
extensively grown by farmers across all ecologies in the country.
Though much attention is now given to rice grain production through
the small holder commercialization programme (SHCP), however, no
attention has been given in investigating the limitations faced by rice
producers. This paper will contribute to attempts to overcome the
development challenges caused by food insecurity. The objective of
this paper is thus, to analysis the relationship between rice production
and the domestic retail price of rice. The study employed a log linear
model in which, the quantity of rice produced is the dependent
variable, quantity of rice imported, price of imported rice and price of
domestic rice as explanatory variables. Findings showed that, locally
produced rice is even more expensive than the imported rice per ton,
and almost all the inhabitants in the capital city which hosts about
65% of the entire population of the country favor imported rice, as it
is free from stones with other impurities. On the other hand, to
control price and simultaneously increase rice production, the
government should purchase the rice from the farmers and then sell to private retailers.
Abstract: Cancers could normally be marked by a number of
differentially expressed genes which show enormous potential as
biomarkers for a certain disease. Recent years, cancer classification
based on the investigation of gene expression profiles derived by
high-throughput microarrays has widely been used. The selection of
discriminative genes is, therefore, an essential preprocess step in
carcinogenesis studies. In this paper, we have proposed a novel gene
selector using information-theoretic measures for biological
discovery. This multivariate filter is a four-stage framework through
the analyses of feature relevance, feature interdependence, feature
redundancy-dependence and subset rankings, and having been
examined on the colon cancer data set. Our experimental result show
that the proposed method outperformed other information theorem
based filters in all aspect of classification errors and classification
performance.
Abstract: Current research has explored the impact of
instructional immediacy, defined as those behaviors that help build
close relationships or feelings of closeness, both on cognition and
motivation in the traditional classroom and online classroom;
however, online courses continue to suffer from higher dropout rates.
Based on Albert Bandura-s Social Cognitive Theory, four primary
relationships or interactions in an online course will be explored in
light of how they can provide immediacy thereby reducing student
attrition and improving cognitive learning. The four relationships are
teacher-student, student-student, and student-content, and studentcomputer.
Results of a study conducted with inservice teachers
completing a 14-week online professional development technology
course will be examined to demonstrate immediacy strategies that
improve cognitive learning and reduce student attrition. Results of
the study reveal that students can be motivated through various
interactions and instructional immediacy behaviors which lead to
higher completion rates, improved self-efficacy, and cognitive
learning.
Abstract: The common bean is the most important grain legume for direct human consumption in the world and BCMV is one of the world's most serious bean diseases that can reduce yield and quality of harvested product. To determine the best tolerance index to BCMV and recognize tolerant genotypes, 2 experiments were conducted in field conditions. Twenty five common bean genotypes were sown in 2 separate RCB design with 3 replications under contamination and non-contamination conditions. On the basis of the results of indices correlations GMP, MP and HARM were determined as the most suitable tolerance indices. The results of principle components analysis indicated 2 first components totally explained 98.52% of variations among data. The first and second components were named potential yield and stress susceptible respectively. Based on the results of BCMV tolerance indices assessment and biplot analysis WA8563-4, WA8563-2 and Cardinal were the genotypes that exhibited potential seed yield under contamination and noncontamination conditions.
Abstract: The number of framework conceived for e-learning
constantly increase, unfortunately the creators of learning materials
and educational institutions engaged in e-formation adopt a
“proprietor" approach, where the developed products (courses,
activities, exercises, etc.) can be exploited only in the framework
where they were conceived, their uses in the other learning
environments requires a greedy adaptation in terms of time and
effort. Each one proposes courses whose organization, contents,
modes of interaction and presentations are unique for all learners,
unfortunately the latter are heterogeneous and are not interested by
the same information, but only by services or documents adapted to
their needs. Currently the new tendency for the framework
conceived for e-learning, is the interoperability of learning materials,
several standards exist (DCMI (Dublin Core Metadata Initiative)[2],
LOM (Learning Objects Meta data)[1], SCORM (Shareable Content
Object Reference Model)[6][7][8], ARIADNE (Alliance of Remote
Instructional Authoring and Distribution Networks for Europe)[9],
CANCORE (Canadian Core Learning Resource Metadata
Application Profiles)[3]), they converge all to the idea of learning
objects. They are also interested in the adaptation of the learning
materials according to the learners- profile. This article proposes an
approach for the composition of courses adapted to the various
profiles (knowledge, preferences, objectives) of learners, based on
two ontologies (domain to teach and educational) and the learning
objects.
Abstract: Pakistani doctors (MBBS) are emigrating towards developed countries for professional adjustments. This study aims to highlight causes and consequences of doctors- brain drain from Pakistan. Primary data was collected from Mayo Hospital, Lahore by interviewing doctors (n=100) through systematic random sampling technique. It found that various socio-economic and political conditions are working as push and pull factors for brain drain of doctors in Pakistan. Majority of doctors (83%) declared poor remunerations and professional infrastructure of health department as push factor of doctors- brain drain. 81% claimed that continuous instability in political situation and threats of terrorism are responsible for emigration of doctors. 84% respondents considered fewer opportunities of further studies responsible for their emigration. Brain drain of doctors is affecting health sector-s policies / programs, standard doctor-patient ratios and quality of health services badly.
Abstract: It-s known that incorporating prior knowledge into support
vector regression (SVR) can help to improve the approximation
performance. Most of researches are concerned with the incorporation
of knowledge in the form of numerical relationships. Little work,
however, has been done to incorporate the prior knowledge on the
structural relationships among the variables (referred as to Structural
Prior Knowledge, SPK). This paper explores the incorporation of SPK
in SVR by constructing appropriate admissible support vector kernel
(SV kernel) based on the properties of reproducing kernel (R.K).
Three-levels specifications of SPK are studied with the corresponding
sub-levels of prior knowledge that can be considered for the method.
These include Hierarchical SPK (HSPK), Interactional SPK (ISPK)
consisting of independence, global and local interaction, Functional
SPK (FSPK) composed of exterior-FSPK and interior-FSPK. A
convenient tool for describing the SPK, namely Description Matrix
of SPK is introduced. Subsequently, a new SVR, namely Motivated
Support Vector Regression (MSVR) whose structure is motivated
in part by SPK, is proposed. Synthetic examples show that it is
possible to incorporate a wide variety of SPK and helpful to improve
the approximation performance in complex cases. The benefits of
MSVR are finally shown on a real-life military application, Air-toground
battle simulation, which shows great potential for MSVR to
the complex military applications.
Abstract: Gold passbook is an investing tool that is especially
suitable for investors to do small investment in the solid gold. The gold
passbook has the lower risk than other ways investing in gold, but its
price is still affected by gold price. However, there are many factors
can cause influences on gold price. Therefore, building a model to
predict the price of gold passbook can both reduce the risk of
investment and increase the benefits. This study investigates the
important factors that influence the gold passbook price, and utilize
the Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH) to build the predictive
model. This method can not only obtain the significant variables but
also perform well in prediction. Finally, the significant variables of
gold passbook price, which can be predicted by GMDH, are US dollar
exchange rate, international petroleum price, unemployment rate,
whole sale price index, rediscount rate, foreign exchange reserves,
misery index, prosperity coincident index and industrial index.
Abstract: PPX(Pretty Printer for XML) is a query language that offers a concise description method of formatting the XML data into HTML. In this paper, we propose a simple specification of formatting method that is a combination description of automatic layout operators and variables in the layout expression of the GENERATE clause of PPX. This method can automatically format irregular XML data included in a part of XML with layout decision rule that is referred to DTD. In the experiment, a quick comparison shows that PPX requires far less description compared to XSLT or XQuery programs doing same tasks.
Abstract: This article outlines conceptualization and
implementation of an intelligent system capable of extracting
knowledge from databases. Use of hybridized features of both the
Rough and Fuzzy Set theory render the developed system flexibility
in dealing with discreet as well as continuous datasets. A raw data set
provided to the system, is initially transformed in a computer legible
format followed by pruning of the data set. The refined data set is
then processed through various Rough Set operators which enable
discovery of parameter relationships and interdependencies. The
discovered knowledge is automatically transformed into a rule base
expressed in Fuzzy terms. Two exemplary cancer repository datasets
(for Breast and Lung Cancer) have been used to test and implement
the proposed framework.
Abstract: This conference paper discusses a risk allocation problem for subprime investing banks involving investment in subprime structured mortgage products (SMPs) and Treasuries. In order to solve this problem, we develop a L'evy process-based model of jump diffusion-type for investment choice in subprime SMPs and Treasuries. This model incorporates subprime SMP losses for which credit default insurance in the form of credit default swaps (CDSs) can be purchased. In essence, we solve a mean swap-at-risk (SaR) optimization problem for investment which determines optimal allocation between SMPs and Treasuries subject to credit risk protection via CDSs. In this regard, SaR is indicative of how much protection investors must purchase from swap protection sellers in order to cover possible losses from SMP default. Here, SaR is defined in terms of value-at-risk (VaR). Finally, we provide an analysis of the aforementioned optimization problem and its connections with the subprime mortgage crisis (SMC).
Abstract: The conjugate gradient optimization algorithm
usually used for nonlinear least squares is presented and is
combined with the modified back propagation algorithm yielding
a new fast training multilayer perceptron (MLP) algorithm
(CGFR/AG). The approaches presented in the paper consist of
three steps: (1) Modification on standard back propagation
algorithm by introducing gain variation term of the activation
function, (2) Calculating the gradient descent on error with
respect to the weights and gains values and (3) the determination
of the new search direction by exploiting the information
calculated by gradient descent in step (2) as well as the previous
search direction. The proposed method improved the training
efficiency of back propagation algorithm by adaptively modifying
the initial search direction. Performance of the proposed method
is demonstrated by comparing to the conjugate gradient algorithm
from neural network toolbox for the chosen benchmark. The
results show that the number of iterations required by the
proposed method to converge is less than 20% of what is required
by the standard conjugate gradient and neural network toolbox
algorithm.