Abstract: Prior literature in the field of adaptive and
personalized learning sequence in e-learning have proposed and
implemented various mechanisms to improve the learning process
such as individualization and personalization, but complex to
implement due to expensive algorithmic programming and need of
extensive and prior data. The main objective of personalizing
learning sequence is to maximize learning by dynamically selecting
the closest teaching operation in order to achieve the learning
competency of learner. In this paper, a revolutionary technique has
been proposed and tested to perform individualization and
personalization using modified reversed roulette wheel selection
algorithm that runs at O(n). The technique is simpler to implement
and is algorithmically less expensive compared to other revolutionary
algorithms since it collects the dynamic real time performance matrix
such as examinations, reviews, and study to form the RWSA single
numerical fitness value. Results show that the implemented system is
capable of recommending new learning sequences that lessens time
of study based on student's prior knowledge and real performance
matrix.
Abstract: Hydrogen produced by means of polymer electrolyte
membrane electrolyzer (PEME) is one of the most promising
methods due to clean and renewable energy source. In the process,
some energy loss due to mass transfer through a PEM is caused by
diffusion, electro-osmotic drag, and the pressure difference between
the cathode channel and anode channel. In PEME, water molecules
and ionic particles transferred between the electrodes from anode to
cathode, Extensive mixing of the hydrogen and oxygen at anode
channel due to gases cross-over must be avoided. In recent times the
consciousness of safety issue in high pressure PEME where the
oxygen mix with hydrogen at anode channel could create, explosive
conditions have generated a lot of concern. In this paper, the steady
state and simulation analysis of gases crossover in PEME on the
temperature and pressure effect are presented. The simulations have
been analysis in MATLAB based on the well-known Fick’s Law of
molecular diffusion. The simulation results indicated that as
temperature increases, there is a significant decrease in operating
voltage.
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: Laura Island, which is located about 50 km away from
downtown, is a source of water supply in Majuro atoll, which is the
capital of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Low and flat Majuro
atoll has neither river nor lake. It is very important for Majuro atoll to
ensure the conservation of its water resources. However, upconing,
which is the process of partial rising of the freshwater-saltwater
boundary near the water-supply well, was caused by the excess
pumping from it during the severe drought in 1998. Upconing will
make the water usage of the freshwater lens difficult. Thus,
appropriate water usage is required to prevent up coning in the
freshwater lens because there is no other water source during drought. Numerical simulation of water usage applying SEAWAT model
was conducted at the central part of Laura Island, including the water
supply well, which was affected by upconing. The freshwater lens was
created as a result of infiltration of consistent average rainfall. The lens
shape was almost the same as the one in 1985. 0 of monthly rainfall
and variable daily pump discharge were used to calculate the
sustainable pump discharge from the water supply well. Consequently,
the total amount of pump discharge was increased as the daily pump
discharge was increased, indicating that it needs more time to recover
from upconing. Thus, a pump standard to reduce the pump intensity is
being proposed, which is based on numerical simulation concerning
the occurrence of the up-coning phenomenon in Laura Island during
the drought.
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: Over the past few decades, manufacturing has evolved
from a more labor-intensive set of mechanical processes to a
sophisticated set of information based technology processes. With the
existence of various advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs),
more and more functions or jobs are performed by these machines
instead of human labour. This study was undertaken in order to
research the extent of AMTs adoption in manufacturing companies in
Kenya. In order to investigate a survey was conducted via
questionnaires that were sent to 183 selected AMT manufacturing
companies in Kenya. 92 companies responded positively. All the
surveyed companies were found to have a measure of investment in
at least two of the 14 types of AMTs investigated. In general the
company surveyed showed that the level of AMT adoption in Kenya
is very low with investments levels at a mean of 2.057 and
integration levels at a mean of 1.639 in a scale of 1-5.
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: Durian skin is a newly explores natural fibre
potentially reinforced polyolefin for diverse applications. In this
work, investigation on the effect of coupling agent, maleic anhydride
polypropylene (MAPP) on the mechanical, morphological, and
thermal properties of polypropylene (PP) reinforced with durian skin
fibre (DSF) was conducted. The presence of 30 wt% DSF
significantly reduced the tensile strength of PP-DSF composite.
Interestingly, even though the same trend goes to PP-DSF with the
presence of MAPP, the reduction is only about 4% relative to
unreinforced PP and 18% higher than PP-DSF without MAPP
(untreated composite or UTC). The used of MAPP in treated
composite (TC) also increased the tensile modulus, flexural
properties and degradation temperature. The enhanced mechanical
properties are consistent with good interfacial interaction as
evidenced under scanning electron microscopy.
Abstract: A model to predict the plastic zone size for material
under plane stress condition has been developed and verified
experimentally. The developed model is a function of crack size,
crack angle and material property (dislocation density). Simulation
and validation results show that the model developed show good
agreement with experimental results. Samples of low carbon steel
(0.035%C) with included surface crack angles of 45o, 50o, 60o, 70o
and 90o and crack depths of 2mm and 4mm were subjected to low
strain rate between 0.48 x 10-3 s-1 – 2.38 x 10-3 s-1. The mechanical
properties studied were ductility, tensile strength, modulus of
elasticity, yield strength, yield strain, stress at fracture and fracture
toughness. The experimental study shows that strain rate has no
appreciable effect on the size of plastic zone while crack depth and
crack angle plays an imperative role in determining the size of the
plastic zone of mild steel materials.
Abstract: Global economy today is full of sophistication. All
over the world, business and marketing practices are undergoing
unprecedented transformation. In realization of this fact, the federal
government of Nigeria has put in place a robust transformation
agenda in order to put Nigeria in a better position to be a competitive
player and in the process transform all sectors of its economy. New
technologies, especially the Internet, are the driving force behind this
transformation. However, technology has inadvertently affected the
way businesses are done thus necessitating the acquisition of new
skills. In developing countries like Nigeria, citizens are still battling
with effective application of those technologies. Obviously, students
of business education need to acquire relevant business knowledge to
be able to transit into the world of work on graduation from school
and compete favorably in the labor market. Therefore, effective
utilization of social media by both teachers and students can help
extensively in empowering students with the needed skills. Social
media which is a group of Internet-based applications built on the
ideological foundations of Web 2.0, that allow the creation and
exchange of user generated content, and if incorporated into the
classroom experience may be the needed answer to unemployment
and poverty in Nigeria as beneficiaries can easily connect with
existing and potential enterprises and customers, engage with them
and reinforce mutual business benefits. Challenges and benefits of
social media use in education in Nigeria universities were revealed in
this study.
Abstract: This study aims to examine the sensory quality of
meatballs made from Balinese beef and buffalo meat after the
addition of smoke powder prior to storage at the temperatures of 2-
5°C for 7 days. This study used meat from Longissimus dorsi muscle
of male Balinese cattle aged 3 years and of male buffalo aged 5 years
as the main raw materials, and smoke powder as a binder and
preservative in making meatballs. The study was based on completely
randomized design (CRD) of factorial pattern of 2 x 3 x 2 where
factors 1, 2 and 3 included the types of meat (cattle and buffalo),
types of smoke powder (oven dried, freeze dried and spray dried)
with a level of 2% of the weight of the meat (w/w), and storage
duration (0 and 7 days) with three replications, respectively. The
parameters measured were the meatball sensory quality (scores of
tenderness, firmness, chewing residue, and intensity of flavor). The
results of this study show that each type of meat has produced
different sensory characteristics. The meatballs made from buffalo
meat have higher tenderness and elasticity scores than the Balinese
beef. Meanwhile, the buffalo meatballs have a lower residue
mastication score than the Balinese beef. Each type of smoke
powders has produced a relatively similar sensory quality of
meatballs. It can be concluded that the smoke powder of 2% of the
weight of the meat (w/w) could maintain the sensory quality of the
meatballs for 7 days of storage.
Abstract: The Com-Poisson (CMP) model is one of the most
popular discrete generalized linear models (GLMS) that handles
both equi-, over- and under-dispersed data. In longitudinal context,
an integer-valued autoregressive (INAR(1)) process that incorporates
covariate specification has been developed to model longitudinal
CMP counts. However, the joint likelihood CMP function is
difficult to specify and thus restricts the likelihood-based estimating
methodology. The joint generalized quasi-likelihood approach
(GQL-I) was instead considered but is rather computationally
intensive and may not even estimate the regression effects due
to a complex and frequently ill-conditioned covariance structure.
This paper proposes a new GQL approach for estimating the
regression parameters (GQL-III) that is based on a single score vector
representation. The performance of GQL-III is compared with GQL-I
and separate marginal GQLs (GQL-II) through some simulation
experiments and is proved to yield equally efficient estimates as
GQL-I and is far more computationally stable.
Abstract: In the Solid-State-Drive (SSD) performance, whether
the data has been well parallelized is an important factor. SSD
parallelization is affected by allocation scheme and it is directly
connected to SSD performance. There are dynamic allocation and
static allocation in representative allocation schemes. Dynamic
allocation is more adaptive in exploiting write operation parallelism,
while static allocation is better in read operation parallelism.
Therefore, it is hard to select the appropriate allocation scheme when
the workload is mixed read and write operations. We simulated
conditions on a few mixed data patterns and analyzed the results to
help the right choice for better performance. As the results, if data
arrival interval is long enough prior operations to be finished and
continuous read intensive data environment static allocation is more
suitable. Dynamic allocation performs the best on write performance
and random data patterns.
Abstract: It is very important for a developing nation to
developing their infrastructure on the prime priority because their
infrastructure particularly their roads and transportation functions as a
blood in the system. Almost 1.1 billion populations share the travel
and transportation industry in India. On the other hand, the Pakistan
transportation industry is also extensive and elevating about 170
million users of transportation. Indian and Pakistani specifically
within bus industry are well connected within and between the urban
and rural areas. The transportation industry is radically helping the
economic alleviation of both countries. Due to high economic
instability, unemployment and poverty rate both countries
governments are very serious and committed to help for boosting
their economy. They believe that any form of transportation
development would play a vital role in the development of land,
infrastructure which could indirectly support many other industries’
developments, such as tourism, freighting and shipping businesses,
just to mention a few. However, it seems that their previous
transportation planning in the due course has failed to meet the fast
growing demand. As with the span of time, both the countries are
looking forward to a long-term, and economical solutions, because
the demand is from time to time keep appreciating and reacting
according to other key economic drivers. Content analysis method
and case study approach is used in this paper and secondary data
from the bureau of statistic is used for case analysis. The paper
focused on the mobility concerns of the lower and middle-income
people in India and Pakistan. The paper is aimed to highlight the
weaknesses, opportunities and limitations resulting from low priority
industry for a government, which is making the either country's
public suffer. The paper has concluded that the main issue is
identified as the slow, inappropriate, and unfavorable decisions which
are not in favor of long-term country’s economic development and
public interest. The paper also recommends to future research
avenues for public and private transportation, which is continuously
failing to meet the public expectations.
Abstract: To maintain a healthy balanced loyalty, whether to art
or society, posits a debatable issue. The artist is always on the look
out for the potential tension between those two realms. Therefore,
one of the most painful dilemmas the artist finds is how to function in
a society without sacrificing the aesthetic values of his/her work. In
other words, the life-long awareness of failure which derives from the
concept of the artist as caught between unflattering social realities
and the need to invent genuine art forms becomes a fertilizing soil for
the artists to be tackled. Thus, within the framework of this dilemma,
the question of the responsibility of the artist and the relationship of
the art to politics will be illuminating. To a larger extent, however, in
drama, this dilemma is represented by the fictional characters of the
play. The present paper tackles the idea of the amorality of the artist in
selected plays by Tom Stoppard. However, Stoppard’s awareness of
his situation as a refugee has led him to keep at a distance from
politics. He tried hard to avoid any intervention into the realms of
political debate, especially in his earliest work. On the one hand, it is
not meant that he did not interest in politics as such, but rather he
preferred to question it than to create a fixed ideological position. On
the other hand, Stoppard’s refusal to intervene in politics is ascribed
to his feeling of gratitude to Britain where he settled. As a result,
Stoppard has frequently been criticized for a lack of political
engagement and also for not leaning too much for the left when he
does engage. His reaction to these public criticisms finds expression
in his self-conscious statements which defensively stressed the
artifice of his work. He, like Oscar Wilde thinks that the
responsibility of the artist is devoted to the realm of his/her art.
Consequently, his consciousness for the role of the artist is truly
reflected in his two plays, Artist Descending a Staircase (1972) and
Travesties (1974).
Abstract: Background: Breast milk may impact early brain
development, with potentially important biological, medical and
social implications. There is an important discussion on which is the
adequate breastfeeding extension to the development consolidation
and how the children breastfeeding affects their psychomotor
development, in the first year of life, and in following periods as
well. Some special fats (LC PUFA) contained in breast milk play a
key role in the brain’s maturation and cognitive development or
social skills. These capacities created during breastfeeding time
would be unfolded throughout all lifespan. Aim of the study: In our research, we have studied the effect of
breastfeeding in preschooler's psychomotor assessment.
Method: This study was conducted in a sample of 158 preschool
children in Vlorë, Albania. We have measured the psychometric
parameters of preschoolers with ASQ-3 (Age&Stage Questionnaires-
3). The studied sample was divided in three groups according to their
breastfeeding duration (3, 6 and 12 months). Results: Children breastfed for only 3 months have definitely
lower psychometric scores compared to the ones with 6 or more
months of breastfeeding (respectively 217 to 239 ASQ-3 scores). Six
and twelvemonth breastfed children have progressively more odds to
have high levels of psychomotor development comparing to those
with only 3 months of breastfeeding. The most affected psychometric
domains by shortness of breastfeeding are Communication and
Global motor. Conclusion: This leads to conclusion that to ensure high
psychomotor parameters during childhood is necessary breastfeeding
for at least 6 months.
Abstract: Liver segmentation from medical images poses more
challenges than analogous segmentations of other organs. This
contribution introduces a liver segmentation method from a series of
computer tomography images. Overall, we present a novel method for
segmenting liver by coupling density matching with shape priors.
Density matching signifies a tracking method which operates via
maximizing the Bhattacharyya similarity measure between the
photometric distribution from an estimated image region and a model
photometric distribution. Density matching controls the direction of
the evolution process and slows down the evolving contour in regions
with weak edges. The shape prior improves the robustness of density
matching and discourages the evolving contour from exceeding liver’s
boundaries at regions with weak boundaries. The model is
implemented using a modified distance regularized level set (DRLS)
model. The experimental results show that the method achieves a
satisfactory result. By comparing with the original DRLS model, it is
evident that the proposed model herein is more effective in addressing
the over segmentation problem. Finally, we gauge our performance of
our model against matrices comprising of accuracy, sensitivity, and
specificity.
Abstract: Anaerobic digestion is a well-known technique for
sustainable energy recovery from sewage sludge. However, sewage
sludge digestion is restricted due to certain factors. Pre-treatment
methods have been established in various publications as a promising
technique to improve the digestibility of the sewage sludge and to
enhance the biogas generated which can be used for energy recovery.
In this study, continuous flow microwave (MW) pre-treatment with
different intensities were compared by using 5 L semi-continuous
digesters at a hydraulic retention time of 27 days. We focused on the
effects of MW at different intensities on the sludge solubilization,
sludge digestibility, and biogas production of the untreated and MW
pre-treated sludge. The MW pre-treatment demonstrated an increase
in the ratio of soluble chemical oxygen demand to total chemical
oxygen demand (sCOD/tCOD) and volatile fatty acid (VFA)
concentration. Besides that, the total volatile solid (TVS) removal
efficiency and tCOD removal efficiency also increased during the
digestion of the MW pre-treated sewage sludge compared to the
untreated sewage sludge. Furthermore, the biogas yield also
subsequently increases due to the pre-treatment effect. A higher MW
power level and irradiation time generally enhanced the biogas
generation which has potential for sustainable energy recovery from
sewage treatment plant. However, the net energy balance tabulation
shows that the MW pre-treatment leads to negative net energy production.
Abstract: Within Rapid Prototyping technologies are used many
types of materials. Many of them are recyclable but there are still as
plastic like, so practically they do not degrade in the landfill.
Polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the special plastic materials, which
are biodegradable and available for 3D printing within Fused
Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology. The question is, if the
mechanical properties of produced models are comparable to similar
technical plastic materials which are usual for prototype production.
Presented paper shows the experiments results for tensile strength
measurements for specimens prepared with different 3D printer
settings and model orientation. Paper contains also the comparison of
tensile strength values with values measured on specimens produced
by conventional technologies as injection moulding.
Abstract: The main cause of Alzheimer disease (AD) was
believed to be mainly due to the accumulation of free radicals owing
to oxidative stress (OS) in brain tissue. The mechanism of the
neurotoxicity of Aluminum chloride (AlCl3) induced AD in
hippocampus Albino wister rat brain tissue, the curative & the
protective effects of Lipidium sativum group (LS) water extract were
assessed after 8 weeks by attenuated total reflection spectroscopy
ATR-IR and histologically by light microscope. ATR-IR results
revealed that the membrane phospholipid undergo free radical
attacks, mediated by AlCl3, primary affects the polyunsaturated fatty
acids indicated by the increased of the olefinic -C=CH sub-band area
around 3012 cm-1 from the curve fitting analysis. The narrowing in
the half band width (HBW) of the sνCH2 sub-band around 2852 cm-1
due to Al intoxication indicates the presence of trans form fatty acids
rather than gauch rotomer. The degradation of hydrocarbon chain to
shorter chain length, increasing in membrane fluidity, disorder, and
decreasing in lipid polarity in AlCl3 group indicated by the detected
changes in certain calculated area ratios compared to the control.
Administration of LS was greatly improved these parameters
compared to the AlCl3 group. Al influences the Aβ aggregation and
plaque formation, which in turn interferes to and disrupts the
membrane structure. The results also showed a marked increase in
the β-parallel and antiparallel structure, that characterize the Aβ
formation in Al-induced AD hippocampal brain tissue, indicated by
the detected increase in both amide I sub-bands around 1674, 1692
cm-1. This drastic increase in Aβ formation was greatly reduced in the
curative and protective groups compared to the AlCl3 group and
approached nearly the control values. These results supported too by
the light microscope. AlCl3 group showed significant marked
degenerative changes in hippocampal neurons. Most cells appeared
small, shrieked and deformed. Interestingly, the administration of LS
in curative and protective groups markedly decreases the amount of
degenerated cells compared to the non-treated group. In addition, the
intensity of congo red stained cells was decreased. Hippocampal
neurons looked more/or less similar to those of control. This study showed a promising therapeutic effect of Lipidium
sativum group (LS) on AD rat model that seriously overcome the
signs of oxidative stress on membrane lipid and restore the protein
misfolding.