Abstract: Virtual engineering technology has undergone rapid progress in recent years and is being adopted increasingly by manufacturing companies of many engineering disciplines. There is an increasing demand from industry for qualified virtual engineers. The qualified virtual engineers should have the ability of applying engineering principles and mechanical design methods within the commercial software package environment. It is a challenge to the engineering education in universities which traditionally tends to lack the integration of knowledge and skills required for solving real world problems. In this paper, a case study shows some recent development of a MSc Mechanical Engineering course at Department of Engineering and Technology in MMU, and in particular, two units Simulation of Mechanical Systems(SMS) and Computer Aided Fatigue Analysis(CAFA) that emphasize virtual engineering education and promote integration of knowledge acquisition, skill training and industrial application.
Abstract: In this paper we study different similarity based approaches for the development of QSAR model devoted to the prediction of activity of antiobesity drugs. Classical similarity approaches are compared regarding to dissimilarity models based on the consideration of the calculation of Euclidean distances between the nonisomorphic fragments extracted in the matching process. Combining the classical similarity and dissimilarity approaches into a new similarity measure, the Approximate Similarity was also studied, and better results were obtained. The application of the proposed method to the development of quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) has provided reliable tools for predicting of inhibitory activity of drugs. Acceptable results were obtained for the models presented here.
Abstract: Thanks to VR technology advanced, there are many
researches had used VR technology to develop a training system.
Using VR characteristics can simulate many kinds of situations to
reach our training-s goal. However, a good training system not only
considers real simulation but also considers learner-s learning
motivation. So, there are many researches started to conduct game-s
features into VR training system. We typically called this is a serious
game. It is using game-s features to engage learner-s learning
motivation. However, VR or Serious game has another important
advantage. That is simulating feature. Using this feature can create
any kinds of pressured environments. Because in the real
environment may happen any emergent situations. So, increasing the
trainees- pressure is more important when they are training. Most
pervious researches are investigated serious game-s applications and
learning performance. Seldom researches investigated how to
increase the learner-s mental workload when they are training. So, in
our study, we will introduce a real case study and create two types
training environments. Comparing the learner-s mental workload
between VR training and serious game.
Abstract: Nosocomial (i.e., hospital-acquired) infections
(NI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitals. NI
rate is higher in intensive care units (ICU) than in the general
ward due to patients with severe symptoms, poor immunity,
and accepted many invasive therapies. Contact behaviors
between health caregivers and patients is one of the infect
factors. It is difficult to obtain complete contact records by
traditional method of retrospective analysis of medical records.
This paper establishes a contact history inferential model
(CHIM) intended to extend the use of Proximity Sensing of
rapid frequency identification (RFID) technology to
transferring all proximity events between health caregivers and
patients into clinical events (close-in events, contact events and
invasive events).The results of the study indicated that the
CHIM can infer proximity care activities into close-in events
and contact events.
The infection control team could redesign and build optimal
workflow in the ICU according to the patient-specific contact
history which provided by our automatic tracing system.
Abstract: Wikis are promoted as collaborative writing tools that
allow students to transform a text into a collective document by
information sharing and group reflection. However, despite the
promising collaborative capabilities of wikis, their pedagogical value
regarding collaborative writing is still questionable. Wiki alone
cannot make collaborative writing happen, and students do not
automatically become more active, participate, and collaborate with
others when they use wikis. To foster collaborative writing and active
involvement in wiki development there is a need for a systematic
approach to wikis. Themain goal of this paper is to propose and
evaluate a co-writing approach to the development of wikis, along
with the study of three wiki applications to report on pedagogical
implications of collaborative writing in higher education.
Abstract: The issue of leadership has been investigated from
several perspectives; however, very less from ethical perspective.
With the growing number of corporate scandals and unethical roles
played by business leaders in several parts of the world, the need to
examine leadership from ethical perspective cannot be over
emphasized. The importance of leadership credibility has been
discussed in the authentic model of leadership. Authentic leaders
display high degree of integrity, have deep sense of purpose, and
committed to their core values. As a result they promote a more
trusting relationship in their work groups that translates into several
positive outcomes. The present study examined how authentic
leadership contribute to subordinates- trust in leadership and how this
trust, in turn, predicts subordinates- work engagement. A sample of
395 employees was randomly selected from several local banks
operating in Malaysia. Standardized tools such as ALQ, OTI, and
EEQ were employed. Results indicated that authentic leadership
promoted subordinates- trust in leader, and contributed to work
engagement. Also, interpersonal trust predicted employees- work
engagement as well as mediated the relationship between this style of
leadership and employees- work engagement.
Abstract: The influence of physical (external added weight) and
neurophysiological (fatigue) factors on static and dynamic balance in
sport related activities was typified statically by the Romberg test
(one foot flat, eyes open) and dynamically by jumping and hopping
in both horizontal and vertical directions. Twenty healthy males were
participated in this study. In Static condition, added weight increased
body-s inertia and therefore decreased body sway in AP direction
though not significantly. Dynamically, added weight significantly
increased body sway in both ML and AP directions, indicating
instability, and the use of the counter rotating segments mechanism to
maintain balance was demonstrated. Fatigue on the other hand
significantly increased body sway during static balance as a
neurophysiological adaptation primarily to the inverted pendulum
mechanism. Dynamically, fatigue significantly increased body sway
in both ML and AP directions again indicating instability but with a
greater use of counter rotating segments mechanism. Differential
adaptations for each of the two balance mechanisms (inverted
pendulum and counter rotating segments) were found between one
foot flat and two feet flat dynamic conditions, as participants relied
more heavily on the first in the one foot flat conditions and relied
more on the second in the two feet flat conditions.
Abstract: Previous researches found that conventional WBL is effective for meaningful learner, because rote learner learn by repeating without thinking or trying to understand. It is impossible to have full benefit from conventional WBL. Understanding of rote learner-s intention and what influences it becomes important. Poorly designed user interface will discourage rote learner-s cultivation and intention to use WBL. Thus, user interface design is an important factor especially when WBL is used as comprehensive replacement of conventional teaching. This research proposes the influencing factors that can enhance learner-s intention to use the system. The enhanced TAM is used for evaluating the proposed factors. The research result points out that factors influencing rote learner-s intention are Perceived Usefulness of Homepage Content Structure, Perceived User Friendly Interface, Perceived Hedonic Component, and Perceived (homepage) Visual Attractiveness.
Abstract: An experimental study is realized in order to verify the
Mini Heat Pipe (MHP) concept for cooling high power dissipation
electronic components and determines the potential advantages of
constructing mini channels as an integrated part of a flat heat pipe. A
Flat Mini Heat Pipe (FMHP) prototype including a capillary structure
composed of parallel rectangular microchannels is manufactured and
a filling apparatus is developed in order to charge the FMHP. The
heat transfer improvement obtained by comparing the heat pipe
thermal resistance to the heat conduction thermal resistance of a
copper plate having the same dimensions as the tested FMHP is
demonstrated for different heat input flux rates. Moreover, the heat
transfer in the evaporator and condenser sections are analyzed, and
heat transfer laws are proposed. In the theoretical part of this work, a
detailed mathematical model of a FMHP with axial microchannels is
developed in which the fluid flow is considered along with the heat
and mass transfer processes during evaporation and condensation.
The model is based on the equations for the mass, momentum and
energy conservation, which are written for the evaporator, adiabatic,
and condenser zones. The model, which permits to simulate several
shapes of microchannels, can predict the maximum heat transfer
capacity of FMHP, the optimal fluid mass, and the flow and thermal
parameters along the FMHP. The comparison between experimental
and model results shows the good ability of the numerical model to
predict the axial temperature distribution along the FMHP.
Abstract: This study investigated the use of modified
atmosphere packaging (MAP) and different packaging to extend the
shelf life of Barbari flat bread. Three atmospheres including 70%CO2
and 30%N2, 50% CO2 and 50%N2 and a normal air as control were
used. The bread samples were packaged in three type pouches. The
shelf life was determined by appearance of mold and yeast (M +Y) in
Barbari bread samples stored at 25 ± 1°C and 38 ± 2% relative
humidity. The results showed that it is possible to prolong the shelf
life of Barbari bread from four days to about 21 days by using
modified atmosphere packaging with high carbon dioxide
concentration and high-barrier laminated and vacuum bags packages.
However, the hardness of samples kept in MAP increase significantly
by increase of carbon dioxide concentration. The correlation
coefficient (r) between headspace CO2 concentration and hardness
was 0.997, 0.997 and 0.599 for A, B and C packaging respectively.
High negative correlation coefficients were found between the crumb
moisture and the hardness values in various packaging. There were
significant negative correlation coefficients between sensory
parameters and hardness of texture.
Abstract: Study of the vibration cylindrical shells made of
a functionally gradient material (FGM) composed of stainless
steel and nickel is important. Material properties are graded in
the thickness direction of the shell according to volume
fraction power law distribution. The objective is to study the
natural frequencies, the influence of constituent volume
fractions and the effects of boundary conditions on the natural
frequencies of the FG cylindrical shell. The study is carried
out using third order shear deformation shell theory. The
governing equations of motion of FG cylindrical shells are
derived based on shear deformation theory. Results are
presented on the frequency characteristics, influence of
constituent volume fractions and the effects of clampedclamped
boundary conditions.
Abstract: In this paper an extensive verification of the extraction
method (published earlier) that consistently accounts for self-heating
and Early effect to accurately extract both base and thermal resistance
of bipolar junction transistors is presented. The method verification is
demonstrated on advanced RF SiGe HBTs were the extracted results
for the thermal resistance are compared with those from another
published method that ignores the effect of Early effect on internal
base-emitter voltage and the extracted results of the base resistance
are compared with those determined from noise measurements. A
self-consistency of our method in the extracted base resistance and
thermal resistance using compact model simulation results is also
carried out in order to study the level of accuracy of the method.
Abstract: In this study, we illustrated the performance and
microbial community of single- and two-phase systems anaerobically
co-digesting cassava pulp and pig manure. The results showed that
the volatile solid reduction and biogas productivity of two-phase
CSTR were 66 ± 4% and 2000 ± 210 ml l-1 d-1, while those of singlephase
CSTR were 59 ± 1% and 1670 ± 60 ml l-1 d-1, respectively. Codigestion
in two-phase CSTR gave higher 12% solid degradation and
25% methane production than single-phase CSTR. Phylogenetic
analysis of 16S rDNA clone library revealed that the Bacteroidetes
were the most abundant group, followed by the Clostridia in singlephase
CSTR. In hydrolysis/acidification reactor of two-phase system,
the bacteria within the phylum Firmicutes, especially Clostridium,
Eubacteriaceae and Lactobacillus were the dominant phylogenetic
groups. Among the Archaea, Methanosaeta sp. was the exclusive
predominant in both digesters while the relative abundance of
Methanosaeta sp. and Methanospirillum hungatei differed between
the two systems.
Abstract: Greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions impose major
threat to global warming potential (GWP). Unfortunately
manufacturing sector is one of the major sources that contribute
towards the rapid increase in greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. In
manufacturing sector electric power consumption is the major driver
that influences CO2 emission. Titanium alloys are widely utilized in
aerospace, automotive and petrochemical sectors because of their
high strength to weight ratio and corrosion resistance. Titanium
alloys are termed as difficult to cut materials because of their poor
machinability rating. The present study analyzes energy consumption
during cutting with reference to material removal rate (MRR).
Surface roughness was also measured in order to optimize energy
consumption.
Abstract: Healthcare providers sometimes use the power of
humor as a treatment and therapy for buffering mental health or easing
mental disorders because humor can provide relief from distress and
conflict. Humor is also very suitable for advertising because of similar
benefits. This study carefully examines humor's widespread use in
advertising and identifies relationships among humor mechanisms,
female depictions, and product types. The purpose is to conceptualize
how humor theories can be used not only to successfully define a
product as fitting within one of four color categories of the product
color matrix, but also to identify compelling contemporary female
depictions through humor in ads. The results can offer an idealization
for marketing managers and consumers to help them understand how
female role depictions can be effectively used with humor in ads. The
four propositions developed herein are derived from related literature,
through the identification of marketing strategy formulations that
achieve product memory enhancement by adopting humor
mechanisms properly matched with female role depictions.
Abstract: Government of Indonesia held a certification program to enhance the professionalism of teachers by using portfolio assessment. This research discusses about the effectiveness of certification programs to enhance the professionalism of teacher in Indonesia. Portfolio assessment method has drawbacks. The certified teachers do not show significant performance improvement. Therefore, the government changes the portfolio assessment method to the education and training for teachers.
Abstract: In this paper, a new cooling system using a nacelle duct
is proposed for the mechanical room in the household refrigerator. The
conventional mechanical room consists of a condenser, a compressor
and an axial fan. The axial fan is mainly responsible for cooling the
condenser and the compressor. The new cooling system is developed
by replacing the axial fan with the nacelle duct including the small
centrifugal fan. The parametric study is carried out to find the optimum
designs of the nacelle duct in terms of performance and efficiency.
Through this study, it is revealed that the new system can reduce the
space, electrical power and noise compared with the conventional
system
Abstract: Nowadays, obtaining traditional statistics and reports
is not adequate for the needs of organizational managers. The
managers need to analyze and to transform the raw data into
knowledge in the world filled with information. Therefore in this
regard various processes have been developed. In the meantime the
artificial intelligence-based processes are used and the new topics
such as business intelligence and knowledge discovery have
emerged. In the current paper it is sought to study the business
intelligence and its applications in the organizations.
Abstract: This paper discusses on the use of Spline Interpolation
and Mean Square Error (MSE) as tools to process data acquired from
the developed simulator that shall replicate sea bed logging environment.
Sea bed logging (SBL) is a new technique that uses marine
controlled source electromagnetic (CSEM) sounding technique and is
proven to be very successful in detecting and characterizing hydrocarbon
reservoirs in deep water area by using resistivity contrasts. It uses
very low frequency of 0.1Hz to 10 Hz to obtain greater wavelength.
In this work the in house built simulator was used and was provided
with predefined parameters and the transmitted frequency was varied
for sediment thickness of 1000m to 4000m for environment with and
without hydrocarbon. From series of simulations, synthetics data were
generated. These data were interpolated using Spline interpolation
technique (degree of three) and mean square error (MSE) were
calculated between original data and interpolated data. Comparisons
were made by studying the trends and relationship between frequency
and sediment thickness based on the MSE calculated. It was found
that the MSE was on increasing trends in the set up that has the
presence of hydrocarbon in the setting than the one without. The MSE
was also on decreasing trends as sediment thickness was increased
and with higher transmitted frequency.
Abstract: With the turn of this century, many researchers
started showing interest in Embedded Firewall (EF) implementations.
These are not the usual firewalls that are used as checkpoints at network gateways. They are, rather, applied near those hosts that need protection. Hence by using them, individual or grouped network
components can be protected from the inside as well as from external attacks.
This paper presents a study of EF-s, looking at their architecture and problems. A comparative study assesses how practical each kind is. It particularly focuses on the architecture, weak points, and
portability of each kind. A look at their use by different categories of users is also presented.