Abstract: The enormous amount of solid waste generated poses
huge problems in waste management. It is therefore important to
gauge the awareness of the public with regards to waste management.
In this study, an instrument was developed to measure the beliefs,
attitudes and practices about waste management of school children as
an indication of their waste management awareness. This instrument
has showed that a positive awareness towards waste management
refers mainly to attitudes. However it is not easy for people to
practice waste management as a reflection of their awareness.
Abstract: Knowledge Discovery of Databases (KDD) is the
process of extracting previously unknown but useful and significant
information from large massive volume of databases. Data Mining is
a stage in the entire process of KDD which applies an algorithm to
extract interesting patterns. Usually, such algorithms generate huge
volume of patterns. These patterns have to be evaluated by using
interestingness measures to reflect the user requirements.
Interestingness is defined in different ways, (i) Objective measures
(ii) Subjective measures. Objective measures such as support and
confidence extract meaningful patterns based on the structure of the
patterns, while subjective measures such as unexpectedness and
novelty reflect the user perspective. In this report, we try to brief the
more widely spread and successful subjective measures and propose
a new subjective measure of interestingness, i.e. shocking.
Abstract: Ventricular fibrillation is a very important health
problem as is the cause of most of the sudden deaths in the world.
Waves of electrical activity are sent by the SA node, propagate
through the cardiac tissue and activate the mechanisms of cell
contraction, and therefore are responsible to pump blood to the body
harmonically. A spiral wave is an abnormal auto sustainable wave
that is responsible of certain types of arrhythmias. When these waves
break up, give rise to the fibrillation regime, in which there is a
complete loss in the coordination of the contraction of the heart
muscle. Interaction of spiral waves and obstacles is also of great
importance as it is believed that the attachment of a spiral wave to an
obstacle can provide with a transition of two different arrhythmias.
An obstacle can be partially excitable or non excitable. In this talk,
we present a numerical study of the interaction of meandering spiral
waves with partially and non excitable obstacles and focus on the
problem where the obstacle plays a fundamental role in the switch
between different spiral regimes, which represent different
arrhythmic regimes. Particularly, we study the phenomenon of
destabilization of spiral waves due to the presence of obstacles, a
phenomenon not completely understood (This work will appear as a
Chapter in a Book named Cardiac Arrhytmias by INTECH under the
name "Spiral Waves, Obstacles and Cardiac Arrhythmias", ISBN
979-953-307-050-5.).
Abstract: Technology or lack of it will play an important role in Africa-s effort to achieve inclusive development. Although a key determinant of competitiveness, new technology can exacerbate exclusion of the majority from the mainstream economic activities. To minimise potential technology exclusion while leveraging its critical role in African-s development, requires insight into technology diffusion process. Using system dynamics approach, a technology diffusion model is presented. The frequency of interaction of people exposed to and those not exposed to technology, and the technology adoption rate - the fraction of people who embrace new technologies once they are exposed, are identified as the broad factors critical to technology diffusion to wider society enabling more people to be part of the economic growth process. Based on simulation results, it is recommends that these two broad factors should form part of national policy aimed at achieving inclusive and sustainable development in Africa.
Abstract: Endemic Artemia franciscana populations can be found throughout the American continent and also as an introduced specie in several country all over the world, such as in the Mediterranean region where Artemia franciscana was identified as an invasive specie replacing native Artemia parthenogenetica and Artemia salina. In the present study, the characterization of the new invasive Artemia franciscana reported from Sabkhet Halk El-Menzel (Tunisia) was done based on the cysts biometry, nauplii instar-I length, Adult sexual dimorphism and fatty acid profile. The mean value of the diameter of non-decapsulated and decapsulated cysts, chorion thickness and naupliar length is 235.8, 226.3, 4.75 and 426.8 μm, respectively. Sexual dimorphism for adults specimen showed that maximal distance between compound eyes, diameter for compound eyes, length of first antenna and the abdomen length compared to the total body length ratio, are the most important variables for males and females discrimination with a total contribution of 62.39 %. The analysis of fatty acid methyl esters profile of decapsulated cysts resulted in low levels of linolenic acid (LLA, C18:3n-3) and high levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n-3) with 3.11 and 11.10 %, respectively. Low quantity of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) was also observed with 0.17 mg.g-1 dry weight.
Abstract: Piezoelectric transformers are electronic devices made
from piezoelectric materials. The piezoelectric transformers as the
name implied are used for changing voltage signals from one level to another. Electrical energy carried with signals is transferred by means of mechanical vibration. Characterizing in both electrical and
mechanical properties leads to extensively use and efficiency enhancement of piezoelectric transformers in various applications. In
this paper, study and analysis of electrical and mechanical properties of multi-layer piezoelectric transformers in forms of potential and
displacement distribution throughout the volume, respectively. This
paper proposes a set of quasi-static mathematical model of electromechanical
coupling for piezoelectric transformer by using a set of
partial differential equations. Computer-based simulation utilizing the three-dimensional finite element method (3-D FEM) is exploited
as a tool for visualizing potentials and displacements distribution
within the multi-layer piezoelectric transformer. This simulation was
conducted by varying a number of layers. In this paper 3, 5 and 7 of
the circular ring type were used. The computer simulation based on
the use of the FEM has been developed in MATLAB programming environment.
Abstract: This paper discusses EM algorithm and Bootstrap
approach combination applied for the improvement of the satellite
image fusion process. This novel satellite image fusion method based
on estimation theory EM algorithm and reinforced by Bootstrap
approach was successfully implemented and tested. The sensor
images are firstly split by a Bayesian segmentation method to
determine a joint region map for the fused image. Then, we use the
EM algorithm in conjunction with the Bootstrap approach to develop
the bootstrap EM fusion algorithm, hence producing the fused
targeted image. We proposed in this research to estimate the
statistical parameters from some iterative equations of the EM
algorithm relying on a reference of representative Bootstrap samples
of images. Sizes of those samples are determined from a new
criterion called 'hybrid criterion'. Consequently, the obtained results
of our work show that using the Bootstrap EM (BEM) in image
fusion improve performances of estimated parameters which involve
amelioration of the fused image quality; and reduce the computing
time during the fusion process.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose an architecture for easily
constructing a robot controller. The architecture is a multi-agent
system which has eight agents: the Man-machine interface, Task
planner, Task teaching editor, Motion planner, Arm controller,
Vehicle controller, Vision system and CG display. The controller has
three databases: the Task knowledge database, the Robot database and
the Environment database. Based on this controller architecture, we
are constructing an experimental power distribution line maintenance
robot system and are doing the experiment for the maintenance tasks,
for example, “Bolt insertion task".
Abstract: The utilization of renewable energy sources in electric
power systems is increasing quickly because of public apprehensions
for unpleasant environmental impacts and increase in the energy
costs involved with the use of conventional energy sources. Despite
the application of these energy sources can considerably diminish the
system fuel costs, they can also have significant influence on the
system reliability. Therefore an appropriate combination of the
system reliability indices level and capital investment costs of system
is vital. This paper presents a hybrid wind/photovoltaic plant, with
the aim of supplying IEEE reliability test system load pattern while
the plant capital investment costs is minimized by applying a hybrid
particle swarm optimization (PSO) / harmony search (HS) approach,
and the system fulfills the appropriate level of reliability.
Abstract: Drying characteristics of rough rice (variety of lenjan) with an initial moisture content of 25% dry basis (db) was studied in a hot air dryer assisted by infrared heating. Three arrival air temperatures (30, 40 and 500C) and four infrared radiation intensities (0, 0.2 , 0.4 and 0.6 W/cm2) and three arrival air speeds (0.1, 0.15 and 0.2 m.s-1) were studied. Bending strength of brown rice kernel, percentage of cracked kernels and time of drying were measured and evaluated. The results showed that increasing the drying arrival air temperature and radiation intensity of infrared resulted decrease in drying time. High bending strength and low percentage of cracked kernel was obtained when paddy was dried by hot air assisted infrared dryer. Between this factors and their interactive effect were a significant difference (p
Abstract: Giving birth is a natural process and most women have to go through it. Gynecologist or Midwife usually uses the leg holder to position the cervix in the stitching process. In some part of rural areas in Indonesia, the labor process normally being done at homes by calling in a midwife or gynecologist. The facilities for this kind of labor process is not yet sufficient, as the use of leg holder supposedly on the obstetric bed. The reality is that it is impossible to bring in the obstetric bed to the patient-s house at the time they call for giving birth or the time when the stitching of the cervix need to be done. This research is redesigning the leg holder through Biomechanics and ergonomic approaches to obtain the optimal design which is suitable to the user of a developing country such as Indonesia.
Abstract: Apart from geometry, functionality is one of the most
significant hallmarks of a product. The functionality of a product can
be considered as the fundamental justification for a product
existence. Therefore a functional analysis including a complete and
reliable descriptor has a high potential to improve product
development process in various fields especially in knowledge-based
design. One of the important applications of the functional analysis
and indexing is in retrieval and design reuse concept. More than 75%
of design activity for a new product development contains reusing
earlier and existing design know-how. Thus, analysis and
categorization of product functions concluded by functional
indexing, influences directly in design optimization. This paper
elucidates and evaluates major classes for functional analysis by
discussing their major methods. Moreover it is finalized by
presenting a noble hybrid approach for functional analysis.
Abstract: The systematic manipulations of shapes and sizes of
inorganic compounds greatly benefit the various application fields
including optics, magnetic, electronics, catalysis and medicine.
However shape control has been much more difficult to achieve.
Hence exploration of novel method for the preparation of differently
shaped nanoparticles is challenging research area. II-VI group of
semiconductor cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanostructure with different
morphologies (such as, acicular like, mesoporous, spherical shapes)
and of crystallite sizes vary from 11 to 16 nm were successfully
synthesized by chemical aqueous precipitation of Cd2+ ions with
homogeneously released S2- ions from decomposition of cadmium
sulphate (CdSO4) and thioacetamide (CH3CSNH2) by annealing at
different radiations (microwave, ultrasonic and sunlight) with matter
and systematic research has been done for various factors affecting
the controlled growth rate of CdS nanoparticles. The obtained
nanomaterials have been characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD),
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR),
Thermogravometric (DSC-TGA) analysis and Scanning Electron
Microscopy (SEM). The result indicates that on increasing the
reaction time particle size increases but on increasing the molar ratios
grain size decreases.
Abstract: Organizational innovation favors technological
innovation, but does it also influence technological innovation
persistence? This article investigates empirically the pattern of
technological innovation persistence and tests the potential impact of
organizational innovation using firm-level data from three waves of
the French Community Innovation Surveys. Evidence shows a
positive effect of organizational innovation on technological
innovation persistence, according to various measures of
organizational innovation. Moreover, this impact is more significant
for complex innovators (i.e., those who innovate in both products and
processes). These results highlight the complexity of managing
organizational practices with regard to the firm-s technological
innovation. They also add to comprehension of the drivers of
innovation persistence, through a focus on an often forgotten
dimension of innovation in a broader sense.
Abstract: Social media has led to paradigm shifts in ways
people work and do business, interact and socialize, learn and obtain
knowledge. So much so that social media has established itself as an
important spatial extension of this nation-s historicity and challenges.
Regardless of the enabling reputation and recommendation features
through social networks embedded in the social media system, the
overflow of broadcasted and publicized media contents turns the
table around from engendering trust to doubting the trust system.
When the trust is at doubt, the effects include deactivation of
accounts and creation of multiple profiles, which lead to the overflow
of 'ghost' contents (i.e. “the abundance of abandoned ships"). In
most literature, the study of trust can be related to culture; hence the
difference between Western-s “openness" and Eastern-s “blue-chip"
concepts in networking and relationships. From a survey on issues
and challenges among Malaysian social media users, 'authenticity'
emerges as one of the main factors that causes and is caused by other
factors. The other issue that has surfaced is credibility either in terms
of message/content and source. Another is the quality of the
knowledge that is shared. This paper explores the terrains of this
critical space which in recent years has been dominated increasingly
by, arguably, social networks embedded in the social media system,
the overflow of broadcasted and publicized media content.
Abstract: Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seeds are waste streams which are considered a major problem to the food industry. They contain potentially useful protein (10-15% of the whole date-s weight). Global production, industrialisation and utilisation of dates are increasing steadily. The worldwide production of date palm fruit has increased from 1.8 million tons in 1961 to 6.9 million tons in 2005, thus from the global production of dates are almost 800.000 tonnes of date palm seeds are not currently used [1]. The current study was carried out to convert the date palm seeds into useful protein powder. Compositional analysis showed that the seeds were rich in protein and fat 5.64 and 8.14% respectively. We used several laboratory scale methods to extract proteins from seed to produce a high protein powder. These methods included simple acid or alkali extraction, with or without ultrafiltration and phenol trichloroacetic acid with acetone precipitation (Ph/TCA method). The highest protein content powder (68%) was obtained by Ph/TCA method with yield of material (44%) whereas; the use of just alkali extraction gave the lowest protein content of 8%, and a yield of 32%.
Abstract: It is well recognized that the green house gases such
as Chlorofluoro Carbon (CFC), CH4, CO2 etc. are responsible
directly or indirectly for the increase in the average global temperature
of the Earth. The presence of CFC is responsible for
the depletion of ozone concentration in the atmosphere due to
which the heat accompanied with the sun rays are less absorbed
causing increase in the atmospheric temperature of the Earth. The
gases like CH4 and CO2 are also responsible for the increase in
the atmospheric temperature. The increase in the temperature level
directly or indirectly affects the dynamics of interacting species
systems. Therefore, in this paper a mathematical model is proposed
and analysed using stability theory to asses the effects of increasing
temperature due to greenhouse gases on the survival or extinction of
populations in a prey-predator system. A threshold value in terms
of a stress parameter is obtained which determines the extinction or
existence of populations in the underlying system.
Abstract: Traditionally, Yemini Sidr honey has been reported to
cure liver problems, stomach ulcers, and respiratory disorders. In this
experiment, we evaluated Yemeni Sidr honey for its ability to protect
inflammations caused by acetic acid and formalin -induced writhing,
carrageenan and histamine-induced paw oedema in experimental rat
model. Hyperpyrexia, membrane stabilizing activity, and
phytochemical screening of the honey was also examined. Yemini
Sidr Honey at (100, 200 and 500 mg/kg) exhibited a concentration
dependant inhibition of acetic acid induced and formalin induced
writhing, paw oedema induced by carrageenan & histamine, and
hyperpyrexia induced by brewer's yeast, it also inhibited membrane
stabilizing activity. Phytochemical screenings of the honey reveal the
presence of flavonoids, steroid, alkaloids, saponins and tannins. This
study suggested that Yemeni Sidr honey possess very strong antiinflammatory,
analgesic and antipyretic effects and these effects
would be a result of the phytochemicals present.
Abstract: Leonotisleonurus a shrub indigenous to Southern
Africa is widely used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of
conditions ranging from skin diseases and cough to epileptic fits and
‘heart problems’. Studies on the aqueous extract of the leaves have
indicated cycloxegenase enzyme inhibitory activity and an
antihypertensive effect.
Five methanol leaf extract fractions (MLEa - MLEe) of L.
leonurus were tested on anaesthetized normotensive male Wistar rats
(AWR) and isolated perfused working rat hearts (IWH). Fraction
MLEc (0.01mg/kg – 0.05mg/kg) induced significant increases in BP
and HR in AWR and positive chronotropic and inotropic effects in
IWH (1.0mg/ml – 5.0mg/ml). Pre-administration of atenolol
(2.0mg/kg) and prazosin (60μg/kg) significantly inhibited MLEc
effect on HR and MAP respectively in vivo, while atenolol
(7.0mg/ml) pre-perfusion significantly inhibited MLEc effect in vitro.
The hypertensive effect of MLEc is probably via β1agonism.
Results also indicate the presence of multiple cardioactive
compounds in L. leonurus.
Abstract: The remediation of water resources pollution in
developing countries requires the application of alternative
sustainable cheaper and efficient end-of-pipe wastewater treatment
technologies. The feasibility of use of South African cheap and
abundant pine tree (Pinus patula) sawdust for development of lowcost
AC of comparable quality to expensive commercial ACs in the
abatement of water pollution was investigated. AC was developed at
optimized two-stage N2-superheated steam activation conditions in a
fixed bed reactor, and characterized for proximate and ultimate
properties, N2-BET surface area, pore size distribution, SEM, pHPZC
and FTIR. The sawdust pyrolysis activation energy was evaluated by
TGA. Results indicated that the chars prepared at 800oC and 2hrs
were suitable for development of better quality AC at 800oC and 47%
burn-off having BET surface area (1086m2/g), micropore volume
(0.26cm3/g), and mesopore volume (0.43cm3/g) comparable to
expensive commercial ACs, and suitable for water contaminants
removal. The developed AC showed basic surface functionality at
pHPZC at 10.3, and a phenol adsorption capacity that was higher than
that of commercial Norit (RO 0.8) AC. Thus, it is feasible to develop
better quality low-cost AC from (Pinus patula) sawdust using twostage
N2-steam activation in fixed-bed reactor.