Abstract: This study proposes novel hybrid social network analysis and collaborative filtering approach to enhance the performance of recommender systems. The proposed model selects subgroups of users in Internet community through social network analysis (SNA), and then performs clustering analysis using the information about subgroups. Finally, it makes recommendations using cluster-indexing CF based on the clustering results. This study tries to use the cores in subgroups as an initial seed for a conventional clustering algorithm. This model chooses five cores which have the highest value of degree centrality from SNA, and then performs clustering analysis by using the cores as initial centroids (cluster centers). Then, the model amplifies the impact of friends in social network in the process of cluster-indexing CF.
Abstract: This study aimed to develop and initially validate an instrument that measures social competency among tertiary level faculty members. A review of extant literature on social competence was done. The review of extant literature led to the writing of the items in the initial instrument which was evaluated by 11 Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). The SMEs were either educators or psychologists. The results of the evaluations done by the SMEs served as bases for the creation of the pre-try-out instrument used in the first trial-run. Insights from the first trial-run participants led to the development of the main try-out instrument used in the final test administration. One Hundred Forty-one participants from five private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the National Capital Region (NCR) and five private HEIs in Central Luzon in the Philippines participated in the final test administration. The reliability of the instrument was evaluated using Cronbach-s Coefficient Alpha formula and had a Cronbach-s Alpha of 0.92. On the other hand, Factor Analysis was used to evaluate the validity of the instrument and six factors were identified. The development of the final instrument was based on the results of the evaluation of the instrument-s reliability and validity. For purposes of recognition, the instrument was named “Social Competency Inventory for Tertiary Level Faculty Members (SCI-TLFM)."
Abstract: Polymeric microreactors have emerged as a new
generation of carriers that hold tremendous promise in the areas of
cancer therapy, controlled delivery of drugs, for removal of
pollutants etc. Present work reports a simple and convenient
methodology for synthesis of polystyrene and poly caprolactone
microreactors. An aqueous suspension of carboxylated (1μm)
polystyrene latex particles was mixed with toluene solution followed
by freezing with liquid nitrogen. Freezed particles were incubated at
-20°C and characterized for formation of voids on the surface of
polymer microspheres by Field Emission Scanning Electron
Microscope. The hollow particles were then overnight incubated at
40ºC with unfunctionalized quantum dots (QDs) in 5:1 ratio. QDs
Encapsulated polystyrene microcapsules were characterized by
fluorescence microscopy.
Likewise Poly ε-caprolactone microreactors were prepared by
micro-volcanic rupture of freeze dried microspheres synthesized
using emulsification of polymer with aqueous Poly vinyl alcohol and
freezed with liquid nitrogen. Microreactors were examined with Field
Emission Scanning Electron Microscope for size and morphology.
Current study is an attempt to create hollow polymer particles which
can be employed for microencapsulation of nanoparticles and drug
molecules.
Abstract: To achieve reliable solutions, today-s numerical and
experimental activities need developing more accurate methods and
utilizing expensive facilities, respectfully in microchannels. The analytical
study can be considered as an alternative approach to alleviate
the preceding difficulties. Among the analytical solutions, those with
high robustness and low complexities are certainly more attractive.
The perturbation theory has been used by many researchers to analyze
microflows. In present work, a compressible microflow with constant
heat flux boundary condition is analyzed. The flow is assumed to be
fully developed and steady. The Mach and Reynolds numbers are also
assumed to be very small. For this case, the creeping phenomenon
may have some effect on the velocity profile. To achieve robustness
solution it is assumed that the flow is quasi-isothermal. In this study,
the creeping term which appears in the slip boundary condition
is formulated by different mathematical formulas. The difference
between this work and the previous ones is that the creeping term
is taken into account and presented in non-dimensionalized form.
The results obtained from perturbation theory are presented based
on four non-dimensionalized parameters including the Reynolds,
Mach, Prandtl and Brinkman numbers. The axial velocity, normal
velocity and pressure profiles are obtained. Solutions for velocities
and pressure for two cases with different Br numbers are compared
with each other and the results show that the effect of creeping
phenomenon on the velocity profile becomes more important when
Br number is less than O(ε).
Abstract: Group contribution methods such as the UNIFAC are
of major interest to researchers and engineers involved synthesis,
feasibility studies, design and optimization of separation processes as
well as other applications of industrial use. Reliable knowledge of
the phase equilibrium behavior is crucial for the prediction of the fate
of the chemical in the environment and other applications. The
objective of this study was to predict the solubility of selected
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in glycol polymers and
biodiesel. Measurements can be expensive and time consuming,
hence the need for thermodynamic models. The results obtained in
this study for the infinite dilution activity coefficients compare very
well those published in literature obtained through measurements. It
is suggested that in preliminary design or feasibility studies of
absorption systems for the abatement of volatile organic compounds,
prediction procedures should be implemented while accurate fluid
phase equilibrium data should be obtained from experiment.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to compare the innovativeness, risk taking, and focusing on opportunity of the nurse managers and nurses. The data are collected from nurse managers and nurses in Ondokuz Mayıs University, Faculty of Medicine Hospital and Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Medicine Hospital. The study sample consisted of 151 participants, 76 nurse managers (50.3%) and 75 nurses (49.7%). All participants have been assessed by Participant Information Form and Corporate Entrepreneurship Scale. In data analysis, independent t-test has applied. The results show that there are significant differences between nurse managers and nurses on innovativeness (t = 2.42, p < 0.05), risk taking (t = 3.62, p < 0.01), and focusing on opportunity (t = 2.16, p < 0.05). Consequently, it can be said that nurse managers have more innovativeness than nurses and tend to take more risks and focus more on opportunities.
Abstract: In this study, single nozzle method used for
electrospinning technique which composite polymer solution with
cellulose nanowiskers (CNW) was treated by ultrasonic sonificator
have been compared with coaxial (double) nozzle method, in terms of
mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of composite
nanofiber. The effect of water content in composite polymer solution
on properties of nanofiber has also been examined. It has been seen
that single nozzle method which polymer solution does not contain
water has better results than that of coaxial method, in terms of
mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of nanofiber.
However, it is necessary to make an optimization study on setting
condition of ultrasonic treatment to get better dispersion of CNW in
composite nanofiber and to get better mechanical and thermal
properties
Abstract: The draft Auckland Unitary Plan outlines the future land used for new housing and businesses with Auckland population growth over the next thirty years. According to Auckland Unitary Plan, over the next 30 years, the population of Auckland is projected to increase by one million, and up to 70% of total new dwellings occur within the existing urban area. Intensification will not only increase the number of median or higher density houses such as terrace house, apartment building, etc. within the existing urban area but also change mean housing design data that can impact building thermal performance under the local climate. Based on mean energy consumption and building design data, and their relationships of a number of Auckland sample houses, this study is to estimate the future mean housing energy consumption associated with the change of mean housing design data and evaluate housing energy efficiency with the Auckland Unitary Plan.
Abstract: The evolution of ICT has changed all sections of society and these changes have been creating an irreversible impact on higher education institutions, which are expected to adopt innovative technologies in their teaching practices. As theorical framework this study select Rogers theory of innovation diffusion which is widely used to illustrate how technologies move from a localized invented to a widespread evolution on organizational practices. Based on descriptive statistical data collected in a European higher education institution three years longitudinal study was conducted for analyzing and discussion the different stages of a LMS adoption process. Results show that ICT integration in higher education is not progressively successful and a linear process and multiple aspects must be taken into account.
Abstract: 115 samples of Labeo calbasu ranged 8.0-17.9cm
length with mean11.90±1.96 and 4.9-68.5g weight with mean
22.25±12.54 from the River Chenab, Southern Punjab, Pakistan were
analyzed to investigate length-weight relationships (LWR) of fish in
relation to condition factor (K). Standard length (SL), fork length
(FL), head length (HL) head width (HW), body girth (BG), dorsal fin
length (DFL), dorsal fin base (DFB), pectoral fin length (PcFL),
pelvic fin length (PvFL) and anal fin length (AFL) are found to be
highly correlated with increasing total length and wet body weight (r
> 0.500). Wet body weight has positive (r=0.540) and total length
has no correlation (r=0.344) with calculated Condition factor (K).
The slope “b" in the relationship is 3.27 and intercepts -2.2258.
Abstract: In textile industry, besides the conventional textile
products, technical textile goods, that have been brought external
functional properties into, are being developed for technical textile
industry. Especially these products produced with weaving
technology are widely preferred in areas such as sports, geology,
medical, automotive, construction and marine sectors. These textile
products are exposed to various stresses and large deformations under
typical conditions of use. At this point, sufficient and reliable data
could not be obtained with uniaxial tensile tests for determination of
the mechanical properties of such products due to mainly biaxial
stress state. Therefore, the most preferred method is a biaxial tensile
test method and analysis. These tests and analysis is applied to fabrics
with different functional features in order to establish the textile
material with several characteristics and mechanical properties of the
product. Planar biaxial tensile test, cylindrical inflation and bulge
tests are generally required to apply for textile products that are used
in automotive, sailing and sports areas and construction industry to
minimize accidents as long as their service life. Airbags, seat belts
and car tires in the automotive sector are also subject to the same
biaxial stress states, and can be characterized by same types of
experiments. In this study, in accordance with the research literature
related to the various biaxial test methods are compared. Results with
discussions are elaborated mainly focusing on the design of a biaxial
test apparatus to obtain applicable experimental data for developing a
finite element model. Sample experimental results on a prototype
system are expressed.
Abstract: This study attempts to investigate the relationship
between internal CSR practices and organizational commitment
based on the social exchange theory (SET). Specifically, we examine
the impact of five dimensions of internal CSR practices on
organizational commitment: health and safety, human rights, training
and education, work life balance and workplace diversity. The
proposed model was tested on a sample of 336 frontline employees
within the banking sector in Jordan. Results showed that all internal
CSR dimensions are significantly and positively related to affective
and normative commitment. In addition, the findings of this study
indicate that all internal CSR dimensions did not have a significant
relationship with continuance commitment. Limitations of the study,
directions for future research, and implications of the findings are
discussed.
Abstract: Load managing method on road became necessary
since overloaded vehicles occur damage on road facilities and existing
systems for preventing this damage still show many
problems.Accordingly, efficient managing system for preventing
overloaded vehicles could be organized by using the road itself as a
scale by applying genetic algorithm to analyze the load and the drive
information of vehicles.Therefore, this paper organized Ubiquitous
sensor network system for development of intelligent overload vehicle
regulation system, also in this study, to use the behavior of road, the
transformation was measured by installing underground box type
indoor model and indoor experiment was held using genetic algorithm.
And we examined wireless possibility of overloaded vehicle
regulation system through experiment of the transmission and
reception distance.If this system will apply to road and bridge, might
be effective for economy and convenience through establishment of
U-IT system..
Abstract: There have been many games developing simulation
of soccer games. Many of these games have been designed with
highly realistic features to attract more users. Many have also
incorporated better artificial intelligent (AI) similar to that in a real
soccer game. One of the challenging issues in a soccer game is the
cooperation, coordination and negotiation among distributed agents
in a multi-agent system. This paper focuses on the incorporation of
multi-agent technique in a soccer game domain. The better the
cooperation of a multi-agent team, the more intelligent the game will
be. Thus, past studies were done on the robotic soccer game because
of the better multi-agent system implementation. From this study, a
better approach and technique of multi-agent behavior could be
select to improve the author-s 2D online soccer game.
Abstract: This study discusses the effect of uncertainty on
production levels of a petrochemical complex. Uncertainly or
variations in some model parameters, such as prices, supply and
demand of materials, can affect the optimality or the efficiency of any
chemical process. For any petrochemical complex with many plants,
there are many sources of uncertainty and frequent variations which
require more attention. Many optimization approaches are proposed
in the literature to incorporate uncertainty within the model in order
to obtain a robust solution. In this work, a stability analysis approach
is applied to a deterministic LP model of a petrochemical complex
consists of ten plants to investigate the effect of such variations on
the obtained optimal production levels. The proposed approach can
determinate the allowable variation ranges of some parameters,
mainly objective or RHS coefficients, before the system lose its
optimality. Parameters with relatively narrow range of variations, i.e.
stability limits, are classified as sensitive parameters or constraints
that need accurate estimate or intensive monitoring. These stability
limits offer easy-to-use information to the decision maker and help in
understanding the interaction between some model parameters and
deciding when the system need to be re-optimize. The study shows
that maximum production of ethylene and the prices of intermediate
products are the most sensitive factors that affect the stability of the
optimum solution
Abstract: The effect of streamwise conduction on the thermal
characteristics of forced convection for nanofluidic flow in
rectangular microchannel heat sinks under isothermal wall has been
investigated. By applying the fin approach, models with and without
streamwise conduction term in the energy equation were developed
for hydrodynamically and thermally fully-developed flow. These two
models were solved to obtain closed form analytical solutions for the
nanofluid and solid wall temperature distributions and the analysis
emphasized details of the variations induced by the streamwise
conduction on the nanofluid heat transport characteristics. The effects
of the Peclet number, nanoparticle volume fraction, thermal
conductivity ratio on the thermal characteristics of forced convection
in microchannel heat sinks are analyzed. Due to the anomalous
increase in the effective thermal conductivity of nanofluid compared
to its base fluid, the effect of streamwise conduction is expected to be
more significant. This study reveals the significance of the effect of
streamwise conduction under certain conditions of which the
streamwise conduction should not be neglected in the forced
convective heat transfer analysis of microchannel heat sinks.
Abstract: The purpose of this research study is to investigate the manner in which various loads affect the mechanical properties of the formed mild steel plates. The investigation focuses on examining the cross-sectional area of the metal plate at the centre of the formed mild steel plate. Six mild steel plates were deformed with different loads. The loads applied on the plates had a magnitude of 5 kg, 10 kg, 15 kg, 20 kg, 25 kg and 30 kg. The radius of the punching die was 120 mm and the loads were applied at room temperature. The investigations established that the applied load causes the Vickers microhardness at the cross-sectional area of the plate to increase due to strain hardening. Hence, the percentage increase of the hardness due to the load was found to be directly proportional to the increase in the load. Furthermore, the tensile test results for the parent material showed that the average Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) for the three samples was 308 MPa while the average Yield Strength and Percentage Elongation were 227 MPa and 38 % respectively. Similarly, the UTS of the formed components increased after the deformation of the plate, as such it can be concluded that the forming loads alter the mechanical properties of the materials by improving and strengthening the material properties.
Abstract: The objective of the present research manuscript is to
perform parametric, nonparametric, and decision tree analysis to
evaluate two treatments that are being used for breast cancer patients.
Our study is based on utilizing real data which was initially used in
“Tamoxifen with or without breast irradiation in women of 50 years
of age or older with early breast cancer" [1], and the data is supplied
to us by N.A. Ibrahim “Decision tree for competing risks survival
probability in breast cancer study" [2]. We agree upon certain aspects
of our findings with the published results. However, in this
manuscript, we focus on relapse time of breast cancer patients instead
of survival time and parametric analysis instead of semi-parametric
decision tree analysis is applied to provide more precise
recommendations of effectiveness of the two treatments with respect
to reoccurrence of breast cancer.
Abstract: Implementing Information Technology/ Information
System (IT/IS) is critical for every industry as its potential benefits
have been to motivate many industries including the Malaysian
construction industry to invest in it. To successfully implement IT/IS
has become the major concern for every organisation. Identifying the
critical success factors (CSFs) has become the main agenda for
researchers, academicians and practitioners due to the wide number
of failures reported. This research paper seeks to identify the CSFs
that influence the successful implementation of IT/IS in construction
industry in Malaysia. Limited factors relating to people issue will be
highlighted here to showcase some as it becomes one of the major
contributing factors to the failure. Three (3) organisations have
participated in this study. Semi-structured interviews are employed as
they offer sufficient flexibility to ensure that all relevant factors are
covered. Several key issues contributing to successful
implementations of IT/IS are identified. The results of this study
reveal that top management support, communication, user
involvement, IT staff roles and responsibility, training/skills, leader/
IT Leader, organisation culture, knowledge/ experience, motivation,
awareness, focus and ambition, satisfaction, teamwork/ collaboration,
willingness to change, attitude, commitment, management style,
interest in IT, employee behaviour towards collaborative
environment, trust, interpersonal relationship, personal characteristic
and competencies are significantly associated with the successful
implementations of IT/IS. It is anticipated that this study will create
awareness and contribute to a better understanding amongst
construction industry players and will assist them to successfully
implement IT/IS.
Abstract: This paper gives a study about forging solution to
deploy the fixed wireless access (FWA) in the band 3300-3400MHz
instead of 3400-3600MHz to eschew the harmful interference
between from the FWA towards fixed satellite services receiver
presented in this band. The impact of FWA services toward the FSS
and the boundaries of spectrum emission mask had been considered
to calculate the possible Guard band required in this case. In
addition, supplementary separation distance added to improve the
coexistence between the two adjacent bands. Simulation had been
done using Matlab software base on ITU models reliance on the most
popular specification used for the tropical weather countries. Review
the current problem of interference between two systems and some
mitigation techniques which adopted in Malaysia as a case study is a
part of this research.