Abstract: The purpose of this study was to measure the maximal
isometric strength and to investigate the effects of different handleheights
and elbow angles with respect to Mid. sagittal plane on the
pushing and pulling strength in vertical direction. Eight male subjects
performed a series of static strength measurement for each subject.
The highest isometric strength was found in pulling at shoulder
height (S.H.) (Mean = 60.29 lb., SD = 16.78 lb.) and the lowest
isometric strength was found also in pulling at elbow height (E.H.)
(Mean = 33.06 lb., SD = 6.56 lb.). Although the isometric strengths
were higher at S.H than at E.H. for both activities, the maximal
isometric strengths were compared statistically. ANOVA was
performed. The results of the experiment revealed that there was a
significant different between handle heights. However, there were no
significant different between angles and activities, also no correlation
between grip strength and activities.
Abstract: Numerical analysis naturally finds applications in all
fields of engineering and the physical sciences, but in the
21st century, the life sciences and even the arts have adopted
elements of scientific computations. The numerical data analysis
became key process in research and development of all the fields [6].
In this paper we have made an attempt to analyze the specified
numerical patterns with reference to the association rule mining
techniques with minimum confidence and minimum support mining
criteria. The extracted rules and analyzed results are graphically
demonstrated. Association rules are a simple but very useful form of
data mining that describe the probabilistic co-occurrence of certain
events within a database [7]. They were originally designed to
analyze market-basket data, in which the likelihood of items being
purchased together within the same transactions are analyzed.
Abstract: Based on the component approach, three kinds of
dynamic load models, including a single –motor model, a two-motor
model and composite load model have been developed for the
stability studies of Khuzestan power system. The study results are
presented in this paper. Voltage instability is a dynamic phenomenon
and therefore requires dynamic representation of the power system
components. Industrial loads contain a large fraction of induction
machines. Several models of different complexity are available for
the description investigations. This study evaluates the dynamic
performances of several dynamic load models in combination with
the dynamics of a load changing transformer. Case study is steel
industrial substation in Khuzestan power systems.
Abstract: Although considerable amount of research has attested to the link between work-to-family conflict (WFC) and family-to-work conflict (FWC) and psychological strain and wellbeing, there is a paucity of research investigating the phenomenon in the context of social workers. Moreover, very little is known about the impact of WFC and FWC in developing countries. The present study investigated the mediating effect of psychological strain on the relationship between WFC and FWC with wellbeing of social workers in India. Our findings show that WFC and FWC are influential antecedents of wellbeing; their influence is both direct on psychological strain, and indirect on wellbeing transmitted through psychological strain. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Abstract: Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANET) can provide
communications between vehicles or infrastructures. It provides the
convenience of driving and the secure driving to reduce accidents. In
VANET, the security is more important because it is closely related to
accidents. Additionally, VANET raises a privacy issue because it can
track the location of vehicles and users- identity when a security
mechanism is provided. In this paper, we analyze the problem of an
existing solution for security requirements required in VANET, and
resolve the problem of the existing method when a key management
mechanism is provided for the security operation in VANET.
Therefore, we show suitability of the Long Term Evolution (LTE) in
VANET for the solution of this problem.
Abstract: Well-being has been given special emphasis in quality
of life. It involves living a meaningful, life satisfaction, stability and
happiness in life. Well-being also concerns the satisfaction of
physical, psychological, social needs and demands of an individual.
The purpose of this study was to validate three-factor measurement
model of well-being using structural equation modeling (SEM). The
conceptions of well-being measured such dimensions as physical,
psychological and social well-being. This study was done based on a
total sample of 650 adolescents from east-coast of peninsular
Malaysia. The Well-Being Scales which was adapted from [1] was
used in this study. The items were hypothesized a priori to have nonzero
loadings on all dimensions in the model. The findings of the
SEM demonstrated that it is a good fitting model which the proposed
model fits the driving theory; (x2df = 1.268; GFI = .994; CFI = .998;
TLI= .996; p = .255; RMSEA = .021). Composite reliability (CR)
was .93 and average variance extracted (AVE) was 58%. The model
in this study fits with the sample of data and well-being is important
to bring sustainable development to the mainstream.
Abstract: The vertex connectivity of a graph is the smallest number of vertices whose deletion separates the graph or makes it trivial. This work is devoted to the problem of vertex connectivity test of graphs in a distributed environment based on a general and a constructive approach. The contribution of this paper is threefold. First, using a preconstructed spanning tree of the considered graph, we present a protocol to test whether a given graph is 2-connected using only local knowledge. Second, we present an encoding of this protocol using graph relabeling systems. The last contribution is the implementation of this protocol in the message passing model. For a given graph G, where M is the number of its edges, N the number of its nodes and Δ is its degree, our algorithms need the following requirements: The first one uses O(Δ×N2) steps and O(Δ×logΔ) bits per node. The second one uses O(Δ×N2) messages, O(N2) time and O(Δ × logΔ) bits per node. Furthermore, the studied network is semi-anonymous: Only the root of the pre-constructed spanning tree needs to be identified.
Abstract: The psychological and physical trauma associated with the loss of a human limb can severely impact on the quality of life of an amputee rendering even the most basic of tasks very difficult. A prosthetic device can be of great benefit to the amputee in the performance of everyday human tasks. This paper outlines a proposed mechanical design of a 12 degree-of-freedom SMA actuated artificial hand. It is proposed that the SMA wires be embedded intrinsically within the hand structure which will allow for significant flexibility for use either as a prosthetic hand solution, or as part of a complete lower arm prosthetic solution. A modular approach is taken in the design facilitating ease of manufacture and assembly, and more importantly, also allows the end user to easily replace SMA wires in the event of failure. A biomimetric approach has been taken during the design process meaning that the artificial hand should replicate that of a human hand as far as is possible with due regard to functional requirements. The proposed design has been exposed to appropriate loading through the use of finite element analysis (FEA) to ensure that it is structurally sound. Theoretical analysis of the mechanical framework was also carried out to establish the limits of the angular displacement and velocity of the finger tip as well finger tip force generation. A combination of various polymers and Titanium, which are suitably lightweight, are proposed for the manufacture of the design.
Abstract: The objective of this project is to produce computer
assisted instruction(CAI) for welding and brazing in order to
determine the efficiency of the instruction package and the study
accomplishment of learner by studying through computer assisted
instruction for welding and brazing it was examined through the
target group surveyed from the 30 students studying in the two year
of 5-year-academic program, department of production technology
education, faculty of industrial education and technology, king
mongkut-s university of technology thonburi. The result of the
research indicated that the media evaluated by experts and subject
matter quality evaluation of computer assisted instruction for welding
and brazing was in line for the good criterion. The mean of score
evaluated before the study, during the study and after the study was
34.58, 83.33 and 83.43, respectively. The efficiency of the lesson was
83.33/83.43 which was higher than the expected value, 80/80. The
study accomplishment of the learner, who utilizes computer assisted
instruction for welding and brazing as a media, was higher and equal
to the significance statistical level of 95%. The value was 1.669
which was equal to 35.36>1.669. It could be summarized that
computer assisted instruction for welding and brazing was the
efficient media to use for studying and teaching.
Abstract: Data mining uses a variety of techniques each of which
is useful for some particular task. It is important to have a deep
understanding of each technique and be able to perform sophisticated
analysis. In this article we describe a tool built to simulate a variation
of the Kohonen network to perform unsupervised clustering and
support the entire data mining process up to results visualization. A
graphical representation helps the user to find out a strategy to
optimize classification by adding, moving or delete a neuron in order
to change the number of classes. The tool is able to automatically
suggest a strategy to optimize the number of classes optimization, but
also support both tree classifications and semi-lattice organizations of
the classes to give to the users the possibility of passing from one
class to the ones with which it has some aspects in common.
Examples of using tree and semi-lattice classifications are given to
illustrate advantages and problems. The tool is applied to classify
macroeconomic data that report the most developed countries- import
and export. It is possible to classify the countries based on their
economic behaviour and use the tool to characterize the commercial
behaviour of a country in a selected class from the analysis of
positive and negative features that contribute to classes formation.
Possible interrelationships between the classes and their meaning are
also discussed.
Abstract: In automatic manufacturing and assembling of mechanical, electrical and electronic parts one needs to reliably identify the position of components and to extract the information of these components. Data Matrix Codes (DMC) are established by these days in many areas of industrial manufacturing thanks to their concentration of information on small spaces. In today’s usually order-related industry, where increased tracing requirements prevail, they offer further advantages over other identification systems. This underlines in an impressive way the necessity of a robust code reading system for detecting DMC on the components in factories. This paper compares two methods for estimating the angle of orientation of Data Matrix Codes: one method based on the Hough Transform and the other based on the Mean Shift Algorithm. We concentrate on Data Matrix Codes in industrial environment, punched, milled, lasered or etched on different materials in arbitrary orientation.
Abstract: –In this paper the damage in clamped-free, clampedclamped and free-free beam are analyzed considering samples
without and with structural modifications. The damage location is
investigated by the use of the bispectrum and wavelet analysis. The
mathematical models are obtained using 2D elasticity theory and the
Finite Element Method (FEM). The numerical and experimental data
are approximated using the Particle Swarm Optimizer (PSO) method
and this way is possible to adjust the localization and the severity of
the damage. The experimental data are obtained through
accelerometers placed along the sample. The system is excited using
impact hammer.
Abstract: In this paper, the effect of modified clay on the
mechanical efficiency of epoxy resin is examined. Studies by X ray
diffraction and microscopic transient electron method show that
modified clay distribution in polymer area is intercalated kind.
Examination the results of mechanical tests shows that existence of
modified clay in epoxy area increases pressure yield strength, tension
module and nano composite fracture toughness in relate of pure
epoxy. By microscopic examinations it is recognized too that the
action of toughness growth of this kind of nano composite is due to
crack deflection, formation of new surfaces and fracture of clay piles.
Abstract: In this paper, the class of weakly left C-wrpp
semigroups which includes the class of weakly left C-rpp semigroups
as a subclass is introduced. To particularly show that the spined
product of a left C-wrpp semigroup and a right normal band which is a
weakly left C-wrpp semifroup by virtue of left C-full Ehremann cyber
groups recently obtained by authors Li-Shum, results obtained by
Tang and Du-Shum are extended and strengthened.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose a practical digital music matching system that is robust to variation in sound qualities. The proposed system is subdivided into two parts: client and server. The client part consists of the input, preprocessing and feature extraction modules. The preprocessing module, including the music onset module, revises the value gap occurring on the time axis between identical songs of different formats. The proposed method uses delta-grouped Mel frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs) to extract music features that are robust to changes in sound quality. According to the number of sound quality formats (SQFs) used, a music server is constructed with a feature database (FD) that contains different sub feature databases (SFDs). When the proposed system receives a music file, the selection module selects an appropriate SFD from a feature database; the selected SFD is subsequently used by the matching module. In this study, we used 3,000 queries for matching experiments in three cases with different FDs. In each case, we used 1,000 queries constructed by mixing 8 SQFs and 125 songs. The success rate of music matching improved from 88.6% when using single a single SFD to 93.2% when using quadruple SFDs. By this experiment, we proved that the proposed method is robust to various sound qualities.
Abstract: This paper introduces a method of calculating the
quantities of construction materials and construction waste on site in
city of Novi Sad. In buildings is about 40% of the total weight of
materials that are in circulation in the world economic space. The
best solution for this waste is to be stored at source, at the point of
generation. There are several treatment options for this type of waste,
reduction at source, reuse, recycling. Beside its negative effects on
the environment, construction waste can be and resource. Novi Sad is
divided in 16 single family resident zones and 10 multi family
resident zones. For every zone of the city, quantities of used
construction materials and construction waste were obtained.
Rational use of natural resources is an essential factor in applying the
principles of development with savings.
Abstract: We have considered an unmagnetized dusty plasma system consisting of ions obeying superthermal distribution and strongly coupled negatively charged dust. We have used reductive perturbation method and derived the Kordeweg-de Vries-Burgers (KdV-Burgers) equation. The behavior of the shock waves in the plasma has been investigated.
Abstract: Air quality in Setapak district of Kuala Lumpur was
studied by analysing the rainwater chemical composition using ion
chromatography method. Twelve sampling sites were selected and
120 rainwater samples were collected in the period of 10 weeks. The
results of this study were compared to the earlier published data and
the evaluation showed that the NO3
- ion concentration increased from
0.41 to 3.32 ppm, while SO4
2- ion concentration increased from 0.39
to 3.26 ppm over the past two decades that is mostly due to rapid
urban development of the city. However, it was found that the
chemical composition for both residential and industrial areas does
not have significant difference. Most of the rainwater samples
showed alkaline pH (pH > 5.6). The possible factors for such alkaline
pH in rainwater samples are assumed to be the marine sources,
biomass burning and alkaline character of soil particles.
Abstract: A variable structure model reference adaptive control
(VS-MRAC) strategy for active steering assistance of a two wheel
steering car is proposed. An ideal steering system with fixed
properties and moving on an ideal road is used as the reference
model, and the active steering assistance system is forced to attain
the same behavior as the reference model. The proposed system can
treat the nonlinear relationships between the side slip angles and
lateral forces on tire, and the uncertainties on friction of the road
surface, whose compensation are very important under critical
situations. Simulation results show improvements on yaw rate and
side slip.
Abstract: Sustainability and sustainable development have been
the main theme of many international conferences, such the UN Rio
de Janeiro 1992 Earth Summit This was followed by the appearance
of the global conferences at the late of the nineties and the early of
2000 to confirm the importance of the sustainable development .it
was focused on the importance of the economic development as it is
considered an effective tool in the operations of the sustainable
development. Industry plays a critical role in technological
innovations and research and development activities, which are
crucial for the economic and social development of any country.
Transportation and mobility are an important part or urban
economics and the quality of life. To analyze urban transportation
and its environmental impacts, a comprehensive approach is needed.
So this research aims to apply new approach for the development of
the urban communities that insure the continuity and facing the
deterioration. This approach aims to integrate sustainable transport
solutions with economic development and community development.
For that purpose we will concentrate on one of the most sustainable
cities in the world (Curitiba in Brazil) which provides the world with
a model in how to integrate sustainable transport considerations into
business development, road infrastructure development, and local
community development.