Abstract: The work allowed gaining knowledge about redox and
speciation changes of As, Cr and Sb ionic forms in Klodnica River
water. This kind of studies never has been conducted in this region of
Poland. In study optimized and validated previously HPLC-ICP-MS
methods for determination of As, Sb and Cr was used. Separation
step was done using high-performance liquid chromatograph
equipped with ion-exchange column followed by ICP-MS
spectrometer detector. Preliminary studies included determination of
the total concentration of As, Sb and Cr, pH, Eh, temperature and
conductivity of the water samples. The study was conducted monthly
from March to August 2014, at six points on the Klodnica River. The
results indicate that exceeded at acceptable concentration of total Cr
and Sb was observed in Klodnica River and we should qualify
Klodnica River waters below the second purity class. In Klodnica
River waters dominates oxidized antimony and arsenic forms, as well
as the two forms of chromium Cr(VI) and Cr(III). Studies have also
shown the methyl derivative of arsenic's presence.
Abstract: Information technology and information systems are
currently at a tipping point. The digital age fundamentally transforms
a large number of industries in the ways they work. Lines between
business and technology blur. Researchers have acknowledged that
this is the time in which the IT/IS organisation needs to re-strategize
itself. In this paper, the author provides a structured review of the IS
and organisation design literature addressing the question of how the
digital age changes the design categories of an IT/IS organisation
design. The findings show that most papers just analyse single
aspects of either IT/IS relevant information or generic organisation
design elements but miss a holistic ‘big-picture’ onto an IT/IS
organisation design. This paper creates a holistic IT/IS organisation
design framework bringing together the IS research strand, the digital
strand and the generic organisation design strand. The research
identified four IT/IS organisation design categories (strategy,
structure, processes and people) and discusses the importance of two
additional categories (sourcing and governance). The authors findings
point to a first anchor point from which further research needs to be
conducted to develop a holistic IT/IS organisation design framework.
Abstract: This work is undertaken to develop a methodology to enhance the management of dredged marine and river sediments in the North of France. The main objective of this study is to determine the main characteristics of these sediments. In this order, physical, mineralogical and chemical properties of both types of sediments are measured. Moreover, their potential impacts on the environment are assessed throughout leaching tests. From the obtained results, the potential of their use in road engineering is discussed.
Abstract: Degradation of agricultural soils has increased rapidly
during the last 20 years due to the indiscriminate use of pesticides
and other anthropogenic activities. Currently, there is an urgent need
of soil restoration to increase agricultural production. Utilization of
sewage sludge or municipal solid waste is an important way to
recycle nutrient elements and improve soil quality. With these
amendments, nutrient availability in the aqueous phase might be
increased and production of healthier crops can be accomplished.
This research project aimed to achieve sustainable management of
tropical agricultural soils, specifically in Puerto Rico, through the
amendment of water treatment plant sludge’s. This practice avoids
landfill disposal of sewage sludge and at the same time results costeffective
practice for recycling solid waste residues. Coriander
sativum was cultivated in a compost-soil-sludge mixture at different
proportions. Results showed that Coriander grown in a mixture of
25% compost+50% Voladora soi+25% sludge had the best growth
and development. High chlorophyll content (33.01 ± 0.8) was
observed in Coriander plants cultivated in 25% compost+62.5%
Coloso soil+ 12.5% sludge compared to plants grown with no sludge
(32.59 ± 0.7). ICP-OES analysis showed variations in mineral
element contents (macro and micronutrients) in coriander plant
grown I soil amended with sludge and compost.
Abstract: In this paper, we investigate the effect of friendly
jamming power allocation strategies on the achievable average
secrecy rate over a bank of parallel fading wiretap channels.
We investigate the achievable average secrecy rate in parallel
fading wiretap channels subject to Rayleigh and Rician fading.
The achievable average secrecy rate, due to the presence of a
line-of-sight component in the jammer channel is also evaluated.
Moreover, we study the detrimental effect of correlation across the
parallel sub-channels, and evaluate the corresponding decrease in the
achievable average secrecy rate for the various fading configurations.
We also investigate the tradeoff between the transmission power
and the jamming power for a fixed total power budget. Our
results, which are applicable to current orthogonal frequency division
multiplexing (OFDM) communications systems, shed further light on
the achievable average secrecy rates over a bank of parallel fading
channels in the presence of friendly jammers.
Abstract: This article discusses ways to implement a
differentiated approach to developing academic motivation for
mathematical studies which relies on defining the primary structural
characteristics of motivation. The following characteristics are
considered: features of realization of cognitive activity, meaningmaking
characteristics, level of generalization and consistency of
knowledge acquired by personal experience. The assessment of the
present level of individual student understanding of each component
of academic motivation is the basis for defining the relevant
educational strategy for its further development.
Abstract: In the past few decades, the field of chemistry
education has grown tremendously and researches indicated that after
traditional chemistry instruction students often lacked deep
conceptual understanding and failed to integrate their ideas into
coherent conceptual framework. For several concepts in chemistry,
students at all levels have demonstrated difficulty in changing their
initial perceptions. Their perceptions are most often wrong and don't
agree with correct scientific concepts. This study explored the
effectiveness of intervention discussion sections for a college general
chemistry course designed to apply research on students
preconceptions, knowledge integration and student explanation.
Three interventions discussions lasting three hours on bond energy
and spontaneity were done tested and intervention (treatment)
students’ performances were compared with that of control group
which did not use the experimental pedagogy. Results indicated that
this instruction which was capable of identifying students'
misconceptions, initial conceptions and integrating those ideas into
class discussion led to enhanced conceptual understanding and better
achievement for the experimental group.
Abstract: Hybrid bioreactor having both suspended-growth and
attached-growth bacteria is found a novel and excellent bioreactor
system for treating the municipal wastewater containing inhibitory
substrates too. In this reactor a fraction of substrate is used by
suspended biomass and the remaining by attached biomass resulting
in the competition between the two growths for the substrate. The
combination of suspended and attached growth provides the system
with enhanced biomass concentration and sludge age more than those
in ASP. Similar to attached growth system, the hybrid bioreactor
ensures considerable efficiency for treating toxic and refractory
substances in wastewater. For the process design of hybrid bioreactor
a suitable mathematical model is required. Although various
mathematical models were developed on hybrid bioreactor in due
course of time in earlier research works, none of them was found
having a specific simplified solution of the corresponding models and
without having any drawback. To overcome this drawback authors
already developed a simplified mathematical model for process
design of a hybrid bioreactor. The present paper briefly highlights on
the various aspects of process design of an aerobic hybrid bioreactor
for the treatment of municipal wastewater.
Abstract: We address the integer frequency offset (IFO)
estimation under the influence of the timing offset (TO) in orthogonal
frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. Incorporating the
IFO and TO into the symbol set used to represent the received
OFDM symbol, we investigate the influence of the TO on the IFO,
and then, propose a combining method between two consecutive
OFDM correlations, reducing the influence. The proposed scheme
has almost the same complexity as that of the conventional
schemes, whereas it does not need the TO knowledge contrary to
the conventional schemes. From numerical results it is confirmed
that the proposed scheme is insensitive to the TO, consequently,
yielding an improvement of the IFO estimation performance over
the conventional schemes when the TO exists.
Abstract: Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) is a functional
capability that has been developed to allow the United Kingdom Fire
and Rescue Service to deal with ‘major incidents’ primarily involving
structural collapse. The nature of the work undertaken by USAR
means that staying out of a damaged or collapsed building structure is
not usually an option for search and rescue personnel. As a result
there is always a risk that they themselves could become victims. For
this paper, a systematic and investigative review using desk research
was undertaken to explore the role which structural engineering can
play in assisting search and rescue personnel to conduct structural
assessments when in the field. The focus is on how search and rescue
personnel can assess damaged and collapsed building structures, not
just in terms of structural damage that may been countered, but also
in relation to structural stability. Natural disasters, accidental
emergencies, acts of terrorism and other extreme events can vary
significantly in nature and ferocity, and can cause a wide variety of
damage to building structures. It is not possible or, even realistic, to
provide search and rescue personnel with definitive guidelines and
procedures to assess damaged and collapsed building structures as
there are too many variables to consider. However, understanding
what implications damage may have upon the structural stability of a
building structure will enable search and rescue personnel to better judge
and quantify risk from a life-safety standpoint. It is intended that this
will allow search and rescue personnel to make informed decisions
and ensure every effort is made to mitigate risk, so that they
themselves do not become victims.
Abstract: Background: The objectives of this study were to
assess patient’s knowledge of appropriate sublingual glyceryl
trinitrate (GTN) use as well as to investigate how patients commonly
store and carry their sublingual GTN tablets. Methodology: This was
a cross-sectional survey, using a validated researcher-administered
questionnaire. The study involved cardiac patients receiving
sublingual GTN attending the outpatient and inpatient departments of
Taiping Hospital, a non-academic public care hospital. The minimum
calculated sample size was 92, but 100 patients were conveniently
sampled. Respondents were interviewed on 3 areas, including
demographic data, knowledge and use of sublingual GTN. Eight
items were used to calculate each subject’s knowledge score and six
items were used to calculate use score. Results: Of the 96 patients
who consented to participate, majority (96.9%) were well aware of
the indication of sublingual GTN. With regards to the mechanism of
action of sublingual GTN, 73 (76%) patients did not know how the
medication works. Majority of the patients (66.7%) knew about the
proper storage of the tablet. In relation to the maximum number of
sublingual GTN tablets that can be taken during each angina episode,
36.5% did not know that up to 3 tablets of sublingual GTN can be
taken during each episode of angina. Fifty four (56.2%) patients were
not aware that they need to replace sublingual GTN every 8 weeks
after receiving the tablets. Majority (69.8%) of the patients
demonstrated lack of knowledge with regards to the use of sublingual
GTN as prevention of chest pain. Conclusion: Overall, patients’
knowledge regarding the self-administration of sublingual GTN is
still inadequate. The findings support the need for more frequent
reinforcement of patient education, especially in the areas of
preventive use, storage and drug stability.
Abstract: Knowledge is considered as an important asset which
can help organizations to create competitive advantage. The necessity
of taking care of these assets is more important in these days – in
days of turbulent changes in business environment. Knowledge could
facilitate adaption to constant changes. The aim of this paper is to
describe how the knowledge sharing can be supported in the
manufacturing companies. The methods of case studies and grounded
theory were used to present information gained by carrying out semistructured
interviews. Results show that knowledge sharing is
supported in very similar ways in respondent companies.
Abstract: One of the best examples, in evolution of the public
procurement, from post-soviet countries are reforms carried out in
Georgia, which brought them close to international standards of
procurement. In Georgia, public procurement legislation started
functioning short after gaining independence. The reform has passed
several stages and came in the form as it is today. It should also be
noted, that countries with economy in transition, including Georgia,
implemented all the reforms in public procurement based on
recommendations and support of World Bank, the United Nations
and other international organizations.
The aim of first adopted law was regulation of the procurement
process of budget-organizations, transparency and creation of
competitive environment for private companies to access state funds
legally. The priorities were identified quite clearly in the wording of
the law, but operation/function of this law could not be reached on its
level, because of some objective and subjective reasons. The high
level of corruption in all levels of governance can be considered as a
main obstacle reason and of course, it is natural, that it had direct
impact on the procurement process, as well as on transparency and
rational use of state funds. These circumstances were the reasons that
reforms in this sphere continued, to improve procurement process, in
particular, the first wave of reforms began after several years. Public
procurement agency carried out reform with World Bank with main
purpose of smartening the procurement legislation and its
harmonization with international treaties and agreements. Also with
the support of World Bank various activities were carried out to raise
awareness of participants involved in procurement system.
Further major changes in the legislation were filed bit later, which
was also directed towards the improvement and smarten of the
procurement process. The third wave of the reform more or less
guaranteed the transparency of the procurement process, which later
became the basis for the rational spending of state funds. The reform
of the procurement system completely changed the procedures.
Carried out reform in Georgia resulted in introducing new
electronic tendering system, which benefit the transparency of the
process, after this became the basis for the further development of a
competitive environment, which become a prerequisite for the state
rational spending. Increased number of supplier organizations
participating in the procurement process resulted in reduction of the
estimated cost and the actual cost.
Assessment of the reforms in Georgia in the field of public
procurement can be concluded, that proper regulation of the sector
and relevant policy may proceed to rational and transparent spending
of the budget from country’s state institutions. Also, the business
sector has the opportunity to work in competitive market conditions
and to make a preliminary analysis, which is a prerequisite for future
strategy and development.
Abstract: The concentrations of cadmium and lead in sewage
sludge samples were determined by Atomic Absorption
Spectrometric Method. Samples of sewage sludge were obtained
from three sewage treatment plants localised in Middle Region of
Libya (Misrata, Msallata and Tarhünah cities).
The results shows that, the mean levels of Cadmium for all regions
are ranges from 81 to 123.4 ppm and these values are higher than the
limitations for the international standard which are not registered
more than 50 ppm (dry weight) in USA, Egypt and the EU countries.
While, the lead concentrations are ranged from 8.0 to 189.2 ppm and
all values are within the standard limits which graduated between
(275–613) ppm.
Abstract: This paper addresses the issue of the autonomous
mobile robot (AMR) navigation task based on the hybrid control
modes. The novel hybrid control mode, based on multi-sensors
information by using the fuzzy approach, has been presented in this
research. The system operates in real time, is robust, enables the robot
to operate with imprecise knowledge, and takes into account the
physical limitations of the environment in which the robot moves,
obtaining satisfactory responses for a large number of different
situations. An experiment is simulated and carried out with a pioneer
mobile robot. From the experimental results, the effectiveness and
usefulness of the proposed AMR obstacle avoidance and navigation
scheme are confirmed. The experimental results show the feasibility,
and the control system has improved the navigation accuracy. The
implementation of the controller is robust, has a low execution time,
and allows an easy design and tuning of the fuzzy knowledge base.
Abstract: In this paper, we used data mining to extract
biomedical knowledge. In general, complex biomedical data
collected in studies of populations are treated by statistical methods,
although they are robust, they are not sufficient in themselves to
harness the potential wealth of data. For that you used in step two
learning algorithms: the Decision Trees and Support Vector Machine
(SVM). These supervised classification methods are used to make the
diagnosis of thyroid disease. In this context, we propose to promote
the study and use of symbolic data mining techniques.
Abstract: Pedagogy has always been open to other disciplines
that reflect about the educational process (philosophy, sociology,
psychology, anthropology, technology, etc.). Its interdisciplinary
openness puts education, as the subject of pedagogy within a broader
context of the community, enabling the knowledge of other
disciplines to contribute to a better understanding of the fundamental
pedagogical notion of education. The purpose of pedagogy as a
science serves humans, strives towards humans, must be for humans,
and this is its ultimate goal. Humans are essentially dependent on
education, which is also considered as a category of humans’ being,
because through education an entire world develops in humans.
Anthropological assumptions of humans as "deficient beings" see the
solution in education, but they also indicate a wealth of shortcomings,
because they provide an opportunity for enrichment and formation of
culture, living and the self. In that context, this paper illustrates the
determination of pedagogy through an anthropological conception of
humans and the phenomenon of education. It presents a review of
anthropological ideas about education, by providing an analysis of
relevant literature dealing with the anthropological notion of humans,
which provides fruitful conditions for a pedagogical reconsideration
of education.
Abstract: Multi-Level Inverter technology has been developed in the area of high-power medium-voltage energy scheme, because of their advantages such as devices of lower rating can be used thereby enabling the schemes to be used for high voltage applications. Reduced Total Harmonic Distortion (THD).Since the dv/dt is low; the Electromagnetic Interference from the scheme is low. To avoid the switching losses Lower switching frequencies can be used. In this paper present a survey of various topologies, control strategy and modulation techniques used by these inverters. Here the regenerative and superior topologies are also discussed.
Abstract: This research aimed to study the characteristics of a
community in the social, economic and cultural context. This
research used interviews and surveys of the members in the Patthana
Soi Ranongklang community, Dusit District, Bangkok. The results
are as follows: In terms of overall conditions and characteristics, the
Patthana Soi Ranongklang community is located on the property of
the Treasury Department. 50 years ago, the location of this
community consisted of paddy fields with limited convenience in
terms of transportation. Rama V Road was only a small narrow road
accessed only by three-wheelers there were no buses. The majority of
community members moved in from Mak Khawan Rangsan Bridge.
Thus, most community members were either workers or government
officials as they were routers not the owners of the land. Therefore,
there were no primary occupations within the 7 acres of this
community. The development of the community started in 1981. At
present, the community is continuously being developed and
modernization is rapidly flowing in. One of the reasons was because
the main roads were widened, especially Rama V Road that allows
more convenient transportation, leading to heightened citizens’
convenience. In terms of the economy and society, Rama V Road
causes the research to find out the development and expansion of
change in the conditions of the area and buildings. Some buildings
were improved and changed along the time, as well as the
development of new facilities that caused the community members to
continually become more materialistic. In the community, it has well
organized and managed jobs to each part of community members,
and areas were improved to allow the new buildings and apartments.
The trend of jobs became more varied, in terms of both jobs at home,
such as workers, merchandizing and small own businesses, and the
community jobs outside, which became much more convenient to car
drivers as they got used to the narrow roads inside the community.
The location of the community next to Rama V Road also allows
assistance from government agencies to reach the community with
ease. Moreover, the welfare of the community was well taken care of
by the community committee. In terms of education, the research
found that there are two schools: Wat Pracharabuedham School and
Wat Noi Noppakun School that are providing education within the
community. The majority in the community have received Bachelor
degrees. In areas of culture, the research found that the culture,
traditions and beliefs of people in the community were mainly
transferred from the old community: the majorities are Buddhists, so
especially beliefs in Buddhism; the main reason for this is because
the old community was situated near Wat Makut Kasattriyaram.
Therefore, the community members have always had Buddhist
temples as the centre of the community. Later years, more citizens
moved along culture in and bring traditions and beliefs with them.
The community members also took part in building a Dharma hall
named Wat Duang Jai which is 72 year old.
Abstract: This paper presents Finite Element Method (FEM) for
analyzing the internal responses generated in thin rectangular plates
with various edge conditions and rigidity conditions. Comparison has
been made between the FEM (ANSYS software) results for
displacement, stresses and moments generated with and without the
consideration of hole in plate and different aspect ratios. In the end
comparison for responses in plain and composite square plates has
been studied.