Abstract: In Hungary, the society has changed a lot for the past
25 years, and these changes could be detected in educational
situations as well. The number and the intensity of conflicts have
been increased in most fields of life, as well as at schools. Teachers
have difficulties to be able to handle school conflicts. What is more,
the new net generation, generation Z has values and behavioural
patterns different from those of the previous one, which might
generate more serious conflicts at school, especially with teachers
who were mainly socialising in a traditional teacher – student
relationship.
In Hungary, the bill CCIV of 2011 declared the foundation of
Institutes of Teacher Training in higher education institutes. One of
the tasks of the Institutes is to survey the competences and needs of
teachers working in public education and to provide further trainings
and services for them according to their needs and requirements. This
job is supported by the Social Renewal Operative Programs 4.1.2.B.
The professors of a college carried out a questionnaire and surveyed
the needs and the requirements of teachers working in the region.
Based on the results, the professors of the Institute of Teacher
Training decided to meet the requirements of teachers and to launch
short teacher further training courses in spring 2015. One of the
courses is going to focus on school conflict management through
mediation.
The aim of the pilot course is to provide conflict management
techniques for teachers and to present different mediation techniques
to them. The theoretical part of the course (5 hours) will enable
participants to understand the main points and the advantages of
mediation, while the practical part (10 hours) will involve teachers in
role plays to learn how to cope with conflict situations applying
mediation. We hope if conflicts could be reduced, it would influence
school atmosphere in a positive way and the teaching – learning
process could be more successful and effective.
Abstract: A comprehensive CFD model is developed to
represent heterogeneous combustion and two burner designs of
supply sugar-cane bagasse into a furnace. The objective of this work
is to compare the insertion and burning of a Brazilian south-eastern
sugar-cane bagasse using a new swirl burner design against an actual
geometry under operation. The new design allows control the
particles penetration and scattering inside furnace by adjustment of
axial/tangential contributions of air feed without change their mass
flow. The model considers turbulence using RNG k-, combustion
using EDM, radiation heat transfer using DTM with 16 ray directions
and bagasse particle tracking represented by Schiller-Naumann
model. The obtained results are favorable to use of new design swirl
burner because its axial/tangential control promotes more penetration
or more scattering than actual design and allows reproduce the actual
design operation without change the overall mass flow supply.
Abstract: This paper deals with various questions related to
functionality and providing banking services in the European union
on the Internet. Due to the fact that we live in the information
technologies era, the Internet become a new space for doing
economic and business activities in all areas, and especially important
in banking. Accepting the busy tempo of life, in the past several years
electronic banking has become necessity and a must for most users of
banking services. On a sample of 300 web sites of the banks
operating in European Union (EU) we conduct the research on the
functionality of e-banking services offered through banks web sites
with the key objective to reveal to what extent the information
technologies are used in their business operations. Characteristics of
EU banks websites will be examined and compared to the basic
groups of business activities on the web. Also some
recommendations for the successful bank web sites will be provided.
Abstract: Microscopic simulation tool kits allow for
consideration of the two processes of railway operations and the
previous timetable production. Block occupation conflicts on both
process levels are often solved by using defined train priorities. These
conflict resolutions (dispatching decisions) generate reactionary
delays to the involved trains. The sum of reactionary delays is
commonly used to evaluate the quality of railway operations, which
describes the timetable robustness. It is either compared to an
acceptable train performance or the delays are appraised
economically by linear monetary functions. It is impossible to
adequately evaluate dispatching decisions without a well-founded
objective function. This paper presents a new approach for the
evaluation of dispatching decisions. The approach uses mode choice
models and considers the behaviour of the end-customers. These
models evaluate the reactionary delays in more detail and consider
other competing modes of transport. The new approach pursues the
coupling of a microscopic model of railway operations with the
macroscopic choice mode model. At first, it will be implemented for
railway operations process but it can also be used for timetable
production. The evaluation considers the possibility for the customer
to interchange to other transport modes. The new approach starts to
look at rail and road, but it can also be extended to air travel. The
result of mode choice models is the modal split. The reactions by the
end-customers have an impact on the revenue of the train operating
companies. Different purposes of travel have different payment
reserves and tolerances towards late running. Aside from changes to
revenues, longer journey times can also generate additional costs.
The costs are either time- or track-specific and arise from required
changes to rolling stock or train crew cycles. Only the variable values
are summarised in the contribution margin, which is the base for the
monetary evaluation of delays. The contribution margin is calculated
for different possible solutions to the same conflict. The conflict
resolution is optimised until the monetary loss becomes minimal. The
iterative process therefore determines an optimum conflict resolution
by monitoring the change to the contribution margin. Furthermore, a
monetary value of each dispatching decision can also be derived.
Abstract: This paper presents the development of a robot car
that can track the motion of an object by detecting its color through
an Android device. The employed computer vision algorithm uses the
OpenCV library, which is embedded into an Android application of a
smartphone, for manipulating the captured image of the object. The
captured image of the object is subjected to color conversion and is
transformed to a binary image for further processing after color
filtering. The desired object is clearly determined after removing
pixel noise by applying image morphology operations and contour
definition. Finally, the area and the center of the object are
determined so that object’s motion to be tracked. The smartphone
application has been placed on a robot car and transmits by Bluetooth
to an Arduino assembly the motion directives so that to follow
objects of a specified color. The experimental evaluation of the
proposed algorithm shows reliable color detection and smooth
tracking characteristics.
Abstract: This paper adopts a two-stage data envelopment
analysis to explore the impacts of financial development and bank
operating scale on bank efficiencies. The sample comprises
unbalanced panel data of 32 Taiwanese listed domestic commercial
banks over the period 1998 to 2013. Empirical results show that pure
technical efficiency is positively related to financial development,
whereas the effect of financial development on scale efficiency is
insignificant. Enlargement of bank operating scale improves bank
efficiencies, but the efficiency gains are decreased gradually when the
scale increases. Increases in capital adequacy ratio and market power
of loans lead into a growth of bank efficiencies.
Abstract: Micro-electromechanical system (MEMS)
accelerometers and gyroscopes are suitable for the inertial navigation
system (INS) of many applications due to low price, small
dimensions and light weight. The main disadvantage in a comparison
with classic sensors is a worse long term stability. The estimation
accuracy is mostly affected by the time-dependent growth of inertial
sensor errors, especially the stochastic errors. In order to eliminate
negative effects of these random errors, they must be accurately
modeled. In this paper, the Allan variance technique will be used in
modeling the stochastic errors of the inertial sensors. By performing
a simple operation on the entire length of data, a characteristic curve
is obtained whose inspection provides a systematic characterization
of various random errors contained in the inertial-sensor output data.
Abstract: Heat transfer of leaves is a crucial factor in optimal
operation of metabolic functions in plants. In order to quantify this
phenomenon in different leaves and investigate the influence of leaf
shape on heat transfer, natural convection for pine, orange and olive
leaves was simulated as representatives of different groups of leaf
shapes. CFD techniques were used in this simulation with the
purpose to calculate heat transfer of leaves in similar environmental
conditions. The problem was simulated for steady state and threedimensional
conditions. From obtained results, it was concluded that
heat fluxes of all three different leaves are almost identical, however,
total rate of heat transfer have highest and lowest values for orange
leaves, and pine leaves, respectively.
Abstract: Ibeno, Nigeria hosts the operational base of Mobil
Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil
and the current highest oil & condensate producer in Nigeria. Besides
MPNU, other oil companies operate onshore, on the continental shelf
and deep offshore of the Atlantic Ocean in Ibeno, Nigeria. This study
was designed to delineate oil polluted sites in Ibeno, Nigeria using
geophysical methods of electrical resistivity (ER) and ground
penetrating radar (GPR). Results obtained revealed that there have
been hydrocarbon contaminations of this environment by past crude
oil spills as observed from high resistivity values and GPR profiles
which clearly show the distribution, thickness and lateral extent of
hydrocarbon contamination as represented on the radargram reflector
tones. Contaminations were of varying degrees, ranging from slight
to high, indicating levels of substantial attenuation of crude oil
contamination over time. Moreover, the display of relatively lower
resistivities of locations outside the impacted areas compared to
resistivity values within the impacted areas and the 3-D Cartesian
images of oil contaminant plume depicted by red, light brown and
magenta for high, low and very low oil impacted areas, respectively
confirmed significant recent pollution of the study area with crude
oil.
Abstract: Pt/γ-Al2O3 membrane catalysts were prepared via an
evaporative-crystallization deposition method. The obtained Pt/γ-
Al2O3 catalyst activity was tested after characterization (SEM-EDAX
observation, BET measurement, permeability assessment) in the
catalytic oxidation of selected volatile organic compound (VOC) i.e.
propane, fed in mixture of oxygen. The VOC conversion (nearly
90%) obtained by varying the operating temperature showed that
flow-through membrane reactor might do better in the abatement of
VOCs.
Abstract: In order to avoid self-collision of space manipulators
during operation process, a real-time detection method is proposed in
this paper. The manipulator is fitted into a cylinder-enveloping
surface, and then, a kind of detection algorithm of collision between
cylinders is analyzed. The collision model of space manipulator
self-links can be detected by using this algorithm in real-time detection
during the operation process. To ensure security of the operation, a
safety threshold is designed. The simulation and experiment results
verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm for a 7-DOF space
manipulator.
Abstract: The aim of this research is to identify the key factors in shipping company’s port selection in order to providing their requirement. To identify and rank factors that play the main role in selecting port for providing the ship requirement, at the first step, data were collected via Semi-structured interviews, the aim was to generate knowledge on how shipping company select the port and suppliers for providing their needs. 37 port selection factors were chosen from the previous researches and field interviews and have been categorized into two groups of port's factor and the factors of services of suppliers companies. The current study adopts a questionnaire survey to the main shipping companies' operators in Iran. Their responses reveal that level of services of supplying companies and customs rules play the important role in selecting the ports. Our findings could affect decisions made by port authorities to consider that supporting the privet sections for ship chandelling business could have the best result in attracting ships.
Abstract: Rehabilitation of dam components such as foundations, buttresses, spillways and overtopping protection require a wide range of construction and design methodologies. Geotechnical Engineering considerations play an important role in the design and construction of foundations of new dams. Much investigation is required to assess and evaluate the existing dams. The application of roller compacting concrete (RCC) has been accepted as a new method for constructing new dams or rehabilitating old ones. In the past 40 years there have been so many changes in the usage of RCC and now it is one of most satisfactory solutions of water and hydropower resource throughout the world. The considerations of rehabilitation and construction of dams might differ due to upstream reservoir and its influence on penetrating and dewatering of downstream, operations requirements and plant layout. One of the advantages of RCC is its rapid placement which allows the dam to be operated quickly. Unlike ordinary concrete it is a drier mix, and stiffs enough for compacting by vibratory rollers. This paper evaluates some different aspects of RCC and focuses on its preparation progress.
Abstract: This paper investigates the benefits of deliberately
unbalancing both operation time means (MTs) and unreliability
(failure and repair rates) for non-automated production lines. The
lines were simulated with various line lengths, buffer capacities,
degrees of imbalance and patterns of MT and unreliability imbalance.
Data on two performance measures, namely throughput (TR) and
average buffer level (ABL) were gathered, analyzed and compared to
a balanced line counterpart. A number of conclusions were made
with respect to the ranking of configurations, as well as to the
relationships among the independent design parameters and the
dependent variables. It was found that the best configurations are a
balanced line arrangement and a monotone decreasing MT order,
coupled with either a decreasing or a bowl unreliability configuration,
with the first generally resulting in a reduced TR and the second
leading to a lower ABL than those of a balanced line.
Abstract: The coaxial transformer-coupled push-pull circuitry
has been used widely in HF and VHF amplifiers for many decades
without significant changes in the topology of the transformers. Basic
changes over the years concerned the construction and turns ratio of
the transformers as has been imposed upon the newer technologies
active devices demands. The balun transmission line transformers
applied in push-pull amplifiers enable input/output impedance
transformation, but are mainly used to convert the balanced output
into unbalanced and the input unbalanced into balanced. A simple
and affordable alternative solution over the traditional coaxial
transformer is the coreless planar balun. A key advantage over the
traditional approach lies in the high specifications repeatability;
simplifying the amplifier construction requirements as the planar
balun constitutes an integrated part of the PCB copper layout. This
paper presents the performance analysis of a planar LDMOS
MRFE6VP5600 Push-Pull amplifier that enables robust operation in
Band III, DVB-T, DVB-T2 standards but functions equally well in
Band II, for DRM+ new generation transmitters.
Abstract: Organizational tendencies towards computer-based
information processing have been observed noticeably in the
third-world countries. Many enterprises are taking major initiatives
towards computerized working environment because of massive
benefits of computer-based information processing. However,
designing and developing information resource management software
for small and mid-size enterprises under budget costs and strict
deadline is always challenging for software engineers. Therefore, we
introduced an approach to design mid-size enterprise software by
using the Waterfall model, which is one of the SDLC (Software
Development Life Cycles), in a cost effective way. To fulfill research
objectives, in this study, we developed mid-sized enterprise software
named “BSK Management System” that assists enterprise software
clients with information resource management and perform complex
organizational tasks. Waterfall model phases have been applied to
ensure that all functions, user requirements, strategic goals, and
objectives are met. In addition, Rich Picture, Structured English, and
Data Dictionary have been implemented and investigated properly in
engineering manner. Furthermore, an assessment survey with 20
participants has been conducted to investigate the usability and
performance of the proposed software. The survey results indicated
that our system featured simple interfaces, easy operation and
maintenance, quick processing, and reliable and accurate transactions.
Abstract: The past two decades, Thailand faced the natural
disasters, for instance, Gay typhoon in 1989, tsunami in 2004, and
huge flood in 2011. The disaster management in Thailand was
improved both structure and mechanism for cope with the natural
disaster since 2007. However, the natural disaster management in
Thailand has various problems, for examples, cooperation between
related an organizations have not unity, inadequate resources, the
natural disaster management of public sectors not proactive, people
has not awareness the risk of the natural disaster, and communities
did not participate in the natural disaster management.
Objective of this study is to find the methods for capacity building
in the natural disaster management of Thailand. The concept and
information about the capacity building and the natural disaster
management of Thailand were reviewed and analyzed by classifying
and organizing data. The result found that the methods for capacity
building in the natural disaster management of Thailand should be
consist of 1) link operation and information in the natural disaster
management between nation, province, local and community levels,
2) enhance competency and resources of public sectors which relate
to the natural disaster management, 3) establish proactive natural
disaster management both planning and implementation, 4)
decentralize the natural disaster management to local government
organizations, 5) construct public awareness in the natural disaster
management to community, 6) support Community Based Disaster
Risk Management (CBDRM) seriously, and 7) emphasis on
participation in the natural disaster management of all stakeholders.
Abstract: This paper proposes techniques like MT CMOS,
POWER GATING, DUAL STACK, GALEOR and LECTOR to
reduce the leakage power. A Full Adder has been designed using
these techniques and power dissipation is calculated and is compared
with general CMOS logic of Full Adder.
Simulation results show the validity of the proposed techniques is
effective to save power dissipation and to increase the speed of
operation of the circuits to a large extent.
Abstract: High pressure turbine (HPT) blades of DV – 2 jet
engines are made from Ni – based superalloy. This alloy was
originally manufactured in the Soviet Union and referred as ŽS6K.
For improving alloy’s high temperature resistance are blades coated
with Al – Si diffusion layer. A regular operation temperature of HPT
blades vary from 705°C to 750°C depending on jet engine regime.
An overcrossing working temperature range causes degradation of
the protective coating as well as base material which microstructure
is formed by the gamma matrix and strengthening phase gamma
prime (forming small particles in the microstructure). Diffusion
processes inside the material during exposition of the material to high
temperatures causes mainly coarsening of the gamma prime particles,
thus decreasing its strengthening effect. Degradation of the Al – Si
coating caused its thickness growth. All the microstructure changes
and coating layer thickness growth results in decreasing of the turbine
blade operation lifetime.
Abstract: This paper is part of a study to develop robots for
farming. As such power requirement to operate equipment attach to
such robots become an important factor. Soil-tool interaction plays
major role in power consumption, thus predicting accurately the
forces which act on the blade during the farming is very important for
optimal designing of farm equipment. In this paper, a finite element
investigation for tillage tools and soil interaction is described by
using an inelastic constitutive material law for agriculture
application. A 3-dimensional (3D) nonlinear finite element analysis
(FEA) is developed to examine behavior of a blade with different
rake angles moving in a block of soil, and to estimate the blade force.
The soil model considered is an elastic-plastic with non-associated
Drucker-Prager material model. Special use of contact elements are
employed to consider connection between soil-blade and soil-soil
surfaces. The FEA results are compared with experimental ones,
which show good agreement in accurately predicting draft forces
developed on the blade when it moves through the soil. Also a very
good correlation was obtained between FEA results and analytical
results from classical soil mechanics theories for straight blades.
These comparisons verified the FEA model developed. For analyzing
complicated soil-tool interactions and for optimum design of blades,
this method will be useful.