Abstract: Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent a promising
technology for simultaneous bioelectricity generation and wastewater
treatment. Catalysts are significant portions of the cost of microbial
fuel cell cathodes. Many materials have been tested as aqueous
cathodes, but air-cathodes are needed to avoid energy demands for
water aeration. The sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) rate at
air cathode necessitates efficient electrocatalyst such as carbon
supported platinum catalyst (Pt/C) which is very costly. Manganese
oxide (MnO2) was a representative metal oxide which has been
studied as a promising alternative electrocatalyst for ORR and has
been tested in air-cathode MFCs. However the single MnO2 has poor
electric conductivity and low stability. In the present work, the MnO2
catalyst has been modified by doping Pt nanoparticle. The goal of the
work was to improve the performance of the MFC with minimum Pt
loading. MnO2 and Pt nanoparticles were prepared by hydrothermal
and sol gel methods, respectively. Wet impregnation method was
used to synthesize Pt/MnO2 catalyst. The catalysts were further used
as cathode catalysts in air-cathode cubic MFCs, in which anaerobic
sludge was inoculated as biocatalysts and palm oil mill effluent
(POME) was used as the substrate in the anode chamber. The asprepared
Pt/MnO2 was characterized comprehensively through field
emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-Ray diffraction
(XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and cyclic
voltammetry (CV) where its surface morphology, crystallinity,
oxidation state and electrochemical activity were examined,
respectively. XPS revealed Mn (IV) oxidation state and Pt (0)
nanoparticle metal, indicating the presence of MnO2 and Pt.
Morphology of Pt/MnO2 observed from FESEM shows that the
doping of Pt did not cause change in needle-like shape of MnO2
which provides large contacting surface area. The electrochemical
active area of the Pt/MnO2 catalysts has been increased from 276 to
617 m2/g with the increase in Pt loading from 0.2 to 0.8 wt%. The
CV results in O2 saturated neutral Na2SO4 solution showed that
MnO2 and Pt/MnO2 catalysts could catalyze ORR with different
catalytic activities. MFC with Pt/MnO2 (0.4 wt% Pt) as air cathode
catalyst generates a maximum power density of 165 mW/m3, which
is higher than that of MFC with MnO2 catalyst (95 mW/m3). The
open circuit voltage (OCV) of the MFC operated with MnO2 cathode
gradually decreased during 14 days of operation, whereas the MFC
with Pt/MnO2 cathode remained almost constant throughout the
operation suggesting the higher stability of the Pt/MnO2 catalyst.
Therefore, Pt/MnO2 with 0.4 wt% Pt successfully demonstrated as an
efficient and low cost electrocatalyst for ORR in air cathode MFC with higher electrochemical activity, stability and hence enhanced
performance.
Abstract: The organizations in the knowledge economy era have
recognized the importance of building knowledge assets for
sustainable growth and development. In comparison to other
industries, Information Technology (IT) enterprises, holds an edge in
developing an effective Knowledge Management (KM) programmethanks
to their in-house technological abilities. This paper tries to
study the various knowledge based incentive programmes and its
effect on Knowledge Sharing and Learning in the context of the
Indian IT sector. A conceptual model is developed linking KM
Incentives, Knowledge Sharing and Learning. A questionnaire study
is conducted to collect primary data from the knowledge workers of
the IT organizations located in India. The data was analysed using
Structural Equation Modeling using Partial Least Square method. The
results show a strong influence of knowledge management incentives
on knowledge sharing and an indirect influence on learning.
Abstract: A large amount of data is typically stored in relational
databases (DB). The latter can efficiently handle user queries which
intend to elicit the appropriate information from data sources.
However, direct access and use of this data requires the end users to
have an adequate technical background, while they should also cope
with the internal data structure and values presented. Consequently
the information retrieval is a quite difficult process even for IT or DB
experts, taking into account the limited contributions of relational
databases from the conceptual point of view. Ontologies enable users
to formally describe a domain of knowledge in terms of concepts and
relations among them and hence they can be used for unambiguously
specifying the information captured by the relational database.
However, accessing information residing in a database using
ontologies is feasible, provided that the users are keen on using
semantic web technologies. For enabling users form different
disciplines to retrieve the appropriate data, the design of a Graphical
User Interface is necessary. In this work, we will present an
interactive, ontology-based, semantically enable web tool that can be
used for information retrieval purposes. The tool is totally based on
the ontological representation of underlying database schema while it
provides a user friendly environment through which the users can
graphically form and execute their queries.
Abstract: It is important to take security measures to protect
your computer information, reduce identify theft, and prevent from
malicious cyber-attacks. With cyber-attacks on the continuous rise,
people need to understand and learn ways to prevent from these
attacks. Cyber-attack is an important factor to be considered if one is
to be able to protect oneself from malicious attacks. Without proper
security measures, most computer technology would hinder home
users more than such technologies would help. Knowledge of how
cyber-attacks operate and protective steps that can be taken to reduce
chances of its occurrence are key to increasing these security
measures. The purpose of this paper is to inform home users on the
importance of identifying and taking preventive steps to avoid cyberattacks.
Throughout this paper, many aspects of cyber-attacks will be
discuss: what a cyber-attack is, the affects of cyber-attack for home
users, different types of cyber-attacks, methodology to prevent such
attacks; home users can take to fortify security of their computer.
Abstract: Qatar, a Gulf country highly dependent on its oil and
gas revenues – is looking to innovate, diversify, and ultimately reach
its aim of creating a knowledge economy to prepare for its post-oil
era. One area that the country is investing in is Contemporary Art,
and world renowned artists such as Damien Hirst and Richard Serra –
have been commissioned to design site-specific art for the public
spaces of the city of Doha as well as in more remote desert locations.
This research discusses the changing presence, role and context of
public art in Doha, both from a historical and cultural overview, and
the different forms and media as well as the typologies of urban and
public spaces in which the art is installed. It examines the process of
implementing site-specific artworks, looking at questions of scale,
history, social meaning and formal aesthetics. The methodologies
combine theoretical research on the understanding of public art and
its role and placement in public space, as well as empirical research
on contemporary public art projects in Doha, based on documentation
and interviews and as well as site and context analysis of the urban or
architectural spaces within which the art is situated. Surveys and
interviews – using social media - in different segments of the
contemporary Qatari society, including all nationalities and social
groups, are used to measure and qualify the impacts and effects on
the population.
Abstract: The legends about “user-friendly” and “easy-to-use”
birotical tools (computer-related office tools) have been spreading
and misleading end-users. This approach has led us to the extremely
high number of incorrect documents, causing serious financial losses
in the creating, modifying, and retrieving processes. Our research
proved that there are at least two sources of this underachievement:
(1) The lack of the definition of the correctly edited, formatted
documents. Consequently, end-users do not know whether their
methods and results are correct or not. They are not aware of their
ignorance. They are so ignorant that their ignorance does not allow
them to realize their lack of knowledge. (2) The end-users’ problem
solving methods. We have found that in non-traditional programming
environments end-users apply, almost exclusively, surface approach
metacognitive methods to carry out their computer related activities,
which are proved less effective than deep approach methods.
Based on these findings we have developed deep approach
methods which are based on and adapted from traditional
programming languages. In this study, we focus on the most popular
type of birotical documents, the text based documents. We have
provided the definition of the correctly edited text, and based on this
definition, adapted the debugging method known in programming.
According to the method, before the realization of text editing, a
thorough debugging of already existing texts and the categorization
of errors are carried out. With this method in advance to real text
editing users learn the requirements of text based documents and also
of the correctly formatted text.
The method has been proved much more effective than the
previously applied surface approach methods. The advantages of the
method are that the real text handling requires much less human and
computer sources than clicking aimlessly in the GUI (Graphical User
Interface), and the data retrieval is much more effective than from
error-prone documents.
Abstract: A knowledge-based expert system with the acronym
RASPE is developed as an application tool to help decision makers in
construction companies make informed decisions about managing
risks in pipeline construction projects. Choosing to use expert
systems from all available artificial intelligence techniques is due to
the fact that an expert system is more suited to representing a
domain’s knowledge and the reasoning behind domain-specific
decisions. The knowledge-based expert system can capture the
knowledge in the form of conditional rules which represent various
project scenarios and potential risk mitigation/response actions. The
built knowledge in RASPE is utilized through the underlying
inference engine that allows the firing of rules relevant to a project
scenario into consideration. Paper provides an overview of the
knowledge acquisition process and goes about describing the
knowledge structure which is divided up into four major modules.
The paper shows one module in full detail for illustration purposes
and concludes with insightful remarks.
Abstract: The use OF adhesive anchors for wooden constructions is an efficient technology to connect and design timber members in new timber structures and to rehabilitate the damaged structural members of historical buildings. Due to the lack of standard regulation in this specific area of structural design, designers’ choices are still supported by test analysis that enables knowledge, and the prediction, of the structural behaviour of glued in rod joints. The paper outlines an experimental research activity aimed at identifying the tensile resistance capacity of several new adhesive joint prototypes made of epoxy resin, steel bar and timber, Oak and Douglas Fir species. The development of new adhesive connectors has been carried out by using epoxy to glue stainless steel bars into pre-drilled holes, characterised by smooth and rough internal surfaces, in timber samples. The realization of a threaded contact surface using a specific drill bit has led to an improved bond between wood and epoxy. The applied changes have also reduced the cost of the joints’ production. The paper presents the results of this parametric analysis and a Finite Element analysis that enables identification and study of the internal stress distribution in the proposed adhesive anchors.
Abstract: The dielectric properties and ionic conductivity of
novel "ceramic state" polymer electrolytes for high capacity lithium
battery are characterized by Radio frequency and Microwave
methods in two broad frequency ranges from 50 Hz to 20 KHz and 4
GHz to 40 GHz. This innovative solid polymer electrolyte which is
highly ionic conductive (10-3 S/cm at room temperature) from -40oC
to +150oC can be used in any battery application. Such polymer
exhibits properties more like a ceramic rather than polymer. The
various applied measurement methods produced accurate dielectric
results for comprehensive analysis of electrochemical properties and
ion transportation mechanism of this newly invented polymer
electrolyte. Two techniques and instruments employing air gap
measurement by Capacitance Bridge and in-waveguide measurement
by vector network analyzer are applied to measure the complex
dielectric spectra. The complex dielectric spectra are used to
determine the complex alternating current electrical conductivity and
thus the ionic conductivity.
Abstract: One image is worth more than thousand words.
Images if analyzed can reveal useful information. Low level image
processing deals with the extraction of specific feature from a single
image. Now the question arises: What technique should be used to
extract patterns of very large and detailed image database? The
answer of the question is: “Image Mining”. Image Mining deals with
the extraction of image data relationship, implicit knowledge, and
another pattern from the collection of images or image database. It is
nothing but the extension of Data Mining. In the following paper, not
only we are going to scrutinize the current techniques of image
mining but also present a new technique for mining images using
Genetic Algorithm.
Abstract: Sandwich structure composites produced by epoxy
core and aluminium skin were developed as potential building
materials. Interface bonding between core and skin was controlled by
varying kenaf content. Five different weight percentage of kenaf
loading ranging from 10 wt% to 50 wt% were employed in the core
manufacturing in order to study the mechanical properties of the
sandwich composite. Properties of skin aluminium with epoxy were
found to be affected by drying time of the adhesive. Mechanical
behavior of manufactured sandwich composites in relation with
properties of constituent materials was studied. It was found that 30
wt% of kenaf loading contributed to increase the flexural strength and
flexural modulus up to 102 MPa and 32 GPa, respectively. Analysis
were done on the flatwise and edgewise compression test. For
flatwise test, it was found that 30 wt% of fiber loading could
withstand maximum force until 250 kN, with compressive strength
results at 96.94 MPa. However, at edgewise compression test, the
sandwich composite with same fiber loading only can withstand 31
kN of the maximum load with 62 MPa of compressive strength
results.
Abstract: This study concerned the dynamic behavior of the
wind turbine rotor. Before all we have studied the loads applied to the
rotor, which allows the knowledge their effect on the fatigue, also
studied the rotor with longitudinal crack in order to determine stress,
strain and displacement. Firstly we compared the first six modes
shapes between cracking and uncracking of HAWT rotor. Secondly
we show show evolution of first six natural frequencies with
longitudinal crack propagation. Finally we conclude that the residual
change in the natural frequencies can be used as in shaft crack
diagnosis predictive maintenance.
Abstract: Early detection of breast cancer saves many thousands
of lives each year via application of mammography and genetic
screening and many more lives could be saved if nurses are involved
in breast care screening practices. So, the aim of the study was to
identify nurse's role in early detection of breast cancer through
mammography and genetic screening and its impact on patient's
outcome. In order to achieve this aim, 400 women above 40 years,
asymptomatic were recruited for mammography and genetic
screening. In addition, 50 nurses and 6 technologists were involved in
the study. A descriptive analytical design was used. Five tools were
utilized: sociodemographic, mammographic examination and risk
factors, women's before, during and after mammography, items
relaying to technologists, and items related to nurses were also
obtained. The study finding revealed that 3% of women detected for
malignancy and 7.25% for fibroadenoma. Statistically significant
differences were found between mammography results and age,
family history, genetic screening, exposure to smoke, and using
contraceptive pills. Nurses have insufficient knowledge about
screening tests. Based on these findings the present study
recommended involvement of nurses in breast care which is very
important to in force population about screening practices.
Abstract: Iran has several potential for using renewable
energies, so use them could significantly contribute to energy supply.
The purpose of this paper is to identify the potential of the country
and select the appropriate DG technologies with consideration the
potential and primary energy resources in the regions. In this context,
hybrid energy systems proportionate with the potential of different
regions will be determined based on technical, economic, and
environmental aspect. In the following the proposed structure will be
optimized in terms of size and cost. DG technologies used in this
project include photovoltaic system, wind turbine, diesel generator
and battery bank. The HOMER software is applied for choosing the
appropriate structure and the optimization of system sizing. The
results have been analyzed in terms of technical and economic. The
performance and the cost of each project demonstrate the appropriate
structure of hybrid energy system in that region.
Abstract: In this paper we describe one critical research
program within a complex, ongoing multi-year project (2010 to 2014
inclusive) with the overall goal to improve the learning outcomes for
first year undergraduate commerce/business students within an
Information Systems (IS) subject with very large enrolment. The
single research program described in this paper is the analysis of
student attitudes and decision making in relation to the availability of
formative assessment feedback via Web-based real time conferencing
and document exchange software (Adobe Connect). The formative
assessment feedback between teaching staff and students is in respect
of an authentic problem-based, team-completed assignment. The
analysis of student attitudes and decision making is investigated via
both qualitative (firstly) and quantitative (secondly) application of the
Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) with a two statistically-significant
and separate trial samples of the enrolled students. The initial
qualitative TPB investigation revealed that perceived self-efficacy,
improved time-management, and lecturer-student relationship
building were the major factors in shaping an overall favorable
student attitude to online feedback, whilst some students expressed
valid concerns with perceived control limitations identified within the
online feedback protocols. The subsequent quantitative TPB
investigation then confirmed that attitude towards usage, subjective
norms surrounding usage, and perceived behavioral control of usage
were all significant in shaping student intention to use the online
feedback protocol, with these three variables explaining 63 percent of
the variance in the behavioral intention to use the online feedback
protocol. The identification in this research of perceived behavioral
control as a significant determinant in student usage of a specific
technology component within a virtual learning environment (VLE)
suggests that VLEs could now be viewed not as a single, atomic
entity, but as a spectrum of technology offerings ranging from the
mature and simple (e.g., email, Web downloads) to the cutting-edge
and challenging (e.g., Web conferencing and real-time document
exchange). That is, that all VLEs should not be considered the same.
The results of this research suggest that tertiary students have the
technological sophistication to assess a VLE in this more selective
manner.
Abstract: Fast changing knowledge systems on the Internet can
be accessed more efficiently with the help of automatic document
summarization and updating techniques. The aim of multi-document
update summary generation is to construct a summary unfolding the
mainstream of data from a collection of documents based on the
hypothesis that the user has already read a set of previous documents.
In order to provide a lot of semantic information from the documents,
deeper linguistic or semantic analysis of the source documents were
used instead of relying only on document word frequencies to select
important concepts. In order to produce a responsive summary,
meaning oriented structural analysis is needed. To address this issue,
the proposed system presents a document summarization approach
based on sentence annotation with aspects, prepositions and named
entities. Semantic element extraction strategy is used to select
important concepts from documents which are used to generate
enhanced semantic summary.
Abstract: This research study aimed to survey and analyze the
attitudes of pre-service teachers’ the analytical thinking development
based on Miller’s Model. The informants of this study were 22 third
year teacher students majoring in Thai. The course where the
instruction was conducted was English for Academic Purposes in
Thai Language 2. The instrument of this research was an open-ended
questionnaire with two dimensions of questions: academic and
satisfaction dimensions. The investigation revealed the positive
attitudes. In the academic dimension, the majority of 12 (54.54%),
the highest percentage, reflected that the method of teaching
analytical thinking and language simultaneously was their new
knowledge and the similar percentage also belonged to text cohesion
in writing. For the satisfaction, the highest frequency count was from
17 of them (77.27%) and this majority favored the openness or
friendliness of the teacher.
Abstract: The California Bearing Ratio (CBR) has been
acknowledged as an important parameter to characterize the bearing
capacity of earth structures, such as earth dams, road embankments,
airport runways, bridge abutments and pavements. Technically, the
CBR test can be carried out in the laboratory or in the field. The CBR
test is time-consuming and is infrequently performed due to the
equipment needed and the fact that the field moisture content keeps
changing over time. Over the years, many correlations have been
developed for the prediction of CBR by various researchers,
including the dynamic cone penetrometer, undrained shear strength
and Clegg impact hammer. This paper reports and discusses some of
the results from a study on the prediction of CBR. In the current
study, the CBR test was performed in the laboratory on some finegrained
subgrade soils collected from various locations in Victoria.
Based on the test results, a satisfactory empirical correlation was
found between the CBR and the physical properties of the
experimental soils.
Abstract: The paper deals with the usage of speech acts and
politeness strategies in an EFL classroom in Georgia (Rep of). It
explores the students’ and the teachers’ practice of the politeness
strategies and the speech acts of apology, thanking, request,
compliment / encouragement, command, agreeing / disagreeing,
addressing and code switching. The research method includes
observation as well as a questionnaire. The target group involves the
students from Georgian public schools and two certified, experienced
local English teachers. The analysis is based on Searle’s Speech Act
Theory and Brown and Levinson’s politeness strategies. The findings
show that the students have certain knowledge regarding politeness
yet they fail to apply them in English communication. In addition,
most of the speech acts from the classroom interaction are used by
the teachers and not the students. Thereby, it is suggested that
teachers should cultivate the students’ communicative competence
and attempt to give them opportunities to practise more English
speech acts than they do today.
Abstract: Many organizations bring e-Learning to use as a tool
in their training and human development department. It is getting
more popular because it is easy to access to get knowledge all the
time and also it provides a rich content, which can develop the
employees’ skill efficiently. This study is focused on the factors that
affect using e-Learning efficiently, so it will make job satisfaction
increasing. The questionnaires were sent to employees in large
commercial banks, which use e-Learning located in Bangkok, the
results from multiple linear regression analysis showed that
employee’s characteristics, characteristics of e-Learning, learning and
growth have influence on job satisfaction.