Abstract: This study endeavors to evaluate the effects of farmers’ training program on the adoption of improved farming practices, the output of rice farming, and the income as well as the profit from rice farming by employing an ex-post non-experimental data in Sierra Leone. It was established that participating in farmers’ training program increased the possibility of adoption of the improved farming activities that were implemented in the study area. Through the training program also, the proceeds from rice production was also established to have increased considerably. These results were in line with the assumption that one of the main constraints on the growth in agricultural output particularly rice cultivation in most African states is the lack of efficient extension programs.
Abstract: This paper discusses a new model of Islamic code of
ethics for directors. Several corporate scandals and local (example
Transmile and Megan Media) and overseas corporate (example
Parmalat and Enron) collapses show that the current corporate
governance and regulatory reform are unable to prevent these events
from recurring. Arguably, the code of ethics for directors is under
research and the current code of ethics only concentrates on binding
the work of the employee of the organization as a whole, without
specifically putting direct attention to the directors, the group of
people responsible for the performance of the company. This study
used a semi-structured interview survey of well-known Islamic
scholars such as the Mufti to develop the model. It is expected that
the outcome of the research is a comprehensive model of code of
ethics based on the Islamic principles that can be applied and used by
the company to construct a code of ethics for their directors.
Abstract: the intension in this work is to investigate the effect of
different bending manifold pipes on engine performance for different
engine speed. Power, Torque, and BSFC were calculated and
presented to show the effect of varying bending pipes angles on them
for all cases considered. A special program used to carry out the
calculations. A simulation model for 4-cylinders spark ignition
engine with turbocharger has been built and calculated. The analysis
of the results shows that for 120o angle the torque increases about
40% at 3000 rpm and 25% at 4000 rpm without changing in fuel
consumption. For 90o angle the increment in torque is about 10 %.
For the same bending angle the increment in brake power is around
40% at 3000 rpm and 25% at 4000 rpm. The increment in fuel
consumption is about 12% for 60o and 30% for 90o between (6000-
7000) rpm.
Abstract: Validity is an overriding consideration in language testing. If a test score is intended for a particular purpose, this must be supported through empirical evidence. This article addresses the validity of a multiple-choice achievement test (MCT). The test is administered at the end of each semester to decide about students' mastery of a course in general English. To provide empirical evidence pertaining to the validity of this test, two criterion measures were used. In so doing, a Cloze test and a C-test which are reported to gauge general English proficiency were utilized. The results of analyses show that there is a statistically significant correlation among participants' scores on the MCT, Cloze, and Ctest. Drawing on the findings of the study, it can be cautiously deduced that these tests measure the same underlying trait. However, allowing for the limitations of using criterion measures to validate tests, we cannot make any absolute claim as to the validity of this MCT test.
Abstract: This paper presents a comparative analysis of a new
unsupervised PCA-based technique for steel plates texture segmentation
towards defect detection. The proposed scheme called Variance
Based Component Analysis or VBCA employs PCA for feature
extraction, applies a feature reduction algorithm based on variance of
eigenpictures and classifies the pixels as defective and normal. While
the classic PCA uses a clusterer like Kmeans for pixel clustering,
VBCA employs thresholding and some post processing operations to
label pixels as defective and normal. The experimental results show
that proposed algorithm called VBCA is 12.46% more accurate and
78.85% faster than the classic PCA.
Abstract: In this paper a novel method was presented for
evaluating the fabric pills using digital image processing techniques. This work provides a novel technique for
detecting pills and also measuring their heights, surfaces and
volumes. Surely, measuring the intensity of defects by human vision is an inaccurate method for quality control; as a result, this problem became a motivation for employing digital image processing techniques for detection of defects of fabric
surface. In the former works, the systems were just limited to measuring of the surface of defects, but in the presented
method the height and the volume of defects were also
measured, which leads to a more accurate quality control. An algorithm was developed to first, find pills and then measure their average intensity by using three criteria of height, surface
and volume. The results showed a meaningful relation
between the number of rotations and the quality of pilled fabrics.
Abstract: A large number of semantic web service composition
approaches are developed by the research community and one is
more efficient than the other one depending on the particular
situation of use. So a close look at the requirements of ones particular
situation is necessary to find a suitable approach to use. In this paper,
we present a Technique Recommendation System (TRS) which using
a classification of state-of-art semantic web service composition
approaches, can provide the user of the system with the
recommendations regarding the use of service composition approach
based on some parameters regarding situation of use. TRS has
modular architecture and uses the production-rules for knowledge
representation.
Abstract: Granular computing deals with representation of information in the form of some aggregates and related methods for transformation and analysis for problem solving. A granulation scheme based on clustering and Rough Set Theory is presented with focus on structured conceptualization of information has been presented in this paper. Experiments for the proposed method on four labeled data exhibit good result with reference to classification problem. The proposed granulation technique is semi-supervised imbibing global as well as local information granulation. To represent the results of the attribute oriented granulation a tree structure is proposed in this paper.
Abstract: Nylon 6-clay hybrid/neat nylon 6, sheath/core
bicomponent nanocomposite fibers containing 4 wt% of clay in
sheath section were melt spun at different take-up speeds. Their
orientation and crystalline structure were compared to those of neat
nylon 6 fibers. Birefringence measurements showed that the
orientation development in sheath and core parts of bicomponent
fibers was different. Crystallinity results showed that clay did not act
as a nucleating agent for bicomponent fibers. The neat nylon 6 fiber
had a smooth surface while striped pattern was appeared on the
surface of bicomponent fiber containing clay due to thermal
shrinkage of the core part.
Abstract: We studied the selection of nest sites by Persian
ground Jay (Podoces pleskei), in a semi -desert central Iran. Habitat
variables such as plant species number, height of plant species,
vegetation percent and distance to water sources of nest sites were
compared with randomly selected non- used sites. The results showed that the most important factors influencing nesting site selection were total vegetation percent and number of shrubs
(Zgophyllum eurypterum and Atraphaxis spinosa). The mean vegetation percent of 20 area selected by Persian Ground Jay was
(4.41+ 0.17), which was significantly larger than that of the non –
selected area (2.08 + 0.06). The number of Zygophyllum eurypterum (1.13+ 0.01) and Atraphaxis spinosa (1.36+ 0.10) were also significantly higher compared with the control area (0.43+ 0.07)
and (0.58+ 0.9) respectively.
Abstract: The aim of this research is to develop a fast and
reliable surveillance system based on a personal digital assistant
(PDA) device. This is to extend the capability of the device to detect
moving objects which is already available in personal computers.
Secondly, to compare the performance between Background
subtraction (BS) and Temporal Frame Differencing (TFD) techniques
for PDA platform as to which is more suitable. In order to reduce
noise and to prepare frames for the moving object detection part,
each frame is first converted to a gray-scale representation and then
smoothed using a Gaussian low pass filter. Two moving object
detection schemes i.e., BS and TFD have been analyzed. The
background frame is updated by using Infinite Impulse Response
(IIR) filter so that the background frame is adapted to the varying
illuminate conditions and geometry settings. In order to reduce the
effect of noise pixels resulting from frame differencing
morphological filters erosion and dilation are applied. In this
research, it has been found that TFD technique is more suitable for
motion detection purpose than the BS in term of speed. On average
TFD is approximately 170 ms faster than the BS technique
Abstract: Twenty - nine Holstein cows were used to evaluate the effects of different dry period (DP) lengths on milk yield and composition, some blood metabolites, and complete blood count (CBC). Cows were assigned to one of 2 treatments: 1) 60-d dry period, 2) 35-d DP. Milk yield, from calving to 60 days, was not different for cows on the treatments (p =0.130). Cows in the 35-d DP produced more milk protein and SNF compare with cows in treatment 1 (p ≤ 0.05). Serum glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta hydroxyl butyrate acid (BHBA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urea, and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) were all similar among the treatments. Body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW), complete blood count (CBC) and health problems were similar between the treatments. The results of this study demonstrated we can reduce the dry period length to 35 days with no problems.
Abstract: A fully implicit finite-difference method has been proposed for the numerical solutions of one dimensional coupled nonlinear Burgers’ equations on the uniform mesh points. The method forms a system of nonlinear difference equations which is to be solved at each iteration. Newton’s iterative method has been implemented to solve this nonlinear assembled system of equations. The linear system has been solved by Gauss elimination method with partial pivoting algorithm at each iteration of Newton’s method. Three test examples have been carried out to illustrate the accuracy of the method. Computed solutions obtained by proposed scheme have been compared with analytical solutions and those already available in the literature by finding L2 and L∞ errors.
Abstract: The simulation of extrusion process is studied widely
in order to both increase products and improve quality, with broad
application in wire coating. The annular tube-tooling extrusion was
set up by a model that is termed as Navier-Stokes equation in
addition to a rheological model of differential form based on singlemode
exponential Phan-Thien/Tanner constitutive equation in a twodimensional
cylindrical coordinate system for predicting the
contraction point of the polymer melt beyond the die. Numerical
solutions are sought through semi-implicit Taylor-Galerkin pressurecorrection
finite element scheme. The investigation was focused on
incompressible creeping flow with long relaxation time in terms of
Weissenberg numbers up to 200. The isothermal case was considered
with surface tension effect on free surface in extrudate flow and no
slip at die wall. The Stream Line Upwind Petrov-Galerkin has been
proposed to stabilize solution. The structure of mesh after die exit
was adjusted following prediction of both top and bottom free
surfaces so as to keep the location of contraction point around one
unit length which is close to experimental results. The simulation of
extrusion process is studied widely in order to both increase products
and improve quality, with broad application in wire coating. The
annular tube-tooling extrusion was set up by a model that is termed
as Navier-Stokes equation in addition to a rheological model of
differential form based on single-mode exponential Phan-
Thien/Tanner constitutive equation in a two-dimensional cylindrical
coordinate system for predicting the contraction point of the polymer
melt beyond the die. Numerical solutions are sought through semiimplicit
Taylor-Galerkin pressure-correction finite element scheme.
The investigation was focused on incompressible creeping flow with
long relaxation time in terms of Weissenberg numbers up to 200. The
isothermal case was considered with surface tension effect on free
surface in extrudate flow and no slip at die wall. The Stream Line
Upwind Petrov-Galerkin has been proposed to stabilize solution. The
structure of mesh after die exit was adjusted following prediction of
both top and bottom free surfaces so as to keep the location of
contraction point around one unit length which is close to
experimental results.
Abstract: Place is a where dimension formed by people-s
relationship with physical settings, individual and group activities,
and meanings. 'Place Attachment', 'Place Identity'and 'Sense of
Place' are some concepts that could describe the quality of people-s
relationships with a place. The concept of Sense of place is used in
studying human-place bonding, attachment and place meaning. Sense
of Place usually is defined as an overarching impression
encompassing the general ways in which people feel about places,
senses it, and assign concepts and values to it. Sense of place is
highlighted in this article as one of the prevailing concepts among
place-based researches. Considering dimensions of sense of place has
always been beneficial for investigating public place attachment and
pro-environmental attitudes towards these places. The creation or
preservation of Sense of place is important in maintaining the quality
of the environment as well as the integrity of human life within it.
While many scholars argued that sense of place is a vague concept,
this paper will summarize and analyze the existing seminal literature.
Therefore, in this paper first the concept of Sense of place and its
characteristics will be examined afterward the scales of Sense of
place will be reviewed and the factors that contribute to form Sense
of place will be evaluated and finally Place Attachment as an
objective dimension for measuring the sense of place will be
described.
Abstract: Knowledge-based e-mail systems focus on
incorporating knowledge management approach in order to enhance
the traditional e-mail systems. In this paper, we present a knowledgebased
e-mail system called KS-Mail where people do not only send
and receive e-mail conventionally but are also able to create a sense
of knowledge flow. We introduce semantic processing on the e-mail
contents by automatically assigning categories and providing links to
semantically related e-mails. This is done to enrich the knowledge
value of each e-mail as well as to ease the organization of the e-mails
and their contents. At the application level, we have also built
components like the service manager, evaluation engine and search
engine to handle the e-mail processes efficiently by providing the
means to share and reuse knowledge. For this purpose, we present the
KS-Mail architecture, and elaborate on the details of the e-mail
server and the application server. We present the ontology mapping
technique used to achieve the e-mail content-s categorization as well
as the protocols that we have developed to handle the transactions in
the e-mail system. Finally, we discuss further on the implementation
of the modules presented in the KS-Mail architecture.
Abstract: The equations governing the flow of an electrically conducting, incompressible viscous fluid over an infinite flat plate in the presence of a magnetic field are investigated using the homotopy perturbation method (HPM) with Padé approximants (PA) and 4th order Runge–Kutta method (4RKM). Approximate analytical and numerical solutions for the velocity field and heat transfer are obtained and compared with each other, showing excellent agreement. The effects of the magnetic parameter and Prandtl number on velocity field, shear stress, temperature and heat transfer are discussed as well.
Abstract: We present a visualization technique for radial drawing of trees consisting of two slightly different algorithms. Both of them make use of node-link diagrams for visual encoding. This visualization creates clear drawings without edge crossing. One of the algorithms is suitable for real-time visualization of large trees, as it requires minimal recalculation of the layout if leaves are inserted or removed from the tree; while the other algorithm makes better utilization of the drawing space. The algorithms are very similar and follow almost the same procedure but with different parameters. Both algorithms assign angular coordinates for all nodes which are then converted into 2D Cartesian coordinates for visualization. We present both algorithms and discuss how they compare to each other.
Abstract: When the characteristic length of an elastic solid is
down to the nanometer level, its deformation behavior becomes size
dependent. Surface energy /surface stress have recently been applied
to explain such dependency. In this paper, the effect of
strain-independent surface stress on the deformation of an isotropic
elastic solid containing a nanosized elliptical hole is studied by the
finite element method. Two loading cases are considered, in the first
case, hoop stress along the rim of the elliptical hole induced by pure
surface stress is studied, in the second case, hoop stress around the
elliptical opening under combined remote tension and surface stress is
investigated. It has been shown that positive surface stress induces
compressive hoop stress along the hole, and negative surface stress has
opposite effect, maximum hoop stress occurs near the major semi-axes
of the ellipse. Under combined loading of remote tension and surface
stress, stress concentration around the hole can be either intensified or
weakened depending on the sign of the surface stress.
Abstract: In this paper, multiple positive solutions for
semipositone discrete eigenvalue problems are obtained by
using a three critical points theorem for nondifferentiable
functional.