Abstract: Teaching art by digital means is a big challenge for
the majority of teachers of art and design in primary schools, yet it
allows relationships between art, technology and creativity to be
clearly identified. The aim of this article is to present a modern way
of teaching art, using digital tools in the art classroom to improve
creative ability in pupils aged between nine and eleven years. It also
presents a conceptual model for creativity based on digital art. The
model could be useful for pupils interested in learning to draw by
using an e-drawing package, and for teachers who are interested in
teaching modern digital art in order to improve children’s creativity.
By illustrating the strategy of teaching art through technology, this
model may also help education providers to make suitable choices
about which technological approaches are most effective in
enhancing students’ creative ability, and which digital art tools can
benefit children by developing their technical skills. It is also
expected that use of this model will help to develop skills of social
interaction, which may in turn improve intellectual ability.
Abstract: Fungal mutant strains have produced cellulase and
xylanase enzymes, and have induced high hydrolysis with enhanced
of rice straw. The mutants were obtained by exposing Penicillium
strain to UV-light treatments. Screening and selection after treatment
with UV-light were carried out using cellulolytic and xylanolytic
clear zones method to select the hypercellulolytic and
hyperxylanolytic mutants. These mutants were evaluated for their
cellulase and xylanase enzyme production as well as their abilities for
biodegradation of rice straw. The mutant 12 UV/1 produced 306.21%
and 209.91% cellulase and xylanase, respectively, as compared with
the original wild type strain. This mutant showed high capacity of
rice straw degradation. The effectiveness of tested mutant strain and
that of wild strain was compared in relation to enhancing the
composting process of rice straw and animal manures mixture. The
results obtained showed that the compost product of inoculated
mixture with mutant strain (12 UV/1) was the best compared to the
wild strain and un-inoculated mixture. Analysis of the composted
materials showed that the characteristics of the produced compost
were close to those of the high quality standard compost. The results
obtained in the present work suggest that the combination between
rice straw and animal manure could be used for enhancing the
composting process of rice straw and particularly when applied with
fungal decomposer accelerating the composting process.
Abstract: Skin aging is a slow multifactorial process influenced
by both internal as well as external factors. Ultra-violet radiations
(UV), diet, smoking and personal habits are the most common
environmental factors that affect skin aging. Fat contents and fibrous
proteins as collagen and elastin are core internal structural
components. The direct influence of UV on elastin integrity and
health is central on aging of skin especially by time. The deposition
of abnormal elastic material is a major marker in a photo-aged skin.
Searching for compounds that may protect against cutaneous photodamage
is exceedingly valued. Retinoids and alpha hydroxy acids
have been endorsed by some researchers as possible candidates for
protecting and or repairing the effect of UV damaged skin. For
consolidating a better system of anti- and protective effects of such
anti-aging agents, we evaluated the combinatory effects of various
dosages of lactic acid and retinol on the dermal fibroblast’s elastin
levels exposed to UV. The UV exposed cells showed significant
reduction in the elastin levels. A combination of drugs with a higher
concentration of lactic acid (30 -35 mM) and a lower concentration of
retinol (10-15mg/mL) showed to work better in maintaining elastin
concentration in UV exposed cells. We assume this preservation
could be the result of increased tropo-elastin gene expression
stimulated by retinol whereas lactic acid probably repaired the UV
irradiated damage by enhancing the amount and integrity of the
elastin fibers.
Abstract: Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF, Mw=6,045) has been
reported to have high efficiency of wound repair and anti-wrinkle
effect. However, the half-life of EGF in the body is too short to exert
the biological activity effectively when applied in free form. Growth
Factors can be stabilized by immobilization with carbohydrates from
thermal and proteolytic degradation. Low molecular weight chitosan
(LMCS) and its derivate prepared by hydrogen peroxide has high
solubility. LM6A6DC was successfully prepared as a reactive
carbohydrate for the stabilization of EGF by the reactions of LMCS
with alkalization, tosylation, azidation and reduction. The structure of
LM6A6DC was confirmed by FT-IR, 1H NMR and elementary
analysis. For enhancing the stability of free EGF, EGF was attached
with LM6A6DC by using water-soluble carbodiimide.
EGF-LM6A6DC conjugates did not show any cytotoxicity on the
Normal Human Dermal Fibroblast (NHDF) 3T3 proliferation at least
under 100 μg/ml. In the result, it was considered that LM6A6DC is
suitable to immobilize of growth factor.
Abstract: This experimental study evaluates the effect of using
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Multidimensional Self-
Concept Model (MSCM) in a drug prevention programme to increase
resiliency and reduce aggression among at-risk youth in Malaysia. A
number of 60 (N=60) university students who were at-risk of taking
drugs were involved in this study. Participants were identified with
self-rating scales, Adolescent Resilience Attitude Scale (ARAS) and
Aggression Questionnaire. Based on the mean score of these
instruments, the participants were divided into the treatment group,
and the control group. Data were analyzed using t-test. The finding
showed that the mean score of resiliency was increased in the
treatment group compared to the control group. It also shows that the
mean score of aggression was reduced in the treatment group
compared to the control group. Drug Prevention Programme was
found to help in enhancing resiliency and reducing aggression among
participants in the treatment group compared to the controlled group.
Implications were given regarding the preventive actions on drug
abuse among youth in Malaysia.
Abstract: Various personality profile tests are used to identify
personality strengths and limits in individuals, helping both
individuals and managers to optimize work and team effort in
organizations. One such test, the Hartman’s personality profile,
emphasizes four driving "core motives" influenced or affected by
both strengths and limitations classified into four colors: Red -
motivated by power; Blue - discipline and loyalty; White - peace; and
Yellow – fun loving. Two shortcomings of Hartman’s personality test
are noted; 1) only one selection for every item / situation allowed and
2) selection of an item / option even if not applicable. A test taker
may be as much nurturing as he is opinionated but since
“opinionated” seems less attractive the individual would likely select
nurturing, causing a misidentification in personality strengths and
limits. Since few individuals have a “strong” personality, it is
difficult to assess their true personality strengths and limits allowing
only one choice or requiring unwanted choices, undermining the
potential of the test. We modified Hartman’s personality profile
allowing test takers to make either multiple choices for any item /
situation or leave them blank if applicable. Sixty-eight participants
(38 males and 30 females), 17 - 49 years old, from countries in Asia,
Europe, N. America, CIS, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania were
included. 58 participants (85.3%) reported the modified test, allowing
multiple / no choices better identified their personality strengths and
limits, while 10 participants (14.7%) expressed the original (one
choice version) was sufficient. The overall results show that our
modified test enhanced the identification and balance of core
personalities’ strengths and limits, aiding test takers, managers and
organizations to better assess individual characteristics, particularly
useful in making task-related, teamwork, and management decisions.
Abstract: Biofuels production has come forth as a future
technology to combat the problem of depleting fossil fuels. Bio-based
ethanol production from enzymatic lignocellulosic biomass
degradation serves an efficient method and catching the eye of
scientific community. High cost of the enzyme is the major obstacle
in preventing the commercialization of this process. Thus main
objective of the present study was to optimize composition of
medium components for enhancing cellulase production by newly
isolated strain of Bacillus tequilensis. Nineteen factors were taken
into account using statistical Plackett-Burman Design. The significant
variables influencing the cellulose production were further employed
in statistical Response Surface Methodology using Central
Composite Design for maximizing cellulase production. The
optimum medium composition for cellulase production was: peptone
(4.94 g/L), ammonium chloride (4.99 g/L), yeast extract (2.00 g/L),
Tween-20 (0.53 g/L), calcium chloride (0.20 g/L) and cobalt chloride
(0.60 g/L) with pH 7, agitation speed 150 rpm and 72 h incubation at
37oC. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed high coefficient of
determination (R2) of 0.99. Maximum cellulase productivity of 11.5
IU/ml was observed against the model predicted value of 13 IU/ml.
This was found to be optimally active at 60oC and pH 5.5.
Abstract: It has experimentally been proved that the
performance of compression ignition (C.I.) engine is spray
characteristics related. In modern diesel engine the spray formation
and the eventual combustion process are the vital processes that offer
more challenges towards enhancing the engine performance. In the
present work the numerical simulation has been carried out for
evaporating diesel sprays using Fluent software. For computational
fluid dynamics simulation “Meshing” is done using Gambit software
before transmitting it into Fluent. The simulation is carried out using
hot bomb conditions under varying chamber conditions such as gas
pressure, nozzle diameter and fuel injection pressure. For comparison
purpose, the numerical simulations the chamber conditions were kept
the same as that of the experimental data. At varying chamber
conditions the spray penetration rates are compared with the existing
experimental results.
Abstract: Validity, integrity, and impacts of the IT systems of
the US federal courts have been studied as part of the Human Rights
Alert-NGO (HRA) submission for the 2015 Universal Periodic
Review (UPR) of human rights in the United States by the Human
Rights Council (HRC) of the United Nations (UN). The current
report includes overview of IT system analysis, data-mining and case
studies. System analysis and data-mining show: Development and
implementation with no lawful authority, servers of unverified
identity, invalidity in implementation of electronic signatures,
authentication instruments and procedures, authorities and
permissions; discrimination in access against the public and
unrepresented (pro se) parties and in favor of attorneys; widespread
publication of invalid judicial records and dockets, leading to their
false representation and false enforcement. A series of case studies
documents the impacts on individuals' human rights, on banking
regulation, and on international matters. Significance is discussed in
the context of various media and expert reports, which opine
unprecedented corruption of the US justice system today, and which
question, whether the US Constitution was in fact suspended. Similar
findings were previously reported in IT systems of the State of
California and the State of Israel, which were incorporated, subject to
professional HRC staff review, into the UN UPR reports (2010 and
2013). Solutions are proposed, based on the principles of publicity of
the law and the separation of power: Reliance on US IT and legal
experts under accountability to the legislative branch, enhancing
transparency, ongoing vigilance by human rights and internet
activists. IT experts should assume more prominent civic duties in the
safeguard of civil society in our era.
Abstract: This paper describes a logical method to enhance
security on the grid computing to restrict the misuse of the grid
resources. This method is an economic and efficient one to avoid the
usage of the special devices. The security issues, techniques and
solutions needed to provide a secure grid computing environment are
described. A well defined process for security management among
the resource accesses and key holding algorithm is also proposed. In
this method, the identity management, access control and
authorization and authentication are effectively handled.
Abstract: In a highly competitive environment, it becomes more
important to shorten the whole business process while delivering or
even enhancing the business value to the customers and suppliers.
Although the workflow management systems receive much attention
for its capacity to practically support the business process enactment,
the effective workflow modeling method remain still challenging and
the high degree of process complexity makes it more difficult to gain
the short lead time. This paper presents a workflow structuring method
in a holistic way that can reduce the process complexity using
activity-needs and formal concept analysis, which eventually enhances
the key performance such as quality, delivery, and cost in business
process.
Abstract: This paper discusses the potential benefits of an
interactive multimedia information representation in enhancing
students’ critical thinking aligned with history reasoning in learning
history amongst Secondary School students in Malaysia. Two modes
of multimedia information representation were implemented;
chronologic and thematic information representations. A qualitative
study of an unstructured interview was conducted among two history
teachers, one history education lecturer, two i-think experts, and five
students from Form Four secondary school. The interview was to
elicit their opinions on the implementation of thinking maps and
interactive multimedia information representation in history learning.
The key elements of the interactive multimedia (e.g. multiple media,
user control, interactivity and use of timelines and concept maps)
were then considered to improve the learning process. Findings of the
preliminary investigation reveal that the interactive multimedia
information representations have the potential benefits to be
implemented as an instructional resource in enhancing students’
higher order thinking skills (HOTs). This paper concludes by giving
suggestions for future work.
Abstract: This paper presents a comparison between using a
desktop web application and a mobile application for students
enrolling in courses at Rangsit University, Thailand. In addition,
Rangsit University has enhanced the enrollment process by
leveraging its information systems, which allows students to choose
to enroll in courses online. In order to use the system, students must
provide their identification and personal documents for registration.
The reason to have a mobile application is to support students’ ability
to access the system at anytime, anywhere and anyplace. The
objective of this paper was to: 1. Evaluate the success of developing a
user friendly mobile device system and 2. Measure user interest in
future mobile development.
Abstract: Ancillary services are support services which are
essential for humanizing and enhancing the reliability and security of
the electric power system. Reactive power ancillary service is one of
the important ancillary services in a restructured electricity market
which determines the cost of supplying ancillary services and finding
of how this cost would change with respect to operating decisions.
This paper presents a new formation that can be used to minimize the
Independent System Operator (ISO)’s total payment for reactive
power ancillary service. The modified power flow tracing algorithm
estimates the availability of reserve reactive power for ancillary
service. In order to find optimum reactive power dispatch,
Biogeography based optimization method (BPO) is proposed. Market
Reactive Clearing Price (MRCP) is then estimated and it encourages
generator companies (GENCOs) to participate in an ancillary service.
Finally, optimal weighting factor and real time utilization factor of
reactive power give the minimum ISO’s total payment. The
effectiveness of proposed design is verified using IEEE 30 bus
system.
Abstract: Calcium phosphate coating (CaP) has been employed
for protein delivery, but the typical direct protein adsorption on the
coating led to low incorporation content and fast release of the
protein from the coating. By using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a
model protein, rapid biomimetic co-precipitation between calcium
phosphate and BSA was employed to control the distribution of BSA
within calcium phosphate coating during biomimetic formation on
titanium surface for only 6 h at 50oC in an accelerated calcium
phosphate solution. As a result, the amount of BSA incorporation and
release duration could be increased by using a rapid biomimetic coprecipitation
technique. Up to 43 fold increases in the BSA
incorporation content and the increase from 6 h to more than 360 h in
release duration compared to typical direct adsorption technique were
observed depending on the initial BSA concentration used during coprecipitation
(1, 10 and 100 μg.ml-1). From x-ray diffraction and
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies, the coating
composition was not altered with the incorporation of BSA by this
rapid biomimetic co-precipitation and mainly comprised octacalcium
phosphate and hydroxyapatite. However, the microstructure of
calcium phosphate crystals changed from straight, plate-like units to
curved, plate-like units with increasing BSA content.
Abstract: Business interpreting talents are in badly need for local
economic development, but currently there are problems of traditional
business interpreting training mode in China. In view of the good
opportunity for college business interpreters provided by international
trading center development in Qingdao China and with the aim of
being in line with market demand and enhancing business interpreters'
employment competitive advantage, this paper aims to explore how to
cultivate interdisciplinary business interpreting talents based on
market demand.
Abstract: In this paper, an edge-strength guided multiscale
retinex (EGMSR) approach will be proposed for color image contrast
enhancement. In EGMSR, the pixel-dependent weight associated with
each pixel in the single scale retinex output image is computed
according to the edge strength around this pixel in order to prevent
from over-enhancing the noises contained in the smooth dark/bright
regions. Further, by fusing together the enhanced results of EGMSR
and adaptive multiscale retinex (AMSR), we can get a natural fused
image having high contrast and proper tonal rendition. Experimental
results on several low-contrast images have shown that our proposed
approach can produce natural and appealing enhanced images.
Abstract: Analysis of real life problems often results in linear
systems of equations for which solutions are sought. The method to
employ depends, to some extent, on the properties of the coefficient
matrix. It is not always feasible to solve linear systems of equations
by direct methods, as such the need to use an iterative method
becomes imperative. Before an iterative method can be employed
to solve a linear system of equations there must be a guaranty that
the process of solution will converge. This guaranty, which must
be determined apriori, involve the use of some criterion expressible
in terms of the entries of the coefficient matrix. It is, therefore,
logical that the convergence criterion should depend implicitly on the
algebraic structure of such a method. However, in deference to this
view is the practice of conducting convergence analysis for Gauss-
Seidel iteration on a criterion formulated based on the algebraic
structure of Jacobi iteration. To remedy this anomaly, the Gauss-
Seidel iteration was studied for its algebraic structure and contrary
to the usual assumption, it was discovered that some property of the
iteration matrix of Gauss-Seidel method is only diagonally dominant
in its first row while the other rows do not satisfy diagonal dominance.
With the aid of this structure we herein fashion out an improved
version of Gauss-Seidel iteration with the prospect of enhancing
convergence and robustness of the method. A numerical section is
included to demonstrate the validity of the theoretical results obtained
for the improved Gauss-Seidel method.
Abstract: Ion exchange is one of the methods used to remove heavy metal such as copper and cobalt from wastewaters. Parameters affecting the ion-exchange of copper and cobalt aqueous solutions using clinoptilolite are the objectives of this study. Synthetic solutions were prepared with the concentration of 0.02M, 0.06M and 0.1M. The cobalt solution was maintained to 0.02M while varying the copper solution to the above stated concentrations. The clinoptilolite was activated with HCl and H2SO4 for removal efficiency. The pHs of the solutions were found to be acidic hence enhancing the copper and cobalt removal. The natural clinoptilolite performance was also found to be lower compared to the HCl and H2SO4 activated one for the copper removal ranging from 68% to 78% of Cu2+ uptake with the natural clinoptilolite to 66% to 51% with HCl and H2SO4 respectively. It was found that the activated clinoptilolite removed more copper and cobalt than the natural one and found that the electronegativity of the metal plays a role in the metal removal and the clinoptilolite selectivity.
Abstract: Virtual reality (VR) is a rapidly emerging computer
interface that attempts to immerse the user completely within an
experimental recreation; thereby, greatly enhancing the overall
impact and providing a much more intuitive link between the
computer and the human participants. The main objective of this
study is to design tractor trailer capable of meeting the customers’
requirements and suitable for rough conditions to be used in
combination with a farm tractor in India. The final concept is capable
of providing arrangements for attaching the trailer to the tractor easily
by pickup hitch, stronger and lighter supporting frame, option of
spare tyre etc. Furthermore, the resulting product design can be sent
via the Internet to customers for comments or marketing purposes.
The virtual prototyping (VP) system therefore facilitates advanced
product design and helps reduce product development time and cost
significantly.