Abstract: The paper examines the mechanism of pozzolan-soil reactions, using a recent study on the chemical stabilization of a Class A-2-7 (3) lateritic soil, with corn cob ash (CCA) as case study. The objectives are to establish a nexus between cation exchange capacity of the soil, the alkaline forming compounds in CCA and percentage CCA addition to soil beyond which no more improvement in strength properties can be achieved; and to propose feasible chemical reactions to explain the chemical stabilization of the lateritic soil with CCA alone. The lateritic soil, as well as CCA of pozzolanic quality Class C were separately analysed for their metallic oxide composition using the X-Ray Fluorescence technique. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the soil and the CCA were computed theoretically using the percentage composition of the base cations Ca2+, Mg2+ K+ and Na2+ as 1.48 meq/100 g and 61.67 meq/100 g respectively, thus indicating a ratio of 0.024 or 2.4%. This figure, taken as the theoretical amount required to just fill up the exchangeable sites of the clay molecules, compares well with the laboratory observation of 1.5% for the optimum level of CCA addition to lateritic soil. The paper went on to present chemical reaction equations between the alkaline earth metals in the CCA and the silica in the lateritic soil to form silicates, thereby proposing an extension of the theory of mechanism of soil stabilization to cover chemical stabilization with pozzolanic ash only. The paper concluded by recommending further research on the molecular structure of soils stabilized with pozzolanic waste ash alone, with a view to confirming the chemical equations advanced in the study.
Abstract: We present a prioritized, limited multi-server processor sharing (PS) system where each server has various capacities, and N (≥2) priority classes are allowed in each PS server. In each prioritized, limited server, different service ratio is assigned to each class request, and the number of requests to be processed is limited to less than a certain number. Routing strategies of such prioritized, limited multi-server PS systems that take into account the capacity of each server are also presented, and a performance evaluation procedure for these strategies is discussed. Practical performance measures of these strategies, such as loss probability, mean waiting time, and mean sojourn time, are evaluated via simulation. In the PS server, at the arrival (or departure) of a request, the extension (shortening) of the remaining sojourn time of each request receiving service can be calculated by using the number of requests of each class and the priority ratio. Utilising a simulation program which executes these events and calculations, the performance of the proposed prioritized, limited multi-server PS rule can be analyzed. From the evaluation results, most suitable routing strategy for the loss or waiting system is clarified.
Abstract: It is difficult for autistic children to mix with and be around with other people. Language difficulties are a problem that affects their social life. A lack of knowledge and ability in language are factors that greatly influence their behavior, and their ability to communicate and interact. Autistic children need to be assisted to improve their language abilities through the use of suitable learning resources. This study is conducted to identify weather graphic animation resources can help autistic children learn and use transitive verbs more effectively. The study was conducted in a rural secondary school in Penang, Malaysia. The research subject comprised of three autistic students ranging in age from 14 years to 16 years. The 14-year-old student is placed in A Class and two 16-year-old students placed in B Class. The class placement of the subjects is based on the diagnostic test results conducted by the teacher and not based on age. Data collection is done through observation and interviews for the duration of five weeks; with the researcher allocating 30 minutes for every learning activity carried out. The research finding shows that the subjects learn transitive verbs better using graphic animation compared to static pictures. It is hoped that this study will give a new perspective towards the learning processes of autistic children.
Abstract: Making the right decisions about students depends on teachers’ use of the assessment and evaluation techniques effectively. In order to do that, teachers should have positive attitudes and adequate self-efficacy perception towards assessment and evaluation. The purpose of this study is to investigate relationship between self-efficacy perception and the attitudes of prospective teachers towards assessment and evaluation and what kind of differences these issues have in terms of a variety of demographic variables. The study group consisted of 277 prospective teachers who have been studying in different departments of Marmara University, Faculty of Education. In this study, ‘Personal Information Form’, ‘A Perceptual Scale for Measurement and Evaluation of Prospective Teachers Self-Efficacy in Education’ and ‘Attitudes toward Educational Measurement Inventory’ are applied. As a result, positive correlation was found between self-efficacy perceptions and the attitudes of prospective teachers towards assessment and evaluation. Considering different departments, there is a significant difference between the mean score of attitudes of prospective teachers and between the mean score of self-efficacy perceptions of them. However, considering variables of attending statistics class and the class types at the graduated high school, there is no significant difference between the mean score of attitudes of prospective teachers and between the mean score of self-efficacy perceptions of them.
Abstract: The importance and significance of this research is based upon the fundamental knowledge reported in the scientific literature that physical activity is inversely associated with obesity. In addition, it is recognized there is a global epidemic of sedentariness while at the same time it is known that morbidity and mortality are associated with physical inactivity and as a result of overweight or obesity. Hence this small study in school students is an important area of research in our community. An application submitted in 2005 for the inaugural Public Health Education Research Trust [PHERT] Post Graduate Research Scholarship scheme organized by the Public Health Association of Australia [PHAA] was awarded 3rd place within Australia. The author and title was: D. Hilton, Methods to increase physical activity in school aged children [literature review, a trial using pedometers and a policy paper]. Third place is a good result, however this did not secure funding for the project, as only first place received $5000 funding. Some years later within Australia, a program commenced called the Global Children's Challenge [GCC]. Given details of the 2005 award above were included an application submission prepared for Parkhill Primary School [PPS] which is located in Victoria, Australia was successful. As a result, an excited combined grade 3/ 4 class at the school [27 students] in 2012 became recipients of these free pedometers. Ambassadors for the program were Mrs Catherine Freeman [OAM], Olympic Gold Medalist – Sydney 2000 [400 meters], while another ambassador was Mr Colin Jackson [CBE] who is a Welsh former sprint and hurdling athlete. In terms of PPS and other schools involved in 2012, website details show that the event started on 19th Sep 2012 and students were to wear the pedometer every day for 50 days [at home and at school] aiming for the recommended 15,000 steps/day recording steps taken in a booklet provided. After the finish, an analysis of the average step count for this school showed that the average steps taken / day was 14, 003 [however only a small percentage of students returned the booklets and units] as unfortunately the dates for the program coincided with school holidays so some students either forgot or misplaced the units / booklets. Unfortunately funding for this program ceased in 2013, however the lasting impact of the trial on student’s knowledge and awareness remains and in fact becomes a good grounding for students in how to monitor basic daily physical activity using a method that is easy, fun, low cost and readily accessible.
Abstract: This study aims at being acquainted with the using the
body fat percentage (%BF) with body Mass Index (BMI) as input
parameters in fuzzy logic decision support system to predict properly
the lifted weight for students at weightlifting class lift according to
his abilities instead of traditional manner. The sample included 53
male students (age = 21.38 ± 0.71 yrs, height (Hgt) = 173.17 ± 5.28
cm, body weight (BW) = 70.34 ± 7.87.6 kg, Body mass index (BMI)
23.42 ± 2.06 kg.m-2, fat mass (FM) = 9.96 ± 3.15 kg and fat
percentage (% BF) = 13.98 ± 3.51 %.) experienced the weightlifting
class as a credit and has variance at BW, Hgt and BMI and FM. BMI
and % BF were taken as input parameters in FUZZY logic whereas
the output parameter was the lifted weight (LW). There were
statistical differences between LW values before and after using
fuzzy logic (Diff 3.55± 2.21, P > 0.001). The percentages of the LW
categories proposed by fuzzy logic were 3.77% of students to lift 1.0
fold of their bodies; 50.94% of students to lift 0.95 fold of their
bodies; 33.96% of students to lift 0.9 fold of their bodies; 3.77% of
students to lift 0.85 fold of their bodies and 7.55% of students to lift
0.8 fold of their bodies. The study concluded that the characteristic
changes in body composition experienced by students when
undergoing weightlifting could be utilized side by side with the
Fuzzy logic decision support system to determine the proper
workloads consistent with the abilities of students.
Abstract: Currently, there are few user friendly Weigh-in-
Motion (WIM) data analysis softwares available which can produce
traffic input data for the recently developed AASHTOWare pavement
Mechanistic-Empirical (ME) design software. However, these
softwares have only rudimentary Quality Control (QC) processes.
Therefore, they cannot properly deal with erroneous WIM data. As
the pavement performance is highly sensible to the quality of WIM
data, it is highly recommended to use more refined QC process on
raw WIM data to get a good result. This study develops a userfriendly
software, which can produce traffic input for the ME design
software. This software takes the raw data (Class and Weight data)
collected from the WIM station and processes it with a sophisticated
QC procedure. Traffic data such as traffic volume, traffic distribution,
axle load spectra, etc. can be obtained from this software; which can
directly be used in the ME design software.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose the variational EM inference
algorithm for the multi-class Gaussian process classification model
that can be used in the field of human behavior recognition. This
algorithm can drive simultaneously both a posterior distribution of a
latent function and estimators of hyper-parameters in a Gaussian
process classification model with multiclass. Our algorithm is based
on the Laplace approximation (LA) technique and variational EM
framework. This is performed in two steps: called expectation and
maximization steps. First, in the expectation step, using the Bayesian
formula and LA technique, we derive approximately the posterior
distribution of the latent function indicating the possibility that each
observation belongs to a certain class in the Gaussian process
classification model. Second, in the maximization step, using a derived
posterior distribution of latent function, we compute the maximum
likelihood estimator for hyper-parameters of a covariance matrix
necessary to define prior distribution for latent function. These two
steps iteratively repeat until a convergence condition satisfies.
Moreover, we apply the proposed algorithm with human action
classification problem using a public database, namely, the KTH
human action data set. Experimental results reveal that the proposed
algorithm shows good performance on this data set.
Abstract: This study examined the mental health and behavioral
problems in early adolescence with the instrument of Achenbach
System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA). The purpose of
the study was stratified sampling method was used to collect data
from 1975 participants. Multiple regression models and hierarchical
regression models were applied to examine the relations between the
background variables and internalizing problems, and the ones
between students’ performance and internalizing problems. The
results indicated that several background variables as predictors could
significantly predict the anxious/depressed problem; reading and
social study scores could significantly predict the anxious/depressed
problem. However the class as a hierarchical macro factor did not
indicate the significant effect. In brief, the majority of these models
represented that the background variables, behaviors and academic
performance were significantly related to the anxious/depressed
problem.
Abstract: This work is on decision tree-based classification for
the disbursement of scholarship. Tree-based data mining
classification technique is used in other to determine the generic rule
to be used to disburse the scholarship. The system based on the
defined rules from the tree is able to determine the class (status) to
which an applicant shall belong whether Granted or Not Granted. The
applicants that fall to the class of granted denote a successful
acquirement of scholarship while those in not granted class are
unsuccessful in the scheme. An algorithm that can be used to classify
the applicants based on the rules from tree-based classification was
also developed. The tree-based classification is adopted because of its
efficiency, effectiveness, and easy to comprehend features. The
system was tested with the data of National Information Technology
Development Agency (NITDA) Abuja, a Parastatal of Federal
Ministry of Communication Technology that is mandated to develop
and regulate information technology in Nigeria. The system was
found working according to the specification. It is therefore
recommended for all scholarship disbursement organizations.
Abstract: Determination of genetic variation is useful for plant
breeding and hence production of more efficient plant species under
different conditions, like drought stress. In this study a sample of 28
recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of wheat developed from the cross of
Norstar and Zagross varieties, together with their parents, were
evaluated for two years (2010-2012) under normal and water stress
conditions using split plot design with three replications. Main plots
included two irrigation treatments of 70 and 140 mm evaporation
from Class A pan and sub-plots consisted of 30 genotypes. The effect
of genotypes and interaction of genotypes with years and water
regimes were significant for all characters. Significant genotypic
effect implies the existence of genetic variation among the lines
under study. Heritability estimates were high for 1000 grain weight
(0.87). Biomass and grain yield showed the lowest heritability values
(0.42 and 0.50, respectively). Highest genotypic and phenotypic
coefficients of variation (GCV and PCV) belonged to harvest index.
Moderate genetic advance for most of the traits suggested the
feasibility of selection among the RILs under investigation. Some
RILs were higher yielding than either parent at both environments.
Abstract: Land Use Land Cover (LULC) changes due to human
activities and natural causes have become a major environmental
concern. Assessment of temporal remote sensing data provides
information about LULC impacts on environment. Land Surface
Temperature (LST) is one of the important components for modeling
environmental changes in climatological, hydrological, and
agricultural studies. In this study, LULC changes (September 7, 1984
and July 8, 2014) especially in agricultural lands together with
population changes (1985-2014) and LST status were investigated
using remotely sensed and census data in South Marmara Watershed,
Turkey. LULC changes were determined using Landsat TM and
Landsat OLI data acquired in 1984 and 2014 summers. Six-band TM
and OLI images were classified using supervised classification
method to prepare LULC map including five classes including Forest
(F), Grazing Land (G), Agricultural Land (A), Water Surface (W),
Residential Area-Bare Soil (R-B) classes. The LST image was also
derived from thermal bands of the same dates.
LULC classification results showed that forest areas, agricultural
lands, water surfaces and residential area-bare soils were increased as
65751 ha, 20163 ha, 1924 ha and 20462 ha respectively. In
comparison, a dramatic decrement occurred in grazing land (107985
ha) within three decades. The population increased 29% between
years 1984-2014 in whole study area. Along with the natural causes,
migration also caused this increase since the study area has an
important employment potential. LULC was transformed among the
classes due to the expansion in residential, commercial and industrial
areas as well as political decisions. In the study, results showed that
agricultural lands around the settlement areas transformed to
residential areas in 30 years.
The LST images showed that mean temperatures were ranged
between 26-32°C in 1984 and 27-33°C in 2014. Minimum
temperature of agricultural lands was increased 3°C and reached to
23°C. In contrast, maximum temperature of A class decreased to
41°C from 44°C. Considering temperatures of the 2014 R-B class and
1984 status of same areas, it was seen that mean, min and max
temperatures increased by 2°C.
As a result, the dynamism of population, LULC and LST resulted
in increasing mean and maximum surface temperatures, living
spaces/industrial areas and agricultural lands.
Abstract: Attributes and methods are the basic contents of an
object-oriented class. The connectivity among these class members
and the relationship between the class and other classes play an
important role in determining the quality of an object-oriented
system. Class cohesion evaluates the degree of relatedness of class
attributes and methods, whereas class coupling refers to the degree to
which a class is related to other classes. Researchers have proposed
several class cohesion and class coupling measures. However, the
correlation between class coupling and class cohesion measures has
not been thoroughly studied. In this paper, using classes of three
open-source Java systems, we empirically investigate the correlation
between several measures of connectivity-based class cohesion and
coupling. Four connectivity-based cohesion measures and eight
coupling measures are considered in the empirical study. The
empirical study results show that class connectivity-based cohesion
and coupling internal quality attributes are inversely correlated. The
strength of the correlation depends highly on the cohesion and
coupling measurement approaches.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to compare Self
Compacting Concrete (SCC) and Conventional Concrete (CC) in
terms of their capillary water absorption. During the comparison of
SCC and CC, the effects of two different factors were also
investigated: concrete strength class and curing condition. In the
study, both SCC and CC were produced in three different concrete
classes (C25, C50 and C70) and the other parameter (i.e. curing
condition) was determined as two levels: moisture and air curing. It
was observed that, for both curing environments and all strength
classes of concrete, SCCs had lower capillary water absorption values
than that of CCs. It was also detected that, for both SCC and CC,
capillary water absorption values of samples kept in moisture curing
were significantly lower than that of samples stored in air curing.
Additionally, it was determined that capillary water absorption values
for both SCC and CC decrease with increasing strength class of
concrete for both curing environments.
Abstract: This paper explores the effects of gamification on
lower secondary school students’ motivation and engagement in the
classroom. Two-group posttest-only experimental design were
employed to study the influence of gamification teaching method
(GTM) when compared with conventional teaching method (CTM)
on 60 lower secondary school students. The Student Engagement
Instrument (SEI) and Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) were used
to assess students’ intrinsic motivation and engagement level towards
the respective teaching method. Finding indicates that students who
completed the GTM lesson were significantly higher in intrinsic
motivation to learn than those from the CTM. Although the result
were insignificant and only marginal difference in the engagement
mean, GTM still show better potential in raising student’s
engagement in class when compared with CTM. This finding proves
that the GTM is likely to solve the current issue of low motivation to
learn and low engagement in class among lower secondary school
students in Malaysia. On the other hand, despite being not significant,
higher mean indicates that CTM positively contribute to higher peer
support for learning and better teacher and student relationship when
compared with GTM. As a conclusion, gamification approach is
flexible and can be adapted into many learning content to enhance the
intrinsic motivation to learn and to some extent, encourage better
student engagement in class.
Abstract: Web-based Cognitive Writing Instruction (WeCWI) is
a hybrid e-framework for the development of a web-based instruction
(WBI), which contributes towards instructional design and language
development. WeCWI divides its contribution in instructional design
into macro and micro perspectives. In macro perspective, being a 21st
century educator by disseminating knowledge and sharing ideas with
the in-class and global learners is initiated. By leveraging the virtue
of technology, WeCWI aims to transform an educator into an
aggregator, curator, publisher, social networker and ultimately, a
web-based instructor. Since the most notable contribution of
integrating technology is being a tool of teaching as well as a
stimulus for learning, WeCWI focuses on the use of contemporary
web tools based on the multiple roles played by the 21st century
educator. The micro perspective in instructional design draws
attention to the pedagogical approaches focusing on three main
aspects: reading, discussion, and writing. With the effective use of
pedagogical approaches through free reading and enterprises,
technology adds new dimensions and expands the boundaries of
learning capacity. Lastly, WeCWI also imparts the fundamental
theories and models for web-based instructors’ awareness such as
interactionist theory, cognitive information processing (CIP) theory,
computer-mediated communication (CMC), e-learning interactionalbased
model, inquiry models, sensory mind model, and leaning styles
model.
Abstract: Class cohesion is a key object-oriented software
quality attribute that is used to evaluate the degree of relatedness of
class attributes and methods. Researchers have proposed several class
cohesion measures. However, the effect of considering the special
methods (i.e., constructors, destructors, and access and delegation
methods) in cohesion calculation is not thoroughly theoretically
studied for most of them. In this paper, we address this issue for three
popular connectivity-based class cohesion measures. For each of the
considered measures we theoretically study the impact of including
or excluding special methods on the values that are obtained by
applying the measure. This study is based on analyzing the
definitions and formulas that are proposed for the measures. The
results show that including/excluding special methods has a
considerable effect on the obtained cohesion values and that this
effect varies from one measure to another. For each of the three
connectivity-based measures, the proposed theoretical study
recommended excluding the special methods in cohesion
measurement.
Abstract: The main objective of this study was to identify
factors and conditions that motivated and encouraged students
towards the math class and the factors that made this class an
attractive and lovely one. To do this end, questionnaires consisting of
15 questions were distributed among 85 math teachers working in
schools of Zahedan. Having collected and reviewed these
questionnaires, it was shown that doing activity in math class
(activity of students while teaching) and previous math teachers'
behaviors have had much impact on encouraging the students
towards mathematics. Separation of educational classroom of
mathematics from the main classroom (which is decorated with crafts
created by students themselves with regard to math book including
article, wall newspaper, figures and formulas), peers, size and
appearance of math book, first grade teachers in each educational
level, among whom the Elementary first grade teachers had more
importance and impact, were among the most influential and
important factors in this regard. Then, school environment, family,
conducting research related to mathematics, its application in daily
life and other courses and studying the history of mathematics were
categorized as important factors that would increase the students’
interest in mathematics.
Abstract: Audio-lingual Method (ALM) is a teaching approach
that is claimed that ineffective for teaching second/foreign languages.
Because some linguists and second/foreign language teachers believe
that ALM is a rote learning style. However, this study is done on a
belief that ALM will be able to solve Thais’ English speaking
problem. This paper aims to report the findings on teaching English
speaking to adult learners with an “adapted ALM”, one distinction of
which is to use Thai as the medium language of instruction.
The participants are consisted of 9 adult learners. They were
allowed to speak English more freely using both the materials
presented in the class and their background knowledge of English. At
the end of the course, they spoke English more fluently, more
confidently, to the extent that they applied what they learnt both in
and outside the class.
Abstract: The use of low quality concrete has been identified as one of the main causes of the incessant collapse of buildings in Nigeria. Emphasis has been on the use of poor quality aggregates, poor workmanship and the use of lean concrete mix with low cement quantity as the reasons for the low quality of concrete used for building construction in Nigeria. Surveys conducted revealed that in the construction of most privately owned buildings where concrete trial mixes and concrete compressive strength quality assurance tests are not conducted, concretes used for building constructions are produced using the 1:2:4 mix ratio irrespective of the cement grade/strength class. In this paper, the possible role of the use of inappropriate cement grade/strength class as a cause of the incessant collapse of building in Nigeria is investigated. Investigation revealed that the compressive strengths of concrete cubes produced with Portland-limestone cement grade 32.5 using 1:2:4 and 1:1.5:3 mix ratios are less than the 25MPa and 30MPa cube strengths generally recommended for building superstructures and foundations respectively. Conversely, the compressive strengths of concrete cubes produced with Portland-limestone cement grade 42.5 using 1:2:4 and 1:1.5:3 mix ratios exceed the 25MPa and 30MPa generally recommended for building superstructures and foundations respectively. Thus, it can be concluded that the use of inappropriate cement grade (Portland-limestone cement grade 32.5), particularly for the construction of building foundations is a potential cause of the incessant collapse of buildings in Nigeria. It is recommended that the Standards Organisation of Nigeria should embark on creating awareness for Nigerians, particularly, the home owners and the roadside craftsmen that Portland-limestone cement grade 32.5 should not be used for the construction of building load-carrying members, particularly, building foundations in order to reduce the incessant incidence of collapsed building.