Abstract: Since women obtained the right to vote in 1893 for the first time in New Zealand, they have tried to participate actively into politics but still the world has a few women in political leadership. The article asks which factors might influence the appearance of women leadership in politics. The article investigates two factors such as political context, personal factors. Countries where economic development is stable and political democracy is consolidated have a tendency of appearance of women political leadership but in less developed and politically unstable countries, women politicians can be in power with their own reasons. For the personal factor, their feminist propensity is studied but there is no relationship between the appearance of women leaders and their feminist propensity.
Abstract: The coefficient diagram method is primarily an algebraic control design method whose objective is to easily obtain
a good controller with minimum user effort. As a matter of fact, if a
system model, in the form of linear differential equations, is known,
the user only need to define a time-constant and the controller order.
The later can be established regarding the expected disturbance type
via a lookup table first published by Koksal and Hamamci in 2004.
However an inaccuracy in this table was detected and pointed-out in
the present work. Moreover the above mentioned table was expanded
in order to enclose any k order type disturbance.
Abstract: Cloud virtualization technologies are becoming more
and more prevalent, cloud users usually encounter the problem of how
to access to the virtualized remote desktops easily over the web
without requiring the installation of special clients. To resolve this
issue, we took advantage of the HTML5 technology and developed
web-based remote desktop. It permits users to access the terminal
which running in our cloud platform from anywhere. We implemented
a sketch of web interface following the cloud computing concept that
seeks to enable collaboration and communication among users for
high performance computing. Given the development of remote
desktop virtualization, it allows to shift the user’s desktop from the
traditional PC environment to the cloud platform, which is stored on a
remote virtual machine rather than locally. This proposed effort has
the potential to positively provide an efficient, resilience and elastic
environment for online cloud service. This is also made possible by the
low administrative costs as well as relatively inexpensive end-user
terminals and reduced energy expenses.
Abstract: Intrabody communication (IBC) is a new way of transferring data using human body as a medium. Minute current can travel though human body without any harm. IBC can remove electrical wires for human area network. IBC can be also a secure communication network system unlike wireless networks which can be accessed by anyone with bad intentions. One of the IBC systems is based on frequency shift keying modulation where individual data are transmitted to the external devices for the purpose of secure access such as digital door lock. It was found that the quality of IBC data transmission was heavily dependent on ground configurations of electronic circuits. Reliable IBC transmissions were not possible when both of the transmitter and receiver used batteries as circuit power source. Transmission was reliable when power supplies were used as power source for both transmitting and receiving sites because the common ground was established through the grounds of instruments such as power supply and oscilloscope. This was due to transmission dipole size and the ground effects of floor and AC power line. If one site used battery as power source and the other site used the AC power as circuit power source, transmission was possible.
Abstract: Except for the internal aspects of entrepreneurship (i.e.motivation, opportunity perspective and alertness), there are external aspects that affecting entrepreneurship (i.e. the industrial cluster). By comparing the machinery companies located inside and outside the industrial district, this study aims to explore the cluster effects on the entrepreneurship of companies in Taiwan machinery clusters (TMC). In this study, three factors affecting the entrepreneurship in TMC are conducted as “competition”, “embedded-ness” and “specialized knowledge”. The “competition” in the industrial cluster is defined as the competitive advantages that companies gain in form of demand effects and diversified strategies; the “embedded-ness” refers to the quality of company relations (relational embedded-ness) and ranges (structural embedded-ness) with the industry components (universities, customers and complementary) that affecting knowledge transfer and knowledge generations; the “specialized knowledge” shares theinternal knowledge within industrial clusters. This study finds that when comparing to the companieswhich are outside the cluster, the industrial cluster has positive influence on the entrepreneurship. Additionally, the factor of “relational embedded-ness” has significant impact on the entrepreneurship and affects the adaptation ability of companies in TMC. Finally, the factor of “competition” reveals partial influence on the entrepreneurship.
Abstract: Blood gamma irradiation is the only available method
to prevent transfusion associated graft versus host disease (TAGVHD).
However, when blood is irradiated, determine blood shelf
time is crucial. Non irradiated blood have a self-time from 21 to 35
days when is preserved with anticoagulated solution and stored at
4°C. During their storage, red blood cells (RBC) undergo a series of
biochemical, biomechanical and molecular changes involving what is
known as storage lesion (SL). SL include loss of structural integrity
of RBC, decrease of 2,3-diphosphatidylglyceric acid levels, and
increase of both ion potassium concentration and hemoglobin (Hb).
On the other hand, Atomic force Microscopy (AFM) represents a
versatile tool for a nano-scale high resolution topographic analysis in
biological systems. In order to evaluate SL in irradiated and nonirradiated
blood, RBC topography and morphometric parameters
were obtained from an AFM XE-BIO system. Cell viability was
followed using flow cytometry. Our results showed that early
markers as nanoscale roughness, allow us to evaluate blood quality
since other perspective.
Abstract: This study aim at the influence of college students’ exercise and leisure motivations on the leisure benefits while using the leisure involvement as a moderator. Whereby, the research tools used in this study included the application of leisure motivation scale, leisure involvement scale and leisure benefits scale, and a hierarchical regression analysis was performed by using a questionnaire-based survey, in which, a total of 1,500 copies of questionnaires were administered and 917 valid questionnaires were obtained, achieving a response rate of 61.13%. Research findings explore that leisure involvement has a moderating effect on the relationship between the leisure motivation and leisure benefits.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among leisure motivation, leisure attitude, and health promotion lifestyle. The participants were recruited from a convenience sampling that subjects were at least 55 years of age in Tainan City, Taiwan. Three hundred survey instruments were distributed, and 227 effective instruments were returned, for an effective rate of 75.7%. The collected data were analyzed statistically. The findings of this research were as follows: 1.There is significantly correlated between leisure motivation and leisure attitude. 2. There is significantly correlated between leisure attitude and health promotion lifestyle. 3. There is significantly correlated between leisure motivation and health promotion lifestyle.
Abstract: PAN nanofibers reinforced with amine functionalized
carbon nanotubes. The effect of amine functionalization and the
effect of concentration of CNT on the conductivity and mechanical
and morphological properties of composite nanofibers were
examined. 1%CNT-NH2 loaded PAN/CNT nanofiber showed the best
mechanical properties. Conductivity increased with the incorporation
of carbon nanotubes. While an increase of concentration of CNT
increases the diameter of nanofiber, the use of functionalized CNT
results to decrease of diameter of nanofiber.
Abstract: Water is a fundamental attraction in all cultures and among all classes of people,tourists and citizens. It is a favorite location for major tourism initiatives, celebrations and ceremonies. The vitality of any city depends on citizen action to take part in creating the neighborhoods they desire. Waterfront can provide extensive new areas of high quality public open space in parts of the city that are popular venues for social activities and also have the highest land values. Each city must have a character that can be used as a key attraction for the development. The morphology of a waterfront can be identified by both its physical characteristics and the socio-cultural activities that take place in the area. Alexandria has been selected as an area of study because it has a unique character due to its possession of a variety of waterfronts.
This paper aims to set some criteria of successful waterfront development and then through these criteria analyzing the development of the Qaitbay waterfront in the eastern harbor in Alexandria, Egypt. Hence, a comprehensive improvement of the waterfront areas is certainly needed to ensure a successful waterfront development radiated the sense of uniformity and coherence.
Alexandria can benefit from these criteria to develop its urban waterfront in order to preserve and revitalize its unique waterfront character and achieve mixed uses and tourism development.
Abstract: Polymer composite nano-fibers including (1, 3 wt %)
silver nano-particles have been produced by electrospinning method.
Polyacrylonitrile/N,N-dimethylformamide (PAN/DMF) solution have
been prepared and the amount of silver nitrate have been adjusted to
PAN weight. Silver nano-particles were obtained from reduction of
silver ions into silver nano-particles by chemical reduction by
hydrazine hydroxide (N2H5OH). The different amount of silver salt
was loaded into polymer matrix to obtain polyacrylonitrile composite
nano-fiber containing silver nano-particles. The effect of the amount
of silver nano-particles on the properties of composite nano-fiber web
was investigated. Electrical conductivity, mechanical properties,
thermal properties were examined by Microtest LCR Meter 6370
(0.01 mΩ-100 MΩ), Tensile tester, Differential scanning calorimeter
DSC (Q10) and SEM respectively. Also antimicrobial efficiency test
(ASTM E2149-10) was done against to Staphylococcus aureus
bacteria. It has been seen that breaking strength, conductivity,
antimicrobial effect, enthalpy during cyclization increase by use of
silver nano-particles while the diameter of nano-fiber decreases.
Abstract: Termites have been observed as major pre-colonisation and post-colonisation pest insect of honeybees’ wooden hives in Nigeria. However, pest situation studies in modern beekeeping have been largely directed towards those pests that affect honeybees rather than the biological structure (wood) which houses the honeybees and the influence of seasons on the pests’ activities against the hives. This study, therefore, investigated the influence of seasons on the intensity of hives attacks by termites for 2 years in University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State using visual inspection. The Experimental Apiary was established with 15 Kenyan’s top bar hives made of Triplochiton scleroxylon wood that were strategically placed and observed within the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management arboretum. The colonies hives consistently showed comparatively lower termite’s infestation levels in the dry season and, consequently, also lower attacks on the colonized hives. The result indicated raining season as a distinct period for more destructive activities of termites on the hives and strongly associated with dryness of the hives. Since previous study and observations have linked colonization with dry season coupled with minimal attacked on colonized hives; the non-colonised hives should be removed from the field at the onset of raining season and returned two weeks prior to dry season to reduce hives degradation by pests.
Abstract: The objectives of this study is to investigate the impact
of culture on advertising appeals in mobile phone industry via social
media channel in UK, Brazil and India. Content analysis on Samsung
and Nokia commercials in YouTube is conducted. The result
indicates that the advertising appeals are both congruent and
incongruent with cultural dimensions in UK, Brazil and India. The
result suggests that Hofstede and value paradoxes might be the tools
to predict the relationship between cultural values and advertising
appeals.
Abstract: In this paper, we present a neural-network (NN) based
approach to represent a nonlinear Tagagi-Sugeno (T-S) system. A
linear differential inclusion (LDI) state-space representation is utilized
to deal with the NN models. Taking advantage of the LDI
representation, the stability conditions and controller design are
derived for a class of nonlinear structural systems. Moreover, the
concept of utilizing the Parallel Particle Swarm Optimization (PPSO)
algorithm to solve the common P matrix under the stability criteria is
given in this paper.
Abstract: Two new metal-based anticancer chemotherapeutic
agents, [(Ph2Sn)2(HGuO)2(phen)Cl2] 1 and [(Ph3Sn)(HGuO)(phen)]-
Cl.CH3OH.H2O 2, were designed, prepared and characterized by
analytical and spectral (IR, ESI-Mass, 1H, 13C and 119Sn NMR)
techniques. The proposed geometry of Sn(IV) in 1 and 2 is distorted
octahedral and distorted trigonal-bipyramidal, respectively. Both 1
and 2 exhibit potential cytotoxicity in vitro against MCF-7, HepG-2
and DU-145 cell lines. The intrinsic binding constant (Kb) values of 1
(2.33 × 105 M-1) and 2 (2.46 × 105 M-1) evaluated from UV-Visible
absorption studies suggest non-classical electrostatic mode of
interaction via phosphate backbone of DNA double helix. The Stern-
Volmer quenching constant (Ksv) of 1 (9.74 × 105 M-1) and 2 (2.9 ×
106 M-1) determined by fluorescence studies suggests the groove
binding and intercalation mode for 1 and 2, respectively. Effective
cleavage of pBR322 DNA is induced by 1.Their interaction with
DNA of cancer cells may account for potency.
Abstract: Tidal power can play a vital role in integrating as new source of renewable energy to the off-grid power connection in isolated areas, namely Sandwip, in Bangladesh. It can reduce the present energy crisis and improve the social, environmental and economic perspective of Bangladesh. Tidal energy is becoming popular around the world due to its own facilities. The development of any country largely depends on energy sector improvement. Lack of energy sector is because of hampering progress of any country development, and the energy sector will be stable by only depend on sustainable energy sources. Renewable energy having environmental friendly is the only sustainable solution of secure energy system. Bangladesh has a huge potential of tidal power at different locations, but effective measures on this issue have not been considered sincerely. This paper summarizes the current energy scenario, and Bangladesh can produce power approximately 53.19 MW across the country to reduce the growing energy demand utilizing tidal energy as well as it is shown that Sandwip is highly potential place to produce tidal power, which is estimated approximately 16.49 MW by investing only US $10.37 million. Besides this, cost management for tidal power plant has been also discussed.
Abstract: Power quality has become a very important issue recently due to the impact on electricity suppliers, equipment manufacturers and customers. Power quality is described as the variation of voltage, current and frequency in a power system. Voltage magnitude is one of the major factors that determine the quality of power. Indeed, custom power technology, the low-voltage counterpart of the more widely known flexible ac transmission system (FACTS) technology, aimed at high-voltage power transmission applications, has emerged as a credible solution to solve many problems relating to power quality problems. There are various power quality problems such as voltage sags, swells, flickers, interruptions and harmonics etc. Active Power Filter (APF) is one of the custom power devices and can mitigate harmonics, reactive power and unbalanced load currents originating from load side. In this study, an extensive review of APF studies, the advantages and disadvantages of each introduced methods are presented. The study also helps the researchers to choose the optimum control techniques and power circuit configuration for APF applications.
Abstract: Although several factors that affect learning to
program have been identified over the years, there continues to be no
indication of any consensus in understanding why some students learn
to program easily and quickly while others have difficulty. Seldom
have researchers considered the problem of how to help the students
enhance the programming learning outcome. The research had been
conducted at a high school in Taiwan. Students participating in the
study consist of 330 tenth grade students enrolled in the Basic
Computer Concepts course with the same instructor. Two types of
training methods-instruction-oriented and exploration-oriented were
conducted. The result of this research shows that the
instruction-oriented training method has better learning performance
than exploration-oriented training method.
Abstract: This study deals with an advanced numerical
techniques to detect tensile forces in cable-stayed structures. The
proposed method allows us not only to avoid the trap of minimum at
initial searching stage but also to find their final solutions in better
numerical efficiency. The validity of the technique is numerically
verified using a set of dynamic data obtained from a simulation of the
cable model modeled using the finite element method. The results
indicate that the proposed method is computationally efficient in
characterizing the tensile force variation for cable-stayed structures.
Abstract: Japanese society is experiencing an aging population and declining birth rate along with the popularization of higher education, spread of economic globalization, rapid progress in technical innovation, changes in employment conditions, and emergence of a knowledge-based society. Against this background, interest in career education at Japanese universities has increased in recent years. This paper describes how the government has implemented career education policies in Japan, and introduces the cases of two universities that have successfully linked career education to university education in Japan.