Abstract: Safer driver behavior promoting is the main goal of this paper. It is a fact that drivers behavior is relatively safer when being monitored. Thus, in this paper, we propose a monitoring system to report specific driving event as well as the potentially aggressive events for estimation of the driving performance. Our driving monitoring system is composed of two parts. The first part is the in-vehicle embedded system which is composed of a GPS receiver, a two-axis accelerometer, radar sensor, OBD interface, and GPRS modem. The design considerations that led to this architecture is described in this paper. The second part is a web server where an adaptive hierarchical fuzzy system is proposed to classify the driving performance based on the data that is sent by the in-vehicle embedded system and the data that is provided by the geographical information system (GIS). Our system is robust, inexpensive and small enough to fit inside a vehicle without distracting the driver.
Abstract: Static analysis of source code is used for auditing web
applications to detect the vulnerabilities. In this paper, we propose a
new algorithm to analyze the PHP source code for detecting LFI and
RFI potential vulnerabilities. In our approach, we first define some
patterns for finding some functions which have potential to be abused
because of unhandled user inputs. More precisely, we use regular
expression as a fast and simple method to define some patterns for
detection of vulnerabilities. As inclusion functions could be also used
in a safe way, there could occur many false positives (FP). The first
cause of these FP-s could be that the function does not use a usersupplied
variable as an argument. So, we extract a list of usersupplied
variables to be used for detecting vulnerable lines of code.
On the other side, as vulnerability could spread among the variables
like by multi-level assignment, we also try to extract the hidden usersupplied
variables. We use the resulted list to decrease the false
positives of our method. Finally, as there exist some ways to prevent
the vulnerability of inclusion functions, we define also some patterns
to detect them and decrease our false positives.
Abstract: Controlled modification of appropriate sharpness for
nanotips is of paramount importance to develop novel materials and
functional devices at a nanometer resolution. Herein, we present a
reliable and unique strategy of laser irradiation enhanced
physicochemical etching to manufacture super sharp tungsten tips
with reproducible shape and dimension as well as high yields
(~80%). The corresponding morphology structure evolution of
tungsten tips and laser-tip interaction mechanisms were
systematically investigated and discussed using field emission
scanning electron microscope (SEM) and physical optics statistics
method with different fluences under 532 nm laser irradiation. This
work paves the way for exploring more accessible metallic tips
applications with tunable apex diameter and aspect ratio, and,
furthermore, facilitates the potential sharpening enhancement
technique for other materials used in a variety of nanoscale devices.
Abstract: The full length mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal
(mt-rns) gene has been characterized for Ophiostoma novo-ulmi
subspecies americana. The gene was also characterized for
Ophiostoma ulmi and a group II intron was noted in the mt-rns gene
of O. ulmi. The insertion in the mt-rns gene is at position S952 and it
is a group IIB1 intron that encodes a double motif LAGLIDADG
homing endonuclease from an open reading frame located within a
loop of domain III. Secondary structure models for the mt-rns RNA
of O. novo-ulmi subsp. americana and O. ulmi were generated to
place the intron within the context of the ribosomal RNA. The in vivo
splicing of the O.ul-mS952 group II intron was confirmed with
reverse transcription-PCR. A survey of 182 strains of Dutch Elm
Diseases causing agents showed that the mS952 intron was absent in
what is considered to be the more aggressive species O. novo-ulmi
but present in strains of the less aggressive O. ulmi. This observation
suggests that the O.ul-mS952 intron can be used as a PCR-based
molecular marker to discriminate between O. ulmi and O. novo-ulmi
subsp. americana.
Abstract: In many sensor network applications, sensor nodes are deployed in open environments, and hence are vulnerable to physical attacks, potentially compromising the node's cryptographic keys. False sensing report can be injected through compromised nodes, which can lead to not only false alarms but also the depletion of limited energy resource in battery powered networks. Ye et al. proposed a statistical en-route filtering scheme (SEF) to detect such false reports during the forwarding process. In this scheme, the choice of a security threshold value is important since it trades off detection power and overhead. In this paper, we propose a fuzzy logic for determining a security threshold value in the SEF based sensor networks. The fuzzy logic determines a security threshold by considering the number of partitions in a global key pool, the number of compromised partitions, and the energy level of nodes. The fuzzy based threshold value can conserve energy, while it provides sufficient detection power.
Abstract: In order to enhance the knowledge of certain
phytochemical Algerian plants that are widely used in traditional
medicine and to exploit their therapeutic potential in modern
medicine, we have done a specific extraction of terpenes and
alkaloids from the leaves of Euphorbia granulata to evaluate the
antioxidant and antibacterial activity of this extracts. After the
extraction it was found that the terpene extract gave the highest yield
59.72% compared with alkaloids extracts.
The disc diffusion method was used to determine the antibacterial
activity against different bacterial strains: Escherichia coli
(ATCC25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC27853) and
Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC25923). All extracts have shown
inhibition of growth bacteria. The different zones of inhibition have
varied from (7 -10 mm) according to the concentrations of extract
used.
Testing the antiradical activity on DPPH-TLC plates indicated the
presence of substances that have potent anti-free radical. As against,
the BC-TLC revealed that only terpenes extract which was reacted
positively. These results can validate the importance of Euphorbia
granulata in traditional medicine.
Abstract: Elateriospermum tapos seed (buah perah) is the one
of the rich sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids. It contains high
percentage of oleic acid which is the important component to develop
nervous system and also α-linolenic acid (ALA) which is the
precursor of omega-3 fatty acids series to synthesize
eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
However, there is less study about this valuable oilseed and exploit
its potential. Therefore, this paper is to assess the comparison of
physico-chemical properties and fatty composition of perah oil to
palm oil and soybean oil. From the comparison, perah oil shows low
peroxide value means it has good oxidative stability and also high
iodine values shows that it can be used in paint industry. The study
shown that perah oil is comparable to palm oil and soybean oil, so it
has high potential to be exploited in the oleochemical,
pharmaceutical, cosmetics and paint industries.
Abstract: Owing to the stringent environmental legislations,
CO2 capture and sequestration is one of the viable solutions to reduce
the CO2 emissions from various sources. In this context, Ionic liquids
(ILs) are being investigated as suitable absorption media for CO2
capture. Due to their non-evaporative, non-toxic, and non-corrosive
nature, these ILs have the potential to replace the existing solvents
like aqueous amine solutions for CO2 separation technologies. Thus,
the present work aims at studying the important aspects such as the
interactions of CO2 molecule with different anions (F-, Br-, Cl-, NO3
-,
BF4
-, PF6
-, Tf2N-, and CF3SO3
-) that are commonly used in ILs
through molecular modeling. In this, the minimum energy structures
have been obtained using Ab initio based calculations at MP2
(Moller-Plesset perturbation) level. Results revealed various degrees
of distortion of CO2 molecule (from its linearity) with the anions
studied, most likely due to the Lewis acid-base interactions between
CO2 and anion. Furthermore, binding energies for the anion-CO2
complexes were also calculated. The implication of anion-CO2
interactions to the solubility of CO2 in ionic liquids is also discussed.
Abstract: South Africa is facing a crisis with not being able to produce enough graduates in the scarce skills areas to sustain economic growth. The crisis is fuelled by a school system that does not produce enough potential students with Mathematics, Accounting and Science. Since the introduction of the new school curriculum in 2008, there is no longer an option to take pure maths on a standard grade level. Instead, only two mathematical subjects are offered: pure maths (which is on par with higher grade maths) and mathematical literacy. It is compulsory to take one or the other. As a result, lees student finishes Grade 12 with pure mathematics every year. This national problem needs urgent attention if South Africa is to make any headway in critical skills development as mathematics is a gateway to scarce skills professions. Higher education institutions initiated several initiatives in an attempt to address the above, including preparatory courses, bridging programmes and extended curricula with foundation provisions. In view of the above, and government policy directives to broaden access in the scarce skills areas to increase student throughput, foundation provision was introduced for Commerce and Information Technology programmes at the Vaal Triangle Campus (VTC) of North-West University (NWU) in 2010. Students enrolling for extended programmes do not comply with the minimum prerequisites for the normal programmes. The question then arises as to whether these programmes have the intended impact? This paper reports the results of a two year longitudinal study, tracking the first year academic achievement of the two cohorts of enrolments since 2010. The results provide valuable insight into the structuring of an extended programme and its potential impact.
Abstract: In this work, an organic compound 5,10,15,20-
Tetrakis(3,5-di-tertbutylphenyl)porphyrinatocopper(II) (TDTBPPCu)
is studied as an active material for thin film electronic devices. To
investigate the electrical properties of TDTBPPCu, junction of
TDTBPPCu with heavily doped n-Si and Al is fabricated.
TDTBPPCu film was sandwiched between Al and n-Si electrodes.
Various electrical parameters of TDTBPPCu are determined. The
current-voltage characteristics of the junction are nonlinear,
asymmetric and show rectification behavior, which gives the clue of
formation of depletion region. This behavior indicates the potential
of TDTBPPCu for electronics applications. The current-voltage and
capacitance-voltage techniques are used to find the different
electronic parameters.
Abstract: A Ground Control System (GCS), which controls Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and monitors their missionrelated data, is one of the major components of UAVs. In fact, some traditional GCSs were built on an expensive, complicated hardware infrastructure with workstations and PCs. In contrast, a GCS on a portable device – such as an Android phone or tablet – takes advantage of its light-weight hardware and the rich User Interface supported by the Android Operating System. We implemented that kind of GCS and called it Ground System Software (GSS) in this paper. In operation, our GSS communicates with UAVs or other GSS via TCP/IP connection to get mission-related data, visualizes it on the device-s screen, and saves the data in its own database. Our study showed that this kind of system will become a potential instrument in UAV-related systems and this kind of topic will appear in many research studies in the near future.
Abstract: Polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption
spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) in combination with electrochemistry,
was employed to study the influence of surface charge (potential) on
the kinetics of bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption on a
biomedical-grade 316LVM stainless steel surface is discussed. The
BSA adsorption kinetics was found to greatly depend on the surface
potential. With an increase in surface potential towards more
negative values, both the BSA initial adsorption rate and the
equilibrium (saturated) surface concentration also increased. Both
effects were explained on the basis of replacement of well-ordered
water molecules at the 316LVM / solution interface, i.e. by the
increase in entropy of the system.
Abstract: The major objective of this study is to understand the
potential of a newly fabricated equipment to study the thermal
properties of nonwoven textile fabrics treated with aerogel at subzero
temperatures. Thermal conductivity was calculated by using the
empirical relation Fourier’s law, The relationship between the
thermal conductivity and thermal resistance of the samples were
studied at various environmental temperatures (which was set in the
clima temperature system between +25oC to -25oC). The newly
fabricated equipment was found to be a suitable for measuring at
subzero temperatures. This field of measurements is being developed
and will be the subject of further research which will be more suitable
for measurement of the various thermal characteristics.
Abstract: A series of Ti based shape memory alloys with
composition of Ti50Ni49Cr1, Ti50Ni47Cr3 and Ti50Ni45Cr5 were
developed by vacuum arc-melting under a purified argon atmosphere.
The histometric and corrosion evaluation of Ti-Ni-Cr shape memory
alloys have been considered in this research work. The alloys were
developed by vacuum arc melting and implanted subcutaneously in
rabbits for 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Metallic implants were embedded in
order to determine the outcome of implantation on histometric and
corrosion evaluation of Ti-Ni-Cr metallic strips. Encapsulating
membrane formation around the alloys was minimal in the case of all
materials. After histomorphometric analyses it was possible to
demonstrate that there were no statistically significant differences
between the materials. Corrosion rate was also determined in this
study which is within acceptable range. The results showed the Ti-
Ni-Cr alloy was neither cytotoxic, nor have any systemic reaction on
living system in any of the test performed. Implantation shows good
compatibility and a potential of being used directly in vivo system.
Abstract: Martensitic stainless steels have been extensively used for their good corrosion resistance and better mechanical properties. Heat treatment was suggested as one of the most excellent ways to this regard; hence, it affects the microstructure, mechanical and corrosion properties of the steel. In the current research work the microstructural changes and corrosion behavior in an AISI 420A stainless steel exposed to temperatures in the 980-1035oC range were investigated. The heat treatment is carried out in vacuum furnace within the said temperature range. The quenching of the samples was carried out in oil, brine and water media. The formation and stability of passive film was studied by Open Circuit Potential, Potentiodynamic polarization and Electrochemical Scratch Tests. The Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy results simulated with Equivalent Electrical Circuit suggested bilayer structure of outer porous and inner barrier oxide films. The quantitative data showed thick inner barrier oxide film retarded electrochemical reactions. Micrographs of the quenched samples showed sigma and chromium carbide phases which prove the corrosion resistance of steel alloy.
Abstract: The importance of nurturing, accumulating, and efficiently deploying knowledge resources through formal structures and organisational mechanisms is well understood. Recent trends in knowledge management (KM) highlight that the effective creation and transfer of knowledge can also rely upon extra-organisational channels, such as, informal networks. The perception exists that the role of informal networks in knowledge creation and performance has been underestimated in the organisational context. Literature indicates that many managers fail to comprehend and successfully exploit the potential role of informal networks to create value for their organisations. This paper investigates: 1) whether managers share work-specific knowledge with informal contacts within and outside organisational boundaries; and 2) what do they think is the importance of this knowledge collaboration in their learning and work outcomes.
Abstract: The restoration of extinct ponds is considered as one
of ways to gain new retention capacities for water which is getting
much more important issue with respect to expected impacts of a
climate change. However, there are also other pressures on the
landscape which must be all taken into consideration when making a
decision on the possible restoration of extinct ponds. The research
presented here focuses besides others on the restoration of former
ponds which could be important for both the flood protection and
drought impacts prevention. The first step of the methodology
development for the assessment of such areas is the assessment of
their present state. In this paper, the results of land use types
assessment for 22 localities are presented. These results confirm the
assumption that the most present land use type in such areas is the
permanent grassland. However, the spectra of land use types present
in extinct pond areas is very diverse and include besides others also
airport areas and industry.
Abstract: The analytical solution of functionally graded
piezoelectric hollow cylinder which is under radial electric potential
and non-axisymmetric thermo-mechanical loads, are presented in this
paper. Using complex Fourier series and estimation of power law for
variations of material characterizations through the thickness, the
electro thermo mechanical behavior of the FGPM cylinder is
obtained. The stress and displacement distributions and the effect of
electric potential field on the cylinder behavior are also presented and
some applicable results are offered at the end of the paper.
Abstract: In the present paper, disc loaded interaction structure
for potential application in wideband Gyro-TWT amplifier has been
analyzed, taking all the space and modal harmonics into
consideration, for the eigenwave solutions. The analysis has been
restricted to azimuthally symmetric TE0,n mode. Dispersion
characteristics have been plotted by varying the structure parameters
and have been validated against HFSS simulation results. The
variation of eigenvalue with respect to different structure parameters
has also been presented. It has been observed that disc periodicity
plays very important role for wideband operation of disc-loaded
Gyro-TWT.
Abstract: In recent years there has been renewal of interest in the
relation between Green IT and Cloud Computing. The growing use of
computers in cloud platform has caused marked energy consumption,
putting negative pressure on electricity cost of cloud data center. This
paper proposes an effective mechanism to reduce energy utilization in
cloud computing environments. We present initial work on the
integration of resource and power management that aims at reducing
power consumption. Our mechanism relies on recalling virtualization
services dynamically according to user-s virtualization request and
temporarily shutting down the physical machines after finish in order
to conserve energy. Given the estimated energy consumption, this
proposed effort has the potential to positively impact power
consumption. The results from the experiment concluded that energy
indeed can be saved by powering off the idling physical machines in
cloud platforms.