Abstract: In this paper we propose an NLP-based method for
Ontology Population from texts and apply it to semi automatic
instantiate a Generic Knowledge Base (Generic Domain Ontology) in
the risk management domain. The approach is semi-automatic and
uses a domain expert intervention for validation. The proposed
approach relies on a set of Instances Recognition Rules based on
syntactic structures, and on the predicative power of verbs in the
instantiation process. It is not domain dependent since it heavily
relies on linguistic knowledge.
A description of an experiment performed on a part of the
ontology of the PRIMA1 project (supported by the European
community) is given. A first validation of the method is done by
populating this ontology with Chemical Fact Sheets from
Environmental Protection Agency2. The results of this experiment
complete the paper and support the hypothesis that relying on the
predicative power of verbs in the instantiation process improves the
performance.
Abstract: Academia-industry relationship is not like that of
technology donator-acceptor, but is of interactive and collaborative
nature, acknowledging and ensuring mutual respect for each other-s
role and contributions with an eye to attaining the true purpose of
such relationships, namely, bringing about research-outcome
synergy. Indeed, academia-industry interactions are a system that
requires active and collaborative participations of all the
stakeholders.
This paper examines various issues associated with academic
institutions and industry collaboration with special attention to the
nature of resources and potentialities of stakeholders in the context of
knowledge management. This paper also explores the barriers of
academia-industry interaction. It identifies potential areas where
industry-s participation with academia would be most effective for
synergism. Lastly, this paper proposes an integrated model of several
new collaborative approaches that are possible, mainly in the Indian
scenario to strengthen academia-industry interface.
Abstract: Interior brick-infill partitions are usually considered as
non-structural components and only their weight is accounted for in
practical structural design. In this study, their effect on the progressive
collapse resistance of an RC building subjected to sudden column loss
is investigated. Three notional column loss conditions with four
different brick-infill locations are considered. Column-loss response
analyses of the RC building with and without brick infills are carried
out. Analysis results indicate that the collapse resistance is only
slightly influenced by the brick infills due to their brittle failure
characteristic. Even so, they may help to reduce the inelastic
displacement response under column loss. For practical engineering, it
is reasonably conservative to only consider the weight of brick-infill
partitions in the structural analysis.
Abstract: The association between emotional inhibition strategies linked to depression has been showed inconsistent among studies. Mild emotional inhibition maybe benefit for social interaction, especially for female among East Asian cultures. The present study aimed to examine whether the inhibition–depression relationship is dependent on level of emotion inhibition and gender context, given differing value of suppressing emotional displays. We hypothesized that the negative associations between inhibition and adolescent depression would not directly, in which affected by interaction between emotion inhibition and gender. To test this hypothesis, we asked 309 junior high school students which age range from 12 to14 years old to report on their use of emotion inhibition and depression syndrome. A multiple regressions analysis revealed that significant interaction that gender as a moderator to the relationships between emotion inhibition and adolescent depression. The group with the highest level of depression was girls with high levels of emotion inhibition, whose depression score was higher than that of boys with high levels of emotion inhibition. The result highlights that the importance of context in understanding the inhibition-depression relationship.
Abstract: The successful implementation of Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) is not confined to Information Technology systems and required changes of the whole enterprise. In order to adapt IT and business, the enterprise requires adequate and measurable methods. The adoption of SOA creates new problem with regard to measuring and analysis the performance. In fact the enterprise should investigate to what extent the development of services will increase the value of business. It is required for every business to measure the extent of SOA adaptation with the goals of enterprise. Moreover, precise performance metrics and their combination with the advanced evaluation methodologies as a solution should be defined. The aim of this paper is to present a systematic methodology for designing a measurement system at the technical and business levels, so that: (1) it will determine measurement metrics precisely (2) the results will be analysed by mapping identified metrics to the measurement tools.
Abstract: This paper investigated the organizational
innovativeness of public listed housing developers in Malaysia. We
conceptualized organizational innovativeness as a multi-dimensional
construct consisting of 5 dimensions: market innovativeness, product
innovativeness, process innovativeness, behavior innovativeness and
strategic innovativeness. We carried out questionnaire survey with all
accessible public listed developers in Malaysia and received a 56
percent response. We found that the innovativeness of public listed
housing developers is low. The study extends the knowledge on
innovativeness theory by using a multi-dimensional contructs to
conceptualize the innovativeness of public listed housing developers
in Malaysia where all this while most studies focused on single
dimensional construct of innovativeness. The paper ends by
providing some explanations for the results.
Abstract: The wireless link can be unreliable in realistic wireless
sensor networks (WSNs). Energy efficient and reliable data
forwarding is important because each node has limited resources.
Therefore, we must suggest an optimal solution that considers using
the information of the node-s characteristics. Previous routing
protocols were unsuited to realistic asymmetric WSNs. In this paper,
we propose a Protocol that considers Both sides of Link-quality and
Energy (PBLE), an optimal routing protocol that balances modified
link-quality, distance and energy. Additionally, we propose a node
scheduling method. PBLE achieves a longer lifetime than previous
routing protocols and is more energy-efficient. PBLE uses energy,
local information and both sides of PRR in a 1-hop distance. We
explain how to send data packets to the destination node using the
node's information. Simulation shows PBLE improves delivery rate
and network lifetime compared to previous schemes. Moreover, we
show the improvement in various WSN environments.
Abstract: Japan is known to be a technological powerhouse, being noted for its automobiles, consumer electronics, laptop computers, portable gaming devices, and more recently healing animal robots. Japan is also noted for its popular culture; manga, anime, novels, films, character goods, game programs, cosplay cafes, karaoke and so on. It may be natural for people outside Japan to assume that e-learning in Japan must be well advanced and innovative. In reality, the application of technologies in education in Japan is far behind of other developed countries. Especially in higher education, apathy of students towards their study prevails and teachers continue ignoring such student attitudes. E-learning, which is supposed to revolutionalize the way people learn as it has potentials to enable more student-centered learning, has not been realized in Japan and mostly used to perpetuate the teachercentered teaching in a different format.
Abstract: Shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators have found a
wide range of applications due to their unique properties such as high
force, small size, lightweight and silent operation. This paper presents
the development of compact (SMA) actuator and cooling system in
one unit. This actuator is developed for multi-fingered hand. It
consists of nickel-titanium (Nitinol) SMA wires in compact forming.
The new arrangement insulates SMA wires from the human body by
housing it in a heat sink and uses a thermoelectric device for rejecting
heat to improve the actuator performance. The study uses
optimization methods for selecting the SMA wires geometrical
parameters and the material of a heat sink. The experimental work
implements the actuator prototype and measures its response.
Abstract: This study is concerned with the investigation of the
suitability of several empirical and semi-empirical drying models
available in the literature to define drying behavior of viscose yarn
bobbins. For this purpose, firstly, experimental drying behaviour of
viscose bobbins was determined on an experimental dryer setup
which was designed and manufactured based on hot-air bobbin
dryers used in textile industry. Afterwards, drying models considered
were fitted to the experimentally obtained moisture ratios. Drying
parameters were drying temperature and bobbin diameter. The fit
was performed by selecting the values for constants in the models in
such a way that these values make the sum of the squared differences
between the experimental and the model results for moisture ratio
minimum. Suitability of fitting was specified as comparing the
correlation coefficient, standard error and mean square deviation.
The results show that the most appropriate model in describing the
drying curves of viscose bobbins is the Page model.
Abstract: In general, small-scale vegetables farmers experience
problems in improving the safety and quality of vegetables supplied
to high-class consumers in modern retailers. They also lack of
information to access market. The farmers group and/or cooperative
(FGC) should be able to assist its members by providing training in
handling and packing vegetables and enhancing marketing
capabilities to sell commodities to the modern retailers. This study
proposes an agri-food supply chain (ASC) model that involves the
corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities to cultivate the
capabilities of farmers to access market. Multi period ASC model is
formulated as Weighted Goal Programming (WGP) to analyze the
impacts of CSR programs to empower the FGCs in managing the
small-scale vegetables farmers. The results show that the proposed
model can be used to determine the priority of programs in order to
maximize the four goals to be achieved in the CSR programs.
Abstract: This paper observed the interhemispheric conjugate
auroral activity occurred on 21 September 2009. The GPS derived
ionospheric total electron content (TEC) during a weak substorm
interval recorded at interhemispheric conjugate points at Husafell in
Iceland and Syowa in Antarctica is investigated to look at their
signatures on the auroral features. Selection of all-sky camera (ASC)
images and keogram at Tjörnes and Syowa during the interval
00:47:54 – 00:50:14 UT on 21 September 2009 found that the auroral
activity had exerted their influence on the GPS TEC as a
consequence of varying interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) By
polarity.
Abstract: A new, rapidly convergent, numerical procedure for
internal loading distribution computation in statically loaded, singlerow,
angular-contact ball bearings, subjected to a known combined
radial and thrust load, which must be applied so that to avoid tilting
between inner and outer rings, is used to find the load distribution
differences between a loaded unfitted bearing at room temperature,
and the same loaded bearing with interference fits that might
experience radial temperature gradients between inner and outer
rings. For each step of the procedure it is required the iterative
solution of Z + 2 simultaneous nonlinear equations – where Z is the
number of the balls – to yield exact solution for axial and radial
deflections, and contact angles.
Abstract: Current OCR technology does not allow to
accurately recognizing small text images, such as those found
in web images. Our goal is to investigate new approaches to
recognize very low resolution text images containing antialiased
character shapes.
This paper presents a preliminary study on the variability of
such characters and the feasibility to discriminate them by
using geometrical features. In a first stage we analyze the
distribution of these features. In a second stage we present a
study on the discriminative power for recognizing isolated
characters, using various rendering methods and font
properties. Finally we present interesting results of our
evaluation tests leading to our conclusion and future focus.
Abstract: The ability of the brain to organize information and generate the functional structures we use to act, think and communicate, is a common and easily observable natural phenomenon. In object-oriented analysis, these structures are represented by objects. Objects have been extensively studied and documented, but the process that creates them is not understood. In this work, a new class of discrete, deterministic, dissipative, host-guest dynamical systems is introduced. The new systems have extraordinary self-organizing properties. They can host information representing other physical systems and generate the same functional structures as the brain does. A simple mathematical model is proposed. The new systems are easy to simulate by computer, and measurements needed to confirm the assumptions are abundant and readily available. Experimental results presented here confirm the findings. Applications are many, but among the most immediate are object-oriented engineering, image and voice recognition, search engines, and Neuroscience.
Abstract: Five crystal modifications of water insoluble
artesunate were generated by recrystallizing it from various solvents
with improved physicochemical properties. These generated crystal
forms were characterized to select the most potent and soluble form.
SEM of all the forms showed changes in external shape leading them
to be different morphologically. DSC thermograms of Form III and
Form V showed broad endotherm peaks at 83.04oC and 76.96oC prior
to melting fusion of drug respectively. Calculated weight loss in TGA
revealed that Form III and Form V are methanol and acetone solvates
respectively. However, few additional peaks were appeared in XRPD
pattern in these two solvate forms. All forms exhibit exothermic
behavior in buffer and two solvates display maximum ease of
molecular release from the lattice. Methanol and acetone solvates
were found to be most soluble forms and exhibited higher
antimalarial efficacy showing higher survival rate (83.3%) after 30
days.
Abstract: Food safety is an important concern for holiday
makers in foreign and unfamiliar tourist destinations. In fact, risk
from food in these tourist destinations has an influence on tourist
perception. This risk can potentially affect physical health and lead to
an inability to pursue planned activities. The objective of this paper
was to compare foreign tourists- demographics including gender, age
and education level, with the level of perceived risk towards food
safety. A total of 222 foreign tourists during their stay at Khao San
Road in Bangkok were used as the sample. Independent- samples ttest,
analysis of variance, and Least Significant Difference or LSD
post hoc test were utilized. The findings revealed that there were few
demographic differences in level of perceived risk among the foreign
tourists. The post hoc test indicated a significant difference among
the old and the young tourists, and between the higher and lower
level of education. Ranks of tourists- perceived risk towards food
safety unveiled some interesting results. Tourists- perceived risk of
food safety in established restaurants can be ranked as i) cleanliness
of dining utensils, ii) sanitation of food preparation area, and iii)
cleanliness of food seasoning and ingredients. Whereas, the tourists-
perceived risk of food safety in street food and drink can be ranked
as i) cleanliness of stalls and pushcarts, ii) cleanliness of food sold,
and iii) personal hygiene of street food hawkers or vendors.
Abstract: The available data on the cross sections of electronimpact
excitation of krypton 5s and 5p configuration levels out of the
ground state are represented in convenient and compact form. The
results are obtained by regression through all known published data
related to this process.
Abstract: As a simple to method estimate the plant heating energy
capacity of an apartment complex, a new load calculation method has
been proposed. The method which can be called as unit building
method, predicts the heating load of the entire complex instead of
summing up that of each apartment belonging to complex.
Comparison of the unit heating load for various floor sizes between the
present method and conventional approach shows a close agreement
with dynamic load calculation code. Some additional calculations are
performed to demonstrate it-s application examples.
Abstract: The study was performed to evaluate the effect of Sgirdling,
fruit thinning plus bagging with 2,4-D application, fruit
thinning plus bagging on growth and quality of wax apple fruit.
Girdling was applied three week before flowering. The 2,4-D was
sprayed at the small bud and petal fall stage. The effect of all
treatments on fruit growth was measured weekly. The physical and
biochemical quality characteristics of the fruits were recorded. The
results showed that no significant effect on number of bud among
treatments. S-girdling, 2,4-D application produced the lowest bud
drop, fruit drop compared to untreated control. Moreover, S-girdling
enhanced faster fruit growth producing the best final fruit length and
diameter than the control treatment. It was also observed that Sgirdling
greatly increased fruit set, fruit weight as well as total
soluble solid, reduced fruit crack, and titratable acidity. In
conclusion, S-girdling had a distinctive and significant effect on most
of the fruit quality characteristics assessed. Application 2,4-D was
also recommended as the industry norm to increase fruit set, and fruit
quality in wax apple.