Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a recreational workout program for adults with disabilities over two semesters. This investigation was an action study conducted in a naturalistic setting. Participants included equal numbers of adults with severe cognitive impairments (n = 35) and adults without disabilities (n = 35). Adults with disabilities severe cognitive impairments were trained 6 self-initiated workout activities over two semesters by adults without disabilities. The numbers of task-analyzed steps of each activity performed correctly by each participant at the first and last weeks of each semester were used for data analysis. Results of the paired t-tests indicate that across two semesters, significant differences between the first and last weeks were found on 4 out of the 6 task-analyzed workout activities at a statistical level of significance p < .05. The recreational workout program developed in this study was effective.
Abstract: Software reuse can be considered as the most realistic
and promising way to improve software engineering productivity and
quality. Automated assistance for software reuse involves the
representation, classification, retrieval and adaptation of components.
The representation and retrieval of components are important to
software reuse in Component-Based on Software Development
(CBSD). However, current industrial component models mainly focus
on the implement techniques and ignore the semantic information
about component, so it is difficult to retrieve the components that
satisfy user-s requirements. This paper presents a method of business
component retrieval based on specification matching to solve the
software reuse of enterprise information system. First, a business
component model oriented reuse is proposed. In our model, the
business data type is represented as sign data type based on XML,
which can express the variable business data type that can describe the
variety of business operations. Based on this model, we propose
specification match relationships in two levels: business operation
level and business component level. In business operation level, we
use input business data types, output business data types and the
taxonomy of business operations evaluate the similarity between
business operations. In the business component level, we propose five
specification matches between business components. To retrieval
reusable business components, we propose the measure of similarity
degrees to calculate the similarities between business components.
Finally, a business component retrieval command like SQL is
proposed to help user to retrieve approximate business components
from component repository.
Abstract: This research seeks to investigate the frequency and
profitability of index arbitrage opportunities involving the SET50
futures, SET50 component stocks, and the ThaiDEX SET50 ETF
(ticker symbol: TDEX). In particular, the frequency and profit of
arbitrage are measured in the following three arbitrage tests: (1)
SET50 futures vs. ThaiDEX SET50 ETF, (2) SET50 futures vs.
SET50 component stocks, and (3) ThaiDEX SET50 ETF vs. SET50
component stocks are investigated. For tests (2) and (3), the problems
involve conic optimization and quadratic programming as subproblems.
This research is first to apply conic optimization and
quadratic programming techniques in the context of index arbitrage
and is first to investigate such index arbitrage in the Thai equity and
derivatives markets. Thus, the contribution of this study is twofold.
First, its results would help understand the contribution of the
derivatives securities to the efficiency of the Thai markets. Second,
the methodology employed in this study can be applied to other
geographical markets, with minor adjustments.
Abstract: This paper discusses site selection process for
biological soil conservation planning. It was supported by a valuefocused
approach and spatial multi-criteria evaluation techniques. A
first set of spatial criteria was used to design a number of potential
sites. Next, a new set of spatial and non-spatial criteria was
employed, including the natural factors and the financial costs,
together with the degree of suitability for the Bonkuh watershed to
biological soil conservation planning and to recommend the most
acceptable program. The whole process was facilitated by a new
software tool that supports spatial multiple criteria evaluation, or
SMCE in GIS software (ILWIS). The application of this tool,
combined with a continual feedback by the public attentions, has
provided an effective methodology to solve complex decisional
problem in biological soil conservation planning.
Abstract: Through the analysis of the process digital design
based on digital mockup, the fact indicates that a distributed
cooperative supporting environment is the foundation conditions to
adopt design approach based on DMU. Data access authorization is
concerned firstly because the value and sensitivity of the data for the
enterprise. The access control for administrators is often rather weak
other than business user. So authors established an enhanced system to
avoid the administrators accessing the engineering data by potential
approach and without authorization. Thus the data security is
improved.
Abstract: A model to identify the lifetime of target tracking
wireless sensor network is proposed. The model is a static clusterbased
architecture and aims to provide two factors. First, it is to
increase the lifetime of target tracking wireless sensor network.
Secondly, it is to enable good localization result with low energy
consumption for each sensor in the network. The model consists of
heterogeneous sensors and each sensing member node in a cluster
uses two operation modes–active mode and sleep mode. The
performance results illustrate that the proposed architecture consumes
less energy and increases lifetime than centralized and dynamic
clustering architectures, for target tracking sensor network.
Abstract: Extracting thematic (semantic) roles is one of the
major steps in representing text meaning. It refers to finding the
semantic relations between a predicate and syntactic constituents in a
sentence. In this paper we present a rule-based approach to extract
semantic roles from Persian sentences. The system exploits a twophase
architecture to (1) identify the arguments and (2) label them
for each predicate.
For the first phase we developed a rule based shallow parser to
chunk Persian sentences and for the second phase we developed a
knowledge-based system to assign 16 selected thematic roles to the
chunks. The experimental results of testing each phase are shown at
the end of the paper.
Abstract: A new Markovianity approach is introduced in this
paper. This approach reduces the response time of classic Markov
Random Fields approach. First, one region is determinated by a
clustering technique. Then, this region is excluded from the study.
The remaining pixel form the study zone and they are selected for a
Markovianity segmentation task. With Selective Markovianity
approach, segmentation process is faster than classic one.
Abstract: IPN and IPE sections, which are commonly used European I shapes, are widely used in steel structures as cantilever beams to support overhangs. A considerable number of studies exist on calculating lateral torsional buckling load of I sections. However, most of them provide series solutions or complex closed-form equations. In this paper, a simple equation is presented to calculate lateral torsional buckling load of IPN and IPE section cantilever beams. First, differential equation of lateral torsional buckling is solved numerically for various loading cases. Then a parametric study is conducted on results to present an equation for lateral torsional buckling load of European IPN and IPE beams. Finally, results obtained by presented equation are compared to differential equation solutions and finite element model results. ABAQUS software is utilized to generate finite element models of beams. It is seen that the results obtained from presented equation coincide with differential equation solutions and ABAQUS software results. It can be suggested that presented formula can be safely used to calculate critical lateral torsional buckling load of European IPN and IPE section cantilevers.
Abstract: The learning society has currently transformed from 'wired society' to become 'mobile society' which is facilitated by wireless network. To suit to this new paradigm, m-learning was given birth and rapidly building its prospect to be included in the future curriculum. Research and studies on m-learning spruced up in numerous aspects but there is still scarcity in studies on curriculum design of m-learning. This study is a part of an ongoing bigger study probing into the m-learning curriculum for secondary schools. The paper reports on the first phase of the study which aims to probe into the needs of curriculum design for m-learning at the secondary school level and the researcher adopted the needs analysis method. Data accrued from responses on survey questionnaires based on Lickert-point scale were analyzed statistically. The findings from this preliminary study serve as a basis for m-learning curriculum development for secondary schools.
Abstract: Bursa, since the establishment of the Ottoman Empire,
being on the important trade roads and having a capital accumulation
as a result of silk production, was one of the first cities of
modernization activities applied. Bursa maintained its importance
even during the Republican Period and became one of the most
important cities of the country and today is the fourth biggest and the
industrialized city in Turkey. Social, political, economical and
cultural changes occured with the reforms starting with the 1839
Edict of Tanzimat that aimed at modernizing the society and the
government and centralizing the political power began in the
Ottoman Empire. After the Tanzimat Reforms transformation of the
city changed and planning processes began in Bursa according to the
vision of Governors. The theresholds of the city are very important
data for a sustainable planning for the city planners. Main aim of this
study is to investigate the changes and transformations of the city
according to the changes in the socio-economical and cultural
properties for the city planners.
Abstract: Flexible manufacturing system is a system that is able to respond to changed conditions. In general, this flexibility is divided into two key categories and several subcategories. The first category is the so called machine flexibility which enables to make various products by the given machinery. The second category is routing flexibility enabling to execute the same operation by various machines. Flexible manufacturing systems usually consist of three main parts: CNC machine tools, transport system and control system. A higher level of flexible manufacturing systems is represented by the so called intelligent manufacturing systems.
Abstract: The iris recognition technology is the most accurate,
fast and less invasive one compared to other biometric techniques
using for example fingerprints, face, retina, hand geometry, voice or
signature patterns. The system developed in this study has the
potential to play a key role in areas of high-risk security and can
enable organizations with means allowing only to the authorized
personnel a fast and secure way to gain access to such areas. The
paper aim is to perform the iris region detection and iris inner and
outer boundaries localization. The system was implemented on
windows platform using Visual C# programming language. It is easy
and efficient tool for image processing to get great performance
accuracy. In particular, the system includes two main parts. The first
is to preprocess the iris images by using Canny edge detection
methods, segments the iris region from the rest of the image and
determine the location of the iris boundaries by applying Hough
transform. The proposed system tested on 756 iris images from 60
eyes of CASIA iris database images.
Abstract: Australia, while being a large and eager consumer of
innovative and cutting edge Information and Communication
Technologies (ICT), continues to struggle to remain a leader in
Technological Innovation. This paper has two main contributions to
address certain aspects of this complex issue. The first being the
current findings of an ongoing research project on Information and
Innovation Management in the Australian Information and
Communication Technologies (ICT) sector. The major issues being
considered by the project include: investigation of the possible
inherent entrepreneurial nature of ICT; how to foster ICT innovation;
and examination of the inherent difficulties currently found within
the ICT industry of Australia in regards to supporting the
development of innovative and creative ideas. The second major
contribution is details of the I.-C.A.N. (Innovation by Collaborative
Anonymous Networking) software application information
management tool created and evolving in our research group. I-CAN,
besides having a positive reinforcement acronym, is aimed at
facilitating productive collaborative innovation in an Australian
workplace. Such a work environment is frequently subjected to
cultural influences such as the 'tall poppy syndrome' and 'negative'
or 'unconstructive' peer-pressure. There influences are frequently
seen as inhibitors to employee participation, entrepreneurship and
innovation.
Abstract: Manufacturing tolerancing is intended to determine
the intermediate geometrical and dimensional states of the part
during its manufacturing process. These manufacturing dimensions
also serve to satisfy not only the functional requirements given in
the definition drawing, but also the manufacturing constraints, for
example geometrical defects of the machine, vibration and the
wear of the cutting tool. In this paper, an experimental study on the
influence of the wear of the cutting tool (systematic dispersions) is
explored. This study was carried out on three stages .The first stage
allows machining without elimination of dispersions (random,
systematic) so the tolerances of manufacture according to total
dispersions. In the second stage, the results of the first stage are
filtered in such way to obtain the tolerances according to random
dispersions. Finally, from the two previous stages, the systematic
dispersions are generated. The objective of this study is to model
by the least squares method the error of manufacture based on
systematic dispersion. Finally, an approach of optimization of the
manufacturing tolerances was developed for machining on a CNC
machine tool
Abstract: The leaching rate of 137Cs from spent mix bead (anion and cation) exchange resins in a cement-bentonite matrix has been studied. Transport phenomena involved in the leaching of a radioactive material from a cement-bentonite matrix are investigated using three methods based on theoretical equations. These are: the diffusion equation for a plane source an equation for diffusion coupled to a firstorder equation and an empirical method employing a polynomial equation. The results presented in this paper are from a 25-year mortar and concrete testing project that will influence the design choices for radioactive waste packaging for a future Serbian radioactive waste disposal center.
Abstract: This paper examines the forced convection flow of
incompressible, electrically conducting viscous fluid past a sharp
wedge in the presence of heat generation or absorption with an
applied magnetic field. The system of partial differential equations
governing Falkner - Skan wedge flow and heat transfer is first
transformed into a system of ordinary differential equations using
similarity transformations which is later solved using an implicit
finite - difference scheme, along with quasilinearization technique.
Numerical computations are performed for air (Pr = 0.7) and
displayed graphically to illustrate the influence of pertinent physical
parameters on local skin friction and heat transfer coefficients and,
also on, velocity and temperature fields. It is observed that the
magnetic field increases both the coefficients of skin friction and heat
transfer. The effect of heat generation or absorption is found to be
very significant on heat transfer, but its effect on the skin friction is
negligible. Indeed, the occurrence of overshoot is noticed in the
temperature profiles during heat generation process, causing the
reversal in the direction of heat transfer.
Abstract: Recently, the health of retired National Football
League players, particularly lineman has been investigated. A
number of studies have reported increased cardiometabolic risk,
premature cardiovascular disease and incidence of type 2 diabetes.
Rugby union players have somatotypes very similar to National
Football League players which suggests that rugby players may have
similar health risks. The International Golden Oldies World Rugby
Festival (GORF) provided a unique opportunity to investigate the
demographics of veteran rugby players. METHODOLOGIES: A
cross-sectional, observational study was completed using an online
web-based questionnaire that consisted of medical history and
physiological measures. Data analysis was completed using a one
sample t-test (50yrs) and Chi-square test. RESULTS:
A total of 216 veteran rugby competitors (response rate = 6.8%)
representing 10 countries, aged 35-72 yrs (mean 51.2, S.D. ±8.0),
participated in the online survey. As a group, the incidence of current
smokers was low at 8.8% (avg 72.4 cigs/wk) whilst the percentage
consuming alcohol was high (93.1% (avg 11.2 drinks/wk).
Competitors reported the following top six chronic
diseases/disorders; hypertension (18.6%), arthritis (OA/RA, 11.5%),
asthma (9.3%), hyperlipidemia (8.2%), diabetes (all types, 7.5%) and
gout (6%), there were significant differences between groups with
regard to cancer (all types) and migraines. When compared to the
Australian general population (Australian Bureau of Statistics data,
n=18,000), GORF competitors had a significantly lower incidence of
anxiety (p
Abstract: Monitoring of microbial flora in aquacultured sea bream, in relation to the physicochemical parameters of the rearing seawater, ended to a model describing the influence of the last to the quality of the fisheries. Fishes were sampled during eight months from four aqua farms in Western Greece and analyzed for psychrotrophic, H2S producing bacteria, Salmonella sp., heterotrophic plate count (PCA), with simultaneous physical evaluation. Temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, TDS, salinity, NO3 - and NH4 + ions were recorded. Temperature, dissolved oxygen and conductivity were correlated, respectively, to PCA, Pseudomonas sp. and Shewanella sp. counts. These parameters were the inputs of the model, which was driving, as outputs, to the prediction of PCA, Vibrio sp., Pseudomonas sp. and Shewanella sp. counts, and fish microbiological quality. The present study provides, for the first time, a ready-to-use predictive model of fisheries hygiene, leading to an effective management system for the optimization of aquaculture fisheries quality.
Abstract: This paper presents a practical scheme that can be used for allocating the transmission loss to generators and loads. In this scheme first the share of a generator or load on the current through a branch is determined using Z-bus modified matrix. Then the current components are decomposed and the branch loss allocation is obtained. A motivation of proposed scheme is to improve the results of Z-bus method and to reach more fair allocation. The proposed scheme has been implemented and tested on several networks. To achieve practical and applicable results, the proposed scheme is simulated and compared on the transmission network (400kv) of Khorasan region in Iran and the 14-bus standard IEEE network. The results show that the proposed scheme is comprehensive and fair to allocating the energy losses of a power market to its participants.