Abstract: The aim of this work is to detect geometrical shape
objects in an image. In this paper, the object is considered to be as a
circle shape. The identification requires find three characteristics,
which are number, size, and location of the object. To achieve the
goal of this work, this paper presents an algorithm that combines
from some of statistical approaches and image analysis techniques.
This algorithm has been implemented to arrive at the major
objectives in this paper. The algorithm has been evaluated by using
simulated data, and yields good results, and then it has been applied
to real data.
Abstract: In Algeria, the conditioning units of dates, generate
significant quantities of waste arising from sorting deviations. This
biomass, until then considered as a waste with high impact on the
environment can be transformed into high value added product. It is
possible to develop common dates of low commercial value, and put
on the local and international market a new generation of products
with high added values such as bio ethanol. Besides its use in
chemical synthesis, bio ethanol can be blended with gasoline to
produce a clean fuel while improving the octane.
Abstract: In this study, the time-dependent behavior of damaged
reinforced concrete shear wall structures strengthened with composite
plates having variable fibers spacing was investigated to analyze their
seismic response. In the analytical formulation, the adherent and the
adhesive layers are all modeled as shear walls, using the mixed Finite
Element Method (FEM). The anisotropic damage model is adopted to
describe the damage extent of the Reinforced Concrete shear walls.
The phenomenon of creep and shrinkage of concrete has been
determined by Eurocode 2. Large earthquakes recorded in Algeria
(El-Asnam and Boumerdes) have been tested to demonstrate the
accuracy of the proposed method. Numerical results are obtained for non-uniform distributions of
carbon fibers in epoxy matrices. The effects of damage extent and the
delay mechanism creep and shrinkage of concrete are highlighted.
Prospects are being studied.
Abstract: Strong anthropogenic impact has uncontrolled
consequences on the nature of the soil. Hence, up-to-date sustainable
methods of soil state improvement are essential. Investigators provide
the evidence that biochar can positively effects physical, chemical,
and biological soil properties and the abundance of mycorrhizal fungi
which are in the focus of this study. The main aim of the present
investigation is to demonstrate the effect of two types of plant growth
promoting bacteria (PGPB) inoculums along with the beech wood
biochar and mineral N additives on mycorrhizal colonization.
Experiment has been set up in laboratory conditions with containers
filled with arable soil from the protection zone of the main water
source “Brezova nad Svitavou”. Lactuca sativa (lettuce) has been
selected as a model plant. Based on the obtained data, it can be
concluded that mycorrhizal colonization increased as the result of
combined influence of biochar and PGPB inoculums amendment. In
addition, correlation analyses showed that the numbers of main
groups of cultivated bacteria were dependent on the degree of
mycorrhizal colonization.
Abstract: This study aims to investigate the relationships
between human resource management and entrepreneurship in the
view of owner-managers and employees, and among employees with
in the SME in Thailand. The research method used qualitative
method to confirm the phenomenology interest with top management
position which women are regarding their career path by using
purposive sampling method. The results showed that human
resources management has positive relate with the corporate
entrepreneurship are including the recruitment process, training
worker, professional career development and reward system impact
to entrepreneur’s knowledge and innovation of corporate
entrepreneurship in respectively to bring a very reliable way. Then,
the key informant suggested that women’s career experiences
predisposed them to find an alternative route for entrepreneurship,
despite having achieved top management. The understanding factors
that successfully contribute to the development of women
entrepreneurs from career development perspective are critical
endeavour for any type of organization as well.
Abstract: In this paper, the 2-D unsteady viscous flow around
two cam shaped cylinders in tandem arrangement is numerically
simulated in order to study the characteristics of the flow in turbulent
regimes. The investigation covers the effects of high subcritical and
supercritical Reynolds numbers and L/D ratio on total drag
coefficient. The equivalent diameter of cylinders is 27.6 mm The
space between center to center of two cam shaped cylinders is define
as longitudinal pitch ratio and it varies in range of 1.5< L/D
Abstract: The present research aimed at studying the awareness
and attitudes of teachers towards inclusive education. The sample
consisted of 60 teachers, teaching in the primary section (1st – 4th) of
regular schools affiliated to the SSC board in Mumbai. Sample was
selected by Multi-stage cluster sampling technique. A semi-structured
self-constructed interview schedule and a self-constructed attitude
scale was used to study the awareness of teachers about disability and
Inclusive education, and their attitudes towards inclusive education
respectively. Themes were extracted from the interview data and
quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS package. Results revealed
that teachers had some amount of awareness but an inadequate
amount of information on disabilities and inclusive education.
Disability to most (37) teachers meant “an inability to do something”.
The difference between disability and handicap was stated by most as
former being cognitive while handicap being physical in nature. With
regard to Inclusive education, a large number (46) stated that they
were unaware of the term and did not know what it meant. Majority
(52) of them perceived maximum challenges for themselves in an
inclusive set up, and emphasized on the role of teacher training
courses in the area of providing knowledge (49) and training in
teaching methodology (53). Although, 83.3% of teachers held a
moderately positive attitude towards inclusive education, a large
percentage (61.6%) of participants felt that being in inclusive set up
would be very challenging for both children with special needs and
without special needs. Though, most (49) of the teachers stated that
children with special needs should be educated in regular classroom
but they further clarified that only those should be in a regular
classroom who have physical impairments of mild or moderate
degree.
Abstract: The research explored the effect of morphemic analysis
awareness on ESL secondary school students’ vocabulary acquisition.
The quasi-experimental study was conducted with 100 ESL
secondary school students in two experimental groups (inflectional
and derivational) and one control group. The students’ vocabulary
acquisition was assessed through two measures: Morph-Analysis Test
and Morph-Vocabulary Test in the pretest and posttest before and
after an intervention programme. Results of ANCOVA revealed that
both the experimental groups achieved a significant score in Morph-
Analysis Test and Vocabulary-Morphemic Test. However, the
inflectional group obtained a fairly higher score than the derivational
group. Thus, the findings of the research are discussed in two main
areas. First, individual instructions of two types of morphemic
awareness have contributed significant results on inflectional and
derivational awareness among the ESL secondary school students.
Nevertheless, derivational morphology achieved a significant but
relatively smaller amount of effect on secondary school students’
morphological awareness compared to inflectional morphology in
this research. Second finding showed that the awareness of
inflectional and derivational morphology was found significantly
related to vocabulary achievement of ESL secondary school students.
Nevertheless, inflectional morphemic awareness had higher
significant effect on ESL secondary school students’ vocabulary
acquisition. Despite these findings, the study implies that morphemic
analysis awareness can serve as an alternative strategy for ESL
secondary school students in acquiring English vocabulary.
Abstract: Despite all the wide research and literature on the
subject, changing and challenging times often present themselves
with new objectives, fluid politics, and everlasting point of views.
Much is said about the subject and the trend nowadays is watching
every European Union (EU) intervention as a form of neo
colonialism or a form of establishing new markets. The paper will try to establish a perspective on EU influences,
policies and impacts analyzed from multidimensional point of view,
not limiting itself on a narrow external dimension, focusing on a
broader understanding of it diverse contribution to global governance
and peace keeping. Tending to be critical, this paper tends to fall out of extremes,
nether holding a Eurocentric position, nor falling for cheap critic to
the whole failures and impact of EU policies. The ambition is to
show EU as a contributing factor while keeping in mind its nature as
a multi layered actor and with not necessarily coinciding interests
among its member states.
Abstract: The 1:1 cocrystal of 2-amino-4-chloro-6-
methylpyrimidine (2A4C6MP) with 4-methylbenzoic acid (4MBA)
(I) has been prepared by slow evaporation method in methanol,
which was crystallized in monoclinic C2/c space group, Z = 8, and a
= 28.431 (2) Å, b = 7.3098 (5) Å, c = 14.2622 (10) Å and β =
109.618 (3)°. The presence of unionized –COOH functional group in
cocrystal I was identified both by spectral methods (1H and 13C
NMR, FTIR) and X-ray diffraction structural analysis. The
2A4C6MP molecule interact with the carboxylic group of the
respective 4MBA molecule through N—H⋯O and O—H⋯N
hydrogen bonds, forming a cyclic hydrogen–bonded motif R2
2(8).
The crystal structure was stabilized by Npyrimidine—H⋯O=C and
C=O—H⋯Npyrimidine types hydrogen bonding interactions.
Theoretical investigations have been computed by HF and density
function (B3LYP) method with 6–311+G (d,p)basis set. The
vibrational frequencies together with 1H and 13C NMR chemical
shifts have been calculated on the fully optimized geometry of
cocrystal I. Theoretical calculations are in good agreement with the
experimental results. Solvent–free formation of this cocrystal I is
confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction analysis.
Abstract: The application of ESS (Energy Storage Systems) in
the future grids has been the solution of the microgrid. However, high
investment costs necessitate accurate modeling and control strategy of
ESS to justify its economic viability and further underutilization.
Therefore, the reasonable control strategy for ESS which is subjected
to generator and usage helps to curtail the cost of investment and
operation costs. The rated frequency in power system is decreased
when the load is increasing unexpectedly; hence the thermal power is
operated at the capacity of only its 95% for the Governor Free (GF) to
adjust the frequency as reserve (5%) in practice. The ESS can be
utilized with governor at the same time for the frequency response due
to characteristic of its fast response speed and moreover, the cost of
ESS is declined rapidly to the reasonable price. This paper presents the
ESS control strategy to extend usage of the ESS taken account into
governor’s ramp rate and reduce the governor’s intervention as well.
All results in this paper are simulated by MATLAB.
Abstract: Background: Breast milk may impact early brain
development, with potentially important biological, medical and
social implications. There is an important discussion on which is the
adequate breastfeeding extension to the development consolidation
and how the children breastfeeding affects their psychomotor
development, in the first year of life, and in following periods as
well. Some special fats (LC PUFA) contained in breast milk play a
key role in the brain’s maturation and cognitive development or
social skills. These capacities created during breastfeeding time
would be unfolded throughout all lifespan. Aim of the study: In our research, we have studied the effect of
breastfeeding in preschooler's psychomotor assessment.
Method: This study was conducted in a sample of 158 preschool
children in Vlorë, Albania. We have measured the psychometric
parameters of preschoolers with ASQ-3 (Age&Stage Questionnaires-
3). The studied sample was divided in three groups according to their
breastfeeding duration (3, 6 and 12 months). Results: Children breastfed for only 3 months have definitely
lower psychometric scores compared to the ones with 6 or more
months of breastfeeding (respectively 217 to 239 ASQ-3 scores). Six
and twelvemonth breastfed children have progressively more odds to
have high levels of psychomotor development comparing to those
with only 3 months of breastfeeding. The most affected psychometric
domains by shortness of breastfeeding are Communication and
Global motor. Conclusion: This leads to conclusion that to ensure high
psychomotor parameters during childhood is necessary breastfeeding
for at least 6 months.
Abstract: The floor beams of steel buildings, cold-formed steel
floor joists in particular, often require large web openings, which may
affect their shear capacities. A cost effective way to mitigate the
detrimental effects of such openings is to weld/fasten reinforcements.
A difficulty associated with an experimental investigation to establish
suitable reinforcement schemes for openings in shear zone is that
moment always coexists with the shear, and thus, it is impossible to
create pure shear state in experiments, resulting in moment
influenced results. However, Finite Element Method (FEM) based
analysis can be conveniently used to investigate the pure shear
behaviour of webs including webs with reinforced openings. This
paper presents the details associated with the finite element analysis
of thick/thin-plates (representing the web of hot-rolled steel beam,
and the web of a cold-formed steel member) having a large
reinforced opening. The study considered simply-supported
rectangular plates subjected to in-plane shear loadings until failure
(including post-buckling behaviour). The plate was modelled using
geometrically non-linear quadrilateral shell elements, and non-linear
stress-strain relationship based on experiments. Total Langrangian
with large displacement/small strain formulation was used for such
analyses. The model also considered the initial geometric
imperfections. This study considered three reinforcement schemes,
namely, flat, lip, and angle reinforcements. This paper discusses the
modelling considerations and presents the results associated with the
various reinforcement schemes under consideration.
Abstract: Within this paper, latest results on processing of energetic nanomaterials by means of the Spray Flash Evaporation technique are presented. This technology constitutes a highly effective and continuous way to prepare fascinating materials on the nano- and micro-scale. Within the process, a solution is set under high pressure and sprayed into an evacuated atomization chamber. Subsequent ultrafast evaporation of the solvent leads to an aerosol stream, which is separated by cyclones or filters. No drying gas is required, so the present technique should not be confused with spray dying. Resulting nanothermites, insensitive explosives or propellants and compositions are foreseen to replace toxic (according to REACH) and very sensitive matter in military and civil applications. Diverse examples are given in detail: nano-RDX (n-Cyclotrimethylentrinitramin) and nano-aluminum based systems, mixtures (n-RDX/n-TNT - trinitrotoluene) or even cocrystalline matter like n-CL-20/HMX (Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane/ Cyclotetra-methylentetranitramin). These nanomaterials show reduced sensitivity by trend without losing effectiveness and performance. An analytical study for material characterization was performed by using Atomic Force Microscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, and combined techniques as well as spectroscopic methods. As a matter of course, sensitivity tests regarding electrostatic discharge, impact, and friction are provided.
Abstract: Steel extended end plate bolted connections are
recommended to be widely utilized in special moment-resisting frame
subjected to monotonic loading. Improper design of steel beam to
column connection can lead to the collapse and fatality of structures.
Therefore comprehensive research studies of beam to column
connection design should be carried out. Also the performance and
effect of corrugated on the strength of beam column end plate
connection up to failure under monotonic loading in horizontal
direction is presented in this paper. The non-linear elastic–plastic
behavior has been considered through a finite element analysis using
the multi-purpose software package LUSAS. The effect of vertically
and horizontally types of corrugated web was also investigated.
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted in the Agricultural
Research Station, at El-Ghoraieb, Assiut to study dry seed yield
performance of two locally adapted cultivars (‘Azmerly’ and ‘Cream
7’) and two line introductions (IT81D-1032 and IT82D-812) of
common cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) grown at three
different within-row spaces (20, 30 and 40 cm) and two planting
dates in the summer (April 15th and 30th) and in the fall season (Aug.
12th and 27th) of two successive seasons. The data showed that total
dry-seed yield produced by plants grown at 20 cm was greater than at
30 cm in all cvs/lines in both years. Increases in 1000-seed weight
were detected in cv ‘Azmerly’ and line IT82D-812 when they were
grown at 30 cm as compared with 20 cm in the summer season.
However, in the fall season such increases were found in all cvs/lines.
Planting at 40 cm produced seeds of greater weight than planting at
30 cm for all cvs/lines in the fall season and also in cv. Cream 7 and
line IT82D-812 in the summer season, while all cvs/lines in the fall
Planting on April 15th in the summer and also planting on Aug. 12th
in the fall had plants which showed increases in 1000-seed weight
and total dry-seed yield. The greatest 1000-seed weight was found in
the line IT81D-1032 in the summer season and in the line IT82D-812
in the fall season. The sum up results revealed that ‘Azmerly’
produced greater dry-seed yield than ‘Cream 7’ and both of them
were superior to the line IT82D-812 and IT81D-1032 in the summer
season. In the fall, however, the line IT82D-812 produced greater
dry-seed yield than the other cultivars/lines.
Abstract: The aim of the study is to describe and analyze design
of mobile teaching for students collaborative learning in distance
higher education with a focus on mobile technologies as online
webinars (web-based seminars or conferencing) by using laptops,
smart phones, or tablets. These multimedia tools can provide face-toface
interactions, recorded flipped classroom videos and parallel chat
communications. The data collection consists of interviews with 22
students and observations of online face-to-face webinars, as well
two surveys. Theoretically, the study joins the research tradition of
Computer Supported Collaborative learning, CSCL, as well as
Computer Self-Efficacy, CSE concerned with individuals’ media and
information literacy. Important conclusions from the study
demonstrated mobile interactions increased student centered
learning. As the students were appreciating the working methods,
they became more engaged and motivated. The mobile technology
using among student also contributes to increased flexibility between
space and place, as well as media and information literacy.
Abstract: Concurrent planning of project scheduling and
material ordering can provide more flexibility to the project
scheduling problem, as the project execution costs can be enhanced.
Hence, the issue has been taken into account in this paper. To do so, a
mixed-integer mathematical model is developed which considers the
aforementioned flexibility, in addition to the materials quantity
discount and space availability restrictions. Moreover, the activities
duration has been treated as decision variables. Finally, the efficiency
of the proposed model is tested by different instances. Additionally,
the influence of the aforementioned parameters is investigated on the
model performance.
Abstract: Iranian architects had creative ways for constructing
the buildings in each climate. Some of these architectural elements
were made under the ground. Shovadan is one of these underground
spaces in hot-humid regions in Dezfoul and Shoushtar city that had
special functions and characteristics. In this paper some subjects such
as the history of Shovadan, its elements and effective factors in the
formation of Shovadan in Dezfool city are discussed.
Abstract: Numerical study of the static response of
homogeneous clay stratum considering a wide range of cohesion and
subject to foundation loads is presented. The linear elastic–perfectly
plastic constitutive relation with the von Mises yield criterion were
utilised to develop a numerically cost effective finite element model
for the soil while imposing a rigid body constrain to the foundation
footing. From the analyses carried out, estimate of the bearing
capacity factor, Nc as well as the ultimate load-carrying capacities of
these soils, effect of cohesion on foundation settlements, stress fields
and failure propagation were obtained. These are consistent with
other findings in the literature and hence can be a useful guide in
design of safe foundations in clay soils for buildings and other
structure.