Abstract: We have designed and implemented e-Learning materials for a JAVA programming course since 2004 and have found that “normal” students, meaning motivated and capable students, can successfully learn the course material taught in a fully online manner. However, for “weaker” students, meaning those lacking motivation, experience, and/or aptitude, the results have been unsatisfactory, and such students thus fall into the supplementary category. From 2007 to 2008, we offered a face-to-face class with small-group instruction for the weaker students, while we provided the fully online course for the normal students. Consequently, we succeeded in helping the weaker students to overcome their programming phobia and develop the ability to create basic programs.
Abstract: The interaction of mass will determine the curvature of space-time, may determine that events proceed at different rates of time at each point in space, so each has a corresponding gravitational potential time. So we can find different values of gravity (g), corresponding to different times (t), thus making a "map of time in space." The space-time is curved by present mass, causing a force of attraction towards the body, but if you invest the curvature of space-time, we find that this field is repulsive: Obtaining negative gravitational forces and positive gravitational forces respectively.
Abstract: This paper contributes to the analysis of the design of regional development programs. This is a case study the birth, life, death and afterlife of a stately development program in Norway, supporting diffusion of innovations by promoting e-business in SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises).
The study shows that joint projects like regional development programs have to be designed such that the present value of the future benefits always exceeds the present value of the future effort for all stakeholders vital for the survival of the project. The study also indicate that a development program not always have one common goal which all the stakeholders agree upon. There are several stakeholders who may have different goals by playing a part in the realization of the program.
Even if some parties evaluate the results of a development program as a failure, other may have attained their goals. The lessons learned from this study may advise the designers of development programs involving many independent stakeholders. There is a lack of research examining failing development programs, investigating the reasons for it to be considered a failure. This paper shows why a development program was terminated and gives hint to how joint programs could be designed in order for the program to deliver the wanted results to all the key stakeholders.
Abstract: This paper presents the novel deterministic dynamic programming approach for solving optimization problem with quadratic objective function with linear equality and inequality constraints. The proposed method employs backward recursion in which computations proceeds from last stage to first stage in a multi-stage decision problem. A generalized recursive equation which gives the exact solution of an optimization problem is derived in this paper. The method is purely analytical and avoids the usage of initial solution. The feasibility of the proposed method is demonstrated with a practical example. The numerical results show that the proposed method provides global optimum solution with negligible computation time.
Abstract: This paper presents the early-warning lights
classification management system for industrial parks promoted by the
Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) since 2011,
including the definition of each early-warning light, objectives, action
program and accomplishments. All of the 151 industrial parks in
Taiwan were classified into four early-warning lights, including red,
orange, yellow and green, for carrying out respective pollution
management according to the monitoring data of soil and groundwater
quality, regulatory compliance, and regulatory listing of control site or
remediation site. The Taiwan EPA set up a priority list for high
potential polluted industrial parks and investigated their soil and
groundwater qualities based on the results of the light classification
and pollution potential assessment. In 2011-2013, there were 44
industrial parks selected and carried out different investigation, such as
the early warning groundwater well networks establishment and
pollution investigation/verification for the red and orange-light
industrial parks and the environmental background survey for the
yellow-light industrial parks. Among them, 22 industrial parks were
newly or continuously confirmed that the concentrations of pollutants
exceeded those in soil or groundwater pollution control standards.
Thus, the further investigation, groundwater use restriction, listing of
pollution control site or remediation site, and pollutant isolation
measures were implemented by the local environmental protection and
industry competent authorities; the early warning lights of those
industrial parks were proposed to adjust up to orange or red-light. Up
to the present, the preliminary positive effect of the soil and
groundwater quality management system for industrial parks has been
noticed in several aspects, such as environmental background
information collection, early warning of pollution risk, pollution
investigation and control, information integration and application, and
inter-agency collaboration. Finally, the work and goal of self-initiated
quality management of industrial parks will be carried out on the basis
of the inter-agency collaboration by the classified lights system of
early warning and management as well as the regular announcement of
the status of each industrial park.
Abstract: This paper presents a car parking monitoring system using wireless sensor networks. Multiple sensor nodes and a sink node, a gateway, and a server constitute a wireless network for monitoring a parking lot. Each of the sensor nodes is equipped with a 3-axis AMR sensor and deployed in the center of a parking space. Each sensor node reads its sensor values periodically and transmits the data to the sink node if the current and immediate past sensor values show a difference exceeding a threshold value. The sensor nodes and sink node use the 448 MHz band for wireless communication. Since RF transmission only occurs when sensor values show abrupt changes, the number of RF transmission operations is reduced and battery power can be conserved. The data from the sensor nodes reach the server via the sink node and gateway. The server determines which parking spaces are taken by cars based upon the received sensor data and reference values. The reference values are average sensor values measured by each sensor node when the corresponding parking spot is not occupied by a vehicle. Because the decision making is done by the server, the computational burden of the sensor node is relieved, which helps reduce the duty cycle of the sensor node.
Abstract: Educational data mining is a specific data mining field applied to data originating from educational environments, it relies on different approaches to discover hidden knowledge from the available data. Among these approaches are machine learning techniques which are used to build a system that acquires learning from previous data. Machine learning can be applied to solve different regression, classification, clustering and optimization problems.
In our research, we propose a “Student Advisory Framework” that utilizes classification and clustering to build an intelligent system. This system can be used to provide pieces of consultations to a first year university student to pursue a certain education track where he/she will likely succeed in, aiming to decrease the high rate of academic failure among these students. A real case study in Cairo Higher Institute for Engineering, Computer Science and Management is presented using real dataset collected from 2000−2012.The dataset has two main components: pre-higher education dataset and first year courses results dataset. Results have proved the efficiency of the suggested framework.
Abstract: Two different testicular tissues have to be distinguished in regard to radiation damage: first the seminiferous tubules, corresponding to the sites of spermatogenesis, which are extremely radiosensitive. Second the testosterone secreting Leydig cells, which are considered to be less radiosensitive. This study aims to estimate testicular dose and the associated risks for infertility and hereditary effects from Abdominal and pelvic irradiation. Radiotherapy was simulated on a humanoid phantom using a 15 MV photon beam. Testicular dose was measured for various field sizes and tissue thicknesses along beam axis using an ionization chamber and TLD. For transmission Factor Also common method of measuring the absorbed dose distribution and electron contamination in the build-up region of high-energy beams for radiation therapy is by means of parallel-plate Ionisation chambers. Gonadal dose was reduced by placing lead cups around the testes supplemented by a field edge block. For a tumor dose of 100 cGy, testicular dose was 2.96-8.12 cGy depending upon the field size and the distance from the inferior field edge. The treatment at parameters, the presence of gonad shield and the somatometric characteristics determine whether testicular dose can exceed 1 Gy which allows a complete recovery of spermatogenesis.
Abstract: This paper deals with design of walking beam pendel
axle suspension system. This axles and suspension systems are
mainly required for transportation of heavy duty and Over Dimension
Consignment (ODC) cargo, which is exceeding legal limit in terms of
length, width and height. Presently, in Indian transportation industry,
ODC movement growth rate has increased in transportation of bridge
sections (pre-cast beams), transformers, heavy machineries, boilers,
gas turbines, windmill blades etc. However, current Indian standard
road transport vehicles are facing lot of service and maintenance
issues due to non availability of suitable axle and suspension to carry
the ODC cargoes. This in turn will lead to increased number of road
accidents, bridge collapse and delayed deliveries, which finally result
in higher operating cost. Understanding these requirements, this work
was carried out. These axles and suspensions are designed for
optimum self – weight with maximum payload carrying capacity with
better road stability.
Abstract: In this paper, we present a non-blind technique of
adding the watermark to the Fourier spectral components of audio
signal in a way such that the modified amplitude does not exceed the
maximum amplitude spread (MAS). This MAS is due to individual
Discrete fourier transform (DFT) coefficients in that particular frame,
which is derived from the Energy Spreading function given by
Schroeder. Using this technique one can store double the information
within a given frame length i.e. overriding the watermark on the
host of equal length with least perceptual distortion. The watermark
is uniformly floating on the DFT components of original signal.
This helps in detecting any intentional manipulations done on the
watermarked audio. Also, the scheme is found robust to various signal
processing attacks like presence of multiple watermarks, Additive
white gaussian noise (AWGN) and mp3 compression.
Abstract: To enhance installation security, a LNG storage in Rudong of Jiangsu province was adopted as a practical work, and it was analyzed by nonlinear finite element method to research overall and local stability performance, as well as the stress and deformation under the action of wind load and self-weight. Results indicate that deformation is tiny when steel mesh maintains as an overall ring, and stress caused by vertical bending moment and tension of bottom tie wire are also in the safe range. However, axial forces of lap reinforcement in adjacent steel mesh exceed the ultimate bearing capacity of tie wire. Hence, tie wires are ruptured; single mesh loses lateral connection and turns into monolithic status as the destruction of overall structure. Further more, monolithic steel mesh is led to collapse by the damage of bottom connection. So, in order to prevent connection failure and enhance installation security, the overlapping parts of steel mesh should be taken more reliable measures.
Abstract: Turbulence of the incoming wind field is of paramount
importance to the dynamic response of civil engineering structures. Hence reliable stochastic models of the turbulence should be available from which time series can be generated for dynamic response and
structural safety analysis. In the paper an empirical cross spectral
density function for the along-wind turbulence component over the wind field area is taken as the starting point. The spectrum is spatially
discretized in terms of a Hermitian cross-spectral density matrix for the turbulence state vector which turns out not to be positive
definite. Since the succeeding state space and ARMA modelling of
the turbulence rely on the positive definiteness of the cross-spectral
density matrix, the problem with the non-positive definiteness of such
matrices is at first addressed and suitable treatments regarding it are proposed. From the adjusted positive definite cross-spectral density
matrix a frequency response matrix is constructed which determines the turbulence vector as a linear filtration of Gaussian white noise.
Finally, an accurate state space modelling method is proposed which allows selection of an appropriate model order, and estimation of a state space model for the vector turbulence process incorporating its phase spectrum in one stage, and its results are compared with a conventional ARMA modelling method.
Abstract: The strengthening of competitive advantage combined with the transformation of business strategy is necessary for the company to succeed in the time of market changes. And in this sense the innovation activities of the firm are exactly significanting. Virtual firms are a specific form of enterprise in which we can't suppose all regularities obtaining in other forms. The aim of the paper is to evaluate factors influencing the innovation activity of virtual firm with the determination of their importance and influences on the basis of selected metrics.
Abstract: In data mining, the association rules are used to search
for the relations of items of the transactions database. Following the
data is collected and stored, it can find rules of value through
association rules, and assist manager to proceed marketing strategy
and plan market framework. In this paper, we attempt fuzzy partition
methods and decide membership function of quantitative values of
each transaction item. Also, by managers we can reflect the
importance of items as linguistic terms, which are transformed as
fuzzy sets of weights. Next, fuzzy weighted frequent pattern growth
(FWFP-Growth) is used to complete the process of data mining. The
method above is expected to improve Apriori algorithm for its better
efficiency of the whole association rules. An example is given to
clearly illustrate the proposed approach.
Abstract: Together with the industrialization, women began to
be included in business life by peeling off of the tasks given them by
society and they have become a factor of production creating value in
economic and social sense. Thus, women have taken place in the
labor market, majority of which has been formed by men. In this
study, the experiences of women entrepreneurs, who succeed in
business activities, will be analyzed. By the study, current state of the
women entrepreneurs in the labor market of Turkey will be put down,
as a result of interferences obtained from the shared experiences of
women entrepreneurs. Findings obtained at the end of the study are
thought to light the way of future studies for increasing women
entrepreneurship.
Abstract: Flow field around hypersonic vehicles is very
complex and difficult to simulate. The boundary layers are squeezed
between shock layer and body surface. Resolution of boundary layer,
shock wave and turbulent regions where the flow field has high
values is difficult of capture. Detached eddy simulation (DES) is a
modification of a RANS model in which the model switches to a
subgrid scale formulation in regions fine enough for LES
calculations. Regions near solid body boundaries and where the
turbulent length scale is less than the maximum grid dimension are
assigned the RANS mode of solution. As the turbulent length scale
exceeds the grid dimension, the regions are solved using the LES
mode. Therefore the grid resolution is not as demanding as pure LES,
thereby considerably cutting down the cost of the computation. In
this research study hypersonic flow is simulated at Mach 8 and
different angle of attacks to resolve the proper boundary layers and
discontinuities. The flow is also simulated in the long wake regions.
Mesh is little different than RANS simulations and it is made dense
near the boundary layers and in the wake regions to resolve it
properly. Hypersonic blunt cone cylinder body with frustrum at angle
5o and 10 o are simulated and there aerodynamics study is performed
to calculate aerodynamics characteristics of different geometries. The
results and then compared with experimental as well as with some
turbulence model (SA Model). The results achieved with DES
simulation have very good resolution as well as have excellent
agreement with experimental and available data. Unsteady
simulations are performed for DES calculations by using duel time
stepping method or implicit time stepping. The simulations are
performed at Mach number 8 and angle of attack from 0o to 10o for
all these cases. The results and resolutions for DES model found
much better than SA turbulence model.
Abstract: As is needless to say; a majority of accidents, which occur, are due to drunk driving. As such, there is no effective mechanism to prevent this. Here we have designed an integrated system for the same purpose. Alcohol content in the driver-s body is detected by means of an infrared breath analyzer placed at the steering wheel. An infrared cell directs infrared energy through the sample and any unabsorbed energy at the other side is detected. The higher the concentration of ethanol, the more infrared absorption occurs (in much the same way that a sunglass lens absorbs visible light, alcohol absorbs infrared light). Thus the alcohol level of the driver is continuously monitored and calibrated on a scale. When it exceeds a particular limit the fuel supply is cutoff. If the device is removed also, the fuel supply will be automatically cut off or an alarm is sounded depending upon the requirement. This does not happen abruptly and special indicators are fixed at the back to avoid inconvenience to other drivers using the highway signals. Frame work for integration of sensors and control module in a scalable multi-agent system is provided .A SMS which contains the current GPS location of the vehicle is sent via a GSM module to the police control room to alert the police. The system is foolproof and the driver cannot tamper with it easily. Thus it provides an effective and cost effective solution for the problem of drunk driving in vehicles.
Abstract: A numerical prediction of flow in a tube bank is reported. The flow regimes considered cover a wide range of Reynolds numbers, which range from 380 to 99000 and which are equivalent to a range of inlet velocities from very low (0.072 m/s) to very high (60 m/s). In this study, calculations were made using the standard k-e model with standard wall function. The drag coefficient, skin friction drag, pressure drag, and pressure distribution around a tube were investigated. As the velocity increased, the drag coefficient decreased until the velocity exceeded 45 m/s, after which it increased. Furthermore, the pressure drag and skin friction drag depend on the velocity.
Abstract: Traditionally, Internet has provided best-effort service to every user regardless of its requirements. However, as Internet becomes universally available, users demand more bandwidth and applications require more and more resources, and interest has developed in having the Internet provide some degree of Quality of Service. Although QoS is an important issue, the question of how it will be brought into the Internet has not been solved yet. Researches, due to the rapid advances in technology are proposing new and more desirable capabilities for the next generation of IP infrastructures. But neither all applications demand the same amount of resources, nor all users are service providers. In this way, this paper is the first of a series of papers that presents an architecture as a first step to the optimization of QoS in the Internet environment as a solution to a SMSE's problem whose objective is to provide public service to internet with certain Quality of Service expectations. The service provides new business opportunities, but also presents new challenges. We have designed and implemented a scalable service framework that supports adaptive bandwidth based on user demands, and the billing based on usage and on QoS. The developed application has been evaluated and the results show that traffic limiting works at optimum and so it does exceeding bandwidth distribution. However, some considerations are done and currently research is under way in two basic areas: (i) development and testing new transfer protocols, and (ii) developing new strategies for traffic improvements based on service differentiation.
Abstract: Spam mails are unwanted mails sent to large number
of users. Spam mails not only consume the network resources, but
cause security threats as well. This paper proposes an efficient
technique to detect, and to prevent spam mail in the sender side rather
than the receiver side. This technique is based on a counter set on the
sender server. When a mail is transmitted to the server, the mail server
checks the number of the recipients based on its counter policy. The
counter policy performed by the mail server is based on some
pre-defined criteria. When the number of recipients exceeds the
counter policy, the mail server discontinues the rest of the process, and
sends a failure mail to sender of the mail; otherwise the mail is
transmitted through the network. By using this technique, the usage of
network resources such as bandwidth, and memory is preserved. The
simulation results in real network show that when the counter is set on
the sender side, the time required for spam mail detection is 100 times
faster than the time the counter is set on the receiver side, and the
network resources are preserved largely compared with other
anti-spam mail techniques in the receiver side.