Abstract: This study was conducted to investigate the
psychological variables motivating sport participation and
involvement among student-athletes of tertiary institutions in southwest
Nigeria. One thousand three hundred and fifty (N-1350) studentathletes
were randomly selected in all sports from nine tertiary
institutions in south-west Nigeria. These tertiary institutions include
University of Lagos, Lagos State University, Obafemi Awolowo
University, Osun State University, University of Ibadan, University
of Agriculture Abeokuta, Federal University of Technology
Akungba, University of Ilorin, and Kwara State University. The
descriptive survey research method was adopted while a self
developed validated Likert type questionnaire named Sport
Participation Scale (SPS) was used to elicit opinion from
respondents. The test-retest reliability value obtained for the
instrument, using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient
was 0.96. Out of the one thousand three hundred and fifty (N-1350)
questionnaire administered, only one thousand two hundred and five
(N-1286) were correctly filled, coded and analysed using inferential
statistics of Chi-Square (X2) while all the tested hypotheses were set
at. 05 alpha level. Based on the findings of this study, the result
revealed that several psychological factors influence student athletes
to continue participation in sport one which includes love for the
game, famous athletes as role model and family support. However,
the analysis further revealed that the stipends the student-athletes get
from their universities have no influence on their participation and
involvement in sport.
Abstract: Round addition differential fault analysis using
operation skipping for lightweight block ciphers with on-the-fly key
scheduling is presented. For 64-bit KLEIN, it is shown that only a pair
of correct and faulty ciphertexts can be used to derive the secret master
key. For PRESENT, one correct ciphertext and two faulty ciphertexts
are required to reconstruct the secret key. Furthermore, secret key
extraction is demonstrated for the LBlock Feistel-type lightweight
block cipher.
Abstract: Kurtbogazi Dam has gained special meaning for Ankara, Turkey for the last decade due to the rapid depletion of nearby resources of drinking water. In this study, the results of the analyses of Kurtbogazi Dam outlet water and the rivers flowing into the Kurtbogazi Dam were discussed for the period of last five years between 2008 and 2012. Some physical and chemical properties (pH, temperature, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), nitrate, phosphate and chlorine) of these water resources were evaluated. They were classified according to the Council Directive (75/440/EEC). Moreover, the properties of these surface waters were assessed to determine the quality of water for drinking and irrigation purposes using Piper, US Salinity Laboratory and Wilcox diagrams. The results showed that all the water resources are acceptable level as surface water except for Pazar Stream in terms of ortho-phosphate and BOD5 concentration for 2008.
Abstract: The ultimate purpose of this investigation was to
determine the teachers’ opinions as well as students’ opinions
towards the Adapted English Lessons. The subjects of the study were
5 Thai teachers, who teach English, and 85 Grade 10 mixed-ability
students at Triamudom Suksa Pattanakarn Ratchada School,
Bangkok, Thailand. The research instruments included questionnaires
and the informal interview. The data from the research instruments
was collected and analyzed concerning linguistic principles of
minimal pair and articulatory phonetics as well as teaching
techniques of mimicry-memorization; vocabulary substitution drills,
language pattern drills, reading comprehension exercise, practicing
listening, speaking and writing skill and communicative activities;
informal talk and free writing. The data was statistically compiled
according to an arithmetic percentage. The results showed that the
teachers and students have very highly positive opinions towards
adapting linguistic principles for teaching and learning phonological
accuracy. Teaching techniques provided in the Adapted English
Lessons can be used efficiently in the classroom. The teachers and
students have positive opinions towards them too.
Abstract: In this glasshouse study, we developed a new imagebased
non-destructive technique for detecting leaf P status of
different crops such as cotton, tomato and lettuce. The plants were
grown on a nutrient solution containing different P concentrations,
e.g. 0%, 50% and 100% of recommended P concentration (P0 = no P,
L; P1 = 2.5 mL 10 L-1 of P and P2 = 5 mL 10 L-1 of P). After 7 weeks
of treatment, the plants were harvested and data on leaf P contents
were collected using the standard destructive laboratory method and
at the same time leaf images were collected by a handheld crop image
sensor. We calculated leaf area, leaf perimeter and RGB (red, green
and blue) values of these images. These data were further used in
linear discriminant analysis (LDA) to estimate leaf P contents, which
successfully classified these plants on the basis of leaf P contents.
The data indicated that P deficiency in crop plants can be predicted
using leaf image and morphological data. Our proposed nondestructive
imaging method is precise in estimating P requirements of
different crop species.
Abstract: Increasingly complex modern power systems require
stability, especially for transient and small disturbances. Transient
stability plays a major role in stability during fault and large
disturbance. This paper compares a power system stabilizer (PSS)
and static Var compensator (SVC) to improve damping oscillation
and enhance transient stability. The effectiveness of a PSS connected
to the exciter and/or governor in damping electromechanical
oscillations of isolated synchronous generator was tested. The SVC
device is a member of the shunt FACTS (flexible alternating current
transmission system) family, utilized in power transmission systems.
The designed model was tested with a multi-machine system
consisting of four machines six bus, using MATLAB/SIMULINK
software. The results obtained indicate that SVC solutions are better
than PSS.
Abstract: Cancer is still one of the serious diseases threatening
the lives of human beings. How to have an early diagnosis and
effective treatment for tumors is a very important issue. The animal
carcinoma model can provide a simulation tool for the studies of
pathogenesis, biological characteristics, and therapeutic effects.
Recently, drug delivery systems have been rapidly developed to
effectively improve the therapeutic effects. Liposome plays an
increasingly important role in clinical diagnosis and therapy for
delivering a pharmaceutic or contrast agent to the targeted sites.
Liposome can be absorbed and excreted by the human body, and is
well known that no harm to the human body. This study aimed to
compare the therapeutic effects between encapsulated (doxorubicin
liposomal, Lipodox) and un-encapsulated (doxorubicin, Dox)
anti-tumor drugs using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Twenty-four New Zealand rabbits implanted with VX2 carcinoma at
left thighs were classified into three groups: control group (untreated),
Dox-treated group, and LipoDox-treated group, 8 rabbits for each
group. MRI scans were performed three days after tumor implantation.
A 1.5T GE Signa HDxt whole body MRI scanner with a high
resolution knee coil was used in this study. After a 3-plane localizer
scan was performed, three-dimensional (3D) fast spin echo (FSE)
T2-weighted Images (T2WI) was used for tumor volumetric
quantification. Afterwards, two-dimensional (2D) spoiled gradient
recalled echo (SPGR) dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI was
used for tumor perfusion evaluation. DCE-MRI was designed to
acquire four baseline images, followed by contrast agent Gd-DOTA
injection through the ear vein of rabbit. A series of 32 images were
acquired to observe the signals change over time in the tumor and
muscle. The MRI scanning was scheduled on a weekly basis for a
period of four weeks to observe the tumor progression longitudinally.
The Dox and LipoDox treatments were prescribed 3 times in the first
week immediately after the first MRI scan; i.e. 3 days after VX2 tumor
implantation. ImageJ was used to quantitate tumor volume and time
course signal enhancement on DCE images. The changes of tumor size
showed that the growth of VX2 tumors was effectively inhibited for
both LipoDox-treated and Dox-treated groups. Furthermore, the tumor
volume of LipoDox-treated group was significantly lower than that of
Dox-treated group, which implies that LipoDox has better therapeutic effect than Dox. The signal intensity of LipoDox-treated group is
significantly lower than that of the other two groups, which implies
that targeted therapeutic drug remained in the tumor tissue. This study
provides a radiation-free and non-invasive MRI method for
therapeutic monitoring of targeted liposome on an animal tumor
model.
Abstract: Fires is one of the main types of disturbances that
shape ecosystems in the Mediterranean region. However nowadays,
climate alterations towards higher temperatures result on increased
levels of fire intensity, frequency and spread as well as difficulties for
natural regeneration to occur. Thasos Island is one of the Greek
islands that has experienced those problems. Since 1984, a series of
wildfires led to the reduction of forest cover from 61.6% to almost
20%. The negative impacts were devastating in many different
aspects for the island. The absence of plant cover, post-wildfire
precipitation and steep slopes were the major factors that induced
severe soil erosion and intense floods. That also resulted to serious
economic problems to the local communities and the inability of the
burnt areas to regenerate naturally. Despite the substantial amount of
published work regarding Thasos wildfires, there is no information
related to post-wildfire effects on factors such as soil erosion. More
research related to post-fire effects should help to an overall
assessment of the negative impacts of wildfires on land degradation
through processes such as soil erosion and flooding.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to empirically investigate the
mediating impact of export performance (EP) between technological
advancement capabilities and business performance (BP) of
Malaysian manufacturing micro, small and medium sized enterprises
(MSME’s). Firm’s technological advancement resources are
hypothesized as a platform to enhance both exports and BP of
manufacturing MSMEs in Malaysia. This study is twofold, primary it
has investigated that technological advancement capabilities helps to
appreciates main performance measures noted in terms of EP and
Secondly, it investigates that how efficiently and effectively
technological advancement capabilities can contribute in overall
Malaysian MSME’s BP. Smart PLS-3 statistical software is used to
know the association between technological advancement
capabilities, MSME’s EP and BP. In this study, the data was
composed from Malaysian manufacturing MSME’s in east coast
industrial zones known as the manufacturing hub of MSMEs. Seven
hundred and fifty (750) questionnaires were distributed, but only 148
usable questionnaires are returned. The finding of this study indicated
that technological advancement capabilities helps to strengthen the
export in term of time and cost efficient and it plays a significant role
in appreciating their BP. This study is helpful for small and medium
enterprise owners who intend to expand their business overseas and
though smart technological advancement resources they can achieve
their business competitiveness and excellence both at local and
international markets.
Abstract: The steady flow of a second order fluid through
constricted tube with slip velocity at wall is modeled and analyzed
theoretically. The governing equations are simplified by implying no
slip in radial direction. Based on Karman Pohlhausen procedure
polynomial solution for axial velocity profile is presented.
Expressions for pressure gradient, shear stress, separation and
reattachment points, and radial velocity are also calculated. The
effect of slip and no slip velocity on magnitude velocity, shear stress,
and pressure gradient are discussed and depicted graphically. It is
noted that when Reynolds number increases magnitude velocity of
the fluid decreases in both slip and no slip conditions. It is also found
that the wall shear stress, separation, and reattachment points are
strongly affected by Reynolds number.
Abstract: In this work, repaired crack in 6061- T6 aluminum
plate with composite patches presented, firstly we determine the
displacement, strain and stress, also the first six mode shape of the
plate, secondly we took the same model adding central crack
initiation, which is located in the center of the plate, its seize vary
from 20 mm to 60 mm and we compare the first results with second.
Thirdly we repair various cracks with composite patch (carbon/
epoxy) and for (2 layers, 4 layers). Finally the comparison of stress,
strain, displacement and six first natural frequencies between un-cracked
specimen, crack propagation and composite patch repair.
Abstract: The paper aims at investigating the effect of number
of story on different structural components of reinforced concrete
building due to gravity and lateral loading. For the study, three
building models having same building plan of three, six and nine
stories are analyzed and designed using software package. All the
buildings are residential and are located in Dhaka city of Bangladesh.
Lateral load including wind and earthquake loading are applied to the
building along both longitudinal and transverse direction as per
Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC, 2006). Equivalent static
force method is followed for the applied seismic loading. The present
study investigates as well as compares mainly total steel requirement
in different structural components for those buildings. It has been
found that total longitudinal steel requirement for beams at each floor
is 48.57% for three storied building, 61.36% for six storied building
when the total percentage is taken as 100% in case of nine storied
building. For an exterior column, the steel ratio is 2.1%, 3.06%,
4.55% for three, six and nine storied building respectively for the first
three floors. In addition, it has been noted that total weight of
longitudinal reinforcement of an interior column is 14.02 % for threestoried
building and 43.12% for six storied building when the total
reinforcement is considered 100% for nine storied building for the
first three floors.
Abstract: Cost overruns are a persistent problem in oil and gas
megaprojects. Whilst the extant literature is filled with studies on
incidents and causes of cost overruns, underlying theories to explain
their emergence in oil and gas megaprojects are few. Yet, a way to
contain the syndrome of cost overruns is to understand the bases of
‘how and why’ they occur. Such knowledge will also help to develop
pragmatic techniques for better overall management of oil and gas
megaprojects. The aim of this paper is to explain the development of
cost overruns in hydrocarbon megaprojects through the perspective of
chaos theory. The underlying principles of chaos theory and its
implications for cost overruns are examined and practical
recommendations proposed. In addition, directions for future research
in this fertile area provided.
Abstract: The goal of this paper is proposing a supply chain
value dashboard in home appliance manufacturing firms to create
more value for all stakeholders via balanced scorecard approach.
Balanced scorecard is an effective approach that managers have used
to evaluate supply chain performance in many fields but there is a
lack of enough attention to all supply chain stakeholders, improving
value creation and, defining correlation between value indicators and
performance measuring quantitatively. In this research the key
stakeholders in home appliance supply chain, value indicators with
respect to create more value for stakeholders and the most important
metrics to evaluate supply chain value performance based on
balanced scorecard approach have been selected via literature review.
The most important indicators based on expert’s judgment acquired
by in survey focused on creating more value for. Structural equation
modelling has been used to disclose relations between value
indicators and balanced scorecard metrics. The important result of
this research is identifying effective value dashboard to create more
value for all stakeholders in supply chain via balanced scorecard
approach and based on an empirical study covering ten home
appliance manufacturing firms in Iran. Home appliance
manufacturing firms can increase their stakeholder's satisfaction by
using this value dashboard.
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. The choice of positioning has an important influence on the cost
and quality of manufacture. To avoid this problem, a two-step
approach has been developed. The first step is dedicated to the
determination of the optimum position. As for the second step, a
study was carried out for the tightening effect on the tolerance
interval.
Abstract: In this paper, we describe an application for face
recognition. Many studies have used local descriptors to characterize
a face, the performance of these local descriptors remain low by
global descriptors (working on the entire image). The application of
local descriptors (cutting image into blocks) must be able to store
both the advantages of global and local methods in the Discrete
Cosine Transform (DCT) domain. This system uses neural network
techniques. The letter method provides a good compromise between
the two approaches in terms of simplifying of calculation and
classifying performance. Finally, we compare our results with those
obtained from other local and global conventional approaches.
Abstract: The relationship dependence between RSS and distance
in an enclosed environment is an important consideration because it is
a factor that can influence the reliability of any localization algorithm
founded on RSS. Several algorithms effectively reduce the variance of
RSS to improve localization or accuracy performance. Our proposed
algorithm essentially avoids this pitfall and consequently, its high
adaptability in the face of erratic radio signal. Using 3 anchors in
close proximity of each other, we are able to establish that RSS can be
used as reliable indicator for localization with an acceptable degree of
accuracy. Inherent in this concept, is the ability for each prospective
anchor to validate (guarantee) the position or the proximity of the
other 2 anchors involved in the localization and vice versa. This
procedure ensures that the uncertainties of radio signals due to
multipath effects in enclosed environments are minimized. A major
driver of this idea is the implicit topological relationship among
sensors due to raw radio signal strength. The algorithm is an area
based algorithm; however, it does not trade accuracy for precision
(i.e the size of the returned area).
Abstract: Cryosorption pumps are considered safe, quiet, and
ultra-high vacuum production pumps which have their application
from Semiconductor industries to ITER [International Thermonuclear
Experimental Reactor] units. The principle of physisorption of gases
over highly porous materials like activated charcoal at cryogenic
temperatures (below -1500°C) is involved in determining the
pumping speed of gases like Helium, Hydrogen, Argon, and
Nitrogen. This paper aims at providing detailed overview of
development of Cryosorption pump and characterization of different
activated charcoal materials that optimizes the performance of the
pump. Different grades of charcoal were tested in order to determine
the pumping speed of the pump and were compared with
commercially available Varian cryopanel. The results for bare panel,
bare panel with adhesive, cryopanel with pellets, and cryopanel with
granules were obtained and compared. The comparison showed that
cryopanel adhered with small granules gave better pumping speeds
than large sized pellets.
Abstract: Maintaining factory default battery endurance rate
over time in supporting huge amount of running applications on
energy-restricted mobile devices has created a new challenge for
mobile applications developer. While delivering customers’
unlimited expectations, developers are barely aware of efficient use
of energy from the application itself. Thus, developers need a set of
valid energy consumption indicators in assisting them to develop
energy saving applications. In this paper, we present a few software
product metrics that can be used as an indicator to measure energy
consumption of Android-based mobile applications in the early of
design stage. In particular, Trepn Profiler (Power profiling tool for
Qualcomm processor) has used to collect the data of mobile
application power consumption, and then analyzed for the 23
software metrics in this preliminary study. The results show that
McCabe cyclomatic complexity, number of parameters, nested block
depth, number of methods, weighted methods per class, number of
classes, total lines of code and method lines have direct relationship
with power consumption of mobile application.
Abstract: The article deals with the readiness of military
professionals for challenging situations. It discusses higher
requirements on the psychical endurance of military professionals
arising from the specific nature of the military occupation, which is
typical for being very difficult to maintain regularity, which is in
accordance with the hygiene of work alternated by relaxation. The
soldier must be able to serve in the long term and constantly intense
performance that goes beyond human tolerance to stress situations. A
challenging situation is always associated with overcoming
difficulties, obstacles and complicated circumstances or using
unusual methods, ways and means to achieve the desired (expected)
objectives, performing a given task or satisfying an important need.
This paper describes the categories of challenging situations, their
classification and characteristics. Attention is also paid to the
formation of personality in challenging situations, coping with stress
in challenging situations, Phases of solutions of stressful situations,
resistance to challenging life situations and its factors. Finally, the
article is focused on increasing the readiness of military professionals
for challenging situations.