Abstract: In films, visual effects have played the role of
expressing realities more realistically or describing imaginations as if
they are real. Such images are immediated images representing
realism, and the logic of immediation for the reality of images has
been perceived dominant in visual effects. In order for immediation to
have an identity as immediation, there should be the opposite concept
hypermediation.
In the mid 2000s, hypermediated images were settled as a code of
mass culture in Asia. Thus, among Asian films highly popular in those
days, this study selected five displaying hypermediated images – 2 Korean, 2 Japanese, and 1 Thailand movies – and examined the
semiotic meanings of such images using Roland Barthes- directional and implicated meaning analysis and Metz-s paradigmatic analysis
method, focusing on how hypermediated images work in the general
context of the films, how they are associated with spaces, and what
meanings they try to carry.
Abstract: In this paper a low cost knowledge base system (KBS)
framework is proposed for design of deep drawing die and procedure
for developing system modules. The task of building the system is
structured into different modules for major activities of design of
deep drawing die. A manufacturability assessment module of the
proposed framework is developed to check the manufacturability of
deep drawn parts. The technological knowledge is represented by
using IF- THEN rules and it is coded in AutoLISP language. The
module is designed to be loaded into the prompt area of AutoCAD.
The cost of implementation of proposed system makes it affordable
for small and medium scale sheet metal industries.
Abstract: An attempt was made for availability of wastewater reuse/reclamation for irrigation purposes using phytoremediation “the low cost and less technology", using six local aquatic macrophytes “e.g. T. angustifolia, B. maritimus, Ph. australis, A. donax, A. plantago-aquatica and M. longifolia (Linn)" as biological waste purifiers. Outdoor experiments/designs were conducted from May 03, 2007 till October 15, 2008, close to one of the main sewage channels of Sulaimani City/Iraq*. All processes were mainly based on conventional wastewater treatment processes, besides two further modifications were tested, the first was sand filtration pots, implanted by individual species of experimental macrophytes and the second was constructed wetlands implanted by experimental macrophytes all together. Untreated and treated wastewater samples were analyzed for their key physico-chemical properties (only heavy metals Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu with particular reference to removal efficiency by experimental macrophytes are highlighted in this paper). On the other hand, vertical contents of heavy metals were also evaluated from both pots and the cells of constructed wetland. After 135 days, macrophytes were harvested and heavy metals were analyzed in their biomass (roots/shoots) for removal efficiency assessment (i.e. uptake/ bioaccumulation rate). Results showed that; removal efficiency of all studied heavy metals was much higher in T. angustifolia followed by Ph. Australis, B. maritimus and A. donax in triple experiment sand pots. Constructed wetland experiments have revealed that; the more replicated constructed wetland cells the highest heavy metal removal efficiency was indicated.
Abstract: Higher education institutions are increasingly opting to outsourcing methods in order to sustain themselves and this creates a gap of literature in terms of how they perceive the relationship. This research paper attempts to identify the behavioral and psychological factors that exist in the engagement thus providing valuable information to practicing and potential clients, and vendors. The determinants were gathered from previous literatures and analyzed to formulate the factors. This study adopts the case study and survey approaches in which interviews and questionnaires are deployed on employees of IT-related department in a Malaysian higher education institution.
Abstract: Mammals are known to use Interaural Intensity Difference (IID) to determine azimuthal position of high frequency sounds. In the Lateral Superior Olive (LSO) neurons have firing behaviours which vary systematicaly with IID. Those neurons receive excitatory inputs from the ipsilateral ear and inhibitory inputs from the contralateral one. The IID sensitivity of a LSO neuron is thought to be due to delay differences between both ears, delays due to different synaptic delays and to intensity-dependent delays. In this paper we model the auditory pathway until the LSO. Inputs to LSO neurons are at first numerous and differ in their relative delays. Spike Timing-Dependent Plasticity is then used to prune those connections. We compare the pruned neuron responses with physiological data and analyse the relationship between IID-s of teacher stimuli and IID sensitivities of trained LSO neurons.
Abstract: Stocking density is considered one of the important
factors affecting fish growth. But, information related to impact of
stocking density on growth performance of monosex tilapia population
under the ecological conditions of Gangetic plains in West Bengal,
India is limited. The aim of our study was to compare the growth
potential of monosex tilapia at various stocking densities and to
determine an ideal stocking density for culture of all-male monosex
fish. The males were isolated by examination of genital papilla region
and were stocked separately in 0.01 ha earthen ponds at different
stocking densities (5000, 10000, 15000, 20000, 25000 and 30000
fingerlings/ha). It was found that the highest weight, length, daily
weight gain, growth rate and protein content were observed for the
20000 fish/ha density class. Thus, culture of monosex tilapia at a
density of 20000 fish/ha can be considered ideal for augmented
production of the fish under Indian context.
Abstract: To extract the important physiological factors related to
diabetes from an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) by mathematical
modeling, highly informative but convenient protocols are required.
Current models require a large number of samples and extended
period of testing, which is not practical for daily use. The purpose
of this study is to make model assessments possible even from a
reduced number of samples taken over a relatively short period.
For this purpose, test values were extrapolated using a support
vector machine. A good correlation was found between reference and
extrapolated values in evaluated 741 OGTTs. This result indicates
that a reduction in the number of clinical test is possible through a
computational approach.
Abstract: Lectins have a good scope in current clinical
microbiology research. In the present study evaluated the
antimicrobial activities of a D-galactose binding lectin (PnL) was
purified from the annelid, Perinereis nuntia (polychaeta) by affinity
chromatography. The molecular mass of the lectin was determined to
be 32 kDa as a single polypeptide by SDS-PAGE under both reducing
and non-reducing conditions. The hemagglutinating activity of the
PnL showed against trypsinized and glutaraldehyde-fixed human
erythrocytes was specifically inhibited by D-Gal, GalNAc,
Galβ1-4Glc and Galα1-6Glc. PnL was evaluated for in vitro
antibacterial screening studies against 11 gram-positive and
gram-negative microorganisms. From the screening results, it was
revealed that PnL exhibited significant antibacterial activity against
gram-positive bacteria. Bacillus megaterium showed the highest
growth inhibition by the lectin (250 μg/disc). However, PnL did not
inhibit the growth of gram-negative bacteria such as Vibrio cholerae
and Pseudomonas sp. PnL was also examined for in vitro antifungal
activity against six fungal phytopathogens. PnL (100 μg/mL) inhibited
the mycelial growth of Alternaria alternata (24.4%). These results
indicate that future findings of lectin applications obtained from
annelids may be of importance to life sciences.
Abstract: This paper presents the research agenda that has been proposed to develop an integrated model to explain technology adoption of SMEs in Malaysia. SMEs form over 90% of all business entities in Malaysia and they have been contributing to the development of the nation. Technology adoption has been a thorn issue among SMEs as they require big outlay which might not be available to the SMEs. Although resource has been an issue among SMEs they cannot lie low and ignore the technological advancements that are taking place at a rapid pace. With that in mind this paper proposes a model to explain the technology adoption issue among SMEs.
Abstract: In this paper a class of analog algorithms based on the
concept of Cellular Neural Network (CNN) is applied in some
processing operations of some important medical images, namely
retina images, for detecting various symptoms connected with
diabetic retinopathy. Some specific processing tasks like
morphological operations, linear filtering and thresholding are
proposed, the corresponding template values are given and
simulations on real retina images are provided.
Abstract: Obesity is frequent attendant phenomenon of patients
with endocrinological disease. Between BMI and endocrinological
diseases is close correlation. In thesis we focused on the allocation of
hormone concentration – PTH and TSH, CHOL a mineral element Ca
in a blood serum. The examined group was formed by 100
respondents (women) aged 36 – 83 years, who were divided into two
groups – control group (CG), group with diagnosed endocrine disease
(DED). The concentration of PTH and TSH, Ca and CHOL was
measured through the medium of analyzers Cobas e411 (Japan);
Cobas Integra 400 (Switzerland). At individuals was measured body
weight as well as stature and thereupon from those data we
enumerated BMI. On the basis of Student T-test in biochemical
parameter of PTH and Ca we found out significantly meaningful
difference (p
Abstract: The Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) plays a
vital role in automation and process control. Grafcet is used for
representing the control logic, and traditional programming
languages are used for describing the pure algorithms. Grafcet is used
for dividing the process to be automated in elementary sequences that
can be easily implemented. Each sequence represent a step that has
associated actions programmed using textual or graphical languages
after case. The programming task is simplified by using a set of
subroutines that are used in several steps. The paper presents an
example of implementation for a punching machine for sheets and
plates. The use the graphical languages the programming of a
complex sequential process is a necessary solution. The state of
Grafcet can be used for debugging and malfunction determination.
The use of the method combined with a set of knowledge acquisition
for process application reduces the downtime of the machine and
improve the productivity.
Abstract: On the territory of France fenugreek is spread since long on a line from the Gironde to the Italian border. In Belarus experimental cultivation has begun since 2004. Experiments with fenugreek variety Ovari 4 were conducted about time of sowing in order to study their growth, development, and evaluation of productivity in the North-east part of Belarus and Central part of France. Reaching full ripeness of seeds the plants of fenugreek in the Central part of France requires about 94-97 days. Average seeds yield of 2011-2012 is 1259 kg/ha. Plant height is about 36,8 cm. Plants were affected by aphid and in the high moist agro-climatic conditions by powdery mildew. In North-east part of Belarus plants need 86-93 days to full ripeness. Plants of fenugreek have steam about 59 cm. The average seeds yield of 2007-2009 was about 723 kg/ha. Plants were resistant to aphid and diseases.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize a futureoriented
human work environment and organizational activity in
deep mines that entails a vision of good and safe workplace. Futureoriented
technological challenges and mental images required for
modern work organization design were appraised. It is argued that an
intelligent-deep-mine covering the entire value chain, including
environmental issues and with work organization that supports good
working and social conditions towards increased human productivity
could be designed. With such intelligent system and work
organization in place, the mining industry could be seen as a place
where cooperation, skills development and gender equality are key
components. By this perspective, both the youth and women might
view mining activity as an attractive job and the work environment
as a safe, and this could go a long way in breaking the unequal
gender balance that exists in most mines today.
Abstract: School leadership is commonly considered to have a
significant influence on school effectiveness and improvement.
Effective school leaders are expected to successfully introduce and
support change and innovation at the school unit. Despite an
abundance of studies on educational leadership, very few studies
have provided evidence on the link between leadership models, and
specific educational and school outcomes. This is true of a popular
contemporary approach to leadership, namely, distributed leadership.
The paper provides an overview of research findings on the effect of
distributed leadership on educational outcomes. The theoretical basis
for this approach to leadership is presented, with reference to
methodological and research limitations. The paper discusses
research findings and draws their implications for educational
research on school leadership.
Abstract: Hybrid knowledge model is suggested as an underlying
framework for product development management. It can support such
hybrid features as ontologies and rules. Effective collaboration in
product development environment depends on sharing and reasoning
product information as well as engineering knowledge. Many studies
have considered product information and engineering knowledge.
However, most previous research has focused either on building the
ontology of product information or rule-based systems of engineering
knowledge. This paper shows that F-logic based knowledge model can
support such desirable features in a hybrid way.
Abstract: Electric vehicles are considered as technology which
can significantly reduce the problems related to road transport such
as increasing GHG emissions, air pollutions and energy import
dependency.
The core objective of this paper is to analyze the current energetic,
ecological and economic characteristics of different types of electric
vehicles.
The major conclusions of this analysis are: The high investments
cost are the major barrier for broad market breakthrough of battery
electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles. For battery electric vehicles
also the limited driving range states a key obstacle. The analyzed
hybrids could in principle serve as a bridging technology. However,
due to their tank-to-wheel emissions they cannot state a proper
solution for urban areas.
Finally, the most important perception is that also battery electric
vehicles and fuel cell vehicles are environmentally benign solution if
the primary fuel source is renewable.
Abstract: Diatoms are an important group of aquatic ecosystems and diatom-based indices are increasingly becoming important tools for the assessment of ecological conditions in lotic systems. Although the studies are very limited about Turkish rivers, diatom indices were used for monitoring rivers in different basins. In the present study, we used OMNIDIA program for estimation of stream quality. Some indices have less sensitive (IDP, WAT, LOBO, GENRE, TID, CEE, PT), intermediate sensitivities (IDSE, DESCY, IPS, DI-CH, SLA, IDAP), the others higher sensitivities (SID, IBD, SHE, EPI-D). Among the investigated diatom communities, only a few taxa indicated alfa-mesosaprobity and polysaprobity. Most of the sites were characterized by a great relative contribution of eutraphent and tolerant ones as well as oligosaprobic and betamesosaprobic diatoms. In general, SID and IBD indices gave the best results. This study suggests that the structure of benthic diatom communities and diatom indices, especially SID, can be applied for monitoring rivers in Southern Turkey.
Abstract: Biological treatment of secondary effluent wastewater
by two combined denitrification/oxic filtration systems packed with
Lock type(denitrification filter) and ceramic ball (oxic filter) has been
studied for 5months. Two phases of operating conditions were carried
out with an influent nitrate and ammonia concentrations varied from
5.8 to 11.7mg/L and 5.4 to 12.4mg/L,respectively.
Denitrification/oxic filter treatment system were operated under an
EBCT (Empty Bed Contact Time) of 4h at system recirculation ratio in
the range from 0 to 300% (Linear Velocity increased 19.5m/d to
78m/d). The system efficiency of denitrification , nitrification over
95% respectively. Total nitrogen and COD removal range from
54.6%(recirculation 0%) to 92.3%(recirculation 300%) and 10% to
62.5%, respectively.
Abstract: The application of Neural Network for disease
diagnosis has made great progress and is widely used by physicians.
An Electrocardiogram carries vital information about heart activity and physicians use this signal for cardiac disease diagnosis which
was the great motivation towards our study. In our work, tachycardia
features obtained are used for the training and testing of a Neural
Network. In this study we are using Fuzzy Probabilistic Neural
Networks as an automatic technique for ECG signal analysis. As
every real signal recorded by the equipment can have different
artifacts, we needed to do some preprocessing steps before feeding it
to our system. Wavelet transform is used for extracting the
morphological parameters of the ECG signal. The outcome of the
approach for the variety of arrhythmias shows the represented
approach is superior than prior presented algorithms with an average
accuracy of about %95 for more than 7 tachy arrhythmias.