Abstract: The struggle between modern and postmodern
understanding is also displayed in terms of the superiorities of
quantitative and qualitative methods to each other which are
evaluated within the scope of these understandings. By way of
assuming that the quantitative researches (modern) are able to
account for structure while the qualitative researches (postmodern)
explain the process, these methods are turned into a means for
worldviews specific to a period. In fact, process is not a functioning
independent of structure. In addition to this issue, the ability of
quantitative methods to provide scientific knowledge is also
controversial so long as they exclude the dialectical method. For this
reason, the critiques charged against modernism in terms of
quantitative methods are, in a sense, legitimate. Nevertheless, the
main issue is in which parameters postmodernist critique tries to
legitimize its critiques and whether these parameters represent a point
of view enabling democratic solutions.
In this respect, the scientific knowledge covered in Turkish media
as a means through which ordinary people have access to scientific
knowledge will be evaluated by means of content analysis within a
new objectivity conception.
Abstract: The benefits of rooftop greenery systems (such as
energy savings, reduction of greenhouse gas emission for mitigating
climate change and maintaining sustainable development, indoor
temperature control etc.) in buildings are well recognized, however
there remains very little research conducted for quantifying the
benefits in subtropical climates such as in Australia. This study
mainly focuses on measuring/determining temperature profile and air
conditioning energy savings by implementing rooftop greenery
systems in subtropical Central Queensland in Australia. An
experimental set-up was installed at Rockhampton campus of Central
Queensland University, where two standard shipping containers (6m
x 2.4m x 2.4m) were converted into small offices, one with green
roof and one without. These were used for temperature, humidity and
energy consumption data collection. The study found that an energy
savings of up to 11.70% and temperature difference of up to 4°C can
be achieved in March in subtropical Central Queensland climate in
Australia. It is expected that more energy can be saved in peak
summer days (December/February) as temperature difference
between green roof and non-green roof is higher in December-
February.
Abstract: Adhesion to the human intestinal cell is considered
as one of the main selection criteria of lactic acid bacteria for
probiotic use. The adhesion ability of two Bifidobacteriums strains
Bifidobacterium longum BB536 and Bifidobacterium
psudocatenulatum G4 was done using HT-29 human epithelium
cell line as in vitro study. Four different level of pH were used 5.6,
5.7, 6.6, and 6.8 with four different times 15, 30, 60, and 120 min.
Adhesion was quantified by counting the adhering bacteria after
Gram staining. The adhesion of B. longum BB536 was higher than
B. psudocatenulatum G4. Both species showed significant
different in the adhesion properties at the factors tested. The
highest adhesion for both Bifidobacterium was observed at 120
min and the low adhesion was in 15 min. The findings of this
study will contribute to the introduction of new effective probiotic
strain for future utilization.
Abstract: Disordered function of maniphalanx and difficulty with
ambulation will occur insofar as a human has a failure in the spinal
marrow. Cervical spondylotic myelopathy as one of the myelopathy
emanates from not only external factors but also increased age. In
addition, the diacrisis is difficult since cervical spondylotic
myelopathy is evaluated by a doctor-s neurological remark and
imaging findings. As a quantitative method for measuring the degree
of disability, hand-operated triangle step test (for short, TST) has
formulated. In this research, a full automatic triangle step counter
apparatus is designed and developed to measure the degree of
disability in an accurate fashion according to the principle of TST. The
step counter apparatus whose shape is a low triangle pole displays the
number of stepping upon each corner. Furthermore, the apparatus has
two modes of operation. Namely, one is for measuring the degree of
disability and the other for rehabilitation exercise. In terms of
usefulness, clinical practice should be executed before too long.
Abstract: Certifications such as the Passive House Standard aim to reduce the final space heating energy demand of residential buildings. Space conditioning, notably heating, is responsible for nearly 70% of final residential energy consumption in Europe. There is therefore significant scope for the reduction of energy consumption through improvements to the energy efficiency of residential buildings. However, these certifications totally overlook the energy embodied in the building materials used to achieve this greater operational energy efficiency. The large amount of insulation and the triple-glazed high efficiency windows require a significant amount of energy to manufacture. While some previous studies have assessed the life cycle energy demand of passive houses, including their embodied energy, these rely on incomplete assessment techniques which greatly underestimate embodied energy and can lead to misleading conclusions. This paper analyses the embodied and operational energy demands of a case study passive house using a comprehensive hybrid analysis technique to quantify embodied energy. Results show that the embodied energy is much more significant than previously thought. Also, compared to a standard house with the same geometry, structure, finishes and number of people, a passive house can use more energy over 80 years, mainly due to the additional materials required. Current building energy efficiency certifications should widen their system boundaries to include embodied energy in order to reduce the life cycle energy demand of residential buildings.
Abstract: This study was investigated on sampling and
analyzing water quality in water reservoir & water tower installed in
two kind of residential buildings and school facilities. Data of water
quality was collected for correlation analysis with frequency of
sanitization of water reservoir through questioning managers of
building about the inspection charts recorded on equipment for water
reservoir. Statistical software packages (SPSS) were applied to the
data of two groups (cleaning frequency and water quality) for
regression analysis to determine the optimal cleaning frequency of
sanitization. The correlation coefficient (R) in this paper represented
the degree of correlation, with values of R ranging from +1 to -1.After
investigating three categories of drinking water users; this study found
that the frequency of sanitization of water reservoir significantly
influenced the water quality of drinking water. A higher frequency of
sanitization (more than four times per 1 year) implied a higher quality
of drinking water. Results indicated that sanitizing water reservoir &
water tower should at least twice annually for achieving the aim of
safety of drinking water.
Abstract: The P-Bigram method is a string comparison methods
base on an internal two characters-based similarity measure. The edit
distance between two strings is the minimal number of elementary
editing operations required to transform one string into the other. The
elementary editing operations include deletion, insertion, substitution
two characters. In this paper, we address the P-Bigram method to
sole the similarity problem in DNA sequence. This method provided
an efficient algorithm that locates all minimum operation in a string.
We have been implemented algorithm and found that our program
calculated that smaller distance than one string. We develop PBigram
edit distance and show that edit distance or the similarity and
implementation using dynamic programming. The performance of
the proposed approach is evaluated using number edit and percentage
similarity measures.
Abstract: Grid composite structures have many applications in aerospace industry in which deal with transverse loadings abundantly. In present paper a stiffened composite cylindrical shell with clamped-free boundary condition under transverse end load experimentally and numerically was studied. Some electrical strain gauges were employed to measure the strains. Also a finite element analysis was done for validation of experimental result. The FEM software used was ANSYS11. In addition, the results between stiffened composite shell and unstiffened composite shell were compared. It was observed that intersection of two stiffeners has an important effect in decrease of stress in the shell. Fairly good agreements were observed between the numerical and the measured results. According to recent studies about grid composite structures, it should be noted that any investigation like this research has not been reported.
Abstract: Based on a non-linear single track model which
describes the dynamics of vehicle, an optimal path planning strategy
is developed. Real time optimization is used to generate reference
control values to allow leading the vehicle alongside a calculated lane
which is optimal for different objectives such as energy consumption,
run time, safety or comfort characteristics. Strict mathematic
formulation of the autonomous driving allows taking decision on
undefined situation such as lane change or obstacle avoidance. Based
on position of the vehicle, lane situation and obstacle position, the
optimization problem is reformulated in real-time to avoid the
obstacle and any car crash.
Abstract: This paper presents an algorithm which
combining ant colony optimization in the dynamic
programming for solving a dynamic facility layout problem.
The problem is separated into 2 phases, static and dynamic
phase. In static phase, ant colony optimization is used to find
the best ranked of layouts for each period. Then the dynamic
programming (DP) procedure is performed in the dynamic
phase to evaluate the layout set during multi-period planning
horizon. The proposed algorithm is tested over many
problems with size ranging from 9 to 49 departments, 2 and 4
periods. The experimental results show that the proposed
method is an alternative way for the plant layout designer to
determine the layouts during multi-period planning horizon.
Abstract: There are three distinct stages in the evolution of
economic thought, namely:
1. in the first stage, the major concern was to accelerate
economic growth with increased availability of material
goods, especially in developing economies with very low
living standards, because poverty eradication meant faster
economic growth.
2. in the second stage, economists made distinction between
growth and development. Development was seen as going
beyond economic growth, and bringing certain changes in
the structure of the economy with more equitable
distribution of the benefits of growth, with the growth
coming automatic and sustained.
3. the third stage is now reached. Our concern is now with
“sustainable development", that is, development not only
for the present but also of the future.
Thus the focus changed from “sustained growth" to “sustained
development". Sustained development brings to the fore the long
term relationship between the ecology and economic development.
Since the creation of UNEP in 1972 it has worked for
development without destruction for environmentally sound and
sustained development. It was realised that the environment cannot
be viewed in a vaccum, it is not separate from development, nor is it
competing. It suggested for the integration of the environment with
development whereby ecological factors enter development planning,
socio-economic policies, cost-benefit analysis, trade, technology
transfer, waste management, educational and other specific areas.
Industrialisation has contributed to the growth of economy of
several countries. It has improved the standards of living of its people
and provided benefits to the society. It has also created in the process
great environmental problems like climate change, forest destruction
and denudation, soil erosion and desertification etc.
On the other hand, industry has provided jobs and improved the
prospects of wealth for the industrialists. The working class
communities had to simply put up with the high levels of pollution in
order to keep up their jobs and also to save their income.
There are many roots of the environmental problem. They may be
political, economic, cultural and technological conditions of the
modern society. The experts concede that industrial growth lies
somewhere close to the heart of the matter. Therefore, the objective
of this paper is not to document all roots of an environmental crisis
but rather to discuss the effects of industrial growth and
development.
We have come to the conclusion that although public intervention
is often unnecessary to ensure that perfectly competitive markets will
function in society-s best interests, such intervention is necessary
when firms or consumers pollute.
Abstract: The spatial variation in plant species associated with intercropping is intended to reduce resource competition between species and increase yield potential. A field experiment was carried out on corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) intercropping in a replacement series experiment with weed contamination consist of: weed free, infestation of redroot pigweed, infestation of jimsonweed and simultaneous infestation of redroot pigweed and jimsonweed in Karaj, Iran during 2007 growing season. The experimental design was a randomized complete block in factorial experiment with replicated thrice. Significant (P≤0.05) differences were observed in yield in intercropping. Corn yield was higher in intercropping, but soybean yield was significantly reduced by corn when intercropped. However, total productivity and land use efficiency were high under the intercropping system even in contamination of either species of weeds. Aggressivity of corn relative to soybean revealed the greater competitive ability of corn than soybean. Land equivalent ratio (LER) more than 1 in all treatments attributed to intercropping advantages and was highest in 50: 50 (corn/soybean) in weed free. These findings suggest that intercropping corn and soybean increase total productivity per unit area and improve land use efficiency. Considering the experimental findings, corn-soybean intercropping (50:50) may be recommended for yield advantage, more efficient utilization of resources, and weed suppression as a biological control.
Abstract: To investigate the correspondence of theory and
practice, a successfully implemented Knowledge Management
System (KMS) is explored through the lens of Alavi and Leidner-s
proposed KMS framework for the analysis of an information system
in knowledge management (Framework-AISKM). The applied KMS
system was designed to manage curricular knowledge in a distributed
university environment. The motivation for the KMS is discussed
along with the types of knowledge necessary in an academic setting.
Elements of the KMS involved in all phases of capturing and
disseminating knowledge are described. As the KMS matures the
resulting data stores form the precursor to and the potential for
knowledge mining. The findings from this exploratory study indicate
substantial correspondence between the successful KMS and the
theory-based framework providing provisional confirmation for the
framework while suggesting factors that contributed to the system-s
success. Avenues for future work are described.
Abstract: This paper deals with the application of a well-known neural network technique, multilayer back-propagation (BP) neural network, in financial data mining. A modified neural network forecasting model is presented, and an intelligent mining system is developed. The system can forecast the buying and selling signs according to the prediction of future trends to stock market, and provide decision-making for stock investors. The simulation result of seven years to Shanghai Composite Index shows that the return achieved by this mining system is about three times as large as that achieved by the buy and hold strategy, so it is advantageous to apply neural networks to forecast financial time series, the different investors could benefit from it.
Abstract: This paper focuses upon three such painters working in
France from this time and their representations both of their host
country in which they found themselves displaced, and of their
homeland which they represent through refracted memories from their
new perspective in Europe. What is their representation of France and
China´╝ÅTaiwan? Is it Otherness or an origin?
This paper also attempts to explore the three artists- diasporic lives
and to redefine their transnational identities. Hou Chin-lang, the
significance of his multiple-split images serve to highlight the intricate
relationships between his work and the surrounding family, and to
reveal his identity of his Taiwan “homeland". Yin Xin takes paintings
from the Western canon and subjects them to a process of
transformation through Chinese imagery. In the same period, Lin
Li-ling, transforms the transnational spirit of Yin Xin to symbolic
codes with neutered female bodies and tatoos, thus creates images that
challenge the boundaries of both gender and nationality.
Abstract: Due to today-s fierce competition, companies have to
be proactive creators of the future by effectively developing
innovations. Especially radical innovations allow high profit margins
– but they also entail high risks. One possibility to realize radical
innovations and reduce the risk of failure is cross-industry innovation
(CII). CII brings together problems and solution ideas from different
industries. However, there is a lack of systematic ways towards CII.
Bridging this gap, the present paper provides a systematic approach
towards planned CII. Starting with the analysis of potentials, the
definition of promising search strategies is crucial. Subsequently,
identified solution ideas need to be assessed. For the most promising
ones, the adaption process has to be systematically planned –
regarding the risk affinity of a company. The introduced method is
explained on a project from the furniture industry.
Abstract: In networks, mainly small and medium-sized businesses benefit from the knowledge, experiences and solutions offered by experts from industry and science or from the exchange with practitioners. Associations which focus, among other things, on networking, information and knowledge transfer and which are interested in supporting such cooperations are especially well suited to provide such networks and the appropriate web platforms. Using METORA as an example – a project developed and run by the Federal Association for Information Economy, Telecommunications and New Media e.V. (BITKOM) for the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) – This paper will discuss how associations and other network organizations can achieve this task and what conditions they have to consider.
Abstract: The new framework the Higher Education is
immersed in involves a complete change in the way lecturers must
teach and students must learn. Whereas the lecturer was the main
character in traditional education, the essential goal now is to
increase the students' participation in the process. Thus, one of the
main tasks of lecturers in this new context is to design activities of
different nature in order to encourage such participation. Seminars
are one of the activities included in this environment. They are active
sessions that enable going in depth into specific topics as support of
other activities. They are characterized by some features such as
favoring interaction between students and lecturers or improving
their communication skills. Hence, planning and organizing strategic
seminars is indeed a great challenge for lecturers with the aim of
acquiring knowledge and abilities. This paper proposes a method
using Artificial Intelligence techniques to obtain student profiles
from their marks and preferences. The goal of building such profiles
is twofold. First, it facilitates the task of splitting the students into
different groups, each group with similar preferences and learning
difficulties. Second, it makes it easy to select adequate topics to be a
candidate for the seminars. The results obtained can be either a
guarantee of what the lecturers could observe during the development
of the course or a clue to reconsider new methodological strategies in
certain topics.
Abstract: The objective of this paper was to designing a
ventilation system to enhance the performance of roof solar collector
(RSC) for reducing heat accumulation inside the house. The RSC has
1.8 m2 surface area made of CPAC monier roof tiles on the upper part
and gypsum board on the lower part. The space between CPAC
monier and gypsum board was fixed at 14 cm.
Ventilation system of modified roof solar collector (modified
RSC) consists of 9 tubes of 0.15m diameter and installed in the
lower part of RSC. Experimental result showed that the temperature
of the room, and attic temperature. The average temperature
reduction of room of house used modified RSC is about 2oC. and the
percentage of room temperature reduction varied between 0 to 10%.
Therefore, modified RSC is an interesting option in the sense that it
promotes solar energy and conserve energy.
Abstract: The performance of adaptive beamforming degrades
substantially in the presence of steering vector mismatches. This
degradation is especially severe in the near-field, for the
3-dimensional source location is more difficult to estimate than the
2-dimensional direction of arrival in far-field cases. As a solution, a
novel approach of near-field robust adaptive beamforming (RABF) is
proposed in this paper. It is a natural extension of the traditional
far-field RABF and belongs to the class of diagonal loading
approaches, with the loading level determined based on worst-case
performance optimization. However, different from the methods
solving the optimal loading by iteration, it suggests here a simple
closed-form solution after some approximations, and consequently,
the optimal weight vector can be expressed in a closed form. Besides
simplicity and low computational cost, the proposed approach reveals
how different factors affect the optimal loading as well as the weight
vector. Its excellent performance in the near-field is confirmed via a
number of numerical examples.