Abstract: The contemporary battlefield creates a demand for
more costly and highly advanced munitions. Training personnel
responsible for operations as well as immediate execution of combat
tasks which engage real asset is unrealistic and economically not
feasible. Owing to a wide array of exploited simulators and various
types of imitators, it is possible to reduce the costs. One of the
effective elements of training, which can be applied in the training of
all service branches, is imitator of aerial targets. This research serves
as an introduction to the commencement of design analysis over a
real aerial target imitator. Within the project, the basic aerodynamic
calculations were made, which enabled to determine its geometry,
design layout, performance as well as mass balance of individual
components. The conducted calculations of the parameters of flight
characteristics come closer to the real performance of such
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
Abstract: Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) measure brain
signals activity, intentionally and unintentionally induced by users,
and provides a communication channel without depending on the
brain’s normal peripheral nerves and muscles output pathway.
Feature Selection (FS) is a global optimization machine learning
problem that reduces features, removes irrelevant and noisy data
resulting in acceptable recognition accuracy. It is a vital step
affecting pattern recognition system performance. This study presents
a new Binary Particle Swarm Optimization (BPSO) based feature
selection algorithm. Multi-layer Perceptron Neural Network
(MLPNN) classifier with backpropagation training algorithm and
Levenberg-Marquardt training algorithm classify selected features.
Abstract: The purpose of the study was to examine lifelong
education for teachers as a tool for achieving effective teaching and
learning. Lifelong education enhances social inclusion, personal
development, citizenship, employability, teaching and learning,
community and the nation. It is imperative that the teacher needs to
update his knowledge regularly to be able to perform optimally, since
he has a major position in the inculcation of desirable elements in
students, and the challenges of lifelong education were also
discussed. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. A
simple random sampling technique was used to select 80 teachers as
sample from a population of 105 senior secondary school teachers in
Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State. A 20-item self
designed questionnaire subjected to expert validation and reliability
was used to collect data. The reliability Alpha coefficient of 0.87 was
established using Cronbach’s Alpha technique, mean scores and
standard deviation were used to answer the 2 research questions
while chi-square was used to analyse data for the 2 null hypotheses,
which states that lifelong education for teachers is not a significant
tool for achieving effective teaching and lifelong education for
teachers does not significantly impact on effective learning. The
findings of the study revealed that, lifelong education for teachers can
be used as a tool for achieving effective teaching and learning, and
the study recommended among others that government, organizations
and individuals should in collaboration put lifelong education
programmes for teachers on the priority list. The paper concluded
that the strategic position of lifelong education for teachers towards
enhanced teaching, learning and the production of quality manpower
in the society makes it imperative for all hands to be on “deck” to
support the programme financially and otherwise.
Abstract: This investigation is focused on using of Mon dance
in Pathum Thani Province’s tradition and has the following
objectives: 1) to study the background of Mon dance in Pathum
Thani Province; 2) to study Mon dance in Pathum Thani Province;
and 3) to study of using Mon dance in Pathum Thani province’s
tradition. This qualitative research was conducted in Pathum Thani
province (in the central of Thailand). Data was collected from
documentary study and field data by means of observation, interview,
and group discussion. Workshops were also held with a total of 100
attendees, comprised of 20 key informants, 40 casual informants and
40 general informants. Data was validated using the triangulation
technique and the findings are presented using the descriptive
analysis. The results of the study show that the historical background
of Mon dance in Pathum Thani Province initiated during the war
evacuation from Martaban (south of Burma) to settle down in Sam
Khok, Pathum Thani Province in Ayutthaya period to Rattanakosin.
The study found that Mon dance typically consists of 12-13 dancing
process. The melodies have 12-13 songs. Piphat Mon (Mon
traditional music ensemble) is used in the performance. Performers
are dressed in Mon traditional costumes. The performers are 6-12
women and depending on the employer’s demands. Length of the
performance varies from the duration of music orchestration. Rituals
and customs performed are paying homage to teachers before the
performance. The offerings are composed of flowers, incense sticks,
candles, money gifts which are well arranged on a tray with pedestal,
and also liquors, tobaccos and pure water for asking propitiousness.
For the use of Mon dance in Pathum Thani Province’s tradition, it is
found that the dance is commonly performed in the funeral
ceremonial tradition at present because the physical postures of the
performance are considered graceful and exquisite. In addition, as for
its value, it has long been believed since the ancient times that Mon
dance was a sacred thing considered as the dignity and glorification
especially for funeral ceremonies of priest or royal hierarchy classes.
However, Mon dance has continued to be used in the traditions
associated with Mon people activities in Pathum Thani Province for
instance customary welcome for honor guest and Songkran festival.
Abstract: The objective of the paper is a numerical study of heat
transfer between perforated metal plates and the surrounding air
flows. Different perforation structures can nowadays be found in
various industrial products. Besides improving the mechanical
properties, the perforations can intensify the heat transfer as well. The
heat transfer coefficient depends on a wide range of parameters such
as type of perforation, size, shape, flow properties of the surrounding
air etc. The paper was focused on three different perforation
structures which have been investigated from the point of the view of
the production in the previous studies. To determine the heat
coefficients and the Nusselt numbers, the numerical simulation
approach was adopted. The calculations were performed using the
OpenFOAM software. The three-dimensional, unstable, turbulent and
incompressible air flow around the perforated surface metal plate was
considered.
Abstract: This research tested the performance of alternative
warehouse designs concerning the picking process. The chosen
performance measures were Travel Distance and Total Fulfilment
Time. An explanatory case study was built up around a model
implemented with SIMUL8. Hypotheses were set by selecting
outcomes from the literature survey matching popular empirical
findings. 17.4% reductions were found for Total Fulfilment Time and
Resource Utilisation. The latter was then used as a proxy for
operational efficiency. Literal replication of theoretical data-patterns
was considered as an internal validity sign. Assessing the estimated
changes benefits ahead of implementation was found to be a
contribution to practice.
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 paper is focused on the operational model for
transport the single wagon consignments on railway network by
using two different models of train formation. The paper gives an
overview of possibilities of improving the quality of transport
services. Paper deals with two models used in problematic of train
formatting - time continuously and time discrete. By applying these
models in practice, the transport company can guarantee a higher
quality of service and expect increasing of transport performance.
The models are also applicable into others transport networks. The
models supplement a theoretical problem of train formation by new
ways of looking to affecting the organization of wagon flows.
Abstract: The aim of the study is to improve the understanding
of latent and sensible thermal energy storage within a paraffin wax
media by an array of cylindrical tubes arranged both in in-line and
staggered layouts. An analytical and experimental study is carried out
in a horizontal shell-and-tube type system during melting process.
Pertamina paraffin-wax was used as a phase change material (PCM),
while the tubes are embedded in the PCM. From analytical study we
can obtain the useful information in designing a thermal energy
storage such as: the motion of interface, amount of material melted at
any time in the process, and the heat storage characteristic during
melting. The use of staggered tubes is proposed compared to in-line
layout in a heat exchanger as thermal storage. The experimental study
is used to verify the validity of the analytical predictions. From the
comparisons, the analytical and experimental data are in a good
agreement.
Abstract: In this study, we investigated numerically heat
transfer by mixed convection coupled to radiation in a square cavity;
the upper horizontal wall is movable. The purpose of this study is to
see the influence of the emissivity ε and the varying of the
Richardson number Ri on the variation of average Nusselt number
Nu. The vertical walls of the cavity are differentially heated, the left
wall is maintained at a uniform temperature higher than the right
wall, and the two horizontal walls are adiabatic. The finite volume
method is used for solving the dimensionless Governing Equations.
Emissivity values used in this study are ranged between 0 and 1, the
Richardson number in the range 0.1 to 10. The Rayleigh number is
fixed to Ra=104 and the Prandtl number is maintained constant
Pr=0.71. Streamlines, isothermal lines and the average Nusselt
number are presented according to the surface emissivity. The results
of this study show that the Richardson number Ri and emissivity ε
affect the average Nusselt number.
Abstract: This paper focuses on the orbit avoidance strategy of
the optical remote sensing satellite. The optical remote sensing
satellite, moving along the Sun-synchronous orbit, is equipped with
laser warning equipment to alert CCD camera from laser attacks. This
paper explores the strategy of satellite avoidance to protect the CCD
camera and also the satellite. The satellite could evasive to several
target points in the orbital coordinates of virtual satellite. The so-called
virtual satellite is a passive vehicle which superposes the satellite at the
initial stage of avoidance. The target points share the consistent cycle
time and the same semi-major axis with the virtual satellite, which
ensures the properties of the satellite’s Sun-synchronous orbit remain
unchanged. Moreover, to further strengthen the avoidance capability
of satellite, it can perform multi-target-points avoid maneuvers. On
occasions of fulfilling the satellite orbit tasks, the orbit can be restored
back to virtual satellite through orbit maneuvers. There into, the avoid
maneuvers adopts pulse guidance. In addition, the fuel consumption is
optimized. The avoidance strategy discussed in this article is
applicable to optical remote sensing satellite when it is encountered
with hostile attack of space-based laser anti-satellite.
Abstract: Pure nickel coatings have been successfully
electrodeposited on copper substrates by the pulse plating technique.
The influence of current density, duty cycle and pulse frequency on
the surface morphology, crystal orientation, and microhardness was
determined. It was found that the crystallite size of the deposit
increases with increasing current density and duty cycle. The crystal
orientation progressively changed from a random texture at 1 A/dm2
to (200) texture at 10 A/dm2. Increasing pulse frequency resulted in
increased texture coefficient and peak intensity of (111) reflection.
An increase in duty cycle resulted in considerable increase in texture
coefficient and peak intensity of (311) reflection. Coatings obtained
at high current densities and duty cycle present a mixed morphology
of small and large grains. Maximum microhardness of 193 Hv was
achieved at 4 A/dm2, 10 Hz and duty cycle of 50%. Nickel coatings
with (200) texture are ductile while (111) texture improves the
microhardness of the coatings.
Abstract: Introduction: The process to build a better safety
culture, methods of error analysis, and preventive measures, starts
with an understanding of the effects when human factors engineering
refer to remote microscopic diagnosis in surgery and specially in
organ transplantation for the remote evaluation of the grafts. It has
been estimated that even in well-organized transplant systems an
average of 8% to 14% of the grafts (G) that arrive at the recipient
hospitals may be considered as diseased, injured, damaged or
improper for transplantation. Digital microscopy adds information on
a microscopic level about the grafts in Organ Transplant (OT), and
may lead to a change in their management. Such a method will
reduce the possibility that a diseased G, will arrive at the recipient
hospital for implantation. Aim: Ergonomics of Digital Microscopy
(DM) based on virtual slides, on Telemedicine Systems (TS) for
Tele-Pathological (TPE) evaluation of the grafts (G) in organ
transplantation (OT). Material and Methods: By experimental
simulation, the ergonomics of DM for microscopic TPE of Renal
Graft (RG), Liver Graft (LG) and Pancreatic Graft (PG) tissues is
analyzed. In fact, this corresponded to the ergonomics of digital
microscopy for TPE in OT by applying Virtual Slide (VS) system for
graft tissue image capture, for remote diagnoses of possible
microscopic inflammatory and/or neoplastic lesions. Experimentation
included: a. Development of an OTE-TS similar Experimental
Telemedicine System (Exp.-TS), b. Simulation of the integration of
TS with the VS based microscopic TPE of RG, LG and PG applying
DM. Simulation of the DM based TPE was performed by 2
specialists on a total of 238 human Renal Graft (RG), 172 Liver Graft
(LG) and 108 Pancreatic Graft (PG) tissues digital microscopic
images for inflammatory and neoplastic lesions on four electronic
spaces of the four used TS. Results: Statistical analysis of specialist‘s
answers about the ability to diagnose accurately the diseased RG, LG
and PG tissues on the electronic space among four TS (A,B,C,D)
showed that DM on TS for TPE in OT is elaborated perfectly on the
ES of a Desktop, followed by the ES of the applied Exp.-TS. Tablet
and Mobile-Phone ES seem significantly risky for the application of
DM in OT (p
Abstract: Temperature regulating system by gaseous nitrogen is
of importance to the space environment simulator, which keeps the
shrouds in the temperature range from -150°C to +150°C. Liquid
nitrogen spray equipment is one of the most critical parts in the
temperature regulating system by gaseous nitrogen. Y type jet
atomizer and internal mixing atomizer of the liquid nitrogen spray
equipment are studied in this paper, 2D/3D atomizer model was
established and grid division was conducted respectively by the
software of Catia and ICEM. Based on the above preparation,
numerical simulation on the spraying process of the atomizer by
FLUENT is performed. Using air and water as the medium,
comparison between the tests and numerical simulation was conducted
and the results of two ways match well. Hence, it can be conclude that
this atomizer model can be applied in the numerical simulation of
liquid nitrogen spray equipment.
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: A growing demand is felt today for realistic 3D
models enabling the cognition and popularization of historical-artistic
heritage. Evaluation and preservation of Cultural Heritage is
inextricably connected with the innovative processes of gaining,
managing, and using knowledge. The development and perfecting of
techniques for acquiring and elaborating photorealistic 3D models,
made them pivotal elements for popularizing information of objects
on the scale of architectonic structures.
Abstract: In this paper a very simple and effective user
administration view of computing clusters systems is implemented in
order of friendly provide the configuration and monitoring of
distributed application executions. The user view, the administrator
view, and an internal control module create an illusionary
management environment for better system usability. The
architecture, properties, performance, and the comparison with others
software for cluster management are briefly commented.
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: Hydraulic fracturing is one of the most important
stimulation techniques available to the petroleum engineer to extract
hydrocarbons in tight gas sandstones. It allows more oil and gas
production in tight reservoirs as compared to conventional means.
The main aim of the study is to optimize the hydraulic fracturing as
technique and for this purpose three multi-zones layer formation is
considered and fractured contemporaneously. The three zones are
named as Zone1 (upper zone), Zone2 (middle zone) and Zone3
(lower zone) respectively and they all occur in shale rock. Simulation was performed with Mfrac integrated software which
gives a variety of 3D fracture options. This simulation process
yielded an average fracture efficiency of 93.8%for the three
respective zones and an increase of the average permeability of the
rock system. An average fracture length of 909 ft with net height
(propped height) of 210 ft (average) was achieved. Optimum
fracturing results was also achieved with maximum fracture width of
0.379 inches at an injection rate of 13.01 bpm with 17995 Mscf of
gas production.
Abstract: Obturator Foramen is a specific structure in Pelvic
bone images and recognition of it is a new concept in medical image
processing. Moreover, segmentation of bone structures such as
Obturator Foramen plays an essential role for clinical research in
orthopedics. In this paper, we present a novel method to analyze the
similarity between the substructures of the imaged region and a hand
drawn template as a preprocessing step for computation of Pelvic
bone rotation on hip radiographs. This method consists of integrated
usage of Marker-controlled Watershed segmentation and Zernike
moment feature descriptor and it is used to detect Obturator Foramen
accurately. Marker-controlled Watershed segmentation is applied to
separate Obturator Foramen from the background effectively. Then,
Zernike moment feature descriptor is used to provide matching
between binary template image and the segmented binary image for
final extraction of Obturator Foramens. Finally, Pelvic bone rotation
rate calculation for each hip radiograph is performed automatically to
select and eliminate hip radiographs for further studies which depend
on Pelvic bone angle measurements. The proposed method is tested
on randomly selected 100 hip radiographs. The experimental results
demonstrated that the proposed method is able to segment Obturator
Foramen with 96% accuracy.