Abstract: There-s a lack in understanding the indoor climate of Malaysian residential. The assumption of traditional house could
provide the best indoor environment is too good to be true. This research is to understand indoor environment in three types of
Malaysian residential and thermo recorder TR72Ui were placed in
indoor spaces for measurement. There are huge differences of indoor
environment between housing types, and building material helps to control indoor climate. Traditional house indoor climate was similar to
the outdoor. Temperature in the bedroom of terrace and town houses were slightly higher than the living room. Indoor temperature was 2oC
lower in the rainy season than the hot season. It was hard to control
indoor humidity level in traditional house compared with terrace and
town house. As for conclusion, town house provides the best thermal
environment to the building occupants and can be improved with good
roof insulation.
Abstract: This paper reports the feasibility of the ARMA model
to describe a bursty video source transmitting over a AAL5 ATM link
(VBR traffic). The traffic represents the activity of the action movie
"Lethal Weapon 3" transmitted over the ATM network using the Fore
System AVA-200 ATM video codec with a peak rate of 100 Mbps
and a frame rate of 25. The model parameters were estimated for a
single video source and independently multiplexed video sources. It
was found that the model ARMA (2, 4) is well-suited for the real data
in terms of average rate traffic profile, probability density function,
autocorrelation function, burstiness measure, and the pole-zero
distribution of the filter model.
Abstract: This paper presents the combination of different precipitation data sets and the distributed hydrological model, in order to examine the flood runoff reproductivity of scattered observation catchments. The precipitation data sets were obtained from observation using rain-gages, satellite based estimate (TRMM), and numerical weather prediction model (NWP), then were coupled with the super tank model. The case study was conducted in three basins (small, medium, and large size) located in Central Vietnam. Calculated hydrographs based on ground observation rainfall showed best fit to measured stream flow, while those obtained from TRMM and NWP showed high uncertainty of peak discharges. However, calculated hydrographs using the adjusted rainfield depicted a promising alternative for the application of TRMM and NWP in flood modeling for scattered observation catchments, especially for the extension of forecast lead time.
Abstract: Vehicular communications play a substantial role in providing safety in transportation by means of safety message exchange. Researchers have proposed several solutions for securing safety messages. Protocols based on a fixed key infrastructure are more efficient in implementation and maintain stronger security in comparison with dynamic structures. These protocols utilize zone partitioning to establish distinct key infrastructure under Certificate Authority (CA) supervision in different regions. Secure anonymous broadcasting (SAB) is one of these protocols that preserves most of security aspects but it has some deficiencies in practice. A very important issue is region change of a vehicle for its mobility. Changing regions leads to change of CA and necessity of having new key set to resume communication. In this paper, we propose solutions for informing vehicles about region change to obtain new key set before entering next region. This hinders attackers- intrusion, packet loss and lessons time delay. We also make key request messages secure by confirming old CA-s public key to the message, hence stronger security for safety message broadcasting is attained.
Abstract: New graph similarity methods have been proposed in this work with the aim to refining the chemical information extracted from molecules matching. For this purpose, data fusion of the isomorphic and nonisomorphic subgraphs into a new similarity measure, the Approximate Similarity, was carried out by several approaches. The application of the proposed method to the development of quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) has provided reliable tools for predicting several pharmacological parameters: binding of steroids to the globulin-corticosteroid receptor, the activity of benzodiazepine receptor compounds, and the blood brain barrier permeability. Acceptable results were obtained for the models presented here.
Abstract: In this paper a new approach to prioritize urban planning projects in an efficient and reliable way is presented. It is based on environmental pressure indices and multicriteria decision methods. The paper introduces a rigorous method with acceptable complexity of rank ordering urban development proposals according to their environmental pressure. The technique combines the use of Environmental Pressure Indicators, the aggregation of indicators in an Environmental Pressure Index by means of the Analytic Network Process method and interpreting the information obtained from the experts during the decision-making process. The ANP method allows the aggregation of the experts- judgments on each of the indicators into one Environmental Pressure Index. In addition, ANP is based on utility ratio functions which are the most appropriate for the analysis of uncertain data, like experts- estimations. Finally, unlike the other multicriteria techniques, ANP allows the decision problem to be modelled using the relationships among dependent criteria. The method has been applied to the proposal for urban development of La Carlota airport in Caracas (Venezuela). The Venezuelan Government would like to see a recreational project develop on the abandoned area and mean a significant improvement for the capital. There are currently three options on their table which are currently under evaluation. They include a Health Club, a Residential area and a Theme Park. The participating experts coincided in the appreciation that the method proposed in this paper is useful and an improvement from traditional techniques such as environmental impact studies, lifecycle analysis, etc. They find the results obtained coherent, the process seems sufficiently rigorous and precise, and the use of resources is significantly less than in other methods.
Abstract: Fiber optic sensor technology offers the possibility of
sensing different parameters like strain, temperature, pressure in
harsh environment and remote locations. these kinds of sensors
modulates some features of the light wave in an optical fiber such an
intensity and phase or use optical fiber as a medium for transmitting
the measurement information.
The advantages of fiber optic sensors in contrast to conventional
electrical ones make them popular in different applications and now a
day they consider as a key component in improving industrial
processes, quality control systems, medical diagnostics, and
preventing and controlling general process abnormalities.
This paper is an introduction to fiber optic sensor technology and
some of the applications that make this branch of optic technology,
which is still in its early infancy, an interesting field.
Abstract: Non-profit organizations, especially religious-based
institutions, have long played a very important role in society.
Nevertheless, scandals such as inefficient management and the use of
unlawful fundraising activities have raised questions regarding the
governance and accountability of these organizations. As such, the
issues have attracted considerable research interest. However, there is
still limited research on accountability in religious based
organizations, especially in the context of Islamic religious
organizations. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to discuss the
issues of accounting and accountability in religious organizations,
specifically in Islamic religious establishments. The paper starts by
looking at the conventional meaning and concept of accountability.
This is followed by a discussion of the principles of accountability
within the Islamic framework. In so doing, the history of the role of
accounting within Muslim society and also the differences between
the Islamic and conventional view of accountability are reviewed.
Insights gained from previous research on accountability in faith
based organizations are also discussed
Abstract: As open innovation has received increasingly attention
in the management of innovation, the importance of identifying
potential partnership is increasing. This paper suggests a methodology
to identify the interested parties as one of Innovation intermediaries to
enable open innovation with patent network. To implement the
methodology, multi-stage patent citation analysis such as
bibliographic coupling and information visualization method such as
keyword vector mapping are utilized. This paper has contribution in
that it can present meaningful collaboration keywords to identified
potential partners in network since not only citation information but
also patent textual information is used.
Abstract: Several recent studies have shown that the
transparency of financial reporting have a significant influence on investor-s decisions. Thus, regulation authorities and professional
organizations (IFAC) have emphasized the role of XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) and interactive data as a means of
promoting transparency and monitoring corporate reporting. In this
context, this paper has as objective the analysis of interactive reporting through XBRL and its use as a support in the process of
taking decisions in corporate governance, namely the potential of interactive reports in XBRL to increase the transparency and
monitoring process of corporate governance.
Abstract: This paper attempts to investigate the factors that influence hotel managers- attitudes towards sustainable tourism practices (STP) in Kuala Lumpur and the state of Selangor in Malaysia. The study distributes 104 questionnaires to hotels ranging from one star to five-star categories including budget hotels. Out of this figure, 60 copies of the questionnaires were returned and analyzed. The finding revealed that of all the seven factors investigated, only the variables measuring incentives and knowledge have significantly influenced sustainable tourism practices in the country. Therefore, government and other green bodies within the country should continue to provide hotels with incentives for sound technologies. Moreover, the government agencies should continue to educate hoteliers on the relevance of environmental protection for the successful implementation of sustainable tourism practices.
Abstract: Dew harvesting needs only weak investment and
exploits a free, clean and inexhaustible energy. This study aims to
measure the relative contributions of dew and rain water in the
Mediterranean Dalmatian coast and islands of Croatia and determine
whether dew water is potable. Two sites were chosen, an open site on
the coast favourable to dew formation (Zadar) and a less favourable
site in a circus of mountains in Komiža (Vis Island). Between July
1st, 2003 and October 31st, 2006, dew hasbeen daily collected on a 1
m2 tilted (30°) test dew condenser together with ordinary
meteorological data (air temperature and relative humidity, cloud
coverage, windspeed and direction). The mean yearly cumulative
dew yields were found to be 20 mm (Zadar) and 9.3 mm (Komiža ).
During the dry season (May to October), monthly cumulative dew
water yield can represent up to 38% of water collected by rain fall. In
July 2003 and 2006, dew water represented about 120% of the
monthly cumulative rain water. Dew and rain water were analyzed in
Zadar. The corresponding parameters were measured: pH, electrical
conductivity, major anions (HCO3
-, Cl-, SO4
2-
, NO3
-
, ,) and major
cations (NH4
+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+. Both dew and rain water are in
conformity with the WHO directives for potability except Mg2+.
Using existing roofs and refurbishing the abandoned impluviums to
permit dew collection could then provide a useful supplementary
amount of water, especially during the dry season.
Abstract: This paper presents a physics-based model for the
high-voltage fast recovery diodes. The model provides a good
trade-off between reverse recovery time and forward voltage drop
realized through a combination of lifetime control and emitter
efficiency reduction techniques. The minority carrier lifetime can be
extracted from the reverse recovery transient response and forward
characteristics. This paper also shows that decreasing the amount of
the excess carriers stored in the drift region will result in softer
characteristics which can be achieved using a lower doping level. The
developed model is verified by experiment and the measurement data
agrees well with the model.
Abstract: A new data fusion method called joint probability density matrix (JPDM) is proposed, which can associate and fuse measurements from spatially distributed heterogeneous sensors to identify the real target in a surveillance region. Using the probabilistic grids representation, we numerically combine the uncertainty regions of all the measurements in a general framework. The NP-hard multisensor data fusion problem has been converted to a peak picking problem in the grids map. Unlike most of the existing data fusion method, the JPDM method dose not need association processing, and will not lead to combinatorial explosion. Its convergence to the CRLB with a diminishing grid size has been proved. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed technique.
Abstract: Quality control is the crucial step for ISO 9001
Quality System Management Standard for companies. While
measuring the quality level of both raw material and semi
product/product, the calibration of the measuring device is an
essential requirement. Calibration suppliers are in the service sector
and therefore the calibration supplier selection is becoming a worthy
topic for improving service quality.
This study presents the results of a questionnaire about the
selection criteria of a calibration supplier. The questionnaire was
applied to 103 companies and the results are discussed in this paper.
The analysis was made with MINITAB 14.0 statistical programs.
“Competence of documentations" and “technical capability" are
defined as the prerequisites because of the ISO/IEC17025:2005
standard. Also “warranties and complaint policy", “communication",
“service features", “quality" and “performance history" are defined as
very important criteria for calibration supplier selection.
Abstract: The flow filed around a flatted-roof compound has
been investigated by means of 2D and 3D numerical simulations. A
constant wind velocity profile, based both on the maximum reference
wind speed in the building site (peak gust speed worked out for a 50-
year return period) and on the local roughness coefficient, has been
simulated in order to determine the wind-induced loads on top of the
roof. After determining the influence of the incoming wind directions
on the induced roof loads, a 2D analysis of the most severe load
condition has been performed, achieving a numerical quantification
of the expected wind-induced forces on the PV panels on top of the
roof.
Abstract: We intend to point out the differences which exist
between the classical Gini concentration coefficient and a proposed
bipolarization index defined for an arbitrary random variable which
have a finite support.
In fact Gini's index measures only the "poverty degree" for the
individuals from a given population taking into consideration their
wages. The Gini coefficient is not so sensitive to the significant
income variations in the "rich people class" .
In practice there are multiple interdependent relations between the
pauperization and the socio-economical polarization phenomena. The
presence of a strong pauperization aspect inside the population
induces often a polarization effect in this society. But the
pauperization and the polarization phenomena are not identical. For
this reason it isn't always adequate to use a Gini type coefficient,
based on the Lorenz order, to estimate the bipolarization level of the
individuals from the studied population.
The present paper emphasizes these ideas by considering two
families of random variables which have a linear or a triangular type
distributions. In addition, the continuous variation, depending on the
parameter "time" of the chosen distributions, could simulate a real
dynamical evolution of the population.
Abstract: Recently, analysis and designing of the structures
based on the Reliability theory have been the center of attention.
Reason of this attention is the existence of the natural and random
structural parameters such as the material specification, external
loads, geometric dimensions etc. By means of the Reliability theory,
uncertainties resulted from the statistical nature of the structural
parameters can be changed into the mathematical equations and the
safety and operational considerations can be considered in the
designing process. According to this theory, it is possible to study the
destruction probability of not only a specific element but also the
entire system. Therefore, after being assured of safety of every
element, their reciprocal effects on the safety of the entire system can
be investigated.
Abstract: Functioning of a biometric system in large part
depends on the performance of the similarity measure function.
Frequently a generalized similarity distance measure function such as
Euclidian distance or Mahalanobis distance is applied to the task of
matching biometric feature vectors. However, often accuracy of a
biometric system can be greatly improved by designing a customized
matching algorithm optimized for a particular biometric application.
In this paper we propose a tailored similarity measure function for
behavioral biometric systems based on the expert knowledge of the
feature level data in the domain. We compare performance of a
proposed matching algorithm to that of other well known similarity
distance functions and demonstrate its superiority with respect to the
chosen domain.
Abstract: The possible therapeutic effect of cannabidiol, the major non-psychotropic Cannabis constituent, was investigated against acute hepatotoxicity induced by a single oral dose of acetaminophen (500mg/kg) in mice. Cannabidiol (two intraperitoneal injections, 5mg/kg, each) was given 1 hour and 12 hours following acetaminophen administration. Acetaminophen administration caused significant elevations of serum alanine aminotransferase, and hepatic malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide levels, and a significant decrease in hepatic reduced glutathione. Cannabidiol significantly attenuated the deterioration in the measured biochemical parameters resulted from acetaminophen administration. Also, histopathological examination showed that cannabidiol markedly attenuated ameliorated acetaminophen-induced liver tissue damage. These results emphasize that cannabidiol represents a potential therapeutic option to protect against acetaminophen hepartotoxicity which is a common clinical problem.