Abstract: Students’ achievement and motivation in learning
English in Malaysia is a worrying trend as it is lagging behind several
other countries in Asia. Thus, necessary actions have to be taken by
the parties concerned to overcome this problem. The purpose of this
research was to study the effects of drill and practice courseware on
students’ achievement and motivation in learning English language.
A multimedia courseware was developed for this purpose. The
independent variable was the drill and practice courseware while the
dependent variables were the students’ achievement and motivation.
Their achievement was measured using pre-test and post-test scores,
while motivation was measured using a questionnaire. A total of 60
students from three vernacular primary schools in a northern state in
Malaysia were randomly selected in this study. The findings indicate:
(1) a significant difference between the students’ pre-test and posttest
scores after using the courseware, (2) no significant difference in
the achievement score between male and female students after using
the courseware, (3) a significant difference in motivation score
between the female and the male students, and (4) while the female
students scored significantly higher than the male students in the
aspects of relevance, confidence and satisfaction, no significant
difference in terms of attention was observed between them. Overall,
the findings clearly indicate that although the female students are
significantly more motivated than their male students, they are
equally good in terms of achievement after learning from the
courseware. Through this study, the drill and practice courseware is
proven to influence the students’ learning and motivation.
Abstract: The asynchronous discussion forum is one of the most
widely used activities in learning management system environment.
Online forum allows participants to interact, construct knowledge,
and can be used to complement face to face sessions in blended
learning courses. However, to what extent do the students perceive
the benefits or advantages of forum remain to be seen. Through
content and social network analyses, instructors will be able to gauge
the students’ engagement and knowledge construction level. Thus,
this study aims to analyze the students’ level of knowledge
construction and their participation level that occur through online
discussion. It also attempts to investigate the relationship between the
level of knowledge construction and their social interaction patterns.
The sample involves 23 students undertaking a master course in one
public university in Malaysia. The asynchronous discussion forum
was conducted for three weeks as part of the course requirement. The
finding indicates that the level of knowledge construction is quite
low. Also, the density value of 0.11 indicating the overall
communication among the participants in the forum is low. This
study reveals that strong and significant correlations between SNA
measures (in-degree centrality, out-degree centrality) and level of
knowledge construction. Thus, allocating these active students in
different group aids the interactive discussion takes place. Finally,
based upon the findings, some recommendations to increase students’
level of knowledge construction and also for further research are
proposed.
Abstract: This experimental study aims at studying the
conversion of macro-algae into bioethanol under several steps of
procedure: preparation, pre-treatment, fermentation, and distillation.
The main objective of this work was to investigate the role of buffer’s
type as a stabiliser of pH level and fermentation time on the yield of
ethanol. For this purpose, experiments were carried out on biomass
macro-algae to de-couple the pre-treatment and fermentation
processes from those associated with distillation process. β-
glucosidase was used as cellulose decomposer during hydrolysis step
and yeast was used during fermentation process. The species of
macro-algae utilised as energy feedstock was Ulva lactuca and it was
harvested from southern coast of Central of Java Island – Indonesia.
Experiments were conducted in a simple fermenter over a different
buffer: citrate buffer and acetic buffer, and over a range of
fermentation times between 5 to 20 days. The ethanol production was
found to be significantly affected by both variables. The optimum
time of fermentation was 10 days with citrate buffer; result in
0.88458% of ethanol, and the ethanol content after distillation
process was shown 0.985015%.
Abstract: This paper presents the design analysis of saddle
support of a horizontal pressure vessel. Since saddle have the vital
role to support the pressure vessel and to maintain its stability, it
should be designed in such a way that it can afford the vessel load
and internal pressure of the vessel due to liquid contained in the
vessel. A model of horizontal pressure vessel and saddle support is
created in ANSYS. Stresses are calculated using mathematical
approach and ANSYS software. The analysis reveals the zone of high
localized stress at the junction part of the pressure vessel and saddle
support due to operating conditions. The results obtained by both the
methods are compared with allowable stress value for safe designing.
Abstract: This article describes the information system for
measuring and evaluating the dose rate in the environment of nuclear
power plants Mochovce and Bohunice in Slovakia.
The article presents the results achieved in the implementation of
the EU project – Research of monitoring and evaluation of nonstandard
conditions in the area of nuclear power plants. The
objectives included improving the system of acquisition, measuring
and evaluating data with mobile and autonomous units applying new
knowledge from research.
The article provides basic and specific features of the system and
compared to the previous version of the system, also new functions.
Abstract: In the present study, we have synthesized Cr and Fe
doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures (Zn1-δCraFebO; where δ = a +
b = 20%, a = 5, 6, 8 & 10% and b = 15, 14, 12 & 10%) via sol-gel
method at different doping concentrations. The synthesized samples
were characterized for structural properties by X-ray diffractrometer
and field emission scanning electron microscope and the optical
properties were carried out through photoluminescence and UVvisible
spectroscopy. The particle size calculated through field
emission scanning electron microscope varies from 41 to 96 nm for
the samples synthesized at different doping concentrations. The
optical band gaps calculated through UV-visible spectroscopy are
found to be decreasing from 3.27 to 3.02 eV as the doping
concentration of Cr increases and Fe decreases.
Abstract: This study discovers a novel framework of individual
level technology adoption known as I-P (Individual- Privacy) towards
health information application in Smart National Identity Card. Many
countries introduced smart national identity card (SNIC) with various
applications such as health information application embedded inside
it. However, the degree to which citizens accept and use some of the
embedded applications in smart national identity remains unknown to
many governments and application providers as well. Moreover, the
factors of trust, perceived risk, Privacy concern and perceived
credibility need to be incorporated into more comprehensive models
such as extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of
Technology known as UTAUT2. UTAUT2 is a mainly widespread
and leading theory up to now. This research identifies factors
affecting the citizens’ behavioural intention to use health information
application embedded in SNIC and extends better understanding on
the relevant factors that the government and the application providers
would need to consider in predicting citizens’ new technology
acceptance in the future. We propose a conceptual framework by
combining the UTAUT2 and Privacy Calculus Model constructs and
also adding perceived credibility as a new variable. The proposed
framework may provide assistance to any government planning,
decision, and policy makers involving e-government projects.
Empirical study may be conducted in the future to provide proof and
empirically validate this I-P framework.
Abstract: Multiwall carbon nanotubes, prepared by chemical
vapor deposition, have an average diameter of 60-100 nm as shown
by High Resolution Transmittance Electron Microscope, HR-TEM.
The Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were further
characterized using X-ray Diffraction and Raman Spectroscopy.
Mercury uptake capacity of MWCNTs was studied using batch
adsorption method at different concentration ranges up to 150 ppm.
Mercury concentration (before and after the treatment) was measured
using cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy. The effect of time,
concentration, pH and adsorbent dose were studied. MWCNT were
found to perform complete absorption in the sub-ppm concentrations
(parts per billion levels) while for high concentrations, the adsorption
efficiency was 92% at the optimum conditions; 0.1 g of the adsorbent
at 150 ppm mercury (II) solution. The adsorption of mercury on
MWCNTs was found to follow the Freundlich adsorption isotherm
and the pseudo-second order kinetic model.
Abstract: Fuzzy systems have been successfully used for
exchange rate forecasting. However, fuzzy system is very confusing
and complex to be designed by an expert, as there is a large set of
parameters (fuzzy knowledge base) that must be selected, it is not a
simple task to select the appropriate fuzzy knowledge base for an
exchange rate forecasting. The researchers often look the effect of
fuzzy knowledge base on the performances of fuzzy system
forecasting. This paper proposes a genetic fuzzy predictor to forecast
the future value of daily US Dollar/Euro exchange rate time’s series.
A range of methodologies based on a set of fuzzy predictor’s which
allow the forecasting of the same time series, but with a different
fuzzy partition. Each fuzzy predictor is built from two stages, where
each stage is performed by a real genetic algorithm.
Abstract: Fritillaria oranensis (Liliaceae) was described in 1874
by pomel from Algeria. Plant samples have been collected from the
mount of Tessala (Sidi-Bel-Abbes). The morphological features of
various organs of the plant are described in detail. In the
morphological part of the study, features of various organs of the
plants such as stem and leaf were determined and illustrated.
Ecological studies provide information about the physical and
chemical structure of soil types in Tessala Mountain. The aim of this
original investigation is to put forth ecological and anatomical
features of these species for the first time, but at the same time given
detailed account of the morphological characteristics of the stem and
leaf of Fritillaria oranensis.
Abstract: The phased-array ultrasound transducer types are
utilities for medical ultrasonography as well as optical imaging.
However, their discontinuity characteristic limits the applications due
to the artifacts contaminated into the reconstructed images. Because
of the effects of the ultrasound pressure field pattern to the echo
ultrasonic waves as well as the optical modulated signal, the side
lobes of the focused ultrasound beam induced by discontinuity of the
phased-array ultrasound transducer might the reason of the artifacts.
In this paper, a simple method in approach of numerical simulation
was used to investigate the limitation of discontinuity of the elements
in phased-array ultrasound transducer and their effects to the
ultrasound pressure field. Take into account the change of ultrasound
pressure field patterns in the conditions of variation of the pitches
between elements of the phased-array ultrasound transducer, the
appropriated parameters for phased-array ultrasound transducer
design were asserted quantitatively.
Abstract: The aim of present study was to monitor the presence
of Trichodina sp. in Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss collected
from various fish farms in the western provinces of Iran during
January, 2013- January, 2014. Out of 675 sampled fish 335, (49.16%)
were infested with Trichodina. The highest prevalence was observed
in the spring and winter followed by autumn and summer. In general,
the intensity of infection was low except in cases where outbreaks of
Trichodiniasis endangered the survival of fish in some ponds. In light
infestation Trichodina is usually present on gills, fins and skin of
apparently healthy fish. Clinical signs of Trichodiniasis only appear
on fish with heavy infections and cases of moderate ones that are
usually exposed to one or more stress factors including, rough
handling during transportation from ponds, overcrowdness,
malnutrition, high of free ammonia and low of oxygen concentration.
Clinical signs of Trichodiniasis in sampled fish were sluggish
movement, loss of appetite, black coloration, necrosis and ulcer on
different parts of the body, detached scales and excessive
accumulation of mucous in gill pouches. The most obvious
histopathological changes in diseased fish were sloughing of the
epidermal layer, aggregation of leucocytes and melanine-carrying
cells (between the dermis and hypodermis) and proliferative changes
including hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the epithelial lining cells of
gill filaments which resulted in fusion of secondary lamellae. Control
of Trichodiniasis, has been achieved by formalin bath treatment at a
concentration of 250 ppm for one hour.
Abstract: Multispectral screening systems are becoming more
popular because of their very interesting properties and applications.
One of the most significant applications of multispectral screening
systems is prevention of terrorist attacks. There are many kinds of
threats and many methods of detection. Visual detection of objects
hidden under clothing of a person is one of the most challenging
problems of threats detection. There are various solutions of the
problem; however, the most effective utilize multispectral
surveillance imagers. The development of imaging devices and
exploration of new spectral bands is a chance to introduce new
equipment for assuring public safety. We investigate the possibility
of long lasting detection of potentially dangerous objects covered
with various types of clothing. In the article we present the results of
comparative studies of passive imaging in three spectrums – visible,
infrared and terahertz.
Abstract: Kuosheng nuclear power plant (NPP) is a BWR/6 type
NPP and located on the northern coast of Taiwan. First, Kuosheng
NPP TRACE model were developed in this research. In order to assess
the system response of Kuosheng NPP TRACE model, startup tests
data were used to evaluate Kuosheng NPP TRACE model. Second, the
overpressurization transient analysis of Kuosheng NPP TRACE model
was performed. Besides, in order to confirm the mechanical property
and integrity of fuel rods, FRAPTRAN analysis was also performed in
this study.
Abstract: The global solved problem is the calculation of the
parameters of ceramic material from a set of destruction tests of
ceramic heads of total hip joint endoprosthesis. The standard way of
calculation of the material parameters consists in carrying out a set of
3 or 4 point bending tests of specimens cut out from parts of the
ceramic material to be analysed. In case of ceramic heads, it is not
possible to cut out specimens of required dimensions because the
heads are too small (if the cut out specimens were smaller than the
normalised ones, the material parameters derived from them would
exhibit higher strength values than those which the given ceramic
material really has). A special destruction device for heads
destruction was designed and the solved local problem is the
modification of this destructive device based on the analysis of
tensile stress in the head for two different values of the depth of the
conical hole in the head. The goal of device modification is a shift of
the location with extreme value of σ1max from the region of head’s
hole bottom to its opening. This modification will increase the
credibility of the obtained material properties of bioceramics, which
will be determined from a set of head destructions using the Weibull
weakest link theory.
Abstract: A noble low NOx combustion technology, based on
partial oxidation combustion concept in a fuel rich combustion zone, is
successfully applied in this research. The burner is designed such that
a portion of fuel is heated and pre-vaporized in the furnace then
injected into a fuel rich combustion zone so that a partial oxidation
reaction occurs. The effects of equivalence ratio, thermal load, and
fuel distribution ratio on the emissions of NOx and CO are
experimentally investigated. This newly developed combustion
technology showed very low NOx emission level, about 12 ppm, when
light oil is used as a fuel.
Abstract: Folic acid (FA) is known to be an important
supplement to prevent neural tube defect (NTD) in pregnant women.
Similar to some commercial formulations, sodium bicarbonate
solution is used as a solvent for FA. This work uses the antisolvent
vapour precipitation (AVP), incorporating ethanol vapour as the
convective drying medium in place of air to produce branch-like
micro-structure FA particles. Interestingly, the dissolution rate of the
resultant particle is 2-3 times better than the particle produce from
conventional air drying due to the higher surface area of particles
produced. The higher dissolution rate could possibly improve the
delivery and absorption of FA in human body. This application could
potentially be extended to other commercial products, particularly in
less soluble drugs to improve its solubility.
Abstract: 3D part library is an ideal approach to reuse the
existing design and thus facilitates the modeling process, which will
enhance the efficiency. In this paper, we implemented the thought on
the SolidWorks platform. The system supports the functions of type
and parameter selection, 3D template driving and part assembly.
Finally, BOM is exported in Excel format. Experiment shows that our
method can satisfy the requirement of die and mold designers.
Abstract: The North-eastern part of India, which receives
heavier rainfall than other parts of the subcontinent, is of great
concern now-a-days with regard to climate change. High intensity
rainfall for short duration and longer dry spell, occurring due to
impact of climate change, affects river morphology too. In the present
study, an attempt is made to delineate the North-eastern region of
India into some homogeneous clusters based on the Fuzzy Clustering
concept and to compare the resulting clusters obtained by using
conventional methods and nonconventional methods of clustering.
The concept of clustering is adapted in view of the fact that, impact
of climate change can be studied in a homogeneous region without
much variation, which can be helpful in studies related to water
resources planning and management. 10 IMD (Indian Meteorological
Department) stations, situated in various regions of the North-east,
have been selected for making the clusters. The results of the Fuzzy
C-Means (FCM) analysis show different clustering patterns for
different conditions. From the analysis and comparison it can be
concluded that nonconventional method of using GCM data is
somehow giving better results than the others. However, further
analysis can be done by taking daily data instead of monthly means to
reduce the effect of standardization.
Abstract: In the present work, hydrogen gas sensor of modest
sensitivity utilizing functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes
partially decorated with tin oxide nanoparticles (F-MWCNTs/SnO2)
has been fabricated. This sensing material was characterized by
scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, a remarkable
finding was that the F-MWCNTs/SnO2 sensor shows good sensitivity
as compared to F-MWCNTs for low concentration (0.05-1% by
volume) of H2 gas. The fabricated sensors show complete resistance
recovery and good repeatability when exposed to H2 gas at the room
temperature conditions.