Abstract: From past many decades human beings are suffering
from plethora of natural disasters. Occurrence of disasters is a
frequent process; it changes conceptual myths as more and more
advancement are made. Although we are living in technological era
but in developing countries like Pakistan disasters are shaped by
socially constructed roles. The need is to understand the most
vulnerable group of society i.e. females; their issues are complex in
nature because of undermined gender status in the society. There is a
need to identify maximum issues regarding females and to enhance
the achievement of millennium development goals (MDGs). Gender
issues are of great concern all around the globe including Pakistan.
Here female visibility in society is low, and also during disasters, the
failure to understand the reality that concentrates on double burden
including productive and reproductive care. Women have to
contribute a lot in society so we need to make them more disaster
resilient. For this non-structural measures like awareness, trainings
and education must be carried out. In rural and in urban settings in
any disaster like earthquake or flood, elements like gender
perspective, their age, physical health, demographic issues contribute
towards vulnerability. In Pakistan the gender issues in disasters were
of less concern before 2005 earthquake and 2010 floods. Significant
achievements are made after 2010 floods when gender and child cell
was created to provide all facilities to women and girls. The aim of
the study is to highlight all necessary facilities in a disaster to build
coping mechanism in females from basic rights till advance level
including education.
Abstract: Assessment of IEP (Individual Education Plan) is an
important stage in the area of special education. This paper deals
with this problem by introducing computer software which process
the data gathered from application of IEP. The software is intended
to be used by special education institution in Turkey and allows
assessment of school and family trainings. The software has a user
friendly interface and its design includes graphical developer tools.
Abstract: This paper presents the outcomes of a qualitative
study which aims to investigate the pedagogical potentials of serious
games in the preparation of future teachers. The authors discuss the
existing problems and barriers associated with the organization of
teaching practices in Bulgaria as part of the pre-service teacher
training, as well as the attitudes and perceptions of the interviewed
academics, teachers and trainees concerning the integration of serious
games in the teaching practicum. The study outcomes strongly
confirm the positive attitudes of the respondents to the introduction
of virtual learning environments for the development of professional
skills of future teachers as a supplement to the traditional forms of
education. Through the inclusion of serious games it is expected to
improve the quality of practical training of pre-service teachers as
they overcome many of the problems identified in the existing
teaching practices. The outcomes of the study will inform the design
of the educational simulation software which is part of the project
SimAula Tomorrow's Teachers Training.
Abstract: Since DVB-RCS has been successively implemented, the mobile communication on the multi-beam satellite communication is attractive attention. And the DVB-RCS standard sets up to support mobility of a RCST. In the case of the spot-beam satellite system, the received signal strength does not differ largely between the center and the boundary of the beam. Thus, the RSS based handoff detection algorithm is not benefit to the satellite system as a terrestrial system. Therefore we propose an Adaptive handoff detection algorithm based on RCST mobility information. Our handoff detection algorithm not only can be used as centralized handoff detection algorithm but also removes uncertainties of handoff due to the variation of RSS. Performances were compared with RSS based handoff algorithm. Simulation results show that the proposed handoff detection algorithm not only achieved better handoff and link degradation rate, but also achieved better forward link spectral efficiency.
Abstract: In this presentation, we discuss the use of information technologies in the area of special education for teaching individuals with learning disabilities. Application software which was developed for this purpose is used to demonstrate the applicability of a database integrated information processing system to alleviate the burden of educators. The software allows the preparation of individualized education programs based on the predefined objectives, goals and behaviors.
Abstract: Development, calibration and validation of a threedimensional
model of the Legform impactor for pedestrian crash with
bumper are presented. Lower limb injury is becoming an increasingly
important concern in vehicle safety for both occupants and
pedestrians. In order to prevent lower extremity injuries to a
pedestrian when struck by a car, it is important to elucidate the
loadings from car front structures on the lower extremities and the
injury mechanism caused by these loadings. An impact test
procedure with a legform addressing lower limb injuries in car
pedestrian accidents has been proposed by EEVC/WG17. In this
study a modified legform impactor is introduced and validated
against EEVC/WG17 criteria. The finite element model of this
legform is developed using LS-DYNA software. Total mass of
legform impactor is 13.4 kg.Technical specifications including the
mass and location of the center of gravity and moment of inertia
about a horizontal axis through the respective centre of gravity in
femur and tibia are determined. The obtained results of legform
impactor static and dynamic tests are as specified in the
EEVC/WG17.
Abstract: In the analysis of structures, the nonlinear effects due to large displacement, large rotation and materially-nonlinear are very important and must be considered for the reliable analysis. The non-linear fmite element analysis has potential as usable and reliable means for analyzing of civil structures with the availability of computer technology. In this research the large displacements and materially nonlinear behavior of shear wall is presented with developing of fmite element code using the standard Galerkin weighted residual formulation. Two-dimensional plane stress model was carried out to present the shear wall response. Total Lagangian formulation, which is computationally more effective, is used in the formulation of stiffness matrices and the Newton-Raphson method is applied for the solution of nonlinear transient equations. The details of the program formulation are highlighted and the results of the analyses are presented, along with a comparison of the response of the structure with Ansys software results. The presented model in this paper can be developed for nonlinear analysis of civil engineering structures with different material behavior and complicated geometry.
Abstract: This work presents a new algorithm based on a combination of fuzzy (FUZ), Dynamic Programming (DP), and Genetic Algorithm (GA) approach for capacitor allocation in distribution feeders. The problem formulation considers two distinct objectives related to total cost of power loss and total cost of capacitors including the purchase and installation costs. The novel formulation is a multi-objective and non-differentiable optimization problem. The proposed method of this article uses fuzzy reasoning for sitting of capacitors in radial distribution feeders, DP for sizing and finally GA for finding the optimum shape of membership functions which are used in fuzzy reasoning stage. The proposed method has been implemented in a software package and its effectiveness has been verified through a 9-bus radial distribution feeder for the sake of conclusions supports. A comparison has been done among the proposed method of this paper and similar methods in other research works that shows the effectiveness of the proposed method of this paper for solving optimum capacitor planning problem.
Abstract: The burst noise is a kind of noises that are destructive
and frequently found in semiconductor devices and ICs, yet detecting
and removing the noise has proved challenging for IC designers or users. According to the properties of burst noise, a methodological
approach is presented (proposed) in the paper, by which the burst noise
can be analysed and detected in time domain. In this paper, principles
and properties of burst noise are expounded first, Afterwards,
feasibility (viable) of burst noise detection by means of wavelet
transform in the time domain is corroborated in the paper, and the multi-resolution characters of Gaussian noise, burst noise and blurred
burst noise are discussed in details by computer emulation. Furthermore, the practical method to decide parameters of wavelet
transform is acquired through a great deal of experiment and data statistics. The methodology may yield an expectation in a wide variety of applications.
Abstract: Enzymatic hydrolysis of starch from natural sources
finds potential application in commercial production of alcoholic
beverage and bioethanol. In this study the effect of starch
concentration, temperature, time and enzyme concentration were
studied and optimized for hydrolysis of cassava (Manihot esculenta)
starch powder (of mesh 80/120) into glucose syrup by immobilized
(using Polyacrylamide gel) a-amylase using central composite
design. The experimental result on enzymatic hydrolysis of cassava
starch was subjected to multiple linear regression analysis using
MINITAB 14 software. Positive linear effect of starch concentration,
enzyme concentration and time was observed on hydrolysis of
cassava starch by a-amylase. The statistical significance of the model
was validated by F-test for analysis of variance (p < 0.01). The
optimum value of starch concentration temperature, time and enzyme
concentration were found to be 4.5% (w/v), 45oC, 150 min, and 1%
(w/v) enzyme. The maximum glucose yield at optimum condition
was 5.17 mg/mL.
Abstract: Water recycling represents an important challenge for many countries, in particular in countries where this natural resource is rare. On the other hand, in many operations, water is used as a cooling medium, as a high proportion of water consumed in industry is used for cooling purposes. Generally this water is rejected directly to the nature. This reject will cause serious environment damages as well as an important waste of this precious element.. On way to solve these problems is to reuse and recycle this warm water, through the use of natural cooling medium, such as air in a heat exchanger unit, known as a cooling tower. A poor performance, design or reliability of cooling towers will result in lower flow rate of cooling water an increase in the evaporation of water, an hence losses of water and energy. This paper which presents an experimental investigate of thermal and hydraulic performances of a mechanical cooling tower, enables to show that the water evaporation rate, Mev, increases with an increase in the air and water flow rates, as well as inlet water temperature and for fixed air flow rates, the pressure drop (ΔPw/Z) increases with increasing , L, due to the hydrodynamic behavior of the air/water flow.
Abstract: Aiming at the problems existing in low-carbon technology of Chinese manufacturing industries, such as irrational energy structure, lack of technological innovation, financial constraints, this paper puts forward the suggestion that the leading role of the government is combined with the roles of enterprises and market. That is, through increasing the governmental funding the adjustment of the industrial structures and enhancement of the legal supervision are supported. Technological innovation is accelerated by the enterprises, and the carbon trading will be promoted so as to trigger the low-carbon revolution in Chinese manufacturing field.
Abstract: The study applied a combination of organisational learning models (Senge, 1994: Pedler, Burgoyne and Boydell, 1991) and later adopted fifteen organisational learning principles with one of the biggest energy providers in South East Asia. The purposes of the current study were to: a) investigate the company-s practices on fifteen organisational learning principles; b) explore the perceptions and expectations of its employees in relations to the principles; and c) compare the perceptions and expectations between management and non-management staff toward the fifteen factors. One hundred and ten employees responded on a designed questionnaire and the results indicated that the company was practicing activities that associated with organisational learning principles. Also, according to the T-test results, significant differences between management and non-management respondents were found. Research implications are also provided.
Abstract: Road Traffic Accidents are a major cause of disability and death throughout the world. The control of intelligent vehicles in order to reduce human error and boost ease congestion is not accomplished solely by the aid of human resources. The present article is an attempt to introduce an intelligent control system based on RFID technology. By the help of RFID technology, vehicles are connected to computerized systems, intelligent light poles and other available hardware along the way. In this project, intelligent control system is capable of tracking all vehicles, crisis management and control, traffic guidance and recording Driving offences along the highway.
Abstract: Cyber attacks pose a serious threat to all states. Therefore, states constantly seek for various methods to encounter those threats. In addition, recent changes in the nature of cyber attacks and their more complicated methods have created a new concept: active cyber defense (ACD). This article tries to answer firstly why ACD is important to NATO and find out the viewpoint of NATO towards ACD. Secondly, infrastructure protection is essential to cyber defense. Critical infrastructure protection with ACD means is even more important. It is assumed that by implementing active cyber defense, NATO may not only be able to repel the attacks but also be deterrent. Hence, the use of ACD has a direct positive effect in all international organizations’ future including NATO.
Abstract: The three steps of the standard one-way nested grid
for a regional scale of the third generation WAve Model Cycle 4
(WAMC4) is scrutinized. The model application is enabled to solve
the energy balance equation on a coarse resolution grid in order to
produce boundary conditions for a smaller area by the nested grid
technique. In the present study, the model takes a full advantage of the
fine resolution of wind fields in space and time produced by the available
U.S. Navy Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS)
model with 1 degree resolution. The nested grid application of the
model is developed in order to gradually increase the resolution from
the open ocean towards the South China Sea (SCS) and the Gulf of
Thailand (GoT) respectively. The model results were compared with
buoy observations at Ko Chang, Rayong and Huahin locations which
were obtained from the Seawatch project. In addition, the results were
also compared with Satun based weather station which was provided
from Department of Meteorology, Thailand. The data collected from
this station presented the significant wave height (Hs) reached 12.85
m. The results indicated that the tendency of the Hs from the model
in the spherical coordinate propagation with deep water condition in
the fine grid domain agreed well with the Hs from the observations.
Abstract: The nexus between language and culture is so
intertwined and very significant that language is largely seen as a
vehicle for cultural transmission. Culture itself refers to the aggregate
belief system of a people, embellishing its corporate national image
or brand. If we conceive national rebranding as a campaign to
rekindle the patriotic flame in the consciousness of a people towards
its sociocultural imperatives and values, then, Nigerian indigenous
linguistic flame has not been ignited. Consequently, the paper
contends that the current national rebranding policy remains a myth
in the confines of the elitists' intellectual squabble. It however
recommends that the use of our indigenous languages should be
supported by adequate legislation and also propagated by Nollywood
in order to revamp and sustain the people’s interest in their local
languages. Finally, the use of the indigenous Nigerian languages
demonstrates patriotism, an important ingredient for actualizing a
genuine national rebranding.
Abstract: In this paper, the backward Ussor iterative matrix is proposed. The relationship of convergence between the backward Ussor iterative matrix and Jacobi iterative matrix is obtained, which makes the results in the corresponding references be improved and refined.Moreover,numerical examples also illustrate the effectiveness of these conclusions.
Abstract: Although Model Driven Architecture has taken
successful steps toward model-based software development, this
approach still faces complex situations and ambiguous questions
while applying to real world software systems. One of these
questions - which has taken the most interest and focus - is how
model transforms between different abstraction levels, MDA
proposes. In this paper, we propose an approach based on Story
Driven Modeling and Aspect Oriented Programming to ease these
transformations. Service Oriented Architecture is taken as the target
model to test the proposed mechanism in a functional system.
Service Oriented Architecture and Model Driven Architecture [1]
are both considered as the frontiers of their own domain in the
software world. Following components - which was the greatest step
after object oriented - SOA is introduced, focusing on more
integrated and automated software solutions. On the other hand - and
from the designers' point of view - MDA is just initiating another
evolution. MDA is considered as the next big step after UML in
designing domain.
Abstract: Reactiondiffusion systems are mathematical models that describe how the concentration of one or more substances distributed in space changes under the influence of local chemical reactions in which the substances are converted into each other, and diffusion which causes the substances to spread out in space. The classical representation of a reaction-diffusion system is given by semi-linear parabolic partial differential equations, whose general form is ÔêétX(x, t) = DΔX(x, t), where X(x, t) is the state vector, D is the matrix of the diffusion coefficients and Δ is the Laplace operator. If the solute move in an homogeneous system in thermal equilibrium, the diffusion coefficients are constants that do not depend on the local concentration of solvent and of solutes and on local temperature of the medium. In this paper a new stochastic reaction-diffusion model in which the diffusion coefficients are function of the local concentration, viscosity and frictional forces of solvent and solute is presented. Such a model provides a more realistic description of the molecular kinetics in non-homogenoeus and highly structured media as the intra- and inter-cellular spaces. The movement of a molecule A from a region i to a region j of the space is described as a first order reaction Ai k- → Aj , where the rate constant k depends on the diffusion coefficient. Representing the diffusional motion as a chemical reaction allows to assimilate a reaction-diffusion system to a pure reaction system and to simulate it with Gillespie-inspired stochastic simulation algorithms. The stochastic time evolution of the system is given by the occurrence of diffusion events and chemical reaction events. At each time step an event (reaction or diffusion) is selected from a probability distribution of waiting times determined by the specific speed of reaction and diffusion events. Redi is the software tool, developed to implement the model of reaction-diffusion kinetics and dynamics. It is a free software, that can be downloaded from http://www.cosbi.eu. To demonstrate the validity of the new reaction-diffusion model, the simulation results of the chaperone-assisted protein folding in cytoplasm obtained with Redi are reported. This case study is redrawing the attention of the scientific community due to current interests on protein aggregation as a potential cause for neurodegenerative diseases.