Abstract: This work consists of a numerical simulation of
convective heat transfer in a vertical plane channel filled with a heat
generating porous medium, in the absence of local thermal
equilibrium. The walls are maintained to a constant temperature and
the inlet velocity is uniform. The dynamic range is described by the
Darcy-Brinkman model and the thermal field by two energy
equations model. A dimensionless formulation is developed for
performing a parametric study based on certain dimensionless groups
such as, the Biot interstitial number, the thermal conductivity ratio
and the volumetric heat generation, q '''. The governing equations are
solved using the finite volume method, gave rise to a multitude of
results concerning in particular the thermal field in the porous
channel and the existence or not of the local thermal equilibrium.
Abstract: Construction projects are information intensive in
nature and involve many activities that are related to each other.
Wireless technologies can be used to improve the accuracy and
timeliness of data collected from construction sites and shares it with
appropriate parties. Nonetheless, the construction industry tends to be
conservative and shows hesitation to adopt new technologies. A main
concern for owners, contractors or any person in charge on a job site
is the cost of the technology in question. Wireless technologies are
not cheap. There are a lot of expenses to be taken into consideration,
and a study should be completed to make sure that the importance
and savings resulting from the usage of this technology is worth the
expenses. This research attempts to assess the effectiveness of using
the appropriate wireless technologies based on criteria such as
performance, reliability, and risk. The assessment is based on a utility
function model that breaks down the selection issue into alternatives
attribute. Then the attributes are assigned weights and single
attributes are measured. Finally, single attribute are combined to
develop one single aggregate utility index for each alternative.
Abstract: This initial study is concerned with the behavior of
engineering students in Kuwait University which became a concern
due to the global issues of education in all levels. A survey has been
conducted to identify academic and societal issues affecting the
engineering student performance. The study is drawing major
conclusions with regard to private tutoring and the online availability
of textbooks’ solution manuals.
Abstract: Let us consider that the entire universe is composed of
a single hydrogen atom within which the electron is moving around
the proton. In this case, according to classical theories of physics,
radiation, photons respectively, should be absorbed by the electron.
Depending on the number of photons absorbed, the electron radius of
rotation around the proton is established. Until now, the principle of
photons absorption by electrons and the electron transition to a new
energy level, namely to a higher radius of rotation around the proton,
is not clarified in physics. This paper aims to demonstrate that
radiation, photons respectively, have mass and negative electrostatic
charge similar to electrons but infinitely smaller. The experiments
which demonstrate this theory are simple: thermal expansion,
photoelectric effect and thermonuclear reaction.
Abstract: This study found that most corporate personnel are
using social media to communicate with colleagues to make the
process of working more efficient. Complete satisfaction occurred on
the use of security within the University’s computer network. The
social network usage for communication, collaboration,
entertainment and demonstrating concerns accounted for fifty percent
of variance to predict interpersonal relationships of corporate
personnel. This evaluation on the effectiveness of social networking
involved 213 corporate personnel’s. The data was collected by
questionnaires. This data was analyzed by using percentage, mean,
and standard deviation.
The results from the analysis and the effectiveness of using online
social networks were derived from the attitude of private users and
safety data within the security system. The results showed that the
effectiveness on the use of an online social network for corporate
personnel of Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University was specifically at
a good level, and the overall effects of each aspect was (Ẋ=3.11).
Abstract: Land Use Land Cover (LULC) changes due to human
activities and natural causes have become a major environmental
concern. Assessment of temporal remote sensing data provides
information about LULC impacts on environment. Land Surface
Temperature (LST) is one of the important components for modeling
environmental changes in climatological, hydrological, and
agricultural studies. In this study, LULC changes (September 7, 1984
and July 8, 2014) especially in agricultural lands together with
population changes (1985-2014) and LST status were investigated
using remotely sensed and census data in South Marmara Watershed,
Turkey. LULC changes were determined using Landsat TM and
Landsat OLI data acquired in 1984 and 2014 summers. Six-band TM
and OLI images were classified using supervised classification
method to prepare LULC map including five classes including Forest
(F), Grazing Land (G), Agricultural Land (A), Water Surface (W),
Residential Area-Bare Soil (R-B) classes. The LST image was also
derived from thermal bands of the same dates.
LULC classification results showed that forest areas, agricultural
lands, water surfaces and residential area-bare soils were increased as
65751 ha, 20163 ha, 1924 ha and 20462 ha respectively. In
comparison, a dramatic decrement occurred in grazing land (107985
ha) within three decades. The population increased 29% between
years 1984-2014 in whole study area. Along with the natural causes,
migration also caused this increase since the study area has an
important employment potential. LULC was transformed among the
classes due to the expansion in residential, commercial and industrial
areas as well as political decisions. In the study, results showed that
agricultural lands around the settlement areas transformed to
residential areas in 30 years.
The LST images showed that mean temperatures were ranged
between 26-32°C in 1984 and 27-33°C in 2014. Minimum
temperature of agricultural lands was increased 3°C and reached to
23°C. In contrast, maximum temperature of A class decreased to
41°C from 44°C. Considering temperatures of the 2014 R-B class and
1984 status of same areas, it was seen that mean, min and max
temperatures increased by 2°C.
As a result, the dynamism of population, LULC and LST resulted
in increasing mean and maximum surface temperatures, living
spaces/industrial areas and agricultural lands.
Abstract: In recent years a new method of combination
treatment for cancer has been developed and studied that has led to
significant advancements in the field of cancer therapy. Hyperthermia
is a traditional therapy that, along with a creation of a medically
approved level of heat with the help of an alternating magnetic AC
current, results in the destruction of cancer cells by heat. This paper
gives details regarding the production of the spherical nanocomposite
PVA/γ-Fe2O3 in order to be used for medical purposes such as tumor
treatment by hyperthermia. To reach a suitable and evenly distributed
temperature, the nanocomposite with core-shell morphology and
spherical form within a 100 to 200 nanometer size was created using
phase separation emulsion, in which the magnetic nano-particles γ-
Fe2O3 with an average particle size of 20 nano-meters and with
different percentages of 0.2, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 were covered by
polyvinyl alcohol. The main concern in hyperthermia and heat
treatment is achieving desirable specific absorption rate (SAR) and
one of the most critical factors in SAR is particle size. In this project
all attempts has been done to reach minimal size and consequently
maximum SAR. The morphological analysis of the spherical
structure of the nanocomposite PVA/γ-Fe2O3 was achieved by SEM
analyses and the study of the chemical bonds created was made
possible by FTIR analysis. To investigate the manner of magnetic
nanocomposite particle size distribution a DLS experiment was
conducted. Moreover, to determine the magnetic behavior of the γ-
Fe2O3 particle and the nanocomposite PVA/γ-Fe2O3 in different
concentrations a VSM test was conducted. To sum up, creating
magnetic nanocomposites with a spherical morphology that would be
employed for drug loading opens doors to new approaches in
developing nanocomposites that provide efficient heat and a
controlled release of drug simultaneously inside the magnetic field,
which are among their positive characteristics that could significantly
improve the recovery process in patients.
Abstract: Total Quality Management (TQM) refers to management methods used to enhance quality and productivity in business organizations. Total Quality Management (TQM) has become a frequently used term in discussions concerning quality. Total Quality management has brought rise in demands on the organizations policy and the customers have gained more importance in the organizations focus. TQM is considered as an important management tool, which helps the organizations to satisfy their customers. In present research critical success factors includes management commitment, customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, work culture and environment, supplier quality management, training and development, employee satisfaction and product/process design are studied. A questionnaire is developed to implement these critical success factors in implementation of total quality management in Indian industry. Questionnaires filled by consulting different industrial organizations. Data collected from questionnaires is analyzed by descriptive and importance indexes.
Abstract: Academicians at the Arab Open University have
always voiced their concern about the efficacy of the blended
learning process. Based on 75% independent study and 25% face-toface
tutorial, it poses the challenge of the predisposition to
adjustment. Being used to the psychology of traditional educational
systems, AOU students cannot be easily weaned from being spoonfed.
Hence they lack the motivation to plunge into self-study. For
better involvement of AOU students into the learning practices, it is
imperative to diagnose the factors that impede or increase their
motivation. This is conducted through an empirical study grounded
upon observations and tested hypothesis and aimed at monitoring and
optimizing the students’ learning outcome. Recommendations of the
research will follow the findings.
Abstract: The security of cloud services is the concern of cloud
service providers. In this paper, we will mention different
classifications of cloud attacks referred by specialized organizations.
Each agency has its classification of well-defined properties. The
purpose is to present a high-level classification of current research in
cloud computing security. This classification is organized around
attack strategies and corresponding defenses.
Abstract: The present study is concerned with the problem of determining the shape of the free surface flow in a hydraulic channel which has an uneven bottom. For the mathematical formulation of the problem, the fluid of the two-dimensional irrotational steady flow in water is assumed inviscid and incompressible. The solutions of the nonlinear problem are obtained by using the usual conformal mapping theory and Hilbert’s technique. An experimental study, for comparing the obtained results, has been conducted in a hydraulic channel (subcritical regime and supercritical regime).
Abstract: Students' academic achievement, along with the
effects of different variables, has been a serious concern of educators
since long ago. This study was an attempt to investigate the interplay
of Locus of Control (LOC), academic achievement and biological
variables among Iranian online EFL Learners. The participants of the
study included 100 students of different age groups and genders
studying English online at Iran Language Institute (ILI), Isfahan,
Iran. The instrument used was Trice Academic LOC questionnaire
which identifies orientations of internality or externality. The
participants' Grade Point Averages (GPAs) were used as the measure
of their academic achievement. A series of independent samples ttests
were performed on the data. The results of the study showed that
(a) there were no significant differences between male and female
participants in LOC orientation, (b) there was no relationship
between LOC and academic achievement among internal males and
females, (c) external females were better achievers than external
males, (d) and the age had no significant relationship with LOC and
academic achievement. It can be concluded that the social, cultural
patterns of genders have changed. This study might help sociologists
and psychologists as well as applied linguists in that they reflect the
recent social changes and their effects on the LOC and their
consequent implications in teaching languages.
Abstract: Atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions are considered
as the greatest environmental challenge the world is facing today.
The tasks to control the emissions include the recovery of CO2 from
flue gas. This concern has been improved due to recent advances in
materials process engineering resulting in the development of
inorganic gas separation membranes with excellent thermal and
mechanical stability required for most gas separations. This paper,
therefore, evaluates the performance of a highly selective inorganic
membrane for CO2 recovery applications. Analysis of results
obtained is in agreement with experimental literature data. Further
results show the prediction performance of the membranes for gas
separation and the future direction of research. The materials
selection and the membrane preparation techniques are discussed.
Method of improving the interface defects in the membrane and its
effect on the separation performance has also been reviewed and in
addition advances to totally exploit the potential usage of this
innovative membrane.
Abstract: For the music composer Myriam Marbe the musical
time and memory represent 2 (complementary) phenomena with
conclusive impact on the settlement of new musical ontologies.
Summarizing the most important achievements of the contemporary
techniques of composition, her vision on the microform presented in
The Concert for Daniel Kientzy, saxophone and orchestra transcends
the linear and unidirectional time in favour of a flexible, multivectorial
speech with spiral developments, where the sound substance
is auto(re)generated by analogy with the fundamental processes of
the memory. The conceptual model is of an archetypal essence, the
music composer being concerned with identifying the mechanisms of
the creation process, especially of those specific to the collective
creation (of oral tradition). Hence the spontaneity of expression,
improvisation tint, free rhythm, micro-interval intonation, coloristictimbral
universe dominated by multiphonics and unique sound
effects, hence the atmosphere of ritual, however purged by the
primary connotations and reprojected into a wonderful spectacular
space. The Concert is a work of artistic maturity and enforces respect,
among others, by the timbral diversity of the three species of
saxophone required by the music composer (baritone, sopranino and
alt), in Part III Daniel Kientzy shows the performance of playing two
saxophones concomitantly. The score of the music composer Myriam
Marbe contains a deeply spiritualized music, full or archetypal
symbols, a music whose drama suggests a real cinematographic
movement.
Abstract: This paper addresses the design of hospital Intensive
Care Unit windows for the achievement of visual comfort and energy
savings. The aim was to identify the window size and shading system
configurations that could fulfill daylighting adequacy, avoid glare
and reduce energy consumption. The study focused on addressing the
effect of utilizing different shading systems in association with a
range of Window-to-Wall Ratios (WWR) in different orientations
under the desert clear-sky of Cairo, Egypt.
The results of this study demonstrated that solar penetration is a
critical concern affecting the design of ICU windows in desert
locations, as in Cairo, Egypt. Use of shading systems was found to be
essential in providing acceptable daylight performance and energy
saving. Careful positioning of the ICU window towards a proper
orientation can dramatically improve performance. It was observed
that ICU windows facing the north direction enjoyed the widest range
of successful window configuration possibilities at different WWRs.
ICU windows facing south enjoyed a reasonable number of
configuration options as well. By contrast, the ICU windows facing
the east orientation had a very limited number of options that provide
acceptable performance. These require additional local shading
measures at certain times due to glare incidence. Moreover, use of
horizontal sun breakers and solar screens to protect the ICU windows
proved to be more successful than the other alternatives in a wide
range of Window to Wall Ratios. By contrast, the use of light shelves
and vertical shading devices seemed questionable.
Abstract: This article is to introduce the meaning and form of
social quality moving process as indicated by members of two suburb
communities with different social and cultural contexts. The form of
social quality moving process is very significant for the community
and social development, because it will make the people living
together with sustainable happiness.
This is a qualitative study involving 30 key-informants from two
suburb communities. Data were collected though key-informant
interviews, and analyzed using logical content description and
descriptive statistics.
This research found that on the social quality component, the
people in both communities stressed the procedure for social qualitymaking.
This includes the generousness, sharing and assisting among
people in the communities. These practices helped making people to
live together with sustainable happiness. Living as a family or appear
to be a family is the major social characteristic of these two
communities.
This research also found that form of social quality’s moving
process of both communities stress relation of human and nature;
“nature overpower humans” paradigm and influence of religious
doctrine that emphasizes relations among humans. Both criteria make
the form of social’s moving process simple, adaptive to nature and
caring for opinion sharing and understanding among each other
before action. This form of social quality’s moving process is
composed of 4 steps; (1) awareness building, (2) motivation to
change, (3) participation from every party which is concerned (4)
self-reliance.
Abstract: The area of liberty, security and justice within the
European Union is still a work in progress. No one can deny that the
EU struggles between a monistic and a dualist approach.
The aim of our essay is to first review how the European law is
perceived by the rest of the international scene. It will then discuss
two main mechanisms at play: the interpretation of larger
international treaties and the penal mechanisms of European law.
Finally, it will help us understand the role of a penal Europe on the
international scene with concrete examples.
Special attention will be paid to cases that deal with fundamental
rights as they represent an interesting case study in Europe and in the
rest of the World. It could illustrate the aforementioned duality
currently present in the Union’s interpretation of international public
law. On the other hand, it will explore some specific European penal
mechanism through mutual recognition and the European arrest
warrant in the transnational criminality frame.
Concerning the interpretation of the treaties, it will first, underline
the ambiguity and the general nature of some treaties that leave the
EU exposed to tension and misunderstanding then it will review the
validity of an EU act (whether or not it is compatible with the rules of
International law).
Finally, it will focus on the most complete manifestation of liberty,
security and justice through the principle of mutual recognition. Used
initially in commercial matters, it has become “the cornerstone” of
European construction. It will see how it is applied in judicial
decisions (its main event and achieving success is via the European
arrest warrant) and how European member states have managed to
develop this cooperation.
Abstract: The paper presents new results concerning selection of
optimal information fusion formula for ensembles of C-OTDR
channels. The goal of information fusion is to create an integral
classificator designed for effective classification of seismoacoustic
target events. The LPBoost (LP-β and LP-B variants), the Multiple
Kernel Learning, and Weighing of Inversely as Lipschitz Constants
(WILC) approaches were compared. The WILC is a brand new
approach to optimal fusion of Lipschitz Classifiers Ensembles.
Results of practical usage are presented.
Abstract: Due to the continuous increment of the load demand,
identification of weaker buses, improvement of voltage profile and
power losses in the context of the voltage stability problems has
become one of the major concerns for the larger, complex,
interconnected power systems. The objective of this paper is to
review the impact of Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS)
controller in Wind generators connected electrical network for
maintaining voltage stability. Wind energy could be the growing
renewable energy due to several advantages. The influence of wind
generators on power quality is a significant issue; non uniform power
production causes variations in system voltage and frequency.
Therefore, wind farm requires high reactive power compensation; the
advances in high power semiconducting devices have led to the
development of FACTS. The FACTS devices such as for example
SVC inject reactive power into the system which helps in maintaining
a better voltage profile. The performance is evaluated on an IEEE 14
bus system, two wind generators are connected at low voltage buses
to meet the increased load demand and SVC devices are integrated at
the buses with wind generators to keep voltage stability. Power
flows, nodal voltage magnitudes and angles of the power network are
obtained by iterative solutions using MIPOWER.
Abstract: The relationship between the state and the religion is
different based on the fact that how powerful is the religion faith in a
state and of the influences that affected the views of the constitution
drafters according to the constitutional system they were based to
draft their constitution. This paper aims at providing, through a
comparative methodology, how it is regulated by the constitution the
relationship between the state and the religion. The object of this
study are the constitutions of Italy as a nation with catholic religious
tradition, Greece as a nation with orthodox religion tradition, and
Turkey as a nation which represents Muslim religion, while Albania
as a nation known for its religious plurality. In particular, the analysis
will be focused on the secular or religious principle provided in the
constitution of each respective state. This comparative overview
intends to discern which of the states analyzed is more tolerant and
fully respects the freedom of religion. It results that most of the states
subject of this study, despite their religious tradition have chosen the
secular principle in their constitutions, but the religious freedom is
differently guaranteed.