Abstract: In MANET, mobile nodes communicate with each
other using the wireless channel where transmission takes place with
significant interference. The wireless medium used in MANET is a
shared resource used by all the nodes available in MANET. Packet
reserving is one important resource management scheme which
controls the allocation of bandwidth among multiple flows through
node cooperation in MANET. This paper proposes packet reserving
and clogging control via Routing Aware Packet Reserving (RAPR)
framework in MANET. It mainly focuses the end-to-end routing
condition with maximal throughput. RAPR is complimentary system
where the packet reserving utilizes local routing information
available in each node. Path setup in RAPR estimates the security
level of the system, and symbolizes the end-to-end routing by
controlling the clogging. RAPR reaches the packet to the destination
with high probability ratio and minimal delay count. The standard
performance measures such as network security level,
communication overhead, end-to-end throughput, resource utilization
efficiency and delay measure are considered in this work. The results
reveals that the proposed packet reservation and clogging control via
Routing Aware Packet Reserving (RAPR) framework performs well
for the above said performance measures compare to the existing
methods.
Abstract: This paper considers the characterization of a complex
electromagnetic environment due to multiple sources of
electromagnetic radiation as a five-dimensional surface which can be
described by a set of several surface sections including: instant EM
field intensity distribution maps at a given frequency and altitude,
instantaneous spectrum at a given location in space and the time
evolution of the electromagnetic field spectrum at a given point in
space. This characterization if done over time can enable the
exposure levels of Radio Frequency Radiation at every point in the
analysis area to be determined and results interpreted based on
comparison of the determined RFR exposure level with the safe
guidelines for general public exposure given by recognized body
such as the International commission on non-ionizing radiation
protection (ICNIRP), Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
(IEEE), the National Radiation Protection Authority (NRPA).
Abstract: The article discusses multimodal mobility in
contemporary societies as a main planning and organization issue in
the functioning of administrative bodies, a problem which really
exists in the space of contemporary cities in terms of shaping modern
transport systems. The article presents classification of available
resources and initiatives undertaken for developing multimodal
mobility. Solutions can be divided into three groups of measures –
physical measures in the form of changes of the transport network
infrastructure, organizational ones (including transport policy) and
information measures. The latter ones include in particular direct
support for people travelling in the transport network by providing
information about ways of using available means of transport. A
special measure contributing to this end is a trip planner. The article
compares several selected planners. It includes a short description of
the Green Travelling Project, which aims at developing a planner
supporting environmentally friendly solutions in terms of transport
network operation. The article summarizes preliminary findings of
the project.
Abstract: Age ratings are very helpful in providing parents with
relevant information for the purchase and use of digital technologies
by the children; this is why the non-definition of age ratings for the
use of ICTs by children in schools is a major concern; and this
problem serves as a motivation for this study whose aim is to
examine the factors affecting the perceptions of educators on the
learners’ youngest age for the introduction of ICTs in schools. This
aim is achieved through two types of research objectives: the
identification and design of theories and models on age ratings, and
the empirical testing of such theories and models in a survey of
educators from the Camperdown district of the South African
KwaZulu-Natal province. A questionnaire is used for the collection
of the data of this survey whose validity and reliability is checked in
SPSS prior to its descriptive and correlative quantitative analysis. The
main hypothesis supporting this research is the association between
the demographics of educators, their personality, and their
perceptions on the learners’ youngest age for the introduction of ICTs
in schools; as claimed by existing research; except that the present
study looks at personality from three dimensions: self-actualized
personalities, fully functioning personalities, and healthy
personalities. This hypothesis was fully confirmed by the empirical
study conducted by this research except for the demographic factor
where only the educators’ grade or class was found to be associated
with the personality of educators.
Abstract: reliability-based methodology for the assessment
and evaluation of reinforced concrete (R/C) structural elements of
concrete structures is presented herein. The results of the reliability
analysis and assessment for R/C structural elements were verified by
the results obtained through deterministic methods. The outcomes of
the reliability-based analysis were compared against currently
adopted safety limits that are incorporated in the reliability indices
β’s, according to international standards and codes. The methodology
is based on probabilistic analysis using reliability concepts and
statistics of the main random variables that are relevant to the subject
matter, and for which they are to be used in the performance-function
equation(s) associated with the structural elements under study.
These methodology techniques can result in reliability index β, which
is commonly known as the reliability index or reliability measure
value that can be utilized to assess and evaluate the safety, human
risk, and functionality of the structural component. Also, these
methods can result in revised partial safety factor values for certain
target reliability indices that can be used for the purpose of
redesigning the R/C elements of the building and in which they could
assist in considering some other remedial actions to improve the
safety and functionality of the member.
Abstract: Innovations not only contribute to competitiveness of
the company but have also positive effects on revenues. On average,
product innovations account to 14 percent of companies’ sales.
Innovation management has substantially changed during the last
decade, because of growing reliance on external partners. As a
consequence, a new task for purchasing arises, as firms need to
understand which suppliers actually do have high potential
contributing to the innovativeness of the firm and which do not.
Proper organization of the purchasing function is important since
for the majority of manufacturing companies deal with substantial
material costs which pass through the purchasing function. In the past
the purchasing function was largely seen as a transaction-oriented,
clerical function but today purchasing is the intermediate with supply
chain partners contributing to innovations, be it product or process
innovations. Therefore, purchasing function has to be organized
differently to enable firm innovation potential.
However, innovations are inherently risky. There are behavioral
risk (that some partner will take advantage of the other party),
technological risk in terms of complexity of products and processes
of manufacturing and incoming materials and finally market risks,
which in fact judge the value of the innovation. These risks are
investigated in this work. Specifically, technological risks which deal
with complexity of the products, and processes will be investigated
more thoroughly. Buying components or such high edge technologies
necessities careful investigation of technical features and therefore is
usually conducted by a team of experts. Therefore it is hypothesized
that higher the technological risk, higher will be the centralization of
the purchasing function as an interface with other supply chain
members.
Main contribution of this research lies is in the fact that analysis
was performed on a large data set of 1493 companies, from 25
countries collected in the GMRG 4 survey. Most analyses of
purchasing function are done by case study analysis of innovative
firms. Therefore this study contributes with empirical evaluations that
can be generalized.
Abstract: In the culture of Thailand, the Yak serve as a mediated
icon representing strength, power, and mystical protection not only
for the Buddha, but for population of worshipers. Originating from
the forests of China, the Yak continues to stand guard at the gates of
Buddhist temples. The Yak represents Thai culture in the hearts of
Thai people. This paper presents a qualitative study regarding the
curious mix of media, culture, and religion that projects the Yak of
Thailand as a larger than life message throughout the political,
cultural, and religious spheres. The gate guardians, or gods as they
are sometimes called, appear throughout the religious temples of
Asian cultures. However, the Asian cultures demonstrate differences
in artistic renditions (or presentations) of such sentinels. Thailand
gate guards (the Yak) stand in front of many Buddhist temples, and
these iconic figures display unique features with varied symbolic
significance. The temple (or wat), plays a vital role in every
community; and, for many people, Thailand’s temples are the
country’s most endearing sights. The authors applied folknography as
a methodology to illustrate the importance of the Thai Yak in serving
as meaningful icons that transcend not only time, but the culture,
religion, and mass media. The Yak represents mythical, religious,
artistic, cultural, and militaristic significance for the Thai people.
Data collection included interviews, focus groups, and natural
observations. This paper summarizes the perceptions of the Thai
people concerning their gate sentries and the relationship,
communication, connection, and the enduring respect that Thai
people hold for their guardians of the gates.
Abstract: The main aim of this research was to investigate the
perspectives of English language teachers and learners on the effect
of test techniques on reading comprehension, test performance and
assessment. The research has also aimed at finding the differences
between teacher and learner perspectives, specifying the test
techniques which have the highest effect, investigating the other
factors affecting reading comprehension, and comparing the results
with the similar studies. In order to achieve these objectives,
perspectives and findings of different researchers were reviewed, two
different questionnaires were prepared to collect data for the
perspectives of teachers and learners, the questionnaires were applied
to 26 learners and 8 teachers from the University of Batna (Algeria),
and quantitative and qualitative data analysis of the results were
done. The results and analysis of the results show that different test
techniques affect reading comprehension, test performance and
assessment at different percentages rates.
Abstract: The theoretical approach is developed to describe the
change of drops in the atmosphere of own steam and buffer gas under
irradiation. It is shown that the irradiation influences on size of stable
droplet and on the conditions under which the droplet exists. Under
irradiation the change of drop becomes more complex: the not
monotone and periodical change of size of drop becomes possible.
All possible solutions are represented by means of phase portrait. It is
found all qualitatively different phase portraits as function of critical
parameters: rate generation of clusters and substance density.
Abstract: The systematic evaluation of manufacturing
technologies with regard to the potential for product designing
constitutes a major challenge. Until now, conventional evaluation
methods primarily consider the costs of manufacturing technologies.
Thus, the potential of manufacturing technologies for achieving
additional product design features is not completely captured. To
compensate this deficit, final evaluations of new technologies are
mainly intuitive in practice. Therefore, an additional evaluation
dimension is needed which takes the potential of manufacturing
technologies for specific realizable product designs into account. In
this paper, we present the approach of an evaluation method for
selecting manufacturing technologies with regard to their potential
for product designing. This research is done within the Fraunhofer
innovation cluster »AdaM« (Adaptive Manufacturing) which targets
the development of resource efficient and adaptive manufacturing
technology processes for complex turbomachinery components.
Abstract: The use of IT equipment has become a part of every
day. However, each device that is part of cyberspace should be
secured against unauthorized use. It is very important to know the
basics of these security devices, but also the basics of safe conduct
their owners. This information should be part of every curriculum
computer science education in primary and secondary schools.
Therefore, the work focuses on the education of pupils in primary and
secondary schools on the Internet. Analysis of the current state
describes approaches to the education of pupils in security issues on
the Internet. The paper presents a questionnaire-based survey which
was carried out in the Czech Republic, whose task was to ascertain
the level of opinion pupils in primary and secondary schools on the
issue of communication in social networks. The research showed that
awareness of socio-pathological phenomena on the Internet
environment is very low. Based on the results it was proposed
appropriate ways of teaching to this issue and its inclusion a proposal
of curriculum for primary and secondary schools.
Abstract: Communication and effective information exchange
within technology has become a crucial part of delivering knowledge
to students during the learning process. It enables better
understanding, builds trust and respect, and increases the sharing of
knowledge between students. This paper examines the
communication between undergraduate students and their lecturers
during the traditional lecture and when using the Interactive
Electronic Lecture System (IELS). The IELS is an application that
offers a set of components which support the effective
communication between students and their peers and between
students and their lecturers. Moreover, this paper highlights
communication skills such as sender, receiver, channel and feedback.
It will show how the IELS creates a rich communication environment
between its users and how they communicate effectively. To examine
and assess the effectiveness of communication, an experiment was
conducted on groups of users; students and lecturers. The first group
communicated in the traditional lecture while the second group
communicated by means of the IELS application. The results show
that there was more effective communication between the second
group than the first.
Abstract: This paper is concerning the issues of behaviour of
lightweight expanded clay aggregates concrete exposed to high
temperature. Lightweight aggregates from expanded clay are
produced by firing of row material up to temperature 1050°C.
Lightweight aggregates have suitable properties in terms of volume
stability, when exposed to temperatures up to 1050°C, which could
indicate their suitability for construction applications with higher risk
of fire. The test samples were exposed to heat by using the standard
temperature-time curve ISO 834. Negative changes in resulting
mechanical properties, such as compressive strength, tensile strength,
and flexural strength were evaluated. Also visual evaluation of the
specimen was performed. On specimen exposed to excessive heat, an
explosive spalling could be observed, due to evaporation of
considerable amount of unbounded water from the inner structure of
the concrete.
Abstract: Characterization of the engineering behavior of
unsaturated soil is dependent on the soil-water characteristic curve
(SWCC), a graphical representation of the relationship between water
content or degree of saturation and soil suction. A reasonable
description of the SWCC is thus important for the accurate prediction
of unsaturated soil parameters. The measurement procedures for
determining the SWCC, however, are difficult, expensive, and timeconsuming.
During the past few decades, researchers have laid a
major focus on developing empirical equations for predicting the
SWCC, with a large number of empirical models suggested. One of
the most crucial questions is how precisely existing equations can
represent the SWCC. As different models have different ranges of
capability, it is essential to evaluate the precision of the SWCC
models used for each particular soil type for better SWCC estimation.
It is expected that better estimation of SWCC would be achieved via
a thorough statistical analysis of its distribution within a particular
soil class. With this in view, a statistical analysis was conducted in
order to evaluate the reliability of the SWCC prediction models
against laboratory measurement. Optimization techniques were used
to obtain the best-fit of the model parameters in four forms of SWCC
equation, using laboratory data for relatively coarse-textured (i.e.,
sandy) soil. The four most prominent SWCCs were evaluated and
computed for each sample. The result shows that the Brooks and
Corey model is the most consistent in describing the SWCC for sand
soil type. The Brooks and Corey model prediction also exhibit
compatibility with samples ranging from low to high soil water
content in which subjected to the samples that evaluated in this study.
Abstract: Web-based Cognitive Writing Instruction (WeCWI) is
a hybrid e-framework for the development of a web-based instruction
(WBI), which contributes towards instructional design and language
development. WeCWI divides its contribution in instructional design
into macro and micro perspectives. In macro perspective, being a 21st
century educator by disseminating knowledge and sharing ideas with
the in-class and global learners is initiated. By leveraging the virtue
of technology, WeCWI aims to transform an educator into an
aggregator, curator, publisher, social networker and ultimately, a
web-based instructor. Since the most notable contribution of
integrating technology is being a tool of teaching as well as a
stimulus for learning, WeCWI focuses on the use of contemporary
web tools based on the multiple roles played by the 21st century
educator. The micro perspective in instructional design draws
attention to the pedagogical approaches focusing on three main
aspects: reading, discussion, and writing. With the effective use of
pedagogical approaches through free reading and enterprises,
technology adds new dimensions and expands the boundaries of
learning capacity. Lastly, WeCWI also imparts the fundamental
theories and models for web-based instructors’ awareness such as
interactionist theory, cognitive information processing (CIP) theory,
computer-mediated communication (CMC), e-learning interactionalbased
model, inquiry models, sensory mind model, and leaning styles
model.
Abstract: Immunomodulators are substances that alter immune
system via dynamic regulation of messenger molecules. It can be
divided into immunostimulant and immunosuppressant. It can help to
increase immunity of people with a low immune system, and also can
help to normalize an overactive immune system. Aim of this study is
to investigate the effects of in vitro exposure to low and high doses of
several immunomodulators which include caffeine, kaloba and
quercetin on antigen-stimulated whole blood culture cytokine
production. Whole blood samples were taken from 5 healthy males
(age: 32 ± 12 years; weight: 75.7 ± 6.1 kg; BMI: 24.3 ± 1.5 kg/m2)
following an overnight fast with no vigorous activity during the
preceding 24 h. The whole blood was then stimulated with 50 μl of
100 x diluted Pediacel vaccine and low or high dose of
immunomodulators in the culture plate. After 20 h incubation (5%
CO2, 37°C), it was analysed using the Evidence Investigator to
determine the production of cytokines including IL-2, IL-4, IL-10,
IFN-γ, and IL-1α. Caffeine and quercetin showed a tendency towards
decrease cytokine production as the doses were increased. On the
other hand, an upward trend was evident with kaloba, where a high
dose of kaloba seemed to increase the cytokine production. In
conclusion, we found that caffeine and quercetin have potential as
immunosuppressant and kaloba as immunostimulant.
Abstract: This study has been presented which is a detailed
work of seismic microzonation of the city center. For seismic
microzonation area of 225 km2 has been selected as the study area.
MASW (Multichannel analysis of surface wave) and seismic
refraction methods have been used to generate one-dimensional shear
wave velocity profile at 250 locations and two-dimensional profile at
60 locations. These shear wave velocities are used to estimate
equivalent shear wave velocity in the study area at every 2 and 5 m
intervals up to a depth of 60 m. Levels of equivalent shear wave
velocity of soil are used the classified of the study area. After the
results of the study, it must be considered as components of urban
planning and building design of Denizli and the application and use
of these results should be required and enforced by municipal
authorities.
Abstract: Caused by shorter product life cycles and higher
product variety the importance of production ramp ups is increasing.
Even though companies are aware of that fact, up to 40% of the ramp
up projects still miss technical and economical requirements. The
success of a ramp up depends on the planning of human factors,
organizational aspects and technological solutions. Since only partly
considered in scientific literature, this paper lays its focus on the
human factor during production ramp up. There are only incoherent
methods which address the problems in this area. A systematic and
holistic method to improve the capabilities of the employees during
ramp up is missing. The Harada Method is a relatively young
approach for developing highly-skilled workers. It consists of
different worksheets which help employees to set guidelines and
reach overall objectives. This approach is going to be transferred into
a tool for ramp up management.
Abstract: Recent advances in wireless networking technologies
introduce several energy aware routing protocols in sensor networks.
Such protocols aim to extend the lifetime of network by reducing the
energy consumption of nodes. Many researchers are looking for
certain challenges that are predominant in the grounds of energy
consumption. One such protocol that addresses this energy
consumption issue is ‘Cluster based hierarchical routing protocol’. In
this paper, we intend to discuss some of the major hierarchical
routing protocols adhering towards sensor networks. Furthermore, we
examine and compare several aspects and characteristics of few
widely explored hierarchical clustering protocols, and its operations
in wireless sensor networks (WSN). This paper also presents a
discussion on the future research topics and the challenges of
hierarchical clustering in WSNs.
Abstract: In this paper, thick walled Cylindrical tanks or tubes
made of functionally graded material under internal pressure and
temperature gradient are studied. Material parameters have been
considered as power functions. They play important role in the
elastoplastic behavior of these materials. To clarify their role,
different materials with different parameters have been used under
temperature gradient. Finally, their effect and loading effect have
been determined in first yield point. Also, the important role of
temperature gradient was also shown. At the end the study has been
results obtained from changes in the elastic modulus and yield stress.
Also special attention is also given to the effects of this internal
pressure and temperature gradient in the creation of tensile and
compressive stresses.