Abstract: This study aims to assess the students' needs for the
tour planning e-guide. The study is developing on the contribution
and importance of the Educational Tour Planning Guide (ETP) is a
multimedia course ware as one of the effective methods in teaching
and learning of environmental science among the students in primary
schools of the Ministry of Education, Malaysia. It is to provide the
student with knowledge and experience about tourism, environmental
science activities and process. E-guide to ETP also hopes to
strengthen the student understanding toward the subject learn in the
tourism environmental science. In order to assess the student's needs
on the e-Guide to Educational Tour Planning in Environmental
Science, the study has produced a similar e-Guide to ETP in the form
as a course ware to be tested during the study. The study has involved
several steps in order to be completed. It is such as the formulation of
the problem, the review of the literature, the formulation of the study
methodology, the production of the e-Guide to ETP, field survey and
finally the analyses and discussion made on the data gathered during
the study. The survey has involved 100 respondents among the
students in standard six primary schools in Kluang Johor. Through
the findings, the study indicates that the current tested product is
acceptable among the students in learning environmental science as a
guide to plan for the tour. The findings also show a slight difference
between the respondents who are using the e-Guide to ETP, and those
who are not on the basis of the e-Guide to ETP results. Due the
important for the study, the researcher hopes to be having a fair
discussion and excellence, recommendation for the development of
the product of the current study. This report is written also important
to provide a written reference for the future related study.
Abstract: This study identified the hypothesised relationship
between creative experience, and revisit intention of handmade
oriental parasol umbrella in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. A face-to-face
questionnaire survey was administered in Meinong town, Kaohsiung.
The components of creative experience were found as “sense of
achievement”, “unique learning” and “interaction with instructors” in
creative tourism. The result also revealed significant positive
relationships between creative experience and revisit intention in
handmade activities. This paper provides additional suggestions for
enhancing revisit intention and guidance regarding creative tourism.
Abstract: The use of information technology in education have
changed not only the learners learning style but also the way they
taught, where nowadays learners are connected with diversity of
information sources with means of knowledge available everywhere.
The advantage of network wireless technologies and mobility
technologies used in the education and learning processes lead to
mobile learning as a new model of learning technology. Currently,
most of mobile learning applications are developed for the formal
education and learning environment. Despite the long history and
large amount of research on mobile learning and instruction design
model still there is a need of well-defined process in designing
mobile learning applications. Based on this situation, this paper
emphasizes on identifying instruction design phase’s considerations
and influencing factors in developing mobile learning application.
This set of instruction design steps includes analysis, design,
development, implementation, evaluation and continuous has been
built from a literature study, with focus on standards for learning,
mobile application software quality and guidelines. The effort is part
of an Omani-funded research project investigating the development,
adoption and dissemination of mobile learning in Oman.
Abstract: The Green Urban Lab took the form of public
installations that were placed at various locations in four cities in
Cyprus. These installations - through which a series of events,
activities, workshops and research took place - were the main tools in
regenerating a series of urban public spaces in Cyprus. The purpose
of this project was to identify issues and opportunities related to
public space and to offer guidelines on how design and participatory
democracy improvements could strengthen civil society, while
raising the quality of the urban public scene. Giant inflatable
structures were injected in important urban fragments in order to
accommodate series of events. The design and playful installation
generated a wide community engagement. The fluid presence of the
installations acted as a catalyst for social interaction. They were
accessed and viewed effortlessly and surprisingly, creating
opportunities to rediscover public spaces.
Abstract: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRPs) are widely
used for advanced applications, in particular in aerospace, automotive
and wind energy industries. Once cured to near net shape, CFRP
parts need several finishing operations such as trimming, milling or
drilling in order to accommodate fastening hardware and meeting the
final dimensions. The present research aims to study the effect of the
cutting temperature in trimming on the mechanical strength of high
performance CFRP laminates used for aeronautics applications. The
cutting temperature is of great importance when dealing with
trimming of CFRP. Temperatures higher than the glass-transition
temperature (Tg) of the resin matrix are highly undesirable: they
cause degradation of the matrix in the trimmed edges area, which can
severely affect the mechanical performance of the entire component.
In this study, a 9.50mm diameter CVD diamond coated carbide tool
with six flutes was used to trim 24-plies CFRP laminates. A
300m/min cutting speed and 1140mm/min feed rate were used in the
experiments. The tool was heated prior to trimming using a
blowtorch, for temperatures ranging from 20°C to 300°C. The
temperature at the cutting edge was measured using embedded KType
thermocouples. Samples trimmed for different cutting
temperatures, below and above Tg, were mechanically tested using
three-points bending short-beam loading configurations. New cutting
tools as well as worn cutting tools were utilized for the experiments.
The experiments with the new tools could not prove any correlation
between the length of cut, the cutting temperature and the mechanical
performance. Thus mechanical strength was constant, regardless of
the cutting temperature. However, for worn tools, producing a cutting
temperature rising up to 450°C, thermal damage of the resin was
observed. The mechanical tests showed a reduced mean resistance in
short beam configuration, while the resistance in three point bending
decreases with increase of the cutting temperature.
Abstract: In order to be capable of dealing with uncertainties,
subjectivities, including vagueness arising in building construction
projects, the application of fuzzy reasoning technique based on fuzzy
set theory is proposed. This study contributes significantly to the
development of a fuzzy reasoning safety risk assessment model for
building construction projects that could be employed to assess the
risk magnitude of each hazardous event identified during
construction, and a third parameter of probability of consequence is
incorporated in the model. By using the proposed safety risk analysis
methodology, more reliable and less ambiguities, which provide the
safety risk management project team for decision-making purposes.
Abstract: One of the tasks of optical surveillance is to detect
anomalies in large amounts of image data. However, if the size of the
anomaly is very small, limited information is available to distinguish
it from the surrounding environment. Spectral detection provides a
useful source of additional information and may help to detect
anomalies with a size of a few pixels or less. Unfortunately, spectral
cameras are expensive because of the difficulty of separating two
spatial in addition to one spectral dimension. We investigate the
possibility of modifying a simple spectral line detector for outdoor
detection. This may be especially useful if the area of interest forms a
line, such as the horizon. We use a monochrome CCD that also
enables detection into the near infrared. A simple camera is attached
to the setup to determine which part of the environment is spectrally
imaged. Our preliminary results indicate that sensitive detection of
very small targets is indeed possible. Spectra could be taken from the
various targets by averaging columns in the line image. By imaging a
set of lines of various widths we found narrow lines that could not be
seen in the color image but remained visible in the spectral line
image. A simultaneous analysis of the entire spectra can produce
better results than visual inspection of the line spectral image. We are
presently developing calibration targets for spatial and spectral
focusing and alignment with the spatial camera. This will present
improved results and more use in outdoor application.
Abstract: This study aims at improving the urban hydrological
cycle of the Orléans agglomeration (France) and understanding the
relationship between physical and chemical parameters of urban
surface runoff and the hydrological conditions. In particular water
quality parameters such as pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids,
major dissolved cations and anions, and chemical and biological
oxygen demands were monitored for three types of urban water
discharges (wastewater treatment plant output (WWTP), storm
overflow and stormwater outfall) under two hydrologic scenarios (dry
and wet weather). The first results were obtained over a period of five
months. Each investigated (Ormes, l’Egoutier and La Corne) outfall
represents an urban runoff source that receives water from runoff
roads, gutters, the irrigation of gardens and other sources of flow over
the Earth’s surface that drains in its catchments and carries it to the
Loire River. In wet weather conditions there is rain water runoff and
an additional input from the roof gutters that have entered the
stormwater system during rainfall. For the comparison the results La
Chilesse is a storm overflow that was selected in our study as a
potential source of waste water which is located before the (WWTP). The comparison of the physical-chemical parameters (total
dissolved solids, turbidity, pH, conductivity, dissolved organic
carbon (DOC), concentration of major cations and anions) together
with the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen
demand (BOD) helped to characterize sources of runoff waters in the
different watersheds. It also helped to highlight the infiltration of
wastewater in some stormwater systems that reject directly in the
Loire River. The values of the conductivity measured in the outflow
of Ormes were always higher than those measured in the other two
outlets. The results showed a temporal variation for the Ormes outfall
of conductivity from 1465 μS cm-1 in the dry weather flow to 650 μS
cm-1 in the wet weather flow and also a spatial variation in the wet
weather flow from 650 μS cm-1 in the Ormes outfall to 281 μS cm-1
in L’Egouttier outfall. The ultimate BOD (BOD28) showed a
significant decrease in La Corne outfall from 181 mg L-1 in the wet
weather flow to 95 mg L-1 in the dry weather flow because of the
nutrient load that was transported by the runoff.
Abstract: In this paper, various methods of providing restricted
earth fault protection are discussed. The proper operation of high and
low impedance Restricted Earth Fault (REF) protection for various
applications has been discussed. The maloperation of a relay due to
improper placement of CTs has been identified and a simple/unique
solution has been proposed in this work with a case study. Moreover,
it is found that the proper placement of CT in high impedance method
will provide the same result with reduced CT. This methodology has
been successfully implemented in Al Takreer refinery for a 2000
KVA transformer. The outcome of the paper may be included in
IEEEC37.91 standard to give the proper guidance for protection
engineers to sort out the issues related to mal functioning of REF
relays.
Abstract: This paper aims to determine Fundamental Natural
Frequency (FNF) of a structural composite floor system known as
Chromite. To achieve this purpose, FNFs of studied panels are
determined by development of Finite Element Models (FEMs) in
ABAQUS program. American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)
code in Steel Design Guide Series 11 presents a fundamental formula
to calculate FNF of a steel framed floor system. This formula has
been used to verify results of the FEMs. The variability in the FNF of
the studied system under various parameters such as dimensions of
floor, boundary conditions, rigidity of main and secondary beams
around the floor, thickness of concrete slab, height of composite
joists, distance between composite joists, thickness of top and bottom
flanges of the open web steel joists, and adding tie beam
perpendicular on the composite joists, is determined. The results
show that changing in dimensions of the system, its boundary
conditions, rigidity of main beam, and also adding tie beam,
significant changes the FNF of the system up to 452.9%, 50.8%, -
52.2%, %52.6%, respectively. In addition, increasing thickness of
concrete slab increases the FNF of the system up to 10.8%.
Furthermore, the results demonstrate that variation in rigidity of
secondary beam, height of composite joist, and distance between
composite joists, and thickness of top and bottom flanges of open
web steel joists insignificant changes the FNF of the studied system
up to -0.02%, -3%, -6.1%, and 0.96%, respectively. Finally, the
results of this study help designer predict occurrence of resonance,
comfortableness, and design criteria of the studied system.
Abstract: The work reported through this paper is an
experimental work conducted on High Performance Concrete (HPC)
with super plasticizer with the aim to develop some models suitable
for prediction of compressive strength of HPC mixes. In this study,
the effect of varying proportions of fly ash (0% to 50% @ 10%
increment) on compressive strength of high performance concrete has
been evaluated. The mix designs studied were M30, M40 and M50 to
compare the effect of fly ash addition on the properties of these
concrete mixes. In all eighteen concrete mixes that have been
designed, three were conventional concretes for three grades under
discussion and fifteen were HPC with fly ash with varying
percentages of fly ash. The concrete mix designing has been done in
accordance with Indian standard recommended guidelines. All the
concrete mixes have been studied in terms of compressive strength at
7 days, 28 days, 90 days, and 365 days. All the materials used have
been kept same throughout the study to get a perfect comparison of
values of results. The models for compressive strength prediction
have been developed using Linear Regression method (LR), Artificial
Neural Network (ANN) and Leave-One-Out Validation (LOOV)
methods.
Abstract: The purpose of the study is to find out relation of
moral massage between the authority and globalization in proverb.
Proverb is one of the many forms of cultural identity of the
Indonesian/Malay people filled with moral values. The values
contained within those proverbs are beneficial not only to the society,
but also to those who held power amidst on this era of globalization.
The method being used is qualitative research through content
analysis which is done by describing and uncovering the forms and
meanings of proverbs used within Indonesia Minangkabau society.
Sources for this study’s data were extracted from a Minangkabau
native speaker in the sub district of Tanah Abang, Jakarta. Said
sources were retrieved through a series of interviews with the
Minangkabau native speaker, whose speech is still adorned with
idiomatic expressions. The research findings show that there are 30
existed proverbs or idiomatic expressions in the Minangkabau
language often used by its indigenous people. The thirty data contain
moral values which are closely interwoven with the matter of power
and globalization. Analytical results show that the fourteen moral
values contained within proverbs reflect a firm connection between
rule and power in globalization; such as: responsible, brave,
togetherness and consensus, tolerance, politeness, thorough and
meticulous, honest and keeping promise, ingenious and learning,
care, self-correction, be fair, alert, arbitrary, self-awareness.
Structurally, proverbs possess an unchangeably formal construction;
symbolically, proverbs possess meanings that are clearly decided
through ethnographic communicative factors along with situational
and cultural contexts. Values contained within proverbs may be used
as a guide in social management, be it between fellow men, between
men and nature, or even between men and their Creator. Therefore,
the meanings and values contained within the morals of proverbs
could also be utilized as a counsel for those who rule and in charge of
power in order to stem the tides of globalization that had already
spread into sectoral, territorial and educational continuums.
Abstract: Inference plays an important role in the learning
process and it can lead to a rapid acquisition of a second language.
When learning a non-native language i.e., a critical language like
Arabic, the students depend on the teacher’s support most of the time
to learn new concepts. The students focus on memorizing the new
vocabulary and stress on learning all the grammatical rules. Hence,
the students became mechanical and cannot produce the language
easily. As a result, they are unable to predicate the meaning of words
in the context by relying heavily on the teacher, in that they cannot
link their prior knowledge or even identify the meaning of the words
without the support of the teacher. This study explores how the
teacher guides students learning during the inference process and
what are the processes of learning that can direct student’s inference.
Abstract: The purpose of the present work was to develop an innovative food product with good textural and sensorial characteristics. The product, a new type of bread, was prepared with wheat (90%) and lupin (10%) flours, without the addition of any conservatives. Several experiences were also done to find the most appropriate proportion of lupin flour. The optimized product was characterized considering the rheological, physical-chemical and sensorial properties. The water absorption of wheat flour with 10% of lupin was higher than that of the normal wheat flours, and Wheat Ceres flour presented the lower value, with lower dough development time and high stability time. The breads presented low moisture but a considerable water activity. The density of bread decreased with the introduction of lupin flour. The breads were quite white, and during storage the colour parameters decreased. The lupin flour clearly increased the number of alveolus, but the total area increased significantly just for the Wheat Cerealis bread. The addition of lupin flour increased the hardness and chewiness of breads, but the elasticity did not vary significantly. Lupin bread was sensorially similar to wheat bread produced with WCerealis flour, and the main differences are the crust rugosity, colour and alveolus characteristics.
Abstract: In this study, we demonstrate a high-resolution
refractive index sensor based on a Magnetic Photonic Crystal (MPC)
composed of a triangular lattice array of air holes embedded in Si
matrix. A microcavity is created by changing the radius of an air hole
in the middle of the photonic crystal. The cavity filled with gyrotropic
materials can serve as a refractive index sensor. The shift of the
resonant frequency of the sensor is obtained numerically using finite
difference time domain method under different ambient conditions
having refractive index from n = 1.0 to n = 1.1. The numerical results
show that a tiny change in refractive index of Δn = 0.0001 is
distinguishable. In addition, the spectral response of the MPC sensor is
studied while an external magnetic field is present. The results show
that the MPC sensor exhibits a dramatic improvement in resolution.
Abstract: This study was undertaken at four different sites
(north polluted, south polluted, south healthy and north healthy) in
Tehran, in order to examine whether there was a relationship between
publicly available air quality data and the public’s perception of air
quality and to suggest some guidelines for reducing air pollution. A
total of 200 people were accidentally filled out the research
questionnaires at mentioned sites and air quality data were obtained
simultaneously from the Air Quality Control Department. Data was
analyzed in Excel and SPSS software’s. Clean air and job security
were of great importance to people comparing to other pleasant
aspect of life. Also air pollution and serious diseases were the most
important of people concerns. Street monitors and news paper
services on air quality were little used by the public as a means of
obtaining information on air pollution. Using public transportation
and avoiding inevitable journeys are the most important ways for
reducing air pollution. The results reveal that the public’s perception
of air quality is not a reliable indicator of the actual levels of air
pollution.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the
photocatalytic activity of polycrystalline phases of bismuth tungstate
of formula Bi2WO6. Polycrystalline samples were elaborated using a
coprecipitation technique followed by a calcination process at
different temperatures (300, 400, 600 and 900°C). The obtained
polycrystalline phases have been characterized by X-ray diffraction
(XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission
electron microscopy (TEM). Crystal cell parameters and cell volume
depend on elaboration temperature. High-resolution electron
microscopy images and image simulations, associated with X-ray
diffraction data, allowed confirming the lattices and space groups
Pca21. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared samples was
studied by irradiating aqueous solutions of Rhodamine B, associated
with Bi2WO6 additives having variable crystallite sizes. The
photocatalytic activity of such bismuth tungstates increased as the
crystallite sizes decreased. The high specific area of the
photocatalytic particles obtained at 300°C seems to condition the
degradation kinetics of RhB.
Abstract: This paper explores and provides substantiated
evidence on the usage patterns of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) by female users at Vhembe District in Limpopo-
Province, South Africa. The study presents a comprehensive picture
on the usage of ICTs from female users’ perspective. The
significance of this study stems from the need to assess the role,
relevance and usage patterns of ICTs such as smartphones,
computers, laptops, and iPods, the internet and social networking
sites among females following the developments of new media
technologies in society. The objective of the study is to investigate
the usability and accessibility of ICTs to empower female users in
South Africa. The study used quantitative and qualitative research
methods to determine the major ideas, perceptions and usage patterns
of ICTs by users. Data collection involved the use of structured selfadministered
questionnaire from two groups of respondents who
participated in this study. Thus, (n=50) female students at the
University of Venda provided their ideas and perceptions about the
usefulness and usage patterns of ICTs such as smartphones, the
Internet and computers at the university level, whereas, the second
group were (n=50) learners from Makhado Comprehensive School
who provided their perceptions and ideas about the use of ICTs at the
high school level. The researcher also noted that the findings of the
study were useful as a guideline and model for ICT intervention that
could work as an empowerment to women in South Africa. It was
observed that the central purpose of ICTs among female users was to
search for information regarding assignment writing, conducting
research, dating, exchanging ideas and networking with friends and
relatives. This was demonstrated by a high number of females who
used ICTs for e-learning (62%) and social purposes (85%).
Therefore, the study revealed that most females used ICTs for social
purposes and accessing the internet rather than for entertainment, a
gesture that provides an opportune space to empower rural women in
South Africa.
Abstract: This paper discusses the question whether a person
diagnosed with dyslexia will necessarily have difficulty in reading
musical notes. The author specifies the characteristics of alphabet
reading in comparison to musical notation reading, and concludes
that there should be no contra-indication for teaching standard music
reading to children with dyslexia if an appropriate process is offered.
This conclusion is based on a long term case study and relies on two
main characteristics of music reading: (1) musical notation system is
a systematic, logical, relative set of symbols written on a staff; and
(2) music reading learning connected with playing a musical
instrument is a multi-sensory activity that combines sight, hearing,
touch, and movement. The paper describes music reading teaching
procedures, using soprano recorders, and provides unique teaching
methods that have been found to be effective for students who were
diagnosed with dyslexia. It provides theoretical explanations in
addition to guidelines for music education practices.
Abstract: For the shrimp companies to remain relevant to its local
and international consumers, they must offer new shrimp product and
services. It must work actively not just to create value for the consumer,
but to involve the consumer in co-creating value for shrimp product
innovation in the market. In this theoretical work, we conceptualize the
business concept of value co-creation in the context of shrimp products,
and propose a framework of value co-creation for shrimp product
innovation in shrimp industries. With guidance on value co-creation in
in shrimp industry, and shrimp value chain actors mapped to the
co-creation cycle, companies can use the framework to offer new
shrimp product to consumer communities. Although customer
co-creation is known approach in the world, it is not commonly used
by the companies in Bangladesh. This paper makes an original
contribution by conceptualizing co-creation and set the examples of
best co-creation practices in food sector. The results of the study
provide management with guidelines for successful co-creation
projects with an innovation- and market-oriented approach. The
framework also provides a basis for further research in this area.