Abstract: The paper presents a plastic analysis procedure based
on the energy balance concept for performance based seismic retrofit
of multi-story multi-bay masonry infilled reinforced concrete (R/C)
frames with a ‘soft’ ground story using passive energy dissipation
(PED) devices with the objective of achieving a target performance
level of the retrofitted R/C frame for a given seismic hazard level at
the building site. The proposed energy based plastic analysis
procedure was employed for developing performance based design
(PBD) formulations for PED devices for a simulated application in
seismic retrofit of existing frame structures designed in compliance
with the prevalent standard codes of practice. The PBD formulations
developed for PED devices were implemented for simulated seismic
retrofit of a representative code-compliant masonry infilled R/C
frame with a ‘soft’ ground story using friction dampers as the PED
device. Non-linear dynamic analyses of the retrofitted masonry
infilled R/C frames is performed to investigate the efficacy and
accuracy of the proposed energy based plastic analysis procedure in
achieving the target performance level under design level
earthquakes. Results of non-linear dynamic analyses demonstrate that
the maximum inter-story drifts in the masonry infilled R/C frames
with a ‘soft’ ground story that is retrofitted with the friction dampers
designed using the proposed PBD formulations are controlled within
the target drifts under near-field as well far-field earthquakes.
Abstract: Carbon nanotube is one of the most attractive materials
for the potential applications of nanotechnology due to its excellent
mechanical, thermal, electrical and optical properties. In this paper we
report a supercapacitor made of nickel foil electrodes, coated with
multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) thin film using
electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method. Chemical vapor deposition
method was used for the growth of MWCNTs and ethanol was used as
a hydrocarbon source. High graphitic multiwall carbon nanotube was
found at 750oC analyzing by Raman spectroscopy. We observed the
electrochemical performance of supercapacitor by cyclic
voltammetry. The electrodes of supercapacitor fabricated from
MWCNTs exhibit considerably small equivalent series resistance
(ESR), and a high specific power density. Electrophoretic deposition
is an easy method in fabricating MWCNT electrodes for high
performance supercapacitor.
Abstract: This paper reports a structured literature review of the
application of Health Information Technology in developing
countries, defined as the World Bank categories Low-income
countries, Lower-middle-income, and Upper-middle-income
countries. The aim was to identify and classify the various
applications of health information technology to assess its current
state in developing countries and explore potential areas of research.
We offer specific analysis and application of HIT in Libya as one of
the developing countries. A structured literature review was
conducted using the following online databases: IEEE, Science
Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Publication dates were set for
2000-2013. For the PubMed search, publications in English, French,
and Arabic were specified. Using a content analysis approach, 159
papers were analyzed and a total number of 26 factors were identified
that affect the adoption of health information technology. Of the 2681
retrieved articles, 159 met the inclusion criteria which were carefully
analyzed and classified. The implementation of health information
technology across developing countries is varied. Whilst it was
initially expected financial constraints would have severely limited
health information technology implementation, some developing
countries like India have nevertheless dominated the literature and
taken the lead in conducting scientific research. Comparing the
number of studies to the number of countries in each category, we
found that Low-income countries and Lower-middle-income had
more studies carried out than Upper-middle-income countries.
However, whilst IT has been used in various sectors of the economy,
the healthcare sector in developing countries is still failing to benefit
fully from the potential advantages that IT can offer.
Abstract: Enterprise Architecture (EA) is employed by
enterprises for providing integrated Information Systems (ISs) in
order to support alignment of their business and Information
Technology (IT). Evaluation of EA implementation can support
enterprise to reach intended goals. There are some problems in
current evaluation methods of EA implementation that lead to
ineffectiveness implementation of EA. This paper represents current
issues on evaluation of EA implementation. In this regard, we set the
framework in order to represent evaluation’s issues based on their
functionality and structure. The results of this research not only
increase the knowledge of evaluation, but also could be useful for
both academics and practitioners in order to realize the current
situation of evaluations.
Abstract: Ontologies offer a means for representing and sharing
information in many domains, particularly in complex domains. For
example, it can be used for representing and sharing information
of System Requirement Specification (SRS) of complex systems
like the SRS of ERTMS/ETCS written in natural language. Since
this system is a real-time and critical system, generic ontologies,
such as OWL and generic ERTMS ontologies provide minimal
support for modeling temporal information omnipresent in these SRS
documents. To support the modeling of temporal information, one
of the challenges is to enable representation of dynamic features
evolving in time within a generic ontology with a minimal redesign
of it. The separation of temporal information from other information
can help to predict system runtime operation and to properly design
and implement them. In addition, it is helpful to provide a reasoning
and querying techniques to reason and query temporal information
represented in the ontology in order to detect potential temporal
inconsistencies. To address this challenge, we propose a lightweight
3-layer temporal Quality of Service (QoS) ontology for representing,
reasoning and querying over temporal and non-temporal information
in a complex domain ontology. Representing QoS entities in separated
layers can clarify the distinction between the non QoS entities
and the QoS entities in an ontology. The upper generic layer of
the proposed ontology provides an intuitive knowledge of domain
components, specially ERTMS/ETCS components. The separation of
the intermediate QoS layer from the lower QoS layer allows us to
focus on specific QoS Characteristics, such as temporal or integrity
characteristics. In this paper, we focus on temporal information that
can be used to predict system runtime operation. To evaluate our
approach, an example of the proposed domain ontology for handover
operation, as well as a reasoning rule over temporal relations in this
domain-specific ontology, are presented.
Abstract: Non-destructive testing and evaluation techniques for
assessing the integrity of composite structures are essential to both
reduce manufacturing costs and out of service time of transport means
due to maintenance. In this study, Analyze into non-destructive test
characterization of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) internal
and external defects using thermo-graphic camera and transient
thermography method. non-destructive testing were characterized by
defect size (Ø8, Ø10, Ø12, Ø14) and depth (1.2mm, 2.4mm).
Abstract: Brown seaweeds are abundant in Portuguese coastline
and represent an almost unexploited marine economic resource. One
of the most common species, easily available for harvesting in the
northwest coast, is Saccorhiza polyschides grows in the lowest shore
and costal rocky reefs. It is almost exclusively used by local farmers
as natural fertilizer, but contains a substantial amount of valuable
compounds, particularly alginates, natural biopolymers of high
interest for many industrial applications.
Alginates are natural polysaccharides present in cell walls of
brown seaweed, highly biocompatible, with particular properties that
make them of high interest for the food, biotechnology, cosmetics
and pharmaceutical industries. Conventional extraction processes are
based on thermal treatment. They are lengthy and consume high
amounts of energy and solvents. In recent years, microwave-assisted
extraction (MAE) has shown enormous potential to overcome major
drawbacks that outcome from conventional plant material extraction
(thermal and/or solvent based) techniques, being also successfully
applied to the extraction of agar, fucoidans and alginates. In the
present study, acid pretreatment of brown seaweed Saccorhiza
polyschides for subsequent microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) of
alginate was optimized. Seaweeds were collected in Northwest
Portuguese coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean between May and
August, 2014. Experimental design was used to assess the effect of
temperature and acid pretreatment time in alginate extraction.
Response surface methodology allowed the determination of the
optimum MAE conditions: 40 mL of HCl 0.1 M per g of dried
seaweed with constant stirring at 20ºC during 14h. Optimal acid
pretreatment conditions have enhanced significantly MAE of
alginates from Saccorhiza polyschides, thus contributing for the
development of a viable, more environmental friendly alternative to
conventional processes.
Abstract: The objective of meta-analysis is to combine results
from several independent studies in order to create generalization
and provide evidence base for decision making. But recent studies
show that the magnitude of effect size estimates reported in many
areas of research significantly changed over time and this can
impair the results and conclusions of meta-analysis. A number of
sequential methods have been proposed for monitoring the effect
size estimates in meta-analysis. However they are based on statistical
theory applicable only to fixed effect model (FEM) of meta-analysis.
For random-effects model (REM), the analysis incorporates the
heterogeneity variance, τ 2 and its estimation create complications.
In this paper we study the use of a truncated CUSUM-type test with
asymptotically valid critical values for sequential monitoring in REM.
Simulation results show that the test does not control the Type I error
well, and is not recommended. Further work required to derive an
appropriate test in this important area of applications.
Abstract: In this study, epoxy composite specimens reinforced
with multi-walled carbon nanotube filler were fabricated using shear
mixer and ultra-sonication processor. The mechanical and thermal
properties of the fabricated specimens were measured and evaluated.
From the electron microscope images and the results from the
measurements of tensile strengths, the specimens having 0.6 wt%
nanotube content show better dispersion and higher strength than those
of the other specimens. The Young’s moduli of the specimens
increased as the contents of the nanotube filler in the matrix were
increased. The specimen having a 0.6 wt% nanotube filler content
showed higher thermal conductivity than that of the other specimens.
While, in the measurement of thermal expansion, specimens having
0.4 and 0.6 wt% filler contents showed a lower value of thermal
expansion than that of the other specimens. On the basis of the
measured and evaluated properties of the composites, we believe that
the simple and time-saving fabrication process used in this study was
sufficient to obtain improved properties of the specimens.
Abstract: This paper aims to represent the commercial activity
of a city taking as source data the social network Foursquare. The
city of Murcia is selected as case study, and the location-based
social network Foursquare is the main source of information. After
carrying out a reorganisation of the user-generated data extracted
from Foursquare, it is possible to graphically display on a map the
various city spaces and venues especially those related to commercial,
food and entertainment sector businesses. The obtained visualisation
provides information about activity patterns in the city of Murcia
according to the people‘s interests and preferences and, moreover,
interesting facts about certain characteristics of the town itself.
Abstract: Social media continues to grow, and user interfaces
may become more appealing if cultural characteristics are
incorporated into their design.
Facebook was designed in the west, and the original language was
English. Subsequently, the words in the user interface were translated
to other languages, including Arabic.
Arabic words are written from right to left, and English is written
from left to right. The translated version may misrepresent the
original design and users’ preferences may be influenced by their
culture, which should be considered in the user interface design.
Previous research indicates that users are more comfortable when
interacting with a user interface, which relates to their own culture.
Therefore, this paper, using a survey, investigates the preferences of
Saudi Arabians on the Arabic version of the user interface of
Facebook.
Abstract: Two types of glass fibers having different lengths
(1/16" and 1/32") were added into rigid PVC foams to enhance the
dimensional stability of extruded rigid Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
foam at different concentrations (0-20 phr) using a single screw
profile extruder. PVC foam-glass fiber composites (PVC-GF) were
characterized for their dimensional stability, structural, thermal, and
mechanical properties. Experimental results show that the
dimensional stability, heat resistance, and storage modulus were
enhanced without compromising the tensile and flexural strengths of
the composites. Overall, foam composites which were prepared with
longer glass fibers exhibit better mechanical and thermal properties
than those prepared with shorter glass fibers due to higher
interlocking between the fibers and the foam cells, which result in
better load distribution in the matrix.
Abstract: In this study, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was
extracted from oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) cellulose which was
earlier isolated from oil palm EFB fibre. In order to isolate the
cellulose, the chlorination method was carried out. Then, the MCC
was prepared by simultaneous ultrasonic and alkali treatment from
the isolated α-cellulose. Based on mass balance calculation, the yields
for MCC obtained from EFB was 44%. For fiber characterization, it
is observed that the chemical composition of the hemicellulose and
lignin for all samples decreased while composition for cellulose
increased. The structural property of the MCC was studied by X-ray
diffraction (XRD) method and the result shows that the MCC
produced is a cellulose-I polymorph, with 73% crystallinity.
Abstract: This paper discusses the role of music as a ludic
activity and constituent element of voice in the construction and
consolidation of the relationship of the baby and his/her mother or
caretaker, evaluating its implications in his/her psychic structure and
constitution as a subject. The work was based on the research
developed as part of the author’s doctoral activities carried out from
her insertion in a project of the Music Department of Federal
University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, which objective was the
development of musical activities with groups of babies from 0 to 24
months old and their caretakers. Observations, video recordings of
the meetings, audio testemonies, and evaluation tools applied to
group participants were used as instruments for this research.
Information was collected on the participation of 195 babies, among
which 8 were more focused on through interviews with their mothers
or caretakers. These interviews were analyzed based on the
referential of French Discourse Analysis, Psychoanalysis, Psychology
of Development and Musical Education. The results of the research
were complemented by other posterior experiences that the author
developed with similar groups, in a context of a private clinic. The
information collected allowed the observation of the ludic and
structural functions of musical activities, when developed in a
structured environment, as well as the importance of the musicality of
the mother’s voice to the psychical structuring of the baby, allowing
his/her insertion in the language and his/her constitution as a subject.
Abstract: Children are more susceptible to medication errors
than adults. Medication administration process is the last stage in the
medication treatment process and most of the errors detected in this
stage. Little research has been undertaken about medication errors in
children in the Middle East countries. This study was aimed to
evaluate how the paediatric nurses adhere to the medication
administration policy and also to identify any medication preparation
and administration errors or any risk factors. An observational,
prospective study of medication administration process from when
the nurses preparing patient medication until administration stage
(May to August 2014) was conducted in Saudi Arabia. Twelve
paediatric nurses serving 90 paediatric patients were observed. 456
drug administered doses were evaluated. Adherence rate was variable
in 7 steps out of 16 steps. Patient allergy information, dose
calculation, drug expiry date were the steps in medication
administration with lowest adherence rates. 63 medication
preparation and administration errors were identified with error rate
13.8% of medication administrations. No potentially life-threating
errors were witnessed. Few logistic and administrative factors were
reported. The results showed that the medication administration
policy and procedure need an urgent revision to be more sensible for
nurses in practice. Nurses’ knowledge and skills regarding to the
medication administration process should be improved.
Abstract: Due to the importance of ports to trade and economic
development of the regions in which they are inserted, in recent
decades the number of studies devoted to this subject has increased.
Part of these studies considers the ports as business agglomerations
and focuses on port governance. This is an important approach since
the port performance is the result of activities performed by actors
belonging to the port-logistics chain, which need to be properly
coordinated. This coordination takes place through a port governance
model. Given this context, this study aims to analyze the governance
model of the port of Santos from the perspective of port customers.
To do this, a closed-ended questionnaire based on a conceptual model
that considers the key dimensions associated with port governance
was applied to the international freight forwarders that operate in the
port. The results show the applicability of the considered model and
highlight improvement opportunities to be implemented at the port of
Santos.
Abstract: Adapting quickly to environmental dynamism is
essential for an organization to develop outsourcing strategic and
management in order to sustain competitive advantage. This research
used the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLSSEM)
tool to investigate the factors of environmental dynamism
impact on the strategic outsourcing success among electrical and
electronic manufacturing industries in outsourcing management.
Statistical results confirm that the inclusion of customer demand,
technological change, and competition level as a new combination
concept of environmental dynamism, has positive effects on
outsourcing success. Additionally, this research demonstrates the
acceptability of PLS-SEM as a statistical analysis to furnish a better
understanding of environmental dynamism in outsourcing
management in Malaysia. A practical finding contributes to
academics and practitioners in the field of outsourcing management.
Abstract: Structured Query Language (SQL) is the standard de facto language to access and manipulate data in a relational database. Although SQL is a language that is simple and powerful, most novice users will have trouble with SQL syntax. Thus, we are presenting SQL generator tool which is capable of translating actions and displaying SQL commands and data sets simultaneously. The tool was developed based on Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern. The MVC pattern is a widely used software design pattern that enforces the separation between the input, processing, and output of an application. Developers take full advantage of it to reduce the complexity in architectural design and to increase flexibility and reuse of code. In addition, we use White-Box testing for the code verification in the Model module.
Abstract: Urban public spaces are sutured with a range of
surveillance and sensor technologies that claim to enable new forms
of ‘data based citizen participation’, but also increase the tendency
for ‘function-creep’, whereby vast amounts of data are gathered,
stored and analysed in a broad application of urban surveillance. This
kind of monitoring and capacity for surveillance connects with
attempts by civic authorities to regulate, restrict, rebrand and reframe
urban public spaces. A direct consequence of the increasingly
security driven, policed, privatised and surveilled nature of public
space is the exclusion or ‘unfavourable inclusion’ of those considered
flawed and unwelcome in the ‘spectacular’ consumption spaces of
many major urban centres. In the name of urban regeneration,
programs of securitisation, ‘gentrification’ and ‘creative’ and ‘smart’
city initiatives refashion public space as sites of selective inclusion
and exclusion. In this context of monitoring and control procedures,
in particular, children and young people’s use of space in parks,
neighbourhoods, shopping malls and streets is often viewed as a
threat to the social order, requiring various forms of remedial action.
This paper suggests that cities, places and spaces and those who
seek to use them, can be resilient in working to maintain and extend
democratic freedoms and processes enshrined in Marshall’s concept
of citizenship, calling sensor and surveillance systems to account.
Such accountability could better inform the implementation of public
policy around the design, build and governance of public space and
also understandings of urban citizenship in the sensor saturated urban
environment.
Abstract: Creating a database scheme is essentially a manual
process. From a requirement specification the information contained
within has to be analyzed and reduced into a set of tables, attributes
and relationships. This is a time consuming process that has to go
through several stages before an acceptable database schema is
achieved. The purpose of this paper is to implement a Natural
Language Processing (NLP) based tool to produce a relational
database from a requirement specification. The Stanford CoreNLP
version 3.3.1 and the Java programming were used to implement the
proposed model. The outcome of this study indicates that a first draft
of a relational database schema can be extracted from a requirement
specification by using NLP tools and techniques with minimum user
intervention. Therefore this method is a step forward in finding a
solution that requires little or no user intervention.