Abstract: Banda Sea Collision Zone (BSCZ) is the result of the
interaction and convergence of Indo-Australian plate, Eurasian plate
and Pacific plate. This location is located in eastern Indonesia. This
zone has a very high seismic activity. In this research, we will
calculate the rate (λ) and Mean Square Error (MSE). By this result,
we will classification earthquakes distribution in the BSCZ with the
point process approach. Chi-square is used to determine the type of
earthquakes distribution in the sub region of BSCZ. The data used in
this research is data of earthquakes with a magnitude ≥ 6 SR for the
period 1964-2013 and sourced from BMKG Jakarta. This research is
expected to contribute to the Moluccas Province and surrounding
local governments in performing spatial plan document related to
disaster management.
Abstract: Objective: Acute coronary syndrome is a clinical
condition encompassing ST segments elevation myocardial
infraction, Non ST segment is elevation myocardial infraction and un
stable angina is characterized by ruptured coronary plaque, stress and
myocardial injury. Angina pectoris is a pressure like pain in the chest
that is induced by exertion or stress and relived with in the minute
after cessation of effort or using sublingual nitroglycerin. The present
research was undertaken to study the drug utilization pattern of
antiplatelet drugs for the ischemic heart disease in a tertiary care
hospital. Method: The present study is retrospective drug utilization
study and study period is 6months. The data is collected from the
discharge case sheet of general medicine department from medical
department Rajiv Gandhi institute of medical sciences, Kadapa. The
tentative sample size fixed was 250 patients. Out of 250 cases 19
cases was excluded because of unrelated data. Results: A total of 250
prescriptions were collected for the study according to the inclusion
criteria 233 prescriptions were diagnosed with ischemic heart disease
17 prescriptions were excluded due to unrelated information. out of
233 prescriptions 128 are male (54.9%) and 105 patients are were
female (45%). According to the gender distribution, the prevalence of
ischemic heart disease in males are 90 (70.31%) and females are 39
(37.1%). In the same way the prevalence of ischemic heart disease
along with cerebrovascular disease in males are 39 (29.6%) and
females are 66 (62.6%). Conclusion: We found that 94.8% of drug
utilization of antiplatelet drugs was achieved in the Rajiv Gandhi
institute of medical sciences, Kadapa from 2011-2012.
Abstract: The current web has become a modern encyclopedia,
where people share their thoughts and ideas on various topics around
them. This kind of encyclopedia is very useful for other people who
are looking for answers to their questions. However, with the
growing popularity of social networking and blogging and ever
expanding network services, there has also been a growing diversity
of technologies along with a different structure of individual web
sites. It is therefore difficult to directly find a relevant answer for a
common Internet user. This paper presents a web application for the
real-time end-to-end analysis of selected Internet trends where the
trend can be whatever the people post online. The application
integrates fully configurable tools for data collection and analysis
using selected webometric algorithms, and for its chronological
visualization to user. It can be assumed that the application facilitates
the users to evaluate the quality of various products that are
mentioned online.
Abstract: Dietary cholesterol has elicited the most public
interest as it relates with coronary heart disease. Thus, humans have
been paying more attention to health, thereby reducing consumption
of cholesterol enriched food. Egg is considered as one of the major
sources of human dietary cholesterol. However, an alternative way to
reduce the potential cholesterolemic effect of eggs is to modify the
fatty acid composition of the yolk. The effect of palm oil (PO),
soybean oil (SO), sesame seed oil (SSO) and fish oil (FO)
supplementation in the diets of layers on egg yolk fatty acid,
cholesterol, egg production and egg quality parameters were
evaluated in a 42-day feeding trial. One hundred and five Isa Brown
laying hens of 34 weeks of age were randomly distributed into seven
groups of five replicates and three birds per replicate in a completely
randomized design. Seven corn-soybean basal diets (BD) were
formulated: BD+No oil (T1), BD+1.5% PO (T2), BD+1.5% SO (T3),
BD+1.5% SSO (T4), BD+1.5% FO (T5), BD+0.75% SO+0.75% FO
(T6) and BD+0.75% SSO+0.75% FO (T7). Five eggs were randomly
sampled at day 42 from each replicate to assay for the cholesterol,
fatty acid profile of egg yolk and egg quality assessment. Results
showed that there were no significant (P>0.05) differences observed
in production performance, egg cholesterol and egg quality
parameters except for yolk height, albumen height, yolk index, egg
shape index, haugh unit, and yolk colour. There were no significant
differences (P>0.05) observed in total cholesterol, high density
lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein levels of egg yolk across the
treatments. However, diets had effect (P
Abstract: Holistic methods covering the development process as
a whole – e.g. systems engineering – have established themselves in
product design. However, technical product optimization,
representing improvements in efficiency and/or minimization of loss,
usually applies to single components of a system. A holistic approach
is being defined based on a hierarchical point of view of systems
engineering. This is subsequently presented using the example of an
electromechanical flywheel energy storage system for automotive
applications.
Abstract: Weak damping of low frequency oscillations is a frequent phenomenon in electrical power systems. These frequencies can be damped by power system stabilizers. Unified power flow controller (UPFC), as one of the most important FACTS devices, can be applied to increase the damping of power system oscillations and the more effect of this controller on increasing the damping of oscillations depends on its proper placement in power systems. In this paper, a technique based on controllability is proposed to select proper location of UPFC and the best input control signal in order to enhance damping of power oscillations. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is demonstrated in IEEE 9 bus power system.
Abstract: In this work, by replacing the traditional solid spokes with colloidal spokes, a vehicle wheel with a built-in suspension structure is proposed. Following the background and description of the wheel system, firstly, a vibration model of the wheel equipped with colloidal spokes is proposed, and based on such model the equivalent damping coefficients and spring constants are identified. Then, a modified model of a quarter-vehicle moving on a rough pavement is proposed in order to estimate the transmissibility of vibration from the road roughness to vehicle body. In the end, the optimal design of the colloidal spokes and the optimum number of colloidal spokes are decided in order to minimize the transmissibility of vibration, i.e., to maximize the ride comfort of the vehicle.
Abstract: One of the main purposes of designing bucklingrestrained
braces is the fact that the entire lateral load is wasted by
the braces, the entire gravitational load is moved to the foundation
through the beams, and the columns can be moved to the foundation.
In other words, braces are designed for bearing lateral load. In the
implementation of the structure, it should be noted that the
implementation of various parts of the structure must be conducted in
such a way that the buckling-restrained braces would not bear the
gravitational load. Moreover, this type of brace has been investigated
under impact loading, and the design goals of designing method
(direct motion) are controlled under impact loading. The results of
dynamic analysis are shown as the relocation charts of the floors and
switch between the floors. Finally, the results are compared with each
other.
Abstract: This work aims to investigate the structure–property
relationship in ternary nanocomposites consisting of polypropylene
as the matrix, polyamide 66 as the minor phase and treated nanoclay
DELLITE 67G as the reinforcement. All PP/PA66/Nanoclay systems
with polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride PP-g-MAH as a
compatibilizer were prepared via melt compounding and
characterized in terms of nanoclay content. Morphological structure
was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The rheological
behavior of the nanocomposites was determined by various methods,
viz melt flow index (MFI) and parallel plate rheological
measurements. The PP/PP-g-MAH/PA66 nanocomposites showed a homogeneous
morphology supporting the compatibility improvement between PP,
PA66, and nanoclay. SEM results revealed the formation of
nanocomposites as the nanoclay was intercalated and exfoliated. In
the ternary nanocomposites, the rheological behavior showed that, the
complex viscosity is increased with increasing the nanoclay. The results showed that the use of nanoclay affects the variations
of storage modulus (G′), loss modulus (G″) and the melt elasticity.
Abstract: The overall goal of this paper is to examine the
suitability and potential of the policies addressing the sustainability
and affordability of housing for returnees, and to determine the impact
of this policy on housing delivery for Afghan refugees. Housing is a
central component of the settlement experience of refugees. A positive
housing situation can facilitate many aspects of integration.
Unaffordable, and unsafe housing, however, can cause disruptions in
the entire settlement process. This paper aims to identify a suite of
built forms for housing that is both affordable and environmentally
sustainable for Afghan refugees. The result was the development of a
framework that enables the assessment of the overall performance of
various types of housing development in all zones of the country.
There is very little evidence that the present approach of housing
provision to the vagaries of market forces has provided affordable
housing, especially for Afghan refugees. There is a need to incorporate
social housing into the policy to assist people who cannot afford to
have their own houses.
Abstract: We investigate the large scale of networks in the
context of network survivability under attack. We use appropriate
techniques to evaluate and the attacker-based- and the defenderbased-
network survivability. The attacker is unaware of the operated
links by the defender. Each attacked link has some pre-specified
probability to be disconnected. The defender choice is so that to
maximize the chance of successfully sending the flow to the
destination node. The attacker however will select the cut-set with
the highest chance to be disabled in order to partition the network.
Moreover, we extend the problem to the case of selecting the best p
paths to operate by the defender and the best k cut-sets to target by
the attacker, for arbitrary integers p,k>1. We investigate some
variations of the problem and suggest polynomial-time solutions.
Abstract: One of prevailing modes of finance in emerging
Islamic banking system is Murabah’a. It means a financial dealing or
transaction in which seller tells cost of the goods to be sold to buyer.
Otherwise, the transaction would become invalid. In this mainstream,
import Murabah’a transaction is divergent in such a way that the cost
is not recognized and identified due to execution of import
transaction in foreign currency i.e. US Dollar and the next transaction
of Murabaha’a with the client is executed in local currency. Since this
transaction is executed in dual currency i.e. bank pays supplier in
foreign currency and executes Murabah’a with its client in local
currency and it is not allowed in according to Islamic Injunctions as
mentioned in hadith narrated by Hazrat Ibn-e-Umar (May Allah be
pleased with them) used to sell his camels with Dirhams and take
dinars instead and vice versa. Upon revealing before the Prophet
(Peace be upon him), he was advised that it must not be contingent in
the agreement and the ready rate would be applied and possession of
one of the consideration is compulsory. The solution in this regard is
that the import Murabah’a transaction should be in single currency
However, other currency can be paid in payment at the time of
payment in a very indispensable situation provided that ready rate
would be applied. Moreover, some of other solutions have also been
given in this regard.
Abstract: This paper aims to analysis the behavior of DC corona
discharge in wire-to-plate electrostatic precipitators (ESP). Currentvoltage
curves are particularly analyzed. Experimental results show
that discharge current is strongly affected by the applied voltage. The proposed method of current identification is to use the method
of least squares. Least squares problems that of into two categories:
linear or ordinary least squares and non-linear least squares,
depending on whether or not the residuals are linear in all unknowns.
The linear least-squares problem occurs in statistical regression
analysis; it has a closed-form solution. A closed-form solution (or
closed form expression) is any formula that can be evaluated in a
finite number of standard operations. The non-linear problem has no
closed-form solution and is usually solved by iterative.
Abstract: Low density polyethylene (LDPE) nanocomposites
with 3, 5 and 7 wt. % cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanopowder fabricated
with extrusion mixing and followed up by hot press to reach compact
samples. The transmission/reflection measurements were carried out
with a network analyzer in the frequency range of 8-12 GHz. By
increasing the percent of CoFe2O4 nanopowder, reflection loss (S11)
increases, while transferring loss (S21) decreases. Reflectivity (R)
calculations made using S11 and S21. Increase in percent of CoFe2O4
nanopowder up to 7 wt. % in composite leaded to higher reflectivity
amount, and revealed that increasing the percent of CoFe2O4
nanopowder up to 7 wt. % leads to further microwave absorption in
8-12 GHz range.
Abstract: In the last decades, psychological tests have been
gaining in popularity as a method used for evaluating personnel, and
they bring consulting companies solid profits rising by up to 10%
each year. The market is offering a growing range of tools for the
assessment of personality. Tests are used in organizations mainly in
the recruitment and selection of staff. This paper is an attempt to
initially diagnose the state of the use of psychological tests in Polish
companies on the basis of empirical research.
Abstract: There was a scenario present day that drying of fresh
fruits and vegetables by indirect solar drying by using mechanical
device; hence, an effort was made to develop a small scale solar
tunnel dryer (STD). Drying of spinach is carried out to analyze the
performance of the dryer and to study its drying characteristics. To
evaluate the performance of dryer the independent variables were
selected as air flow rate, loading density and shade net while collector
efficiency, drying efficiency, overall efficiency and specific energy
consumption were selected as responses during performing the
experiments. The spinach was dried from initial moisture content
88.21-94.04% (w.b.) to final moisture content 3.50-5.13% (w.b.). The
drying time considerably reduced as compared to open sun drying of
spinach as sun drying took 15 h for drying. The average collector
efficiency, drying efficiency and overall efficiency were in the range
28.73-61.15%, 11.63% to 22.13%, and 7.61-14.66%, respectively.
Abstract: With the advancement of knowledge about the utility
and impact of sustainability, its feasibility has been explored into
different walks of life. Scientists, however; have established their
knowledge in four areas viz environmental, economic, social and
cultural, popularly termed as four pillars of sustainability. Aspects of
environmental and economic sustainability have been rigorously
researched and practiced and huge volume of strong evidence of
effectiveness has been founded for these two sub-areas. For the social
and cultural aspects of sustainability, dependable evidence of
effectiveness is still to be instituted as the researchers and
practitioners are developing and experimenting methods across the
globe. Therefore, the present research aimed to identify globally used
practices of social and cultural sustainability and through evidence
synthesis assess their outcomes to determine the effectiveness of
those practices. A PICO format steered the methodology which
included all populations, popular sustainability practices including
walkability/cycle tracks, social/recreational spaces, privacy, health &
human services and barrier free built environment, comparators
included ‘Before’ and ‘After’, ‘With’ and ‘Without’, ‘More’ and
‘Less’ and outcomes included Social well-being, cultural coexistence,
quality of life, ethics and morality, social capital, sense of
place, education, health, recreation and leisure, and holistic
development. Search of literature included major electronic
databases, search websites, organizational resources, directory of
open access journals and subscribed journals. Grey literature,
however, was not included. Inclusion criteria filtered studies on the
basis of research designs such as total randomization, quasirandomization,
cluster randomization, observational or single studies
and certain types of analysis. Studies with combined outcomes were
considered but studies focusing only on environmental and/or
economic outcomes were rejected. Data extraction, critical appraisal
and evidence synthesis was carried out using customized tabulation,
reference manager and CASP tool. Partial meta-analysis was carried
out and calculation of pooled effects and forest plotting were done.
As many as 13 studies finally included for final synthesis explained
the impact of targeted practices on health, behavioural and social
dimensions. Objectivity in the measurement of health outcomes
facilitated quantitative synthesis of studies which highlighted the
impact of sustainability methods on physical activity, Body Mass
Index, perinatal outcomes and child health. Studies synthesized
qualitatively (and also quantitatively) showed outcomes such as
routines, family relations, citizenship, trust in relationships, social
inclusion, neighbourhood social capital, wellbeing, habitability and
family’s social processes. The synthesized evidence indicates slight
effectiveness and efficacy of social and cultural sustainability on the
targeted outcomes. Further synthesis revealed that such results of this
study are due weak research designs and disintegrated implementations. If architects and other practitioners deliver their
interventions in collaboration with research bodies and policy
makers, a stronger evidence-base in this area could be generated.
Abstract: Success means different things for different people.
For us, project managers, it becomes even harder to actually find a
definition. Many factors have to be included in the evaluation.
Moreover, literature is not very helpful, lacking consensus and
neutrality. Post-implementation reviews (PIR) can be an efficient tool
in evaluating how things worked on a certain project. Despite the
visible progress, PIR is not a very detailed subject yet and there is not
common understanding in this matter. This may be the reason that
some organizations include it in the projects’ lifecycle and some do
not. Through this paper, we point out the reasons why all project
managers should pay proper attention to this important step and to the
elements which can be assessed, beside the already famous triple
constraints: cost, budget and time. It is essential to take notice that PIR is not a checklist. It brings the
edge in eliminating subjectivity and judging projects based on actual
proof. Based on our experience, our success indicator model,
presented in this paper, contributes to the success of the project! In
the same time, it increases trust among customers who will perceive
success more objectively.
Abstract: Segmentation of left ventricle (LV) from cardiac
ultrasound images provides a quantitative functional analysis of the
heart to diagnose disease. Active Shape Model (ASM) is widely used
for LV segmentation, but it suffers from the drawback that
initialization of the shape model is not sufficiently close to the target,
especially when dealing with abnormal shapes in disease. In this work,
a two-step framework is improved to achieve a fast and efficient LV
segmentation. First, a robust and efficient detection based on Hough
forest localizes cardiac feature points. Such feature points are used to
predict the initial fitting of the LV shape model. Second, ASM is
applied to further fit the LV shape model to the cardiac ultrasound
image. With the robust initialization, ASM is able to achieve more
accurate segmentation. The performance of the proposed method is
evaluated on a dataset of 810 cardiac ultrasound images that are mostly
abnormal shapes. This proposed method is compared with several
combinations of ASM and existing initialization methods. Our
experiment results demonstrate that accuracy of the proposed method
for feature point detection for initialization was 40% higher than the
existing methods. Moreover, the proposed method significantly
reduces the number of necessary ASM fitting loops and thus speeds up
the whole segmentation process. Therefore, the proposed method is
able to achieve more accurate and efficient segmentation results and is
applicable to unusual shapes of heart with cardiac diseases, such as left
atrial enlargement.
Abstract: Game-based learning can enhance the learning
motivation of students and provide a means for them to learn through
playing games. This study used augmented reality technology to
develop an interactive card game as a game-based teaching aid for
delivering elementary school science course content with the aim of
enhancing student learning processes and outcomes. Through playing
the proposed card game, students can familiarize themselves with
appearance, features, and foraging behaviors of insects. The system
records the actions of students, enabling teachers to determine their
students’ learning progress. In this study, 37 students participated in an
assessment experiment and provided feedback through questionnaires.
Their responses indicated that they were significantly more motivated
to learn after playing the game, and their feedback was mostly
positive.