Abstract: The present study was carried out to evaluate the
effect of different levels of dietary seed and extract of Harmal
(Peganum harmala L.) on immunity of broiler chicks. A total of 350
one-day old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allocated to
five dietary treatments with four replicates pen of 14 birds each.
Dietary treatments consisted of control, 1 and 2 g/kg Harmal seed in
diet, 100 and 200 mg/L Harmal seed extract in water. Broilers
received dietary treatments from 1 to 42 d. Two birds from each pen
were randomly weighed and sacrificed at 42 d of age, the relative
weight of lymphoid organs (bursa of Fabercius and spleen) to live
weight were calculated. Antibody titers against Newcastle and
influenza viruses and sheep red blood cell were measured at 30 d of
age. Results showed that the relative weights of lymphoid organs
were not affected by dietary treatments. Furthermore, antibody titer
against Newcastle and influenza viruses as well as sheep red blood
cell antigen were significantly (P
Abstract: A thermosyphon system is a heat transfer loop which
operates on the basis of gravity and buoyancy forces. It guarantees a
good reliability and low maintenance cost as it does not involve any
mechanical pump. Therefore, it can be used in many industrial
applications such as refrigeration and air conditioning, electronic
cooling, nuclear reactors, geothermal heat extraction, etc. But flow
instabilities and loop configuration are the major problems in this
system. Several previous researchers studied that stabilities can be
suppressed by using nanofluids as loop fluid. In the present study a
rectangular thermosyphon loop with end heat exchangers are
considered for the study. This configuration is more appropriate for
many practical applications such as solar water heater, geothermal
heat extraction, etc. In the present work, steady-state analysis is
carried out on thermosyphon loop with parallel flow coaxial heat
exchangers at heat source and heat sink. In this loop nanofluid is
considered as the loop fluid and water is considered as the external
fluid in both hot and cold heat exchangers. For this analysis onedimensional
homogeneous model is developed. In this model,
conservation equations like conservation of mass, momentum, energy
are discretized using finite difference method. A computer code is
written in MATLAB to simulate the flow in thermosyphon loop. A
comparison in terms of heat transfer is made between water and
nanofluid as working fluids in the loop.
Abstract: The main aim of a communication system is to
achieve maximum performance. In Cognitive Radio any user or
transceiver has ability to sense best suitable channel, while channel is
not in use. It means an unlicensed user can share the spectrum of a
licensed user without any interference. Though, the spectrum sensing
consumes a large amount of energy and it can reduce by applying
various artificial intelligent methods for determining proper spectrum
holes. It also increases the efficiency of Cognitive Radio Network
(CRN). In this survey paper we discuss the use of different learning
models and implementation of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to
increase the learning and decision making capacity of CRN without
affecting bandwidth, cost and signal rate.
Abstract: Cost of governance in Nigeria has become a challenge
to development and concern to practitioners and scholars alike in the
field of business and social science research. In the 2010 national
budget of NGN4.6 trillion or USD28.75billion for instance, only a
pantry sum of NGN1.8trillion or USD11.15billion was earmarked for
capital expenditure. Similarly, in 2013, out of a total national budget
of NGN4.92trillion or USD30.75billion, only the sum of
NGN1.50trllion or USD9.38billion was voted for capital expenditure.
Therefore, based on the data sourced from the Nigerian Office of
Statistics, Central bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin as well as from
the United Nations Development Programme, this study examined
the causes of high cost of governance in Nigeria. It found out that the
high cost of governance in the country is in the interest of the ruling
class, arising from their unethical behaviour – corrupt practices and
the poor management of public resources. As a result, the study
recommends the need to intensify the war against corruption and
mismanagement of public resources by government officials as
possible solution to overcome the high cost of governance in Nigeria.
This could be achieved by strengthening the constitutional powers of
the various anti-corruption agencies in the area of arrest, investigation
and prosecution of offenders without the interference of the executive
arm of government either at the local, state or federal level.
Abstract: Passing the entrance exam to a university is a major
step in one's life. University entrance exam commonly known as
Kankor is the nationwide entrance exam in Afghanistan. This
examination is prerequisite for all public and private higher education
institutions at undergraduate level. It is usually taken by students who
are graduated from high schools. In this paper, we reflect the major
educational school graduates issues and propose ICT-based test
preparation environment, known as ‘Online Kankor Exam Prep
System’ to give students the tools to help them pass the university
entrance exam on the first try. The system is based on Intelligent
Tutoring System (ITS), which introduced an essential package of
educational technology for learners that features: (I) exam-focused
questions and content; (ii) self-assessment environment; and (iii) test
preparation strategies in order to help students to acquire the necessary
skills in their carrier and keep them up-to-date with instruction.
Abstract: Developing young people’s employability is a key
policy issue for ensuring their successful transition to the labour
market and their access to career oriented employment. The youths of
today irrespective of their gender need to acquire the knowledge,
skills and attitudes that will enable them to create or find jobs as well
as cope with unpredictable labour market changes throughout their
working lives. In a study carried out to determine the influence of
gender on job-competencies requirements of chemical-based
industries and undergraduate-competencies acquisition by chemists
working in the industries, all chemistry graduates working in twenty
(20) chemical-based industries that were randomly selected from six
sectors of chemical-based industries in Lagos and Ogun States of
Nigeria were administered with Job-competencies required and
undergraduate-competencies acquired assessment questionnaire. The
data were analysed using means and independent sample t-test. The
findings revealed that the population of female chemists working in
chemical-based industries is low compared with the number of male
chemists; furthermore, job-competencies requirements are found not
to be gender biased while there is no significant difference in
undergraduate-competencies acquisition of male and female
chemists. This suggests that females should be given the same
opportunity of employment in chemical-based industries as their male
counterparts. The study also revealed the level of acquisition of
undergraduate competencies as related to the needs of chemicalbased
industries.
Abstract: e-Service has moved from the usual manual and
traditional way of rendering services to electronic service provision
for the public and there are several reasons for implementing these
services, Airline ticketing have gone from its manual traditional way
to an intelligent web-driven service of purchasing. Many companies
have seen their profits doubled through the use of online services in
their operation and a typical example is Hewlett Packard (HP) which
is rapidly transforming their after sales business into a profit
generating e-service business unit.
This paper will examine the various challenges confronting e-
Service adoption and implementation in Nigeria and also analyse
lessons learnt from e-Service adoption and implementation in Asia to
see how it could be useful in Nigeria which is a lower middle income
country. From the analysis of the online survey data, it has been
identified that the public in Nigeria are much aware of e-Services but
successful adoption and implementation have been the problems
faced.
Abstract: The recommended limit for cadmium concentration in
potable water is less than 0.005 mg/L. A continuous biosorption
process using indigenous red seaweed, Gracilaria corticata, was
performed to remove cadmium from the potable water. The process
was conducted under fixed conditions and the breakthrough curves
were achieved for three consecutive sorption-desorption cycles. A
modeling based on Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was employed
to fit the experimental breakthrough data. In addition, a simplified
semi empirical model, Thomas, was employed for this purpose. It
was found that ANN well described the experimental data (R2>0.99)
while the Thomas prediction were a bit less successful with R2>0.97.
The adjusted design parameters using the nonlinear form of Thomas
model was in a good agreement with the experimentally obtained
ones. The results approve the capability of ANN to predict the
cadmium concentration in potable water.
Abstract: Science and technology has a major impact on many
societal domains such as communication, medicine, food,
transportation, etc. However, this dominance of modern technology
can have a negative unintended impact on indigenous systems, and in
particular on indigenous foods. This problem serves as a motivation
to this study whose aim is to examine the perceptions of learners on
the usefulness of Information and Communication Technologies
(ICTs) for learning about indigenous foods. This aim will be
subdivided into two types of research objectives. The design and
identification of theories and models will be achieved using literature
content analysis. The objective on the empirical testing of such
theories and models will be achieved through the survey of
Hospitality studies learners from different schools in the iLembe and
Umgungundlovu Districts of the South African Kwazulu-Natal
province. SPSS is used to quantitatively analyze the data collected by
the questionnaire of this survey using descriptive statistics and
Pearson correlations after the assessment of the validity and the
reliability of the data. The main hypothesis behind this study is that
there is a connection between the demographics of learners, their
perceptions on the usefulness of ICTs for learning about indigenous
foods, and the following personality and eLearning related theories
constructs: Computer self-efficacy, Trust in ICT systems, and
Conscientiousness; as suggested by existing studies on learning
theories. This hypothesis was fully confirmed by the survey
conducted by this study except for the demographic factors where
gender and age were not found to be determinant factors of learners’
perceptions on the usefulness of ICTs for learning about indigenous
foods.
Abstract: The classroom of the 21st century is an ever changing
forum for new and innovative thoughts and ideas. With increasing
technology and opportunity, students have rapid access to
information that only decades ago would have taken weeks to obtain.
Unfortunately, new techniques and technology are not the cure for
the fundamental problems that have plagued the classroom ever since
education was established. Class size has been an issue long debated
in academia. While it is difficult to pin point an exact number, it is
clear that in this case more does not mean better. By looking into the
success and pitfalls of classroom size the true advantages of smaller
classes will become clear. Previously, one class was comprised of 50
students. Being seventeen and eighteen- year- old students,
sometimes it was quite difficult for them to stay focused. To help
them understand and gain much knowledge, a researcher introduced
“The Theory of Multiple Intelligence” and this, in fact, enabled
students to learn according to their own learning preferences no
matter how they were being taught. In this lesson, the researcher
designed a cycle of learning activities involving all intelligences so
that everyone had equal opportunities to learn.
Abstract: The levels of maximum power density of GSM
signals in the cities of Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja were studied.
Measurements were made with a calibrated hand held spectrum
analyzer 200m away from 271 base stations, at 1.2m to the ground
level. The maximum GSM 900 signal power density was
139.63μW/m2 in Lagos, 162.49μW/m2 in Ibadan and 5411.26μW/m2
in Abuja. Also, the maximum GSM 1800 signal power density was
296.82μW/m2 in Lagos, 116.82μW/m2 in Ibadan and 1263.00μW/m2
in Abuja. The level of power density of GSM 900 and GSM 1800
signals in the cities of Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja are far less than the
recommended value of 4.5W/m2 for GSM 900 and 9.0 W/m2 for
GSM 1800 by the ICNRP guideline. It can be concluded that
exposure to GSM signals in these cities cannot contribute to the
health detriments caused by thermal effects of radiofrequency
radiation.
Abstract: Now-a-days autonomous mobile robots have found
applications in diverse fields. An autonomous robot system must be
able to behave in an intelligent manner to deal with complex and
changing environment. This work proposes the performance of path
planning and navigation of autonomous mobile robot using
Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA), Simulated Annealing (SA)
and Particle Swarm optimization (PSO) based intelligent controllers
in an unstructured environment. The approach not only finds a valid
collision free path but also optimal one. The main aim of the work is
to minimize the length of the path and duration of travel from a
starting point to a target while moving in an unknown environment
with obstacles without collision. Finally, a comparison is made
between the three controllers, it is found that the path length and time
duration made by the robot using GSA is better than SA and PSO
based controllers for the same work.
Abstract: The Smart Help for persons with disability (PWD) is a
part of the project SMARTDISABLE which aims to develop relevant
solution for PWD that target to provide an adequate workplace
environment for them. It would support PWD needs smartly through
smart help to allow them access to relevant information and
communicate with other effectively and flexibly, and smart editor
that assist them in their daily work. It will assist PWD in knowledge
processing and creation as well as being able to be productive at the
work place. The technical work of the project involves design of a
technological scenario for the Ambient Intelligence (AmI) - based
assistive technologies at the workplace consisting of an integrated
universal smart solution that suits many different impairment
conditions and will be designed to empower the Physically disabled
persons (PDP) with the capability to access and effectively utilize the
ICTs in order to execute knowledge rich working tasks with
minimum efforts and with sufficient comfort level. The proposed
technology solution for PWD will support voice recognition along
with normal keyboard and mouse to control the smart help and smart
editor with dynamic auto display interface that satisfies the
requirements for different PWD group. In addition, a smart help will
provide intelligent intervention based on the behavior of PWD to
guide them and warn them about possible misbehavior. PWD can
communicate with others using Voice over IP controlled by voice
recognition. Moreover, Auto Emergency Help Response would be
supported to assist PWD in case of emergency. This proposed
technology solution intended to make PWD very effective at the
work environment and flexible using voice to conduct their tasks at
the work environment. The proposed solution aims to provide
favorable outcomes that assist PWD at the work place, with the
opportunity to participate in PWD assistive technology innovation
market which is still small and rapidly growing as well as upgrading
their quality of life to become similar to the normal people at the
workplace. Finally, the proposed smart help solution is applicable in
all workplace setting, including offices, manufacturing, hospital, etc.
Abstract: Components with sensory properties such as gentelligent components developed at the Collaborative Research Centre 653 offer a new angle in terms of the full utilization of the remaining service life as well as preventive maintenance. The developed methodology of component status driven maintenance analyzes the stress data obtained during the component's useful life and on the basis of this knowledge assesses the type of maintenance required in this case. The procedure is derived from the case-based reasoning method and will be explained in detail. The method's functionality is demonstrated with real-life data obtained during test runs of a racing car prototype.
Abstract: Search engine plays an important role in internet, to
retrieve the relevant documents among the huge number of web
pages. However, it retrieves more number of documents, which are
all relevant to your search topics. To retrieve the most meaningful
documents related to search topics, ranking algorithm is used in
information retrieval technique. One of the issues in data miming is
ranking the retrieved document. In information retrieval the ranking
is one of the practical problems. This paper includes various Page
Ranking algorithms, page segmentation algorithms and compares
those algorithms used for Information Retrieval. Diverse Page Rank
based algorithms like Page Rank (PR), Weighted Page Rank (WPR),
Weight Page Content Rank (WPCR), Hyperlink Induced Topic
Selection (HITS), Distance Rank, Eigen Rumor, Distance Rank Time
Rank, Tag Rank, Relational Based Page Rank and Query Dependent
Ranking algorithms are discussed and compared.
Abstract: According to the demand of the power and
refrigeration industry, the theoretical and practical teachings of the
Thermal Energy and Power Engineering characteristic specialty in
china are studied. The teaching reform and practice of the Thermal
Energy and Power Engineering specialty have been carried out,
including construction and reform measures, teaching reform and
practice, features, and achievements. Proved by practices, the
theoretical and practical teaching effects are obvious. The study results
can provides certain reference experience for theoretical and practical
teachings of the related specialties in china.
Abstract: Vacuum insulation panel (VIP) is a promising thermal
insulator for buildings, refrigerator, LNG carrier and so on. In general,
it has the thermal conductivity of 2~4 mW/m·K. However, this thermal
conductivity is that measured at the center of VIP. The total effective
thermal conductivity of VIP is larger than this value due to the edge
conduction through the envelope. In this paper, the edge conduction of
VIP is examined theoretically, numerically and experimentally. To
confirm the existence of the edge conduction, numerical analysis is
performed for simple two-dimensional VIP model and a theoretical
model is proposed to calculate the edge conductivity. Also, the edge
conductivity is measured using the vacuum guarded hot plate and the
experiment is validated against numerical analysis. The results show
that the edge conductivity is dependent on the width of panel and
thickness of Al-foil. To reduce the edge conduction, it is recommended
that the VIP should be made as big as possible or made of thin Al film
envelope.
Abstract: Predicting earthquakes is an important issue in the
study of geography. Accurate prediction of earthquakes can help
people to take effective measures to minimize the loss of personal
and economic damage, such as large casualties, destruction of
buildings and broken of traffic, occurred within a few seconds.
United States Geological Survey (USGS) science organization
provides reliable scientific information about Earthquake Existed
throughout history & the Preliminary database from the National
Center Earthquake Information (NEIC) show some useful factors to
predict an earthquake in a seismic area like Aleutian Arc in the U.S.
state of Alaska. The main advantage of this prediction method that it
does not require any assumption, it makes prediction according to the
future evolution of the object's time series. The article compares
between simulation data result from trained BP and RBF neural
network versus actual output result from the system calculations.
Therefore, this article focuses on analysis of data relating to real
earthquakes. Evaluation results show better accuracy and higher
speed by using radial basis functions (RBF) neural network.
Abstract: Aim of this work was to study the genetic basis for oil
accumulation in olive fruit via tracking DGAT2 (Diacylglycerol
acyltransferase type-2) gene in three Egyptian Origen Olive cultivars
namely Toffahi, Hamed and Maraki using molecular marker
techniques and bioinformatics tools. Results illustrate that, firstly:
specific genomic band of Maraki cultivars was identified as DGAT2
(Diacylglycerol acyltransferase type-2) and identical for this gene in
Olea europaea with 100% of similarity. Secondly, differential
genomic band of Maraki cultivars which produced from RAPD
fingerprinting technique reflected predicted distinguished sequence
which identified as DGAT2 (Diacylglycerol acyltransferase type-2)
in Fragaria vesca subsp. Vesca with 76% of sequential similarity.
Third and finally, specific genomic specific band of Hamed cultivars
was identified as two fragments, 1- Olea europaea cultivar Koroneiki
diacylglycerol acyltransferase type 2 mRNA, complete cds with two
matches regions with 99% or 2- Predicted: Fragaria vesca subsp.
vesca diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2-like (LOC101313050),
mRNA with 86 % of similarity.
Abstract: Yttrium oxide (Y2O3) films have been successfully
deposited with yttrium-ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA·Y·H)
complexes prepared by various milling techniques. The effects of the
properties of the EDTA·Y·H complex on the properties of the
deposited Y2O3 films have been analyzed. Seven different types of the
raw EDTA·Y·H complexes were prepared by various commercial
milling techniques such as ball milling, hammer milling, commercial
milling, and mortar milling. The milled EDTA·Y·H complexes
exhibited various particle sizes and distributions, depending on the
milling method. Furthermore, we analyzed the crystal structure,
morphology and elemental distribution profile of the metal oxide films
deposited on stainless steel substrate with the milled EDTA·Y·H
complexes. Depending on the milling technique, the flow properties of
the raw powders differed. The X-ray diffraction pattern of all the
samples revealed the formation of Y2O3 crystalline phase, irrespective
of the milling technique. Of all the different milling techniques, the
hammer milling technique is considered suitable for fabricating dense
Y2O3 films.