Abstract: This research aims to investigate callus induction,
somatic embryogenesis and indirect plant regeneration of Crassula
ovata (Mill.) Druce – the famous ornamental plant. Experiment no.1:
Callus induction was obtained from leaf and stem explants on
Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various plant
growth regulators (PGRs). Effects of different PGRs, plant
regeneration and subsequent plantlet conversion were also assessed.
Indirect plant regeneration was achieved from the callus of stem
explants by the addition of 1.5 mg/L Kinetin (KN) alone. Best shoot
induction was achieved (6.5 shoots/per explant) after 60 days. For
successful rooting, regenerated plantlets were sub-cultured on the
same MS media supplemented with 1.5 mg/L KN alone. The rooted
plantlets were acclimatized and the survival rate was 90%.
Experiment no.2: Results revealed that 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D alone and in
combination with 1.0 mg/L 6-Benzyladenine (BA) gave 89.8% callus
from the stem explants as compared to leaf explants. Callus
proliferation and somatic embryo formation were also evaluated by
‘Double Staining Method’ and different stages of somatic
embryogenesis were revealed by scanning electron microscope. Full
Strength MS medium produced the highest number (49.6%) of
cotyledonary stage somatic embryos (SEs). Mature cotyledonary
stage SEs developed into plantlets after 12 weeks of culture. Wellrooted
plantlets were successfully acclimatized at the survival rate of
85%. Indirectly regenerated plants did not show any detectable
variation in morphological and growth characteristics when
compared with the donor plant.
Abstract: This paper presents a comparison between using a
desktop web application and a mobile application for students
enrolling in courses at Rangsit University, Thailand. In addition,
Rangsit University has enhanced the enrollment process by
leveraging its information systems, which allows students to choose
to enroll in courses online. In order to use the system, students must
provide their identification and personal documents for registration.
The reason to have a mobile application is to support students’ ability
to access the system at anytime, anywhere and anyplace. The
objective of this paper was to: 1. Evaluate the success of developing a
user friendly mobile device system and 2. Measure user interest in
future mobile development.
Abstract: Ancillary services are support services which are
essential for humanizing and enhancing the reliability and security of
the electric power system. Reactive power ancillary service is one of
the important ancillary services in a restructured electricity market
which determines the cost of supplying ancillary services and finding
of how this cost would change with respect to operating decisions.
This paper presents a new formation that can be used to minimize the
Independent System Operator (ISO)’s total payment for reactive
power ancillary service. The modified power flow tracing algorithm
estimates the availability of reserve reactive power for ancillary
service. In order to find optimum reactive power dispatch,
Biogeography based optimization method (BPO) is proposed. Market
Reactive Clearing Price (MRCP) is then estimated and it encourages
generator companies (GENCOs) to participate in an ancillary service.
Finally, optimal weighting factor and real time utilization factor of
reactive power give the minimum ISO’s total payment. The
effectiveness of proposed design is verified using IEEE 30 bus
system.
Abstract: In MANET, mobile nodes communicate with each
other using the wireless channel where transmission takes place with
significant interference. The wireless medium used in MANET is a
shared resource used by all the nodes available in MANET. Packet
reserving is one important resource management scheme which
controls the allocation of bandwidth among multiple flows through
node cooperation in MANET. This paper proposes packet reserving
and clogging control via Routing Aware Packet Reserving (RAPR)
framework in MANET. It mainly focuses the end-to-end routing
condition with maximal throughput. RAPR is complimentary system
where the packet reserving utilizes local routing information
available in each node. Path setup in RAPR estimates the security
level of the system, and symbolizes the end-to-end routing by
controlling the clogging. RAPR reaches the packet to the destination
with high probability ratio and minimal delay count. The standard
performance measures such as network security level,
communication overhead, end-to-end throughput, resource utilization
efficiency and delay measure are considered in this work. The results
reveals that the proposed packet reservation and clogging control via
Routing Aware Packet Reserving (RAPR) framework performs well
for the above said performance measures compare to the existing
methods.
Abstract: Recent concerns about the value of teaching cursive
handwriting in the classroom are based on the belief that cursive
handwriting or penmanship is an outdated and unnecessary skill in
today’s online world. The discussion of this issue begins with a
description of current initiatives to eliminate handwriting instruction
in schools. This is followed by a brief history of cursive writing
through the ages. Next considered is a description of its benefits as a
preliminary process for younger children as compared with
immediate instruction in keyboarding, particularly in the areas of
vision, cognition, motor skills and automatic fluency. Also
considered, is cursive’s companion, paper itself, and the impact of a
paperless, “screen and keyboard” environment. The discussion
concludes with a consideration of the unique contributions of cursive
and keyboarding as written forms of communication, along with their
respective surfaces, paper and screen. Finally, an assessment of the
practical utility of each skill is followed by an informal assessment of
what is lost and what remains as we move from a predominantly
paper and pen world of handwriting to texting and keyboarding in an
environment of screens.
Abstract: Nonstandard tests are necessary for analyses and
verification of new developed structural and technological solutions
with application of composite materials. One of the most critical
primary structural parts of a typical aerospace structure is T-joint.
This structural element is loaded mainly in shear, bending, peel and
tension. The paper is focused on the shear loading simulations. The
aim of the work is to obtain a representative uniform distribution of
shear loads along T-joint during the mechanical testing. A new
design of T-joint test procedure, numerical simulation and
optimization of representative boundary conditions are presented.
The different conditions and inaccuracies both in simulations and
experiments are discussed. The influence of different parameters on
stress and strain distributions is demonstrated on T-joint made of
CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastic). A special test rig designed by
VZLU (Aerospace Research and Test Establishment) for T-shear test
procedure is presented.
Abstract: In this paper the effect of wall waviness of side walls
in a two-dimensional wavy enclosure is numerically investigated.
Two vertical wavy walls and straight top wall are kept isothermal and
the bottom wall temperature is higher and spatially varying with
cosinusoidal temperature distribution. A computational code based on
Finite-volume approach is used to solve governing equations and
SIMPLE method is used for pressure velocity coupling. Test is
performed for several different numbers of undulations. The Prandtl
number was kept constant and the Ra number denotes that the flow is
laminar. Temperature and velocity fields are determined. Therefore,
according to the obtained results a correlation is proposed for average
Nusselt number as a function of number of side wall waves. The
results indicate that the Nusselt number is highly affected by number
of waves and increasing it decreases the wavy walls Nusselt number;
although the Nusselt number is not highly affected by surface
waviness when the number of undulations is below one.
Abstract: This paper presents a 4-DOF nonlinear model of a
cracked de Laval rotor-stator system derived based on Energy
Principles. The model has been used to simulate coupled torsionallateral
response of the faulty system with multiple parametric
excitations; rotor-stator-rub, a breathing transverse crack, eccentric
mass and an axial force. Nonlinearity of a “breathing” crack is
incorporated in the model using a simple hinge mechanism suitable
for a shallow crack. Response of the system while passing via its
critical speed with intermittent rotor-stator rub is analyzed. Effects of
eccentricity with phase and acceleration are investigated. Features of
crack, rub and eccentricity in vibration response are explored for
condition monitoring. The presence of a crack and rub are observable
in the power spectrum despite excitations by an axial force and rotor
unbalance. Obtained results are consistent with existing literature and
could be adopted into rotor condition monitoring strategies.
Abstract: The article discusses multimodal mobility in
contemporary societies as a main planning and organization issue in
the functioning of administrative bodies, a problem which really
exists in the space of contemporary cities in terms of shaping modern
transport systems. The article presents classification of available
resources and initiatives undertaken for developing multimodal
mobility. Solutions can be divided into three groups of measures –
physical measures in the form of changes of the transport network
infrastructure, organizational ones (including transport policy) and
information measures. The latter ones include in particular direct
support for people travelling in the transport network by providing
information about ways of using available means of transport. A
special measure contributing to this end is a trip planner. The article
compares several selected planners. It includes a short description of
the Green Travelling Project, which aims at developing a planner
supporting environmentally friendly solutions in terms of transport
network operation. The article summarizes preliminary findings of
the project.
Abstract: A relationship between face and signature biometrics
is established in this paper. A new approach is developed to predict
faces from signatures by using artificial intelligence. A multilayer
perceptron (MLP) neural network is used to generate face details
from features extracted from signatures, here face is the physical
biometric and signatures is the behavioural biometric. The new
method establishes a relationship between the two biometrics and
regenerates a visible face image from the signature features.
Furthermore, the performance efficiencies of our new technique are
demonstrated in terms of minimum error rates compared to published
work.
Abstract: Age ratings are very helpful in providing parents with
relevant information for the purchase and use of digital technologies
by the children; this is why the non-definition of age ratings for the
use of ICTs by children in schools is a major concern; and this
problem serves as a motivation for this study whose aim is to
examine the factors affecting the perceptions of educators on the
learners’ youngest age for the introduction of ICTs in schools. This
aim is achieved through two types of research objectives: the
identification and design of theories and models on age ratings, and
the empirical testing of such theories and models in a survey of
educators from the Camperdown district of the South African
KwaZulu-Natal province. A questionnaire is used for the collection
of the data of this survey whose validity and reliability is checked in
SPSS prior to its descriptive and correlative quantitative analysis. The
main hypothesis supporting this research is the association between
the demographics of educators, their personality, and their
perceptions on the learners’ youngest age for the introduction of ICTs
in schools; as claimed by existing research; except that the present
study looks at personality from three dimensions: self-actualized
personalities, fully functioning personalities, and healthy
personalities. This hypothesis was fully confirmed by the empirical
study conducted by this research except for the demographic factor
where only the educators’ grade or class was found to be associated
with the personality of educators.
Abstract: reliability-based methodology for the assessment
and evaluation of reinforced concrete (R/C) structural elements of
concrete structures is presented herein. The results of the reliability
analysis and assessment for R/C structural elements were verified by
the results obtained through deterministic methods. The outcomes of
the reliability-based analysis were compared against currently
adopted safety limits that are incorporated in the reliability indices
β’s, according to international standards and codes. The methodology
is based on probabilistic analysis using reliability concepts and
statistics of the main random variables that are relevant to the subject
matter, and for which they are to be used in the performance-function
equation(s) associated with the structural elements under study.
These methodology techniques can result in reliability index β, which
is commonly known as the reliability index or reliability measure
value that can be utilized to assess and evaluate the safety, human
risk, and functionality of the structural component. Also, these
methods can result in revised partial safety factor values for certain
target reliability indices that can be used for the purpose of
redesigning the R/C elements of the building and in which they could
assist in considering some other remedial actions to improve the
safety and functionality of the member.
Abstract: In this paper, design of solid-state battery/supercapacitor emulator based on dc-dc boost converter is described.
The emulator mimics charging behavior of any storage device based
on a predefined behavior set by the user. The device is operated by a
two-level control structure: high-level emulating controller and low-
level input voltage controller. Simulation and experimental results are
shown to demonstrate the emulator operation.
Abstract: In the culture of Thailand, the Yak serve as a mediated
icon representing strength, power, and mystical protection not only
for the Buddha, but for population of worshipers. Originating from
the forests of China, the Yak continues to stand guard at the gates of
Buddhist temples. The Yak represents Thai culture in the hearts of
Thai people. This paper presents a qualitative study regarding the
curious mix of media, culture, and religion that projects the Yak of
Thailand as a larger than life message throughout the political,
cultural, and religious spheres. The gate guardians, or gods as they
are sometimes called, appear throughout the religious temples of
Asian cultures. However, the Asian cultures demonstrate differences
in artistic renditions (or presentations) of such sentinels. Thailand
gate guards (the Yak) stand in front of many Buddhist temples, and
these iconic figures display unique features with varied symbolic
significance. The temple (or wat), plays a vital role in every
community; and, for many people, Thailand’s temples are the
country’s most endearing sights. The authors applied folknography as
a methodology to illustrate the importance of the Thai Yak in serving
as meaningful icons that transcend not only time, but the culture,
religion, and mass media. The Yak represents mythical, religious,
artistic, cultural, and militaristic significance for the Thai people.
Data collection included interviews, focus groups, and natural
observations. This paper summarizes the perceptions of the Thai
people concerning their gate sentries and the relationship,
communication, connection, and the enduring respect that Thai
people hold for their guardians of the gates.
Abstract: In this study, we develop a performance evaluation
model based on a multi-attribute utility approach aiming at reaching
the sustainable banking (SB) status. This model is built accounting
for various banks’ stakeholders in a win-win paradigm. In addition, it
offers the opportunity for adopting a global measure of performance
as an indication of a bank’s sustainability degree. This measure is
referred to as banking sustainability performance index (BSPI). This
index may constitute a basis for ranking banks. Moreover, it may
constitute a bridge between the assessment types of financial and
extra-financial rating agencies. A real application is performed on
three French banks.
Abstract: In order to verify the performance of lunar lander
structure, landing-impact test is urgently needed. And the test
equipment is necessary for the test. The functions and the key points of
the equipment are presented to satisfy the requirements of the test, and
the design scheme is proposed. The composition, the major function
and the critical parts’ design of the equipment are introduced. By the
load test of releasing device and single-beam hoist, and the
compatibility test of landing-impact testing system, the rationality and
reliability of the equipment is proved.
Abstract: The goal of this article is the analysis of knowledge
transfer at the regional level of the Czech Republic. We show how
goals of enterprises´ innovative activities are related to the rate of
cooperation with different actors within regional innovative systems
as well as in other world regions. The results show that the most
important partners of enterprises are their suppliers and clients in
most Czech regions. The cooperation rate of enterprises correlates
significantly mainly with enterprises´ efforts to enter new markets
and reduce labour costs per unit output. The meaning of this
cooperation decreases with the increase of partner’s distance.
Regarding the type of a cooperating partner, cooperation within an
enterprise had to do with the increase of market share and decrease of
labour costs. On the other hand, cooperation with clients had to do
with efforts to replace outdated products or processes or enter new
markets. We can pay less attention to the cooperation with
government authorities and organizations. The reasons for
marginalization of this cooperation should be submitted to further
detailed investigation.
Abstract: Urban greenery remains the bastion of urban
landscape and a key to sustainable development due to its integral
connections to the general health and wellbeing of urban residents.
However, in an era of rapid urbanisation, recent studies indicate that
urban greenery, especially ecologically sensitive areas, in many
African cities is becoming increasingly depleted. Given the scale and
rate of natural and anthropogenic change, effective management of
urban greenery as the ultimate goal of restoring depleting urban
landscapes is urgent. This review advocates for an urban resilience
model to managing urban greenery.
Abstract: Different strategies and tools are available at the oil
and gas industry for detecting and analyzing tension and possible
fractures in borehole walls. Most of these techniques are based on
manual observation of the captured borehole images. While this
strategy may be possible and convenient with small images and few
data, it may become difficult and suitable to errors when big
databases of images must be treated. While the patterns may differ
among the image area, depending on many characteristics (drilling
strategy, rock components, rock strength, etc.). In this work we
propose the inclusion of data-mining classification strategies in order
to create a knowledge database of the segmented curves. These
classifiers allow that, after some time using and manually pointing
parts of borehole images that correspond to tension regions and
breakout areas, the system will indicate and suggest automatically
new candidate regions, with higher accuracy. We suggest the use of
different classifiers methods, in order to achieve different knowledge
dataset configurations.
Abstract: The main aim of this research was to investigate the
perspectives of English language teachers and learners on the effect
of test techniques on reading comprehension, test performance and
assessment. The research has also aimed at finding the differences
between teacher and learner perspectives, specifying the test
techniques which have the highest effect, investigating the other
factors affecting reading comprehension, and comparing the results
with the similar studies. In order to achieve these objectives,
perspectives and findings of different researchers were reviewed, two
different questionnaires were prepared to collect data for the
perspectives of teachers and learners, the questionnaires were applied
to 26 learners and 8 teachers from the University of Batna (Algeria),
and quantitative and qualitative data analysis of the results were
done. The results and analysis of the results show that different test
techniques affect reading comprehension, test performance and
assessment at different percentages rates.