Abstract: In this paper, the effect of WC-12Co particle
temperature in HVOF thermal spraying process on the coating
thickness has been studied. The statistical results show that the spray
distance and oxygen-to-fuel ratio are effective factors on particle
characterization and thickness of HVOF thermal spraying coatings.
Spray Watch diagnostic system, scanning electron microscopy
(SEM), X-ray diffraction and thickness measuring system were used
for this purpose.
Abstract: Medical imaging technology has experienced a
dramatic change in the last few years. Medical imaging refers to the
techniques and processes used to create images of the human body
(or parts thereof) for various clinical purposes such as medical
procedures and diagnosis or medical science including the study of
normal anatomy and function. With the growth of computers and
image technology, medical imaging has greatly influenced the
medical field. The diagnosis of a health problem is now highly
dependent on the quality and the credibility of the image analysis.
This paper deals with the various aspects and types of medical
imaging.
Abstract: The parameters of a two-layer soil can be determined by
processing resistivity data obtained from resistivity measurements
carried out on the soil of interest. The processing usually entails
applying the resistivity data as inputs to an optimisation function.
This paper proposes an algorithm which utilises the square error as an
optimisation function. Resistivity data from previous works were
applied to test the accuracy of the new algorithm developed and the
result obtained conforms significantly to results from previous works.
Abstract: The purpose of the present work is to review some
data for the management challenges that the aquaculture industry in
Greece is currently facing. The results indicate that Greek
aquaculture fish farms apply Human Resources Management (HRM)
practices which can increase motivation, commitment and job
satisfaction of their personnel. In turn, these practices can increase
the productivity of the business. The Greek fish farms appear to
invest in research and technological innovation with a good record in
research activities and the generation of patents. Interestingly, the
results of the present work were carried out during the period of the
recent economic crisis in Greece. Several sectors of the Greek
economy were severely affected by the financial problems of the
Greek government and the Greek banks. Under the adverse
economical conditions created by the Greek economic crisis, even the
Greek aquaculture industry, which historically is considered as a
thriving national exporting business sector, experienced harsh
economic and market conditions. As a result of the global, European
and national economic crisis, consumption of fish dropped while
companies had to hold most of their stocked fish in order to regulated
the flow to the market and the price. This occurred at a time where
Banks in Greece had their own financial crisis – banking crisis -
which resulted in limited access to lending for the all business sectors
of the national economy including the Greek aquaculture industry. In
spite of these economic conditions, the Greek aquaculture industry,
after a series of mergers and acquisitions, has now stabilized
production and exhibits very good prospects for future growth.
Evidently, the firms had to cut salaries and on some occasions even
pay their staff in arrears. Nevertheless, the results presented in this
paper indicate that during the economic crisis, the surveyed fish
farms maintained their HRM practices, investing in their human
capital and technological input. In fact, human capital and
technological input are the ticket for future success of companies in
any business sector.
Abstract: A novel simulation method to determine the
displacements of machine tools due to thermal factors is presented.
The specific characteristic of this method is the employment of
original CAD data from the design process chain, which is
interpreted by an algorithm in terms of geometry-based allocation of
convection and radiation parameters. Furthermore analogous models
relating to the thermal behaviour of machine elements are
automatically implemented, which were gained by extensive
experimental testing with thermography imaging. With this a
transient simulation of the thermal field and in series of the
displacement of the machine tool is possible simultaneously during
the design phase. This method was implemented and is already used
industrially in the design of machining centres in order to improve
the quality of herewith manufactured workpieces.
Abstract: Mech-Degla, Degla-Beida and Frezza are the date
(Phoenix dactylifera L.) common varieties with a more or less good
availability and feeble trade value. Some morphologic and
physicochemical factors were determined. Results show that the
whole date weight is significantly different (P= 95%) concerning
Mech-Degla and Degla-Beida which are more commercialized than
Frezza whereas the pulp mass proportion in relation to whole fruits is
highest for Frezza (88.28%). Moreover, there is a large variability
concerning the weights and densities of constitutive tissues in each
variety. The white tissue is dominant in Mech-Degla in opposite to
the two other varieties. The variance analyze showed that the
difference in weights between brown and white tissues is significant
(P = 95%) for all studied varieties. Some other morphologic and
chemical proprieties of the whole pulps and their two constitutive
parts (brown or pigmented and white) are also investigated. The
predominance of phenolics in Mech-Degla (4.01g/100g, w.b) and
Frezza (4.96 g/100g, w.b) pulps brown part is the main result
revealed in this study.
Abstract: Identification and selection of appropriate product and
manufacturing technologies are key factors for competitiveness and
market success of technology-based companies. Therefore, many
companies perform technology intelligence (TI) activities to ensure
the identification of evolving technologies at the right time.
Technology monitoring is one of the three base activities of TI,
besides scanning and scouting.
As the technological progress is accelerating, more and more
technologies are being developed. Against the background of limited
resources it is therefore necessary to focus TI activities. In this paper
we propose a concept for defining appropriate search fields for
technology monitoring. This limitation of search space leads to more
concentrated monitoring activities. The concept will be introduced
and demonstrated through an anonymized case study conducted
within an industry project at the Fraunhofer Institute for Production
Technology IPT.
The described concept provides a customized monitoring
approach, which is suitable for use in technology-oriented companies.
It is shown in this paper that the definition of search fields and search
tasks are suitable methods to define topics of interest and thus to
align monitoring activities. Current as well as planned product,
production and material technologies and existing skills, capabilities
and resources form the basis for derivation of relevant search areas.
To further improve the concept of technology monitoring the
proposed concept should be extended during future research e.g. by
the definition of relevant monitoring parameters.
Abstract: Online forum is part of a Learning Management
System (LMS) environment in which students share their opinions.
This study attempts to investigate the perceptions of students towards
online forum and their patterns of listening behavior during the forum
interaction. The students’ perceptions were measured using a
questionnaire, in which seven dimensions were used involving online
experience, benefits of forum participation, cost of participation,
perceived ease of use, usefulness, attitude, and intention. Meanwhile,
their patterns of listening behaviors were obtained using the log file
extracted from the LMS. A total of 25 postgraduate students
undertaking a course were involved in this study, and their activities
in the forum session were recorded by the LMS and used as a log file.
The results from the questionnaire analysis indicated that the students
perceived that the forum is easy to use, useful, and bring benefits to
them. Also, they showed positive attitude towards online forum, and
they have the intention to use it in future. Based on the log data, the
participants were also divided into six clusters of listening behavior,
in which they are different in terms of temporality, breadth, depth and
speaking level. The findings were compared to previous clusters
grouping and future recommendations are also discussed.
Abstract: A study was conducted to determine the diversity and
abundance of shorebird species habituating the mudflat area of Jeram
Beach and Remis Beach, Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia. Direct
observation technique (using binoculars and video camera) was
applied to record the presence of bird species in the sampling sites
from August 2013 until July 2014. A total of 32 species of shorebird
were recorded during both migratory and non-migratory seasons. Of
these, eleven species (48%) are migrants, six species (26%) have both
migrant and resident populations, four species (17%) are vagrants and
two species (9%) are residents. The compositions of the birds
differed significantly in all months (χ2 = 84.35, p < 0.001). There is a
significant difference in avian abundance between migratory and
non-migratory seasons (Mann-Whitney, t = 2.39, p = 0.036). The
avian abundance were differed significantly in Jeram and Remis
Beaches during migratory periods (t = 4.39, p = 0.001) but not during
non-migratory periods (t = 0.78, p = 0.456). Shorebird diversity was
also affected by tidal cycle. There is a significance difference
between high tide and low tide (Mann-Whitney, t = 78.0, p < 0.005).
Frequency of disturbance also affected the shorebird distribution
(Mann-Whitney, t = 57.0, p = 0.0134). Therefore, this study
concluded that tides and disturbances are two factors that affecting
temporal distribution of shorebird in mudflats area.
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 method for the efficient
implementation of a unidirectional or bidirectional DC/DC converter.
The DC/DC converter is used essentially for energy exchange
between the low voltage service battery and a high voltage battery
commonly found in Electric Vehicle applications. In these
applications, apart from cost, efficiency of design is an important
characteristic. A useful way to reduce the size of electronic
equipment in the electric vehicles is proposed in this paper. The
technique simplifies the mechanical complexity and maximizes the
energy usage using the latest converter control techniques. Moreover
a bidirectional battery charger for hybrid electric vehicles is also
implemented in this paper. Several simulations on the test system
have been carried out in Matlab/Simulink environment. The results
exemplify the robustness of the proposed design methodology in case
of a 1.5 KW DC-DC converter.
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: The study was conducted to produce case studies from
the Malaysian public universities stands point East Coast of
Malaysia. The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of
knowledge management on human capital toward organizational
innovation. The focus point of this study is on the management
member in the faculties of these three Malaysian Public Universities
in the East Coast state of Peninsular Malaysia. In this case,
respondents who agreed to further participate in the research will be
invited to a one-hour face-to-face semi-structured, in-depth interview.
As a result, the sample size for this study was 3 deans of Faculty of
Management. Lastly, this study tries to recommend the framework of
organizational innovation in Malaysian Public Universities.
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: This paper considers the characterization of a complex
electromagnetic environment due to multiple sources of
electromagnetic radiation as a five-dimensional surface which can be
described by a set of several surface sections including: instant EM
field intensity distribution maps at a given frequency and altitude,
instantaneous spectrum at a given location in space and the time
evolution of the electromagnetic field spectrum at a given point in
space. This characterization if done over time can enable the
exposure levels of Radio Frequency Radiation at every point in the
analysis area to be determined and results interpreted based on
comparison of the determined RFR exposure level with the safe
guidelines for general public exposure given by recognized body
such as the International commission on non-ionizing radiation
protection (ICNIRP), Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
(IEEE), the National Radiation Protection Authority (NRPA).
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: 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.