Abstract: The 2008 Candlelight Protests of Korea was very
significant to portray the political environment among the South
Korean youth. Many challenges and new advanced technologies have
driven the youth community to be engaged in the political arena that
has shifted them from traditional Korean youth to a very greater
community. Due to historical perspective with the people of North
Korea, the young generation has embraced different view of ethnic
nationalism. This study examines the youth involvement in politics in
line with their level of acceptance the practice of democracy. The
increase usage of new media has shown great results in the survey
results whereby the youth used as a platform to gain political
information and brought higher degree of their sociopolitical interests
among them. Furthermore, the rise of nationalism and patriotism will
be discussed in this paper to the dynamism of the political approaches
used by the Korea government
Abstract: Breast skin-line estimation and breast segmentation is an important pre-process in mammogram image processing and computer-aided diagnosis of breast cancer. Limiting the area to be processed into a specific target region in an image would increase the accuracy and efficiency of processing algorithms. In this paper we are presenting a new algorithm for estimating skin-line and breast segmentation using fast marching algorithm. Fast marching is a partial-differential equation based numerical technique to track evolution of interfaces. We have introduced some modifications to the traditional fast marching method, specifically to improve the accuracy of skin-line estimation and breast tissue segmentation. Proposed modifications ensure that the evolving front stops near the desired boundary. We have evaluated the performance of the algorithm by using 100 mammogram images taken from mini-MIAS database. The results obtained from the experimental evaluation indicate that this algorithm explains 98.6% of the ground truth breast region and accuracy of the segmentation is 99.1%. Also this algorithm is capable of partially-extracting nipple when it is available in the profile.
Abstract: In blended learning environments, the Internet can be combined with other technologies. The aim of this research was to design, introduce and validate a model to support synchronous and asynchronous activities by managing content domains in an Adaptive Hypermedia System (AHS). The application is based on information recovery techniques, clustering algorithms and adaptation rules to adjust the user's model to contents and objects of study. This system was applied to blended learning in higher education. The research strategy used was the case study method. Empirical studies were carried out on courses at two universities to validate the model. The results of this research show that the model had a positive effect on the learning process. The students indicated that the synchronous and asynchronous scenario is a good option, as it involves a combination of work with the lecturer and the AHS. In addition, they gave positive ratings to the system and stated that the contents were adapted to each user profile.
Abstract: Knowledge bases are basic components of expert
systems or intelligent computational programs. Knowledge bases
provide knowledge, events that serve deduction activity,
computation and control. Therefore, researching and developing of
models for knowledge representation play an important role in
computer science, especially in Artificial Intelligence Science and
intelligent educational software. In this paper, the extensive
deduction computational model is proposed to design knowledge
bases whose attributes are able to be real values or functional values.
The system can also solve problems based on knowledge bases.
Moreover, the models and algorithms are applied to produce the
educational software for solving alternating current problems or
solving set of equations automatically.
Abstract: This paper reports on an effort to address the issue of
inequality in girls- and women-s access to science, engineering and
technology (SET) education and careers through raising awareness on
SET among secondary school girls in South Africa. Girls participated
in hands-on high-tech rapid prototyping environment of a fabrication
laboratory that was aimed at stimulating creativity and innovation as
part of a Fab Kids initiative. The Fab Kids intervention is about
creating a SET pipeline as part of the Young Engineers and Scientists
of Africa Initiative.The methodology was based on a real world
situation and a hands-on approach. In the process, participants
acquired a number of skills including computer-aided design,
research skills, communication skills, teamwork skills, technical
drawing skills, writing skills and problem-solving skills. Exposure to
technology enhanced the girls- confidence in being able to handle
technology-related tasks.
Abstract: Quantitative trait loci (QTL) experiments have yielded
important biological and biochemical information necessary for
understanding the relationship between genetic markers and
quantitative traits. For many years, most QTL algorithms only
allowed one observation per genotype. Recently, there has been an
increasing demand for QTL algorithms that can accommodate more
than one observation per genotypic distribution. The Bayesian
hierarchical model is very flexible and can easily incorporate this
information into the model. Herein a methodology is presented that
uses a Bayesian hierarchical model to capture the complexity of the
data. Furthermore, the Markov chain Monte Carlo model composition
(MC3) algorithm is used to search and identify important markers. An
extensive simulation study illustrates that the method captures the
true QTL, even under nonnormal noise and up to 6 QTL.
Abstract: The overall objective of this research is a strain
improvement technology for efficient pectinase production. A novel
cells cultivation technology by immobilization of fungal cells has
been studied in long time continuous fermentations. Immobilization
was achieved by using of new material for absorption of stores of
immobilized cultures which was for the first time used for
immobilization of microorganisms. Effects of various conditions of
nitrogen and carbon nutrition on the biosynthesis of pectolytic
enzymes in Aspergillus awamori 1-8 strain were studied. Proposed
cultivation technology along with optimization of media components
for pectinase overproduction led to increased pectinase productivity
in Aspergillus awamori 1-8 from 7 to 8 times. Proposed technology
can be applied successfully for production of major industrial
enzymes such as α-amylase, protease, collagenase etc.
Abstract: In mechanical and environmental engineering, mixed
convection is a frequently encountered thermal fluid phenomenon
which exists in atmospheric environment, urban canopy flows, ocean
currents, gas turbines, heat exchangers, and computer chip cooling
systems etc... . This paper deals with a numerical investigation of
mixed convection in a vertical heated channel. This flow results from
the mixing of the up-going fluid along walls of the channel with the
one issued from a flat nozzle located in its entry section. The fluiddynamic
and heat-transfer characteristics of vented vertical channels
are investigated for constant heat-flux boundary conditions, a
Rayleigh number equal to 2.57 1010, for two jet Reynolds number
Re=3 103 and 2104 and the aspect ratio in the 8-20 range. The system
of governing equations is solved with a finite volumes method and an
implicit scheme. The obtained results show that the turbulence and
the jet-wall interaction activate the heat transfer, as does the drive of
ambient air by the jet. For low Reynolds number Re=3 103, the
increase of the aspect Ratio enhances the heat transfer of about 3%,
however; for Re=2 104, the heat transfer enhancement is of about
12%. The numerical velocity, pressure and temperature fields are
post-processed to compute the quantities of engineering interest such
as the induced mass flow rate, and average Nusselt number, in terms
of Rayleigh, Reynolds numbers and dimensionless geometric
parameters are presented.
Abstract: This study explored the relationship between
occupational stress and the perceived effectiveness of men and
women managers in Ghanaian organizations. The exploration is
underlined by attempt to understand the degree to which male and
female managers in Ghanaian organizations experience occupational
stress at the workplace. The purpose is to examine the sources and
extents of occupational stress experienced by male and female
managers in Ghana. Data was collected using questionnaires and
analyzed using both descriptive statistics and correlation analysis.
The results showed that female managers in Ghana are more likely to
report of more stress experiences in the workplace than their male
counterparts. The female managers are more likely to perceive role
conflict and alienation as job stressors while the male managers
perceived blocked career as a major source of workplace stress. It is
concluded that despite the female managers experiencing enormous
level of occupational stress, there was no significant differences
between their managerial effectiveness and that of the male.
Abstract: Natural organic matter (NOM) is heterogeneous
mixture of organic compounds that enter the water media from
animal and plant remains, domestic and industrial wastes.
Researches showed that NOM is likely precursor material for
disinfection by products (DBPs). Chlorine very commenly used for
disinfection purposes and NOM and chlorine reacts then
Trihalomethane (THM) and Haloacetic acids (HAAs) which are
cancerogenics for human health are produced. The aim of the study is
to search NOM removal by enhanced coagulation from drinking
water source of Eskisehir which is supplied from Porsuk Dam.
Recently, Porsuk dam water is getting highly polluted and therefore
NOM concentration is increasing. Enhanced coagulation studies were
evaluated by measurement of Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC), UV
absorbance at 254 nm (UV254), and different trihalomethane
formation potential (THMFP) tests. Results of jar test experiments
showed that NOM can be removed from water about 40-50 % of
efficiency by enhanced coagulation. Optimum coagulant type and
coagulant dosages were determined using FeCl3 and Alum.
Abstract: There are many sources trough which the soil get
enriched and contaminated with REEs. The determination of REEs in
environmental samples has been limited because of the lack of
sensitive analytical techniques. Soil samples were collected from
four sites including open cast coal mine, natural coal burning, coal
washery and control in the coal field located in Dhanbad, India.
Total concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) were determined
using the inductively coupled plasma atomic absorption spectrometry
in order to assess enrichment status in the coal field. Results showed
that the mean concentrations of La, Pr, Eu, Tb, Ho, and Tm in open
cast mine and natural coal burning sites were elevated compared to
the reference concentrations, while Ce, Nd, Sm, and Gd were
elevated in coal washery site. When compared to reference soil,
heavy REEs (HREEs) were enriched in open cast mines and natural
coal burning affected soils, however, the HREEs were depleted in the
coal washery sites. But, the Chondrite-normalization diagram showed
significant enrichment for light REEs (LREEs) in all the soils. High
concentration of Pr, Eu, Tb, Ho, Tm, and Lu in coal mining and coal
burning sites may pose human health risks. Factor analysis showed
that distribution and relative abundance of REEs of the coal washery
site is comparable with the control. Eventually washing or cleaning
of coal could significantly decrease the emission of REEs from coal
into the environment.
Abstract: Bond graph models of an electrical transformer
including the nonlinear saturation are presented. These models
determine the relation between self and mutual inductances, and
the leakage and magnetizing inductances of power transformers
with two and three windings using the properties of a bond
graph. The modelling and analysis using this methodology to
three phase power transformers or transformers with internal
incipient faults can be extended.
Abstract: In-place sorting algorithms play an important role in many fields such as very large database systems, data warehouses, data mining, etc. Such algorithms maximize the size of data that can be processed in main memory without input/output operations. In this paper, a novel in-place sorting algorithm is presented. The algorithm comprises two phases; rearranging the input unsorted array in place, resulting segments that are ordered relative to each other but whose elements are yet to be sorted. The first phase requires linear time, while, in the second phase, elements of each segment are sorted inplace in the order of z log (z), where z is the size of the segment, and O(1) auxiliary storage. The algorithm performs, in the worst case, for an array of size n, an O(n log z) element comparisons and O(n log z) element moves. Further, no auxiliary arithmetic operations with indices are required. Besides these theoretical achievements of this algorithm, it is of practical interest, because of its simplicity. Experimental results also show that it outperforms other in-place sorting algorithms. Finally, the analysis of time and space complexity, and required number of moves are presented, along with the auxiliary storage requirements of the proposed algorithm.
Abstract: The ability of information systems to operate in conjunction with each other encompassing communication protocols, hardware, software, application, and data compatibility layers. There has been considerable work in industry on the development of component interoperability models, such as CORBA, (D)COM and JavaBeans. These models are intended to reduce the complexity of software development and to facilitate reuse of off-the-shelf components. The focus of these models is syntactic interface specification, component packaging, inter-component communications, and bindings to a runtime environment. What these models lack is a consideration of architectural concerns – specifying systems of communicating components, explicitly representing loci of component interaction, and exploiting architectural styles that provide well-understood global design solutions. The development of complex business applications is now focused on an assembly of components available on a local area network or on the net. These components must be localized and identified in terms of available services and communication protocol before any request. The first part of the article introduces the base concepts of components and middleware while the following sections describe the different up-todate models of communication and interaction and the last section shows how different models can communicate among themselves.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects
of modality principles in instructional software among first grade
pupils- achievements in the learning of Arabic Language. Two modes
of instructional software were systematically designed and
developed, audio with images (AI), and text with images (TI). The
quasi-experimental design was used in the study. The sample
consisted of 123 male and female pupils from IRBED Education
Directorate, Jordan. The pupils were randomly assigned to any one of
the two modes. The independent variable comprised the two modes
of the instructional software, the students- achievement levels in the
Arabic Language class and gender. The dependent variable was the
achievements of the pupils in the Arabic Language test. The
theoretical framework of this study was based on Mayer-s Cognitive
Theory of Multimedia Learning. Four hypotheses were postulated
and tested. Analyses of Variance (ANOVA) showed that pupils using
the (AI) mode performed significantly better than those using (TI)
mode. This study concluded that the audio with images mode was an
important aid to learning as compared to text with images mode.
Abstract: Anchovy (Engraulis Encrasicholus) and sardine
(Sardina Pilchardus) are blue fishes linked to our alimentary tradition
of Mediterranean. In our work, particularly, we tested for the first
time physical and enzymatic methods to verify the freshness of
species of blue fish, anchovy and sardine of Mediterranean. In
connection with to the lowering of the pH after post-mortem stage we
assisted to a increase in proteolytic activity of calpaine and catpsine.
Already after 2 h in post-mortem there was a significant increase.
Abstract: This paper presents an exact solution and a finite element method (FEM) for a Piezoceramic Rod under static load. The cylindrical rod is made from polarized ceramics (piezoceramics) with axial poling. The lateral surface of the rod is traction-free and is unelectroded. The two end faces are under a uniform normal traction. Electrically, the two end faces are electroded with a circuit between the electrodes, which can be switched on or off. Two cases of open and shorted electrodes (short circuit and open circuit) will be considered. Finally, a finite element model will be used to compare the results with an exact solution. The study uses ABAQUS (v.6.7) software to derive the finite element model of the ceramic rod.
Abstract: In recent years image watermarking has become an
important research area in data security, confidentiality and image
integrity. Many watermarking techniques were proposed for medical
images. However, medical images, unlike most of images, require
extreme care when embedding additional data within them because
the additional information must not affect the image quality and
readability. Also the medical records, electronic or not, are linked to
the medical secrecy, for that reason, the records must be confidential.
To fulfill those requirements, this paper presents a lossless
watermarking scheme for DICOM images. The proposed a fragile
scheme combines two reversible techniques based on difference
expansion for patient's data hiding and protecting the region of
interest (ROI) with tamper detection and recovery capability.
Patient's data are embedded into ROI, while recovery data are
embedded into region of non-interest (RONI). The experimental
results show that the original image can be exactly extracted from the
watermarked one in case of no tampering. In case of tampered ROI,
tampered area can be localized and recovered with a high quality
version of the original area.
Abstract: Case based reasoning (CBR) methodology presents a foundation for a new technology of building intelligent computeraided diagnoses systems. This Technology directly addresses the problems found in the traditional Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques, e.g. the problems of knowledge acquisition, remembering, robust and maintenance. This paper discusses the CBR methodology, the research issues and technical aspects of implementing intelligent medical diagnoses systems. Successful applications in cancer and heart diseases developed by Medical Informatics Research Group at Ain Shams University are also discussed.
Abstract: All Text processing systems allow their users to
search a pattern of string from a given text. String matching is
fundamental to database and text processing applications. Every text
editor must contain a mechanism to search the current document for
arbitrary strings. Spelling checkers scan an input text for words in the
dictionary and reject any strings that do not match. We store our
information in data bases so that later on we can retrieve the same
and this retrieval can be done by using various string matching
algorithms. This paper is describing a new string matching algorithm
for various applications. A new algorithm has been designed with the
help of Rabin Karp Matcher, to improve string matching process.