Abstract: Electronic Word-Of-Mouth (eWOM) communities
represent today an important source of information in which more
and more customers base their purchasing decisions. They include
thousands of reviews concerning very different products and services
posted by many individuals geographically distributed all over the
world. Due to their massive audience, eWOM communities can help
users to find the product they are looking for even if they are less
popular or rare. This is known as the long tail effect, which leads to a
larger number of lower-selling niche products. This paper analyzes
the long tail effect in a well-known eWOM community and defines a
tool for finding niche products unavailable through conventional
channels.
Abstract: Theory of interpretation of electromagnetic fields studied in the electrical prospecting with direct current is mainly developed for the case of a horizontal surface observation. However in practice we often have to work in difficult terrain surface. Conducting interpretation without the influence of topography can cause non-existent anomalies on sections. This raises the problem of studying the impact of different shapes of ground surface relief on the results of electrical prospecting's research. This research examines the numerical solutions of the direct problem of electrical prospecting for two-dimensional and three-dimensional media, taking into account the terrain. The problem is solved using the method of integral equations. The density of secondary currents on the relief surface is obtained.
Abstract: Background: The objectives of this study were to
assess patient’s knowledge of appropriate sublingual glyceryl
trinitrate (GTN) use as well as to investigate how patients commonly
store and carry their sublingual GTN tablets. Methodology: This was
a cross-sectional survey, using a validated researcher-administered
questionnaire. The study involved cardiac patients receiving
sublingual GTN attending the outpatient and inpatient departments of
Taiping Hospital, a non-academic public care hospital. The minimum
calculated sample size was 92, but 100 patients were conveniently
sampled. Respondents were interviewed on 3 areas, including
demographic data, knowledge and use of sublingual GTN. Eight
items were used to calculate each subject’s knowledge score and six
items were used to calculate use score. Results: Of the 96 patients
who consented to participate, majority (96.9%) were well aware of
the indication of sublingual GTN. With regards to the mechanism of
action of sublingual GTN, 73 (76%) patients did not know how the
medication works. Majority of the patients (66.7%) knew about the
proper storage of the tablet. In relation to the maximum number of
sublingual GTN tablets that can be taken during each angina episode,
36.5% did not know that up to 3 tablets of sublingual GTN can be
taken during each episode of angina. Fifty four (56.2%) patients were
not aware that they need to replace sublingual GTN every 8 weeks
after receiving the tablets. Majority (69.8%) of the patients
demonstrated lack of knowledge with regards to the use of sublingual
GTN as prevention of chest pain. Conclusion: Overall, patients’
knowledge regarding the self-administration of sublingual GTN is
still inadequate. The findings support the need for more frequent
reinforcement of patient education, especially in the areas of
preventive use, storage and drug stability.
Abstract: Pulmonary Function Tests are important non-invasive
diagnostic tests to assess respiratory impairments and provides
quantifiable measures of lung function. Spirometry is the most
frequently used measure of lung function and plays an essential role
in the diagnosis and management of pulmonary diseases. However,
the test requires considerable patient effort and cooperation,
markedly related to the age of patients resulting in incomplete data
sets. This paper presents, a nonlinear model built using Multivariate
adaptive regression splines and Random forest regression model to
predict the missing spirometric features. Random forest based feature
selection is used to enhance both the generalization capability and the
model interpretability. In the present study, flow-volume data are
recorded for N= 198 subjects. The ranked order of feature importance
index calculated by the random forests model shows that the
spirometric features FVC, FEF25, PEF, FEF25-75, FEF50 and the
demographic parameter height are the important descriptors. A
comparison of performance assessment of both models prove that, the
prediction ability of MARS with the `top two ranked features namely
the FVC and FEF25 is higher, yielding a model fit of R2= 0.96 and
R2= 0.99 for normal and abnormal subjects. The Root Mean Square
Error analysis of the RF model and the MARS model also shows that
the latter is capable of predicting the missing values of FEV1 with a
notably lower error value of 0.0191 (normal subjects) and 0.0106
(abnormal subjects) with the aforementioned input features. It is
concluded that combining feature selection with a prediction model
provides a minimum subset of predominant features to train the
model, as well as yielding better prediction performance. This
analysis can assist clinicians with a intelligence support system in the
medical diagnosis and improvement of clinical care.
Abstract: Over the past four decades, the fatigue behavior of
nickel-based alloys has been widely studied. However, in recent
years, significant advances in the fabrication process leading to grain
size reduction have been made in order to improve fatigue properties
of aircraft turbine discs. Indeed, a change in particle size affects the
initiation mode of fatigue cracks as well as the fatigue life of the
material. The present study aims to investigate the fatigue behavior of
a newly developed nickel-based superalloy under biaxial-planar
loading. Low Cycle Fatigue (LCF) tests are performed at different
stress ratios so as to study the influence of the multiaxial stress state
on the fatigue life of the material. Full-field displacement and strain
measurements as well as crack initiation detection are obtained using
Digital Image Correlation (DIC) techniques. The aim of this
presentation is first to provide an in-depth description of both the
experimental set-up and protocol: the multiaxial testing machine, the
specific design of the cruciform specimen and performances of the
DIC code are introduced. Second, results for sixteen specimens
related to different load ratios are presented. Crack detection, strain
amplitude and number of cycles to crack initiation vs. triaxial stress
ratio for each loading case are given. Third, from fractographic
investigations by scanning electron microscopy it is found that the
mechanism of fatigue crack initiation does not depend on the triaxial
stress ratio and that most fatigue cracks initiate from subsurface
carbides.
Abstract: Paints are the most widely used methods of protection
against atmospheric corrosion of metals. The aim of this work was to
determine the protective performance of epoxy coating against sea
water before and after damage.
Investigations are conducted using stationary and non-stationary
electrochemical tools such as electrochemical impedance
spectroscopy has allowed us to characterize the protective qualities of
these films. The application of the EIS on our damaged in-situ
painting shows the existence of several capacitive loops which is an
indicator of the failure of our tested paint. Microscopic analysis
(micrograph) helped bring essential elements in understanding the
degradation of our paint condition and immersion training corrosion
products.
Abstract: This paper describes the problem of building secure
computational services for encrypted information in the Cloud
Computing without decrypting the encrypted data; therefore, it meets
the yearning of computational encryption algorithmic aspiration
model that could enhance the security of big data for privacy,
confidentiality, availability of the users. The cryptographic model
applied for the computational process of the encrypted data is the
Fully Homomorphic Encryption Scheme. We contribute a theoretical
presentations in a high-level computational processes that are based
on number theory and algebra that can easily be integrated and
leveraged in the Cloud computing with detail theoretic mathematical
concepts to the fully homomorphic encryption models. This
contribution enhances the full implementation of big data analytics
based cryptographic security algorithm.
Abstract: This article deals with geographical conditions in
terrain and their effect on the movement of vehicles, their effect on
speed and safety of movement of people and vehicles. Finding of the
optimal routes outside the communication is studied in the Army
environment, but it occur in civilian as well, primarily in crisis
situation, or by the provision of assistance when natural disasters
such as floods, fires, storms etc., have happened. These movements
require the optimization of routes when effects of geographical
factors should be included. The most important factor is the surface
of a terrain. It is based on several geographical factors as are slopes,
soil conditions, micro-relief, a type of surface and meteorological
conditions. Their mutual impact has been given by coefficient of
deceleration. This coefficient can be used for the commander`s
decision. New approaches and methods of terrain testing,
mathematical computing, mathematical statistics or cartometric
investigation are necessary parts of this evaluation.
Abstract: Natural hydrocarbon seepage has helped petroleum
exploration as a direct indicator of gas and/or oil subsurface
accumulations. Surface macro-seeps are generally an indication of a
fault in an active Petroleum Seepage System belonging to a Total
Petroleum System. This paper describes a case study in which
multiple analytical techniques were used to identify and characterize
trace petroleum-related hydrocarbons and other volatile organic
compounds in groundwater samples collected from Sousse aquifer
(Central Tunisia). The analytical techniques used for analyses of
water samples included gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS),
capillary GC with flame-ionization detection, Compound
Specific Isotope Analysis, Rock Eval Pyrolysis. The objective of the
study was to confirm the presence of gasoline and other petroleum
products or other volatile organic pollutants in those samples in order
to assess the respective implication of each of the potentially
responsible parties to the contamination of the aquifer. In addition,
the degree of contamination at different depths in the aquifer was also
of interest. The oil and gas seeps have been investigated using
biomarker and stable carbon isotope analyses to perform oil-oil and
oil-source rock correlations. The seepage gases are characterized by
high CH4 content, very low δ13CCH4 values (-71,9 ‰) and high
C1/C1–5 ratios (0.95–1.0), light deuterium–hydrogen isotope ratios (-
198 ‰) and light δ13CC2 and δ13CCO2 values (-23,8‰ and-23,8‰
respectively) indicating a thermogenic origin with the contribution of
the biogenic gas. An organic geochemistry study was carried out on
the more ten oil seep samples. This study includes light hydrocarbon
and biomarkers analyses (hopanes, steranes, n-alkanes, acyclic
isoprenoids, and aromatic steroids) using GC and GC-MS. The
studied samples show at least two distinct families, suggesting two
different types of crude oil origins: the first oil seeps appears to be
highly mature, showing evidence of chemical and/or biological
degradation and was derived from a clay-rich source rock deposited
in suboxic conditions. It has been sourced mainly by the lower
Fahdene (Albian) source rocks. The second oil seeps was derived
from a carbonate-rich source rock deposited in anoxic conditions,
well correlated with the Bahloul (Cenomanian-Turonian) source rock.
Abstract: Content Based Image Retrieval (CBIR) coupled with
Case Based Reasoning (CBR) is a paradigm that is becoming
increasingly popular in the diagnosis and therapy planning of medical
ailments utilizing the digital content of medical images. This paper
presents a survey of some of the promising approaches used in the
detection of abnormalities in retina images as well in
mammographic screening and detection of regions of interest
in MRI scans of the brain. We also describe our proposed
algorithm to detect hard exudates in fundus images of the
retina of Diabetic Retinopathy patients.
Abstract: Quantification of cardiac function is performed by
calculating blood volume and ejection fraction in routine clinical
practice. However, these works have been performed by manual
contouring, which requires computational costs and varies on the
observer. In this paper, an automatic left ventricle segmentation
algorithm on cardiac magnetic resonance images (MRI) is presented.
Using knowledge on cardiac MRI, a K-mean clustering technique is
applied to segment blood region on a coil-sensitivity corrected image.
Then, a graph searching technique is used to correct segmentation
errors from coil distortion and noises. Finally, blood volume and
ejection fraction are calculated. Using cardiac MRI from 15 subjects,
the presented algorithm is tested and compared with manual
contouring by experts to show outstanding performance.
Abstract: In this study, the root of the name Lykaonia and the geographical area defined as Lykaonia Region are mentioned. In this context, information concerning the settlements of Paleolithic Age, Neolithic Age and Chalcolithic Age are given place. Particularly the settlements belonging to Classical Age are localized and brief information about the history of these settlements is provided. In the light of this information, roads of Antique period in the region are evaluated.
Abstract: A nanocrystalline thin film of ZnSe was successfully
electrodeposited on copper substrate using a non-aqueous solution
and subsequently annealed in air at 400°C. XRD analysis indicates
the polycrystalline deposit of (111) plane in both the cases. The
sharpness of the peak increases due to annealing of the film and
average grain size increases to 20 nm to 27nm. SEM photograph
indicate that grains are uniform and densely distributed over the
surface. Annealing increases the average grain size by 20%. The EDS
spectroscopy shows the ratio of Zn & Se is 1.1 in case of annealed
film. AFM analysis indicates the average roughness of the film
reduces from 181nm to 165nm due to annealing of the film. The
bandgap also decreases from 2.71eV to 2.62eV.
Abstract: This study aims to analyze ceramic employees’
occupational health and safety training expectations. To that general
objective, the study tries to examine whether occupational health and
safety training expectations of ceramic employees meaningfully
differentiate depending on demographic features and professional,
social and economic conditions. For this purpose, a questionnaire was
developed by the researcher. The research data were collected
through this questionnaire called “Questionnaire of Occupational
Health and Safety Training Expectation” (QSOHSTE). QSOHSTE
was applied to 125 ceramic employees working in Kütahya, Turkey.
Data obtained from questionnaire were analyzed via SPSS 21.
The findings, obtained from the study, revealed that employees’
agreement level to occupational health and safety training expectation
statements is generally high-level. The findings reveal that employees
expect professional interest such as increased development and
investment, preventive measures for accidents, interventions to
evaluate the working conditions, establishment of safe working
environments and sustainment of adequate equipment for
occupational health and safety training process.
Besides these findings, employees’ agreement level to
occupational health and safety training expectation statements also
varies in terms of educational level, professional seniority, income
level and perception of economic condition.
Abstract: The rhizome of Java grass, Cyperus rotundus was
extracted different organic polar and non-polar solvents and
performed the in vitro antiviral and immunostimulant activities
against White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) and Vibrio harveyi
respectively. Based on the initial screening the ethyl acetate extract of
C. rotundus was strong activities and further it was purified through
silica column chromatography and the fractions were screened again
for antiviral and immunostimulant activity. Among the different
fractions screened against the WSSV and V. harveyi, the fractions, FIII
to FV had strong activities. In order to study the in vivo influence
of C. rotundus, the fractions (F-III to FV) were pooled and delivered
to the F. indicus through artificial feed for 30 days. After the feeding
trail the experimental and control diet fed F. indicus were challenged
with virulent WSSV and studied the survival, molecular diagnosis,
biochemical, haematological, and immunological parameters.
Surprisingly, the pooled fractions (F-IV to FVI) incorporated diets
helped to significantly (P
Abstract: Blueberries are widely valued for their high content in
phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity, and hence beneficial
for the human health. In this way, a study was done to determine the
phenolic composition (total phenols, anthocyanins and tannins) and
antioxidant activity of blueberries from three cultivars (Duke,
Bluecrop, and Ozarkblue) grown in two different Portuguese farms.
Initially two successive extractions were done with methanol
followed by two extractions with aqueous acetone solutions. These
extracts obtained were then used to evaluate the amount of phenolic
compounds and the antioxidant activity. The total phenols were
observed to vary from 4.9 to 8.2 mg GAE/g fresh weight, with
anthocyanin’s contents in the range 1.5-2.8 mg EMv3G/g and tannins
contents in the range 1.5- 3.8 mg/g. The results for antioxidant
activity ranged from 9.3 to 23.2 molTE/g and from 24.7 to 53.4molTE/g, when measured, respectively, by DPPH and ABTS
methods. In conclusion it was observed that, in general, the cultivar
had a visible effect on the phenols present, and furthermore, the
geographical origin showed relevance either in the phenols contents
or the antioxidant activity.
Abstract: Maize constitutes a major agrarian production for use
by the vast population but despite its economic importance; it has not
been produced to meet the economic needs of the country. Achieving
optimum yield in maize can meaningfully be supported by land
suitability analysis in order to guarantee self-sufficiency for future
production optimization. This study examines land suitability for
maize production through the analysis of the physicochemical
variations in soil properties and other land attributes over space using
a Geographic Information System (GIS) framework.
Physicochemical parameters of importance selected include slope,
landuse, physical and chemical properties of the soil, and climatic
variables. Landsat imagery was used to categorize the landuse,
Shuttle Radar Topographic Mapping (SRTM) generated the slope and
soil samples were analyzed for its physical and chemical components.
Suitability was categorized into highly, moderately and marginally
suitable based on Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO)
classification, using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)
technique of GIS. This result can be used by small scale farmers for
efficient decision making in the allocation of land for maize
production.
Abstract: In this paper, an effective non-destructive, noninvasive
approach for leak detection was proposed. The process relies
on analyzing thermal images collected by an IR viewer device that
captures thermo-grams. In this study a statistical analysis of the
collected thermal images of the ground surface along the expected
leak location followed by a visual inspection of the thermo-grams
was performed in order to locate the leak. In order to verify the
applicability of the proposed approach the predicted leak location
from the developed approach was compared with the real leak
location. The results showed that the expected leak location was
successfully identified with an accuracy of more than 95%.
Abstract: Micro-alloyed steel components are used in
automotive industry for the necessity to make the manufacturing
process cycles shorter when compared to conventional steel by
eliminating heat treatment cycles, so an important saving of costs and
energy can be reached by reducing the number of operations. Microalloying
elements like vanadium, niobium or titanium have been
added to medium carbon steels to achieve grain refinement with or
without precipitation strengthening along with uniform
microstructure throughout the matrix. Present study reports the
applicability of medium carbon vanadium micro-alloyed steel in hot
forging. Forgeability has been determined with respect to different
cooling rates, after forging in a hydraulic press at 50% diameter
reduction in temperature range of 900-11000C. Final microstructures,
hardness, tensile strength, and impact strength have been evaluated.
The friction coefficients of different lubricating conditions, viz.,
graphite in hydraulic oil, graphite in furnace oil, DF 150 (Graphite,
Water-Based) die lubricant and dry or without any lubrication were
obtained from the ring compression test for the above micro-alloyed
steel. Results of ring compression tests indicate that graphite in
hydraulic oil lubricant is preferred for free forging and dry lubricant
is preferred for die forging operation. Exceptionally good forgeability
and high resistance to fracture, especially for faster cooling rate has
been observed for fine equiaxed ferrite-pearlite grains, some amount
of bainite and fine precipitates of vanadium carbides and
carbonitrides. The results indicated that the cooling rate has a
remarkable effect on the microstructure and mechanical properties at
room temperature.
Abstract: The ultrasound imaging is very popular to diagnosis
the disease because of its non-invasive nature. The ultrasound
imaging slowly produces low quality images due to the presence of
spackle noise and wave interferences. There are several algorithms to
be proposed for the segmentation of ultrasound carotid artery images
but it requires a certain limit of user interaction. The pixel in an
image is highly correlated so the spatial information of surrounding
pixels may be considered in the process of image segmentation which
improves the results further. When data is highly correlated, one pixel
may belong to more than one cluster with different degree of
membership. There is an important step to computerize the evaluation
of arterial disease severity using segmentation of carotid artery lumen
in 2D and 3D ultrasonography and in finding vulnerable
atherosclerotic plaques susceptible to rupture which can cause stroke.