Abstract: This paper presents a large scale, quantitative investigation of the impact of discipline differences on the student experience of using an online learning environment (OLE). Based on a representative sample of 2526 respondents, a number of significant differences in the mean rating by broad discipline area of the importance of, and satisfaction with, a range of elements of an OLE were found. Broadly speaking, the Arts and Science and Technology discipline areas reported the lowest importance and satisfaction ratings for the OLE, while the Health and Behavioural Sciences area was the most satisfied with the OLE. A number of specific, systematic discipline differences are reported and discussed. Compared to the observed significant differences in mean importance ratings, there were fewer significant differences in mean satisfaction ratings, and those that were observed were less systematic than for importance ratings.
Abstract: The V-notches are most possible case for initiation of cracks in parts. The specifications of cracks on the tip of the notch will be influenced via opening angle, tip radius and depth of V-notch. In this study, the effects of V-notch-s opening angle on stress intensity factor and T-stress of crack on the notch has been investigated. The experiment has been done in different opening angles and various crack length in mode (I) loading using Photoelasticity method. The results illustrate that while angle increases in constant crack-s length, SIF and T-stress will decrease. Beside, the effect of V-notch angle in short crack is more than long crack. These V-notch affects are negligible by increasing the length of crack, and the crack-s behavior can be considered as a single-edge crack specimen. Finally, the results have been evaluated with numerical finite element analysis and good agreement was obvious.
Abstract: POS (also been called DGPS/IMU) technique can obtain the Exterior Orientation Elements of aerial photo, so the triangulation and DLG production using POS can save large numbers of ground control points (GCP), and this will improve the produce efficiency of DLG and reduce the cost of collecting GCP. This paper mainly research on POS technique in production of 1:10 000 scale DLG on GCP distribution. We designed 23 kinds of ground control points distribution schemes, using integrated sensor direction method to do the triangulation experiments, based on the results of triangulation, we produce a map with the scale of 1:10 000 and test its accuracy. This paper put forward appropriate GCP distributing schemes by experiments and research above, and made preparations for the application of POS technique on photogrammetry 4D data production.
Abstract: Computing and maintaining network structures for efficient
data aggregation incurs high overhead for dynamic events
where the set of nodes sensing an event changes with time. Moreover,
structured approaches are sensitive to the waiting time that is used
by nodes to wait for packets from their children before forwarding
the packet to the sink. An optimal routing and data aggregation
scheme for wireless sensor networks is proposed in this paper. We
propose Tree on DAG (ToD), a semistructured approach that uses
Dynamic Forwarding on an implicitly constructed structure composed
of multiple shortest path trees to support network scalability. The key
principle behind ToD is that adjacent nodes in a graph will have
low stretch in one of these trees in ToD, thus resulting in early
aggregation of packets. Based on simulations on a 2,000-node Mica2-
based network, we conclude that efficient aggregation in large-scale
networks can be achieved by our semistructured approach.
Abstract: A systematic and exhaustive method based on the group
structure of a unitary Lie algebra is proposed to generate an enormous
number of quantum codes. With respect to the algebraic structure,
the orthogonality condition, which is the central rule of generating
quantum codes, is proved to be fully equivalent to the distinguishability
of the elements in this structure. In addition, four types of
quantum codes are classified according to the relation of the codeword
operators and some initial quantum state. By linking the unitary Lie
algebra with the additive group, the classical correspondences of some
of these quantum codes can be rendered.
Abstract: In the competitive environment of aircraft industries it becomes absolutely necessary to improve the efficiency, performance of the aircrafts to reduce the development and operating costs considerably, in order to capitalize the market. An important contribution to improve the efficiency and performance can be
achieved by decreasing the aircraft weight through considerable
usage of composite materials in primary aircraft structures. In this study, a type of composite material called Carbon Fiber Reinforced
Plastic (CFRP) is explored for the usage is aircraft skin panels. Even
though there were plenty of studies and research has been already
carried out, here a practical example of an aircraft skin panel is taken
and substantiated the benefits of composites material usage over the
metallic skin panel. A crown skin panel of a commercial aircraft is
designed using both metal and composite materials. Stress analysis
has been carried out for both and margin of safety is estimated for the
critical load cases. The skin panels are compared for manufacturing,
tooling, assembly and cost parameters. Detail step by step comparison between metal and composite constructions are studied
and results are tabulated for better understanding.
Abstract: This paper proposes a new approach to perform the
problem of real-time face detection. The proposed method combines
primitive Haar-Like feature and variance value to construct a new
feature, so-called Variance based Haar-Like feature. Face in image
can be represented with a small quantity of features using this
new feature. We used SVM instead of AdaBoost for training and
classification. We made a database containing 5,000 face samples
and 10,000 non-face samples extracted from real images for learning
purposed. The 5,000 face samples contain many images which have
many differences of light conditions. And experiments showed that
face detection system using Variance based Haar-Like feature and
SVM can be much more efficient than face detection system using
primitive Haar-Like feature and AdaBoost. We tested our method on
two Face databases and one Non-Face database. We have obtained
96.17% of correct detection rate on YaleB face database, which is
higher 4.21% than that of using primitive Haar-Like feature and
AdaBoost.
Abstract: This paper presents a new configurable decimation
filter for sigma-delta modulators. The filter employs the Pascal-s
triangle-s theorem for building the coefficients of non-recursive
decimation filters. The filter can be connected to the back-end of
various modulators with different output accuracy. In this work two
methods are shown and then compared from area occupation
viewpoint. First method uses the memory and the second one
employs Pascal-s triangle-s method, aiming to reduce required gates.
XILINX ISE v10 is used for implementation and confirmation the
filter.
Abstract: In literatures, many researches proposed various
methods to reduce PAPR (Peak to Average Power Ratio). Among
those, DSI (Dummy Sequence Insertion) is one of the most attractive
methods for WiMAX systems because it does not require side
information transmitted along with user data. However, the
conventional DSI methods find dummy sequence by performing an
iterative procedure until achieving PAPR under a desired threshold.
This causes a significant delay on finding dummy sequence and also
effects to the overall performances in WiMAX systems. In this paper,
the new method based on DSI is proposed by finding dummy
sequence without the need of iterative procedure. The fast DSI
method can reduce PAPR without either delays or required side
information. The simulation results confirm that the proposed method
is able to carry out PAPR performances as similar to the other
methods without any delays. In addition, the simulations of WiMAX
system with adaptive modulations are also investigated to realize the
use of proposed methods on various fading schemes. The results
suggest the WiMAX designers to modify a new Signal to Noise Ratio
(SNR) criteria for adaptation.
Abstract: The speculative locking (SL) protocol extends the twophase locking (2PL) protocol to allow for parallelism among conflicting transactions. The adaptive speculative locking (ASL) protocol provided further enhancements and outperformed SL protocols under most conditions. Neither of these protocols consider the impact of network latency on the performance of the distributed database systems. We have studied the performance of ASL protocol taking into account the communication overhead. The results indicate that though system load can counter network latency, it can still become a bottleneck in many situations. The impact of latency on performance depends on many factors including the system resources. A flexible discrete event simulator was used as the testbed for this study.
Abstract: In this paper we study a food chain model with three trophic levels and Michaelis-Menten type ratio-dependent functional response. Distinctive feature of this model is the sensitive dependence of the dynamical behavior on the initial populations and parameters of the real world. The stability of the equilibrium points are also investigated.
Abstract: Number of breakdowns experienced by a machinery is a highly under-dispersed count random variable and its value can be attributed to the factors related to the mechanical input and output of that machinery. Analyzing such under-dispersed count observations as a function of the explanatory factors has been a challenging problem. In this paper, we aim at estimating the effects of various factors on the number of breakdowns experienced by a passenger car based on a study performed in Mauritius over a year. We remark that the number of passenger car breakdowns is highly under-dispersed. These data are therefore modelled and analyzed using Com-Poisson regression model. We use quasi-likelihood estimation approach to estimate the parameters of the model. Under-dispersion parameter is estimated to be 2.14 justifying the appropriateness of Com-Poisson distribution in modelling under-dispersed count responses recorded in this study.
Abstract: Multimedia courseware has been accepted as a tool
that can support teaching and learning process. 'Li2D' courseware
was developed to assist student-s visualization on the topic of Loci in
Two Dimension. This paper describes an evaluation on the
effectiveness and usability of a 'Li2D' courseware. The quasi
experiment was used for the effectiveness evaluation. Usability
evaluation was accomplished based on four constructs of usability,
namely: efficiency, learnability, screen design and satisfaction. An
evaluation on the multimedia elements was also conducted. A total of
63 students of Form Two are involved in the study. The students are
divided into two groups: control and experimental. The experimental
group had to interact with 'Li2D' courseware as part of the learning
activities while the control group used the conventional learning
methods. The results indicate that the experimental group performed
better than the control group in understanding the Loci in Two
Dimensions topic. In terms of usability, the results showed that the
students agreed on the usability in multimedia elements in the 'Li2D'
courseware.
Abstract: With the drastically growth in optical communication
technology, a lossless, low-crosstalk and multifunction optical switch
is most desirable for large-scale photonic network. To realize such a
switch, we have introduced the new architecture of optical switch
that embedded many functions on single device. The asymmetrical
architecture of OXADM consists of 3 parts; selective port, add/drop
operation, and path routing. Selective port permits only the interest
wavelength pass through and acts as a filter. While add and drop
function can be implemented in second part of OXADM architecture.
The signals can then be re-routed to any output port or/and perform
an accumulation function which multiplex all signals onto single path
and then exit to any interest output port. This will be done by path
routing operation. The unique features offered by OXADM has
extended its application to Fiber to-the Home Technology (FTTH),
here the OXADM is used as a wavelength management element in
Optical Line Terminal (OLT). Each port is assigned specifically with
the operating wavelengths and with the dynamic routing management
to ensure no traffic combustion occurs in OLT.
Abstract: ERP systems are the largest software applications adopted by universities, along with quite significant investments in their implementation. However, unlike other applications little research has been conducted regarding these systems in a university environment. This paper aims at providing a critical review of previous research in ERP system in higher education with a special focus on higher education in Australia. The research not only forms the basis of an evaluation of previous research and research needs, it also makes inroads in identifying the payoff of ERPs in the sector from different perspectives with particular reference to the user. The paper is divided into two parts, the first part focuses on ERP literature in higher education at large, while the second focuses on ERP literature in higher education in Australia.
Abstract: A series of Ti based shape memory alloys with
composition of Ti50Ni49Cr1, Ti50Ni47Cr3 and Ti50Ni45Cr5 were
developed by vacuum arc-melting under a purified argon atmosphere.
The histometric and corrosion evaluation of Ti-Ni-Cr shape memory
alloys have been considered in this research work. The alloys were
developed by vacuum arc melting and implanted subcutaneously in
rabbits for 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Metallic implants were embedded in
order to determine the outcome of implantation on histometric and
corrosion evaluation of Ti-Ni-Cr metallic strips. Encapsulating
membrane formation around the alloys was minimal in the case of all
materials. After histomorphometric analyses it was possible to
demonstrate that there were no statistically significant differences
between the materials. Corrosion rate was also determined in this
study which is within acceptable range. The results showed the Ti-
Ni-Cr alloy was neither cytotoxic, nor have any systemic reaction on
living system in any of the test performed. Implantation shows good
compatibility and a potential of being used directly in vivo system.
Abstract: This paper is concerned with the permanence and extinction problem of enterprises cluster constituted by m satellite enterprises and a dominant enterprise. We present the model involving impulsive effect based on ecology theory, which effectively describe the competition and cooperation of enterprises cluster in real economic environment. Applying comparison theorem of impulsive differential equation, we establish sufficient conditions which ultimately affect the fate of enterprises: permanence, extinction, and co-existence. Finally, we present numerical examples to explain the economical significance of mathematical results.
Abstract: The aims of this paper are to study the efficacy of
chitosan nanoparticles in stimulating specific antibody against
A/H1N1 influenza antigen in mice. Chitosan nanoparticles (CSN)
were characterized by TEM. The results showed that the average size
of CSN was from 80nm to 106nm. The efficacy of A/H1N1 influenza
vaccine loaded on the surface of CSN showed that loading efficiency
of A/H1N1 influenza antigen on CSN was from 93.75 to 100%. Safe
property of the vaccine were tested. In 10 days post vaccination,
group of CSN 30 kDa and 300 kDa loaded A/H1N1 influenza antigen
were the rate of immune response on mice to be 100% (9/9) higher
than Al(OH)3 and other adjuvant. 100% mice in the experiment of all
groups had immune response in 20 days post vaccination. The results
also showed that HI titer of the group using CSN 300 kDa as an
adjuvant increased significantly up to 3971 HIU, over three-fold
higher than the Al(OH)3 adjuvant, chitosan (CS), and one hundredfold
than the A/H1N1 antigen only. Stability of the vaccine
formulation was investigated.
Abstract: We estimate snow velocity and snow drift density on hilly terrain under the assumption that the drifting snow mass can be represented using a micro-continuum approach (i.e. using a nonclassical mechanics approach assuming a class of fluids for which basic equations of mass, momentum and energy have been derived). In our model, the theory of coupled stress fluids proposed by Stokes [1] has been employed for the computation of flow parameters. Analyses of bulk drift velocity, drift density, drift transport and mass transport of snow particles have been carried out and computations made, considering various parametric effects. Results are compared with those of classical mechanics (logarithmic wind profile). The results indicate that particle size affects the flow characteristics significantly.
Abstract: At present, web Service is the first choice to reuse the
legacy system for the implementation of SOA. According to the status
of the implementation of SOA and the status of the legacy systems, we propose four encapsulating strategies. Base on the strategies, we
proposal the service-oriented encapsulating framework, the legacy system can be encapsulated by the service-oriented encapsulating
layer in three aspects, communication protocols, data and program.
The reuse rate of the legacy systems can be increased by using this framework