Abstract: This paper explores gender related barriers to interagency collaboration in statutory children safeguard partnerships against a theoretical framework that considers individuals, professions and organisations interacting as part of a complex adaptive system. We argue that gender-framed obstacles to effective communication between culturally discrepant agencies can ultimately impact on the effectiveness of policy delivery,. We focused our research on three partnership structures in Sefton Metropolitan Borough in order to observe how interactions occur, whether the agencies involved perceive their occupational environment as being gender affected and whether they believe this can hinder effective collaboration with other biased organisations. Our principal empirical findings indicate that there is a general awareness amongst professionals of the role that gender plays in each of the agencies reviewed, that gender may well constitute a barrier to effective communication, but there is a sense in which there is little scope for change in the short term. We aim to signal here, however, the need to change against the risk of service failure.
Abstract: The main goal of microarray experiments is to quantify the expression of every object on a slide as precisely as possible, with a further goal of clustering the objects. Recently, many studies have discussed clustering issues involving similar patterns of gene expression. This paper presents an application of fuzzy-type methods for clustering DNA microarray data that can be applied to typical comparisons. Clustering and analyses were performed on microarray and simulated data. The results show that fuzzy-possibility c-means clustering substantially improves the findings obtained by others.
Abstract: This study deals with Computational Fluid Dynamics
(CFD) studies of the interactions between the air flow and louvered
fins which equipped the automotive heat exchangers. 3D numerical
simulation results are obtained by using the ANSYS Fluent 13.0 code
and compared to experimental data. The paper studies the effect of
louver angle and louver pitch geometrical parameters, on overall
thermal hydraulic performances of louvered fins.
The comparison between CFD simulations and experimental data
show that established 3-D CFD model gives a good agreement. The
validation agrees, with about 7% of deviation respectively of friction
and Colburn factors to experimental results. As first, it is found that
the louver angle has a strong influence on the heat transfer rate. Then,
louver angle and louver pitch variation of the louvers and their effects
on thermal hydraulic performances are studied. In addition to this
study, it is shown that the second half of the fin takes has a
significant contribution on pressure drop increase without any
increase in heat transfer.
Abstract: Many experimental results suggest that more precise
spike timing is significant in neural information processing. We
construct a self-organization model using the spatiotemporal patterns,
where Spike-Timing Dependent Plasticity (STDP) tunes the
conduction delays between neurons. We show that the fluctuation of
conduction delays causes globally continuous and locally distributed
firing patterns through the self-organization.
Abstract: Games can be classified as games of skill, games of chance or otherwise be classified as mixed. This paper deals with the topic of scientifically classifying mixed games as more reliant on elements of chance or elements of skill and ways to scientifically measure the amount of skill involved. This is predominantly useful for classification of games as legal or illegal in deferent jurisdictions based on the local gaming laws. We propose a novel measure of skill to chance ratio called the Game Skill Measure (GSM) and utilize it to calculate the skill component of a popular variant of Poker.
Abstract: The major purpose of this study is to use network and multimedia technologies to build a game-based learning system for junior high school students to apply in learning “World Geography" through the “role-playing" game approaches. This study first investigated the motivation and habits of junior high school students to use the Internet and online games, and then designed a game-based learning system according to situated and game-based learning theories. A teaching experiment was conducted to analyze the learning effectiveness of students on the game-based learning system and the major factors affecting their learning. A questionnaire survey was used to understand the students- attitudes towards game-based learning. The results showed that the game-based learning system can enhance students- learning, but the gender of students and their habits in using the Internet have no significant impact on learning. Game experience has a significant impact on students- learning, and the higher the experience value the better the effectiveness of their learning. The results of questionnaire survey also revealed that the system can increase students- motivation and interest in learning "World Geography".
Abstract: Prime Factorization based on Quantum approach in
two phases has been performed. The first phase has been achieved at
Quantum computer and the second phase has been achieved at the
classic computer (Post Processing). At the second phase the goal is to
estimate the period r of equation xrN ≡ 1 and to find the prime factors
of the composite integer N in classic computer. In this paper we
present a method based on Randomized Approach for estimation the
period r with a satisfactory probability and the composite integer N
will be factorized therefore with the Randomized Approach even the
gesture of the period is not exactly the real period at least we can find
one of the prime factors of composite N. Finally we present some
important points for designing an Emulator for Quantum Computer
Simulation.
Abstract: In this paper, we present a new and effective image indexing technique that extracts features directly from DCT domain. Our proposed approach is an object-based image indexing. For each block of size 8*8 in DCT domain a feature vector is extracted. Then, feature vectors of all blocks of image using a k-means algorithm is clustered into groups. Each cluster represents a special object of the image. Then we select some clusters that have largest members after clustering. The centroids of the selected clusters are taken as image feature vectors and indexed into the database. Also, we propose an approach for using of proposed image indexing method in automatic image classification. Experimental results on a database of 800 images from 8 semantic groups in automatic image classification are reported.
Abstract: Sharing motivations of viral advertisements by
consumers and the impacts of these advertisements on the
perceptions for brand will be questioned in this study. Three
fundamental questions are answered in the study. These are
advertisement watching and sharing motivations of individuals,
criteria of liking viral advertisement and the impact of individual
attitudes for viral advertisement on brand perception respectively.
This study will be carried out via a viral advertisement which was
practiced in Turkey. The data will be collected by survey method and
the sample of the study consists of individuals who experienced the
practice of sample advertisement. Data will be collected by online
survey method and will be analyzed by using SPSS statistical
package program.
Recently traditional advertisement mind have been changing. New
advertising approaches which have significant impacts on consumers
have been argued. Viral advertising is a modernist advertisement
mind which offers significant advantages to brands apart from
traditional advertising channels such as television, radio and
magazines. Viral advertising also known as Electronic Word-of-
Mouth (eWOM) consists of free spread of convincing messages sent
by brands among interpersonal communication. When compared to
the traditional advertising, a more provocative thematic approach is
argued.
The foundation of this approach is to create advertisements that
are worth sharing with others by consumers. When that fact is taken
into consideration, in a manner of speaking it can also be stated that
viral advertising is media engineering.
The content worth sharing makes people being a volunteer
spokesman of a brand and strengthens the emotional bonds among
brand and consumer. Especially for some sectors in countries which
are having traditional advertising channel limitations, viral
advertising creates vital advantages.
Abstract: This paper aims to present the main instruments used
in the economic literature for measuring the price risk, pointing out
on the advantages brought by the conditional variance in this respect.
The theoretical approach will be exemplified by elaborating an
EGARCH model for the price returns of wheat, both on Romanian
and on international market. To our knowledge, no previous
empirical research, either on price risk measurement for the
Romanian markets or studies that use the ARIMA-EGARCH
methodology, have been conducted. After estimating the
corresponding models, the paper will compare the estimated
conditional variance on the two markets.
Abstract: This paper addresses the problem of building a unified
structure to describe a peer-to-peer system. Our approach uses the
well-known notations in the P2P area, and provides a global
architecture that puts a separation between the platform specific
characteristics and the logical ones. In order to enable the navigation
of the peer across platforms, a roaming layer is added. The latter
provides a capability to define a unique identification of peer and
assures the mapping between this identification and those used in
each platform. The mapping task is assured by special wrapper. In
addition, ontology is proposed to give a clear presentation of the
structure of the P2P system without interesting in the content and the
resource managed by the peer. The ontology is created according to
the web semantic paradigm and using OWL language; so, the
structure of the system is considered as a web resource.
Abstract: Our study proposes an alternative method in building
Fuzzy Rule-Based System (FRB) from Support Vector Machine
(SVM). The first set of fuzzy IF-THEN rules is obtained through
an equivalence of the SVM decision network and the zero-ordered
Sugeno FRB type of the Adaptive Network Fuzzy Inference System
(ANFIS). The second set of rules is generated by combining the
first set based on strength of firing signals of support vectors using
Gaussian kernel. The final set of rules is then obtained from the
second set through input scatter partitioning. A distinctive advantage
of our method is the guarantee that the number of final fuzzy IFTHEN
rules is not more than the number of support vectors in the
trained SVM. The final FRB system obtained is capable of performing
classification with results comparable to its SVM counterpart, but it
has an advantage over the black-boxed SVM in that it may reveal
human comprehensible patterns.
Abstract: Ontology Matching is a task needed in various applica-tions, for example for comparison or merging purposes. In literature,many algorithms solving the matching problem can be found, butmost of them do not consider instances at all. Mappings are deter-mined by calculating the string-similarity of labels, by recognizinglinguistic word relations (synonyms, subsumptions etc.) or by ana-lyzing the (graph) structure. Due to the facts that instances are oftenmodeled within the ontology and that the set of instances describesthe meaning of the concepts better than their meta information,instances should definitely be incorporated into the matching process.In this paper several novel instance-based matching algorithms arepresented which enhance the quality of matching results obtainedwith common concept-based methods. Different kinds of formalismsare use to classify concepts on account of their instances and finallyto compare the concepts directly.KeywordsInstances, Ontology Matching, Semantic Web
Abstract: A transient finite element model has been developed
to study the heat transfer and fluid flow during spot Gas Tungsten
Arc Welding (GTAW) on stainless steel. Temperature field, fluid
velocity and electromagnetic fields are computed inside the cathode,
arc-plasma and anode using a unified MHD formulation. The
developed model is then used to study the influence of different
helium-argon gas mixtures on both the energy transferred to the
workpiece and the time evolution of the weld pool dimensions. It is
found that the addition of helium to argon increases the heat flux
density on the weld axis by a factor that can reach 6.5. This induces
an increase in the weld pool depth by a factor of 3. It is also found
that the addition of only 10% of argon to helium decreases
considerably the weld pool depth, which is due to the electrical
conductivity of the mixture that increases significantly when argon is
added to helium.
Abstract: Snake bite cases in Malaysia most often involve the
species Naja-naja and Calloselasma rhodostoma. In keeping with the
need for a rapid snake venom detection kit in a clinical setting, plate
and dot-ELISA test for the venoms of Naja-naja sumatrana,
Calloselasma rhodostoma and the cobra venom fraction V antigen
was developed. Polyclonal antibodies were raised and further used to
prepare the reagents for the dot-ELISA test kit which was tested in
mice, rabbit and virtual human models. The newly developed dot-
ELISA kit was able to detect a minimum venom concentration of
244ng/ml with cross reactivity of one antibody type. The dot-ELISA
system was sensitive and specific for all three snake venom types in
all tested animal models. The lowest minimum venom concentration
detectable was in the rabbit model, 244ng/ml of the cobra venom
fraction V antigen. The highest minimum venom concentration was
in mice, 1953ng/ml against a multitude of venoms. The developed
dot-ELISA system for the detection of three snake venom types was
successful with a sensitivity of 95.8% and specificity of 97.9%.
Abstract: The prevalence of non organic constipation differs
from country to country and the reliability of the estimate rates is
uncertain. Moreover, the clinical relevance of subdividing the
heterogeneous functional constipation disorders into pre-defined
subgroups is largely unknown.. Aim: to estimate the prevalence of
constipation in a population-based sample and determine whether
clinical subgroups can be identified. An age and gender stratified
sample population from 5 Italian cities was evaluated using a
previously validated questionnaire. Data mining by cluster analysis
was used to determine constipation subgroups. Results: 1,500
complete interviews were obtained from 2,083 contacted households
(72%). Self-reported constipation correlated poorly with symptombased
constipation found in 496 subjects (33.1%). Cluster analysis
identified four constipation subgroups which correlated to subgroups
identified according to pre-defined symptom criteria. Significant
differences in socio-demographics and lifestyle were observed
among subgroups.
Abstract: This article explores the sociological perspectives on
social problems and the role of the media which has a delicate role to
tread in balancing its duty to the public and the victim Whilst social
problems have objective conditions, it is the subjective definition of
such problems that ensure which social problem comes to the fore
and which doesn-t. Further it explores the roles and functions of
policymakers when addressing social problems and the impact of the
inception of media profiling as well as the advantages and
disadvantages of media profiling towards social problems. It focuses
on the inception of media profiling due to its length and a follow up
article will explore how current media profiling towards social
problems have evolved since its inception.
Abstract: This paper explores university course timetabling
problem. There are several characteristics that make scheduling and
timetabling problems particularly difficult to solve: they have huge
search spaces, they are often highly constrained, they require
sophisticated solution representation schemes, and they usually
require very time-consuming fitness evaluation routines. Thus
standard evolutionary algorithms lack of efficiency to deal with
them. In this paper we have proposed a memetic algorithm that
incorporates the problem specific knowledge such that most of
chromosomes generated are decoded into feasible solutions.
Generating vast amount of feasible chromosomes makes the progress
of search process possible in a time efficient manner. Experimental
results exhibit the advantages of the developed Hybrid Genetic
Algorithm than the standard Genetic Algorithm.
Abstract: This paper presented a modified efficient inductive
powering link based on ASK modulator and proposed efficient class-
E power amplifier. The design presents the external part which is
located outside the body to transfer power and data to the implanted
devices such as implanted Microsystems to stimulate and monitoring
the nerves and muscles. The system operated with low band
frequency 10MHZ according to industrial- scientific – medical (ISM)
band to avoid the tissue heating. For external part, the modulation
index is 11.1% and the modulation rate 7.2% with data rate 1 Mbit/s
assuming Tbit = 1us. The system has been designed using 0.35-μm
fabricated CMOS technology. The mathematical model is given and
the design is simulated using OrCAD P Spice 16.2 software tool and
for real-time simulation, the electronic workbench MULISIM 11 has
been used.
Abstract: Scheduling of diversified service requests in
distributed computing is a critical design issue. Cloud is a type of
parallel and distributed system consisting of a collection of
interconnected and virtual computers. It is not only the clusters and
grid but also it comprises of next generation data centers. The paper
proposes an initial heuristic algorithm to apply modified ant colony
optimization approach for the diversified service allocation and
scheduling mechanism in cloud paradigm. The proposed optimization
method is aimed to minimize the scheduling throughput to service all
the diversified requests according to the different resource allocator
available under cloud computing environment.