Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between hope and resilience with work engagement. A total of 422 staff nurses working in three public hospitals in Peninsular Malaysia participated in this study. Statistical results using regression analysis revealed that hope and resilience were positively related to work engagement. Possible reasons for these findings, as well as their implications and future research directions are discussed.
Abstract: The capturing of gel electrophoresis image represents
the output of a DNA computing algorithm. Before this image is being
captured, DNA computing involves parallel overlap assembly (POA)
and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that is the main of this
computing algorithm. However, the design of the DNA
oligonucleotides to represent a problem is quite complicated and is
prone to errors. In order to reduce these errors during the design stage
before the actual in-vitro experiment is carried out; a simulation
software capable of simulating the POA and PCR processes is
developed. This simulation software capability is unlimited where
problem of any size and complexity can be simulated, thus saving
cost due to possible errors during the design process. Information
regarding the DNA sequence during the computing process as well as
the computing output can be extracted at the same time using the
simulation software.
Abstract: The accelerated sonophotocatalytic degradation of
Reactive Red (RR) 120 dye under visible light using dye sensitized
TiO2 activated by ultrasound has been carried out. The effect of
sonolysis, photocatalysis and sonophotocatalysis under visible light
has been examined to study the influence on the degradation rates by
varying the initial substrate concentration, pH and catalyst loading to
ascertain the synergistic effect on the degradation techniques.
Ultrasonic activation contributes degradation through cavitation
leading to the splitting of H2O2 produced by both photocatalysis and
sonolysis. This results in the formation of oxidative species, such as
singlet oxygen (1O2) and superoxide (O2
-●) radicals in the presence of
oxygen. The increase in the amount of reactive radical species which
induce faster oxidation of the substrate and degradation of
intermediates and also the deaggregation of the photocatalyst are
responsible for the synergy observed under sonication. A
comparative study of photocatalysis and sonophotocatalysis using
TiO2, Hombikat UV 100 and ZnO was also carried out.
Abstract: The intent of this essay is to evaluate the effectiveness
of surge suppressor aimed at power supply used for automation
devices in power distribution system which is consist of MOV and
T type low-pass filter. Books, journal articles and e-sources related
to surge protection of power supply used for automation devices in
power distribution system were consulted, and the useful information
was organized, analyzed and developed into five parts: characteristics
of surge wave, protection against surge wave, impedance characteristics
of target, using Matlab to simulate circuit response after
5kV,1.2/50s surge wave and suggestions for surge protection. The
results indicate that various types of load situation have great impact
on the effectiveness of surge protective device. Therefore, type and
parameters of surge protective device need to be carefully selected,
and load matching is also vital to be concerned.
Abstract: The use of polypropylene mesh devices for Pelvic
Organ Prolapse (POP) spread rapidly during the last decade, yet our
knowledge of the mesh-tissue interaction is far from complete. We
aimed to perform a thorough pathological examination of explanted
POP meshes and describe findings that may explain mechanisms of
complications resulting in product excision. We report a spectrum of
important findings, including nerve ingrowth, mesh deformation,
involvement of detrusor muscle with neural ganglia, and
polypropylene degradation. Analysis of these findings may improve
and guide future treatment strategies.
Abstract: Recently, distributed generation technologies have received much attention for the potential energy savings and reliability assurances that might be achieved as a result of their widespread adoption. Fueling the attention have been the possibilities of international agreements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, electricity sector restructuring, high power reliability requirements for certain activities, and concern about easing transmission and distribution capacity bottlenecks and congestion. So it is necessary that impact of these kinds of generators on distribution feeder reconfiguration would be investigated. This paper presents an approach for distribution reconfiguration considering Distributed Generators (DGs). The objective function is summation of electrical power losses A Tabu search optimization is used to solve the optimal operation problem. The approach is tested on a real distribution feeder.
Abstract: Partitions can play a significant role in minimising cochannel
interference of Wireless LANs by attenuating signals across
room boundaries. This could pave the way towards higher density
deployments in home and office environments through spatial
channel reuse. Yet, due to protocol limitations, the latest incantation
of IEEE 802.11 standard is still unable to take advantage of this fact:
Despite having clearly adequate Signal to Interference Ratio (SIR)
over co-channel neighbouring networks in other rooms, its goodput
falls significantly lower than its maximum in the absence of cochannel
interferers. In this paper, we describe how this situation can
be remedied via modest modifications to the standard.
Abstract: In many cases, there are some time lag between the consumption of inputs and the production of outputs. This time lag effect should be considered in evaluating the performance of organizations. Recently, a couple of DEA models were developed for considering time lag effect in efficiency evaluation of research activities. Multi-periods input(MpI) and Multi-periods output(MpO) models are integrate models to calculate simple efficiency considering time lag effect. However, these models can’t discriminate efficient DMUs because of the nature of basic DEA model in which efficiency scores are limited to ‘1’. That is, efficient DMUs can’t be discriminated because their efficiency scores are same. Thus, this paper suggests a super-efficiency model for efficiency evaluation under the consideration of time lag effect based on the MpO model. A case example using a long term research project is given to compare the suggested model with the MpO model.
Abstract: The fast growing accessibility and capability of emerging technologies have fashioned enormous possibilities of designing, developing and implementing innovative teaching methods in the classroom. The global technological scenario has paved the way to new pedagogies in teaching-learning process focusing on technology based learning environment and its impact on student achievement. The present experimental study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of technology based learning environment on student achievement in English as a foreign language. The sample of the study was 90 students of 10th grade of a public school located in Islamabad. A pretest- posttest equivalent group design was used to compare the achievement of the two groups. A Pretest and A posttest containing 50 items each from English textbook were developed and administered. The collected data were statistically analyzed. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the mean scores of Experimental group and the Control group. The performance of Experimental group was better on posttest scores that indicted that teaching through technology based learning environment enhanced the achievement level of the students. On the basis of the results, it was recommended that teaching and learning through information and communication technologies may be adopted to enhance the language learning capability of the students.
Abstract: This research was aimed at determining the impact of conservation techniques including bench terrace, stone terrace, mulching, grass strip and intercropping on soil erosion at tobacco-based farming system at Progo Hulu subwatershed, Central Java, Indonesia. Research was conducted from September 2007 to September 2009, located at Progo Hulu subwatershed, Central Java, Indonesia. Research site divided into 27 land units, and experimental fields were grouped based on the soil type and slope, ie: 30%, 45% and 70%, with the following treatments: 1) ST0= stone terrace (control); 2) ST1= stone terrace + Setaria spacelata grass strip on a 5 cm height dike at terrace lips + tobacco stem mulch with dose of 50% (7 ton/ ha); 3) ST2= stone terrace + Setaria spacelata grass strip on a 5 cm height dike at terrace lips + tobacco stem mulch with dose of 100% (14 ton/ ha); 4) ST3= stone terrace + tobacco and red bean intercropping + tobacco stem mulch with dose of 50% (7 ton/ ha). 5) BT0= bench terrace (control); 6) BT1= bench terrace + Setaria spacelata grass strip at terrace lips + tobacco stem mulch with dose of 50% (7 ton/ ha); 7) BT2= bench terrace + Setaria spacelata grass strip at terrace lips + tobacco stem mulch with dose of 100% (14 ton/ ha); 8) BT3= bench terrace + tobacco and red bean intercropping + tobacco stem mulch with dose of 50% (7 ton/ ha). The results showed that the actual erosion rates of research site were higher than that of tolerance erosion with mean value 89.08 ton/ha/year and 33.40 ton/ha/year, respectively. These resulted in 69% of total research site (5,119.15 ha) highly degraded. Conservation technique of ST2 was the most effective in suppressing soil erosion, by 42.87%, following with BT2 as much 30.63%. Others suppressed erosion only less than 21%.
Abstract: This study proposes a multi-response surface
optimization problem (MRSOP) for determining the proper choices
of a process parameter design (PPD) decision problem in a noisy
environment of a grease position process in an electronic industry.
The proposed models attempts to maximize dual process responses
on the mean of parts between failure on left and right processes. The
conventional modified simplex method and its hybridization of the
stochastic operator from the hunting search algorithm are applied to
determine the proper levels of controllable design parameters
affecting the quality performances. A numerical example
demonstrates the feasibility of applying the proposed model to the
PPD problem via two iterative methods. Its advantages are also
discussed. Numerical results demonstrate that the hybridization is
superior to the use of the conventional method. In this study, the
mean of parts between failure on left and right lines improve by
39.51%, approximately. All experimental data presented in this
research have been normalized to disguise actual performance
measures as raw data are considered to be confidential.
Abstract: This study investigates a voltage-controllable liquid crystals lens with a Fresnel zone electrode. When applying a proper voltage on the liquid crystal cell, a Fresnel-zone-distributed electric field is induced to direct liquid crystals aligned in a concentric structure. Owing to the concentrically aligned liquid crystals, a Fresnel lens is formed. We probe the Fresnel liquid crystal lens using a polarized incident beam with a wavelength of 632.8 nm, finding that the diffraction efficiency depends on the applying voltage. A remarkable diffraction efficiency of ~39.5 % is measured at the voltage of 0.9V. Additionally, a dual focus lens is fabricated by attaching a plane-convex lens to the Fresnel liquid crystals cell. The Fresnel LC lens and the dual focus lens may be applied for DVD/CD pick-up head, confocal microscopy system, or electrically-controlling optical systems.
Abstract: Study was conducted to determine the concentration of
copper, cadmium, lead and zinc in Cabomba furcata that found
abundance in Lake Chini. This aquatic plant was collected randomly
within the lake for heavy metal determination. Water quality
measurement was undertaken in situ for temperature, pH,
conductivity and dissolved oksigen using portable multi sensor probe
YSI model 556. The C. furcata was digested using wet digestion
method and heavy metal concentrations were analysed using Atomic
Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) Perkin Elmer 4100B (flame
method). Result of water quality classify Lake Chini between class II
to class III using Malaysian Water Quality Standard. According to
this standard, Lake Chini has moderate quality, which normal for
natural lake. Heavy metal concentrations in C.furcata were low and
found to be lower than the critical toxic value in aquatic plants. Oneway
ANOVA test indicated the heavy metal concentrations in
C.furcata were significantly differ between sampling location. Water
quality and heavy metal concentrations indicates that Lake Chini was
not receives anthropogenic load from nearby activities.
Abstract: In this research we show that the dynamics of an action potential in a cell can be modeled with a linear combination of the dynamics of the gating state variables. It is shown that the modeling error is negligible. Our findings can be used for simplifying cell models and reduction of computational burden i.e. it is useful for simulating action potential propagation in large scale computations like tissue modeling. We have verified our finding with the use of several cell models.
Abstract: Because of excellent properties, people has paid more
attention to SPIHI algorithm, which is based on the traditional wavelet
transformation theory, but it also has its shortcomings. Combined the
progress in the present wavelet domain and the human's visual
characteristics, we propose an improved algorithm based on human
visual characteristics of SPIHT in the base of analysis of SPIHI
algorithm. The experiment indicated that the coding speed and quality
has been enhanced well compared to the original SPIHT algorithm,
moreover improved the quality of the transmission cut off.
Abstract: In this paper a new method is suggested for
distributed data-mining by the probability patterns. These patterns
use decision trees and decision graphs. The patterns are cared to be
valid, novel, useful, and understandable. Considering a set of
functions, the system reaches to a good pattern or better objectives.
By using the suggested method we will be able to extract the useful
information from massive and multi-relational data bases.
Abstract: In this paper we present a new approach to deal with
image segmentation. The fact that a single segmentation result do not
generally allow a higher level process to take into account all the
elements included in the image has motivated the consideration of
image segmentation as a multiobjective optimization problem. The
proposed algorithm adopts a split/merge strategy that uses the result
of the k-means algorithm as input for a quantum evolutionary
algorithm to establish a set of non-dominated solutions. The
evaluation is made simultaneously according to two distinct features:
intra-region homogeneity and inter-region heterogeneity. The
experimentation of the new approach on natural images has proved
its efficiency and usefulness.
Abstract: Drilling is the most common machining operation and it forms the highest machining cost in many manufacturing activities including automotive engine production. The outcome of this operation depends upon many factors including utilization of proper cutting tool geometry, cutting tool material and the type of coating used to improve hardness and resistance to wear, and also cutting parameters. With the availability of a large array of tool geometries, materials and coatings, is has become a challenging task to select the best tool and cutting parameters that would result in the lowest machining cost or highest profit rate. This paper describes an algorithm developed to help achieve good performances in drilling operations by automatically determination of proper cutting tools and cutting parameters. It also helps determine machining sequences resulting in minimum tool changes that would eventually reduce machining time and cost where multiple tools are used.
Abstract: This paper describes an effective solution to the task
of a remote monitoring of super-extended objects (oil and gas
pipeline, railways, national frontier). The suggested solution is based
on the principle of simultaneously monitoring of seismoacoustic and
optical/infrared physical fields. The principle of simultaneous
monitoring of those fields is not new but in contrast to the known
solutions the suggested approach allows to control super-extended
objects with very limited operational costs. So-called C-OTDR
(Coherent Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) systems are used to
monitor the seismoacoustic field. Far-CCTV systems are used to
monitor the optical/infrared field. A simultaneous data processing
provided by both systems allows effectively detecting and classifying
target activities, which appear in the monitored objects vicinity. The
results of practical usage had shown high effectiveness of the
suggested approach.
Abstract: In this paper the performance of unified power flow
controller is investigated in controlling the flow of po wer over the
transmission line. Voltage sources model is utilized to study the
behaviour of the UPFC in regulating the active, reactive power and
voltage profile. This model is incorporated in Newton Raphson
algorithm for load flow studies. Simultaneous method is employed
in which equations of UPFC and the power balance equations of
network are combined in to one set of non-linear algebraic equations.
It is solved according to the Newton raphson algorithm. Case studies
are carried on standard 5 bus network. Simulation is done in Matlab.
The result of network with and without using UPFC are compared in
terms of active and reactive power flows in the line and active and
reactive power flows at the bus to analyze the performance of UPFC.