Abstract: This research proposes an Interactive 3D Experience to
enhance customer value in the fantasy era. As products reach maturity,
they become more similar in the range of functions that they provide.
This leads to competition via reduced retail price and ultimately
reduced profitability. A competitive design method is therefore
needed that can produce higher value products. An Enhanced Value
Experience has been identified that can assist designers to provide
quality products and to give them a unique positioning. On the basis of
this value opportunity, the method of Interactive 3D Experience has
been formulated and applied to the domain of retail furniture. Through
this, customers can create their own personalized styling via the
interactive 3D platform.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the pregnancy
outcomes of teenage mothers at DanKhunThot hospital, Nakhon
Ratchasima, Thailand. A retrospective descriptive study was
conducted in 573 of teenage pregnant from charts reviewed from 1st
October 2010-31st March, 2012. Data were analyzed by frequency
distribution, mean and Standard Deviation.
The results shown several problems and negatives outcomes of
pregnancy in teenager such as not attended prenatal care, Low birth
weight infants, death fetus in utero and other complications. The
results of this study can be utilized in the development of prenatal,
perinatal and post natal care services, especially in DanKhunthot
Hospital contexts. Moreover, the results were present to the District
Health Care committees in order to enhance health care service
system for teenage pregnancy of DanKhunthot District in further.
Abstract: One of the approaches enabling people with amputated
limbs to establish some sort of interface with the real world includes
the utilization of the myoelectric signal (MES) from the remaining
muscles of those limbs. The MES can be used as a control input to a
multifunction prosthetic device. In this control scheme, known as the
myoelectric control, a pattern recognition approach is usually utilized
to discriminate between the MES signals that belong to different
classes of the forearm movements. Since the MES is recorded using
multiple channels, the feature vector size can become very large. In
order to reduce the computational cost and enhance the generalization
capability of the classifier, a dimensionality reduction method is
needed to identify an informative yet moderate size feature set. This
paper proposes a new fuzzy version of the well known Fisher-s
Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) feature projection technique.
Furthermore, based on the fact that certain muscles might contribute
more to the discrimination process, a novel feature weighting scheme
is also presented by employing Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)
for estimating the weight of each feature. The new method, called
PSOFLDA, is tested on real MES datasets and compared with other
techniques to prove its superiority.
Abstract: Evaporator is an important and widely used heat
exchanger in air conditioning and refrigeration industries. Different
methods have been used by investigators to increase the heat transfer
rates in evaporators. One of the passive techniques to enhance heat
transfer coefficient is the application of microfin tubes. The
mechanism of heat transfer augmentation in microfin tubes is
dependent on the flow regime of two-phase flow. Therefore many
investigations of the flow patterns for in-tube evaporation have been
reported in literatures. The gravitational force, surface tension and
the vapor-liquid interfacial shear stress are known as three dominant
factors controlling the vapor and liquid distribution inside the tube. A
review of the existing literature reveals that the previous
investigations were concerned with the two-phase flow pattern for
flow boiling in horizontal tubes [12], [9]. Therefore, the objective of
the present investigation is to obtain information about the two-phase
flow patterns for evaporation of R-134a inside horizontal smooth and
microfin tubes. Also Investigation of heat transfer during flow
boiling of R-134a inside horizontal microfin and smooth tube have
been carried out experimentally The heat transfer coefficients for
annular flow in the smooth tube is shown to agree well with Gungor
and Winterton-s correlation [4]. All the flow patterns occurred in the
test can be divided into three dominant regimes, i.e., stratified-wavy
flow, wavy-annular flow and annular flow. Experimental data are
plotted in two kinds of flow maps, i.e., Weber number for the vapor
versus weber number for the liquid flow map and mass flux versus
vapor quality flow map. The transition from wavy-annular flow to
annular or stratified-wavy flow is identified in the flow maps.
Abstract: Equipment miniaturisation offers several opportunities such as an increased surface-to-volume ratio and higher heat transfer coefficients. However, moving towards small-diameter channels demands extra attention to fouling, reliability and stable operation of the system. The present investigation explores possibilities to enhance the stability of the once-through micro evaporator by reducing its flow boiling induced pressure fluctuations. Experimental comparison shows that the measured reduction factor approaches a theoretically derived value. Pressure fluctuations are reduced by a factor of ten in the solid conical channel and a factor of 15 in the porous conical channel. This presumably leads to less backflow and therefore to a better flow control.
Abstract: Carrier mobility has become the most important
characteristic of high speed low dimensional devices. Due to
development of very fast switching semiconductor devices, speed of
computer and communication equipment has been increasing day by
day and will continue to do so in future. As the response of any
device depends on the carrier motion within the devices, extensive
studies of carrier mobility in the devices has been established
essential for the growth in the field of low dimensional devices.
Small-signal ac transport of degenerate two-dimensional hot
electrons in GaAs quantum wells is studied here incorporating
deformation potential acoustic, polar optic and ionized impurity
scattering in the framework of heated drifted Fermi-Dirac carrier
distribution. Delta doping is considered in the calculations to
investigate the effects of double delta doping on millimeter and submillimeter
wave response of two dimensional hot electrons in GaAs
nanostructures. The inclusion of delta doping is found to enhance
considerably the two dimensional electron density which in turn
improves the carrier mobility (both ac and dc) values in the GaAs
quantum wells thereby providing scope of getting higher speed
devices in future.
Abstract: This paper develops models to analyze the
relationship between leisure time and wage change. Using Thailand-s
Time Use Survey and Labor Force Survey data, the estimation of
wage changes in response to leisure time change indicates that media
receiving, personal care and social participation and volunteer
activities are the ones that significantly raise hourly wages. Thus, the
finding suggests the stimulation in time use for media access to
enhance knowledge and productivity, personal care for attractiveness
and healthiness in order to raise productivity, and social activities to
develop connections for possible future opportunities including wage
increase. These activities should be promoted for productive leisure
time and for welfare improvement.
Abstract: The frequency contents of the non-stationary
signals vary with time. For proper characterization of such
signals, a smart time-frequency representation is necessary.
Classically, the STFT (short-time Fourier transform) is
employed for this purpose. Its limitation is the fixed timefrequency
resolution. To overcome this drawback an enhanced
STFT version is devised. It is based on the signal driven
sampling scheme, which is named as the cross-level sampling.
It can adapt the sampling frequency and the window function
(length plus shape) by following the input signal local
variations. This adaptation results into the proposed technique
appealing features, which are the adaptive time-frequency
resolution and the computational efficiency.
Abstract: A new strategy for oriented immobilization of proteins was proposed. The strategy contains two steps. The first step is to search for a docking site away from the active site on the protein surface. The second step is trying to find a ligand that is able to grasp the targeted site of the protein. To avoid ligand binding to the active site of protein, the targeted docking site is selected to own opposite charges to those near the active site. To enhance the ligand-protein binding, both hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions need to be included. The targeted docking site should therefore contain hydrophobic amino acids. The ligand is then selected through the help of molecular docking simulations. The enzyme α-amylase derived from Aspergillus oryzae (TAKA) was taken as an example for oriented immobilization. The active site of TAKA is surrounded by negatively charged amino acids. All the possible hydrophobic sites on the surface of TAKA were evaluated by the free energy estimation through benzene docking. A hydrophobic site on the opposite side of TAKA-s active site was found to be positive in net charges. A possible ligand, 3,3-,4,4- – Biphenyltetra- carboxylic acid (BPTA), was found to catch TAKA by the designated docking site. Then, the BPTA molecules were grafted onto silica gels and measured the affinity of TAKA adsorption and the specific activity of thereby immobilized enzymes. It was found that TAKA had a dissociation constant as low as 7.0×10-6 M toward the ligand BPTA on silica gel. The increase in ionic strength has little effect on the adsorption of TAKA, which indicated the existence of hydrophobic interaction between ligands and proteins. The specific activity of the immobilized TAKA was compared with the randomly adsorbed TAKA on primary amine containing silica gel. It was found that the orderly immobilized TAKA owns a specific activity twice as high as the one randomly adsorbed by ionic interaction.
Abstract: This paper describes technological possibilities to
enhance methane productionin the anaerobic stabilization of wastewater treatment plant excess sludge. This objective can be achieved by the addition of waste residues: crude glycerol from biodiesel production and residues from fishery. The addition
ofglycerol in an amount by weight of 2 – 5% causes enhancement of methane production of about 250 – 400%. At the same time the
percentage increase of total solids concentration in the outgoing sludge is ten or more times less. The containment of methane in
biogas is higher in case of admixed substrate.
Abstract: The purpose of this research is to develop and apply the
RSCMAC to enhance the dynamic accuracy of Global Positioning
System (GPS). GPS devices provide services of accurate positioning,
speed detection and highly precise time standard for over 98% area on
the earth. The overall operation of Global Positioning System includes
24 GPS satellites in space; signal transmission that includes 2
frequency carrier waves (Link 1 and Link 2) and 2 sets random
telegraphic codes (C/A code and P code), on-earth monitoring stations
or client GPS receivers. Only 4 satellites utilization, the client position
and its elevation can be detected rapidly. The more receivable
satellites, the more accurate position can be decoded. Currently, the
standard positioning accuracy of the simplified GPS receiver is greatly
increased, but due to affected by the error of satellite clock, the
troposphere delay and the ionosphere delay, current measurement
accuracy is in the level of 5~15m. In increasing the dynamic GPS
positioning accuracy, most researchers mainly use inertial navigation
system (INS) and installation of other sensors or maps for the
assistance. This research utilizes the RSCMAC advantages of fast
learning, learning convergence assurance, solving capability of
time-related dynamic system problems with the static positioning
calibration structure to improve and increase the GPS dynamic
accuracy. The increasing of GPS dynamic positioning accuracy can be
achieved by using RSCMAC system with GPS receivers collecting
dynamic error data for the error prediction and follows by using the
predicted error to correct the GPS dynamic positioning data. The
ultimate purpose of this research is to improve the dynamic positioning
error of cheap GPS receivers and the economic benefits will be
enhanced while the accuracy is increased.
Abstract: Peer review is an activity where students review their
classmates- writing and then evaluate the content, development, unity
and organization. Studies have shown that peer review activities
benefit both the reviewer and the writer in developing their reading
and writing skills. Furthermore, peer review activities may also
enhance students- soft skills. This study was conducted to find out the
benefits of peer review activity in a technical writing class based on
engineering students- perceptions. The study also highlights how
these benefits could improve the students- soft skills. A set of
questionnaire was given to 200 undergraduate students of a technical
writing course. The results of the study indicate that the activity could
help improve their critical thinking skills, written and oral
communication skills, as well as team work. This paper further
discusses how the implications of these benefits could help enhance
students- soft skills.
Abstract: Avoiding learning failures in mathematics e-learning environments caused by emotional problems in students with autism has become an important topic for combining of special education with information and communications technology. This study presents an adaptive emotional adjustment model in mathematics e-learning for students with autism, emphasizing the lack of emotional perception in mathematics e-learning systems. In addition, an emotion classification for students with autism was developed by inducing emotions in mathematical learning environments to record changes in the physiological signals and facial expressions of students. Using these methods, 58 emotional features were obtained. These features were then processed using one-way ANOVA and information gain (IG). After reducing the feature dimension, methods of support vector machines (SVM), k-nearest neighbors (KNN), and classification and regression trees (CART) were used to classify four emotional categories: baseline, happy, angry, and anxious. After testing and comparisons, in a situation without feature selection, the accuracy rate of the SVM classification can reach as high as 79.3-%. After using IG to reduce the feature dimension, with only 28 features remaining, SVM still has a classification accuracy of 78.2-%. The results of this research could enhance the effectiveness of eLearning in special education.
Abstract: In this research work, poly (acrylonitrile-butadienestyrene)/
polypropylene (ABS/PP) blends were processed by melt
compounding in a twin-screw extruder. Upgrading of the thermal
characteristics of the obtained materials was attempted by the
incorporation of organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT), as
well as, by the addition of two types of compatibilizers;
polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PP-g-MAH) and ABS
grafted with maleic anhydride (ABS-g-MAH). The effect of the
above treatments was investigated separately and in combination.
Increasing the PP content in ABS matrix seems to increase the
thermal stability of their blend and the glass transition temperature
(Tg) of SAN phase of ABS. From the other part, the addition of ABS
to PP promotes the formation of its β-phase, which is maximum at 30
wt% ABS concentration, and increases the crystallization temperature
(Tc) of PP. In addition, it increases the crystallization rate of PP.The
β-phase of PP in ABS/PP blends is reduced by the addition of
compatibilizers or/and organoclay reinforcement. The incorporation
of compatibilizers increases the thermal stability of PP and reduces
its melting (ΔΗm) and crystallization (ΔΗc) enthalpies. Furthermore it
decreases slightly the Tgs of PP and SAN phases of ABS/PP blends.
Regarding the storage modulus of the ABS/PP blends, it presents a
change in their behavior at about 10°C and return to their initial
behavior at ~110°C. The incorporation of OMMT to no compatibilized
and compatibilized ABS/PP blends enhances their storage modulus.
Abstract: Green supply chain management is an increasingly recognized practice among companies that are seeking to improve environmental performance. Of particular concern is how to arouse organizational awareness and put green activities into practice in
order to enhance manufacturing performances. This paper investigates the correlation of green supply chain practices and
manufacturing performances in Malaysian certified MS ISO 14000 manufacturing firms. The findings shows that green supply chain
practices which that can be denominated product recycling, environmental compliance and optimization have significant influence to some of the manufacturing performances.
Abstract: The objective of the present work is to conduct
investigations leading to a more complete explanation of single phase
natural convective heat transfer in an enclosure with fin utilizing
nano fluids. The nano fluid used, which is composed of Aluminum
oxide nano particles in suspension of Ethylene glycol, is provided at
various volume fractions. The study is carried out numerically for a
range of Rayleigh numbers, fin heights and aspect ratio. The flow and
temperature distributions are taken to be two-dimensional. Regions
with the same velocity and temperature distributions are identified as
symmetry of sections. One half of such a rectangular region is chosen
as the computational domain taking into account the symmetry about
the fin. Transport equations are modeled by a stream functionvorticity
formulation and are solved numerically by finite-difference
schemes. Comparisons with previously published works on the basis
of special cases are done. Results are presented in the form of
streamline, vector and isotherm plots as well as the variation of local
Nusselt number along the fin under different conditions.
Abstract: This paper describes an enhanced cookie-based
method for counting the visitors of web sites by using a web log
processing system that aims to cope with the ambitious goal of
creating countrywide statistics about the browsing practices of real
human individuals. The focus is put on describing a new more
efficient way of detecting human beings behind web users by placing
different identifiers on the client computers. We briefly introduce our
processing system designed to handle the massive amount of data
records continuously gathered from the most important content
providers of the Hungary. We conclude by showing statistics of
different time spans comparing the efficiency of multiple visitor
counting methods to the one presented here, and some interesting
charts about content providers and web usage based on real data
recorded in 2007 will also be presented.
Abstract: This preliminary study attempts to see if a learning
environment influences instructor’s teaching strategies and learners’
in-class activities in a foreign language class at a university in Japan.
The class under study was conducted in a computer room, while the
majority of classes of the same course were offered in traditional
classrooms without computers. The study also sees if the unplanned
blended learning environment, enhanced, or worked against, in
achieving course goals, by paying close attention to in-class artefacts,
such as computers. In the macro-level analysis, the course syllabus
and weekly itinerary of the course were looked at; and in the microlevel
analysis, nonhuman actors in their environments were named
and analyzed to see how they influenced the learners’ task processes.
The result indicated that students were heavily influenced by the
presence of computers, which lead them to disregard some aspects of
intended learning objectives.
Abstract: This paper presents an improvement method of
the multiple pitch estimation algorithm using comb filters.
Conventionally the pitch was estimated by using parallel
-connected comb filters method (PCF). However, PCF has
problems which often fail in the pitch estimation when there is
the fundamental frequency of higher tone near harmonics of
lower tone. Therefore the estimation is assigned to a wrong
note when shared frequencies happen. This issue often occurs
in estimating octave 3 or more. Proposed method, for solving
the problem, estimates the pitch with every harmonic instead of
every octave. As a result, our method reaches the accuracy of
more than 80%.
Abstract: 16-Mercaptohexadecanoic acid (MHDA) and tripeptide glutathione conjugated with gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) are characterized by Fourier Transform InfaRared (FTIR) spectroscopy combined with Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) technique based on FTIR spectroscopy has become an important tool in biophysics, which is perspective for the study of organic compounds. FTIR-spectra of MHDA shows the line at 2500 cm-1 attributed to thiol group which is modified by presence of Au-NPs, suggesting the formation of bond between thiol group and gold. We also can observe the peaks originate from characteristic chemical group. A Raman spectrum of the same sample is also promising. Our preliminary experiments confirm that SERS-effect takes place for MHDA connected with Au-NPs and enable us to detected small number (less than 106 cm-2) of MHDA molecules. Combination of spectroscopy methods: FTIR and SERS – enable to study optical properties of Au- NPs and immobilized bio-molecules in context of a bio-nano-sensors.