Abstract: Till date, English as a Second Language (ESL) educators involved in teaching language and communication to engineering students face an uphill task in developing graduate communicative competency. This challenge is accentuated by the apparent lack of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) materials for engineering students in the engineering curriculum. As such, most ESL educators are forced to play multiple roles. They don tasks such as curriculum designers, material writers and teachers with limited knowledge of the disciplinary content. Previous research indicates that prospective professional engineers should possess some sub-sets of competency: technical, linguistic oral immediacy, meta-cognitive and rhetorical explanatory competence. Another study revealed that engineering students need to be equipped with technical and linguistic oral immediacy competence. However, little is known whether these competency needs are in line with the educators- perceptions of communicative competence. This paper examines the best mix of communicative competence subsets that create the magic for engineering students in technical oral presentations. For the purpose of this study, two groups of educators were interviewed. These educators were language and communication lecturers involved in teaching a speaking course and content experts who assess students- technical oral presentations at tertiary level. The findings indicate that these two groups differ in their perceptions
Abstract: Petrol Fuel Station (PFS) has potential hazards to the
people, asset, environment and reputation of an operating company.
Fire hazards, static electricity air pollution evoked by aliphatic and
aromatic organic compounds are major causes of accident/incident
occurrence at fuel station. Activities such as carelessness,
maintenance, housekeeping, slips trips and falls, transportation
hazard, major and minor injuries, robbery and snake bites has a
potential to create unsafe conditions. The level of risk of these
hazards varies according to location and country. The emphasis on
safety considerations by the government is variable all around the
world. Developed countries safety records are much better as
compared to developing countries safety statistics. There is no
significant approach available to highlight the unsafe acts and unsafe
conditions during operation and maintenance of fuel station. Fuel
station is the most commonly available facilities that contain
flammable and hazardous materials. Due to continuous operation of
fuel station they pose various hazards to people, environment and
assets of an organization. To control these hazards, there is a need for
specific approach. PFS operation is unique as compared to other
businesses. For smooth operations it demands an involvement of
operating company, contractor and operator group. This study will
focus to address hazard contributing factors that have a potential to
make PFS operation risky. One year data collected, 902 activities
analyzed, comparisons were made to highlight significant
contributing factors. The study will provide help and assistance to
PFS outlet marketing companies to make their fuel station operation
safer. It will help health safety and environment (HSE) professionals
to arrest the gap available related to safety matters at PFS.
Abstract: The validity of Herzberg-s Two-Factor Theory of
Motivation was tested empirically by surveying 2372 chemical fiber
employees in 2012. In the valid sample of 1875 respondents, the
degree of overall job satisfaction was more than moderate. The most
highly valued components of job satisfaction were: “corporate image,"
“collaborative working atmosphere," and “supervisor-s expertise";
whereas the lowest mean score was 34.65 for “job rotation and
promotion." The top three job retention options rated by the
participants were “good image of the enterprise," “good
compensation," and “workplace is close to my residence." The overall
evaluation of the level of thriving facilitation workplace reached
almost to “mostly agree." For those participants who chose at least
one motivator as their job retention options had significantly greater
job satisfaction than those who chose only hygiene factors as their
retention options. Therefore, Herzberg-s Two-Factor Theory of
Motivation was proven valid in this study.
Abstract: In the numerical solution of the forward dynamics of a
multibody system, the positions and velocities of the bodies in the
system are obtained first. With the information of the system state
variables at each time step, the internal and external forces acting on
the system are obtained by appropriate contact force models if the
continuous contact method is used instead of a discrete contact
method. The local deformation of the bodies in contact, represented
by penetration, is used to compute the contact force. The ability and
suitability with current cylindrical contact force models to describe
the contact between bodies with cylindrical geometries with
particular focus on internal contacting geometries involving low
clearances and high loads simultaneously is discussed in this paper.
A comparative assessment of the performance of each model under
analysis for different contact conditions, in particular for very
different penetration and clearance values, is presented. It is
demonstrated that some models represent a rough approximation to
describe the conformal contact between cylindrical geometries
because contact forces are underestimated.
Abstract: The present study is concerned with effect of exciting
boundary layer on increase in heat transfer from flat surfaces. As any
increase in heat transfer between a fluid inside a face and another one
outside of it can cause an increase in some equipment's efficiency, so
at this present we have tried to increase the wall's heat transfer
coefficient by exciting the fluid boundary layer. By a collision
between flow and the placed block at the fluid way, the flow pattern
and the boundary layer stability will change. The flow way inside the
channel is simulated as a 2&3-dimensional channel by Gambit
TM
software.
With studying the achieved results by this simulation for the flow
way inside the channel with a block coordinating with Fluent
TM
software, it's determined that the figure and dimensions of the exciter
are too important for exciting the boundary layer so that any increase
in block dimensions in vertical side against the flow and any
reduction in its dimensions at the flow side can increase the average
heat transfer coefficient from flat surface and increase the flow
pressure loss. Using 2&3-dimensional analysis on exciting the flow at
the flow way inside a channel by cylindrical block at the same time
with the external flow, we came to this conclusion that the heat flux
transferred from the surface, is increased considerably in terms of the
condition without excitation. Also, the k-e turbulence model is used.
Abstract: Nowadays scientific data is inevitably digital and
stored in a wide variety of formats in heterogeneous systems.
Scientists need to access an integrated view of remote or local
heterogeneous data sources with advanced data accessing, analyzing,
and visualization tools. This research suggests the use of Service
Oriented Architecture (SOA) to integrate biological data from
different data sources. This work shows SOA will solve the problems
that facing integration process and if the biologist scientists can
access the biological data in easier way. There are several methods to
implement SOA but web service is the most popular method. The
Microsoft .Net Framework used to implement proposed architecture.
Abstract: In this work a new offline signature recognition system
based on Radon Transform, Fractal Dimension (FD) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) is presented. In the first step, projections of
original signatures along four specified directions have been performed using radon transform. Then, FDs of four obtained
vectors are calculated to construct a feature vector for each
signature. These vectors are then fed into SVM classifier for recognition of signatures. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of
the system several experiments are carried out. Offline signature
database from signature verification competition (SVC) 2004 is used
during all of the tests. Experimental result indicates that the proposed method achieved high accuracy rate in signature recognition.
Abstract: In this paper, a new learning approach for network
intrusion detection using naïve Bayesian classifier and ID3 algorithm
is presented, which identifies effective attributes from the training
dataset, calculates the conditional probabilities for the best attribute
values, and then correctly classifies all the examples of training and
testing dataset. Most of the current intrusion detection datasets are
dynamic, complex and contain large number of attributes. Some of
the attributes may be redundant or contribute little for detection
making. It has been successfully tested that significant attribute
selection is important to design a real world intrusion detection
systems (IDS). The purpose of this study is to identify effective
attributes from the training dataset to build a classifier for network
intrusion detection using data mining algorithms. The experimental
results on KDD99 benchmark intrusion detection dataset demonstrate
that this new approach achieves high classification rates and reduce
false positives using limited computational resources.
Abstract: Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) plants are cultivated for lawn constitution and as forage plants. Considerable number of perennial ryegrass genotypes are present in the flora of our country and they present substantial was performed based on a Project supported bu TUBITAK (Project numver : 106O159) and perannial ryegrass genotypes from 8 provinces were collected during 2006. Seeds of perennial ryegrass were collected from 48 different locations. Populations of turfgrass seeds in flowerpots to be 20 and 1 cm deep greenhouse were sown in three replications at 07.07.2007.Then the growth of turfgrass seedlings in the greenhouse in pots showed sufficiently separated from the plants were planted in each population. Plants planted in the garden of the observation scale of 1-9 was evaluated by the quality, 1 = the weakest / worst, 6 = acceptable and 9 = superior or considered as an ideal. Essentially only recognized in assessing the quality of the color of grass, but the color, density, uniformity, texture (texture), illness or environmental stresses are evaluated as a combination reaction. Turfgrass quality 15.11.2007, 19.03.2008, 27.05.2008, 27.11.2008, 07.03.2009 and 02.06.2009 have been 6 times to be in order. Observations made regarding the quality of grass; 3 years according to seasonal environments turf quality genotypes belonging to 14 different populations were found to be 7.5 and above are reserved for future use in breeding works.The number of genotypes belonging to 41 populations in terms of turfgrass quality was determined as 7.9 of 3 year average seasonal. Argıthan between Doğanhisar (Konya) is located 38.09 latitude and 31.40 longitude, altitude 1158 m in the set that population numbered 41.
Abstract: One of the popular methods for recognition of facial
expressions such as happiness, sadness and surprise is based on
deformation of facial features. Motion vectors which show these
deformations can be specified by the optical flow. In this method, for
detecting emotions, the resulted set of motion vectors are compared
with standard deformation template that caused by facial expressions.
In this paper, a new method is introduced to compute the quantity of
likeness in order to make decision based on the importance of
obtained vectors from an optical flow approach. For finding the
vectors, one of the efficient optical flow method developed by
Gautama and VanHulle[17] is used. The suggested method has been
examined over Cohn-Kanade AU-Coded Facial Expression Database,
one of the most comprehensive collections of test images available.
The experimental results show that our method could correctly
recognize the facial expressions in 94% of case studies. The results
also show that only a few number of image frames (three frames) are
sufficient to detect facial expressions with rate of success of about
83.3%. This is a significant improvement over the available methods.
Abstract: The goal of this study was to disclose the core of the advertising research based on the psychological aspects by acquainting with the nature of advertising research and revealing the importance of psychological aspects of advertising during the advertising research. The growing interest in consumer response to advertisement served as an encouragement to make the analysis of psychological aspects of the advertising research, because the information obtained during the advertising research helps to answer the question how advertising really works. In the research analysis focuses on the nature of advertising research. The place of advertising research in advertisement planning process and the advertising research process are unfolded. Moreover, the importance of psychological aspects in the advertising research is being examined. The certain psychological aspects like the particularities of advertising communication process, psychological process that are active at advertising acceptance and awareness process as well as the advertising effects are analysed in more detail.
Abstract: Segmentation is an important step in medical image
analysis and classification for radiological evaluation or computer
aided diagnosis. This paper presents the problem of inaccurate lung
segmentation as observed in algorithms presented by researchers
working in the area of medical image analysis. The different lung
segmentation techniques have been tested using the dataset of 19
patients consisting of a total of 917 images. We obtained datasets of
11 patients from Ackron University, USA and of 8 patients from
AGA Khan Medical University, Pakistan. After testing the algorithms
against datasets, the deficiencies of each algorithm have been
highlighted.
Abstract: Logistics is part of the supply chain processes that
plans, implements, and controls the efficient and effective forward
and reverse flow and storage of goods, services, and related
information between the point of origin and the point of consumption
in order to meet customer requirements. This research aims to
investigate the current status and future direction of the use of
Information Technology (IT) for logistics, focusing on Supply Chain
Management (SCM) and E-Commerce adoption in Malaysia.
Therefore, this research stresses on the type of technology being
adopted, factors, benefits and barriers affecting the innovation in
SCM and E-Commerce technology adoption among Logistics
Service Providers (LSP). A mailed questionnaire survey was
conducted to collect data from 265 logistics companies in Johor. The
research revealed a high level of SCM technology adoption among
LSP as they had adopted SCM technology in various business
processes while they perceived a high level of benefits from SCM
adoption.
Abstract: Supply Chain Management (SCM) is the integration
between manufacturer, transporter and customer in order to form one
seamless chain that allows smooth flow of raw materials, information
and products throughout the entire network that help in minimizing
all related efforts and costs. The main objective of this paper is to
develop a model that can accept a specified number of spare-parts
within the supply chain, simulating its inventory operations
throughout all stages in order to minimize the inventory holding
costs, base-stock, safety-stock, and to find the optimum quantity of
inventory levels, thereby suggesting a way forward to adapt some
factors of Just-In-Time to minimizing the inventory costs throughout
the entire supply chain. The model has been developed using Micro-
Soft Excel & Visual Basic in order to study inventory allocations in
any network of the supply chain. The application and reproducibility
of this model were tested by comparing the actual system that was
implemented in the case study with the results of the developed
model. The findings showed that the total inventory costs of the
developed model are about 50% less than the actual costs of the
inventory items within the case study.
Abstract: Plants are commonly known for its positive
correlation in reducing temperature. Since it can benefit buildings by
modifying the microclimate, it-s also believed capable of reducing
the internal temperature. Various experiments have been done in
Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang to investigate the comparison in
thermal benefits between two rooms, one being a typical control
room (exposed wall) and the other a biofacade room (plant shaded
wall). The investigations were conducted during non-rainy season for
approximately a month. Climbing plant Psophocarpus
tetrogonobulus from legume species was selected as insulation for
the biofacade wall. Conclusions were made on whether the biofacade
can be used to tackle the energy efficiency, based on the parameters
taken into consideration.
Abstract: Lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles which can convert near-infrared lights to visible lights have attracted growing interest because of their great potentials in fluorescence imaging. Upconversion fluorescence imaging technique with excitation in the near-infrared (NIR) region has been used for imaging of biological cells and tissues. However, improving the detection sensitivity and decreasing the absorption and scattering in biological tissues are as yet unresolved problems. In this present study, a novel NIR-reflected multispectral imaging system was developed for upconversion fluorescent imaging in small animals. Based on this system, we have obtained the high contrast images without the autofluorescence when biocompatible UCPs were injected near the body surface or deeply into the tissue. Furthermore, we have extracted respective spectra of the upconversion fluorescence and relatively quantify the fluorescence intensity with the multispectral analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first time to analyze and quantify the upconversion fluorescence in the small animal imaging.
Abstract: This paper compares Hilditch, Rosenfeld, Zhang-
Suen, dan Nagendraprasad Wang Gupta (NWG) thinning algorithms
for Javanese character image recognition. Thinning is an effective
process when the focus in not on the size of the pattern, but rather on
the relative position of the strokes in the pattern. The research
analyzes the thinning of 60 Javanese characters.
Time-wise, Zhang-Suen algorithm gives the best results with the
average process time being 0.00455188 seconds. But if we look at
the percentage of pixels that meet one-pixel thickness, Rosenfelt
algorithm gives the best results, with a 99.98% success rate. From the
number of pixels that are erased, NWG algorithm gives the best
results with the average number of pixels erased being 84.12%. It can
be concluded that the Hilditch algorithm performs least successfully
compared to the other three algorithms.
Abstract: Nowadays the control of stator voltage at a constant frequency is one of the traditional and low expense methods in order to control the speed of induction motors near its nominal speed. The torque of induction motor is a nonlinear function of the firing angle, phase angle and speed. In this paper the speed control of induction motor regarding various load torque and under different conditions will be investigated based on a fuzzy controller with inverse training.
Abstract: This paper presents an approach based on the
adoption of a distributed cognition framework and a non parametric
multicriteria evaluation methodology (DEA) designed specifically to
compare e-commerce websites from the consumer/user viewpoint. In
particular, the framework considers a website relative efficiency as a
measure of its quality and usability. A website is modelled as a black
box capable to provide the consumer/user with a set of
functionalities. When the consumer/user interacts with the website to
perform a task, he/she is involved in a cognitive activity, sustaining a
cognitive cost to search, interpret and process information, and
experiencing a sense of satisfaction. The degree of ambiguity and
uncertainty he/she perceives and the needed search time determine
the effort size – and, henceforth, the cognitive cost amount – he/she
has to sustain to perform his/her task. On the contrary, task
performing and result achievement induce a sense of gratification,
satisfaction and usefulness. In total, 9 variables are measured,
classified in a set of 3 website macro-dimensions (user experience,
site navigability and structure). The framework is implemented to
compare 40 websites of businesses performing electronic commerce
in the information technology market. A questionnaire to collect
subjective judgements for the websites in the sample was purposely
designed and administered to 85 university students enrolled in
computer science and information systems engineering
undergraduate courses.
Abstract: Lactic acid alone and its combined application with
nisin were evaluated for reducing population of naturally occurring
microorganisms on chilled shrimp. Fresh shrimps were dipped in 0,
1.0% and 2.0% (v/v) lactic acid alone and their combined application
with 0.04 (g/L/kg) nisin solution for 10 min. Total plate counts of
aerobic bacteria (TPCs), Psychrotrophic counts, population of
Pseudomonas spp., H2S producing bacteria and Lactic acid bacteria
(LAB) on shrimps were determined during storage at 4 °C. The
results indicated that total plate counts were 2.91 and 2.63 log CFU/g
higher on untreated shrimps after 7 and 14 days of storage,
respectively, than on shrimps treated with 2.0% lactic acid combined
with 0.04 (g/L/kg) nisin. Both concentrations of lactic acid indicated
significant reduction on Pseudomonas counts during storage, while
2.0% lactic acid combined with nisin indicated the highest reduction.
In addition, H2S producing bacteria were more sensitive to high
concentration of lactic acid combined with nisin during storage.