Abstract: The purpose of the analysis is estimation of viability and profitability of kenaf plant farming in Kelantan State. The monetary information was gathered through interviewing kenaf growers as well group discussion. In addition, the production statistics were collected from Kenaf factory administrative group. The monetary data were analyzed using the Precision financial Calculator. For kenaf production per hectare three scenarios of productivity were adopted, they were 15, 12 and ten; the research results exposed that, when kenaf productivity was 15 ton and the agronomist received financial supports from kenaf administration, the margin profit reached up to 37% which is almost dual profitability that is expected without government support. The financial analysis explains that, the adopted scenarios of the productivity are feasible when Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) was used as financial indicator. Nonetheless, the kenaf productivity of 15 ton is the superlative viable among the others and payback period is 5 years which equals to middle period time to return the invested amount back. The study concluded that for the farmer to increase the productivity of kenaf per hectare the well farming practices as well as continuously farmers financial support are highly needed.
Abstract: In the context of sustainable development and climate change, the adaptation of buildings to the climatic context in hot climates is a necessity if we want to improve living conditions in housing and reduce the risks to the health and productivity of occupants due to thermal discomfort in buildings. One can find a wide variety of efficient solutions but with high costs. In developing countries, especially tropical countries, we need to appreciate a technology with a very limited cost that is affordable for everyone, energy efficient and protects the environment. Biosourced insulation is a product based on plant fibers, animal products or products from recyclable paper or clothing. Their development meets the objectives of maintaining biodiversity, reducing waste and protecting the environment. In tropical or hot countries, the aim is to protect the building from solar thermal radiation, a source of discomfort. The aim of this work is in line with the logic of energy control and environmental protection, the approach is to make the occupants of buildings comfortable, reduce their carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) and decrease their energy consumption (energy efficiency). We have chosen to study the thermo-physical properties of banana leaves and sawdust, especially their thermal conductivities, direct measurements were made using the flash method and the hot plate method. We also measured the heat flow on both sides of each sample by the hot box method. The results from these different experiences show that these materials are very efficient used as insulation. We have also conducted a building thermal simulation using banana leaves as one of the materials under Design Builder software. Air-conditioning load as well as CO2 release was used as performance indicator. When the air-conditioned building cell is protected on the roof by banana leaves and integrated into the walls with solar protection of the glazing, it saves up to 64.3% of energy and avoids 57% of CO2 emissions.
Abstract: In data-driven prognostic methods, the prediction
accuracy of the estimation for remaining useful life of bearings
mainly depends on the performance of health indicators, which
are usually fused some statistical features extracted from vibrating
signals. However, the existing health indicators have the following
two drawbacks: (1) The differnet ranges of the statistical features
have the different contributions to construct the health indicators,
the expert knowledge is required to extract the features. (2) When
convolutional neural networks are utilized to tackle time-frequency
features of signals, the time-series of signals are not considered.
To overcome these drawbacks, in this study, the method combining
convolutional neural network with gated recurrent unit is proposed to
extract the time-frequency image features. The extracted features are
utilized to construct health indicator and predict remaining useful life
of bearings. First, original signals are converted into time-frequency
images by using continuous wavelet transform so as to form the
original feature sets. Second, with convolutional and pooling layers
of convolutional neural networks, the most sensitive features of
time-frequency images are selected from the original feature sets.
Finally, these selected features are fed into the gated recurrent unit
to construct the health indicator. The results state that the proposed
method shows the enhance performance than the related studies which
have used the same bearing dataset provided by PRONOSTIA.
Abstract: Leakage current monitoring for high voltage transmission line insulators is of interest as a performance indicator. Presently, to the best of our knowledge, there is no commercially available, clamp-on type, non-intrusive device for measuring leakage current on energised high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line insulators. The South African power utility, Eskom, is investigating the development of such a hand-held sensor for two important applications; first, for continuous real-time condition monitoring of HVDC line insulators and, second, for use by live line workers to determine if it is safe to work on energised insulators. In this paper, a DC leakage current sensor based on magnetic field sensing techniques is developed. The magnetic field sensor used in the prototype can also detect alternating current up to 5 MHz. The DC leakage current prototype detects the magnetic field associated with the current flowing on the surface of the insulator. Preliminary HVDC leakage current measurements are performed on glass insulators. The results show that the prototype can accurately measure leakage current in the specified current range of 1-200 mA. The influence of external fields from the HVDC line itself on the leakage current measurements is mitigated through a differential magnetometer sensing technique. Thus, the developed sensor can perform measurements on in-service HVDC insulators. The research contributes to the body of knowledge by providing a sensor to measure leakage current on energised HVDC insulators non-intrusively. This sensor can also be used by live line workers to inform them whether or not it is safe to perform maintenance on energized insulators.
Abstract: One of the major shortcomings of widely used
scientometric indicators is that different disciplines cannot be
compared with each other. The issue of cross-disciplinary
normalization has been long discussed, but even the classification
of publications into scientific domains poses problems. Structural
properties of citation networks offer new possibilities, however, the
large size and constant growth of these networks asks for precaution.
Here we present a new tool that in order to perform cross-field
normalization of scientometric indicators of individual publications
relays on the structural properties of citation networks. Due to the
large size of the networks, a systematic procedure for identifying
scientific domains based on a local community detection algorithm
is proposed. The algorithm is tested with different benchmark
and real-world networks. Then, by the use of this algorithm, the
mechanism of the scientometric indicator normalization process is
shown for a few indicators like the citation number, P-index and
a local version of the PageRank indicator. The fat-tail trend of the
article indicator distribution enables us to successfully perform the
indicator normalization process.
Abstract: Human biological signals (pulse wave and brain wave, etc.) have a rhythm which shows fluctuations. This study investigates the relationship between fluctuations of biological signals which are shown by a finger plethysmogram (i.e., finger pulse wave) in conversation and anthropophobic tendency, and identifies whether the fluctuation could be an index of mental health. 32 college students participated in the experiment. The finger plethysmogram of each subject was measured in the following conversation situations: Fun memory talking/listening situation and regrettable memory talking/ listening situation for three minutes each. Lyspect 3.5 was used to collect the data of the finger plethysmogram. Since Lyspect calculates the Lyapunov spectrum, it is possible to obtain the largest Lyapunov exponent (LLE). LLE is an indicator of the fluctuation and shows the degree to which a measure is going away from close proximity to the track in a dynamical system. Before the finger plethysmogram experiment, each participant took the psychological test questionnaire “Anthropophobic Scale.” The scale measures the social phobia trend close to the consciousness of social phobia. It is revealed that there is a remarkable relationship between the fluctuation of the finger plethysmography and anthropophobic tendency scale in talking about a regrettable story in conversation: The participants (N=15) who have a low anthropophobic tendency show significantly more fluctuation of finger pulse waves than the participants (N=17) who have a high anthropophobic tendency (F (1, 31) =5.66, p
Abstract: Objectives: The main objective of this study was to examine the association between the elevated level of C-reactive protein (CRP) and incidence of hypertension before and after adjustments for age, BMI, gender, SES, smoking, diabetes, cholesterol LDL and cholesterol HDL, and to determine whether the association differs by race. Method: Cross sectional data for participants from aged 17 years to 74 years, included in The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2010 were analyzed. The CRP level was classified into three categories (> 3 mg/L, between 1 mg/L and 3 mg/L, and < 3 mg/L). Blood pressure categorization was done using JNC 7 indicator. Hypertension is defined as either systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 140 mmHg or more and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 90 mmHg or more, otherwise a self-reported prior diagnosis by a physician. Pre-hypertension was defined as 139 ≥ SBP > 120 or 89 ≥ DBP >80. Multinominal regression model was undertaken to measure the association between CRP level and hypertension. Results: In univariable models, CRP concentrations > 3 mg/L were associated with a 73% greater risk of incident hypertension compared with CRP concentrations < 1 mg/L (Hypertension: odds ratio [OR] = 1.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.50-1.99). Ethnic comparisons showed that American Mexicans had the highest risk of incident hypertension (OR = 2.39; 95% CI, 2.21-2.58). This risk was statistically insignificant after controlling by other variables (Hypertension: OR = 0.75; 95% CI, 0.52-1.08), or categorized by race [American Mexican: OR= 1.58; 95% CI, 0.58-4.26, Other Hispanic: OR = 0.87; 95% CI, 0.19-4.42, Non-Hispanic white: OR = 0.90; 95% CI, 0.50-1.59, Non-Hispanic Black: OR = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.22-0.87. The same results were found for pre-hypertension, and the Non-Hispanic black segment showed the highest significant risk for Pre-Hypertension (OR = 1.60; 95% CI, 1.26-2.03). When CRP concentrations were between 1.0 and 3.0 mg/L in unadjusted models, prehypertension was associated with higher likelihood of elevated CRP (OR = 1.37; 95% CI, 1.15-1.62). The same relationship was maintained in Non-Hispanic white, Non-Hispanic black, and other race (Non-Hispanic white: OR = 1.24; 95% CI, 1.03-1.48, Non-Hispanic black: OR = 1.60; 95% CI, 1.27-2.03, other race: OR = 2.50; 95% CI, 1.32-4.74) while the association was insignificant with American Mexican and other Hispanic. In the adjusted model, the relationship between CRP and prehypertension were no longer available. Contrary, hypertension was not independently associated with elevated CRP, and the results were the same after being grouped by race or adjustments for the possible confounder variables. The same results were obtained when SBP or DBP were on a continuous measure. Conclusions: This study confirmed the existence of an association between hypertension, prehypertension and elevated level of CRP, however this association was no longer available after adjusting by other variables. Ethic group differences were statistically significant at the univariable models, while it disappeared after controlling by other variables.
Abstract: It is not only the economic determinants that impact on life conditions, but maintaining a good level of life satisfaction (LS) may also be an important challenge currently. In Luxembourg, university students receive financial aid from the government. They are then registered at the Centre for Documentation and Information on Higher Education (CEDIES). Luxembourg is built on migration with almost half its population consisting of foreigners. It is upon this basis that our research aims to analyze the associations with mental health factors (health satisfaction, psychological quality of life, worry), perceived financial situation, career attitudes (adaptability, optimism, knowledge, planning) and LS, for non-Luxembourgish and native postgraduate students. Between 2012 and 2013, postgraduates registered at CEDIES were contacted by post and asked to participate in an online survey with either the option of English or French. The study population comprised of 644 respondents. Our statistical analysis excluded: those born abroad who had Luxembourgish citizenship, or those born in Luxembourg who did not have citizenship. Two groups were formed one consisting 147 non-Luxembourgish and the other 284 natives. A single item measured LS (1=not at all satisfied to 10=very satisfied). Bivariate tests, correlations and multiple linear regression models were used in which only significant relationships (p
Abstract: This article aims to assess the evolution of imperfect competition in selected banking markets, in particular in the banking markets of Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia. Another objective is to assess the evolution of the relationship of imperfect competition and profit development in the banking markets. The article first provides an overview of literature on the topic. It then measures the degree of imperfect competition in individual markets using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index. The commonly used indicator of total assets was chosen as an indicator. Based on this measurement, the individual banking sectors are categorized into theoretical definitions of the various types of imperfect competition - namely all surveyed banking sectors falling within the theoretical definition of monopolistic competition. Subsequently, using correlation analysis, i.e., the Pearson correlation coefficient, or the Spearman correlation coefficient, the connection between the evolution of imperfect competition and the development of the gross profit on selected banking markets was surveyed. It was found that with the exception of the banking market in Slovenia, where there is a positive correlation; there is no correlation between the evolution of imperfect competition and profit development in the selected markets. This means a recommendation for the regulators that it is not appropriate to rationalize a higher degree of regulation in granting banking licenses on the size of the profits attained in the banking market, as the relationship between the degree of concentration in the banking market and the amount of profit according to our measurements does not exist.
Abstract: Nowadays, the reflection on competence management
is the basic for new competitive strategies. It is considered as the core
of the problems of the global supply chain. It interact a variety of
actors: information, physical and activities flows, etc. Even though
competence management is seen as the key factor for any business
success, the existing approaches demonstrate the deficiencies and
limitations of the competence concept. This research has two
objectives: The first is to make a contribution by focusing on the
development of a competence approach, based on continuous
improvement. It allows the enterprise to spot key competencies,
mobilize them in order to serve its strategic objectives and to develop
future competencies. The second is to propose a method to evaluate
the Level of Collective Competence. The approach was confirmed
through an application carried out at an automotive company.
Abstract: Stress of slaughter animals starting long before until at the time of process of slaughtering which cause misery and decrease of meat quality. Meanwhile, determination of animal stress using hormonal such as cortisol is expensive and less practical so that portable stress indicator for cows based on Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) must be provided. The aims of this research are to find out the comparison process of slaughter between Rope Casting Local (RCL) and Restraining Box Method (RBM) by measuring of cortisol and wavelength in FTIR methods. Thirty two of male Ongole crossbred cattle were used in this experiment. Blood sampling was taken from jugular vein when they were rested and repeated when slaughtered. All of blood samples were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 20 minutes to get serum, and then divided into two parts for cortisol assayed using ELISA and for measuring the wavelength using FTIR. The serum then measured at the wavelength between 4000-400 cm-1 using MB3000 FTIR. Band data absorption in wavelength of FTIR is analyzed descriptively by using FTIR Horizon MBTM. For RCL, average of serum cortisol when the animals rested were 11.47 ± 4.88 ng/mL, when the time of slaughter were 23.27 ± 7.84 ng/mL. For RBM, level of cortisol when rested animals were 13.67 ± 3.41 ng/mL and 53.47 ± 20.25 ng/mL during the slaughter. Based on student t-Test, there were significantly different between RBM and RCL methods when beef cattle were slaughtered (P0.05). Result of FTIR with the various of wavelength such as methyl group (=CH3 ) 2986cm-1, methylene (=CH2 ) 2827 cm-1, hydroxyl (- OH) 3371 cm-1, carbonyl (ketones) (C=O) 1636 cm-1, carboxyl (COO-1) 1408 cm-1, glucosa 1057 cm-1, urea 1011 cm-1have been obtained. It can be concluded that the RCL slaughtered method is better than the RBM method based on the increase of cortisol as an indicator of stress in beef cattle (P
Abstract: The first part of the paper analyzes the dynamics of
the total fertility rate both at the national and regional level, pointing
out the regional disparities in the distribution of this indicator. At the
same time, we also focus on the collapse of the number of live births,
on the changes in the fertility rate by birth rank, as well as on the
failure of acquiring the desired number of children. The second part
of the study centres upon a survey applied to urban families with 3
and more than 3 offspring. The preliminary analysis highlights the
fact that an increased fertility (more than 3rd rank) is triggered by the
parents’ above the average material condition and superior education.
The current situation of Romania, which is still passing through a
period of relatively rapid demographic changes, marked by numerous
convulsions, requires a new approach, in compliance with the recent
interpretations appropriate to a new post-transitional demographic
regime.
Abstract: Constantly changing economic conditions require companies to design their production to be more economical, innovative, and flexible. Since workers have a decisive influence on cost, time, and quality, e.g. by monitoring indicators that determine quality, by developing processes more resistant to disturbances, or by monitoring environmental standards, a focus on personnel as a production factor is needed. This presupposes the efficient use and systematic enhancement of employees’ existing competences since greater consideration of these aspects in work planning will help to enhance competitiveness. The aim of the research project ‘Integrated Technology- and Competence-based Work Planning in Socio-Technical Systems’ is to develop a new work planning method that combines technology with work science by incorporating employees’ skills as a quality indicator. For employee competences to increase competitiveness, it is first of all necessary to assess how competences affect cost, time, and quality. A model for deriving predictions about the effects of competence-based parameters on these strategic business objectives is developed in this paper.
Abstract: This study was to search for the desirable direction of
the sidewalk planning in Korea by establishing the concepts of
walking and pedestrian space, and analyzing the advanced precedents
in and out of country. Also, based on the precedent studies and
relevant laws, regulations, and systems, it aimed for the following
sequential process: firstly, to derive design elements from the
functions and characteristics of sidewalk and cluster the similar
elements by each characteristics, sampling representative
characteristics and making them hierarchical; then, to analyze their
significances via the first questionnaire survey, and the relative
weights and priorities of each elements via the Analytic Hierarchy
Process(AHP); finally, based on the analysis result, to establish the
frame of suggesting the direction of policy to improve the pedestrian
environment of sidewalk in urban commercial district for the future
planning and design of pedestrian space.
Abstract: Measurement and the following evaluation of
performance represent important part of management. The paper
focuses on indicators as the basic elements of performance
measurement system. It emphasizes a necessity of searching
requirements for quality indicators so that they can become part of
the useful system. It introduces standpoints for a systematic dividing
of indicators so that they have as high as possible informative value
of background sources for searching, analysis, designing and using of
indicators. It draws attention to requirements for indicators' quality
and at the same it deals with some dangers decreasing indicator's
informative value. It submits a draft of questions that should be
answered at the construction of indicator. It is obvious that particular
indicators need to be defined exactly to stimulate the desired
behavior in order to attain expected results. In the enclosure a
concrete example of the defined indicator in the concrete conditions
of a small firm is given. The authors of the paper pay attention to the
fact that a quality indicator makes it possible to get to the basic
causes of the problem and include the established facts into the
company information system. At the same time they emphasize that
developing of a quality indicator is a prerequisite for the utilization
of the system of measurement in management.
Abstract: In this research, CaO-ZnO catalysts (with various
Ca:Zn atomic ratios of 1:5, 1:3, 1:1, and 3:1) prepared by incipientwetness
impregnation (IWI) and co-precipitation (CP) methods were
used as a catalyst in the transesterification of palm oil with methanol
for biodiesel production. The catalysts were characterized by several
techniques, including BET method, CO2-TPD, and Hemmett
Indicator. The effects of precursor concentration, and calcination
temperature on the catalytic performance were studied under reaction
conditions of a 15:1 methanol to oil molar ratio, 6 wt% catalyst,
reaction temperature of 60°C, and reaction time of 8 h. At Ca:Zn
atomic ratio of 1:3 gave the highest FAME value owing to a basic
properties and surface area of the prepared catalyst.
Abstract: In a liberalized electricity market, it is not surprising
that different customers require different power quality (PQ) levels at
different price. Power quality related to several power disturbances is
described by many parameters, so how to define a comprehensive
hierarchy evaluation system of power quality (PQCHES) has become
a concerned issue. In this paper, based on four electromagnetic
compatibility (EMC) levels, the numerical range of each power
disturbance is divided into five grades (Grade I –Grade V), and the
“barrel principle" of power quality is used for the assessment of
overall PQ performance with only one grade indicator. A case study
based on actual monitored data of PQ shows that the site PQ grade
indicates the electromagnetic environment level and also expresses the
characteristics of loads served by the site.
The shortest plank principle of PQ barrel is an incentive
mechanism, which can combine with the rewards/penalty mechanism
(RPM) of consumed energy “on quality demand", to stimulate utilities
to improve the overall PQ level and also stimulate end-user more
“smart" under the infrastructure of future SmartGrid..
Abstract: In this paper, we propose a novel limited feedback scheme for task planning with service robots. Instead of sending the full service robot state information for the task planning, the proposed scheme send the best-M indices of service robots with a indicator. With the indicator, the proposed scheme significantly reduces the communication overhead for task planning as well as mitigates the system performance degradation in terms of the utility. In addition, we analyze the system performance of the proposed scheme and compare the proposed scheme with the other schemes.
Abstract: The report focuses on such an important indicator of the nature and direction of development of ethnic and cultural processes in the Republic of Kazakhstan, as ethno linguistic situation. It is shown that, in essence, on the one hand, expresses the degree of the actual propagation and the level of use of the languages of the various ethnic communities. On the other hand, reflects the important patterns, trends and prospects of ethno-cultural and ethnodemographic processes in the Republic. It is important to note that the ethno linguistic situation in different regions of Kazakhstan, due to its more dynamic and much more difficult to demonstrate a much greater variety of options when compared with the ethnic situation in the country. For the two major ethnic groups of the republic – Kazakh and Russian language ethno differentiating retains its value, while for the other ethnic groups observed decline in the importance of this indicator. As you know, the language of international communication in the country is Russian. As the censuses of population, the Russian language in many areas of Northern, Central and Eastern Kazakhstan becomes a means of ethno linguistic development for most of the non-Russian population. This is most clearly illustrated by the Germans, and the Slavic ethnic groups. In this case, the Russian language is not just a means of international communication for a number of ethnic groups, and ethnic groups, it becomes a factor of ethnic self-expression. The value of the Kazakh language as their mother tongue for the other groups of the population is small. More clearly it can be traced only to the Turkic-speaking population of the republic – Uzbeks, Uighurs, Tatars, Turks, etc. The state Kazakh language is a means of international communication in the Western and Southern Kazakhstan, with a predominance of the Kazakh population. The report shows that the most important factor in the development of ethno-linguistic and ethno-cultural processes is bilingualism. Comparative analysis of materials census shows, first, on the increase of the proportion of bilingual population among Kazakhs and Russian, and second, to reduce the proportion of bilingual population of other ethnic groups living in Kazakhstan, and third, a higher proportion bilingual population among residents than rural residents, regardless of their ethnicity. Bilingualism is mainly of a "national Kazakh", "national Russian" or "Kazakh-national" or "Russian-national" character. The President N.A. Nazarbayev said that the Kazakh language is the most important factor in the consolidation of the people of Kazakhstan. He therefore called on government and other state and local representative bodies fully develop the state language, to create all the necessary organizational, material and technical conditions for free and open learning the state language by all citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Abstract: In this paper by measuring the cutting forces the effect
of the tool shape and qualifications (sharp and worn cutting tools of
both vee and knife edge profile) and cutting conditions (depth of cut
and cutting speed) in the turning operation on the tool deflection and
cutting force is investigated. The workpiece material was mild steel
and the cutting tool was made of high speed steel. Cutting forces
were measured by a dynamometer (type P.E.I. serial No 154). The
dynamometer essentially consisted of a cantilever structure which
held the cutting tool. Deflection of the cantilever was measured by an
L.V.D.T (Mercer 122) deflection indicator. No cutting fluid was used
during the turning operations. A modern CNC lathe machine (Okuma
LH35-N) was used for the tests. It was noted that worn vee profile
tools tended to produce a greater increase in the vertical force
component than the axial component, whereas knife tools tended to
show a more pronounced increase in the axial component.