bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rail Transport Infrastructure on the Example of Level Crossing System
Authors: Tomasz PerzyÅ„ski , Jerzy Wojciechowski , Zbigniew Åukasik
Published: April 2019

The paper presents an analysis of the system of automatic level crossing. The proposed system belongs to a group of linear devices that ensure safe movement of motor vehicles at intersections of railway and car roads. In the paper, the computational tasks were carried out. On the basis of statistical data, the THR rate, which is characteristic for rail transport, was estimated. An example of modeling railway automation systems based on Markov processes is also presented.Â
Solution of the Problem of Empty Car Distribution between Stations and Planning of Way-Freight Train Route Using Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Prokhorov Viktor , Kalashnikova Tetiana , Rybalchenko Liliia , Riabushka Yuliia , Chekhunov Denys
Published: April 2019

In this paper we consider the problem of distributing empty freight cars in a railway polygon. We show how the process can be improved using an optimization model. The optimization model can be characterized as a combination of minimum-cost flow problem with vehicle routing problem. In general, problem of empty railroad car distribution between stations and definition of way-freight train route is presented as integer combinatorial optimization problem. Computational tests show that the model can be solved in acceptable time for real size problems, and indicate that the model generates distribution plans that can improve the quality of the planning process.Â
Heat Transfer in the Ducts of the Cooling Systems of Traction Motors
Authors: Ð. Aleksahin A , V Panchu A , A. Parkhomenko L , V. Bilovol H
Published: April 2019

Requirements for increasing thermal efficiency heat exchangers, which lead to energy saving, material and reduction cost, and as a result of reducing the impact on the environment, led to the development and use of various methods of increasing heat transfer. These methods are called intensification of heat transfer processes. Intensification of heat and mass transfer processes is of great importance for making progress in improving the existing and creation of new energy and heat-exchange equipment. Among the ways of intensifying heat transfer, the swirling of flows of working media is one of the simplest and most common methods and is widely used in energy-intensive channels of nuclear power plants, heat exchangers, aeronautical and rocket and space equipment, chemical industry and other technical devices. We have proposed formulas to determine the cooling air velocity necessary to ensure the required temperature condition of the traction motor assemblies. Decrease in the power of fans in the cooling system using the artificial heat transfer intensification in the ducts was estimated based on the generalization of the results of calculations.Â Â
Using â€œSustainable Developmentâ€ Computer Program to Determine the Environmental Safety of the Regions
Authors: O. Soloshych I. , I. Pochtovyuk S.
Published: April 2019

The article is devoted to the problem of determining the environmental safety of the country or its regions. It has been shown that existing software provides for automatic identification of only individual indicators or constituents of environmental safety. To eliminate these shortcomings, a methodology for assessing the environmental safety of the country or its regions has been substantiated and a model for building "Sustainable Development" software program has been developed. The paper gives the examples of the application of the developed "Sustainable Development" software program, which uses a system of basic indicators, combined in homogeneous groups â€“ economic, social, and environmental. The use of the software for any country in the world is substantiated, provided that the relevant empirical data are entered in order to develop the strategic purposes of the development of the regions and the entire country.Â Â
Efficiency Justification of the Special Tread Wheelset Passage Along Specific Track Section
Authors: Hauser VladimÃ­r , Gerlici Juraj , Nozhenko Olena , Kravchenko Kateryna , LoulovÃ¡ MÃ¡ria
Published: April 2019

In urban railway environments, the problem of tramcars passing small radius arches appears to be topical. In this regard is proposed that the wheelsets should be complemented on the outer side of the wheels with a second tread of a lower radius, intended exclusively for ride in arches of the track with a radius which the conventional wheelsets cannot even theoretically pass without creep. The complemented wheel tread enters into operation (or out of action) as a result of passing over a specially shaped rail located in the intersections before and behind the small radius arc. In this process, there is a step change in the wheel-rail contact location - similar to what is commonly used when riding on a facing rail located in the immediate vicinity of the point frog. The paper deals with the comparison of these two cases based on a simulation analysis of vehicle ride. The contact point change is evaluated by steering forces, angles of attack and the creep velocities. Four times longer service life of the proposed shaped rail than the one of a frog point is expected.Â Â
Influence of Subjective and Objective Thermal Comfort Parameters on Building Primary Fuel Energy Consumption
Authors: I. Deshko V. , A. Buyak N. , O. Sukhodub I.
Published: April 2019

The building is considered together with a heating source in the analysis, it is also proposed to include a human thermal comfort model in this complex system. Regression equations for determining the comfortable room air temperature according to energy and exergy approaches are presented. Human thermal comfort model is included for the first time in the complex building energy system, by determining the comfortable room air temperature, which corresponds to PMV (predicted mean vote), not lower than value for the corresponding building category. The effect of enclosing structures thermal resistance changes on space average radiant temperature and on building category in terms of providing comfortable conditions is estimated. The influence of thermal comfort subjective parameters on primary fuel exergy consumption by the centralized heating system is estimated on the basis of developed model for the Ukrainian conditions.Â Â
Marine Shipping Industry Within the System of Global Economic Relations Sustainability
Authors: Frasyniuk Tatyana , Primachova Natalia
Published: April 2019

In the current article we study patterns and conditions, under which the role of marine shipping industry within the system of balanced sustainable development of mega economics can be increased. We concentrate attention on the synchronism of emerging problems of differentiation certain economical subsystems and issues of keeping the priorities of development and sustainable positioning. Marine shipping industry holds a special position within international economic relations. Being under the general market relations laws, it predetermines the parameters of supply segment in a limited way. That is why unbalanced cargo traffic and fleet freight capacity cause integral and external losses. Despite system dependence on the international trade pattern, commercial shipping is essential for innovative development of big maritime states' industrial sector.Â
Simulation of Taxation of Enterprises
Authors: Ievsieieva Olga , . .
Published: April 2019

In the article, a taxation methodology is proposed for enterprises of the agricultural sector of the economy which allows forecasting tax revenues. The model is based on the correlation and regression analysis. The author suggests using the paired comparison and prioritization methods for the scientific rationale of the choice of the model. The effectiveness of the company's fiscal policy is determined based on the value of the coefficient, which is calculated as the ratio of the actual amount of collected taxes to their amount obtained by calculation using the regression equation. The methodology can be used by the managers of the agricultural sector of the economy to compare the performance of the enterprises and the rationale for incentives. The utilization of the results of the analysis is reasonable for justification of investment projects with the objective of developing the agricultural sector of the regional economy.Â Â Â
Increasing Competitiveness of Passenger Rail Transportation Amid Organizational and Structural Transformations
Authors: V.Myroshnychenko U , V.Motsna I , V.Gritsenko N
Published: April 2019

The decline in the volume of passenger traffic, the critical level of financial condition, and the depreciation of the material and technical base caused a significant economic downfall of the railway transport. The reorganization of structural units is intended to improve the quality of service provision, which affects the final demand of consumers, which influences the volume and profitability of passenger transportation. The author suggests applying the principles of the organization of the revenue account from passenger transportation, exempt from VAT, to reduce its loss ratio amid organizational and structural transformations during the reshaping of passenger transport segment. Increasing the competitiveness of passenger rail transportation will contribute to the economic development of the entire nation.Â Â
Detection of Jumps Parameters in Economic Processes(the Case of Modelling Profitability)
Authors: V. Poliarus O. , O. Poliakov Y. , L. Nazarenko I. , T. Borovyk Y. , V. Kondratiuk M.
Published: April 2019

A new method of parameters jumps detection in economic processes is presented. A jump of the economic process parameter must be understood as a rapid parameter change for a time that does not exceed the period of process registration.Â  A system of stochastic differential equations for a posteriori density probability of a jump is synthesized. The solution of the system is the probability of a parameter jump, the estimation and variance of the jump in the presence of a priori information under conditions of noise influence. The simulation results are conducted for profitability of machine building industry of Kharkiv region, Ukraine. The system provides detection of jump parameters, even in conditions of intense noise of economic nature. To increase the probability of finding jumps it is necessary to have a priori information.Â Â
Eco-Friendly Behavior of Local Population, Tourists and Companies as a Factor of Sustainable Tourism Development
Authors: Sushchenko Olena , Prokopishyna Olena , Kozubova Nataliia
Published: April 2019

The growth of waste generation is inextricably linked with the increase in the welfare of society, so, there is a strong relationship between the dynamics of gross domestic product and waste generation. In addition to the removal of land resources, the polygons pollute the atmosphere, groundwater and soil, negatively affect the flora and fauna, and worsen the population life quality living in nearby settlements. Many nations has understanding the materiality of the lost economic benefit from the waste stream irrational management, but efficiency of measures undertaken at national and regional levels to reduce the harmful impact on the environment are reduced due to the initial orientation for secondary processing of raw materials. On the basis of the quantitative methods application, this study proves the priority of formation of the local population, tourists and business ecologically responsible behavior for environmental protection. The paper also suggests the institutional bases and economic mechanisms promoting eco-friendly behavior, that will ensure the environmental engineering innovative development.Â
The Impact of Corporate Sector on Social Standards Development in Ukraine
Authors: Tretyak Viktoriia , Kvitka Anton , Andreieva Kateryna , Bieliai Maksym
Published: April 2019

This paper is devoted to determining the impact of the corporate sector on the development and implementation of social standards in the society in which it operates. Attention is paid to the formation of trends in social standards changes in terms of the activities of industrial corporations. By studying a number of indicators, a comparative analysis of these processes in Ukraine and Europe is presented. Recommendations for domestic industrial companies have been worked out, implementation of which will significantly improve the competitiveness of Ukrainian corporate sector and determine the tendencies of harmonization of social standards in Ukraine with the European ones.Â Â
Introducing ERP System as a Condition of Information Security and Accounting System Transformation
Authors: Trunina Iryna , Vartanova Olena , Sushchenko Olena , Onyshchenko Oksana
Published: April 2019

Despite the level of the information technology spread in Ukraine being lower than in other countries ERP systems are introduced both on the levels of commercial and government organizations. Although there is an adaptation to the national and language features of different countries in ERP systems, their introduction into Ukrainian markets relates to a range of difficulties. Information safety issues and the issues of changes in management accounts and business accounting that appear when introducing ERP system are the main difficulties for Ukrainian enterprises. The research of information security considers such main aspects as the network security, the data base (DB) security, the security on the level of application server and the information security on the clientâ€™s computer. The determination of the main principles of the information security and the suggestion of the stages of building the ERP security control subsystem aim at preventing deliberate or accidental information leak. Features of Ukrainian legislation, differences of Ukrainian business accounting standards from the international ones and the management features should be considered when introducing ERP system. The company executives, in their turn, should understand the urgent need in introducing information technologies, realize that the information system is a management system and not only the system of accounting and should meet the requirements and standards of ERP management.Â Â
The Convergence of The Systems of Education at Scottish and Ukrainian Universities in the Context of Ethic Leadership
Authors: Zagirniak Denys , Khovrak Inna , Perevozniuk Viktoriia
Published: April 2019

The globalization of educational space shows that university education should meet the needs of society based on the ethical principles of interaction between participants of educational process and use innovative teaching methods. Therefore the purpose of the study is to substantiate the importance of convergence of systems of education at Scottish and Ukrainian universities in order to provide ethical leadership in the field of education. A systematic approach to the realization of the purpose of the study allowed solving the main tasks: systematization of the strengths of Scottish education, justification of the impact of university social responsibility on providing ethical leadership in education, comparing the main indicators of the process of providing educational services in Scotland and Ukraine.As a result, it is established that the synergetic effect from the application of the concept of ethical leadership is achieved as a result of the interaction of all participants in the educational process, namely: the state (awareness and realization of the social mission to develop the potential of youth); universities (development of educational programs taking into account the needs of modern society and the use of teaching methods capable of forming the necessary competences for future specialists); students (interest in obtaining quality education).Â Â
Marketing Research as a Way to Increase Competitiveness of Railway Company and Forecasting of Demand for Transport
Authors: Yanovska Viktoriia , Pylypenko Olena , Tvoronovych Viktoriia , Bozhok Anastasiia
Published: April 2019

Justification of management decisions for railway companies, under the conditions of the transport market liberalization, requires the search and collection of reliable information which is related with both the internal and external environment. Alongside, the need to provide competitiveness of the railways involves marketing research. The main objective of this paper is to determine the specific features of applying marketing tools for promotion of competitiveness and formation of the railway companyâ€™s strategy. The dynamics of passenger traffic reflects the competitiveness of types of transport in terms of the ability to provide transport services for a better ratio of â€œprice / qualityâ€. The performed researches confirm the presence of opposite tendencies in the long-distance and suburban connections, as well as specific factors of elasticity of demand for passenger transportation at a price. It is established that for the population (the consumer of transport services) the rate of tariffs for transportation is the determining factor of the attractiveness of the carrier in suburban transportation, and therefore it is the factor of its competitiveness, while the rate of tariffs is not the most significant factor in choosing a carrier in long distance transportation. There are subjective technical parameters of competitiveness which do not fit into the â€œprice / qualityâ€ system among the factors of choosing a carrier. During the choice of transportation, the consumer is guided by his own system of values which is not universal and leaves each transport company its â€œnicheâ€ for operation in the market as well as the opportunity to win its â€œownâ€ consumer. Models of forecasting demand for passenger long-distance and suburban transportation by railway and automobile transport are proposed on the basis of forecast of macrofactors. The using of these models will allow railway and automobile companies to form their development strategies.Â Â
Managerial Decision Support Making in Economic Systems Based on Cognitive Modeling
Authors: Filipkovska L. , Matviienko O.
Published: April 2019

The research is devoted to the search for the technologies to support managerial decisions in the transport industry economic systems. The problems of the complex economic systems modelling have been identified. Cognitive modelling is considered as a tool of supporting intelligent decision making in economic systems. The modelling is based on methods of pattern recognition theory. The results of the scientific research are presented with structural-analytical models of decision support systems. Such models represent the knowledge processing to formulate recommendations for making managerial decisions. Knowledge based on the experience of managing a production situation should be stored in the knowledge base of the information decision making support system. Cognitive modeling will make it possible to study the problems that arise in unstable, weakly structured dynamic economic systems, taking into account changes of the external environment and the object of management itself, systematizing and verifying the expert's perception of the management object and its external environment, forecasting the values of economic system factors and generating optimal management strategies.Â Â
Assessment of the Transport Complex in Providing Economic Spatial Development of the Territories
Authors: Rodchenko V. , PrusSvidenska Yu. , Svidenska M. , Khripunova D.
Published: April 2019

The role of the transport component in ensuring economic development processes of the territories was considered. Works of many scientists were analyzed, systematized and generalized, it was discovered that the key task of forming a single economic space in Ukraine is to overcome inter-territorial differentiation, spatial integration of territories, which provides the maximum intensive interaction of business entities of certain territories through all possible channels of communication. One of the key factors in such integration is transport. The peculiarities and main tendencies of the transport network development in Ukraine were highlighted. The results the qualitative indicators of socio-economic development of Kharkiv region territorial communities study, was confirmed by the hypothesis that the transport factor directly influences the quality of the population life of a certain territory, significantly increasing the level of social inclusion of its population. The results of the residents’ survey in terms of assessing the quality of life in the community and perceiving their inclusion in community development processes, taking into account the results of the groupings and organization, are representative for all communities of the state. The proposed approach of territorial communities clustering is based on four main indicators: population size, length of roads, area and revenues of the community budget, as well as the share of community territories in the total area of the district. Two-parameter graphs were illustrated to generalize the characteristics of the communities distribution, which provide an ordered cumulative visualization based on the main indicators.
Design of a storage mechanism designed for a railway vehicles producer
Authors: Blatnický Miroslav , Dižo Ján , Falendysh Anatoliy
Published: April 2019

In this article the engineering design and strength analyses of a storage mechanism are presented. The handling device is intended to be placed in a warehouse and it will serve as a storage mechanism for longer metallurgical material in a railway vehicle manufacturing company. Stored material will be used for creation of some parts of railway wagons. It will allow to storage material in several levels in shelves. To meet requirements for manual control of the pull-out mechanism it will be necessary to design a pull-out mechanism with the sufficiently large transmission ratio in order to handle a shelf block weighing up to given load. Consequently, there are conducted the numeric strength analysis of steel construction which has to safely carry the total load of ten shelves.
Identifying the Ideal Number Components of the Bayesian Principal Component Analysis Model for Missing Daily Precipitation Data Treatment
Authors: Chuan Zun Liang , Senawi Azlyna , Yusoff Wan Nur Syahidah Wan , Ismail Noriszura , Ken Tan Lit , Chuan Mu Wen
Published: April 2019

The grassroots of the presence of missing precipitation data are due to the malfunction of instruments, error of recording and meteorological extremes. Consequently, an effective imputation algorithm is indeed much needed to provide a high quality complete time series in assessing the risk of occurrence of extreme precipitation tragedy. In order to overcome this issue, this study desired to investigate the effectiveness of various Q-components of the Bayesian Principal Component Analysis model associates with Variational Bayes algorithm (BPCAQ-VB) in missing daily precipitation data treatment, which the ideal number of Q-components is identified by using The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) algorithm. The effectiveness of BPCAQ-VB algorithm in missing daily precipitation data treatment is evaluated by using four distinct precipitation time series, including two monitoring stations located in inland and coastal regions of Kuantan district, respectively. The analysis results rendered the BPCA5-VB is superior in missing daily precipitation data treatment for the coastal region time series compared to the single imputation algorithms proposed in previous studies. Contrarily, the single imputation algorithm is superior in missing daily precipitation data treatment for an inland region time series rather than the BPCAQ-VB algorithm. Â Â
The Design of Student Worksheet Problem based Learning to Improve Problem Solving Ability of the Eighth-Grade Students Junior High School in Indonesia
Authors: Akma Tio , Man Supar
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this research is to develop the design of the student worksheet Problem-Based Learning to improve the problem-solving ability of eighth-grade junior high school students. This research uses Four-D development model. The development procedure includes four stages: define, design, develop, and dissemination. The subjects of the study were eighth graders of junior high school 9 Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The object of this research is curriculum, student characteristics and evaluation of teaching materials. This research resulted in a) the results of needs analysis of student worksheet Problem Based Learning to improve problem-solving abilities appropriate to the curriculum, student characteristics, learning materials and objectives. b) the results of the Student Worksheet design consisting of the cover, introduction, table of contents, instructions manual, basic competence, supporting information, action steps, and exercise. This research can be continued to develop and dissemination.
Design of Student Worksheets based on Learning Cycle to Improve Ability of Mathematics Representation Students of Class VIII Junior High School in Indonesia
Authors: Amran Hasanatul Fuâ€™adah , Man Supar
Published: April 2019

Mathematical representation is very important for students because it can affect students regarding material and problem-solving. Application of the 5E learning cycle learning model can help overcome student difficulties in mathematical modeling and geometry understanding. Student worksheets simplify the execution of the learning cycle and can train the ability of mathematical representation. This article aims to develop learning products in the form of a Learning Cycle-based student worksheet that is oriented towards students' mathematical representation abilities. This research is development research with 4D: define, design, development, and dissemination. This research was conducted in class VIII MTs Mu'allimmat Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Subjects in this research were teachers, students, material experts and media experts. Data collection methods used in this research are interviews, questionnaires, and tests. Instruments used in the form of validation sheet, teacher response questionnaire, student response questionnaire, mathematical representation and interview guidance test. The first stage in this research is the analysis of student needs on the student worksheet. The results of the analysis aim to simplify the process of designing student worksheets. The learning cycle stages of Engage make student worksheet design, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. Pretest and posttest will measure the improvement of students' mathematical representation before and after the use of student worksheets. This research is limited to the design phase. For further research will proceed at the stage of development and dissemination.
Design of Mathematics Student Worksheet based on Discovery Learning Approach to Improving Mathematical Representation Ability Students of Grade VII Junior High School in Indonesia
Authors: Lathifah Eka Luthfiana , Man Supar
Published: April 2019

The ability of mathematical representation is very important for someone to help in solving the problem. This type of research is a development research. This article aims to obtain a student workbook design based on Discovery Learning that is oriented towards students' mathematical representation abilities. This research is a research development of Research and Development (R & D) with 4D development model which includes defining, design, development, and dissemination. This study is limited only to the design stage. Subjects in this study are students of junior high school grade VII in central java Indonesia. An instrument used in this study in the form of essay questions, questionnaire and interview guidelines. This research resulted in the worksheet (LKS) design based on Discovery Learning based on the ability of mathematical representation to improve the ability of mathematical representation. The next stage will be the research stage of development and dissemination to produce a valid, practical, and useful worksheet.
Design Development Learning Media Based PMRI Oriented Capabilities Study Creative Students Grade VII of Junior High School in Indonesia
Authors: Isdiarti Fatim , Man Supar
Published: April 2019

Creative thinking ability of students' in solving math problems in Indonesia is still low since they have not been able to use their learning experience yet. To train the students to be creative, it is required learning tools that can provide a memorable learning experience. One of the learning tools is the student worksheet.Indonesian Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) is a learning approach that emphasizes on a memorable learning experience. This research is an effort to develop Indonesian RME to improve students' creative thinking ability. It was a development research with four-D model-- define, design, develop, disseminate. This study was limited to the design stage only. The subjects of the research were the students of class VII MTs Muhammadiyah Karangkajen Yogyakarta Indonesia. Instruments used to retrieve data were the validation of the Lesson Plan, the Student Worksheet, and the creative thinking ability test. The results indicate that the student worksheet design is suitable for student characteristic and curriculum 2013. Student worksheet can be used to improve students' creative thinking ability.Thus, further research on implementation and dissemination can be continued.
Numerical Investigation on Effect of Rounded Cutting-Edge Radius and Machining Parameters in End Milling of AISI H13 Tool Steel
Authors: Bakar Husni Nazra Abu , Ghani Jaharah A. , Haron Che Hassan Che
Published: April 2019

Rounded cutting-edge radius is commonly applied to finish and semi-finish cutting, precision machining and micro-machining. The optimum effect is closely related to the work and tool material as well as machining parameters. However, for numerous cutting process, the optimal radius of rounded cutting-edge radius and machining parameters applied in the AISI H13 of end-milling is yet unknown Therefore, in improving tool life and cutting tool performance, a suitable design of cutting edge geometry regarding cutting edge-radius and machining parameters need to be examined and properly selected. In this regard, the paper deals to examine the effect of cutting edge-radius in rounded form and machining parameters of cutting force, cutting temperature and chip formation through the end-milling process of AISI H13 using uncoated cemented carbide cutting tool through finite element simulation of Thirdwave AdvantEdge 7.2 software. The machining parameters applied in the simulation setup were 200 and 240m/min of cutting speed, 0.03 and 0.06mm/tooth of feed-rate and axial depth of cut of 0.1 and 0.2mm while width of cut in radial direction was kept constant at 6.0mm. The cutting geometries includes the cutting-edge radius of 0.03 and 0.05mm and 10Â° of rake angle. The obtained results revealed that cutting forces and cutting temperature is increase as depth of cut in axial direction and cutting-edge radius increases while increasing value of speed and feed-rate of cutting resulted in decreasing cutting forces but increasing cutting temperature. The maximum cutting temperature is 674.91â„ƒ. The value obtained is lesser than the AISI H13 austenitizing temperature, therefore a layer known as white layer is supposedly hard to be created based on the cutting geometry and machining parameters applied. Â
Hierarchical Bayesian Estimation for Stationary Autoregressive Models Using Reversible Jump MCMC Algorithm
Authors: Man Supar , Saifullah Rusiman Mohd
Published: April 2019

The autoregressive model is a mathematical model that is often used to model data in different areas of life. If the autoregressive model is matched against the data then the order and coefficients of the autoregressive model are unknown. This paper aims to estimate the order and coefficients of an autoregressive model based on data. The hierarchical Bayesian approach is used to estimate the order and coefficients of the autoregressive model. In the hierarchical Bayesian approach, the order and coefficients of the autoregressive model are assumed to have a prior distribution. The prior distribution is combined with the likelihood function to obtain a posterior distribution. The posterior distribution has a complex shape so that the Bayesian estimator is not analytically determined. The reversible jump Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm is proposed to obtain the Bayesian estimator. The performance of the algorithm is tested by using simulated data. The test results show that the algorithm can estimate the order and coefficients of the autoregressive model very well. Research can be further developed by comparing with other existing methods.
Depth-Dependent Optical Stiffness Toward Water-Air Interface
Authors: Yeng M. S. Mat , Ayop S. K. , Mustapa I. R.
Published: April 2019

This research attempted to quantify the optical stiffness of trapped polystyrene bead toward water-air interface. The optical tweezers with 975 nm wavelength was used to optically trap a single 3 micron diameter of bead in a water-contained cell with air exposed top water surface. The optical stiffness was justified on effective radius (r*) of the bead lateral spatial distribution. The scattered light signals due to the trapped bead at different laser focus height from the bottom glass-water interface (less than 20 Âµm) and laser trapping powers (1.7 mW to 7.5 mW) were analyzed to investigate the r* profile. It was found that within our experimental condition, r* was independent of focus height at fixed power and exponentially decay with respect to laser power at fixed focus height.
Observation of Charge Ordering Signal in Monovalent Doped Nd0.75Na0.25-xKxMn1O3 (0 â‰¤ x â‰¤ 0.10) Manganites
Authors: Razali Sufia Aqilah , Ibrahim Norazilah , Shamsuddin Suhadir , Noh Mohamad Zaky
Published: April 2019

K doping in the compound of Nd0.75Na0.25-xKxMn1O3 (x = 0, 0.05 and 0.10) manganites have been investigated to study its effect on crystalline phase and surface morphology as well as electrical transport and magnetic properties. The structure properties of the Nd0.75Na0.25-xKxMnO3 manganite have been characterized using X-ray diffraction measurement and it proved that the crystalline phase of samples were essentially single phased and indexed as orthorhombic structure with space group of Pnma. The morphological study from scanning electron microscope showed there was an improvement on the grains boundaries and sizes as well as the compactness with K doping suggestively due to the difference of ionic radius. On the other hand, DC electrical resistivity measurement showed all samples exhibit insulating behavior. However, analysis of dlnÏ/dT-1 vs. T revealed the clearly peaks could be observed at temperature 210K for x = 0 and the peaks were shifted to the lower temperature around 190 K and 165 K for x = 0.05 and x = 0.1 respectively, indicate the existence of charge ordering (CO) state in the compound. Meanwhile, the investigation on magnetic behavior showed all samples exhibit transition from paramagnetic phase to anti-ferromagnetic phase with decreasing temperature and the TN was observed to shift to lower temperature suggestively due to weakening of CO state
A Study of Geometry Concept Mathematization Process on Blind Student Visual Imagery
Authors: Ani Andriy , Juniati Dwi , Budayasa Ketut
Published: April 2019

Mathematization is organizing activities in finding regularities, relationships, and structures using first knowledge and skills. Mathematical learning classifies mathematization become horizontal mathematization and vertical mathematization. The horizontal mathematization deals with generalizing processes, while the vertical mathematization is a form of formalizing. This research analyzes geometry concept mathematization process on blind student visual imagery. This research was an exploratory study using a qualitative approach. These subjects research were one of the sixth-grade students who experienced a total blind since fifth grade from Elementary School for exceptional children in Surabaya and one of the fourth-grade student of an Elementary School for exceptional children in Sidoarjo who was totally blind by birth. The researcher interviewed and observed subjects that carried out two times by using similar problems at two different times. The subjects are assigned to explain their thinking about the definition of the angle that they recognize in their way. The blind students grapple with imaginative ideas that translated into formal definitions. Although the formal definition of the students has not entirely fulfilled their formal mathematical definition, they have been constructed the concept of the angle through mind experiments and sought to give the imagined the angle with their visual limitations.
Assessment and Potential of Carbon Storage Capacity of Species of Herbaceous Plants in Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Main Campus, Batu Pahat, Johor Malaysia
Authors: Audu Yunusa , Linatoc Alona C. , I Aisha
Published: April 2019

Carbon dioxide CO2 is an important trace gas in earth's atmosphere. It is a greenhouse gas that plays a vital role in regulating the earth's surface temperature through the greenhouse effect. Increase beyond the ambient concentration leads to global warming. Increase in CO2 discharge in UTHM (238.9 ha), due to increase in a number of vehicles; other greenhouse gases released from building amenities and dis-charges from neighbouring industries appeals for attention. Study was conducted on seven common species of herbaceous plants for their capacity in sequestering CO2. Estimation of carbon storage of herbaceous plants was obtained by the assessments of the aboveground standing biomass and their photosynthetic capacity. Musa sp has the highest CO2 absorption of 12.2Âµmol m-2 s-1, followed by Heliconia. psittacorum (10.63Âµmol m-2 s-1). Euphorbia tithymaloides and Costus spicatus has the lowest absorption with 3.63 and 3.76 Âµmol m-2 s-1 respectively. Calathea lutea and Hymenocallis latifolia shared the highest biomass accumulation of 0.04 kg. These were followed by E. tithymaloides and Alpinia purpurata with 0.02 kg. The least biomass of 0.01 kg was accumulated by H. psittacorum and C. spicatus. The total standing biomass captured by all the species of herbaceous plants is 0.13 kg. Therefore, species of herbaceous plants in UTHM have the potentials to absorb an adequate amount of CO2 from the atmosphere thereby contributing to reducing-the effects of localized global warming.
Removal of Heavy Metals from Textile Wastewater Using Sugarcane Bagasse Activated Carbon
Authors: Razi Mohd Adib Mohammad , Gheethi Adel Al- , ZA Izzatul Ashikin
Published: April 2019

Excessive release of textile wastewater with heavy metals into environment has posed a great problem to the natural water system. The efficiency of the adsorption process to remove heavy metals depend on the adsorbent. The commercial activated carbon is one of the most efficient adsorbent, but the limitation lies in the high cost. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the efficiency of sugarcane bagasse activated carbon modified by phosphoric acid as adsorbent for the removal of zinc (Zn) and Ferum (Fe) from the textile wastewater. The adsorption process was conducted using batch method as a function for pH (2-7), contact time (30 min to 24 h) and adsorbent dosage (0.6 to 6g). The final concentrations of the metal ions were determined by ICP-MS. The results revealed that the adsorption efficiency increased with the contact time, the optimum time was recorded after 2 h. The removal percentage of Zn and Fe associated with the adsorbent dosage due to the greater surface area with optimum value of 4.0 g. The increasing of pH from 2 to 6 correlated with high adsorption efficiency, with the optimum condition at pH 5. The maximum percentage removal of Fe, Zn was 80%. These findings indicated that the SBAC is an attractive alternative adsorbent material for the metal ions removal in textile wastewater.
Seed-Mediated Growth of Gold Nanorods Using Silver Seeds: Effect of Silver Seeds Concentration and Growth Time
Authors: Nafisah Suratun , Morsin Marlia , Jumadi Nur Anida , Nayan Nafarizal , Shah Nur Zehan Anâ€™nisa Md , Razali Nur Liyana , Soon Chin Fhong
Published: April 2019

Seed-mediated growth method (SMGM) in preparation of gold nanoparticles becomes one of the most popular methods due to the simplicity of the experimental procedures and flexibility in structural modifications. In this paper, we report a new method for synthesizing gold nanoparticles using silver seeds. The effect of seed concentration and growth time are investigated in this work. By increasing the silver seed concentration, it is found that the color of the colloidal gold nanorods obtained are changed from light pink to reddish purple, the surface plasmon resonance band is shifted to the blue region whereas absorption spectra becomes narrower. The additional peak is also spotted when increasing silver seed concentration to 5 Âµl. Meanwhile, increasing the growth time from 5 to 240 minutes tends to increase the color concentration of the solution. Besides that, the absorbance of colloidal gold nanorods is also increased with an increase in the growth time whereas optimum growth time is found to be 45 minutes. FESEM characterization shows that gold nanoparticles shapes are dominated by nanorods with average length, width, and aspect ratio are 129.8 nm, 42.9 nm, and 3.4, respectively. The energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) shows the chemical composition of the synthesized sample is Gold (Au) with weight % and atomic % are 32.23 and 5.98, respectively. Besides that, signals from Carbon (C), Oxygen (O), and Indium (In) atoms were also recorded from EDS spectra. The present approach thus provides new method for synthesis gold nanoparticles with additional plasmon resonance peak thus it has very potential for application in plasmonic sensing.
Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS)-based Digit Skin Tissue Blood Flow Measurement System
Authors: Yin Tan Ying , Mahmud Farhanahani , Ramli Nur Ilyani
Published: April 2019

The tissue blood flow (BF) and vascular resistance are the important information for consult peripheral vascular system which related to cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately, most of the current BF monitors are costly, built in huge size and preferable use in hospital and clinic. In the present study, a portable digit skin tissue BF measurement system had been developed using Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) method with simple circuitry and low cost that can be afforded by patients to monitor their cardiovascular information. This system consists of a self-developed NIRS probe; LED and a photodiode, and an Arduino Uno board with MATLAB software as the processing unit. The NIR LED transmits 810 nm light source through biological tissue then detected by the photodiode. The output signal from the NIRS probe is based on resistance changes in the photodiode and by applying the voltage divider law, the signal is further processed by the Arduino with the MATLAB software. Then, according to the modified Lambert-Beer Law in scattering medium, the change in total concentration of haemoglobin ( ) is plotted in order to get a quantitative BF reading which based on its maximum change during venous occlusion. To evaluate the proposed BF measurement system, BF measurement tests had been conducted on four healthy subjects during resting and after exercise. The study had shown that the results of BF after the exercise were in average of 1.5 time higher than the resting BF and this finding agrees with previous research works.
Incorporation of Alternative Fuels and Raw Materials (AFR) to Produce a Sustainable Cement
Authors: Benlamoudi Ali , Kadir Aeslina Abdul , Khodja Mohamed
Published: April 2019

Throughout the last two decades, tremendous researches have been carried out to investigate the possibility to reduce the cement plantsâ€™ costs in terms of raw materials and fuel consumption. Different types of alternative fuels and raw materials (AFR) have been used and proved their efficiencies such as sewage sludge, used tires, crushed aggregates, refuse derived fuel (RDF), red mud, ash and others. Generally, it has been deduced that the possibility to incorporate AFR to produce an acceptable quality of cement is related mainly to its calorific value and its chemical composition. As results, it was reported that incorporation of AFR has reached up to 100% for raw materials substitution and more than 30% for fossil fuel replacement. Nevertheless, the AFR may contain toxic components such as volatile content and heavy metals that need careful attention in its decisive use since it may pose serious problems to the environment and the living things. More parameters may affect the cement production cost including the moisture content of AFR, the burning temperature, the residential time, the accessibility to the AFR, the easy handling and others. The high moisture content of the AFR may increase the total cost of cement production because of the need of a high thermal energy to dry it prior to be incorporated into cement plant. Same thing goes with temperature needed by the AFR to be burned within the kiln. This overview summarizes the studies throughout the last two decades related to cement manufacturing by using AFR based on the main parameters studied by the researchers, the main advantages and the main disadvantages.
Analysis of Physical Distribution of Sediment at Sembrong Reservoir Using GRADISTAT
Authors: Hashim SINS , TAlib SHA , Abustan MS
Published: April 2019

Sembrong reservoir is a flood-control reservoir which is managed by Syarikat Air Johor since 1984. The reservoir provides clean water supply to 240,000 consumers in the district of Kluang and some parts of Batu Pahat. Reservoir storage is often affected by sedimentation due to soil erosion in the catchment area. As the sediments accumulate, the reservoir gradually loses its ability to store water for the purposes for which it was built. This research is initiated to characterize the sediment which could be used as control in future research in the treatment of contaminated sediment. The objective of this study was to determine the distribution of sediment at Sembrong Reservoir. In this experiment, sediment sampling was done using gravity corer at 6 different points throughout the reservoir. In addition, the physical properties of sediment is investigated by conducted experiments include scanning electron microscope (SEM) and particle size distribution The analysis of sediment distribution was done using GRADISTAT. Results obtained from the analysis shows that the particle in Sembrong reservoir were classified as very coarse sand and sandy gravel.
Dyslexia Risk Screening System based Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Jumadi Nur Anida , Mun Ng Li , Morsin Marlia , Mohtaram Saifuddin
Published: April 2019

It is estimated that more than 314, 000 of Malaysian young children are dyslexic, which means having difficulty particularly in reading and spelling. Manual dyslexia screening test ages 6 to 10 years old (in Bahasa Malaysia) produced by Persatuan Dyslexia Malaysia contains 10 sets of tests including reading, rapid naming and pseudowords. However, confirmation of dyslexic status takes several days as the test scores are manually calculated. Therefore, a rapid computerized dyslexia risk screening tool based fuzzy logic has been proposed here. Using the scores obtain from four main tests namely as rapid naming, one-minute reading, two-minute spelling and pseudowords, the fuzzy system is able to determine dyslexic condition instantly. The main fuzzy inputs using pre-existed scores of 17 dyslexia subjects (3 girls and 14 boys) resulted promising systemâ€™s accuracy (94.1 %) when classifying dyslexic risk in young children. In the future, this research will include non-dyslexia as well as other learning disability subjects for accuracy clarification towards non-dyslexia classification.