bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Triazepines Compounds as Novel Synthesized Corrosion Inhibitors
Authors: Alaoui Khaoula , Abousalem Ashraf , Tüzün Burak , El Kacimi Younes
Published: August 2020

This chapter describes some recent good works in the field of metallic corrosion monitoring using Triazepine carboxylate inhibitors in hydrochloric acidic media. The different sections of this chapter cover electrochemical measurements and theoretical investigations. This review reveals Triazepine carboxylate compounds as very good inhibitors for mild steel in hydrochloric medium. The inhibition action of all Triazepine carboxylates compound studied was performed via adsorption on mild steel surface. Comparison between several adsorption isotherms reveal that the adsorption was spontaneous and followed Langmuir isotherm in HCl for all inhibitors and all studied temperatures. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for all inhibitors led to suggest the occurrence of chemical mechanism and also the spontaneity of the adsorption process on mild steel surface. The corrosion inhibition mechanism was also compared and discussed with the light of some Triazepine carboxyale compounds constituents.
Corrosion Inhibition Study of Mild Steel in the Acidic Mediums Containing a Mineral Compound-Based Phosphate
Authors: Ouakki Moussa , Galai Mouhsine , Cherkaoui Mohammed , Ebn Touhami Mohamed , Rifi E. H. , Hatim Z.
Published: August 2020

The corrosion inhibition of mild steel in hydrochloric, sulfuric, and phosphoric acids solutions containing a mineral compound-based phosphate (apatite) was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Potentio-dynamic polarization measurements reveal that the inhibition efficiency increased with the concentration of the apatite, which appears to be a cathodic type inhibitor in the three mediums. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirms this result; indeed, the transfer resistance increases with apatite concentration. The authors note that the double layer capacitance decreases simultaneously suggesting the formation of an adsorbed layer on the mild steel surface. The inhibition mechanism has been elucidated by a thermodynamic study, which showed that the film was formed by physi-sorption. The adsorption model obeys to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The parameters of activation energy were evaluated and discussed.
Corrosion Resistance Methods for Stainless Steel
Authors: Roy Sudesna , Mandal Pramod kumar
Published: August 2020

304 grade stainless steel is known to be important in most structural applications due to its high mechanical strength, hardness, and machinability. It is considered a versatile steel that has good formability, can be welded as it is, and is non-magnetic austenitic structure. The corrosion resistance is also excellent at room temperature for most corrosive acids and alkalis. However, its corrosion resistance decreases at higher temperatures when exposed to water for prolonged periods of time. It is sensitive to pitting, crevice and stress corrosion cracking at elevated temperatures. In some cases, the resistance is improved by addition of corrosion inhibitor that negatively affects its formability and welding advantages. Therefore, other methods of corrosion protection are desired. This chapter provides in-depth review of corrosion protections materials and methods that have been used for protecting 304SS in different specific applications. It also provides systemic analysis of the potentiodynamic polarization method to compare the corrosion potential of different materials.
A Robust System for Road Sign Detection and Classification Using LeNet Architecture Based on Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Bouti Amal , Mahraz Mohamed Adnane , Riffi Jamal , Tairi Hamid
Published: August 2020

In this chapter, the authors report a system for detection and classification of road signs. This system consists of two parts. The first part detects the road signs in real time. The second part classifies the German traffic signs (GTSRB) dataset and makes the prediction using the road signs detected in the first part to test the effectiveness. The authors used HOG and SVM in the detection part to detect the road signs captured by the camera. Then they used a convolutional neural network based on the LeNet model in which some modifications were added in the classification part. The system obtains an accuracy rate of 96.85% in the detection part and 96.23% in the classification part.
Virtual Try-On With Generative Adversarial Networks
Authors: Jong Andrew , Moh Melody , Moh Teng-Sheng
Published: August 2020

This chapter elaborates on using generative adversarial networks (GAN) for virtual try-on applications. It presents the first comprehensive survey on this topic. Virtual try-on represents a practical application of GANs and pixel translation, which improves on the techniques of virtual try-on prior to these new discoveries. This survey details the importance of virtual try-on systems and the history of virtual try-on; shows how GANs, pixel translation, and perceptual losses have influenced the field; and summarizes the latest research in creating virtual try-on systems. Additionally, the authors present the future directions of research to improve virtual try-on systems by making them usable, faster, more effective. By walking through the steps of virtual try-on from start to finish, the chapter aims to expose readers to key concepts shared by many GAN applications and to give readers a solid foundation to pursue further topics in GANs.
Use of Deep Neural Network for Optical Character Recognition
Authors: Das Abhishek , Mohanty Mihir Narayan
Published: August 2020

In this chapter, the authors have given a detailed review on optical character recognition. Various methods are used in this field with different accuracy levels. Still there are some difficulties in recognizing handwritten characters because of different writing styles of different individuals even in a particular language. A comparative study is given to understand different types of optical character recognition along with different methods used in each type. Implementation of neural network in different forms is found in most of the works. Different image processing techniques like OCR with CNN, RNN, combination of CNN and RNN, etc. are observed in recent research works.
Knowledge Visualization in Crystal Modeling
Authors: Constant Jean
Published: August 2020

3D graphics visualization is equal part mathematics, geometry, and design. Based on the knowledge visualization framework, the author investigates the structure of a mineral to find if meaningful visualization pertaining to the field of art can be extracted from scientific resource. Working with the lines, spheres, and polygons that characterize crystal at the nanoscale provided the author an exceptional environment from which to extract coherent visualizations sustainable in the art environment. The outcome was tested in a variety of interactive platforms and opened a larger debate on cross-pollination between science and arts. Additionally, the experiment provided new ground of investigation for unexpected connections between mathematics, earth sciences, and local cultures.
How Game Designers Can Account for Those With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) When Designing Game Experiences
Authors: Costello Robert , Donovan Jodie
Published: August 2020

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disability among gamers where individuals belonging to this group of conditions have difficulty understanding non-verbal cues. Though game accessibility is a focal point in the games industry, there has been a keen focus placed on developing accessibility. Consequently, this study examines the perspective of video games from individuals who have autism to gain further insight into the needs of these individuals. The preliminary study is to discover if autistic users' difficulty reading non-verbal cues extends to their perception of a game environment and if these individuals can experience sensory distress while playing video games. A prototype was created to further understand the non-verbal cues to help shape the foundation of accessibility framework. The preliminary results concluded that autistic users frequently misread or fail to pick up on the non-verbal cues used by developers to drive game flow and narrative (e.g., sign-posting), in addition to experiencing sensory distress while playing video games.
Inculcating Trust in Hybrid Routing Approach for Securing MANET
Authors: Zafar Sherin , Sharma Neha
Published: August 2020

The rudimentary notion of using MANET is that the exchange of information in between the portable nodes count on the swift arrangement of a momentary network. Also, each node in a MANET can travel spontaneously in any direction and can change its links to the other nodes repeatedly. In hybrid protocols, initially, the routing is established with the help of some proactively prospected routes and later on serves the request with the help of reactive flooding. In MANET, the security and the routing are the two most crucial and challenging aspects that open up a vast area for improvement. Security includes a set of considerations that are adequately funded. Designing a competent routing protocol for wireless ad-hoc network along with the fulfilment of security aspects is a challenging task. MANET demands for a new set of networking strategies to be adopted in order to provide competent and secure overhead free end-to-end communication. In MANET, hybrid routing protocols are considered to be the most effective types of protocols as they take the advantage of both proactive and reactive routing protocols. After performing an intense literature survey, it could be concluded that there is a specific requirement of a protocol hybrid in nature that could include the two most specific factors for MANET (i.e., routing and security). The existing hybrid routing protocols suffers from the problems like optimisation control, images detection, and image quantization. To solve the above-mentioned issues of hybrid routing protocols, various optimization algorithms have been proposed that are natural genetics-inspired. The various techniques that can be used to enhance the security are cryptography, bio-metric, trust-based approach, Hash function algorithm, etc.
Human CD8+ T Cells Exhibit a Shared Antigen Threshold for Different Effector Responses
Authors: Abu-Shah Enas , Trendel Nicola , Kruger Philipp , Nguyen John , Pettmann Johannes , Kutuzov Mikhail , Dushek Omer
Published: August 2020

T cells recognizing cognate pMHC Ags become activated to elicit a myriad of cellular responses, such as target cell killing and the secretion of different cytokines, that collectively contribute to adaptive immunity. These effector responses have been hypothesized to exhibit different Ag dose and affinity thresholds, suggesting that pathogen-specific information may be encoded within the nature of the Ag. In this study, using systematic experiments in a reductionist system, in which primary human CD8+ T cell blasts are stimulated by recombinant peptides presented on MHC Ag alone, we show that different inflammatory cytokines have comparable Ag dose thresholds across a 25,000-fold variation in affinity. Although costimulation by CD28, CD2, and CD27 increased cytokine production in this system, the Ag threshold remained comparable across different cytokines. When using primary human memory CD8+ T cells responding to autologous APCs, equivalent thresholds were also observed for different cytokines and killing. These findings imply a simple phenotypic model of TCR signaling in which multiple T cell responses share a common rate-limiting threshold and a conceptually simple model of CD8+ T cell Ag recognition, in which Ag dose and affinity do not provide any additional response-specific information.
The Innate Lymphoid System Is a Critical Player in the Manifestation of Mucoinflammatory Airway Disease in Mice
Authors: Lewis Brandon W. , Choudhary Ishita , Paudel Kshitiz , Mao Yun , Sharma Rahul , Wang Yong , Deshane Jessy S. , Boucher Richard C. , Patial Sonika , Saini Yogesh
Published: August 2020

Innate lymphoid and adaptive immune cells are known to regulate epithelial responses, including mucous cell metaplasia (MCM), but their roles in mucoinflammatory airway diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, remain unknown. Scnn1b transgenic (Scnn1b-Tg+) mice, which recapitulate cystic fibrosis–like mucoinflammatory airway disease, deficient in innate lymphoid (Il2rg knockout mice [Il2rgKO]), adaptive immune (Rag1 knockout mice [Rag1KO]), or both systems (Il2rgKO/Rag1KO), were employed to investigate their respective contributions in the pathogenesis of mucoinflammatory airway disease. As previously reported, immunocompetent Tg+ juveniles exhibited spontaneous neonatal bacterial infections with robust mucoinflammatory features, including elevated expression of Th2-associated markers accompanied by MCM, elevated MUC5B expression, and airway mucus obstruction. The bacterial burden was increased in Il2rgKO/Tg+ juveniles but returned to significantly lower levels in Il2rgKO/Rag1KO/Tg+ juveniles. Mechanistically, this improvement reflected reduced production of adaptive immunity-derived IL-10 and, in turn, increased activation of macrophages. Although all the mucoinflammatory features were comparable between the immunocompetent Tg+ and Rag1KO/Tg+ juveniles, the Il2rgKO/Tg+ and Il2rgKO/Rag1KO/Tg+ juveniles exhibited suppressed expression levels of Th2 markers, diminished MCM, suppressed MUC5B expression, and reduced mucus obstruction. Collectively, these data indicate that, in the context of airway mucus obstruction, the adaptive immune system suppresses antibacterial macrophage activation, whereas the innate lymphoid system contributes to MCM, mucin production, and mucus obstruction.
Expression analysis of aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AHRR) gene in gallbladder cancer
Authors: Kumar Puneet , Yadav Manoj , Verma Khushi , Dixit Ruhi , Singh Juhi , Tiwary Satyendra K , Narayan Gopeshwar , Dixit V K
Published: August 2020

Background:

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AHRR), a member of the growing superfamily, is a basic helix-loop-helix/PerAHR nuclear translocator (ARNT)-Sim (bHLH-PAS) protein. AHRR has been proposed to function as a putative new tumor suppressor gene based on studies in multiple types of human cancers. This current study aims to investigate AHHR expression and its prognostic significance in gallbladder cancer.

Methods:

The study includes 48 gallbladder cancer and 34 chronic cholecystitis cases as controls. The expression level of AHRR was analyzed by using semi-quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical staining. The results were correlated with different clinical parameters.

Results:

We demonstrate that the expression of AHRR is significantly down-regulated in gallbladder cancer tissue samples as compared to that in chronic cholecystitis tissue samples by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) (P = 0.017) and immunohistochemistry analysis (P = 0.002). Interestingly, our RT-PCR data revealed that AHRR mRNA expression is frequently down-regulated (45.8%; 22/48) in cases as compared to 14.7% (5/34) in controls. Similarly, immunohistochemical analysis data show significant down-regulation of AHRR expression in 77.1% (37/48) of gallbladder cancer cases than 44.1% (15/34) in controls (P < 0.017). Reduced mRNA and protein expression is significantly associated with advanced T-stage (P = 0.001), histological differentiation (P = 0.001), and tumors with nodal metastasis (P = 0.001). Decreased expression of AHRR is significantly associated with poor prognosis in gallbladder cancer patients.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the present study suggests that low AHRR expression may be critical in gallbladder cancer development. Our data suggests that AHRR may act as a tumor suppressor gene and its expression profile may be useful as a diagnostic marker in gallbladder cancer.
Review of Junior Resident Plain Film Reporting and Audit in Singapore
Authors: Tan Alexander Sheng Ming , Chan Shaun Xavier Ju Min , Sia David Soon Yiew , Wong Daniel En Shen , Lim Winston Eng Hoe , Tan Andrew Gee Seng , Tan Bien Soo
Published: August 2020

Background

Graduate medical education in Singapore recently underwent significant restructuring, leading to the accreditation of residency programs by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education–International (ACGME-I). In radiology, this involved a change in teaching and quality assurance of plain film (PF) reporting. PF reported by junior residents (postgraduate year 1–3) are subject to a 50% random audit. To date, national data on junior resident performance in PF reporting have not been published.

Objective

We reviewed performance in PF reporting under the current teaching and audit framework.

Methods

Retrospective review of junior resident reported PF audit data from all 3 radiology residency programs in Singapore. The number of residents audited, number of PF reported and audited, and major discrepancy rates were analyzed.

Results

On average, 86 440 PF were audited annually nationwide from an estimated 184 288 junior resident-reported PF. Each program trained between 4 to 24 junior residents annually (mean 15), averaging about 44 each year nationwide. A mean of 28 813 PF were audited annually in each program (range 4355–50 880). An estimated mean of 4148 PF (range 1452–9752) were reported per junior resident per year, about 346 PF per month. The major discrepancy rate ranged from 0.04% to 1.13% (mean 0.34%). One resident required remediation in the study period.

Conclusions

Structured residency training in Singapore has produced a high level of junior resident competency in PF interpretation.
Consumers’ Perception of Dried Onion and Okra Using Load Adaptive Drying Technology in Nsukka Urban, Nigeria
Authors: Anoliefo Edward , Chah Jane , Abbah Oliver
Published: August 2020

The study determined consumers’ perception of onions and okra dried with load adaptive drying technology (LADT). Random sampling technique was used to select equal number of adult male, adult female, young men and young women as respondents. Structured interview schedule was used to elicit data from the respondents, while, percentage, mean score and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data. All the respondents had a favourable perception of Onions and Okra dried with LADT. Willingness to use was dependent on taste, aroma and texture in the case of Onions. For Okra, willingness to use was dependent on colour and texture. There was a general willingness to use the products dried with the load adaptive technology, it was, therefore, necessary for the Centre for Lion Gadgets and Technologies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (CLGT) to collaborate with agricultural extension agencies to disseminate the product to farmers and processors for use.

Keywords: photovoltaic, dryer, load adaptive, consumers, perception, okra, onion
Provisions for Agricultural Extension Services in the Implementation Manuals of the World Bank Assisted Fadama Development Projects in Nigeria: Gaps and Lessons
Authors: Madukwe Michael. C. , Anugwa Ifeoma
Published: August 2020

The study examined the provisions for agricultural extension services in the National Fadama Development Projects in Nigeria. Provisions for extension services were made by the project in the areas of, input support, local development plans and technical assistance. However, certain critical gaps were observed in the provisions for extension services in the projects’ operational manuals. The observed gaps were in the areas of the improper selection criteria for facilitators and service providers in terms of educational qualification, limited subject matter coverage, poor format for preparing local development plans and lack of incorporation of more innovative extension approaches in project execution, and misuse and application of the concept of advisory services as an alternative to extension services. In spite of the observed gaps, some positive lessons namely; the matching grant arrangement and user fee approach which ensured the sustainability of the project, diversified menu for extension services which was based on the needs of farmers were learnt. Detailed criteria for measuring the quality of extension services rendered to farmers should be developed and included in future implementation manuals.

Keywords: Provision of agricultural extension services, fadama implementation manuals.
Effects of Food Price Shocks on Dietary Composition of Farm Households’ in Nigeria
Authors: Adekunle Chioma Patricia , Kutu Augustine Adebayo , Alori David Alaba
Published: August 2020

This study examined the effects of food price spikes on the quantity and quality of the dietary composition of farm households in Nigeria using the  2010/2011, 2012/2013 and 2015/2016 household survey panel data. The fixed effects models were estimated while controlling for participation in non-farm livelihood activities. Analysis indicated that seasonal comparisons of the average per capita daily calorie intake is lowest in the post-harvest season of 2011 (2511.44 kilocalories), which is higher than the average recommended intake. Results showed that rural households had lower per capita calorie intake and dietary diversity than urban households, which may be an indication of a shift in the calorie inadequacy from urban to rural farm households’ setting in Nigeria. In addition, income and education improvement are crucial for raising food calories and satisfaction of hunger needs among households with total food consumption expenditure of 79.0%. The study recommended that a combination of policy strategies, including income growth, agricultural development and targeted food distribution programs could reduce the problems of inadequate calorie consumption among farm households.

Keywords: Food price increase, household, nutrition, dietary diversity
Climate Change Adaptation Practices and Rice Farmers’ Level of Living in North-West, Nigeria
Authors: Yakubu Danlami Haruna , Akpoko Joseph Gambo , Akinola Mathew Oluwatuyi , Abdulsalam Zakari
Published: August 2020

The study examined the effect of climate change adaptation practices on rice farmers’ level of living in North-West, Nigeria. It targeted Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States in the North-West, Nigeria that are among the major rice producing States in the country. A multistage sampling procedure was used to obtain a sample of 522 farmers for the study. The data were obtained with the aid of structured interview schedule were analysed using both descriptive (frequency counts, percentages, ranges and means) and inferential (Chi-square) statistics. Findings of the study reveal that the majority (96%) of the respondents had their income from rice production, within the ₦50,000.00 to N499,999.00 (143 to 1,429 USD) range. The mean rice income was ₦308,742.00 (882 USD). The majority (84.48%) and (77.40%) of the respondents used improved rice varieties and intercropping as climate change adaptation practices, respectively. Other climate change adaptation practices used by the rice farmers included moderate use of fertilizers (93.10%) and other chemicals (89.85%), as well as use of organic manure (99.43%). The farmers also adjusted the planting calendar through early planting (92.34%) and early harvesting (93.10%). Similarly, the majority (89.85%) of the respondents made mounds and ridges across slopes while 96.17% and 89.08% used rivers/streams and dug wells for irrigation. About 51% of the rice farmers spent ₦5,000.00 - ₦370,999.00 of their rice income on vehicles. 54% spent ₦8,000.00 - ₦92,299.00 of their rice income on electronics and only about 14% spent ₦4,000.00 - ₦102,999.00 of their rice income on land and housing. There was a significant (X2 = 258.6325; p < 0.00) relationship between farmers’ use of climate change adaptation practices and their level of living. The study concluded that rice farmers’ use of climate change adaptation practices could lead to improvement in their rice income and level of living.

Keywords: Climate change, Adaptation practices, Rice farmers, Level of living
Farm-Level Value Addition among Small-scale Mango Farmers in Machakos County, Kenya
Authors: Musyoka John Kennedy , Isaboke Hezron Nyarindo , Ndirangu Samuel Njiri
Published: August 2020

The study examined farm-level value addition among small-scale mango farmers in Machakos County, Kenya. A sample size of 352 small-scale mango farmers was proportionately selected from six wards of the study area. A structured interview schedule was used for data collection. Percentage and Heckman two-stage selection model were employed in data analysis. The result showed that only 33.52% of the farmers practised mango value addition. Off-farm income, access to cold storage facilities, price of value-added products, group membership, extension contact, farmers’ awareness, amount of credit and hired labour positively influenced mango farm-level value addition. Training, farmers’ awareness and access to cold storage facilities positively influenced the proportion of mangoes value added at farm-level, while distance to market and livestock equivalence precipitated a negative effect on the proportion of mangoes value added. Relevant authorities in the County should provide adequate and up to date mango storage facilities and improve methods of extension delivery in order to increase the uptake of mango farm-level value addition among small-scale farmers.

Keywords: Farm-level value addition, extent of participation
Assessment of Extension Officers Contribution to Cocoa Production in Nigeria
Authors: Oke O.S. , Nosiru M.O. , Ogunbela A.A. , Marizu J.T. , Lawah M.O. , Jatto K.A. , Bamigboye O.T. , Oyaniyi T. , Adebayo G.J. , Agbeyomi O.S.
Published: August 2020

This study was carried out to evaluate the extension officer contribution to cocoa production in Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used, where two hundred and sixteen questionnaires were distributed in Osun and Ondo state , the information gathered were analyzed using descriptive statistic such as; frequency and percentage, while chi-square analysis was used to analyze the data obtained. From the results, married (77.6%),  male (84.0%), secondary school holders (52.0%), between 40-49 (34.4%) years old farmers were seen as the highest cocoa producers. Extension training(64.0%), commercial agents(64.0%), fellowship(52.8%), self observation(76.0%) were the best source of information on extension service of cocoa farming , most respondents (65.0%); get extension training programme at regular basis, identified Constraints facing cocoa production in the study area includes deficient credit facilities, high cost of labour, bad road, poor marketing/storage facilities, lack of technical knowledge / assess to technical tools and so on. in view of afore mentioned result it is therefore recommended that the government should make loan available to the cocoa famers at very low interest rate and urge cocoa farmers to form cooperative society, strengthen their agricultural extension agents so that they will be able to rain cocoa farmers on the basic things they should know about primary processing such as fermentation and drying of cocoa beans in improving the quality in Nigeria to meet international market.

Keywords: Assessment, Extension officer, Contribution, Farmers, Cocoa production
Evaluation of Stoichiometry, Stability Constants and Gibbs Free Energies of Acetaminophen-Zn (II) complex at Different Temperatures
Authors: Ikpeazu O.V. , Otuokere I.E. , Igwe K.K.
Published: August 2020

Acetaminophen also known as paracetamol, is a drug used in the treatment of pain and fever. It is essentially used for the relief of mild to moderate pain. The presence of phenol and carbonyl oxygen atom enables acetaminophen to behave as a bidentate ligand. The stoichiometry, stability constants and Gibbs free energies of acetaminophen-Zn (II) were determined colorimetrically at 25 and 40 oC using continuous variation and mole  ratio methods. The formation of Zn (II) complex with acetaminophen was studied colorimetrically at an absorption maximum of 630 nm at different temperatures. The data showed that Zn (II) and acetaminophen combine in the molar ratio of 1:1 at pH 7.4 with ionic strength maintained using 0.1M KNO3. Calculated stability constants values were 2.70 x 103 and 2.20 x 103 using continuous variation method and 7.21 x 103 and 7.21 x 103 using mole ratio methods at 25 and 40 oC respectively. Calculated ΔGƟ for the complex were - 1.96 x 104 and -1.98 x 104 J using continuous variation method and -2.2 x 104 J and - 2.31 x 104 J using mole ratio method at 25 and 40 oC respectively. The stability constant and Gibbs free energy results suggested that acetaminophen used in the study is a good chelating agent and can be an efficient antidote in the therapy of Zn (II) overload or poisoning.

Keywords: Acetaminophen, Zinc, complex, stability constant, Gibbs free energy.
A genetic-based data mining model for customer relationship management in B2B ecommerce
Authors: Makinde AS , Vincent OR , Acheme ID , Akinwale AT
Published: August 2020

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) improves the responsiveness and understanding of business strategies among employees and helps to achieve better customer service. However, in Business-to-Business (B2B) eCommerce, CRM data are rarely analyzed across market segments or customer categories, and customer-to-business relationship also poses issues. Thus, making appropriate decisions in the CRM model is difficult. This study presents a modified B2B CRM using the Genetic algorithm and Data Mining Techniques to improve decision making. The model classifies consumers into consumers of Repeat and Shop-and-Go. Modified data mining C5.0 and the Genetic algorithm was employed to optimize rules generated by the decision tree algorithm. The findings showed that the proposed model allocates resources effectively to the most profitable customers’ decisions. The output metrics are machine time, calibration graph, and ROC curve. In comparison with the conventional C5.0, k-NN, and Support Vector Machine, the proposed model has greater accuracy of 89.3 percent.

Keywords: Customer Relationship Management, B2B eCommerce, Genetic Algorithm, Data Mining
Gear Design Optimization Algorithms: A Review
Authors: Usman YO , Odion PO , Onibere EO , Egwoh AY
Published: August 2020

Gearing is one of the most efficient methods of transmitting power from a source to its application with or without change of speed or direction. Gears are round mechanical components with teeth arranged in their perimeter. Gear design is complex design that involves many design parameters and tables, finding an optimal or near optimal solution to this complex design is still a major challenge. Different optimization algorithms such as Genetic Algorithm (GA), Simulated Annealing, Ant-Colony Optimization, and Neural Network etc., have been used for design optimization of the gear design problems. This paper focuses on the review of the optimization techniques used for gear design optimization with a view to identifying the best of them. Nowadays, the method used for the design optimization of gears is the evolutionary algorithm specifically the genetic algorithm which is based on the evolution idea of natural selection. The study revealed that GA. has the ability to find optimal solutions in a short time of computation by making a global search in a large search space.

Keywords: Firefly Algorithm, Ant-Colony Optimization, Simulated Annealing, Genetic Algorithm, Gear design, Optimization, Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm
An Indigenous Smart Cane System For The Visually Impaired With Sound Clap Location Ability
Authors: Igwe JS , Chukwuemeka C , Ituma C , Ogbu NH
Published: August 2020

Guiding the visually impaired persons is always very tasking. Smart Canes previously designed for the blinds are relatively costly. Also, most of the available Smart Cane Systems used only remote control and buzzing methods for locating the cane if misplaced. However, no research work has handled how to locate the cane should the remote control itself be misplaced. This work designed an Indigenous Smart Cane System for the Visually Impaired with Sound Clap Location Ability. It is relatively less costly, easy to learn, and can be located by a natural means if misplaced. The system uses one ATMEGA328P Microcontroller which is programmed to control both input and output signals. It was designed with three low-cost 0.3m resolution HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensors to detect obstacles within the range of 2cm – 400cm in the front, left and right directions of the user and sends the current obstacle distance signal to the controller for processing. Receiving this signal, the controller determines which of the output devices (Piezo Speaker, Earphone and Vibrator Motor) to use and communicate the object distance to the user. In case the cane is misplaced, the user makes a sound clap which triggers the Sound Sensor to send signal to the controller for an audio feedback. This audio feedback is done by the Piezo Speaker. The system was programmed to use a very simple object – detection algorithm to help the user learn how to use the cane easily. This system has been tested and found to be relatively less costly, easy to learn and can be located with a clap sound.

Keywords: Sound-Clap Location Ability, Visually Impaired, Indigenous Smart Cane, Sensors, Audio Feedback; Object Distance; Microcontroller.
ICT Innovations Uptake and Hospitality Businesses’ Performance
Authors: Asekunowo Victor O. , Oyeleye Taiwo A.
Published: August 2020

No Abstarct
Comparative Analysis of Association Rule Mining Algorithms in Market Basket Analysis Using Transactional Data
Authors: Izang AA , Kuyoro SO , Alao OD , Okoro RU , Adesegun OA
Published: August 2020

Association rule mining (ARM) is an aspect of data mining that has revolutionized the area of predictive modelling paving way for data mining technique to become the recommended method for business owners to evaluate organizational performance. Market basket analysis (MBA), a useful modeling technique in data mining, is often used to analyze customer buying pattern. Choosing the right ARM algorithm to use in MBA is somewhat difficult, as most algorithms performance is determined by characteristics such as amount of data used, application domain, time variation, and customer’s preferences. Hence this study examines four ARM algorithm used in MBA systems for improved business Decisions. One million, one hundered and twele thousand (1,112,000) transactional data were extracted from Babcock University Superstore. The dataset was induced with Frequent Pattern Growth, Apiori, Association Outliers and Supervised Association Rule ARM algorithms. The outputs were compared using minimum support threshold, confidence level and execution time as metrics. The result showed that The FP Growth has minimum support threshold of 0.011 and confidence level of 0.013, Apriori 0.019 and 0.022, Association outliers 0.026 and 0.294 while Supervised Association Rule has 0.032 and 0.212 respectively. The FP Growth and Apirori ARM algorithms performed better than Association Outliers and Supervised Association Rule when the minimum support and confidence threshold were both set to 0.1. The study concluded by recommending a hybrid ARM algorithm to be used for building MBA Applications. The outcome of this study when adopted by business ventures will lead to improved business decisions thereby helping to achieve customer retention.

Keywords: Association rule mining, Business ventures, Data mining, Market basket analysis, Transactional data.
Thematic synthesis “Energy Networks” of the NRP “Energy”
Authors: Andersson Göran
Published: August 2020

Switzerland’s energy grids are reliable and stable – but they are facing new challenges. These include the fact that the new renewable energy sources, namely photovoltaic systems and wind farms, only produce electricity on an irregular basis. Greater flexibility is therefore required in the energy grid: with new storage solutions for electricity and heat on the supply side and automated load management on the demand side. The potential synergies between the various energy sources must also be exploited.
Thematic synthesis “Hydropower and Market” of the NRP “Energy”
Authors: Götz Konrad , Haefeli Ueli , Meierhans Daniel
Published: August 2020

In future, hydropower plants will need to produce more electricity. Glacial melting is creating the conditions to establish new reservoirs while further potential is also offered by heightening dam walls. However, from an economic perspective, the sector as a whole is suffering. New economic approaches are therefore required and, at the same time, greater attention must be paid to ecological considerations.
Synthèse thématique «Bâtiments et habitations» du PNR «Energie»
Authors: Schalcher Hans-Rudolf
Published: August 2020

Environ 40 % de l’énergie consommée en Suisse relève de la construction et de l’exploitation du parc immobilier. Les bâtiments et aménagements revêtent par conséquent un rôle majeur dans la transformation de notre système énergétique. Si un certain nombre de mesures a déjà été initié pour l’avenir, il reste néanmoins beaucoup à faire.
Synthèse thématique «Comportement de mobilité» du PNR «Energie»
Authors: Götz Konrad , Haefeli Ueli , Meierhans Daniel
Published: August 2020

Comment réduire la part conséquente du trafic dans la consommation d’énergie de la Suisse autant que l’exige la transformation du système énergétique ? Cette synthèse déduit des conclusions du PNR Énergie les principaux défis à relever dans le domaine de la mobilité et les réunit sous forme de recommandations d’action.
Thematische Synthese «Energienetze» des NFP «Energie»
Authors: Andersson Göran
Published: August 2020

Die Energienetze in der Schweiz sind zuverlässig und stabil – doch es gibt neue Herausforderungen. Eine ist, dass die neuen erneuerbaren Energiequellen – Photovoltaik- und Windanlagen – nur unregelmässig Strom erzeugen. Es braucht daher mehr Flexibilität im Energienetz: Auf der Angebotsseite mit neuen Speicherlösungen für Strom und Wärme, auf der Nachfrageseite mit einem automatisierten Lastmanagement. Zudem müssen die Synergiepotenziale zwischen den verschiedenen Energieträgern genutzt werden.
Empatía y rendimiento académico en estudiantes universitarios
Authors: Esteban Rivera Edwin Roger , Callupe Becerra Sonia Fiorella , Rojas Cotrina Amancio Ricardo , Cámara Acero Andrés Avelino
Published: August 2020

La empatía es importante para la convivencia pacífica, se cree que está asociado al rendimiento académico, por esta razón se pretende correlacionar el nivel de empatía con el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes de la Especialidad de Educación Primaria, Facultad de Ciencias Educación, Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán, Huánuco, Perú. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo correlacional, se empleó la técnica de análisis documental para recabar información de los calificativos de los estudiantes y la encuesta para recoger información de la empatía, empleándose el cuestionario Índice de Reactividad Interpersonal. La relación entre las variables se determinó mediante el Coeficiente de Correlación de Pearson. Los resultados mostraron una correlación no significativa entre empatía y nivel de rendimiento académico, poniendo en evidencia que la universidad no contribuye a desarrollar la empatía, si fuera así, los estudiantes de mejores calificativos tendrían mejores niveles de empatía.
Dimensiones que configuran la actuación docente frente a estudiantes con discapacidad
Authors: Varguillas Carmona Carmen Siavil , Bravo Mancero Patricia Cecilia , Urquizo Alcívar Angélica María Urquizo Alcívar , Moreno Aguirre Paula Elizabeth Moreno Aguirre
Published: August 2020

El artículo surge del interés por la atención específica para el desarrollo personal, social, y académico del estudiantado con discapacidad. Aunque se reportan avances en esta área, son muchas las dificultades que tienen que enfrentar los estudiantes en instituciones universitarias. El propósito fue analizar las dimensiones que configuran la actuación docente frente a la inclusión de estudiantes con discapacidad en la Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo. Fue un estudio de campo, descriptivo. Se utilizó la técnica de la encuesta, y una escala de estimación en una población de 663 docentes. Las conclusivas destacan que los docentes conocen de los instrumentos legales que aseguran el derecho a la educación inclusiva, tienen una actitud favorable hacia la atención de estudiantes con discapacidad, planifican actividades de apoyo y realizan adaptaciones para estudiantes con discapacidades físicas o sensoriales. No obstante, manifiestan tener falencias en estrategias pedagógicas específicas para atender las características de estos estudiantes.
Paulo Freire y el pensamiento crítico: Palabra y acción en la pedagogía universitaria
Authors: Rivas-Urrego Gabriela , Urrego Ana Jacqueline , Araque Escalona Juan Carlos
Published: August 2020

El pensamiento crítico y la educación liberadora han estado presentes en el modelo educativo de diversas instituciones latinoamericanas desde la segunda mitad del siglo pasado, sin embargo, en la actualidad aún son muchas las interrogantes con relación al mismo. Por ello, desde la revisión de diversas fuentes de información se seleccionaron textos relevantes y pertinentes a la presente temática dando como producto este ensayo, en el cual se intenta una reflexión desde las ideas planteadas por Paulo Freire y la concepción del pensamiento crítico para hacer una aproximación a su inserción en el quehacer educativo en el escenario de instituciones universitarias latinoamericanas. Pues en ese espacio de formación se hace urgente la sensibilización de individuos para que cada quien desde su ámbito asuma su compromiso en forjar la conciencia de aprender, la valoración del rigor intelectual y la aplicación de acciones para mejorar su contexto.
Amor u odio a la matemática: Reflexión desde la práctica pedagógica
Authors: Vaca Peñaherrera Bolívar Ricardo , Armas Víctor Hugo
Published: August 2020

En el siguiente ensayo se reflexiona acerca del proceso educativo en el campo de la matemática en países latinoamericanos, puesto que los resultados de aprendizaje que se obtienen de las evaluaciones académicas realizadas demuestran que la matemática es un área de conocimiento que implica muchas complicaciones para ser aprehendida por los estudiantes, tal panorama es poco alentador e invita a realizar grandes esfuerzos para mejorarlo. En consecuencia, es necesario recapacitar acerca de cuál es el origen de todas estas dificultades que inciden en el aprendizaje de la matemática, la respuesta a esta incógnita es hallada en el escaso presupuesto que los estados designan para educación en el marco de una crisis económica en la que nada tienen que ver los actores del proceso educativo, y acarrean la consolidación de una sociedad con necesidades sociales y económicas insatisfechas por décadas, cuya  descomposición es cada vez más visible y alarmante reflejado esto especialmente en la conformación de familias disfuncionales en los que menoscaba el mérito por la formación académica y en especial por el aprendizaje de las matemáticas.
TÁC ĐỘNG CỦA VIỆC THU HỒI ĐẤT CHO MỤC ĐÍCH PHÁT TRIỂN CÔNG NGHIỆP ĐẾN SINH KẾ NGƯỜI DÂN TRÊN ĐỊA BÀN THỊ XÃ BẾN CÁT, TỈNH BÌNH DƯƠNG
Authors: Hưng Nguyễn Thành , Trọng Bạch Thanh
Published: August 2020

Kết quả phân tích mô hình logistic của 130 hộ gia đình bị thu hồi đất cho mục đích phát triển công nghiệp trên địa bàn thị xã Bến Cát cho thấy có 5 nhân tố từ cao cho tới thấp ảnh hưởng đến thu nhập của người dân sau khi bị thu hồi đất như sau: (1) Sử dụng tiền đền bù để đầu tư kinh doanh; (2) Diện tích bị thu hồi; (3) Số lao động tạo ra thu nhập trong hộ gia đình; (4) Trình độ học vấn của chủ hộ; (5) Tỷ lệ người phụ thuộc trong hộ gia đình. Kết quả nghiên cứu này là nguồn tài liệu tham khảo cho các cơ quan nhà nước có thẩm quyền trong hoạt động ban hành, sửa đổi, bổ sung các quy định của pháp luật đất đai liên quan tới lĩnh vực thu hồi đất cho mục đích phát triển công nghiệp.

ABSTRACT

The results of logistic model analysis of 130 households whose land recovered for the purpose of industrial development in Ben Cat town showed that there are 5 factors from high to low affecting people's income after land acquisition as follows: (1) Use of money compensation for business investment; (2) Area acquired; (3) Number of employees generating income in the household; (4) Educational attainment of householder; (5) Proportion of dependents in the household. The results of this study are used as a reference source for competent state agencies in issuing, amending and supplementing the provisions of the land law related to the field of land acquisition for the industry development purpose.
The process of rural electrification in developing countries: systemic analysis based on the understanding of policies of Brazil and China
Authors: Teixeira Andre Frazão , Lopes Davi Gabriel , Castañeda-Ayarza Juan Arturo
Published: August 2020

The present article, based on a systemic approach, analyzed rural electrification policies and programs in China and Brazil, two countries that have already reached 99% of the population receiving electricity in rural areas. This analysis was focused on four macro-factors (governance, funding, implementation and monitoring and technological available), which together collaborated in a positive or negative way for the evolutionary process of rural electrification policy. The study allowed to conclude that a clear priority was given to macro-factors funding (mainly public) and available technologies, which made possible the advances in rural electrification but undermined the reliability of the system and its relationship with local income generation processes. In the case of China local participation (utilities, energy and population) was observed, but with negative points for governance and monitoring. In the Brazilian case, the bottleneck remains the Amazon region, which requires structures based on the macro factors that are dimensioned for the region. Finally, a decision-making framework was set up based on scenarios for rural electrification in developing countries, showing that it is possible to maintain the rural electrification process from the strong funding structures and available technologies, but the deadline for universalization will have no set term if there are no solid structures of governance and management at the local level.
Compatibilização das classificações do IBGE e do MME para a projeção da demanda de energia dos segmentos industriais energo-intensivos
Authors: Sharma Roberta Ferreira Carrijo , Bajay Sérgio Valdir , Bordoni Orlando Frederico José Godoy
Published: August 2020

Este trabalho apresenta uma proposta de compatibilização entre a Classificação Nacional das Atividades Econômicas (CNAE), do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) e a classificação do Balanço Energético Nacional (BEN), do Ministério das Minas e Energias (MME), necessária para se construir séries de valores adicionados dos setores e segmentos industriais energo-intensivos. Aplicando-se o modelo integrado de Equilíbrio Geral e Desagregação Estrutural (MEG-DES) a essa base de dados obtém-se projeções da demanda industrial de energia. À guisa de ilustração da aplicação dessa metodologia, são apresentadas projeções da demanda de energia do setor químico e de seus segmentos para o ano de 2026, em cenários de crescimento econômico e de consumo energético tendenciais e alternativos.