Digital Commons Network^™

An Intelligent Approach To Recyclability Evaluation In Automobile Design, Z. Taha, N. Sakundarini, R.A. Raja Ghazilla, J. Gonzalez

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

An automobile comprises of thousands of parts of which 74-75% is composed of ferrous and nonferrous material and 8-/0% are from plastics, and typically only less than 75% of weight can be recycled and the rest cannot. As a result this leads to an increasing number of landfill required. Unfortunately, there is no more space available. With the importance of environmental protection and sustainable development; recyclability of materials is now becoming increasingly important in automobile design. Recyclability measures the efficiency of material recycling. Due to environmental regulation, automobile manufacturers are working to improve recyclability as well as reducing amount of …

Development Of A Framework For Disassemblability Design Optimization For Sustainable Manufacturing, R.A. Raja Ghazilla, Z. Taha

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Sustainable Product development is seen as an inevitable solution in protecting the environment. Among the important strategy in sustainable product development is through product recovery by closing the loop. Product recovery enables the reuse of depleting source of virgin material as well as avoiding the accumulation of solid waste. Maintenance can be also considered as a strategy towards sustainable product by prolonging product life time. The success of product recovery and maintenance is highly dependant on the time and cost efficiencies of the disassembly process. This paper reviews the various methods used to evaluate disassemblability. The development of the methods …

Ethical Beliefs Of Hotel Employees In Malaysia, C.H. Ponnu, K.H. M. Mohd, Y.Y. Beh, S.J. Chen

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

No abstract provided.

Inter-Partner Fit And Joint Venture Performance: A Case Study On Padiberas Nasional Berhad, L.S. Tey, A. Idris

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Although joint venture, as a corporate strategy, has been gaining popularity over the past few decades, its growth is often fraught with instability and poor performance. This paper aims to share the story of a Malaysian public listed company – Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS) – which has achieved success through joint ventures. The case highlights the significance of inter-partner fit and relations as determinants of joint venture performance. It also underlines the importance of both micro and macro factors in the determination of fit between partners.

The Ergonomics Virtual Reality Station Design (Ergovr), Z. Taha, H.J. Yap, R.A. Raja Ghazilla, N. Ahmad

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Virtual reality (VR) is a promising technology which has the ability to immerse a user in a virtual world through the use of 3D real time computer graphics. The user works "together" with the virtual objects to complete the desired task. Therefore. a physical environment is needed to make the users feel. see and interact with virtual objects in the most natural and ergonomic position so that the unnecessary awkward posture and others physical discomfort that could be detrimental to the users of the virtual system can be avoided. The objective of this research is to design an Ergonomic virtual …

The Investigation On Ionic Conduction Of Pema Based Solid Polymer Electrolytes, S. Amir, N.S. Mohamed, R.H. Yahaya Subban

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Solid polymer electrolytes comprising of various weight ratios of poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA) and lithium perchlorate (LiCl04) salt were prepared via solution casting technique using N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) as the solvent. The conductivity values of the electrolytes were determined utilizing Solatron 1260. The highest conductivity obtained is in the order of 10-6 S ern -I. Structural properties of the electrolytes were investigated by X-ray diffraction and the results show that the highest conducting film is the most amorphous.

Processing Of The Planning Software For Buildings In The “Passivhaus”- Standard For Albanian Speaking Countries, Petrit Ahmeti

Theses and Dissertations

The consumption of fosile energy and specially the need of the electrical energy are increasing rapidly, which is also followed by many major problems. This is becoming a serious global problem.

This is one of main reasons that the European Union is working and making new regulations about the energy production and specially its consumption. These new regulations also include the regulations about the energy efficient buildings.

The “PassivHaus-Standard” is a building standard that fulfills the conditions that the European Parliament set for the energy efficiency for the next years. In the year 2015 this will be the Quality-Standard for …

Evidence, Marc T. Treadwell

Mercer Law Review

Every Georgia attorney and trial court judge ought to set aside the time to read every Georgia appellate court opinion on the subject of evidence (or, for that matter, any other selected subject) rendered during a given period of a year. The feel that one acquires for the attitude of the appellate courts of Georgia is interesting. Most though, will not have the time for such projects, so that to read someone else's selections and comments may be of some benefit. It will not, however, give the "feel" that one acquires through an individual reading of the cases.

This was …

Insurance, Bradley S. Wolff, Stephen L. Cotter, Stephen M. Schatz

Mercer Law Review

In this survey period from June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2009, the courts stepped in to help those injured in motor vehicle incidents collect additional sums from uninsured motorist carriers even when the available uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may be equal to or less than the tortfeasor's liability coverage. Another notable development is found in a string of cases involving victims of mortgage fraud. The victims prevailed in all three cases.

Acuta Enews December 2009, Vol. 38, No. 12

ACUTA Newsletters

ln This lssue

Board Approves Slate of Nominees for 2010-2011 Board of Directors

From the President.......... Harvey "Buck" Buchanan, Florida State Univ., ACUTA President

Mutli-Event Discount: Attend More in 2010 and Save More!

Tech Talk: what's the Next Really Big Thing?.........................Kevin Tanzillo, Dux PR

Washington Update Newsletter

Nominate Now for ACUTA Ruth A. Michalecki Leadership Award

Board Report.................Jeri A,. Semer, Executive Director

Happy Holidays from the ACUTA Staff

DC Update Dave Ostrom, Washington State Univ, (retired)

BlCSI-Governmental Relations for 2009-2010 ................Richard Reed, RCDD, BlCSI

Audio Seminar: "lMS: The Future of Fixed Mobile Convergence"

Follow Corporate Members on Twitter 8 lnfo …

Global Genomic Analysis Reveals Rapid Control Of A Robust Innate Response In Siv-Infected Sooty Mangabeys, Steven E. Bosinger, Qingsheng Li, Shari N. Gordon, Nichole R. Klatt, Lijie Duan, Luoling Xu, Nicholas Francella, Abubaker Sidahmed, Anthony J. Smith, Elizabeth M. Cramer, Ming Zeng, David Masopust, John V. Carlis, Longsi Ran, Thomas H. Vanderford, Mirko Paiardini, R. Benjamin Isett, Don A. Baldwin, James G. Else, Silvija I. Staprans, Guido Silvestri, Ashley T. Hasse, David J. Kelvin

Qingsheng Li Publications

Natural SIV infection of sooty mangabeys (SMs) is nonprogressive despite chronic virus replication. Strikingly, it is characterized by low levels of immune activation, while pathogenic SIV infection of rhesus macaques (RMs) is associated with chronic immune activation. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying this intriguing phenotype, we used high-density oligonucleotide microarrays to longitudinally assess host gene expression in SIV-infected SMs and RMs. We found that acute SIV infection of SMs was consistently associated with a robust innate immune response, including widespread upregulation of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) in blood and lymph nodes. While SMs exhibited a rapid resolution of ISG expression and …

A Powerful New Planning Environment For Fuels Managers: The Interagency Fuels Treatment Decision Support System, Gail Wells

Joint Fire Science Program Digests

The Joint Fire Science Program, the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Fuels Management Committee, and Sonoma Technology, Inc. are unveiling the prototype of a new planning environment that will help fuels specialists negotiate the confusing array of planning tools. The new framework, dubbed the Interagency Fuels Treatment Decision Support System, or IFT-DSS, organizes fuels-planning software and data into a seamless user environment. IFT-DSS offers users access to powerful modeling software from within a well-designed, intuitive graphical user interface, and it provides a common platform for the further development of fuels-planning software tools. The name may not slide easily off the tongue—you …

Boundary Layer Data System (Blds) Heating System, John Hauge, Drew Hutcheson, Paul Scott

Mechanical Engineering

The boundary layer data system (BLDS) is the result of a collaborative effort between Dr. Westphal, a researcher and instructor at Cal Poly, and Northrop Grumman. The BLDS is capable of measuring the boundary layer profile and characteristics of flow over aerodynamic surfaces and is intended for high altitude, high speed use. The instruments inside the BLDS malfunction at the low temperatures present when operating in flight at altitudes above 30,000 ft. To solve this problem, analysis was done on the existing BLDS which determined the heating requirements, around 50 watts, needed to keep the internal temperature within the rated …

Air Cooling For Aecm Module, Final Project Report, Kevin Whipp, Abraham Bruno Caulk

Mechanical Engineering

Advancements in electronics have created the need for improved cooling standards. The AECM standard, created to replace the antiquated ARINC 600 specification for aircraft, draws inspiration from a cooling specification known as VITA 48.2. The ARINC standard is in early stages of development and this project researches the feasibility of using air as a convective fluid instead of a liquid, the fluid used in the VITA specification.

A performance factor calculated from the ratio of the heat dissipated by convective heat exchanger plates over the power used to cause forced convective flow over said plates helps to quantify the effectiveness …

Indirect Pipe Pressure Measurement, Clayde Barkley, Mikel Betts, Anthony Olay

Mechanical Engineering

Statement of Confidentiality The complete senior project report was submitted to the project advisor and sponsor. The results of this project are of a confidential nature and will not be published at this time.

Formula Sae Interchangeable Independent Rear Suspension Design, Mike Mccune, Daniel Nunes, Mike Patton, Courtney Richardson, Evan Sparer

Mechanical Engineering

The Suspension Solutions design team has completely designed built and tested an independent rear suspension system for the 2008 FSAE car. The car currently features a solid rear axle, and the task of converting it to incorporate an interchangeable rear suspension has been undertaken in order to quantify the advantages and disadvantages of each design philosophy. The car has been properly tested with both the solid axle and independent rear suspension side-by-side, however more testing is suggested. After pushing both setups to their limits on a 50ft diameter skid pad, the test results were quantified, and a final comparison between …

Student Characteristics, Pre-College, College, And Environmental Factors As Predictors Of Persisting In And Earning A Stem Degree: An Analysis Of Students Attending A Hispanic Serving Institution, Gloria Crisp, Amanda Taggart, Amaury Nora

Teacher Education and Leadership Faculty Publications

This study examined the demographic, pre-college, environmental, and college factors that impact students’ interests in and decisions to earn a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) degree among students attending a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Results indicated that Hispanic students were well represented among STEM majors, and students’ decisions to declare a STEM major and earn a STEM degree were uniquely influenced by students’ gender, ethnicity, SAT math score, and high school percentile. Earning a STEM degree was related to students’ first-semester GPA and enrollment in mathematics and science “gatekeeper” courses. Findings indicate that HSIs may be an important point …

Stress-Dependent Enhancement And Impairment Of Retention By Naloxone: Evidence For An Endogenous Opioid-Based Modulatory System Protective Of Memory, Allen M. Schneider, Peter E. Simson , '78, Krista Joan Spiller , '06, Jonathan Seth Adelstein , '06, Amanda Alice Vacharat , '06, K. R. Short, Lynn G. Kirby , '89

Psychology Faculty Works

The opiate-receptor antagonist naloxone was administered to rats after passive-avoidance training either alone or in combination with forced-swim stress. A retention test revealed that while naloxone enhanced retention when administered alone, it impaired retention when administered in combination with forced-swim stress. The findings provide evidence for a “protective” endogenous opioid-based system that, when not blocked pharmacologically, limits enhancement or impairment of retention under conditions of mild and intense stress, respectively.

Modeling The Spatially Varying Water Balance Processes In A Semi- Arid Mountainous Watershed Of Idaho, Benjamin T. Stratton, Venkataramana Sridhar, Molly M. Gribb, James P. Mcnamara, B. Narasimhan

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Mountainous watersheds in semi-arid regions are complex hydrologic systems. To critically evaluate the hydrological processes, high resolution spatio-temporal information is necessary. Also, calibrating and validating a watershed-scale model is necessary to enable our understanding of the water balance components in the gauged watersheds. The distributed Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) hydrologic model was applied to a research watershed, the Dry Creek Experimental Watershed (DCEW), near Boise Idaho to investigate its water balance components both temporally and spatially. Daily streamflow data from four streamflow gauges were used for calibration and validation of the model. Monthly estimates of streamflow during the calibration …

Nonknowledge: The Bibliographical Organization Of Ignorance, Stupidity, Error, And Unreason: Part Two, Jay H. Bernstein

Publications and Research

Starting with the Data-Information-Knowledge-Wisdom paradigm in information science it is possible to derive a model of the opposite of knowledge having hierarchical qualities. A range of counterpoints to concepts in the knowledge hierarchy can be identified and ascribed the overall term “nonknowledge.” This model creates a conceptual framework for understanding the connections between topics such as error, ignorance, stupidity, folly, popular misconceptions, and unreason by locating them as levels or phases of nonknowledge. The concept of nonknowledge links heretofore disconnected discourses on these individual topics by philosophers, psychologists, historians, sociologists, satirists, and others. Subject headings provide access to the categories …

Design, Reconstruction And Evaluation Of A Dynamometer For Quarter Scale, Samuel Sanchez

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This project discusses the design, reconstruction, and evaluation of a dynamometer. A new test stand for the Quarter Scale team would improve the testing of the engines and the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). All the readings will be done electronically in order to provide the most accurate data collection. The dynamometer will be a closed hydraulic system for ease of use. This system will be able to test all of Quarter Scale engines. The data collected will be used to determine which engines are in the best condition, and which may need to be fixed. With the new design, the …

A Paradigm For Developing Tqm-Role Stressors Model And Index, P.L. Teh, C.C. Yong, V. Arumugam

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

TQM practices have been increasingly implemented in both manufacturing and service organizations, yet research has neglected the study of role stressors induce from the implementation of TQM practices. Drawing from the extant TQM and role stressors literature, this paper examines the relationship between TQM and role stressors by addressing three critical gaps: (1) conceptualizing the multidimensionality of TQM practices as a preventive approach to role stressors; (2) formulating TQM-Role Stressors index for the use of industrial benchmarking; and (3) constructing a model for assessing the nonlinear influences of TQM on role stressors. This study concludes with a discussion of potential …

A Study On Natural Ventilation Performance In Selected Historical Building In Kuala Lumpur, A.S. Ali

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

The application of Natural Ventilation System in old and historical buildings at the vicinity of Kuala Lumpur was analysed. The adopted study viewed on the occupants’ comfort against the performed activities in the buildings. Investigation carried out to explain the extent of the effects of natural ventilation on occupants and other factors influencing comfort level inside and outside the buildings. Through this mechanism the enhancement of the natural ventilation may be executed in order to have more comfortable ventilation. The main aim of this work is to establish a relationship between comfort level and ventilation system, and at the same …

Analysis Of Ergonomics Workstation Layout Design Using Analytical Hierarchy Process, - Hartomo, Z. Taha, E.D. Hastutiningsih

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Ergonomic workstation is an important component in a production line. Poor layout design of a workstation can have an adverse effect on a worker's performance. This paper presents a method for analyzing the layout design of a workstation using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Three criterias and several sub criteria were identified. The criterions are the easiness of motion which consists of three sub criterions-working areas, position of tools, position of material; the comfort of work which consists of four sub criterions-temperature, light, working position, noise; and safety which consists of three sub criterions-safety, dust, smell. A case study was …

Cfd Simulation On The Thermal Comfort In A Library Building In The Tropics, Y.H. Yau, N.N.N. Ghazali, A. Badarudin, F.C. Goh

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

This paper presents a three-dimensional analysis for thermal comfort in a library. The room model includes library layout, equipment and peripheral positions as well as the positions of inlet and outlet air for IAQ controls. Cold clean air is supplied to the room through ceiling-mounted air grilles and exhausted through air grilles situated on the same ceiling. A commercial CFD package was used in this study to achieve solutions of the distribution of airflow velocity and temperature. Using high quality meshes is vital to the overall accuracy of the results. Simulation results show a good agreement with experimental data from …

Conductivity And Dynamic Mechanical Studies Of Pvc/Pema Blend Polymer Electrolytes, N.A. Zakaria, S.Y.S. Yahya, M.I.N. Isa, N.S. Mohamed, R.H.Y. Subban

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

The ionic conductivity and mechanical properties of poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC)/poly (ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA) polymer blends containing LiN(CF3S03h as doping salt has been studied using electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Dynamic Modulus Analysis (DMA) as a function of polymer blend ratios and lithium salt concentration. The film with PVC/PEMA composition of 65 :35 obtained the highest conductivity with good transparency. DMA showed that both the storage modulus (E') and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the PVC/PEMA is increased with PEMA concentration. In the case of PVC/PEMA-LiN(CF3S02)2 films, the conductivity was found to increase with concentration of salt added with …

Design And Development Of A Marker-Based Augmented Reality System Using Opencv And Opengl, H.J. Yap, Z. Taha, T.H. Eng, J.Y. Chew

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Augmented reality system generates a composite view for the user. It is a combination of the real scene viewed by the user and a virtual scene generated by the computer. In this paper, a webcam based augmented reality system has been developed using OpenCV and OpenCL. Webcam is used to capture the marker tag and image processing technique is used to obtain the required information such as position and orientation. By using this information, virtual images or objects can be created and "pasted" on the marker tag. OpenCV is used to handle real-time image processing and virtual objects are drawn …

Evaluation Of Corporate Initiatives In Ergonomics: Effectiveness Of Ergonomics Training In An Oil And Gas Refinery Company, Z. Taha, M.Z. Muhammad

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Corporate initiatives in ergonomics refer to the initiatives taken by corporation to introduce and implement ergonomics program. It is highly desirable in order to achieve optimum performance of productivity and a quality of working life, especially in the increasing competitive global market where the survival of a corporation depends on how it responds to a highly dynamic and complex environment. Somehow, implementing corporate initiatives in ergonomics will not be easy. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to examine the correlation between corporate initiatives towards ergonomics and ergonomics training effectiveness. A Sociotechnical System (STS) as an open system approach on …

Fibre Reinforced Polymer Concrete Structures – Opportunities And Concerns, N.A. Mat Noor, H. Mohamed

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

In the civil engineering industry, deterioration of concrete structures is one of the major concerns in the construction field nowadays. Some of the earlier degradation of structures may caused by design or construction defects where in some cases a lower grade concrete has been supplied during constructions. Therefore, retrofitting of those defect reinforced concrete structures and also strengthening of insufficient capacity concrete structural elements has inevitably become an important activities in civil engineering. Instead of the old approach to demolish and reconstruct the buildings, structural repair and rehabilitation of reinforced concrete structures is becoming an ideal option for all deteriorated …

Low Cost Head Tracking System For A Desktop-Based Vr System Using Webcam, Hwa Jen Yap, Zahari Taha, Sock Wee Ng, Jouh Yeong Chew

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

With the advancement of computer technology, vision-based system has found various applications ranging from video surveillance, object recognition, industrial defect inspection and autonomous robots. The fundamental part for many computer vision tasks is object detection. This paper discusses the development of a low cost head tracking system for a Desktop-based VR System using a webcam. OpenCv' OpenGL and C/C++ are employed as the development tools for video acquisition, face detection and a virtual environment. At the first stage, a video stream of the webcam is captured. The face is detected by using the Haar-like feature method. Then, a computer vision …