Journal of International Research Publications, Issue Materials, Methods and Technology, Volume 2, Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Education in geographic information systems usability and user-adaptivity

Michael Andrew McAdams, Geography Department, Fatih University, Istanbul, Turkey, email: mcadams@fatih.edu.tr

Alexander Nikov, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of the West Indies
St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago (W.I.), email: anikov@fsa.uwi.tt

Received: 09.05.07; Cited: 15.05.07

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to advance the usability and adaptation for users of geographic information systems (GIS) by developing suitably trained professionals via a tailored graduate program. Human-computer interaction models are useful in analyzing the use of GIS in specific task situations. Such analysis provides a sound basis for GIS use optimization. GIS applications, i.e., in environmental protection or urban and regional planning, require entirely different user interfaces than for those where users are experts. Building such interfaces taking into account GIS usability and adaptation to the user appears to be a promising approach. This could be achieved by careful analysis of GIS utilization and dynamic adaptation to user preferences and interests, the given task, goals and actual work context. The students should learn the usability principles and how to apply them for designing GIS user interfaces. In addition, they should know how to analyze GIS user tasks, interests, and preferences and adapt GIS user interfaces to them. This paper integrates these two complementary disciplines. Examples using ArcView illustrating GIS usability and user-adaptivity are given. A MS GIS program with specialization in usability and user-adaptive systems is proposed.

Key words: interdisciplinary education programs, GIS usability, GIS adaptability

Pages 1-12

SWITCHING EFFECTS IN OXIDES OF VANADIUM, NICKEL AND ZINC

Alexander Pergament, Genrikh Stefanovich, Andrey Velichko,

Ilya Melnichenok, Elena Kotsuba, Victor Romanov

Petrozavodsk State University, 185910, Petrozavodsk, Russia

Received: 09.05.07; Cited: 15.05.07

Abstract: The results on electroforming and switching in thin-film MOM structures with oxides of V, Ni, and Zn are presented. It is shown that the switching mechanism in transition metal oxides (VO₂, NiO) is caused by the electronically-induced Mott metal-insulator transition. Memory switching in the vanadium, nickel, and zinc oxide based MOM structures is also studied, and possible mechanisms of this effect are discussed.

Key words: switching, metal-insulator transition, thin films, metal oxides

Pages 13-26

HUMAN FACTORS IN INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING EDUCATION
ACCORDING TO THE MODEL FOR EUROPEAN ERGONOMISTS

Alexander Nikov

University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago (W.I.)

Mazhar Unsal

Fatih University, Buyukcekmece, 34500 Istanbul, Turkey

Received: 09.05.07; Cited: 15.05.07

Absract: The industrial engineering educational programs incorporate the areas of operations research and optimization, human factors, production systems engineering and engineering management. The model for European ergonomists is presented. A curriculum with human factors/ergonomics concentration according to the model for European ergonomists is proposed. Relevant contemporary human factors courses like human-computer interaction, usability engineering, personalization engineering, affective engineering, etc. are suggested. A human factors / usability laboratory for training the students in the area of human factors is presented. This education according to the model for European ergonomist gives the possibility to have European-wide-recognized education.

Key words: Industrial engineering, human factors, university education, European ergonomist

Pages 27-41

OPTIMIZATION OF POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATING CONDITIONS

Flaviu Frigura, Constantin Barbulescu, Stefan Kilyeni, Doru Vatau

“Politehnica” University of Timisoara, Romania

Department of Electrical Power Engineering

Received: 09.06.07; Cited: 15.06.07

Abstract: Generation and power delivery facilities is often associated with high level noise. This affects human life and activity in the nearby areas. This paper studies the noise generated by a power supply substation, as well as the noise generated by a power supply station, thus determining the most efficient methods of reducing it. The obtained results may be applied to each real-world case.

Key words: power facilities, transformer, power supply substation, noise generation.

Pages 42-53

Investigation of properties of hollow and low strength concrete masonry units with pumice aggregate

Osman ÜNAL, Tayfun UYGUNOĞLU

Construction Department, Technical Education Faculty, Afyon Kocatepe University,

03200 Afyonkarahisar / Turkey

Received: 09.06.07; Cited: 15.06.07

Abstract: Lightweight concretes can be produced by using different type of lightweight aggregates. The results of investigations on the suitability of using pumice aggregates from Isparta region in Turkey as fine and coarse materials in lightweight concrete masonry production are reported. In this study, pumice aggregate lightweight concrete (PLWC) samples were produced with different sizes of 0-4 mm as fine pumice aggregate (FPA), of 4/8 mm as middle pumice aggregate (MPA) and of 8/16 mm as coarse pumice aggregate (CPA). The pumice aggregates collected from the quarry were first crushed and screened in this study. In order to analyze the role of pumice aggregate ratio on the properties of lightweight concrete masonry for dry mix conditions, a series of preliminary trial batches were first carried out. Trial batches were cast into 100x100x100 mm cube samples with the cement content of 220 kg/m³ in low water/cement ratio as 0,15. The specimens were analyzed to examine the compressive strength, water absorption and specific porosity of all series. According to the results of preliminary trial batches, it was decided to produce a full scale pumice aggregate masonry block (PAMB) units for the same mixture proportions of the best series in trials. PAMB units were analyzed to investigate their unit weight and the compressive strength for air dry condition at 28 days. The coefficient of thermal conductivity for the blocks was tested based on oven dry. According to experimental results, while dry unit weight has increased, compressive strength of 28 days samples has increased, too for the PLWC dry mix composition. Due to the low strength and thermal conductivity, pumice aggregate lightweight masonry units can be used in constructions for non-load bearing infill walls providing the high isolations.

Key words: Pumice, lightweight aggregate, hollow blocks, property.

Pages 54-63

COMPUTING PROGRAM DEVELOPED IN DELPHI ENVIRONMENT FOR ELECTRICAL OVERHEAD LINES OPTIMAL REALIZING

Flaviu Frigura, Constantin Barbulescu, Stefan Kilyeni, Doru Vatau

“Politehnica” University of Timisoara, Romania

Department of Electrical Power Engineering

Received: 09.06.07; Cited: 15.06.07

Abstract: The main purpose of this paper is to elaborate a calculation program in Object Pascal language, using Delphi environment. This calculation program is designed to solve the power engineering optimization problems using the method of optimal Hamiltonian path and circuit, solved with so called "Latin multiplication". For illustrating the use of the algorithm and the calculation program we present a problem of optimal equipment programming for realizing an ensemble of electrical overhead lines. This paper is structured in 4 parts. In the first part of the paper we present the application as a problem of optimal Hamiltonian path and circuit. In the second part of the paper, we determine the optimal Hamiltonian path (circuit) in a graph using the so called Latin multiplication method. In the third part of the paper we present a representative numerical application. In the fourth part of the paper it is described the calculation program.

Key words: electrical overhead line, Hamiltonian path, latin multiplication method.

Pages 64-78

Physical - mechanical properties and decay resistance of Acer platanoides L. cement bonded particleboards

Antonios N. Papadopoulos

Technological Educational Institute of Kavala, Branch of Drama,

Department of Forestry and Management of Natural Environment,

Laboratory of Wood and Wood Products, TK 66100, Drama, Greece.

E-mail antonios1974@hotmail.com

Received: 01.10.07; Cited: 5.10.07

Abstract: Cement bonded particleboards were manufactured from maple (Acer platanoides L.) wood particles. Hydration tests were carried out to determine the inhibitory index in order to characterise wood-cement compatibility. The results revealed that the mixture of maple-cement can be classified as moderate inhibition. Two wood: cement ratios were applied in this study, namely 1:3 and 1:4, for the board manufacture. It was found that an increase of cement-wood ratio resulted to an increase in all, but MOR values. All properties of the boards made from 1:4 wood: cement ratio, surpassed the minimum requirements set forth by the building type HZ code. Boards were exposed to brown and white rot fungi, Coniophora puteana, Termites versicolor respectively. Overall, both fungi failed to attack the cement-bonded boards.

Keywords: Cement, particleboard, maple, Acer platanoides L, Termites versicolor, decay

Pages 79-87

ELEARNING AS ONE WAY TO THE GLOBALIZATION

Dragana GLUŠAC, Dijana KARUOVIĆ

Technical Faculty »Mihajlo Pupin« Zrenjanin

gdragana@tf.zr.ac.yu

Received: 01.10.07; Cited: 05.10.07

Abstract: The current educational system in Serbia is in a transition period. In this paper will be shortly present two isues: need for E learning in modern society and some theoretical principle of electronic education. The main objectiv is increasing quality and efficiencey of education. This paper explains and systematize the definition and structure for E learning. In order to be able to acomplish it's primary role, the school has to follow the changes in the society, and sometimes even to be ahead. As a significant society institution, the school is daily exposed to diffrent expectations and preasures from both, inside and outside. Each effort to describe an existing state in education is facing the fact that it is a mix of some old patterns of behaviour and some new models of educational practice, which are in the phase of forming .Also, everything is ilustration thrue the project Distance Learning at the our Faculty.

Pages 88-95

The application of various resin systems in the manufacture

of wood - straw composites

Antonios N. Papadopoulos

Technological Educational Institute of Kavala, Branch of Drama, Department of Forestry and Management of Natural Environment, Laboratory of Wood and Wood Products, TK 66100, Drama, Greece. E-mail: antonios1974@hotmail.com, antpap@teikav.edu.gr

Received: 01.11.07; Cited: 11.11.07

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the fortifying effect of EMDI on UF bond quality in producing experimental one-layer particleboards made of 50:50 wheat straw: wood mixture. This study showed that UF: EMDI formulations can be successfully used, as an alternative of the pure isocyanate resin, to manufacture acceptable wood-straw composites. Regression analysis (R2 values) showed that there were strong relationships between UF fortification with EMDI and all board properties and that these relationships all appeared to be linear over the fortification level used in this study. It is suggested, that a suitable resin system for producing acceptable wood-straw composites, is the UF: EMDI formulation containing EMDI in amounts of 2% or higher. This system could partially offset the cost of using pure isocyanate resin.

Keywords: Agricultural residues, Straw, Particleboard, Isocyanate resins, EMDI, Resin formulations

Pages 96-103

E-Learning Standards for Providing High-Quality

and Effective Technology Enhanced Education

Kornelia T. Yordanova,

Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”,

5, James Baucher Blvd.1164 Sofia, Bulgaria

cornelia@fmi.uni-sofia.bg

Iliyan L. Yordanov,

Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”,

5, James Baucher Blvd.1164 Sofia, Bulgaria

iliyan_yordanov@fmi.uni-sofia.bg

Received: 23.11.07; Cited: 21.01.08

Abstract: We present in this paper main advantages and problems of standards application in e-learning content development. Main purpose is to explore criteria for selection of the most appropriate standard and main stages in implementation. We demonstrate use of different tools compatible with selected standard and make a proposal for future investigation in the field of standards design, development, and application.

Basic aim is to present how standards are used to support the process of e-learning content development. Basic tasks of Leonardo da Vinci project Innovative Teacher (I*Teach) [2] and TENCompetence Project under EC 6th Framework Programme [18] are to create e-learning content helping teachers in middle schools to educate their students how to learn and use information and presentations skills. Developed learning content is compatible with selected standards and follows methodology proposed in [2]. Another purpose is to use compatible with selected standard tools in process of learning resources development.

Key words: e-learning, standards, meta-data, IMS LD, specification, assessment

Pages 104-121