International Institute of
A Case Study of Synchronous Distance Learning Between Shih Chien University and Beijing Foreign Studies University
Lo, Yen-Fen *; Lo, Yen-Hsi *; Hsiao, Jung ** (* Taiwan, ** United States)
ABSTRACT:
Shih Chien University and Beijing Foreign Studies University collaboratively launched a project to offer synchronous distance learning courses on “Case Studies of Taiwanese Entrepreneurs” since February 2012. The three objectives of this study are: (1) to explore the Cross-Strait students’ motives for selecting the course; (2) to examine the students’ accommodation condition before and after completing the course; (3) to discuss the student’s level of satisfaction of the course. This study uses qualitative data from case study interviews conducted in the second year of the project based on the research focus of the Cross-Strait students’ motivation and satisfaction of the course. The research analysis tools are content analysis and theory triangulation. The findings are: (1) Cross-Strait students are motivated by their curiosity about the course, interest in the contents, and willingness to experience the novelty of distance learning to select the course; (2) the results of Cross-Strait students’ accommodation condition are correlated to their interactions with the professor, the familiarity with the materials, the quality of the communication equipment, and the clarity of the images; (3) Cross-Strait students all accept the method of synchronous distance learning; (4) the quality of communication equipment has the lowest level of satisfaction.
A Hybrid Data Driven Approach for Cycle-Time Forecasting in Semiconductor Wafer Fabrication System
Wang, Junliang; Zhang, Jie (China)
ABSTRACT:
Estimating the cycle time of each job in a wafer fabrication factory is critical to help semiconductor manufacturers keep the promises of a good delivery-time and thus improve the level of customer service. Since massive data can be captured by millions of networked sensors, which are embedded in the Semiconductor Wafer Fabrication System (SWFS), this paper describes a hybrid data-driven approach for analyzing large amounts of manufacturing data to forecast the orders’ CT in the SWFS. Firstly, a regression-based feature selection model which takes account of massive parameters is proposed to obtain the correlation between order related variables, system condition variables and CT. A Fisher Z-transformation is then applied to combine different correlations into a single measure of the candidate variable’s performance. Variables with highest mean Z-transformed correlations are deemed to be ‘CT-related’. Secondly, a case-based reasoning method is designed to evaluate the order’s dissimilarity with historical orders to search the best fit cases. At last, the numerical experiments show the proposed approach has higher accuracy than BPN in CT forecasting.
A Preliminary Study of Pelletized Ecuadorian Cocoa Pod Husk for its. Use as a Source of Renewable Energy
Velázquez-Araque, Luis; Cárdenas, José (Ecuador)
ABSTRACT:
In Ecuador, there is a constant need to pursuit energy independence, have created a new industry focused on energy generation by harnessing renewable sources. Biomass is established as the third leading source for producing electricity as the main source for the generation of thermal energy. However, the problems related to the low density of the different types of biomass and the difficulty in carrying and storing have caused the need to generate solids with higher density and stronger hardness known as pellets and briquettes. This paper develops an analysis of the possibilities of pelletizing the Ecuadorian
cocoa pod husk and its use as biofuel. Several pellets configurations were proposed based on the diameter and length ratio. An experimental setup was established to crush and screen the cocoa pod husk in order to obtain less than 1.5 mm particle size. Then the pellets were made using a small scale pellet machine and finally burned in a combustion chamber for the evaluation of the energy potential by means of the high heat value and ash content. Finally, the selection of the most energy efficient pellet configuration is made taking into consideration international pellet quality standards as well. This largescale
project would represent a cost savings in the Ecuadorian industrial sector leading further to lowering smog emissions into the environment from burning fossil fuels and also it would prevent the cocoa pod husk as a focus for the spread of Phytophthora species which is a main cause of economic losses in the cocoa industry.
A Study on the Development Stategy for Expanding TBT
Kim, Yong-Jae (South Korea)
ABSTRACT:
Purpose of the this paper make to remove and to easy TBT of smart city related good such as IT, S/W, IOT, BigData, Home network between Korea and China. Research methodology is review 2nd data analysis and focus group Interview (Government officer, Researcher, Professor and CEO of smart city related
company). This paper compare& analyze International rule & system as follow. First, It is to compare & analyze the smart city system, technical regulation, standard, Test & certification procedure and Inspection. Second, it is review electric/electronic Test, certification and calibration. Third, it is analyze MRA
between Korea and china, SDoC, Mutual Acceptance of International certification such as ILAC(APLAC) and IEC CB scheme. This paper intends to draw conclusion and make implication as follows. First, we must promote FTA and MRA. Second, we make to remove and to easy TBT by MRA between Korea and China. Although the MRA is a system where all parties that have concluded agreement enjoy the advantage, Korea is under a state of concluding only the stage 1 agreements(exchange test & certification document among countries) with 5 countries such as United States, Canada, Chile, Japan and Vietnam.
Active and Reactive Power Control Strategy for Grid-Connected Six-Phase Generator by Using Multi-Modular Matrix Converters
Caballero, David *; Gavilán, Federico *; Maqueda, Edgar *; Gregor, Raúl *; Toledo, Sergio *; Rodas, Jorge *; Gregor, Derlis *; Rivera, Marco ** (* Paraguay, ** Chile)
ABSTRACT:
This paper proposes an active and reactive power control strategy based on predictive control approaches applied to gridconnected renewable energy systems. To accomplish this a multi-modular matrix converter topologies are used in combination with a simple but efficient grid synchronization strategy.
The theoretical performance analysis is performed considering a six-phase wind energy generator system interconnected with the grid. Results based on a MATLAB/Simulink simulation environment are discussed and the most relevant characteristics of the proposed control technique are highlighted considering
the total harmonic distortion and the mean squared error as a parameters of performance.
An Alternative Approach for Solving FPR Model with Quality Assurance, Multi-Customer, and Discontinuous Deliveries
Chiu, Singa Wang; Chen, Yu-Ru; Li, Yi-Ying; Ting, Su Yu; Chiu, Yuan-Shyi P. (Taiwan)
ABSTRACT:
A multi-customer finite production rate (FPR) model with quality assurance and discontinuous delivery policy was investigated in a recent paper [1] using differential calculus approach. This study employs a two-phase algebraic method to resolve such a specific multicustomer FPR model. As a result, the optimal replenishment lot size and number of deliveries can be derived without needs to reference to differential calculus. Such a straightforward method may assist practitioners who with insufficient knowledge of calculus in understanding the real-life multi-customer FPR systems more effectively.
An Analog Simulation of the Human Neural System. The Model Realization. The Main Theoric Bases of the Model Realization
Errigo, Demetrio P. (Italy)
ABSTRACT:
The object of this study was to create an elementary electronic circuit which can produce signals that are similar to those produced by intracellular and extra-cellular circuits, a hardware that works autonomously with no need of an external software because it self-creates it. In this paper I describe an artificial, and/or bionic, neural structure formed by the simulation of modular similar analog electronic elements for generating and/or re-establishing correct communication between components of a biological structure, in particular a nervous System. I present a series of data, which derive from a simulation of what becomes a very simple electronic and informative elementary circuit. This circuit is extrapolated from many other circuits, which are supported by one single model and, working together, give coherent answers and are able to help or replace a neuron or a group of neurons. The simulated structure includes a plurality of modular electronic devices interconnected together to form at least one pair of meshes and is able to generate analog electrical signals of various waveforms and various electric powers. I have realized an simulator System as a quasi-Boolean net, but functional only, because the omni-directional reaction to an operative, at a perturbation level action, gives origin to different functionalities in a similar structure, which exists in a non-digital way, or, it might be better to say, which lives in an analog quasi-digital way, with molecular code and decode factors, to which, at present, I approximate in an quasi-complete way. I have obtained an almost perfect correlation between those signals that are generated in nature and those that we have artificially produced. I have demonstrated that, to build a real and working artificial intelligence, or a detail of it, we must preliminarily plan an "inverse-engineering" System that, starting from the biological and not "vice/versa", can, in the meantime, define the "how", hoping it becomes even the "why". The fundamentals ideas that lead to the new electro-informatics model construction are examined either from a theoretical point of view (that is the basis for my researches and which describes the production and the direction bus of the informative signals) and from the point of view of the structure realization.
An Improved Common Weight DEA-Based Decision Approach for Problems with Multiple Inputs and Multiple Outputs
Goker, Nazli; Karsak, E. Ertugrul (Turkey)
ABSTRACT:
This paper proposes a common-weight data envelopment analysis (DEA) based model for identifying the best performing decision making unit (DMU) considering multiple inputs and multiple outputs. In order to illustrate the robustness of the developed model, which provides better weight dispersion and an improved discriminating power in ranking DMUs, a comparative analysis of the results of the numerical examples addressed in an earlier study are given. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach yields better dispersion for input and output weights while it does not require an arbitrary
discriminating parameter and guarantees to determine the most efficient DMU via solving a single mixed integer linear programming model.
Analyzing Motives, Preferences, and Experiences in Video Game Play
Loffredo, Donald; Tavakkoli, Alireza (United States)
ABSTRACT:
This paper presents the results of analyzing motives, preferences, and experiences in video game play. A sample of 112 (64 male and 48 female) students completed online the Gaming Attitudes, Motives, and Experiences Scales (GAMES). Separate one-way independent-measures multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs) were used to determine if there were statistically significant differences by gender, age category, hours of videogame play, and ethnicity on the nine Factor Subscales of the GAMES. The results supported two of the proposed hypotheses. There were statistically differences by gender and hours of videogame play on some of the Factor Subscales of the
GAMES.
Analyzing the Existing Undergraduate Engineering Leadership Skills
Almalki, Hamed M.; Rabelo, Luis; Davis, Charles; Usmani, Hammad; Hollister, Debra (United States)
ABSTRACT:
Purpose: Studying and analyzing the undergraduate engineering students’ leadership skills to discover their potential leadership strengths and weaknesses. This study will unveil potential ways to enhance the ways we teach engineering leadership. The research has great insights that might assist engineering programs to improve curricula for the purpose of better engineering preparation to meet industry’s demands. Methodology & Findings: 441 undergraduate engineering students have been surveyed in two undergraduate engineering programs to discover their leadership skills. The results in both programs were revealing that undergraduate engineering students are lacking behind in the visionary leadership skills compared to directing, including and cultivating leadership styles. Recommendation: A practical framework has been proposed to enhance the lacking leadership skills by utilizing the Matrix of Change (MOC), and the Balanced Scorecard BSC) to capture the best leadership scenarios to design virtual simulation environment as per the lacking leadership skills which is the visionary leadership skills in this case. After that, the virtual simulation will be used to provide an experiential learning by replacing human beings with avatars that can be managed or dramatized by real people to enable the creation of live, practical, measurable, and customizable leadership development programs.
Behavior of Cells in Excess Gravitational Field: Using Centrifuge
Hino, Haruka; Sugimoto, Hiromi; Takahashi, Yusuke; Hashimoto, Shigehiro; Miura, Shoki (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
The effect of mechanical field on orientation and extension of cells has been studied using centrifuge in vitro. Four kind of cells were used in the test: C2C12 (mouse myoblast cell line originated with cross-striated muscle of C3H mouse), L929 (fibroblast connective tissue of C3H mouse), HUVEC (Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells), Neuro-2a (a mouse neural crest-derived cell line). To apply the mechanical force field for 24 hours to the cells adhered on the glass plate, the plate was set in the tube in a conventional centrifugal machine, which was
placed in an incubator. Variation was made at the angular position of the plate in the tube to make variation at the direction of the force on the surface of scaffold: normal and tangential. The experiment shows following results. The
elongation of neurites of Neuro2a is accelerated in the excess gravitational force field. L929 tends to tilt to the direction of the tangential force. C2C12 tends to make orientation at diagonal direction of the tangential force. The cell tends to extend the area of adhesion at the excess gravitational force field. C2C12 tends to change the shape at the excess gravitational field.
Biotreatment of Slaughterhouse Wastewater Accompanied with Sustainable Electricity Generation in Microbial Fuel Cell
Ismail, Zainab Z.; Mohammed, Ali J. (Iraq)
ABSTRACT:
This study aimed to investigate the performance of microbial fuel cell (MFC) for simultaneous bioremediation of slaughterhouse wastewater and sustainable power generation. For the first time, an integrated system of tubular type microbial fuel cell (MFC) was used in this study. The MFC consisted of three concentric Plexiglas tubes; the inner tube was the anaerobic anodic compartment, the mid tube was the aerobic biocathodic chamber, and the outer tube act as an aerobic bioreactor for extended nitrification process. The MFC system was connected to a complementary external anaerobic bioreactor for denitrification process. The microbial fuel cell was inoculated with freshly collected activated sludge and was continuously fueled with simulated slaughterhouse wastewater. Results revealed that the removal efficiency of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) was up to 99%, and the power generation was 165 mW/m2. Also, results demonstrated that maximum removal of NO3- via the denitrification process in the final effluent was 94.7% when the initial concentration of NO3- in the effluent of the extended bioreactor was 15.2 mg/L. Approximately; complete recovery of nitrogen gas was obtained in the complementary external anaerobic bioreactor. These results indicated that MFC could be a promising approach for slaughterhouse wastewater bioremediation and renewable power generation.
Cell Behavior around Surface-Electrode with Electric Pulses
Takahashi, Yusuke; Mizoi, Atsushi; Hashimoto, Shigehiro; Hino, Haruka; Noda, Kenta (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
Behavior of biological cells around the surface-electrode with electric pulse has been observed in vitro. A thin film (thickness of 300 nm) of titanium coated on the glass was used for the surface-electrode. Variation has been made on the tip of the pairs of surface electrodes: rectangular and triangular. The distance between electrodes is 0.1 mm, or 0.3 mm. Two kinds of cells were seeded around the surface electrodes: C2C12 (mouse myoblast cell line originated with cross-striated muscle of C3H mouse), or Hepa1-6 (mouse hepatoma cell line
of C57L mouse). After 2 minutes from seeding, electric pulses (period 0.00001 s, amplitude 10 V (0.0005 A), duration 0.000005 s) were applied to the film. The microscopic observation on the experimental system shows movement of
cells between electrodes depends on the shape of tips.
Comparative Studies of Dimensionality Reduction Techniques for Preprocessed Correlation Based Dimensionality Reduction
Nam, Deok; Singh, Harpreet (United States)
ABSTRACT:
A new paradigm of dimensionality reduction technique is introduced. The proposed paradigm is applying the correlation to extract the relatively more correlated attributes among the original attributes as a preprocess procedure in order to interpret or manipulate the given data without losing any significant meaning for the data implementation. To compare the proposed paradigm with other dimensionality reduction techniques such as factor
analysis, principal component analysis, subtractive clustering (SUBCLUST) analysis, and the various preprocessed multivariate analysis, the data of the
prediction of Equity Risk Premiums (ERP) is evaluated by the reduced dimensions using the proposed paradigm applying the neurofuzzy systems for the evaluation of the predicted Equity Risk Premiums (ERP). In addition, using the results through the dimensionality reduction technique with the proposed paradigm, the statistical analyses are compared and the extracted reduced dimensions are examined.
Culture Propels the Intersection of Ethos, Pathos, and Logos with Innovation and Entrepreneurship
White, Marta Szabo (United States)
ABSTRACT:
This model from the conference website: Academic Globalization and Inter-Cultural Communication: AGIC 2016 http://www.iiis2016.org/wmsci/website/about.asp?vc=22, is depicted in Appendix 1, and serves as the inspiration for this paper. In this model, cybernetic loops, modified through: negative and positive feedback loops, and their relationships with “Academic Globalization” and “Inter-Cultural Communication” are supported by Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics, 2016 [1]. http://www.iiis2016.org/wmsci/website/about.asp?vc=22 While recognizing the importance of Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics in supporting these pivotal relationships, the inspiration for this paper is to travel an alternate pathway, i.e. be an “Intellectual Tourist” (term coined by Professor Nagib Callaos). This paper explores and underscores the cultural component, a powerful catalyst that drives its sister macro-forces, creating an economic, political, technological environment that embraces to varying degrees the intersection of Ethos, Pathos and Logos with innovation and entrepreneurship.
Deformation of Cell Passing through Micro Slit between Micro Ridges
Mizoi, Atsushi; Takahashi, Yusuke; Hino, Haruka; Hashimoto, Shigehiro; Yasuda, Toshitaka (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
The micro slits have been designed between micro ridges, and deformation of a biological cell passing through a micro slit has been observed in vitro. The slit, of which width is 1.3 mm and height is 0.0004 mm or 0.010 mm, has been designed between the transparent polydimethylsiloxane disk and glass disk. Each disk has the micro ridge. The slit is placed at the middle part of a flow channel: 0.05 mm height, 3 mm width. The suspension of swine red blood cells, or Hepa1-6 (mouse hepatoma cell line of C57L mouse) was alternatively introduced to the slits by drawing with a syringe pump at a constant flow rate of 2.8×10-11 m3/s (2.8 ×10-10 m3/s for Hepa1-6). The deformation of cells passing through the micro slit was observed with an inverted phase-contrast microscope. The experimental results show that cells deform to the flat disk and pass through the micro slit: red blood cell at 0.0004 mm height, and Hepa1-6 at 0.010 mm height. The deformation is evaluated with the ratio of the projected area of the disk during the passing through the slit. The designed slit between micro ridges has capability to evaluate the deformability of cells.
Design of Comb-Shaped Surface Electrode to Measure Signal from Tissue Cultured with Electric Stimulation
Hashimoto, Shigehiro; Hino, Haruka; Takahashi, Yusuke; Hiraoka, Akira (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
The comb-shaped surface electrode has been designed to measure the signal from the tissue cultured with electric stimulation. The pattern of the thin film of the surface electrode was made of indium tin oxide (ITO) coated on the
glass by the photolithography technique. C2C12 (mouse myoblast cell line) was cultured for 13 days on the patterned scaffold. The electric pulses (period 1 s, amplitude 10 V, duration 0.002 s) were applied for 10 minutes per day. The
experimental results show that myoblasts make orientation along the comb-shaped surface electrode, which can be observed through the transparent surface electrode by the optical microscope. The change of the electric resistance of the cultured tissue is able to be detected between electrodes of
the experimental system in vitro.
Design of Cross Type of Flow Channel to Control Orientation of Cell
Hino, Haruka; Hashimoto, Shigehiro; Takahashi, Yusuke; Nakano, Shusuke (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
A cross type of flow channel has been designed to control orientation of cell by direction of flow in vitro. The flow path (4 mm width, 0.2 mm height) is made between parallel transparent plates. Flow rate of 48 cm3/hour is controlled by a
syringe pump. The wall shear rate of 500 s-1 is calculated by the parabolic velocity profile between the parallel plates. The direction of the flow can be changed by alternative use of the inlet and outlet port of the cross type of the channel. The flow channel is placed in a chamber, where temperature and CO2
content are kept 310 K and 5 percent, respectively. The chamber is placed on the stage of an inverted phase contrast microscope to observe the behavior of cells adhered on the wall under a flow. After several cells adhered to the disk, the wall shear rate was applied on the cells in the medium flow for 1 hour at each direction. C2C12 (mouse myoblast cell line) was exposed to the wall shear rate with the methodology. The experimental results show that the change of the direction of myoblasts can be observed by the cross type of flow channel.
Design of Scaffold with Array of Micro Projections to Trace Intra- and Inter-Cellular Behavior
Takahashi, Yusuke; Sugimoto, Kenta; Hino, Haruka; Katano, Tomoaki; Hashimoto, Shigehiro (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
The transparent micro-patterned scaffold has been designed to observe the interaction between cultured cells in vitro. The scaffold consists of a thin cover sheet and arrangement of micro-pillars. The pillars of polydimethylsiloxane were made by the photolithography technique. Each pillar has the cylindrical shape (0.007 mm diameter, 0.002 mm height). The distance between adjacent pillars is 0.003 mm. The thickness of the base sheet of the pillars is 0.02 mm. The sheet with pillars is turned upside down, and used for the scaffold of cell
culture. The pillars simultaneously play a roll of the position marker. L929 (fibroblast connective tissue of mouse), or C2C12 (mouse myoblast) was seeded on the sheet at the counter surface to the pillars at the density of 1000 cells/cm2. The cells were cultured in the medium containing 10% FBS (fetal
bovine serum) and 1% penicillin/ streptomycin. Cells are able to be traced through the transparent scaffold, but the deformation of scaffold cannot be detected. The designed scaffold has a potential to trace the intracellular and
intercellular behavior microscopically in vitro.
Design of Slit between Micro Cylindrical Pillars for Cell Sorting
Takahashi, Yusuke; Hashimoto, Shigehiro; Hino, Haruka; Azuma, Tatsuki (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
Micro slits have been designed between micro cylindrical pillars to sort biological cells. Micro cylindrical pillars of 0.02 mm diameter and 0.055 mm height were fabricated on the glass plate using the photolithography technique. Variation was made on the gap between pillars: 0.01 mm, 0.02 mm, 0.03 mm, and 0.04 mm. The micro pillars are set in the flow path between parallel plates, of which dimension of the cross section has 5 mm width and 0.055 mm height. Three types of biological cells were used in the test alternatively: C2C12 (mouse myoblast cell line originated with cross-striated muscle of C3H mouse), Hepa1-6 (mouse hepatoma cell line of C57L mouse), or swine red blood cell. The suspension of cells was introduced into the slits by the syringe pump at the flow rate between 0.4 and 500 cm3/hour. The deformation of the cell at the slit can be observed by the microscope. The experimental results show that the designed slit has capability for sorting cells according to the size and deformability of the cell.
Early Forest Fire Detection Using Low Energy Hydrogen Sensors
Müller, Jürgen; Moritz, Werner; Nörthemann, Kai; Bienge, Jan-Eric (Germany)
ABSTRACT:
The North-east German Lowlands is a region with one of the highest forest fire risks in Europe. In order to keep damage levels as low as possible, it is important to have an effective early warning system. Such a system is being
developed on the basis of a hydrogen sensor, which makes it possible to detect a smouldering forest fire before the development of open flames. The prototype hydrogen sensor produced at the Humboldt University Berlin
has a metal/ solid electrolyte/insulator/ semiconductor (MEIS) structure, which allows cost-effective production.
Due to the low energy consumption, an autarchic working unit could be installed in the forest. Field trials have shown that it is possible to identify a forest fire in its early stages when hydrogen concentrations are still low. A
significant change in the signal due to a fire was measured at a distance of about 100m. In view of the potential impacts of climate change, the innovative pre-ignition warning system is an important early diagnosis and monitoring module for the protection of the forests.
e-Commerce User Experience: Do We Feel under Pressure During Online Shopping?
Kvasnicova, Terezia; Kremenova, Iveta; Fabus, Juraj; Babusiak, Branko (Slovakia)
ABSTRACT:
The main goal of e-commerce is to improve the usability of website, which nowadays brings a competitive advantage. If today’s consumers are not satisfied with websites, they leave them. It is so easy to visit the competitor´s e-shop, it is only one click away. This study is an investigation of the role of emotional arousal (anxiety-like emotion) and engagement when completing online purchasing related tasks. We have chosen one of the most popular e-shops in the world - Amazon [1]. Amazon was a role model for e-commerce design for many years. [2] Nielsen said: “In 2001, we evaluated the usability of 20 e-commerce sites and Amazon was the clear winner, scoring 65% higher than the average of the other 19 sites. Having the Web's best usability served Amazon well: sales increased by 126% from 2001 to 2004”. This website was tested, evaluated and then redesigned many times. [3] Despite the fact that many tests were done, we would like to verify the impact to users. There is the potential to find out new usability errors. We examine the relationship, if any, between emotional arousal and engagement during a typical online shopping experience. Our aim is to make the shopping process less stressful and easier for the customers. The study is held in the period of November 2015 till March 2016. Participants are between 18 and 65 years old. They are asked to complete a set of no more than three tasks online. For each exercise the participants read a short set of instructions and complete a small task. The task requires the participants to either register to use a website, to add items to a shopping cart or to change their details. Data are non-invasively gathered, including interaction data between the participant and the website and physiological data measuring emotional arousal (anxiety-like data) and engagement. To collect the physiological data a number of standardized made-for-purpose sensors (GSR) are worn by the participant and eye movement data are gathered using an eye-tracker. The participants are asked to answer few questions on how they feel at this point (anxious or relaxed) at the start and end of every task. If there is a relationship between emotional arousal and engagement during online shopping experience, and if it shows us, that participants are under pressure in some particular tasks, it will mean there are usability errors on website. We can identify the errors, and finally make recommendations to those responsible for their removal. They can improve website usability, make online shopping easier for their customers.
Effect of Aspect Ratio of Checkered (Ichimatsu) Convexo-Concave Micro-Pattern on Orientation of Cultured Cells
Sugimoto, Kenta; Takahashi, Yusuke; Hino, Haruka; Hashimoto, Shigehiro (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
The effect of the pattern of micro ridges on orientation of the cell culture has been studied in vitro. The checkered (Ichimatsu) convexo-concave pattern has been designed with micro quadrangular prisms in the square area of 1 mm × 1 mm on a disk of glass for a scaffold by the lithography technique. Each prism has the following dimension: 0.01 mm length, and 0.005 mm (or 0.001 mm) height. Variation has been made on the width of the prism: 0.005 mm, 0.008 mm, and 0.01 mm. The variation of the width makes the variation on the aspect
ratio of the top rectangular surface of the prism: 1, 1.25, and 2. Three kinds of cells were used in the test: C2C12 (mouse myoblast cell line), Neuro-2a (a mouse neural crest-derived cell line), and Hepa1-6 (mouse hepatoma cell line). Cells were seeded on the micro pattern, and incubated for 21 days in the
Dulvecco’s modified eagle Medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum and 1% penicillin/ streptomycin. The cells were observed with a phase contrast microscope. The experimental results show that the orientation of myotubes can be controlled by the aspect ratio of the checkered micro convexo-concave
pattern of the surface of the scaffold.
Effect of Shear Stress in Flow on Cultured Cell: Using Rotating Disk at Microscope
Hino, Haruka; Hashimoto, Shigehiro; Takahashi, Yusuke; Ochiai, Masashi (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
An experimental system of the Couette type flow with a rotating disk has been designed to apply wall shear stress quantitatively on the cell culture at the microscopic observation in vitro. The shear stress on the wall is calculated with an estimated Couette type of the velocity profile between the rotating disk and the culture plate. The constant rotational speed (lower than 400 rpm) produces the wall shear stress lower than 2 Pa. The rotating disk system is mounted on the stage of an inverted phase contrast microscope to observe the behavior of cells adhered on the plate under the shear flow. Two kinds of cells were used in the test: C2C12 (mouse myoblast cell line), and MC3T3-E1 (mouse osteoblast precursor cell line). The experiments show that C2C12 tends to make orientation diagonal to the stream line, and that MC3T3-E1 tends to make
orientation to the stream line. Deformation and exfoliation of cells can be observed under controlled wall shear stress by the experimental system.
Effect of Surface Morphology of Scaffold with Lines of Micro Ridges on Deformation of Cells
Sugimoto, Hiromi; Hino, Haruka; Takahashi, Yusuke; Hashimoto, Shigehiro (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
The effect of micro ridges of the scaffold on deformation of cells has been studied in vitro. Several parallel lines of micro ridges have been made on a disk of transparent polydimethylsiloxane. The height, the width, and the length of
the rectangular ridge are 0.001 mm, 0.003 mm, and 0.5 mm, respectively. Variation has been made on the interval of the ridge: 0.001 mm, 0.003 mm, 0.005 mm and 0.007 mm. Five kinds of cells were used in the test. C2C12 (mouse myoblast cell line), L929 (fibroblast connective tissue of mouse),
Neuro-2a (a mouse neural cell line), 3T3-L1 (mouse fat precursor cells), and HUVEC (human umbilical vein endothelial cells). Cells were seeded on the micro pattern at the density of 2000 cells/cm2 and cultured for 24 hours. The
cells were observed with a microscope. The experimental results show that C2C12 lengthen along the line of ridge of 0.003 mm interval. The effects of the micro pattern depend on the kind of cells.
Effect of Ultrasonic Vibration on Proliferation and Differentiation of Cells
Hino, Haruka; Hashimoto, Shigehiro; Takahashi, Yusuke; Nakajima, Hiroaki (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
The effect of mechanical stimulation of vibration on proliferation and differentiation of cells has been studied in vitro. To apply the vibration on the cells, a piezoelectric element was attached on the outside surface of the bottom of the culture plate of six wells. The piezoelectric element was vibrated by sinusoidal alternating voltage at 1.0 MHz generated by a function generator. Five kinds of cells were used in the experiment: C2C12 (mouse myoblast cell), L929 (fibroblast connective tissue of mouse), Hepa1-6 (mouse hepatoma cell),
HUVEC (human umbilical vein endothelial cells), and Neuro-2a (mouse neural crest-derived cell line). After the incubation for 24 hours, cells were exposed to the ultrasonic vibration intermittently for three days: for thirty minutes per day.
At the end of the experiment, the number of cells was counted by colorimetric method with a microplate photometer. In the case of Neuro-2a, the total length of the neurite is calculated at the microscopic image. Cells were exfoliated by the strong vibration. The experimental results show that proliferation and differentiation of cells are accelerated with mild vibration, and that the optimum intensity of vibration depends on the kind of cells.
Effectiveness of a Constructivistic Multimedia-Learning Package on Shaping and Guiding Students’ Attitudes Toward Physics
Senan, Divya C. *; Edwards, Matthew E. **; Khan, Salam **; Vilasini, Asha J. * (* India, ** United States)
ABSTRACT:
Physics is considered by some to be the most perplexing area in the sciences and perceived as a hard subject for students from secondary school to the
university to adult-graduate education. Educational research has provided evidence that attitudes towards physics change with exposure to it. When students have negative attitudes towards physics, they often do not “like” physics courses or the teachers of those courses. Based on this premise, numerous studies have been conducted to determine the factors that affect
students’ attitudes towards physics. A goal that is important to most if not all teachers of physics courses is to inspire students to have a positive attitude towards them. This goal encompasses an appreciation of how physicists think and how they incorporate the values that it provides, as well as, how it is applied to other areas or related fields, and its application in everyday life. In this regard, the aim of this investigation has been to explore how to impact more effectively positive students’ attitudes in physics courses. To that end, we report the effectiveness of a constructivistic multimedia-learning package (MLP) in shaping and guiding students’ attitudes towards physics.
Electric Stimulation for Acceleration of Cultivation of Myoblast on Micro Titanium Coil Spring
Takahashi, Yusuke; Hashimoto, Shigehiro; Hino, Haruka; Takeda, Tomokazu (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
The electric stimulation has been applied on myoblasts to accelerate cultivation on a micro coil spring in vitro. A micro coil spring made of the titanium wire of 0.085 mm was used for the scaffold for the cell culture. The coil spring has the dimension as follows: 0.65 mm diameter, 0.15 mm pitch, 5 mm length. For the counter electrode, the titanium film (100 nm thickness) was coated on the glass. C2C12 (mouse myoblast cell line) was seeded and cultured in Dulbecco’s modified _ Eagle Medium with 10 percent of fetal bovine serum. The electric pulses were applied between the coil spring and the titanium film for thirty minutes per day: the period of 1 s, the pulse width of 0.001 s, and the voltage amplitude of 0.5 V (the current amplitude of 0.5 mA). The cells around the coil spring were observed with an inverted phase contrast microscope for ten days. The experimental results show that the movement of cell depends on the local electric field, and that the electric stimulation tends to accelerate differentiation of myoblasts to myotubes around the micro coil spring.
Finite-States Model Predictive Control with Increased Prediction Horizon for a 7-Level Cascade H-Bridge Multilevel STATCOM
Gregor, Raúl *; Renault, Alfredo *; Comparatore, Leonardo *; Pacher, Julio *; Rodas, Jorge *; Gregor, Derlis *; Muñoz, Javier **; Rivera, Marco ** (* Paraguay, ** Chile)
ABSTRACT:
This paper presents a finite-states model predictive control technique applied to the three-wire cascade H-bridge multilevel converters for static synchronous compensators. The focus of this paper is to examine the impacts of increasing the prediction horizon on the control performance in terms of reactive power
compensation. The proposed approach predicts the future behavior of the control actions considering all possible switching states considering a second step of prediction horizon in order to selects the optimal switching vector by using an optimization process considering a defined cost function. The effectiveness of the proposed control approach is analyzed through simulations.
Flipped Learning to Quality: An Acute and Critical Care Simulation Experience for University Nursing Students
Liu, Ying Chieh; Hung, Yun Ying; Lee, Yu Hung (Taiwan)
ABSTRACT:
A computerized human patient simulator serves as a flipped learning strategy for nursing students to apply principles of acute and critical care and communication skills in a safe, interactive learning environment. The aim of this study is to develop, implement, and evaluate for a high-fidelity acute and
critical care simulation course in an undergraduate nursing program, and to increase professional knowledge, attitude and self-confidence of student nurses. Follow by flipped learning process, an acute and critical simulation for senior nursing students was developed, implemented, and evaluated. 36
students were enrolled in the course and each group of 4 students spent approximately 20 hours in the simulator working on the scenarios. Knowledge acquisition, attitude, and self-confidence were measured before and after
simulation experience. Participants also completed reflection papers on their learning experience. There were some statistically significant differences between the before and after measurements. And in the reflection papers participants described they have undergone emotion changes such as so real,
upset, acceptances, and calmness. They also felt that they have accomplished and completed one advanced task.
Globalization and the Arabic Language Acquisition
Redkin, Oleg; Bernikova, Olga (Russian Federation)
ABSTRACT:
Modern world is characterized by changes in every sphere of life and language teaching is among them. Language is a unique communicative system and may be considered not as pure linguistic but also as social phenomenon. Language itself is inseparable part of a certain national culture and understanding of it or integration into it presupposes knowledge of the along with national language at least one foreign language. It also requires understanding of codes and norms, and culture code switching does not mean only changing the language code but changing the entire mindset of students. In the case of Arabic traditional methods of teaching give path to new ones and it is necessary to keep balance between innovative and old methodologies. It should be mentioned that traditional Arabic national teaching strategies, terminology, methodologies differ from these ones in use in American or European universities. The ultimate goal is to close the gap between what students are taught in class and what they are expected to have and what they need. Globalization brings both challenges and opportunities so all of them should be taken into consideration. The paper defines the most appropriate approaches to Arabic teaching in present day globalized world.
Intercultural Knowledge Transfer in Teams – Findings Based on a Case Study
Orazbayeva, Balzhan *; Baaken, Thomas *; Meerman, Arno ** (* Germany, ** Netherlands)
ABSTRACT:
The following paper is dedicated to knowledge management, whereby the focus is on the transfer of relevant knowledge in an intercultural team. The purpose of this study was to empirically examine, in regard to a research centre whose employees are carriers of different cultures, how an intercultural team deals with the interculturality of its members and how it affects the knowledge transfer process. The research object was the intercultural team of the research institute Science-to-Business Marketing Research Centre at the Münster University of Applied Sciences (MUAS) in Germany. Ten guided interviews were conducted with ten employees of ten different nationalities. As the investigation has shown, the processes of knowledge transfer within the team of the research centre are not standardized. The actual transfer of knowledge occurs between employees on a personal level during everyday communication. The Science-to-Business Marketing Research Centre has developed a unique team culture, in spite of individually different cultural backgrounds. This supports collaboration and knowledge transfer within the team and helps to overcome barriers caused by cultural differences. The team’s cultural diversity generates knowledge in itself and creates synergy.
Methodological Application to Integrate Renewable Energy Resource into Kuwait’s Electrical Grid
Qabazard, Adel (Kuwait)
ABSTRACT:
Kuwait’s power system administrators are challenged for meeting future demands. Kuwait’s electric sector capacity has been extremely slow to expand despite rapidly rising consumption rates over the past decade and persistent power shortages during peak demand periods. The country struggles to produce and import sufficient natural gas to meet peak demand, and as a result, depends on more expensive fuel oil. According to the estimates from the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW), in 2011, Kuwait had an installed electric generation capacity of 13.5 gigawatts (GW) [1] [2]. Derived by the high cost of fossil fuels, increasing energy demand, and environmental impacts, there is a dire need to increase the penetration of renewable energy (RE) as an integral part of Kuwait’s electric network. Renewable energy, as energy resources, possesses a variable and uncertain nature that significantly complicates the power grid balancing operations at all timescales. As a result, the power grid will experience fundamental changes in its physical structure and behavior that will consequently require enhanced and integrated control, automation, and Information Technology-driven management functions [3]. In this study, we present a methodology to assess the challenges and present a methodical solution for integrating renewable energy into Kuwait’s power grid. The integrated grid must be able to respond to distributed system signals and events, and mitigate the fluctuation from renewable energy sources [4].
Methodologies for the Crisis States in the Czech Republic
Šustr, Martin *; Pluhař, Matěj *; Soušek, Radovan *; Fuchs, Pavel *; Nedeliaková, Eva ** (* Czech Republic, ** Slovakia)
ABSTRACT:
All human activities are realized with certain risk. However the crisis occasionally occurs. After crisis situation is necessary to confront with the coordinated approach. For coordination of aproachech is suitable Methodologies for crisis situation.
Multilevel Approach to Measuring Societal Vulnerability due to Failure of Critical Land Transport Infrastructure
Lusková, Mária; Titko, Michal; Leitner, Bohuš (Slovakia)
ABSTRACT:
Societal vulnerability is a part of a disaster risk assessment and crucial information necessary for supplementing hazard and mitigation assessments. Identification and assessment of various vulnerabilities of societies, economies, institutional structures and environmental resource bases are the basic information necessary for improving risk reduction and preparedness to any kind of hazard. This paper outlines our approach to measuring societal vulnerability caused by impacts of extreme weather events on critical land transport infrastructure. We propose to use a multilevel approach where the measure of societal vulnerability is expressed through Vulnerability Index calculated on the basis of selected vulnerability indicators. The higher value of vulnerability index indicates the more vulnerable area. In conclusions the issues of further enhancement of vulnerability identification and measuring are discussed.
On Finite Production Rate Model with Quality Assurance, Multi-Customer, and Discontinuous Deliveries
Chiu, Yuan-Shyi Peter; Chiang, Kuo-Wei; Chiu, Singa Wang; Chen, Han-Ying (Taiwan)
ABSTRACT:
This study extends a prior work on the finite production rate (FPR) model with quality assurance, multi-customer, and discontinuous deliveries [1], with the purpose of reducing stock holding costs for both vendor and customers. We introduce an alternative product distribution policy which includes an extra delivery of finished items during production uptime to meet customers’ product demands for the periods of vendor’s uptime and reworking time. After the entire lot is produced and quality assured, multiple shipments are
synchronously transported to different customers. The objective of this study is to find optimal productionshipment policy that minimizes the long-run average system costs for the proposed supply chains system, and verify the research result gives significant savings in holding costs as compared to the prior work [1]. Mathematical modeling and Hessian matrix equations are employed to derive optimal operating productionshipment policy for the proposed model. Through a numerical example, we demonstrate practical usages of our research result and significant savings in stock holding costs for both vendor and customers.
Queuing Theory – Based Modeling and Analysis of an Airport’s Customs Facility
Lara Gracia, Marco A. (United States)
ABSTRACT:
According to Queuing Theory, a waiting line can be defined in terms of the arrival rate of customers, the rate at which customers are served by service providers, and the number of service providers [1]. Analysis of waiting lines leads to reduction of waiting time, which results in increased customer service and decreased lead time [2]. The configuration and operation of waiting lines of the US Customs area of the major US international airports is a complex process. First, the arrival rate of customers (travelers) varies constantly during the day. Second, more than 250 passengers can arrive in a single flight. Third, the waiting lines are dynamic in nature, which reflects the addition of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers when a massive amount of travelers arrive at the same time. This paper introduces a Queuing Theory-based modeling and analysis of the US Customs area of the Chicago O’Hare International airport conducted to evaluate, in terms of waiting time, the level of service provided by CBP officers. Recommendations to configure and operate the US Customs area of the Chicago O’Hare International airport in order to maximize the flow of travelers, reduce waiting time, and enforce security procedures are also provided.
Risk-Based Indicators Implementation and Usage
Plos, Vladimir; Sousek, Radovan; Szabo, Stanislav (Czech Republic)
ABSTRACT:
This article focuses on risk-based indicators, which are one of the subgroups of safety indicators. Risk based indicators are based on the idea of measuring changes of the overall risks of the operation, depending on the changing risk of sub-processes. This works on the principle of risk assessment of top events (accidents, incidents) using risk assessment of each component in the chain of events leading to the top event. Riskiness of the top events varies depending on the change in the number of occurrences of partial events in normal operation. Realization of these partial events does not automatically implement top event, but has the potential to create a chain of events that ultimately lead to the realization of top events lead. These factors, which leads to the realization of top events, should be identified thanks to the monitoring of normal operations and on knowledge gained by analyzing investigations into incidents and accidents. The article describes a system for identification, collection and analysis of data necessary for finding factors and these factors with the introduction of risk based indicators and detailed process leading to the establishment of the search system.
Statistical Quality Control and Improvement of Waste Water Treatment Plant
Akarapu, Vikranth; Gunkala, Sairam; Pattigadapa, Sahitya; Pattigadappa, Bharani Krishna; Ponnapall, Srikar; Segall, Richard S. (United States)
ABSTRACT:
This research studies five characteristics of water quality using techniques of statistical quality control as applied to actual 2014 data collected for a water treatment plant located in United States. An overview of some of the results obtained using Minitab 17 are presented as well as conclusions and future directions of the research.
System Engineering for Smart Cities - Hybrid-Agile Approach in Smart Cities Procurement
Lom, Michal; Pribyl, Ondrej; Zelinka, Tomas (Czech Republic)
ABSTRACT:
A smart city is a growing phenomenon of the last years with a lot of researches as well as implementation activities. A smart city is an interdisciplinary field that requires a high level of cooperation among experts from different fields and a contribution of the latest technologies in order to achieve the best results in six key areas. The six key areas cover economy, environment, mobility, people, living and governance. Following a system development methodology is in general a necessity for a successful implementation of a system or a project. Smart city projects introduce additionally new challenges. There is a need for cooperation across many fields, from technical or economic through legislation to humanitarian, together with sharing of resources. The traditional Systems Engineering methodologies fail with respect to such challenges. This paper provides an overview of the existing Systems Engineering methodologies and their limitations. A new Hybrid-Agile approach is proposed and its advantages with respect to smart city projects are discussed. However, the approach expects changes in our thinking. Customers (typically municipality or governmental organizations) have to become active and engaged in smart city projects. It is demonstrated that a city cannot be smart without smart government.
The Educational Cloud, Problems and Perspectives
Dimauro, Giovanni; Scalera, Michele; Visaggio, Giuseppe (Italy)
ABSTRACT:
Cloud technology is rapidly spreading in educational institutions, sometimes replacing the in-house infrastructure with cloud services. This development seems driven primarily by the promised economic benefits and wider, efficient and accessible resources for students and teachers. The educational impact of this change, however, remains unclear. While traditional learning technically can be integrated or perhaps replaced by learning in the cloud, we need also to identify and formalize new strategies for the delivery and effective use of these resources and for measuring the educational benefit that they drift. In this paper, after a brief introduction on the development, technologies and pedagogical aspects of introduction of the cloud model in teaching and learning, are proposed the results of an investigation into the scientific literature of the last three years that outlines the areas in which research is most active. The papers taken into consideration here show a strong interest in the implementation of educational activities on the cloud model, also by developing countries. We found many research proposals but little real research and,
therefore, little evidence. This implies that we are far from ready solution to be applied in the teaching processes. What is certain is that a new space has been opened where to carry out interesting research, both basic and industrial.
The Enaction of Embodied Wisdom: The Unifying, Dynamic Nature of Cognition, Behavior, and Affect
Power, Faith B.; Croswell, Clyde V. (United States)
ABSTRACT:
Cognitive theorists have tended to separate “mind” and “body.” This separation implies a phenomenologically incomplete account of cognition. As an alternative, this paper conceptualizes mind as the embodied process of
living that is constitutive of emotions, behavior and physical responses, and it explains how these components dynamically co-emerge as embodied wisdom. Embodied wisdom is presented as the coadunation of objective and subjective realities that informs our embodied cognitive processes and
expands our knowledge from merely a cognitiveevaluative psychological process, to an embodied way of understanding.
The Role of Media Pedagogy in Post-Crisis Societies within a Globalized World
Stingl de Vasconcelos Guedes, Tilia *; Costa dos Santos Wüthrich, Fernanda **; Shahini-Hoxhaj, Remzie *** (* Austria, ** Switzerland, *** Kosovo)
ABSTRACT:
Although globalization as a phenomenon is perceived in everyday life as an economic process, it is strongly connected with culture, knowledge, communication and mediated information, forcing today’s societies to face novel communicative challenges while trying to maintain stability. For post-crisis societies, these challenges represent a new level of complexity to overcome. Many regions in the world still face conflicts and crises and will eventually face similar situations regarding their communication, media and culture.
This paper uses data from two empiric studies made in post-crisis societies (Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo; studies in Santos 2010 and Shahini-Hoxhaj 2014) and analyses them through the perspective of cultural science, social systems theory, and systems thinking to answer the question: What kind of system dynamics can be helpful to generate knowledge, assuming the interactive use of media and global connection, and how can media education be an active support for the self-organization of a community in a transitional process?
The societies in question are not only moving away from dictatorship, but they are also moving towards democracy, and the media as means of communication are contributing to this process. From the point of view of cultural science, the media are no longer just the producer of content for recipients. Media is the venue, the place where information, values and structures can be exchanged and discussed. Recipients and producers of information are now one and the same.
The Role of Taxonomies for the Safety Indicators Definition
Plos, Vladimir; Nemec, Vladimir; Szabo, Stanislav (Czech Republic)
ABSTRACT:
One of the basic requirements for the proper functioning of the safety management system is keeping records in a standardized format to allow quality and clear evaluation of the collected data and their possible comparison in the context of the wider area. Additional requirement arising from new legislation is the implementation and evaluation of safety indicators. For this purpose, it seems appropriate to use the taxonomies, which are used in a variety of database systems, reporting systems etc. The advantage of taxonomy usage is the unification of terms through the entire sector of air transport. This article describes some taxonomies and its roles by safety indicators definition
Use of Network Analysis in Conditions of Critical Infrastructure Risk Management
Sventekova, Eva; Luskova, Maria; Dvorak, Zdenek (Slovakia)
ABSTRACT:
The issues of critical transport infrastructure can be described as a network problem. Since the topology of critical infrastructure is primarily a network problem, the use of network models is one of the ways how to solve critical transport infrastructure protection. The paper deals with modification and application of the method of optimal network connecting, the method of time consuming activities and Gantt diagram in the special conditions of critical infrastructure risk management.
Who Drives Market Access for Genetically Modified Organisms and Products in Korea? A Political Economy Approach to Sustainable Development
Yoon, Ki-Kwan (South Korea)
ABSTRACT:
This study explores the definition of the industrial use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), factors that affect it, and how it influences a firm‟s economic performance to understand who drives market access for GMOs and GM products, considering the two premises related to sustainable development: 1) the continuing use of GMOs is one of the most prominent driving forces behind a bio-based economy‟s growth, and 2) social system members seek protection from the potential risks of GMOs. The results show compelling evidence of a structural relationship between sociopolitical/ economic pressures and economic performance. Additionally, these pressures vary by industry, and activities to secure both social and economic legitimacy due to these pressures have a positive impact on overall firm performance.
Copyright © 2016 by International Institute of Informatics and Systemics
Published by International Institute of Informatics and Cybernetics