Enhancement of speed and efficiency of an Internet based gear design optimisation

An internet-based gear design optimisation program has been developed for geographically dispersed teams to collaborate over the internet. The optimisation program implements genetic algorithm. A novel methodology is presented that improves the speed of execution of the optimisation program by integrating artificial neural networks into the system. The paper also proposes a method that allows an improvement to the performance of the back propagation-learning algorithm. This is done by rescaling the output data patterns to lie slightly below and above the two extreme values of the full range neural activation function. Experimental tests show the reduction of execution time by approximately 50%, as well as an improvement in the training and generalisation errors and the rate of learning of the network

Multi-user Internet environment for gear design optimization

A Web based multi-user system has been developed to remotely execute a large size software package via the Internet. The software implements genetic algorithm to optimize the design of spur and helical gears. To accomplish this, a combination of HTML, JavaServlets, JavaApplets, JavaScript and HTTP protocol has been employed

Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding and its determinants in first 6 months of life: A prospective study

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding for first 6 months of life is recommended under Infant and Young Child Feeding practices in India. The objective of present study was to estimate the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding during first 6 months of life of babies and to identify factors that interfere with the practice in the study area. Methods: A prospective cohort of 462 women who delivered at maternity unit of Government Medical College & Hospital, Rajkot, which is a tertiary care centre for the district, was studied. Data collection was done at hospital as well as during home visits of babies at 1, 3 and 6 months. Factors related to cessation of breastfeeding were analyzed using univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis. Results: All 462 mothers reported breastfeeding their newborns. Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding reported at 3 months was 97% which declined to 62% by 6 months of age of infants. Bivariate analysis revealed no significant association between interruption of exclusive breastfeeding before 6 months of age and various demographic, socioeconomic, maternal and infant characteristics. Multivariate analysis by logistic regression demonstrated no association between discontinuation of exclusive breastfeeding and socioeconomic status, maternal education and maternal age, number of antenatal visits, maternal employment and initiation of breastfeeding after delivery. Conclusion: Exclusive breastfeeding prevalence rate found higher than at national level indicating better feeding practices in these part of India. Also, factors classically considered as supportive for breastfeeding had shown no association with breastfeeding pattern in present study

Ipteks Pengendalian Internal terhadap Perekaman Surat Pemberitahuan Tahunan (Spt) pada Kantor Pelayanan Pajak (Kpp) Pratama Manado

KPP Pratama Manado is a tax administration agency in the Manado area under the auspices of the Indonesian Ministry of Finance. The main task of KPP Pratama Manado is to carry out the main duties of the Directorate General of Taxes in collecting State revenues from the Taxation sector. To achieve the best service, recording annual notification letters (SPT) on taxpayers is one of the important roles in reporting, receiving or deduction. This study aims to determine the internal control of SPT recording at KPP Pratama Manado. Internal controls will run according to regulations if implementing COSO internal controls, including the control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, and monitoring. The results of the study indicate that the ability of KPP Pratama Manado in processing and recording Annual Tax Returns is quite effective, but delays in reporting will often occur

Case Study on the Impact of Artificial Light on Lighting Performance Quality for Architecture Studios

A well-lit learning space is crucial to ensure the comfort of its occupants, especially for an architecture student who spends long hours in a studio to design, sketch, draw and build prototypes.  This paper presents the results from a study conducted on the illuminance level of the architecture studios in the city campus of Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Malaysia that were once laboratories. Measurements had been done using the Lux meter. Illuminance contours were generated using SigmaPlot and Dialux software for all the five rooms and compared with the requirements stipulated in the Malaysian Standard, Australia/New Zealand Standard and Illumination Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) standard for a room with similar function. A survey was also conducted among undergraduate architecture students who were using the studios daily to gauge their perception on the lighting condition and comfort level. The outcome of this study can be considered for future architecture studio lighting design to improve the students’ learning experience

Numerical modeling of dynamic powder compaction using the Kawakita equation of state

Dynamic powder compaction is analyzed using the assumption that the powder behaves, while it is being compacted, like a hydrodynamic fluid in which deviatoric stress and heat conduction effects can be ignored throughout the process. This enables techniques of computational fluid dynamics such the equilibrium flux method to be used as a modeling tool. The equation of state of the powder under compression is assumed to be a modified version of the Kawakita loading curve. Computer simulations using this model are performed for conditions matching as closely as possible with those from experiments by Page and Killen [Powder Metall. 30, 233 (1987)]. The numerical and experimental results are compared and a surprising degree of qualitative agreement is observed

The 'regional problem' and the spatial grammar of British politics

One of the most persistent characteristics of the geography of Britain is the wide inequality that exists between its constituent regions. It is an inequality which has come to be known as the North-South divide, but this is a gestural term that refers to a geography which has in fact varied in detail and in form over at least the last two centuries. In the present period, in spite of many stated intentions and much government rhetoric to the contrary, it has on many measures grown considerably worse. This pamphlet argues that it will continue to do so unless there is a more serious engagement with the power dynamics that underlie this fundamentally unequal and undemocratic geography: dynamics that continue to return London and the South East as the centre of the nation. In the absence of both a systematic attack on the spatial concentration of power, and a radical re-imagination of the nature of regions in an age of geographical connectivity and flow, the concessions on offer in the current debate on devolution and region-building will amount to little more than a pin-prick in tackling the alarming regional inequality and political centrism that currently exists in Britain

Quantum Nondemolition Charge Measurement of a Josephson Qubit

In a qubit system, the measurement operator does not necessarily commute with the qubit Hamiltonian, so that the readout process demolishes (mixes) the qubit energy eigenstates. The readout time is therefore limited by such a mixing time and its fidelity will be reduced. A quantum nondemolition readout scheme is proposed in which the charge of a flux qubit is measured. The measurement operator is shown to commute with the qubit Hamiltonian in the reduced two-level Hilbert space, even though the Hamiltonian contains non-commuting charge and flux terms.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, a paragraph added to describe how the scheme works in charge regim

Exploring the Effect of Mindset on Project Manager Wellbeing

The wellbeing of Project Professionals (PPs) has been sparsely addressed despite some indications of being below the norm compared to non-project workers. This research highlights the need to provide PPs with tools that support their wellbeing and focus on their challenges. It explores the links between Growth Mindset (GM) and wellbeing (WB) for PPs and the factors they consider as having an impact on their wellbeing. Data was collected through an online survey from PPs in the UK but included non-PPs. The wellbeing scores of PPs were slightly significantly higher than the non-PPs, while their scores on GM were significantly lower. Challenges addressed by GM such as dealing with uncertainty, persistence in the face of setbacks and keeping a disposition to learn were not recognised by PPs as factors that affect their wellbeing. An intervention based on GM theory is not deemed to improve PPs’ WB. GM is not significantly related to the wellbeing of the PPs; however, work balance and work relationships are reported as the main factors influencing their wellbeing