STA Data Model for Effective Business Process Modelling

AbstractBusiness process management (BPM) is becoming popular in business, and the business process modelling is a way of representing an organisation to enable its analysis and improvement. A business-friendly modelling is very helpful for business people, and also can act as a communication tool between them and technical IT people. This paper focuses on a new data model, called Source-Transaction-Agent (STA) data model, as a modelling technique for business process modelling. STA data model uses business metadata to assist business and IT person to communicate and participate effectively and efficiently in business data modelling of a system development process. The STA data model uses relational database concept and semantic data modelling, developed by combining Resource-Event-Agent (REA) data model and form-based approach. Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD) is used as the benchmark for the STA effectiveness evaluation. The results show that the STA data model is an effective data model technique for business process modelling

Modifying playfair cipher algorithm using KAJ spiral method to fit any language regardless of the number of characters

In this paper we proposed KAJ Spiral method for supporting PlayFair cipher algorithm to use languages other than English and utilize block with more than two characters at once. Original method does not support block of characters and other languages. The method uses a spiral shape with two axes (X, Y) and the letters are spread on the axis within circles depending on the language. We use Friedman method analysis (index of coincidence) as a tool to test and prove the efficiency of KAJ Spiral method, and we found that it is at least equally secure to the original PlayFair cipher. The aims of this is making cryptography just like mathematics a universal language such that people with different languages can use this algorithm for secure communication, and at the same time make the algorithm stronger and easy to use, with the ability to fit any language

Human perception on thermal comfort of studio based classroom in northen region polytechnic / Mohamad Ibrahim Mohamed Noor

Providing thermal comfort is the basic requirement of a building. In modem buildings this is usually accomplished with the help of mechanical cooling or heating. Ancient architecture, all over the world, had many characteristics which led to thermal comfort, i.e, the shape of the building and different parts of the building, (e.g. indoor spaces, doors, windows etc) were located and oriented to take maximum advantage of the climate. The role of trees, vegetation and water around the building in determining the thermal comfort was well appreciated. Therefore the objectives of this research are to know the comfort level in the studio classroom, to investigate the studio design to achieve the thermal comfort in Polytechnic and to outline and rank the most significant factors that influence thermal comfort in studio classrooms. The scope will cover the perception of thermal comfort level and the factor that affecting thermal comfort in the studio. To support this research, the structure interviews, observation and questionnaire form to collect the data. The analysis then will be decided upon suitability in the analysis process. The study indicated that human (studio users) perception on level of thermal comfort is good and the ventilation is the most significant factor to contribute the thermal comfort in the studio classrooms

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF THREE DIFFERENT IRRIGATING TECHNIQUES ON DEBRIS AND SMEAR LAYER DISTRIBUTION IN ROOT CANALS (AN IN VITRO STUDY)

The aim of this study was to compare, in vitro, the cleaning efficacy of three different irrigation techniques: syringe irrigation (Navitip) using NaOCl, sonic irrigation system (EndoActivator), and passive ultrasonic irrigation system (PUI) on debris and smear layer distribution in the root canal at three different levels. Materials and Methods: Sixty freshly extracted single-rooted human mandibular premolars were decoronated to a standardized length of twenty millimeters. Specimens were shaped to IRace 25 size and irrigated with 3 mL 2.5% NaOCl between instrumentation. Teeth were divided randomly into three equal groups: Group I (n=20): Irrigation manually with a syringe (Navitip) (n=20), irrigation was done with 3 mL 2.5% NaOCl for one minute using 30 gauge needle. Group II (n=20): Final rinse with 3 ml 2.5% NaOCl activated for one minute with passive sonic irrigation system (endoactivator). Group III (n=20): Final rinse with 3 ml 2.5% NaOCl activated for one minute with PUI system. Root canals were then split longitudinally and field emission scanning electron microscopy was used to eval¬uate endodontic smear layer and debris removal from the instrumented root canals. This was done using a scale from 0-5 as described by Hulsmann et al. Results of this study showed that Both (PUI) and (EndoActivator®; Dentsply) have resulted in superior removal of smear layer and debris when compared to needle-and-syringe irrigation. Conclusion: None of the techniques completely removed all the smear layer and debris from root canal walls at the apical part of the canal. However, PUI system showed significantly better cleaning than needle and sonic systems in the entire length of the root canal

Optimal set of EEG features for emotional state classification and trajectory visualization in Parkinson's disease

In addition to classic motor signs and symptoms, individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) are characterized by emotional deficits. Ongoing brain activity can be recorded by electroencephalograph (EEG) to discover the links between emotional states and brain activity. This study utilized machine-learning algorithms to categorize emotional states in PD patients compared with healthy controls (HC) using EEG. Twenty non-demented PD patients and 20 healthy age-, gender-, and education level-matched controls viewed happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, and disgust emotional stimuli while fourteen-channel EEG was being recorded. Multimodal stimulus (combination of audio and visual) was used to evoke the emotions. To classify the EEG-based emotional states and visualize the changes of emotional states over time, this paper compares four kinds of EEG features for emotional state classification and proposes an approach to track the trajectory of emotion changes with manifold learning. From the experimental results using our EEG data set, we found that (a) bispectrum feature is superior to other three kinds of features, namely power spectrum, wavelet packet and nonlinear dynamical analysis; (b) higher frequency bands (alpha, beta and gamma) play a more important role in emotion activities than lower frequency bands (delta and theta) in both groups and; (c) the trajectory of emotion changes can be visualized by reducing subject-independent features with manifold learning. This provides a promising way of implementing visualization of patient's emotional state in real time and leads to a practical system for noninvasive assessment of the emotional impairments associated with neurological disorders

Eficacia docente y compromiso en la enseñanza del árabe: un estudio correlacional

The current study explores the validity and reliability of the instrument used in assessing teachers’ efficacy in teaching Arabic and also their commitment to teaching. The study also examined Arabic teaching efficacy in relation to teacher commitment. The study involved 252 teachers out of 487 teachers from 57 National Religious Secondary Schools throughout Malaysia. A structural equation modeling with AMOS was employed to investigate the effects of the hypotheses model. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the adequacy of the constructs of teacher efficacy and teacher commitment and found that the two constructs were multidimensional constructs with four underlying dimensions respectively. The findings also showed that teacher efficacy influences teacher commitment. Several essential theoretical implications for developing and enhancing teachers in the Malaysian Secondary Arabic education context have arisen from the current study.El estudio actual explora la validez y confiabilidad del instrumento utilizado para evaluar la eficacia de los maestros en la enseñanza del árabe y también su compromiso con la enseñanza. El estudio también examinó la eficacia de la enseñanza del árabe en relación con el compromiso del profesor. El estudio involucró a 252 maestros de 487 maestros de 57 escuelas secundarias religiosas nacionales en toda Malasia. Se empleó un modelo de ecuación estructural con AMOS para investigar los efectos del modelo de hipótesis. El análisis factorial confirmatorio apoyó la idoneidad de las construcciones de la eficacia y el compromiso de los docentes y encontró que las dos construcciones eran construcciones multidimensionales con cuatro dimensiones subyacentes, respectivamente. Los hallazgos también mostraron que la eficacia del maestro influye en el compromiso del maestro. Del estudio actual se desprenden varias implicaciones teóricas esenciales para el desarrollo y la mejora de los docentes en el contexto de la educación árabe secundaria en Malasia

Integration of Muslim cemetery as a recreational areas: analysis of planning guidelines and the social aspects

Recent studies suggested cemetery to be a dual function to accommodate the needs of open spaces that are gradually diminishing. In Malaysia, the Planning Guidelines for Muslim and Non-Muslim Cemetery need to be referred in developing a burial site because a cemetery is an important social infrastructure in the same way to a recreational park. The focus of this research is to analyze the identification of cemetery as an alternative space for social activities that are compatible with the sanctity of Muslim cemetery. This study attempts to reveal how Muslim cemeteries that are often considered as a dead space can be integrated as part of the city's recreational park without marginalizing the spiritual values of the space. The methodology employed comprises of (i) comparative analysis on the contents of the cemetery and recreational planning guidelines, and (ii) site observation of the selected case studies as a mean of data collection. The finding exhibits summative points extracted from both the planning guidelines and the physical elements observed that could transform and revolutionized Muslim cemeteries beyond its norm. This article concludes by providing some recommendations that will help to align the planning and design practice of Muslim cemeteries for future development

An implementation review of occlusion-based interaction in augmented reality environment

Augmented Reality (AR) technology shows some potential in providing new approach of interaction with computer.It shares similar potential in Virtual Reality (VR) but at lower cost.In this paper, an AR application is developed to explore the capability of the interaction approach called Occlusion Based Interaction using low cost device.The implementation of the application is utilizing the ARToolKit library as the main library to handle the AR part while OpenGL and GLUT to handle the graphics manipulation and windows management respectively

Tensile behaviour for mercerization of single kenaf fiber

A natural fiber including kenaf fibers that reinforce with polymeric composite has increased attention in the manufacturing industries. However, the poor adhesion between fiber and matrix are commonly encountered respectively to their compatibility nature namely hydrophilic and hydrophobic. Therefore, alkaline treatment has introduced to reduce the hydrophilic effect of natural fiber. This paper presents the treatment of single kenaf fibers following tensile test and predicted using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Here, the kenaf fibers were modified using NaOH at different solutions. Then, the single kenaf fiber was performed under ASTM D3379-89 standard. The results showed that kenaf fiber which treats with NaOH solution of 6% significantly offered the outstanding performance of the tensile behaviour

Study on coccidia infection and species in Cyprus Shami goat population.

A survey was undertaken to determine the prevalence of coccidian and helminth infections in the Cyprus Syami goats in two goat farms in the states of Pahang and Negeri Sembilan. The burden of coccidiaoocysts and helminth eggs were determined by the McMaster technique. Identification of Eimeria species was carried out following oocyst sporulation in 2.5% Potassium dichromate solution. The burden of helminthes and coccidia in terms of egg and oocyst counts per gram of faeces was high especially in young animals under the extensive management system. Eimeriaoocysts were found in all faecal samples examined. The species of coccidia identified were E. ninaekohlyakimovae, E. arloingi, E. christenseni, E. hirci, E. alijevi, E. jolchijevi, E. caprina, E. caproving and E. pallida. The most prevalent species identified was E. arloingi, found in 71% of the samples followed by E. Ninakohlyakimovae (67%), e. christenseni (63%) and E. alijevi (61%). Other species present were E. hirci, E. jolchijevi, E. caprovina, E. caprina and E. pallida in 34, 22, 12, 9 and 4% of the faecal samples examined respectively. Oocyst counts were significantly higher in animals below 8 months and in animals kept under extensive management system (P<0.05). High oocyst counts were mainly of non-pathogenic species. High coccidial infection was found to be directly related ot poor hygienic conditions in the management system. Morbidity rates in kids could not be related to the intensity of coccidial infections