Education
in geographic information systems usability
and user-adaptivity
Michael
Andrew McAdams,
Geography Department, Fatih
University, Istanbul,
Turkey,
Alexander
Nikov, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science,
University of the West Indies
St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago (W.I.)
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 1-13
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 14-28
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
29-44
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
45-57
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
58-68
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
69-85
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.
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
86-95
ELEARNING AS ONE WAY TO THE GLOBALIZATION
Dragana GLUŠAC, Dijana KARUOVIĆ
Technical Faculty »Mihajlo Pupin« Zrenjanin
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
96-104
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.
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
105-113
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
Iliyan L. Yordanov,
Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, Sofia
University “St. Kliment Ohridski”,
5, James Baucher Blvd.1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
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
114-132
