Measuring volume of stockpile using imaging station

It is crucial to know cutting and filling volumes in many surveys, mining, quarry and engineering field of works like dredging and embankment project. Generally, volume calculation is completed using conventional surveying methods. The trapezoidal method and classical cross sectioning have been presented in the literature. In other way around, by using conventional surveying methods, the volume calculation required a lot of time, laborers and risky as the big machineries running around the work areas. Digital close range photogrammetry has been insufficient for the volume calculation of the material need to calculation of volume in risk areas or in short time. In this case, long range surveying and scanning method is an alternative method to volume calculation. By the development of scanning and imaging technologies, Topcon Imaging Station (IS) used for three dimensional modeling (3D) surveying of objects in many field such as topographic survey, mining, construction and as-built survey, etc disciplines has become a productive, faster and accurate method. This study concern is getting the stockpile volume by using Topcon IS known as advanced technology instrument which promotes both scanning and long-range surveying. The instrument, a highly-developed technology specialized with Image Master Software; distinctive software that provides capabilities to reconstructed 3D modeling after the volume data was processed. Three dimensional (3D) surfaces are created through Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) method that supports time saving and more accurate volume calculation. The volume calculated by Image Master (IM) then compared with the volume calculated by 12D software which the data obtained by using total station and prism. The results have been analyzed with respect to different volumes, density factor, three dimensional (3D) models of stockpile and time taken for data acquisition and data processin

Affordance of garden towards restorative process of hospitalized children

This study investigates sense of affordance attains by hospitalized children participating in a pediatric-ward garden during their restoration in hospital. Affordances are the functional meanings generated when children play with the garden features, either alone or with peers. According to ecological perceptual psychology, the affordances are interrelated with stimulation and feedback when the children interact with the garden contents. The functional meanings of the garden can be seen in four different levels of affordances: potential, perceived, utilized and shaped affordances. The affordances generate movement through play and positive perceptual judgments such as attachment, affiliation, memory, bonding and affection toward the garden features. Responses from 31 patients, aged 6-12 years, are elicited by semi-structured interview. It is found that 84% (n=26) patients perceived and utilized the affordances of play equipment. However, less number of patients (52%; n=16) perceived the plant as significant element of the garden. This perception suggests the affordances of the play equipment are greater than the plant. Moreover, all patients recognized the affordances of microclimatic factors (rain, sunlight, temperature and wind). Thus through play participation with the garden elements afford the patients to increase their cognitive performances, improve performance tasks (i.e. play) and increased social performances. In healthcare delivery, these improvements are considered restoration. This seems to suggest that garden is an environmental intervention in affording hospitalized children to foster health recovery

Variability, Divergence, Heterosis, Combining Ability and Yield Component Studies in Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea Batatas (L) Lam.) from Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia

Studies were conducted to examine the breeding potential of the Malaysian indigenous sweet potato germplasm. A total of 99 sweet potato accessions was collected from five different regions in the states of Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia. A total of 220 polycross progenies was obtained from sixteen randomly chosen accessions planted in a polycross block. The 99 accessions and their 220 progenies were evaluated in the field and 1 6 characters were measured. With the exception of plant type and vine thickness, other characters showed more than 20% CV values. The CV values for yield, tuber number and mean tuber woight were 76%, 57% and 48%, respectively. The means and CV's were similar for all characters between the regions indicating the presence of similar sweet potato type in all the regions. Cluster analysis showed the presence of three main groups of sweet potatoes in the states. Group 1 comprised cultivars with low yield. Cultivars in Group 2 were high yielding with spreading plant type. The third group comprised only six cultivars with orange flesh colour, big leaves, semi-compact plant type and slightly lower yield. The mean, range and CV values for all characters studied were much larger for the polycross progenies as compared to the parents. Cluster analysis showed the presence of seven groups among the progenies indicating the formation of new genotypes as a result of outcrossing. Gene interactions in the new genotypes probably have led to the presence of larger means and ranges of many characters

Foreign investment, government expenditure, and economic growth in Malaysia

This study uses the ordinary least squares technique to examine the effect of foreign investment and government expenditure on the growth in GDP per capita in Malaysia over the period 1978-2005. The regression results showed that the growth of export and ratio of government expenditure to GDP are the driving forces in enhancing the economic growth in Malaysia. Foreign investment and previous year real income per capita growth depict positive impact, whereas population growth exerts a negative impact on economic growth

Faktor-Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Pelajar Memilih Kursus Hospitaliti Sebagai Pembentukan Awal Kerjaya Di Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara, Peretak

Kerjaya di bidang hospitaliti pada masa kini berkembang dengan pesat selaras dengan matlamat menjulang nama dan imej Malaysia sebagai sebuah Negara berasaskan industri pelancongan. Kursus hospitaliti di IKBN, Peretak telah melatih tenaga kerja yang memiliki kemahiran layanan, sajian dan perkhidmatan. Kajian ini dijalankan untuk mengenalpasti faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi pelajar memilih kursus hospitaliti sebagai pembentukan awal kerjaya di Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara, Peretak. Faktor-faktor yang diutarakan dari segi pengaruh minat, peranan ibu bapa, pengaruh rakan sebaya dan kelayakan akademik pelajar. Kajian ini melibatkan 125 pelajar yang sedang mengikuti kursus hospitaliti di IKBN, Peretak pada peringkat Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia yang dikeluarkan oleh Majlis Latihan Vokasional Kebangsaan. Data mentah dikumpulkan menggunakan borang soal selidik yang telah diedarkan kepada semua responden setelah kajian rintis dijalankan terlebih dahulu. Seterusnya data-data ini dianalisis menggunakan perisian SPSS (Statiscal Package for Sosial Science). Nilai indeks kebolehpercayaan item dalam kajian rintis yang telah dijalankan ialah 0.8909. Pada keseluruhannya, dapatan kajian ini menunjukkan responden memberi reaksi yang positif terhadap aspekaspek yang telah dikaji. Faktor minat merupakan faktor yang paling dominan mempengaruhi pelajar memilih kursus hospitaliti sebagai pembentukan awal kerjaya mereka. Beberapa cadangan telah dikemukakan bagi memungkinkan kajian lanjutan dijalankan di masa akan datang

Overview of open source augmented reality toolkit

Augmented reality or also known as AR is not a new technology. The technology has existed for almost 40 years ago after Ivan Sutherland introduced the first virtual reality (VR) application. At that time, works and research were mainly concerned to establish the hardware aspects of the technology. The head-mounted display (HMD) or some might called head-worn display is the result of augmented reality research and also one of the fundamental equipment for accessing the technology. As time goes by, the augmented reality technology has begin to mature to a point where the hardware cost and capabilities have collided to deliver a more feasible AR thus enable the rapid development of AR applications in many fields including education. To create a non-commercial AR application specifically for education, the ARToolkit can be taken into consideration. ARToolkit is the product of AR community and it is registered under the GNU General Public License. The user is provided with basic source code that lets the user easily develop Augmented Reality applications. Despite the fact that AR is not a new technology, people may unaware or unfamiliar with its existence. Therefore this paper is intended to (1) give an overview of augmented reality; and provides (2) solution to the technical problems that one’s will face in setting up open-source augmented reality toolkit

Securing library information system: Vulnerabilities and threats

Threats and vulnerabilities in computers and networks are common nowadays since computers are widely used by the public. The risks of computer threats and vulnerabilities are high since most computers are connected to the internet. Library Information Systems is also vulnerable to attack since it is a public access institution. Majority of users are naive when it comes to computer and network securities. Some breaches in Library Information System are intentional and some are unintentional. Risks analysis should be done to find the threats and risks in designing the Library Information System. Threats are made possible due to lack of proper procedures, software flaws and policies. The administrators should anticipate all the possible attacks and their mitigation techniques. In this paper, we will try to address various issues arise from this vulnerabilities and threats. We will also describe how we can reduce and overcome this vulnerabilities and threats