Volume 5, Issue 12, December 2014


Center of a Territory: Definitions and Methods. The Case of Italy

Tullio Aebischer

DICEA Area di Geodesia e Geomatica, Sapienza Univ. di Roma (Italy)

Abstract– It has analyzed the concept of ‘center of a territory’, highlighting the problems associated with the difficulty in defining what part of the territory should be taken into consideration and the characteristics of its limits (coasts and/or terrestrial boundaries). They are described and compared several methods for calculating the center of the italian territory in its main parts (peninsular, politics, major islands with and without minor islands). The comparison between the calculations on the ellipsoid and medium centers is used to highlight the non-sphericity of the Earth. Results are compared with an application QGIS, too.

Keywords— Geographical Center, Territory, Topographical Distance, Datum and QGIS

Download full paper PDF format (Page: 1-6)

Distributed Software Development Process, Initiatives and Key Factors: A Systematic Literature Review

Ali Saeed Khan and Zille Subhan

Senior Software Engineer, Web-tronix, Islamabad, Pakistan
National University of Computer and Emerging Science, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract– Geographically Distributed Software Development (GSD) process differs from Collocated Software Development (CSD) process in various technical aspects. It is empirically proven that renowned process improvement initiatives applicable to CSD are not very effective for GSD. The objective of this research is to review the existing literature (both academia and industrial) to identify initiatives and key factors which play key role in the improvement and maturity of a GSD process, to achieve this goal we planned a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) following a standard protocol. Three highly respected sources are selected to search for the relevant literature which resulted in a large number of TOIs (Title of Interest). An inter-author custom protocol is outlined and followed to shortlist most relevant articles for review. The data is extracted from this set of finally selected articles. We have performed both qualitative and quantitative analysis of the extracted data to obtain the results. The concluded results identify several initiatives and key factors involved in GSD and answer each research question posed by the SLR.

Keywords— Global Software Process Improvement, Distributed Software Development, Systematic Literature Review, Process Improvement Initiatives and Outsourcing

Download full paper PDF format (Page: 7-21)

Functionality of Polysiloxane in the Attachment of Silver Nanoparticles on Nylon Fiber Surface

Joddy Arya Laksmono, Agus Haryono and Asep Handaya Saputra

Research Center for Chemistry – Indonesian Institute for Sciences, Kawasan PUSPIPTEK Serpong, Tangerang Selatan, Banten, 15314, Indonesia
Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia, Kampus Baru UI, Depok, 16424, Indonesia

Abstract– We have carried out preparation of the composite of nylon fibers with silver nanoparticles and evaluated their antimicrobial properties. Nanoparticle of silver was prepared from reduction of silver nitrate by using ascorbic acid, sodium borohidrate, and trisodium citrate. The obtained nanoparticles showed size of 50-150 nm and maximum wavelength (λmaks) of 418.5 nm. Silver nanoparticles were deposited into nylon fiber with the addition of polysiloxane and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as stabilizer. Fourier-Transformed Infra Red (FTIR) spectra of nylon-silver nanoparticle composites showed peaks attributed to nanosilver-amide group, vinyl alcohol, and siloxane. Antibacterial test for composites has been carried out by Colony Forming Units (CFU) methods. Colloidal silver nanoparticles showed antibacterial properties to the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Eschericia coli. From the antibacterial tests showed that the concentration of Polysiloxane 2% and 5 minutes deposition time gave the stability of antibacterial with treatment of several times of washing.

Keywords— Nanoparticle, Polysiloxane, Nylon, Silver, Deposition and Antibacterial

Download full paper PDF format (Page: 22-27)

Option Pricing of an Asset with Seasonal and Periodic Supply

Apaka Rangita, Silas N. Onyango, Omolo Ongati and Otula Nyakinda

School of Mathematics and Actuarial Science, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology P.O.Box 210-40601 Bondo, Kenya
KCA University, P. O. Box 56808 Ruaraka, Nairobi

Abstract– In option pricing the rate of change of asset price with time can be viewed to be directly proportional to the Walrasian [6] excess demand. Scholars such as Jacques [3] and Onyango [4], have used the excess demand concept with linearised demand and supply functions to derive and solve both deterministic and stochastic logistic differential equations for stock price. The underlying assets in option pricing are unique and can be seasonal and periodic like for electricity, water and other ‘weather’ derivatives. In this paper we develop and solve both deterministic and stochastic logistic differential equations for option pricing using the excess demand concept but with a linear demand function and a seasonal and periodic supply function.

Keywords— Supply, Demand, Equilibrium, Deterministic, Stochastic, Logistic and Differential Equations

Download full paper PDF format (Page: 28-30)

Microcontroller Based Automative Security System Using RFID with Face Recognition

Md.Saiful Islam, A.S.M Saeef Mahmud, Rifat Nazneen and Shamanta Hoque Shimu

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, American International University- Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract– The project “Microcontroller Based Automative Security System using RFID with Face Recognition” is an advanced autonomous process for security measures that can be applicable to any institution that wishes to monitor and allow access to restricted personnel. The motivation for the project was to eliminate human personnel from the process to make it cost effective especially since it can function non-stop for 24 hours a day. The project incorporates the use of RFID technology to act as a first line of identification for an individual. This is further enhanced by adding a MATLAB algorithm for facial recognition. Since the project was successful in achieving its goal, the results can vouch for this technology to be adapted in all interested institutions in our country.

Keywords— Face Recognition, Microcontroller, MATLAB, RFID Module, RFID Reader and RFID Tag

Download full paper PDF format (Page: 31-35)