Vol. 1 No. 2; April 2011 Vol._1_No._2;_April_2011 1. Online Learning: Does it make the Grade? Rebecca Penwell-Cooper, Ann Wheeler Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare two face-to-face science content courses for teachers to two sections of the same course online. The instructor was the same as was all course content and assignments. Students in the face-to-face courses scored higher on the final exam, but online students rated their courses higher on the end of course evaluations. The online students rated the course higher on the following variables: intellectually challenging and stimulating, thinking critically, connecting what they learned to other experiences, and learning to use various resources to enhance learning. They also rated the instructor higher on the following variables: conveyed knowledge of the subject, encouraged critical thinking, used fair evaluation procedures, used learning resources effectively, promoted an open atmosphere, respected students, used class time effectively, and was an instructor they would recommend. Face-to-face students rated the instructor higher on the variables of preparedness, explanation of concepts in a clear manner, feedback on student performance provided in a timely manner, and enthusiasm about the subject. With increasing number of students enrolling in online courses, instructors must be diligent in their preparedness and enthusiasm for the course, prompt in providing feedback on student performance, and clear in explaining concepts. 2. A Business Continuity Monitoring Model for Distributed Architectures: A Case Study Ewart J.H. Nijburg, Raul Valverde Abstract Computerized services are the driving force behind every day business for many companies, it is of the utmost importance that these services are available during business hours because downtime costs serious money. Most of the computerized services today are based on a distributed architecture because of the many benefits of such an architecture. There is a downside to distributed architectures though; distributed architectures have an incomplete observability problem resulting in tough decision making and difficult control of the system build according to the architecture. This paper describes a design of a business continuity monitoring model, developed to cope with software, hardware, and operator failures by reducing the time required to detect, diagnose, and repair a problem in a distributed architecture. It is based on a three-tier model combined with five monitoring domains distilled from a standard distributed architecture. A prototype was developed to test the model in a real environment. 3. Analytical Evaluation of the Health Belief Model and the Vulnerable Populations Conceptual Model Applied to a Medically Underserved, Rural Population Kristen E. Rawlett Abstract This paper describes the application of the health belief model (HBM) and the vulnerable populations conceptual model (VPCM) to a rural, underserved community. The focus population is affected by a lack of community resources, increased risk factors and poor health outcomes. The health belief model focuses on the individual’s perceptions and likelihood of taking action. Resource availability, relative risk and health status are the focus of the VPCM. Both frameworks are systematically evaluated by established criterion. The VPCM is considered a better fit to explore the hypothesis that there is a relationship among access to healthcare, use of health promotion services and disease states in susceptible populations. 4. Variable-depth Tillage based on Geo-referenced Soil Compaction Data in Coastal Plain Soils Serap Görücü Keskin, Ahmad Khalilian, Young J. Han, Roy B. Dodd Abstract This study was carried out to investigate the use of soil cone penetrometer and soil electrical conductivity (EC) measurement systems, in finding the geo-referenced optimum tillage depth for site-specific detection and management of soil compaction in Coastal Plain soils. The effectiveness of variable-depth tillage (VDT) on crop performance, energy consumption, and fuel savings was investigated. VDT, no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) systems were compared and the relationships between tillage depth, soil EC, crop responses, and yield were studied in cotton production. The study was conducted in two different fields named Field A and Field B. The results showed that required tillage depths are shallower than conventional tillage depths. A strong positive correlation between EC readings and cotton yield was observed while predicted tillage depths were negatively correlated to soil EC readings. By applying VDT, energy savings of 56.4% and fuel savings of 33.8% were achieved compared to CT. 5. Semi-symmetric molecules and their symmetry operations with Clifford algebra Sadiye CAKMAK, Abidin KILIC Abstract The Clifford algebra produces the new fields of view in the atom and mathematical physics, definition of bodies and rearranging for equations of mathematics and physics. The new mathematical approaches play an important role in the progress of physics. After presenting Clifford algebra and quaternions, the symmetry operations in molecular physics with Clifford algebra and quaternions are defined. This symmetry operations are applied to some symmetric and semi-symmetric solids too. Also, the vertices of some symmetric semisymmetric solids presented in the Cartesian coordinates are calculated. 6. An Improved Relative Permeability Model to Match Displacement Experiments Mohammed Idrees Al-Mossawy, Birol Demiral Abstract In petroleum industry due to existence of gas and liquid phases in hydrocarbon reservoirs, the relative permeability data are essential to the reservoir simulation. The relative permeability test can be conducted either by the steady-state flow method or the unsteady-state flow method. The present model is derived for the unsteady-state displacement method. It considers effects of fluids viscosities and the average saturation at the breakthrough moment in addition to the parameters considered by previous models. First a preliminary model was derived from a function of porosity and permeability called poroperm. Then the fractional flow theory was used to improve the preliminary model to match the actual displacement process. The improved model was implemented on experimental data of seven Berea sandstone cores. Comparison of results with three models showed that the present model is the perfect. 7. Islamic Position on Physics with Reference to Ibn al-Haytham Abdi O. Shuriye Abstract This research contends that the study of the tabi‘iyat (physics), in its specific form that we know today, was initially formulated by Muslim scholars. It was the Muslims who engender physics from the Aristotelian general outlines of form and matter. History reveals that Abu Ali al-Hasan ibn al-Hasan ibn al-Haytham was the first scholar to scientifically test the premise of hypothetical questions in research with demonstrable experiments. More than two hundred years later his books were read in Europe. Today he is known in Europe as Alhazen, Alhacen, or Alhazeni. The research at hand is part of explorations of his views on physics. 8. Foamed Cement Properties for Zonal Isolation in Coalbed Methane (CBM) Wells Sonny Irawan, Chow Weng Sum, Mazuin Bt Jasamai, Saleem Qadir Tunio, Arthur Goh Jin Wang Abstract Wells drilled into coal beds for coalbed methane (CBM) generally encounter weaker structures within the beds and have lower fracture gradient as compared to conventional oil or gas wells. CBM is more vulnerable to downhole problems such as lost circulation and formation fracture as the formation cannot withstand a cement density above 11 ppg. Conventional neat cement without light weight additives with average density of 15.9 ppg is not suitable. Foamed cement with a low density of 7-11ppg, high strength per unit volume offers a versatile and economical cementing job. Primary purpose of using foamed cement is to decrease the density of the slurry but here, other advantages have also been identified with applications of this cement. A better understanding on the properties of foamed cement allows the optimization of cement slurry design during its circulation and placement. 9. Planning Process of Development Project in the Malaysian Context: A Crucial Brief Overview Abdul Aziz Abdullah, Zakaria Harun, Hamzah Abdul Rahman Abstract Successful development project is crucial to all project stakeholders. Meeting the dateline to complete a project will be an added advantage for both the developer and the land owner. Project development just like construction project will encounter some form of project life cycle (PLC). A typical PLC of developmental project comprise of a initiation and planning phase, construction phase and post construction phase. Further, the implementation of the one-stop-centre (OSC) by Ministry of Housing and Local Government (MHLG) nationwide in April 2007 have succesfully improved the delivery system of the planning process. As the result of the MHLG bold step, a more systematic planning process have benefited the developers, consultant and the authorities. In lieu of this, it is imperative that all the consultants and the developer should comply to the guidelines, rules and regulations stipulated in the standard manual drawn by Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) and the MHLG to ascertain a smoother planning approval process. Thus, in long run, all these moves implemented by the government should attract more foreign direct investment (FDI). 10. Preliminary Study on Gas Storage Capacity and Gas-in-Place for CBM Potential in Balingian Coalfield, Sarawak Malaysia Kong Chai Chen, Sonny Irawan, Chow Weng Sum, Saleem Qadir Tunio Abstract This project focuses on Coal Bed Methane (CBM) potential in Balingian coalfield, Sarawak. One block in Balingian area is picked as an area for preliminary assessment. Liang formation (Balingian Coal) is lignite coal with a mean vitrinite reflectance of 0.32%, coal seam thickness from 0.33- 29.69 ft. According to Geoscience and Mineral Department Malaysia, the moisture content is in between 12.9% to 18.7%, volatile matter varies at 37.8% to 43.4% with fixed carbon ranges from 40.3% to 43.4%. The coal contains a very low ash content of 2.7% and sulphur content less than 1%. Four different core samples were used with porosity and permeability values from 1.58% to 5.12% and 0.15mD to 46.15mD. Gas storage capacity at different pressures was determined from adsorption isotherm test based on modified Boyle’s law. Adsorption isotherm test result showed maximum adsorbed methane in coal is 374.62scf/ton at maximum pressure of 1219.58 psia. Linear regression of Langmuir Volume and Langmuir Volume showed 714.29scf/ton and 1024.5psia respectively. Value of maximum absorbed methane used in gas-in-place calculation yields 15.207 Bscf in area of 6.094km2. The result is compared with other similar coal fields. As a conclusion, Balingian coal field showed a very good prospect to produce first CBM in Malaysia based on this study.