Journal of Engineering and Technology (JET)

TABLE OF CONTENTS VOL. 15 NO. 2 (2024)

2024-12-31

Table of Contents Vol. 15 No. 2 (2024)

DEVELOPMENT OF A LOW-COST AND ACCESSIBLE HAND TREMOR REHABILITATION GAME FOR UNHEALTHY PATIENTS

S. Saminu — 2024-12-31

Hand tremor rehabilitation for unhealthy patients is often hindered by the high costs and limited accessibility of traditional methods. This study addresses these challenges by developing "Fidgy," an affordable and engaging game-based rehabilitation system designed for Android tablets. The game was created using FIGMA for design and Flutter with Dart for coding, focusing on improving hand-eye coordination and muscle control through interactive gameplay with varying difficulty levels. The game was deployed on Android Tablet with graphical user interface to access audio and video settings, start the game, select difficulty, select level, Display the scoreboard and exit the game options. This study was evaluated using Thirteen participants (seven males and five females). Testing revealed that healthy patients achieved near-maximum taps with minimal time (average 31.2 seconds per level in easy mode), while unhealthy patients faced significant delays (average 45.4 seconds per level) and lower tap counts, reflecting their motor impairments. The results indicate that "Fidgy" can effectively support rehabilitation by offering a cost-effective and adaptable solution, potentially enhancing accessibility and patient outcomes in hand tremor therapy.

CASSON FLUID FLOW WITH HEAT SINK AFFECTED BY SYMMETRIC WALL TEMPERATURE AND CONCENTRATION CONDITIONS

M.M. Hamza — 2024-12-31

The problem of Casson fluid flow with heat sink impacted by symmetric wall temperature and concentration conditions has been investigated in this research. The leading equations of the formulated problem are solved analytically using the theory of simultaneous ordinary differential equations. The influence of several dimensionless factors relevant to the momentum, energy, mass diffusion, frictional force, heat transfer and mass transfer rates are investigated and depicted using illustrative graphs. It has been discovered that increasing the Casson fluid and heat sink values significantly reduces the fluid’s velocity and temperature. The existence of symmetric wall temperature and concentration substantially influences flow development and reversal. Casson fluids is commonly used in many notable technological and industrial properties, such as synthetic lubricants, specific oil paints, biological fluids, diverse polymer solutions to mention few. There are some features that defy comprehension when analyzed solely through lens of the Newtonian flow problem. Consequently, utilization of the non-Newtonian fluid motion is more productive.

AN INTELLIGENT SYSTEM FOR PREDICTING VIDEO STREAMING QUALITY OF SERVICE

Oluwafolake Ojo — 2024-12-31

A primary concern associated with live streaming systems has been the significant delay in waiting time. Typically, a new user will abandon a server before receiving service due to the waiting time, startup delay, or other types of delays exceeding their tolerance. To address these issues, the optimal approach is to possess the ability to precisely forecast certain factors. This study presents a very efficient prediction framework for assessing the quality of video streaming. The proposed system aims to precisely forecast the duration of play (total length of a particular movie), overall download speed, complete end-to-end delay, and beginning buffering latency using the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) machine learning algorithm. The results of the experiment show that the accuracy reached for playing time, end-to-end delay, buffering latency, and download rate is 0.985, 0.731, 0.937, and 0.927, respectively. This indicates that the system is effective in addressing the issue of extended waiting times during live broadcasting. Thus, the framework also offers a way to solve the live-stream delay to improve users' quality of experience. In conclusion, these findings are pivotal to the video streaming industry market to aid the service providers in designing their systems optimally, assigning the resources efficiently and increasing user retention.

A REVIEW OF CURRENT TREND IN INDOOR PEDESTRIAN NAVIGATION

N. S. M. Khairi — 2024-12-31

Indoor pedestrian navigation systems have become indispensable in modern times, facilitating efficient navigation through complex indoor environments such as malls and airports. Traditional GPS technology falls short in these settings due to signal blockage and reflections, leading to the emergence of indoor positioning systems (IPS). Leveraging technologies like Bluetooth beacons, Wi-Fi triangulation, and ultra-wideband signals, IPS provides precise real-time navigation within buildings. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) further enhance the indoor navigation experience, offering visual cues and pre-navigation simulations. Despite challenges such as precise mapping and signal interference, the adoption of indoor navigation technologies has increased, driven by the demand for better user experiences. This abstract explores the methods, technologies, and challenges associated with indoor pedestrian navigation, providing insights into current trends and future developments.

MINI SANDER MACHINE FOR SMALL-VOLUME PRODUCTION

M.B.M. Bakhit — 2024-12-31

Machines are tools that simplify tasks by enhancing human effort. However, they are often costly and not readily available in compact sizes for small-volume production works. Therefore, this project was carried out to design and construct a mini electric belt sander. The design process utilized SOLIDWORKS, and the machine was built through drilling, cutting, and grinding techniques. The belt sander operates effectively when activated, making it ideal for tasks such as shaping knives and regrinding drill bits. Ultimately, this mini machine is expected to be highly useful for small-scale projects and affordable for most users.

NUMERICAL EVALUATION OF WALL POROSITY ON HYDROMAGNETIC SLIP FLOW DUE TO VARIABLE THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY

Muhammed Murtala Hamza — 2024-12-31

In boundary layer control, especially in engineering, aerodynamics, space research, and medicine, suction/injection factors are very crucial. These advantages prompted our interest to dig further into the effect of wall porosity in industrial working fluids. Therefore, this paper analyses unsteady magnetized flow through an upstanding plate with the involvement of suction/injection flow and Navier slip flow due to the actions of variable buoyancy force and thermal conductivity distributions. The nonlinear partial differential equations for momentum and energy are modeled under the Boussinesq assumption using a semi implicit finite difference scheme, while the analytical results of the steady-state equations were calculated employing the regular perturbation technique. The solutions obtained were presented and discussed in detail using various line graphs. It is concluded that the slip flow parameter promotes fluid velocity, while the same effect occurs when the injection parameter is increased. However, a counter-feature can be observed: higher suction and magnetic parameters values lead to a drastic reduction in fluid movement respectively. The outcomes of this study would be helpful for controlling fluid flow in channels as well as aiding the addition and removal of reactants during chemical reactions.

DEVELOPMENT OF UAV FUSELAGE USING BIOMIMETIC CONCEPTS BASED ON DRAGONFLY WING PATTERN: ENHANCING STRUCTURAL EFFICIENCY AND LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN

Nur Afiqah Izzati Mohd Sufian — 2024-12-31

This research paper presents an invention that focuses on the application of biomimetic concepts based on the wing structure of dragonflies in the design and construction of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) fuselages. The use of the structural and aerodynamic attributes exhibited by dragonfly wings structure into the design of UAV fuselage has the potential to enhance structural performance and yield a construction that is characterized by its low weight. This research encompasses a comprehensive analysis of the biological characteristics, structural composition, and aerodynamic properties of dragonfly wings. The effectiveness of the biomimetic-inspired UAV fuselage is determined through the utilization of SolidWorks and Ansys software. The results demonstrate the potential of incorporating biomimetic designs inspired by dragonfly wings into UAV technology, providing environmentally sustainable and lightweight alternatives for future aerial vehicles.

ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK MODEL FOR AIR POLLUTION FORECASTING IN KADUNA, NIGERIA

Adenike Folaponmile — 2024-12-31

The goal of air quality forecasting is to predict when air pollution concentrations will reach levels that are unsafe for human health. There are significant regional differences in air quality, hence a generalized forecast model is not effective. It is necessary to develop localized forecast models. It is challenging to identify a more accurate forecast model for any given environment. This work produces an accurate forecast model for the area under study. In this study, air pollution data was acquired from the three different sampling stations in Kaduna, Nigeria. The data was used to train Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models for each of the sampling stations. These models were implemented using feed forward backpropagation (FFBP) algorithm. The simulations of FFBP were performed with a varying number of neurons in the hidden layer. The resulting models were used to forecast the next ten days for each of the sampling station and for each pollutant. Determination of the accuracies of the developed models in forecasting the next ten days was achieved using error performance metrics of Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). The results of the performance metrics from most of the models in the same category are correlated and indicate similar trends. Comparison and analysis of the models revealed the model with the most accurate prediction for each sampling station and pollutant.

VIRTUAL SCREENING BY IN SILICO MOLECULAR DOCKING AND PHARMACOKINETIC OF CHALCONE HYBRID AS α-GLUCOSIDASE INHIBITOR

N.S. Salim — 2024-12-31

Diabetes, particularly type 2, is increasing in prevalence every year and has emerged as the third-most significant global health issue. One of the critical approaches to targeting enzymes that regulate carbohydrate metabolism is the α-glucosidase enzyme. Inhibiting this enzyme can reduce glucose absorption in the blood by causing the carbohydrates to break down. Commercially available drugs usually have unwanted side effects; hence, the development of novel drugs is a must. This current study aims to develop anti-diabetic drugs using a computational approach to screen out the best compounds (1–9). We performed in silico molecular docking using Auto Dock 4.0 and visualized the results using PyMOL and Discovery Studio. The study found binding energies (BE) that were greater than or equal to acarbose (-8.08 kcal/mol) and between -6.65 and -8.70 kcal/mol. The drug-like properties, pharmacokinetics, toxicity profile, and drug score were performed using the SwissADME, AdmetSAR, and Molsoft programs. Compounds 1–9 obeyed the Lipinski Rule of Five, and most of the compounds had drug-like properties and were non-toxic. Besides, they have promising interactions with α-glucosidase enzyme. Hence, they have the potential to develop into potent anti-diabetic drugs with lesser toxicity.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SAFETY CULTURE AND SAFETY PERFORMANCE IN SME MALAYSIA

P.M. Yasir — 2024-12-31

Small and medium enterprises (SME) in Malaysia although contribute to 97.3% of the total business establishment, still facing safety issues in their organization. There are many different elements contribute to safety culture, all of which work together to produce safety performance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the connection between Malaysian SME safety culture and safety performance. The safety culture and safety performance were measured by adopting an established questionnaire. A total of 263 valid questionnaire responses were collected from the local SMEs based on DOSH Malaysia database. Reliability test was performed using IBM SPSS version 27, and the results showed that the survey is reliable with a global Cronbach's Alpha score of 0.97. A theoretical model was constructed to test the correlation between safety culture and safety performance.

AUTOMATED PRE-SCREENING METHOD FOR PRODUCTION ENHANCEMENT USING ELECTRICAL SUBMERSIBLE PUMP IN MALAYSIA’S OFFSHORE BROWN FIELDS

T.C. Segaran — 2024-12-31

With over 80% of Malaysia's fields using gas lifts, tackling late-life challenges is crucial for maintaining oil production. Issues like gas lift gas shortages, aging infrastructure, and rising water cuts limit efficient oil recovery, prompting the search for alternative lift technologies. Replacing gas lift systems is complex, making it essential to streamline candidate identification. This study proposes an automated pre-screening approach to quickly evaluate candidates, reducing the time and effort needed to process numerous wells. The system, tested with data from Fields B, D, and S, pre-screens strings to identify opportunities for detailed analysis. By digitizing this process, automation narrows down potential candidates for electrical submersible pump (ESP) design, economic assessment, and other enhancements, saving time and broadening candidate selection. This method extends to acid stimulation, gas lift optimization, and water shut-off candidates, revolutionizing the process and improving decision-making for production enhancement activities.

IMPLEMENTATION OF HYBRID PID CONTROLLER BASED ON GENETIC ALGORITHMS FOR MODULAR SYSTEM POSITION CONTROL

O.H. Abdulsattar — 2024-12-31

An examination of the nonlinear characteristics of DC servomotors, along with the design challenges and mechanical variations associated with different operating conditions reveals that a conventional Proportional – Integral – Derivative (PID) controller alone cannot achieve precise control. This study introduces an enhanced approach to optimize DC motor control in position mode by minimizing transient response characteristics including overshoot, rising time (t_r), and settling time (t_S). A genetic algorithm (GA) was employed to determine the optimal self-tuning parameters for K_P, K_I, and K_D. The study was conducted in three phases; first, the system was configured using the standard controller; second, the standard controller was replaced with the GA algorithm, with the integral time absolute error (ITAE) selected for the performance criterion for the DC servomotor control system; finally, a hybrid controller was developed by integrating the GA controller with the standard controller. Simulation results indicate that this dual controller achieves remarkable accuracy in control response, with a minimal overshoot increase of 1.667%, a 19.83% reduction in rise time (t_r), a 29.18% decrease in settling time (t_S) and a steady state error of 9.373% for the DC servomotor in position mode.

THERMAL-AWARE TEST SCHEDULING AND FLOOR PLANNING FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL STACKED INTEGRATED CIRCUITS

G. Patmanathan — 2024-12-31

Testing three-dimensional stacked integrated circuits (3D-SICs) remains a challenging task due to the complexity of generating an optimized test schedule that minimizes test time. One of the main challenges is accessing upper dies, which is only possible through the bottom die, requiring the extension of Test Access Mechanisms (TAMs) via Through-Silicon Vias (TSVs). Additionally, the limited number of primary I/O pins, TSVs, and TAM width necessitates efficient resource allocation. Effective thermal management is crucial due to the high-power consumption of cores and uneven power distribution, which pose overheating risks. Advanced concurrent test scheduling is essential to allocate resources effectively while maintaining power and temperature limits. This research proposes a thermal-aware test scheduling optimization combined with floor planning for 3D-SICs, where the floor planning is computed using a simulated annealing algorithm based on a set of pareto optimal cubes chosen by an Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm. The subsequent thermal-aware 3D-SIC test scheduling, considering resource and power constraints, is generated using a 3D Bin Packing method. The objective is to minimize test schedule time while considering resource and power constraints. Experimental results using multiple ITC'02 benchmark circuits indicate an average estimated improvement of 0.25% in test schedule efficiency when incorporating floor planning into test scheduling, compared to scheduling without floor planning. These findings underscore the significance of integrating thermal-aware test scheduling with floor planning, highlighting its potential to significantly enhance test efficiency, reduce power consumption, and ensure reliable testing of 3D-SICs under stringent resource and thermal constraints.

SENSITIVITY OF GRAPHENE OXIDE COATED TAPERED NO-CORE FIBRE SENSOR FOR URIC ACID DETECTION

M.I.A. Zaini — 2024-12-31

This paper analyses the development, progress, and evaluation of a sensor system, which mainly consists of tapered no-core fibre (TNCF) for detecting uric acid (UA). To augment the capability of TNCF diameter, different powers of CO₂ laser were used for creating the optical-based refractive index sensor. This action will allow for better interaction with the surrounding samples, improving the sensitivity. The sensing region was fixed to improve the sensitivity with a coating of graphene oxide (GO) solution. Experimental findings showed that the TNCF-GO sensor exhibited a higher sensitivity value at 0.00782 ± 0.00049 nm/µM, while NCF-GO sensor sensitivity only at 0.00447 ± 0.00019 nm/µM and NCF sensor sensitivity only at 0.00387 ± 0.00027 nm/µM. The TNCF-GO sensor demonstrated better performance compared to the others. This research improves the development of a susceptible and effective sensor for UA detection, especially in biomedical health diagnostics.

BLOCKCHAIN CONSENSUS FOR RESOURCES CONSTRAINT DEVICES: A HYBRID APPROACH USING PoA, DPoS AND THRESHOLD CRYPTOGRAPHY

S.H. Yusof — 2024-12-31

This research explores the development of a hybrid consensus algorithm that combines the benefits of Proof of Authority (PoA), Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS), and threshold cryptography to create a secure, efficient, and scalable consensus mechanism for resource-constrained devices. The proposed algorithm addresses traditional consensus algorithms' limitations in resource-constrained environments, where energy efficiency, security, and decentralisation are crucial. By leveraging the strengths of PoA, DPoS, and threshold cryptography, this hybrid approach is anticipated to provide a robust and adaptable consensus mechanism to support many applications in IoT, edge computing, and other resource-constrained domains. The research aims to investigate the feasibility, performance, and security of this hybrid consensus algorithm and its potential to enable secure, decentralised, and scalable blockchain-based systems for resource-constrained devices.

VISION-BASED SAFETY SYSTEM FOR INDUSTRIAL COLLABORATIVE ROBOT

Jun Hao Ho — 2024-12-31

This paper proposes a new method to improve the safety operation of collaborative robots (cobots) by combining two existing safety features: distance-based speed control and obstacle avoidance. The system utilizes a Kinect V2 camera to capture depth data of the robot's workspace. This data is used to determine the distance between humans and the robot, allowing for speed regulation to ensure safety. Additionally, the depth data is converted into a map to enable obstacle avoidance by the robot. The proposed method was evaluated in a simulated environment using various pick-and-place scenarios. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the system in ensuring safe human-robot collaboration. The paper also identifies limitations, such as the limited depth perception due to a single camera. Future work will explore using multiple cameras and implementing the system on a physical cobot.

PROTECTION AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES FOR TRADITIONAL ETHNIC MINORITY VILLAGES IN SICHUAN: A CASE STUDY OF A QIANG TRADITIONAL VILLAGE

Zihua Zhou — 2024-12-31

The traditional ethnic minority villages in Sichuan Province are renowned for their profound historical heritage and unique cultural value. However, with the advancement of modernization, these villages are facing numerous challenges such as population loss, dilution of traditional culture, and environmental degradation. This study investigates the preservation and development strategies for traditional ethnic minority villages in Sichuan, focusing on the Qiang ethnic village of Xiuxi. Through field surveys, interviews, and literature research, the study provides a comprehensive understanding of Xiuxi Village's cultural, social, and environmental context. Several strategies are proposed to address these challenges, including strengthening community participation, enhancing tourism development and management, and modernizing agriculture. By implementing these measures, the study aims to protect cultural heritage while promoting economic development, ensuring the sustainable development of Xiuxi Village, and improving the residents' quality of life.

GREEN CODING IN PROGRAMMING AND PRACTICES

S. J. Mahmudova — 2024-12-31

This work explores green coding in programming, its principles and use in industry. Green coding principles should not be considered contrary to existing practices. It analyses some of the studies conducted in this field. Best practices on green coding are defined. Software developers can support their sustainability efforts through a number of green coding tactics. These best practices range from minimizing artefacts to improving efficiency. The paper conducts research on the minimization of resources used in testing, testing and deploying updated code, using solar and sustainable energy, environmental impact on the IT sector, programming languages used in green coding, etc. The best practices mentioned to make the program eco-friendly are reported to be followed.