Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the ability
of a genetic programming (GP) algorithm to evolve a team of data
classification models. The GP algorithm used in this work is
“multigene" in nature, i.e. there are multiple tree structures (genes)
that are used to represent team members. Each team member assigns
a data sample to one of a fixed set of output classes. A majority vote,
determined using the mode (highest occurrence) of classes predicted
by the individual genes, is used to determine the final class
prediction. The algorithm is tested on a binary classification problem.
For the case study investigated, compact classification models are
obtained with comparable accuracy to alternative approaches.
Abstract: A phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (TPA) is a synthetic analogue of phorbol ester (PE), a natural toxic compound of Euphorbiaceae plant. The oil extracted from plants of this family is useful source for primarily biofuel. However this oil might also be used as a foodstuff due to its significant nutrition content. The limitations for utilizing the oil as a foodstuff are mainly due to a toxicity of PE. Currently, a majority of PE detoxification processes are expensive as include multi steps alcohol extraction sequence.
Ozone is considered as a strong oxidative agent. It reacts with PE by attacking the carbon-carbon double bond of PE. This modification of PE molecular structure yields a non toxic ester with high lipid content.
This report presents data on development of simple and cheap PE detoxification process with water application as a buffer and ozone as reactive component. The core of this new technique is an application for a new microscale plasma unit to ozone production and the technology permits ozone injection to the water-TPA mixture in form of microbubbles.
The efficacy of a heterogeneous process depends on the diffusion coefficient which can be controlled by contact time and interfacial area. The low velocity of rising microbubbles and high surface to volume ratio allow efficient mass transfer to be achieved during the process. Direct injection of ozone is the most efficient way to process with such highly reactive and short lived chemical.
Data on the plasma unit behavior are presented and the influence of gas oscillation technology on the microbubble production mechanism has been discussed. Data on overall process efficacy for TPA degradation is shown.
Abstract: The present investigation aimed to study the
histomorphometric characterizations of the thyroid gland of the duck.
Five adult male and five adult female ducks were used in the
experiment. Results showed that the overall histological structure of
the thyroid gland of the duck were similar to those of the other
vertebrae. The gland consisted of roughly spherical randomly
distributed micro and macrofollicles with very little interstitial tissue
between them. Each follicle is lined by a single layer of epithelial
cells enclosing a cavity, the follicular cavity, which is filled with
colloid. Ultrastructural findings showed that the apical surface of the
follicular cells bears a variable number of short, irregularly
distributed microvilli which are apparently more numerous on the
columnar cells than on the lower, relatively inactive cells.
Mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum occupy the
subnuclear region of the follicular cell, whereas the Golgi complex,
free ribosomes and colloid droplets were found in the apical
cytoplasm. At light or electron microscopic levels, there was no sex
difference in histomorphometric characteristics of the thyroid
glands.ls.
Abstract: Feeder is one of the airships of the Multibody Advanced Airship for Transport (MAAT) system, under development within the EU FP7 project. MAAT is based on a modular concept composed of two different parts that have the possibility to join; respectively they are the so-called Cruiser and Feeder, designed on the lighter than air principle. Feeder, also named ATEN (Airship Transport Elevator Network), is the smaller one which joins the bigger one, Cruiser, also named PTAH (Photovoltaic modular Transport Airship for High altitude),envisaged to happen at 15km altitude. During the MAAT design phase, the aerodynamic studies of the both airships and their interactions are analyzed. The objective of these studies is to understand the aerodynamic behavior of all the preselected configurations, as an important element in the overall MAAT system design. The most of these configurations are only simulated by CFD, while the most feasible one is experimentally analyzed in order to validate and thrust the CFD predictions. This paper presents the numerical and experimental investigation of the Feeder “conical like" shape configuration. The experiments are focused on the aerodynamic force coefficients and the pressure distribution over the Feeder outer surface, while the numerical simulation cover also the analysis of the velocity and pressure distribution. Finally, the wind tunnel experiment is compared with its CFD model in order to validate such specific simulations with respective experiments and to better understand the difference between the wind tunnel and in-flight circumstances.
Abstract: Optical network uses a tool for routing which is called
Latin router. These routers use particular algorithms for routing. In this paper, we present algorithm for configuration of optical network that is optimized regarding previous algorithm. We show that by decreasing the number of hops for source-destination in lightpath number of satisfied request is less. Also we had shown that more than
single-hop lightpath relating single-hop lightpath is better.
Abstract: In this research work, a novel parallel manipulator
with high positioning and orienting rate is introduced. This
mechanism has two rotational and one translational degree of
freedom. Kinematics and Jacobian analysis are investigated.
Moreover, workspace analysis and optimization has been performed
by using genetic algorithm toolbox in Matlab software. Because of
decreasing moving elements, it is expected much more better
dynamic performance with respect to other counterpart mechanisms
with the same degrees of freedom. In addition, using couple of
cylindrical and revolute joints increased mechanism ability to have
more extended workspace.
Abstract: e-mail has become an important means of electronic
communication but the viability of its usage is marred by Unsolicited
Bulk e-mail (UBE) messages. UBE consists of many types
like pornographic, virus infected and 'cry-for-help' messages as well
as fake and fraudulent offers for jobs, winnings and medicines. UBE
poses technical and socio-economic challenges to usage of e-mails.
To meet this challenge and combat this menace, we need to
understand UBE. Towards this end, the current paper presents a
content-based textual analysis of nearly 3000 winnings-announcing
UBE. Technically, this is an application of Text Parsing and
Tokenization for an un-structured textual document and we approach
it using Bag Of Words (BOW) and Vector Space Document Model
techniques. We have attempted to identify the most frequently
occurring lexis in the winnings-announcing UBE documents. The
analysis of such top 100 lexis is also presented. We exhibit the
relationship between occurrence of a word from the identified lexisset
in the given UBE and the probability that the given UBE will be
the one announcing fake winnings. To the best of our knowledge and
survey of related literature, this is the first formal attempt for
identification of most frequently occurring lexis in winningsannouncing
UBE by its textual analysis. Finally, this is a sincere
attempt to bring about alertness against and mitigate the threat of
such luring but fake UBE.
Abstract: An experiment was conducted using two aeration
methods (water-into-air and air-into-water) and followed by filtration
processes using manganese greensand material. The properties of
groundwater such as pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and heavy metal
concentration (iron and manganese) will be assessed. The objectives
of this study are i) to determine the effective aeration method and ii)
to assess the effectiveness of manganese greensand as filter media in
removing iron and manganese concentration in groundwater. Results
showed that final pH for all samples after treatment are in range from
7.40 and 8.40. Both aeration methods increased the dissolved oxygen
content. Final turbidity for groundwater samples are between 3 NTU
to 29 NTU. Only three out of eight samples achieved iron
concentration of 0.3mg/L and less and all samples reach manganese
concentration of 0.1mg/L and less. Air-into-water aeration method
gives higher percentage of iron and manganese removal compare to
water-into-air method.
Abstract: This study examines the relationships between foreign
aid, levels of schooling and democracy for Pakistan using the ARDL
cointegration approach. The results of study provide strong evidence
for fairly robust long run as well as short run relationships among
these variables for the period 1973-2008. The results state that
foreign aid and primary school enrollments have negative impact on
democracy index and high school enrollments have positive impact
on democracy index in Pakistan. The study suggests for promotion of
education levels and relies on local resources instead of foreign aid
for a good quality of political institutions in Pakistan.
Abstract: An attempt was made for availability of wastewater reuse/reclamation for irrigation purposes using phytoremediation “the low cost and less technology", using six local aquatic macrophytes “e.g. T. angustifolia, B. maritimus, Ph. australis, A. donax, A. plantago-aquatica and M. longifolia (Linn)" as biological waste purifiers. Outdoor experiments/designs were conducted from May 03, 2007 till October 15, 2008, close to one of the main sewage channels of Sulaimani City/Iraq*. All processes were mainly based on conventional wastewater treatment processes, besides two further modifications were tested, the first was sand filtration pots, implanted by individual species of experimental macrophytes and the second was constructed wetlands implanted by experimental macrophytes all together. Untreated and treated wastewater samples were analyzed for their key physico-chemical properties (only heavy metals Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu with particular reference to removal efficiency by experimental macrophytes are highlighted in this paper). On the other hand, vertical contents of heavy metals were also evaluated from both pots and the cells of constructed wetland. After 135 days, macrophytes were harvested and heavy metals were analyzed in their biomass (roots/shoots) for removal efficiency assessment (i.e. uptake/ bioaccumulation rate). Results showed that; removal efficiency of all studied heavy metals was much higher in T. angustifolia followed by Ph. Australis, B. maritimus and A. donax in triple experiment sand pots. Constructed wetland experiments have revealed that; the more replicated constructed wetland cells the highest heavy metal removal efficiency was indicated.
Abstract: Selective harmonic elimination-pulse width modulation techniques offer a tight control of the harmonic spectrum of a given voltage waveform generated by a power electronic converter along with a low number of switching transitions. Traditional optimization methods suffer from various drawbacks, such as prolonged and tedious computational steps and convergence to local optima; thus, the more the number of harmonics to be eliminated, the larger the computational complexity and time. This paper presents a novel method for output voltage harmonic elimination and voltage control of PWM AC/AC voltage converters using the principle of hybrid Real-Coded Genetic Algorithm-Pattern Search (RGA-PS) method. RGA is the primary optimizer exploiting its global search capabilities, PS is then employed to fine tune the best solution provided by RGA in each evolution. The proposed method enables linear control of the fundamental component of the output voltage and complete elimination of its harmonic contents up to a specified order. Theoretical studies have been carried out to show the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method of selective harmonic elimination. Theoretical results are validated through simulation studies using PSIM software package.
Abstract: In this study, the effect of greywater irrigation on airwater interfacial area is investigated. Several soil column experiments were conducted for different greywater irrigation to develop the pressure-saturation curves. Surface tension was measured for different greywater concentration and fitted for Gibbs adsorption equation. Pressure-saturation curves show that the reduction of capillary rise stops when it reaches its critical micelle concentration (CMC). A simple theory is derived from pressure-saturation curves for calculating air-water interfacial area in porous medium during greywater irrigation by introducing a term 'hydraulic radius' for the pores. This term diminishes any effect of pore shapes on the air-water interfacial area. The air-water interfacial area was calculated using the pressure-saturation curves and found that it decreases with increasing moisture content. But no significant effect was observed on air-water interfacial area for different greywater irrigation. A maximum of 10% variation in interfacial area was observed at the residual saturation zone.
Abstract: The process of laser absorption in the skin during
laser irradiation was a critical point in medical application
treatments. Delivery the correct amount of laser light is a critical
element in photodynamic therapy (PDT). More amounts of laser
light able to affect tissues in the skin and small amount not able to
enhance PDT procedure in skin. The knowledge of the skin tone
laser dependent distribution of 635 nm radiation and its penetration
depth in skin is a very important precondition for the investigation of
advantage laser induced effect in (PDT) in epidermis diseases
(psoriasis). The aim of this work was to estimate an optimum effect
of diode laser (635 nm) on the treatment of epidermis diseases in
different color skin. Furthermore, it is to improve safety of laser in
PDT in epidermis diseases treatment. Advanced system analytical
program (ASAP) which is a new approach in investigating the PDT,
dependent on optical properties of different skin color was used in
present work. A two layered Realistic Skin Model (RSM); stratum
corneum and epidermal with red laser (635 nm, 10 mW) were used
for irradiative transfer to study fluence and absorbance in different
penetration for various human skin colors. Several skin tones very
fair, fair, light, medium and dark are used to irradiative transfer. This
investigation involved the principles of laser tissue interaction when
the skin optically injected by a red laser diode. The results
demonstrated that the power characteristic of a laser diode (635 nm)
can affect the treatment of epidermal disease in various color skins.
Power absorption of the various human skins were recorded and
analyzed in order to find the influence of the melanin in PDT
treatment in epidermal disease. A two layered RSM show that the
change in penetration depth in epidermal layer of the color skin has a
larger effect on the distribution of absorbed laser in the skin; this is
due to the variation of the melanin concentration for each color.
Abstract: This paper details the application of a genetic
programming framework for induction of useful classification rules
from a database of income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow
statements for North American public companies. Potentially
interesting classification rules are discovered. Anomalies in the
discovery process merit further investigation of the application of
genetic programming to the dataset for the problem domain.
Abstract: Green propellants used for satellite-level propulsion
system become attractive in recent years because the non-toxicity and
lower requirements of safety protection. One of the green propellants,
high-concentration hydrogen peroxide H2O2 solution (≥70% w/w,
weight concentration percentage), often known as high-test peroxide
(HTP), is considered because it is ITAR-free, easy to manufacture and
the operating temperature is lower than traditional monopropellant
propulsion. To establish satellite propulsion technology, the National
Space Organization (NSPO) in Taiwan has initialized a long-term
cooperation project with the National Cheng Kung University to
develop compatible tank and thruster. An experimental propulsion
payload has been allocated for the future self-reliant satellite to
perform orbit transfer and maintenance operations. In the present
research, an 1-Newton thruster prototype is designed and the thrusting
force is measured by a pendulum-type platform. The preliminary
hot-firing test at ambient environment showed the generated thrust and
the specific impulse are about 0.7 Newton and 102 seconds,
respectively.
Abstract: This paper studies dynamic stability of homogeneous
beams with piezoelectric layers subjected to periodic axial
compressive load that is simply supported at both ends lies on a
continuous elastic foundation. The displacement field of beam is
assumed based on Bernoulli-Euler beam theory. Applying the
Hamilton's principle, the governing dynamic equation is established.
The influences of applied voltage, foundation coefficient and
piezoelectric thickness on the unstable regions are presented. To
investigate the accuracy of the present analysis, a compression study
is carried out with a known data.
Abstract: Yield and Crop Water Productivity are crucial issues
in sustainable agriculture, especially in high-demand resource crops such as sweet corn. This study was conducted to investigate
agronomic responses such as plant growth, yield and soil parameters (EC and Nitrate accumulation) to several deficit irrigation treatments
(100, 75, 50, 25 and 0% of ETm) applied during vegetative growth
stage, rainfed treatment was also tested.
The finding of this research indicates that under deficit irrigation
during vegetative growth stage applying 75% of ETm lead to increasing of 19.4% in terms of fresh ear yield, 9.4% in terms of dry grain yield, 10.5% in terms of number of ears per plant, 11.5% for
the 1000 grains weight and 19% in terms of crop water productivity compared with fully irrigated treatment. While those parameters in
addition to root, shoot and plant height has been affected by deficit
irrigation during vegetative growth stage when increasing water stress degree more than 50% of ETm.
Abstract: Lectins have a good scope in current clinical
microbiology research. In the present study evaluated the
antimicrobial activities of a D-galactose binding lectin (PnL) was
purified from the annelid, Perinereis nuntia (polychaeta) by affinity
chromatography. The molecular mass of the lectin was determined to
be 32 kDa as a single polypeptide by SDS-PAGE under both reducing
and non-reducing conditions. The hemagglutinating activity of the
PnL showed against trypsinized and glutaraldehyde-fixed human
erythrocytes was specifically inhibited by D-Gal, GalNAc,
Galβ1-4Glc and Galα1-6Glc. PnL was evaluated for in vitro
antibacterial screening studies against 11 gram-positive and
gram-negative microorganisms. From the screening results, it was
revealed that PnL exhibited significant antibacterial activity against
gram-positive bacteria. Bacillus megaterium showed the highest
growth inhibition by the lectin (250 μg/disc). However, PnL did not
inhibit the growth of gram-negative bacteria such as Vibrio cholerae
and Pseudomonas sp. PnL was also examined for in vitro antifungal
activity against six fungal phytopathogens. PnL (100 μg/mL) inhibited
the mycelial growth of Alternaria alternata (24.4%). These results
indicate that future findings of lectin applications obtained from
annelids may be of importance to life sciences.
Abstract: According to the masonry standard the compressive
strength is basically dependent on factors such as the mortar strength
and the relative values of unit and mortar strength. However
interlocking brick has none or less use of mortar. Therefore there is a need to investigate the behavior of masonry walls using interlocking
bricks. In this study a series of tests have been conducted; physical
properties and compressive strength of brick units and masonry walls
were constructed from interlocking bricks and tested under constant
vertical load at different eccentricities. The purpose of the
experimental investigations is to obtain the force displacement curves, analyze the behavior of masonry walls. The results showed
that the brick is categorized as common brick (BS 3921:1985) and severe weathering grade (ASTM C62). The maximum compressive stress of interlocking brick wall is 3.6 N/mm2 and fulfilled the requirement of standard for residential building.
Abstract: This paper focuses on PSS/E modeling of wind farms
of Doubly-fed Induction Generator (DFIG) type and their impact on
issues of power system operation. Since Wind Turbine Generators
(WTG) don-t have the same characteristics as synchronous
generators, the appropriate modeling of wind farms is essential for
transmission system operators to analyze the best options of
transmission grid reinforcements as well as to evaluate the wind
power impact on reliability and security of supply. With the high
excepted penetration of wind power into the power system a
simultaneous loss of Wind Farm generation will put at risk power
system security and reliability. Therefore, the main wind grid code
requirements concern the fault ride through capability and frequency
operation range of wind turbines. In case of grid faults wind turbines
have to supply a definite reactive power depending on the
instantaneous voltage and to return quickly to normal operation.