Abstract: In this study, the kinetics of osmotic dehydration of melons (Tille variety) in a ternary system followed by air-drying for preserving melons in the summer to be used in the winter were investigated. The effect of different osmotic solution concentrations 30, 40 and 50% (w/w) of sucrose with 10% NaCl salt and fruit to solution ratios 1:4, 1:5 and 1:6 on the mass transfer kinetics during osmotic dehydration of melon in ternary solution namely sucrosesalt- water followed by air-drying were studied. The diffusivity of water during air-drying was enhanced after the fruit samples were immersed in the osmotic solution after 60 min. Samples non-treated and pre-treated during one hour in osmotic solutions with 60% (w/w) of sucrose with 10% NaCl salt and fruit to solution ratio of 1:4 were dried in a hot air-dryer at 60oC (2 m/s) until equilibrium was achieved.
Abstract: This research was to study effect of rotational speed
and eccentric factors, which were affected on looseness of bearing.
The experiment was conducted on three rotational speeds and five
eccentric distances with 5 replications. The results showed that
influenced factor affected to looseness of bearing was rotational
speed and eccentric distance which showed statistical significant.
Higher rotational speed would cause on high looseness. Moreover,
more eccentric distance, more looseness of bearing. Using bearing at
high rotational with high eccentric of shaft would be affected
bearing fault more than lower rotational speed. The prediction
equation of looseness was generated by regression analysis. The
prediction has an effected to the looseness of bearing at 91.5%.
Abstract: Image interpolation is a common problem in imaging applications. However, most interpolation algorithms in existence suffer visually the effects of blurred edges and jagged artifacts in the image to some extent. This paper presents an adaptive feature preserving bidirectional flow process, where an inverse diffusion is performed to sharpen edges along the normal directions to the isophote lines (edges), while a normal diffusion is done to remove artifacts (“jaggies") along the tangent directions. In order to preserve image features such as edges, corners and textures, the nonlinear diffusion coefficients are locally adjusted according to the directional derivatives of the image. Experimental results on synthetic images and nature images demonstrate that our interpolation algorithm substantially improves the subjective quality of the interpolated images over conventional interpolations.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between hope and resilience with work engagement. A total of 422 staff nurses working in three public hospitals in Peninsular Malaysia participated in this study. Statistical results using regression analysis revealed that hope and resilience were positively related to work engagement. Possible reasons for these findings, as well as their implications and future research directions are discussed.
Abstract: The capturing of gel electrophoresis image represents
the output of a DNA computing algorithm. Before this image is being
captured, DNA computing involves parallel overlap assembly (POA)
and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that is the main of this
computing algorithm. However, the design of the DNA
oligonucleotides to represent a problem is quite complicated and is
prone to errors. In order to reduce these errors during the design stage
before the actual in-vitro experiment is carried out; a simulation
software capable of simulating the POA and PCR processes is
developed. This simulation software capability is unlimited where
problem of any size and complexity can be simulated, thus saving
cost due to possible errors during the design process. Information
regarding the DNA sequence during the computing process as well as
the computing output can be extracted at the same time using the
simulation software.
Abstract: The accelerated sonophotocatalytic degradation of
Reactive Red (RR) 120 dye under visible light using dye sensitized
TiO2 activated by ultrasound has been carried out. The effect of
sonolysis, photocatalysis and sonophotocatalysis under visible light
has been examined to study the influence on the degradation rates by
varying the initial substrate concentration, pH and catalyst loading to
ascertain the synergistic effect on the degradation techniques.
Ultrasonic activation contributes degradation through cavitation
leading to the splitting of H2O2 produced by both photocatalysis and
sonolysis. This results in the formation of oxidative species, such as
singlet oxygen (1O2) and superoxide (O2
-●) radicals in the presence of
oxygen. The increase in the amount of reactive radical species which
induce faster oxidation of the substrate and degradation of
intermediates and also the deaggregation of the photocatalyst are
responsible for the synergy observed under sonication. A
comparative study of photocatalysis and sonophotocatalysis using
TiO2, Hombikat UV 100 and ZnO was also carried out.
Abstract: The present study investigates numerically the
phenomenon of vortex-shedding and its suppression in twodimensional
mixed convective flow past a square cylinder under the
joint influence of buoyancy and free-stream orientation with respect
to gravity. The numerical experiments have been conducted at a
fixed Reynolds number (Re) of 100 and Prandtl number (Pr) of 0.71,
while Richardson number (Ri) is varied from 0 to 1.6 and freestream
orientation, α, is kept in the range 0o≤ α ≤ 90o, with 0o
corresponding to an upward flow and 90o representing a cross-flow
scenario, respectively. The continuity, momentum and energy
equations, subject to Boussinesq approximation, are discretized using
a finite difference method and are solved by a semi-explicit pressure
correction scheme. The critical Richardson number, leading to the
suppression of the vortex-shedding (Ric), is estimated by using
Stuart-Landau theory at various free-stream orientations and the
neutral curve is obtained in the Ri-α plane. The neutral curve
exhibits an interesting non-monotonic behavior with Ric first
increasing with increasing values of α upto 45o and then decreasing
till 70o. Beyond 70o, the neutral curve again exhibits a sharp
increasing asymptotic trend with Ric approaching very large values
as α approaches 90o. The suppression of vortex shedding is not
observed at α = 90o (cross-flow). In the unsteady flow regime, the
Strouhal number (St) increases with the increase in Richardson
number.
Abstract: Social resilience has role to govern the local community and coastal fisheries resources toward sustainable fisheries development in tsunami affected area. This paper asses, explore and investigates of indigenous institutions, external and internal facilitators toward strengthening social resilience. Identification of the genuine organizations role had been conducted twice by using Rapid Assessment Appraisal, Focus Group Discussion, and in-depth interview for collecting primary and secondary data. Local wisdom had a contribution and adaptable to rebound social resilience. The Panglima Laot Lhok (sea commander) had determined and adapted role on recovery of the fishing community, particularly facilitated aid delivery to fishermen, as shown in anchovy fisheries relief case in Krueng Raya Bay. Toke Bangku (financial trader) had stimulated for reinforcement of advance payment and market channel. The other institutions supported upon linking and bridging connectivity among stakeholders. Collaborative governance can avoid conflict, reduce donor dependency and strengthen social resilience within fishing community.
Abstract: The intent of this essay is to evaluate the effectiveness
of surge suppressor aimed at power supply used for automation
devices in power distribution system which is consist of MOV and
T type low-pass filter. Books, journal articles and e-sources related
to surge protection of power supply used for automation devices in
power distribution system were consulted, and the useful information
was organized, analyzed and developed into five parts: characteristics
of surge wave, protection against surge wave, impedance characteristics
of target, using Matlab to simulate circuit response after
5kV,1.2/50s surge wave and suggestions for surge protection. The
results indicate that various types of load situation have great impact
on the effectiveness of surge protective device. Therefore, type and
parameters of surge protective device need to be carefully selected,
and load matching is also vital to be concerned.
Abstract: The use of polypropylene mesh devices for Pelvic
Organ Prolapse (POP) spread rapidly during the last decade, yet our
knowledge of the mesh-tissue interaction is far from complete. We
aimed to perform a thorough pathological examination of explanted
POP meshes and describe findings that may explain mechanisms of
complications resulting in product excision. We report a spectrum of
important findings, including nerve ingrowth, mesh deformation,
involvement of detrusor muscle with neural ganglia, and
polypropylene degradation. Analysis of these findings may improve
and guide future treatment strategies.
Abstract: Recently, distributed generation technologies have received much attention for the potential energy savings and reliability assurances that might be achieved as a result of their widespread adoption. Fueling the attention have been the possibilities of international agreements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, electricity sector restructuring, high power reliability requirements for certain activities, and concern about easing transmission and distribution capacity bottlenecks and congestion. So it is necessary that impact of these kinds of generators on distribution feeder reconfiguration would be investigated. This paper presents an approach for distribution reconfiguration considering Distributed Generators (DGs). The objective function is summation of electrical power losses A Tabu search optimization is used to solve the optimal operation problem. The approach is tested on a real distribution feeder.
Abstract: Partitions can play a significant role in minimising cochannel
interference of Wireless LANs by attenuating signals across
room boundaries. This could pave the way towards higher density
deployments in home and office environments through spatial
channel reuse. Yet, due to protocol limitations, the latest incantation
of IEEE 802.11 standard is still unable to take advantage of this fact:
Despite having clearly adequate Signal to Interference Ratio (SIR)
over co-channel neighbouring networks in other rooms, its goodput
falls significantly lower than its maximum in the absence of cochannel
interferers. In this paper, we describe how this situation can
be remedied via modest modifications to the standard.
Abstract: In this paper some results on strict stability heve beeb extended for fuzzy differential equations with impulse effect using Lyapunov functions and Razumikhin technique.
Abstract: In many cases, there are some time lag between the consumption of inputs and the production of outputs. This time lag effect should be considered in evaluating the performance of organizations. Recently, a couple of DEA models were developed for considering time lag effect in efficiency evaluation of research activities. Multi-periods input(MpI) and Multi-periods output(MpO) models are integrate models to calculate simple efficiency considering time lag effect. However, these models can’t discriminate efficient DMUs because of the nature of basic DEA model in which efficiency scores are limited to ‘1’. That is, efficient DMUs can’t be discriminated because their efficiency scores are same. Thus, this paper suggests a super-efficiency model for efficiency evaluation under the consideration of time lag effect based on the MpO model. A case example using a long term research project is given to compare the suggested model with the MpO model.
Abstract: In the present study, the lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) is applied for simulating of Natural Convection in an inclined open ended cavity. The cavity horizontal walls are insulated while the west wall is maintained at a uniform temperature higher than the ambient. Prandtl number is fixed to 0.71 (air) while Rayligh numbers, aspect ratio of the cavity are changed in the range of 103 to 104 and of 1-4, respectively. The numerical code is validated for the previously results for open ended cavities, and then the results of an inclined open ended cavity for various angles of rotating open ended cavity are presented. Result shows by increasing of aspect ratio, the average Nusselt number on hot wall decreases for all rotation angles. When gravity acceleration direction is opposite of standard gravity direction the convection heat transfer has a manner same as conduction.
Abstract: The fast growing accessibility and capability of emerging technologies have fashioned enormous possibilities of designing, developing and implementing innovative teaching methods in the classroom. The global technological scenario has paved the way to new pedagogies in teaching-learning process focusing on technology based learning environment and its impact on student achievement. The present experimental study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of technology based learning environment on student achievement in English as a foreign language. The sample of the study was 90 students of 10th grade of a public school located in Islamabad. A pretest- posttest equivalent group design was used to compare the achievement of the two groups. A Pretest and A posttest containing 50 items each from English textbook were developed and administered. The collected data were statistically analyzed. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the mean scores of Experimental group and the Control group. The performance of Experimental group was better on posttest scores that indicted that teaching through technology based learning environment enhanced the achievement level of the students. On the basis of the results, it was recommended that teaching and learning through information and communication technologies may be adopted to enhance the language learning capability of the students.
Abstract: In this paper we consider a nonlinear feedback control
called augmented automatic choosing control (AACC) using the
gradient optimization automatic choosing functions for nonlinear
systems. Constant terms which arise from sectionwise linearization
of a given nonlinear system are treated as coefficients of a stable
zero dynamics. Parameters included in the control are suboptimally
selected by expanding a stable region in the sense of Lyapunov
with the aid of the genetic algorithm. This approach is applied to
a field excitation control problem of power system to demonstrate
the splendidness of the AACC. Simulation results show that the new
controller can improve performance remarkably well.
Abstract: This research was aimed at determining the impact of conservation techniques including bench terrace, stone terrace, mulching, grass strip and intercropping on soil erosion at tobacco-based farming system at Progo Hulu subwatershed, Central Java, Indonesia. Research was conducted from September 2007 to September 2009, located at Progo Hulu subwatershed, Central Java, Indonesia. Research site divided into 27 land units, and experimental fields were grouped based on the soil type and slope, ie: 30%, 45% and 70%, with the following treatments: 1) ST0= stone terrace (control); 2) ST1= stone terrace + Setaria spacelata grass strip on a 5 cm height dike at terrace lips + tobacco stem mulch with dose of 50% (7 ton/ ha); 3) ST2= stone terrace + Setaria spacelata grass strip on a 5 cm height dike at terrace lips + tobacco stem mulch with dose of 100% (14 ton/ ha); 4) ST3= stone terrace + tobacco and red bean intercropping + tobacco stem mulch with dose of 50% (7 ton/ ha). 5) BT0= bench terrace (control); 6) BT1= bench terrace + Setaria spacelata grass strip at terrace lips + tobacco stem mulch with dose of 50% (7 ton/ ha); 7) BT2= bench terrace + Setaria spacelata grass strip at terrace lips + tobacco stem mulch with dose of 100% (14 ton/ ha); 8) BT3= bench terrace + tobacco and red bean intercropping + tobacco stem mulch with dose of 50% (7 ton/ ha). The results showed that the actual erosion rates of research site were higher than that of tolerance erosion with mean value 89.08 ton/ha/year and 33.40 ton/ha/year, respectively. These resulted in 69% of total research site (5,119.15 ha) highly degraded. Conservation technique of ST2 was the most effective in suppressing soil erosion, by 42.87%, following with BT2 as much 30.63%. Others suppressed erosion only less than 21%.
Abstract: This study proposes a multi-response surface
optimization problem (MRSOP) for determining the proper choices
of a process parameter design (PPD) decision problem in a noisy
environment of a grease position process in an electronic industry.
The proposed models attempts to maximize dual process responses
on the mean of parts between failure on left and right processes. The
conventional modified simplex method and its hybridization of the
stochastic operator from the hunting search algorithm are applied to
determine the proper levels of controllable design parameters
affecting the quality performances. A numerical example
demonstrates the feasibility of applying the proposed model to the
PPD problem via two iterative methods. Its advantages are also
discussed. Numerical results demonstrate that the hybridization is
superior to the use of the conventional method. In this study, the
mean of parts between failure on left and right lines improve by
39.51%, approximately. All experimental data presented in this
research have been normalized to disguise actual performance
measures as raw data are considered to be confidential.
Abstract: This study investigates a voltage-controllable liquid crystals lens with a Fresnel zone electrode. When applying a proper voltage on the liquid crystal cell, a Fresnel-zone-distributed electric field is induced to direct liquid crystals aligned in a concentric structure. Owing to the concentrically aligned liquid crystals, a Fresnel lens is formed. We probe the Fresnel liquid crystal lens using a polarized incident beam with a wavelength of 632.8 nm, finding that the diffraction efficiency depends on the applying voltage. A remarkable diffraction efficiency of ~39.5 % is measured at the voltage of 0.9V. Additionally, a dual focus lens is fabricated by attaching a plane-convex lens to the Fresnel liquid crystals cell. The Fresnel LC lens and the dual focus lens may be applied for DVD/CD pick-up head, confocal microscopy system, or electrically-controlling optical systems.