Abstract: Skin aging is a slow multifactorial process influenced
by both internal as well as external factors. Ultra-violet radiations
(UV), diet, smoking and personal habits are the most common
environmental factors that affect skin aging. Fat contents and fibrous
proteins as collagen and elastin are core internal structural
components. The direct influence of UV on elastin integrity and
health is central on aging of skin especially by time. The deposition
of abnormal elastic material is a major marker in a photo-aged skin.
Searching for compounds that may protect against cutaneous photodamage
is exceedingly valued. Retinoids and alpha hydroxy acids
have been endorsed by some researchers as possible candidates for
protecting and or repairing the effect of UV damaged skin. For
consolidating a better system of anti- and protective effects of such
anti-aging agents, we evaluated the combinatory effects of various
dosages of lactic acid and retinol on the dermal fibroblast’s elastin
levels exposed to UV. The UV exposed cells showed significant
reduction in the elastin levels. A combination of drugs with a higher
concentration of lactic acid (30 -35 mM) and a lower concentration of
retinol (10-15mg/mL) showed to work better in maintaining elastin
concentration in UV exposed cells. We assume this preservation
could be the result of increased tropo-elastin gene expression
stimulated by retinol whereas lactic acid probably repaired the UV
irradiated damage by enhancing the amount and integrity of the
elastin fibers.
Abstract: In this paper, effects of using Alumina-water
nanofluid on the rate of heat transfer have been investigated
numerically. Physical model is a square enclosure with insulated top
and bottom horizontal walls, while the vertical walls are kept at
different constant temperatures. Two appropriate models are used to
evaluate the viscosity and thermal conductivity of nanofluid. The
governing stream-vorticity equations are solved using a second order
central finite difference scheme, coupled to the conservation of mass
and energy. The study has been carried out for the Richardson
number 0.1 to 10 and the solid volume fraction 0 to 0.04. Results are
presented by isotherms lines, average Nusselt number and normalized
Nusselt number in different range of φ and Ri for forced, combined
and natural convection dominated regime. It is found that higher heat
transfer rate is predicted when the effects of nanoparticle is taken into
account.
Abstract: Poly vinyl acetate (PVA)-based titania (TiO2)–carbon
nanotube composite nanofibers (PVA-TCCNs) with various
PVA-to-solvent ratios and PVA-based TiO2 composite nanofibers
(PVA-TN) were synthesized using an electrospinning process,
followed by thermal treatment. The photocatalytic activities of these
nanofibers in the degradation of airborne monocyclic aromatics under
visible-light irradiation were examined. This study focuses on the
application of these photocatalysts to the degradation of the target
compounds at sub-part-per-million indoor air concentrations. The
characteristics of the photocatalysts were examined using scanning
electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible
spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. For all the
target compounds, the PVA-TCCNs showed photocatalytic
degradation efficiencies superior to those of the reference PVA-TN.
Specifically, the average photocatalytic degradation efficiencies for
benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and o-xylene (BTEX) obtained using
the PVA-TCCNs with a PVA-to-solvent ratio of 0.3 (PVA-TCCN-0.3)
were 11%, 59%, 89%, and 92%, respectively, whereas those observed
using PVA-TNs were 5%, 9%, 28%, and 32%, respectively.
PVA-TCCN-0.3 displayed the highest photocatalytic degradation
efficiency for BTEX, suggesting the presence of an optimal
PVA-to-solvent ratio for the synthesis of PVA-TCCNs. The average
photocatalytic efficiencies for BTEX decreased from 11% to 4%, 59%
to 18%, 89% to 37%, and 92% to 53%, respectively, when the flow
rate was increased from 1.0 to 4.0 L min1. In addition, the average
photocatalytic efficiencies for BTEX increased 11% to ~0%, 59% to
3%, 89% to 7%, and 92% to 13%, respectively, when the input
concentration increased from 0.1 to 1.0 ppm. The prepared
PVA-TCCNs were effective for the purification of airborne aromatics
at indoor concentration levels, particularly when the operating
conditions were optimized.
Abstract: Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a noninvasive
technique that registers signals originating from the firing of neurons
in the brain. The Emotiv EEG Neuroheadset is a consumer product
comprised of 14 EEG channels and was used to record the reactions
of the neurons within the brain to two forms of stimuli in 10
participants. These stimuli consisted of auditory and visual formats
that provided directions of ‘right’ or ‘left.’ Participants were
instructed to raise their right or left arm in accordance with the
instruction given. A scenario in OpenViBE was generated to both
stimulate the participants while recording their data. In OpenViBE,
the Graz Motor BCI Stimulator algorithm was configured to govern
the duration and number of visual stimuli. Utilizing EEGLAB under
the cross platform MATLAB®, the electrodes most stimulated during
the study were defined. Data outputs from EEGLAB were analyzed
using IBM SPSS Statistics® Version 20. This aided in determining
the electrodes to use in the development of a brain-machine interface
(BMI) using real-time EEG signals from the Emotiv EEG
Neuroheadset. Signal processing and feature extraction were
accomplished via the Simulink® signal processing toolbox. An
Arduino™ Duemilanove microcontroller was used to link the Emotiv
EEG Neuroheadset and the right and left Mecha TE™ Hands.
Abstract: This paper presents two techniques, local feature
extraction using image spectrum and low frequency spectrum
modelling using GMM to capture the underlying statistical
information to improve the performance of face recognition
system. Local spectrum features are extracted using overlap sub
block window that are mapped on the face image. For each of this
block, spatial domain is transformed to frequency domain using
DFT. A low frequency coefficient is preserved by discarding high
frequency coefficients by applying rectangular mask on the
spectrum of the facial image. Low frequency information is non-
Gaussian in the feature space and by using combination of several
Gaussian functions that has different statistical properties, the best
feature representation can be modelled using probability density
function. The recognition process is performed using maximum
likelihood value computed using pre-calculated GMM components.
The method is tested using FERET datasets and is able to achieved
92% recognition rates.
Abstract: This paper describes the problem of building secure
computational services for encrypted information in the Cloud
Computing without decrypting the encrypted data; therefore, it meets
the yearning of computational encryption algorithmic aspiration
model that could enhance the security of big data for privacy,
confidentiality, availability of the users. The cryptographic model
applied for the computational process of the encrypted data is the
Fully Homomorphic Encryption Scheme. We contribute a theoretical
presentations in a high-level computational processes that are based
on number theory and algebra that can easily be integrated and
leveraged in the Cloud computing with detail theoretic mathematical
concepts to the fully homomorphic encryption models. This
contribution enhances the full implementation of big data analytics
based cryptographic security algorithm.
Abstract: Over the past few years, the online multimedia
collection has grown at a fast pace. Several companies showed
interest to study the different ways to organise the amount of audio
information without the need of human intervention to generate
metadata. In the past few years, many applications have emerged on
the market which are capable of identifying a piece of music in a
short time. Different audio effects and degradation make it much
harder to identify the unknown piece. In this paper, an audio
fingerprinting system which makes use of a non-parametric based
algorithm is presented. Parametric analysis is also performed using
Gaussian Mixture Models (GMMs). The feature extraction methods
employed are the Mel Spectrum Coefficients and the MPEG-7 basic
descriptors. Bin numbers replaced the extracted feature coefficients
during the non-parametric modelling. The results show that nonparametric
analysis offer potential results as the ones mentioned in
the literature.
Abstract: In this paper, performances of shuffled frog leaping
algorithm was investigated on the stealth laser dicing process. Effect
of problem on the performance of the algorithm was based on the
tolerance of meandering data. From the customer specification it
could be less than five microns with the target of zero microns.
Currently, the meandering levels are unsatisfactory when compared
to the customer specification. Firstly, the two-level factorial design
was applied to preliminarily study the statistically significant effects
of five process variables. In this study one influential process variable
is integer. From the experimental results, the new operating condition
from the algorithm was superior when compared to the current
manufacturing condition.
Abstract: The present work analyses different parameters of end
milling to minimize the surface roughness for AISI D2 steel. D2 Steel
is generally used for stamping or forming dies, punches, forming
rolls, knives, slitters, shear blades, tools, scrap choppers, tyre
shredders etc. Surface roughness is one of the main indices that
determines the quality of machined products and is influenced by
various cutting parameters. In machining operations, achieving
desired surface quality by optimization of machining parameters, is a
challenging job. In case of mating components the surface roughness
become more essential and is influenced by the cutting parameters,
because, these quality structures are highly correlated and are
expected to be influenced directly or indirectly by the direct effect of
process parameters or their interactive effects (i.e. on process
environment). In this work, the effects of selected process parameters
on surface roughness and subsequent setting of parameters with the
levels have been accomplished by Taguchi’s parameter design
approach. The experiments have been performed as per the
combination of levels of different process parameters suggested by
L9 orthogonal array. Experimental investigation of the end milling of
AISI D2 steel with carbide tool by varying feed, speed and depth of
cut and the surface roughness has been measured using surface
roughness tester. Analyses of variance have been performed for mean
and signal-to-noise ratio to estimate the contribution of the different
process parameters on the process.
Abstract: Iron is an essential nutrient with limited
bioavailability. Nutritional anemia caused mainly by iron deficiency
is the most recognized nutritional problem in both countries as well
as affluent societies. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) has become the most
important cereal crop for the improvement of human health due to the
starch, protein, oil, and the majority of micronutrients, particularly in
Asian countries. In this study, the iron availability and profile lipid
were evaluated for the extracts from Cibeusi varieties (black rices) of
ancient rice brans.
Results: The quality of K, B, R, E diets groups shows the same
effect on the growth of rats. Hematocrit and MCHC levels of rats fed
K, B, R and E diets were not significantly (P
Abstract: This study estimates the seismic demands of tall
buildings with central symmetric setbacks by using nonlinear time
history analysis. Three setback structures, all 60-story high with
setback in three levels, are used for evaluation. The effects of
irregularities occurred by setback are evaluated by determination of
global-drift, story-displacement and story drift. Story-displacement is
modified by roof displacement and first story displacement and story
drift is modified by global drift. All results are calculated at the
center of mass and in x and y direction. Also the absolute values of
these quantities are determined. The results show that increasing of
vertical irregularities increases the global drift of the structure and
enlarges the deformations in the height of the structure. It is also
observed that the effects of geometry irregularity in the seismic
deformations of setback structures are higher than those of mass
irregularity.
Abstract: Planning of infrastructure and processes in logistic
center within the frame of various kinds of logistic hubs and
technological activities in them represent quite complex problem.
The main goal is to design appropriate layout, which enables to
realize expected operation on the desired levels. The simulation
software represents progressive contemporary experimental
technique, which can support complex processes of infrastructure
planning and all of activities on it. It means that simulation
experiments, reflecting various planned infrastructure variants,
investigate and verify their eligibilities in relation with corresponding
expected operation. The inducted approach enables to make qualified
decisions about infrastructure investments or measures, which derive
benefit from simulation-based verifications. The paper represents
simulation software for simulation infrastructural layout and
technological activities in marshalling yard, intermodal terminal,
warehouse and combination between them as the parts of logistic
center.
Abstract: Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are playing
increasingly prominent roles in defense programs and defense
strategies around the world. Technology advancements have
enabled the development of it to do many excellent jobs as
reconnaissance, surveillance, battle fighters, and communications
relays. Simulating a small unmanned aerial vehicle (SUAV)
dynamics and analyzing its behavior at the preflight stage is too
important and more efficient. The first step in the UAV design is
the mathematical modeling of the nonlinear equations of motion. .
In this paper, a survey with a standard method to obtain the full
non-linear equations of motion is utilized, and then the
linearization of the equations according to a steady state flight
condition (trimming) is derived. This modeling technique is
applied to an Ultrastick-25e fixed wing UAV to obtain the valued
linear longitudinal and lateral models. At the end the model is
checked by matching between the behavior of the states of the nonlinear
UAV and the resulted linear model with doublet at the
control surfaces.
Abstract: This paper presents the results and findings from a
parametric study on the water surface elevation at upstream of bridge
constriction for subcritical flow. In this study, the influence of
Manning's Roughness Coefficient of main channel (nmc) and
floodplain (nfp), and bridge opening (b) flow rate (Q), contraction
(kcon) and expansion coefficients (kexp) were investigated on
backwater level. The DECK bridge models with different span widths
and without any pier were investigated within the two stage channel
having various roughness conditions. One of the most commonly
used commercial one-dimensional HEC-RAS model was used in this
parametric study. This study showed that the effects of main channel
roughness (nmc) and flow rate (Q) on the backwater level are much
higher than those of the floodplain roughness (nfp). Bridge opening
(b) with contraction (kcon) and expansion coefficients (kexp) have very
little effect on the backwater level within this range of parameters.
Abstract: There has been a significant decline in active travel
and a massive increase in the use of car dependent travel in many
countries during the past two decades. Evidential risks for people’s
physical and mental health problems are correlated with this
increased use of motorized travel. These health related problems
range from overweight and obesity to increased air pollution. In
response to these rising concerns health professionals, traffic planers,
local authorities and others have introduced a variety of initiatives to
counterbalance the dominance of cars for daily journeys.
However, the nature of travel behavior change interventions,
which aim to reduce car use, are very complex and challenging
regarding their interactions with human behavior. To change travel
behavior at least two aspects have to be taken into consideration.
First, how to alter attitudes and perceptions toward the sustainable
and healthy modes of travel, in competition with experiences of
private car use. And second, how to make these behavior change
processes irreversible and sustainable. There are no comprehensive
models available to guide policy interventions to increase the level of
success of travel behavior change interventions across both these
dimensions.
A comprehensive theoretical framework is required in the effort to
optimize how to facilitate and guide the processes of data collection
and analysis to achieve the best possible guidelines for policy
makers. Regarding the gaps in the travel behavior change research
literature, this paper attempted to identify and suggest a
multidimensional framework in order to facilitate planning the
implemented travel behavior change interventions. A structured
mixed-method model is suggested to improve the analytic power of
the results according to the complexity of human behavior.
In order to recognize people’s attitudes towards a specific travel
mode, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was operationalized.
But in order to capture decision making processes the Transtheoretical
model of Behavior Change (TTM) was also used.
Consequently, the combination of these two theories (TTM and TPB)
has resulted in a synthesis with appropriate concepts to identify and
design an implemented travel behavior change interventions.
Abstract: The rhizome of Java grass, Cyperus rotundus was
extracted different organic polar and non-polar solvents and
performed the in vitro antiviral and immunostimulant activities
against White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) and Vibrio harveyi
respectively. Based on the initial screening the ethyl acetate extract of
C. rotundus was strong activities and further it was purified through
silica column chromatography and the fractions were screened again
for antiviral and immunostimulant activity. Among the different
fractions screened against the WSSV and V. harveyi, the fractions, FIII
to FV had strong activities. In order to study the in vivo influence
of C. rotundus, the fractions (F-III to FV) were pooled and delivered
to the F. indicus through artificial feed for 30 days. After the feeding
trail the experimental and control diet fed F. indicus were challenged
with virulent WSSV and studied the survival, molecular diagnosis,
biochemical, haematological, and immunological parameters.
Surprisingly, the pooled fractions (F-IV to FVI) incorporated diets
helped to significantly (P
Abstract: The paper presents a practical three-phase PWM
inverter suitable for low voltage, low rating energy efficient systems.
The work in the paper is conducted with the view to establishing the
significance of the loss contribution from the PWM inverter in the
determination of the complete losses of a photovoltaic (PV) arraypowered
induction motor drive water pumping system. Losses
investigated include; conduction and switching loss of the devices
and gate drive losses. It is found that the PWM inverter operates at a
reasonable variable efficiency that does not fall below 92%
depending on the load. The results between the simulated and
experimental results for the system with or without a maximum
power tracker (MPT) compares very well, within an acceptable range
of 2% margin.
Abstract: China is currently the world's largest producer and distributor of electric bicycle (e-bike). The increasing number of e-bikes on the road is accompanied by rising injuries and even deaths of e-bike drivers. Therefore, there is a growing need to improve the safety structure of e-bikes. This 3D frictionless contact analysis is a preliminary, but necessary work for further structural design improvement of an e-bike. The contact analysis between e-bike and the ground was carried out as follows: firstly, the Penalty method was illustrated and derived from the simplest spring-mass system. This is one of the most common methods to satisfy the frictionless contact case; secondly, ANSYS static analysis was carried out to verify finite element (FE) models with contact pair (without friction) between e-bike and the ground; finally, ANSYS transient analysis was used to obtain the data of the penetration p(u) of e-bike with respect to the ground. Results obtained from the simulation are as estimated by comparing with that from theoretical method. In the future, protective shell will be designed following the stability criteria and added to the frame of e-bike. Simulation of side falling of the improvedsafety structure of e-bike will be confirmed with experimental data.
Abstract: Wind energy offers a significant advantage such as no
fuel costs and no emissions from generation. However, wind energy
sources are variable and non-dispatchable. The utility grid is able to
accommodate the variability of wind in smaller proportion along with
the daily load. However, at high penetration levels, the variability can
severely impact the utility reserve requirements and the cost
associated with it. In this paper the impact of wind energy is
evaluated in detail in formulating the total utility cost. The objective
is to minimize the overall cost of generation while ensuring the
proper management of the load. Overall cost includes the curtailment
cost, reserve cost and the reliability cost, as well as any other penalty
imposed by the regulatory authority. Different levels of wind
penetrations are explored and the cost impacts are evaluated. As the
penetration level increases significantly, the reliability becomes a
critical question to be answered. Here we increase the penetration
from the wind yet keep the reliability factor within the acceptable
limit provided by NERC. This paper uses an economic dispatch (ED)
model to incorporate wind generation into the power grid. Power
system costs are analyzed at various wind penetration levels using
Linear Programming. The goal of this study is show how the
increases in wind generation will affect power system economics.
Abstract: The English competence of Thai people was examined
in the context of knowledge of English in everyday life for Small and
Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs), and also integrated with Second
language acquisition (SLA) students’ classroom. Second language
acquisition was applied to the results of the questionnaires and
interview forms. Levels of the need on English used for SME
entrepreneurs in Thailand, satisfaction on joining the street classroom
project were shown to be significantly high for some certain language
functions and satisfaction. Finding suggests that the language
functions on etiquette for professional use is essential and useful
because lesson learned can be used in the real situation for their
career. Implications for the climate of the street classroom are
discussed.