Abstract: Carbon dioxide has been well associated with greenhouse effect, and due to its corrosive nature it is an undesirable compound. A variety of physical-chemical processes are available for the removal of carbon dioxide. Previous attempts in this field have established alkanolamine group has the capability to remove carbon dioxide. So, this study combined the polymeric membrane and alkanolamine solutions to fabricate the amine polymeric membrane (APM) to remove carbon dioxide (CO2). This study entails the effect of three types of amines, monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), and methyldiethanolamine (MDEA). The effect of each alkanolamine group on the morphology and performance of polyether sulfone (PES) polymeric membranes was studied. Flat sheet membranes were fabricated by solvent evaporation method by adding polymer and different alkanolamine solutions in the N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) solvent. The final membranes were characterized by using Field Emission Electron Microscope (FESEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). The membrane separation performance was studied. The PES-DEA and PES-MDEA membrane has good ability to remove carbon dioxide.
Abstract: Field study was conducted to determine the post field soil fertility status responses of pawpaw (Carica papaya L.) var. homestead selection and sunrise-solo orchards to organo-mineral fertilizer (OMF) rates applied at 10, 20 40 t/ha where both the zero t/ha OMF and NPK 15:15:15 at 50 g/plant/month served as control. The result showed that all pawpaw orchards treated with OMF rates recorded significantly (p≤0.01) higher % P, % K, Na and % organic matter in soil compared to applied NPK which recorded lower Na. However, while orchards plated with sole pawpaw were higher in soil bulk density (SBD), orchards with homestead mixture were lower in SBD and significantly lower % organic matter compared to obtainable under sunrise crop mixture which recorded lower Na and Mg. In conclusion, as a result of loosening effect on soil particles, the homestead pawpaw probably due to more rooting activities as well as the addition of organic fertilizer to soils both had significant influence leading to lower SBD.
Abstract: It can be determined in preference between
representative mechanical and mathematical model of elasticcreeping
deformation of transversally isotropic array with doubly
periodic system of tilted slots, and offer of the finite elements
calculation scheme, and inspection of the states of two diagonal
arbitrary profile cavities of deep inception, and in setting up the tense
and dislocation fields distribution nature in computing processes.
Abstract: The influence of copper and zinc supplements on milk
production performances and health indicators was tested in a 20-
week feeding trial, with 40 Holstein-Friesian lactating cows, devided
in four groups (copper, zinc, copper-zinc and control). Correlations of
the Cu and Zn plasma values with some animal performance criteria
of health (body condition score and somatic cell counts) and
production (milk yield, peak milk yield, fat and crude protein
content) were done. During the 140 days of the experiment, the two
added minerals caused a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) of
their plasma values after the peak of the cows’ lactations. It was also
observed that subjects that have received copper and zinc
supplements had the lowest number of somatic cell counts in milk.
The Pearson correlation test showed a positive corellation (p = 0.007,
r = + 0.851) between the plasma Zn and the milk production. The
improvement of the nutritional status improved the milk production
performances of the cows as well as their health performances.
Abstract: In biomedical implant field, a new formula is given
for the study of Radio Frequency power attenuation by simultaneous
effects of side and angular misalignment of the supply/data transfer
coils. A confrontation with the practical measurements done into a
Faraday cage, allowed a checking of the obtained theoretical results.
The DC supply systems without material connection and the data
transmitters used in the case of biomedical implants, can be well
dimensioned by taking into account the possibility of power
attenuation by misalignment of transfer coils
Abstract: In this paper, the detection and tracking of face, mouth, hands and medication bottles in the context of medication intake monitoring with a camera is presented. This is aimed at recognizing medication intake for elderly in their home setting to avoid an inappropriate use. Background subtraction is used to isolate moving objects, and then, skin and bottle segmentations are done in the RGB normalized color space. We use a minimum displacement distance criterion to track skin color regions and the R/G ratio to detect the mouth. The color-labeled medication bottles are simply tracked based on the color space distance to their mean color vector. For the recognition of medication intake, we propose a three-level hierarchal approach, which uses activity-patterns to recognize the normal medication intake activity. The proposed method was tested with three persons, with different medication intake scenarios, and gave an overall precision of over 98%.
Abstract: A new Meta heuristic approach called "Randomized gravitational emulation search algorithm (RGES)" for solving large size set covering problems has been designed. This algorithm is found upon introducing randomization concept along with the two of the four primary parameters -velocity- and -gravity- in physics. A new heuristic operator is introduced in the domain of RGES to maintain feasibility specifically for the set covering problem to yield best solutions. The performance of this algorithm has been evaluated on a large set of benchmark problems from OR-library. Computational results showed that the randomized gravitational emulation search algorithm - based heuristic is capable of producing high quality solutions. The performance of this heuristic when compared with other existing heuristic algorithms is found to be excellent in terms of solution quality.
Abstract: Thermite welding is mainly used in world. The
reasons why the thermite welding method is widely used are
that the equipment has good mobility and total working time
of that is shorter than that of the enclosed arc welding method
on site. Moreover, the operating skill, which required for
thermite welding, is less than that of for enclosed arc welding.
In the present research work, heat treatment and combined
'expulsion and heat treatment' techniques were used improve
the mechanical properties and weldment structure. The
specimens were cut in the transverse direction from expulsion
with Heat treated and heat treated Thermite Welded rails.
Specimens were prepared according to AWS standard and
subjected to tensile test, Impact test and hardness and their
results were tabulated. Microstructural analysis was carried
out with the help of SEM. Then analyze to effect of heat
treated and 'expulsion with heat treated' with the properties of
their thermite welded rails. Compare the mechanical and
microstructural properties of thermite welded rails between
heat expulsion with heat treated and heat treated. Mechanical
and microstructural response expulsion with heat treated
thermite welded rail is higher value as compared to heat
treatment.
Abstract: In order to Study the efficacy application of green
manure as chickpea pre plant, field experiments were carried out in
2007 and 2008 growing seasons. In this research the effects of
different strategies for soil fertilization were investigated on grain
yield and yield component, minerals, organic compounds and
cooking time of chickpea. Experimental units were arranged in splitsplit
plots based on randomized complete blocks with three
replications. Main plots consisted of (G1): establishing a mixed
vegetation of Vicia panunica and Hordeum vulgare and (G2):
control, as green manure levels. Also, five strategies for obtaining the
base fertilizer requirement including (N1): 20 t.ha-1 farmyard manure;
(N2): 10 t.ha-1 compost; (N3): 75 kg.ha-1 triple super phosphate;
(N4): 10 t.ha-1 farmyard manure + 5 t.ha-1 compost and (N5): 10 t.ha-1
farmyard manure + 5 t.ha-1 compost + 50 kg.ha-1 triple super
phosphate were considered in sub plots. Furthermoree four levels of
biofertilizers consisted of (B1): Bacillus lentus + Pseudomonas
putida; (B2): Trichoderma harzianum; (B3): Bacillus lentus +
Pseudomonas putida + Trichoderma harzianum; and (B4): control
(without biofertilizers) were arranged in sub-sub plots. Results
showed that integrating biofertilizers (B3) and green manure (G1)
produced the highest grain yield. The highest amounts of yield were
obtained in G1×N5 interaction. Comparison of all 2-way and 3-way
interactions showed that G1N5B3 was determined as the superior
treatment. Significant increasing of N, P2O5, K2O, Fe and Mg content
in leaves and grains emphasized on superiority of mentioned
treatment because each one of these nutrients has an approved role in
chlorophyll synthesis and photosynthesis abilities of the crops. The
combined application of compost, farmyard manure and chemical
phosphorus (N5) in addition to having the highest yield, had the best
grain quality due to high protein, starch and total sugar contents, low
crude fiber and reduced cooking time.
Abstract: This interdisciplinary research aims to distinguish universal scale-free and field-like fundamental principles of selforganization observable across many disciplines like computer science, neuroscience, microbiology, social science, etc. Based on these universal principles we provide basic premises and postulates for designing holistic social simulation models. We also introduce pervasive information field (PIF) concept, which serves as a simulation media for contextual information storage, dynamic distribution and organization in social complex networks. PIF concept specifically is targeted for field-like uncoupled and indirect interactions among social agents capable of affecting and perceiving broadcasted contextual information. Proposed approach is expressive enough to represent contextual broadcasted information in a form locally accessible and immediately usable by network agents. This paper gives some prospective vision how system-s resources (tangible and intangible) could be simulated as oscillating processes immersed in the all pervasive information field.
Abstract: Internet is one of the major sources of information for
the person belonging to almost all the fields of life. Major language
that is used to publish information on internet is language. This thing
becomes a problem in a country like Pakistan, where Urdu is the
national language. Only 10% of Pakistan mass can understand
English. The reason is millions of people are deprived of precious
information available on internet. This paper presents a system for
translation from English to Urdu. A module LESSA is used that uses
a rule based algorithm to read the input text in English language,
understand it and translate it into Urdu language. The designed
approach was further incorporated to translate the complete website
from English language o Urdu language. An option appears in the
browser to translate the webpage in a new window. The designed
system will help the millions of users of internet to get benefit of the
internet and approach the latest information and knowledge posted
daily on internet.
Abstract: Mostly, pedestrian-car accidents occurred at a
signalized interaction is because pedestrians cannot across the
intersection safely within the green light. From the viewpoint of
pedestrian, there might have two reasons. The first one is pedestrians
cannot speed up to across the intersection, such as the elders. The other
reason is pedestrians do not sense that the signal phase is going to
change and their right-of-way is going to lose. Developing signal logic
to protect pedestrian, who is crossing an intersection is the first
purpose of this study. Another purpose of this study is improving the
reliability and reduce delay of public transportation service. Therefore,
bus preemption is also considered in the designed signal logic. In this
study, the traffic data of the intersection of Chong-Qing North Road
and Min-Zu West Road, Taipei, Taiwan, is employed to calibrate and
validate the signal logic by simulation. VISSIM 5.20, which is a
microscopic traffic simulation software, is employed to simulate the
signal logic. From the simulated results, the signal logic presented in
this study can protect pedestrians crossing the intersection
successfully. The design of bus preemption can reduce the average
delay. However, the pedestrian safety and bus preemptive signal will
influence the average delay of cars largely. Thus, whether applying the
pedestrian safety and bus preemption signal logic to an isolated
intersection or not should be evaluated carefully.
Abstract: One of the major features of hypermedia learning is its non-linear structure, allowing learners, the opportunity of flexible navigation to accommodate their own needs. Nevertheless, such flexibility can also cause problems such as insufficient navigation and disorientation for some learners, especially those with Field Dependent cognitive styles. As a result students learning performance can be deteriorated and in turn, they can have negative attitudes with hypermedia learning systems. It was suggested that visual elements can be used to compensate dilemmas. However, it is unclear whether these visual elements improve their learning or whether problems still exist. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of students cognitive styles and visual elements on students learning performance and attitudes in hypermedia learning environment. Cognitive Style Analysis (CSA), Learning outcome in terms of pre and post-test, practical task, and Attitude Questionnaire (AQ) were administered to a sample of 60 university students. The findings revealed that FD students preformed equally to those of FI. Also, FD students experienced more disorientation in the hypermedia learning system where they depend a lot on the visual elements for navigation and orientation purposes. Furthermore, they had more positive attitudes towards the visual elements which escape them from experiencing navigation and disorientation dilemmas. In contrast, FI students were more comfortable, did not get disturbed or did not need some of the visual elements in the hypermedia learning system.
Abstract: Nowadays, more engineering systems are using some
kind of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the development of their
processes. Some well-known AI techniques include artificial neural
nets, fuzzy inference systems, and neuro-fuzzy inference systems
among others. Furthermore, many decision-making applications base
their intelligent processes on Fuzzy Logic; due to the Fuzzy
Inference Systems (FIS) capability to deal with problems that are
based on user knowledge and experience. Also, knowing that users
have a wide variety of distinctiveness, and generally, provide
uncertain data, this information can be used and properly processed
by a FIS. To properly consider uncertainty and inexact system input
values, FIS normally use Membership Functions (MF) that represent
a degree of user satisfaction on certain conditions and/or constraints.
In order to define the parameters of the MFs, the knowledge from
experts in the field is very important. This knowledge defines the MF
shape to process the user inputs and through fuzzy reasoning and
inference mechanisms, the FIS can provide an “appropriate" output.
However an important issue immediately arises: How can it be
assured that the obtained output is the optimum solution? How can it
be guaranteed that each MF has an optimum shape? A viable solution
to these questions is through the MFs parameter optimization. In this
Paper a novel parameter optimization process is presented. The
process for FIS parameter optimization consists of the five simple
steps that can be easily realized off-line. Here the proposed process
of FIS parameter optimization it is demonstrated by its
implementation on an Intelligent Interface section dealing with the
on-line customization / personalization of internet portals applied to
E-commerce.
Abstract: Research on the boron (B) toxicity problems had recently considerable relation, especially in the dry regions of the world. Development of resistant varieties to B toxicity is a high priority on these regions, where the soils have high levels of B. Thus, this study aimed to assessment the resistance of wheat genotypes to B toxicity using the agronomic and physiologic parameters. For this aim, a pot experiment, based on a completely randomized design with three replications, was conducted using the soil of calcareous usthochrepts. In the study, twenty different wheat genotypes of T. aestivum and T. Durum were used. Boron fertilizer at the levels of 0 (-B), 30 mg B kg-1 (+B) as H3BO3 was applied to the pots. After harvest, plant dry matter yield was recorded, and total B concentrations in tops of wheat plants were determined. The results have revealed the existence of a large genotypic variation among wheat genotypes to their physiologic and agronomic susceptibility to B toxicity.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to analyze the visual
preference of patterns in pedestrian roads. In this study, animation was
applied for the estimation of dynamic streetscape. Six patterns of
pedestrian were selected in order to analyze the visual preference. The
shapes are straight, s-curve, and zigzag. The ratio of building's height
and road's width are 2:1 and 1:1. Twelve adjective pairs used in the
field investigation were selected from adjectives which are used
usually in the estimation of streetscape. They are interesting-boring,
simple-complex, calm-noisy, open-enclosed, active-inactive,
lightly-depressing, regular-irregular, unique-usual, rhythmic-not
rhythmic, united-not united, stable-unstable, tidy-untidy.
Dynamic streetscape must be considered important in pedestrian
shopping mall and park because it will be an attraction. So, s-curve
pedestrian road, which is the most beautiful as a result of this study,
should be designed in this area. Also, the ratio of building's height and
road's width along pedestrian road should be reduced.
Abstract: Petroglyphs, stone sculptures, burial mounds, and
other memorial religious structures are ancient artifacts which find
reflection in contemporary world culture, including the culture of
Kazakhstan. In this article, the problem of the influence of ancient
artifacts on contemporary culture is researched, using as an example
Kazakhstan-s sculpture and painting. The practice of creating
petroglyphs, stone sculptures, and memorial religious structures was
closely connected to all fields of human existence, which fostered the
formation of and became an inseparable part of a traditional
worldview. The ancient roots of Saka-Sythian and Turkic nomadic
culture have been studied, and integrated into the foundations of the
contemporary art of Kazakhstan. The study of the ancient cultural
heritage of Kazakhstan by contemporary artists, sculptors and
architects, as well as the influence of European art and cultures on the
art of Kazakhstan are furthering the development of a new national
art.
Abstract: Knowledge of food resource of the houbara which an
endangered species would be a important step toward the
preservation of this bird. Adequate study has not been done in this
field and therefore the food sources of the houbara during the
brooding season was studied in the central steppe of Iran. In order to
determine the density of insect in plant communities the pitfall trap
was used , positioned in five linear transects divided between plant
communities and in two repetitions. The results showed that the
among communities there was a significant difference in term of the
number beetles and ants ( p= 0.01, F2, 29= 4.66) collectively. Also
bush steppe habitat had a higher arthropoda density in comparison
with the shrub steppe habitat. Considering that most houbara nests
were found in the bush steppe habitat .It seems this habitat provides
the most available food supply for the houbara chicks.
Abstract: The present work involves measurements to examine
the effects of initial conditions on aerodynamic and acoustic
characteristics of a Jet at M=0.8 by changing the orientation of sharp
edged orifice plate. A thick plate with chamfered orifice presented divergent and convergent openings when it was flipped over. The centerline velocity was found to decay more rapidly for divergent
orifice and that was consistent with the enhanced mass entrainment
suggesting quicker spread of the jet compared with that from the convergent orifice. The mixing layer region elucidated this effect of
initial conditions at an early stage – the growth was found to be comparatively more pronounced for the divergent orifice resulting in
reduced potential core size. The acoustic measurements, carried out in the near field noise region outside the jet within potential core
length, showed the jet from the divergent orifice to be less noisy. The frequency spectra of the noise signal exhibited that in the initial
region of comparatively thin mixing layer for the convergent orifice,
the peak registered a higher SPL and a higher frequency as well. The noise spectra and the mixing layer development suggested a direct correlation between the coherent structures developing in the initial
region of the jet and the noise captured in the surrounding near field.
Abstract: In this paper, modeling of an acoustic enclosed
vehicle cabin has been carried out by using boundary element
method. Also, the second purpose of this study is analyzing of linear
wave equation in an acoustic field. The resultants of this modeling
consist of natural frequencies that have been compared with
resultants derived from finite element method. By using numerical
method (boundary element method) and after solution of wave
equation inside an acoustic enclosed cabin, this method has been
progressed to simulate noise inside a simple vehicle cabin.