Abstract: A new chelating resin is prepared by coupling
Amberlite XAD-4 with 1-amino-2-naphthole through an azo spacer.
The resulting sorbent has been characterized by FT-IR, elemental
analysis and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and studied for
preconcentrating of Cu (II) using flame atomic absorption
spectrometry (FAAS) for metal monitoring. The optimum pH value
for sorption of the copper ions was 6.5. The resin was subjected to
evaluation through batch binding of mentioned metal ion.
Quantitative desorption occurs instantaneously with 0.5 M HNO3.
The sorption capacity was found 4.8 mmol.g-1 of resin for Cu (II) in
the aqueous solution. The chelating resin can be reused for 10 cycles
of sorption-desorption without any significant change in sorption
capacity. A recovery of 99% was obtained the metal ions with 0.5 M
HNO3 as eluting agent. The method was applied for metal ions
determination from industrial waste water sample.
Abstract: This manuscript presents, palmprint recognition by
combining different texture extraction approaches with high accuracy.
The Region of Interest (ROI) is decomposed into different frequencytime
sub-bands by wavelet transform up-to two levels and only the
approximate image of two levels is selected, which is known as
Approximate Image ROI (AIROI). This AIROI has information of
principal lines of the palm. The Competitive Index is used as the
features of the palmprint, in which six Gabor filters of different
orientations convolve with the palmprint image to extract the orientation
information from the image. The winner-take-all strategy
is used to select dominant orientation for each pixel, which is
known as Competitive Index. Further, PCA is applied to select highly
uncorrelated Competitive Index features, to reduce the dimensions of
the feature vector, and to project the features on Eigen space. The
similarity of two palmprints is measured by the Euclidean distance
metrics. The algorithm is tested on Hong Kong PolyU palmprint
database. Different AIROI of different wavelet filter families are also
tested with the Competitive Index and PCA. AIROI of db7 wavelet
filter achievs Equal Error Rate (EER) of 0.0152% and Genuine
Acceptance Rate (GAR) of 99.67% on the palm database of Hong
Kong PolyU.
Abstract: This paper introduces a technique for simulating a
single-server exponential queuing system. The technique called the
Q-Simulator is a computer program which can simulate the effect of
traffic intensity on all system average quantities given the arrival
and/or service rates. The Q-Simulator has three phases namely: the
formula based method, the uncontrolled simulation, and the
controlled simulation. The Q-Simulator generates graphs (crystal
solutions) for all results of the simulation or calculation and can be
used to estimate desirable average quantities such as waiting times,
queue lengths, etc.
Abstract: The recent development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) enables new ways of "democratic" decision-making such as a page-ranking system, which estimates the importance of a web page based on indirect trust on that page shared by diverse group of unorganized individuals. These kinds of "democracy" have not been acclaimed yet in the world of real politics. On the other hand, a large amount of data about personal relations including trust, norms of reciprocity, and networks of civic engagement has been accumulated in a computer-readable form by computer systems (e.g., social networking systems). We can use these relations as a new type of social capital to construct a new democratic decision-making system based on a delegation network. In this paper, we propose an effective decision-making support system, which is based on empowering someone's vote whom you trust. For this purpose, we propose two new techniques: the first is for estimating entire vote distribution from a small number of votes, and the second is for estimating active voter choice to promote voting using a delegation network. We show that these techniques could increase the voting ratio and credibility of the whole decision by agent-based simulations.
Abstract: The dramatic effect of information technology on
society is undeniable. In education, it is evident in the use of terms
like active learning, blended learning, electronic learning and mobile
learning (ubiquitous learning). This study explores the perceptions of
54 learners in a higher education institution regarding the use of
mobile devices in a third year module. Using semi-structured
interviews, it was found that mobile devices had a positive impact on
learner motivation, engagement and enjoyment. It also improved the
consistency of learning material, and the convenience and flexibility
(anywhere, anytime) of learning. User-interfacelimitation, bandwidth
and cognitive overload, however, were of concern. The use of cloud
based resources like Youtube and Google Docs, through mobile
devices, positively influenced learner perceptions, making them
prosumers (both consumers and producers) of education content.
Abstract: This paper presents a numerical investigation of the
unsteady flow around an American 19th century vertical-axis
windmill: the Stevens & Jolly rotor, patented on April 16, 1895. The
computational approach used is based on solving the complete
transient Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (t-RANS) equations: a
full campaign of numerical simulation has been performed using the
k-ω SST turbulence model. Flow field characteristics have been
investigated for several values of tip speed ratio and for a constant
unperturbed free-stream wind velocity of 6 m/s, enabling the study of
some unsteady flow phenomena in the rotor wake. Finally, the global
power generated from the windmill has been determined for each
simulated angular velocity, allowing the calculation of the rotor
power-curve.
Abstract: Increasing concerns over climate change have limited
the liberal usage of available energy technology options. India faces
a formidable challenge to meet its energy needs and provide adequate
energy of desired quality in various forms to users in sustainable
manner at reasonable costs. In this paper, work carried out with an
objective to study the role of various energy technology options
under different scenarios namely base line scenario, high nuclear
scenario, high renewable scenario, low growth and high growth rate
scenario. The study has been carried out using Model for Energy
Supply Strategy Alternatives and their General Environmental
Impacts (MESSAGE) model which evaluates the alternative energy
supply strategies with user defined constraints on fuel availability,
environmental regulations etc. The projected electricity demand, at
the end of study period i.e. 2035 is 500490 MWYr. The model
predicted the share of the demand by Thermal: 428170 MWYr,
Hydro: 40320 MWYr, Nuclear: 14000 MWYr, Wind: 18000 MWYr
in the base line scenario. Coal remains the dominant fuel for
production of electricity during the study period. However, the
import dependency of coal increased during the study period. In
baseline scenario the cumulative carbon dioxide emissions upto 2035
are about 11,000 million tones of CO2. In the scenario of high nuclear
capacity the carbon dioxide emissions reduced by 10 % when nuclear
energy share increased to 9 % compared to 3 % in baseline scenario.
Similarly aggressive use of renewables reduces 4 % of carbon
dioxide emissions.
Abstract: This paper deals with the synthesis of fuzzy controller
applied to a permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) with a
guaranteed H∞ performance. To design this fuzzy controller,
nonlinear model of the PMSM is approximated by Takagi-Sugeno
fuzzy model (T-S fuzzy model), then the so-called parallel
distributed compensation (PDC) is employed. Next, we derive the
property of the H∞ norm. The latter is cast in terms of linear matrix
inequalities (LMI-s) while minimizing the H∞ norm of the transfer
function between the disturbance and the error ( ) ev T . The
experimental and simulations results were conducted on a permanent
magnet synchronous machine to illustrate the effects of the fuzzy
modelling and the controller design via the PDC.
Abstract: Martingale model diagnostic for assessing the fit of logistic regression model to recurrent events data are studied. One way of assessing the fit is by plotting the empirical standard deviation of the standardized martingale residual processes. Here we used another diagnostic plot based on martingale residual covariance. We investigated the plot performance under several types of model misspecification. Clearly the method has correctly picked up the wrong model. Also we present a test statistic that supplement the inspection of the two diagnostic. The test statistic power agrees with what we have seen in the plots of the estimated martingale covariance.
Abstract: A wideband 2-1-1 cascaded ΣΔ modulator with a
single-bit quantizer in the two first stages and a 4-bit quantizer in the
final stage is developed. To reduce sensitivity of digital-to-analog
converter (DAC) nonlinearities in the feedback of the last stage,
dynamic element matching (DEM) is introduced. This paper presents
two modelling approaches: The first is MATLAB description and the
second is VHDL-AMS modelling of the proposed architecture and
exposes some high-level-simulation results allowing a behavioural
study. The detail of both ideal and non-ideal behaviour modelling are
presented. Then, the study of the effect of building blocks
nonidealities is presented; especially the influences of nonlinearity,
finite operational amplifier gain, amplifier slew rate limitation and
capacitor mismatch. A VHDL-AMS description presents a good
solution to predict system-s performances and can provide sensitivity
curves giving the impact of nonidealities on the system performance.
Abstract: In the way of growing and developing firms especially
high-tech firms, on many occasions manager of firm is mainly involved in solving problems of his business and decision making about executive activities of the firm, while besides executive
measures, attention to planning of firm's success and growth way and
application of long experience and sagacity in designing business model are vital and necessary success in a business is achieved as a
result of different factors, one of the most important of them is designing and performing an optimal business model at the beginning
of the firm's work. This model is determining the limit of profitability
achieved by innovation and gained value added. Therefore, business
model is the process of connecting innovation environment and
technology with economic environment and business and is important
for succeeding modern businesses considering their traits.
Abstract: A rigorous two-dimensional model is developed for simulating the operation of a less-investigated type steam reformer having a considerably lower operating Reynolds number, higher tube diameter, and non-availability of extra steam in the feed compared with conventional steam reformers. Simulation results show that reasonable predictions can only be achieved when certain correlations for wall to fluid heat transfer equations are applied. Due to severe operating conditions, in all cases, strong radial temperature gradients inside the reformer tubes have been found. Furthermore, the results show how a certain catalyst loading profile will affect the operation of the reformer.
Abstract: Since 2005, an SRF module of CESR type serves as the
accelerating cavity at the Taiwan Light Source in the National
Synchrotron Radiation Research Center. A 500-MHz niobium cavity
is immersed in liquid helium inside this SRF module. To reduce heat
load, the liquid helium vessel is thermally shielded by
liquid-nitrogen-cooled copper layer, and the beam chambers are also
anchored with pipes of the liquid nitrogen flow in middle of the liquid
helium vessel and the vacuum vessel. A strong correlation of the
movement of the cavity-s frequency tuner with the temperature
variation of parts cooled with liquid nitrogen was observed. A
previous study on a spare SRF module with the niobium cavity cooled
by liquid nitrogen instead of liquid helium, satisfactory suppression of
the thermal oscillation was achieved by attaching a temporary buffer
tank for the vented shielding nitrogen flow from the SRF module. In
this study, a home-made buffer tank is designed and integrated to the
spare SRF module with cavity cooled by liquid helium. Design,
construction, integration, and preliminary test results of this buffer
tank are presented.
Abstract: In order to enhance the knowledge of certain
phytochemical Algerian plants that are widely used in traditional
medicine and to exploit their therapeutic potential in modern
medicine, we have done a specific extraction of terpenes and
alkaloids from the leaves of Euphorbia granulata to evaluate the
antioxidant and antibacterial activity of this extracts. After the
extraction it was found that the terpene extract gave the highest yield
59.72% compared with alkaloids extracts.
The disc diffusion method was used to determine the antibacterial
activity against different bacterial strains: Escherichia coli
(ATCC25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC27853) and
Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC25923). All extracts have shown
inhibition of growth bacteria. The different zones of inhibition have
varied from (7 -10 mm) according to the concentrations of extract
used.
Testing the antiradical activity on DPPH-TLC plates indicated the
presence of substances that have potent anti-free radical. As against,
the BC-TLC revealed that only terpenes extract which was reacted
positively. These results can validate the importance of Euphorbia
granulata in traditional medicine.
Abstract: Analyses carried out on examples of detected defects
echoes showed clearly that one can describe these detected forms according to a whole of characteristic parameters in order to be able to make discrimination between a planar defect and a volumic defect.
This work answers to a problem of ultrasonics NDT like Identification of the defects. The problems as well as the objective of
this realized work, are divided in three parts: Extractions of the parameters of wavelets from the ultrasonic echo of the detected defect - the second part is devoted to principal components analysis
(PCA) for optimization of the attributes vector. And finally to establish the algorithm of classification (SVM, Support Vector Machine) which allows discrimination between a plane defect and a
volumic defect. We have completed this work by a conclusion where we draw up a summary of the completed works, as well as the robustness of the
various algorithms proposed in this study.
Abstract: This paper suggests ranking alternatives under fuzzy
MCDM (multiple criteria decision making) via an centroid based
ranking approach, where criteria are classified to benefit qualitative,
benefit quantitative and cost quantitative ones. The ratings of
alternatives versus qualitative criteria and the importance weights of
all criteria are assessed in linguistic values represented by fuzzy
numbers. The membership function for the final fuzzy evaluation
value of each alternative can be developed through α-cuts and
interval arithmetic of fuzzy numbers. The distance between the
original point and the relative centroid is applied to defuzzify the
final fuzzy evaluation values in order to rank alternatives. Finally a
numerical example demonstrates the computation procedure of the
proposed model.
Abstract: This paper presents probabilistic horizontal seismic
hazard assessment of Naghan, Iran. It displays the probabilistic
estimate of Peak Ground Horizontal Acceleration (PGHA) for the
return period of 475, 950 and 2475 years. The output of the
probabilistic seismic hazard analysis is based on peak ground
acceleration (PGA), which is the most common criterion in designing
of buildings. A catalogue of seismic events that includes both
historical and instrumental events was developed and covers the
period from 840 to 2009. The seismic sources that affect the hazard
in Naghan were identified within the radius of 200 km and the
recurrence relationships of these sources were generated by Kijko
and Sellevoll. Finally Peak Ground Horizontal Acceleration (PGHA)
has been prepared to indicate the earthquake hazard of Naghan for
different hazard levels by using SEISRISK III software.
Abstract: This study applied the Theory of Planned Behavior
model in predicting dietary behavior among Type 2 diabetics in a
Kenyan environment. The study was conducted for three months
within the diabetic clinic at Kisii Hospital in Nyanza Province in
Kenya and adopted sequential mixed methods design combing both
qualitative and quantitative phases. Qualitative data was analyzed
using grounded theory analysis method. Structural equation modeling
using maximum likelihood was used to analyze quantitative data.
The results based on the common fit indices revealed that the theory
of planned behavior fitted the data acceptably well among the Type 2
diabetes and within dietary behavior {χ2 = 223.3, df = 77, p = .02,
χ2/df = 2.9, n=237; TLI = .93; CFI =.91; RMSEA (90CI) = .090(.039,
.146)}. This implies that the Theory of Planned Behavior holds and
forms a framework for promoting dietary practice among Type 2
diabetics.
Abstract: This study assesses the vulnerability of Bulgarian
agriculture to drought using the WINISAREG model and seasonal
standard precipitation index SPI(2) for the period 1951-2004. This
model was previously validated for maize on soils of different water
holding capacity (TAW) in various locations. Simulations are
performed for Plovdiv, Stara Zagora and Sofia. Results relative to
Plovdiv show that in soils of large TAW (180 mm m-1) net irrigation
requirements (NIRs) range 0-40 mm in wet years and 350-380 mm in
dry years. In soils of small TAW (116 mm m-1), NIRs reach 440 mm
in the very dry year. NIRs in Sofia are about 80 mm smaller. Rainfed
maize is associated with great yield variability (29%
Abstract: Parallel Prefix addition is a technique for improving
the speed of binary addition. Due to continuing integrating intensity
and the growing needs of portable devices, low-power and highperformance
designs are of prime importance. The classical parallel
prefix adder structures presented in the literature over the years
optimize for logic depth, area, fan-out and interconnect count of logic
circuits. In this paper, a new architecture for performing 8-bit, 16-bit
and 32-bit Parallel Prefix addition is proposed. The proposed prefix
adder structures is compared with several classical adders of same
bit width in terms of power, delay and number of computational
nodes. The results reveal that the proposed structures have the least
power delay product when compared with its peer existing Prefix
adder structures. Tanner EDA tool was used for simulating the adder
designs in the TSMC 180 nm and TSMC 130 nm technologies.