Abstract: Effects of insertion of coiled wire in juxtaposition with twisted tapes on heat transfer rate and solar radiation without disturbing the flow inside the riser tubes in a solar flat plate collector is experimentally reconnoitered in this present work. The wire coil used as a turbulator is placed inside the riser tube while the twisted tape is inserted into the wire coil to create a continuous swirling flow along the tube wall. The results of the heat transfer have been compared well with the available results. The heat transfer rate in the collector has been found to be increased by 18% to 70%. Solar water heaters having inserts in the flow tubes perform better than the conventional plain ones. It has been observed that heat losses are reduced consequently increasing the thermal performance about 30% over the plain water heaters under the same operating conditions. The effect of twisted tape with wire coils, flow Reynolds number, and the intensity of solar radiation on the thermal performance of the solar water heater has been presented. Effects of insertion of coiled wire in juxtaposition with twisted tapes on heat transfer rate and solar radiation without disturbing the flow inside the riser tubes in a solar flat plate collector is experimentally reconnoitered in this present work. The wire coil used as a turbulator is placed inside the riser tube while the twisted tape is inserted into the wire coil to create a continuous swirling flow along the tube wall. The results of the heat transfer have been compared well with the available results. The heat transfer rate in the collector has been found to be increased by 18% to 70%. Solar water heaters having inserts in the flow tubes perform better than the conventional plain ones. It has been observed that heat losses are reduced consequently increasing the thermal performance about 30% over the plain water heaters under the same operating conditions. The effect of twisted tape with wire coils, flow Reynolds number, and the intensity of solar radiation on the thermal performance of the solar water heater has been presented.
Abstract: Various biomass based resources, which can be used
as an extender, or a complete substitute of diesel fuel may have very
significant role in the development of agriculture, industrial and
transport sectors in the energy crisis. Use of Karanja oil methyl ester
biodiesel in a CI DI engine was found highly compatible with engine
performance along with lower exhaust emission as compared to
diesel fuel but with slightly higher NOx emission and low wear
characteristics. The combustion related properties of vegetable oils
are somewhat similar to diesel oil. Neat vegetable oils or their blends
with diesel, however, pose various long-term problems in
compression ignition engines. These undesirable features of
vegetable oils are because of their inherent properties like high
viscosity, low volatility, and polyunsaturated character. Pongamia
methyl ester (PME) was prepared by transesterification process using
methanol for long term engine operations. The physical and
combustion-related properties of the fuels thus developed were found
to be closer to that of the diesel. A neat biodiesel (PME) was selected
as a fuel for the tribological study of biofuels.
Two similar new engines were completely disassembled and
subjected to dimensioning of various vital moving parts and then
subjected to long-term endurance tests on neat biodiesel and diesel
respectively. After completion of the test, both the engines were
again disassembled for physical inspection and wear measurement of
various vital parts. The lubricating oil samples drawn from both
engines were subjected to atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) for
measurement of various wear metal traces present. The additional
lubricating property of biodiesel fuel due to higher viscosity as
compared to diesel fuel resulted in lower wear of moving parts and
thus improved the engine durability with a bio-diesel fuel. Results
reported from AAS tests confirmed substantially lower wear and thus
improved life for biodiesel operated engines.
Abstract: Localization of mobile robots are important tasks for
developing autonomous mobile robots. This paper proposes a method
to estimate positions of a mobile robot using a omnidirectional
camera on the robot. Landmarks for points of references are set
up on a field where the robot works. The omnidirectional camera
which can obtain 360 [deg] around images takes photographs of
these landmarks. The positions of the robots are estimated from
directions of these landmarks that are extracted from the images
by image processing. This method can obtain the robot positions
without accumulative position errors. Accuracy of the estimated
robot positions by the proposed method are evaluated through some
experiments. The results show that it can obtain the positions with
small standard deviations. Therefore the method has possibilities of
more accurate localization by tuning of appropriate offset parameters.
Abstract: Background. Food-related allergies and intolerances are frequently occurring in dogs. Diagnosis and monitoring according ‘Golden Standard’ of elimination efficiency is, however, time consuming, expensive, and requires expert clinical setting. In order to facilitate rapid and robust, quantitative testing of intolerance, and determining the individual offending foods, a serological test is implicated for Alimentary Induced Diseases and manifestations. Method. As we developed Medisynx IgG Human Screening Test ELISA before and the dog’ immune system is most similar to humans, we were able to develop Medisynx IgG Dog Screening Test ELISA as well. In this randomized, double-blind, split-sample, retro perspective study 47 dogs suffering from Canine Atopic Dermatitis (CAD) and several secondary induced reactions were included to participate in serological Medisynx IgG Dog Screening Test ELISA (within < 0,02 % SD). Results were expressed as titers relative to the standard OD readings to diagnose alimentary induced diseases and monitoring efficacy of an individual eliminating diet in dogs. Split sample analysis was performed by independently sending 2 times 3 ml serum under two unique codes. Results. The veterinarian monitored these dogs to check dog’ results at least at 3, 7, 21, 49, 70 days and after period of 6 and 12 months on an individual negative diet and a positive challenge (retrospectively) at 6 months. Data of each dog were recorded in a screening form and reported that a complete recovery of all clinical manifestations was observed at or less than 70 days (between 50 and 70 days) in the majority of dogs (44 out of 47 dogs =93.6%). Conclusion. Challenge results showed a significant result of 100% in specificity as well as 100% positive predicted value. On the other hand, sensitivity was 95,7% and negative predictive value was 95,7%. In conclusion, an individual diet based on IgG ELISA in dogs provides a significant improvement of atopic dermatitis and pruritus including all other non-specific defined allergic skin reactions as erythema, itching, biting and gnawing at toes, as well as to several secondary manifestations like chronic diarrhoea, chronic constipation, otitis media, obesity, laziness or inactive behaviour, pain and muscular stiffness causing a movement disorders, excessive lacrimation, hyper behaviour, nervous behaviour and not possible to stay alone at home, anxiety, biting and aggressive behaviour and disobedience behaviour. Furthermore, we conclude that a relatively more severe systemic candidiasis, as shown by relatively higher titer (class 3 and 4 IgG reactions to Candida albicans), influence the duration of recovery from clinical manifestations in affected dogs. These findings are consistent with our preliminary human clinical studies.
Abstract: The process in which the complementary information from multiple images is integrated to provide composite image that contains more information than the original input images is called image fusion. Medical image fusion provides useful information from multimodality medical images that provides additional information to the doctor for diagnosis of diseases in a better way. This paper represents the wavelet based medical image fusion algorithm on different multimodality medical images. In order to fuse the medical images, images are decomposed using Redundant Wavelet Transform (RWT). The high frequency coefficients are convolved with morphological operator followed by the maximum-selection (MS) rule. The low frequency coefficients are processed by MS rule. The reconstructed image is obtained by inverse RWT. The quantitative measures which includes Mean, Standard Deviation, Average Gradient, Spatial frequency, Edge based Similarity Measures are considered for evaluating the fused images. The performance of this proposed method is compared with Pixel averaging, PCA, and DWT fusion methods. When compared with conventional methods, the proposed framework provides better performance for analysis of multimodality medical images.
Abstract: This paper increases directivity and gain of Small Planar Dipole Antenna (SPDA) by using Symmetrical Pyramidal Block (SPB) which operates in X band at 11 GHz. The SPB consists four sides; each of which is metamaterial with Epsilon Negative Medium (ENG) and Epsilon Near-Zero (ENZ). The results simulated using the High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) show that the SPB is capable of enhancing directivity and gain for the SPDA with maximum gain of 2.46 dB. The reflection coefficient is -13.7037 dB with narrow beam width.
Abstract: Lately, with the increasing number of location-based applications, demand for highly accurate and reliable indoor localization became urgent. This is a challenging problem, due to the measurement variance which is the consequence of various factors like obstacles, equipment properties and environmental changes in complex nature of indoor environments. In this paper we propose low-cost custom-setup infrastructure solution and localization algorithm based on the Weighted Centroid Localization (WCL) method. Localization accuracy is increased by several enhancements: calibration of RSSI values gained from wireless nodes, repetitive measurements of RSSI to exclude deviating values from the position estimation, and by considering orientation of the device according to the wireless nodes. We conducted several experiments to evaluate the proposed algorithm. High accuracy of ~1m was achieved.
Abstract: This research presents the design, fabrication and application of a flavor sensor for an integrated electronic tongue and electronic nose that can allow rapid characterization of multi-component mixtures in a solution. The odor gas and liquid are separated using hydrophobic porous membrane in micro fluidic channel. The sensor uses an array composed of microbeads in micromachined cavities localized on silicon wafer. Sensing occurs via colorimetric and fluorescence changes to receptors and indicator molecules that are attached to termination sites on the polymeric microbeads. As a result, the sensor array system enables simultaneous and near-real-time analyses using small samples and reagent volumes with the capacity to incorporate significant redundancies. One of the key parts of the system is a passive pump driven only by capillary force. The hydrophilic surface of the fluidic structure draws the sample into the sensor array without any moving mechanical parts. Since there is no moving mechanical component in the structure, the size of the fluidic structure can be compact and the fabrication becomes simple when compared to the device including active microfluidic components. These factors should make the proposed system inexpensive to mass-produce, portable and compatible with biomedical applications.
Abstract: Hand grip strength has been utilized as an indicator to evaluate the motor ability of hands, responsible for performing multiple body functions. It is, however, difficult to evaluate other factors (other than hand muscular strength) utilizing the hand grip strength only. In this study, we analyzed the motor ability of hands using EMG and the hand grip strength, simultaneously in order to evaluate concentration, muscular strength reaction time, instantaneous muscular strength change, and agility in response to visual reaction. In results, the average time (and their standard deviations) of muscular strength reaction EMG signal and hand grip strength was found to be 209.6 ± 56.2 ms and 354.3 ± 54.6 ms, respectively. In addition, the onset time which represents acceleration time to reach 90% of maximum hand grip strength, was 382.9 ± 129.9 ms.
Abstract: The protective effect of hesperidin was investigated in
rats exposed to liver injury induced by a single intraperitoneal
injection of cyclophosphamide (CYP) at a dose of 150 mg kg-1.
Hesperidin treatment (100 mg kg-1/day, orally) was applied for seven
days, starting five days before CYP administration. Hesperidin
significantly decreased the CYP-induced elevations of serum alanine
aminotransferase, and hepatic malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase
activity, significantly prevented the depletion of hepatic glutathione
peroxidase activity resulted from CYP administration. Also,
hesperidin ameliorated the CYP-induced liver tissue injury observed
by histopathological examination. In addition, hesperidin decreased
the CYP-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor
necrosis factor-α, cyclooxygenase-2, Fas ligand, and caspase-9 in
liver tissue. It was concluded that hesperidin may represent a
potential candidate to protect against CYP-induced hepatotoxicity.
Abstract: The objectives of the research are to study the existing agricultural patterns, and to evaluate the sustainability of agricultural on economic, social and environmental aspects. The samplings were the representatives of the agriculturist group from Ban Paew district, Samut Sakorn province by purposive sampling method of 30 households. The tools being used were interview forms together with the Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) and the Participation Rural Appraisal (PRA). The information collected was analyzed with the principle of Content Analysis andusing Descriptive Statistics. After that all the information gotten was analyze the sustainability on the household level and village level. The research result can be concluded as follows: The agricultural Patterns: For most of the cultivation main crop was fruit trees planted and the supplement crop was around the patch or added other plants in the trenches. There were trenches for the cultivating water. The product distribution was by selling (97.5%) and the selling to middle man was the highest number (62.5%). Evaluating the sustainability of the agricultural by the indicators which were appropriate to the area: For the agricultural sustainability on the household level it was found that only one household had sustainable, others household had conditioned sustainable. For on the village level it was found that the sustainability on the issue of agricultural knowledge training had the lowest level (Sustainability index = 31.67%). Secondary was the acknowledging about soil information (Sustainability index = 35.0), and the household labors on agriculture, net return over cash cost (Sustainability index = 55.0%) respectively. Performance percentage is 48.81 %. It was brought to the conclusion that this area did not have the agricultural sustainability.
Abstract: In recent years, the adoption of mobile phones has been exceptionally rapid in many parts of the world, and Tanzania is not exceptional. We are witnessing a number of new mobile network operators being licensed from time to time by Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA). This makes competition in the telecommunications market very stiff. All mobile phone companies are struggling to earn more new customers into their networks. This trend courses a stiff competition. The various measures are being taken by different companies including, lowering tariff, and introducing free short messages within and out of their networks, and free calls during off-peak periods. This paper is aimed at investigating the influence of tariffs on students’ mobile customers in selecting their mobile network operators. About seventy seven students from high learning institutions in Dodoma Municipality, Tanzania, participated in responding to the prepared questionnaires. The sought information was aimed at determining if tariffs influenced students into selection of their current mobile operators. The results indicate that tariffs were the major driving factor in selection of mobile operators. However, female mobile customers were found to be more easily attracted into subscribing to a mobile operator due to low tariffs, a bigger number of free short messages or discounted call charges than their fellow male customers.
Abstract: This research paper was aimed to examine the relationship between visitors’ attitude towards the service marketing mix and visitors’ frequency of visit to Bangpu Recreation Centre. Based on a large and uncalculated population, the number of samples was calculated according to the formula to obtain a total of 385 samples. In collecting the samples, systematic random sampling was applied and by using of a Likert five-scale questionnaire for, a total of 21 days to collect the needed information. Mean, Standard Deviation, and Pearson’s basic statistical correlations were utilized in analyzing the data. This study discovered a high level of visitors’ attitude product and service of Bangpu Recreation Centre, price, place, promotional activities, people who provided service and physical evidence of the centre. The attitude towards process of service was discovered to be at a medium level. Additionally, the finding of an examination of a relationship between visitors’ attitude towards service marketing mix and visitors’ frequency of visit to Bangpu Recreation Centre presented that product and service, people, physical evidence and process of service provision showed a relationship with the visitors’ frequency of visit to the centre per year.
Abstract: A vehicle driving with an Adaptive Cruise Control
System (ACC) is usually controlled decentrally, based on the
information of radar systems and in some publications based on
C2X-Communication (CACC) to guarantee stable platoons. In this
paper we present a Model Predictive Control (MPC) design of a
centralized, server-based ACC-System, whereby the vehicular platoon
is modeled and controlled as a whole. It is then proven that the
proposed MPC design guarantees asymptotic stability and hence
string stability of the platoon. The Networked MPC design is
chosen to be able to integrate system constraints optimally as well
as to reduce the effects of communication delay and packet loss.
The performance of the proposed controller is then simulated and
analyzed in an LTE communication scenario using the LTE/EPC
Network Simulator LENA, which is based on the ns-3 network
simulator.
Abstract: This study was aimed to investigate the effect of
various organic supplements on growth and development of
Dendrobium discolor’s protocorms and seedlings growth of
Dendrobium Judy Rutz. Protocorms of Dendrobium discolor with 2.0
cm. in diameter and seedlings of Dendrobium Judy Rutz at the same
size (0.5 cm. height) were sub-cultured on Hyponex medium
supplemented with cow milk (CM), soy milk (SM), potato extract
(PE) and peptone (P) for 2 months. The protocorms were developed
to seedlings in all treatments after cultured for 2 months. However,
the best results were found on Hyponex medium supplemented with
P was the best in which the maximum fresh and dry weight and
maximum shoot height were obtained in this treatment statistically
different (p ≤ 0.05) to other treatments. Moreover, Hyponex medium
supplemented with P also stimulated the maximum mean number of
5.7 shoots per explant which also showed statistically different (p ≤
0.05) when compared to other treatments. The results of growth of
Dendrobium Judy Rutz seedlings indicated the medium
supplemented with 100 mL/L PE enhanced the maximum fresh and
dry weigh per explants with significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) in fresh
weight from other treatments including the control medium without
any organic supplementation. However, the dry weight was not
significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) from medium supplemented with
SM and P. There was multiple shoots induction in all media with or
without organic supplementation ranging from 2.6 to 3 shoots per
explants. The maximum shoot height was also obtained in the
seedlings cultured on medium supplemented with PE while the
longest root length was found in medium supplemented with SM.
Abstract: This study aimed to investigate effect of different organic supplements on growth of Vanda and Mokara seedlings. Vanda and Mokara seedlings approximately 0.2 and 0.3 cm. in height were sub-cultured onto VW supplemented with 150 ml/L coconut water, 100 g/L potato extract, 100 g/L ‘Gros Michel’ banana (AAA group) and 100 g/L ‘Namwa’ banana (ABB group). The explants were sub-cultured onto the same medium every month for 3 months. The best medium increased stem height to 0.52 and 0.44 Cm. in Vanda and Mokara respectively was supplemented with coconut water. The maximum fresh weight of Vanda (0.59 g) was found on medium supplemented with ‘Gros Michel’ banana while Mokara cultured on medium supplemented with Potato extract had the maximum fresh weight (0.27 g) and number of roots (5.20 roots/shoot) statistically different (p≤ 0.05) to other treatments. However, Vanda cultured on medium supplemented with ‘Namwa’ banana had the maximum number of roots (3.80 roots/shoot). Our results suggested that growth of different orchid genera was responded diversely to different organic supplements.
Abstract: This article presents a monitoring indicators system
that predicts whether a local government in Taiwan is heading for
fiscal distress and identifies a suitable fiscal policy that would allow
the local government to achieve fiscal balance in the long run. This
system is relevant to stockholders’ interest, simple for national audit
bodies to use, and provides an early warning of fiscal distress that
allows preventative action to be taken.
Abstract: A study was conducted in May to July 2013 with the aim of determination of heavy metal concentration in orchard area. 60 samples were collected and analyzed for Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), and Zinc (Zn) by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS).
The heavy metal concentrations in sediment of orchards, that use chemical for Cd (1.13 ± 0.26 mg/l), Cu (8.00 ± 1.05 mg/l), Pb (13.16 ± 2.01) and Zn (37.41 ± 3.20 mg/l). The heavy metal concentrations in sediment of the orchards, that do not use chemical for Cd (1.28 ± 0.50 mg/l), Cu (7.60 ± 1.20 mg/l), Pb (29.87 ± 4.88) and Zn (21.79 ± 2.98 mg/l). Statistical analysis between heavy metal in sediment from the orchard, that use chemical and the orchard, that not use chemical were difference statistic significant of 0.5 level of significant for Cd and Pb while no statistically difference for Cu and Zn.
Abstract: In this paper will be discussed two coin´s sides
of crisis scenarios dynamics. On the one's side is negative role
of subsidiary scenario branches in its compactness weakening
by means unduly chaotic atomizing, having many interactive
feedbacks cases, increasing a value of a complexity here.
This negative role reflects the complexity of use cases, weakening
leader compliancy, which brings something as a ´readiness
for controlling capabilities provision´. Leader´s dissatisfaction has
zero compliancy, but factual it is a ´crossbar´ (interface in fact)
between planning and executing use cases. On the other side of this
coin, an advantage of rich scenarios embranchment is possible to see
in a support of response awareness, readiness, preparedness,
adaptability, creativity and flexibility. Here rich scenarios
embranchment contributes to the steadiness and resistance of scenario
mission actors. These all will be presented in live power-points
´Blazons´, modelled via DYVELOP (Dynamic Vector Logistics
of Processes) on the Conference.
Abstract: Mobile communication provides access to the outside world without borders everywhere and at any time. The learning method that related to mobile communication technology is known as mobile learning (M-learning). It is a method that communicates learning materials with mobile device technology. The purpose of this method is to increase the interest in learning among students and assist them in obtaining learning materials at Kolej Poly-Tech MARA (KPTM) in order to improve the student’s performance in their study and to encourage educators to diversify the teaching practices. This paper discusses the student’s awareness for enhancement of learning style using mobile technologies and their readiness to apply the elements of mobile learning in learning to improve performance and interest in learning among students. An application called Mobile EEF Learning System (MEEFLS) has been developed as a tool to be used as a pilot test in KPTM.