Abstract: This paper presents a CFD analysis of the flow around
a 30° inclined flat plate of infinite span. Numerical predictions have
been compared to experimental measurements, in order to assess the
potential of the finite volume code of determining the aerodynamic
forces acting on a flat plate invested by a fluid stream of infinite
extent.
Several turbulence models and spatial node distributions have
been tested and flow field characteristics in the neighborhood of the
flat plate have been numerically investigated, allowing the
development of a preliminary procedure to be used as guidance in
selecting the appropriate grid configuration and the corresponding
turbulence model for the prediction of the flow field over a twodimensional
inclined plate.
Abstract: The need for micromechanical inertial sensors is increasing
in future electronic stability control (ESC) and other positioning,
navigation and guidance systems. Due to the rising density of
sensors in automotive and consumer devices the goal is not only to get
high performance, robustness and smaller package sizes, but also to
optimize the energy management of the overall sensor system. This
paper presents an evaluation concept for a surface micromachined
yaw rate sensor. Within this evaluation concept an energy-efficient
operation of the drive mode of the yaw rate sensor is enabled. The
presented system concept can be realized within a power management
subsystem.
Abstract: The complex structure of lignocellulose leads to great
difficulties in converting it to fermentable sugars for the ethanol
production. The major hydrolysis impediments are the crystallinity of
cellulose and the lignin content. To improve the efficiency of
enzymatic hydrolysis, microbial pretreatment of corncob was
investigated using two bacterial strains of Bacillus subtilis A 002 and
Cellulomonas sp. TISTR 784 (expected to break open the crystalline
part of cellulose) and lignin-degrading fungus, Phanerochaete
sordida SK7 (expected to remove lignin from lignocellulose). The
microbial pretreatment was carried out with each strain under its
optimum conditions. The pretreated corncob samples were further
hydrolyzed to produce reducing glucose with low amounts of
commercial cellulase (25 U·g-1 corncob) from Aspergillus niger. The
corncob samples were determined for composition change by X-ray
diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR),
and scanning electron microscope (SEM). According to the results,
the microbial pretreatment with fungus, P. sordida SK7 was the most
effective for enhancing enzymatic hydrolysis, approximately, 40%
improvement.
Abstract: Disparity in India has been persisting since independence causing many socioeconomic problems and its removal has become the most prime objective of the planned development in India. Hence the paper attempts to study the disparity at State and Regional level and gives inclusive planning guidelines to achieve balanced regional development. At State level, the relative socioeconomic backwardness of Vidarbha Region based on Interregional analysis using selected indicators like Foreign Direct Investment, Human Development Index, Per Capita District Domestic Product has been assessed and broad guidelines have been proposed. In the later part at Regional level, the relative backwardness of districts based on Intraregional analysis using socioeconomic indicators has been assessed within Nagpur sub region and factors responsible for backwardness & disparity have been indicated. The policy guidelines for Identified sub region have been proposed based on the most significant factor and their extent of relationship explaining backwardness Nagpur sub region.
Abstract: Today, transport and logistic systems are often tightly
integrated in the production. Lean production and just-in-time delivering create multiple constraints that have to be fulfilled. As transport networks often have evolved over time they are very
expensive to change. This paper describes a discrete-event-simulation
system which simulates transportation models using real time
resource routing and collision avoidance. It allows for the
specification of own control algorithms and validation of new
strategies. The simulation is integrated into a virtual reality (VR)
environment and can be displayed in 3-D to show the progress.
Simulation elements can be selected through VR metaphors. All data
gathered during the simulation can be presented as a detailed summary afterwards. The included cost-benefit calculation can help to optimize the financial outcome. The operation of this approach is shown by the example of a timber harvest simulation.
Abstract: Magnetic and semiconductor nanomaterials exhibit
novel magnetic and optical properties owing to their unique size and
shape-dependent effects. With shrinking the size down to nanoscale
region, various anomalous properties that normally not present in bulk
start to dominate. Ability in harnessing of these anomalous properties
for the design of various advance electronic devices is strictly
dependent on synthetic strategies. Hence, current research has focused
on developing a rational synthetic control to produce high quality
nanocrystals by using organometallic approach to tune both size and
shape of the nanomaterials. In order to elucidate the growth
mechanism, transmission electron microscopy was employed as a
powerful tool in performing real time-resolved morphologies and
structural characterization of magnetic (Fe3O4) and semiconductor
(ZnO) nanocrystals. The current synthetic approach is found able to
produce nanostructures with well-defined shapes. We have found that
oleic acid is an effective capping ligand in preparing oxide-based
nanostructures without any agglomerations, even at high temperature.
The oleate-based precursors and capping ligands are fatty acid
compounds, which are respectively originated from natural palm oil
with low toxicity. In comparison with other synthetic approaches in
producing nanostructures, current synthetic method offers an effective
route to produce oxide-based nanomaterials with well-defined shapes
and good monodispersity. The nanocystals are well-separated with
each other without any stacking effect. In addition, the as-synthesized
nanopellets are stable in terms of chemically and physically if
compared to those nanomaterials that are previous reported. Further
development and extension of current synthetic strategy are being
pursued to combine both of these materials into nanocomposite form
that will be used as “smart magnetic nanophotocatalyst" for industry
waste water treatment.
Abstract: This paper presents a novel control method based on radial basis function networks (RBFNs) for chaotic dynamical systems. The proposed method first identifies the nonlinear part of the chaotic system off-line and then constructs a model-following controller using only the estimated system parameters. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Abstract: Various assisted reproductive techniques have been
developed and refined to obtain a large number of offspring from
genetically superior animals or obtain offspring from infertile (or
subfertile) animals. The embryo transfer is one assisted reproductive
technique developed well, aimed at increased productivity of selected
females, disease control, importation and exportation of livestock,
rapid screening of AI sires for genetically recessive characteristics,
treatment or circumvention of certain types of infertility. Embryo
transfer also is a useful research tool for evaluating fetal and maternal
interactions. This technique has been applied to nearly every species
of domestic animal and many species of wildlife and exotic animals,
including humans and non-human primates. The successful of
embryo transfers have been limited to within-animal, homologous
replacement of the embryos. There are several examples of
interspecific and intergeneric embryo transfers in which embryos
implanted but did not develop to term: sheep and goat, mouse and rat.
An immunological rejections and placental incompatibility between
the embryo and the surrogate mother appear to restrict interspecific
embryo transfer/interspecific pregnancy. Recently, preimplantation
embryo manipulation procedures have been applied, such as
technique of inner cell mass transfer. This technique will possible to
overcome the reproductive barrier interspecific embryo
transfer/interspecific pregnancy, if there is a protective mechanism
which prevents recognition of the foreign fetus by the mother of the
other species
Abstract: In most wheat growing moderate regions and
especially in the north of Iran climate, is affected grain filling by
several physical and abiotic stresses. In this region, grain filling often
occurs when temperatures are increasing and moisture supply is
decreasing. The experiment was designed in RCBD with split plot
arrangements with four replications. Four irrigation treatments
included (I0) no irrigation (check); (I1) one irrigation (50 mm) at
heading stage; (I2) two irrigation (100 mm) at heading and anthesis
stage; and (I3) three irrigation (150 mm) at heading, anthesis and
early grain filling growth stage, two wheat cultivars (Milan and
Shanghai) were cultured in the experiment. Totally raining was 453
mm during the growth season. The result indicated that biological
yield, grain yield and harvest index were significantly affected by
irrigation levels. I3 treatment produced more tillers number in m2,
fertile tillers number in m2, harvest index and biological yield. Milan
produced more tillers number in m2, fertile tillers in m2, while
Shanghai produced heavier tillers and grain 1000 weight. Plant height
was significant in wheat varieties while were not statistically
significant in irrigation levels. Milan produced more grain yield,
harvest index and biological yield. Grain yield shown that I1, I2, and
I3 produced increasing of 5228 (21%), 5460 (27%) and 5670 (29%)
kg ha-1, respectively. There was an interaction of irrigation and
cultivar on grain yields. In the absence of the irrigation reduced grain
1000 weight from 45 to 40 g. No irrigation reduced soil moisture
extraction during the grain filling stage. Current assimilation as a
source of carbon for grain filling depends on the light intercepting
viable green surfaces of the plant after anthesis that due to natural
senescence and the effect of various stresses. At the same time the
demand by the growing grain is increasing. It is concluded from
research work that wheat crop irrigated Milan cultivar could increase
the grain yield in comparison with Shanghai cultivar. Although, the
grain yield of Shanghai under irrigation was slightly lower than
Milan. This grain yield also was related to weather condition, sowing
date, plant density and location conditions and management of
fertilizers, because there was not significant difference in biological
and straw yield. The best result was produced by I1 treatment. I2 and
I3 treatments were not significantly difference with I1 treatment.
Grain yield of I1 indicated that wheat is under soil moisture
deficiency. Therefore, I1 irrigation was better than I0.
Abstract: The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is
one of the most widely used computational methods in
electromagnetic. This paper describes the design of two-dimensional
(2D) FDTD simulation software for transverse magnetic (TM)
polarization using Berenger's split-field perfectly matched layer
(PML) formulation. The software is developed using Matlab
programming language. Numerical examples validate the software.
Abstract: A new power regulator controller with multiple-access
PID compensator is proposed, which can achieve a minimum memory
requirement for fully table look-up. The proposed regulator controller
employs hysteresis comparators, an error process unit (EPU) for
voltage regulation, a multiple-access PID compensator and a lowpower-
consumption digital PWM (DPWM). Based on the multipleaccess
mechanism, the proposed controller can alleviate the penalty of
large amount of memory employed for fully table look-up based PID
compensator in the applications of power regulation. The proposed
controller has been validated with simulation results.
Abstract: The contribution deals with analysis of identity style
at adolescents (N=463) at the age from 16 to 19 (the average age is
17,7 years). We used the Identity Style Inventory by Berzonsky,
distinguishing three basic, measured identity styles: informational,
normative, diffuse-avoidant identity style and also commitment. The
informational identity style influencing on personal adaptability,
coping strategies, quality of life and the normative identity style, it
means the style in which an individual takes on models of authorities
at self-defining were found to have the highest representation in the
studied group of adolescents by higher scores at girls in comparison
with boys. The normative identity style positively correlates with the
informational identity style. The diffuse-avoidant identity style was
found to be positively associated with maladaptive decisional
strategies, neuroticism and depressive reactions. There is the style,
in which the individual shifts aside defining his personality. In our
research sample the lowest score represents it and negatively
correlates with commitment, it means with coping strategies, thrust in
oneself and the surrounding world. The age of adolescents did not
significantly differentiate representation of identity style. We were
finding the model, in which informational and normative identity
style had positive relationship and the informational and diffuseavoidant
style had negative relationship, which were determinated
with commitment. In the same time the commitment is influenced
with other outside factors.
Abstract: In this study, multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)
were modified with nitric acid chemically and by dielectric barrier
discharge (DBD) plasma in an oxygen-based atmosphere. Used
carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared by chemical vapour
deposition (CVD) floating catalyst method. For removing amorphous
carbon and metal catalyst, MWNTs were exposed to dry air and
washed with hydrochloric acid. Heating purified CNTs under helium
atmosphere caused elimination of acidic functional groups. Fourier
transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) shows formation of
oxygen containing groups such as C=O and COOH. Brunauer,
Emmett, Teller (BET) analysis revealed that functionalization causes
generation of defects on the sidewalls and opening of the ends of
CNTs. Results of temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and gas
chromatography(GC) indicate that nitric acid treatment create more
acidic groups than plasma treatment.
Abstract: Protein and Esterase electrophoresis were used to
genetically identify two Saudi tick species. Engorged females of the
camel tick Hyalomma dromedarii (Koch) (Acari: Ixodidae) and the
cattle tick Boophilus annulatus (Say) (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks
collected from infested camels and cattle in the animals resting
house at Hail region in KSA were used. The results showed that
there are a variation in both of protein and esterase activity levels and
a high polymorphism within and between the genera and species of
Hyalomma and Boophilus . In conclusion, the protein and esterase
electrophoretic analysis used in the present study could successfully
distinguish among tick species, commonly found in Saudi Arabia.
Abstract: Power transformer consists of components which are
under consistent thermal and electrical stresses. The major
component which degrades under these stresses is the paper
insulation of the power transformer. At site, lightning impulses and
cable faults may cause the winding deformation. In addition, the
winding may deform due to impact during transportation. A
deformed winding will excite more stress to its insulating paper thus
will degrade it. Insulation degradation will shorten the life-span of
the transformer. Currently there are two methods of detecting the
winding deformation which are Sweep Frequency Response
Analysis (SFRA) and Low Voltage Impulse Test (LVI). The latter
injects current pulses to the winding and capture the admittance
plot. In this paper, a transformer which experienced overheating and
arcing was identified, and both SFRA and LVI were performed.
Next, the transformer was brought to the factory for untanking. The
untanking results revealed that the LVI is more accurate than the
SFRA method for this case study.
Abstract: This paper presents the study of hardness profile of spur gear heated by induction heating process in function of the machine parameters, such as the power (kW), the heating time (s) and the generator frequency (kHz). The global work is realized by 3D finite-element simulation applied to the process by coupling and resolving the electromagnetic field and the heat transfer problems, and it was performed in three distinguished steps. First, a Comsol 3D model was built using an adequate formulation and taking into account the material properties and the machine parameters. Second, the convergence study was conducted to optimize the mesh. Then, the surface temperatures and the case depths were deeply analyzed in function of the initial current density and the heating time in medium frequency (MF) and high frequency (HF) heating modes and the edge effect were studied. Finally, the simulations results are validated using experimental tests.
Abstract: The cDNA encoding the 326 amino acids of a Class I
basic chitinase gene from Leucaena leucocephala de Wit (KB3,
Genbank accession: AAM49597) was cloned under the control of
CaMV35S promoter in pCAMBIA 1300 and transferred to
Koshihikari. Calli of Koshihikari rice was transformed with
agrobacterium with this construct expressing the chitinase and β-
glucouronidase (GUS). The frequencies of calli 90 % has been
obtained from rice seedlings cultured on NB medium. The high
regeneration frequencies, 74% was obtained from calli cultured on
regeneration medium containing 4 mg/l BAP, and 7 g/l phytagel at
25°C. Various factors were studied in order to establish a procedure
for the transformation of Koshihikari Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
Supplementation of 50 mM acetosyringone to the medium during
coculivation was important to enhance the frequency to transient
transformation. The 4 week-old scutellum-derived calli were
excellent starting materials. Selection medium based on NB medium
supplement with 40 mg/l hygromycin and 400 mg/l cefotaxime were
an optimized medium for selection of transformed rice calli. The
percentage of transformation 70 was obtained. Recombinant calli and
regenerated rice plants were checked the expression of chitinase and
gus by PCR, northern blot gel, southern blot gel, and gus assay.
Chitinase and gus were expressed in all parts of recombinant rice.
The rice line expressing the KB3 chiitnase was more resistant to the
blast fungus Fusarium monoliforme than control line.
Abstract: The UK Government has emphasized the role of Local Authorities as a key player in its flagship residential energy efficiency strategies, by identifying and targeting areas for energy efficiency improvements. Residential energy consumption in England is characterized by significant geographical variation in energy demand, which makes centralized targeting of areas for energy efficiency intervention difficult. This paper draws on research which aims to understand how demographic, social, economic, urban form and climatic factors influence the geographical variations in English residential gas consumption. The paper reports the findings of a multiple regression model that shows how 64% of the geographical variation in residential gas consumption is accounted for by variations in these factors. Results from this study, after further refinement and validation, can be used by Local Authorities to identify areas within their boundaries that have higher than expected gas consumption, these may be prime targets for energy efficiency initiatives.
Abstract: Recently, genetic algorithms (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique have attracted considerable attention among various modern heuristic optimization techniques. The GA has been popular in academia and the industry mainly because of its intuitiveness, ease of implementation, and the ability to effectively solve highly non-linear, mixed integer optimization problems that are typical of complex engineering systems. PSO technique is a relatively recent heuristic search method whose mechanics are inspired by the swarming or collaborative behavior of biological populations. In this paper both PSO and GA optimization are employed for finding stable reduced order models of single-input- single-output large-scale linear systems. Both the techniques guarantee stability of reduced order model if the original high order model is stable. PSO method is based on the minimization of the Integral Squared Error (ISE) between the transient responses of original higher order model and the reduced order model pertaining to a unit step input. Both the methods are illustrated through numerical example from literature and the results are compared with recently published conventional model reduction technique.
Abstract: Blood pulse is an important human physiological signal commonly used for the understanding of the individual physical health. Current methods of non-invasive blood pulse sensing require direct contact or access to the human skin. As such, the performances of these devices tend to vary with time and are subjective to human body fluids (e.g. blood, perspiration and skin-oil) and environmental contaminants (e.g. mud, water, etc). This paper proposes a simulation model for the novel method of non-invasive acquisition of blood pulse using the disturbance created by blood flowing through a localized magnetic field. The simulation model geometry represents a blood vessel, a permanent magnet, a magnetic sensor, surrounding tissues and air in 2-dimensional. In this model, the velocity and pressure fields in the blood stream are described based on Navier-Stroke equations and the walls of the blood vessel are assumed to have no-slip condition. The blood assumes a parabolic profile considering a laminar flow for blood in major artery near the skin. And the inlet velocity follows a sinusoidal equation. This will allow the computational software to compute the interactions between the magnetic vector potential generated by the permanent magnet and the magnetic nanoparticles in the blood. These interactions are simulated based on Maxwell equations at the location where the magnetic sensor is placed. The simulated magnetic field at the sensor location is found to assume similar sinusoidal waveform characteristics as the inlet velocity of the blood. The amplitude of the simulated waveforms at the sensor location are compared with physical measurements on human subjects and found to be highly correlated.