Abstract: This paper reports a novel actuating design that uses
the shear deformation of a piezoelectric actuator to deflect a
bulge-diaphragm for driving an array microdroplet ejector. In essence,
we employed a circular-shaped actuator poled radial direction with
remnant polarization normal to the actuating electric field for inducing
the piezoelectric shear effect. The array microdroplet ejector consists
of a shear type piezoelectric actuator, a vibration plate, two chamber
plates, two channel plates and a nozzle plate. The vibration, chamber
and nozzle plate components are fabricated using nickel
electroforming technology, whereas the channel plate is fabricated by
etching of stainless steel. The diaphragm displacement was measured
by the laser two-dimensional scanning vibrometer. The ejected
droplets of the microejector were also observed via an optic
visualization system.
Abstract: We propose new multiple-channel piezoelectric (PZT)
actuated tunable optical filter based on racetrack multi-ring
resonators for wavelength de-multiplexing network applications. We
design tunable eight-channel wavelength de-multiplexer consisting of
eight cascaded PZT actuated tunable multi-ring resonator filter with a
channel spacing of 1.6nm. The filter for each channel is basically
structured on a suspended beam, sandwiched with piezoelectric
material and built in integrated ring resonators which are placed on
the middle of the beam to gain uniform stress and linearly varying
longitudinal strain. A reference single mode serially coupled multi
stage racetrack ring resonator with the same radii and coupling length
is designed with a line width of 0.8974nm with a flat top pass band at
1dB of 0.5205nm and free spectral range of about 14.9nm. In each
channel, a small change in the perimeter of the rings is introduced to
establish the shift in resonance wavelength as per the defined channel
spacing. As a result, when a DC voltage is applied, the beams will
elongate, which involves mechanical deformation of the ring
resonators that induces a stress and a strain, which brings a change in
refractive index and perimeter of the rings leading to change in the
output spectrum shift providing the tunability of central wavelength
in each channel. Simultaneous wave length shift as high as
45.54pm/
Abstract: Historical narration is an act that necessarily develops
and deforms history. This “translation” is examined within the
historical and political context of the 1930 Berlin film premiere of
“All Quiet on the Western Front,” a film based on Erich Maria
Remarque’s 1928 best-selling novel. Both the film and the novel
appeared during an era in which life was conceived of as innately
artistic. The emergence of this “aestheticization” of memory and
history enabled conservative propaganda of the period to denounce
all art that did not adhere conceptually to its political tenets, with “All
Quiet” becoming yet another of its “victims.”
Abstract: The model tests were conducted in the laboratory
without and with Plastic recycled polymer in fly ash steep slopes
overlaying soft foundation soils like fly ash and powai soil in order to
check the stability of steep slope. In this experiment, fly ash is used
as a filling material and Plastic Recycled Polymers of diameter =
3mm and length = 4mm were made from waste plastic product (lower
grade plastic product). The properties of fly ash and Plastic recycled
polymers are determined. From the experiments, load and settlement
have measured. From these data, load –settlement curves have
reported. It has been observed from test results that load carrying
capacity of mixture fly ash with Plastic Recycled Polymers slope is
more than that of fly ash slope. The deformation of Plastic Recycled
Polymers slope is slightly more than that of fly ash slope. A Finite
Element Method (F.E.M.) was also evaluated using PLAXIS 3D
version. The failure pattern, deformations and factor of safety are
reported based on analytical programme. The results from
experimental data and analytical programme are compared and
reported.
Abstract: A central element of higher education today is the
“core” or “general education” curriculum: that configuration of
courses that often encompasses the essence of liberal arts education.
Ensuring that such offerings reflect the mission and values of the
institution is a challenge faced by most college and universities, often
more than once. This paper presents an action model of program
planning designed to structure the processes of developing,
implementing and revising core curricula in a manner consistent with
key institutional goals and objectives. Through presentation of a case
study from a university in the United States, the elements of needs
assessment, stakeholder investment and collaborative compromise
are shown as key components of a planning strategy that can produce
a general education program that is comprehensive, academically
rigorous, assessable, and mission consistent. The paper concludes
with recommendations for both the implementation and evaluation of
such programs in practice.
Abstract: Indonesian higher education has experienced
significant changes over the last decade. In 1999, the government
published an overall strategy for decentralisation and enhancement of
local autonomy in many sectors, including (higher) education.
Indonesian higher education reforms have forced universities to
restructure their internal university governance to become more
entrepreneurial. These new types of internal university governance
are likely to affect the institutions’ leadership and management. This
paper discusses the approach and findings of a study on the
managerial leadership styles of deans in Indonesian universities. The
study aims to get a better understanding of styles exhibited by deans
manifested in their behaviours. Using the theories of reasoned action
and planned behaviour, in combination with the competing values
framework, a large-scale survey was conducted to gather information
on the deans’ behaviours, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived
behavioural control. Based on the responses of a sample of 218
deans, the study identifies a number of leadership styles: the Master,
the Competitive Consultant, the Consensual Goal-Setter, the Focused
Team Captain, and the Informed Trust-Builder style. The study
demonstrates that attitudes are the primary determinant of the styles
that were found. Perceived behavioural control is a factor that
explains some managerial leadership styles. By understanding the
attitudes of deans in Indonesian universities, and their leadership
styles, universities can strengthen their management and governance,
and thus improve their effectiveness.
Abstract: In this study, out-of-plane free vibrations of a circular
rods is investigated theoretically. The governing equations for
naturally twisted and curved spatial rods are obtained using
Timoshenko beam theory and rewritten for circular rods. Effects of
the axial and shear deformations are considered in the formulations.
Ordinary differential equations in scalar form are solved analytically
by using transfer matrix method. The circular rods of the mass matrix
are obtained by using straight rod of consistent mass matrix. Free
vibrations frequencies obtained by solving eigenvalue problem. A
computer program coded in MATHEMATICA language is prepared.
Circular beams are analyzed through various examples for free
vibrations analysis. Results are compared with ANSYS results based
on finite element method and available in the literature.
Abstract: In this research the effect of moisture at three levels
(47, 57, and 67 w.b.%) on the physical properties of the Pofaki pea
variety including, dimensions, geometric mean diameter, volume,
sphericity index and the surface area was determined. The influence
of different moisture levels (47, 57 and 67 w.b.%), in two loading
orientation (longitudinal and transverse) and three loading speed (4,6
and 8 mm min-1) on the mechanical properties of pea such as
maximum deformation, rupture force, rupture energy, toughness and
the power to break the pea was investigated. It was observed in the
physical properties that moisture changes were affective at 1% on,
dimensions, geometric mean diameter, volume, sphericity index and
the surface area. It was observed in the mechanical properties that
moisture changes were effective at 1% on, maximum deformation,
rupture force, rupture energy, toughness and the power to break.
Loading speed was effective on maximum deformation, rupture
force, rupture energy at 1% and it was effective on toughness at 5%.
Loading orientation was effective on maximum deformation, rupture
force, rupture energy, toughness at 1% and it was effective on power
at 5%. The mutual effect of speed and orientation were effective on
rupture energy at 1% and were effective on toughness at 5%
probability. The mutual effect of moisture and speed were effective
on rupture force and rupture energy at 1% and were effective on
toughness 5% probability. The mutual effect of orientation and
moisture on rupture energy and toughness were effective at 1%.
Abstract: This paper presents experimental investigation and
finite element analysis on buckling behavior of irregular section coldformed
steel columns under axially concentric loading. For the
experimental study, four different sections of columns were tested to
investigate effect of stiffening and width-to-thickness ratio on
buckling behavior. For each of the section, three lengths of 230, 950
and 1900 mm. were studied representing short, intermediate long and
long columns, respectively. Then, nonlinear finite element analyses
of the tested columns were performed. The comparisons in terms of
load-deformation response and buckling mode show good agreement
and hence the FEM models were validated. Parametric study of
stiffening element and thickness of 1.0, 1.15, 1.2, 1.5, 1.6 and 2.0
mm. was analyzed. The test results showed that stiffening effect pays
a large contribution to prevent distortional mode. The increase in wall
thickness enhanced buckling stress beyond the yielding strength in
short and intermediate columns, but not for the long columns.
Abstract: In the current work, a three-dimensional geometry of a
75% stenosed blood vessel is analyzed. Large eddy simulation (LES)
with the help of a dynamic subgrid scale Smagorinsky model is
applied to model the turbulent pulsatile flow. The geometry, the
transmural pressure and the properties of the blood and the elastic
boundary were based on clinical measurement data. For the flexible
wall model, a thin solid region is constructed around the 75%
stenosed blood vessel. The deformation of this solid region was
modelled as a deforming boundary to reduce the computational cost
of the solid model. Fluid-structure interaction is realized via a twoway
coupling between the blood flow modelled via LES and the
deforming vessel. The information of the flow pressure and the wall
motion was exchanged continually during the cycle by an arbitrary
Lagrangian-Eulerian method. The boundary condition of current time
step depended on previous solutions. The fluctuation of the velocity
in the post-stenotic region was analyzed in the study. The axial
velocity at normalized position Z=0.5 shows a negative value near
the vessel wall. The displacement of the elastic boundary was
concerned in this study. In particular, the wall displacement at the
systole and the diastole were compared. The negative displacement at
the stenosis indicates a collapse at the maximum velocity and the
deceleration phase.
Abstract: This article presents modeling studies of NiAl alloy
under solid-particle erosion and liquid-drop erosion. In the
solid-particle erosion simulation, attention is paid to the oxide scale
thickness variation on the alloy in high-temperature erosion
environments. The erosion damage is assumed to be deformation wear
and cutting wear mechanisms, incorporating the influence of the oxide
scale on the eroded surface; thus the instantaneous oxide thickness is
the result of synergetic effect of erosion and oxidation. For liquid-drop
erosion, special interest is in investigating the effects of drop velocity
and drop size on the damage of the target surface. The models of
impact stress wave, mean depth of penetration, and maximum depth of
erosion rate (Max DER) are employed to develop various maps for
NiAl alloy, including target thickness vs. drop size (diameter), rate of
mean depth of penetration (MDRP) vs. drop impact velocity, and
damage threshold velocity (DTV) vs. drop size.
Abstract: In this study, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
model has been developed for studying the effect of surface
roughness profile on the EHL problem. The cylinders contact
geometry, meshing and calculation of the conservation of mass and
momentum equations are carried out using the commercial software
packages ICEMCFD and ANSYS Fluent. The user defined functions
(UDFs) for density, viscosity and elastic deformation of the cylinders
as the functions of pressure and temperature are defined for the CFD
model. Three different surface roughness profiles are created and
incorporated into the CFD model. It is found that the developed CFD
model can predict the characteristics of fluid flow and heat transfer in
the EHL problem, including the main parameters such as pressure
distribution, minimal film thickness, viscosity, and density changes.
The results obtained show that the pressure profile at the center of the
contact area directly relates to the roughness amplitude. A rough
surface with kurtosis value of more than 3 has greater influence over
the fluctuated shape of pressure distribution than in other cases.
Abstract: The FOSDT (the First Order Shear Deformation
Theory) is taking into consideration to study the static behavior of a
bimorph beam, with a delamination zone between the upper and the
lower layer. The effect of limit conditions and lengths of the
delamination zone are presented in this paper, with a PVDF
piezoelectric material application. A FEM “Finite Element Method”
is used to discretize the beam. In the axial displacement, a
displacement field appears in the debonded zone with inverse effect
between the upper and the lower layer was observed.
Abstract: An experimental study was performed to investigate
the behavior and strength of proposed technique to connect
reinforced concrete (RC) beam to steel or composite columns. This
approach can practically be used in several types of building
construction. In this technique, the main beam of the frame consists
of a transfer part (part of beam; Tr.P) and a common reinforcement
concrete beam. The transfer part of the beam is connected to the
column, whereas the rest of the beam is connected to the transfer part
from each side. Four full-scale beam-column connections were tested
under static loading. The test parameters were the length of the
transfer part and the column properties. The test results show that
using of the transfer part technique leads to modify the deformation
capabilities for the RC beam and hence it increases its resistance
against failure. Increase in length of the transfer part did not
necessarily indicate an enhanced behavior. The test results contribute
to the characterization of the connection behavior between RC beam -
steel column and can be used to calibrate numerical models for the
simulation of this type of connection.
Abstract: This paper proposes five level diode clamped Z source
Inverter. The existing PWM techniques used for ZSI are restricted for
two level. The two level Z Source Inverter have high harmonic
distortions which effects the performance of the grid connected PV
system. To improve the performance of the system the number of
voltage levels in the output waveform need to be increased. This
paper presents comparative analysis of a five level diode clamped Z
source Inverter with different carrier based Modified Pulse Width
Modulation techniques. The parameters considered for comparison
are output voltage, voltage gain, voltage stress across switch and total
harmonic distortion when powered by same DC supply. Analytical
results are verified using MATLAB.
Abstract: The capability of CNC gantry milling machines in
manufacturing long components has caused the expanded use of such
machines. On the other hand, the machines’ gantry rigidity can
reduce under severe loads or vibration during operation. Indeed, the
quality of machining is dependent on the machine’s dynamic
behavior throughout the operating process. For this reason, these
types of machines have always been used widely and are not
efficient. Therefore, they can usually be employed for rough
machining and may not produce adequate surface finishing. In this
paper, a CNC gantry milling machine with the potential to produce
good surface finish has been designed and analyzed. The lowest
natural frequency of this machine is 202 Hz corresponding to 12000
rpm at all motion amplitudes with a full range of suitable frequency
responses. Meanwhile, the maximum deformation under dead loads
for the gantry machine is 0.565*m, indicating that this machine tool
is capable of producing higher product quality.
Abstract: Using the pseudopotential technique the Sagdeev
potential equation has been derived in a plasma consisting of twotemperature
nonisothermal electrons, negatively charged dust grains
and warm positive ions. The study shows that the presence of
nonisothermal two-temperature electrons and charged dust grains
have significant effects on the excitation and structure of the ionacoustic
double layers in the model plasma under consideration. Only
compressive type double layer is obtained in the present plasma
model. The double layer solution has also been obtained by including
higher order nonlinearity and nonisothermality, which is shown to
modify the amplitude and deform the shape of the double layer.
Abstract: One of the best examples, in evolution of the public
procurement, from post-soviet countries are reforms carried out in
Georgia, which brought them close to international standards of
procurement. In Georgia, public procurement legislation started
functioning short after gaining independence. The reform has passed
several stages and came in the form as it is today. It should also be
noted, that countries with economy in transition, including Georgia,
implemented all the reforms in public procurement based on
recommendations and support of World Bank, the United Nations
and other international organizations.
The aim of first adopted law was regulation of the procurement
process of budget-organizations, transparency and creation of
competitive environment for private companies to access state funds
legally. The priorities were identified quite clearly in the wording of
the law, but operation/function of this law could not be reached on its
level, because of some objective and subjective reasons. The high
level of corruption in all levels of governance can be considered as a
main obstacle reason and of course, it is natural, that it had direct
impact on the procurement process, as well as on transparency and
rational use of state funds. These circumstances were the reasons that
reforms in this sphere continued, to improve procurement process, in
particular, the first wave of reforms began after several years. Public
procurement agency carried out reform with World Bank with main
purpose of smartening the procurement legislation and its
harmonization with international treaties and agreements. Also with
the support of World Bank various activities were carried out to raise
awareness of participants involved in procurement system.
Further major changes in the legislation were filed bit later, which
was also directed towards the improvement and smarten of the
procurement process. The third wave of the reform more or less
guaranteed the transparency of the procurement process, which later
became the basis for the rational spending of state funds. The reform
of the procurement system completely changed the procedures.
Carried out reform in Georgia resulted in introducing new
electronic tendering system, which benefit the transparency of the
process, after this became the basis for the further development of a
competitive environment, which become a prerequisite for the state
rational spending. Increased number of supplier organizations
participating in the procurement process resulted in reduction of the
estimated cost and the actual cost.
Assessment of the reforms in Georgia in the field of public
procurement can be concluded, that proper regulation of the sector
and relevant policy may proceed to rational and transparent spending
of the budget from country’s state institutions. Also, the business
sector has the opportunity to work in competitive market conditions
and to make a preliminary analysis, which is a prerequisite for future
strategy and development.
Abstract: Everyday life is and will be influenced depending on
the developments that society undergoes throughout the history.
Particularly, countries undergoing transition from one system to
another sustain the greatest impact in trying to embrace the modern
system. Kosovo society had the fortune to experience a change,
which began in late 1999 to continue up to date. One of the
'developments' of the time with the evolution in Kosovo society was
the transition from the traditional education system into the modern
one. This transformation began immediately after the war, to
continue even today. It was started by internationals, which governed
and administered Kosovo society, including education. There was a
great 'evolution', because almost the entire system was 'changed'.
Among other things, for the first time it was enabled the opening of
private schools from the lowest level up to the colleges and
universities. This paper will address: how much was ready the society
to embrace such a 'cultural' change in education, respectively, how
much were prepared teachers for such changes; as it was actually
thought to be a modern education system, how much was it according
to international standards; what are the results and current situation in
Kosovo education.
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.