Abstract: A novel sponge submerged membrane bioreactor
(SSMBR) was developed to effectively remove organics and
nutrients from wastewater. Sponge is introduced within the SSMBR
as a medium for the attached growth of biomass. This paper evaluates
the effects of new and acclimatized sponges for dissolved organic
carbon (DOC) removal from wastewater at different mixed liquor
suspended solids- (MLSS) concentration of the sludge. It was
observed in a series of experimental studies that the acclimatized
sponge performed better than the new sponge whilst the optimum
DOC removal could be achieved at 10g/L of MLSS with the
acclimatized sponge. Moreover, the paper analyses the relationships
between the MLSSsponge/MLSSsludge and the DOC removal efficiency
of SSMBR. The results showed a non-linear relationship between the
biomass parameters of the sponge and the sludge, and the DOC
removal efficiency of SSMBR. A second-order polynomial function
could reasonably represent these relationships.
Abstract: In this research, we propose to use the discrete cosine
transform to approximate the cumulative distributions of data cube
cells- values. The cosine transform is known to have a good energy
compaction property and thus can approximate data distribution
functions easily with small number of coefficients. The derived
estimator is accurate and easy to update. We perform experiments to
compare its performance with a well-known technique - the (Haar)
wavelet. The experimental results show that the cosine transform
performs much better than the wavelet in estimation accuracy, speed,
space efficiency, and update easiness.
Abstract: Internet today has a huge impact on all aspects of life,
and also in the area of the broader context of democracy, politics and
politicians. If democracy is freedom of choice, there are a number of
conditions that can ensure in practice the freedom to be achieved and
realized. These preconditions must be achieved regardless of the
manner of voting. The key contribution of ICT to achieve freedom of
choice is that technology enables the correlation of the citizens and
elected representatives on the better way than it was possible without
the Internet. In this sense, we can say that the Internet and ICT are
changing significantly, and potentially improving the environment in
which democratic processes are taking place. This paper aims to
describe trends in use of ICT in democratic processes, and analyzes
the challenges for implementation of e-Democracy in Montenegro
Abstract: The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's
largest suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in
medical imaging and therapy, laboratory diagnostics, medical
information technology, and hearing aids.
Siemens offers its customers products and solutions for the entire
range of patient care from a single source – from prevention and
early detection to diagnosis, and on to treatment and aftercare. By
optimizing clinical workflows for the most common diseases,
Siemens also makes healthcare faster, better, and more cost effective.
The optimization of clinical workflows requires a
multidisciplinary focus and a collaborative approach of e.g. medical
advisors, researchers and scientists as well as healthcare economists.
This new form of collaboration brings together experts with deep
technical experience, physicians with specialized medical knowledge
as well as people with comprehensive knowledge about health
economics.
As Charles Darwin is often quoted as saying, “It is neither the
strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the
one most responsive to change," We believe that those who can
successfully manage this change will emerge as winners, with
valuable competitive advantage.
Current medical information and knowledge are some of the core
assets in the healthcare industry. The main issue is to connect
knowledge holders and knowledge recipients from various
disciplines efficiently in order to spread and distribute knowledge.
Abstract: Coal will continue to be the predominant source of
global energy for coming several decades. The huge generation of fly
ash (FA) from combustion of coal in thermal power plants (TPPs) is
apprehended to pose the concerns of its disposal and utilization. FA
application based on its typical characteristics as soil ameliorant for
agriculture and forestry is the potential area, and hence the global
attempt. The inferences drawn suffer from the variations of ash
characteristics, soil types, and agro-climatic conditions; thereby
correlating the effects of ash between various plant species and soil
types is difficult. Indian FAs have low bulk density, high water
holding capacity and porosity, rich silt-sized particles, alkaline
nature, negligible solubility, and reasonable plant nutrients. Findings
of the demonstrations trials for more than two decades from lab/pot
to field scale long-term experiments are developed as FA soil
amendment technology (FASAT) by Central Institute of Mining and
Fuel Research (CIMFR), Dhanbad. Performance of different crops
and plant species in cultivable and problematic soils, are
encouraging, eco-friendly, and being adopted by the farmers. FA
application includes ash alone and in combination with
inorganic/organic amendments; combination treatments including
bio-solids perform better than FA alone. Optimum dose being up to
100 t/ha for cultivable land and up to/ or above 200 t/ha of FA for
waste/degraded land/mine refuse, depending on the characteristics of
ash and soil. The elemental toxicity in Indian FA is usually not of
much concern owing to alkaline ashes, oxide forms of elements, and
elemental concentration within the threshold limits for soil
application. Combating toxicity, if any, is possible through
combination treatments with organic materials and phytoremediation.
Government initiatives through extension programme
involving farmers and ash generating organizations need to be
accelerated
Abstract: Solidification cracking and hydrogen cracking are some defects generated in the fusion welding of ultrahigh carbon steels. However, friction stir welding (FSW) of such steels, being a solid-state technique, has been demonstrated to alleviate such problems encountered in traditional welding. FSW include different process parameters that must be carefully defined prior processing. These parameters included but not restricted to: tool feed, tool RPM, tool geometry, tool tilt angle. These parameters form a key factor behind avoiding warm holes and voids behind the tool and in achieving a defect-free weld. More importantly, these parameters directly affect the microstructure of the weld and hence the final mechanical properties of weld. For that, 3D finite element (FE) thermo-mechanical model was developed using DEFORM 3D to simulate FSW of carbon steel. At points of interest in the joint, tracking is done for history of critical state variables such as temperature, stresses, and strain rates. Typical results found include the ability to simulate different weld zones. Simulations predictions were successfully compared to experimental FSW tests. It is believed that such a numerical model can be used to optimize FSW processing parameters to favor desirable defect free weld with better mechanical properties.
Abstract: In this work, we present a comparison between two
techniques of image compression. In the first case, the image is
divided in blocks which are collected according to zig-zag scan. In
the second one, we apply the Fast Cosine Transform to the image,
and then the transformed image is divided in blocks which are
collected according to zig-zag scan too. Later, in both cases, the
Karhunen-Loève transform is applied to mentioned blocks. On the
other hand, we present three new metrics based on eigenvalues for a
better comparative evaluation of the techniques. Simulations show
that the combined version is the best, with minor Mean Absolute
Error (MAE) and Mean Squared Error (MSE), higher Peak Signal to
Noise Ratio (PSNR) and better image quality. Finally, new technique
was far superior to JPEG and JPEG2000.
Abstract: The Platform Screen Doors improve Indoor Air Quality
(IAQ) in the subway station; however, and the air quality is degraded
in the subway tunnel. CO2 concentration and indoor particulate matter
value are high in the tunnel. The IAQ level in subway tunnel degrades
by increasing the train movements. Air-curtain installation reduces
dusts, particles and moving toxic smokes and permits traffic by
generating virtual wall. The ventilation systems of the subway tunnel
need improvements to have better air-quality. Numerical analyses
might be effective tools analyze the flowfield inside the air-curtain
installed subway tunnel. The ANSYS CFX software is used for steady
computations of the airflow inside the tunnel. The single-track subway
tunnel has the natural shaft, the mechanical shaft, and the PSDs
installed stations. The height and width of the tunnel are 6.0 m and 4.0
m respectively. The tunnel is 400 m long and the air-curtain is installed
at the top of the tunnel. The thickness and the width of the air-curtain
are 0.08 m and 4 m respectively. The velocity of the air-curtain
changes between 20 - 30 m/s. Three cases are analyzed depending on
the installing location of the air-curtain. The discharged-air through
the natural shafts increases as the velocity of the air-curtain increases
when the air-curtain is installed between the mechanical and the
natural shafts. The pollutant-air is exhausted by the mechanical and the
natural shafts and remained air is pushed toward tunnel end. The
discharged-air through the natural shaft is low when the air-curtain
installed before the natural shaft. The mass flow rate decreases in the
tunnel after the mechanical shaft as the air-curtain velocity increases.
The computational results of the air-curtain installed tunnel become
basis for the optimum design study. The air-curtain installing location
is chosen between the mechanical and the natural shafts. The velocity
of the air-curtain is fixed as 25 m/s. The thickness and the blowing
angles of the air-curtain are the design variables for the optimum
design study. The object function of the design optimization is
maximizing the discharged air through the natural shaft.
Abstract: This study was conducted in order to determine the physical properties and stability of mayonnaise-like emulsions as affected by modified yam starches. Native yam starch was modified via pre-gelatinization and cross-linking phosphorylation procedures. The emulsions (50% oil dispersed phase) were prepared with 0.3% native potato, native yam, pre-gelatinized yam and cross-linking phosphorylation yam starches. The droplet size of surface weighted mean diameter was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the sample with cross-linking phosphorylation yam starch as compared to other samples. Moreover, the viscosity of the sample with pregelatinized yam starch was observed to be higher than that of other samples. The phase separation stability was low in the freshly prepared and stored (45 days, 5°C) emulsions containing native yam starch. This study thus generally suggested that modified yam starches were more suitable (i.e. better physical properties and stability) to be used as stabilizers in a similar system i.e. light mayonnaises, rather than a native yam starch.
Abstract: The triumph of inductive neuro-stimulation since its rediscovery in the 1980s has been quite spectacular. In lots of branches ranging from clinical applications to basic research this system is absolutely indispensable. Nevertheless, the basic knowledge about the processes underlying the stimulation effect is still very rough and rarely refined in a quantitative way. This seems to be not only an inexcusable blank spot in biophysics and for stimulation prediction, but also a fundamental hindrance for technological progress. The already very sophisticated devices have reached a stage where further optimization requires better strategies than provided by simple linear membrane models of integrate-and-fire style. Addressing this problem for the first time, we suggest in the following text a way for virtual quantitative analysis of a stimulation system. Concomitantly, this ansatz seems to provide a route towards a better understanding by using nonlinear signal processing and taking the nerve as a filter that is adapted for neuronal magnetic stimulation. The model is compact and easy to adjust. The whole setup behaved very robustly during all performed tests. Exemplarily a recent innovative stimulator design known as cTMS is analyzed and dimensioned with this approach in the following. The results show hitherto unforeseen potentials.
Abstract: Deep cold rolling (DCR) and low plasticity burnishing (LPB) process are cold working processes, which easily produce a smooth and work-hardened surface by plastic deformation of surface irregularities. The present study focuses on the surface roughness and surface hardness aspects of AISI 4140 work material, using fractional factorial design of experiments. The assessment of the surface integrity aspects on work material was done, in order to identify the predominant factors amongst the selected parameters. They were then categorized in order of significance followed by setting the levels of the factors for minimizing surface roughness and/or maximizing surface hardness. In the present work, the influence of main process parameters (force, feed rate, number of tool passes/overruns, initial roughness of the work piece, ball material, ball diameter and lubricant used) on the surface roughness and the hardness of AISI 4140 steel were studied for both LPB and DCR process and the results are compared. It was observed that by using LPB process surface hardness has been improved by 167% and in DCR process surface hardness has been improved by 442%. It was also found that the force, ball diameter, number of tool passes and initial roughness of the workpiece are the most pronounced parameters, which has a significant effect on the work piece-s surface during deep cold rolling and low plasticity burnishing process.
Abstract: Fermented beverages have high expression in the
market for beverages in general, is increasingly valued in situations
where the characteristic aroma and flavor of the material that gave
rise to them are kept after processing. This study aimed to develop a
distilled beverage from passion fruit, and assess, by sensory tests and
chromatographic profile, the influence of different treatments (FM1-
spirit with pulp addiction and FM2 – spirit with bigger ratio of pulp
in must) in the setting of volatiles in the fruit drink, and performing
chemical characterization taking into account the main parameters of
quality established by the legislation. The chromatograms and the
first sensorial tests had indicated that sample FM1 possess better
characteristics of aroma, as much of how much quantitative the
qualitative point of view. However, it analyzes it sensorial end
(preference test) disclosed the biggest preference of the cloth provers
for sample FM2-2 (note 7.93), being the attributes of decisive color
and flavor in this reply, confirmed for the observed values lowest of
fixed and total acidity in the samples of treatment FM2.
Abstract: ICA which is generally used for blind source separation
problem has been tested for feature extraction in Speech recognition
system to replace the phoneme based approach of MFCC. Applying
the Cepstral coefficients generated to ICA as preprocessing has
developed a new signal processing approach. This gives much better
results against MFCC and ICA separately, both for word and speaker
recognition. The mixing matrix A is different before and after MFCC
as expected. As Mel is a nonlinear scale. However, cepstrals
generated from Linear Predictive Coefficient being independent
prove to be the right candidate for ICA. Matlab is the tool used for
all comparisons. The database used is samples of ISOLET.
Abstract: In this paper, a clustering algorithm named KHarmonic
means (KHM) was employed in the training of Radial
Basis Function Networks (RBFNs). KHM organized the data in
clusters and determined the centres of the basis function. The popular
clustering algorithms, namely K-means (KM) and Fuzzy c-means
(FCM), are highly dependent on the initial identification of elements
that represent the cluster well. In KHM, the problem can be avoided.
This leads to improvement in the classification performance when
compared to other clustering algorithms. A comparison of the
classification accuracy was performed between KM, FCM and KHM.
The classification performance is based on the benchmark data sets:
Iris Plant, Diabetes and Breast Cancer. RBFN training with the KHM
algorithm shows better accuracy in classification problem.
Abstract: This paper undertakes the problem of optimal
capacitor placement in a distribution system. The problem is how to
optimally determine the locations to install capacitors, the types and
sizes of capacitors to he installed and, during each load level,the
control settings of these capacitors in order that a desired objective
function is minimized while the load constraints,network constraints
and operational constraints (e.g. voltage profile) at different load
levels are satisfied. The problem is formulated as a combinatorial
optimization problem with a nondifferentiable objective function.
Four solution mythologies based on algorithms (GA),tabu search
(TS), and hybrid GA-SA algorithms are presented.The solution
methodologies are preceded by a sensitivity analysis to select the
candidate capacitor installation locations.
Abstract: High voltage generators are being subject to higher
voltage rating and are being designed to operate in harsh conditions.
Stator windings are the main component of generators in which
Electrical, magnetically and thermal stresses remain major failures
for insulation degradation accelerated aging. A large number of
generators failed due to stator winding problems, mainly insulation
deterioration. Insulation degradation assessment plays vital role in the
asset life management. Mostly the stator failure is catastrophic
causing significant damage to the plant. Other than generation loss,
stator failure involves heavy repair or replacement cost. Electro
thermal analysis is the main characteristic for improvement design of
stator slot-s insulation. Dielectric parameters such as insulation
thickness, spacing, material types, geometry of winding and slot are
major design consideration. A very powerful method available to
analyze electro thermal performance is Finite Element Method
(FEM) which is used in this paper. The analysis of various stator coil
and slot configurations are used to design the better dielectric system
to reduce electrical and thermal stresses in order to increase the
power of generator in the same volume of core. This paper describes
the process used to perform classical design and improvement
analysis of stator slot-s insulation.
Abstract: In general, class complexity is measured based on any
one of these factors such as Line of Codes (LOC), Functional points
(FP), Number of Methods (NOM), Number of Attributes (NOA) and so on. There are several new techniques, methods and metrics with
the different factors that are to be developed by the researchers for calculating the complexity of the class in Object Oriented (OO)
software. Earlier, Arockiam et.al has proposed a new complexity measure namely Extended Weighted Class Complexity (EWCC)
which is an extension of Weighted Class Complexity which is proposed by Mishra et.al. EWCC is the sum of cognitive weights of
attributes and methods of the class and that of the classes derived. In EWCC, a cognitive weight of each attribute is considered to be 1.
The main problem in EWCC metric is that, every attribute holds the
same value but in general, cognitive load in understanding the
different types of attributes cannot be the same. So here, we are proposing a new metric namely Attribute Weighted Class Complexity
(AWCC). In AWCC, the cognitive weights have to be assigned for the attributes which are derived from the effort needed to understand
their data types. The proposed metric has been proved to be a better
measure of complexity of class with attributes through the case studies and experiments
Abstract: In this study the effect of incorporation of recycled
glass-fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) waste materials, obtained by
means of milling processes, on mechanical behaviour of polyester
polymer mortars was assessed. For this purpose, different contents of
recycled GFRP waste powder and fibres, with distinct size gradings,
were incorporated into polyester based mortars as sand aggregates
and filler replacements. Flexural and compressive loading capacities
were evaluated and found better than unmodified polymer mortars.
GFRP modified polyester based mortars also show a less brittle
behaviour, with retention of some loading capacity after peak load.
Obtained results highlight the high potential of recycled GFRP waste
materials as efficient and sustainable reinforcement and admixture for
polymer concrete and mortars composites, constituting an emergent
waste management solution.
Abstract: Sediment formation and its transport along the river course is considered as important hydraulic consideration in river engineering. Their impact on the morphology of rivers on one hand and important considerations of which in the design and construction of the hydraulic structures on the other has attracted the attention of experts in arid and semi-arid regions. Under certain conditions where the momentum energy of the flow stream reaches a specific rate, the sediment materials start to be transported with the flow. This can usually be analyzed in two different categories of suspended and bed load materials. Sedimentation phenomenon along the waterways and the conveyance of vast volume of materials into the canal networks can potentially influence water abstraction in the intake structures. This can pose a serious threat to operational sustainability and water delivery performance in the canal networks. The situation is serious where ineffective watershed management (poor vegetation cover in the water basin) is the underlying cause of soil erosion which feeds the materials into the waterways that intern would necessitate comprehensive study. The present paper aims to present an analytical investigation of the sediment process in the waterways on one hand and estimation of the sediment load transport into the lined canals using the SHARC software on the other. For this reason, the paper focuses on the comparative analysis of the hydraulic behaviors of the Sabilli main canal that feeds the pumping station with that of the Western canal in the Greater Dezful region to identify effective factors in sedimentation and ways of mitigating their impact on water abstraction in the canal systems. The method involved use of observational data available in the Dezful Dastmashoon hydrometric station along a 6 km waterway of the Sabilli main canal using the SHARC software to estimate the suspended load concentration and bed load materials. Results showed the transport of a significant volume of sediment loads from the waterways into the canal system which is assumed to have arisen from the absence of stilling basin on one hand and the gravity flow on the other has caused serious challenges. This is contrary to what occurs in the Sabilli canal, where the design feature which incorporates a settling basin just before the pumping station is the major cause of reduced sediment load transport into the canal system.Results showed that modification of the present design features by constructing a settling basin just upstream of the western intake structure can considerably reduce the entry of sediment materials into the canal system. Not only this can result in the sustainability of the hydraulic structures but can also improve operational performance of water conveyance and distribution system, all of which are the pre-requisite to secure reliable and equitable water delivery regime for the command area.
Abstract: When studying electronics, hands-on experience is considered to be very valuable for a better understanding of the concepts of electricity and electronics. Students lacking sufficient time in the lab are often put at disadvantage. A way to overcome this, is by using interactive multimedia in a virtual environment. Instead of proposing another new ad-hoc simulator for e-learning, we propose in this paper an e-learning platform integrating the SPICE simulator as a web service. This enables to make use of all the functions of the de-facto standard simulator SPICE inelectronics when developing new simulations.