Abstract: Sustainable development is a concept which was
originated in Burtland commission in 1978. Although this concept
was born with environmental aspects, it is penetrated in all areas
rapidly, turning into a dominate view of planning. Concentrating on
future generation issue, especially when talking about heritage has a
long story. Each approach with all of its characteristics illustrates
differences in planning, hence planning always reflects the dominate
idea of its age. This paper studies sustainable development in
planning for historical cities with the aim of finding ways to deal
with heritage in planning for historical cities in Iran. Through this, it
will be illustrated how challenges between sustainable concept and
heritage could be concluded in planning.
Consequently, the paper will emphasize on:
Sustainable development in city planning
Trends regarding heritage
Challenges due to planning for historical cities in Iran
For the first two issues, documentary method regarding the
sustainable development and heritage literature is considered. As the
next step focusing on Iranian historical cities require considering the
urban planning and management structure and identifying the main
challenges related to heritage, so analyzing challenges regarding
heritage is considered. As the result it would be illustrated that key
issue in such planning is active conservation to improve and use the
potential of heritage while it's continues conservation is guaranteed.
By emphasizing on the planning system in Iran it will be obvious that
some reforms are needed in this system and its way of relating with
heritage. The main weakness in planning for historical cities in Iran
is the lack of independent city management. Without this factor
achieving active conservation as the main factor of sustainable
development would not be possible.
Abstract: The present study focuses on methods allowing a convenient and quick calculation of the SIFs in order to predict the static adhesive strength of bonded joints. A new SIF calculation method is proposed, based on the stresses obtained from a FE model at a reference point located in the adhesive layer at equal distance of the free-edge and of the two interfaces. It is shown that, even limiting ourselves to the two main modes, i.e. the opening and the shearing modes, and using the values of the stresses resulting from a low detailed FE model, an efficient calculation of the peeling stress at adhesive-substrate corners can be obtained by this way. The proposed method is interesting in that it can be the basis of a prediction tool that will allow the designer to quickly evaluate the SIFs characterizing a particular application without developing a detailed analysis.
Abstract: A self-compacting concrete (SCC) is the one that can
be placed in the form and can go through obstructions by its own
weight and without the need of vibration. Since its first development
in Japan in 1988, SCC has gained wider acceptance in Japan, Europe
and USA due to its inherent distinct advantages. Although there are
visible signs of its gradual acceptance in the North Africa through its
limited use in construction, Libya has yet to explore the feasibility
and applicability of SCC in new construction. The contributing
factors to this reluctance appear to be lack of any supportive
evidence of its suitability with local aggregates and the harsh
environmental conditions. The primary aim of this study is to explore
the feasibility of using SCC made with local aggregates of Eastern
Province of Libya by examining its basic properties characteristics.
This research consists of: (i) Development of a suitable mix for SCC
such as the effect of water to cement ratio, limestone and silica fume
that would satisfy the requirements of the plastic state; (ii) Casting of
concrete samples and testing them for compressive strength and unit
weight. Local aggregates, cement, admixtures and industrial waste
materials were used in this research.
The significance of this research lies in its attempt to provide
some performance data of SCC made in the Eastern Province of
Libya so as to draw attention to the possible use of SCC.
Abstract: The quantified residence time distribution (RTD)
provides a numerical characterization of mixing in a reactor, thus
allowing the process engineer to better understand mixing
performance of the reactor.This paper discusses computational
studies to investigate flow patterns in a two impinging streams
cyclone reactor(TISCR) . Flow in the reactor was modeled with
computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Utilizing the Eulerian-
Lagrangian approach, implemented in FLUENT (V6.3.22), particle
trajectories were obtained by solving the particle force balance
equations. From simulation results obtained at different Δts, the mean
residence time (tm) and the mean square deviation (σ2) were
calculated. a good agreement can be observed between predicted and
experimental data. Simulation results indicate that the behavior of
complex reactor systems can be predicted using the CFD technique
with minimum data requirement for validation.
Abstract: Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) has been focused as
biological catalysis for CO2 sequestration process because it can
catalyze the conversion of CO2 to bicarbonate. Here, codon-optimized
sequence of α type-CA cloned from Duneliala species. (DsCAopt) was
constructed, expressed, and characterized. The expression level in E.
coli BL21(DE3) was better for codon-optimized DsCAopt than intact
sequence of DsCAopt. DsCAopt enzyme shows high-stability at pH
7.6/10.0. In final, we demonstrated that in the Ca2+ solution, DsCAopt
enzyme can catalyze well the conversion of CO2 to CaCO3, as the
calcite form.
Abstract: In this paper a study on the vibration of thin
cylindrical shells with ring supports and made of functionally graded
materials (FGMs) composed of stainless steel and nickel is presented.
Material properties vary along the thickness direction of the shell
according to volume fraction power law. The cylindrical shells have
ring supports which are arbitrarily placed along the shell and impose
zero lateral deflections. The study is carried out based on third order
shear deformation shell theory (T.S.D.T). The analysis is carried out
using Hamilton-s principle. The governing equations of motion of
FGM cylindrical shells are derived based on shear deformation
theory. Results are presented on the frequency characteristics,
influence of ring support position and the influence of boundary
conditions. The present analysis is validated by comparing results
with those available in the literature.
Abstract: Collaborative problem solving in e-learning can take
in the form of discussion among learner, creating a highly social
learning environment and characterized by participation and
interactivity. This paper, designed a collaborative learning
environment where agent act as co-learner, can play different roles
during interaction. Since different roles have been assigned to the
agent, learner will assume that multiple co-learner exists to help and
guide him all throughout the collaborative problem solving process,
but in fact, alone during the learning process. Specifically, it answers
the questions what roles of the agent should be incorporated to
contribute better learning outcomes, how agent will facilitate the
communication process to provide social learning and interactivity
and what are the specific instructional strategies that facilitate learner
participation, increased skill acquisition and develop critical thinking.
Abstract: Governments around the world are expending
considerable time and resources framing strategies and policies to
deliver energy security. The term 'energy security' has quietly
slipped into the energy lexicon without any meaningful discourse
about its meaning or assumptions. An examination of explicit and
inferred definitions finds that the concept is inherently slippery
because it is polysemic in nature having multiple dimensions and
taking on different specificities depending on the country (or
continent), timeframe or energy source to which it is applied. But
what does this mean for policymakers? Can traditional policy
approaches be used to address the problem of energy security or does
its- polysemic qualities mean that it should be treated as a 'wicked'
problem? To answer this question, the paper assesses energy security
against nine commonly cited characteristics of wicked policy
problems and finds strong evidence of 'wickedness'.
Abstract: This paper presents a numerical study on surface heat
transfer characteristics of laminar air flows in parallel-plate dimpled
channels. The two-dimensional numerical model is provided by
commercial code FLUENT and the results are obtained for channels
with symmetrically opposing hemi-cylindrical cavities onto both
walls for Reynolds number ranging from 1000 to 2500. The influence
of variations in relative depth of dimples (the ratio of cavity depth to
the cavity curvature diameter), the number of them and the thermophysical
properties of channel walls on heat transfer enhancement is
studied. The results are evident for existence of an optimum value for
the relative depth of dimples in which the largest wall heat flux and
average Nusselt number can be achieved. In addition, the results of
conjugation simulation indicate that the overall influence of the ratio
of wall thermal conductivity to the one of the fluid on heat transfer
rate is not much significant and can be ignored.
Abstract: A multiple-option analytical model for the evaluation of the energy performance and distribution of aerodynamic forces acting on a vertical-axis Darrieus wind turbine depending on both rotor architecture and operating conditions is presented. For this purpose, a numerical algorithm, capable of generating the desired rotor conformation depending on design geometric parameters, is coupled to a Single/Double-Disk Multiple-Streamtube Blade Element – Momentum code. Both single and double-disk configurations are analyzed and model predictions are compared to literature experimental data in order to test the capability of the code for predicting rotor performance. Effective airfoil characteristics based on local blade Reynolds number are obtained through interpolation of literature low-Reynolds airfoil databases. Some corrections are introduced inside the original model with the aim of simulating also the effects of blade dynamic stall, rotor streamtube expansion and blade finite aspect ratio, for which a new empirical relationship to better fit the experimental data is proposed. In order to predict also open field rotor operation, a freestream wind shear profile is implemented, reproducing the effect of atmospheric boundary layer.
Abstract: A unique combination of adsorption and
electrochemical regeneration with a proprietary adsorbent material
called Nyex 100 was introduced at the University of Manchester for
waste water treatment applications. Nyex 100 is based on graphite
intercalation compound. It is non porous and electrically conducing
adsorbent material. This material exhibited very small BET surface
area i.e. 2.75 m2g-1, in consequence, small adsorptive capacities for
the adsorption of various organic pollutants were obtained. This work
aims to develop composite adsorbent material essentially capable of
electrochemical regeneration coupled with improved adsorption
characteristics. An organic dye, acid violet 17 was used as standard
organic pollutant. The developed composite material was
successfully electrochemically regenerated using a DC current of 1 A
for 60 minutes. Regeneration efficiency was maintained at around
100% for five adsorption-regeneration cycles.
Abstract: This study focuses on teamwork in Finnish working
life. Through a wide cross-section of teams the study examines the
causes to which team members attribute the outcomes of their teams.
Qualitative data was collected from 314 respondents. They wrote 616
stories to describe memorable experiences of success and failure in
teamwork. The stories revealed 1930 explanations. The findings
indicate that both favorable and unfavorable team outcomes are
perceived as being caused by the characteristics of team members,
relationships between members, team communication, team
structure, team goals, team leadership, and external forces. The types
represent different attribution levels in the context of organizational
teamwork.
Abstract: In this paper, the least-squares design of variable fractional-delay (VFD) finite impulse response (FIR) digital differentiators is proposed. The used transfer function is formulated so that Farrow structure can be applied to realize the designed system. Also, the symmetric characteristics of filter coefficients are derived, which leads to the complexity reduction by saving almost a half of the number of coefficients. Moreover, all the elements of related vectors or matrices for the optimal process can be represented in closed forms, which make the design easier. Design example is also presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Abstract: Creating3D environments, including characters and
cities, is a significantly time consuming process due to a large amount
of workinvolved in designing and modelling.There have been a
number of attempts to automatically generate 3D objects employing
shape grammars. However it is still too early to apply the mechanism
to real problems such as real-time computer games.The purpose of this
research is to introduce a time efficient and cost effective method to
automatically generatevarious 3D objects for real-time 3D games.
This Shape grammar-based real-time City Generation (RCG) model is
a conceptual model for generating 3Denvironments in real-time and
can be applied to 3D gamesoranimations. The RCG system can
generate even a large cityby applying fundamental principles of shape
grammars to building elementsin various levels of detailin real-time.
Abstract: The processing of the electrocardiogram (ECG) signal consists essentially in the detection of the characteristic points of
signal which are an important tool in the diagnosis of heart diseases. The most suitable are the detection of R waves. In this paper, we
present various mathematical tools used for filtering ECG using digital filtering and Discreet Wavelet Transform (DWT) filtering. In
addition, this paper will include two main R peak detection methods
by applying a windowing process: The first method is based on calculations derived, the second is a time-frequency method based on
Dyadic Wavelet Transform DyWT.
Abstract: Canola is a specific edible type of rapeseed, developed
in the 1970s, which contains about 40 percent oil. This research was
carried out to determine the yield and some quality characteristics of
some winter canola cultivars during the 2010-2011 vegetation period
in Central Anatolia of Turkey. In this research; Oase, Dante,
Californium, Excalibur, Elvis, ES Hydromel, Licord, Orkan, Vectra,
Nelson, Champlain and NK Petrol winter canola varieties were used
as material. The field experiment was set up in a “Randomized
Complete Block Design” with three replications on 21 September
2010. In this research; seed yield, oil content, protein content, oil
yield and protein yield were examined.
As a result of this research; seed yield, oil content, oil yield and
protein yield (except protein content) were significant differences
between the cultivars. The highest seed yield (6348 kg ha-1) was
obtained from the NK Petrol, while the lowest seed yield (3949 kg
ha-1) was determined from the Champlain cultivar was obtained. The
highest oil content (46.73%) was observed from Oase and the lowest
value was obtained from Vectra (41.87%) cultivar. The highest oil
yield (2950 kg ha-1) was determined from NK Petrol while the least
value (1681 kg ha-1) was determined from Champlain cultivar. The
highest protein yield (1539.3 kg ha-1) was obtained from NK Petrol
and the lowest protein yield (976.5 kg ha-1) was obtained from
Champlain cultivar.
The main purpose of the cultivation of oil crops, to increase the
yield of oil per unit area. According the result of this research, NK
Petrol cultivar which ranks first with regard to both seed yield and oil
yield between cultivars as the most suitable winter canola cultivar of
local conditions.
Abstract: This study has investigated a vehicle Lumped
Parameter Model (LPM) in frontal crash. There are several ways for
determining spring and damper characteristics and type of problem
shall be considered as system identification. This study use Genetic
Algorithm (GA) procedure, being an effective procedure in case of
optimization issues, for optimizing errors, between target data
(experimental data) and calculated results (being obtained by
analytical solving). In this study analyzed model in 5-DOF then
compared our results with 5-DOF serial model. Finally, the response
of model due to external excitement is investigated.
Abstract: This article proposes a new methodology to be used by SMEs (Small and Medium enterprises) to characterize their performance in quality, highlighting weaknesses and area for improvement. The methodology aims to identify the principal causes of quality problems and help to prioritize improvement initiatives. This is a self-assessment methodology that intends to be easy to implement by companies with low maturity level in quality. The methodology is organized in six different steps which includes gathering information about predetermined processes and subprocesses of quality management, defined based on the well-known Juran-s trilogy for quality management (Quality planning, quality control and quality improvement) and, predetermined results categories, defined based on quality concept. A set of tools for data collecting and analysis, such as interviews, flowcharts, process analysis diagrams and Failure Mode and effects Analysis (FMEA) are used. The article also presents the conclusions obtained in the application of the methodology in two cases studies.
Abstract: Characteristics of ad hoc networks and even their existence depend on the nodes forming them. Thus, services and applications designed for ad hoc networks should adapt to this dynamic and distributed environment. In particular, multicast algorithms having reliability and scalability requirements should abstain from centralized approaches. We aspire to define a reliable and scalable multicast protocol for ad hoc networks. Our target is to utilize epidemic techniques for this purpose. In this paper, we present a brief survey of epidemic algorithms for reliable multicasting in ad hoc networks, and describe formulations and analytical results for simple epidemics. Then, P2P anti-entropy algorithm for content distribution and our prototype simulation model are described together with our initial results demonstrating the behavior of the algorithm.
Abstract: Monitoring lightning electromagnetic pulses (sferics)
and other terrestrial as well as extraterrestrial transient radiation signals
is of considerable interest for practical and theoretical purposes
in astro- and geophysics as well as meteorology. Managing a continuous
flow of data, automisation of the detection and classification
process is important. Features based on a combination of wavelet and
statistical methods proved efficient for analysis and characterisation
of transients and as input into a radial basis function network that is
trained to discriminate transients from pulse like to wave like.