Abstract: Subspace channel estimation methods have been
studied widely, where the subspace of the covariance matrix is
decomposed to separate the signal subspace from noise subspace. The
decomposition is normally done by using either the eigenvalue
decomposition (EVD) or the singular value decomposition (SVD) of
the auto-correlation matrix (ACM). However, the subspace
decomposition process is computationally expensive. This paper
considers the estimation of the multipath slow frequency hopping
(FH) channel using noise space based method. In particular, an
efficient method is proposed to estimate the multipath time delays by
applying multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm which is
based on the null space extracted by the rank revealing LU (RRLU)
factorization. As a result, precise information is provided by the
RRLU about the numerical null space and the rank, (i.e., important
tool in linear algebra). The simulation results demonstrate the
effectiveness of the proposed novel method by approximately
decreasing the computational complexity to the half as compared
with RRQR methods keeping the same performance.
Abstract: Specific leaf area (SLA; cm2leaf g-1leaf) the ratio of leaf
area to leaf dry mass is a key ecophysiological parameter influencing
leaf physiology, photosynthesis, and whole plant carbon gain and
also can be used as a rapid and diagnostic tool. In this study, two
species of soluble inorganic selenium forms, selenite (Se^IV) and
selenate (Se^VI) at different concentrations were investigated on maize
plants that were growing in nutrient solutions during 2 weeks and at
the end of the experiment, amounts of SLA for first and second
leaves of maize were measured. In accordance with the results we
observed that our regarded Se concentrations in both forms of Se^IV
and Se^VI were not effective on maize plants’ SLA significantly
although high level of 3 mg.kg-1 Se^IV had negative affect on growth
of the samples that had been treated by it but about Se^VI samples we
did not observe this state and our different considered Se^VI
concentrations were not toxic for maize plants.
Abstract: This paper presents system level CMOS solid-state
nanopore techniques enhancement for speedup next generation
molecular recording and high throughput channels. This discussion
also considers optimum number of base-pair (bp) measurements
through channel as an important role to enhance potential read
accuracy. Effective power consumption estimation offered suitable
range of multi-channel configuration. Nanopore bp extraction model
in statistical method could contribute higher read accuracy with
longer read-length (200 < read-length). Nanopore ionic current
switching with Time Multiplexing (TM) based multichannel readout
system contributed hardware savings.
Abstract: Silica was extracted from agriculture waste rice husk
ash (RHA) and was used as the silica source for synthesis of
RMCM-48 and RSBA-16. An alkali fusion process was utilized to
separate silicate supernatant and the sediment effectively. The
CTAB/Si and F127/Si molar ratio was employed to control the
structure properties of the obtained RMCM-48 and RSBA-16
materials. The N2 adsorption-desorption results showed the
micro-mesoporous RSBA-16 possessed high specific surface areas
(662-1001 m2/g). All the obtained RSBA-16 materials were applied as
the adsorbents for acetone adsorption. And the breakthrough tests
clearly revealed that the RSBA-16(0.004) materials could achieve the
highest acetone adsorption capacity of 181 mg/g under 1000 ppmv
acetone vapor concentration at 25oC, which was also superior to
ZSM-5 (71mg/g) and MCM-41 (157mg/g) under same test conditions.
This can help to reduce the solid waste and the high adsorption
performance of the obtained materials could consider as potential
adsorbents for acetone adsorption.
Abstract: In Jordan having deficit atmospheric precipitation, an
increase in water demand occurs during summer months. Jordan can
be regarded with a relatively high potential for wastewater recycling
and reuse. The main purpose of this paper was to investigate the
removal of total suspended solids (TSS) and chemical oxygen
demand (COD) for olive mill wastewater (OMW) by
electrocoagulation (EC) process. In the combination of
electrocoagulation by using coupled iron–aluminum electrodes, the
optimum working pH was found to be around 6. Results indicated
that the electrocoagulation process allowed removal of TSS and COD
of about 82.5% and 47.5%, respectively at 45 mA/cm2 after 70
minutes by using coupled iron–aluminum electrodes. It was
demonstrated that the maximum TSS and COD removals were
obtained at some optimum experimental parameters for current
density, pH, and reaction time.
Abstract: Nitrogen fertilizer is the most used and often the most
mismanaged nutrient input. Nitrogen management has tremendous
implications on crop productivity, quality and environmental
stewardship. Sufficient nitrogen is needed to optimum yield and
quality. Soil and in-season plant tissue testing for nitrogen status are
a time consuming and expensive process. Real time sensing of plant
nitrogen status can be a useful tool in managing nitrogen inputs. The
objectives of this project were to assess the reliability of remotely
sensed non-destructive plant nitrogen measurements compared to wet
chemistry data from sampled plant tissue, develop in-season nitrogen
recommendations based on remotely sensed data for improved
nitrogen use efficiency and assess the potential for determining yield
and quality from remotely sensed data. Very good correlations were
observed between early-season remotely sensed crop nitrogen status
and plant nitrogen concentrations and subsequent in-season fertilizer
recommendations. The transmittance/absorbance type meters gave
the most accurate readings. Early in-season fertilizer recommendation
would be to apply 40 kg nitrogen per hectare plus 15 kg nitrogen per
hectare for each unit difference measured with the SPAD meter
between the crop and reference area or 25 kg plus 13 kg per hectare
for each unit difference measured with the CCM 200. Once the crop
was sufficiently fertilized meter readings became inconclusive and
were of no benefit for determining nitrogen status, silage yield and
quality and grain yield and protein.
Abstract: This research has been conducted to study the method
of culture and comparing growth and biomass of Gracilaria corticata
cultured on rope and net for 50 days through two treatments (first
treatment: culture of alga on net and the second treatment: culture of
alga on rope and each treatment was repeated by four cases). During
culture period, the water of aquariums was replaced once every two
days for 40-50%. Also, 0.3-0.5 grams of urea fertilizer was added to
the culture environment for fertilization. Moreover, some of the
environmental factors such as pH, salinity and temperature of the
environment were measured on a daily basis. During the culture
period, extent of longitudinal growth of the species of both treatments
was equal. The said length was reached from 8-10 cm to 10.5-13 cm
accordingly. The resulted weight in repetitions of the first treatment
was higher than that of the second treatment in such a way as in the
first treatment, its weight reached from 10 grams to 21.119 grams and
in the second treatment, its weight reached from 10 grams to 17.663
grams. On a whole, it may be stated that that kind of alga being
studied has a considerable growth with respect to its volume. The
results have revealed that the percentage of daily growth and wet
weight at the end of the first treatment was higher than that of the
second treatment and it was registered as 0.934, 6.072 and 811.432 in
the first treatment and 0.797, 4.990 and 758.071 in the second
treatment respectively. This difference is significant (P
Abstract: The thermal behavior of a large-scale, phase change material (PCM) enhanced building envelope system was studied in regard to the need for pre-fabricated construction in subtropical regions. The proposed large-scale envelope consists of a reinforced aluminum skin, insulation core, phase change material and reinforced gypsum board. The PCM impact on an energy efficiency of an enveloped room was resolved by validation of the EnergyPlus numerical scheme and optimization of a smart material location in the core. The PCM location was optimized by a minimization method of a cooling energy demand. It has been shown that there is good agreement between the test and simulation results. The optimal location of the PCM layer in Hong Kong summer conditions has been then recomputed for core thicknesses of 40, 60 and 80 mm. A non-dimensional value of the optimal PCM location was obtained to be same for all the studied cases and the considered external and internal conditions.
Abstract: Since the initial creation of the Barbie doll in 1959, it
became a symbol of US society. Likewise, the Licca-chan, a Japanese
doll created in 1967, also became a Japanese symbolic doll of Japanese
society. Prior to the introduction of Licca-chan, Barbie was already
marketed in Japan but their sales were dismal. Licca-chan (an actual
name: Kayama Licca) is a plastic doll with a variety of sizes ranging
from 21.0 cm to 29.0 cm which many Japanese girls dream of having.
For over 35 years, the manufacturer, Takara Co., Ltd. has sold over 48
million dolls and has produced doll houses, accessories, clothes, and
Licca-chan video games for the Nintendo DS. Many First-generation
Licca-chan consumers still are enamored with Licca-chan, and go to
Licca-chan House, in an amusement park with their daughters. These
people are called Licca-chan maniacs, as they enjoy touring the
Licca-chan’s factory in Tohoku or purchase various Licca-chan
accessories. After the successful launch of Licca-chan into the
Japanese market, a mixed-like doll from the US and Japan, a doll,
JeNny, was later sold in the same Japanese market by Takara Co., Ltd.
in 1982.
Comparison of these cultural iconic dolls, Barbie and Licca-chan,
are analyzed in this paper. In fact, these dolls have concepts of girls’
dreams. By using concepts of mythology of Jean Baudrillard, these
dolls can be represented idealized images of figures in the products for
consumers, but at the same time, consumers can see products with
different perspectives, which can cause controversy.
Abstract: The mixed micellization of adiphenine hydrochloride (ADP) with 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (C10mim.Cl), was investigated at different mole fractions and temperatures by surface tension measurements. The synergistic behavior (i.e., non-ideal behavior) for binary mixtures was explained by the deviation of critical micelle concentration (cmc) from ideal critical micelle concentration (cmc*), micellar mole fraction (Xim) from ideal micellar mole fraction (Xiideal), the values of interaction parameter (β) and activity coefficients (fi) (for both mixed micelles and mixed monolayer). The excess free energy (ΔGex) for the ADP- C10mim.Cl binary mixtures explain the stability of mixed micelles in comparison to micelles of pure ADP and C10mim.Cl. Interfacial parameters, i.e., Gibbs surface excess (Гmax), minimum head group area at air/ water
interface (Amin), and free energy of micellization (ΔG0m) were also evaluated for the systems.
Abstract: Natural hydrocarbon seepage has helped petroleum
exploration as a direct indicator of gas and/or oil subsurface
accumulations. Surface macro-seeps are generally an indication of a
fault in an active Petroleum Seepage System belonging to a Total
Petroleum System. This paper describes a case study in which
multiple analytical techniques were used to identify and characterize
trace petroleum-related hydrocarbons and other volatile organic
compounds in groundwater samples collected from Sousse aquifer
(Central Tunisia). The analytical techniques used for analyses of
water samples included gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS),
capillary GC with flame-ionization detection, Compound
Specific Isotope Analysis, Rock Eval Pyrolysis. The objective of the
study was to confirm the presence of gasoline and other petroleum
products or other volatile organic pollutants in those samples in order
to assess the respective implication of each of the potentially
responsible parties to the contamination of the aquifer. In addition,
the degree of contamination at different depths in the aquifer was also
of interest. The oil and gas seeps have been investigated using
biomarker and stable carbon isotope analyses to perform oil-oil and
oil-source rock correlations. The seepage gases are characterized by
high CH4 content, very low δ13CCH4 values (-71,9 ‰) and high
C1/C1–5 ratios (0.95–1.0), light deuterium–hydrogen isotope ratios (-
198 ‰) and light δ13CC2 and δ13CCO2 values (-23,8‰ and-23,8‰
respectively) indicating a thermogenic origin with the contribution of
the biogenic gas. An organic geochemistry study was carried out on
the more ten oil seep samples. This study includes light hydrocarbon
and biomarkers analyses (hopanes, steranes, n-alkanes, acyclic
isoprenoids, and aromatic steroids) using GC and GC-MS. The
studied samples show at least two distinct families, suggesting two
different types of crude oil origins: the first oil seeps appears to be
highly mature, showing evidence of chemical and/or biological
degradation and was derived from a clay-rich source rock deposited
in suboxic conditions. It has been sourced mainly by the lower
Fahdene (Albian) source rocks. The second oil seeps was derived
from a carbonate-rich source rock deposited in anoxic conditions,
well correlated with the Bahloul (Cenomanian-Turonian) source rock.
Abstract: Today, the pollution due to non-degradable material
such as plastics, has led to studies about the development of
environmental-friendly material. Because of biodegradability
obtained from natural sources, polylactid acid (PLA) and ijuk fiber
are interesting to modify into a composite. This material is also
expected to reduce the impact of environmental pollution. Surface
modification of ijuk fiber through alkalinization with 0.25 M NaOH
solution for 30 minutes was aimed to enhance its compatibility to
PLA, in order to improve properties of the composite such as the
mechanical properties. Alkalinization of the ijuk fibers annihilates
some surface components such as lignin, wax and hemicelloluse, so
the pore on the surface clearly appeared, decreasing of the density
and diameter of the ijuk fibers. The change of the ijuk fiber properties
leads to increase the mechanical properties of PLA composites
reinforced the ijuk fibers through strengthening of the mechanical
interlocking with the PLA matrix. An addition to enhance the
distribution of the fibers in the PLA matrix, the stirring during DCM
solvent evaporation from the mixture of the ijuk fibers and the
dissolved-PLA can reduce amount of the trapped-voids and fibers
pull-out phenomena, which can decrease the mechanical properties of
the composite.
Abstract: Zinc oxide (ZnO) is one of the light emitting materials in ultraviolet (UV) region. In addition, ZnO nanostructures are also attracting increasing research interest as buildingblocks for UV optoelectronic applications. We have succeeded in synthesizing vertically-aligned ZnO nanostructures by laser interference patterning, which is catalyst-free and non-contact technique. In this study, vertically-aligned ZnO nanowall arrays were synthesized using two-beam interference. The maximum height and average thickness of the ZnO nanowalls were about 4.5µm and 200 nm, respectively.UV lasing from a piece of the ZnO nanowall was obtained under the third harmonic of a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser excitation, and the estimated threshold power density for lasing was about 150 kW/cm2. Furthermore, UV lasing from the vertically-aligned ZnO nanowall was also achieved. The results indicate that ZnO nanowalls can be applied to random laser.
Abstract: Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the major
vegetable crops that are grown world –wide because of its economic
importance. This experiment investigated the effect of local sands
(River Base, Al-Ekader and Karbala) on number and total weight of
minitubers. Statistical analysis revealed that there were no significant
differences among sand cultures in number of stem/plant, chlorophyll
index and tubers dry weight. River Base sand had the highest plant
height (74.9 cm), leaf number/plant number (39.3), leaf area (84.4
dcm2⁄plant), dry weight/plant (26.31), tubers number/plant (8.5),
tubers weight/plant (635.53 gm) and potato tuber yields/trove (28.60
kg), whereas the Karbala sand had lower performance. All the
characters had positive and significant correlation with yields except
the traits number of stem and tuber dry weight.
Abstract: This experimental study evaluates the effect of using
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Multidimensional Self-
Concept Model (MSCM) in a drug prevention programme to increase
resiliency and reduce aggression among at-risk youth in Malaysia. A
number of 60 (N=60) university students who were at-risk of taking
drugs were involved in this study. Participants were identified with
self-rating scales, Adolescent Resilience Attitude Scale (ARAS) and
Aggression Questionnaire. Based on the mean score of these
instruments, the participants were divided into the treatment group,
and the control group. Data were analyzed using t-test. The finding
showed that the mean score of resiliency was increased in the
treatment group compared to the control group. It also shows that the
mean score of aggression was reduced in the treatment group
compared to the control group. Drug Prevention Programme was
found to help in enhancing resiliency and reducing aggression among
participants in the treatment group compared to the controlled group.
Implications were given regarding the preventive actions on drug
abuse among youth in Malaysia.
Abstract: The goal of image segmentation is to cluster pixels
into salient image regions. Segmentation could be used for object
recognition, occlusion boundary estimation within motion or stereo
systems, image compression, image editing, or image database lookup.
In this paper, we present a color image segmentation using
support vector machine (SVM) pixel classification. Firstly, the pixel
level color and texture features of the image are extracted and they
are used as input to the SVM classifier. These features are extracted
using the homogeneity model and Gabor Filter. With the extracted
pixel level features, the SVM Classifier is trained by using FCM
(Fuzzy C-Means).The image segmentation takes the advantage of
both the pixel level information of the image and also the ability of
the SVM Classifier. The Experiments show that the proposed method
has a very good segmentation result and a better efficiency, increases
the quality of the image segmentation compared with the other
segmentation methods proposed in the literature.
Abstract: A quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) nanosensor was developed to detect lysozyme enzyme by functionalizing its gold surface with the attachment of poly(methacroyl-L-phenylalanine) (PMAPA) nanoparticles. PMAPA was chosen as a hydrophobic matrix. The hydrophobic nanoparticles were synthesized by micro-emulsion polymerization method. Hydrophobic QCM nanosensor was tested for real time detection of lysozyme enzyme from aqueous solution. The kinetic and affinity studies were determined by using lysozyme solutions with different concentrations. The responses related with mass (Δm) and frequency (Δf) shifts were used to evaluate adsorption properties.
Abstract: Effect of biopesticide from wood vinegar and
extracted substances from 3 medicinal plants such as: non taai yak
(Stemona tuberosa Lour), boraphet (Tinospora crispa Mier) and
derris (Derris elliptica Roxb) were tested on the age five years of
pomelo. The selected pomelo was carried out for insects’ pest control
and its quality. The experimental site was located at farmer’s orchard
in Phichit Province, Thailand. This study was undertaken during the
drought season (December to March). The extracted from plants and
wood vinegar were evaluated in 6 treatments: 1) water as control; 2)
wood vinegar; 3) S. tuberosa Lour; 4) T. crispa Mier; 5) D. elliptica
Roxb; 6) mixed (wood vinegar + S. tuberosa Lour + T. crispa Mier +
D. elliptica Roxb). The experiment was RCB with 6 treatments and 3
replications per treatment. The results showed that T. crispa Mier was
the highest effectiveness for reduction population of thrips
(Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood) and citrus leaf miner (Phyllocnistis
citrella Stainton) at 14.10 and 15.37 respectively, followed by
treatment of mixed, D. elliptica Roxb, S. tuberosa Lour and wood
vinegar with significance different. Additionally, T. crispa Mier
promoted the high quality of harvested pomelo in term of thickness
of skin at 12.45 mm and S. tuberosa Lour gave the high quality of the
pomelo in term of firmness (276.5 kg/cm2) and brix (11.0%).
Abstract: Composite material based on Fe3Si micro-particles
and Mn-Zn nano-ferrite was prepared using powder metallurgy
technology. The sol-gel followed by autocombustion process was
used for synthesis of Mn0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 ferrite. 3 wt.% of mechanically
milled ferrite was mixed with Fe3Si powder alloy. Mixed micro-nano
powder system was homogenized by the Resonant Acoustic Mixing
using ResodynLabRAM Mixer. This non-invasive homogenization
technique was used to preserve spherical morphology of Fe3Si
powder particles. Uniaxial cold pressing in the closed die at pressure
600 MPa was applied to obtain a compact sample. Microwave
sintering of green compact was realized at 800°C, 20 minutes, in air.
Density of the powders and composite was measured by
Hepycnometry. Impulse excitation method was used to measure
elastic properties of sintered composite. Mechanical properties were
evaluated by measurement of transverse rupture strength (TRS) and
Vickers hardness (HV). Resistivity was measured by 4 point probe
method. Ferrite phase distribution in volume of the composite was
documented by metallographic analysis.
It has been found that nano-ferrite particle distributed among
micro- particles of Fe3Si powder alloy led to high relative density
(~93%) and suitable mechanical properties (TRS >100 MPa, HV
~1GPa, E-modulus ~140 GPa) of the composite. High electric
resistivity (R~6.7 ohm.cm) of prepared composite indicate their
potential application as soft magnetic material at medium and high
frequencies.
Abstract: Newly synthesized Polypropylene-g-Polyethylene
glycol polymer was first time used for a compartment-less enzymatic
fuel cell. Working electrodes based on Polypropylene-g-Polyethylene
glycol were operated as unmediated and mediated system (with
ferrocene and gold/cobalt oxide nanoparticles). Glucose oxidase and
bilirubin oxidase was selected as anodic and cathodic enzyme,
respectively. Glucose was used as fuel in a single-compartment and
membrane-less cell. Maximum power density was obtained as 0.65
nW cm-2, 65 nW cm-2 and 23500 nW cm-2 from the unmediated,
ferrocene and gold/cobalt oxide modified polymeric film,
respectively. Power density was calculated to be ~16000 nW cm-2 for
undiluted wastewater sample with gold/cobalt oxide nanoparticles
including system.