Abstract: Climate warming would increase rainfall by shifting
precipitation falling form from snow to rain, and would accelerate
snow cover disappearing by increasing snowpack. Using temperature
and precipitation data in the temperature-index snowmelt model, we
evaluated variability of snowfall and continuous snow cover duration
(CSCD) during 1944-2010 over Pelso, central Finland. Mann-
Kendall non-parametric test determined that annual precipitation
increased by 2.69 (mm/year, p
Abstract: Climate change would cause mean sea level to rise +1
m by 2100. To prevent coastal floods resulting from the sea level
rising, different flood control structures have been built, with
acceptable protection levels. Gothenburg with the River Göta älv
located on the southwest coast of Sweden is a vulnerable city to the
accelerated rises in mean sea level. We evaluated using a sea barrage
in the River Göta älv to protect Gothenburg during this century. The
highest sea level was estimated to 2.95 m above the current mean sea
level by 2100. To verify flood protection against such high sea levels,
both barriers have to be closed. To prevent high water level in the
River Göta älv reservoir, the barriers would be open when the sea
level is low. The suggested flood control structures would
successfully protect the city from flooding events during this century.
Abstract: Using ETABS software, this study analyzed 23
buildings to evaluate effects of mistakes during construction phase on
buildings structural behavior. For modelling, two different loadings
were assumed: 1) design loading and 2) loading due to the effects of
mistakes in construction phase. Research results determined that
considering traditional construction methods for buildings resulted in
a significant increase in dead loads and consequently intensified the
displacements and base-shears of buildings under seismic loads.
Abstract: Collapsible soils go through radical rearrangement of
their particles when triggered by water, stress or/and vibration,
causing loss of volume. This loss of volume in soil as seen in
foundation failures has caused millions of dollars’ worth of damages
to public facilities and infrastructure and so has an adverse effect on
the society and people. Despite these consequences and the several
studies that are available, more research is still required in the study
of soil collapsibility. Discerning the pedogenesis (formation) of soils
and investigating the combined effects of the different geological soil
properties is key to elucidating and quantifying soils collapsibility.
This study presents a novel laboratory testing regime that would be
undertaken on soil samples where the effects of soil type, compactive
variables (moisture content, density, void ratio, degree of saturation)
and loading are analyzed. It is anticipated that results obtained would
be useful in mapping the trend of the combined effect thus the basis
for evaluating soil collapsibility or collapse potentials encountered in
construction with volume loss problems attributed to collapse.
Abstract: Preparation of nanoparticles of cerium oxide and
adsorption of bovine serum albumin on them were studied. Particle
size distribution and influence of pH on zeta potential of prepared
CeO2 were determined. Average size of prepared cerium oxide
nanoparticles was 9 nm. The simultaneous measurements of the
bovine serum albumin adsorption and zeta potential determination of
the (adsorption) suspensions were carried out. The adsorption
isotherms were found to be of typical Langmuir type; values of the
bovine serum albumin adsorption capacities were calculated.
Increasing of pH led to decrease of zeta potential and decrease of
adsorption capacity of cerium oxide nanoparticles. The maximum
adsorption capacity was found for strongly acid suspension (am =
118 mg/g). The samples of nanoceria with positive zeta potential
adsorbed more bovine serum albumin on the other hand, the samples
with negative zeta potential showed little or no protein adsorption.
Surface charge or better say zeta potential of CeO2 nanoparticles
plays the key role in adsorption of proteins on such type of materials.
Abstract: Pavement surface unevenness plays a pivotal role on
roughness index of road which affects on riding comfort ability.
Comfort ability refers to the degree of protection offered to vehicle
occupants from uneven elements in the road surface. So, it is
preferable to have a lower roughness index value for a better riding
quality of road users. Roughness is generally defined as an
expression of irregularities in the pavement surface which can be
measured using different equipments like MERLIN, Bump integrator,
Profilometer etc. Among them Bump Integrator is quite simple and
less time consuming in case of long road sections. A case study is
conducted on low volume roads in West District in Tripura to
determine roughness index (RI) using Bump Integrator at the
standard speed of 32 km/h. But it becomes too tough to maintain the
requisite standard speed throughout the road section. The speed of
Bump Integrator (BI) has to lower or higher in some distinctive
situations. So, it becomes necessary to convert these roughness index
values of other speeds to the standard speed of 32 km/h. This paper
highlights on that roughness index conversional model. Using SPSS
(Statistical Package of Social Sciences) software a generalized
equation is derived among the RI value at standard speed of 32 km/h
and RI value at other speed conditions.
Abstract: Paper presents a study about dynamic effects obtained
from the dynamic load testing of the city highway bridges in Latvia
carried out from 2005 to 2012. 9 prestressed concrete bridges and 4
composite bridges were considered. 11 of 13 bridges were designed
according to the Eurocodes but two according to the previous
structural codes used in Latvia (SNIP 2.05.03-84). The dynamic
properties of the bridges were obtained by heavy vehicle passing the
bridge roadway with different driving speeds and with or without
even pavement. The obtained values of the Dynamic amplification
factor (DAF) and the bridge natural frequency were analyzed and
compared to the values of built-in traffic load models provided in
Eurocode 1. The actual DAF values for even bridge pavement in the
most cases are smaller than the value adopted in Eurocode 1. Vehicle
speed for uneven pavements significantly influence Dynamic
amplification factor values.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose a new packing strategy to
find a free resource for run-time mapping of application tasks to
NoC-based Heterogeneous MPSoC. The proposed strategy minimizes
the task mapping time in addition to placing the communicating tasks
close to each other. To evaluate our approach, a comparative study is
carried out for a platform containing single task supported PEs.
Experiments show that our strategy provides better results when
compared to latest dynamic mapping strategies reported in the
literature.
Abstract: Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae), commonly known
as turmeric, has a long history of traditional uses for culinary
purposes as a spice and a food colorant. The present study aimed to
document the ethnobotanical knowledge about Curcuma longa, and
to assess the variation in the herbalists’ experience in Northeastern
Algeria. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires
and direct interviews with 30 herbalists. Ethnobotanical indices,
including the fidelity level (FL%), the relative frequency citation
(RFC), and use value (UV) were determined by quantitative methods.
Diversity in the level of knowledge was analyzed using univariate,
non-parametric, and multivariate statistical methods. Three main
categories of uses were recorded for C. longa: for food, for medicine,
and for cosmetic purposes. As a medicine, turmeric was used for the
treatment of gastrointestinal, dermatological, and hepatic diseases.
Medicinal and food uses were correlated with both forms of
preparation (rhizome and powder). The age group did not influence
the use. Multivariate analyses showed a significant variation in
traditional knowledge, associated with the use value, origin, quality,
and efficacy of the drug. The findings suggested that the geographical
origin of C. longa affected the use in Algeria.
Abstract: At-site flood frequency analysis is used to estimate
flood quantiles when at-site record length is reasonably long. In
Australia, FLIKE software has been introduced for at-site flood
frequency analysis. The advantage of FLIKE is that, for a given
application, the user can compare a number of most commonly
adopted probability distributions and parameter estimation methods
relatively quickly using a windows interface. The new version of
FLIKE has been incorporated with the multiple Grubbs and Beck test
which can identify multiple numbers of potentially influential low
flows. This paper presents a case study considering six catchments in
eastern Australia which compares two outlier identification tests
(original Grubbs and Beck test and multiple Grubbs and Beck test)
and two commonly applied probability distributions (Generalized
Extreme Value (GEV) and Log Pearson type 3 (LP3)) using FLIKE
software. It has been found that the multiple Grubbs and Beck test
when used with LP3 distribution provides more accurate flood
quantile estimates than when LP3 distribution is used with the
original Grubbs and Beck test. Between these two methods, the
differences in flood quantile estimates have been found to be up to
61% for the six study catchments. It has also been found that GEV
distribution (with L moments) and LP3 distribution with the multiple
Grubbs and Beck test provide quite similar results in most of the
cases; however, a difference up to 38% has been noted for flood
quantiles for annual exceedance probability (AEP) of 1 in 100 for one
catchment. This finding needs to be confirmed with a greater number
of stations across other Australian states.
Abstract: This paper deals with the problem of automatic rule
generation for fuzzy systems design. The proposed approach is based
on hybrid artificial bee colony (ABC) optimization and weighted least
squares (LS) method and aims to find the structure and parameters of
fuzzy systems simultaneously. More precisely, two ABC based fuzzy
modeling strategies are presented and compared. The first strategy
uses global optimization to learn fuzzy models, the second one
hybridizes ABC and weighted least squares estimate method. The
performances of the proposed ABC and ABC-LS fuzzy modeling
strategies are evaluated on complex modeling problems and compared
to other advanced modeling methods.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of age
and physiological status on progesterone and energy metabolism of
Ouled Djellal (O.D) breed ewes. 40 healthy ewes were divided into
two groups, primiparous and multiparous, with 20 ewes in each
group. The body weights (BW) (Kg) were 46.6 ± 4.20 and 59.2 ±
3.02, and consuming less 25 to 30% of their basal energetic
requirements. The values of serum glucose, triglycerides and
cholesterol were lower in pregnant than in non-pregnant ewes. The
high to very high significant differences were found during the 15th
week of pregnancy for glycaemia and triglyceridemia respectively.
Concerning serum progesterone, a very highly significant difference
(p
Abstract: Drying behavior of blanched sweet potato in a cabinet
dryer using different five air temperatures (40-80°C) and ten sweet
potato varieties sliced to 5mm thickness were investigated. The
drying data were fitted to eight models. The Modified Henderson and
Pabis model gave the best fit to the experimental moisture ratio data
obtained during the drying of all the varieties while Newton (Lewis)
and Wang and Singh models gave the least fit. The values of Deff
obtained for Bophelo variety (1.27 x 10-9 to 1.77 x 10-9 m2/s) was
the least while that of S191 (1.93 x 10-9 to 2.47 x 10-9 m2/s) was the
highest which indicates that moisture diffusivity in sweet potato is
affected by the genetic factor. Activation energy values ranged from
0.27-6.54 kJ/mol. The lower activation energy indicates that drying
of sweet potato slices requires less energy and is hence a cost and
energy saving method. The drying behavior of blanched sweet potato
was investigated in a cabinet dryer. Drying time decreased
considerably with increase in hot air temperature. Out of the eight
models fitted, the Modified Henderson and Pabis model gave the best
fit to the experimental moisture ratio data on all the varieties while
Newton, Wang and Singh models gave the least. The lower activation
energy (0.27 - 6.54 kJ/mol) obtained indicates that drying of sweet
potato slices requires less energy and is hence a cost and energy
saving method.
Abstract: The postharvest quality management of tomatoes is
important to limit the amount of losses that occur due to deterioration
between harvest and consumption. This study was undertaken to
investigate the effects of pre- and postharvest integrated agrotechnologies,
involving greenhouse microclimate and postharvest
storage conditions, on the postharvest quality attributes of four
tomato cultivars. Tomato fruit firmness, colour (hue angle (h°) and
L* value), pH and total soluble solids for the cultivars Bona,
Star 9037, Star 9009 and Zeal, grown in a fan-pad evaporativelycooled
and an open-ended naturally-ventilated tunnel, were harvested
at the mature-green stage. The tomatoes were stored for 28 days
under cold storage conditions, with a temperature of 13°C and RH of
85%, and under ambient air conditions, with a temperature of 23±
2°C and RH of 52± 4%. This study has provided information on the
effect of integrated pre-harvest and postharvest agro-technologies,
involving greenhouse microclimate and postharvest storage
environment on the postharvest quality attributes of four of the
tomato cultivars in South Africa. NVT-grown tomatoes retained
better textural qualities, but ripened faster by changing from green to
red faster, although these were reduced under cold storage conditions.
FPVT-grown tomatoes had lower firmness, but ripened slowly with
higher colour attributes. With cold storage conditions, the firmness of
FPVT-grown tomatoes was maintained. Cultivar Bona firmness and
colour qualities depreciated the fastest, but it had higher TSS content
and lower pH values. Star 9009 and Star 9037 presented better
quality, by retaining higher firmness and ripening slowly, but they
had the lowest TSS contents and high pH values, especially
Star 9037. Cold storage improved the firmness of tomato cultivars
with poor textural quality and faster colour changes.
Abstract: In this paper, we introduce a generalized Chebyshev
collocation method (GCCM) based on the generalized Chebyshev
polynomials for solving stiff systems. For employing a technique
of the embedded Runge-Kutta method used in explicit schemes, the
property of the generalized Chebyshev polynomials is used, in which
the nodes for the higher degree polynomial are overlapped with those
for the lower degree polynomial. The constructed algorithm controls
both the error and the time step size simultaneously and further
the errors at each integration step are embedded in the algorithm
itself, which provides the efficiency of the computational cost. For
the assessment of the effectiveness, numerical results obtained by the
proposed method and the Radau IIA are presented and compared.
Abstract: This paper is drawn from a wider study of the
management of gender, age and disability diversity in the banking
sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), which aims to develop
a framework for diversity management (DM) in this sector. The
paper focuses on the management of disability diversity. The purpose
of the paper is to assist in understanding disability DM in the banking
sector in KSA and to make suggestions for its enhancement. Hence, it
contributes to filling a research gap, as there is a dearth of literature
on disability DM, in KSA in general, and in the banking sector
specifically.
Discrimination against people with disabilities is a social issue that
has not been entirely overcome in any society. However, in KSA,
Islam informs almost every aspect of daily life including work, and
Islam is against discrimination. Hence, in KSA, there are regulations
to accommodate people with disabilities; however, employers are still
free not to hire job applicants with disabilities specifically because of
their condition. Indeed, disabled people are almost entirely absent
from the labour market.
There are 12 Saudi-owned or part-Saudi-owned banks in KSA and
two managers from each of these were interviewed, making a total of
24. The interviews aimed to investigate empirically the understanding
of managers in the banking sector in KSA of diversity management,
including disability DM, in the banking sector. The interview data
were analysed using thematic analysis. Two interviewees stated that
banks used the employment of people with disabilities to enhance
their corporate image, while five expressed the opinion that disabled
employees could contribute to the bank provided they did not have to
deal with customers face-to-face. Nine of the interviewees perceived
that disabled employees could be of value to the bank for their own
sake, not only in ‘behind the scenes’ roles. Another two interviewees
mentioned that employing disabled people could be part of the bank’s
community service programme and one thought it would be part of
the bank’s Saudisation efforts. The remaining five interviewees did
not know how disabled people could contribute to the bank.
The findings show that disability DM in the banking sector in
KSA is a relatively new concept, and is not yet well understood. In
the light of the findings, in order to achieve the purpose of the paper,
the following suggestions were made for the enhancement of
disability DM in the banking sector in KSA. A change in attitudes
towards disabled people is necessary. Such a change in the workplace
can only be achieved if a top-down approach is taken to the
integration of disabled people. Hence, it is suggested that
management and employees follow a course in disability awareness.
Further, a diversity officer in the HR department could enhance the
integration of disabled people into the banking workforce. It is also
suggested that greater government support is required through closely
monitored and enforced anti-discrimination legislation. Moreover,
flexible working arrangements such as part-time work would
facilitate the employment of disabled people and benefit other groups
of employees.
Abstract: In today’s world, the LED display has been used for
presenting visual information under various circumstances. Such
information is an important intermediary in the human information
processing. Researchers have been investigated diverse factors that
influence this process effectiveness. The letter size is undoubtedly
one major factor that has been tested and recommended by many
standards and guidelines. However, viewing information on the
display from direct perpendicular position is a typical assumption
whereas many actual events are required viewing from the angles.
This current research aims to study the effect of oblique viewing
angle and viewing distance on ability to recognize alphabet, number,
and English word. The total of ten participants was volunteered to our
3 x 4 x 4 within subject study. Independent variables include three
distance levels (2, 6, and 12 m), four oblique angles (0, 45, 60, 75
degree), and four target types (alphabet, number, short word, and
long word). Following the method of constant stimuli our study
suggests that the larger oblique angle, ranging from 0 to 75 degree
from the line of sight, results in significant higher legibility threshold
or larger font size required (p-value < 0.05). Viewing distance factor
also shows to have significant effect on the threshold (p-value
Abstract: In this study, we aim to demonstrate a microgrid
system experimental simulation for an easy understanding of a
large-scale microgrid system. This model is required for industrial
training and learning environments. However, in order to create an
exact representation of a microgrid system, the laboratory-scale
system must fulfill the requirements of a grid-connected inverter, in
which power values are assigned to the system to cope with the
intermittent output from renewable energy sources. Aside from that,
during fluctuations in load capacity, the grid-connected system must
be able to supply power from the utility grid side and microgrid side in
a balanced manner. Therefore, droop control is installed in the
inverter’s control board to maintain a balanced power sharing in both
sides. This power control in a stand-alone condition and droop control
in a grid-connected condition must be implemented in order to
maintain a stabilized system. Based on the experimental results, power
control and droop control can both be applied in the system by
comparing the experimental and reference values.
Abstract: The substantial similarity of fatigue mechanism in a
new test rig for rolling contact fatigue (RCF) has been investigated. A
new reduced-scale test rig is designed to perform controlled RCF
tests in wheel-rail materials. The fatigue mechanism of the rig is
evaluated in this study using a combined finite element-fatigue
prediction approach. The influences of loading conditions on fatigue
crack initiation have been studied. Furthermore, the effects of some
artificial defects (squat-shape) on fatigue lives are examined. To
simulate the vehicle-track interaction by means of the test rig, a threedimensional
finite element (FE) model is built up. The nonlinear
material behaviour of the rail steel is modelled in the contact
interface. The results of FE simulations are combined with the critical
plane concept to determine the material points with the greatest
possibility of fatigue failure. Based on the stress-strain responses, by
employing of previously postulated criteria for fatigue crack initiation
(plastic shakedown and ratchetting), fatigue life analysis is carried
out. The results are reported for various loading conditions and
different defect sizes. Afterward, the cyclic mechanism of the test rig
is evaluated from the operational viewpoint. The results of fatigue
life predictions are compared with the expected number of cycles of
the test rig by its cyclic nature. Finally, the estimative duration of the
experiments until fatigue crack initiation is roughly determined.
Abstract: This study is purposed to develop an efficient fault
detection method for Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)
applications based on adaptive noise covariance estimation. Due to the
dependence on radio frequency signals, GNSS measurements are
dominated by systematic errors in receiver’s operating environment.
In the proposed method, the pseudorange and carrier-phase
measurement noise covariances are obtained at time propagations and
measurement updates in process of Carrier-Smoothed Code (CSC)
filtering, respectively. The test statistics for fault detection are
generated by the estimated measurement noise covariances. To
evaluate the fault detection capability, intentional faults were added to
the filed-collected measurements. The experiment result shows that
the proposed method is efficient in detecting unhealthy measurements
and improves GNSS positioning accuracy against fault occurrences.