Abstract: This paper outlines the development of an
experimental technique in quantifying supersonic jet flows, in an
attempt to avoid seeding particle problems frequently associated with
particle-image velocimetry (PIV) techniques at high Mach numbers.
Based on optical flow algorithms, the idea behind the technique
involves using high speed cameras to capture Schlieren images of the
supersonic jet shear layers, before they are subjected to an adapted
optical flow algorithm based on the Horn-Schnuck method to
determine the associated flow fields. The proposed method is capable
of offering full-field unsteady flow information with potentially
higher accuracy and resolution than existing point-measurements or
PIV techniques. Preliminary study via numerical simulations of a
circular de Laval jet nozzle successfully reveals flow and shock
structures typically associated with supersonic jet flows, which serve
as useful data for subsequent validation of the optical flow based
experimental results. For experimental technique, a Z-type Schlieren
setup is proposed with supersonic jet operated in cold mode,
stagnation pressure of 4 bar and exit Mach of 1.5. High-speed singleframe
or double-frame cameras are used to capture successive
Schlieren images. As implementation of optical flow technique to
supersonic flows remains rare, the current focus revolves around
methodology validation through synthetic images. The results of
validation test offers valuable insight into how the optical flow
algorithm can be further improved to improve robustness and
accuracy. Despite these challenges however, this supersonic flow
measurement technique may potentially offer a simpler way to
identify and quantify the fine spatial structures within the shock shear
layer.
Abstract: Purpose: The key aim of the research was to identify
the secondary stressors experienced by businesses affected by single
or repeated flooding and to determine to what extent businesses were
affected by these stressors, along with any resulting impact on health.
Additionally the research aimed to establish the likelihood of
businesses being re-exposed to the secondary stressors through
assessing awareness of flood risk, implementation of property
protection measures and level of community resilience. Design/methodology/approach: The chosen research method
involved the distribution of a questionnaire survey to businesses
affected by either single or repeated flood events. The questionnaire
included the Impact of Event Scale (a 15-item self-report measure
which assesses subjective distress caused by traumatic events). Findings: 55 completed questionnaires were returned by flood
impacted businesses. 89% of the businesses had sustained internal
flooding, while 11% had experienced external flooding. The results
established that the key secondary stressors experienced by
businesses, in order of priority, were: flood damage, fear of
reoccurring flooding, prevention of access to the premise/closure,
loss of income, repair works, length of closure and insurance issues.
There was a lack of preparedness for potential future floods and
consequent vulnerability to the emergence of secondary stressors
among flood affected businesses, as flood resistance or flood
resilience measures had only been implemented by 11% and 13%
respectively. In relation to the psychological repercussions, the
Impact of Event scores suggested that potential prevalence of posttraumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) was noted among 8 out of 55
respondents (l5%). Originality/value: The results improve understanding of the
enduring repercussions of flood events on businesses, indicating that
not only residents may be susceptible to the detrimental health
impacts of flood events and single flood events may be just as likely
as reoccurring flooding to contribute to ongoing stress. Lack of
financial resources is a possible explanation for the lack of
implementation of property protection measures among businesses,
despite 49% experiencing flooding on multiple occasions. Therefore
it is recommended that policymakers should consider potential
sources of financial support or grants towards flood defences for
flood impacted businesses. Any form of assistance should be made
available to businesses at the earliest opportunity as there was no
significant association between the time of the last flood event and
the likelihood of experiencing PTSD symptoms.
Abstract: The paper deals with possibilities of increase train
capacity by using a new type of railway wagon. In the first part is
created a mathematical model to calculate the capacity of the train.
The model is based on the main limiting parameters of the train -
maximum number of axles per train, maximum gross weight of train,
maximum length of train and number of TEUs per one wagon. In the
second part is the model applied to four different model trains with
different composition of the train set and three different average
weights of TEU and a train consisting of a new type of wagons. The
result is to identify where the carrying capacity of the original trains
is higher, respectively less than a capacity of train consisting of a new
type of wagons.
Abstract: One of prevailing modes of finance in emerging
Islamic banking system is Murabah’a. It means a financial dealing or
transaction in which seller tells cost of the goods to be sold to buyer.
Otherwise, the transaction would become invalid. In this mainstream,
import Murabah’a transaction is divergent in such a way that the cost
is not recognized and identified due to execution of import
transaction in foreign currency i.e. US Dollar and the next transaction
of Murabaha’a with the client is executed in local currency. Since this
transaction is executed in dual currency i.e. bank pays supplier in
foreign currency and executes Murabah’a with its client in local
currency and it is not allowed in according to Islamic Injunctions as
mentioned in hadith narrated by Hazrat Ibn-e-Umar (May Allah be
pleased with them) used to sell his camels with Dirhams and take
dinars instead and vice versa. Upon revealing before the Prophet
(Peace be upon him), he was advised that it must not be contingent in
the agreement and the ready rate would be applied and possession of
one of the consideration is compulsory. The solution in this regard is
that the import Murabah’a transaction should be in single currency
However, other currency can be paid in payment at the time of
payment in a very indispensable situation provided that ready rate
would be applied. Moreover, some of other solutions have also been
given in this regard.
Abstract: Objective: Safety and efficacy of Ahmed glaucoma
valve implantation for the management of uveitis induced glaucoma
evaluated on the five dogs with uncontrollable glaucoma. Materials
and Methods: Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV®; New World
Medical, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA) is a flow restrictive, nonobstructive
self-regulating valve system. Preoperative ocular
evaluation included direct ophthalmoscopy and measurement of the
intraocular pressure (IOP). The implant was examined and primed
prior to implantation. The selected site of the valve implantation was
the superior quadrant between the superior and lateral rectus muscles.
A fornix-based incision was made through the conjunectiva and
Tenon’s capsule. A pocket is formed by blunt dissection of Tenon’s
capsule from the episclera. The body of the implant was inserted into
the pocket with the leading edge of the device around 8-10 mm from
the limbus. Results: No post-operative complications were detected
in the operated eyes except a persistent corneal edema occupied the
upper half of the cornea in one case. Hyphaema was very mild and
seen only in two cases which resolved quickly two days after surgery.
Endoscopical evaluation for the operated eyes revealed a normal
ocular fundus with clearly visible optic papilla, tapetum and retinal
blood vessels. No evidence of hemorrhage, infection, adhesions or
retinal abnormalities was detected. Conclusion: Ahmed glaucoma
valve is safe and effective implant for treatment of uveitic glaucoma
in dogs.
Abstract: The acceptance of sustainable products by the final
consumer is still one of the challenges of the industry, which
constantly seeks alternative approaches to successfully be accepted in
the global market. A large set of methods and approaches have been
discussed and analysed throughout the literature. Considering the current need for sustainable development and the
current pace of consumption, the need for a combined solution
towards the development of new products became clear, forcing
researchers in product development to propose alternatives to the
previous standard product development models. This paper presents, through a systemic analysis of the literature
on product development, eco-design and consumer involvement, a set
of alternatives regarding consumer involvement towards the
development of sustainable products and how these approaches could
help improve the sustainable industry’s establishment in the general
market. Still being developed in the course of the author’s PhD, the initial
findings of the research show that the understanding of the benefits of
sustainable behaviour lead to a more conscious acquisition and
eventually to the implementation of sustainable change in the
consumer. Thus this paper is the initial approach towards the
development of new sustainable products using the fashion industry
as an example of practical implementation and acceptance by the
consumers. By comparing the existing literature and critically analysing it, this
paper concluded that the consumer involvement is strategic to
improve the general understanding of sustainability and its features.
The use of consumers and communities has been studied since the
early 90s in order to exemplify uses and to guarantee a fast
comprehension. The analysis done also includes the importance of
this approach for the increase of innovation and ground breaking
developments, thus requiring further research and practical
implementation in order to better understand the implications and
limitations of this methodology.
Abstract: Cochlear Implantation (CI) which became a routine
procedure for the last decades is an electronic device that provides a
sense of sound for patients who are severely and profoundly deaf.
The optimal success of this implantation depends on the electrode
technology and deep insertion techniques. However, this manual
insertion procedure may cause mechanical trauma which can lead to
severe destruction of the delicate intracochlear structure.
Accordingly, future improvement of the cochlear electrode implant
insertion needs reduction of the excessive force application during
the cochlear implantation which causes tissue damage and trauma.
This study is examined tool-tissue interaction of large prototype scale
digit embedded with distributive tactile sensor based upon cochlear
electrode and large prototype scale cochlea phantom for simulating
the human cochlear which could lead to small scale digit
requirements. The digit, distributive tactile sensors embedded with
silicon-substrate was inserted into the cochlea phantom to measure
any digit/phantom interaction and position of the digit in order to
minimize tissue and trauma damage during the electrode cochlear
insertion. The digit have provided tactile information from the digitphantom
insertion interaction such as contact status, tip penetration,
obstacles, relative shape and location, contact orientation and
multiple contacts. The tests demonstrated that even devices of such a
relative simple design with low cost have potential to improve
cochlear implant surgery and other lumen mapping applications by
providing tactile sensory feedback information and thus controlling
the insertion through sensing and control of the tip of the implant
during the insertion. In that approach, the surgeon could minimize the
tissue damage and potential damage to the delicate structures within
the cochlear caused by current manual electrode insertion of the
cochlear implantation. This approach also can be applied to other
minimally invasive surgery applications as well as diagnosis and path
navigation procedures.
Abstract: Information technology has been gaining more and
more space whether in industry, commerce or even for personal use,
but the misuse of it brings harm to the environment and human health
as a result. Contribute to the sustainability of the planet is to
compensate the environment, all or part of what withdraws it. The
green computing also came to propose practical for use in IT in an
environmentally correct way in aid of strategic management and
communication. This work focuses on showing how a mobile
application can help businesses reduce costs and reduced
environmental impacts caused by its processes, through a case study
of a public company in Brazil.
Abstract: The increase in electric power demand in face of
environmental issues has intensified the participation of renewable
energy sources such as photovoltaics, in the energy matrix of various
countries. Due to their operational characteristics, they can generate
time-varying harmonic and inter-harmonic distortions. For this
reason, the application of methods of measurement based on
traditional Fourier analysis, as proposed by IEC 61000-4-7, can
provide inaccurate results. Considering the aspects mentioned herein,
came the idea of the development of this work which aims to present
the results of a comparative evaluation between a methodology
arising from the combination of the Prony method with the Kalman
filter and another method based on the IEC 61000-4-30 and IEC
61000-4-7 standards. Employed in this study were synthetic signals
and data acquired through measurements in a 50kWp photovoltaic
installation.
Abstract: In the past years electric mobility became part of a
public discussion. The trend to fully electrified vehicles instead of
vehicles fueled with fossil energy has notably gained momentum.
Today nearly every big car manufacturer produces and sells fully
electrified vehicles, but electrified vehicles are still not as competitive
as conventional powered vehicles. As the traction battery states the
largest cost driver, lowering its price is a crucial objective. In
addition to improvements in product and production processes a nonnegligible,
but widely underestimated cost driver of production can
be found in logistics, since the production technology is not
continuous yet and neither are the logistics systems. This paper presents an approach to evaluate cost factors on
different designs of load carrier systems. Due to numerous
interdependencies, the combination of costs factors for a particular
scenario is not transparent. This is effecting actions for cost reduction
negatively, but still cost reduction is one of the major goals for
simultaneous engineering processes. Therefore a concurrent and
phase appropriate cost valuation method is necessary to serve cost
transparency. In this paper the four phases of this cost valuation
method are defined and explained, which based upon a new approach
integrating the logistics development process in to the integrated
product and process development.
Abstract: The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is the goal
of regional economic integration by 2015. In the region, tourism is an
activity that is important, especially as a source of foreign currency, a
source of employment creation and a source of income bringing to the
region. Given the complexity of the issues entailing the concept of
sustainable tourism, this paper tries to assess tourism sustainability
with the ASEAN, based on a number of quantitative indicators for all
the ten economies, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia,
Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia, and Brunei. The
methodological framework will provide a number of benchmarks of
tourism activities in these countries. They include identification of the
dimensions; for example, economic, socio-ecologic, infrastructure
and indicators, method of scaling, chart representation and evaluation
on Asian countries. This specification shows that a similar level of
tourism activity might introduce different implementation in the
tourism activity and might have different consequences for the socioecological
environment and sustainability. The heterogeneity of
developing countries exposed briefly here would be useful to detect
and prepare for coping with the main problems of each country in
their tourism activities, as well as competitiveness and value creation
of tourism for ASEAN economic community, and will compare with
other parts of the world.
Abstract: Wind energy is rapidly emerging as the primary
source of electricity in the Philippines, although developing an
accurate wind resource model is difficult. In this study, Weather
Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model, an open source mesoscale
Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) model, was used to produce a
1-year atmospheric simulation with 4 km resolution on the Ilocos
Region of the Philippines. The WRF output (netCDF) extracts the
annual mean wind speed data using a Python-based Graphical User
Interface. Lastly, wind resource assessment was produced using a
GIS software. Results of the study showed that it is more flexible to
use Python scripts than using other post-processing tools in dealing
with netCDF files. Using WRF Model, Python, and Geographic
Information Systems, a reliable wind resource map is produced.
Abstract: The underutilization of biomass resources in the
Philippines, combined with its growing population and the rise in
fossil fuel prices confirms demand for alternative energy sources. The
goal of this paper is to provide a comparison of MODIS-based and
Landsat-based agricultural land cover maps when used in the
estimation of rice hull’s available energy potential. Biomass resource
assessment was done using mathematical models and remote sensing
techniques employed in a GIS platform.
Abstract: Geological and tectonic framework indicates that
Bangladesh is one of the most seismically active regions in the world.
The Bengal Basin is at the junction of three major interacting plates:
the Indian, Eurasian, and Burma Plates. Besides there are many
active faults within the region, e.g. the large Dauki fault in the north.
The country has experienced a number of destructive earthquakes due
to the movement of these active faults. Current seismic provisions of
Bangladesh are mostly based on earthquake data prior to the 1990.
Given the record of earthquakes post 1990, there is a need to revisit
the design provisions of the code. This paper compares the base shear
demand of three major cities in Bangladesh: Dhaka (the capital city),
Sylhet, and Chittagong for earthquake scenarios of magnitudes
7.0MW, 7.5MW, 8.0MW, and 8.5MW using a stochastic model. In
particular, the stochastic model allows the flexibility to input region
specific parameters such as shear wave velocity profile (that were
developed from Global Crustal Model CRUST2.0) and include the
effects of attenuation as individual components. Effects of soil
amplification were analysed using the Extended Component
Attenuation Model (ECAM). Results show that the estimated base
shear demand is higher in comparison with code provisions leading to
the suggestion of additional seismic design consideration in the study
regions.
Abstract: In this paper, the 2-D unsteady viscous flow around
two cam shaped cylinders in tandem arrangement is numerically
simulated in order to study the characteristics of the flow in turbulent
regimes. The investigation covers the effects of high subcritical and
supercritical Reynolds numbers and L/D ratio on total drag
coefficient. The equivalent diameter of cylinders is 27.6 mm The
space between center to center of two cam shaped cylinders is define
as longitudinal pitch ratio and it varies in range of 1.5< L/D
Abstract: The report deals with comparison of traffic accidents
in Slovak republic in road and rail transport since 2009 until 2014,
with evaluation of external costs and consequently with the
possibilities of their internalization. The results of road traffic
accidents analysis are realized in line with after-effects they have
caused; in line with main cause, place of origin (within or out of
town) and in accordance to age of accident´s victims and kind of
injuries (easy, hard or fatal). Evaluation of individual after-effects is
carried in terms of probability of traffic accidents occurrence.
Abstract: The aim of the study is to describe and analyze design
of mobile teaching for students collaborative learning in distance
higher education with a focus on mobile technologies as online
webinars (web-based seminars or conferencing) by using laptops,
smart phones, or tablets. These multimedia tools can provide face-toface
interactions, recorded flipped classroom videos and parallel chat
communications. The data collection consists of interviews with 22
students and observations of online face-to-face webinars, as well
two surveys. Theoretically, the study joins the research tradition of
Computer Supported Collaborative learning, CSCL, as well as
Computer Self-Efficacy, CSE concerned with individuals’ media and
information literacy. Important conclusions from the study
demonstrated mobile interactions increased student centered
learning. As the students were appreciating the working methods,
they became more engaged and motivated. The mobile technology
using among student also contributes to increased flexibility between
space and place, as well as media and information literacy.
Abstract: In the recent past, discussing about sex among
children and youths was frowned at by traditional norms and as such
sexual discussions and behavior were approached with great respect.
Things are actually falling apart with the increasing number of young
people that engage in premarital sex. Due to lack of experience and
sex education, many young people are becoming increasingly
exposed to the risk of HIV infection. In the light of the above, this
study discussed premarital sex, HIV, and use of condom among
youths in Nigeria. Data for this study came from 2013 Nigeria
Demographic and Health Survey and other secondary data. The
survey revealed that only 18.5 percent of young women that had sex
in the 12 months preceding the survey used condom. Out of 3306
never-married sexually active men and women, 1728 representing 52
percent live in urban areas and 43 percent of them did not use
condom during sexual intercourse in the 12 months preceding the
survey. This study concludes that for there to be reduction in
prevalence of HIV/AIDS among Nigerian youths, there is need for
concerted effort to be made towards educating youths on the
expedient of the use of condom during sexual intercourse.
Abstract: The main cause of Alzheimer disease (AD) was
believed to be mainly due to the accumulation of free radicals owing
to oxidative stress (OS) in brain tissue. The mechanism of the
neurotoxicity of Aluminum chloride (AlCl3) induced AD in
hippocampus Albino wister rat brain tissue, the curative & the
protective effects of Lipidium sativum group (LS) water extract were
assessed after 8 weeks by attenuated total reflection spectroscopy
ATR-IR and histologically by light microscope. ATR-IR results
revealed that the membrane phospholipid undergo free radical
attacks, mediated by AlCl3, primary affects the polyunsaturated fatty
acids indicated by the increased of the olefinic -C=CH sub-band area
around 3012 cm-1 from the curve fitting analysis. The narrowing in
the half band width (HBW) of the sνCH2 sub-band around 2852 cm-1
due to Al intoxication indicates the presence of trans form fatty acids
rather than gauch rotomer. The degradation of hydrocarbon chain to
shorter chain length, increasing in membrane fluidity, disorder, and
decreasing in lipid polarity in AlCl3 group indicated by the detected
changes in certain calculated area ratios compared to the control.
Administration of LS was greatly improved these parameters
compared to the AlCl3 group. Al influences the Aβ aggregation and
plaque formation, which in turn interferes to and disrupts the
membrane structure. The results also showed a marked increase in
the β-parallel and antiparallel structure, that characterize the Aβ
formation in Al-induced AD hippocampal brain tissue, indicated by
the detected increase in both amide I sub-bands around 1674, 1692
cm-1. This drastic increase in Aβ formation was greatly reduced in the
curative and protective groups compared to the AlCl3 group and
approached nearly the control values. These results supported too by
the light microscope. AlCl3 group showed significant marked
degenerative changes in hippocampal neurons. Most cells appeared
small, shrieked and deformed. Interestingly, the administration of LS
in curative and protective groups markedly decreases the amount of
degenerated cells compared to the non-treated group. In addition, the
intensity of congo red stained cells was decreased. Hippocampal
neurons looked more/or less similar to those of control. This study showed a promising therapeutic effect of Lipidium
sativum group (LS) on AD rat model that seriously overcome the
signs of oxidative stress on membrane lipid and restore the protein
misfolding.
Abstract: The aim of sustainable architecture is to design
buildings with the least adverse effects on the environment and
provide better conditions for people. What building forms make the
best use of land? This question was addressed in the late 1960s at the
center of Land Use and Built Form Studies in Cambridge. This led to
a number of influential papers which had a great influence on the
practice of urban design. This paper concentrates on the results of
sustainability caused by climatic conditions in Iranian traditional
architecture in hot-arid regions. As people spent a significant amount
of their time in houses, it was very important to have such houses to
fulfill their needs physically and spiritually as well as satisfying their
cultural and religious aspects of their lifestyles. In a vast country such
as Iran with different climatic zones, traditional builders have
presented series of logical solutions for human comfort. These
solutions have been able to response to the environmental problems
for a long period of time. As a result, by considering the experience
in traditional architecture of hot–arid climate in Iran, it is possible to
attain sustainable architecture.