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: Various personality profile tests are used to identify
personality strengths and limits in individuals, helping both
individuals and managers to optimize work and team effort in
organizations. One such test, the Hartman’s personality profile,
emphasizes four driving "core motives" influenced or affected by
both strengths and limitations classified into four colors: Red -
motivated by power; Blue - discipline and loyalty; White - peace; and
Yellow – fun loving. Two shortcomings of Hartman’s personality test
are noted; 1) only one selection for every item / situation allowed and
2) selection of an item / option even if not applicable. A test taker
may be as much nurturing as he is opinionated but since
“opinionated” seems less attractive the individual would likely select
nurturing, causing a misidentification in personality strengths and
limits. Since few individuals have a “strong” personality, it is
difficult to assess their true personality strengths and limits allowing
only one choice or requiring unwanted choices, undermining the
potential of the test. We modified Hartman’s personality profile
allowing test takers to make either multiple choices for any item /
situation or leave them blank if applicable. Sixty-eight participants
(38 males and 30 females), 17 - 49 years old, from countries in Asia,
Europe, N. America, CIS, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania were
included. 58 participants (85.3%) reported the modified test, allowing
multiple / no choices better identified their personality strengths and
limits, while 10 participants (14.7%) expressed the original (one
choice version) was sufficient. The overall results show that our
modified test enhanced the identification and balance of core
personalities’ strengths and limits, aiding test takers, managers and
organizations to better assess individual characteristics, particularly
useful in making task-related, teamwork, and management decisions.
Abstract: Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent a promising
technology for simultaneous bioelectricity generation and wastewater
treatment. Catalysts are significant portions of the cost of microbial
fuel cell cathodes. Many materials have been tested as aqueous
cathodes, but air-cathodes are needed to avoid energy demands for
water aeration. The sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) rate at
air cathode necessitates efficient electrocatalyst such as carbon
supported platinum catalyst (Pt/C) which is very costly. Manganese
oxide (MnO2) was a representative metal oxide which has been
studied as a promising alternative electrocatalyst for ORR and has
been tested in air-cathode MFCs. However the single MnO2 has poor
electric conductivity and low stability. In the present work, the MnO2
catalyst has been modified by doping Pt nanoparticle. The goal of the
work was to improve the performance of the MFC with minimum Pt
loading. MnO2 and Pt nanoparticles were prepared by hydrothermal
and sol gel methods, respectively. Wet impregnation method was
used to synthesize Pt/MnO2 catalyst. The catalysts were further used
as cathode catalysts in air-cathode cubic MFCs, in which anaerobic
sludge was inoculated as biocatalysts and palm oil mill effluent
(POME) was used as the substrate in the anode chamber. The asprepared
Pt/MnO2 was characterized comprehensively through field
emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-Ray diffraction
(XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and cyclic
voltammetry (CV) where its surface morphology, crystallinity,
oxidation state and electrochemical activity were examined,
respectively. XPS revealed Mn (IV) oxidation state and Pt (0)
nanoparticle metal, indicating the presence of MnO2 and Pt.
Morphology of Pt/MnO2 observed from FESEM shows that the
doping of Pt did not cause change in needle-like shape of MnO2
which provides large contacting surface area. The electrochemical
active area of the Pt/MnO2 catalysts has been increased from 276 to
617 m2/g with the increase in Pt loading from 0.2 to 0.8 wt%. The
CV results in O2 saturated neutral Na2SO4 solution showed that
MnO2 and Pt/MnO2 catalysts could catalyze ORR with different
catalytic activities. MFC with Pt/MnO2 (0.4 wt% Pt) as air cathode
catalyst generates a maximum power density of 165 mW/m3, which
is higher than that of MFC with MnO2 catalyst (95 mW/m3). The
open circuit voltage (OCV) of the MFC operated with MnO2 cathode
gradually decreased during 14 days of operation, whereas the MFC
with Pt/MnO2 cathode remained almost constant throughout the
operation suggesting the higher stability of the Pt/MnO2 catalyst.
Therefore, Pt/MnO2 with 0.4 wt% Pt successfully demonstrated as an
efficient and low cost electrocatalyst for ORR in air cathode MFC with higher electrochemical activity, stability and hence enhanced
performance.
Abstract: This work reports the potential of using Palm Kernel
(PK) ash and shell as a partial substitute for Portland Cement (PC)
and coarse aggregate in the development of mortar and concrete. PK
ash and shell are agro-waste materials from palm oil mills, the
disposal of PK ash and shell is an environmental problem of concern.
The PK ash has pozzolanic properties that enables it as a partial
replacement for cement and also plays an important role in the
strength and durability of concrete, its use in concrete will alleviate
the increasing challenges of scarcity and high cost of cement. In order
to investigate the PC replacement potential of PK ash, three types of
PK ash were produced at varying temperature (350-750C) and they
were used to replace up to 50% PC. The PK shell was used to replace
up to 100% coarse aggregate in order to study its aggregate
replacement potential. The testing programme included material
characterisation, the determination of compressive strength, tensile
splitting strength and chemical durability in aggressive sulfatebearing
exposure conditions. The 90 day compressive results showed
a significant strength gain (up to 26.2 N/mm2). The Portland cement
and conventional coarse aggregate has significantly higher influence
in the strength gain compared to the equivalent PK ash and PK shell.
The chemical durability results demonstrated that after a prolonged
period of exposure, significant strength losses in all the concretes
were observed. This phenomenon is explained, due to lower change
in concrete morphology and inhibition of reaction species and the
final disruption of the aggregate cement paste matrix.
Abstract: The development of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
into a regional trade, tourism, finance and logistics hub has
transformed its real estate markets. However, speculative activity and
price volatility remain concerns. UAE residential market values
(MV) are exposed to fluctuations in capital flows and migration
which, in turn, are affected by geopolitical uncertainty, oil price
volatility and global investment market sentiment. Internally, a
complex interplay between administrative boundaries, land tenure,
building quality and evolving location characteristics fragments UAE
residential property markets. In short, the UAE Residential Valuation
System (UAE-RVS) confronts multiple challenges to collect, filter
and analyze relevant information in complex and dynamic spatial and
capital markets. A robust (RVS) can mitigate the risk of unhelpful
volatility, speculative excess or investment mistakes. The research
outlines the institutional, ontological, dynamic and epistemological
issues at play. We highlight the importance of system capabilities,
valuation standard salience and stakeholders trust.
Abstract: The development of Drugs Delivery System (DDS)
has been widely investigated in the last decades. In this paper, first a
general overview of traditional and modern wound dressing is
presented. This is followed by a review of what scientists have done
in the medical environment, focusing on the possibility to develop a
new alternative for DDS through transdermal pathway, aiming to
treat melanoma skin cancer.
Abstract: A numerical study of natural convection heat transfer
in water filled cavity has been examined in 3-Dfor single phase liquid
cooling system by using an array of parallel plate fins mounted to one
wall of a cavity. The heat generated by a heat source represents a
computer CPU with dimensions of 37.5∗37.5mm mounted on
substrate. A cold plate is used as a heat sink installed on the opposite
vertical end of the enclosure. The air flow inside the computer case is
created by an exhaust fan. A turbulent air flow is assumed and k-ε
model is applied. The fins are installed on the substrate to enhance
the heat transfer. The applied power energy range used is between 15
- 40W. In order to determine the thermal behaviour of the cooling
system, the effect of the heat input and the number of the parallel
plate fins are investigated. The results illustrate that as the fin number
increases the maximum heat source temperature decreases. However,
when the fin number increases to critical value the temperature start
to increase due to the fins are too closely spaced and that cause the
obstruction of water flow. The introduction of parallel plate fins
reduces the maximum heat source temperature by 10% compared to
the case without fins. The cooling system maintains the maximum
chip temperature at 64.68°C when the heat input was at 40W that is
much lower than the recommended computer chips limit temperature
of no more than 85°C and hence the performance of the CPU is
enhanced.
Abstract: With increasingly more mobile health applications
appearing due to the popularity of smartphones, the possibility arises
that these data can be used to improve the medical diagnostic process,
as well as the overall quality of healthcare, while at the same time
lowering costs. However, as of yet there have been no reports of a
successful combination of patient-generated data from smartphones
with data from clinical routine. In this paper we describe how these
two types of data can be combined in a secure way without
modification to hospital information systems, and how they can
together be used in a medical expert system for automatic nutritional
classification and triage.
Abstract: Environmental impact assessment techniques have
been developed as a result of the worldwide efforts to reduce the
environmental impact of global warming. By using the quantification
method in the construction industry, it is now possible to manage the
greenhouse gas is to systematically evaluate the impact on the
environment over the entire construction process. In particular, the
proportion of greenhouse gas emissions at the production stage of
construction material occupied is high, and efforts are needed in
particular in the construction field.
In this research, intended for concrete products for the construction
materials, by using the LCA method, we compared the results of
environmental impact assessment and carbon emissions of developing
products that have been applied low-carbon technologies compared to
existing products. As a results, by introducing a raw material of
industrial waste, showed carbon reduction. Through a comparison of
the carbon emission reduction effect of low carbon technologies, it is
intended to provide academic data for the evaluation of greenhouse
gases in the construction sector and the development of low carbon
technologies of the future.
Abstract: The wear measuring and wear modelling are
fundamental issues in the industrial field, mainly correlated to the
economy and safety. Therefore, there is a need to study the wear
measurements and wear estimation. Pin-on-disc test is the most
common test which is used to study the wear behaviour. In this paper,
the pin-on-disc (AEROTECH UNIDEX 11) is used for the
investigation of the effects of normal load and hardness of material on
the wear under dry and sliding conditions. In the pin-on-disc rig, two
specimens were used; one, a pin is made of steel with a tip, positioned
perpendicular to the disc, where the disc is made of aluminium. The
pin wear and disc wear were measured by using the following
instruments: The Talysurf instrument, a digital microscope, and the
alicona instrument. The Talysurf profilometer was used to measure
the pin/disc wear scar depth, digital microscope was used to measure
the diameter and width of wear scar, and the alicona was used to
measure the pin wear and disc wear. After that, the Archard model,
American Society for Testing and Materials model (ASTM), and
neural network model were used for pin/disc wear modelling.
Simulation results were implemented by using the Matlab program.
This paper focuses on how the alicona can be used for wear
measurements and how the neural network can be used for wear
estimation.
Abstract: Collection of storm water runoff and forcing it into the
groundwater is the need of the hour to sustain the ground water table.
However, the runoff entraps various types of sediments and other
floating objects whose removal are essential to avoid pollution of
ground water and blocking of pores of aquifer. However, it requires
regular cleaning and maintenance due to problem of clogging. To
evaluate the performance of filter system consisting of coarse sand
(CS), gravel (G) and pebble (P) layers, a laboratory experiment was
conducted in a rectangular column. The effect of variable thickness
of CS, G and P layers of the filtration unit of the recharge shaft on the
recharge rate and the sediment concentration of effluent water were
evaluated.
Medium sand (MS) of three particle sizes, viz. 0.150–0.300 mm
(T1), 0.300–0.425 mm (T2) and 0.425–0.600 mm of thickness 25 cm,
30 cm and 35 cm respectively in the top layer of the filter system and
having seven influent sediment concentrations of 250–3,000 mg/l
were used for experimental study. The performance was evaluated in
terms of recharge rates and clogging time. The results indicated that
100 % suspended solids were entrapped in the upper 10 cm layer of
MS, the recharge rates declined sharply for influent concentrations of
more than 1,000 mg/l. All treatments with higher thickness of MS
media indicated recharge rate slightly more than that of all treatment
with lower thickness of MS media respectively. The performance of
storm water infiltration systems was highly dependent on the
formation of a clogging layer at the filter. An empirical relationship
has been derived between recharge rates, inflow sediment load, size
of MS and thickness of MS with using MLR.
Abstract: This study examines analytically the effect of tsunami loads on reinforced concrete (RC) frame buildings. The impact of tsunami wave loads and waterborne objects are analyzed using a typical substandard full-scale two-story RC frame building tested as part of the EU-funded Ecoleader project. The building was subjected to shake table tests in bare condition, and subsequently strengthened using Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) composites and retested. Numerical models of the building in both bare and CFRP-strengthened conditions are calibrated in DRAIN-3DX software to match the test results. To investigate the response of wave loads and impact forces, the numerical models are subjected to nonlinear dynamic analyses using force time-history input records. The analytical results are compared in terms of displacements at the floors and at the “impact point” of a boat. The results show that the roof displacement of the CFRP-strengthened building reduced by 63% when compared to the bare building. The results also indicate that strengthening only the mid-height of the impact column using CFRP is more effective at reducing damage when compared to strengthening other parts of the column. Alternative solutions to mitigate damage due to tsunami loads are suggested.
Abstract: This paper describes an analysis of Yacht Simulator
international trends and also explains about Yacht. The results are
summarized as follows. Attached to the cockpit are sensors that feed
-back information on rudder angle, boat heel angle and mainsheet
tension to the computer. Energy expenditure of the sailor measure
indirectly using expired gas analysis for the measurement of VO2 and
VCO2. At sea course configurations and wind conditions can be preset
to suit any level of sailor from complete beginner to advanced sailor.
Abstract: The paper deals with the diagnostics of steel roof
structure of the winter sports halls built in 1970 year. The necessity
of the diagnostics has been given by the requirement to the evaluation
design of this structure, which has been caused by the new situation
in the field of the loadings given by the validity of the European
Standards in the Czech Republic from 2010 year. Due to these
changes in the normative rules, in practice existing structures are
gradually subjected to the evaluation design and depending on its
results to the strengthening or reconstruction, respectively. Steel roof
is composed of plane truss main girders, purlins and bracings and the
roof structure is supported by two arch main girders with the span of
L = 84 m. The in situ diagnostics of the roof structure was oriented to
the following parts: (i) determination and evaluation of the actual
material properties of used steel and (ii) verification of the actual
dimensions of the structural members. For the solution the nondestructive
methods have been used for in situ measurement. For the
indicative determination of steel strengths the modified method based
on the determination of Rockwell’s hardness has been used. For the
verification of the member’s dimensions (thickness of hollow
sections) the ultrasound method has been used. This paper presents
the results obtained using these testing methods and their evaluation,
from the viewpoint of the usage for the subsequent static assessment
and design evaluation of the existing structure. For the comparison,
the examples of the similar evaluations realized for steel structures of
the stadiums in Olomouc and Jihlava cities are briefly illustrated, too.
Abstract: Macro invertebrates have been used to monitor
organic pollution in rivers and streams. Several biotic indices based
on macro invertebrates have been developed over the years including
the Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP). A new biotic
index, the Gammarus:Asellus ratio has been recently proposed as an
index of organic pollution. This study tested the validity of the
Gammarus:Asellus ratio as an index of organic pollution, by
examining the relationship between the Gammarus:Asellus ratio and
physical chemical parameters, and other biotic indices such as
BMWP and, Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT) from lakes and
streams at Markeaton Park, Allestree Park and Kedleston Hall,
Derbyshire. Macro invertebrates were sampled using the standard
five minute kick sampling techniques physical and chemical
environmental variables were obtained based on standard sampling
techniques. Eighteen sites were sampled, six sites from Markeaton
Park (three sites across the stream and three sites across the lake). Six
sites each were also sampled from Allestree Park and Kedleston Hall
lakes. The Gammarus:Asellus ratio showed an opposite significant
positive correlations with parameters indicative of organic pollution
such as the level of nitrates, phosphates, and calcium and also
revealed a negatively significant correlations with other biotic indices
(BMWP/ASPT). The BMWP score correlated positively significantly
with some water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen and
flow rate, but revealed no correlations with other chemical
environmental variables. The BMWP score was significantly higher
in the stream than the lake in Markeaton Park, also The ASPT scores
appear to be significantly higher in the upper Lakes than the middle
and lower lakes. This study has further strengthened the use of
BMWP/ASPT score as an index of organic pollution. But additional
application is required to validate the use of Gammarus:Asellus as a
rapid bio monitoring tool.
Abstract: Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been widely
used as a non-invasive method to measure brain activity, but it is
corrupted by baseline drift noise. Here we present a method to measure
regional cerebral blood flow as a derivative of NIRS output. We
investigate whether, when listening to languages, blood flow can
reasonably localize and represent regional brain activity or not. The
prefrontal blood flow distribution pattern when advanced
second-language listeners listened to a second language (L2) was most
similar to that when listening to their first language (L1) among the
patterns of mean and standard deviation. In experiments with 25
healthy subjects, the maximum blood flow was localized to the left
BA46 of advanced listeners. The blood flow presented is robust to
baseline drift and stably localizes regional brain activity.
Abstract: Social Media (SM) is websites increasingly popular
and built to allow people to express themselves and to interact
socially with others. Most SMT are dominated by youth particularly
College students. The proliferation of popular social media tools,
which can accessed from any communication devices has become
pervasive in the lives of today’s student life. Connecting traditional
education to social media tools are a relatively new era and any
collaborative tool could be used for learning activities. This study
focuses (i) how the social media tools are useful for the learning
activities of the students of faculty of medicine in King Khalid
University (ii) whether the social media affects the collaborative
learning with interaction among students, among course instructor,
their engagement, perceived ease of use and perceived ease of
usefulness (TAM) (iii) overall, the students satisfy with this
collaborative learning through Social media.
Abstract: Graphical User Interface (GUI) is essential to
programming, as is any other characteristic or feature, due to the fact
that GUI components provide the fundamental interaction between
the user and the program. Thus, we must give more interest to GUI
during building and development of systems. Also, we must give a
greater attention to the user who is the basic corner in the dealing
with the GUI. This paper introduces an approach for designing GUI
from one of the models of business workflows which describe the
workflow behavior of a system, specifically through Activity
Diagrams (AD).
Abstract: For the treatment of acute and chronic lung diseases it is preferred to deliver medicaments by inhalation. The drug is delivered directly to tracheobronchial tree. This way allows the given medicament to get directly into the place of action and it makes rapid onset of action and maximum efficiency. The transport of aerosol particles in the particular part of the lung is influenced by their size, anatomy of the lungs, breathing pattern and airway resistance. This article deals with calculation of airway resistance in the lung model of Horsfield. It solves the problem of determination of the pressure losses in bifurcation and thus defines the pressure drop at a given location in the bronchial tree. The obtained data will be used as boundary conditions for transport of aerosol particles in a central part of bronchial tree realized by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach. The results obtained from CFD simulation will allow us to provide information on the required particle size and optimal inhalation technique for particle transport into particular part of the lung.
Abstract: An experiment was conducted to determine the effect
of pollination on seed quality of rapeseed in Chitwan, Nepal during
2012-2013. The experiment was designed in Randomized Complete
Block with four replications and five treatments. The rapeseed plots
were caged with mosquito nets at 10% flowering except natural
pollination. Two-framed colonies of Apis mellifera L. and Apis
cerana F. were introduced separately for pollination, and control plot
caged without pollinators. The highest germination percent was
observed on Apis cerana F. pollinated plot seeds (90.50%
germination) followed by Apis mellifera L. pollinated plots (87.25 %)
and lowest on control plots (42.00% germination) seeds. Similarly,
seed test weight of Apis cerana F. pollinated plots (3.22 gm/ 1000
seed) and Apis mellifera L. pollinated plots (2.93 gm/1000 seed) were
and lowest on control plots (2.26 gm/ 1000 seed) recorded. Likewise,
oil content was recorded highest on pollinated by Apis cerana F.
(36.1%) followed by pollinated by Apis mellifera L. (35.4%) and
lowest on control plots (32.8%). This study clearly indicated
pollination increases the seed quality of rapeseed and therefore,
management of honeybee is necessary for producing higher quality of
rapeseed under Chitwan condition.