Abstract: During machining process, chatter is an unavoidable
phenomenon. Boring bars possess the cantilever shape and due to
this, it is subjected to chatter. The adverse effect of chatter includes
the increase in temperature which will leads to excess tool wear. To
overcome these problems, in this investigation, Cartridge brass (Cu –
70% and Zn – 30%) is passively fixed on the boring bar and also
clearance is provided in order to reduce the displacement, tool wear
and cutting temperature. A conventional all geared lathe is attached
with vibrometer and pyrometer is used to measure the displacement
and temperature. The influence of input parameters such as cutting
speed, depth of cut and clearance on temperature, tool wear and
displacement are investigated for various cutting conditions. From
the result, the optimum conditions to obtain better damping in boring
process for chatter reduction is identified.
Abstract: Wheat is the first and the most important grain of the
world and its bakery property is due to glutenin and gliadin qualities.
Wheat seed proteins were divided into four groups according to
solubility including albumin, globulin, glutenin and prolamin or
gliadin. Gliadins are major components of the storage proteins in
wheat endosperm. It seems that little information is available about
gliadin genes in Iranian wild relatives of wheat. Thus, the aim of this
study was the evaluation of the wheat wild relatives collected from
different origins of Zagros Mountains in Iran, in terms of coding
gliadin genes using specific primers. For this, forty accessions of
Triticum boeoticum and Triticum urartu were selected for this study.
For each accession, genomic DNA was extracted and PCRs were
performed in total volumes of 15 μl. The amplification products were
separated on 1.5% agarose gels. In results, for Gli-2A locus three
allelic variants were detected by Gli-2As primer pairs. The sizes of
PCR products for these alleles were 210, 490 and 700 bp. Only five
(13%) and two accessions (5%) produced 700 and 490 bp fragments
when their DNA was amplified with the Gli.As.2 primer pairs.
However, 93% of the accessions carried allele 210 bp, and only 8%
did not any product for this marker. Therefore, these germplasm
could be used as rich gene pool to broaden the genetic base of bread
wheat.
Abstract: The health care must be a right for people around the
world, but in order to guarantee the access to all, it is necessary to
overcome geographical barriers. Telemedicine take advantage of
Information Communication Technologies to deploy health care
services around the world. To achieve those goals, it is necessary to
use existing last mile solution to create access for home users, which
is why is necessary to establish the channel characteristics for those
kinds of services. This paper presents an analysis of network
performance of last mile solution for the use of IPTV broadcasting
with the application of streaming for telemedicine apps.
Abstract: In this numerical study, effects of using Al2O3-water
nanofluid on the rate of heat transfer have been investigated. Physical
model is a square enclosure with insulated top and bottom horizontal
walls, while the vertical walls are kept at different constant
temperatures. Two appropriate models are used to evaluate the
viscosity and thermal conductivity of nanofluid. The governing
stream-vorticity equations are solved using a second order central
finite difference scheme, coupled to the conservation of mass and
energy. The study has been carried out for the nanoparticle diameter
30, 60 and 90 nm and the solid volume fraction 0 to 0.04. Results are
presented by average Nusselt number and normalized Nusselt number
in different range of φ and D for mixed convection dominated
regime. It is found that different heat transfer rate is predicted when
the effect of nanoparticle diameter is taken into account.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to identify the suitability of
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) in welding simulator
application towards Computer-Based Training (CBT) in developing
skills upon new students at the Advanced Technology Training
Center (ADTEC) Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia and GIATMARA,
Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia. The significance of the study is to create
a computer-based skills development approach in welding technology
among new students in ADTEC and GIATMARA as well as to
cultivate the elements of general skills among them. This study is
also important in elevating the number of individual knowledge
workers (K-workers) working in manufacturing industry in order to
achieve a national vision which is to be an industrial nation in the
year of 2020. The design of the study is a survey type of research
which using questionnaires as the instruments and some 136 students
from ADTEC and GIATMARA were interviewed. Descriptive
analysis is used to identify the frequency and mean values. The
findings of the study show that the welding technology has developed
skills in the students because of the application of VLE simulated at a
high level and the respondents agreed that the skills could be
embedded through the application of the VLE simulator. In summary,
the VLE simulator is suitable in welding skills development training
in terms of exposing new students with the relevant characteristics of
welding skills and at the same time spurring the students’ interest
towards learning more about the skills.
Abstract: This study was conducted to investigate the extent
with which knowledge of results influences the performance of
cricket players. A sample of 160 fresh students in the Department of
Physical and Health Education who are novice in the game were
randomly assigned into two groups. The first group of eighty (80)
subjects was classified as experimental group while the second group
of eighty (80) subjects was the control group. Subjects in both groups
were asked to bowl and bat ten times each for a period of six weeks.
After the first round, the subjects in the experimental group were
allowed feedback on their performance in the first trial while those in
the control group were denied feedback. Two null hypotheses
generated for the study were tested using percentages and chi-square
statistical analysis at 0.05 level of significance. Analysis of data
showed that knowledge of results influenced the performance of
cricket players. It was concluded that knowledge of results is
pertinent for effective skill acquisition and could enhance better
performance among unskilled cricket players. Hence, it is suggested
that immediate feedback on the level of skill acquisition by the
prospective and unskilled cricket players would inspire them for
better performance in cricket tournaments.
Abstract: This study, tries to suggest a design method based on
displacement using finite difference numerical modeling in
reinforcing soil retaining wall with steel strip. In this case, dynamic
loading characteristics such as duration, frequency, peak ground
acceleration, geometrical characteristics of reinforced soil structure
and type of the site are considered to correct the pseudo static method
and finally introduce the pseudo static coefficient as a function of
seismic performance level and peak ground acceleration. For this
purpose, the influence of dynamic loading characteristics,
reinforcement length, height of reinforced system and type of the site
are investigated on seismic behavior of reinforcing soil retaining wall
with steel strip. Numerical results illustrate that the seismic response
of this type of wall is highly dependent to cumulative absolute
velocity, maximum acceleration, and height and reinforcement length
so that the reinforcement length can be introduced as the main factor
in shape of failure. Considering the loading parameters, geometric parameters of the
wall and type of the site showed that the used method in this study
leads to efficient designs in comparison with other methods, which
are usually based on limit-equilibrium concept. The outputs show the
over-estimation of equilibrium design methods in comparison with
proposed displacement based methods here.
Abstract: Household waste form a larger proportion of waste
generated across the state, accumulation of organic waste is an
apparent problem and the existing dump sites could be overstress.
Niger state has abundant arable land and water resources thus should
be one of the highest producers of agricultural crops in the country.
However, the major challenge to agricultural sector today is loss of
soil nutrient coupled with high cost of fertilizer. These have
continued to increase the use of fertilizer and decomposed solid waste
for enhance agricultural yield, which have varying effects on the soil
as well a threat to human livelihood. Consequently, vegetable yield
samples from poultry droppings, decomposed household waste
manure, NPK treatments and control from each replication were
subjected to proximate analysis to determine the nutritional and antinutritional
component as well as heavy metal concentration. Data
collected was analyzed using SPSS software and Randomized
complete Block Design means were compared. The result shows that
the treatments do not devoid the concentrations of any nutritional
components while the anti-nutritional analysis proved that NPK had
higher oxalate content than control and organic treats. The
concentration of lead and cadmium are within safe permissible level
while the mercury level exceeded the FAO/WHO maximum
permissible limit for the entire treatments depicts the need for urgent
intervention to minimize mercury levels in soil and manure in order
to mitigate its toxic effect. Thus, eco-agriculture should be widely
accepted and promoted by the stakeholders for soil amendment,
higher yield, strategies for sustainable environmental protection, food
security, poverty eradication, attainment of sustainable development
and healthy livelihood.
Abstract: Nowadays, illegal logging has been causing many
effects including flash flood, avalanche, global warming, and etc. The
purpose of this study was to maintain the earth ecosystem by keeping
and regulate Malaysia’s treasurable rainforest by utilizing a new
technology that will assist in real-time alert and give faster response
to the authority to act on these illegal activities. The methodology of
this research consisted of design stages that have been conducted as
well as the system model and system architecture of the prototype in
addition to the proposed hardware and software that have been
mainly used such as microcontroller, sensor with the implementation
of GSM, and GPS integrated system. This prototype was deployed at
Royal Belum forest in December 2014 for phase 1 and April 2015 for
phase 2 at 21 pinpoint locations. The findings of this research were
the capture of data in real-time such as temperature, humidity,
gaseous, fire, and rain detection which indicate the current natural
state and habitat in the forest. Besides, this device location can be
detected via GPS of its current location and then transmitted by SMS
via GSM system. All of its readings were sent in real-time for further
analysis. The data that were compared to meteorological department
showed that the precision of this device was about 95% and these
findings proved that the system is acceptable and suitable to be used
in the field.
Abstract: The Greater Athens Area (GAA) faces photochemical
and particulate pollution episodes as a result of the combined effects
of local pollutant emissions, regional pollution transport, synoptic
circulation and topographic characteristics. The area has undergone
significant changes since the Athens 2004 Olympic Games because
of large scale infrastructure works that lead to the shift of population
to areas previously characterized as rural, the increase of the traffic
fleet and the operation of highways. However, few recent modelling
studies have been performed due to the lack of an accurate, updated
emission inventory. The photochemical modelling system
MM5/CAMx was applied in order to study the photochemical and
particulate pollution characteristics above the GAA for two distinct
ten-day periods in the summer of 2006 and 2010, where air pollution
episodes occurred. A new updated emission inventory was used
based on official data. Comparison of modeled results with
measurements revealed the importance and accuracy of the new
Athens emission inventory as compared to previous modeling
studies. The model managed to reproduce the local meteorological
conditions, the daily ozone and particulates fluctuations at different
locations across the GAA. Higher ozone levels were found at
suburban and rural areas as well as over the sea at the south of the
basin. Concerning PM10, high concentrations were computed at the
city centre and the southeastern suburbs in agreement with measured
data. Source apportionment analysis showed that different sources
contribute to the ozone levels, the local sources (traffic, port
activities) affecting its formation.
Abstract: This study focuses on the hydro-geology and chemical
constituents analysis of Ikogosi Warm Spring waters in South West
Nigeria. Ikogosi warm spring is a global tourist attraction because it
has both warm and cold spring sources. Water samples from the cold
spring, warm spring and the meeting point were collected, analyzed
and the result shows close similarity in temperature, hydrogen iron
concentration (pH), alkalinity, hardness, Calcium, Magnesium,
Sodium, Iron, total dissolved solid and heavy metals. The measured
parameters in the water samples are within World Health
Organisation standards for fresh water. The study of the geology of
the warm spring reveals that the study area is underlain by a group of
slightly migmatised to non-migmatised paraschists and meta-igneous
rocks. Also, concentration levels of selected heavy metals, (Copper,
Cadmium, Zinc, Arsenic and Cromium) were determined in the water
(ppm) samples. Chromium had the highest concentration value of
1.52ppm (an average of 49.67%) and Cadmium had the lowest
concentration with value of 0.15ppm (an average of 4.89%).
Comparison of these results showed that, their mean levels are within
the standard values obtained in Nigeria. It can be concluded that both
warm and spring water are safe for drinking.
Abstract: This paper integrates Octagon and Square Search
pattern (OCTSS) motion estimation algorithm into H.264/AVC
(Advanced Video Coding) video codec in Adaptive Group of Pictures
(AGOP) mode. AGOP structure is computed based on scene change
in the video sequence. Octagon and square search pattern block-based
motion estimation method is implemented in inter-prediction process
of H.264/AVC. Both these methods reduce bit rate and computational
complexity while maintaining the quality of the video sequence
respectively. Experiments are conducted for different types of video
sequence. The results substantially proved that the bit rate,
computation time and PSNR gain achieved by the proposed method
is better than the existing H.264/AVC with fixed GOP and AGOP.
With a marginal gain in quality of 0.28dB and average gain in bitrate
of 132.87kbps, the proposed method reduces the average computation
time by 27.31 minutes when compared to the existing state-of-art
H.264/AVC video codec.
Abstract: The present study deals with the characterization of
CrSiN coatings obtained by PVD magnetron sputtering systems.
CrSiN films were deposited with different Si contents, in order to
check the effect of at.% variation on the different properties of the
Cr–N system. Coatings were characterized by scanning electron
microscopy (SEM) for thickness measurements, X-ray diffraction.
Surface morphology and the roughness characteristics were explored
using AFM, Mechanicals properties, elastic and plastic deformation
resistance of thin films were investigated using nanoindentation test. We observed that the Si addition improved the hardness and the
Young’s modulus of the Cr–N system. Indeed, the hardness value is
18,56 GPa for CrSiN coatings. Besides, the Young’s modulus value
is 224,22 GPa for CrSiN coatings for Si content of 1.2 at.%.
Abstract: The present study seeks to investigate the application
of expansion strategy in Persian subtitles of English crime movies.
More precisely, this study aims at classifying the different types of
expansion used in subtitles as well as investigating the
appropriateness or inappropriateness of the application of each type.
To achieve this end, three movies; namely, The Net (1995), Contact
(1997) and Mission Impossible 2 (2000), available with Persian
subtitles, were selected for the study. To collect the data, the above
mentioned movies were watched and those parts of the Persian
subtitles in which expansion had been used were identified and
extracted along with their English dialogs. Then, the extracted
Persian subtitles were classified based on the reason that led to
expansion in each case. Next, the appropriateness or
inappropriateness of using expansion in the extracted Persian
subtitles was descriptively investigated. Finally, an equivalent not
containing any expansion was proposed for those cases in which the
meaning could be fully transferred without this strategy. The findings
of the study indicated that the reasons range from explicitation
(explicitation of visual, co-textual and contextual information),
mistranslation and paraphrasing to the preferences of subtitlers.
Furthermore, it was found that the employment of expansion strategy
was inappropriate in all cases except for those caused by explicitation
of contextual information since correct and shorter equivalents which
were equally capable of conveying the intended meaning could be
posited for the original dialogs.
Abstract: In the context of the handwriting recognition, we
propose an off line system for the recognition of the Arabic
handwritten words of the Algerian departments. The study is based
mainly on the evaluation of neural network performances, trained
with the gradient back propagation algorithm. The used parameters to
form the input vector of the neural network are extracted on the
binary images of the handwritten word by several methods. The
Distribution parameters, the centered moments of the different
projections of the different segments, the centered moments of the
word image coding according to the directions of Freeman, and the
Barr features applied binary image of the word and on its different
segments. The classification is achieved by a multi layers perceptron.
A detailed experiment is carried and satisfactory recognition results
are reported.
Abstract: In this study, we have collected cases with adipocere
formation, which were from the South Delhi region (average room
temperature 27-390C) and autopsied at our centre. Details of the
circumstances of the death, cause and time of death, surrounding
environment and demographic profile of the deceased were taken into
account. Total 16 cases were included in this study. Adipocere
formation was predominantly present over cheeks, shoulder, breast,
flanks, buttocks, and thighs. Out of 16, 11 cases were found in a dry
atmosphere, 5 cases were brought from the water. There were 5 cases
in which adipocere formation was seen in less than 2 days, and
among them, in 1 case, as early as one day. This study showed that
adipocere formation can be seen as early as 1 day in a hot and humid
environment.
Abstract: The use of information technology in education have
changed not only the learners learning style but also the way they
taught, where nowadays learners are connected with diversity of
information sources with means of knowledge available everywhere.
The advantage of network wireless technologies and mobility
technologies used in the education and learning processes lead to
mobile learning as a new model of learning technology. Currently,
most of mobile learning applications are developed for the formal
education and learning environment. Despite the long history and
large amount of research on mobile learning and instruction design
model still there is a need of well-defined process in designing
mobile learning applications. Based on this situation, this paper
emphasizes on identifying instruction design phase’s considerations
and influencing factors in developing mobile learning application.
This set of instruction design steps includes analysis, design,
development, implementation, evaluation and continuous has been
built from a literature study, with focus on standards for learning,
mobile application software quality and guidelines. The effort is part
of an Omani-funded research project investigating the development,
adoption and dissemination of mobile learning in Oman.
Abstract: The need to save time and cost of soil testing at the
planning stage of road work has necessitated developing predictive
models. This study proposes a model for predicting the dry density of
lateritic soils stabilized with corn cob ash (CCA) and blended cement
- CCA. Lateritic soil was first stabilized with CCA at 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and
6% of the weight of soil and then stabilized with the same
proportions as replacement for cement. Dry density, specific gravity,
maximum degree of saturation and moisture content were determined
for each stabilized soil specimen, following standard procedure.
Polynomial equations containing alpha and beta parameters for CCA
and blended CCA-cement were developed. Experimental values were
correlated with the values predicted from the Matlab curve fitting
tool, and the Solver function of Microsoft Excel 2010. The correlation
coefficient (R2) of 0.86 was obtained indicating that the model could
be accepted in predicting the maximum dry density of CCA stabilized
soils to facilitate quick decision making in roadworks.
Abstract: The advancements in technology allow the
development of a new system that can continuously measure surface
soil erosion. Continuous soil erosion measurements are required in
order to comprehend the erosional processes and propose effective
and efficient conservation measures to mitigate surface erosion.
Mitigating soil erosion, especially in Mediterranean countries such as
Greece, is essential in order to maintain environmental and
agricultural sustainability. In this paper, we present the Automated
Soil Erosion Monitoring System (ASEMS) that measures surface soil
erosion along with other factors that impact erosional process.
Specifically, this system measures ground level changes (surface soil
erosion), rainfall, air temperature, soil temperature, and soil moisture.
Another important innovation is that the data will be collected by
remote communication. In addition, stakeholder’s awareness is a key
factor to help reduce any environmental problem. The different
dissemination activities that were utilized are described. The overall
outcomes were the development of a new innovative system that can
measure erosion very accurately. These data from the system help
study the process of erosion and find the best possible methods to
reduce erosion. The dissemination activities enhance the stakeholders
and public's awareness on surface soil erosion problems and will lead
to the adoption of more effective soil erosion conservation practices
in Greece.
Abstract: It is well-known that, using principal weak flatness
property, some important monoids are characterized, such as regular
monoids, left almost regular monoids, and so on. In this article, we
define a generalization of principal weak flatness called GP-Flatness,
and will characterize monoids by this property of their right (Rees
factor) acts. Also we investigate new classes of monoids called
generally regular monoids and generally left almost regular monoids.