Abstract: A repairable mechanical system (as agricultural
tractor) is subject to deterioration or repeated failure and needs a
repair shops and also operator’s capability for the repair and
maintenance operations. Data are based on field visits and interviews
with 48MF 285 tractor operators from 14 villages collected in north
of Khouzestan province. The results showed that most operators were
lack the technical skill to service and repair tractors due to
insufficient training, specific education and work experience.
Inadequate repair and maintenance facilities, such as workshops,
mechanics and spare parts depots cause delays in repair work in the
survey areas. Farmers do not keep accurate service records and most
of them disregard proper maintenance and service of their tractors,
such as changing engine oil without following the manufacturer’s
recommendations. Since, Repair and maintenance facilities should be
established in village areas to guarantee timely repair in case of
breakdowns and to make spare parts available at low price. The
operators should keep service records accurately and adhere to
maintenance and service schedules according to the manufacturer’s
instructions. They should also be encouraged to do the service and
maintain their tractors properly.
Abstract: The end of the line controls of the finished products in
the automotive industry is important. The control that has been
conducted with the manual methods for the sliding doors tracks is not
sufficient and faulty products cannot be identified. As a result, the
customer has the faulty products. In the scope of this study, the
design criteria of the PLC integrated modular end of line control unit
has been examined, designed and manufactured to make the control
of the 10 different track profile to 2 different vehicles with an
objective to minimize the salvage costs by obtaining more sensitive,
certain and accurate measurement results. In the study that started
with literature and patent review, the design inputs have been
specified, the technical concept has been developed, computer
supported mechanic design, control system and automation design,
design review and design improvement have been made. Laser
analog sensors at high sensitivity, probes and modular blocks have
been used in the unit. The measurement has been conducted in the
system and it is observed that measurement results are more sensitive
than the previous methods that we use.
Abstract: Second generation military Filipino Amerasians
comprise a formidable contemporary segment of the estimated
250,000-plus biracial Amerasians in the Philippines today. Overall,
they are a stigmatized and socioeconomically marginalized diaspora;
historically, they were abandoned or estranged by U.S. military
personnel fathers assigned during the century-long Colonial, Post-
World War II and Cold War Era of permanent military basing (1898-
1992). Indeed, U.S. military personnel are assigned in smaller
numbers in the Philippines today. This inquiry is an outgrowth of two
recent small sample studies. The first surfaced the impact of the U.S.
military prostitution system on formation of the ‘Derivative
Amerasian Family Construct’ on first generation Amerasians; a
second, qualitative case study suggested the continued effect of the
prostitution systems' destructive impetuous on second generation
Amerasians. The intent of this current qualitative, multiple-case study
was to actively seek out second generation sex industry toilers. The
purpose was to focus further on this human phenomenon in the postbasing
and post-military prostitution system eras. As background, the
former military prostitution apparatus has transformed into a modern
dynamic of rampant sex tourism and prostitution nationwide. This is
characterized by hotel and resorts offering unrestricted carnal access,
urban and provincial brothels (casas), discos, bars and pickup clubs,
massage parlors, local barrio karaoke bars and street prostitution. A
small case study sample (N = 4) of female and male second
generation Amerasians were selected. Sample formation employed a
non-probability ‘snowball’ technique drawing respondents from the
notorious Angeles, Metro Manila, Olongapo City ‘AMO Amerasian
Triangle’ where most former U.S. military installations were sited
and modern sex tourism thrives. A six-month study and analysis of
in-depth interviews of female and male sex laborers, their families
and peers revealed a litany of disturbing, and troublesome
experiences. Results showed profiles of debilitating human poverty,
history of family disorganization, stigmatization, social
marginalization and the ghost of the military prostitution system and
its harmful legacy on Amerasian family units. Emerging were testimonials of wayward young people ensnared in a maelstrom of
deep economic deprivation, familial dysfunction, psychological
desperation and societal indifference. The paper recommends that
more study is needed and implications of unstudied psychosocial and
socioeconomic experiences of distressed younger generations of
military Amerasians require specific research. Heretofore apathetic or
disengaged U.S. institutions need to confront the issue and formulate
activist and solution-oriented social welfare, human services and
immigration easement policies and alternatives. These institutions
specifically include academic and social science research agencies,
corporate foundations, the U.S. Congress, and Departments of State,
Defense and Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security
(i.e. Citizen and Immigration Services) It is them who continue to
endorse a laissez-faire policy of non-involvement over the entire
Filipino Amerasian question. Such apathy, the paper concludes,
relegates this consequential but neglected blood progeny to the status
of humiliating destitution and exploitation. Amerasians; thus, remain
entrapped in their former colonial, and neo-colonial habitat.
Ironically, they are unwitting victims of a U.S. American homeland
that fancies itself geo-politically as a strong and strategic military
treaty ally of the Philippines in the Western Pacific.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the
photocatalytic activity of polycrystalline phases of bismuth tungstate
of formula Bi2WO6. Polycrystalline samples were elaborated using a
coprecipitation technique followed by a calcination process at
different temperatures (300, 400, 600 and 900°C). The obtained
polycrystalline phases have been characterized by X-ray diffraction
(XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission
electron microscopy (TEM). Crystal cell parameters and cell volume
depend on elaboration temperature. High-resolution electron
microscopy images and image simulations, associated with X-ray
diffraction data, allowed confirming the lattices and space groups
Pca21. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared samples was
studied by irradiating aqueous solutions of Rhodamine B, associated
with Bi2WO6 additives having variable crystallite sizes. The
photocatalytic activity of such bismuth tungstates increased as the
crystallite sizes decreased. The high specific area of the
photocatalytic particles obtained at 300°C seems to condition the
degradation kinetics of RhB.
Abstract: Due to the interference effects, the intrinsic
aerodynamic parameters obtained from the individual component
testing are always fundamentally different than those obtained for
complete model testing. Consideration and limitation for such testing
need to be taken into account in any design work related to the
component buildup method. In this paper, the scaled model of a
straight rectangular canard of a hybrid buoyant aircraft is tested at 50
m/s in IIUM-LSWT (Low Speed Wind Tunnel). Model and its
attachment with the balance are kept rigid to have results free from
the aeroelastic distortion. Based on the velocity profile of the test
section’s floor; the height of the model is kept equal to the
corresponding boundary layer displacement. Balance measurements
provide valuable but limited information of overall aerodynamic
behavior of the model. Zero lift coefficient is obtained at -2.2o and
the corresponding drag coefficient was found to be less than that at
zero angle of attack. As a part of the validation of low fidelity tool,
plot of lift coefficient plot was verified by the experimental data and
except the value of zero lift coefficients, the overall trend has under
predicted the lift coefficient. Based on this comparative study, a
correction factor of 1.36 is proposed for lift curve slope obtained
from the panel method.
Abstract: Multiphase Induction Machine (IM) is normally
controlled using rotor field oriented vector control. Under phase(s)
loss, the machine currents can be optimally controlled to satisfy
certain optimization criteria. In this paper we discuss the performance
of double manifold sliding mode observer (DM-SMO) in Sensorless
control of multiphase induction machine under unsymmetrical
condition (one phase loss). This observer is developed using the IM
model in the stationary reference frame. DM-SMO is constructed by
adding extra feedback term to conventional single mode sliding mode
observer (SM-SMO) which proposed in many literature. This leads to
a fully convergent observer that also yields an accurate estimate of
the speed and stator currents. It will be shown by the simulation
results that the estimated speed and currents by the method are very
well and error between real and estimated quantities is negligible.
Also parameter sensitivity analysis shows that this method is rather
robust against parameter variation.
Abstract: The purpose of this research was to investigate the
creep behaviour of the heterogeneous Timber-UHPFRC beams. New
developments have been done to further improve the structural
performance, such as strengthening of the timber (glulam) beam by
bonding composite material combine with an ultra-high performance
fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) internally reinforced with or
without carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) bars. However, in
the design of wooden structures, in addition to the criteria of
strengthening and stiffness, deformability due to the creep of wood,
especially in horizontal elements, is also a design criterion. Glulam,
UHPFRC and CFRP may be an interesting composite mix to respond
to the issue of creep behaviour of composite structures made of
different materials with different rheological properties. In this paper,
we describe an experimental and analytical investigation of the creep
performance of the glulam-UHPFRC-CFRP beams assembled by
bonding. The experimental investigations creep behaviour was
conducted for different environments: in- and outside under constant
loading for approximately a year. The measured results are compared
with numerical ones obtained by an analytical model. This model was
developed to predict the creep response of the glulam-UHPFRCCFRP
beams based on the creep characteristics of the individual
components. The results show that heterogeneous glulam-UHPFRC
beams provide an improvement in both the strengthening and
stiffness, and can also effectively reduce the creep deflection of
wooden beams.
Abstract: Chitosan polyacrylic acid composite membranes were
prepared by a bulk polymerization method in presence of N, N'-
methylene bisacrylamide (crosslinker) and ammonium persulphate as
initiator. Membranes prepared from this copolymer in presence and
absence of Ag nanoparticles were characterized by measuring
mechanical and physical properties, water up-take and antibacterial
properties. The results obtained indicated that the prepared
membranes have antibacterial properties which increase with adding
Ag nanoparticles.
Abstract: In this paper we present the design of an optical
device based on a Herriott multi-pass cell fabricated on a small sized
acrylic slab for heat flux measurements using the deflection of a laser
beam propagating inside the cell. The beam deflection is produced by
the heat flux conducted to the acrylic slab due to a gradient in the
refractive index. The use of a long path cell as the sensitive element
in this measurement device, gives the possibility of high sensitivity
within a small size device. We present the optical design as well as
some experimental results in order to validate the device’s operation
principle.
Abstract: The main idea of this work is to investigate the effect
of knitted fabrics characteristics on moisture management properties.
Wetting and transport properties of single jersey, Rib 1&1 and
English Rib fabrics made out of cotton and blended Cotton/Polyester
yarns were studied. The dynamic water sorption of fabrics was
investigated under same isothermal and terrestrial conditions at
20±2°C-65±4% by using the Moisture Management Tester (MMT)
which can be used to quantitatively measure liquid moisture transfer
in one step in a fabric in multidirections: Absorption rate, moisture
absorbing time of the fabric's inner and outer surfaces, one-way
transportation capability, the spreading/drying rate, the speed of
liquid moisture spreading on fabric's inner and outer surfaces are
measured, recorded and discussed. The results show that fabric’s
composition and knit’s structure have a significant influence on those
phenomena.
Abstract: Current transformers are an integral part of power
system because it provides a proportional safe amount of current for
protection and measurement applications. However, when the power
system experiences an abnormal situation leading to huge current
flow, then this huge current is proportionally injected to the
protection and metering circuit. Since the protection and metering
equipment’s are designed to withstand only certain amount of current
with respect to time, these high currents pose a risk to man and
equipment. Therefore, during such instances, the CT saturation
characteristics have a huge influence on the safety of both man and
equipment and on the reliability of the protection and metering
system. This paper shows the effect of burden on the Accuracy Limiting
factor/ Instrument security factor of current transformers and the
change in saturation characteristics of the CT’s. The response of the
CT to varying levels of overcurrent at different connected burden will
be captured using the data acquisition software LabVIEW. Analysis
is done on the real time data gathered using LabVIEW. Variation of
current transformer saturation characteristics with changes in burden
will be discussed.
Abstract: Networked environments which provide platforms for
business organizations are configured in different forms depending
on many factors including life time, member characteristics,
communication structure, and business objectives, among others.
With continuing advances in digital technologies the distance has
become a less barrier for business minded collaboration among
organizations. With the need and ease to make business collaborate
nowadays organizations are sometimes forced to co-work with others
that are either unknown or less known to them in terms of history and
performance. A promising approach for sustaining established
collaboration has been establishment of trust relationship among
organizations based on assessed trustworthiness for each participating
organization. It has been stated in research that trust in organization is
dynamic and thus assessment of trust level must address such
dynamic nature. This paper assesses relevant aspects of trust and
applies the assessed concepts to propose a semi-automated system for
the management of Sustainability and Evolution of trust in
organizations participating in specific objective in a networked
organizations environment.
Abstract: Wire Electric Discharge Machining (WEDM) is
thermal machining process capable of machining very hard
electrically conductive material irrespective of their hardness.
WEDM is being widely used to machine micro scale parts with the
high dimensional accuracy and surface finish. The objective of this
paper is to optimize the process parameters of wire EDM to fabricate
the micro channels and to calculate the surface finish and material
removal rate of micro channels fabricated using wire EDM. The
material used is aluminum 6061 alloy. The experiments were
performed using CNC wire cut electric discharge machine. The effect
of various parameters of WEDM like pulse on time (TON) with the
levels (100, 150, 200), pulse off time (TOFF) with the levels (25, 35,
45) and current (IP) with the levels (105, 110, 115) were investigated
to study the effect on output parameter i.e. Surface Roughness and
Material Removal Rate (MRR). Each experiment was conducted
under different conditions of pulse on time, pulse off time and peak
current. For material removal rate, TON and Ip
were the most significant process parameter. MRR increases with the increase in
TON and Ip and decreases with the increase in TOFF. For surface
roughness, TON and Ip have the maximum effect and TOFF was found
out to be less effective.
Abstract: Salinity is one of the major factors limiting crop
production in an arid environment. Despite its global importance
soybean production suffer the problems of salinity stress causing
damages at plant development. So it is implacable to either search for
salinity enhancement of soybean plants. Therefore, in the current
study we try to clarify the mechanism that might be involved in the
ameliorating effects of osmo-protectants such as proline and glycine
betaine as well as, compost application on soybean plants grown
under salinity stress. The experiment was conducted under
greenhouse conditions at the Graduate School of Biosphere Science
Laboratory of Hiroshima University, Japan in 2011. The experiment
was designed as a spilt-split plot based on randomized complete
block design with four replications. The treatments could be
summarized as follows; (i) salinity concentrations (0 and 15 mM), (ii)
compost treatments (0 and 24 t ha-1) and (iii) the exogenous, proline
and glycine betaine concentrations (0 mM and 25 mM) for each.
Results indicated that salinity stress induced reduction in growth and
physiological aspects (dry weight per plant, chlorophyll content, N
and K+ content) of soybean plant compared with those of the
unstressed plants. On the other hand, salinity stress led to increases in
the electrolyte leakage ratio, Na and proline contents. Special
attention was paid to, the tolerance against salt stress was observed,
the improvement of salt tolerance resulted from proline, glycine
betaine and compost were accompanied with improved K+, and
proline accumulation. While, significantly decreased electrolyte
leakage ratio and Na+ content. These results clearly demonstrate that
harmful effect of salinity could reduce on growth aspects of soybean.
Consequently, exogenous osmoprotectants combine with compost
will effectively solve seasonal salinity stress problem and are a good
strategy to increase salinity resistance of soybean in the drylands.
Abstract: We report the design and characterization of ultra high
quality factor filter based on one-dimensional photonic-crystal Thue-
Morse sequence structure. The behavior of aperiodic array of
photonic crystal structure is numerically investigated and we show
that by changing the angle of incident wave, desired wavelengths
could be tuned and a tunable filter is realized. Also it is shown that
high quality factor filter be achieved in the telecommunication
window around 1550 nm, with a device based on Thue-Morse
structure. Simulation results show that the proposed structure has a
quality factor more than 100000 and it is suitable for DWDM
communication applications.
Abstract: In this paper, synchronization of multiple chaotic
semiconductor lasers is achieved by appealing to complex system
theory. In particular, we consider dynamical networks composed by
semiconductor laser, as interconnected nodes, where the interaction
in the networks are defined by coupling the first state of each node.
An interest case is synchronized with master-slave configuration in
star topology. Nodes of these networks are modeled for the laser and
simulate by Matlab. These results are applicable to private
communication.
Abstract: This paper discusses the question whether a person
diagnosed with dyslexia will necessarily have difficulty in reading
musical notes. The author specifies the characteristics of alphabet
reading in comparison to musical notation reading, and concludes
that there should be no contra-indication for teaching standard music
reading to children with dyslexia if an appropriate process is offered.
This conclusion is based on a long term case study and relies on two
main characteristics of music reading: (1) musical notation system is
a systematic, logical, relative set of symbols written on a staff; and
(2) music reading learning connected with playing a musical
instrument is a multi-sensory activity that combines sight, hearing,
touch, and movement. The paper describes music reading teaching
procedures, using soprano recorders, and provides unique teaching
methods that have been found to be effective for students who were
diagnosed with dyslexia. It provides theoretical explanations in
addition to guidelines for music education practices.
Abstract: Milk is considered as an essential and complete food.
The present study was conducted at Milk Plant Mohali especially in
reference to the procurement section where the cash inflow was
maximum, with the objective to achieve higher productivity and
reduce wastage of milk. In milk plant it was observed that during the
month of Jan-2014 to March-2014 the average procurement of milk
was Rs. 4, 19, 361 liter per month and cost of procurement of milk is
Rs 35/- per liter. The total cost of procurement thereby equal to Rs.
1crore 46 lakh per month, but there was mismatch in procurementproduction
of milk, which leads to an average loss of Rs. 12, 94, 405
per month. To solve the procurement-production problem Quality
Control Tools like brainstorming, Flow Chart, Cause effect diagram
and Pareto analysis are applied wherever applicable. With the
successful implementation of Quality Control tools an average saving
of Rs. 4, 59, 445 per month is done.
Abstract: MHD chemically reacting viscous fluid flow towards
a vertical surface with slip and convective boundary conditions has
been conducted. The temperature and the chemical species
concentration of the surface and the velocity of the external flow are
assumed to vary linearly with the distance from the vertical surface.
The governing differential equations are modeled and transformed
into systems of ordinary differential equations, which are then solved
numerically by a shooting method. The effects of various parameters
on the heat and mass transfer characteristics are discussed. Graphical
results are presented for the velocity, temperature, and concentration
profiles whilst the skin-friction coefficient and the rate of heat and
mass transfers near the surface are presented in tables and discussed.
The results revealed that increasing the strength of the magnetic field
increases the skin-friction coefficient and the rate of heat and mass
transfers toward the surface. The velocity profiles are increased
towards the surface due to the presence of the Lorenz force, which
attracts the fluid particles near the surface. The rate of chemical
reaction is seen to decrease the concentration boundary layer near the
surface due to the destructive chemical reaction occurring near the
surface.
Abstract: The availability to deploy mobile applications for
health care is increasing daily thru different mobile app stores. But
within these capabilities the number of hacking attacks has also
increased, in particular into medical mobile applications. The security
vulnerabilities in medical mobile apps can be triggered by errors in
code, incorrect logic, poor design, among other parameters. This is
usually used by malicious attackers to steal or modify the users’
information. The aim of this research is to analyze the vulnerabilities
detected in mobile medical apps according to risk factor standards
defined by OWASP in 2014.