Abstract: The restrained construction zoning, an important part
in the urban master plan, is a necessary planning tool to control the city
sprawl, to guarantee the reservation implementation of the various
types of protective elements, and to realize the storage of the essential
urban spatial resources. Simultaneously, owing to the diverse
constitutes of restrained construction area and the various stakeholders
involved in, its planning requires an overall consideration of all
elements from the perspective of coordination+, balance and
practicability to deal with the problems and conflicts in this process.
Taking Yangzijin Ecological Restrained Construction Area in
Yangzhou as an example, this study analyzes all the potential actors,
agencies and stakeholders in this restrained construction area, as well
as the relevant conflicts between each other. Besides, this study tries to
build up a planning procedure based on the framework of governance
theory, and proposes a possible planning method that combines
"rigidity" and "flexibility" to protect the ecological limitation
boundary, to take every interest into account, and to promote economic
development in a harmonious society.
Abstract: In this paper, we have compared and analyzed the
electroabsorption properties between with and without excitonic
effect bulk in high purity GaAs spatial light modulator for optical
fiber communication network. The eletroabsorption properties such
as absorption spectra, change in absorption spectra, change in
refractive index and extinction ration has been calculated. We have
also compared the result of absorption spectra and change in
absorption spectra with the experimental results and found close
agreement with experimental results.
Abstract: Load modeling is one of the central functions in
power systems operations. Electricity cannot be stored, which means
that for electric utility, the estimate of the future demand is necessary
in managing the production and purchasing in an economically
reasonable way. A majority of the recently reported approaches are
based on neural network. The attraction of the methods lies in the
assumption that neural networks are able to learn properties of the
load. However, the development of the methods is not finished, and
the lack of comparative results on different model variations is a
problem. This paper presents a new approach in order to predict the
Tunisia daily peak load. The proposed method employs a
computational intelligence scheme based on the Fuzzy neural
network (FNN) and support vector regression (SVR). Experimental
results obtained indicate that our proposed FNN-SVR technique gives
significantly good prediction accuracy compared to some classical
techniques.
Abstract: The inherent skin patterns created at the joints in the
finger exterior are referred as finger knuckle-print. It is exploited to
identify a person in a unique manner because the finger knuckle print
is greatly affluent in textures. In biometric system, the region of
interest is utilized for the feature extraction algorithm. In this paper,
local and global features are extracted separately. Fast Discrete
Orthonormal Stockwell Transform is exploited to extract the local
features. Global feature is attained by escalating the size of Fast
Discrete Orthonormal Stockwell Transform to infinity. Two features
are fused to increase the recognition accuracy. A matching distance is
calculated for both the features individually. Then two distances are
merged mutually to acquire the final matching distance. The
proposed scheme gives the better performance in terms of equal error
rate and correct recognition rate.
Abstract: This study evaluated the use of raw or processed
Prosopis juliflora (Meskit) pods as a major ingredient in a formulated
ration to provide an alternative non-conventional concentrate for
livestock feeding in Oman. Dry Meskit pods were reduced to lengths
of 0.5- 1.0 cm to ensure thorough mixing into three diets. Meskit
pods were subjected to two types of treatments; roasting and soaking.
They were roasted at 150оC for 30 minutes using a locally-made
roasting device (40 kg barrel container rotated by electric motor and
heated by flame gas cooker). Chopped pods were soaked in tap water
for 24 hours and dried for 2 days under the sun with frequent turning.
The Meskit-pod-based diets (MPBD) were formulated and pelleted
from 500 g/kg ground Meskit pods, 240 g/kg wheat bran, 200 g/kg
barley grain, 50 g/kg local dried sardines and 10 g/kg of salt. Twenty
four 10 months-old intact Omani male lambs with average body
weight of 27.3 kg (± 0.5 kg) were used in a feeding trial for 84 days.
They were divided (on body weight basis) and allocated to four diet
combination groups. These were: Rhodes grass hay (RGH) plus a
general ruminant concentrate (GRC); RGH plus raw Meskit pods
(RMP) based concentrate; RGH plus roasted Meskit pods (ROMP)
based concentrate; RGH plus soaked Meskit pods (SMP) based
concentrate Daily feed intakes and bi-weekly body weights were
recorded. MPBD had higher contents of crude protein (CP), acid
detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) than the
GRC. Animals fed various types of MPBD did not show signs of ill
health. There was a significant effect of feeding ROMP on the
performance of Omani sheep compared to RMP and SMP. The
ROMP fed animals had similar performance to those fed the GRC in
terms of feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio
(FCR).This study indicated that roasted Meskit pods based diet may
be used instead of the commercial concentrate for feeding Omani
sheep without adverse effects on performance. It offers a cheap
alternative source of protein and energy for feeding Omani sheep.
Also, it might help in solving the spread impact of Meskit trees,
maintain the ecosystem and helping in preserving the local tree
species.
Abstract: Qatar, a Gulf country highly dependent on its oil and
gas revenues – is looking to innovate, diversify, and ultimately reach
its aim of creating a knowledge economy to prepare for its post-oil
era. One area that the country is investing in is Contemporary Art,
and world renowned artists such as Damien Hirst and Richard Serra –
have been commissioned to design site-specific art for the public
spaces of the city of Doha as well as in more remote desert locations.
This research discusses the changing presence, role and context of
public art in Doha, both from a historical and cultural overview, and
the different forms and media as well as the typologies of urban and
public spaces in which the art is installed. It examines the process of
implementing site-specific artworks, looking at questions of scale,
history, social meaning and formal aesthetics. The methodologies
combine theoretical research on the understanding of public art and
its role and placement in public space, as well as empirical research
on contemporary public art projects in Doha, based on documentation
and interviews and as well as site and context analysis of the urban or
architectural spaces within which the art is situated. Surveys and
interviews – using social media - in different segments of the
contemporary Qatari society, including all nationalities and social
groups, are used to measure and qualify the impacts and effects on
the population.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose an intelligent system that is
used for monitoring the health conditions of patients. Monitoring the
health condition of patients is a complex problem that involves
different medical units and requires continuous monitoring especially
in rural areas because of inadequate number of available specialized
physicians. The proposed system will improve patient care and drive
costs down comparing to the existing system in Jordan. The proposed
system will be the start point to faster and improve the
communication between different units in the health system in
Jordan. Connecting patients and their physicians beyond hospital
doors regarding their geographical area is an important issue in
developing the health system in Jordan. The ability of making
medical decisions, the quality of medical is expected to be improved.
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: In this investigation, we have evaluated the effects of
arsenic trioxide on hepatic function in pregnant and lactating Swiss
albino mice and their suckling pups. Experiments were carried out on
female mice given 175 ppm As2O3 in their drinking water from the
14th day of pregnancy until day 14 after delivery. Our results showed
a significant decrease in plasma levels of total protein and albumin,
cholesterol and triglyceride in As2O3 treated mice and their pups. The
hyperbilirubinemia and the increased plasma total alkaline
phosphatase activity suggested the presence of cholestasis.
Transaminase activities as well as lactate deshydrogenase activity in
plasma, known as biomarkers of hepatocellular injury, were elevated
indicating hepatic cells’ damage after treatment with As2O3.
Exposure to arsenic led to an increase of liver thiobarbituric acid
reactive substances level along with a concomitant decrease in the
activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione
peroxidase and in glutathione.
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: The aim of this paper is to perform experimental
modal analysis (EMA) of reinforced concrete (RC) square slabs.
EMA is the process of determining the modal parameters (Natural
Frequencies, damping factors, modal vectors) of a structure from a
set of frequency response functions FRFs (curve fitting). Although,
experimental modal analysis (or modal testing) has grown steadily in
popularity since the advent of the digital FFT spectrum analyzer in
the early 1970’s, studying all types of members and materials using
such method have not yet been well documented. Therefore, in this
work, experimental tests were conducted on RC square slab
specimens of dimensions 600mm x 600mmx 40mm. Experimental
analysis was based on freely supported boundary condition.
Moreover, impact testing as a fast and economical means of finding
the modes of vibration of a structure was used during the
experiments. In addition, Pico Scope 6 device and MATLAB
software were used to acquire data, analyze and plot Frequency
Response Function (FRF). The experimental natural frequencies
which were extracted from measurements exhibit good agreement
with analytical predictions. It is showed that EMA method can be
usefully employed to investigate the dynamic behavior of RC slabs.
Abstract: Cell volume, together with membrane potential and
intracellular hydrogen ion concentration, is an essential biophysical
parameter for normal cellular activity. Cell volumes can be altered by
osmotically active compounds and extracellular tonicity.
In this study, a simple mathematical model of osmotically induced
cell swelling and shrinking is presented. Emphasis is given to water
diffusion across the membrane. The mathematical description of the
cellular behavior consists in a system of coupled ordinary differential
equations. We compare experimental data of cell volume alterations
driven by differences in osmotic pressure with mathematical
simulations under hypotonic and hypertonic conditions. Implications
for a future model are also discussed.
Abstract: To achieve reliable welds with minimum distortion for
the fabrication of components in aerospace industry laser beam
welding is attempted. Laser welding can provide a significant benefit
for the welding of Titanium and Aluminium thin sheet alloys of its
precision and rapid processing capability. For laser welding, pulse
shape, energy, duration, repetition rate and peak power are the most
important parameters that influence directly the quality of welds. In
this experimental work for joining 1mm thick TI6AL4V and AA2024
alloy and JK600 Nd:YAG pulsed laser units used. The distortions at
different welding power and speed of titanium and aluminium thin
sheet alloys are investigated. Test results reveal that increase in
welding speed increases distortion in weldment
Abstract: The practice of freeing monuments from subsequent
additions crosses the entire history of conservation and it is
traditionally connected to the aim of valorisation, both for cultural
and educational purpose and recently even for touristic exploitation.
Defence heritage has been widely interested by these cultural and
technical moods from philological restoration to critic innovations. A
renovated critical analysis of Italian episodes and in particular the
Sardinian case of the area of San Pancrazio in Cagliari, constitute an
important lesson about the limits of this practice and the uncertainty
in terms of results, towards the definition of a sustainable good
practice in the restoration of military architectures.
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: As the use of geothermal energy grows internationally
more effort is required to monitor and protect areas with rare and
important geothermal surface features. A number of approaches are
presented for developing and calibrating numerical geothermal
reservoir models that are capable of accurately representing
geothermal surface features. The approaches are discussed in the
context of cases studies of the Rotorua geothermal system and the
Orakei-korako geothermal system, both of which contain important
surface features. The results show that models are able to match the
available field data accurately and hence can be used as valuable
tools for predicting the future response of the systems to changes in
use.
Abstract: Although, arsenic trioxide has been the subject of
toxicological research, in vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity studies
using relevant cell models and uniform methodology are not well
elucidated. Hence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the
cytotoxicity and genotoxicity induced by arsenic trioxide in human
keratinocytes (HaCaT) using the MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-
2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] and alkaline single cell gel
electrophoresis (Comet) assays, respectively. Human keratinocytes
were treated with different doses of arsenic trioxide for 4 h prior to
cytogenetic assessment. Data obtained from the MTT assay indicated
that arsenic trioxide significantly reduced the viability of HaCaT cells
in a dose-dependent manner, showing an IC50 value of 34.18 ± 0.6
μM. Data generated from the comet assay also indicated a significant
dose-dependent increase in DNA damage in HaCaT cells associated
with arsenic trioxide exposure. We observed a significant increase in
comet tail length and tail moment, showing an evidence of arsenic
trioxide -induced genotoxic damage in HaCaT cells. This study
confirms that the comet assay is a sensitive and effective method to
detect DNA damage caused by arsenic.
Abstract: Generally the natural environment is made up of air,
water and soil. The release of emission of industrial waste into
anyone of the components of the environment causes pollution.
Industrial pollution significantly threatens the inherent right of
people, to the enjoyment of a safe and secure environment. The aim
of this paper is to assess the effect of environmental pollution and
health risks of residents living near Ewekoro cement factory. The
research made use of IKONOS imagery for Geographical
Information System (GIS) to buffer and extract buildings that are less
than 1km to the factory, within 1km to 5km and above 5km to the
factory. Also questionnaire was used to elicit information on the
socio-economic factors, effect of environmental pollution on
residents and measures adopted to control industrial pollution on the
residents. Findings show that most buildings that fall between less
than 1km and 1km to 5km to the factory have high health risk in the
study area. The study recommended total relocation for the residents
of the study area to reduce health risk problems.
Abstract: An investigation into Cahn-Hilliard equation was
carried out through numerical simulation to identify a possible phase
separation for one and two dimensional domains. It was observed that
this equation can reproduce important mass fluxes necessary for
phase separation within the miscibility gap and for coalescence of
particles.