Abstract: Catalytic combustion of methane is imperative due to
stability of methane at low temperature. Methane (CH4), therefore,
remains unconverted in vehicle exhausts thereby causing greenhouse
gas GHG emission problem. In this study, heterogeneous catalysts of
palladium with bio-char (2 wt% Pd/Bc) and Al2O3 (2wt% Pd/ Al2O3)
supports were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation and then
subsequently tested for catalytic combustion of CH4. Support-porous
heterogeneous catalytic combustion (HCC) material were selected
based on factors such as surface area, porosity, thermal stability,
thermal conductivity, reactivity with reactants or products, chemical
stability, catalytic activity, and catalyst life. Sustainable and
renewable support-material of bio-mass char derived from palm shell
waste material was compared with those from the conventional
support-porous materials. Kinetic rate of reaction was determined for
combustion of methane on Palladium (Pd) based catalyst with Al2O3
support and bio-char (Bc). Material characterization was done using
TGA, SEM, and BET surface area. The performance test was
accomplished using tubular quartz reactor with gas mixture ratio of
3% methane and 97% air. The methane porous-HCC conversion was
carried out using online gas analyzer connected to the reactor that
performed porous-HCC. BET surface area for prepared 2 wt% Pd/Bc
is smaller than prepared 2wt% Pd/ Al2O3 due to its low porosity
between particles. The order of catalyst activity based on kinetic rate
on reaction of catalysts in low temperature was 2wt%
Pd/Bc>calcined 2wt% Pd/ Al2O3> 2wt% Pd/ Al2O3>calcined 2wt%
Pd/Bc. Hence agro waste material can successfully be utilized as an
inexpensive catalyst support material for enhanced CH4 catalytic
combustion.
Abstract: In this work, we attempt to analyze the contribution of
innovative activities to firm performance and growth. We examine
economic data from some of the economies that were heavily
affected by current economic crisis: the countries of southern Europe
(Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain) and Ireland. Following literature,
an appropriate econometric model is developed and several indicators
are tested in order to disclose possible relation with innovative
activity. Findings confirm the crucial effect of innovative process in
economic activity, in firm and country level.
Abstract: This paper proposes five level diode clamped Z source
Inverter. The existing PWM techniques used for ZSI are restricted for
two level. The two level Z Source Inverter have high harmonic
distortions which effects the performance of the grid connected PV
system. To improve the performance of the system the number of
voltage levels in the output waveform need to be increased. This
paper presents comparative analysis of a five level diode clamped Z
source Inverter with different carrier based Modified Pulse Width
Modulation techniques. The parameters considered for comparison
are output voltage, voltage gain, voltage stress across switch and total
harmonic distortion when powered by same DC supply. Analytical
results are verified using MATLAB.
Abstract: Most people today are aware that global climate
change is not just a scientific theory but also a fact with worldwide
consequences. Global climate change is due to rapid urbanization,
industrialization, high population growth and current vulnerability of
the climatic condition. Water is becoming scarce as a result of global
climate change. To mitigate the problem arising due to global climate
change and its drought effect, harvesting rainwater from green roofs,
an environmentally-friendly and versatile technology, is becoming
one of the best assessment criteria and gaining attention in Malaysia.
This paper addresses the sustainability of green roofs and examines
the quality of water harvested from green roofs in comparison to
rainwater. The factors that affect the quality of such water, taking
into account, for example, roofing materials, climatic conditions, the
frequency of rainfall frequency and the first flush. A green roof was
installed on the Humid Tropic Centre (HTC) is a place of the study
on monitoring program for urban Stormwater Management Manual
for Malaysia (MSMA), Eco-Hydrological Project in Kuala Lumpur,
and the rainwater was harvested and evaluated on the basis of four
parameters i.e., conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH and
temperature. These parameters were found to fall between Class I and
Class III of the Interim National Water Quality Standards (INWQS)
and the Water Quality Index (WQI). Some preliminary treatment
such as disinfection and filtration could likely to improve the value of
these parameters to class I. This review paper clearly indicates that
there is a need for more research to address other microbiological and
chemical quality parameters to ensure that the harvested water is
suitable for use potable water for domestic purposes. The change in
all physical, chemical and microbiological parameters with respect to
storage time will be a major focus of future studies in this field.
Abstract: The check-in area of airport terminal is one of the
busiest sections at airports at certain periods. The passengers are
subjected to queues and delays during the check-in process. These
delays and queues are due to constraints in the capacity of service
facilities. In this project, the airport terminal is decomposed into
several check-in areas. The airport check-in scheduling problem
requires both a deterministic (integer programming) and stochastic
(simulation) approach. Integer programming formulations are
provided to minimize the total number of counters in each check-in
area under the realistic constraint that counters for one and the same
flight should be adjacent and the desired number of counters
remaining in each area should be fixed during check-in operations.
By using simulation, the airport system can be modeled to study the
effects of various parameters such as number of passengers on a
flight and check-in counter opening and closing time.
Abstract: We assessed the ecology of the organic and mineral soil
layers of laurel-leaved (BB-1) and Cryptomeria japonica (BB-2 and Pw)
forests in the Kasugayama Hill Primeval Forest (Nara, Japan). The soil
respiration rate was higher in the deeper horizons (F and H) of organic
layers than in those of mineral soil layers, suggesting organic layers
may be where active microbial metabolism occurs. Respiration rates in
the soil of BB-1, BB-2 and Pw forests were closely similar at 5 and 10°C.
However, the soil respiration rate increased in proportion to
temperatures of 15°C or above. We therefore consider the activity of
soil microorganisms to markedly decrease at temperatures below 10°C.
At a temperature of 15°C or above, the soil respiration rate in the BB-1
organic layers was higher than in those of the BB-2 and Pw organic
layers, due to differences in forest vegetation that appeared to
influence several salient soil properties, particularly pH and the carbon
(C) and nitrogen (N) content of the F and H horizons.
Abstract: Object-oriented modeling is spreading in current
simulation of physiological systems through the use of the individual
components of the model and its interconnections to define the
underlying dynamic equations. In this paper we describe the use of
both the SIMSCAPE and MODELICA simulation environments in
the object-oriented modeling of the closed loop cardiovascular
system. The performance of the controlled system was analyzed by
simulation in light of the existing hypothesis and validation tests
previously performed with physiological data. The described
approach represents a valuable tool in the teaching of physiology for
graduate medical students.
Abstract: In its efforts to utilize the information and
communication technology to enhance the quality of public service
delivery, national and local governments around the world are
competing to introduce more ICT applications as tools to automate
processes related to law enforcement or policy execution, increase
citizen orientation, trust, and satisfaction, and create one-stop-shops
for public services. In its implementation, e-Government ICTs need
to maintain transparency, participation, and collaboration. Due to this
diverse of mixed goals and requirements, e-Government systems
need to be designed based on special design considerations in order
to eliminate the risks of failure to compliance to government
regulations, citizen dissatisfaction, or market repulsion.
In this article we suggest a framework with guidelines for
designing government information systems that takes into
consideration the special requirements of the public sector. Then we
introduce two case studies and show how applying those guidelines
would result in a more solid system design.
Abstract: Hybrid bioreactor having both suspended-growth and
attached-growth bacteria is found a novel and excellent bioreactor
system for treating the municipal wastewater containing inhibitory
substrates too. In this reactor a fraction of substrate is used by
suspended biomass and the remaining by attached biomass resulting
in the competition between the two growths for the substrate. The
combination of suspended and attached growth provides the system
with enhanced biomass concentration and sludge age more than those
in ASP. Similar to attached growth system, the hybrid bioreactor
ensures considerable efficiency for treating toxic and refractory
substances in wastewater. For the process design of hybrid bioreactor
a suitable mathematical model is required. Although various
mathematical models were developed on hybrid bioreactor in due
course of time in earlier research works, none of them was found
having a specific simplified solution of the corresponding models and
without having any drawback. To overcome this drawback authors
already developed a simplified mathematical model for process
design of a hybrid bioreactor. The present paper briefly highlights on
the various aspects of process design of an aerobic hybrid bioreactor
for the treatment of municipal wastewater.
Abstract: The main aim of the presented experiments is to
improve behaviour of sandwich structures under dynamic loading,
such as crash or explosion. This paper describes experimental
investigation on the response of new advanced materials to low and
high velocity load. Blast wave energy absorbers were designed using
two types of porous lightweight raw particle materials based on
expanded glass and ceramics with dimensions of 0.5-1 mm,
combined with polymeric binder. The effect of binder amount on the
static and dynamic properties of designed materials was observed.
Prism shaped specimens were prepared and loaded to obtain physicomechanical
parameters – bulk density, compressive and flexural
strength under quasistatic load, the dynamic response was determined
using Split Hopkinson Pressure bar apparatus. Numerical
investigation of the material behaviour in sandwich structure was
performed using implicit/explicit solver LS-Dyna. As the last step,
the developed material was used as the interlayer of blast resistant
litter bin, and it´s functionality was verified by real field blast tests.
Abstract: In this paper we present the efficient parallel
implementation of elastoplastic problems based on the TFETI (Total
Finite Element Tearing and Interconnecting) domain decomposition
method. This approach allow us to use parallel solution and compute
this nonlinear problem on the supercomputers and decrease the
solution time and compute problems with millions of DOFs. In
our approach we consider an associated elastoplastic model with
the von Mises plastic criterion and the combination of linear
isotropic-kinematic hardening law. This model is discretized by
the implicit Euler method in time and by the finite element
method in space. We consider the system of nonlinear equations
with a strongly semismooth and strongly monotone operator. The
semismooth Newton method is applied to solve this nonlinear
system. Corresponding linearized problems arising in the Newton
iterations are solved in parallel by the above mentioned TFETI. The
implementation of this problem is realized in our in-house MatSol
packages developed in MatLab.
Abstract: Power Regeneration in Refrigeration Plant concept
has been analyzed and has been shown to be capable of saving about
25% power in Cryogenic Plants with the Power Regeneration System
(PRS) running under nominal conditions. The innovative component
Compressor Expander Group (CEG) based on turbomachinery has
been designed and built modifying CETT compressor and expander,
both selected for optimum plant performance. Experiments have
shown the good response of the turbomachines to run with R404a as
working fluid. Power saving up to 12% under PRS derated conditions
(50% loading) has been demonstrated. Such experiments allowed
predicting a power saving up to 25% under CEG full load.
Abstract: The paper describes the OAS role in dispute
resolution. The authors make an attempt to identify a general pattern
of the OAS activities within the peaceful settlement of interstate
conflicts, in the beginning of 21st century, as well as to analyze some
features of Honduras–Belize, Nicaragua–Honduras, Honduras–El
Salvador, Costa-Rica–Nicaragua, Colombia–Ecuador cases.
Abstract: Using the pseudopotential technique the Sagdeev
potential equation has been derived in a plasma consisting of twotemperature
nonisothermal electrons, negatively charged dust grains
and warm positive ions. The study shows that the presence of
nonisothermal two-temperature electrons and charged dust grains
have significant effects on the excitation and structure of the ionacoustic
double layers in the model plasma under consideration. Only
compressive type double layer is obtained in the present plasma
model. The double layer solution has also been obtained by including
higher order nonlinearity and nonisothermality, which is shown to
modify the amplitude and deform the shape of the double layer.
Abstract: Advances in the use of health care technology have
resulted in increased adverse events (AEs) related to the use of
medical devices. The study focused on the existing reporting systems.
This study was conducted in a tertiary care public sector hospital.
Devices included Syringe infusion pumps, Cardiac monitors, Pulse
oximeters, Ventilators and Defibrillators. A total of 211 respondents
were recruited. Interviews were held with 30 key informants. Medical
records were scrutinized. Relevant statistical tests were used.
Resident doctors reported maximum frequency of AEs, followed
by nurses; and least by consultants. A significant association was
found between the cadre of health care personnel and awareness that
the patients and bystanders have a risk of sustaining AE. Awareness
regarding reporting of AEs was low, and it was generally done
verbally. Other critical findings are discussed in the light of the
barriers to reporting, reasons for non-compliance, recording system,
and so on.
Abstract: We address the integer frequency offset (IFO)
estimation under the influence of the timing offset (TO) in orthogonal
frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. Incorporating the
IFO and TO into the symbol set used to represent the received
OFDM symbol, we investigate the influence of the TO on the IFO,
and then, propose a combining method between two consecutive
OFDM correlations, reducing the influence. The proposed scheme
has almost the same complexity as that of the conventional
schemes, whereas it does not need the TO knowledge contrary to
the conventional schemes. From numerical results it is confirmed
that the proposed scheme is insensitive to the TO, consequently,
yielding an improvement of the IFO estimation performance over
the conventional schemes when the TO exists.
Abstract: The Markov decision process (MDP) based
methodology is implemented in order to establish the optimal
schedule which minimizes the cost. Formulation of MDP problem
is presented using the information about the current state of pipe,
improvement cost, failure cost and pipe deterioration model. The
objective function and detailed algorithm of dynamic programming
(DP) are modified due to the difficulty of implementing the
conventional DP approaches. The optimal schedule derived from
suggested model is compared to several policies via Monte
Carlo simulation. Validity of the solution and improvement in
computational time are proved.
Abstract: This study aimed to identify the alignment of
understanding and assessment practices among secondary school
teachers. The study was carried out using quantitative descriptive
study. The sample consisted of 164 teachers who taught Form 1 and 2
from 11 secondary schools in the district of North Kinta, Perak,
Malaysia. Data were obtained from 164 respondents who answered
Expectation Alignment Understanding and Practices of School
Assessment (PEKDAPS) questionnaire. The data were analysed
using SPSS 17.0+. The Cronbach’s alpha value obtained through
PEKDAPS questionnaire pilot study was 0.86. The results showed
that teachers' performance in PEKDAPS based on the mean value
was less than 3, which means that perfect alignment does not occur
between the understanding and practices of school assessment. Two
major PEKDAPS sub-constructs of articulation across grade and age
and usability of the system were higher than the moderate alignment
of the understanding and practices of school assessment (Min=2.0).
The content focused of PEKDAPs sub-constructs which showed
lower than the moderate alignment of the understanding and practices
of school assessment (Min=2.0). Another two PEKDAPS subconstructs
of transparency and fairness and the pedagogical
implications showed moderate alignment (2.0). The implications of
the study is that teachers need to fully understand the importance of
alignment among components of assessment, learning and teaching
and learning objectives as strategies to achieve quality assessment
process.
Abstract: This paper discusses the design and analysis of a
hybrid PV-Fuel cell energy system destined to power a DC load. The
system is composed of a photovoltaic array, a fuel cell, an
electrolyzer and a hydrogen tank. HOMER software is used in this
study to calculate the optimum capacities of the power system
components that their combination allows an efficient use of solar
resource to cover the hourly load needs. The optimal system sizing
allows establishing the right balance between the daily electrical
energy produced by the power system and the daily electrical energy
consumed by the DC load using a 28 KW PV array, a 7.5 KW fuel
cell, a 40KW electrolyzer and a 270 Kg hydrogen tank. The variation
of powers involved into the DC bus of the hybrid PV-fuel cell system
has been computed and analyzed for each hour over one year: the
output powers of the PV array and the fuel cell, the input power of
the elctrolyzer system and the DC primary load. Equally, the annual
variation of stored hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer has been
assessed. The PV array contributes in the power system with 82%
whereas the fuel cell produces 18%. 38% of the total energy
consumption belongs to the DC primary load while the rest goes to
the electrolyzer.
Abstract: This study introduces two types of self-oscillating
circuits that are frequently found in power electronics applications.
Special effort is made to relate the circuits to the analogous mechanical
systems of some important scientific inventions: Galileo’s pendulum
clock and Coulomb’s friction model. A little touch of related history
and philosophy of science will hopefully encourage curiosity, advance
the understanding of self-oscillating systems and satisfy the aspiration
of some students for scientific literacy. Finally, the two self-oscillating
circuits are applied to design a simple class-D audio amplifier.