Abstract: The paper deals with the problems of the actual
behavior, failure mechanism and load-carrying capacity of the special
bolt connection developed and intended for the assembly connections
of truss main girders of perspective railway temporary steel bridges.
Within the framework of this problem solution, several types of
structural details of assembly joints have been considered as the
conceptual structural design. Based on the preliminary evaluation of
advantages or disadvantages of these ones, in principle two basic
structural configurations – so-called “tooth” and “splice-plate”
connections have been selected for the subsequent detailed
investigation. This investigation is mainly based on the experimental
verification of the actual behavior, strain and failure mechanism and
corresponding strength of the connection, and on its numerical
modeling using FEM. This paper is focused only on the cyclic
loading (fatigue) tests results of “splice-plate” connections and their
evaluation, which have already been finished. Simultaneously with
the fatigue tests, the static loading tests have been realized too, but
these ones, as well as FEM numerical modeling, are not the subject of
this paper.
Abstract: The Blue Nile Basin is the most important tributary of
the Nile River. Egypt and Sudan are almost dependent on water
originated from the Blue Nile. This multi-dependency creates
conflicts among the three countries Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia
making the management of these conflicts as an international issue.
Good assessment of the water resources of the Blue Nile is an
important to help in managing such conflicts. Hydrological models
are good tool for such assessment. This paper presents a critical
review of the nature and variability of the climate and hydrology of
the Blue Nile Basin as a first step of using hydrological modeling to
assess the water resources of the Blue Nile. Many several attempts
are done to develop basin-scale hydrological modeling on the Blue
Nile. Lumped and semi distributed models used averages of
meteorological inputs and watershed characteristics in hydrological
simulation, to analyze runoff for flood control and water resource
management. Distributed models include the temporal and spatial
variability of catchment conditions and meteorological inputs to
allow better representation of the hydrological process. The main
challenge of all used models was to assess the water resources of the
basin is the shortage of the data needed for models calibration and
validation. It is recommended to use distributed model for their
higher accuracy to cope with the great variability and complexity of
the Blue Nile basin and to collect sufficient data to have more
sophisticated and accurate hydrological modeling.
Abstract: This research was conducted in the Mae Sot
Watershed where located in the Moei River Basin at the Upper
Salween River Basin in Tak Province, Thailand. The Mae Sot
Municipality is the largest urban area in Tak Province and situated in
the midstream of the Mae Sot Watershed. It usually faces flash flood
problem after heavy rain due to poor flood management has been
reported since economic rapidly bloom up in recent years. Its
catchment can be classified as ungauged basin with lack of rainfall
data and no any stream gaging station was reported. It was attached
by most severely flood events in 2013 as the worst studied case for
all those communities in this municipality. Moreover, other problems
are also faced in this watershed, such shortage water supply for
domestic consumption and agriculture utilizations including a
deterioration of water quality and landslide as well. The research
aimed to increase capability building and strengthening the
participation of those local community leaders and related agencies to
conduct better water management in urban area was started by mean
of the data collection and illustration of the appropriated application
of some short period rainfall forecasting model as they aim for better
flood relief plan and management through the hydrologic model
system and river analysis system programs. The authors intended to
apply the global rainfall data via the integrated data viewer (IDV)
program from the Unidata with the aim for rainfall forecasting in a
short period of 7-10 days in advance during rainy season instead of
real time record. The IDV product can be present in an advance
period of rainfall with time step of 3-6 hours was introduced to the
communities. The result can be used as input data to the hydrologic
modeling system model (HEC-HMS) for synthesizing flood
hydrographs and use for flood forecasting as well. The authors
applied the river analysis system model (HEC-RAS) to present flood
flow behaviors in the reach of the Mae Sot stream via the downtown
of the Mae Sot City as flood extents as the water surface level at
every cross-sectional profiles of the stream. Both models of HMS and
RAS were tested in 2013 with observed rainfall and inflow-outflow
data from the Mae Sot Dam. The result of HMS showed fit to the
observed data at the dam and applied at upstream boundary discharge
to RAS in order to simulate flood extents and tested in the field, and
the result found satisfying. The product of rainfall from IDV was fair
while compared with observed data. However, it is an appropriate
tool to use in the ungauged catchment to use with flood hydrograph
and river analysis models for future efficient flood relief plan and
management.
Abstract: The effects of basil and/or chamomile seed
supplementation on the growth of Hubbard broiler chicks were
evaluated. The antioxidant effects of these supplements were also
assessed. 120 1-day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into
four equal groups. The control group (group 1) was fed a basal diet
(BD) without supplementation. Groups 2, 3, and 4 were fed the BD
supplemented with 10g basil, 10g chamomile, and 5g basil plus 5g
chamomile per kg of food, respectively. Basil supplementation alone
or in combination with chamomile non-significantly (P≥0.05)
increased final body weight (3.2% and 0.3%, respectively) and
weight gain (3.5% and 3.6%, respectively) over the experimental
period. Chamomile supplementation alone non-significantly (P≥0.05)
reduced final body weight and weight gain over the experimental
period by 1.7% and 1.7%, respectively. In comparison to the control
group, herbal seed supplementation reduced feed intake and
improved the feed conversion and protein efficiency ratios. In
general, basil seed supplementation stimulated chicken growth and
improved the feed efficiency more effectively than chamomile seed
supplementation. The antioxidant activities of basil and/or chamomile
supplementation were examined in the thymus, bursa, and spleen. In
chickens that received supplements, the level of malondialdehyde
was significantly decreased, whereas the activities of glutathione,
superoxide dismutase, and catalase were significantly increased
(P
Abstract: The objective of this study was to assess whether
living in proximity to a roofing fiber cement factory in southern
Thailand was associated with physical, mental, social, and spiritual
health domains measured in a self-reported health risk assessment
(HRA) questionnaire. A cross-sectional study was conducted among
community members divided into two groups: near population (living
within 0-2km of factory) and far population (living within 2-5km of
factory) (N=198). A greater proportion of those living far from the
factory (65.34%) reported physical health problems than the near
group (51.04%) (p =0.032). This study has demonstrated that the near
population group had higher proportion of participants with positive
ratings on mental assessment (30.34%) and social health impacts
(28.42%) than far population group (10.59% and 16.67%,
respectively) (p
Abstract: This paper presents two types of microstrip bandpass
filter (BPF) at microwave frequencies. The first one is a tunable BPF
using planar patch resonators based on a varactor diode. The filter is
formed by a triple mode circular patch resonator with two pairs of
slots, in which the varactor diodes are connected. Indeed, this filter is
initially centered at 2.4 GHz; the center frequency of the tunable
patch filter could be tuned up to 1.8 GHz simultaneously with the
bandwidth, reaching high tuning ranges. Lossless simulations were
compared to those considering the substrate dielectric, conductor
losses and the equivalent electrical circuit model of the tuning
element in order to assess their effects. Within these variations,
simulation results showed insertion loss better than 2 dB and return
loss better than 10 dB over the passband. The second structure is a
BPF for ultra-wideband (UWB) applications based on multiple-mode
resonator (MMR) and rectangular-shaped defected ground structure
(DGS). This filter, which is compact size of 25.2 x 3.8 mm2, provides
in the pass band an insertion loss of 0.57 dB and a return loss greater
than 12 dB. The proposed filters presents good performances and the
simulation results are in satisfactory agreement with the
experimentation ones reported elsewhere.
Abstract: Sound exposure effects have been investigated by
broadcasting a group of broilers with sound of Quran verses (Group
B) whereas the other group is the control broilers (Group C). The
growth rate comparisons in terms of weight and raw meat texture
measured by shear force have been investigated. Twenty-seven
broilers were randomly selected from each group on Day 24 and
weight measurement was carried out every week till the harvest day
(Day 39).Group B showed a higher mean weight on Day 24 (1.441 ±
0.013 kg) than Group C. Significant difference in the weight on Day
39 existed for Group B compared to Group C (p < 0.05). However,
there was no significant (p >0.05) difference of shear force in the
same muscles (breast and drumstick raw meat) of both groups but the
shear force of the breast meat for Group B and C broilers was lower
(p < 0.05) than that of their drumstick meat. Thus, broadcasting the
sound of Quran verses in the coop can be applied to improve the
growth rate of broilers for producing better quality poultry.
Abstract: This study investigates the cleaning performance of
high intensity 360 kHz frequency on removal of nano-dimensional
and sub-micron particles from various surfaces, uniformity of the
cleaning tank and run to run variation of cleaning process. The
uniformity of the cleaning tank was measured by two different
methods i.e. 1. ppbTM meter and 2. Liquid Particle Counting (LPC)
technique. The result indicates that the energy was distributed more
uniformly throughout the entire cleaning vessel even at the corners
and edges of the tank when megasonic sweeping technology is
applied. The result also shows that rinsing the parts with 360 kHz
frequency at final rinse gives lower particle counts, hence higher
cleaning efficiency as compared to other frequencies. When
megasonic sweeping technology is applied each piezoelectric
transducers will operate at their optimum resonant frequency and
generates stronger acoustic cavitational force and higher acoustic
streaming velocity. These combined forces are helping to enhance the
particle removal and at the same time improve the overall cleaning
performance. The multiple extractions study was also carried out for
various frequencies to measure the cleaning potential and asymptote
value.
Abstract: Our goal is development of an algorithm capable of
predicting the directional trend of the Standard and Poor’s 500 index
(S&P 500). Extensive research has been published attempting to
predict different financial markets using historical data testing on an
in-sample and trend basis, with many authors employing excessively
complex mathematical techniques. In reviewing and evaluating these
in-sample methodologies, it became evident that this approach was
unable to achieve sufficiently reliable prediction performance for
commercial exploitation. For these reasons, we moved to an out-ofsample
strategy based on linear regression analysis of an extensive
set of financial data correlated with historical closing prices of the
S&P 500. We are pleased to report a directional trend accuracy of
greater than 55% for tomorrow (t+1) in predicting the S&P 500.
Abstract: In recent years, the hair building fiber has become
popular, in other words, it is an effective method which helps people
who suffer hair loss or sparse hair since the hair building fiber is
capable to create a natural look of simulated hair rapidly. In the
markets, there are a lot of hair fiber brands that have been designed to
formulate an intense bond with hair strands and make the hair appear
more voluminous instantly. However, those products have their own
set of properties. Thus, in this report, some measurement techniques
are proposed to identify those products. Up to five different brands of
hair fiber are tested. The electrostatic and dielectric properties of the
hair fibers are macroscopically tested using design DC and high
frequency microwave techniques. Besides, the hair fibers are
microscopically analysis by magnifying the structures of the fiber
using scanning electron microscope (SEM). From the SEM photos,
the comparison of the uniformly shaped and broken rate of the hair
fibers in the different bulk samples can be observed respectively.
Abstract: Artificial intelligence applications are commonly used
in industry in many fields in parallel with the developments in the
computer technology. In this study, a fire room was prepared for the
resistance of wooden construction elements and with the mechanism
here, the experiments of polished materials were carried out. By
utilizing from the experimental data, an artificial neural network
(ANN) was modelled in order to evaluate the final cross sections of
the wooden samples remaining from the fire. In modelling,
experimental data obtained from the fire room were used. In the
developed system, the first weight of samples (ws-gr), preliminary
cross-section (pcs-mm2), fire time (ft-minute), and fire temperature
(t-oC) as input parameters and final cross-section (fcs-mm2) as output
parameter were taken. When the results obtained from ANN and
experimental data are compared after making statistical analyses, the
data of two groups are determined to be coherent and seen to have no
meaning difference between them. As a result, it is seen that ANN
can be safely used in determining cross sections of wooden materials
after fire and it prevents many disadvantages.
Abstract: Sustainability and eco-friendly requirement of
engineering materials are sort for in recent times, thus giving rise to
the development of bio-composites. However, the natural fibres to
matrix interface interactions remain a key issue in getting the desired
mechanical properties from such composites. Treatment of natural
fibres is essential in improving matrix to filler adhesion, hence
improving its mechanical properties. In this study, investigations
were carried out to determine the effect of sodium hydroxide
treatment on the tensile, flexural, impact and hardness properties of
crushed and uncrushed Luffa cylindrica fibre reinforced recycled low
density polyethylene composites. The LC (Luffa cylindrica) fibres
were treated with 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% wt. sodium
hydroxide (NaOH) concentrations for a period of 24 hours under
room temperature conditions. A formulation ratio of 80/20 g (matrix
to reinforcement) was maintained for all developed samples. Analysis
of the results showed that the uncrushed luffa fibre samples gave
better mechanical properties compared with the crushed luffa fibre
samples. The uncrushed luffa fibre composites had a maximum
tensile and flexural strength of 7.65 MPa and 17.08 Mpa respectively
corresponding to a young modulus and flexural modulus of 21.08
MPa and 232.22 MPa for the 8% and 4% wt. NaOH concentration
respectively. Results obtained in the research showed that NaOH
treatment with the 8% NaOH concentration improved the mechanical
properties of the LC fibre reinforced composites when compared with
other NaOH treatment concentration values.
Abstract: Waxapple (Syzygium samarngense Merr.et Perry) is an
important tropical fruit in Taiwan. The famous producing area is
located on the coast in Pingtung County. Land subsidence and climate
change will tend to soil alkalization more seriously. This study was to
evaluate the effects of NaCl in waxapple seedlings. NaCl salinity
reduced waxapple shoot growth; it may due to reducing relative water
content in leaf and new shoot. Leaf Cl and Na concentration were
increased but K, Ca, and Mg content had no significant difference after
irrigated with NaCl for six weeks. In roots, Na and Cl content increase
significantly with 90 mM NaCl treatment, but K, Ca, and Mg content
was reduced. 30-90mM Nacl treatment do not effect K/Na, Ca/Na and
Mg/Na ratio, but decrease significantly in 90mM treatment in roots.
The leaf and root electrolyte leakage were significantly affected by 90
mM NaCl treatment. Suggesting 90mM was optimum concentration
for sieve out other tolerance waxapples verities.
Abstract: This paper discusses the undesirable charge transfer
through the parasitic capacitances of the input transistors in a
multi-inputs voltage sense amplifier. Its intrinsic rail-to-rail voltage
transitions at the output nodes inevitably disturb the input sides
through the capacitive coupling between the outputs and inputs. Then,
it can possible degrade the stabilities of the reference voltage levels.
Moreover, it becomes more serious in multi-channel systems by
altering them for other channels, and so degrades the linearity of the
overall systems. In order to alleviate the internal node voltage
transition, the internal node stabilization techniques are proposed. It
achieves 45% and 40% improvements for node stabilization and input
referred disturbance, respectively.
Abstract: The research studies the behaviors based on
sufficiency economy philosophy at individual and community
levelsas well as the satisfaction of the urban community leaders by
collecting data with purposive sampling technique. For in-depth
interviews with 26 urban community leaders, the result shows that
the urban community leaders have good knowledge and
understanding about sufficiency economy philosophy. Especially in
terms of money spending, they must consider the need for living and
be economical. The activities in the community or society should not
take advantage of the others as well as colleagues. At present, most of
the urban community leaders live in sufficient way. They often spend
time with public service, but many families are dealing with debt.
Many communities have some political conflict and high family
allowances because of living in the urban communities with rapid
social and economic changes. However, there are many communities
that leaders have applied their wisdom in development for their
people by gathering and grouping the professionals to form activities
such as making chilli sauce, textile organization, making artificial
flowers to worship the sanctity. The most prominent group is the foot
massage business in Wat Pracha Rabue Tham. This professional
group is supported continuously by the government. One of the
factors in terms of satisfaction used for evaluating community leaders
is the customary administration in brotherly, interdependent way
rather than using the absolute power or controlling power, but using
the roles of leader to perform the activities with their people intently,
determinedly and having public mind for people.
Abstract: Total hip replacement had been one of the most
successful operations in hip arthritis surgery. The purpose of this
research had been to develop a dynamic hip contact of Thai femoral
bone to analyze the stress distribution on the implant and the strain
distribution on the bone model under daily activities and compared
with the static load simulation. The results showed the different of
maximum von Mises stress 0.14 percent under walking and 0.03
percent under climbing stair condition and the different of equivalent
total strain 0.52 percent under walking and 0.05 percent under
climbing stair condition. The muscular forces should be evaluated
with dynamic condition to reduce the maximum von Mises stress and
equivalent total strain.
Abstract: The pullout strength had an effect on the stability of
plate screw fixation when inserted in the cervical spine. Nine
different titanium alloy bone screws were used to test the pullout
strength through finite element analysis. The result showed that the
Moss Miami I can bear the highest pullout force at 1,075 N, which
causes the maximum von Mises stress at 858.87 MPa, a value over
the yield strength of titanium. The bone screw should have large
outer diameter, core diameter and proximal root radius to increase the
pullout strength.
Abstract: The characteristic requirement for producing
rectangular shape bottles was a uniform thickness of the plastic bottle
wall. Die shaping was a good technique which controlled the wall
thickness of bottles. An advance technology which was the finite
element method (FEM) for blowing parison to be a rectangular shape
bottle was conducted to reduce waste plastic from a trial and error
method of a die shaping and parison control method. The artificial
intelligent (AI) comprised of artificial neural network and genetic
algorithm was selected to optimize the die gap shape from the FEM
results. The application of AI technique could optimize the suitable
die gap shape for the parison blow molding which did not depend on
the parison control method to produce rectangular bottles with the
uniform wall. Particularly, this application can be used with cheap
blow molding machines without a parison controller therefore it will
reduce cost of production in the bottle blow molding process.
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 study was developed to compare the behavior
and the ability of polymer foam composites towards sound absorption
test of Shorea leprosula wood (SL) of acid hydrolysis treatment with
particle size