Abstract: Asphaltic concrete for pavement construction in India
are produced by using crushed stone, gravels etc. as aggregate. In
north-Eastern region of India, there is a scarcity of stone aggregate.
Therefore the road engineers are always in search of an optional
material as aggregate which can replace the regularly used material.
The purpose of this work was to evaluate the utilization of
substandard or marginal aggregates in flexible pavement
construction. The investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effects
of using lower quality aggregates such as over burnt brick aggregate
on the preparation of asphalt concrete for flexible pavements. The
scope of this work included a review of available literature and
existing data, a laboratory evaluation organized to determine the
effects of marginal aggregates and potential techniques to upgrade
these substandard materials, and a laboratory evaluation of these
upgraded marginal aggregate asphalt mixtures. Over burnt brick
aggregates are water susceptible and can leads to moisture damage.
Moisture damage is the progressive loss of functionality of the
material owing to loss of the adhesion bond between the asphalt
binder and the aggregate surface. Hence zycosoil as an anti striping
additive were evaluated in this study. This study summarizes the
results of the laboratory evaluation carried out to investigate the
properties of asphalt concrete prepared with zycosoil modified over
burnt brick aggregate. Marshall specimen were prepared with stone
aggregate, zycosoil modified stone aggregate, over burnt brick
aggregate and zycosoil modified over burnt brick aggregate. Results
show that addition of zycosoil with stone aggregate increased
stability by 6% and addition of zycosoil with over burnt brick
aggregate increased stability by 30%.
Abstract: The power converter that feeds high-frequency, highvoltage
transformers must be carefully designed due to parasitic
components, mainly the secondary winding capacitance and the
leakage inductance, that introduces resonances in relatively lowfrequency
range, next to the switching frequency. This paper
considers applications in which the load (resistive) has an
unpredictable behavior, changing from open to short-circuit condition
faster than the output voltage control loop could react. In this context,
to avoid overvoltage and over current situations, that could damage
the converter, the transformer or the load, it is necessary to find an
operation point that assure the desired output voltage in spite of the
load condition. This can done adjusting the frequency response of the
transformer adding an external inductance, together with selecting the
switching frequency to get stable output voltage independently of the
load.
Abstract: Nanostructured catalysts were successfully prepared
by acidification of diatomite and regeneration of FCC spent catalysts.
The obtained samples were characterized by IR, XRD, SEM, EDX,
MAS-NMR (27Al and 29Si), NH3-TPD and tested in catalytic
pyrolysis of biomass (rice straw). The results showed that the similar
bio-oil yield of 41.4% can be obtained by pyrolysis with catalysts at
450oC as compared to that of the pyrolysis without catalyst at 550oC.
The bio-oil yield reached a maximum of 42.55% at the pyrolysis
temperature of 500oC with catalytic content of 20%. Moreover, by
catalytic pyrolysis, bio-oil quality was better as reflected in higher
ratio of H/C, lower ratio of O/C. This clearly indicated high
application potential of these new nanostructured catalysts in the
production of bio-oil with low oxygenated compounds.
Abstract: The influence of three different types of halloysite
nanotubes (HNTs) with different dimensions, namely as camel lake
(CLA), Jarrahdale (JA) and Matauri Bay (MB), on their reinforcing
ability of ethylene propylene dine monomer (EPDM) were
investigated by varying the HNTs loading (from 0-15 phr).
Mechanical properties of the nanocomposites improved with addition
of all three HNTs, but CLA based nanocomposites exhibited a
significant enhancement compared to the other HNTs. For instance,
tensile properties of EPDM nanocomposites increased by 120%,
256% and 340% for MB, JA and CLA, respectively, with addition of
15 phr of HNTs. This could be due to the higher aspect ratio and
higher surface area of CLA compared to others. Scanning electron
microscopy (SEM) of nanocomposites at 15 phr of HNT loadings
showed low amounts of pulled-out nanotubes which confirmed the
presence of more embedded nanotubes inside the EPDM matrix, as
well as aggregates within the fracture surface of EPDM/HNT
nanocomposites
Abstract: The present study involved analysis of certain
characteristics of the perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)
genotypes collected from the natural flora of Ankara, and explores a
correlation among them. In order to evaluate the plants for breeding
purpose as per Turkey's environmental conditions, the perennial
ryegrass plants were collected from natural pasture of Ankara in 2004
and were utilized for the study. Seeds of the collected plants were
sown in pots and seedlings were prepared in a greenhouse. In 2005,
the seedlings were transplanted at 50 × 50 cm2 intervals in
Randomized Complete Blocks Design in an experimental field. In
2007 and 2008, data were recorded from the observations and
measurements of 568 perennial ryegrasses. The plant characteristics,
which were investigated, included re-growth time in spring, color,
density, growth habit, tendency to form inflorescence, time of
inflorescence, plant height, length of upper internode, spike length,
leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, leaf shape, number of spikelets per
spike, seed yield per spike and 1000 grain weight and the correlation
analyses were made using this data. Correlation coefficients were
estimated between all paired combinations of the studied traits. The
yield components exhibited varying trends of association among
themselves. Seed yield per spike showed significant and positive
association with the number of spikelets per spike, 1000 grain weight,
plant height, length of upper internode, spike length, leaf length, leaf
width, leaf area and color, but significant and negative association
with the growth habit and re-growth time in spring.
Abstract: Pesticides and drugs used in agriculture and veterinary
medicine may end up in aquatic environments and bioaccumulate in
the food chain, thus causing serious problems for fauna and human
health. For determination of the toxic effects of atrazine herbicide on
Caspian kutum, Rutilus frisii kutum larvae, the 96-h LC50 of atrazine
was measured for newly hatched larvae as 18.53 ppm. Toxicity of
atrazine herbicide on Caspian kutum larvae was investigated using
concentrations: 9.25ppm, 4.62 ppm and 2.31 ppm for 7 days.
Comparison of the length, weight and condition factor showed that
no significant differences between atrazine exposed and control
groups. The concentration of Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Cl- in whole
body of larvae in control and atrazine exposure groups were
measured and the results showed that concentrations of all these ions
is higher in atrazine exposure group than control group. It is obvious
from this study that atrazine negatively affects osmoregulation
process and changes ion compositions of the body even at sublethal
concentration and acute exposure but have no effects on growth
parameters of the body.
Abstract: Musculoskeletal injuries in school children could be
reduced improving trunk strength and hamstring flexibility. Low
levels of trunk muscle strength and hamstring flexibility may result in
acute and musculoskeletal chronic diseases. The Pilates Method can
be appropriate to improve these physical condition attributes and has
been rarely employed by this social group. On the other hand, it has
been shown that trunk strength and flexibility are different between
genders, but there is no evidence about the effect of exercise
programs designed to improve both items in school children.
Therefore the objective of this study was to measure the effect of a
six-week Pilates-based exercise program in 14 year old school
children trunk strength and hamstring flexibility, establishing
differences in gender. The sample was composed of 57 students
divided into experimental group (EG; n=30) and control group (CG;
n=27). Bench Trunk Curl test (BTC), Sörensen test and Toe-touch
test (TT) were used to measure dynamic muscular resistance in trunk
flexion, isometric strength in trunk extension and hamstring
flexibility, respectively. EG utilized the Pilates exercise program
during six-weeks (2 days/week, 55minutes/session). After this period
of training, EG improved trunk strength and hamstring flexibility
significantly but there were no significant differences within CG.
Although boys were better in BTC test and girls were better in TT
test, there were no significant differences between them.
Abstract: Energy consumption and users’ satisfaction were
compared in three LEED certified office buildings in turkey and an
office building in Egypt. The field studies were conducted in summer
2012. The measured environmental parameters in the four buildings
were indoor air temperature, relative humidity, CO2 percentage and
light intensity. The traditional building is located in Smart Village in
Abu Rawash, Cairo, Egypt. The building was studied for 7 days
resulting in 84 responds. The three rated buildings are in Istanbul;
Turkey. A Platinum LEED certified office building is owned by
BASF and gained a platinum certificate for new construction and
major renovation. The building was studied for 3 days resulting in 13
responds. A Gold LEED certified office building is owned by BASF
and gained a gold certificate for new construction and major
renovation. The building was studied for 2 days resulting in 10
responds. A silver LEED certified office building is owned by
Unilever and gained a silver certificate for commercial interiors. The
building was studied for 7 days resulting in 84 responds.
The results showed that all buildings had no significant difference
regarding occupants’ satisfaction with the amount of lighting, noise
level, odor and access to the outdoor view. There was significant
difference between occupants’ satisfaction in LEED certified
buildings and the traditional building regarding the thermal
environment and the perception of the general environment (colors,
carpet and decoration. The findings suggest that careful design could
lead to a certified building that enhances the thermal environment and
the perception of the indoor environment leading to energy
consumption without scarifying occupants’ satisfaction.
Abstract: The biosynthesis of nanoparticles by microorganisms,
on the contrary to chemical synthesis, is an environmentally-friendly
process which has low energy requirements. In this investigation, we
used the microorganism Geobacillus wiegelii, strain GWE1, an
aerobic thermophile belonging to genus Geobacillus, isolated from a
drying oven. This microorganism has the ability to reduce selenite
evidenced by the change of color from colorless to red in the culture.
Elemental analysis and composition of the particles were verified
using transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray
analysis. The nanoparticles have a defined spherical shape and a
selenium elemental state. Previous experiments showed that the
presence of the whole microorganism for the reduction of selenite
was not necessary. The results strongly suggested that an intracellular
NADPH/NADH-dependent reductase mediates selenium
nanoparticles synthesis under aerobic conditions. The enzyme was
purified and identified by mass spectroscopy MALDI-TOF TOF
technique. The enzyme is a 1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase.
Histograms of nanoparticles sizes were obtained. Size distribution
ranged from 40-160 nm, where 70% of nanoparticles have less than
100 nm in size. Spectroscopic analysis showed that the nanoparticles
are composed of elemental selenium. To analyse the effect of pH in
size and morphology of nanoparticles, the synthesis of them was
carried out at different pHs (4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0). For
thermostability studies samples were incubated at different
temperatures (60, 80 and 100 ºC) for 1 h and 3 h. The size of all
nanoparticles was less than 100 nm at pH 4.0; over 50% of
nanoparticles have less than 100 nm at pH 5.0; at pH 6.0 and 8.0 over
90% of nanoparticles have less than 100 nm in size. At neutral pH
(7.0) nanoparticles reach a size around 120 nm and only 20% of them
were less than 100 nm. When looking at temperature effect,
nanoparticles did not show a significant difference in size when they
were incubated between 0 and 3 h at 60 ºC. Meanwhile at 80 °C the
nanoparticles suspension lost its homogeneity. A change in size was
observed from 0 h of incubation at 80ºC, observing a size range
between 40-160 nm, with 20% of them over 100 nm. Meanwhile
after 3 h of incubation at size range changed to 60-180 nm with 50%
of them over 100 nm. At 100 °C the nanoparticles aggregate forming
nanorod structures. In conclusion, these results indicate that is
possible to modulate size and shape of biologically synthesized
nanoparticles by modulating pH and temperature.
Abstract: The presence of endocrine-disrupting compounds,
such as bisphenol A (BPA), in the environment can cause serious
health problems. However, there are controversial opinions. This
study investigated the reproductive, metabolic, oxidative and
immunologic-disrupting effects of bisphenol A in male rabbits.
Rabbits were divided into five groups. The first four rabbit groups
were administered oral BPA (1, 10, 50, or 100 mg/kg/day) for ten
weeks. The fifth group was administered corn oil as the vehicle. BPA
significantly decreased serum testosterone, estradiol and the free
androgen index (FAI) and significantly increased sex hormone
binding globulin (SHBG) compared with the placebo group. The
higher doses of BPA showed a significant decrease in follicular
stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). A
significant increase in blood glucose levels was identified in the BPA
groups. The non-significant difference in insulin levels is a novel
finding. The cumulative testicular toxicity of BPA was clearly
demonstrated by the dose-dependent decrease in absolute testes
weight, primary measures of semen quality and a significant increase
in testicular malonaldehyde (MDA). Moreover, BPA significantly
decreased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and significantly
increased immunoglobulin G (IgG) at the highest concentration. Our
results suggest that BPA, especially at higher doses, is associated
with many adverse effects on metabolism, oxidative stress, immunity,
sperm quality and markers of androgenic action.
Abstract: In this paper it was examined the influence of margin
regulation on stock market volatility in EU 1993 – 2014. Regulating
margin requirements or haircuts for securities financing transactions
has for a long time been considered as a potential tool to limit the
build-up of leverage and dampen volatility in financial markets. The
margin requirement dictates how much investors can borrow against
these securities. Margin can be an important part of investment.
Using daily and monthly stock returns and there is no convincing
evidence that EU Regulation margin requirements have served to
dampen stock market volatility. In this paper was detected the
expected negative relation between margin requirements and the
amount of margin credit outstanding. Also, it confirmed that changes
in margin requirements by the EU regulation have tended to follow
than lead changes in market volatility. For the analysis have been
used the modified Levene statistics to test whether the standard
deviation of stock returns in the 25, 50 and 100 days preceding
margin changes is the same as that in the succeeding 25, 50 and 100
days. The analysis started in May 1993 when it was first empowered
to set the initial margin requirement and the last sample was in May
2014. To test whether margin requirements influence stock market
volatility over the long term, the sample of stock returns was divided
into 14 periods, according to the 14 changes in margin requirements.
Abstract: Distributed Generation (DG) can help in reducing the
cost of electricity to the costumer, relieve network congestion and
provide environmentally friendly energy close to load centers. Its
capacity is also scalable and it provides voltage support at distribution
level. Hence, DG placement and penetration level is an important
problem for both the utility and DG owner. DG allocation and capacity
determination is a nonlinear optimization problem. The objective
function of this problem is the minimization of the total loss of the
distribution system. Also high levels of penetration of DG are a new
challenge for traditional electric power systems. This paper presents a
new methodology for the optimal placement of DG and penetration
level of DG in distribution system based on General Algebraic
Modeling System (GAMS) and Genetic Algorithm (GA).
Abstract: A series of polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles were
prepared by grafting polystyrene from both aggregated silica and
colloidally dispersed silica nanoparticles using atom-transfer radical
polymerisation (ATRP). Cross-linking and macroscopic gelation
were minimised by using a miniemulsion system. The thermal and
mechanical behaviour of the nanocomposites have been examined by
differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical
thermal analysis (DMTA).
Abstract: Series of laboratory tests were carried out to study the
extent of scour caused by a three-dimensional wall jets exiting from a
square cross-section nozzle and into a non-cohesive sand beds.
Previous observations have indicated that the effect of the tail water
depth was significant for densimetric Froude number greater than ten.
However, the present results indicate that the cut off value could be
lower depending on the value of grain size-to-nozzle width ratio.
Numbers of equations are drawn out for a better scaling of numerous
scour parameters. Also suggested the empirical prediction of scour to
predict the scour centre line profile and plan view of scour profile at
any particular time.
Abstract: Reduction of CO2 emissions has become a priority for
several countries due to increasing concerns about global warming
and climate change, especially in the developed countries. Residential
sector is considered one of the most important sectors for
considerable reduction of CO2 emissions since it represents a
significant amount of the total consumed energy in those countries. A
significant CO2 reduction cannot be achieved unless some initiatives
have been adopted in the policy of these countries. Introducing micro
combined heat and power (!CHP) systems into residential energy
systems is one of these initiatives, since such a technology offers
several advantages. Moreover, !CHP technology has the opportunity
to be operated not only by natural gas but it could also be operated by
renewable fuels. However, this technology can be operated by
different operation strategies. Each strategy has some advantages and
disadvantages.
This paper provides a review of different operation strategies of
such a technology used for residential energy systems, especially for
single dwellings. The review summarizes key points that outline the
trend of previous research carried out in this field.
Abstract: Weed suppression and weeding are necessary measures
for rice cultivation. Weed suppression precedes the process of
weeding. It means suppressing the growth of young weeds and
creating a weed-less environment. If we suppress the growth of weeds,
we can reduce the number of weeds in a paddy field. This would result
in a reduction of the weeding work load.
In this paper, we will show how we developed a weed suppression
robot for the purpose of reducing the weeding work load. The robot
has a laser range finder for autonomous mobility and a robot arm for
weed suppression. It travels along the rice rows without stepping on
and injuring the rice plants in a paddy field. The robot arm applies
force to the weed seedlings and thereby suppresses the growth of
weeds. This paper will explain the methodology of the autonomous
mobile, the experiment in weed suppression, and the method of
controlling the robot’s posture on uneven ground.
Abstract: Since the marine environmental conditions are
extremely different from the other ones, marine actinomycetes might
produce novel bioactive compounds. Therefore, actinomycete strains
were screened from marine water and sediment samples collected
from the coastal areas of Northern Vietnam. Ninety-nine
actinomycete strains were obtained on starch-casein agar media by
dilution technique, only seven strains, named HP112, HP12, HP411,
HPN11, HP 11, HPT13 and HPX12, showed significant antibacterial
activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria
(Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Staphylococcus epidemidis ATCC
12228, Escherichia coli ATCC 11105). Further studies were carried
out with the most active HP411 strain against Candida albicans
ATCC 10231. This strain could grow rapidly on starch casein agar
and other media with high salt containing 7-10% NaCl at 28-30oC.
Spore-chain of HP411 showed an elongated and circular shape with
10 to 30 spores/chain. Identification of the strain was carried out by
employing the taxonomical studies including the 16S rRNA
sequence. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence it is
proposed that HP411 to be belongs to species Streptomyces
variabilis. The potent of the crude extract of fermentation broth of
HP411 that are effective against wide range of pathogens: both grampositive,
gram-negative and fungi. Further studies revealed that the
crude extract HP411 could obtain the anticancer activity for cancer
cell lines: Hep-G2 (liver cancer cell line); RD (cardiac and skeletal
muscle letters cell line); FL (membrane of the uterus cancer cell line).
However, the actinomycetes from marine ecosystem will be useful
for the discovery of new drugs in the future.
Abstract: Climate warming would increase rainfall by shifting
precipitation falling form from snow to rain, and would accelerate
snow cover disappearing by increasing snowpack. Using temperature
and precipitation data in the temperature-index snowmelt model, we
evaluated variability of snowfall and continuous snow cover duration
(CSCD) during 1944-2010 over Pelso, central Finland. Mann-
Kendall non-parametric test determined that annual precipitation
increased by 2.69 (mm/year, p
Abstract: Using ETABS software, this study analyzed 23
buildings to evaluate effects of mistakes during construction phase on
buildings structural behavior. For modelling, two different loadings
were assumed: 1) design loading and 2) loading due to the effects of
mistakes in construction phase. Research results determined that
considering traditional construction methods for buildings resulted in
a significant increase in dead loads and consequently intensified the
displacements and base-shears of buildings under seismic loads.
Abstract: The liver is the strongest regenerating organ of the
organism, and even with 2/3 surgically removed, it can regenerate
completely. Hence liver cirrhosis may only develop when the
regenerating system is off.
We present the results of a comparative study of structural and
functional characteristics of rat liver tissue under the conditions of
toxic liver cirrhosis development, induced by carbon tetrachloride,
and its prevention/treatment by natural compounds with antioxidant
and immune stimulating action. Studies were made on Wister rats,
weighing 120~140 g. Grape seeds extracts, separately and in
combination with well-known anticirrhotic drug ursodeoxycholic
acid (Urdoxa), have demonstrated effectiveness in prevention of liver
cirrhosis development and its treatment.