Abstract: In this paper, by introducing twice continuously differentiable mappings, we develop an interior path following following method, which enables us to give a constructive proof of the general Brouwer fixed point theorem and thus to solve fixed point problems in a class of non-convex sets. Under suitable conditions, a smooth path can be proven to exist. This can lead to an implementable globally convergent algorithm. Several numerical examples are given to illustrate the results of this paper.
Abstract: Modes of occurrence of Pb, As, Cr, Co, Cu, and Ni in bituminous coal and lignite were determined by means of sequential extraction using NH4OAc, HCl, HF and HNO3 extraction solutions. Elemental affinities obtained were then evaluated in relation to volatility of these elements during the combustion of these coals in two circulating fluidised-bed power stations. It was found out that higher percentage of the elements bound in silicates brought about lower volatility, while higher elemental proportion with monosulphides association (or bound as exchangeable ion) resulted in higher volatility. The only exception was the behavior of arsenic, whose volatility depended on amount of limestone added during the combustion process (as desulphurisation additive) rather than to its association in coal.
Abstract: The Stokes equation connected with the fluid flow
over the axisymmetric bodies in a cylindrical area is considered. The
equation is studied in a moving coordinate system with the
appropriate boundary conditions. Effective formulas for the velocity
components are obtained. The graphs of the velocity components and
velocity profile are plotted.
Abstract: The objective of this study is to determine the thermal comfort among worker at Malaysian automotive industry. One critical manual assembly workstation had been chosen as a subject for the study. The human subjects for the study constitute operators at Body Assembly Station of the factory. The environment examined was the Relative Humidity (%), Airflow (m/s), Air Temperature (°C) and Radiant Temperature (°C) of the surrounding workstation area. The environmental factors were measured using Babuc apparatus, which is capable to measure simultaneously those mentioned environmental factors. The time series data of fluctuating level of factors were plotted to identify the significant changes of factors. Then thermal comfort of the workers were assessed by using ISO Standard 7730 Thermal sensation scale by using Predicted Mean Vote (PMV). Further Predicted percentage dissatisfied (PPD) is used to estimate the thermal comfort satisfaction of the occupant. Finally the PPD versus PMV were plotted to present the thermal comfort scenario of workers involved in related workstation. The result of PMV at the related industry is between 1.8 and 2.3, where PPD at that building is between 60% to 84%. The survey result indicated that the temperature more influenced comfort to the occupants
Abstract: We present new finite element methods for Helmholtz and Maxwell equations on general three-dimensional polyhedral meshes, based on domain decomposition with boundary elements on the surfaces of the polyhedral volume elements. The methods use the lowest-order polynomial spaces and produce sparse, symmetric linear systems despite the use of boundary elements. Moreover, piecewise constant coefficients are admissible. The resulting approximation on the element surfaces can be extended throughout the domain via representation formulas. Numerical experiments confirm that the convergence behavior on tetrahedral meshes is comparable to that of standard finite element methods, and equally good performance is attained on more general meshes.
Abstract: This article presents the development of a neural
network cognitive model for the classification and detection of
different frequency signals. The basic structure of the implemented
neural network was inspired on the perception process that humans
generally make in order to visually distinguish between high and low
frequency signals. It is based on the dynamic neural network concept,
with delays. A special two-layer feedforward neural net structure was
successfully implemented, trained and validated, to achieve
minimum target error. Training confirmed that this neural net
structure descents and converges to a human perception classification
solution, even when far away from the target.
Abstract: A sensitive and specific method for quantitative
determination of aflatoxins(B1, B2, G1,G2), deoxynivalenol,
fumonisin(B1,B2), ochratoxin A, zearalenone, T-2 and HT-2 in
roasted and ground grains using liquid chromatography combined
with tandem mass spectrometry. A double extraction using a
phosphate buffer solution followed by methanol was applied to
achieve effective co extraction of 11 mycotoxins. A multitoxin
immunoaffinity column for all these mycotoxins was used to clean up
the extract. The LODs of mycotoxins were 0.1~6.1 μg/kg, LOQs were
0.3~18.4 μg/kg. Forty seven samples collected from Seoul (Korea) for
mycotoxin contamination monitoring. The results showed that the
occurrence of zearalenone and deoxynivalenol were frequent.
Zearalenone was detected in all samples and deoxynivalenol was
detected in 80.9 % samples in the range 0.626 ~ 29.264 μg/kg and N.D
~ 48.332 μg/kg respectively. Fumonisins and ochratoxin A were
detected in 46.8% samples and 17 % samples respectively, aflatoxins
and T-2/HT-2 toxins were not detected all samples.
Abstract: In order to provide accurate heart rate variability
indices of sympathetic and parasympathetic activity, the low
frequency and high frequency components of an RR heart rate signal
must be adequately separated. This is not always possible by just
applying spectral analysis, as power from the high and low frequency
components often leak into their adjacent bands. Furthermore,
without the respiratory spectra it is not obvious that the low
frequency component is not another respiratory component, which
can appear in the lower band. This paper describes an adaptive filter,
which aids the separation of the low frequency sympathetic and high
frequency parasympathetic components from an ECG R-R interval
signal, enabling the attainment of more accurate heart rate variability
measures. The algorithm is applied to simulated signals and heart rate
and respiratory signals acquired from an ambulatory monitor
incorporating single lead ECG and inductive plethysmography
sensors embedded in a garment. The results show an improvement
over standard heart rate variability spectral measurements.
Abstract: This paper describes a 2.4 GHz passive switch mixer
and a 5/2.5 GHz voltage-controlled negative Gm oscillator (VCO)
with an inversion-mode MOS varactor. Both circuits are implemented
using a 1P8M 0.13 μm process. The switch mixer has an input
referred 1 dB compression point of -3.89 dBm and a conversion
gain of -0.96 dB when the local oscillator power is +2.5 dBm.
The VCO consumes only 1.75 mW, while drawing 1.45 mA from a
1.2 V supply voltage. In order to reduce the passives size, the VCO
natural oscillation frequency is 5 GHz. A clocked CMOS divideby-
two circuit is used for frequency division and quadrature phase
generation. The VCO has a -109 dBc/Hz phase noise at 1 MHz
frequency offset and a 2.35-2.5 GHz tuning range (after the frequency
division), thus complying with ZigBee requirements.
Abstract: Different techniques for estimating seasonal water
use from soil profile water depletion frequently do not account for
flux below the root zone. Shallow water table contribution to supply
crop water use may be important in arid and semi-arid regions.
Development of predictive root uptake models, under influence of
shallow water table makes it possible for planners to incorporate
interaction between water table and root zone into design of irrigation
projects. A model for obtaining soil moisture depletion from root
zone and water movement below it is discussed with the objective to
determine impact of shallow water table on seasonal moisture
depletion patterns under water table depth variation, up to the bottom
of root zone. The role of different boundary conditions has also been
considered. Three crops: Wheat (Triticum aestivum), Corn (Zea
mays) and Potato (Solanum tuberosum), common in arid & semi-arid
regions, are chosen for the study. Using experimentally obtained soil
moisture depletion values for potential soil moisture conditions,
moisture depletion patterns using a non linear root uptake model have
been obtained for different water table depths. Comparative analysis
of the moisture depletion patterns under these conditions show a wide
difference in percent depletion from different layers of root zone
particularly top and bottom layers with middle layers showing
insignificant variation in moisture depletion values. Moisture
depletion in top layer, when the water table rises to root zone
increases by 19.7%, 22.9% & 28.2%, whereas decrease in bottom
layer is 68.8%, 61.6% & 64.9% in case of wheat, corn & potato
respectively. The paper also discusses the causes and consequences
of increase in moisture depletion from top layers and exceptionally
high reduction in bottom layer, and the possible remedies for the
same. The numerical model developed for the study can be used to
help formulating irrigation strategies for areas where shallow
groundwater of questionable quality is an option for crop production.
Abstract: From the perspective of industrial structure
coordination and based on an explicit definition for the connotation of
industrial structure coordination, the synergetic coefficients are used
to measure the coordination degree between three industries' input
structure and output structure, and then the efficacy function method is
employed to comprehensively evaluate the level of China-s industrial
structure optimization. It is showed that Chinese industrial structure
presented a "v-shaped" variation tendency between 1996 and 2008,
and its industrial structure adjustment got obvious achievements after
2003, with the industrial structure optimization level increasing
continuously. However in 2009, the level of China-s industrial
structure optimization declined sharply due to the decreasing
contribution degree of value added structure and energy structure
coordination and the lower coordination degree of value added
structure and capital structure.
Abstract: A local wastewater treatment plant (WWTP)
experiencing poor nitrification tracked down high level of
surfactants in the plant-s influent and effluent. The aims of this project were to assess the potential inhibitory effect of surfactants on activated sludge processes. The effect of the
presence of TergitolNP-9, TrigetolNP-7, Trigetol15-S-9,
dodecylbenzene sulphonate (SDBS) and sodium dodecyl
sulfate (SDS) on activated sludge oxygen uptake rate (OUR) and nitrification were assessed. The average concentration of non-ionic and anionic
surfactants in the influent to the local WWTP were 7 and 8.7 mg/L, respectively. Removal of 67% to 90% of the non-ionic and 93-99% of the anionic surfactants tested were measured. All surfactants tested showed inhibitory effects both on OUR
and nitrification. SDS incurred the lowest inhibition whereas
SDBS and NP-9 caused severe inhibition to OUR and
Nitrification. Activated sludge flocs sizes slightly decreased
after 3 hours contact with the surfactant present in the test.
The results obtained indicated that high concentrations of
surfactants are likely to have an adverse effect on the
performance of WWTPs utilizing activated sludge processes.
Abstract: Skip cycle is a working strategy for spark ignition
engines, which allows changing the effective stroke of an engine
through skipping some of the four stroke cycles. This study proposes
a new mechanism to achieve the desired skip-cycle strategy for
internal combustion engines. The air and fuel leakage, which occurs
through the gas exchange, negatively affects the efficiency of the
engine at high speeds and loads. An absolute sealing is assured by
direct use of poppet valves, which are kept in fully closed position
during the skipped mode. All the components of the mechanism were
designed according to the real dimensions of the Anadolu Motor's
gasoline engine and modeled in 3D by means of CAD software. As
the mechanism operates in two modes, two dynamically equivalent
models are established to obtain the force and strength analysis for
critical components.
Abstract: In this paper a new cost function for blind equalization
is proposed. The proposed cost function, referred to as the modified
maximum normalized cumulant criterion (MMNC), is an extension
of the previously proposed maximum normalized cumulant criterion
(MNC). While the MNC requires a separate phase recovery system
after blind equalization, the MMNC performs joint blind equalization
and phase recovery. To achieve this, the proposed algorithm
maximizes a cost function that considers both amplitude and phase of
the equalizer output. The simulation results show that the proposed
algorithm has an improved channel equalization effect than the MNC
algorithm and simultaneously can correct the phase error that the
MNC algorithm is unable to do. The simulation results also show that
the MMNC algorithm has lower complexity than the MNC algorithm.
Moreover, the MMNC algorithm outperforms the MNC algorithm
particularly when the symbols block size is small.
Abstract: Currently in many major cities, public transit schedules
are disseminated through lists of routes, grids of stop times and
static maps. This paper describes a web based geographic information
system which disseminates the same schedule information through
intuitive GIS techniques. Using data from Calgary, Canada, an map
based interface has been created to allow users to see routes, stops and
moving buses all at once. Zoom and pan controls as well as satellite
imagery allows users to apply their personal knowledge about the
local geography to achieve faster, and more pertinent transit results.
Using asynchronous requests to web services, users are immersed
in an application where buses and stops can be added and removed
interactively, without the need to wait for responses to HTTP requests.
Abstract: Trust management is one of the drawbacks in Peer-to-Peer (P2P) system. Lack of centralized control makes it difficult to control the behavior of the peers. Reputation system is one approach to provide trust assessment in P2P system. In this paper, we use fuzzy logic to model trust in a P2P environment. Our trust model combines first-hand (direct experience) and second-hand (reputation)information to allow peers to represent and reason with uncertainty regarding other peers' trustworthiness. Fuzzy logic can help in handling the imprecise nature and uncertainty of trust. Linguistic labels are used to enable peers assign a trust level intuitively. Our fuzzy trust model is flexible such that inference rules are used to weight first-hand and second-hand accordingly.
Abstract: Efficient and safe plant operation can only be
achieved if the operators are able to monitor all key process
parameters. Instrumentation is used to measure many process
variables, like temperatures, pressures, flow rates, compositions or
other product properties. Therefore Performance monitoring is a
suitable tool for operators. In this paper, we integrate rigorous
simulation model, data reconciliation and parameter estimation to
monitor process equipments and determine key performance
indicator (KPI) of them. The applied method here has been
implemented in two case studies.
Abstract: Anodizing is an electrochemical process that converts the metal surface into a decorative, durable, corrosion-resistant, anodic oxide finish. Aluminum is ideally suited to anodizing, although other nonferrous metals, such as magnesium and titanium, also can be anodized. The anodic oxide structure originates from the aluminum substrate and is composed entirely of aluminum oxide. This aluminum oxide is not applied to the surface like paint or plating, but is fully integrated with the underlying aluminum substrate, so cannot chip or peel. It has a highly ordered, porous structure that allows for secondary processes such as coloring and sealing. In this experimental paper, we focus on a reliable method for fabricating nanoporous alumina with high regularity. Starting from study of nanostructure materials synthesize methods. After that, porous alumina fabricate in the laboratory by anodization of aluminum oxide. Hard anodization processes are employed to fabricate the nanoporous alumina using 0.3M oxalic acid and 90, 120 and 140 anodized voltages. The nanoporous templates were characterized by SEM and FFT. The nanoporous templates using 140 voltages have high ordered. The pore formation, influence of the experimental conditions on the pore formation, the structural characteristics of the pore and the oxide chemical reactions involved in the pore growth are discuss.
Abstract: A cross sectional study design and standard
microbiological procedures were used to determine the prevalence
and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Escherichia coli,
Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium and Vibrio cholerae O1
isolated from water and two fish species Rastrineobola argentea and
Oreochromis niloticus collected from fish landing beaches and
markets in the Lake Victoria Basin of western Kenya. Out of 162
samples analyzed, 133 (82.1%) were contaminated, with S.
typhimurium as the most prevalent (49.6%), followed by E. coli
(46.6%), and lastly V. cholerae (2.8%). All the bacteria isolates were
sensitive to ciprofloxacin. E. coli isolates were resistant to ampicillin,
tetracycline, cotrimoxazole, chloramphenical and gentamicin while
S. typhimurium isolates exhibited resistance to ampicillin,
tetracycline, and cotrimoxazole. The V. cholerae O1 isolates were
resistant to tetracycline and ampicillin. The high prevalence of drug
resistant enteric bacteria in water and fish from the study region
needs public health intervention from the local government.
Abstract: Information society is an absolutely new public formation at which the infrastructure and the social relations correspond to the socialized essence of «information genotype» mankind. Information society is a natural social environment which allows the person to open completely the information nature, to use intelligence for joint creation with other people of new information on the basis of knowledge earlier saved up by previous generations.