Abstract: In this study, we are interested in a species of the
family of Asteraceae (Tagetes erecta). This family is considered as a
source of antimicrobial extracts with strong capacity. The extraction
of the flavonoids is carried out by the method of liquid/liquid with the
use of successive solvents. Afterwards, we evaluated the biological
activity of the flavonoids on five pathogenic bacterial stocks such as
Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus and two stocks
of yeasts to knowing Candida albicans) and Saccharomyces
cerevisiae, by employing the method of the aromatogramme starting
from a solid disc. The result of the antimicrobial activity shows an
action and a variable degree of sensitivity according to bacterial
stocks tested. It will be noted that the flavonoids have an inhibiting
effect on E. coli, B. subtilis, K. pneumoniae and S. aureus. But a
resistance with respect to the extract by P. aeruginosa, C. albicans
and S. cerevisiae is to be mentioned.
Abstract: A field experiment was carried out at Arab El-
Awammer Research Station, Agric. Res. Center. Assiut Governorate
during summer seasons of 2013 and 2014. The present study assessed
the effect of cowpea with maize intercropping on yield and its
components. The experiment comprised of three treatments (sole
cowpea, sole maize and cowpea-maize intercrop). The experimental
design was a randomized complete block with four replications.
Results indicated that intercropped maize plants with cowpea,
exhibited greater potentiality and resulted in higher values of most of
the studied criteria viz., plant height, number of ears/plant, number of
rows/ear, number of grains/row, grains weight/ear, 100–grain weight
and straw and grain yields. Fresh and dry forage yields of cowpea
were lower in intercropping with maize than sole. Furthermore, the
combined of the two seasons revealed that the total Land Equivalent
Ratio (LER) between cowpea and maize was 1.65. The Aggressivity
(A) maize was 0.45 and cowpea was -0.45. This showed that maize
was the dominant crop, whereas cowpea was the dominated. The
Competitive Ratio (CR) indicated that maize more competitive than
cowpea, maize was 1.75 and cowpea was 0.57. The Actual Yield
Loss (AYL) maize was 0.05 and cowpea was -0.40. The Monetary
Advantage Index (MAI) was 2360.80.
Abstract: At present, the evaluation of voltage stability
assessment experiences sizeable anxiety in the safe operation of
power systems. This is due to the complications of a strain power
system. With the snowballing of power demand by the consumers
and also the restricted amount of power sources, therefore, the system
has to perform at its maximum proficiency. Consequently, the
noteworthy to discover the maximum ability boundary prior to
voltage collapse should be undertaken. A preliminary warning can be
perceived to evade the interruption of power system’s capacity. The
effectiveness of line voltage stability indices (LVSI) is differentiated
in this paper. The main purpose of the indices used is to predict the
proximity of voltage instability of the electric power system. On the
other hand, the indices are also able to decide the weakest load buses
which are close to voltage collapse in the power system. The line
stability indices are assessed using the IEEE 14 bus test system to
validate its practicability. Results demonstrated that the implemented
indices are practically relevant in predicting the manifestation of
voltage collapse in the system. Therefore, essential actions can be
taken to dodge the incident from arising.
Abstract: In this research, waterglass based aerogel powder was
prepared by sol–gel process and ambient pressure drying. Inspired by
limited dust releasing, aerogel powder was introduced to the PET
electrospinning solution in an attempt to create required bulk and
surface structure for the nanofibers to improve their hydrophobic and
insulation properties. The samples evaluation was carried out by
measuring density, porosity, contact angle, heat transfer, FTIR, BET,
and SEM. According to the results, porous silica aerogel powder was
fabricated with mean pore diameter of 24 nm and contact angle of
145.9º. The results indicated the usefulness of the aerogel powder
confined into nanofibers to control surface roughness for
manipulating superhydrophobic nanowebs with water contact angle
of 147º. It can be due to a multi-scale surface roughness which was
created by nanowebs structure itself and nanofibers surface
irregularity in presence of the aerogels while a layer of fluorocarbon
created low surface energy. The wettability of a solid substrate is an
important property that is controlled by both the chemical
composition and geometry of the surface. Also, a decreasing trend in
the heat transfer was observed from 22% for the nanofibers without
any aerogel powder to 8% for the nanofibers with 4% aerogel
powder. The development of thermal insulating materials has become
increasingly more important than ever in view of the fossil energy
depletion and global warming that call for more demanding energysaving
practices.
Abstract: The tomato is a very important crop, whose
cultivation in the Mediterranean basin is severely affected by the
phytoparasitic weed Phelipanche ramosa. The semiarid regions of
the world are considered the main areas where this parasitic weed is
established causing heavy infestation as it is able to produce high
numbers of seeds (up to 500,000 per plant), which remain viable for
extended period (more than 20 years). In this paper the results
obtained from eleven treatments in order to control this parasitic
weed including chemical, agronomic, biological and biotechnological
methods compared with the untreated test under two plowing depths
(30 and 50 cm) are reported. The split-plot design with 3 replicates
was adopted. In 2014 a trial was performed in Foggia province
(southern Italy) on processing tomato (cv Docet) grown in the field
infested by Phelipanche ramosa. Tomato seedlings were transplant
on May 5, on a clay-loam soil. During the growing cycle of the
tomato crop, at 56-78 and 92 days after transplantation, the number
of parasitic shoots emerged in each plot was detected. At tomato
harvesting, on August 18, the major quantity-quality yield parameters
were determined (marketable yield, mean weight, dry matter, pH,
soluble solids and color of fruits). All data were subjected to analysis
of variance (ANOVA) and the means were compared by Tukey's test.
Each treatment studied did not provide complete control against
Phelipanche ramosa. However, among the different methods tested,
some of them which Fusarium, gliphosate, radicon biostimulant and
Red Setter tomato cv (improved genotypes obtained by Tilling
technology) under deeper plowing (50 cm depth) proved to mitigate
the virulence of the Phelipanche ramose attacks. It is assumed that
these effects can be improved combining some of these treatments
each other, especially for a gradual and continuing reduction of the
“seed bank” of the parasite in the soil.
Abstract: Learning through creation of contextual games is a
very promising approach when undertaking interdisciplinary and
international group projects. During 2013 and 2014 the authors
organized two intensive student projects. The two projects were in
different countries and different conditions. Between them, the two
projects involved 68 students and 12 mentors from five EU countries
and from various academic disciplines. In this paper we share our
experience of these two projects and we suggest approaches that can
be utilized to strengthen the chances of succeeding in short (12-15
days long) intensive student projects.
Abstract: This paper investigates the viability of using carbon
fiber reinforced epoxy composites modified with carbon nanotubes to
strengthening reinforced concrete (RC) columns. Six RC columns
was designed and constructed according to ASCE standards. The
columns were wrapped using carbon fiber sheets impregnated with
either neat epoxy or CNTs modified epoxy. These columns were then
tested under concentric axial loading. Test results show that;
compared to the unwrapped specimens; wrapping concrete columns
with carbon fiber sheet embedded in CNTs modified epoxy resulted
in an increase in its axial load resistance, maximum displacement,
and toughness values by 24%, 109% and 232%, respectively. These
results reveal that adding CNTs into epoxy resin enhanced the
confinement effect, specifically, increased the axial load resistance,
maximum displacement, and toughness values by 11%, 6%, and
19%, respectively compared with columns strengthening with carbon
fiber sheet embedded in neat epoxy.
Abstract: Cavitation in cryogenic liquids is widely present in
contemporary science. In the current study, we re-examine a
previously validated acoustic cavitation model which was developed
for a gas bubble in liquid water. Furthermore, simulations of
cryogenic fluids including the thermal effect, the effect of acoustic
pressure amplitude and the frequency of sound field on the bubble
dynamics are presented. A gas bubble (Helium) in liquids Nitrogen,
Oxygen and Hydrogen in an acoustic field at ambient pressure and
low temperature is investigated numerically. The results reveal that
the oscillation of the bubble in liquid Hydrogen fluctuates more than
in liquids Oxygen and Nitrogen. The oscillation of the bubble in
liquids Oxygen and Nitrogen is approximately similar.
Abstract: Software Architecture is the basic structure of
software that states the development and advancement of a software
system. Software architecture is also considered as a significant tool
for the construction of high quality software systems. A clean design
leads to the control, value and beauty of software resulting in its
longer life while a bad design is the cause of architectural erosion
where a software evolution completely fails. This paper discusses the
occurrence of software architecture erosion and presents a set of
methods for the detection, declaration and prevention of architecture
erosion. The causes and symptoms of architecture erosion are
observed with the examples of prescriptive and descriptive
architectures and the practices used to stop this erosion are also
discussed by considering different types of software erosion and their
affects. Consequently finding and devising the most suitable
approach for fighting software architecture erosion and in some way
reducing its affect is evaluated and tested on different scenarios.
Abstract: The paper describes a Chinese shadow play animation
system based on Kinect. Users, without any professional training, can
personally manipulate the shadow characters to finish a shadow play
performance by their body actions and get a shadow play video
through giving the record command to our system if they want. In our
system, Kinect is responsible for capturing human movement and
voice commands data. Gesture recognition module is used to control
the change of the shadow play scenes. After packaging the data from
Kinect and the recognition result from gesture recognition module,
VRPN transmits them to the server-side. At last, the server-side uses
the information to control the motion of shadow characters and video
recording. This system not only achieves human-computer interaction,
but also realizes the interaction between people. It brings an
entertaining experience to users and easy to operate for all ages. Even
more important is that the application background of Chinese shadow
play embodies the protection of the art of shadow play animation.
Abstract: This paper presents a novel design of a microstrip
fractal antenna based on the use of Sierpinski triangle shape, it’s
designed and simulated by using FR4 substrate in the operating
frequency bands (GPS, WiMAX), the design is a fractal antenna with
a modified ground structure. The proposed antenna is simulated and
validated by using CST Microwave Studio Software, the simulated
results presents good performances in term of radiation pattern and
matching input impedance.
Abstract: This paper presents observations on the early
supervised internships in Psychology, currently called basic
internships in Brazil, and its importance in professional training. The
work is an experience report and focuses on the Professional training,
illustrated by the reality of a Brazilian institution, used as a case
study. It was developed from the authors' experience as academic
supervisors of this kind of practice throughout this undergraduate
course, combined with aspects investigated in the post-doctoral
research of one of them. Theoretical references on the subject and
related national legislation are analyzed, as well as reports of students
who experienced at least one semester of this type of practice,
articulated to the observations of the authors. The results demonstrate
the importance of the early supervised internships as a way of
creating opportunities for the students of a first contact with the
professional reality and the practice of psychologists in different
fields of insertion, preparing them for further experiments that require
more involvement in activities of training and practices in
Psychology.
Abstract: Logistics distributors face the issue of having to
provide increasing service levels while being forced to reduce costs at
the same time. Same-day delivery, quick order processing and rapidly
growing ranges of articles are only some of the prevailing challenges.
One key aspect of the performance of an intra-logistics system is how
often and in which amplitude congestions and dysfunctions affect the
processing operations. By gaining knowledge of the so called
‘performance availability’ of such a system during the planning stage,
oversizing and wasting can be reduced whereas planning
transparency is increased. State of the art for the determination of this
KPI is simulation studies. However, their structure and therefore their
results may vary unforeseeably. This article proposes a concept for
the establishment of ‘certified’ and hence reliable and comparable
simulation models.
Abstract: The paper involves a chain of activities from
synthesis, establishment of the methodology for characterization and
testing of novel protective materials through the pilot production and
application on model supports.
It summarizes the results regarding the development of the pilot
production protocol for newly developed self-cleaning materials. The
optimization of the production parameters was completed in order to
improve the most important functional properties (mineralogy
characteristics, particle size, self-cleaning properties and
photocatalytic activity) of the newly designed nanocomposite
material.
Abstract: This study investigates how AlGaAs/GaAs thin film
solar cells perform under varying global solar spectrum due to the
changes of environmental parameters such as the air mass and the
atmospheric turbidity. The solar irradiance striking the solar cell is
simulated using the spectral irradiance model SMARTS2 (Simple
Model of the Atmospheric Radiative Transfer of Sunshine) for clear
skies on the site of Setif (Algeria). The results show a reduction in the
short circuit current due to increasing atmospheric turbidity, it is
63.09% under global radiation. However increasing air mass leads to
a reduction in the short circuit current of 81.73%. The efficiency
decreases with increasing atmospheric turbidity and air mass.
Abstract: Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has always been of
great interest in the food and agriculture industries. The development
of prediction models has facilitated the estimation process in recent
years. In this study, 110 crude palm oil (CPO) samples were used to
build a free fatty acid (FFA) prediction model. 60% of the collected
data were used for training purposes and the remaining 40% used for
testing. The visible peaks on the NIR spectrum were at 1725 nm and
1760 nm, indicating the existence of the first overtone of C-H bands.
Principal component regression (PCR) was applied to the data in
order to build this mathematical prediction model. The optimal
number of principal components was 10. The results showed
R2=0.7147 for the training set and R2=0.6404 for the testing set.
Abstract: To develop AZ91D magnesium alloys with improved
properties, we have applied TiN and VN/TiN multilayer coatings
using DC magnetron sputter technique. Coating structure, surface
morphology, chemical bonding and corrosion resistance of coatings
were analyzed by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron
microscope (SEM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and
tafel extrapolation method, respectively. XPS analysis reveal that VN
overlayer reacts with oxygen at the VN/TiN interface and forms more
stable TiN layer. Morphological investigations and the corrosion
results show that VN/TiN multilayer thin film coatings are quite
effective to optimize the corrosion resistance of Mg alloys.
Abstract: The final step to complete the “Analytical Systems
Engineering Process” is the “Allocated Architecture” in which all
Functional Requirements (FRs) of an engineering system must be
allocated into their corresponding Physical Components (PCs). At
this step, any design for developing the system’s allocated
architecture in which no clear pattern of assigning the exclusive
“responsibility” of each PC for fulfilling the allocated FR(s) can be
found is considered a poor design that may cause difficulties in
determining the specific PC(s) which has (have) failed to satisfy a
given FR successfully. The present study utilizes the Axiomatic
Design method principles to mathematically address this problem and
establishes an “Axiomatic Model” as a solution for reaching good
alternatives for developing the allocated architecture. This study
proposes a “loss Function”, as a quantitative criterion to monetarily
compare non-ideal designs for developing the allocated architecture
and choose the one which imposes relatively lower cost to the
system’s stakeholders. For the case-study, we use the existing design
of U. S. electricity marketing subsystem, based on data provided by
the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The result for
2012 shows the symptoms of a poor design and ineffectiveness due to
coupling among the FRs of this subsystem.
Abstract: Self-compacting concrete (SCC) developed in Japan
in the late 80s has enabled the construction industry to reduce
demand on the resources, improve the work condition and also
reduce the impact of environment by elimination of the need for
compaction. Fuzzy logic (FL) approaches has recently been used to
model some of the human activities in many areas of civil
engineering applications. Especially from these systems in the model
experimental studies, very good results have been obtained. In the
present study, a model for predicting compressive strength of SCC
containing various proportions of fly ash, as partial replacement of
cement has been developed by using Fuzzy Inference System (FIS).
For the purpose of building this model, a database of experimental
data were gathered from the literature and used for training and
testing the model. The used data as the inputs of fuzzy logic models
are arranged in a format of five parameters that cover the total binder
content, fly ash replacement percentage, water content,
superplasticizer and age of specimens. The training and testing results
in the fuzzy logic model have shown a strong potential for predicting
the compressive strength of SCC containing fly ash in the considered
range.
Abstract: Machining parameters are very important in
determining the surface quality of any material. In the past decade,
some new engineering materials were developed for the
manufacturing industry which created a need to conduct an
investigation on the impact of the said parameters on their surface
roughness. Polyurethane (PU) block is widely used in the automotive
industry to manufacture parts such as checking fixtures that are used
to verify the dimensional accuracy of automotive parts. In this paper,
the design of experiment (DOE) was used to investigate on the effect
of the milling parameters on the PU block. Furthermore, an analysis
of the machined surface chemical composition was done using
scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was found that the surface
roughness of the PU block is severely affected when PU undergoes a
flood machining process instead of a dry condition. In addition the
stepover and the silicon content were found to be the most significant
parameters that influence the surface quality of the PU block.