Abstract: In this study, a three-dimensional haptotaxis model to simulate the migration of a population of cancer cells has been proposed. The invasion of cancer cells is related with the hapto-attractant and the effect of the interface energies between the cells and the ECM. The diffuse interface model, which incorporates the haptotaxis mechanism and interface energies, is employed. The semi-implicit Fourier spectral scheme is adopted for efficient evaluation of the simulation. The simulation results thoroughly reveal the dynamics of cancer-cell migration.
Abstract: The sonochemical decolorization and degradation of azo dye Methyl violet using Fenton-s reagent in the presence of a high-frequency acoustic field has been investigated. Dyeing and textile effluents are the major sources of azo dyes, and are most troublesome among industrial wastewaters, causing imbalance in the eco-system. The effect of various operating conditions (initial concentration of dye, liquid-phase temperature, ultrasonic power and frequency and process time) on sonochemical degradation was investigated. Conversion was found to increase with increase in initial concentration, temperature, power level and frequency. Both horntype and tank-type sonicators were used, at various power levels (250W, 400W and 500W) for frequencies ranging from 20 kHz - 1000 kHz. A 'Process Intensification' parameter PI, was defined to quantify the enhancement of the degradation reaction by ultrasound when compared to control (i.e., without ultrasound). The present work clearly demonstrates that a high-frequency ultrasonic bath can be used to achieve higher process throughput and energy efficiency at a larger scale of operation.
Abstract: To produce sugar and ethanol, sugarcane processing
generates several agricultural residues, being straw and bagasse is
considered as the main among them. And what to do with this
residues has been subject of many studies and experiences in an
industry that, in recent years, highlighted by the ability to transform
waste into valuable products such as electric power. Cellulose is the
main component of these materials. It is the most common organic
polymer and represents about 1.5 x 1012 tons of total production of
biomass per year and is considered an almost inexhaustible source of
raw material. Pretreatment with mineral acids is one of the most
widely used as stage of cellulose extraction from lignocellulosic
materials for solubilizing most of the hemicellulose content. This
study had as goal to find the best reaction time of sugarcane bagasse
pretreatment with sulfuric acid in order to minimize the losses of
cellulose concomitantly with the highest possible removal of
hemicellulose and lignin. It was found that the best time for this
reaction was 40 minutes, in which it was reached a loss of
hemicelluloses around 70% and lignin and cellulose, around 15%.
Over this time, it was verified that the cellulose loss increased and
there was no loss of lignin and hemicellulose.
Abstract: This paper studies mechanical buckling of
functionally graded beams subjected to axial compressive load that is
simply supported at both ends lies on a continuous elastic foundation.
The displacement field of beam is assumed based on Engesser-Timoshenko beam theory. Applying the Hamilton's principle, the
equilibrium equation is established. The influences of dimensionless geometrical parameter, functionally graded index and foundation
coefficient on the critical buckling load of beam are presented. To investigate the accuracy of the present analysis, a compression study
is carried out with a known data.
Abstract: In this work, we study elliptic divisibility sequences
over finite fields. Morgan Ward in [14], [15] gave arithmetic theory
of elliptic divisibility sequences and formulas for elliptic divisibility
sequences with rank two over finite field Fp. We study elliptic
divisibility sequences with rank three, four and five over a finite field
Fp, where p > 3 is a prime and give general terms of these sequences
and then we determine elliptic and singular curves associated with
these sequences.
Abstract: One of the efficient factors in comprehensive
development of an area is to provide water sources and on the other
hand the appropriate management of them. Population growth and
nourishment security for such a population necessitate the
achievement of constant development besides the reforming of
traditional management in order to increase the profit of sources; In
this case, the constant exploitation of sources for the next generations
will be considered in this program. The achievement of this
development without the consideration and possibility of water
development will be too difficult. Zayanderood basin with 41500
areas in square kilometers contains 7 sub-basins and 20 units of
hydrologic. In this basin area, from the entire environment
descending, just a small part will enter into the river currents and the
rest will be out of efficient usage by various ways. The most
important surface current of this basin is Zayanderood River with
403 kilometers length which is originated from east slopes of Zagros
mount and after draining of this basin area it will enter into
Gaavkhooni pond. The existence of various sources and
consumptions of water in Zayanderood basin, water transfer of the
other basin areas into this basin, of course the contradiction between
the upper and lower beneficiaries, the existence of worthwhile
natural ecosystems such as Gaavkhooni swamp in this basin area and
finally, the drought condition and lack of water in this area all
necessitate the existence of comprehensive management of water
sources in this central basin area of Iran as this method is a kind of
management which considers the development and the management
of water sources as an equilibrant way to increase the economical
and social benefits. In this study, it is tried to survey the network of
surface water sources of basin in upper and lower sections; at the
most, according to the difficulties and deficiencies of an efficient
management of water sources in this basin area, besides the
difficulties of water draining and the destructive phenomenon of
flood-water, the appropriate guidelines according to the region
conditions are presented in order to prevent the deviation of water in
upper sections and development of regions in lower sections of
Zayanderood dam.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the most satisfying and frustrating aspects of ICT (Information and Communications Technologies) teaching in Turkish schools. Another aim was to compare these aspects based-on ICT teachers- selfefficacy. Participants were 119 ICT teachers from different geographical areas of Turkey. Participants were asked to list salient satisfying and frustrating aspects of ICT teaching, and to fill out the Self-Efficacy Scale for ICT Teachers. Results showed that the high self-efficacy teachers listed more positive and negative aspects of ICT teaching then did the low self-efficacy teachers. The satisfying aspects of ICT teaching were the dynamic nature of ICT subject, higher student interest, having opportunity to help other subject teachers, and lecturing in well-equipped labs, whereas the most frequently cited frustrating aspects of ICT teaching were ICT-related extra works of schools and colleagues, shortages of hardware and technical problems, indifferent students, insufficient teaching time, and the status of ICT subject in school curriculum. This information could be useful in redesigning ICT teachers- roles and responsibilities as well as job environment in schools.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to determine the basic information and communication technology (ICT) skills that may be needed by students studying in the 8th grade of the primary education in their cooperative project works implemented via the Internet. Within the scope of the study, the curriculum used for European Computer Driving License (ECDL) and the curriculum used in Turkey are also compared in terms of the ability to use ICT, which is aimed to be provided to the students. The research population of the study, during which the pre test – post test control group experimental model was used, consisted of 40 students from three different schools. In the first stage of the study, the skills that might be needed by students for their cooperative project works implemented via the Internet were determined through examination of the completed Comenious, e – twinning and WorldLinks projects. In the second stage of the study, the curriculums of the Turkish Ministry of National Education (MEB) and ECDL were evaluated by seven different teachers in line with these skills. Also in this study the ECDL and MEB curriculums were compared in terms of capability to provide the skills to implement cooperative projects via the Internet. In line with the findings of the study, the skills that might be needed by students to implement cooperative projects via the Internet were outlined, and existence of a significant difference was established in favor of the ECDL curriculum upon comparison of both curriculums in accordance with this outline (U = 50,500; p
Abstract: This study employs auto-regressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds approach to cointegration for long run and errorcorrection modeling (ECM) for short run analysis to examine the relationship between revenue gap and economic growth for Pakistan using annual time series data over the period 1980 to 2008. The short and long run results indicate that revenue gap is statistical significant and negatively effect economic growth. The significant and negative coefficient of error correction term in ECM indicates that after a shock, the long rum equilibrium will again converge towards equilibrium about 10.406 percent within a year.
Abstract: The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of adding coal to obtain insulating ceramic product. The preparation of mixtures is achieved with 04 types of different masse compositions, consisting of gray and yellow clay, and coal. Analyses are performed on local raw materials by adding coal as additive. The coal content varies from 5 to 20 % in weight by varying the size of coal particles ranging from 0.25mm to 1.60mm.
Initially, each natural moisture content of a raw material has been determined at the temperature of 105°C in a laboratory oven. The Influence of low-coal content on absorption, the apparent density, the contraction and the resistance during compression have been evaluated. The experimental results showed that the optimized composition could be obtained by adding 10% by weight of coal leading thus to insulating ceramic products with water absorption, a density and resistance to compression of 9.40 %, 1.88 g/cm3, 35.46 MPa, respectively. The results show that coal, when mixed with traditional raw materials, offers the conditions to be used as an additive in the production of lightweight ceramic products.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of computer–based instructional designs, namely modality and redundancy principles on the attitude and learning of music theory among primary pupils of different Music Intelligence levels. The lesson of music theory was developed in three different modes, audio and image (AI), text with image (TI) and audio with image and text (AIT). The independent variables were the three modes of courseware. The moderator variable was music intelligence. The dependent variables were the post test score. ANOVA was used to determine the significant differences of the pretest scores among the three groups. Analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) and Post hoc were carried out to examine the main effects as well as the interaction effects of the independent variables on the dependent variables. High music intelligence pupils performed significantly better than low music intelligence pupils in all the three treatment modes. The AI mode was found to help pupils with low music intelligence significantly more than the TI and AIT modes.
Abstract: Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) is one of the various
methods that can be used to reduce the carbon footprint of the
energy sector. This paper focuses on the absorption of CO2 from
flue gas using packed columns, whose efficiency is highly dependent
on the structure of the liquid films within the column. To study the
characteristics of liquid films a CFD solver, OpenFOAM is utilised
to solve two-phase, isothermal film flow using the volume-of-fluid
(VOF) method. The model was validated using existing experimental
data and the Nusselt theory. It was found that smaller plate inclination
angles, with respect to the horizontal plane, resulted in larger wetted
areas on smooth plates. However, only a slight improvement in
the wetted area was observed. Simulations were also performed
using a ridged plate and it was observed that these surface textures
significantly increase the wetted area of the plate. This was mainly
attributed to the channelling effect of the ridges, which helped to
oppose the surface tension forces trying to minimise the surface area.
Rivulet formations on the ridged plate were also flattened out and
spread across a larger proportion of the plate width.
Abstract: This study explored the relationship between
psychological traits, demographics and financial behavioral biases for
individual investors in Taiwan stock market. By using questionnaire
survey method conducted in 2010, there are 554 valid convenient
samples collected to examine the determinants of three types of
behavioral biases. Based on literature review, two hypothesized
models are constructed and further used to evaluate the effects of big
five personality traits and demographic variables on investment biases
through Structural Equation Model (SEM) analysis. The results
showed that investment biases of individual investors are significantly
related to four personality traits as well as some demographics.
Abstract: Extraction of Fe(III) from aqueous solution using Trin-
butyl Phosphate (TBP) as carrier needs a highly acidic medium
(>6N) as it favours formation of chelating complex FeCl3.TBP.
Similarly, stripping of Iron(III) from loaded organic solvents requires
neutral pH or alkaline medium to dissociate the same complex. It is
observed that TBP co-extracts acids along with metal, which causes
reversal of driving force of extraction and iron(III) is re-extracted
back from the strip phase into the feed phase during Liquid Emulsion
Membrane (LEM) pertraction. Therefore, rate of extraction of
different mineral acids (HCl, HNO3, H2SO4) using TBP with and
without presence of metal Fe(III) was examined. It is revealed that in
presence of metal acid extraction is enhanced. Determination of mass
transfer coefficient of both acid and metal extraction was performed
by using Bulk Liquid Membrane (BLM). The average mass transfer
coefficient was obtained by fitting the derived model equation with
experimentally obtained data. The mass transfer coefficient of the
mineral acid extraction is in the order of kHNO3 = 3.3x10-6m/s > kHCl =
6.05x10-7m/s > kH2SO4 = 1.85x10-7m/s. The distribution equilibria of
the above mentioned acids between aqueous feed solution and a
solution of tri-n-butyl-phosphate (TBP) in organic solvents have been
investigated. The stoichiometry of acid extraction reveals the
formation of TBP.2HCl, HNO3.2TBP, and TBP.H2SO4 complexes.
Moreover, extraction of Iron(III) by TBP in HCl aqueous solution
forms complex FeCl3.TBP.2HCl while in HNO3 medium forms
complex 3FeCl3.TBP.2HNO3
Abstract: Single crystals of Magnesium alloys such as Mg-1Al,
Mg-1Zn-0.5Y, Mg-3Li, and AZ31 alloys were successfully fabricated in this study by employing the modified Bridgman method. Single
crystals of pure Mg were also made in this study. To determine the exact orientation of crystals, Laue back-reflection method and pole figure measurement were carried out on each single crystal. Dimensions of single crystals were 10 mm in diameter and 120 mm in
length. Hardness and compression tests were conducted and the results
revealed that hardness and the strength strongly depended on the
orientation. The closer to basal one the orientation was, the higher hardness and compressive strength were. The effect of alloying was
not higher than that of orientation. After compressive deformation of single crystals, the orientation of the crystals was found to rotate and to be parallel to the basal orientation.
Abstract: Many commercial processes are available for the
removal of H2S from gaseous streams. The desulfurization of gas
streams using aqueous ferric sulfate solution as washing liquor is
studied. Apart from sulfur, only H2O is generated in the process, and
consequently, no waste treatment facilities are required. A distinct
advantage of the process is that the reaction of H2S with is so rapid
and complete that there remains no danger of discharging toxic waste
gas. In this study, the reactive absorption of hydrogen sulfide into
aqueous ferric sulfate solution has been studied and design
calculations for equipments have been done and effective operation
parameters on this process considered. Results show that high
temperature and low pressure are suitable for absorption reaction.
Variation of hydrogen sulfide concentration and Fe3+ concentration
with time in absorption reaction shown that the reaction of ferric
sulfate and hydrogen sulfide is first order with respect to the both
reactant. At low Fe2(SO4)3 concentration the absorption rate of H2S
increase with increasing the Fe2(SO4)3 concentration. At higher
concentration a decrease in the absorption rate was found. At higher
concentration of Fe2(SO4)3, the ionic strength and viscosity of
solution increase remarkably resulting in a decrease of solubility,
diffusivity and hence absorption rate.
Abstract: α-Pinene is the main component of the most
turpentine oils. The hydration of α-pinene with acid catalysts leads to
a complex mixture of monoterpenes. In order to obtain more valuable
products, the α-pinene in the turpentine can be hydrated in dilute
mineral acid solutions to produce α-terpineol. The design of
separation processes requires information on phase equilibrium and
related thermodynamic properties. This paper reports the results of
study on liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE) of system containing α-
pinene + water and α-terpineol + water.
Binary LLE for α-pinene + water system, and α-terpineol + water
systems were determined by experiment at 301K and atmospheric
pressure. The two component mixture was stirred for about 30min,
then the mixture was left for about 2h for complete phase separation.
The composition of both phases was analyzed by using a Gas
Chromatograph. The experimental data were correlated by
considering both NRTL and UNIQUAC activity coefficient models.
The LLE data for the system of α-pinene + water and α-terpineol +
water were correlated successfully by the NRTL model. The
experimental data were not satisfactorily fitted by the UNIQUAC
model. The NRTL model (α =0.3) correlates the LLE data for the
system of α-pinene + water at 301K with RMSD of 0.0404%. And
the NRTL model (α =0.61) at 301K with RMSD of 0.0058 %. The
NRTL model (α =0.3) correlates the LLE data for the system of α-
terpineol + water at 301K with RMSD of 0.1487% and the NRTL
model (α =0.6) at 301K with RMSD of 0.0032%, between the
experimental and calculated mole fractions.
Abstract: This study mainly aims at assessing the level of
microbial pollution of the water used in the chair system in dental
clinics. For this purpose 36 samples have been randomly collected
from a number of dental surgeries in the city of Tripoli in Libya.
However, 32 of the samples have tested positive to microbial
pollution including 13 of the samples, which have tested positives to
Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Based on the results of the test a further
investigation of the biofilms incorporated within the dental chair
system has been conducted. The laboratory tests of biofilms with
similar design to those found in dental chairs have proved that
bacterial pollution takes place through saliva of the patients who use
the chairs, and that this saliva is rich with nutrients which provides a
suitable breeding ground for all types of bacteria.
Abstract: This paper introduces the foundations of Bayesian probability theory and Bayesian decision method. The main goal of Bayesian decision theory is to minimize the expected loss of a decision or minimize the expected risk. The purposes of this study are to review the decision process on the issue of flood occurrences and to suggest possible process for decision improvement. This study examines the problem structure of flood occurrences and theoretically explicates the decision-analytic approach based on Bayesian decision theory and application to flood occurrences in Environmental Engineering. In this study, we will discuss about the flood occurrences upon an annual maximum water level in cm, 43-year record available from 1965 to 2007 at the gauging station of Sagaing on the Ayeyarwady River with the drainage area - 120193 sq km by using Bayesian decision method. As a result, we will discuss the loss and risk of vast areas of agricultural land whether which will be inundated or not in the coming year based on the two standard maximum water levels during 43 years. And also we forecast about that lands will be safe from flood water during the next 10 years.
Abstract: In this paper a combination approach of two heuristic-based algorithms: genetic algorithm and tabu search is proposed. It has been developed to obtain the least cost based on the split-pipe design of looped water distribution network. The proposed combination algorithm has been applied to solve the three well-known water distribution networks taken from the literature. The development of the combination of these two heuristic-based algorithms for optimization is aimed at enhancing their strengths and compensating their weaknesses. Tabu search is rather systematic and deterministic that uses adaptive memory in search process, while genetic algorithm is probabilistic and stochastic optimization technique in which the solution space is explored by generating candidate solutions. Split-pipe design may not be realistic in practice but in optimization purpose, optimal solutions are always achieved with split-pipe design. The solutions obtained in this study have proved that the least cost solutions obtained from the split-pipe design are always better than those obtained from the single pipe design. The results obtained from the combination approach show its ability and effectiveness to solve combinatorial optimization problems. The solutions obtained are very satisfactory and high quality in which the solutions of two networks are found to be the lowest-cost solutions yet presented in the literature. The concept of combination approach proposed in this study is expected to contribute some useful benefits in diverse problems.