Abstract: The use of engineered nanomaterials has increased as
a result of their positive impact on many sectors of the economy,
including agriculture. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are now used to
enhance seed germination, plant growth, and photosynthetic quantum
efficiency and as antimicrobial agents to control plant diseases. In
this study, we examined the effect of AgNP dosage on the seed
germination of three plant species: corn (Zea mays L.), watermelon
(Citrullus lanatus [Thunb.] Matsum. & Nakai) and zucchini
(Cucurbita pepo L.). This experiment was designed to study the
effect of AgNPs on germination percentage, germination rate, mean
germination time, root length and fresh and dry weight of seedlings
for the three species. Seven concentrations (0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2
and 2.5 mg/ml) of AgNPs were examined at the seed germination
stage. The three species had different dose responses to AgNPs in
terms of germination parameters and the measured growth
characteristics. The germination rates of the three plants were
enhanced in response to AgNPs. Significant enhancement of the
germination percentage values was observed after treatment of the
watermelon and zucchini plants with AgNPs in comparison with
untreated seeds. AgNPs showed a toxic effect on corn root
elongation, whereas watermelon and zucchini seedling growth were
positively affected by certain concentrations of AgNPs. This study
showed that exposure to AgNPs caused both positive and negative
effects on plant growth and germination.
Abstract: Micro-electromechanical system (MEMS)
accelerometers and gyroscopes are suitable for the inertial navigation
system (INS) of many applications due to low price, small
dimensions and light weight. The main disadvantage in a comparison
with classic sensors is a worse long term stability. The estimation
accuracy is mostly affected by the time-dependent growth of inertial
sensor errors, especially the stochastic errors. In order to eliminate
negative effects of these random errors, they must be accurately
modeled. In this paper, the Allan variance technique will be used in
modeling the stochastic errors of the inertial sensors. By performing
a simple operation on the entire length of data, a characteristic curve
is obtained whose inspection provides a systematic characterization
of various random errors contained in the inertial-sensor output data.
Abstract: Roadway planning and design is a very complex
process involving five key phases before a project is completed;
planning, project development, final design, right-of-way, and
construction. The planning phase for a new roadway transportation
project is a very critical phase as it greatly affects all latter phases of
the project. A location study is usually performed during the
preliminary planning phase in a new roadway project. The objective
of the location study is to develop alignment alternatives that are cost
efficient considering land acquisition and construction costs. This
paper describes a methodology to develop optimal preliminary
roadway alignments utilizing spatial-data. Four optimization criteria
are taken into consideration; roadway length, land cost, land slope,
and environmental impacts. The basic concept of the methodology is
to convert the proposed project area into a grid, which represents the
search space for an optimal alignment. The aforementioned
optimization criteria are represented in each of the grid’s cells. A
spatial-data optimization technique is utilized to find the optimal
alignment in the search space based on the four optimization criteria.
Two case studies for new roadway projects in Duval County in the
State of Florida are presented to illustrate the methodology. The
optimization output alignments are compared to the proposed Florida
Department of Transportation (FDOT) alignments. The comparison is
based on right-of-way costs for the alignments. For both case studies,
the right-of-way costs for the developed optimal alignments were
found to be significantly lower than the FDOT alignments.
Abstract: In this paper, an analytical simplified method for
calculating elasto-plastic stresses strains of notched bodies subject to
non-proportional loading paths is discussed. The method was based
on the Neuber notch correction, which relates the incremental elastic
and elastic-plastic strain energy densities at the notch root and the
material constitutive relationship. The validity of the method was
presented by comparing computed results of the proposed model
against finite element numerical data of notched shaft. The
comparison showed that the model estimated notch-root elasto-plastic
stresses strains with good accuracy using linear-elastic stresses. The
prosed model provides more efficient and simple analysis method
preferable to expensive experimental component tests and more
complex and time consuming incremental non-linear FE analysis.
The model is particularly suitable to perform fatigue life and fatigue
damage estimates of notched components subjected to nonproportional
loading paths.
Abstract: We have designed wavelength conversion based on
four wave mixing in an optical fiber at 10 Gb/s. The power of
converted signal increases with increase in signal power. The
converted signal power is investigated as a function of input signal
power and pump power. On comparison of converted signal power at
different value of input signal power, we observe that best converted
signal power is obtained at -2 dBm input signal power for both up
conversion as well as for down conversion. Further, FWM efficiency,
quality factor is observed for increase in input signal power and
optical fiber length.
Abstract: Egg yolk oil is a natural source of bioactive
compounds such as unsaturated fatty acids, oil soluble vitamins,
pigments and others. Bioactive compound content in egg yolk oil
depends from its content in eggs, from which oil was extracted. Many
studies show that bioactive compound content in egg is correlated to
the content of these compounds in hen feed, but there is also an
opinion that hen housing systems also have influence on egg
chemical content. The aim of this study was to determine which
factor, laying hen housing system or hen diet, has a primary influence
on bioactive compound content in egg yolk oil. The egg yolk oil was
extracted from eggs obtained from 4 different hen housing systems:
cage, barn and two groups of free range. All hens were fed with
commercially produced compound feed except one group of free
range hens which get free diet – pastured hens. Extracted egg yolk
oils were analyzed for fatty acids, oil soluble vitamins and β-carotene
content. α-tocopherol, ergocalcipherol and polyunsaturated fatty acid
content in egg yolk oil was higher from eggs obtained from all
housing systems where hens were fed with commercial compound
feed. β-carotene and retinol content in egg yolk oils from free range
free diet eggs was significantly (p>0.05) higher that from other eggs
because hens have access to green forage. Hen physical activity in
free range housing systems decreases content of some bioactive
compound in egg yolk oil.
Abstract: This paper is part of a study to develop robots for
farming. As such power requirement to operate equipment attach to
such robots become an important factor. Soil-tool interaction plays
major role in power consumption, thus predicting accurately the
forces which act on the blade during the farming is very important for
optimal designing of farm equipment. In this paper, a finite element
investigation for tillage tools and soil interaction is described by
using an inelastic constitutive material law for agriculture
application. A 3-dimensional (3D) nonlinear finite element analysis
(FEA) is developed to examine behavior of a blade with different
rake angles moving in a block of soil, and to estimate the blade force.
The soil model considered is an elastic-plastic with non-associated
Drucker-Prager material model. Special use of contact elements are
employed to consider connection between soil-blade and soil-soil
surfaces. The FEA results are compared with experimental ones,
which show good agreement in accurately predicting draft forces
developed on the blade when it moves through the soil. Also a very
good correlation was obtained between FEA results and analytical
results from classical soil mechanics theories for straight blades.
These comparisons verified the FEA model developed. For analyzing
complicated soil-tool interactions and for optimum design of blades,
this method will be useful.
Abstract: Transmission shafts are affected by various forces, for
example, during acceleration or sudden breaks, bending during
transportation, vertical forces that lead to cuts. One of the main
failures in combines is breaking shaft which repairmen refer it.
Structural resistance of canal against torque is very important in the
beginning of the movement. For analyzing stress, a typical sample
from a type of combine was selected, called JD955 combine. Long
shaft in this combine was analyzed with finite element method by
Ansys13 generic package under static load. Conducted analysis
showed that there is a maximum stress in contact surfaces of
indentations and also in place of changing diameter. Safety factor
value is low in parts of the shaft and this increases the probability of
failure at these points. To improve the conditions with the least cost
and an approach of product improvement, using alternative alloy is
important.
Abstract: Grid is an environment with millions of resources
which are dynamic and heterogeneous in nature. A computational
grid is one in which the resources are computing nodes and is meant
for applications that involves larger computations. A scheduling
algorithm is said to be efficient if and only if it performs better
resource allocation even in case of resource failure. Resource
allocation is a tedious issue since it has to consider several
requirements such as system load, processing cost and time, user’s
deadline and resource failure. This work attempts in designing a
resource allocation algorithm which is cost-effective and also targets
at load balancing, fault tolerance and user satisfaction by considering
the above requirements. The proposed Budget Constrained Load
Balancing Fault Tolerant algorithm with user satisfaction (BLBFT)
reduces the schedule makespan, schedule cost and task failure rate
and improves resource utilization. Evaluation of the proposed
BLBFT algorithm is done using Gridsim toolkit and the results are
compared with the algorithms which separately concentrates on all
these factors. The comparison results ensure that the proposed
algorithm works better than its counterparts.
Abstract: This study was carried out to investigate the adverse
effect of industrial wastewater on surface water quality in Gebeng
industrial estate, Pahang, Malaysia. Surface water was collected from
six sampling stations. Physicochemical parameters were
characterized based on in-situ and ex-situ analysis according to
standard methods by American Public Health Association (APHA).
Selected heavy metals were determined by using Inductively Coupled
Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP MS). The results revealed that the
concentration of heavy metals such as Pb, Cu, Cd, Cr and Hg were
high in samples. The results also showed that the value of Pb and Hg
were higher in the wet season in comparison to dry season.
According to Malaysia National Water Quality Standard (NWQS)
and Water Quality Index (WQI) all the sampling station were
categorized as class IV (highly polluted). The present study revealed
that the adverse effects of careless disposal of wastes and directly
discharge of effluents affected on surface water quality. Therefore,
the authorities should implement the laws to ensure the proper
practices of wastewater management for environmental sustainability
around the study area.
Abstract: The Aptima® HIV-1 Quant Dx Assay is a fully
automated assay on the Panther system. It is based on Transcription-
Mediated Amplification and real time detection technologies. This
assay is intended for monitoring HIV-1 viral load in plasma
specimens and for the detection of HIV-1 in plasma and serum
specimens.
Nine-hundred and seventy nine specimens selected at random
from routine testing at St Thomas’ Hospital, London were
anonymised and used to compare the performance of the Aptima
HIV-1 Quant Dx assay and Roche COBAS® AmpliPrep/COBAS®
TaqMan® HIV-1 Test, v2.0. Two-hundred and thirty four specimens
gave quantitative HIV-1 viral load results in both assays. The
quantitative results reported by the Aptima Assay were comparable to
those reported by the Roche COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan
HIV-1 Test, v2.0 with a linear regression slope of 1.04 and an
intercept on -0.097.
The Aptima assay detected HIV-1 in more samples than the
COBAS assay. This was not due to lack of specificity of the Aptima
assay because this assay gave 99.83% specificity on testing plasma
specimens from 600 HIV-1 negative individuals. To understand the
reason for this higher detection rate a side-by-side comparison of low
level panels made from the HIV-1 3rd international standard
(NIBSC10/152) and clinical samples of various subtypes were tested
in both assays. The Aptima assay was more sensitive than the
COBAS assay.
The good sensitivity, specificity and agreement with other
commercial assays make the HIV-1 Quant Dx Assay appropriate for
both viral load monitoring and detection of HIV-1 infections.
Abstract: This paper is focused on the CFD simulation of the radiaxial pump (i.e. mixed flow pump) with the aim to detect the reasons of Y-Q characteristic instability. The main reasons of pressure pulsations were detected by means of the analysis of velocity and pressure fields within the pump combined with the theoretical approach. Consequently, the modifications of spiral case and pump suction area were made based on the knowledge of flow conditions and the shape of dissipation function. The primary design of pump geometry was created as the base model serving for the comparison of individual modification influences. The basic experimental data are available for this geometry. This approach replaced the more complicated and with respect to convergence of all computational tasks more difficult calculation for the compressible liquid flow. The modification of primary pump consisted in inserting the three fins types. Subsequently, the evaluation of pressure pulsations, specific energy curves and visualization of velocity fields were chosen as the criterion for successful design.
Abstract: Family has a crucial role in maintaining the
physical, social and mental health of the children. Most of the
mental and anxiety problems of children reflect the complex
interpersonal situations among family members, especially parents.
In other words, anxiety problems of the children are correlated
with deficit relationships of family members and improper
childrearing styles. The parental child rearing styles leads to
positive and negative consequences which affect the children’s
mental health. Therefore, the present research was aimed to
compare the parental childrearing styles and anxiety of children
with stuttering and normal population. It was also aimed to study
the relationship between parental child rearing styles and anxiety
of children. The research sample included 54 boys with stuttering
and 54 normal boys who were selected from the children (boys) of
Tehran, Iran in the age range of 5 to 8 years in 2013. In order to
collect data, Baum-rind Childrearing Styles Inventory and Spence
Parental Anxiety Inventory were used. Appropriate descriptive
statistical methods and multivariate variance analysis and t test for
independent groups were used to test the study hypotheses.
Statistical data analyses demonstrated that there was a significant
difference between stuttering boys and normal boys in anxiety (t =
7.601, p< 0.01); but there was no significant difference between
stuttering boys and normal boys in parental childrearing styles (F =
0.129). There was also not found significant relationship between
parental childrearing styles and children anxiety (F = 0.135, p<
0.05). It can be concluded that the influential factors of children’s
society are parents, school, teachers, peers and media. So, parental
childrearing styles are not the only influential factors on anxiety of
children, and other factors including genetic, environment and
child experiences are effective in anxiety as well. Details are
discussed.
Abstract: This paper is concerned with knowledge representation
and extraction of fuzzy if-then rules using Interval Type-2
Context-based Fuzzy C-Means clustering (IT2-CFCM) with the aid of
fuzzy granulation. This proposed clustering algorithm is based on
information granulation in the form of IT2 based Fuzzy C-Means
(IT2-FCM) clustering and estimates the cluster centers by preserving
the homogeneity between the clustered patterns from the IT2 contexts
produced in the output space. Furthermore, we can obtain the
automatic knowledge representation in the design of Radial Basis
Function Networks (RBFN), Linguistic Model (LM), and Adaptive
Neuro-Fuzzy Networks (ANFN) from the numerical input-output data
pairs. We shall focus on a design of ANFN in this paper. The
experimental results on an estimation problem of energy performance
reveal that the proposed method showed a good knowledge
representation and performance in comparison with the previous
works.
Abstract: This paper presents a model for a modified T-junction
device for microspheres generation. The numerical model is
developed using a commercial software package: COMSOL
Multiphysics. In order to test the accuracy of the numerical model,
multiple variables, such as the flow rate of cross-flow, fluid properties,
structure, and geometry of the microdevice are applied. The results
from the model are compared with the experimental results in the
diameter of the microsphere generated. The comparison shows a good
agreement. Therefore the model is useful in further optimization of the
device and feedback control of microsphere generation if any.
Abstract: This paper presents experimental investigation and
finite element analysis on buckling behavior of irregular section coldformed
steel columns under axially concentric loading. For the
experimental study, four different sections of columns were tested to
investigate effect of stiffening and width-to-thickness ratio on
buckling behavior. For each of the section, three lengths of 230, 950
and 1900 mm. were studied representing short, intermediate long and
long columns, respectively. Then, nonlinear finite element analyses
of the tested columns were performed. The comparisons in terms of
load-deformation response and buckling mode show good agreement
and hence the FEM models were validated. Parametric study of
stiffening element and thickness of 1.0, 1.15, 1.2, 1.5, 1.6 and 2.0
mm. was analyzed. The test results showed that stiffening effect pays
a large contribution to prevent distortional mode. The increase in wall
thickness enhanced buckling stress beyond the yielding strength in
short and intermediate columns, but not for the long columns.
Abstract: Taking into account the significance of measuring the
daily use of the study space in the libraries in order to develop and
reorganize the space for enhancing the efficiency of the study space,
the current study aimed to apply GIS in analyzing the study halls of
the Central Library and Document Center of Tehran University in
order to determine how study desks and chairs were used by the
students. The study used a combination of survey-descriptive and
system design method. In order to gather the required data, surveydescriptive
method was used. For implementing and entering data
into ArcGIS and analyzing the data and displaying the results on the
maps of the study halls of the library, system design method was
utilized. The design of the spatial database of the use of the study
halls was measured through the extent of occupancy of the space by
the library users and the maps of the study halls of the central library
of Tehran University as the case study. The results showed that
Abooreyhan hall had the highest rate of occupancy of the desks and
chairs compared to the other halls. The Hall of Science and
Technology, with an average occupancy rate of 0.39 for the tables
represented the lowest number of users and Rashid al-Dins hall, and
Science and Technology hall with an average occupancy rate (0.40)
had the lowest number of users for seats. In this study, the
comparison of the space occupied at different periods in the morning,
evenings, afternoons, and several months was performed through
GIS. This system analyzed the space relationships effectively and
efficiently. The output of this study would be used by administrators
and librarians to determine the exact extent of use of the equipment
of the study halls and librarians can use the output map to design the
space more efficiently at the library.
Abstract: Problems insulation of building structures is often
closely connected with the problem of moisture remediation. In the
case of historic buildings or if only part of the redevelopment of
envelope of structures, it is not possible to apply the classical external
thermal insulation composite systems. This application is mostly
effective thermal insulation plasters with high porosity and controlled
capillary properties which assures improvement of thermal properties
construction, its diffusion openness towards the external environment
and suitable treatment capillary properties of preventing the
penetration of liquid moisture and salts thereof toward the outer
surface of the structure.
With respect to the current trend of reducing the energy
consumption of building structures and reduce the production of CO2
is necessary to develop capillary-active materials characterized by
their low density, low thermal conductivity while maintaining good
mechanical properties. The aim of researchers at the Faculty of Civil
Engineering, Brno University of Technology is the development and
study of hygrothermal behaviour of optimal materials for thermal
insulation and rehabilitation of building structures with the possible
use of alternative, less energy demanding binders in comparison with
conventional, frequently used binder, which represents cement.
The paper describes the evaluation of research activities aimed at
the development of thermal insulation and repair materials using
lightweight aggregate and alternative binders such as metakaolin and
finely ground fly ash.
Abstract: Phelipanche ramosa is the most damaging obligate
flowering parasitic weed on wide species of cultivated plants. The
semi-arid regions of the world are considered the main centers of this
parasitic plant that causes heavy infestation. This is due to its
production of high numbers of seeds (up to 200,000) that remain
viable for extended periods (up to 20 years). In this study, 13
treatments for the control of Phelipanche were carried out, which
included agronomic, chemical, and biological treatments and the use
of resistant plant methods. In 2014, a trial was performed at the
Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of
Foggia (southern Italy), on processing tomato (cv ‘Docet’) grown in
pots filled with soil taken from a field that was heavily infested by P.
ramosa). The tomato seedlings were transplanted on May 8, 2014,
into a sandy-clay soil (USDA). A randomized block design with 3
replicates (pots) was adopted. During the growing cycle of the
tomato, at 70, 75, 81 and 88 days after transplantation, the number of
P. ramosa shoots emerged in each pot was determined. The tomato
fruit were harvested on August 8, 2014, and the quantitative and
qualitative parameters were determined. All of the data were
subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the JMP software
(SAS Institute Inc. Cary, NC, USA), and for comparisons of means
(Tukey's tests). The data show that each treatment studied did not
provide complete control against P. ramosa. However, the virulence
of the attacks was mitigated by some of the treatments tried: radicon
biostimulant, compost activated with Fusarium, mineral fertilizer
nitrogen, sulfur, enzone, and the resistant tomato genotype. It is
assumed that these effects can be improved by combining some of
these treatments with each other, especially for a gradual and
continuing reduction of the “seed bank” of the parasite in the soil.
Abstract: In this paper, a direct power control (DPC)
strategies have been investigated in order to control a high
power AC/DC converter with time variable load. This converter
is composed of a three level three phase neutral point clamped
(NPC) converter as rectifier and an H-bridge four quadrant
current control converter. In the high power application,
controller not only must adjust the desire outputs but also
decrease the level of distortions which are injected to the network
from the converter. Regarding to this reason and nonlinearity
of the power electronic converter, the conventional controllers
cannot achieve appropriate responses. In this research, the
precise mathematical analysis has been employed to design the
appropriate controller in order to control the time variable
load. A DPC controller has been proposed and simulated using
Matlab/ Simulink. In order to verify the simulation result, a real
time simulator- OPAL-RT- has been employed. In this paper,
the dynamic response and stability of the high power NPC
with variable load has been investigated and compared with
conventional types using a real time simulator. The results proved
that the DPC controller is more stable and has more precise
outputs in comparison with conventional controller.