Abstract: Cubic equations of state like Redlich–Kwong (RK)
EOS have been proved to be very reliable tools in the prediction of
phase behavior. Despite their good performance in compositional
calculations, they usually suffer from weaknesses in the predictions
of saturated liquid density. In this research, RK equation was
modified. The result of this study show that modified equation has
good agreement with experimental data.
Abstract: In this study, two kinds of nondestructive evaluation
(NDE) techniques (rebound hardness and ultrasonic pulse velocity
methods) are investigated for the effective maintenance of underwater
concrete structures. A new methodology to estimate the underwater
concrete strengths more effectively, named “artificial neural network
(ANN) – based concrete strength estimation with the combination of
rebound hardness and ultrasonic pulse velocity methods” is proposed
and verified throughout a series of experimental works.
Abstract: The efficiency of heavy metals removal from sewage
sludge in bioleaching processes with heterotrophic, chemoautotrophic
(sulphur-oxidizing) sludge cenoses and chemical leaching (in
distilled water, weakly acidic or alkaline medium) was compared.
The efficacy of heavy metals removal from sewage sludge varies
from 83 % (Zn) up to 14 % (Cr) and follows the order: Zn > Mn > Cu
> Ni > Co > Pb > Cr. The advantages of metals bioleaching process
at heterotrophic metabolism were shown. A new process for
bioconversation of sewage sludge into fertilizer at middle
temperatures after partial heavy metals removal was developed. This
process is based on enhancing vital ability of heterotrophic
microorganisms by adding easily metabolized nutrients and synthesis
of metabolites by growing sludge cenoses. These metabolites possess
the properties of heavy metals extractants and flocculants which
provide the enhancement of sludge flocks sedimentation. The process
results in biomineral fertilizer of prolonged action with immobilized
sludge bioelements. The fertilizer satisfies the EU limits for the
sewage sludge of agricultural utilization. High efficiency of the
biomineral fertilizer obtained has been demonstrated in vegetation
experiments.
Abstract: Bone Anchored Hearing Implants (BAHI) are
routinely used in patients with conductive or mixed hearing loss, e.g.
if conventional air conduction hearing aids cannot be used. New
sound processors and new fitting software now allow the adjustment
of parameters such as loudness compression ratios or maximum
power output separately. Today it is unclear, how the choice of these
parameters influences aided speech understanding in BAHI users.
In this prospective experimental study, the effect of varying the
compression ratio and lowering the maximum power output in a
BAHI were investigated.
Twelve experienced adult subjects with a mixed hearing loss
participated in this study. Four different compression ratios (1.0; 1.3;
1.6; 2.0) were tested along with two different maximum power output
settings, resulting in a total of eight different programs. Each
participant tested each program during two weeks. A blinded Latin
square design was used to minimize bias.
For each of the eight programs, speech understanding in quiet and
in noise was assessed. For speech in quiet, the Freiburg number test
and the Freiburg monosyllabic word test at 50, 65, and 80 dB SPL
were used. For speech in noise, the Oldenburg sentence test was
administered.
Speech understanding in quiet and in noise was improved
significantly in the aided condition in any program, when compared
to the unaided condition. However, no significant differences were
found between any of the eight programs. In contrast, on a subjective
level there was a significant preference for medium compression
ratios of 1.3 to 1.6 and higher maximum power output.
Abstract: A two-dimensional linear wave-body interaction problem can be solved using a desingularized integral method by placing free surface Rankine sources over calm water surface and satisfying boundary conditions at prescribed collocation points on the
calm water surface. A new free-surface Rankine source distribution scheme, determined by the intersection points of free surface and body surface, is developed to reduce numerical computation cost. Associated with this, a new treatment is given to the intersection point. The present scheme results are in good agreement with traditional numerical results and measurements.
Abstract: In this research, the TRACE/PARCS model of
Lungmen ABWR has been developed for verification of ultimate
response guideline (URG) efficiency. This ultimate measure was
named as DIVing plan, abbreviated from system depressurization,
water injection and containment venting. The simulation initial
condition is 100% rated power/100% rated core flow. This research
focuses on the estimation of the time when the fuel might be damaged
with no water injection by using TRACE/PARCS first. Then, the
effect of the reactor core isolation system (RCIC), control
depressurization and ac-independent water addition system (ACIWA),
which can provide the injection with 950 gpm are also estimated for
the station blackout (SBO) transient.
Abstract: Fuel rod analysis program transient (FRAPTRAN)
code was used to study the fuel rod performance during a postulated
large break loss of coolant accident (LBLOCA) in Maanshan nuclear
power plant (NPP). Previous transient results from thermal hydraulic
code, TRACE, with the same LBLOCA scenario, were used as input
boundary conditions for FRAPTRAN. The simulation results showed
that the peak cladding temperatures and the fuel centerline
temperatures were all below the 10CFR50.46 LOCA criteria. In
addition, the maximum hoop stress was 18 MPa and the oxide
thickness was 0.003mm for the present simulation cases, which are all
within the safety operation ranges. The present study confirms that this
analysis method, the FRAPTRAN code combined with TRACE, is an
appropriate approach to predict the fuel integrity under LBLOCA with
operational ECCS.
Abstract: We consider nonlinear uncertain systems such that a
priori information of the uncertainties is not available. For such
systems, we assume that the upper bound of the uncertainties is
represented as a Fredholm integral equation of the first kind and we
propose an adaptation law that is capable of estimating the upper
bound and design a continuous robust control which renders nonlinear
uncertain systems ultimately bounded.
Abstract: In this paper the intelligent control of full automatic car wash using a programmable logic controller (PLC) has been investigated and designed to do all steps of carwashing. The Intelligent control of full automatic carwash has the ability to identify and profile the geometrical dimensions of the vehicle chassis. Vehicle dimension identification is an important point in this control system to adjust the washing brushes position and time duration. The study also tries to design a control set for simulating and building the automatic carwash. The main purpose of the simulation is to develop criteria for designing and building this type of carwash in actual size to overcome challenges of automation. The results of this research indicate that the proposed method in process control not only increases productivity, speed, accuracy and safety but also reduce the time and cost of washing based on dynamic model of the vehicle. A laboratory prototype based on an advanced intelligent control has been built to study the validity of the design and simulation which it’s appropriate performance confirms the validity of this study.
Abstract: In this paper, we present an autonomous guidance service by combinating the position information
from NFC and the orientation information from 6 a 6 axis acceleration and
terrestrial magnetism sensor. We developed an algorithm to calculate the device orientation
based on the data from acceleration and terrestrial magnetism sensor.With this function,
a autonomous guidance service can be provided, according the visitors's position and orientation.
This service may be convient for old people or disables or children.
Abstract: PH, temperature and time of extraction of each stage,
agitation speed and delay time between stages effect on efficiency of
zinc extraction from concentrate. In this research, efficiency of zinc
extraction was predicted as a function of mentioned variable by
artificial neural networks (ANN). ANN with different layer was
employed and the result show that the networks with 8 neurons in
hidden layer has good agreement with experimental data.
Abstract: Green mussels (Perna viridis) can effectively remove
nutrients from seawater through their filtration process. This study
aims to estimate “net” nutrient removal rate by green mussel through
calculation of nutrient uptake and release. Nutrients (carbon, nitrogen
and phosphorus) uptake was calculated based on the mussel filtration
rate. Nutrient release was evaluated from carbon, nitrogen and
phosphorus released as mussel faeces. By subtracting nutrient release
from nutrient uptake, net nutrient removal by green mussel can be
found as 3302, 380 and 124 mg/year/indv. Mass balance model was
employed to simulate nutrient removal in actual green mussel
farming conditions. Mussels farm area, seawater flow rate, and
amount of mussels were considered in the model. Results show that
although larger quantity of green mussel farms lead to higher nutrient
removal rate, the maximum green mussel cultivation should be taken
into consideration as nutrients released through mussel excretion can
strongly affect marine ecosystem.
Abstract: Market institutions extension within transit societies
contributes to constituting the new type of middle class and
households livelihood strategies. The middle class households as an
example of prosperity in many cases encourage the ordinary ones to
do the same economic actions. Therefore, practices of using market
institutions by middle class households in transit societies, which are
mostly characterized by huge influence of traditional attitudes, can
carry habitual features for the whole society. Market institutions
consumption habit of the middle class households makes them
trendsetters of economic habits of other households while adapting to
the market economy. Moreover different social-economic positions
of households lead them to different consuming results such as
worsening or improving household economy due to indebtedness.
Abstract: Although a lot of importance has been given to resistance analysis for various vessel types, explicit guidelines applied to multihull vessels have not been clearly defined. The purpose of this investigation is to highlight the importance of the vessel’s layout in terms of three axes, the transverse (separation), the longitudinal (stagger) and the vertical (draught) with respect to resistance analysis. When a vessel has the potential to experience less resistance at a particular range of speeds a vast selection of opportunities are made available for both the commercial and leisure market.
Abstract: Progressive collapse of buildings typically occurs
when abnormal loading conditions cause local damages, which leads
to a chain reaction of failure and ultimately catastrophic collapse. The
tie force (TF) method is one of the main design approaches for
progressive collapse. As the TF method is a simplified method, further
investigations on the reliability of the method is necessary. This study
aims to develop an improved TF method to design the cross wall
structures for progressive collapse. To this end, the pullout behavior of
strands in grout was firstly analyzed; and then, by considering the tie
force-slip relationship in the friction stage together with the catenary
action mechanism, a comprehensive analytical method was developed.
The reliability of this approach is verified by the experimental results
of concrete block pullout tests and full scale floor-to-floor joints tests
undertaken by Portland Cement Association (PCA). Discrepancies in
the tie force between the analytical results and codified specifications
have suggested the deficiency of TF method, hence an improved
model based on the analytical results has been proposed to address this
concern.
Abstract: This paper was prepared to see the perceptions of online lectures regarding collaborative learning, in terms of how lecturers view online collaborative learning in the higher learning institution. The purpose of this study was conducted to determine the perceptions of online lectures about collaborative learning, especially how lecturers see online collaborative learning in the university. Adult learning education enhance collaborative learning culture with the target of involving learners in the learning process to make teaching and learning more effective and open at the university. This will finally make students learning that will assist each other. It is also to cut down the pressure of loneliness and isolation might felt among adult learners. Their ways in collaborative online was also determined. In this paper, researchers collect data using questionnaires instruments. The collected data were analyzed and interpreted. By analyzing the data, researchers report the results according the proof taken from the respondents. Results from the study, it is not only dependent on the lecturer but also a student to shape a good collaborative learning practice. Rational concepts and pattern to achieve these targets be clear right from the beginning and may be good seen by a number of proposals submitted and include how the higher learning institution has trained with ongoing lectures online. Advantages of online collaborative learning show that lecturers should be trained effectively. Studies have seen that the lecturer aware of online collaborative learning. This positive attitude will encourage the higher learning institution to continue to give the knowledge and skills required.
Abstract: This article deals with the carbon nanotubes (CNT) synthesized from a novel precursor, sugar cane and Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO). The objective was to produce CNTs to be used as catalyst supports for Proton Exchange Membranes. The influence of temperature, inert gas flow rate and concentration of the precursor is presented. The CNTs prepared were characterized using TEM, XRD, Raman Spectroscopy, and the surface area determined by BET. The results show that it is possible to form CNT from sugar cane by pyrolysis and the CNTs are the type multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The MWCNTs are short and closed at the two ends with very small surface area of SBET= 3.691m,/g.
Abstract: Extreme rainfall frequency analysis for Meteorological Sub-Division 4 of India was analyzed using L-moments approach. Serial Correlation and Mann Kendall tests were conducted for checking serially independent and stationarity of the observations. The discordancy measure for the sites was conducted to detect the discordant sites. The regional homogeneity was tested by comparing with 500 generated homogeneous regions using a 4 parameter Kappa distribution. The best fit distribution was selected based on ZDIST statistics and L-moments ratio diagram from the five extreme value distributions GPD, GLO, GEV, P3 and LP3. The LN3 distribution was selected and regional rainfall frequency relationship was established using index-rainfall procedure. A regional mean rainfall relationship was developed using multiple linear regression with latitude and longitude of the sites as variables.
Abstract: This study aims to determine change in optimal locations of dual trailing-edge flaps for various thrust coefficient to solidity (Ct /σ) ratios of helicopter to achieve minimum hub vibration levels, with low penalty in terms of required trailing-edge flap control power. Polynomial response functions are used to approximate hub vibration and flap power objective functions. Single objective and multiobjective optimization is carried with the objective of minimizing hub vibration and flap power. The optimization result shows that the inboard flap location at low Ct /σ ratio move farther from the baseline value and at high Ct /σ ratio move towards the root of the blade for minimizing hub vibration.
Abstract: New developed approach for Functional Cost Analysis (FCA) based on virtual prototyping (VP) models in CAD/CAE environment, applicable and necessary in developing new products is presented. It is instrument for improving the value of the product while maintaining costs and/or reducing the costs of the product without reducing value. Five broad classes of VP methods are identified. Efficient use of prototypes in FCA is a vital activity that can make the difference between successful and unsuccessful entry of new products into the competitive word market. Successful realization of this approach is illustrated for a specific example using press joint power tool.