Abstract: For the treatment of acute and chronic lung diseases it is preferred to deliver medicaments by inhalation. The drug is delivered directly to tracheobronchial tree. This way allows the given medicament to get directly into the place of action and it makes rapid onset of action and maximum efficiency. The transport of aerosol particles in the particular part of the lung is influenced by their size, anatomy of the lungs, breathing pattern and airway resistance. This article deals with calculation of airway resistance in the lung model of Horsfield. It solves the problem of determination of the pressure losses in bifurcation and thus defines the pressure drop at a given location in the bronchial tree. The obtained data will be used as boundary conditions for transport of aerosol particles in a central part of bronchial tree realized by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach. The results obtained from CFD simulation will allow us to provide information on the required particle size and optimal inhalation technique for particle transport into particular part of the lung.
Abstract: Arising problems of countries’ public finances, social
and demographic changes motivate scientific and policy debates on
public spending size, structure and efficiency in order to meet the
changing needs of society and business. The concept of sustainable
development poses new challenges for scientists and policy-makers
in the field of public finance. This paper focuses on the investigation
of the relationship between government expenditure and country’s
economic development in the context of sustainable development.
Empirical analysis focuses on the data of the European Union (except
Croatia and Luxemburg) countries. The study covers 2003 – 2012
years, using annual cross-sectional data. Summarizing the research
results, it can be stated that governments should pay more attention to
the needs that ensure sustainable development in the long-run when
formulating public expenditure policy, particularly in the field of
environment protection.
Abstract: Stator elements «Vane diffuser + crossover + return
channel» of stages with different specific speed were investigated by
CFD calculations. The regime parameter was introduced to present
efficiency and loss coefficient performance of all elements together.
Flow structure demonstrated advantages and disadvantages of design.
Flow separation in crossovers was eliminated by its shape
modification. Efficiency increased visibly. Calculated CFD
performances are in acceptable correlation with predicted ones by
engineering design method. The information obtained is useful for
design method better calibration.
Abstract: The dielectric properties and ionic conductivity of
novel "ceramic state" polymer electrolytes for high capacity lithium
battery are characterized by Radio frequency and Microwave
methods in two broad frequency ranges from 50 Hz to 20 KHz and 4
GHz to 40 GHz. This innovative solid polymer electrolyte which is
highly ionic conductive (10-3 S/cm at room temperature) from -40oC
to +150oC can be used in any battery application. Such polymer
exhibits properties more like a ceramic rather than polymer. The
various applied measurement methods produced accurate dielectric
results for comprehensive analysis of electrochemical properties and
ion transportation mechanism of this newly invented polymer
electrolyte. Two techniques and instruments employing air gap
measurement by Capacitance Bridge and in-waveguide measurement
by vector network analyzer are applied to measure the complex
dielectric spectra. The complex dielectric spectra are used to
determine the complex alternating current electrical conductivity and
thus the ionic conductivity.
Abstract: The 6th version of Universal modeling method for
centrifugal compressor stage calculation is described. Identification
of the new mathematical model was made. As a result of
identification the uniform set of empirical coefficients is received.
The efficiency definition error is 0,86 % at a design point. The
efficiency definition error at five flow rate points (except a point of
the maximum flow rate) is 1,22 %. Several variants of the stage with
3D impellers designed by 6th version program and quasi threedimensional
calculation programs were compared by their gas
dynamic performances CFD (NUMECA FINE TURBO).
Performance comparison demonstrated general principles of design
validity and leads to some design recommendations.
Abstract: The tombolo of Giens is located in the town of Hyères
(France). We recall the history of coastal erosion, and prominent
factors affecting the evolution of the western tombolo. We then
discuss the possibility of stabilizing the western tombolo. Our
argumentation relies on a coupled model integrating swells, currents,
water levels and sediment transport. We present the conclusions of
the simulations of various scenarios, including pre-existing
propositions from coastal engineering offices. We conclude that
beach replenishment seems to be necessary but not sufficient for the
stabilization of the beach. Breakwaters reveal effective particularly in
the most exposed northern area. Some solutions fulfill conditions so
as to be elected as satisfactory. We give a comparative analysis of the
efficiency of 14 alternatives for the protection of the tombolo.
Abstract: Advanced head and neck cancers are aggressive
tumours, which require aggressive treatment. Treatment efficiency is
often hindered by cancer cell repopulation during radiotherapy,
which is due to various mechanisms triggered by the loss of tumour
cells and involves both stem and differentiated cells. The aim of the
current paper is to present in silico simulations of radiotherapy
schedules on a virtual head and neck tumour grown with biologically
realistic kinetic parameters. Using the linear quadratic formalism of
cell survival after radiotherapy, altered fractionation schedules
employing various treatment breaks for normal tissue recovery are
simulated and repopulation mechanism implemented in order to
evaluate the impact of various cancer cell contribution on tumour
behaviour during irradiation. The model has shown that the timing of
treatment breaks is an important factor influencing tumour control in
rapidly proliferating tissues such as squamous cell carcinomas of the
head and neck. Furthermore, not only stem cells but also
differentiated cells, via the mechanism of abortive division, can
contribute to malignant cell repopulation during treatment.
Abstract: Managing and improving efficiency in the current
highly competitive global automotive industry demands that those
companies adopt leaner and more flexible systems. During the past
20 years the domestic automotive industry in North America has been
focusing on establishing new management strategies in order to meet
market demands. The lean management process also known as
Toyota Manufacturing Process (TPS) or lean manufacturing
encompasses tools and techniques that were established in order to
provide the best quality product with the fastest lead time at the
lowest cost. The following paper presents a study that focused on
improving labor efficiency at one of the Big Three (Ford, GM,
Chrysler LLC) domestic automotive facility in North America. The
objective of the study was to utilize several lean management tools in
order to optimize the efficiency and utilization levels at the “Pre-
Marriage” chassis area in a truck manufacturing and assembly
facility. Utilizing three different lean tools (i.e. Standardization of
work, 7 Wastes, and 5S) this research was able to improve efficiency
by 51%, utilization by 246%, and reduce operations by 14%. The
return on investment calculated based on the improvements made
was 284%.
Abstract: Image search engines rely on the surrounding textual
keywords for the retrieval of images. It is a tedious work for the
search engines like Google and Bing to interpret the user’s search
intention and to provide the desired results. The recent researches
also state that the Google image search engines do not work well on
all the images. Consequently, this leads to the emergence of efficient
image retrieval technique, which interprets the user’s search intention
and shows the desired results. In order to accomplish this task, an
efficient image re-ranking framework is required. Sequentially, to
provide best image retrieval, the new image re-ranking framework is
experimented in this paper. The implemented new image re-ranking
framework provides best image retrieval from the image dataset by
making use of re-ranking of retrieved images that is based on the
user’s desired images. This is experimented in two sections. One is
offline section and other is online section. In offline section, the reranking
framework studies differently (reference classes or Semantic
Spaces) for diverse user query keywords. The semantic signatures get
generated by combining the textual and visual features of the images.
In the online section, images are re-ranked by comparing the
semantic signatures that are obtained from the reference classes with
the user specified image query keywords. This re-ranking
methodology will increases the retrieval image efficiency and the
result will be effective to the user.
Abstract: This study is used as a definition method to the value
and function in manufacturing sector. In concurrence of discussion
about present condition of modeling method, until now definition of
1D-CAE is ambiguity and not conceptual. Across all the physic fields,
those methods are defined with the formulation of differential
algebraic equation which only applied time derivation and simulation.
At the same time, we propose semi-acausal modeling concept and
differential algebraic equation method as a newly modeling method
which the efficiency has been verified through the comparison of
numerical analysis result between the semi-acausal modeling
calculation and FEM theory calculation.
Abstract: The adsorption efficiency of fired clayey pellets of 5
and 8 mm diameter size for Cu(II) and Zn(II) ion removal from a
waste printing developer was studied. In order to investigate the
influence of contact time, adsorbent mass and pellet size on the
adsorption efficiency the batch mode was carried out. Faster uptake
of copper ion was obtained with the fired clay pellets of 5 mm
diameter size within 30 minutes. The pellets of 8 mm diameter size
showed the higher equilibrium time (60 to 75 minutes) for copper and
zinc ion. The results pointed out that adsorption efficiency increases
with the increase of adsorbent mass. The maximal efficiency is
different for Cu(II) and Zn(II) ion due to the pellet size. Therefore,
the fired clay pellets of 5 mm diameter size present an effective
adsorbent for Cu(II) ion removal (adsorption efficiency is 63.6%),
whereas the fired clay pellets of 8 mm diameter size are the best
alternative for Zn(II) ion removal (adsorption efficiency is 92.8%)
from a waste printing developer.
Abstract: Kazakhstan is currently one of the dynamically
developing states in its region. The stable growth in all sectors of the
economy leads to a corresponding increase in energy consumption.
Thus country consumes significant amount of energy due to the high
level of industrialisation and the presence of energy-intensive
manufacturing such as mining and metallurgy which in turn leads to
low energy efficiency. With allowance for this the Government has
set several priorities to adopt a transition of Republic of Kazakhstan
to a “green economy”. This article provides an overview of
Kazakhstan’s energy efficiency situation in for the period of 1991-
2014. First, the dynamics of production and consumption of
conventional energy resources are given. Second, the potential of
renewable energy sources is summarised followed by the description
of GHG emissions trends in the country. Third, Kazakhstan’ national
initiatives, policies and locally implemented projects in the field of
energy efficiency are described.
Abstract: In this study, composites were fabricated from oil
palm empty fruit bunch fiber and poly(lactic) acid by extrusion
followed by injection moulding. Surface of the fiber was pre-treated
by ultrasound in an alkali medium and treatment efficiency was
investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis and
Fourier transforms infrared spectrometer (FTIR). Effect of fiber
treatment on composite was characterized by tensile strength (TS),
tensile modulus (TM) and impact strength (IS). Furthermore,
biostrong impact modifier was incorporated into the treated fiber
composite to improve its impact properties. Mechanical testing
showed an improvement of up to 23.5% and 33.6% respectively for
TS and TM of treated fiber composite above untreated fiber
composite. On the other hand incorporation of impact modifier led to
enhancement of about 20% above the initial IS of the treated fiber
composite.
Abstract: Parameters of flow are calculated in vaneless diffusers
with relative width 0,014–0,10. Inlet angles of flow and similarity
criteria were varied. There is information on flow separation,
boundary layer development, configuration of streamlines.
Polytrophic efficiency, loss coefficient and recovery coefficient are
used to compare effectiveness of diffusers. The sample of
optimization of narrow diffuser with conical walls is presented. Three
wide diffusers with narrowing walls are compared. The work is made
in the R&D laboratory “Gas dynamics of turbo machines” of the TU
SPb.
Abstract: Universal modeling method well proven for industrial
compressors was applied for design of the high flow rate supersonic
stage. Results were checked by ANSYS CFX and NUMECA Fine
Turbo calculations. The impeller appeared to be very effective at
transonic flow velocities. Stator elements efficiency is acceptable at
design Mach numbers too. Their loss coefficient versus inlet flow
angle performances correlates well with Universal modeling
prediction. The impeller demonstrates ability of satisfactory operation
at design flow rate. Supersonic flow behavior in the impeller inducer
at the shroud blade to blade surface Φ des deserves additional study.
Abstract: There is an evident trend to elevate pressure ratio of a
single stage of a turbo compressors - axial compressors in particular.
Whilst there was an opinion recently that a pressure ratio 1,9 was a
reasonable limit, later appeared information on successful modeling
tested of stages with pressure ratio up to 2,8. The authors recon that
lack of information on high pressure stages makes actual a study of
rational choice of design parameters before high supersonic flow
problems solving. The computer program of an engineering type was
developed. Below is presented a sample of its application to study
possible parameters of the impeller of the stage with pressure ratio
3,0. Influence of two main design parameters on expected efficiency,
periphery blade speed and flow structure is demonstrated. The results
had lead to choose a variant for further analysis and improvement by
CFD methods.
Abstract: This paper introduces novel approaches to partitioning
and mapping in terms of model-based embedded multicore system
engineering and further discusses benefits, industrial relevance and
features in common with existing approaches. In order to assess
and evaluate results, both approaches have been applied to a real
industrial application as well as to various prototypical demonstrative
applications, that have been developed and implemented for
different purposes. Evaluations show, that such applications improve
significantly according to performance, energy efficiency, meeting
timing constraints and covering maintaining issues by using
the AMALTHEA platform and the implemented approaches.
Furthermore, the model-based design provides an open, expandable,
platform independent and scalable exchange format between
OEMs, suppliers and developers on different levels. Our proposed
mechanisms provide meaningful multicore system utilization since
load balancing by means of partitioning and mapping is effectively
performed with regard to the modeled systems including hardware,
software, operating system, scheduling, constraints, configuration and
more data.
Abstract: Conventional educational practices, do not offer all
the required skills for teachers to successfully survive in today’s
workplace. Due to poor professional training, a big gap exists across
the curriculum plan and the teacher practices in the classroom. As
such, raising the quality of teaching through ICT-enabled training and
professional development of teachers should be an urgent priority.
‘Mobile Learning’, in that vein, is an increasingly growing field of
educational research and practice across schools and work places. In
this paper, we propose a novel Mobile learning system that allows the
users to learn through an intelligent mobile learning in cooperatively
every-time and every-where. The system will reduce the training cost
and increase consistency, efficiency, and data reliability. To establish
that our system will display neither functional nor performance
failure, the evaluation strategy is based on formal observation of
users interacting with system followed by questionnaires and
structured interviews.
Abstract: The development, operation and maintenance of
Integrated Waste Management Systems (IWMS) affects essentially
the sustainable concern of every region. The features of such systems
have great influence on all of the components of sustainability. In
order to reach the optimal way of processes, a comprehensive
mapping of the variables affecting the future efficiency of the system
is needed such as analysis of the interconnections among the
components and modeling of their interactions. The planning of a
IWMS is based fundamentally on technical and economical
opportunities and the legal framework. Modeling the sustainability
and operation effectiveness of a certain IWMS is not in the scope of
the present research. The complexity of the systems and the large
number of the variables require the utilization of a complex approach
to model the outcomes and future risks. This complex method should
be able to evaluate the logical framework of the factors composing
the system and the interconnections between them. The authors of
this paper studied the usability of the Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM)
approach modeling the future operation of IWMS’s. The approach
requires two input data set. One is the connection matrix containing
all the factors affecting the system in focus with all the
interconnections. The other input data set is the time series, a
retrospective reconstruction of the weights and roles of the factors.
This paper introduces a novel method to develop time series by
content analysis.
Abstract: Negative pressure phenomenon appears in many
thermodynamic, geophysical and biophysical processes in the Nature
and technological systems. For more than 100 years of the laboratory
researches beginning from F. M. Donny’s tests, the great values of
negative pressure have been achieved. But this phenomenon has not
been practically applied, being only a nice lab toy due to the special
demands for the purity and homogeneity of the liquids for its
appearance. The possibility of creation of direct wave of negative
pressure in real heterogeneous liquid systems was confirmed
experimentally under the certain kinetic and hydraulic conditions.
The negative pressure can be considered as the factor of both useful
and destroying energies. The new approach to generation of the
negative pressure waves in impure, unclean fluids has allowed the
creation of principally new energy saving technologies and
installations to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of different
production processes. It was proved that the negative pressure is one
of the main factors causing hard troubles in some technological and
natural processes. Received results emphasize the necessity to take
into account the role of the negative pressure as an energy factor in
evaluation of many transient thermohydrodynamic processes in the
Nature and production systems.