Abstract: City shrinkage is one of the thorny problems that many
European cities have to face with nowadays. It is mainly expressed as
the decrease of population in these cities. Eastern Germany is one of
the pioneers of European shrinking cities with long shrinking history.
The paper selects one representative shrinking city Halle (Saale) in
eastern Germany as research objective, collecting and investigating
nearly 20 years (1993-2010) municipal data after the reunification of
Germany. These data based on five dimensions, which are
demographic, economic, social, spatial and environmental and total 16
eligible variables. Factor Analysis is used to deal with these variables
in order to assess the most important factors affecting shrinking Halle.
The results show that there are three main factors determine the
shrinkage of Halle, respectively named “demographical and
economical factor”, “social stability factor”, and “city vitality factor”.
The three factors act at different time period of Halle’s shrinkage: from
1993 to 1997 the demographical and economical factor played an
important role; from 1997 to 2004 the social stability factor is
significant to city shrinkage; since 2005 city vitality factor determines
the shrinkage of Halle. In recent years, the shrinkage in Halle mitigates
that shows the sign of growing population. Thus the city Halle should
focus on attaching more importance on the city vitality factor to
prevent the city from shrinkage. Meanwhile, the city should possess a
positive perspective to shift the growth-oriented development to tap
the potential of shrinking cities. This method is expected to apply to
further research and other shrinking cities
Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine effect of
dietary essential oil (EO) compounds, which contained
cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, peppermint, coriander, cumin, lemongrass,
and an organic carrier on feed intake, milk composition, and rumen
fermentation of dairy cows during heat exposure. Thirty-two Holstein
cows (days in milk= 60 ± 5) were assigned to one of two treatment
groups: a Control and EO fed. The experiment lasted 28 days. Dry
matter intake (DMI) was measured daily while and milk production
was measured weekly. Our result showed that DMI and milk yield
was decreased (P < 0.01) in control cows relative to EO cows.
Furthermore, supplementation with EO was associated with a
decrease in the molar proportion of propionate (P < 0.05) and
increase (P < 0.05) in acetate to propionate ratio. In conclusion, EO
supplementations in diets can be useful nutritional modification to
alleviate for the decrease DMI and milk production during heat
exposure in lactating dairy cows.
Abstract: In this paper, the influence of upstream structures on the flow patternaround and inside the wind-catcher is experimentally investigated by smoke flow visualization techniques. Wind-catchers are an important part of natural ventilation in residential buildings or public places such as shopping centers, libraries, etc. Wind-catchers might be also used in places of high urban densities; hence their potential to provide natural ventilation is dependent on the presence of upstream structures. In this study, the two-sided wind-catcher model was based on a real wind-catcher observed in the city of Yazd, Iran. The present study focuses on the flow patterns around and inside the isolated two-sided wind-catcher, and on a two-sided wind-catcher in the presence of an upstream structure. The results show that the presence of an upstream structure influences the airflow pattern force and direction. Placing a high upstream structure reverses the airflow direction inside the wind-catcher.
Abstract: Domestic goats (Capra hircus) are extremely diverse
species and principal animal genetic resource of the developing
world. These facilitate a persistent supply of meat, milk, fibre, and
skin and are considered as important revenue generators in small
pastoral environments. This study aimed to fingerprint β-LG gene at
PCR-RFLP level in native Saudi goat breeds (Ardi, Habsi and Harri)
in an attempt to have a preliminary image of β-LG genotypic patterns
in Saudi breeds as compared to other foreign breeds such as Indian
and Egyptian. Also, the Phylogenetic analysis was done to investigate
evolutionary trends and similarities among the caprine β-LG gene
with that of the other domestic specie, viz. cow, buffalo and sheep.
Blood samples were collected from 300 animals (100 for each breed)
and genomic DNA was extracted. A fragment of the β-LG gene
(427bp) was amplified using specific primers. Subsequent digestion
with Sac II restriction endonuclease revealed two alleles (A and B)
and three different banding patterns or genotypes i.e. AA, AB and
BB. The statistical analysis showed a general trend that β-LG AA
genotype had higher milk yield than β-LG AB and β-LG BB
genotypes. Nucleotide sequencing of the selected β-LG fragments
was done and submitted to GenBank NCBI (Accession No.
KJ544248, KJ588275, KJ588276, KJ783455, KJ783456 and
KJ874959). Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of nucleotide
sequences of native Saudi goats indicated evolutional similarity with
the GenBank reference sequences of goat, Bubalus bubalis and Bos
taurus. However, the origin of sheep which is the most closely
related from the evolutionary point of view, was located some
distance away.
Abstract: The hydrogenated amorphous carbon films (α-C:H)
were deposited on p-type Si (100) substrates at different thicknesses by
radio frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition
technique (rf-PECVD). Raman spectra display asymmetric
diamond-like carbon (DLC) peaks, representative of the α-C:H films.
The decrease of intensity ID/IG ratios revealed the sp3 content arise at
different thicknesses of the α-C:H films. In terms of mechanical
properties, the high hardness and elastic modulus values showed the
elastic and plastic deformation behaviors related to sp3 content in
amorphous carbon films. Electrochemical properties showed that the
α-C:H films exhibited excellent corrosion resistance in air-saturated
3.5 wt.% NaCl solution for pH 2 at room temperature. Thickness
increasing affected the small sp2 clusters in matrix, restricting the
velocity transfer and exchange of electrons. The deposited α-C:H films
exhibited excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.
Abstract: In regards to the energy sector in the modern period,
two points were raised. First is a vast and growing energy demand, and
second is an environmental impact associated with it. The enormous
consumption of fossil fuel to the mobile unit is leading to its rapid
depletion. Nuclear power is not the only problem. A modal shift that
utilizes personal transporters and independent power, in order to
realize a sustainable society, is very effective. The author proposes that
the world will continue to work on this. Energy of the future society,
innovation in battery technology and the use of natural energy is a big
key. And it is also necessary in order to save on energy consumption.
Abstract: From a perspective of moral education, this study has
examined the experiences of a group of college students who
volunteered in disaster areas after the magnitude 9.0 Earthquake,
which struck the Northeastern region of Japan in March, 2011. The
research, utilizing the method of grounded theory, has uncovered that
most of the students have gone through positive changes in their
development of moral and social characters, such as attaining deeper
sense of empathy and caring personalities. The study expresses, in
identifying the nature of those transformations, that the importance of
volunteer work should strongly be recognized by the colleges and
universities in Japan, in fulfilling their public responsibility of creating
and building learning communities that are responsible and caring.
Abstract: Existing methods of data mining cannot be applied on
spatial data because they require spatial specificity consideration, as
spatial relationships.
This paper focuses on the classification with decision trees, which
are one of the data mining techniques. We propose an extension of
the C4.5 algorithm for spatial data, based on two different approaches
Join materialization and Querying on the fly the different tables.
Similar works have been done on these two main approaches, the
first - Join materialization - favors the processing time in spite of
memory space, whereas the second - Querying on the fly different
tables- promotes memory space despite of the processing time.
The modified C4.5 algorithm requires three entries tables: a target
table, a neighbor table, and a spatial index join that contains the
possible spatial relationship among the objects in the target table and
those in the neighbor table. Thus, the proposed algorithms are applied
to a spatial data pattern in the accidentology domain.
A comparative study of our approach with other works of
classification by spatial decision trees will be detailed.
Abstract: This work is focused on the study of valuation of
recycled concrete aggregates, by measuring certain properties of
concrete in the fresh and hardened state. In this study, rheological
tests and physic-mechanical characterization on concretes and
mortars were conducted with recycled concrete whose geometric
properties were identified aggregates. Mortars were elaborated with
recycled fine aggregate (0/5mm) and concretes were manufactured
using recycled coarse aggregates (5/12.5 mm and 12.5/20 mm). First,
a study of the mortars was conducted to determine the effectiveness
of polycarboxylate superplasticizer on the workability of these and
their action deflocculating of the recycled sand. The rheological
behavior of mortars based on fine aggregate recycled was
characterized. The results confirm that the mortars composed of
different fractions of recycled sand (0 /5) have a better mechanical
properties (compressive and flexural strength) compared to normal
mortar. Also, the mechanical strengths of concretes made with
recycled aggregates (5/12.5 mm and 12.5/20 mm), are comparable to
those of conventional concrete with conventional aggregates,
provided that the implementation can be improved by the addition of
a superplasticizer.
Abstract: To elucidate the material characteristics of single
crystals of pure aluminum and copper, the respective relations between
crystallographic orientations and microstructures were examined,
along with bending and mechanical properties. The texture
distribution was also analysed. Bending tests were performed in a
SEM apparatus while its behaviors were observed. Some analytical
results related to crystal direction maps, inverse pole figures, and
textures were obtained from electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD)
analyses.
Abstract: A modeling approach for CMOS gates is presented
based on the use of the equivalent inverter. A new model for the
inverter has been developed using a simplified transistor current
model which incorporates the nanoscale effects for the planar
technology. Parametric expressions for the output voltage are
provided as well as the values of the output and supply current to be
compatible with the CCS technology. The model is parametric
according the input signal slew, output load, transistor widths, supply
voltage, temperature and process. The transistor widths of the
equivalent inverter are determined by HSPICE simulations and
parametric expressions are developed for that using a fitting
procedure. Results for the NAND gate shows that the proposed
approach offers sufficient accuracy with an average error in
propagation delay about 5%.
Abstract: This paper reveals the interaction between hydrogen
and surface stress in austenitic stainless steel by X-ray diffraction
stress measurement and thermal desorption analysis before and after
being charged with hydrogen. The surface residual stress was varied
by surface finishing using several disc polishing agents. The obtained
results show that the residual stress near surface had a significant
effect on hydrogen absorption behavior, that is, tensile residual stress
promoted the hydrogen absorption and compressive one did opposite.
Also, hydrogen induced equi-biaxial stress and this stress has a linear
correlation with hydrogen content.
Abstract: Nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs)
were fabricated by microwave-assisted hydrothermal technique. The
optical properties of the N-GQDs were studied. The luminescence of
the N-GQDs can be tuned by varying the excitation wavelength.
Furthermore, two-photon luminescence of the N-GQDs excited by
near-infrared laser can be obtained. It is shown that N-doping play a
key role on two-photon luminescence. The N-GQDs are expected to
find application in biological applications including bioimaging and
sensing.
Abstract: The knowledge of biodiesel density over large ranges
of temperature and pressure is important for predicting the behavior
of fuel injection and combustion systems in diesel engines, and for
the optimization of such systems. In this study, cottonseed oil was
transesterified into biodiesel and its density was measured at
temperatures between 288 K and 358 K and pressures between 0.1
MPa and 30 MPa, with expanded uncertainty estimated as ±1.6 kg⋅m-
3. Experimental pressure-volume-temperature (pVT) cottonseed data
was used along with literature data relative to other 18 biodiesels, in
order to build a database used to test the correlation of density with
temperarure and pressure using the Goharshadi–Morsali–Abbaspour
equation of state (GMA EoS). To our knowledge, this is the first that
density measurements are presented for cottonseed biodiesel under
such high pressures, and the GMA EoS used to model biodiesel
density. The new tested EoS allowed correlations within 0.2 kg·m-3
corresponding to average relative deviations within 0.02%. The built
database was used to develop and test a new full predictive model
derived from the observed linear relation between density and degree
of unsaturation (DU), which depended from biodiesel FAMEs
profile. The average density deviation of this method was only about
3 kg.m-3 within the temperature and pressure limits of application.
These results represent appreciable improvements in the context of
density prediction at high pressure when compared with other
equations of state.
Abstract: In recent decades with the development of technology
and lack of food sources, sewage sludge in production of human
foods is inevitable. Various sources of municipal and industrial
sewage sludge that is produced can provide the requirement of plant
nutrients. Soils in arid, semi-arid climate of central Iran that most
affected by water drainage, iron and zinc deficiencies, using of
sewage sludge is helpful. Therefore, the aim of this study is
investigation of sewage sludge and manure application on Ni, Pb and
Cd uptake by Savory. An experiment in a randomized complete block
design with three replications was performed. Sewage sludge
treatments consisted of four levels, control, 15, 30, 80 tons per
hectares; the manure was used in four levels of control, 20, 40 and 80
tons per hectare. Results showed that the wet and dry weights was not
affected by sewage sludge using, while, manure has significant effect
on them. The effect of sewage sludge on the cadmium and lead
concentrations were significant. Interactions of sewage sludge and
manure on dry weight values were not significant. Compare mean
analysis showed that increasing the amount of sewage sludge had no
significant effect on cadmium concentration and it reduced when
sewage sludge usage increased. This is probably due to increased
plant growth and reduced concentrations of these elements in the
plant.
Abstract: In the cloud computing hierarchy IaaS is the lowest
layer, all other layers are built over it. Thus it is the most important
layer of cloud and requisite more importance. Along with advantages
IaaS faces some serious security related issue. Mainly Security
focuses on Integrity, confidentiality and availability. Cloud
computing facilitate to share the resources inside as well as outside of
the cloud. On the other hand, cloud still not in the state to provide
surety to 100% data security. Cloud provider must ensure that end
user/client get a Quality of Service. In this report we describe
possible aspects of cloud related security.
Abstract: In this paper a novel design of aerostatic thrust bearing
is proposed and is analyzed numerically. The capillary restrictor and
bearing disk are made of elastomer like silicone and PU. The
viscoelasticity of elastomer helps the capillary expand for more air
flux and at the same time, allows conicity of the bearing surface to
form when the air pressure is enhanced. Therefore the bearing has the
better ability of passive compensation. In the present example, as
compared with the typical model, the new designs can nearly double
the load capability and offer four times static stiffness.
Abstract: Aluminum hybrid reinforcement technology is a
response to the dynamic ever increasing service requirements of such
industries as transportation, aerospace, automobile, marine, etc. It is
unique in that it offers a platform of almost unending combinations of
materials to produce various hybrid composites. This article reviews
the studies carried out on various combinations of aluminum hybrid
composite and the effects on mechanical, physical and chemical
properties. It is observed that the extent of enhancement of these
properties of hybrid composites is strongly dependent on the nature
of the reinforcement, its hardness, particle size, volume fraction,
uniformity of dispersion within the matrix and the method of hybrid
production.
Abstract: This paper represents performance of particle swarm
optimisation (PSO) algorithm based integral (I) controller and
proportional-integral controller (PI) for interconnected hydro-thermal
automatic generation control (AGC) with generation rate constraint
(GRC) and Thyristor controlled phase shifter (TCPS) in series with
tie line. The control strategy of TCPS provides active control of
system frequency. Conventional objective function integral square
error (ISE) and another objective function considering square of
derivative of change in frequencies of both areas and change in tie
line power are considered. The aim of designing the objective
function is to suppress oscillation in frequency deviations and change
in tie line power oscillation. The controller parameters are searched
by PSO algorithm by minimising the objective functions. The
dynamic performance of the controllers I and PI, for both the
objective functions, are compared with conventionally optimized I
controller.
Abstract: In a highly competitive environment, it becomes more
important to shorten the whole business process while delivering or
even enhancing the business value to the customers and suppliers.
Although the workflow management systems receive much attention
for its capacity to practically support the business process enactment,
the effective workflow modeling method remain still challenging and
the high degree of process complexity makes it more difficult to gain
the short lead time. This paper presents a workflow structuring method
in a holistic way that can reduce the process complexity using
activity-needs and formal concept analysis, which eventually enhances
the key performance such as quality, delivery, and cost in business
process.