Abstract: A large number of chemical, bio-chemical and pollution-control processes use heterogeneous fixed-bed reactors. The use of finite hollow cylindrical catalyst pellets can enhance conversion levels in such reactors. The absence of the pellet core can significantly lower the diffusional resistance associated with the solid phase. This leads to a better utilization of the catalytic material, which is reflected in the higher values for the effectiveness factor, leading ultimately to an enhanced conversion level in the reactor. It is however important to develop a rigorous heterogeneous model for the reactor incorporating the two-dimensional feature of the solid phase owing to the presence of the finite hollow cylindrical catalyst pellet. Presently, heterogeneous models reported in the literature invariably employ one-dimension solid phase models meant for spherical catalyst pellets. The objective of the paper is to present a rigorous model of the fixed-bed reactors containing finite hollow cylindrical catalyst pellets. The reaction kinetics considered here is the widely used Michaelis–Menten kinetics for the liquid-phase bio-chemical reactions. The reaction parameters used here are for the enzymatic degradation of urea. Results indicate that increasing the height to diameter ratio helps to improve the conversion level. On the other hand, decreasing the thickness is apparently not as effective. This could however be explained in terms of the higher void fraction of the bed that causes a smaller amount of the solid phase to be packed in the fixed-bed bio-chemical reactor.
Abstract: Vehicle suspension design must fulfill
some conflicting criteria. Among those is ride comfort
which is attained by minimizing the acceleration
transmitted to the sprung mass, via suspension spring
and damper. Also good handling of a vehicle is a
desirable property which requires stiff suspension and
therefore is in contrast with a vehicle with good ride.
Among the other desirable features of a suspension is
the minimization of the maximum travel of suspension.
This travel which is called suspension working space in
vehicle dynamics literature is also a design constraint
and it favors good ride. In this research a full car 8
degrees of freedom model has been developed and the
three above mentioned criteria, namely: ride, handling
and working space has been adopted as objective
functions. The Multi Objective Programming (MOP)
discipline has been used to find the Pareto Front and
some reasoning used to chose a design point between
these non dominated points of Pareto Front.
Abstract: Resins are used in nuclear power plants for water
ultrapurification. Two approaches are considered in this work:
column experiments and simulations. A software called OPTIPUR
was developed, tested and used. The approach simulates the onedimensional
reactive transport in porous medium with convectivedispersive
transport between particles and diffusive transport within
the boundary layer around the particles. The transfer limitation in the
boundary layer is characterized by the mass transfer coefficient
(MTC). The influences on MTC were measured experimentally. The
variation of the inlet concentration does not influence the MTC; on
the contrary of the Darcy velocity which influences. This is consistent
with results obtained using the correlation of Dwivedi&Upadhyay.
With the MTC, knowing the number of exchange site and the relative
affinity, OPTIPUR can simulate the column outlet concentration
versus time. Then, the duration of use of resins can be predicted in
conditions of a binary exchange.
Abstract: In this paper, an estimation accuracy of multiple moving
talker tracking using a microphone array is improved. The tracking
can be achieved by the adaptive method in which two algorithms are integrated, namely, the PAST (Projection Approximation Subspace
Tracking) algorithm and the IPLS (Interior Point Least Square) algorithm. When either talker begins to speak again after a silent
period, an appropriate feasible region for an evaluation function of
the IPLS algorithm might not be set. Then, the tracking fails due to the incorrect updating. Therefore, if an increment of the number of
active talkers is detected, the feasible region must be reset. Then, a low cost realization is required for the high speed tracking and a high
accuracy realization is desired for the precise tracking. In this paper,
the directions roughly estimated using the delayed-sum-array method
are used for the resetting. Several results of experiments performed in
an actual room environment show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Abstract: This paper deals optimized model to investigate the
effects of peak current, pulse on time and pulse off time in EDM performance on material removal rate of titanium alloy utilizing copper tungsten as electrode and positive polarity of the electrode. The experiments are carried out on Ti6Al4V. Experiments were
conducted by varying the peak current, pulse on time and pulse off time. A mathematical model is developed to correlate the influences of these variables and material removal rate of workpiece. Design of
experiments (DOE) method and response surface methodology
(RSM) techniques are implemented. The validity test of the fit and adequacy of the proposed models has been carried out through
analysis of variance (ANOVA). The obtained results evidence that as
the material removal rate increases as peak current and pulse on time
increases. The effect of pulse off time on MRR changes with peak ampere. The optimum machining conditions in favor of material removal rate are verified and compared. The optimum machining
conditions in favor of material removal rate are estimated and verified with proposed optimized results. It is observed that the developed model is within the limits of the agreeable error (about
4%) when compared to experimental results. This result leads to desirable material removal rate and economical industrial machining to optimize the input parameters.
Abstract: The study of the geometric shape of the plunging wave enclosed vortices as a possible indicator for the breaking intensity of ocean waves has been ongoing for almost 50 years with limited success. This paper investigates the validity of using the vortex ratio and vortex angle as methods of predicting breaking intensity. Previously published works on vortex parameters, based on regular wave flume results or solitary wave theory, present contradictory results and conclusions. Through the first complete analysis of field collected irregular wave breaking vortex parameters it is illustrated that the vortex ratio and vortex angle cannot be accurately predicted using standard breaking wave characteristics and hence are not suggested as a possible indicator for breaking intensity.
Abstract: The world economic crises and budget constraints
have caused authorities, especially those in developing countries, to
rationalize water quality monitoring activities. Rationalization
consists of reducing the number of monitoring sites, the number of
samples, and/or the number of water quality variables measured. The
reduction in water quality variables is usually based on correlation. If
two variables exhibit high correlation, it is an indication that some of
the information produced may be redundant. Consequently, one
variable can be discontinued, and the other continues to be measured.
Later, the ordinary least squares (OLS) regression technique is
employed to reconstitute information about discontinued variable by
using the continuously measured one as an explanatory variable. In
this paper, two record extension techniques are employed to
reconstitute information about discontinued water quality variables,
the OLS and the Line of Organic Correlation (LOC). An empirical
experiment is conducted using water quality records from the Nile
Delta water quality monitoring network in Egypt. The record
extension techniques are compared for their ability to predict
different statistical parameters of the discontinued variables. Results
show that the OLS is better at estimating individual water quality
records. However, results indicate an underestimation of the variance
in the extended records. The LOC technique is superior in preserving
characteristics of the entire distribution and avoids underestimation
of the variance. It is concluded from this study that the OLS can be
used for the substitution of missing values, while LOC is preferable
for inferring statements about the probability distribution.
Abstract: It was analyzed of fatty acid composition of 16 strains
of microalgae lipid fractions isolated from different basins of
Kazakhstan and characterized by stable active growth in the
laboratory. Three species of green microalgae (Oocystis
rhomboideus, Chlorococcum infusionum, Dictyochlorella globosa)
and three species of diatoms (Synedra sp., Nitzshia sp., Pleurosigma
attenuatum) are characterized by a high content of lipids and are
promising for further study as a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Abstract: This paper looks into detailed investigation of
thermal-hydraulic characteristics of the flow field in a fuel rod
model, especially near the spacer. The area investigate represents a
source of information on the velocity flow field, vortex, and on the
amount of heat transfer into the coolant all of which are critical for
the design and improvement of the fuel rod in nuclear power plants.
The flow field investigation uses three-dimensional Computational
Fluid Dynamics (CFD) with the Reynolds stresses turbulence model
(RSM). The fuel rod model incorporates a vertical annular channel
where three different shapes of spacers are used; each spacer shape is
addressed individually. These spacers are mutually compared in
consideration of heat transfer capabilities between the coolant and
the fuel rod model. The results are complemented with the calculated
heat transfer coefficient in the location of the spacer and along the
stainless-steel pipe.
Abstract: According to the statistics, the prevalence of congenital hearing loss in Taiwan is approximately six thousandths; furthermore, one thousandths of infants have severe hearing impairment. Hearing ability during infancy has significant impact in the development of children-s oral expressions, language maturity, cognitive performance, education ability and social behaviors in the future. Although most children born with hearing impairment have sensorineural hearing loss, almost every child more or less still retains some residual hearing. If provided with a hearing aid or cochlear implant (a bionic ear) timely in addition to hearing speech training, even severely hearing-impaired children can still learn to talk. On the other hand, those who failed to be diagnosed and thus unable to begin hearing and speech rehabilitations on a timely manner might lose an important opportunity to live a complete and healthy life. Eventually, the lack of hearing and speaking ability will affect the development of both mental and physical functions, intelligence, and social adaptability. Not only will this problem result in an irreparable regret to the hearing-impaired child for the life time, but also create a heavy burden for the family and society. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a set of computer-assisted predictive model that can accurately detect and help diagnose newborn hearing loss so that early interventions can be provided timely to eliminate waste of medical resources. This study uses information from the neonatal database of the case hospital as the subjects, adopting two different analysis methods of using support vector machine (SVM) for model predictions and using logistic regression to conduct factor screening prior to model predictions in SVM to examine the results. The results indicate that prediction accuracy is as high as 96.43% when the factors are screened and selected through logistic regression. Hence, the model constructed in this study will have real help in clinical diagnosis for the physicians and actually beneficial to the early interventions of newborn hearing impairment.
Abstract: It is known that the heart interacts with and adapts to
its venous and arterial loading conditions. Various experimental
studies and modeling approaches have been developed to investigate
the underlying mechanisms. This paper presents a model of the left
ventricle derived based on nonlinear stress-length myocardial
characteristics integrated over truncated ellipsoidal geometry, and
second-order dynamic mechanism for the excitation-contraction
coupling system. The results of the model presented here describe the
effects of the viscoelastic damping element of the electromechanical
coupling system on the hemodynamic response. Different heart rates
are considered to study the pacing effects on the performance of the
left-ventricle against constant preload and afterload conditions under
various damping conditions. The results indicate that the pacing
process of the left ventricle has to take into account, among other
things, the viscoelastic damping conditions of the myofilament
excitation-contraction process.
Abstract: Retention in the IT profession is critical for
organizations to stay competitive and operate reliably in the dynamic
business environment. Most organizations rely on compensation and
rewards as primary tools to enhance retention of employees. In this
quantitative survey-based study conducted at a large global bank, we
analyze the perceptions of 575 information technology (IT) software
professionals in India and Malaysia and find that fairness of rewards
has very little impact on retention likelihood. It is far more important
to actively involve employees in organizational activities. In
addition, our findings indicate that involvement is far more important
than information flow: the typical organizational communication to
keep employees informed.
Abstract: Electrical Discharge Machine (EDM) is especially
used for the manufacturing of 3-D complex geometry and hard
material parts that are extremely difficult-to-machine by conventional
machining processes. In this paper authors review the research work
carried out in the development of die-sinking EDM within the past
decades for the improvement of machining characteristics such as
Material Removal Rate, Surface Roughness and Tool Wear Ratio. In
this review various techniques reported by EDM researchers for
improving the machining characteristics have been categorized as
process parameters optimization, multi spark technique, powder
mixed EDM, servo control system and pulse discriminating. At the
end, flexible machine controller is suggested for Die Sinking EDM to
enhance the machining characteristics and to achieve high-level
automation. Thus, die sinking EDM can be integrated with Computer
Integrated Manufacturing environment as a need of agile
manufacturing systems.
Abstract: This paper applies fuzzy set theory to evaluate the
service quality of online auction. Service quality is a composition of
various criteria. Among them many intangible attributes are difficult
to measure. This characteristic introduces the obstacles for respondent
in replying to the survey. So as to overcome this problem, we
invite fuzzy set theory into the measurement of performance. By
using AHP in obtaining criteria and TOPSIS in ranking, we found
the most concerned dimension of service quality is Transaction
Safety Mechanism and the least is Charge Item. Regarding to the
most concerned attributes are information security, accuracy and
information.
Abstract: Fip-gts, an immunomodulatory protein purified from Ganoderma tsugae, has been reported to possess therapeutic effects in the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease. For medicinal application, a recombinant Fip-gts was successfully expressed and purified in Sf21 insect cells by our previously work. It is important to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of the rFip-gts. To assess the immunomodulatory potential of rFip-gts, the T lymphocytes of murine splenocytes were used in the present study. Results revealed that rFip-gts induced cellular aggregation formation. Additionally, the expression of IL-2 and IFN-r were up-regulated after the treatment of rFip-gts, and a corresponding increased production of IL-2 and IFN-r in a dose-dependent manner. The results showed that rFip-gts has an immunomodulatory activity in inducing Th1 lymphocytes from murine splenocytes released IL-2 and IFN-γ, thus suggest that rFip-gts may have therapeutic potential in vivo as an immune modulator.
Abstract: This study was conducted Ismailoglu grape type (Vitis
vinifera L.) and its vine which was aged 15 was grown on its own
root in a vegetation period of 2013 in Nevşehir province in Turkey.
In this research, it was investigated whether the applications of
Control (C), 1/3 cluster tip reduction (1/3 CTR), shoot tip reduction
(STR), 1/3 CTR + STR, TKI-HUMAS (TKI-HM) (Soil) (S), TKIHM
(Foliar) (F), TKI-HM (S + F), 1/3 CTR + TKI-HM (S), 1/3 CTR
+ TKI-HM (F), 1/3 CTR + TKI-HM (S+F), STR + TKI-HM (S), STR
+ TKI-HM (F), STR + TKI-HM (S + F), 1/3 CTR + STR+TKI-HM
(S), 1/3 CTR + STR + TKI-HM (F), 1/3 CTR + STR + TKI-HM (S +
F) on yield and yield components of Ismailoglu grape type. The
results were obtained as the highest fresh grape yield (16.15 kg/vine)
with TKI-HM (S), as the highest cluster weight (652.39 g) with 1/3
CTR + STR, as the highest 100 berry weight (419.07 g) with 1/3
CTR + STR + TKI-HM (F), as the highest maturity index (44.06)
with 1/3 CTR, as the highest must yield (810.00 ml) with STR +
TKI-HM (F), as the highest intensity of L* color (42.04) with TKIHM
(S + F), as the highest intensity of a* color (2.60) with 1/3 CTR
+ TKI-HM (S), as the highest intensity of b* color (7.16) with 1/3
CTR + TKI-HM (S) applications. To increase the fresh grape yield of
Ismailoglu grape type can be recommended TKI-HM (S) application.
Abstract: Project managers are the ultimate responsible for the
overall characteristics of a project, i.e. they should deliver the project
on time with minimum cost and with maximum quality. It is vital for
any manager to decide a trade-off between these conflicting
objectives and they will be benefited of any scientific decision
support tool. Our work will try to determine optimal solutions (rather
than a single optimal solution) from which the project manager will
select his desirable choice to run the project. In this paper, the
problem in project scheduling notated as
(1,T|cpm,disc,mu|curve:quality,time,cost) will be studied. The
problem is multi-objective and the purpose is finding the Pareto
optimal front of time, cost and quality of a project
(curve:quality,time,cost), whose activities belong to a start to finish
activity relationship network (cpm) and they can be done in different
possible modes (mu) which are non-continuous or discrete (disc), and
each mode has a different cost, time and quality . The project is
constrained to a non-renewable resource i.e. money (1,T). Because
the problem is NP-Hard, to solve the problem, a meta-heuristic is
developed based on a version of genetic algorithm specially adapted
to solve multi-objective problems namely FastPGA. A sample project
with 30 activities is generated and then solved by the proposed
method.
Abstract: In 3D-wavelet video coding framework temporal
filtering is done along the trajectory of motion using Motion
Compensated Temporal Filtering (MCTF). Hence computationally
efficient motion estimation technique is the need of MCTF. In this
paper a predictive technique is proposed in order to reduce the
computational complexity of the MCTF framework, by exploiting
the high correlation among the frames in a Group Of Picture (GOP).
The proposed technique applies coarse and fine searches of any fast
block based motion estimation, only to the first pair of frames in a
GOP. The generated motion vectors are supplied to the next
consecutive frames, even to subsequent temporal levels and only fine
search is carried out around those predicted motion vectors. Hence
coarse search is skipped for all the motion estimation in a GOP
except for the first pair of frames. The technique has been tested for
different fast block based motion estimation algorithms over different
standard test sequences using MC-EZBC, a state-of-the-art scalable
video coder. The simulation result reveals substantial reduction (i.e.
20.75% to 38.24%) in the number of search points during motion
estimation, without compromising the quality of the reconstructed
video compared to non-predictive techniques. Since the motion
vectors of all the pair of frames in a GOP except the first pair will
have value ±1 around the motion vectors of the previous pair of
frames, the number of bits required for motion vectors is also
reduced by 50%.
Abstract: In the Top Right Access point Minimum Length Corridor (TRA-MLC) problem [1], a rectangular boundary partitioned into rectilinear polygons is given and the problem is to find a corridor of least total length and it must include the top right corner of the outer rectangular boundary. A corridor is a tree containing a set of line segments lying along the outer rectangular boundary and/or on the boundary of the rectilinear polygons. The corridor must contain at least one point from the boundaries of the outer rectangle and also the rectilinear polygons. Gutierrez and Gonzalez [1] proved that the MLC problem, along with some of its restricted versions and variants, are NP-complete. In this paper, we give a shorter proof of NP-Completeness of TRA-MLC by findig the reduction in the following way.
Abstract: In this paper, a Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP)
test provides a measure of the energy production potential from codigestion
between the frozen seafood wastewater and the decanter
cake. The experiments were conducted in laboratory-scale. The
suitable ratio of the frozen seafood wastewater and the decanter cake
was observed in the BMP test. The ratio of the co-digestion between
the frozen seafood wastewater and the decanter cake has impacts on
the biogas production and energy production potential. The best
performance for energy production potential using BMP test
observed from the 180 ml of the frozen seafood wastewater and 10 g
of the decanter cake ratio. This ratio provided the maximum methane
production at 0.351 l CH4/g TCODremoval. The removal efficiencies
are 76.18%, 83.55%, 43.16% and 56.76% at TCOD, SCOD, TS and
VS, respectively. The result can be concluded that the decanter cake
can improve the energy production potential of the frozen seafood
wastewater. The energy provides from co-digestion between frozen
seafood wastewater and decanter cake approximately 19x109
MJ/year in Thailand.