Abstract: The majority of contemporary insulation materials
commonly used in the building industry is made from non-renewable
raw materials; furthermore, their production often brings high energy
costs. A long-term trend as far as sustainable development is
concerned has been the reduction of energy and material demands of
building material production. One of the solutions is the possibility of
using easily renewable natural raw material sources which are
considerably more ecological and their production is mostly less
energy-consuming compared to the production of normal insulations
(mineral wool, polystyrene). The paper describes the results of
research focused on the development of thermal and acoustic
insulation materials based on natural fibres intended for floor
constructions. Given the characteristic open porosity of natural fibre
materials, the hygrothermal behaviour of the developed materials was
studied. Especially the influence of relative humidity and temperature
on thermal insulation properties was observed.
Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the manganese
removal from aqueous solution using Banana peels activated carbon
(BPAC). Batch experiments have been carried out to determine the
influence of parameters such as pH, biosorbent dose, initial metal ion
concentrations and contact times on the biosorption process. From
these investigations, a significant increase in percentage removal of
manganese 97.4% is observed at pH value 5.0, biosorbent dose 0.8 g,
initial concentration 20 ppm, temperature 25 ± 2°C, stirring rate 200
rpm and contact time 2h. The equilibrium concentration and the
adsorption capacity at equilibrium of the experimental results were
fitted to the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models; the Langmuir
isotherm was found to well represent the measured adsorption data
implying BPAC had heterogeneous surface. A raw groundwater
samples were collected from Baharmos groundwater treatment plant
network at Embaba and Manshiet Elkanater City/District-Giza,
Egypt, for treatment at the best conditions that reached at first phase
by BPAC. The treatment with BPAC could reduce iron and
manganese value of raw groundwater by 91.4% and 97.1%,
respectively and the effect of the treatment process on the
microbiological properties of groundwater sample showed decrease
of total bacterial count either at 22°C or at 37°C to 85.7% and 82.4%,
respectively. Also, BPAC was characterized using SEM and FTIR
spectroscopy.
Abstract: As the human race will continue to explore the space
by creating new space transportation means and sending them to other
planets, the enhance of atmospheric reentry study is crucial. In this
context, an analysis of mass recession rate of ablative materials for
thermal shields of reentry spacecrafts is important to be carried out.
The paper describes a new estimation method for calculating the mass
recession of an ablator system made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic
materials. This method is based on Arrhenius equation for low
temperatures and, for high temperatures, on a theory applied for the
recession phenomenon of carbon fiber reinforced plastic materials,
theory which takes into account the presence of the resin inside the
materials. The space mission of USERS spacecraft is considered as a
case study.
Abstract: This paper presents a model predictive control (MPC)
of a utility interactive (UI) single phase inverter (SPI) for a
photovoltaic (PV) system at residential/distribution level. The
proposed model uses single-phase phase locked loop (PLL) to
synchronize SPI with the grid and performs MPC control in a dq
reference frame. SPI model consists of boost converter (BC),
maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control, and a full bridge
(FB) voltage source inverter (VSI). No PI regulators to tune and
carrier and modulating waves are required to produce switching
sequence. Instead, the operational model of VSI is used to synthesize
sinusoidal current and track the reference. Model is validated using a
three kW PV system at the input of UI-SPI in Matlab/Simulink.
Implementation and results demonstrate simplicity and accuracy, as
well as reliability of the model.
Abstract: This paper focuses on the presentation of results
which were obtained as a part of the project FR-TI 3/742: “System of
Lightweight Materials for Finishing of Buildings with Waste Raw
Materials”. Attention was paid to the light weighting of polymermodified
mortars applicable as adhesives, screeds and repair mortars.
In terms of repair mortars, they were ones intended for the sanitation
of aerated concrete.
Abstract: WiMAX is a telecommunications technology and it is
specified by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.,
as the IEEE 802.16 standard. The goal of this technology is to
provide a wireless data over long distances in a variety of ways. IEEE
802.16 is a recent standard for mobile communication. In this paper,
we provide an overview of various key management algorithms to
provide security for WiMAX.
Abstract: This paper presents a hybrid three phase rectifier for
high power factor application. This rectifier is composed by zero
voltage transition (ZVT) and zero current transition (ZCT) boost
converter with three phase diode bridge rectifier, in parallel with a six
pulse three phase pulse width modulation (PWM) controlled rectifier.
The proposed topology is capable of high power factor with DC
output voltage regulation by providing sinusoidal input. Also, it
increases the overall efficiency of the new hybrid rectifier to 94.56%
and the total harmonic distortion of the hybrid structure varies from
0% to 16% at nominal output power. This topology was simulated in
MATLAB/SIMULINK environment and the output waveforms
presented with experimental result.
Abstract: The objective of the study was to select the survival of
probiotic strains when exposed to acidic and bile salts condition. Four
probiotic strains Lactobacillus casei subsp. rhamnosus TISTR 047,
Lactobacillus casei TISTR 1500, Lactobacillus acidophilus TISTR
1338 and Lactobacillus plantarum TISTR 1465 were cultured in
MRS broth and incubated at 35ºC for 15 hours before being inoculated
into acidic condition 5 M HCl, pH 2 for 2 hours and bile salt 0.3%,
pH 5.8 for 8 hour. The survived probiotics were counted in MRS agar.
Among four stains, Lactobacillus casei subsp. rhamnosus TISTR 047
was the highest tolerance specie. Lactobacillus casei subsp.
rhamnosus TISTR 047 reduced 6.74±0.07 log CFU/ml after growing
in acid and 5.52±0.05 log CFU/ml after growing in bile salt. Then,
double emulsion of microorganisms was chosen to encapsulate before
spray drying. Spray drying was done with the inlet temperature 170ºC
and outlet temperature 80ºC. The results showed that the survival of
encapsulated Lactobacillus casei subsp. rhamnosus TISTR 047 after
spray drying decreased from 9.63 ± 0.32 to 8.31 ± 0.11 log CFU/ml
comparing with non-encapsulated, 9.63 ± 0.32 to 4.06 ± 0.08 log
CFU/ml. Therefore, Lactobacillus casei subsp. rhamnosus TISTR 047
would be able to survive in gastrointestinal and spray drying condition.
Abstract: Persea declinata (Bl.) Kosterm is a member of the
Lauraceae family, widely distributed in Southeast Asia. It is from the
same genus with avocado (Persea americana Mill), which is widely
consumed as food and for medicinal purposes. In the present study,
we examined the anticancer properties of Persea declinata (Bl.)
Kosterm bark methanolic crude extract (PDM). PDM exhibited a
potent antiproliferative effect in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells,
with an IC50 value of 16.68 .g/mL after 48h of treatment. We
observed that PDM caused cell cycle arrest and subsequent apoptosis
in MCF-7 cells, as exhibited by increased population at G0/G1 phase,
higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and DNA
fragmentation. Mechanistic studies showed that PDM caused
significant elevation in ROS production, leading to perturbation of
mitochondrial membrane potential, cell permeability, and activation
of caspases-3/7. On the other hand, real-time PCR and Western blot
analysis showed that PDM treatment increased the expression of the
proapoptotic molecule, Bax, but decreased the expression of
prosurvival proteins, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, in a dose-dependent manner.
These findings imply that PDM could inhibit proliferation in MCF-7
cells via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction, indicating its
potential as a therapeutic agent worthy of further development.
Abstract: This article presents summary on preparation and
characterization of zinc, copper, cadmium and cobalt chromite
nanocrystals, embedded in an amorphous silica matrix. The
ZnCr2O4/SiO2, CuCr2O4/SiO2, CdCr2O4/SiO2 and CoCr2O4/SiO2
nanocomposites were prepared by a conventional sol-gel method
under acid catalysis. Final heat treatment of the samples was carried
out at temperatures in the range of 900−1200 ◦C to adjust the
phase composition and the crystallite size, respectively. The resulting
samples were characterized by Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD),
High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM),
Raman/FTIR spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. Formation
of the spinel phase was confirmed in all samples. The average size of
the nanocrystals was determined from the PXRD data and by direct
particle size observation on HRTEM; both results were correlated.
The mean particle size (reviewed by HRTEM) was in the range from
∼4 to 46 nm. The results showed that the sol-gel method can be
effectively used for preparation of the spinel chromite nanoparticles
embedded in the silica matrix and the particle size is driven by the
type of the cation A2+ in the spinel structure and the temperature
of the final heat treatment. Magnetic properties of the nanocrystals
were found to be just moderately modified in comparison to the bulk
phases.
Abstract: The organizations of European and Czech critical
infrastructure have specific position, mission, characteristics and
behaviour in European Union and Czech state/business environments,
regarding specific requirements for regional and global security
environments. They must respect policy of national security and
global rules, requirements and standards in all their inherent and
outer processes of supply - customer chains and networks. A
controlling is generalized capability to have control over situational
policy. This paper aims and purposes are to introduce the controlling
as quite new necessary process attribute providing for critical
infrastructure is environment the capability and profit to achieve its
commitment regarding to the effectiveness of the quality
management system in meeting customer/ user requirements and also
the continual improvement of critical infrastructure organization’s
processes overall performance and efficiency, as well as its societal
security via continual planning improvement via DYVELOP
modelling.
Abstract: This paper attempts to evaluate the effect of fire
damage on concrete by using nonlinear resonance vibration method,
one of the nonlinear nondestructive method. Concrete exhibits not
only nonlinear stress-strain relation but also hysteresis and discrete
memory effect which are contained in consolidated materials.
Hysteretic materials typically show the linear resonance frequency
shift. Also, the shift of resonance frequency is changed according to
the degree of micro damage. The degree of the shift can be obtained
through nonlinear resonance vibration method. Five exposure
scenarios were considered in order to make different internal micro
damage. Also, the effect of post-fire-curing on fire-damaged concrete
was taken into account to conform the change in internal damage.
Hysteretic nonlinearity parameter was obtained by amplitudedependent
resonance frequency shift after specific curing periods. In
addition, splitting tensile strength was measured on each sample to
characterize the variation of residual strength. Then, a correlation
between the hysteretic nonlinearity parameter and residual strength
was proposed from each test result.
Abstract: Well-designed composite steel and concrete structures
highlight the good material properties and lower the deficiencies of
steel and concrete, in particular they make use of high tensile strength
of steel and high stiffness of concrete. The most common composite
steel and concrete structure is a simply supported beam, which
concrete slab transferring the slab load to a beam is connected to the
steel cross-section. The aim of this paper is to find the most adequate
numerical model of a simply supported composite beam with the
cross-sectional and material parameters based on the results of a
processed parametric study and numerical analysis. The paper also
evaluates the suitability of using compact concrete with the
lightweight aggregates for composite steel and concrete beams. The
most adequate numerical model will be used in the resent future to
compare the results of laboratory tests.
Abstract: The fundamental issues in ICT Governance (ICTG)
implementation for Malaysian Public Sector (MPS) is how ICT be
applied to support improvements in productivity, management
effectiveness and the quality of services offered to its citizens. Our
main concern is to develop and adopt a common definition and
framework to illustrate how ICTG can be used to better align ICT
with government’s operations and strategic focus. In particular, we
want to identify and categorize factors that drive a successful ICTG
process. This paper presents the results of an exploratory study to
identify, validate and refine such Critical Success Factors (CSFs) and
confirmed seven CSFs and nineteen sub-factors as influential factors
that fit MPS after further validated and refined. The Delphi method
applied in validation and refining process before being endorsed as
appropriate for MPS. The identified CSFs reflect the focus areas that
need to be considered strategically to strengthen ICT Governance
implementation and ensure business success.
Abstract: Load Forecasting plays a key role in making today's
and future's Smart Energy Grids sustainable and reliable. Accurate
power consumption prediction allows utilities to organize in advance
their resources or to execute Demand Response strategies more
effectively, which enables several features such as higher
sustainability, better quality of service, and affordable electricity
tariffs. It is easy yet effective to apply Load Forecasting at larger
geographic scale, i.e. Smart Micro Grids, wherein the lower available
grid flexibility makes accurate prediction more critical in Demand
Response applications. This paper analyses the application of
short-term load forecasting in a concrete scenario, proposed within the
EU-funded GreenCom project, which collect load data from single
loads and households belonging to a Smart Micro Grid. Three
short-term load forecasting techniques, i.e. linear regression, artificial
neural networks, and radial basis function network, are considered,
compared, and evaluated through absolute forecast errors and training
time. The influence of weather conditions in Load Forecasting is also
evaluated. A new definition of Gain is introduced in this paper, which
innovatively serves as an indicator of short-term prediction
capabilities of time spam consistency. Two models, 24- and
1-hour-ahead forecasting, are built to comprehensively compare these
three techniques.
Abstract: Metal-enhanced Luminescence of silicon nanocrystals
(SiNCs) was determined using two different particle sizes of silver
nanoparticles (AgNPs). SiNCs have been characterized by scanning
electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron
microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
(FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It is found that
the SiNCs are crystalline with an average diameter of 65 nm and FCC
lattice. AgNPs were synthesized using photochemical reduction of
AgNO3 with sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). The enhanced
luminescence of SiNCs by AgNPs was evaluated by confocal Raman
microspectroscopy. Enhancement up to x9 and x3 times were
observed for SiNCs that mixed with AgNPs which have an average
particle size of 100 nm and 30 nm, respectively. Silver NPs-enhanced
luminescence of SiNCs occurs as a result of the coupling between the
excitation laser light and the plasmon bands of AgNPs; thus this
intense field at AgNPs surface couples strongly to SiNCs.
Abstract: Diabetes is a growing health problem in worldwide.
Especially, the patients with Type 1 diabetes need strict glycemic
control because they have deficiency of insulin production. This
paper attempts to control blood glucose based on body mathematical
body model. The Bergman minimal mathematical model is used to
develop the nonlinear controller. A novel back-stepping based sliding
mode control (B-SMC) strategy is proposed as a solution that
guarantees practical tracking of a desired glucose concentration. In
order to show the performance of the proposed design, it is compared
with conventional linear and fuzzy controllers which have been done
in previous researches. The numerical simulation result shows the
advantages of sliding mode back stepping controller design to linear
and fuzzy controllers.
Abstract: Artemisia species, which are medically beneficial, are
widespread in temperate regions of both Northern and Southern
hemispheres among which Iran is located. About 35 species of
Artemisia are indigenous in Iran among them some are widespread in
all or most provinces, yet some are restricted to some specific
regions. In this review paper, initially, GC-Mass results of some
experiments done in different provinces of Iran are mentioned among
them some compounds are common among species, some others are
mostly restricted to other species; after that, medical advantages
based on some researches on species of this genus are reviewed;
different qualities such as anti-leishmania, anti-bacteria, antiviral as
well as anti-proliferative could be mentioned.
Abstract: Class cohesion is a key object-oriented software
quality attribute that is used to evaluate the degree of relatedness of
class attributes and methods. Researchers have proposed several class
cohesion measures. However, the effect of considering the special
methods (i.e., constructors, destructors, and access and delegation
methods) in cohesion calculation is not thoroughly theoretically
studied for most of them. In this paper, we address this issue for three
popular connectivity-based class cohesion measures. For each of the
considered measures we theoretically study the impact of including
or excluding special methods on the values that are obtained by
applying the measure. This study is based on analyzing the
definitions and formulas that are proposed for the measures. The
results show that including/excluding special methods has a
considerable effect on the obtained cohesion values and that this
effect varies from one measure to another. For each of the three
connectivity-based measures, the proposed theoretical study
recommended excluding the special methods in cohesion
measurement.
Abstract: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has
increased in conjunction with obesity. The accuracy of risk factors
for detecting NAFLD in obese adolescents has not undergone a
formal evaluation. The aim of this study was to evaluate predictors of
NAFLD among Egyptian female obese adolescents. The study
included 162 obese female adolescents. All were subjected to
anthropometry, biochemical analysis and abdominal ultrasongraphic
assessment. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was diagnosed according to
the IDF criteria. Significant association between presence of MS and
NAFLD was observed. Obese adolescents with NAFLD had
significantly higher levels of ALT, triglycerides, fasting glucose,
insulin, blood pressure and HOMA-IR, whereas decreased HDL-C
levels as compared with obese cases without NAFLD. Receiver–
operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis shows that ALT is a
sensitive predictor for NAFLD, confirming that ALT can be used as a
marker of NAFLD.