Abstract: Polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption
spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) in combination with electrochemistry,
was employed to study the influence of surface charge (potential) on
the kinetics of bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption on a
biomedical-grade 316LVM stainless steel surface is discussed. The
BSA adsorption kinetics was found to greatly depend on the surface
potential. With an increase in surface potential towards more
negative values, both the BSA initial adsorption rate and the
equilibrium (saturated) surface concentration also increased. Both
effects were explained on the basis of replacement of well-ordered
water molecules at the 316LVM / solution interface, i.e. by the
increase in entropy of the system.
Abstract: The major objective of this study is to understand the
potential of a newly fabricated equipment to study the thermal
properties of nonwoven textile fabrics treated with aerogel at subzero
temperatures. Thermal conductivity was calculated by using the
empirical relation Fourier’s law, The relationship between the
thermal conductivity and thermal resistance of the samples were
studied at various environmental temperatures (which was set in the
clima temperature system between +25oC to -25oC). The newly
fabricated equipment was found to be a suitable for measuring at
subzero temperatures. This field of measurements is being developed
and will be the subject of further research which will be more suitable
for measurement of the various thermal characteristics.
Abstract: In the competitive environment of aircraft industries it becomes absolutely necessary to improve the efficiency, performance of the aircrafts to reduce the development and operating costs considerably, in order to capitalize the market. An important contribution to improve the efficiency and performance can be
achieved by decreasing the aircraft weight through considerable
usage of composite materials in primary aircraft structures. In this study, a type of composite material called Carbon Fiber Reinforced
Plastic (CFRP) is explored for the usage is aircraft skin panels. Even
though there were plenty of studies and research has been already
carried out, here a practical example of an aircraft skin panel is taken
and substantiated the benefits of composites material usage over the
metallic skin panel. A crown skin panel of a commercial aircraft is
designed using both metal and composite materials. Stress analysis
has been carried out for both and margin of safety is estimated for the
critical load cases. The skin panels are compared for manufacturing,
tooling, assembly and cost parameters. Detail step by step comparison between metal and composite constructions are studied
and results are tabulated for better understanding.
Abstract: Cyclic delay diversity (CDD) is a simple technique to
intentionally increase frequency selectivity of channels for orthogonal
frequency division multiplexing (OFDM).This paper proposes a residual
carrier frequency offset (RFO) estimation scheme for OFDMbased
broadcasting system using CDD. In order to improve the RFO
estimation, this paper addresses a decision scheme of the amount of
cyclic delay and pilot pattern used to estimate the RFO. By computer
simulation, the proposed estimator is shown to benefit form propoerly
chosen delay parameter and perform robustly.
Abstract: To date, theoretical studies concerning the Carbon
Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) strengthening of RC beams with
openings have been rather limited. In addition, various numerical
analyses presented so far have effectively simulated the behaviour of
solid beam strengthened by FRP material. In this paper, a two
dimensional nonlinear finite element analysis is presented to validate
against the laboratory test results of six RC beams. All beams had the
same rectangular cross-section geometry and were loaded under four
point bending. The crack pattern results of the finite element model
show good agreement with the crack pattern of the experimental
beams. The load midspan deflection curves of the finite element
models exhibited a stiffer result compared to the experimental beams.
The possible reason may be due to the perfect bond assumption used
between the concrete and steel reinforcement.
Abstract: Since MEMS gyro sensors measure not angle of rotation but angular rate, an estimator is designed to estimate the angles in many applications. Gyro and accelerometer are used to improve estimating accuracy of the angle. This paper presents a method of finding filter coefficients of the well-known estimator which is to get rotation angles from gyro and accelerometer data. In order to verify the performance of our method, the estimated angle is compared with the encoder output in a rotary pendulum system.
Abstract: White scar oyster (Crassostrea belcheri) is often eaten
raw and being the leading vehicle for foodborne disease, especially
Salmonella Weltevreden which exposed the prominent and most
resistant to radiation. Gamma irradiation at a low dose of 1 kGy was
enough to eliminate S. Weltevreden contaminated in oyster meat at a
level up to 5 log CFU/g while it still retain the raw characteristics and
equivalent sensory quality as the non-irradiated one. Process
development of ready-to-eat chilled oyster meat was conducted by
shucking the meat, individually packed in plastic bags, subjected to 1
kGy gamma radiation at chilled condition and then stored in 4oC
refrigerated temperature. Microbiological determination showed the
absence of S. Weltevreden (5 log CFU/g initial inoculated) along the
whole storage time of 30 days. Sensory evaluation indicated the
decreasing in sensory scores along storage time which determining
the product shelf life to be 18 days compared to 15 days of nonirradiated
one. The most advantage of developed process was to
provide the safe raw oyster to consumers and in addition sensory
quality retained and 3-day extension shelf life also exist.
Abstract: The subcellular organelles called oil bodies (OBs) are lipid-filled quasi-spherical droplets produced from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and then released into the cytoplasm during seed development. It is believed that an OB grows by coalescence with other OBs and that its stability depends on the composition of oleosins, major proteins inserted in the hemi membrane that covers OBs. In this study, we measured the OB-volume distribution from different genotypes of A. thaliana after 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 days of seed development. In order to test the hypothesis of OBs dynamics, we developed a simple mathematical model using non-linear differential equations inspired from the theory of coagulation. The model describes the evolution of OB-volume distribution during the first steps of seed development by taking into consideration the production of OBs, the increase of triacylglycerol volume to be stored, and the growth by coalescence of OBs. Fitted parameters values show an increase in the OB production and coalescence rates in A. thaliana oleosin mutants compared to wild type.
Abstract: On March 11, 2011, the East coast of Japan was hit by
one of the strongest earthquakes in history, followed by a devastating
tsunami. Although most lifelines, infrastructure, and public facilities
have been restored gradually, recovery efforts in terms of disposal of
disaster waste and revival of primary industry are lagging. This study
presents a summary of the damage inflicted by the earthquake and the
current status of reconstruction in the disaster area. Moreover, we
discuss the current trends and future perspectives on recently
implemented eco-friendly reconstruction projects and focus on the
pro-environmental behavior of disaster victims which is emerging as a
result of the energy shortage after the earthquake. Finally, we offer
ideas for initiatives for the next stage of the reconstruction policies.
Abstract: In recent years, we see an increase of interest for efficient tracking systems in surveillance applications. Many of the proposed techniques are designed for static cameras environments. When the camera is moving, tracking moving objects become more difficult and many techniques fail to detect and track the desired targets. The problem becomes more complex when we want to track a specific object in real-time using a moving Pan and Tilt camera system to keep the target within the image. This type of tracking is of high importance in surveillance applications. When a target is detected at a certain zone, the possibility of automatically tracking it continuously and keeping it within the image until action is taken is very important for security personnel working in very sensitive sites. This work presents a real-time tracking system permitting the detection and continuous tracking of targets using a Pan and Tilt camera platform. A novel and efficient approach for dealing with occlusions is presented. Also a new intelligent forget factor is introduced in order to take into account target shape variations and avoid learning non desired objects. Tests conducted in outdoor operational scenarios show the efficiency and robustness of the proposed approach.
Abstract: In this paper we have proposed a novel dynamic least cost multicast routing protocol using hybrid genetic algorithm for IP networks. Our protocol finds the multicast tree with minimum cost subject to delay, degree, and bandwidth constraints. The proposed protocol has the following features: i. Heuristic local search function has been devised and embedded with normal genetic operation to increase the speed and to get the optimized tree, ii. It is efficient to handle the dynamic situation arises due to either change in the multicast group membership or node / link failure, iii. Two different crossover and mutation probabilities have been used for maintaining the diversity of solution and quick convergence. The simulation results have shown that our proposed protocol generates dynamic multicast tree with lower cost. Results have also shown that the proposed algorithm has better convergence rate, better dynamic request success rate and less execution time than other existing algorithms. Effects of degree and delay constraints have also been analyzed for the multicast tree interns of search success rate.
Abstract: Effective cooling of electronic equipment has emerged
as a challenging and constraining problem of the new century. In the
present work the feasibility and effectiveness of jet impingement
cooling on electronics were investigated numerically and
experimentally. Studies have been conducted to see the effect of the
geometrical parameters such as jet diameter (D), jet to target
spacing (Z) and ratio of jet spacing to jet diameter (Z/D) on the heat
transfer characteristics. The values of Reynolds numbers considered
are in the range 7000 to 42000. The results obtained from the
numerical studies are validated by conducting experiments. From the
studies it is found that the optimum value of Z/D ratio is 5. For a
given Reynolds number, the Nusselt number increases by about 28%
if the diameter of the nozzle is increased from 1mm to 2mm.
Correlations are proposed for Nusselt number in terms of Reynolds
number and these are valid for air as the cooling medium.
Abstract: The aims of this paper are to study the efficacy of
chitosan nanoparticles in stimulating specific antibody against
A/H1N1 influenza antigen in mice. Chitosan nanoparticles (CSN)
were characterized by TEM. The results showed that the average size
of CSN was from 80nm to 106nm. The efficacy of A/H1N1 influenza
vaccine loaded on the surface of CSN showed that loading efficiency
of A/H1N1 influenza antigen on CSN was from 93.75 to 100%. Safe
property of the vaccine were tested. In 10 days post vaccination,
group of CSN 30 kDa and 300 kDa loaded A/H1N1 influenza antigen
were the rate of immune response on mice to be 100% (9/9) higher
than Al(OH)3 and other adjuvant. 100% mice in the experiment of all
groups had immune response in 20 days post vaccination. The results
also showed that HI titer of the group using CSN 300 kDa as an
adjuvant increased significantly up to 3971 HIU, over three-fold
higher than the Al(OH)3 adjuvant, chitosan (CS), and one hundredfold
than the A/H1N1 antigen only. Stability of the vaccine
formulation was investigated.
Abstract: At present, web Service is the first choice to reuse the
legacy system for the implementation of SOA. According to the status
of the implementation of SOA and the status of the legacy systems, we propose four encapsulating strategies. Base on the strategies, we
proposal the service-oriented encapsulating framework, the legacy system can be encapsulated by the service-oriented encapsulating
layer in three aspects, communication protocols, data and program.
The reuse rate of the legacy systems can be increased by using this framework
Abstract: This research aims at modeling and simulating the effects of nanofluids on cylindrical heat pipes thermal performance using the ANSYS-FLUENT CFD commercial software. The heat pipe outer wall temperature distribution, thermal resistance, liquid pressure and axial velocity in presence of suspended nano-scaled solid particle (i.e. Cu, Al2O3 and TiO2) within the fluid (water) were investigated. The effect of particle concentration and size were explored and it is concluded that the thermal performance of the heat pipe is improved when using nanofluid as the system working fluid. Additionally, it was observed that the thermal resistance of the heat pipe drops as the particle concentration level increases and particle radius decreases.
Abstract: In this study a two dimensional axisymmetric, steady state and incompressible laminar flow in a rotating single disk is numerically investigated. The finite volume method is used for solving the momentum equations. The numerical model and results
are validated by comparing it to previously reported experimental data for velocities, angles and moment coefficients. It is
demonstrated that increasing the axial distance increases the value of axial velocity and vice versa for tangential and total velocities. However, the maximum value of nondimensional radial velocity
occurs near the disk wall. It is also found that with increase rotational Reynolds number, moment coefficient decreases.
Abstract: Coagulation of water involves the use of coagulating
agents to bring the suspended matter in the raw water together for
settling and the filtration stage. Present study is aimed to examine the
effects of aluminum sulfate as coagulant in conjunction with Moringa
Oleifera Coagulant Protein as coagulant aid on turbidity, hardness,
and bacteria in turbid water. A conventional jar test apparatus was
employed for the tests. The best removal was observed at a pH of 7
to 7.5 for all turbidities. Turbidity removal efficiency was resulted
between % 80 to % 99 by Moringa Oleifera Coagulant Protein as
coagulant aid. Dosage of coagulant and coagulant aid decreased with
increasing turbidity. In addition, Moringa Oleifera Coagulant Protein
significantly has reduced the required dosage of primary coagulant.
Residual Al+3 in treated water were less than 0.2 mg/l and meets the
environmental protection agency guidelines. The results showed that
turbidity reduction of % 85.9- % 98 paralleled by a primary
Escherichia coli reduction of 1-3 log units (99.2 – 99.97%) was
obtained within the first 1 to 2 h of treatment. In conclusions,
Moringa Oleifera Coagulant Protein as coagulant aid can be used for
drinking water treatment without the risk of organic or nutrient
release. We demonstrated that optimal design method is an efficient
approach for optimization of coagulation-flocculation process and
appropriate for raw water treatment.
Abstract: The restoration of extinct ponds is considered as one
of ways to gain new retention capacities for water which is getting
much more important issue with respect to expected impacts of a
climate change. However, there are also other pressures on the
landscape which must be all taken into consideration when making a
decision on the possible restoration of extinct ponds. The research
presented here focuses besides others on the restoration of former
ponds which could be important for both the flood protection and
drought impacts prevention. The first step of the methodology
development for the assessment of such areas is the assessment of
their present state. In this paper, the results of land use types
assessment for 22 localities are presented. These results confirm the
assumption that the most present land use type in such areas is the
permanent grassland. However, the spectra of land use types present
in extinct pond areas is very diverse and include besides others also
airport areas and industry.
Abstract: Fully customized hardware based technology provides high performance and low power consumption by specializing the tasks in hardware but lacks design flexibility since any kind of changes require re-design and re-fabrication. Software based solutions operate with software instructions due to which a great flexibility is achieved from the easy development and maintenance of the software code. But this execution of instructions introduces a high overhead in performance and area consumption. In past few decades the reconfigurable computing domain has been introduced which overcomes the traditional trades-off between flexibility and performance and is able to achieve high performance while maintaining a good flexibility. The dramatic gains in terms of chip performance and design flexibility achieved through the reconfigurable computing systems are greatly dependent on the design of their computational units being integrated with reconfigurable logic resources. The computational unit of any reconfigurable system plays vital role in defining its strength. In this research paper an RFU based computational unit design has been presented using the tightly coupled, multi-threaded reconfigurable cores. The proposed design has been simulated for VLIW based architectures and a high gain in performance has been observed as compared to the conventional computing systems.
Abstract: Semantic Web services will enable the semiautomatic
and automatic annotation, advertisement, discovery,
selection, composition, and execution of inter-organization business
logic, making the Internet become a common global platform where
organizations and individuals communicate with each other to carry
out various commercial activities and to provide value-added
services. There is a growing consensus that Web services alone will
not be sufficient to develop valuable solutions due the degree of
heterogeneity, autonomy, and distribution of the Web. This paper
deals with two of the hottest R&D and technology areas currently
associated with the Web – Web services and the Semantic Web. It
presents the synergies that can be created between Web Services and
Semantic Web technologies to provide a new generation of eservices.