Abstract: Groundwater resources in Arsanjan plain provide
water for agriculture, industry, and human consumption. Continued
agricultural development in this area needs to additional groundwater
resources for, particularly during of drought periods, and effects on
the quantity and quality of ground water available. The purpose of
this study is to evaluate water level changes in the aquifer of
Arsanjan plain in the Fars province in order to determine the areas of
greatest depletion and the causes of depletion. In this plain, farmers
and other users are pumping groundwater faster than its natural
replenishment rate, causing a continuous drop in groundwater tables
and depletion of this resource. In this research variation of
groundwater level, their effects and ways to help control groundwater
levels in aquifer of the Arsanjan plains were evaluated .Excessive
exploitation of groundwater in this aquifer caused the groundwater
levels fall too fast or to unacceptable levels. The average drawdown
of the groundwater level in this plain were 19.66 meters during
1996 to 2003.
Abstract: This paper presents the experimental results of
leakage current waveforms which appears on porcelain insulator
surface due to existence of artificial pollutants. The tests have been
done using the chemical compounds of NaCl, Na2SiO3, H2SO4, CaO,
Na2SO4, KCl, Al2SO4, MgSO4, FeCl3, and TiO2. The insulator
surface was coated with those compounds and dried. Then, it was
tested in the chamber where the high voltage was applied. Using
correspondence analysis, the result indicated that the fundamental
harmonic of leakage current was very close to the applied voltage
and third harmonic leakage current was close to the yielded leakage
current amplitude. The first harmonic power was correlated to first
harmonic amplitude of leakage current, and third harmonic power
was close to third harmonic one. The chemical compounds of H2SO4
and Na2SiO3 affected to the power factor of around 70%. Both are the
most conductive, due to the power factor drastically increase among
the chemical compounds.
Abstract: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent and far common debilitating form of arthritis which can be defined as a degenerative condition affecting synovial joint. Patients suffering from osteoarthritis often complain of dull ache pain on movement.
Physical agents can fight the painful process when correctly indicated and used such as heat or cold therapy Aim. This study was carried out to: Compare the effect of cold, warm and contrast therapy on controlling knee osteoarthritis associated problems. Setting: The study was carried out in orthopedic outpatient clinics of Menoufia University and teaching Hospitals, Egypt. Sample: A convenient sample of 60 adult patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis. Tools: three tools were utilized to collect the data. Tool I : An interviewing questionnaire. It comprised of three parts covering sociodemographic data, medical data and adverse effects of the treatment protocol. Tool II : Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) It consists of five main parts. Tool II1 : 0-10 Numeric pain rating scale. Results: reveled that the total knee symptoms score was decreased from moderate symptoms pre intervention to mild symptoms after warm and contrast method of therapy, but the contrast therapy had significant effect in reducing the knee symptoms and pain than the other symptoms. Conclusions: all of the three
methods of therapy resulted in improvement in all knee symptoms and pain but the most appropriate protocol of treatment to relive symptoms and pain was contrast therapy.
Abstract: Mental health professionals views about mental illness
is an important issue which has not received enough attention. The
negative stigma associated with mental illness can have many
negative consequences. Unfortunately, health professionals working
with the mentally ill can also exhibit stigma. It has been suggested
that causal explanations or beliefs around the causes of mental illness
may influence stigma. This study aims to gain a greater insight into
stigma through examining stigma among potential mental health
professionals. Firstly, results found that potential mental health
professionals had relatively low social distance t(205) = -3.62, p
Abstract: We report the size dependence of 1D superconductivity in ultrathin (10-130 nm) nanowires produced by coating suspended carbon nanotubes with a superconducting NbN thin film. The resistance-temperature characteristic curves for samples with ≧25 nm wire width show the superconducting transition. On the other hand, for the samples with 10-nm width, the superconducting transition is not exhibited owing to the quantum size effect. The differential resistance vs. current density characteristic curves show some peak, indicating that Josephson junctions are formed in nanowires. The presence of the Josephson junctions is well explained by the measurement of the magnetic field dependence of the critical current. These understanding allow for the further expansion of the potential application of NbN, which is utilized for single photon detectors and so on.
Abstract: Design and evaluation of reciprocating compressors
should include a pulsation study. The object is to ensure that
predicted pulsation levels meet guidelines to limit vibration, shaking
forces, noise, associated pressure drops, horsepower losses and
fabrication cost and time to acceptable levels. This paper explains
procedures and recommendations to select and size pulsation
suppression devices to obtain optimum arrangement in terms of
pulsation, vibration, shaking forces, performance, reliability, safety,
operation, maintenance and commercial conditions. Model and
advanced formulations for pulsation study are presented. The effect
of the full fluid dynamic model on the prediction of pulsation waves
and resulting frequency spectrum distributions are discussed.
Advanced and optimum methods of controlling pulsations are
highlighted. Useful recommendations and guidelines for pulsation
control, piping pulsation analysis, pulsation vessel design, shaking
forces, low pressure drop orifices, pulsation study report and devices
to mitigate pulsation and shaking problems are discussed.
Abstract: This paper describes an ongoing study into the quality of service provided by the Irish Revenue Commisioners- online tax filing and collection system. The Irish Revenue On-Line Service (ROS) site has won several awards. In this study, a version of the widely use SERVQUAL measuring instrument, adapted for use with online services, has been modified for the specific case of ROS. In this paper, the theory behind this instrument is set out, the particular problems of evaluating revenue collecting online are examined and the rationale for this approach is explained.
Abstract: As a learning theory tries to borrow from science a framework to found its method, it shows paradoxes and paralysing contraddictions. This results, on one hand, from adopting a learning/teaching model as it were a mere “transfer of data" (mechanical learning approach), and on the other hand from borrowing the complexity theory (an indeterministic and non-linear model), that risks to vanish every educational effort. This work is aimed at describing existing criticism, unveiling the antinomic nature of such paradoxes, focussing on a view where neither the mechanical learning perspective nor the chaotic and nonlinear model can threaten and jeopardize the educational work. Author intends to go back over the steps that led to these paradoxes and to unveil their antinomic nature. Actually this could serve the purpose to explain some current misunderstandings about the real usefulness of Ict within the youth-s learning process and growth.
Abstract: This paper present a circular patch microstrip array antenna operate in KU-band (10.9GHz – 17.25GHz). The proposed circular patch array antenna will be in light weight, flexible, slim and compact unit compare with current antenna used in KU-band. The paper also presents the detail steps of designing the circular patch microstrip array antenna. An Advance Design System (ADS) software is used to compute the gain, power, radiation pattern, and S11 of the antenna. The proposed Circular patch microstrip array antenna basically is a phased array consisting of 'n' elements (circular patch antennas) arranged in a rectangular grid. The size of each element is determined by the operating frequency. The incident wave from satellite arrives at the plane of the antenna with equal phase across the surface of the array. Each 'n' element receives a small amount of power in phase with the others. There are feed network connects each element to the microstrip lines with an equal length, thus the signals reaching the circular patches are all combined in phase and the voltages add up. The significant difference of the circular patch array antenna is not come in the phase across the surface but in the magnitude distribution.
Abstract: The enthusiasm for gluten avoidance in a growing
market is met by improvements in sensitive detection methods for
analysing gluten content. Paradoxically, manufacturers employ no
such systems in the production process but continue to market their
product as gluten free, a significant risk posed to an undetermined
coeliac population. This paper resonates with an immunological
response that causes gastrointestinal scarring and villous atrophy with
the conventional description of personal injury. This thesis divulges
into evaluating potential inadequacies of gluten labelling laws which
not only present a diagnostic challenge for general practitioners in the
UK but it also exposes a less than adequate form of available legal
protection to those who suffer adverse reactions as a result of gluten
digestion. Central to this discussion is whether a claim brought in
misrepresentation, negligence and/or under the Consumer Protection
Act 1987 could be sustained. An interesting comparison is then made
with the legal regimes of neighboring jurisdictions furthering the
theme of a legally un-catered for gluten kingdom.
Abstract: Digital broadcasting has been an area of active
research, development, innovation and business models development
in recent years. This paper presents a survey on the characteristics of
the digital terrestrial television broadcasting (DTTB) standards, and
implementation status of DTTB worldwide showing the standards
adopted. It is clear that only the developed countries and some in the
developing ones shall be able to beat the ITU set analogue to digital
broadcasting migration deadline because of the challenges that these
countries faces in digitizing their terrestrial broadcasting. The
challenges to keep on track the DTTB migration plan are also
discussed in this paper. They include financial, technology gap,
policies alignment with DTTB technology, etc. The reported
performance comparisons for the different standards are also
presented. The interesting part is that the results for many
comparative studies depends to a large extent on the objective behind
such studies, hence counter claims are common.
Abstract: The main objective of this study was to remove and recover Ni, Cu and Fe from a mixed metal system using sodium hypophosphite as a reducing agent and nickel powder as seeding material. The metal systems studied consisted of Ni-Cu, Ni-Fe and Ni-Cu-Fe solutions. A 5 L batch reactor was used to conduct experiments where 100 mg/l of each respective metal was used. It was found that the metals were reduced to their elemental form with removal efficiencies of over 80%. The removal efficiency decreased in the order Fe>Ni>Cu. The metal powder obtained contained between 97-99% Ni and was almost spherical and porous. Size enlargement by aggregation was the dominant particulate process.
Abstract: The recent development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) enables new ways of "democratic" decision-making such as a page-ranking system, which estimates the importance of a web page based on indirect trust on that page shared by diverse group of unorganized individuals. These kinds of "democracy" have not been acclaimed yet in the world of real politics. On the other hand, a large amount of data about personal relations including trust, norms of reciprocity, and networks of civic engagement has been accumulated in a computer-readable form by computer systems (e.g., social networking systems). We can use these relations as a new type of social capital to construct a new democratic decision-making system based on a delegation network. In this paper, we propose an effective decision-making support system, which is based on empowering someone's vote whom you trust. For this purpose, we propose two new techniques: the first is for estimating entire vote distribution from a small number of votes, and the second is for estimating active voter choice to promote voting using a delegation network. We show that these techniques could increase the voting ratio and credibility of the whole decision by agent-based simulations.
Abstract: Based on the Lagrangian for the Gross –Pitaevskii
equation as derived by H. Sakaguchi and B.A Malomed [5] we have
derived a double well model for the nonlinear optical lattice. This
model explains the various features of nonlinear optical lattices.
Further, from this model we obtain and simulate the probability for
tunneling from one well to another which agrees with experimental
results [4].
Abstract: In Thailand, the practice of pre-hospital Emergency
Medical Service (EMS) in each area reveals the different growth
rates and effectiveness of the practices. Those can be found as the
diverse quality and quantity. To shorten the learning curve prior to
speed-up the practices in other areas, story telling and lessons learnt
from the effective practices are valued as meaningful knowledge. To
this paper, it was to ascertain the factors, lessons learnt and best
practices that have impact as contributing to the success of prehospital
EMS system. Those were formulized as model prior to
speedup the practice in other areas. To develop the model, Malcolm
Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA), which is widely
recognized as a framework for organizational quality assessment and
improvement, was chosen as the discussion framework. Remarkably,
this study was based on the consideration of knowledge capture;
however it was not to complete the loop of knowledge activities.
Nevertheless, it was to highlight the recognition of knowledge
capture, which is the initiation of knowledge management.
Abstract: A new method for low complexity image coding is presented, that permits different settings and great scalability in the generation of the final bit stream. This coding presents a continuoustone still image compression system that groups loss and lossless compression making use of finite arithmetic reversible transforms. Both transformation in the space of color and wavelet transformation are reversible. The transformed coefficients are coded by means of a coding system in depending on a subdivision into smaller components (CFDS) similar to the bit importance codification. The subcomponents so obtained are reordered by means of a highly configure alignment system depending on the application that makes possible the re-configure of the elements of the image and obtaining different levels of importance from which the bit stream will be generated. The subcomponents of each level of importance are coded using a variable length entropy coding system (VBLm) that permits the generation of an embedded bit stream. This bit stream supposes itself a bit stream that codes a compressed still image. However, the use of a packing system on the bit stream after the VBLm allows the realization of a final highly scalable bit stream from a basic image level and one or several enhance levels.
Abstract: A straightforward and intuitive combination of single simulations into an aggregated master-simulation is not trivial. There are lots of problems, which trigger-specific difficulties during the modeling and execution of such a simulation. In this paper we identify these problems and aim to solve them by mapping the task to the field of multi agent systems. The solution is a new meta-model named AGENTMAP, which is able to mitigate most of the problems and to support intuitive modeling at the same time. This meta-model will be introduced and explained on basis of an example from the e-commerce domain.
Abstract: During the last few decades in the academic field, the
debate has increased on the effects of social geography on the
opportunities of socioeconomic integration. On one hand, it has been
discussed how the contents of the urban structure and social
geography affect not only the way people interact, but also their
chances of social and economic integration. On the other hand, it has
also been discussed how the urban structure is also constrained and
transformed by the action of social actors. Without questioning the
powerful influence of structural factors, related to the logic of the
production system, labor markets, education and training, the
research has shown the role played by place of residence in shaping
individual outcomes such as unemployment. In the context of this
debate the importance of territory of residence with respect to the
problem of unemployment has been highlighted.
Although statistics of unemployment have already demonstrated
the unequal incidence of the phenomenon in social groups, the issue
of uneven territorial impact on the phenomenon at intra-urban level
remains relatively unknown.
The purpose of this article is to show and to interpret the spatial
patterns of unemployment in the city of Porto using GIS (Geographic
Information System - GIS) technology. Under this analysis the
overlap of the spatial patterns of unemployment with the spatial
distribution of social housing, allows the discussion of the
relationship that occurs between these patterns and the reasons that
might explain the relative immutability of socioeconomic problems in
some neighborhoods.
Abstract: POS (also been called DGPS/IMU) technique can obtain the Exterior Orientation Elements of aerial photo, so the triangulation and DLG production using POS can save large numbers of ground control points (GCP), and this will improve the produce efficiency of DLG and reduce the cost of collecting GCP. This paper mainly research on POS technique in production of 1:10 000 scale DLG on GCP distribution. We designed 23 kinds of ground control points distribution schemes, using integrated sensor direction method to do the triangulation experiments, based on the results of triangulation, we produce a map with the scale of 1:10 000 and test its accuracy. This paper put forward appropriate GCP distributing schemes by experiments and research above, and made preparations for the application of POS technique on photogrammetry 4D data production.
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.