Abstract: Multiphasing of dc-dc converters has been known to give technical and economical benefits to low voltage high power buck regulator modules. A major advantage of multiphasing dc-dc converters is the improvement of input and output performances in the buck converter. From this aspect, a potential use would be in renewable energy where power quality plays an important factor. This paper presents the design of a 2-phase 200W boost converter for battery charging application. Analysis of results from hardware measurement of the boost converter demonstrates the benefits of using multiphase. Results from the hardware prototype of the 2-phase boost converter further show the potential extension of multiphase beyond its commonly used low voltage high current domains.
Abstract: Despite the internet, which is one of the mass media
that has become quite common in recent years, the relationship of
Advertisement with Television and Cinema, which have always
drawn attention of researchers as basic media and where visual use is
in the foreground, have also become the subject of various studies.
Based on the assumption that the known fundamental effects of
advertisements on consumers are closely related to the creative
process of advertisements as well as the nature and characteristics of
the medium where they are used, these basic mass media (Television
and Cinema) and the consumer motivations of the advertisements
they broadcast have become a focus of study.
Given that the viewers of the mass media in question have shifted
from a passive position to a more active one especially in recent years
and approach contents of advertisements, as they do all contents, in a
more critical and “pitiless" manner, it is possible to say that
individuals make more use of advertisements than in the past and
combine their individual goals with the goals of the advertisements.
This study, which aims at finding out what the goals of these new
individual advertisement use are, how they are shaped by the distinct
characteristics of Television and Cinema, where visuality takes
precedence as basic mass media, and what kind of places they occupy
in the minds of consumers, has determined consumers- motivations
as: “Entertainment", “Escapism", “Play", “Monitoring/Discovery",
“Opposite Sex" and “Aspirations and Role Models".
This study intends to reveal the differences or similarities among
the needs and hence the gratifications of viewers who consume
advertisements on Television or at the Cinema, which are two basic
media where visuality is prioritized.
Abstract: Concrete pavement has superior durability and longer
structural life than asphalt pavement. Concrete pavement requires
less maintenance compared to asphalt pavement which requires maintenance and major rehabilitation. Use of the concrete pavement
has been grown over the past decade in developing countries. Fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) has been successfully used in design of concrete pavement in past decade. In this research, the effect of fibre
volume fraction in modulus of rupture, load-deflection, equivalent flexural strength (fe,3) and the equivalent flexural strength ratio (Re,3)
has been used in different fibre volume fraction. Crimped-type flat
steel fibre of size 50 x 2.0 x 0.6 mm was used with 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0% volume fraction. Beam specimens of size 500 x 100 x 100 mm were used for flexural as well as with JCI method for analysis flexural toughness, equivalent flexural strength. It was obtained as the 2% fibre volume fractions; reduce 45% of the concrete pavement
thickness.
Abstract: For controlling urban transportations, traffic lights
show similar behavior for different kinds of vehicles at intersections.
Emergency vehicles need special behavior at intersections, so traffic
lights should behave in different manner when emergency vehicles
approach them. At the present time, intelligent traffic lights control
urban transportations intelligently. In this paper the ethical aspect of
this topic is considered. A model is proposed for adding special
component to emergency vehicles and traffic lights for controlling
traffic in ethical manner. The proposed model is simulated by JADE.
Abstract: Waste lubricating oil re-refining adsorption process by
different adsorbent materials was investigated. Adsorbent materials
such as oil adsorbent, egg shale powder, date palm kernel powder,
and acid activated date palm kernel powder were used. The
adsorption process over fixed amount of adsorbent at ambient
conditions was investigated. The adsorption/extraction process was
able to deposit the asphaltenic and metallic contaminants from the
waste oil to lower values. It was found that the date palm kernel
powder with contact time of 4 h was able to give the best conditions
for treating the waste oil. The recovered solvent could be also reused.
It was also found that the activated bentonite gave the best
physical properties followed by the date palm kernel powder.
Abstract: It has formed an essential issue that Climate Change, composed of highly knowledge complexity, reveals its significant impact on human existence. Therefore, specific national policies, some of which present the educational aspects, have been published for overcoming the imperative problem. Accordingly, the study aims to analyze as well as integrate the relationship between Climate Change and environmental education and apply the perspective of concept map to represent the knowledge contents and structures of Climate Change; by doing so, knowledge contents of Climate Change could be represented in an even more comprehensive way and manipulated as the tool for environmental education. The method adapted for this study is knowledge conversion model compounded of the platform for experts and teachers, who were the participants for this study, to cooperate and combine each participant-s standpoints into a complete knowledge framework that is the foundation for structuring the concept map. The result of this research contains the important concepts, the precise propositions and the entire concept map for representing the robust concepts of Climate Change.
Abstract: The 20th century has brought much development to the practice of Architecture worldwide, and technology has bridged inhabitation limits in many regions of the world with high levels of comfort and conveniences, most times at high costs to the environment. Throughout the globe, the tropical countries are being urbanized at an unprecedented rate and housing has become a major issue worldwide, in light of increased demand and lack of appropriate infra-structure and planning. Buildings and urban spaces designed in tropical cities have mainly adopted external concepts that in most cases do not fit the needs of the inhabitants living in such harsh climatic environment, and when they do, do so at high financial, environmental and cultural costs. Traditional architectural practices can provide valuable understanding on how self-reliance and autonomy of construction can be reinforced in rural-urban tropical environments. From traditional housing knowledge, it is possible to derive lessons for the development of new construction materials that are affordable, environmentally friendly, culturally acceptable and accesible to all.Specifically to the urban context, such solutions are of outmost importance, given the needs to a more democratic society, where access to housing is considered high in the agenda for development. Traditional or rural constructions are also ongoing through extensive changes eventhough they have mostly adopted climate-responsive building practices relying on local resources (with minimum embodied energy) and energy (for comfort and quality of life). It is important to note that many of these buildings can actually be called zero-energy, and hold potential answers to enable transition from high energy, high cost, low comfort urban habitations to zero/low energy habitations with high quality urban livelihood. Increasing access to modern urban lifestyels have also an effect on the aspirations from people in terms of performance, comfort and convenience in terms of their housing and the way it is produced and used. These aspirations are resulting in transitions from localresource dependent habitations- to non-local resource based highenergy urban style habitations. And such transitions are resulting in the habitations becoming increasingly unsuited to the local climatic conditions with increasing discomfort, ill-health, and increased CO2 emissions and local environmental disruption. This research studies one specific transition group in the context of 'water communities' in tropical-equatorial regions: Ribeirinhos housing typology (Amazonas, Brazil). The paper presents the results of a qualitative sustainability assessment of the housing typologies under transition, found at the Ribeirinhos communities.
Abstract: Nanostructured materials have attracted many
researchers due to their outstanding mechanical and physical
properties. For example, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or carbon
nanofibres (CNFs) are considered to be attractive reinforcement
materials for light weight and high strength metal matrix composites.
These composites are being projected for use in structural
applications for their high specific strength as well as functional
materials for their exciting thermal and electrical characteristics. The
critical issues of CNT-reinforced MMCs include processing
techniques, nanotube dispersion, interface, strengthening mechanisms
and mechanical properties. One of the major obstacles to the effective
use of carbon nanotubes as reinforcements in metal matrix
composites is their agglomeration and poor distribution/dispersion
within the metallic matrix. In order to tap into the advantages of the
properties of CNTs (or CNFs) in composites, the high dispersion of
CNTs (or CNFs) and strong interfacial bonding are the key issues
which are still challenging. Processing techniques used for synthesis
of the composites have been studied with an objective to achieve
homogeneous distribution of carbon nanotubes in the matrix.
Modified mechanical alloying (ball milling) techniques have emerged
as promising routes for the fabrication of carbon nanotube (CNT)
reinforced metal matrix composites. In order to obtain a
homogeneous product, good control of the milling process, in
particular control of the ball movement, is essential. The control of
the ball motion during the milling leads to a reduction in grinding
energy and a more homogeneous product. Also, the critical inner
diameter of the milling container at a particular rotational speed can
be calculated. In the present work, we use conventional and modified
mechanical alloying to generate a homogenous distribution of 2 wt.
% CNT within Al powders. 99% purity Aluminium powder (Acros,
200mesh) was used along with two different types of multiwall
carbon nanotube (MWCNTs) having different aspect ratios to
produce Al-CNT composites. The composite powders were processed
into bulk material by compaction, and sintering using a cylindrical
compaction and tube furnace. Field Emission Scanning electron
microscopy (FESEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Raman
spectroscopy and Vickers macro hardness tester were used to
evaluate CNT dispersion, powder morphology, CNT damage, phase
analysis, mechanical properties and crystal size determination.
Despite the success of ball milling in dispersing CNTs in Al powder,
it is often accompanied with considerable strain hardening of the Al
powder, which may have implications on the final properties of the
composite. The results show that particle size and morphology vary
with milling time. Also, by using the mixing process and sonication
before mechanical alloying and modified ball mill, dispersion of the
CNTs in Al matrix improves.
Abstract: Abu Dhabi is one of the fastest developed cities in the region. On top of all the current and future environmental challenges, Abu Dhabi aims to be among the top governments in the world in sustainable development. Abu Dhabi plans to create an attractive, livable and sustainable managed urban environment in which all necessary services and infrastructure are provided in a sustainable and timely manner. Abu Dhabi is engaged in a difficult challenge to develop credible environmental indicators that would assess the ambitious environmental targets. The aim of those indicators is to provide reliable guidance to decision makers and the public concerning key factors that determine the state of urban environment and identify major areas for policy intervention. In order to ensure sustainable development in UAE in general, and of Abu Dhabi City in particular, relevant and contextual environmental indicators need to be carefully considered. These indicators provide a gauge at a national government scale of how close countries are to establish environmental policy goals. The environment indicators assist city decision-making in such areas as identification of significant environmental aspects and observation of environmental performance trends. Those can help to find ways of reducing environmental pollution and in improving eco-efficiency. This paper outlines recent strategies implemented in Abu Dhabi that aims to improve the sustainable performance of the city-s built environment. The paper explores the variety of current and possible indicators at different levels and their roles in the development of the city.
Abstract: Although many researchers have studied the flow
hydraulics in compound channels, there are still many complicated problems in determination of their flow rating curves. Many different
methods have been presented for these channels but extending them
for all types of compound channels with different geometrical and
hydraulic conditions is certainly difficult. In this study, by aid of nearly 400 laboratory and field data sets of geometry and flow rating
curves from 30 different straight compound sections and using artificial neural networks (ANNs), flow discharge in compound channels was estimated. 13 dimensionless input variables including relative depth, relative roughness, relative width, aspect ratio, bed
slope, main channel side slopes, flood plains side slopes and berm
inclination and one output variable (flow discharge), have been used
in ANNs. Comparison of ANNs model and traditional method
(divided channel method-DCM) shows high accuracy of ANNs model results. The results of Sensitivity analysis showed that the relative depth with 47.6 percent contribution, is the most effective input parameter for flow discharge prediction. Relative width and
relative roughness have 19.3 and 12.2 percent of importance, respectively. On the other hand, shape parameter, main channel and
flood plains side slopes with 2.1, 3.8 and 3.8 percent of contribution, have the least importance.
Abstract: The mathematical modeling of different biological
processes is usually used to predict or assess behavior of systems in
which these processes take place. This study deals with mathematical
and computer modeling of bi-substrate enzymatic reactions with
ping-pong mechanism, which play an important role in different
biochemical pathways. Besides that, three models of competitive
inhibition were designed using different software packages. The main
objective of this study is to represent the results from in silico
investigation of bi-substrate enzymatic reactions with ordered pingpong
mechanism in the presence of competitive inhibitors, as well as
to describe in details the inhibition effects. The simulation of the
models with certain kinetic parameters allowed investigating the
behavior of reactions as well as determined some interesting aspects
concerning influence of different cases of competitive inhibition.
Simultaneous presence of two inhibitors, competitive to the S1 and S2
substrates have been studied. Moreover, we have found the pattern of
simultaneous influence of both inhibitors.
Abstract: The agricultural organic farming is different from
conventional farming in a way that is aimed at providing a balanced
and constructive action in agricultural systems. With the increase in
intensive agriculture, undesirable changes were being observed in
ecosystems with irreparable damage being caused to the natural
equilibrium. This is the reason for the increasing interest in organic
farming as an environment friendly agricultural production method.
In the present work three red fruits produced in organic farming were
analyzed, namely raspberry, gooseberry and blueberry. The samples
were harvested in a local farm when at plain maturation. The results
obtained allowed to conclude that the blueberry contained higher
amounts of phenolic compounds, total tannins and total anthocyanins
than raspberry and gooseberry. Furthermore, the HPLC analysis
allowed to identify monomeric anthocyanins and phenolic acids in
the three fruits studied.
Abstract: Practices of food sharing as part of the brotherhood and hospitality interpretation have been essential part of the Kazakh ethnic culture since early times. Dialogue in time and space between Kazakhs through differences in food interpretation among the ethnic repatriates may become a link connecting them and platform for stable relations with the host society or serious barrier on the way of their integration in the Kazakhstani society. The article elucidates by the field materials how some aspects of food culture differences among ethnic Kazakhs living abroad (XUAR of China) and ethnic repatriates in Kazakhstan may influence their integration path.
Abstract: The optimal design of PI controller for Automatic Generation Control in two area is presented in this paper. The concept of Dual mode control is applied in the PI controller, such that the proportional mode is made active when the rate of change of the error is sufficiently larger than a specified limit otherwise switched to the integral mode. A digital simulation is used in conjunction with the Hooke-Jeeve’s optimization technique to determine the optimum parameters (individual gain of proportional and integral controller) of the PI controller. Integrated Square of the Error (ISE), Integrated Time multiplied by Absolute Error(ITAE) , and Integrated Absolute Error(IAE) performance indices are considered to measure the appropriateness of the designed controller. The proposed controller are tested for a two area single nonreheat thermal system considering the practical aspect of the problem such as Deadband and Generation Rate Constraint(GRC). Simulation results show that dual mode with optimized values of the gains improved the control performance than the commonly used Variable Structure .
Abstract: As the Social network game(SNG) is rising
dramatically worldwide, an interesting aspect has appeared in the
demographic analysis. That is the ratio of the game users by gender.
Although the ratio of male and female users in online game was
60:40% previously, the ratio of male and female users in SNG stood at
47:53% which shows that the ratio of female users is higher than that
of male users. Here, it should be noted that 35% in those 53% female
users are the first-time users of game. This fact suggests that women
who were not interested in game previously has taken an interest in
SNG. Notwithstanding this issue, there have been little studies on the
female users of SNG although there are many studies that analyzed the
tendency of female users- online game play. This study conducted the
analyzed how the game-playing tendency of SNG gamers was
manifested in the game by gender. For that, this study will identify the
tendency of SNG users by gender based on the preceding studies that
analyzed the online game users by gender. The subject of this study
was confined to the farm and urban construction simulation games
which were offered based on the mobile application platform.
Regarding the methodology of study, the first focus group
interview(FGI) was conducted with the male and female users who
had played games on Social network service(SNS) until recently. Later,
the second one-on-one in-depth interview was conducted to gain an
insight into the psychological state of the subjects.
Abstract: Gluconic acid is one of interesting chemical products
in industries such as detergents, leather, photographic, textile, and
especially in food and pharmaceutical industries. Fermentation is an
advantageous process to produce gluconic acid. Mathematical
modeling is important in the design and operation of fermentation
process. In fact, kinetic data must be available for modeling. The
kinetic parameters of gluconic acid production by Aspergillus niger
in batch culture was studied in this research at initial substrate
concentration of 150, 200 and 250 g/l. The kinetic models used were
logistic equation for growth, Luedeking-Piret equation for gluconic
acid formation, and Luedeking-Piret-like equation for glucose
consumption. The Kinetic parameters in the model were obtained by
minimizing non linear least squares curve fitting.
Abstract: Low frequency power oscillations may be triggered
by many events in the system. Most oscillations are damped by the
system, but undamped oscillations can lead to system collapse.
Oscillations develop as a result of rotor acceleration/deceleration
following a change in active power transfer from a generator. Like
the operations limits, the monitoring of power system oscillating
modes is a relevant aspect of power system operation and control.
Unprevented low-frequency power swings can be cause of cascading
outages that can rapidly extend effect on wide region. On this regard,
a Wide Area Monitoring, Protection and Control Systems
(WAMPCS) help in detecting such phenomena and assess power
system dynamics security. The monitoring of power system
electromechanical oscillations is very important in the frame of
modern power system management and control. In first part, this
paper compares the different technique for identification of power
system oscillations. Second part analyzes possible identification
some power system dynamics behaviors Using Wide Area
Monitoring Systems (WAMS) based on Phasor Measurement Units
(PMUs) and wavelet technique.
Abstract: Some theoretical and experimental aspects related to
the conceptual analyses concerning the direct correspondence
identification between the shape, area and orientation of plantar
pressure and obtaining adequate corrective insoles by rapid
prototyping are presented in this paper. In the first part of the paper
there is the theoretical-correlative concept, which is the fundament of
correspondence deduction between plantar surface characteristics and
respectively corrective insoles. In the second part of the paper the
experimental equipment used to analyze and perform the
correspondence stages and then the integral ones between the
analyzed foot shapes and the ones with corrective insoles is
presented. In the final parte the results used to adapt the insoles
obtained by rapid prototyping but also some specific aspects and
conclusions of the conceptual analysis of direct and rapid
correspondence are shown.
Abstract: There are extensive applications of lithium
bromide-water absorption chillers in industry, but the heat exchangers
corrosion and refrigerating capacity loss are very difficult to be solved.
In this paper, an experiment was conducted by using plastic heat
transfer tubes instead of copper tubes. As an example, for a lithium
bromide-water absorption chiller of refrigerating capacity of 35kW,
the correlative performance of the lithium bromide-water absorption
chiller using plastic heat transfer tubes was compared with the
traditional lithium bromide-water absorption chiller. And then the
following three aspects, i.e., heat transfer area, pipe resistance, and
safety strength, are analyzed. The results show that plastic heat
transfer tubes can be used on lithium bromide-water absorption
chillers, and its prospect is very optimistic.
Abstract: The world wide web coupled with the ever-increasing
sophistication of online technologies and software applications puts
greater emphasis on the need of even more sophisticated and
consistent quality requirements modeling than traditional software
applications. Web sites and Web applications (WebApps) are
becoming more information driven and content-oriented raising the
concern about their information quality (InQ). The consistent and
consolidated modeling of InQ requirements for WebApps at different
stages of the life cycle still poses a challenge. This paper proposes an
approach to specify InQ requirements for WebApps by reusing and
extending the ISO 25012:2008(E) data quality model. We also
discuss learnability aspect of information quality for the WebApps.
The proposed ISO 25012 based InQ framework is a step towards a
standardized approach to evaluate WebApps InQ.