Abstract: Abstract–Indoor air (VOCs) samples were collected
simultaneously from variety of indoors (e.g. living rooms, baby-s
rooms) and outdoor environments which were voluntarily selected
from the houses in which pregnant residents live throughout Ankara.
This is the first comprehensive study done in Turkey starting from
prenatal period and continued till the babies had one year old. VOCs
levels were measured over 76 homes. Air samples were collected in
Tenax TA sorbent filled tubes with active sampling method and
analyzed with Thermal Desorber and Gas Chromatography/Mass
spectrometry (TD-GC/MS). At the first sampling period in the baby-s
rooms maximum concentration of toluene was measured about
240.77μg.m-3 and in the living rooms maximum concentration of
naphthalene was 180.24μg.m-3. At the second sampling period in the
baby-s rooms maximum concentration of toluene was measured
about 144.97μg.m-3 and in the living rooms maximum concentration
of naphthalene was 247.89μg.m-3. Concentration of TVOCs in the
first period was generally higher than the second period.
Abstract: Over half of the total electricity consumption is used in buildings. Air-conditioning and electric lighting are the two main resources of electricity consumption in high rise buildings. One way to reduce electricity consumption would be to limit heat gain into buildings, therefore reduce the demand for air-conditioning during hot summer months especially in hot regions. On the other hand natural daylight can be used to reduce the use of electricity for artificial lighting. In this paper effective factors on minimizing heat gain and achieving required day light were reviewed .As daylight always accompanied by solar heat gain. Also interactions between heat gain and daylight were discussed through previous studies and equations which are related to heat gain and day lighting especially in high rise buildings. As a result importance of building-s form and its component on energy consumption in buildings were clarified.
Abstract: research goal was to determine the expression levels cDNA of brain embrio at gestation days 10 (GD-10). The Electroforesis DNA results showed that GAPDH, Fibronectin1, Ncam1, Tenascin, Vimentin, Neurofilament heavy, Neurofilament medium and Neurofilament low were 447 bp, 462 bp, 293 bp. 416 bp, 327 bp, 301 bp, 398 bp and 289 bp. Result of real-time RT-PCR on brain Embryo at gestation days 10 showed that the expression of copy gen Fibronectin 36 copies, Ncam 21,708 copies; Tenascin 24,505 copies; Vimentin 538,554 copies; Neurofilament heavy 2,419 copies; Neurofilament medium 92,928 copies; Neurofilament low 125,809 copies. Vimentin expressed gene copies is very high compared with other gene copies. This condition are caused by Vimentin, that contribute to proliferate of brain development. The vimentin role to cell proliferation of brain.
Abstract: In cancer progress, the optical properties of tissues
like absorption and scattering coefficient change, so by these
changes, we can trace the progress of cancer, even it can be applied
for pre-detection of cancer. In this paper, we investigate the effects of
changes of optical properties on light penetrated into tissues. The
diffusion equation is widely used to simulate light propagation into
biological tissues. In this study, the boundary integral method (BIM)
is used to solve the diffusion equation. We illustrate that the changes
of optical properties can modified the reflectance or penetrating light.
Abstract: Off-grid Photovoltaic (PV) systems are empowering
technology in underdeveloped countries like Ethiopia where many
people live far away from the modern world. Where there is
relatively low energy consumption, providing energy from grid
systems is not commercially cost-effective. As a result, significant
people groups worldwide stay without access to electricity. One
remote village in northern Ethiopia was selected by the United
Nations for a pilot project to improve its living conditions. As part of
this comprehensive project, an intelligent charge controller circuit for
Off-grid PV systems was designed for the clinic in that village. In
this paper, design aspects of an intelligent charge controller unit and
its load driver circuits are discussed for an efficient utilization of PVbased
supply systems.
Abstract: In order to assess optical fiber reliability in different environmental and stress conditions series of testing are performed simulating overlapping of chemical and mechanical controlled varying factors. Each series of testing may be compared using statistical processing: i.e. Weibull plots. Due to the numerous data to treat, a software application has appeared useful to interpret selected series of experiments in function of envisaged factors. The current paper presents a software application used in the storage, modelling and interpretation of experimental data gathered from optical fibre testing. The present paper strictly deals with the software part of the project (regarding the modelling, storage and processing of user supplied data).
Abstract: In this paper a new robust and efficient algorithm to automatic text extraction from colored book and journal cover sheets is proposed. First, we perform wavelet transform. Next for edge detecting from detail wavelet coefficient, we use dynamic threshold. By blurring approximate coefficients with alternative heuristic thresholding, achieve effective edge,. Afterward, with ROI technique get binary image. Finally text boxes would be extracted with new projection profile.
Abstract: This paper describes the process used in the
automation of the Maritime UAV commands using the Kinect sensor.
The AR Drone is a Quadrocopter manufactured by Parrot [1] to be
controlled using the Apple operating systems such as iPhones and
Ipads. However, this project uses the Microsoft Kinect SDK and
Microsoft Visual Studio C# (C sharp) software, which are compatible
with Windows Operating System for the automation of the navigation
and control of the AR drone.
The navigation and control software for the Quadrocopter runs on
a windows 7 computer. The project is divided into two sections; the
Quadrocopter control system and the Kinect sensor control system.
The Kinect sensor is connected to the computer using a USB cable
from which commands can be sent to and from the Kinect sensors.
The AR drone has Wi-Fi capabilities from which it can be connected
to the computer to enable transfer of commands to and from the
Quadrocopter.
The project was implemented in C#, a programming language that
is commonly used in the automation systems. The language was
chosen because there are more libraries already established in C# for
both the AR drone and the Kinect sensor.
The study will contribute toward research in automation of
systems using the Quadrocopter and the Kinect sensor for navigation
involving a human operator in the loop. The prototype created has
numerous applications among which include the inspection of vessels
such as ship, airplanes and areas that are not accessible by human
operators.
Abstract: Green Forestation Plan (GFP) was expected to promote the reforestation of plains totaling 60,000 has within the first 8 years. Annual subsidies were budgeted at $120,000 per ha, and $2.4 million for 20 years. In this research we have surveyed landlords- opinions toward the GFP in an attempt to understand landlords- incentives for participating in the GFP and their levels of concern and agreement toward the policy design. Based our analysis of landlords- opinions on the policy design, we expect to derive appropriate complementary measures, establish effective promotional schemes, and raise the policy effectiveness of the GFP. According to the results of this research, there was still a relatively high proportion of population who were not aware of GFP; more than 50% of landlords were neutral or willing to participate given high reforestation subsidies; approximately 30% of landlords were unwilling to participate. In terms of the designs of GFP, more than 50% of respondents were concerned and agreed with the policy design. In terms of the period of this policy, 52.7% of respondents indicated that it should be shortened to 15 years or lower. In terms of the amount of the subsidy, 41.7% of respondents showed that it should be raised to approximately $250,000/ha. In terms of land area restrictions, 88.0% of respondents believed that the minimum should be lowered to 0.4 ha. More than 70% of respondents owned less than 0.4 has of land, and since they do not own enough land to be eligible for the program, more than 80% of landlords wished to lower the minimum requirements of land area. In addition, 59.3% of respondents were reluctant to participate in reforestation because their lands were too small to be eligible; 15.0% of respondents were reluctant because the duration was too long. Responses to the question about “how the policy can be adjusted to provide incentives for landlords- participation" revealed that almost 40% of respondents desired higher subsidies. Some policy suggestions are provided as follows: (1) many landlords are still unaware of the GFP so the government should enhance the promotion of the policy; (2) many landlords are unwilling to participate in GFP mainly because they do not own enough lands to be eligible, hence the government should consider adjusting its requirements for minimum agricultural land area; (3) for subsequent promotions on GFP, the government may consider targeting on the landlords with high income and high level of education; (4) because the subsidy of this policy alone provides limited help to landlords, the government should help the landlords to explore other revenue possibilities from afforestation in addition to the existing subsidies and raise the participation incentives.
Abstract: In this paper, an improved ant colony optimization
(ACO) algorithm is proposed to enhance the performance of global
optimum search. The strategy of the proposed algorithm has the
capability of fuzzy pheromone updating, adaptive parameter tuning,
and mechanism resetting. The proposed method is utilized to tune the
parameters of the fuzzy controller for a real beam and ball system.
Simulation and experimental results indicate that better performance
can be achieved compared to the conventional ACO algorithms in the
aspect of convergence speed and accuracy.
Abstract: This paper presents the Function Approximation
Technique (FAT) based adaptive impedance control for a robotic
finger. The force based impedance control is developed so that the
robotic finger tracks the desired force while following the reference
position trajectory, under unknown environment position and
uncertainties in finger parameters. The control strategy is divided into
two phases, which are the free and contact phases. Force error
feedback is utilized in updating the uncertain environment position
during contact phase. Computer simulations results are presented to
demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed technique.
Abstract: Contamination of heavy metals in tin tailings has
caused an interest in the scientific approach of their remediation. One
of the approaches is through phytoremediation, which is using tree
species to extract the heavy metals from the contaminated soils. Tin
tailings comprise of slime and sand tailings. This paper reports only
on the finding of the four timber species namely Acacia mangium,
Hopea odorata, Intsia palembanica and Swietenia macrophylla on
the removal of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) from the slime tailings.
The methods employed for sampling and soil analysis are established
methods. Six trees of each species were randomly selected from a
0.25 ha plot for extraction and determination of their heavy metals.
The soil samples were systematically collected according to 5 x 5 m
grid from each plot. Results showed that the concentration of heavy
metals in soils and trees varied according to species. Higher
concentration of heavy metals was found in the stem than the
primary roots of all the species. A. Mangium accumulated the highest
total amount of Pb per hectare basis.
Abstract: Nothing that an effective cure for infertility happens
when we can find a unique solution, a great deal of study has been
done in this field and this is a hot research subject for to days study.
So we could analyze the men-s seaman and find out about fertility
and infertility and from this find a true cure for this, since this will be
a non invasive and low risk procedure, it will be greatly welcomed.
In this research, the procedure has been based on few Algorithms
enhancement and segmentation of images which has been done on
the images taken from microscope in different fertility institution and
have obtained a suitable result from the computer images which in
turn help us to distinguish these sperms from fluids and its
surroundings.
Abstract: In the paper the mathematical model of tumor
growth is considered. New capillary network formation,
which supply cancer cells with the nutrients, is taken into the
account. A formula estimating a tumor growth in connection
with the number of capillaries is obtained.
Abstract: The research on the effectiveness of environmental
assessment (EA) is a milestone effort to evaluate the state of the field,
including many contributors related with a lot of countries since more
than two decades. In the 1960s, there was a surge of interest between
modern industrialized countries over unexpected opposite effects of
technical invention. The interest led to choice of approaches for
assessing and prediction the impressions of technology and
advancement for social and economic, state health and safety, solidity
and the circumstances. These are consisting of risk assessment,
technology assessment, environmental impact assessment and costbenefit
analysis. In this research contribution, the authors have
described the research status for environmental assessment in
cumulative environmental system. This article discusses the methods
for cumulative effect assessment (CEA).
Abstract: The paper analyzes the large power transformer unit regimes, indicating the criteria for the management of the voltage operating conditions, as well as the change in the operating conditions with the load connected to the secondary winding of the transformer unit. Further, the paper presents the software application for the evaluation of the transformer unit operation under different conditions. The software application was developed by means of virtual instrumentation.
Abstract: In our current political climate of assessment and
accountability initiatives we are failing to prepare our children for a
participatory role in the creative economy. The field of education is
increasingly falling prey to didactic methodologies which train a
nation of competent test takers, foregoing the opportunity to educate
students to find problems and develop multiple solutions. No where is
this more evident than in the area of art education. Due to a myriad of
issues including budgetary shortfalls, time constraints and a general
misconception that anyone who enjoys the arts is capable of teaching
the arts, our students are not developing the skills they require to
become fully literate in critical thinking and creative processing.
Although art integrated curriculum is increasingly being viewed as a
reform strategy for motivating students by offering alternative
presentation of concepts and representation of knowledge acquisition,
misinformed administrators are often excluding the art teacher from
the integration equation. The paper to follow addresses the problem
of the need for divergent thinking and conceptualization in our
schools. Furthermore, this paper explores the role of education, and
specifically, art education in the development of a creatively literate
citizenry.
Abstract: The present study aims to explore the role of parents'
ethnic socialization practices contributes to the ethnic identity
development, self-esteem and psychological adjustment of multi
ethnic children in Sabah, Malaysia. A total of 342 multi ethnic
children (age range = 10 years old to 14 years old; mean age = 12.65
years, SD = 0.88) and their parents participated in the present study.
The modified version of Multi group Ethnic Identity Measure
(MEIM), The Familial Ethnic Socialization Measure (FESM). The
Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) and Behavioral and Emotional
Rating Scale Edition 2 (BERS-2) were used in this study. The results
showed that: i) parents' ethnic socialization practice was a strong
predictor of ethnic identity development of multi ethnic children; ii)
parents' ethnic socialization practice also was a significant predictor
of self-esteem of multi ethnic children; iii) parents' ethnic
socialization practice was not a significant predictor of psychological
adjustment of multi ethnic children. The results of this study showed
the implications parents' ethnic socialization practices and ethnic
identity development in successful multi ethnic families.
Abstract: The waverider is proved to be a remarkably useful
configuration for hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) in terms of the high
lift-to-drag ratio. Due to the severe aerodynamic heating and the
processing technical restriction, the sharp leading edge of waverider
should be blunted, and then the flow characteristics and the
aerodynamic performance along the trajectory will change. In this
paper, the flow characteristics of a HGV, including the rarefied gas
effect and transition phenomenon, were studied based on a reference
trajectory. A numerical simulation was carried out to study the
performance of the HGV under a typical condition.
Abstract: Recycling of aluminum alloys often decrease fluidity,
consequently influence the castability of the alloy. In this study, the
fluidity of Al-Zn alloys, such as the standard A713 alloy with and
without scrap addition has been investigated. The scrap added was
comprised of contaminated alloy turning chips. Fluidity
measurements were performed with double spiral fluidity test
consisting of gravity casting of double spirals in green sand moulds
with good reproducibility. The influence of recycled alloy on fluidity
has been compared with that of the virgin alloy and the results
showed that the fluidity decreased with the increase in recycled alloy
at minimum pouring temperatures. Interestingly, an appreciable
improvement in the fluidity was observed at maximum pouring
temperature, especially for coated spirals.