Abstract: In the present study, we aimed to design the
intrauterine and extrauterine exposure to 1800 MHz GSM-like RF
radiation and investigate its possible bio-effects on infant female
rabbits. Totally thirty-six New Zealand White female rabbits, onemonth
old, were randomly divided into four groups which are
composed of 9 rabbits; i. Group I [Intrauterine (IU) exposure(-);
Extrauterine (EU) exposure (-)], Group II [IU exposure (-); EU
exposure (+)], Group III [IU exposure(+);EU exposure(-)], Group IV
[IU exposure (+);EU exposure(+)]. The master regulatory enzymes
activities of pentose phosphate pathway (glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase, G-6PD; 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, 6-
PGDH) and glutathione-dependent metabolism (glutathione
peroxidase, GSH-Px; glutathione reductase, GR; glutathione Stransferase,
GST, thioredoxin reductase, TRx) were analyzed in liver
tissues of young female rabbits. Decreased G-6PD, 6-PGD, GSH-Px,
GR activities were found in Group III compared to Group I (p
Abstract: Multi criteria decision making (MCDM) methods like analytic hierarchy process, ELECTRE and multi-attribute utility theory are critically studied. They have irregularities in terms of the reliability of ranking of the best alternatives. The Routing Decision Support (RDS) algorithm is trying to improve some of their deficiencies. This paper gives a mathematical verification that the RDS algorithm conforms to the test criteria for an effective MCDM method when a linear preference function is considered.
Abstract: Our results showed that for the growth of qualitative
seedling and vegetative raw material of ðó. marschallianus Willd. and
T. serphyllum L. it is more profitable to use the in vitro and
hydroponics combined method. In in vitro culture it is possible to do
micro-propagation whole year with 98-99% rhizogenesis. 30000
micro-plants were obtained from one explant during 9 months.
Hydroponic conditions provide the necessary microclimate for
microplants where the survival rate without acclimatization was
93.3%. The essential oil content in hydroponic dry herb of both
species in vegetative and blossom phase was 1.3% whereas in wild
plants it was 1.2%, the content of extractive substances and vitamin
C also exceeded wild plants. Our biochemical and radiochemical
investigations indicated that the medicinal raw materials obtained
from hydroponic and wild plants of Thymus species correspond to
the demands of SPh XI, and the content of artificial radionuclides
does not exceed the MACL.
Abstract: This paper discusses aspects of re-design of loadshedding
schemes with respect to actual developments in the Kosovo
power system. Load-shedding is a type of emergency control that is
designed to ensure system stability by reducing power system load to
match the power generation supply. This paper presents a new
adaptive load-shedding scheme that provides emergency protection
against excess frequency decline, in cases when the Kosovo power
system might be disconnected from the regional transmission
network. The proposed load-shedding scheme uses the local
frequency rate information to adapt the load-shedding pattern to suit
the size and location of the occurring disturbance. The proposed
scheme is tested in a software simulation on a large scale PSS/E
model which represents nine power system areas of Southeast Europe
including the Kosovo power system.
Abstract: At a time of growing market turbulence and a strong
shifts towards increasingly complex risk models and more stringent audit requirements, it is more critical than ever to maintain the highest quality of financial and credit information. IFC implemented
an approach that helps increase data integrity and quality significantly. This approach is called “Screening". Screening is based on linking information from different sources to identify potential
inconsistencies in key financial and credit data. That, in turn, can help
to ease the trials of portfolio supervision, and improve overall company global reporting and assessment systems. IFC experience
showed that when used regularly, Screening led to improved information.
Abstract: The research is to minimize environmental damage
pertinent to maritime activities about the operation of lighter boat
anchorage and its tugboat. The guidance on upgrading current
harbor service and infrastructure has been provided to Kho Sichang
Municpality. This will involve a study of the maritime logistics of
the water area under jurisdiction of the Sichang island Municipality
and possible recommendations may involve charging taxes,
regulations and fees. With implementing these recommendations will
help in protection of the marine environment and in increasing
operator functionality. Additionally, our recommendation is to
generate a consistent revenue stream to the municipality. The action
items contained in this research are feasible and effective, the success
of these initiatives are heavily dependent upon successful promotion
and enforcement. Promoting new rules and regulations effectively
and peacefully can be done through theories and techniques used in
the psychology of persuasion. In order to assure compliance with the
regulations, the municipality must maintain stringent patrols and
fines for violators. In order to become success, the Municipality
must preserve a consistent, transparent and significant enforcement
system. Considering potential opportunities outside of the current
state of the municipality, the authors recommend that Koh Sichang be
given additional jurisdiction to capture value from the master vessels,
as well as to confront the more significant environmental challenges
these vessels pose. Finally, the authors recommend that the Port of
Koh Sichang Island obtain a free port status in order to increase
economic viability and overall sustainability.
Abstract: This paper has introduced a slope photogrammetric mapping using unmanned aerial vehicle. There are two units of UAV has been used in this study; namely; fixed wing and multi-rotor. Both UAVs were used to capture images at the study area. A consumer digital camera was mounted vertically at the bottom of UAV and captured the images at an altitude. The objectives of this study are to obtain three dimensional coordinates of slope area and to determine the accuracy of photogrammetric product produced from both UAVs. Several control points and checkpoints were established Real Time Kinematic Global Positioning System (RTK-GPS) in the study area. All acquired images from both UAVs went through all photogrammetric processes such as interior orientation, exterior orientation, aerial triangulation and bundle adjustment using photogrammetric software. Two primary results were produced in this study; namely; digital elevation model and digital orthophoto. Based on results, UAV system can be used to mapping slope area especially for limited budget and time constraints project.
Abstract: Color image segmentation plays an important role in
computer vision and image processing areas. In this paper, the
features of Volterra filter are utilized for color image segmentation.
The discrete Volterra filter exhibits both linear and nonlinear
characteristics. The linear part smoothes the image features in
uniform gray zones and is used for getting a gross representation of
objects of interest. The nonlinear term compensates for the blurring
due to the linear term and preserves the edges which are mainly used
to distinguish the various objects. The truncated quadratic Volterra
filters are mainly used for edge preserving along with Gaussian noise
cancellation. In our approach, the segmentation is based on K-means
clustering algorithm in HSI space. Both the hue and the intensity
components are fully utilized. For hue clustering, the special cyclic
property of the hue component is taken into consideration. The
experimental results show that the proposed technique segments the
color image while preserving significant features and removing noise
effects.
Abstract: This paper analysis the integrated use of safety monitoring with the domestic and international latest research on rail safety protection system, and focus on the implementation of an organic whole system, with the monitoring and early warning, risk assessment, predictive control and emergency rescue system. The system framework, contents and system structure of Security system is proposed completely. It-s pointed out that the Security system is a negative feedback system composed of by safety monitoring and warning system, risk assessment and emergency rescue system. Safety monitoring and warning system focus on the monitoring target monitoring, early warning, tracking, integration of decision-making, for objective and subjective risks factors. Risk assessment system analysis the occurrence of a major Security risk mechanism, determines the standard of the future short, medium and long term safety conditions, and give prop for development of safety indicators, accident analysis and safety standards. Emergency rescue system is with the goal of rapid and effective rescue work for accident, to minimize casualties and property losses.
Abstract: In this study, a double-sided linear switched reluctance
motor (LSRM) drive was investigated as an alternative actuator for
vertical linear transportation applications such as a linear elevator
door, hospital and subway doors which move linearly and where
accurate position control and rapid response is requested. A prototype
sliding elevator door that is focused on a home elevator with LSRMs
is designed. The motor has 6/4 poles, 3 phases, 8A, 24V, 250 W and
250 N pull forces. Air gap between rotor and translator poles of the
designed motor and phase coil-s ideal inductance profile are obtained
in compliance with the geometric dimensions. Operation and
switching sections as motor and generator has been determined from
the inductance profile.
Abstract: Semiconductor nanomaterials like TiO2 nanoparticles
(TiO2-NPs) approximately less than 100 nm in diameter have become
a new generation of advanced materials due to their novel and
interesting optical, dielectric, and photo-catalytic properties. With the
increasing use of NPs in commerce, to date few studies have
investigated the toxicological and environmental effects of NPs.
Motivated by the importance of TiO2-NPs that may contribute to the
cancer research field especially from the treatment prospective
together with the fractal analysis technique, we have investigated the
effect of TiO2-NPs on colony morphology in the dark condition
using fractal dimension as a key morphological characterization
parameter. The aim of this work is mainly to investigate the cytotoxic
effects of TiO2-NPs in the dark on the growth of human cervical
carcinoma (HeLa) cell colonies from morphological aspect. The in
vitro studies were carried out together with the image processing
technique and fractal analysis. It was found that, these colonies were
abnormal in shape and size. Moreover, the size of the control
colonies appeared to be larger than those of the treated group. The
mean Df +/- SEM of the colonies in untreated cultures was
1.085±0.019, N= 25, while that of the cultures treated with TiO2-NPs
was 1.287±0.045. It was found that the circularity of the control
group (0.401±0.071) is higher than that of the treated group
(0.103±0.042). The same tendency was found in the diameter
parameters which are 1161.30±219.56 μm and 852.28±206.50 μm
for the control and treated group respectively. Possible explanation of
the results was discussed, though more works need to be done in
terms of the for mechanism aspects. Finally, our results indicate that
fractal dimension can serve as a useful feature, by itself or in
conjunction with other shape features, in the classification of cancer
colonies.
Abstract: In this study, an analysis has been performed for
free convection with radiation effect over a thermal forming
nonlinearly stretching sheet. Parameters n, k0, Pr, G represent
the dominance of the nonlinearly effect, radiation effect, heat
transfer and free convection effects which have been presented
in governing equations, respectively. The similarity
transformation and the finite-difference methods have been
used to analyze the present problem. From the results, we find
that the effects of parameters n, k0, Pr, Ec and G to the
nonlinearly stretching sheet. The increase of Prandtl number Pr,
free convection parameter G or radiation parameter k0 resulting
in the increase of heat transfer effects, but increase of the
viscous dissipation number Ec will decrease of heat transfer
effect.
Abstract: The supply chains (SCs) have to appeal to new management paradigms to improve their ability to respond rapidly and cost effectively to unpredictable changes in markets and increasing levels of environmental turbulence, both in terms of volume and variety. In this highly demanded context, the Agile paradigm provides the capabilities to SC quickly adapt to changes in the market requirements. The purpose of this paper is to suggest an Agile Index to assess the agility of the automotive companies and corresponding SCs. The proposed integrated assessment model incorporates Agile practices weighted according to their importance to the automotive SC competitiveness and obtained from the Delphi technique.
Abstract: Periphyton development and composition were
studied in three different treatments: (i) two fishpond units of
wetland-type wastewater treatment pond systems, (ii) two fishponds
in combined intensive-extensive fish farming systems and (iii) three
traditional polyculture fishponds. Results showed that amounts of
periphyton developed in traditional polyculture fishponds (iii) were
different compared to the other treatments (i and ii), where the main
function of ponds was stated wastewater treatment. Negative
correlation was also observable between water quality parameters
and periphyton production. The lower trophity, halobity and
saprobity level of ponds indicated higher amount of periphyton. The
dry matter content of periphyton was significantly higher in the
samples, which were developed in traditional polyculture fishponds
(2.84±3.02 g m-2 day-1, whereby the ash content in dry matter 74%),
than samples taken from (i) (1.60±2.32 g m-2 day-1, 61%) and (ii)
fishponds (0.65±0.45 g m-2 day-1, 81%).
Abstract: Dietary macro and micro nutrients in their respective proportion and fractions present a practical potential tool to fabricate milk constituents since cells of lactating mammary glands obtain about 80 % of milk synthesis nutrients from blood, reflecting the existence of an isotonic equilibrium between blood and milk. Diverting milk biosynthetic activities through manipulation of nutrients towards producing milk not only keeping in view its significance as natural food but also as food item which prevents or dilutes the adverse effects of some diseases (like cardiovascular problem by saturated milk fat intake) has been area of interest in the last decade. Nutritional modification / supplementation has been reported to enhance conjugated linoleic acid, fatty acid type and concentration, essential fatty acid concentration, vitamin B12& C, Se, Cu, I and Fe which are involved to counter the health threats to human well being. Synchronizing dietary nutrients aimed to modify rumen dynamics towards synthesis of nutrients or their precursors to make their drive towards formulated milk constituents presents a practical option. Formulating dietary constituents to design milk constituents will let the farmers, consumers and investors know about the real potential and profit margins associated with this enterprise. This article briefly recapitulates the ways and means to modify milk constituents keeping an eye on human health and well being issues, which allows milk to serve more than a food item.
Abstract: Vinegar is a precious food additive and complement as well as effective preservative against food spoilage. Recently traditional vinegar production has been improved using various natural substrates and fruits such as grape, palm, cherry, coconut, date, sugarcane, rice and balsam. These neoclassical fermentations resulted in several vinegar types with different tastes, fragrances and nutritional values because of applying various acetic acid bacteria as starters. Acetic acid bacteria include genera Acetobacter, Gluconacetobacter and Gluconobacter according to latest edition of Bergy-s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology that classifies genera on the basis of their 16s RNA differences. Acetobacter spp as the main vinegar starters belong to family Acetobacteraceae that are gram negative obligate aerobes, chemoorganotrophic bacilli that are oxidase negative and oxidize ethanol to acetic acid. In this research we isolated and identified a native Acetobacter strain with high acetic acid productivity and tolerance against high ethanol concentrations from Iranian peach as a summer delicious fruit that is very susceptible to food spoilage and decay. We used selective and specific laboratorial culture media such as Standard GYC, Frateur and Carr medium. Also we used a new industrial culture medium and a miniature fermentor with a new aeration system innovated by Pars Yeema Biotechnologists Co., Isfahan Science and Technology Town (ISTT), Isfahan, Iran. The isolated strain was successfully cultivated in modified Carr media with 2.5% and 5% ethanol simultaneously in high temperatures, 34 - 40º C after 96 hours of incubation period. We showed that the increase of ethanol concentration resulted in rising of strain sensitivity to high temperature. In conclusion we isolated and characterized a new Acetobacter strain from Iranian peach that could be considered as a potential strain for production of a new vinegar type, peach vinegar, with a delicious taste and advantageous nutritional value in food biotechnology and industrial microbiology.
Abstract: The events of October 2010, where terrorists managed to get explosive devices onboard of three passenger aircrafts and two air freighters, demonstrated weaknesses of the international air cargo and airmail security. Ever since, postal security has gained interest among policymakers and authorities. This study augments the limited body of academic literature on the topic bydemarcating areas of postal security, identifying relevant stakeholders in each area, and investigating why these stakeholders engage in postal security. Research is based on a case study on Swiss Post’s mail service.
Abstract: In this paper, a Dynamic Economic Dispatch (DED) model is developed for the system consisting of both thermal generators and wind turbines. The inclusion of a significant amount of wind energy into power systems has resulted in additional constraints on DED to accommodate the intermittent nature of the output. The probability of stochastic wind power based on the Weibull probability density function is included in the model as a constraint; A Here-and-Now Approach. The Environmental Protection Agency-s hourly emission target, which gives the maximum emission during the day, is used as a constraint to reduce the atmospheric pollution. A 69-bus test system with non-smooth cost function is used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed model compared with static economic dispatch model with including the wind power.
Abstract: In order to develop any strategy, it is essential to first
identify opportunities, threats, weak and strong points. Assessment of
technology level provides the possibility of concentrating on weak
and strong points. The results of technology assessment have a direct
effect on decision making process in the field of technology transfer
or expansion of internal research capabilities so it has a critical role
in technology management. This paper presents a conceptual model
to analyze the technology capability of a company as a whole and in
four main aspects of technology. This model was tested on 10
automotive parts manufacturers in IRAN. Using this model,
capability level of manufacturers was investigated in four fields of
managing aspects, hard aspects, human aspects, and information and
knowledge aspects. Results show that these firms concentrate on hard
aspect of technology while others aspects are poor and need to be
supported more. So this industry should develop other aspects of
technology as well as hard aspect to have effective and efficient use
of its technology. These paper findings are useful for the technology
planning and management in automotive part manufactures in IRAN
and other Industries which are technology followers and transport
their needed technologies.
Abstract: High redundancy and strong uncertainty are two main characteristics for underwater robotic manipulators with unlimited workspace and mobility, but they also make the motion planning and control difficult and complex. In order to setup the groundwork for the research on control schemes, the mathematical representation is built by using the Denavit-Hartenberg (D-H) method [9]&[12]; in addition to the geometry of the manipulator which was studied for establishing the direct and inverse kinematics. Then, the dynamic model is developed and used by employing the Lagrange theorem. Furthermore, derivation and computer simulation is accomplished using the MATLAB environment. The result obtained is compared with mechanical system dynamics analysis software, ADAMS. In addition, the creation of intelligent artificial skin using Interlink Force Sensing ResistorTM technology is presented as groundwork for future work