Abstract: A knowledge base stores facts and rules about the
world that applications can use for the purpose of reasoning. By
applying the concept of granular computing to a knowledge base,
several advantages emerge. These can be harnessed by applications
to improve their capabilities and performance. In this paper, the
concept behind such a construct, called a granular knowledge cube,
is defined, and its intended use as an instrument that manages to
cope with different data types and detect knowledge domains is
elaborated. Furthermore, the underlying architecture, consisting of the
three layers of the storing, representing, and structuring of knowledge,
is described. Finally, benefits as well as challenges of deploying it
are listed alongside application types that could profit from having
such an enhanced knowledge base.
Abstract: This paper presents the design and fabrication of a
novel piezoelectric actuator for a gas micro pump with check valve
having the advantages of miniature size, light weight and low power
consumption. The micro pump is designed to have eight major
components, namely a stainless steel upper cover layer, a piezoelectric
actuator, a stainless steel diaphragm, a PDMS chamber layer, two
stainless steel channel layers with two valve seats, a PDMS check
valve layer with two cantilever-type check valves and an acrylic
substrate. A prototype of the gas micro pump, with a size of 52 mm ×
50 mm × 5.0 mm, is fabricated by precise manufacturing. This device
is designed to pump gases with the capability of performing the
self-priming and bubble-tolerant work mode by maximizing the stroke
volume of the membrane as well as the compression ratio via
minimization of the dead volume of the micro pump chamber and
channel. By experiment apparatus setup, we can get the real-time
values of the flow rate of micro pump and the displacement of the
piezoelectric actuator, simultaneously. The gas micro pump obtained
higher output performance under the sinusoidal waveform of 250 Vpp.
The micro pump achieved the maximum pumping rates of 1185
ml/min and back pressure of 7.14 kPa at the corresponding frequency
of 120 and 50 Hz.
Abstract: The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the
sustainable development in the Belgrade Metropolitan Region - BMA
(level NUTS 2) preliminary evaluating the three chosen components:
1) economic growth and developmental changes; 2) competitiveness;
and 3) territorial concentration and industrial specialization. First, we
identified the main results of development changes and economic
growth by applying Shift-share analysis on the metropolitan level.
Second, the empirical evaluation of competitiveness in the BMA is
based on the analysis of absolute and relative values of eight
indicators by Spider method. Paper shows that the consideration of
the national share, industrial mix and metropolitan/regional share in
total Shift share of the BMA, as well as economic/functional
specialization of the BMA indicate very strong process of
deindustrialization. Allocative component of the BMA economic
growth has positive value, reflecting the above-average sector
productivity compared to the national average. Third, the important
positive role of metropolitan/regional component in decomposition of
the BMA economic growth is highlighted as one of the key results.
Finally, comparative analysis of the industrial territorial
concentration in the BMA in relation to Serbia is based on location
quotient (LQ) or Balassa index as a valid measure. The results
indicate absolute and relative differences in decrease of industry
territorial concentration as well as inefficiency of utilizing territorial
capital in the BMA. Results are important for the increase of regional
competitiveness and territorial distribution in this area as well as for
improvement of sustainable metropolitan and sector policies,
planning and governance on this level.
Abstract: There have been rigorous research and development
of unmanned aerial vehicles in the field of search and rescue (SAR)
operation recently. UAVs reduce unnecessary human risks while
assisting rescue efforts through aerial imagery, topographic mapping
and emergency delivery. The application of UAVs in offshore and
nearshore marine SAR missions is discussed in this paper. Projects
that integrate UAV technology into their systems are introduced to
highlight the great advantages and capabilities of UAVs. Scenarios
where UAVs could provide invaluable assistance are also suggested.
Abstract: This paper presents results of compressive strength,
capillary water absorption, and density tests conducted on concrete
containing recycled aggregate (RCA) which is obtained from
structural waste generated by the construction industry in Turkey. In
the experiments, 0%, 15%, 30%, 45% and 60% of the normal
(natural) coarse aggregate was replaced by the recycled aggregate.
Maximum aggregate particle sizes were selected as 16 mm, 22,4 mm
and 31,5 mm; and 0,06%, 0,13% and 0,20% of air-entraining agent
(AEA) were used in mixtures. Fly ash and superplasticizer were used
as a mineral and chemical admixture, respectively. The same type
(CEM I 42.5) and constant dosage of cement were used in the study.
Water/cement ratio was kept constant as 0.53 for all mixture. It was
concluded that capillary water absorption, compressive strength, and
density of concrete decreased with increasing RCA ratio. Increasing
in maximum aggregate particle size and amount of AEA also affect
the properties of concrete significantly.
Abstract: Elastomeric polymer foam has been used widely in
the automotive industry, especially for isolating unwanted vibrations.
Such material is able to absorb unwanted vibration due to its
combination of elastic and viscous properties. However, the ‘creep
effect’, poor stress distribution and susceptibility to high
temperatures are the main disadvantages of such a system.
In this study, improvements in the performance of elastomeric
foam as a vibration isolator were investigated using the concept of
Foam Filled Fluid (FFFluid). In FFFluid devices, the foam takes the
form of capsule shapes, and is mixed with viscous fluid, while the
mixture is contained in a closed vessel. When the FFFluid isolator is
affected by vibrations, energy is absorbed, due to the elastic strain of
the foam. As the foam is compressed, there is also movement of the
fluid, which contributes to further energy absorption as the fluid
shears. Also, and dependent on the design adopted, the packaging
could also attenuate vibration through energy absorption via friction
and/or elastic strain.
The present study focuses on the advantages of the FFFluid
concept over the dry polymeric foam in the role of vibration isolation.
This comparative study between the performance of dry foam and the
FFFluid was made according to experimental procedures. The paper
concludes by evaluating the performance of the FFFluid isolator in
the suspension system of a light vehicle. One outcome of this
research is that the FFFluid may preferable over elastomer isolators
in certain applications, as it enables a reduction in the effects of high
temperatures and of ‘creep effects’, thereby increasing the reliability
and load distribution. The stiffness coefficient of the system has
increased about 60% by using an FFFluid sample. The technology
represented by the FFFluid is therefore considered by this research
suitable for application in the suspension system of a light vehicle.
Abstract: The literature on language teaching and second
language acquisition has been largely driven by monolingual
ideology with a common assumption that a second language (L2) is
best taught and learned in the L2 only. The current study challenges
this assumption by reporting learners' positive perceptions of tertiary
level teachers' code switching practices in Vietnam. The findings of
this study contribute to our understanding of code switching practices
in language classrooms from a learners' perspective.
Data were collected from student participants who were working
towards a Bachelor degree in English within the English for Business
Communication stream through the use of focus group interviews.
The literature has documented that this method of interviewing has a
number of distinct advantages over individual student interviews. For
instance, group interactions generated by focus groups create a more
natural environment than that of an individual interview because they
include a range of communicative processes in which each individual
may influence or be influenced by others - as they are in their real
life. The process of interaction provides the opportunity to obtain the
meanings and answers to a problem that are "socially constructed
rather than individually created" leading to the capture of real-life
data. The distinct feature of group interaction offered by this
technique makes it a powerful means of obtaining deeper and richer
data than those from individual interviews. The data generated
through this study were analysed using a constant comparative
approach. Overall, the students expressed positive views of this
practice indicating that it is a useful teaching strategy. Teacher code
switching was seen as a learning resource and a source supporting
language output. This practice was perceived to promote student
comprehension and to aid the learning of content and target language
knowledge. This practice was also believed to scaffold the students'
language production in different contexts. However, the students
indicated their preference for teacher code switching to be
constrained, as extensive use was believed to negatively impact on
their L2 learning and trigger cognitive reliance on the L1 for L2
learning. The students also perceived that when the L1 was used to a
great extent, their ability to develop as autonomous learners was
negatively impacted.
This study found that teacher code switching was supported in
certain contexts by learners, thus suggesting that there is a need for
the widespread assumption about the monolingual teaching approach
to be re-considered.
Abstract: Aging infrastructures became a serious social problem.
This brought out the increased need for the legislation of a new strict
guideline for infrastructure management. Although existing guidelines
provided basics of how to evaluate and manage the condition of
infrastructures, they needed improvements for their evaluation
procedures. Most guidelines mainly focused on the structural
condition of infrastructures and did not properly reflect service aspects
of infrastructures such as performance, public demand, capacity, etc.,
which were significantly valuable to public. Regardless of the
importance, these factors were often neglected in infrastructure
evaluations, because they were quite subjective and difficult to
quantify in rational manner. Thus, this study proposed a framework to
properly identify and evaluate the service indicators. This study
showed that service indicators could be grouped into two categories
and properly evaluated using AHP and Fuzzy. Overall, proposed
framework is expected to assist governmental agency in establishing
effective investment strategies for infrastructure improvements.
Abstract: Waste Load Allocation (WLA) strategies usually
intend to find economic policies for water resource management.
Water quality trading (WQT) is an approach that uses discharge
permit market to reduce total environmental protection costs. This
primarily requires assigning discharge limits known as total
maximum daily loads (TMDLs). These are determined by monitoring
organizations with respect to the receiving water quality and
remediation capabilities. The purpose of this study is to compare two
approaches of TMDL assignment for WQT policy in small catchment
area of Haraz River, in north of Iran. At first, TMDLs are assigned
uniformly for the whole point sources to keep the concentrations of
BOD and dissolved oxygen (DO) at the standard level at checkpoint
(terminus point). This was simply simulated and controlled by
Qual2kw software. In the second scenario, TMDLs are assigned
using multi objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) method
in which the environmental violation at river basin and total treatment
costs are minimized simultaneously. In both scenarios, the equity
index and the WLA based on trading discharge permits (TDP) are
calculated. The comparative results showed that using economically
optimized TMDLs (2nd scenario) has slightly more cost savings rather
than uniform TMDL approach (1st scenario). The former annually
costs about 1 M$ while the latter is 1.15 M$. WQT can decrease
these annual costs to 0.9 and 1.1 M$, respectively. In other word,
these approaches may save 35 and 45% economically in comparison
with command and control policy. It means that using multi objective
decision support systems (DSS) may find more economical WLA,
however its outcome is not necessarily significant in comparison with
uniform TMDLs. This may be due to the similar impact factors of
dischargers in small catchments. Conversely, using uniform TMDLs
for WQT brings more equity that makes stakeholders not feel that
much envious of difference between TMDL and WQT allocation. In
addition, for this case, determination of TMDLs uniformly would be
much easier for monitoring. Consequently, uniform TMDL for TDP
market is recommended as a sustainable approach. However,
economical TMDLs can be used for larger watersheds.
Abstract: Due to the resultant leachate from waste
decomposition in landfills has polluter potential hundred times
greater than domestic sewage, this is considered a problem related to
the depreciation of environment requiring pre-disposal treatment.In
seeking to improve this situation, this project proposes the treatment
of landfill leachate using natural fibers intercropped with advanced
oxidation processes. The selected natural fibers were palm, coconut
and banana fiber.These materials give sustainability to the project
because, besides having adsorbent capacity, are often part of waste
discarded. The study was conducted in laboratory scale.In trials, the
effluents were characterized as Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD),
Turbidity and Color. The results indicate that is technically
promising since that there were extremely oxidative conditions, the
use of certain natural fibers in the reduction of pollutants in leachate
have been obtained results of COD removals between 67.9% and
90.9%, Turbidity between 88.0% and 99.7% and Color between
67.4% and 90.4%.The expectation generated is to continue evaluating
the association of efficiency of other natural fibers with other landfill
leachate treatment processes.
Abstract: In this study, the feasibility of incorporating ceramic
waste from bricks (perforated brick and double hollow brick) and
extruded polystyrene (XPS) waste, is analysed.
Results show that it is possible to incorporate up to 25% of
ceramic waste and 4% of XPS waste over the weight of gypsum in a
gypsum matrix. Furthermore, with the addition of ceramic waste an
8% of surface hardness increase and a 25% of capillary water
absorption reduction can be obtained. On the other hand, with the
addition of XPS, a 26% reduction of density and a 37% improvement
of thermal conductivity can be obtained.
The obtained results are favorable to use these materials in order to
produce prefabricated gypsum and also as material for interior
cladding walls.
Abstract: Amoxicillin is an antibiotic which is widely used to
treat various infections in both human beings and animals. However,
when amoxicillin is released into the environment, it is a major
problem. Amoxicillin causes bacterial resistance to these drugs and
failure of treatment with antibiotics. Liquid membrane is of great
interest as a promising method for the separation and recovery of the
target ions from aqueous solutions due to the use of carriers for the
transport mechanism, resulting in highly selectivity and rapid
transportation of the desired metal ions. The simultaneous processes
of extraction and stripping in a single unit operation of liquid
membrane system are very interesting. Therefore, it is practical to
apply liquid membrane, particularly the HFSLM for industrial
applications as HFSLM is proved to be a separation process with
lower capital and operating costs, low energy and extractant with
long life time, high selectivity and high fluxes compared with solid
membranes. It is a simple design amenable to scaling up for industrial
applications. The extraction and recovery for (Amoxicillin) through
the hollow fiber supported liquid membrane (HFSLM) using
aliquat336 as a carrier were explored with the experimental data. The
important variables affecting on transport of amoxicillin viz.
extractant concentration and operating time were investigated. The
highest AMOX- extraction percentages of 85.35 and Amoxicillin
stripping of 80.04 were achieved with the best condition at 6 mmol/L
[aliquat336] and operating time 100 min. The extraction reaction
order (n) and the extraction reaction rate constant (kf) were found to
be 1.00 and 0.0344 min-1, respectively.
Abstract: Most of the oil palm plantations have been threatened
by Basal Stem Rot (BSR) disease which causes serious economic
impact. This study was conducted to identify the healthy and BSRinfected
oil palm tree using thirteen color indices. Multispectral and
thermal camera was used to capture 216 images of the leaves taken
from frond number 1, 9 and 17. Indices of normalized difference
vegetation index (NDVI), red (R), green (G), blue (B), near infrared
(NIR), green – blue (GB), green/blue (G/B), green – red (GR),
green/red (G/R), hue (H), saturation (S), intensity (I) and thermal
index (T) were used. From this study, it can be concluded that G
index taken from frond number 9 is the best index to differentiate
between the healthy and BSR-infected oil palm trees. It not only gave
high value of correlation coefficient (R=-0.962), but also high value
of separation between healthy and BSR-infected oil palm tree.
Furthermore, power and S model developed using G index gave the
highest R2 value which is 0.985.
Abstract: Cyberspace has become a more viable arena for
budding artists to share musical acts through digital forms. The
increasing relevance of online communities has attracted scholars
from various fields demonstrating its influence on social capital. This
paper extends this understanding of social capital among Filipino
music artists belonging to the SoundCloud Philippines Facebook
Group.
The study makes use of various qualitative data obtained from
key-informant interviews and participant observation of online and
physical encounters, analyzed using the case study approach.
Soundcloud Philippines has over seven-hundred members and is
composed of Filipino singers, instrumentalists, composers, arrangers,
producers, multimedia artists and event managers. Group interactions
are a mix of online encounters based on Facebook and SoundCloud
and physical encounters through meet-ups and events. Benefits
reaped from the community are informational, technical,
instrumental, promotional, motivational and social support. Under the
guidance of online group administrators, collaborative activities such
as music productions, concerts and events transpire. Most conflicts
and problems arising are resolved peacefully. Social capital in
SoundCloud Philippines is mobilized through recognition, respect
and reciprocity.
Abstract: One of the functions of the commercial heavy vehicle
is to safely and efficiently transport goods and people. Due to its size
and carrying capacity, it is important to study the vehicle dynamic
stability during cornering. Study has shown that there are a number of
overloaded heavy vehicles or permissible Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW) violations recorded at selected areas in Malaysia assigned by
its type and category. Thus, the objective of this study is to
investigate the correlation and effect of the GVW on heavy vehicle
stability during cornering event using simulation. Various selected
heavy vehicle types and category are simulated using IPG/Truck
Maker® with different GVW and road condition (coefficient of
friction of road surface), while the speed, driver characteristic, center
of gravity of load and road geometry are constant. Based on the
analysis, the relationship between GVW and lateral acceleration were
established. As expected, on the same value of coefficient of friction,
the maximum lateral acceleration would be increased as the GVW
increases.
Abstract: In this study, breeding biology and induced breeding
of freshwater mud eel, Monopterus cuchia was observed during the
experimental period from February to June, 2013. Breeding biology
of freshwater mud eel, Monopterus cuchia was considered in terms of
gonadosomatic index, length-weight relationship of gonad, ova
diameter and fecundity. The ova diameter was recorded from 0.3 mm
to 4.30 mm and the individual fecundity was recorded from 155 to
1495 while relative fecundity was found from 2.64 to 12.45. The
fecundity related to body weight and length of fish was also
discussed. A peak of GSI was observed 2.14±0.2 in male and 5.1
±1.09 in female. Induced breeding of freshwater mud eel,
Monopterus cuchia was also practiced with different doses of
different inducing agents like pituitary gland (PG), human chorionic
gonadotropin (HCG), Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and
Ovuline-a synthetic hormone in different environmental conditions.
However, it was observed that the artificial breeding of freshwater
mud eel, Monopterus cuchia was not yet succeeded through inducing
agents in captive conditions, rather the inducing agent showed
negative impacts on fecundity and ovarian tissues. It was seen that
mature eggs in the oviduct were reduced, absorbed and some eggs
were found in spoiled condition.
Abstract: This paper presents an application of Artificial Neural
Network (ANN) algorithm for improving power system voltage
stability. The training data is obtained by solving several normal and
abnormal conditions using the Linear Programming technique. The
selected objective function gives minimum deviation of the reactive
power control variables, which leads to the maximization of
minimum Eigen value of load flow Jacobian. The considered reactive
power control variables are switchable VAR compensators, OLTC
transformers and excitation of generators. The method has been
implemented on a modified IEEE 30-bus test system. The results
obtain from the test clearly show that the trained neural network is
capable of improving the voltage stability in power system with a
high level of precision and speed.
Abstract: In this paper, the actuality of the study, and the role of
subjective well-being problem in modern psychology and the
comprehending of subjective well-being by current students is
defined. The purpose of this research is to educe peculiarities of
comprehending of subjective well-being by students with various
levels of emotional intelligence. Methods of research are adapted
Russian-Language questionnaire of K. Riff 'The scales of
psychological well-being'; emotional intelligence questionnaire of D.
V. Lusin. The research involved 72 students from different
universities and disciplines aged between 18 and 24. Analyzing the
results of the studies, it can be concluded that the understanding of
happiness in different groups of students with high and low levels of
overall emotional intelligence is different, as well as differentiated by
gender. Students with a higher level of happiness possess more
capacity and higher need to control their emotions, to cause and
maintain the desired emotions and control something undesirable.
Abstract: The use of hydroelectric pump-storage system at large
scale, MW-size systems, is already widespread around the world.
Designed for large scale applications, pump-storage station can be
scaled-down for small, remote residential applications. Given the cost
and complexity associated with installing a substation further than
100 miles from the main transmission lines, a remote, independent
and self-sufficient system is by far the most feasible solution. This
article is aiming at the design of wind and solar power generating
system, by means of pumped-storage to replace the wind and /or solar
power systems with a battery bank energy storage. Wind and solar
pumped-storage power generating system can reduce the cost of
power generation system, according to the user's electricity load and
resource condition and also can ensure system reliability of power
supply. Wind and solar pumped-storage power generation system is
well suited for remote residential applications with intermittent wind
and/or solar energy. This type of power systems, installed in these
locations, could be a very good alternative, with economic benefits
and positive social effects. The advantage of pumped storage power
system, where wind power regulation is calculated, shows that a
significant smoothing of the produced power is obtained, resulting in
a power-on-demand system’s capability, concomitant to extra
economic benefits.
Abstract: Rice bran is normally used as a raw material for rice
bran oil production or sold as feed with a low price. Conventionally,
the protein in defatted rice bran was extracted using alkaline
extraction and acid precipitation, which involves in chemical usage
and lowering some nutritious component. This study was conducted
in order to extract of rice bran protein concentrate (RBPC) from
defatted rice bran using enzymes and employing polysaccharides in a
precipitating step. The properties of RBPC obtained will be compared
to those of a control sample extracted using a conventional method.
The results showed that extraction of protein from rice bran using
enzymes exhibited the higher protein recovery compared to that
extraction with alkaline. The extraction conditions using alcalase 2%
(v/w) at 50 C, pH 9.5 gave the highest protein (2.44%) and yield
(32.09%) in extracted solution compared to other enzymes. Rice bran
protein concentrate powder prepared by a precipitation step using
alginate (protein in solution: alginate 1:0.016) exhibited the highest
protein (27.55%) and yield (6.84%). Precipitation using alginate was
better than that of acid. RBPC extracted with alkaline (ALK) or
enzyme alcalase (ALC), then precipitated with alginate (AL)
(samples RBP-ALK-AL and RBP-ALC-AL) yielded the precipitation
rate of 75% and 91.30%, respectively. Therefore, protein
precipitation using alginate was then selected. Amino acid profile of
control sample, and sample precipitated with alginate, as compared to
casein and soy protein isolated, showed that control sample showed
the highest content among all sample. Functional property study of
RBP showed that the highest nitrogen solubility occurred in pH 8-10.
There was no statically significant between emulsion capacity and
emulsion stability of control and sample precipitated by alginate.
However, control sample showed a higher of foaming capacity and
foaming stability compared to those of sample precipitated with
alginate. The finding was successful in terms of minimizing
chemicals used in extraction and precipitation steps in preparation of
rice bran protein concentrate. This research involves in a production
of value-added product in which the double amount of protein (28%)
compared to original amount (14%) contained in rice bran could be
beneficial in terms of adding to food products e.g. healthy drink with
high protein and fiber. In addition, the basic knowledge of functional
property of rice bran protein concentrate was obtained, which can be
used to appropriately select the application of this value-added
product from rice bran.