Abstract: The crystallization kinetics and phase transformation
of SiO2.Al2O3.0,56P2O5.1,8CaO.0,56CaF2 glass have been
investigated using differential thermal analysis (DTA), x-ray
diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Glass
samples were obtained by melting the glass mixture at 14500С/120
min. in platinum crucibles. The mixture were prepared from
chemically pure reagents: SiO2, Al(OH)3, H3PO4, CaCO3 and CaF2.
The non-isothermal kinetics of crystallization was studied by
applying the DTA measurements carried out at various heating rates.
The activation energies of crystallization and viscous flow were
measured as 348,4 kJ.mol–1 and 479,7 kJ.mol–1 respectively. Value of
Avrami parameter n ≈ 3 correspond to a three dimensional of crystal
growth mechanism. The major crystalline phase determined by XRD
analysis was fluorapatite (Ca(PO4)3F) and as the minor phases –
fluormargarite (CaAl2(Al2SiO2)10F2) and vitlokite (Ca9P6O24). The
resulting glass-ceramic has a homogeneous microstructure, composed
of prismatic crystals, evenly distributed in glass phase.
Abstract: We report a lithography-free approach to fabricate the
biomimetics, quasi-beehive Si nanostructures (QBSNs), on
Si-substrates. The self-assembled SiGe nanoislands via the strain
induced surface roughening (Asaro-Tiller-Grinfeld instability) during
in-situ annealing play a key role as patterned sacrifice regions for
subsequent reactive ion etching (RIE) process performed for
fabricating quasi-beehive nanostructures on Si-substrates. As the
measurements of field emission, the bare QBSNs show poor field
emission performance, resulted from the existence of the native oxide
layer which forms an insurmountable barrier for electron emission. In
order to dramatically improve the field emission characteristics, the
platinum nanopillars (Pt-NPs) were deposited on QBSNs to form
Pt-NPs/QBSNs heterostructures. The turn-on field of Pt-NPs/QBSNs
is as low as 2.29 V/μm (corresponding current density of 1 μA/cm2),
and the field enhancement factor (β-value) is significantly increased to
6067. More importantly, the uniform and continuous electrons excite
light emission, due to the surrounding filed emitters from
Pt-NPs/QBSNs, can be easily obtained. This approach does not require
an expensive photolithographic process and possesses great potential
for applications.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to derive parameters
estimating for the Lyman–Kutcher–Burman (LKB) normal tissue
complication probability (NTCP) model using analysis of scintigraphy
assessments and quality of life (QoL) measurement questionnaires for
the parotid gland (xerostomia). In total, 31 patients with
head-and-neck (HN) cancer were enrolled. Salivary excretion factor
(SEF) and EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaires datasets are used for
the NTCP modeling to describe the incidence of grade 4 xerostomia.
Assuming that n= 1, NTCP fitted parameters are given as TD50= 43.6
Gy, m= 0.18 in SEF analysis, and as TD50= 44.1 Gy, m= 0.11 in QoL
measurements, respectively. SEF and QoL datasets can validate the
Quantitative Analyses of Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic
(QUANTEC) guidelines well, resulting in NPV-s of 100% for the both
datasets and suggests that the QUANTEC 25/20Gy gland-spared
guidelines are suitable for clinical used for the HN cohort to
effectively avoid xerostomia.
Abstract: Reliable information about tool temperature
distribution is of central importance in metal cutting. In this study,
tool-chip interface temperature was determined in cutting of ST37
steel workpiece by applying HSS as the cutting tool in dry turning.
Two different approaches were implemented for temperature
measuring: an embedded thermocouple (RTD) in to the cutting tool
and infrared (IR) camera. Comparisons are made between
experimental data and results of MSC.SuperForm and FLUENT
software.
An investigation of heat generation in cutting tool was performed
by varying cutting parameters at the stable cutting tool geometry and
results were saved in a computer; then the diagrams of tool
temperature vs. various cutting parameters were obtained. The
experimental results reveal that the main factors of the increasing
cutting temperature are cutting speed (V ), feed rate ( S ) and depth
of cut ( h ), respectively. It was also determined that simultaneously
change in cutting speed and feed rate has the maximum effect on
increasing cutting temperature.
Abstract: Graphene-metal contact resistance limits the performance of graphene-based electrical devices. In this work, we have fabricated both graphene field-effect transistors (GFET) and transfer length measurement (TLM) test devices with titanium contacts. The purpose of this work is to compare the contact resistances that can be numerically extracted from the GFETs and measured from the TLM structures. We also provide a brief review of the work done in the field to solve the contact resistance problem.
Abstract: This paper describes studies carried out to investigate
the viability of using wireless cameras as a tool in monitoring
changes in air quality. A camera is used to monitor the change in
colour of a chemically responsive polymer within view of the camera
as it is exposed to varying chemical species concentration levels. The
camera captures this image and the colour change is analyzed by
averaging the RGB values present. This novel chemical sensing
approach is compared with an established chemical sensing method
using the same chemically responsive polymer coated onto LEDs. In
this way, the concentration levels of acetic acid in the air can be
tracked using both approaches. These approaches to chemical plume
tracking have many applications for air quality monitoring.
Abstract: European Union candidate status provides a
strong motivation for decision-making in the candidate
countries in shaping the regional development policy where
there is an envisioned transfer of power from center to the
periphery. The process of Europeanization anticipates the
candidate countries configure their regional institutional
templates in the context of the requirements of the European
Union policies and introduces new instruments of incentive
framework of enlargement to be employed in regional
development schemes. It is observed that the contribution of
the local actors to the decision making in the design of the
allocation architectures enhances the efficiency of the funds
and increases the positive effects of the projects funded under
the regional development objectives. This study aims at
exploring the performances of the three regional development
grant schemes in Turkey, established and allocated under the
pre-accession process with a special emphasis given to the
roles of the national and local actors in decision-making for
regional development. Efficiency analyses have been
conducted using the DEA methodology which has proved to
be a superior method in comparative efficiency and
benchmarking measurements. The findings of this study as
parallel to similar international studies, provides that the
participation of the local actors to the decision-making in
funding contributes both to the quality and the efficiency of
the projects funded under the EU schemes.
Abstract: This research contribution is drafted to present the
orbit design, orbit propagator and geomagnetic field estimator for the
nanosatellites specifically for the upcoming CUBESAT, ICUBE-1 of
the Institute of Space Technology (IST), Islamabad, Pakistan. The
ICUBE mission is designed for the low earth orbit at the approximate
height of 700KM. The presented research endeavor designs the
Keplarian elements for ICUBE-1 orbit while incorporating the
mission requirements and propagates the orbit using J2 perturbations,
The attitude determination system of the ICUBE-1 consists of
attitude determination sensors like magnetometer and sun sensor. The
Geomagnetic field estimator is developed according to the model of
International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) for comparing the
magnetic field measurements by the magnetometer for attitude
determination. The output of the propagator namely the Keplarians
position and velocity vectors and the magnetic field vectors are
compared and verified with the same scenario generated in the
Satellite Tool Kit (STK).
Abstract: The phenomenon of global warming or climate
change has led to many environmental issues including higher
atmospheric temperatures, intense precipitation, increased
greenhouse gaseous emissions and increased indoor discomfort.
Studies have shown that bringing nature to the roof such as
constructing green roof and implementing high-reflective roof may
give positive impact in mitigating the effects of global warming and
in increasing thermal comfort sensation inside buildings. However,
no study has been conducted to compare both types of passive roof
treatments in Malaysia in order to increase thermal comfort in
buildings. Therefore, this study is conducted to investigate the effect
of green roof and white painted roof as passive roof treatment in
improving indoor comfort of Malaysian homes. This study uses an
experimental approach in which the measurements of temperatures
are conducted on the case study building. The measurements of
outdoor and indoor environments were conducted on the flat roof
with two different types of roof treatment that are green roof and
white roof. The measurement of existing black bare roof was also
conducted to act as a control for this study.
Abstract: In this paper, we present a simple circuit for
Manchester decoding and without using any complicated or
programmable devices. This circuit can decode 90kbps of transmitted
encoded data; however, greater than this transmission rate can be
decoded if high speed devices were used. We also present a new
method for extracting the embedded clock from Manchester data in
order to use it for serial-to-parallel conversion. All of our
experimental measurements have been done using simulation.
Abstract: The so-called all-pass filter circuits are commonly
used in the field of signal processing, control and measurement.
Being connected to capacitive loads, these circuits tend to loose their
stability; therefore the elaborate analysis of their dynamic behavior is
necessary. The compensation methods intending to increase the
stability of such circuits are discussed in this paper, including the socalled
lead-lag compensation technique being treated in detail. For
the dynamic modeling, a two-port network model of the all-pass filter
is being derived. The results of the model analysis show, that
effective lead-lag compensation can be achieved, alone by the
optimization of the circuit parameters; therefore the application of
additional electric components are not needed to fulfill the stability
requirement.
Abstract: Manufacturing processes demand tight dimensional
tolerances. The paper concerns a transducer for precise measurement
of displacement, based on a camera containing a linescan chip.
When tests were conducted using a track of black and white stripes
with a 2mm pitch, errors in measuring on individual cycle amounted
to 1.75%, suggesting that a precision of 35 microns is achievable.
Abstract: Paper presents simple sixport principle and its frequency bandwidth. The novel multisixport approach is presented with its possibilities, typical parameters and frequency bandwidth. Practical implementation is shown with its measurement parameters and calibration. The bandwidth circa 1:100 is obtained.
Abstract: Estimation of voltage stability based on optimal
filtering method is presented. PV curve is used as a tool for voltage stability analysis. Dynamic voltage stability estimation is done by
using particle filter method. Optimum value (nose point) of PV curve can be estimated by estimating parameter of PV curve equation
optimal value represents critical voltage and
condition at specified point of measurement. Voltage stability is then estimated by analyzing loading margin condition c stimating equation. This
maximum loading
ecified dynamically.
Abstract: Power cables are vulnerable to failure due to aging or
defects that occur with the passage of time under continuous
operation and loading stresses. PD detection and characterization
provide information on the location, nature, form and extent of the
degradation. As a result, PD monitoring has become an important
part of condition based maintenance (CBM) program among power
utilities. Online partial discharge (PD) localization of defect sources
in power cable system is possible using the time of flight method.
The information regarding the time difference between the main and
reflected pulses and cable length can help in locating the partial
discharge source along the cable length. However, if the length of
the cable is not known and the defect source is located at the extreme
ends of the cable or in the middle of the cable, then double ended
measurement is required to indicate the location of PD source. Use of
multiple sensors can also help in discriminating the cable PD or local/
external PD. This paper presents the experience and results from
online partial discharge measurements conducted in the laboratory
and the challenges in partial discharge source localization.
Abstract: Introduction: Obesity is a major health risk issue in
the present day of life for one and all globally. Obesity is one of the
major concerns for public health according to recent increasing trends
in obesity-related diseases such as Type 2 diabetes. ( Kazuya,
1994).and hyperlipidemia, (Sakata,1990) .which are more prevalent
in Japanese adults with body mass index (BMI) values Z25 kg/m2.(
Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare,1997). The purpose of the
study was to assess the effect of twelve weeks of brisk walking on
blood pressure and body mass index, anthropometric measurements
of obese males. Method: Thirty obese (BMI= above 30) males, aged
18 to 22 years, were selected from King Fahd University of
Petroleum & Minerals, Saudi Arabia. The subject-s height (cm) was
measured using a stadiometer and body mass (kg) was measured with
a electronic weighing machine. BMI was subsequently calculated
(kg/m2). The blood pressure was measured with standardized
sphygmomanometer in mm of Hg. All the measurements were taken
twice before and twice after the experimental period. The pre and
post anthropometric measurements of waist and hip circumference
were measured with the steel tape in cm. The subjects underwent
walking schedule two times in a week for 12 weeks. The 45 minute
sessions of brisk walking were undertaken at an average intensity of
65% to 85% of maximum HR (HRmax; calculated as 220-age).
Results & Discussion: Statistical findings revealed significant
changes from pre test to post test in case of both systolic blood
pressure and diastolic blood pressure in the walking group. Results
also showed significant decrease in their body mass index and
anthropometric measurements i.e. (waist & hip circumference).
Conclusion: It was concluded that twelve weeks brisk walking is
beneficial for lowering of blood pressure, body mass index, and
anthropometric circumference of obese males.
Abstract: The Non-Rotating Adjustable Stabilizer / Directional
Solution (NAS/DS) is the imitation of a mechanical process or an
object by a directional drilling operation that causes a respond
mathematically and graphically to data and decision to choose the
best conditions compared to the previous mode.
The NAS/DS Auto Guide rotary steerable tool is undergoing final
field trials. The point-the-bit tool can use any bit, work at any
rotating speed, work with any MWD/LWD system, and there is no
pressure drop through the tool. It is a fully closed-loop system that
automatically maintains a specified curvature rate.
The Non–Rotating Adjustable stabilizer (NAS) can be controls
curvature rate by exactly positioning and run with the optimum bit,
use the most effective weight (WOB) and rotary speed (RPM) and
apply all of the available hydraulic energy to the bit. The directional
simulator allowed to specify the size of the curvature rate
performance errors of the NAS tool and the magnitude of the random
errors in the survey measurements called the Directional Solution
(DS).
The combination of these technologies (NAS/DS) will provide
smoother bore holes, reduced drilling time, reduced drilling cost and
incredible targeting precision. This simulator controls curvature rate
by precisely adjusting the radial extension of stabilizer blades on a
near bit Non-Rotating Stabilizer and control process corrects for the
secondary effects caused by formation characteristics, bit and tool
wear, and manufacturing tolerances.
Abstract: The enormous amount of solid waste generated poses
huge problems in waste management. It is therefore important to
gauge the awareness of the public with regards to waste management.
In this study, an instrument was developed to measure the beliefs,
attitudes and practices about waste management of school children as
an indication of their waste management awareness. This instrument
has showed that a positive awareness towards waste management
refers mainly to attitudes. However it is not easy for people to
practice waste management as a reflection of their awareness.
Abstract: Groundlessness of application probability-statistic methods are especially shown at an early stage of the aviation GTE technical condition diagnosing, when the volume of the information has property of the fuzzy, limitations, uncertainty and efficiency of application of new technology Soft computing at these diagnosing stages by using the fuzzy logic and neural networks methods. It is made training with high accuracy of multiple linear and nonlinear models (the regression equations) received on the statistical fuzzy data basis. At the information sufficiency it is offered to use recurrent algorithm of aviation GTE technical condition identification on measurements of input and output parameters of the multiple linear and nonlinear generalized models at presence of noise measured (the new recursive least squares method (LSM)). As application of the given technique the estimation of the new operating aviation engine D30KU-154 technical condition at height H=10600 m was made.
Abstract: A Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a radioisotope imaging technique that illustrates the organs and the metabolisms of the human body. This technique is based on the simultaneous detection of 511 keV annihilation photons, annihilated as a result of electrons annihilating positrons that radiate from positron-emitting radioisotopes that enter biological active molecules in the body. This study was conducted on ten patients in an effort to conduct patient-related experimental studies. Dosage monitoring for the bladder, which was the organ that received the highest dose during PET applications, was conducted for 24 hours. Assessment based on measuring urination activities after injecting patients was also a part of this study. The MIRD method was used to conduct dosage calculations for results obtained from experimental studies. Results obtained experimentally and theoretically were assessed comparatively.