Abstract: This study was conducted to determine sex
differentiation of laboratory reared Elm nymphalid (Nymphalis
polychloros Linnaeus, 1758) by examining the morphological
structure of pupal stage. Laboratory colony of elm nymphalid, reared
on pear leaves, was used to set up experiments. It was performed
with 5 replications having 8 pupae for each replication. Dorsal,
ventral and lateral parts of external morphological structures of pupae
were examined by Olympus SZX9 stereozoom microscope and
photographed. When fully grown, mature larvae wander the highest
part of the rearing cage and pupae were formed hanging by
cremaster. After completing prepupa stage about 1.5±0.3 days, they
all pupated. Pupal stage was completed at 24±1°C about 4.38±1.20
days. Pupal weights were 0.483±0.05 g in females and 0.392±0.08 g
(n=40) in males respectively. Pupal emergence rate was 95%, with
22 females and 16 males. Examinations of ventral parts of 8th, 9th,
and 10th abdominal segments revealed that anal opening were found
at 10th abdominal segment in both sexes, 3 lumps were determined at
9th abdominal segments then the specific opening structure at 8th
segment was only found on female pupae.
Abstract: In this paper, the specific sound Transmission Loss
(TL) of the Laminated Composite Plate (LCP) with different material
properties in each layer is investigated. The numerical method to
obtain the TL of the LCP is proposed by using elastic plate theory. The
transfer matrix approach is novelty presented for computational
efficiency in solving the numerous layers of dynamic stiffness matrix
(D-matrix) of the LCP. Besides the numerical simulations for
calculating the TL of the LCP, the material properties inverse method
is presented for the design of a laminated composite plate analogous to
a metallic plate with a specified TL. As a result, it demonstrates that
the proposed computational algorithm exhibits high efficiency with a
small number of iterations for achieving the goal. This method can be
effectively employed to design and develop tailor-made materials for
various applications.
Abstract: In this study, to clarify the effectiveness of an
aluminum/chromium/tungsten-based-coated tool for cutting sintered
steel, tool wear was experimentally investigated. The sintered steel
was turned with the (Al60,Cr25,W15)N-, (Al60,Cr25,W15)(C,N)- and
(Al64,Cr28,W8)(C,N)-coated cemented carbide tools according to the
physical vapor deposition (PVD) method. Moreover, the tool wear of
the aluminum/chromium/tungsten-based-coated item was compared
with that of the (Al,Cr)N coated tool. Furthermore, to clarify the tool
wear mechanism of the aluminum/chromium/tungsten-coating film for
cutting sintered steel, Scanning Electron Microscope observation and
Energy Dispersive x-ray Spectroscopy mapping analysis were
conducted on the abraded surface. The following results were
obtained: (1) The wear progress of the (Al64,Cr28,W8)(C,N)-coated
tool was the slowest among that of the five coated tools. (2) Adding
carbon (C) to the aluminum/chromium/tungsten-based-coating film
was effective for improving the wear-resistance. (3) The main wear
mechanism of the (Al60,Cr25,W15)N-, the (Al60,Cr25,W15)(C,N)-
and the (Al64,Cr28,W8)(C,N)-coating films was abrasive wear.
Abstract: In this paper, influence of harmonics on medium
voltage distribution system of Bogazici Electricity Distribution Inc.
(BEDAS) which takes place at Istanbul/Turkey is investigated. A ring
network consisting of residential loads is taken into account for this
study. Real system parameters and measurement results are used for
simulations. Also, probable working conditions of the system are
analyzed for 50%, 75%, and 100% loading of transformers with
similar harmonic contents. Results of the study are exhibited the
influence of nonlinear loads on %THDV, P.F. and technical losses of
the medium voltage distribution system.
Abstract: Optic disk segmentation plays a key role in the mass
screening of individuals with diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma
ailments. An efficient hardware-based algorithm for optic disk
localization and segmentation would aid for developing an automated
retinal image analysis system for real time applications. Herein,
TMS320C6416DSK DSP board pixel intensity based fractal analysis
algorithm for an automatic localization and segmentation of the optic
disk is reported. The experiment has been performed on color and
fluorescent angiography retinal fundus images. Initially, the images
were pre-processed to reduce the noise and enhance the quality. The
retinal vascular tree of the image was then extracted using canny
edge detection technique. Finally, a pixel intensity based fractal
analysis is performed to segment the optic disk by tracing the origin
of the vascular tree. The proposed method is examined on three
publicly available data sets of the retinal image and also with the data
set obtained from an eye clinic. The average accuracy achieved is
96.2%. To the best of the knowledge, this is the first work reporting
the use of TMS320C6416DSK DSP board and pixel intensity based
fractal analysis algorithm for an automatic localization and
segmentation of the optic disk. This will pave the way for developing
devices for detection of retinal diseases in the future.
Abstract: It is necessary to predict a fatigue crack propagation
life for estimation of structural integrity. Because of an uncertainty
and a randomness of a structural behavior, it is also required to
analyze stochastic characteristics of the fatigue crack propagation life
at a specified fatigue crack size. The essential purpose of this study is to find the effect of load ratio
on probability distribution of the fatigue crack propagation life at a
specified grown crack size and to confirm the good probability
distribution in magnesium alloys under various fatigue load ratio
conditions. To investigate a stochastic crack growth behavior, fatigue
crack propagation experiments are performed in laboratory air under
several conditions of fatigue load ratio using AZ31. By Anderson-Darling test, a goodness-of-fit test for probability
distribution of the fatigue crack propagation life is performed. The
effect of load ratio on variability of fatigue crack propagation life is
also investigated.
Abstract: In this paper, we explore the macroeconomic effects
of the European Single Market on Austria by simulating the
McKibbin-Sachs Global Model. Global interdependences and the
impact of long-run effects on short-run adjustments are taken into
account. We study the sensitivity of the results with respect to
different assumptions concerning monetary and fiscal policies for the
countries and regions of the world economy. The consequences of
different assumptions about budgetary policies in Austria are also
investigated. The simulation results are contrasted with ex-post
evaluations of the actual impact of Austria’s membership in the
Single Market. As a result, it can be concluded that the Austrian
participation in the European Single Market entails considerable
long-run gains for the Austrian economy with nearly no adverse sideeffects
on any macroeconomic target variable.
Abstract: In present global scenario, aluminum alloys are
coining the attention of many innovators as competing structural
materials for automotive and space applications. Comparing to other
challenging alloys, especially, 7xxx series aluminum alloys have
been studied seriously because of benefits such as moderate strength;
better deforming characteristics and affordable cost. It is expected
that substitution of aluminum alloys for steels will result in great
improvements in energy economy, durability and recyclability.
However, it is necessary to improve the strength and the formability
levels at low temperatures in aluminum alloys for still better
applications. Aluminum–Zinc–Magnesium with or without other
wetting agent denoted as 7XXX series alloys are medium strength
heat treatable alloys. In addition to Zn, Mg as major alloying
additions, Cu, Mn and Si are the other solute elements which
contribute for the improvement in mechanical properties by suitable
heat treatment process. Subjecting to suitable treatments like age
hardening or cold deformation assisted heat treatments; known as low
temperature thermomechanical treatments (LTMT) the challenging
properties might be incorporated. T6 is the age hardening or
precipitation hardening process with artificial aging cycle whereas T8
comprises of LTMT treatment aged artificially with X% cold
deformation. When the cold deformation is provided after solution
treatment, there is increase in hardness related properties such as
wear resistance, yield and ultimate strength, toughness with the
expense of ductility. During precipitation hardening both hardness
and strength of the samples are increasing. The hardness value may
further improve when room temperature deformation is positively
supported with age hardening known as thermomechanical treatment.
It is intended to perform heat treatment and evaluate hardness, tensile
strength, wear resistance and distribution pattern of reinforcement in
the matrix. 2 to 2.5 and 3 to 3.5 times increase in hardness is reported
in age hardening and LTMT treatments respectively as compared to
as-cast composite. There was better distribution of reinforcements in
the matrix, nearly two fold increase in strength levels and up to 5
times increase in wear resistance are also observed in the present
study.
Abstract: Present work deals with the possible use of fertigation
in agriculture and its impact on the availability of mineral nitrogen
(Nmin) in topsoil and subsoil horizons. The aim of the present study is
to demonstrate the effect of the organic matter presence in fertigation
on microbial transformation and availability of mineral nitrogen
forms. The main investigation reason is the potential use of pretreated
waste water, as a source of organic carbon (Corg) and residual
nutrients (Nmin) for fertigation. Laboratory experiment has been
conducted to demonstrate the effect of the arable land fertilization
method on the Nmin availability in different depths of the soil with
the usage of model experimental containers filled with soil from
topsoil and podsoil horizons that were taken from the precise area.
Tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia caespitosa) has been chosen as a
model plant. The water source protection zone Brezova nad Svitavou
has been a research area where significant underground reservoirs of
drinking water of the highest quality are located. From the second
half of the last century local sources of drinking water show
nitrogenous compounds increase that get here almost only from
arable lands. Therefore, an attention of the following text focuses on
the fate of mineral nitrogen in the complex plant-soil. Research
results show that the fertigation application with Corg in a
combination with mineral fertilizer can reduce the amount of Nmin
leached from topsoil horizon of agricultural soils. In addition, some
plants biomass production reduces may occur.
Abstract: Sodium formate is the chemical substance used for
food additive. Catalase is the important antioxidative enzyme in
protecting the cell from oxidative damage by reactive oxygen species
(ROS). The resultant level of oxidative stress in sodium formatetreated
lymphocytes was investigated. The sodium formate
concentrations of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 mg/mL were treated in
human lymphocytes for 12 hours. After 12 treated hours, catalase
activity change was measured in sodium formate-treated
lymphocytes. The results showed that the sodium formate
concentrations of 0.4 and 0.6 mg/mL significantly decreased catalase
activities in lymphocytes (P < 0.05). The change of catalase activity
in sodium formate-treated lymphocytes may be the oxidative damage
marker for detect sodium formate exposure in human.
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: It is a major challenge to build a bridge superstructure
that has long-term durability and low maintenance requirements. A
solution to this challenge may be to use new materials or to
implement new structural systems. Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP)
composites have continued to play an important role in solving some
of persistent problems in infrastructure applications because of its
high specific strength, light weight, and durability. In this study, the
concept of the hybrid FRP-concrete structural systems is applied to a
bridge superstructure. The hybrid FRP-concrete bridge superstructure
is intended to have durable, structurally sound, and cost effective
hybrid system that will take full advantage of the inherent properties
of both FRP materials and concrete. In this study, two hybrid FRP-concrete
bridge systems were investigated. The first system consists
of trapezoidal cell units forming a bridge superstructure. The second
one is formed by arch cells. The two systems rely on using cellular
components to form the core of the bridge superstructure, and an
outer shell to warp around those cells to form the integral unit of the
bridge. Both systems were investigated analytically by using finite
element (FE) analysis. From the rigorous FE studies, it was
concluded that first system is more efficient than the second.
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: Si ion implantation was widely used to synthesize
specimens of SiO2 containing supersaturated Si and subsequent high
temperature annealing induces the formation of embedded
luminescent Si nanocrystals. In this work, the potentialities of excimer
UV-light (172 nm, 7.2 eV) irradiation and rapid thermal annealing
(RTA) to enhance the photoluminescence and to achieve low
temperature formation of Si nanocrystals have been investigated. The
Si ions were introduced at acceleration energy of 180 keV to fluence of
7.5 x 1016 ions/cm2. The implanted samples were subsequently
irradiated with an excimer-UV lamp. After the process, the samples
were rapidly thermal annealed before furnace annealing (FA).
Photoluminescence spectra were measured at various stages at the
process. We found that the luminescence intensity is strongly
enhanced with excimer-UV irradiation and RTA. Moreover, effective
visible photoluminescence is found to be observed even after FA at
900 oC, only for specimens treated with excimer-UV lamp and RTA.
We also prepared specimens of Si nanocrystals embedded in a SiO2 by
reactive pulsed laser deposition (PLD) in an oxygen atmosphere. We
will make clear the similarities and differences with the way of
preparation.
Abstract: This study investigates the effects of the lead angle
and chip thickness variation on surface roughness during the
machining of compacted graphite iron using ceramic cutting tools
under dry cutting conditions. Analytical models were developed for
predicting the surface roughness values of the specimens after the
face milling process. Experimental data was collected and imported
to the artificial neural network model. A multilayer perceptron model
was used with the back propagation algorithm employing the input
parameters of lead angle, cutting speed and feed rate in connection
with chip thickness. Furthermore, analysis of variance was employed
to determine the effects of the cutting parameters on surface
roughness. Artificial neural network and regression analysis were
used to predict surface roughness. The values thus predicted were
compared with the collected experimental data, and the
corresponding percentage error was computed. Analysis results
revealed that the lead angle is the dominant factor affecting surface
roughness. Experimental results indicated an improvement in the
surface roughness value with decreasing lead angle value from 88° to
45°.
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: 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: This paper aims to study the effect of cold work
condition on the microstructure of Cu-1.5wt%Ti, and Cu-3.5wt%Ti
and hence mechanical properties. The samples under investigation
were machined, and solution heat treated. X-ray diffraction technique
is used to identify the different phases present after cold deformation
by compression and also different heat treatment and also measuring
the relative quantities of phases present. The metallographic
examination is used to study the microstructure of the samples. The
hardness measurements were used to indicate the change in
mechanical properties. The results are compared with the mechanical
properties obtained by previous workers. Experiments on cold
compression followed by aging of Cu-Ti alloys have indicated that
the most efficient hardening of the material results from continuous
precipitation of very fine particles within the matrix. These particles
were reported to be β`-type, Cu4Ti phase. The β`-β transformation
and particles coarsening within the matrix as well as long grain
boundaries were responsible for the overaging of Cu-1.5wt%Ti and
Cu-3.5wt%Ti alloys. It is well known that plate-like particles are β –
type, Cu3Ti phase. Discontinuous precipitation was found to start at
the grain boundaries and expand into grain interior. At the higher
aging temperature, a classic Widmanstätten morphology forms giving
rise to a coarse microstructure comprised of α and the equilibrium
phase β. Those results were confirmed by X-ray analysis, which
found that a few percent of Cu3Ti, β precipitates are formed during
aging at high temperature for long time for both Cu- Ti alloys (i.e.
Cu-1.5wt%Ti and Cu-3.5wt%Ti).
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: In this paper, some limit properties for mixing random
variables sequences were studied and some results on weak law of
large number for mixing random variables sequences were presented.
Some complete convergence theorems were also obtained. The results
extended and improved the corresponding theorems in i.i.d random
variables sequences.