Abstract: Psyllium gum alone and in combination with
sunflower oil was investigated as a possible alternative edible coating
for improvement of quality and shelf life of fresh-cut papaya.
Different concentrations including 0.5, 1 and 1.5 percent of psyllium
gum were used for coating of fresh-cut papaya. In some samples,
refined sunflower oil was used as a lipid component to increase the
effectiveness of coating in terms of water barrier properties. Soya
lecithin was used as an emulsifier in coatings containing oil.
Pretreatment with 1% calcium chloride was given to maintain the
firmness of fresh-cut papaya cubes. 1% psyllium gum coating was
found to yield better results. Further, addition of oil helped to
maintain the quality and acted as a barrier to water vapour, therefore,
minimizing the weight loss.
Abstract: Construction projects are information intensive in
nature and involve many activities that are related to each other.
Wireless technologies can be used to improve the accuracy and
timeliness of data collected from construction sites and shares it with
appropriate parties. Nonetheless, the construction industry tends to be
conservative and shows hesitation to adopt new technologies. A main
concern for owners, contractors or any person in charge on a job site
is the cost of the technology in question. Wireless technologies are
not cheap. There are a lot of expenses to be taken into consideration,
and a study should be completed to make sure that the importance
and savings resulting from the usage of this technology is worth the
expenses. This research attempts to assess the effectiveness of using
the appropriate wireless technologies based on criteria such as
performance, reliability, and risk. The assessment is based on a utility
function model that breaks down the selection issue into alternatives
attribute. Then the attributes are assigned weights and single
attributes are measured. Finally, single attribute are combined to
develop one single aggregate utility index for each alternative.
Abstract: In this work new macroporous Ni electrodes modified
with Au nanoparticles for hydrogen production have been developed.
The supporting macroporous Ni electrodes have been obtained by
means of the electrodeposition at high current densities. Then, the Au
nanoparticles were synthesized and added to the electrode surface.
The electrocatalytic behaviour of the developed electrocatalysts was
studied by means of pseudo-steady-state polarization curves,
electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and hydrogen
discharge curves. The size of the Au synthetized nanoparticles shows
a monomodal distribution, with a very sharp band between 10 and 50
nm. The characteristic parameters d10, d50 and d90 were 14, 20 and
31 nm respectively. From Tafel polarization data has been concluded
that the Au nanoparticles improve the catalytic activity of the
developed electrodes towards the HER respect to the macroporous Ni
electrodes. EIS permits to obtain the electrochemically active area by
means of the roughness factor value. All the developed electrodes
show roughness factor values in the same order of magnitude. From
the activation energy results it can be concluded that the Au
nanoparticles improve the intrinsic catalytic activity of the
macroporous Ni electrodes.
Abstract: This paper presents a rheological model for producing
shape-memory thermoplastic polymers. Shape-memory occurs as a
result of internal rearrangement of the structural elements of a
polymer. A non-linear viscoelastic model was developed that allows
qualitative and quantitative prediction of the stress-strain behavior of
shape-memory polymers during heating. This research was done to
develop a technique to determine the maximum possible change in
size of shape-memory products during heating. The rheological
model used in this work was particularly suitable for defining process
parameters and constructive parameters of the processing equipment.
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: This paper presents Carrier Sense Multiple Access
(CSMA) communication models based on SoC design methodology.
Such a model can be used to support the modeling of the complex
wireless communication systems. Therefore, the use of such
communication model is an important technique in the construction
of high-performance communication. SystemC has been chosen
because it provides a homogeneous design flow for complex designs
(i.e. SoC and IP-based design). We use a swarm system to validate
CSMA designed model and to show how advantages of incorporating
communication early in the design process. The wireless
communication created through the modeling of CSMA protocol that
can be used to achieve communication between all the agents and to
coordinate access to the shared medium (channel).
Abstract: The main purpose of this study is static analysis of
two three-degree of freedom parallel mechanisms: 3-RCC and 3-
RRS. Geometry of these mechanisms is expressed and static
equilibrium equations are derived for the whole chains. For these
mechanisms due to the equal number of equations and unknowns, the
solution is as same as 3-RCC mechanism. A mathematical software is
used to solve the equations. In order to prove the results obtained
from solving the equations of mechanisms, the CAD model of these
robots has been simulated and their static is analysed in ADAMS
software. Due to symmetrical geometry of the mechanisms, the force
and external torque acting on the end-effecter have been considered
asymmetric to prove the generality of the solution method. Finally,
the results of both softwares, for both mechanisms are extracted and
compared as graphs. The good achieved comparison between the
results indicates the accuracy of the analysis.
Abstract: Implementation of advanced technologies requires
sophisticated instruments that deal with the operation, control,
restoration and protection of rapidly growing power system network
under normal and abnormal conditions. Presently, the applications of
Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) are widely found in real time
operation, monitoring, controlling and analysis of power system
network as it eliminates the various limitations of supervisory control
and data acquisition system (SCADA) conventionally used in power
system. The use of PMU data is very rapidly increasing its
importance for online and offline analysis. Wide area measurement
system (WAMS) is developed as new technology by use of multiple
PMUs in power system. The present paper proposes a model of
Matlab based PMU using Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT)
algorithm and evaluation of its operation under different
contingencies. In this paper, PMU based two bus system having
WAMS network is presented as a case study.
Abstract: Fibre cement plates, often used in construction,
generally are made using quartz as an inert material, cement as a
binder and cellulose as a fibre. This paper, first of all, investigates the
mechanical properties and durability of fibre cement plates when
quartz is both partly and fully replaced with diatomite. Diatomite
does not only have lower density compared to quartz but also has
high pozzolanic activity. The main objective of this paper is the
investigation of the effects of supplementary cementing materials
(SCMs) on the short and long term mechanical properties and
durability characteristics of fibre cement plates prepared using
diatomite. Supplementary cementing materials such as ground
granulated blast furnace slug (GGBS) and fly ash (FA) are used in
this study. Volume proportions of 10, 20, 30 and 40% of GGBS and
FA are used as partial replacement materials to cement. Short and
long term mechanical properties such as compressive and flexural
strengths as well as sorptivity characteristics and mass were
investigated. Consistency and setting time at each replacement levels
of SCMs were also recorded. The effects of using supplementary
cementing materials on the carbonation and sulphate resistance of
fibre cement plates were then experimented. The results, first of all,
show that the use of diatomite as a full or partial replacement to
quartz resulted in a systematic decrease in total mass of the fibre
cement plates. The reduction of mass was largely due to the lower
density and finer particle size of diatomite compared to quartz. The
use of diatomite did not only reduce the mass of these plates but also
increased the compressive strength significantly as a result of its high
pozzolanic activity. The replacement levels of both GGBS and FA
resulted in a systematic decrease in short term compressive strength
with increasing replacement levels. This was essentially expected as
the total rate of hydration is much lower in GGBS and FA than that
of cement. Long term results however, indicated that the compressive
strength of fibre cement plates prepared using both GGBS and FA
increases with time and hence the compressive strength of plates
prepared using SCMs is either equivalent or more than the
compressive strength of plates prepared using cement alone.
Durability characteristics of fibre cement plates prepared using SCMs
were enhanced significantly. Measurements of sopritivty
characteristics were also indicated that the plates prepared using
SCMs has much lower water absorption capacities compared to
plates prepared cement alone. Much higher resistance to carbonation
and sulphate attach were observed with plates prepared using SCMs.
The results presented in this paper show that the use of SCMs does
not only support the production of more sustainable construction
materials but also enhances the mechanical properties and durability
characteristics of fibre cement plates.
Abstract: In the field of fashion design, 3D Mannequin is a kind
of assisting tool which could rapidly realize the design concepts.
While the concept of 3D Mannequin is applied to the computer added
fashion design, it will connect with the development and the
application of design platform and system. Thus, the situation
mentioned above revealed a truth that it is very critical to develop a
module of 3D Mannequin which would correspond with the necessity
of fashion design. This research proposes a concrete plan that
developing and constructing a system of 3D Mannequin with Kinect.
In the content, ergonomic measurements of objective human features
could be attained real-time through the implement with depth camera
of Kinect, and then the mesh morphing can be implemented through
transformed the locations of the control-points on the model by
inputting those ergonomic data to get an exclusive 3D mannequin
model. In the proposed methodology, after the scanned points from the
Kinect are revised for accuracy and smoothening, a complete human
feature would be reconstructed by the ICP algorithm with the method
of image processing. Also, the objective human feature could be
recognized to analyze and get real measurements. Furthermore, the
data of ergonomic measurements could be applied to shape morphing
for the division of 3D Mannequin reconstructed by feature curves. Due
to a standardized and customer-oriented 3D Mannequin would be
generated by the implement of subdivision, the research could be
applied to the fashion design or the presentation and display of 3D
virtual clothes. In order to examine the practicality of research
structure, a system of 3D Mannequin would be constructed with JAVA
program in this study. Through the revision of experiments the
practicability-contained research result would come out.
Abstract: In this paper a new model for center of motion
creating is proposed. This new method uses cables. So, it is very
useful in robots because it is light and has easy assembling process.
In the robots which need to be in touch with some things this method
is so useful. It will be described in the following. The accuracy of the
idea is proved by two experiments. This system could be used in the
robots which need a fixed point in the contact with some things and
make a circular motion.
Abstract: This paper describes the main features of a knowledge-based system evaluation method. System evaluation is placed in the context of a hybrid legal decision-support system, Advisory Support for Home Settlement in Divorce (ASHSD). Legal knowledge for ASHSD is represented in two forms, as rules and previously decided cases. Besides distinguishing the two different forms of knowledge representation, the paper outlines the actual use of these forms in a computational framework that is designed to generate a plausible solution for a given case, by using rule-based reasoning (RBR) and case-based reasoning (CBR) in an integrated environment. The nature of suitability assessment of a solution has been considered as a multiple criteria decision-making process in ASHAD evaluation. The evaluation was performed by a combination of discussions and questionnaires with different user groups. The answers to questionnaires used in this evaluations method have been measured as a fuzzy linguistic term. The finding suggests that fuzzy linguistic evaluation is practical and meaningful in knowledge-based system development purpose.
Abstract: Construction and reconstruction of settlements and
individual municipalities, environmental management and the
creation, deployment of the forces of production and building
transport and technical equipment requires a large expenditure of
material and human resources. That is why the economic aspects of
the majority decision in these planes built in the foreground and are
often decisive. Thereby but more serious is that the economic aspects
of the settlement, the creation and function remain in their whole,
unprocessed, and cannot speak of a set of individual techniques and
methods traditional indicators and experiments with new approaches.
This is true both at the level of the national economy, and in their
own urban designs. Still a few remain identified specific economic
shaping patterns of settlement and the less it is possible to speak of
their control. Also practical assessing economics of specific solutions
are often used non-apt indicators in addition to economics usually
identifies with the lowest acquisition cost or high-intensity land use
with little regard for functional efficiency and little studied much
higher operating and maintenance costs".
Abstract: The notion of power and gender domination is one of
the inseparable aspects of themes in postmodern literature. The
reason of its importance has been discussed frequently since the rise
of Michel Foucault and his insight into the circulation of power and
the transgression of forces. Language and society operate as the basic
grounds for the study, as all human beings are bound to the set of
rules and norms which shape them in the acceptable way in the
macrocosm. How different genders in different positions behave and
show reactions to the provocation of social forces and superiority of
one another is of great interest to writers and literary critics. Mamet’s
works are noticeable for their controversial but timely themes which
illustrate human conflicts with the society and greed for power. Many
critics like Christopher Bigsby and Harold Bloom have discussed
Mamet and his ideas in recent years. This paper is the study of
Oleanna, Mamet’s masterpiece about the teacher-student relationship
and the circulation of power between a man and woman. He shows
the very breakable boundaries in the domination of a gender and the
downfall of speech as the consequence of transgression and freedom.
The failure of the language the teacher uses and the abuse of his own
words by a student who seeks superiority and knowledge are the
main subjects of the discussion. Supported by the ideas of Foucault,
the language Mamet uses to present his characters becomes the
fundamental premise in this study. As a result, language becomes
both the means of achievement and downfall.
Abstract: In this study free vibration analysis of aluminum
honeycomb sandwich structures were carried out experimentally and
numerically. The natural frequencies and mode shapes of sandwich
structures fabricated with different configurations for clamped-free
boundary condition were determined. The effects of lower and upper
face sheet thickness, the core material thickness, cell diameter, cell
angle and foil thickness on the vibration characteristics were
examined. The numerical studies were performed with ANSYS
package. While the sandwich structures were modeled in ANSYS the
continuum model was used. Later, the numerical results were
compared with the experimental findings.
Abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of
infectious mortality. It is primarily transmitted by the respiratory
route, individuals with active disease may infect others through
airborne particles which releases when they cough, talk, or sing and
subsequently inhale by others. In order to study the effect of the
Bacilli Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine after vaccination of TB
patient, a Vaccinated Susceptible Infected and Recovered (VSIR)
mathematical model is being developed to achieve the desired
objectives. The mathematical model, so developed, shall be used to
quantify the effect of BCG Vaccine to protect the immigrant young
adult person. Moreover, equations are to be established for the
disease endemic and free equilibrium states and subsequently utilized
in disease stability analysis. The stability analysis will give a
complete picture of disease annihilation from the total population if
the total removal rate from the infectious group should be greater
than total number of dormant infections produced throughout
infectious period.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose a new method for threedimensional
object indexing based on D.A.M.C-S.H.C descriptor
(Direct and Analytical Method for Calculating the Spherical
Harmonics Coefficients). For this end, we propose a direct
calculation of the coefficients of spherical harmonics with perfect
precision. The aims of the method are to minimize, the processing
time on the 3D objects database and the searching time of similar
objects to a request object.
Firstly we start by defining the new descriptor using a new
division of 3-D object in a sphere. Then we define a new distance
which will be tested and prove his efficiency in the search for similar
objects in the database in which we have objects with very various
and important size.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to determine whether paper assessment especially in the subject mathematics will ever be completely replaced by online assessment using Learning Management System and Content Management System such as blackboard. Testing students has moved from the traditional scribbling and sketching on paper towards working online on a screen and keyboard. It is found that online assessment by using selective types of questions like multiple choices, true or false and final answer questions don’t reflect the actual understanding of students in solving the problems and teachers can’t determine the weakness points of students. In addition, it is showed that OBMCQs are a very good tool for self-assessment and when teachers are testing for knowledge and facts. But when it comes to the skills, OBMCQs are poor tools for measuring the ability to apply knowledge to complex math problem.
Abstract: In the present study, response surface methodology has been used to optimize turn-assisted deep cold rolling process of AISI 4140 steel. A regression model is developed to predict surface hardness and surface roughness using response surface methodology and central composite design. In the development of predictive model, deep cold rolling force, ball diameter, initial roughness of the workpiece, and number of tool passes are considered as model variables. The rolling force and the ball diameter are the significant factors on the surface hardness and ball diameter and numbers of tool passes are found to be significant for surface roughness. The predicted surface hardness and surface roughness values and the subsequent verification experiments under the optimal operating conditions confirmed the validity of the predicted model. The absolute average error between the experimental and predicted values at the optimal combination of parameter settings for surface hardness and surface roughness is calculated as 0.16% and 1.58% respectively. Using the optimal processing parameters, the surface hardness is improved from 225 to 306 HV, which resulted in an increase in the near surface hardness by about 36% and the surface roughness is improved from 4.84µm to 0.252 µm, which resulted in decrease in the surface roughness by about 95%. The depth of compression is found to be more than 300µm from the microstructure analysis and this is in correlation with the results obtained from the microhardness measurements. Taylor hobson talysurf tester, micro vickers hardness tester, optical microscopy and X-ray diffractometer are used to characterize the modified surface layer.
Abstract: In this study, three robust predicting methods, namely artificial neural network (ANN), adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and support vector machine (SVM) were used for computing the resonant frequency of A-shaped compact microstrip antennas (ACMAs) operating at UHF band. Firstly, the resonant frequencies of 144 ACMAs with various dimensions and electrical parameters were simulated with the help of IE3D™ based on method of moment (MoM). The ANN, ANFIS and SVM models for computing the resonant frequency were then built by considering the simulation data. 124 simulated ACMAs were utilized for training and the remaining 20 ACMAs were used for testing the ANN, ANFIS and SVM models. The performance of the ANN, ANFIS and SVM models are compared in the training and test process. The average percentage errors (APE) regarding the computed resonant frequencies for training of the ANN, ANFIS and SVM were obtained as 0.457%, 0.399% and 0.600%, respectively. The constructed models were then tested and APE values as 0.601% for ANN, 0.744% for ANFIS and 0.623% for SVM were achieved. The results obtained here show that ANN, ANFIS and SVM methods can be successfully applied to compute the resonant frequency of ACMAs, since they are useful and versatile methods that yield accurate results.