Abstract: This study was conducted Razakı grape variety (Vitis
vinifera L.) and its vine which was aged 19 was grown on 5 BB
rootstock in a vegetation period of 2014 in Afyon province in Turkey.
In this research, it was investigated whether the applications of
Control (C), 1/3 Cluster Tip Reduction (1/3 CTR), Shoot Tip
Reduction (STR), 1/3 CTR + STR, Boric Acid (BA), 1/3 CTR + BA,
STR + BA, 1/3 CTR + STR + BA on yield and yield components of
Razakı grape variety. The results were obtained as the highest fresh
grape yield (7.74 kg/vine) with C application; as the highest cluster
weight (244.62 g) with STR application; as the highest 100 berry
weight (504.08 g) with C application; as the highest maturity index
(36.89) with BA application; as the highest must yield (695.00 ml)
with BA and (695.00 ml) with 1/3 CTR + STR + BA applications; as
the highest intensity of L* color (46.93) with STR and (46.10) with
1/3 CTR + STR + BA applications; as the highest intensity of a*
color (-5.37) with 1/3 CTR + STR and (-5.01) with STR, as the
highest intensity of b* color (12.59) with STR application. The shoot
tip reduction to increase cluster weight and boric acid application to
increase maturity index of Razakı grape variety can be recommended.
Abstract: The paper deals with possibilities of interpretation of
iron ore reducibility tests. It presents a mathematical model
developed at Centre ENET, VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava,
Czech Republic for an evaluation of metallurgical material of blast
furnace feedstock such as iron ore, sinter or pellets. According to the
data from the test, the model predicts its usage in blast furnace
technology and its effects on production parameters of shaft
aggregate. At the beginning, the paper sums up the general concept
and experience in mathematical modelling of iron ore reduction. It
presents basic equation for the calculation and the main parts of the
developed model. In the experimental part, there is an example of
usage of the mathematical model. The paper describes the usage of
data for some predictive calculation. There are presented material,
method of carried test of iron ore reducibility. Then there are
graphically interpreted effects of used material on carbon
consumption, rate of direct reduction and the whole reduction
process.
Abstract: In this paper, we introduced a gradient-based inverse
solver to obtain the missing boundary conditions based on the
readings of internal thermocouples. The results show that the method
is very sensitive to measurement errors, and becomes unstable when
small time steps are used. The artificial neural networks are shown to
be capable of capturing the whole thermal history on the run-out
table, but are not very effective in restoring the detailed behavior of
the boundary conditions. Also, they behave poorly in nonlinear cases
and where the boundary condition profile is different.
GA and PSO are more effective in finding a detailed
representation of the time-varying boundary conditions, as well as in
nonlinear cases. However, their convergence takes longer. A
variation of the basic PSO, called CRPSO, showed the best
performance among the three versions. Also, PSO proved to be
effective in handling noisy data, especially when its performance
parameters were tuned. An increase in the self-confidence parameter
was also found to be effective, as it increased the global search
capabilities of the algorithm. RPSO was the most effective variation
in dealing with noise, closely followed by CRPSO. The latter
variation is recommended for inverse heat conduction problems, as it
combines the efficiency and effectiveness required by these
problems.
Abstract: Incineration of municipal solid waste (MSW) is one of
the key scopes in the global clean energy strategy. A computational
fluid dynamics (CFD) model was established in order to reveal these
features of the combustion process in a fixed porous bed of MSW.
Transporting equations and process rate equations of the waste bed
were modeled and set up to describe the incineration process,
according to the local thermal conditions and waste property
characters. Gas phase turbulence was modeled using k-ε turbulent
model and the particle phase was modeled using the kinetic theory of
granular flow. The heterogeneous reaction rates were determined
using Arrhenius eddy dissipation and the Arrhenius-diffusion
reaction rates. The effects of primary air flow rate and temperature in
the burning process of simulated MSW are investigated
experimentally and numerically. The simulation results in bed are
accordant with experimental data well. The model provides detailed
information on burning processes in the fixed bed, which is otherwise
very difficult to obtain by conventional experimental techniques.
Abstract: In the past researchers have questioned the
effectiveness of ethics training in higher education. Also, there are
observations that support the view that ethical behaviour (range of
actions)/ethical decision making models used in the past make use of
vignettes to explain ethical behaviour. The understanding remains in
the perspective that these vignettes play a limited role in determining
individual intentions and not actions. Some authors have also agreed
that there are possibilities of differences in one’s intentions and
actions. This paper makes an attempt to fill those gaps by evaluating
real actions rather than intentions. In a way this study suggests the
use of an experiential methodology to explore Berlo’s model of
communication as an action along with orchestration of various
principles. To this endeavor, an attempt was made to use
conversational analysis in the pursuance of evaluating ethical
decision making behaviour among students and middle level
managers. The process was repeated six times with the set of an
average of 15 participants. Similarities have been observed in the
behaviour of students and middle level managers that calls for
understanding that both the groups of individuals have no cognizance
of their actual actions. The deliberations derived out of conversation
were taken a step forward for meta-ethical evaluations to portray a
clear picture of ethical behaviour among participants. This study
provides insights for understanding demonstrated unconscious human
behaviour which may fortuitously be termed both ethical and
unethical.
Abstract: A three-dimensional numerical model of
thermoelectric generator (TEG) modules attached to a large chimney
plate is proposed and solved numerically using a control volume based
finite difference formulation. The TEG module consists of a
thermoelectric generator, an elliptical pin-fin heat sink, and a cold
plate for water cooling. In the chimney, the temperature of flue gases is
450-650K. Although the TEG hot-side temperature and thus the
electric power output can be increased by inserting an elliptical pin-fin
heat sink into the chimney tunnel to increase the heat transfer area, the
pin fin heat sink would cause extra pumping power at the same time.
The main purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of geometrical
parameters on the electric power output and chimney pressure drop
characteristics. The effects of different operating conditions, including
various inlet velocities (Vin= 1, 3, 5 m/s), inlet temperatures (Tgas = 450,
550, 650K) and different fin height (0 to 150 mm) are discussed in
detail. The predicted numerical data for the power vs. current (P-I)
curve are in good agreement (within 11%) with the experimental data.
Abstract: The adaptation of social networking sites within
higher education has garnered significant interest in the recent years
with numerous researches considering it as a possible shift from the
traditional classroom based learning paradigm. Notwithstanding this
increase in research and conducted studies however, the adaption of
SNS based modules have failed to proliferate within Universities.
This paper commences its contribution by analyzing the various
models and theories proposed in literature and amalgamate together
various effective aspects for the inclusion of social technology within
e-Learning. A three phased framework is further proposed which
details the necessary considerations for the successful adaptation of
SNS in enhancing the students learning experience. This proposal
outlines the theoretical foundations which will be analyzed in
practical implementation across international university campuses.
Abstract: Applications of the Hausdorff space and its mappings
into tangent spaces are outlined, including their fractal dimensions
and self-similarities. The paper details this theory set up and further
describes virtualizations and atomization of manufacturing processes.
It demonstrates novel concurrency principles that will guide
manufacturing processes and resources configurations. Moreover,
varying levels of details may be produced by up folding and breaking
down of newly introduced generic models. This choice of layered
generic models for units and systems aspects along specific aspects
allows research work in parallel to other disciplines with the same
focus on all levels of detail. More credit and easier access are granted
to outside disciplines for enriching manufacturing grounds. Specific
mappings and the layers give hints for chances for interdisciplinary
outcomes and may highlight more details for interoperability
standards, as already worked on the international level. The new rules
are described, which require additional properties concerning all
involved entities for defining distributed decision cycles, again on the
base of self-similarity. All properties are further detailed and assigned
to a maturity scale, eventually displaying the smartness maturity of a
total shopfloor or a factory. The paper contributes to the intensive
ongoing discussion in the field of intelligent distributed
manufacturing and promotes solid concepts for implementations of
Cyber Physical Systems and the Internet of Things into
manufacturing industry, like industry 4.0, as discussed in German-speaking
countries.
Abstract: Using the first-principles full-potential linearized
augmented plane wave plus local orbital (FP-LAPW+lo) method
based on density functional theory (DFT), we have investigated the
electronic structure and magnetism of full Heusler alloys Co2ZrGe
and Co2NbB. These compounds are predicted to be half-metallic
ferromagnets (HMFs) with a total magnetic moment of 2.000 B per
formula unit, well consistent with the Slater-Pauling rule.
Calculations show that both the alloys have an indirect band gaps, in
the minority-spin channel of density of states (DOS), with values of
0.58 eV and 0.47 eV for Co2ZrGe and Co2NbB, respectively.
Analysis of the DOS and magnetic moments indicates that their
magnetism is mainly related to the d-d hybridization between the Co
and Zr (or Nb) atoms. The half-metallicity is found to be relatively
robust against volume changes. In addition, an atom inside molecule
AIM formalism and an electron localization function ELF were also
adopted to study the bonding properties of these compounds, building
a bridge between their electronic and bonding behavior.
As they have a good crystallographic compatibility with the lattice of
semiconductors used industrially and negative calculated cohesive
energies with considerable absolute values these two alloys could be
promising magnetic materials in the spintronic field.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to understand emerging
learning conditions, when a visual analytics is implemented and used
in K 12 (education). To date, little attention has been paid to the role
visual analytics (digital media and technology that highlight visual
data communication in order to support analytical tasks) can play in
education, and to the extent to which these tools can process
actionable data for young students. This study was conducted in three
public K 12 schools, in four social science classes with students aged
10 to 13 years, over a period of two to four weeks at each school.
Empirical data were generated using video observations and analyzed
with help of metaphors within Actor-network theory (ANT). The
learning conditions are found to be distinguished by broad
complexity, characterized by four dimensions. These emerge from
the actors’ deeply intertwined relations in the activities. The paper
argues in relation to the found dimensions that novel approaches to
teaching and learning could benefit students’ knowledge building as
they work with visual analytics, analyzing visualized data.
Abstract: This paper shortly describes various types of biomass
and a growing number of facilities utilizing the biomass in the Czech
Republic. The considerable part of this paper deals with energy
parameters of the most frequently used types of biomass and results
of their gasification testing. Sixteen most used "Czech" woody plants
and grasses were selected; raw, element and biochemical analyses
were performed and basic calorimetric values, ash composition, and
ash characteristic temperatures were identified. Later, each biofuel
was tested in a fluidized bed gasifier. The essential part of this paper
provides results of the gasification of selected biomass types.
Operating conditions are described in detail with a focus on
individual fuels properties. Gas composition and impurities content
are also identified. In terms of operating conditions and gas quality,
the essential difference occurred mainly between woody plants and
grasses. The woody plants were evaluated as more suitable fuels for
fluidized bed gasifiers. Testing results significantly help with a
decision-making process regarding suitability of energy plants for
growing and with a selection of optimal biomass-treatment
technology.
Abstract: Modeling and forecasting dynamics of rainfall
occurrences constitute one of the major topics, which have been
largely treated by statisticians, hydrologists, climatologists and many
other groups of scientists. In the same issue, we propose, in the
present paper, a new hybrid method, which combines Extreme
Values and fractal theories. We illustrate the use of our methodology
for transformed Emberger Index series, constructed basing on data
recorded in Oujda (Morocco).
The index is treated at first by Peaks Over Threshold (POT)
approach, to identify excess observations over an optimal threshold u.
In the second step, we consider the resulting excess as a fractal object
included in one dimensional space of time. We identify fractal
dimension by the box counting. We discuss the prospect descriptions
of rainfall data sets under Generalized Pareto Distribution, assured by
Extreme Values Theory (EVT). We show that, despite of the
appropriateness of return periods given by POT approach, the
introduction of fractal dimension provides accurate interpretation
results, which can ameliorate apprehension of rainfall occurrences.
Abstract: The work allowed gaining knowledge about redox and
speciation changes of As, Cr and Sb ionic forms in Klodnica River
water. This kind of studies never has been conducted in this region of
Poland. In study optimized and validated previously HPLC-ICP-MS
methods for determination of As, Sb and Cr was used. Separation
step was done using high-performance liquid chromatograph
equipped with ion-exchange column followed by ICP-MS
spectrometer detector. Preliminary studies included determination of
the total concentration of As, Sb and Cr, pH, Eh, temperature and
conductivity of the water samples. The study was conducted monthly
from March to August 2014, at six points on the Klodnica River. The
results indicate that exceeded at acceptable concentration of total Cr
and Sb was observed in Klodnica River and we should qualify
Klodnica River waters below the second purity class. In Klodnica
River waters dominates oxidized antimony and arsenic forms, as well
as the two forms of chromium Cr(VI) and Cr(III). Studies have also
shown the methyl derivative of arsenic's presence.
Abstract: Soil quality monitoring is a science-based soil
management tool that assesses soil ecosystem health.
A soil monitoring program in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest
city extends from 1995 to the present. The objective of this study was
to firstly determine changes in soil parameters (basic soil properties
and heavy metals) that were assessed from rural land in 1995-2000
and repeated in 2008-2012. The second objective was to determine
differences in soil parameters across various land uses including
native bush, rural (horticulture, pasture and plantation forestry) and
urban land uses using soil data collected in more recent years (2009-
2013).
Across rural land, mean concentrations of Olsen P had
significantly increased in the second sampling period and was
identified as the indicator of most concern, followed by soil
macroporosity, particularly for horticultural and pastoral land. Mean
concentrations of Cd were also greatest for pastoral and horticultural
land and a positive correlation existed between these two parameters,
which highlights the importance of analysing basic soil parameters in
conjunction with heavy metals. In contrast, mean concentrations of
As, Cr, Pb, Ni and Zn were greatest for urban sites. Native bush sites
had the lowest concentrations of heavy metals and were used to
calculate a ‘pollution index’ (PI). The mean PI was classified as high
(PI > 3) for Cd and Ni and moderate for Pb, Zn, Cr, Cu, As and Hg,
indicating high levels of heavy metal pollution across both rural and
urban soils. From a land use perspective, the mean ‘integrated
pollution index’ was highest for urban sites at 2.9 followed by
pasture, horticulture and plantation forests at 2.7, 2.6 and 0.9,
respectively.
It is recommended that soil sampling continues over time because
a longer spanning record will allow further identification of where
soil problems exist and where resources need to be targeted in the
future. Findings from this study will also inform policy and science
direction in regional councils.
Abstract: The effect of transition metal doping on Pt/Al2O3
catalyst used in propane dehydrogenation reaction at 500°C was
studied. The preparation methods investigated were sequential
impregnation (Pt followed by the 2nd metal or the 2nd metal followed
by Pt) and co-impregnation. The metal contents of these catalysts
were fixed as the weight ratio of Pt per the 2nd metal of around 0.075.
These catalysts were characterized by N2-physisorption, TPR, COchemisorption
and NH3-TPD. It was found that the impregnated 2nd
metal had an effect upon reducibility of Pt due to its interaction with
transition metal-containing structure. This was in agreement with the
CO-chemisorption result that the presence of Pt metal, which is a
result from Pt species reduction, was decreased. The total acidity of
bimetallic catalysts is decreased but the strong acidity is slightly
increased. It was found that the stability of bimetallic catalysts
prepared by co-impregnation and sequential impregnation where the
2nd metal was impregnated before Pt were better than that of
monometallic catalyst (undoped Pt one) due to the forming of Pt sites
located on the transition metal-oxide modified surface. Among all
preparation methods, the sequential impregnation method- having Pt
impregnated before the 2nd metal gave the worst stability because this
catalyst lacked the modified Pt sites and some fraction of Pt sites was
covered by the 2nd metal.
Abstract: Beta-glucosidase, chitinase, leucine-aminopeptidase, acid phosphomonoesterase and acetate-esterase enzyme activities in
the soils under the impact of metallurgical industrial activity in Lori
marz (district) were investigated. The results of the study showed that
the activities of the investigated enzymes in the soils decreased with increasing distance from the Shamlugh copper mine, the Chochkan
tailings storage facility and the ore transportation road. Statistical
analysis revealed that the activities of the enzymes were positively
correlated (significant) to each other according to the observation
sites which indicated that enzyme activities were affected by the
same anthropogenic factor. The investigations showed that the soils
were polluted with heavy metals (Cu, Pb, As, Co, Ni, Zn) due to
copper mining activity in this territory. The results of Pearson
correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation
between heavy metal pollution degree (Nemerow integrated pollution
index) and soil enzyme activity. All of this indicated that copper
mining activity in this territory causing the heavy metal pollution of
the soils resulted in the inhabitation of the activities of the enzymes
which are considered as biological catalysts to decompose organic
materials and facilitate the cycling of nutrients.
Abstract: The development of active and stable catalysts
without noble metals for low temperature oxidation of exhaust gases
remains a significant challenge. The purpose of this study is to
determine the influence of the preparation method on the catalytic
activity of the supported copper-manganese mixed oxides in terms of
VOCs oxidation. The catalysts were prepared by impregnation of γ-
Al2O3 with copper and manganese nitrates and acetates and the
possibilities for CO, CH3OH and dimethyl ether (DME) oxidation
were evaluated using continuous flow equipment with a four-channel
isothermal stainless steel reactor. Effect of the support, Cu/Mn mole
ratio, heat treatment of the precursor and active component loading
were investigated. Highly active alumina supported Cu-Mn catalysts
for CO and VOCs oxidation were synthesized. The effect of
preparation conditions on the activity behavior of the catalysts was
discussed.
The synergetic interaction between copper and manganese species
increases the activity for complete oxidation over mixed catalysts.
Type of support, calcination temperature and active component
loading along with catalyst composition are important factors,
determining catalytic activity. Cu/Mn molar ratio of 1:5, heat
treatment at 450oC and 20 % active component loading are the best
compromise for production of active catalyst for simultaneous
combustion of CO, CH3OH and DME.
Abstract: The paper tackles the topic of determining the cost of
innovation in software development projects. Innovation can be
achieved either in a planned or unplanned manner. The paper
approaches the scenarios were innovation is planned for. As a starting
point an innovative software development project is analyzed. The
project is depicted step by step as it was implemented, from inception
to delivery. Costs that are proprietary to innovation in software
development are isolated based on the author’s personal experience
in managing the above mentioned project. Innovation costs
components identified by the author are then validated using open
discussions with software development professionals and projects
managers on LinkedIn groups. In order to receive relevant feedback
only groups that focus on software development and innovation
management are targeted. Additional innovation cost components
suggested by software development professionals and projects
managers are also considered. Based on the identified cost
components an indicator is built. The indicator is meant to formalize
the process of determining the cost of innovation in a software
development project. The indicator aggregates all the innovation cost
components that are identified in the research process. The process of
calculating each cost component is also described. Conclusions are
formulated and new related research topics are submitted for debate.
Abstract: Properties of Portland cement mixtures with various
fractions of metakaolin were studied. 10% of Portland cement CEM I
42.5 R was replaced by different fractions of high reactivity
metakaolin with defined chemical and mineralogical properties.
Various fractions of metakaolin were prepared by jet mill classifying
system. There is a clear trend between fineness of metakaolin and
hydration heat development. Due to metakaolin presence in mixtures
the compressive strength development of mortars is rather slower for
coarser fractions but 28-day flexural strengths are improved for all
fractions of metakaoline used in mixtures compared to reference
sample of pure Portland cement. Yield point, plastic viscosity and
adhesion of fresh pastes are considerably influenced by fineness of
metakaolin used in cement pastes.
Abstract: In this paper, we investigate the effect of friendly
jamming power allocation strategies on the achievable average
secrecy rate over a bank of parallel fading wiretap channels.
We investigate the achievable average secrecy rate in parallel
fading wiretap channels subject to Rayleigh and Rician fading.
The achievable average secrecy rate, due to the presence of a
line-of-sight component in the jammer channel is also evaluated.
Moreover, we study the detrimental effect of correlation across the
parallel sub-channels, and evaluate the corresponding decrease in the
achievable average secrecy rate for the various fading configurations.
We also investigate the tradeoff between the transmission power
and the jamming power for a fixed total power budget. Our
results, which are applicable to current orthogonal frequency division
multiplexing (OFDM) communications systems, shed further light on
the achievable average secrecy rates over a bank of parallel fading
channels in the presence of friendly jammers.