Abstract: In the past few years, high consumption of soft drinks
has attracted negative attention world-wide due to its possible
adverse effects, leading the health conscious people to find
alternative nutraceutical or herbal health drinks. In the present study,
a nutraceutical soft drink was developed utilizing some easily
available and well known traditional herbs having nutritional
potential. The key ingredients were selected as bael, amla, lemon
juice, ashwagandha and poppy seeds based on their household routine
use in the summer with proven refreshing, cooling and energetic
feeling since ages. After several trials made, the final composition of
nutraceutical summer soft drink was selected as most suitable
combination based on the taste, physicochemical, microbial and
organoleptic point of view. The physicochemical analysis of the
prepared drink found to contain optimum level of titratable acidity,
total soluble solids and pH which were in accordance of the
commercial recommendations. There were no bacterial colonies
found in the product therefore found within limits. During the nine
point’s hedonic scale sensory evaluation, the drink was strongly liked
for colour, taste, flavour and texture. The formulation was found to
contain flavonoids (80mg/100ml), phenolics (103mg/100ml), vitamin
C (250mg/100ml) and has antioxidant potential (75.52%) apart from
providing several other essential vitamins, minerals and healthy
components. The developed nutraceutical drink provides an
economical and feasible option for the consumers with very good
taste combined with potential health benefits. The present drink is
potentially capable to replace the synthetic soft drinks available in the
market.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the
photocatalytic activity of polycrystalline phases of bismuth tungstate
of formula Bi2WO6. Polycrystalline samples were elaborated using a
coprecipitation technique followed by a calcination process at
different temperatures (300, 400, 600 and 900°C). The obtained
polycrystalline phases have been characterized by X-ray diffraction
(XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission
electron microscopy (TEM). Crystal cell parameters and cell volume
depend on elaboration temperature. High-resolution electron
microscopy images and image simulations, associated with X-ray
diffraction data, allowed confirming the lattices and space groups
Pca21. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared samples was
studied by irradiating aqueous solutions of Rhodamine B, associated
with Bi2WO6 additives having variable crystallite sizes. The
photocatalytic activity of such bismuth tungstates increased as the
crystallite sizes decreased. The high specific area of the
photocatalytic particles obtained at 300°C seems to condition the
degradation kinetics of RhB.
Abstract: The study focused on the analysis of the Adjusted
Rorschach Comprehensive System’s responses. The objective of this
study is to analyse the participants’ response rate of the Adjusted
Rorschach Comprehensive System with regards to critical
psychology approach. The use of critical psychology theory in this
study was crucial because it responds to the current inadequate
western theory or practice in the field of psychology. The study
adopted a qualitative approach and a case study design. The study
was grounded on interpretivist paradigm. The sample size comprised
six learners (three boys and three girls, aged of 14 years) from
historically disadvantaged school in the Western Cape, South Africa.
The Adjusted Rorschach Comprehensive System (ARCS)
administration procedure, biographical information, semi-structured
interviews, and observation were used to collect data. Data was
analysed using thematic framework. The study found out that, factors
that increased the response rates during the administration of ARCS
were, language, seating arrangement, drawing, viewing, and
describing. The study recommended that, psychological test
designers take into consideration the philosophy or worldviews of the
local people for whom the test is designed to minimize low response
rates.
Abstract: This paper explores and provides substantiated
evidence on the usage patterns of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) by female users at Vhembe District in Limpopo-
Province, South Africa. The study presents a comprehensive picture
on the usage of ICTs from female users’ perspective. The
significance of this study stems from the need to assess the role,
relevance and usage patterns of ICTs such as smartphones,
computers, laptops, and iPods, the internet and social networking
sites among females following the developments of new media
technologies in society. The objective of the study is to investigate
the usability and accessibility of ICTs to empower female users in
South Africa. The study used quantitative and qualitative research
methods to determine the major ideas, perceptions and usage patterns
of ICTs by users. Data collection involved the use of structured selfadministered
questionnaire from two groups of respondents who
participated in this study. Thus, (n=50) female students at the
University of Venda provided their ideas and perceptions about the
usefulness and usage patterns of ICTs such as smartphones, the
Internet and computers at the university level, whereas, the second
group were (n=50) learners from Makhado Comprehensive School
who provided their perceptions and ideas about the use of ICTs at the
high school level. The researcher also noted that the findings of the
study were useful as a guideline and model for ICT intervention that
could work as an empowerment to women in South Africa. It was
observed that the central purpose of ICTs among female users was to
search for information regarding assignment writing, conducting
research, dating, exchanging ideas and networking with friends and
relatives. This was demonstrated by a high number of females who
used ICTs for e-learning (62%) and social purposes (85%).
Therefore, the study revealed that most females used ICTs for social
purposes and accessing the internet rather than for entertainment, a
gesture that provides an opportune space to empower rural women in
South Africa.
Abstract: Salinity is one of the major factors limiting crop
production in an arid environment. Despite its global importance
soybean production suffer the problems of salinity stress causing
damages at plant development. So it is implacable to either search for
salinity enhancement of soybean plants. Therefore, in the current
study we try to clarify the mechanism that might be involved in the
ameliorating effects of osmo-protectants such as proline and glycine
betaine as well as, compost application on soybean plants grown
under salinity stress. The experiment was conducted under
greenhouse conditions at the Graduate School of Biosphere Science
Laboratory of Hiroshima University, Japan in 2011. The experiment
was designed as a spilt-split plot based on randomized complete
block design with four replications. The treatments could be
summarized as follows; (i) salinity concentrations (0 and 15 mM), (ii)
compost treatments (0 and 24 t ha-1) and (iii) the exogenous, proline
and glycine betaine concentrations (0 mM and 25 mM) for each.
Results indicated that salinity stress induced reduction in growth and
physiological aspects (dry weight per plant, chlorophyll content, N
and K+ content) of soybean plant compared with those of the
unstressed plants. On the other hand, salinity stress led to increases in
the electrolyte leakage ratio, Na and proline contents. Special
attention was paid to, the tolerance against salt stress was observed,
the improvement of salt tolerance resulted from proline, glycine
betaine and compost were accompanied with improved K+, and
proline accumulation. While, significantly decreased electrolyte
leakage ratio and Na+ content. These results clearly demonstrate that
harmful effect of salinity could reduce on growth aspects of soybean.
Consequently, exogenous osmoprotectants combine with compost
will effectively solve seasonal salinity stress problem and are a good
strategy to increase salinity resistance of soybean in the drylands.
Abstract: MHD chemically reacting viscous fluid flow towards
a vertical surface with slip and convective boundary conditions has
been conducted. The temperature and the chemical species
concentration of the surface and the velocity of the external flow are
assumed to vary linearly with the distance from the vertical surface.
The governing differential equations are modeled and transformed
into systems of ordinary differential equations, which are then solved
numerically by a shooting method. The effects of various parameters
on the heat and mass transfer characteristics are discussed. Graphical
results are presented for the velocity, temperature, and concentration
profiles whilst the skin-friction coefficient and the rate of heat and
mass transfers near the surface are presented in tables and discussed.
The results revealed that increasing the strength of the magnetic field
increases the skin-friction coefficient and the rate of heat and mass
transfers toward the surface. The velocity profiles are increased
towards the surface due to the presence of the Lorenz force, which
attracts the fluid particles near the surface. The rate of chemical
reaction is seen to decrease the concentration boundary layer near the
surface due to the destructive chemical reaction occurring near the
surface.
Abstract: In VLSI, testing plays an important role. Major
problem in testing are test data volume and test power. The important
solution to reduce test data volume and test time is test data
compression. The Proposed technique combines the bit maskdictionary
and 2n pattern run length-coding method and provides a
substantial improvement in the compression efficiency without
introducing any additional decompression penalty. This method has
been implemented using Mat lab and HDL Language to reduce test
data volume and memory requirements. This method is applied on
various benchmark test sets and compared the results with other
existing methods. The proposed technique can achieve a compression
ratio up to 86%.
Abstract: Drought is one of the most serious problems posing a
grave threat to cereals production including maize. Maize
improvement in drought-stress tolerance poses a great challenge as
the global need for food and bio-energy increases. Thus, the current
study was planned to explore the variations and determine the
performance of target traits of maize hybrids at grain growth stage
under drought conditions during 2014 under Adana, Mediterranean
climate conditions, Turkey. Maize hybrids (Sancia, Indaco,
71May69, Aaccel, Calgary, 70May82, 72May80) were evaluated
under (irrigated and water stress). Results revealed that, grain yield
and yield traits had a negative effects because of water stress
conditions compared with the normal irrigation. As well as, based on
the result under normal irrigation, the maximum biological yield and
harvest index were recorded. According to the differences among
hybrids were found that, significant differences were observed among
hybrids with respect to yield and yield traits under current research. Based on the results, grain weight had more effect on grain yield
than grain number during grain filling growth stage under water
stress conditions. In this concern, according to low drought
susceptibility index (less grain yield losses), the hybrid (Indaco) was
more stable in grain number and grain weight. Consequently, it may
be concluded that this hybrid would be recommended for use in the
future breeding programs for production of drought tolerant hybrids.
Abstract: Tamil handwritten document is taken as a key source
of data to identify the writer. Tamil is a classical language which has
247 characters include compound characters, consonants, vowels and
special character. Most characters of Tamil are multifaceted in
nature. Handwriting is a unique feature of an individual. Writer may
change their handwritings according to their frame of mind and this
place a risky challenge in identifying the writer. A new
discriminative model with pooled features of handwriting is proposed
and implemented using support vector machine. It has been reported
on 100% of prediction accuracy by RBF and polynomial kernel based
classification model.
Abstract: Ultraviolet photocatalytic oxidation (UV-PCO)
technology has been recommended as a green approach to health
indoor environment when it is integrated into mechanical ventilation
systems for inorganic and organic compounds removal as well as
energy saving due to less outdoor air intakes. Although much research
has been devoted to UV-PCO, limited information is available on the
UV-PCO behavior tested by the mixtures in literature. This project
investigated UV-PCO performance and by-product generation using a
single and a mixture of acetone and MEK at 100 ppb each in a
single-pass duct system in an effort to obtain knowledge associated
with competitive photochemical reactions involved in. The
experiments were performed at 20 % RH, 22 °C, and a gas flow rate of
128 m3/h (75 cfm). Results show that acetone and MEK mutually
reduced each other’s PCO removal efficiency, particularly negative
removal efficiency for acetone. These findings were different from
previous observation of facilitatory effects on the adsorption of
acetone and MEK on photocatalyst surfaces.
Abstract: Damaturu is the capital of Yobe State in northeastern
Nigeria where civic amenities and facilities are not adequate even
after 24 years of its existence. The volatile security and political
situations are most significant causes for the same. The basic facility
for the citizens in terms of drinking water and electricity are not
available. For the drinking water, they have to rely on personal
boreholes or the filtered borehole waters available in packaged
sachets in market. The present study is concerned with environmental
impact of indiscriminate disposal of drinking synthetic polythene
water sachets in Damaturu. The sachet water is popularly called as
“pure water”, but its purity is questionable. Increased production and
consumption of sachet water has led to indiscriminate dumping and
disposal of empty sachets leading to serious environmental threat.
The evidence of this is seen for sachets littering the streets and the
drainages blocked by ‘blocks’ of water sachet waste. Sachet water
gained much popularity in Nigeria because the product is convenient
for use, affordable and economically viable. The present study aims
to find out the solution to this environmental problem. The fieldbased
study has found some significant factors that cause
environmental and socio economic effect due to this. Some
recommendations have been made based on research findings
regarding sustainable waste management, recycling and re-use of the
non-biodegradable products in society.
Abstract: Nitrification is essential to biological processes
designed to remove ammonia and/or total nitrogen. It removes excess
nitrogenous compound in wastewater which could be very toxic to
the aquatic fauna or cause serious imbalance of such aquatic
ecosystem. Efficient nitrification is linked to an in-depth knowledge
of the structure and dynamics of the nitrifying community structure
within the wastewater treatment systems. In this study, molecular
technique was employed for characterizing the microbial structure of
activated sludge [ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite
oxidizing bacteria (NOB)] in a municipal wastewater treatment with
intention of linking it to the plant efficiency. PCR based phylogenetic
analysis was also carried out. The average operating and
environmental parameters as well as specific nitrification rate of plant
was investigated during the study. During the investigation the average temperature was 23±1.5oC.
Other operational parameters such as mixed liquor suspended solids
and chemical oxygen demand inversely correlated with ammonia
removal. The dissolved oxygen level in the plant was constantly
lower than the optimum (between 0.24 and 1.267 mg/l) during this
study. The plant was treating wastewater with influent ammonia
concentration of 31.69 and 24.47 mg/L. The influent flow rates
(ML/Day) was 96.81 during period. The dominant nitrifiers include:
Nitrosomonas spp. Nitrobacter spp. and Nitrospira spp. The AOB
had correlation with nitrification efficiency and temperature. This
study shows that the specific ammonia oxidizing rate and the specific
nitrate formation rates can serve as good indicator of the plant overall
nitrification performance.
Abstract: This paper discusses the general methods to saturation
in the steady-state, two axis (d & q) frame models of synchronous
machines. In particular, the important role of the magnetic coupling
between the d-q axes (cross-magnetizing phenomenon), is
demonstrated. For that purpose, distinct methods of saturation
modeling of dumper synchronous machine with cross-saturation are
identified, and detailed models synthesis in d-q axes. A number of
models are given in the final developed form. The procedure and the
novel models are verified by a critical application to prove the
validity of the method and the equivalence between all developed
models is reported. Advantages of some of the models over the
existing ones and their applicability are discussed.
Abstract: Polymeric micro-cantilevers (Cs) are rapidly
becoming popular for MEMS applications such as chemo- and biosensing
as well as purely electromechanical applications such as
microrelays. Polymer materials present suitable physical and
chemical properties combined with low-cost mass production. Hence,
micro-cantilevers made of polymers indicate much more
biocompatibility and adaptability of rapid prototyping along with
mechanical properties. This research studies the effects of three
process and one size factors on the filling behaviour in micro cavity,
and the role of each in the replication of micro parts using different
polymer materials i.e. polypropylene (PP) SABIC 56M10 and
acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) Magnum 8434 . In particular,
the following factors are considered: barrel temperature, mould
temperature, injection speed and the thickness of micro features. The
study revealed that the barrel temperature and the injection speed are
the key factors affecting the flow length of micro features replicated
in PP and ABS. For both materials, an increase of feature sizes
improves the melt flow. However, the melt fill of micro features does
not increase linearly with the increase of their thickness.
Abstract: Sweden has succeeded to maintain a high level of
growth and development and has managed to sustain highly ranked
position among the world’s developed countries. In this regard,
Swedish universities are playing a vital role in supporting innovation
and entrepreneurship at all levels and developing Swedish knowledge
economy. This paper is aiming to draw on the experiences of two leading
Swedish universities, addressing their transformation approach to
create entrepreneurial universities and fulfilling their objectives in the
era of knowledge economy. The objectives of the paper include: 1) Introducing the Swedish
higher education and its characteristics. 2) Examining the
infrastructure elements for innovation and Entrepreneurship at two of
the Swedish entrepreneurial universities. 3) Addressing the key
aspects of support systems in the initiatives of both Chalmers and
Gothenburg universities to support innovation and advance
entrepreneurial practices. The paper will contribute to two discourses: 1) Examining the
relationship between support systems for innovation and
entrepreneurship and the Universities’ policies and practices. 2)
Lessons for University leaders to assist the development and
implementation of effective innovation and entrepreneurship policies
and practices.
Abstract: This study aims to increase understanding of the
transition of business models in servitization. The significance of
service in all business has increased dramatically during the past
decades. Service-dominant logic (SDL) describes this change in the
economy and questions the goods-dominant logic on which business
has primarily been based in the past. A business model canvas is one
of the most cited and used tools in defining end developing business
models. The starting point of this paper lies in the notion that the
traditional business model canvas is inherently goods-oriented and
best suits for product-based business. However, the basic differences
between goods and services necessitate changes in business model
representations when proceeding in servitization. Therefore, new
knowledge is needed on how the conception of business model and
the business model canvas as its representation should be altered in
servitized firms in order to better serve business developers and interfirm
co-creation. That is to say, compared to products, services are
intangible and they are co-produced between the supplier and the
customer. Value is always co-created in interaction between a
supplier and a customer, and customer experience primarily depends
on how well the interaction succeeds between the actors. The role of
service experience is even stronger in service business compared to
product business, as services are co-produced with the customer. This paper provides business model developers with a service
business model canvas, which takes into account the intangible,
interactive, and relational nature of service. The study employs a
design science approach that contributes to theory development via
design artifacts. This study utilizes qualitative data gathered in
workshops with ten companies from various industries. In particular,
key differences between Goods-dominant logic (GDL) and SDLbased
business models are identified when an industrial firm
proceeds in servitization. As the result of the study, an updated version of the business
model canvas is provided based on service-dominant logic. The
service business model canvas ensures a stronger customer focus and
includes aspects salient for services, such as interaction between
companies, service co-production, and customer experience. It can be
used for the analysis and development of a current service business
model of a company or for designing a new business model. It
facilitates customer-focused new service design and service
development. It aids in the identification of development needs, and
facilitates the creation of a common view of the business model.
Therefore, the service business model canvas can be regarded as a
boundary object, which facilitates the creation of a common
understanding of the business model between several actors involved.
The study contributes to the business model and service business
development disciplines by providing a managerial tool for
practitioners in service development. It also provides research insight
into how servitization challenges companies’ business models.
Abstract: In most existing buildings in hot climate, cooling
loads lead to high primary energy consumption and consequently
high CO2 emissions. These can be substantially decreased with
integrated renewable energy systems. Kuwait is characterized by its
dry hot long summer and short warm winter. Kuwait receives annual
total radiation more than 5280 MJ/m2 with approximately 3347 h of
sunshine. Solar energy systems consist of PV modules and parabolic
trough collectors are considered to satisfy electricity consumption,
domestic water heating, and cooling loads of an existing building.
This paper presents the results of an extensive program of energy
conservation and energy generation using integrated photovoltaic
(PV) modules and Parabolic Trough Collectors (PTC). The program
conducted on an existing institutional building intending to convert it
into a Net-Zero Energy Building (NZEB) or near net Zero Energy
Building (nNZEB). The program consists of two phases; the first
phase is concerned with energy auditing and energy conservation
measures at minimum cost and the second phase considers the
installation of photovoltaic modules and parabolic trough collectors.
The 2-storey building under consideration is the Applied Sciences
Department at the College of Technological Studies, Kuwait. Single
effect lithium bromide water absorption chillers are implemented to
provide air conditioning load to the building. A numerical model is
developed to evaluate the performance of parabolic trough collectors
in Kuwait climate. Transient simulation program (TRNSYS) is
adapted to simulate the performance of different solar system
components. In addition, a numerical model is developed to assess
the environmental impacts of building integrated renewable energy
systems. Results indicate that efficient energy conservation can play
an important role in converting the existing buildings into NZEBs as
it saves a significant portion of annual energy consumption of the
building. The first phase results in an energy conservation of about
28% of the building consumption. In the second phase, the integrated
PV completely covers the lighting and equipment loads of the
building. On the other hand, parabolic trough collectors of optimum
area of 765 m2 can satisfy a significant portion of the cooling load,
i.e about73% of the total building cooling load. The annual avoided
CO2 emission is evaluated at the optimum conditions to assess the
environmental impacts of renewable energy systems. The total annual
avoided CO2 emission is about 680 metric ton/year which confirms
the environmental impacts of these systems in Kuwait.
Abstract: This paper is aimed to study combustion characteristics
of low NOx burner using petroleum cokes as fuel. The petroleum coke,
which is produced through the oil refining process, is an attractive fuel
in terms of its high heating value and low price. But petroleum coke is
a challenging fuel because of its low volatile content, high sulfur and
nitrogen content, which give rise to undesirable emission
characteristics and low ignitability. Therefore, the research and
development regarding the petroleum coke burner is needed for
applying this industrial system. In this study, combustion and emission
characteristics of petroleum cokes burner are experimentally
investigated in an industrial steam boiler. The low NOx burner is
designed to control fuel and air mixing to achieve staged combustion,
which, in turn reduces both flame temperature and oxygen. Air
distribution ratio of triple staged air is optimized experimentally. The
result showed that NOx concentration is lowest when overfire air is
used, and the burner function at a fuel rich condition. That is, the
burner is operated at the equivalence ratio of 1.67 and overall
equivalence ratio including overfire air is kept 0.87.
Abstract: Main purpose of this study is to identify the impact of
government expenditure on economic growth in Asian Countries.
Consequently, main objective is to analyze whether government
expenditure causes economic growth in Asian countries vice versa
and then scrutinizing long-run equilibrium relationship exists
between them. The study completely based on secondary data. The
methodology being quantitative that includes econometrical
techniques of cointegration, panel fixed effects model and granger
causality in the context of panel data of Asian countries; Singapore,
Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, China, Sri Lanka, India and
Bhutan with 44 observations in each country, totaling to 396
observations from 1970 to 2013. The model used is the random
effects panel OLS model. As with the above methodology, the study
found the fascinating outcome. At first, empirical findings exhibit a
momentous positive impact of government expenditure on Gross
Domestic Production in Asian region. Secondly, government
expenditure and economic growth indicate a long-run relationship in
Asian countries. In conclusion, there is a unidirectional causality
from economic growth to government expenditure and government
expenditure to economic growth in Asian countries. Hence the study
is validated that it is in line with the Keynesian theory and Wagner’s
law as well. Consequently, it can be concluded that role of
government would play a vital role in economic growth of Asian
Countries. However; if government expenditure did not figure out
with the economy’s needs it might be considerably inspiration the
economy in a negative way so that society bears the costs.
Abstract: In this paper, we study the optical nonlinearities of
Silver sulfide (Ag2S) nanostructures dispersed in the Dimethyl
sulfoxide (DMSO) under exposure to 532 nm, 15 nanosecond (ns)
pulsed laser irradiation. Ultraviolet–visible absorption spectrometry
(UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron
microscopy (TEM) are used to characterize the obtained nanocrystal
samples. The band gap energy of colloid is determined by analyzing
the UV–Vis absorption spectra of the Ag2S NPs using the band
theory of semiconductors. Z-scan technique is used to characterize
the optical nonlinear properties of the Ag2S nanoparticles (NPs).
Large enhancement of two photon absorption effect is observed with
increase in concentration of the Ag2S nanoparticles using open Zscan
measurements in the ns laser regime. The values of the nonlinear
absorption coefficients are determined based on the local nonlinear
responses including two photon absorption. The observed aperture
dependence of the Ag2S NP limiting performance indicates that the
nonlinear scattering plays an important role in the limiting action of
the sample. The concentration dependence of the optical liming is
also investigated. Our results demonstrate that the optical limiting
threshold decreases with increasing the silver sulfide NPs in DMSO.