Abstract: In recent years, fire accidents have been steadily
increased and the amount of property damage caused by the accidents
has gradually raised. Damaging building structure, fire incidents bring
about not only such property damage but also strength degradation and
member deformation. As a result, the building structure undermines its
structural ability. Examining the degradation and the deformation is
very important because reusing the building is more economical than
reconstruction. Therefore, engineers need to investigate the strength
degradation and member deformation well, and make sure that they
apply right rehabilitation methods. This study aims at evaluating
deformation characteristics of fire damaged and rehabilitated normal
strength concrete beams through both experiments and finite element
analyses. For the experiments, control beams, fire damaged beams and
rehabilitated beams are tested to examine deformation characteristics.
Ten test beam specimens with compressive strength of 21MPa are
fabricated and main test variables are selected as cover thickness of
40mm and 50mm and fire exposure time of 1 hour or 2 hours. After
heating, fire damaged beams are air-recurred for 2 months and
rehabilitated beams are repaired with polymeric cement mortar after
being removed the fire damaged concrete cover. All beam specimens
are tested under four points loading. FE analyses are executed to
investigate the effects of main parameters applied to experimental
study. Test results show that both maximum load and stiffness of the
rehabilitated beams are higher than those of the fire damaged beams.
In addition, predicted structural behaviors from the analyses also show
good rehabilitation effect and the predicted load-deflection curves are
similar to the experimental results. For the further, the proposed
analytical method can be used to predict deformation characteristics of
fire damaged and rehabilitated concrete beams without suffering from
time and cost consuming of experimental process.
Abstract: In this paper, we consider some integrable Heisenberg
Ferromagnet Equations with self-consistent potentials. We study
their Lax representations. In particular we derive their equivalent
counterparts in the form of nonlinear Schr¨odinger type equations.
We present the integrable reductions of the Heisenberg Ferromagnet
Equations with self-consistent potentials. These integrable Heisenberg
Ferromagnet Equations with self-consistent potentials describe
nonlinear waves in ferromagnets with some additional physical fields.
Abstract: This paper presents an approach of on-line control of
the state of technosphere and environment objects based on the
integration of Data Warehouse, OLAP and Expert systems
technologies. It looks at the structure and content of data warehouse
that provides consolidation and storage of monitoring data. There is a
description of OLAP-models that provide a multidimensional
analysis of monitoring data and dynamic analysis of principal
parameters of controlled objects. The authors suggest some criteria of
emergency risk assessment using expert knowledge about danger
levels. It is demonstrated now some of the proposed solutions could
be adopted in territorial decision making support systems.
Operational control allows authorities to detect threat, prevent natural
and anthropogenic emergencies and ensure a comprehensive safety of
territory.
Abstract: In recent years, honeycomb fiber reinforced plastic
(FRP) sandwich panels have been increasingly used in various
industries. Low weight, low price and high mechanical strength are
the benefits of these structures. However, their mechanical properties
and behavior have not been fully explored. The objective of this
study is to conduct a combined numerical-statistical investigation of
honeycomb FRP sandwich beams subject to torsion load. In this
paper, the effect of geometric parameters of sandwich panel on
maximum shear strain in both face and core and angle of torsion in a
honeycomb FRP sandwich structures in torsion is investigated. The
effect of Parameters including core thickness, face skin thickness,
cell shape, cell size, and cell thickness on mechanical behavior of the
structure were numerically investigated. Main effects of factors were
considered in this paper and regression equations were derived.
Taguchi method was employed as experimental design and an
optimum parameter combination for the maximum structure stiffness
has been obtained. The results showed that cell size and face skin
thickness have the most significant impacts on torsion angle,
maximum shear strain in face and core.
Abstract: Aurèsregion is one of the arid and semi-arid areas that
have suffered climate crises and overexploitation of natural resources
they have led to significant land degradation. The use of remote sensing data allowed us to analyze the land and
its spatiotemporal changes in the Aurès between 1987 and 2013, for
this work, we adopted a method of analysis based on the exploitation
of the images satellite Landsat TM 1987 and Landsat OLI 2013, from
the supervised classification likelihood coupled with field surveys of
the mission of May and September of 2013. Using ENVI EX software by the superposition of the ground cover
maps from 1987 and 2013, one can extract a spatial map change of
different land cover units. The results show that between 1987 and
2013 vegetation has suffered negative changes are the significant
degradation of forests and steppe rangelands, and sandy soils and
bare land recorded a considerable increase. The spatial change map land cover units between 1987 and 2013
allows us to understand the extensive or regressive orientation of
vegetation and soil, this map shows that dense forests give his place
to clear forests and steppe vegetation develops from a degraded forest
vegetation and bare, sandy soils earn big steppe surfaces that explain
its remarkable extension.
The analysis of remote sensing data highlights the profound
changes in our environment over time and quantitative monitoring of
the risk of desertification.
Abstract: Lead time is a critical measure of a supply chain's
performance. It impacts both the customer satisfactions as well as the
total cost of inventory. This paper presents the result of a study on the
analysis of the customer order lead-time for a multinational company.
In the study, the lead time was divided into three stages respectively:
order entry, order fulfillment, and order delivery. A sample of size 2,425 order lines was extracted from the
company's records to use for this study. The sample data entails
information regarding customer orders from the time of order entry
until order delivery. Data regarding the lead time of each stage for
different orders were also provided. Summary statistics on lead time
data reveals that about 30% of the orders were delivered later than the
scheduled due date. The result of the multiple linear regression
analysis technique revealed that component type, logistics parameter,
order size and the customer type have significant impacts on lead
time. Data analysis on the stages of lead time indicates that stage 2
consumed over 50% of the lead time. Pareto analysis was made to
study the reasons for the customer order delay in each stage.
Recommendation was given to resolve the problem.
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: Background: The change in foot posture can possibly
generate changes in the pelvic alignment. There is still a lack of
evidence about the effects of bilateral and unilateral flatfoot on
possible changes in pelvic alignment. The purpose of this study was
to investigate the effect of flatfoot on the sagittal and frontal planes of
pelvic postures. Materials and Methods: 56 subjects, aged 18–40
years, were assigned into three groups: 20 healthy subjects, 19
subjects with bilateral flexible second-degree flat foot, and 17
subjects with unilateral flexible second-degree flat foot. 3D
assessment of the pelvis using the formetric-II device was used to
evaluate pelvic alignment in the frontal and sagittal planes by
measuring pelvic inclination and pelvic tilt angles. Results: ANOVA
test with LSD test were used for statistical analysis. Both Unilateral
and bilateral second degree flatfoot produced significant (P
Abstract: This study examined whether big five personality traits
affect game addiction with control of psychological, social, and
demographic factors. Specifically, using data from a survey of 789
game users in Korea, we conducted a regression analysis to see the
associations of psychological (loneliness/depression), social (activities
with family/friends), self-efficacy (game/general), gaming (daily
gaming time/perception), demographic (age/gender), and personality
traits (extraversion, neuroticism conscientiousness, agreeableness, &
openness) with the degree of game addiction. Results showed that
neuroticism increase game addiction with no effect of extraversion on
the addiction. General self-efficacy negatively affected game
addiction, whereas game self-efficacy increased the degree of game
addiction. Loneliness enhanced game addiction while depression
showed a negative effect on the addiction. Results and implications are
discussed.
Abstract: Despite the advances made in various new
technologies, application of these technologies for agriculture still
remains a formidable task, as it involves integration of diverse
domains for monitoring the different process involved in agricultural
management. Advances in ambient intelligence technology represents
one of the most powerful technology for increasing the yield of
agricultural crops and to mitigate the impact of water scarcity,
climatic change and methods for managing pests, weeds and diseases.
This paper proposes a GPS-assisted, machine to machine solutions
that combine information collected by multiple sensors for the
automated management of paddy crops. To maintain the economic
viability of paddy cultivation, the various techniques used in
agriculture are discussed and a novel system which uses ambient
intelligence technique is proposed in this paper. The ambient
intelligence based agricultural system gives a great scope.
Abstract: The environmental, cultural, social, and technological
changes have led higher education institutes to question their
traditional roles. Many declarations and frameworks highlight the
importance of fulfilling social responsibility of higher education
institutes. The study aims at developing a framework of university
social responsibility and sustainability (USR&S) with focus on South
Valley University (SVU) as a case study of Egyptian Universities.
The study used meetings with 12 vice deans of community services
and environmental affairs on social responsibility and environmental
issues. The proposed framework integrates social responsibility with
strategic management through the establishment and maintenance of
the vision, mission, values, goals and management systems;
elaboration of policies; provision of actions; evaluation of services
and development of social collaboration with stakeholders to meet
current and future needs of the community and environment. The
framework links between different stakeholders internally and
externally using communication and reporting tools. The results show
that SVU integrates social responsibility and sustainability in its
strategic plans. It has policies and actions however fragmented and
lack of appropriate structure and budgeting. The proposed framework
could be valuable for researchers and decision makers of the
Egyptian Universities. The study proposed recommendations and
highlighted building on the results and conducting future research.
Abstract: The study is in application and analysis of two tourism
management tools that can contribute to making public managers
decision: the Barometer of Tourism Sustainability (BTS) and the
Ecological Footprint (EF). The results have shown that BTS allows
you to have an integrated view of the tourism system, awakening to
the need for planning of appropriate actions so that it can achieve the
positive scale proposed (potentially sustainable). Already the
methodology of ecological tourism footprint is an important tool to
measure potential impacts generated by tourism to tourist reality.
Abstract: In this study, lipid-deprived residuals of microalgae
were hydrolyzed for the production of reducing sugars by using the
recombinant Bacillus cellulosome, carrying eight genes from the
Clostridium thermocellum ATCC27405. The obtained cellulosome
was found to exist mostly in the broth supernatant with a cellulosome
activity of 2.4 U/mL. Furthermore, the Michaelis-Menten constant
(Km) and Vmax of cellulosome were found to be 14.832 g/L and 3.522
U/mL. The activation energy of the cellulosome to hydrolyze
microalgae LDRs was calculated as 32.804 kJ/mol.
Abstract: This paper proposes a linear model for optimizing
domestic energy consumption in Romania. The particularity of the
model is that it is putting in competition both tangible technologies
and thermal insulation projects with different financing modes.
The model is optimizing the energy system by minimizing the
global discounted cost in household sector, by integrating residential
lighting, space heating, hot water, combined space heating – hot
water, as well as space cooling, in a monolithic model. Another
demand sector included is the passenger transport.
This paper focuses on space heating part, analyzing technical and
economic issues related to investment decisions to envelope and
insulate buildings, in order to minimize energy consumption.
Abstract: Brownfields are one of the most important problems
that must be solved by today's cities. The topic of this article is
description of developing a comprehensive transformation of postindustrial
area of the former iron factory national cultural heritage
lower Vítkovice. City of Ostrava used to be industrial superpower of
the Czechoslovak Republic, especially in the area of coal mining and
iron production, after declining industrial production and mining in
the 80s left many unused areas of former factories generally
brownfields and backfields. Since the late 90s we are observing how
the city officials or private entities seeking to remedy this situation.
Regeneration of brownfields is a very expensive and long-term
process. The area is now rebuilt for tourists and residents of the city
in the entertainment, cultural, and social center. It was necessary do
the reconstruction of the industrial monuments. Equally important
was the construction of new buildings, which helped reusing of the
entire complex. This is a unique example of transformation of
technical monuments and completion of necessary new objects, so
that the area could start working again and reintegrate back into the
urban system.
Abstract: A new fast growing trend in tourism is ecotourism, in
which tourists visit natural ecosystems under low impact, nonconsumptive
and locally oriented activities. Through these activities
species and habitats are maintained and typically, underdeveloped
regions are emphasized. Ecotourism provides a great alternative,
especially for rural and undeveloped area. At the same time, despite
its many benefits, it also poses many risks for the naturally protected
areas. If ecotourism is practiced improperly degradation and
irreversible damages could be the unwanted result. In addition, the
lack of MSc programs in the field of Ecotourism in Europe makes it a
necessity to be developed. Such an MSc program is being
implemented with the lead partner the Technical University of
Madrid. The entire partnership has six Universities, seven SMEs and
one National Park from seven different countries all over Europe.
The MSc will have 10 educational modules that will be available
online and will prepare professionals that will be able to implement
ecotourism in a sustainable way. Only through awareness and
education a sustainable ecotourism will be achieved in the protected
areas of Europe.
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: The main objective of this study was to determine the
effects of Nitrogen fixing bacteria and manure application on the seed
yield and yield components in black cumin (Nigella sativa L.). The
experiment was carried out at the RAN Research Station in
Firouzkouh in 2012. A 4×4 factorial experiment, arranged in a
randomized complete blocks designed with three replications.
Nitrogen fixing bacteria at 4 levels (control, Azotobacter,
Azospirillum and Azotobacter + Azospirillum) and manure
application at 4 levels (0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 ton ha-1) were used at this
investigation. The present results have shown that the highest height,
1000 seeds weight, seed number per follicle, follicle yield, seed yield
and harvest index were obtained after using Azotobacter and
Azospirillum, simultaneously. Manure application only effects on
follicle yield and by 5ton manure ha-1 the highest follicle yield
obtained. Results of this investigation showed that the maximum seed
yield obtained when Aotobacter+Azospirillum inoculated with black
cumin seeds and 5 ton manure ha-1 applied. According to the results
of this investigation the integrated management of Azotobacter and
Azospirillum with manure application is the best treatment for
achieving the maximum quantitative charactersitics of Black cumin.
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: 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°.