Abstract: Plastics occupy wide place in the applications of
automotive, electronics and house goods. Especially reinforced
plastics become popular because of their high strength besides their
advantages of low weight and easy manufacturability. In this study,
mechanical and morphological properties of polypropylene (PP) and
high density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix composites reinforced with
surface modified nano titan dioxide (TiO2) particles were
investigated. Surface modification was made by coating the nano
powders with maleic anhydride grafted styrene ethylene butylene
styrene (SEBS-g-MA) and silane, respectively. After surface
modification, PP/TiO2 and HDPE/TiO2 composites were obtained by
using twin screw extruder at titan dioxide loading of 1 wt.%, 3 wt.%
and 5 wt.%. Effects of surface modification were determined by
thermal and morphological analysis. SEBS-g-MA provided bridging
effect between TiO2 particles and polymer matrix while silane was
effective as a dispersant. Depending on that, homogenous structures
without agglomeration were obtained. Mechanical tests were
performed on the injection moldings of the composites for obtaining
the impact strength, tensile strength, stress at break, elongation and
elastic modulus. Reinforced HDPE and PP moldings gave higher
tensile strength and elastic modulus due to the rigid structure of TiO2.
Slight increment was seen in stress at break. Elongation and impact
strength decreased due to the stiffness of the nano titan dioxide.
Abstract: This research is to design and implement a new kind
of agitators called differential agitator. The Differential Agitator is an
electro- mechanic set consists of two shafts. The first shaft is the
bearing axis while the second shaft is the axis of the quartet upper
bearing impellers group and the triple lower group which are called
as agitating group. The agitating group is located inside a cylindrical
container equipped especially to contain square directors for the
liquid entrance and square directors called fixing group for the liquid
exit. The fixing group is installed containing the agitating group
inside any tank whether from upper or lower position. The agitating
process occurs through the agitating group bearing causing a lower
pressure over the upper group leading to withdrawing the liquid from
the square directors of the liquid entering and consequently the liquid
moves to the denser place under the quartet upper group. Then, the
liquid moves to the so high pressure area under the agitating group
causing the liquid to exit from the square directors in the bottom of
the container. For improving efficiency, parametric study and shape
optimization has been carried out. A numerical analysis,
manufacturing and laboratory experiments were conducted to design
and implement the differential agitator. Knowing the material
prosperities and the loading conditions, the FEM using ANSYS11
was used to get the optimum design of the geometrical parameters of
the differential agitator elements while the experimental test was
performed to validate the advantages of the differential agitators to
give a high agitation performance of lime in the water as an example.
In addition, the experimental work has been done to express the
internal container shape in the agitation efficiency. The study ended
up with conclusions to maximize agitator performance and optimize
the geometrical parameters to be used for manufacturing the
differential agitator
Abstract: Children and adolescents developing in the worlds of today are facing a getting array of new and old challenges. School counselling is improving rapidly in contemporary education systems around the world. It can be said that counselling system in Turkey was newly borning. In this study, “Family of the Blood" activity is improved with respect to compherensive guidance school program. The sample included 22 adolescents who were high school students. The activity was carried out in 4 sessions, each of which lasted 45 minutes. In the first session, students- personal-social needs were determined. In the second session, in order to warm up, the students were asked three questions consisting of the constructional aspect. In the third session, the counselor and the teacher shared the results of students- responses obtained in the previous session. In the fourth session, the tables formed by students were presented in the classroom. In order to evaluate the activity, three questions were asked of the teacher and counselor. According to the results, the lesson aims of curriculum and counselling aims of curriculum were attained. In the light of literature, the results were discussed and some suggestions were made. It is taken into consideration that the activitiy was beneficial in many respects, similar studies should be carried out in the near future.
Abstract: Commercial infrastructures intended for use as leisure
retreats such as golf and ski resorts have been extensively developed in many rural areas of Japan. However, following the burst of the economic bubble in the 1990s, several existing resorts faced tough
management decisions and some were forced to close their business.
In this study, six alternative management options for restructuring the
existing golf courses (park, cemetery, biofuel production, reforestation,
pasturing and abandonment) are examined and their environmental
and economic impacts are quantitatively assessed. In addition,
restructuring scenarios of these options and an ex-ante assessment
model are developed. The scenario analysis by Monte Carlo simulation shows a clear trade-off between GHG savings and benefit/cost (B/C) ratios, of which “Restoring Nature" scenario
absorbs the most CO2 among the four scenarios considered, but its B/C
ratio is the lowest. This study can be used to select or examine options
and scenarios of golf course management and rural environmental
management policies.
Abstract: the measurement of the angular distribution for the
elastic scattering of 16O, 14N and 12C on 27Al has been done at energy
1.75 MeV/nucleon. The optical potential code SPIVAL used in this
work to analyze the experimental results. A good agreement between
the experimental and theoretical results was obtained.
Abstract: In this paper, we focus on the fusion of images from
different sources using multiresolution wavelet transforms. Based on
reviews of popular image fusion techniques used in data analysis,
different pixel and energy based methods are experimented. A novel
architecture with a hybrid algorithm is proposed which applies pixel
based maximum selection rule to low frequency approximations and
filter mask based fusion to high frequency details of wavelet
decomposition. The key feature of hybrid architecture is the
combination of advantages of pixel and region based fusion in a
single image which can help the development of sophisticated
algorithms enhancing the edges and structural details. A Graphical
User Interface is developed for image fusion to make the research
outcomes available to the end user. To utilize GUI capabilities for
medical, industrial and commercial activities without MATLAB
installation, a standalone executable application is also developed
using Matlab Compiler Runtime.
Abstract: The objective of this research was to study the themes
of alcoholic beverage advertisements in Thailand after the enactment
of the 2008 Alcoholic Beverage Control Act. Data was collected
through textual analysis of 35 television and cinema advertisements
for alcoholic beverage products broadcast in Thailand. Nine themes
were identified, seven of which were themes that had previously been
used before the new law (i.e. power, competition, friendship,
Thainess, success, romance and safety) and two of which were new
themes (volunteerism and conservation) that were introduced as a
form of adaptation and negotiation in response to the new law.
Abstract: The optical properties of InGaN/GaN laser diode based on quaternary alloys stopper and superlattice layers are numerically studied using ISE TCAD (Integrated System Engineering) simulation program. Improvements in laser optical performance have been achieved using quaternary alloy as superlattice layers in InGaN/GaN laser diodes. Lower threshold current of 18 mA and higher output power and slope efficiency of 22 mW and 1.6 W/A, respectively, at room temperature have been obtained. The laser structure with InAlGaN quaternary alloys as an electron blocking layer was found to provide better laser performance compared with the ternary AlxGa1-xN blocking layer.
Abstract: Explosion occurs due to sudden release of energy.
Common examples of explosion include chemical, atomic, heat, and
pressure tank (due to ignition) explosions. Petroleum, gas, and
petrochemical industries operations are threatened by natural risks
and processes. Fires and explosions are the greatest process risks
which cause financial damages.
This study aims at designing a single-floor structure for the control
room of a petroleum refinery to be resistant against gas explosion
loads, and the information related to the structure specifications have
been provided regarding the fact that the structure is made on the
ground's surface. In this research, the lateral stiffness of single pile is
calculated by SPPLN.FOR computer program, and its value for
13624 KN/m single pile has been assessed. The analysis used due to
the loading conditions, is dynamic nonlinear analysis with direct
integration method.
Abstract: Imprecision is a long-standing problem in CAD design
and high accuracy image-based reconstruction applications. The visual
hull which is the closed silhouette equivalent shape of the objects
of interest is an important concept in image-based reconstruction.
We extend the domain-theoretic framework, which is a robust and
imprecision capturing geometric model, to analyze the imprecision in
the output shape when the input vertices are given with imprecision.
Under this framework, we show an efficient algorithm to generate the
2D partial visual hull which represents the exact information of the
visual hull with only basic imprecision assumptions. We also show
how the visual hull from polyhedra problem can be efficiently solved
in the context of imprecise input.
Abstract: The steam cracking reactions are always accompanied with the formation of coke which deposits on the walls of the tubular reactors. The investigation has attempted to control catalytic coking by the applying aluminum, zinc and ceramic coating like aluminum-magnesium by thermal spray and pack cementation method. Rate of coke formation during steam cracking of naphtha has been investigated both for uncoated stainless steel (with different alloys) and metal coating constructed with thermal Spray and pack cementation method with metal powders of Aluminum, Aluminum-Magnesium, zinc, silicon, nickel and chromium. The results of the study show that passivating the surface of SS321 with a coating of Aluminum and Aluminum-Magnesium can significantly reduce the rate of coke deposition during naphtha pyrolysis. SEM and EDAX techniques (Philips XL Series) were used to examine the coke deposits formed by the metal-hydrocarbon reactions. Our objective was to separate the different stages by identifying the characteristic morphologies.
Abstract: The connection between solar activity and adverse phenomena in the Earth’s environment that can affect space and ground based technologies has spurred interest in Space Weather (SW) research. A great effort has been put on the development of suitable models that can provide advanced forecast of SW events. With the progress in computational technology, it is becoming possible to develop operational large scale physics based models which can incorporate the most important physical processes and domains of the Sun-Earth system. In order to enhance our SW prediction capabilities we are developing advanced numerical tools. With operational requirements in mind, our goal is to develop a modular simulation framework of propagation of the disturbances from the Sun through interplanetary space to the Earth. Here, we report and discuss on the development of coronal field and solar wind components for a large scale MHD code. The model for these components is based on a potential field source surface model and an empirical Wang-Sheeley-Arge solar wind relation.
Abstract: Fast development of technologies, economic globalization and many other external circumstances stimulate company’s competitiveness. One of the major trends in today’s business is the shift to the exploitation of the Internet and electronic environment for entrepreneurial needs. Latest researches confirm that e-environment provides a range of possibilities and opportunities for companies, especially for micro-, small- and medium-sized companies, which have limited resources. The usage of e-tools raises the effectiveness and the profitability of an organization, as well as its competitiveness.
In the electronic market, as in the classic one, there are factors, such as globalization, development of new technology, price sensitive consumers, Internet, new distribution and communication channels that influence entrepreneurship. As a result of eenvironment development, e-commerce and e-marketing grow as well.
Objective of the paper: To describe and identify factors influencing company’s competitiveness in e-environment.
Research methodology: The authors employ well-established quantitative and qualitative methods of research: grouping, analysis, statistics method, factor analysis in SPSS 20 environment, etc. The theoretical and methodological background of the research is formed by using scientific researches and publications, such as that from mass media and professional literature; statistical information from legal institutions as well as information collected by the authors during the surveying process.
Research result: The authors detected and classified factors influencing competitiveness in e-environment.
In this paper, the authors presented their findings based on theoretical, scientific, and field research. Authors have conducted a research on e-environment utilization among Latvian enterprises.
Abstract: This paper argues that increased uncertainty, in certain
situations, may actually encourage investment. Since earlier studies
mostly base their arguments on the assumption of geometric Brownian
motion, the study extends the assumption to alternative stochastic
processes, such as mixed diffusion-jump, mean-reverting process, and
jump amplitude process. A general approach of Monte Carlo
simulation is developed to derive optimal investment trigger for the
situation that the closed-form solution could not be readily obtained
under the assumption of alternative process. The main finding is that
the overall effect of uncertainty on investment is interpreted by the
probability of investing, and the relationship appears to be an invested
U-shaped curve between uncertainty and investment. The implication
is that uncertainty does not always discourage investment even under
several sources of uncertainty. Furthermore, high-risk projects are not
always dominated by low-risk projects because the high-risk projects
may have a positive realization effect on encouraging investment.
Abstract: On-line (near infrared) spectroscopy is widely used to support the operation of complex process systems. Information extracted from spectral database can be used to estimate unmeasured product properties and monitor the operation of the process. These techniques are based on looking for similar spectra by nearest neighborhood algorithms and distance based searching methods. Search for nearest neighbors in the spectral space is an NP-hard problem, the computational complexity increases by the number of points in the discrete spectrum and the number of samples in the database. To reduce the calculation time some kind of indexing could be used. The main idea presented in this paper is to combine indexing and visualization techniques to reduce the computational requirement of estimation algorithms by providing a two dimensional indexing that can also be used to visualize the structure of the spectral database. This 2D visualization of spectral database does not only support application of distance and similarity based techniques but enables the utilization of advanced clustering and prediction algorithms based on the Delaunay tessellation of the mapped spectral space. This means the prediction has not to use the high dimension space but can be based on the mapped space too. The results illustrate that the proposed method is able to segment (cluster) spectral databases and detect outliers that are not suitable for instance based learning algorithms.
Abstract: This paper attempts to discuss the evolution of the
retrieval techniques focusing on development, challenges and trends
of the image retrieval. It highlights both the already addressed and
outstanding issues. The explosive growth of image data leads to the
need of research and development of Image Retrieval. However,
Image retrieval researches are moving from keyword, to low level
features and to semantic features. Drive towards semantic features is
due to the problem of the keywords which can be very subjective and
time consuming while low level features cannot always describe high
level concepts in the users- mind.
Abstract: Total liquid ventilation can support gas exchange in animal models of lung injury. Clinical application awaits further technical improvements and performance verification. Our aim was to develop a liquid ventilator, able to deliver accurate tidal volumes, and a computerized system for measuring lung mechanics. The computer-assisted, piston-driven respirator controlled ventilatory parameters that were displayed and modified on a real-time basis. Pressure and temperature transducers along with a lineal displacement controller provided the necessary signals to calculate lung mechanics. Ten newborn lambs (
Abstract: Silver nanoparticles were prepared by chemical reduction method. Silver nitrate was taken as the metal precursor and hydrazine hydrate as a reducing agent. The formation of the silver nanoparticles was monitored using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. The UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed the formation of silver nanopart├¡cles by exhibing the typical surface plasmon absorption maxima at 418-420 nm from the UV–Vis spectrum. Comparison of theoretical (Mie light scattering theory) and experimental results showed that diameter of silver nanoparticles in colloidal solution is about 60 nm. We have used energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and, UV–Vis spectroscopy to characterize the nanoparticles obtained. The energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) of the nanoparticles dispersion confirmed the presence of elemental silver signal no peaks of other impurity were detected. The average size and morphology of silver nanoparticles were determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM photographs indicate that the nanopowders consist of well dispersed agglomerates of grains with a narrow size distribution (40 and 60 nm), whereas the radius of the individual particles are between 10 and 20 nm. The synthesized nanoparticles have been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission high-energy electron diffraction (HEED). The peaks in the XRD pattern are in good agreement with the standard values of the face-centered-cubic form of metallic silver (ICCD-JCPDS card no. 4-0787) and no peaks of other impurity crystalline phases were detected. Additionally, the antibacterial activity of the nanopart├¡culas dispersion was measured by Kirby-Bauer method. The nanoparticles of silver showed high antimicrobial and bactericidal activity against gram positive bacteria such as Escherichia Coli, Pseudimonas aureginosa and staphylococcus aureus which is a highly methicillin resistant strain.
Abstract: In this article, a formal specification and verification of the Rabin public-key scheme in a formal proof system is presented. The idea is to use the two views of cryptographic verification: the computational approach relying on the vocabulary of probability theory and complexity theory and the formal approach based on ideas and techniques from logic and programming languages. A major objective of this article is the presentation of the first computer-proved implementation of the Rabin public-key scheme in Isabelle/HOL. Moreover, we explicate a (computer-proven) formalization of correctness as well as a computer verification of security properties using a straight-forward computation model in Isabelle/HOL. The analysis uses a given database to prove formal properties of our implemented functions with computer support. The main task in designing a practical formalization of correctness as well as efficient computer proofs of security properties is to cope with the complexity of cryptographic proving. We reduce this complexity by exploring a light-weight formalization that enables both appropriate formal definitions as well as efficient formal proofs. Consequently, we get reliable proofs with a minimal error rate augmenting the used database, what provides a formal basis for more computer proof constructions in this area.
Abstract: This paper introduces a high-gain observer based state of charge(SOC) estimator for lithium-Ion batteries. The proposed SOC estimator has a high-gain observer(HGO) structure. The HGO scheme enhances the transient response speed and diminishes the effect of uncertainties. Furthermore, it guarantees that the output feedback controller recovers the performance of the state feedback controller when the observer gain is sufficiently high. In order to show the effectiveness of the proposed method, the linear RC battery model in ADVISOR is used. The performance of the proposed method is compared with that of the conventional linear observer(CLO) and some simulation result is given.