Abstract: The utilization of renewable energy sources in electric
power systems is increasing quickly because of public apprehensions
for unpleasant environmental impacts and increase in the energy
costs involved with the use of conventional energy sources. Despite
the application of these energy sources can considerably diminish the
system fuel costs, they can also have significant influence on the
system reliability. Therefore an appropriate combination of the
system reliability indices level and capital investment costs of system
is vital. This paper presents a hybrid wind/photovoltaic plant, with
the aim of supplying IEEE reliability test system load pattern while
the plant capital investment costs is minimized by applying a hybrid
particle swarm optimization (PSO) / harmony search (HS) approach,
and the system fulfills the appropriate level of reliability.
Abstract: Hydrogen that used as fuel in fuel cell vehicles can be
produced from renewable sources such as wind, solar, and hydro
technologies. PV-electrolyzer is one of the promising methods to
produce hydrogen with zero pollution emission. Hydrogen
production from a PV-electrolyzer system depends on the efficiency
of the electrolyzer and photovoltaic array, and sun irradiance at that
site. In this study, the amount of hydrogen is obtained using
mathematical equations for difference driving distance and sun peak
hours. The results show that the minimum of 99 PV modules are used
to generate 1.75 kgH2 per day for two vehicles.
Abstract: Antimicrobial resistant is becoming a major factor in
virtually all hospital acquired infection may soon untreatable is a
serious public health problem. These concerns have led to major
research effort to discover alternative strategies for the treatment of
bacterial infection. Nanobiotehnology is an upcoming and fast
developing field with potential application for human welfare. An
important area of nanotechnology for development of reliable and
environmental friendly process for synthesis of nanoscale particles
through biological systems In the present studies are reported on the
use of fungal strain Aspergillus species for the extracellular synthesis
of bionanoparticles from 1 mM silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution. The
report would be focused on the synthesis of metallic bionanoparticles
of silver using a reduction of aqueous Ag+ ion with the
culture supernatants of Microorganisms. The bio-reduction of the
Ag+ ions in the solution would be monitored in the aqueous
component and the spectrum of the solution would measure through
UV-visible spectrophotometer The bionanoscale particles were
further characterized by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Fourier
Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thin layer
chromatography. The synthesized bionanoscale particle showed a
maximum absorption at 385 nm in the visible region. Atomic Force
Microscopy investigation of silver bionanoparticles identified that
they ranged in the size of 250 nm - 680 nm; the work analyzed the
antimicrobial efficacy of the silver bionanoparticles against various
multi drug resistant clinical isolates. The present Study would be
emphasizing on the applicability to synthesize the metallic
nanostructures and to understand the biochemical and molecular
mechanism of nanoparticles formation by the cell filtrate in order to
achieve better control over size and polydispersity of the
nanoparticles. This would help to develop nanomedicine against
various multi drug resistant human pathogens.
Abstract: Compensating physiological motion in the context
of minimally invasive cardiac surgery has become an attractive
issue since it outperforms traditional cardiac procedures offering
remarkable benefits. Owing to space restrictions, computer vision
techniques have proven to be the most practical and suitable solution.
However, the lack of robustness and efficiency of existing methods
make physiological motion compensation an open and challenging
problem. This work focusses on increasing robustness and efficiency
via exploration of the classes of 1−and 2−regularized optimization,
emphasizing the use of explicit regularization. Both approaches are
based on natural features of the heart using intensity information.
Results pointed out the 1−regularized optimization class as the best
since it offered the shortest computational cost, the smallest average
error and it proved to work even under complex deformations.
Abstract: This paper addresses one important aspect of
combustion system analysis, the spray evaporation and
dispersion modeling. In this study we assume an empty
cylinder which is as a simulator for a ramjet engine and the
cylinder has been studied by cold flow. Four nozzles have the
duties of injection which are located in the entrance of
cylinder. The air flow comes into the cylinder from one side
and injection operation will be done. By changing injection
velocity and entrance air flow velocity, we have studied
droplet sizing and efficient mass fraction of fuel vapor near
and at the exit area. We named the mass of fuel vapor inside
the flammability limit as the efficient mass fraction. Further,
we decreased the initial temperature of fuel droplets and we
have repeated the investigating again. To fulfill the calculation
we used a modified version of KIVA-3V.
Abstract: Technology transfer by international trade and
foreign direct investment is the most important positive
outcome of open economy. It is widely accepted that new
technology and knowledge have an important role in
enhancing economic growth. Human capital is the other
important factor assisting economic growth. In this study, the
role of human capital in the growth process is examined in a
view of new endogenous growth theory emphasizing on the
technology transfer resulting from international trade. Using
the panel data of 10 developed and 10 developing countries,
impact of human capital and openness on the rate of economic
growth of different countries is analysed. Evidence suggests
the view that human capital and openness contribute to the
economic growth in both developing and developed countries,
but with different rates.
Abstract: In recent years, rehabilitation has been the subject of extensive research due to increased spending on building work and repair of built works. In all cases, it is absolutely essential to carry out methods of strengthening or repair of structural elements, and that following an inspection analysis and methodology of a correct diagnosis. The reinforced concrete columns are important elements in building structures. They support the vertical loads and provide bracing against the horizontal loads. This research about the behavior of reinforced concrete rectangular columns, rehabilitated by concrete liner, confinement FRP fabric, steel liner or cage formed by metal corners. It allows comparing the contributions of different processes used perspective section resistance elements rehabilitated compared to that is not reinforced or repaired. The different results obtained revealed a considerable gain in bearing capacity failure of reinforced sections cladding concrete, metal bracket, steel plates and a slight improvement to the section reinforced with fabric FRP. The use of FRP does not affect the weight of the structures, but the use of different techniques cladding increases the weight of elements rehabilitated and therefore the weight of the building which requires resizing foundations.
Abstract: The functional response of an infective is the relationship
between an infected individual-s infection rate and the abundance
of the number of susceptibles that one can potentially be infected.
In this paper, we consider defensive attitudes for HIV prevention
(primary prevention) while at the same time emphasizing on offensive
attitudes that reduce infection for those infected (secondary prevention).
We look at how defenses can protect an uninfected individual
in the case where high risk groups such as commercial sex workers
and those who deliberately go out to look for partners. We propose
an infection cycle that begins with a search, then an encounter,
a proposal and contact. The infection cycle illustrates the various
steps an infected individual goes through to successfully infect a
susceptible. For heterogeneous transmission of HIV, there will be no
infection unless there is contact. The ability to avoid an encounter,
detection, proposal and contact constitute defense.
Abstract: Polyurethane foam (PUF) is formed by a chemical
reaction of polyol and isocyanate. The aim is to understand the
impact of Silicone on synthesizing polyurethane in differentiate
volume of molding. The method used was one step process, which is
simultaneously caried out a blending polyol (petroleum polyol and
soybean polyol), a TDI (2,4):MDI (4,4-) (80:20), a distilled water,
and a silicone. The properties of the material were measured via a
number of parameters, which are polymer density, compressive
strength, and cellular structures. It is found that density of
polyurethane using silicone with volume of molding either 250 ml or
500 ml is lower than without using silicone.
Abstract: Application of pesticides in the paddy fields has
deleterious effects on non-target organisms including cyanobacteria
which are photosynthesizing and nitrogen fixing micro-organisms
contributing significantly towards soil fertility and crop yield.
Pesticide contamination in the paddy fields has manifested into a
serious global environmental concern. To study the effect of one such
pesticide, three cyanobacterial strains; Anabaena fertilissima,
Aulosira fertilissima and Westiellopsis prolifica were selected for
their stress responses to an Organochlorine insecticide - 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
10-hexachloro-1, 5, 5a, 6, 9, 9a-hexahydro-6, 9-methano-2, 4, 3-
benzodioxathiepine-3-oxide, with reference to their photosynthesic
pigments-chlorophyll-a and carotenoids as well as accessory
pigments-phycobiliproteins (phycocyanin, allophycocyanin and
phycoerythrin), stress induced biochemical metabolites like
carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, phenols and enzymes-nitrate
reductase, glutamine synthetase and succinate dehydrogenase. All
the three cyanobacterial strains were adversely affected by the
insecticide doses and inhibition was dose dependent. Reduction in
photosynthetic and accessory pigments, metabolites, nitrogen fixing
and respiratory enzymes of the test organisms were accompanied
with an initial increase in their total protein at lower Organochlorine
doses. On the other hand, increased amount of phenols in all the
insecticide treated concentrations was indicative of stressed activities
of the organisms.
Abstract: A prototype model of an emulsion separator was
designed and manufactured. Generally, it is a cylinder filled with
different fractal modules. The emulsion was fed into the reactor by a
peristaltic pump through an inlet placed at the boundary between the
two phases. For hydrodynamic design and sizing of the reactor the
assumptions of the theory of filtration were used and methods to
describe the separation process were developed. Based on this
methodology and using numerical methods and software of Autodesk
the process is simulated in different operating modes. The basic
hydrodynamic characteristics - speed and performance for different
types of fractal systems and decisions to optimize the design of the
reactor were also defined.
Abstract: Particle detection in very noisy and low contrast images
is an active field of research in image processing. In this article, a
method is proposed for the efficient detection and sizing of subsurface
spherical particles, which is used for the processing of softly fused
Au nanoparticles. Transmission Electron Microscopy is used for
imaging the nanoparticles, and the proposed algorithm has been
tested with the two-dimensional projected TEM images obtained.
Results are compared with the data obtained by transmission optical
spectroscopy, as well as with conventional circular object detection
algorithms.
Abstract: Direct conversion of methane to methanol by partial oxidation in a thermal reactor has a poor yield of about 2% which is less than the expected economical yield of about 10%. Conventional thermal catalytic reactors have been proposed to be superseded by plasma reactors as a promising approach, due to strength of the electrical energy which can break C-H bonds of methane. Among the plasma techniques, non-thermal dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma chemical process is one of the most future promising technologies in synthesizing methanol. The purpose of this paper is presenting a brief review of CH4 oxidation with O2 in DBD plasma reactors based on the recent investigations. For this reason, the effect of various parameters of reactor configuration, feed ratio, applied voltage, residence time (gas flow rate), type of applied catalyst, pressure and reactor wall temperature on methane conversion and methanol selectivity are discussed.
Abstract: This paper reviews designs of the built environment
from a sustainability perspective, emphasizing their importance in
achieving ecological and sustainable economic objectives. The built
environment has traditionally resulted in loss of biodiversity,
extinction of some species, climate change, excessive water use, land
degradation, space depletion, waste accumulation, energy
consumption and environmental pollution. Materials used like
plastics, metals, bricks, concrete, cement, natural aggregates, glass
and plaster have wreaked havoc on the earth´s resources, since they
have high levels of embodied energy hence not sustainable.
Additional resources are consumed during use and disposal phases.
Proposed designs for sustainability solutions include: ecological
sanitation and eco-efficiency systems that ensure social, economic,
environmental and technical sustainability. Renewable materials and
energy systems, passive cooling and heating systems and material
and energy reduction, reuse and recycling can improve the sector.
These ideas are intended to inform the field of ecological design of
the built environment.
Abstract: Software projects are very dynamic and require
recurring adjustments of their project plans. These settings can be
understood as reconfigurations in the schedule, in the resources
allocation and other design elements. Yet, during the planning and
execution of a software project, the integration of specific activities
in the projects with the activities that take part in the organization-s
common activity flow should be considered. This article presents the
results from a systematic review of aspects related to software
projects- dynamic reconfiguration emphasizing the integration of
project management with the organizational flows. A series of studies
was analyzed from the year 2000 to the present. The results of this
work show that there is a diversity of techniques and strategies for
dynamic reconfiguration of software projects-. However, few
approaches consider the integration of software project activities with
the activities that take part in the organization-s common workflow.
Abstract: The study explored varied types of human smiles and
extracted most of the key factors affecting the smiles. These key
factors then were converted into a set of control points which could
serve to satisfy the needs for creation of facial expression for 3D
animators and be further applied to the face simulation for robots in the
future. First, hundreds of human smile pictures were collected and
analyzed to identify the key factors for face expression. Then, the
factors were converted into a set of control points and sizing
parameters calculated proportionally. Finally, two different faces
were constructed for validating the parameters via the process of
simulating smiles of the same type as the original one.