Abstract: A large number of chemical, bio-chemical and pollution-control processes use heterogeneous fixed-bed reactors. The use of finite hollow cylindrical catalyst pellets can enhance conversion levels in such reactors. The absence of the pellet core can significantly lower the diffusional resistance associated with the solid phase. This leads to a better utilization of the catalytic material, which is reflected in the higher values for the effectiveness factor, leading ultimately to an enhanced conversion level in the reactor. It is however important to develop a rigorous heterogeneous model for the reactor incorporating the two-dimensional feature of the solid phase owing to the presence of the finite hollow cylindrical catalyst pellet. Presently, heterogeneous models reported in the literature invariably employ one-dimension solid phase models meant for spherical catalyst pellets. The objective of the paper is to present a rigorous model of the fixed-bed reactors containing finite hollow cylindrical catalyst pellets. The reaction kinetics considered here is the widely used Michaelis–Menten kinetics for the liquid-phase bio-chemical reactions. The reaction parameters used here are for the enzymatic degradation of urea. Results indicate that increasing the height to diameter ratio helps to improve the conversion level. On the other hand, decreasing the thickness is apparently not as effective. This could however be explained in terms of the higher void fraction of the bed that causes a smaller amount of the solid phase to be packed in the fixed-bed bio-chemical reactor.
Abstract: One of the main research directions in CAD/CAM
machining area is the reducing of machining time.
The feedrate scheduling is one of the advanced techniques that
allows keeping constant the uncut chip area and as sequel to keep
constant the main cutting force. They are two main ways for feedrate
optimization. The first consists in the cutting force monitoring, which
presumes to use complex equipment for the force measurement and
after this, to set the feedrate regarding the cutting force variation. The
second way is to optimize the feedrate by keeping constant the
material removal rate regarding the cutting conditions.
In this paper there is proposed a new approach using an extended
database that replaces the system model.
The feedrate scheduling is determined based on the identification
of the reconfigurable machine tool, and the feed value determination
regarding the uncut chip section area, the contact length between tool
and blank and also regarding the geometrical roughness.
The first stage consists in the blank and tool monitoring for the
determination of actual profiles. The next stage is the determination
of programmed tool path that allows obtaining the piece target
profile.
The graphic representation environment models the tool and blank
regions and, after this, the tool model is positioned regarding the
blank model according to the programmed tool path. For each of
these positions the geometrical roughness value, the uncut chip area
and the contact length between tool and blank are calculated. Each of
these parameters are compared with the admissible values and
according to the result the feed value is established.
We can consider that this approach has the following advantages:
in case of complex cutting processes the prediction of cutting force is
possible; there is considered the real cutting profile which has
deviations from the theoretical profile; the blank-tool contact length
limitation is possible; it is possible to correct the programmed tool
path so that the target profile can be obtained.
Applying this method, there are obtained data sets which allow the
feedrate scheduling so that the uncut chip area is constant and, as a
result, the cutting force is constant, which allows to use more
efficiently the machine tool and to obtain the reduction of machining
time.
Abstract: The fluorescent pseudomonad strain R81 is a root
colonizing rhizobacteria which promotes the growth of many plants
by various mechanisms. Its broth containing siderophore (ironchelating
compound) and 2,4- diacetyl phloroglucinol (DAPG) is
used for preparing bioinoculant formulations for agronomical
applications. Glycerol was found to be the best carbon source for
improved biomass production. Splitting of nitrogen source to NH4Cl
and urea had a stabilizing effect on pH during batch cultivation. Ltryptophan
at 0.5 % in the medium increased the siderophore
production to 850 mg/l. During batch cultivation of the strain in a
bioreactor, a maximum of 4 g/l of dry cell mass, 1.8 g/l of
siderophore and 20 mg/l of DAPG was achieved when glycerol was
15 g/l and C/N ratio was maintained at 12.5. In case of intermittent
feeding of fresh medium during fed-batch cultivation, the dry cell
mass was increased to 25 g/l with improved production of DAPG to
70 mg/l.
Abstract: Life is beautiful. But, it is decided by genes, environment and the individual and shattered by the natural and / or the invited problems. Most of the global rural helpless masses are struggling for their survival since; they are neglected in all aspects of life including health. Amidst a countless number of miserable diseases in man, diabetes is becoming a dreaded killer and ramifying the entire globe in a jet speed. Diabetes control continues as a Herculean task to the scientific community and the modern society in the 21st century also. T2DM is not pertaining to any age and it can develop even during the childhood. This multifactorial disease abruptly changes the activities of certain vital biomarkers in the present rural T2DM cases. A remarkable variation in the levels of biomarkers like AST, ALT, GGT, ALP, LDH, HbA1C, C- peptide, fasting sugar, post-prandial sugar, sodium, potassium, BUN, creatinine and insulin show the rampant nature of T2DM in this physically active rural agrarian community.
Abstract: Large volumes of fingerprints are collected and stored
every day in a wide range of applications, including forensics, access
control etc. It is evident from the database of Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) which contains more than 70 million finger
prints. Compression of this database is very important because of this
high Volume. The performance of existing image coding standards
generally degrades at low bit-rates because of the underlying block
based Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) scheme. Over the past
decade, the success of wavelets in solving many different problems
has contributed to its unprecedented popularity. Due to
implementation constraints scalar wavelets do not posses all the
properties which are needed for better performance in compression.
New class of wavelets called 'Multiwavelets' which posses more
than one scaling filters overcomes this problem. The objective of this
paper is to develop an efficient compression scheme and to obtain
better quality and higher compression ratio through multiwavelet
transform and embedded coding of multiwavelet coefficients through
Set Partitioning In Hierarchical Trees algorithm (SPIHT) algorithm.
A comparison of the best known multiwavelets is made to the best
known scalar wavelets. Both quantitative and qualitative measures of
performance are examined for Fingerprints.
Abstract: Recently, the health of retired National Football
League players, particularly lineman has been investigated. A number of studies have reported increased cardiometabolic risk, premature ardiovascular disease and incidence of type 2 diabetes. Rugby union players have somatotypes very similar
to National Football league players which suggest that rugby players may have similar health risks. The International Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival (GORF) provided a
unique opportunity to investigate the demographics of veteran rugby players. METHODOLOGIES: A cross-sectional, observational study was completed using an online web-based
questionnaire that consisted of medical history and
physiological measures. Data analysis was completed using a one sample t-test (50yrs) and Chi-square test. RESULTS: A total of 216 veteran rugby competitors
(response rate = 6.8%) representing 10 countries, aged 35-72 yrs (mean 51.2, S.D. ±8.0), participated in the online survey. As a group, the incidence of current smokers was low at 8.8%
(avg 72.4 cigs/wk) whilst the percentage consuming alcohol
was high (93.1% (avg 11.2 drinks/wk). Competitors reported
the following top six chronic diseases/disorders; hypertension
(18.6%), arthritis (OA/RA, 11.5%), asthma (9.3%),
hyperlipidemia (8.2%), diabetes (all types, 7.5%) and gout (6%), there were significant differences between groups with
regard to cancer (all types) and migraines. When compared to
the Australian general population (Australian Bureau of Statistics data, n=18,000), GORF competitors had a
Climstein Mike, Walsh Joe (corresponding author) and Burke Stephen
School of Exercise Science, Australian Catholic University, 25A Barker Road,
Strathfield, Sydney, NSW, 2016, Australia (e-mail:
[email protected], [email protected],
[email protected]).
John Best is with Orthosports, 160 Belmore Rd., Randwick, Sydney,NSW
2031, Australia (e-mail: [email protected]).
Heazlewood, Ian Timothy is with School of Environmental and Life
Sciences, Faculty Education, Health and Science, Charles Darwin University,
Precinct Yellow Building 2, Charles Darwin University, NT 0909, Australia
(e-mail: [email protected]).
Kettunen Jyrki Arcada University of Applied Sciences, Jan-Magnus
Janssonin aukio 1, FI-00550, Helsinki, Finland (e-mail:
[email protected]).
Adams Kent is with California State University Monterey Bay, Kinesiology Department, 100 Campus Center, Seaside, CA., 93955, USA (email: [email protected]).
DeBeliso Mark is with Department of Physical Education and Human
Performance, Southern Utah University, 351 West University Blvd, Cedar
City, Utah, USA (e-mail: [email protected]).
significantly lower incidence of anxiety (p
Abstract: Implementing quality assurance in higher education establishments is the main focus of the reform process currently undertaken by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The reform agenda has involved attempts to improve academic quality and management processes in universities, technical institutions and colleges. The central challenge for the reform process is to produce change in higher education in a region where administration is described as centralized and bureaucratic. To make these changes, there should be a well-designed plans and follow up processes in order to monitor progress and develop responses to obstacles. Lack of skills, resources, political dilemmas, poor motivation, and readiness to face the consequences of change are factors which will determine the success of the reform process.
Abstract: The spores of entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana was evaluated for their compatibility with four surfactants; SDS (sodium dodyl sulphate) and CABS-65 (calcium alkyl benzene sulphonate), Tween 20 (polyethylene sorbitan monolaureate) and Tween 80 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monoleate) at six different concentrations (0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2.5%, 5% and 10%). Incubated spores showed decrease in concentrations due to conversion of spores to hyphae. The maximum germination recorded in 72 h incubated spores varied with surfactant concentration at 49-68% (SDS), 39- 53% (CABS), 78-92% (Tween 80) and 80-92% (Tween 20), while the optimal surfactant concentration for spore germination was found to be 2.5-5%. The surfactant effect on spores was more pronounced with SDS and CABS-65, where significant deterioration and loss in viability of the incubated spores was observed. The effect of Tween 20 and Tween 80 were comparatively less inhibiting. The results of the study would help in surfactant selection for B. bassiana emulsion preparation.
Abstract: After allowing direct flights from Mainland China to
Taiwan, Chinese tourists increased according to Tourism
Bureaustatistics. There are from 0.19 to 2 million tourists from 2008 to
2011. Mainland China has become the main source of Taiwan
developing tourism industry. Taiwanese government should know
more about comments from Chinese tourists to Taiwan in order
toproperly market Taiwan tourism and enhance the overall quality of
tourism. In order to understand Chinese visitors’ comments, this study
adopts content analysis to analyze electronic word-of-mouth on Web.
This study collects 375 blog articles of Chinese tourists from
Ctrip.com as a database during 2009 to 2011. Through the qualitative
data analysis the traveling destination imagesis divided into seven
dimensions, such as senic spots, shopping, food and beverages,
accommodations, transportation, festivals and recreation activities.
Finally, this study proposes some practical managerial implication to
know both positive and negative images of the seven dimensions from
Chinese tourists, providing marketing strategies and suggestions to
traveling agency industry.
Abstract: Organizational structure of the Turkish state
universities is a form of bureaucracy, a high efficient system in
rational and formal control. According to the dimensional approach
bureaucracy can occur in an organization in a degree, as some
bureaucracy characteristics can be stronger than others. In addition,
the units of an organization due to their different specific
characteristic properties can perceive the bureaucracy differently. In
the study, Hall-s Organizational Inventory, which was developed for
evaluating the degree of bureaucratization from the dimensional
perspective, is used to find out if there is a difference in the
perception of the bureaucracy between the academicians working in
three different departments and two faculties in the same university.
Abstract: An immunomodulator bioproduct is prepared in a
batch bioprocess with a modified bacterium Pseudomonas
aeruginosa. The bioprocess is performed in 100 L Bioengineering
bioreactor with 42 L cultivation medium made of peptone, meat
extract and sodium chloride. The optimal bioprocess parameters were
determined: temperature – 37 0C, agitation speed - 300 rpm, aeration
rate – 40 L/min, pressure – 0.5 bar, Dow Corning Antifoam M-max.
4 % of the medium volume, duration - 6 hours. This kind of
bioprocesses are appreciated as difficult to control because their
dynamic behavior is highly nonlinear and time varying. The aim of
the paper is to present (by comparison) different models based on
experimental data.
The analysis criteria were modeling error and convergence rate.
The estimated values and the modeling analysis were done by using
the Table Curve 2D.
The preliminary conclusions indicate Andrews-s model with a
maximum specific growth rate of the bacterium in the range of
0.8 h-1.
Abstract: One field experiment was conducted on corn (Zea
mays L.Var. SC 704) to study the effect of three different basic levels
of nitrogen (90, 140and 190 Kg/ha as urea) with 0.01% and 0.02%
pyridoxine pre-sowing seed soaking for 8 hours. Water-soaked seeds
were treated as controled. biomass production was recorded on 45,
70 and 95 days after sowing. Total dry material (TDM), leaf area
index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) and
net assimilation rate (NAR) was calculated form 45until 95 days after
sowing. Yield and its components such as kernel yield, grain weight,
biologic yield, harvest index and protein percentage was measured at
harvest. In general, 0.02% pyridoxine and 190 Kg pure nitrogen/ha
was shown gave maximum value for growth and yield parameters.
N190 + 0.02 % pyridoxine enhanced seed yield and biologic yield by
57.15% and 62.98% compared to 90kg N and water – soaked
treatment.
Abstract: Shipping comb is mounted on Head Stack Assembly
(HSA) to prevent collision of the heads, maintain the gap between
suspensions and protect HSA tips from unintentional contact
damaged in the manufacturing process. Failure analysis of shipping
comb in hard disk drive production processes is proposed .Field
observations were performed to determine the fatal areas on shipping
comb and their failure fraction. Root cause failure analysis (RCFA) is
applied to specify the failure causes subjected to various loading
conditions. For reliability improvement, failure mode and effects
analysis (FMEA) procedure to evaluate the risk priority is performed.
Consequently, the more suitable information design criterions were
obtained.
Abstract: Fertilization plays an important role in crop growth and soil improvement. This study was conducted to determine the best fertilization system for wheat production. Experiments were arranged in a complete block design with three replications in two years. Main plots consisted of six methods of fertilization including (N1): farmyard manure; (N2): compost; (N3): chemical fertilizers; (N4): farmyard manure + compost; (N5): farmyard manure + compost + chemical fertilizers and (N6): control were arranged in sub plots. The addition of compost or farm yard manure significantly increased the soil microbial biomass carbon in comparison to the chemical fertilizer. The dehydrogenase, phosphatase and urease activities in the N3 treatment were significantly lower than in the farm yard manure and compost treatments.
Abstract: Being creative in an educational environment, such as in the university, has many times been downplayed by bureaucracy, human inadequacy and physical hindrance. These factors control, stifle and subsequently condemn this natural phenomenon which is normally exuded by the tertiary community. If taken in a positive light, creativity has always led to many new discoveries and inventions. These creations are then gradually developed for the university reputation and achievements, in all fields of studies from the sciences to the humanities. This paper attempts to explore, through more than twenty years of observation, issues that stifle the university citizenry – academicians and students- – creativity. It also scrutinizes how enhancement of such creativity can be further supported by bureaucracy simplicity, encouraging and developing human potential and constructing uncompromising physical infrastructure and administrative support. These ideals – all of which can help to promote creativity, increases the productivity of the university community in aspects of teaching, research, publication, innovation and commercialization; be it at national as well as at international arena for the good of human and societal growth and development. This discursive presentation hopes to address another issue on promoting university community creativity through several deliverables which require cooperation from every quarter of the institution so that being creative continues to be promoted for sustainable human capital growth and development of the country, if not, the global community.
Abstract: Highly ordered TiO2 nanotube (TNT) arrays were
fabricated onto a pre-treated titanium foil by anodic oxidation with a
voltage of 20V in phosphoric acid/sodium fluoride electrolyte. A pretreatment
of titanium foil involved washing with acetone,
isopropanol, ethanol and deionized water. Carbon doped TiO2
nanotubes (C-TNT) was fabricated 'in-situ' with the same method in
the presence of polyvinyl alcohol and urea as carbon sources. The
affects of polyvinyl alcohol concentration and oxidation time on the
composition, morphology and structure of the C-TN were studied by
FE-SEM, EDX and XRD techniques. FESEM images of the
nanotubes showed uniform arrays of C-TNTs. The density and
microstructures of the nanotubes were greatly affected by the content
of PVA. The introduction of the polyvinyl alcohol into the electrolyte
increases the amount of C content inside TiO2 nanotube arrays
uniformly. The influence of carbon content on the photo-current of
C-TNT was investigated and the I-V profiles of the nanotubes were
established. The preliminary results indicated that the 'in-situ'
doping technique produced a superior quality nanotubes compared to
post doping techniques.
Abstract: This article presents the analysis of experimental values regarding cracking pattern, specific strains and deformability for reinforced high strength concrete beams. The beams have the concrete class C80/95 and a longitudinal reinforcement ratio of 2.01%, respectively 3.39%. The elements were subjected to flexure under static short-term and long-term loading. The experimental values are compared with calculation values using the design relationships according to Eurocode 2.
Abstract: Controlled release urea has become popular in agricultural industry as it helps to solve environmental issues and increase crop yield. Recently biomass was identified to replace the polymer used as a coating material in the conventional coated urea. In this paper spreading and contact angle of biomass droplet (lignin, cellulose and clay) on urea surface are investigated experimentally. There were two tests were conducted, sessile drop for contact angle measurement and pendant drop for contact angle measurement. A different concentration of biomass droplet was released from 30 mm above a substrate. Glass was used as a controlled substrate. Images were recorded as soon as the droplet impacted onto the urea before completely adsorb into the urea. Digitized droplets were then used to identify the droplet-s surface tension and contact angle. There is large difference observed between the low surface tension and high surface tension liquids, where the wetting and spreading diameter is higher for lower surface tension. From the contact angle results, the data showed that the biomass coating films were possible as wetting liquid (θ < 90º). Contact angle of biomass coating material gives good indication for the wettablity of a liquid on urea surface.
Abstract: A new generation product made from bamboo strips,
known as laminated bamboo, has gained importance. The objective
of this research was to experiment the effect of three factors on the
mechanical property of laminated bamboo. The interested factors for
experimental design were (A) four bamboo species, namely Bambusa
blumeana Schultes (Pai See Suk), Dendrocalamus asper Backer (Pai
Tong), Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees (Pai Hok) and
Dendrocalamus sericeus Munro (Pai Sang Mon), (B) two types of
glue adhesive, polyvinyl acetate emulsion (PVAC) fortified with
urea-formaldehyde (UF) and urea-formaldehyde (UF) to make
parallel-oriented bamboo strips laminates and (C) glue weight per
strip area, 150 g/m2 and 190 g/m2. Experimental results showed that
Dendrocalamus asper Backer (Pai Tong) and Dendrocalamus
sericeus Munro (Pai Sang Mon) were best used for manufacturing
due to their highest MOR and MOE. The amount of glue weight 150
g/m2 yielded higher MOR and MOE than the amount of glue weight
190 g/m2. At the conclusion, the laminated bamboo manufacturers
can benefit from this research in order to select right materials
according to strength, cost and accessibility.
Abstract: The Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) plays a
vital role in automation and process control. Grafcet is used for
representing the control logic, and traditional programming
languages are used for describing the pure algorithms. Grafcet is used
for dividing the process to be automated in elementary sequences that
can be easily implemented. Each sequence represent a step that has
associated actions programmed using textual or graphical languages
after case. The programming task is simplified by using a set of
subroutines that are used in several steps. The paper presents an
example of implementation for a punching machine for sheets and
plates. The use the graphical languages the programming of a
complex sequential process is a necessary solution. The state of
Grafcet can be used for debugging and malfunction determination.
The use of the method combined with a set of knowledge acquisition
for process application reduces the downtime of the machine and
improve the productivity.