Abstract: The study has been carried out on the Saranda in Jharkhand and a part of Odisha state. Geospatial data of Hyperion, a remote sensing satellite, have been used. This study has used a wide variety of patterns related to image processing to enhance and extract the mining class of Fe and Mn ores.Landsat-8, OLI sensor data have also been used to correctly explore related minerals. In this way, various processes have been applied to increase the mineralogy class and comparative evaluation with related frequency done. The Hyperion dataset for hyperspectral remote sensing has been specifically verified as an effective tool for mineral or rock information extraction within the band range of shortwave infrared used. The abundant spatial and spectral information contained in hyperspectral images enables the differentiation of different objects of any object into targeted applications for exploration such as exploration detection, mining.
Abstract: A paradigm shift is a process. The process of implementing inclusive education, a system constructed to support all learners, requires planning, identification, experimentation, and evaluation. In this vein, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the capacity of one Brazilian state school systems to provide special education students with a quality inclusive education. This study originated at the behest of concerned families of students with special needs who filed complaints with the Municipality of Bauru, São Paulo. These families claimed, 1) children with learning differences and educational needs had not been identified for services, and 2) those who had been identified had not received sufficient specialized educational assistance (SEA) in schools across the City of Bauru. Hence, the Office of Civil Rights for the state of São Paulo (Ministério Público de São Paulo) summoned the local higher education institution, UNESP, to design a research study to investigate these allegations. In this exploratory study, descriptive data were gathered from all elementary and middle schools including 58 state schools and 17 city schools, for a total of 75 schools overall. Data collection consisted of each school's annual strategic action plan, surveys and interviews with all school stakeholders to determine their perceptions of the inclusive education available to students with Special Education Needs (SEN). The data were collected as one of four stages in a larger study which also included field observations of a focal students' experience and a continuing education course for all teachers and administrators in both state and city schools. For the purposes of this study, the researchers were interested in understanding the perceptions of school staff, parents, and students across all schools. Therefore, documents and surveys from 75 schools were analyzed for adherence to federal legislation guaranteeing students with SEN the right to special education assistance within the regular school setting. Results shows that while some schools recognized the legal rights of SEN students to receive special education, the plans to actually deliver services were absent. In conclusion, the results of this study revealed both school staff and families have insufficient planning and accessibility resources, and the schools have inadequate infrastructure for full-time support to SEN students, i.e., structures and systems to support the identification of SEN and delivery of services within schools of Bauru, SP. Having identified the areas of need, the city is now prepared to take next steps in the process toward preparing all schools to be inclusive.
Abstract: This study investigated the biosorption of the azo dye reactive Black B (RBB) from aqueous solution using the nonviable biomass of Cladosporium cladosporioides LM1. The biosorption systems were carried out in batch mode considering different conditions of initial pH, contact time, temperature, initial dye concentration and biosorbent dosage. Higher removal rate of RBB was obtained at pH 2. Biosorption data were successfully described by pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model with the maximum monolayer biosorption capacity estimated at 71.43 mg/g. The values of thermodynamic parameters such as ∆G°, ∆H° and ∆S° indicated that the biosorption of RBB onto fungal biomass was spontaneous and exothermic in nature. It can be concluded that nonviable biomass of Cladosporium cladosporioides LM1 may be an attractive low-cost biosorbent for the removal of azo dye RBB from aqueous solution.
Abstract: A thermodynamic study is performed on the Reverse Osmosis (RO) desalination process for brackish water. The detailed RO model of thermodynamics properties with and without an energy recovery device was built in Simulink/MATLAB and validated against reported measurement data. The efficiency of desalination plants can be estimated by both the first and second laws of thermodynamics. While the first law focuses on the quantity of energy, the second law analysis (i.e. exergy analysis) introduces quality. This paper used the Main Outfall Drain in Iraq as a case study to conduct energy and exergy analysis of RO process. The result shows that it is feasible to use energy recovery method for reverse osmosis with salinity less than 15000 ppm as the exergy efficiency increases twice. Moreover, this analysis shows that the highest exergy destruction occurs in the rejected water and lowest occurs in the permeate flow rate accounting 37% for 4.3% respectively.
Abstract: In this study, malt bagasse, a low-cost waste biomass, was tested as a biosorbent to remove the cationic dye Malachite green (MG) from aqueous solution. Batch biosorption experiments were investigated as functions of different experimental parameters such as initial pH, salt (NaCl) concentration, contact time, temperature and initial dye concentration. Higher removal rates of MG were obtained at pH 8 and 10. The equilibrium and kinetic studies suggest that the biosorption follows Langmuir isotherm and the pseudo-second-order model. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity was estimated at 117.65 mg/g (at 45 °C). According to Dubinin–Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm model, biosorption of MG onto malt bagasse occurs physically. The thermodynamic parameters such as Gibbs free energy, enthalpy and entropy indicated that the MG biosorption onto malt bagasse is spontaneous and endothermic. The results of the ionic strength effect indicated that the biosorption process under study had a strong tolerance under high salt concentrations. It can be concluded that malt bagasse waste has potential for application as biosorbent for removal of MG from aqueous solution.
Abstract: This paper is a continuation of the work carried out by various turbulence modelers in Oceanography on the topic of oceanic turbulent mixing. It evaluates the evolution of ocean water temperature and salinity by the appropriate modeling of turbulent mixing utilizing proper prescription of eddy viscosity. Many modelers in past have suggested including terms like shear, buoyancy and vorticity to be the parameters that decide the slow pressure strain correlation. We add to it the fact that dissipation anisotropy also modifies the correlation through eddy viscosity parameterization. This recalibrates the established correlation constants slightly and gives improved results. This anisotropization of dissipation implies that the critical Richardson’s number increases much beyond unity (to 1.66) to accommodate enhanced mixing, as is seen in reality. The model is run for a couple of test cases in the General Ocean Turbulence Model (GOTM) and the results are presented here.
Abstract: Wilson’s disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of the copper metabolism, which is caused by a mutation in the copper-transporting P-type ATPase (ATP7B). The mechanism of this disease is the failure of hepatic excretion of copper to bile, and leads to copper deposits in the liver and other organs. The ATP7B gene is located on the long arm of chromosome 13 (13q14.3). This study aimed to investigate the gene mutation in the Vietnamese patients with WD, and make a presymptomatic diagnosis for their familial members. Forty-three WD patients and their 65 siblings were identified as having ATP7B gene mutations. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples; 21 exons and exon-intron boundaries of the ATP7B gene were analyzed by direct sequencing. We recognized four mutations ([R723=; H724Tfs*34], V1042Cfs*79, D1027H, and IVS6+3A>G) in the sum of 20 detectable mutations, accounting for 87.2% of the total. Mutation S105* was determined to have a high rate (32.6%) in this study. The hotspot regions of ATP7B were found at exons 2, 16, and 8, and intron 14, in 39.6 %, 11.6 %, 9.3%, and 7 % of patients, respectively. Among nine homozygote/compound heterozygote siblings of the patients with WD, three individuals were determined as asymptomatic by screening mutations of the probands. They would begin treatment after diagnosis. In conclusion, 20 different mutations were detected in 43 WD patients. Of this number, four novel mutations were explored, including [R723=; H724Tfs*34], V1042Cfs*79, D1027H, and IVS6+3A>G. The mutation S105* is the most prevalent and has been considered as a biomarker that can be used in a rapid detection assay for diagnosis of WD patients. Exons 2, 8, and 16, and intron 14 should be screened initially for WD patients in Vietnam. Based on risk profile for WD, genetic testing for presymptomatic patients is also useful in diagnosis and treatment.
Abstract: This work deals with parameter identification of
permanent magnet motors, a class of ac motor which is particularly
important in industrial automation due to characteristics like
applications high performance, are very attractive for applications
with limited space and reducing the need to eliminate because they
have reduced size and volume and can operate in a wide speed range,
without independent ventilation. By using experimental data and
genetic algorithm we have been able to extract values for both the
motor inductance and the electromechanical coupling constant, which
are then compared to measured and/or expected values.
Abstract: The Lean Environmental Management Integration
System (LEMIS) framework development is integration between lean
core element and ISO 14001. The curiosity on the relationship
between continuous improvement and sustainability of lean
implementation has influenced this study toward LEMIS.
Characteristic of ISO 14001 standard clauses and core elements of
lean principles are explored from past studies and literature reviews.
Survey was carried out on ISO 14001 certified companies to examine
continual improvement by implementing the ISO 14001 standard.
The study found that there is a significant and positive relationship
between Lean Principles: value, value stream, flow, pull and
perfection with the ISO 14001 requirements. LEMIS is significant to
support the continuous improvement and sustainability. The
integration system can be implemented to any manufacturing
company. It gives awareness on the importance on why organizations
need to sustain its environmental management system. In the
meantime, the lean principle can be adapted in order to streamline
daily activities of the company. Throughout the study, it had proven
that there is no sacrifice or trade-off between lean principles with ISO
14001 requirements. The framework developed in the study can be
further simplified in the future, especially the method of crossing
each sub requirements of ISO 14001 standard with the core elements
of Lean principles in this study.
Abstract: This study was conducted to examine the possible role of serum Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the prediction of severity of preeclampsia. The study group comprised of 40 preeclamptic cases (22 with mild and 18 with severe) and 40 healthy normotensive pregnant controls. Serum samples of all the cases were assayed for GGT and LDH. Demographic, hemodynamic and laboratory data as well as serum GGT and LDH levels were compared among the three groups.
The results indicated that severe preeclamptic cases had significantly increased levels of serum GGT and LDH. The symptoms in severe preeclamptic women were significantly increased in patients with GGT > 70 IU/L and LDH >800 IU/L. Elevated levels of serum GGT and LDH can be used as biochemical markers which reflects the severity of preeclampsia and useful for the management of preeclampsia to decrease maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.
Abstract: This work deals with parameter identification of permanent magnet motors, a class of ac motor which is particularly important in industrial automation due to characteristics like applications high performance, are very attractive for applications with limited space and reducing the need to eliminate because they have reduced size and volume and can operate in a wide speed range, without independent ventilation. By using experimental data and genetic algorithm we have been able to extract values for both the motor inductance and the electromechanical coupling constant, which are then compared to measure and/or expected values.
Abstract: This paper is based on the bridgeless single-phase Ac–Dc Power Factor Correction (PFC) converters with Fuzzy Logic Controller. High frequency isolated Cuk converters are used as a modular dc-dc converter in Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM) of operation of Power Factor Correction. The aim of this paper is to simplify the program complexity of the controller by reducing the number of fuzzy sets of the Membership Functions (MFs) and to improve the efficiency and to eliminate the power quality problems. The output of Fuzzy controller is compared with High frequency triangular wave to generate PWM gating signals of Cuk converter. The proposed topologies are designed to work in Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM) to achieve a unity power factor and low total harmonic distortion of the input current. The Fuzzy Logic Controller gives additional advantages such as accurate result, uncertainty and imprecision and automatic control circuitry. Performance comparisons between the proposed and conventional controllers and circuits are performed based on circuit simulations.
Abstract: The results reported in this paper are the part of an extensive laboratory investigation undertaken to study the effects of fibre parameters on the permeability and strength characteristics of steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC). The effect of varying fibre content and curing age on the water permeability, compressive and split tensile strengths of SFRC was investigated using straight steel fibres having an aspect ratio of 65. Samples containing three different weight fractions of 1.0%, 2.0% and 4.0% were cast and tested for permeability and strength after 7, 14, 28 and 60 days of curing. Plain concrete samples were also cast and tested for reference purposes.
Permeability was observed to decrease significantly with the addition of steel fibres and continued to decrease with increasing fibre content and increasing curing age. An exponential relationship was observed between permeability and compressive and split tensile strengths for SFRC as well as PCC. To evaluate the effect of fibre content on the permeability and strength characteristics, the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistical method was used. An a level (probability of error) of 0.05 was used for ANOVA test. Regression analysis was carried out to develop relationship between permeability, compressive strength and curing age.
Abstract: In this work we report the recent progresses that have been achieved by our group in the last half decade on the field of computational proteomics. Specifically, we discuss the application of Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Electronic Structure Calculations in drug design, in the clarification of the structural and dynamic properties of proteins and enzymes and in the understanding of the catalytic and inhibition mechanism of cancer-related enzymes. A set of examples illustrate the concepts and help to introduce the reader into this important and fast moving field.
Abstract: In this paper an efficient implementation of Ripemd-
160 hash function is presented. Hash functions are a special family
of cryptographic algorithms, which is used in technological
applications with requirements for security, confidentiality and
validity. Applications like PKI, IPSec, DSA, MAC-s incorporate
hash functions and are used widely today. The Ripemd-160 is
emanated from the necessity for existence of very strong algorithms
in cryptanalysis. The proposed hardware implementation can be
synthesized easily for a variety of FPGA and ASIC technologies.
Simulation results, using commercial tools, verified the efficiency of
the implementation in terms of performance and throughput. Special
care has been taken so that the proposed implementation doesn-t
introduce extra design complexity; while in parallel functionality was
kept to the required levels.
Abstract: In this study three commercial semiconductor devices
were characterized in the laboratory for computed tomography
dosimetry: one photodiode and two phototransistors. It was evaluated
four responses to the irradiation: dose linearity, energy dependence,
angular dependence and loss of sensitivity after X ray exposure. The
results showed that the three devices have proportional response with
the air kerma; the energy dependence displayed for each device
suggests that some calibration factors would be applied for each one;
the angular dependence showed a similar pattern among the three
electronic components. In respect to the fourth parameter analyzed,
one phototransistor has the highest sensitivity however it also showed
the greatest loss of sensitivity with the accumulated dose. The
photodiode was the device with the smaller sensitivity to radiation,
on the other hand, the loss of sensitivity after irradiation is negligible.
Since high accuracy is a desired feature for a dosimeter, the
photodiode can be the most suitable of the three devices for
dosimetry in tomography. The phototransistors can also be used for
CT dosimetry, however it would be necessary a correction factor due
to loss of sensitivity with accumulated dose.
Abstract: Adolescents in Northern Uganda are at risk of teenage
pregnancies, unsafe abortions and sexually transmitted infections
(STIs). There is silence on sex both at home and school. This cross
sectional descriptive analytical study interviews a random sample of
827 students and 13 teachers on knowledge, perception and
acceptability to a comprehensive adolescent sexual and reproductive
health education in “O” and “A” level secondary schools in Gulu
District. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS 16.0. Directed
content analysis of themes of transcribed qualitative data was
conducted manually for common codes, sub-categories and
categories. Of the 827 students; 54.3% (449) reported being in a
sexual relationship especially those aged 15-17 years. Majority
96.1% (807) supported the teaching of a comprehensive ASRHE,
citing no negative impact 71.5% (601). Majority 81.6% (686) agreed
that such education could help prevention of STIs, abortions and
teenage pregnancies, and that it should be taught by health workers
69.0% (580). Majority 76.6% (203) reported that ASRHE was not
currently being taught in their schools. Students had low knowledge
levels and misconceptions about ASRHE. ASRHE was highly
acceptable though not being emphasized; its success in school
settings requires multidisciplinary culturally sensitive approaches
amongst which health workers should be frontiers.
Abstract: Ionanofluids are a new and innovative class of heat transfer fluids which exhibit fascinating thermophysical properties compared to their base ionic liquids. This paper deals with the findings of thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity of ionanofluids as a function of a temperature and concentration of nanotubes. Simulation results using ionanofluids as coolants in heat exchanger are also used to access their feasibility and performance in heat transfer devices. Results on thermal conductivity and heat capacity of ionanofluids as well as the estimation of heat transfer areas for ionanofluids and ionic liquids in a model shell and tube heat exchanger reveal that ionanofluids possess superior thermal conductivity and heat capacity and require considerably less heat transfer areas as compared to those of their base ionic liquids. This novel class of fluids shows great potential for advanced heat transfer applications.
Abstract: This work relates the development of an optical fiber
(OF) sensor for the detection and quantification of single walled
carbon nanotubes in aqueous solutions. The developed OF displays a
compact design, it requires less expensive materials and equipment
as well as low volume of sample (0.2 mL). This methodology was
also validated by the comparison of its analytical performance with
that of a standard methodology based on ultraviolet-visible
spectroscopy. The developed OF sensor follows the general SDS
calibration proposed for OF sensors as a more suitable calibration
fitting compared with classical calibrations.
Abstract: Modern times call organizations to have an active role
in the social arena, through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The objective of this research was to test the hypothesis that there is a
positive relation between social performance and economic
performance, and if there is a positive correlation between social
performance and financial-economic performance. To test these
theories a measure of social performance, based on the Green Book
of Commission of the European Community, was used in a group of
nineteen Portuguese top companies, listed on the PSI 20 index,
through a period of five years, since 2005 to 2009. A clusters
analysis was applied to group companies by their social performance
and to compare and correlate their economic performance. Results
indicate that companies that had a better social performance are not
the ones who had a better economic performance, and suggest that
the middle path might provide a good relation CSR-Economic
performance, as a basis to a sustainable development.