Abstract: This work investigated the use of Beijerinckia indica extracellular extract for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using AgNO3. The formation of nanoparticles was confirmed by different methods, such as UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, EDX, and TEM analysis. The formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was confirmed by the change in color from light yellow to dark brown. The absorbance peak obtained at 430 nm confirmed the presence of silver nanoparticles. The XRD analysis showed the cubic crystalline phase of the synthesized nanoparticles. FTIR revealed the presence of groups that acts as stabilizing and reducing agents for silver nanoparticles formation. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were generally found to be spherical in shape with size ranging from 5 to 20 nm, as evident by TEM analysis. These nanoparticles were found to inhibit pathogenic bacterial strains. This work proved that the bacterial extract is a potential eco-friendly candidate for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles with promising antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
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: The analytic expression for the Hall Coefficient (HC) caused by the confined electrons in the presence of a strong electromagnetic wave (EMW) including the effect of phonon confinement in rectangular quantum wires (RQWs) is calculated by using the quantum kinetic equation for electrons in the case of electron - optical phonon scattering. It is because the expression of the HC for the confined phonon case contains indexes m, m’ which are specific to the phonon confinement. The expression in a RQW is different from that for the case of unconfined phonons in a RQW or in 2D. The results are numerically calculated and discussed for a GaAs/GaAsAl RQW. The numerical results show that HC in a RQW can have both negative and positive values. This is different from the case of the absence of EMW and the case presence of EMW including the effect of phonon unconfinement in a RQW. These results are also compared with those in the case of unconfined phonons in a RQW and confined phonons in a quantum well. The conductivity in the case of confined phonon has more resonance peaks compared with that in case of unconfined phonons in a RQW. This new property is the same in quantum well. All results are compared with the case of unconfined phonons to see differences.
Abstract: The main purpose of this study was to explore the role of organisational effectiveness (OE) in seaports. OE is an important managerial concept, one that is necessary for leaders and directors in any organisation to understand the output of their work. OE has been applied in many organisations; however, it is a vital concept in the port business. This paper examines various approaches and applications of the OE concept to business management, and describes benefits that are important and applicable to seaport management. This research reviews and classifies articles published in relevant journals and books between 1950 and 2016; from the general literature on OE to the narrower field of OE in seaports. Based on the extensive literature review, this study identifies and discusses several issues relevant to both practices and theories of this concept. The review concludes by presenting a gap in the literature, as it found only a limited amount of research that endeavours to clarify OE in the seaport sector. As a result of this gap, seaports suffer from a lack of empirical study and are largely neglected in this subject area. The implementation of OE in this research has led to the maritime sector interfacing with different disciplines in order to acquire the advantage of enhancing managerial knowledge and competing successfully in the international marketplace.
Abstract: Using the quantum kinetic equation for electrons interacting with acoustic phonon, the density of the constant current associated with the drag of charge carriers in cylindrical quantum wire by a linearly polarized electromagnetic wave, a DC electric field and a laser radiation field is calculated. The density of the constant current is studied as a function of the frequency of electromagnetic wave, as well as the frequency of laser field and the basic elements of quantum wire with a parabolic potential. The analytic expression of the constant current density is numerically evaluated and plotted for a specific quantum wires GaAs/AlGaAs to show the dependence of the constant current density on above parameters. All these results of quantum wire compared with bulk semiconductors and superlattices to show the difference.
Abstract: There are positive significant relationships between the Need for Cognitive Closure (NFC) and Religious Fundamentalism (RF) among students. The preliminary assumption of the current study was: There would be a stronger pattern of association between these constructs, if the participants of the study are more exposed to the study's main concept which is religiosity. In other words, close-mindedness would be more related to homogeneous samples of practicing devotees of monotheistic religions compared to student samples. The main hypothesis was that concerning the Muslim sample, there will be a significant and positive correlation between the need for closure (and all facets of it, except decisiveness) and RF. Both the student sample (n=88), and the Muslim practicing mosque attending sample (n=40), were administrated three scales of Need for Closure (NFCS), Religious Fundamentalism (RFS), and Four Basic Dimensions of Religiousness (FBDRS). The results of the study moderately confirmed the hypothesis and showed a positive correlation between NFCS and RFS with the Muslim sample. Specifically, preference for order, preference for predictability and discomfort with ambiguity facets of the NFCS positively correlated with RFS. However, with regards to the student sample such relationships between the constructs were not found.
Abstract: In this work, the IMC-PID controller cascaded filter based on Internal Model Control (IMC) scheme is systematically proposed for the simplified decoupling control system. The simplified decoupling is firstly introduced for multivariable processes by using coefficient matching to obtain a stable, proper, and causal simplified decoupler. Accordingly, transfer functions of decoupled apparent processes can be expressed as a set of n equivalent independent processes and then derived as a ratio of the original open-loop transfer function to the diagonal element of the dynamic relative gain array. The IMC-PID controller in series with filter is then directly employed to enhance the overall performance of the decoupling control system while avoiding difficulties arising from properties inherent to simplified decoupling. Some simulation studies are considered to demonstrate the simplicity and effectiveness of the proposed method. Simulations were conducted by tuning various controllers of the multivariate processes with multiple time delays. The results indicate that the proposed method consistently performs well with fast and well-balanced closed-loop time responses.
Abstract: The fractional–order proportional integral (FOPI) controller tuning rules based on the fractional calculus for the cascade control system are systematically proposed in this paper. Accordingly, the ideal controller is obtained by using internal model control (IMC) approach for both the inner and outer loops, which gives the desired closed-loop responses. On the basis of the fractional calculus, the analytical tuning rules of FOPI controller for the inner loop can be established in the frequency domain. Besides, the outer loop is tuned by using any integer PI/PID controller tuning rules in the literature. The simulation study is considered for the stable process model and the results demonstrate the simplicity, flexibility, and effectiveness of the proposed method for the cascade control system in compared with the other methods.
Abstract: In this paper, the analytical tuning rules of IMC-PID controller are presented for the multivariable Smith predictor that involved the ideal decoupling. Accordingly, the decoupler is first introduced into the multivariable Smith predictor control system by a well-known approach of ideal decoupling, which is compactly extended for general nxn multivariable processes and the multivariable Smith predictor controller is then obtained in terms of the multiple single-loop Smith predictor controllers. The tuning rules of PID controller in series with filter are found by using Maclaurin approximation. Many multivariable industrial processes are employed to demonstrate the simplicity and effectiveness of the presented method. The simulation results show the superior performances of presented method in compared with the other methods.
Abstract: This study is aimed to investigate the influence of
postharvest delays of 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment on
prolonging the storage potential of melon. Melons were treated with
625-650 ppb 1-MCP at 10 °C for 24 hours on the 1st, 3rd and 5th day
after harvest. Decreased ethylene production and retarded softening
of melon fruits after 7 days of storage at 10 °C plus 3 days of shelflife
were obtained by 1-MCP applications. 1-MCP strongly affected
the chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics and hue angle values of
melon. After shelf-life, the peel color of treated melon was slow in
turning to yellow compared to the control. Additionally, firmness of
melons treated on the first day after harvest was 38% higher than that
of the control fruit. Results showed that fruits treated on the 1st and
the 3rd day after harvest could maintain the quality of melon.
Abstract: Classification is an important data mining technique
and could be used as data filtering in artificial intelligence. The
broad application of classification for all kind of data leads to be
used in nearly every field of our modern life. Classification helps us
to put together different items according to the feature items decided
as interesting and useful. In this paper, we compare two
classification methods Naïve Bayes and ADTree use to detect spam
e-mail. This choice is motivated by the fact that Naive Bayes
algorithm is based on probability calculus while ADTree algorithm is
based on decision tree. The parameter settings of the above
classifiers use the maximization of true positive rate and
minimization of false positive rate. The experiment results present
classification accuracy and cost analysis in view of optimal classifier
choice for Spam Detection. It is point out the number of attributes to
obtain a tradeoff between number of them and the classification
accuracy.
Abstract: This paper presents the flexural response of Reinforced Geopolymer Concrete (RGPC) beams. A commercial finite element (FE) software ABAQUS has been used to perform a structural behavior of RGPC beams. Using parameters such: stress, strain, Young’s modulus, and Poisson’s ratio obtained from experimental results, a beam model has been simulated in ABAQUS. The results from experimental tests and ABAQUS simulation were compared. Due to friction forces at the supports and loading rollers; slip occurring, the actual deflection of RGPC beam from experimental test results were slightly different from the results of ABAQUS. And there is good agreement between the crack patterns of fly ash-based geopolymer concrete generated by FE analysis using ABAQUS, and those in experimental data.
Abstract: Climate change and sea level rise is one of the greatest challenges facing human beings in the 21st century. Because of sea level rise, several low-lying coastal areas around the globe are at risk of being completely submerged, disappearing under water. Particularly in Viet Nam, the rise in sea level is predicted to result in more frequent and even permanently inundated coastal plains. As a result, land reserving fund of coastal cities is going to be narrowed in near future, while construction ground is becoming increasingly limited due to a rapid growth in population. Faced with this reality, the solutions are being discussed not only in tradition view such as accommodation is raised or moved to higher areas, or “living with the water”, but also forwards to “living on the water”. Therefore, the concept of a sustainable floating community with floating houses based on the precious value of long term historical tradition of water dwellings in Viet Nam would be a sustainable solution for adaptation of climate change and sea level rise in the coastal areas. The sustainable floating community is comprised of sustainability in four components: architecture, environment, socio-economic and living quality. This research paper is focused on sustainability in architectural component of floating community. Through detailed architectural analysis of current floating houses and floating communities in Viet Nam, this research not only accumulates precious values of traditional architecture that need to be preserved and developed in the proposed concept, but also illustrates its weaknesses that need to address for optimal design of the future sustainable floating communities. Based on these studies the research would provide guidelines with appropriate architectural solutions for the concept of sustainable floating community with floating housing units that are adapted to climate change and sea level rise in Viet Nam.
Abstract: The Hall Coefficient (HC) and the Magnetoresistance (MR) have been studied in two-dimensional systems. The HC and the MR in Rectangular Quantum Wire (RQW) subjected to a crossed DC electric field and magnetic field in the presence of a Strong Electromagnetic Wave (EMW) characterized by electric field are studied in this work. Using the quantum kinetic equation for electrons interacting with optical phonons, we obtain the analytic expressions for the HC and the MR with a dependence on magnetic field, EMW frequency, temperatures of systems and the length characteristic parameters of RQW. These expressions are different from those obtained for bulk semiconductors and cylindrical quantum wires. The analytical results are applied to GaAs/GaAs/Al. For this material, MR depends on the ratio of the EMW frequency to the cyclotron frequency. Indeed, MR reaches a minimum at the ratio 5/4, and when this ratio increases, it tends towards a saturation value. The HC can take negative or positive values. Each curve has one maximum and one minimum. When magnetic field increases, the HC is negative, achieves a minimum value and then increases suddenly to a maximum with a positive value. This phenomenon differs from the one observed in cylindrical quantum wire, which does not have maximum and minimum values.
Abstract: Frequency transformation with Pascal matrix
equations is a method for transforming an electronic filter (analogue
or digital) into another filter. The technique is based on frequency
transformation in the s-domain, bilinear z-transform with pre-warping
frequency, inverse bilinear transformation and a very useful
application of the Pascal’s triangle that simplifies computing and
enables calculation by hand when transforming from one filter to
another. This paper will introduce two methods to transform a filter
into a digital filter: frequency transformation from the s-domain into
the z-domain; and frequency transformation in the z-domain. Further,
two Pascal matrix equations are derived: an analogue to digital filter
Pascal matrix equation and a digital to digital filter Pascal matrix
equation. These are used to design a desired digital filter from a given
filter.
Abstract: This study evaluated to facilitate separation of ABS
plastics from other waste plastics by froth flotation after surface
hydrophilization of ABS with heat treatment. The mild heat treatment
at 100oC for 60s could selectively increase the hydrophilicity of the
ABS plastics surface (i.e., ABS contact angle decreased from 79o to
65.8o) among other plastics mixture. The SEM and XPS results of
plastic samples sufficiently supported the increase in hydrophilic
functional groups and decrease contact angle on ABS surface, after
heat treatment. As a result of the froth flotation (at mixing speed 150
rpm and airflow rate 0.3 L/min) after heat treatment, about 85% of
ABS was selectively separated from other heavy plastics with 100%
of purity. The effect of optimum treatment condition and detailed
mechanism onto separation efficiency in the froth floatation was also
investigated. This research is successful in giving a simple, effective,
and inexpensive method for ABS separation from waste plastics.
Abstract: In the present study, feasibility of the selective surface
hydrophilization of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) by microwave treatment
was evaluated to facilitate the separation from automotive shredder
residue (ASR), by the froth flotation. The combination of 60 sec
microwave treatment with PAC, a sharp and significant decrease about
16.5° contact angle of PVC was observed in ASR plastic compared
with other plastics. The microwave treatment with the addition of PAC
resulted in a synergetic effect for the froth flotation, which may be a
result of the 90% selective separation of PVC from ASR plastics, with
82% purity. While, simple mixing with a nanometallic Ca/CaO/PO4
dispersion mixture immobilized 95-100% of heavy metals in ASR
soil/residues. The quantity of heavy metals leached from thermal
residues after treatment by nanometallic Ca/CaO/PO4 was lower than
the Korean standard regulatory limit for hazardous waste landfills.
Microwave treatment can be a simple and effective method for PVC
separation from ASR plastics.
Abstract: This study intends to show the influence of the
hydrolytic degradation on the properties of the e-PTFE/NOMEX®
membranes used in fire-protective clothing. The modification of
water vapour permeability, morphology and chemical structure was
examined by MOCON Permatran, electron microscopy scanning
(SEM), and ATR-FTIR, respectively. A decrease in permeability to
water vapour of the aged samples was observed following closure of
transpiration pores. Analysis of fiber morphology indicates the
appearance of defects at the fibers surface with the presence of micro
cavities. ATR-FTIR analysis reveals the presence of a new absorption
band attributed to carboxylic acid terminal groups generated during
the amide bond hydrolysis.
Abstract: Over the past few years, a lot of research has been
conducted to bring Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) into various
areas of Air Traffic Control (ATC), such as air traffic control
simulation and training, monitoring live operators for with the aim
of safety improvements, air traffic controller workload measurement
and conducting analysis on large quantities controller-pilot speech.
Due to the high accuracy requirements of the ATC context and its
unique challenges, automatic speech recognition has not been widely
adopted in this field. With the aim of providing a good starting
point for researchers who are interested bringing automatic speech
recognition into ATC, this paper gives an overview of possibilities
and challenges of applying automatic speech recognition in air traffic
control. To provide this overview, we present an updated literature
review of speech recognition technologies in general, as well as
specific approaches relevant to the ATC context. Based on this
literature review, criteria for selecting speech recognition approaches
for the ATC domain are presented, and remaining challenges and
possible solutions are discussed.
Abstract: This work presents an improved single fiber pull-out
test for fiber/matrix interface characterization. This test has been
used to study the Inter-Facial Shear Strength ‘IFSS’ of hemp fibers
reinforced polypropylene (PP). For this aim, the fiber diameter
has been carefully measured using a tomography inspired method.
The fiber section contour can then be approximated by a circle
or a polygon. The results show that the IFSS is overestimated if
the circular approximation is used. The Influence of the molding
temperature on the IFSS has also been studied. We find that a molding
temperature of 183◦C leads to better interfacial properties. Above or
below this temperature the interface strength is reduced.