Abstract: The calcarenites carbonate rocks of the Quaternary ridges, which extend along the northwestern Mediterranean coastal plain of Egypt, represent an excellent model for the transformation of loose sediments to real sedimentary rocks by the different stages of meteoric diagenesis. The depositional and diagenetic fabrics of the rocks, in addition to the strata orientation, highly affect their ultimate compressive strength and other geotechnical properties.
There is a marked increase in the compressive strength (UCS) from the first to the fourth ridge rock samples. The lowest values are related to the loose packing, weakly cemented aragonitic ooid sediments with high porosity, besides the irregularly distributed of cement, which result in decreasing the ability of these rocks to withstand crushing under direct pressure. The high (UCS) values are attributed to the low porosity, the presence of micritic cement, the reduction in grain size and the occurrence of micritization and calcretization processes.
The strata orientation has a notable effect on the measured (UCS). The lowest values have been recorded for the samples cored in the inclined direction; whereas the highest values have been noticed in most samples cored in the vertical and parallel directions to bedding plane. In case of the inclined direction, the bedding planes were oriented close to the plane of maximum shear stress. The lowest and highest anisotropy values have been recorded for the first and the third ridges rock samples, respectively, which may attributed to the relatively homogeneity and well sorted grainstone of the first ridge rock samples, and relatively heterogeneity in grain and pore size distribution and degree of cementation of the third ridge rock samples, besides, the abundance of shell fragments with intraparticle pore spaces, which may produce lines of weakness within the rock.
Abstract: The knowledge about rock layers thickness,especially above drilled mining pavements is crucial for workers safety. The measuring systems used nowadays are generally imperfect and there is a strong demand for improvement. The application of a new type of a measurement system called Self-excited Acoustical System is presentedin the paper. The system was applied until now to monitor stress changes in metal and concrete constructions. The change in measurement methodology resulted in possibility of measuring the thickness of the rocks above the tunnels as well as thickness of a singular rocklayer. The idea is to find two resonance frequencies of the self-exited system,which consists of a vibration exciter and vibration receiver placed at a distance, which are coupled with a proper power amplifier, and which operate in a closed loop with a positive feedback. The resonance with the higher amplitude determines thickness of the whole rock, whereas the lower amplitude resonance indicates thickness of a singular layer. The results of the laboratory tests conducted on a group of different rock materials are also presented.
Abstract: For vacuum cleaned dust filters there exist no calculation methods to determine design parameters (e.g. traverse velocity of the nozzle, filter area…). In this work a method to calculate the optimum traverse velocity of the nozzle of an industrial-size flat dust filter at a given mean pressure drop and filter face velocity was elaborated. Well-known equations for the design of a cleanable multi-chamber bag-house-filter were modified in order to take into account a continuously regeneration of a dust filter by a nozzle. Thereby, the specific filter medium resistance and the specific cake resistance values are needed which can be derived from filter tests under constant operation conditions.
A lab-scale filter test rig was used to derive the specific filter media resistance value and the specific cake resistance value for vacuum cleaned filter operation. Three different filter media were tested and the determined parameters were compared to each other.
Abstract: Globalization is putting enormous pressure on the business organizations specially manufacturing one to rethink the supply chain in innovative manners. Inventory consumes major portion of total sale revenue. Effective and efficient inventory management plays a vital role for the successful functioning of any organization. Selection of inventory policy is one of the important purchasing activities. This paper focuses on selection and ranking of alternative inventory policies. A deterministic quantitative model based on Distance Based Approach (DBA) method has been developed for evaluation and ranking of inventory policies. We have employed this concept first time for this type of the selection problem. Four inventory policies economic order quantity (EOQ), just in time (JIT), vendor managed inventory (VMI) and monthly policy are considered. Improper selection could affect a company’s competitiveness in terms of the productivity of its facilities and quality of its products. The ranking of inventory policies is a multi-criteria problem. There is a need to first identify the selection criteria and then processes the information with reference to relative importance of attributes for comparison. Criteria values for each inventory policy can be obtained either analytically or by using a simulation technique or they are linguistic subjective judgments defined by fuzzy sets, like, for example, the values of criteria. A methodology is developed and applied to rank the inventory policies.
Abstract: Our study was designed to highlight changes in
certain biochemical parameters (CH, TG, HDL, GOT, GPT, LDL and
CRP), obese women infertile fertile witnesses and research potential
pathophysiological link between obesity and infertility in this
population of women. This practical work was focused on a
population of 24 obese women infertile, compared to controls,
subjects without any pathology causing disruption of parameters to
be studied to determine the contribution of obesity in the etiology of
infertility. The assay results revealed a highly significant difference
between the two groups in serum CH, TG, HDL, TGO and TGP (P
Abstract: Liquefaction is a phenomenon in which the strength
and stiffness of a soil is reduced by earthquake shaking or other rapid
cyclic loading. Liquefaction and related phenomena have been
responsible for huge amounts of damage in historical earthquakes
around the world.
Modeling of soil behavior is the main step in soil liquefaction
prediction process. Nowadays, several constitutive models for sand
have been presented. Nevertheless, only some of them can satisfy this
mechanism. One of the most useful models in this term is
UBCSAND model. In this research, the capability of this model is
considered by using PLAXIS software. The real data of superstition
hills earthquake 1987 in the Imperial Valley was used. The results of
the simulation have shown resembling trend of the UBC3D-PLM
model.
Abstract: The advantage of using non-linear passive damping
system in vibration control of two adjacent structures is investigated
under their base excitation. The base excitation is El Centro
earthquake record acceleration. The damping system is considered as
an optimum and effective non-linear viscous damper that is
connected between two adjacent structures. A MATLAB program is
developed to produce the stiffness and damping matrices and to
determine a time history analysis of the dynamic motion of the
system. One structure is assumed to be flexible while the other has a
rule as laterally supporting structure with rigid frames. The response
of the structure has been calculated and the non-linear damping
coefficient is determined using optimum LQR algorithm in an
optimum vibration control system. The non-linear parameter of
damping system is estimated and it has shown a significant advantage
of application of this system device for vibration control of two
adjacent tall building.
Abstract: Rogowski coils are increasingly used for measurement
of AC and transient electric currents. Mostly used Rogowski coils
now are with circular or rectangular cores. In order to increase the
sensitivity of the measurement of Rogowski coil and perform smooth
wire winding, this paper studies the effect of increasing the mutual
inductance in order to increase the coil sensitivity by presenting the
calculation and simulation of a Rogowski coil with equilateral
hexagonal shaped core and comparing the resulted mutual inductance
with commonly used core shapes.
Abstract: As internet continues to expand its usage with an
enormous number of applications, cyber-threats have significantly
increased accordingly. Thus, accurate detection of malicious traffic in
a timely manner is a critical concern in today’s Internet for security.
One approach for intrusion detection is to use Machine Learning (ML)
techniques. Several methods based on ML algorithms have been
introduced over the past years, but they are largely limited in terms of
detection accuracy and/or time and space complexity to run. In this
work, we present a novel method for intrusion detection that
incorporates a set of supervised learning algorithms. The proposed
technique provides high accuracy and outperforms existing techniques
that simply utilizes a single learning method. In addition, our
technique relies on partial flow information (rather than full
information) for detection, and thus, it is light-weight and desirable for
online operations with the property of early identification. With the
mid-Atlantic CCDC intrusion dataset publicly available, we show that
our proposed technique yields a high degree of detection rate over 99%
with a very low false alarm rate (0.4%).
Abstract: In this study, photocatalytic degradation of phenol by
titanium dioxide (TiO2) in aqueous solution was evaluated. The UV
energy of solar light was utilized by compound parabolic collectors
(CPCs) technology. The effect of irradiation time, initial pH, and
dosage of TiO2 were investigated. Aromatic intermediates (catechol,
benzoquinone, and hydroquinone) were quantified during the reaction
to study the pathways of the oxidation process. 94.5% degradation
efficiency of phenol was achieved after 150 minutes of irradiation
when the initial concentration was 100 mg/L. The dosage of TiO2
significantly affected the degradation efficiency of phenol. The
observed optimum pH for the reaction was 5.2. Phenol photocatalytic
degradation fitted to the pseudo-first order kinetic according to
Langmuir–Hinshelwood model.
Abstract: The results of the study on the project evaluation to
develop the competencies, capabilities, and skills in repairing
computers of people in Jompluak Local Municipality, Bang Khonthi
District, Samut Songkram Province showed that the overall result
was good (4.33). When considering on each aspect, it was found that
the highest one was on process evaluation (4.60) followed by product
evaluation (4.50) and the least one was on feeding factor (3.97).
When considering in details, it was found that: 1) the context aspect
was high (4.23) with the highest item on the arrangement of the
training situation (4.67) followed by the appropriateness of the target
(4.30) and the least aspect was on the project cooperation (3.73). 2)
The evaluation of average overall primary factor or feeding factor
showed high value (4.23) while the highest aspect was on the
capability of the trainers (4.47) followed by the suitable venue (4.33)
while the least aspect was on the insufficient budget (3.47). 3) The
average result of process evaluation was very high (4.60). The
highest aspect was on the follow-op supervision (4.70) followed by
responsibility of each project staffs (4.50) while the least aspect was
on the present situation and the problems of the community (4.40). 4)
The overall result of the product evaluation was very high (4.50). The
highest aspect was on the diversity of the activities and the
community integration (4.67) followed by project target achievement
(4.63) while the least aspect was on continuation and regularity of the
activities (4.33). The trainees reported high satisfaction on the project
management at very high level (43.33%) while 40% reported high
level and 16.67% reported moderate level. Suggestions for the project
were on the additional number of the computer sets (37.78%)
followed by longer training period especially on computer skills
(43.48%).
Abstract: The objectives of this research were to study the management of local towns and to develop a better model of town management according to the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy. This study utilized qualitative research, field research, as well as documentary research at the same time. A total of 10 local towns or Tambons of Supanburi province, Thailand were selected for an in-depth interview. The findings revealed that the model of local town management according to Philosophy of Sufficient Economy was in a level of “good” and the model of management has the five basic guidelines: 1) ability to manage budget information and keep it up-to-date, 2) ability to decision making according to democracy rules, 3) ability to use check and balance system, 4) ability to control, follow, and evaluation, and 5) ability to allow the general public to participate. In addition, the findings also revealed that the human resource management according to Philosophy of Sufficient Economy includes obeying laws, using proper knowledge, and having integrity in five areas: plan, recruit, select, train, and maintain human resources.
Abstract: The two primary objectives of this research were (1)
to examine the current knowledge and actual circumstance of
agricultural workers about mangosteen product processing; and (2) to
analyze and evaluate ways to develop capacity of mangosteen
product processing. The population of this study was 15,125 people
who work in the agricultural sector, in this context, mangosteen
production, in the eastern part of Thailand that included Chantaburi
Province, Rayong Province, Trad Province and Pracheenburi
Province. The sample size based on Yamane’s calculation with 95%
reliability was therefore 392 samples. Mixed method was employed
included questionnaire and focus group discussion with
Connoisseurship Model used in order to collect quantitative and
qualitative data. Key informants were used in the focus group
including agricultural business owners, academic people in agro food
processing, local academics, local community development staff,
OTOP subcommittee, and representatives of agro processing
industry professional organizations. The study found that the
majority of the respondents agreed with a high level (in five- rating
scale) towards most of variables of knowledge management in agro
food processing. The result of the current knowledge and actual
circumstance of agricultural human resource in an arena of
mangosteen product processing revealed that mostly, the respondents
agreed at a high level to establish 7 variables. The guideline to
developing the body of knowledge in order to enhance the capacity
of the agricultural workers in mangosteen product processing was
delivered in the focus group discussion. The discussion finally
contributed to an idea to produce manuals for mangosteen product
processing methods, with 4 products chosen: (1) mangosteen soap;
(2) mangosteen juice; (3) mangosteen toffee; and (4) mangosteen
preserves or jam.
Abstract: Slab sliding system (SSS) with Coulomb friction
interface between slab and supporting frame is a passive structural
vibration control technology. The system can significantly reduce the
slab acceleration and accompanied lateral force of the frame. At the
same time it is expected to cause the slab displacement magnification
by sliding movement. To obtain the general comprehensive seismic
response of a single story structure, inelastic response spectra were
computed for a large ensemble of ground motions and a practical range
of structural periods and friction coefficient values. It was shown that
long period structures have no trade-off relation between force
reduction and displacement magnification with respect to elastic
response, unlike short period structures. For structures with the
majority of mass in the slab, the displacement magnification value can
be predicted according to simple inelastic displacement relation for
inelastically responding SDOF structures because the system behaves
elastically to a SDOF structure.
Abstract: This paper gave an attempt in prioritizing information
technologies that organizations should give concentration. The case
study was organizations in the automotive assembly industry in
Thailand. Data were first collected to gather all information
technologies known and used in the automotive assembly industry in
Thailand. Five experts from the industries were surveyed based on
the concept of fuzzy DEMATEL. The information technologies were
categorized into six groups, which were communication, transaction,
planning, organization management, warehouse management, and
transportation. The cause groups of information technologies for each
group were analyzed and presented. Moreover, the relationship
between the used and the significant information technologies was
given. Discussions based on the used information technologies and
the research results are given.
Abstract: The pipe taper thread measurement and uncertainty
normally used the four-wire probe according to the JIS B 0262.
Besides, according to the EA-10/10 standard, the pipe thread could be
measured using the three-wire probe. This research proposed to use
the three-wire probe measuring the pitch diameter of the pipe taper
thread. The measuring accessory component was designed and made,
then, assembled to one side of the ULM 828 CiM machine.
Therefore, this machine could be used to measure and calibrate both
the pipe thread and the pipe taper thread. The equations and the
expanded uncertainty for pitch diameter measurement were
formulated. After the experiment, the results showed that the pipe
taper thread had the pitch diameter equal to 19.165mm and the
expanded uncertainty equal to 1.88µm. Then, the experiment results
were compared to the results from the National Institute of Metrology
Thailand. The equivalence ratio from the comparison showed that
both results were related. Thus, the proposed method of using the
three-wire probe measured the pitch diameter of the pipe taper thread
was acceptable.
Abstract: Urban road dust comprises of a range of potentially
toxic metal elements and plays a critical role in degrading urban
receiving water quality. Hence, assessing the metal composition and
concentration in urban road dust is a high priority. This study
investigated the variability of metal composition and concentrations
in road dust in 4 different urban land uses in Gold Coast, Australia.
Samples from 16 road sites were collected and tested for selected 12
metal species. The data set was analyzed using both univariate and
multivariate techniques. Outcomes of the data analysis revealed that
the metal concentrations inroad dust differs considerably within and
between different land uses. Iron, aluminum, magnesium and zinc are
the most abundant in urban land uses. It was also noted that metal
species such as titanium, nickel, copper and zinc have the highest
concentrations in industrial land use. The study outcomes revealed
that soil and traffic related sources as key sources of metals deposited
on road surfaces.
Abstract: Climate considerations are essential dimensions in the assessment of thermal comfort and indoor environments inside Egyptian housing. The primary aim of this paper is to analyze the indoor environment of new housing in the new city of Assiut in the Southern Upper Egypt zone, in order to evaluate its thermal environment and determine the acceptable indoor operative temperatures. The psychrometric charts for ASHRAE Standard 55 and ACS used in this study would facilitate an overall representation of the climate in one of the hottest months in the summer season. This study helps to understand and deal with this problem and work on a passive cooling ventilation strategy in these contexts in future studies. The results that demonstrated the indoor temperature is too high, ranges between 31°C to 40°C in different natural ventilation strategies. This causes the indoor environment to be far from the optimum comfort operative temperature of ACS except when using air conditioners. Finally, this study is considered a base for developing a new system using natural ventilation with passive cooling strategies.
Abstract: The application of data mining to environmental monitoring has become crucial for a number of tasks related to emergency management. Over recent years, many tools have been developed for decision support system (DSS) for emergency management. In this article a graphical user interface (GUI) for environmental monitoring system is presented. This interface allows accomplishing (i) data collection and observation and (ii) extraction for data mining. This tool may be the basis for future development along the line of the open source software paradigm.
Abstract: Fluoroquinolones are a group of antibiotics widely used because of their broad spectrum activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin were administered to rats at therapeutic doses to evaluate their effects on plasma arylesterase activity, as well as, on hepatic advanced oxidized protein products (AOPPs) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, as measures of oxidative stress. Ciprofloxacin (80 mg/kg body weight) and levofloxacin (40 mg/kg body weight) were administered to male albino rats for 7 and 14 days. The data obtained demonstrated that plasma arylesterase activity was significantly decreased by both drugs with ciprofloxacin administration inhibiting the activity by 29% and 30% while Levofloxacin treatment resulted in 35% and 30% inhibition, after 7 and 14 days treatment respectively. Hepatic AOPP and MDA levels were both elevated by these antibiotics. This study supplies further evidence that fluoroquinolones at therapeutic doses promote oxidative stress.