Abstract: This study presents an investigation of diesel vehicle particulate-phase emissions with neat ultralow sulphur diesel (B0, ULSD) and 5% waste cooking oil-based biodiesel blend (B5) in Hong Kong. A Euro VI light duty diesel vehicle was tested under transient (New European Driving Cycle (NEDC)), steady-state and idling on a chassis dynamometer. Chemical analyses including organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), as well as 30 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 10 oxygenated PAHs (oxy-PAHs) were conducted. The OC fuel-based emission factors (EFs) for B0 ranged from 2.86 ± 0.33 to 7.19 ± 1.51 mg/kg, and those for B5 ranged from 4.31 ± 0.64 to 15.36 ± 3.77 mg/kg, respectively. The EFs of EC were low for both fuel blends (0.25 mg/kg or below). With B5, the EFs of total PAHs were decreased as compared to B0. Specifically, B5 reduced total PAH emissions by 50.2%, 30.7%, and 15.2% over NEDC, steady-state and idling, respectively. It was found that when B5 was used, PAHs and oxy-PAHs with lower molecular weight (2 to 3 rings) were reduced whereas PAHs/oxy-PAHs with medium or high molecular weight (4 to 7 rings) were increased. Our study suggests the necessity of taking atmospheric and health factors into account for biodiesel application as an alternative motor fuel.
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted at Ido town in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo state, Nigeria to determine the effects of intercropping maize (Zea mays L.) with Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis L.) at different spacing and weeding regimes on crops productivity. The treatments were 2 x 2 x 3 factorial arrangement involving two spatial crop arrangements. Spacing of 75 cm x 50 cm and 90 cm x 42 cm (41.667 cm) with two plants per stand resulted in plant population of approximately 53,000 plants/hectare. Also, Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with two cropping patterns (sole and intercrop), three weeding regimes (weedy check, weeds once, and weed twice) with three replicates was used. Data were analyzed with SAS (Statistical Analysis System) and statistical means separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) (P ≤ 0.05). Intercropping and crop spacing did not have significant influence on the growth parameters and yield parameters. The maize grain yield of 1.11 t/ha obtained under sole maize was comparable to 1.05 t/ha from maize/jack beans. Weeding regime significantly influenced growth and yields of maize in intercropping with Jack beans. Weeding twice resulted in significantly higher growth than that of the other weeding regimes. Plant height at 6 Weeks After Sowing (WAS) under weeding twice regime (3 and 6 WAS) was 83.9 cm which was significantly different from 67.75 cm and 53.47 cm for weeding once (3 WAS) and no weeding regimes respectively. Moreover, maize grain yield of 1.3 t/ha obtained from plots weeded twice was comparable to that of 1.23 t/ha from single weeding and both were significantly higher than 0.71 t/ha maize grain yield obtained from the no weeding control. The dry matter production of Jack beans reduced at some growth stages due to intercropping of maize with Jack beans though with no significance effect on the other growth parameters of the crop. There was no effect on the growth parameters of Jack beans in maize/jack beans intercrop based on cropping spacing while comparable growth and dry matter production in Jack beans were produced in maize/Jack beans mixture with single weeding.
Abstract: Bullet penetration in steel plate is investigated with
the help of three-dimensional, non-linear, transient, dynamic, finite
elements analysis using explicit time integration code LSDYNA. The
effect of large strain, strain-rate and temperature at very high velocity
regime was studied from number of simulations of semi-spherical
nose shape bullet penetration through single layered circular plate
with 2 mm thickness at impact velocities of 500, 1000, and 1500 m/s
with the help of Johnson Cook material model. Mie-Gruneisen
equation of state is used in conjunction with Johnson Cook material
model to determine pressure-volume relationship at various points of
interests. Two material models viz. Plastic-Kinematic and Johnson-
Cook resulted in different deformation patterns in steel plate. It is
observed from the simulation results that the velocity drop and loss of
kinetic energy occurred very quickly up to perforation of plate, after
that the change in velocity and changes in kinetic energy are
negligibly small. The physics behind this kind of behaviour is
presented in the paper.
Abstract: We report the enhancement of Raman scattering
signal by one order of magnitude using photonic nanojet (PNJ) of a
lollipop shaped dielectric microstructure (LSDM) fabricated by a
pulsed CO₂ laser. Here, the PNJ is generated by illuminating sphere
portion of the LSDM with non-resonant laser. Unlike the surface
enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technique, this technique is
simple, and the obtained results are highly reproducible. In addition,
an efficient technique is proposed to enhance the SERS signal with
the help of high quality factor optical resonance (whispering gallery
mode) of a LSDM. From the theoretical simulations, it has been
found that at least an order of magnitude enhancement in the SERS
signal could be achieved easily using the proposed technique. We
strongly believe that this report will enable the research community
for improving the Raman scattering signals.
Abstract: This paper aimed to establish econometrical equation models for the Nile delta region in Egypt, which will represent a basement for future predictions of Lumpy skin disease outbreaks and its pathway in relation to climate change. Data of lumpy skin disease (LSD) outbreaks were collected from the cattle farms located in the provinces representing the Nile delta region during 1 January, 2015 to December, 2015. The obtained results indicated that there was a significant association between the degree of the LSD outbreaks and the investigated climate factors (temperature, wind speed, and humidity) and the outbreaks peaked during the months of June, July, and August and gradually decreased to the lowest rate in January, February, and December. The model obtained depicted that the increment of these climate factors were associated with evidently increment on LSD outbreaks on the Nile Delta of Egypt. The model validation process was done by the root mean square error (RMSE) and means bias (MB) which compared the number of LSD outbreaks expected with the number of observed outbreaks and estimated the confidence level of the model. The value of RMSE was 1.38% and MB was 99.50% confirming that this established model described the current association between the LSD outbreaks and the change on climate factors and also can be used as a base for predicting the of LSD outbreaks depending on the climatic change on the future.
Abstract: Background: The change in foot posture can possibly
generate changes in the pelvic alignment. There is still a lack of
evidence about the effects of bilateral and unilateral flatfoot on
possible changes in pelvic alignment. The purpose of this study was
to investigate the effect of flatfoot on the sagittal and frontal planes of
pelvic postures. Materials and Methods: 56 subjects, aged 18–40
years, were assigned into three groups: 20 healthy subjects, 19
subjects with bilateral flexible second-degree flat foot, and 17
subjects with unilateral flexible second-degree flat foot. 3D
assessment of the pelvis using the formetric-II device was used to
evaluate pelvic alignment in the frontal and sagittal planes by
measuring pelvic inclination and pelvic tilt angles. Results: ANOVA
test with LSD test were used for statistical analysis. Both Unilateral
and bilateral second degree flatfoot produced significant (P
Abstract: SARA is a common and serious metabolic disorder in
early lactation in dairy cattle and in finishing beef cattle, caused by
diets with high inclusion of cereal grain. This experiment was
performed to determine the efficacy of Megasphaera elsdenii, a
major lactate-utilizing bacterium in prevention/treatment of SARA in
vivo. In vivo experimentation, it was used eight ruminally cannulated
rams and it was applied the rapid adaptation with the mixture of grain
based on wheat (80% wheat, 20% barley) and barley (80% barley,
20% wheat). During the systematic adaptation, it was followed the
probability of SARA formation by being measured the rumen pH
with two hours intervals after and before feeding. After being
evaluated the data, it was determined the ruminal pH ranged from
5.2-5.6 on the condition of feeding with 60 percentage of grain
mixture based on barley and wheat, that assured the definite form of
subacute acidosis. In four days SARA period, M. elsdenii (1010 cfu
ml-1) was inoculated during the first two days. During the SARA
period, it was observed the decrease of feed intake with M. elsdenii
inoculation. Inoculation of M. elsdenii was caused to differentiation
of rumen pH (P
Abstract: This paper attempts to define the validity domain of
LSDP (Loop Shaping Design Procedure) controller system, by
determining the suitable uncertainty region, so that linear system be
stable. Indeed the LSDP controller cannot provide stability for any
perturbed system. For this, we will use the gap metric tool that is
introduced into the control literature for studying robustness
properties of feedback systems with uncertainty. A 2nd order electric
linear system example is given to define the validity domain of LSDP
controller and effectiveness gap metric.
Abstract: In this paper, Least Mean Square (LMS) adaptive
noise reduction algorithm is proposed to enhance the speech signal
from the noisy speech. In this, the speech signal is enhanced by
varying the step size as the function of the input signal. Objective and
subjective measures are made under various noises for the proposed
and existing algorithms. From the experimental results, it is seen that
the proposed LMS adaptive noise reduction algorithm reduces Mean
square Error (MSE) and Log Spectral Distance (LSD) as compared to
that of the earlier methods under various noise conditions with
different input SNR levels. In addition, the proposed algorithm
increases the Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) and Segmental SNR
improvement (ΔSNRseg) values; improves the Mean Opinion Score
(MOS) as compared to that of the various existing LMS adaptive
noise reduction algorithms. From these experimental results, it is
observed that the proposed LMS adaptive noise reduction algorithm
reduces the speech distortion and residual noise as compared to that
of the existing methods.
Abstract: This paper presents the voltage problem location
classification using performance of Least Squares Support Vector
Machine (LS-SVM) and Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ) in
electrical power system for proper voltage problem location
implemented by IEEE 39 bus New- England. The data was collected
from the time domain simulation by using Power System Analysis
Toolbox (PSAT). Outputs from simulation data such as voltage, phase
angle, real power and reactive power were taken as input to estimate
voltage stability at particular buses based on Power Transfer Stability
Index (PTSI).The simulation data was carried out on the IEEE 39 bus
test system by considering load bus increased on the system. To verify
of the proposed LS-SVM its performance was compared to Learning
Vector Quantization (LVQ). The results showed that LS-SVM is faster
and better as compared to LVQ. The results also demonstrated that the
LS-SVM was estimated by 0% misclassification whereas LVQ had
7.69% misclassification.
Abstract: A numerical analysis of a reinforced concrete (RC) wall under missile impact loading is presented in this study. The model created by Technical Research Center of Finland was used. The commercial finite element code, LS-DYNA was used to analyze. The structural components of the reinforced concrete wall, missile and their contacts are fully modeled. The material nonlinearity with strain rate effects considering damage and failure is included in the analysis. The results of analysis were verified with other research results. The case-studies with different reinforcement ratios were conducted to investigate the influence of reinforcement on the punching behavior of walls under missile impact.
Abstract: In order to meet environmental norms, Indian fuel
policy aims at producing ultra low sulphur diesel (ULSD) in near
future. A catalyst for meeting such requirements has been developed
and kinetics of this catalytic process is being looked into. In the
present investigations, effect of mass transfer on kinetics of ultra deep
hydrodesulphurization (UDHDS) to produce ULSD has been studied
to determine intrinsic kinetics over a pre-sulphided catalyst.
Experiments have been carried out in a continuous flow micro reactor
operated in the temperature range of 330 to 3600C, whsv of 1 hr-1 at a
pressure of 35 bar, and its parameters estimated. Based on the derived
rate expression and estimated parameters optimum operation range
has been determined for this UDHDS catalyst to obtain ULSD
product.
Abstract: This paper describes an expanded system for a servo
system design by using the Loop Shaping Design Procedure (LSDP).
LSDP is one of the H∞ design procedure. By conducting Loop
Shaping with a compensator and robust stabilization to satisfy the
index function, we get the feedback controller that makes the control
system stable. In this paper, we propose an expanded system for a
servo system design and apply to the DC motor. The proposed method
performs well in the DC motor positioning control. It has no
steady-state error in the disturbance response and it has robust
stability.
Abstract: The effects of seawater and slurry ice bleeding methods on the sensory, microbiological and chemical quality changes of cod fillets during chilled storage were examined in this study. The results from sensory evaluation showed that slurry ice bleeding method prolonged the shelf life of cod fillets up to 13-14 days compared to 10-11 days for fish bled in seawater. Slurry ice bleeding method also led to a slower microbial growth and biochemical developments, resulting lower total plate count (TPC), H2S-producing bacteria count, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), trimethylamine (TMA), free fatty acid (FFA) content and higher phospholipid content (PL) compared to those of samples bled in seawater. The results of principle component analysis revealed that TPC, H2S-producing bacteria, TVB-N, TMA and FFA were in significant correlation. They were also in negative correlation with sensory evaluation (Torry score), PL and water holding capacity (WHC).
Abstract: The aim of this study is to discuss the relationship between tourist awareness of environmental issues and their own recreational behaviors in the Taipei Guandu Wetland. A total of 392 questionnaires were gathered for data analysis using descriptive statistics, t-testing, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and least significant difference (LSD) post hoc comparisons. The results showed that most of the visitors there enjoying the beautiful scenery are 21 to 30 years old with a college education. The means and standard deviations indicate that tourists express a positive degree of cognition of environmental issues and recreational behaviors. They suggest that polluting the environment is harmful to the natural ecosystem and that the natural resources of ecotourism are fragile, as well as expressing a high degree of recognition of the need to protect wetlands. Most of respondents are cognizant of the regulations proposed by the Guandu Wetland administration which asks that users exercise self-control and follow recommended guidelines when traveling the wetland. There were significant differences in the degree of cognition related to the variables of age, number of visits and reasons for visiting. We found that most respondents with relatively high levels of education would like to learn more about the wetland and are supportive of its conservation.
Abstract: We report the electronic structure and optical
properties of NdF3 compound. Our calculations are based on density
functional theory (DFT) using the full potential linearized augmented
plane wave (FPLAPW) method with the inclusion of spin orbit
coupling. We employed the local spin density approximation (LSDA)
and Coulomb-corrected local spin density approximation, known for
treating the highly correlated 4f electrons properly, is able to
reproduce the correct insulating ground state. We find that the
standard LSDA approach is incapable of correctly describing the
electronic properties of such materials since it positions the f-bands
incorrectly resulting in an incorrect metallic ground state. On the
other hand, LSDA + U approximation, known for treating the highly
correlated 4f electrons properly, is able to reproduce the correct
insulating ground state. Interestingly, however, we do not find any
significant differences in the optical properties calculated using
LSDA, and LSDA + U suggesting that the 4f electrons do not play a
decisive role in the optical properties of these compounds. The
reflectivity for NdF3 compound stays low till 7 eV which is
consistent with their large energy gaps. The calculated energy gaps
are in good agreement with experiments. Our calculated reflectivity
compares well with the experimental data and the results are analyzed
in the light of band to band transitions.
Abstract: Sensitive and predictive DILI (Drug Induced Liver
Injury) biomarkers are needed in drug R&D to improve early
detection of hepatotoxicity. The discovery of DILI biomarkers that
demonstrate the predictive power to identify individuals at risk to
DILI would represent a major advance in the development of
personalized healthcare approaches. In this healthy volunteer
acetaminophen study (4g/day for 7 days, with 3 monitored nontreatment
days before and 4 after), 450 serum samples from 32
subjects were analyzed using protein profiling by antibody
suspension bead arrays. Multiparallel protein profiles were generated
using a DILI target protein array with 300 antibodies, where the
antibodies were selected based on previous literature findings of
putative DILI biomarkers and a screening process using pre dose
samples from the same cohort. Of the 32 subjects, 16 were found to
develop an elevated ALT value (2Xbaseline, responders). Using the
plasma profiling approach together with multivariate statistical
analysis some novel findings linked to lipid metabolism were found
and more important, endogenous protein profiles in baseline samples
(prior to treatment) with predictive power for ALT elevations were
identified.
Abstract: This calculation focus on the effect of exchange
interaction J and Coulomb interaction U on spin magnetic moments
(ms) of MnO by using the local spin density approximation plus the
Coulomb interaction (LSDA+U) method within full potential linear
muffin-tin orbital (FP-LMTO). Our calculated results indicated that
the spin magnetic moments correlated to J and U. The relevant
results exhibited the increasing spin magnetic moments with
increasing exchange interaction and Coulomb interaction.
Furthermore, equations of spin magnetic moment, which h good
correspondence to the experimental data 4.58μB, are defined ms =
0.11J +4.52μB and ms = 0.03U+4.52μB. So, the relation of J and U
parameter is obtained, it is obviously, J = -0.249U+1.346 eV.
Abstract: Food safety is an important concern for holiday
makers in foreign and unfamiliar tourist destinations. In fact, risk
from food in these tourist destinations has an influence on tourist
perception. This risk can potentially affect physical health and lead to
an inability to pursue planned activities. The objective of this paper
was to compare foreign tourists- demographics including gender, age
and education level, with the level of perceived risk towards food
safety. A total of 222 foreign tourists during their stay at Khao San
Road in Bangkok were used as the sample. Independent- samples ttest,
analysis of variance, and Least Significant Difference or LSD
post hoc test were utilized. The findings revealed that there were few
demographic differences in level of perceived risk among the foreign
tourists. The post hoc test indicated a significant difference among
the old and the young tourists, and between the higher and lower
level of education. Ranks of tourists- perceived risk towards food
safety unveiled some interesting results. Tourists- perceived risk of
food safety in established restaurants can be ranked as i) cleanliness
of dining utensils, ii) sanitation of food preparation area, and iii)
cleanliness of food seasoning and ingredients. Whereas, the tourists-
perceived risk of food safety in street food and drink can be ranked
as i) cleanliness of stalls and pushcarts, ii) cleanliness of food sold,
and iii) personal hygiene of street food hawkers or vendors.
Abstract: The spin (ms) and orbital (mo) magnetic moment of
the antiferromagnetic NiO and MnO have been studied in the local
spin density approximation (LSDA+U) within full potential linear
muffin-tin orbital (FP-LMTO method with in the coulomb interaction
U varying from 0 to 10eV, exchange interaction J, from 0 to 1.0eV,
and volume compression VC in range of 0 to 80%. Our calculated
results shown that the spin magnetic moments and the orbital
magnetic moments increase linearly with increasing U and J. While
the interesting behaviour appears when volume compression is
greater than 70% for NiO and 50% for MnO at which ms collapses.
Further increase of volume compression to be at 80% leads to the
disappearance of both magnetic moments.