Abstract: It is the worldwide problem that the recycled PVB is
not recycled and it is wildly stored in landfills. However, PVB has
similar chemical properties such as PVC. Moreover, both of these
polymers are plasticized. Therefore, the study of thermal properties
of plasticized PVC and the recycled PVB obtained by recycling of
windshields is carried out. This work has done in order to find nondegradable
processing conditions applicable for both polymers.
Tested PVC contained 38% of plasticizer diisononyl phthalate
(DINP) and PVB was plasticized with 28% of triethylene glycol,
bis(2-ethylhexanoate) (3GO). The thermal and thermo-oxidative
decomposition of both vinyl polymers are compared by calorimetric
analysis and by tensile strength analysis.
Abstract: The present study was aimed to examine the structure
of children’s adaptation during school transition and to identify a
commonality and dissimilarity at the elementary and junior high
school. 1,983 students in the 6th grade and 2,051 students in the 7th
grade were extracted by stratified two-stage random sampling and
completed the ASSESS that evaluated the school adaptation from the
view point of ‘general satisfaction’, ‘teachers’ support’, ‘friends’
support’, ‘anti-bullying relationship’, ‘prosocial skills’, and ‘academic
adaptation’. The 7th graders tend to be worse adaptation than the 6th
graders. A structural equation modeling showed the goodness of fit for
each grades. Both models were very similar but the 7th graders’ model
showed a lower coefficient at the pass from ‘teachers’ support’ to
‘friends’ support’. The role of ‘teachers’ support’ was decreased to
keep a good relation in junior high school. We also discussed how we
provide a continuous assistance for prevention of the 7th graders’ gap.
Abstract: This study examines the feasibility of indirect solar
desalination in oil producing countries in the Middle East and North
Africa (MENA) region. It relies on value engineering (VE) and costbenefit
with sensitivity analyses to identify optimal coupling
configurations of desalination and solar energy technologies. A
comparative return on investment was assessed as a function of water
costs for varied plant capacities (25,000 to 75,000 m3/day), project
lifetimes (15 to 25 years), and discount rates (5 to 15%) taking into
consideration water and energy subsidies, land cost as well as
environmental externalities in the form of carbon credit related to
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction. The results showed
reverse osmosis (RO) coupled with photovoltaic technologies (PVs)
as the most promising configuration, robust across different prices for
Brent oil, discount rates, as well as different project lifetimes.
Environmental externalities and subsidies analysis revealed that a
16% reduction in existing subsidy on water tariffs would ensure
economic viability. Additionally, while land costs affect investment
attractiveness, the viability of RO coupled with PV remains possible
for a land purchase cost
Abstract: This study is aiming at establishing the relationship
between the optical signal of flame and an equivalent ratio of flame. In
this experiment, flame optical signal in a furnace is measured using
photodiode. The combustion system is composed of metal fiber burner
and vertical furnace, and flame chemiluminescence is measured at
various experimental conditions. In this study, the flame
chemiluminescence of laminar premixed flame is measured using
commercially available photodiode. It is experimentally investigated
the relationship between equivalent ratio and photodiode signal. In
addition, the strategy of combustion control method is proposed using
the optical signal and fuel pressure.
The results showed that certain relationship between optical data of
photodiode and equivalence ratio exists, and this leads to the
successful application of this system for instantaneous measurement of
equivalence ration of the combustion system.
Abstract: The novel 3D SnO cabbages self-assembled by
nanosheets were successfully synthesized via template-free
hydrothermal growth method under facile conditions. The XRD
results manifest that the as-prepared SnO is tetragonal phase. The
TEM and HRTEM results show that the cabbage nanosheets are
polycrystalline structure consisted of considerable single-crystalline
nanoparticles. Two typical Raman modes A1g=210 and Eg=112 cm-1
of SnO are observed by Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, galvanostatic
cycling tests has been performed using the SnO cabbages as anode
material of lithium ion battery and the electrochemical results suggest
that the synthesized SnO cabbage structures are a promising anode
material for lithium ion batteries.
Abstract: Current research is targeting new molecular
mechanisms that underlie non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
and associated metabolic disorders like non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
(NASH). Forty New Zealand White rabbits have been used and fed a
high protein (HP) and energy diet based on grains and containing
11.76 MJ/kg. Boron added to 3 experimental groups’ drinking waters
(30 mg boron/L) as boron compounds. Biochemical analysis
including boron levels, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) based
metabolomics evaluation, and mRNA expression of peroxisome
proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) family was performed. LDLcholesterol
concentrations alone were decreased in all the
experimental groups. Boron levels in serum and feces were increased.
Content of acetate was in about 2x higher for anhydrous borax group,
at least 3x higher for boric acid group. PPARα mRNA expression
was significantly decreased in boric acid group. Anhydrous borax
attenuated mRNA levels of PPARγ, which was further suppressed by
boric acid. Boron supplementation decreased the degenerative
alterations in hepatocytes. Except borax group other boron groups did
not have a pronounced change in tubular epithels of kidney. In
conclusion, high protein and energy diet leads hepatocytes’
degenerative changes which can be prevented by boron
supplementation. Boric acid seems to be more effective in this
situation.
Abstract: Because blueberries are worldwide recognized as a
good source of beneficial components, their consumption has
increased in the past decades, and so have the scientific works about
their properties. Hence, this work was undertaken to evaluate the
effect of some production and conservation factors on the properties
of blueberries from cultivar Bluecrop. The physical and chemical
analyses were done according to established methodologies and then
all data was treated using software SPSS for assessment of the
possible differences among the factors investigated and/or the
correlations between the variables at study. The results showed that
location of production influenced some of the berries properties
(caliber, sugars, antioxidant activity, color and texture) and that the
age of the bushes was correlated with moisture, sugars and acidity, as
well as lightness. On the other hand, altitude of the farm only was
correlated to sugar content. With regards to conservation, it
influenced only anthocyanins content and DPPH antioxidant activity.
Finally, the type of extract and the order of extraction had a
pronounced influence on all the phenolic properties evaluated.
Abstract: Students' academic achievement, along with the
effects of different variables, has been a serious concern of educators
since long ago. This study was an attempt to investigate the interplay
of Locus of Control (LOC), academic achievement and biological
variables among Iranian online EFL Learners. The participants of the
study included 100 students of different age groups and genders
studying English online at Iran Language Institute (ILI), Isfahan,
Iran. The instrument used was Trice Academic LOC questionnaire
which identifies orientations of internality or externality. The
participants' Grade Point Averages (GPAs) were used as the measure
of their academic achievement. A series of independent samples ttests
were performed on the data. The results of the study showed that
(a) there were no significant differences between male and female
participants in LOC orientation, (b) there was no relationship
between LOC and academic achievement among internal males and
females, (c) external females were better achievers than external
males, (d) and the age had no significant relationship with LOC and
academic achievement. It can be concluded that the social, cultural
patterns of genders have changed. This study might help sociologists
and psychologists as well as applied linguists in that they reflect the
recent social changes and their effects on the LOC and their
consequent implications in teaching languages.
Abstract: Optimal feeding, including optimal micronutrient
intake, becomes one of the ways to overcome the long-term
consequences of undernutrition. Macronutrient and micronutrient
intake were important to a rapid growth and development of young
children. The study objective was to assess macro and micronutrient
intake and its adequacy in children aged 12-23 months. This survey
was a cross-sectional study, involving 83 caregivers with children
aged 12-23 months old in Senen Sub-district, Central Jakarta selected
through simple random sampling. Data on nutrient intake was
obtained through interview using single 24-hour recall. Repeated 24-
hour recall to sub-sample was done to estimate the proportion of
nutrient inadequacy. The highest prevalence of nutrient inadequacy
was iron (52.4%), followed by vitamin C (30.9%) and zinc (28.8%).
Almost 12% children had inadequate energy intake. More than half
of children (62.6%) were anemic (25.3% were severely anemic).
Micronutrient inadequacy, especially iron, was more problematic
than macronutrient inadequacy in the study area.
Abstract: In the present research work we present the optical
emission studies of the Indium (In) – Tin (Sn) plasma produced by
the first (1064 nm) harmonic of an Nd: YAG nanosecond pulsed
laser. The experimentally observed line profiles of neutral Indium (In
I) and Tin (SnI) are used to extract the electron temperature (Te)
using the Boltzmann plot method. Whereas, the electron number
density (Ne) has been determined from the Stark broadening line
profile method. The Te is calculated by varying the distance from the
target surface along the line of propagation of plasma plume and also
by varying the laser irradiance. Beside we have studied the variation
of Ne as a function of laser irradiance as well as its variation with
distance from the target surface.
Abstract: Atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions are considered
as the greatest environmental challenge the world is facing today.
The tasks to control the emissions include the recovery of CO2 from
flue gas. This concern has been improved due to recent advances in
materials process engineering resulting in the development of
inorganic gas separation membranes with excellent thermal and
mechanical stability required for most gas separations. This paper,
therefore, evaluates the performance of a highly selective inorganic
membrane for CO2 recovery applications. Analysis of results
obtained is in agreement with experimental literature data. Further
results show the prediction performance of the membranes for gas
separation and the future direction of research. The materials
selection and the membrane preparation techniques are discussed.
Method of improving the interface defects in the membrane and its
effect on the separation performance has also been reviewed and in
addition advances to totally exploit the potential usage of this
innovative membrane.
Abstract: The substantial development of the construction
industry has forced the cement industry, its major support, to focus
on achieving maximum productivity to meet the growing demand for
this material. This means that the reliability of a cement production
system needs to be at the highest level that can be achieved by good
maintenance. This paper studies the extent to which the
implementation of RCM is needed as a strategy for increasing the
reliability of the production systems component can be increased,
thus ensuring continuous productivity. In a case study of four Libyan
cement factories, 80 employees were surveyed and 12 top and middle
managers interviewed. It is evident that these factories usually
breakdown more often than once per month which has led to a
decline in productivity. In many times they cannot achieve the
minimum level of production amount. This has resulted from the
poor reliability of their production systems as a result of poor or
insufficient maintenance. It has been found that most of the factories’
employees misunderstand maintenance and its importance. The main
cause of this problem is the lack of qualified and trained staff, but in
addition it has been found that most employees are not found to be
motivated as a result of a lack of management support and interest. In
response to these findings, it has been suggested that the RCM
strategy should be implemented in the four factories. The results
show the importance of the development of maintenance strategies
through the implementation of RCM in these factories. The purpose
of it would be to overcome the problems that could secure the
reliability of the production systems. This study could be a useful
source of information for academic researchers and the industrial
organizations which are still experiencing problems in maintenance
practices.
Abstract: Computational fluid dynamics analysis of the burning
of syngas fuels derived from biomass and plastic solid waste mixture
through gasification process is presented in this paper. The syngas
fuel is burned in gas turbine can combustor. Gas turbine can
combustor with swirl is designed to burn the fuel efficiently and
reduce the emissions. The main objective is to test the impact of the
alternative syngas fuel compositions and lower heating value on the
combustion performance and emissions. The syngas fuel is produced
by blending palm kernel shell (PKS) with polyethylene (PE) waste
via catalytic steam gasification (fluidized bed reactor). High
hydrogen content syngas fuel was obtained by mixing 30% PE waste
with PKS. The syngas composition obtained through the gasification
process is 76.2% H2, 8.53% CO, 4.39% CO2 and 10.90% CH4. The
lower heating value of the syngas fuel is LHV = 15.98 MJ/m3. Three
fuels were tested in this study natural gas (100%CH4), syngas fuel
and pure hydrogen (100% H2). The power from the combustor was
kept constant for all the fuels tested in this study. The effect of syngas
fuel composition and lower heating value on the flame shape, gas
temperature, mass of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxides
(NOX) per unit of energy generation is presented in this paper. The
results show an increase of the peak flame temperature and NO mass
fractions for the syngas and hydrogen fuels compared to natural gas
fuel combustion. Lower average CO2 emissions at the exit of the
combustor are obtained for the syngas compared to the natural gas
fuel.
Abstract: This study focuses on a novel method for dispersion
and distribution of reinforcement under high intensive shear stress to
produce metal composites. The polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based short
carbon fiber (Csf) and Nextel 610 alumina fiber were dispersed under
high intensive shearing at mushy zone in semi-solid of A356 by a
novel method. The bundles and clusters were embedded by
infiltration of slurry into the clusters, thus leading to a uniform
microstructure. The fibers were embedded homogenously into the
aluminum around 576-580°C with around 46% of solid fraction.
Other experiments at 615°C and 568°C which are contained 0% and
90% solid respectively were not successful for dispersion and
infiltration of aluminum into bundles of Csf. The alumina fiber has
been cracked by high shearing load. The morphologies and
crystalline phase were evaluated by SEM and XRD. The adopted
thixo-process effectively improved the adherence and distribution of
Csf into Al that can be developed to produce various composites by
thixomixing.
Abstract: Microbes have been used to solve environmental
problems for many years. The role of microorganism to sequester,
precipitate or alter the oxidation state of various heavy metals has
been extensively studied. Treatment using microorganism interacts
with toxic metal are very diverse. The purpose of this research is to
remove the mercury using Pseudomonas putida (P. putida), pure
culture ATTC 49128 at optimum growth parameters such as
techniques of culture, acclimatization time and speed of incubator
shaker. Thus, in this study, the optimum growth parameters of P.
putida were obtained to achieve the maximum of mercury removal.
Based on the optimum parameters of P. putida for specific growth
rate, the removal of two different mercury concentration, 1 ppm and
4 ppm were studied. From mercury nitrate solution, a mercuryresistant
bacterial strain which is able to reduce from ionic mercury
to metallic mercury was used to reduce ionic mercury. The overall
levels of mercury removal in this study were between 80% and 89%.
The information obtained in this study is of fundamental for
understanding of the survival of P. putida ATTC 49128 in mercury
solution. Thus, microbial mercury removal is a potential
bioremediation for wastewater especially in petrochemical industries
in Malaysia.
Abstract: In contrast with literal meaning of nano, researchers
have been achieved mega adventures in this area and every day more
nanomaterials are being introduced to the market. After long time
application of fossil-based plastics, nowadays accumulation of their
waste seems to be a big problem to the environment. On the other
hand, mankind has more attention to safety and living environment.
Replacing common plastic packaging materials with degradable ones
that degrade faster and convert to non-dangerous components like
water and carbon dioxide have more attractions; these new materials
are based on renewable and inexpensive sources of starch and
cellulose. However, the functional properties of them do not suitable
for packaging. At this point, nanotechnology has an important role.
Utilizing of nanomaterials in polymer structure will improve
mechanical and physical properties of them; nanocrystalline cellulose
(NCC) has this ability. This work has employed a chemical method to
produce NCC and starch bio nanocomposite containing NCC. X-Ray
Diffraction technique has characterized the obtained materials.
Results showed that applied method is a suitable one as well as
applicable one to NCC production.
Abstract: Five palm oil ether monoesters utilized as novel
biodiesels were synthesized and structurally identified in the paper.
The investigation was made on the effect of ether species on
physicochemical properties of the palm oil ether monoesters. The
results showed that density, kinematic viscosity, smoke point, and
solidifying point increase linearly with their –CH2 group number in
certain relationships. Cetane number is enhanced whereas heat value
decreases linearly with –CH2 group number. In addition, the
influencing regularities of the volumetric content of the palm oil ether
monoesters on the fuel properties were also studied when the ether
monoesters are used as diesel fuel additives.
Abstract: This paper deals with the study of reflection and
transmission characteristics of acoustic waves at the interface of a
semiconductor half-space and elastic solid. The amplitude ratios
(reflection and transmission coefficients) of reflected and transmitted
waves to that of incident wave varying with the incident angles have
been examined for the case of quasi-longitudinal wave. The special
cases of normal and grazing incidence have also been derived with
the help of Gauss elimination method. The mathematical model
consisting of governing partial differential equations of motion and
charge carriers’ diffusion of n-type semiconductors and elastic solid
has been solved both analytically and numerically in the study. The
numerical computations of reflection and transmission coefficients
has been carried out by using MATLAB programming software for
silicon (Si) semiconductor and copper elastic solid. The computer
simulated results have been plotted graphically for Si
semiconductors. The study may be useful in semiconductors,
geology, and seismology in addition to surface acoustic wave (SAW)
devices.
Abstract: Pneumatic reactors have been widely employed in various sectors of the chemical industry, especially where are required high heat and mass transfer rates. This study aimed to obtain correlations that allow the prediction of gas hold-up (Ԑ) and volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient (kLa), and compare these values, for three models of pneumatic reactors on two scales utilizing Newtonian fluids. Values of kLa were obtained using the dynamic pressure-step method, while e was used for a new proposed measure. Comparing the three models of reactors studied, it was observed that the mass transfer was superior to draft-tube airlift, reaching e of 0.173 and kLa of 0.00904s-1. All correlations showed good fit to the experimental data (R2≥94%), and comparisons with correlations from the literature demonstrate the need for further similar studies due to shortage of data available, mainly for airlift reactors and high viscosity fluids.
Abstract: Some plants of genus Schinus have been used in the
folk medicine as topical antiseptic, digestive, purgative, diuretic,
analgesic or antidepressant, and also for respiratory and urinary
infections. Chemical composition of essential oils of S. molle and S.
terebinthifolius had been evaluated and presented high variability
according with the part of the plant studied and with the geographic
and climatic regions. The pharmacological properties, namely
antimicrobial, anti-tumoural and anti-inflammatory activities are
conditioned by chemical composition of essential oils. Taking into
account the difficulty to infer the pharmacological properties of
Schinus essential oils without hard experimental approach, this work
will focus on the development of a decision support system, in terms
of its knowledge representation and reasoning procedures, under a
formal framework based on Logic Programming, complemented with
an approach to computing centered on Artificial Neural Networks
and the respective Degree-of-Confidence that one has on such an
occurrence.