Abstract: Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) is an important
commercial fish and shows to be more and more demanded for
human consumption. Therefore, it is very important to find good
methods for monitoring the freshness of the fish in order to keep it in
the best quality for human consumption. In this study, the fish was
stored in ice up to 2 weeks. Quality changes during storage were
assessed by the Quality Index Method (QIM), quantitative
descriptive analysis (QDA) and Torry scheme, by texture
measurements: puncture tests and Texture Profile Analysis (TPA)
tests on texture analyzer TA.XT2i, and by electronic nose (e-nose)
measurements using FreshSense instrument. Storage time of herring
in ice could be estimated by QIM with ± 2 days using 5 herring per
lot. No correlation between instrumental texture parameters and
storage time or between sensory and instrumental texture variables
was found. E-nose measurements could be use to detect the onset of
spoilage.
Abstract: The greenhouse effect and limitations on carbon
dioxide emissions concern engine maker and the future of the
internal combustion engines should go toward substantially and
improved thermal efficiency engine. Homogeneous charge
compression ignition (HCCI) is an alternative high-efficiency
technology for combustion engines to reduce exhaust emissions and
fuel consumption. However, there are still tough challenges in the
successful operation of HCCI engines, such as controlling the
combustion phasing, extending the operating range, and high
unburned hydrocarbon and CO emissions. HCCI and the exploitation
of ethanol as an alternative fuel is one way to explore new frontiers
of internal combustion engines with an eye towards maintaining its
sustainability. This study was done to extend database knowledge
about HCCI with ethanol a fuel.
Abstract: Demand of energy is increasing faster than the
generation. It leads shortage of power in all sectors of society. At
peak hours this shortage is higher. Unless we utilize energy efficient
technology, it is very difficult to minimize the shortage of energy. So
energy efficiency program and energy conservation has an important
role. Energy efficient technologies are cost intensive hence it is
always not possible to implement in country like India. In the recent
study, an educational building with operating hours from 10:00 a.m.
to 05:00 p.m. has been selected to quantify the possibility of lighting
energy conservation. As the operating hour is in daytime, integration
of daylight with artificial lighting system will definitely reduce the
lighting energy consumption. Moreover the initial investment has
been given priority and hence the existing lighting installation was
unaltered. An automatic controller has been designed which will be
operated as a function of daylight through windows and the lighting
system of the room will function accordingly. The result of the study
of integrating daylight gave quite satisfactory for visual comfort as
well as energy conservation.
Abstract: The principle concern of this paper is to determine the
impact of solar absorption coefficient of external wall on building
energy consumption. Simulations were carried out on a typical
residential building by using the simulation Toolkit DeST-h. Results
show that reducing solar absorption coefficient leads to a great
reduction in building energy consumption and thus light-colored
materials are suitable.
Abstract: PCCI engines can reduce NOx and PM emissions
simultaneously without sacrificing thermal efficiency, but a low
combustion temperature resulting from early fuel injection, and
ignition occurring prior to TDC, can cause higher THC and CO
emissions and fuel consumption. In conclusion, it was found that the
PCCI combustion achieved by the 2-stage injection strategy with
optimized calibration factors (e.g. EGR rate, injection pressure, swirl
ratio, intake pressure, injection timing) can reduce NOx and PM
emissions simultaneously. This research works are expected to
provide valuable information conducive to a development of an
innovative combustion engine that can fulfill upcoming stringent
emission standards.
Abstract: with increasing circuits- complexity and demand to
use portable devices, power consumption is one of the most
important parameters these days. Full adders are the basic block of
many circuits. Therefore reducing power consumption in full adders
is very important in low power circuits. One of the most powerconsuming
modules in full adders is XOR/XNOR circuit. This paper
presents two new full adders based on two new logic approaches. The
proposed logic approaches use one XOR or XNOR gate to implement
a full adder cell. Therefore, delay and power will be decreased. Using
two new approaches and two XOR and XNOR gates, two new full
adders have been implemented in this paper. Simulations are carried
out by HSPICE in 0.18μm bulk technology with 1.8V supply voltage.
The results show that the ten-transistors proposed full adder has 12%
less power consumption and is 5% faster in comparison to MB12T
full adder. 9T is more efficient in area and is 24% better than similar
10T full adder in term of power consumption. The main drawback of
the proposed circuits is output threshold loss problem.
Abstract: The fuel cost of the motor vehicle operating on its
common route is an important part of the operating cost. Therefore,
the importance of the fuel saving is increasing day by day. One of the
parameters which improve fuel saving is the regulation of driving
characteristics. The number and duration of stop is increased by the
heavy traffic load. It is possible to improve the fuel saving with
regulation of traffic flow and driving characteristics. The researches
show that the regulation of the traffic flow decreases fuel
consumption, but it is not enough to improve fuel saving without the
regulation of driving characteristics. This study analyses the fuel
consumption of two trips of city bus operating on its common route
and determines the effect of traffic density and driving characteristics
on fuel consumption. Finally it offers some suggestions about
regulation of driving characteristics to improve the fuel saving. Fuel
saving is determined according to the results obtained from
simulation program. When experimental and simulation results are
compared, it has been found that the fuel saving was reached up the
to 40 percent ratios.
Abstract: The wireless sensor networks have been extensively
deployed and researched. One of the major issues in wireless sensor
networks is a developing energy-efficient clustering protocol.
Clustering algorithm provides an effective way to prolong the lifetime
of a wireless sensor networks. In the paper, we compare several
clustering protocols which significantly affect a balancing of energy
consumption. And we propose an Energy-Efficient Distributed
Unequal Clustering (EEDUC) algorithm which provides a new way of
creating distributed clusters. In EEDUC, each sensor node sets the
waiting time. This waiting time is considered as a function of residual
energy, number of neighborhood nodes. EEDUC uses waiting time to
distribute cluster heads. We also propose an unequal clustering
mechanism to solve the hot-spot problem. Simulation results show that
EEDUC distributes the cluster heads, balances the energy
consumption well among the cluster heads and increases the network
lifetime.
Abstract: In Image processing the Image compression can improve
the performance of the digital systems by reducing the cost and
time in image storage and transmission without significant reduction
of the Image quality. This paper describes hardware architecture of
low complexity Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) architecture for
image compression[6]. In this DCT architecture, common computations
are identified and shared to remove redundant computations
in DCT matrix operation. Vector processing is a method used for
implementation of DCT. This reduction in computational complexity
of 2D DCT reduces power consumption. The 2D DCT is performed
on 8x8 matrix using two 1-Dimensional Discrete cosine transform
blocks and a transposition memory [7]. Inverse discrete cosine
transform (IDCT) is performed to obtain the image matrix and
reconstruct the original image. The proposed image compression
algorithm is comprehended using MATLAB code. The VLSI design
of the architecture is implemented Using Verilog HDL. The proposed
hardware architecture for image compression employing DCT was
synthesized using RTL complier and it was mapped using 180nm
standard cells. . The Simulation is done using Modelsim. The
simulation results from MATLAB and Verilog HDL are compared.
Detailed analysis for power and area was done using RTL compiler
from CADENCE. Power consumption of DCT core is reduced to
1.027mW with minimum area[1].
Abstract: Natural ventilation is an important means to improve indoor thermal comfort and reduce the energy consumption. A solar chimney system is an enhancing natural draft device, which uses solar radiation to heat the air inside the chimney, thereby converting the thermal energy into kinetic energy. The present study considered some parameters such as chimney width and solar intensity, which were believed to have a significant effect on space ventilation. Fluent CFD software was used to predict buoyant air flow and flow rates in the cavities. The results were compared with available published experimental and theoretical data from the literature. There was an acceptable trend match between the present results and the published data for the room air change per hour, ACH. Further, it was noticed that the solar intensity has a more significant effect on ACH.
Abstract: Subdivision surfaces were applied to the entire
meshes in order to produce smooth surfaces refinement from coarse
mesh. Several schemes had been introduced in this area to provide a
set of rules to converge smooth surfaces. However, to compute and
render all the vertices are really inconvenient in terms of memory
consumption and runtime during the subdivision process. It will lead
to a heavy computational load especially at a higher level of
subdivision. Adaptive subdivision is a method that subdivides only at
certain areas of the meshes while the rest were maintained less
polygons. Although adaptive subdivision occurs at the selected areas,
the quality of produced surfaces which is their smoothness can be
preserved similar as well as regular subdivision. Nevertheless,
adaptive subdivision process burdened from two causes; calculations
need to be done to define areas that are required to be subdivided and
to remove cracks created from the subdivision depth difference
between the selected and unselected areas. Unfortunately, the result
of adaptive subdivision when it reaches to the higher level of
subdivision, it still brings the problem with memory consumption.
This research brings to iterative process of adaptive subdivision to
improve the previous adaptive method that will reduce memory
consumption applied on triangular mesh. The result of this iterative
process was acceptable better in memory and appearance in order to
produce fewer polygons while it preserves smooth surfaces.
Abstract: Wireless sensor networks include small nodes which
have sensing ability; calculation and connection extend themselves
everywhere soon. Such networks have source limitation on
connection, calculation and energy consumption. So, since the nodes
have limited energy in sensor networks, the optimized energy
consumption in these networks is of more importance and has created
many challenges. The previous works have shown that by organizing
the network nodes in a number of clusters, the energy consumption
could be reduced considerably. So the lifetime of the network would
be increased. In this paper, we used the Queen-bee algorithm to
create energy efficient clusters in wireless sensor networks. The
Queen-bee (QB) is similar to nature in that the queen-bee plays a
major role in reproduction process. The QB is simulated with J-sim
simulator. The results of the simulation showed that the clustering by
the QB algorithm decreases the energy consumption with regard to
the other existing algorithms and increases the lifetime of the
network.
Abstract: The UK Government has emphasized the role of Local Authorities as a key player in its flagship residential energy efficiency strategies, by identifying and targeting areas for energy efficiency improvements. Residential energy consumption in England is characterized by significant geographical variation in energy demand, which makes centralized targeting of areas for energy efficiency intervention difficult. This paper draws on research which aims to understand how demographic, social, economic, urban form and climatic factors influence the geographical variations in English residential gas consumption. The paper reports the findings of a multiple regression model that shows how 64% of the geographical variation in residential gas consumption is accounted for by variations in these factors. Results from this study, after further refinement and validation, can be used by Local Authorities to identify areas within their boundaries that have higher than expected gas consumption, these may be prime targets for energy efficiency initiatives.
Abstract: Groundwater resources in Arsanjan plain provide
water for agriculture, industry, and human consumption. Continued
agricultural development in this area needs to additional groundwater
resources for, particularly during of drought periods, and effects on
the quantity and quality of ground water available. The purpose of
this study is to evaluate water level changes in the aquifer of
Arsanjan plain in the Fars province in order to determine the areas of
greatest depletion and the causes of depletion. In this plain, farmers
and other users are pumping groundwater faster than its natural
replenishment rate, causing a continuous drop in groundwater tables
and depletion of this resource. In this research variation of
groundwater level, their effects and ways to help control groundwater
levels in aquifer of the Arsanjan plains were evaluated .Excessive
exploitation of groundwater in this aquifer caused the groundwater
levels fall too fast or to unacceptable levels. The average drawdown
of the groundwater level in this plain were 19.66 meters during
1996 to 2003.
Abstract: Fully customized hardware based technology provides high performance and low power consumption by specializing the tasks in hardware but lacks design flexibility since any kind of changes require re-design and re-fabrication. Software based solutions operate with software instructions due to which a great flexibility is achieved from the easy development and maintenance of the software code. But this execution of instructions introduces a high overhead in performance and area consumption. In past few decades the reconfigurable computing domain has been introduced which overcomes the traditional trades-off between flexibility and performance and is able to achieve high performance while maintaining a good flexibility. The dramatic gains in terms of chip performance and design flexibility achieved through the reconfigurable computing systems are greatly dependent on the design of their computational units being integrated with reconfigurable logic resources. The computational unit of any reconfigurable system plays vital role in defining its strength. In this research paper an RFU based computational unit design has been presented using the tightly coupled, multi-threaded reconfigurable cores. The proposed design has been simulated for VLIW based architectures and a high gain in performance has been observed as compared to the conventional computing systems.
Abstract: In recent years there has been renewal of interest in the
relation between Green IT and Cloud Computing. The growing use of
computers in cloud platform has caused marked energy consumption,
putting negative pressure on electricity cost of cloud data center. This
paper proposes an effective mechanism to reduce energy utilization in
cloud computing environments. We present initial work on the
integration of resource and power management that aims at reducing
power consumption. Our mechanism relies on recalling virtualization
services dynamically according to user-s virtualization request and
temporarily shutting down the physical machines after finish in order
to conserve energy. Given the estimated energy consumption, this
proposed effort has the potential to positively impact power
consumption. The results from the experiment concluded that energy
indeed can be saved by powering off the idling physical machines in
cloud platforms.
Abstract: Risk of infectious disease outbreaks is related to the
hygiene among the population. To assess the actual risks and modify
the relevant emergency procedures if necessary, a hygiene survey
was conducted among undergraduate students on the Rhodes
University campus. Soap was available to 10.5% and only 26.8% of
the study participants followed proper hygiene in relation to food
consumption. This combination increases the risk of infectious
disease outbreaks at the campus. Around 83.6% were willing to wash
their hands if soap was provided. Procurement and availability of
soap in undergraduate residences on campus should be improved, as
the total cost is estimated at only 2000 USD per annum. Awareness
campaigns about food-related hygiene and the need for regular handwashing
with soap should be run among Rhodes University students.
If successful, rates of respiratory and hygiene-related diseases will be
decreased and emergency health management simplified.
Abstract: This paper describes a CMOS four-quadrant
multiplier intended for use in the front-end receiver by utilizing the
square-law characteristic of the MOS transistor in the saturation
region. The circuit is based on 0.35 um CMOS technology simulated
using HSPICE software. The mixer has a third-order inter the power
consumption is 271uW from a single 1.2V power supply. One of the
features of the proposed design is using two MOS transistors
limitation to reduce the supply voltage, which leads to reduce the
power consumption. This technique provides a GHz bandwidth
response and low power consumption.
Abstract: The increase in energy demand has raised concerns
over adverse impacts on the environment from energy generation. It
is important to understand the status of energy consumption for
institutions such as Curtin Sarawak to ensure the sustainability of
energy usage, and also to reduce its costs. In this study, a preliminary
audit framework was developed and was conducted around the
Malaysian campus to obtain information such as the number and
specifications of electrical appliances, built-up area and ambient
temperature to understand the relationship of these factors with
energy consumption. It was found that the number and types of
electrical appliances, population and activities in the campus
impacted the energy consumption of Curtin Sarawak directly.
However, the built-up area and ambient temperature showed no clear
correlation with energy consumption. An investigation of the diurnal
and seasonal energy consumption of the campus was also carried out.
From the data, recommendations were made to improve the energy
efficiency of the campus.
Abstract: The study and development of an innovative material
for building insulation is really important for a sustainable society in order to improve comfort and reducing energy consumption. The aim of this work is the development of insulating panels for
sustainable buildings based on an innovative material made by
cardboard and Phase Change Materials (PCMs).
The research has consisted in laboratory tests whose purpose has been the obtaining of the required properties for insulation panels: lightweight, porous structures and mechanical resistance. PCMs have been used for many years in the building industry as
smart insulation technology because of their properties of storage and release high quantity of latent heat at useful specific temperatures [1]- [2].
The integration of PCMs into cellulose matrix during the waste paper recycling process has been developed in order to obtain a
composite material.
Experiments on the productive process for the realization of insulating panels were done in order to make the new material
suitable for building application. The addition of rising agents
demonstrated the possibility to obtain a lighter structure with better
insulation properties.
Several tests were conducted to verify the new panel properties. The results obtained have shown the possibility to realize an
innovative and sustainable material suitable to replace insulating panels currently used.