Abstract: This paper discusses the undesirable charge transfer
through the parasitic capacitances of the input transistors in a
multi-inputs voltage sense amplifier. Its intrinsic rail-to-rail voltage
transitions at the output nodes inevitably disturb the input sides
through the capacitive coupling between the outputs and inputs. Then,
it can possible degrade the stabilities of the reference voltage levels.
Moreover, it becomes more serious in multi-channel systems by
altering them for other channels, and so degrades the linearity of the
overall systems. In order to alleviate the internal node voltage
transition, the internal node stabilization techniques are proposed. It
achieves 45% and 40% improvements for node stabilization and input
referred disturbance, respectively.
Abstract: The research studies the behaviors based on
sufficiency economy philosophy at individual and community
levelsas well as the satisfaction of the urban community leaders by
collecting data with purposive sampling technique. For in-depth
interviews with 26 urban community leaders, the result shows that
the urban community leaders have good knowledge and
understanding about sufficiency economy philosophy. Especially in
terms of money spending, they must consider the need for living and
be economical. The activities in the community or society should not
take advantage of the others as well as colleagues. At present, most of
the urban community leaders live in sufficient way. They often spend
time with public service, but many families are dealing with debt.
Many communities have some political conflict and high family
allowances because of living in the urban communities with rapid
social and economic changes. However, there are many communities
that leaders have applied their wisdom in development for their
people by gathering and grouping the professionals to form activities
such as making chilli sauce, textile organization, making artificial
flowers to worship the sanctity. The most prominent group is the foot
massage business in Wat Pracha Rabue Tham. This professional
group is supported continuously by the government. One of the
factors in terms of satisfaction used for evaluating community leaders
is the customary administration in brotherly, interdependent way
rather than using the absolute power or controlling power, but using
the roles of leader to perform the activities with their people intently,
determinedly and having public mind for people.
Abstract: Non-linear FEM calculations are indispensable when
important technical information like operating performance of a
rubber component is desired. For example rubber bumpers built into
air-spring structures may undergo large deformations under load,
which in itself shows non-linear behavior. The changing contact
range between the parts and the incompressibility of the rubber
increases this non-linear behavior further. The material
characterization of an elastomeric component is also a demanding
engineering task.
The shape optimization problem of rubber parts led to the study of
FEM based calculation processes. This type of problems was posed
and investigated by several authors. In this paper the time demand of
certain calculation methods are studied and the possibilities of time
reduction is presented.
Abstract: Composite material based on Fe3Si micro-particles
and Mn-Zn nano-ferrite was prepared using powder metallurgy
technology. The sol-gel followed by autocombustion process was
used for synthesis of Mn0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 ferrite. 3 wt.% of mechanically
milled ferrite was mixed with Fe3Si powder alloy. Mixed micro-nano
powder system was homogenized by the Resonant Acoustic Mixing
using ResodynLabRAM Mixer. This non-invasive homogenization
technique was used to preserve spherical morphology of Fe3Si
powder particles. Uniaxial cold pressing in the closed die at pressure
600 MPa was applied to obtain a compact sample. Microwave
sintering of green compact was realized at 800°C, 20 minutes, in air.
Density of the powders and composite was measured by
Hepycnometry. Impulse excitation method was used to measure
elastic properties of sintered composite. Mechanical properties were
evaluated by measurement of transverse rupture strength (TRS) and
Vickers hardness (HV). Resistivity was measured by 4 point probe
method. Ferrite phase distribution in volume of the composite was
documented by metallographic analysis.
It has been found that nano-ferrite particle distributed among
micro- particles of Fe3Si powder alloy led to high relative density
(~93%) and suitable mechanical properties (TRS >100 MPa, HV
~1GPa, E-modulus ~140 GPa) of the composite. High electric
resistivity (R~6.7 ohm.cm) of prepared composite indicate their
potential application as soft magnetic material at medium and high
frequencies.
Abstract: Newly synthesized Polypropylene-g-Polyethylene
glycol polymer was first time used for a compartment-less enzymatic
fuel cell. Working electrodes based on Polypropylene-g-Polyethylene
glycol were operated as unmediated and mediated system (with
ferrocene and gold/cobalt oxide nanoparticles). Glucose oxidase and
bilirubin oxidase was selected as anodic and cathodic enzyme,
respectively. Glucose was used as fuel in a single-compartment and
membrane-less cell. Maximum power density was obtained as 0.65
nW cm-2, 65 nW cm-2 and 23500 nW cm-2 from the unmediated,
ferrocene and gold/cobalt oxide modified polymeric film,
respectively. Power density was calculated to be ~16000 nW cm-2 for
undiluted wastewater sample with gold/cobalt oxide nanoparticles
including system.
Abstract: This study was developed to compare the behavior
and the ability of polymer foam composites towards sound absorption
test of Shorea leprosula wood (SL) of acid hydrolysis treatment with
particle size
Abstract: With increasingly more mobile health applications
appearing due to the popularity of smartphones, the possibility arises
that these data can be used to improve the medical diagnostic process,
as well as the overall quality of healthcare, while at the same time
lowering costs. However, as of yet there have been no reports of a
successful combination of patient-generated data from smartphones
with data from clinical routine. In this paper we describe how these
two types of data can be combined in a secure way without
modification to hospital information systems, and how they can
together be used in a medical expert system for automatic nutritional
classification and triage.
Abstract: Agriculture is the backbone of economy of Pakistan
and cotton is the major agricultural export and supreme source of raw
fiber for our textile industry. To combat severe problems of insect
and weed, combination of three genes namely Cry1Ac, Cry2A and
EPSPS genes was transferred in locally cultivated cotton variety
MNH-786 with the use of Agrobacterium mediated genetic
transformation. The present study focused on the molecular screening
of transgenic cotton plants at T3 generation in order to confirm
integration and expression of all three genes (Cry1Ac, Cry2A and
EPSP synthase) into the cotton genome. Initially, glyphosate spray
assay was used for screening of transgenic cotton plants containing
EPSP synthase gene at T3 generation. Transgenic cotton plants which
were healthy and showed no damage on leaves were selected after 07
days of spray. For molecular analysis of transgenic cotton plants in
the laboratory, the genomic DNA of these transgenic cotton plants
were isolated and subjected to amplification of the three genes. Thus,
seventeen out of twenty (Cry1Ac gene), ten out of twenty (Cry2A
gene) and all twenty (EPSP synthase gene) were produced positive
amplification. On the base of PCR amplification, ten transgenic plant
samples were subjected to protein expression analysis through
ELISA. The results showed that eight out of ten plants were actively
expressing the three transgenes. Real-time PCR was also done to
quantify the mRNA expression levels of Cry1Ac and EPSP synthase
gene. Finally, eight plants were confirmed for the presence and active
expression of all three genes at T3 generation.
Abstract: This paper presents the simulation results of the
effects of sampling frequency on the total harmonic distortion (THD)
of three-phase inverters using the space vector pulse width
modulation (SVPWM) and space vector control (SVC) algorithms.
The relationship between the variables was studied using curve fitting
techniques, and it has been shown that, for 50 Hz inverters, there is
an exponential relation between the sampling frequency and THD up
to around 8500 Hz, beyond which the performance of the model
becomes irregular, and there is an negative exponential relation
between the sampling frequency and the marginal improvement to
the THD. It has also been found that the performance of SVPWM is
better than that of SVC with the same sampling frequency in most
frequency range, including the range where the performance of the
former is irregular.
Abstract: The paper deals with the diagnostics of steel roof
structure of the winter sports halls built in 1970 year. The necessity
of the diagnostics has been given by the requirement to the evaluation
design of this structure, which has been caused by the new situation
in the field of the loadings given by the validity of the European
Standards in the Czech Republic from 2010 year. Due to these
changes in the normative rules, in practice existing structures are
gradually subjected to the evaluation design and depending on its
results to the strengthening or reconstruction, respectively. Steel roof
is composed of plane truss main girders, purlins and bracings and the
roof structure is supported by two arch main girders with the span of
L = 84 m. The in situ diagnostics of the roof structure was oriented to
the following parts: (i) determination and evaluation of the actual
material properties of used steel and (ii) verification of the actual
dimensions of the structural members. For the solution the nondestructive
methods have been used for in situ measurement. For the
indicative determination of steel strengths the modified method based
on the determination of Rockwell’s hardness has been used. For the
verification of the member’s dimensions (thickness of hollow
sections) the ultrasound method has been used. This paper presents
the results obtained using these testing methods and their evaluation,
from the viewpoint of the usage for the subsequent static assessment
and design evaluation of the existing structure. For the comparison,
the examples of the similar evaluations realized for steel structures of
the stadiums in Olomouc and Jihlava cities are briefly illustrated, too.
Abstract: The restrained construction zoning, an important part
in the urban master plan, is a necessary planning tool to control the city
sprawl, to guarantee the reservation implementation of the various
types of protective elements, and to realize the storage of the essential
urban spatial resources. Simultaneously, owing to the diverse
constitutes of restrained construction area and the various stakeholders
involved in, its planning requires an overall consideration of all
elements from the perspective of coordination+, balance and
practicability to deal with the problems and conflicts in this process.
Taking Yangzijin Ecological Restrained Construction Area in
Yangzhou as an example, this study analyzes all the potential actors,
agencies and stakeholders in this restrained construction area, as well
as the relevant conflicts between each other. Besides, this study tries to
build up a planning procedure based on the framework of governance
theory, and proposes a possible planning method that combines
"rigidity" and "flexibility" to protect the ecological limitation
boundary, to take every interest into account, and to promote economic
development in a harmonious society.
Abstract: Macro invertebrates have been used to monitor
organic pollution in rivers and streams. Several biotic indices based
on macro invertebrates have been developed over the years including
the Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP). A new biotic
index, the Gammarus:Asellus ratio has been recently proposed as an
index of organic pollution. This study tested the validity of the
Gammarus:Asellus ratio as an index of organic pollution, by
examining the relationship between the Gammarus:Asellus ratio and
physical chemical parameters, and other biotic indices such as
BMWP and, Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT) from lakes and
streams at Markeaton Park, Allestree Park and Kedleston Hall,
Derbyshire. Macro invertebrates were sampled using the standard
five minute kick sampling techniques physical and chemical
environmental variables were obtained based on standard sampling
techniques. Eighteen sites were sampled, six sites from Markeaton
Park (three sites across the stream and three sites across the lake). Six
sites each were also sampled from Allestree Park and Kedleston Hall
lakes. The Gammarus:Asellus ratio showed an opposite significant
positive correlations with parameters indicative of organic pollution
such as the level of nitrates, phosphates, and calcium and also
revealed a negatively significant correlations with other biotic indices
(BMWP/ASPT). The BMWP score correlated positively significantly
with some water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen and
flow rate, but revealed no correlations with other chemical
environmental variables. The BMWP score was significantly higher
in the stream than the lake in Markeaton Park, also The ASPT scores
appear to be significantly higher in the upper Lakes than the middle
and lower lakes. This study has further strengthened the use of
BMWP/ASPT score as an index of organic pollution. But additional
application is required to validate the use of Gammarus:Asellus as a
rapid bio monitoring tool.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to perform experimental
modal analysis (EMA) of reinforced concrete (RC) square slabs.
EMA is the process of determining the modal parameters (Natural
Frequencies, damping factors, modal vectors) of a structure from a
set of frequency response functions FRFs (curve fitting). Although,
experimental modal analysis (or modal testing) has grown steadily in
popularity since the advent of the digital FFT spectrum analyzer in
the early 1970’s, studying all types of members and materials using
such method have not yet been well documented. Therefore, in this
work, experimental tests were conducted on RC square slab
specimens of dimensions 600mm x 600mmx 40mm. Experimental
analysis was based on freely supported boundary condition.
Moreover, impact testing as a fast and economical means of finding
the modes of vibration of a structure was used during the
experiments. In addition, Pico Scope 6 device and MATLAB
software were used to acquire data, analyze and plot Frequency
Response Function (FRF). The experimental natural frequencies
which were extracted from measurements exhibit good agreement
with analytical predictions. It is showed that EMA method can be
usefully employed to investigate the dynamic behavior of RC slabs.
Abstract: This paper presents small signal stability study carried
over the 140-Bus, 31-Machine, 5-Area MEPE system and validated
on free and open source software: PSAT. Well-established linearalgebra
analysis, eigenvalue analysis, is employed to determine the
small signal dynamic behavior of test system. The aspects of local
and interarea oscillations which may affect the operation and
behavior of power system are analyzed. Eigenvalue analysis is carried
out to investigate the small signal behavior of test system and the
participation factors have been determined to identify the
participation of the states in the variation of different mode shapes.
Also, the variations in oscillatory modes are presented to observe the
damping performance of the test system.
Abstract: Elastomeric dielectric material has recently become a
new alternative for actuator technology. The characteristics of
dielectric elastomers placed between two electrodes to withstand
large strain when electrodes are charged has attracted the attention of
many researcher to study this material for actuator technology. Thus,
in the past few years Danfoss Ventures A/S has established their own
dielectric electro-active polymer (DEAP), which was called
PolyPower.
The main objective of this work was to investigate the dynamic
characteristics for vibration control of a PolyPower actuator folded in
‘pull’ configuration. A range of experiments was carried out on the
folded actuator including passive (without electrical load) and active
(with electrical load) testing. For both categories static and dynamic
testing have been done to determine the behavior of folded DEAP
actuator.
Voltage-Strain experiments show that the DEAP folded actuator is
a non-linear system. It is also shown that the voltage supplied has no
effect on the natural frequency. Finally, varying AC voltage with
different amplitude and frequency shows the parameters that
influence the performance of DEAP folded actuator. As a result, the
actuator performance dominated by the frequency dependence of the
elastic response and was less influenced by dielectric properties.
Abstract: An experiment was conducted to determine the effect
of pollination on seed quality of rapeseed in Chitwan, Nepal during
2012-2013. The experiment was designed in Randomized Complete
Block with four replications and five treatments. The rapeseed plots
were caged with mosquito nets at 10% flowering except natural
pollination. Two-framed colonies of Apis mellifera L. and Apis
cerana F. were introduced separately for pollination, and control plot
caged without pollinators. The highest germination percent was
observed on Apis cerana F. pollinated plot seeds (90.50%
germination) followed by Apis mellifera L. pollinated plots (87.25 %)
and lowest on control plots (42.00% germination) seeds. Similarly,
seed test weight of Apis cerana F. pollinated plots (3.22 gm/ 1000
seed) and Apis mellifera L. pollinated plots (2.93 gm/1000 seed) were
and lowest on control plots (2.26 gm/ 1000 seed) recorded. Likewise,
oil content was recorded highest on pollinated by Apis cerana F.
(36.1%) followed by pollinated by Apis mellifera L. (35.4%) and
lowest on control plots (32.8%). This study clearly indicated
pollination increases the seed quality of rapeseed and therefore,
management of honeybee is necessary for producing higher quality of
rapeseed under Chitwan condition.
Abstract: The concentration levels of six heavy metals (Cd, Cr,
Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn) and two mineral elements (Ca and Mg) were
determined in soil samples collected from the vicinity of two auto
mechanic workshops in Sabon-Gari, Kaduna state, Nigeria, using
Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS), in order to compare the
gradation of their concentrations with distance and depth of soil from
the workshop sites. At site 1, concentrations of Lead, Chromium, Iron
and Zinc were generally found to be above the World Health
Organization limits, while those of Nickel and Cadmium fell within
the limits. Iron had the highest concentration with a range of 176.274
ppm to 489.127 ppm at depths of 5 cm to 15 cm and a distance range
of 5 m to 15 m, while the concentration of cadmium was least with a
range of 0.001 ppm to 0.008 ppm at similar depth and distance
ranges. In addition, there was more of calcium (11.521 ppm to
121.709 ppm), in all the samples, than magnesium (11.293 ppm to
21.635 ppm). Similar results were obtained for site II. The
concentrations of all the metals analyzed showed a downward
gradient with increase in depth and distance from both workshop sites
except for iron and zinc at site 2. The immediate and remote
implications of these findings on the biota are discussed.
Abstract: Thin ZnO films are deposited on glass substrates via
sol–gel method and dip-coating. The films are prepared from zinc
acetate dehydrate as a starting reagent. After that the as-prepared
ZnO sol is aged for different periods (0, 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 30 days).
Nanocrystalline thin films are deposited from various sols. The
effect ZnO sols aging time on the structural and photocatalytic
properties of the films is studied. The films surface is studied by
Scanning Electron Microscopy. The effect of the aging time of the
starting solution is studied in the photocatalytic degradation of
Reactive Black 5 (RB5) by UV-vis spectroscopy. The experiments
are conducted upon UV-light illumination and in complete darkness.
The variation of the absorption spectra shows the degradation of RB5
dissolved in water, as a result of the reaction, occurring on the surface
of the films and promoted by UV irradiation. The initial
concentrations of dye (5, 10 and 20 ppm) and the effect of the aging
time are varied during the experiments. The results show, that the
increasing aging time of starting solution with respect to ZnO
generally promotes photocatalytic activity. The thin films obtained
from ZnO sol, which is aged 30 days have best photocatalytic
degradation of the dye (97,22%) in comparison with the freshly
prepared ones (65,92%). The samples and photocatalytic
experimental results are reproducible. Nevertheless, all films exhibit
a substantial activity in both UV light and darkness, which is
promising for the development of new ZnO photocatalysts by sol-gel
method.
Abstract: This review emphasizes the effectiveness of men’s
participation in preventing domestic violence, and whether nonviolent
(NV) boys’ and men’s perceptions of intimate partner
violence (IPV) prevention programs affect their involvement. The
main goals of this assessment were to investigate (1) how NV men
engaged in anti-violence prevention programs that empower women,
(2) what were the possible perceptions of NV men involved in
prevention programs (3) how to identify effective approaches and
strategies that encouraged NV men to become involved in prevention
programs. This critical review also included the overview of
prevention programs such as: The Mentors in Violence Prevention
Programs (MVP), The White Ribbon Campaign (WRC), and
Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership through
Alliances (DELTA). The review suggested that (1) the expanding
prevention programs need to reach more macro settings such as work
place, faith-based and other community based organizations, and (2)
territory prevention programs should expand through addressing the
long-term effects of violence.
Abstract: This research focused on comparing the critical
thinking of the teacher students before and after using Miller’s Model
learning activities and investigating their opinions. The sampling
groups were (1) fourth year 33 student teachers majoring in Early
Childhood Education and enrolling in semester 1 of academic year
2013 (2) third year 28 student teachers majoring in English and
enrolling in semester 2 of academic year 2013 and (3) third year 22
student teachers majoring in Thai and enrolling in semester 2 of
academic year 2013. The research instruments were (1) lesson plans
where the learning activities were settled based on Miller’s Model (2)
critical thinking assessment criteria and (3) a questionnaire on
opinions towards Miller’s Model based learning activities. The
statistical treatment was mean, deviation, different scores and T-test.
The result unfolded that (1) the critical thinking of the students after
the assigned activities was better than before and (2) the students’
opinions towards the critical thinking improvement activities based
on Miller’s Model ranged from the level of high to highest.