Abstract: The potential of entomopathogenic nematodes in suppressing T. squalida population on cauliflower from transplanting to harvest was evaluated. Significant reductions in plant infestation percentage and population density (/m2) were recorded throughout the plantation seasons, 2011 and 2012 before and after spraying the plants. The percent reduction in numbers/m2 was the highest in March for the treatments with Heterorhabditis indica Behera and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Giza during the plantation season 2011, while at the plantation season 2012, the reduction in population density was the highest in January for Heterorhabditis Indica Behera and in February for H . bacteriophora Giza treatments. In a comparison test with conventional insecticides Hostathion and Lannate, there were no significant differences in control measures resulting from treatments with H. indica Behera, H. bacteriophora Giza and Lannate. At the plantation season is 2012. Also, the treatments reduced the economic threshold of T. squalida on cauliflower in this experiment as compared with before and after spraying with both the two entomopathogenic nematodes at both seasons 2011 and 2012. This means an increase in the marketability of heads harvested as a consequence of monthly treatments.
Abstract: the objective of this study is to measure the levels of
cellulas activity of ostrich GI microorganisms, and comparing it with
the levels of cellulas activity of rumen-s microorganisms, and also to
estimate the probability of increasing enzyme activity with injecting
different dosages (30%, 50% and 70%) of pure anaerobic goat rumen
fungi. The experiment was conducted in laboratory and under a
complete anaerobic condition (in vitro condition). 40 ml of
“CaldWell" medium and 1.4g wheat straw were placed in incubator
for an hour. The cellulase activity of ostrich microorganisms was
compared with other treatments, and then different dosages (30%,
50% and 70%) of pure anaerobic goat rumen fungi were injected to
ostrich microorganism-s media. Due to the results, cattle and goat
with 2.13 and 2.08 I.U (international units) respectively showed the
highest activity and ostrich with 0.91 (I.U) had the lowest cellulose
activity (p < 0.05). Injecting 30% and 50% of anaerobic fungi had no
significant incensement in enzyme activity, but with injecting 70% of
rumen fungi to ostrich microorganisms culture a significant increase
was observed 1.48 I.U. (p < 0.05).
Abstract: Airbag deployment has been known to be responsible
for huge death, incidental injuries and broken bones due to low crash
severity and wrong deployment decisions. Therefore, the authorities
and industries have been looking for more innovative and intelligent
products to be realized for future enhancements in the vehicle safety
systems (VSSs). Although the VSSs technologies have advanced
considerably, they still face challenges such as how to avoid
unnecessary and untimely airbag deployments that can be hazardous
and fatal. Currently, most of the existing airbag systems deploy
without regard to occupant size and position. As such, this paper will
focus on the occupant and crash sensing performances due to frontal
collisions for the new breed of so called smart airbag systems. It
intends to provide a thorough discussion relating to the occupancy
detection, occupant size classification, occupant off-position
detection to determine safe distance zone for airbag deployment,
crash-severity analysis and airbag decision algorithms via a computer
modeling. The proposed system model consists of three main
modules namely, occupant sensing, crash severity analysis and
decision fusion. The occupant sensing system module utilizes the
weight sensor to determine occupancy, classify the occupant size,
and determine occupant off-position condition to compute safe
distance for airbag deployment. The crash severity analysis module is
used to generate relevant information pertinent to airbag deployment
decision. Outputs from these two modules are fused to the decision
module for correct and efficient airbag deployment action. Computer
modeling work is carried out using Simulink, Stateflow,
SimMechanics and Virtual Reality toolboxes.
Abstract: In the framework of adaptive parametric modelling of images, we propose in this paper a new technique based on the Chandrasekhar fast adaptive filter for texture characterization. An Auto-Regressive (AR) linear model of texture is obtained by scanning the image row by row and modelling this data with an adaptive Chandrasekhar linear filter. The characterization efficiency of the obtained model is compared with the model adapted with the Least Mean Square (LMS) 2-D adaptive algorithm and with the cooccurrence method features. The comparison criteria is based on the computation of a characterization degree using the ratio of "betweenclass" variances with respect to "within-class" variances of the estimated coefficients. Extensive experiments show that the coefficients estimated by the use of Chandrasekhar adaptive filter give better results in texture discrimination than those estimated by other algorithms, even in a noisy context.
Abstract: Since the last two decades, container transportation
system has been faced under increasing development. This fact
shows the importance of container transportation system as a key role
of container terminals to link between sea and land. Therefore, there
is a continuous need for the optimal use of equipment and facilities in
the ports. Regarding the complex structure of container ports, this
paper presents a simulation model that compares tow storage
strategies for storing containers in the yard. For this purpose, we
considered loading and unloading norm as an important criterion to
evaluate the performance of Shahid Rajaee container port. By
analysing the results of the model, it will be shown that using
marshalling yard policy instead of current storage system has a
significant effect on the performance level of the port and can
increase the loading and unloading norm up to 14%.
Abstract: In this research, we have developed a new efficient
heuristic algorithm for the dynamic facility layout problem with
budget constraint (DFLPB). This heuristic algorithm combines two
mathematical programming methods such as discrete event
simulation and linear integer programming (IP) to obtain a near
optimum solution. In the proposed algorithm, the non-linear model
of the DFLP has been changed to a pure integer programming (PIP)
model. Then, the optimal solution of the PIP model has been used in
a simulation model that has been designed in a similar manner as the
DFLP for determining the probability of assigning a facility to a
location. After a sufficient number of runs, the simulation model
obtains near optimum solutions. Finally, to verify the performance of
the algorithm, several test problems have been solved. The results
show that the proposed algorithm is more efficient in terms of speed
and accuracy than other heuristic algorithms presented in previous
works found in the literature.
Abstract: Mathematical models can be used to describe the
dynamics of the spread of infectious disease between susceptibles
and infectious populations. Dengue fever is a re-emerging disease in
the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Its incidence has
increased fourfold since 1970 and outbreaks are now reported quite
frequently from many parts of the world. In dengue endemic regions,
more cases of dengue infection in pregnancy and infancy are being
found due to the increasing incidence. It has been reported that
dengue infection was vertically transmitted to the infants. Primary
dengue infection is associated with mild to high fever, headache,
muscle pain and skin rash. Immune response includes IgM antibodies
produced by the 5th day of symptoms and persist for 30-60 days. IgG
antibodies appear on the 14th day and persist for life. Secondary
infections often result in high fever and in many cases with
hemorrhagic events and circulatory failure. In the present paper, a
mathematical model is proposed to simulate the succession of dengue
disease transmission in pregnancy and infancy. Stability analysis of
the equilibrium points is carried out and a simulation is given for the
different sets of parameter. Moreover, the bifurcation diagrams of our
model are discussed. The controlling of this disease in infant cases is
introduced in the term of the threshold condition.
Abstract: Present study summarizes the control of Vibrio
alginolyticus infection in hatchery reared Clownfish, Amphiprion
sebae with the extract of the mangrove plant, Avicennia marina.
Fishes with visible symptoms of hemorrhagic spots were chosen and
the genomic DNA of the causative bacterium was isolated and
sequenced based on 16S rDNA gene. The in vitro assay revealed that
a fraction of A. marina leaf extract elucidated with ethyl acetate:
methanol (6:4) showed a high activity (28 mm) at 125 μg/ml
concentrations. About 4 % of the fraction fed along with live V.
alginolyticus was significantly decreased the cumulative mortality
(P
Abstract: The main objective of the present paper is to derive an easy numerical technique for the analysis of the free vibration through the stepped regions of plates. Based on the utilities of the step by step integration initial values IV and Finite differences FD methods, the present improved Initial Value Finite Differences (IVFD) technique is achieved. The first initial conditions are formulated in convenient forms for the step by step integrations while the upper and lower edge conditions are expressed in finite difference modes. Also compatibility conditions are created due to the sudden variation of plate thickness. The present method (IVFD) is applied to solve the fourth order partial differential equation of motion for stepped plate across two different panels under the sudden step compatibility in addition to different types of end conditions. The obtained results are examined and the validity of the present method is proved showing excellent efficiency and rapid convergence.
Abstract: This research studied the hypoglycemic effect of
water soluble polysaccharide (WSP) extracted from yam (Dioscorea
hispida) tuber by three different methods: aqueous extraction, papain
assisted extraction, and tempeh inoculums assisted extraction. The
two later extraction methods were aimed to remove WSP binding
protein to have more pure WSP. The hypoglycemic activities were
evaluated by means in vivo test on alloxan induced hyperglycemic
rats, glucose response test (GRT), in situ glucose absorption test
using everted sac, and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) analysis. All
yam WSP extracts exhibited ability to decrease blood glucose level in
hyperglycemia condition as well as inhibited glucose absorption and
SCFA formation. The order of hypoglycemic activity was tempeh
inoculums assisted- >papain assisted- >aqueous WSP extracts. GRT
and in situ glucose absorption test showed that order of inhibition
was papain assisted- >tempeh inoculums assisted- >aqueous WSP
extracts. Digesta of caecum of yam WSP extracts oral fed rats had
more SCFA than control. Tempeh inoculums assisted WSP extract
exhibited the most significant hypoglycemic activity.
Abstract: This paper represents the results of long term strength of mortar incorporating Rice Husk Ash (RHA). For these work mortar samples were made according to ASTM standard C 109/C. OPC cement was partially replaced by RHA at 0, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 percent replacement level. After casting all samples were kept in controlled environment and curing was done up to 90 days. Test of mortar was performed on 3, 7, 28, 90, 365 and 700 days. It is noticed that OPC mortar shows better strength at early age than mortar having RHA but at 90 days and onward the picture is different. At 700 days it is observed that mortar containing 20% RHA shows better result than any other samples.
Abstract: In this paper, an efficient technique is proposed to manage the cache memory. The proposed technique introduces some modifications on the well-known set associative mapping technique. This modification requires a little alteration in the structure of the cache memory and on the way by which it can be referenced. The proposed alteration leads to increase the set size virtually and consequently to improve the performance and the utilization of the cache memory. The current mapping techniques have accomplished good results. In fact, there are still different cases in which cache memory lines are left empty and not used, whereas two or more processes overwrite the lines of each other, instead of using those empty lines. The proposed algorithm aims at finding an efficient way to deal with such problem.
Abstract: Increasing number of vehicles and lack of awareness among road users may lead to road accidents. However no specific literature was found to rank vehicles involved in accidents based on fuzzy variables of road users. This paper proposes a ranking of four selected motor vehicles involved in road accidents. Human and non-human factors that normally linked with road accidents are considered for ranking. The imprecision or vagueness inherent in the subjective assessment of the experts has led the application of fuzzy sets theory to deal with ranking problems. Data in form of linguistic variables were collected from three authorised personnel of three Malaysian Government agencies. The Multi Criteria Decision Making, fuzzy TOPSIS was applied in computational procedures. From the analysis, it shows that motorcycles vehicles yielded the highest closeness coefficient at 0.6225. A ranking can be drawn using the magnitude of closeness coefficient. It was indicated that the motorcycles recorded the first rank.
Abstract: In this paper, a set of experimental data has been used to assess the influence of abrasive water jet (AWJ) process parameters in cutting 6063-T6 aluminum alloy. The process variables considered here include nozzle diameter, jet traverse rate, jet pressure and abrasive flow rate. The effects of these input parameters are studied on depth of cut (h); one of most important characteristics of AWJ. The Taguchi method and regression modeling are used in order to establish the relationships between input and output parameters. The adequacy of the model is evaluated using analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique. In the next stage, the proposed model is embedded into a Simulated Annealing (SA) algorithm to optimize the AWJ process parameters. The objective is to determine a suitable set of process parameters that can produce a desired depth of cut, considering the ranges of the process parameters. Computational results prove the effectiveness of the proposed model and optimization procedure.
Abstract: In this manuscript, the LBM is applied for simulating of Mixed Convection in a Lid-Driven cavity with an open side. The cavity horizontal walls are insulated while the west Lid-driven wall is maintained at a uniform temperature higher than the ambient. Prandtl number (Pr) is fixed to 0.71 (air) while Reynolds number (Re) , Richardson number (Ri) and aspect ratio (A) of the cavity are changed in the range of 50-150 , of 0.1-10 and of 1-4 , respectively. The numerical code is validated for the standard square cavity, and then the results of an open ended cavity are presented. Result shows by increasing of aspect ratio, the average Nusselt number (Nu) on lid- driven wall decreases and with same Reynolds number (Re) by increasing of aspect ratio (A), Richardson number plays more important role in heat transfer rate.
Abstract: The compressive strength development through
polymerization process of alkaline solution and fly ash blended with Microwave Incinerated Rice Husk Ash (MIRHA) is described in this
paper. Three curing conditions, which are hot gunny curing, ambient
curing, and external humidity curing are investigated to obtain the suitable curing condition for cast in situ provision. Fly ash was
blended with MIRHA at 3%, 5%, and 7% to identify the effect of blended mixes to the compressive strength and microstructure
properties of geopolymer concrete. Compressive strength results
indicated an improvement in the strength development with external humidity curing concrete samples compared to hot gunny curing and
ambient curing. Blended mixes also presented better performance
than control mixes. Improvement of interfacial transition zone (ITZ)
and micro structure in external humidity concrete samples were also
identified compared to hot gunny and ambient curing.
Abstract: Ferroresonance is an electrical phenomenon in
nonlinear character, which frequently occurs in power system due to
transmission line faults and single or more-phase switching on the
lines as well as usage of the saturable transformers. In this study, the
ferroresonance phenomena are investigated under the modeling of the
West Anatolian Electric Power Network of 380 kV in Turkey. The
ferroresonance event is observed as a result of removing the loads at
the end of the lines. In this sense, two different cases are considered.
At first, the switching is applied at 2nd second and the ferroresonance
affects are observed between 2nd and 4th seconds in the voltage
variations of the phase-R. Hence the ferroresonance and nonferroresonance
parts of the overall data are compared with each
others using the Fourier transform techniques to show the
ferroresonance affects.
Abstract: Encrypted messages sending frequently draws the attention
of third parties, perhaps causing attempts to break and
reveal the original messages. Steganography is introduced to hide
the existence of the communication by concealing a secret message
in an appropriate carrier like text, image, audio or video. Quantum
steganography where the sender (Alice) embeds her steganographic
information into the cover and sends it to the receiver (Bob) over a
communication channel. Alice and Bob share an algorithm and hide
quantum information in the cover. An eavesdropper (Eve) without
access to the algorithm can-t find out the existence of the quantum
message. In this paper, a text quantum steganography technique based
on the use of indefinite articles (a) or (an) in conjunction with the nonspecific
or non-particular nouns in English language and quantum
gate truth table have been proposed. The authors also introduced a
new code representation technique (SSCE - Secret Steganography
Code for Embedding) at both ends in order to achieve high level of
security. Before the embedding operation each character of the secret
message has been converted to SSCE Value and then embeds to cover
text. Finally stego text is formed and transmits to the receiver side.
At the receiver side different reverse operation has been carried out
to get back the original information.
Abstract: In the modern construction practices, industrial wastes
or by-products are largely used as raw materials in cement and
concrete. These impart many benefits to the environment and bringabout
an economic impact because the cost of waste disposal is
constantly increasing due to strict environmental regulations. It was
reported in literature that the leakage of oil onto concrete element in
older cement grinding unit resulted in concrete with greater resistance
to freezing and thawing. This effect was thought to be similar to
adding an air-entraining chemical admixture to concrete. This paper
presents an investigation on the load deflection behaviour and crack
patterns of reinforced concrete (RC) beams subjected to four point
loading. Ten 120x260x1900 mm beams were cast with 100%
ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete, 20% fly ash (FA) and 20%
rice husk ash (RHA) blended cement concrete. 0.15% dosage of
admixtures (used engine oil, new engine oil, and superplasticizer)
was used throughout the experiment. Results show that OPC and
OPC/RHA RC beams containing used engine oil and superplasticizer
exhibit higher capacity, 18-26% than their corresponding control
mix.
Abstract: Computer modeling has played a unique role in
understanding electrocardiography. Modeling and simulating cardiac
action potential propagation is suitable for studying normal and
pathological cardiac activation. This paper presents a 2-D Cellular
Automata model for simulating action potential propagation in
cardiac tissue. We demonstrate a novel algorithm in order to use
minimum neighbors. This algorithm uses the summation of the
excitability attributes of excited neighboring cells. We try to
eliminate flat edges in the result patterns by inserting probability to
the model. We also preserve the real shape of action potential by
using linear curve fitting of one well known electrophysiological
model.