Abstract: Conventionally the selection of parameters depends
intensely on the operator-s experience or conservative technological
data provided by the EDM equipment manufacturers that assign
inconsistent machining performance. The parameter settings given by
the manufacturers are only relevant with common steel grades. A
single parameter change influences the process in a complex way.
Hence, the present research proposes artificial neural network (ANN)
models for the prediction of surface roughness on first commenced
Ti-15-3 alloy in electrical discharge machining (EDM) process. The
proposed models use peak current, pulse on time, pulse off time and
servo voltage as input parameters. Multilayer perceptron (MLP) with
three hidden layer feedforward networks are applied. An assessment
is carried out with the models of distinct hidden layer. Training of the
models is performed with data from an extensive series of
experiments utilizing copper electrode as positive polarity. The
predictions based on the above developed models have been verified
with another set of experiments and are found to be in good
agreement with the experimental results. Beside this they can be
exercised as precious tools for the process planning for EDM.
Abstract: Heterogeneity of solid waste characteristics as well as the complex processes taking place within the landfill ecosystem motivated the implementation of soft computing methodologies such as artificial neural networks (ANN), fuzzy logic (FL), and their combination. The present work uses a hybrid ANN-FL model that employs knowledge-based FL to describe the process qualitatively and implements the learning algorithm of ANN to optimize model parameters. The model was developed to simulate and predict the landfill gas production at a given time based on operational parameters. The experimental data used were compiled from lab-scale experiment that involved various operating scenarios. The developed model was validated and statistically analyzed using F-test, linear regression between actual and predicted data, and mean squared error measures. Overall, the simulated landfill gas production rates demonstrated reasonable agreement with actual data. The discussion focused on the effect of the size of training datasets and number of training epochs.
Abstract: The mechanical and tribological properties in WC-Co
coatings are strongly affected by hardness and elasticity
specifications. The results revealed the effect of spraying distance on
microhardness and elasticity modulus of coatings. The metallurgical
studies have been made on coated samples using optical microscopy,
scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Abstract: This study attempted to compare the sexual perceptions and behaviors of male and female married Ilocanos. Data were gathered from 1,374 married Ilocanos (687 husbands and 687 wives) from nine municipalities and one city of the First District of Ilocos Sur. Findings showed that the male and female married Ilocanos differ in their psychological and physical sexual perceptions, but they had common social and spiritual sexual perceptions. Moreover, they were consistent in their behaviors towards sex, except for their behaviour after sex without reaching orgasm, wherein the males feel bad after having sex without reaching orgasm, while the females simply sleep it off.
Abstract: The aim of the present study is to analyze the generation of osteoporotic vertebral bone induced by lack of calcium during growth period and analyze its effects for disc degeneration, based on biomechanical and histomorphometrical study. Mechanical and histomorphological characteristics of lumbar vertebral bones and discs of rats with calcium free diet (CFD) were detected and tracked by using high resolution in-vivo micro-computed tomography (in-vivo micro-CT), finite element (FE) and histological analysis. Twenty female Sprague-Dawley rats (6 weeks old, approximate weight 170g) were randomly divided into two groups (CFD group: 10, NOR group: 10). The CFD group was maintained on a refmed calcium-controlled semisynthetic diet without added calcium, to induce osteoporosis. All lumbar (L 1-L6) were scanned by using in vivo micro-CT with 35i.un resolution at 0, 4, 8 weeks to track the effects of CFD on the generation of osteoporosis. The fmdings of the present study indicated that calcium insufficiency was the main factor in the generation of osteoporosis and it induced lumbar vertebral disc degeneration. This study is a valuable experiment to firstly evaluate osteoporotic vertebral bone and disc degeneration induced by lack of calcium during growth period from a biomechanical and histomorphometrical point of view.
Abstract: In cancer progress, the optical properties of tissues
like absorption and scattering coefficient change, so by these
changes, we can trace the progress of cancer, even it can be applied
for pre-detection of cancer. In this paper, we investigate the effects of
changes of optical properties on light penetrated into tissues. The
diffusion equation is widely used to simulate light propagation into
biological tissues. In this study, the boundary integral method (BIM)
is used to solve the diffusion equation. We illustrate that the changes
of optical properties can modified the reflectance or penetrating light.
Abstract: The present study aims to explore the role of parents'
ethnic socialization practices contributes to the ethnic identity
development, self-esteem and psychological adjustment of multi
ethnic children in Sabah, Malaysia. A total of 342 multi ethnic
children (age range = 10 years old to 14 years old; mean age = 12.65
years, SD = 0.88) and their parents participated in the present study.
The modified version of Multi group Ethnic Identity Measure
(MEIM), The Familial Ethnic Socialization Measure (FESM). The
Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) and Behavioral and Emotional
Rating Scale Edition 2 (BERS-2) were used in this study. The results
showed that: i) parents' ethnic socialization practice was a strong
predictor of ethnic identity development of multi ethnic children; ii)
parents' ethnic socialization practice also was a significant predictor
of self-esteem of multi ethnic children; iii) parents' ethnic
socialization practice was not a significant predictor of psychological
adjustment of multi ethnic children. The results of this study showed
the implications parents' ethnic socialization practices and ethnic
identity development in successful multi ethnic families.
Abstract: Acid rain occurs when sulphur dioxide (SO2) and
nitrogen oxides (Nox) gases react in the atmosphere with water,
oxygen, and other chemicals to form various acidic compounds. The
result is a mild solution of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Soil has a
greater buffering capacity than aquatic systems. However excessive
amount of acids introduced by acid rains may disturb the entire soil
chemistry. Acidity and harmful action of toxic elements damage
vegetation while susceptible microbial species are eliminated. In
present study, the effects of simulated sulphuric acid and nitric acid
rains were investigated on crop Glycine max. The effect of acid rain
on change in soil fertility was detected in which pH of control sample
was 6.5 and pH of 1%H2SO4 and 1%HNO3 were 3.5. Nitrogen nitrate
in soil was high in 1% HNO3 treated soil & Control sample.
Ammonium nitrogen in soil was low in 1% HNO3 & H2SO4 treated
soil. Ammonium nitrogen was medium in control and other samples.
The effect of acid rain on seed germination on 3rd day of germination
control sample growth was 7 cm, 0.1% HNO3 was 8cm, and 0.001%
HNO3 & 0.001% H2SO4 was 6cm each. On 10th day fungal growth
was observed in 1% and 0.1%H2SO4 concentrations, when all plants
were dead. The effect of acid rain on crop productivity was
investigated on 3rd day roots were developed in plants. On12th day
Glycine max showed more growth in 0.1% HNO3, 0.001% HNO3 and
0.001% H2SO4 treated plants growth were same as compare to control
plants. On 20th day development of discoloration of plant pigments
were observed on acid treated plants leaves. On 38th day, 0.1, 0.001%
HNO3 and 0.1, 0.001% H2SO4 treated plants and control plants were
showing flower growth. On 42th day, acid treated Glycine max variety
and control plants were showed seeds on plants. In Glycine max
variety 0.1, 0.001% H2SO4, 0.1, 0.001% HNO3 treated plants were
dead on 46th day and fungal growth was observed. The toxicological
study was carried out on Glycine max plants exposed to 1% HNO3
cells were damaged more than 1% H2SO4. Leaf sections exposed to
0.001% HNO3 & H2SO4 showed less damaged of cells and
pigmentation observed in entire slide when compare with control
plant. The soil analysis was done to find microorganisms in HNO3 &
H2SO4 treated Glycine max and control plants. No microorganism
growth was observed in 1% HNO3 & H2SO4 but control plant showed
microbial growth.
Abstract: The importance of happiness understanding research is caused by cardinal changes experiences in system of people values in the post-Soviet countries territory. «The time of changes», which characterized with destruction of old values and not creativeness of new, stimulating experiences by the person of existential vacuum. The given research is actual not only in connection with sense formation, but also in connection with necessity creatively to adapt in integrative space. According to numerous works [1,2,3], we define happiness as the peak experience connected with satisfaction correlated system of needs, dependent on style of subject's coping behavior.
Abstract: Clinically, chickens showed progressively developed
clinical signs represented by sever cyanosis of the comb and wattles
with hemorrhage at the shanks, depression, and ruffling feathers with
loss of appetite and high daily mortalities. The ducks showed severe
neurological signs as torticollus, seizures and inability to stand with
mild signs of diarrhea and depression. Grossly, chickens showed
hemorrhages and congestion in most of the organs particularly lung,
liver, spleen, trachea and kidney. The examined ducks showed
multiple petechial hemorrhages, multifocal hemorrhagic necrosis in
the pancreas, pulmonary edema, congestion and hemorrhage in
meninges and congestion in the skeletal muscles. Histopathology
revealed severe congestion and hemorrhages in most of the organs
particularly lung, liver and kidney. Microscopic erosive tracheitis,
sever pulmonary congestion and perivascular oedema and lymphogranulocytic
pneumonia were constant. The liver showed hepatocyts
necrosis and lympho-granulocytic infiltration. The kidney showed
renal tubular necrosis and diffuse congestion. Multifocal, neuronal
necrosis, hemorrhages, multifocal glial nodules, lympho- histiocytic
perivascular cuffing, and occasional neuronophagia were observed in
the cerebrum. Other organs showed moderate changes.
Abstract: In this article we explore the application of a formal
proof system to verification problems in cryptography. Cryptographic
properties concerning correctness or security of some cryptographic
algorithms are of great interest. Beside some basic lemmata, we
explore an implementation of a complex function that is used in
cryptography. More precisely, we describe formal properties of this
implementation that we computer prove. We describe formalized
probability distributions (σ-algebras, probability spaces and conditional
probabilities). These are given in the formal language of the
formal proof system Isabelle/HOL. Moreover, we computer prove
Bayes- Formula. Besides, we describe an application of the presented
formalized probability distributions to cryptography. Furthermore,
this article shows that computer proofs of complex cryptographic
functions are possible by presenting an implementation of the Miller-
Rabin primality test that admits formal verification. Our achievements
are a step towards computer verification of cryptographic primitives.
They describe a basis for computer verification in cryptography.
Computer verification can be applied to further problems in cryptographic
research, if the corresponding basic mathematical knowledge
is available in a database.
Abstract: This paper presents a fuzzy logic controlled shunt
active power filter used to compensate for harmonic distortion in three-phase four-wire systems. The shunt active filter employs a
simple method for the calculation of the reference compensation current based of Fast Fourier Transform. This presented filter is able
to operate in both balanced and unbalanced load conditions. A fuzzy
logic based current controller strategy is used to regulate the filter current and hence ensure harmonic free supply current. The validity
of the presented approach in harmonic mitigation is verified via
simulation results of the proposed test system under different loading
conditions.
Abstract: Textures are replications, symmetries and
combinations of various basic patterns, usually with some random
variation one of the gray-level statistics. This article proposes a
new approach to Segment texture images. The proposed approach
proceeds in 2 stages. First, in this method, local texture information
of a pixel is obtained by fuzzy texture unit and global texture
information of an image is obtained by fuzzy texture spectrum.
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the usefulness of fuzzy
texture spectrum for texture Segmentation.
The 2nd Stage of the method is devoted to a decision process,
applying a global analysis followed by a fine segmentation,
which is only focused on ambiguous points. The above Proposed
approach was applied to brain image to identify the components
of brain in turn, used to locate the brain tumor and its Growth
rate.
Abstract: The main aim of this work is to establish the
capabilities of new green buildings to ascertain off-grid electricity
generation based on the integration of wind turbines in the
conceptual model of a rotating tower [2] in Dubai. An in depth
performance analysis of the WinWind 3.0MW [3] wind turbine is
performed. Data based on the Dubai Meteorological Services is
collected and analyzed in conjunction with the performance analysis
of this wind turbine. The mathematical model is compared with
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) results based on a conceptual
rotating tower design model. The comparison results are further
validated and verified for accuracy by conducting experiments on a
scaled prototype of the tower design. The study concluded that
integrating wind turbines inside a rotating tower can generate enough
electricity to meet the required power consumption of the building,
which equates to a wind farm containing 9 horizontal axis wind
turbines located at an approximate area of 3,237,485 m2 [14].
Abstract: This paper describes the design of a real-time audiorange
digital oscilloscope and its implementation in 90nm CMOS
FPGA platform. The design consists of sample and hold circuits,
A/D conversion, audio and video processing, on-chip RAM, clock
generation and control logic. The design of internal blocks and
modules in 90nm devices in an FPGA is elaborated. Also the key
features and their implementation algorithms are presented.
Finally, the timing waveforms and simulation results are put
forward.
Abstract: This paper presents a novel iris recognition system
using 1D log polar Gabor wavelet and Euler numbers. 1D log polar
Gabor wavelet is used to extract the textural features, and Euler
numbers are used to extract topological features of the iris. The
proposed decision strategy uses these features to authenticate an
individual-s identity while maintaining a low false rejection rate. The
algorithm was tested on CASIA iris image database and found to
perform better than existing approaches with an overall accuracy of
99.93%.
Abstract: More and more governments around the world are
introducing e-government as a means of reducing costs, improving
services, saving time and increasing effectiveness and efficiency in
the public sector Therefore e-government has been identified as one
of the top priorities for Saudi government and all its agencies.
However, the adoption of e-government is facing many challenges
and barriers such as technological, cultural, organizational, and social
issues which must be considered and treated carefully by any
government contemplating its adoption. This paper reports on a pilot
study amongst online (e-ready) citizens to identify the challenges and
barriers that affect the adoption of e-government services especially
from their perspective in Saudi society. Based on the analysis of data
collected from an online survey the researcher was able to identify
some of the important barriers and challenges from the e-ready
citizen perspective. As a result, this study has generated a list of
possible strategies to move towards successful adoption of egovernment
services in Saudi Arabia.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to screen for
microorganism that able to utilize 3-N-trimethylamino-1-propanol
(homocholine) as a sole source of carbon and nitrogen. The aerobic
degradation of homocholine has been found by a gram-positive
Rhodococcus sp. bacterium isolated from soil. The isolate was
identified as Rhodococcus sp. strain A4 based on the phenotypic
features, physiologic and biochemical characteristics, and
phylogenetic analysis. The cells of the isolated strain grown on both
basal-TMAP and nutrient agar medium displayed elementary
branching mycelia fragmented into irregular rod and coccoid
elements. Comparative 16S rDNA sequencing studies indicated that
the strain A4 falls into the Rhodococcus erythropolis subclade and
forms a monophyletic group with the type-strains of R. opacus, and
R. wratislaviensis. Metabolites analysis by capillary electrophoresis,
fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry, and gas
chromatography- mass spectrometry, showed trimethylamine (TMA)
as the major metabolite beside β-alanine betaine and
trimethylaminopropionaldehyde. Therefore, the possible degradation
pathway of trimethylamino propanol in the isolated strain is through
consequence oxidation of alcohol group (-OH) to aldehyde (-CHO)
and acid (-COOH), and thereafter the cleavage of β-alanine betaine
C-N bonds yielded trimethylamine and alkyl chain.
Abstract: While OCD is one of the most commonly occurring
psychiatric conditions experienced by older adults, there is a paucity
of research conducted into the treatment of older adults with OCD.
This case study represents the first published investigation of a
cognitive treatment for geriatric OCD. It describes the successful
treatment of an 86-year old man with a 63-year history of OCD using
Danger Ideation Reduction Therapy (DIRT). The client received 14
individual, 50-minute treatment sessions of DIRT over 13 weeks.
Clinician-based Y-BOCS scores reduced 84% from 25 (severe) at
pre-treatment, to 4 (subclinical) at 6-month post-treatment follow-up
interview, demonstrating the efficacy of DIRT for this client. DIRT
may have particular advantages over ERP and pharmacological
approaches, however further research is required in older adults with
OCD.
Abstract: The statistical process control (SPC) is one of the most powerful tools developed to assist ineffective control of quality, involves collecting, organizing and interpreting data during production. This article aims to show how the use of CEP industries can control and continuously improve product quality through monitoring of production that can detect deviations of parameters representing the process by reducing the amount of off-specification products and thus the costs of production. This study aimed to conduct a technological forecasting in order to characterize the research being done related to the CEP. The survey was conducted in the databases Spacenet, WIPO and the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI). Among the largest are the United States depositors and deposits via PCT, the classification section that was presented in greater abundance to F.