Abstract: Batch adsorption of recalcitrant melanoidin using the abundantly available coal fly ash was carried out. It had low specific surface area (SBET) of 1.7287 m2/g and pore volume of 0.002245 cm3/g while qualitative evaluation of the predominant phases in it was done by XRD analysis. Colour removal efficiency was found to be dependent on various factors studied. Maximum colour removal was achieved around pH 6, whereas increasing sorbent mass from 10g/L to 200 g/L enhanced colour reduction from 25% to 86% at 298 K. Spontaneity of the process was suggested by negative Gibbs free energy while positive values for enthalpy change showed endothermic nature of the process. Non-linear optimization of error functions resulted in Freundlich and Redlich-Peterson isotherms describing sorption equilibrium data best. The coal fly ash had maximum sorption capacity of 53 mg/g and could thus be used as a low cost adsorbent in melanoidin removal.
Abstract: This paper proposes an effective algorithm approach to hybrid control systems combining fuzzy logic and conventional control techniques of controlling the speed of induction motor assumed to operate in high-performance drives environment. The introducing of fuzzy logic in the control systems helps to achieve good dynamical response, disturbance rejection and low sensibility to parameter variations and external influences. Some fundamentals of the fuzzy logic control are preliminary illustrated. The developed control algorithm is robust, efficient and simple. It also assures precise trajectory tracking with the prescribed dynamics. Experimental results have shown excellent tracking performance of the proposed control system, and have convincingly demonstrated the validity and the usefulness of the hybrid fuzzy controller in high-performance drives with parameter and load uncertainties. Satisfactory performance was observed for most reference tracks.
Abstract: Discrete choice model is the most used methodology for studying traveler-s mode choice and demand. However, to calibrate the discrete choice model needs to have plenty of questionnaire survey. In this study, an aggregative model is proposed. The historical data of passenger volumes for high speed rail and domestic civil aviation are employed to calibrate and validate the model. In this study, different models are compared so as to propose the best one. From the results, systematic equations forecast better than single equation do. Models with the external variable, which is oil price, are better than models based on closed system assumption.
Abstract: Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP3) is key member
of the MMP family, and is known to be present in coronary
atherosclerotic. Several studies have demonstrated that MMP-3
5A/6A polymorphism modify each transcriptional activity in allele
specific manner. We hypothesized that this polymorphism may play
a role as risk factor for development of coronary stenosis. The aim of
our study was to estimate MMP-3 (5A/6A) gene polymorphism on
interindividual variability in risk for coronary stenosis in an Iranian
population.DNA was extracted from white blood cells and genotypes
were obtained from coronary stenosis cases (n=95) and controls
(n=100) by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and restriction
fragment length polymorphism techniques. Significant differences
between cases and controls were observed for MMP3 genotype
frequencies (X2=199.305, p< 0.001); the 6A allele was less
frequently seen in the control group, compared to the disease group
(85.79 vs. 78%, 6A/6A+5A/6A vs. 5A/5A, P≤0.001). These data
imply the involvement of -1612 5A/6A polymorphism in coronary
stenosis, and suggest that probably the 6A/6A MMP-3 genotype is a
genetic susceptibility factor for coronary stenosis.
Abstract: Sociological models (e.g., social network analysis, small-group dynamic and gang models) have historically been used to predict the behavior of terrorist groups. However, they may not be the most appropriate method for understanding the behavior of terrorist organizations because the models were not initially intended to incorporate violent behavior of its subjects. Rather, models that incorporate life and death competition between subjects, i.e., models utilized by scientists to examine the behavior of wildlife populations, may provide a more accurate analysis. This paper suggests the use of biological models to attain a more robust method for understanding the behavior of terrorist organizations as compared to traditional methods. This study also describes how a biological population model incorporating predator-prey behavior factors can predict terrorist organizational recruitment behavior for the purpose of understanding the factors that govern the growth and decline of terrorist organizations. The Lotka-Volterra, a biological model that is based on a predator-prey relationship, is applied to a highly suggestive case study, that of the Irish Republican Army. This case study illuminates how a biological model can be utilized to understand the actions of a terrorist organization.
Abstract: The present paper was concerned primarily with the
analysis, simulation of the air flow and thermal patterns in a lecture
room. The paper is devoted to numerically investigate the influence
of location and number of ventilation and air conditioning supply and
extracts openings on air flow properties in a lecture room. The work
focuses on air flow patterns, thermal behaviour in lecture room where
large number of students. The effectiveness of an air flow system is
commonly assessed by the successful removal of sensible and latent
loads from occupants with additional of attaining air pollutant at a
prescribed level to attain the human thermal comfort conditions and
to improve the indoor air quality; this is the main target during the
present paper. The study is carried out using computational fluid
dynamics (CFD) simulation techniques as embedded in the
commercially available CFD code (FLUENT 6.2). The CFD
modelling techniques solved the continuity, momentum and energy
conservation equations in addition to standard k – ε model equations
for turbulence closure.
Throughout the investigations, numerical validation is carried out by
way of comparisons of numerical and experimental results. Good
agreement is found among both predictions.
Abstract: This paper describes the design of a programmable
FSK-modulator based on VCO and its implementation in 0.35m
CMOS process. The circuit is used to transmit digital data at
100Kbps rate in the frequency range of 400-600MHz. The design
and operation of the modulator is discussed briefly. Further the
characteristics of PLL, frequency synthesizer, VCO and the whole
design are elaborated. The variation among the proposed and tested
specifications is presented. Finally, the layout of sub-modules, pin
configurations, final chip and test results are presented.
Abstract: Prickly pear juice has received renewed attention with regard to the effects of processing and preservation on its sensory qualities (colour, taste, flavour, aroma, astringency, visual browning and overall acceptability). Juice was prepared by homogenizing fruit and treating the pulp with pectinase (Aspergillus niger). Juice treatments applied were sugar addition, acidification, heat-treatment, refrigeration, and freezing and thawing. Prickly pear pulp and juice had unique properties (low pH 3.88, soluble solids 3.68 oBrix and high titratable acidity 0.47). Sensory profiling and descriptive analyses revealed that non-treated juice had a bitter taste with high astringency whereas treated prickly pear was significantly sweeter. All treated juices had a good sensory acceptance with values approximating or exceeding 7. Regression analysis of the consumer sensory attributes for non-treated prickly pear juice indicated an overwhelming rejection, while treated prickly pear juice received overall acceptability. Thus, educed favourable sensory responses and may have positive implications for consumer acceptability.
Abstract: Sparse representation which can represent high dimensional
data effectively has been successfully used in computer vision
and pattern recognition problems. However, it doesn-t consider the
label information of data samples. To overcome this limitation,
we develop a novel dimensionality reduction algorithm namely
dscriminatively regularized sparse subspace learning(DR-SSL) in this
paper. The proposed DR-SSL algorithm can not only make use of
the sparse representation to model the data, but also can effective
employ the label information to guide the procedure of dimensionality
reduction. In addition,the presented algorithm can effectively deal
with the out-of-sample problem.The experiments on gene-expression
data sets show that the proposed algorithm is an effective tool for
dimensionality reduction and gene-expression data classification.
Abstract: Nowadays there are several grid connected converter
in the grid system. These grid connected converters are generally the
converters of renewable energy sources, industrial four quadrant
drives and other converters with DC link. These converters are
connected to the grid through a three phase bridge. The standards
prescribe the maximal harmonic emission which could be easily
limited with high switching frequency. The increased switching
losses can be reduced to the half with the utilization of the wellknown
Flat-top modulation. The suggested control method is the
expansion of the Flat-top modulation with which the losses could be
also reduced to the half compared to the Flat-top modulation.
Comparing to traditional control these requirements can be
simultaneously satisfied much better with the DLF (DC Link
Floating) method.
Abstract: A key requirement for e-learning materials is
reusability and interoperability, that is the possibility to use at least
part of the contents in different courses, and to deliver them trough
different platforms. These features make possible to limit the cost of
new packages, but require the development of material according to
proper specifications. SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference
Model) is a set of guidelines suitable for this purpose. A specific
adaptation project has been started to make possible to reuse existing
materials. The paper describes the main characteristics of SCORM
specification, and the procedure used to modify the existing material.
Abstract: The object of this paper is to design and analyze a
proportional – integral (PI) control for positive output elementary
super lift Luo converter (POESLLC), which is the start-of-the-art
DC-DC converter. The positive output elementary super lift Luo
converter performs the voltage conversion from positive source
voltage to positive load voltage. This paper proposes a
development of PI control capable of providing the good static and
dynamic performance compared to proportional – integralderivative
(PID) controller. Using state space average method
derives the dynamic equations describing the positive output
elementary super lift luo converter and PI control is designed. The
simulation model of the positive output elementary super lift Luo
converter with its control circuit is implemented in
Matlab/Simulink. The PI control for positive output elementary
super lift Luo converter is tested for transient region, line changes,
load changes, steady state region and also for components
variations.
Abstract: This study aimed to present the mechanical
performance evaluation of the dynamic hip screw (DHS) for
trochanteric fracture by means of finite element method. The
analyses were performed based on stainless steel and titanium
implant material definitions at various stages of bone healing and
including implant removal. The assessment of the mechanical
performance used two parameters, von Mises stress to evaluate the
strength of bone and implant and elastic strain to evaluate fracture
stability. The results show several critical aspects of dynamic hip
screw for trochanteric fracture stabilization. In the initial stage of
bone healing process, partial weight bearing should be applied to
avoid the implant failure. In the late stage of bone healing, stainless
steel implant should be removed.
Abstract: The broadcast problem including the plan design is
considered. The data are inserted and numbered at predefined order
into customized size relations. The server ability to create a full,
regular Broadcast Plan (RBP) with single and multiple channels after
some data transformations is examined. The Regular Geometric
Algorithm (RGA) prepares a RBP and enables the users to catch their
items avoiding energy waste of their devices. Moreover, the
Grouping Dimensioning Algorithm (GDA) based on integrated
relations can guarantee the discrimination of services with a
minimum number of channels. This last property among the selfmonitoring,
self-organizing, can be offered by servers today
providing also channel availability and less energy consumption by
using smaller number of channels. Simulation results are provided.
Abstract: Transcription factors are a group of proteins that
helps for interpreting the genetic information in DNA.
Protein-protein interactions play a major role in the execution
of key biological functions of a cell. These interactions are
represented in the form of a graph with nodes and edges.
Studies have showed that some nodes have high degree of
connectivity and such nodes, known as hub nodes, are the
inevitable parts of the network. In the present paper a method
is proposed to identify hub transcription factor proteins using
sequence information. On a complete data set of transcription
factor proteins available from the APID database, the
proposed method showed an accuracy of 77%, sensitivity of
79% and specificity of 76%.
Abstract: This paper investigates the robust stability of uncertain neutral system with time-varying delay. By using Lyapunov method and linear matrix inequality technology, new delay-dependent stability criteria are obtained and formulated in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), which can be easy to check the robust stability of the considered systems. Numerical examples are given to indicate significant improvements over some existing results.
Abstract: Truss optimization problem has been vastly studied
during the past 30 years and many different methods have been
proposed for this problem. Even though most of these methods
assume that the design variables are continuously valued, in reality,
the design variables of optimization problems such as cross-sectional
areas are discretely valued. In this paper, an improved hill climbing
and an improved simulated annealing algorithm have been proposed
to solve the truss optimization problem with discrete values for crosssectional
areas. Obtained results have been compared to other
methods in the literature and the comparison represents that the
proposed methods can be used more efficiently than other proposed
methods
Abstract: This paper aims to explain the project carried out at
the University of Cordoba, specifically at the High Polytechnic
School in collaboration with two other organizations belonging to the
Andalusian Ministry of Innovation, Science and Business:
Andalusian Innovation and Development Agency (IDEA agency) [1]
and the Territorial Net of Entrepreneurship Support (in Spanish Red
Territorial de Apoyo al Emprendedor) [11].
The project is being developed in several stages of which only the
first one has already been completed. However, several important
preliminary results derive from it, based mainly in the description of
the nature of entrepreneurship in the field of university education and
its impact on student-s competency as recommended by the European
Higher Education Area. Some problems holding back the correct
future development will also be shown as derived from the specific
context of application of the project.
Abstract: In this paper, we consider the almost periodic solutions of a discrete cooperation system with feedback controls. Assuming that the coefficients in the system are almost periodic sequences, we obtain the existence and uniqueness of the almost periodic solution which is uniformly asymptotically stable.
Abstract: This paper proposes a modeling methodology for the
development of data analysis solution. The Author introduce the
approach to address data warehousing issues at the at enterprise level.
The methodology covers the process of the requirements eliciting and
analysis stage as well as initial design of data warehouse. The paper
reviews extended business process model, which satisfy the needs of
data warehouse development. The Author considers that the use of
business process models is necessary, as it reflects both enterprise
information systems and business functions, which are important for
data analysis. The Described approach divides development into
three steps with different detailed elaboration of models. The
Described approach gives possibility to gather requirements and
display them to business users in easy manner.