Abstract: Nature constantly changes as a result of human
necessities. This change mostly feels in natural water sources which
are reconstructed with an effect of dams and motorways. In other
respects, visual quality of the landscape gets a new and different
character during and after the construction of dams and motorways.
Changing and specialization new landscapes will be very important
to protection-usage balance to explore sustainable usage facilities.
The main cause of the selection of Artvin city is that it has very
important geographical location and one of the most attraction points
in the World with its biodiversity, conservation areas and natural
landscape characteristics. Many hydroelectric station and 7 dams are
situated, 3 of them have already been built on the Çoruh River in the
province of Artvin. As a result of dams, motorways route were reshaped
and the ways which have already changed because of
elevation is directly affected several of natural destruction. In
contrast, many different reservoirs in Coruh Basin provide new vista
point that has high visual quality. In this study, we would like to
evaluate with sustainable landscape design in 76 km river corridor,
which is mainly based on Deriner, Borçka and Muratlı Dams and
determination of their basin-lakes recreational potential and
opportunities. Lastly, we are going to give some suggestion about the
potential of the corridor.
Abstract: Iranian architects had creative ways for constructing
the buildings in each climate. Some of these architectural elements
were made under the ground. Shovadan is one of these underground
spaces in hot-humid regions in Dezfoul and Shoushtar city that had
special functions and characteristics. In this paper some subjects such
as the history of Shovadan, its elements and effective factors in the
formation of Shovadan in Dezfool city are discussed.
Abstract: This paper concentrates on the sustainable traditional
architecture and urban planning in hot-humid regions of Iran. In a
vast country such as Iran with different climatic zones traditional
builders have presented series of logical solutions for human comfort.
The aim of this paper is to demonstrate traditional architecture in hothumid
climate of Iran as a sample of sustainable architecture. Iranian
traditional architecture has been able to response to environmental
problems for a long period of time. Its features are based on climatic
factors, local construction materials of hot-humid regions and culture.
This paper concludes that Iranian traditional architecture can be
addressed as a sustainable architecture.
Abstract: The objective of this work is to carryout critical
comparison of different actuation mechanisms like electrostatic,
thermal, piezoelectric, and magnetic with reference to a micro
cantilever. The relevant parameters like force generated,
displacement are compared in actuation methods. With these results,
helps in choosing the best actuation method for a particular
application. In this study, Comsol/Multiphysics software is used.
Modeling and simulation is done by considering the micro cantilever
of same dimensions as an actuator using all the above mentioned
actuation techniques. In addition to their small size, micro actuators
consume very little power and are capable of accurate results. In this
work, a comparison of actuation mechanisms is done to decide the
efficient system in micro domain.
Abstract: Routing in adhoc networks is a challenge as nodes are
mobile, and links are constantly created and broken. Present ondemand
adhoc routing algorithms initiate route discovery after a path
breaks, incurring significant cost to detect disconnection and
establish a new route. Specifically, when a path is about to be broken,
the source is warned of the likelihood of a disconnection. The source
then initiates path discovery early, avoiding disconnection totally. A
path is considered about to break when link availability decreases.
This study modifies Adhoc On-demand Multipath Distance Vector
routing (AOMDV) so that route handoff occurs through link
availability estimation.
Abstract: Within Rapid Prototyping technologies are used many
types of materials. Many of them are recyclable but there are still as
plastic like, so practically they do not degrade in the landfill.
Polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the special plastic materials, which
are biodegradable and available for 3D printing within Fused
Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology. The question is, if the
mechanical properties of produced models are comparable to similar
technical plastic materials which are usual for prototype production.
Presented paper shows the experiments results for tensile strength
measurements for specimens prepared with different 3D printer
settings and model orientation. Paper contains also the comparison of
tensile strength values with values measured on specimens produced
by conventional technologies as injection moulding.
Abstract: Reduction of energy consumption in built
infrastructure, through the installation of energy-efficient
technologies, is a major approach to achieving sustainability. In
practice, the viability of energy efficiency projects strongly depends
on the cost reimbursement and profitability. These projects are
subject to failure if the actual cost savings do not reimburse the
project cost promptly. In such cases, refinancing could be a solution
to benefit from the long-term returns of the project, if implemented
wisely. However, very little is still known about the effect of
refinancing options on financial performance of energy efficiency
projects. In order to fill this gap, the present study investigates the
financial behavior of energy efficiency projects with focus on
refinancing options, such as Leveraged Loans. A System Dynamics
(SD) model is introduced, and the model application is presented
using an actual case-study data. The case study results indicate that
while high-interest start-ups make using Leveraged Loan inevitable,
refinancing can rescue the project and bring about profitability. This
paper also presents some managerial implications of refinancing
energy efficiency projects based on the case-study analysis. Results
of this study help to implement financially viable energy efficiency
projects so that the community could benefit from their
environmental advantages widely.
Abstract: In this paper, the unstable angle of attack of a
FOXTROT aircraft is controlled by using Genetic Algorithm based
flight controller and the result is compared with the conventional
techniques like Tyreus-Luyben (TL), Ziegler-Nichols (ZN) and
Interpolation Rule (IR) for tuning the PID controller. In addition, the
performance indices like Mean Square Error (MSE), Integral Square
Error (ISE), and Integral Absolute Time Error (IATE) etc. are
improved by using Genetic Algorithm. It was established that the
error by using GA is very less as compared to the conventional
techniques thereby improving the performance indices of the
dynamic system.
Abstract: Given the increase in the number of e-commerce sites,
the number of competitors has become very important. This means
that companies have to take appropriate decisions in order to meet the
expectations of their customers and satisfy their needs. In this paper,
we present a case study of applying LRFM (length, recency,
frequency and monetary) model and clustering techniques in the
sector of electronic commerce with a view to evaluating customers’
values of the Moroccan e-commerce websites and then developing
effective marketing strategies. To achieve these objectives, we adopt
LRFM model by applying a two-stage clustering method. In the first
stage, the self-organizing maps method is used to determine the best
number of clusters and the initial centroid. In the second stage, kmeans
method is applied to segment 730 customers into nine clusters
according to their L, R, F and M values. The results show that the
cluster 6 is the most important cluster because the average values of
L, R, F and M are higher than the overall average value. In addition,
this study has considered another variable that describes the mode of
payment used by customers to improve and strengthen clusters’
analysis. The clusters’ analysis demonstrates that the payment method is
one of the key indicators of a new index which allows to assess the
level of customers’ confidence in the company's Website.
Abstract: The main cause of Alzheimer disease (AD) was
believed to be mainly due to the accumulation of free radicals owing
to oxidative stress (OS) in brain tissue. The mechanism of the
neurotoxicity of Aluminum chloride (AlCl3) induced AD in
hippocampus Albino wister rat brain tissue, the curative & the
protective effects of Lipidium sativum group (LS) water extract were
assessed after 8 weeks by attenuated total reflection spectroscopy
ATR-IR and histologically by light microscope. ATR-IR results
revealed that the membrane phospholipid undergo free radical
attacks, mediated by AlCl3, primary affects the polyunsaturated fatty
acids indicated by the increased of the olefinic -C=CH sub-band area
around 3012 cm-1 from the curve fitting analysis. The narrowing in
the half band width (HBW) of the sνCH2 sub-band around 2852 cm-1
due to Al intoxication indicates the presence of trans form fatty acids
rather than gauch rotomer. The degradation of hydrocarbon chain to
shorter chain length, increasing in membrane fluidity, disorder, and
decreasing in lipid polarity in AlCl3 group indicated by the detected
changes in certain calculated area ratios compared to the control.
Administration of LS was greatly improved these parameters
compared to the AlCl3 group. Al influences the Aβ aggregation and
plaque formation, which in turn interferes to and disrupts the
membrane structure. The results also showed a marked increase in
the β-parallel and antiparallel structure, that characterize the Aβ
formation in Al-induced AD hippocampal brain tissue, indicated by
the detected increase in both amide I sub-bands around 1674, 1692
cm-1. This drastic increase in Aβ formation was greatly reduced in the
curative and protective groups compared to the AlCl3 group and
approached nearly the control values. These results supported too by
the light microscope. AlCl3 group showed significant marked
degenerative changes in hippocampal neurons. Most cells appeared
small, shrieked and deformed. Interestingly, the administration of LS
in curative and protective groups markedly decreases the amount of
degenerated cells compared to the non-treated group. In addition, the
intensity of congo red stained cells was decreased. Hippocampal
neurons looked more/or less similar to those of control. This study showed a promising therapeutic effect of Lipidium
sativum group (LS) on AD rat model that seriously overcome the
signs of oxidative stress on membrane lipid and restore the protein
misfolding.
Abstract: Highly developed technology and highly competitive
global market highlight the important role of competitive advantages
and operation performances in sustainable company operation.
Activity-Based Costing (ABC) provides accurate operation cost and
operation performance information. Rich literatures provide relevant
research with cases study on Activity-Based Costing application, but
the research on cause relationship between key success factors and its
specific outcome, such as profitability or share market are few. These
relationships provide the ways to handle the key success factors to
achieve the specific outcomes for ensuring to promote the competitive
advantages and operation performances. The main purposes of this
research are exploring the key success paths by Key Success Paths
approach which will lead the ways to apply Activity-Base Costing.
The Key Success Paths is the innovative method which is exploring
the cause relationships and explaining what are the effects of key
success factors to specific outcomes of Activity-Based Costing
implementation. The cause relationships between key success factors
and successful specific outcomes are Key Success Paths (KSPs). KSPs
are the guidelines to lead the cost management strategies to achieve the
goals of competitive advantages and operation performances. The
research findings indicate that good management system design may
affect the well outcomes of Activity-Based Costing application and
achieve to outstanding competitive advantage, operating performance
and profitability as well by KSPs exploration.
Abstract: This paper is concerned with the ways in which
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) affect women’s lives
and perceptions regarding their infertility, contraception and
reproductive health. The paper is based on a qualitative feminist
survey study to explore and analyze issues arising from the use of
ARTs by women in New Delhi, the capital of India. A rapid growth in
the number of fertility clinics has been noticed recently. A critical
analysis of interviews revealed that these technologies are used and
developed for making profits at the cost of women’s lives. In this
way, these technologies are influencing and changing the traditional
patterns of motherhood requiring a rethinking about new ways of
reproduction introduced through the use of ARTs.
Abstract: Various nanomaterials can be used as a drug delivery
vehicles in nanomedicine, called nanocarriers. They can either be
organic or inorganic, synthetic or natural-based. Although synthetic
nanocarriers are easier to produce, they can often be toxic for the
organism and thus not suitable for use in treatment. From naturalbased
nanocarriers, the most commonly used are protein cages or
viral capsids. In this work, virus bacteriophage λ was used for
delivery of different cytotoxic drugs (cisplatin, carboplatin,
oxaliplatin and doxorubicin). Large quantities of phage λ were
obtained from phage λ-producing strain of E. coli cultivated in
medium with 0.2% maltose. After killing of E. coli with chloroform
and its removal by centrifugation, the phage was concentrated by
ultracentrifugation at 130 000×g and 4°C for 3 h. The encapsulation
of the drugs was performed by infusion method and four different
concentrations of the drugs were encapsulated (200; 100; 50; 25
μg·mL-1). Free drug molecules were removed by filtration. The
encapsulation was verified using the absorbance for doxorubicin and
atomic absorption spectrometry for platinum cytostatics. The amount
of encapsulated drug linearly increased with the increasing
concentration of applied drug with the determination coefficient
R2=0.989 for doxorubicin; R2=0.967 for cisplatin; R2=0.989 for
carboplatin and R2=0.996 for oxaliplatin. The overall encapsulation
efficiency was calculated as 50% for doxorubicin; 8% for cisplatin;
6% for carboplatin and 10% for oxaliplatin.
Abstract: Recovering resources from water purification sludge
(WPS) have been gradually stipulated in environmental protection
laws and regulations in many nations. Hence, reusing the WPS is
becoming an important topic, and recovering alum from WPS is one of
the many practical alternatives. Most previous research efforts have
been conducted on studying the amphoteric characteristic of aluminum
hydroxide for investigating the optimum pH range to dissolve the
Al(III) species from WPS, but it has been lack of reaction kinetics or
mechanisms related discussion. Therefore, in this investigation, water
purification sludge (WPS) solution was broken by ultrasound to make
particle size of reactants smaller, specific surface area larger.
According to the reaction kinetics, these phenomena let the dissolved
aluminum salt quantity increased and the reaction rate go faster.
Abstract: Millions of girls are forcibly married during the
transitional period between puberty and adulthood. At a stage of
vulnerability cultural practices, religious rights and social standards
place her in a position where she is catapult into womanhood. An
advocate against forced child marriage could argue that child rights,
cultural rights, religious rights, right to marry, right to life, right to
health, right to education, right to be free from slavery, right to be
free from torture, right to consent to marriage are all violated by the
practice of child marriage. The author is this advocate and this paper
will present how some of these rights are violated and establish the
need for change.
Abstract: Noninvasive diagnostics of diseases via breath
analysis has attracted considerable scientific and clinical interest for
many years and become more and more promising with the rapid
advancements in nanotechnology and biotechnology. The volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath, which are mainly
blood borne, particularly provide highly valuable information about
individuals’ physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
Additionally, breath analysis is noninvasive, real-time, painless, and
agreeable to patients. We have developed a wireless sensor array
based on single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-functionalized single-walled
carbon nanotubes (SWNT) for the detection of a number of
physiological indicators in breath. Seven DNA sequences were used
to functionalize SWNT sensors to detect trace amount of methanol,
benzene, dimethyl sulfide, hydrogen sulfide, acetone, and ethanol,
which are indicators of heavy smoking, excessive drinking, and
diseases such as lung cancer, breast cancer, and diabetes. Our test
results indicated that DNA functionalized SWNT sensors exhibit
great selectivity, sensitivity, and repeatability; and different
molecules can be distinguished through pattern recognition enabled
by this sensor array. Furthermore, the experimental sensing results
are consistent with the Molecular Dynamics simulated ssDNAmolecular
target interaction rankings. Thus, the DNA-SWNT sensor
array has great potential to be applied in chemical or biomolecular
detection for the noninvasive diagnostics of diseases and personal
health monitoring.
Abstract: High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
method was developed and validated for simultaneous estimation of
6-Gingerol(6G) and 6-Shogaol(6S) in joint pain relief gel containing
ginger extract. The chromatographic separation was achieved by
using C18 column, 150 x 4.6mm i.d., 5μ Luna, mobile phase
containing acetonitrile and water (gradient elution). The flow rate
was 1.0 ml/min and the absorbance was monitored at 282 nm. The
proposed method was validated in terms of the analytical parameters
such as specificity, accuracy, precision, linearity, range, limit of
detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), and determined
based on the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH)
guidelines. The linearity ranges of 6G and 6S were obtained over 20-
60 and 6-18 μg/ml respectively. Good linearity was observed over the
above-mentioned range with linear regression equation Y= 11016x-
23778 for 6G and Y = 19276x-19604 for 6S (x is concentration of
analytes in μg/ml and Y is peak area). The value of correlation
coefficient was found to be 0.9994 for both markers. The limit of
detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for 6G were
0.8567 and 2.8555 μg/ml and for 6S were 0.3672 and 1.2238 μg/ml
respectively. The recovery range for 6G and 6S were found to be
91.57 to 102.36 % and 84.73 to 92.85 % for all three spiked levels.
The RSD values from repeated extractions for 6G and 6S were 3.43
and 3.09% respectively. The validation of developed method on
precision, accuracy, specificity, linearity, and range were also
performed with well-accepted results.
Abstract: This paper discusses the thematic structure of Yoruba
popular music of Southwest Nigeria. It examines the use of themes
and variations in early and contemporary Juju music. The work is an
outcome of a research developed by the author in his doctoral studies
at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, with the aim of analyzing the
thematic and motivic developments in Yoruba popular genres.
Observations, interviews, live recordings and CDs were used as
methods for eliciting information. Field recordings and CDs of
selected musical samples were also transcribed and notated. The
research established the prevalent use of string of themes by Juju
musicians as a compositional technique in moving from one musical
section to another, as they communicate the verbal messages in their
song. These themes consist of the popular ‘call and response’ form
found in most African music, analogous to the western ‘subject and
answer’ style of the fugue or sonata form, although without the tonic–
dominant relations. Due to the short and repetitive form of African
melodies and rhythms, a theme is restated as a variation, where its
rhythmic and melodic motifs are stylistically developed and repeated,
but still retaining its recognizable core musical structure. The
findings of this study showed that Juju musicians generally often
employ a thematic plan where new themes are used to arrange the
songs into sections, and each theme is developed into variations in
order to further expand the music, eliminate monotony, and create
musical aesthetics, serving as hallmark of its musical identity. The
study established the musical and extra-musical attributes of the
genre, while recommending further research towards analyzing the
various compositional techniques employed in African popular
genres.
Abstract: The effects of the contact ball-lens on the soda lime
glass in laser thermal cleavage with a cw Nd-YAG laser were
investigated in this study. A contact ball-lens was adopted to generate
a bending force on the crack formation of the soda-lime glass in the
laser cutting process. The Nd-YAG laser beam (wavelength of 1064
nm) was focused through the ball-lens and transmitted to the soda-lime
glass, which was coated with a carbon film on the surface with a
bending force from a ball-lens to generate a tensile stress state on the
surface cracking. The fracture was controlled by the contact ball-lens
and a straight cutting was tested to demonstrate the feasibility.
Experimental observations on the crack propagation from the leading
edge, main section and trailing edge of the glass sheet were compared
with various mechanical and thermal loadings. Further analyses on the
stress under various laser powers and contact ball loadings were made
to characterize the innovative technology. The results show that the distributions of the side crack at the
leading and trailing edges are mainly dependent on the boundary
condition, contact force, cutting speed and laser power. With the
increase of the mechanical and thermal loadings, the region of the side
cracks might be dramatically reduced with proper selection of the
geometrical constrains. Therefore the application of the contact
ball-lens is a possible way to control the fracture in laser cleavage with
improved cutting qualities.
Abstract: The plastic industry plays very important role in the
economy of any country. It is generally among the leading share of
the economy of the country. Since metals and their alloys are very
rarely available on the earth. Therefore, to produce plastic products
and components, which finds application in many industrial as well
as household consumer products is beneficial. Since 50% plastic
products are manufactured by injection moulding process. For
production of better quality product, we have to control quality
characteristics and performance of the product. The process
parameters plays a significant role in production of plastic, hence the
control of process parameter is essential. In this paper the effect of
the parameters selection on injection moulding process has been
described. It is to define suitable parameters in producing plastic
product. Selecting the process parameter by trial and error is neither
desirable nor acceptable, as it is often tends to increase the cost and
time. Hence, optimization of processing parameter of injection
moulding process is essential. The experiments were designed with
Taguchi’s orthogonal array to achieve the result with least number of
experiments. Plastic material polypropylene is studied. Tensile
strength test of material is done on universal testing machine, which
is produced by injection moulding machine. By using Taguchi
technique with the help of MiniTab-14 software the best value of
injection pressure, melt temperature, packing pressure and packing
time is obtained. We found that process parameter packing pressure
contribute more in production of good tensile plastic product.