Abstract: The aim of this work is to detect geometrical shape
objects in an image. In this paper, the object is considered to be as a
circle shape. The identification requires find three characteristics,
which are number, size, and location of the object. To achieve the
goal of this work, this paper presents an algorithm that combines
from some of statistical approaches and image analysis techniques.
This algorithm has been implemented to arrive at the major
objectives in this paper. The algorithm has been evaluated by using
simulated data, and yields good results, and then it has been applied
to real data.
Abstract: This research work presents the surface
thermodynamics approach to M-TB/HIV-Human sputum
interactions. This involved the use of the Hamaker coefficient
concept as a surface energetics tool in determining the interaction
processes, with the surface interfacial energies explained using van
der Waals concept of particle interactions. The Lifshitz derivation for
van der Waals forces was applied as an alternative to the contact
angle approach which has been widely used in other biological
systems. The methodology involved taking sputum samples from
twenty infected persons and from twenty uninfected persons for
absorbance measurement using a digital Ultraviolet visible
Spectrophotometer. The variables required for the computations with
the Lifshitz formula were derived from the absorbance data. The
Matlab software tools were used in the mathematical analysis of the
data produced from the experiments (absorbance values). The
Hamaker constants and the combined Hamaker coefficients were
obtained using the values of the dielectric constant together with the
Lifshitz Equation. The absolute combined Hamaker coefficients
A132abs and A131abs on both infected and uninfected sputum samples
gave the values of A132abs = 0.21631x10-21Joule for M-TB infected
sputum and Ã132abs = 0.18825x10-21Joule for M-TB/HIV infected
sputum. The significance of this result is the positive value of the
absolute combined Hamaker coefficient which suggests the existence
of net positive van der waals forces demonstrating an attraction
between the bacteria and the macrophage. This however, implies that
infection can occur. It was also shown that in the presence of HIV,
the interaction energy is reduced by 13% conforming adverse effects
observed in HIV patients suffering from tuberculosis.
Abstract: This study aims to examine the sensory quality of
meatballs made from Balinese beef and buffalo meat after the
addition of smoke powder prior to storage at the temperatures of 2-
5°C for 7 days. This study used meat from Longissimus dorsi muscle
of male Balinese cattle aged 3 years and of male buffalo aged 5 years
as the main raw materials, and smoke powder as a binder and
preservative in making meatballs. The study was based on completely
randomized design (CRD) of factorial pattern of 2 x 3 x 2 where
factors 1, 2 and 3 included the types of meat (cattle and buffalo),
types of smoke powder (oven dried, freeze dried and spray dried)
with a level of 2% of the weight of the meat (w/w), and storage
duration (0 and 7 days) with three replications, respectively. The
parameters measured were the meatball sensory quality (scores of
tenderness, firmness, chewing residue, and intensity of flavor). The
results of this study show that each type of meat has produced
different sensory characteristics. The meatballs made from buffalo
meat have higher tenderness and elasticity scores than the Balinese
beef. Meanwhile, the buffalo meatballs have a lower residue
mastication score than the Balinese beef. Each type of smoke
powders has produced a relatively similar sensory quality of
meatballs. It can be concluded that the smoke powder of 2% of the
weight of the meat (w/w) could maintain the sensory quality of the
meatballs for 7 days of storage.
Abstract: A number of studies have been conducted recently to
investigate the influence of randomly oriented fibers on some
engineering properties of cohesive and cohesionless soils. However,
few studies have been carried out on freezing-thawing behavior of
fine-grained soils modified with discrete fiber inclusions and additive
materials. This experimental study was performed to investigate the
effect of randomly distributed polypropylene fibers (PP) and some
additive materials [e.g.., borogypsum (BG), fly ash (FA) and cement
(C)] on freezing-thawing durability (mass losses) of a fine-grained
soil for 6, 12, and 18 cycles. The Taguchi method was applied to the
experiments and a standard L9 orthogonal array (OA) with four
factors and three levels were chosen. A series of freezing-thawing
tests were conducted on each specimen. 0-20% BG, 0-20% FA, 0-
0.25% PP and 0-3% of C by total dry weight of mixture were used in
the preparation of specimens. Experimental results showed that the
most effective materials for the freezing-thawing durability (mass
losses) of the samples were borogypsum and fly ash. The values of
mass losses for 6, 12 and 18 cycles in optimum conditions were
16.1%, 5.1% and 3.6%, respectively.
Abstract: In this study, the time-dependent behavior of damaged
reinforced concrete shear wall structures strengthened with composite
plates having variable fibers spacing was investigated to analyze their
seismic response. In the analytical formulation, the adherent and the
adhesive layers are all modeled as shear walls, using the mixed Finite
Element Method (FEM). The anisotropic damage model is adopted to
describe the damage extent of the Reinforced Concrete shear walls.
The phenomenon of creep and shrinkage of concrete has been
determined by Eurocode 2. Large earthquakes recorded in Algeria
(El-Asnam and Boumerdes) have been tested to demonstrate the
accuracy of the proposed method. Numerical results are obtained for non-uniform distributions of
carbon fibers in epoxy matrices. The effects of damage extent and the
delay mechanism creep and shrinkage of concrete are highlighted.
Prospects are being studied.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to propose an effective method to improve frictional coefficient between shoe rubber soles with added glass fibers and the surfaces of icy and snowy road in order to prevent slip-and-fall accidents by the users. The additional fibers into the rubber were uniformly tilted to the perpendicular direction of the frictional surface, where tilting angles were -60, -30, +30, +60, 90 degrees and 0 (as normal specimen), respectively. It was found that parallel arraignment was effective to improve the frictional coefficient when glass fibers were embedded in the shoe rubber, while perpendicular to normal direction of the embedded glass fibers on the shoe surface was also effective to do that once after they were exposed from the shoe rubber with its abrasion. These improvements were explained by the increase of stiffness against the shear deformation of the rubber at critical frictional state and adequate scratching of fibers when fibers were protruded in perpendicular to frictional direction, respectively. Most effective angle of tilting of frictional coefficient between rubber specimens and a stone was perpendicular (= 0 degree) to frictional direction. Combinative modified rubber specimen having 2 layers was fabricated where tilting angle of protruded fibers was 0 degree near the contact surface and tilting angle of embedded fibers was 90 degrees near back surface in thickness direction to further improve the frictional coefficient. Current study suggested that effective arraignments in tilting angle of the added fibers should be applied in designing rubber shoe soles to keep the safeties for users in regions of cold climates.
Abstract: Rotary entrainment is a phenomenon in which the
interface of two immiscible fluids are subjected to external flux by
means of rotation. Present work reports the experimental study on
rotary motion of a horizontal cylinder between the interface of air and
water to observe the penetration of gas inside the liquid. Experiments
have been performed to establish entrainment of air mass in water
alongside the cylindrical surface. The movement of tracer and seeded
particles has been tracked to calculate the speed and path of the
entrained air inside water. Simplified particle image velocimetry
technique has been used to trace the movement of particles/tracers at
the moment they are injected inside the entrainment zone and
suspended beads have been used to replicate the particle movement
with respect to time in order to determine the flow dynamics of the
fluid along the cylinder. Present paper establishes a thorough experimental analysis of the
rotary entrainment phenomenon between air and water keeping in
interest the extent to which we can intermix the two and also to study
its entrainment trajectories.
Abstract: The understanding of geotechnical characteristics of
near-surface material and the effects of the groundwater is very
important problem in such as site studies. For showing the relations
between seismic data and groundwater, we selected about 25 km2 as
the study area. It has been presented which is a detailed work of
seismic data and groundwater depths of Gokpinar Damp area.
Seismic waves velocity (Vp and Vs) are very important parameters
showing the soil properties. The seismic records were used the
method of the multichannel analysis of surface waves near area of
Gokpinar Damp area. Sixty sites in this area have been investigated
with survey lines about 60 m in length. MASW (Multichannel
analysis of surface wave) method has been used to generate onedimensional
shear wave velocity profile at locations. These shear
wave velocities are used to estimate equivalent shear wave velocity in
the study area at every 2 and 5 m intervals up to a depth of 45 m.
Levels of equivalent shear wave velocity of soil are used the
classified of the study area. After the results of the study, it must be
considered as components of urban planning and building design of
Gokpinar Damp area, Denizli and the application and use of these
results should be required and enforced by municipal authorities.
Abstract: Unsteady flow and heat transfer from a circular
cylinder in cross-flow is studied numerically. The governing
equations are solved by using finite volume method. Reynolds
number varies in range of 50 to 200; in this range flow is considered
to be laminar and unsteady. Al2O3 nanoparticle with volume fraction
in range of 5% to 20% is added to pure water. Effects of adding
nanoparticle to pure water on lift and drag coefficient and Nusselt
number is presented. Addition of Al2O3 has inconsiderable effect on
the value of drags and lift coefficient. However, it has significant
effect on heat transfer; results show that heat transfer of Al2O3
nanofluid is about 9% to 36% higher than pure water.
Abstract: The report deals with comparison of traffic accidents
in Slovak republic in road and rail transport since 2009 until 2014,
with evaluation of external costs and consequently with the
possibilities of their internalization. The results of road traffic
accidents analysis are realized in line with after-effects they have
caused; in line with main cause, place of origin (within or out of
town) and in accordance to age of accident´s victims and kind of
injuries (easy, hard or fatal). Evaluation of individual after-effects is
carried in terms of probability of traffic accidents occurrence.
Abstract: The present research aimed at studying the awareness
and attitudes of teachers towards inclusive education. The sample
consisted of 60 teachers, teaching in the primary section (1st – 4th) of
regular schools affiliated to the SSC board in Mumbai. Sample was
selected by Multi-stage cluster sampling technique. A semi-structured
self-constructed interview schedule and a self-constructed attitude
scale was used to study the awareness of teachers about disability and
Inclusive education, and their attitudes towards inclusive education
respectively. Themes were extracted from the interview data and
quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS package. Results revealed
that teachers had some amount of awareness but an inadequate
amount of information on disabilities and inclusive education.
Disability to most (37) teachers meant “an inability to do something”.
The difference between disability and handicap was stated by most as
former being cognitive while handicap being physical in nature. With
regard to Inclusive education, a large number (46) stated that they
were unaware of the term and did not know what it meant. Majority
(52) of them perceived maximum challenges for themselves in an
inclusive set up, and emphasized on the role of teacher training
courses in the area of providing knowledge (49) and training in
teaching methodology (53). Although, 83.3% of teachers held a
moderately positive attitude towards inclusive education, a large
percentage (61.6%) of participants felt that being in inclusive set up
would be very challenging for both children with special needs and
without special needs. Though, most (49) of the teachers stated that
children with special needs should be educated in regular classroom
but they further clarified that only those should be in a regular
classroom who have physical impairments of mild or moderate
degree.
Abstract: Selling has changed. Selling has taken on aspects of
relationship marketing and sales force play a critical role in
developing long-term relationships between buyers and sellers which
is seen to serve the company’s targets and create success for a long
run. The purpose of this study was to examine what really matters in
buyer-seller encounters and determine what expectations business
buyers have. We studied 17 business buyers by a qualitative
interview. We found that buyers appreciate encounters where the
salesperson face the buyer as a way he or she is as a person, map the
real needs to improve buyers’ business and build up cooperation for
long-term relationship. This study show that personality matters are a
key elements when satisfying business buyers’ expectations.
Abstract: The 1:1 cocrystal of 2-amino-4-chloro-6-
methylpyrimidine (2A4C6MP) with 4-methylbenzoic acid (4MBA)
(I) has been prepared by slow evaporation method in methanol,
which was crystallized in monoclinic C2/c space group, Z = 8, and a
= 28.431 (2) Å, b = 7.3098 (5) Å, c = 14.2622 (10) Å and β =
109.618 (3)°. The presence of unionized –COOH functional group in
cocrystal I was identified both by spectral methods (1H and 13C
NMR, FTIR) and X-ray diffraction structural analysis. The
2A4C6MP molecule interact with the carboxylic group of the
respective 4MBA molecule through N—H⋯O and O—H⋯N
hydrogen bonds, forming a cyclic hydrogen–bonded motif R2
2(8).
The crystal structure was stabilized by Npyrimidine—H⋯O=C and
C=O—H⋯Npyrimidine types hydrogen bonding interactions.
Theoretical investigations have been computed by HF and density
function (B3LYP) method with 6–311+G (d,p)basis set. The
vibrational frequencies together with 1H and 13C NMR chemical
shifts have been calculated on the fully optimized geometry of
cocrystal I. Theoretical calculations are in good agreement with the
experimental results. Solvent–free formation of this cocrystal I is
confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction analysis.
Abstract: It is very important for a developing nation to
developing their infrastructure on the prime priority because their
infrastructure particularly their roads and transportation functions as a
blood in the system. Almost 1.1 billion populations share the travel
and transportation industry in India. On the other hand, the Pakistan
transportation industry is also extensive and elevating about 170
million users of transportation. Indian and Pakistani specifically
within bus industry are well connected within and between the urban
and rural areas. The transportation industry is radically helping the
economic alleviation of both countries. Due to high economic
instability, unemployment and poverty rate both countries
governments are very serious and committed to help for boosting
their economy. They believe that any form of transportation
development would play a vital role in the development of land,
infrastructure which could indirectly support many other industries’
developments, such as tourism, freighting and shipping businesses,
just to mention a few. However, it seems that their previous
transportation planning in the due course has failed to meet the fast
growing demand. As with the span of time, both the countries are
looking forward to a long-term, and economical solutions, because
the demand is from time to time keep appreciating and reacting
according to other key economic drivers. Content analysis method
and case study approach is used in this paper and secondary data
from the bureau of statistic is used for case analysis. The paper
focused on the mobility concerns of the lower and middle-income
people in India and Pakistan. The paper is aimed to highlight the
weaknesses, opportunities and limitations resulting from low priority
industry for a government, which is making the either country's
public suffer. The paper has concluded that the main issue is
identified as the slow, inappropriate, and unfavorable decisions which
are not in favor of long-term country’s economic development and
public interest. The paper also recommends to future research
avenues for public and private transportation, which is continuously
failing to meet the public expectations.
Abstract: A theoretical study of a humidification
dehumidification solar desalination unit has been carried out to
increase understanding the effect of weather conditions on the unit
productivity. A humidification-dehumidification (HD) solar
desalination unit has been designed to provide fresh water for
population in remote arid areas. It consists of solar water collector
and air collector; to provide the hot water and air to the desalination
chamber. The desalination chamber is divided into humidification
and dehumidification towers. The circulation of air between the two
towers is maintained by the forced convection. A mathematical
model has been formulated, in which the thermodynamic relations
were used to study the flow, heat and mass transfer inside the
humidifier and dehumidifier. The present technique is performed in
order to increase the unit performance. Heat and mass balance has
been done and a set of governing equations has been solved using the
finite difference technique. The unit productivity has been calculated
along the working day during the summer and winter sessions and
has compared with the available experimental results. The average
accumulative productivity of the system in winter has been ranged
between 2.5 to 4 (kg/m2)/day, while the average summer productivity
has been found between 8 to 12 (kg/m2)/day.
Abstract: To maintain a healthy balanced loyalty, whether to art
or society, posits a debatable issue. The artist is always on the look
out for the potential tension between those two realms. Therefore,
one of the most painful dilemmas the artist finds is how to function in
a society without sacrificing the aesthetic values of his/her work. In
other words, the life-long awareness of failure which derives from the
concept of the artist as caught between unflattering social realities
and the need to invent genuine art forms becomes a fertilizing soil for
the artists to be tackled. Thus, within the framework of this dilemma,
the question of the responsibility of the artist and the relationship of
the art to politics will be illuminating. To a larger extent, however, in
drama, this dilemma is represented by the fictional characters of the
play. The present paper tackles the idea of the amorality of the artist in
selected plays by Tom Stoppard. However, Stoppard’s awareness of
his situation as a refugee has led him to keep at a distance from
politics. He tried hard to avoid any intervention into the realms of
political debate, especially in his earliest work. On the one hand, it is
not meant that he did not interest in politics as such, but rather he
preferred to question it than to create a fixed ideological position. On
the other hand, Stoppard’s refusal to intervene in politics is ascribed
to his feeling of gratitude to Britain where he settled. As a result,
Stoppard has frequently been criticized for a lack of political
engagement and also for not leaning too much for the left when he
does engage. His reaction to these public criticisms finds expression
in his self-conscious statements which defensively stressed the
artifice of his work. He, like Oscar Wilde thinks that the
responsibility of the artist is devoted to the realm of his/her art.
Consequently, his consciousness for the role of the artist is truly
reflected in his two plays, Artist Descending a Staircase (1972) and
Travesties (1974).
Abstract: Background: Breast milk may impact early brain
development, with potentially important biological, medical and
social implications. There is an important discussion on which is the
adequate breastfeeding extension to the development consolidation
and how the children breastfeeding affects their psychomotor
development, in the first year of life, and in following periods as
well. Some special fats (LC PUFA) contained in breast milk play a
key role in the brain’s maturation and cognitive development or
social skills. These capacities created during breastfeeding time
would be unfolded throughout all lifespan. Aim of the study: In our research, we have studied the effect of
breastfeeding in preschooler's psychomotor assessment.
Method: This study was conducted in a sample of 158 preschool
children in Vlorë, Albania. We have measured the psychometric
parameters of preschoolers with ASQ-3 (Age&Stage Questionnaires-
3). The studied sample was divided in three groups according to their
breastfeeding duration (3, 6 and 12 months). Results: Children breastfed for only 3 months have definitely
lower psychometric scores compared to the ones with 6 or more
months of breastfeeding (respectively 217 to 239 ASQ-3 scores). Six
and twelvemonth breastfed children have progressively more odds to
have high levels of psychomotor development comparing to those
with only 3 months of breastfeeding. The most affected psychometric
domains by shortness of breastfeeding are Communication and
Global motor. Conclusion: This leads to conclusion that to ensure high
psychomotor parameters during childhood is necessary breastfeeding
for at least 6 months.
Abstract: This paper presents the results of a study to assess
crucial aspects and the strength of the scientific basis of a typically
interdisciplinary, applied field: food supply chain risk assessment
research. Our approach is based on an advanced scientometrics
analysis that is a quantitative study of the disciplines of science based
on published literature to measure interdisciplinary. This paper aims
to describe the quantity and quality of the publication trends in food
supply chain risk assessment. The publication under study was
composed of 266 articles from database web of science. The results
were analyzed based on date of publication, type of document,
language of the documents, source of publications, subject areas,
authors and their affiliations, and the countries involved in
developing the articles.
Abstract: Multiprocessor task scheduling problem for dependent
and independent tasks is computationally complex problem. Many
methods are proposed to achieve optimal running time. As the
multiprocessor task scheduling is NP hard in nature, therefore, many
heuristics are proposed which have improved the makespan of the
problem. But due to problem specific nature, the heuristic method
which provide best results for one problem, might not provide good
results for another problem. So, Simulated Annealing which is meta
heuristic approach is considered. It can be applied on all types of
problems. However, due to many runs, meta heuristic approach takes
large computation time. Hence, the hybrid approach is proposed by
combining the Duplication Scheduling Heuristic and Simulated
Annealing (SA) and the makespan results of Simple Simulated
Annealing and Hybrid approach are analyzed.
Abstract: Steel extended end plate bolted connections are
recommended to be widely utilized in special moment-resisting frame
subjected to monotonic loading. Improper design of steel beam to
column connection can lead to the collapse and fatality of structures.
Therefore comprehensive research studies of beam to column
connection design should be carried out. Also the performance and
effect of corrugated on the strength of beam column end plate
connection up to failure under monotonic loading in horizontal
direction is presented in this paper. The non-linear elastic–plastic
behavior has been considered through a finite element analysis using
the multi-purpose software package LUSAS. The effect of vertically
and horizontally types of corrugated web was also investigated.