Abstract: The problem of degradation of agricultural residues
from palm oil industry is increasing due to its expansion.
Lignocelloulosic waste from these industry represent large amount of
unutilized resources, this is due to their high lignin content. Since
white rot fungi are capable of degrading lignin, its potential for the
degradation of lignocelloulosic waste from palm oil industry was
accessed. The lignocellluloses content was measured before and after
biodegradation and the rate of reduction was determined. From the
results of the biodegradation, it was observed that hemicellulose
reduces by 22.62%, cellulose by 20.97% and lignin by 10.65% from
the initials lignocelluloses contents. Thus, to improve the digestibility
of palm oil mesocarp fibre, treatment by white rot-fungi is
recommended.
Abstract: This paper aims to determine Fundamental Natural
Frequency (FNF) of a structural composite floor system known as
Chromite. To achieve this purpose, FNFs of studied panels are
determined by development of Finite Element Models (FEMs) in
ABAQUS program. American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)
code in Steel Design Guide Series 11 presents a fundamental formula
to calculate FNF of a steel framed floor system. This formula has
been used to verify results of the FEMs. The variability in the FNF of
the studied system under various parameters such as dimensions of
floor, boundary conditions, rigidity of main and secondary beams
around the floor, thickness of concrete slab, height of composite
joists, distance between composite joists, thickness of top and bottom
flanges of the open web steel joists, and adding tie beam
perpendicular on the composite joists, is determined. The results
show that changing in dimensions of the system, its boundary
conditions, rigidity of main beam, and also adding tie beam,
significant changes the FNF of the system up to 452.9%, 50.8%, -
52.2%, %52.6%, respectively. In addition, increasing thickness of
concrete slab increases the FNF of the system up to 10.8%.
Furthermore, the results demonstrate that variation in rigidity of
secondary beam, height of composite joist, and distance between
composite joists, and thickness of top and bottom flanges of open
web steel joists insignificant changes the FNF of the studied system
up to -0.02%, -3%, -6.1%, and 0.96%, respectively. Finally, the
results of this study help designer predict occurrence of resonance,
comfortableness, and design criteria of the studied system.
Abstract: Ocean current is always available around the
surrounding of SHELL Sabah Water Platform and data are collected
every 10 minutes, 24 hours a day, for a period of 365 days. Due to
low current speed, conventional hydrokinetic power generation is not
feasible, thus leading to the study of low current enabled vortex
induced vibration power generation application. In this case, the
design of a vortex induced vibration application is studied to obtain
an optimum design for the VIV oscillator. Power output is then
determined to study the feasibility of the VIV application in low
current condition.
Abstract: The authors conducted a study for the sample size of
75 HR managers from an Indian IT company through systematic
sampling method. This study identifies that the female employees are
facing lesser conflict than the male employees against their managers
within the organization. There is a positive correlation between
gender and conflict management with the superior towards the work.
There is a significant variance between age and response towards
appraisal system, succession planning and employee engagement.
The education qualification plays a major role in determining the
compensation factor for the employees working in the organization.
The study determines the impact of demographic profile on strategic
HRM practices and its challenges faced by HR managers in IT firm,
India.
Abstract: In this paper, we describe the use of formal methods
to model malware behaviour. The modelling of harmful behaviour
rests upon syntactic structures that represent malicious procedures
inside malware. The malicious activities are modelled by a formal
grammar, where API calls’ components are the terminals and the set
of API calls used in combination to achieve a goal are designated
non-terminals. The combination of different non-terminals in various
ways and tiers make up the attack vectors that are used by harmful
software. Based on these syntactic structures a parser can be
generated which takes execution traces as input for pattern
recognition.
Abstract: The work reported through this paper is an
experimental work conducted on High Performance Concrete (HPC)
with super plasticizer with the aim to develop some models suitable
for prediction of compressive strength of HPC mixes. In this study,
the effect of varying proportions of fly ash (0% to 50% @ 10%
increment) on compressive strength of high performance concrete has
been evaluated. The mix designs studied were M30, M40 and M50 to
compare the effect of fly ash addition on the properties of these
concrete mixes. In all eighteen concrete mixes that have been
designed, three were conventional concretes for three grades under
discussion and fifteen were HPC with fly ash with varying
percentages of fly ash. The concrete mix designing has been done in
accordance with Indian standard recommended guidelines. All the
concrete mixes have been studied in terms of compressive strength at
7 days, 28 days, 90 days, and 365 days. All the materials used have
been kept same throughout the study to get a perfect comparison of
values of results. The models for compressive strength prediction
have been developed using Linear Regression method (LR), Artificial
Neural Network (ANN) and Leave-One-Out Validation (LOOV)
methods.
Abstract: The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of Pd/n-GaN Schottky barrier were studied at temperatures over room temperature (300-470K). The values of ideality factor (n), zero-bias barrier height (φB0), flat barrier height (φBF) and series resistance (Rs) obtained from I-V-T measurements were found to be strongly temperature dependent while (φBo) increase, (n), (φBF) and (Rs) decrease with increasing temperature. The apparent Richardson constant was found to be 2.1x10-9 Acm-2K-2 and mean barrier height of 0.19 eV. After barrier height inhomogeneities correction, by assuming a Gaussian distribution (GD) of the barrier heights, the Richardson constant and the mean barrier height were obtained as 23 Acm-2K-2 and 1.78eV, respectively. The corrected Richardson constant was very closer to theoretical value of 26 Acm-2K-2.
Abstract: Radiative heat transfer in participating medium was
carried out using the finite volume method. The radiative transfer
equations are formulated for absorbing and anisotropically scattering
and emitting medium. The solution strategy is discussed and the
conditions for computational stability are conferred. The equations
have been solved for transient radiative medium and transient
radiation incorporated with transient conduction. Results have been
obtained for irradiation and corresponding heat fluxes for both the
cases. The solutions can be used to conclude incident energy and
surface heat flux. Transient solutions were obtained for a slab of heat
conducting in slab and by thermal radiation. The effect of heat
conduction during the transient phase is to partially equalize the
internal temperature distribution. The solution procedure provides
accurate temperature distributions in these regions. A finite volume
procedure with variable space and time increments is used to solve
the transient radiation equation. The medium in the enclosure
absorbs, emits, and anisotropically scatters radiative energy. The
incident radiations and the radiative heat fluxes are presented in
graphical forms. The phase function anisotropy plays a significant
role in the radiation heat transfer when the boundary condition is
non-symmetric.
Abstract: Target of this study was the analysis of the impact of
crude glycerol on canine spermatozoa motility, morphology,
viability, and membrane integrity. Experiments were realized in vitro.
In the study, semen from 5 large dog breeds was used. They were
typical representatives of large breeds, coming from healthy rearing,
regularly vaccinated and integrated to the further breeding. Semen
collections were realized at the owners of animals and in the
veterinary clinic. Subsequently the experiments were realized at the
Department of Animal Physiology of the SUA in Nitra. The
spermatozoa motility was evaluated using CASA analyzer
(SpermVisionTM, Minitub, Germany) at the temperature 5 and 37°C
for 5 hours. In the study, 13 motility parameters were evaluated.
Generally, crude glycerol has generally negative effect on
spermatozoa motility. Morphological analysis was realized using
Hancock staining and the preparations were evaluated at
magnification 1000x using classification tables of morphologically
changed spermatozoa. Data clearly detected the highest number of
morphologically changed spermatozoa in the experimental groups
(know twisted tails, tail torso and tail coiling). For acrosome
alterations swelled acrosomes, removed acrosomes and acrosomes
with undulated membrane were detected. In this study also the effect
of crude glycerol on spermatozoa membrane integrity were analyzed.
The highest crude glycerol concentration significantly affects
spermatozoa integrity. Results of this study show that crude glycerol
has effect of spermatozoa motility, viability, and membrane integrity.
Detected changes are related to crude glycerol concentration,
temperature, as well as time of incubation.
Abstract: In this work, we attempt to associate firm
characteristics with innovative activity. We collect microdata from
listed firms of selected Eurozone Country-members, after the
beginning of 2007 financial crisis. The following literature, several
indicators of growth and performance were selected and tested for
their ability to interpret innovative activity. The main scope is to
examine the possible differences in performance and growth between
innovative and non-innovative firms, during a severe recession.
Additionally to that, a special focus will be held on whether
macroeconomic performance and national innovation system,
determines the extent of innovators' performance. Preliminary
findings, through correlation matrices and non-parametric tests,
strongly indicate the positive relation between innovative activity and
most of the measures used (profitability, size, employment),
confirming that even during a recessionary period, innovative firms
not only survive but also seem to succeed better economic results in
almost all indexes relative to non-innovative. However, even though
innovators seem to perform better in all economies examined, the
extent of that performance seems to be strongly affected by the
supportive mechanisms (financial and structural) that their country
provides. Thus, it is clear, that the technologically intensive 'gap'
between European South and North, during the economic crisis,
became chaotic, due to the harsh austerity measures and reduced
budgets in those countries, even in sectors with high potentials in
economic activity and employment, impairing the effects of crisis and
enhancing the vicious circle of recession.
Abstract: Thermal enhancement of a single mini channel in
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) cooling plate is
numerically investigated. In this study, low concentration of Al2O3 in
Water - Ethylene Glycol mixtures is used as coolant in single channel
of carbon graphite plate to mimic the mini channels in PEMFC
cooling plate. A steady and incompressible flow with constant heat
flux is assumed in the channel of 1mm x 5mm x 100mm. Nano
particle of Al2O3 used ranges from 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 vol %
concentration and then dispersed in 60:40 (water: Ethylene Glycol)
mixture. The effect of different flow rates to fluid flow and heat
transfer enhancement in Re number range of 20 to 140 was observed.
The result showed that heat transfer coefficient was improved by
18.11%, 9.86% and 5.37% for 0.5, 0.3 and 0.1 vol. % Al2O3 in 60:40
(water: EG) as compared to base fluid of 60:40 (water: EG). It is also
showed that the higher vol. % concentration of Al2O3 performed
better in term of thermal enhancement but at the expense of higher
pumping power required due to increase in pressure drop
experienced. Maximum additional pumping power of 0.0012W was
required for 0.5 vol % Al2O3 in 60:40 (water: EG) at Re number 140.
Abstract: In this numerical work, mixed convection and entropy
generation of Cu–water nanofluid in a lid-driven square cavity have
been investigated numerically using the Lattice Boltzmann Method.
Horizontal walls of the cavity are adiabatic and vertical walls have
constant temperature but different values. The top wall has been
considered as moving from left to right at a constant speed, U0. The
effects of different parameters such as nanoparticle volume
concentration (0–0.05), Rayleigh number (104–106) and Reynolds
numbers (1, 10 and 100) on the entropy generation, flow and
temperature fields are studied. The results have shown that addition
of nanoparticles to the base fluid affects the entropy generation, flow
pattern and thermal behavior especially at higher Rayleigh and low
Reynolds numbers. For pure fluid as well as nanofluid, the increase
of Reynolds number increases the average Nusselt number and the
total entropy generation, linearly. The maximum entropy generation
occurs in nanofluid at low Rayleigh number and at high Reynolds
number. The minimum entropy generation occurs in pure fluid at low
Rayleigh and Reynolds numbers. Also at higher Reynolds number,
the effect of Cu nanoparticles on enhancement of heat transfer was
decreased because the effect of lid-driven cavity was increased. The
present results are validated by favorable comparisons with
previously published results. The results of the problem are presented
in graphical and tabular forms and discussed.
Abstract: In recent years, new techniques for solving complex
problems in engineering are proposed. One of these techniques is
JPSO algorithm. With innovative changes in the nature of the jump
algorithm JPSO, it is possible to construct a graph-based solution
with a new algorithm called G-JPSO. In this paper, a new algorithm
to solve the optimal control problem Fletcher-Powell and optimal
control of pumps in water distribution network was evaluated.
Optimal control of pumps comprise of optimum timetable operation
(status on and off) for each of the pumps at the desired time interval.
Maximum number of status on and off for each pumps imposed to the
objective function as another constraint. To determine the optimal
operation of pumps, a model-based optimization-simulation
algorithm was developed based on G-JPSO and JPSO algorithms.
The proposed algorithm results were compared well with the ant
colony algorithm, genetic and JPSO results. This shows the
robustness of proposed algorithm in finding near optimum solutions
with reasonable computational cost.
Abstract: This paper proposes a novel heuristic algorithm that aims to determine the best size and location of distributed generators in unbalanced distribution networks. The proposed heuristic algorithm can deal with the planning cases where power loss is to be optimized without violating the system practical constraints. The distributed generation units in the proposed algorithm is modeled as voltage controlled node with the flexibility to be converted to constant power factor node in case of reactive power limit violation. The proposed algorithm is implemented in MATLAB and tested on the IEEE 37 -node feeder. The results obtained show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Abstract: Tannins are a unique category of plant phytochemicals
especially in terms of their vast potential health-benefiting properties.
Researchers have described the capacity of tannins to enhance
glucose uptake and inhibit adipogenesis, thus being potential drugs
for the treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Thus,
the present research was conducted to find out tannin content of food
products. The percentage of tannin in various analyzed sources
ranged from 0.0 to 108.53%; highest in kathaa and lowest in ker and
mango bark. The percentage of tannins present in the plants,
however, varies. Numerous studies have confirmed that the naturally
occurring polyphenols are key factor for the beneficial effects of the
herbal medicines. Isolation and identification of active constituents
from plants, preparation of standardized dose & dosage regimen can
play a significant role in improving the hypoglycaemic action.
Abstract: This paper reports the viability of developing Zn-27Al
alloy matrix hybrid composites reinforced with alumina, graphite and
fly ash (solid waste bye product of coal in thermal power plants).
This research work was aimed at developing low cost-high
performance Zn-27Al matrix composite with low density. Alumina
particulates (Al2O3), graphite added with 0, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wt% fly ash
were utilized to prepare 10wt% reinforcing phase with Zn-27Al alloy
as matrix using two-step stir casting method. Density measurement,
estimated percentage porosity, tensile testing, micro hardness
measurement and optical microscopy were used to assess the
performance of the composites produced. The results show that the
hardness, ultimate tensile strength, and percent elongation of the
hybrid composites decrease with increase in fly ash content. The
maximum decrease in hardness and ultimate tensile strength of
13.72% and 15.25% respectively were observed for composite grade
containing 5wt% fly ash. The percentage elongation of composite
sample without fly ash is 8.9% which is comparable with that of the
sample containing 2wt% fly ash with percentage elongation of 8.8%.
The fracture toughness of the fly ash containing composites was
however superior to those of composites without fly ash with 5wt%
fly ash containing composite exhibiting the highest fracture
toughness. The results show that fly ash can be utilized as
complementary reinforcement in ZA-27 alloy matrix composite to
reduce cost.
Abstract: The consumption of food contaminated with molds
(microscopic filamentous fungi) and their toxic metabolites results in
the development of food-borne mycotoxicosis. The spores of molds
are ubiquitously spread in the environment and can be detected
everywhere. Ochratoxin A is a toxic and potentially carcinogenic
fungal toxin found in a variety of food commodities. In this study, the
mycological quality of various ready-to-eat local and imported pork
meat and meat byproducts sold in Egyptian markets were assessed
and the presence of various molds was determined in pork used as a
raw material, edible organs as liver and kidney as well as in
fermented raw meat by-products. The study assessed the mycological
quality of pork raw meat and their by-products sold in commercial
shops in Cairo, Egypt. Mycological analysis was conducted on
(n=110) samples which included pig’s livers and kidneys from
Egyptian Bassatin slaughter house; local and imported processed
pork meat by-products from Egyptian pork markets. The isolates
were identified using traditional mycological and biochemical tests.
All kidney and liver samples were positive to molds growth while all
byproducts were negative. Ochratoxin A levels were quantitatively
analyzed using the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
and the highest results were present in kidney 7.51 part per billion
(ppb) followed by minced meat 6.19 ppb generally the local samples
showed higher levels than the imported ones. To the best of our
knowledge, this is the first report on mycotoxins detection and
quantification from pork by-products in Egypt.
Abstract: Structural failure is caused mainly by damage that
often occurs on structures. Many researchers focus on to obtain very
efficient tools to detect the damage in structures in the early state. In
the past decades, a subject that has received considerable attention in
literature is the damage detection as determined by variations in the
dynamic characteristics or response of structures. The study presents
a new damage identification technique. The technique detects the
damage location for the incomplete structure system using output
data only. The method indicates the damage based on the free
vibration test data by using ‘Two Points Condensation (TPC)
technique’. This method creates a set of matrices by reducing the
structural system to two degrees of freedom systems. The current
stiffness matrices obtain from optimization the equation of motion
using the measured test data. The current stiffness matrices compare
with original (undamaged) stiffness matrices. The large percentage
changes in matrices’ coefficients lead to the location of the damage. TPC technique is applied to the experimental data of a simply
supported steel beam model structure after inducing thickness change
in one element, where two cases consider. The method detects the
damage and determines its location accurately in both cases. In
addition, the results illustrate these changes in stiffness matrix can be
a useful tool for continuous monitoring of structural safety using
ambient vibration data. Furthermore, its efficiency proves that this
technique can be used also for big structures.
Abstract: The level and type of student academic motivation are
the key factors in their development and determine the effectiveness
of their education. Improving motivation is very important with
regard to courses on middle school mathematics. This article examines the general position regarding the practice of
academic motivation. It also examines the particular features of
mathematical problem solving in a school setting.
Abstract: This paper reports on the response of a fiber-optic
sensing probe to small concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
vapor at room temperature. H2O2 has extensive applications in industrial and medical
environments. Conversely, H2O2 can be a health hazard by itself. For
example, H2O2 induces cellular damage in human cells and its
presence can be used to diagnose illnesses such as asthma and human
breast cancer. Hence, development of reliable H2O2 sensor is of vital
importance to detect and measure this species. Ferric ferrocyanide, referred to as Prussian Blue (PB), was
deposited on the tip of a multimode optical fiber through the single
source precursor technique and served as an indicator of H2O2 in a
spectroscopic manner. Sensing tests were performed in H2O2-H2O
vapor mixtures with different concentrations of H2O2. The results of sensing tests show the sensor is able to detect H2O2
concentrations in the range of 50.6 ppm to 229.5 ppm. Furthermore,
the sensor response to H2O2 concentrations is linear in a log-log scale
with the adjacent R-square of 0.93. This sensing behavior allows us
to detect and quantify the concentration of H2O2 in the vapor phase.