Abstract: The internet is growing larger and becoming the most popular platform for the people to share their opinion in different interests. We choose the education domain specifically comparing some Malaysian universities against each other. This comparison produces benchmark based on different criteria shared by the online users in various online resources including Twitter, Facebook and web pages. The comparison is accomplished using opinion mining framework to extract, process the unstructured text and classify the result to positive, negative or neutral (polarity). Hence, we divide our framework to three main stages; opinion collection (extraction), unstructured text processing and polarity classification. The extraction stage includes web crawling, HTML parsing, Sentence segmentation for punctuation classification, Part of Speech (POS) tagging, the second stage processes the unstructured text with stemming and stop words removal and finally prepare the raw text for classification using Named Entity Recognition (NER). Last phase is to classify the polarity and present overall result for the comparison among the Malaysian universities. The final result is useful for those who are interested to study in Malaysia, in which our final output declares clear winners based on the public opinions all over the web.
Abstract: In this paper we report the quantitative structure activity relationship of novel bis-triazole derivatives for predicting the activity profile. The full model encompassed a dataset of 46 Bis- triazoles. Tripos Sybyl X 2.0 program was used to conduct CoMSIA QSAR modeling. The Partial Least-Squares (PLS) analysis method was used to conduct statistical analysis and to derive a QSAR model based on the field values of CoMSIA descriptor. The compounds were divided into test and training set. The compounds were evaluated by various CoMSIA parameters to predict the best QSAR model. An optimum numbers of components were first determined separately by cross-validation regression for CoMSIA model, which were then applied in the final analysis. A series of parameters were used for the study and the best fit model was obtained using donor, partition coefficient and steric parameters. The CoMSIA models demonstrated good statistical results with regression coefficient (r2) and the cross-validated coefficient (q2) of 0.575 and 0.830 respectively. The standard error for the predicted model was 0.16322. In the CoMSIA model, the steric descriptors make a marginally larger contribution than the electrostatic descriptors. The finding that the steric descriptor is the largest contributor for the CoMSIA QSAR models is consistent with the observation that more than half of the binding site area is occupied by steric regions.
Abstract: Since the industrial revolution, technological developments and increased population have caused environmental damages. To protect the nature and architectural environment, firstly, green architecture, ecological architecture and then sustainability occurred. This term has been proposed not to be a new term but a response to environmental disturbances caused by human activities and it is re-conceptualization of architecture. Sustainable architecture or sustainability is lot more extensive than ecological and green architecture. It contains the imbalance between environmental problems that is natural environment and consumption that occurred all around the world.
An important part of sustainability debate focused on urban planning and design for more sustainable forms and patterns. In particular, it is discussed that planning and design of urban areas have a major effect on transport and therefore can help reduce car usage, emissions, global warming and climate change. There are many planning and design approaches and movement that introduce certain criteria and strategies to prevent car dependency and encourage people to use public transportation and walking. However, when review the literature, it is seen that planning movements, such as New Urbanism and Transit Oriented Development originated and were implemented mostly in West European and North American Cities. The purpose of this study is to find out whether all those criteria, principles and strategies are also relevant planning approaches for more non-western cities like Baku, which has a very different planning background and therefore possibly different urban form and transport issues. In order to answer the abovementioned question, planning and design approaches in the literature and these recent planning movements were studied and a check list was formed which indicate planning and design approaches that can help attain a more sustainable transport outcome. The checklist was then applied to the case of Baku.
Abstract: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the novel nanomagnetic beads based–latex agglutination assay (NMB-LAT) as a simple test for diagnosis of S. haematobium as well as standardize the novel nanomagnetic beads based –ELISA (NMB-ELISA). According to urine examination this study included 85 S. haematobium infected patients, 30 other parasites infected patients and 25 negative control samples. The sensitivity of novel NMB-LAT was 82.4% versus 96.5% and 88.2% for NMB-ELISA and currently used sandwich ELISA respectively. The specificity of NMB-LAT was 83.6% versus 96.3% and 87.3% for NMB-ELISA and currently used sandwich ELISA respectively. In conclusion, the novel NMB-ELISA is a valuable applicable diagnostic technique for diagnosis of human schistosomiasis haematobium. The novel NMB-ELISA assay is a suitable applicable diagnostic method in field survey especially when followed by ELISA as a confirmatory test in query false negative results. Trials are required to increase the sensitivity and specificity of NMB-ELISA assay.
Abstract: Microarrays are made it possible to simultaneously monitor the expression profiles of thousands of genes under various experimental conditions. It is used to identify the co-expressed genes in specific cells or tissues that are actively used to make proteins. This method is used to analysis the gene expression, an important task in bioinformatics research. Cluster analysis of gene expression data has proved to be a useful tool for identifying co-expressed genes, biologically relevant groupings of genes and samples. In this work K-Means algorithms has been applied for clustering of Gene Expression Data. Further, rough set based Quick reduct algorithm has been applied for each cluster in order to select the most similar genes having high correlation. Then the ACV measure is used to evaluate the refined clusters and classification is used to evaluate the proposed method. They could identify compact clusters with feature selection method used to genes are selected.
Abstract: In recent years, a reconstruction project for sewer
pipelines has been progressing in Japan with the aim of renewing old
sewer culverts. However, it is difficult to secure a sufficient base area
for shafts in an urban area because many streets are narrow with a
complex layout. As a result, construction in such urban areas is
generally very demanding.
In urban areas, there is a strong requirement for a safe, reliable and
economical construction method that does not disturb the public’s
daily life and urban activities. With this in mind, we developed a new
construction method called the “shield switching type micro-tunneling
method,” which integrates the micro-tunneling method and shield
method.
In this method, pipeline is constructed first for sections that are
gently curved or straight using the economical micro-tunneling
method, and then the method is switched to the shield method for
sections with a sharp curve or a series of curves without establishing
an intermediate shaft.
This paper provides the information, features and construction
examples of this newly developed method.
Abstract: Silica fume, also known as microsilica (MS) or
condensed silica fume is a by-product of the production of silicon
metal or ferrosilicon alloys. Silica fume is one of the most effective
pozzolanic additives which could be used for ultrahigh performance
and other types of concrete. Despite the fact, however is not entirely
clear, which amount of silica fume is most optimal for UHPC. Main
objective of this experiment was to find optimal amount of silica
fume for UHPC with and without thermal treatment, when different
amount of quartz powder is substituted by silica fume. In this work
were investigated four different composition of UHPC with different
amount of silica fume. Silica fume were added 0, 10, 15 and 20% of
cement (by weight) to UHPC mixture. Optimal amount of silica fume
was determined by slump, viscosity, qualitative and quantitative
XRD analysis and compression strength tests methods.
Abstract: Thewake flow behind two yawed side-by-sidecircular
cylinders is investigated using athree-dimensional vorticity probe.
Four yaw angles (α), namely, 0°, 15°, 30° and 45° and twocylinder
spacing ratios T*
of 1.7 and 3.0 were tested. For T*
= 3.0, there exist
two vortex streets and the cylinders behave as independent and
isolated ones. The maximum contour value of the coherent streamwise
vorticity ~* ωx
is only about 10% of that of the spanwise vorticity ~* ωz
.
With the increase of α,
~* ωx
increases whereas ~* ωz
decreases. At α =
45°, ~* ωx
is about 67% of ~* ωz
.For T* = 1.7, only a single peak is
detected in the energy spectrum. The spanwise vorticity contours have
an organized pattern only at α = 0°. The maximum coherent vorticity
contours of ~* ω x
and ~* ωz
for T*
= 1.7 are about 30% and 7% of those
for T*
= 3.0.The independence principle (IP)in terms of Strouhal
numbers is applicable in both wakes when α< 40°.
Abstract: A design problem of non-uniform circular antenna arrays for maximum reduction of both the side lobe level (SLL) and first null beam width (FNBW) is dealt with. This problem is modeled as a simple optimization problem. The method of Firefly algorithm (FFA) is used to determine an optimal set of current excitation weights and antenna inter-element separations that provide radiation pattern with maximum SLL reduction and much improvement on FNBW as well. Circular array antenna laid on x-y plane is assumed. FFA is applied on circular arrays of 8-, 10-, and 12- elements. Various simulation results are presented and hence performances of side lobe and FNBW are analyzed. Experimental results show considerable reductions of both the SLL and FNBW with respect to those of the uniform case and some standard algorithms GA, PSO and SA applied to the same problem.
Abstract: This paper proposes a single relay selection scheme in
cooperative communication. Decode-and-forward scheme is
considered when a source node wants to cooperate with a single relay
for data transmission. To use the proposed single relay selection
scheme, the source node makes a little different pattern signal which is
not complex pattern and broadcasts it. The proposed scheme does not
require the channel state information between the source node and
candidates of the relay during the relay selection. Therefore, it is able
to be used in many fields.
Abstract: Reconfigurable antennas represent a recent innovation in antenna design that changes from classical fixed-form, fixed function antennas to modifiable structures that can be adapted to fit the requirements of a time varying system.
The ability to control the operating band of an antenna system can have many useful applications. Systems that operate in an acquire-and-track configuration would see a benefit from active bandwidth control. In such systems a wide band search mode is first employed to find a desired signal then a narrow band track mode is used to follow only that signal. Utilizing active antenna bandwidth control, a single antenna would function for both the wide band and narrow band configurations providing the rejection of unwanted signals with the antenna hardware. This ability to move a portion of the RF filtering out of the receiver and onto the antenna itself will also aid in reducing the complexity of the often expensive RF processing subsystems.
Abstract: The efficiency of heavy metals removal from sewage
sludge in bioleaching processes with heterotrophic, chemoautotrophic
(sulphur-oxidizing) sludge cenoses and chemical leaching (in
distilled water, weakly acidic or alkaline medium) was compared.
The efficacy of heavy metals removal from sewage sludge varies
from 83 % (Zn) up to 14 % (Cr) and follows the order: Zn > Mn > Cu
> Ni > Co > Pb > Cr. The advantages of metals bioleaching process
at heterotrophic metabolism were shown. A new process for
bioconversation of sewage sludge into fertilizer at middle
temperatures after partial heavy metals removal was developed. This
process is based on enhancing vital ability of heterotrophic
microorganisms by adding easily metabolized nutrients and synthesis
of metabolites by growing sludge cenoses. These metabolites possess
the properties of heavy metals extractants and flocculants which
provide the enhancement of sludge flocks sedimentation. The process
results in biomineral fertilizer of prolonged action with immobilized
sludge bioelements. The fertilizer satisfies the EU limits for the
sewage sludge of agricultural utilization. High efficiency of the
biomineral fertilizer obtained has been demonstrated in vegetation
experiments.
Abstract: Bone Anchored Hearing Implants (BAHI) are
routinely used in patients with conductive or mixed hearing loss, e.g.
if conventional air conduction hearing aids cannot be used. New
sound processors and new fitting software now allow the adjustment
of parameters such as loudness compression ratios or maximum
power output separately. Today it is unclear, how the choice of these
parameters influences aided speech understanding in BAHI users.
In this prospective experimental study, the effect of varying the
compression ratio and lowering the maximum power output in a
BAHI were investigated.
Twelve experienced adult subjects with a mixed hearing loss
participated in this study. Four different compression ratios (1.0; 1.3;
1.6; 2.0) were tested along with two different maximum power output
settings, resulting in a total of eight different programs. Each
participant tested each program during two weeks. A blinded Latin
square design was used to minimize bias.
For each of the eight programs, speech understanding in quiet and
in noise was assessed. For speech in quiet, the Freiburg number test
and the Freiburg monosyllabic word test at 50, 65, and 80 dB SPL
were used. For speech in noise, the Oldenburg sentence test was
administered.
Speech understanding in quiet and in noise was improved
significantly in the aided condition in any program, when compared
to the unaided condition. However, no significant differences were
found between any of the eight programs. In contrast, on a subjective
level there was a significant preference for medium compression
ratios of 1.3 to 1.6 and higher maximum power output.
Abstract: A two-dimensional linear wave-body interaction problem can be solved using a desingularized integral method by placing free surface Rankine sources over calm water surface and satisfying boundary conditions at prescribed collocation points on the
calm water surface. A new free-surface Rankine source distribution scheme, determined by the intersection points of free surface and body surface, is developed to reduce numerical computation cost. Associated with this, a new treatment is given to the intersection point. The present scheme results are in good agreement with traditional numerical results and measurements.
Abstract: In this research, the TRACE/PARCS model of
Lungmen ABWR has been developed for verification of ultimate
response guideline (URG) efficiency. This ultimate measure was
named as DIVing plan, abbreviated from system depressurization,
water injection and containment venting. The simulation initial
condition is 100% rated power/100% rated core flow. This research
focuses on the estimation of the time when the fuel might be damaged
with no water injection by using TRACE/PARCS first. Then, the
effect of the reactor core isolation system (RCIC), control
depressurization and ac-independent water addition system (ACIWA),
which can provide the injection with 950 gpm are also estimated for
the station blackout (SBO) transient.
Abstract: Fuel rod analysis program transient (FRAPTRAN)
code was used to study the fuel rod performance during a postulated
large break loss of coolant accident (LBLOCA) in Maanshan nuclear
power plant (NPP). Previous transient results from thermal hydraulic
code, TRACE, with the same LBLOCA scenario, were used as input
boundary conditions for FRAPTRAN. The simulation results showed
that the peak cladding temperatures and the fuel centerline
temperatures were all below the 10CFR50.46 LOCA criteria. In
addition, the maximum hoop stress was 18 MPa and the oxide
thickness was 0.003mm for the present simulation cases, which are all
within the safety operation ranges. The present study confirms that this
analysis method, the FRAPTRAN code combined with TRACE, is an
appropriate approach to predict the fuel integrity under LBLOCA with
operational ECCS.
Abstract: Although a lot of importance has been given to resistance analysis for various vessel types, explicit guidelines applied to multihull vessels have not been clearly defined. The purpose of this investigation is to highlight the importance of the vessel’s layout in terms of three axes, the transverse (separation), the longitudinal (stagger) and the vertical (draught) with respect to resistance analysis. When a vessel has the potential to experience less resistance at a particular range of speeds a vast selection of opportunities are made available for both the commercial and leisure market.
Abstract: Progressive collapse of buildings typically occurs
when abnormal loading conditions cause local damages, which leads
to a chain reaction of failure and ultimately catastrophic collapse. The
tie force (TF) method is one of the main design approaches for
progressive collapse. As the TF method is a simplified method, further
investigations on the reliability of the method is necessary. This study
aims to develop an improved TF method to design the cross wall
structures for progressive collapse. To this end, the pullout behavior of
strands in grout was firstly analyzed; and then, by considering the tie
force-slip relationship in the friction stage together with the catenary
action mechanism, a comprehensive analytical method was developed.
The reliability of this approach is verified by the experimental results
of concrete block pullout tests and full scale floor-to-floor joints tests
undertaken by Portland Cement Association (PCA). Discrepancies in
the tie force between the analytical results and codified specifications
have suggested the deficiency of TF method, hence an improved
model based on the analytical results has been proposed to address this
concern.
Abstract: This article deals with the carbon nanotubes (CNT) synthesized from a novel precursor, sugar cane and Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO). The objective was to produce CNTs to be used as catalyst supports for Proton Exchange Membranes. The influence of temperature, inert gas flow rate and concentration of the precursor is presented. The CNTs prepared were characterized using TEM, XRD, Raman Spectroscopy, and the surface area determined by BET. The results show that it is possible to form CNT from sugar cane by pyrolysis and the CNTs are the type multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The MWCNTs are short and closed at the two ends with very small surface area of SBET= 3.691m,/g.
Abstract: The results of an experimental program conducted on seventeen simply supported concrete beams to study the effect of transverse reinforcement on the behavior of lap splice of steel reinforcement in tension zones in high strength concrete beams, are presented. The parameters included in the experimental program were the concrete compressive strength, the lap splice length, the amount of transverse reinforcement provided within the splice region, and the shape of transverse reinforcement around spliced bars. The experimental results showed that the displacement ductility increased and the mode of failure changed from splitting bond failure to flexural failure when the amount of transverse reinforcement in splice region increased, and the compressive strength increased up to 100 MPa. The presence of transverse reinforcement around spliced bars had pronounced effect on increasing the ultimate load, the ultimate deflection, and the displacement ductility. The prediction of maximum steel stresses for spliced bars using ACI 318-05 building code was compared with the experimental results. The comparison showed that the effect of transverse reinforcement around spliced bars has to be considered into the design equations for lap splice length in high strength concrete beams.