Abstract: Air pollution is still considered as one of the major
environmental and health issues. There is enough research evidence
to show a strong relationship between exposure to air contaminants
and respiratory illnesses among children and adults. In this paper we
used the Copula approach to study a potential relationship between
selected air pollutants (PM10 and NO2) and hospital admissions for
respiratory diseases. Kendall-s tau and Spearman-s rho rank
correlation coefficients are calculated and used in Copula method.
This paper demonstrates that copulas can be used to provide
additional information as a measure of an association when compared
to the standard correlation coefficients. The results find a significant
correlation between the selected air pollutants and hospital
admissions for most of the selected respiratory illnesses.
Abstract: When dealing with safety in structures, the connections between structural components play an important role. Robustness of a structure as a whole depends both on the load- bearing capacity of the structural component and on the structures capacity to resist total failure, even though a local failure occurs in a component or a connection between components. To avoid progressive collapse it is necessary to be able to carry out a design for connections. A connection may be executed with anchors to withstand local failure of the connection in structures built with prefabricated components. For the design of these anchors, a model is developed for connections in structures performed in prefabricated autoclaved aerated concrete components. The design model takes into account the effect of anchors placed close to the edge, which may result in splitting failure. Further the model is developed to consider the effect of reinforcement diameter and anchor depth. The model is analytical and theoretically derived assuming a static equilibrium stress distribution along the anchor. The theory is compared to laboratory test, including the relevant parameters and the model is refined and theoretically argued analyzing the observed test results. The method presented can be used to improve safety in structures or even optimize the design of the connections
Abstract: A new approach to predict the 3D structures of proteins by combining the knowledge-based method and Molecular Dynamics Simulation is presented on the chicken villin headpiece subdomain (HP-36). Comparative modeling is employed as the knowledge-based method to predict the core region (Ala9-Asn28) of the protein while the remaining residues are built as extended regions (Met1-Lys8; Leu29-Phe36) which then further refined using Molecular Dynamics Simulation for 120 ns. Since the core region is built based on a high sequence identity to the template (65%) resulting in RMSD of 1.39 Å from the native, it is believed that this well-developed core region can act as a 'nucleation center' for subsequent rapid downhill folding. Results also demonstrate that the formation of the non-native contact which tends to hamper folding rate can be avoided. The best 3D model that exhibits most of the native characteristics is identified using clustering method which then further ranked based on the conformational free energies. It is found that the backbone RMSD of the best model compared to the NMR-MDavg is 1.01 Å and 3.53 Å, for the core region and the complete protein, respectively. In addition to this, the conformational free energy of the best model is lower by 5.85 kcal/mol as compared to the NMR-MDavg. This structure prediction protocol is shown to be effective in predicting the 3D structure of small globular protein with a considerable accuracy in much shorter time compared to the conventional Molecular Dynamics simulation alone.
Abstract: The management of the health-care wastes is one of
the most important problems in Istanbul, a city with more than 12
million inhabitants, as it is in most of the developing countries.
Negligence in appropriate treatment and final disposal of the healthcare
wastes can lead to adverse impacts to public health and to the
environment. This paper employs a fuzzy multi-criteria group
decision making approach, which is based on the principles of fusion
of fuzzy information, 2-tuple linguistic representation model, and
technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution
(TOPSIS), to evaluate health-care waste (HCW) treatment
alternatives for Istanbul. The evaluation criteria are determined
employing nominal group technique (NGT), which is a method of
systematically developing a consensus of group opinion. The
employed method is apt to manage information assessed using multigranularity
linguistic information in a decision making problem with
multiple information sources. The decision making framework
employs ordered weighted averaging (OWA) operator that
encompasses several operators as the aggregation operator since it
can implement different aggregation rules by changing the order
weights. The aggregation process is based on the unification of
information by means of fuzzy sets on a basic linguistic term set
(BLTS). Then, the unified information is transformed into linguistic
2-tuples in a way to rectify the problem of loss information of other
fuzzy linguistic approaches.
Abstract: Increased energy demand and the concern about
environment friendly technology, renewable bio-fuels are better
alternative to petroleum products. In the present study linseed oil was
used as alternative source for diesel engine fuel and the results were
compared with baseline data of neat diesel. Performance parameters
such as brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and brake specific fuel
consumption (BSFC) and emissions parameters such as CO,
unburned hydro carbon (UBHC), NOx, CO2 and exhaust temperature
were compared. BTE of the engine was lower and BSFC was higher
when the engine was fueled with Linseed oil compared to diesel fuel.
Emission characteristics are better than diesel fuel. NOx formation by
using linseed oil during the experiment was lower than diesel fuel.
Linseed oil is non edible oil, so it can be used as an extender of diesel
fuel energy source for small and medium energy needs.
Abstract: Nowadays, keyless entry systems are widely adopted
for vehicle immobilizer systems due to both advantages of security and
convenience. Keyless entry systems could overcome brute-force key
guessing attack, statistics attack and masquerade attack, however,
they can't prevent from thieves stealing behavior. In this paper, we
proposed a new architecture try to improve the existent flaws. The
integration of the keyless entry system and the fingerprint
identification technology is more suitable to implement on the
portable transponder to achieve higher security needs. We also adopt
and modify AES security protocol for life expectancy and security of
the portable transponder. In addition, the identification of a driver's
fingerprint makes the service of automatic reinstatement of a driver's
preferences become possible. Our design can satisfy not only the three
kinds of previous illegal attacks, but also the stealing situation.
Furthermore, many practical factors, such as costs, life expectancy and
performance, have been well considered in the design of portable
transponder.
Abstract: Recent fifteen years witnessed fast improvements in the field of humanoid robotics. The human-like robot structure is
more suitable to human environment with its supreme obstacle avoidance properties when compared with wheeled service robots.
However, the walking control for bipedal robots is a challenging task
due to their complex dynamics. Stable reference generation plays a very important role in control.
Linear Inverted Pendulum Model (LIPM) and the Zero Moment Point (ZMP) criterion are applied in a number of studies for stable
walking reference generation of biped walking robots. This paper follows this main approach too. We propose a natural and continuous ZMP reference trajectory for a stable and human-like walk. The ZMP reference trajectories move forward under the sole of the support foot when the robot body is supported by a single leg. Robot center of mass trajectory is obtained
from predefined ZMP reference trajectories by a Fourier series
approximation method. The Gibbs phenomenon problem common with Fourier approximations of discontinuous functions is avoided by employing continuous ZMP references. Also, these ZMP reference
trajectories possess pre-assigned single and double support phases,
which are very useful in experimental tuning work.
The ZMP based reference generation strategy is tested via threedimensional
full-dynamics simulations of a 12-degrees-of-freedom
biped robot model. Simulation results indicate that the proposed reference trajectory generation technique is successful.
Abstract: This paper will present the implementation of QoS
policy based system by utilizing rules on Access Control List (ACL)
over Layer 3 (L3) switch. Also presented is the architecture on that
implementation; the tools being used and the result were gathered.
The system architecture has an ability to control ACL rules which are
installed inside an external L3 switch. ACL rules used to instruct the
way of access control being executed, in order to entertain all traffics
through that particular switch. The main advantage of using this
approach is that the single point of failure could be prevented when
there are any changes on ACL rules inside L3 switches. Another
advantage is that the agent could instruct ACL rules automatically
straight away based on the changes occur on policy database without
configuring them one by one. Other than that, when QoS policy
based system was implemented in distributed environment, the
monitoring process can be synchronized easily due to the automate
process running by agent over external policy devices.
Abstract: Proton transfer and hydrogen bonding are two aspects
of the chemistry of hydrogen that respectively govern the behaviour
and structure of many molecules, both simple and complex. All the
theoretical enol and keto conformations of 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-
propandion known as dibenzoylmethane (DBM), have been
investigated by means of atoms in molecules (AIM) theory. It was
found that the most stable conformers are those stabilized by
hydrogen bridges.The aim of the present paper is a thorough
conformational analysis of DBM (with special attention on chelated
cis-enol conformers) in order to obtain detailed information on the
geometrical parameters, relative stabilities and rotational motion of
the phenyl groups. It is also important to estimate the barrier height
for ptoton transfer and hydrogen bond strength, which are the main
factors governing conformational stability.
Abstract: This work proposes a set of actions to assist redesign
procedure in existing products of Electric and Electronic Equipment
(EEE). The aim is to improve their environmental behavior after their
withdrawal in the End-of-Life (EOL) phase. In the beginning data
collection takes place. Then follows selection and implementation of
the optimal EOL Treatment Strategy (EOL_TS) and its results-
evaluation concerning the environment. In parallel, product design
characteristics that can be altered are selected based on their
significance for the environment in the EOL stage. All results from
the previous stages are combined and possible redesign actions are
formulated for further examination and afterwards configuration in
the design stage. The applied method to perform these tasks is Lean
Thinking (LT). At the end, results concerning the application of the
proposed method on a distribution transformer are presented.
Abstract: The periodic mixed convection of a water-copper
nanofluid inside a rectangular cavity with aspect ratio of 3 is
investigated numerically. The temperature of the bottom wall of the
cavity is assumed greater than the temperature of the top lid which
oscillates horizontally with the velocity defined as u = u0 sin (ω t).
The effects of Richardson number, Ri, and volume fraction of
nanoparticles on the flow and thermal behavior of the nanofluid are
investigated. Velocity and temperature profiles, streamlines and
isotherms are presented. It is observed that when Ri < 1, heat transfer
rate is much greater than when Ri > 1. The higher value of Ri
corresponds to a lower value of the amplitude of the oscillation of
Num in the steady periodic state. Moreover, increasing the volume
fraction of the nanoparticles increases the heat transfer rate.
Abstract: The commercial white tyres are usually used for forklifts in food and medicine industries. Conventionally, silica is used as reinforcement in the tyres. However, the adhesion between silica particles and rubber is remarkably poor. To improve the problem of adhesion and hence enhance wear resistance, modification of silica surface is one of the solutions. In this work, the natural rubber compound blending with polyisoprene-coated silica prepared by admicellar polymerization technique was studied to compare with the natural rubber compound of unmodified silica. The surface characterization of modified silica was also examined by SEM, FTIR, and TGA. The results show that polyisoprene-coated silica/natural rubber compound gave better overall mechanical properties, especially wear resistance with the improvement of the adhesion between silica and natural rubber matrix that can be seen in the SEM micrograph.
Abstract: To coop with urbanization issues and the economic need for expansion, the city of Jakarta is planning to reclaim more land in the Jakarta Bay. However, the reclamation activities of some islands have barely started and already the developers are facing difficulties in finding sufficient quantities of sand as fill material. When addressing the problem of sand scarcity in the case of Jakarta where, an excess of waste production, an inadequate solid waste management system and a lack of dumping ground pose a major problem, it is hard not to think of the use of waste as alternative fill material. This paper analyses the possibilities of using waste in the land reclamation projects, considering the governmental, social, environmental and economic context of the city. The results identify types of waste that could be used, ways of using those types of waste and implementation conditions for the city of Jakarta.
Abstract: In this study the extracts of the Iraqi herb Tribulus
terrestris (Al-Hassage or Al-Kutub) was done by using of polar and
non polar solvents, then the biological activity of these extractants
was studied in three fields, First, the antibacterial activity (in vitro)
on gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), and gram
negative bacteria (E. coli, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas
aerugiuosa, and Klebsiella), all extracts showed considerable activity
against all bacteria. Second, the effect of extracts on free serum
testosterone level in male mice (in vivo), the alcoholic, and
acetonitrilic extracts showed significant (P < 0.05) increase in free
serum testosterone level, and we found that the extracts contained
compounds with less genotoxic effects in mice germ cells. 3rd, was to
study the effect of methanolic extract of T. terrestris in diabetes
management.
Abstract: The most important property of the Gene Ontology is
the terms. These control vocabularies are defined to provide
consistent descriptions of gene products that are shareable and
computationally accessible by humans, software agent, or other
machine-readable meta-data. Each term is associated with
information such as definition, synonyms, database references, amino
acid sequences, and relationships to other terms. This information has
made the Gene Ontology broadly applied in microarray and
proteomic analysis. However, the process of searching the terms is
still carried out using traditional approach which is based on keyword
matching. The weaknesses of this approach are: ignoring semantic
relationships between terms, and highly depending on a specialist to
find similar terms. Therefore, this study combines semantic similarity
measure and genetic algorithm to perform a better retrieval process
for searching semantically similar terms. The semantic similarity
measure is used to compute similitude strength between two terms.
Then, the genetic algorithm is employed to perform batch retrievals
and to handle the situation of the large search space of the Gene
Ontology graph. The computational results are presented to show the
effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Abstract: Electronic banking must be secure and easy to use and
many banks heavily advertise an apparent of 100% secure system
which is contestable in many points. In this work, an alternative
approach to the design of e-banking system, through a new solution
for user authentication and security with digital certificate called
LumaCert is introduced. The certificate applies new algorithm for
asymmetric encryption by utilizing two mathematical operators
called Pentors and UltraPentors. The public and private key in this
algorithm represent a quadruple of parameters which are directly
dependent from the above mentioned operators. The strength of the
algorithm resides in the inability to find the respective Pentor and
UltraPentor operator from the mentioned parameters.
Abstract: In the upgrade process of enterprise information
systems, how to deal with and utilize those legacy systems affects the
efficiency of construction and development of the new system. We
propose an evaluation system, which comprehensively describes the
capacity of legacy information systems in five aspects. Then we
propose a practical legacy systems evaluation method. Base on the
evaluation result, we can determine the current state of legacy system
which was evaluated.
Abstract: The main objectives of this study were to identify
attributes that influence customer satisfaction and determine their
relationships with customer satisfaction. The variables included in
this research are place/ambience, food quality and service quality as
independent variables and customer satisfaction as the dependent
variable. A survey questionnaire which consisted of three parts to
measure demographic factors, independent variables, and dependent
variables was constructed based on items determined by past
research. 149 respondents from one of the well known hotel in Kuala
Lumpur, MALAYSIA were selected as a sample. Psychometric
testing was conducted to determine the reliability and validity of the
questionnaire. From the findings, there were positive significant
relationship between place/ambience (r=0.563**, p=0.000) and
service quality (r=0.544**, p=0.000) with customer satisfaction.
However, although relationship between food quality and customer
satisfaction was significant, it was in the negative direction (r=-
0.268**, p=0.001). New findings were discovered after conducting
this research and previous research findings were strengthened by the
results of this research. Future researchers could concentrate on
determining attributes that influence customer satisfaction when
cost/price is not a factor and reasons for place/ambience is currently
becoming the leading factor in determining customer satisfaction.
Abstract: The strengthening of competitive advantage combined with the transformation of business strategy is necessary for the company to succeed in the time of market changes. And in this sense the innovation activities of the firm are exactly significanting. Virtual firms are a specific form of enterprise in which we can't suppose all regularities obtaining in other forms. The aim of the paper is to evaluate factors influencing the innovation activity of virtual firm with the determination of their importance and influences on the basis of selected metrics.
Abstract: In this paper, different nonlinear dynamics analysis techniques are employed to unveil the rich nonlinear phenomena of the electromagnetic system. In particular, bifurcation diagrams, time responses, phase portraits, Poincare maps, power spectrum analysis, and the construction of basins of attraction are all powerful and effective tools for nonlinear dynamics problems. We also employ the method of Lyapunov exponents to show the occurrence of chaotic motion and to verify those numerical simulation results. Finally, two cases of a chaotic electromagnetic system being effectively controlled by a reference signal or being synchronized to another nonlinear electromagnetic system are presented.