Abstract: The main objective of this study was to determine the
effects of Nitrogen fixing bacteria and manure application on the seed
yield and yield components in black cumin (Nigella sativa L.). The
experiment was carried out at the RAN Research Station in
Firouzkouh in 2012. A 4×4 factorial experiment, arranged in a
randomized complete blocks designed with three replications.
Nitrogen fixing bacteria at 4 levels (control, Azotobacter,
Azospirillum and Azotobacter + Azospirillum) and manure
application at 4 levels (0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 ton ha-1) were used at this
investigation. The present results have shown that the highest height,
1000 seeds weight, seed number per follicle, follicle yield, seed yield
and harvest index were obtained after using Azotobacter and
Azospirillum, simultaneously. Manure application only effects on
follicle yield and by 5ton manure ha-1 the highest follicle yield
obtained. Results of this investigation showed that the maximum seed
yield obtained when Aotobacter+Azospirillum inoculated with black
cumin seeds and 5 ton manure ha-1 applied. According to the results
of this investigation the integrated management of Azotobacter and
Azospirillum with manure application is the best treatment for
achieving the maximum quantitative charactersitics of Black cumin.
Abstract: In this study, one dimensional phase change problem
(a Stefan problem) is considered and a numerical solution of this
problem is discussed. First, we use similarity transformation to
convert the governing equations into ordinary differential equations
with its boundary conditions. The solutions of ordinary differential
equation with the associated boundary conditions and interface
condition (Stefan condition) are obtained by using a numerical
approach based on operational matrix of differentiation of shifted
second kind Chebyshev wavelets. The obtained results are compared
with existing exact solution which is sufficiently accurate.
Abstract: The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the
sustainable development in the Belgrade Metropolitan Region - BMA
(level NUTS 2) preliminary evaluating the three chosen components:
1) economic growth and developmental changes; 2) competitiveness;
and 3) territorial concentration and industrial specialization. First, we
identified the main results of development changes and economic
growth by applying Shift-share analysis on the metropolitan level.
Second, the empirical evaluation of competitiveness in the BMA is
based on the analysis of absolute and relative values of eight
indicators by Spider method. Paper shows that the consideration of
the national share, industrial mix and metropolitan/regional share in
total Shift share of the BMA, as well as economic/functional
specialization of the BMA indicate very strong process of
deindustrialization. Allocative component of the BMA economic
growth has positive value, reflecting the above-average sector
productivity compared to the national average. Third, the important
positive role of metropolitan/regional component in decomposition of
the BMA economic growth is highlighted as one of the key results.
Finally, comparative analysis of the industrial territorial
concentration in the BMA in relation to Serbia is based on location
quotient (LQ) or Balassa index as a valid measure. The results
indicate absolute and relative differences in decrease of industry
territorial concentration as well as inefficiency of utilizing territorial
capital in the BMA. Results are important for the increase of regional
competitiveness and territorial distribution in this area as well as for
improvement of sustainable metropolitan and sector policies,
planning and governance on this level.
Abstract: Effect of sprue/metal head height on mould filling,
microstructure and mechanical properties of TWDI casting is studied.
Results show that metal/sprue height of 50 mm is not sufficient to
push the melt through the gating channel, but as it is increased from
100-350 mm, proper mould filling is achieved. However at higher
heights between 200 mm and 350 mm, defects associated with
incomplete solidification, carbide precipitation and turbulent flow are
evident. This research shows that superior UTS, hardness, nodularity
and nodule count are obtained at 100 mm sprue height.
Abstract: This paper presents results of compressive strength,
capillary water absorption, and density tests conducted on concrete
containing recycled aggregate (RCA) which is obtained from
structural waste generated by the construction industry in Turkey. In
the experiments, 0%, 15%, 30%, 45% and 60% of the normal
(natural) coarse aggregate was replaced by the recycled aggregate.
Maximum aggregate particle sizes were selected as 16 mm, 22,4 mm
and 31,5 mm; and 0,06%, 0,13% and 0,20% of air-entraining agent
(AEA) were used in mixtures. Fly ash and superplasticizer were used
as a mineral and chemical admixture, respectively. The same type
(CEM I 42.5) and constant dosage of cement were used in the study.
Water/cement ratio was kept constant as 0.53 for all mixture. It was
concluded that capillary water absorption, compressive strength, and
density of concrete decreased with increasing RCA ratio. Increasing
in maximum aggregate particle size and amount of AEA also affect
the properties of concrete significantly.
Abstract: An Acoustic Micro-Energy Harvester (AMEH) is
developed to convert wasted acoustical energy into useful electrical
energy. AMEH is mathematically modeled using Lumped Element
Modelling (LEM) and Euler-Bernoulli beam (EBB) modelling. An
experiment is designed to validate the mathematical model and assess
the feasibility of AMEH. Comparison of theoretical and experimental
data on critical parameter value such as Mm, Cms, dm and Ceb showed
the variances are within 1% to 6%, which is reasonably acceptable.
Then, AMEH undergoes bandwidth tuning for performance
optimization. The AMEH successfully produces 0.9V/(m/s^2) and
1.79μW/(m^2/s^4) at 60Hz and 400kΩ resistive load which only
show variances about 7% compared to theoretical data. At 1g and
60Hz resonance frequency, the averaged power output is about
2.2mW which fulfilled a range of wireless sensors and
communication peripherals power requirements. Finally, the design
for AMEH is assessed, validated and deemed as a feasible design.
Abstract: This study investigates the effects of the lead angle
and chip thickness variation on surface roughness during the
machining of compacted graphite iron using ceramic cutting tools
under dry cutting conditions. Analytical models were developed for
predicting the surface roughness values of the specimens after the
face milling process. Experimental data was collected and imported
to the artificial neural network model. A multilayer perceptron model
was used with the back propagation algorithm employing the input
parameters of lead angle, cutting speed and feed rate in connection
with chip thickness. Furthermore, analysis of variance was employed
to determine the effects of the cutting parameters on surface
roughness. Artificial neural network and regression analysis were
used to predict surface roughness. The values thus predicted were
compared with the collected experimental data, and the
corresponding percentage error was computed. Analysis results
revealed that the lead angle is the dominant factor affecting surface
roughness. Experimental results indicated an improvement in the
surface roughness value with decreasing lead angle value from 88° to
45°.
Abstract: Elastomeric polymer foam has been used widely in
the automotive industry, especially for isolating unwanted vibrations.
Such material is able to absorb unwanted vibration due to its
combination of elastic and viscous properties. However, the ‘creep
effect’, poor stress distribution and susceptibility to high
temperatures are the main disadvantages of such a system.
In this study, improvements in the performance of elastomeric
foam as a vibration isolator were investigated using the concept of
Foam Filled Fluid (FFFluid). In FFFluid devices, the foam takes the
form of capsule shapes, and is mixed with viscous fluid, while the
mixture is contained in a closed vessel. When the FFFluid isolator is
affected by vibrations, energy is absorbed, due to the elastic strain of
the foam. As the foam is compressed, there is also movement of the
fluid, which contributes to further energy absorption as the fluid
shears. Also, and dependent on the design adopted, the packaging
could also attenuate vibration through energy absorption via friction
and/or elastic strain.
The present study focuses on the advantages of the FFFluid
concept over the dry polymeric foam in the role of vibration isolation.
This comparative study between the performance of dry foam and the
FFFluid was made according to experimental procedures. The paper
concludes by evaluating the performance of the FFFluid isolator in
the suspension system of a light vehicle. One outcome of this
research is that the FFFluid may preferable over elastomer isolators
in certain applications, as it enables a reduction in the effects of high
temperatures and of ‘creep effects’, thereby increasing the reliability
and load distribution. The stiffness coefficient of the system has
increased about 60% by using an FFFluid sample. The technology
represented by the FFFluid is therefore considered by this research
suitable for application in the suspension system of a light vehicle.
Abstract: The literature on language teaching and second
language acquisition has been largely driven by monolingual
ideology with a common assumption that a second language (L2) is
best taught and learned in the L2 only. The current study challenges
this assumption by reporting learners' positive perceptions of tertiary
level teachers' code switching practices in Vietnam. The findings of
this study contribute to our understanding of code switching practices
in language classrooms from a learners' perspective.
Data were collected from student participants who were working
towards a Bachelor degree in English within the English for Business
Communication stream through the use of focus group interviews.
The literature has documented that this method of interviewing has a
number of distinct advantages over individual student interviews. For
instance, group interactions generated by focus groups create a more
natural environment than that of an individual interview because they
include a range of communicative processes in which each individual
may influence or be influenced by others - as they are in their real
life. The process of interaction provides the opportunity to obtain the
meanings and answers to a problem that are "socially constructed
rather than individually created" leading to the capture of real-life
data. The distinct feature of group interaction offered by this
technique makes it a powerful means of obtaining deeper and richer
data than those from individual interviews. The data generated
through this study were analysed using a constant comparative
approach. Overall, the students expressed positive views of this
practice indicating that it is a useful teaching strategy. Teacher code
switching was seen as a learning resource and a source supporting
language output. This practice was perceived to promote student
comprehension and to aid the learning of content and target language
knowledge. This practice was also believed to scaffold the students'
language production in different contexts. However, the students
indicated their preference for teacher code switching to be
constrained, as extensive use was believed to negatively impact on
their L2 learning and trigger cognitive reliance on the L1 for L2
learning. The students also perceived that when the L1 was used to a
great extent, their ability to develop as autonomous learners was
negatively impacted.
This study found that teacher code switching was supported in
certain contexts by learners, thus suggesting that there is a need for
the widespread assumption about the monolingual teaching approach
to be re-considered.
Abstract: Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) is a promising
modern approach to the unused combinatorial optimization. Here
ACO is applied to finding the shortest during communication link
failure. In this paper, the performances of the prim’s and ACO
algorithm are made. By comparing the time complexity and program
execution time as set of parameters, we demonstrate the pleasant
performance of ACO in finding excellent solution to finding shortest
path during communication link failure.
Abstract: Waste Load Allocation (WLA) strategies usually
intend to find economic policies for water resource management.
Water quality trading (WQT) is an approach that uses discharge
permit market to reduce total environmental protection costs. This
primarily requires assigning discharge limits known as total
maximum daily loads (TMDLs). These are determined by monitoring
organizations with respect to the receiving water quality and
remediation capabilities. The purpose of this study is to compare two
approaches of TMDL assignment for WQT policy in small catchment
area of Haraz River, in north of Iran. At first, TMDLs are assigned
uniformly for the whole point sources to keep the concentrations of
BOD and dissolved oxygen (DO) at the standard level at checkpoint
(terminus point). This was simply simulated and controlled by
Qual2kw software. In the second scenario, TMDLs are assigned
using multi objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) method
in which the environmental violation at river basin and total treatment
costs are minimized simultaneously. In both scenarios, the equity
index and the WLA based on trading discharge permits (TDP) are
calculated. The comparative results showed that using economically
optimized TMDLs (2nd scenario) has slightly more cost savings rather
than uniform TMDL approach (1st scenario). The former annually
costs about 1 M$ while the latter is 1.15 M$. WQT can decrease
these annual costs to 0.9 and 1.1 M$, respectively. In other word,
these approaches may save 35 and 45% economically in comparison
with command and control policy. It means that using multi objective
decision support systems (DSS) may find more economical WLA,
however its outcome is not necessarily significant in comparison with
uniform TMDLs. This may be due to the similar impact factors of
dischargers in small catchments. Conversely, using uniform TMDLs
for WQT brings more equity that makes stakeholders not feel that
much envious of difference between TMDL and WQT allocation. In
addition, for this case, determination of TMDLs uniformly would be
much easier for monitoring. Consequently, uniform TMDL for TDP
market is recommended as a sustainable approach. However,
economical TMDLs can be used for larger watersheds.
Abstract: Due to the resultant leachate from waste
decomposition in landfills has polluter potential hundred times
greater than domestic sewage, this is considered a problem related to
the depreciation of environment requiring pre-disposal treatment.In
seeking to improve this situation, this project proposes the treatment
of landfill leachate using natural fibers intercropped with advanced
oxidation processes. The selected natural fibers were palm, coconut
and banana fiber.These materials give sustainability to the project
because, besides having adsorbent capacity, are often part of waste
discarded. The study was conducted in laboratory scale.In trials, the
effluents were characterized as Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD),
Turbidity and Color. The results indicate that is technically
promising since that there were extremely oxidative conditions, the
use of certain natural fibers in the reduction of pollutants in leachate
have been obtained results of COD removals between 67.9% and
90.9%, Turbidity between 88.0% and 99.7% and Color between
67.4% and 90.4%.The expectation generated is to continue evaluating
the association of efficiency of other natural fibers with other landfill
leachate treatment processes.
Abstract: Psyllium gum alone and in combination with
sunflower oil was investigated as a possible alternative edible coating
for improvement of quality and shelf life of fresh-cut papaya.
Different concentrations including 0.5, 1 and 1.5 percent of psyllium
gum were used for coating of fresh-cut papaya. In some samples,
refined sunflower oil was used as a lipid component to increase the
effectiveness of coating in terms of water barrier properties. Soya
lecithin was used as an emulsifier in coatings containing oil.
Pretreatment with 1% calcium chloride was given to maintain the
firmness of fresh-cut papaya cubes. 1% psyllium gum coating was
found to yield better results. Further, addition of oil helped to
maintain the quality and acted as a barrier to water vapour, therefore,
minimizing the weight loss.
Abstract: In this study, the feasibility of incorporating ceramic
waste from bricks (perforated brick and double hollow brick) and
extruded polystyrene (XPS) waste, is analysed.
Results show that it is possible to incorporate up to 25% of
ceramic waste and 4% of XPS waste over the weight of gypsum in a
gypsum matrix. Furthermore, with the addition of ceramic waste an
8% of surface hardness increase and a 25% of capillary water
absorption reduction can be obtained. On the other hand, with the
addition of XPS, a 26% reduction of density and a 37% improvement
of thermal conductivity can be obtained.
The obtained results are favorable to use these materials in order to
produce prefabricated gypsum and also as material for interior
cladding walls.
Abstract: Native American communities are struggling with unemployment and depressed economies. A major cause is a lack of business knowledge, education, and cultural desire. And yet, in the history of the American West, Native Americans were considered the best traders and negotiators for everything from furs to weapons to buffalo. To improve these economies, there has been an effort to reintroduce that heritage to todays and tomorrows generation of tribal members, such Crow, Cheyenne, and Blackfeet. Professors at the College of Business Montana State University-Billings (MSUB) teach tribal students in Montana to create business plans. These plans have won national small business plan competitions. The teaching and advising method used at MSUB is uniquely successful as theses business students are now five time national champions. This article reviews the environment and the method of learning to achieve a winning small business plan with Native American students. It discusses the five plans that became national champions. And it discusses the problems and solutions discovered in the process of achieving results. Students who participated in this endeavor have graduated and become CPAs, MBAs, and gainfully employed in their chosen professions. They have also worked to improve the economies of their native lands and homes. By educating members of these communities with business strategy and plan development, they are better able to impact their own economies.
Abstract: A comparison of activity and stability of the as-formed
Pt/C, Pt-Co and Pt-Pd/C electrocatalysts, prepared by a combined
approach of impregnation and seeding, was performed. According to
the activity test in a single Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel
cell, the Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) activity of the Pt-M/C
electrocatalyst was slightly lower than that of Pt/C. The j0.9 V and
E10 mA/cm2 of the as-prepared electrocatalysts increased in the order of
Pt/C > Pt-Co/C > Pt-Pd/C. However, in the medium-to-high current
density region, Pt-Pd/C exhibited the best performance. With regard to
their stability in a 0.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte solution, the
electrochemical surface area decreased as the number of rounds of
repetitive potential cycling increased due to the dissolution of the
metals within the catalyst structure. For long-term measurement, Pt-
Pd/C was the most stable than the other three electrocatalysts.
Abstract: This work studies the effect of chemical composition
on the activity and selectivity of γ–alumina supported CuO/
MnO2/Cr2O3 catalysts toward deep oxidation of CO, dimethyl ether
(DME) and methanol. The catalysts were prepared by impregnation
of the support with an aqueous solution of copper nitrate, manganese
nitrate and CrO3 under different conditions. Thermal, XRD and TPR
analysis were performed. The catalytic measurements of single
compounds oxidation were carried out on continuous flow equipment
with a four-channel isothermal stainless steel reactor. Flow-line
equipment with an adiabatic reactor for simultaneous oxidation of all
compounds under the conditions that mimic closely the industrial
ones was used. The reactant and product gases were analyzed by
means of on-line gas chromatographs.
On the basis of XRD analysis it can be concluded that the active
component of the mixed Cu-Mn-Cr/γ–alumina catalysts consists of at
least six compounds – CuO, Cr2O3, MnO2, Cu1.5Mn1.5O4,
Cu1.5Cr1.5O4 and CuCr2O4, depending on the Cu/Mn/Cr molar ratio.
Chemical composition strongly influences catalytic properties, this
influence being quite variable with regards to the different processes.
The rate of CO oxidation rapidly decrease with increasing of
chromium content in the active component while for the DME was
observed the reverse trend. It was concluded that the best
compromise are the catalysts with Cu/(Mn + Cr) molar ratio 1:5 and
Mn/Cr molar ratio from 1:3 to 1:4.
Abstract: This paper aims to study the effect of cold work
condition on the microstructure of Cu-1.5wt%Ti, and Cu-3.5wt%Ti
and hence mechanical properties. The samples under investigation
were machined, and solution heat treated. X-ray diffraction technique
is used to identify the different phases present after cold deformation
by compression and also different heat treatment and also measuring
the relative quantities of phases present. The metallographic
examination is used to study the microstructure of the samples. The
hardness measurements were used to indicate the change in
mechanical properties. The results are compared with the mechanical
properties obtained by previous workers. Experiments on cold
compression followed by aging of Cu-Ti alloys have indicated that
the most efficient hardening of the material results from continuous
precipitation of very fine particles within the matrix. These particles
were reported to be β`-type, Cu4Ti phase. The β`-β transformation
and particles coarsening within the matrix as well as long grain
boundaries were responsible for the overaging of Cu-1.5wt%Ti and
Cu-3.5wt%Ti alloys. It is well known that plate-like particles are β –
type, Cu3Ti phase. Discontinuous precipitation was found to start at
the grain boundaries and expand into grain interior. At the higher
aging temperature, a classic Widmanstätten morphology forms giving
rise to a coarse microstructure comprised of α and the equilibrium
phase β. Those results were confirmed by X-ray analysis, which
found that a few percent of Cu3Ti, β precipitates are formed during
aging at high temperature for long time for both Cu- Ti alloys (i.e.
Cu-1.5wt%Ti and Cu-3.5wt%Ti).
Abstract: Haynes 25 alloy (also known as L-605 alloy) is cobalt
based super alloy which has widely applications such as aerospace
industry, turbine and furnace parts, power generators and heat
exchangers and petroleum refining components due to its excellent
characteristics. However, the workability of this alloy is more
difficult compared to normal steels or even stainless. In present work,
an experimental investigation was performed under cryogenic
cooling to determine cutting tool wear patterns and obtain optimal
cutting parameters in turning of cobalt based superalloy Haynes 25.
In experiments, uncoated carbide tool was used and cutting speed (V)
and feed rate (f) were considered as test parameters. Tool wear
(VBmax) were measured for process performance indicators.
Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine the
importance of machining parameters.
Abstract: Cloud computing has emerged as a promising
direction for cost efficient and reliable service delivery across data
communication networks. The dynamic location of service facilities
and the virtualization of hardware and software elements are stressing
the communication networks and protocols, especially when data
centres are interconnected through the internet. Although the
computing aspects of cloud technologies have been largely
investigated, lower attention has been devoted to the networking
services without involving IT operating overhead. Cloud computing
has enabled elastic and transparent access to infrastructure services
without involving IT operating overhead. Virtualization has been a
key enabler for cloud computing. While resource virtualization and
service abstraction have been widely investigated, networking in
cloud remains a difficult puzzle. Even though network has significant
role in facilitating hybrid cloud scenarios, it hasn't received much
attention in research community until recently. We propose Network
as a Service (NaaS), which forms the basis of unifying public and
private clouds. In this paper, we identify various challenges in
adoption of hybrid cloud. We discuss the design and implementation
of a cloud platform.