Abstract: Dynamics of a rotor supported by air bearings is
strongly depends on the pressure distribution between the rotor and
the bearing. In this study, internal pressure in air bearings is
numerical and experimental analyzed for different radial clearances.
Firstly the pressure distribution between rotor and bearing is modeled
using Reynold's equation and this model is solved numerically. The
rotor-bearing system is also modeled in four degree of freedom and it
is simulated for different radial clearances. Then, in order to validate
numerical results, a test rig is designed and the rotor bearing system
is run under the same operational conditions. Pressure signals of left
and right bearings are recorded. Internal pressure variations are
compared for numerical and experimental results for different radial
clearances.
Abstract: In the field of fashion design, 3D Mannequin is a kind
of assisting tool which could rapidly realize the design concepts.
While the concept of 3D Mannequin is applied to the computer added
fashion design, it will connect with the development and the
application of design platform and system. Thus, the situation
mentioned above revealed a truth that it is very critical to develop a
module of 3D Mannequin which would correspond with the necessity
of fashion design. This research proposes a concrete plan that
developing and constructing a system of 3D Mannequin with Kinect.
In the content, ergonomic measurements of objective human features
could be attained real-time through the implement with depth camera
of Kinect, and then the mesh morphing can be implemented through
transformed the locations of the control-points on the model by
inputting those ergonomic data to get an exclusive 3D mannequin
model. In the proposed methodology, after the scanned points from the
Kinect are revised for accuracy and smoothening, a complete human
feature would be reconstructed by the ICP algorithm with the method
of image processing. Also, the objective human feature could be
recognized to analyze and get real measurements. Furthermore, the
data of ergonomic measurements could be applied to shape morphing
for the division of 3D Mannequin reconstructed by feature curves. Due
to a standardized and customer-oriented 3D Mannequin would be
generated by the implement of subdivision, the research could be
applied to the fashion design or the presentation and display of 3D
virtual clothes. In order to examine the practicality of research
structure, a system of 3D Mannequin would be constructed with JAVA
program in this study. Through the revision of experiments the
practicability-contained research result would come out.
Abstract: Due to today’s globalization as well as outsourcing
practices of the companies, the Supply Chain (SC) performances
have become more dependent on the efficient movement of material
among places that are geographically dispersed, where there is more
chance for disruptions. One such disruption is the quality and
delivery uncertainties of outsourcing. These uncertainties could lead
the products to be unsafe and, as is the case in a number of recent
examples, companies may have to end up in recalling their products.
As a result of these problems, there is a need to develop a
methodology for selecting suppliers globally in view of risks
associated with low quality and late delivery. Accordingly, we
developed a two-stage stochastic model that captures the risks
associated with uncertainty in quality and delivery as well as a
solution procedure for the model. The stochastic model developed
simultaneously optimizes supplier selection and purchase quantities
under price discounts over a time horizon. In particular, our target is
the study of global organizations with multiple sites and multiple
overseas suppliers, where the pricing is offered in suppliers’ local
currencies. Our proposed methodology is applied to a case study for a
US automotive company having two assembly plants and four
potential global suppliers to illustrate how the proposed model works
in practice.
Abstract: Diagnostic enzymes like aspartate aminotransferase
(AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase
(ALP) were determined as indices of heavy metal pollution in Tilapia
guinensis. Three different sets of fishes treated with lead (Pb), iron
(Fe) and copper (Cu) were used for the study while a fourth group
with no heavy metal served as a control. Fishes in each of the groups
were exposed to 2.65mg/l of Pb, 0.85mg/l of Fe and 0.35 mg/l of Cu
in aerated aquaria for 96 hours. Tissue fractionation of the liver
tissues was carried out and the three diagnostic enzymes (AST, ALT,
and ALP) were estimated. Serum levels of the same diagnostic
enzymes were also measured. The mean values of the serum enzyme
activity for ALP in each experimental group were 19.5±1.62,
29.67±2.17 and 1.15±0.27 IU/L for Pb, Fe and Cu groups compared
with 9.99±1.34 IU/L enzyme activity in the control. This result
showed that Pb and Fe caused increased release of the enzyme into
the blood circulation indicating increased tissue damage while Cu
caused a reduction in the serum level as compared with the level in
the control group. The mean values of enzyme activity obtained in
the liver were 102.14±6.12, 140.17±2.06 and 168.23±3.52 IU/L for
Pb, Fe and Cu groups, respectively compared to 91.20±9.42 IU/L
enzyme activity for the control group. The serum and liver AST and
ALT activities obtained in Pb, Fe, Cu and control groups are
reported. It was generally noted that the presence of the heavy metal
caused liver tissues damage and consequent increased level of the
diagnostic enzymes in the serum.
Abstract: Rapid Prototyping (RP) technologies enable physical
parts to be produced from various materials without depending on the
conventional tooling. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is one of
the famous RP processes used at present. Tensile strength and
compressive strength resistance will be identified for different sample
structures and different layer orientations of ABS rapid prototype
solid models. The samples will be fabricated by a FDM rapid
prototyping machine in different layer orientations with variations in
internal geometrical structure. The 0° orientation where layers were
deposited along the length of the samples displayed superior strength
and impact resistance over all the other orientations. The anisotropic
properties were probably caused by weak interlayer bonding and
interlayer porosity.
Abstract: In recent years a new method of combination
treatment for cancer has been developed and studied that has led to
significant advancements in the field of cancer therapy. Hyperthermia
is a traditional therapy that, along with a creation of a medically
approved level of heat with the help of an alternating magnetic AC
current, results in the destruction of cancer cells by heat. This paper
gives details regarding the production of the spherical nanocomposite
PVA/γ-Fe2O3 in order to be used for medical purposes such as tumor
treatment by hyperthermia. To reach a suitable and evenly distributed
temperature, the nanocomposite with core-shell morphology and
spherical form within a 100 to 200 nanometer size was created using
phase separation emulsion, in which the magnetic nano-particles γ-
Fe2O3 with an average particle size of 20 nano-meters and with
different percentages of 0.2, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 were covered by
polyvinyl alcohol. The main concern in hyperthermia and heat
treatment is achieving desirable specific absorption rate (SAR) and
one of the most critical factors in SAR is particle size. In this project
all attempts has been done to reach minimal size and consequently
maximum SAR. The morphological analysis of the spherical
structure of the nanocomposite PVA/γ-Fe2O3 was achieved by SEM
analyses and the study of the chemical bonds created was made
possible by FTIR analysis. To investigate the manner of magnetic
nanocomposite particle size distribution a DLS experiment was
conducted. Moreover, to determine the magnetic behavior of the γ-
Fe2O3 particle and the nanocomposite PVA/γ-Fe2O3 in different
concentrations a VSM test was conducted. To sum up, creating
magnetic nanocomposites with a spherical morphology that would be
employed for drug loading opens doors to new approaches in
developing nanocomposites that provide efficient heat and a
controlled release of drug simultaneously inside the magnetic field,
which are among their positive characteristics that could significantly
improve the recovery process in patients.
Abstract: This paper describes the main features of a knowledge-based system evaluation method. System evaluation is placed in the context of a hybrid legal decision-support system, Advisory Support for Home Settlement in Divorce (ASHSD). Legal knowledge for ASHSD is represented in two forms, as rules and previously decided cases. Besides distinguishing the two different forms of knowledge representation, the paper outlines the actual use of these forms in a computational framework that is designed to generate a plausible solution for a given case, by using rule-based reasoning (RBR) and case-based reasoning (CBR) in an integrated environment. The nature of suitability assessment of a solution has been considered as a multiple criteria decision-making process in ASHAD evaluation. The evaluation was performed by a combination of discussions and questionnaires with different user groups. The answers to questionnaires used in this evaluations method have been measured as a fuzzy linguistic term. The finding suggests that fuzzy linguistic evaluation is practical and meaningful in knowledge-based system development purpose.
Abstract: The degradation of concrete due to various hygrochemo-
mechanical actions is inevitable for the structures particularly
built to store water. Therefore, it is essential to determine the material
properties of dam-like structures due to ageing to predict the behavior
of such structures after a certain age. The degraded material
properties are calculated by introducing isotropic degradation index.
The predicted material properties are used to study the behavior of
aged dam at different ages. The dam is modeled by finite elements
and displacement and is considered as an unknown variable. The
parametric study reveals that the displacement is quite larger for
comparatively lower design life of the structure because the
degradation of elastic properties depends on the design life of the
dam. The stresses in dam cam be unexpectedly large at any age with
in the design life. The outcomes of the present study indicate the
importance of the consideration ageing effect of concrete exposed to
water for the safe design of dam throughout its life time.
Abstract: The Figaro AM-1 sensor module which employs TGS
2600 model gas sensor in air quality assessment was used. The
system was coupled with a microprocessor that enables sensor
module to create warning message via telephone. This low cot sensor
system’s performance was compared with a DiagNose II commercial
electronic nose system. Both air quality sensor and electronic nose
system employ metal oxide chemical gas sensors. In the study
experimental setup, data acquisition methods for electronic nose
system, and performance of the low cost air quality system were
evaluated and explained.
Abstract: Biodiesel, as an alternative renewable fuel, has been
receiving increasing attention due to the limited supply of fossil fuels
and the increasing need for energy. Microalgae are promising source
for lipids, which can be converted to biodiesel. The biodiesel
production from microalgae lipids using lipase catalyzed reaction in
supercritical CO2 medium has several advantages over conventional
production processes. However, identifying the optimum microalgae
lipid extraction and transesterification conditions is still a challenge.
In this study, the quality of biodiesel produced from lipids extracted
from Scenedesmus sp. and their enzymatic transesterification using
supercritical carbon dioxide have been investigated. At the optimum
conditions, the highest biodiesel production yield was found to be
82%. The fuel properties of the produced biodiesel, without any
separation step, at optimum reaction condition, were determined and
compared to ASTM standards. The properties were found to comply
with the limits, and showed a low glycerol content, without any
separation step.
Abstract: This paper focuses on I/O optimizations of N-hybrid
(New-Form of hybrid), which provides a hybrid file system space
constructed on SSD and HDD. Although the promising potentials of
SSD, such as the absence of mechanical moving overhead and high
random I/O throughput, have drawn a lot of attentions from IT
enterprises, its high ratio of cost/capacity makes it less desirable to
build a large-scale data storage subsystem composed of only SSDs. In
this paper, we present N-hybrid that attempts to integrate the strengths
of SSD and HDD, to offer a single, large hybrid file system space.
Several experiments were conducted to verify the performance of
N-hybrid.
Abstract: Radial profiles of particle velocities were investigated
in a 6.1m high methanol-to-olefins cold model experimental device
using a TSI laser Doppler velocimeter. The effect of axial height on
flow development was not obvious in fully developed region under the
same operating condition. Superficial gas velocity and solid
circulating rate had significant influence on particle velocity in the
center region of the riser. Besides, comparisons among rising,
descending and average particle velocity were conducted. The particle
average velocity was similar to the rising particle velocity and higher
than the descending particle velocity in radial locations except the wall
region of riser.
Abstract: The article represents the results of isolation and
component chromatographic analysis of essential oils of Polygonum
L. plants growing in Kazakhstan in commercial reserves at the
territory of Kazakhstan. The results of research of antibacterial and
antifungal activity of isolated compounds have been represented.
Abstract: In this paper, we investigated the athermal pressure
behavior of the structural and elastic properties of scheelite BaWO4
phase up to 7 GPa using the ab initio pseudo-potential method. The
calculated lattice parameters pressure relation have been compared
with the experimental values and found to be in good agreement with
these results. Moreover, we present for the first time the investigation
of the elastic properties of this compound using the density functional
perturbation theory (DFPT). It is shown that this phase is
mechanically stable up to 7 GPa after analyzing the calculated elastic
constants. Other relevant quantities such as bulk modulus, pressure
derivative of bulk modulus, shear modulus; Young’s modulus,
Poisson’s ratio, anisotropy factors, Debye temperature and sound
velocity have been calculated. The obtained results, which are
reported for the first time to the best of the author’s knowledge, can
facilitate assessment of possible applications of the title material.
Abstract: In this study free vibration analysis of aluminum
honeycomb sandwich structures were carried out experimentally and
numerically. The natural frequencies and mode shapes of sandwich
structures fabricated with different configurations for clamped-free
boundary condition were determined. The effects of lower and upper
face sheet thickness, the core material thickness, cell diameter, cell
angle and foil thickness on the vibration characteristics were
examined. The numerical studies were performed with ANSYS
package. While the sandwich structures were modeled in ANSYS the
continuum model was used. Later, the numerical results were
compared with the experimental findings.
Abstract: The future and the development of science is therefore
seen in interdisciplinary areas such as biomedical engineering. Selfassembled
structures, similar to stem cell niches would inhibit fast
division process and subsequently capture the stem cells from the
blood flow. By means of surface topography and the stiffness as well
as microstructure progenitor cells should be differentiated towards
the formation of endothelial cells monolayer which effectively will
inhibit activation of the coagulation cascade. The idea of the material
surface development met the interest of the clinical institutions,
which support the development of science in this area and are waiting
for scientific solutions that could contribute to the development of
heart assist systems. This would improve the efficiency of the
treatment of patients with myocardial failure, supported with artificial
heart assist systems. Innovative materials would enable the redesign,
in the post project activity, construction of ventricular heart assist.
Abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of
infectious mortality. It is primarily transmitted by the respiratory
route, individuals with active disease may infect others through
airborne particles which releases when they cough, talk, or sing and
subsequently inhale by others. In order to study the effect of the
Bacilli Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine after vaccination of TB
patient, a Vaccinated Susceptible Infected and Recovered (VSIR)
mathematical model is being developed to achieve the desired
objectives. The mathematical model, so developed, shall be used to
quantify the effect of BCG Vaccine to protect the immigrant young
adult person. Moreover, equations are to be established for the
disease endemic and free equilibrium states and subsequently utilized
in disease stability analysis. The stability analysis will give a
complete picture of disease annihilation from the total population if
the total removal rate from the infectious group should be greater
than total number of dormant infections produced throughout
infectious period.
Abstract: This paper proposed the comparison made between
Multi-Carrier Pulse Width Modulation, Sinusoidal Pulse Width
Modulation and Selective Harmonic Elimination Pulse Width
Modulation technique for minimization of Total Harmonic Distortion
in Cascaded H-Bridge Multi-Level Inverter. In Multicarrier Pulse
Width Modulation method by using Alternate Position of Disposition
scheme for switching pulse generation to Multi-Level Inverter.
Another carrier based approach; Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation
method is also implemented to define the switching pulse generation
system in the multi-level inverter. In Selective Harmonic Elimination
method using Genetic Algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimization
algorithm for define the required switching angles to eliminate low
order harmonics from the inverter output voltage waveform and
reduce the total harmonic distortion value. So, the results validate that
the Selective Harmonic Elimination Pulse Width Modulation method
does capably eliminate a great number of precise harmonics and
minimize the Total Harmonic Distortion value in output voltage
waveform in compared with Multi-Carrier Pulse Width Modulation
method, Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation method. In this paper,
comparison of simulation results shows that the Selective Harmonic
Elimination method can attain optimal harmonic minimization
solution better than Multi-Carrier Pulse Width Modulation method,
Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation method.
Abstract: This study aimed to determine the possible protective effects of L‐carnitine against gentamicin‐induced nephrotoxicity. Forty male albino rats were divided into 4 groups (10 rats each); Group 1: normal control, group 2: induced nephrotoxicity (gentamicin 50 mg/kg/day S.C; 8 days), group 3: treated with L‐ carnitine (40 mg/kg/d SC for 12 days) and group 4: treated with L‐ carnitine 4 days before and for 8 days in concomitant with gentamicin. Gentamicin‐induced nephrotoxicity (group 2): caused significant increase in serum urea, creatinine, urinary N‐acetyl‐B‐D‐ glucosaminidase (NAG), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), urinary total protein and kidney tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) with significant decrease in serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), serum catalase and creatinine clearance and marked tubular necrosis in the proximal convoluted tubules with interruption in the basement membrane around the necrotic tubule compared to the normal control group. L‐carnitine 4 days before and for 8 days in concomitant with gentamicin (group 4) offered marked decrease in serum urea, serum creatinine, urinary NAG, urinary GGT, urinary proteins and kidney tissue MDA, with marked increase in serum SOD, serum catalase and creatinine clearance with marked improvement in the tubular damage compared to gentamicin‐induced nephrotoxicity group. L‐carnitine administered for 12 days produced no change in the parameters mentioned above as compared to the normal control group. In conclusion: L‐carnitine could reduce most of the biochemical parameters and also improve the histopathological features of kidney asscociated with gentamicin induced‐nephrotoxicity.
Abstract: Hemoglobin (HB) indicates anemia level and by
extension may reflect the nutritional level and perhaps the immunity
of an individual. Some antiretroviral drugs like Zidovudine are
known to cause anemia in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).
A cross sectional study using demographic data and blood specimen
from 218 female commercial sex workers attending antiretroviral
therapy (ART) clinics was conducted between December, 2009 and
July, 2011 to assess the effect of zidovudine on hematologic, and
RNA viral load of female sex workers receiving antiretroviral
treatment in north western Nigeria. Anemia is a common and serious
complication of both HIV infection and its treatment. In the setting of
HIV infection, anemia has been associated with decreased quality of
life, functional status, and survival. Antiretroviral therapy,
particularly the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), has
been associated with a decrease in the incidence and severity of
anemia in HIV-infected patients who have received a HAART
regimen for at least 1 year. In this study, result has shown that of the
218 patients, 26 with hemoglobin count between 5.1 – 10g/dl were
observed to have the highest viral load count of 300,000 –
350,000copies/ml. It was also observed that most patients (190) with
HB of 10.1 – 15.0g/dl had viral load count of 200,000 – 250,000
copies /ml. An inverse relationship therefore exists i.e. the lower the
hemoglobin level, the higher the viral load count even though the test
statistics did not show any significance between the two (P = 0.206).
This shows that multivariate logistic regression analysis
demonstrated that anemia was associated with a CD4 + cell count
below 50/μL, female sex workers with a viral load above 100,000
copies/mL, who use zidovudine.
Severe anemia was less prevalent in this study population than in
historical comparators; however, mild to moderate anemia rates
remain high. The study therefore recommends that hematological and
virologic parameters be monitored closely in patients receiving first
line ART regimen.