Abstract: Antimicrobial resistant is becoming a major factor in
virtually all hospital acquired infection may soon untreatable is a
serious public health problem. These concerns have led to major
research effort to discover alternative strategies for the treatment of
bacterial infection. Nanobiotehnology is an upcoming and fast
developing field with potential application for human welfare. An
important area of nanotechnology for development of reliable and
environmental friendly process for synthesis of nanoscale particles
through biological systems In the present studies are reported on the
use of fungal strain Aspergillus species for the extracellular synthesis
of bionanoparticles from 1 mM silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution. The
report would be focused on the synthesis of metallic bionanoparticles
of silver using a reduction of aqueous Ag+ ion with the
culture supernatants of Microorganisms. The bio-reduction of the
Ag+ ions in the solution would be monitored in the aqueous
component and the spectrum of the solution would measure through
UV-visible spectrophotometer The bionanoscale particles were
further characterized by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Fourier
Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thin layer
chromatography. The synthesized bionanoscale particle showed a
maximum absorption at 385 nm in the visible region. Atomic Force
Microscopy investigation of silver bionanoparticles identified that
they ranged in the size of 250 nm - 680 nm; the work analyzed the
antimicrobial efficacy of the silver bionanoparticles against various
multi drug resistant clinical isolates. The present Study would be
emphasizing on the applicability to synthesize the metallic
nanostructures and to understand the biochemical and molecular
mechanism of nanoparticles formation by the cell filtrate in order to
achieve better control over size and polydispersity of the
nanoparticles. This would help to develop nanomedicine against
various multi drug resistant human pathogens.
Abstract: Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) is the
coherent oscillation of conductive electrons confined in noble
metallic nanoparticles excited by electromagnetic radiation, and
nanosphere lithography (NSL) is one of the cost-effective methods to
fabricate metal nanostructures for LSPR. NSL can be categorized
into two major groups: dispersed NSL and closely pack NSL. In
recent years, gold nanocrescents and gold nanoholes with vertical
sidewalls fabricated by dispersed NSL, and silver nanotriangles and
gold nanocaps on silica nanospheres fabricated by closely pack NSL,
have been reported for LSPR biosensing. This paper introduces
several novel gold nanostructures fabricated by NSL in LSPR
applications, including 3D nanostructures obtained by evaporating
gold obliquely on dispersed nanospheres, nanoholes with slant
sidewalls, and patchy nanoparticles on closely packed nanospheres,
all of which render satisfactory sensitivity for LSPR sensing. Since
the LSPR spectrum is very sensitive to the shape of the metal
nanostructures, formulas are derived and software is developed for
calculating the profiles of the obtainable metal nanostructures by
NSL, for different nanosphere masks with different fabrication
conditions. The simulated profiles coincide well with the profiles of
the fabricated gold nanostructures observed under scanning electron
microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM), which
proves that the software is a useful tool for the process design of
different LSPR nanostructures.
Abstract: The quest for alternatefuels for a CI engine has
become all the more imperative considering its importance in the
economy of a nation and from the standpoint of preserving the environment. Reported in this paper are the combustion performance and P-θ characteristics of a CI engine operating on B20 biodiesel fuel derived from Jatropha oil.Itis observed that the twin effect of advancing the injection timing and increasing the injector opening pressure (IOP) up to 220 barhas resulted in minimum brake specific
energy consumption and higherpeak pressure. It is also observed that
the crank angle of occurrence of peak pressure progressestowards top
dead center (TDC) as the timing is advanced and IOP is increased.
Abstract: In this study, an ablation, mechanical and thermal properties of a rocket motor insulation from phenolic/ fiber matrix composites forming a laminate with different fiber between fiberglass and locally available synthetic fibers. The phenolic/ fiber matrix composites was mechanics and thermal properties by means of tensile strength, ablation, TGA and DSC. The design of thermal insulation involves several factors.Determined the mechanical properties according to MIL-I-24768: Density >1.3 g/cm3, Tensile strength >103 MPa and Ablation
Abstract: It is necessary to evaluate the bridges conditions and
strengthen bridges or parts of them. The reinforcement necessary due
to some reasons can be summarized as: First, a changing in use of
bridge could produce internal forces in a part of structural which
exceed the existing cross-sectional capacity. Second, bridges may
also need reinforcement because damage due to external factors
which reduced the cross-sectional resistance to external loads. One of
other factors could listed here its misdesign in some details, like
safety of bridge or part of its.This article identify the design demands
of Qing Shan bridge located in is in Heilongjiang Province He gang -
Nen Jiang Road 303 provincial highway, Wudalianchi area, China, is
an important bridge in the urban areas. The investigation program
was include the observation and evaluate the damage in T- section
concrete beams , prestressed concrete box girder bridges section in
additional evaluate the whole state of bridge includes the pier ,
abutments , bridge decks, wings , bearing and capping beam, joints,
........etc. The test results show that the bridges in general structural
condition are good. T beam span No 10 were observed, crack
extended upward along the ribbed T beam, and continue to the T
beam flange. Crack width varying between 0.1mm to 0.4mm, the
maximum about 0.4mm. The bridge needs to be improved flexural
bending strength especially at for T beam section.
Abstract: The last decade has shown that object-oriented
concept by itself is not that powerful to cope with the rapidly
changing requirements of ongoing applications. Component-based
systems achieve flexibility by clearly separating the stable parts of
systems (i.e. the components) from the specification of their
composition. In order to realize the reuse of components effectively
in CBSD, it is required to measure the reusability of components.
However, due to the black-box nature of components where the
source code of these components are not available, it is difficult to
use conventional metrics in Component-based Development as these
metrics require analysis of source codes. In this paper, we survey
few existing component-based reusability metrics. These metrics
give a border view of component-s understandability, adaptability,
and portability. It also describes the analysis, in terms of quality
factors related to reusability, contained in an approach that aids
significantly in assessing existing components for reusability.
Abstract: The problem of estimating time-varying regression is
inevitably concerned with the necessity to choose the appropriate
level of model volatility - ranging from the full stationarity of instant
regression models to their absolute independence of each other. In the
stationary case the number of regression coefficients to be estimated
equals that of regressors, whereas the absence of any smoothness
assumptions augments the dimension of the unknown vector by the
factor of the time-series length. The Akaike Information Criterion
is a commonly adopted means of adjusting a model to the given
data set within a succession of nested parametric model classes,
but its crucial restriction is that the classes are rigidly defined by
the growing integer-valued dimension of the unknown vector. To
make the Kullback information maximization principle underlying the
classical AIC applicable to the problem of time-varying regression
estimation, we extend it onto a wider class of data models in which
the dimension of the parameter is fixed, but the freedom of its values
is softly constrained by a family of continuously nested a priori
probability distributions.
Abstract: The paper discusses a computationally efficient
method for the design of prototype filters required for the
implementation of an M-band cosine modulated filter bank. The
prototype filter is formulated as an optimum interpolated FIR filter.
The optimum interpolation factor requiring minimum number of
multipliers is used. The model filter as well as the image suppressor
will be designed using the Kaiser window. The method will seek to
optimize a single parameter namely cutoff frequency to minimize the
distortion in the overlapping passband.
Abstract: Nigeria is considered as one of the many countries in
sub-Saharan Africa with a weak economy and gross deficiencies in technology and engineering. Available data from international monitoring and regulatory organizations show that technology is pivotal to determining the economic strengths of nations all over the
world. Education is critical to technology acquisition, development,
dissemination and adaptation. Thus, this paper seeks to critically
assess and discuss issues and challenges facing technological
advancement in Nigeria, particularly in the education sector, and also
proffers solutions to resuscitate the Nigerian education system
towards achieving national technological and economic sustainability
such that Nigeria can compete favourably with other technologicallydriven
economies of the world in the not-too-distant future.
Abstract: This paper presents a useful sub-pixel image
registration method using line segments and a sub-pixel edge detector.
In this approach, straight line segments are first extracted from gray
images at the pixel level before applying the sub-pixel edge detector.
Next, all sub-pixel line edges are mapped onto the orientation-distance
parameter space to solve for line correspondence between images.
Finally, the registration parameters with sub-pixel accuracy are
analytically solved via two linear least-square problems. The present
approach can be applied to various fields where fast registration with
sub-pixel accuracy is required. To illustrate, the present approach is
applied to the inspection of printed circuits on a flat panel. Numerical
example shows that the present approach is effective and accurate
when target images contain a sufficient number of line segments,
which is true in many industrial problems.
Abstract: In this paper, we argue that Design research is basic to countries- national productivity and competition agendas at the same time that vagaries of research training presents as one of the barriers faced by Design Higher Degree by Research students in engaging those agendas. We argue that, given industry requirements for research-trained recruits, students have the right to expect that research training will provide the foundations of a successful career on an academic or research pathway or a professional pathway, but that universities have yet to address problems in their provision of research training for Design doctoral students. We suggest that to facilitate this, rigorous research conducted on the provision of Doctoral programs in Design would serve to inform future activities in Design research in productive ways.
Abstract: The paper is concerned with relationships between
SSME and ICTs and focuses on the role of Web 2.0 tools in
the service development process. The research presented aims at
exploring how collaborative technologies can support and improve
service processes, highlighting customer centrality and value coproduction.
The core idea of the paper is the centrality of user
participation and the collaborative technologies as enabling factors;
Wikipedia is analyzed as an example. The result of such analysis is
the identification and description of a pattern characterising specific
services in which users collaborate by means of web tools with value
co-producers during the service process. The pattern of collaborative
co-production concerning several categories of services including
knowledge based services is then discussed.
Abstract: This paper is a survey of current component-based
software technologies and the description of promotion and
inhibition factors in CBSE. The features that software components
inherit are also discussed. Quality Assurance issues in componentbased
software are also catered to. The feat research on the quality
model of component based system starts with the study of what the
components are, CBSE, its development life cycle and the pro &
cons of CBSE. Various attributes are studied and compared keeping
in view the study of various existing models for general systems and
CBS. When illustrating the quality of a software component an apt
set of quality attributes for the description of the system (or
components) should be selected. Finally, the research issues that can
be extended are tabularized.
Abstract: A novel sponge submerged membrane bioreactor
(SSMBR) was developed to effectively remove organics and
nutrients from wastewater. Sponge is introduced within the SSMBR
as a medium for the attached growth of biomass. This paper evaluates
the effects of new and acclimatized sponges for dissolved organic
carbon (DOC) removal from wastewater at different mixed liquor
suspended solids- (MLSS) concentration of the sludge. It was
observed in a series of experimental studies that the acclimatized
sponge performed better than the new sponge whilst the optimum
DOC removal could be achieved at 10g/L of MLSS with the
acclimatized sponge. Moreover, the paper analyses the relationships
between the MLSSsponge/MLSSsludge and the DOC removal efficiency
of SSMBR. The results showed a non-linear relationship between the
biomass parameters of the sponge and the sludge, and the DOC
removal efficiency of SSMBR. A second-order polynomial function
could reasonably represent these relationships.
Abstract: Random Forests are a powerful classification technique, consisting of a collection of decision trees. One useful feature of Random Forests is the ability to determine the importance of each variable in predicting the outcome. This is done by permuting each variable and computing the change in prediction accuracy before and after the permutation. This variable importance calculation is similar to a one-factor-at a time experiment and therefore is inefficient. In this paper, we use a regular fractional factorial design to determine which variables to permute. Based on the results of the trials in the experiment, we calculate the individual importance of the variables, with improved precision over the standard method. The method is illustrated with a study of student attrition at Monash University.
Abstract: There is increasing evidence that earthquakes produce electromagnetic signals observable at the surface in the extremely low to very low freqency (ELF - VLF) range often in advance to the main event. These precursors are candidates for prediction purposes. Laboratory experiments con´¼ürm that material under load emits an electromagnetic signature, the detailed generation mechanisms how- ever are not well understood yet.
Abstract: The fluid mechanics principle is used extensively in
designing axial flow fans and their associated equipment. This paper presents a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of air flow
distribution from a radiator axial flow fan used in an acid pump truck Tier4 (APT T4) Repower. This axial flow fan augments the transfer
of heat from the engine mounted on the APT T4.
CFD analysis was performed for an area weighted average static pressure difference at the inlet and outlet of the fan. Pressure contours, velocity vectors, and path lines were plotted for detailing
the flow characteristics for different orientations of the fan blade. The results were then compared and verified against known theoretical observations and actual experimental data. This study
shows that a CFD simulation can be very useful for predicting and understanding the flow distribution from a radiator fan for further
research work.
Abstract: Rural tourism has many economical, environmental, and socio-cultural benefits. However, the development of rural tourism compared to urban tourism is also faced with several challenges added to the disadvantages of rural tourism. The aim of this study is to design a model of the factors affecting the motivations of rural tourists, in an attempt to improve the understanding of rural tourism motivation for the development of that form of tourism. The proposed model is based on a sound theoretical framework. It was designed following a literature review of tourism motivation theoretical frameworks and of rural tourism motivation factors. The tourism motivation theoretical framework that fitted to the best all rural tourism motivation factors was then chosen as the basis for the proposed model. This study hence found that the push and pull tourism motivation framework and the inner and outer directed values theory are the most adequate theoretical frameworks for the modeling of rural tourism motivation.
Abstract: The social force model which belongs to the
microscopic pedestrian studies has been considered as the supremacy
by many researchers and due to the main feature of reproducing the
self-organized phenomena resulted from pedestrian dynamic. The
Preferred Force which is a measurement of pedestrian-s motivation to
adapt his actual velocity to his desired velocity is an essential term on
which the model was set up. This Force has gone through stages of
development: first of all, Helbing and Molnar (1995) have modeled
the original force for the normal situation. Second, Helbing and his
co-workers (2000) have incorporated the panic situation into this
force by incorporating the panic parameter to account for the panic
situations. Third, Lakoba and Kaup (2005) have provided the
pedestrians some kind of intelligence by incorporating aspects of the
decision-making capability. In this paper, the authors analyze the
most important incorporations into the model regarding the preferred
force. They make comparisons between the different factors of these
incorporations. Furthermore, to enhance the decision-making ability
of the pedestrians, they introduce additional features such as the
familiarity factor to the preferred force to let it appear more
representative of what actually happens in reality.
Abstract: The paper focuses on the enhanced stiffness modeling
of robotic manipulators by taking into account influence of the external force/torque acting upon the end point. It implements the
virtual joint technique that describes the compliance of manipulator elements by a set of localized six-dimensional springs separated by
rigid links and perfect joints. In contrast to the conventional
formulation, which is valid for the unloaded mode and small
displacements, the proposed approach implicitly assumes that the loading leads to the non-negligible changes of the manipulator posture and corresponding amendment of the Jacobian. The
developed numerical technique allows computing the static
equilibrium and relevant force/torque reaction of the manipulator for
any given displacement of the end-effector. This enables designer
detecting essentially nonlinear effects in elastic behavior of
manipulator, similar to the buckling of beam elements. It is also proposed the linearization procedure that is based on the inversion of
the dedicated matrix composed of the stiffness parameters of the
virtual springs and the Jacobians/Hessians of the active and passive
joints. The developed technique is illustrated by an application example that deals with the stiffness analysis of a parallel
manipulator of the Orthoglide family