Abstract: This paper presents effects of distilled water, seawater
and sustained bending strains of 30% and 50% ultimate strain at
room temperature, on the durability of unidirectional pultruded
carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) plates. In this study,
dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) was used to investigate the
synergic effects of the immersions and bending strains on the viscoelastic
properties of (CFRP) such as storage modulus, tan delta and
glass transition temperature. The study reveals that the storage
modulus and glass transition temperature increase while tan delta
peak decreases in the initial stage of both immersions due to the
progression of curing. The storage modulus and Tg subsequently
decrease and tan delta increases due to the matrix plasticization. The
blister induced damages in the unstrained seawater samples enhance
water uptake and cause more serious degradation of Tg and storage
modulus than in water immersion. Increasing sustained bending
decreases Tg and storage modulus in a long run for both immersions
due to resin matrix cracking and debonding. The combined effects of
immersions and strains are not clearly reflected due to the statistical
effects of DMA sample sizes and competing processes of molecular
reorientation and postcuring.
Abstract: Image segmentation plays an important role in
medical imaging applications. Therefore, accurate methods are
needed for the successful segmentation of medical images for
diagnosis and detection of various diseases. In this paper, we have
used maximum entropy to achieve image segmentation. Maximum
entropy has been calculated using Shannon, Renyi and Tsallis
entropies. This work has novelty based on the detection of skin lesion
caused by the bite of a parasite called Sand Fly causing the disease is
called Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.
Abstract: The biodegradable family of polymers
polyhydroxyalkanoates is an interesting substitute for convectional
fossil-based plastics. However, the manufacturing and environmental
impacts associated with their production via intracellular bacterial
fermentation are strongly dependent on the raw material used and on
energy consumption during the extraction process, limiting their
potential for commercialization. Industrial wastewater is studied in
this paper as a promising alternative feedstock for waste valorization.
Based on results from laboratory and pilot-scale experiments, a
conceptual process design, techno-economic analysis and life cycle
assessment are developed for the large-scale production of the most
common type of polyhydroxyalkanoate, polyhydroxbutyrate.
Intracellular polyhydroxybutyrate is obtained via fermentation of
microbial community present in industrial wastewater and the
downstream processing is based on chemical digestion with
surfactant and hypochlorite. The economic potential and
environmental performance results help identifying bottlenecks and
best opportunities to scale-up the process prior to industrial
implementation. The outcome of this research indicates that the
fermentation of wastewater towards PHB presents advantages
compared to traditional PHAs production from sugars because the
null environmental burdens and financial costs of the raw material in
the bioplastic production process. Nevertheless, process optimization
is still required to compete with the petrochemicals counterparts.
Abstract: This paper describes the issues relating to the role of
the flash flood early warning system provided by the Malaysian
Government to the communities in Malaysia, specifically during the
flash flood disaster in the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. Normally,
flash flood disasters can occur as a result of heavy rainfall in an area,
and that water may possibly cause flooding via streams or narrow
channels. The focus of this study is the flash flood disaster which
occurred on 23 October 2013 in the Cameron Highlands, and as a
result the Sungai Bertam overflowed after the release of water from
the Sultan Abu Bakar Dam. This release of water from the dam
caused flash flooding which led to damage to properties and also the
death of residents and livestock in the area. Therefore, the effort of
this study is to identify the perceptions of the flash flood victims on
the role of the flash flood early warning system. For the purposes of
this study, data were gathered through face-to-face interviews from
those flood victims who were willing to participate in this study. This
approach helped the researcher to glean in-depth information about
their feelings and perceptions of the role of the flash flood early
warning system offered by the government. The data were analysed
descriptively and the findings show that the respondents of 22 flood
victims believe strongly that the flash flood early warning system was
confusing and dysfunctional, and communities had failed to response
positively to it. Therefore, most of the communities were not well
prepared for the releasing of water from the dam which caused
property damage, and 3 people were killed in the Cameron Highland
flash flood disaster.
Abstract: Specific leaf area (SLA; cm2leaf g-1leaf) the ratio of leaf
area to leaf dry mass is a key ecophysiological parameter influencing
leaf physiology, photosynthesis, and whole plant carbon gain and
also can be used as a rapid and diagnostic tool. In this study, two
species of soluble inorganic selenium forms, selenite (Se^IV) and
selenate (Se^VI) at different concentrations were investigated on maize
plants that were growing in nutrient solutions during 2 weeks and at
the end of the experiment, amounts of SLA for first and second
leaves of maize were measured. In accordance with the results we
observed that our regarded Se concentrations in both forms of Se^IV
and Se^VI were not effective on maize plants’ SLA significantly
although high level of 3 mg.kg-1 Se^IV had negative affect on growth
of the samples that had been treated by it but about Se^VI samples we
did not observe this state and our different considered Se^VI
concentrations were not toxic for maize plants.
Abstract: In this study, polycaprolactone (PCL) was dissolved
in chloroform:ethanol solvent system at a concentration of 18 w/v %.
1, 2, 4, and 6 droplets of formic acid were added to the prepared 10ml
PCL-chloroform:ethanol solutions separately. Fibrous webs were
produced by electrospinning technique based on the horizontal
working principle. Morphology of the webs was investigated by
using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) whereas fiber diameters
were measured by Image J Software System. The effect of formic
acid addition to the mostly used chloroform solvent on fiber
morphology was examined.
Results indicate that there is a distinct fall in fiber diameter with
the addition of formic acid drops. The average fiber diameter was
measured as 2.22μm in PCL /chloroform:ethanol solution system. On
the other hand, 328nm and 256 nm average fiber diameters were
measured for the samples of 4 drops and 6 drops formic acid added.
This study offers alternative solvent systems to produce nanoscaled,
nontoxic PCL fibrous webs by electrospinning technique.
Abstract: Problems insulation of building structures is often
closely connected with the problem of moisture remediation. In the
case of historic buildings or if only part of the redevelopment of
envelope of structures, it is not possible to apply the classical external
thermal insulation composite systems. This application is mostly
effective thermal insulation plasters with high porosity and controlled
capillary properties which assures improvement of thermal properties
construction, its diffusion openness towards the external environment
and suitable treatment capillary properties of preventing the
penetration of liquid moisture and salts thereof toward the outer
surface of the structure.
With respect to the current trend of reducing the energy
consumption of building structures and reduce the production of CO2
is necessary to develop capillary-active materials characterized by
their low density, low thermal conductivity while maintaining good
mechanical properties. The aim of researchers at the Faculty of Civil
Engineering, Brno University of Technology is the development and
study of hygrothermal behaviour of optimal materials for thermal
insulation and rehabilitation of building structures with the possible
use of alternative, less energy demanding binders in comparison with
conventional, frequently used binder, which represents cement.
The paper describes the evaluation of research activities aimed at
the development of thermal insulation and repair materials using
lightweight aggregate and alternative binders such as metakaolin and
finely ground fly ash.
Abstract: Poly bag and mulch films for agricultural field caused
pose environmental problem due to the non-degradable plastics
wastes upon disposal. Thus, a degradable poly bag was designed with
hybrid sago starch (SS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Two Different
blended compositions of SS and PVA hybrid have been compounded.
Then, the hybrids blended are mixed with linear line density
polyethylene (LLDPE) resin to fabricate poly bag film through
conventional film blowing process. Samples of LLDPE, SS and PVA
hybrid film were exposed to UV light and soil burial. The weight
losses were determined during degradation process. Hybrid film by
degradation of starch was found to hydrolyze and hydroxyl groups
decrease on esterification upon exposure to soil burial and uv
radiation. It was found out that, the hybrid film for 60% of SS
composition showed greatest degradation in soil and UV radiation.
Abstract: The introduction of degradable plastic materials into
agricultural sectors has represented a promising alternative to
promote green agriculture and environmental friendly of modern
farming practices. Major challenges of developing degradable
agricultural films are to identify the most feasible types of
degradation mechanisms, composition of degradable polymers and
related processing techniques. The incorrect choice of degradable
mechanisms to be applied during the degradation process will cause
premature losses of mechanical performance and strength. In order to
achieve controlled process of agricultural film degradation, the
compositions of degradable agricultural film also important in order
to stimulate degradation reaction at required interval of time and to
achieve sustainability of the modern agricultural practices. A set of
photodegradable polyethylene based agricultural film was developed
and produced, following the selective optimization of processing
parameters of the agricultural film manufacturing system. Example of
agricultural films application for oil palm seedlings cultivation is
presented.
Abstract: Phelipanche ramosa is the most damaging obligate
flowering parasitic weed on wide species of cultivated plants. The
semi-arid regions of the world are considered the main centers of this
parasitic plant that causes heavy infestation. This is due to its
production of high numbers of seeds (up to 200,000) that remain
viable for extended periods (up to 20 years). In this study, 13
treatments for the control of Phelipanche were carried out, which
included agronomic, chemical, and biological treatments and the use
of resistant plant methods. In 2014, a trial was performed at the
Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of
Foggia (southern Italy), on processing tomato (cv ‘Docet’) grown in
pots filled with soil taken from a field that was heavily infested by P.
ramosa). The tomato seedlings were transplanted on May 8, 2014,
into a sandy-clay soil (USDA). A randomized block design with 3
replicates (pots) was adopted. During the growing cycle of the
tomato, at 70, 75, 81 and 88 days after transplantation, the number of
P. ramosa shoots emerged in each pot was determined. The tomato
fruit were harvested on August 8, 2014, and the quantitative and
qualitative parameters were determined. All of the data were
subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the JMP software
(SAS Institute Inc. Cary, NC, USA), and for comparisons of means
(Tukey's tests). The data show that each treatment studied did not
provide complete control against P. ramosa. However, the virulence
of the attacks was mitigated by some of the treatments tried: radicon
biostimulant, compost activated with Fusarium, mineral fertilizer
nitrogen, sulfur, enzone, and the resistant tomato genotype. It is
assumed that these effects can be improved by combining some of
these treatments with each other, especially for a gradual and
continuing reduction of the “seed bank” of the parasite in the soil.
Abstract: The paper deals with possibilities of interpretation of
iron ore reducibility tests. It presents a mathematical model
developed at Centre ENET, VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava,
Czech Republic for an evaluation of metallurgical material of blast
furnace feedstock such as iron ore, sinter or pellets. According to the
data from the test, the model predicts its usage in blast furnace
technology and its effects on production parameters of shaft
aggregate. At the beginning, the paper sums up the general concept
and experience in mathematical modelling of iron ore reduction. It
presents basic equation for the calculation and the main parts of the
developed model. In the experimental part, there is an example of
usage of the mathematical model. The paper describes the usage of
data for some predictive calculation. There are presented material,
method of carried test of iron ore reducibility. Then there are
graphically interpreted effects of used material on carbon
consumption, rate of direct reduction and the whole reduction
process.
Abstract: The aim of the present study was to examine whether
increasing molybdenum (Mo) concentration affects the growth and
Mo concentration of maize (Zea mays L. cv Norma SC) and
sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv Arena PR) seedlings within
laboratory conditions.
In this experiment, calcareous chernozem soil was used and Mo
was supplemented into the soil as ammonium molybdate
[(NH4)6Mo7O24.4H2O] in four different concentrations as follow: 0
(control), 30, 90 and 270 mg·kg-1.
In this study, we found that molybdenum in small amount (30
mg·kg-1) affects positively on growth of maize and sunflower
seedlings, however, higher concentration of Mo reduces the dry
weights of shoots and roots. In the case of maize the highest Mo
treatment (270 mg·kg-1) and in sunflower 90 mg·kg-1 treatment
caused significant reduction in plant growth.
In addition, we observed that molybdenum contents in the roots
and shoots were very low in case of control soil but were
significantly elevated with increasing concentration of Mo treatment.
Only in case of sunflower the highest 270 mg·kg-1 Mo treatment
caused decrease in Mo concentration.
Abstract: Significant quota of Municipal Electrical Energy
consumption is related to Decentralized Air Conditioning which is
mostly provided by evaporative coolers. So the aim is to optimize
design of air conditioners to increase their efficiencies. To achieve
this goal, results of practical standardized tests for 40 evaporative
coolers in different types collected and simultaneously results for
same coolers based on one of EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio)
modeling styles are figured out. By comparing experimental results
of different coolers standardized tests with modeling results,
preciseness of used model is assessed and after comparing gained
preciseness with international standards based on EER for cooling
capacity, aeration, and also electrical energy consumption, energy
label from A (most effective) to G (less effective) is classified; finally
needed methods to optimize energy consumption and coolers’
classification are provided.
Abstract: This exploratory study gives an overview of the
evolution of the main financial and performance indicators of the
Academic Spin-Off’s and High Growth Academic Spin-Off’s in year
3 and year 6 after its creation in the region of Catalonia in Spain. The
study compares and evaluates results of these different measures of
performance and the degree of success of these companies for each
University.
We found that the average Catalonian Academic Spin-Off is small
and have not achieved the sustainability stage at year 6. On the
contrary, a small group of High Growth Academic Spin-Off’s
exhibits robust performance with high profits in year 6. Our results
support the need to increase selectivity and support for these
companies especially near year 3, because are the ones that will bring
wealth and employment. University role as an investor has rigid
norms and habits that impede an efficient economic return from their
ASO investment.
Universities with high performance on sales and employment in
year 3 not always could sustain this growth in year 6 because their
ASO’s are not profitable. On the contrary, profitable ASO exhibit
superior performance in all measurement indicators in year 6. We
advocate the need of a balanced growth (with profits) as a way to
obtain subsequent continuous growth.
Abstract: In this paper, we introduced a gradient-based inverse
solver to obtain the missing boundary conditions based on the
readings of internal thermocouples. The results show that the method
is very sensitive to measurement errors, and becomes unstable when
small time steps are used. The artificial neural networks are shown to
be capable of capturing the whole thermal history on the run-out
table, but are not very effective in restoring the detailed behavior of
the boundary conditions. Also, they behave poorly in nonlinear cases
and where the boundary condition profile is different.
GA and PSO are more effective in finding a detailed
representation of the time-varying boundary conditions, as well as in
nonlinear cases. However, their convergence takes longer. A
variation of the basic PSO, called CRPSO, showed the best
performance among the three versions. Also, PSO proved to be
effective in handling noisy data, especially when its performance
parameters were tuned. An increase in the self-confidence parameter
was also found to be effective, as it increased the global search
capabilities of the algorithm. RPSO was the most effective variation
in dealing with noise, closely followed by CRPSO. The latter
variation is recommended for inverse heat conduction problems, as it
combines the efficiency and effectiveness required by these
problems.
Abstract: In this paper, the problem of steady laminar boundary
layer flow and heat transfer over a permeable exponentially
stretching/shrinking sheet with generalized slip velocity is
considered. The similarity transformations are used to transform the
governing nonlinear partial differential equations to a system of
nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The transformed equations
are then solved numerically using the bvp4c function in MATLAB.
Dual solutions are found for a certain range of the suction and
stretching/shrinking parameters. The effects of the suction parameter,
stretching/shrinking parameter, velocity slip parameter, critical shear
rate and Prandtl number on the skin friction and heat transfer
coefficients as well as the velocity and temperature profiles are
presented and discussed.
Abstract: Long Distance Truck Drivers (LDTDs) have been
found to be a high risk group in the spread of HIV/AIDS globally;
perhaps, due to their high Sexual Risk Behaviours (SRBs).
Interventions for reducing SRBs in trucking population have not been
fully exploited. A quasi-experimental control group pretest-posttest
design was used to assess the efficacy of psycho-education and
behavioural skills training in reducing SRBs among LDTDs. Sixteen
drivers rivers were randomly assigned into either experimental or
control groups using balloting technique. Questionnaire was used as
an instrument for data collection. Repeated measures t-test and
independent t-test were used to test hypotheses. Intervention had
significant effect on the SRBs among LDTDs at post-test (t{7}=
6.01, p
Abstract: Co-crystal is believed to improve the solubility and
dissolution rates and thus, enhanced the bioavailability of poor water
soluble drugs particularly during the oral route of administration.
With the existing of poorly soluble drugs in pharmaceutical industry,
the screening of co-crystal formation using carbamazepine (CBZ) as
a model drug compound with dicarboxylic acids co-crystal formers
(CCF) namely fumaric (FA) and succinic (SA) acids in ethanol has
been studied. The co-crystal formations were studied by varying the
mol ratio values of CCF to CBZ to access the effect of CCF
concentration on the formation of the co-crystal. Solvent evaporation,
slurry and cooling crystallization which representing the solution
based method co-crystal screening were used. Based on the
differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, the melting point of
CBZ-SA in different ratio was in the range between 188oC-189oC.
For CBZ-FA form A and CBZ-FA form B the melting point in
different ratio were in the range of 174oC-175oC and 185oC-186oC
respectively. The product crystal from the screening was also
characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). The XRPD
pattern profile analysis has shown that the CBZ co-crystals with FA
and SA were successfully formed for all ratios studied. The findings
revealed that CBZ-FA co-crystal were formed in two different
polymorphs. It was found that CBZ-FA form A and form B were
formed from evaporation and slurry crystallization methods
respectively. On the other hand, in cooling crystallization method,
CBZ-FA form A was formed at lower mol ratio of CCF to CBZ and
vice versa. This study disclosed that different methods and mol ratios
during the co-crystal screening can affect the outcome of co-crystal
produced such as polymorphic forms of co-crystal and thereof. Thus,
it was suggested that careful attentions is needed during the screening
since the co-crystal formation is currently one of the promising
approach to be considered in research and development for
pharmaceutical industry to improve the poorly soluble drugs.
Abstract: Gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) is a mineral that is found in
large quantities in the Turkey and in the World. In this study, the
dissolution of this mineral in the diammonium hydrogen phosphate
solutions has been studied. The dissolution and dissolution kinetics of
gypsum in diammonium hydrogen phosphate solutions will be useful
for evaluating of solid wastes containing gypsum. Parameters such as
diammonium hydrogen phosphate concentration, temperature and
stirring speed affecting on the dissolution rate of the gypsum in
diammonium hydrogen phosphate solutions were investigated. In
experimental studies have researched effectiveness of the selected
parameters. The dissolution of gypsum were examined in two parts at
low and high temperatures. The experimental results were
successfully correlated by linear regression using Statistica program.
Dissolution curves were evaluated shrinking core models for solidfluid
systems. The activation energy was found to be 34.58 kJ/mol
and 44.45 kJ/mol for the low and the high temperatures. The
dissolution of gypsum was controlled by chemical reaction both low
temperatures and high temperatures.
Abstract: Rice husk and kenaf filled with calcium carbonate
(CaCO3) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) composite were
prepared separately using twin-screw extruder at 50rpm. Different
filler loading up to 30 parts of rice husk particulate and kenaf fiber
were mixed with the fixed 30% amount of CaCO3 mineral filler to
produce rice husk/CaCO3/HDPE and kenaf/CaCO3/HDPE hybrid
composites. In this study, the effects of natural fiber for both rice
husk and kenaf in CaCO3/HDPE composite on physical, mechanical
and morphology properties were investigated. Field Emission
Scanning Microscope (FeSEM) was used to investigate the impact
fracture surfaces of the hybrid composite. The property analyses
showed that water absorption increased with the presence of kenaf
and rice husk fillers. Natural fibers in composite significantly
influence water absorption properties due to natural characters of
fibers which contain cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin structures.
The result showed that 10% of additional natural fibers into hybrid
composite had caused decreased flexural strength, however additional
of high natural fiber (>10%) filler loading has proved to increase its
flexural strength.