Abstract: This study evaluated the use of raw or processed
Prosopis juliflora (Meskit) pods as a major ingredient in a formulated
ration to provide an alternative non-conventional concentrate for
livestock feeding in Oman. Dry Meskit pods were reduced to lengths
of 0.5- 1.0 cm to ensure thorough mixing into three diets. Meskit
pods were subjected to two types of treatments; roasting and soaking.
They were roasted at 150оC for 30 minutes using a locally-made
roasting device (40 kg barrel container rotated by electric motor and
heated by flame gas cooker). Chopped pods were soaked in tap water
for 24 hours and dried for 2 days under the sun with frequent turning.
The Meskit-pod-based diets (MPBD) were formulated and pelleted
from 500 g/kg ground Meskit pods, 240 g/kg wheat bran, 200 g/kg
barley grain, 50 g/kg local dried sardines and 10 g/kg of salt. Twenty
four 10 months-old intact Omani male lambs with average body
weight of 27.3 kg (± 0.5 kg) were used in a feeding trial for 84 days.
They were divided (on body weight basis) and allocated to four diet
combination groups. These were: Rhodes grass hay (RGH) plus a
general ruminant concentrate (GRC); RGH plus raw Meskit pods
(RMP) based concentrate; RGH plus roasted Meskit pods (ROMP)
based concentrate; RGH plus soaked Meskit pods (SMP) based
concentrate Daily feed intakes and bi-weekly body weights were
recorded. MPBD had higher contents of crude protein (CP), acid
detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) than the
GRC. Animals fed various types of MPBD did not show signs of ill
health. There was a significant effect of feeding ROMP on the
performance of Omani sheep compared to RMP and SMP. The
ROMP fed animals had similar performance to those fed the GRC in
terms of feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio
(FCR).This study indicated that roasted Meskit pods based diet may
be used instead of the commercial concentrate for feeding Omani
sheep without adverse effects on performance. It offers a cheap
alternative source of protein and energy for feeding Omani sheep.
Also, it might help in solving the spread impact of Meskit trees,
maintain the ecosystem and helping in preserving the local tree
species.
Abstract: Macro invertebrates have been used to monitor
organic pollution in rivers and streams. Several biotic indices based
on macro invertebrates have been developed over the years including
the Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP). A new biotic
index, the Gammarus:Asellus ratio has been recently proposed as an
index of organic pollution. This study tested the validity of the
Gammarus:Asellus ratio as an index of organic pollution, by
examining the relationship between the Gammarus:Asellus ratio and
physical chemical parameters, and other biotic indices such as
BMWP and, Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT) from lakes and
streams at Markeaton Park, Allestree Park and Kedleston Hall,
Derbyshire. Macro invertebrates were sampled using the standard
five minute kick sampling techniques physical and chemical
environmental variables were obtained based on standard sampling
techniques. Eighteen sites were sampled, six sites from Markeaton
Park (three sites across the stream and three sites across the lake). Six
sites each were also sampled from Allestree Park and Kedleston Hall
lakes. The Gammarus:Asellus ratio showed an opposite significant
positive correlations with parameters indicative of organic pollution
such as the level of nitrates, phosphates, and calcium and also
revealed a negatively significant correlations with other biotic indices
(BMWP/ASPT). The BMWP score correlated positively significantly
with some water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen and
flow rate, but revealed no correlations with other chemical
environmental variables. The BMWP score was significantly higher
in the stream than the lake in Markeaton Park, also The ASPT scores
appear to be significantly higher in the upper Lakes than the middle
and lower lakes. This study has further strengthened the use of
BMWP/ASPT score as an index of organic pollution. But additional
application is required to validate the use of Gammarus:Asellus as a
rapid bio monitoring tool.
Abstract: In this investigation, we have evaluated the effects of
arsenic trioxide on hepatic function in pregnant and lactating Swiss
albino mice and their suckling pups. Experiments were carried out on
female mice given 175 ppm As2O3 in their drinking water from the
14th day of pregnancy until day 14 after delivery. Our results showed
a significant decrease in plasma levels of total protein and albumin,
cholesterol and triglyceride in As2O3 treated mice and their pups. The
hyperbilirubinemia and the increased plasma total alkaline
phosphatase activity suggested the presence of cholestasis.
Transaminase activities as well as lactate deshydrogenase activity in
plasma, known as biomarkers of hepatocellular injury, were elevated
indicating hepatic cells’ damage after treatment with As2O3.
Exposure to arsenic led to an increase of liver thiobarbituric acid
reactive substances level along with a concomitant decrease in the
activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione
peroxidase and in glutathione.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to perform experimental
modal analysis (EMA) of reinforced concrete (RC) square slabs.
EMA is the process of determining the modal parameters (Natural
Frequencies, damping factors, modal vectors) of a structure from a
set of frequency response functions FRFs (curve fitting). Although,
experimental modal analysis (or modal testing) has grown steadily in
popularity since the advent of the digital FFT spectrum analyzer in
the early 1970’s, studying all types of members and materials using
such method have not yet been well documented. Therefore, in this
work, experimental tests were conducted on RC square slab
specimens of dimensions 600mm x 600mmx 40mm. Experimental
analysis was based on freely supported boundary condition.
Moreover, impact testing as a fast and economical means of finding
the modes of vibration of a structure was used during the
experiments. In addition, Pico Scope 6 device and MATLAB
software were used to acquire data, analyze and plot Frequency
Response Function (FRF). The experimental natural frequencies
which were extracted from measurements exhibit good agreement
with analytical predictions. It is showed that EMA method can be
usefully employed to investigate the dynamic behavior of RC slabs.
Abstract: Cell volume, together with membrane potential and
intracellular hydrogen ion concentration, is an essential biophysical
parameter for normal cellular activity. Cell volumes can be altered by
osmotically active compounds and extracellular tonicity.
In this study, a simple mathematical model of osmotically induced
cell swelling and shrinking is presented. Emphasis is given to water
diffusion across the membrane. The mathematical description of the
cellular behavior consists in a system of coupled ordinary differential
equations. We compare experimental data of cell volume alterations
driven by differences in osmotic pressure with mathematical
simulations under hypotonic and hypertonic conditions. Implications
for a future model are also discussed.
Abstract: To achieve reliable welds with minimum distortion for
the fabrication of components in aerospace industry laser beam
welding is attempted. Laser welding can provide a significant benefit
for the welding of Titanium and Aluminium thin sheet alloys of its
precision and rapid processing capability. For laser welding, pulse
shape, energy, duration, repetition rate and peak power are the most
important parameters that influence directly the quality of welds. In
this experimental work for joining 1mm thick TI6AL4V and AA2024
alloy and JK600 Nd:YAG pulsed laser units used. The distortions at
different welding power and speed of titanium and aluminium thin
sheet alloys are investigated. Test results reveal that increase in
welding speed increases distortion in weldment
Abstract: Social Media (SM) is websites increasingly popular
and built to allow people to express themselves and to interact
socially with others. Most SMT are dominated by youth particularly
College students. The proliferation of popular social media tools,
which can accessed from any communication devices has become
pervasive in the lives of today’s student life. Connecting traditional
education to social media tools are a relatively new era and any
collaborative tool could be used for learning activities. This study
focuses (i) how the social media tools are useful for the learning
activities of the students of faculty of medicine in King Khalid
University (ii) whether the social media affects the collaborative
learning with interaction among students, among course instructor,
their engagement, perceived ease of use and perceived ease of
usefulness (TAM) (iii) overall, the students satisfy with this
collaborative learning through Social media.
Abstract: Graphical User Interface (GUI) is essential to
programming, as is any other characteristic or feature, due to the fact
that GUI components provide the fundamental interaction between
the user and the program. Thus, we must give more interest to GUI
during building and development of systems. Also, we must give a
greater attention to the user who is the basic corner in the dealing
with the GUI. This paper introduces an approach for designing GUI
from one of the models of business workflows which describe the
workflow behavior of a system, specifically through Activity
Diagrams (AD).
Abstract: As the use of geothermal energy grows internationally
more effort is required to monitor and protect areas with rare and
important geothermal surface features. A number of approaches are
presented for developing and calibrating numerical geothermal
reservoir models that are capable of accurately representing
geothermal surface features. The approaches are discussed in the
context of cases studies of the Rotorua geothermal system and the
Orakei-korako geothermal system, both of which contain important
surface features. The results show that models are able to match the
available field data accurately and hence can be used as valuable
tools for predicting the future response of the systems to changes in
use.
Abstract: Although, arsenic trioxide has been the subject of
toxicological research, in vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity studies
using relevant cell models and uniform methodology are not well
elucidated. Hence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the
cytotoxicity and genotoxicity induced by arsenic trioxide in human
keratinocytes (HaCaT) using the MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-
2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] and alkaline single cell gel
electrophoresis (Comet) assays, respectively. Human keratinocytes
were treated with different doses of arsenic trioxide for 4 h prior to
cytogenetic assessment. Data obtained from the MTT assay indicated
that arsenic trioxide significantly reduced the viability of HaCaT cells
in a dose-dependent manner, showing an IC50 value of 34.18 ± 0.6
μM. Data generated from the comet assay also indicated a significant
dose-dependent increase in DNA damage in HaCaT cells associated
with arsenic trioxide exposure. We observed a significant increase in
comet tail length and tail moment, showing an evidence of arsenic
trioxide -induced genotoxic damage in HaCaT cells. This study
confirms that the comet assay is a sensitive and effective method to
detect DNA damage caused by arsenic.
Abstract: Generally the natural environment is made up of air,
water and soil. The release of emission of industrial waste into
anyone of the components of the environment causes pollution.
Industrial pollution significantly threatens the inherent right of
people, to the enjoyment of a safe and secure environment. The aim
of this paper is to assess the effect of environmental pollution and
health risks of residents living near Ewekoro cement factory. The
research made use of IKONOS imagery for Geographical
Information System (GIS) to buffer and extract buildings that are less
than 1km to the factory, within 1km to 5km and above 5km to the
factory. Also questionnaire was used to elicit information on the
socio-economic factors, effect of environmental pollution on
residents and measures adopted to control industrial pollution on the
residents. Findings show that most buildings that fall between less
than 1km and 1km to 5km to the factory have high health risk in the
study area. The study recommended total relocation for the residents
of the study area to reduce health risk problems.
Abstract: This paper presents small signal stability study carried
over the 140-Bus, 31-Machine, 5-Area MEPE system and validated
on free and open source software: PSAT. Well-established linearalgebra
analysis, eigenvalue analysis, is employed to determine the
small signal dynamic behavior of test system. The aspects of local
and interarea oscillations which may affect the operation and
behavior of power system are analyzed. Eigenvalue analysis is carried
out to investigate the small signal behavior of test system and the
participation factors have been determined to identify the
participation of the states in the variation of different mode shapes.
Also, the variations in oscillatory modes are presented to observe the
damping performance of the test system.
Abstract: For the treatment of acute and chronic lung diseases it is preferred to deliver medicaments by inhalation. The drug is delivered directly to tracheobronchial tree. This way allows the given medicament to get directly into the place of action and it makes rapid onset of action and maximum efficiency. The transport of aerosol particles in the particular part of the lung is influenced by their size, anatomy of the lungs, breathing pattern and airway resistance. This article deals with calculation of airway resistance in the lung model of Horsfield. It solves the problem of determination of the pressure losses in bifurcation and thus defines the pressure drop at a given location in the bronchial tree. The obtained data will be used as boundary conditions for transport of aerosol particles in a central part of bronchial tree realized by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach. The results obtained from CFD simulation will allow us to provide information on the required particle size and optimal inhalation technique for particle transport into particular part of the lung.
Abstract: Elastomeric dielectric material has recently become a
new alternative for actuator technology. The characteristics of
dielectric elastomers placed between two electrodes to withstand
large strain when electrodes are charged has attracted the attention of
many researcher to study this material for actuator technology. Thus,
in the past few years Danfoss Ventures A/S has established their own
dielectric electro-active polymer (DEAP), which was called
PolyPower.
The main objective of this work was to investigate the dynamic
characteristics for vibration control of a PolyPower actuator folded in
‘pull’ configuration. A range of experiments was carried out on the
folded actuator including passive (without electrical load) and active
(with electrical load) testing. For both categories static and dynamic
testing have been done to determine the behavior of folded DEAP
actuator.
Voltage-Strain experiments show that the DEAP folded actuator is
a non-linear system. It is also shown that the voltage supplied has no
effect on the natural frequency. Finally, varying AC voltage with
different amplitude and frequency shows the parameters that
influence the performance of DEAP folded actuator. As a result, the
actuator performance dominated by the frequency dependence of the
elastic response and was less influenced by dielectric properties.
Abstract: The 3D body movement signals captured during
human-human conversation include clues not only to the content of
people’s communication but also to their culture and personality.
This paper is concerned with automatic extraction of this information
from body movement signals. For the purpose of this research, we
collected a novel corpus from 27 subjects, arranged them into groups
according to their culture. We arranged each group into pairs and
each pair communicated with each other about different topics.
A state-of-art recognition system is applied to the problems of
person, culture, and topic recognition. We borrowed modeling,
classification, and normalization techniques from speech recognition.
We used Gaussian Mixture Modeling (GMM) as the main technique
for building our three systems, obtaining 77.78%, 55.47%, and
39.06% from the person, culture, and topic recognition systems
respectively. In addition, we combined the above GMM systems with
Support Vector Machines (SVM) to obtain 85.42%, 62.50%, and
40.63% accuracy for person, culture, and topic recognition
respectively.
Although direct comparison among these three recognition
systems is difficult, it seems that our person recognition system
performs best for both GMM and GMM-SVM, suggesting that intersubject
differences (i.e. subject’s personality traits) are a major
source of variation. When removing these traits from culture and
topic recognition systems using the Nuisance Attribute Projection
(NAP) and the Intersession Variability Compensation (ISVC)
techniques, we obtained 73.44% and 46.09% accuracy from culture
and topic recognition systems respectively.
Abstract: Recently, universities are increasingly consuming
energy to support various activities. A large population of staff and
students in Malaysian universities has led to excessive energy
consumption which directly gives an impact to the environment. The
key question then ascended “How well is an energy management
(EM) been practiced in universities without taking the Critical
Success Factors (CSFs) into consideration to ensure the management
of university achieves the goals in reducing energy consumption.
Review on past literature is carried out to establish CSFs for EM best
practices. Thus, this paper highlighted the CSFs which have to be
focused on by management of university to successfully measure the
EM implementation and its performance. At the end of this paper, a
theoretical framework is developed for EM success factors towards
sustainable university.
Abstract: The concentration levels of six heavy metals (Cd, Cr,
Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn) and two mineral elements (Ca and Mg) were
determined in soil samples collected from the vicinity of two auto
mechanic workshops in Sabon-Gari, Kaduna state, Nigeria, using
Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS), in order to compare the
gradation of their concentrations with distance and depth of soil from
the workshop sites. At site 1, concentrations of Lead, Chromium, Iron
and Zinc were generally found to be above the World Health
Organization limits, while those of Nickel and Cadmium fell within
the limits. Iron had the highest concentration with a range of 176.274
ppm to 489.127 ppm at depths of 5 cm to 15 cm and a distance range
of 5 m to 15 m, while the concentration of cadmium was least with a
range of 0.001 ppm to 0.008 ppm at similar depth and distance
ranges. In addition, there was more of calcium (11.521 ppm to
121.709 ppm), in all the samples, than magnesium (11.293 ppm to
21.635 ppm). Similar results were obtained for site II. The
concentrations of all the metals analyzed showed a downward
gradient with increase in depth and distance from both workshop sites
except for iron and zinc at site 2. The immediate and remote
implications of these findings on the biota are discussed.
Abstract: Neurons in the nervous system communicate with
each other by producing electrical signals called spikes. To
investigate the physiological function of nervous system it is essential
to study the activity of neurons by detecting and sorting spikes in the
recorded signal. In this paper a method is proposed for considering
the spike sorting problem which is based on the nonlinear modeling
of spikes using exponential autoregressive model. The genetic
algorithm is utilized for model parameter estimation. In this regard
some selected model coefficients are used as features for sorting
purposes. For optimal selection of model coefficients, self-organizing
feature map is used. The results show that modeling of spikes with
nonlinear autoregressive model outperforms its linear counterpart.
Also the extracted features based on the coefficients of exponential
autoregressive model are better than wavelet based extracted features
and get more compact and well-separated clusters. In the case of
spikes different in small-scale structures where principal component
analysis fails to get separated clouds in the feature space, the
proposed method can obtain well-separated cluster which removes
the necessity of applying complex classifiers.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the
laser and partial vibration stimulation on the mice tibia with
morphological characteristics. Twenty female C57BL/6 mice (12
weeks old) were used for the experiment. The study was carried out on
four groups of animals each consisting of five mice. Four groups of
mice were ovariectomized. Animals were scanned at 0 and 2 weeks
after ovariectomy by using micro computed tomography to estimate
morphological characteristics of tibial trabecular bone. Morphological
analysis showed that structural parameters of multi-stimuli group
appear significantly better phase in BV/TV, BS/BV, Tb.Th, Tb.N,
Tb.Sp, and Tb.pf than single stimulation groups. However, single
stimulation groups didn’t show significant effect on tibia with Sham
group. This study suggests that multi-stimuli may restrain the change
as the degenerate phase on osteoporosis in the mice tibia.
Abstract: The legends about “user-friendly” and “easy-to-use”
birotical tools (computer-related office tools) have been spreading
and misleading end-users. This approach has led us to the extremely
high number of incorrect documents, causing serious financial losses
in the creating, modifying, and retrieving processes. Our research
proved that there are at least two sources of this underachievement:
(1) The lack of the definition of the correctly edited, formatted
documents. Consequently, end-users do not know whether their
methods and results are correct or not. They are not aware of their
ignorance. They are so ignorant that their ignorance does not allow
them to realize their lack of knowledge. (2) The end-users’ problem
solving methods. We have found that in non-traditional programming
environments end-users apply, almost exclusively, surface approach
metacognitive methods to carry out their computer related activities,
which are proved less effective than deep approach methods.
Based on these findings we have developed deep approach
methods which are based on and adapted from traditional
programming languages. In this study, we focus on the most popular
type of birotical documents, the text based documents. We have
provided the definition of the correctly edited text, and based on this
definition, adapted the debugging method known in programming.
According to the method, before the realization of text editing, a
thorough debugging of already existing texts and the categorization
of errors are carried out. With this method in advance to real text
editing users learn the requirements of text based documents and also
of the correctly formatted text.
The method has been proved much more effective than the
previously applied surface approach methods. The advantages of the
method are that the real text handling requires much less human and
computer sources than clicking aimlessly in the GUI (Graphical User
Interface), and the data retrieval is much more effective than from
error-prone documents.