Abstract: This paper will examine the need for more aggressive
public policies around bodily, reproductive and sexual health
education for young people with disabilities in the United States.
This paper will consider the policies around sexuality education
for students in the United States and the recommendation for national
standards around sexuality education. We will investigate the
intersection of these policies and recommendations for students with
disabilities and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA): what this means for students with disabilities’ access to
comprehensive sexuality education and how it affects their behaviors
and outcomes.
Abstract: Reverse Logistics (RL) Network is considered as
complex and dynamic network that involves many stakeholders such
as: suppliers, manufactures, warehouse, retails and costumers, this
complexity is inherent in such process due to lack of perfect
knowledge or conflicting information. Ontologies on the other hand
can be considered as an approach to overcome the problem of sharing
knowledge and communication among the various reverse logistics
partners. In this paper we propose a semantic representation based on
hybrid architecture for building the Ontologies in ascendant way, this
method facilitates the semantic reconciliation between the
heterogeneous information systems that support reverse logistics
processes and product data.
Abstract: Pipe failure and leakage is a problematic issue and the
traditional solution of replacing the pipes is costly and time
consuming. Rehabilitation by relining materials based on polymer
composites is an alternative solution towards the degradation problem
of the old piping. This paper provides a brief summary of advances in
technology, methods and materials for relining as well as a summary
of the degradation analyses of the two main composite materials used
for relining, rubber filled epoxy and reinforced polyester baltoflake
when they are exposed in deionized water and elevated temperature
up to 80°C for a duration of 2-14 months in the laboratory.
Abstract: Laser beam welding of dissimilar sheet metal
combinations such as Ti/Al, SS/Al and Cu/Al are increasingly
demanded due to high energy densities with less fusion and heat
affected zones. A good weld joint strength involves combinations of
dissimilar metals and the formation of solid solution in the weld pool.
Many metal pairs suffer from significant intermetallic phase
formation during welding which greatly reduces their strength. The
three different sheet metal mentioned above is critically reviewed and
phase diagram for the combinations are given. The aim of this study
is to develop an efficient metal combinations and the influence on
their interfacial characteristics. For that the following parameters
such as weld geometry, residual distortion, micro hardness,
microstructure and mechanical properties are analyzed
systematically.
Abstract: An existing RC building in Madinah is seismically
evaluated with and without infill wall. Four model systems have been
considered i.e. model I (no infill), model IIA (strut infill-update from
field test), model IIB (strut infill- ASCE/SEI 41) and model IIC (strut
infill-Soft storey- ASCE/SEI 41). Three dimensional pushover
analyses have been carried out using SAP2000 software
incorporating inelastic material behavior for concrete, steel and infill
walls. Infill wall has been modeled as equivalent strut according to
suggested equation matching field test measurements and to the
ASCE/SEI 41 equation. The effect of building modeling on the
performance point as well as capacity and demand spectra due to EQ
design spectrum function in Madinah area has been investigated. The
response modification factor (R) for the 5 story RC building is
evaluated from capacity and demand spectra (ATC-40) for the
studied models. The results are summarized and discussed.
Abstract: Early pre-code reinforced concrete structures present
undetermined resistance to earthquakes. This situation is particularly
unacceptable in the case of essential structures, such as healthcare
structures and pilgrims' houses. Amongst these, an existing old RC
building in Madinah city (KSA) is seismically evaluated with and
without infill wall and their dynamic characteristics are compared
with measured values in the field using ambient vibration
measurements (AVM). After updating the mathematical models for
this building with the experimental results, three dimensional
pushover analysis (Nonlinear static analysis) was carried out using
commercial structural analysis software incorporating inelastic
material properties for concrete, infill and steel. The purpose of this
analysis is to evaluate the expected performance of structural systems
by estimating, strength and deformation demands in design, and
comparing these demands to available capacities at the performance
levels of interest. The results summarized and discussed.
Abstract: Contracting authorities in the public sector are
obligated to apply the principles provided for in the Polish law for the
evaluation and selection of contractors. In order to analyse the
methods of contractors selecting applied in practice by public clients,
the notices of contract award results for construction works were
analysed. The analysis shows that the procedure selected more and
more often is open competitive bidding, where the assessment of the
competence of contractors is not very precise, as well as noncompetitive
bidding, i.e. single source procurement. The share of
procurement procedures, where the only criterion is price, is
increasing. The solution to the problems existing here might be the
introduction of one of the forms of pre-selection of contractors. The
article also briefly discusses verification systems for companies
applying for public contracts used in EU countries.
Abstract: Complexation of anthocyanins to mimic natural
copigmentation process was investigated. Cyanidin-rich extracts from
Zea mays L. ceritina Kulesh. and delphinidin-rich extracts from
Clitoria ternatea L. were used to form 4 anthocyanin complexes,
AC1, AC2, AC3 and AC4, in the presence of several polyphenols and
a trace metal. Characterizations of the ACs were conducted by UV,
FTIR, DSC/TGA and morphological observations. Bathochromic
shifts of the UV spectra of 4 formulas of ACs were observed at peak
wavelengths of about 510-620 nm by 10 nm suggesting complex
formation. FTIR spectra of the ACs indicate shifts of peaks from
1,733 cm-1 to 1,696 cm-1 indicating interactions and a decrease in the
peak areas within the wavenumber of 3,400-3,500 cm-1 indicating
changes in hydrogen bonding. Thermal analysis of all of the ACs
suggests increases in melting temperature after complexation. AC
with the highest melting temperature was morphologically observed
by SEM and TEM to be crystal-like particles within a range of 50 to
200 nm. Particle size analysis of the AC by laser diffraction gave a
range of 50-600 nm, indicating aggregation. This AC was shown to
have no cytotoxic effect on cultured HGEPp0.5 and HGF (all p>
0.05) by MTT. Therefore, complexation of anthocyanins was simple
and self-assembly process, potentially resulting in nanosized particles
of anthocyanin complex.
Abstract: Anthocyanins are natural pigments with effective UV
protection but their topical use could be limited due to their
physicochemical characteristics. An attempt to overcome such
limitations by complexation of 2 major anthocyanin-rich sources, C.
ternatea and Z. mays, has potentiated its use as topical antiinflammatory.
Cell studies indicate no cytotoxicity of the
anthocyanin complex (AC) up to 1 mg/ml tested in HaCaT and
human fore head fibroblasts by MTT. Croton oil-induced ear edema
in Wistar rats suggests an effective dose of 5 mg/cm2 of AC as a
topical anti-inflammatory in comparison to 0.5 mg/cm2 of
fluocinolone acetonide. Niosomal encapsulation of the AC
significantly prolonged the anti-inflammatory activity particularly at
8 h after topical application (p = 0.0001). The AC was not cytotoxic
and its anti-inflammatory and activity was dose-dependent and
prolonged by niosomal encapsulation. It has also shown to promote
collagen type 1 production in cell culture. Thus, AC could be a
potential candidate for topical anti-inflammatory agent from natural
resources.
Abstract: Food is widely packaged with plastic materials to
prevent microbial contamination and spoilage. Ionizing radiation is
widely used to sterilize the food-packaging materials. Sterilization by
γ-radiation causes degradation such as embrittlement, stiffening,
softening, discoloration, odour generation, and decrease in molecular
weight. Many antioxidants can prevent γ-degradation but most of
them are toxic. The migration of antioxidants to its environment
gives rise to major concerns in case of food packaging plastics. In
this attempt, we have aimed to utilize synergistic mixtures of
stabilizers which are approved for food-contact applications.
Ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer has been melt-mixed with
hindered amine stabilizers (HAS), phenolic antioxidants and organophosphites
(hydroperoxide decomposer). Results were discussed by
comparing the stabilizing efficiency of mixtures with and without
phenol system. Among phenol containing systems where we mostly
observed discoloration due to the oxidation of hindered phenol, the
combination of secondary HAS, tertiary HAS, organo-phosphite and
hindered phenol exhibited improved stabilization efficiency than
single or binary additive systems. The mixture of secondary HAS and
tertiary HAS, has shown antagonistic effect of stabilization.
However, the combination of organo-phosphite with secondary HAS,
tertiary HAS and phenol antioxidants have been found to give
synergistic even at higher doses of Gamma-irradiation. The effects
have been explained through the interaction between the stabilizers.
After γ-irradiation, the consumption of oligomeric stabilizer
significantly depends on the components of stabilization mixture. The
effect of the organo-phosphite antioxidant on the overall stability has
been discussed.
Abstract: Liver disorders are one of the major problems of the
world. Despite its frequent occurrence, high morbidity and high
mortality, its medical management is currently inadequate. This study
was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of saponin
extract of the root of Garcinia kola on the integrity of the liver of
paracetamol induced wistar albino rats. Twenty five (25) male adult
wistar albino rats were divided into five (5) groups. Group I was the
Control group that received distilled water only, group II was the
negative control that received 2 g/kg of paracetamol on the 13th day,
and group III, IV and V were pre-treated with 100, 200 and
400mg/kg of the saponin extract before inducing the liver damage on
the 13th day with 2 g/kg of paracetamol. Twenty four (24) h after
administration, the rats were sacrificed and blood samples were
collected. The serum Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Aspartate
Transaminase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activities,
Bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin, glucose and protein
concentrations were evaluated. The liver was fixed immediately in
Formalin and was processed and stained in Haematoxylin and Eosin
(H&E). Administration of saponin extract from the root of Garcinia
kola significantly decreased paracetamol induced elevated enzymes
in the test group. Also histological observations showed that saponin
extract of the root of Garcinia kola exhibited a significant liver
protection against the toxicant as evident by the cells trying to return
to normal. Saponin extract from the root of Garcinia kola indicated a
protection of structural integrity of the hepatocytic cell membrane
and regeneration of the damaged liver.
Abstract: The present study was done to evaluate the presence
of tetracycline resistance genes in Lactococcus garvieae isolated
from cultured rainbow trout, West Iran. The isolates were examined
for antimicrobial resistance using disc diffusion method. Of the 49
strains tested, 19 were resistant to tetracycline (38.7%), 32 to
enrofloxacin (65.3%), 21 to erythromycin (42.8%), 20 to
chloramphenicol and trimetoprim-sulfamethoxazole (40.8%). The
strains were then characterized for their genotypic resistance profiles.
The results revealed that all 49 isolates contained at least one of the
tetracycline resistance genes. Tet (A) was found in 89.4% of
tetracycline resistant isolates and the frequency of other gene were as
follows: tet (E) 42.1%, tet (B) 47.3%, tet (D) 15.7%, tet (L) 26.3%,
tet (K) 52.6%, tet (G) 36.8%, tet (34) 21%, tet (S) 63.1%, tet (C)
57.8%, tet (M) 73.6%, tet (O) 42.1%. The results revealed high levels
of antibiotic resistance in L. garvieae strains which is a potential
danger for trout culture as well as for public health.
Abstract: This study presents synthesis of novel block
copolymers of thienyl end capped ethoxylated nonyl phenol and
pyrrole via chemical oxidative polymerization. Ethoxylated nonyl
phenol (ENP) was reacted with 2-thiophenecarbonyl chloride in order
to synthesize a macromonomer containing thienyl end-group (ENPThC).
Then copolymers of ENP-ThC and pyrrole were synthesized
by chemical oxidative polymerization using iron (III) chloride as an
oxidant. ENP-ThC served both as a macromonomer and an emulsifier
for pyrrole with poor solubility in water.
The synthesized block copolymers (ENP-ThC-b-PPy) were
characterized by spectroscopic analysis and the electrical
conductivities were investigated with 4-point probe technique.
Abstract: The rate of natural gas dissociation from the Coal
Matrix depends on depressurization of reservoir through removing of
the cleat water from the coal seam. These waters are similar to brine
and aged of very long years. For improving the connectivity through
fracking /fracturing, high pressure liquids are pumped off inside the
coal body. A significant quantity of accumulated water, a combined
mixture of cleat water and fracking fluids (back flow water) is
pumped out through gas well. In Queensland, Australia Coal Seam
Gas (CSG) industry is in booming state and estimated of 30,000 wells
would be active for CSG production forecasting life span of 30 years.
Integrated water management along with water softening programs is
practiced for subsequent treatment and later on discharge to nearby
surface water catchment. Water treatment is an important part of the
CSG industry. A case study on a CSG site and review on the test
results are discussed for assessing the Standards & Practices for
management of CSG by-product water and their subsequent disposal
activities. This study was directed toward (i) water management and
softening process in Spring Gully CSG field, (ii) Comparative
analysis on experimental study and standards and (iii) Disposal of the
treated water. This study also aimed for alternative usages and their
impact on vegetation, living species as well as long term effects.
Abstract: Adsorption of a boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) was
examined toward ethylacetylene (C4H6) molecule by using density
functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G (d) level,
and it was found that the adsorption energy (Ead) of ethylacetylene
the pristine nanotubes is about -1.60kcal/mol. But when nanotube has
been doped with Si and Al atoms, the adsorption energy of
ethylacetylene molecule was increased. Calculation showed that
when the nanotube is doping by Al, the adsorption energy is about -
24.19kcal/mol and also the amount of HOMO/LUMO energy gap
(Eg) will reduce significantly. Boron nitride nanotube is a suitable
adsorbent for ethylacetylene and can be used in separation processes
ethylacetylene. It is seem that nanotube (BNNT) is a suitable
semiconductor after doping, and the doped BNNT in the presence of
ethylacetylene an electrical signal is generating directly and therefore
can potentially be used for ethylacetylene sensors.
Abstract: A mixed method by combining modified pole
clustering technique and modified cauer continued fraction is
proposed for reducing the order of the large-scale dynamic systems.
The denominator polynomial of the reduced order model is obtained
by using modified pole clustering technique while the coefficients of
the numerator are obtained by modified cauer continued fraction.
This method generated 'k' number of reduced order models for kth
order reduction. The superiority of the proposed method has been
elaborated through numerical example taken from the literature and
compared with few existing order reduction methods.
Abstract: Composite materials, due to their unique properties
such as high strength to weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and impact
resistance have huge potential as structural materials in automotive,
construction and transportation applications. However, these
properties often come at higher cost owing to complex design
methods, difficult manufacturing processes and raw material cost.
Traditionally, tapered laminated composite structures are
manufactured using autoclave manufacturing process by ply drop off
technique. Autoclave manufacturing though very powerful suffers
from high capital investment and higher energy consumption. As per
the current trends in composite manufacturing, Out of Autoclave
(OoA) processes are looked as emerging technologies for
manufacturing the structural composite components for aerospace
and defense applications. However, there is a need for improvement
among these processes to make them reliable and consistent. In this
paper, feasibility of using out of autoclave process to manufacture the
variable thickness cantilever beam is discussed. The minimum weight
design for the composite beam is obtained using constant stress beam
concept by tailoring the thickness of the beam. Ply drop off
techniques was used to fabricate the variable thickness beam from
glass/epoxy prepregs. Experiments were conducted to measure
bending stresses along the span of the cantilever beam at different
intervals by applying the concentrated load at the free end.
Experimental results showed that the stresses in the bean at different
intervals were constant. This proves the ability of OoA process to
manufacture the constant stress beam. Finite element model for the
constant stress beam was developed using commercial finite element
simulation software. It was observed that the simulation results
agreed very well with the experimental results and thus validated
design and manufacturing approach used.
Abstract: The effect of the inclusion of thyme and rosemary
essential oils into chitosan films, as well as the microbiological and
physical properties when storing chitosan film with and without the
mentioned inclusion was studied. The film forming solution was
prepared by dissolving chitosan (2%, w/v), polysorbate 80 (4% w/w
CH) and glycerol (16% w/w CH) in aqueous lactic acid solutions
(control). The thyme (TEO) and rosemary (REO) essential oils (EOs)
were included 1:1 w/w (EOs:CH) on their combination 50/50
(TEO:REO). The films were stored at temperatures of 5, 20, 33°C
and a relative humidity of 75% during four weeks. The films with
essential oil inclusion did not show an antimicrobial activity against
strains. This behavior could be explained because the chitosan only
inhibits the growth of microorganisms in direct contact with the
active sites. However, the inhibition capacity of TEO was higher than
the REO and a synergic effect between TEO:REO was found for S.
enteritidis strains in the chitosan solution.
Some physical properties were modified by the inclusion of
essential oils. The addition of essential oils does not affect the
mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation at break, puncture
deformation), the water solubility, the swelling index nor the DSC
behavior. However, the essential oil inclusion can significantly
decrease the thickness, the moisture content, and the L* value of
films whereas the b* value increased due to molecular interactions
between the polymeric matrix, the loosing of the structure, and the
chemical modifications. On the other hand, the temperature and time
of storage changed some physical properties on the chitosan films.
This could have occurred because of chemical changes, such as
swelling in the presence of high humidity air and the reacetylation of
amino groups. In the majority of cases, properties such as moisture
content, tensile strength, elongation at break, puncture deformation,
a*, b*, chrome, 7E increased whereas water resistance, swelling
index, L*, and hue angle decreased.
Abstract: The article deals with one of the most significant
issues concerning the functioning of the public sector in the European
Union. The objectives of good governance were formulated by the
EU itself and also the Scholars in reaction to the discussion that
started a decade ago and concerned the role of the government in 21st
century, the future of integration processes and globalization
challenges in Europe. Currently, the concept of good governance is
mainly associated with the improvement of management of public
policies in the European Union, concerning both domestic and EU
policies. However, it goes beyond the issues of state capacity and
effectiveness of management. Good governance relates also to
societal participation in the public administration and verification of
decisions made in public authorities’ (including public
administration). Indirectly, the concept and practice of good
governance are connected to societal legitimisation of public bodies
in the European Union.
Abstract: In the last few decades, many southeast-Asia women
migrate to Taiwan by marriage, and it usually takes several years for
them to acquire Taiwanese citizenship. This study investigates the
relationship between their citizenship acquisition and whether they
develop Taiwanese identities, and how does it affect their ethnical
identity towards their original ethnics. Furthermore, the present study
also explores that whether citizenship acquisition help the immigrant
women to explore the host society further and make commitment to it,
or the identification towards mainstream Taiwanese society is only
symbolic and superficial? One hundred and ninety-two immigrant
women were measured using Multigroup Ethnic Identity
Measure-Revised and a global 10-point ethnic identity question.
Correlation tests, t-test, and hierarchical regression were performed to
answer the above questions. The results revealed that citizenship
acquisition does help immigrant women to identify with Taiwanese
society, but it does not affect how they identify with their own ethnics.
Furthermore, the results also indicated that acquiring citizenship
would not help these immigrant women become involved in deeper
cultural exploration of Taiwan nor would it encourage them to make
commitments to the host society.