Abstract: Employees commonly encounter unpredictable and
unavoidable work related stressors. Exposure to such stressors can
evoke negative appraisals and associated adverse mental, physical,
and behavioral responses. Because Acceptance and Commitment
Therapy (ACT) emphasizes acceptance of unavoidable stressors and
diffusion from negative appraisals, it may be particularly beneficial
for work stress. Forty-five workers were randomly assigned to an
ACT intervention for work stress (n = 21) or a waitlist control group
(n = 24). The intervention consisted of two 3-hour sessions spaced
one week apart. An examination of group process and outcomes was
conducted using the Revised Sessions Rating Scale. Results indicated
that the ACT participants reported that they perceived the
intervention to be supportive, task focused, and without adverse
therapist behaviors (e.g., feelings of being criticized or discounted).
Additionally, the second session (values clarification and
commitment to action) was perceived to be more supportive and task
focused than the first session (mindfulness, defusion). Process ratings
were correlated with outcomes. Results indicated that perceptions of
therapy supportiveness and task focus were associated with reduced
psychological distress and improved perceived physical health.
Abstract: The aim of present study was to assess the effect of
glucogenic (G) and lipogenic (L) diets on blood metabolites in
Baloochi lambs. Three rumen cannulated Baloochi sheep were used
as a 3×3 Latin square design with 3 periods (28 days). Experimental
diets were a glucogenic, a lipogenic and a mixture of G and L diets
(50:50). The animals were fed diets consisted of 50% chopped alfalfa
hay and 50% concentrate. Diets were fed once daily ad libitum.
Blood samples were taken from jugular vein before the feeding, 2, 4
and 6 hour post feeding at day 27. Results indicated that β-
hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), glucose, insulin and aspartate
aminotransferase (AST) were not affected by treatments (P > 0.05).
However, lipogenic diet increased significantly activity of Alanine
aminotransferase (ALT) and concentration of non-esterified fatty acid
(NEFA) in blood plasma (P < 0.05)
Abstract: The wireless adhoc network is comprised of wireless
node which can move freely and are connected among themselves
without central infrastructure. Due to the limited transmission range
of wireless interfaces, in most cases communication has to be relayed
over intermediate nodes. Thus, in such multihop network each node
(also called router) is independent, self-reliant and capable to route
the messages over the dynamic network topology. Various protocols
are reported in this field and it is very difficult to decide the best one.
A key issue in deciding which type of routing protocol is best for
adhoc networks is the communication overhead incurred by the
protocol. In this paper STAR a table driven and DSR on demand
protocols based on IEEE 802.11 are analyzed for their performance
on different performance measuring metrics versus varying traffic
CBR load using QualNet 5.0.2 network simulator.
Abstract: In this paper, we proposed a method for detecting consistency violation between state machine diagrams and a sequence diagram defined in UML 2.0 using SMV. We extended a method expressing these diagrams defined in UML 1.0 with boolean formulas so that it can express a sequence diagram with combined fragments introduced in UML 2.0. This extension made it possible to represent three types of combined fragment: alternative, option and parallel. As a result of experiment, we confirmed that the proposed method could detect consistency violation correctly with SMV.
Abstract: The major goal in defining and examining game
scenarios is to find good strategies as solutions to the game. A
plausible solution is a recommendation to the players on how to play
the game, which is represented as strategies guided by the various
choices available to the players. These choices invariably compel the
players (decision makers) to execute an action following some
conscious tactics. In this paper, we proposed a refinement-based
heuristic as a machine learning technique for human-like decision
making in playing Ayo game. The result showed that our machine
learning technique is more adaptable and more responsive in making
decision than human intelligence. The technique has the advantage
that a search is astutely conducted in a shallow horizon game tree.
Our simulation was tested against Awale shareware and an appealing
result was obtained.
Abstract: This paper presents the development of analysis tools
for Home Agriculture project. The tools are required for monitoring
the condition of greenhouse which involves two components:
measurement hardware and data analysis engine. Measurement
hardware is functioned to measure environment parameters such as
temperature, humidity, air quality, dust and etc while analysis tool is
used to analyse and interpret the integrated data against the condition
of weather, quality of health, irradiance, quality of soil and etc. The
current development of the tools is completed for off-line data
recorded technique. The data is saved in MMC and transferred via
ZigBee to Environment Data Manager (EDM) for data analysis.
EDM converts the raw data and plot three combination graphs. It has
been applied in monitoring three months data measurement for
irradiance, temperature and humidity of the greenhouse..
Abstract: TELMES project aims to develop a securized
multimedia system devoted to medical consultation teleservices. It
will be finalized with a pilot system for a regional telecenters
network that connects local telecenters, having as support
multimedia platforms. This network will enable the implementation
of complex medical teleservices (teleconsulations, telemonitoring,
homecare, urgency medicine, etc.) for a broader range of patients
and medical professionals, mainly for family doctors and those
people living in rural or isolated regions. Thus, a multimedia,
scalable network, based on modern IT&C paradigms, will result. It
will gather two inter-connected regional telecenters, in Iaşi and
Piteşti, Romania, each of them also permitting local connections of
hospitals, diagnostic and treatment centers, as well as local networks
of family doctors, patients, even educational entities. As
communications infrastructure, we aim to develop a combined fixmobile-
internet (broadband) links. Other possible communication
environments will be GSM/GPRS/3G and radio waves. The
electrocardiogram (ECG) acquisition, internet transmission and
local analysis, using embedded technologies, was already
successfully done for patients- telemonitoring.
Abstract: This paper describes the development of a control
system model using a graphical software tool. This control system is
part of an operator training simulator developed for the National
Training Center for Operators of Ixtapantongo (CNCAOI, acronym
according to its name in Spanish language) of the Mexico-s Federal
Commission of Electricity, CFE). The Department of Simulation of
the Electrical Research Institute (IIE) developed this simulator using
as reference the Unit I of the Combined Cycle Power Plant El Sauz,
located at the centre of Mexico. The first step in the project was the
developing of the Gas Turbine System and its control system
simulator. The Turbo Gas simulator was finished and delivered to
CNCAOI in March 2007 for commercial operation. This simulator is
a high-fidelity real time dynamic simulator built and tested for
accurate operation over the entire load range. The simulator was used
primarily for operator training although it has been used for
procedure development and evaluation of plant transients.
Abstract: Three-dimensional simulation of harmonic up
generation in free electron laser amplifier operating simultaneously
with a cold and relativistic electron beam is presented in steady-state
regime where the slippage of the electromagnetic wave with respect
to the electron beam is ignored. By using slowly varying envelope
approximation and applying the source-dependent expansion to wave
equations, electromagnetic fields are represented in terms of the
Hermit Gaussian modes which are well suited for the planar wiggler
configuration. The electron dynamics is described by the fully threedimensional
Lorentz force equation in presence of the realistic planar
magnetostatic wiggler and electromagnetic fields. A set of coupled
nonlinear first-order differential equations is derived and solved
numerically. The fundamental and third harmonic radiation of the
beam is considered. In addition to uniform beam, prebunched
electron beam has also been studied. For this effect of sinusoidal
distribution of entry times for the electron beam on the evolution of
radiation is compared with uniform distribution. It is shown that
prebunching reduces the saturation length substantially. For
efficiency enhancement the wiggler is set to decrease linearly when
the radiation of the third harmonic saturates. The optimum starting
point of tapering and the slope of radiation in the amplitude of
wiggler are found by successive run of the code.
Abstract: Ligula intestinalis is a three-host life-cycle
Pseudophyllidean Cestode which in its plerocercoid stage infests a
range of fresh water species. The objective of the present study was
the worm occurrence within planctonic copepods, fishes and
piscivorous birds and examine of parasite-hosts samples in the Lake
of Sattarkhan Dam (near the city of Ahar, East Azerbaijan, Iran).
Fish sample were collected with fyke and gill nets and the abdominal
cavity was examined for the presence of ligula. Zooplanktons were
captured using a planktonic net and occurrence of parasitic larval
form in the body cavity was determined. Piscivorous birds were
selected by telescope, they hunted and dissected for presence of
parasite eggs in their gut. Results indicated that prevalence of
infection was 16% for cyclopid copepoda and majority of infected
cyclopid were female Cyclops. Investigation of 310 fishes specimens
were indicated to infection of five species of cyprinid fishes. In
addition, results indicated to manipulation of six species of migratory
aquatic and semi aquatic birds by ligula. Obtained results are in
agreement by previous studies. Its definite in this study that all of
fishes in Sattarkhan Lake capable to infection, its important for
health because they capture by native people and it is documented
that ligula can be introduce as a zoonose. It's seemed that to prevent
from disperses of parasite and restricted of infection, biological
elimination can be effective and it's necessary to inform native
people about sanitation.
Abstract: A mathematical model for the hydrodynamic
lubrication of parabolic slider bearings with couple stress lubricants
is presented. A numerical solution for the mathematical model using
finite element scheme is obtained using three nodes isoparametric
quadratic elements. Stiffness integrals obtained from the weak form
of the governing equations were solved using Gauss Quadrature to
obtain a finite number of stiffness matrices. The global system of
equations was obtained for the bearing and solved using Gauss Seidel
iterative scheme. The converged pressure solution was used to obtain
the load capacity of the bearing. Parametric studies were carried out
and it was shown that the effect of couple stresses and profile
parameter are to increase the load carrying capacity of the parabolic
slider bearing. Numerical experiments reveal that the magnitude of
the profile parameter at which maximum load is obtained increases
with decrease in couple stress parameter. The results are presented in
graphical form.
Abstract: The beneficial effects of Si are mainly associated with
its high deposition in plant tissue and enhancing their strength and
rigidity. We investigated the role of Si against cadmium stress in
(Echium C) in house green condition. When the seventh leaves was
be appeared, plants were pretreated with five levels of Si: 0, 0.2, 0.5,
0.7and 1.5 mM Si (as sodium trisilicate, Na2(SiO2)3) and after that
plants were treated with two levels of Cd (30 and 90 mM). The
effects of Silicon and Cd were investigated on some physiological
and biochemical parameters such as: lipid peroxidation
(malondialdehyde (MDA) and other aldehydes, antocyanin and
flavonoid content. Our results showed that Cd significantly increased
MDA, other aldehydes, antocyanin and flavonoids content in
Echium and silicon offset the negative effect and increased tolerance
of Echium against Cd stress. From this results we concluded that Si
increase membrane integrity and antioxidative ability in this plant
against cd stress.
Abstract: Natural gas is defined as gas obtained from a natural underground reservoir. It generally contains a large quantity of methane along with heavier hydrocarbons such as ethane, propane, isobutene, normal butane; also in the raw state it often contains a considerable amount of non hydrocarbons, such as nitrogen and the acid gases (carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide). The acid gases must be removed from natural gas before use. One of the processes witch are use in the industry to remove the acid gases from natural gas is the use of alkanolamine process. In this present paper, a simulation study for an industrial gas sweetening plant has been investigated. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of using mixing amines as solvent on the gas treatment process using the software Hysys.
Abstract: This paper discusses a design of nonlinear observer by
a formal linearization method using an application of Chebyshev Interpolation
in order to facilitate processes for synthesizing a nonlinear
observer and to improve the precision of linearization.
A dynamic nonlinear system is linearized with respect to a linearization
function, and a measurement equation is transformed into
an augmented linear one by the formal linearization method which is
based on Chebyshev interpolation. To the linearized system, a linear
estimation theory is applied and a nonlinear observer is derived. To
show effectiveness of the observer design, numerical experiments
are illustrated and they indicate that the design shows remarkable
performances for nonlinear systems.
Abstract: Power consumption is rapidly increased in data centers
because the number of data center is increased and more the scale of
data center become larger. Therefore, it is one of key research items to
reduce power consumption in data center. The peak power of a typical
server is around 250 watts. When a server is idle, it continues to use
around 60% of the power consumed when in use, though vendors are
putting effort into reducing this “idle" power load. Servers tend to
work at only around a 5% to 20% utilization rate, partly because of
response time concerns. An average of 10% of servers in their data
centers was unused. In those reason, we propose dynamic power
management system to reduce power consumption in green data
center. Experiment result shows that about 55% power consumption is
reduced at idle time.
Abstract: Brick is one of the most common masonry units used as building material. Due to the demand, different types of waste have been investigated to be incorporated into the bricks. Many types of sludge have been incorporated in fired clay brick for example marble sludge, stone sludge, water sludge, sewage sludge, and ceramic sludge. The utilization of these waste materials in fired clay bricks usually has positive effects on the properties such as lightweight bricks with improved shrinkage, porosity, and strength. This paper reviews on utilization of different types of sludge wastes into fired clay bricks. Previous investigations have demonstrated positive effects on the physical and mechanical properties as well as less impact towards the environment. Thus, the utilizations of sludge waste could produce a good quality of brick and could be one of alternative disposal methods for the sludge wastes.
Abstract: A sequential treatment of ozonation followed by a
Fenton or photo-Fenton process, using black light lamps (365 nm) in
this latter case, has been applied to remove a mixture of
pharmaceutical compounds and the generated by-products both in
ultrapure and secondary treated wastewater. The scientifictechnological
innovation of this study stems from the in situ
generation of hydrogen peroxide from the direct ozonation of
pharmaceuticals, and can later be used in the application of Fenton
and photo-Fenton processes. The compounds selected as models
were sulfamethoxazol and acetaminophen. It should be remarked that
the use of a second process is necessary as a result of the low
mineralization yield reached by the exclusive application of ozone.
Therefore, the influence of the water matrix has been studied in terms
of hydrogen peroxide concentration, individual compound
concentration and total organic carbon removed. Moreover, the
concentration of different iron species in solution has been measured.
Abstract: Automatic Extraction of Event information from
social text stream (emails, social network sites, blogs etc) is a vital
requirement for many applications like Event Planning and
Management systems and security applications. The key information
components needed from Event related text are Event title, location,
participants, date and time. Emails have very unique distinctions over
other social text streams from the perspective of layout and format
and conversation style and are the most commonly used
communication channel for broadcasting and planning events.
Therefore we have chosen emails as our dataset. In our work, we
have employed two statistical NLP methods, named as Finite State
Machines (FSM) and Hidden Markov Model (HMM) for the
extraction of event related contextual information. An application
has been developed providing a comparison among the two methods
over the event extraction task. It comprises of two modules, one for
each method, and works for both bulk as well as direct user input.
The results are evaluated using Precision, Recall and F-Score.
Experiments show that both methods produce high performance and
accuracy, however HMM was good enough over Title extraction and
FSM proved to be better for Venue, Date, and time.
Abstract: In this work, the precipitation of asphaltene from a Malaysian light oil reservoir was studies. A series of experiments were designed and carried out to examine the effect of CO2 injection on asphaltene precipitation. Different pressures of injections were used in Dynamic flooding experiment in order to investigate the effect of pressure versus injection pore volume of CO2. These dynamic displacement tests simulate reservoir condition. Results show that by increasing the pore volume of injected gas asphaltene precipitation will increases, also rise in injection pressure causes less precipitation. Sandstone core plug was used to represent reservoir formation during displacement test; therefore it made it possible to study the effect of present of asphaltene on formation. It is found out that the precipitated asphaltene can reduce permeability and porosity which is not favorable during oil production.
Abstract: This paper deals with an on-line identification method
of continuous-time Hammerstein systems by using the radial basis
function (RBF) networks and immune algorithm (IA). An unknown
nonlinear static part to be estimated is approximately represented
by the RBF network. The IA is efficiently combined with the
recursive least-squares (RLS) method. The objective function for the
identification is regarded as the antigen. The candidates of the RBF
parameters such as the centers and widths are coded into binary bit
strings as the antibodies and searched by the IA. On the other hand,
the candidates of both the weighting parameters of the RBF network
and the system parameters of the linear dynamic part are updated
by the RLS method. Simulation results are shown to illustrate the
proposed method.