Abstract: The objective of this research is parameters optimized
of the stair shape workpiece which is cut by CNC Wire-Cut EDM
(WEDW). The experiment material is SKD-11 steel of stair-shaped
with variable height workpiece 10, 20, 30 and 40 mm. with the same
10 mm. thickness are cut by Sodick's CNC Wire-Cut EDM model
AD325L.
The experiments are designed by 3k full factorial experimental
design at 3 level 2 factors and 9 experiments with 2 replicate. The
selected two factor are servo voltage (SV) and servo feed rate (SF)
and the response is cutting thickness error. The experiment is divided
in two experiments. The first experiment determines the significant
effective factor at confidential interval 95%. The SV factor is the
significant effective factor from first result. In order to result smallest
cutting thickness error of workpieces is 17 micron with the SV value
is 46 volt. Also show that the lower SV value, the smaller different
thickness error of workpiece. Then the second experiment is done to
reduce different cutting thickness error of workpiece as small as
possible by lower SV. The second experiment result show the
significant effective factor at confidential interval 95% is the SV
factor and the smallest cutting thickness error of workpieces reduce
to 11 micron with the experiment SV value is 36 volt.
Abstract: Public parks are placed high on the research agenda, with many studies addressing their social, economic and environment influences in different countries around the world. They have been recognized as contributors to the physical quality of urban environments. Recently, a broader view of public parks has emerged. This view goes well beyond the traditional value of parks as places for more recreation and visual delight, to depict them as valuable contributors to broader strategic objectives, such as property values, place attractiveness, job opportunities, social belonging, public health, tourist development, and improving the overall quality of life. This research examines the role of public parks in enhancing the quality of human life in Egyptian environment. It measures 'quality of life' in terms of 'human needs' and 'well-being'. This should open ways for policymakers, practitioners, researchers and the public to realize the potentials of public parks towards improving the quality of life.
Abstract: The study aims to develop a framework of social
network management to enhance customer relationship. Social
network management of this research is derived from social network
site management, individual and organization social network usage
motivation. The survey was conducted with organization employees
who have used social network to interact with customers. The results
reveal that content, link, privacy and security, page design and
interactivity are the major issues of social network site management.
Content, link, privacy and security, individual and organization
motivation have major impacts on encouraging business knowledge
sharing among employees. Moreover, Page design and interactivity,
content, organization motivation and knowledge sharing can improve
customer relationships.
Abstract: Raisin Concentrate (RC) are the most important
products obtained in the raisin processing industries. These RC
products are now used to make the syrups, drinks and confectionery
productions and introduced as natural substitute for sugar in food
applications. Iran is a one of the biggest raisin exporter in the world
but unfortunately despite a good raw material, no serious effort to
extract the RC has been taken in Iran. Therefore, in this paper, we
determined and analyzed affected parameters on extracting RC
process and then optimizing these parameters for design the
extracting RC process in two types of raisin (round and long)
produced in Khorasan region. Two levels of solvent (1:1 and 2:1),
three levels of extraction temperature (60°C, 70°C and 80°C), and
three levels of concentration temperature (50°C, 60°C and 70°C)
were the treatments. Finally physicochemical characteristics of the
obtained concentrate such as color, viscosity, percentage of reduction
sugar, acidity and the microbial tests (mould and yeast) were
counted. The analysis was performed on the basis of factorial in the
form of completely randomized design (CRD) and Duncan's multiple
range test (DMRT) was used for the comparison of the means.
Statistical analysis of results showed that optimal conditions for
production of concentrate is round raisins when the solvent ratio was
2:1 with extraction temperature of 60°C and then concentration
temperature of 50°C. Round raisin is cheaper than the long one, and
it is more economical to concentrate production. Furthermore, round
raisin has more aromas and the less color degree with increasing the
temperature of concentration and extraction. Finally, according to
mentioned factors the concentrate of round raisin is recommended.
Abstract: In this article a bibliography research takes place to
track down and introduce the barriers and opportunities for the
adoption of e-Governance services mainly from the side of citizen,
that is to say, the demand side. Although governments invest
continuously in producing of e-Governance services, citizens face
difficulties to adopt these services. Barriers derive and prevent them
from using e-Governance services. Barrier is anything preventing
citizens from the adoption of e-Governance services. Barriers impede
or do not allow the adoption of e-Governance services by the
citizens. If the barriers are pinpointed, it will be possible to take them
into consideration while designing e-Governance services which the
citizens are likely to use, if the obstacles are raised. The barriers will
thus be converted in opportunities that will facilitate the adoption.
Abstract: A green design for assembly model is presented to
integrate design evaluation and assembly and disassembly sequence
planning by evaluating the three activities in one integrated model. For
an assembled product, an assembly sequence planning model is
required for assembling the product at the start of the product life cycle.
A disassembly sequence planning model is needed for disassembling
the product at the end. In a green product life cycle, it is important to
plan how a product can be disassembled, reused, or recycled, before
the product is actually assembled and produced. Given a product
requirement, there may be several design alternative cases to design
the same product. In the different design cases, the assembly and
disassembly sequences for producing the product can be different. In
this research, a new model is presented to concurrently evaluate the
design and plan the assembly and disassembly sequences. First, the
components are represented by using graph based models. Next, a
particle swarm optimization (PSO) method with a new encoding
scheme is developed. In the new PSO encoding scheme, a particle is
represented by a position matrix defining an assembly sequence and a
disassembly sequence. The assembly and disassembly sequences can
be simultaneously planned with an objective of minimizing the total of
assembly costs and disassembly costs. The test results show that the
presented method is feasible and efficient for solving the integrated
design evaluation and assembly and disassembly sequence planning
problem. An example product is implemented and illustrated in this
paper.
Abstract: Dynamic models of power converters are normally
time-varying because of their switching actions. Several approaches
are applied to analyze the power converters to achieve the timeinvariant
models suitable for system analysis and design via the
classical control theory. The paper presents how to derive dynamic
models of the power system consisting of a three-phase controlled
rectifier feeding an uncontrolled buck converter by using the
combination between the well known techniques called the DQ and
the generalized state-space averaging methods. The intensive timedomain
simulations of the exact topology model are used to support
the accuracies of the reported model. The results show that the
proposed model can provide good accuracies in both transient and
steady-state responses.
Abstract: A mathematical model for the hydrodynamics of a
surface water treatment pilot plant was developed and validated by
the determination of the residence time distribution (RTD) for the
main equipments of the unit. The well known models of ideal/real
mixing, ideal displacement (plug flow) and (one-dimensional axial)
dispersion model were combined in order to identify the structure
that gives the best fitting of the experimental data for each equipment
of the pilot plant. RTD experimental results have shown that pilot
plant hydrodynamics can be quite well approximated by a
combination of simple mathematical models, structure which is
suitable for engineering applications. Validated hydrodynamic
models will be further used in the evaluation and selection of the
most suitable coagulation-flocculation reagents, optimum operating
conditions (injection point, reaction times, etc.), in order to improve
the quality of the drinking water.
Abstract: The study investigates the relationship between
education level, workplace learning behaviors, psychological
empowerment and burnout in a sample of 191 teachers. We
hypothesized that education level will positively affect psychological
state of increased empowerment and decreased burnout, and we
purposed that these effects will be mediated by workplace learning
behaviors. We used multiple regression analyses to test the model
that included also the 6 following control variables: The teachers'
age, gender, and teaching tenure; the schools' religious level, the
pupils' needs: regular/ special needs, and the class level: elementary/
high school. The results support the purposed mediating model.
Abstract: Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a disorder
characterized by the progressive bone loss induced by estrogen
deficiency in postmenopausal women. This imbalance affects
calcium–phosphate metabolism and results in secondary
hyperparathyroidism. Purariae Radix (PR), the root of P. lobata
(Wild.) Ohwi, is one of the earliest medicinal herbs employed in
ancient China. PR contains a high quantity of isoflavones and their
glycosides, which are regarded as phytoestrogen. Few investigations
of PR are related to its osteoprotective effects. The present study is
designed to administer PR water extract to ovariectomized (OVX)
female rats, for the investigation of its possibly protective actions on
bone and to delineate the potential mechanisms involved. Our results
demonstrated that long-term treatment of PR could not significantly
improve bone properties, whereas it greatly ameliorated the condition
of secondary hyperparathyroidism induced by ovariectomy in those
animals. PR might be useful as alternative regimen for protecting
against postmenopausal bone loss.
Abstract: This is a genetic comparison study of Arabian Oryx
(Oryx leucoryx) population at two different locations (A &B) based
on nuclear microsatellite DNA markers. Arabian Oryx is listed as
vulnerable and endanger by the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
Thirty microsatellite markers from bovine family were applied to
investigate the genetic diversity of the Arabian Oryx and to set up a
molecular inventory. Among 30 microsatellite markers used, 13
markers were moderately polymorphic. Arabian Oryx at location A
has shown better gene diversity over location B. However, mean
number of alleles were less than location B. Data of within
population inbreeding coefficient indicates inbreeding at both
locations (A&B). Based on the analysis of polymorphic microsatellite
markers, the study revealed that Arabian Oryx need a genetically
designed breeding program.
Abstract: Recent medical studies have investigated the importance of enteral feeding and the use of feeding pumps for recovering patients unable to feed themselves or gain nourishment and nutrients by natural means. The most of enteral feeding system uses a peristaltic tube pump. A peristaltic pump is a form of positive displacement pump in which a flexible tube is progressively squeezed externally to allow the resulting enclosed pillow of fluid to progress along it. The squeezing of the tube requires a precise and robust controller of the geared motor to overcome parametric uncertainty of the pumping system which generates due to a wide variation of friction and slip between tube and roller. So, this paper proposes fuzzy adaptive controller for the robust control of the peristaltic tube pump. This new adaptive controller uses a fuzzy multi-layered architecture which has several independent fuzzy controllers in parallel, each with different robust stability area. Out of several independent fuzzy controllers, the most suited one is selected by a system identifier which observes variations in the controlled system parameter. This paper proposes a design procedure which can be carried out mathematically and systematically from the model of a controlled system. Finally, the good control performance, accurate dose rate and robust system stability, of the developed feeding pump is confirmed through experimental and clinic testing.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose an advanced ILQ control for the buck-converter via two-degrees of freedom servo-system. Our presented strategy is based on Inverse Linear Quadratic (ILQ) servo-system controller without solving Riccati-s equation directly. The optimal controller of the current and voltage control system is designed. The stability and robust control are analyzed. A conscious and persistent effort has been made to improve ILQ control via two-degrees of freedom guarantees the optimal gains on the basis of polynomial pole assignment, which our results of the proposed strategy shows that the advanced ILQ control can be controlled independently the step response and the disturbance response by appending a feed-forward compensator.
Abstract: Ultrasound is useful in demonstrating bone mineral
density of regenerating osseous tissue as well as structural alterations.
A proposed ultrasound method, which included ultrasonography and
acoustic parameters measurement, was employed to evaluate its
efficacy in monitoring the bone callus changes in a rabbit tibial
distraction osteogenesis (DO) model.
The findings demonstrated that ultrasonographic images depicted
characteristic changes of the bone callus, typical of histology findings,
during the distraction phase. Follow-up acoustic parameters
measurement of the bone callus, including speed of sound, reflection
and attenuation, showed significant linear changes over time during
the distraction phase. The acoustic parameters obtained during the
distraction phase also showed moderate to strong correlation with
consolidated bone callus density and micro-architecture measured by
micro-computed tomography at the end of the consolidation phase.
The results support the preferred use of ultrasound imaging in the
early monitoring of bone callus changes during DO treatment.
Abstract: This paper presents functionality of negotiation agent
on value-based design decision. The functionality is based on the
characteristics of the system and goal specification. A Prometheus
Design Tool model was used for developing the system. Group
functionality will be the attribute for negotiation agents, which
comprises a coordinator agent and decision- maker agent. The results
of the testing of the system to a building system selection on valuebased
decision environment are also presented.
Abstract: To simulate expected climate change, we implemented a two-factor (temperature and soil moisture) field design in a forest in Ontario, Canada. To manipulate moisture input, we erected rain-exclusion structures. Under each structure, plots were watered with one of three treatments and thermally controlled with three heat treatments to simulate changes in air temperature and rainfall based on the climate model (GCM) predictions for the study area. Environmental conditions (including untreated controls) were monitored tracking air temperature, soil temperature, soil moisture, and photosynthetically active radiation. We measured rainfall and relative humidity at the site outside the rain-exclusion structures. Analyses of environmental conditions demonstrates that the temperature manipulation was most effective at maintaining target temperature during the early part of the growing season, but it was more difficult to keep the warmest treatment at 5º C above ambient by late summer. Target moisture regimes were generally achieved however incoming solar radiation was slightly attenuated by the structures.
Abstract: Response surface methodology was used for
quantitative investigation of water and solids transfer during osmotic
dehydration of beetroot in aqueous solution of salt. Effects of
temperature (25 – 45oC), processing time (30–150 min), salt
concentration (5–25%, w/w) and solution to sample ratio (5:1 – 25:1)
on osmotic dehydration of beetroot were estimated. Quadratic
regression equations describing the effects of these factors on the
water loss and solids gain were developed. It was found that effects
of temperature and salt concentrations were more significant on the
water loss than the effects of processing time and solution to sample
ratio. As for solids gain processing time and salt concentration were
the most significant factors. The osmotic dehydration process was
optimized for water loss, solute gain, and weight reduction. The
optimum conditions were found to be: temperature – 35oC,
processing time – 90 min, salt concentration – 14.31% and solution
to sample ratio 8.5:1. At these optimum values, water loss, solid gain
and weight reduction were found to be 30.86 (g/100 g initial sample),
9.43 (g/100 g initial sample) and 21.43 (g/100 g initial sample)
respectively.
Abstract: Truss spars are used for oil exploitation in deep and ultra-deep water if storage crude oil is not needed. The linear hydrodynamic analysis of truss spar in random sea wave load is necessary for determining the behaviour of truss spar. This understanding is not only important for design of the mooring lines, but also for optimising the truss spar design. In this paper linear hydrodynamic analysis of truss spar is carried out in frequency domain. The hydrodynamic forces are calculated using the modified Morison equation and diffraction theory. Added mass and drag coefficients of truss section computed by transmission matrix and normal acceleration and velocity component acting on each element and for hull section computed by strip theory. The stiffness properties of the truss spar can be separated into two components; hydrostatic stiffness and mooring line stiffness. Then, platform response amplitudes obtained by solved the equation of motion. This equation is non-linear due to viscous damping term therefore linearised by iteration method [1]. Finally computed RAOs and significant response amplitude and results are compared with experimental data.
Abstract: An array of piezoelectric micro actuators can be used
for radiation of an ultrasonic carrier signal modulated in amplitude
with an acoustic signal, which yields audio frequency applications as
the air acts as a self-demodulating medium. This application is
known as the parametric array. We propose a parametric array with
array elements based on existing piezoelectric micro ultrasonic
transducer (pMUT) design techniques. In order to reach enough
acoustic output power at a desired operating frequency, a proper ratio
between number of array elements and array size needs to be used,
with an array total area of the order of one cm square. The
transducers presented are characterized via impedance, admittance,
noise figure, transducer gain and frequency responses.
Abstract: This paper will present the initial findings of a
research into distributed computer rendering. The goal of the
research is to create a distributed computer system capable of
rendering a 3D model into an MPEG-4 stream. This paper outlines
the initial design, software architecture and hardware setup for the
system.
Distributed computing means designing and implementing
programs that run on two or more interconnected computing systems.
Distributed computing is often used to speed up the rendering of
graphical imaging. Distributed computing systems are used to
generate images for movies, games and simulations.
A topic of interest is the application of distributed computing to
the MPEG-4 standard. During the course of the research, a
distributed system will be created that can render a 3D model into an
MPEG-4 stream. It is expected that applying distributed computing
principals will speed up rendering, thus improving the usefulness and
efficiency of the MPEG-4 standard