Abstract: This paper reports the numerical and experimental
performances of Double Glass Wall are investigated. Two
configurations were considered namely, the Double Clear Glass Wall
(DCGW) and the Double Translucent Glass Wall (DTGW). The
coupled governing equations as well as boundary conditions are
solved using the finite element method (FEM) via COMSOLTM
Multiphysics. Temperature profiles and flow field of the DCGW and
DTGW are reported and discussed. Different constant heat fluxes
were considered as 400 and 800 W.m-2 the corresponding initial
condition temperatures were 30.5 and 38.5ºC respectively. The
results show that the simulation results are in agreement with the
experimental data. Conclusively, the model considered in this study
could reasonable be used simulate the thermal and ventilation
performance of the DCGW and DTGW configurations.
Abstract: The efficiency of wood vinegar mixed with each
individual of three plants extract such as: citronella grass
(Cymbopogon nardus), neem seed (Azadirachta indica A. Juss), and
yam bean seed (Pachyrhizus erosus Urb.) were tested against the
second instar larvae of housefly (Musca domestica L.). Steam
distillation was used for extraction of the citronella grass while neem
and yam bean were simple extracted by fermentation with ethyl
alcohol. Toxicity test was evaluated in laboratory based on two
methods of larvicidal bioassay: topical application method (contact
poison) and feeding method (stomach poison). Larval mortality was
observed daily and larval survivability was recorded until the
survived larvae developed to pupae and adults. The study resulted
that treatment of wood vinegar mixed with citronella grass showed
the highest larval mortality by topical application method (50.0%)
and by feeding method (80.0%). However, treatment of mixed wood
vinegar and neem seed showed the longest pupal duration to 25 day
and 32 days for topical application method and feeding method
respectively. Additional, larval duration on treated M. domestica
larvae was extended to 13 days for topical application method and 11
days for feeding method. Thus, the feeding method gave higher
efficiency compared with the topical application method.
Abstract: In this research article a comprehensive investigation
has been carried out to determine the effect of thermal cycle on
temperature dependent process parameters developed during gas
tungsten arc (GTA) welding of high carbon (AISI 1090) steel butt
joints. An experiment based thermal analysis has been performed to
obtain the thermal history. We have focused on different
thermophysical properties such as thermal conductivity, heat transfer
coefficient and cooling rate. Angular torch model has been utilized to
find out the surface heat flux and its variation along the fusion zone as
well as along the longitudinal direction from fusion boundary. After
welding and formation of weld pool, heat transfer coefficient varies
rapidly in the vicinity of molten weld bead and heat affected zone. To
evaluate the heat transfer coefficient near the fusion line and near the
rear end of the plate (low temperature region), established correlation
has been implemented and has been compared with empirical
correlation which is noted as coupled convective and radiation heat
transfer coefficient. Change in thermal conductivity has been
visualized by analytical model of moving point heat source. Rate of
cooling has been estimated by using 2-dimensional mathematical
expression of cooling rate and it has shown good agreement with
experimental temperature cycle. Thermophysical properties have been
varied randomly within 0 -10s time span.
Abstract: Nowadays, the Web has become one of the most
pervasive platforms for information change and retrieval. It collects
the suitable and perfectly fitting information from websites that one
requires. Data mining is the form of extracting data’s available in the
internet. Web mining is one of the elements of data mining
Technique, which relates to various research communities such as
information recovery, folder managing system and simulated
intellects. In this Paper we have discussed the concepts of Web
mining. We contain generally focused on one of the categories of
Web mining, specifically the Web Content Mining and its various
farm duties. The mining tools are imperative to scanning the many
images, text, and HTML documents and then, the result is used by
the various search engines. We conclude by presenting a comparative
table of these tools based on some pertinent criteria.
Abstract: Two tragic tsunamis that devastated the west coast of
Sumatra Island, Indonesia in 2004 and North East Japan in 2011 had
damaged bridges to various extents. Tsunamis have resulted in the
catastrophic deterioration of infrastructures i.e. coastal structures,
utilities and transportation facilities. A bridge structure performs vital
roles to enable people to perform activities related to their daily needs
and for development. A damaged bridge needs to be repaired
expeditiously. In order to understand the effects of tsunami forces on
bridges, experimental tests are carried out to measure the
characteristics of hydrodynamic force at various wave heights.
Coastal bridge models designed at a 1:40 scale are used in a 24.0 m
long hydraulic flume with a cross section of 1.5 m by 2.0 m. The
horizontal forces and uplift forces in all cases show that forces
increase nonlinearly with increasing wave amplitude.
Abstract: The exposure to outdoor air pollution causes lung
cancer and increases the risk of bladder cancer. Because air pollution
in urban areas is mainly caused by transportation, it is necessary to
evaluate pollutant exhaust emissions from vehicles during their realworld
use. Nevertheless their evaluation and reduction is a key
problem, especially in the cities, that account for more than 50% of
world population.
A particular attention was given to the slope variability along the
streets during each journey performed by the instrumented vehicle.
In this paper we dealt with the problem of describing a
quantitatively approach for the reconstruction of GPS coordinates and
altitude, in the context of correlation study between driving cycles /
emission / geographical location, during an experimental campaign
realized with some instrumented cars.
Finally the slope analysis can be correlated to the emission and
consumption values in a specific road position, and it could be
evaluated its influence on their behaviour.
Abstract: Marine Protected Areas can benefit from nature based
tourism, monitoring environmental impacts and also become target
for human presence. From more than 3 million tourists visiting
Cozumel Island every year, an average of 2,8 million arrive by cruise
ship, and 41% are estimated to have motivation for water activities.
The destination is relying so much on the tourism activity, that scuba
diving and snorkeling in the National Park Reef of Cozumel sustain
the major economic activity. In order to achieve the sustainable
development indicator designed for regional environmental
development, the PNAC offers a training course to tourism providers
to access the protected area. This way, the update of the last 5 years
of such training is directed to diving staff, boat crew and
professionals, making them able to assist in managing the natural
resource. Moreover, the case study is an example to be used for
raising awareness among tourists visiting protected areas.
Abstract: Asphaltic concrete for pavement construction in India
are produced by using crushed stone, gravels etc. as aggregate. In
north-Eastern region of India, there is a scarcity of stone aggregate.
Therefore the road engineers are always in search of an optional
material as aggregate which can replace the regularly used material.
The purpose of this work was to evaluate the utilization of
substandard or marginal aggregates in flexible pavement
construction. The investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effects
of using lower quality aggregates such as over burnt brick aggregate
on the preparation of asphalt concrete for flexible pavements. The
scope of this work included a review of available literature and
existing data, a laboratory evaluation organized to determine the
effects of marginal aggregates and potential techniques to upgrade
these substandard materials, and a laboratory evaluation of these
upgraded marginal aggregate asphalt mixtures. Over burnt brick
aggregates are water susceptible and can leads to moisture damage.
Moisture damage is the progressive loss of functionality of the
material owing to loss of the adhesion bond between the asphalt
binder and the aggregate surface. Hence zycosoil as an anti striping
additive were evaluated in this study. This study summarizes the
results of the laboratory evaluation carried out to investigate the
properties of asphalt concrete prepared with zycosoil modified over
burnt brick aggregate. Marshall specimen were prepared with stone
aggregate, zycosoil modified stone aggregate, over burnt brick
aggregate and zycosoil modified over burnt brick aggregate. Results
show that addition of zycosoil with stone aggregate increased
stability by 6% and addition of zycosoil with over burnt brick
aggregate increased stability by 30%.
Abstract: Due to growing concern about environmental and
social consequences throughout the world, a need has been felt to
incorporate sustainability concepts in conventional manufacturing.
This paper is an attempt to identify and evaluate drivers in
implementing sustainable manufacturing in Indian context. Nine
possible drivers for successful implementation of sustainable
manufacturing have been identified from extensive review. Further,
Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL)
approach has been utilized to evaluate and categorize these identified
drivers for implementing sustainable manufacturing in to the cause
and effect groups. Five drivers (Societal Pressure and Public
Concerns; Regulations and Government Policies; Top Management
Involvement, Commitment and Support; Effective Strategies and
Activities towards Socially Responsible Manufacturing and Market
Trends) have been categorized into the cause group and four drivers
(Holistic View in Manufacturing Systems; Supplier Participation;
Building Sustainable culture in Organization; and Corporate Image
and Benefits) have been categorized into the effect group. “Societal
Pressure and Public Concerns” has been found the most critical driver
and “Corporate Image and Benefits” as least critical or the most
easily influenced driver to implementing sustainable manufacturing
in Indian context. This paper may surely help practitioners in better
understanding of these drivers and their priorities towards effective
implementation of sustainable manufacturing.
Abstract: This paper evaluates the performance of a multi-lane
four legged modern roundabout operating in Muscat using SIDRA
model. The performance measures include Degree of Saturation
(DOS), average delay, and queue lengths. The geometric and traffic
data were used for model preparation. Gap acceptance parameters,
critical gap and follow up headway, were used for calibration of
SIDRA model. The results from the analysis showed that currently
the roundabout is experiencing delays up to 610 seconds per vehicle
with DOS 1.67 during peak hour. Further, sensitivity analysis for
general and roundabout parameters was performed, amongst lane
width, cruise speed, inscribed diameter, entry radius and entry angle
showed that inscribed diameter is most crucial factor affecting delay
and DOS. Up gradation of roundabout to fully signalized junction
was found as the suitable solution which will serve for future years
with LOS C for design year having DOS of 0.9 with average control
delay of 51.9 seconds per vehicle.
Abstract: The usage of e-health facilities is seen to be the first
priority by the Libyan government. As such this paper focuses on
how the key factors or elements of working size in terms of
technological availability, structural environment, and other
competence-related matters may affect nurses’ sharing of knowledge
in e-health. Hence, this paper investigates learning readiness
assessment to raise e-health for Libyan regional hospitals by using ehealth
services in nursing education.
Abstract: This paper discusses the potential benefits of an
interactive multimedia information representation in enhancing
students’ critical thinking aligned with history reasoning in learning
history amongst Secondary School students in Malaysia. Two modes
of multimedia information representation were implemented;
chronologic and thematic information representations. A qualitative
study of an unstructured interview was conducted among two history
teachers, one history education lecturer, two i-think experts, and five
students from Form Four secondary school. The interview was to
elicit their opinions on the implementation of thinking maps and
interactive multimedia information representation in history learning.
The key elements of the interactive multimedia (e.g. multiple media,
user control, interactivity and use of timelines and concept maps)
were then considered to improve the learning process. Findings of the
preliminary investigation reveal that the interactive multimedia
information representations have the potential benefits to be
implemented as an instructional resource in enhancing students’
higher order thinking skills (HOTs). This paper concludes by giving
suggestions for future work.
Abstract: Two micromechanical models for 3D smart composite
with embedded periodic or nearly periodic network of generally
orthotropic reinforcements and actuators are developed and applied to
cubic structures with unidirectional orientation of constituents.
Analytical formulas for the effective piezothermoelastic coefficients
are derived using the Asymptotic Homogenization Method (AHM).
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is subsequently developed and used
to examine the aforementioned periodic 3D network reinforced smart
structures. The deformation responses from the FE simulations are
used to extract effective coefficients. The results from both
techniques are compared. This work considers piezoelectric materials
that respond linearly to changes in electric field, electric
displacement, mechanical stress and strain and thermal effects. This
combination of electric fields and thermo-mechanical response in
smart composite structures is characterized by piezoelectric and
thermal expansion coefficients. The problem is represented by unitcell
and the models are developed using the AHM and the FEA to
determine the effective piezoelectric and thermal expansion
coefficients. Each unit cell contains a number of orthotropic
inclusions in the form of structural reinforcements and actuators.
Using matrix representation of the coupled response of the unit cell,
the effective piezoelectric and thermal expansion coefficients are
calculated and compared with results of the asymptotic
homogenization method. A very good agreement is shown between
these two approaches.
Abstract: The present study involved analysis of certain
characteristics of the perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)
genotypes collected from the natural flora of Ankara, and explores a
correlation among them. In order to evaluate the plants for breeding
purpose as per Turkey's environmental conditions, the perennial
ryegrass plants were collected from natural pasture of Ankara in 2004
and were utilized for the study. Seeds of the collected plants were
sown in pots and seedlings were prepared in a greenhouse. In 2005,
the seedlings were transplanted at 50 × 50 cm2 intervals in
Randomized Complete Blocks Design in an experimental field. In
2007 and 2008, data were recorded from the observations and
measurements of 568 perennial ryegrasses. The plant characteristics,
which were investigated, included re-growth time in spring, color,
density, growth habit, tendency to form inflorescence, time of
inflorescence, plant height, length of upper internode, spike length,
leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, leaf shape, number of spikelets per
spike, seed yield per spike and 1000 grain weight and the correlation
analyses were made using this data. Correlation coefficients were
estimated between all paired combinations of the studied traits. The
yield components exhibited varying trends of association among
themselves. Seed yield per spike showed significant and positive
association with the number of spikelets per spike, 1000 grain weight,
plant height, length of upper internode, spike length, leaf length, leaf
width, leaf area and color, but significant and negative association
with the growth habit and re-growth time in spring.
Abstract: India holds 17.5% of the world’s population but has
only 2% of the total geographical area of the world where 27.35% of
the area is categorized as wasteland due to lack of or less
groundwater. So there is a demand for excessive groundwater for
agricultural and non agricultural activities to balance its growth rate.
With this in mind, an attempt is made to find the groundwater
potential zone in Gomukhi Nadhi sub basin of Vellar River basin,
TamilNadu, India covering an area of 1146.6 Sq.Km consists of 9
blocks from Peddanaickanpalayam to Virudhachalam in the sub
basin. The thematic maps such as Geology, Geomorphology,
Lineament, Landuse and Landcover and Drainage are prepared for
the study area using IRS P6 data. The collateral data includes rainfall,
water level, soil map are collected for analysis and inference. The
digital elevation model (DEM) is generated using Shuttle Radar
Topographic Mission (SRTM) and the slope of the study area is
obtained. ArcGIS 10.1 acts as a powerful spatial analysis tool to find
out the ground water potential zones in the study area by means of
weighted overlay analysis. Each individual parameter of the thematic
maps are ranked and weighted in accordance with their influence to
increase the water level in the ground. The potential zones in the
study area are classified viz., Very Good, Good, Moderate, Poor with
its aerial extent of 15.67, 381.06, 575.38, 174.49 Sq.Km respectively.
Abstract: This work presents the result of investigations aimed
at determining the hardness of the welded Chromoly (A 4130) steel
plate of 2” thickness. Multi pass welding for the thick sections was
carried out and analyzed for the Chromoly alloy steel plates. The
study of hardness at the weld metal reveals that there is the presence
of different micro structure products which yields diverse properties.
The welding carried out using GMAW with ER70s-2 electrode.
Single V groove design was selected for the butt joint configuration.
The presence of hydrogen has been suppressed by selecting low
hydrogen electrode. Preheating of the plate prior to welding reduces
the cooling rate which also affects the weld metal microstructure. The
shielding gas composition used in this analysis is 80% Ar-20% CO2.
The experimental analysis gives the detailed study of the hardness of
the material.
Abstract: Pesticides and drugs used in agriculture and veterinary
medicine may end up in aquatic environments and bioaccumulate in
the food chain, thus causing serious problems for fauna and human
health. For determination of the toxic effects of atrazine herbicide on
Caspian kutum, Rutilus frisii kutum larvae, the 96-h LC50 of atrazine
was measured for newly hatched larvae as 18.53 ppm. Toxicity of
atrazine herbicide on Caspian kutum larvae was investigated using
concentrations: 9.25ppm, 4.62 ppm and 2.31 ppm for 7 days.
Comparison of the length, weight and condition factor showed that
no significant differences between atrazine exposed and control
groups. The concentration of Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Cl- in whole
body of larvae in control and atrazine exposure groups were
measured and the results showed that concentrations of all these ions
is higher in atrazine exposure group than control group. It is obvious
from this study that atrazine negatively affects osmoregulation
process and changes ion compositions of the body even at sublethal
concentration and acute exposure but have no effects on growth
parameters of the body.
Abstract: Musculoskeletal injuries in school children could be
reduced improving trunk strength and hamstring flexibility. Low
levels of trunk muscle strength and hamstring flexibility may result in
acute and musculoskeletal chronic diseases. The Pilates Method can
be appropriate to improve these physical condition attributes and has
been rarely employed by this social group. On the other hand, it has
been shown that trunk strength and flexibility are different between
genders, but there is no evidence about the effect of exercise
programs designed to improve both items in school children.
Therefore the objective of this study was to measure the effect of a
six-week Pilates-based exercise program in 14 year old school
children trunk strength and hamstring flexibility, establishing
differences in gender. The sample was composed of 57 students
divided into experimental group (EG; n=30) and control group (CG;
n=27). Bench Trunk Curl test (BTC), Sörensen test and Toe-touch
test (TT) were used to measure dynamic muscular resistance in trunk
flexion, isometric strength in trunk extension and hamstring
flexibility, respectively. EG utilized the Pilates exercise program
during six-weeks (2 days/week, 55minutes/session). After this period
of training, EG improved trunk strength and hamstring flexibility
significantly but there were no significant differences within CG.
Although boys were better in BTC test and girls were better in TT
test, there were no significant differences between them.
Abstract: Energy consumption and users’ satisfaction were
compared in three LEED certified office buildings in turkey and an
office building in Egypt. The field studies were conducted in summer
2012. The measured environmental parameters in the four buildings
were indoor air temperature, relative humidity, CO2 percentage and
light intensity. The traditional building is located in Smart Village in
Abu Rawash, Cairo, Egypt. The building was studied for 7 days
resulting in 84 responds. The three rated buildings are in Istanbul;
Turkey. A Platinum LEED certified office building is owned by
BASF and gained a platinum certificate for new construction and
major renovation. The building was studied for 3 days resulting in 13
responds. A Gold LEED certified office building is owned by BASF
and gained a gold certificate for new construction and major
renovation. The building was studied for 2 days resulting in 10
responds. A silver LEED certified office building is owned by
Unilever and gained a silver certificate for commercial interiors. The
building was studied for 7 days resulting in 84 responds.
The results showed that all buildings had no significant difference
regarding occupants’ satisfaction with the amount of lighting, noise
level, odor and access to the outdoor view. There was significant
difference between occupants’ satisfaction in LEED certified
buildings and the traditional building regarding the thermal
environment and the perception of the general environment (colors,
carpet and decoration. The findings suggest that careful design could
lead to a certified building that enhances the thermal environment and
the perception of the indoor environment leading to energy
consumption without scarifying occupants’ satisfaction.
Abstract: The biosynthesis of nanoparticles by microorganisms,
on the contrary to chemical synthesis, is an environmentally-friendly
process which has low energy requirements. In this investigation, we
used the microorganism Geobacillus wiegelii, strain GWE1, an
aerobic thermophile belonging to genus Geobacillus, isolated from a
drying oven. This microorganism has the ability to reduce selenite
evidenced by the change of color from colorless to red in the culture.
Elemental analysis and composition of the particles were verified
using transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray
analysis. The nanoparticles have a defined spherical shape and a
selenium elemental state. Previous experiments showed that the
presence of the whole microorganism for the reduction of selenite
was not necessary. The results strongly suggested that an intracellular
NADPH/NADH-dependent reductase mediates selenium
nanoparticles synthesis under aerobic conditions. The enzyme was
purified and identified by mass spectroscopy MALDI-TOF TOF
technique. The enzyme is a 1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase.
Histograms of nanoparticles sizes were obtained. Size distribution
ranged from 40-160 nm, where 70% of nanoparticles have less than
100 nm in size. Spectroscopic analysis showed that the nanoparticles
are composed of elemental selenium. To analyse the effect of pH in
size and morphology of nanoparticles, the synthesis of them was
carried out at different pHs (4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0). For
thermostability studies samples were incubated at different
temperatures (60, 80 and 100 ºC) for 1 h and 3 h. The size of all
nanoparticles was less than 100 nm at pH 4.0; over 50% of
nanoparticles have less than 100 nm at pH 5.0; at pH 6.0 and 8.0 over
90% of nanoparticles have less than 100 nm in size. At neutral pH
(7.0) nanoparticles reach a size around 120 nm and only 20% of them
were less than 100 nm. When looking at temperature effect,
nanoparticles did not show a significant difference in size when they
were incubated between 0 and 3 h at 60 ºC. Meanwhile at 80 °C the
nanoparticles suspension lost its homogeneity. A change in size was
observed from 0 h of incubation at 80ºC, observing a size range
between 40-160 nm, with 20% of them over 100 nm. Meanwhile
after 3 h of incubation at size range changed to 60-180 nm with 50%
of them over 100 nm. At 100 °C the nanoparticles aggregate forming
nanorod structures. In conclusion, these results indicate that is
possible to modulate size and shape of biologically synthesized
nanoparticles by modulating pH and temperature.