Abstract: Wire Electric Discharge Machining (WEDM) is
thermal machining process capable of machining very hard
electrically conductive material irrespective of their hardness.
WEDM is being widely used to machine micro scale parts with the
high dimensional accuracy and surface finish. The objective of this
paper is to optimize the process parameters of wire EDM to fabricate
the micro channels and to calculate the surface finish and material
removal rate of micro channels fabricated using wire EDM. The
material used is aluminum 6061 alloy. The experiments were
performed using CNC wire cut electric discharge machine. The effect
of various parameters of WEDM like pulse on time (TON) with the
levels (100, 150, 200), pulse off time (TOFF) with the levels (25, 35,
45) and current (IP) with the levels (105, 110, 115) were investigated
to study the effect on output parameter i.e. Surface Roughness and
Material Removal Rate (MRR). Each experiment was conducted
under different conditions of pulse on time, pulse off time and peak
current. For material removal rate, TON and Ip
were the most significant process parameter. MRR increases with the increase in
TON and Ip and decreases with the increase in TOFF. For surface
roughness, TON and Ip have the maximum effect and TOFF was found
out to be less effective.
Abstract: A biosphere reserve is developed to create harmony
amongst economic development, community development, and
environmental protection, through partnership between human and
nature. Giam Siak Kecil Bukit Batu Biosphere Reserve (GSKBB BR)
in Riau Province, Indonesia, is unique in that it has peat soil
dominating the area, many springs essential for human livelihood,
high biodiversity. Furthermore, it is the only biosphere reserve
covering privately managed production forest areas. In this research, we aimed at analyzing the threat of deforestation
and forest fire, and the potential of CO2 emission at GSKBB BR. We
used Landsat image, arcView software, and ERDAS IMAGINE 8.5
Software to conduct spatial analysis of land cover and land use
changes, calculated CO2 emission based on emission potential from
each land cover and land use type, and exercised simple linear
regression to demonstrate the relation between CO2 emission
potential and deforestation. The result showed that, beside in the buffer zone and transition
area, deforestation also occurred in the core area. Spatial analysis of
land cover and land use changes from years 2010, 2012, and 2014
revealed that there were changes of land cover and land use from
natural forest and industrial plantation forest to other land use types,
such as garden, mixed garden, settlement, paddy fields, burnt areas,
and dry agricultural land. Deforestation in core area, particularly at
the Giam Siak Kecil Wildlife Reserve and Bukit Batu Wildlife
Reserve, occurred in the form of changes from natural forest in to
garden, mixed garden, shrubs, swamp shrubs, dry agricultural land,
open area, and burnt area. In the buffer zone and transition area,
changes also happened, what once swamp forest changed into garden,
mixed garden, open area, shrubs, swamp shrubs, and dry agricultural
land. Spatial analysis on land cover and land use changes indicated
that deforestation rate in the biosphere reserve from 2010 to 2014 had
reached 16 119 ha/year. Beside deforestation, threat toward the
biosphere reserve area also came from forest fire. The occurrence of forest fire in 2014 had burned 101 723 ha of the
area, in which 9 355 ha of core area, and 92 368 ha of buffer zone
and transition area. Deforestation and forest fire had increased CO2
emission as much as 24 903 855 ton/year.
Abstract: This paper presents an analytical approach for
evaluating distribution system reliability indices in the presence of
distributed generation. Modeling distributed generation and
evaluation of distribution system reliability indices using the
frequency duration technique. Using model implements and case
studies are discussed. Results showed that location of DG and its
effect in distribution reliability indices. In this respect, impact of DG
on distribution system is investigated using the IEEE Roy Billinton
test system (RBTS2) included feeder 1. Therefore, it will help to the
distribution system planners in the DG resource placement.
Abstract: Salinity is one of the major factors limiting crop
production in an arid environment. Despite its global importance
soybean production suffer the problems of salinity stress causing
damages at plant development. So it is implacable to either search for
salinity enhancement of soybean plants. Therefore, in the current
study we try to clarify the mechanism that might be involved in the
ameliorating effects of osmo-protectants such as proline and glycine
betaine as well as, compost application on soybean plants grown
under salinity stress. The experiment was conducted under
greenhouse conditions at the Graduate School of Biosphere Science
Laboratory of Hiroshima University, Japan in 2011. The experiment
was designed as a spilt-split plot based on randomized complete
block design with four replications. The treatments could be
summarized as follows; (i) salinity concentrations (0 and 15 mM), (ii)
compost treatments (0 and 24 t ha-1) and (iii) the exogenous, proline
and glycine betaine concentrations (0 mM and 25 mM) for each.
Results indicated that salinity stress induced reduction in growth and
physiological aspects (dry weight per plant, chlorophyll content, N
and K+ content) of soybean plant compared with those of the
unstressed plants. On the other hand, salinity stress led to increases in
the electrolyte leakage ratio, Na and proline contents. Special
attention was paid to, the tolerance against salt stress was observed,
the improvement of salt tolerance resulted from proline, glycine
betaine and compost were accompanied with improved K+, and
proline accumulation. While, significantly decreased electrolyte
leakage ratio and Na+ content. These results clearly demonstrate that
harmful effect of salinity could reduce on growth aspects of soybean.
Consequently, exogenous osmoprotectants combine with compost
will effectively solve seasonal salinity stress problem and are a good
strategy to increase salinity resistance of soybean in the drylands.
Abstract: We report the design and characterization of ultra high
quality factor filter based on one-dimensional photonic-crystal Thue-
Morse sequence structure. The behavior of aperiodic array of
photonic crystal structure is numerically investigated and we show
that by changing the angle of incident wave, desired wavelengths
could be tuned and a tunable filter is realized. Also it is shown that
high quality factor filter be achieved in the telecommunication
window around 1550 nm, with a device based on Thue-Morse
structure. Simulation results show that the proposed structure has a
quality factor more than 100000 and it is suitable for DWDM
communication applications.
Abstract: In this paper, synchronization of multiple chaotic
semiconductor lasers is achieved by appealing to complex system
theory. In particular, we consider dynamical networks composed by
semiconductor laser, as interconnected nodes, where the interaction
in the networks are defined by coupling the first state of each node.
An interest case is synchronized with master-slave configuration in
star topology. Nodes of these networks are modeled for the laser and
simulate by Matlab. These results are applicable to private
communication.
Abstract: This paper discusses the question whether a person
diagnosed with dyslexia will necessarily have difficulty in reading
musical notes. The author specifies the characteristics of alphabet
reading in comparison to musical notation reading, and concludes
that there should be no contra-indication for teaching standard music
reading to children with dyslexia if an appropriate process is offered.
This conclusion is based on a long term case study and relies on two
main characteristics of music reading: (1) musical notation system is
a systematic, logical, relative set of symbols written on a staff; and
(2) music reading learning connected with playing a musical
instrument is a multi-sensory activity that combines sight, hearing,
touch, and movement. The paper describes music reading teaching
procedures, using soprano recorders, and provides unique teaching
methods that have been found to be effective for students who were
diagnosed with dyslexia. It provides theoretical explanations in
addition to guidelines for music education practices.
Abstract: Malaysia’s green building development is gaining
momentum and green buildings have become a key focus area,
especially within the commercial sector with the encouragement of
government legislation and policy. Due to the emerging awareness
among the market players’ views of the benefits associated with the
ownership of green buildings in Malaysia, there is a need for valuers
to incorporate consideration of sustainability into their assessments of
property market value to ensure the green buildings continue to
increase in the market. This paper analyses the valuers’ current
perception on the valuation practices with regard to the green issues
in Malaysia. The study was based on a survey of registered real estate
valuers and the experts whose work related to valuation in the Klang
Valley area to rate their view regarding the perception on valuation of
green building. The findings present evidence that even though
Malaysian valuers have limited knowledge of green buildings, they
recognise the importance of incorporating the green features in the
valuation process. The inclusion of incorporating the green features
in valuations in practice was hindered by the inadequacy of sufficient
transaction data in the market. Furthermore, valuers experienced
difficulty in identifying what are the various input parameters of
green building and how to adjust it in order to reflect the benefit of
sustainability features correctly in the valuation process. This paper
focuses on the present challenges confronted by Malaysian valuers
with regards to incorporating the green features in their valuation.
Abstract: Measuring the Electrocardiogram (ECG) signal is an
essential process for the diagnosis of the heart diseases. The ECG
signal has the information of the degree of how much the heart
performs its functions. In medical diagnosis and treatment systems,
Decision Support Systems processing the ECG signal are being
developed for the use of clinicians while medical examination. In this
study, a modular wireless ECG (WECG) measuring and recording
system using a single board computer and e-Health sensor platform
is developed. In this designed modular system, after the ECG signal
is taken from the body surface by the electrodes first, it is filtered and
converted to digital form. Then, it is recorded to the health database
using Wi-Fi communication technology. The real time access of the
ECG data is provided through the internet utilizing the developed
web interface.
Abstract: The Japanese version of the SF-36 has been employed
to assess individuals’ health-related QOL (HRQOL). This study aimed
to clarify the HRQOL of motorists with a spinal cord injury, in order to
compare these individuals' SF-36 scores and national standard values.
A total of 100 motorists with a spinal cord injury participated in this
study. Participants’ HRQOL was evaluated using the Japanese version
of the SF-36 (second edition). The score for each subscale was
standardized based on data on the Japanese population. The average
scores for NPF, NRP, NBP, NGH, NVT, NSF, NRE, and NMH were
10.9, 41.8, 45.9, 47.1, 46.1, 46.7, 46.0, and 47.4 points, respectively.
Subjects showed significantly lower scores for NPF and NRP
compared with national standard values, which were both ≤ 45.0
points, but relatively normal scores for the other items: NBP, NGH,
NVT, NSF, NRE and NMH (> 45.0 points). The average scores for
PCS, MCS and RCS were 21.9, 56.0, and 50.0 points, respectively.
Subjects showed a significantly lower PCS score (≤ 20.0 points);
however, the MCS score was higher (> 55.0 points) along with a
relatively normal RCS score in these individuals (= 50.0 points).
Abstract: Milk is considered as an essential and complete food.
The present study was conducted at Milk Plant Mohali especially in
reference to the procurement section where the cash inflow was
maximum, with the objective to achieve higher productivity and
reduce wastage of milk. In milk plant it was observed that during the
month of Jan-2014 to March-2014 the average procurement of milk
was Rs. 4, 19, 361 liter per month and cost of procurement of milk is
Rs 35/- per liter. The total cost of procurement thereby equal to Rs.
1crore 46 lakh per month, but there was mismatch in procurementproduction
of milk, which leads to an average loss of Rs. 12, 94, 405
per month. To solve the procurement-production problem Quality
Control Tools like brainstorming, Flow Chart, Cause effect diagram
and Pareto analysis are applied wherever applicable. With the
successful implementation of Quality Control tools an average saving
of Rs. 4, 59, 445 per month is done.
Abstract: High temperature Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process
use fixed fluidized bed as a reactor. In order to understand the flow
behavior in the fluidized bed better, the research of how the radial
velocity affects the entire flow field is necessary. Laser Doppler
Velocimetry (LDV) was used to study the radial velocity distribution
along the diameter direction of the cross-section of the particle in a
fixed fluidized bed. The velocity in the cross-section is fluctuating
within a small range. The direction of the speed is a random
phenomenon. In addition to r/R is 1, the axial velocity are more than 6
times of the radial velocity, the radial velocity has little impact on the
axial velocity in a fixed fluidized bed.
Abstract: MHD chemically reacting viscous fluid flow towards
a vertical surface with slip and convective boundary conditions has
been conducted. The temperature and the chemical species
concentration of the surface and the velocity of the external flow are
assumed to vary linearly with the distance from the vertical surface.
The governing differential equations are modeled and transformed
into systems of ordinary differential equations, which are then solved
numerically by a shooting method. The effects of various parameters
on the heat and mass transfer characteristics are discussed. Graphical
results are presented for the velocity, temperature, and concentration
profiles whilst the skin-friction coefficient and the rate of heat and
mass transfers near the surface are presented in tables and discussed.
The results revealed that increasing the strength of the magnetic field
increases the skin-friction coefficient and the rate of heat and mass
transfers toward the surface. The velocity profiles are increased
towards the surface due to the presence of the Lorenz force, which
attracts the fluid particles near the surface. The rate of chemical
reaction is seen to decrease the concentration boundary layer near the
surface due to the destructive chemical reaction occurring near the
surface.
Abstract: The effect of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) on the
electrical properties of Poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene)
(P(VdF-HFP)) based gel polymer electrolytes has been investigated
in the present work. The length and diameter ranges of CNFs used in
the present work are 5-50 μm and 200-600 nm respectively. The
nanocomposite gel polymer electrolytes have been synthesized by
solution casting technique with varying CNFs content in terms of
weight percentage. Electrochemical impedance analysis demonstrates
that the reinforcement of carbon nanofibers significantly enhances the
ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolyte. The decrease of
crystallinity of P(VdF-HFP) due the addition of CNFs has been
confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The interaction of CNFs with
various constituents of nanocomposite gel polymer electrolytes has
been assessed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.
Moreover CNFs added gel polymer electrolytes offer superior
thermal stability as compared to that of CNFs free electrolytes as
confirmed by Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).
Abstract: The availability to deploy mobile applications for
health care is increasing daily thru different mobile app stores. But
within these capabilities the number of hacking attacks has also
increased, in particular into medical mobile applications. The security
vulnerabilities in medical mobile apps can be triggered by errors in
code, incorrect logic, poor design, among other parameters. This is
usually used by malicious attackers to steal or modify the users’
information. The aim of this research is to analyze the vulnerabilities
detected in mobile medical apps according to risk factor standards
defined by OWASP in 2014.
Abstract: This paper considers the design of Dual Proportional-
Integral (DPI) Load Frequency Control (LFC), using gravitational
search algorithm (GSA). The design is carried out for nonlinear
hydrothermal power system where generation rate constraint (GRC)
and governor dead band are considered. Furthermore, time delays
imposed by governor-turbine, thermodynamic process, and
communication channels are investigated. GSA is utilized to search
for optimal controller parameters by minimizing a time-domain based
objective function. GSA-based DPI has been compared to Ziegler-
Nichols based PI, and Genetic Algorithm (GA) based PI controllers
in order to demonstrate the superior efficiency of the proposed
design. Simulation results are carried for a wide range of operating
conditions and system parameters variations.
Abstract: Carefully scheduling the operations of pumps can be
resulted to significant energy savings. Schedules can be defined
either implicit, in terms of other elements of the network such as tank
levels, or explicit by specifying the time during which each pump is
on/off. In this study, two new explicit representations based on timecontrolled
triggers were analyzed, where the maximum number of
pump switches was established beforehand, and the schedule may
contain fewer switches than the maximum. The optimal operation of
pumping stations was determined using a Jumping Particle Swarm
Optimization (JPSO) algorithm to achieve the minimum energy cost.
The model integrates JPSO optimizer and EPANET hydraulic
network solver. The optimal pump operation schedule of VanZyl
water distribution system was determined using the proposed model
and compared with those from Genetic and Ant Colony algorithms.
The results indicate that the proposed model utilizing the JPSO
algorithm is a versatile management model for the operation of realworld
water distribution system.
Abstract: This paper deals with the problem of management of
information resources in libraries of the public institution Sultan
Moulay Slimane University (SMSU) in order to analyze the
satisfaction of the readers, and allow university leaders to make better
strategic and instant decisions. For this, the integration of an
integrated management decision library system is a priority program
of higher education, as part of the Digital Morocco, which has a
proactive policy to develop the use of new technologies information
and communication in higher institutions. This operational
information system can provide better services to the students and for
the leaders. Our approach is to integrate the tools of business
intelligence (BI) in the library management by using power BI.
Abstract: At the present time, awareness, education, computer
simulation and information systems protection are very serious and
relevant topics. The article deals with perspectives and possibilities of
implementation of emergence or natural hazard threats into the
system which is developed for communication among members of
crisis management staffs. The Czech Hydro-Meteorological Institute
with its System of Integrated Warning Service resents the largest
usable base of information. National information systems are connected to foreign systems,
especially to flooding emergency systems of neighboring countries,
systems of European Union and international organizations where the
Czech Republic is a member. Use of outputs of particular information
systems and computer simulations on a single communication
interface of information system for communication among members
of crisis management staff and setting the site interoperability in the
net will lead to time savings in decision-making processes in solving
extraordinary events and crisis situations. Faster managing of an
extraordinary event or a crisis situation will bring positive effects and
minimize the impact of negative effects on the environment.
Abstract: Healthcare safety has been perceived important. It is
essential to prevent troubles in healthcare processes for healthcare
safety. Trouble prevention is based on trouble prediction using
accumulated knowledge on processes, troubles, and countermeasures.
However, information on troubles has not been accumulated in
hospitals in the appropriate structure, and it has not been utilized
effectively to prevent troubles. In the previous study, however a
detailed knowledge acquisition process for trouble prediction was
proposed, the knowledgebase for countermeasures was not involved.
In this paper, we aim to propose the structure of the knowledgebase for
countermeasures, in the knowledge acquisition process for trouble
prediction in healthcare process. We first design the structure of
countermeasures and propose the knowledge representation form on
countermeasures. Then, we evaluate the validity of the proposal, by
applying it into an actual hospital.