Abstract: The knowledge of the nature of loading is very
important in order to hold account on the total behavior such as
vibration, shock, fatigue, etc. Fatigue present 90% of failure when
loadings fatigues are very complex. In this paper a study of double
through crack at hole for plate subjected to fatigue loading is
presented. Various modes loading are studied where the applied load
is the same one. The fatigue life is given where the effect of stress
ratio is highlighted. This work is conducted on aluminum alloy 2024
T351 used for much aerospace and aeronautics applications. The
fatigue crack growth behavior with constant amplitude is studied
using the AFGROW code when Forman model is applied. The
fatigue crack growth rate and fatigue life for different loading modes
are compared with variation of others geometrical parameter such as
thickness and dimensions of notch hole.
Abstract: Preprocessing of speech signals is considered a crucial step in the development of a robust and efficient speech or speaker recognition system. In this paper, we present some popular statistical outlier-detection based strategies to segregate the silence/unvoiced part of the speech signal from the voiced portion. The proposed methods are based on the utilization of the 3 σ edit rule, and the Hampel Identifier which are compared with the conventional techniques: (i) short-time energy (STE) based methods, and (ii) distribution based methods. The results obtained after applying the proposed strategies on some test voice signals are encouraging.
Abstract: In this study, participants with adjustment disorder with depressed mood (aged 18-54 years) with mild depression (N=18), severe depression (N=12) were compared with healthy controls (N=20) on the Multidimensional Aptitude Battery (MAB) a cognitive performance test. Using One Way Analysis of Variance and Matched Sample t-test. The results of the analysis shows that severely depressed participants performed poorly on the cognitive performance test relative to controls, however there were no significant differences on the cognitive performance test scores between the severely depressed and the mildly depressed. In addition, performance on the non-verbal performance subtest was poorer than that of the verbal subtest, suggesting that depression affects the executive functions of the person.
Abstract: This paper focuses on a technique for identifying the geological boundary of the ground strata in front of a tunnel excavation site using the first order adjoint method based on the optimal control theory. The geological boundary is defined as the boundary which is different layers of elastic modulus. At tunnel excavations, it is important to presume the ground situation ahead of the cutting face beforehand. Excavating into weak strata or fault fracture zones may cause extension of the construction work and human suffering. A theory for determining the geological boundary of the ground in a numerical manner is investigated, employing excavating blasts and its vibration waves as the observation references. According to the optimal control theory, the performance function described by the square sum of the residuals between computed and observed velocities is minimized. The boundary layer is determined by minimizing the performance function. The elastic analysis governed by the Navier equation is carried out, assuming the ground as an elastic body with linear viscous damping. To identify the boundary, the gradient of the performance function with respect to the geological boundary can be calculated using the adjoint equation. The weighed gradient method is effectively applied to the minimization algorithm. To solve the governing and adjoint equations, the Galerkin finite element method and the average acceleration method are employed for the spatial and temporal discretizations, respectively. Based on the method presented in this paper, the different boundary of three strata can be identified. For the numerical studies, the Suemune tunnel excavation site is employed. At first, the blasting force is identified in order to perform the accuracy improvement of analysis. We identify the geological boundary after the estimation of blasting force. With this identification procedure, the numerical analysis results which almost correspond with the observation data were provided.
Abstract: It is known that the heart interacts with and adapts to its venous and arterial loading conditions. Various experimental studies and modeling approaches have been developed to investigate the underlying mechanisms. This paper presents a model of the left ventricle derived based on nonlinear stress-length myocardial characteristics integrated over truncated ellipsoidal geometry, and second-order dynamic mechanism for the excitation-contraction coupling system. The results of the model presented here describe the effects of the viscoelastic damping element of the electromechanical coupling system on the hemodynamic response. Different heart rates are considered to study the pacing effects on the performance of the left-ventricle against constant preload and afterload conditions under various damping conditions. The results indicate that the pacing process of the left ventricle has to take into account, among other things, the viscoelastic damping conditions of the myofilament excitation-contraction process. The effects of left ventricular dimensions on the hemdynamic response have been examined. These effects are found to be different at different viscoelastic and pacing conditions.
Abstract: Many algorithms are available for sorting the unordered elements. Most important of them are Bubble sort, Heap sort, Insertion sort and Shell sort. These algorithms have their own pros and cons. Shell Sort which is an enhanced version of insertion sort, reduces the number of swaps of the elements being sorted to minimize the complexity and time as compared to insertion sort. Shell sort improves the efficiency of insertion sort by quickly shifting values to their destination. Average sort time is O(n1.25), while worst-case time is O(n1.5). It performs certain iterations. In each iteration it swaps some elements of the array in such a way that in last iteration when the value of h is one, the number of swaps will be reduced. Donald L. Shell invented a formula to calculate the value of ?h?. this work focuses to identify some improvement in the conventional Shell sort algorithm. ''Enhanced Shell Sort algorithm'' is an improvement in the algorithm to calculate the value of 'h'. It has been observed that by applying this algorithm, number of swaps can be reduced up to 60 percent as compared to the existing algorithm. In some other cases this enhancement was found faster than the existing algorithms available.
Abstract: With the extensive inclusion of document, especially
text, in the business systems, data mining does not cover the full
scope of Business Intelligence. Data mining cannot deliver its impact
on extracting useful details from the large collection of unstructured
and semi-structured written materials based on natural languages.
The most pressing issue is to draw the potential business intelligence
from text. In order to gain competitive advantages for the business, it
is necessary to develop the new powerful tool, text mining, to expand
the scope of business intelligence.
In this paper, we will work out the strong points of text mining in
extracting business intelligence from huge amount of textual
information sources within business systems. We will apply text
mining to each stage of Business Intelligence systems to prove that
text mining is the powerful tool to expand the scope of BI. After
reviewing basic definitions and some related technologies, we will
discuss the relationship and the benefits of these to text mining. Some
examples and applications of text mining will also be given. The
motivation behind is to develop new approach to effective and
efficient textual information analysis. Thus we can expand the scope
of Business Intelligence using the powerful tool, text mining.
Abstract: A. niger XP isolated from Vietnam produces very low amount of acidic phytase with optimal pH at 2.5 and 5.5. The phytase production of this strain was successfully improved through gene cloning and expression. A 1.4 - kb DNA fragment containing the coding region of the phyA gene was amplified by PCR and inserted into the expression vector pPICZαA with a signal peptide α- factor, under the control of AOX1 promoter. The recombined plasmid was transformed into the host strain P. pastoris KM71H and X33 by electroporation. Both host strains could efficiently express and secret phytase. The multicopy strains were screened for over expression of phytase. All the selected multicopy strains of P. pastoris X33 were examined for phytase activity, the maximum phytase yield of 1329 IU/ml was obtained after 4 days of incubation in medium BMM. The recombinant protein with MW of 97.4 KW showed to be the only one protein secreted in the culture broth. Multicopy transformant P. pastoris X33 supposed to be potential candidate for producing the commercial preparation of phytase.
Abstract: This study analyzed the creativity of student teams
participating in an exploratory information system development
project (ISDP) and examined antecedents of their creativity. By using
partial least squares (PLS) to analyze a sample of thirty-six teams
enrolled in an information system department project training course
that required three semesters of project-based lessons, the results
found social capitals (structural, relational and cognitive social capital)
positively influence knowledge integration. However, relational social
capital does not significantly influence knowledge integration.
Knowledge integration positively affects team creativity. This study
also demonstrated that social capitals significantly influence team
creativity through knowledge integration. The implications of our
findings for future research are discussed.
Abstract: The voltage/current characteristics and the effect of
NO2 gas on the electrical conductivity of a PbPc gas sensor array is
investigated. The gas sensor is manufactured using vacuum
deposition of gold electrodes on sapphire substrate with the leadphathalocyanine
vacuum sublimed on the top of the gold electrodes.
Two versions of the PbPc gas sensor array are investigated. The
tested types differ in the gap sizes between the deposited gold
electrodes. The sensors are tested at different temperatures to account
for conductivity changes as the molecular adsorption/desorption rate
is affected by heat. The obtained results found to be encouraging as
the sensors shoed stability and sensitivity towards low concentration
of applied NO2 gas.
Abstract: Never has a revolution affected all aspects of
humanity as the communication revolution during the past two
decades. This revolution, with all its advances and utilities, swept the
world thus becoming an integral part of our lives, hence giving way
to emerging applications at the social, economic, political, and
educational levels. More specifically, such applications have changed
the delivery system through which learning is acquired by students.
Interaction with educators, accessibility to content, and creative
delivery options are but a few facets of the new learning experience
now being offered through the use of technology in the educational
field. With different success rates, third world countries have tried to
pace themselves with use of educational technology in advanced
parts of the world. One such country is the small rich-oil state of
Kuwait which has tried to adopt the e-educational model, however,
an evaluation of such trial is yet to be done. This study aimed to fill
the void of research conducted around that topic. The study explored
students' acceptance of incorporating communication technologies in
higher education in Kuwait. Students' responses to survey questions
presented an overview of the e-learning experience in this country,
and drew a framework through which implications and suggestions
for future research were discussed to better serve the advancement of
e-education in developing countries.
Abstract: Soil microbial activity is adversely affected by pollutants such as heavy metals, antibiotics and pesticides. Organic amendments including sewage sludge, municipal compost and vermicompost are recently used to improve soil structure and fertility. But, these materials contain heavy metals including Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni and Cu that are toxic to soil microorganisms and may lead to occurrence of more tolerant microbes. Among these, Pb is the most abundant and has more negative effect on soil microbial ecology. In this study, Pb levels of 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mg Pb [as Pb(NO3)2] per kg soil were added to the pots containing 2 kg of a loamy soil and incubated for 6 months at 25°C with soil moisture of - 0.3 MPa. Dehydrogenase activity of soil as a measure of microbial activity was determined on 15, 30, 90 and 180 days after incubation. Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) was used as an electron acceptor in this assay. PICTs (IC50 values) were calculated for each Pb level and incubation time. Soil microbial activity was decreased by increasing Pb level during 30 days of incubation but the induced tolerance appeared on day 90 and thereafter. During 90 to 180 days of incubation, the PICT was gradually developed by increasing Pb level up to 200 mg kg-1, but the rate of enhancement was steeper at higher concentrations.
Abstract: Collective action can be an effective means for local development as well as important strategy to enhance livelihoods especially among rural people. This article explores the level of collective action among members of Fishermen-s Wives Group (KUNITA) in Malaysia. KUNITA was established by the Malaysian Fishery Development Authority (LKIM) with an objective to increase the socio-economic status of fishermen-s families. The members who are mostly the wives and daughters of fishermen are strongly encouraged by LKIM to venture into entrepreneurship activities. The objective of this research was to see the level of collective action among members in KUNITA groups in the state of Selangor. The finding shows that high level of collective action among KUNITA members is strongly based on volunteerism. However, the level of cooperation among members in the group is relatively low. The findings present significant challenges for the group in maintaining the sustainability of KUNITA organization.
Abstract: The study examines the determinants of corporate cash holding of non-financial quoted firms in Nigeria using a sample of fifty four non-financial quoted firms listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange for the period 1995-2009. Data were sourced from the Annual reports of the sampled firms and analyzed using Generalized Method of Moments(GMM). The study finds evidence supportive of a target adjustment model and that firms can not instantaneously adjust towards the target cash level owing to the fact that adjustment cost being costly,. Also, the result shows significant negative relationship between cash holdings and firm size, net working capital, return on asset and bank relationship and positive relationship with growth opportunities, leverage, inventories, account receivables and financial distress. Furthermore, there is no significant relationship between cash holdings and cash flow. In Nigerian setting, most of the variables that are relevant for explaining cash holdings in the Developed countries are found by this study to be relevant also in Nigeria.
Abstract: This study was set to determine the antimicrobial
activities of brine salting, chlorinated solution, and oil frying
treatments on enteric bacteria and fungi in Rastrineobola argentea
fish from fish landing beaches within L. Victoria basin of western
Kenya. Statistical differences in effectiveness of the different
treatment methods was determined by single factor ANOVA, and
paired two-tail t-Test was performed to compare the differences in
moisture contents before and after storage. Oil fried fish recorded the
lowest microbial loads, sodium chloride at 10% concentration was
the second most effective and chlorinated solution even at 150ppm
was the least effective against the bacteria and fungi in fish. Moisture
contents of the control and treated fish were significantly lower after
storage. These results show that oil frying of fish should be adopted
for processing and preserving Rastrineobola argentea which is the
most abundant and affordable fish species from Lake Victoria.
Abstract: The kinetics of palm oil catalytic cracking over
aluminum containing mesoporous silica Al-MCM-41 (5% Al) was
investigated in a batch autoclave reactor at the temperatures range of
573 – 673 K. The catalyst was prepared by using sol-gel technique
and has been characterized by nitrogen adsorption and x-ray
diffraction methods. Surface area of 1276 m2/g with average pore
diameter of 2.54 nm and pore volume of 0.811 cm3/g was obtained.
The experimental catalytic cracking runs were conducted using 50 g
of oil and 1 g of catalyst. The reaction pressure was recorded at
different time intervals and the data were analyzed using Levenberg-
Marquardt (LM) algorithm using polymath software. The results
show that the reaction order was found to be -1.5 and activation
energy of 3200 J/gmol.
Abstract: The present study is aim to prepare and evaluate the selfnanoemulsifying drug delivery (SNEDDS) system of a poorly water soluble drug valsartan in order to achieve a better dissolution rate which would further help in enhancing oral bioavailability. The present research work describes a SNEDDS of valsartan using labrafil M 1944 CS, Tween 80 and Transcutol HP. The pseudoternary phase diagrams with presence and absence of drug were plotted to check for the emulsification range and also to evaluate the effect of valsartan on the emulsification behavior of the phases. The mixtures consisting of oil (labrafil M 1944 CS) with surfactant (tween 80), co-surfactant (Transcutol HP) were found to be optimum formulations. Prepared formulations were evaluated for its particle size distribution, nanoemulsifying properties, robustness to dilution, self emulsication time, turbidity measurement, drug content and invitro dissolution. The optimized formulations are further evaluated for heating cooling cycle, centrifugation studies, freeze thaw cycling, particle size distribution and zeta potential were carried out to confirm the stability of the formed SNEDDS formulations. The prepared formulation revealed t a significant improvement in terms of the drug solubility as compared with marketed tablet and pure drug.
Abstract: This paper uses quasi-steady molecular statics model
and diamond tool to carry out simulation temperature rise of nanoscale
orthogonal cutting single-crystal silicon. It further qualitatively
analyzes temperature field of silicon workpiece without considering
heat transfer and considering heat transfer. This paper supposes that
the temperature rise of workpiece is mainly caused by two heat sources:
plastic deformation heat and friction heat. Then, this paper develops a
theoretical model about production of the plastic deformation heat and
friction heat during nanoscale orthogonal cutting. After the increased
temperature produced by these two heat sources are added up, the
acquired total temperature rise at each atom of the workpiece is
substituted in heat transfer finite difference equation to carry out heat
transfer and calculates the temperature field in each step and makes
related analysis.
Abstract: The purpose of this research was to study the inspector performance by using computer based training (CBT). Visual inspection task was printed circuit board (PCB) simulated on several types of defects. Subjects were 16 undergraduate randomly selected from King Mongkut-s University of Technology Thonburi and test for 20/20. Then, they were equally divided on performance into two groups (control and treatment groups) and were provided information before running the experiment. Only treatment group was provided feedback information after first experiment. Results revealed that treatment group was showed significantly difference at the level of 0.01. The treatment group showed high percentage on defects detected. Moreover, the attitude of inspectors on using the CBT to inspection was showed on good. These results have been showed that CBT could be used for training to improve inspector performance.
Abstract: To realize the vision of ubiquitous computing, it is
important to develop a context-aware infrastructure which can help
ubiquitous agents, services, and devices become aware of their
contexts because such computational entities need to adapt themselves
to changing situations. A context-aware infrastructure manages the
context model representing contextual information and provides
appropriate information. In this paper, we introduce Context-Aware
Middleware for URC System (hereafter CAMUS) as a context-aware
infrastructure for a network-based intelligent robot system and discuss
the ontology-based context modeling and reasoning approach which is
used in that infrastructure.