Abstract: Whole genome duplication (WGD) increased the
number of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosomes from 8 to
16. In spite of retention the number of chromosomes in the genome
of this organism after WGD to date, chromosomal rearrangement
events have caused an evolutionary distance between current genome
and its ancestor. Studies under evolutionary-based approaches on
eukaryotic genomes have shown that the rearrangement distance is an
approximable problem. In the case of S. cerevisiae, we describe that
rearrangement distance is accessible by using dedoubled adjacency
graph drawn for 55 large paired chromosomal regions originated
from WGD. Then, we provide a program extracted from a C program
database to draw a dedoubled genome adjacency graph for S.
cerevisiae. From a bioinformatical perspective, using the duplicated
blocks of current genome in S. cerevisiae, we infer that genomic
organization of eukaryotes has the potential to provide valuable
detailed information about their ancestrygenome.
Abstract: In the recent years multimedia traffic and in particular
VoIP services are growing dramatically. We present a new algorithm
to control the resource utilization and to optimize the voice codec
selection during SIP call setup on behalf of the traffic condition
estimated on the network path.
The most suitable methodologies and the tools that perform realtime
evaluation of the available bandwidth on a network path have
been integrated with our proposed algorithm: this selects the best
codec for a VoIP call in function of the instantaneous available
bandwidth on the path. The algorithm does not require any explicit
feedback from the network, and this makes it easily deployable over
the Internet. We have also performed intensive tests on real network
scenarios with a software prototype, verifying the algorithm
efficiency with different network topologies and traffic patterns
between two SIP PBXs.
The promising results obtained during the experimental validation
of the algorithm are now the basis for the extension towards a larger
set of multimedia services and the integration of our methodology
with existing PBX appliances.
Abstract: Due to growing environmental concerns of the cement
industry, alternative cement technologies have become an area of
increasing interest. It is now believed that new binders are
indispensable for enhanced environmental and durability
performance. Self-compacting Geopolymer concrete is an innovative
method and improved way of concreting operation that does not
require vibration for placing it and is produced by complete
elimination of ordinary Portland cement.
This paper documents the assessment of the compressive strength
and workability characteristics of low-calcium fly ash based selfcompacting
geopolymer concrete. The essential workability
properties of the freshly prepared Self-compacting Geopolymer
concrete such as filling ability, passing ability and segregation
resistance were evaluated by using Slump flow, V-funnel, L-box and
J-ring test methods. The fundamental requirements of high
flowability and segregation resistance as specified by guidelines on
Self Compacting Concrete by EFNARC were satisfied. In addition,
compressive strength was determined and the test results are included
here. This paper also reports the effect of extra water, curing time and
curing temperature on the compressive strength of self-compacting
geopolymer concrete. The test results show that extra water in the
concrete mix plays a significant role. Also, longer curing time and
curing the concrete specimens at higher temperatures will result in
higher compressive strength.
Abstract: The case study was conducted to show the effect of milking method in goat called half day milking on the milk production and the growth of kids. Data were collected by interviewing farmers and investigating goat production in the communal goat housing from June 2008 to May 2009. The interview was conducted to collect data about goat management. The observations were conducted on 10 goats, which were selected based on the uniformity of age, number of kid born/goat and the milking method in practice. The samples were divided into two groups; those were full 3 months nursing and half day milked goats (in this group the kids were separated from goat during the previous night milking and then the kids were allowed to suck the goat during the day). The result showed that the communal goat housing had 138 goats and 25% of the farmers milked the goat. The implementation of half day milking increased the milk production significantly (P
Abstract: This paper aims to perform the second law analysis of
thermodynamics on the laminar film condensation of pure saturated
vapor flowing in the direction of gravity on an ellipsoid with variable
wall temperature. The analysis provides us understanding how the
geometric parameter- ellipticity and non-isothermal wall temperature
variation amplitude “A." affect entropy generation during film-wise
condensation heat transfer process. To understand of which
irreversibility involved in this condensation process, we derived an
expression for the entropy generation number in terms of ellipticity
and A. The result indicates that entropy generation increases with
ellipticity. Furthermore, the irreversibility due to finite temperature
difference heat transfer dominates over that due to condensate film
flow friction and the local entropy generation rate decreases with
increasing A in the upper half of ellipsoid. Meanwhile, the local
entropy generation rate enhances with A around the rear lower half of
ellipsoid.
Abstract: Introduction: Obesity is a major health risk issue in
the present day of life for one and all globally. Obesity is one of the
major concerns for public health according to recent increasing trends
in obesity-related diseases such as Type 2 diabetes. ( Kazuya,
1994).and hyperlipidemia, (Sakata,1990) .which are more prevalent
in Japanese adults with body mass index (BMI) values Z25 kg/m2.(
Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare,1997). The purpose of the
study was to assess the effect of twelve weeks of brisk walking on
blood pressure and body mass index, anthropometric measurements
of obese males. Method: Thirty obese (BMI= above 30) males, aged
18 to 22 years, were selected from King Fahd University of
Petroleum & Minerals, Saudi Arabia. The subject-s height (cm) was
measured using a stadiometer and body mass (kg) was measured with
a electronic weighing machine. BMI was subsequently calculated
(kg/m2). The blood pressure was measured with standardized
sphygmomanometer in mm of Hg. All the measurements were taken
twice before and twice after the experimental period. The pre and
post anthropometric measurements of waist and hip circumference
were measured with the steel tape in cm. The subjects underwent
walking schedule two times in a week for 12 weeks. The 45 minute
sessions of brisk walking were undertaken at an average intensity of
65% to 85% of maximum HR (HRmax; calculated as 220-age).
Results & Discussion: Statistical findings revealed significant
changes from pre test to post test in case of both systolic blood
pressure and diastolic blood pressure in the walking group. Results
also showed significant decrease in their body mass index and
anthropometric measurements i.e. (waist & hip circumference).
Conclusion: It was concluded that twelve weeks brisk walking is
beneficial for lowering of blood pressure, body mass index, and
anthropometric circumference of obese males.
Abstract: In this paper we discuss the behaviour of the longitudinal modes of a magnetized non collisional plasma subjected to an external electromagnetic field. We apply a semiclassical formalism, with the electrons being studied in a quantum mechanical viewpoint whereas the electromagnetic field in the classical context. We calculate the dielectric function in order to obtains the modes and found that, unlike the Bernstein modes, the presence of radiation induces oscillations around the cyclotron harmonics, which are smoothed as the energy stored in the radiation field becomes small compared to the thermal energy of the electrons. We analyze the influence of the number of photon involved in the electronic transitions between the Landau levels and how the parameters such as the external fields strength, plasma density and temperature affect the dispersion relation
Abstract: Knowledge Discovery of Databases (KDD) is the
process of extracting previously unknown but useful and significant
information from large massive volume of databases. Data Mining is
a stage in the entire process of KDD which applies an algorithm to
extract interesting patterns. Usually, such algorithms generate huge
volume of patterns. These patterns have to be evaluated by using
interestingness measures to reflect the user requirements.
Interestingness is defined in different ways, (i) Objective measures
(ii) Subjective measures. Objective measures such as support and
confidence extract meaningful patterns based on the structure of the
patterns, while subjective measures such as unexpectedness and
novelty reflect the user perspective. In this report, we try to brief the
more widely spread and successful subjective measures and propose
a new subjective measure of interestingness, i.e. shocking.
Abstract: Green Lean Total Quality Management (TQM)
System is a system comprises of Environmental Management System
(EMS) practices which is integrated to TQM with Lean
Manufacturing (LM) principles. The ultimate goal of this system is to
focus on achieving total customer satisfaction and environmental care by removing eight wastes available in any process in an
organization. A survey questionnaire was developed and distributed to 30 highly active automotive vendors in Malaysia and analyzed by
SPSS v.17. It was found out that some vendors have been practicing TQM and LM while some have started to implement EMS. This
study is only focusing on highly active companies that have been involved in MAJAICO Program and Proton Vendor Development
Program. This is the first study conducted to know the current status of TQM, LM and EMS practices in highly active automotive companies in Malaysia. It was found out that EMS has been
practiced by 16 companies out of 30. Within these 16 companies the
approach is more holistic and green. This is a preliminary study that combined 4 awards practices, ISO/TS16949, Toyota Production
System SAEJ4000, MAJAICO Lean Production System and EMS.
Abstract: A trend in agent community or enterprises is that they are shifting from closed to open architectures composed of a large number of autonomous agents. One of its implications could be that interface agent framework is getting more important in multi-agent system (MAS); so that systems constructed for different application domains could share a common understanding in human computer interface (HCI) methods, as well as human-agent and agent-agent interfaces. However, interface agent framework usually receives less attention than other aspects of MAS. In this paper, we will propose an interface web agent framework which is based on our former project called WAF and a Distributed HCI template. A group of new functionalities and implications will be discussed, such as web agent presentation, off-line agent reference, reconfigurable activation map of agents, etc. Their enabling techniques and current standards (e.g. existing ontological framework) are also suggested and shown by examples from our own implementation in WAF.
Abstract: Surface water pollution is one of the serious
environmental problems in rural areas of South Africa due to
discharge of household waste into the streams, turning them into
open sewers. In this study, samples of water were collected from a
stream in Soshanguve and analysed. The result showed that pollution
in the area was caused by man and its activities. The water quality in
the area was found to have deterioted significantly after water runoff
from farms and household wastes. The result shows, fertilizer runoff
contributes 50% of the pollution while pesticides and sediments
contribute up to 10% respectively in the streams, while household
waste contributes up to 30%. This study gives an outline of the
sources of water pollution in the area and provides a process of
creating a clean and unpolluted environment for Soshanguve
community in Pretoria north in order to achieve the 7th aim of the
millennium development goals by 2015, which is ensuring
environmental sustainability.
Abstract: A major challenge in camel productivity is the high
mortality rate of camel calves in the early stage due to the lack of
colostrums. This study investigates the time required for the calves to
obtain the optimum amount of the immunoglobulin (IgG). Eleven
pregnant female camels (Camelus Dromedarus) were selected
randomly and variant in age and gestation. After delivery, 7 calves
were obtained and used for this investigation. Colostrum samples
were collected from mothers immediately after parturition. Blood
samples were obtained from the calves as follow: 0 day (before
suckling), 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 and 144 hours, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks
post suckling. Blood serum and colostrums whey were separated and
used to determine IgG concentration, total protein and concentration
of Cortisol and Thyroxin. The results showed high levels of IgG in
camel colostrums (328.8 ± 4.5 mg / ml). The IgG concentration in
serum of calves was the highest within 1st 24 h after suckling (140.75
mg /ml), and then declined gradually reached lower level at 144 h
(41.97 mg / ml). The average turnover rate (t 1/2) of serum IgG in
the all cases was 3.22 days. The turnover of ranged from 2.56 days
for calves have values of IgG more than average and 7.7 days for
those with values below average. In spite of very high levels of
thyroxin in sera of new born the results showed no correlation
between cortisol and thyroxin with IgG levels.
Abstract: Technology or lack of it will play an important role in Africa-s effort to achieve inclusive development. Although a key determinant of competitiveness, new technology can exacerbate exclusion of the majority from the mainstream economic activities. To minimise potential technology exclusion while leveraging its critical role in African-s development, requires insight into technology diffusion process. Using system dynamics approach, a technology diffusion model is presented. The frequency of interaction of people exposed to and those not exposed to technology, and the technology adoption rate - the fraction of people who embrace new technologies once they are exposed, are identified as the broad factors critical to technology diffusion to wider society enabling more people to be part of the economic growth process. Based on simulation results, it is recommends that these two broad factors should form part of national policy aimed at achieving inclusive and sustainable development in Africa.
Abstract: Drying characteristics of rough rice (variety of lenjan) with an initial moisture content of 25% dry basis (db) was studied in a hot air dryer assisted by infrared heating. Three arrival air temperatures (30, 40 and 500C) and four infrared radiation intensities (0, 0.2 , 0.4 and 0.6 W/cm2) and three arrival air speeds (0.1, 0.15 and 0.2 m.s-1) were studied. Bending strength of brown rice kernel, percentage of cracked kernels and time of drying were measured and evaluated. The results showed that increasing the drying arrival air temperature and radiation intensity of infrared resulted decrease in drying time. High bending strength and low percentage of cracked kernel was obtained when paddy was dried by hot air assisted infrared dryer. Between this factors and their interactive effect were a significant difference (p
Abstract: The evolution of technology and construction techniques has enabled the upgrading of transport networks. In particular, the high-speed rail networks allow convoys to peak at above 300 km/h. These structures, however, often significantly impact the surrounding environment. Among the effects of greater importance are the ones provoked by the soundwave connected to train transit. The wave propagation affects the quality of life in areas surrounding the tracks, often for several hundred metres. There are substantial damages to properties (buildings and land), in terms of market depreciation. The present study, integrating expertise in acoustics, computering and evaluation fields, outlines a useful model to select project paths so as to minimize the noise impact and reduce the causes of possible litigation. It also facilitates the rational selection of initiatives to contain the environmental damage to the already existing railway tracks. The research is developed with reference to the Italian regulatory framework (usually more stringent than European and international standards) and refers to a case study concerning the high speed network in Italy.
Abstract: In this paper, we use nonlinear system identification method to predict and detect process fault of a cement rotary kiln. After selecting proper inputs and output, an input-output model is identified for the plant. To identify the various operation points in the
kiln, Locally Linear Neuro-Fuzzy (LLNF) model is used. This model is trained by LOLIMOT algorithm which is an incremental treestructure
algorithm. Then, by using this method, we obtained 3
distinct models for the normal and faulty situations in the kiln. One of the models is for normal condition of the kiln with 15 minutes
prediction horizon. The other two models are for the two faulty situations in the kiln with 7 minutes prediction horizon are presented.
At the end, we detect these faults in validation data. The data collected from White Saveh Cement Company is used for in this study.
Abstract: In this paper spatial variability of some chemical and
physical soil properties were investigated in mountain rangelands of
Nesho, Mazandaran province, Iran. 110 soil samples from 0-30 cm
depth were taken with systematic method on grid 30×30 m2 in
regions with different vegetation cover and transported to laboratory.
Then soil chemical and physical parameters including Acidity (pH),
Electrical conductivity, Caco3, Bulk density, Particle density, total
phosphorus, total Nitrogen, available potassium, Organic matter,
Saturation moisture, Soil texture (percentage of sand, silt and clay),
Sodium, Calcium, magnesium were measured in laboratory. Data
normalization was performed then was done statistical analysis for
description of soil properties and geostatistical analysis for indication
spatial correlation between these properties and were perpetrated
maps of spatial distribution of soil properties using Kriging method.
Results indicated that in the study area Saturation moisture and
percentage of Sand had highest and lowest spatial correlation
respectively.
Abstract: In this article, we introduce a new approach for
analyzing UML designs to detect the inconsistencies between
multiple state diagrams and sequence diagrams. The Super State
Analysis (SSA) identifies the inconsistencies in super states, single
step transitions, and sequences. Because SSA considers multiple
UML state diagrams, it discovers inconsistencies that cannot be
discovered when considering only a single UML state diagram. We
have introduced a transition set that captures relationship information
that is not specifiable in UML diagrams. The SSA model uses the
transition set to link transitions of multiple state diagrams together.
The analysis generates three different sets automatically. These sets
are compared to the provided sets to detect the inconsistencies. SSA
identifies five types of inconsistencies: impossible super states,
unreachable super states, illegal transitions, missing transitions, and
illegal sequences.
Abstract: The systematic manipulations of shapes and sizes of
inorganic compounds greatly benefit the various application fields
including optics, magnetic, electronics, catalysis and medicine.
However shape control has been much more difficult to achieve.
Hence exploration of novel method for the preparation of differently
shaped nanoparticles is challenging research area. II-VI group of
semiconductor cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanostructure with different
morphologies (such as, acicular like, mesoporous, spherical shapes)
and of crystallite sizes vary from 11 to 16 nm were successfully
synthesized by chemical aqueous precipitation of Cd2+ ions with
homogeneously released S2- ions from decomposition of cadmium
sulphate (CdSO4) and thioacetamide (CH3CSNH2) by annealing at
different radiations (microwave, ultrasonic and sunlight) with matter
and systematic research has been done for various factors affecting
the controlled growth rate of CdS nanoparticles. The obtained
nanomaterials have been characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD),
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR),
Thermogravometric (DSC-TGA) analysis and Scanning Electron
Microscopy (SEM). The result indicates that on increasing the
reaction time particle size increases but on increasing the molar ratios
grain size decreases.
Abstract: In this paper the combination of thermal oxidation and
electrochemical anodizing processes is used to produce titanium
oxide layers. The response of titanium alloy Ti6Al4V to oxidation
processes at various temperatures and electrochemical anodizing in
various voltages are investigated. Scanning electron microscopy
(SEM); X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and porosity determination have
been used to characterize the oxide layer thickness, surface
morphology, oxide layer-substrate adhesion and porosity. In the first
experiment, samples modified by thermal oxidation process then
followed by electrochemical anodizing. Second experiment consists
of surfaces modified by electrochemical anodizing process and then
followed by thermal oxidation. The first method shows better
properties than other one. In second experiment, Surfaces modified
were achieved by thicker and more adherent thick oxide layers on
titanium surface. The existence of an electrochemical anodized oxide
layer did not improve the adhesion of thermal oxide layer. The high
temperature, thermal formation of an oxide layer leads to a coarse
oxide grain morphology and a complete oxidative particle. In
addition, in high temperature oxidation porosity content is increased.
The oxide layer of thermal oxidation and electrochemical anodizing
processes; on Ti–6Al–4V substrate was covered with different
colored oxide layers.