Abstract: The mechanics of rip currents are complex, involving
interactions between waves, currents, water levels and the bathymetry,
that present particular challenges for numerical models. Here,
the effects of a grid-spacing dependent horizontal mixing on the
wave-current interactions are studied. Near the shore, wave rays
diverge from channels towards bar crests because of refraction by
topography and currents, in a way that depends on the rip current
intensity which is itself modulated by the horizontal mixing. At
low resolution with the grid-spacing dependent horizontal mixing,
the wave motion is the same for both coupling modes because the
wave deviation by the currents is weak. In high resolution case,
however, classical results are found with the stabilizing effect of
the flow by feedback of waves on currents. Lastly, wave-current
interactions and the horizontal mixing strongly affect the intensity
of the three-dimensional rip velocity.
Abstract: Member States shall establish zones and
agglomerations throughout their territory to assess and manage air
quality in order to comply with European directives.
In Italy decree 155/2010, transposing Directive 2008/50/EC on
ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, merged into a single
act the previous provisions on ambient air quality assessment and
management, including those resulting from the implementation of
Directive 2004/107/EC relating to arsenic, cadmium, nickel, mercury
and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air.
Decree 155/2010 introduced stricter rules for identifying zones on
the basis of the characteristics of the territory in spite of considering
pollution levels, as it was in the past. The implementation of such
new criteria has reduced the great variability of the previous zoning,
leading to a significant reduction of the total number of zones and to
a complete and uniform ambient air quality assessment and
management throughout the Country.
The present document is related to the new zones definition in
Italy according to Decree 155/2010. In particular the paper contains
the description and the analysis of the outcome of zoning and
classification.
Abstract: Physics Education Research (PER) results have shown
that students do not achieve the expected level of competency in
understanding the concepts of different domains of Physics learning
when taught by the traditional teaching methods, the concepts of
Electricity and Magnetism (E&M) being one among them.
Simulation being one of the valuable instructional tools renders an
opportunity to visualize varied experiences with such concepts.
Considering the electric force concept which requires extensive use
of vector representations, we report here the outcome of the research
results pertaining to the student understanding of this concept and the
role of simulation in using vector representation. The simulation
platform provides a positive impact on the use of vector
representation.
The first stage of this study involves eliciting and analyzing
student responses to questions that probe their understanding of the
concept of electrostatic force and this is followed by four stages of
student interviews as they use the interactive simulations of electric
force in one dimension. Student responses to the questions are
recorded in real time using electronic pad. A validation test interview
is conducted to evaluate students' understanding of the electric force
concept after using interactive simulation. Results indicate lack of
procedural knowledge of the vector representation. The study
emphasizes the need for the choice of appropriate simulation and
mode of induction for learning.
Abstract: Building loss estimation methodologies which have
been advanced considerably in recent decades are usually used to
estimate socio and economic impacts resulting from seismic structural
damage. In accordance with these methods, this paper presents the
evaluation of an annual loss probability of a reinforced concrete
moment resisting frame designed according to Korean Building Code.
The annual loss probability is defined by (1) a fragility curve obtained
from a capacity spectrum method which is similar to a method adopted
from HAZUS, and (2) a seismic hazard curve derived from annual
frequencies of exceedance per peak ground acceleration. Seismic
fragilities are computed to calculate the annual loss probability of a
certain structure using functions depending on structural capacity,
seismic demand, structural response and the probability of exceeding
damage state thresholds. This study carried out a nonlinear static
analysis to obtain the capacity of a RC moment resisting frame
selected as a prototype building. The analysis results show that the
probability of being extensive structural damage in the prototype
building is expected to 0.01% in a year.
Abstract: It has experimentally been proved that the
performance of compression ignition (C.I.) engine is spray
characteristics related. In modern diesel engine the spray formation
and the eventual combustion process are the vital processes that offer
more challenges towards enhancing the engine performance. In the
present work the numerical simulation has been carried out for
evaporating diesel sprays using Fluent software. For computational
fluid dynamics simulation “Meshing” is done using Gambit software
before transmitting it into Fluent. The simulation is carried out using
hot bomb conditions under varying chamber conditions such as gas
pressure, nozzle diameter and fuel injection pressure. For comparison
purpose, the numerical simulations the chamber conditions were kept
the same as that of the experimental data. At varying chamber
conditions the spray penetration rates are compared with the existing
experimental results.
Abstract: The spring-driven ball-type check valve is one of the
most important components of hydraulic systems: it controls the
position of the ball and prevents backward flow. To simplify the
structure, the spring must be eliminated, and to accomplish this, the
flow pattern and the behavior of the check ball in L-shaped pipe must
be determined. In this paper, we present a full-scale model of a check
ball made of acrylic resin, and we determine the relationship between
the initial position of the ball, the position and diameter of the inflow
port. The check flow rate increases in a standard center inflow model,
and it is possible to greatly decrease the check-flow rate by shifting the
inflow from the center.
Abstract: Job Scheduling plays an important role for efficient
utilization of grid resources available across different domains and
geographical zones. Scheduling of jobs is challenging and NPcomplete.
Evolutionary / Swarm Intelligence algorithms have been
extensively used to address the NP problem in grid scheduling.
Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) has been proposed for optimization
problems based on foraging behaviour of bees. This work proposes a
modified ABC algorithm, Cluster Heterogeneous Earliest First Min-
Min Artificial Bee Colony (CHMM-ABC), to optimally schedule
jobs for the available resources. The proposed model utilizes a novel
Heterogeneous Earliest Finish Time (HEFT) Heuristic Algorithm
along with Min-Min algorithm to identify the initial food source.
Simulation results show the performance improvement of the
proposed algorithm over other swarm intelligence techniques.
Abstract: The prepreg process among the CFRP (Carbon Fiber
Reinforced Plastic) forming methods is the short term of
‘Pre-impregnation’, which is widely used for aerospace composites
that require a high quality property such as a fiber-reinforced woven
fabric, in which an epoxy hardening resin is impregnated the reality.
However, that this process requires continuous researches and
developments for its commercialization because the delamination
characteristically develops between the layers when a great weight is
loaded from outside to supplement such demerit, three lamination
methods among the prepreg lamination methods of CFRP were
designed to minimize the delamination between the layers due to
external impacts. Further, the newly designed methods and the
existing lamination methods were analyzed through a mechanical
characteristic test, Interlaminar Shear Strength test. The Interlaminar
Shear Strength test result confirmed that the newly proposed three
lamination methods, i.e. the Roll, Half and Zigzag laminations,
presented more excellent strengths compared to the conventional Ply
lamination. The interlaminar shear strength in the roll method with
relatively dense fiber distribution was approximately 1.75% higher
than that in the existing ply lamination method, and in the half method,
it was approximately 0.78% higher.
Abstract: Bacterial strains capable of degradation of malathion
from the domestic sewage were isolated by an enrichment culture
technique. Three bacterial strains were screened and identified as
Acinetobacter baumannii (AFA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PS1),
and Pseudomonas mendocina (PS2) based on morphological,
biochemical identification and 16S rRNA sequence analysis.
Acinetobacter baumannii AFA was the most efficient malathion
degrading bacterium, so used for further biodegradation study. AFA
was able to grow in mineral salt medium (MSM) supplemented with
malathion (100 mg/l) as a sole carbon source, and within 14 days,
84% of the initial dose was degraded by the isolate measured by high
performance liquid chromatography. Strain AFA could also degrade
other organophosphorus compounds including diazinon, chlorpyrifos
and fenitrothion. The effect of different culture conditions on the
degradation of malathion like inoculum density, other carbon or
nitrogen sources, temperature and shaking were examined.
Degradation of malathion and bacterial cell growth were accelerated
when culture media were supplemented with yeast extract, glucose
and citrate. The optimum conditions for malathion degradation by
strain AFA were; an inoculum density of 1.5x 10^12CFU/ml at 30°C
with shaking. A specific polymerase chain reaction primers were
designed manually using multiple sequence alignment of the
corresponding carboxylesterase enzymes of Acinetobacter species.
Sequencing result of amplified PCR product and phylogenetic
analysis showed low degree of homology with the other
carboxylesterase enzymes of Acinetobacter strains, so we suggested
that this enzyme is a novel esterase enzyme. Isolated bacterial strains
may have potential role for use in bioremediation of malathion
contaminated.
Abstract: The development, operation and maintenance of
Integrated Waste Management Systems (IWMS) affects essentially
the sustainable concern of every region. The features of such systems
have great influence on all of the components of sustainability. In
order to reach the optimal way of processes, a comprehensive
mapping of the variables affecting the future efficiency of the system
is needed such as analysis of the interconnections among the
components and modeling of their interactions. The planning of a
IWMS is based fundamentally on technical and economical
opportunities and the legal framework. Modeling the sustainability
and operation effectiveness of a certain IWMS is not in the scope of
the present research. The complexity of the systems and the large
number of the variables require the utilization of a complex approach
to model the outcomes and future risks. This complex method should
be able to evaluate the logical framework of the factors composing
the system and the interconnections between them. The authors of
this paper studied the usability of the Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM)
approach modeling the future operation of IWMS’s. The approach
requires two input data set. One is the connection matrix containing
all the factors affecting the system in focus with all the
interconnections. The other input data set is the time series, a
retrospective reconstruction of the weights and roles of the factors.
This paper introduces a novel method to develop time series by
content analysis.
Abstract: In medical imaging, segmentation of different areas of
human body like bones, organs, tissues, etc. is an important issue.
Image segmentation allows isolating the object of interest for further
processing that can lead for example to 3D model reconstruction of
whole organs. Difficulty of this procedure varies from trivial for
bones to quite difficult for organs like liver. The liver is being
considered as one of the most difficult human body organ to segment.
It is mainly for its complexity, shape versatility and proximity of
other organs and tissues. Due to this facts usually substantial user
effort has to be applied to obtain satisfactory results of the image
segmentation. Process of image segmentation then deteriorates from
automatic or semi-automatic to fairly manual one. In this paper,
overview of selected available software applications that can handle
semi-automatic image segmentation with further 3D volume
reconstruction of human liver is presented. The applications are being
evaluated based on the segmentation results of several consecutive
DICOM images covering the abdominal area of the human body.
Abstract: In this work, we study the behavior of introducing
atomic size vacancy in a graphene nanoribbon superlattice. Our
investigations are based on the density functional theory (DFT) with
the Local Density Approximation in Atomistix Toolkit (ATK). We
show that, in addition to its shape, the position of vacancy has a
major impact on the electrical properties of a graphene nanoribbon
superlattice. We show that the band gap of an armchair graphene
nanoribbon may be tuned by introducing an appropriate periodic
pattern of vacancies. The band gap changes in a zig-zag manner
similar to the variation of band gap of a graphene nanoribbon by
changing its width.
Abstract: The Ising ferromagnet, consisting of magnetic spins, is
the simplest system showing phase transitions and critical phenomena
at finite temperatures. The Ising ferromagnet has played a central role
in our understanding of phase transitions and critical phenomena.
Also, the Ising ferromagnet explains the gas-liquid phase transitions
accurately. In particular, the Ising ferromagnet in a nonzero magnetic
field has been one of the most intriguing and outstanding unsolved
problems. We study analytically the partition function zeros in the
complex magnetic-field plane and the Yang-Lee edge singularity of
the infinite-range Ising ferromagnet in an external magnetic field.
In addition, we compare the Yang-Lee edge singularity of the
infinite-range Ising ferromagnet with that of the square-lattice Ising
ferromagnet in an external magnetic field.
Abstract: Digital image correlation (DIC) is a contactless fullfield
displacement and strain reconstruction technique commonly
used in the field of experimental mechanics. Comparing with
physical measuring devices, such as strain gauges, which only
provide very restricted coverage and are expensive to deploy widely,
the DIC technique provides the result with full-field coverage and
relative high accuracy using an inexpensive and simple experimental
setup. It is very important to study the natural patterns effect on the
DIC technique because the preparation of the artificial patterns is
time consuming and hectic process. The objective of this research is
to study the effect of using images having natural pattern on the
performance of DIC. A systematical simulation method is used to
build simulated deformed images used in DIC. A parameter (subset
size) used in DIC can have an effect on the processing and accuracy
of DIC and even cause DIC to failure. Regarding to the picture
parameters (correlation coefficient), the higher similarity of two
subset can lead the DIC process to fail and make the result more
inaccurate. The pictures with good and bad quality for DIC methods
have been presented and more importantly, it is a systematic way to
evaluate the quality of the picture with natural patterns before they
install the measurement devices.
Abstract: Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are produced from
sucrose by Aureobasidium pullulans in yields between 40-60%
(w/w). To increase the amount of FOS it is necessary to remove the
small, non-prebiotic sugars, present. Two methods for producing
high-purity FOS have been developed: the use of microorganisms
able to consume small saccharides; and the use of continuous
chromatography to separate sugars: simulated moving bed (SMB). It
is herein proposed the combination of both methods. The aim of this
study is to optimize the composition of the fermentative broth (in
terms of salts and sugars) that will be further purified by SMB. A
yield of 0.63 gFOS.gSucrose^-1 was obtained with A. pullulans using low
amounts of salts in the initial fermentative broth. By removing the
small sugars, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Zymomonas mobilis
increased the percentage of FOS from around 56.0% to 83% (w/w) in
average, losing only 10% (w/w) of FOS during the recovery process.
Abstract: A new method for determining the distribution of
birefringence and linear dichroism in optical polymer materials is
presented. The method is based on the use of polarizationholographic
diffraction grating that forms an orthogonal circular basis
in the process of diffraction of probing laser beam on the grating. The
intensities ratio of the orders of diffraction on this grating enables the
value of birefringence and linear dichroism in the sample to be
determined. The distribution of birefringence in the sample is
determined by scanning with a circularly polarized beam with a
wavelength far from the absorption band of the material. If the
scanning is carried out by probing beam with the wavelength near to
a maximum of the absorption band of the chromophore then the
distribution of linear dichroism can be determined. An appropriate
theoretical model of this method is presented. A laboratory setup was
created for the proposed method. An optical scheme of the laboratory
setup is presented. The results of measurement in polymer films with
two-dimensional gradient distribution of birefringence and linear
dichroism are discussed.
Abstract: Some regularities of formation of a new structural
state of the thermoplastic polymers - gradually oriented (stretched)
state (GOS) are discussed. Transition into GOS is realized by the
graded oriented stretching - by action of inhomogeneous mechanical
field on the isotropic linear polymers or by zone stretching that is
implemented on a standard tensile-testing machine with using a
specially designed zone stretching device (ZSD). Both technical
approaches (especially zone stretching method) allows to manage the
such quantitative parameters of gradually oriented polymers as a
range of change in relative elongation/orientation degree, length of
this change and profile (linear, hyperbolic, parabolic, logarithmic,
etc.). The possibility of obtaining functionally graded materials
(FGMs) by graded orientation method is briefly discussed. Uniaxial
graded stretching method should be considered as an effective
technological solution to create polymer materials with a
predetermined gradient of physical properties.
Abstract: The study is a review of the literature concerning the
consequences of non-standard monetary policy, which are used by
central banks during unconventional periods, threatening banking
sector instability. In particular, the attention was paid to the effects of
non-standard monetary policy tools for financial markets. However,
the empirical evidence about their effects and real consequences for
financial markets is still not final. The main aim of the study is to
survey consequences of standard and non-standard monetary policy
instruments, implemented during the global financial crisis in the
United States, United Kingdom and euro area, with particular
attention to the results for the stabilization of global financial
markets. The study consists mainly of the empirical review,
indicating the impact of the implementation of these tools for
financial markets. The following research methods were used in the
study: literature studies, including domestic and foreign literature,
cause and effect analysis and statistical analysis.
Abstract: In this paper a real-time obstacle avoidance approach
for both autonomous and non-autonomous dynamical systems (DS) is
presented. In this approach the original dynamics of the controller
which allow us to determine safety margin can be modulated.
Different common types of DS increase the robot’s reactiveness in
the face of uncertainty in the localization of the obstacle especially
when robot moves very fast in changeable complex environments.
The method is validated by simulation and influence of different
autonomous and non-autonomous DS such as important
characteristics of limit cycles and unstable DS. Furthermore, the
position of different obstacles in complex environment is explained.
Finally, the verification of avoidance trajectories is described through
different parameters such as safety factor.
Abstract: In this paper, Bayesian online inference in models of
data series are constructed by change-points algorithm, which
separated the observed time series into independent series and study
the change and variation of the regime of the data with related
statistical characteristics. variation of statistical characteristics of time
series data often represent separated phenomena in the some
dynamical system, like a change in state of brain dynamical reflected
in EEG signal data measurement or a change in important regime of
data in many dynamical system. In this paper, prediction algorithm
for studying change point location in some time series data is
simulated. It is verified that pattern of proposed distribution of data
has important factor on simpler and smother fluctuation of hazard
rate parameter and also for better identification of change point
locations. Finally, the conditions of how the time series distribution
effect on factors in this approach are explained and validated with
different time series databases for some dynamical system.