Abstract: Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is a secondary metabolite
produced by Penicillium brevicompactum, which has antibiotic and
immunosuppressive properties. In this study, the first, mycophenolic
acid was produced in a fermentation process by Penicillium
brevicompactum MUCL 19011 in shake flask using a base medium.
The maximum MPA production, product yield and productivity of
process were 1.379 g/L, 18.6 mg/g glucose and 4.9 mg/L. h,
respectively. Also the glucose consumption, biomass and MPA
production profiles were investigated during batch cultivation.
Obtained results showed that MPA production starts approximately
after 180 hours and reaches to a maximum at 280 h. In the next step,
the effects of some various concentrations of enzymatically
hydrolyzed casein on MPA production were evaluated. Maximum
MPA production, product yield and productivity as 3.63 g/L, 49
mg/g glucose and 12.96 mg/L.h, respectively were obtained with
using 30 g/L enzymatically hydrolyzed casein in culture medium.
These values show an enhanced MPA production, product yield and
process productivity pr as 116.8%, 132.8% and 163.2%, respectively.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to reveal the principles, which have the highest impact on determining the Strategic Quality Management (SQM) implementation perceptions of managers. In order to accomplish this goal, first of all, a factor analysis is conducted on the attitudes of managers at 80 large-scale firms in Turkey for SQM principles. Secondly, utilizing t tests and discriminant analysis, the most effective items are determined. The results show that “process improvement" and “assessment of competitiveness" are the management principles, which have the highest impact on determining the SQM implementation perceptions of Turkish managers.
Abstract: The deficit of power supply in Macedonia is almost 30% or reached up to 3000 GWh in a year. The existing thermal and hydro power plants are not enough to cover the power and energy, so the import increases every year. Therefore, in order to have more domestic energy supply, the new trends in renewable and energy efficiency should be implemented in power sector. The paper gives some perspectives for development of the power system in Macedonia, taking into account the growth of electricity demand and in the same time with implementation of renewable and energy efficiency. The development of power system is made for the period up to 2030 with the period of every 5 years.
Abstract: We used mathematical model to study the
transmission of dengue disease. The model is developed in which
the human population is separated into two populations, pregnant and
non-pregnant humans. The dynamical analysis method is used for
analyzing this modified model. Two equilibrium states are found and
the conditions for stability of theses two equilibrium states are
established. Numerical results are shown for each equilibrium state.
The basic reproduction numbers are found and they are compared by
using numerical simulations.
Abstract: Measuring the effect of perinatal lead exposure on learning ability of offspring is considered as a sensitive and selective index for providing an early marker for central nervous system damage produced by this toxic metal. A total of 35 Sprague-Dawley adult rats were used to investigate the effect of lead acetate toxicity on behavioral patterns of adult female rats and learning ability of offspring. Rats were allotted into 4 groups, group one received 1g/l lead acetate (n=10), group two received 1.5g/l lead acetate (n=10), group three received 2g/l lead acetate in drinking water (n=10) and control group did not receive lead acetate (n=5) from 8th day of pregnancy till weaning of pups.
The obtained results revealed a dose dependent increase in the feeding time, drinking frequency, licking frequency, scratching frequency, licking litters, nest building and retrieving frequencies, while standing time increased significantly in rats treated with 1.5g/l lead acetate than other treated groups and control, on contrary lying time decreased gradually in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, movement activities were higher in rats treated with 1g/l lead acetate than other treated groups and control. Furthermore, time spent in closed arms was significantly lower in rats given 2g/l lead acetate than other treated groups, while, they spent significantly much time spent in open arms than other treated groups which could be attributed to occurrence of adaptation. Furthermore, number of entries in open arms was dose dependent. However, the ratio between open/closed arms revealed a significant decrease in rats treated with 2g/l lead acetate than control group.
Abstract: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have gained tremendous importance, in both Military and Civil, during first decade of this century. In a UAV, onboard computer (autopilot) autonomously controls the flight and navigation of the aircraft. Based on the aircraft role and flight envelope, basic to complex and sophisticated controllers are used to stabilize the aircraft flight parameters. These controllers constitute the autopilot system for UAVs. The autopilot systems, most commonly, provide lateral and longitudinal control through Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers or Phase-lead or Lag Compensators. Various techniques are commonly used to ‘tune’ gains of these controllers. Some techniques used are, in-flight step-by-step tuning, software-in-loop or hardware-in-loop tuning methods. Subsequently, numerous in-flight tests are required to actually ‘fine-tune’ these gains. However, an optimization-based tuning of these PID controllers or compensators, as presented in this paper, can greatly minimize the requirement of in-flight ‘tuning’ and substantially reduce the risks and cost involved in flight-testing.
Abstract: An optimal control strategy based on simple model, a
single phase unity power factor boost converter is presented with an
evaluation of first order differential equations. This paper presents an
evaluation of single phase boost converter having power factor
correction. The simple discrete model of boost converter is formed
and optimal control is obtained, digital PI is adopted to adjust control
error. The method of instantaneous current control is proposed in this
paper for its good tracking performance of dynamic response. The
simulation and experimental results verified our design.
Abstract: This paper aims to present the design, fabrication and test of a novel piezoelectric actuated, check-valves embedded micropump having the advantages of miniature size, light weight and low power consumption. This device is designed to pump gases and liquids with the capability of performing the self-priming and bubble-tolerant work mode by maximizing the stroke volume of the membrane as well as the compression ratio via minimization of the dead volume of the micropump chamber and channel. By experiment apparatus setup, we can get the real-time values of the flow rate of micropump, the displacement of the piezoelectric actuator and the deformation of the check valve, simultaneously. The micropump with check valve 0.4 mm in thickness obtained higher output performance under the sinusoidal waveform of 120 Vpp. The micropump achieved the maximum pumping rates of 42.2 ml/min and back pressure of 14.0 kPa at the corresponding frequency of 28 and 20 Hz. The presented micropump is able to pump gases with a pumping rate of 196 ml/min at operating frequencies of 280 Hz under the sinusoidal waveform of 120 Vpp.
Abstract: Schools today face ever-increasing demands in their attempts to ensure that students are well equipped to enter the workforce and navigate a complex world. Research indicates that computer technology can help support learning, implementation of various experiments or learning games, and that it is especially useful in developing the higher-order skills of critical thinking, observation, comprehension, implementation, comparison, analysis and active attention to activities such as research, field work, simulations and scientific inquiry. The ICT in education supports the learning procedure by enabling it to be more flexible and effective, create a rich and attractive training environment and equip the students with knowledge and potential useful for the competitive social environment in which they live. This paper presents the design, the development, and the results of the evaluation analysis of an interactive educational game which using real electric vehicles - toys (material) on a toy race track. When the game starts each student selects a specific vehicle toy. Then students are answering questionnaires in the computer. The vehicles' speed is related to the percentage of right answers in a multiple choice questionnaire (software). Every question has its own significant value depending of the different level of questionnaire. Via the developed software, each right or wrong answers in questionnaire increase or decrease the real time speed of their vehicle toys. Moreover the rate of vehicle's speed increase or decrease depends on the difficulty level of each question. The aim of the work is to attract the student’s interest in a learning process and also to improve their scores. The developed real time game was tested using independent populations of students of age groups: 8-10, 11-14, 15-18 years. Standard educational and statistical analysis tools were used for the evaluation analysis of the game. Results reveal that students using the developed real time control game scored much higher (60%) than students using a traditional simulation game on the same questionnaire. Results further indicate that student's interest in repeating the developed real time control gaming was far higher (70%) than the interest of students using a traditional simulation game.
Abstract: Business Process Reengineering (BPR) is an essential tool before an information system project implementation. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) projects definitely require the standardization and fixation of business processes from customer order to shipment. Therefore, ERP implementations are well proven to be coupled with BPR, although the extend and timing of BPR with respect to ERP implementation differ. This study aims at analyzing the effects of BPR on ERP implementation success. Basing on two Turkish ERP implementations in pharmaceutical sector, a comparative study is performed. One of the ERP implementations took place after a BPR implementation, whereas the other implementation was without a prior BPR application. Both implementations have been realized with the same consultant team, the case with prior BPR implementation going live first. The results of the case study reveal that if business processes are not optimized and improved before an ERP implementation, ERP live system would face with disharmony problems of processes and processes automated by ERP. This suggests a definite precedence relationship between BPR and ERP applications
Abstract: This paper presents a comparative study on dry and wet grinding through experimental investigation in the grinding of CSM glass fibre reinforced polymer laminates using a pink aluminium oxide wheel. Different sets of experiments were performed to study the effects of the independent grinding parameters such as grinding wheel speed, feed and depth of cut on dependent performance criteria such as cutting forces and surface finish. Experimental conditions were laid out using design of experiment central composite design. An effective coolant was sought in this study to minimise cutting forces and surface roughness for GFRP laminates grinding. Test results showed that the use of coolants reduces surface roughness, although not necessarily the cutting forces. These research findings provide useful economic machining solution in terms of optimized grinding conditions for grinding CSM GFRP.
Abstract: Ants are fascinating creatures that demonstrate the
ability to find food and bring it back to their nest. Their ability as a
colony, to find paths to food sources has inspired the development of
algorithms known as Ant Colony Systems (ACS). The principle of
cooperation forms the backbone of such algorithms, commonly used
to find solutions to problems such as the Traveling Salesman
Problem (TSP). Ants communicate to each other through chemical
substances called pheromones. Modeling individual ants- ability to
manipulate this substance can help an ACS find the best solution.
This paper introduces a Dynamic Ant Colony System with threelevel
updates (DACS3) that enhance an existing ACS. Experiments
were conducted to observe single ant behavior in a colony of
Malaysian House Red Ants. Such behavior was incorporated into the
DACS3 algorithm. We benchmark the performance of DACS3 versus
DACS on TSP instances ranging from 14 to 100 cities. The result
shows that the DACS3 algorithm can achieve shorter distance in
most cases and also performs considerably faster than DACS.
Abstract: The aim of this study the analysis of Turkic culture and their influence on personality. We also discussed the role of history in Turkic folk development. Thereby cultural and anthropological context of ancient Turkic sources reveal concept of the "person". In the article have been analyzed ethnical, cultural, ethnical philosophical content of the world conception of the ancient Turks.
Abstract: Paleoclimate was reconstructed by the clay mineral
assemblages of shale units of Pabdeh (Paleocene- Oligocene), Gurpi
(Upper Cretaceous), Kazhdumi (Albian-Cenomanian) and Gadvan
(Aptian-Neocomian) formations in the Bangestan anticline. To
compare with clay minerals assemblages in these formations,
selected samples also taken from available formations in drilled wells
in Ahvaz, Marun, Karanj, and Parsi oil fields. Collected samples
prepared using standard clay mineral methodology. They were
treated as normal, glycolated and heated oriented glass slides. Their
identification was made on X-Ray diffractographs. Illite % varies
from 8 to 36. Illite quantity increased from Pabdeh to Gurpi
Formation. This may be due to dominant dry climate. Kaolinite is in
range of 12-49%. Its variation style in different formations could be a
marker of climate changes from wet to dry which is supported by the
lithological changes. Chlorite (4-28%) can also be detected in those
samples without any kaolinite. Mixed layer minerals as the mixture
of illite-chlorite and illite-vermiculite-montmorillonite are varied
from 6 to 36%, decreased during Kazhdumi deposition from the base
to the top. This result may be according to decreasing of illite
leaching process. Vermiculite was also determined in very less
quantity and found in those units without kaolinite. Montmorillonite
varies from 8 to 43%, and its presence is due to terrestrial
depositional condition. Stratigraphical documents is also supported
this idea that clay mineral distribution is a function of the climate
changes. It seems, thus, the present results can be indicated a possible
procedure for ancient climate changes evaluation.
Abstract: An important official knowledge in each country is to
have a comprehensive knowledge about markets of each group of
products. Drink markets are one the most important markets of each
country as a sub-group of nourishment markets. This paper is going
to study these markets in Iran. To do so, first, two drink products are
selected as pilot, including milk and concentrate. Then, for each
product, two groups of information are estimated for the last five
years, including 1) total consumption (demand) and 2) total
production. Finally, the two groups of productions are compared
statistically by means of two statistical tests called t test and Mann-
Whitney test. The implemented Different related tables and figures
are also illustrated to show the method more explicitly.
Abstract: In studies on psychological health and children-s personality development and in researches on emotional distresses, children-s behavioral disorders associated with mother deprivation, are known as the major cause of mental disorders. Therefore, for identification of children-s attachment styles in nursery-s children are of significant importance. For this purpose, to compare the attachment styles between children of nursery with those provided care by their families, the Separation Anxiety Test (SAT) of Slough and et al was administered on 72 children (36 in nursery and 36 family-cared). The results indicated, almost half of children in both groups have insecure attachment styles. Tendency ratio of both groups of children towards Secure and Ambivalent Insecure styles are almost the same. However the avoidant style of attachment in children of nursery is more than those provided care by their families. The children under family care compared to the children of nursery, in the situations of separation from their mothers in the first day of school and sleeping in their room, have shown more self reliance.
Abstract: In Egypt, the concept of Asset Management (AM) is
new; however, the need for applying it has become crucial because
deteriorating or losing an asset is unaffordable in a developing
country like Egypt. Therefore the current study focuses on
educational buildings as one of the most important assets regarding
planning, building, operating and maintenance expenditures. The
main objective of this study is to develop a SAMF for educational
buildings in Egypt. The General Authority for Educational Buildings
(GAEB) was chosen as a case study of the current research as it
represents the biggest governmental organization responsible for
planning, operating and maintaining schools in Egypt. To achieve the
research objective, structured interviews were conducted with senior
managers of GAEB using a pre designed questionnaire to explore the
current practice of AM. Gab analysis technique was applied against
best practices compounded from a vast literature review to identify
gaps between current practices and the desired one. The previous
steps mainly revealed; limited knowledge about strategic asset
management, no clear goals, no training, no real risk plan and lack of
data, technical and financial resources. Based on the findings, a
SAMF for GAEB was introduced and Framework implementation
steps and assessment techniques were explained in detail.
Abstract: Finding suitable non-supersingular elliptic curves for
pairing-based cryptosystems becomes an important issue for the
modern public-key cryptography after the proposition of id-based
encryption scheme and short signature scheme. In previous work
different algorithms have been proposed for finding such elliptic
curves when embedding degree k ∈ {3, 4, 6} and cofactor h ∈ {1, 2, 3,
4, 5}. In this paper a new method is presented to find more
non-supersingular elliptic curves for pairing-based cryptosystems with
general embedding degree k and large values of cofactor h. In
addition, some effective parameters of these non-supersingular elliptic
curves are provided in this paper.
Abstract: In this study integral form and new recursive formulas
for Favard constants and some connected with them numeric and
Fourier series are obtained. The method is based on preliminary
integration of Fourier series which allows for establishing finite
recursive representations for the summation. It is shown that the
derived recursive representations are numerically more effective than
known representations of the considered objects.
Abstract: In this paper we discuss the development of an Augmented Reality (AR) - based scientific visualization system prototype that supports identification, localisation, and 3D visualisation of oil leakages sensors datasets. Sensors generates significant amount of multivariate datasets during normal and leak situations. Therefore we have developed a data model to effectively manage such data and enhance the computational support needed for the effective data explorations. A challenge of this approach is to reduce the data inefficiency powered by the disparate, repeated, inconsistent and missing attributes of most available sensors datasets. To handle this challenge, this paper aim to develop an AR-based scientific visualization interface which automatically identifies, localise and visualizes all necessary data relevant to a particularly selected region of interest (ROI) along the virtual pipeline network. Necessary system architectural supports needed as well as the interface requirements for such visualizations are also discussed in this paper.