Abstract: Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has always been of
great interest in the food and agriculture industries. The development
of prediction models has facilitated the estimation process in recent
years. In this study, 110 crude palm oil (CPO) samples were used to
build a free fatty acid (FFA) prediction model. 60% of the collected
data were used for training purposes and the remaining 40% used for
testing. The visible peaks on the NIR spectrum were at 1725 nm and
1760 nm, indicating the existence of the first overtone of C-H bands.
Principal component regression (PCR) was applied to the data in
order to build this mathematical prediction model. The optimal
number of principal components was 10. The results showed
R2=0.7147 for the training set and R2=0.6404 for the testing set.
Abstract: The star network is one of the promising
interconnection networks for future high speed parallel computers, it
is expected to be one of the future-generation networks. The star
network is both edge and vertex symmetry, it was shown to have
many gorgeous topological proprieties also it is owns hierarchical
structure framework. Although much of the research work has been
done on this promising network in literature, it still suffers from
having enough algorithms for load balancing problem. In this paper
we try to work on this issue by investigating and proposing an
efficient algorithm for load balancing problem for the star network.
The proposed algorithm is called Star Clustered Dimension Exchange
Method SCDEM to be implemented on the star network. The
proposed algorithm is based on the Clustered Dimension Exchange
Method (CDEM). The SCDEM algorithm is shown to be efficient in
redistributing the load balancing as evenly as possible among all
nodes of different factor networks.
Abstract: Supply chain (SC) is an operational research (OR)
approach and technique which acts as catalyst within central nervous
system of business today. Without SC, any type of business is at
doldrums, hence entropy. SC is the lifeblood of business today
because it is the pivotal hub which provides imperative competitive
advantage. The paper present a conceptual framework dubbed as
Homomorphic Conceptual Framework for Effective Supply Chain
Strategy (HCEFSC).The term Homomorphic is derived from abstract
algebraic mathematical term homomorphism (same shape) which
also embeds the following mathematical application sets:
monomorphisms, isomorphism, automorphisms, and endomorphism.
The HCFESC is intertwined and integrated with wide and broad sets
of elements.
Abstract: The final step to complete the “Analytical Systems
Engineering Process” is the “Allocated Architecture” in which all
Functional Requirements (FRs) of an engineering system must be
allocated into their corresponding Physical Components (PCs). At
this step, any design for developing the system’s allocated
architecture in which no clear pattern of assigning the exclusive
“responsibility” of each PC for fulfilling the allocated FR(s) can be
found is considered a poor design that may cause difficulties in
determining the specific PC(s) which has (have) failed to satisfy a
given FR successfully. The present study utilizes the Axiomatic
Design method principles to mathematically address this problem and
establishes an “Axiomatic Model” as a solution for reaching good
alternatives for developing the allocated architecture. This study
proposes a “loss Function”, as a quantitative criterion to monetarily
compare non-ideal designs for developing the allocated architecture
and choose the one which imposes relatively lower cost to the
system’s stakeholders. For the case-study, we use the existing design
of U. S. electricity marketing subsystem, based on data provided by
the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The result for
2012 shows the symptoms of a poor design and ineffectiveness due to
coupling among the FRs of this subsystem.
Abstract: Self-compacting concrete (SCC) developed in Japan
in the late 80s has enabled the construction industry to reduce
demand on the resources, improve the work condition and also
reduce the impact of environment by elimination of the need for
compaction. Fuzzy logic (FL) approaches has recently been used to
model some of the human activities in many areas of civil
engineering applications. Especially from these systems in the model
experimental studies, very good results have been obtained. In the
present study, a model for predicting compressive strength of SCC
containing various proportions of fly ash, as partial replacement of
cement has been developed by using Fuzzy Inference System (FIS).
For the purpose of building this model, a database of experimental
data were gathered from the literature and used for training and
testing the model. The used data as the inputs of fuzzy logic models
are arranged in a format of five parameters that cover the total binder
content, fly ash replacement percentage, water content,
superplasticizer and age of specimens. The training and testing results
in the fuzzy logic model have shown a strong potential for predicting
the compressive strength of SCC containing fly ash in the considered
range.
Abstract: Machining parameters are very important in
determining the surface quality of any material. In the past decade,
some new engineering materials were developed for the
manufacturing industry which created a need to conduct an
investigation on the impact of the said parameters on their surface
roughness. Polyurethane (PU) block is widely used in the automotive
industry to manufacture parts such as checking fixtures that are used
to verify the dimensional accuracy of automotive parts. In this paper,
the design of experiment (DOE) was used to investigate on the effect
of the milling parameters on the PU block. Furthermore, an analysis
of the machined surface chemical composition was done using
scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was found that the surface
roughness of the PU block is severely affected when PU undergoes a
flood machining process instead of a dry condition. In addition the
stepover and the silicon content were found to be the most significant
parameters that influence the surface quality of the PU block.
Abstract: Rhodamine B (RB) is a toxic dye used extensively in
textile industry, which must be remediated before its drainage to
environment. In the present study, supported gold nanoparticles on
commercially available titania and zincite were successfully prepared
and then their activity on the photodegradation of RB under UV A
light irradiation were evaluated. The synthesized photocatalysts were
characterized by ICP, BET, XRD, and TEM. Kinetic results showed
that Au/TiO2 was an inferior photocatalyst to Au/ZnO. This
observation could be attributed to the strong reflection of UV
irradiation by gold nanoparticles over TiO2 support.
Abstract: Safety is one of the most important considerations
when buying a new car. While active safety aims at avoiding
accidents, passive safety systems such as airbags and seat belts
protect the occupant in case of an accident. In addition to legal
regulations, organizations like Euro NCAP provide consumers with
an independent assessment of the safety performance of cars and
drive the development of safety systems in automobile industry.
Those ratings are mainly based on injury assessment reference values
derived from physical parameters measured in dummies during a car
crash test.
The components and sub-systems of a safety system are designed
to achieve the required restraint performance. Sled tests and other
types of tests are then carried out by car makers and their suppliers
to confirm the protection level of the safety system. A Knowledge
Discovery in Databases (KDD) process is proposed in order to
minimize the number of tests. The KDD process is based on the
data emerging from sled tests according to Euro NCAP specifications.
About 30 parameters of the passive safety systems from different data
sources (crash data, dummy protocol) are first analysed together with
experts opinions. A procedure is proposed to manage missing data
and validated on real data sets. Finally, a procedure is developed to
estimate a set of rough initial parameters of the passive system before
testing aiming at reducing the number of tests.
Abstract: Bamboo is extensively used in construction industry.
Low durability of bamboo due to fungus infestation and termites
attack under storage puts certain constrains for it usage as modern
structural material. Looking at many chemical formulations for
bamboo treatment leading to severe harmful environment effects,
research on eco-friendly preservatives for bamboo treatment has been
initiated world-over. In the present studies, eco-friendly preservative
for bamboo treatment has been developed. To validate its application
for structural purposes, investigation of effect of treatment on
compressive strength has been investigated. Neemoil (25%)
integrated with copper naphthenate (0.3%) on dilution with kerosene
oil impregnated into bamboo culm at 2 bar pressure, has shown
weight loss of only 3.15% in soil block analysis method. The results
from compressive strength analysis using HEICO Automatic
Compression Testing Machine reveal that preservative treatment has
not altered the structural properties of bamboo culms. Compressive
strength of control (11.72 N/mm2) and above treated samples (11.71
N/mm2) was found to be comparable.
Abstract: Electricity spot prices are highly volatile under
optimal generation capacity scenarios due to factors such as nonstorability
of electricity, peak demand at certain periods, generator
outages, fuel uncertainty for renewable energy generators, huge
investments and time needed for generation capacity expansion etc.
As a result market participants are exposed to price and volume risk,
which has led to the development of risk management practices. This
paper provides an overview of risk management practices by market
participants in electricity markets using financial derivatives.
Abstract: Fuzzy inference method based approach to the
forming of modular intellectual system of assessment the quality of
communication services is proposed. Developed under this approach
the basic fuzzy estimation model takes into account the
recommendations of the International Telecommunication Union in
respect of the operation of packet switching networks based on IPprotocol.
To implement the main features and functions of the fuzzy
control system of quality telecommunication services it is used
multilayer feedforward neural network.
Abstract: Metal matrix composites (MMCs) attract considerable
attention as a result from its ability in providing a high strength, high
modulus, high toughness, high impact properties, improving wear
resistance and providing good corrosion resistance compared to
unreinforced alloy. Aluminium Silicon (Al/Si) alloy MMC has been
widely used in various industrial sectors such as in transportation,
domestic equipment, aerospace, military, construction, etc.
Aluminium silicon alloy is an MMC that had been reinforced with
aluminium nitrate (AlN) particle and become a new generation
material use in automotive and aerospace sector. The AlN is one of
the advance material that have a bright prospect in future since it has
features such as lightweight, high strength, high hardness and
stiffness quality. However, the high degree of ceramic particle
reinforcement and the irregular nature of the particles along the
matrix material that contribute to its low density is the main problem
which leads to difficulties in machining process. This paper examined
the tool wear when milling AlSi/AlN Metal Matrix Composite using
a TiB2 (Titanium diboride) coated carbide cutting tool. The volume
of the AlN reinforced particle was 10% and milling process was
carried out under dry cutting condition. The TiB2 coated carbide
insert parameters used were at the cutting speed of (230, 300 and
370m/min, feed rate of 0.8, Depth of Cut (DoC) at 0.4m). The
Sometech SV-35 video microscope system used to quantify of the
tool wear. The result shown that tool life span increasing with the
cutting speeds at (370m/min, feed rate of 0.8mm/tooth and DoC at
0.4mm) which constituted an optimum condition for longer tool life
lasted until 123.2 mins. Meanwhile, at medium cutting speed which
at 300m/m, feed rate of 0.8mm/tooth and depth of cut at 0.4mm we
found that tool life span lasted until 119.86 mins while at low cutting
speed it lasted in 119.66 mins. High cutting speed will give the best
parameter in cutting AlSi/AlN MMCs material. The result will help
manufacturers in machining process of AlSi/AlN MMCs materials.
Abstract: The classroom of the 21st century is an ever changing
forum for new and innovative thoughts and ideas. With increasing
technology and opportunity, students have rapid access to
information that only decades ago would have taken weeks to obtain.
Unfortunately, new techniques and technology are not the cure for
the fundamental problems that have plagued the classroom ever since
education was established. Class size has been an issue long debated
in academia. While it is difficult to pin point an exact number, it is
clear that in this case more does not mean better. By looking into the
success and pitfalls of classroom size the true advantages of smaller
classes will become clear. Previously, one class was comprised of 50
students. Being seventeen and eighteen- year- old students,
sometimes it was quite difficult for them to stay focused. To help
them understand and gain much knowledge, a researcher introduced
“The Theory of Multiple Intelligence” and this, in fact, enabled
students to learn according to their own learning preferences no
matter how they were being taught. In this lesson, the researcher
designed a cycle of learning activities involving all intelligences so
that everyone had equal opportunities to learn.
Abstract: Solar air heater is a type of heat exchanger which
transforms solar radiation into heat energy. The thermal performance
of conventional solar air heater has been found to be poor because of
the low convective heat transfer coefficient from the absorber plate to
the air. It is attributed to the formation of a very thin boundary layer
at the absorber plate surface commonly known as viscous sub-layer.
Thermal efficiency of solar air heater can be improved by providing
the artificial roughness on absorber plate is the most efficient
technique. In this paper an attempt is made to provide artificial
roughness by incorporating inclined multiple V-ribs in the underside
of the absorber plate. 60˚V – ribs are arranged inclined to the
direction of air flow. Performance of collector estimated theoretically
and experimentally. Results of the investigation reveal that thermal
efficiency of collector with multiple V-ribs increased by 14%.
Abstract: We present an analytical model for the calculation of
the sensitivity, the spectral current noise and the detective parameter
for an optically illuminated In0.53Ga0.47As n+nn+ diode. The
photocurrent due to the excess carrier is obtained by solving the
continuity equation. Moreover, the current noise level is evaluated at
room temperature and under a constant voltage applied between the
diode terminals. The analytical calculation of the current noise in the
n+nn+ structure is developed by considering the free carries
fluctuations. The responsivity and the detection parameter are
discussed as functions of the doping concentrations and the emitter
layer thickness in one-dimensional homogeneous n+nn+ structure.
Abstract: Lead being a toxic heavy metal that mankind is
exposed to the highest levels of this metal from environmental
pollutants. A total of 180 Male scalp hair samples were collected
from different environments in Greater Cairo (GC), i.e. industrial,
heavy traffic and rural areas (60 samples from each) having different
activities during the period of, 1/5/2010 to 1/11/2012. Hair samples
were collected during five stages. Data proved that the concentration
of lead in male industrial areas of Cairo ranged between 6.2847 to
19.0432 μg/g, with mean value of 12.3288 μg/g. On the other hand,
lead content of hair samples of residential-traffic areas ranged
between 2.8634 to 16.3311 μg/g with mean value of 9.7552 μg/g.
While lead concentration on the hair of the male residents living in
rural area ranged between 1.0499-9.0402μg/g with mean value of
4.7327 μg/g. The Pb concentration in scalp hair of Cairo residents of
residential-traffic and rural traffic areas was observed to follow the
same pattern. The pattern was that of decrease concentration of
summer and its increase in winter. Then, there was a marked increase
in Pb concentration of summer 2012, and this increase was
significant. These were obviously seen for the residential-traffic and
rural areas residents. Pb pollution in residents of industrial areas
showed the same seasonal pattern, but there was marked to decrease
in Pb concentration of summer 2012, and this decrease was
significant. Lead pollution in residents of GC was serious. It is worth
noting that the atmosphere is still contaminated by lead despite a
decade of using unleaded gasoline. Strong seasonal variation in
higher Pb concentration on winter than in summer was found. Major
contributions to the pollution with Pb could include industry
emissions, motor vehicle emissions and long transported dust from
outside Cairo. More attention should be paid to the reduction of Pb
content of the urban aerosol and to the Pb pollution health.
Abstract: Several of the practical industrial control processes are
multivariable processes. Due to the relation amid the variables
(interaction), delay in the loops, it is very intricate to design a
controller directly for these processes. So first, the interaction of the
variables is analyzed using Relative Normalized Gain Array
(RNGA), which considers the time constant, static gain and delay
time of the processes. Based on the effect of RNGA, relative gain
array (RGA) and NI, the pair (control configuration) of variables to
be controlled by decentralized control is selected. The equivalent
transfer function (ETF) of the process model is estimated as first
order process with delay using the corresponding elements in the
Relative gain array and Relative average residence time array
(RARTA) of the processes. Secondly, a decentralized Proportional-
Integral (PI) controller is designed for each ETF simply using
frequency response specifications. Finally, the performance and
robustness of the algorithm is comparing with existing related
approaches to validate the effectiveness of the projected algorithm.
Abstract: The levels of maximum power density of GSM
signals in the cities of Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja were studied.
Measurements were made with a calibrated hand held spectrum
analyzer 200m away from 271 base stations, at 1.2m to the ground
level. The maximum GSM 900 signal power density was
139.63μW/m2 in Lagos, 162.49μW/m2 in Ibadan and 5411.26μW/m2
in Abuja. Also, the maximum GSM 1800 signal power density was
296.82μW/m2 in Lagos, 116.82μW/m2 in Ibadan and 1263.00μW/m2
in Abuja. The level of power density of GSM 900 and GSM 1800
signals in the cities of Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja are far less than the
recommended value of 4.5W/m2 for GSM 900 and 9.0 W/m2 for
GSM 1800 by the ICNRP guideline. It can be concluded that
exposure to GSM signals in these cities cannot contribute to the
health detriments caused by thermal effects of radiofrequency
radiation.
Abstract: Image spam is a kind of email spam where the spam
text is embedded with an image. It is a new spamming technique
being used by spammers to send their messages to bulk of internet
users. Spam email has become a big problem in the lives of internet
users, causing time consumption and economic losses. The main
objective of this paper is to detect the image spam by using histogram
properties of an image. Though there are many techniques to
automatically detect and avoid this problem, spammers employing
new tricks to bypass those techniques, as a result those techniques are
inefficient to detect the spam mails. In this paper we have proposed a
new method to detect the image spam. Here the image features are
extracted by using RGB histogram, HSV histogram and combination
of both RGB and HSV histogram. Based on the optimized image
feature set classification is done by using k- Nearest Neighbor(k-NN)
algorithm. Experimental result shows that our method has achieved
better accuracy. From the result it is known that combination of RGB
and HSV histogram with k-NN algorithm gives the best accuracy in
spam detection.
Abstract: Exact solution of an unsteady flow of elastico-viscous
electrically conducting fluid through a porous media in a tube of
elliptical cross section under the influence of constant pressure
gradient and magnetic field has been obtained in this paper. Initially,
the flow is generated by a constant pressure gradient. After attaining
the steady state, the pressure gradient is suddenly withdrawn and the
resulting fluid motion in a tube of elliptical cross section by taking
into account of the transverse magnetic field and porosity factor of
the bounding surface is investigated. The problem is solved in twostages
the first stage is a steady motion in tube under the influence of
a constant pressure gradient, the second stage concern with an
unsteady motion. The problem is solved employing separation of
variables technique. The results are expressed in terms of a nondimensional
porosity parameter (K), magnetic parameter (m) and
elastico-viscosity parameter (β), which depends on the Non-
Newtonian coefficient. The flow parameters are found to be identical
with that of Newtonian case as elastic-viscosity parameter and
magnetic parameter tends to zero and porosity tends to infinity. It is
seen that the effect of elastico-viscosity parameter, magnetic
parameter and the porosity parameter of the bounding surface has
significant effect on the velocity parameter.