Abstract: This paper introduces novel approaches to partitioning
and mapping in terms of model-based embedded multicore system
engineering and further discusses benefits, industrial relevance and
features in common with existing approaches. In order to assess
and evaluate results, both approaches have been applied to a real
industrial application as well as to various prototypical demonstrative
applications, that have been developed and implemented for
different purposes. Evaluations show, that such applications improve
significantly according to performance, energy efficiency, meeting
timing constraints and covering maintaining issues by using
the AMALTHEA platform and the implemented approaches.
Furthermore, the model-based design provides an open, expandable,
platform independent and scalable exchange format between
OEMs, suppliers and developers on different levels. Our proposed
mechanisms provide meaningful multicore system utilization since
load balancing by means of partitioning and mapping is effectively
performed with regard to the modeled systems including hardware,
software, operating system, scheduling, constraints, configuration and
more data.
Abstract: In this paper, the electromagnetic shielding
characteristics of an up-to-date typical carbon filler material, carbon
fiber used with a metal mesh were investigated. Carbon fiber
12k-prepregs, where carbon fibers were impregnated with epoxy, were
laminated with wire meshes, vacuum bag-molded and hardened to
manufacture hybrid-type specimens, with which an electromagnetic
shield test was performed in accordance with ASTM D4935-10,
through which was known as the most excellent reproducibility is
obtainable among electromagnetic shield tests. In addition, glass fiber
prepregs whose electromagnetic shielding effect were known as
insignificant were laminated and formed with wire meshes to verify
the validity of the electromagnetic shield effect of wire meshes in
order to confirm the electromagnetic shielding effect of metal meshes
corresponding existing carbon fiber 12k-prepregs. By grafting carbon
fibers, on which studies are being actively underway in the
environmental aspects and electromagnetic shielding effect, with
hybrid-type wire meshes that were analysed through the tests, in this
study, the applicability and possibility are proposed.
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: 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: A model reference adaptive control and a fixed gain
LQR control were implemented in the height controller of a quadrotor
that has parametric uncertainties due to the act of picking up an
object of unknown dimension and mass. It is shown that an adaptive
controller, unlike the fixed gain controller, is capable of ensuring a
stable tracking performance under such condition, although adaptive
control suffers from several limitations. The combination of both
adaptive and fixed gain control in the controller architecture can
result in an enhanced tracking performance in the presence parametric
uncertainties.
Abstract: Motion Tracking and Stereo Vision are complicated,
albeit well-understood problems in computer vision. Existing
softwares that combine the two approaches to perform stereo motion
tracking typically employ complicated and computationally expensive
procedures. The purpose of this study is to create a simple and
effective solution capable of combining the two approaches. The
study aims to explore a strategy to combine the two techniques
of two-dimensional motion tracking using Kalman Filter; and depth
detection of object using Stereo Vision. In conventional approaches
objects in the scene of interest are observed using a single camera.
However for Stereo Motion Tracking; the scene of interest is
observed using video feeds from two calibrated cameras. Using two
simultaneous measurements from the two cameras a calculation for
the depth of the object from the plane containing the cameras is made.
The approach attempts to capture the entire three-dimensional spatial
information of each object at the scene and represent it through a
software estimator object. In discrete intervals, the estimator tracks
object motion in the plane parallel to plane containing cameras and
updates the perpendicular distance value of the object from the plane
containing the cameras as depth. The ability to efficiently track
the motion of objects in three-dimensional space using a simplified
approach could prove to be an indispensable tool in a variety of
surveillance scenarios. The approach may find application from high
security surveillance scenes such as premises of bank vaults, prisons
or other detention facilities; to low cost applications in supermarkets
and car parking lots.
Abstract: Risperidone (RISP) is an antipsychotic agent and has
low water solubility and nontargeted delivery results in numerous
side effects. Hence, an attempt was made to develop SLNs hydrogel
for intranasal delivery of RISP to achieve maximum bioavailability
and reduction of side effects. RISP loaded SLNs composed of 1.65%
(w/v) lipid mass were produced by high shear homogenization (HSH)
coupled ultrasound (US) method using glycerylmonostearate (GMS)
or Imwitor 900K (solid lipid). The particles were loaded with 0.2%
(w/v) of the RISP & surface-tailored with a 2.02% (w/v) non-ionic
surfactant Tween® 80. Optimization was done using 32 factorial
design using Design Expert® software. The prepared SLNs
dispersion incorporated into Polycarbophil AA1 hydrogel (0.5%
w/v). The final gel formulation was evaluated for entrapment
efficiency, particle size, rheological properties, X ray diffraction, in
vitro diffusion, ex vivo permeation using sheep nasal mucosa and
histopathological studies for nasocilliary toxicity. The entrapment
efficiency of optimized SLNs was found to be 76 ± 2%,
polydispersity index
Abstract: The thyroid gland is the largest classic endocrine
organ that effects many organs of the body and plays a significant
role in the process of Metabolism in animals. The aim of this study
was to investigate the prevalence of thyroid disorders diagnosed by
ultrasound and microscopic Lesions of the thyroid during the
slaughter of apparently healthy One Humped Camels (Camelus
dromedarius) in Iran. Randomly, 520 male camels (With an age
range of 4 to 8 years), were studied in 2012 to 2013. The Camels’
thyroid glands were evaluated by sonographic examination. In both
longitudinal and transverse view and then tissue sections were
provide and stained with H & E and finally examined by light
microscopy. The results obtained indicated the following:
hyperplastic goiter (21%), degenerative changes (12%), follicular
cysts (8%), follicular atrophy (4%), nodular hyperplasia (3%),
adenoma (1%), carcinoma (1%) and simple goiter colloid (1%).
Ultrasound evaluation of thyroid gland in adenoma and carcinoma
showed enlargement and irregular of the gland, decreased
echogenicity, and the heterogeneous thyroid parenchyma. Also, in
follicular cysts were observed in the enlarged gland with no echo
structures of different sizes and decreased echogenicity as a local or
general. In nodular hyperplasia, increase echogenicity and
heterogeneous parenchymal were seen. These findings suggest the
use of sonography and pathology as a screening test in the diagnosis
of complications of thyroid disorders.
Abstract: Anthocyanins are natural pigments with effective UV
protection but their topical use could be limited due to their
physicochemical characteristics. An attempt to overcome such
limitations by complexation of 2 major anthocyanin-rich sources, C.
ternatea and Z. mays, has potentiated its use as topical antiinflammatory.
Cell studies indicate no cytotoxicity of the
anthocyanin complex (AC) up to 1 mg/ml tested in HaCaT and
human fore head fibroblasts by MTT. Croton oil-induced ear edema
in Wistar rats suggests an effective dose of 5 mg/cm2 of AC as a
topical anti-inflammatory in comparison to 0.5 mg/cm2 of
fluocinolone acetonide. Niosomal encapsulation of the AC
significantly prolonged the anti-inflammatory activity particularly at
8 h after topical application (p = 0.0001). The AC was not cytotoxic
and its anti-inflammatory and activity was dose-dependent and
prolonged by niosomal encapsulation. It has also shown to promote
collagen type 1 production in cell culture. Thus, AC could be a
potential candidate for topical anti-inflammatory agent from natural
resources.
Abstract: The present study was done to evaluate the presence
of tetracycline resistance genes in Lactococcus garvieae isolated
from cultured rainbow trout, West Iran. The isolates were examined
for antimicrobial resistance using disc diffusion method. Of the 49
strains tested, 19 were resistant to tetracycline (38.7%), 32 to
enrofloxacin (65.3%), 21 to erythromycin (42.8%), 20 to
chloramphenicol and trimetoprim-sulfamethoxazole (40.8%). The
strains were then characterized for their genotypic resistance profiles.
The results revealed that all 49 isolates contained at least one of the
tetracycline resistance genes. Tet (A) was found in 89.4% of
tetracycline resistant isolates and the frequency of other gene were as
follows: tet (E) 42.1%, tet (B) 47.3%, tet (D) 15.7%, tet (L) 26.3%,
tet (K) 52.6%, tet (G) 36.8%, tet (34) 21%, tet (S) 63.1%, tet (C)
57.8%, tet (M) 73.6%, tet (O) 42.1%. The results revealed high levels
of antibiotic resistance in L. garvieae strains which is a potential
danger for trout culture as well as for public health.
Abstract: This study presents synthesis of novel block
copolymers of thienyl end capped ethoxylated nonyl phenol and
pyrrole via chemical oxidative polymerization. Ethoxylated nonyl
phenol (ENP) was reacted with 2-thiophenecarbonyl chloride in order
to synthesize a macromonomer containing thienyl end-group (ENPThC).
Then copolymers of ENP-ThC and pyrrole were synthesized
by chemical oxidative polymerization using iron (III) chloride as an
oxidant. ENP-ThC served both as a macromonomer and an emulsifier
for pyrrole with poor solubility in water.
The synthesized block copolymers (ENP-ThC-b-PPy) were
characterized by spectroscopic analysis and the electrical
conductivities were investigated with 4-point probe technique.
Abstract: Although it is not intended to identify distance
education students as a homogeneous group, recent research has
demonstrated that there are some demographic and personality
common traits among most of them that provide the basis for the
description of a typical distance learning student. The purpose of this
paper is to describe these common traits and to facilitate their
learning journey within a distance education program. The described
research is an initiative of the Distance Education Unit at the
European University Cyprus (Laureate International Universities) in
the context of its action for the improvement of the students’
performance.
Abstract: Lightweight design represents an important key to
successful implementation of energy-saving, fuel-efficient and
environmentally friendly means of transport in the aerospace and
automotive industry. In this context the use of carbon fibre reinforced
plastics (CFRP) which are distinguished by their outstanding
mechanical properties at relatively low weight, promise significant
improvements. Due to the reduction of the total mass, with the
resulting lowered fuel or energy consumption and CO2 emissions
during the operational phase, commercial aircraft will increasingly be
made of CFRP. An auspicious technology for the efficient and
economic production of high performance thermoset composites and
hybrid structures for future lightweight applications is the
combination of carbon fibre sheet moulding compound, tailored
continuous carbon fibre reinforcements and metallic components in a
one-shot pressing and curing process. This paper deals with a hybrid
composite technology for aerospace industries, which was developed
with the help of a special innovation and development system.
Abstract: Evaluating the performance of a simulator in the
CAVE has to be confirmed by encouraging people to live the
experience of virtual reality. In this paper, a detailed procedure of
recording video is presented. Limitations of the experimental device
are firstly exposed. Then, solutions for improving this idea are finally
described.
Abstract: Given a graph G. A cycle of G is a sequence of
vertices of G such that the first and the last vertices are the same.
A hamiltonian cycle of G is a cycle containing all vertices of G.
The graph G is k-ordered (resp. k-ordered hamiltonian) if for any
sequence of k distinct vertices of G, there exists a cycle (resp.
hamiltonian cycle) in G containing these k vertices in the specified
order. Obviously, any cycle in a graph is 1-ordered, 2-ordered and 3-
ordered. Thus the study of any graph being k-ordered (resp. k-ordered
hamiltonian) always starts with k = 4. Most studies about this topic
work on graphs with no real applications. To our knowledge, the
chordal ring families were the first one utilized as the underlying
topology in interconnection networks and shown to be 4-ordered.
Furthermore, based on our computer experimental results, it was
conjectured that some of them are 4-ordered hamiltonian. In this
paper, we intend to give some possible directions in proving the
conjecture.
Abstract: This paper describes a novel application of Fiber
Braggs Grating (FBG) sensors in the assessment of human postural
stability and balance on an unstable platform. In this work, FBG
sensor Stability Analyzing Device (FBGSAD) is developed for
measurement of plantar strain to assess the postural stability of
subjects on unstable platforms during different stances in eyes open
and eyes closed conditions on a rocker board. The studies are
validated by comparing the Centre of Gravity (CG) variations
measured on the lumbar vertebra of subjects using a commercial
accelerometer. The results obtained from the developed FBGSAD
depict qualitative similarities with the data recorded by commercial
accelerometer. The advantage of the FBGSAD is that it measures
simultaneously plantar strain distribution and postural stability of the
subject along with its inherent benefits like non-requirement of
energizing voltage to the sensor, electromagnetic immunity and
simple design which suits its applicability in biomechanical
applications. The developed FBGSAD can serve as a tool/yardstick to
mitigate space motion sickness, identify individuals who are
susceptible to falls and to qualify subjects for balance and stability,
which are important factors in the selection of certain unique
professionals such as aircraft pilots, astronauts, cosmonauts etc.
Abstract: Water spray cooling is a technique typically used in
heat treatment and other metallurgical processes where controlled
temperature regimes are required. Water spray cooling is used in
static (without movement) or dynamic (with movement of the steel
plate) regimes. The static regime is notable for the fixed position of
the hot steel plate and fixed spray nozzle. This regime is typical for
quenching systems focused on heat treatment of the steel plate. The
second application of spray cooling is the dynamic regime. The
dynamic regime is notable for its static section cooling system and
moving steel plate. This regime is used in rolling and finishing mills.
The fixed position of cooling sections with nozzles and the
movement of the steel plate produce nonhomogeneous water
distribution on the steel plate. The length of cooling sections and
placement of water nozzles in combination with the nonhomogeneity
of water distribution lead to discontinued or interrupted cooling
conditions. The impact of static and dynamic regimes on cooling
intensity and the heat transfer coefficient during the cooling process
of steel plates is an important issue.
Heat treatment of steel is accompanied by oxide scale growth. The
oxide scale layers can significantly modify the cooling properties and
intensity during the cooling. The combination of static and dynamic
(section) regimes with the variable thickness of the oxide scale layer
on the steel surface impact the final cooling intensity. The study of
the influence of the oxide scale layers with different cooling regimes
was carried out using experimental measurements and numerical
analysis. The experimental measurements compared both types of
cooling regimes and the cooling of scale-free surfaces and oxidized
surfaces. A numerical analysis was prepared to simulate the cooling
process with different conditions of the section and samples with
different oxide scale layers.
Abstract: Currently, thorium fuel has been especially noticed
because of its proliferation resistance than long half-life alpha emitter
minor actinides, breeding capability in fast and thermal neutron flux
and mono-isotopic naturally abundant. In recent years, efficiency of
minor actinide burning up in PWRs has been investigated. Hence, a
minor actinide-contained thorium based fuel matrix can confront both
proliferation resistance and nuclear waste depletion aims. In the
present work, minor actinide depletion rate in a CANDU-type nuclear
core modeled using MCNP code has been investigated. The obtained
effects of minor actinide load as mixture of thorium fuel matrix on
the core neutronics has been studied with comparing presence and
non-presence of minor actinide component in the fuel matrix.
Depletion rate of minor actinides in the MA-contained fuel has been
calculated using different power loads. According to the obtained
computational data, minor actinide loading in the modeled core
results in more negative reactivity coefficients. The MA-contained
fuel achieves less radial peaking factor in the modeled core. The
obtained computational results showed 140 kg of 464 kg initial load
of minor actinide has been depleted in during a 6-year burn up in 10
MW power.
Abstract: The thermal conductivity of a fluid can be
significantly enhanced by dispersing nano-sized particles in it, and
the resultant fluid is termed as "nanofluid". A theoretical model for
estimating the thermal conductivity of a nanofluid has been proposed
here. It is based on the mechanism that evenly dispersed
nanoparticles within a nanofluid undergo Brownian motion in course
of which the nanoparticles repeatedly collide with the heat source.
During each collision a rapid heat transfer occurs owing to the solidsolid
contact. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of the collision
of nanoparticles with the heat source has shown that there is a pulselike
pick up of heat by the nanoparticles within 20-100 ps, the extent
of which depends not only on thermal conductivity of the
nanoparticles, but also on the elastic and other physical properties of
the nanoparticle. After the collision the nanoparticles undergo
Brownian motion in the base fluid and release the excess heat to the
surrounding base fluid within 2-10 ms. The Brownian motion and
associated temperature variation of the nanoparticles have been
modeled by stochastic analysis. Repeated occurrence of these events
by the suspended nanoparticles significantly contributes to the
characteristic thermal conductivity of the nanofluids, which has been
estimated by the present model for a ethylene glycol based nanofluid
containing Cu-nanoparticles of size ranging from 8 to 20 nm, with
Gaussian size distribution. The prediction of the present model has
shown a reasonable agreement with the experimental data available
in literature.
Abstract: e-Service has moved from the usual manual and
traditional way of rendering services to electronic service provision
for the public and there are several reasons for implementing these
services, Airline ticketing have gone from its manual traditional way
to an intelligent web-driven service of purchasing. Many companies
have seen their profits doubled through the use of online services in
their operation and a typical example is Hewlett Packard (HP) which
is rapidly transforming their after sales business into a profit
generating e-service business unit.
This paper will examine the various challenges confronting e-
Service adoption and implementation in Nigeria and also analyse
lessons learnt from e-Service adoption and implementation in Asia to
see how it could be useful in Nigeria which is a lower middle income
country. From the analysis of the online survey data, it has been
identified that the public in Nigeria are much aware of e-Services but
successful adoption and implementation have been the problems
faced.