Abstract: Intercropping is one of the sustainable agricultural
factors. The SPAD meter can be used to predict nitrogen index
reliably, it may also be a useful tool for assessing the relative impact
of weeds on crops. In order to study the effect of weeds on SPAD in
corn (Zea mays L.), sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and borage
(Borago officinalis L.) in intercropping system, a factorial experiment
was conducted in three replications in 2011. Experimental factors
were included intercropping of corn with sweet basil and borage in
different ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100 corn: borage or
sweet basil) and weed infestation (weed control and weed
interference). The results showed that intercropping of corn with
sweet basil and borage increased the SPAD value of corn compare to
monoculture in weed interference condition. Sweet basil SPAD value
in weed control treatments (43.66) was more than weed interference
treatments (40.17). Corn could increase the borage SPAD value
compare to monoculture in weed interference treatments.
Abstract: In this paper, a new approach is introduced to solve
Blasius equation using parameter identification of a nonlinear
function which is used as approximation function. Bees Algorithm
(BA) is applied in order to find the adjustable parameters of
approximation function regarding minimizing a fitness function
including these parameters (i.e. adjustable parameters). These
parameters are determined how the approximation function has to
satisfy the boundary conditions. In order to demonstrate the
presented method, the obtained results are compared with another
numerical method. Present method can be easily extended to solve a
wide range of problems.
Abstract: A retrospective study was undertaken to record the
occurrence and pattern of fractures in small animals (dogs and cats)
from year 2005 to 2010. A total of 650 cases were presented in small
animal surgery unit out of which of 116 (dogs and cats) were
presented with history of fractures of different bones. A total of
17.8% (116/650) cases were of fractures which constituted dogs 67%
while cats were 23%. The majority of animals were intact. Trauma in
the form of road side accident was the principal cause of fractures in
dogs whereas as in cats it was fall from height. The ages of the
fractured dog ranged from 4 months to 12 years whereas in cat it was
from 4 weeks to 10 years. The femoral fractures represented 37.5%
and 25% respectively in dogs and cats. Diaphysis, distal metaphyseal
and supracondylar fractures were the most affected sites in dog and
cats. Tibial fracture in dogs and cats represented 21.5% and 10%
while humoral fractures were 7.9% and 14% in dogs and cats
respectively. Humoral condyler fractures were most commonly seen
in puppies aged 4 to 6 months. Fractured radius-ulna incidence was
19% and 14% in dogs and cats respectively. Other fractures recorded
were of lumbar vertebrae, mandible and metacarpals etc. The
management comprised of external and internal fixation in both the
species. The most common internal fixation technique employed was
Intramedullary fixation in long followed by other methods like stack
or cross pinning, wiring etc as per findings in the cases. The cast
bandage was used majorly as mean for external coaptation. The
paper discusses the outcome of the case as per the technique
employed.
Abstract: Nylon 6-clay hybrid/neat nylon 6, sheath/core
bicomponent nanocomposite fibers containing 4 wt% of clay in
sheath section were melt spun at different take-up speeds. Their
orientation and crystalline structure were compared to those of neat
nylon 6 fibers. Birefringence measurements showed that the
orientation development in sheath and core parts of bicomponent
fibers was different. Crystallinity results showed that clay did not act
as a nucleating agent for bicomponent fibers. The neat nylon 6 fiber
had a smooth surface while striped pattern was appeared on the
surface of bicomponent fiber containing clay due to thermal
shrinkage of the core part.
Abstract: Both prognostic and diagnostic modes of a 3D baroclinic
model in hydrodynamic and sediment transport models of
the Princeton Ocean Model (POM) were conducted to separate
prognose and diagnose effects of different hydrodynamic factors on
transport of suspended sediment discharged from the rivers to the
Gulf of Thailand (GoT). Both transport modes of suspended sediment
distribution in the GoT were numerically simulated. It could be
concluded that the suspended sediment discharged from the rivers
around the GoT. Most of sediments in estuaries and coastal areas are
deposited outside the GoT under the condition of wind-driven current,
and very small amount of the sediments of them are transported
faraway. On the basis of wind forcing, sediments from the lower
GoT to the upper GoT are mainly transported south-northwestward
and also continuously moved north-southwestward. An obvious 3D
characteristic of suspended sediment transport is produced in the
wind-driven current residual circulation condition. In this study, the
transport patterns at the third layer are generally consistent with
the typhoon-induced strong currents in two case studies of Typhoon
Linda 1997. The case studies presented the prognostic and diagnostic
modes during 00UTC28OCT1997 to 12UTC06NOV1997 in a short
period with the current condition for pre-operation of the suspended
sediment transport model in estuaries and coastal areas.
Abstract: The adoption of e-learning in Hong Kong has been
increasing rapidly in the past decade. To understand the e-learning
experiences of the students, the School of Professional and Continuing
Education of The University of Hong Kong conducted a survey. The
survey aimed to collect students- experiences in using learning
management system, their perceived e-learning advantages, barriers in
e-learning and preferences in new e-learning development. A
questionnaire with 84 questions was distributed in mid 2012 and 608
valid responds were received. The analysis results showed that the
students found e-learning helpful to their study. They preferred
interactive functions and mobile features. Blended learning mode,
both face-to-face learning mode integrated with online learning and
face-to-face learning mode supplemented with online resources, were
preferred by the students. The results of experiences of Hong Kong
students in e-learning provided a contemporary reference to the
e-learning practitioners to understand the e-learning situation in Asia.
Abstract: A numerical investigation has carried out to understand the melting characteristics of phase change material (PCM) in a fin type latent heat storage with the addition of embedded aluminum spiral fillers. It is known that melting performance of PCM can be significantly improved by increasing the number of embedded metallic fins in the latent heat storage system but to certain values where only lead to small improvement in heat transfer rate. Hence, adding aluminum spiral fillers within the fin gap can be an option to improve heat transfer internally. This paper presents extensive computational visualizations on the PCM melting patterns of the proposed fin-spiral fillers configuration. The aim of this investigation is to understand the PCM-s melting behaviors by observing the natural convection currents movement and melting fronts formation. Fluent 6.3 simulation software was utilized in producing twodimensional visualizations of melting fractions, temperature distributions and flow fields to illustrate the melting process internally. The results show that adding aluminum spiral fillers in Fin type latent heat storage can promoted small but more active natural convection currents and improve melting of PCM.
Abstract: Twenty - nine Holstein cows were used to evaluate the effects of different dry period (DP) lengths on milk yield and composition, some blood metabolites, and complete blood count (CBC). Cows were assigned to one of 2 treatments: 1) 60-d dry period, 2) 35-d DP. Milk yield, from calving to 60 days, was not different for cows on the treatments (p =0.130). Cows in the 35-d DP produced more milk protein and SNF compare with cows in treatment 1 (p ≤ 0.05). Serum glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta hydroxyl butyrate acid (BHBA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urea, and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) were all similar among the treatments. Body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW), complete blood count (CBC) and health problems were similar between the treatments. The results of this study demonstrated we can reduce the dry period length to 35 days with no problems.
Abstract: This study was conducted to determine effect of water stress on chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence parameter in young `Dezful- olive trees. Three irrigation regimes (40% ETcrop, 65% ETcrop and 100% ETcrop) were used. After irrigation treatments were applied, some of biochemical parameters including chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, chlorophyll fluorescence and also chlorophyll content index (C.C.I) were measured. Results of Analysis of variance showed that irrigation treatments had significant effect on chlorophylla, total chlorophyll (chl a+b), C.C.I and Fv/Fm ratio. The amount of decreased chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll in plants were received 40% ETcrop were 51.55% and 46.86%, respectively, compared with 100% ETcrop.
Abstract: In order to apply partially filled steel grid composite deck as the horizontal supporting structure of various kinds of infrastructures, the variation of its flexural strength according to design parameters such as cross and longitudinal bars constituting the steel grid and the type of shear connection is evaluated and compared experimentally. The result shows that the design sensitivity of the deck to the spacing of the cross bars is insignificant in the case of structure with low risk of punching failure or without load distribution problem. By means of shear connection composed by transverse rebar and longitudinal bar without additional shear stud bolts, the complete interaction between steel grid and concrete slab is able to be achieved and the composite deck can develop its bending resistance capacity.
Abstract: The absolute Cu atoms density in Cu(2S1/22P1/2)
ground state has been measured by Resonance Optical Absorption
(ROA) technique in a DC magnetron sputtering deposition with
argon. We measured these densities under variety of operation
conditions: pressure from 0.6 μbar to 14 μbar, input power from
10W to 200W and N2 mixture from 0% to 100%. For measuring the
gas temperature, we used the simulation of N2 rotational spectra
with a special computer code. The absolute number density of Cu
atoms decreases with increasing the N2 percentage of buffer gas at
any conditions of this work. But the deposition rate, is not decreased
with the same manner. The deposition rate variation is very small
and in the limit of quartz balance measuring equipment accuracy. So
we conclude that decrease in the absolute number density of Cu
atoms in magnetron plasma has not a big effect on deposition rate,
because the diffusion of Cu atoms to the chamber volume and
deviation of Cu atoms from direct path (towards the substrate)
decreases with increasing of N2 percentage of buffer gas. This is
because of the lower mass of N2 atoms compared to the argon ones.
Abstract: In this study the integration of an absorption heat
pump (AHP) with the concentration section of an industrial pulp and
paper process is investigated using pinch technology. The optimum
design of the proposed water-lithium bromide AHP is then achieved
by minimizing the total annual cost. A comprehensive optimization is
carried out by relaxation of all stream pressure drops as well as heat
exchanger areas involving in AHP structure. It is shown that by
applying genetic algorithm optimizer, the total annual cost of the
proposed AHP is decreased by 18% compared to one resulted from
simulation.
Abstract: In this paper a deterministic polynomial-time
algorithm is presented for the Clique problem. The case is considered
as the problem of omitting the minimum number of vertices from the
input graph so that none of the zeroes on the graph-s adjacency
matrix (except the main diagonal entries) would remain on the
adjacency matrix of the resulting subgraph. The existence of a
deterministic polynomial-time algorithm for the Clique problem, as
an NP-complete problem will prove the equality of P and NP
complexity classes.
Abstract: This research study examines cases of Saudi Arabian
universities and female academics for work environment issues
within the context of design management applications. The study
proposes use of design research, ergonomics and systems design
thinking to develop the university design which facilitates removal of
physical and cognitive barriers for female academics. Review of
literature demonstrates that macro and micro ergonomic combined
with design management and system design strategies can
significantly improve the workplace design for female academics.
The university design model would be prepared based on the analyses
of primary data obtained from archived documents, participants'
observation logs, photo audits, focus groups and semi-structured
interviews of currently employed female academics in the selected
case universities.
Abstract: In this paper, we consider the analysis of the
acquisition process for a hybrid double-dwell system with antenna
diversity for DS-CDMA (direct sequence-code division multiple
access) using an adaptive threshold. Acquisition systems with a fixed
threshold value are unable to adapt to fast varying mobile
communications environments and may result in a high false alarm
rate, and/or low detection probability. Therefore, we propose an
adaptively varying threshold scheme through the use of a cellaveraging
constant false alarm rate (CA-CFAR) algorithm, which is
well known in the field of radar detection. We derive exact
expressions for the probabilities of detection and false alarm in
Rayleigh fading channels. The mean acquisition time of the system
under consideration is also derived. The performance of the system is
analyzed and compared to that of a hybrid single dwell system.
Abstract: This paper describes the design concepts and
implementation of a 5-Joint mechanical arm for a rescue robot named
CEO Mission II. The multi-joint arm is a five degree of freedom
mechanical arm with a four bar linkage, which can be stretched to
125 cm. long. It is controlled by a teleoperator via the user-friendly
control and monitoring GUI program. With Inverse Kinematics
principle, we developed the method to control the servo angles of all
arm joints to get the desired tip position. By clicking the determined
tip position or dragging the tip of the mechanical arm on the
computer screen to the desired target point, the robot will compute
and move its multi-joint arm to the pose as seen on the GUI screen.
The angles of each joint are calculated and sent to all joint servos
simultaneously in order to move the mechanical arm to the desired
pose at once. The operator can also use a joystick to control the
movement of this mechanical arm and the locomotion of the robot.
Many sensors are installed at the tip of this mechanical arm for
surveillance from the high level and getting the vital signs of victims
easier and faster in the urban search and rescue tasks. It works very
effectively and easy to control. This mechanical arm and its software
were developed as a part of the CEO Mission II Rescue Robot that
won the First Runner Up award and the Best Technique award from
the Thailand Rescue Robot Championship 2006. It is a low cost,
simple, but functioning 5-Jiont mechanical arm which is built from
scratch, and controlled via wireless LAN 802.11b/g. This 5-Jiont
mechanical arm hardware concept and its software can also be used
as the basic mechatronics to many real applications.
Abstract: Natural gas usually includes H2S component which is
very toxic, hazardous and corrosive to environment, human being and
process equipments, respectively. Therefore, sweetening of the gas
(separation of H2S) is inevitable. To achieve this purpose, using
packed-bed columns with liquid absorbents such as MEA or DEA is
very common. Due to some problems of usual packed columns
especially high pressure drop of gas phase, a novel kind of them
called wetted-wire column (WWC) has been invented. The column
decreases the pressure drop significantly and improves the absorption
efficiency. The packings are very thin rods (like wire) and as long as
column. The column has 100 wires with a triangular arrangement and
counter current flows of gas and liquid phases. The observation
showed that at the same conditions, the absorption performance was
quite comparable to conventional packed-bed towers and a very low
pressure drop.
Abstract: This paper details a new concept of using compressed air as a potential zero pollution power source for motorbikes. In place of an internal combustion engine, the motorbike is equipped with an air turbine transforms the energy of the compressed air into shaft work. The mathematical modeling and performance evaluation of a small capacity compressed air driven vaned type novel air turbine is presented in this paper. The effect of isobaric admission and adiabatic expansion of high pressure air for different rotor diameters, casing diameters and ratio of rotor to casing diameters of the turbine have been considered and analyzed. It is concluded that the work output is found optimum for some typical values of rotor / casing diameter ratios. In this study, the maximum power works out to 3.825 kW (5.20 HP) for casing diameter of 200 mm and rotor to casing diameter ratio of 0.65 to 0.60 which is sufficient to run motorbike.
Abstract: It is believed that major account on language diversity must be taken in learning, and especially in learning using ICT. This paper-s objective is to exhibit language and communication barriers in learning, to approach the topic from socioculture and cognitivist perspectives, and to give exploratory solutions of handling such barriers. The review is mainly conducted by approaching the journal Computers & Education, but also an initially broad search was conducted. The results show that not much attention is paid on language and communication barriers in an immediate relation to learning using ICT. The results shows, inter alia, that language and communication barriers are caused because of not enough account is taken on both the individual-s background and the technology.
Abstract: Diagnostic goal of transformers in service is to detect the winding or the core in fault. Transformers are valuable equipment which makes a major contribution to the supply security of a power system. Consequently, it is of great importance to minimize the frequency and duration of unwanted outages of power transformers. So, Frequency Response Analysis (FRA) is found to be a useful tool for reliable detection of incipient mechanical fault in a transformer, by finding winding or core defects. The authors propose as first part of this article, the coupled circuits method, because, it gives most possible exhaustive modelling of transformers. And as second part of this work, the application of FRA in low frequency in order to improve and simplify the response reading. This study can be useful as a base data for the other transformers of the same categories intended for distribution grid.