Abstract: The Chichiawan stream in the Wulin catchment in
Taiwan is the natural habitat of Formosan landlocked salmon. Human
and agriculture activities gradually worsen water quality and impact
the fish habitat negatively. To protect and manage Formosan
landlocked salmon habitat, it is important to understand a variety
land-uses affect on the watershed responses to storms. This study
discusses watershed responses to the dry-day before a storm event and
a variety of land-uses in the Wulin catchment. Under the land-use
planning in the Wulin catchment, the peak flows during typhoon
events do not have noticeable difference. However, the nutrient
exports can be highly reduced under the strategies of restraining
agriculture activities. Due to the higher affinity of P for soil than that
of N, the exports of TN from overall Wuling catchment were much
greater than Ortho-P. Agriculture mainly centralized in subbasin A,
which is the important source of nutrients in nonpoint source discharge.
The subbasin A supplied about 26% of the TN and 32% of the Ortho-P
discharge in 2004, despite the fact it only covers 19% area of the
Wuling catchment. The subbasin analysis displayed that the
agricultural subbasin A exports higher nutrients per unit area than
other forest subbasins. Additionally, the agricultural subbasin A
contributed a higher percentage to total Ortho-P exports compares to
TN. The results of subbasin analysis might imply the transport of
Ortho-P was similar to the particulate matter which was mainly
influenced by the runoff and affected by the desorption from soil
particles while the TN (dominated as nitrate-N) was mainly influenced
by base-flow.
Abstract: The purpose of this research is to develop and apply the
RSCMAC to enhance the dynamic accuracy of Global Positioning
System (GPS). GPS devices provide services of accurate positioning,
speed detection and highly precise time standard for over 98% area on
the earth. The overall operation of Global Positioning System includes
24 GPS satellites in space; signal transmission that includes 2
frequency carrier waves (Link 1 and Link 2) and 2 sets random
telegraphic codes (C/A code and P code), on-earth monitoring stations
or client GPS receivers. Only 4 satellites utilization, the client position
and its elevation can be detected rapidly. The more receivable
satellites, the more accurate position can be decoded. Currently, the
standard positioning accuracy of the simplified GPS receiver is greatly
increased, but due to affected by the error of satellite clock, the
troposphere delay and the ionosphere delay, current measurement
accuracy is in the level of 5~15m. In increasing the dynamic GPS
positioning accuracy, most researchers mainly use inertial navigation
system (INS) and installation of other sensors or maps for the
assistance. This research utilizes the RSCMAC advantages of fast
learning, learning convergence assurance, solving capability of
time-related dynamic system problems with the static positioning
calibration structure to improve and increase the GPS dynamic
accuracy. The increasing of GPS dynamic positioning accuracy can be
achieved by using RSCMAC system with GPS receivers collecting
dynamic error data for the error prediction and follows by using the
predicted error to correct the GPS dynamic positioning data. The
ultimate purpose of this research is to improve the dynamic positioning
error of cheap GPS receivers and the economic benefits will be
enhanced while the accuracy is increased.
Abstract: In power systems, protective relays must filter their
inputs to remove undesirable quantities and retain signal quantities of
interest. This job must be performed accurate and fast. A new
method for filtering the undesirable components such as DC and
harmonic components associated with the fundamental system
signals. The method is s based on a dynamic filtering algorithm. The
filtering algorithm has many advantages over some other classical
methods. It can be used as dynamic on-line filter without the need of
parameters readjusting as in the case of classic filters. The proposed
filter is tested using different signals. Effects of number of samples
and sampling window size are discussed. Results obtained are
presented and discussed to show the algorithm capabilities.
Abstract: An evaluation of the PCBs residues in the surface soils from Bacninh, Vietnam was carried out. Sixty representative soil samples were collected from the centre of Bacninh and three surrounding districts. The analyzed results indicated the wide extent of contamination of total PCBs in Bacninh. In industrial and urban zones, total PCBs concentrations ranged from ranged from
Abstract: There were many studies on how to alleviate breast discomfort by reducing breast motion, in which nipple motion was used to represent breast motion. However, this assumption had not been experimentally validated. The aim of this paper was to experimentally validate if nipple can be used as a good indicator of breast. Seven participants (average of 24.4 years old) were recruited to walk and run on the treadmill at 5km h-1 and 10km h-1 respectively. Six markers were pasted on their bodies to collect motion data of different parts of breasts. The results of Friedman test combined with the relationship among the five markers on the same breast revealed that nipple could be used as a good indicator of breast. Wilcoxon test showed that there was no significant (P
Abstract: When the Malaysian government announced the implementation of the Build-Then-Sell (BTS) system in 2007, the proponents of the BTS have argued that the implementation of this new system may provide houses with low defects. However, there has been no empirical data to support their argument. Therefore, this study is conducted to measure the level of housing defects in the BTS housing delivery system. A survey was conducted to the occupiers in six BTS residential areas. The BTS residential areas have been identified through the media and because of the small number of population, all households in the BTS residential areas were required to participate in the study to enable the researcher to collect the data concerning defects. Questionnaire had been employed as the data collection instrument and was distributed to the respondents of this study. The result has shown that the level of defects in the BTS houses is low, as the rate of defects for all elements are slight. Such low level of defects has apparently only affected the aesthetic value of the houses.
Abstract: We consider a Principal-Agent model with the
Principal being a seller who does not know perfectly how much the
buyer (the Agent) is willing to pay for the good. The buyer-s
preferences are hence his private information. The model corresponds
to the nonlinear pricing problem of Maskin and Riley. We assume
there are three types of Agents. The model is solved using
“informational rents" as variables. In the last section we present the
main characteristics of the optimal contracts in asymmetric
information and some possible extensions of the model.
Abstract: The use of renewable energy sources incl. biogas has become topical in accordance with the increasing demand for energy, decrease of fossil energy resources and the efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as to increase energy independence from the territories where fossil energy resources are available.
As the technologies of biogas production from agricultural biomass develop, risk assessment and risk management become necessary for farms producing such a renewable energy. The need for risk assessments has become particularly topical when discussions on changing the biogas policy in the EU take place, which may influence the development of the sector in the future, as well as the operation of existing biogas facilities and their income level.
The current article describes results of the risk assessment for farms producing biomass from agriculture biomass in Latvia, the risk assessment system included 24 risks, that affect the whole biogas production process and the obtained results showed the high significance of political and production risks.
Abstract: This experiment was conducted to investigate the
effect of dietary supplementation of different levels of black seed
(Nigella sativa L.) on the performance and immune response of broiler chicks. A total 240 day-old broiler chicks were used and
randomly allotted equally into six experimental groups designated as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 having black seed at the rate of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and
10 g /kg diet respectively. The study was lasted for 42 days. Average body weight, weight gain, relative growth rate, feed
conversion, antibody titer against Newcastle disease, phagocytic activity and phagocytic index, some blood parameters(GOT, GPT,
Glucose, Cholesterol, Triglyceride, Total protein, Albumen, WBCs,
RBCs, Hb and PCV), dressing percentage, weight of different body
organs, abdominal fat weight, were determined. It was found that, N. Sativa significantly improved final body weight, total body gain
and feed conversion ratio of groups 2 and 3 when compared with the control group. Higher levels of N. Sativa did not improve
growth performance of the chicks. Non significant differences were
observed for antibody titer against Newcastle virus, WBCs count,
serum GOT, glucose level, dressing %, relative liver, spleen, heart and head percentages. Lymphoid organs (Bursa and Thymus)
improved significantly with increasing N. Sativa level in all supplemented groups. Serum cholesterol, triglyceride and visible fat
% significantly decreased with Nigella sativa supplementation while
serum GPT level significantly increased with nigella sativa
supplementation.
Abstract: Information and communication service providers
(ICSP) that are significant in size and provide Internet-based services
take administrative, technical, and physical protection measures via
the information security check service (ISCS). These protection
measures are the minimum action necessary to secure the stability and
continuity of the information and communication services (ICS) that
they provide. Thus, information assets are essential to providing ICS,
and deciding the relative importance of target assets for protection is a
critical procedure. The risk analysis model designed to decide the
relative importance of information assets, which is described in this
study, evaluates information assets from many angles, in order to
choose which ones should be given priority when it comes to
protection. Many-sided risk analysis (MSRS) grades the importance of
information assets, based on evaluation of major security check items,
evaluation of the dependency on the information and communication
facility (ICF) and influence on potential incidents, and evaluation of
major items according to their service classification, in order to
identify the ISCS target. MSRS could be an efficient risk analysis
model to help ICSPs to identify their core information assets and take
information protection measures first, so that stability of the ICS can
be ensured.
Abstract: Synthetic juice clarification was done through spiral
wound ultrafiltration (UF) membrane module. Synthetic juice was
clarified at two different operating conditions, such as, with and
without permeates recycle at turbulent flow regime. The performance
of spiral wound ultrafiltration membrane was analyzed during
clarification of synthetic juice. Synthetic juice was the mixture of
deionized water, sucrose and pectin molecule. The operating
conditions are: feed flowrate of 10 lpm, pressure drop of 413.7 kPa
and Reynolds no of 5000. Permeate sample was analyzed in terms of
volume reduction factor (VRF), viscosity (Pa.s), ⁰Brix, TDS (mg/l),
electrical conductivity (μS) and turbidity (NTU). It was observe that
the permeate flux declined with operating time for both conditions of
with and without permeate recycle due to increase of concentration
polarization and increase of gel layer on membrane surface. For
without permeate recycle, the membrane fouling rate was faster
compared to with permeate recycle. For without permeate recycle,
the VRF rose up to 5 and for with recycle permeate the VRF is 1.9.
The VRF is higher due to adsorption of solute (pectin) molecule on
membrane surface and resulting permeateflux declined with VRF.
With permeate recycle, quality was within acceptable limit. Fouled
membrane was cleaned by applying different processes (e.g.,
deionized water, SDS and EDTA solution). Membrane cleaning was
analyzed in terms of permeability recovery.
Abstract: To distinguish small retinal hemorrhages in early
diabetic retinopathy from dust artifacts, we analyzed hue, lightness,
and saturation (HLS) color spaces. The fundus of 5 patients with
diabetic retinopathy was photographed. For the initial experiment, we
placed 4 different colored papers on the ceiling of a darkroom. Using
each color, 10 fragments of house dust particles on a magnifier were
photographed. The colored papers were removed, and 3 different
colored light bulbs were suspended from the ceiling. Ten fragments of
house dust particles on the camera-s object lens were photographed.
We then constructed an experimental device that can photograph
artificial eyes. Five fragments of house dust particles under the ocher
fundus of the artificial eye were photographed. On analyzing HLS
color space of the dust artifact, lightness and saturation were found to
be highly sensitive. However, hue was not highly sensitive.
Abstract: The analytical solutions for geodesic acoustic
eigenmodes in tokamak plasmas with circular concentric magnetic
surfaces are found. In the frame of ideal magnetohydrodynamics the
dispersion relation taking into account the toroidal coupling between
electrostatic perturbations and electromagnetic perturbations with
poloidal mode number |m| = 2 is derived. In the absence of such
a coupling the dispersion relation gives the standard continuous
spectrum of geodesic acoustic modes. The analysis of the existence
of global eigenmodes for plasma equilibria with both off-axis
and on-axis maximum of the local geodesic acoustic frequency is
performed.
Abstract: Peer review is an activity where students review their
classmates- writing and then evaluate the content, development, unity
and organization. Studies have shown that peer review activities
benefit both the reviewer and the writer in developing their reading
and writing skills. Furthermore, peer review activities may also
enhance students- soft skills. This study was conducted to find out the
benefits of peer review activity in a technical writing class based on
engineering students- perceptions. The study also highlights how
these benefits could improve the students- soft skills. A set of
questionnaire was given to 200 undergraduate students of a technical
writing course. The results of the study indicate that the activity could
help improve their critical thinking skills, written and oral
communication skills, as well as team work. This paper further
discusses how the implications of these benefits could help enhance
students- soft skills.
Abstract: Smart Grids employ wireless sensor networks for
their control and monitoring. Sensors are characterized by limitations
in the processing power, energy supply and memory spaces, which
require a particular attention on the design of routing and data
management algorithms.
Since most routing algorithms for sensor networks, focus on
finding energy efficient paths to prolong the lifetime of sensor
networks, the power of sensors on efficient paths depletes quickly,
and consequently sensor networks become incapable of monitoring
events from some parts of their target areas. In consequence, the
design of routing protocols should consider not only energy
efficiency paths, but also energy efficient algorithms in general.
In this paper we propose an energy efficient routing protocol for
wireless sensor networks without the support of any location
information system. The reliability and the efficiency of this protocol
have been demonstrated by simulation studies where we compare
them to the legacy protocols. Our simulation results show that these
algorithms scale well with network size and density.
Abstract: In elevating performance in competetive sports, an
athlete must continously train in achieving maximum
performance,but needs to pay attention to recovery therapy, that is to
recover from fatigue as well as injury.The correct recovery therapy
will assist in process of recovery and helps in the training in
achieving better performace. Binahong (Anredera cordifolia) was
proven empirically by the locals in assisting speedy recovery from an
injury.Clinical research with lab animals receiving blunt trauma
injury, microscopically shown signs of: 1) redness, 2) heatiness, 3)
swelling and, 4) lack of activity. There is also microscopic indication
of: 1) infiltration of inflame cells (migration of cells to the trauma
area), 2) Cells necrosis, 3) Congestion (as a result of dead red blood
cells), 4) uedema. On administration of Binahong for 3 days, there is
a significant drop of 5% in cell inflammation, 2% increase of
fibroblast (cell membrance) count.Conclutin: Binahong do assist in
reducing cell inflammation and increase counts of cells fibroblast.
Suggestion: In helping athlete's to recover from force injury, we need
study about Binahong's roots to inflammation cell and healing of
injuried cell.
Abstract: Understanding the cell's large-scale organization is an interesting task in computational biology. Thus, protein-protein interactions can reveal important organization and function of the cell. Here, we investigated the correspondence between protein interactions and function for the yeast. We obtained the correlations among the set of proteins. Then these correlations are clustered using both the hierarchical and biclustering methods. The detailed analyses of proteins in each cluster were carried out by making use of their functional annotations. As a result, we found that some functional classes appear together in almost all biclusters. On the other hand, in hierarchical clustering, the dominancy of one functional class is observed. In the light of the clustering data, we have verified some interactions which were not identified as core interactions in DIP and also, we have characterized some functionally unknown proteins according to the interaction data and functional correlation. In brief, from interaction data to function, some correlated results are noticed about the relationship between interaction and function which might give clues about the organization of the proteins, also to predict new interactions and to characterize functions of unknown proteins.
Abstract: Here are many methods for designing and
implementation of virtual laboratories, because of their special
features. The most famous architectural designs are based on
the events. This model of architecting is so efficient for virtual
laboratories implemented on a local network. Later, serviceoriented
architecture, gave the remote access ability to them
and Peer-To-Peer architecture, hired to exchanging data with
higher quality and more speed. Other methods, such as Agent-
Based architecting, are trying to solve the problems of
distributed processing in a complicated laboratory system.
This study, at first, reviews the general principles of
designing a virtual laboratory, and then compares the different
methods based on EDA, SOA and Agent-Based architecting
to present weaknesses and strengths of each method. At the
end, we make the best choice for design, based on existing
conditions and requirements.
Abstract: The Model for Knowledge Base of Computational Objects
(KBCO model) has been successfully applied to represent the
knowledge of human like Plane Geometry, Physical, Calculus. However,
the original model cannot easyly apply in inorganic chemistry
field because of the knowledge specific problems. So, the aim of
this article is to introduce how we extend the Computional Object
(Com-Object) in KBCO model, kinds of fact, problems model, and
inference algorithms to develop a program for solving problems
in inorganic chemistry. Our purpose is to develop the application
that can help students in their study inorganic chemistry at schools.
This application was built successful by using Maple, C# and WPF
technology. It can solve automatically problems and give human
readable solution agree with those writting by students and teachers.
Abstract: Radio wave propagation on the road surface is a major
problem on wireless sensor network for traffic monitoring. In this
paper, we compare receiving signal strength on two scenarios 1) an
empty road and 2) a road with a vehicle. We investigate the effect of
antenna polarization and antenna height to the receiving signal
strength. The transmitting antenna is installed on the road surface.
The receiving signal is measured 360 degrees around the transmitting
antenna with the radius of 2.5 meters. Measurement results show the
receiving signal fluctuation around the transmitting antenna in both
scenarios. Receiving signal with vertical polarization antenna results
in higher signal strength than horizontal polarization antenna. The
optimum antenna elevation is 1 meter for both horizon and vertical
polarizations with the vehicle on the road. In the empty road, the
receiving signal level is unvarying with the elevation when the
elevation is greater than 1.5 meters.