Abstract: In the meat processing industry the substitution of
meat with non-meat ingredients is considered an important strategy
for reducing overall production costs. The main purpose of the
current research was to evaluate differences in physical-chemical
composition of cooked sausage with different legumes additions.
Peas (Pisum sativum), beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and lentil (Lens
culinaris) were used in preparation of sausages. The legumes at
proportion of 20% of the total weight of meat were added in
sausages. The whole ingredients were mixed, filled into casing,
compressed, cooked and cooled. After storage the samples were
sensory evaluated. The sensory evaluation was carried out using the
nine point hedonic scale and line scale. Sausages without legumes
flour was used as control sample. The main conclusion of the current
research the legumes flour can be successfully used for cooked
sausages production.
Abstract: In this paper, we present the preconditioned mixed-type
splitting iterative method for solving the linear systems, Ax = b,
where A is a Z-matrix. And we give some comparison theorems
to show that the convergence rate of the preconditioned mixed-type
splitting iterative method is faster than that of the mixed-type splitting
iterative method. Finally, we give a numerical example to illustrate
our results.
Abstract: By means of Contractor Iteration Method, we solve and visualize the Lane-Emden(-Fowler) equation Δu + up = 0, in Ω, u = 0, on ∂Ω. It is shown that the present method converges quadratically as Newton’s method and the computation of Contractor Iteration Method is cheaper than the Newton’s method.
Abstract: An application framework provides a reusable design
and implementation for a family of software systems. Application
developers extend the framework to build their particular
applications using hooks. Hooks are the places identified to show
how to use and customize the framework. Hooks define the
Framework Interface Classes (FICs) and their possible specifications,
which helps in building reusable test cases for the implementations of
these classes. This paper introduces a novel technique called all
paths-state to generate state-based test cases to test the FICs at class
level. The technique is experimentally evaluated. The empirical
evaluation shows that all paths-state technique produces test cases
with a high degree of coverage for the specifications of the
implemented FICs comparing to test cases generated using round-trip
path and all-transition techniques.
Abstract: In this paper, a thermal model of cast- resin dry type
transformer is proposed. The proposed thermal model is solved by
finite element technique to get the temperature at any location of the
transformer. The basic modes of heat transfer such as conduction;
convection and radiation are used to get the steady state temperature
distribution of the transformer. The predicted temperatures are
compared with experimental results reported in this paper and it is
found a good agreement between them. The effects of various
parameters such as width of air duct, ambient temperature and
emissivity of the outer surface were also studied.
Abstract: A Decision Support System/Expert System for stock
portfolio selection presented where at first step, both technical and
fundamental data used to estimate technical and fundamental return
and risk (1st phase); Then, the estimated values are aggregated with
the investor preferences (2nd phase) to produce convenient stock
portfolio.
In the 1st phase, there are two expert systems, each of which is
responsible for technical or fundamental estimation. In the technical
expert system, for each stock, twenty seven candidates are identified
and with using rough sets-based clustering method (RC) the effective
variables have been selected. Next, for each stock two fuzzy rulebases
are developed with fuzzy C-Mean method and Takai-Sugeno-
Kang (TSK) approach; one for return estimation and the other for
risk. Thereafter, the parameters of the rule-bases are tuned with backpropagation
method. In parallel, for fundamental expert systems,
fuzzy rule-bases have been identified in the form of “IF-THEN" rules
through brainstorming with the stock market experts and the input
data have been derived from financial statements; as a result two
fuzzy rule-bases have been generated for all the stocks, one for return
and the other for risk.
In the 2nd phase, user preferences represented by four criteria and
are obtained by questionnaire. Using an expert system, four estimated
values of return and risk have been aggregated with the respective
values of user preference. At last, a fuzzy rule base having four rules,
treats these values and produce a ranking score for each stock which
will lead to a satisfactory portfolio for the user.
The stocks of six manufacturing companies and the period of
2003-2006 selected for data gathering.
Abstract: Liquid-liquid extraction is a process using two immiscible
liquids to extract compounds from one phase without high
temperature requirement. Mostly, the technical implementation of
this process is carried out in mixer-settlers or extraction columns. In
real chemical processes, chemicals may have high viscosity and
contain impurities. These impurities may change the settling behavior
of the process without measurably changing the physical properties
of the phases. In the current study, the settling behavior and the affected
parameters in a high-viscosity system were observed. Batchsettling
experiments were performed to experimentally quantify the
settling behavior and the mixer-settler model of Henschke [1] was
used to evaluate the behavior of the toluene + water system. The
viscosity of the system was increased by adding polyethylene glycol
4000 to the aqueous phase. NaCl and Na2SO4 were used to study the
influence of electrolytes. The results from this study show that increasing
the viscosity of water has a higher influence on the settling
behavior in comparison to the effects of the electrolytes. It can be
seen from the experiments that at high salt concentrations, there was
no effect on the settling behavior.
Abstract: This research paper designs a unique motion planner
of multiple platoons of nonholonomic car-like robots as a feasible
solution to the lane changing/merging maneuvers. The decentralized
planner with a leaderless approach and a path-guidance principle
derived from the Lyapunov-based control scheme generates collision
free avoidance and safe merging maneuvers from multiple lanes to a
single lane by deploying a split/merge strategy. The fixed obstacles
are the markings and boundaries of the road lanes, while the moving
obstacles are the robots themselves. Real and virtual road lane
markings and the boundaries of road lanes are incorporated into a
workspace to achieve the desired formation and configuration of the
robots. Convergence of the robots to goal configurations and the
repulsion of the robots from specified obstacles are achieved by
suitable attractive and repulsive potential field functions,
respectively. The results can be viewed as a significant contribution
to the avoidance algorithm of the intelligent vehicle systems (IVS).
Computer simulations highlight the effectiveness of the split/merge
strategy and the acceleration-based controllers.
Abstract: According to the European laws, there is the
possibility of reusing the washing wastes for the environmental
requalification of quarry lakes. The paper deals with the
hydrogeological aspects involved in this possibility, as the
introduction of finest wastes in the quarry lakes can generate
alterations of the hydrogeological setting of the area, and problems
for the future accessibility of the zone. To evaluate the
hydrogeological compatibility of the washing wastes reuse in quarry
lakes a groundwater numerical model was carried out, pointing out
both the hydrogeological feasibility of this intervention and some
guide lines for its optimization, in terms of inflow point with regard
the groundwater flow direction and loss of volume in the quarry lake.
Abstract: This experiment was conducted to investigate the
effect of different levels of dietary chromium yeast (Cr-yeast) on
thigh meat quality of broiler chicks reared under heat stress
condition. Two hundred and forty Ross male chickens in heat stress
condition (33±3°C) were allocated to five treatments in a completely
randomized design. Treatments were supplemented with 0 (control),
200, 400, 800 and 1200 μg kg-1 Cr in the form of Cr yeast. Twelve
chicks from each treatment were slaughtered at 42 d, to evaluate
moisture, protein, lipid, pH and lipid oxidation of thigh meat.
Protein, moisture, lipid and pH of thigh meat were not affected by
supplemental Cr. Thigh meat lipid tended to decrease in broilers
received 1200 μg kg-1. Storage time increased lipid oxidation of
meat (P
Abstract: Transdermal delivery of ondansetron hydrochloride (OdHCl) can prevent the problems encountered with oral ondansetron. In previously conducted studies, effect of amount of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, permeation enhancer and casting solvent on the physicochemical properties on OdHCl were investigated. It is feasible to develop ondansetron transdermal patch by using ethyl cellulose and polyvinyl pyrrolidone with dibutyl pthalate as plasticizer, however, the desired flux is not achieved. The primary aim of this study is to use dimethyl succinate (DMS) and propylene glycol that are not incorporated in previous studies to determine their effect on the physicochemical properties of an OdHCl transdermal patch using ethyl cellulose and polyvinyl pyrrolidone. This study also investigates the effect of permeation enhancer (eugenol and phosphatidylcholine) on the release of OdHCl. The results showed that propylene glycol is a more suitable plasticizer compared to DMS in the fabrication of OdHCl transdermal patch using ethyl cellulose and polyvinyl pyrrolidone as polymers. Propylene glycol containing patch has optimum drug content, thickness, moisture content and water absorption, tensile strength, and a better release profile than DMS. Eugenol and phosphatidylcholine can increase release of OdHCl from the patches. From the physicochemical result and permeation profile, a combination of 350mg of ethyl cellulose, 150mg polyvinyl pyrrolidone, 3% of total polymer weight of eugenol, and 40% of total polymer weight of propylene glycol is the most suitable formulation to develop an OdHCl patch. OdHCl release did not increase with increasing the percentage of plasticiser. DMS 4, PG 4, DMS 9, PG 9, DMS 14, and PG 14 gave better release profiles where using 300mg: 0mg, 300mg: 100mg, and 350mg: 150mg of EC: PVP. Thus, 40% of PG or DMS appeared to be the optimum amount of plasticiser when the above combination where EC: PVP was used. It was concluded from the study that a patch formulation containing 350mg EC, 150mg PVP, 40% PG and 3% eugenol is the best transdermal matrix patch compositions for the uniform and continuous release/permeation of OdHCl over an extended period. This patch design can be used for further pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies in suitable animal models.
Abstract: The critical period for weed control (CPWC) is the period in the crop growth cycle during which weeds must be controlled to prevent unacceptable yield losses. Field studies were conducted in 2005 and 2006 in the University of Birjand at the south east of Iran to determine CPWC of corn using a randomized complete block design with 14 treatments and four replications. The treatments consisted of two different periods of weed interference, a critical weed-free period and a critical time of weed removal, were imposed at V3, V6, V9, V12, V15, and R1 (based on phonological stages of corn development) with a weedy check and a weed-free check. The CPWC was determined with the use of 2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20% acceptable yield loss levels by non-linear Regression method and fitting Logistic and Gompertz nonlinear equations to relative yield data. The CPWC of corn was from 5- to 15-leaf stage (19-55 DAE) to prevent yield losses of 5%. This period to prevent yield losses of 2.5, 10 and 20% was 4- to 17-leaf stage (14-59 DAE), 6- to 12-leaf stage (25-47 DAE) and 8- to 9-leaf stage (31-36 DAE) respectively. The height and leaf area index of corn were significantly decreased by weed competition in both weed free and weed infested treatments (P
Abstract: In order to supplement the brittle property of concrete,
fibers are added into concrete mixtures. Compared to general concrete,
various characteristics such as tensile strength, bending strength,
bending toughness, and resistance to crack are superior, and even
when cracks occur, improvements on toughness as well as resistance
to shock are excellent due to the growth of fracture energy. Increased
function of steel fiber reinforced concrete can be differentiated
depending on the fiber dispersion, and sand percentage can be an
important influence on the fiber dispersion. Therefore, in this research,
experiments were planned on sand percentage in order to apprehend
the influence of sand percentage on the bending properties and direct
tension of SFRC and basic experiments were conducted on bending
and direct tension in order to recognize the properties of bending
properties and direct tension following the size of the aggregates and
sand percentage.
Abstract: This paper aims to argue that religion and Faith-based Organizations (FBOs) contribute to building democratic process through the provision of education in Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone experienced a civil war from 1991 to 2002 and about 70 percent of the population lives in poverty. While the government has been in the process of rebuilding the nation, many forms of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including FBOs, have played a significant role in promoting social development. Education plays an important role in supporting people-s democratic movements through knowledge acquisition, spiritual enlightenment and empowerment. This paper discusses religious tolerance in Sierra Leone and how FBOs have contributed to the provision of primary education in Sierra Leone. This study is based on the author-s field research, which involved interviews with teachers and development stakeholders, notably government officials, Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) and FBOs, as well as questionnaires completed by pupils, parents and teachers.
Abstract: An accurate procedure to determine free vibrations of
beams and plates is presented.
The natural frequencies are exact solutions of governing vibration
equations witch load to a nonlinear homogeny system.
The bilinear and linear structures considered simulate a bridge.
The dynamic behavior of this one is analyzed by using the theory of
the orthotropic plate simply supported on two sides and free on the
two others. The plate can be excited by a convoy of constant or
harmonic loads. The determination of the dynamic response of the
structures considered requires knowledge of the free frequencies and
the shape modes of vibrations. Our work is in this context. Indeed,
we are interested to develop a self-consistent calculation of the Eigen
frequencies.
The formulation is based on the determination of the solution of
the differential equations of vibrations. The boundary conditions
corresponding to the shape modes permit to lead to a homogeneous
system. Determination of the noncommonplace solutions of this
system led to a nonlinear problem in Eigen frequencies.
We thus, develop a computer code for the determination of the
eigenvalues. It is based on a method of bisection with interpolation
whose precision reaches 10 -12. Moreover, to determine the
corresponding modes, the calculation algorithm that we develop uses
the method of Gauss with a partial optimization of the "pivots"
combined with an inverse power procedure. The Eigen frequencies
of a plate simply supported along two opposite sides while
considering the two other free sides are thus analyzed. The results
could be generalized with the case of a beam by regarding it as a
plate with low width.
We give, in this paper, some examples of treated cases. The
comparison with results presented in the literature is completely
satisfactory.
Abstract: The RANS method with Saffman-s turbulence model
was employed to solve the time-dependent turbulent Navier-Stokes
and energy equations for oscillating pipe flows. The method of
partial sums of the Fourier series is used to analyze the harmonic
velocity and temperature results. The complete structures of the
oscillating pipe flows and the averaged Nusselt numbers on the tube
wall are provided by numerical simulation over wide ranges of ReA
and ReR. Present numerical code is validated by comparing the
laminar flow results to analytic solutions and turbulence flow results
to published experimental data at lower and higher Reynolds
numbers respectively. The effects of ReA and ReR on the velocity,
temperature and Nusselt number distributions have been di scussed.
The enhancement of the heat transfer due to oscillating flows has
also been presented. By the way of analyzing the overall Nusselt
number over wide ranges of the Reynolds number Re and Keulegan-
Carpenter number KC, the optimal ratio of the tube diameter over
the oscillation amplitude is obtained based on the existence of a
nearly constant optimal KC number. The potential application of the
present results in sea water cooling has also been discussed.
Abstract: Spray chilling using air-mist nozzles has received
much attention in the food processing industry because of the
benefits it has shown over forced air convection. These benefits
include an increase in the heat transfer coefficient and a reduction in
the water loss by the product during cooling. However, few studies
have simulated the heat transfer and aerodynamics phenomena of the
air-mist chilling process for optimal operating conditions. The study
provides insight into the optimal conditions for spray impaction, heat
transfer efficiency and control of surface flooding. A computational
fluid dynamics model using a two-phase flow composed of water
droplets injected with air is developed to simulate the air-mist
chilling of food products. The model takes into consideration
droplet-to-surface interaction, water-film accumulation and surface
runoff. The results of this study lead to a better understanding of the
heat transfer enhancement, water conservation, and to a clear
direction for the optimal design of air-mist chilling systems that can
be used in commercial applications in the food and meat processing
industries.
Abstract: This paper shows the results obtained in the analysis
of the impact of distributed generation (DG) on distribution losses
and presents a new algorithm to the optimal allocation of distributed
generation resources in distribution networks. The optimization is
based on a Hybrid Genetic Algorithm and Particle Swarm
Optimization (HGAPSO) aiming to optimal DG allocation in
distribution network. Through this algorithm a significant
improvement in the optimization goal is achieved. With a numerical
example the superiority of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated in
comparison with the simple genetic algorithm.
Abstract: A major goal of any enterprise is to create a ratings
system of customer satisfaction, goods and services. It is obvious that
the company cannot change what is not measured. In order to get a
clearer picture of the preferences of the major consumer groups, this
stage should be based on extensive research, including a variety of
interviews and surveys. It is necessary to know the key benefits,
which determine customer satisfaction in the market segment, of the
properties of certain goods and services. It is important to estimate
the terms of these preferences from the viewpoint of the client. This
article discusses the importance of customer satisfaction, and ways of
assessing it.
Abstract: The paper shows how the CASMAS modeling language,
and its associated pervasive computing architecture, can be
used to facilitate continuity of care by providing members of patientcentered
communities of care with a support to cooperation and
knowledge sharing through the usage of electronic documents and
digital devices. We consider a scenario of clearly fragmented care to
show how proper mechanisms can be defined to facilitate a better
integration of practices and information across heterogeneous care
networks. The scenario is declined in terms of architectural components
and cooperation-oriented mechanisms that make the support
reactive to the evolution of the context where these communities
operate.