Abstract: Mass flow measurement is the basis of most technoeconomic
formulations in the chemical industry. This calls for
reliable and accurate detection of mass flow. Flow measurement
laboratory experiments were conducted using various instruments.
These consisted of orifice plates, various sized rotameters, wet gas
meter and soap bubble meter. This work was aimed at evaluating
appropriate operating conditions and accuracy of the aforementioned
devices. The experimental data collected were compared to
theoretical predictions from Bernoulli’s equation and calibration
curves supplied by the instrument’s manufacturers. The results
obtained showed that rotameters were more reliable for measuring
high and low flow rates; while soap-bubble meters and wet-gas
meters were found to be suitable for measuring low flow rates. The
laboratory procedures and findings of the actual work can assist
engineering students and professionals in conducting their flow
measurement laboratory test work.
Abstract: The discarded clam shell waste, fossil and edible oil
as biolubricant feedstocks create environmental impacts and food
chain dilemma, thus this work aims to circumvent these issues by
using activated saltwater clam shell waste (SCSW) as solid catalyst
for conversion of Jatropha curcas oil as non-edible sources to ester
biolubricant. The characterization of solid catalyst was done by
Differential Thermal Analysis-Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (DTATGA),
X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD),
Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Field Emission Scanning Electron
Microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier Transformed Infrared
Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The calcined catalyst was used in the
transesterification of Jatropha oil to methyl ester as the first step, and
the second stage was involved the reaction of Jatropha methyl ester
(JME) with trimethylolpropane (TMP) based on the various process
parameters. The formated biolubricant was analyzed using the
capillary column (DB-5HT) equipped Gas Chromatography (GC).
The conversion results of Jatropha oil to ester biolubricant can be
found nearly 96.66%, and the maximum distribution composition
mainly contains 72.3% of triester (TE).
Abstract: For a given a simple connected graph, we present
some new bounds via a new approach for a special topological index
given by the sum of the real number power of the non-zero
normalized Laplacian eigenvalues. To use this approach presents an
advantage not only to derive old and new bounds on this topic but
also gives an idea how some previous results in similar area can be
developed.
Abstract: An anthropometric study applied to 1,115 students of
the Faculty of Chemical Sciences and Engineering of the
Autonomous University of California. Thirteen individual
measurements were taken in a sitting position. The results obtained
allow forming a reliable anthropometric database for statistical
studies and analysis and inferences of specific distributions, so the
opinion of experts in occupational medicine recommendations may
emit to reduce risks resulting in an alteration of the vital signs during
the execution of their school activities. Another use of these analyses
is to use them as a reliable reference for future deeper research, to the
design of spaces, tools, utensils, workstations, with anthropometric
dimensions and ergonomic characteristics suitable to use.
Abstract: This paper presents an anthropometric study
conducted to 300 employees in a maquiladora industry that belongs
to the cluster of medical products as part of a research project to
pretend simulate workplace conditions under which operators
conduct their activities. This project is relevant because traditionally
performed a study to design ergonomic workspaces according to
anthropometric profile of users, however, this paper demonstrates the
importance of making decisions when the infrastructure cannot be
adapted for economic whichever put emphasis on user activity.
Abstract: Economic Dispatch (ED) is one of the most
challenging problems of power system since it is difficult to determine
the optimum generation scheduling to meet the particular load demand
with the minimum fuel costs while all constraints are satisfied. The
objective of the Economic Dispatch Problems (EDPs) of electric
power generation is to schedule the committed generating units
outputs so as to meet the required load demand at minimum operating
cost while satisfying all units and system equality and inequality
constraints. In this paper, an efficient and practical steady-state genetic
algorithm (SSGAs) has been proposed for solving the economic
dispatch problem. The objective is to minimize the total generation
fuel cost and keep the power flows within the security limits. To
achieve that, the present work is developed to determine the optimal
location and size of capacitors in transmission power system where,
the Participation Factor Algorithm and the Steady State Genetic
Algorithm are proposed to select the best locations for the capacitors
and determine the optimal size for them.
Abstract: In this work, we propose the application of Japanese
“Origami” art for a floating function of a small aerial vehicle such as a
hexarotor. A preliminary experiment was conducted using Origami
magic balls mounted under a hexarotor. This magic ball can expand
and shrink using an air pump during free flying. Using this interesting
and functional concept, it promises to reduce the resistance of wind as
well as reduce the energy consumption when the Origami balls are
deflated. This approach can be particularly useful in rescue emergency
situations. Furthermore, there are many unexpected reasons that may
cause the multi-rotor has to land on the surface of water due to
problems with the communication between the aircraft and the ground
station. In addition, a complementary experiment was designed to
prove that the hexarotor can fly maintaining the stability and also,
takes off and lands on the surface of water using air balloons.
Abstract: No matter how much perfect we become in our
practical skills regarding the implementation of learned ideas, the
need of technical writing capability cannot be neglected being a
professional. Technical writing is a way of communicating the ideas
in written which otherwise need to be presented orally. Technical
writing skills have always been the need of the time, as they are
required for internal as well as external official communication in
both formal and informal manner. Moreover, they are the best way to
capture the attention of your customers by presenting information in
effective manner. This paper aims to analyze the importance of
technical writing skills in professional industries of Pakistan by
conducting a survey. Survey results presented in this paper clearly
depicts the importance of formal and informal written communication
media used in different professional industries in Pakistan. Analysis
and discussion of the extent to which the alternative ways of
communication besides technical writing have got importance in
Pakistan is also an important aspect of this survey.
Abstract: Historical and ancestral bonds of the countries in the
Middle East have led to similarities in culture and context of their
societies. In addition, economical resources, such as the oil industry,
have generally been an integrative point in the region. Higher
education of a country is influenced by different national and
international factors and, regarding the mentioned bonds, it is inviting
to study the development of the countries of the Middle East in
higher education and draw some practical implications which can be
used in the educational policymaking of the region. This review
includes a data analysis on the population of international students in
the countries of the Middle East. As its second objective, a review
study on the successful countries, that is, those which host the highest
number of international students, and the strategies they have
developed to reach this state among the countries of the region, has
been conducted. Suggestions are made as to the strategies in higher
education systems of these countries which could prove useful and
practical in the development of internationalization of higher
education in the region, specifically with regard to the recruitment of
international students.
Abstract: Ficus deltoidea from the Moraceae family is a popular
medicinal herb in Malaysia. It possesses strong antioxidant and antiinflammatory
properties. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory
effects of F. deltoidea extract on UVB-irradiated HaCaT
Keratinocytes were investigated. HaCaT Keratinocytes were UVBirradiated
(12.5 mJ/cm3) and were treated with 0.05, 0.08 or 0.1% of
F. deltoidea extract. Cell viability following UVB irradiation was
significantly higher in the groups treated with the F. deltoidea extract
at doses of 0.05, 0.08 or 0.1% than in control group with UVB
irradiation only. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1α
(IL-1α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) play
primary roles in the inflammation process upon UV irradiation and
are known to be stimulated by UVB irradiation. Treatment with the
F. deltoidea extract dramatically inhibited the UV-induced TNF-α,
IL-1α, IL-6, and COX-2 expression. These results suggest that the F.
deltoidea extract inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory
cytokines and may be an effective protective agent for the treatment
of skin diseases.
Abstract: This entry concerned with dense silica bricks
microstructure was produced as a part of a project within the
Technology Agency of the Czech Republic which is being
implemented in cooperation of the biggest producer of refractories
the P-D Refractories CZ company with the research organisation
Brno University of Technology. The paper is focused on the
influence of mixture homogenisation and the influence of grain size
of the mineraliser on the resulting utility properties of the material as
well as its microstructure. It has a decisive influence on the durability
of the material in a building structure. This paper is a continuation of
a previously published study dealing with the suitability of various
types of mineralising agents in terms of density, strength and mineral
composition of silica brick.
The entry describes the influence of the method of mixture
homogenisation and the influence of granulometry of the applied Femineralising
agent on the resulting silica microstructure. Porosity,
density, phase composition and microstructure of the experimentally
prepared silica bricks samples were examined and the results were
discussed in context with the technology of homogenisation and
firing temperature used. The properties of silica bricks samples were
compared to the sample without any Fe-mineraliser.
Abstract: The assessment of the risk posed by a borrower to a
lender is one of the common problems that financial institutions have
to deal with. Consumers vying for a mortgage are generally
compared to each other by the use of a number called the Credit
Score, which is generated by applying a mathematical algorithm to
information in the applicant’s credit report. The higher the credit
score, the lower the risk posed by the candidate, and the better he is
to be taken on by the lender. The objective of the present work is to
use fuzzy logic and linguistic rules to create a model that generates
Credit Scores.
Abstract: A circularly polarized fractal boundary microstrip
antenna is presented. The sides of a square patch along x- axis, yaxis
are replaced with Minkowski and Koch curves correspondingly.
By using the fractal curves as edges, asymmetry in the structure is
created to excite two orthogonal modes for circular polarization (CP)
operation. The indentation factors of the fractal curves are optimized
for pure CP. The simulated results of the novel polyfractal antenna
are demonstrated.
Abstract: Nanotechnology is the new cyber, according to several major leaders in this field. Just as cyber is entrenched across global society now, nano is poised to be major capabilities enabler of the next decades. Expert members from the National Nanotechnology Initiative (in U.S.) representing government and science disciplines say nano has great significance for the military and the general public. It is predicted that after next 15 years nanotechnology will replace information technology as the most economic technology platform. Nanotechnology has even wider applications than information technology.
Abstract: Rice straw pellets are a promising fuel as a renewable
energy source. Financial analysis is needed to make a utilization
system using rise straw pellets financially feasible, considering all
regional conditions including stakeholders related to the collection and
storage, production, transportation and heat utilization. We conducted
the financial analysis of feasibility for a heat utilization system using
rice straw pellets which has been developed for the first time in
Nanporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Especially, we attempted to clarify the
effect of factors required for the system to be financial feasibility, such
as the heating energy demand and collection and storage method of
rice straw. The financial feasibility was found to improve when
increasing the heating energy demand and collecting wheat straw in
August separately from collection of rice straw in November because
the costs of storing rice straw and producing pellets were reduced.
However, the system remained financially unfeasible. This study
proposed a contractor program funded by a subsidy from Nanporo
local government where a contracted company, instead of farmers,
collects and transports rice straw in order to ensure the financial
feasibility of the system, contributing to job creation in the region.
Abstract: Load carrying capacity of an oil lubricated two-axial
groove journal bearing is simulated by taking into account the
viscosity variations in lubricant due to the addition of TiO2
nanoparticles as lubricant additive. Shear viscosities of TiO2
nanoparticle dispersions in oil are measured for various nanoparticle
additive concentrations. The viscosity model derived from the
experimental viscosities is employed in a modified Reynolds
equation to obtain the pressure profiles and load carrying capacity of
two-axial groove journal bearing. Results reveal an increase in load
carrying capacity of bearings operating on nanoparticle dispersions as
compared to plain oil.
Abstract: This study focuses on the cooling of a photovoltaic
panel (PV). Indeed, the cooling improves the conversion capacity of
this one and maintains, under extreme conditions of air temperature,
the panel temperature at an appreciable level which avoids the
altering. To do this, a fan provides forced circulation of air. Because
the fan is supplied by the panel, it is necessary to determine the
optimum operating point that unites efficiency of the PV with the
consumption of the fan. For this matter, numerical simulations are
performed at varying mass flow rates of air, under two extreme air
temperatures (50°C, 25°C) and a fixed solar radiation (1000W.m2) in
a case of no wind.
Abstract: The study deals with the challenges in developing a
test rig to test the performance of water lubricated journal bearing.
The test rig is designed to simulate the working conditions of the
bearing in order to understand their performance before they are put
in operation. The bearing that is studied is the commercially available
water lubricated bearing which has a rubber liner bonded with a rigid
metal shell. The lubricant enters the bearing axially through a
pressurized inlet tank and exits to an outlet tank which is at
sufficiently low pressure. The load on the bearing is applied through
the dead weight system which acts both in upward and downward
direction so that net load acts on the bearing. The issues in feeding
the lubricant into the bearing from the inlet side and preventing the
leakage of the lubricant is discussed. The application of the load on
the test bearing while maintaining the bearing afloat is also discussed.
Abstract: Cognitive Radio is a turning out technology that
empowers viable usage of the spectrum. Energy Detector-based
Sensing is the most broadly utilized spectrum sensing strategy.
Besides, it's a lot of generic as receivers doesn't would like any
information on the primary user's signals, channel data, of even the
sort of modulation. This paper puts forth the execution of energy
detection sensing for AM (Amplitude Modulated) signal at 710 KHz,
FM (Frequency Modulated) signal at 103.45 MHz (local station
frequency), Wi-Fi signal at 2.4 GHz and WiMAX signals at 6 GHz.
The OFDM/OFDMA based WiMAX physical layer with
convolutional channel coding is actualized utilizing USRP N210
(Universal Software Radio Peripheral) and GNU Radio based
Software Defined Radio (SDR). Test outcomes demonstrated the
BER (Bit Error Rate) augmentation with channel noise and BER
execution is dissected for different Eb/N0 (the energy per bit to noise
power spectral density ratio) values.
Abstract: This paper addresses the reduction of peak to average
power ratio (PAPR) for the OFDM in Mobile-WiMAX physical layer
(PHY) standard. In the process, the best achievable PAPR of 0 dB is
found for the OFDM spectrum using phase modulation technique
which avoids the nonlinear distortion. The performance of the
WiMAX PHY standard is handled by the software defined radio
(SDR) prototype in which GNU Radio and USRP N210 employed as
software and hardware platforms respectively. It is also found that
BER performance is shown for different coding and different
modulation schemes. To empathize wireless propagation in specific
environments, a sliding correlator wireless channel sounding system
is designed by using SDR testbed.