Abstract: The forest fires in Thailand are annual occurrence which is the cause of air pollutions. This study intended to estimate the emission from forest fire during 2005-2009 using MODerateresolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) sensor aboard the Terra and Aqua satellites, experimental data, and statistical data. The forest fire emission is estimated using equation established by Seiler and Crutzen in 1982. The spatial and temporal variation of forest fire emission is analyzed and displayed in the form of grid density map. From the satellite data analysis suggested between 2005 and 2009, the number of fire hotspots occurred 86,877 fire hotspots with a significant highest (more than 80% of fire hotspots) in the deciduous forest. The peak period of the forest fire is in January to May. The estimation on the emissions from forest fires during 2005 to 2009 indicated that the amount of CO, CO2, CH4, and N2O was about 3,133,845 tons, 47,610.337 tons, 204,905 tons, and 6,027 tons, respectively, or about 6,171,264 tons of CO2eq. They also emitted 256,132 tons of PM10. The year 2007 was found to be the year when the emissions were the largest. Annually, March is the period that has the maximum amount of forest fire emissions. The areas with high density of forest fire emission were the forests situated in the northern, the western, and the upper northeastern parts of the country.
Abstract: In recent years various types of electric vehicles
has gained again increasing attention as an environmentally
benign technology in transport. Especially for urban areas with
high local pollution this Zero-emission technology (at the point
of use) is considered to provide proper solutions. Yet, the bad
economics and the limited driving ranges are still major barriers
for a broader market penetration of battery electric vehicles
(BEV) and of fuel cell vehicles (FCV). The major result of our
analyses is that the most important precondition for a further
dissemination of BEV in urban areas are emission-free zones.
This is an instrument which allows the promotion of BEV
without providing excessive subsidies. In addition, it is
important to note that the full benefits of EV can only be
harvested if the electricity used is produced from renewable
energy sources. That is to say, it has to be ensured that the use of
BEV in urban areas is clearly linked to a green electricity
purchase model. And moreover, the introduction of a CO2-
emission-based tax system would support this requirement.
Abstract: Thermo-chemical treatment (TCT) such as pyrolysis
is getting recognized as a valid route for (i) materials and valuable
products and petrochemicals recovery; (ii) waste recycling; and (iii)
elemental characterization. Pyrolysis is also receiving renewed
attention for its operational, economical and environmental
advantages. In this study, samples of polyethylene terephthalate
(PET) and polystyrene (PS) were pyrolysed in a microthermobalance
reactor (using a thermogravimetric-TGA setup). Both
polymers were prepared and conditioned prior to experimentation.
The main objective was to determine the kinetic parameters of the
depolymerization reactions that occur within the thermal degradation
process. Overall kinetic rate constants (ko) and activation energies
(Eo) were determined using the general kinetics theory (GKT)
method previously used by a number of authors. Fitted correlations
were found and validated using the GKT, errors were within ± 5%.
This study represents a fundamental step to pave the way towards the
development of scaling relationship for the investigation of larger
scale reactors relevant to industry.
Abstract: The phase diagrams and compositions of coexisting
phases have been determined for aqueous two-phase systems
containing poly(propylene glycol) with average molecular weight of
425 and sodium citrate at various pH of 3.93, 4.44, 4.6, 4.97, 5.1,
8.22. The effect of pH on the salting-out effect of poly (propylene
glycol) by sodium citrate has been studied. It was found that, an
increasing in pH caused the expansion of two-phase region.
Increasing pH also increases the concentration of PPG in the PPGrich
phase, while the salt-rich phase will be somewhat mole diluted.
Abstract: In this work, grinding or microcutting tools in the form of pellets were manufactured using a bounded alumina abrasive grains. The bound used is a vitreous material containing quartz feldspars, kaolinite and a quantity of hematite. The pellets were used in glass grinding process to replace the free abrasive grains lapping process. The study of the elaborated pellets were done to define their effectiveness in the grinding process and to optimize the influence of the pellets elaboration parameters. The obtained results show the existence of an optimal combination of the pellets elaboration parameters for each glass grinding phase (coarse to fine grinding). The final roughness (rms) reached by the elaborated pellets on a BK7 glass surface was about 0.392 μm.
Abstract: Spectrum is a scarce commodity, and considering the spectrum scarcity faced by the wireless-based service providers led to high congestion levels. Technical inefficiencies from pooled, since all networks share a common pool of channels, exhausting the available channels will force networks to block the services. Researchers found that cognitive radio (CR) technology may resolve the spectrum scarcity. A CR is a self-configuring entity in a wireless networking that senses its environment, tracks changes, and frequently exchanges information with their networks. However, CRN facing challenges and condition become worst while tracks changes i.e. reallocation of another under-utilized channels while primary network user arrives. In this paper, channels or resource reallocation technique based on DNA-inspired computing algorithm for CRN has been proposed.
Abstract: The steady incompressible flow has been solved in cylindrical coordinates in both vapour region and wick structure. The governing equations in vapour region are continuity, Navier-Stokes and energy equations. These equations have been solved using SIMPLE algorithm. For study of parameters variation on heat pipe operation, a benchmark has been chosen and the effect of changing one parameter has been analyzed when the others have been fixed.
Abstract: Network-Centric Air Defense Missile Systems
(NCADMS) represents the superior development of the air defense
missile systems and has been regarded as one of the major research
issues in military domain at present. Due to lack of knowledge and
experience on NCADMS, modeling and simulation becomes an effective
approach to perform operational analysis, compared with
those equation based ones. However, the complex dynamic interactions
among entities and flexible architectures of NCADMS put forward
new requirements and challenges to the simulation framework
and models. ABS (Agent-Based Simulations) explicitly addresses
modeling behaviors of heterogeneous individuals. Agents have capability
to sense and understand things, make decisions, and act on the
environment. They can also cooperate with others dynamically to
perform the tasks assigned to them. ABS proves an effective approach
to explore the new operational characteristics emerging in
NCADMS. In this paper, based on the analysis of network-centric
architecture and new cooperative engagement strategies for
NCADMS, an agent-based simulation framework by expanding the
simulation framework in the so-called System Effectiveness Analysis
Simulation (SEAS) was designed. The simulation framework specifies
components, relationships and interactions between them, the
structure and behavior rules of an agent in NCADMS. Based on scenario
simulations, information and decision superiority and operational
advantages in NCADMS were analyzed; meanwhile some
suggestions were provided for its future development.
Abstract: To realize the vision of ubiquitous computing, it is
important to develop a context-aware infrastructure which can help
ubiquitous agents, services, and devices become aware of their
contexts because such computational entities need to adapt themselves
to changing situations. A context-aware infrastructure manages the
context model representing contextual information and provides
appropriate information. In this paper, we introduce Context-Aware
Middleware for URC System (hereafter CAMUS) as a context-aware
infrastructure for a network-based intelligent robot system and discuss
the ontology-based context modeling and reasoning approach which is
used in that infrastructure.
Abstract: The automatic discrimination of seismic signals is an important practical goal for the earth-science observatories due to the large amount of information that they receive continuously. An essential discrimination task is to allocate the incoming signal to a group associated with the kind of physical phenomena producing it. In this paper, we present new techniques for seismic signals classification: local, regional and global discrimination. These techniques were tested on seismic signals from the data base of the National Geophysical Institute of the Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique et Technique (Morocco) by using the Moroccan software for seismic signals analysis.
Abstract: Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), an avian
paramyxovirus, is a highly contagious, generalised virus disease of
domestic poultry and wild birds characterized by gastro-intestinal,
respiratory and nervous signs. In this study, it was shown that NDV
strain AF2240 and V4-UPM are cytolytic to Human Promyelocytic
Leukemia, HL60 and Human T-lymphoblastic Leukemia, CEM-SS
cells. Results from MTT cytolytic assay showed that CD50 for NDV
AF2240 against HL60 was 130 HAU and NDV V4-UPM against
HL60 and CEM-SS were 110.6 and 150.9 HAU respectively.
Besides, both strains were found to inhibit the proliferation of cells in
a dose dependent manner. The mode of cell death either by apoptosis
or necrosis was further analyzed using acridine orange and propidium
iodide (AO/PI) staining. Our results showed that both NDV strains
induced primarily apoptosis in treated cells at CD50 concentration. In
conclusion, both NDV strains caused cytolytic effects primarily via
apoptosis in leukemia cells.
Abstract: A fuzzy classifier using multiple ellipsoids approximating decision regions for classification is to be designed in this paper. An algorithm called Gustafson-Kessel algorithm (GKA) with an adaptive distance norm based on covariance matrices of prototype data points is adopted to learn the ellipsoids. GKA is able toadapt the distance norm to the underlying distribution of the prototypedata points except that the sizes of ellipsoids need to be determined a priori. To overcome GKA's inability to determine appropriate size ofellipsoid, the genetic algorithm (GA) is applied to learn the size ofellipsoid. With GA combined with GKA, it will be shown in this paper that the proposed method outperforms the benchmark algorithms as well as algorithms in the field.
Abstract: Pollution emission levels of aircraft engines are a
nowadays high concern. Any technological advance that could reduce
emission levels is always welcome. In what concerns aircraft engines,
a possible solution for this problem could be the use of regenerators
and intercoolers. These components might reduce the specific fuel
consumption, increase efficiency and specific thrust and consequently
reduce the pollution levels of the engine. This is not a novel solution.
These heat exchangers are already is use in stationary engines. For
aircraft engines, the extra weight of the needed hardware could
overcome the fuel saved. This work compares a conventional engine
with configurations that use intercoolers and regenerators.
Abstract: Fuzzy logic system (FLS) is used in this study to
predict the tractive performance in terms of traction force, and
motion resistance for an intelligent air cushion track vehicle while it
operates in the swamp peat. The system is effective to control the
intelligent air –cushion system with measuring the vehicle traction
force (TF), motion resistance (MR), cushion clearance height (CH)
and cushion pressure (CP). Ultrasonic displacement sensor, pull-in
solenoid electromagnetic switch, pressure control sensor, micro
controller, and battery pH sensor are incorporated with the Fuzzy
logic system to investigate experimentally the TF, MR, CH, and CP.
In this study, a comparison for tractive performance of an intelligent
air cushion track vehicle has been performed with the results obtained
from the predicted values of FLS and experimental actual values. The
mean relative error of actual and predicted values from the FLS
model on traction force, and total motion resistance are found as 5.58
%, and 6.78 % respectively. For all parameters, the relative error of
predicted values are found to be less than the acceptable limits. The
goodness of fit of the prediction values from the FLS model on TF,
and MR are found as 0.90, and 0.98 respectively.
Abstract: The elimination of ranitidine (a pharmaceutical
compound) has been carried out in the presence of UV-C radiation.
After some preliminary experiments, it has been experienced the no
influence of the gas nature (air or oxygen) bubbled in photolytic
experiments. From simple photolysis experiments the quantum yield
of this compound has been determined. Two photolytic
approximation has been used, the linear source emission in parallel
planes and the point source emission in spherical planes. The
quantum yield obtained was in the proximity of 0.05 mol Einstein-1
regardless of the method used. Addition of free radical promoters
(hydrogen peroxide) increases the ranitidine removal rate while the
use of photocatalysts (TiO2) negatively affects the process.
Abstract: In this study, the precision heading process of
spur gears has been investigated by means of numerical
analysis. The effect of some parameters such as teeth number
and module on the forming force and material flow were
presented. The simulation works were performed rigid-plastic
finite element method using DEFORM 3D software. In order
to validate the estimated numerical results, they were
compared with those obtained experimentally during heading
of spur gear using lead as a model material. Results showed
that the optimum number of gear teeth is between 10 to 20,
that is because of being the specific pressure in its minimum
value.
Abstract: In this work the opportunity of construction of the
qualifiers for face-recognition systems based on conjugation criteria
is investigated. The linkage between the bipartite conjugation, the
conjugation with a subspace and the conjugation with the null-space
is shown. The unified solving rule is investigated. It makes the
decision on the rating of face to a class considering the linkage
between conjugation values. The described recognition method can
be successfully applied to the distributed systems of video control
and video observation.
Abstract: Tumour suppressors are key participants in the
prevention of cancer. Regulation of their expression through
miRNAs is important for comprehensive translation inhibition of
tumour suppressors and elucidation of carcinogenesis mechanisms.
We studies the possibility of 1521 miRNAs to bind with 873 mRNAs
of human tumour suppressors using RNAHybrid 2.1 and ERNAhybrid
programmes. Only 978 miRNAs were found to be
translational regulators of 812 mRNAs, and 61 mRNAs did not have
any miRNA binding sites. Additionally, 45.9% of all miRNA binding
sites were located in coding sequences (CDSs), 33.8% were located
in 3' untranslated region (UTR), and 20.3% were located in the
5'UTR. MiRNAs binding with more than 50 target mRNAs and
mRNAs binding with several miRNAs were selected. Hsa-miR-5096
had 15 perfectly complementary binding sites with mRNAs of 14
tumour suppressors. These newly indentified miRNA binding sites
can be used in the development of medicines (anti-sense therapies)
for cancer treatment.
Abstract: A frequency grouping approach for multi-channel
instantaneous blind source separation (I-BSS) of convolutive
mixtures is proposed for a lower net residual inter-symbol
interference (ISI) and inter-channel interference (ICI) than the
conventional short-time Fourier transform (STFT) approach. Starting
in the time domain, STFTs are taken with overlapping windows to
convert the convolutive mixing problem into frequency domain
instantaneous mixing. Mixture samples at the same frequency but
from different STFT windows are grouped together forming unique
frequency groups.
The individual frequency group vectors are input to the I-BSS
algorithm of choice, from which the output samples are dispersed
back to their respective STFT windows. After applying the inverse
STFT, the resulting time domain signals are used to construct the
complete source estimates via the weighted overlap-add method
(WOLA). The proposed algorithm is tested for source deconvolution
given two mixtures, and simulated along with the STFT approach to
illustrate its superiority for fairly motionless sources.
Abstract: Since large power transformers are the most
expensive and strategically important components of any power
generator and transmission system, their reliability is crucially
important for the energy system operation. Also, Circuit breakers are
very important elements in the power transmission line so monitoring
the events gives a knowledgebase to determine time to the next
maintenance. This paper deals with the introduction of the
comparative method of the state estimation of transformers and
Circuit breakers using continuous monitoring of voltage, current.
This paper gives details a new method based on wavelet to apparatus
insulation monitoring. In this paper to insulation monitoring of
transformer, a new method based on wavelet transformation and
neutral point analysis is proposed. Using the EMTP tools, fault in
transformer winding and the detailed transformer winding model
were simulated. The current of neutral point of winding was analyzed
by wavelet transformation. It is shown that the neutral current of the
transformer winding has useful information about fault in insulation
of the transformer.