Abstract: Regenerative gas turbine engine cycle is presented that yields higher cycle efficiencies than simple cycle operating under the same conditions. The power output, efficiency and specific fuel consumption are simulated with respect to operating conditions. The analytical formulae about the relation to determine the thermal efficiency are derived taking into account the effected operation conditions (ambient temperature, compression ratio, regenerator effectiveness, compressor efficiency, turbine efficiency and turbine inlet temperature). Model calculations for a wide range of parameters are presented, as are comparisons with simple gas turbine cycle. The power output and thermal efficiency are found to be increasing with the regenerative effectiveness, and the compressor and turbine efficiencies. The efficiency increased with increase the compression ratio to 5, then efficiency decreased with increased compression ratio, but in simple cycle the thermal efficiency always increase with increased in compression ratio. The increased in ambient temperature caused decreased thermal efficiency, but the increased in turbine inlet temperature increase thermal efficiency.
Abstract: There is a variety of inconsistencies in the differences
in alcohol use and related problems between male and female
genders. This study was aimed at analyzing the gender differences in
alcohol use and related problems among university students in
Minsk, Belarus. A total of 465 male (average age of 21) and 1030
female (average age of 20.5) students from four major universities in
Minsk, Belarus were administered WHO recommended standardized
screening instruments – AUDIT, MAST, CAGE questionnaire, as
well as other alcohol related questions. The male to female ratio for
the prevalence of alcohol problems according to the AUDIT was
3.34, while the ratio for alcohol users was 0.97. There are a wide
gender differences in the pattern of alcohol use and preference for
different alcoholic beverages, cause for drinking, and other alcohol
related problems like injuries and blackouts.
Abstract: Although, all high school students in Japan are required to learn informatics, many of them do not learn this topic sufficiently. In response to this situation, we propose a support package for high school informatics classes. To examine what students learned and if they sufficiently understood the context of the lessons, a questionnaire survey was distributed to 186 students. We analyzed the results of the questionnaire and determined the weakest units, which were “basic computer configuration” and “memory and secondary storage”. We then developed a package for teaching these units. We propose that our package be applied in high school classrooms.
Abstract: Lattice Monte Carlo methods are an excellent
choice for the simulation of non-linear thermal diffusion
problems. In this paper, and for the first time, Lattice Monte
Carlo analysis is performed on thermal diffusion combined
with convective heat transfer. Laminar flow of water modeled
as an incompressible fluid inside a copper pipe with a constant
surface temperature is considered. For the simulation of
thermal conduction, the temperature dependence of the
thermal conductivity of the water is accounted for. Using the
novel Lattice Monte Carlo approach, temperature distributions
and energy fluxes are obtained.
Abstract: The paper presents a new hybridization methodology involving Neural, Fuzzy and Rough Computing. A Rough Sets based approximation technique has been proposed based on a certain Neuro – Fuzzy architecture. A New Rough Neuron composition consisting of a combination of a Lower Bound neuron and a Boundary neuron has also been described. The conventional convergence of error in back propagation has been given away for a new framework based on 'Output Excitation Factor' and an inverse input transfer function. The paper also presents a brief comparison of performances, of the existing Rough Neural Networks and ANFIS architecture against the proposed methodology. It can be observed that the rough approximation based neuro-fuzzy architecture is superior to its counterparts.
Abstract: Small-scale RC models of both piles and tunnel ducts
were produced as mockups of reality and loaded under soil
confinement conditionsto investigate the damage evolution of
structural RC interacting with soil. Experimental verifications usinga
3D nonlinear FE analysis program called COM3D, which was
developed at the University of Tokyo, are introduced. This analysis
has been used in practice for seismic performance assessment of
underground ducts and in-ground LNG storage tanks in consideration
of soil-structure interactionunder static and dynamic loading. Varying
modes of failure of RCpilessubjected to different magnitudes of soil
confinement were successfully reproduced in the proposed small-scale
experiments and numerically simulated as well. Analytical simulation
was applied to RC tunnel mockups under a wide variety of depth and
soil confinement conditions, and reasonable matching was confirmed.
Abstract: In this paper, four carbazole-based D-D-π-A organic
dyes code as CCT2A, CCT3A, CCT1PA and CCT2PA were reported.
A series of these organic dyes containing identical donor and
acceptor group but different π-system. The effect of replacing of
thiophene by phenyl thiophene as π-system on the physical
properties has been focused. The structural, energetic properties and
absorption spectra were theoretically investigated by means of
Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Time-Dependent Density
Functional Theory (TD-DFT). The results show that nonplanar
conformation due to steric hindrance in donor part (cabazolecarbazole
unit) of dye molecule can prevent unfavorable dye
aggregation. By means of the TD-DFT method, the absorption
spectra were calculated by B3LYP and BHandHLYP to study the
affect of hybrid functional on the excitation energy (Eg). The results
revealed the increasing of thiophene units not only resulted in
decreasing of Eg, but also found the shifting of absorption spectra to
higher wavelength. TD-DFT/BHandHLYP calculated results are
more strongly agreed with the experimental data than B3LYP
functions. Furthermore, the adsorptions of CCT2A and CCT3A on the
TiO2 anatase (101) surface were carried out by mean of the chemical
periodic calculation. The result exhibit the strong adsorption energy.
The calculated results provide our new organic dyes can be
effectively used as dye for Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSC).
Abstract: The adverse effects of Clindamycin (Clind.) /
Ibuprofen (Ibu.) combination on liver, kidney, blood elements and the
significances of antioxidants (N-acetylcysteine and Zinc) against
these effects were evaluated. The study includes: Group I; control
n=30, Group II; patients on Clind.300mg/Ibu.400mg twice daily for a
week n=30, Group III; patients on Clind.300mg/Ibu.400mg+Nacetylcysteine
200mg twice daily for a week n=15 and Group IV;
patients on Clind.300mg/Ibu.400mg+Zinc50mg twice daily for a
week n=15. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), alanine transferase
(ALT), aspartate transferase (AST), γ glutamyl transferase (GGT),
creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured. Applying one
way ANOVA followed by Tuckey Kramer post test, Group II showed
significant increase in ALT, AST, GGT, BUN and decrease in Hb,
RBCs, platelets than Group I. Group III showed significant decrease
in ALT, AST, GGT, BUN than Group II. Moreover, Group IV
showed significant decrease in ALT, AST, GGT and increase in Hb,
RBCs, and platelets than Group II. Conclusively, Adding Zinc or Nacetylcysteine
buffer the oxidative stress and improve the therapeutic
outcome of Clindamycin/Ibuprofen combination.
Abstract: The interaction between wakes of bluff body and
airfoil have profound influences on system performance in many
industrial applications, e.g., turbo-machinery and cooling fan. The
present work investigates the effect of configuration include; airfoil-s
angle of attack, transverse and inline spacing of the models, on
frequency behavior of the cylinder-s near-wake. The experiments
carried on under subcritical flow regime, using the hot-wire
anemometry (HWA). The relationship between the Strouhal numbers
and arrangements provide an insight into the global physical
processes of wake interaction and vortex shedding.
Abstract: Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) is one of the most
famous biopolymers that has various applications in production of
biodegradable carriers. The most important strategy for enhancing
efficiency in production process and reducing the price of PHB, is the
accurate expression of kinetic model of products formation and
parameters that are effective on it, such as Dry Cell Weight (DCW)
and substrate consumption. Considering the high capabilities of
artificial neural networks in modeling and simulation of non-linear
systems such as biological and chemical industries that mainly are
multivariable systems, kinetic modeling of microbial production of
PHB that is a complex and non-linear biological process, the three
layers perceptron neural network model was used in this study.
Artificial neural network educates itself and finds the hidden laws
behind the data with mapping based on experimental data, of dry cell
weight, substrate concentration as input and PHB concentration as
output. For training the network, a series of experimental data for
PHB production from Hydrogenophaga Pseudoflava by glucose
carbon source was used. After training the network, two other
experimental data sets that have not intervened in the network
education, including dry cell concentration and substrate
concentration were applied as inputs to the network, and PHB
concentration was predicted by the network. Comparison of predicted
data by network and experimental data, indicated a high precision
predicted for both fructose and whey carbon sources. Also in present
study for better understanding of the ability of neural network in
modeling of biological processes, microbial production kinetic of
PHB by Leudeking-Piret experimental equation was modeled. The
Observed result indicated an accurate prediction of PHB
concentration by artificial neural network higher than Leudeking-
Piret model.
Abstract: Developers need to evaluate software's performance to make software efficient. This paper suggests a performance evaluation system for embedded software. The suggested system consists of code analyzer, testing agents, data analyzer, and report viewer. The code analyzer inserts additional code dependent on target system into source code and compiles the source code. The testing agents execute performance test. The data analyzer translates raw-level results data to class-level APIs for reporting viewer. The report viewer offers users graphical report views by using the APIs. We hope that the suggested tool will be useful for embedded-related software development,because developers can easily and intuitively analyze software's performance and resource utilization.
Abstract: In this paper, we intend to study the synthesis of the
multibeam arrays. The synthesis implementation-s method for this
type of arrays permits to approach the appropriated radiance-s
diagram. The used approach is based on neural network that are
capable to model the multibeam arrays, consider predetermined
general criteria-s, and finally it permits to predict the appropriated
diagram from the neural model. Our main contribution in this paper is
the extension of a synthesis model of these multibeam arrays.
Abstract: Silver/polylactide nanocomposites (Ag/PLA-NCs) were
synthesized via chemical reduction method in diphase solvent. Silver
nitrate and sodium borohydride were used as a silver precursor
and reducing agent in the polylactide (PLA). The properties of
Ag/PLA-NCs were studied as a function of the weight percentages
of silver nanoparticles (8, 16 and 32 wt% of Ag-NPs) relative to
the weight of PLA. The Ag/PLA-NCs were characterized by Xray
diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM),
electro-optical microscopy (EOM), UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis)
and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). XRD patterns
confirmed that Ag-NPs crystallographic planes were face centered
cubic (fcc) type. TEM images showed that mean diameters of Ag-NPs
were 3.30, 3.80 and 4.80 nm. Electro-optical microscopy revealed
excellent dispersion and interaction between Ag-NPs and PLA films.
The generation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed from the UVvisible
spectra. FT-IR spectra showed that there were no significant
differences between PLA and Ag/PLA-NCs films. The synthesized
Ag/PLA-NCs were stable in organic solution over a long period of
time without sign of precipitation.
Abstract: Activity-Based Costing (ABC) which has become an important aspect of manufacturing/service organizations can be defined as a methodology that measures the cost and performance of activities, resources and cost objects. It can be considered as an alternative paradigm to traditional cost-based accounting systems. The objective of this paper is to illustrate an application of ABC method and to compare the results of ABC with traditional costing methods. The results of the application highlight the weak points of traditional costing methods and an S-Curve obtained is used to identify the undercosted and overcosted products of the firm.
Abstract: Non-stationary trend in R-R interval series is
considered as a main factor that could highly influence the evaluation
of spectral analysis. It is suggested to remove trends in order to obtain
reliable results. In this study, three detrending methods, the
smoothness prior approach, the wavelet and the empirical mode
decomposition, were compared on artificial R-R interval series with
four types of simulated trends. The Lomb-Scargle periodogram was
used for spectral analysis of R-R interval series. Results indicated that
the wavelet method showed a better overall performance than the other
two methods, and more time-saving, too. Therefore it was selected for
spectral analysis of real R-R interval series of thirty-seven healthy
subjects. Significant decreases (19.94±5.87% in the low frequency
band and 18.97±5.78% in the ratio (p
Abstract: In this paper we propose a method for modeling the
correlation between the received signals by two or more antennas
operating in a multipath environment. Considering the maximum
excess delay in the channel being modeled, an elliptical region
surrounding both transmitter and receiver antennas is produced. A
number of scatterers are randomly distributed in this region and
scatter the incoming waves. The amplitude and phase of incoming
waves are computed and used to obtain statistical properties of the
received signals. This model has the distinguishable advantage of
being applicable for any configuration of antennas. Furthermore the
common PDF (Probability Distribution Function) of received wave
amplitudes for any pair of antennas can be calculated and used to
produce statistical parameters of received signals.
Abstract: This paper explores the opportunity of using tri-axial
wireless accelerometers for supervised monitoring of sports
movements. A motion analysis system for the upper extremities of
lawn bowlers in particular is developed. Accelerometers are placed
on parts of human body such as the chest to represent the shoulder
movements, the back to capture the trunk motion, back of the hand,
the wrist and one above the elbow, to capture arm movements. These
sensors placement are carefully designed in order to avoid restricting
bowler-s movements. Data is acquired from these sensors in soft-real
time using virtual instrumentation; the acquired data is then
conditioned and converted into required parameters for motion
regeneration. A user interface was also created to facilitate in the
acquisition of data, and broadcasting of commands to the wireless
accelerometers. All motion regeneration in this paper deals with the
motion of the human body segment in the X and Y direction, looking
into the motion of the anterior/ posterior and lateral directions
respectively.
Abstract: In this paper, we present a novel approach to accurately
detect text regions including shop name in signboard images with
complex background for mobile system applications. The proposed
method is based on the combination of text detection using edge
profile and region segmentation using fuzzy c-means method. In the
first step, we perform an elaborate canny edge operator to extract all
possible object edges. Then, edge profile analysis with vertical and
horizontal direction is performed on these edge pixels to detect
potential text region existing shop name in a signboard. The edge
profile and geometrical characteristics of each object contour are
carefully examined to construct candidate text regions and classify the
main text region from background. Finally, the fuzzy c-means
algorithm is performed to segment and detected binarize text region.
Experimental results show that our proposed method is robust in text
detection with respect to different character size and color and can
provide reliable text binarization result.
Abstract: The evaluation of the contribution of professional
baseball starting pitchers is a complex decision-making problem that
includes several quantitative attributes. It is considered a type of
multi-attribute or multi-criteria decision making (MADM/MCDM)
problem. This study proposes a model using the Grey Relational
Analysis (GRA) to evaluate the starting pitcher contribution for teams
of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. The GRA calculates the
individual grey relational degree of each alternative to the positive
ideal alternative. An empirical analysis was conducted to show the use
of the model for the starting pitcher contribution problem. The results
demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed model.
Abstract: This paper describes the design process and the realtime validation of an innovative autonomous mid-air flight and landing system developed by the Italian Aerospace Research Center in the framework of the Italian national funded project TECVOL (Technologies for the Autonomous Flight). In the paper it is provided an insight of the whole development process of the system under study. In particular, the project framework is illustrated at first, then the functional context and the adopted design and testing approach are described, and finally the on-ground validation test rig on purpose designed is addressed in details. Furthermore, the hardwarein- the-loop validation of the autonomous mid-air flight and landing system by means of the real-time test rig is described and discussed.