Abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the interaction between mode of illness onset and psychiatric comorbidity on the health outcomes of persons with ME/CFS. A total of 114 individuals with ME/CFS participated in this study. Individuals completed a battery of baseline measures including the fatigue severity scale and measures of disability. Findings indicated that those with sudden illness onset had more impaired physical health functioning. In addition, among individuals with sudden onset, those without psychiatric comorbidity had greater fatigue severity and lower overall physical health than those with psychiatric comordibity. In contrast, among individuals with gradual illness onset, those with psychiatric comorbity had higher fatigue severity than those without comorbid psychiatric disorders. The health outcomes of individuals who have ME/CFS with or without psychiatric comorbidity are impacted by the mode of illness onset and this suggest that it is important to examine these factors in future research.
Abstract: An analysis of a synchronous generator in a bond
graph approach is proposed. This bond graph allows to determine the
simplified models of the system by using singular perturbations.
Firstly, the nonlinear bond graph of the generator is linearized. Then,
the slow and fast state equations by applying singular perturbations
are obtained. Also, a bond graph to get the quasi-steady state of the
slow dynamic is proposed. In order to verify the effectiveness of the
singularly perturbed models, simulation results of the complete
system and reduced models are shown.
Abstract: This paper presents a mean for reducing the torque
variation during the revolution of a vertical-axis wind turbine
(VAWT) by increasing the blade number. For this purpose, twodimensional
CDF analysis have been performed on a straight-bladed
Darreius-type rotor. After describing the computational model, a
complete campaign of simulations based on full RANS unsteady
calculations is proposed for a three, four and five-bladed rotor
architecture characterized by a NACA 0025 airfoil. For each
proposed rotor configuration, flow field characteristics are
investigated at several values of tip speed ratio, allowing a
quantification of the influence of blade number on flow geometric
features and dynamic quantities, such as rotor torque and power.
Finally, torque and power curves are compared for the analyzed
architectures, achieving a quantification of the effect of blade number
on overall rotor performance.
Abstract: Nowadays the construction industry is growing specially among developing counties. Iran also has a critical role in these industries in terms of workers disorders. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) assign 7% of the whole diseases in the society, which make some limitations. One of the main factors, which are ended to WMSDs, is awkward posture. Steel bar bending is considered as one of the prominent performance among construction workers. In this case study we conducted to find the major tasks of bar benders and the most important related risk factors. This study was carried out among twenty workers (18-45 years) as our volunteer samples in some construction sites with less than 6 floors in two regions of Tehran municipality. The data was gathered through in depth observation, interview and questionnaire. Also postural analysis was done by OWAS. In another part of study we used NMQ for gathering some data about psychosocial effects of work related disorders. Our findings show that 64% of workers were not aware of work risks, also about 59% of workers had troubles in their wrists, hands, and especially among workers who worked in steel bar bending. In 46% cases low back pain were prevalence. Considering with gathered data and results, awkward postures and long term tasks and its duration are known as the main risk factors in WMSDs among construction workers, so work-rest schedule and also tools design should be considered to make an ergonomic condition for the mentioned workers.
Abstract: This work presents the hydrogen production from
steam gasification of palm kernel shell (PKS) at 700 oC in the
presence of 5% Ni/BEA and 5% Fe/BEA as catalysts. The steam
gasification was performed in two-staged reactors to evaluate the
effect of calcinations temperature and the steam to biomass ratio on
the product gas composition. The catalytic activity of Ni/BEA
catalyst decreases with increasing calcinations temperatures from 500
to 700 oC. The highest H2 concentration is produced by Fe/BEA
(600) with more than 71 vol%. The catalytic activity of the catalysts
tested is found to correspond to its physicochemical properties. The
optimum range for steam to biomass ratio if found to be between 2 to
4. Excess steam content results in temperature drop in the gasifier
which is undesirable for the gasification reactions.
Abstract: Creation of information society, or in other words, a
society based on knowledge, has wide consequences, both on
individual and complete society, and in general – on a economy of
one country. Development and implementation of ICT represents a
stimulant for economic growth. On individual level, knowledge,
skills and information gathered using ICT, are expanding individual
possibilities of persons, enabling them to have access to timely
sensitive information, such as market prices or investment
conditions, possibilities to access Government-s or private
development funds, etc. By doing so, productivity is increased both
on individual and national level and therefore social wellbeing in
general. In one word, creation of information society - a knowledge
society is happening.
This work will describe challenges and strategies that will follow
the development as well as obstacles in creating information society
– knowledge society in Montenegro.
Abstract: This paper presents a study of laminar to turbulent transition on a profile specifically designed for wind turbine blades, the DU91-W2-250, which belongs to a class of wind turbine dedicated airfoils, developed by Delft University of Technology. A comparison between the experimental behavior of the airfoil studied at Delft wind tunnel and the numerical predictions of the commercial CFD solver ANSYS FLUENT® has been performed. The prediction capabilities of the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model and of the γ-θ Transitional model have been tested. A sensitivity analysis of the numerical results to the spatial domain discretization has also been performed using four different computational grids, which have been created using the mesher GAMBIT®. The comparison between experimental measurements and CFD results have allowed to determine the importance of the numerical prediction of the laminar to turbulent transition, in order not to overestimate airfoil friction drag due to a fully turbulent-regime flow computation.
Abstract: Suppose G(V,E) is a graph, a function f : V \cup E \to \{1, 2, 3, \cdots, k\} is called the total edge(vertex) irregular k-labelling for G such that for each two edges are different having distinct weights. The total edge(vertex) irregularity strength of G, denoted by tes(G)(tvs(G), is the smallest k positive integers such that G has a total edge(vertex) irregular k-labelling. In this paper, we determined the total edge(vertex) irregularity strength of an amalgamation of two isomorphic cycles. The total edge irregularity strength and the total vertex irregularity strength of two isomorphic cycles on n vertices are \lceil (2n+2)/3 \rceil and \lceil 2n/3 \rceil for n \geq 3, respectively.
Abstract: Unintentional falls are rife throughout the ages and
have been the common factor of serious or critical injuries especially
for the elderly society. Fortunately, owing to the recent rapid
advancement in technology, fall detection system is made possible,
enabling detection of falling events for the elderly, monitoring the
patient and consequently provides emergency support in the event of
falling. This paper presents a review of 3 main categories of fall
detection techniques, ranging from year 2005 to year 2010. This
paper will be focusing on discussing the techniques alongside with
summary and conclusion for them.
Abstract: This work shows a basic philosophical difficulty in the constructivist foundations of the cognitive posracionalist psychology of Vittorio Guidano. This is a difficulty caused by the problem of the existential crisis. It will be analyzed how Guidano-s suggestions about this problem depend on felt experience. Then it will appear how Guidano-s philosophy and psychotherapy must turn towards a phenomenological approach. Finally, some references are given about Eugen Gendlin-s philosophy which could be considered as a radical way to confront these questions.
Abstract: The objective of this paper is to establish a possible relationship between sustainable business practice and firm performance. Using a field survey methodology, a sample of sixty manufacturing companies in Nigeria was studied. The firms were categorised into two groups, environmentally 'responsible' and 'irresponsible' firms. An investigation was undertaken into the possible relationship between firm performance and three selected indicators of sustainable business practice: employee health and safety (EHS), waste management (WM), and community development (CD), common within the 30 'responsible' firms. Findings from empirical results reveal that the sustainable practices of the 'responsible' firms are significantly related with firm performance. In addition, sustainable practices are inversely related with fines and penalties. The paper concludes that, within the Nigerian setting at least, sustainability affects corporate performance and sustainability may be a possible tool for corporate conflict resolution as evidenced in the reduction of fines, penalties and compensations. The paper therefore recommends research into the relationship between sustainability and conflict management.
Abstract: This paper shows possibility of extraction Social,
Group and Individual Mind from Multiple Agents Rule Bases. Types
those Rule bases are selected as two fuzzy systems, namely
Mambdani and Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy system. Their rule bases are
describing (modeling) agent behavior. Modifying of agent behavior
in the time varying environment will be provided by learning fuzzyneural
networks and optimization of their parameters with using
genetic algorithms in development system FUZNET. Finally,
extraction Social, Group and Individual Mind from Multiple Agents
Rule Bases are provided by Cognitive analysis and Matching
criterion.
Abstract: Eight Etawah cross bred does were divided into two
groups based on body condition score (BCS). Group I (BSC 2, body
weight 25-30 kg; n = 4), and Group II (BSC 3, body weight, 35-40 kg, n=4). All does received intravaginal controlled internal drug
release devices (CIDR) for 10 days, and a prostaglandin F2α at 48 h before CIDR removal. Estrus detection was carried out using
vasectomized buck. Vaginal epithelium was taken to determine estrus cycle. Blood samples were taken every 3-6 hours, started from
moment of CIDR removal until the end of estrus. The results showed vaginal histological indicated estrus occurred at the hours of 25 to 60
and 30 to 70 post CIDR removal in BCS 2 and 3, respectively. Progesterone peak of BCS 2 and BCS 3 were 0.18±0.31 and
0.48±0.31 ng/mL on the hour 0 post CIDR removal. Estradiol -17ß
peak of each group was 53.25±35.08 and 89.91±92.84 pg/mL at 48
post CIDR removal. LH surge only occurred on BCS 3 groups, the LH concentrations were 9.9± 9.1; 4.5± 4.0; and 18.2± 9.1 ng/mL at
45, 48 and 51 hours post CIDR removal, respectively. It was concluded that the BCS had effects on vaginal histological changes
and LH surge.
Abstract: This paper presents one comprehensive modelling approach for maintenance scheduling problem of thermal power units in competitive market. This problem is formulated as a 0/1 mixedinteger linear programming model. Model incorporates long-term bilateral contracts with defined profiles of power and price, and weekly forecasted market prices for market auction. The effectiveness of the proposed model is demonstrated through case study with detailed discussion.
Abstract: The alumosilicate ceramics with mullite crystalline phase are used in various branches of science and technique. The mullite refractory ceramics with high porosity serve as a heat insulator and as a constructional materials [1], [2]. The purpose of the work was to sinter high porosity ceramic and to increase the quantity of mullite phase in this mullite, mullite-corundum ceramics. Two types of compositions were prepared at during the experiment. The first type is compositions with commercial alumina and silica oxides. The second type is from mixing these oxides with 10, 20 and 30 wt.%. of kaolin. In all samples the Al2O3 and SiO2 were in 2.57:1 ratio, because that was conformed to mullite stechiometric compositions (3Al2O3.2SiO2). The types of alumina oxides were α-Al2O3 (d50=4µm) and γ-Al2O3 (d50=80µm). Ratios of α-: γ-Al2O3 were (1:1) or (1:3). The porous materials were prepared by slip casting of suspension of raw materials. The aluminium paste (0.18 wt.%) was used as a pore former. Water content in the suspensions was 26-47 wt.%. Pore formation occurred as a result of hydrogen formation in chemical reaction between aluminium paste and water [2]. The samples were sintered at the temperature of 1650°C and 1750°C for one hour. The increasing amount of kaolin, α-: γ-Al2O3 at the ratio (1:3) and sintering at the highest temperature raised the quantity of mullite phase. The mullite phase began to dominate over the corundum phase.
Abstract: Bead-on-plate welds were carried out on AISI 316L
(N) austenitic stainless steel (ASS) using flux cored arc welding
(FCAW) process. The bead on plates weld was conducted as per L25
orthogonal array. In this paper, the weld bead geometry such as depth
of penetration (DOP), bead width (BW) and weld reinforcement (R)
of AISI 316L (N) ASS are investigated. Taguchi approach is used as
statistical design of experiment (DOE) technique for optimizing the
selected welding input parameters. Grey relational analysis and
desirability approach are applied to optimize the input parameters
considering multiple output variables simultaneously. Confirmation
experiment has also been conducted to validate the optimized
parameters.
Abstract: Climate change could lead to changes in cultural
environments and landscapes as we know them.Climate change
presents an immediate and significant threat to our natural and built
environments and to the ways of life which co-exist with these
environments. In most traditional buildings, the harmony of texture
with nature and environment has been ever considered; so houses and
cities have been mixed with their natural environment so
astonishingly and the selection and usage of materials have been in
such a way that they have provided the utmost conformity with the
environment, as the result the created areas have a unique beauty and
attraction.The extent to which climate change contributes to
destruction procedure on Iran-s historic buildings.is a subject of
current discussion. Cities, towns and built-up areas also have their
own characteristics that might make them particularly vulnerable to
climate change.
Abstract: This research gathered local wisdom towards career building of people in Kamchanoad Community, Baan Muang sub-district, Baan Dung district, Udon Thani province. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with village headmen, community board, teachers, monks, Kamchanoad forest managers and revered elderly aged over 60 years old. All of these 30 interviewees have resided in Kamchanoad Community for more than 40. Descriptive data analysis result revealed that the most prominent local wisdom of Kamchanoad community is their beliefs and religion. Most people in the community have strongly maintained local tradition, the festival of appeasing Chao Pu Sri Suttho on the middle of the 6th month of Thai lunar calendar which falls on the same day with Vesak Day. 100 percent of the people in this community are Buddhist. They believe that Naga, an entity or being, taking the form of a serpent, named “Sri Suttho” lives in Kamchanoad forest. The local people worship the serpent and ask for blessings. Another local wisdom of this community is Sinh fabric weaving.
Abstract: Policy management in organizations became rising issue in the last decade. It’s because of today’s regulatory requirements in the organizations. To manage policies in large organizations is an imperative work. However, major challenges facing organizations in the last decade is managing all the policies in the organization and making them an active documents rather than simple (inactive) documents stored in computer hard drive or on a shelf. Because of this challenge, organizations need policy management program. This policy management program can be either manual or automated. This paper presents suggestions towards managing policies in organizations. As well as possible policy management solution or program to be utilized, manual or automated. The research first examines the models and frameworks used for managing policies from various perspectives in the literature of the research area/domain. At the end of this paper, a policy management framework is proposed for managing enterprise policies effectively and in a simplified manner.
Abstract: In this paper smooth trajectories are computed in the Lie group SO(2, 1) as a motion planning problem by assigning a Frenet frame to the rigid body system to optimize the cost function of the elastic energy which is spent to track a timelike curve in Minkowski space. A method is proposed to solve a motion planning problem that minimizes the integral of the Lorentz inner product of Darboux vector of a timelike curve. This method uses the coordinate free Maximum Principle of Optimal control and results in the theory of integrable Hamiltonian systems. The presence of several conversed quantities inherent in these Hamiltonian systems aids in the explicit computation of the rigid body motions.