Abstract: The design philosophy of building structure has been
changing time to time. The reason for this is because of an increase of
human inertest, an improved building materials and technology that
will impact how we live, to speed up construction period and natural
effect which includes earthquake disasters and environmental effect.
One technique which takes in to account the above case is using a
prefabricable structural system. In which each and every structural
element is designed and prefabricated and assembled on a site so that
the construction speed is increased and the environmental impact is
also enhanced. This system has an immense advantage such as: reduce
construction cost, reusable, recyclable, speed up construction period
and less environmental effect. In this study, it is tried to present some
of the developed and evaluated structural elements of building
structures.
Abstract: The biodegradable family of polymers
polyhydroxyalkanoates is an interesting substitute for convectional
fossil-based plastics. However, the manufacturing and environmental
impacts associated with their production via intracellular bacterial
fermentation are strongly dependent on the raw material used and on
energy consumption during the extraction process, limiting their
potential for commercialization. Industrial wastewater is studied in
this paper as a promising alternative feedstock for waste valorization.
Based on results from laboratory and pilot-scale experiments, a
conceptual process design, techno-economic analysis and life cycle
assessment are developed for the large-scale production of the most
common type of polyhydroxyalkanoate, polyhydroxbutyrate.
Intracellular polyhydroxybutyrate is obtained via fermentation of
microbial community present in industrial wastewater and the
downstream processing is based on chemical digestion with
surfactant and hypochlorite. The economic potential and
environmental performance results help identifying bottlenecks and
best opportunities to scale-up the process prior to industrial
implementation. The outcome of this research indicates that the
fermentation of wastewater towards PHB presents advantages
compared to traditional PHAs production from sugars because the
null environmental burdens and financial costs of the raw material in
the bioplastic production process. Nevertheless, process optimization
is still required to compete with the petrochemicals counterparts.
Abstract: The paper discusses mineral water consumer market
and development policy in Georgia, the tools and measures, which
will contribute to production of mineral waters and increase its
export.
The paper studies and analyses current situation in mineral water
production sector as well as the factors affecting increase and
reduction of its export. It’s noted that in order to gain and maintain
competitive advantage, it’s necessary to provide continuous supply of
high quality goods with modern design, open new distribution
channels to enter new markets, carry out broad promotional activities,
organize e-commerce. Economic policy plays an important role in
protecting markets from counterfeit goods. The state also plays an
important role in attracting foreign direct investments. Stable
business environment and export oriented strategy is the basis for the
country’s economic growth.
Based on the research, the paper suggests the strategy for
improving competitiveness of Georgian mineral waters; relevant
conclusions and recommendations are provided.
Abstract: Problems insulation of building structures is often
closely connected with the problem of moisture remediation. In the
case of historic buildings or if only part of the redevelopment of
envelope of structures, it is not possible to apply the classical external
thermal insulation composite systems. This application is mostly
effective thermal insulation plasters with high porosity and controlled
capillary properties which assures improvement of thermal properties
construction, its diffusion openness towards the external environment
and suitable treatment capillary properties of preventing the
penetration of liquid moisture and salts thereof toward the outer
surface of the structure.
With respect to the current trend of reducing the energy
consumption of building structures and reduce the production of CO2
is necessary to develop capillary-active materials characterized by
their low density, low thermal conductivity while maintaining good
mechanical properties. The aim of researchers at the Faculty of Civil
Engineering, Brno University of Technology is the development and
study of hygrothermal behaviour of optimal materials for thermal
insulation and rehabilitation of building structures with the possible
use of alternative, less energy demanding binders in comparison with
conventional, frequently used binder, which represents cement.
The paper describes the evaluation of research activities aimed at
the development of thermal insulation and repair materials using
lightweight aggregate and alternative binders such as metakaolin and
finely ground fly ash.
Abstract: Poly bag and mulch films for agricultural field caused
pose environmental problem due to the non-degradable plastics
wastes upon disposal. Thus, a degradable poly bag was designed with
hybrid sago starch (SS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Two Different
blended compositions of SS and PVA hybrid have been compounded.
Then, the hybrids blended are mixed with linear line density
polyethylene (LLDPE) resin to fabricate poly bag film through
conventional film blowing process. Samples of LLDPE, SS and PVA
hybrid film were exposed to UV light and soil burial. The weight
losses were determined during degradation process. Hybrid film by
degradation of starch was found to hydrolyze and hydroxyl groups
decrease on esterification upon exposure to soil burial and uv
radiation. It was found out that, the hybrid film for 60% of SS
composition showed greatest degradation in soil and UV radiation.
Abstract: Freshly laid eggs from green turtles, Chelonia mydas,
were randomly collected from Ras Al-Hadd Reserve, Oman.
Eggshells taken from eggs and sand collected from the body chamber
were analyzed for eight heavy metals (Al, Br, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, S, and
Zn) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP).
Heavy metal concentrations varied significantly (P
Abstract: The introduction of degradable plastic materials into
agricultural sectors has represented a promising alternative to
promote green agriculture and environmental friendly of modern
farming practices. Major challenges of developing degradable
agricultural films are to identify the most feasible types of
degradation mechanisms, composition of degradable polymers and
related processing techniques. The incorrect choice of degradable
mechanisms to be applied during the degradation process will cause
premature losses of mechanical performance and strength. In order to
achieve controlled process of agricultural film degradation, the
compositions of degradable agricultural film also important in order
to stimulate degradation reaction at required interval of time and to
achieve sustainability of the modern agricultural practices. A set of
photodegradable polyethylene based agricultural film was developed
and produced, following the selective optimization of processing
parameters of the agricultural film manufacturing system. Example of
agricultural films application for oil palm seedlings cultivation is
presented.
Abstract: Phelipanche ramosa is the most damaging obligate
flowering parasitic weed on wide species of cultivated plants. The
semi-arid regions of the world are considered the main centers of this
parasitic plant that causes heavy infestation. This is due to its
production of high numbers of seeds (up to 200,000) that remain
viable for extended periods (up to 20 years). In this study, 13
treatments for the control of Phelipanche were carried out, which
included agronomic, chemical, and biological treatments and the use
of resistant plant methods. In 2014, a trial was performed at the
Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of
Foggia (southern Italy), on processing tomato (cv ‘Docet’) grown in
pots filled with soil taken from a field that was heavily infested by P.
ramosa). The tomato seedlings were transplanted on May 8, 2014,
into a sandy-clay soil (USDA). A randomized block design with 3
replicates (pots) was adopted. During the growing cycle of the
tomato, at 70, 75, 81 and 88 days after transplantation, the number of
P. ramosa shoots emerged in each pot was determined. The tomato
fruit were harvested on August 8, 2014, and the quantitative and
qualitative parameters were determined. All of the data were
subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the JMP software
(SAS Institute Inc. Cary, NC, USA), and for comparisons of means
(Tukey's tests). The data show that each treatment studied did not
provide complete control against P. ramosa. However, the virulence
of the attacks was mitigated by some of the treatments tried: radicon
biostimulant, compost activated with Fusarium, mineral fertilizer
nitrogen, sulfur, enzone, and the resistant tomato genotype. It is
assumed that these effects can be improved by combining some of
these treatments with each other, especially for a gradual and
continuing reduction of the “seed bank” of the parasite in the soil.
Abstract: This paper discusses the value theory in cultural
heritage and the value theory in environmental economics. Two
economic views of the value theory are compared, within the field of
cultural heritage maintenance and within the field of the environment.
The main aims are to find common features in these two differently
structured theories under the layer of differently defined terms as well
as really differing features of these two approaches; to clear the
confusion which stems from different terminology as in fact these
terms capture the same aspects of reality; and to show possible
inspiration these two perspectives can offer one another. Another aim
is to present these two value systems in one value framework. First,
important moments of the value theory from the economic
perspective are presented, leading to the marginal revolution of (not
only) the Austrian School. Then the theory of value within cultural
heritage and environmental economics are explored. Finally,
individual approaches are compared and their potential mutual
inspiration searched for.
Abstract: This paper describes an Action Research project
which was undertaken to inform professional practice in order to
develop a newly created Centre for Student Success in the specific
context of transnational medical and nursing education in the Middle
East. The objectives were to enhance the academic performance,
persistence, integration and personal and professional development of
a multinational study body, in particular in relation to pre-clinical
medical students, and to establish a comfortable, friendly and
student-driven environment within an Irish medical university
recently established in Bahrain. The outcomes of the project resulted
in the development of a specific student success ‘signature’ for this
particular transnational higher education context.
Abstract: Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have wide variety
of applications and provide limitless future potentials. Nodes in
WSNs are prone to failure due to energy depletion, hardware failure,
communication link errors, malicious attacks, and so on. Therefore,
fault tolerance is one of the critical issues in WSNs. We study how
fault tolerance is addressed in different applications of WSNs. Fault
tolerant routing is a critical task for sensor networks operating in
dynamic environments. Many routing, power management, and data
dissemination protocols have been specifically designed for WSNs
where energy awareness is an essential design issue. The focus,
however, has been given to the routing protocols which might differ
depending on the application and network architecture.
Abstract: Cloud computing is a new technology in industry and
academia. The technology has grown and matured in last half decade
and proven their significant role in changing environment of IT
infrastructure where cloud services and resources are offered over the
network. Cloud technology enables users to use services and
resources without being concerned about the technical implications of
technology. There are substantial research work has been performed
for the usage of cloud computing in educational institutes and
majority of them provides cloud services over high-end blade servers
or other high-end CPUs. However, this paper proposes a new stack
called “CiCKAStack” which provide cloud services over unutilized
computing resources, named as commodity computers.
“CiCKAStack” provides IaaS and PaaS using underlying commodity
computers. This will not only increasing the utilization of existing
computing resources but also provide organize file system, on
demand computing resource and design and development
environment.
Abstract: International and domestic environmental law has
evolved quite rapidly in the last few decades. At the international
level the Stockholm and Rio Declarations paved the way for a broad
based consensus of the international community on environmental
issues and principles. At the Domestic level also many states have
incorporated environmental protection in their constitutions and even
more states are doing the same at least in their domestic legislations.
In this process of evolution environmental law has unleashed a
number of novel principles such as; the participatory principle, the
polluter pays principle, the precautionary principle, the intergenerational
and intra-generational principles, the prevention
principle, the sustainable development principle and so on.
Abstract: Nanofibers are effective materials which have
frequently been investigated to produce high quality air filters. As an
environmental approach our aim is to achieve nanofibers by melting.
In spun-bond systems extruder, spin-pump, nozzle package and
attenuator are used. Molten polymer which flows from extruder is
made steady by spin-pump. Regular melt passes through nozzle holes
and forms fibers under high pressure. The fibers pulled from nozzle
are shrunk to micron size by an attenuator; after solidification, they
are collected on a conveyor. In this research different designs of
attenuator system have been studied; and also CFD analysis has been
done on these different designs. Afterwards, one of these designs
tested and finally some optimizations have been done to reduce
pressure loss and increase air velocity.
Abstract: Corrosion of concrete sewer pipes induced by sulfuric
acid is an acknowledged problem and a ticking time-bomb to sewer
operators. Whilst the chemical reaction of the corrosion process is
well-understood, the indirect roles of other parameters in the
corrosion process which are found in sewer environment are not
highly reflected on. This paper reports on a field studies undertaken
in Austria and United Kingdom, where the parameters of
temperature, pH, H2S and CO2 were monitored over a period of time.
The study establishes that (i) effluent temperature and pH have
similar daily pattern and peak times, when examined in minutes
scale; (ii) H2S and CO2 have an identical hourly pattern; (iii) H2S
instant or shifted relation to effluent temperature is governed by the
root mean square value of CO2.
Abstract: The main goal of this article is to describe the online
flood monitoring and prediction system Floreon+ primarily developed
for the Moravian-Silesian region in the Czech Republic and the basic
process it uses for running automatic rainfall-runoff and
hydrodynamic simulations along with their calibration and
uncertainty modeling. It takes a long time to execute such process
sequentially, which is not acceptable in the online scenario, so the use
of a high performance computing environment is proposed for all
parts of the process to shorten their duration. Finally, a case study on
the Ostravice River catchment is presented that shows actual
durations and their gain from the parallel implementation.
Abstract: This paper aims to investigate the influence of quality
of education and quality of research, provided by local educational
institutions, on the adoption of Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) in managing business operations for companies in
Saudi market. A model was developed and tested using data collected
from 138 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of foreign companies in
diverse business sectors. The data is analyzed and managed using
multivariate approaches through standard statistical packages. The
results showed that educational quality has little contribution to the
ICT adoption while research quality seems to play a more prominent
role. These results are analyzed in terms of business environment and
market constraints and further extended to the perceived effectiveness
of applied pedagogical approaches in schools and universities.
Abstract: The feedbacks obtained regarding the sense of
presence from pilot users operating a Mobile Robotic presence
(MRP) system to visit a simulated museum are reported in this paper.
The aim is to investigate how much the perception of system’s
usefulness and ease of use is affected by operators’ sense of social
telepresence (presence) in the remote location. Therefore, scenarios
of visiting a museum are simulated and the user operators are
supposed to perform some regular tasks inside the remote
environment including interaction with local users, navigation and
visiting the artworks. Participants were divided into two groups,
those who had previous experience of operation and interaction with
a MRP system and those who never had experience. Based on the
results, both groups provided different feedbacks. Moreover, there
was a significant association between user’s sense of presence and
their perception of system usefulness and ease of use.
Abstract: Machining of hard materials is a recent technology for
direct production of work-pieces. The primary challenge in
machining these materials is selection of cutting tool inserts which
facilitates an extended tool life and high-precision machining of the
component. These materials are widely for making precision parts for
the aerospace industry. Nickel-based alloys are typically used in
extreme environment applications where a combination of strength,
corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance material characteristics
are required. The present paper reports the theoretical and
experimental investigations carried out to understand the influence of
machining parameters on the response parameters. Considering the
basic machining parameters (speed, feed and depth of cut) a study has
been conducted to observe their influence on material removal rate,
surface roughness, cutting forces and corresponding tool wear.
Experiments are designed and conducted with the help of Central
Composite Rotatable Design technique. The results reveals that for a
given range of process parameters, material removal rate is favorable
for higher depths of cut and low feed rate for cutting forces. Low feed
rates and high values of rotational speeds are suitable for better finish
and higher tool life.
Abstract: Recently, the green architecture becomes a
significant way to a sustainable future. Green building designs
involve finding the balance between comfortable homebuilding and
sustainable environment. Moreover, the utilization of the new
technologies such as artificial intelligence techniques are used to
complement current practices in creating greener structures to keep
the built environment more sustainable. The most common objectives
in green buildings should be designed to minimize the overall impact
of the built environment that effect on ecosystems in general and in
particularly human health and natural environment. This will lead to
protecting occupant health, improving employee productivity,
reducing pollution and sustaining the environmental. In green
building design, multiple parameters which may be interrelated,
contradicting, vague and of qualitative/quantitative nature are
broaden to use. This paper presents a comprehensive critical state- ofart-
review of current practices based on fuzzy and its combination
techniques. Also, presented how green architecture/building can be
improved using the technologies that been used for analysis to seek
optimal green solutions strategies and models to assist in making the
best possible decision out of different alternatives.