Abstract: Minor problems arising from optimizations by
welding of fixed prostheses frameworks can be identified by
macroscopic and microscopic visual inspection. The purpose of this
study was to highlight the visible discontinuities present in the laser
welds of dental Ni-Cr alloys. Ni-Cr base metal alloys designated for
fixed prostheses manufacture were selected for the experiments.
Using cast plates, preliminary tests were conducted by laser welding.
Macroscopic visual inspection was done carefully to assess the
defects of the welding rib. Electron microscopy images allowed
visualization of small discontinuities, which escapes visual
inspection. Making comparison to Ni-Cr alloys taken in the
experiment and laser welded, after visual analysis, the best welds
appear for Heraenium NA alloy.
Abstract: This paper proposes a new decision making structure
to determine the appropriate product delivery strategy for different products in a manufacturing system among make-to-stock, make-toorder,
and hybrid strategy. Given product delivery strategies for all products in the manufacturing system, the position of the Order
Penetrating Point (OPP) can be located regarding the delivery strategies among which location of OPP in hybrid strategy is a
cumbersome task. In this regard, we employ analytic network process, because there are varieties of interrelated driving factors
involved in choosing the right location. Moreover, the proposed structure is augmented with fuzzy sets theory in order to cope with
the uncertainty of judgments. Finally, applicability of the proposed structure is proven in practice through a real industrial case company.
The numerical results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed decision making structure in order partitioning and OPP location.
Abstract: Sustainable energy usage has been recognized as one
of the important measure to increase the competitiveness of the
nation globally. Many strong emphases were given in the Ninth
Malaysia Plan (RMK9) to improve energy efficient especially to
government buildings. With this in view, a project to investigate the
potential of energy saving in selected building in Universiti Tun
Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) was carried out. In this project, a
case study involving electric energy consumption of the academic
staff office building was conducted. The scope of the study include to
identify energy consumption in a selected building, to study energy
saving opportunities, to analyse cost investment in term of economic
and to identify users attitude with respect to energy usage. The
MS1525:2001, Malaysian Standard -Code of practice on energy
efficiency and use of renewable energy for non-residential buildings
was used as reference. Several energy efficient measures were
considered and their merits and priority were compared. Improving
human behavior can reduce energy consumption by 6% while
technical measure can reduce energy consumption by 44%. Two
economic analysis evaluation methods were applied; they are the
payback period method and net present value method.
Abstract: Building conservation work generally involves complex and non-standard work different from new building construction processes. In preparing tenders for building conservation projects, therefore, the quantity surveyor must carefully consider the specificity of non-standard items and demarcate the scope of unique conservation work. While the quantity surveyor must appreciate the full range of works to prepare a good tender document, he typically manages many unfamiliar elements, including practical construction methods, restoration techniques and work sequences. Only by fulfilling the demanding requirements of building conservation work can the quantity surveyor enhance his professionalism an area of growing cultural value and economic importance. By discussing several issues crucial to tender preparations for building conservation projects in Malaysia, this paper seeks a deeper understanding of how quantity surveying can better standardize tender preparation work and more successfully manage building conservation processes.
Abstract: Residual dye contents in textile dyeing wastewater have complex aromatic structures that are resistant to degrade in biological wastewater treatment. The objectives of this study were to determine the effectiveness of nanoscale zerovalent iron (NZVI) to decolorize Reactive Black 5 (RB5) and Reactive Red 198 (RR198) in synthesized wastewater and to investigate the effects of the iron particle size, iron dosage and solution pHs on the destruction of RB5 and RR198. Synthesized NZVI was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The removal kinetic rates (kobs) of RB5 (0.0109 min-1) and RR198 (0.0111 min-1) by 0.5% NZVI were many times higher than those of microscale zerovalent iron (ZVI) (0.0007 min-1 and 0.0008 min-1, respectively). The iron dosage increment exponentially increased the removal efficiencies of both RB5 and RR198. Additionally, lowering pH from 9 to 5 increased the decolorization kinetic rates of both RB5 and RR198 by NZVI. The destruction of azo bond (N=N) in the chromophore of both reactive dyes led to decolorization of dye solutions.
Abstract: Copolymerization of ethylene with 1-hexene was
carried out using two ansa-fluorenyl titanium derivative complexes.
The substituent effect on the catalytic activity, monomer reactivity
ratio and polymer property was investigated. It was found that the
presence of t-Bu groups on fluorenyl ring exhibited remarkable
catalytic activity and produced polymer with high molecular weight.
However, these catalysts produce polymer with narrow molecular
weight distribution, indicating the characteristic of single-site
metallocene catalyst. Based on 13C NMR, we can observe that
monomer reactivity ratio was affected by catalyst structure. The rH
values of complex 2 were lower than that of complex 1 which might
be result from the higher steric hindrance leading to a reduction of 1-
hexene insertion step.
Abstract: Bleeding in the digestive duct is an important diagnostic parameter for patients. Blood in the endoscopic image can be determined by investigating the color tone of blood due to the degree of oxygenation, under- or over- illumination, food debris and secretions, etc. However, we found that how to pre-process raw images obtained from the capsule detectors was very important. We applied various image process methods suitable for the capsule endoscopic image in order to remove noises and unbalanced sensitivities for the image pixels. The results showed that much improvement was achieved by additional pre-processing techniques on the algorithm of determining bleeding areas.
Abstract: Controlled modification of appropriate sharpness for
nanotips is of paramount importance to develop novel materials and
functional devices at a nanometer resolution. Herein, we present a
reliable and unique strategy of laser irradiation enhanced
physicochemical etching to manufacture super sharp tungsten tips
with reproducible shape and dimension as well as high yields
(~80%). The corresponding morphology structure evolution of
tungsten tips and laser-tip interaction mechanisms were
systematically investigated and discussed using field emission
scanning electron microscope (SEM) and physical optics statistics
method with different fluences under 532 nm laser irradiation. This
work paves the way for exploring more accessible metallic tips
applications with tunable apex diameter and aspect ratio, and,
furthermore, facilitates the potential sharpening enhancement
technique for other materials used in a variety of nanoscale devices.
Abstract: To increase reliability of face recognition system, the
system must be able to distinguish real face from a copy of face such
as a photograph. In this paper, we propose a fast and memory efficient
method of live face detection for embedded face recognition system,
based on the analysis of the movement of the eyes. We detect eyes in
sequential input images and calculate variation of each eye region to
determine whether the input face is a real face or not. Experimental
results show that the proposed approach is competitive and promising
for live face detection.
Abstract: A new chelating resin is prepared by coupling
Amberlite XAD-4 with 1-amino-2-naphthole through an azo spacer.
The resulting sorbent has been characterized by FT-IR, elemental
analysis and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and studied for
preconcentrating of Cu (II) using flame atomic absorption
spectrometry (FAAS) for metal monitoring. The optimum pH value
for sorption of the copper ions was 6.5. The resin was subjected to
evaluation through batch binding of mentioned metal ion.
Quantitative desorption occurs instantaneously with 0.5 M HNO3.
The sorption capacity was found 4.8 mmol.g-1 of resin for Cu (II) in
the aqueous solution. The chelating resin can be reused for 10 cycles
of sorption-desorption without any significant change in sorption
capacity. A recovery of 99% was obtained the metal ions with 0.5 M
HNO3 as eluting agent. The method was applied for metal ions
determination from industrial waste water sample.
Abstract: Since 2005, an SRF module of CESR type serves as the
accelerating cavity at the Taiwan Light Source in the National
Synchrotron Radiation Research Center. A 500-MHz niobium cavity
is immersed in liquid helium inside this SRF module. To reduce heat
load, the liquid helium vessel is thermally shielded by
liquid-nitrogen-cooled copper layer, and the beam chambers are also
anchored with pipes of the liquid nitrogen flow in middle of the liquid
helium vessel and the vacuum vessel. A strong correlation of the
movement of the cavity-s frequency tuner with the temperature
variation of parts cooled with liquid nitrogen was observed. A
previous study on a spare SRF module with the niobium cavity cooled
by liquid nitrogen instead of liquid helium, satisfactory suppression of
the thermal oscillation was achieved by attaching a temporary buffer
tank for the vented shielding nitrogen flow from the SRF module. In
this study, a home-made buffer tank is designed and integrated to the
spare SRF module with cavity cooled by liquid helium. Design,
construction, integration, and preliminary test results of this buffer
tank are presented.
Abstract: In this work, an organic compound 5,10,15,20-
Tetrakis(3,5-di-tertbutylphenyl)porphyrinatocopper(II) (TDTBPPCu)
is studied as an active material for thin film electronic devices. To
investigate the electrical properties of TDTBPPCu, junction of
TDTBPPCu with heavily doped n-Si and Al is fabricated.
TDTBPPCu film was sandwiched between Al and n-Si electrodes.
Various electrical parameters of TDTBPPCu are determined. The
current-voltage characteristics of the junction are nonlinear,
asymmetric and show rectification behavior, which gives the clue of
formation of depletion region. This behavior indicates the potential
of TDTBPPCu for electronics applications. The current-voltage and
capacitance-voltage techniques are used to find the different
electronic parameters.
Abstract: Many new experimental films which were free from conventional movie forms have appeared since Nubellbak Movement in the late 1950s. Forty years after the movement started, on March 13th, 1995, on the 100th anniversary of the birth of film, the declaration called Dogme 95, was issued in Copenhagen, Denmark. It aimed to create a new style of avant-garde film, and showed a tendency toward being anti-Hollywood and anti-genre, which were against the highly popular Hollywood trend of movies based on large-scale investment. The main idea of Dogme 95 is the opposition to 'the writer's doctrine' that a film should be the artist's individual work and to 'the overuse of technology' in film. The key figures declared ten principles called 'Vow of Chastity', by which new movie forms were to be produced. Interview (2000), directed by Byunhyuk, was made in 2000, five years after Dogme 95 was declared. This movie was dedicated as the first Asian Dogme. This study will survey the relationship between Korean film and the Vow of Chastity through the Korean films released in theaters from a viewpoint of technology and content. It also will call attention to its effects on and significance to Korean film in modern society.
Abstract: In this study, we report the synthesis and
characterization of nanohydroxyapatite (nHAp) in gelatin-starch
matrix via biomimetic method. Characterization of the samples was
performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform
infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The Size and morphology of the
nHAp samples were determined using scanning and transmission
electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). The results reveal that the
shape and morphology of nHAp is influenced by presence of
biopolymers as template. Carbonyl and amino groups from gelatin
and hydroxyl from starch play crucial roles in HAp formation on the
surface of gelatin-starch.
Abstract: There are few studies on eggshell of leatherback turtle
which is endangered species in Thailand. This study was focusing on
the ultrastructure and elemental composition of leatherback turtle
eggshells collected from Andaman Sea Shore, Thailand during the
nesting season using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Three
eggshell layers of leatherback turtle; the outer cuticle layer or
calcareous layer, the middle layer or middle multistrata layer and the
inner fibrous layer were recognized. The outer calcareous layer was
thick and porosity which consisted of loose nodular units of various
crystal shapes and sizes. The loose attachment between these units
resulted in numerous spaces and openings. The middle layer was
compact thick with several multistrata and contained numerous
openings connecting to both outer cuticle layer and inner fibrous
layer. The inner fibrous layer was compact and thin, and composed of
numerous reticular fibers. Energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis
detector revealed energy spectrum of X-rays character emitted from
all elements on each layer. The percentages of all elements were
found in the following order: carbon (C) > oxygen (O) > calcium
(Ca) > sulfur (S) > potassium (K) > aluminum (Al) > iodine (I) >
silicon (Si) > chlorine (Cl) > sodium (Na) > fluorine (F) >
phosphorus (P) > magnesium (Mg). Each layer consisted of high
percentage of CaCO3 (approximately 98%) implying that it was
essential for turtle embryonic development. A significant difference
was found in the percentages of Ca and Mo in the 3layers. Moreover,
transition metal, metal and toxic non-metal contaminations were
found in leatherback turtle eggshell samples. These were palladium
(Pd), molybdenum (Mo), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), lead (Pb), and
bromine (Br). The contamination elements were seen in the outer
layers except for Mo. All elements were readily observed and
mapped using Smiling program. X-ray images which mapped the
location of all elements were showed. Calcium containing in the
eggshell appeared in high contents and was widely distributing in
clusters of the outer cuticle layer to form CaCO3 structure. Moreover,
the accumulation of Na and Cl was observed to form NaCl which was
widely distributing in 3 eggshell layers. The results from this study
would be valuable on assessing the emergent success in this
endangered species.
Abstract: Void formation in underfill is considered as failure
in flip chip manufacturing process. Void formation possibly caused
by several factors such as poor soldering and flux residue during
die attach process, void entrapment due moisture contamination,
dispense pattern process and setting up the curing process. This
paper presents the comparison of single step and two steps curing
profile towards the void and black dots formation in underfill for
Hi-CTE Flip Chip Ceramic Ball Grid Array Package (FC-CBGA).
Statistic analysis was conducted to analyze how different factors
such as wafer lot, sawing technique, underfill fillet height and
curing profile recipe were affected the formation of voids and
black dots. A C-Mode Scanning Aqoustic Microscopy (C-SAM)
was used to scan the total count of voids and black dots. It was
shown that the 2 steps curing profile provided solution for void
elimination and black dots in underfill after curing process.
Abstract: A number of studies highlighted problems related to
ERP systems, yet, most of these studies focus on the problems during
the project and implementation stages but not during the postimplementation
use process. Problems encountered in the process of
using ERP would hinder the effective exploitation and the extended
and continued use of ERP systems and their value to organisations.
This paper investigates the different types of problems users
(operational, supervisory and managerial) faced in using ERP and
how 'feral system' is used as the coping mechanism. The paper
adopts a qualitative method and uses data collected from two cases
and 26 interviews, to inductively develop a casual network model of
ERP usage problem and its coping mechanism. This model classified
post ERP usage problems as data quality, system quality, interface
and infrastructure. The model is also categorised the different coping
mechanism through use of 'feral system' inclusive of feral
information system, feral data and feral use of technology.
Abstract: Polylactic acid-g-polyvinyl acetate (PLLA-g-PVAc)
was used as a compatibilizer for 50/50 starch/PLLA blend. PLLA-g-
PVAc with different mol% of PVAc contents were prepared by
grafting PVAc onto PLLA backbone via free radical polymerization
in solution process. Various conditions such as type and the amount
of initiator, monomer concentration, polymerization time and
temperature were studied. Results showed that the highest mol% of
PVAc grafting (16 mol%) was achieved by conducting graft
copolymerization in toluene at 110°C for 10 h using DCP as an
initiator. Chemical structure of the PVAc grafted PLLA was
confirmed by 1H NMR. Blending of modified starch and PLLA in the
presence compatibilizer with different amounts and mol% PVAc was
acquired using internal mixer at 160°C for 15 min. Effects of PVAc
content and the amount of compatibilizer on mechanical properties of
polymer blend were studied. Results revealed that tensile strength and
tensile modulus of polymer blend with higher PVAc grafting content
compatibilizer showed better properties than that of lower PVAc
grafting content compatibilizer. The amount of compatibilizer was
found optimized in the range of 0.5-1.0 Wt% depending on the mol%
PVAc.
Abstract: Polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption
spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) in combination with electrochemistry,
was employed to study the influence of surface charge (potential) on
the kinetics of bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption on a
biomedical-grade 316LVM stainless steel surface is discussed. The
BSA adsorption kinetics was found to greatly depend on the surface
potential. With an increase in surface potential towards more
negative values, both the BSA initial adsorption rate and the
equilibrium (saturated) surface concentration also increased. Both
effects were explained on the basis of replacement of well-ordered
water molecules at the 316LVM / solution interface, i.e. by the
increase in entropy of the system.
Abstract: Martensitic stainless steels have been extensively used for their good corrosion resistance and better mechanical properties. Heat treatment was suggested as one of the most excellent ways to this regard; hence, it affects the microstructure, mechanical and corrosion properties of the steel. In the current research work the microstructural changes and corrosion behavior in an AISI 420A stainless steel exposed to temperatures in the 980-1035oC range were investigated. The heat treatment is carried out in vacuum furnace within the said temperature range. The quenching of the samples was carried out in oil, brine and water media. The formation and stability of passive film was studied by Open Circuit Potential, Potentiodynamic polarization and Electrochemical Scratch Tests. The Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy results simulated with Equivalent Electrical Circuit suggested bilayer structure of outer porous and inner barrier oxide films. The quantitative data showed thick inner barrier oxide film retarded electrochemical reactions. Micrographs of the quenched samples showed sigma and chromium carbide phases which prove the corrosion resistance of steel alloy.