Innovations in Science and Technology Vol. 6

This chapter presents the results of a humidity and temperature prediction model in the environment for agriculture, which used diffuse sets and optimised their parameters using heuristic methods like genetic algorithms and exact methods like Quasi-Newton. It has been discovered that non-specialized users may struggle to understand the system dynamics and the behaviour of variables over time. The goal of this study is to develop models with a high level of interpretability and accuracy for predicting temperature and humidity values in the environment. The use of fuzzy logic to present a solution has numerous advantages because this system has a high interpretability rating. Furthermore, by categorising the obtained values for environment humidity and temperature as high, medium, or low, non-specialized users can gain a better understanding of the system dynamics. Two optimization techniques are employed to two different diffuse sets, allowing the humidity and temperature to be predicted. Mamdani fuzzy inference systems have been used successfully for the prediction of variables in crops such as the recommendation of crops based on temperature, humidity and rain or weather level using systems managed by microcontrollers. The best implementation is a Mamdani fuzzy inference system optimised with the Quasi-Newton algorithm, which employs a set of initial values obtained through a previous optimization process with a genetic algorithm.

Many methods have been developed to provide an economic design of hydraulic structures to reduce uplift pressure. Example structures include diversion dams and concrete gravity dams; some of the most important pressure reduction strategies involve horizontal aprons or cutoff walls upstream and downstream of the dam. Weep holes are also used and can be placed between two cutoffs. The effect of weep holes and cutoff on uplift pressure is the main focus of this study. This study focuses on Yusefkand Mahabad diversion dam in Iran. The solutions are obtained by simulation using the finite element methods (FEM). The effect of weep holes and the impact of location and depth are investigated. The primary output that was used to assess the strategies were uplift pressure and exit hydraulic gradient. The weep holes were fabricated with a perforated PVC pipes with a filter envelope that releases excess pore water pressure under a hydraulic structure. This improves dam stability against overturning and prevents soil movement known as piping/internal erosion. On the other hand, a vertical cutoff wall under a hydraulic structure reduces pore water pressure by increasing flow path through the porous medium. Consequently, installation of a cutoff wall upstream of the dam is an effective way to reduce pressure and hydraulic gradient. Results show that an upstream cutoff with an 8 m depth decreases uplift force about 63% and decreases the exit hydraulic gradient 79% compared to the no-cutoff-wall case. Installing a weep hole downstream of a stilling basin decreases uplift force 8% and decreases the exit hydraulic gradient 74% more than without weep hole. Based on this study, design of diversion dams can be carried out with minimized concrete costs and hence a more economical design. In fact, a decline in uplift pressure allows a thinner concrete construction. Some other practical examples that demonstrate the positive effect of cutoff walls and weep holes under the hydraulic structures are provided in this study.

This research illuminates a true affluent city that coexists with an environment suitable for the 21st century, which differs from the urban model of the modern Western development type. For over 40 years, I have conducted research from a variety of perspectives in Tokyo, a somewhat complex and difficult-to-read megacity. In this document, I examine the characteristics of Tokyo's urban space and provide an overview of my research objectives, methods, and results obtained at each stage. The architectural typology methods that I was introduced to in Italy served as the foundation for my Tokyo studies. However, because this methodology was developed for Italian cities that were built artificially around architecture, it has limitations when exploring Tokyo, a Japanese city built in harmony with nature.  As a result, I used the concept of "spatial anthropology" in my research, which allows me to identify the characteristics of Japanese cities that distinguish them from western cities. Moreover, the concept of eco-history, which aims to enable new findings on cities and territories by integrating history and ecology, enabled a new perspective on Tokyo as a "water city."  We are now looking to extend our research to investigate the concept of an environment-friendly,  sustainable  and  truly  affluent city  suit- able for the 21st century\(-\)one that is different from the typical model of modern, Western-style urban development.

Development of object-oriented software is hard, and reusable object-oriented software design is right more complex. The implementation needs to be proper to the problem, however also universal enough to be capable to solve ulterior requirements. In the procedure of realisation an interactive educational software, design represents presumably the most significant element that can alter its quality. Propitiously, at present there are several design patterns whose utilization can deliver a disposal of a generic problem. Design disposals of responsible architects are established by the design techniques. This chapter introduces an interactive educational software that can be used in the study of quadrilateral geometry. The study objectives consist in a refined implementation of the educational software by usage of "Factory" creational pattern and “Observer” behavioural pattern. The utilisation of factory pattern links collateral class hierarchies alike that it can locate the knowledge of which classes appertain conjunctively. The most significant benefit of using observer pattern is that this template simplifies programming process notably. The modelling of the software is achieved through specific UML diagrams representing the stages of analysis, design and implementation, and implementation is accomplished through the Java programming language.    

Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP) is a disease associated with ferrochelatase deficiency, characterized by the accumulation of protoporphyrin IX (PROTO IX) in erythrocytes, liver and skin. In some cases, a severe hepatic failure and cholestasis was observed. Griseofulvin (Gris) develops an experimental EPP with hepatic manifestations in mice such as PROTO IX accumulation followed by cellular damage as wells as necrotic and inflammatory processes. The antioxidant defense system was also altered. The aim was to evaluate the possible protective effect of different antioxidant: Trolox (Tx), Ascorbic acid (Asc), the combination Tx and Asc, Melatonin (Mel) and the polyphenols: Elagic acid, Quercetin, Chlorogenic acid, Caffeic acid, Galic acid and Ferulic acid on heme biosynthesis, liver damage and oxidative stress markers in a mouse model of EPP.

Coadministration of Gris with Tx, Asc, and its combination, or Mel mainly affected heme biosynthetic pathway, resulting in a decrease of 5-aminolevulinic acid synthetase activity which was increased by Gris, while the tested polyphenols exerted a protective effect on oxidative stress, decreasing lipid peroxidation and the activity of some antioxidant enzymes.

In conclusion, antioxidant compounds can only protect partially against the liver damage induced by Gris, reducing oxidative stress, or acting on heme regulation.

This study is aimed at comparing the outcome of the 31 pts treated with RT and adjuvant TMZ (group A) from January 1997 to June 1999 versus the 33 pts treated with RT and concomitant TMZ (group B) from July 1999 to November 2001 and at comparing, on a long term basis, the subjects that received both RT and TMZ with the historical group (group C) that was treated with radiotherapy alone. Temozolomide (TMZ) is the first line drug in the care of high grade gliomas. The combined treatment of TMZ plus radiotherapy is more effective in the care of brain gliomas then radiotherapy alone. Aim of this report is a survival comparison, on a long time (>10 years) span, of glioma patients treated with radiotherapy alone and with radiotherapy + TMZ.

Materials and Methods: In this report we retrospectively reviewed the outcome of 128 consecutive pts with diagnosis of high grade gliomas referred to our institutions from April 1994 to November 2001. The first 64 pts were treated with RT alone and the other 64 with a combination of RT and adjuvant or concomitant TMZ.

Results: Grade 3 (G3) haematological toxicity was recorded in 6 (9%) of 64 pts treated with RT and TMZ. No G4 haematological toxicity was observed. Age, histology, and administration of TMZ were statistically significant prognostic factors associated with 2 years overall survival (OS). PFS was for GBM 9 months, for AA 11.

Conclusions: The combination of RT and TMZ improves long term survival in glioma patients. Our results confirm the superiority of the combination on a long time basis.

The objectives of this study were to recycle organic waste into biogas as an alternative renewable energy generation as well as production of bio-fertilizer (inorganic fertilizer). The production of biogas (biomethane) has been accomplished through the digestion of solid waste by anaerobic bacteria (methanogenic bacteria) in an air-tied environment or closed system known as a biodigester or bioreactor. Methane (CH₄), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and hydrogen sulphide are the primary components of biogas (H₂S). Methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide (CO₂) are all gases that can be combusted or oxidised with oxygen. Because of the energy released, biogas can be used as a fuel. Three biodigesters were designed, the first one is loaded with caw dung and water (1dm³ + 1 dm³), the second one is loaded with solid waste and water (1,5 dm³ + 0,5 dm³) and the third one is loaded with cow dung and biotech culture (2dm³) labelled as Control-K. After homogeneity and stabilization period (4-12 days) biogas production was registered from each biodigester, the slurry (liquid portion) was collected and used as liquid fertilizer. To summarise, organic waste was converted into biogas (biomethane) and liquid fertiliser (biofertilizer).

The old saying “Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better……. The noblest search is the search for excellence”  \(-\) An integrated approach to achieve continuous improvement and reach towards excellence in Utility Boiler Operation.

This paper highlights the case study carried out regarding the successful trial run of the Flue Gas Recirculation of the Utility Boiler of Co-generation plant of the Numaligarh Refinery Limited, Golaghat, Assam. The study was carried out as to why the Flue Gas Recirculation (FGR) fans trip, why it troubles the burner and why it trips the boiler. It brings into light the different factors leading to the problems and hurdles in the trial run of the Flue Gas Recirculation (FGR) fans. Since the boiler's commissioning, this fan has been unable to be used. The issues could be found and resolved after a comprehensive investigation, and the fans could be successfully operated without tripping the boiler. Many favourable results are noted and resulted in the process and energy optimization in the operation of the utility boiler after it is successfully put into service.

In Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), Co-generation plant (CGP), Utility Boiler (UB) is used to produce High pressure super-heated steam. One of the accessories named Flue Gas Recirculation (FGR) could not be put into service due to certain problems. FGR is a combustion modification process. The combustion process is a process of rapid oxidation, followed by light phenomena and the release of large amounts of energy, able to maintain it at high temperatures. As the name implies, a portion of the combustion products exiting the boiler are recirculate and introduced into the primary combustion zone. In UB, there are two nos. of FGR fans. But they could not put into service for a long time since commissioning. After a series of studies and experiments, the problems or factors were identified viz. selection of correct UB load at which the fan should be started, dampers adjustment, burner flame stability, etc. After identification and trouble shooting of these problems, the FGR fans could be run successfully and put into continuous service.

Following advantages were achieved in UB after the service of the FGR fans:

• Increases steaming rate of the UB
• Saves Energy (Fuel optimization)
• Reduced harmful NOx gas Emissions
• Increased in flue gas back end temperature
• Lowers Greenhouse gas CO₂ emission as the amount of fossil fuel is reduced

Thus the above case study helped one of the important UB accessories to successfully put into service leading to various benefits, flexibility and process optimization in the operation of the UB.

This paper tried to determine the factors influencing the Relationship of dealers with one specific distributor, which can be conducted on other distributors also to get overall aspects on the relationship. The study is carried out by conducting a survey and the data collected from 30 dealers out of 124 in Kannur district, Kerala, India. The survey is conducted by direct interview of 500 customers.  In this project, authors are considering various factors that are the functions of the services made by the distributors to the dealers. The dealer relationship is the parameter which changes based on the factors that have the direct dependency on the distributors.  Consumers’ attributes on dealer’s trading actions will definitely influence their visions on the commodity which the retailer distributes through different services. To capture the market, the distributor must go toward direct selling, online dealership, and better consumer sales promotional efforts that are tailored to the market's needs. The project helps the Distributors to study the market and supply chain both from Dealer’s and Customer’s point of view and there by obtaining vital factors for redesigning the Structure and the policies of the supply chain.

The purpose of the present work is to describe a regional mathematical model of the wind system of the Earth’s lower atmosphere, developed in the Polar Geophysical Institute. The mathematical model is based on numerical solving of gas dynamic equations and produces three-dimensional distributions of the atmospheric parameters in the height range from 0 to 15 km over a limited region of the Earth’s surface. The mathematical model is non-hydrostatic, that is, not only the horizontal components but also the vertical component of the neutral wind velocity is obtained by means of a numerical solution of a generalized Navier-Stokes equation for compressible gas, with the hydrostatic equation being not utilized in this model. An example of application of the mathematical model is described, also. Namely, results of numerical modeling of the initial stage of the origin of tropical cyclonic vortex in the vicinity of an intertropical convergence zone are presented.

There is a relation between space and time, which is called space-time continuum. With the help of some mathematical equations, we can establish a mathematical relation between space-time and mass, treating mass as a fifth dimension. There is the concept about mass being a property of any inertial or gravitational object in space. Mass can create distortion in space. As a result of that, space-time curvature will be bent towards the massive object.

Over the past few years, the usage of mobile devices to access data has becoming more frequent, and the usage of mobile devices in the applications such as web-browsing, email, multimedia, entertainment applications, navigation, trading stocks, electronic purchase, banking, and health care are increased, therefore data security is essential, and it becomes a challenge in securing the data in the mobile device. Over the years, criminals have learned to crack passwords and fabricate biometric traits and have conquered practically every kind of user-authentication mechanism designed to stop them from accessing device data. Stronger mobile authentication mechanisms are clearly needed. To address these problems in the mobile devices, biometric system can be developed which are more secure, affordable, and memorable authentication scheme based on graphical assistance, images, and audio. We believe that biometric authentication is the most secure approach among other authentication mechanism. It is preferred to apply biometrics for the security of  Mobile  devices  and  improve  reliability. This paper discusses the various features of biometrics authentication schemes and mobile device security threats.

This work describes a new reference force system of 10 MN that will be utilised to modernise the Jilin Institute of Metrology's existing build-up force standard machine. The machine's history, the concept of modernization, and the function of the new reference force system were all explained. The calibration of this new reference force system was performed several times at NIM, and the long-term stability was investigated using a large amount of test data and results. Meanwhile, the uniformity of two transducer outputs was compared. The distinction between ISO standards and Chinese calibration guidelines is also discussed.