bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lumbosacral foraminal ratios and areas using MRI in medium-sized dogs
Authors: Tucker R. L. , Fitzpatrick N. , Reynolds D.
Published: September 2014

Objective: To examine conventional magnetic resonance imaging planes of the lumbosacral foramina to obtain objective measurements of foraminal size in mediumsized (20–28 kg) normal dogs.

Method: Ten canine cadavers were evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging in neutral, flexed and extended position. Foraminal ratios, areas and lumbosacral angles were calculated and their relationship to body weight was evaluated.

Results: Foraminal ratios were found to be independent of body weight in medium sized dogs (p >0.42). Foraminal areas were dependent on body weight (p <0.05). Flexion and extension were shown to significantly change both the foraminal ratio and area.

Clinical significance: Lumbosacral foraminal stenosis is common in working dogs. Foraminal ratios were evaluated in mediumsized dogs and were found to be independent of body weight, which may provide objective evaluation of surgical decompression techniques if calculated pre- and post-surgery. Foraminal areas were not independent of body weight.
Reduction of incidence and relapse or recrudescence cases of malaria in the western region of the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Vieira Gabriel de Deus , Gim Karla Nayma Mundt , Zaqueo Guilherme Mendes , Alves Thaianne da Cunha , Katsuragawa Tony Hiroshi , Basano Sergio de Almeida , Camargo Luís Marcelo Aranha , Maciel de Sousa Camila
Published: September 2014

Introduction: Malaria is one of the major parasitic diseases in the State of Rondônia, located in the western Brazilian Amazon. The basic treatment scheme for this disease is chloroquine and primaquine. This study evaluated the epidemiological profile of malaria in Rondônia between 2008 and 2012. Methodology: The epidemiological data were provided by the Health Surveillance Agency from the State of Rondônia, and socioeconomic indicators were obtained from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System, and from the National Institute for Space Research. The analyzed variables included year of diagnosis, gender, age group, main activity performed in the 15 days previous to the diagnosis, parasite species, level of parasitemia, number of relapse/recrudescence cases, and socioeconomic and environmental data for Rondônia. Results: A total of 238,626 cases of malaria were recorded in Rondônia during the study period. Of this total, 65.6% were men and the most prevalent age group was 20–39 years. Plasmodium vivax was the most common parasite (89.8%), followed by Plasmodium   falciparum (9.4%). An average of 30.9% of the individuals who were tested presented with relapse/recrudescence malaria. The API value was highest in 2008 and lowest in 2012, corresponding to 42.3 cases and 19.2 cases per 1,000 inhabitants, respectively. Conclusions: A 58% reduction in the number of malaria cases and a 36.2% reduction in the number of relapse/recrudescence malaria cases were observed, due to increases in the economy, improvements in the health system, and reduction of deforestation in this region.
Development and inter-laboratory study of a method for quantification of fumonisin B1, B2 and B3 in pet foods
Authors: Nomura M. , Ishibashi T. , Komoriya T. , Nagahara T. , Chihara T.
Published: September 2014

An analytical method to determine fumonisin B1 (FB1), B2 (FB2) and B3 (FB3) in pet foods using a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometer (LC-ESI-MS) was developed, and an inter-laboratory study was conducted in eleven laboratories. FB1, FB2 and FB3 were extracted with aqueous acetonitrile. The extract was purified by a multifunctional column, MultiSep 211 Fum, and analysed by LC-ESI-MS. The limit of quantification of fumonisins was estimated to be 0.2 mg/kg for dry and semi-dry pet foods, and 0.1 mg/kg for wet pet food. The calibration curve showed linearity in the range of 0.1-5 ng of fumonisins (0.02-1.0 μg/ml). The values of the mean recovery for FB1 at 0.1-1.0 mg/kg were 93.3-107% and of the relative standard deviation less than 7.9%. These values were 87.3-102 and 8.6% for FB2 and 90.8-102 and 8.6% for FB3, respectively. The mean recovery, repeatability, reproducibility and the Horwitz ratio for FB1 from the inter-laboratory validation study were 92.9-98.9%, 2.6-4.6%, 6.8-10% and 0.41-0.54, respectively. The values for FB2 were 91.5-94.7%, 2.7-5.9%, 6.8-8.9% and 0.33-0.55, respectively, and the values for FB3 were 90.1-94.3%, 3.3-5.9%, 7.3-9.5% and 0.44-0.57, respectively.
Sol Gel Synthesized Nanosilica as Photoanode Material for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) System
Authors: Tying Stephanie Lau Chai , Sipaut Coswald Stephen , Dayou Jedol , Mansa Rachel Fran
Published: September 2014

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been extensively studied due to their promising potential for high efficiency, low production cost and eco-friendly production. The photoanode of DSSCs is traditionally composed of randomly packed TiO2 nanoparticles which have large specific surface area and suitable band gap (3.2 eV) for the effective injection of electrons from the dye molecules to the semiconductor. However, its high surface charge recombination rate accounts for its low efficiency. Alternatively, silica which is chemically inert, thermally stable, high surface area, and inexpensive can be used to substitute TiO2 as photoanode material. However, bulk silica has a wide band gap of 8.9 eV and its band gap need to be narrowed in order to use it as photoanode materials. Thus, in this study, the effect of nanosilica photoanode and its particle size on the performance of dye sensitized solar cell are investigated and characterized. The result is then compared with the fumed silica and conventional TiO2 DSSCs. Although the results shows that photon-electron conversion is inferior compared to TiO2 photoanode, it has a great potential as the fabrication cost is low and more environmental friendly.Keywords : Dye Sensitized Solar Cell, Photoanode material, Nanosilica, Sol gel synthesis
Experimental Study of Geopolymer Solidification Kinetics
Authors: Pauzi Ahmad Hafizi , Ismail Lukman , Siyal Ahmer Ali , Man Zakaria , Azizli Khairun Azizi
Published: September 2014

Geopolymers are formed from silica and alumina oxides mixed with alkali hydroxide or alkali silicate. This paper presents the findings on the study of the solidification of fly ash geopolymer through setting time by varying alkaline activators, their concentrations and geopolymer curing temperature. This work focuses on the transformation of geopolymer from liquid paste to solid through Avrami’s Kinetic Theory. From the experimental results, alkaline activation with sodium silicate produced shortest time for geopolymer solidification as compared to KOH and NaOH. The increase in concentrations of alkaline solution and curing temperatures were found to reduce setting time for geopolymer’s solidification. From Avrami theory perspective, the growth forms of geopolymer in the geopolymerization process exhibit two and three dimensional structure with the presence of secondary nucleation.
Study on the Recovery of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium-based Ionic Liquids
Authors: Idaham Nurul Fasihah , Bustam Khalil Mohamad Azmi , Kait Chong Fai
Published: September 2014

Nowadays, ionic liquids have been widely used in desulfurization process. However, the synthesis costs, performance efficiencies and problems related to waste waters contaminated with ionic liquids are the major issues that need to be considered. Thus, recovery method is one of the alternatives to overcome the current issues. 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium-based ionic liquids with three different anions: dicyanamide (N(CN)2), thiocyanate (SCN) and methylsulfate (CH3SO4) were chosen for the study because they are the common ionic liquids used in desulfurization. The recovery process used is water washing which is the cheapest and easiest recovery method. Even though the contaminants in the spent ionic liquids can easily be removed, we found that the recovered ionic liquids contained higher percentage of water as compared to the pure and spent ionic liquids. Thus, the aim of this current work is to study on the feasibility of the spent ionic liquids to be recovered and their performance on desulfurization after being recovered.
Evaluation of Antioxidants, Pigments and Secondary Metabolites Contents in Spirulina platensis
Authors: Ali Hamdy Elsayed Ahmed , Shanab Sanaa Mahmoud Metwally , Abo-State Mervat Aly Mohamed , Shalaby Emad Ahmed Ahmed , El Demerdash Usama Mohamed Nour , Abdullah Mohd Azmuddin
Published: September 2014

Spirulina platenisis was screened for antioxidant activity, water soluble pigments (phycobiliproteins) and secondary metabolites. Successive extraction by hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol (70%) and water was carried out. Ethyl acetate extract demostrated high antioxidant activity with both 2,2 ́-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging (47±0.32 %) and β-Carotene-linoleic acid bleaching assays (93.64±0.25%),while, it showed very low antioxidant activity with 2, 2 ́-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging method. Relatively high phycobiliproteins (0.16±0.01 mg ml-1), total phenolic content (21.88±1.67 mg GAE g-1 dry wt.), total alkaloids (3.02±0.06 %) and total terpenoids (0.14±0.00%) were determined.
Ionic Liquid – Assisted Synthesis and Characterization of Cerium Oxide Nanocubes for Degradation of Methylene Blue
Authors: Azhar Mohd Aliff Irham Md. , Chowdhury Sujan , Mandal Pradip Chandra , Daman Muhd Fahmi , Bhattacharjee Sekhar , Khanam Taslima
Published: September 2014

Cerium Oxide (CeO2) nanocubes are synthesized by using hydrothermal treatment method in the presence of four different types of ionic liquid such as acetate anion, phosphate anion, and dicyanamide anion. Ceria nanocubes has been consisted with average size of 16 to 31 nm in diameter and characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and surface analyzer and porosimetry analysis (ASAP). Ceria nanocubes have higher photocatalytical ability in the degradation of methylene blue as compared to commercial ceria nanoparticles which are confirmed through ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV/Vis).
Modelling of CO2 Loading in DEA by Using Peak Ratio of Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Shahid Muhammad Zubair , Maulud Abdulhalim Shah , Bustam Mohammad Azmi
Published: September 2014

Carbon dioxide (CO2) capturing has been an important issue for decades. Alkanoamines, such as diethanolamine (DEA) have been widely used for CO2 separation by absorption process. During this process, CO2 loading measurement is an imperative action for a proper process control. Currently used methods are titration based which requires a long processing time. In this work Raman spectroscopy is used to model and predict the CO2 loading in wide range (0-0.97 CO2 mole/amine mole). The models are developed by using Raman peak ratios to minimize the error due to peaks fluctuations. The Raman peak ratio of 1022 cm-1/1461cm-1 has been found as a good fit with the coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.92 and mean squared error (MSE) of 0.00656 CO2 mole2/ amine mole2 in prediction of CO2 loading.
Linear and Non-Linear Regression Analysis of Boron Adsorption Kinetics on New Radiation Grafted Fibrous Adsorbent
Authors: Ting T.M. , Nasef Mohamed Mahmoud , Hashim Kamaruddin
Published: September 2014

The kinetic behavior of a new adsorbent prepared by radiation induced grafting of vinyl benzyl chloride (VBC) onto nylon-6 fibers followed by functionalization with N-methyl-D-glucamine was investigated using pseudo second-order kinetic model. The linear method and non-linear regression methods were compared to determine the best fitting for the kinetic model describing the adsorption of boron by the new adsorbent. Four pseudo second-order kinetic linear equations were presented. A type-1 pseudo second-order linear method was found to fit best the experimental data. Non-linear regression method was found to be more appropriate to describe the boron adsorption by the fibrous adsorbent which has also shown fast kinetics.
Kinetic Studies on Gold Nanoparticle Formation in Aqueous Medium
Authors: Chakraborty Anirban , Moniruzzaman Muhammad , Chowdhury Sujan , Bhattacharjee Sekhar
Published: September 2014

Extensive research data were published in the last decade on synthesis, characterization and application of AuNP for drug delivery and protein conjugation. Gold nanoparticles were synthesized by the well-known citrate reduction (Turkevitch) method. Precursor concentrations were measured by UV-Vis spectroscopy and iodometric estimation methods. During reaction surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peaks of the reaction medium decreased from 556.5 nm to 527.2 nm in about 300s. Experimental data on time-concentration profiles of the precursor in the reaction medium were used to calculate pseudo-first order rate constant (0.0178± 0.002 s-1). Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was used for morphological characterization of the nanoparticles.
Time-Series Analysis for Kinetic Interpretation of Catalytic Cracking of 1-Octene with a Model Involving Dominant Reactions
Authors: Nakazato Tsutomu , Umeo Kiyoshiro , Kai Takami , Tsutsui Toshio
Published: September 2014

A time-series analysis of dominant reactions is proposed for kinetic interpretation of catalytic cracking of an olefin hydrocarbon with carbon number C8. The analysis considered four dominant reaction groups: cracking, skeletal isomerization, cyclization and hydrogen transfer. The kinetic parameters of normal, mono-, di-and tri-branched hydrocarbons as well as naphthenes were determined so as to follow the tendency of the experimental data. The analysis revealed that the reaction rate of isomer cracking was faster than that of linear hydrocarbon one, suggesting that the cracking product was produced dominantly via isomerization rather than direct cracking of linear hydrocarbons. These results implied that the conditions suitable for suppressing over-cracking and prevailing skeletal isomerization lie in the range of lower temperature.
Upgrading of Pyrolysis Bio-Oil to Fuel over Supported Nanomaterials - A Review
Authors: Yasir Madiha , Chowdhury Sujan , Mansor Nurlidia , Mohamed Norani Muti , Uemura Yoshimitsu
Published: September 2014

Upgrading of bio-oil obtained from pyrolysis of biomass is one the most attractive way to produce fuel both in technological and economical aspect. Development of cost-effective, long life and highly active catalyst is a major challenge in this concern. Addition of support material to the nanocatalyst not only increases the life span of the catalyst but also offers more active sites as well as reduces the cost by lowering the amount of active metal used. Moreover, selection of appropriate support favors efficient dispersion of the active phase. The main focus of this review article is to look into the development of supported nanocatalysts in the past few decades, comparing catalytic performance and deactivation rate of catalysts in the upgrading of bio-oil to produce a value-aided and efficient transportation fuel. Overall, appreciable work has been done to improve the hydrodeoxygenation reaction using different nanosized rare earth metal support materials with enhanced catalytic efficiency and finally need to be implemented in industries for upgrading of pyrolysis bio-oil.
Detection of Model Parameter Mismatch Using Simplified Partial Correlation Analysis for Closed-Loop System
Authors: Kamal Iqbal Nur Hidayah , Yusoff Nooryusmiza , Tufa Lemma Dendena
Published: September 2014

Partial correlation analysis is used in detecting the model-plant mismatch as it will give accurate location of mismatched submodel. In this work of model parameter mismatch detection in closed-loop system, a simplified method of partial correlation analysis is proposed. In this method, the identification step for input sensitivities relating setpoints and manipulated variables, Sru, is omitted due the ability of ARX model structure to capture the dynamic of the input-output data even though in the presence of unmeasured disturbance in closed-loop system. The ARX model structure is implemented in decorrelating the observed data from the correlated inputs. By using the ARX model, the mismatch is detected at the precise location compared to the detection using FIR decorrelation model.
Compliance Audit Model for Managing Process Safety in Process Industries
Authors: Majid Noor Diana Abdul , Shariff Azmi Mohd , Thiam Edmund Soon Boon
Published: September 2014

Compliance audit for process safety management (PSM) is a technique to verify that the implementation of the PSM program is in compliance with OSHA standards and to identify potential deficiencies in the PSM program used. However, unavailability of an easy audit techniques hinders the compliances to PSM standards in industries. An audit model is introduced based on OSHA PSM standard to provide a standardize format that utilizes the Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) as a basis. A case study based on the training element of OSHA PSM is performed to verify the effectiveness and to ensure the PSM standard compliances. The model is based on Microsoft Access which enables the user to input data, manage and track information. The model is useful to the employee as the weaknesses in the PSM program can be identified and rectified to prevent any major accidents.
Compliance of Hot Work Permit to Process Safety Management (PSM) Regulation
Authors: Majid Noor Diana Abdul , Shariff Azmi Mohd , Zaki Nurul Azzah Mohd
Published: September 2014

Work permit is something not to take lightly because it involved non-routine work such as hot work which failure to comply with the work permit procedures could resulted in large-scale loss of life and/or property. Investigations by Chemical Safety Board (CSB) have reported 60 fatal hot work accidents in about 20 years in the USA though hot work permits were issued for all operations. No matter how simple the procedure and work permit forms are, it is the strict application of the procedures and practices associated with the assessment of risk and application of permit to work conditions that ensures work can be done safely. A model for hot work permit that is incompliance with the Process Safety Management (PSM) regulations requirements is introduced that includes necessary fire preventive actions to be taken. In addition, a few existing hot work permits were studied to verify this model. It was found that the model required more information to safeguard an effective hot work permit system and better compliance with the PSM regulation. In addition, the model is also more precise, adaptable, user-friendly and easier to comprehend. As a conclusion, the model created could improve the conventional hot work permitting system. To ensure that the permit is more strict and effective hot work permitting system, a more sophisticated coding and software could be further expanded.
Molecular Simulation for Piperazinium Based ILs: Effects of Alkyl Chain, Concentration and Anions on Henry’s Constants
Authors: Babiker Omer Eisa , Shuhaimi Mahadzir , Mutalib Mohammed Ibrahim Abdul
Published: September 2014

a simulation study of molecule structuring, electrons density polarization (σ-profile) and Henry’s law constant (HLC) have been achieved for three of the dual charge cation ionic liquids (DCCILs) specifically, 1, 4-di-(butyl, hexyl, Octyl)-1, 4-dimethyl-piperazinium using COSMO-RS molecular dynamic software. The electron density chart indicates the ability of the DCCILs to interact with the polar groups (H-bond donor) which was presented the strong peak in (-1.2×10-2) e/Ǻ2. The DCCILs also showed a strong peaks to interact with the non-polar groups which are located at (-0.2×10-2) e/Ǻ2). The screening of the selected anions showed a significant deferens in predicted Henry’s constant values. The BF4- anion presented the greatest HLC values followed by NO3-, Br- PF6- and finally the [octylsulfate] - as lowest HLC values. The increases of DCCILs concentration always use to decrease the HLC values for all presented anions. The outcomes of this work were systematically pointed to the possibility of DCCILS solubility in water. In addition the study identified and classified the selected anions and the cation alkyl chain in terms of their contribution to improve the CO2 solubility in DCCILs.
Sustainable Integrated Process Design and Control for a Continuous-Stirred Tank Reactor System
Authors: Zakaria Siti Aminah , Zakaria Mohd Jufri , Hamid Mohd Kamaruddin Abd
Published: September 2014

The objective of this paper is to highlight the use of a two-dimensional (2D) sustainability index in performing a sustainable integrated process design and control (Sustain-IPDC) for a continuous-stirred tank reactor (CSTR) system. Sustain-IPDC for a CSTR system is formulated as a mathematical programming problem and solved by decomposing it into six sequential hierarchical sub-problems: (i) pre-analysis, (ii) design analysis, (iii) controller design analysis, (iv) sustainability analysis, (v) detailed economic analysis, and (vi) final selection and verification. The proposed methodology is applied to the production of cyclohexanone using a CSTR. The results show that the proposed methodology is capable in finding an optimal solution for a CSTR design problem that satisfy design, control, sustainability and economic criteria in an easy and systematic manner.
Sustainable Integrated Process Design and Control for a Distillation Column System
Authors: Nordin Mohamad Zulkhairi , Jais Mohamad Dzulfadzli , Hamid Mohd Kamaruddin Abd
Published: September 2014

The objective of this paper is to develop a sustainable integrated process design and control methodology for a distillation column system. The sustainable integrated process design and control problem for a distillation column system is typically formulated as a mathematical programming (optimization with constraints) problem, and solved by decomposing it to six sequential hierarchical sub-problems: (i) pre-analysis, (ii) design analysis, (iii) controller design analysis, (iv) sustainability analysis, (v) detailed economics analysis and (vi) final selection and verification. The results through case study of benzene-toluene separation process shows the proposed methodology is capable to find the optimal solution that satisfies design, control, sustainability and economic criteria in a simple and efficient way.
Effect of Bulk Temperature on Formation of Crude Oil Fouling Precursors on Heat Transfer Surfaces
Authors: Shetty Nitin , Ramasamy Marappagounder , Pendyala Rajashekhar
Published: September 2014

Temperature plays a very important role in the formation of fouling precursors in crude oils which is considered to be the first step before the precursors are either attached to the wall as a deposit or transferred back to the bulk fluid by diffusion. In order to investigate the formation characteristics of fouling precursors in crude oils at different bulk temperatures, a custom-design thin film microreactor is constructed. It is observed during the experiments that tendency to form fouling precursors is higher at higher surface temperatures. The precursor particles once formed continue to grow in size with time at constant surface temperatures. It is also observed that the particles tend to grow in size while it is cooled when the temperatures are below 55 oC.
Methodology Development of a Flexible and Operable Energy Integrated Distillation Columns
Authors: Mustafa Mohd Faris , Abdul Samad Noor Asma Fazli , Ibrahim Kamarul Asri , Hamid Mohd Kamaruddin Abd
Published: September 2014

This paper presents the development of a new methodology that will enable to design flexible and operable energy integrated distillation columns (EIDCs). Distillation is the primary separation process used in the industrial chemical processing. Although it has many advantages, however the main drawback concerns with the large energy requirement, which significantly influence overall plant profitability. The large energy requirement of these processes can be reduced by using energy integration. Therefore, a new methodology that will enable to design flexible and operable of EIDCs has been proposed in this study. This can be successfully obtained by implementing the integration of process design and control (IPDC) methodology. The design of EIDCs can be further improved to ensure that the design is more cost efficient, flexible, controllable, and operable. This can be achieved by developing a new model-based IPDC method, which includes cost optimality and controllability at the early design stage, which is also the main objective of this study. It is expected that this new methodology will help engineers to solve EIDCs design problem in a systematic and efficient manner.
Methodology Development
Parametric Study and Improvement in Fuel Properties of Pre-Blended Methyl Esters from Crude Palm and Rubber Seed Oil
Authors: Bokhari Awais , Yusup Suzana , Ahmad Junaid , Kamil Ruzaimah Nik Mohammad
Published: September 2014

Environmental emissions concerns and the precautions of energy supply have motivated curiosity in the growth of alternatives for fossil based energy carriers and chemicals. Biodiesel as an alternative fuel has a potential to overcome energy crisis and reduce exhaust emissions to environment. Unutilized Rubber seed oil (RSO) alkyl esters have a huge potential to avoid food scarcity issue with contributing to energy sector. Current research contributes to produce biodiesel from the crude blends of palm oil and RSO. Parameters that effect base transesterification were extensively studied and methyl esters were characterized according to international biodiesel standards. The low-temperature flow properties and oxidation stability of the produced methyl esters were enhanced by blending with Fossil Diesel (FD) fuel.
Supersaturated Gas Bubble Formation across an Orifice
Authors: Ban Zhen Hong , Lau Kok Keong , Azmi Mohd Shariff
Published: September 2014

A solution could be made supersaturated when the physical conditions was altered. The supersaturated gas would form bubble to bring the solution back to the equilibrium condition. Bubble would first nucleated and then growth in the solution. This work was aimed to simulate the bubble formation across an orifice, with sufficient pressure drop. The CO2 was assumed to be made saturated at 6 atm in water, and formed bubble when the solution flowed across the orifice. As the CO2 bubble formed across the orifice, the volume of the CO2 gas occupied almost the whole space in the orifice. The mass of the dissolved CO2 in water had decreased too as it had transferred into gas CO2.
An Equation of State for the Liquid Phase
Authors: Subbarao Duvvuri , Mohd Zabidi Noor Asmawati , Chowdhury Sujan , Bustam Khalil Mohamad Azmi , Mutalib Mohammed Ibrahim Abdul
Published: September 2014

Developments in Equation of State for gases have enabled estimation of properties of gases with reasonable accuracy. Equation of State for liquid phase is developed in this note to explain dependence of density of liquid on temperature through latent heat vaporization and specific heat of the liquid. The model is validated with data on some common liquids.
Thermodynamic Properties of Flufenamic Ionic Liquids
Authors: Romeli Fatimah Julia , Wilfred Cecilia Devi , Shuib Anis
Published: September 2014

Active pharmaceutical ingredients-ionic liquids (APIs-ILs) in which, when compared to active pharmaceutical ingredients hydrochloride (APIs-HCl), exhibits better solubility, increased thermal stability and significant enhancement in the efficiency of APIs. Three novel flufenamic-ILs were synthesized and their density and viscosities were determined and reported as a function of temperature. From the experimental density data the crystal energy, molecular volume and standard entropy was estimated. The result showed that the density and viscosities decrease with increasing temperature in these four ionic liquids.
Citric Acid Future Prospects for Pakistan, a Short Review
Authors: Nadeem Saad , Ahmed Iqbal , Abdul Mutalib Ibrahim , Tufail Muhammad , Khan M. Saad
Published: September 2014

Considered weak organic acid, Citric Acid (CA) finds its application in almost all the food and pharmaceutical industries as flavour, acidifier and chelating agent. CA has been found in abundance specially in citrus fruits, can also be produced by artificial means, most notably by fermentation using molasses or starch by the use of micro-organisms. The current paper outlines the production of CA from Aspergillus Niger (A. Niger) keeping in view the statistical analysis that shows its importance, usage and future scope of CA if manufactured at industrial scale in Pakistan.
Key words: Aspergillus Niger, Citric Acid, Fermentation, Molasses.
Experimental Study on Heat and Mass Transfer during Fast Pyrolysis of Biomass Particle
Authors: Irii T. , Murata S. , Tanoue Kenichiro , Nishimura T. , Uemura Y. , Taniguchi M. , Sasauchi K.
Published: September 2014

As Japan has many mountains with steep slopes, it is difficult to transport felled trees. Therefore, the development of a high-quality, compact gasifier that can cope with variations both in the amount of biomass collected and in energy demand, is necessary. Furthermore, in order to ensure that the system is used in the most efficient manner, it is necessary to increase our understanding of the reaction mechanisms involved in both the decomposition of biomass and heat transfer in the packed bed of biomass.
Development of Membrane Reformer System for Hydrogen Production from Natural Gas
Authors: Kurokawa Hideto , Iseki Takaya , Yakabe Hisataka
Published: September 2014

An advanced membrane reformer system for hydrogen production from natural gas has been developed and demonstrated its long-term durability. A pilot-scale membrane reformer system, of which capacity is 40 Nm3/h, has been developed with membrane reactors consist of Pd-based thin hydrogen separation membranes and reforming catalyst beds. The system, which has already achieved a significant hydrogen production efficiency of 81.4% (HHV), has been operated for 8000 h and demonstrated its durability. A scale up analysis was also carried out for the purpose of estimating the efficiency of a commercial-scale system with a capacity of 300 Nm3/h using a process simulator and actual operation data obtained from the pilot system. The hydrogen production efficiency of the 300 Nm3/h system was estimated to be 82.9% (HHV).
Novel Approach and Setup for Multi Phase Mixtures Separation and Analysis at Offshore Conditions
Authors: Firas A.A.K. , Shariff Azmi Mohd , Keong Lau Kok , Mellon Nurhayati
Published: September 2014

The precious demand not in the push away and broad off from receive forward developed technology approaches place the hand almost several lacks of warns and in-needed developed technique and techniques for greater than before contract and analysis for several issues, no complimentary and talk to studies within the literature describe the system comes in multi component and dual phase particularly for those that ought to be investigated at offshore conditions, the novel technique and setup has been created for such scope, the recently developed discovered has the flexibility to analyses the sorption isotherms and kinetic for multi component and dual phase mixtures (gas and vapor) at offshore conditions in term of temperature up to 150 oC and pressure up to 150 bar. Additionally to the pretreatment that would be finished to the sorbents used at temperatures up to 400 oC and vacuumed pressure. The primer experiments are done using 13 X zeolites for the sorption of pure CO2 at numerous conditions and binary mixtures (CO2 and CH4) with the existence of water vapor.
Chitosan-Grafted Nanocellulose Derived from Empty Fruit Bunch for Ethyl Orange Removal
Authors: Arsad Nurul Jannah , Ngadi Norzita
Published: September 2014

The objective was to reduced concentration of ethyl orange simulated dye wastewater. The cellulose nanofibrils were extracted from empty fruit bunch (EFB) using acid hydrolysis. These nanocellulose were grafted with chitosan by using microwave-initiated method. The nanocellulose, chitosan and grafted flocculant were characterized using FTIR, FESEM and elemental analysis. FTIR, FESEM and elemental analysis confirmed that the chitosan has been grafted onto nanocellulose. UV-Viss used to obtain the dye concentration. It revealed that grafted flocculant is more efficient compared to nanocellulose and chitosan on the reduction of concentration for the ethyl orange.
Monoethanolamine (MEA) Wastewater Treatment Using Photo-Fenton Oxidation
Authors: Maszelan Che Nurjulaikha Haji Che , Buang Azizul
Published: September 2014

Monoalkanolamine (MEA) is useful for scrubbing acidic gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) in flue gas from oil and gas industries. However, small portion of MEA is carried out during the process and being discharged into the wastewater. The organic properties of MEA make it resilience to the conventional wastewater treatment. Photo-Fenton, a potential way of treating the MEA, is a method of producing hydroxyl radical from reaction of ferrous ion, Fe2+ and hydrogen peroxide, H2O2 with UV light. The hydroxyl radicals will then attack MEA and formed the degradation product. The scope of study is to treat synthetic MEA wastewater with the presence of UV light. Different concentration of ferrous ion and hydrogen peroxide is being tested. The removal efficiency is observed through the Total Organic Carbon (TOC) value of the. It is found that the percentage of TOC removal is higher with presence of UV light compared to without UV light. It is also found that for this project, the optimum concentration of ferrous ion is at 0.014M whereby for hydrogen peroxide, the optimum concentration is at 1.6M with both giving highest TOC removal at 99%.
Starch Biodegradation in a Lignin Modified Slow Release Fertilizer: Effect of Thickness
Authors: Majeed Zahid , Ramli Nur Kamila , Mansor Nurlidia , Man Zakaria
Published: September 2014

Biopolymers and their modified blends are naturally biodegradable materials being intensively used in control nutrient release formulations. Material biodegradability varies with thickness which further effect natural decay when applied in soil. Preliminary study was conducted for a urea-nitrogen incorporated slow release fertilizer (SRF) prepared with 0.27mm, 0.54mm and 1.03mm thickness. The starch biodegradation was decreased with increased in thickness both in non-sterile flooded soil (NSF) and sterile flooded soil (SF). NSF soil data was corrected with SF soil (as control) showed improved exponential decay constant and half-life estimates compared to NSF soil only. Study concludes that SRF thickness is important parameter increases half-life and reduces starch biodegradability in SRF.
Adsorptive Removal of Ni2+ from Aqueous Solution onto Rice Husk-Based Activated Carbon
Authors: Taha Mohd Faisal , Shuib Anis , Shaharun Maizatul Shima , Borhan Azry
Published: September 2014

The potential of rice husk-based activated carbon (RHAC) as an alternative low-cost adsorbent for the removal of Ni2+ from aqueous solution was studied. RHAC was prepared via chemical treatment using NaOH followed by the carbonization process. The textural properties of rice husk-based activated carbon, i.e. surface area (253 m2/g) and pore volume (0.17 cm2/g), were determined by N2 adsorption. The adsorption studies to remove Ni2+ from aqueous solution using RHAC were carried out at a fixed initial concentration of Ni2+ (150 ppm) with varying RHAC as a function of contact time at room temperature. The concentration of Ni2+ was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The maximum removal of Ni2+ was increased from 40% to 89% when the amount of RHAC was increased from 0.1 g to 0.5 g. The isotherm and kinetic analyses showed that equilibrium data of adsorption studies fitted well Langmuir, Freundlich and second order kinetic models.
Review on Extraction and Characterization of Castor Seed Oil
Authors: Jamil Muhammad Fitri , Uemura Yoshimitsu , Osman Norridah , Kusakabe Katsuki , Yusup Suzana
Published: September 2014

Extraction of castor oil is important in determination of the quality of castor oil extracted. The quality of castor oil being extracted has to meet the ASTM standard that has been produced. The way of extraction can be either mechanical extraction or chemical extraction that is practically used in the industry which give the highest yield of oil extracted. Castor oil is mainly composed of ricinoleic acid in high concentration. It is a unique vegetable oil that contains high content of fatty hydroxyacid.
Theoretical Model for Calculating the Rotation in Cementless Acetabular Cup Prosthesis Implanted by Press Fit into a Hip of Canines
Authors: Lorza Ruben Lostado , McCartney William T. , Mac Donald Bryan J. , Martinez Roberto Fernandez
Published: September 2014

The aseptic loosening of the cementless acetabular cup prosthesis implanted by press fit into a hip is a fault caused by the application of an excessive load, which creates the rotation of the cup on the hip [1]. This rotation of the cup on the hip disables the prosthesis, and a new surgical intervention to place correctly the cup in the hip housing is required. The aseptic loosening of the cementless acetabular cup has been studied during decades mainly through experiments and numerical methods [2,3,4]. This paper shows the development of a theoretical model for calculating the maximum load that the cup of the prosthesis can support as well as the angle and direction of the net load. The model proposed is based on the hertz laws [5], which considers the interface between the cup and hip as two spheres between which there is a coefficient of static friction (μ), and is applied on a acetabular cups [6] implanted in artificial bone [7].
An ERAFNN Prediction of Concrete Compressive Strength Based on Physical Properties of Electric Arc Furnace Oxidizing Slag
Authors: Chen Li , Pai Tzu Yi
Published: September 2014

In this study, exact radial basis function neural network (ERBFNN) was used to predict the concrete compressive strength based on physical properties of electric arc furnace oxidizing slag. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) was used to evaluate the predicting performance. The results indicated the minimum MAPE of 0.08 % and 5.28 % could be achieved when training and predicting, respectively. According to the results, it revealed that ERBFNN was an efficiently tool for providing information.
Modified Contour Integrals for Calculation of Stress Intensity Factors for Cracks in Anisotropic FGMs
Authors: Chang Jui Hung , Jiang Jun Yi
Published: September 2014

A numerical method is proposed for calculation of the mixed-mode stress intensity factors at a crack tip in anisotropic functionally graded materials. The method is constructed by developing a pair of modified contour integrals, along with closed form expressions that relate these integrals and the SIFs. Neither a-priori information nor extra auxiliary solutions corresponding to the singular behavior is required for the calculation and so the proposed scheme is applicable for curve cracks of arbitrary shapes in generally anisotropic FGMs.
Two-Dimensional Thermal Stresses and Displacements in an Arbitrarily Inhomogeneous Elastic Layer
Authors: Tokovyy Yuriy , Lozynskyy Yuriy , Ma Chien Ching
Published: September 2014

This paper presents an analytical approach for solution of the plane-strain problem on elastic equilibrium of a layer whose material properties are arbitrary functions of the transversal coordinate. The layer is stressed by distributed temperature field under given displacement of its limiting surfaces. By making use of the explicit solution of the relevant problem in terms of stresses, the boundary tractions are determined by the given boundary displacements and temperature field on the basis of established one-to-one relations. In such manner, the original problem is reduced to the problem with boundary conditions in terms of stresses.
Thermal Stress of Building Materials Containing Plasticizer Characterised by Alternating Electric Field
Authors: Kusák Ivo , Lunak Miroslav , Chobola Zdeněk , Šamárková Kristýna
Published: September 2014

Paper deals with the applicability of impedance spectroscopy method to testing of cement-based composites prepared from a mix of type CEM I cement and siliceous sand, as well as by substituting 25 % of sand with shredded automobile tires and by adding acrylic polymer binder (10 % w/w of the polymer mass to cement mass). The monitoring of structural changes in the thermal stress is very important, for example for determining the reliability of the whole structure. Samples were intentionally degraded by high-temperature (in a temperature range from 25 °C to 400 °C). The primary monitored magnitudes were electrical capacitance C, the relative permittivity εr and components of electric impedance |Z|.
Based on the Debye theory of dielectric the models were created, their applications and received parameters measured dielectric material is characterized and discussed the uniqueness of determining the values of model parameters. Development of electrical parameters and permittivity at each temperature areas reliably show thus structural changes and thus the structural reliability.
Study on the Young’s Modulus of Red Blood Cells Using Atomic Force Microscope
Authors: Lien Cheng Chang , Wu Meng Chien , Ay Chyung
Published: September 2014

The force-displacement curves of rat’s red blood cells (RBC) were measured by atomic force microscope (AFM) in this study, and the young’s modulus of RBC were calculated. The different speed and loads of probe on AFM was conducted to exam the effect of young’s modulus in RBC. Furthermore, the relationship between young’s modulus of RBC and different depth of indentation from force-displacement curves were investigated. The experimental results and analysis showed that when probe’s maximum load was 5 nN and the velocity was set for 1, 5, 10 and 20 μm/s, the young’s modulus of normal red blood cells for probe down measurements to AFM were 129.56 ± 42.80, 141.56 ± 31.15, 147.90 ± 24.35 and 149.69 ± 29.27 kPa, respectively. It represented that the young’s modulus of normal red blood cells depended on probe’s velocity. Then when probe’s velocity was 1 μm/s and the load was changed to 1, 5 and 10 nN, the young’s modulus of normal red blood cells were measured for 41.45 ± 22.64, 82.72 ± 53.99 and 202.40 ± 16.01 kPa, respectively. It represented that the young’s modulus of normal red blood cells depended on the probe’s load. On the other side, the results of force-displacement curves exam demonstrated that the deeper of probe indented in cells, the measured young’s modulus of normal red blood cells would be increased more.
A Compact Low Cost Wearable Sensor System for Quantitative Gait Measurement
Authors: Tan Ming Gui , Leong Cheng Boon , Ho Jee Hou , Goh Hui Ting , Kiat Ng Hoon
Published: September 2014

The demand for quantitative gait analysis increases due to increasing number of neurological disorder patients. Conventional gait analysis tools such as 3D motion capture systemsare relatively expensive. Therefore, there is a need to develop a low cost sensor system to obtain the spatial temporal gait parameters without compromising too much on the accuracy. This paper describesthe development of a wearable low cost sensor system which consists ofrelatively less sensing elements with 2 accelerometers, 4 force sensitive resistors (FSR) and 2 EMG electrodes. Thesensor output was validated by a vision system and the relative error was less than 5% formost of the gait parameters measured.
A Precast Road Panel Structure for Heavy Vehicles
Authors: Qi Hu , Li Yun Gui , Liu Kang
Published: September 2014

A composite precast road panel structure system suitable for heavy vehicles is put forward, which combined by two layers of composite stagger-jointed road panel. Experiment research are adopted to study the proposed road panel structure and common road panel structure respectively. In order to research the proposed road panel structure performance under heavy vehicles, five different cases are studied in experiment each which different vehicle routes. The test results show that the proposed one can reduce 24.2% to 46.4% ( an average of 35% ) of the subgrade stress in five cases so as to reduce the subgrade damage under driving heavy traffic.
Boundary-Constraint Meshing Based on Paving Method
Authors: Duan Jin , Chen Xiao Ming , Qi Hu , Li Yun Gui
Published: September 2014

This paper would modify thepaving method of Blacker and Stephenson [1] to generate boundary-constraint quad-mesh for arbitrary plane geometry. The basic idea for the present method is to classify the initial boundaries into closed borders and open borders.The closed borders aredescribed in a manner just the same as the paving method while the open borders areheuristically modeled as cracks with zero-width.And then the two kinds of borders aredelicatelyconnected each other to generate a new kind of boundary, named generalized closed boundary. Based on the newboundaries, the paving methodin Ref. [1] is adopted and modified slightly to generate quadrilateral elements by layering the geometry from the boundary toward the interior. And finally some meshing examples would be presented to illustrate the availability and power of the modified paving method.
Neural Network Prognostic Model for Predicting the Fire Resistance of Eccentrically Loaded RC Columns
Authors: Lazarevska Marijana , Cvetkovska Meri , Knežević Miloš , Trombeva Gavriloska Ana , Milanovic Milivoje , Murgul Vera , Vatin Nikolay
Published: September 2014

Using the concept of the artificial neural networks and the results of the performed numerical analyses as input parameters, the prediction model for defining the fire resistance of RC columns incorporated in walls and exposed to standard fire from one side, has been made. A short description of the numerical analyses of columns exposed to standard fire ISO 834, conducted by the computer software FIRE are presented in this paper. The software is capable of predicting the nonlinear response of reinforced concrete elements and plane frame structures subjected to fire loading, carrying out the nonlinear transient heat flow analysis and nonlinear stress-strain response associated with fire.
Durability Performance of Concrete Containing CFBC Fly Ash and Coal-Fired Fly Ash
Authors: Chi Mao Chieh , Huang Ran
Published: September 2014

This study presents an investigation into durability performance of concrete with various combinations of circulating fluidized bed combustion (CFBC) fly ash and coal-fired fly ash. All cylindrical specimens with the same binder content of 420 kg/m3 and water/binder ratio of 0.5 were cast and cured in the saturated limewater. Permeability test, sulfate attack resistance test, rapid chloride ion penetration test (RCPT) and carbonization test were performed. Test results demonstrate that the adding of CFBC fly ash and coal-fired fly ash would reduce the water permeability and chloride ions penetration, and increase the sulfate attack resistance, but an increase in carbonization depth. The carbonization depth increases with an increasing contents of CFBC fly ash and coal-fired fly ash. There exists a negative relationship between compressive strength and carbonization rate. Based on the test results, CFBC fly ash and coal-fired fly ash can be considered as cement replacement materials and employed in concrete.