bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of Solid-State Calcium Ion Sensors Based on Photocurable and Selfplasticising Polyacrylate Matrices
Authors: Heng Lee Yook , Hall Elizabeth A.H. 
Published: December 2017

New membrane materials based on cross-linked poly(n-butyl acrylate) (nBA), have been used successfully as calcium ion-selective membranes. These membrane materials possess selfplasticising property and hence do not require plasticisers. The photocurability and good adhesion characteristics of these polymer matrices enable workable solid-state calcium ion sensors to be fabricated by simple photocure procedures employing the calcium ionophore ETH5234 and a lipophilic additive as ion sensing components. The calcium ion-selectivity of the sensors can be controlled by varying the chemical composition of the photocured membrane. An optimum amount of the cross-linker 2,2-hexanedioldiacrylate (HDDA) and the incorporation of n-heptyl acrylate (nHA) led to improvement in the calcium ion-selectivity. The best calcium ion-selectivity was obtained from a copolymer membrane with composition: nBA = 74 wt-%, nHA = 20 wt-% and HDDA = 0.1 wt-%. The selectivity coefficients of calcium over major cations were: LogKCaPot,Na= -4.4, LogKCaPot,K = -3.6, LogKCa,PotLi = -5.9, LogKCaPot,Mg= -4.4 with a Nernstian slope (29.1 ± 0.8 mV/decade) under buffered conditions. This potentiometric performance is comparable to other solid-state calcium ion sensors with various plasticised polymer membranes.
Synthesis And Characterization Of Pure-Silica- Zeolite-Beta Membrane
Authors: Fong Yeong Yin , Bhatia Subhash 
Published: December 2017

The semiconductor industry needs low dielectric constant (low k-value) materials to more advance microprocessor and chips by reducing the size of the device features. In fabricate this context, a new material with lower k value than conventional silica ( k = 3.9 - 4.2 ) is needed in order to improve the circuit performance. As per the recent International Semiconductor Technology plan, a low-k material with a k = 1.6 will be needed by 2010. The choice of the inorganic zeolite membrane is an attractive option for low k material and suitable for microprocess application. In the present study, a pure silica zeolite beta membrane coated on the non-porous stainless steel support was synthesized using in situ crystallization of a gel with the composition of SiO2 : 0.6 TEAOH : 0.6 HF : 10.1 H2O. The crystallization was carried in the presence of tetraethylammonium hydroxide TEA(OH) as structure directing agent, fumed silica, HF and deionized water at pH value of 9. The crystallization under hydrothermal conditions at 130oC was carried out for the time period of 14 days. The membrane was characterized by X-Ray Diffraction ( XRD ), Thermogravimetric Analysis ( TGA ), Nitrogen Adsorption and Scanning Electron Microscope ( SEM ) . SEM micrographs show highly crystalline, truncated square bipyramidal morphology of pure silica zeolite beta was coated on the non-porous stainless steel support. The membrane dielectric constant, k-value was measured as 2.64 which makes it suitable for the microprocessor applications.
Energy cost of seed drying
Authors: Jittanit Weerachet , Srzednick George , Driscoll Robert 
Published: December 2017

In this work, the energy costs of drying corn, rice and wheat seeds between 3 drying options were compared. They consisted of 1) two-stage drying by using fluidised beddrye (FBD) in the 1ststage and in-store dryer (ISD) in the 2ndstage, 2) single-stage drying by fixed bed dryer (FXD) and 3) two-stage drying by using FXD in the 1ststage and ISD in the 2ndstage. The drying conditions selected for comparison were proved to be safe for seed viability by the previous studies. The results showed that the drying options 2 and 3 consumed less energy than option 1. However, the benefits from lower energy cost must be weighed against some advantages of using FBD. Furthermore,it appeared that running the burners of FXD and ISD for warming up the ambient air during humid weather condition could shorten drying time significantly with a little higher energy cost.
Processing of Cu-Cr alloy for combined high strength and high conductivity
Authors: Olofinjanaa A.O , Tan K. S. 
Published: December 2017

High strength and high conductivity (HSHC) are two intrinsic properties difficult to combine in metallic alloy design because; almost all strengthening mechanisms also lead to reduced conductivity. Precipitation hardening by nano-sized precipitates had proven to be the most adequate way to achieve the optimum combination of strength and conductivity in copper based alloys. However, established precipitation strengthened Cu- alloys are limited to very dilute concentration of solutes thereby limiting the volume proportion hardening precipitates. In this work, we report the investigation of the reprocessing of higher Cr concentration Cu- based alloys via rapid solidification. It is found that the rapid solidification in the as-cast ribbon imposed combined solution extension and ultra-refinement of Cr rich phases. X-ray diffraction evidences suggest that the solid solution extension was up to 6wt%Cr.Lattice parameters determined confirmed the many folds extension of solid solution of Cr in Cu. Thermal aging studies of the cast ribbons indicated that peak aging treatments occurred in about twenty minutes. Peak aged hardness ranged from about 200 to well over 300Hv. The maximum peak aged hardness of 380Hv was obtained for alloy containing 6wt.%Cr but with conductivity of about 50%IACS. The best combined strength/conductivity was obtained for 4wt.%Cr alloy with hardness of 350HV and conductivity of 80% IACS. The high strengths observed are attributed to the increased volume proportion of semi-coherent Cr rich nano-sized precipitates that evolved from the supersaturated solid solution of Cu-Cr that was achieved from the high cooling rates imposed by the ribbon casting process. The rapid overaging of the high Cr concentration Cu-Cr alloy is still a cause for concern in optimising the process for reaching peak HSHC properties. It is still important to investigate a microstructural design to slow or severely restrict the overaging process. The optimum HSHC property reported here is a rare combination of high strength (>350Hv ~ 900MPa) and conductivity (50 – 80% IACS) found in metallic alloys.
CAUSES OF TRACTOR BREAKDOWNS AND REQUISITE SOLUTIONS A CASE STUDY OF SMALL TRACTOR USE IN RIAU PROVINCE, INDONESIA
Authors: Paman Ujang , Uchida S. , Inaba S. , Kojima T. 
Published: December 2017

A survey has been undertaken to look into the causes of tractor breakdowns on field operations and the main constraints associated with repair and maintenance, and to recommend a solution to the problems in Riau Province. The owners of sixty-two small tractors were interviewed, from three regencies chosen of the Province in 2003. As a result, the working capacity of the tractors was relatively high and the average annual use was relatively low compared to the national average. Most tractor operators did not have sufficient skill to operate tractors. The tractor breakdowns resulted from operators’ mistakes, fuel and oil defilement, rough field conditions, poor maintenance, intense use, and factory design. Inadequate repair shops, a lack of spare parts, and a shortage of mechanics in the local vicinity were the main factors curbing tractor repair. It was also found that inadequate finances led many farmers to ignore tractor maintenance. These suggest that tractor operators should be well trained and tractor-supporting facilities should be provided in rural areas. A mechanical extension officer and credit options should be made available for farmers.
FAULT LOCATION ON A DISTRIBUTION FEEDER USING FAULT GENERATED HIGH FREQUENCY CURRENT SIGNATURES
Authors: Hizam Hashim , Crossley P.A. 
Published: December 2017

This paper describes how the fault generated travelling waves detected in the current signals at a single location on a distribution feeder can be used for fault location. The method identifies the fault section and the probable location of the fault by comparing the relative distance of each “peak” in the high frequency current signals to the known reflection points in the distribution feeder. The probable fault location is then used within a transient power system simulator that models the actual network. The resulting simulated current waveforms are then cross-correlated against the original signal. If the estimated fault location is correct, the high frequency signatures in the simulated waveform will be similar to those of the measured waveforms and the cross-correlation value will be a high positive value. If the signatures differ, the cross correlation value will be negative or small. The simulation and correlation process is repeated with the next “most likely” fault location until a high degree of correlation is obtained. Simulation studies using PSCAD/EMTDC and analysis using cross-correlation suggest that this method can accurately locate a fault on a distribution feeder using measurements at a single location.
CHARACTERISTICS OF LITHIUM LANTHANUM TITANATE THIN FILMS MADE BY ELECTRON BEAM EVAPORATION FROM NANOSTRUCTURED La0.67-xLi 3xTiO3 TARGET
Authors: Dinh Nguyen Nang , Trong Le Dinh , Long Pham Duy 
Published: December 2017

Bulk nanostructured perovskites of La0.67-xLi3xTiO3 (LLTO) were prepared by using thermally ball-grinding from compounds of La2O3, Li2CO3 and TiO2. From XRD analysis, it was found that LTTO materials were crystallized with nano-size grains of an average size of 30 nm. The bulk ionic conductivity was found strongly dependent on the Li+ composition, the samples with x = 0.11 (corresponding to a La0.56Li0.33TiO3 compound) have the best ionic conductivity, which is ca. 3.2 x 10-3 S/cm at room temperature. The LLTO amorphous films were made by electron beam deposition. At room temperature the smooth films have ionic conductivity of 3.5 x 10-5 S/cm and transmittance of 80%. The optical bandgap of the films was found to be of 2.3 eV. The results have shown that the perovskite La0.56Li0.33TiO3 thin films can be used for a transparent solid electrolyte in ionic battery and in all-solid-state electrochromic devices, in particular.
Influence of Temperature on the Performance of Photovoltaic Polycrystalline Silicon Module in the Bruneian Climate
Authors: Malik A. Q. , Ming Lim Chee , Sheng Tan Kha , Blundell M. 
Published: December 2017

The influence of working temperature for a polysilicon module has been investigated in Brunei Darussalam for a period of two years. The rise in temperature produces thermal agitation which not only increases the dark current but also enhances the losses of free carriers in a polycrystalline module. The efficiency and the output power decreases with an increase in the working temperature. A maximum decline in the output power of 97% has been measured under a dominated diffused radiation environment. The temperature coefficients have been obtained and equations are developed to evaluate the change in the rating of module at any working temperature with reference to their values at STC.
THE EVIDENCE OF NON N-GLYCAN LINKED MANNOSE IN EXOCHITINASE (42 kDa) FROM Trichoderma harzianum BIO10671 GLYCOSYLATION
Authors: Mustafa Muskhazli , Zaman Faridah Qamaruz , Ramli Salfarina , Tohfah Nor Farizan , Ithnin Nalisha , Wallis Greg 
Published: December 2017

Chitinase 42 kDa produced by Trichoderma harzianum has been proven as a prime compound to be excreted onto the hyphae of the pathogen causing localised cell wall lysis at the point of interaction. This finally initiate the process of the host cell becomes empty of cytoplasm, disintegrates and shows a rapid collapse. This study investigates the existence of N-glycan linked mannose in chitinase 42 kDa produced by the Malaysian T. harzianum strain BIO10671. The chitinase 42 kDa from T. harzianum BIO10671 was initially purified using anion exchange chromatography prior to a series of experiments such as immunoblotting against the chitinase 42 kDa antibody, lectin staining for detecting any terminal linked mannose, and galactofuranose detection to determine the presence of galatofuranose components in glycoproteins. The enzyme purification harvested about 12-fold of chitinase 42 kDa from T. harzianum BIO10671 with strong indication of the presence chitinase 42 kDa presence on SDS-Page. This was confirmed by immunoblotting with a strong response around 42 kDa after overnight incubation in chitinase 42 kDa antibody suggesting that the gene for chitinase 42 kDa was greatly expressed in this strain. There are no intervation of galatofuranose on any of the terminal mannose in chitinase 42 kDa as shown by negative results on samples treated with or without endoglycosidase-H and lectin staining. Therefore, it can be concludeed that glycosylation occurred in the chitinase 42 kDa from T. harzianum 42 kDa was not in the form of N-glycan linked mannose as expected.
STUDIES ON A NOVEL RECOMBINANT LIPASE A FROM BACILLUS SUBTILIS FS2
Authors: Nguyet Phung Thu , Thanh Nguyen Hong , Hai Truong Nam , Janson Jan-Christer 
Published: December 2017

A strain of Bacillus subtilis FS2 isolated from a traditional fish source in Vietnam has been shown to produce an enzyme possessing both a gelatinase and a lipase A (LipA) activity when tested on agar plates containing 0.1% tributyrin and 0.3% gelatine. A gene encoding LipA was isolated and expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3). The enzyme has got an apparent Mr of 24 kDa, a pI of 9.2 and was purified to electrophoretical homogeneity by affinity chromatography. Both the lipase and the gelatinase showed optimum activity at pH 10 and at 30 0 C, with highest activity in the range 25-37°C. The metal ions Fe++, Co++, and Mn++ at 10 mM had strong inhibitory effect on both activities whereas Ca++ had no effect and Zn++ had a slight enhancing effect. The specific enzymatic activities obtained were 19814 U/mg for the lipase and 1245 U/mg for the gelatinase.
POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE AS OXIDANT IN THE COD TEST FOR SALINE WATER SAMPLES
Authors: Goh Chin-Ping , Lim Poh-Eng 
Published: December 2017

The objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility of applying potassium permanganate (KMnO4) as the oxidant in the COD test for highly saline water samples. Initially, the COD values of various glucose standard solutions were determined by three methods, namely the standard closed reflux dichromate (CODCr), the acidic permanganate (CODMn) and the alkaline permanganate (CODOH) methods. The results showed that at COD values lower than 20 mg/L, the standard dichromate method was not applicable due to its poor precision (RSD > 10%). The CODOH method was less effective compared to the CODMn method as the recoveries were 0.71 and 0.89, respectively. The determination of CODOH for the standard solutions of glucose in the presence of Cl- and Br-, respectively, or both Cl- and Br- ions were conducted. The results showed that the COD values only increased 5.1% with the increase in chloride concentrations up to 35000 mg Cl-/L. This shows that the CODOHmethod is a suitable method for determining the COD of highly saline water samples such as estuarine and coastal waters. The COD test was conducted for river, estuarine and coastal water samples. The results indicated that the CODOH test correlates well with the CODCr test (R2 > 0.98). The results also indicated that this CODOH test can be applied in determining the pollution trends for estuarine and coastal waters.
SOIL-STRUCTURE INTERACTION ANALYSES OF PILE SUPPORTED BUILDING FRAME
Authors: Chore H.S. , Ingle R.K. 
Published: December 2017

The effect of the soil-structure interaction on the simple single storeyed and two bayed space frame resting on pile group of two piles with flexible cap is examined in this paper by resorting to more rational approach and realistic assumptions. Initially, 3-D FEA is carried out independently for the frame on the premised of fixed column bases. Later, pile foundation is worked out separately. The stiffness so obtained for foundation is used in the interactive analysis of frame to quantify the effect of soil- structure interaction on the response of the superstructure. For modeling the foundation system two approaches of finite element analysis are used. In the first approach complete three dimensional finite element analysis is resorted to wherein pile, pile cap along with the soil are discretized into 20 noded isoparametric continnum elements and interface between pile and soil is idealized as 6 noded isoparametric interface elements. In the second approach simplified finite element analysis procedure is used wherein beam element, plate element and spring elements are used to model pile, pile cap and soil respectively. The salient feature of the investigation is that the interaction between pile cap and soil underlying it is considered. In the parametric study presented here, effect of pile spacing and pile configuration is evaluated on the response of superstructure in the form top displacement in frame and bending moment at top as well as bottom of the superstructure columns. Results obtained by either analysis are compared.
New Approach of Highly Efficient Fermentation Process for Bioethanol using Xylose as Agriculture Residues
Authors: Ahmed Abu Saleh , Watanabe Seiya , Hamdan Sinin , Kodaki Tsutomu , Makino Keisuke 
Published: December 2017

Agricultural waste biomass has already been transferred to bioethanol and used as energy related products, although many issues such as efficiency and productivity still exist to be overcome. In this study, the protein engineering was applied to generate enzymes with completely reversed coenzyme specificity and developed recombinant yeasts containing those engineered enzymes for construction of an efficient biomass-ethanol conversion system. Recombinant yeasts were constructed with the genes encoding a wild type xylose reductase (XR) and the protein engineered xylitol dehydrogenase (XDH) (with NADP) of Pichia stipitis. These recombinant yeasts were characterized based on the enzyme activity and fermentation ability of xylose to ethanol. The protein engineered enzymes were expressed significantly in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as judged by the enzyme activity in vitro. Ethanol fermentation was measured in batch culture under anaerobic conditions. The significant enhancement was found in Y-ARS strain, in which NADP+-dependent XDH was expressed; 85% decrease of unfavorable xylitol excretion with 26% increased ethanol production, when compared with the reference strain expressing the wild–type XDH.
Studies on the phase transitions and properties of tungsten (VI) oxide nanoparticles by X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analysis
Authors: Abdullah S.F. , Radiman S. , Hamid M.A. Abdul , Ibrahim N.B, 
Published: December 2017

Tungsten (VI) oxide, WO3 nanoparticles were synthesized by colloidal gas aphrons (CGAs) technique. The resultant WO3 nanoparticles were characterized by thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) and X-Ray diffraction (XRD) measurements in order to determine the phase transitions, the crystallinity and the size of the WO3 nanoparticles. As a comparison, transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to investigate the size of the WO3 nanoparticles. The result from XRD and DTA show that the formation of polymorphs WO3 nanoparticles have the following sequence: orthorhombic (bWO3) ® monoclinic (g-WO3) ® triclinic (d-WO3) ® monoclinic (e-WO3) with respect to the calcination temperature of 400, 500, 600 and 700°C. No diffraction peaks were found in the X-Ray diffraction measurements for the sample heat treated at 300°C (as-prepared), suggesting that an amorphous structure was obtained at this temperature whereas the crystallinity had been obtained by the other samples of the WO3 nanoparticles at the calcination temperatures of 400, 500, 600 and 700°C. It is also found that the X-Ray diffraction measurements produced an average diameter of (30 ± 5), (50 ± 5), (150 ± 10) and (200 ± 10) nm at calcination temperatures of 400, 500, 600 and 700°C respectively by using Debye-Scherrer formula. The TG curve revealed that the WO3 nanoparticles is purely anhydrous since the weight loss is insignificant (0.3 – 1.4) % from 30 until 600°C for the WO3 nanoparticles calcined at 400°C. Finally, the composition and the purity of the WO3 nanoparticles have been examined by X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicate no significant changes to the composition and the purity of the WO3 nanoparticles produced due to the temperature variations.
USING CRUDE PALM OIL (CPO) AS DIESEL ENGINE FUEL
Authors: Lim T.H. , Bari S. , Yu C.W. 
Published: December 2017

In this study, heating was used to lower the viscosity of CPO to an acceptable level. 60°C was found to be the optimum heating temperature for CPO to ensure smooth flow in the fuel system, but heating further up to 100°C did not improve the engine performance. A comparison between CPO and diesel in terms of engine performance, combustion characteristics and emission showed that the brake specific fuel consumprion (bsfc) for CPO was 13% higher at 400 kPa brake mean effective pressure (bmep), and the highest bmep achieved was 13.5% lower. However, CPO fuel gave a brake thermal efficiency. Combustion analyses indicated that CPO combustion produced a 7% higher peak pressure, a 3.3-degree earlier ignition and an 11.6-degree longer burning duration, but a 26% lower peak heat release rate. After 500 hours of running CPO, performance and power of the engine dropped even while running with diesel. With a 26% higher bsfc and a 20% lowe maximum bmep. Visual inspection of the dismantled engine parts discovered heavy carbon deposits but normal wear. Overhaul of the engine restored the power and performance.
FACTORS AFFECTING REFRIGERATOR-FREEZERS ENERGY CONSUMPTION
Authors: Saidur R. Saidur , Masjuki H.H. , Mahlia T.M.I. , Nasrudin A.R. 
Published: December 2017

Two frost-free household refrigerator-freezers, one with 492 liter capacity and one with 460 liter capacity were tested in the laboratory to determine the sensitivity of several variables those influence consumption refrigerator-freezers energy consumption greatly. The effects of single variables such as room temperature, thermostat setting positions, and door openings on the energy consumption were investigated. Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), a mathematical model has been developed to investigate the combined effect of room temperature, thermostat setting positions, and door opening on the energy consumption of refrigerator-freezers. From the mathematical model, it has been observed that room-temperature has the highest effect on the energy consumption followed by the thermostat setting position. The door opening has lowest on the energy consumption. More detailed tests were performed under different room temperature, thermostat setting positions, and door opening conditions and presented in this paper.
STABILITY AND STABILIZATION OF NONLINEAR DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS
Authors: Sattayatham P. , Saelim R. , Sujitjorn S. 
Published: December 2017

Exponential and asymptotic stability for a class of nonlinear dynamical systems with uncertainties is investigated. Based on the stability of the nominal system, a class of bounded continuous feedback controllers is constructed. By such a class of controllers, the results guarantee exponential and asymptotic stability of uncertain nonlinear dynamical system. A numerical example is also given to demonstrate the use of the main result.