Compliant Metamaterials for Resonantly Enhanced Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy and Refractive Index Sensing

Metamaterials can be designed to operate at frequencies from the visible to the mid-IR, making these structures useful for both refractive index sensing and surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy. Here we investigate how the mechanical deformation of compliant metamaterials can be used to create new types of tunable sensing surfaces. For split ring resonator based metamaterials on polydimethylsiloxane we demonstrate refractive index sensing with figures of merit of up to 10.1. Given the tunability of the resonance of these structures through the infrared after fabrication, they are well suited for detection of the absorption signal of many typical vibrational modes. The results highlight the promise of postfabrication tunable sensors and the potential for integration

Landsat Satellite Image Segmentation Using the Fuzzy ARTMAP Neural Network

This application illustrates how the fuzzy ARTMAP neural network can be used to monitor environmental changes. A benchmark problem seeks to classify regions of a Landsat image into six soil and crop classes based on images from four spectral sensors. Simulations show that fuzzy ARTMAP outperforms fourteen other neural network and machine learning algorithms. Only the k-Nearest-Neighbor algorithm shows better performance (91% vs. 89%) but without any code compression, while fuzzy ARTMAP achieves a code compression ratio of 6:1. Even with a code compression ratio of 50:1 fuzzy ARTMAP still maintains good performance (83%). This example shows how fuzzy ARTMAP can combine accuracy and code compression in real-world applications.Office of Naval Research (N00014-92-J-401J, N00014-91-J-4100, N00014-92-J-4015); National Science Foundation (IRI 90-00530

Landsat Satellite Image Segmentation Using the Fuzzy ARTMAP Neural Network

This application illustrates how the fuzzy ARTMAP neural network can be used to monitor environmental changes. A benchmark problem seeks to classify regions of a Landsat image into six soil and crop classes based on images from four spectral sensors. Simulations show that fuzzy ARTMAP outperforms fourteen other neural network and machine learning algorithms. Only the k-Nearest-Neighbor algorithm shows better performance (91% vs. 89%) but without any code compression, while fuzzy ARTMAP achieves a code compression ratio of 6:1. Even with a code compression ratio of 50:1 fuzzy ARTMAP still maintains good performance (83%). This example shows how fuzzy ARTMAP can combine accuracy and code compression in real-world applications.Office of Naval Research (N00014-92-J-401J, N00014-91-J-4100, N00014-92-J-4015); National Science Foundation (IRI 90-00530

Synthesis of substituted (oxazepine, Diazepine, tetrazde) via Schiff Bases for 2- Aminobenzo Thaizole Derivatives

This work includs synthesis of several Schiff bases by condensation of 6- methoxy – 2- amino benzothiazole with some aldehydes and ketones (2- hydroxyl benzaldehyde, 4- hydroxyl benzaldehyde, 4- N,N –dimethy amino acetophenone, benzophenone) to abtain schiff bases (1-5). These schiff bases were found to react with phthalate anhydride to give oxazepine derivatives (6-10) that were reacted with primary aromatic amines to give Diazepine derivatives (11-15). Besides, we prepared new tetrazole derivatives (16-20) from the reaction of the prepared Schiff bases with sodium azide in the prepared compounds that were characterized by physical properties, FT-IR and some of the 1H-NMR and 13C –NMR spectroscopy

Analytical Study of Survey Results of Chemical Safety and Security Curriculum in Iraqi Academic Institutions

The survey presents a general view of the reality of chemical safety and security in educational institutions in Iraq, in which about 301 university staff from 14 Iraqi universities includes a doctorate, master's and bachelor's degree with a postgraduate student presented their opinions regarding the survey sections. This included basic information related to security and safety curricula and their teaching to students of primary and higher studies in Iraqi universities and ways of communication between universities to improve the reality of teaching and training. These institutions possess a culture of safety and optimal training methods for trainers and students. The opinions of the residents varied, which indicates the disparity of university institutions in terms of performance and infrastructure to improve the reality of security and safety in their institutions. Among the observations, the survey adopted the terms “yes” and “no” to describe the situation, and this assessment is considered relative and inaccurate. For example, if we take the question, does your institution implement security standards and safety measures? The answer will be 90% yes, with a large discrepancy between these institutions in the fact that they possess these standards. However, it requires more accurate details in describing the required cases in the survey. We suggest that the Ministry of Higher Education’s decision-makers take the results of the survey into account to develop future plans and improve the reality of security and safety. Furthermore, it is required to address the negatives and enable universities to communicate with each other to exchange experiences. It is important to take into account the adoption of the principle of transparency in the dissemination of data that would enhance aspects of education and knowledge in educational institutions

Mathematical models to predict repair and maintenance cost for 2WD tractors in the mechanized rainfed areas, eastern Sudan

   Many tractor makes are working in the mechanized rainfed areas of eastern Sudan. Most of them are two-wheel drive (2WD) tractors. However, information concerning their repair and maintenance (R and M) costs are inadequate. Moreover, depending on information on R and M costs from other farming systems or countries is unrealistic. Four tractors were studied, which were Massy Ferguson (MF-290), Ford (FD-6610), Belarus (BL-800) and New Holland (TT-75). The objectives were to develop mathematical models to estimate tractors' annual R and M costs, to rank the studied tractors according to their predicted R and M costs and to compare estimations of the general model developed from this study with models developed elsewhere. Data on purchase price, annual working hours, fuel consumption, R and M costs, labor wage and oil costs were collected. The regression and F test analyses methods were used. Results revealed that the power function Y= aXb can be used to estimate tractor R and M costs; where Y is R and M costs as percent of purchase price and X is annual working hours. The annual working hours had very highly significant (P= 0.001) effect on R and M costs. The values of coefficient of determination (R2) were above 0.95 for all tractors and their general model. The developed models for all tractors were arranged in ascending order according to their predicted R and M costs as follows; Y = 0.05 (X/100)1.3 for TT-75,   Y = 0.04(X/100)1.4 for BL-800, Y= 0.03 (X/100)1.7 for MF-290 and Y = 0.05 (X/100)1.5 for FD-6610. The general model from this study was   Y = (0.041 (X/100)1.43). This general model predicted lower R and M costs compared to the models suggested for irrigated schemes of Sudan and some other countries. It is advised that each specific area and country must develop its own mathematical model

A flexible architecture for manufacturing planning software maintenance

Computer software systems took on a new role in manufacturing planning with the introduction of Material Requirement Planning (MRP) system in 1965. The MRP system generates material requirement lists in response to given production requirements. In this way, inventory management, purchasing, and shipping activities are linked to manufacturing. In 1979, Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP II) systems were introduced [VerDuin 1995]. MRP II typically includes planning applications, customer order entry, finished goods inventory, forecasting, sales analysis, production control, purchasing, inventory control, product data management, cost accounting, general ledger processing, payables, receivables, and payroll [Turbide 1995]. An emerging market is developing for software systems that expand the scope of\u27MRP II farther to encompass activities for the entire organization. Among these systems are Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer-Oriented Manufacturing Management System (COMMS), and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES). These systems integrate marketing, manufacturing, sales, finance, and distribution to move beyond optimizing production alone, to optimizing the organization\u27s multiple objectives of low cost, rapid delivery, high quality, and customer satisfaction [VerDuin 1995]. MRP II is still the dominant solution for manufacturing in tens of thousands of companies. These companies range in size from less than a million dollars in sales right up to the top of Fortune 500 companies. However, this is a market penetration of only 11% which clearly shows the size and potential of the opportunity for MRP II development. Yet, despite the commonality of needs across the scope of manufacturing, there are distinct differences when comparing plant to plant, company to company, and industry to industry. Often MRP II has to be modified to adapt to a particular industry [Turbide 1993]. This modification often pushes the cost even higher and makes MRP II more out-of-reach for many companies. Therefore, it would be highly beneficial for the overall scope of manufacturing if a highly flexible low-cost MRP II system can be developed. This research presents a flexible architecture for development and maintenance of manufacturing planning software, especially MRP II. The architecture uses the concept of software reuse and is built on top of run-time object-oriented framework

The Influence Of Reconstitution Vehicles On The Stability Of Ampicillin Oral Powders

The effect of different reconstitution vehicles on the stability of ampicillin oral powders was studied. Distilled water, tap water and well water were used for powder reconstitution. The suspensions were stored at 350C that representing the average room temperature in Sudan. The stability of the  drug in suspension was tested daily over a period of seven days. The drug contents in the samples were determined using the cup- plate agar diffusion technique and chemical spectrophotometric method. The obtained results, represented the means of 10-20 determinations. The study revealed a higher degradation extent in the  ampicillin oral powders reconstituted with water obtained from wells, followed by tap water  when compared with the slower rate of degradation in the oral antibiotic that reconstituted with distilled water.  In an attempt to decrease the destabilizing effect of the reconstitution vehicles on the daily used oral antibiotic powders, the authors suggested to use such formulae in a single-dose sachet form to be used instantly after reconstitution

Supraclavicularis proprius muscle associated with supraclavicular nerve entrapment

Entrapment neuropathy of the supraclavicular nerve is rare and, when it occurs, is usually attributable to branching of the nerve into narrow bony clavicular canals. We describe another mechanism for entrapment of this nerve with the aberrant muscle; supraclavicularis being found during the routine dissection of an embalmed 82-year-old cadaver. Our report details a unique location for this rare muscular variation whereby the muscle fibres originated posteriorly on the medial aspect of the clavicle before forming a muscular arch over the supraclavicular nerve and passing laterally towards the trapezius and acromion. We recommend that in clinical instances of otherwise unexplained unilateral clavicular pain or tenderness, nerve compression from the supraclavicularis muscle must be borne in mind.