Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System of friction factor and heat transfer nanofluid turbulent flow in a heated tube

AbstractIn this paper, estimating of hydrodynamics and heat transfer nanofluid flow through heated tube has been conducted by using Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). The CFD data related to three types of nanofluids (Al2O3, SiO2 and TiO2) flow in horizontal tube with 19 mm diameter and 2000 mm length. Heat flux around tube is fixed at 5000W/m2, the range of Reynolds number is (3000–30,000) and volume concentrations are (1% and 2%). ANFIS model has three input data presented by Reynolds number, volume concentration of nanofluids and materials and two output presented predicting friction factor and Nusselt number in the tube. The simulation results of proposed algorithm have been compared with CFD simulator in which the mean relative errors (MRE) are 0.1232% and 0.1123 for friction factor and Nusselt number respectively. Finally, ANFIS models can predict hydrodynamics and heat transfer of the higher accuracy than the developed correlations

Processing organic semiconductors

PhDIn recent years, there has been a considerable interest in organic semiconducting materials due to their potential to enable, amongst other things, low-cost flexible opto-electronic applications, such as large-area integrated circuitry boards, light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic photovoltaics (OPVs). Promisingly, improved electronic performance and device structures have been realized with e.g. OLEDs entering the market and organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) reaching the performance of amorphous silicon devices; however, it would be too early to state that the field of organic semiconductors has witnessed the sought-after technological revolution. Initial progress in the field was mostly due to synthetic efforts in the form of enhanced regularity and purity of currently used materials, the creation of new molecular species, etc. In this thesis we show that the advancement of physico-chemical aspects – notably materials processing – and the realisation of increased order and control of the solid state structure is critical to realize the full intrinsic potential that organic semiconductors possess. We first investigated how the bulk charge-transport properties of the liquid-crystalline semiconductor poly(2,5-bis (3-dodecylthiophen-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b]thiophenes) (pBTTT-C12) can be enhanced by annealing in the mesophase. To this end, temperature treatment of a period of hours was necessary to realize good bulk charge transport in the out-of-plane directions. This behaviour is in strong contrast to in-plane charge transport as measured in thin-film field-effect structures, for which it was shown that annealing times of 10 min and less are often sufficient to enhance device performance. Our observation 4 may aid in future to optimize the use of pBTTT polymers in electronic devices, in which good bulk charge transport is required, such as OPVs. In the second part of thesis, we explored ink-jet printing of pBTTT-C12, in order to realize precise deposition of this material into pre-defined structures. In organic electronic applications this can, amongst other things, enable deposition of different semiconductors or reduction of the unwanted conduction pathways that often result in undesirable parasitic ‘cross-talk’, for instance, between pixels in display products. We demonstrate the integration of ink-jet printed transistors into unipolar digital logic gates that display the highest signal gain reported for unipolar-based logic gates. Finally, recognizing that a broad range of conjugated organic species fall in the category of “plastic crystals”, we explored the option to process this class of materials in the solid state. We find that solid-state compression moulding indeed can effectively be applied to a wide spectrum of organic small molecular and polymeric semiconductors without affecting adversely the intrinsic favourable electronic characteristics of these materials. To the contrary, we often observe significantly enhanced [bulk] charge transport and essentially identical field-effect transistor performance when compared with solution- or melt-processed equivalents. We thus illustrate that fabrication of functional organic structures does not necessitate the use of solution processing methods, which often require removal of 99 wt% or more of solvent, or precursor side-products, nor application of cumbersome vapour deposition technologies

Linguistic Sexism in the Pre-intermediate Market Leader: Business English Course Book

This paper aims to analyze linguistic sexism in the Pre-intermediate Market Leader: Business English Course Book used at Sohar University to teach the following two Business English courses to level 1 students: English for Business Communication and English for Organizational Communication. Quantitative content analysis is used to investigate the following gender-related categories: pronouns, terms of address, names, gender firstness, and nouns. Study findings indicate that gender bias is still present in the Pre-Intermediate Market Leader: Business English Course Book. Men’s presence was dominant and prevalent in the following categories: names, terms of address, and the total number of men and women occurrences. Women, on the other hand, were slightly more visible than men in categories related to pronouns, gender firstness, and nouns. In addition, the study performed a statistical analysis of the total number of occurrences of men and women in all categories. The analysis indicates significant statistical differences between men and women. Statistical differences were in favor of men’s presence over women’s. In general, the Pre-intermediate Market Leader: Business English Course Book confirms the findings of many previous studies in terms of the presence of gender bias against girls/women in school curricula. The findings of the present study should help make school textbooks around the world more gender-sensitive and less biased against women

Measuring the orientations of hidden subvertical joints in highways rock cuts using ground penetrating radar in combination with LIDAR

Mapping discontinuities in rock cuts and measuring their orientations is crucial in assessing the stability of rock masses. This can be done usually using manual methods such as scanline or advanced techniques such as LIDAR. However, these methods are used only to map exposed discontinuities which may cause underestimation for slope stability. Accordingly, ground penetrating radar (GPR) has been recently used to detect such hidden discontinuities. The used 400 MHz monostatic GPR antenna was significantly able to detect and map hidden subvertical joints within 4 m depths in five sandstone highways rock cuts and within 3 m depths in two ignimbrite highways rock cuts in the State of Missouri. Manual 2D migration was done to estimate, in 2D and 3D radiograms, the slope face-perpendicular depths which was measured from three coplanar etched points, the three index points , at each rock cut surface to the corresponding points on each plane of the detected subvertical joints. The orientations of the detected hidden joints were then determined based on the 3-point equation and using the calibrated LIDAR coordinates. Some of these measurements were confirmed by very close-results of field verification measurements. The results of this GPR-and-LIDAR based investigation demonstrate that our new proposed approach using these techniques is straightforward, understandable, and can be valuable in some rock engineering applications and rock cuts design in terms of the orientations of joints, in addition to the number of joint sets which may build a more clear view about the rock cut stability than before --Abstract, page iii

EFFECT OF THE BALANCED AND NANO-COMPOSITE NPK FERTILIZER ON THE VITALITY OF THE EARTHWORM Octolasion cyanieum AND ITS EFFECT ON THE HISTOLOGICAL COMPOSITION OF THE MIDDLE OF THE BODY

ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to determine the effects of earthworm breeding O. cyanieum for 7, 14, 21, and 28 days in soil treated with concentrations of 800, 1000, 1500, and 2000 mg kg-1 of balanced NPK compound fertilizer and balanced NPK nano-compound fertilizer at concentrations of 30, 60, 120, and 240 mg kg-1, in addition to the control treatment. It was found that the weight and relative growth rate of earthworms decreased with increasing concentrations of fertilizers. The highest significant decrease in weight (0.257 g) and relative growth rate (40.34%) was observed at a concentration of 1500 mg kg-1 of balanced NPK compound fertilizer. Meanwhile, the highest decrease in worm weight (0.225 g) and relative growth rate (86.31%) was observed at a concentration of 240 mg kg-1 of balanced NPK nano-compound fertilizer. Fertilizers also affected the protein content in the earthworms, which differed significantly from the control treatment for both fertilizers. In addition, the fertilizers affect the histological structure of the body, with clear disruption in the epithelium of the body, layers of circular and longitudinal muscle, the lining of the intestine, especially the typhlosole. Keywords: chemical fertilizer; nano fertilizer; earthworm vitality.   Efeito do fertilizante npk balanceado e nanocomposto na vitalidade da minhoca octolasion cyanieum e seu efeito na composição histológica do meio do corpo   RESUMO: Este estudo foi conduzido para determinar os efeitos da criação de minhocas O. cyanieum por 7, 14, 21 e 28 dias em solo tratado com concentrações de 800, 1000, 1500 e 2000 mg kg-1 de solo de fertilizante composto NPK balanceado (20-20-20) e fertilizante nanocomposto NPK balanceado (20-20-20) nas concentrações de 30, 60, 120 e 240 mg kg-1 de solo, além do tratamento testemunha. O estudo mostrou que os fertilizantes químicos tiveram impacto sobre a vitalidade dessas minhocas, pois o peso e a taxa de crescimento relativo das minhocas diminuíram com o aumento das concentrações de fertilizantes. A maior queda significativa no peso (0,257 g) e na taxa de crescimento relativo (40,34%) foi observada na concentração de 1500 mg kg-1 de solo do fertilizante composto NPK balanceado. Já a maior redução no peso (0,225 g) e na taxa de crescimento relativo (86,31%) da minhoca foi observada na concentração de 240 mg kg-1 de solo do fertilizante nanocomposto NPK balanceado. Além disso, os tratamentos acima tiveram impacto no teor de proteína dos corpos das minhocas, que diferiu significativamente do tratamento controle, para ambos os tipos de fertilizantes. O estudo mostrou o impacto do fertilizante nas estruturas dos tecidos das minhocas, com clara ruptura na camada da pele e nas camadas musculares circulares e longitudinais abaixo dela, bem como um claro efeito no revestimento intestinal, especialmente o tiflosole. Palavras-chave: fertilizante químico; nano fertilizante; vitalidade da minhoca.  Este estudo foi conduzido para determinar os efeitos da criação de minhocas O. cyanieum por 7, 14, 21 e 28 dias em solo tratado com concentrações de 800, 1000, 1500 e 2000 mg / kg de solo de fertilizante composto NPK balanceado (20- 20-20) e fertilizante nanocomposto NPK balanceado (20-20-20) nas concentrações de 30, 60, 120 e 240 mg/kg de solo, além do tratamento testemunha. O estudo mostrou que os fertilizantes químicos tiveram impacto sobre a vitalidade dessas minhocas, pois o peso das minhocas e a taxa de crescimento relativo diminuíram com o aumento das concentrações de fertilizantes. A maior queda significativa no peso (0,257 g) e na taxa de crescimento relativo (40,34%) foi observada na concentração de 1500 mg/kg de solo do fertilizante composto NPK balanceado. Já a maior redução no peso da minhoca (0,225 g) e na taxa de crescimento relativo (86,31%) foi observada na concentração de 240 mg/kg de solo do fertilizante nanocomposto NPK balanceado. Além disso, os tratamentos acima tiveram impacto no teor de proteína dos corpos das minhocas, que diferiu significativamente do tratamento controle para ambos os tipos de fertilizantes. O estudo mostrou o impacto do fertilizante na estrutura do tecido dos vermes. As seções de tecido mostraram uma clara ruptura na camada da pele e nas camadas musculares circulares e longitudinais abaixo dela, bem como um claro efeito no revestimento intestinal, especialmente o tiflosole.  ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to determine the effects of earthworm breeding O. cyanieum for 7, 14, 21, and 28 days in soil treated with concentrations of 800, 1000, 1500, and 2000 mg kg-1 of balanced NPK compound fertilizer and balanced NPK nano-compound fertilizer at concentrations of 30, 60, 120, and 240 mg kg-1, in addition to the control treatment. It was found that the weight and relative growth rate of earthworms decreased with increasing concentrations of fertilizers. The highest significant decrease in weight (0.257 g) and relative growth rate (40.34%) was observed at a concentration of 1500 mg kg-1 of balanced NPK compound fertilizer. Meanwhile, the highest decrease in worm weight (0.225 g) and relative growth rate (86.31%) was observed at a concentration of 240 mg kg-1 of balanced NPK nano-compound fertilizer. Fertilizers also affected the protein content in the earthworms, which differed significantly from the control treatment for both fertilizers. In addition, the fertilizers affect the histological structure of the body, with clear disruption in the epithelium of the body, layers of circular and longitudinal muscle, the lining of the intestine, especially the typhlosole. Keywords: chemical fertilizer; nano fertilizer; earthworm vitality.   Efeito do fertilizante npk balanceado e nanocomposto na vitalidade da minhoca octolasion cyanieum e seu efeito na composição histológica do meio do corpo   RESUMO: Este estudo foi conduzido para determinar os efeitos da criação de minhocas O. cyanieum por 7, 14, 21 e 28 dias em solo tratado com concentrações de 800, 1000, 1500 e 2000 mg kg-1 de solo de fertilizante composto NPK balanceado (20-20-20) e fertilizante nanocomposto NPK balanceado (20-20-20) nas concentrações de 30, 60, 120 e 240 mg kg-1 de solo, além do tratamento testemunha. O estudo mostrou que os fertilizantes químicos tiveram impacto sobre a vitalidade dessas minhocas, pois o peso e a taxa de crescimento relativo das minhocas diminuíram com o aumento das concentrações de fertilizantes. A maior queda significativa no peso (0,257 g) e na taxa de crescimento relativo (40,34%) foi observada na concentração de 1500 mg kg-1 de solo do fertilizante composto NPK balanceado. Já a maior redução no peso (0,225 g) e na taxa de crescimento relativo (86,31%) da minhoca foi observada na concentração de 240 mg kg-1 de solo do fertilizante nanocomposto NPK balanceado. Além disso, os tratamentos acima tiveram impacto no teor de proteína dos corpos das minhocas, que diferiu significativamente do tratamento controle, para ambos os tipos de fertilizantes. O estudo mostrou o impacto do fertilizante nas estruturas dos tecidos das minhocas, com clara ruptura na camada da pele e nas camadas musculares circulares e longitudinais abaixo dela, bem como um claro efeito no revestimento intestinal, especialmente o tiflosole. Palavras-chave: fertilizante químico; nano fertilizante; vitalidade da minhoca.  

MATERNAL EFFECTS ON GROWTH PARAMETERS OF CHLORIS GAYANA UNDER CO2 ENRICHMENT

Rhodes grass, Chloris gayana, is commonly used forage plant for grazers, livestock, and cattle. It significantly improves soil fertility and its overall structure by preventing nematode flourishment in soil. It is also used as a cover crop to upgrade soil health by reducing soil erosion and increasing water availability. The present study assessed the effects of CO2 on the growth, development and maternal effects of C. gayana. The experimental setup was made in such a way that the potential impacts of CO2 can be measured on the eco-physiological growth of C. gayana by studying successive generations. Generation 1 was grown by sowing the seeds of C. gayana in soil pots and generation 2 was propagated by cutting and regenerating the branches with their roots from generation 1 plants. Growth parameters including plant height, number of leaves, shoot/root ratio, chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, and photosynthetic rate were measured at regular intervals in both generations. Significant differences in the growth parameters were observed in both generation 1 and 2 plants when plants were grown under enriched and ambient CO2 conditions. The varying pattern of phenotypes in the generation 2 plants can be justified based on the Bet-hedging maternal effects. We hypothesize that the Rhodes grass parent plants when allowed to grow under ambient and enriched CO2 conditions influenced the offspring plants by producing a variety of phenotypes to sustain maternal fitness. The present study can be helpful in understanding the C. gayana growth conditions and the vertical transfer of maternal effects from one generation to the other

Are Small Modular Nuclear Reactors Necessary for Realizing Norway’s Ambitions in Reaching Its Climate Goals by 2050? - A Qualitative Study

Today, the world is witnessing many environmental challenges related to global warming, pollution resulting from carbon emissions, etc., which force many countries to change their consumer and economic policies, especially energy production policies. To face these challenges, most first-world countries, including Norway, have made many pledges and developed many plans in order to reach the desired environmental goals. Here SMR (Small Modular Reactor) technology appears as a promising and sustainable solution derived from nuclear energy technology that is considered one of the proven and well-known solutions for producing clean energy but simultaneously capable of resolving issues related to nuclear energy such as safety and waste management. Anyway, this technology still suffers from rejection at the global level and in Norway, mainly due to the questionable stereotype associated with nuclear energy technology, and the future of SMR depends on the amount of political and societal support to overcome these obstacles. Therefore, this thesis provides an in-depth study of the future of SMR by clarifying the global trend and the stresses it applies to the Norwegian energy system and analyzes the position of the socio-technical system with regard to integrating this technology into the energy mix based on the classic qualitative research method and guided by The Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) framework.Today, the world is witnessing many environmental challenges related to global warming, pollution resulting from carbon emissions, etc., which force many countries to change their consumer and economic policies, especially energy production policies. To face these challenges, most first-world countries, including Norway, have made many pledges and developed many plans in order to reach the desired environmental goals. Here SMR (Small Modular Reactor) technology appears as a promising and sustainable solution derived from nuclear energy technology that is considered one of the proven and well-known solutions for producing clean energy but simultaneously capable of resolving issues related to nuclear energy such as safety and waste management. Anyway, this technology still suffers from rejection at the global level and in Norway, mainly due to the questionable stereotype associated with nuclear energy technology, and the future of SMR depends on the amount of political and societal support to overcome these obstacles. Therefore, this thesis provides an in-depth study of the future of SMR by clarifying the global trend and the stresses it applies to the Norwegian energy system and analyzes the position of the socio-technical system with regard to integrating this technology into the energy mix based on the classic qualitative research method and guided by The Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) framework

The relationship between H. pylori infection and lung cancer cross sectional study

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is a common disease and leads to many gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases. It is suspected that one of these respiratory diseases is lung cancer. Methods: sixty patients with lung cancer and one hundred twenty control subjects have been included to this study. All enrolled subjects (lung cancer patients and controls) underwent a15 minute, lateral flow immunoassay for the qualitative detection of IgG antibodies anti-H. Pylori in human serum (CTK Biotech, Inc USA) and a lateral immunochromatographic assay for the qualitative detection of H. Pylori antigen in human fecal specimen (CTK Biotech,Inc USA) , A p value of <0.05 was considered as significant. The statistical data analysis was performed with SPSS 22. . Results: The H.pylori seropositivity was (41 /60) (68.3) %in patients with lung cancer but only (16/ 120) (13.3) %in controls and this difference in H.pylori seropositivity between cancers and controls was statistically significant P<0.016. The odds ratio for the association of H.pylori and lung cancer was 3.6 (95% CI =1.24 – 4.8), The H.pylori stool antigen was (22/60) (36.7) % in patients with lung cancer but only (14/120) (11.7) %there is statistically significant P<0.001. Conclusion increase the prevalence of H.pylori seropositivity was (68.3) %in patients with lung cancer more than  in normal controls (13.3) %