Logarithmic entropy--corrected holographic dark energy with non--minimal kinetic coupling

In this paper, we have considered a cosmological model with the non--minimal kinetic coupling terms and investigated its cosmological implications with respect to the logarithmic entropy-- corrected holographic dark energy (LECHDE). The correspondence between LECHDE in flat FRW cosmology and the phantom dark energy model with the aim to interpret the current universe acceleration is also examined.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures; Can. J. Phys. Vol. 90, 201

Prediction of shear strength of reinforced concrete beams using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system and artificial neural network

AbstractIn this paper, the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) are used to predict the shear strength of Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams, and the models are compared with American Concrete Institute (ACI) and Iranian Concrete Institute (ICI) empirical codes. The ANN model, with Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), using a Back-Propagation (BP) algorithm, is used to predict the shear strength of RC beams. Six important parameters are selected as input parameters including: concrete compressive strength, longitudinal reinforcement volume, shear span-to-depth ratio, transverse reinforcement, effective depth of the beam and beam width. The ANFIS model is also applied to a database and results are compared with the ANN model and empirical codes. The first-order Sugeno fuzzy is used because the consequent part of the Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) is linear and the parameters can be estimated by a simple least squares error method. Comparison between the models and the empirical formulas shows that the ANN model with the MLP/BP algorithm provides better prediction for shear strength. In adition, ANN and ANFIS models are more accurate than ICI and ACI empirical codes in prediction of RC beams shear strength

A PROGNOSIS OF WIND ENERGY POTENTIAL AS A POWER GENERATION SOURCE IN BASRA CITY, IRAQ STATE

In this study, wind energy potential of Basra, one southern Iraqi cities, was analyzed for the period of five years from 2004 – 2008. The statistical data of five years’ wind speed measurements of this city are used to find out the wind energy potential. Behind the meteorological data, Weibull distribution method is assessed to evaluate wind characteristics. Based on these data, it was indicated that the numerical values of the shape and scale parameters for Basra varied over a wide range. The yearly values of k (dimensionless Weibull shape parameter), ranged from 1.684 to 4.276 with a mean value of 2.9, while those of C (Weibull scale parameter), were in the range 3.5–8.509 m/s with a mean value of 4.862 m/s. Corresponding values for monthly data of whole year were found to be within the range 2.383–3.116 and 4.425–5.719 m/s, respectively related to k and C Weibull parameters. Results revealed that the highest and the lowest wind power potential are in June and December, respectively. It was also concluded that the site studied is not suitable for electric wind application in a large-scale. It was found that the wind potential of the region can be adequate for non-grid connected electrical and mechanical applications

Thermoelectric Properties of Zn\u3csub\u3ex\u3c/sub\u3eIn\u3csub\u3ey\u3c/sub\u3eO\u3csub\u3ex\u3c/sub\u3e+\u3csub\u3e1.5y\u3c/sub\u3e Films

Ceramic thin film thermocouples are being developed to replace noble metal thermocouples operating within the harsh environments of advanced turbine engines used for power generation and propulsion. Seebeck coefficients as large as 158 V/°C were determined for indium oxide (In2O3) at 950°C and 256 V/°C for zinc oxide ZnO at 1250°C relative to platinum reference electrodes. Because these Seebeck coefficients are appreciably larger than those for metallic thermocouples, alloys in the system indium zinc oxide ZnxInyOx+1.5y were investigated by cosputtering from high purity ZnO and In2O3 targets. Thermocouple libraries were patterned with platinum reference electrodes and rapidly screened using combinatorial chemistry techniques. Thermoelectric response, power, and resistivity were determined for each thermocouple in the library. Thermocouples with the optimum compositions were prepared and the resulting power factor of the biceramic junctions was determined from 75 to 650°C

A PROGNOSIS OF WIND ENERGY POTENTIAL AS A POWER GENERATION SOURCE IN BASRA CITY, IRAQ STATE

In this study, wind energy potential of Basra, one southern Iraqi cities, was analyzed for the period of five years from 2004 – 2008. The statistical data of five years’ wind speed measurements of this city are used to find out the wind energy potential. Behind the meteorological data, Weibull distribution method is assessed to evaluate wind characteristics. Based on these data, it was indicated that the numerical values of the shape and scale parameters for Basra varied over a wide range. The yearly values of k (dimensionless Weibull shape parameter), ranged from 1.684 to 4.276 with a mean value of 2.9, while those of C (Weibull scale parameter), were in the range 3.5–8.509 m/s with a mean value of 4.862 m/s. Corresponding values for monthly data of whole year were found to be within the range 2.383–3.116 and 4.425–5.719 m/s, respectively related to k and C Weibull parameters. Results revealed that the highest and the lowest wind power potential are in June and December, respectively. It was also concluded that the site studied is not suitable for electric wind application in a large-scale. It was found that the wind potential of the region can be adequate for non-grid connected electrical and mechanical applications

Frequency comb vernier spectroscopy in the near infrared

We perform femtosecond frequency comb vernier spectroscopy in the near infrared with a femtosecond Er doped fiber laser, a scanning high-finesse cavity and an InGaAs camera. By utilizing the properties of a frequency comb and a scanning high-finesse cavity such spectroscopy provides broad spectral bandwidth, high spectral resolution, and high detection sensitivity on a short time scale. We achieved an absorption sensitivity of ~8E-8 cm-1Hz-1/2 corresponding to a detection limit of ~70 ppbv for acetylene, with a resolution of ~1.1 GHz in single images taken in 0.5 seconds and covering a frequency range of ~5 THz. These measurements have broad applications for sensing other greenhouse gases in this fingerprint near IR region with a simple apparatus.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure

Intersectional Discrimination Is Associated with Housing Instability among Trans Women Living in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Trans women face numerous structural barriers to health due to discrimination. Housing instability is an important structural determinant of poor health outcomes among trans women. The purpose of this study was to determine if experiences of intersectional anti-trans and racial discrimination are associated with poor housing outcomes among trans women in the San Francisco Bay Area. A secondary analysis of baseline data from the Trans *National study (n = 629) at the San Francisco Department of Public Health (2016-2018) was conducted. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the association between discrimination as an ordered categorical variable (zero, one to two, or three or more experiences) and housing status adjusting for age, years lived in the Bay Area, and gender identity. We found that the odds of housing instability increased by 1.25 for every categorical unit increase (1-2, or 3+) in reported experiences of intersectional (both anti-trans and racial) discrimination for trans women (95% CI = 1.01-1.54, p-value < 0.05). Intersectional anti-trans and racial discrimination is associated with increased housing instability among trans women, giving some insight that policies and programs are needed to identify and address racism and anti-trans stigma towards trans women. Efforts to address intersectional discrimination may positively impact housing stability, with potential for ancillary effects on increasing the health and wellness of trans women who face multiple disparities

From inflation to acceleration, with phantom and canonical scalar fields in non-flat universe

AbstractMotivated by the recent work of Elizalde et al. [E. Elizalde, S. Nojiri, S.D. Odintsov, D. Saez–Gomez, V. Faraoni, Phys. Rev. D 77 (2008) 106005], we generalize their work to the non-flat case. We consider a universe filled with matter and show that it is possible to obtain both inflation and accelerated expansion at late times by using a single scalar field. Realistic examples are worked out in order to illustrate this fact. Then we extend the problem to the interacting case

Individual Savings Problems - An Analysis of Commercial Banks in Tanzania: Evidence from CRDB Bank Marangu Branch

This study examines the reasons as to why people do not save. A survey design was employed on 130 respondents of CRDB Bank Marangu Branch. Purposive and random sampling techniques, questionnaire and Interview method were used for data collection. Again, data were analysed descriptively. Results of the study found that, CRDB bank has not yet been effective in the creation of financial capability and training programmes that would teach people best practices, such as basic budgeting, and separating money saved for different goals and uses. Individuals were found to have negative attitude toward saving with Bank due to opening and operating cost of the account. The efforts and resources placed by CRDB Bank in promoting savings are high compared to the saving rate as most of the opened accounts become dormant in one year after been opened and most of products available with the branch are not known well by majority, in hand with that, most of People residing in Marangu are low income earners and therefore they save much of their earnings informally and at shorter intermittent level. Lastly, interest rates and individual income were seen to impact levels of saving habit. Moreover, the study suggested that, bank staff need to be assisted in realizing their role in mobilizing individual saving, the bank should also create awareness to public on saving plan, a regular snap check of account opened, existing one to ensure their activeness and provide reason for any inactive account, as well as design new products or facility to promote savings, review cost, procedures and interest rates. Again the bank should motivate individual habit of participating in financial education workshops as well as promoting individual saving habit programmes by the bank to Primary, Secondary, College and University students to help them grow with the mentality of saving. The policy makers should try to sensitize the rural people of Marangu to diversify some of their land uses into non agricultural activities such as to conduct various business activities that would guarantee income generation so as to increase saving rate. The bank should design adverts demonstrating the value of having savings for the purpose of changing rural people’s attitude towards saving. Keywords: Saving attitude, Commercial Banks DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-11-07 Publication date: April 30th 201