Characterization of whole-body vibration for monorail passenger ride comfort

Train travel has always been a major mode of public transport in developed countries. In the inner cities monorails are often used, which are operated at elevated rail or beam, the main advantage being traffic interactions can be minimized while maintaining its original landscape. Ride comfort is the basic requirement for every passenger in all kind of public transports. In monorail, vibration is considered as major factor of discomfort, it transmitted to human body, which contribute many health issues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the whole-body vibration transmission and the effects to the monorail passengers. There were total of twenty-four experiments conducted in a two-car train monorail on its complete line from Kuala Lumpur Sentral to Titiwangsa stations. Human vibration meter (HVM-100) with tri-axial accelerometer pad was used to measure the WBV of passengers and International Standards Organization (ISO) 2631-1: 1997 was used for analysis. The experimental results show that the daily vibration exposure 0.81 m/s2 was higher than the action value 0.5 m/s2 of the standard during peak operation and 0.82 m/s2 during off-peak operation. The health effect was measured 9.90 m/s1.75 during peak operation and 9.94 m/s1.75 during off-peak operation; both values are observed in moderate health effect zone as per standard (8.5 m/s1.75 to 17 m/s1.75). Moreover, the passenger ride comfort was measured, it was found to be fairly-uncomfortable at rear bogie and not-uncomfortable at center of car. The statistical analysis has proven the significance of orientation, location and operating hours by significant value p = 0.000 (i.e. p < α) with 29.5% of the variance has been accounted between groups. This provides justification to standardization of proper priority seating zone. The findings of this study can assist in the standard specification for seating design of monorail. The statistical analysis shows that all results are statistically significant for orientations, locations as well as operations

Quantum state engineering in a cavity by Stark chirped rapid adiabatic passage

We propose a robust scheme to generate single-photon Fock states and atom-photon and atom-atom entanglement in atom-cavity systems. We also present a scheme for quantum networking between two cavity nodes using an atomic channel. The mechanism is based on Stark-chirped rapid adiabatic passage (SCRAP) and half-SCRAP processes in a microwave cavity. The engineering of these states depends on the design of the adiabatic dynamics through the static and dynamic Stark shifts.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures, to be appeared in PL

Visual Verses: From the Form of Spirit to the Spirit of Form

Visual Verses: From the Form of Spirit to the Spirit of Form, is a personal spiritual journey that re-envisioned the studio as a sacred space, and art making as a spiritual practice, during a process of cultural adaptation from a religious context (Saudi Arabia) to a secular one (Canada). The project used a number of methodologies that integrate elements of Ta’wil, sound visualization, and art making as worship within the theoretical framework of Sufism and Sufi practice. The investigation culminated in the visual representation of Islamic holy scripts in new ways, beyond the traditional methods of calligraphy; the work is thus situated between a strongly religious background and contemporary art practice. This visual exploration was an attempt to combine the spiritual path and studio practice of a Sufi artist, and thereby highlight the author’s spiritual journey as a form of self-exploration and cultural adaptation

Use of site specific farming systems and computer simulation models for agricultural productivity and environmental quality

Site specific farming systems have the potential to increase farmers\u27 net income by reducing the use of agro-chemicals and applying variable rate technology for areas showing stable yield patterns. This study was designed to: (1) study yield patterns in given fields using variography; (2) seek correlation among soil attributes and yield data using GIS; and (3) simulate the effects of N-fertilizer and swine manure application rates on NO 3-N losses with subsurface drainage water and crop yields. The results of this study showed that the spatial correlation lengths were found to vary from 40 m for corn to about 90 m for soybean. The lack of temporal stability in either the large-scale deterministic structure or small-scale stochastic structure revealed that yield variability was not only controlled by intrinsic soil properties but also by other extrinsic factors including climate and management. Map overlay analysis showed that areas of lower yield in the vicinity of Ottosen and Okoboji soils for corn in a central Iowa field were consistent from year to year whereas areas of higher yield were variable. Results from both GIS and statistical analysis showed that interactions between soil type and topography has a more pronounced effect on yield variability patterns for this field;The simulation component of the study showed that the Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM, V. 3.25) predicted subsurface drain flow, NO3-N concentrations in subsurface drain water, NO3-N losses with subsurface drain water, and grain yields satisfactorily by showing an average difference of --10.9%, --7.2%, --5.6%, and 0.9% respectively, between predicted and observed values for all the N-fertilizer treatments for the years 1996 and 1998 for a central Iowa field. Model simulations for 1996 and 1998 showed that by doubling the N application, the grain yield increased on the average by 46% and NO3-N losses increased by 42%. By increasing the N applications four times, the grain yields increased by 55% and NO 3-N loss increased by 60%. These results showed that the increase in corn yield was not linearly proportional to the N applications. The calibration and evaluation of the RZWQM for the northeast Iowa fields indicate that RZWQM has the potential to successfully simulate the effect of N and manure management systems on corn yields and NO3-N concentrations in the subsurface drainage water

Neural Stem Cells as a Model to Study Huntington’s Disease

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a heritable neurodegenerative disorder that affects muscle coordination and diminishes cognitive abilities, by affecting the medium spiny neurons in the brain. In HD patients, neurons are damaged and destroyed because of the toxicity of the mutant Huntington protein (mHtt). The mechanism of how mHtt protein affects the neurons is unknown. In this study we explored the effects of mHtt expression by looking at changes in huntingtin localization, changes in the expression and co-localization of related proteins and differences in cell morphology. We examine how this expression affects the cytoskeletal structures using neural stem cells Q7 (wild type) and Q140 (mHtt) and differentiated neurons as a model for studying HD. In addition we looked at the interference of mHtt protein with RRAS, the downstream signaling components of Plexin/Semaphorin pathway of the neurons. Our work began with optimization of the growth conditions of the cell lines of our model cell system. We then focused on developing protocols for differentiation into neurons, and continued with immunocytochemistry studies and confocal microscopy for imaging the fluorescently labeled cells. We found differences in growth rate and morphology between Q7 and Q140 cell lines. We studied the effects of mHtt protein on the differentiation process of the neurons and noticed differences in the mHtt protein expression between both differentiated cell lines. There is evidence that mHtt interferes with cell adhesion, motility, and molecules related to signaling and cytoskeleton remodeling. The results of these studies leave us with a well-characterized tool for the study of HD

Studies on the Chemistry and Behaviour of Zinc in Soil

Chapter 1 includes a survey of dynamic equilibria of trace metals and the forms which exist in soil fractions. The forms of trace metals as influenced by environmental factors are also discussed. The types of studies used regarding trace metal behaviour in soil are also reviewed. The objectives of the thesis are to study the chemistry and behaviour of zinc in soil and also the changes in the distribution of this metal with plant uptake. Chapter 2 lays emphasis on selective extraction procedures for measurement of soil zinc. The removal of zinc held by different mechanisms in the soil is affected by the nature of the extractant. Pairs of extractants used for the exchangeable, specifically sorbed, and organically bound-Zn fractions showed differences in the removal of zinc from the soil. 0.05M calcium chloride is suggested for the removal of exchangeable zinc in preference to M ammonium acetate (pH 7.0), as it released more zinc into solution. Being alike in charge the Ca2+ ion more readily displaced the exchangeable zinc from the soil than the NH4+ ion. Acetic acid (2.5%) is suggested for the extraction of specifically sorbed zinc compared to modified Morgan's solution (ammonium acetate/acetic acid, pH 4.8). It extracted higher amounts of zinc from the soil probably due to its acid nature. Ammonium EDTA (0.05M) pH 7.0 is suggested for removing zinc from the organic fraction in preference to 0.1M sodium pyrophosphate, as the latter also affected the oxide pool. As well as individual extraction of zinc, sequential extraction techniques were also utilized to define the forms of zinc in soils. Two schemes were used, which showed differences in various pools of extractable zinc, especially in the oxalate extractable fractions. They also indicated the effect of a particular extractant on the extractability of the subsequent pool in the sequence. There may also be some risk of contamination, hence the use of individual extraction is suggested. Air-drying can also bring about slight changes in the amount of extractable zinc from the soil. In the air-dried samples the extractable zinc increased slightly with various extractants for different fractions compared to fresh samples. Seasonal variation, or depth of sample, can affect the extractability of zinc in various soil pools. Significantly more zinc was extracted in adsorbed, organically bound, and oxide bound Zn fractions of Dreghorn (Arkleston) soil during the winter season compared to the summer season, but these variations were nonsignificant in the case of calcium chloride extractable zinc. It is suggested that this readily available zinc fraction is not affected by plant uptake or seasonal variations, indicating its zinc content is maintained by equilibria with the other pools. In Dreghorn (Arkleston) subsoil lower amounts of zinc in all fractions were extracted compared to topsoil, suggesting the decrease of metal with depth. Seasonal variations have a lesser effect on the extractability of zinc fractions in subsoil compared to topsoil. Chapter 3 investigates the influence of continuous cropping of ryegrass on the distribution of zinc in soil using a pot experiment, and assesses this by means of specific extractants. Calcium chloride, acetic acid, ammonium EDTA and acid oxalate were used to extract zinc associated with exchange sites, specific sorption sites, organic complexes and oxide materials respectively. It was found that all soil pools showed, directly or indirectly, a response to plant uptake of zinc, except calcium chloride extractable (exchangeable), which remained unchanged. Acetic acid and ammonium EDTA extractable zinc showed some decline with time, suggesting a response to plant uptake and maintaining the exchangeable pool. The oxide fraction, being a big reservoir, showed a greater decline, suggesting that the other soil pools are maintained by equilibrium with this soil fraction. Results showed that zinc in the immediate bioavailable pool was not affected by continuous growth of ryegrass, and it is suggested that equilibrium was maintained by the other soil pools. The amount of zinc taken up by grass is higher in soils with high zinc in readily available pools, rather than high total amounts, suggesting that total zinc is not a good indicator for plant uptake. Higher amounts of zinc accumulation in roots, compared to the tops, in soils with an adequate supply of zinc suggested the intermediate mobility of this metal within the plant. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.)

Influence of Humic Acid on Water Quality and Growth of Algae in Freshwater Ecosystem

One of the approaches to improve aquaculture production is through improvement of fertilization program for phytoplankton production and water quality variables. There are serious problems with the use of raw organic fertilizer in ponds and environment. Oxygen depletion, degradation of water quality, reduced light penetration, and spread of diseases frequently occur after large doses of manure are added to a pond at irregular intervals. This study was conducted to investigate the influence of humic acid (HA) on primary productivity (phytoplankton production) and water quality variables in a freshwater aquatic ecosystem. Two experiments were carried out to evaluate effects of humic acid alone or in combination with inorganic (urea and single super phosphate) or organic fertilizer (cow manure) on the phytoplankton productivity. Prior to the experiments, HA contents of cow manure (CM), chicken manure, compost and tropical peat were estimated to determine the suitable source (quantity) for HA extraction. The results showed that tropical peat contained 46.5% (dry weight basis) HA and 11.6-17.2 folds higher than the other organic fertilizers. Humic acid from the tropical peat was used in the subsequent experiments. An experiment was conducted at the Gharehsoo Station of Fisheries Research Centre of Mazandaran (FRCM) in North of Islamic Republic Iran (July and August 1999) to study the effects of HA and inorganic fertilizer (urea and single super phosphate) on growth of selected freshwater phytoplankton and water quality variables. The experiment was carried out in eighteen 1.5 Liter transparent plastic bottles (control , 25 ppm HA+UP, 50 ppm HA+UP, 100 ppm HA, 100 ppm HA+UP, 150 ppm HA+UP). Three species of green algae (Chlorella vulgaria, Scenedesmus quadricauda, and Oocystis solitaria) and a species of blue-green alga (Oscillatoria agardii) were selected for the study. The results showed that highest population (bloom) was achieved in week 3 by 100 ppm HA. All treatments with a combination of HA and urea-phosphate led to a blue-green algal (Oscillatoria agardii) dominancy with a low phytoplankton bloom and low total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) ratio (0.7-1.03). The green algal dominance was associated with a high TN:TP ratio (16-17) in culture media. pH of HA treatment was within the suitable range (7.84-8.51) for phytoplankton production. Light penetration correlated well with blue-green algal populatio