A walk through the planned CS building

Using the architectural plan views of our future computer science building as test objects, we have completed the first stage of a Building walkthrough system. The inputs to our system are AutoCAD files. An AutoCAD converter translates the geometrical information in these files into a format suitable for 3D rendering. Major model errors, such as incorrect polygon intersections and random face orientations, are detected and fixed automatically. Interactive viewing and editing tools are provided to view the results, to modify and clean the model and to change surface attributes. Our display system provides a simple-to-use user interface for interactive exploration of buildings. Using only the mouse buttons, the user can move inside and outside the building and change floors. Several viewing and rendering options are provided, such as restricting the viewing frustum, avoiding wall collisions, and selecting different rendering algorithms. A plan view of the current floor, with the position of the eye point and viewing direction on it, is displayed at all times. The scene illumination can be manipulated, by interactively controlling intensity values for 5 light sources

On stability of stiffened cylindrical shells with varying material properties

The static stability analysis of stiffened functionally graded cylindrical shells by isotropic rings and stringers subjected to axial compression is presented in this paper. The Young's modulus of the shell is taken to be function of the thickness coordinate. The fundamental relations, the equilibrium and stability equations are derived using the Sander's assumption. Resulting equations are employed to obtain the closed-form solution for the critical axial loads. The effects of material properties, geometric size and different material coefficient on the critical axial loads are examined. The analytical results are compared and validated using the finite element model

One-Pot, Simple and Efficient Synthesis of Triaryl-1H-imidazoles by KMnO4/CuSO4

2,4,5-Triarylimidazoles have been obtained in excellent yields by the one-pot three-component condensation of bis-aryl α-hydroxyketones, aromatic aldehydes and ammonium acetate by the action of inexpensive, readily available and nontoxic KMnO4/CuSO4 under mild reaction conditions. The present method is simple, efficient, cost-effective and eco-friendly.KEYWORDS Triarylimidazoles, Three-component reaction, One-pot synthesis, Oxidation, bis-aryl á-hydroxyketone, KMnO4, CuSO4.Supplementary files attache

One-pot, Facile Synthesis of Quinoxaline Derivatives from Bis-aryl α-Hydroxyketones and o-Arenediamines using KMnO4/CuSO4

KMnO4/CuSO4, a readily available reagent combination, was found to be effective for the high-yield synthesis of quinoxaline derivatives from bis-aryl -hydroxyketones and o-arenediamines in hot ethanol.KEYWORDS Quinoxalines, bis-aryl -hydroxyketone, oxidation, Lewis acids, KMnO4, CuSO4.Supplementary files attache

Artificial Neural Network-Cuckoo Optimization Algorithm (ANN-COA) for Optimal Control of Khorramabad Wastewater Treatment Plant, Iran

In this study a hybrid estimation model ANN-COA developed to provide an accurate prediction of a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). An effective strategy for detection of some output parameters tested on a hardware setup in WWTP. This model is designed utilizing Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Cuckoo Optimization Algorithm (COA) to improve model performances; which is trained by a historical set of data collected during a 6 months operation. ANN-COA based on the difference between the measured and simulated values, allowed a quick revealing of the faults. The method could obtain the fault detection and used in solving continuous and discrete optimization problems, successfully. After constructing and modelling the method, selected performance indices including coefficient of Regression, Mean-Square Error, Root-Mean-Square Error and Aggregated Measure used to compare the obtained results. This analysis revealed that the hybrid ANN-COA model offers a higher degree of accuracy for predicting and control the WWTP

Evaluation of the marine algae Gracilaria salicornia and Sargassum sp. for the biosorption of Cr (VI) from aqueous solutions

In this study, the adsorption properties of two different marine algae (Gracilaria salicornia (red algae) and Sargassum sp. (brown algae) were investigated. Equilibrium isotherms were studied to evaluate the relative ability of the two algae to sequester Cr (VI) from aqueous solutions. The maximum biosorption capacity obtained was 45.959 mg g-1 for G. salicornia and 33.258 mg g-1 for Sargassum sp. at a solution pH of 4 and 50 mg L-1 initial chromium concentration. A significant fraction of the total Cr (VI) uptake was achieved within 60 min. Biosorbed chromium ions concentrations increased with increasing concentrations of biosorbents and increasing pH. The biosorption of Cr (VI) on G. salicornia and Sargassum sp. could best be described by the Langmuir model (R2>0.997 for Sargassum sp. and R2>0.999 for G. salicornia). © 2008 Asian Network for Scientific Information

Protective effect of vitamin E on oxidative stress and sperm apoptosis in diabetic Mice

Background: Generation of free radicals and oxidative stress are a major contributor to diabetes. These factors lead to the development of diabetic testicles disorders. Objective: In this study, the protective effect of vitamin E on functional disorders associated with diabetes induced oxidative stress in male reproductive systems has been investigated. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three adult male Mice were divided into control, diabetic, and untreated diabetic groups. Streptozotocin was used to induce diabetes. In the treated group, vitamin E was given to the Mice intraperitoneally for 30 days. Then, animals were anesthetized and sacrificed. Animal testicles were isolated and homogenized in phosphate buffer and used for measuring sperm count, motility and survival of sperm, MDA concentration and antioxidant capacity (TAC). Apoptosis was also performed with the TUNEL test. Results: The results of reduction (12.03±98.11) TAC, MDA concentration (–28.5±2.58), sperm motility (unstable sperma= 86.4±7.48), sperm count (171.51), Sperm morphology (natural morphology= 49.69±31.93) and abnormal morphology (9.77±49.7) with increased oxidative damage. These changes were statistically significant in comparison with the control group for all variables other than MDA (p= 0.05). Treatment of vitamin E diabetic Mice improved the ability of antioxidants to prevent oxidative damage in the testicles, restore the sperm movement, and increase the number of normal sperm as well as TAC. The level of apoptosis in the treated group has decreased compared to the untreated group. Conclusion: Vitamin E protects the reproductive system against diabetes mellitus. Therefore, it was concluded that vitamin E may be a suitable agent for protecting the sperm and testicular parameters against undesirable effects of diabetes. Key words: Case-control study, Vitamin E, Diabetes treatment, Diabetic Syrian mice, Male reproductive dysfunction

Differences between FRP bond behavior in cracked and uncracked regions

Synopsis: Based on an analysis of the experimental results of a proposed bond test method, significant differences are shown to exist between the local FRP bond stress-slip relationships in the uncracked anchorage regions and in the regions between cracks. The proposed method simulates the bond behavior between the flexural cracks and anchorage regions of a flexurally FRP-strengthened RC beam. The boundary conditions, including the presence of cracks and steel, are shown to have significant effects on the local bond stress-slip models. The results showed that, at the same force, the bond stresses in the regions between cracks were lower than in regions outside the cracks, so the debonding formed in the anchorage regions. The local bond stress-slip models in the anchorage regions can be obtained from the conventional bond test methods but these do not mimic the conditions between the cracks

Tests on FRP-Concrete Bond Behaviour in the presence of Steel

ABSTRACT The bond behaviour between FRP and concrete is a key factor in composite members. The condition of the substrate material to which FRP bonds is crucial in this behaviour but is overlooked in most conventional bond tests. Moreover, in such tests the boundary conditions differ from the actual state where stresses develop between two flexural cracks. These bond tests also neglect the effects from the presence of steel bars. This article compares the distribution of the strain in the FRP and the slip relative to the substrate material both in conventional shear bond pull-out tests and at the tension face of a reinforced concrete beam strengthened with FRP; the two cases are not identical. A test method is proposed to consider the steel effects (pre-/post-yielding) and to comply with the actual boundary conditions. The specimens are designed as strengthened reinforced concrete ties subjected to pure tension. The preliminary test results show that the presence of steel in a section affects the shape of the FRP bond stress-slip relationship