Combination of Conventional and Optimisation Techniques for Performance Prediction in Large Waterflood Projects

Imperial Users onl

Between Archaeology and Text: The Origins of Rice Consumption and Cultivation in the Middle East and the Mediterranean

Asiatic Rice Oryza sativa L. (Poaceae) is a domesticated grain crop native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, which presently ranks among the most important grains in a global diet. Oryza sativa is comprised of two distinct phylogenetic subspecies, namely japonica and indica, for which genetic evidence indicates at least two centres of domestication: the Lower Yangtze valley for the broad thick-grained japonica (c. 4000 BC) and the Gangetic basin for the thin elongated indica variety (c. 2500 BC) (Fuller et al 2010; idem 2011; Nesbitt et al 2010: 325–7). Modern genetics of landraces from northeast India may indicate a third distinct origin for the so-called aus rice varieties (Londo et al 2006: 9581–2). The genetic history of this taxon is further complicated by post-domestication hybridisation between domesticates and their wild ancestors as well as the presence of rarer forms like the aromatic rice varieties (basmati in South Asia and sadri from Iran) which may be of independent origin (Nesbitt et al 2010: 324–5). In South Asia domesticated rice is attested at various archaeological sites in the Ganges basin from the mid-3rd millennium BC onwards. It subsequently appears at mature and late Harappan levels in north-western India (c. 2000 BC) before arriving at the edge of the eastern Iranian plateau at Pirak on the north Kachi plain in the early 2nd millennium BC (Costantini 1981; Fuller 2006: 36; Sato 2005). The presence of rice at Pirak heralds its gradual westward movement along the Iranian plateau via overland and perhaps even coastal routes into western Iran and Mesopotamia

Evaluation of oxidation and adsorption techniques for taste and odor and toxin removal

2017 Spring.Includes bibliographical references.The cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, owe their name to the presence of photosynthetic pigments. Cyanobacteria are a major group of bacteria that occur throughout the world. Freshwater cyanobacteria may accumulate in surface water supplies as "blooms" posing as an environmental hazard because of the release of water soluble toxic compounds, called cyanotoxins. Especially massive blooms of blue–green algae in the surface waters used as drinking water resources may lead to taste and odor problems during the summer and fall, they may also produce cyanotoxins. Since the taste and odor compounds, Geosmin (GSM) and 2-Methylisoborneol (2-MIB) can be easily detected by the human nose at low concentrations of 2-5 ng/L, the surveillance of harmful toxins such as microcystin-LR may be easily performed by sensory analyses due to the likely co-occurrences of the two types of metabolites. This research focused on removal of taste and odor compounds (GSM, 2-MIB) and microcystin-LR with five oxidants: chlorine, chlorine dioxide, potassium permanganate, ozone, mixed oxidants (MiOX) and powdered activated carbon (PAC) using Ralston Reservoir water as reagent water collected in early April, 2014. The objective of the study was to develop a bench scale treatment process efficacy information that Denver Water can utilize to decide on a treatment technique for taste and odor control. The Design Expert software was used to determine the optimum dose of the oxidants for an acceptable treatment level

Experiences of Middle School Students With Visual Impairments Accessing Technologies In Inclusive Classrooms

As the educational environment is moving more towards a technology-rich system, students with visual impairments (VI) educated in general education classrooms must be guaranteed equitable access to content curricula. The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of middle school students with VI when accessing and using technologies in general education classrooms. In this multiple case study, three middle school students with VI were observed in general education settings for two school days. In addition to the students, general education teachers and teachers of students with VI (TVI) also participated in the study to understand how best they support access to technologies for students with VI in their classrooms. The theoretical framework that guided this study was Piaget’s cognitive development theory, and the learning model was Universal Design for Learning. Data were collected through multiple instruments: observations, interviews, and educational documents. Students, their general education teachers, and TVIs were interviewed about their experiences with the use of technologies in classrooms. After data collection, the analysis was completed using within-case and cross-case analysis. The within-case analysis revealed the experiences of using technologies in general education classrooms for each student in the form of a narrative story. Each student’s story included the components: (a) how did they see their world?, (b) how did they experience their school day?, and (c) how did their ideal world compare to their real world? The cross-case analysis was conducted by comparing participants’ experiences with technologies in general education classrooms. Four broad themes emerged from the cross-case analysis: (a) technology is imperative in general education classrooms; (b) frustrations with accessibility issues in general education classrooms; (c) for general education teachers, it has been a learning curve; and (d) for TVIs, the buck stops with them when it comes to access technology. Within the above four broad themes, some emerged findings were intriguing. General education teachers were open to training on technologies that are more engaging for students, as opposed to technologies that were universally accessible. Inaccessible technologies used in classrooms were not only the ones adopted by the school or district, but they included programs that were created and shared by other teachers through learning communities. While the students, general education teachers, and TVIs in this study understood the legal mandates of IDEA and an IEP, they did not know any other accessibility laws related to technologies that Kindergarten-Grade 12 schools should abide by. Conceptually, some sub-themes found in this study were: (a) the majority of educators were differentiating the curricula to meet the needs of students through constant adaptation as opposed to using tools that account for learner variability at the outset, and (b) student choice and advocacy played a big role in the experiences of students with VI in general education classrooms. Based on the findings, implications for practice and future research directions are discussed in this study

Control of single- and dual-probe atomic force microscopy

“Atomic force microscope (AFM) is one of the important and versatile tools available in the field of nanotechnology. It is a type of probe-based microscopy wherein an atomically sharp tip, mounted on the free end of a microcantilever, probes the surface of interest to generate 3D topographical images with nanoscale resolution. An integral part of the AFM is the feedback controller that regulates the probe deflection in the presence of surface height changes, enabling the control action to be used for generating topographical image of the sample. Besides sensing, the probe can also be used as a mechanical actuator to manipulate nanoparticles and fabricate nanoscale structures. Despite its capabilities, AFM is not considered user-friendly because imaging is slow, and fabrication operations are laborious and often performed in open-loop, i.e. without any monitoring mechanism. This dissertation is composed of two journal articles which aim to address prominent AFM challenges using feedback control strategies. First article proposes a novel control design methodology based on repetitive control technique to accurately track AFM samples. Theoretical and experimental results demonstrate that incorporating a model of the general sample topography in the control design leads to superior tracking in AFM. Second article introduces a novel dual-probe AFM (DP-AFM) design that has two independent probes. Such a setup provides an opportunity to implement process control strategies where one probe can be used to perform one of the many AFM operations while the other probe can provide feedback by imaging the process. To demonstrate this capability, an application involving real-time plowing depth control where plow depth is controlled with nanometer-level accuracy is also presented”--Abstract, page iv

Perceptions of Young Adults in Online Shopping Behavior

This study delves into the perceptions of young adults regarding online shopping behavior, aiming to uncover key factors influencing their decisions and behaviors in the digital retail landscape. Through a quantitative approach utilizing surveys and statistical analysis, the research explores the nuances of young adults' attitudes and experiences in online shopping. One of the primary findings highlights the significant impact of trends in online shopping and factors influencing online shopping behavior on young adults' perceptions. The study reveals a strong positive correlation between these variables, indicating that evolving trends (r =.816, p < 0.05) and influential factors (r =.921, p < 0.05) play a crucial role in shaping how young adults perceive and engage in online shopping activities. Several limitations were acknowledged, as the study's focus on the Penang area limits the generalization of findings to other regions within Malaysia. To address these limitations and further validate the results, future research recommendations include expanding the sample size to encompass a more diverse range of internet users across Malaysia, utilizing qualitative research methods like interviews to gain deeper insights, and incorporating established models such as the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to better understand the behavioral influences in online shopping. Overall, this study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on young adults' perceptions of online shopping behavior, emphasizing the need for ongoing research and comprehensive approaches to capture the dynamic nature of digital consumer experiences. Keywords: Perception, young adults, online shopping behavior, quantitative method DOI: 10.7176/NMMC/106-05 Data of Publication: April 30th 202

Boolean Artex Spaces Over Bi-monoids

We define Complimented Artex Space over a Bi-monoid. We define Boolean Artex Space over a Bi-monoid. We give an example of a Boolean Artex space over a bi-monoid. We  prove that the homomorphic image of a Complimented Artex Space over a Bi-monoid is a Complimented Artex Space over the Bi-monoid. We also prove that the homomorphic image of a Boolean Artex Space over a bi-monoid M is a Boolean Artex Space over the bi-monoid M.  We also prove that the Cartesian product of Complimented Artex Spaces over a Bi-monoid  is Complimented Artex Space over the Bi-monoid. Finally we prove the Cartesian product of Boolean Artex Spaces over a bi-monoid M is a Boolean Artex Space over the bi-monoid M. Keywords : Complimented, Distributive Artex Spaces, Homomorphism

SubArtex Spaces Of an Artex Space Over a Bi-monoid

We define SubArtex Space of an Artex space over a  Bi-monoid. We give some examples of SubArtex spaces. We  prove the necessary and sufficient condition for a subset of an Artex space over a bi-monoid to be a SubArtex space. We  prove another equivalent  Proposition for the necessary and sufficient condition for a subset of an Artex space to be a SubArtex space.  We prove a nonempty intersection of two SubArtex spaces of an Artex space over a bi-monoid is  a SubArtex space. Also we prove a nonempty intersection of a family of SubArtex spaces of an Artex space over a bi-monoid is  a SubArtex space.  Finally, we prove, in this chapter, by giving an example, that  the union of two SubArtex spaces need not be a SubArtex spac

Translations of Bipolar Valued Multi Fuzzy Subnearring of a Nearring

In this paper, some translations of bipolar valued multi fuzzy subnearring of a nearing are introduced and using these translations, some theorems are stated and proved