Avalanche frontiers in dissipative abelian sandpile model as off-critical SLE(2)

Avalanche frontiers in Abelian Sandpile Model (ASM) are random simple curves whose continuum limit is known to be a Schramm-Loewner Evolution (SLE) with diffusivity parameter $\kappa = 2$. In this paper we consider the dissipative ASM and study the statistics of the avalanche and wave frontiers for various rates of dissipation. We examine the scaling behavior of a number of functions such as the correlation length, the exponent of distribution function of loop lengths and gyration radius defined for waves and avalanches. We find that they do scale with the rate of dissipation. Two significant length scales are observed. For length scales much smaller than the correlation length, these curves show properties close to the critical curves and the corresponding diffusivity parameter is nearly the same as the critical limit. We interpret this as the ultra violet (UV) limit where $\kappa = 2$ corresponding to $c=-2$. For length scales much larger than the correlation length we find that the avalanche frontiers tend to Self-Avoiding Walk, the corresponding driving function is proportional to the Brownian motion with the diffusion parameter $\kappa =8/3$ corresponding to a field theory with $c = 0$. This is the infra red (IR) limit. Correspondingly the central charge decreases from the IR to the UV point.Comment: 11 Pages, 6 Figure

Development of cost estimation model of the membrane system

Apart from product quality, the manufacturing cost is an important element to compete in the competitive industry. Detail economic assessment is important to estimate the product cost accurately and avoid overestimating or underestimating that give bad impact to the firm. Membrane system; a compact, sustainable and cheaper wastewater treatment system compared to the traditional system. Yet, there is limited study analysing the economic aspect of the membrane system due to the limited historical data, a complicated process involved and deal with tangible overhead costs. Thus, this study aims to develop a cost model to estimate the total cost of the membrane system during its lifespan. Activity-based costing (ABC) method is used as cost estimation technique to calculating the overhead cost and added the direct costs to determine the life-cycle cost (LCC) of the membrane system by using Microsoft Excel while Microsoft Visual Basic is used to demonstrate a user-friendly cost estimation model. The proposed cost model is a simpler system because the end user is guided to get the LCC value without has to deal with a complicated equation. The proposed model cost is tested to estimating the LCC of HFMM in treating wastewater from the prototype stage until the disposal stage

A Report on the Environmental Impact of the Texas LoanSTAR Program from May 1989 to September 1995

There are a number of factors that influence emission factors. The three major pollutants considered in this analysis are CO2, SO2, and NOX. Emission factors from three different sources were considered for this report. This analysis shows that as of September, 1995, there has been a reduction in emissions of 1.88 million pounds of NOX, 1.19 million pounds of SO2, and 532 million pounds of CO2 through the implementation of energy conservation measures in the Texas LoanSTAR program.The Texas LoanSTAR (Loans to Save Taxes and Resources) program was created by the state of Texas in 1989 to lend money for energy conserving improvements, or retrofits, in public buildings. As of September 1995 the LoanSTAR program is measuring savings for 22 loan sites covering 153 buildings where retrofits have been fully or partially completed. The completed retrofits show $21.1 million in measured savings, which is more than 119% of the energy savings predicted by the energy auditors. This corresponds to 23.9% of the pre-retrofit consumption cost at these sites. Through energy savings, the Texas LoanSTAR program has made a significant contribution towards reducing hazardous environmental emissions

Global burden of maternal and congenital syphilis in 2008 and 2012: a health systems modelling study

Background: In 2007, WHO launched a global initiative for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis (congenital syphilis). An important aspect of the initiative is strengthening surveillance to monitor progress towards elimination. In 2008, using a health systems model with country data inputs, WHO estimated that 1·4 million maternal syphilis infections caused 520 000 adverse pregnancy outcomes. To assess progress, we updated the 2008 estimates and estimated the 2012 global prevalence and cases of maternal and congenital syphilis. Methods: We used a health systems model approved by the Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group. WHO and UN databases provided inputs on livebirths, antenatal care coverage, and syphilis testing, seropositivity, and treatment in antenatal care. For 2012 estimates, we used data collected between 2009 and 2012. We updated the 2008 estimates using data collected between 2000 and 2008, compared these with 2012 estimates using data collected between 2009 and 2012, and performed subanalyses to validate results. Findings: In 2012, an estimated 930 000 maternal syphilis infections caused 350 000 adverse pregnancy outcomes including 143 000 early fetal deaths and stillbirths, 62 000 neonatal deaths, 44 000 preterm or low weight births, and 102 000 infected infants worldwide. Nearly 80% of adverse outcomes (274 000) occurred in women who received antenatal care at least once. Comparing the updated 2008 estimates with the 2012 estimates, maternal syphilis decreased by 38% (from 1 488 394 cases in 2008 to 927 936 cases in 2012) and congenital syphilis decreased by 39% (from 576 784 to 350 915). India represented 65% of the decrease. Analysis excluding India still showed an 18% decrease in maternal and congenital cases of syphilis worldwide. Interpretation: Maternal and congenital syphilis decreased worldwide from 2008 to 2012, which suggests progress towards the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis. Nonetheless, maternal syphilis caused substantial adverse pregnancy outcomes, even in women receiving antenatal care. Improved access to quality antenatal care, including syphilis testing and treatment, and robust data are all important for achieving the elimination of mother-to child transmission of syphilis. Funding: The UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction in WHO, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Effects of plasma treated alumina nanoparticles on breakdown strength, partial discharge resistance, and thermophysical properties of mineral oil-based nanofluids

Mineral oil has been chosen as an insulating liquid in power transformers due to its superior characteristics, such as being an effective insulation medium and a great cooling agent. Meanwhile, the performance of mineral oil as an insulation liquid can be further enhanced by dispersing nanoparticles into the mineral oil, and this composition is called nanofluids. However, the incorporation of nanoparticles into the mineral oil conventionally causes the nanoparticles to agglomerate and settle as sediment in the base fluid, thereby limiting the improvement of the insulation properties. In addition, limited studies have been reported for the transformer oil as a base fluid using Aluminum Oxide (Al2O3) as nanoparticles. Hence, this paper reported an experimental study to investigate the significant role of cold plasma treatment in modifying and treating the surface of nano-alumina to obtain a better interaction between the nano-alumina and the base fluid, consequently improving the insulation characteristics such as breakdown voltage, partial discharge characteristics, thermal conductivity, and viscosity of the nanofluids. The plasma treatment process was conducted on the surface of nano-alumina under atmospheric pressure plasma by using the dielectric barrier discharge concept. The breakdown strength and partial discharge characteristics of the nanofluids were measured according to IEC 60156 and IEC 60270 standards, respectively. In contrast, the viscosity and thermal conductivity of the nanofluids were determined using Brookfield DV-II + Pro Automated viscometer and Decagon KD2-Pro conductivity meter, respectively. The results indicate that the 0.1 wt% of plasma-treated alumina nanofluids has shown the most comprehensive improvements in electrical properties, dispersion stability, and thermal properties. Therefore, the plasma treatment has improved the nanoparticles dispersion and stability in nanofluids by providing stronger interactions between the mineral oil and the nanoparticles

Performance of nano metaclay on chloride diffusion for ultra- high performance concrete

The major cause for corrosion of steel reinforcement embedded in concrete due to chloride penetration has been the great research effort. The use of nano metaclay in UHPC increase the strength and helps the formation of micro pores by acting as a filler thus improve the chloride penetration resistance characteristic. The aim of this study is to evaluate the chloride diffusion of UHPC using RCPT and chloride penetration depth. Four (4) series of UHPC comprised of plain UHPC and a series of nanoUHPC incorporating 1%, 3% and 5% of nano metaclay were produced. It is reported that the compressive strength of nano UHPCl exhibits higher strength up to 10% compared to plain UHPC. The results showed that UHPC containing nano metaclay also significantly affect the chloride diffusion coefficient. As regards to the results, inclusion of 1% nano metaclay in UHPC led to noticeable benefit towards strength and chloride resistance

Proposed analytic framework for student relationship management based on a systematic review of CRM systems literature

Notwithstanding the research attention given to the importance and capability of the student relationship management strategy in higher education sustainability, there is no any systematic framework for implementation. This research as one of the preliminary studies has been undertaken to provide a structural framework of strategic practices for positioning this strategy at an operational level. In doing so, a methodological approach was implemented in two tiers. Firstly, a systematic review of the leading-edge literature on the customer relationship management systems was performed owing to the lack of significant research on the topic, as well as the structure and nature of the concept. Then, the principal components factor analysis with varimax rotation, which is a method of exploratory factor analysis was used to finalize the research. The findings revealed an articulated structural framework with five hypotheses, which may partially or fully be applied to narrow the major gap in the current knowledge. The measurement scale has also been developed for simplification in implementation of the application. Limitations and directions for future research were accordingly discussed

Characterization of cold plasma with glow discharge mechanism of plasma jet system

Cold plasma with glow discharge mechanism exhibiting a uniform ionization process when a background gas passes through the discharge region of the plasma reactor under a certain optimum configuration of input parameters. A glow discharge is a homogeneous and effective mechanism of cold plasma for industrial applications due to the continuous and stable discharge process compared to the filamentary discharge. Meanwhile, the development of glow discharge plasma operated under atmospheric pressure condition is indispensable to overcome the weaknesses of filamentary discharge plasma, such as the nonuniform and discontinuous discharge process. The discharge mechanism is essentially dependent upon the input parameters of the plasma system, such as the amplitude of the voltage supply, the operating frequency, and the flow rate of the background gas. In this paper, the effects of voltage supply on plasma discharge characteristics produced from the plasma jet reactor with the high-voltage electrode are discussed. The value of voltage supply is tuned to be suitable with the discharge gap, frequency supply, and background gas flow rate in producing the homogeneous glow plasma discharge. The characteristics of the glow plasma discharge produced are analyzed based on the pattern of the charge-voltage Lissajous figure and time-domain discharge current techniques. Results show that the most efficient and uniform plasma is disclosed by the configuration of input parameters such as 0.5 kV of supply voltage, 20 kHz of operating frequency, and 0.8 L/min of purified helium gas flow rate. The parallelogram-like Lissajous figure obtained indicating the homogeneous plasma discharge with a constant value of discharge capacitance

Critical success factors of student relationship management

Due to the upward trend in the globalization of sustainability issues and the intense competitive environment, it is evident that higher education institutions need new strategic approaches to succeed. To this end, the inquiry for this paper has been made into the debate about student relationship management. Going through the literature indicates that institutions have mainly perceived the concept as a technological initiative for solving the problems in individual domains, accompanied by uncoordinated efforts. Thus, the aims of this study are to theoretically present the critical success factors of this strategic approach and to empirically examine the recognized factors. To do so, a confirmatory factor analysis that is a quantitative analytic method was performed. The results and analyses revealed that there has been a significant correlation between the four critical success factors including knowledge management, student relationship management technology, student orientation, and employees' involvement. It was also found that these factors are significantly correlated with the construct of student relationship management success. The findings have consequently highlighted that in addition to the technological tool, the role of knowledge management, employees' involvement, and student orientation appeared to be particularly important for the implementation of the application

A Report on the Environmental Impact of the Texas LoanSTAR Program from May 1989 to September 1995

There are a number of factors that influence emission factors. The three major pollutants considered in this analysis are CO2, SO2, and NOX. Emission factors from three different sources were considered for this report. This analysis shows that as of September, 1995, there has been a reduction in emissions of 1.88 million pounds of NOX, 1.19 million pounds of SO2, and 532 million pounds of CO2 through the implementation of energy conservation measures in the Texas LoanSTAR program.The Texas LoanSTAR (Loans to Save Taxes and Resources) program was created by the state of Texas in 1989 to lend money for energy conserving improvements, or retrofits, in public buildings. As of September 1995 the LoanSTAR program is measuring savings for 22 loan sites covering 153 buildings where retrofits have been fully or partially completed. The completed retrofits show $21.1 million in measured savings, which is more than 119% of the energy savings predicted by the energy auditors. This corresponds to 23.9% of the pre-retrofit consumption cost at these sites. Through energy savings, the Texas LoanSTAR program has made a significant contribution towards reducing hazardous environmental emissions