Thermal stress and Thermal expansion in a brake drum of heavy commercial truck

This dissertation investigates the thermal stress and thermal expansion develops in a brake drum of heavy commercial truck due to temperature distribution in severe braking condition. The analysis is done by simulate the temperature distribution and the thermal stress distribution within the drum material using finite element approach in ANSYS simulation program

Development of Photoelastic Methods Towards Study of Mechanical Aging of 2-Dimensional Granular Assemblies.

Phototelasticity is a well-known method for experimental stress analysis of solid transparent materials. It has commonly been used to measure stresses from the analysis of photoelastic fringes. In this study, a test apparatus was built for geotechnical engineering research in which both the specimen and sensors were of photoelastic material. Digital image processing of light color intensities was used to analyze stress in the specimens. Glass particles were used to model the sand grains. The shapes of the particles included cylinders and angular prisms. Glass plates with a central hole were manufactured and used as sensors for determining horizontal stresses in 2D assemblies of glass particles. The horizontal stresses in the 2D granular assemblies were measured during loading and unloading, and with elapsed time under constant vertical stress. The horizontal stress was determined through changes in relative red intensity of the sensors. Experimental results show potential uses of the relative red intensity for measuring horizontal stress, and estimating Ko of particulate assemblies. Results showed that the values of Ko ranged from 0.30 to 0.84. Variations of the Ko values were attributed to unbalanced loading during the tests and swinging of a load frame. The use of the relative red intensity in glass plate sensors may be adapted to other engineering applications and scientific uses. The calibrated sensors were used to monitor time-dependent increases in horizontal stress in 2D granular assemblies. Time-dependent surface settlement as a result of particle rearrangement in granular assemblies may be a critical factor in mechanical aging. Particle rearrangement results in time-dependent increases in horizontal stress in granular assemblies possibly via the formation of particle arches, through which forces are transferred horizontally. Time-dependent changes under constant vertical stress depended on vertical stress, particle shape and particle surface roughness. In 2D granular assemblies, individual particles move as a response to forces transferred from the specimen surface. The angular prisms used in this study were observed to pack very efficiently. Particle surface roughness inhibits particle motions, but micro-interlocking in the granular assemblies may be developed with time.Ph.D.Civil EngineeringUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/64779/1/jirathan_1.pd

FATE group decision support system in transportation decision making

Two interesting challenges have been created in the traditional transportation planning process through recent adoption of more interactive roles by Federal, State and local transportation agencies and of those representing the communities being impacted by proposed transportation projects. First, the decision-making groups that formerly included solely transportation and related professionals now consist of professionals from state and local agencies and other stakeholders impacted by those proposed projects. Furthermore, the economic justification methodologies commonly used, such as the benefit/cost ratio, no longer provide a sufficient means for evaluation since they now must take account of non-quantifiable or qualitative impacts, such as local quality of life and sustainable development. These new challenges require a new way of thinking, and a new methodology to handle them. A new methodology is required not only to take qualitative performances into consideration, but also to accommodate the diversities created by those in the decision-making process. This research focuses on the alternative evaluation stage as it often demonstrates the above challenges. The objective of the proposed methodology is to develop "a continuous process of learning and understanding through communicative means by virtue of a fair and open framework in developing the group consensus rather than relying solely on the STATUS QUO." The new methodology that combines the advantages of three unrelated components is proposed to reduce the complexities in complex decision situations. The three components include the conflict resolution model (SANTA), the analytical method (AHP), and the group decision support system (GDSS). The proposed methodology also explores a new way to take advantage of the Internet which allows decision makers to make their decisions from any where at any time. A small-scaled pilot study was set up to test the methodology and the software developed according to the framework outlined by the proposed methodology. Many benefits are discovered by the participants' observations without their prior knowledge about the methodology and the software. Those benefits include Flexibility, Accessibility, Transparency, and Efficiency, or FATE. There are two possible applications of this new methodology, i.e., in real-world problem-solving situations and as a learning tool

Complete coding sequence characterization and comparative analysis of the putative novel human rhinovirus (HRV) species C and B

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Human Rhinoviruses (HRVs) are well recognized viral pathogens associated with acute respiratory tract illnesses (RTIs) abundant worldwide. Although recent studies have phylogenetically identified the new HRV species (HRV-C), data on molecular epidemiology, genetic diversity, and clinical manifestation have been limited.</p> <p>Result</p> <p>To gain new insight into HRV genetic diversity, we determined the complete coding sequences of putative new members of HRV species C (HRV-CU072 with 1% prevalence) and HRV-B (HRV-CU211) identified from clinical specimens collected from pediatric patients diagnosed with a symptom of acute lower RTI. Complete coding sequence and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the HRV-CU072 strain shared a recent common ancestor with most closely related Chinese strain (N4). Comparative analysis at the protein level showed that HRV-CU072 might accumulate substitutional mutations in structural proteins, as well as nonstructural proteins 3C and 3 D. Comparative analysis of all available HRVs and HEVs indicated that HRV-C contains a relatively high G+C content and is more closely related to HEV-D. This might be correlated to their replication and capability to adapt to the high temperature environment of the human lower respiratory tract. We herein report an infrequently occurring intra-species recombination event in HRV-B species (HRV-CU211) with a crossing over having taken place at the boundary of VP2 and VP3 genes. Moreover, we observed phylogenetic compatibility in all HRV species and suggest that dynamic mechanisms for HRV evolution seem to be related to recombination events. These findings indicated that the elementary units shaping the genetic diversity of HRV-C could be found in the nonstructural 2A and 3D genes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study provides information for understanding HRV genetic diversity and insight into the role of selection pressure and recombination mechanisms influencing HRV evolution.</p

Two-dimensional g-C3N4/Ca2Nb2TaO10 nanosheet composites for efficient visible light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Scalable g-CN nanosheet powder catalyst was prepared by pyrolysis of dicyandiamide and ammonium chloride followed by ultra-sonication and freeze-drying. Nanosheet composite that combines the g-CN nanosheets and CaNbTaO nanosheets with various ratios were developed and applied as photocatalysts for solar hydrogen generation. Systematic studies reveal that the g-CN/CaNbTaO nanosheet composite with a mass ratio of 80:20 shows the best performance in photocatalytic H evolution under visible light-irradiation, which is more than 2.8 times out-performing bare g-CN bulk. The resulting nanosheets possess a high surface area of 96\ua0m/g, which provides abundance active sites for the photocatalytic activity. More importantly, the g-CN/CaNbTaO nanosheet composite shows efficient charge transfer kinetics at its interface, as evident by the photoluminescence measurement. The intimate interfacial connections and the synergistic effect between g-CN nanosheets and CaNbTaO nanosheets with cascading electrons are efficient in suppressing charge recombination and improving photocatalytic H evolution performance

Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of six herbal plants against the human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cell line

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Six plants from Thailand were evaluated for their cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction in human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) as compared to normal African green monkey kidney epithelial cell lines.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Ethanol-water crude extracts of the six plants were tested with neutral red assay for their cytotoxicity after 24 hours of exposure to the cells. Apoptotic induction was tested in the HepG2 cells with diamidino-2-phenylindole staining. DNA fragmentation, indicative of apoptosis, was analyzed with agarose gel electrophoresis. Alkylation, indicative of DNA damage, was also evaluated <it>in vitro </it>by 4-(4'-nitrobenzyl) pyridine assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The extract of <it>Pinus kesiya </it>showed the highest selectivity (selectivity index = 9.6) and potent cytotoxicity in the HepG2 cell line, with an IC₅₀value of 52.0 ± 5.8 μg/ml (mean ± standard deviation). Extract of <it>Catimbium speciosum </it>exerted cytotoxicity with an IC₅₀value of 55.7 ± 8.1 μg/ml. Crude extracts from <it>Glochidion daltonii</it>, <it>Cladogynos orientalis</it>, <it>Acorus tatarinowii </it>and <it>Amomum villosum </it>exhibited cytotoxicity with IC₅₀values ranging 100-500 μg/ml. All crude extracts showed different alkylating abilities <it>in vitro</it>. Extracts of <it>P. kesiya, C. speciosum </it>and <it>C. orientalis </it>caused nuclei morphological changes and DNA laddering.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The extracts of <it>C. speciosum</it>, <it>C. orientalis </it>and <it>P. kesiya </it>induced apoptosis. Among the three plants, <it>P. kesiya </it>possessed the most robust anticancer activity, with specific selectivity against HepG2 cells.</p

FAO-SEAFDEC/TD Energy Audits Project for Thai Trawlers (Phase II)

Fluctuation fuel costs and raising environmental impacts from fishery activities, FAO and SEAFDEC/TD are recognizing on recent situation and have set up an energy audits project that target to improve energy efficiency on commercial fishing vessels resulting declining green house gas emission relieved into atmosphere for three years ago. Thai local trawler is a first target to be measured and analysis their fuel consumption pattern for fuel optimization. From energy audit results indicate that large trawler consumes fuel more than small and medium trawl fishing boats nearly two or three times at maximum fuel consumption rate and their fuel consumption rate at sea trial with or without net in water is rely on engine revolution only. In this case, improving fuel consumption rate of these three representative trawlers has only one way that is by keeping good condition of propulsion engine always. At normal condition, diesel engine can run at optimum fuel consumption leading to minimizing impact pollution emitted to environment

Serological Analysis of Human Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) in Thailand

The study was aimed at determining the prevalence of pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009 among patients with respiratory tract diseases during July-December 2009 using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay was performed to detect antibody titres against pandemic influenza in 255 medical personnel, 307 members of the general population during the second week of December 2009 in Khon Kaen province, Thailand, and in 100 stored sera collected from people of different age-groups during 2008. The results showed that the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 had occurred during July-December 2009. The results of the HI test after the wave of this outbreak showed that 123 (48%) of the 255 sera collected from the medical personnel, 109 (36%) of the 307 sera obtained from the general population, and only two of the 100 stored sera from 2008 contained antibodies (HI titres ≥40) against pandemic influenza. Antibody against the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 was found in at least one-third of the population. In conclusion, the prevalence of virus and serological data obtained from the study can be used as the serological background level of the Thai population after the July-December pandemic. Finally, the serological data might be useful for outbreak-prevention and control strategies and for the management of vaccination for the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in Thailand

Development program for heat balance analysis fuel to steam efficiency boiler and data wireless transfer

This research aim to improve a combustion system of boiler within increase combustion efficiency and use all out of the energy.This research aim to improve a combustion system of boiler within increase combustion efficiency and use all out of the energy. The large boilers were used in the industrial factories which consume a lot of energy for production. By oil and gas fuel will be increasing costs everyday cause many factories interested in energy saving with any method technical engineering, specifically for production costs and environment effect decreasing. This researching was installed and program was invented in the industrial factory. This industry factory consumed cogeneration energy for fabric dying. The efficiency before installing the software is measured about 65.85 - 71.98% which heat in exhaust gas about 20% of overall energy is filled in the system. After installing heat loss in the system has been fallen until remain about 5 - 12% and efficiency of heat in system has been reached a peak of 80 - 85%