Operational performance of a low cost, air mass 2 solar simulator

Modifications and improvements on a low cost air mass 2 solar simulator are discussed. The performance characteristics of total irradiance, uniformity of irradiance, spectral distribution, and beam subtense angle are presented. The simulator consists of an array of tungsten halogen lamps hexagonally spaced in a plane. A corresponding array of plastic Fresnel lenses shapes the output beam such that the simulator irradiates a 1.2 m by 1.2 m area with uniform collimated irradiance. Details are given concerning individual lamp output measurements and placement of the lamps. Originally, only the direct component of solar irradiance was simulated. Since the diffuse component may affect the performance of some collectors, the capability to simulate it is being added. An approach to this diffuse addition is discussed

A low cost ""Air Mass 2'' solar simulator

Tungsten halogen projection lamps have integral ellipsoidal reflector, and hexagonal shaped plastic Fresnel lenses. Reflector is dichroic coated to reduce infrared content of reflected radiation. Array of lamps and lenses produces uniform collimated beam having near AM2 spectrum and intensity that can be used for testing flat plate solar collectors

The Effects of Different Environmental Conditions on the Characteristics of Fiber Reinforced Plates

The failure of polymer matrix composite upon exposure to the environmentconditions has been assessed in the present study. Glass fabrics and unsaturatedpolyester resin were selected to fabricate 8-layer laminates cross ply [(0/90)8]arranged in symmetric and antisymmetric stacking sequence. Environmentalconditioning using Sea and Tap water with humidity exposure and Ultravioletradiation was conducted to investigate the vibrations characteristics of symmetricand antisymmetric composite samples. After exposure time to the conditionsabove for 500, 1000 and 2000 hr, laminates were subjected to three point bendingtesting, in order to study their flexural properties (stiffness and strength) beforeand after these exposures. Then a finite element analysis using the packageprogram ANSYS (version 10) was used for the analysis of free vibrationcharacteristics. The object was to obtain the natural frequency for each case ofenvironmental conditions at different exposure times. The results showed thatnatural frequencies of cantilever laminate plates decreased with the increasedexposure time for the different environmental conditions

Assessment of Chemical and Bacteriological Parameters of Leek in Sulaymaniyah City, Iraq

In the current study, leek samples were collected seasonally from October 2021 to July 2022 from three sites; site 1 (Tanjaro aera), site 2 (Kanaswra), and site 3 (Aziz Awa) in Sulaymaniyah city, Iraq. Cl- rate recorded the maximum mean values in leek, which was 0.05 mg/kg. The Na+ level recorded the highest mean value, at 393.00 mg/kg. The K+ ratio showed the highest mean value, measuring 3614 mg/kg. SO42- concentration had a mean value of 762.33 mg/kg. PO43- level recorded the maximum mean value at 16.13. Regarding heavy metals in vegetables, the results indicated no contamination in leek, except for Pb, which had a high level in the vegetables. In terms of bacteriology, leek samples exhibited total aerobic bacteria and total coliform counts above the normal range. Based on the biochemical test findings, E. coli and Salmonella species were not detected in leek. Different species were isolated from leek, including Citobacter freundii, Citobacter braakii, Acinetobacter baumannii complex, Enterobacter cloacae complex. There is a notable correlation between total aerobic bacteria and lead (r = 0.60) in leek. Copper shows a negative correlation with total aerobic bacteria (r = -0.59), while iron also exhibits a negative relationship with total aerobic bacteria (r = -0.60). Total coliform demonstrates a positive relationship with manganese (r = 0.64)

Assessment Of Information Needs For Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

AbstractObjectives: The study aims to assess the needs of the patient for information about coronary artery disease and to find out the relationship between patient needs with the social and the clinical characteristics of the patients.Methodology: patient coronary artery disease need information not only with regard to the disease, treatment, and prevention of side effects of the drug, but also for other practical problems associated with daily activities, or even with the economic issues. Descriptive study conducted using the evaluation approach for the duration of June 3, 2012 until July 27, 2012 was chosen as a non-probability sample consisting of (30) patients were reviewed or were admitted to the teaching hospital in Baquba diagnosed coronary artery disease. Have been built and develop questionnaire by the researcher based on review literature and previous research to assess the need for the information and created the form of (3) parts included Part I demographic characteristics and included information age, gender, education level, marital status, occupation, monthly income and included the second part of clinical data and the third part contains clauses information relating to the pathogenicity. Reliability was identified through the use of a scale (pre and post test) were identified validity  by offering experts with competence data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) and inferential statistical analysis approach (Pearson correlation coefficient and t test).Results: The results of the study showed that the highest percentage ( 53.3) is males under age groups (55-64 ) and (36.7%) of them are unable to read and write. The study showed that (73.3%) of the sample are married (26.7%) sample of widows (46.7%) of the sample of female and housewife (63.3%) of the respondents live in the city, and (63.3%) of the sample income was enough to some extent, and (26.7%) of the sample had a monthly income is not enough.Conclusion: the study show that patients with coronary artery disease need information on their illness, which include anatomy and physiology, psychology and lifestyle information with medicine and nutritional information and deal with the symptoms of the disease

Participant recruitment and retention in a pilot program to prevent weight gain in low-income overweight and obese mothers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recruitment and retention are key functions for programs promoting nutrition and other lifestyle behavioral changes in low-income populations. This paper describes strategies for recruitment and retention and presents predictors of early (two-month post intervention) and late (eight-month post intervention) dropout (non retention) and overall retention among young, low-income overweight and obese mothers participating in a community-based randomized pilot trial called <it>Mothers In Motion</it>.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Low-income overweight and obese African American and white mothers ages 18 to 34 were recruited from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children in southern Michigan. Participants (n = 129) were randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 64) or control (n = 65) group according to a stratification procedure to equalize representation in two racial groups (African American and white) and three body mass index categories (25.0-29.9 kg/m², 30.0-34.9 kg/m², and 35.0-39.9 kg/m²). The 10-week theory-based culturally sensitive intervention focused on healthy eating, physical activity, and stress management messages that were delivered via an interactive DVD and reinforced by five peer-support group teleconferences. Forward stepwise multiple logistic regression was performed to examine whether dietary fat, fruit and vegetable intake behaviors, physical activity, perceived stress, positive and negative affect, depression, and race predicted dropout as data were collected two-month and eight-month after the active intervention phase.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Trained personnel were successful in recruiting subjects. Increased level of depression was a predictor of early dropout (odds ratio = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.00, 1.08; p = 0.03). Greater stress predicted late dropout (odds ratio = 0.20; 95% CI = 0.00, 0.37; p = 0.01). Dietary fat, fruit, and vegetable intake behaviors, physical activity, positive and negative affect, and race were not associated with either early or late dropout. Less negative affect was a marginal predictor of participant retention (odds ratio = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.31, 1.03; p = 0.06).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Dropout rates in this study were higher for participants who reported higher levels of depression and stress.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Current Controlled Trials NCT00944060</p

A Fuzzy Predictive Handover Mechanism based on MIH Links Triggering in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

Abstract. The wireless networks of the near future will capable of successfully handling various kinds of communication systems. The cross platform communication is a very serious issue that has to be immediately addressed. The main factor for successful implementation of 4G wireless networks is the Media Independent Handover (MIH). It can provide the information about the parameter that impacts the handover prediction. The aim of this work is to provide link trigger intelligence and a general interface for the handover between heterogeneous wireless networks. It is noteworthy that the information of link trigger is very vital for the link trigger to carry out precise decision and execution. This paper proposes a fuzzy based prediction algorithm with dynamic of links triggering for vertical handover by applying the Information Server (IS) of IEEE 802.21. The propose solution can minimize unnecessary handover

The enzymatic effect of Fusarium spp. on wheat plant and its role in pathogenicity as a one of virulence factor.

Fusarium spp. One of Most important fungal disease that affecting wheat plant, during the period from February 2022 to September 2022, study done by taken 128 isolates, belonging to Fusarium spp. were obtained from wheat plants showing symptoms of crown and root disease taken from different area of waist city including (Al-Numaniyah, Kut, Dabuni, Sheikh Saad)