Christmas trees—what happens when they ignite?

Burn tests were conducted on a number of Christmas trees commonly used in typical households. Trees were kept in room conditions for several weeks to dry out. Burn tests were also conducted on fresh and almost fresh trees to compare their burning behaviors wilth those of dry trees. Two trees were moistened and wetted prior to burn to observe the effects of water on burning of dry trees. The foremost objective of this work was to quantitatively demonstrate the potential fire hazard of Christmas trees by measuring the rate of heat release and room temperature during the burn.     

Blood urea content for evaluating dietary protein quality

The protein quality of broad beans was evaluated by using three different methods: the net protein ratio (NPR), the net protein utilization (NPU) and the relative protein value (RPV). Casein was used as a reference protein. The relationship between the values obtained on rats by each method and serum urea concentrations were examined. Serum urea concentration increased by increasing the dietary protein content. It showed a positive correlation of 0.70 and 0.60 for broad beans and casein respectively. NPR values increased by decreasing the level of dietary protein. There was no relationship between the NPR and the serum urea contents in animals fed the casein and broad bean diets. The NPU values indicated that protein utilization was greatest at low dietary protein levels and decreases by increasing the protein content of diet. Serum urea concentration showed an inverse proportion with the NPU values. This was demonstrated by correlations of ?0.67 and ?0.75 for broad beans and casein respectively. The highest RPV for broad beans was obtained by using the change in body water and the lowest by using the change in body nitrogen as a response parameter. An inverse relationship exists between serum urea concentration and the RPV for broad beans.     

Information technology (IT) in Saudi Arabia: Culture and the acceptance and use of IT

The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), a model of the user acceptance of IT, synthesizes elements from several prevailing user acceptance models. It has been credited with explaining a larger proportion of the variance of ‘intention to use’ and ‘usage behavior’ than do preceding models. However, it has not been validated in non-Western cultures. Using a survey sample collected from 722 knowledge workers using desktop computer applications on a voluntary basis in Saudi Arabia, we examined the relative power of a modified version of UTAUT in determining ‘intention to use’ and ‘usage behavior’. We found that the model explained 39.1% of intention to use variance, and 42.1% of usage variance. In addition, drawing on the theory of cultural dimensions, we hypothesized and tested the similarities and differences between the North American and Saudi validations of UTAUT in terms of cultural differences that affected the organizational acceptance of IT in the two societies.     

Grafting of vinyl acetate onto chitosan and biocidal activity of the graft copolymers

The reaction process of polycarbosilane (PCS) fiber cured by cyclohexene vapor has been studied and compared with that of PCS fiber cured by air. The influence of curing temperature on Si? H bond reaction degree and gel content, the structure and composition of PCS were investigated by FTIR, EA, TGA, NMR, and GC‐MS. The results showed that, Si? H bond in the molecular structure of PCS reacted during cyclohexene curing process and the reaction degree increased when the curing temperature increases. Simultaneously, gel content of PCS fiber rapidly increased till PCS fiber became infusible. Si? H radical and Si? CH₂ radicals formed Si? CH₂? Si crosslinking of PCS molecules through the agency of cyclohexene. Some cyclohexyls linked to principal chain of PCS, which was proven by ¹³C‐CPMAS‐NMR, and broke off, and cyclohexane and some monosilane are generated as byproducts when temperature increased. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Roller compacted concrete with contaminated recycled aggregates

Recycling waste building materials from construction and demolition (C&D) sites is increasingly investigated for economical and environmental reasons. Roller compacted concrete (RCC) is a special dry concrete mix; laid down and compacted like a soil, it is especially used for the construction of massive structures like dams or large horizontal surfaces like road foundation. In this paper, natural concrete slabs were cured in water, sea water, chloride solutions or sulphate solutions and then crushed to obtain virgin and contaminated (polluted) recycled aggregates. The aim of this research is the total replacement (100% coarse and fine) of natural aggregates (NA) by recycled concrete aggregates (RA) in the composition of a roller compacted concrete. The natural and recycled aggregates are characterised and compared. The mechanical properties and durability performances of concrete with contaminated RA are analysed. The experimental results showed that the polluted RA are much richer in chlorides than in sulphates and are leached if they are soaked in water. Significant differences were observed between the properties of original and new concrete and the results demonstrated the need of taking these contaminations into account.     

Nanotechnology: Advantages and drawbacks in the field of construction and building materials

Nanotechnology seems to hold the key that allows construction and building materials to replicate the features of natural systems improved until perfection during millions of years. This paper reviews current knowledge about nanotechnology and nanomaterials used by the construction industry. It covers the nanoscale analysis of Portland cement hydration products, the use of nanoparticles to increase the strength and durability of cimentitious composites, the photocatalytic capacity of nanomaterials and also nanotoxicity risks.     

An efficiency-optimization controller for induction motor drives

When working close to their nominal operating point, induction motors are high-efficiency machines. However, at low load, efficiency is greatly reduced when magnetization flux is maintained at nominal value. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the flux level according to the load, so as to decrease iron and copper losses. This paper deals with a field-oriented scheme for induction motor drives leading to efficiency optimization. It is based on optimal power factor tracking by adjusting magnetization current component with to respect the torque current component. Simulation results are presented to highlight the feasibility and validity of the proposed method