Simulation model for natural gas transmission pipeline network system

This paper focuses on developing a simulation model for the analysis of transmission pipeline network system (TPNS) with detailed characteristics of compressor stations. Compressor station is the key element in the TPNS since it provides energy to keep the gas moving. The simulation model is used to create a system that simulates TPNS with different configurations to get pressure and flow parameters. The mathematical formulations for the TPNS simulation were derived from the principles of flow of fluid through pipe, mass balance and compressor characteristics. In order to determine the unknown pressure and flow parameters, a visual C++ code was developed based on Newton–Raphson solution technique. Using the parameters obtained, the model evaluates the energy consumption for various configurations in order to guide for the selection of optimal TPNS. Results from the evaluations of the model with the existing TPNS and comparison with the existing approaches showed that the developed simulation model enabled to determine the operational parameters with less than 10 iterations. Hence, the simulation model could assist in decisions regarding the design and operations of the TPNS.     

Fingerprint recognition using mel-frequency cepstral coefficients

This paper presents a new fingerprint recognition method based on mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs). In this method, cepstral features are extracted from a group of fingerprint images, which are transformed first to 1-D signals by lexicographic ordering. MFCCs and polynomial shape coefficients are extracted from these 1-D signals or their transforms to generate a database of features, which can be used to train a neural network. The fingerprint recognition can be performed by extracting features from any new fingerprint image with the same method used in the training phase. These features are tested with the neural network. The different domains are tested and compared for efficient feature extraction from the lexicographically ordered 1-D signals. Experimental results show the success of the proposed cepstral method for fingerprint recognition at low as well as high signal to noise ratios (SNRs). Results also show that the discrete cosine transform (DCT) is the most appropriate domain for feature extraction.     

Numerical method using cubic B-spline for the heat and wave equation

In the present paper, the cubic B-splines method is considered for solving one-dimensional heat and wave equations. A typical finite difference approach had been used to discretize the time derivative while the cubic B-spline is applied as an interpolation function in the space dimension. The accuracy of the method for both equations is discussed. The efficiency of the method is illustrated by some test problems. The numerical results are found to be in good agreement with the exact solution.     

Structural,optical and electrical properties of Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>Zn<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>Cd<Subscript>x</Subscript>SnS<Subscript>4</Subscript> quinternary alloys nanostructures deposited on porous silicon

The Cu₂Zn_1?xCd_xSnS₄ quinternary alloy nanostructures with different Cd contents were grown using spin coating technique on porous silicon (63.93 %) substrate. The structural properties of Cu₂Zn_1?xCd_xSnS₄/PS were investigated by X-ray diffraction and field emission-scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). The optical properties studied through photoluminescence technique, indicated that the band gap is shifted as Cd content increases from 1.84 eV at x = 0 to 1.76 eV at x = 1. The electrical characterization of the Ag/n-PS/Cu₂Zn_1?xCd_xSnS₄/Ag diode through current to voltage (I–V) characterization shows the highest photo-response of (value if any) at Cu₂Zn_0.4Cd_0.6SnS₄ composition.     

Curve/surface representation and evolution using vector level sets with application to the shape-based segmentation problem

In this paper, we revisit the implicit front representation and evolution using the vector level set function (VLSF) proposed in (H. E. Abd El Munim, et al., Oct. 2005). Unlike conventional scalar level sets, this function is designed to have a vector form. The distance from any point to the nearest point on the front has components (projections) in the coordinate directions included in the vector function. This kind of representation is used to evolve closed planar curves and 3D surfaces as well. Maintaining the VLSF property as the distance projections through evolution will be considered together with a detailed derivation of the vector partial differential equation (PDE) for such evolution. A shape-based segmentation framework will be demonstrated as an application of the given implicit representation. The proposed level set function system will be used to represent shapes to give a dissimilarity measure in a variational object registration process. This kind of formulation permits us to better control the process of shape registration, which is an important part in the shape-based segmentation framework. The method depends on a set of training shapes used to build a parametric shape model. The color is taken into consideration besides the shape prior information. The shape model is fitted to the image volume by registration through an energy minimization problem. The approach overcomes the conventional methods problems like point correspondences and weighing coefficients tuning of the evolution (PDEs). It is also suitable for multidimensional data and computationally efficient. Results in 2D and 3D of real and synthetic data will demonstrate the efficiency of the framework     

A method for real power transfer allocation using multivariable regression analysis

A multivariable regression (MVR) approach is proposed to identify the real power transfer between generators and loads. Based on solved load flow results, it first uses modified nodal equation method (MNE) to determine real power contribution from each generator to loads. Then, the results of MNE method and load flow information are utilized to determine suitable regression coefficients using MVR model to estimate the power transfer. The 25-bus equivalent system of south Malaysia is utilized as a test system to illustrate the effectiveness of the MVR output compared to that of the MNE method. The error of the estimate of MVR method ranges from 0.001 4 to 0.007 9. Furthermore, when compared to MNE method, MVR method computes generator contribution to loads within 26.40 ms whereas the MNE method takes 360 ms for the calculation of same real power transfer allocation. Therefore, MVR method is more suitable for real time power transfer allocation.     

Design of dual‐band microstrip patch antenna with right‐angle triangular aperture slot for energy transfer application

This work focusing on the dual‐band antenna design with rectifying circuit for energy transfer system technology for enhancement gain performance. The air gap technique is applied on this microstrip antenna design work to enhance the antenna gain. The work begins with designing and analyzing the antenna via the CST Microwave Studio software. After validation on acceptable performance in simulation side is obtained, the return loss, S₁₁ of the antenna is measured using vector network analyzer equipment. The rectifier circuit is used to convert the captured signal to DC voltage. This projected dual‐band antenna has successfully accomplished the target on return loss of ?44.707 dB and ?32.163 dB at dual resonant frequencies for 1.8 GHz and 2.4 GHz, respectively. This proposed antenna design benefits in low cost fabrication and has achieved high gain of 6.31 dBi and 7.82 dBi for dual‐band functioning frequencies.     

Meat production characteristics of Egyptian Baladi and Angora goats

Fifteen Baladi and 20 Angora intact males raised together from birth until 8 months of age were grown on a commercial concentrate mixture fed at the rate of 0·6 kg/head/day with chopped wheat straw fed at 0·5 kg/head/day for 14 weeks. Body measurements were taken before slaughter and carcass measurements and offal weights after it. The right sides of all carcasses were dissected into cuts, weighed and deboned. Fat was separated from the 9-10-11 rib joints and estimated. The two breeds did not significantly differ in birth weight, weaning weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage, most body measurements, all carcass measurements and most offal weights. Sigmificant differences were only found in body length, height at withers, weights of spleen and kidney fat. However, the Baladi had significant heavier loin and shoulder (P < 0·05) and breast and flank (P < 0·05) than the Angora which had heavier legs (P < 0·05). The carcasses of the two breeds had very similar percentage of edible meat (68·38 versus 68·65), lean (57·47 versus 57·38) and fat in the rib joint (10·91 versus 11·27).     

Effect of pre‐germination time of brown rice on serum cholesterol levels of hypercholesterolaemic rats

BACKGROUND: Brown rice is unpolished rice with immeasurable benefits for human health. Brown rice (BR) and pre‐germinated brown rice (PGBR) are known to contain various functional compounds such as γ‐oryzanol, dietary fibre and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA). In the present study, the experimental diets containing BR and PGBR (24, 48 h pre‐germination) were used to investigate the influence of pre‐germination time of brown rice on blood cholesterol in Sprague–Dawley male rats. RESULTS: Hypercholesterolaemia and elevation of LDL‐cholesterol were successfully ameliorated by the experimental diets containing BR and PGBR (24 and 48 h pre‐germination). As compared to the control sample, the pre‐germination time had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on blood cholesterol of Sprague–Dawley male rats. It was also found that the significantly (P < 0.05) better effect on lipid profile of hypercholesterolaemic rats was observed by prolonging the pre‐germination time. As compared to non‐germinated brown rice, the germinated brown rice showed the higher cardio‐protective effect on hypercholesterolaemic Sprague–Dawley male rats. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that the changes of blood cholesterol can be mainly modulated by using the PGBR rather than BR. The prolonging of pre‐germination time led to an increase in the bioactive components, thereby providing a more efficient functional diet affecting the high blood cholesterol. This study suggests that PGBR can be used instead of BR and polished rice in the human diet. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry