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Mohamed</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Hend%20M.%20Ahmed"> Hend M. Ahmed</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> This research explores the antimicrobial effects of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) oxygen plasma treatment combined with ZnO NPs on the cotton fabric, focusing on various treatment durations (5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes) and discharge powers (15.5–17.35 watts) at flow rate 0.5 l/min. After treatment with oxygen plasma and ZnO NPs, the fabric was printed with green tea (Camellia sinensis) at five different concentrations. The study evaluated the treatment's effectiveness by analyzing surface wettability, specifically through wet-out time and hydrophilicity, as well as measuring contact angles. To investigate the chemical changes on the fabric's surface, attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy was employed to identify the functional groups formed as a result of the plasma treatment. This comprehensive approach aims to understand how DBD oxygen plasma treatment and ZnO nanoparticles change cotton fabric properties and enhance its antimicrobial potential, paving the way for innovative applications in textiles. In addition to the chemical analysis, the surface morphology of the O₂ plasma/ZnO NPs-treated cotton fabric was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR analysis revealed an increase in polar functional groups (-COOH, -OH, and -C≡O) on the fabric's surface, contributing to enhanced hydrophilicity and functionality. The antimicrobial properties were evaluated using qualitative and quantitative methods, including agar plate assays and modified Hoenstein tests against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The results indicated a significant improvement in antimicrobial effectiveness for the cotton fabric treated with plasma and coated with natural extracts, maintaining this efficacy even after four washing cycles. This research demonstrates that utilizing oxygen DBD plasma/ZnO NPs treatment, combined with the absorption of tea and tulsi leaf extracts, presents a promising strategy for developing natural antimicrobial textiles. This approach is particularly relevant given the increasing medical and healthcare demands for effective antimicrobial materials. Overall, the method not only enhances the absorption of plant extracts but also significantly boosts antimicrobial efficacy, offering valuable insights for future textile applications. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cotton" title="cotton">cotton</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=ZnO%20NPs" title=" ZnO NPs"> ZnO NPs</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=green%20tea%20leaf" title=" green tea leaf"> green tea leaf</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=antimicrobial%20avtivity" title=" antimicrobial avtivity"> antimicrobial avtivity</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=DBD%20oxygen%20plasma" title=" DBD oxygen plasma"> DBD oxygen plasma</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/193903/investigation-of-antimicrobial-activity-of-dielectric-barrier-discharge-oxygen-plasma-combined-with-zno-nps-treated-cotton-fabric-coated-with-natural-green-tea-leaf-extracts" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/193903.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">25</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">36</span> Comparison of Iodine Density Quantification through Three Material Decomposition between Philips iQon Dual Layer Spectral CT Scanner and Siemens Somatom Force Dual Source Dual Energy CT Scanner: An in vitro Study</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Jitendra%20Pratap">Jitendra Pratap</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Jonathan%20Sivyer"> Jonathan Sivyer</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Introduction: Dual energy/Spectral CT scanning permits simultaneous acquisition of two x-ray spectra datasets and can complement radiological diagnosis by allowing tissue characterisation (e.g., uric acid vs. non-uric acid renal stones), enhancing structures (e.g. boost iodine signal to improve contrast resolution), and quantifying substances (e.g. iodine density). However, the latter showed inconsistent results between the 2 main modes of dual energy scanning (i.e. dual source vs. dual layer). Therefore, the present study aimed to determine which technology is more accurate in quantifying iodine density. Methods: Twenty vials with known concentrations of iodine solutions were made using Optiray 350 contrast media diluted in sterile water. The concentration of iodine utilised ranged from 0.1 mg/ml to 1.0mg/ml in 0.1mg/ml increments, 1.5 mg/ml to 4.5 mg/ml in 0.5mg/ml increments followed by further concentrations at 5.0 mg/ml, 7mg/ml, 10 mg/ml and 15mg/ml. The vials were scanned using Dual Energy scan mode on a Siemens Somatom Force at 80kV/Sn150kV and 100kV/Sn150kV kilovoltage pairing. The same vials were scanned using Spectral scan mode on a Philips iQon at 120kVp and 140kVp. The images were reconstructed at 5mm thickness and 5mm increment using Br40 kernel on the Siemens Force and B Filter on Philips iQon. Post-processing of the Dual Energy data was performed on vendor-specific Siemens Syngo VIA (VB40) and Philips Intellispace Portal (Ver. 12) for the Spectral data. For each vial and scan mode, the iodine concentration was measured by placing an ROI in the coronal plane. Intraclass correlation analysis was performed on both datasets. Results: The iodine concentrations were reproduced with a high degree of accuracy for Dual Layer CT scanner. Although the Dual Source images showed a greater degree of deviation in measured iodine density for all vials, the dataset acquired at 80kV/Sn150kV had a higher accuracy. Conclusion: Spectral CT scanning by the dual layer technique has higher accuracy for quantitative measurements of iodine density compared to the dual source technique. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=CT" title="CT">CT</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=iodine%20density" title=" iodine density"> iodine density</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=spectral" title=" spectral"> spectral</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=dual-energy" title=" dual-energy"> dual-energy</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/152372/comparison-of-iodine-density-quantification-through-three-material-decomposition-between-philips-iqon-dual-layer-spectral-ct-scanner-and-siemens-somatom-force-dual-source-dual-energy-ct-scanner-an-in-vitro-study" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/152372.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">128</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">35</span> Stems of Prunus avium: An Unexplored By-product with Great Bioactive Potential</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Lu%C3%ADs%20R.%20Silva">Luís R. Silva</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=F%C3%A1bio%20Jesus"> Fábio Jesus</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Catarina%20Bento"> Catarina Bento</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ana%20C.%20Gon%C3%A7alves"> Ana C. Gonçalves</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Over the last few years, the traditional medicine has gained ground at nutritional and pharmacological level. The natural products and their derivatives have great importance in several drugs used in modern therapeutics. Plant-based systems continue to play an essential role in primary healthcare. Additionally, the utilization of their plant parts, such as leaves, stems and flowers as nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products, can add a high value in the natural products market, not just by the nutritional value due to the significant levels of phytochemicals, but also by to the high benefit for the producers and manufacturers business. Stems of Prunus avium L. are a byproduct resulting from the processing of cherry, and have been consumed over the years as infusions and decoctions due to its bioactive properties, being used as sedative, diuretic and draining, to relief of renal stones, edema and hypertension. In this work, we prepared a hydroethanolic and infusion extracts from stems of P. avium collected in Fundão Region (Portugal), and evaluate the phenolic profile by LC/DAD, antioxidant capacity, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and protection of human erythrocytes against oxidative damage. The LC-DAD analysis allowed to the identification of 19 phenolic compounds, catechin and 3-O-caffolquinic acid were the main ones. In a general way, hydroethanolic extract proved to be more active than infusion. This extract had the best antioxidant activity against DPPH• (IC50=22.37 ± 0.28 µg/mL) and superoxide radical (IC50=13.93 ± 0.30 µg/mL). Furthermore, it was the most active concerning inhibition of hemoglobin oxidation (IC50=13.73 ± 0.67 µg/mL), hemolysis (IC50=1.49 ± 0.18 µg/mL) and lipid peroxidation (IC50=26.20 ± 0.38 µg/mL) on human erythrocytes. On the other hand, infusion revealed to be more efficient towards α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50=3.18 ± 0.23 µg/mL) and against nitric oxide radical (IC50=99.99 ± 1.89 µg/mL). The Sweet cherry sector is very important in Fundão Region (Portugal), and taking profit from the great wastes produced during processing of the cherry to produce added-value products, such as food supplements cannot be ignored. Our results demonstrate that P. avium stems possesses remarkable antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties. It is therefore, suggest, that P. avium stems can be used as a natural antioxidant with high potential to prevent or slow the progress of human diseases mediated by oxidative stress. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=stems" title="stems">stems</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Prunus%20avium" title=" Prunus avium"> Prunus avium</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=phenolic%20compounds" title=" phenolic compounds"> phenolic compounds</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=biological%20potential" title=" biological potential"> biological potential</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/70858/stems-of-prunus-avium-an-unexplored-by-product-with-great-bioactive-potential" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/70858.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">301</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">34</span> Durability of Functionally Graded Concrete</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Prasanna%20Kumar%20Acharya">Prasanna Kumar Acharya</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Mausam%20Kumari%20Yadav"> Mausam Kumari Yadav</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Cement concrete has emerged as the most consumed construction material. It has also dominated all other construction materials because of its versatility. Apart from numerous advantages it has a disadvantage concerning durability. The large structures constructed with cement concrete involving the consumption of huge natural materials remain in serviceable condition for 5 – 7 decades only while structures made with stones stand for many centuries. The short life span of structures not only affects the economy but also affects the ecology greatly. As such, the improvement of durability of cement concrete is a global concern and scientists around the globe are trying for this purpose. Functionally graded concrete (FGC) is an exciting development. In contrast to conventional concrete, FGC demonstrates different characteristics depending on its thickness, which enables it to conform to particular structural specifications. The purpose of FGC is to improve the performance and longevity of conventional concrete structures with cutting-edge building materials. By carefully distributing various kinds and amounts of reinforcements, additives, mix designs and/or aggregates throughout the concrete matrix, this variety is produced. A key component of functionally graded concrete's performance is its durability, which affects the material's capacity to tolerate aggressive environmental influences and load-bearing circumstances. This paper reports the durability of FGC made using Portland slag cement (PSC). For this purpose, control concretes (CC) of M20, M30 and M40 grades were designed. Single-layered samples were prepared using each grade of concrete. Further using combinations of M20 + M30, M30 + M40 and M40 + M20, doubled layered concrete samples in a depth ratio of 1:1 was prepared those are herein called FGC samples. The efficiency of FGC samples was compared with that of the higher-grade concrete of parent materials in terms of compressive strength, water absorption, sorptivity, acid resistance, sulphate resistance, chloride resistance and abrasion resistance. The properties were checked at the age of 28 and 91 days. Apart from strength and durability parameters, the microstructure of CC and FGC were studied in terms of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray. The result of the study revealed that there is an increase in the efficiency of concrete evaluated in terms of strength and durability when it is made functionally graded using a layered technology having different grades of concrete in layers. The results may help to enhance the efficiency of structural concrete and its durability. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=fresh%20on%20compacted" title="fresh on compacted">fresh on compacted</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=functionally%20graded%20concrete" title=" functionally graded concrete"> functionally graded concrete</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=acid" title=" acid"> acid</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=chloride" title=" chloride"> chloride</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=sulphate%20test" title=" sulphate test"> sulphate test</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=sorptivity" title=" sorptivity"> sorptivity</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=abrasion" title=" abrasion"> abrasion</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=water%20absorption%20test" title=" water absorption test"> water absorption test</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/191321/durability-of-functionally-graded-concrete" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/191321.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">30</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">33</span> Existence of Systemic Risk in Turkish Banking Sector: An Evidence from Return Distributions</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=%C4%B0lhami%20Karahanoglu">İlhami Karahanoglu</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Oguz%20Ceylan"> Oguz Ceylan</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> As its well-known definitions; systemic risk refers to whole economic system down-turn movement even collapse together in very severe cases. In fact, it points out the contagion effects of the defaults. Such a risk is can be depicted with the famous Chinese game of falling domino stones. During and after the Bear & Sterns and Lehman Brothers cases, it was well understood that there is a very strong effect of systemic risk in financial services sector. In this study, we concentrate on the existence of systemic risk in Turkish Banking Sector based upon the Halkbank Case during the end month of 2013; there was a political turmoil in Turkey in which the close relatives of the upper politicians were involved in illegal trading activities. In that operation, the CEO of Halkbank was also arrested and in investigation, Halkbank was considered as part of such illegal actions. That operation had an impact on Halkbanks stock value. The Halkbank stock value during that time interval decreased remarkably, the distributional profile of stock return changed and became more volatile as well as more skewed. In this study, the daily returns of 5 leading banks in Turkish banking sector were used to obtain 48 return distributions (for each month, 90-days-back stock value returns are used) of 5 banks for the period 12/2011-12/2013 (pre operation period) and 12/2013-12/2015 (post operation period). When those distributions are compared with timely manner, interestingly; the distribution of the 5 other leading banks in Turkey, public or private, had also distribution profiles which was different from the past 2011-2013 period just like Halkbank. Those 5 big banks, whose stock values are monitored with sub index in Istanbul stock exchange (BIST) as BN10, had more skewed distribution just following the Halkbank stock return movement during the post operation period, with lover mean value and as well higher volatility. In addition, the correlation between the stock value return distributions of the leading banks after Halkbank case, where the returns are more skewed to the left, increased (which is measured in monthly base before and after the operation). The dependence between those banks was stronger under the case where the stock values were falling compared with the normal market condition. Such distributional effect of stock returns between the leading banks in Turkey, which is valid for down sub-market (financial/banking sector) condition, can be evaluated as an evidence for the existence of contagious effect and systemic risk. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=financial%20risk" title="financial risk">financial risk</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=systemic%20risk" title=" systemic risk"> systemic risk</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=banking%20sector" title=" banking sector"> banking sector</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=return%20distribution" title=" return distribution"> return distribution</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=dependency%20structure" title=" dependency structure"> dependency structure</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/40231/existence-of-systemic-risk-in-turkish-banking-sector-an-evidence-from-return-distributions" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/40231.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">300</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">32</span> Exploring the Synergistic Effects of Aerobic Exercise and Cinnamon Extract on Metabolic Markers in Insulin-Resistant Rats through Advanced Machine Learning and Deep Learning Techniques</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Masoomeh%20Alsadat%20Mirshafaei">Masoomeh Alsadat Mirshafaei</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The present study aims to explore the effect of an 8-week aerobic training regimen combined with cinnamon extract on serum irisin and leptin levels in insulin-resistant rats. Additionally, this research leverages various machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) algorithms to model the complex interdependencies between exercise, nutrition, and metabolic markers, offering a groundbreaking approach to obesity and diabetes research. Forty-eight Wistar rats were selected and randomly divided into four groups: control, training, cinnamon, and training cinnamon. The training protocol was conducted over 8 weeks, with sessions 5 days a week at 75-80% VO2 max. The cinnamon and training-cinnamon groups were injected with 200 ml/kg/day of cinnamon extract. Data analysis included serum data, dietary intake, exercise intensity, and metabolic response variables, with blood samples collected 72 hours after the final training session. The dataset was analyzed using one-way ANOVA (P<0.05) and fed into various ML and DL models, including Support Vector Machines (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN). Traditional statistical methods indicated that aerobic training, with and without cinnamon extract, significantly increased serum irisin and decreased leptin levels. Among the algorithms, the CNN model provided superior performance in identifying specific interactions between cinnamon extract concentration and exercise intensity, optimizing the increase in irisin and the decrease in leptin. The CNN model achieved an accuracy of 92%, outperforming the SVM (85%) and RF (88%) models in predicting the optimal conditions for metabolic marker improvements. The study demonstrated that advanced ML and DL techniques could uncover nuanced relationships and potential cellular responses to exercise and dietary supplements, which is not evident through traditional methods. These findings advocate for the integration of advanced analytical techniques in nutritional science and exercise physiology, paving the way for personalized health interventions in managing obesity and diabetes. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=aerobic%20training" title="aerobic training">aerobic training</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cinnamon%20extract" title=" cinnamon extract"> cinnamon extract</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=insulin%20resistance" title=" insulin resistance"> insulin resistance</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=irisin" title=" irisin"> irisin</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=leptin" title=" leptin"> leptin</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=convolutional%20neural%20networks" title=" convolutional neural networks"> convolutional neural networks</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=exercise%20physiology" title=" exercise physiology"> exercise physiology</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=support%20vector%20machines" title=" support vector machines"> support vector machines</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=random%20forest" title=" random forest"> random forest</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/188569/exploring-the-synergistic-effects-of-aerobic-exercise-and-cinnamon-extract-on-metabolic-markers-in-insulin-resistant-rats-through-advanced-machine-learning-and-deep-learning-techniques" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/188569.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">46</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">31</span> Perovskite Nanocrystals and Quantum Dots: Advancements in Light-Harvesting Capabilities for Photovoltaic Technologies</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Mehrnaz%20Mostafavi">Mehrnaz Mostafavi</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Perovskite nanocrystals and quantum dots have emerged as leaders in the field of photovoltaic technologies, demonstrating exceptional light-harvesting abilities and stability. This study investigates the substantial progress and potential of these nano-sized materials in transforming solar energy conversion. The research delves into the foundational characteristics and production methods of perovskite nanocrystals and quantum dots, elucidating their distinct optical and electronic properties that render them well-suited for photovoltaic applications. Specifically, it examines their outstanding light absorption capabilities, enabling more effective utilization of a wider solar spectrum compared to traditional silicon-based solar cells. Furthermore, this paper explores the improved durability achieved in perovskite nanocrystals and quantum dots, overcoming previous challenges related to degradation and inconsistent performance. Recent advancements in material engineering and techniques for surface passivation have significantly contributed to enhancing the long-term stability of these nanomaterials, making them more commercially feasible for solar cell usage. The study also delves into the advancements in device designs that incorporate perovskite nanocrystals and quantum dots. Innovative strategies, such as tandem solar cells and hybrid structures integrating these nanomaterials with conventional photovoltaic technologies, are discussed. These approaches highlight synergistic effects that boost efficiency and performance. Additionally, this paper addresses ongoing challenges and research endeavors aimed at further improving the efficiency, stability, and scalability of perovskite nanocrystals and quantum dots in photovoltaics. Efforts to mitigate concerns related to material degradation, toxicity, and large-scale production are actively pursued, paving the way for broader commercial application. In conclusion, this paper emphasizes the significant role played by perovskite nanocrystals and quantum dots in advancing photovoltaic technologies. Their exceptional light-harvesting capabilities, combined with increased stability, promise a bright future for next-generation solar cells, ushering in an era of highly efficient and cost-effective solar energy conversion systems. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=perovskite%20nanocrystals" title="perovskite nanocrystals">perovskite nanocrystals</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=quantum%20dots" title=" quantum dots"> quantum dots</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=photovoltaic%20technologies" title=" photovoltaic technologies"> photovoltaic technologies</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=light-harvesting" title=" light-harvesting"> light-harvesting</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=solar%20energy%20conversion" title=" solar energy conversion"> solar energy conversion</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=stability" title=" stability"> stability</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=device%20designs" title=" device designs"> device designs</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/179215/perovskite-nanocrystals-and-quantum-dots-advancements-in-light-harvesting-capabilities-for-photovoltaic-technologies" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/179215.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">107</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">30</span> Utilization of Rice Husk Ash with Clay to Produce Lightweight Coarse Aggregates for Concrete </h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Shegufta%20Zahan">Shegufta Zahan</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Muhammad%20A.%20Zahin"> Muhammad A. Zahin</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Muhammad%20M.%20Hossain"> Muhammad M. Hossain</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Raquib%20Ahsan"> Raquib Ahsan</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Rice Husk Ash (RHA) is one of the agricultural waste byproducts available widely in the world and contains a large amount of silica. In Bangladesh, stones cannot be used as coarse aggregate in infrastructure works as they are not available and need to be imported from abroad. As a result, bricks are mostly used as coarse aggregates in concrete as they are cheaper and easily produced here. Clay is the raw material for producing brick. Due to rapid urban growth and the industrial revolution, demand for brick is increasing, which led to a decrease in the topsoil. This study aims to produce lightweight block aggregates with sufficient strength utilizing RHA at low cost and use them as an ingredient of concrete. RHA, because of its pozzolanic behavior, can be utilized to produce better quality block aggregates at lower cost, replacing clay content in the bricks. The whole study can be divided into three parts. In the first part, characterization tests on RHA and clay were performed to determine their properties. Six different types of RHA from different mills were characterized by XRD and SEM analysis. Their fineness was determined by conducting a fineness test. The result of XRD confirmed the amorphous state of RHA. The characterization test for clay identifies the sample as “silty clay” with a specific gravity of 2.59 and 14% optimum moisture content. In the second part, blocks were produced with six different types of RHA with different combinations by volume with clay. Then mixtures were manually compacted in molds before subjecting them to oven drying at 120 °C for 7 days. After that, dried blocks were placed in a furnace at 1200 °C to produce ultimate blocks. Loss on ignition test, apparent density test, crushing strength test, efflorescence test, and absorption test were conducted on the blocks to compare their performance with the bricks. For 40% of RHA, the crushing strength result was found 60 MPa, where crushing strength for brick was observed 48.1 MPa. In the third part, the crushed blocks were used as coarse aggregate in concrete cylinders and compared them with brick concrete cylinders. Specimens were cured for 7 days and 28 days. The highest compressive strength of block cylinders for 7 days curing was calculated as 26.1 MPa, whereas, for 28 days curing, it was found 34 MPa. On the other hand, for brick cylinders, the value of compressing strength of 7 days and 28 days curing was observed as 20 MPa and 30 MPa, respectively. These research findings can help with the increasing demand for topsoil of the earth, and also turn a waste product into a valuable one. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=characterization" title="characterization">characterization</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=furnace" title=" furnace"> furnace</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=pozzolanic%20behavior" title=" pozzolanic behavior"> pozzolanic behavior</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=rice%20husk%20ash" title=" rice husk ash"> rice husk ash</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/132122/utilization-of-rice-husk-ash-with-clay-to-produce-lightweight-coarse-aggregates-for-concrete" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/132122.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">114</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">29</span> Effects of Stokes Shift and Purcell Enhancement in Fluorescence Assisted Radiative Cooling</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Xue%20Ma">Xue Ma</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Yang%20Fu"> Yang Fu</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Dangyuan%20Lei"> Dangyuan Lei</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Passive daytime radiative cooling is an emerging technology which has attracted worldwide attention in recent years due to its huge potential in cooling buildings without the use of electricity. Various coating materials with different optical properties have been developed to improve the daytime radiative cooling performance. However, commercial cooling coatings comprising functional fillers with optical bandgaps within the solar spectral range suffers from severe intrinsic absorption, limiting their cooling performance. Fortunately, it has recently been demonstrated that introducing fluorescent materials into polymeric coatings can covert the absorbed sunlight to fluorescent emissions and hence increase the effective solar reflectance and cooling performance. In this paper, we experimentally investigate the key factors for fluorescence-assisted radiative cooling with TiO2-based white coatings. The surrounding TiO2 nanoparticles, which enable spatial and temporal light confinement through multiple Mie scattering, lead to Purcell enhancement of phosphors in the coating. Photoluminescence lifetimes of two phosphors (BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+ and (Sr, Ba)SiO4:Eu2+) exhibit significant reduction of ~61% and ~23%, indicating Purcell factors of 2.6 and 1.3, respectively. Moreover, smaller Stokes shifts of the phosphors are preferred to further diminish solar absorption. Field test of fluorescent cooling coatings demonstrate an improvement of ~4% solar reflectance for the BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+-based fluorescent cooling coating. However, to maximize solar reflectance, a white appearance is introduced based on multiple Mie scattering by the broad size distribution of fillers, which is visually pressurized and aesthetically bored. Besides, most colored pigments absorb visible light significantly and convert it to non-radiative thermal energy, offsetting the cooling effect. Therefore, current colored cooling coatings are facing the compromise between color saturation and cooling effect. To solve this problem, we introduced colored fluorescent materials into white coating based on SiO2 microspheres as a top layer, covering a white cooling coating based on TiO2. Compared with the colored pigments, fluorescent materials could re-emit the absorbed light, reducing the solar absorption introduced by coloration. Our work investigated the scattering properties of SiO2 dielectric spheres with different diameters and detailly discussed their impact on the PL properties of phosphors, paving the way for colored fluorescent-assisted cooling coting to application and industrialization. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=solar%20reflection" title="solar reflection">solar reflection</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=infrared%20emissivity" title=" infrared emissivity"> infrared emissivity</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=mie%20scattering" title=" mie scattering"> mie scattering</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=photoluminescent%20emission" title=" photoluminescent emission"> photoluminescent emission</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=radiative%20cooling" title=" radiative cooling"> radiative cooling</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/167284/effects-of-stokes-shift-and-purcell-enhancement-in-fluorescence-assisted-radiative-cooling" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/167284.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">94</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">28</span> Envy and Schadenfreude Domains in a Model of Neurodegeneration</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Hernando%20Santamar%C3%ADa-Garc%C3%ADa">Hernando Santamaría-García</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sandra%20B%C3%A1ez"> Sandra Báez</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Pablo%20Reyes"> Pablo Reyes</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Jos%C3%A9%20Santamar%C3%ADa-Garc%C3%ADa"> José Santamaría-García</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Diana%20Matallana"> Diana Matallana</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Adolfo%20Garc%C3%ADa"> Adolfo García</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Agust%C3%ADn%20Iba%C3%B1ez"> Agustín Ibañez</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The study of moral emotions (i.e., Schadenfreude and envy) is critical to understand the ecological complexity of everyday interactions between cognitive, affective, and social cognition processes. Most previous studies in this area have used correlational imaging techniques and framed Schadenfreude and envy as monolithic domains. Here, we profit from a relevant neurodegeneration model to disentangle the brain regions engaged in three dimensions of Schadenfreude and envy: deservingness, morality, and legality. We tested 20 patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), 24 patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), as a contrastive neurodegeneration model, and 20 healthy controls on a novel task highlighting each of these dimensions in scenarios eliciting Schadenfreude and envy. Compared with the AD and control groups, bvFTD patients obtained significantly higher scores on all dimensions for both emotions. Interestingly, the legal dimension for both envy and Schadenfreude elicited higher emotional scores than the deservingness and moral dimensions. Furthermore, correlational analyses in bvFTD showed that higher envy and Schadenfreude scores were associated with greater deficits in social cognition, inhibitory control, and behavior. Brain anatomy findings (restricted to bvFTD and controls) confirmed differences in how these groups process each dimension. Schadenfreude was associated with the ventral striatum in all subjects. Also, in bvFTD patients, increased Schadenfreude across dimensions was negatively correlated with regions supporting social-value rewards, mentalizing, and social cognition (frontal pole, temporal pole, angular gyrus and precuneus). In all subjects, all dimensions of envy positively correlated with the volume of the anterior cingulate cortex, a region involved in processing unfair social comparisons. By contrast, in bvFTD patients, the intensified experience of envy across all dimensions was negatively correlated with a set of areas subserving social cognition, including the prefrontal cortex, the parahippocampus, and the amygdala. Together, the present results provide the first lesion-based evidence for the multidimensional nature of the emotional experiences of envy and Schadenfreude. Moreover, this is the first demonstration of a selective exacerbation of envy and Schadenfreude in bvFTD patients, probably triggered by atrophy to social cognition networks. Our results offer new insights into the mechanisms subserving complex emotions and moral cognition in neurodegeneration, paving the way for groundbreaking research on their interaction with other cognitive, social, and emotional processes. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=social%20cognition" title="social cognition">social cognition</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=moral%20emotions" title=" moral emotions"> moral emotions</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=neuroimaging" title=" neuroimaging"> neuroimaging</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=frontotemporal%20dementia" title=" frontotemporal dementia"> frontotemporal dementia</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/75106/envy-and-schadenfreude-domains-in-a-model-of-neurodegeneration" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/75106.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">300</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">27</span> Enhancing Large Language Models' Data Analysis Capability with Planning-and-Execution and Code Generation Agents: A Use Case for Southeast Asia Real Estate Market Analytics</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Kien%20Vu">Kien Vu</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Jien%20Min%20Soh"> Jien Min Soh</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Mohamed%20Jahangir%20Abubacker"> Mohamed Jahangir Abubacker</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Piyawut%20Pattamanon"> Piyawut Pattamanon</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Soojin%20Lee"> Soojin Lee</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Suvro%20Banerjee"> Suvro Banerjee</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Recent advances in Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), in particular Large Language Models (LLMs) have shown promise to disrupt multiple industries at scale. However, LLMs also present unique challenges, notably, these so-called "hallucination" which is the generation of outputs that are not grounded in the input data that hinders its adoption into production. Common practice to mitigate hallucination problem is utilizing Retrieval Agmented Generation (RAG) system to ground LLMs'response to ground truth. RAG converts the grounding documents into embeddings, retrieve the relevant parts with vector similarity between user's query and documents, then generates a response that is not only based on its pre-trained knowledge but also on the specific information from the retrieved documents. However, the RAG system is not suitable for tabular data and subsequent data analysis tasks due to multiple reasons such as information loss, data format, and retrieval mechanism. In this study, we have explored a novel methodology that combines planning-and-execution and code generation agents to enhance LLMs' data analysis capabilities. The approach enables LLMs to autonomously dissect a complex analytical task into simpler sub-tasks and requirements, then convert them into executable segments of code. In the final step, it generates the complete response from output of the executed code. When deployed beta version on DataSense, the property insight tool of PropertyGuru, the approach yielded promising results, as it was able to provide market insights and data visualization needs with high accuracy and extensive coverage by abstracting the complexities for real-estate agents and developers from non-programming background. In essence, the methodology not only refines the analytical process but also serves as a strategic tool for real estate professionals, aiding in market understanding and enhancement without the need for programming skills. The implication extends beyond immediate analytics, paving the way for a new era in the real estate industry characterized by efficiency and advanced data utilization. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=large%20language%20model" title="large language model">large language model</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=reasoning" title=" reasoning"> reasoning</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=planning%20and%20execution" title=" planning and execution"> planning and execution</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=code%20generation" title=" code generation"> code generation</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=natural%20language%20processing" title=" natural language processing"> natural language processing</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=prompt%20engineering" title=" prompt engineering"> prompt engineering</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=data%20analysis" title=" data analysis"> data analysis</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=real%20estate" title=" real estate"> real estate</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=data%20sense" title=" data sense"> data sense</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=PropertyGuru" title=" PropertyGuru"> PropertyGuru</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/176529/enhancing-large-language-models-data-analysis-capability-with-planning-and-execution-and-code-generation-agents-a-use-case-for-southeast-asia-real-estate-market-analytics" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/176529.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">97</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">26</span> Urban and Building Information Modeling’s Applications for Environmental Education: Case Study of Educational Campuses</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Samar%20Alarif">Samar Alarif</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Smart sustainable educational campuses are the latest paradigm of innovation in the education domain. Campuses become a hub for sustainable environmental innovations. University has a vital role in paving the road for digital transformations in the infrastructure domain by preparing skilled engineers and specialists. The open digital platform enables smart campuses to simulate real education experience by managing their infrastructure within the curriculums. Moreover, it allows the engagement between governments, businesses, and citizens to push for innovation and sustainable services. Urban and building information modeling platforms have recently attained widespread attention in smart campuses due to their applications and benefits for creating the campus's digital twin in the form of an open digital platform. Qualitative and quantitative strategies were used in directing this research to develop and validate the UIM/BIM platform benefits for smart campuses FM and its impact on the institution's sustainable vision. The research findings are based on literature reviews and case studies of the TU berlin El-Gouna campus. Textual data will be collected using semi-structured interviews with actors, secondary data like BIM course student projects, documents, and publications related to the campus actors. The study results indicated that UIM/BIM has several benefits for the smart campus. Universities can achieve better capacity-building by integrating all the actors in the UIM/BIM process. Universities would achieve their community outreach vision by launching an online outreach of UIM/BIM course for the academic and professional community. The UIM/BIM training courses would integrate students from different disciplines and alumni graduated as well as engineers and planners and technicians. Open platforms enable universities to build a partnership with the industry; companies should be involved in the development of BIM technology courses. The collaboration between academia and the industry would fix the gap, promote the academic courses to reply to the professional requirements, and transfer the industry's academic innovations. In addition to that, the collaboration between academia, industry, government vocational and training centers, and civil society should be promoted by co-creation workshops, a series of seminars, and conferences. These co-creation activities target the capacity buildings and build governmental strategies and policies to support expanding the sustainable innovations and to agree on the expected role of all the stakeholders to support the transformation. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=smart%20city" title="smart city">smart city</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=smart%20educational%20campus" title=" smart educational campus"> smart educational campus</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=UIM" title=" UIM"> UIM</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=urban%20platforms" title=" urban platforms"> urban platforms</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=sustainable%20campus" title=" sustainable campus"> sustainable campus</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/136590/urban-and-building-information-modelings-applications-for-environmental-education-case-study-of-educational-campuses" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/136590.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">127</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">25</span> Investigation of Mass Transfer for RPB Distillation at High Pressure</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Amiza%20Surmi">Amiza Surmi</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Azmi%20Shariff"> Azmi Shariff</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sow%20Mun%20Serene%20Lock"> Sow Mun Serene Lock</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> In recent decades, there has been a significant emphasis on the pivotal role of Rotating Packed Beds (RPBs) in absorption processes, encompassing the removal of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from groundwater, deaeration, CO2 absorption, desulfurization, and similar critical applications. The primary focus is elevating mass transfer rates, enhancing separation efficiency, curbing power consumption, and mitigating pressure drops. Additionally, substantial efforts have been invested in exploring the adaptation of RPB technology for offshore deployment. This comprehensive study delves into the intricacies of nitrogen removal under low temperature and high-pressure conditions, employing the high gravity principle via innovative RPB distillation concept with a specific emphasis on optimizing mass transfer. Based on the author's knowledge and comprehensive research, no cryogenic experimental testing was conducted to remove nitrogen via RPB. The research identifies pivotal process control factors through meticulous experimental testing, with pressure, reflux ratio, and reboil ratio emerging as critical determinants in achieving the desired separation performance. The results are remarkable, with nitrogen removal reaching less than one mole% in the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) product and less than three moles% methane in the nitrogen-rich gas stream. The study further unveils the mass transfer coefficient, revealing a noteworthy trend of decreasing Number of Transfer Units (NTU) and Area of Transfer Units (ATU) as the rotational speed escalates. Notably, the condenser and reboiler impose varying demands based on the operating pressure, with lower pressures at 12 bar requiring a more substantial duty than the 15-bar operation of the RPB. In pursuit of optimal energy efficiency, a meticulous sensitivity analysis is conducted, pinpointing the ideal combination of pressure and rotating speed that minimizes overall energy consumption. These findings underscore the efficiency of the RPB distillation approach in effecting efficient separation, even when operating under the challenging conditions of low temperature and high pressure. This achievement is attributed to a rigorous process control framework that diligently manages the operational pressure and temperature profile of the RPB. Nonetheless, the study's conclusions point towards the need for further research to address potential scaling challenges and associated risks, paving the way for the industrial implementation of this transformative technology. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=mass%20transfer%20coefficient" title="mass transfer coefficient">mass transfer coefficient</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=nitrogen%20removal" title=" nitrogen removal"> nitrogen removal</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=liquefaction" title=" liquefaction"> liquefaction</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=rotating%20packed%20bed" title=" rotating packed bed"> rotating packed bed</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/181407/investigation-of-mass-transfer-for-rpb-distillation-at-high-pressure" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/181407.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">57</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">24</span> Conserving Naubad Karez Cultural Landscape – a Multi-Criteria Approach to Urban Planning</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Valliyil%20Govindankutty">Valliyil Govindankutty</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Human civilizations across the globe stand testimony to water being one of the major interaction points with nature. The interactions with nature especially in drier areas revolve around water, be it harnessing, transporting, usage and management. Many ingenious ideas were born, nurtured and developed for harnessing, transporting, storing and distributing water through the areas in the drier parts of the world. Many methods of water extraction, collection and management could be found throughout the world, some of which are associated with efficient, sustained use of surface water, ground water and rain water. Karez is one such ingenious method of collection, transportation, storage and distribution of ground water. Most of the Karez systems in India were developed during reign of Muslim dynasties with ruling class descending from Persia or having influential connections and inviting expert engineers from there. Karez have strongly influenced the village socio-economic organisations due to multitude of uses they were brought into. These are masterpiece engineering structures to collect groundwater and direct it, through a subsurface gallery with a gradual slope, to surface canals that provide water to settlements and agricultural fields. This ingenious technology, karez was result of need for harnessing groundwater in arid areas like that of Bidar. The study views this traditional technology in historical perspective linked to sustainable utilization and management of groundwater and above all the immediate environment. The karez system is one of the best available demonstration of human ingenuity and adaptability to situations and locations of water scarcity. Bidar, capital of erstwhile Bahmani sultanate with a history of more than 700 years or more is one of the heritage cities of present Karnataka State. The unique water systems of Bidar along with other historic entities have been listed under World Heritage Watch List by World Monument Fund. The Historical or cultural landscape in Bidar is very closely associated to the natural resources of the region, Karez systems being one of the best examples. The Karez systems were the lifeline of Bidar’s historical period providing potable water, fulfilling domestic and irrigation needs, both within and outside the fort enclosures. These systems are still functional, but under great pressure and threat of rapid and unplanned urbanisation. The change in land use and fragmentation of land are already paving way for irreversible modification of the karez cultural and geographic landscape. The Paper discusses the significance of character defining elements of Naubad Karez Landscape, highlights the importance of conserving cultural heritage and presents a geographical approach to its revival. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Karez" title="Karez">Karez</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=groundwater" title=" groundwater"> groundwater</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=traditional%20water%20harvesting" title=" traditional water harvesting"> traditional water harvesting</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cultural%20heritage%20landscape" title=" cultural heritage landscape"> cultural heritage landscape</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=urban%20planning" title=" urban planning"> urban planning</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/31659/conserving-naubad-karez-cultural-landscape-a-multi-criteria-approach-to-urban-planning" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/31659.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">500</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">23</span> Effects of Long-Term Exposure of Cadmium to the Ovary of Lithobius forficatus (Myriapoda, Chilopoda)</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Izabela%20Poprawa">Izabela Poprawa</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Alina%20Chachulska-Zymelka"> Alina Chachulska-Zymelka</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Lukasz%20Chajec"> Lukasz Chajec</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Grazyna%20Wilczek"> Grazyna Wilczek</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Piotr%20Wilczek"> Piotr Wilczek</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sebastian%20Student"> Sebastian Student</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Magdalena%20Rost-Roszkowska"> Magdalena Rost-Roszkowska</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Heavy metals polluting the environment, especially soil, have a harmful effect on organisms, because they can damage the organ structure, disturb their function and cause developmental disorders. They can affect not only the somatic tissues but also the germinal tissues. In the natural environment, plants and animals are exposed to short- and long-term exposure to these stressors, which have a major influence on the functioning of these organisms. Numerous animals have been treated as the bioindicators of the environment. Therefore, studies on any alterations caused by, e.g., heavy metals are in the center of interests of not only environmental but also medical and biological science. Myriapods are invertebrates which are bioindicators of the environment. One of the species which lives in the upper layers of soil, particularly under stones and rocks is Lithobius forficatus (Chilopoda), commonly known as the brown centipede or stone centipede. It is a European species of the family Lithobiidae. This centipede living in the soil is exposed to, e.g., heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, arsenic. The main goal of our project was to analyze the impact of long-term exposure to cadmium on the structure of ovary with the emphasis on the course of oogenesis. As the material for analysis of cadmium exposure to ovaries, we chose the centipede species, L. forficatus. Animals were divided into two experimental groups: C – the control group, the animals cultured in laboratory conditions in a horticultural soil; Cd2 – the animals cultured in a horticultural soil supplemented with 80 mg/kg (dry weight) of CdCl2 for 45 days – long-term exposure. Animals were fed with Acheta and Chironomus larvae maintained in tap water. The analyzes were carried out using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), flow cytometry and laser scanning (confocal) microscopy. Here we present the results of long-term exposure to cadmium concentration in soil on the organ responsible for female germ cell formation. Analysis with the use of the transmission electron microscope showed changes in the ultrastructure of both somatic and germ cells in the ovary. Moreover, quantitative analysis revealed the decrease in the percentage of cells viability, the increase in the percentage of cells with depolarized mitochondria and increasing the number of early apoptotic cells. All these changes were statistically significant compared to the control. Additionally, an increase in the ADP/ATP index was recorded. However, changes were not statistically significant to the control. Acknowledgment: The study has been financed by the National Science Centre, Poland, grant no 2017/25/B/NZ4/00420. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cadmium" title="cadmium">cadmium</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=centipede" title=" centipede"> centipede</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=ovary" title=" ovary"> ovary</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=ultrastructure" title=" ultrastructure"> ultrastructure</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/108240/effects-of-long-term-exposure-of-cadmium-to-the-ovary-of-lithobius-forficatus-myriapoda-chilopoda" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/108240.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">125</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">22</span> Revolutionizing Healthcare Communication: The Transformative Role of Natural Language Processing and Artificial Intelligence</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Halimat%20M.%20Ajose-Adeogun">Halimat M. Ajose-Adeogun</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Zaynab%20A.%20Bello"> Zaynab A. Bello</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) have transformed computer language comprehension, allowing computers to comprehend spoken and written language with human-like cognition. NLP, a multidisciplinary area that combines rule-based linguistics, machine learning, and deep learning, enables computers to analyze and comprehend human language. NLP applications in medicine range from tackling issues in electronic health records (EHR) and psychiatry to improving diagnostic precision in orthopedic surgery and optimizing clinical procedures with novel technologies like chatbots. The technology shows promise in a variety of medical sectors, including quicker access to medical records, faster decision-making for healthcare personnel, diagnosing dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus, boosting radiology report quality, and so on. However, successful adoption requires training for healthcare workers, fostering a deep understanding of NLP components, and highlighting the significance of validation before actual application. Despite prevailing challenges, continuous multidisciplinary research and collaboration are critical for overcoming restrictions and paving the way for the revolutionary integration of NLP into medical practice. This integration has the potential to improve patient care, research outcomes, and administrative efficiency. The research methodology includes using NLP techniques for Sentiment Analysis and Emotion Recognition, such as evaluating text or audio data to determine the sentiment and emotional nuances communicated by users, which is essential for designing a responsive and sympathetic chatbot. Furthermore, the project includes the adoption of a Personalized Intervention strategy, in which chatbots are designed to personalize responses by merging NLP algorithms with specific user profiles, treatment history, and emotional states. The synergy between NLP and personalized medicine principles is critical for tailoring chatbot interactions to each user's demands and conditions, hence increasing the efficacy of mental health care. A detailed survey corroborated this synergy, revealing a remarkable 20% increase in patient satisfaction levels and a 30% reduction in workloads for healthcare practitioners. The poll, which focused on health outcomes and was administered to both patients and healthcare professionals, highlights the improved efficiency and favorable influence on the broader healthcare ecosystem. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=natural%20language%20processing" title="natural language processing">natural language processing</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=artificial%20intelligence" title=" artificial intelligence"> artificial intelligence</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=healthcare%20communication" title=" healthcare communication"> healthcare communication</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=electronic%20health%20records" title=" electronic health records"> electronic health records</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=patient%20care" title=" patient care"> patient care</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/178940/revolutionizing-healthcare-communication-the-transformative-role-of-natural-language-processing-and-artificial-intelligence" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/178940.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">81</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">21</span> Applicability of Polyisobutylene-Based Polyurethane Structures in Biomedical Disciplines: Some Calcification and Protein Adsorption Studies</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Nihan%20Nugay">Nihan Nugay</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Nur%20Cicek%20Kekec"> Nur Cicek Kekec</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Kalman%20Toth"> Kalman Toth</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Turgut%20%20Nugay"> Turgut Nugay</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Joseph%20P.%20Kennedy"> Joseph P. Kennedy</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> In recent years, polyurethane structures are paving the way for elastomer usage in biology, human medicine, and biomedical application areas. Polyurethanes having a combination of high oxidative and hydrolytic stability and excellent mechanical properties are focused due to enhancing the usage of PUs especially for implantable medical device application such as cardiac-assist. Currently, unique polyurethanes consisting of polyisobutylenes as soft segments and conventional hard segments, named as PIB-based PUs, are developed with precise NCO/OH stoichiometry (∽1.05) for obtaining PIB-based PUs with enhanced properties (i.e., tensile stress increased from ∽11 to ∽26 MPa and elongation from ∽350 to ∽500%). Static and dynamic mechanical properties were optimized by examining stress-strain graphs, self-organization and crystallinity (XRD) traces, rheological (DMA, creep) profiles and thermal (TGA, DSC) responses. Annealing procedure was applied for PIB-based PUs. Annealed PIB-based PU shows ∽26 MPa tensile strength, ∽500% elongation, and ∽77 Microshore hardness with excellent hydrolytic and oxidative stability. The surface characters of them were examined with AFM and contact angle measurements. Annealed PIB-based PU exhibits the higher segregation of individual segments and surface hydrophobicity thus annealing significantly enhances hydrolytic and oxidative stability by shielding carbamate bonds by inert PIB chains. According to improved surface and microstructure characters, greater efforts are focused on analyzing protein adsorption and calcification profiles. In biomedical applications especially for cardiological implantations, protein adsorption inclination on polymeric heart valves is undesirable hence protein adsorption from blood serum is followed by platelet adhesion and subsequent thrombus formation. The protein adsorption character of PIB-based PU examines by applying Bradford assay in fibrinogen and bovine serum albumin solutions. Like protein adsorption, calcium deposition on heart valves is very harmful because vascular calcification has been proposed activation of osteogenic mechanism in the vascular wall, loss of inhibitory factors, enhance bone turnover and irregularities in mineral metabolism. The calcium deposition on films are characterized by incubating samples in simulated body fluid solution and examining SEM images and XPS profiles. PIB-based PUs are significantly more resistant to hydrolytic-oxidative degradation, protein adsorption and calcium deposition than ElastEonTM E2A, a commercially available PDMS-based PU, widely used for biomedical applications. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=biomedical%20application" title="biomedical application">biomedical application</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=calcification" title=" calcification"> calcification</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=polyisobutylene" title=" polyisobutylene"> polyisobutylene</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=polyurethane" title=" polyurethane"> polyurethane</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=protein%20adsorption" title=" protein adsorption"> protein adsorption</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/78302/applicability-of-polyisobutylene-based-polyurethane-structures-in-biomedical-disciplines-some-calcification-and-protein-adsorption-studies" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/78302.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">262</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">20</span> Modification of Unsaturated Fatty Acids Derived from Tall Oil Using Micro/Mesoporous Materials Based on H-ZSM-22 Zeolite</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Xinyu%20Wei">Xinyu Wei</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Mingming%20Peng"> Mingming Peng</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Kenji%20Kamiya"> Kenji Kamiya</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Eika%20Qian"> Eika Qian</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Iso-stearic acid as a saturated fatty acid with a branched chain shows a low pour point, high oxidative stability and great biodegradability. The industrial production of iso-stearic acid involves first isomerizing unsaturated fatty acids into branched-chain unsaturated fatty acids (BUFAs), followed by hydrogenating the branched-chain unsaturated fatty acids to obtain iso-stearic acid. However, the production yield of iso-stearic acid is reportedly less than 30%. In recent decades, extensive research has been conducted on branched fatty acids. Most research has replaced acidic clays with zeolites due to their high selectivity, good thermal stability, and renewability. It was reported that isomerization of unsaturated fatty acid occurred mainly inside the zeolite channel. In contrast, the production of by-products like dimer acid mainly occurs at acid sites outside the surface of zeolite. Further, the deactivation of catalysts is attributed to the pore blockage of zeolite. In the present study, micro/mesoporous ZSM-22 zeolites were developed. It is clear that the synthesis of a micro/mesoporous ZSM-22 zeolite is regarded as the ideal strategy owing to its ability to minimize coke formation. Different mesoporosities micro/mesoporous H-ZSM-22 zeolites were prepared through recrystallization of ZSM-22 using sodium hydroxide solution (0.2-1M) with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide template (CTAB). The structure, morphology, porosity, acidity, and isomerization performance of the prepared catalysts were characterized and evaluated. The dissolution and recrystallization process of the H-ZSM-22 microporous zeolite led to the formation of approximately 4 nm-sized mesoporous channels on the outer surface of the microporous zeolite, resulting in a micro/mesoporous material. This process increased the weak Brønsted acid sites at the pore mouth while reducing the total number of acid sites in ZSM-22. Finally, an activity test was conducted using oleic acid as a model compound in a fixed-bed reactor. The activity test results revealed that micro/mesoporous H-ZSM-22 zeolites exhibited a high isomerization activity, reaching >70% selectivity and >50% yield of BUFAs. Furthermore, the yield of oligomers was limited to less than 20%. This demonstrates that the presence of mesopores in ZSM-22 enhances contact between the feedstock and the active sites within the catalyst, thereby increasing catalyst activity. Additionally, a portion of the dissolved and recrystallized silica adhered to the catalyst's surface, covering the surface-active sites, which reduced the formation of oligomers. This study offers distinct insights into the production of iso-stearic acid using a fixed-bed reactor, paving the way for future research in this area. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Iso-stearic%20acid" title="Iso-stearic acid">Iso-stearic acid</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=oleic%20acid" title=" oleic acid"> oleic acid</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=skeletal%20isomerization" title=" skeletal isomerization"> skeletal isomerization</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=micro%2Fmesoporous" title=" micro/mesoporous"> micro/mesoporous</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=ZSM-22" title=" ZSM-22"> ZSM-22</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/190252/modification-of-unsaturated-fatty-acids-derived-from-tall-oil-using-micromesoporous-materials-based-on-h-zsm-22-zeolite" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/190252.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">30</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">19</span> Study of the Impact of Quality Management System on Chinese Baby Dairy Product Industries</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Qingxin%20Chen">Qingxin Chen</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Liben%20Jiang"> Liben Jiang</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Andrew%20Smith"> Andrew Smith</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Karim%20Hadjri"> Karim Hadjri</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Since 2007, the Chinese food industry has undergone serious food contamination in the baby dairy industry, especially milk powder contamination. One of the milk powder products was found to contain melamine and a significant number (294,000) of babies were affected by kidney stones. Due to growing concerns among consumers about food safety and protection, and high pressure from central government, companies must take radical action to ensure food quality protection through the use of an appropriate quality management system. Previously, though researchers have investigated the health and safety aspects of food industries and products, quality issues concerning food products in China have been largely over-looked. Issues associated with baby dairy products and their quality issues have not been discussed in depth. This paper investigates the impact of quality management systems on the Chinese baby dairy product industry. A literature review was carried out to analyse the use of quality management systems within the Chinese milk power market. Moreover, quality concepts, relevant standards, laws, regulations and special issues (such as Melamine, Flavacin M1 contamination) have been analysed in detail. A qualitative research approach is employed, whereby preliminary analysis was conducted by interview, and data analysis based on interview responses from four selected Chinese baby dairy product companies was carried out. Through the analysis of literature review and data findings, it has been revealed that for quality management system that has been designed by many practitioners, many theories, models, conceptualisation, and systems are present. These standards and procedures should be followed in order to provide quality products to consumers, but the implementation is lacking in the Chinese baby dairy industry. Quality management systems have been applied by the selected companies but the implementation still needs improvement. For instance, the companies have to take measures to improve their processes and procedures with relevant standards. The government need to make more interventions and take a greater supervisory role in the production process. In general, this research presents implications for the regulatory bodies, Chinese Government and dairy food companies. There are food safety laws prevalent in China but they have not been widely practiced by companies. Regulatory bodies must take a greater role in ensuring compliance with laws and regulations. The Chinese government must also play a special role in urging companies to implement relevant quality control processes. The baby dairy companies not only have to accept the interventions from the regulatory bodies and government, they also need to ensure that production, storage, distribution and other processes will follow the relevant rules and standards. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=baby%20dairy%20product" title="baby dairy product">baby dairy product</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=food%20quality" title=" food quality"> food quality</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=milk%20powder%20contamination" title=" milk powder contamination"> milk powder contamination</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=quality%20management%20system" title=" quality management system"> quality management system</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/26078/study-of-the-impact-of-quality-management-system-on-chinese-baby-dairy-product-industries" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/26078.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">475</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">18</span> Machine learning Assisted Selective Emitter design for Solar Thermophotovoltaic System</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ambali%20Alade%20Odebowale">Ambali Alade Odebowale</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Andargachew%20Mekonnen%20Berhe"> Andargachew Mekonnen Berhe</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Haroldo%20T.%20Hattori"> Haroldo T. Hattori</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Andrey%20E.%20Miroshnichenko"> Andrey E. Miroshnichenko</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Solar thermophotovoltaic systems (STPV) have emerged as a promising solution to overcome the Shockley-Queisser limit, a significant impediment in the direct conversion of solar radiation into electricity using conventional solar cells. The STPV system comprises essential components such as an optical concentrator, selective emitter, and a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cell. The pivotal element in achieving high efficiency in an STPV system lies in the design of a spectrally selective emitter or absorber. Traditional methods for designing and optimizing selective emitters are often time-consuming and may not yield highly selective emitters, posing a challenge to the overall system performance. In recent years, the application of machine learning techniques in various scientific disciplines has demonstrated significant advantages. This paper proposes a novel nanostructure composed of four-layered materials (SiC/W/SiO2/W) to function as a selective emitter in the energy conversion process of an STPV system. Unlike conventional approaches widely adopted by researchers, this study employs a machine learning-based approach for the design and optimization of the selective emitter. Specifically, a random forest algorithm (RFA) is employed for the design of the selective emitter, while the optimization process is executed using genetic algorithms. This innovative methodology holds promise in addressing the challenges posed by traditional methods, offering a more efficient and streamlined approach to selective emitter design. The utilization of a machine learning approach brings several advantages to the design and optimization of a selective emitter within the STPV system. Machine learning algorithms, such as the random forest algorithm, have the capability to analyze complex datasets and identify intricate patterns that may not be apparent through traditional methods. This allows for a more comprehensive exploration of the design space, potentially leading to highly efficient emitter configurations. Moreover, the application of genetic algorithms in the optimization process enhances the adaptability and efficiency of the overall system. Genetic algorithms mimic the principles of natural selection, enabling the exploration of a diverse range of emitter configurations and facilitating the identification of optimal solutions. This not only accelerates the design and optimization process but also increases the likelihood of discovering configurations that exhibit superior performance compared to traditional methods. In conclusion, the integration of machine learning techniques in the design and optimization of a selective emitter for solar thermophotovoltaic systems represents a groundbreaking approach. This innovative methodology not only addresses the limitations of traditional methods but also holds the potential to significantly improve the overall performance of STPV systems, paving the way for enhanced solar energy conversion efficiency. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=emitter" title="emitter">emitter</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=genetic%20algorithm" title=" genetic algorithm"> genetic algorithm</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=radiation" title=" radiation"> radiation</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=random%20forest" title=" random forest"> random forest</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=thermophotovoltaic" title=" thermophotovoltaic"> thermophotovoltaic</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/182873/machine-learning-assisted-selective-emitter-design-for-solar-thermophotovoltaic-system" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/182873.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">67</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">17</span> Municipal Action Against Urbanisation-Induced Warming: Case Studies from Jordan, Zambia, and Germany</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Muna%20Shalan">Muna Shalan</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Climate change is a systemic challenge for cities, with its impacts not happening in isolation but rather intertwined, thus increasing hazards and the vulnerability of the exposed population. The increase in the frequency and intensity of heat waves, for example, is associated with multiple repercussions on the quality of life of city inhabitants, including health discomfort, a rise in mortality and morbidity, increasing energy demand for cooling, and shrinking of green areas due to drought. To address the multi-faceted impact of urbanisation-induced warming, municipalities and local governments are challenged with devising strategies and implementing effective response measures. Municipalities are recognising the importance of guiding urban concepts to drive climate action in the urban environment. An example is climate proofing, which refers to a process of mainstreaming climate change into development strategies and programs, i.e., urban planning is viewed through a climate change lens. There is a multitude of interconnected aspects that are critical to paving the path toward climate-proofing of urban areas and avoiding poor planning of layouts and spatial arrangements. Navigating these aspects through an analysis of the overarching practices governing municipal planning processes, which is the focus of this research, will highlight entry points to improve procedures, methods, and data availability for optimising planning processes and municipal actions. By employing a case study approach, the research investigates how municipalities in different contexts, namely in the city of Sahab in Jordan, Chililabombwe in Zambia, and the city of Dortmund in Germany, are integrating guiding urban concepts to shrink the deficit in adaptation and mitigation and achieve climate proofing goals in their respective local contexts. The analysis revealed municipal strategies and measures undertaken to optimize existing building and urban design regulations by introducing key performance indicators and improving in-house capacity. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that establishing or optimising interdepartmental communication frameworks or platforms is key to strengthening the steering structures governing local climate action. The most common challenge faced by municipalities is related to their role as a regulator and implementers, particularly in budget analysis and instruments for cost recovery of climate action measures. By leading organisational changes related to improving procedures and methods, municipalities can mitigate the various challenges that may emanate from uncoordinated planning and thus promote action against urbanisation-induced warming. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=urbanisation-induced%20warming" title="urbanisation-induced warming">urbanisation-induced warming</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=response%20measures" title=" response measures"> response measures</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=municipal%20planning%20processes" title=" municipal planning processes"> municipal planning processes</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=key%20performance%20indicators" title=" key performance indicators"> key performance indicators</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=interdepartmental%20communication%20frameworks" title=" interdepartmental communication frameworks"> interdepartmental communication frameworks</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cost%20recovery" title=" cost recovery"> cost recovery</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/162232/municipal-action-against-urbanisation-induced-warming-case-studies-from-jordan-zambia-and-germany" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/162232.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">77</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">16</span> Preparation of Activated Carbon From Waste Feedstock: Activation Variables Optimization and Influence</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Oluwagbemi%20Victor%20Aladeokin">Oluwagbemi Victor Aladeokin</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> In the last decade, the global peanut cultivation has seen increased demand, which is attributed to their health benefits, rising to ~ 41.4 MMT in 2019/2020. Peanut and other nutshells are considered as waste in various parts of the world and are usually used for their fuel value. However, this agricultural by-product can be converted to a higher value product such as activated carbon. For many years, due to the highly porous structure of activated carbon, it has been widely and effectively used as an adsorbent in the purification and separation of gases and liquids. Those used for commercial purposes are primarily made from a range of precursors such as wood, coconut shell, coal, bones, etc. However, due to difficulty in regeneration and high cost, various agricultural residues such as rice husk, corn stalks, apricot stones, almond shells, coffee beans, etc, have been explored to produce activated carbons. In the present study, the potential of peanut shells as precursors in the production of activated carbon and their adsorption capacity is investigated. Usually, precursors used to produce activated carbon have carbon content above 45 %. A typical raw peanut shell has 42 wt.% carbon content. To increase the yield, this study has employed chemical activation method using zinc chloride. Zinc chloride is well known for its effectiveness in increasing porosity of porous carbonaceous materials. In chemical activation, activation temperature and impregnation ratio are parameters commonly reported to be the most significant, however, this study has also studied the influence of activation time on the development of activated carbon from peanut shells. Activated carbons are applied for different purposes, however, as the application of activated carbon becomes more specific, an understanding of the influence of activation variables to have a better control of the quality of the final product becomes paramount. A traditional approach to experimentally investigate the influence of the activation parameters, involves varying each parameter at a time. However, a more efficient way to reduce the number of experimental runs is to apply design of experiment. One of the objectives of this study is to optimize the activation variables. Thus, this work has employed response surface methodology of design of experiment to study the interactions between the activation parameters and consequently optimize the activation parameters (temperature, impregnation ratio, and activation time). The optimum activation conditions found were 485 °C, 15 min and 1.7, temperature, activation time, and impregnation ratio respectively. The optimum conditions resulted in an activated carbon with relatively high surface area ca. 1700 m2/g, 47 % yield, relatively high density, low ash, and high fixed carbon content. Impregnation ratio and temperature were found to mostly influence the final characteristics of the produced activated carbon from peanut shells. The results of this study, using response surface methodology technique, have revealed the potential and the most significant parameters that influence the chemical activation process, of peanut shells to produce activated carbon which can find its use in both liquid and gas phase adsorption applications. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=chemical%20activation" title="chemical activation">chemical activation</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=fixed%20carbon" title=" fixed carbon"> fixed carbon</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=impregnation%20ratio" title=" impregnation ratio"> impregnation ratio</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=optimum" title=" optimum"> optimum</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=surface%20area" title=" surface area"> surface area</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/151551/preparation-of-activated-carbon-from-waste-feedstock-activation-variables-optimization-and-influence" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/151551.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">154</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">15</span> Developing a Product Circularity Index with an Emphasis on Longevity, Repairability, and Material Efficiency</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Lina%20Psarra">Lina Psarra</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Manogj%20Sundaresan"> Manogj Sundaresan</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Purjeet%20Sutar"> Purjeet Sutar</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> In response to the global imperative for sustainable solutions, this article proposes the development of a comprehensive circularity index applicable to a wide range of products across various industries. The absence of a consensus on using a universal metric to assess circularity performance presents a significant challenge in prioritizing and effectively managing sustainable initiatives. This circularity index serves as a quantitative measure to evaluate the adherence of products, processes, and systems to the principles of a circular economy. Unlike traditional distinct metrics such as recycling rates or material efficiency, this index considers the entire lifecycle of a product in one single metric, also incorporating additional factors such as reusability, scarcity of materials, reparability, and recyclability. Through a systematic approach and by reviewing existing metrics and past methodologies, this work aims to address this gap by formulating a circularity index that can be applied to diverse product portfolio and assist in comparing the circularity of products on a scale of 0%-100%. Project objectives include developing a formula, designing and implementing a pilot tool based on the developed Product Circularity Index (PCI), evaluating the effectiveness of the formula and tool using real product data, and assessing the feasibility of integration into various sustainability initiatives. The research methodology involves an iterative process of comprehensive research, analysis, and refinement where key steps include defining circularity parameters, collecting relevant product data, applying the developed formula, and testing the tool in a pilot phase to gather insights and make necessary adjustments. Major findings of the study indicate that the PCI provides a robust framework for evaluating product circularity across various dimensions. The Excel-based pilot tool demonstrated high accuracy and reliability in measuring circularity, and the database proved instrumental in supporting comprehensive assessments. The PCI facilitated the identification of key areas for improvement, enabling more informed decision-making towards circularity and benchmarking across different products, essentially assisting towards better resource management. In conclusion, the development of the Product Circularity Index represents a significant advancement in global sustainability efforts. By providing a standardized metric, the PCI empowers companies and stakeholders to systematically assess product circularity, track progress, identify improvement areas, and make informed decisions about resource management. This project contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable development by offering a practical approach to enhance circularity within industrial systems, thus paving the way towards a more resilient and sustainable future. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=circular%20economy" title="circular economy">circular economy</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=circular%20metrics" title=" circular metrics"> circular metrics</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=circularity%20assessment" title=" circularity assessment"> circularity assessment</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=circularity%20tool" title=" circularity tool"> circularity tool</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=sustainable%20product%20design" title=" sustainable product design"> sustainable product design</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=product%20circularity%20index" title=" product circularity index"> product circularity index</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/188350/developing-a-product-circularity-index-with-an-emphasis-on-longevity-repairability-and-material-efficiency" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/188350.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">38</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">14</span> Enhancing Precision in Abdominal External Beam Radiation Therapy: Exhale Breath Hold Technique for Respiratory Motion Management</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Stephanie%20P.%20Nigro">Stephanie P. Nigro</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The Exhale Breath Hold (EBH) technique presents a promising approach to enhance the precision and efficacy of External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) for abdominal tumours, which include liver, pancreas, kidney, and adrenal glands. These tumours are challenging to treat due to their proximity to organs at risk (OARs) and the significant motion induced by respiration and physiological variations, such as stomach filling. Respiratory motion can cause up to 40mm of displacement in abdominal organs, complicating accurate targeting. While current practices like limiting fasting help reduce motion related to digestive processes, they do not address respiratory motion. 4DCT scans are used to assess this motion, but they require extensive workflow time and expose patients to higher doses of radiation. The EBH technique, which involves holding the breath in an exhale with no air in the lungs, stabilizes internal organ motion, thereby reducing respiratory-induced motion. The primary benefit of EBH is the reduction in treatment volume sizes, specifically the Internal Target Volume (ITV) and Planning Target Volume (PTV), as demonstrated by smaller ITVs when gated in EBH. This reduction also improves the quality of 3D Cone Beam CT (CBCT) images by minimizing respiratory artifacts, facilitating soft tissue matching akin to stereotactic treatments. Patients suitable for EBH must meet criteria including the ability to hold their breath for at least 15 seconds and maintain a consistent breathing pattern. For those who do not qualify, the traditional 4DCT protocol will be used. The implementation involves an EBH planning scan and additional short EBH scans to ensure reproducibility and assist in contouring and volume expansions, with a Free Breathing (FB) scan used for setup purposes. Treatment planning on EBH scans leads to smaller PTVs, though intrafractional and interfractional breath hold variations must be accounted for in margins. The treatment decision process includes performing CBCT in EBH intervals, with careful matching and adjustment based on soft tissue and fiducial markers. Initial studies at two sites will evaluate the necessity of multiple CBCTs, assessing shifts and the benefits of initial versus mid-treatment CBCT. Considerations for successful implementation include thorough patient coaching, staff training, and verification of breath holds, despite potential disadvantages such as longer treatment times and patient exhaustion. Overall, the EBH technique offers significant improvements in the accuracy and quality of abdominal EBRT, paving the way for more effective and safer treatments for patients. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=abdominal%20cancers" title="abdominal cancers">abdominal cancers</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=exhale%20breath%20hold" title=" exhale breath hold"> exhale breath hold</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=radiation%20therapy" title=" radiation therapy"> radiation therapy</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=respiratory%20motion" title=" respiratory motion"> respiratory motion</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/188332/enhancing-precision-in-abdominal-external-beam-radiation-therapy-exhale-breath-hold-technique-for-respiratory-motion-management" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/188332.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">37</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">13</span> Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals of Botswana: Progressive Steps by the Botswana Court of Appeal towards Recognition and Advancement of Fundamental Human Rights of the Most Vulnerable within Society</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Tashwill%20Esterhuizen">Tashwill Esterhuizen</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Throughout Africa, several countries continue to have laws which criminalise same-sex sexual activities, which increases the vulnerability of the LGBT community to stigma, discrimination, and persecution. These criminal provisions often form the basis upon which states deny LGBT activists the right to freely associate with other like-minded individuals and form organizations that protect their interests and advocate for the rights and aspirations of the LGBT community. Over the past year, however, there has been significant progress in the advancement of universal, fundamental rights of LGBT persons throughout Africa. In many instances, these advancements came about through the bravery of activists who have publically insisted (in environments where same-sex sexual practices are criminalised) that their rights should be respected. Where meaningful engagement with the State was fruitless, activists took their plight to the judiciary and have successfully sought to uphold the fundamental rights of LGBT persons, paving the way for a more inclusive and tolerant society. Litigation Progress: Botswana is a prime example. For several years, the State denied a group of LGBT activists their right to freely associate and form their organisation Lesbians, Gays, and Bisexuals of Botswana (LEGABIBO), which aimed to promote the interests of the LGBT community in Botswana. In March 2016, the Botswana Court of Appeal found that the government’s refusal to register LEGABIBO violated the activists’ right to associate freely. The Court held that the right freedom of association applies to all persons regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It does not matter that the views of the organisation are unpopular or unacceptable amongst the majority. In particular, the Court rejected the government of Botswana’s contention that registering LEGABIBO would disturb public peace and is contrary to public morality. Quite remarkably, the Court of Appeal recognised that while LGBT individuals are a minority group within the country, they are nonetheless persons entitled to constitutional protections of their dignity, regardless of whether they are unacceptable to others on religious or any other grounds. Furthermore, the Court held that human rights and fundamental freedoms are granted to all, including criminals or social outcasts because the denial of an individual’s humanity is the denial of their human dignity. This is crucial observation by the Court of Appeal, as once it is accepted that human rights apply to all human beings, then it becomes much easier for vulnerable groups to assert their own rights. Conclusion: The Botswana Court of Appeal decision, therefore, represents significant progress in the promotion of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. The judgment has broader implications for many other countries which do not provide recognition of sexual minorities. It highlights the State’s duty to uphold basic rights and to ensure dignity, tolerance, and acceptance for marginalised persons. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=acceptance" title="acceptance">acceptance</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=freedom%20of%20association" title=" freedom of association"> freedom of association</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=freedom%20of%20expression" title=" freedom of expression"> freedom of expression</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=fundamental%20rights%20and%20freedoms" title=" fundamental rights and freedoms"> fundamental rights and freedoms</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=gender%20identity" title=" gender identity"> gender identity</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=human%20rights%20are%20universal" title=" human rights are universal"> human rights are universal</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=inclusive" title=" inclusive"> inclusive</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=inherent%20human%20dignity" title=" inherent human dignity"> inherent human dignity</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=progress" title=" progress"> progress</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=sexual%20orientation" title=" sexual orientation"> sexual orientation</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=tolerance" title=" tolerance"> tolerance</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/73636/lesbians-gays-and-bisexuals-of-botswana-progressive-steps-by-the-botswana-court-of-appeal-towards-recognition-and-advancement-of-fundamental-human-rights-of-the-most-vulnerable-within-society" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/73636.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">237</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">12</span> Implementation of a Culturally Responsive Home Visiting Framework in Head Start Teacher Professional Development</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Meilan%20Jin">Meilan Jin</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Mary%20Jane%20Moran"> Mary Jane Moran</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> This study aims to introduce the framework of culturally responsive home visiting (CRHV) to head start teacher professional sessions in the Southeastern of the US and investigate its influence on the evolving beliefs of teachers about their roles and relationships with families in-home visits. The framework orients teachers to an effective way of taking on the role of learner to listen for spoken and unspoken needs and look for family strengths. In addition, it challenges the deficit model that is grounded on 'cultural deprivation,' and it stresses the value of family cultures and advocates equal, collaborative parent-teacher relationships. The home visit reflection papers and focus group transcriptions of eight teachers have been collected since 2010 throughout a five-year longitudinal collaboration with them. Reflection papers were written by the teachers before and after introducing the CRHV framework, including the details of visit purposes and actions and their plans for later home visits. Particularly, the CRHV framework guided the teachers to listen and look for information about family-living environments; parent-child interactions; child-rearing practices; and parental beliefs, values, and needs. Two focus groups were organized in 2014 by asking the teachers to read their written reflection papers and then discussing their shared beliefs and experiences of home visits in recent years. The average length of the discussions was one hour, and the discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Moreover, the data were analyzed using constant comparative analysis, and the analysis was verified through (a) the uses of multiple data sources, (b) the involvement of multiple researchers, (c) coding checks, and (d) the provisions of the thick descriptions of the findings. The study findings corroborate that the teachers become to reposition themselves as 'knowledge seekers' through reorienting their cynosure toward 'setting stones' to learn, grow, and change rather than framing their home visits. The teachers also continually engage in careful listening, observing, questioning, and dialoguing, and these actions reflect their care toward parents. The value of teamwork with parents is advocated, and the teachers recognize that when parents feel empowered, they are active and committed to doing more for their children, which can further advantage proactive long-term parent-teacher collaborations. The study findings also validate that the framework is influential for educators to provide the experiences of home visiting that is culturally responsive and to share collaborative relationships with caregivers. The long-term impact of the framework further implies that teachers continue to put themselves in the position of evolving, including beliefs and actions, to better work with children and families who are culturally, ethnically, and linguistically different from them. This framework can be applicable to educators and professionals who are looking for avenues to bridge the relationship between home and school and parents and teachers. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=culturally%20responsive%20home%20visit" title="culturally responsive home visit">culturally responsive home visit</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=early%20childhood%20education" title=" early childhood education"> early childhood education</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=parent%E2%80%93teacher%20collaboration" title=" parent–teacher collaboration"> parent–teacher collaboration</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=teacher%20professional%20development" title=" teacher professional development"> teacher professional development</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/120458/implementation-of-a-culturally-responsive-home-visiting-framework-in-head-start-teacher-professional-development" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/120458.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">100</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">11</span> Changes of Mitochondrial Potential in the Midgut Epithelium of Lithobius forficatus (Myriapoda, Chilopoda) Exposed to Cadmium Concentrated in Soil</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Magdalena%20Rost-Roszkowska">Magdalena Rost-Roszkowska</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Izabela%20Poprawa"> Izabela Poprawa</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Alina%20Chachulska-Zymelka"> Alina Chachulska-Zymelka</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Lukasz%20Chajec"> Lukasz Chajec</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Grazyna%20Wilczek"> Grazyna Wilczek</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Piotr%20Wilczek"> Piotr Wilczek</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Malgorzata%20Lesniewska"> Malgorzata Lesniewska</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Lithobius forficatus, commonly known as the brown centipede, is a widespread European species, which lives in the upper layers of soil, under stones, litter, rocks, and leaves. As the soil organism, it is exposed to numerous stressors such as xenobiotics, including heavy metals, temperature, starvation, pathogens, etc. Heavy metals are treated as the environmental pollutants of the soil because of their toxic effects on plants, animals and human being. One of the heavy metals which is xenobiotic and can be taken up by plants or animals from the soil is cadmium. The digestive system of centipedes is composed of three distinct regions: fore-, mid- and hindgut. The salivary glands of centipedes are the organs which belong to the anterior region of the digestive system and take part in the synthesis, accumulation, and secretion of many substances. The middle region having contact with the food masses is treated as one of the barriers which protect the organism against any stressors which originate from the external environment, e.g., toxic metals. As the material for our studies, we chose two organs of the digestive system in brown centipede, the organs which take part in homeostasis maintenance: the salivary glands and the midgut. The main purpose of the project was to investigate the relationship between the percentage of depolarized mitochondria, mitophagy and ATP level in cells of mentioned above organs. The animals were divided into experimental groups: K – the control group, the animals cultured in a laboratory conditions in a horticultural soil and fed with Acheta domesticus larvae; Cd1 – the animals cultured in a horticultural soil supplemented with 80 mg/kg (dry weight) of CdCl2, fed with A. domesticus larvae maintained in tap water, 12 days – short-term exposure; Cd2 – the animals cultured in a horticultural soil supplemented with 80 mg/kg (dry weight) of CdCl2, fed with A. domesticus larvae maintained in tap water, 45 days – long-term exposure. The studies were conducted using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Quantitative analysis revealed that regardless of the organ, a progressive increase in the percentage of cells with depolarized mitochondria was registered, but only in the salivary glands. These were statistically significant changes from the control. In both organs, there were no differences in the level of the analyzed parameter depending on the duration of exposure of individuals to cadmium. Changes in the ultrastructure of mitochondria have been observed. With the extension of the body's exposure time to metal, an increase in the ADP/ATP index was recorded. However, changes statistically significant to the control were demonstrated in the intestine and salivary glands. The size of this intestinal index and salivary glands in the Cd2 group was about thirty and twenty times higher, respectively than in control. Acknowledgment: The study has been financed by the National Science Centre, Poland, grant no 2017/25/B/NZ4/00420. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cadmium" title="cadmium">cadmium</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=digestive%20system" title=" digestive system"> digestive system</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=ultrastructure" title=" ultrastructure"> ultrastructure</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=centipede" title=" centipede"> centipede</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/107844/changes-of-mitochondrial-potential-in-the-midgut-epithelium-of-lithobius-forficatus-myriapoda-chilopoda-exposed-to-cadmium-concentrated-in-soil" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/107844.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">146</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">10</span> Soybean Lecithin Based Reverse Micellar Extraction of Pectinase from Synthetic Solution</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sivananth%20Murugesan">Sivananth Murugesan</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=I.%20Regupathi"> I. Regupathi</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=B.%20Vishwas%20Prabhu"> B. Vishwas Prabhu</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ankit%20Devatwal"> Ankit Devatwal</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Vishnu%20Sivan%20Pillai"> Vishnu Sivan Pillai</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Pectinase is an important enzyme which has a wide range of applications including textile processing and bioscouring of cotton fibers, coffee and tea fermentation, purification of plant viruses, oil extraction etc. Selective separation and purification of pectinase from fermentation broth and recover the enzyme form process stream for reuse are cost consuming process in most of the enzyme based industries. It is difficult to identify a suitable medium to enhance enzyme activity and retain its enzyme characteristics during such processes. The cost effective, selective separation of enzymes through the modified Liquid-liquid extraction is of current research interest worldwide. Reverse micellar extraction, globally acclaimed Liquid-liquid extraction technique is well known for its separation and purification of solutes from the feed which offers higher solute specificity and partitioning, ease of operation and recycling of extractants used. Surfactant concentrations above critical micelle concentration to an apolar solvent form micelles and addition of micellar phase to water in turn forms reverse micelles or water-in-oil emulsions. Since, electrostatic interaction plays a major role in the separation/purification of solutes using reverse micelles. These interaction parameters can be altered with the change in pH, addition of cosolvent, surfactant and electrolyte and non-electrolyte. Even though many chemical based commercial surfactant had been utilized for this purpose, the biosurfactants are more suitable for the purification of enzymes which are used in food application. The present work focused on the partitioning of pectinase from the synthetic aqueous solution within the reverse micelle phase formed by a biosurfactant, Soybean Lecithin dissolved in chloroform. The critical micelle concentration of soybean lecithin/chloroform solution was identified through refractive index and density measurements. Effect of surfactant concentrations above and below the critical micelle concentration was considered to study its effect on enzyme activity, enzyme partitioning within the reverse micelle phase. The effect of pH and electrolyte salts on the partitioning behavior was studied by varying the system pH and concentration of different salts during forward and back extraction steps. It was observed that lower concentrations of soybean lecithin enhanced the enzyme activity within the water core of the reverse micelle with maximizing extraction efficiency. The maximum yield of pectinase of 85% with a partitioning coefficient of 5.7 was achieved at 4.8 pH during forward extraction and 88% yield with a partitioning coefficient of 7.1 was observed during backward extraction at a pH value of 5.0. However, addition of salt decreased the enzyme activity and especially at higher salt concentrations enzyme activity declined drastically during both forward and back extraction steps. The results proved that reverse micelles formed by Soybean Lecithin and chloroform may be used for the extraction of pectinase from aqueous solution. Further, the reverse micelles can be considered as nanoreactors to enhance enzyme activity and maximum utilization of substrate at optimized conditions, which are paving a way to process intensification and scale-down. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=pectinase" title="pectinase">pectinase</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=reverse%20micelles" title=" reverse micelles"> reverse micelles</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=soybean%20lecithin" title=" soybean lecithin"> soybean lecithin</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=selective%20partitioning" title=" selective partitioning"> selective partitioning</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/67512/soybean-lecithin-based-reverse-micellar-extraction-of-pectinase-from-synthetic-solution" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/67512.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">378</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">9</span> Quality Assessment of Pedestrian Streets in Iran: Case Study of Saf, Tehran</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Fstemeh%20Rais%20Esmaili">Fstemeh Rais Esmaili</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ehsan%20Ranjbar"> Ehsan Ranjbar</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Pedestrian streets as one type of urban public spaces have an important role in improving the quality of urban life. In Iran, planning and designing of pedestrian streets is in its primary steps. In spite of starting this approach in Iran, and designing several pedestrian streets, there are still not organized studies about quality assessment of pedestrian streets. As a result, the strength and weakness points of the initial experiences have not been utilized. This inattention to quality assessment have caused designing pedestrian streets to be limited to just vehicles traffic control and preliminary actions like paving; so that, special potentials of pedestrian streets for creating social, livable and dynamic public spaces have not been used. This article, as an organized study about quality assessment of pedestrian streets in Iran, tries to reach two main goals: first, introducing a framework for quality assessment of pedestrian streets in Iran, and second, creating a context for improving the quality of pedestrian streets especially for further experiences. The main research methods are description and context analyzing. With respect to comparative analysis of ideas about quality, considering international and local case studies and analyzing existing condition of Saf Pedestrian Street, a particular model for quality assessment has been introduced. In this model, main components and assessment criteria have been presented. On the basis of this model, questionnaire and checklist for assessment have been prepared. The questionnaire and interview have been used to assess qualities which are in direct contact with people and the checklist has been used for analyzing visual qualities by authors through observation. Some results of questionnaire and checklist show that 7 of 11 primary components, diversity, flexibility, cleanness, legibility and imaginably, identity, livability, form and physical setting are rated low and very low in quality degree. Three components, efficiency, comfort and distinctiveness, have medium and low quality degree and one component, access, linkage and permeability has high quality degree. Therefore, based on implemented analyzing process, Saf Pedestrian Street needs to be improved and these quality improvement priorities are determined based on presented criteria. Adaption of final results with existing condition illustrates the shortage of services for satisfying user’s needs, inflexibility and impossibility of using spaces in various times, lack of facilities for different climatic conditions, lack of facilities such as drinking fountain, inappropriate designing of existing urban furniture like garbage cans, and creating pollution and unsuitable view, lack of visual attractions, neglecting disabled persons in designing entrances, shortage of benches and their undesirable designing, lack of vegetation, absence of special characters making it different from other streets, preventing people taking part in the space causing lack of affiliation, lack of appropriate elements for leisure time and lack of exhilaration in the space. On the other hand, these results present high access and permeability, high safety, less sound pollution and more relief, comfortable movement along the way due to suitable pavement and economic efficiency, as the strength points of Saf pedestrian street. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=pedestrian%20streets" title="pedestrian streets">pedestrian streets</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=quality%20assessment" title=" quality assessment"> quality assessment</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=quality%20criteria" title=" quality criteria"> quality criteria</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Saf%20Pedestrian%20Street" title=" Saf Pedestrian Street"> Saf Pedestrian Street</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/5162/quality-assessment-of-pedestrian-streets-in-iran-case-study-of-saf-tehran" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/5162.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">258</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">8</span> Exploring the Cultural Values of Nursing Personnel Utilizing Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ma%20Chu%20Jui">Ma Chu Jui</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Culture plays a pivotal role in shaping societal responses to change and fostering adaptability. In the realm of healthcare provision, hospitals serve as dynamic settings molded by the cultural consciousness of healthcare professionals. This intricate interplay extends to their expectations of leadership, communication styles, and attitudes towards patient care. Recognizing the cultural inclinations of healthcare professionals becomes imperative in navigating this complex landscape. This study will utilize Hofstede's Value Survey Module 2013 (VSM 2013) as a comprehensive analytical tool. The targeted participants for this research are in-service nursing professionals with a tenure of at least three months, specifically employed in the nursing department of an Eastern hospital. This quantitative approach seeks to quantify diverse cultural tendencies among the targeted nursing professionals, elucidating not only abstract cultural concepts but also revealing their cultural inclinations across different dimensions. The study anticipates gathering between 400 to 500 responses, ensuring a robust dataset for a comprehensive analysis. The focused approach on nursing professionals within the Eastern hospital setting enhances the relevance and specificity of the cultural insights obtained. The research aims to contribute valuable knowledge to the understanding of cultural tendencies among in-service nursing personnel in the nursing department of this specific Eastern hospital. The VSM 2013 will be initially distributed to this specific group to collect responses, aiming to calculate scores on each of Hofstede's six cultural dimensions—Power Distance Index (PDI), Individualism vs. Collectivism (IDV), Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI), Masculinity vs. Femininity (MAS), Long-Term Orientation vs. Short-Term Normative Orientation (LTO), and Indulgence vs. Restraint (IVR). the study unveils a significant correlation between different cultural dimensions and healthcare professionals' tendencies in understanding leadership expectations through PDI, grasping behavioral patterns via IDV, acknowledging risk acceptance through UAI, and understanding their long-term and short-term behaviors through LTO. These tendencies extend to communication styles and attitudes towards patient care. These findings provide valuable insights into the nuanced interconnections between cultural factors and healthcare practices. Through a detailed analysis of the varying levels of these cultural dimensions, we gain a comprehensive understanding of the predominant inclinations among the majority of healthcare professionals. This nuanced perspective adds depth to our comprehension of how cultural values shape their approach to leadership, communication, and patient care, contributing to a more holistic understanding of the healthcare landscape. A profound comprehension of the cultural paradigms embraced by healthcare professionals holds transformative potential. Beyond a mere understanding, it acts as a catalyst for elevating the caliber of healthcare services. This heightened awareness fosters cohesive collaboration among healthcare teams, paving the way for the establishment of a unified healthcare ethos. By cultivating shared values, our study envisions a healthcare environment characterized by enhanced quality, improved teamwork, and ultimately, a more favorable and patient-centric healthcare landscape. In essence, our research underscores the critical role of cultural awareness in shaping the future of healthcare delivery. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=hofstede%27s%20cultural" title="hofstede's cultural">hofstede's cultural</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cultural%20dimensions" title=" cultural dimensions"> cultural dimensions</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cultural%20values%20in%20healthcare" title=" cultural values in healthcare"> cultural values in healthcare</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cultural%20awareness%20in%20nursing" title=" cultural awareness in nursing"> cultural awareness in nursing</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/177838/exploring-the-cultural-values-of-nursing-personnel-utilizing-hofstedes-cultural-dimensions" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/177838.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">71</span> </span> </div> </div> <ul class="pagination"> <li class="page-item"><a class="page-link" href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=paving%20stones&page=6" rel="prev">&lsaquo;</a></li> <li class="page-item"><a class="page-link" href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=paving%20stones&page=1">1</a></li> <li class="page-item"><a class="page-link" href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=paving%20stones&page=2">2</a></li> <li class="page-item"><a class="page-link" href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=paving%20stones&page=3">3</a></li> <li class="page-item"><a class="page-link" href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=paving%20stones&page=4">4</a></li> <li class="page-item"><a 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