The present work presents design and implementation of an automated two-axis solar tracking system using local materials with minimum cost, light weight and reliable structure. The tracking system consists of two parts, mechanical units (fixed and moving parts) and control units (four LDR sensors and Arduino UNO microcontroller to control two DC servomotors). The tracking system was fitted and assembled together with a parabolic trough solar concentrator (PTSC) system to move it according to information come from the sensors so as to keep the PTSC always perpendicular to sun rays. The experimental tests have been done on the PTSC system to investigate its thermal performance in two cases, with tracking system (case 1) and without tracking system (case 2). The experimental results showed that the average solar radiation falling on the PTSC prototype in the two cases during the same time was 854 and 701 watt/m2, respectively, which means an increase in the solar radiation about 21.8 % when using tracking system. It was found that the average useful heat gain output of solar collector was equal to (376.2, 252.6 watt) for the two cases, respectively, so there was an increase of about 48.9 % when using the tracking system. Also, the average thermal efficiency of the PTSC was found to be (20.7, 26.5 %) for the two cases, respectively, which means an increase in the average efficiency by 28% with use of tracking system compared to the fixed case.
<p>Energy and memory limitations are considerable constraints of sensor nodes in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). The limited energy supplied to network nodes causes WSNs to face crucial functional limitations. Therefore, the problem of limited energy resource on sensor nodes can only be addressed by using them efficiently. In this research work, an energy-balancing routing scheme for in-network data aggregation is presented. This scheme is referred to as Energy-aware and load-Balancing Routing scheme for Data Aggregation (hereinafter referred to as EBR-DA). The EBRDA aims to provide an energy efficient multiple-hop routing to the destination on the basis of the quality of the links between the source and destination. In
... Show MoreThis study presents, for the first time, an innovative Jet Plasma-assisted technique for the green synthesis of TiO₂@Ag core–shell nanoparticles using chard leaf extract as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent. The Jet Plasma provides a highly energetic environment that accelerates nucleation and core–shell formation at low temperatures without toxic precursors. The synthesized nanoparticles exhibited uniform and stable structures, as confirmed by comprehensive characterization techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and zeta potential analysis. XRD patterns confirmed the crystalline anatase
... Show MoreIn practical engineering problems, uncertainty exists not only in external excitations but also in structural parameters. This study investigates the influence of structural geometry, elastic modulus, mass density, and section dimension uncertainty on the stochastic earthquake response of portal frames subjected to random ground motions. The North-South component of the El Centro earthquake in 1940 in California is selected as the ground excitation. Using the power spectral density function, the two-dimensional finite element model of the portal frame’s base motion is modified to account for random ground motions. A probabilistic study of the portal frame structure using stochastic finite elements utilizing Monte Carlo simulation
... Show MoreThe objective of this work was to analyze the involvement of AhR in bone metabolism using a rat model of experimental osteoporosis and to analyze the mechanisms behind its activity. Rats were assigned randomly to the subsequent groups; Control, received no treatment; ovariectomized (OVX) rats; Sham; Sham+RES received resveratrol; OVX+RES and OVX+CH received AhR’s antagonist, CH223191 (CH); and finally OVX+CHR group received both AhR antagonist along with resveratrol. Resveratrol and AhR antagonist treatment started 7 days after surgery and continued to 45 days. The serum of osteocalcin (OC) and Ca+2 was measured by ELISA and spectrophotometer, respectively. X-ray was used to estimate bone density of rats. In molecular levels,
... Show MoreObjective: This study aimed to assessing new suggested technique of Physical Growth Curves (PGC) charts in
children under two years old of a non-probability sample.
Methodology: A non-probability sample of size (420) children under two years selected from 12 Primary
Health Care Centers in Diyala governorate during the period from 15th Nov. 2010 to 13th Mar. 2011
according to admix of a different properties together in one chart/or growth curve chart included in at least
weight, Height, and Head circumference.
Results: the results showed different properties that can be admix together in one chart/or growth curve
chart included in at least weight, Height, and Head circumference. And to overtake the problem of the norm