Graphics Evolutionary Computations in Higher Order Parametric Bezier Curves

This work demonstrates in practical terms the evolutionary concepts and computational applications of Parametric Curves. Specific cases were drawn from higher order parametric Bezier curves of degrees 2 and above. Bezier curves find real life applications in diverse areas of Engineering and Computer Science, such as computer graphics, robotics, animations, virtual reality, among others. Some of the evolutionary issues explored in this work are in the areas of parametric equations derivations, proof of related theorems, first and second order calculus related computations, among others. A Practical case is demonstrated using a graphical design, physical hand sketching, and programmatic implementation of two opposite-faced handless cups, all evolved using quadratic Bezier curves. The actual drawing was realized using web graphics canvas programming based on HTML 5 and JavaScript. This work will no doubt find relevance in computational researches in the areas of graphics, web programming, automated theorem proofs, robotic motions, among others.     

Extraction equilibrium conditions of beryllium and aluminium from a beryl ore for optimal industrial beryllium compound production

This study examines the extraction of beryllium and aluminium from a Nigerian beryl ore using Cyanex®272 in kerosene from an aqueous sulphate pregnant solution. Parameters such as extractant concentration and equilibrium pH that dictates the extraction yield were studied. Under the following conditions: temperature 27?±?2°C, phase ratio 1?1, about 45.50 and 46.76% of beryllium and aluminium were extracted by 0.15?mol?L^?1 Cyanex®272 concentration within 30?min. However, the extraction yield of beryllium and aluminium was increased to 91.68% and 97.89% at equilibrium pH of 3 and 4, respectively, for beryllium and aluminium at 27?±?2°C. A 0.05?mol?L^?1 H₂SO₄ solution was found to be adequate for the stripping of about 99.00% Be and 95.40% Al from the loaded organic phase. The pure solutions containing metal ions were accordingly beneficiated to obtain beryllium and aluminium compounds of industrial values.     

Effects of ground plane dimensions on patterns radiated by slot antennas

Using a hybrid MoM-UTD formulation, this paper investigates the effects of ground-plane dimensions on the radiation fields of a slot antenna. It is shown that the radiated field strength of a slot cut in a finite ground plane is generally higher than that of a similar slot in a ground plane of infinite extent. Indeed, computational results reveal that the E-plane radiated field strength of a slot is about 3 dB higher when the ratio of the ground plane width to slot length is an even integer; and 1 dB higher when the ratio is an odd integer. In the case of the H-plane, the field strengths radiated by a slot in both infinite and finite sized ground planes are virtually identical, suggesting, therefore, that in this case, the contribution of the edge diffraction is insignificant. Results also indicate that a ground plane thickness of less than 20 mm has negligible effects on the radiation fields, as the strength of coupled fields, which is a manifestation of the effect of the finite thickness of the ground plane, is very small. As a validation, patterns computed compare favourably with experimental data available in the literature.     

Source Rock Characterization Within the Stratigraphic Settings of the Orange Basin,South Africa

abstract

The petroleum source rock potential of different system tracts of a Cretaceous unit of the Orange Basin, South Africa, was evaluated using Rock-Eval pyrolysis. Forty rock samples from eight wells were obtained within the systems tract, Lowstand System Tracts (LST), Transgressive System Tracts (TST), and Highstand System Tracts (HST), in the basin. The results revealed that LST is characterized by mainly marginally organic rich shale samples with a few organic rich rocks, variable organic matter types ranging from Type II to Type IV, and a few samples that are thermally mature but have low organic matter quality. Four samples from two wells (A_F1 and O_A1) in the LST had good petroleum generative potential but were not sufficiently mature for petroleum generation. TST is characterized with a few samples being marginally organic rich, with only one being organic rich, mainly Type III kerogen with few Type IV kerogen, and only a few samples are thermally mature that have low organic matter quality. HST is characterized by many marginally organic rich rock samples, mainly Type III with a few mixed Type II/III kerogen, and only a few samples were thermally mature. The results of this study show that the LST has the best prospect in terms of petroleum generation potential, followed by HST and TST in that order. The study also reveals that limited petroleum source rocks exist, which are also impacted by low thermal maturity levels. The basin is more gas prone than oil.     

Risk assessment in the maintenance of offshore caisson operations

Undertaking maintenance of offshore caissons is a pervasive challenge that involves an array of risks and uncertainties. Despite the adoption of standardised and routine maintenance procedures that are subject to on-going improvements, the rate of failure in offshore caissons remains relatively high. To manage the effect of risk and uncertainties associated with the maintenance of offshore caissons, expert judgment can be drawn upon to better understand and capture the issues that contribute to their failure. Using a case study of an offshore hydrocarbon discharge caisson in the North Sea of the United Kingdom, expert judgements from industry practitioners are obtained using the Delphi Interview and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique to rank 14 possible recovery options. Sensitivity analysis is used to ascertain the suitability of each of the options. Results reveal that the Delphi technique employed provided a robust means to garner invaluable insights from experts about the issues associated with caisson failure. The corollary is the development of a framework that serves as a point of reference to identify and assess the risks in offshore caisson maintenance operations. This framework can also be used in conjunction with existing probabilistic methods to improve the effectiveness of decision-making during operations and maintenance.     

Two sides of the same coin: Business resilience and community resilience

The resilience of small businesses and how that relates to community resilience, especially in rural communities has remained an under‐researched aspect of community resilience. This exploratory study aims to understand the relationship between business resilience and community resilience in rural communities. Firstly, the research seeks to understand the role that small businesses play in contributing to community resilience activities. The paper then sheds light on enabling and challenging factors that shape how small businesses prepare for and respond to weather‐related emergencies through the lens of flooding. Data were collected through in‐depth semi‐structured interviews and surveys with rural small businesses in Scotland. The analysis of the data suggests that businesses play an advisory and advocacy roles, make financial and material contributions to local community resilience activities and contribute to quick community recovery through various dimensions of corporate social responsibility activities. However, small businesses face formidable barriers and challenges in preparing for and responding to weather‐related emergencies that undermine their resilience to natural hazards. The paper suggests ways in which small businesses can enhance their resilience to natural hazards, while at the same time contributing to community resilience.     

Biocontrol of Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644 on fresh-cut tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) using nisin combined with organic acids

Food Science and Biotechnology - The biocontrol of Listeria monocytogenes on fresh-cut tomato using nisin and organic acids was investigated. Fresh-cut samples inoculated with 108 CFU/mL of L....     

Comparative analysis of the dissolution kinetics of galena in binary solutions of HCl/FeCl3 and HCl/H2O2

A comparative study of the dissolution kinetics of galena ore in binary solutions of FeCl3/HCl and H2O2/HCl has been undertaken.The dissolution kinetics of the galena was found to depend on leachant concentration,reaction temperature,stirring speed,solid-to-liquid ratio,and particle diameter.The dissolution rate of galena ore increases with the increase of leachant concentration,reaction temperature,and stirring speed,while it decreases with the increase of solid-to-liquid ratio and particle diameter.The activation energy (Ea) of 26.5 kJ/mol was obtained for galena ore dissolution in 0.3 M FeCl3/8.06 M HCl,and it suggests the surface diffusion model for the leaching reaction,while the Ea value of 40.6 kJ/mol was obtained for its dissolution in 8.06 M H202/8.06 M HC1,which suggests the surface chemical reaction model for the leaching reaction.Furthermore,the linear relationship between rate constants and the reciprocal of particle radius supports the fact that dissolution is controlled by the surface reaction in the two eases.Finally,the rate of reaction based on the reaction-controUed process has been described by a semiempirical mathematical model.The Arrhenius and reaction constants of 11.023 s-1,1.25×104 and 3.65×102 s-1,8.02×106 were calculated for the 0.3 M FeCl3/8.06 M HCl and 8.06 M H202/8.06 M HCl binary solutions,respectively.