Abstract: Wheat is an important cereal crop for food security. Boosting the wheat production and productivity is the major challenge across the nation. Good quality of seed is required for maintaining optimum plant stand which ultimately increases grain yield. Ensuring a good germination is one of the key steps to ensure proper plant stand and moisture assurance during seed germination may help to speed up the germination. The tiny size of nanoparticles may help in entry of water into seed without disturbing their internal structure. Considering above, a laboratory experiment was conducted during 2012-13 at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India. The completely randomized design was used for statistical analysis. The experiment was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, the appropriate concentration of nanoparticles for seed treatment was screened. In second phase seed soaking hours of nanoparticles for better seed germination were standardized. Wheat variety UP2526 was taken as test crop. Four nanoparticles (TiO2, ZnO, nickel and chitosan) were taken for study. The crop germination studies were done in petri dishes and standard package and practices were used to raise the seedlings. The germination studies were done by following standard procedure. In first phase of the experiment, seeds were treated with 50 and 300 ppm of nanoparticles and control was also maintained for comparison. In the second phase of experiment, seeds were soaked for 4 hours, 6 hours and 8 hours with 50 ppm nanoparticles of TiO2, ZnO, nickel and chitosan along with control treatment to identify the soaking time for better seed germination. Experiment revealed that the application of nanoparticles help to enhance seed germination. The study revealed that seed treatment with nanoparticles at 50 ppm concentration increases root length, shoot length, seedling length, shoot dry weight, seedling dry weight, seedling vigour index I and seedling vigour index II as compared to seed soaking at 300 ppm concentration. This experiment showed that seed soaking up to 4 hr was better as compared to 6 and 8 hrs. Seed soaking with nanoparticles specially TiO2, ZnO, and chitosan proved to enhance germination and seedling growth indices of wheat crop.
Abstract: Dr. Genichi Taguchi looked at quality in a broader term and gave an excellent definition of quality in terms of loss to society. However the scope of this definition is limited to the losses imparted by a poor quality product to the customer only and are considered during the useful life of the product and further in a certain situation this loss can even be zero. In this paper, it has been proposed that the scope of quality of a product shall be further enhanced by considering the losses imparted by a poor quality product to society at large, due to associated environmental and safety related factors, over the complete life cycle of the product. Moreover, though these losses can be further minimized with the use of techno-safety interventions, the net losses to society however can never be made zero. This paper proposes an entirely new approach towards defining product quality and is based on Taguchi’s definition of quality.
Abstract: Increase in population has increased the demand of energy to fulfill all its needs. This will result in burden on fossil fuels especially crude oil. Waste oil due to its disposal problem creates environmental degradation. In this context, this paper studies utilization of waste cooking oil and waste motor sludge for making lubricating grease. Experimental studies have been performed by variation in time and concentration of mixture of waste cooking oil and waste motor sludge. The samples were analyzed using penetration test (ASTM D-217), dropping point (ASTM D-566), work penetration (ASTM D-217) and copper strip test (ASTM D-408). Among 6 samples, sample 6 gives the best results with a good drop point and a fine penetration value. The dropping point and penetration test values were found to be 205 °C and 315, respectively. The penetration value falls under the category of NLGI (National Lubricating Grease Institute) consistency number 1.
Abstract: Bringing forth a survey on recent higher order spline
techniques for solving boundary value problems in ordinary
differential equations. Here we have discussed the summary of the
articles since 2000 till date based on higher order splines like Septic,
Octic, Nonic, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth and Thirteenth Degree
splines. Comparisons of methods with own critical comments as
remarks have been included.
Abstract: The arm length, hand length, hand breadth and middle
finger length of 1540 right-handed industrial workers of Haryana
state was used to assess the relationship between the upper limb
dimensions and stature. Initially, the data were analyzed using basic
univariate analysis and independent t-tests; then simple and multiple
linear regression models were used to estimate stature using SPSS
(version 17). There was a positive correlation between upper limb
measurements (hand length, hand breadth, arm length and middle
finger length) and stature (p < 0.01), which was highest for hand
length. The accuracy of stature prediction ranged from ± 54.897 mm
to ± 58.307 mm. The use of multiple regression equations gave better
results than simple regression equations. This study provides new
forensic standards for stature estimation from the upper limb
measurements of male industrial workers of Haryana (India). The
results of this research indicate that stature can be determined using
hand dimensions with accuracy, when only upper limb is available
due to any reasons likewise explosions, train/plane crashes, mutilated
bodies, etc. The regression formula derived in this study will be
useful for anatomists, archaeologists, anthropologists, design
engineers and forensic scientists for fairly prediction of stature using
regression equations.
Abstract: The present work analyses different parameters of end
milling to minimize the surface roughness for AISI D2 steel. D2 Steel
is generally used for stamping or forming dies, punches, forming
rolls, knives, slitters, shear blades, tools, scrap choppers, tyre
shredders etc. Surface roughness is one of the main indices that
determines the quality of machined products and is influenced by
various cutting parameters. In machining operations, achieving
desired surface quality by optimization of machining parameters, is a
challenging job. In case of mating components the surface roughness
become more essential and is influenced by the cutting parameters,
because, these quality structures are highly correlated and are
expected to be influenced directly or indirectly by the direct effect of
process parameters or their interactive effects (i.e. on process
environment). In this work, the effects of selected process parameters
on surface roughness and subsequent setting of parameters with the
levels have been accomplished by Taguchi’s parameter design
approach. The experiments have been performed as per the
combination of levels of different process parameters suggested by
L9 orthogonal array. Experimental investigation of the end milling of
AISI D2 steel with carbide tool by varying feed, speed and depth of
cut and the surface roughness has been measured using surface
roughness tester. Analyses of variance have been performed for mean
and signal-to-noise ratio to estimate the contribution of the different
process parameters on the process.
Abstract: In this paper, the transient device performance analysis
of n-type Gate Inside JunctionLess Transistor (GI-JLT) has been
evaluated. 3-D Bohm Quantum Potential (BQP) transport device
simulation has been used to evaluate the delay and power dissipation
performance. GI-JLT has a number of desirable device parameters
such as reduced propagation delay, dynamic power dissipation,
power and delay product, intrinsic gate delay and energy delay
product as compared to Gate-all-around transistors GAA-JLT. In
addition to this, various other device performance parameters namely,
on/off current ratio, short channel effects (SCE), transconductance
Generation Factor (TGF) and unity gain cut-off frequency (fT ) and
subthreshold slope (SS) of the GI-JLT and GAA-JLT have been
analyzed and compared. GI-JLT shows better device performance
characteristics than GAA-JLT for low power and high frequency
applications, because of its larger gate electrostatic control on the
device operation.
Abstract: In the present study, presence of endosulfan, imidacloprid, carbendazim, in the soil /vegetables/cereals and water samples was observed in agriculture fields of Uttarakhand. In view of biodegradation of these pesticides, 9 bacterial isolates were recovered from the soil samples of the fields which tolerated endosulfan, imidacloprid, carbendazim from 100 to 200 µg/ml. Three bacterial consortia used for in vitro bioremediation experiments were consisted of 3 bacterial isolates for carbendazim, imidacloprid and endosulfan, respectively. Maximum degradation (87 and 83%) of α and β endosulfan respectively was observed in soil slurry by consortium. Degradation of Imidacloprid and carbendazim under similar conditions was 88.4 and 77.5% respectively. FT-IR analysis of biodegraded samples of pesticides in liquid media showed stretching of various bonds. GC-MS of biodegraded endosulfan sample in soil slurry showed the presence of nontoxic intermediates. A pot trial with Bacterial treatments lowered down the uptake of pesticides in onion plants.
Abstract: Virtual reality (VR) is a rapidly emerging computer
interface that attempts to immerse the user completely within an
experimental recreation; thereby, greatly enhancing the overall
impact and providing a much more intuitive link between the
computer and the human participants. The main objective of this
study is to design tractor trailer capable of meeting the customers’
requirements and suitable for rough conditions to be used in
combination with a farm tractor in India. The final concept is capable
of providing arrangements for attaching the trailer to the tractor easily
by pickup hitch, stronger and lighter supporting frame, option of
spare tyre etc. Furthermore, the resulting product design can be sent
via the Internet to customers for comments or marketing purposes.
The virtual prototyping (VP) system therefore facilitates advanced
product design and helps reduce product development time and cost
significantly.
Abstract: The present work deals with the optimal placement of piezoelectric actuators on a thin plate using Modified Control Matrix and Singular Value Decomposition (MCSVD) approach. The problem has been formulated using the finite element method using ten piezoelectric actuators on simply supported plate to suppress first six modes. The sizes of ten actuators are combined to outline one actuator by adding the ten columns of control matrix to form a column matrix. The singular value of column control matrix is considered as the fitness function and optimal positions of the actuators are obtained by maximizing it with GA. Vibration suppression has been studied for simply supported plate with piezoelectric patches in optimal positions using Linear Quadratic regulator) scheme. It is observed that MCSVD approach has given the position of patches adjacent to each-other, symmetric to the centre axis and given greater vibration suppression than other previously published results on SVD.
Abstract: The dripping modes for a Newtonian liquid of viscosity µ emanating from an inclined nozzle at flow rate Q is investigated experimentally. As the liquid flow rate Q increases, starting with period-1 with satellite drops, the system transitions to period-1 dripping without satellite, then to limit cycle before showing chaotic responses. Phase diagrams showing the changes in the transitions between the different dripping modes for different nozzle inclination angle q is constructed in the dimensionless (Q, µ) space.
Abstract: Recommender Systems act as personalized decision
guides, aiding users in decisions on matters related to personal taste.
Most previous research on Recommender Systems has focused on the
statistical accuracy of the algorithms driving the systems, with no
emphasis on the trustworthiness of the user. RS depends on
information provided by different users to gather its knowledge. We
believe, if a large group of users provide wrong information it will
not be possible for the RS to arrive in an accurate conclusion. The
system described in this paper introduce the concept of Testing the
knowledge of user to filter out these “bad users".
This paper emphasizes on the mechanism used to provide robust
and effective recommendation.
Abstract: This paper presents a systematic approach for the
design of power system stabilizer using genetic algorithm and
investigates the robustness of the GA based PSS. The proposed
approach employs GA search for optimal setting of PSS parameters.
The performance of the proposed GPSS under small and large
disturbances, loading conditions and system parameters is tested.
The eigenvalue analysis and nonlinear simulation results show the
effectiveness of the GPSS to damp out the system oscillations. It is
found tat the dynamic performance with the GPSS shows improved
results, over conventionally tuned PSS over a wide range of
operating conditions.
Abstract: Adaptive control involves modifying the control law
used by the controller to cope with the fact that the parameters of the
system being controlled change drastically due to change in
environmental conditions or in system itself. This technique is based
on the fundamental characteristic of adaptation of living organism.
The adaptive control process is one that continuously and
automatically measures the dynamic behavior of plant, compares it
with the desired output and uses the difference to vary adjustable
system parameters or to generate an actuating signal in such a way so
that optimal performance can be maintained regardless of system
changes. This paper deals with application of model reference
adaptive control scheme in first order system. The rule which is used
for this application is MIT rule. This paper also shows the effect of
adaptation gain on the system performance. Simulation is done in
MATLAB and results are discussed in detail.
Abstract: Stresses for the elastic-plastic transition and fully
plastic state have been derived for a thin rotating disc with inclusion
and results have been discussed numerically and depicted graphically.
It has been observed that the rotating disc with inclusion and made of
compressible material requires lesser angular speed to yield at the
internal surface whereas it requires higher percentage increase in
angular speed to become fully plastic as compare to disc made of
incompressible material.
Abstract: The present work analyses different parameters of pressure die casting to minimize the casting defects. Pressure diecasting is usually applied for casting of aluminium alloys. Good surface finish with required tolerances and dimensional accuracy can be achieved by optimization of controllable process parameters such as solidification time, molten temperature, filling time, injection pressure and plunger velocity. Moreover, by selection of optimum process parameters the pressure die casting defects such as porosity, insufficient spread of molten material, flash etc. are also minimized. Therefore, a pressure die casting component, carburetor housing of aluminium alloy (Al2Si2O5) has been considered. The effects of selected process parameters on casting defects and subsequent setting of parameters with the levels have been accomplished by Taguchi-s parameter design approach. The experiments have been performed as per the combination of levels of different process parameters suggested by L18 orthogonal array. Analyses of variance have been performed for mean and signal-to-noise ratio to estimate the percent contribution of different process parameters. Confidence interval has also been estimated for 95% consistency level and three conformational experiments have been performed to validate the optimum level of different parameters. Overall 2.352% reduction in defects has been observed with the help of suggested optimum process parameters.
Abstract: Inventory decisional environment of short life-cycle
products is full of uncertainties arising from randomness and
fuzziness of input parameters like customer demand requiring
modeling under hybrid uncertainty. Prior inventory models
incorporating fuzzy demand have unfortunately ignored stochastic
variation of demand. This paper determines an unambiguous optimal
order quantity from a set of n fuzzy observations in a newsvendor
inventory setting in presence of fuzzy random variable demand
capturing both fuzzy perception and randomness of customer
demand. The stress of this paper is in providing solution procedure
that attains optimality in two steps with demand information
availability in linguistic phrases leading to fuzziness along with
stochastic variation. The first step of solution procedure identifies
and prefers one best fuzzy opinion out of all expert opinions and the
second step determines optimal order quantity from the selected
event that maximizes profit. The model and solution procedure is
illustrated with a numerical example.
Abstract: This paper investigates the effect of product substitution in the single-period 'newsboy-type' problem in a fuzzy environment. It is supposed that the single-period problem operates under uncertainty in customer demand, which is described by imprecise terms and modelled by fuzzy sets. To perform this analysis, we consider the fuzzy model for two-item with upward substitution. This upward substitutability is reasonable when the products can be stored according to certain attribute levels such as quality, brand or package size. We show that the explicit consideration of this substitution opportunity increase the average expected profit. Computational study is performed to observe the benefits of product's substitution.
Abstract: Along with forward supply chain organization needs
to consider the impact of reverse logistics due to its economic
advantage, social awareness and strict legislations. In this paper, we
develop a system dynamics framework for a closed-loop supply
chain with fuzzy demand and fuzzy collection rate by incorporating
product exchange policy in forward channel and various recovery
options in reverse channel. The uncertainty issues associated with
acquisition and collection of used product have been quantified using
possibility measures. In the simulation study, we analyze order
variation at both retailer and distributor level and compare bullwhip
effects of different logistics participants over time between the
traditional forward supply chain and the closed-loop supply chain.
Our results suggest that the integration of reverse logistics can reduce
order variation and bullwhip effect of a closed-loop system. Finally,
sensitivity analysis is performed to examine the impact of various
parameters on recovery process and bullwhip effect.
Abstract: Noise has adverse effect on human health and
comfort. Noise not only cause hearing impairment, but it also acts as
a causal factor for stress and raising systolic pressure. Additionally it
can be a causal factor in work accidents, both by marking hazards
and warning signals and by impeding concentration. Industry
workers also suffer psychological and physical stress as well as
hearing loss due to industrial noise. This paper proposes an approach
to enable engineers to point out quantitatively the noisiest source for
modification, while multiple machines are operating simultaneously.
The model with the point source and spherical radiation in a free field
was adopted to formulate the problem. The procedure works very
well in ideal cases (point source and free field). However, most of the
industrial noise problems are complicated by the fact that the noise is
confined in a room. Reflections from the walls, floor, ceiling, and
equipment in a room create a reverberant sound field that alters the
sound wave characteristics from those for the free field. So the model
was validated for relatively low absorption room at NIT Kurukshetra
Central Workshop. The results of validation pointed out that the
estimated sound power of noise sources under simultaneous
conditions were on lower side, within the error limits 3.56 - 6.35 %.
Thus suggesting the use of this methodology for practical
implementation in industry. To demonstrate the application of the
above analytical procedure for estimating the sound power of noise
sources under simultaneous operating conditions, a manufacturing
facility (Railway Workshop at Yamunanagar, India) having five
sound sources (machines) on its workshop floor is considered in this
study. The findings of the case study had identified the two most
effective candidates (noise sources) for noise control in the Railway
Workshop Yamunanagar, India. The study suggests that the
modification in the design and/or replacement of these two identified
noisiest sources (machine) would be necessary so as to achieve an
effective reduction in noise levels. Further, the estimated data allows
engineers to better understand the noise situations of the workplace
and to revise the map when changes occur in noise level due to a
workplace re-layout.