Abstract: In this paper, the improvement by deconvolution of
the depth resolution in Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS)
analysis is considered. Indeed, we have developed a new Tikhonov-
Miller deconvolution algorithm where a priori model of the solution
is included. This is a denoisy and pre-deconvoluted signal obtained
from: firstly, by the application of wavelet shrinkage algorithm,
secondly by the introduction of the obtained denoisy signal in an
iterative deconvolution algorithm. In particular, we have focused the
light on the effect of the iterations number on the evolution of the
deconvoluted signals. The SIMS profiles are multilayers of Boron in
Silicon matrix.
Abstract: The western Tombolo of the Giens peninsula in
southern France, known as Almanarre beach, is subject to coastal
erosion. We are trying to use computer simulation in order to propose
solutions to stop this erosion. Our aim was first to determine the main
factors for this erosion and successfully apply a coupled hydrosedimentological
numerical model based on observations and
measurements that have been performed on the site for decades.
We have gathered all available information and data about waves,
winds, currents, tides, bathymetry, coastal line, and sediments
concerning the site. These have been divided into two sets: one
devoted to calibrating a numerical model using Mike 21 software, the
other to serve as a reference in order to numerically compare the
present situation to what it could be if we implemented different
types of underwater constructions.
This paper presents the first part of the study: selecting and
melting different sources into a coherent data basis, identifying the
main erosion factors, and calibrating the coupled software model
against the selected reference period.
Our results bring calibration of the numerical model with good
fitting coefficients. They also show that the winter South-Western
storm events conjugated to depressive weather conditions constitute a
major factor of erosion, mainly due to wave impact in the northern
part of the Almanarre beach. Together, current and wind impact is
shown negligible.
Abstract: The tombolo of Giens is located in the town of Hyères
(France). We recall the history of coastal erosion, and prominent
factors affecting the evolution of the western tombolo. We then
discuss the possibility of stabilizing the western tombolo. Our
argumentation relies on a coupled model integrating swells, currents,
water levels and sediment transport. We present the conclusions of
the simulations of various scenarios, including pre-existing
propositions from coastal engineering offices. We conclude that
beach replenishment seems to be necessary but not sufficient for the
stabilization of the beach. Breakwaters reveal effective particularly in
the most exposed northern area. Some solutions fulfill conditions so
as to be elected as satisfactory. We give a comparative analysis of the
efficiency of 14 alternatives for the protection of the tombolo.
Abstract: Physical properties of uranium dinitride (UN2) were
investigated in detail using first principle calculations based on
density functional theory (DFT). To study the strong correlation
effects due to 5f uranium valence electrons, the on-site coulomb
interaction correction U via the Hubbard-like term (DFT+U) was
employed. The UN2 structural, mechanical and thermodynamic
properties were calculated within DFT and Various U of DFT+U
approach.
The Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (PBE.5.2) version of the
generalized gradient approximation (GGA) is used to describe the
exchange-correlation with the projector-augmented wave (PAW)
pseudo potentials.
A comparative study shows that results are improved by using the
Hubbard formalism for a certain U value correction like the structural
parameter. For some physical properties the variation versus
Hubbard-U is strong like Young modulus but for others it is weakly
noticeable such as bulk modulus.
We noticed also that from U=7.5 eV, elastic results don’t agree
with the cubic cell because of the C44 values which turn out to be
negative.
Abstract: The Great East Japan Earthquake occurred at 14:46 on Friday, March 11, 2011. It was the most powerful known earthquake to have hit Japan. The earthquake triggered extremely destructive tsunami waves of up to 40.5 meters in height. We focus on the ship’s evacuation from tsunami. Then we analyze about ships evacuation from tsunami using multi-agent simulation and we want to prepare for a coming earthquake. We developed a simulation model of ships that set sail from the port in order to evacuate from the tsunami considering the ship carrying dangerous goods.
Abstract: A novel hybrid model of the lumbar spine, allowing
fast static and dynamic simulations of the disc pressure
and the spine mobility, is introduced in this work. Our
contribution is to combine rigid bodies, deformable finite
elements, articular constraints, and springs into a unique model
of the spine. Each vertebra is represented by a rigid body
controlling a surface mesh to model contacts on the facet
joints and the spinous process. The discs are modeled using
a heterogeneous tetrahedral finite element model. The facet
joints are represented as elastic joints with six degrees of
freedom, while the ligaments are modeled using non-linear
one-dimensional elastic elements. The challenge we tackle
is to make these different models efficiently interact while
respecting the principles of Anatomy and Mechanics.
The mobility, the intradiscal pressure, the facet joint force and
the instantaneous center of rotation of the lumbar spine are
validated against the experimental and theoretical results of
the literature on flexion, extension, lateral bending as well as
axial rotation.
Our hybrid model greatly simplifies the modeling task and
dramatically accelerates the simulation of pressure within the
discs, as well as the evaluation of the range of motion and the
instantaneous centers of rotation, without penalizing precision.
These results suggest that for some types of biomechanical
simulations, simplified models allow far easier modeling and
faster simulations compared to usual full-FEM approaches
without any loss of accuracy.
Abstract: An analysis is carried out to investigate the effect of
magnetic field and heat source on the steady boundary layer flow and
heat transfer of a Casson nanofluid over a vertical cylinder stretching
exponentially along its radial direction. Using a similarity
transformation, the governing mathematical equations, with the
boundary conditions are reduced to a system of coupled, non –linear
ordinary differential equations. The resulting system is solved
numerically by the fourth order Runge – Kutta scheme with shooting
technique. The influence of various physical parameters such as
Reynolds number, Prandtl number, magnetic field, Brownian motion
parameter, thermophoresis parameter, Lewis number and the natural
convection parameter are presented graphically and discussed for non
– dimensional velocity, temperature and nanoparticle volume
fraction. Numerical data for the skin – friction coefficient, local
Nusselt number and the local Sherwood number have been tabulated
for various parametric conditions. It is found that the local Nusselt
number is a decreasing function of Brownian motion parameter Nb
and the thermophoresis parameter Nt.
Abstract: Verification and Validation of Simulated Process
Model is the most important phase of the simulator life cycle.
Evaluation of simulated process models based on Verification and
Validation techniques checks the closeness of each component model
(in a simulated network) with the real system/process with respect to
dynamic behaviour under steady state and transient conditions. The
process of Verification and Validation helps in qualifying the process
simulator for the intended purpose whether it is for providing
comprehensive training or design verification. In general, model
verification is carried out by comparison of simulated component
characteristics with the original requirement to ensure that each step
in the model development process completely incorporates all the
design requirements. Validation testing is performed by comparing
the simulated process parameters to the actual plant process
parameters either in standalone mode or integrated mode.
A Full Scope Replica Operator Training Simulator for PFBR -
Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor has been developed at IGCAR,
Kalpakkam, INDIA named KALBR-SIM (Kalpakkam Breeder
Reactor Simulator) where in the main participants are
engineers/experts belonging to Modeling Team, Process Design and
Instrumentation & Control design team. This paper discusses about
the Verification and Validation process in general, the evaluation
procedure adopted for PFBR operator training Simulator, the
methodology followed for verifying the models, the reference
documents and standards used etc. It details out the importance of
internal validation by design experts, subsequent validation by
external agency consisting of experts from various fields, model
improvement by tuning based on expert’s comments, final
qualification of the simulator for the intended purpose and the
difficulties faced while co-coordinating various activities.
Abstract: This study is concerned with the optimization of
fermentation parameters for the hyper production of mannanase from
Fusarium oxysporum SS-25 employing two step statistical strategy
and kinetic characterization of crude enzyme preparation. The
Plackett-Burman design used to screen out the important factors in
the culture medium revealed 20% (w/w) wheat bran, 2% (w/w) each
of potato peels, soyabean meal and malt extract, 1% tryptone, 0.14%
NH4SO4, 0.2% KH2PO4, 0.0002% ZnSO4, 0.0005% FeSO4, 0.01%
MnSO4, 0.012% SDS, 0.03% NH4Cl, 0.1% NaNO3 in brewer’s spent
grain based medium with 50% moisture content, inoculated with
2.8×107 spores and incubated at 30oC for 6 days to be the main
parameters influencing the enzyme production. Of these factors, four
variables including soyabean meal, FeSO4, MnSO4 and NaNO3 were
chosen to study the interactive effects and their optimum levels in
central composite design of response surface methodology with the
final mannanase yield of 193 IU/gds. The kinetic characterization
revealed the crude enzyme to be active over broader temperature and
pH range. This could result in 26.6% reduction in kappa number with
4.93% higher tear index and 1% increase in brightness when used to
treat the wheat straw based kraft pulp. The hydrolytic potential of
enzyme was also demonstrated on both locust bean gum and guar
gum.
Abstract: The progress of industry integrated circuits in recent
years has been pushed by continuous miniaturization of transistors.
With the reduction of dimensions of components at 0.1 micron and
below, new physical effects come into play as the standard simulators
of two dimensions (2D) do not consider. In fact the third dimension
comes into play because the transverse and longitudinal dimensions
of the components are of the same order of magnitude. To describe
the operation of such components with greater fidelity, we must
refine simulation tools and adapted to take into account these
phenomena. After an analytical study of the static characteristics of
the component, according to the different operating modes, a
numerical simulation is performed of field-effect transistor with
submicron gate MESFET GaInP. The influence of the dimensions of
the gate length is studied. The results are used to determine the
optimal geometric and physical parameters of the component for their
specific applications and uses.
Abstract: Advanced head and neck cancers are aggressive
tumours, which require aggressive treatment. Treatment efficiency is
often hindered by cancer cell repopulation during radiotherapy,
which is due to various mechanisms triggered by the loss of tumour
cells and involves both stem and differentiated cells. The aim of the
current paper is to present in silico simulations of radiotherapy
schedules on a virtual head and neck tumour grown with biologically
realistic kinetic parameters. Using the linear quadratic formalism of
cell survival after radiotherapy, altered fractionation schedules
employing various treatment breaks for normal tissue recovery are
simulated and repopulation mechanism implemented in order to
evaluate the impact of various cancer cell contribution on tumour
behaviour during irradiation. The model has shown that the timing of
treatment breaks is an important factor influencing tumour control in
rapidly proliferating tissues such as squamous cell carcinomas of the
head and neck. Furthermore, not only stem cells but also
differentiated cells, via the mechanism of abortive division, can
contribute to malignant cell repopulation during treatment.
Abstract: The design and plantwide control of an integrated
plant where the endothermic 1,4-butanediol dehydrogenation and the
exothermic furfural hydrogenation is simultaneously performed in a
single reactor is studied. The reactions can be carried out in an
adiabatic reactor using small hydrogen excess and with reduced
parameter sensitivity. The plant is robust and flexible enough to
allow different production rates of γ-butyrolactone and 2-methyl
furan, keeping high product purities. Rigorous steady state and
dynamic simulations performed in AspenPlus and AspenDynamics to
support the conclusions.
Abstract: Malaysia is rich with historic buildings, particularly in
Penang and Malacca states. Restoration activities are increasingly
important as these states are recognized under UNESCO World
Heritage Sites. Restoration activities help to maintain the uniqueness
and value of a heritage building. However, increasing in restoration
activities has resulted in large quantities of waste. To cope with this
problem, the 3R concept (reduce, reuse and recycle) is introduced.
The 3R concept is one of the waste management hierarchies. This
concept is still yet to apply in the building restoration industry
compared to the construction industry. Therefore, this study aims to
promote the 3R concept in the heritage building restoration industry.
This study aims to examine the importance of 3R concept and to
identify challenges in applying the 3R concept in the heritage
building restoration industry. This study focused on contractors and
consultants who are involved in heritage restoration projects in
Penang. Literature review and interviews helps to reach the research
objective. Data that obtained is analyzed by using content analysis.
For the research, application of 3R concept is important to conserve
natural resources and reduce pollution problems. However, limited
space to organise waste is the obstruction during the implementation
of this concept. In conclusion, the 3R concept plays an important role
in promoting environmental conservation and helping in reducing the
construction waste.
Abstract: This work presents synthesis of α,ω-dithienyl
terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEGTh) capable for further chain
extension by either chemical or electrochemical polymeriztion.
PEGTh was characterized by FTIR and 1H-NMR. Further
copolymerization of PEGTh and pyrrole (Py) was performed by
chemical oxidative polymerization using ceric (IV) salt as an oxidant
(PPy-PEGTh). PEG without end group modification was used
directly to prepare copolymers with Py by Ce (IV) salt (PPy-PEG).
Block copolymers with mole ratio of pyrrole to PEGTh (PEG) 50:1
and 10:1 were synthesized. The electrical conductivities of
copolymers PPy-PEGTh and PPy-PEG were determined by four
point probe technique. Influence of the synthetic route and content of
the insulating segment on conductivity and yield of the copolymers
were investigated.
Abstract: Different tools and technologies were implemented
for Crisis Response and Management (CRM) which is generally
using available network infrastructure for information exchange.
Depending on type of disaster or crisis, network infrastructure could
be affected and it could not be able to provide reliable connectivity.
Thus any tool or technology that depends on the connectivity could
not be able to fulfill its functionalities. As a solution, a new message
exchange framework has been developed. Framework provides
offline/online information exchange platform for CRM Information
Systems (CRMIS) and it uses XML compression and packet
prioritization algorithms and is based on open source web
technologies. By introducing offline capabilities to the web
technologies, framework will be able to perform message exchange
on unreliable networks. The experiments done on the simulation
environment provide promising results on low bandwidth networks
(56kbps and 28.8 kbps) with up to 50% packet loss and the solution is
to successfully transfer all the information on these low quality
networks where the traditional 2 and 3 tier applications failed.
Abstract: Managing and improving efficiency in the current
highly competitive global automotive industry demands that those
companies adopt leaner and more flexible systems. During the past
20 years the domestic automotive industry in North America has been
focusing on establishing new management strategies in order to meet
market demands. The lean management process also known as
Toyota Manufacturing Process (TPS) or lean manufacturing
encompasses tools and techniques that were established in order to
provide the best quality product with the fastest lead time at the
lowest cost. The following paper presents a study that focused on
improving labor efficiency at one of the Big Three (Ford, GM,
Chrysler LLC) domestic automotive facility in North America. The
objective of the study was to utilize several lean management tools in
order to optimize the efficiency and utilization levels at the “Pre-
Marriage” chassis area in a truck manufacturing and assembly
facility. Utilizing three different lean tools (i.e. Standardization of
work, 7 Wastes, and 5S) this research was able to improve efficiency
by 51%, utilization by 246%, and reduce operations by 14%. The
return on investment calculated based on the improvements made
was 284%.
Abstract: This paper presents modeling of an Alternating
Current (AC) Photovoltaic (PV) module using Matlab/Simulink. The
proposed AC-PV module model is simple, realistic, and application
oriented. The model is derived on module level as compared to cell
level directly from the information provided by the manufacturer data
sheet. DC-PV module, MPPT control, BC, VSI and LC filter, all
were treated as a single unit. The model accounts for changes in
variations of both irradiance and temperature. The AC-PV module
proposed model is simulated and the results are compared with the
datasheet projected numbers to validate model’s accuracy and
effectiveness. Implementation and results demonstrate simplicity and
accuracy, as well as reliability of the model.
Abstract: Vegetation affects the mean and turbulent flow
structure. It may increase flood risks and sediment transport.
Therefore, it is important to develop analytical approaches for the bed
shear stress on vegetated bed, to predict resistance caused by
vegetation. In the recent years, experimental and numerical models
have both been developed to model the effects of submerged
vegetation on open-channel flow. In this paper, different analytic
models are compared and tested using the criteria of deviation, to
explore their capacity for predicting the mean velocity and select the
suitable one that will be applied in real case of rivers. The
comparison between the measured data in vegetated flume and
simulated mean velocities indicated, a good performance, in the case
of rigid vegetation, whereas, Huthoff model shows the best
agreement with a high coefficient of determination (R2=80%) and the
smallest error in the prediction of the average velocities.
Abstract: A Motzkin shift is a mathematical model for constraints
on genetic sequences. In terms of the theory of symbolic dynamics,
the Motzkin shift is nonsofic, and therefore, we cannot use the Perron-
Frobenius theory to calculate its topological entropy. The Motzkin
shift M(M,N) which comes from language theory, is defined to be the
shift system over an alphabet A that consists of N negative symbols,
N positive symbols and M neutral symbols. For an x in the full shift,
x will be in the Motzkin subshift M(M,N) if and only if every finite
block appearing in x has a non-zero reduced form. Therefore, the
constraint for x cannot be bounded in length. K. Inoue has shown that
the entropy of the Motzkin shift M(M,N) is log(M + N + 1). In this
paper, a new direct method of calculating the topological entropy of
the Motzkin shift is given without any measure theoretical discussion.
Abstract: VACTERL association is a rare disorder with various
congenital malformations. The aetiology remains unknown.
Combination of at least three congenital anomalies of the following
criteria is required for diagnosis: vertebral defects, anal atresia,
cardiac anomalies, tracheo-esophageal fistula, renal anomalies, and
limb defects. The first case was 1-day old male neonate with multiple
congenital anomalies was bore from 28 years old mother. The mother
had history of pregnancy with lymphocyte therapy. His anomalies
included: defects in thoracic and lumbar vertebral, anal atresia,
bilateral hydronephrosis, atrial septal defect, and lower limb
abnormality. Other anomalies were cryptorchidism and nasal canal
narrowing. The second case was born with 32 weeks gestational age
from mother with history of pregnancy with lymphocyte therapy. He
had thoracic vertebral defect, cardiac anomalies and renal defect.
diagnosis based on clinical finding is VACTERL association. Early
diagnosis is very important to investigation and treatment of other
coexistence anomalies. VACTERL association in mothers with
history of pregnancy with lymphocyte therapy has suggested possibly
of relationship between VACTERL association and this method of
pregnancy.