Abstract: Interstitial free steels possess better formability and
have many applications in automotive industries. Forming limit
diagrams (FLDs) indicate the formability of materials which can be
determined by experimental and finite element (FE) simulations.
FLDs were determined experimentally by LDH test, utilizing optical
strain measurement system for measuring the strains in different
width specimens and by FE simulations in Interstitial Free (IF) and
Interstitial Free High Strength (IFHS) steels. In this study, the
experimental and FE simulated FLDs are compared and also the
stress based FLDs were investigated.
Abstract: The degradation of concrete due to various hygrochemo-
mechanical actions is inevitable for the structures particularly
built to store water. Therefore, it is essential to determine the material
properties of dam-like structures due to ageing to predict the behavior
of such structures after a certain age. The degraded material
properties are calculated by introducing isotropic degradation index.
The predicted material properties are used to study the behavior of
aged dam at different ages. The dam is modeled by finite elements
and displacement and is considered as an unknown variable. The
parametric study reveals that the displacement is quite larger for
comparatively lower design life of the structure because the
degradation of elastic properties depends on the design life of the
dam. The stresses in dam cam be unexpectedly large at any age with
in the design life. The outcomes of the present study indicate the
importance of the consideration ageing effect of concrete exposed to
water for the safe design of dam throughout its life time.
Abstract: Riveting process is one of the important ways to keep
fastening the lap joints in aircraft structures. Failure of aircraft lap
joints directly depends on the stress field in the joint. An important
application of riveting process is in the construction of aircraft
fuselage structures. In this paper, a 3D finite element method is
carried out in order to optimize residual stress field in a riveted lap
joint and also to estimate its fatigue life. In continue, a number of
experiments are designed and analyzed using design of experiments
(DOE). Then, Taguchi method is used to select an optimized case
between different levels of each factor. Besides that, the factor which
affects the most on residual stress field is investigated. Such
optimized case provides the maximum residual stress field. Fatigue
life of the optimized joint is estimated by Paris-Erdogan law. Stress
intensity factors (SIFs) are calculated using both finite element
analysis and experimental formula. In addition, the effect of residual
stress field, geometry and secondary bending are considered in SIF
calculation. A good agreement is found between results of such
methods. Comparison between optimized fatigue life and fatigue life
of other joints has shown an improvement in the joint’s life.
Abstract: Many interventions for social skills acquisition aim to decrease the gap between social skills deficits in the individual and normative social skills; nevertheless little is known of typical social skills according to age difference in students. In this study, we developed new quintet of Hokkaido Social Skills Inventory (HSSI) to identify age-appropriate social skills for school adaptation. First, we selected 13 categories of social skills for school adaptation from previous studies, and created questionnaire items through discussion by 25 teachers in all three levels from elementary schools to senior high schools. Second, the factor structures of five versions of the social skills scale were investigated on 2nd grade (n = 1,864), 4th grade (n = 1,936), 6th grade (n = 2,085), 7th grade (n = 2,007), and 10th grade (n = 912) students, respectively. The exploratory factor analysis showed that a number of constructing factors of social skills increased as one’s grade in school advanced. The results in the present study can be useful to characterize the age-appropriate social skills for school adaptation.
Abstract: Supply chains are the backbone of trade and
commerce. Their logistics use different transport corridors on regular
basis for operational purpose. The international supply chain
transport corridors include different infrastructure elements (e.g.
weighbridge, package handling equipments, border clearance
authorities, and so on). This paper presents the use of multi-agent
systems (MAS) to model and simulate some aspects of transportation
corridors, and in particular the area of weighbridge resource
optimization for operational profit. An underlying multi-agent model
provides a means of modeling the relationships among stakeholders
in order to enable coordination in a transport corridor environment.
Simulations of the costs of container unloading, reloading, and
waiting time for queuing up tracks have been carried out using data
sets. Results of the simulation provide the potential guidance in
making decisions about optimal service resource allocation in a trade
corridor.
Abstract: In this paper, we present a model-based regression test
suite reducing approach that uses EFSM model dependence analysis
and probability-driven greedy algorithm to reduce software regression
test suites. The approach automatically identifies the difference
between the original model and the modified model as a set of
elementary model modifications. The EFSM dependence analysis is
performed for each elementary modification to reduce the regression
test suite, and then the probability-driven greedy algorithm is adopted
to select the minimum set of test cases from the reduced regression test
suite that cover all interaction patterns. Our initial experience shows
that the approach may significantly reduce the size of regression test
suites.
Abstract: Any signal transmitted over a channel is corrupted by noise and interference. A host of channel coding techniques has been proposed to alleviate the effect of such noise and interference. Among these Turbo codes are recommended, because of increased capacity at higher transmission rates and superior performance over convolutional codes. The multimedia elements which are associated with ample amount of data are best protected by Turbo codes. Turbo decoder employs Maximum A-posteriori Probability (MAP) and Soft Output Viterbi Decoding (SOVA) algorithms. Conventional Turbo coded systems employ Equal Error Protection (EEP) in which the protection of all the data in an information message is uniform. Some applications involve Unequal Error Protection (UEP) in which the level of protection is higher for important information bits than that of other bits. In this work, enhancement to the traditional Log MAP decoding algorithm is being done by using optimized scaling factors for both the decoders. The error correcting performance in presence of UEP in Additive White Gaussian Noise channel (AWGN) and Rayleigh fading are analyzed for the transmission of image with Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) as source coding technique. This paper compares the performance of log MAP, Modified log MAP (MlogMAP) and Enhanced log MAP (ElogMAP) algorithms used for image transmission. The MlogMAP algorithm is found to be best for lower Eb/N0 values but for higher Eb/N0 ElogMAP performs better with optimized scaling factors. The performance comparison of AWGN with fading channel indicates the robustness of the proposed algorithm. According to the performance of three different message classes, class3 would be more protected than other two classes. From the performance analysis, it is observed that ElogMAP algorithm with UEP is best for transmission of an image compared to Log MAP and MlogMAP decoding algorithms.
Abstract: Encapsulated O-rings are specifically designed to address the problem of sealing the most hostile chemicals and extreme temperature applications. Ultrasonic vibration hot embossing and ultrasonic welding techniques provide a fast and reliable method to fabricate encapsulated O-ring. This paper performs the design and analysis method of the acoustic horns with double extrusion to process tube double side flange simultaneously. The paper deals with study through Finite Element Method (FEM) of ultrasonic stepped horn used to process a capsulated O-ring, the theoretical dimensions of horns, and their natural frequencies and amplitudes are obtained through the simulations of COMOSOL software. Furthermore, real horns were fabricated, tested and verified to proof the practical utility of these horns.
Abstract: Metal thin-walled members have been widely used in
building industry. Usually they are utilized as purlins, girts or ceiling
beams. Due to slenderness of thin-walled cross-sections these
structural members are prone to stability problems (e.g. flexural
buckling, lateral torsional buckling). If buckling is not
constructionally prevented their resistance is limited by buckling
strength. In practice planar members of roof or wall cladding can be
attached to thin-walled members. These elements reduce
displacement of thin-walled members and therefore increase their
buckling strength. If this effect is taken into static assessment more
economical sections of thin-walled members might be utilized and
certain savings of material might be achieved. This paper focuses on
problem of determination of critical load of steel thin-walled beams
with lateral continuous restraint which is crucial for lateral torsional
buckling assessment.
Abstract: The present study was aimed to examine the structure
of children’s adaptation during school transition and to identify a
commonality and dissimilarity at the elementary and junior high
school. 1,983 students in the 6th grade and 2,051 students in the 7th
grade were extracted by stratified two-stage random sampling and
completed the ASSESS that evaluated the school adaptation from the
view point of ‘general satisfaction’, ‘teachers’ support’, ‘friends’
support’, ‘anti-bullying relationship’, ‘prosocial skills’, and ‘academic
adaptation’. The 7th graders tend to be worse adaptation than the 6th
graders. A structural equation modeling showed the goodness of fit for
each grades. Both models were very similar but the 7th graders’ model
showed a lower coefficient at the pass from ‘teachers’ support’ to
‘friends’ support’. The role of ‘teachers’ support’ was decreased to
keep a good relation in junior high school. We also discussed how we
provide a continuous assistance for prevention of the 7th graders’ gap.
Abstract: To mitigate the urban heat island effect has become a
global issue when we are faced with the challenge of climate change.
Through literature review, plant photosynthesis can reduce the carbon
dioxide and mitigate the urban heat island effect to a degree. Because
there are not enough open space and parks, green roof has become an
important policy in Taiwan.
We selected elementary school buildings in northern New Taipei
City as research subjects since elementary schools are asked with
priority to build green roof and important educational place to promote
green roof concept. Testo175-H1 recording device was used to record
the temperature and humidity differences between roof surface and
interior space below roof with and without green roof in the long-term.
We also use questionnaires to investigate the awareness of comfort
level of green roof and sensation of teachers and students of the
elementary schools.
The results indicated that the temperature of roof without greening
was higher than that with greening by about 2°C. But sometimes
during noontime, the temperature of green roof was higher than that of
non-green roof probably because of the character of the accumulation
and dissipation of heat of greening. The temperature of the interior
space below green roof was normally lower than that without green
roof by about 1°C, showing that green roof could lower the
temperature. The humidity of the green roof was higher than the one
without greening also indicated that green roof retained water better.
Teachers liked to combine green roof concept in the curriculum,
and students wished all classes can take turns to maintain the green
roof. Teachers and students whose school had integrated green roof
concept in the curriculum were more willing to participate in the
maintenance work of green roof. Teachers and students who may have
access to and touch the green roof can be more aware of the green roof
benefit. We suggest architects to increase the accessibility and
visibility of green roof, such as use it as a part of the activity space.
This idea can be a reference to the green roof curriculum design.
Abstract: This article proposes a new method for application in
communication circuit systems that increase efficiency, PAE, output
power and gain in the circuit. The proposed method is based on a
combination of switching class-E and class-J and has been termed
class-EJ. This method was investigated using both theory and
simulation to confirm ∼72% PAE and output power of >39dBm. The
combination and design of the proposed power amplifier accrues gain
of over 15dB in the 2.9 to 3.5GHz frequency bandwidth. This circuit
was designed using MOSFET and high power transistors. The loadand
source-pull method achieved the best input and output networks
using lumped elements. The proposed technique was investigated for
fundamental and second harmonics having desirable amplitudes for
the output signal.
Abstract: The objective of this paper is to present the process of
change in management accounting in Romania, a former communist
country from Eastern Europe. In order to explain this process, we used
the contingency and institutional theories. We focused on the
following directions: the presentation of the scientific context and
motivation of this research and the case study. We presented the state
of the art in the process of change in the management accounting from
the international and national perspective. We also described the
evolution of management accounting in Romania in the context of
economic and political changes. An important moment was the fall of
communism in 1989. This represents a starting point for a new
economic environment and for new management accounting.
Accordingly, we developed a case study which presented this
evolution. The conclusion of our research was that the changes in the
management accounting system of the company analysed occurred in
the same time with the institutionalisation of some elements (e.g.
degree of competition, training and competencies in management
accounting). The management accounting system was modelled by the
contingencies specific to this company (e.g. environment, industry,
strategy).
Abstract: Masonry infill walls are inevitable in the selfsupporting
structures, but their contribution in the resistance to
earthquake loads is generally neglected in the structural analyses. The
principal aim of this work through a numerical study of masonry
infill walls behavior in structures subjected to horizontal load is to
propose by finite elements numerical modeling, a more reliable
approach, faster and close to reality. In this study, 3D Finite Element
Analysis was developed to study the behavior of masonry infill walls
in structures subjected to horizontal load; the finite element software
being used was ABAQUS, it is observed that more rigidity of the
masonry filling is significant, more the structure is rigid, we can so
conclude that the filling brings an additional rigidity to the structure
not to be neglected; it is also observed that when the framework is
subjected to horizontal loads, the framework separates from the
filling on the level of the tended diagonal.
Abstract: Mammography is widely used technique for breast cancer
screening. There are various other techniques for breast cancer screening
but mammography is the most reliable and effective technique. The
images obtained through mammography are of low contrast which
causes problem for the radiologists to interpret. Hence, a high quality
image is mandatory for the processing of the image for extracting any
kind of information from it. Many contrast enhancement algorithms have
been developed over the years. In the present work, an efficient
morphology based technique is proposed for contrast enhancement of
masses in mammographic images. The proposed method is based on
Multiscale Morphology and it takes into consideration the scale of the
structuring element. The proposed method is compared with other stateof-
the-art techniques. The experimental results show that the proposed
method is better both qualitatively and quantitatively than the other
standard contrast enhancement techniques.
Abstract: The fatigue life of tubular joints commonly found in
offshore industry is not only dependent on the value of hot-spot stress
(HSS), but is also significantly influenced by the through-thethickness
stress distribution characterized by the degree of bending
(DoB). The determination of DoB values in a tubular joint is essential
for improving the accuracy of fatigue life estimation using the stresslife
(S–N) method and particularly for predicting the fatigue crack
growth based on the fracture mechanics (FM) approach. In the
present paper, data extracted from finite element (FE) analyses of
tubular KT-joints, verified against experimental data and parametric
equations, was used to investigate the effects of geometrical
parameters on DoB values at the crown 0°, saddle, and crown 180°
positions along the weld toe of central brace in tubular KT-joints
subjected to axial loading. Parametric study was followed by a set of
nonlinear regression analyses to derive DoB parametric formulas for
the fatigue analysis of KT-joints under axial loads. The tubular KTjoint
is a quite common joint type found in steel offshore structures.
However, despite the crucial role of the DoB in evaluating the fatigue
performance of tubular joints, this paper is the first attempt to study
and formulate the DoB values in KT-joints.
Abstract: The addition of lime as Ca(OH)2 to sewage sludge to
destroy pathogens (Escherichia coli), was evaluated also in relation
to heavy metal bioavailability.
The obtained results show that the use of calcium hydroxide at the
dose of 3% effectively destroyed pathogens ensuring the stability at
high pH values over long period and the duration of the sewage
sludge stabilization. In general, lime addition decreased the total
extractability of heavy metals indicating a reduced bioavailability of
these elements. This is particularly important for a safe utilization in
agricultural soils to reduce the possible transfer of heavy metals to
the food chain.
Abstract: There are many perceived advantages of microwave
ablation have driven researchers to develop innovative antennas to
effectively treat deep-seated, non-resectable hepatic tumors. In this
paper a coaxial antenna with a miniaturized sleeve choke has been
discussed for microwave interstitial ablation therapy, in order to
reduce backward heating effects irrespective of the insertion depth
into the tissue. Two dimensional Finite Element Method (FEM) is
used to simulate and measure the results of miniaturized sleeve choke
antenna. This paper emphasizes the importance of factors that can
affect simulation accuracy, which include mesh resolution, surface
heating and reflection coefficient. Quarter wavelength choke
effectiveness has been discussed by comparing it with the unchoked
antenna with same dimensions.
Abstract: The article proposed intends to analyze the possibility
(and conditions) of a media regulation law in a democratic rule of law
in the twenty-first century. To do so, will be presented initially the
idea of the public sphere (by Jürgen Habermas), showing how it is
presented as an interface between the citizen and the state (or the
private and public) and how important is it in a deliberative
democracy. Based on this paradigm, the traditional perception of the
role of public information (such as system functional element) and on
the possibility of media regulation will be exposed, due to the public
nature of their activity. A critical argument will then be displayed
from two different perspectives: a) the formal function of the current
media information, considering that the digital age has fragmented
the information access; b) the concept of a constructive democracy,
which reduces the need for representation, changing the strategic
importance of the public sphere. The question to be addressed (based
on the comparative law) is if the regulation is justified in a
polycentric democracy, especially when it operates under the digital
age (with immediate and virtual communication). The proposal is to
be presented in the sense that even in a twenty-first century the media
in a democratic rule of law still has an extremely important role and
may be subject to regulation, but this should be on terms very
different (and narrower) from those usually defended.
Abstract: White concrete facade elements are widely used in
construction industry. It is challenging to achieve the desired
workability in casting of white concrete elements. Particle Matrix
model was used for proportioning the self-compacting white concrete
(SCWC) to control segregation and bleeding and to improve
workability. The paper presents how to reach the target slump flow
while controlling bleeding and segregation in SCWC. The amount of
aggregates, binders and mixing water, as well as type and dosage of
superplasticizer (SP) to be used are the major factors influencing the
properties of SCWC. Slump flow and compressive strength tests were
carried out to examine the performance of SCWC, and the results
indicate that the particle matrix model could produce successfully
SCWC controlling segregation and bleeding.