Abstract: In this paper, we discuss the paradigm shift in bank
capital from the “gone concern" to the “going concern" mindset. We
then propose a methodology for pricing a product of this shift called
Contingent Capital Notes (“CoCos"). The Merton Model can
determine a price for credit risk by using the firm-s equity value as a
call option on those assets. Our pricing methodology for CoCos also
uses the credit spread implied by the Merton Model in a subsequent
derivative form created by John Hull et al . Here, a market implied
asset volatility is calculated by using observed market CDS spreads.
This implied asset volatility is then used to estimate the probability of
triggering a predetermined “contingency event" given the distanceto-
trigger (DTT). The paper then investigates the effect of varying
DTTs and recovery assumptions on the CoCo yield. We conclude
with an investment rationale.
Abstract: Much research into handwritten Thai character
recognition have been proposed, such as comparing heads of
characters, Fuzzy logic and structure trees, etc. This paper presents a
system of handwritten Thai character recognition, which is based on
the Ant-minor algorithm (data mining based on Ant colony
optimization). Zoning is initially used to determine each character.
Then three distinct features (also called attributes) of each character
in each zone are extracted. The attributes are Head zone, End point,
and Feature code. All attributes are used for construct the
classification rules by an Ant-miner algorithm in order to classify
112 Thai characters. For this experiment, the Ant-miner algorithm is
adapted, with a small change to increase the recognition rate. The
result of this experiment is a 97% recognition rate of the training set
(11200 characters) and 82.7% recognition rate of unseen data test
(22400 characters).
Abstract: In this paper, the details of an experimental method to measure the clamping force value at bolted connections due to application of wrenching torque to tighten the nut have been presented. A simplified bolted joint including a holed plate with a single bolt was considered to carry out the experiments. This method was designed based on Hooke-s law by measuring compressive axial strain of a steel bush placed between the nut and the plate. In the experimental procedure, the values of clamping force were calculated for seven different levels of applied torque, and this process was repeated three times for each level of the torque. Moreover, the effect of lubrication of threads on the clamping value was studied using the same method. In both conditions (dry and lubricated threads), relation between the torque and the clamping force have been displayed in graphs.
Abstract: Road transportation system is the most important
method of transporting the goods. Considering the most suitable
geographical situation of Iran to transport the goods between Europe
and Asia and placement of this country in direction of international
corridors (east- west) , (north-south) and Asian land transport to
infrastructure development “A.L.T.I.D" and Transport corridor
Europe - Caucasus - Asia “T.R.A.C.E.C.A", noticing the security of
road transportation system in this country is so important. In this
paper the main factors of accidents on the roads of Iran are
categorized regarding the rate of accidents occurred. Then apart from
studying the main reasons of accidents of every category, the main
factors of these events are studied and its strategies in Iran are
introduced.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the solubility of selected volatile organic compounds in water and silicon oil using the simple static headspace method. The experimental design allowed equilibrium achievement within 30 – 60 minutes. Infinite dilution activity coefficients and Henry-s law constants for various organics representing esters, ketones, alkanes, aromatics, cycloalkanes and amines were measured at 303K. The measurements were reproducible with a relative standard deviation and coefficient of variation of 1.3x10-3 and 1.3 respectively. The static determined activity coefficients using shaker flasks were reasonably comparable to those obtained using the gas liquid - chromatographic technique and those predicted using the group contribution methods mainly the UNIFAC. Silicon oil chemically known as polydimethysiloxane was found to be better absorbent for VOCs than water which quickly becomes saturated. For example the infinite dilution mole fraction based activity coefficients of hexane is 0.503 and 277 000 in silicon oil and water respectively. Thus silicon oil gives a superior factor of 550 696. Henry-s law constants and activity coefficients at infinite dilution play a significant role in the design of scrubbers for abatement of volatile organic compounds from contaminated air streams. This paper presents the phase equilibrium of volatile organic compounds in very dilute aqueous and polymeric solutions indicating the movement and fate of chemical in air and solvent. The successful comparison of the results obtained here and those obtained using other methods by the same authors and in literature, means that the results obtained here are reliable.
Abstract: Concrete strength evaluated from compression tests
on cores is affected by several factors causing differences from the
in-situ strength at the location from which the core specimen was
extracted. Among the factors, there is the damage possibly occurring
during the drilling phase that generally leads to underestimate the
actual in-situ strength. In order to quantify this effect, in this study
two wide datasets have been examined, including: (i) about 500 core
specimens extracted from Reinforced Concrete existing structures,
and (ii) about 600 cube specimens taken during the construction of
new structures in the framework of routine acceptance control. The
two experimental datasets have been compared in terms of
compression strength and specific weight values, accounting for the
main factors affecting a concrete property, that is type and amount of
cement, aggregates' grading, type and maximum size of aggregates,
water/cement ratio, placing and curing modality, concrete age. The
results show that the magnitude of the strength reduction due to
drilling damage is strongly affected by the actual properties of
concrete, being inversely proportional to its strength. Therefore, the
application of a single value of the correction coefficient, as generally
suggested in the technical literature and in structural codes, appears
inappropriate. A set of values of the drilling damage coefficient is
suggested as a function of the strength obtained from compressive
tests on cores.
Abstract: The research object was wheat bread. Experiments
were carried out at the Faculty of Food Technology of the Latvia
University of Agriculture. An active packaging in combination with
modified atmosphere (MAP, CO2 60% and N2 40%) was examined
and compared with traditional packaging in air ambiance. Polymer
Multibarrier 60, PP and OPP bags were used. Influence of iron based
oxygen absorber in sachets of 100 cc obtained from Mitsubishi Gas
Chemical Europe Ageless® was tested on the quality during the shelf
of wheat bread. Samples of 40±4 g were packaged in polymer
pouches (110 mm x 120 mm), hermetically sealed by MULTIVAC
C300 vacuum chamber machine, and stored in room temperature
+21.0±0.5 °C. The physiochemical properties – weight losses,
moisture content, hardness, pH, colour, changes of atmosphere
content (CO2 and O2) in headspace of packs, and microbial
conditions were analysed before packaging and in the 7th, 14th, 21st
and 28th days of storage.
Abstract: The hydrogen peroxide treatment was able to
remediate chlorophenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, diesel
and transformer oil contaminated soil. Chemical treatment of
contaminants adsorbed in peat resulted in lower contaminants-
removal and required higher addition of chemicals than the treatment
of contaminants in sand. The hydrogen peroxide treatment was found
to be feasible for soil remediation at natural soil pH. Contaminants in
soil could degrade with the addition of hydrogen peroxide only
indicating the ability of transition metals ions and minerals of these
metals presented in soil to catalyse the reaction of hydrogen peroxide
decomposition.
Abstract: A large number of chemical, bio-chemical and pollution-control processes use heterogeneous fixed-bed reactors. The use of finite hollow cylindrical catalyst pellets can enhance conversion levels in such reactors. The absence of the pellet core can significantly lower the diffusional resistance associated with the solid phase. This leads to a better utilization of the catalytic material, which is reflected in the higher values for the effectiveness factor, leading ultimately to an enhanced conversion level in the reactor. It is however important to develop a rigorous heterogeneous model for the reactor incorporating the two-dimensional feature of the solid phase owing to the presence of the finite hollow cylindrical catalyst pellet. Presently, heterogeneous models reported in the literature invariably employ one-dimension solid phase models meant for spherical catalyst pellets. The objective of the paper is to present a rigorous model of the fixed-bed reactors containing finite hollow cylindrical catalyst pellets. The reaction kinetics considered here is the widely used Michaelis–Menten kinetics for the liquid-phase bio-chemical reactions. The reaction parameters used here are for the enzymatic degradation of urea. Results indicate that increasing the height to diameter ratio helps to improve the conversion level. On the other hand, decreasing the thickness is apparently not as effective. This could however be explained in terms of the higher void fraction of the bed that causes a smaller amount of the solid phase to be packed in the fixed-bed bio-chemical reactor.
Abstract: The dynamical contouring error is a critical element for the accuracy of machine tools. The contouring error is defined as the difference between the processing actual path and commanded path, which is implemented by following the command curves from feeding driving system in machine tools. The contouring error is resulted from various factors, such as the external loads, friction, inertia moment, feed rate, speed control, servo control, and etc. Thus, the study proposes a 2D compensating system for the contouring accuracy of machine tools. Optical method is adopted by using stable frequency laser diode and the high precision position sensor detector (PSD) to performno-contact measurement. Results show the related accuracy of position sensor detector (PSD) of 2D contouring accuracy compensating system was ±1.5 μm for a calculated range of ±3 mm, and improvement accuracy is over 80% at high-speed feed rate.
Abstract: The chemical degradation of dieldrin in ferric
sulfide and iron powder aqueous suspension was investigated
in laboratory batch type experiments. To identify the reaction
mechanism, reduced copper was used as reductant. More than
90% of dieldrin was degraded using both reaction systems after
29 days. Initial degradation rate of the pesticide using ferric
sulfide was superior to that using iron powder. The reaction
schemes were completely dissimilar even though the ferric ion
plays an important role in both reaction systems. In the case of
metallic iron powder, dieldrin undergoes partial dechlorination.
This reaction proceeded by reductive hydrodechlorination with
the generation of H+, which arise by oxidation of ferric iron.
This reductive reaction was accelerated by reductant but
mono-dechlorination intermediates were accumulated. On the
other hand, oxidative degradation was observed in the reaction
with ferric sulfide, and the stable chemical structure of dieldrin
was decomposed into water-soluble intermediates. These
reaction intermediates have no chemical structure of drin class.
This dehalogenation reaction assumes to occur via the adsorbed
hydroxyl radial generated on the surface of ferric sulfide.
Abstract: This paper deals optimized model to investigate the
effects of peak current, pulse on time and pulse off time in EDM performance on material removal rate of titanium alloy utilizing copper tungsten as electrode and positive polarity of the electrode. The experiments are carried out on Ti6Al4V. Experiments were
conducted by varying the peak current, pulse on time and pulse off time. A mathematical model is developed to correlate the influences of these variables and material removal rate of workpiece. Design of
experiments (DOE) method and response surface methodology
(RSM) techniques are implemented. The validity test of the fit and adequacy of the proposed models has been carried out through
analysis of variance (ANOVA). The obtained results evidence that as
the material removal rate increases as peak current and pulse on time
increases. The effect of pulse off time on MRR changes with peak ampere. The optimum machining conditions in favor of material removal rate are verified and compared. The optimum machining
conditions in favor of material removal rate are estimated and verified with proposed optimized results. It is observed that the developed model is within the limits of the agreeable error (about
4%) when compared to experimental results. This result leads to desirable material removal rate and economical industrial machining to optimize the input parameters.
Abstract: Traditionally, terror groups have been formed by ideologically aligned actors who perceive a lack of options for achieving political or social change. However, terrorist attacks have been increasingly carried out by small groups of actors or lone individuals who may be only ideologically affiliated with larger, formal terrorist organizations. The formation of these groups represents the inverse of traditional organizational growth, whereby structural de-evolution within issue-based organizations leads to the formation of small, independent terror cells. Ideological franchising – the bypassing of formal affiliation to the “parent" organization – represents the de-evolution of traditional concepts of organizational structure in favor of an organic, independent, and focused unit. Traditional definitions of dark networks that are issue-based include focus on an identified goal, commitment to achieving this goal through unrestrained actions, and selection of symbolic targets. The next step in the de-evolution of small dark networks is the miniorganization, consisting of only a handful of actors working toward a common, violent goal. Information-sharing through social media platforms, coupled with civil liberties of democratic nations, provide the communication systems, access to information, and freedom of movement necessary for small dark networks to flourish without the aid of a parent organization. As attacks such as the 7/7 bombings demonstrate the effectiveness of small dark networks, terrorist actors will feel increasingly comfortable aligning with an ideology only, without formally organizing. The natural result of this de-evolving organization is the single actor event, where an individual seems to subscribe to a larger organization-s violent ideology with little or no formal ties.
Abstract: Negation is useful in the majority of the real world applications. However, its introduction leads to semantic and canonical problems. SEPN nets are well adapted extension of predicate nets for the definition and manipulation of stratified programs. This formalism is characterized by two main contributions. The first concerns the management of the whole class of stratified programs. The second contribution is related to usual operations optimization (maximal stratification, incremental updates ...). We propose, in this paper, useful algorithms for manipulating stratified programs using SEPN. These algorithms were implemented and validated with STRPRO tool.
Abstract: This paper presents the simulation of fragmentation
warhead using a hydrocode, Autodyn. The goal of this research is to
determine the lethal range of such a warhead. This study investigates
the lethal range of warheads with and without steel balls as
preformed fragments. The results from the FE simulation, i.e. initial
velocities and ejected spray angles of fragments, are further processed
using an analytical approach so as to determine a fragment hit density
and probability of kill of a modelled warhead. In order to simulate a
plenty of preformed fragments inside a warhead, the model requires
expensive computation resources. Therefore, this study attempts to
model the problem in an alternative approach by considering an
equivalent mass of preformed fragments to the mass of warhead
casing. This approach yields approximately 7% and 20% difference
of fragment velocities from the analytical results for one and two
layers of preformed fragments, respectively. The lethal ranges of the
simulated warheads are 42.6 m and 56.5 m for warheads with one and
two layers of preformed fragments, respectively, compared to 13.85
m for a warhead without preformed fragment. These lethal ranges are
based on the requirement of fragment hit density. The lethal ranges
which are based on the probability of kill are 27.5 m, 61 m and 70 m
for warheads with no preformed fragment, one and two layers of
preformed fragments, respectively.
Abstract: Electrical distribution systems are incurring large losses as the loads are wide spread, inadequate reactive power compensation facilities and their improper control. A comprehensive static VAR compensator consisting of capacitor bank in five binary sequential steps in conjunction with a thyristor controlled reactor of smallest step size is employed in the investigative work. The work deals with the performance evaluation through analytical studies and practical implementation on an existing system. A fast acting error adaptive controller is developed suitable both for contactor and thyristor switched capacitors. The switching operations achieved are transient free, practically no need to provide inrush current limiting reactors, TCR size minimum providing small percentages of nontriplen harmonics, facilitates stepless variation of reactive power depending on load requirement so as maintain power factor near unity always. It is elegant, closed loop microcontroller system having the features of self regulation in adaptive mode for automatic adjustment. It is successfully tested on a distribution transformer of three phase 50 Hz, Dy11, 11KV/440V, 125 KVA capacity and the functional feasibility and technical soundness are established. The controller developed is new, adaptable to both LT & HT systems and practically established to be giving reliable performance.
Abstract: Thermal behavior of fuel channel under loss of coolant accident (LOCA) is a major concern for nuclear reactor safety. LOCA along with failure of emergency cooling water system (ECC) may leads to mechanical deformations like sagging and ballooning. In order to understand the phenomenon an experiment has been carried out using 19 pin fuel element simulator. Main purpose of the experiment was to trace temperature profiles over the pressure tube, calandria tube and clad tubes of Indian Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (IPHWR) under symmetrical and asymmetrical heat-up conditions. For simulating the fully voided scenario, symmetrical heating of pressure was carried out by injecting 13.2 KW (2 % of nominal power) to all the 19 pins and the temperatures of pressure tube, calandria tube and clad tubes were measured. During symmetrical heating the sagging of fuel channel was initiated at 460 °C and the highest temperature attained by PT was 650 °C . The decay heat from clad tubes was dissipated to moderator mainly by radiation and natural convection. The highest temperature of 680 °C was observed over the outer ring of clad tubes of fuel simulator. Again, to simulate partially voided condition, asymmetrical heating of pressure was carried out by supplying 8.0 kW power to upper 8 pins of fuel simulator and temperature profiles were measured. Along the circumference of pressure tube (PT) the highest temperature difference of 320 °C was observed, which highlights the magnitude of thermal stresses under partially voided conditions.
Abstract: Simplified coupled engine block-crankshaft models
based on beam theory provide an efficient substitute to engine
simulation in the design process. These models require accurate
definition of the main bearing stiffness. In this paper, an investigation
of this stiffness is presented. The clearance effect is studied using a
smooth bearing model. It is manifested for low shaft displacement.
The hydrodynamic assessment model shows that the oil film has no
stiffness for low loads and it is infinitely rigid for important loads.
The deformation stiffness is determined using a suitable finite
elements model based on real CADs. As a result, a main bearing
behaviour law is proposed. This behaviour law takes into account the
clearance, the hydrodynamic sustention and the deformation stiffness.
It ensures properly the transition from the configuration low rigidity
to the configuration high rigidity.
Abstract: This paper present some preliminary work on the
preparation and physicochemical caracterization of nanocomposite
MFI-alumina structures based on alumina hollow fibres. The fibers
are manufactured by a wet spinning process. α-alumina particles were
dispersed in a solution of polysulfone in NMP. The resulting slurry is
pressed through the annular gap of a spinneret into a precipitation
bath. The resulting green fibres are sintered. The mechanical strength
of the alumina hollow fibres is determined by a three-point-bending
test while the pore size is characterized by bubble-point testing. The
bending strength is in the range of 110 MPa while the average pore
size is 450 nm for an internal diameter of 1 mm and external diameter
of 1.7 mm. To characterize the MFI membranes various techniques
were used for physicochemical characterization of MFI–ceramic
hollow fibres membranes: The nitrogen adsorption, X-ray
diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy combined with X
emission microanalysis. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and
Energy Dispersive Microanalysis by the X-ray were used to observe
the morphology of the hollow fibre membranes (thickness,
infiltration into the carrier, defects, homogeneity). No surface film,
has been obtained, as observed by SEM and EDX analysis and
confirmed by high temperature variation of N2 and CO2 gas
permeances before cation exchange. Local analysis and characterise
(SEM and EDX) and overall (by ICP elemental analysis) were
conducted on two samples exchanged to determine the quantity and
distribution of the cation of cesium on the cross section fibre of the
zeolite between the cavities.
Abstract: The voice signal in Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) system is processed through the best effort policy based IP network, which leads to the network degradations including delay, packet loss jitter. The work in this paper presents the implementation of finite impulse response (FIR) filter for voice quality improvement in the VoIP system through distributed arithmetic (DA) algorithm. The VoIP simulations are conducted with AMR-NB 6.70 kbps and G.729a speech coders at different packet loss rates and the performance of the enhanced VoIP signal is evaluated using the perceptual evaluation of speech quality (PESQ) measurement for narrowband signal. The results show reduction in the computational complexity in the system and significant improvement in the quality of the VoIP voice signal.