Abstract: Having considered tactile sensing and palpation of a
surgeon in order to detect kidney stone during open surgery; we
present the 2D model of nephrolithiasis (two dimensional model of
kidney containing a simulated stone). The effects of stone existence
that appear on the surface of kidney (because of exerting mechanical
load) are determined. Using Finite element method, it is illustrated
that the created stress patterns on the surface of kidney and stress
graphs not only show existence of stone inside kidney, but also show
its exact location.
Abstract: The most common type of controller being used in
the industry is PI(D) controller which has been used since 1945 and
is still being widely used due to its efficiency and simplicity. In
most cases, the PI(D) controller was tuned without taking into
consideration of the effect of actuator saturation. In real processes,
the most common actuator which is valve will act as constraint and
restrict the controller output. Since the controller is not designed to
encounter saturation, the process may windup and consequently
resulted in large oscillation or may become unstable. Usually, an
antiwindup compensator is added to the feedback control loop to
reduce the deterioration effect of integral windup. This research
aims to specifically control processes with constraints. The
proposed method was applied to two different types of food
processes, which are blending and spray drying. Simulations were
done using MATLAB and the performances of the proposed
method were compared with other conventional methods. The
proposed technique was able to control the processes and avoid
saturation such that no anti windup compensator is needed.
Abstract: Composite steel-concrete slabs using thin-walled
corrugated steel sheets with embossments represent a modern and
effective combination of steel and concrete. However, the design
of new types of sheeting is conditional on the execution of expensive
and time-consuming laboratory testing. The effort to develop
a cheaper and faster method has lead to many investigations all over
the world. In our paper we compare the results from our experiments
involving vacuum loading, four-point bending and small-scale shear
tests.
Abstract: An Ad hoc wireless network comprises of mobile
terminals linked and communicating with each other sans the aid of
traditional infrastructure. Optimized Link State Protocol (OLSR) is a
proactive routing protocol, in which routes are discovered/updated
continuously so that they are available when needed. Hello messages
generated by a node seeks information about its neighbor and if the
latter fails to respond to a specified number of hello messages
regulated by neighborhood hold time, the node is forced to assume
that the neighbor is not in range. This paper proposes to evaluate
OLSR routing protocol in a random mobility network having various
neighborhood hold time intervals. The throughput and delivery ratio
are also evaluated to learn about its efficiency for multimedia loads.
Abstract: An inflation–extension test with human vena cava
inferior was performed with the aim to fit a material model. The vein
was modeled as a thick–walled tube loaded by internal pressure and
axial force. The material was assumed to be an incompressible
hyperelastic fiber reinforced continuum. Fibers are supposed to be
arranged in two families of anti–symmetric helices. Considered
anisotropy corresponds to local orthotropy. Used strain energy
density function was based on a concept of limiting strain
extensibility. The pressurization was comprised by four pre–cycles
under physiological venous loading (0 – 4kPa) and four cycles under
nonphysiological loading (0 – 21kPa). Each overloading cycle was
performed with different value of axial weight. Overloading data
were used in regression analysis to fit material model. Considered
model did not fit experimental data so good. Especially predictions
of axial force failed. It was hypothesized that due to
nonphysiological values of loading pressure and different values of
axial weight the material was not preconditioned enough and some
damage occurred inside the wall. A limiting fiber extensibility
parameter Jm was assumed to be in relation to supposed damage.
Each of overloading cycles was fitted separately with different values
of Jm. Other parameters were held the same. This approach turned out
to be successful. Variable value of Jm can describe changes in the
axial force – axial stretch response and satisfy pressure – radius
dependence simultaneously.
Abstract: Electrolytic dissolution characteristics of UO2 and
SIMFUEL electrodes were studied at several potentials in carbonate
solutions of a high concentration at several pHs. The electrolytic
uranium dissolution was much affected by a corrosion product of
UO2CO3 generated at the electrode during the dissolution in carbonate
solution. The corrosion product distorted the voltammogram at UO2
and SIMFUEL electrodes in the potential region of oxygen evolution
and increased the overpotential of oxygen evolution at the electrode.
The effective dissolution in a carbonate solution could be obtained at
an applied potential such as +4 V (vs SSE) or more which had an
overpotential of oxygen evolution high enough to rupture the
corrosion product on the electrode surface.
Abstract: To study the performance of soybean (Glycine max L.) cultivars in varying weeding regimes, a field experiment was conducted in 2010. The experiment was split plot in a randomized complete block design with 3 replicates. The four cultivars and two lines of soybean including: Sahar, Hill, Sari, Telar, 032 and 033 in main plot and weeding regime consist of no weeding (control), one weeding (35 days after planting) and two weeding (35+20 days after planting) were randomized in sub plot. In weed infested plots inevitably had the highest yield reduction in all varieties. On the other hand, plots weeded twice showed the best performance for all cultivars and lines. Although 033 had the highest yield over weeding regimes, but Hill was the best cultivar in suppression of weeds, which indicated the competitiveness of this cultivar. Double weeding, with the use of competitive soybean cultivars would be an effective approach for producing yield.
Abstract: The experimental and theoretical results of a ZVS
(Zero Voltage Switching) isolated flyback DC-DC converter using
multilayered coreless PCB step down 2:1 transformer are presented.
The performance characteristics of the transformer are shown which
are useful for the parameters extraction. The measured energy
efficiency of the transformer is found to be more than 94% with the
sinusoidal input voltage excitation. The designed flyback converter
has been tested successfully upto the output power level of 10W,
with a switching frequency in the range of 2.7MHz-4.3MHz. The
input voltage of the converter is varied from 25V-40V DC.
Frequency modulation technique is employed by maintaining
constant off time to regulate the output voltage of the converter. The
energy efficiency of the isolated flyback converter circuit under ZVS
condition in the MHz frequency region is found to be approximately
in the range of 72-84%. This paper gives the comparative results in
terms of the energy efficiency of the hard switched and soft switched
flyback converter in the MHz frequency region.
Abstract: Restructured electricity markets may provide
opportunities for producers to exercise market power maintaining
prices in excess of competitive levels. In this paper an oligopolistic
market is presented that all Generation Companies (GenCos) bid in a
Cournot model. Genetic algorithm (GA) is applied to obtain
generation scheduling of each GenCo as well as hourly market
clearing prices (MCP). In order to consider network constraints a
multiperiod framework is presented to simulate market clearing
mechanism in which the behaviors of market participants are
modelled through piecewise block curves. A mixed integer linear
programming (MILP) is employed to solve the problem. Impacts of
market clearing process on participants- characteristic and final
market prices are presented. Consequently, a novel multi-objective
model is addressed for security constrained optimal bidding strategy
of GenCos. The capability of price-maker GenCos to alter MCP is
evaluated through introducing an effective-supply curve. In addition,
the impact of exercising market power on the variation of market
characteristics as well as GenCos scheduling is studied.
Abstract: In the micro and nano-technology industry, the
«clean-rooms» dedicated to manufacturing chip, are equipped with
the most sophisticated equipment-tools. There use a large number of
resources in according to strict specifications for an optimum
working and result. The distribution of «utilities» to the production is
assured by teams who use a supervision tool.
The studies show the interest to control the various parameters of
production or/and distribution, in real time, through a reliable and
effective supervision tool. This document looks at a large part of the
functions that the supervisor must assure, with complementary
functionalities to help the diagnosis and simulation that prove very
useful in our case where the supervised installations are complexed
and in constant evolution.
Abstract: Polyurethane foams (PUF) has been prepared from
vegetable; soybean based polyols. They were characterized into
flexible and semi rigid polyurethane foam. This work is directed to
production of flexible polyurethane foams by a process involving the
reaction of mixture of 2,4- and 2,6-Toluene di Isocyanate isomers,
with portion of to blends of soy polyols with petroleum polyol in the
presence of other ingredients such as blowing agents, silicone
surfactants and accelerating agents. Additon of chain extender
improves the property then further decreases the properties on further
addition of the same. The objective of this work was to study the
effect of chain extender and role of phosphoric acid catalyst to the
final properties and correlate the morphology image with mechanical
properties of these foams.
Abstract: This paper numerically investigates the effects of input
speed on the overall dynamic characteristics of a multi-body system
with differently located revolute clearance joints without friction. A
typical planar slider-crank mechanism is used as a demonstration case
in which the effects of the input speed on the dynamic performance
of the mechanism with a revolute clearance joint between the crank
and connecting rod, and between the connecting rod and slider are
separately investigated with comprehensive observations numerically
presented. It is observed that, changing the driving speed of a multibody
system makes the behavior of the system to change from
either periodic to chaotic, or chaotic to periodic depending on which
joint has clearance. The location of the clearance revolute joint and
the operating speed of a multi-body system play a crucial role in
predicting accurately the dynamic responses of the system. Therefore
the dynamic behavior of one clearance revolute joint cannot be used
as a general case for a mechanical system.
Abstract: A comparative evaluation of acute toxicity of
synthesized nano silvers using two different procedures (biological
and chemical reduction methods) and silver ions on bacteria
Vibrio fischeri was investigated. The bacterial light inhibition test as
a toxicological endpoint was used by applying of a homemade
luminometer. To compare the toxicity effects as a quantitative
parameter, a nominal effective concentrations (EC) of chemicals and
a susceptibility constant (Z-value) of bacteria, after 5 min and 30 min
exposure times, were calculated. After 5 and 30 min contact times,
the EC50 values of two silver nanoparticles and the EC20 values were
about similar. It demonstrates that toxicity of silvers was independent
of their procedure. The EC values of nanoparticles were larger than
those of the silver ions. The susceptibilities(Z- Values) of V.fischeri
(L/mg) to the silver ions were greater than those of the nano silvers.
According to the EC and Z values, the toxicity of silvers decreased in
the following order: Silver ions >> silver nanoparticles from
chemical reduction method ~ silver nanoparticles from biological
method.
Abstract: Real-time measurement of applied forces, like tension, compression, torsion, and bending moment, identifies the transferred energies being applied to the bottomhole assembly (BHA). These forces are highly detrimental to measurement/logging-while-drilling tools and downhole equipment. Real-time measurement of the dynamic downhole behavior, including weight, torque, bending on bit, and vibration, establishes a real-time feedback loop between the downhole drilling system and drilling team at the surface. This paper describes the numerical analysis of the strain data acquired by the measurement tool at different locations on the strain pockets. The strain values obtained by FEA for various loading conditions (tension, compression, torque, and bending moment) are compared against experimental results obtained from an identical experimental setup. Numerical analyses results agree with experimental data within 8% and, therefore, substantiate and validate the FEA model. This FEA model can be used to analyze the combined loading conditions that reflect the actual drilling environment.
Abstract: In this paper a PID control strategy using neural
network adaptive RASP1 wavelet for WECS-s control is proposed.
It is based on single layer feedforward neural networks with hidden
nodes of adaptive RASP1 wavelet functions controller and an infinite
impulse response (IIR) recurrent structure. The IIR is combined by
cascading to the network to provide double local structure resulting
in improving speed of learning. This particular neuro PID controller
assumes a certain model structure to approximately identify the
system dynamics of the unknown plant (WECS-s) and generate the
control signal. The results are applied to a typical turbine/generator
pair, showing the feasibility of the proposed solution.
Abstract: The stability test problem for homogeneous large-scale perturbed bilinear time-delay systems subjected to constrained inputs is considered in this paper. Both nonlinear uncertainties and interval systems are discussed. By utilizing the Lyapunove equation approach associated with linear algebraic techniques, several delay-independent criteria are presented to guarantee the robust stability of the overall systems. The main feature of the presented results is that although the Lyapunov stability theorem is used, they do not involve any Lyapunov equation which may be unsolvable. Furthermore, it is seen the proposed schemes can be applied to solve the stability analysis problem of large-scale time-delay systems.
Abstract: The objective of the research is to study and compare
response surface designs: Central composite designs (CCD), Box-
Behnken designs (BBD), Small composite designs (SCD), Hybrid
designs, and Uniform shell designs (USD) over sets of reduced models
when the design is in a spherical region for 3 and 4 design variables.
The two optimality criteria ( D and G ) are considered which larger
values imply a better design. The comparison of design optimality
criteria of the response surface designs across the full second order
model and sets of reduced models for 3 and 4 factors based on the
two criteria are presented.
Abstract: In this paper, a novel method using Bees Algorithm is proposed to determine the optimal allocation of FACTS devices for maximizing the Available Transfer Capability (ATC) of power transactions between source and sink areas in the deregulated power system. The algorithm simultaneously searches the FACTS location, FACTS parameters and FACTS types. Two types of FACTS are simulated in this study namely Thyristor Controlled Series Compensator (TCSC) and Static Var Compensator (SVC). A Repeated Power Flow with FACTS devices including ATC is used to evaluate the feasible ATC value within real and reactive power generation limits, line thermal limits, voltage limits and FACTS operation limits. An IEEE30 bus system is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm as an optimization tool to enhance ATC. A Genetic Algorithm technique is used for validation purposes. The results clearly indicate that the introduction of FACTS devices in a right combination of location and parameters could enhance ATC and Bees Algorithm can be efficiently used for this kind of nonlinear integer optimization.
Abstract: This study aims to analyze the effect of e-learning on
photonics technology and daily livings among college students. The
course contents of photonics technology and daily livings are first
drafted based on research discussions and expert interviews. Having
expert questionnaires with Delphi Technique for three times, the
knowledge units and items for the course of photonics technology and
daily livings are established. The e-learning materials and the drafts of
instructional strategies, academic achievement, and learning attitude
scales are then developed. With expert inspection, reliability and
validity test, and experimental instructions, the scales and the material
are further revised. Finally, the formal instructions are implemented to
test the effect of different instructional methods on the academic
achievement of photonics technology and daily livings among students
in universities of technology. The research results show that e-learning
could effectively promote academic achievement and learning
attitude, and the students with e-learning obviously outperform the
ones with trandition instructions.
Abstract: Low oxygen content vanadium powder was
prepared by hydrogenation dehydrogenization (HDH). The
effect of purification treatment on hydrogen absorption kinetics
of dendritic vanadium was tested, and the effects of milling
technique on powder yield and grain size were studied. The
crystal phase, oxygen and nitrgen content, and grain size of
prepared powder were characterized and analyzed by X-ray
diffraction (XRD), oxygen and nitrogen analyzer and grain size
analyzer. The results show that the alkaline cleaning can
improve the hydrogen absorption of vanadium. The yield of
vanadium hydride powder can reach as high as 90% by 4h
ball-milling, The resultant product also have an oxygen content
less than 600μg/g, and the grain size is smaller than 37μm.
Meanwhile, the XRD results show that the phase of hydride
vanadium powder is mainly VH0.81. After a hydrogen
desorption treatment in vacuum at 700Ôäâ, the phase of the
powder converts into V and a little of V2H.