Abstract: Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) processes is an
important joining process widely used in metal fabrication
industries. This paper addresses modeling and optimization of this
technique using a set of experimental data and regression analysis.
The set of experimental data has been used to assess the influence
of GMAW process parameters in weld bead geometry. The
process variables considered here include voltage (V); wire feed
rate (F); torch Angle (A); welding speed (S) and nozzle-to-plate
distance (D). The process output characteristics include weld bead
height, width and penetration. The Taguchi method and regression
modeling are used in order to establish the relationships between
input and output parameters. The adequacy of the model is
evaluated using analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique. In the
next stage, the proposed model is embedded into a Simulated
Annealing (SA) algorithm to optimize the GMAW process
parameters. The objective is to determine a suitable set of process
parameters that can produce desired bead geometry, considering
the ranges of the process parameters. Computational results prove
the effectiveness of the proposed model and optimization
procedure.
Abstract: Durian husk (DH), a fruit waste, was studied for its ability to remove Basic blue 3 (BB3) from aqueous solutions. Batch kinetic studies were carried out to study the sorption characteristics under various experimental conditions. The optimum pH for the dye removal occurred in the pH range of 3-10. Sorption was found to be concentration and agitation dependent. The kinetics of dye sorption fitted a pseudo-second order rate expression. Both Langmuir and Freundlich models appeared to provide reasonable fittings for the sorption data of BB3 on durian husk. Maximum sorption capacity calculated from the Langmuir model is 49.50 mg g-1.
Abstract: In this research a mathematical model for direct
oxidization of hydrogen sulfide into elemental sulfur in a fluidized
bed reactor with external circulation was developed. As the catalyst
is deactivated in the fluidized bed, it might be placed in a reduction
tank in order to remove sulfur through heating above its dew point.
The reactor model demonstrated via MATLAB software. It was
shown that variations of H2S conversion as well as; products formed
were reasonable in comparison with corresponding results of a fixed
bed reactor. Through analyzing results of this model, it became
possible to propose the main optimized operating conditions for the
process considered. These conditions included; the temperature range
of 100-130ºC and utilizing the catalyst as much as possible providing
the highest bed density respect to dimensions of bed, economical
aspects that the bed ever remained in fluidized mode. A high active
and stable catalyst under the optimum conditions exhibited 100%
conversion in a fluidized bed reactor.
Abstract: This paper deals with condition monitoring of electric switch machine for railway points. Point machine, as a complex electro-mechanical device, switch the track between two alternative routes. There has been an increasing interest in railway safety and the optimal management of railway equipments maintenance, e.g. point machine, in order to enhance railway service quality and reduce system failure. This paper explores the development of Kolmogorov- Smirnov (K-S) test to detect some point failures (external to the machine, slide chairs, fixing, stretchers, etc), while the point machine (inside the machine) is in its proper condition. Time-domain stator Current signatures of normal (healthy) and faulty points are taken by 3 Hall Effect sensors and are analyzed by K-S test. The test is simulated by creating three types of such failures, namely putting a hard stone and a soft stone between stock rail and switch blades as obstacles and also slide chairs- friction. The test has been applied for those three faults which the results show that K-S test can effectively be developed for the aim of other point failures detection, which their current signatures deviate parametrically from the healthy current signature. K-S test as an analysis technique, assuming that any defect has a specific probability distribution. Empirical cumulative distribution functions (ECDF) are used to differentiate these probability distributions. This test works based on the null hypothesis that ECDF of target distribution is statistically similar to ECDF of reference distribution. Therefore by comparing a given current signature (as target signal) from unknown switch state to a number of template signatures (as reference signal) from known switch states, it is possible to identify which is the most likely state of the point machine under analysis.
Abstract: The construction of a civil structure inside a urban
area inevitably modifies the outdoor microclimate at the building
site. Wind speed, wind direction, air pollution, driving rain, radiation
and daylight are some of the main physical aspects that are subjected
to the major changes. The quantitative amount of these modifications
depends on the shape, size and orientation of the building and on its
interaction with the surrounding environment.The flow field over a
flat roof model building has been numerically investigated in order to
determine two-dimensional CFD guidelines for the calculation of the
turbulent flow over a structure immersed in an atmospheric boundary
layer. To this purpose, a complete validation campaign has been
performed through a systematic comparison of numerical simulations
with wind tunnel experimental data.Several turbulence models and
spatial node distributions have been tested for five different vertical
positions, respectively from the upstream leading edge to the
downstream bottom edge of the analyzed model. Flow field
characteristics in the neighborhood of the building model have been
numerically investigated, allowing a quantification of the capabilities
of the CFD code to predict the flow separation and the extension of
the recirculation regions.The proposed calculations have allowed the
development of a preliminary procedure to be used as a guidance in
selecting the appropriate grid configuration and corresponding
turbulence model for the prediction of the flow field over a twodimensional
roof architecture dominated by flow separation.
Abstract: In this paper, stabilization of an Active Magnetic Bearing (AMB) system with varying rotor speed using Sliding Mode Control (SMC) technique is considered. The gyroscopic effect inherited in the system is proportional to rotor speed in which this nonlinearity effect causes high system instability as the rotor speed increases. Also, transformation of the AMB dynamic model into a new class of uncertain system shows that this gyroscopic effect lies in the mismatched part of the system matrix. Moreover, the current gain parameter is allowed to be varied in a known bound as an uncertainty in the input matrix. SMC design method is proposed in which the sufficient condition that guarantees the global exponential stability of the reduced-order system is represented in Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI). Then, a new chattering-free control law is established such that the system states are driven to reach the switching surface and stay on it thereafter. The performance of the controller applied to the AMB model is demonstrated through simulation works under various system conditions.
Abstract: Fuzzy C-means Clustering algorithm (FCM) is a
method that is frequently used in pattern recognition. It has the
advantage of giving good modeling results in many cases, although,
it is not capable of specifying the number of clusters by itself. In
FCM algorithm most researchers fix weighting exponent (m) to a
conventional value of 2 which might not be the appropriate for all
applications. Consequently, the main objective of this paper is to use
the subtractive clustering algorithm to provide the optimal number of
clusters needed by FCM algorithm by optimizing the parameters of
the subtractive clustering algorithm by an iterative search approach
and then to find an optimal weighting exponent (m) for the FCM
algorithm. In order to get an optimal number of clusters, the iterative
search approach is used to find the optimal single-output Sugenotype
Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) model by optimizing the
parameters of the subtractive clustering algorithm that give minimum
least square error between the actual data and the Sugeno fuzzy
model. Once the number of clusters is optimized, then two
approaches are proposed to optimize the weighting exponent (m) in
the FCM algorithm, namely, the iterative search approach and the
genetic algorithms. The above mentioned approach is tested on the
generated data from the original function and optimal fuzzy models
are obtained with minimum error between the real data and the
obtained fuzzy models.
Abstract: A property is persistent if for any many-sorted term rewriting system , has the property if and only if term rewriting system , which results from by omitting its sort information, has the property. Zantema showed that termination is persistent for term rewriting systems without collapsing or duplicating rules. In this paper, we show that the Zantema's result can be extended to term rewriting systems on ordered sorts, i.e., termination is persistent for term rewriting systems on ordered sorts without collapsing, decreasing or duplicating rules. Furthermore we give the example as application of this result. Also we obtain that completeness is persistent for this class of term rewriting systems.
Abstract: This study aimed at assessing whether and to what extent moral judgment and behaviour were: 1. situation-dependent; 2. selectively dependent on cognitive and affective components; 3. influenced by gender and age; 4. reciprocally congruent. In order to achieve these aims, four different types of moral dilemmas were construed and five types of thinking were presented for each of them – representing five possible ways to evaluate the situation. The judgment criteria included selfishness, altruism, sense of justice, and the conflict between selfishness and the two moral issues. The participants were 250 unpaid volunteers (50% male; 50% female) belonging to two age-groups: young people and adults. The study entailed a 2 (gender) x 2 (age-group) x 5 (type of thinking) x 4 (situation) mixed design: the first two variables were betweensubjects, the others were within-subjects. Results have shown that: 1. moral judgment and behaviour are at least partially affected by the type of situations and by interpersonal variables such as gender and age; 2. moral reasoning depends in a similar manner on cognitive and affective factors; 3. there is not a gender polarity between the ethic of justice and the ethic of cure/ altruism; 4. moral reasoning and behavior are perceived as reciprocally congruent even though their congruence decreases with a more objective assessment. Such results were discussed in the light of contrasting theories on morality.
Abstract: Two approaches for model development of a smart acoustic box are suggested in this paper: the finite element (FE) approach and the subspace identification. Both approaches result in a state-space model, which can be used for obtaining the frequency responses and for the controller design. In order to validate the developed FE model and to perform the subspace identification, an experimental set-up with the acoustic box and dSPACE system was used. Experimentally obtained frequency responses show good agreement with the frequency responses obtained from the FE model and from the identified model.
Abstract: A cart-ball system is a challenging system from the
control engineering point of view. This is due to the nonlinearities,
multivariable, and non-minimum phase behavior present in this
system. This paper is concerned with the problem of modeling and
control of such system. The objective of control strategy is to place
the cart at a desired position while balancing the ball on the top of the
arc-shaped track fixed on the cart. A State-Feedback Controller
(SFC) with a pole-placement method will be designed in order to
control the system. At first, the mathematical model of a cart-ball
system in the state-space form is developed. Then, the linearization of
a model will be established in order to design a SFC. The integral
control strategy will be performed as to control the cart position of a
system. Simulation work is then performed using
MATLAB/SIMULINK software in order to study the performance of
SFC when applied to the system.
Abstract: In an era of knowledge explosion, the growth of data
increases rapidly day by day. Since data storage is a limited resource,
how to reduce the data space in the process becomes a challenge issue.
Data compression provides a good solution which can lower the
required space. Data mining has many useful applications in recent
years because it can help users discover interesting knowledge in large
databases. However, existing compression algorithms are not
appropriate for data mining. In [1, 2], two different approaches were
proposed to compress databases and then perform the data mining
process. However, they all lack the ability to decompress the data to
their original state and improve the data mining performance. In this
research a new approach called Mining Merged Transactions with the
Quantification Table (M2TQT) was proposed to solve these problems.
M2TQT uses the relationship of transactions to merge related
transactions and builds a quantification table to prune the candidate
itemsets which are impossible to become frequent in order to improve
the performance of mining association rules. The experiments show
that M2TQT performs better than existing approaches.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose effective system for digital music retrieval. We divided proposed system into Client and Server. Client part consists of pre-processing and Content-based feature extraction stages. In pre-processing stage, we minimized Time code Gap that is occurred among same music contents. As content-based feature, first-order differentiated MFCC were used. These presented approximately envelop of music feature sequences. Server part included Music Server and Music Matching stage. Extracted features from 1,000 digital music files were stored in Music Server. In Music Matching stage, we found retrieval result through similarity measure by DTW. In experiment, we used 450 queries. These were made by mixing different compression standards and sound qualities from 50 digital music files. Retrieval accurate indicated 97% and retrieval time was average 15ms in every single query. Out experiment proved that proposed system is effective in retrieve digital music and robust at various user environments of web.
Abstract: Forecasting the values of the indicators, which
characterize the effectiveness of performance of organizations is of
great importance for their successful development. Such forecasting
is necessary in order to assess the current state and to foresee future
developments, so that measures to improve the organization-s
activity could be undertaken in time. The article presents an
overview of the applied mathematical and statistical methods for
developing forecasts. Special attention is paid to artificial neural
networks as a forecasting tool. Their strengths and weaknesses are
analyzed and a synopsis is made of the application of artificial neural
networks in the field of forecasting of the values of different
education efficiency indicators. A method of evaluation of the
activity of universities using the Balanced Scorecard is proposed and
Key Performance Indicators for assessment of e-learning are
selected. Resulting indicators for the evaluation of efficiency of the
activity are proposed. An artificial neural network is constructed and
applied in the forecasting of the values of indicators for e-learning
efficiency on the basis of the KPI values.
Abstract: This paper aims at to develop a robust optimization methodology for the mechatronic modules of machine tools by considering all important characteristics from all structural and control domains in one single process. The relationship between these two domains is strongly coupled. In order to reduce the disturbance caused by parameters in either one, the mechanical and controller design domains need to be integrated. Therefore, the concurrent integrated design method Design For Control (DFC), will be employed in this paper. In this connect, it is not only applied to achieve minimal power consumption but also enhance structural performance and system response at same time. To investigate the method for integrated optimization, a mechatronic feed drive system of the machine tools is used as a design platform. Pro/Engineer and AnSys are first used to build the 3D model to analyze and design structure parameters such as elastic deformation, nature frequency and component size, based on their effects and sensitivities to the structure. In addition, the robust controller,based on Quantitative Feedback Theory (QFT), will be applied to determine proper control parameters for the controller. Therefore, overall physical properties of the machine tool will be obtained in the initial stage. Finally, the technology of design for control will be carried out to modify the structural and control parameters to achieve overall system performance. Hence, the corresponding productivity is expected to be greatly improved.
Abstract: In order to study the effect of plant density and
competition of wheat with field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) on
yield and agronomical properties of wheat(Triticum Sativum) in
irrigated conditions, a factorial experiment as the base of complete
randomize block design in three replication was conducted at the
field of Kamalvand in khoramabad (Lorestan) region of Iran during
2008-2009. Three plant density (Factor A=200, 230 and 260kg/ha)
three cultivar (Factor B=Bahar,Pishtaz and Alvand) and weed control
(Factor C= control and no control of weeds)were assigned in
experiment. Results show that: Plant density had significant effect
(statistically) on seed yield, 1000 seed weight, weed density and dry
weight of weeds, seed yield and harvest index had been meaningful
effect for cultivars. The interaction between plant density and
cultivars for weed density, seed yield, thousand seed weight and
harvest index were significant. 260 kg/ha (plant density) of wheat had
more effect on increasing of seed yield in Bahar cultivar wheat in
khoramabad region of Iran.
Abstract: Abrasive waterjet is a novel machining process capable of processing wide range of hard-to-machine materials. This research addresses modeling and optimization of the process parameters for this machining technique. To model the process a set of experimental data has been used to evaluate the effects of various parameter settings in cutting 6063-T6 aluminum alloy. The process variables considered here include nozzle diameter, jet traverse rate, jet pressure and abrasive flow rate. Depth of cut, as one of the most important output characteristics, has been evaluated based on different parameter settings. The Taguchi method and regression modeling are used in order to establish the relationships between input and output parameters. The adequacy of the model is evaluated using analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique. The pairwise effects of process parameters settings on process response outputs are also shown graphically. The proposed model is then embedded into a Simulated Annealing algorithm to optimize the process parameters. The optimization is carried out for any desired values of depth of cut. The objective is to determine proper levels of process parameters in order to obtain a certain level of depth of cut. Computational results demonstrate that the proposed solution procedure is quite effective in solving such multi-variable problems.
Abstract: This paper presents a sensing system for 3D sensing
and mapping by a tracked mobile robot with an arm-type sensor
movable unit and a laser range finder (LRF). The arm-type sensor
movable unit is mounted on the robot and the LRF is installed at the
end of the unit. This system enables the sensor to change position and
orientation so that it avoids occlusions according to terrain by this
mechanism. This sensing system is also able to change the height of
the LRF by keeping its orientation flat for efficient sensing. In this kind
of mapping, it may be difficult for moving robot to apply mapping
algorithms such as the iterative closest point (ICP) because sets of the
2D data at each sensor height may be distant in a common surface. In
order for this kind of mapping, the authors therefore applied
interpolation to generate plausible model data for ICP. The results of
several experiments provided validity of these kinds of sensing and
mapping in this sensing system.
Abstract: One of the major disadvantages of the minimally
invasive surgery (MIS) is the lack of tactile feedback to the surgeon.
In order to identify and avoid any damage to the grasped complex
tissue by endoscopic graspers, it is important to measure the local
softness of tissue during MIS. One way to display the measured
softness to the surgeon is a graphical method. In this paper, a new
tactile sensor has been reported. The tactile sensor consists of an
array of four softness sensors, which are integrated into the jaws of a
modified commercial endoscopic grasper. Each individual softness
sensor consists of two piezoelectric polymer Polyvinylidene Fluoride
(PVDF) films, which are positioned below a rigid and a compliant
cylinder. The compliant cylinder is fabricated using a micro molding
technique. The combination of output voltages from PVDF films is
used to determine the softness of the grasped object. The theoretical
analysis of the sensor is also presented.
A method has been developed with the aim of reproducing the
tactile softness to the surgeon by using a graphical method. In this
approach, the proposed system, including the interfacing and the data
acquisition card, receives signals from the array of softness sensors.
After the signals are processed, the tactile information is displayed
by means of a color coding method. It is shown that the degrees of
softness of the grasped objects/tissues can be visually differentiated
and displayed on a monitor.
Abstract: In Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems, the peak to average power ratio (PAR) is much high. The clipping signal scheme is a useful method to reduce PAR. Clipping the OFDM signal, however, increases the overall noise level by introducing clipping noise. It is necessary to recover the figure of the original signal at receiver in order to reduce the clipping noise. Considering the continuity of the signal and the figure of the peak, we obtain a certain conic function curve to replace the clipped signal module within the clipping time. The results of simulation show that the proposed scheme can reduce the systems? BER (bit-error rate) 10 times when signal-to-interference-and noise-ratio (SINR) equals to 12dB. And the BER performance of the proposed scheme is superior to that of kim's scheme, too.