Abstract: Introducing Electromagnetic Interference and Electromagnetic Compatibility, or “The Art of Black Magic", for engineering students might be a terrifying experience both for students and tutors. Removing the obstacle of large, expensive facilities like a fully fitted EMC laboratory and hours of complex theory, this paper demonstrates a design of a laboratory setup for student exercises, giving students experience in the basics of EMC/EMI problems that may challenge the functionality and stability of embedded system designs. This is done using a simple laboratory installation and basic measurement equipment such as a medium cost digital storage oscilloscope, at the cost of not knowing the exact magnitude of the noise components, but rather if the noise is significant or not, as well as the source of the noise. A group of students have performed a trial exercise with good results and feedback.
Abstract: Numerical investigation of the characteristics of an 80°
delta wing in combined force-pitch and free-roll is presented. The
implicit, upwind, flux-difference splitting, finite volume scheme and
the second-order-accurate finite difference scheme are employed to
solve the flow governing equations and Euler rigid-body dynamics
equations, respectively. The characteristics of the delta wing in
combined free-roll and large amplitude force-pitch is obtained
numerically and shows a well agreement with experimental data
qualitatively. The motion in combined force-pitch and free-roll
significantly reduces the lift force and transverse stabilities of the delta
wing, which is closely related to the flying safety. Investigations on
sensitive factors indicate that the roll-axis moment of inertia and the
structural damping have great influence on the frequency and
amplitude, respectively. Moreover, the turbulence model is considered
as an influencing factor in the investigation.
Abstract: In this paper, an automated algorithm to estimate and remove the continuous baseline from measured spectra containing both continuous and discontinuous bands is proposed. The algorithm uses previous information contained in a Continuous Database Spectra (CDBS) to obtain a linear basis, with minimum number of sampled vectors, capable of representing a continuous baseline. The proposed algorithm was tested by using a CDBS of flame spectra where Principal Components Analysis and Non-negative Matrix Factorization were used to obtain linear bases. Thus, the radical emissions of natural gas, oil and bio-oil flames spectra at different combustion conditions were obtained. In order to validate the performance in the baseline estimation process, the Goodness-of-fit Coefficient and the Root Mean-squared Error quality metrics were evaluated between the estimated and the real spectra in absence of discontinuous emission. The achieved results make the proposed method a key element in the development of automatic monitoring processes strategies involving discontinuous spectral bands.
Abstract: A long-term campaign for monitoring the
concentration of atmospheric Particulate Matter (PM) was conducted
at multiple sites located in the center and suburbs of the Tokyo
Metropolitan Area in Japan. The concentration of fine PM has shown a
declining trend over the last two decades. A positive matrix
factorization model elucidated that the contribution of combustion
sources was drastically reduced. In Japan, the regulations on vehicle
exhaust emissions were phased in and gradually tightened over the last
two decades, which has triggered a notable reduction in PM emissions
from automobiles and has contributed to the mitigation of the problem
of fine PM pollution.
Abstract: This project focuses on the development of a line
follower algorithm for a Two Wheels Balancing Robot. In this
project, ATMEGA32 is chosen as the brain board controller to react
towards the data received from Balance Processor Chip on the
balance board to monitor the changes of the environment through
two infra-red distance sensor to solve the inclination angle problem.
Hence, the system will immediately restore to the set point (balance
position) through the implementation of internal PID algorithms at
the balance board. Application of infra-red light sensors with the PID
control is vital, in order to develop a smooth line follower robot. As a
result of combination between line follower program and internal self
balancing algorithms, we are able to develop a dynamically
stabilized balancing robot with line follower function.
Abstract: Microparticles carrier systems made from naturally occurring polymers based on chitosan/casein system appears to be a promising carrier for the sustained release of orally and parenteral administered drugs. In the current study we followed a microencapsulation technique based aqueous coacervation method to prepare chitosan/casein microparticles of compositions 1:1, 1:2 and 1:5 incorporated with chloramphenicol. Glutaraldehyde was used as a chemical cross-linking agent. The microparticles were prepared by aerosol method and studied by optical microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermo gravimetric analysis, swelling studies and drug release studies at various pH. The percentage swelling of the polymers are found to be in the order pH 4 > pH 10 > pH 7 and the increase in casein composition decrease the swelling percentage. The drug release studies also follow the above order.
Abstract: This paper deals with a portfolio selection problem
based on the possibility theory under the assumption that the returns
of assets are LR-type fuzzy numbers. A possibilistic portfolio model
with transaction costs is proposed, in which the possibilistic mean
value of the return is termed measure of investment return, and the
possibilistic variance of the return is termed measure of investment
risk. Due to considering transaction costs, the existing traditional
optimization algorithms usually fail to find the optimal solution
efficiently and heuristic algorithms can be the best method. Therefore,
a particle swarm optimization is designed to solve the corresponding
optimization problem. At last, a numerical example is given to
illustrate our proposed effective means and approaches.
Abstract: The desulfurization of coal using biological methods is an emerging technology. The biodesulfurization process uses the catalytic activity of chemolithotrophic acidpohiles in removing sulfur and pyrite from the coal. The present study was undertaken to examine the potential of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans in removing the pyritic sulfur and iron from high iron and sulfur containing US coal. The experiment was undertaken in 10 L batch stirred tank reactor having 10% pulp density of coal. The reactor was operated under mesophilic conditions and aerobic conditions were maintained by sparging the air into the reactor. After 35 days of experiment, about 64% of pyrite and 21% of pyritic sulfur was removed from the coal. The findings of the present study indicate that the biodesulfurization process does have potential in treating the high pyrite and sulfur containing coal. A good mass balance was also obtained with net loss of about 5% showing its feasibility for large scale application.
Abstract: This paper presents a methodology to harvest the kinetic energy of the raindrops using piezoelectric devices. In the study 1m×1m PVDF (Polyvinylidene fluoride) piezoelectric membrane, which is fixed by the four edges, is considered for the numerical simulation on deformation of the membrane due to the impact of the raindrops. Then according to the drop size of the rain, the simulation is performed classifying the rainfall types into three categories as light stratiform rain, moderate stratiform rain and heavy thundershower. The impact force of the raindrop is dependent on the terminal velocity of the raindrop, which is a function of raindrop diameter. The results were then analyzed to calculate the harvestable energy from the deformation of the piezoelectric membrane.
Abstract: The aim of the current study is to develop a numerical
tool that is capable of achieving an optimum shape and design of
hyperbolic cooling towers based on coupling a non-linear finite
element model developed in-house and a genetic algorithm
optimization technique. The objective function is set to be the
minimum weight of the tower. The geometric modeling of the tower
is represented by means of B-spline curves. The finite element
method is applied to model the elastic buckling behaviour of a tower
subjected to wind pressure and dead load. The study is divided into
two main parts. The first part investigates the optimum shape of the
tower corresponding to minimum weight assuming constant
thickness. The study is extended in the second part by introducing the
shell thickness as one of the design variables in order to achieve an
optimum shape and design. Design, functionality and practicality
constraints are applied.
Abstract: In this study, control performance of a smart base
isolation system consisting of a friction pendulum system (FPS) and a
magnetorheological (MR) damper has been investigated. A fuzzy
logic controller (FLC) is used to modulate the MR damper so as to
minimize structural acceleration while maintaining acceptable base
displacement levels. To this end, a multi-objective optimization
scheme is used to optimize parameters of membership functions and
find appropriate fuzzy rules. To demonstrate effectiveness of the
proposed multi-objective genetic algorithm for FLC, a numerical
study of a smart base isolation system is conducted using several
historical earthquakes. It is shown that the proposed method can find
optimal fuzzy rules and that the optimized FLC outperforms not only a
passive control strategy but also a human-designed FLC and a
conventional semi-active control algorithm.
Abstract: Coordinated supply chain represents major challenges
for the different actors involved in it, because each agent responds to
individual interests. The paper presents a framework with the
reviewed literature regarding the system's decision structure and
nature of demand. Later, it characterizes an agri food supply chain in
the Central Region of Colombia, it responds to a decentralized
distribution system and a stochastic demand. Finally, the paper
recommends coordinating the chain based on shared information, and
mechanisms for each agent, as VMI (vendor-managed inventory)
strategy for farmer-buyer relationship, information system for
farmers and contracts for transportation service providers.
Abstract: Considering payload, reliability, security and operational lifetime as major constraints in transmission of images we put forward in this paper a steganographic technique implemented at the physical layer. We suggest transmission of Halftoned images (payload constraint) in wireless sensor networks to reduce the amount of transmitted data. For low power and interference limited applications Turbo codes provide suitable reliability. Ensuring security is one of the highest priorities in many sensor networks. The Turbo Code structure apart from providing forward error correction can be utilized to provide for encryption. We first consider the Halftoned image and then the method of embedding a block of data (called secret) in this Halftoned image during the turbo encoding process is presented. The small modifications required at the turbo decoder end to extract the embedded data are presented next. The implementation complexity and the degradation of the BER (bit error rate) in the Turbo based stego system are analyzed. Using some of the entropy based crypt analytic techniques we show that the strength of our Turbo based stego system approaches that found in the OTPs (one time pad).
Abstract: In a complex project environment, project teams face
multi-dimensional communication problems that can ultimately lead
to project breakdown. Team Performance varies in Face-to-Face
(FTF) environment versus groups working remotely in a computermediated
communication (CMC) environment. A brief review of the
Input_Process_Output model suggested by James E. Driskell, Paul H.
Radtke and Eduardo Salas in “Virtual Teams: Effects of
Technological Mediation on Team Performance (2003)", has been
done to develop the basis of this research. This model theoretically
analyzes the effects of technological mediation on team processes,
such as, cohesiveness, status and authority relations, counternormative
behavior and communication. An empirical study
described in this paper has been undertaken to test the
“cohesiveness" of diverse project teams in a multi-national
organization. This study uses both quantitative and qualitative
techniques for data gathering and analysis. These techniques include
interviews, questionnaires for data collection and graphical data
representation for analyzing the collected data. Computer-mediated
technology may impact team performance because of difference in
cohesiveness among teams and this difference may be moderated by
factors, such as, the type of communication environment, the type of
task and the temporal context of the team. Based on the reviewed
model, sets of hypotheses are devised and tested. This research,
reports on a study that compared team cohesiveness among virtual
teams using CMC and non-CMC communication mediums. The
findings suggest that CMC can help virtual teams increase team
cohesiveness among their members, making CMC an effective
medium for increasing productivity and team performance.
Abstract: Powder of La0.6Sr0.4CoO3-α (LSCO) was synthesized
by a combined citrate-EDTA method. The as-synthesized LSCO
powder was calcined, respectively at temperatures of 800, 900 and
1000 °C with different heating/cooling rates which are 2, 5, 10 and
15 °C min-1. The effects of heat treatments on the phase formation of
perovskite phase of LSCO were investigated by powder X-ray
diffraction (XRD). The XRD patterns revealed that the rate of
5 °C min-1 is the optimum heating/cooling rate to obtain a single
perovskite phase of LSCO with calcination temperature of 800 °C.
This result was confirmed by a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) as
it showed a complete decomposition of intermediate compounds to
form oxide material was also observed at 800 °C.
Abstract: New design of a grid for preparation of high density
granules with enhanced mechanical strength by granulation of
dispersed materials is suggested.
A method for hydrodynamic dimensioning of the grid depending
on granulation conditions, hydrodynamic regime of the operation,
dispersity and physicochemical characteristics of the materials to be
granulated was suggested.
The aim of the grid design is to solve the problems arising by the
granulation of disperse materials.
Abstract: A robust wheel slip controller for electric vehicles is
introduced. The proposed wheel slip controller exploits the dynamics
of electric traction drives and conventional hydraulic brakes for
achieving maximum energy efficiency and driving safety. Due to
the control of single wheel traction motors in combination with a
hydraulic braking system, it can be shown, that energy recuperation
and vehicle stability control can be realized simultaneously. The
derivation of a sliding mode wheel slip controller accessing two
drivetrain actuators is outlined and a comparison to a conventionally
braked vehicle is shown by means of simulation.
Abstract: The stone is a constituent part of the geological
structure of the Territory, introducing himself as a subject that has always interconnected human and environment in the development of a discourse of meanings and symbols that reflect elements realized in
different cultures and experiences.
This action meant that the first settlements and their areas of influence gained importance in the field of humanization and spatial
organization of the territory, not only for the appropriation that its
inhabitants did, but mainly because the community regardless of their
economic or social condition, used it as living space and cultural integration.
These factors become decisive in the characterization of the
landscape area in the northwest of Portugal, because the stone is a
material that appears not only in the natural landscape, but is also a strong element in humanized landscape, becoming this relation the
main characterization of the study area.
Abstract: Many studies have focused on the nonlinear analysis
of electroencephalography (EEG) mainly for the characterization of
epileptic brain states. It is assumed that at least two states of the
epileptic brain are possible: the interictal state characterized by a
normal apparently random, steady-state EEG ongoing activity; and
the ictal state that is characterized by paroxysmal occurrence of
synchronous oscillations and is generally called in neurology, a
seizure.
The spatial and temporal dynamics of the epileptogenic process is
still not clear completely especially the most challenging aspects of
epileptology which is the anticipation of the seizure. Despite all the
efforts we still don-t know how and when and why the seizure
occurs. However actual studies bring strong evidence that the
interictal-ictal state transition is not an abrupt phenomena. Findings
also indicate that it is possible to detect a preseizure phase.
Our approach is to use the neural network tool to detect interictal
states and to predict from those states the upcoming seizure ( ictal
state). Analysis of the EEG signal based on neural networks is used
for the classification of EEG as either seizure or non-seizure. By
applying prediction methods it will be possible to predict the
upcoming seizure from non-seizure EEG.
We will study the patients admitted to the epilepsy monitoring
unit for the purpose of recording their seizures. Preictal, ictal, and
post ictal EEG recordings are available on such patients for analysis
The system will be induced by taking a body of samples then
validate it using another. Distinct from the two first ones a third body
of samples is taken to test the network for the achievement of
optimum prediction. Several methods will be tried 'Backpropagation
ANN' and 'RBF'.