Abstract: This paper presents a novel algorithm for modeling
photovoltaic based distributed generators for the purpose of optimal
planning of distribution networks. The proposed algorithm utilizes
sequential Monte Carlo method in order to accurately consider the
stochastic nature of photovoltaic based distributed generators. The
proposed algorithm is implemented in MATLAB environment and
the results obtained are presented and discussed.
Abstract: It is the patient compliance and stability in
combination with controlled drug delivery and biocompatibility that
forms the core feature in present research and development of
sustained biodegradable patch formulation intended for wound
healing. The aim was to impart sustained degradation, sterile
formulation, significant folding endurance, elasticity,
biodegradability, bio-acceptability and strength. The optimized
formulation comprised of polymers including Hydroxypropyl methyl
cellulose, Ethylcellulose, and Gelatin, and Citric Acid PEG Citric
acid (CPEGC) triblock dendrimers and active Curcumin. Polymeric
mixture dissolved in geometric order in suitable medium through
continuous stirring under ambient conditions. With continued stirring
Curcumin was added with aid of DCM and Methanol in optimized
ratio to get homogenous dispersion. The dispersion was sonicated
with optimum frequency and for given time and later casted to form a
patch form. All steps were carried out under strict aseptic conditions.
The formulations obtained in the acceptable working range were
decided based on thickness, uniformity of drug content, smooth
texture and flexibility and brittleness. The patch kept on stability
using butter paper in sterile pack displayed folding endurance in
range of 20 to 23 times without any evidence of crack in an
optimized formulation at room temperature (RT) (24 ± 2°C). The
patch displayed acceptable parameters after stability study conducted
in refrigerated conditions (8±0.2°C) and at RT (24 ± 2°C) up to 90
days. Further, no significant changes were observed in critical
parameters such as elasticity, biodegradability, drug release and drug
content during stability study conducted at RT 24±2°C for 45 and 90
days. The drug content was in range 95 to 102%, moisture content
didn’t exceeded 19.2% and patch passed the content uniformity test.
Percentage cumulative drug release was found to be 80% in 12h and
matched the biodegradation rate as drug release with correlation
factor R2>0.9. The biodegradable patch based formulation developed
shows promising results in terms of stability and release profiles.
Abstract: The research aims to study the association between
job satisfaction, motivation and the five factors of organizational
citizenship behavior (i.e. Altruism, Conscientiousness,
Sportsmanship, Courtesy and Civic virtue) among Public Sector
Employees in Pakistan. In this research Structure Equation Modeling
with confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the relationship
between two independent and five dependent variables. Data was
collected through questionnaire survey from 152 Public Servants
Working in Gujrat District-Pakistan in different capacities. Stratified
Random Sampling Technique was used to conduct this survey. The
results of the study indicate that five factors of OCB have positive
significant relation with both motivation and job satisfaction except
the relationship of Civic Virtue with Motivation. The research
findings implicate that factors other than motivation and job
satisfaction may also affect OCB. Likewise, all the five factors of
OCB may not be present in all populations. Thus, Managers must
concentrate on increasing motivation and job satisfaction to increase
OCB. Furthermore, the present research gives a direction to future
researchers to use more independent variables (e.g. Culture,
leadership, workplace environment, various job attitudes, types of
motivation, etc.) on different types of populations with larger sample
size in order to find the reasons behind insignificant relationship of
civic virtue with Motivation in the research in hand and to generalize
the tested model.
Abstract: Passive control methods can be utilized to build
earthquake resistant structures, and also to strengthen the vulnerable
ones. In this paper, we studied the effect of this system in increasing
the ductility and energy dissipation and also modeled the behavior of
this type of eccentric bracing, and compared the hysteresis diagram
of the modeled samples with the laboratory samples. We studied
several samples of frames with vertical shear-links in order to assess
the behavior of this type of eccentric bracing. Each of these samples
was modeled in finite element software ANSYS 9.0, and was
analyzed under the static cyclic loading. It was found that vertical
shear-links have a more stable hysteresis loops. Another analysis
showed that using honeycomb beams as the horizontal beam along
with steel reinforcement has no negative effect on the hysteresis
behavior of the sample.
Abstract: The current paper presents the results of a conducted
case study. During the past few years the number of children
diagnosed with Learning Difficulties has drastically augmented and
especially the cases of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder). One of the core characteristics of ADHD is a deficit in
working memory functions. The review of the literature indicates a
plethora of educational software that aim at training and enhancing
the working memory. Nevertheless, in the current paper, the
possibility of using for the same purpose free, online games will be
explored. Another issue of interest is the potential effect of the
working memory training to the core symptoms of ADHD. In order
to explore the abovementioned research questions, three digital tests
are employed, all of which are developed on the E-slate platform by
the author, in order to check the levels of ADHD’s symptoms and to
be used as diagnostic tools, both in the beginning and in the end of
the case study. The tools used during the main intervention of the
research are free online games for the training of working memory.
The research and the data analysis focus on the following axes: a) the
presence and the possible change in two of the core symptoms of
ADHD, attention and impulsivity and b) a possible change in the
general cognitive abilities of the individual. The case study was
conducted with the participation of a thirteen year-old, female
student, diagnosed with ADHD, during after-school hours. The
results of the study indicate positive changes both in the levels of
attention and impulsivity. Therefore, we conclude that the training of
working memory through the use of free, online games has a positive
impact on the characteristics of ADHD. Finally, concerning the
second research question, the change in general cognitive abilities, no
significant changes were noted.
Abstract: Numerous investigations suggest that Mesenchymal
Stem Cells (MSCs) in general represent a valuable tool for therapy of
symptoms related to chronic inflammatory diseases. Blue Horizon
Stem Cell Therapy Program is a leading provider of adult and
children’s stem cell therapies. Uniquely we have safely and
efficiently treated more than 600 patients with documenting each
procedure. The purpose of our study is primarily to monitor the
immune response in order to validate the safety of intravenous
infusion of human umbilical cord blood derived MSCs (UC-MSCs),
and secondly, to evaluate effects on biomarkers associated with
chronic inflammation. Nine patients were treated for conditions
associated with chronic inflammation and for the purpose of antiaging.
They have been given one intravenous infusion of UCMSCs.
Our study of blood test markers of 9 patients with chronic
inflammation before and within three months after MSCs treatment
demonstrates that there is no significant changes and MSCs treatment
was safe for the patients. Analysis of different indicators of chronic
inflammation and aging included in initial, 24-hours, two weeks and
three months protocols showed that stem cell treatment was safe for
the patients; there were no adverse reactions. Moreover data from
follow up protocols demonstrates significant improvement in energy
level, hair, nails growth and skin conditions. Intravenously
administered UC-MSCs were safe and effective in the improvement
of symptoms related to chronic inflammation. Further close
monitoring and inclusion of more patients are necessary to fully
characterize the advantages of UC-MSCs application in treatment of
symptoms related to chronic inflammation.
Abstract: In this article, a new method is proposed for the measuring of well-being inequality through a model composed of superimposing satisfaction waves. The displacement of households’ satisfactory state (i.e. satisfaction) is defined in a satisfaction string. The duration of the satisfactory state for a given period is measured in order to determine the relationship between utility and total satisfactory time, itself dependent on the density and tension of each satisfaction string. Thus, individual cardinal total satisfaction values are computed by way of a one-dimensional form for scalar sinusoidal (harmonic) moving wave function, using satisfaction waves with varying amplitudes and frequencies which allow us to measure wellbeing inequality. One advantage to using satisfaction waves is the ability to show that individual utility and consumption amounts would probably not commute; hence, it is impossible to measure or to know simultaneously the values of these observables from the dataset. Thus, we crystallize the problem by using a Heisenberg-type uncertainty resolution for self-adjoint economic operators. We propose to eliminate any estimation bias by correlating the standard deviations of selected economic operators; this is achieved by replacing the aforementioned observed uncertainties with households’ perceived uncertainties (i.e. corrected standard deviations) obtained through the logarithmic psychophysical law proposed by Weber and Fechner.
Abstract: In this paper numerical studies have been carried out
to examine the pre-ignition flow features of high-performance solid
propellant rocket motors with two different port geometries but with
same propellant loading density. Numerical computations have been
carried out using a validated 3D, unsteady, 2nd-order implicit, SST k-
ω turbulence model. In the numerical study, a fully implicit finite
volume scheme of the compressible, Reynolds-Averaged, Navier-
Stokes equations is employed. We have observed from the numerical
results that in solid rocket motors with highly loaded propellants
having divergent port geometry the hot igniter gases can create preignition
pressure oscillations leading to thrust oscillations due to the
flow unsteadiness and recirculation. We have also observed that the
igniter temperature fluctuations are diminished rapidly thereby
reaching the steady state value faster in the case of solid propellant
rocket motors with convergent port than the divergent port
irrespective of the igniter total pressure. We have concluded that the
prudent selection of the port geometry, without altering the propellant
loading density, for damping the total temperature fluctuations within
the motor is a meaningful objective for the suppression and control of
instability and/or thrust oscillations often observed in solid propellant
rocket motors with non-uniform port geometry.
Abstract: The aim of the current work was to employ the finite
element method to model a slab, with a small hole across its width,
undergoing plastic plane strain deformation. The computational
model had, however, to be validated by comparing its results with
those obtained experimentally. Since they were in good agreement,
the finite element method can therefore be considered a reliable tool
that can help gain better understanding of the mechanism of ductile
failure in structural members having stress raisers. The finite element
software used was ANSYS, and the PLANE183 element was utilized.
It is a higher order 2-D, 8-node or 6-node element with quadratic
displacement behavior. A bilinear stress-strain relationship was used
to define the material properties, with constants similar to those of the
material used in the experimental study. The model was run for
several tensile loads in order to observe the progression of the plastic
deformation region, and the stress concentration factor was
determined in each case. The experimental study involved employing the visioplasticity
technique, where a circular mesh (each circle was 0.5 mm in
diameter, with 0.05 mm line thickness) was initially printed on the
side of an aluminum slab having a small hole across its width.
Tensile loading was then applied to produce a small increment of
plastic deformation. Circles in the plastic region became ellipses,
where the directions of the principal strains and stresses coincided
with the major and minor axes of the ellipses. Next, we were able to
determine the directions of the maximum and minimum shear
stresses at the center of each ellipse, and the slip-line field was then
constructed. We were then able to determine the stress at any point in
the plastic deformation zone, and hence the stress concentration
factor. The experimental results were found to be in good agreement
with the analytical ones.
Abstract: Traditional mechanical control systems in thrust
vectoring are efficient in rocket thrust guidance but their costs
and their weights are excessive. The fluidic injection in the nozzle
divergent constitutes an alternative procedure to achieve the goal. In
this paper, we present a 3D analytical model for fluidic injection
in a supersonic nozzle integrating an orifice. The fluidic vectoring
uses a sonic secondary injection in the divergent. As a result, the
flow and interaction between the main and secondary jet has built in
order to express the pressure fields from which the forces and thrust
vectoring are deduced. Under various separation criteria, the present
analytical model results are compared with the existing numerical
and experimental data from the literature.
Abstract: This paper presents a study on the effect of
second-order slip and jump on forced convection through a long
isothermally heated or cooled planar microchannel. The fully
developed solutions of thermal flow fields are analytically obtained on
the basis of the second-order Maxwell-Burnett slip and Smoluchowski
jump boundary conditions. Results reveal that the second-order term in
the Karniadakis slip boundary condition is found to contribute a
negative velocity slip and then to lead to a higher pressure drop as well
as a higher fluid temperature for the heated-wall case or to a lower
fluid temperature for the cooled-wall case. These findings are contrary
to predictions made by the Deissler model. In addition, the role of
second-order slip becomes more significant when the Knudsen
number increases.
Abstract: Electrohydraulic servo system have been used in
industry in a wide number of applications. Its dynamics are highly
nonlinear and also have large extent of model uncertainties and
external disturbances. In this paper, a robust back-stepping control
(RBSC) scheme is proposed to overcome the problem of disturbances
and system uncertainties effectively and to improve the tracking
performance of EHS systems. In order to implement the proposed
control scheme, the system uncertainties in EHS systems are
considered as total leakage coefficient and effective oil volume. In
addition, in order to obtain the virtual controls for stabilizing system,
the update rule for the system uncertainty term is induced by
the Lyapunov control function (LCF). To verify the performance and
robustness of the proposed control system, computer simulation of
the proposed control system using Matlab/Simulink Software
is executed. From the computer simulation, it was found that the
RBSC system produces the desired tracking performance and has
robustness to the disturbances and system uncertainties of EHS
systems.
Abstract: In this article, a method is presented to effectively
estimate the deformed shape of a thick plate due to line heating. The
method uses a fifth order spline interpolation, with up to C3
continuity at specific points to compute the shape of the deformed
geometry. First and second order derivatives over a surface are the
resulting parameters of a given heating line on a plate. These
parameters are determined through experiments and/or finite element
simulations. Very accurate kriging models are fitted to real or virtual
surfaces to build-up a database of maps. Maps of first and second
order derivatives are then applied on numerical plate models to
evaluate their evolving shapes through a sequence of heating lines.
Adding an optimization process to this approach would allow
determining the trajectories of heating lines needed to shape complex
geometries, such as Francis turbine blades.
Abstract: In order to achieve high data rate and increase the
spectral efficiency, multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system has
been proposed. However, multiple antennas are limited by size and
cost. Therefore, recently developed cooperative diversity scheme,
which profits the transmit diversity only with the existing hardware by
constituting a virtual antenna array, can be a solution. However, most
of the introduced cooperative techniques have a common fault of
decreased transmission rate because the destination should receive the
decodable compositions of symbols from the source and the relay. In
this paper, we propose a cooperative cyclic delay diversity (CDD)
scheme that use hierarchical modulation. This scheme is free from the
rate loss and allows seamless cooperative communication.
Abstract: The right to basic sanitation, was elevated to the
category of fundamental right by the Constitution of 1988 to protect
the ecologically balanced environment, ensuring social rights to
health and adequate housing and put the dignity of the human person
as the foundation of the Brazilian Democratic State. Before their
essentiality to humans, this article seeks to understand why universal
access to basic sanitation is a goal so difficult to achieve in Brazil.
Therefore, this research uses the deductive and analytical method.
Given the nature of the research literature, research techniques were
centered in specialized books on the subject, journals, theses and
dissertations, laws, relevant law case and raising social indicators
relating to the theme. The relevance of the topic stems, among other
things, the fact that sanitation services are essential for a dignified
life, i.e., everyone is entitled to the maintenance of the necessary
existence conditions are satisfied. However, the effectiveness of this
right is undermined in society, since Brazil has huge deficit in
sanitation services, denying thus a worthy life to most of the
population. Thus, it can be seen that the provision of water and
sewage services in Brazil is still characterized by a large imbalance,
since the municipalities with lower population index have greater
disability in the sanitation service. The truth is that the precariousness
of water and sewage services in Brazil is still very concentrated in the
North and Northeast regions, limiting the effective implementation of
the Law 11.445/2007 in the country. Therefore, there is urgent need
for a positive service by the State in the provision of sanitation
services in order to prevent and control disease, improve quality of
life and productivity of individuals, besides preventing contamination
of water resources. More than just social and economic necessity,
there is a government duty to implement such services. In this sense,
given the current scenario, to achieve universal access to basic
sanitation imposes many hurdles. These are mainly in the field of
properly formulated and implemented public policies, i.e., it requires
an excellent institutional organization, management services,
strategic planning, social control, in order to provide answers to
complex challenges.
Abstract: In this work, the plastic behaviour of cold-rolled zinc
coated dual-phase steel sheets DP600 and DP800 grades is firstly
investigated with the help of uniaxial, hydraulic bulge and Forming
Limit Curve (FLC) tests. The uniaxial tensile tests were performed in
three angular orientations with respect to the rolling direction to
evaluate the strain-hardening and plastic anisotropy. True stressstrain
curves at large strains were determined from hydraulic bulge
testing and fitted to a work-hardening equation. The limit strains are
defined at both localized necking and fracture conditions according to
Nakajima’s hemispherical punch procedure. Also, an elasto-plastic
localization model is proposed in order to predict strain and stress
based forming limit curves. The investigated dual-phase sheets
showed a good formability in the biaxial stretching and drawing FLC
regions. For both DP600 and DP800 sheets, the corresponding
numerical predictions overestimated and underestimated the
experimental limit strains in the biaxial stretching and drawing FLC
regions, respectively. This can be attributed to the restricted failure
necking condition adopted in the numerical model, which is not
suitable to describe the tensile and shear fracture mechanisms in
advanced high strength steels under equibiaxial and biaxial stretching
conditions.
Abstract: Useful lifetime evaluation of chevron rubber spring
was very important in design procedure to assure the safety and
reliability. It is, therefore, necessary to establish a suitable criterion
for the replacement period of chevron rubber spring. In this study, we
performed characteristic analysis and useful lifetime prediction of
chevron rubber spring. Rubber material coefficient was obtained by
curve fittings of uniaxial tension equibiaxial tension and pure shear
test. Computer simulation was executed to predict and evaluate the
load capacity and stiffness for chevron rubber spring. In order to
useful lifetime prediction of rubber material, we carried out the
compression set with heat aging test in an oven at the temperature
ranging from 50°C to 100°C during a period 180 days. By using the
Arrhenius plot, several useful lifetime prediction equations for rubber
material was proposed.
Abstract: By enhancing the applicatıon of grounds for
establishment and due to the lack of appropriate sites, engineers
attempt to seek out a new method to reduce the weakness of soils. İn
aspect of economic situation, various ways have been used to
decrease the weak grounds. Because of the rapid development of
infrastructural facilities, spreading the construction operation is an
obligation. Furthermore, in various sites with the really bad soil
situation, engineers have considered obvious problems. One of the
most essential ways for developing the weak soils is stone column.
Obviously, the method was introduced in France in 1830 to improve
a native soil initially. Stone columns have an expanding range of
usage in different rough foundation sites all over the world to
increase the bearing capacity, to reduce the whole and differential
settlements, to enhance the rate of consolidation, to stabilize slopes
stability of embankments and to increase the liquefaction resistance
as well. A recent procedure called installing vertical nails along the
round stone columns in order to make better the performance of
considered columns is offered. Moreover, thanks to the enhancing the
nail diameter, number and embedment nail depth, the positive points
of vertical circumferential nails increases. Based on the result of this
study, load caring capacity will be develop with enhancing the length
and the power of reinforcements in vertical encasement stone column
(CESC). In this study, the main purpose is comparing two methods of
stone columns (installed a nail surrounding the stone columns and
using geogrid on clay) for enhancing the bearing capacity, decreasing
the whole and various settlements.
Abstract: Batch production plants provide a wide range of
scheduling problems. In pharmaceutical industries a batch process
is usually described by a recipe, consisting of an ordering of tasks
to produce the desired product. In this research work we focused
on pharmaceutical production processes requiring the culture of
a microorganism population (i.e. bacteria, yeasts or antibiotics).
Several sources of uncertainty may influence the yield of the culture
processes, including (i) low performance and quality of the cultured
microorganism population or (ii) microbial contamination. For
these reasons, robustness is a valuable property for the considered
application context. In particular, a robust schedule will not collapse
immediately when a cell of microorganisms has to be thrown away
due to a microbial contamination. Indeed, a robust schedule should
change locally in small proportions and the overall performance
measure (i.e. makespan, lateness) should change a little if at all.
In this research work we formulated a constraint programming
optimization (COP) model for the robust planning of antibiotics
production. We developed a discrete-time model with a multi-criteria
objective, ordering the different criteria and performing a
lexicographic optimization. A feasible solution of the proposed
COP model is a schedule of a given set of tasks onto available
resources. The schedule has to satisfy tasks precedence constraints,
resource capacity constraints and time constraints. In particular
time constraints model tasks duedates and resource availability
time windows constraints. To improve the schedule robustness, we
modeled the concept of (a, b) super-solutions, where (a, b) are input
parameters of the COP model. An (a, b) super-solution is one in
which if a variables (i.e. the completion times of a culture tasks)
lose their values (i.e. cultures are contaminated), the solution can be
repaired by assigning these variables values with a new values (i.e.
the completion times of a backup culture tasks) and at most b other
variables (i.e. delaying the completion of at most b other tasks).
The efficiency and applicability of the proposed model is
demonstrated by solving instances taken from a real-life
pharmaceutical company. Computational results showed that
the determined super-solutions are near-optimal.
Abstract: This study presents three different approaches to
estimate bubble point pressures for the binary system of CO2 and
ethyl palmitate fatty acid ethyl ester. The first method involves the
Peng-Robinson (PR) Equation of State (EoS) with the conventional
mixing rule of Van der Waals. The second approach involves the PR
EOS together with the Wong Sandler (WS) mixing rule, coupled with
the UNIQUAC GE model. In order to model the bubble point
pressures with this approach, the volume and area parameter for ethyl
palmitate were estimated by the Hansen group contribution method.
The last method involved the Peng-Robinson, combined with the
Wong-Sandler method, but using NRTL as the GE model. Results
using the Van der Waals mixing rule clearly indicated that this
method has the largest errors among all three methods, with errors in
the range of 3.96-6.22%. The PR-WS-UNIQUAC method exhibited
small errors, with average absolute deviations between 0.95 to 1.97
percent. The PR-WS-NRTL method led to the least errors, where
average absolute deviations ranged between 0.65-1.7%.