bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis and optimization of a new double- sided permanent magnet linear synchronous motor for electromagnetic launching
Authors: Du Chao , Meng Dawei
Published: May 2018

Double-sided-moving-magnet ring-winding permanent magnet linear synchronous motors (DSMM-R-PMLSMs) offer high thrust density and power factor, light mover quality, strong structure, segmented control, and powering convenience making them the favored choice for use as electromagnetic launch systems. In this paper, we analyze the mover magnetic field and propose a DSMM-R-PMLSM with a new mover structure with the aim of achieving a large thrust and high acceleration in the linear motor. The dynamic characteristics are obtained by setting up a mathematical model of this motor type, and the thrust performances of movers with different structures under normal and eccentric operation are compared and then rationalized by field-circuit combined analysis and separate prototype tests. The results show that the new mover structure lends the linear motor the merits of higher electromagnetic thrust, lighter mover quality and better acceleration, thereby providing a reference for future research on linear motors for electromagnetic launch systems.
Analysis of electromagnetic force and deformation behavior in electromagnetic forming with different coil systems
Authors: Qiu Li , Yu Yijie , Wang Ziwei , Yang Yuqi , Yang Yaqin , Su Pan
Published: May 2018

As a high-speed forming technology, electromagnetic forming has been more and more widely used because it can improve the material forming performance greatly. In electromagnetic forming process, the pulsed electromagnetic force generated by the coils is the load of the workpiece, hence its distribution characteristics have a great influence on the workpiece forming performance. Based on the basic principle of electromagnetic forming, this paper introduces and analyzes some latest electromagnetic forming technologies with different coil systems, including electromagnetic incremental forming, space-time-controlled multi-stage pulsed magnetic field forming, and electromagnetic tube expansion with axial compression. Aim at each forming method, the following contents are mainly studied: 1) The key technical problems solved by this method. 2) The structure of the coil system. 3) The distribution of magnetic flux density and electromagnetic force. 4) The advantages and disadvantages of the method. Through above analysis, it is hoped that the basic idea of technological innovation in electromagnetic forming is clarified in this paper, which can provide guidance for the future innovation direction of electromagnetic forming.
Brigands in Pointe Shoes and Selfless Spirits: Salvage and Salvation in Nineteenth-Century Ballets
Authors: Bührle Iris Julia
Published: May 2018

This paper deals with scenes of salvage and salvation in a number of nineteenth-century ballets which were mostly inspired by works of literature, and their afterlives. The term ‘salvage’ will be used in several metaphorical senses here. By tracing back ‘salvage’ to its wider etymological origins in the Latin word ‘saluus’, which refers to both physical and spiritual salvation, I will employ this term to describe the saving of the bodies and souls of ballet protagonists. I will argue that the evolution of ballet costumes and technique was linked to the appearance of a number of unconventional salvage scenes in which traditional gender roles were reversed and women saved men. Several examples will be used to demonstrate how ballet librettists changed the literary sources when they transposed them into libretti in order to add these scenes. The term ‘salvage’ can also refer to ‘the saving and collection of waste material […] for recycling’. 1 Now, in this sense ballet libretti ‘recycled’ literary source texts, and so enact salvage through adaptation. What is more, elements from previous libretti were recycled in nineteenth-century ballets, through the re-enactment of certain archetypal situations, including rescue scenes and acts of spiritual salvation.
Mimicry and Shame in Naipaul's The Mimic Men and Desai's The Inheritance of Loss
Authors: Filipovic Zlatan
Published: May 2018

Reflecting on the affective nature of diasporic experience, the essay begins by developing Arendt's understanding of displacement as a temporal disjunction of being caught between the claims of the past and the exigencies of the present. The impossibility of salvaging the past against the often stifling imperatives of the present that she accounts for in her essay ‘We Refugees’ is, however, also what produces affective economies in the diasporic subject that I argue are crucial to diasporic identity formation. In this respect, I focus on shame, which I see as an affective residue of the unsalvageable past in the experience of displacement. In order to determine and further develop the significance of shame for diasporic subject formation, this essay will consider its impact on subjectivity in a comparative close reading of two contemporary novels, V. S. Naipaul's The Mimic Men and Kiran Desai's The Inheritance of Loss, both of which manifest the elision of the past in diasporized subjects and the movement towards strategies of identification articulated in mimicry. Mimicry, seen in Fanon's rather than Bhabha's terms, as a disavowal of the past, fails, however, to provide a viable strategy of identification for a diasporic subject in the novels that testify rather to the affective cost of our incumbent efforts to start anew.
‘So Terribly Opaque’: Salvaging Memory in Three Hungarian Books about World War II
Authors: Orzóy Ágnes
Published: May 2018

The three books discussed in this essay – Imre Kertész's Fatelessness, Teréz Rudnóy's Women Getting Free, and the wartime diary of Fanni Gyarmati, wife of Miklós Radnóti – all had to be salvaged from oblivion: they were suppressed, forgotten, or discovered a long time after they had been written. In this essay I will argue that, besides other factors, the reason for their mixed reception is partly related to the fact that they salvage memories that are hard to incorporate into cultural memory, ritualized by historiography and politics. I will also focus on how reading literary texts and diaries with a view to how they represent cultural memory may serve as an antidote to collective amnesia, by salvaging and bringing into play a variety of personal experiences – individual and collective – and fostering multidirectional memory.
The Legal Holy Grail? German Lessons on Codification for a Fragmented Britain
Authors: Anna Bargenda Julia , Wilson Stark Shona
Published: May 2018

Codification seems to be coming back into vogue in Great Britain, especially in Wales and in Scotland as a result of devolution and a related (if possibly temporary) surge in nationalism. Using Germany as a comparator, we argue that a codification renaissance should be met with caution. By examining German literature on the history of codification, it can be seen that codification is a difficult transplant in Great Britain. In any event, the German experience shows that codification is no panacea. Furthermore, when it comes to codification, we are quite literally speaking a different language to continental lawyers. Codifying statutes, more achievable in the British jurisdictions than larger, continental-style codes, reflect a peculiarly British style of codification, but risk being the compromise that pleases nobody. A patchwork of substantive reform, consolidation and restatement is proposed as a more suitable domestic solution.
Improving Monarch Butterfly Optimization Algorithm with Self-Adaptive Population
Authors: Hu Hui , Cai Zhaoquan , Hu Song , Cai Yingxue , Chen Jia , Huang Sibo
Published: May 2018

Inspired by the migration behavior of monarch butterflies in nature, Wang et al. proposed a novel, promising, intelligent swarm-based algorithm, monarch butterfly optimization (MBO), for tackling global optimization problems. In the basic MBO algorithm, the butterflies in land 1 (subpopulation 1) and land 2 (subpopulation 2) are calculated according to the parameter p, which is unchanged during the entire optimization process. In our present work, a self-adaptive strategy is introduced to dynamically adjust the butterflies in land 1 and 2. Accordingly, the population size in subpopulation 1 and 2 are dynamically changed as the algorithm evolves in a linear way. After introducing the concept of a self-adaptive strategy, an improved MBO algorithm, called monarch butterfly optimization with self-adaptive population (SPMBO), is put forward. In SPMBO, only generated individuals who are better than before can be accepted as new individuals for the next generations in the migration operation. Finally, the proposed SPMBO algorithm is benchmarked by thirteen standard test functions with dimensions of 30 and 60. The experimental results indicate that the search ability of the proposed SPMBO approach significantly outperforms the basic MBO algorithm on most test functions. This also implies the self-adaptive strategy is an effective way to improve the performance of the basic MBO algorithm.
Influence of Linear Springing on the Fatigue Damage of Ultra Large Ore Carriers
Authors: Li Hui , Wang Di , Liu Ning , Zhou Xueqian , Ong Muk
Published: May 2018

Springing occurs more frequently to ultra large ships, as their natural frequencies are relatively low and approaches the spectral peak of the wave energy spectrum in certain sea states. Springing is a resonance phenomenon between the waves and the ship hull, and this high frequency vibration has a significant influence on the fatigue damage of hull structures. This paper deals with the influence of springing on the fatigue damage of ultra large ore carriers. The springing responses of ultra large ore carriers are calculated by a three-dimensional linear hydroelasticity method in the frequency domain. A fatigue damage calculation method accounting for the springing effect is applied that is based on the fatigue spectrum analysis method and the approximation method of joint narrowband. The fatigue damage of the deck and bottom longitudinals in the deck and bottom of ultra large ore carriers of various sizes has been calculated by this method. The influences of ship size, structural damping, sea state, wave heading, navigational speed, and loading condition on the structure fatigue damage ratio of ultra large ore carrier are analyzed.
Vulnerability Assessment of Electrical Cyber-Physical Systems against Cyber Attacks
Authors: Wang Yinan , Yan Gangfeng , Zheng Ronghao
Published: May 2018

The integration of modern computing and advanced communication with power grids has led to the emergence of electrical cyber-physical systems (ECPSs). However, the massive application of communication technologies makes the power grids become more vulnerable to cyber attacks. In this paper, we study the vulnerability of ECPSs and develop defence strategies against cyber attacks. Detection and protection algorithms are proposed to deal with the emergency of cascading failures. Moreover, we propose a weight adjustment strategy to solve the unbalanced power flows problem which is caused by splitting incidents. A MATLAB-based platform with advantages of easy programming, fast calculation, and no damage to systems is built for the offline simulation and analysis of the vulnerability of ECPSs. We also propose a five-aspect method of vulnerability assessment which includes the robustness, economic costs, degree of damage, vulnerable equipment, and trip point. The study is of significance to decision makers as they can get specific advice and defence strategies about a special power system.
VMGuards: A Novel Virtual Machine Based Code Protection System with VM Security as the First Class Design Concern
Authors: Tang Zhanyong , Li Meng , Ye Guixin , Cao Shuai , Chen Meiling , Gong Xiaoqing , Fang Dingyi , Wang Zheng
Published: May 2018

Process-level virtual machine (PVM) based code obfuscation is a viable means for protecting software against runtime code tampering and unauthorized code reverse engineering. PVM-based approaches rely on a VM to determine how instructions of the protected code region are scheduled and executed. Therefore, it is crucial to protect the VM against runtime code tampering that alters the instructions and behavior of the VM. This paper presents VMGuards, a novel PVM-based code protection system that puts the security of VM as the first class design concern. Our approach advances prior work by promoting security of the VM as the first class design constraint. We achieve this by introducing two new instruction sets to protect the internal implementations of critical code segments and the host runtime environment where the VM runs in. Our new instruction sets not only have an identical code structure as standard virtual instructions, but also provide additional information to allow the VM to check whether the critical internal implementation or the runtime environment is affected. We evaluate our approach by using a set of real-life applications. Experimental results show that our approach provides stronger and more fine-grained protection when compared to the state-of-the-art with little extra overhead.
Longitudinal Seismic Response of Continuously Welded Track on Railway Arch Bridges
Authors: Liu Hao , Wang Ping , Wei Xiankui , Xiao Jieling , Chen Rong
Published: May 2018

The seismic response of continuously welded track on bridges is seeing increased interest. Taking the railway deck arch bridge as an example, a track–bridge spatial coupling finite element model was established, and the effects of arch rib temperature difference and bridge span layout on rail seismic force were analyzed. The results show that the peak rail seismic force is larger than the maximum expansion force, and thus track constraints should be taken into consideration in railway arch bridge seismic design. The area enclosed by the hysteresis curve of track resistance increases gradually with an increase in dynamic displacement, and under seismic loading the track constraints can be considered to be in a relatively stable state of energy dissipation. The rail seismic forces under different waves varied greatly, so a wave whose spectrum characteristics fit the bridge site well should be used. The beam temperature difference can affect the structural seismic response, but this effect can be ignored when only considering the maximum rail seismic force. With the application of a series of three continuous beams on the arch and the reasonable arrangement of fixed bearings and speed locks, the track longitudinal stress deformation during an earthquake outperforms that of supported beams.
Heat Transfer and Friction Characteristics of Turbulent Flow through a Circular Tube with Ball Turbulators
Authors: Yuan Wei , Fang Guoyun , Zhang Xiaoqing , Tang Yong , Wan Zhenping , Zhang Shiwei
Published: May 2018

One of the most commonly used methods of heat transfer enhancement is flow turbulization. This effect can be achieved, e.g., by placing special turbulizing elements into the channel. In this paper, the effects of ball turbulators (BTs) on the heat transfer and fluid friction characteristics in a circular tube are investigated through numerical simulation. The Reynolds number (Re) is in the range of 5000–35,000 under a condition of uniform heat-flux. BTs with different diameter ratios (e.g., 0.5, 0.75, and 1) and spacer lengths (40, 51.77, and 62.5 mm) are inserted in the circular tubes. The results show that the heat transfer rates in the tube equipped with BTs are around 1.26–2.01 times that of those in the plain tube. The BTs with a ball diameter ratio of one provide higher friction factors than 0.75 and 0.5 by about 34.6–46.2% and 51.1–63.4%, respectively. A smaller ball diameter ratio is more able to decrease the friction factor. The performance evaluation criterion (PEC) data indicate that the use of a smaller ball diameter ratio (BDR) and a smaller spacer length are preferred. The results also reveal that BTs with a larger diameter ratio and a smaller spacer length yield the highest heat transfer rate as well as the largest pressure loss. Compared with the plain tube, the fluid flow velocity near the tube wall is significantly improved when BTs are used at the same Reynolds number.
Simulation Analysis and Experimental Study of the Cooker Hoods of High-Rise Residential Buildings
Authors: Zhang Yan-Chao , Wang Ting , Liu Xun-Qian , Zhu Yong-Ding , Yang Yun-Xia
Published: May 2018

Fuel combustion will release harmful gases such as CO , CO 2 , SO 2 , and NO x during cooking, and cooking oil fumes also contain acids, aldehydes, and other harmful particulate matters. Clinical diagnosis confirmed that some tiny particulate matters in oil fumes can induce many kinds of cancer. High-rise buildings of multi-dwelling units have been widely used as residential buildings with increasing worldwide population, especially in China. Therefore, air pollution in kitchens of high-rise residential buildings is attracting more and more attention in academic circles and engineering fields, especially the exhaust effectiveness and influencing factors of cooker hoods. This study focused on key influence factors of exhaust effectiveness such as the centralized flue system of high-rise residential buildings, the operating rate, the floor, the exhaust volume, and the vent opening. Commercial software Fluent was adopted to build the calculation model of cooker hoods for high-rise buildings. The temperature distribution, concentration distribution, and main escape path of oil fumes were analyzed and compared with experimental measurements. The results showed that the side and the front edge of the cooker hood close to the cooker are the main escape paths of oil fumes; the maximum escape concentrations of oil fumes are 0.247 mg/m3 and 0.265 mg/m3, respectively, under the condition of ventilation and non-ventilation; the error is only 5.0% and 11.7% compared with the experimental results. This paper is valuable for the improvement of air quality in kitchens in high-rise residential buildings, and the design and installation of cooker hoods.
New Fuzzy Numerical Methods for Solving Cauchy Problems
Authors: ALKasasbeh Hussein , Perfilieva Irina , Ahmad Muhammad , Yahya Zainor
Published: May 2018

In this paper, new fuzzy numerical methods based on the fuzzy transform (F-transform or FT) for solving the Cauchy problem are introduced and discussed. In accordance with existing methods such as trapezoidal rule, Adams Moulton methods are improved using FT. We propose three new fuzzy methods where the technique of FT is combined with one-step, two-step, and three-step numerical methods. Moreover, the FT with respect to generalized uniform fuzzy partition is able to reduce error. Thus, new representations formulas for generalized uniform fuzzy partition of FT are introduced. As an application, all these schemes are used to solve Cauchy problems. Further, the error analysis of the new fuzzy methods is discussed. Finally, numerical examples are presented to illustrate these methods and compared with the existing methods. It is observed that the new fuzzy numerical methods yield more accurate results than the existing methods.
Transitioning Bodies. The Case of Self-Prescribing Sexual Hormones in Gender Affirmation in Individuals Attending Psychiatric Services
Authors: Metastasio Antonio , Negri Attilio , Martinotti Giovanni , Corazza Ornella
Published: May 2018

Self-prescribing of sexual hormones for gender affirmation is a potentially widespread and poorly studied phenomenon that many clinicians are unaware of. The uncontrolled use of hormones poses significant health hazards, which have not been previously reported in the literature. We have collected seven clinical cases in general adult psychiatry settings (both inpatient and outpatients), describing transgender and gender non-conforming individuals’ (TGNC) self-prescribing and self-administering hormones bought from the Internet without any medical consultation. Among these cases, two were taking androgens, and the rest were taking oestrogens. The main reason for self-administration of hormones seems to be the lack of access to specialised care due to discrimination and long waiting lists. We advocate for clinicians to be aware of the phenomenon and proactively help TGNC individuals by enquiring about self-prescribing of hormones, providing information and referring to the most appropriate treatment centre as well as encourage a public debate on the discrimination and the stigma that TGNC population suffer from. Overall, there is an urgent need for the implementation of different and innovative health care services for TGNC individuals as well as more targeted prevention strategies on such underreported and highly risky behaviours. Furthermore, it is necessary for every clinician involved in the care for TGNC people to be aware of their special needs and be able to be an allied and an advocate to help in reducing stigma and discrimination that affect the access to care for this often underserved population.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Different Kinds of Concrete Containing Waste for Sustainable Construction
Authors: Colangelo Francesco , Forcina Antonio , Farina Ilenia , Petrillo Antonella
Published: May 2018

Concrete production causes significant environmental damage during its entire life cycle due to the large consumption of natural aggregate. The aim of this research was to use the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology to conduct a comparative analysis of four different concrete mixtures, i.e., construction and demolition waste (CDW), incinerator ashes, marble sludge, and blast furnace slag. The LCA study was implemented in the Campania Region of Italy. The main contribution of the study was that it proposed the use of “green” recycled aggregates in concrete production in order to assess the reduction of potential adverse impacts, from both environmental and energy perspectives. SimaPro© software was used to conduct the analysis. The main results of the research showed that the recycled aggregates that were analyzed were preferable to traditional concrete. In particular, the recycled aggregate that had the least adverse impact on the environment was blast furnace waste.
Pathogen-Imprinted Organosiloxane Polymers as Selective Biosensors for the Detection of Targeted E. coli
Authors: Dulay Maria T. , Zaman Naina , Jaramillo David , Mody Alison C. , Zare Richard N.
Published: May 2018

Early detection of pathogens requires methods that are fast, selective, sensitive and affordable. We report the development of a biosensor with high sensitivity and selectivity based on the low-cost preparation of organosiloxane (OSX) polymers imprinted with E. coli-GFP (green fluorescent protein). OSX polymers with high optical transparency, no cracking, and no shrinkage were prepared by varying several parameters of the sol–gel reaction. The unique shape and chemical fingerprint of the targeted inactivated E. coli-GFP were imprinted into bulk polymers by replication imprinting where the polymer solution was dropcast onto a bacteria template that produced a replica of the bacterial shape and chemistry on the polymer surface upon removal of the template. Capture performances were studied under non-laminar flow conditions with samples containing inactivated E. coli-GFP and compared to inactivated S. typhimurium-GFP. Capture selectivity ratios are dependent on the type of alkoxysilanes used, the H2O:silane molar ratio, and the polymerization temperature. The bacteria concentration in suspension ranged from ~6 × 105 to 1.6 × 109 cells/mL. E. coli-imprinted OSX polymers with polyethylene glycol (PEG) differentiated between the targeted bacterium E. coli, and non-targeted bacteria S. typhimurium and native E. coli-GFP, achieving selectivity ratios up to 4.5 times higher than polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and OSX polymers without PEG.
Immobilization of the β-fructofuranosidase from Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous by Entrapment in Polyvinyl Alcohol and Its Application to Neo-Fructooligosaccharides Production
Authors: Míguez Noa , Gimeno-Pérez María , Fernández-Polo David , Cervantes Fadia , Ballesteros Antonio , Fernández-Lobato María , Ribeiro María , Plou Francisco
Published: May 2018

The β-fructofuranosidase (Xd-INV) from the basidiomycota yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous (formerly Phaffia rhodozyma) is unique in its ability to synthesize neo- fructooligosaccharides (neo-FOS). In order to facilitate its industrial application, the recombinant enzyme expressed in Pichia pastoris (pXd-INV) was immobilized by entrapment in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels. The encapsulation efficiency exceeded 80%. The PVA lenticular particles of immobilized pXd-INV were stable up to approximately 40 °C. Using 600 g/L sucrose, the immobilized biocatalyst synthesized 18.9% (w/w) FOS (59.1 g/L of neokestose, 30.2 g/L of 1-kestose, 11.6 g/L of neonystose and 12.6 g/L of blastose). The operational stability of PVA-immobilized biocatalyst was assayed in a batch reactor at 30 °C. The enzyme preserved its initial activity during at least 7 cycles of 26 h.
Clustering Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclone Tracks by the Standard Deviational Ellipse
Authors: Rahman Md. , Yang Ruixin , Di Liping
Published: May 2018

The standard deviational ellipse is useful to analyze the shape and the length of a tropical cyclone (TC) track. Cyclone intensity at each six-hour position is used as the weight at that location. Only named cyclones in the Indian Ocean since 1981 are considered for this study. The K-means clustering algorithm is used to cluster Indian Ocean cyclones based on the five parameters: x-y coordinates of the mean center, variances along zonal and meridional directions, and covariance between zonal and meridional locations of the cyclone track. Four clusters are identified across the Indian Ocean; among them, only one cluster is in the North Indian Ocean (NIO) and the rest of them are in the South Indian Ocean (SIO). Other characteristics associated with each cluster, such as wind speed, lifespan, track length, track orientation, seasonality, landfall, category during landfall, total accumulated cyclone energy (ACE), and cyclone trend, are analyzed and discussed. Cyclone frequency and energy of Cluster 4 (in the NIO) have been following a linear increasing trend. Cluster 4 also has a higher number of landfall cyclones compared to other clusters. Cluster 2, located in the middle of the SIO, is characterized by the long track, high intensity, long lifespan, and high accumulated energy. Sea surface temperature (SST) and outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) associated with genesis of TCs are also examined in each cluster. Cyclone genesis is co-located with the negative OLR anomaly and the positive SST anomaly. Localized SST anomalies are associated with clusters in the SIO; however, TC geneses of Cluster 4 are associated with SSTA all over the Indian Ocean (IO).
Bonding Characteristics and Chemical Inertness of Zr–Si–N Coatings with a High Si Content in Glass Molding
Authors: Chang Li-Chun , Zheng Yu-Zhe , Chen Yung-I , Chang Shan-Chun , Liu Bo-Wei
Published: May 2018

High-Si-content transition metal nitride coatings, which exhibited an X-ray amorphous phase, were proposed as protective coatings on glass molding dies. In a previous study, the Zr–Si–N coatings with Si contents of 24–30 at.% exhibited the hardness of Si3N4, which was higher than those of the middle-Si-content (19 at.%) coatings. In this study, the bonding characteristics of the constituent elements of Zr–Si–N coatings were evaluated through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results indicated that the Zr 3d5/2 levels were 179.14–180.22 and 180.75–181.61 eV for the Zr–N bonds in ZrN and Zr3N4 compounds, respectively. Moreover, the percentage of Zr–N bond in the Zr3N4 compound increased with increasing Si content in the Zr–Si–N coatings. The Zr–N bond of Zr3N4 dominated when the Si content was >24 at.%. Therefore, high Si content can stabilize the Zr–N compound in the M3N4 bonding structure. Furthermore, the thermal stability and chemical inertness of Zr–Si–N coatings were evaluated by conducting thermal cycle annealing at 270 °C and 600 °C in a 15-ppm O2–N2 atmosphere. The results indicated that a Zr22Si29N49/Ti/WC assembly was suitable as a protective coating against SiO2–B2O3–BaO-based glass for 450 thermal cycles.
Electrodeposition of a Pd-Ni/TiO2 Composite Coating on 316L SS and Its Corrosion Behavior in Hot Sulfuric Acid Solution
Authors: Zhang Zhiheng , Tang Junlei , Wang Yingying , Wang Hu , Normand Bernard , Zuo Yu
Published: May 2018

Pd-Ni/TiO2 composite coatings were elaborated on 316L stainless steel by an electrodeposition method. The specimens were obtained from an electrolytic bath that contained various contents (5, 10, and 15 g L−1) of nanosized TiO2 particles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterization showed that increasing the TiO2 content in the coatings can decrease the crystal grain size. The surface morphology and chemical composition of the composite coatings were modified by the addition of TiO2 particles in the electrolyte, as shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) methods, respectively. The TiO2 content also significantly affected the mechanical and electrochemical properties of the Pd-Ni/TiO2 composite coatings. The microhardness of the Pd-Ni/TiO2 composite coatings can be enhanced by increasing the TiO2 content in the coatings. With the addition of 5 g L−1 TiO2 particles to the electrolyte, the deposited Pd-Ni/TiO2 composite coating presented a remarkably increased corrosion resistance when exposed to a sulfuric acid solution at 60 °C compared with that of the Pd-Ni alloy coating. Nevertheless, the further addition of TiO2 particles into the electrolytic bath did not further improve the corrosion resistance of the composite coating.
Hydrophilic Self-Replenishing Coatings with Long-Term Water Stability for Anti-Fouling Applications
Authors: Jiménez-Pardo Isabel , Van der Ven Leendert , Van Benthem Rolf , De With Gijsbertus , Esteves A.
Published: May 2018

Hydrophilic coatings have recently emerged as a new approach to avoiding the adhesion of (bio)organisms on surfaces immersed in water. In these coatings the hydrophilic character is crucial for the anti-fouling (AF) performance. However, this property can be rapidly lost due to the inevitable damages which occur at the surface, reducing the long-term effectiveness of the AF functionality. We report hydrophilic polycarbonate-poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (mPEG) polyurethane coatings with tunable hydrophilic properties as well as an excellent and long-term stability in water. The coatings exhibit low protein adhesion values and are able to self-replenish their hydrophilicity after damage, due to the existence of a reservoir of hydrophilic dangling chains incorporated in the bulk. The combination of low Tg and sufficient mobility of the mPEG dangling chains (enabled by chains with higher molecular weight) proved to be crucial to ensure autonomous surface hydrophilicity recovery when the coatings were immersed in water. This coatings and design approach offers new possibilities towards high-performance AF coatings with an extended service life-time which can be used in several major applications areas, such as marine and biomedical coatings, with major economic and environmental benefits.
Corrosion Resistance of Pipeline Steel with Damaged Enamel Coating and Cathodic Protection
Authors: Fan Liang , Reis Signo , Chen Genda , Koenigstein Michael
Published: May 2018

This paper presents the first report on the corrosion resistance of pipeline steel with damaged enamel coating and cathodic protection in 3.5 wt % NaCl solution. In particular, dual cells are set up to separate the solution in contact with the damaged and intact enamel coating areas, to produce a local corrosion resistance measurement for the first time. Enamel-coated steel samples, with two levels of cathodic protection, are tested to investigate their impedance by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and their cathodic current demand by a potentiostatic test. Due to its glass transition temperature, the enamel-coated pipeline can be operated on at temperatures up to 400 °C. The electrochemical tests show that cathodic protection (CP) can decelerate the degradation process of intact coating and delay the electrochemical reactions at the enamel-steel interface. However, CP has little effect on the performance of coating once damaged and can prevent the exposed steel from corrosion around the damaged site, as verified by visual inspections. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated no delamination at the damaged enamel–steel interface due to their chemical bond.
Optimization of Ca14MgSb11 through Chemical Substitutions on Sb Sites: Optimizing Seebeck Coefficient and Resistivity Simultaneously
Authors: Hu Yufei , Lee Kathleen , Kauzlarich Susan M.
Published: May 2018

In thermoelectric materials, chemical substitutions are widely used to optimize thermoelectric properties. The Zintl phase compound, Yb14MgSb11, has been demonstrated as a promising thermoelectric material at high temperatures. It is iso-structural with Ca14AlSb11 with space group I41/acd. Its iso-structural analog, Ca14MgSb11, was discovered to be a semiconductor and have vacancies on the Sb(3) sites, although in its nominal composition it can be described as consisting of fourteen Ca2+ cations with one [MgSb4]9− tetrahedron, one Sb37− linear anion and four isolated Sb3− anions (Sb(3) site) in one formula unit. When Sn substitutes Sb in Ca14MgSb11, optimized Seebeck coefficient and resistivity were achieved simultaneously although the Sn amount is small (<2%). This is difficult to achieve in thermoelectric materials as the Seebeck coefficient and resistivity are inversely related with respect to carrier concentration. Thermal conductivity of Ca14MgSb11-xSnx remains almost the same as Ca14MgSb11. The calculated zT value of Ca14MgSb10.80Sn0.20 reaches 0.49 at 1075 K, which is 53% higher than that of Ca14MgSb11 at the same temperature. The band structure of Ca14MgSb7Sn4 is calculated to simulate the effect of Sn substitutions. Compared to the band structure of Ca14MgSb11, the band gap of Ca14MgSb7Sn4 is smaller (0.2 eV) and the Fermi-level shifts into the valence band. The absolute values for density of states (DOS) of Ca14MgSb7Sn4 are smaller near the Fermi-level at the top of valence band and 5p-orbitals of Sn contribute most to the valence bands near the Fermi-level.
Peak Broadening Anisotropy and the Contrast Factor in Metal Alloys
Authors: Simm Thomas Hadfield
Published: May 2018

Diffraction peak profile analysis (DPPA) is a valuable method to understand the microstructure and defects present in a crystalline material. Peak broadening anisotropy, where broadening of a diffraction peak doesn’t change smoothly with 2θ or d-spacing, is an important aspect of these methods. There are numerous approaches to take to deal with this anisotropy in metal alloys, which can be used to gain information about the dislocation types present in a sample and the amount of planar faults. However, there are problems in determining which method to use and the potential errors that can result. This is particularly the case for hexagonal close packed (HCP) alloys. There is though a distinct advantage of broadening anisotropy in that it provides a unique and potentially valuable way to develop crystal plasticity and work-hardening models. In this work we use several practical examples of the use of DPPA to highlight the issues of broadening anisotropy.
Water Resources Carrying Capacity Evaluation and Diagnosis Based on Set Pair Analysis and Improved the Entropy Weight Method
Authors: Cui Yi , Feng Ping , Jin Juliang , Liu Li
Published: May 2018

To quantitatively evaluate and diagnose the carrying capacity of regional water resources under uncertain conditions, an index system and corresponding grade criteria were constructed from the perspective of carrying subsystem. Meanwhile, an improved entropy weight method was used to determine the objective weight of the index. Then, an evaluation model was built by applying set pair analysis, and a set pair potential based on subtraction was proposed to identify the carrying vulnerability factors. Finally, an empirical study was carried out in Anhui Province. The results showed that the consistency among objective weights of each index was considered, and the uncertainty between the index and grade criterion was reasonably dealt with. Furthermore, although the carrying situation in Anhui was severe, the development tended to be improved. The status in Southern Anhui was superior to that in the middle area, and that in the northern part was relatively grim. In addition, for Northern Anhui, the fewer water resources chiefly caused its long-term overloaded status. The improvement of capacity in the middle area was mainly hindered by its deficient ecological water consumption and limited water-saving irrigation area. Moreover, the long-term loadable condition in the southern part was due largely to its relatively abundant water resources and small population size. This evaluation and diagnosis method can be widely applied to carrying issues in other resources and environment fields.
Exchange Rate and Oil Price Interactions in Selected CEE Countries
Authors: Drachal Krzysztof
Published: May 2018

This paper reports a study on the causal dynamics between spot oil price, exchange rates, and stock prices in Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Serbia. The results are compared with a benchmark analysis in which U.S. monthly data are used, and time periods are selected according to the flexibility of exchange rate regimes in each country. A period between 2000 and 2015 is analyzed. The methodology is based on the Granger causality test, and the non-linear Diks–Panchenko test, while the causality in variance is checked with the Hafner–Herwartz test.
Methane Gas Density Monitoring and Predicting Based on RFID Sensor Tag and CNN Algorithm
Authors: Zhang Chunlei , Fu Yuhua , Deng Fangming , Wei Baoquan , Wu Xiang
Published: May 2018

According to the advantages of integrating wireless sensors networks (WSN) and radio frequency identification (RFID), this paper proposes a novel method for methane gas density monitoring and predicting based on a passive RFID sensor tag and a convolutional neural networks (CNN) algorithm. The proposed wireless sensor is based on electronic product code (EPC) generation2 (G2) protocol and the sensor data is embedded into the identification (ID) information of the RFID chip. The wireless sensor consists of a communication section, radio-frequency (RF) front-end section, and digital section. The communication section is used to perform the transmission and reception of wireless signals, modulation, and demodulation. The RF front-end section is adopted to provide the stable supply voltage for other parts. The digital section is employed to achieve sensor data and control the overall operation of the wireless sensor based on EPC protocol. Because the miscellaneous noises will decrease the accuracy during the process of data wireless transmission, the CNN algorithm is adopted to extract the robust feature from raw data. The measurement results show that the exploited RFID sensor can realize a maximum communication distance of 10.3 m and can accurately measure and predict the methane gas density in an underground mine. The RFID sensor technology is a beneficial supplement to the current underground WSN monitoring system.
Analysis of Carbon Leakage under Phase III of the EU Emissions Trading System: Trading Patterns in the Cement and Aluminium Sectors
Authors: Healy Sean , Schumacher Katja , Eichhammer Wolfgang
Published: May 2018

This paper contributes to the existing literature on carbon leakage by using a range of different publically available datasets in order to develop a systematic approach for identifying whether products are potentially at risk of carbon leakage. The scope of this paper focuses on the cement and aluminium sectors at different levels of product aggregation to demonstrate the variation in trade patterns that exist over time. The evolution of EU-28 trade flows with third countries for these sectors between 2000 and 2016 enables the selection of key third countries that could warrant further investigation via more quantitative techniques in order to determine the impact of carbon pricing on trade patterns. This systematic approach could be replicated for additional sectors in further research as part of a more regular assessment to provide evidence of carbon leakage for European industry. No evidence of carbon leakage is found in this paper for clinker and cement, while there is no conclusive evidence for unwrought non-alloyed aluminium and aluminium products.
Integrated Design of a High Speed Magnetic Levitated Brushless Direct Current Motor System
Authors: Liu Gang , Liu Xu
Published: May 2018

High speed magnetic levitated brushless direct current motor system mainly consists of a motor, a rotor and two magnetic bearings. New ideas demonstrate advances in the design of integration interface and selection of the dynamic design parameters. In this paper, integrated design procedure is interpreted, considering the structural, electromagnetic and thermal aspects with their contradiction and integration. The motor design is set as the initial design entrance to determine its stator diameters with other key parameters as dynamic design parameters. Then, magnetic bearing design is set as the interface for rotor, with magnetic bearings’ diameters and lengths determined. So, all the dynamic parameters will be specified considering rotor dynamics and the corresponding strength/thermal analysis. Finally, several validations including finite element method and experiment, have been carried out. Prototype of this maglev motor system has been designed and manufactured, with sufficient experiment processes validated. It rotates over 55,332 rpm under load with drag system, corresponding to above design results.
Methodology and a Continuous Time Mathematical Model for Selecting the Optimum Capacity of a Heat Accumulator Integrated with a CHP Plant
Authors: Bartnik Ryszard , Buryn Zbigniew , Hnydiuk-Stefan Anna , Juszczak Adam
Published: May 2018

This paper contains the results of a study in which a novel approach using continuous time notation was applied in the search for the optimum capacity of a heat accumulation tank to be combined with an existing CHP (combined heat and power) plant. The necessary condition associated with the economic profitability of the application of heat accumulation tanks in CHP plants is based on the condition that the profit from the exploitation of the modernized CHP plant does not decrease in relation to this profit before the process was initiated. Hence, the applied methodology provides a dependence that has universal application as it can be used to establish the optimal capacity of a heat accumulation tank suitable for any CHP plant design, i.e., for any thermal capacity of such a plant. The results also demonstrated that the specific enthalpies of the extracted steam before the base load heater and the maximum increase of the flow rate of the extracted steam feeding the base load heater in winter form the only necessary inputs for such calculations. The construction of the heat accumulation tank is only profitable for the case when the difference in the purchase prices at the times corresponding to peak load and base load electricity demand is sufficiently high.
A Non-Standard Characteristic Based Protection Scheme for Distribution Networks
Authors: Kılıçkıran Hasan Can , Akdemir Hüseyin , Şengör İbrahim , Kekezoğlu Bedri , Paterakis Nikolaos G.
Published: May 2018

The increasing number of distributed generation (DG) units in the distribution systems poses a challenge on protection systems in terms of coordination. In addition, the single characteristic based conventional protection causes an increase in the primary operation time of the relays due to the coordination between relay pairs. As a consequence, earlier studies investigated the utilization of non-standard characteristics and protection schemes in order to ease the insufficiencies of the standard approach. However, a commonly accepted protection approach that mitigates the effect of DG while providing lower primary operating time by levering the benefits of the non-standard protection strategy has not been developed so far. In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of traditional protection, this paper firstly introduces a non-standard characteristic and then proffers an unconventional protection strategy, which utilizes a double characteristic. The suggested protection approach is tested on the IEEE 14 Bus distribution system including synchronous generator based DG connection. The results show that the proposed characteristic and protection scheme are able to provide a substantial decrease in the operation time of the relays while meeting the coordination requirements.
Indirect Tensile Behaviour of Fibre Reinforced Alkali-Activated Composites
Authors: Almeida Filipe , Cunha Vítor , Miranda Tiago , Cristelo Nuno
Published: May 2018

There are currently still some sustainability-related issues that need to be tackled within the construction sector. Namely, cement production is accountable for nearby 5% of the worldwide total CO2-eq release. Therefore, environmentally viable and economically sustainable solutions need to be pursued in order to mitigate the use of Portland cement. The incorporation of industrial waste in concrete compositions, such as fly ash (from coal combustion in power stations) is a feasible alternative. The properties of these residues may be enhanced through alkaline activation, which is able to yield aluminosilicate-based materials with excellent physico-chemical properties. Nonetheless, these materials exhibit a brittle behaviour. Therefore, the present work addresses the study of alkali-activated composites reinforced with sisal fibres. For that purpose, alkali-activated Class F fly ash was mixed with natural fibres and the composite mechanical behaviour was assessed through both indirect tensile and compressive tests. Four different fibre contents, in wt % of fly ash (0, 0.2, 0.6 and 1%), two fibre lengths (13 and 50 mm) and four curing periods (14, 28, 56 and 112 days) were considered. Results confirm that the post-cracking response of these composites was improved with the inclusion of sisal fibres. In general, higher residual tensile strengths and dissipated energy were observed for the lengthier fibres, i.e., 50 mm.
Sharing Loading Costs for Multi Compartment Vehicles
Authors: Hartman Bruce
Published: May 2018

Supply chains for goods that must be kept cool—cold chains—are of increasing importance in world trade. The goods must be kept within well-defined temperature limits to preserve their quality. One technique for reducing logistics costs is to load cold items into multiple compartment vehicles (MCVs), which have several spaces within that can be set for different temperature ranges. These vehicles allow better consolidation of loads. However, constructing the optimal load is a difficult problem, requiring heuristics for solution. In addition, the cost determined must be allocated to the different items being shipped, most often with different owners who need to pay, and this should be done in a stable manner so that firms will continue to combine loads. We outline the basic structure of the MCV loading problem, and offer the view that the optimization and cost allocation problems must be solved together. Doing so presents the opportunity to solve the problem inductively, reducing the size of the feasible set using constraints generated inductively from the inductive construction of minimal balanced collections of subsets. These limits may help the heuristics find a good result faster than optimizing first and allocating later.