bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data Mining of Atherosclerotic Plaque Transcriptomes Predicts STAT1-Dependent Inflammatory Signal Integration in Vascular Disease
Authors: Sikorski Krzysztof , Wesoly Joanna , Bluyssen Hans
Published: August 2014

Atherosclerotic plaque development involves multiple extra- and intra-cellular signals engaging cells from the immune system and from the vasculature. Pro-inflammatory pathways activated by interferon gamma (IFNγ) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) ligands are profoundly involved in plaque formation and have been shown to involve cross-talk in all atheroma-interacting cell types leading to increased activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) and elevated expression of pro-inflammatory mediators. Here we demonstrate that in Gene Expression Omnibus repository (GEO) deposited microarray datasets, obtained from human coronary and carotid atherosclerotic plaques, a significant increase in expression of pro-inflammatory and immunomodulatory genes can be detected. Moreover, increased expression of multiple chemokines, adhesion molecules and matrix-remodeling molecules was commonly detected in both plaque types and correlated with the presence of putative STAT1 binding sites in their promoters, suggesting strong involvement of STAT1 in plaque development. We also provide evidence to suggest that STAT1-nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB) or STAT1-interferon-regulated factor (IRF) regulatory modules are over-represented in the promoters of these inflammatory genes, which points to a possible contribution of IFNγ and TLR4 cross-talk in the process of atherogenesis. Finally, a subset of these genes encodes for secreted proteins that could serve as a basis of a non-invasive diagnostic assay. The results of our in silico analysis in vitro provide potential evidence that STAT1-dependent IFNγ-TLR4 cross-talk plays a crucial role in coronary and carotid artery plaque development and identifies a STAT1-dependent gene signature that could represent a novel diagnostic tool to monitor and diagnose plaque progression in human atherosclerosis.
Hyponatremia: Special Considerations in Older Patients
Authors: Soiza Roy , Cumming Kirsten , Clarke Jennifer , Wood Karen , Myint Phyo
Published: August 2014

Hyponatremia is especially common in older people. Recent evidence highlights that even mild, chronic hyponatremia can lead to cognitive impairment, falls and fractures, the latter being in part due to bone demineralization and reduced bone quality. Hyponatremia is therefore of special significance in frail older people. Management of hyponatremia in elderly individuals is particularly challenging. The underlying cause is often multi-factorial, a clear history may be difficult to obtain and clinical examination is unreliable. Established treatment modalities are often ineffective and carry considerable risks, especially if the diagnosis of underlying causes is incorrect. Nevertheless, there is some evidence that correction of hyponatremia can improve cognitive performance and postural balance, potentially minimizing the risk of falls and fractures. Oral vasopressin receptor antagonists (vaptans) are a promising innovation, but evidence of their safety and effect on important clinical outcomes in frail elderly individuals is limited.
Design Analysis of a Novel Synchronous Generator for Wind Power Generation
Authors: Higuchi Tsuyoshi , Yokoi Yuichi , Abe Takashi , Sakimura Kazuki
Published: August 2014

A novel synchronous generator is proposed for wind power generation. The field flux is generated by the half-wave rectified excitation method. The generator does not require slip rings and brushes for field power supply, as well as permanent magnets. In this paper, the excitation method is explained, and then, the basic characteristics are calculated using the finite element method analysis. Furthermore, the generator is designed for increasing the output power and efficiency.
Genetic Algorithm with Maximum-Minimum Crossover (GA-MMC) Applied in Optimization of Radiation Pattern Control of Phased-Array Radars for Rocket Tracking Systems
Authors: Silva Leonardo , Barros Vitor , Silva Sandro
Published: August 2014

In launching operations, Rocket Tracking Systems (RTS) process the trajectory data obtained by radar sensors. In order to improve functionality and maintenance, radars can be upgraded by replacing antennas with parabolic reflectors (PRs) with phased arrays (PAs). These arrays enable the electronic control of the radiation pattern by adjusting the signal supplied to each radiating element. However, in projects of phased array radars (PARs), the modeling of the problem is subject to various combinations of excitation signals producing a complex optimization problem. In this case, it is possible to calculate the problem solutions with optimization methods such as genetic algorithms (GAs). For this, the Genetic Algorithm with Maximum-Minimum Crossover (GA-MMC) method was developed to control the radiation pattern of PAs. The GA-MMC uses a reconfigurable algorithm with multiple objectives, differentiated coding and a new crossover genetic operator. This operator has a different approach from the conventional one, because it performs the crossover of the fittest individuals with the least fit individuals in order to enhance the genetic diversity. Thus, GA-MMC was successful in more than 90% of the tests for each application, increased the fitness of the final population by more than 20% and reduced the premature convergence.
Emergency Navigation without an Infrastructure
Authors: Gelenbe Erol , Bi Huibo
Published: August 2014

Emergency navigation systems for buildings and other built environments, such as sport arenas or shopping centres, typically rely on simple sensor networks to detect emergencies and, then, provide automatic signs to direct the evacuees. The major drawbacks of such static wireless sensor network (WSN)-based emergency navigation systems are the very limited computing capacity, which makes adaptivity very difficult, and the restricted battery power, due to the low cost of sensor nodes for unattended operation. If static wireless sensor networks and cloud-computing can be integrated, then intensive computations that are needed to determine optimal evacuation routes in the presence of time-varying hazards can be offloaded to the cloud, but the disadvantages of limited battery life-time at the client side, as well as the high likelihood of system malfunction during an emergency still remain. By making use of the powerful sensing ability of smart phones, which are increasingly ubiquitous, this paper presents a cloud-enabled indoor emergency navigation framework to direct evacuees in a coordinated fashion and to improve the reliability and resilience for both communication and localization. By combining social potential fields (SPF) and a cognitive packet network (CPN)-based algorithm, evacuees are guided to exits in dynamic loose clusters. Rather than relying on a conventional telecommunications infrastructure, we suggest an ad hoc cognitive packet network (AHCPN)-based protocol to adaptively search optimal communication routes between portable devices and the network egress nodes that provide access to cloud servers, in a manner that spares the remaining battery power of smart phones and minimizes the time latency. Experimental results through detailed simulations indicate that smart human motion and smart network management can increase the survival rate of evacuees and reduce the number of drained smart phones in an evacuation process.
Building Behavior Simulation by Means of Artificial Neural Network in Summer Conditions
Authors: Buratti Cinzia , Lascaro Elisa , Palladino Domenico , Vergoni Marco
Published: August 2014

Many studies in Italy showed that buildings are responsible for about 40% of total energy consumption, due to worsening performance of building envelope; in fact, a great number of Italian buildings were built before the 1970s and 80s. In particular, the energy consumptions for cooling are considerably increased with respect to the ones for heating. In order to reduce the cooling energy demand, ensuring indoor thermal comfort, a careful study on building envelope performance is necessary. Different dynamic software could be used in order to evaluate and to improve the building envelope during the cooling period, but much time and an accurate validation of the model are required. However, when a wide experimental data is available, the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) can be an alternative, simple and fast tool to use. In the present study, the indoor thermal conditions in many dwellings built in Umbria Region were investigated in order to evaluate the envelope performance. They were recently built and have very low energy consumptions. Based on the experimental data, a feed forward network was trained, in order to evaluate the different envelopes performance. As input parameters the outdoor climatic conditions and the thermal characteristics of building envelopes were set, while, as a target parameter, the indoor air temperature was provided. A good training of network was obtained with a high regression value (0.9625) and a very small error (0.007 °C) on air temperature. The network was also used to simulate the envelope behavior with new innovative glazing systems, in order to evaluate and to improve the energy performance.
Cd, Pb and Hg Biomonitoring in Fish of the Mediterranean Region and Risk Estimations on Fish Consumption
Authors: Renieri Elisavet , Alegakis Athanasios , Kiriakakis Michalis , Vinceti Marco , Ozcagli Eren , Wilks Martin , Tsatsakis Aristidis
Published: August 2014

Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) are toxic metals with increasing interest due to their tendency to bioaccumulate in fish tissue which may pose a threat to human health via fish consumption. This review of the recent literature on Cd, Pb, Hg levels summarizes data of fish biomonitoring studies in the Mediterranean Sea in order to determine potential risks due to dietary intake of metals. The analytical methods applied are described, with Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy being the most popular. Most of the literature reviewed is focused on the Eastern Mediterranean. Results from the studies indicate that metals mostly accumulate in liver, followed by muscle. Although there are few studies reporting metal levels in fish exceeding the maximum residue levels (MRLs), the bulk of the studies cite levels below the MRLs. The hazard index (HI) of fish consumption, namely the ratio of estimated weekly intake to provisional tolerable weekly intake (EWI/PTWI) was estimated for adult consumers and no risk emerged. The EWI/PTWI ratios of lead and mercury for Italy (0.14 and 0.22 respectively) represent the highest HI levels estimated. In view of maximizing the benefits while minimizing the risks of fish consumption, a more detailed fish-specific database on intakes for consumers is required and extended bimonitoring in as many regions as possible.
Variation of system performance, quality control standards and adherence to international FDG-PET/CT imaging guidelines
Authors: Bergmann H. , Geist B. , Schaffarich M. , Hirtl A. , Hacker M. , Beyer T. , Rausch I.
Published: August 2014

Aim: To gather information on clinical operations, quality control (QC) standards and adoption of guidelines for FDG-PET/CT imaging in Austrian PET/CT centres. Methods: A written survey composed of 68 questions related to A) PET/CT centre and installation, B) standard protocol parameters for FDG-PET/CT imaging of oncology patients, and C) standard QC procedures was conducted between November and December 2013 among all Austrian PET/CT centres. In addition, a NEMA-NU2 2012 image quality phantom test was performed using standard whole-body imaging settings on all PET/CT systems with a lesion-to- background ratio of 4. Recovery coefficients (RC) were calculated for each lesion and PET/ CT system. Resu lts: A) 13 PET/CT systems were installed in 12 nuclear medicine departments at public hospitals. B) Average fasting prior to FDG-PET/CT was 7.6 (4-12) h. All sites measured blood glucose levels while using different cut-off levels (64%: 150 mg/dl). Weight- based activity injection was performed at 83% sites with a mean FDG activity of 4.1 MBq/kg. Average FDG uptake time was 55 (45-75) min. All sites employed CT contrast agents (variation from 1 %-95% of the patients). All sites reported SUV-max. C) Frequency of QC tests varied significantly and QC phantom measurements revealed significant differences in RCs. Conclusion: Significant variations in FDG-PET/CT protocol parameters among all Austrian PET/CT users were observed. subsequently, efforts need to be put in place to further standardize imaging protocols. At a minimum clinical PET/CT operations should ensure compliance with existing guidelines. Further, standardized QC procedures must be followed to improve quantitative accuracy across PET/CT centres.
Digital Participation
Authors: Sgueo Gianluca
Published: August 2014

This chapter focuses on the initiative named “Dialogue with Citizens” that the Italian Government introduced in 2012. The Dialogue was an entirely Web-based experiment of participatory democracy aimed at, first, informing citizens through documents and in-depth analysis and, second, designed for answering their questions and requests. During the year-and-half life of the initiative, roughly 90,000 people wrote. Additionally, almost 200,000 participated in a number of public online consultations that the government launched in concomitance with the adoption of crucial decisions (i.e. the spending review national program). From the analysis of this experiment of participatory democracy three questions can be raised: (1) How can a public institution maximize the profits of participation and minimize its costs? (2) How can public administrations manage the (growing) expectations of the citizens once they become accustomed to participation? (3) Is online participatory democracy going to develop further, and why?
Vengeance Culture Online
Authors: Hai-Jew Shalin
Published: August 2014

Vengeance. Payback. Retribution. Just deserts. Evening up the score. Punishment. If there is an ever-replicating and recurring Internet meme, it is one of revenge. Intimate photos are shared online post-relationship and end up picked up by for-profit pornographic websites. Privy information is leaked into private (narrow-cast) or semi-public or public spaces (broadcast) with massive amplifications of messages into the public sphere. Violent attacks and beat-downs are videotaped and shared on video sharing sites. Flash or cyber mobs are brought together to clean-out stores and to exact vengeance on particular businesses. Information and Communication Technology (ICT), with its nexus of pseudo-anonymity, fast dissemination of information, long-term persistence of data, and mass reach, provides multiple affordances for the exacting of vengeance. The popular culture of anonymous hacktivism and cyber-vigilantism further contribute to the sense of the Internet as an ungoverned and extralegal place. Finally, a general imprudence has meant the easy activation of Internet mobs and individuals to harm-causing rumor-sharing and behavior against others—sparked by doubtful claims or loose storytelling. ICT has enabled the spillover of real-world antipathies and dark emotions into virtual spaces, which then slosh back into the real world. This chapter examines the research in the area of vengeance and how such very human impetuses manifest online. Further, this chapter examines the design features of various ICT platforms and socio-technical spaces that may support vengeance-based communications and actions and proposes ways to mitigate some of these dark affordances.
The Potential for ICT Tools to Promote Public Participation in Fighting Corruption
Authors: Neupane Arjun , Soar Jeffrey , Vaidya Kishor , Aryal Sunil
Published: August 2014

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have been seen as pioneering tools for the promotion of the better delivery of government programmes and services, enabling the empowerment of citizens through greater access to information, delivery of more efficient government management processes, better transparency and accountability, and the mitigation of corruption risks. Based on a literature survey of previous research conducted on ICT systems implemented in various countries, this chapter discusses the potential of different ICT tools that have the capacity to help to promote public participation for the purpose of reducing corruption. The chapter specifically reviews the different ICT tools and platforms and their roles as potential weapons in fighting corruption. This chapter also evaluates different ICT tools, including e-government and public e-procurement. Finally, the authors develop a theoretical research model that depicts the anti-corruption capabilities of ICT tools, which in turn, has implications for academics, policy makers, and politicians.
Privacy and Accountability of Public Figures
Authors: Kiltidou Despina
Published: August 2014

Regarding the regular violation of the right of public figures to privacy by the media, through its jurisprudence, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) imposes profound changes on European countries concerning the equilibrium between the fundamental rights of privacy and the freedom of expression in the media. The lack of violation of privacy in various European countries does not elicit unified solutions in case of damage as a result of breach of the right to privacy. Therefore, taking into account the particularities of national courts, it is evident that the court rules more objectively by investigating the facts on a case-by-case basis, within the margin of the principle of proportionality, creating a point of reference for national courts to follow and ensuring the protection of the freedom of expression, as initially established in the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR). This chapter explores this.
Operating Characteristics of Antagonistic Actuator with Pneumatic Artificial Muscles
Authors: Piteľ Ján , Tóthová Mária
Published: August 2014

Nonconventional actuators based on the pneumatic artificial muscles can be used in manipulators mainly for their lower energy consumption and higher performance at lower weight. In the paper there are compared the dynamic operating characteristics of the antagonistic actuator with the pneumatic artificial muscles obtained by simulation of the different muscle models in Matlab / Simulink environment with the real measured data on the experimental actuator. The results of these simulations and measurements confirmed highly nonlinear operating characteristics of such actuator and also right approach to the design of the actuator model using different muscle models.
Diagnostic and Experimental Valuation on Progressive Machining Unit
Authors: Prislupčák Marek , Panda Anton , Jančík Marek , Pandová Iveta , Orendáč Peter , Krenický Tibor
Published: August 2014

The main effort of each technological process is not only to reduce the costs, but also to reduce the impact on the environment. The technology of abrasive water jet is one of the methods of division and cutting materials with the lowest impact on the environment, since water is the cutting tool, in our case with the addition of an abrasive. The aim of the measurement was the observation (examination) and evaluation of the vibration impact on the technological head in the technology of abrasive water jet when changing the selected technological parameters, namely the feed rate of the technological head. The experiments were carried out on one kind of material - steel HARDOX 500 with a thickness of 10 mm. The impact of the change of the technological head’s feed rate (100, 50, mm/min) on the size of the vibration acceleration amplitude and its frequency were examined. A database was created from the measured vibration values on the technological head and from that database the data was evaluated in selected softwares (LabVIEW, SignalExpress a Microsoft Excel). Graphical dependencies, frequency spectra covers and covers comparison graph were created from which new findings and conclusions were formulated.
Dynamics of Core Taking out at Die Casting
Authors: Ružbarský Juraj
Published: August 2014

The belonging amplitude and the phase characteristic and the transient characteristic are for K=1 and P=1 identical as for the action quantity. The core puller at pulling cores it is possible to consider as the regulation system with the force of cores pulling F1 as the inlet quantity and the course of core movement x respectively the speed of core movement v as the outlet quantity. The equation of the regulation system is identical with the equation of regulation system obtained by a gradual integration from the measured course at pulling cores at the die cast. At application of the proportional regulator the amplitude, the phase and the transient characteristic of the action quantity and the control of the regulation circuit constructed on the basis of the transmission state that the circuit is stable a periodic. The amplitude, the phase and the transient characteristic of the regulation circuit defect constructed on the basis of the transmission state that the defect in the regulation circuit lowers relatively quickly.
Comparison Measurement of the Distance between Axes of Holes with the Roundtest RA-120 and Thome Präzision-Rapid
Authors: Michalik Peter , Zajac Jozef , Hatala Michal , Hutyrová Zuzana , Mitaľ Dušan , Olhova Jaroslava
Published: August 2014

In this article are compared two ways of measuring axial hole distance. The first method was implemented for measuring equipment Roudtest RA 120. The second method was implemented on the device Thome Präcision.
Comparison of Theory and Practice in Analytical Expression of Cutting Tools Durability for Potential Use at Manufacturing of Bearings
Authors: Panda Anton , Duplák Ján
Published: August 2014

The problem effective and economical management of the cutting tools is often the factor that manufacturing enterprises do not attach much importance. Any manufacturer of cutting tools states in promotional and marketing materials, and also in many catalogs data about cutting tools, excluding those subject know-how. Among the following data are also recommended cutting conditions and their dependent of durability of the instrument. If the company uses different cutting parameters, knows the durability of knowledge by F.W. Taylor contained in standard ISO 3685, which can be fast deduced, because dependence on cutting speed durability is in double logarithmic in shape of linear graph. What in case that this assertion was demonstrated by Taylor in 1906 was not true? Durability of cutting tool would be different in that case, and it would not be possible to calculate or predict. With this knowledge about invalidity of the Taylor formula for new cutting tools pointed to science and practice by Professor Karol Vasilko, who in its publications published research results to indicate this fact. Article follows the research of Professor Vasilko and provides the opportunity to analytically derive the dependence ofT-vcfor cutting materials, where Taylor's relation does not apply.
Analysis of Selected Properties of Cutting Ceramics at Machining Process of Bearing Steel 100Cr6
Authors: Panda Anton , Duplák Ján , Prislupčák Marek , Kokuľa Pavol
Published: August 2014

Cutting tool durability is very important cutting tool property. Especially for cutting ceramic is necessary to define durability dependence on available set of cutting speeds and to determine lifetime of tools made of cutting ceramic. Durability of cutting tools is defined in standard ISO 3685. In standard ISO 3685 is defined T-vc dependence for different cutting materials and standard included process evaluation of tool durability for cutting materials made of high speed steel, sintered carbide and cutting ceramic. Specification cutting tools durability made of cutting ceramic in machining process of steel 100Cr6 is very important for economics of small and medium-sized enterprises, because cutting tool durability is factor that significantly affects the budget of these enterprises. This problematic is determined for small and medium-sized manufacturers of bearings, because steel 100Cr6 is most commonly used for production of bearing rings 100 mm in diameter. This material is usable for actuator (actuators and reduction gears) too. Description of cutting ceramic durability could mean for bearings manufacturer determination of optimal cutting parameter with maximum possible use of tool lifetime. Standard ISO 3685 contains instructions how to create T-vc dependence for cutting tools made of cutting ceramic. In this standard are only instructions how to create T-vc dependence according to Taylor. The article compares T-vc dependencies for various cutting ceramics (Al2O3, Al2O3+ZrO2, Al2O3+TiCN) with T-vc dependence defined in standard ISO 3685, because this standard describes T-vc dependence for all entered cutting materials together.
Mathematical Modelling and Optimization of Technological Process Using Design of Experiments Methodology
Authors: Michal Peter , Vagaská Alena , Gombár Miroslav , Kmec Ján
Published: August 2014

The paper deals with statistical methods application to the evaluation of the relationships between the investigation range of input factors and response in longitudinal turning process. Our research was aimed at creation of the model of real situations of cutting conditions effects on the machined surface morphology applying longitudinal turning of steel C45 with specific values. Design of experiments (DoE) have increasingly had a wider application when creation mathematical and statistical models of technological processes. So the main part of the paper is to demonstrate the procedure of statistical processing of experimentally obtained data in order to create a prediction model and compare it with the theoretical calculation formulas.
Diagnostics of the Arm Actuator Position Using Incremental Measurement
Authors: Kreheľ Radoslav , Straka Ľuboslav
Published: August 2014

Article discusses the diagnosis and control of the operation of artificial muscle with the ability to predict a steady state actuator arm. This can prevent disrepair and provides diagnostics dynamics shoulders. The article contains information about the function and basic properties of the actuator based on pneumatic artificial muscles. The article presents the measurement results of the response of the actuator arm displacement depending on the input pulse. This dependence enables artificial muscles to be better adjusted to the needs of a practical operation.
3D Traffic Noise Simulation
Authors: Melova Tatiana , Kolousek Martin , Priscak Tomas
Published: August 2014

The main task of this contribution was to explain the ways of the spread of noise pollution from the traffic. Descriptive simulation explains justification of each road construction by a simple way. It is confirmed that the projects which had contained a noise study simulation were easier to enforce for public than those without it. Also vegetation growth simulation in different time horizons is already slowly becoming an important part of the urban transport projects, due to the increasing of environmental pressure. Practice shows that the design value of these simulations is increasing because of the rising of the global traffic load.
The Efficiency of Dynamic Relaxation Methods in Static Analysis of Cable-Membrane Structures
Authors: Huttner Miloš , Maca Jiří , Fajman Petr
Published: August 2014

This paper is focused on the static analysis of cable-membrane structures using the dynamic relaxation method. Several different processes of dynamic relaxation method are compared in this paper. The techniques with viscous damping and the techniques with kinetic damping are used. The efficiency and stability of each process are compared to selected 3D examples of cable-membrane structures. The effect of mass distribution along the structure is also of interest and it is studied in the paper.
New Results in Dynamics Stability Problems of Elastic Rods
Authors: Lalin Vladimir Vladimirovich , Kushova Daria Aleksandrovna
Published: August 2014

This article is about the nonlinear dynamic stability problems of the exact (Cosserat) theory of elastic rods. There is examined the general geometrically nonlinear theory with no restrictions on displacements and rotations being imposed. In this article, it is shown that the variational problem can be defined as the search for the stationary point of the Hamilton’s functional. The new exact solutions of the stability problems for different types of the end fixities of the rod were obtained taking into account bending, shear and longitudinal stiffness.
Two Examples of the Use of FRP Reinforcement to Strengthen Structures
Authors: Podolka Luboš
Published: August 2014

The paper describes experiments carried out in laboratories KU CVTU in Prague and subsequent demonstration of the application of their results in practice in two practical examples reinforcement structures, reinforced concrete frame and reinforced concrete girder bridge.
The Effect of the Carbon Nanotubes on the Mechanical Fracture Properties of Alkali Activated Slag Mortars
Authors: Topolář Libor , Šimonová Hana , Rovnaník Pavel , Schmid Pavel
Published: August 2014

New nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes and nanofibres considerably improve performance of current building materials and they can contribute to new application facilities. Alkali activated slag is a material having a great potential to be used in practice. The main drawback of this material is a high level of autogenous and especially drying shrinkage, which causes a deterioration of the mechanical fracture properties. The aim of this paper is introduce the effect of carbon nanotubes admixture on the microstucture and mechanical performance of alkali activated slag mortars. The three-point bending tests of specimens with central edge notch were performed. Method of acoustic emission was used during this testing.
Response of Layered Plates to Effects of Wind
Authors: Marton Pavol
Published: August 2014

In the present article the response of layered plates to the effects of wind is analyzed. The computational model of layered plate meets the conditions of equilibrium shear stresses at the contact layers. The numerical experiment is applied to the layered glass plate with hinge supports at its edges. The dynamic effect of wind is analyzed in a dynamic calculation.
The Effect of the Crosswinds on the Stability of the Moving Vehicles
Authors: Skrúcaný Tomáš , Gnap Jozef
Published: August 2014

The article describes the effect of the crosswinds on the moving heavy road vehicles. It gives mathematical descriptions of two extreme situations originated from the crosswinds – side deflection from the directness and the rollover of the vehicles. It also analyzes the factors affecting the rate of the wind, as a cornering tire stiffness, instantaneous vehicle weight, axle load, the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle. Both situations present a greater risk for empty vehicles with tarpaulin superstructure, so some types of them are dealt.
The Effect of Rise Angle of V-Hull Non Ballast Ship on Resistance Performance
Authors: Elkady Hesham , Han Duan Feng , Gao Liang Gao
Published: August 2014

In this paper a new concept in ship design was used to be alternative of ballast water system, to emerge that remedy the introduction of invasive marine species and the disadvantages of ballast water treatment systems.Thus, the hydrodynamic influences due to hull line variation of this kind of ships were studied, using the invariant cross-section area curve under the design draft to change the rise angle at bottom. Then numerical calculation was used to get the resistance and effective power at each angle. Two 3D models were constructed for 59000 DWT oil tankers and 35000 DWT bulk carriers, where the result of the bulk carrier was exposed.
Development of an Oscillating Drum Granulator Prototype for Cassava Pearl
Authors: Chiaranairungroj Muthita , Nopharatana Montira , Nopharatana Annop , Asavasanti Suvaluk
Published: August 2014

This paper presents an oscillating drum granulator prototype for cassava pearl. Effects of filling degree and oscillating speed on cassava pearl granulation were investigated. A stainless steel drum granulator with 50 cm diameter and 16 cm length was developed. The stainless steel joints with a cotton-transmitting belt were used to connect the drum to an oscillator arm to simulate the flexibility of a traditional cloth cradle granulator. The filling degree and oscillating speed were varied from 1, 2 and 3 kg and from 87 and 100 rpm, respectively. During granulation, samples were taken at 4, 8, 12 and 16 minutes to determine the particle size distribution, mass mean diameter, granule density, hardness and sphericity. The results indicated that both the filling degree and oscillating speed played an important role on cassava pearl granulation. The filling degree of 3 kg and oscillating speed of 100 rpm was suggested since it yielded similar properties of cassava pearls to those obtained from the traditional process. This prototype granulator could successfully produce 2.4-mm pearls with comparable characteristics to the standards. Comparing to a traditional granulator, the oscillating drum granulator is easier to clean and more GMP compliant.
Optimization of the Thrust Ripple of a Tubular Flux-Switching Permanent Magnet Linear Motor
Authors: Tan Qiang , Huang Xu Zhen , Zhou Bo , Wang Qing Long
Published: August 2014

The effective optimization methods are needed to reduce the thrust ripple for the tubular flux-switching permanent magnet linear motor (TFSPMLM), which is significant for reducing the vibration, and improving the reliability. The auxiliary teeth and core bridge are set and analyzed for the bipolar and single-polar winding structures. On this basis, this paper focused on a new method of the secondary pole pitch fine-tuning which can overcomes the disadvantages of increasing the volume, decreasing the average thrust, adding the cost, and so on. The influences of tuning the secondary pole pitch on the average thrust and the thrust ripple for the different winding structure motors are calculated and analyzed. The conclusion can provide reference for the application of the method of tuning secondary pole pitch to the TFSPMLM for different background demands.
Space Frame Analysis, Design, and Testing for Electric Vehicle Formula
Authors: Singhanart Thanyarat , Sangmanacharoen Thammongkol , Tocharoen Wasin , Danwibun Phongpakkan
Published: August 2014

The objective of this paper is to design, analyze, and test the space frame for electric vehicle with comparison to the engine type. Therefore, in order to design the electric vehicle formula, the same requirements with some changes are considered. The space frame is designed to suit with the electric vehicle and then finite element analysis is used to determine the torsional stiffness of the frame which is verified by the torsional test. Initially, the required torsional stiffness for the electric car is 1350 Nm/deg and the mass is set to be not more than 40 kg. The numerical results and the experimental results for torsional stiffness are 960 Nm/deg and 1218 Nm/deg, respectively. Therefore, the torsional stiffness is about 25% under-predicted; anyway it can be used to predict the torsional stiffness of the frame. Due to some changes must be performed, therefore the modified frame is re-analyzed with the torsional stiffness of 1389 Nm/deg which is less than the revised required car’s torsional stiffness of 1404 Nm/deg. Anyway, the torsional stiffness of frame with battery’s case can meet the requirement. The mass of the modified frame is 50 kg which is larger than required mass due to selected sizes of steel tubes. In conclusion, the space frame can be designed and the mass can be improved further by reducing the sizes.
Mechanism Design and Manipulating Algorithm for Orientation Changing Module with Three Flexible Links
Authors: Park Jong Gu , Lee Byung Jo , Cho Woong Hee , Gim Kevin G. , Yang Hyun Seok
Published: August 2014

This paper presents mechanism and control algorithm for inch worm type in-pipe robot using three helical springs. Control algorithm is based on experiment result and length of three spring are derived from desired position of top module. A feasibility of proposed mechanism is verified by comparing between ellipse model and position of top module, and it shows that proposed mechanism can steer properly.
An Innovative Motion Planning for 4-DOF PKM
Authors: Nan Wen Hu , Tang Xiao Qi , Song Bao
Published: August 2014

This paper presents an innovative motion planning algorithm for pick and place operations in the industry. The new technique is to seek optimal dynamics pattern for PKM(parallel kinematic manipulator), this is achieved by two parts: First, to achieve optimal path planning, a center sphere method based on virtual obstacle path planning method is proposed to solve such path planning with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO); Second, to enhance the efficiency of the robot, time optimal trajectory planning is finished with respect to robotic physical constraints. Then, the method applied to a 4-DOF PKM is tested by numerical simulations, some examples are presented making comparisons on same tasks assigned by different sphere radius, the simulation results show the efficiency and the effectiveness of the proposed approach to determine the optimal motion pattern for 4-DOF PKM in obstacle-free workspace.
The Performance of a Delta Telerobot
Authors: Suphama Patharawut , Chancharoen Ratchatin
Published: August 2014

The paper investigates the performance of a delta telerobot that a human operator works on a given task through the eye and hand of the robot. The Delta robot is installed with eye in hand camera and controlled by an open architecture controller that is configured to control the robot to follow the motion of the selectable HMI devices. The evaluation task is a three dimensional “connect the dot” game in which the robot is tele-operated with visual feedback to go point to point from position 1 to 6. The task performance is used to evaluate the performance of the total system that involves a robot, human factors, HMI, and environment. Three HMI devices including a manual pulse generator, Kinect camera, and a PHANToM OMNI Haptic Device are benchmarked. The result demonstrates that the Haptic with guided force is the best when compared to the others. In addition, the telerobot system can improve the time to completion by 30% and positioning accuracy by 50%, compared to human in the human scaled task. Then we investigate the effect of time delay of the delta telerobot with the Haptic. The result demonstrates that the time delay, that exceeds 100 ms, is proportion to both time to completion and positioning error in telerobot task, while the time delay below 100 ms gives no effect.
Vibration Rejection and Stabilization Control for an Inertial Stabilization System
Authors: Sangveraphunsiri Viboon , Malithong Kritsanun
Published: August 2014

This paper presents a controller design of a 2-DOF inertial stabilization system. The line of sight (LOS) stabilization and sliding mode control are used for compensation of the nonlinearities and disturbances from the environment. And it proposes an acceleration feedforward for solving the unbalance torque. The disturbance torque from unbalance mass of gimbal structure is unavoidable under the effect of the vibration of the aerial vehicle. Since the acceleration of the aerial carrier can be measured, a feedforward disturbance rejection can be generated to compensate the disturbance torque. The experimental results demonstrate the performance of the controller, the disturbance is in the form of shaking the base's gimbal. The controller can track the reference input in the elevation axis and reject the base rate disturbance while maintaining its LOS direction. The error of pitch angle less than 0.02 rad, so the camera can track a specified point on an object.
Influence of Blast Wave on Behavior of Steel Plate
Authors: Yoo Yo Han , Choi Young Sik , Lee Joon Won
Published: August 2014

The threat of terrorism has led to increased awareness about protecting properties from damage in terrorist attacks. With the rapid growth of the computer industry and progress in the field of finite-element analysis, evaluations of conventional weapons focus more on simulations than on experiments. There are many approaches to simulate blast and impact. These include Eulerian, Lagrangian, multi-material arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (MM-ALE), and the meshless approach of smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH) methods. Each method has distinct advantages. In this study, finite-element analysis was applied to simulate a 1 kg trinitrotoluene (TNT) blast in front of a 20-mm-thick steel plate. Three different approaches were simulated: Eulerian, MM-ALE, and SPH. Each method gave different results for the von Mises stress distribution, peak pressure, and displacement of the steel plate. A comparison of the three results implies that using one of these three approaches may generate a significant blast simulation.
10.3125Gbps High-Speed SFP+ Channel Signal Integrity Evaluations
Authors: Zhou Run Jing , Hu Jin Song
Published: August 2014

10.3125Gbps interfaces are now extensively used in almost all telecom and datacom applications, and high-speed board interconnection is becoming more and more important to the 10+Gbps channels. In this paper, signal integrity (SI) performance for 10.3125Gbps SFP+ interface were studied with EM simulation, then the simulation results were compared with the lab measurement results. To find optimal SI performance, different output voltage and pre-emphasis taps were tuned, and the crosstalk in the channel was also discussed. Finally, several methods to improve SFP+ SI performance were proposed.
Low-Complexity Multiplication Using Complement and Signed-Digit Recoding Methods
Authors: Chang Te Jen , Huang Ping Sheng , Cheng Shan Jen , Chen Ching Yin , Pan I Hui
Published: August 2014

In this paper, a fast multiplication computing method utilizing the complement representation method and canonical recoding technique is proposed. By performing complements and canonical recoding technique, the number of partial products can be reduced. Based on these techniques, we propose algorithm provides an efficient multiplication method. On average, our proposed algorithm to reduce the number of k-bit additions from (0.25k+logk/k+2.5) to (k/6 +logk/k+2.5), where k is the bit-length of the multiplicand A and multiplier B. We can therefore efficiently speed up the overall performance of the multiplication. Moreover, if we use the new proposes to compute common-multiplicand multiplication, the computational complexity can be reduced from (0.5 k+2 logk/k+5) to (k/3+2 logk/k+5) k-bit additions.
Modeling for Materials and Logistics Optimal System in JIT Flexible Manufacturing
Authors: Wang Yan Hong , Xu Tian Ying , Tian Zhong Da
Published: August 2014

In this paper, we propose an autonomous material and logistics optimization system model for JIT flexible jobshop. The proposed system consists of a Material Planning subsystem (MPs), a Distribution Planning subsystem (DPs) and a Logistics Control subsystem (LCs). In the proposed system, all subsystems repeat their own optimal decision making as well as exchange production data with others. This mechanism made the whole system a closed-loop information and control system for material and logistics optimization. The unified model constructed up a framework for integrating of the production management, optimal and control in JIT flexible jobshop, through feedback of static materials management information and dynamic logistics information. Unified modeling language (UML) was used as the modeling tool, and several diagrams, including a use cases diagram, a interaction diagram and a sequence diagram, were presented to illustrate the details of the proposed model.
Eco-Driving Rating Based on Average Trip Speed and Evaluation
Authors: Chantranuwathana Sunhapos , Noomwongs Nuksit , Sripakagorn Angkee , Thitipatanapong Raksit
Published: August 2014

In this work, an eco-driving rating based on the relation between fuel consumption and average trip speed commonly used in traffic engineering is presented. A car following experiment with a driving simulator was used to make an eco-rating chart. The leading car was used to control average speed of each experiment. To calculate the rating, the resulting driving data was divided into trips. For each trip, low level of fuel consumption was given high score while high level was given low score. Rating was given as average of the trip scores. Actual driving data was then used for the leading car for evaluation of the rating. One of the desirable properties of the rating proposed by this work is consistency regardless of traffic conditions. As suggested by the rating chart, it was found that the proposed eco-rating is consistent in terms of ranking drivers around when average trip speed is around 50-70 km/h.
Applying Kalman Filter for Correlated Demand Forecasting
Authors: Kandananond Karin
Published: August 2014

Product demands are known to be serially correlated. In this research, a first order autoregressive model, AR (1), is utilized to simulate product demand processes whose behavior are stationary. Since demand forecasting is important to the efficiency improvement of product supply chain system, different forecasting techniques are utilized to predict product demand. In this research, Kalman filter is deployed to forecast demand simulated by AR (1) model. Product demands are simulated at the different degrees of autoregressive coefficients. After the application of Kalman filter to the designated data, the forecasting errors are calculated and the results indicate that Kalman filter is an efficient technique to predict demands in the future.
Parametric Optimization in Turning of CFRP (Epoxy) Composites: A Case Experimental Research with Exploration of HS Algorithm
Authors: Abhishek Kumar , Datta Saurav , Chatterjee Suman , Mahapatra S.S.
Published: August 2014

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) composite materials find varied engineering applications especially in automotive, aircraft and locomotive industries. Hence, it has become essential to study machining and machinability aspects of these composites. This paper reports an application of harmony research (HS) algorithm through a case experimental research in order to obtain optimal parametric combination in turning of CFRP (epoxy) composites. Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array has been used for experimentation. The performance indices such as surface roughness and cutting force have been chosen; and corresponding machining parameters that have been studied like spindle speed, feed rate and depth of cut. Optimal results have also been compared with genetic algorithm (GA); it has been revealed that harmony search method provided better result as compared to genetic algorithm.
Transient Radiation Coupled With Conduction Heat Transfer in a One Dimensional Slab
Authors: Nashine Prerana , Satapathy Ashok Kumar
Published: August 2014

The present research work views over a solution of radiative transport problem along with conduction in one perspective piece and in the existence of participating media. The radiative transfer equations are developed for anisotropically scattering, absorbing, emitting medium and the equation is being discretized using finite volume method. Heat flux and the incident radiation effects have been computed at three different time step. Transient radiation along with transient conduction is solved and the radiative effect has been measured using radiative transfer equation while the conduction term has been measured using conduction equation.