A streamlined approximation and duality scheme for structural optimization

An efficient and commonly used approach to structural optimization is to solve a sequence of approximate design problems that are constructed iteratively. As is well-known, a major part of the computational burden of this scheme lies in the sensitivity analysis needed to state the approximate problems. We propose a possibility for reducing this burden by streamlining the calculations in a combined approximation and duality scheme for structural optimization. The difference between this scheme and the traditional one is that, instead of calculating all the constraint gradients to state an approximate design problem explicitly, linear combinations of these gradients are generated as they are needed during the solution of the approximate problem by the dual method. We show, by analysing some typical scenarios of problem characteristics, that this rearrangement of the calculations may be a computationally viable alternative to the traditional scheme. An advantage of streamlining the calculations is that there is no need to incorporate an active set strategy in the scheme, as is usually done, since all the design constraints may be taken into consideration without any loss of computational efficiency. This may, clearly, enhance the practical rate of convergence of the overall approximation scheme. Moreover, the proposed rearrangement of the calculations may make it computationally viable to apply iterative equation solvers to the structural analysis problem. Numerical results with direct as well as iterative equation solvers show that the streamlined scheme is a feasible and promising approach to structural optimization.     

Hepatic vein thrombosis. Diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties

Budd Chiari syndrome (liver vein thrombosis) may be a diagnostic and therapeutic problem. On the basis of four different cases we review the major diagnostic and therapeutic principles involved. Imaging techniques are necessary in order to establish the diagnosis. Ultrasound examination with Duplex doppler is usually sufficient, but MR angiography is also useful. Treatment options are thrombolysis, surgery or liver transplantation. What treatment is selected will depend on the clinical situation and the prognosis.     

Betriebsmittelbezogene Lastmodellierung in Verteilungsnetzen

Übersicht Der Betriebszustand eines Verteilungsnetzes wird durch die Strombelastung aller Betriebsmittel beschrieben. Mit Hilfe einer statischen Estimationsmethode werden aus einzelnen Messungen und der Kenntnis der Verbrauchsdaten typische Verbraucherkurven (TVK) berechnet, die das elektrische Verhalten verschiedener Verbrauchergruppen widerspiegeln. Auf dieser Basis ist eine betriebsmittelbezogene Lastmodellierung an beliebigen Betriebsmitteln in Abhängigkeit der Verbraucherzusammensetzung unter Berücksichtigung externer Einflüsse wie der Temperatur möglich. Die so gewonnenen Belastungsverläufe erlauben eine Beschreibung des Netzzustands in den Verteilungsnetzen.

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Bus load modelling in distribution systems

Contents The operating state of a distribution system is determined by the bus load current. Based on individual substation measurements and the load composition typical load curves are calculated using statistical estimation theory. These typical load curves describe the electrical behaviour of the different load types (e.g. household, storage heating, commerce etc.). As soon as the typical load curves are determined it is possible to calculate the bus load current in any substation taking external influences such as temperature into consideration. The bus load current serve as load models which completely describe the operating state of the distribution system.

     

Finite element modelling of calendering — some aspects of the effects of temperature gradients and structure inhomogeneities

The compression of a paper web in a calender nip has been simulated using the finite element method. The mechanical properties of the paper were allowed to vary in the thickness and machine directions of the web. This was done in order to model the influence of temperature gradients as well as density variations (due to the presence of fibre floes) on the deformation behaviour in the nip. Paper was assumed to be an elastic-plastic material exhibiting strain hardening. The yielding behaviour was governed by the Drucker-Prager yield condition. Simulations of the deformation behaviour when paper was subjected to a temperature gradient, clearly revealed that the deformation gradually became more concentrated towards the surface layers as the temperature of the surface increased. This is in accordance with experimental results which indicate that temperature-gradient calendering promotes the surface properties, whereas the bulk of the structure is preserved. Modelling the deformation behaviour of a structure containing density variations reveals that the paper may contain an inhomogeneous strain distribution after unloading, i.e. after passage through the nip.     

Mathematical modelling of surface segregation in aluminum DC casting caused by exudation

A mathematical model for the development of a segregated layer of exudated droplets during DC casting of aluminum ingots is established. The model accounts for the metallostatic pressure driven interdendritic melt flow through the mushy zone by a Darcy type equation, the surface segregation due to this melt flow, and the decrease of the total solute concentration in different positions of the mush as a result of the exudation. The solution domain for the governing differential equations is constituted by the mushy zone of the cast. The main physical phenomena included in the model have been studied in a simple one dimensional case study.     

Tocopherol contents of some Turkish wine by-products

The aim of this study was to determine the tocopherol contents of wine by-products including grape seed, pomace (seed, skin and stem) and bagasse (skin and stem) by using two different extraction methods in order to evaluate the possibilities of them as natural non-polar antioxidants. Cold extraction appeared to give more tocopherol contents in seeds than hot extraction. But hot extraction was found more suitable for pomace and bagasse. α-Tocopherol was the most abundant tocopherol in the grape seed, pomace and bagasse. Although γ- and δ-tocopherols were found in the samples with low concentrations, β-tocopherol was not detected in the samples. Kalecik karası had the highest α and total tocopherol compared to the other cultivars. On the other hand, hot extracted bagasse in all cultivars gave the highest tocopherol contents. As a conclusion, wine by-products, a large scale wastes, can be evaluated both to get natural tocopherol source and to obtain economical gain.