Assessment of porosity using spatial correlation-based radial basis function and neuro-fuzzy inference system

Aquifer porosity indicates the storage groundwater capacity and groundwater quality. It may be measured via different techniques. This paper presents a novel spatial methodology based on radial basis function (RBF) and neuro-fuzzy inference system for modelling the porosity. Use of the point cumulative semimadogram in RBF as a spatial measure is a novel contribution. In addition, the methodology examines the use of a neural network-based fuzzy inference system for porosity estimation. Performance comparisons with conventional methods show that the proposed spatial model has high modelling and generalization capability.     

The long‐term effects of arteriovenous fistula creation on the development of pulmonary hypertension in hemodialysis patients

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate long‐term effects of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) on the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and the relationship between blood flow rate of AVF and pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in the patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). This prospective study was performed in 20 patients with ESRD. Before an AVF was surgically created for hemodialysis, the patients were evaluated by echocardiography. Then, an AVF was surgically created in all patients. After mean 23.50 ± 2.25 months, the second evaluation was performed by echocardiography. Also, the blood flow rate of AVF was measured at the second echocardiographic evaluation. Pulmonary arterial hypertension was defined as a systolic PAP above 35 mmHg at rest. Mean age of 20 patients with ESRD was 55.05 ± 13.64 years; 11 of 20 patients were males. Pulmonary arterial hypertension was detected in 6 (30%) patients before AVF creation and in 4 (20%) patients after AVF creation. Systolic PAP value was meaningfully lower after AVF creation than before AVF creation (29.95 ± 10.26 mmHg vs. 35.35 ± 7.86 mmHg, respectively, P: 0.047). However, there was no significant difference between 2 time periods in terms of presence of PAH (P>0.05). Pulmonary artery pressure did not correlate with blood flow rate of AVF and duration after AVF creation (P>0.05). In hemodialysis patients, a surgically created AVF has no significant effect on the development of PAH within a long‐term period. Similarly, blood flow rate of AVF also did not affect remarkably systolic PAP within the long‐term period.     

The future of security in Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks

This is a position paper on our views on security aspects of Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks (Secure WMSNs). It is meant to serve as a brief survey. But, more importantly, it gives a perspective on how we foresee the future of this research area, its main challenges, and its future trends. We believe that this paper will spur new discussions and research ideas among the researchers from both the industry and the academic world.     

Evaluation of deflection amplification factor in steel moment‐resisting frames

Steel moment‐resisting frames (SMRFs) are the most common type of structural systems used in steel structures. The first step of structural design for SMRFs starts with the selection of the structural sections on the basis of story drift limitation. ASCE 7 (2010) requires that the inelastic story drifts be obtained by multiplying the deflections determined by elastic analysis under design earthquake forces with a deflection amplification factor (C_d). For special moment‐resisting frames, C_d is given as 5.5 in ASCE 7 (2010). Lower C_d values will increase the overall inelastic response of the structure. On the other hand, the inelastic response of the structure is expected to be less severe when designed for higher C_d values. The performance objective is that the structure should sustain the inelastic deformation demand imposed due to design earthquake ground motions. This study aims at investigating the inelastic seismic response that low‐rise, medium‐rise and high‐rise SMRFs can experience under design earthquake ground motions and maximum considered earthquake (MCE) level ground motions and evaluating the deflection amplification factors (C_d) for SMRFs in a rational way. For this purpose, nonlinear dynamic time history and pushover analyses will be carried out on SMRFs with 4, 9 and 20 stories. The results indicate that the current practice for computing the inelastic story drifts for SMRFs is rational and the frames designed complying with the current code requirements can sustain the inelastic deformations imposed during design earthquake ground motions when seismically designed and detailed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An experimental investigation on the low velocity impact response of composite plates repaired by VARIM and hand lay-up processes

This paper presents results of an experimental investigation on the impact response of repaired and unrepaired glass/epoxy composite plates. Repaired samples were prepared by two different manufacturing methods; vacuum assisted resin infusion process and hand lay-up technique. In order to compare impact response of the repaired and unrepaired samples a number of single impact tests were performed under various impact energies. Damage process of the samples is analyzed from cross-examining load–deflection curves and damaged specimens. From the visual inspection, for the impacted side of the samples, it is noted that the main damage modes for repaired samples are matrix and fiber cracks around point of impact and delaminations while severe matrix cracks expanded through fiber directions are the dominant damage mode for unrepaired samples. At the back surfaces, delaminations and fiber–matrix debonding oriented in the fiber directions are observed for unrepaired samples. However, for repaired samples the fiber fractures through repair line as well as the delaminations become dominant modes. For a reasoning justification in discussing impact test results, interlaminar fracture toughness (Mode I and Mode II) and flexural tests for repaired and non-repaired samples were also conducted.     

The solar energy/utility interface

If dispersed solar energy systems are to become widely used, it is necessary that there be a harmonious interfacing with utilities. This paper summarizes discussions held during a series of workshops between 27 March and 11 May 1978. Representatives from utilities, solar manufacturers and public interest groups were convened to air their views in accordance with techniques used in conflict resolution. Although there was unanimity on only a few issues, there did result better understanding of the problems. The fundamental conclusion reached was that the federal government should provide technical assistance and guidance regarding dispersed solar energy but should otherwise not interfere with its choice and acquisition.     

In-plane vibration of plates by continuous mass matrix method

The continuous mass matrix method derived for frameworks is extended to the analysis of in-plane vibration of plates. A continuous mass distribution which is the same as the actual mass distribution of the plate is considered over each rectangular finite element. Taking into account that the rigid body movement produces inertial forces in dynamic analysis for a rectangular plate element eight independent conditions are provided to satisfy eight independent freedoms. Each condition is obtained from an independent displacement distribution satisfying the equations of motion at any point of the element and not only at the nodes of the rectangle. The dynamic element stiffness matrix thus obtained is a function of the natural circular frequency. The limit of the dynamic element stiffness matrix when the value of the natural circular frequency tends to zero is the static, stress compatible element stiffness matrix. The analysis of plates under forcing forces is performed by modal analysis after the natural circular frequencies and the corresponding modal shapes have been obtained from the free vibrations, for all the forcing forces are assumed to be function of the same time variation. Otherwise one must recur to a numerical analysis. The effect of the sizes, number of the meshes, the additional static load on the plate and the rigidity of the boundaries on the vibration of the plate is discussed. Few example problems are solved in order to illustrate the above mentioned effects. The numerical results obtained by continuous mass matrix method are compared with those of consistent mass matrix method. The convergence in terms of the sizes of meshes and the limit of convergence are examined.