Normalised fuzzy index for research ranking

ABSTRACT

There are great interests of designing research metrics and indices to measure the research impacts in research institutes. Unfortunately, most of those indices ignore critical design issues, e.g. the disparity between domains, the impact of journals or conferences in which papers are published, normalising the range of the index values to certain intervals, and the scalability of using the index to rank different research entities. In this paper, a new normalised fuzzy index, (NF_index), is proposed as a fuzzy-based research impact metric. The proposed index is a scalable index whose values are normalised to the percentage levels. NF_index achieves both inter-discipline normalisation and intra-discipline consistency. The capability of NF_index to achieve the inter-discipline normalisation enables fair comparison between different research domains regardless their nature in terms of influence and contribution to other research areas, e.g. natural science. Therefore, NF_index gives a universal normalised single-number metric that can be used by research institutes to solve the problem of inter-discipline scholar ranking. Moreover, it can help universal ranking of universities and research institutes according to their research capabilities and impacts. The obtained results, on diverse research areas, prove the potential of NF_index in terms of both intra-discipline consistency and inter-discipline normalisation.     

Integration operators for generating RDF/OWL-based user defined mediator views in a grid environment

Research and development activities relating to the grid have generally focused on applications where data is stored in files. However, many scientific and commercial applications are highly dependent on Information Servers (ISs) for storage and organization of their data. A data-information system that supports operations on multiple information servers in a grid environment is referred to as an interoperable grid system. Different perceptions by end-users of interoperable systems in a grid environment may lead to different reasons for integrating data. Even the same user might want to integrate the same distributed data in various ways to suit different needs, roles or tasks. Therefore multiple mediator views are needed to support this diversity. This paper describes our approach to supporting semantic interoperability in a heterogeneous multi-information server grid environment. It is based on using Integration Operators for generating multiple semantically rich RDF/OWL-based user defined mediator views above the grid participating ISs. These views support different perceptions of the distributed and heterogeneous data available. A set of grid services are developed for the implementation of the mediator views.     

On the modelling of abrasive waterjet cutting

Abrasive waterjet cutting operates by the impingement of a high-velocity abrasive-laden waterjet against the workpiece. The jet is formed by mixing abrasive particles with high-velocity water in mixing tubes and is forced through a tiny sapphire orifice. The accelerated jet exiting the nozzle travels at more than twice the speed of sound and cuts as it passes through the workpiece.This cutting process is being developed as a net-shape and near-net-shape machining process for cutting many metals and hard-to-machine materials. The narrow kerf produced by the stream results in neither delimitation nor stresses along the cutting path. This new technology offers significant advantages over traditional processes for its ability to cut through most sections of dense or hard materials without the need for secondary machining, to produce contours, and to be integrated into computer-controlled systems.The abrasive waterjet cutting process involves a large number of process and material parameters which are related to the waterjet, the abrasive particles, and workpiece material. Those parameters are expected to effect the material removal rates and the depth of cut. The purpose of the present work is to propose a model which is capable of predicting the maximum depth of cut for different types of materials using different process parameters. A comparison of the results of the proposed model and the models reported in the literature is introduced along with a discussion of the limitations of those models.On leave from: Mechanical Engineering Department, Suez Canal University, Egypt.On leave from: Industrial Production Engineering Department, Mansoura University, Egypt.On leave from: Mechanical Power Engineering Department, Alexandria University, Egypt.     

Field Investigation on the First Bridge Deck Slab Reinforced with Glass FRP Bars Constructed in Canada

Recently, there has been a rapid increase in using noncorrosive fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) reinforcing bars as alternative reinforcement for bridge deck slabs, especially those in harsh environments. A new two-span girder type bridge, Cookshire-Eaton Bridge (located in the municipality of Cookshire, Quebec, Canada), was constructed with a total length of 52.08 m over two equal spans. The deck was a 200-mm-thick concrete slab continuous over four spans of 2.70 m between girders with an overhang of 1.40 m on each side. One full span of the bridge was totally reinforced using glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars, while the other span was reinforced with galvanized steel bars. The bridge deck was well instrumented at critical locations for internal temperature and strain data collection using fiber optic sensors. The bridge was tested for service performance using calibrated truckloads as specified by the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code. The construction procedure and field test results under actual service conditions revealed that GFRP rebar provides very competitive performance in comparison to steel.     

Static and Vibration Analysis of CFRP Composite Mono Leaf Spring

Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention - Conventional steel leaf spring is analyzed at maximum load using finite element analysis (FEA), ANSYS v16 software. The finite element results showed...     

The relationship between Plodia interpunctella (Hb.) (Lepidoptera, Phycitidae) and stored-grain fungi

The development of Plodia interpunctella, in shelled corn (maize) discouraged the growth of stored grain fungi, and slightly raised the moisture content of the infested corn. Mouldy corn, on the other hand, hindered the development of this insect. Fewer larvae reached the adult stage on mouldy corn and only after a prolonged developmental period; the adults produced were smaller in size and produced fewer eggs in their ovaries than those on mould-free corn. The more mouldy the corn the more it became unfavourable for the insect but this depended in part on the fungus species present. The relationship between this insect and the majority of stored grain fungi appeared to be antagonistic. An exceptional relationship was found with Aspergillus halophilicus, in plated cultures, which attracted the adult insect to lay its eggs and on this fungus larvae developed almost as normally as on mould-free corn.     

Testing of a new solar coating for solar water heating applications

A novel and affordable solar selective coating exhibiting higher solar absorption efficiency compared to the commercial black paint coating used in most ordinary solar water heating systems (SWHSs) has been developed. The coating is fabricated by embedding a metallic particle composed of a nickel-aluminium (NiAl) alloy into the black paint. The optical behaviour of several percentages of the NiAl alloy in the coating is studied using UV-Vis and IR spectroscopies. The chemical composition of the coating was characterized using XRD and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) for both the black and alloy-containing paint. The results allowed deducing that the optimum composition to consider for further testing was 6% NiAl alloy by mass. The applicability of the coating in a real thermosyphonic SWHS was evaluated throughout the year, spanning both hot and cold seasons. It is found that the new coating shows better performance compared to the untreated black paint by an average of 5 °C over a period of 1 year. The corrosion resistance of the coating was investigated using electrochemical polarization and weight-loss measurements in the corrosive medium of 3% NaCl in 0.50 M HCl. Higher inhibition efficiency of corrosion was found for the alloy-containing paint compared to the untreated paint by more than 12%. Finally, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to explore the morphology of the modified coating surface, and compared to the untreated surface.