A simulation‐based algorithm for optimal pricing policy under demand uncertainty

We propose a simulation‐based algorithm for computing the optimal pricing policy for a product under uncertain demand dynamics. We consider a parameterized stochastic differential equation (SDE) model for the uncertain demand dynamics of the product over the planning horizon. In particular, we consider a dynamic model that is an extension of the Bass model. The performance of our algorithm is compared to that of a myopic pricing policy and is shown to give better results. Two significant advantages with our algorithm are as follows: (a) it does not require information on the system model parameters if the SDE system state is known via either a simulation device or real data, and (b) as it works efficiently even for high‐dimensional parameters, it uses the efficient smoothed functional gradient estimator.     

Deep Learning based Early Prediction Scheme for Breast Cancer

Wireless Personal Communications - Breast cancer is one of the rapid spreading diseases resulting in the death of younger age group of women. Unfortunately, as the detection of cancer is at later...     

Design and analysis adaptivity in multiresolution topology optimization

Multiresolution topology optimization (MTO) methods involve decoupling of the design and analysis discretizations, such that a high-resolution design can be obtained at relatively low analysis costs. Recent studies have shown that the MTO method can be approximately 3 and 30 times faster than the traditional topology optimization method for two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) problems, respectively. To further exploit the potential of decoupling analysis and design, we propose a dp-adaptive MTO method, which involves locally increasing/decreasing the polynomial degree of the shape functions (p) and the design resolution (d). The adaptive refinement/coarsening is performed using a composite refinement indicator that includes criteria based on analysis error, presence of intermediate densities, as well as the occurrence of design artifacts referred to as QR-patterns. While standard MTO must rely on filtering to suppress QR-patterns, the proposed adaptive method ensures efficiently that these artifacts are suppressed in the final design, without sacrificing the design resolution. The applicability of the dp-adaptive MTO method is demonstrated on several 2D mechanical design problems. For all the cases, significant speedups in computational time are obtained. In particular for design problems involving low material volume fractions, speedups of up to a factor of 10 can be obtained over the conventional MTO method.     

Influence of fine ceramic aggregates on the residual properties of concrete subjected to elevated temperature

The residual properties of concrete subjected to elevated temperature are of importance to assess the stability of the structure. This paper investigates the performance of concrete containing white ware ceramic sand exposed to elevated temperature. Concrete mixes containing 0%, 50%, and 100% ceramic sand were prepared. The specimen were exposed to elevated temperatures of 200°C, 500°C, and 800°C for a duration of 60 minutes. Their residual mechanical properties (compressive strength, split tensile strength), ultra sonic pulse velocity, and mass change for different cooling regimes were investigated and compared among specimen. The results showed that incorporation of ceramic sand in concrete mixes improved the resistance against elevated temperature of hardened concrete.     

Iodine speciation studies on Bunsen reaction of S–I cycle using spectroscopic techniques

Bunsen reaction is an important step of sulfur–iodine cycle for hydrogen production from thermochemical splitting of water. Polyiodide species generated during the separation process need to be identified for complete understanding of the mechanism involved. Speciation of these polyiodide species formed during Bunsen reaction can lead to better understanding of kinetics of the process. HIx species formed have been analyzed using UV–visible and Raman spectroscopic techniques. Peak corresponding to HI₃ species have been ascertained and their conversion to higher HI₅, HI₇ …… species has been observed.     

Plug-load densities for energy analysis: K-12 schools

Benchmarking plug-load densities is essential to bypass arbitrary and/or incorrect inputs used in building energy analysis. As more building simulationists play a decision-making role for the design team, they tend to lean on building energy standards and guidelines for preliminary inputs such as plug-load densities. It is necessary for building energy standards and rating systems to implement plug-load density benchmarks to reward design teams in their efforts to reduce plug-load energy use. Using case study buildings, this paper establishes benchmark plug-load densities for K-12 schools under two new categories – classrooms with computers and classrooms without computers. Eighteen K-12 schools including 9 elementary, 2 middle, and 7 high schools are assessed for actual plug-load densities. For the same case study buildings, four existing approaches – NREL, COMNET, ASHRAE 90.1-1989, and Title-24 are evaluated for plug-load densities. Results show under- and over-estimation of plug-load densities over actual densities. The development of benchmark for K-12 schools will pave way for instituting targets for trimming plug-load densities in new and retrofit building projects.     

Stability of Cold-Pressed Oil from Commercial Indian Niger (Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass.) Seed as affected by Blending and Interesterification

Blending and interesterification of cold‐pressed oil from commercially available niger (Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass.) seeds was performed to improve its stability. The fatty acid composition of cold‐pressed niger seed oil (NSO) revealed that it contained a huge amount of polyunsaturated linoleic acid (69.2 %). NSO being rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was susceptible to oxidation and hence was blended with saturated fatty acid (SFA) rich coconut oil (CNO) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) rich olive–pomace oil (OO) to enhance its stability. CNO contained a total of 91.3 % of SFA, while OO had oleic acid, C18:1 (74.3 %) as MUFA. Two blends of NSO with CNO and OO, i.e. NSO + CNO(B) and NSO + OO(B), were prepared in the ratio of 1:1. The blends were further interesterified using the lipase enzyme from Rhizomucor meihei and interesterified oils, i.e. NSO + CNO(I) and NSO + OO(I), were obtained. The oxidative stability of the oils was evaluated by incubating them at 37 °C and 55 % relative humidity (RH) for a period of 45 days. The peroxide values of NSO + CNO(B), NSO + OO(B), NSO + CNO(I) and NSO + OO(I) showed a reduction by 53.3, 42.6, 65.3 and 55.4 %, respectively, while the conjugated diene values showed a reduction by 75.0, 66.9, 76.7 and 75.3 %, respectively, as compared to NSO during the incubation period. This is probably the first report on the stability improvement of niger seed oil through blending and interesterification.     

A novel image fusion framework for night-vision navigation and surveillance

The night-vision image fusion plays a critical role in detecting targets and obstructions in low light or total darkness, which has great importance for pedestrian recognition, vehicle navigation, surveillance and monitoring applications. The central idea is to fuse low-light visible and infrared imagery into a single output. In this paper, we describe a new fusion framework for spatially registered visual and infrared images. The proposed framework utilizes the properties of fractal dimension and phase congruency in the non-subsampled contourlet transform (NSCT) domain. The proposed framework applies multiscale NSCT on visual and IR images to get low- and high-frequency bands. The varied frequency bands of the transformed images are then fused while exploiting their characteristics. Finally, the inverse NSCT is performed to get the fused image. The performance of the proposed framework is validated by extensive experiments on different scene imaginary, where the definite advantages are demonstrated subjectively and objectively.     

Bioprocess Scale-up for Acetohydroxamic Acid Production by Hyperactive Acyltransferase of Immobilized Rhodococcus Pyridinivorans

Catalysis Letters - In this study, Rhodococcus pyridinivorans cells containing hyperactive acyltransferase was immobilized on various macromolecules based-polymeric matrices and used to improve...