Frequency response analysis of cylindrical shells conveying fluid using finite element method

A finite element vibration analysis of thin-watled cylindrical shells conveying fluid with uniform velocity is presented The dynamic behavior of thin-walled shell is based on the Sanders’ theory and the fluid in cyhndrical shell is considered as inviscid and incompressible so that it satisfies the Laplace’s equation A beam-like shell element is used to reduce the number of degrees-of-freedom by restricting to the circumferential modes of cylindrical shell An estimation of frequency response function of the pipe considering of the coupled effects of the internal fluid is presented A dynamic coupling condition of the interface between the fluid and the structure is used The effective thickness of fluid according to circumferential modes is also discussed The influence of fluid velocity on the frequency response function is illustrated and discussed The results by this method are compared with published lesults and those by commercial tools     

Local collision avoidance of multiple robots using avoidability measure and relative distance

This paper presents a new method driving multiple robots to their goal position without collision. To consider the movement of the robots in a work area, we adopt the concept of avoidability measure. The avoidability measure figures the degree of how easily a robot can avoid other robots considering the velocity of the robots. To implement the concept to avoid collision among multiple robots, relative distance between the robots is proposed. The relative distance is a virtual distance between robots indicating the threat of collision between the robots. Based on the relative distance, the method calculates repulsive force against a robot from the other robots. Also, attractive force toward the goal position is calculated in terms of the relative distance. These repulsive force and attractive force are added to form the driving force for robot motion. The proposed method is simulated for several cases. The results show that the proposed method steers robots to open space anticipating the approach of other robots. In contrast, since the usual potential field method initiates avoidance motion later than the proposed method, it sometimes fails preventing collision or causes hasty motion to avoid other robots. The proposed method works as a local collision-free motion coordination method in conjunction with higher level of task planning and path planning method for multiple robots to do a collaborative job.     

A photomosaic image generation method using photo annotation in a social network environment

With the growing use of social networking services, various applications have been developed to utilize their vast capabilities. Photomosaic techniques, which combine many images to create a new rendering of an input image, can benefit from the capabilities of social networks. In this study, we propose a method that generates a photomosaic image by considering social network context. Our algorithm creates a photomosaic that incorporates photos posted by other users in the users network . We enable the matching function to easily select photos from the albums of users who are connected to the owner of the input image, by computing the closeness of those connections. Moreover, our technique allows the photos in the albums of friends who are annotated in the source image to be matched more effectively.     

Effects of electron beam irradiation on microbial inactivation and quality of kimchi paste during storage

The effects of electron beam irradiation on microbial inactivation and quality of noninoculated and inoculated (Listeria monocytogenes) kimchi pastes were examined. Kimchi paste samples were irradiated at doses of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 kGy and stored for 21 days at 4 °C. Irradiation (10 kGy) reduced the populations of total aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, and yeast and moulds in the samples by 1.72, 2.24 and 0.86 log CFU g^?1, respectively, compared to the control. In particular, coliforms were not detected at 8 and 10 kGy, and the population of L. monocytogenes in inoculated samples was significantly decreased by 2.67 log CFU g^?1. Electron beam irradiation delayed the changes in O₂ and CO₂ concentrations, pH, acidity and reducing sugar content observed in kimchi paste during storage. These results suggest that electron beam irradiation can be used to improve the microbiological safety and shelf life of kimchi paste.     

Two additional cases of metformin‐associated encephalopathy in patients with end‐stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis

We report on two additional cases of metformin‐associated encephalopathy in patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis. Two patients were seen at our hospital with abnormal neurological signs and symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the same pattern of high signal intensity in both basal ganglia in T2‐weighted images in the two patients. The two patients had started taking metformin 5 and 6 weeks earlier at the same dose of 1000 mg per day. Metformin was immediately stopped, and regular hemodialysis was conducted. Their signs and symptoms resolved completely after these measures. The high signal intensity in both ganglia in T2‐weighted MRI also disappeared. We should suspect metformin‐induced encephalopathy and withdraw the drug when presented with diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease and neurological signs and symptoms of unknown cause.     

Grafting maleic anhydride onto EVA and effect on the physical and rheological properties of PETG/EVA-g-MAH blends

Maleic anhydride (MAH) was grafted onto ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) in the internal mixer in the presence of dicumyl peroxide (DCP), and a prepared reactive compatibilizer, MAH-g-EVA, was blended with Poly (ethylene glycol-co-cyclohexane-1,4-dimethanol terephthalate) (PETG). The gel content determination and element analysis (EA) was performed to confirm the grafting reaction. It was found that grafting reaction of MAH on to EVA could compete with crosslinking reaction of DCP during the modification process. In addition, the introduction of small amount of MAH showed a great effect on reducing gel content by decreasing crosslink reaction. As MAH content increased, grafted MAH concentration increased, whereas the grafting yield decreased. It was also confirmed that MAH-g-EVA acted as a reactive compatibilizer in the blend with PETG, and enhanced compatibility by reacting with the hydroxyl end groups, OH, of PETG. Addition of EVA in the blend leads a plastic deformation of PETG, and MAH had a great effect on enhancing interfacial adhesion resulting in significant increasing of % strain; however, improved compatibility could not be changed much in low strain tensile strength and Young's modulus. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012