Multi-response non-parametric profiling using Taguchi's qualimetric engineering and neurocomputing methods: Screening a foaming process in a solar collector assembly

Taguchi's data programming techniques in synergy with data analysis tactics based on artificial neural networks have been fruitful in illuminating intricate manufacturing phenomena. We present a non-parametric approach to treat multi-response multi-factorial datasets created with Taguchi's orthogonal-array samplers. Replicated response datasets are compressed utilizing the signal to noise ratio and then they are homogenized by simple rank-ordering. The multiple response layout is reduced to the more tractable uni-response arrangement by using the super-ranking concept to enact the fusing of the individual responses. The ‘ranked-and-fused’ dataset is subjected to conversion by linear and three-layer perceptrons. The performance of a group of examined effects is assessed according to the perceptrons’ sensitivity analysis output. Using Wilcoxon's one-sample test, statistical significance is assigned to the accumulated ranking scores obtainable from a series of independent perceptron runs. We discuss the efficiency status for each of the two engaged perceptron options on affecting prediction accuracy as well as the influence of data fusion on the SNR-compressed datasets. Our robust neurocomputing solver is elucidated in a concurrent screening of three foam characteristics which are encountered in popular solar-collector assembly operations. Seven controlling factors were profiled and it was found that the temperature of the polyol additive is the sole statistically predominant effect. Finally, through our industrial paradigm, we illustrate the superiority of the fusing principle for downsizing stochastically multiple characteristics and thus gaining faster and more accurate perceptron predictions. We show that the proposed method outperforms the outcomes obtained by the desirability analysis. We identify the points of superiority to the crisper resolution in locating effect dominance accompanied with recovered stochastic significance.     

A hierarchical optimization problem: Estimating traffic flow using Gamma random variables in a Bayesian context

In this paper a hierarchical optimization problem generated by a Bayesian method to estimate origin–destination matrices, based on Gamma models, is given. The problem can be considered as a system of equations in which three of them are optimization problems: (1) a Wardrop minimum variance (WMV) assignment model, which is used to derive the route choice probabilities, (2) a least squares problem, used to obtain the OD sample data, and (3) a maximum likelihood problem to estimate the posterior modes. A multi-level iterative approach is proposed to solve the multi-objective problem that converges in a few iterations. Finally, two examples of applications are used to illustrate the proposed methods and procedures, a simple and the medium size Ciudad Real networks. A comparison with existing techniques, which provide similar flows, seems to validate the proposed methods.     

Aqueous phase catalytic hydrodechlorination of 4-chlorophenol over palladium deposited on reduced graphene oxide

Palladium/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites (Pd/RGO) are synthesized through the impregnation of polyvinyl-pyrrolidone-stabilized palladium nanoparticles on the surface of RGO sheets prepared from the reduction of graphene oxide in the presence of hydrogen gas. The Pd/RGO nanocomposites exhibited excellent catalytic property for the hydrodechlorination of 4-chlorophenol.     

焙烧态镁铝水滑石对I~-的吸附行为研究

采用共沉淀法制备了镁铝水滑石,并利用XRD、FT-IR和SEM对材料进行了表征。在此基础上,系统研究了不同焙烧温度、初始pH值、振荡时间、初始I~-浓度等对焙烧态镁铝水滑石吸附I~-性能的影响。结果表明:500℃焙烧条件下所制备的镁铝水滑石CLDH-500对I~-的吸附性能最优。在初始I~-浓度为500mg/L、初始pH=6.0的条件下,8h达到吸附平衡,最大吸附容量为217.22mg/g。对吸附过程用准一级、准二级动力学模型和粒内扩散模型模拟。结果显示,其吸附过程符合准一级动力学模型和粒内扩散模型(R~20.96);Langmuir模型拟合结果(R~20.99)显示,I~-在CLDH-500上为单分子层吸附。该研究结果可为放射性废液中I~-的去除提供技术和理论支持。     

In vitro Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation on surfaces of chlorhexidine-containing dentin bonding systems

This in vitro study evaluated the influence of chlorhexidine diacetate (CDA) when blended within dentin bonding systems (DBSs) on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilm formation.One commercially available 0.2% wt CDA-containing DBS (Peak Universal Bond) and five experimental 0.2% wt CDA-containing DBS formulations (experimental Adper Scotchbond 1XT plus experimental resins, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅) were assessed vs their no-CDA containing counterparts. Twenty-eight DBSs disks were prepared for each group (6.4 mm×1.0 mm) and cured for 80 s at 800 mW/cm² in a nitrogen atmosphere. A modified Drip-Flow Reactor was used to grow S. mutans biofilms on specimen surfaces for 24 h and adherent, viable biomass was evaluated using a tetrazolium salt assay (MTT). Two specimens from each of the tested materials were processed with LIVE/DEAD stain and observed using laser confocal microscopy (CLSM) while two disks from each group were examined by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).MTT assay, CLSM and SEM observations showed that CDA addition decreased, increased or did not change S. mutans biofilm formation. The lowest biofilm formation was obtained with Peak Universal Bond and R₅ (with and without CDA).It may be concluded that the chemical composition of DBSs determines their ability to promote or hamper biofilm formation. Therefore, CDA addition may be helpful in modulating biofilm formation provided that DBS formulation is tuned and optimized.     

Simulation of substrate clamping on the properties of piezoelectric/piezomagnetic laminated composites

A theoretical model was established to calculate the magnetoelectric voltage coefficient of piezoelectric (PMN-PT)/piezomagnetic (CFO) laminated composites on Si substrate. Using this model, the transverse and longitudinal magnetoelectric voltage coefficient formula of laminated composites was derived in ideal interface coupling state simply. The magnetoelectric voltage coefficient (α_E) is calculated as function of the volume fraction of piezoelectrics and the thickness of Si substrate. It was found that the magnetoelectric voltage coefficient of PMN-PT/CFO laminated composites decreases with increase of Si substrate thickness, which shows strong clamping effect of the substrate. Meanwhile, with increase of substrate thickness, the compressive stress of substrate to PMN-PT enhances, which change the lattice constant of PMN-PT and lead to low optimum PMN-PT volume fraction v.     

NFM在ITER中的中子学计算

NFM是一种重要的中子学诊断设备。它可以对ITER聚变中子产额进行实时测定。ITER在运行过程中子产额高达1021n/s,因此对放入其中的设备均需进行相关的中子学计算。采用MCNP程序,用MCAM构建了NFM模型,并将它放入ITER40度模型中进行相关中子学计算。最终得到NFM所在位置的中子和光子能谱分布,NFM中裂变材料的裂变速率,主要部件的能量沉积和温升效应。     

The densification and strength of porous Y-TZP materials with a bimodal particle size distribution for dental applications

In this study the densification behavior of bimodal Y-TZP powder compacts consisting of nano/sub-micron-sized particles was studied and an explanation for their improved flexural strength while biscuit-sintered is provided. An in situ-heating TEM analysis revealed that up to 800 °C only the nanoparticles sinter in a bimodal mixture without any densification. By increasing the temperature to 900 °C the densification of the nanoparticles begins and partially densified nanoparticle clusters migrate into the contact area between the core particles. Consequently, the driving force for the sintering of the powder-blend compacts is reduced and this is reflected in a slower densification compared to that of the core material. At 1000 °C the sintered nanoparticle clusters begin to incorporate into the core material, resulting in a sharp increase in the strength due to the increased neck area. Biscuit-sintered powder-blend compacts reached a plateau of strength at 670 MPa, which was reached at a relative density of 70%.     

On the stability of solution mapping for parametric generalized vector quasiequilibrium problems

In this paper, we study the solution stability for a class of parametric generalized vector quasiequilibrium problems. By virtue of the parametric gap function, we obtain a sufficient and necessary condition for the Hausdorff lower semicontinuity of the solution mapping to the parametric generalized vector quasiequilibrium problem. The results presented in this paper generalize and improve some main results of Chen et al. (2010) [34], and Zhong and Huang (2011) [35].