Structural topology optimization under limit analysis

Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization - The objective of this paper is to look for structural designs arising from topological optimization procedures that aim at maximizing the loading...     

Context-Aware Routing in Delay and Disruption Tolerant Networks

In this paper, we analyze the problem of context adaptation in delay and disruption tolerant networks (DTNs). Initially, we performed experiments with well-known routing protocols to evaluate how much distinct configurations impact their performance. The results show that the performance is highly configuration dependent and improper configuration can lead to a performance up to 506.6 % worse than the best configuration tested. This motivates us to propose CARTOON (context-aware routing protocol for opportunistic networks), a novel routing protocol for DTNs based on the concept of context-adaptation. We evaluate CARTOON through simulations and the results show that our propose outperformed other well-known protocols, exhibiting results that are, on average, at 95 % of the computed optimum delivery rate.     

Modification of eucalyptus pulp fiber using silane coupling agents with aliphatic side chains of different length

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of three silane coupling agents with different aliphatic chain lengths on the hydrophobicity of eucalyptus pulp fiber. The three silanes coupling agents used (isobutyltrimethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, and n‐octyltriethoxysilane [OTES]) were each tested at three concentrations. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy revealed that the silane coupling agents markedly increased the Si content of the treated fibers. The Si distribution was not completely homogenous but was abundant in the treated samples. The treated fibers had higher contact angles for water and lower moisture adsorption than the control. Of the coupling agents tested, OTES treated fibers had the highest moisture resistance. This was likely due to the greater chain length of the aliphatic side group coupled to OTES. The use of silane coupling agents with alkyl side chains could improve the functional properties of pulp fiber and increase its compatibility with hydrophobic polymers. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1273?1280, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Ultrahigh-sensitivity temperature fiber sensor based on multimode interference

The proposed sensing device relies on the self-imaging effect that occurs in a pure silica multimode fiber (coreless MMF) section of a single-mode-multimode-single-mode (SMS)-based fiber structure. The influence of the coreless-MMF diameter on the external refractive index (RI) variation permitted the sensing head with the lowest MMF diameter (i.e., 55 μm) to exhibit the maximum sensitivity (2800 nm/RIU). This approach also implied an ultrahigh sensitivity of this fiber device to temperature variations in the liquid RI of 1.43: a maximum sensitivity of -1880 pm/°C was indeed attained. Therefore, the results produced were over 100-fold those of the typical value of approximately 13 pm/°C achieved in air using a similar device. Numerical analysis of an evanescent wave absorption sensor was performed, in order to extend the range of liquids with a detectable RI to above 1.43. The suggested model is an SMS fiber device where a polymer coating, with an RI as low as 1.3, is deposited over the coreless MMF; numerical results are presented pertaining to several polymer thicknesses in terms of external RI variation.     

Metabolic evaluation of rice protein

Rice protein occurs in milled rice as discrete particles called protein bodies, 1–4 μm in size. Very little variation in lysine content of rice protein has been observed at any protein level. Rat assays for protein quality by protein efficiency ratio, slope-ratio technique and nitrogen balance showed that the relative protein value of milled rices (6–15% protein) ranged from 42 to 82% of milk and egg protein. True digestibility of rice protein in rats ranged from 94 to 100% and biological value ranged from 68 to 75%. An increase in protein content results in an increase in the utilisable protein of the milled rice. Similar results were obtained with nitrogen-balance studies in Man. True digestibility is 79 to 85%, biological value ranging from 59 to 67% and NPU from 47 to 55%.Cooking reduces the digestibility but improves the biological value of milled rice protein in growing rats, resulting in similar net protein utilisation for raw and cooked rice. Lysine digestibility remains almost complete with cooking. A 15% fraction of cooked-rice protein is also indigestible in Man and is expelled as intact faecal protein particles.     

Conceptual tempo, activity, and concept learning in hyperactive and normal children.

Conducted an experiment with 40 hyperactive and 80 normal 8-11 yr old males which examined the relations among activity, conceptual tempo, and diagnostic category on a concept learning and transfer task. Results reveal a small but significant performance decrement by the hyperactive group on the learning task. However, this decrement did not carry over to the transfer task, in which a group difference was not found. Activity and conceptual tempo were related to diagnosis, with the hyperactive group being more active and having a greater percentage classified as impulsive. Nonetheless, activity and conceptual tempo were not related to the performance tasks. Rather than accept a label of "brain damage" as an explanation for the learning problems of hyperactive children, it is suggested that future research might focus on cognitive styles and performance characteristics of hyperactive children. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Eating quality indicators for waxy rices

A study of the properties of raw and cooked waxy milled rices from the Republic of Korea, the Philippines and Thailand verified that the hardness and stickiness values of cooked rices, as measured by an Instron food tester, tended to be related to final gelatinisation or birefringence end-point temperature (BEPT), neutral gel consistency or both properties of raw rices. Actual texture determination of cooked rice is required among the low final BEPT rices that have similar gel consistency and alkali test values. Intermediate final BEPT waxy rices as cooked rice had hardness and stickiness properties similar to those of high final BEPT rices.     

A preliminary investigation of rapid smoking as a lapse-responsive treatment for tobacco dependence.

Lapses within the first 2 weeks of a smoking cessation attempt are strongly associated with a return to regular smoking (S. L. Kenford et al., 1994). Unfortunately, little is known about how to prevent an initial lapse from progressing to a full relapse, and presently there are no validated lapse-responsive therapeutic interventions. The present study tested the efficacy and feasibility of rapid smoking plus counseling as a novel lapse-responsive intervention. Sixty-seven participants enrolled in a smoking treatment program involving brief counseling and a 9-week course of bupropion. Beginning on the quit day, participants' smoking behavior was tracked daily for 14 days. Once an early smoking lapse was identified, participants were randomly assigned to receive either 3 sessions of rapid smoking plus counseling or no intervention (usual care). Consistent with previous research, participants who smoked during the first 2 weeks of the quit attempt had significantly poorer 6-month outcomes (3% abstinent) than did those who did not smoke (64% abstinent). Compared with early abstainers, early lapsers were more nicotine dependent and reported greater cravings and lower confidence in their ability to abstain from smoking during the first 48 hours of abstinence. As expected, rapid smoking produced a variety of aversive effects, including increased nausea, dizziness, and vomiting as well as sharply decreased cravings to smoke. However, rapid smoking did not improve abstinence outcomes relative to usual care. Although rapid smoking has been shown to be an effective treatment for initial smoking cessation, in this preliminary study the authors failed to demonstrate its effectiveness as a lapse-responsive treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)