Novel hybrid models of ANFIS and metaheuristic optimizations (SCE and ABC) for prediction of compressive strength of concrete using rebound hammer field test

In this study, we developed novel hybrid models namely Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) optimized by Shuffled Complex Evolution (SCE) on the one hand and ANFIS with Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) on the other hand. These were used to predict compressive strength (Cs) of concrete relating to thirteen concrete-strength affecting parameters which are easy to determine in the laboratory. Field and laboratory tests data of 108 structural elements of 18 concrete bridges of the Ha Long-Van Don Expressway, Vietnam were considered. The dataset was randomly divided into a 70:30 ratio, for training (70%) and testing (30%) of the hybrid models. Performance of the developed fuzzy metaheuristic models was evaluated using standard statistical metrics: Correlation Coefficient (R), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Error (MAE). The results showed that both of the novel models depict close agreement between experimental and predicted results. However, the ANFIS-ABC model reflected better convergence of the results and better performance compared to that of ANFIS-SCE in the prediction of the concrete Cs. Thus, the ANFIS-ABC model can be used for the quick and accurate estimation of compressive strength of concrete based on easily determined parameters for the design of civil engineering structures including bridges.     

A comparative study on the use of drilling and milling processes in hole making of GFRP composite

Drilling and milling processes are extensively used for producing riveted and bolted joints during the assembly operations of composite laminates with other components. Hole making in glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP) composites is the most common mechanical process, which is used to join them to other metallic structures. Bolt joining effectiveness depends, critically, on the quality of the holes. The quality of machined holes in GFRP is strongly dependent on the appropriate choice of the cutting parameters. The main purpose of the present study is to assess the influence of drilling and milling machining parameters on hole making process of woven laminated GFRP material. A statistical approach is used to understand the effects of the control parameters on the response variables. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to isolate the effects of the parameters affecting the hole making in the two types of cutting processes. The results showed that milling process is more suitable than drilling process at high level of cutting speed and low level of feed rate, when the cutting quality (minimum surface roughness, minimum difference between upper and lower diameter) is of critical importance in the manufacturing industry, especially for precision assembly operation.     

Alkylene oxide poylmerizations: identification of side reactions and by-products

In this study microwave-assisted anionic ring opening polymerization (ROP) of alkylene oxides is reported. Low molar mass polymers of propylene oxide (PO), butylene oxide (BO) and hexylene oxide (HO) are synthesized by anionic ring opening using various monohydric alcohols as initiators. The monohydric alcohols and lower molar masses allowed for monitoring of different types of possible unwanted by-products and their sources. Liquid chromatography at critical conditions (LCCC) and liquid adsorption chromatography (LAC) are used to determine the presence of oligomers other than targeted. Finally, MALDI-TOF MS of the products have clearly shown the trends and extents of different types of side reactions that are possible in anionic ring opening of alkylene oxides. Propylene oxide is most vulnerable to chain transfer reactions compared to higher alkylene oxide.     

Steam reforming of toluene as a tar model compound with modified nickel-based catalyst

Catalytic steam reforming is a promising route for tar conversion to high energy syngas in the process of biomass gasification. However, the catalyst deactivation caused by the deposition of residual carbon is still a major challenge. In this paper, a modified Ni-based Ni-Co/Al₂O₃-CaO (Ni-Co/AC) catalyst and a conventional Ni/Al₂O₃ (Ni/A) catalyst were prepared and tested for tar catalytic removal in which toluene was selected as the model component. Experiments were conducted to reveal the influences of the reaction temperature and the ratio between steam to carbon on the toluene conversion and the hydrogen yield. The physicochemical properties of the modified Ni-based catalyst were determined by a series of characterization methods. The results indicated that the Ni-Co alloy was determined over the Ni-Co/AC catalyst. The doping of CaO and the presence of Ni-Co alloy promoted the performance of toluene catalytic dissociation over Ni-Co/AC catalyst compared with that over Ni/A catalyst. After testing in steam for 40 h, the carbon conversion over Ni-Co/AC maintained above 86% and its resistance to carbon deposition was superior to Ni/A catalyst.     

Polymorphic information and genetic diversity in <i>Brassica</i> species revealed by RAPD markers

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) is a tremendously convenient approach used to discriminatebetween Brassica species owing to its accuracy and speed. RAPD primers generate adequate genetic information that canbe used in the primer-marker system. In this work, twenty RAPD-PCR based markers were executed to generatepolymorphic data, like polymorphic information content (PIC), mean resolving power (MRP), resolving power (RP),effective multiplex ratio (EMR), and marker index (MI) for the first time and genetic distance among and between sixBrassica species were calculated. Our results indicated that 20 primers produced a total of 231 scored band andgenerated 87% polymorphic bands. Average PIC, MRP, RP, MI, and EMR values were 0.088, 0.65, 6.7, 0.78, and 8.9,respectively. PIC showed an overall negative correlation with MRP, RP, MI, and EMR, whereas MRP, RP, and EMR,were positively correlated with each other. Genetic identities ranged from 41.99% (between Brassica napus andBrassica oleracea) to 68.83% (between Brassica campestris and Brassica oleracea). Dendrogram results showed noclustering between species except between Brassica campestris and Brassica nigra. Nevertheless, these results will behelpful to acquire useful information about the markers and their use to determine the genomic structures of Brassicaspecies. Further, based on genetic distance and polymorphic information, new hybrids can be developed for effectiveoilseed production.     

EFFECT OF SAMPLE DIMENSIONS AND DEFORMATION RATE ON THE TORSIONAL FAILURE OF DUMBBELL SHAPED GELS

Torsional failure measurements were made on gels with dumbbell and capstan geometries. As a comparison, cylindrical specimens were tested in uniaxial compression. Both brittle and elastic gels, made from carrageenan and locust bean gelling agents by selecting appropriate ratios of the two polymers, were investigated. Using the dumbbell geometry, the stress at failure was found to be independent of the sample dimensions while the failure strain decreased with increase in the aspect ratio. In addition, neither the stress nor the strain at failure depended on the strain rate. The failure parameters from the two torsion geometries and the compression test were found to agree provided comparison was made using appropriate sample dimensions.     

Robust Position Control of Assistive Robot for Paraplegics

Paraplegia refers to the paralysis of the lower limbs resulting from the damage to the spinal cord. Thus far, considerable efforts have been devoted to the rehabilitation of paraplegics and the improvement of their quality of life. This study focuses on the position control of the sit-stand mechanism of an assistive robot developed to aid paraplegics in shifting from a sitting to a standing position and vice versa. Two control techniques for the model were proposed: sliding mode control (SMC) and SMC integrated with a sliding perturbation observer (SMCSPO). The control algorithm was designed and implemented in MATLAB/Simulink. The simulation results indicate that the SMC is a nonlinear control; however, because the robot is a highly nonlinear model, which requires a high switching gain, the controller introduces chattering into the system. The SMC has been observed to exhibit inadequate performance when controlling a system with uncertainties. In contrast, the SMCSPO is a robust nonlinear control integrated with a nonlinear compensator, which performs better than the SMC even in the presence of external disturbances.

     

GLUTEN QUALITY PREDICTION AND CORRELATION STUDIES IN SPRING WHEATS

ABSTRACT

Gluten, “cohesive, viscoelastic, proteinaceous material prepared as a by‐product of the starch isolation from wheat flour” and the storage and dough‐forming protein of wheat flour, is the key to the unique ability of wheat to suit the production of leavened products. Wet gluten was only affected by wheat varieties, while dry gluten was affected by wheat varieties, crop years and their interaction. The wet and dry gluten ranged 8.0–43.13% and 2.58–14.55%, respectively, and were positively correlated with Zeleny value, sodium dodecyl sulfate sedimentation value and falling number. The gluten content was higher in Pavon, SA 42 and Faisalabad 85, while Zeleny value was higher in GA 02 and C 518, resulting in better gluten quality. Zeleny value was negatively correlated with crude protein content (r = –0.1857*). The lowest amount of wet and dry gluten was detected in Triticale and durum wheats as compared to common wheats. Zeleny value and sedimentation value may be used as indicators of gluten content and quality while working on wheats. The information thus collected will be valuable for cereal chemists and wheat breeders for improvements in their future breeding programs.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This research work will be a breakthrough and helpful for wheat breeders, growers, millers and bakers for their intended uses as every consumer demand specific wheat quality characteristics for their end products.

     

Role of foliar spray of plant growth regulators in improving photosynthetic pigments and metabolites in <i>Plantago ovata</i> (Psyllium) under salt stress–A field appraisal

Salinity is one of the major abiotic factors that limit the growth and productivity of plants. Foliar application of plant growth regulators (PGRs) may help plants ameliorate the negative impacts of salinity. Thus, a field experiment was conducted at the Botanical Garden University of Balochistan, Quetta, to explore the potential role of PGRs, i.e., moringa leaf extract (MLE; 10%), proline (PRO; 1 µM), salicylic acid (SA; 250 µM), and thiourea (TU; 10 mM) in ameliorating the impacts of salinity (120 mM) on Plantago ovata, an important medicinal plant. Salinity hampered plant photosynthetic pigments and metabolites but elevated oxidative parameters. However, foliar application of PGRs enhanced photosynthetic pigments, including Chl b (21.11%), carotenoids (57.87%) except Chl a, activated the defense mechanisms by restoring and enhancing the metabolites, i.e., soluble sugars (49.68%), soluble phenolics (33.34%), and proline (31.47%), significantly under salinity stress. Furthermore, foliar supplementation of PGRs under salt stress led to a decrease of about 43.02% and 43.27% in hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde content, respectively. Thus, PGRs can be recommended for improved photosynthetic efficiency and metabolite content that can help to get better yield under salt stress, with the best and most effective treatments being those of PRO and MLE to predominately ameliorate the harsh impacts of salinity.