Multiobjective trajectory optimization for electric trains

This paper develops a method for generating Pareto efficient trajectories that provide optimal tradeoffs between two conflicting attributes-the total energy consumed and the total time taken to complete each trajectory. Straightforward formulations of the multiobjective optimization problem in these attributes are difficult to solve because of certain nonlinearities in train models and certain constraints on train trajectories. A discrete reformulation is developed to circumvent these difficulties and produce computationally feasible algorithms. The results from the algorithms can be used to develop operating strategies for existing systems and to compare hardware alternatives in planning new systems. An illustration is included.     

Vanadia loaded hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolite: a promising catalyst for epoxidation of cyclohexene under solvent free condition

Hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolite with composite micro and mesoporous was obtained by alkali treatment of parent ZSM-5 for 60 min. Vanadia was loaded on modified zeolite by wetness impregnation technique (VDZ). The prepared samples were characterized by various techniques including XRD, FTIR, TGA, UV-DRS, TEM, XPS and nitrogen adsorption–desorption. Vanadia loaded sample was found to exhibit excellent catalytic activity for the epoxidation of cyclohexene by tertiary butyl hydroperoxide. A controlled reaction was carried out to demonstrate the utility of hierarchical topology of the catalyst. A free radical mechanism was proposed for the reaction with rate constant of 6.91 × 10^?2 L mol^?1 min^?1 and activation energy of 41.81 kJ mol^?1. The reaction was carried out without the use of any solvent and the catalytic activity of VDZ was retained even after five runs.     

A decision support system for surveillance of smart cities via a novel aggregation operator on intuitionistic fuzzy sets

In recent times, terror attacks are becoming one of the most important issues of defense section for almost all the countries, especially for smart cities. Sometimes countries have to spend a lot of money and man power to protect and servile the cities, which is a challenging task for the smart cities to rely on technologies rather than man power for surveillance and protection. In this paper, a fuzzy multi criteria decision support system is utilized to prioritize the parts of a smart city which may lie under potential threat of terror attacks. For this purpose, a new aggregation operation on Intuitionistic fuzzy sets has been proposed. In addition, a case study on a smart city has been carried out which showcase the applicability of the proposed methodology.

     

Rate coefficients for the OH + pinonaldehyde (C10H16O2) reaction between 297 and 374 K

The rate coefficientforthe reaction of OH with pinonaldehyde (C10H16O2, 3-acetyl-2,2-dimethyl-cyclobutyl-ethanal), a product of the atmospheric oxidation of alpha-pinene, was measured under pseudo-first-order conditions in OH at temperatures between 297 and 374 K at 55 and 96 Torr (He). Laser induced fluorescence (LIF) was used to monitor OH in the presence of pinonaldehyde following its production by 248 nm pulsed laser photolysis of H2O2. The reaction exhibits a negative temperature dependence with an Arrhenius expression of k1(T) = (4.5 +/- 1.3) x 10(-12) exp((600 +/- 100)/ 7) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1); k1(297 K) = (3.46 +/- 0.4) x 10(-11) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1). There was no observed dependence of the rate coefficient on pressure. Our results are compared with previous relative rate determinations of k1 near 297 K and the discrepancies are discussed. The state of knowledge for the atmospheric processing of pinonaldehyde is reviewed, and its role as a marker for alpha-pinene (monoterpene) chemistry in the atmosphere is discussed.     

Molecular identification of dominant microflora associated with 'Hawaijar' - a traditional fermented soybean (Glycine max (L.)) food of Manipur, India

The dominant microorganisms in 'Hawaijar', a traditional non-salted fermented soybean (Glycine max (L.)) food of Manipur, India, were isolated and identified by molecular techniques. Bacillus spp. were the predominant microorganisms in 'Hawaijar'. A total of 274 isolates were obtained from forty-one 'Hawaijar' samples collected from household preparations and markets of valley districts of Manipur. Phenotypic grouping followed by Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Digestion Analysis (ARDRA), PCR amplification of 16S-23S rDNA region, RFLP by Hae III and Hind III double digest (by comparing MTCC type strains) and sequencing of 9-1514 region of 16S rDNA resulted in three major phylogenic groups. Bacillus subtilis group comprising B. subtilis and B. licheniformis representing 112 isolates, B. cereus group representing of 128 isolates and Staphylococcus spp. group comprising S. aureus and S. sciuri representing 23 isolates. A few bacterial isolates belongs to Alkaligenes spp. and Providencia rettgeri were also found. Genetic diversity of B. subtilis phylogenic group was investigated by RAPD-PCR. Eighty-two strains of B. subtilis phylogenic group were identified using RAPD-PCR using OPA-18 and OPA-20 primers. These strains will be investigated for potential starter culture selection.     

Synthesis and characterization of isomorphously zirconium substituted Mobil Five (MFI) zeolite

A series of zirconium doped Mobil Five (MFI) zeolites were synthesized hydrothermally with silicon to aluminium plus zirconium ratios of 100 and 200 and with different Al to Zr ratios. The MFI zeolite phase was identified by XRD and FT-IR analysis. UV–vis (DRS) and TG analyses suggested isomorphous substitution of Zr in the framework of MFI structure. The specific surface area, pore volume and pore size of the synthesized samples were investigated by the nitrogen adsorption method, while morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy.     

Coupled CFD and radiation simulation of air gaps in bench top protective fabric tests

Numerical simulations for fluid flow and heat transfer in horizontal air spaces between shim stock and a test sensor are carried out as part of a study of the performance of thermal protective garments during an exposure to fire. The Navier–Stokes and energy equations are solved simultaneously using an in-house code. The radiation modelling is carried out using the finite volume method. The bottom boundary of the enclosure is treated as a series of isothermal rectangular elements with known temperatures that are measured experimentally. The temporal increase of temperature of the sensor which is centrally located at the upper boundary is calculated with the lumped capacitance method. The simulated temperature of the sensor is compared with the experimental data and good agreement is found for smaller air gaps. Flow streamlines are presented and compared with experimental flow visualization pictures. Results of convective and radiative heat fluxes are presented and compared for different air gaps.     

Large blackouts in North America: Historical trends and policy implications

Using data from the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) for 1984–2006, we find several trends. We find that the frequency of large blackouts in the United States has not decreased over time, that there is a statistically significant increase in blackout frequency during peak hours of the day and during late summer and mid-winter months (although non-storm-related risk is nearly constant through the year) and that there is strong statistical support for the previously observed power-law statistical relationship between blackout size and frequency. We do not find that blackout sizes and blackout durations are significantly correlated. These trends hold even after controlling for increasing demand and population and after eliminating small events, for which the data may be skewed by spotty reporting. Trends in blackout occurrences, such as those observed in the North American data, have important implications for those who make investment and policy decisions in the electricity industry. We provide a number of examples that illustrate how these trends can inform benefit-cost analysis calculations. Also, following procedures used in natural disaster planning we use the observed statistical trends to calculate the size of the 100-year blackout, which for North America is 186,000 MW.     

Domino-Ring Opening-Cyclization (DROC) of Donor-Acceptor (DA) Cyclopropanes

A new concept called “domino-ring opening-cyclization (DROC)” has been introduced by us where both the reactive centres of the DA cyclopropane participate in the bond formation, with a suitable reagent bearing both nucleophilic and electrophilic terminals in a domino fashion. The present review is intended to concisely describe the evolution of this new concept.