Micro-Mechanical Parameters in Short Fibre Composite

The aim of this paper is to analyse the contribution of micro-mechanical parameters, on the macroscopic behaviour of a short fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites (SFRTC). By developing an algorithm to provide a representative random micro-structure, a comparative analysis of different micro-mechanical parameters, such as aspect ratio (AR) and fibre orientation (FO), was conducted and compared with the existing analytical models. A study of different aspect ratios and different fibre orientations has been carried out in order to examine their effect on the linear elastic properties of SFRTC. Aspect ratios from one to ten have been analysed for the cases of fully oriented 0° fibres, miss-oriented fibres and randomly oriented fibres. A representative volume element (RVE) was used to investigate the effect of the representative size. Results were analysed statistically through X ² test, and the subsequent representative realisations were compared with the theoretical predictions.     

Influence of Guiding Curves in the Optimal Management of a Hydropower System

Optimal operating policies for hydropower generation in a system of dams were obtained by means of a modified algorithm of stochastic dynamic programming that incorporates the guiding curve concept and other operating requirements defined by the Mexican agency in charge of electricity generation. These operating policies were used to simulate the long term system behavior and to analyze the influence of the guiding curves in the energy generation, the volume spilled and the possible deficit. The results show that by trying different curves it is possible to obtain a range of results that will enable decision makers to choose those that best fit their needs.     

Engine Performance and Exhaust Emission Tests of Sulfate Turpentine and No:2 Diesel Fuel Blend

Environmentally friendly, biobased fuel additives become more important when environmental concerns all around the world are considered. In this study, sulfate turpentine is investigated as a candidate diesel fuel additive. Engine performance tests were conducted on a 53 kW, 4000 rpm Peugeot XD 3P 157 type diesel engine for 3:97 turpentine and No:2 diesel fuel blend and similar results to No:2 diesel fuel were obtained. Significant reduction in exhaust emissions were observed as a result of using turpentine and No:2 diesel fuel blend.     

Functional properties of hydrolysates from Phaseolus lunatus seeds

Use of low degree of hydrolysis (DH < 10%) with enzymatic treatment can produce protein hydrolysates with functional properties superior to the raw material. Suspensions of Phaseolus lunatus protein isolate (PPI) were treated with one of two commercial enzymes (Alcalase or Flavourzyme) at 50 °C and pH 8.0. DH with Alcalase was greater than Flavourzyme at 5 or 15 min of reaction. Alcalase-prepared hydrolysates had more peptides than those prepared with Flavourzyme. All the hydrolysates had higher solubility than the PPI, the highest being for the Alcalase-prepared hydrolysate at 15 min reaction time. Overall, the Alcalase-prepared hydrolysates had better solubility characteristics, whereas the Flavourzyme-prepared hydrolysates had better film properties (maximum emulsifying capacity and the highest foam formation values). This is probably because of the greater ease of movement toward the interface as shown by their high surface hydrophobicity values. The Alcalase-prepared hydrolysates had generally low or nonexistent film properties.     

Structure from Motion Using Bio-Inspired Intelligence Algorithm and Conformal Geometric Algebra

Structure from Motion algorithms offer good advantages, such as extract 3D information in monocular systems and structures estimation as shown in Hartley & Zisserman for numerous applications, for instance; augmented reality, autonomous navigation, motion capture, remote sensing and object recognition among others. Nevertheless, this algorithm suffers some weaknesses in precision. In the present work, we extent the proposal in Arana-Daniel, Villaseñor, López-Franco, & Alanís that presents a new strategy using bio-inspired intelligence algorithm and Conformal Geometric Algebra, based in the object mapping paradigm, to overcome the accuracy problem in two-view Structure form motion algorithms. For this instance, we include two new experiments and the inclusion of the circle entity; the circle carries stronger information about its motion than other geometric entities, as we will show.     

Supporting the instructional design process for team training

Conducting team training is daily business for the military. Designing team training programs and exercises, however, is not always that structured. Instructional designers are in fact trained to design instruction primarily for individuals. After their instructional design course, they learn to design team training more or less on the job. This process may be improved by offering these instructional designers adequate support. During three design-experiments, we developed and tested guidelines and a workshop supporting the analysis of team tasks and the design of team training scenarios. For the first (task analysis) and second (scenario design) experiment, two versions of guidelines were developed: an experimental version with an explicit focus on team aspects, and a control version in which this specific focus was absent, resembling traditional guidelines. The results of the first design-experiment show that the experimental guidelines lead to a significantly better quality of the analysis process; the results of the second design-experiment show no significant effects. The purpose of the third design-experiment was to investigate the effect of a more elaborate introduction (an interactive workshop) of both sets of experimental guidelines. The results show that only on topics that were explicitly dealt with, the analysis and design process improved.