Application of Fractal Theory for Prediction of Shrinkage of Dried Kiwifruit Using Artificial Neural Network and Genetic Algorithm

In current research, fractal theory has been applied for estimation of shrinkage of osmotically dehydrated and air-dried kiwifruit using a combination of neural network and genetic algorithm. Kiwifruits were dehydrated at different conditions and digital images of final dried products were taken. Kiwifruit-background interface lines were detected using a threshold combined with an edge detection approach and their corresponding fractal dimensions were calculated based on a box counting method. A neural network was constructed using fractal dimension and moisture content as inputs to predict shrinkage of dried kiwifruit and a genetic algorithm was applied for optimization of the neural network's parameters. The results indicated good accuracy of optimal model (correlation coefficient of 0.95) and high potential application of fractal theory and described intelligent model for shrinkage estimation of dried kiwifruit.     

Highlighting the base zone effect on the compression and recovery properties of the rugs with innovating Double-Base Persian rug

This paper investigates the compression and recovery properties of the rugs by highlighting the base zone effect. To fulfill this purpose, a new type of rug named Double-Base Persian Rug was prepared. In the new rug, the warping was done such that we have two sets of warp sheets (back base and front base warp yarns). So that, a gap between these two bases were created that could be filled with various types of fillers. A total of seven rug samples; a conventional Persian rug as the base of comparison and six new types of rug samples were produced. Then, the compression and recovery properties of the rug samples were investigated by static loading test. Generally, the results indicated that the rug base structure and the inherent characteristics of the materials used in the rug base as a filler positive affect the rug compression and recovery properties.     

Feedback,Crosstalk and Competition: Ingredients for Emergent Non-Linear Behaviour in the PI3K/mTOR Signalling Network

The PI3K/mTOR signalling pathway plays a central role in the governing of cell growth, survival and metabolism. As such, it must integrate and decode information from both external and internal sources to guide efficient decision-making by the cell. To facilitate this, the pathway has evolved an intricate web of complex regulatory mechanisms and elaborate crosstalk with neighbouring signalling pathways, making it a highly non-linear system. Here, we describe the mechanistic biological details that underpin these regulatory mechanisms, covering a multitude of negative and positive feedback loops, feed-forward loops, competing protein interactions, and crosstalk with major signalling pathways. Further, we highlight the non-linear and dynamic network behaviours that arise from these regulations, uncovered through computational and experimental studies. Given the pivotal role of the PI3K/mTOR network in cellular homeostasis and its frequent dysregulation in pathologies including cancer and diabetes, a coherent and systems-level understanding of the complex regulation and consequential dynamic signalling behaviours within this network is imperative for advancing biology and development of new therapeutic approaches.     

Prediction of Vibrational Behavior of Composite Cylindrical Shells under Various Boundary Conditions

In this paper, a unified analytical approach is applied to investigate the vibrational behavior of composite cylindrical shells. Theoretical formulation is established based on Sanders’ thin shell theory. The modal forms are assumed to have the axial dependency in the form of Fourier series whose derivatives are legitimized using Stoke's transformation. The Influence of some commonly used boundary conditions and the effect of variations in shell geometrical parameters on the shell frequencies are studied. The results obtained for a number of particular cases show good agreement with those available in the open literature. The simplicity and the capability of the present method are also discussed.     

Development of Novel Pre-alloyed PM Steels for Optimization of Machinability and Fatigue Resistance of PM Components

It is well known that a large proportion of ferrous PM components require secondary machining operations for dimensional conformance or for producing geometrical features that cannot be generated during die compaction. Nevertheless, the machining behavior of PM parts is generally characterized as being “difficult” due to the presence of residual porosity that lowers thermal conductivity and induces interrupted cutting. Several admixed additives such as MnS and BN-h can be used to improve the machining behavior of PM steels. Nevertheless, their negative effect on mechanical properties, especially fatigue resistance, makes their utilization uninteresting for the fabrication of high-performance PM steel components. This article summarizes the work carried out to develop a novel PM steel that was especially engineered to form machinability enhancing precipitates. This new material is pre-alloyed with tin (Sn) in order to form Cu-Sn (Cu(α)) precipitates during transient liquid phase sintering. The newly developed material presents machinability improvement of 165% compared to reference material used in the PM industry as well as increases in toughness and fatigue resistance of 100% and 13%, respectively.     

Integrated Inspection Scheduling and Maintenance Planning for Infrastructure Systems

Operation and maintenance of an infrastructure system rely on information collected on its components, which can provide the decision maker with an accurate assessment of their condition states. However, resources to be invested in data gathering are usually limited and observations should be collected based on their Value of Information (VoI). Assessing the VoI is computationally intractable for most applications involving sequential decisions, such as long‐term infrastructure maintenance. In this article, we propose an approach for integrating adaptive maintenance planning based on Partially Observable Markov Decision Process (POMDP) and inspection scheduling based on a tractable approximation of VoI. Two alternative myopic approaches, namely pessimistic and optimistic, are introduced, and compared theoretically and by numerical examples.     

Conservative laparoscopic management of a large cornual ectopic pregnancy

Cornual pregnancy traditionally has been treated with laparotomy and either cornual resection or hysterectomy. Recently, more conservative operations have been developed, and operative laparoscopy has provided yet another management option. This report describes the conservative management of a large cornual ectopic pregnancy and reviews the techniques and outcomes of conservative repair that have been described in the literature.     

Will smartwatches last? factors contributing to intention to keep using smart wearable technology

This study aims to deepen our understanding of the underlying factors affecting the intention to continue using increasingly popular wearable technology. A new theoretical model is developed and validated to extend traditional technology acceptance theories by identifying several value drivers of the continuous intention and actual usage of wearable devices. Hypotheses were tested using partial least squares path modeling on data collected from 383 actual smartwatch users. The results provide wearable device manufacturers with practical guidance for optimizing competition strategies. They also offer policy-making insights for practitioners to promote better wearable devices on the market, especially during the early stages of adoption.     

Compact tunable tri-band bandpass filter using varactor diodes for wireless fidelity,wireless local area network,and worldwide interoperability for microwaves access applications

The purpose of this paper is to present a tri-band bandpass filter (BPF) with compact structure. This filter consists of 50 Ω transmission line, varactor diode, positive-intrinsic-negative (PIN) diode, symmetrical square-shaped half-loop resonator pair, and three pairs of rectangular half circle that a T-stub is placed in it. By using the add PIN and varactor diodes in the proposed structure, it is possible to connect and disconnect each band, and change the central frequency up to 400 MHz. In addition, there is a situation to disconnect and connect all three bands simultaneously and asynchronously (unconditionally). This filter contains a low ripple value in all three bands. In this regard, the maximum ripple value does not exceed 0.3 dB and rejection is greater than 25 dB in total stop-band. An experimental tri-band BPF has been developed for wireless fidelity, wireless local area network, and worldwide interoperability for microwaves access applications. The measured results are properly accommodated with simulated results.