Parametric meshless Galerkin method

In meshless methods, generation of meshless shape functions is usually a complicated and time‐consuming task. In this paper, a new meshless method called parametric meshless Galerkin method (PMGM) is presented. In this method, meshless shape functions are constructed on meshless parametric domains (MPD), before running to solve the problem. For modelling the new problems, MPDs are mapped to the physical space. Therefore the shape functions constructing time can be saved. Mapping is simply performed by defining a linear function. Also, the integration grids are defined in the MPD and it is not necessary to create background integration grids separately for each problem. The method is described for two‐dimensional problems, but it can be applied to three‐dimensional problems in the same way. It is shown that using the PMGM, a time saving as much as 21% is achieved with respect to the element‐free Galerkin method for the numerical examples and the obtained results show efficiency and convergence of the method. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Design, manufacture and evaluation of a new and simple mechanism for transmission of power between intersecting shafts up to 135 degrees (Persian Joint)

This paper introduces a new mechanism which is designed for the transmission of power between two intersecting shafts. The mechanism consists of one drive shaft and one driven shaft, six guide arms, and three connecting arms. The intersecting angle between the input shaft and the output shaft can be varied up to 135° while the velocity ratio between the two shafts remains constant. The research also includes a kinematic analysis and a simulation using Visual NASTRAN, Autodesk Inventor Dynamic and COSMOS Motion. The softwares showed that this mechanism can transmit constant velocity ratios at all angles between two shafts. By comparing the graphs of analytical analysis and simulation analysis, validity of equations was proved. Finally, by fabrication and evaluation of the mechanism it was shown that this mechanism can transmit constant velocity practically.     

Integrated Fuzzy DEA-ANFIS to Measure the Success Effect of Human Resource Spirituality

Workplace spirituality has gained attention as it is proven to be a contributor to organizational performance improvement. This paper aims to assess the impact of human resource spirituality on the success of organizational strategic change projects. The success of the projects is measured by the well-known criterion of deviation from the planned budget cost. Data collection is based on a questionnaire survey of 252 personnel in 36 large and medium-scale organizational change projects in power industry. The paper proposes an integrated algorithm of fuzzy data envelopment analysis (FDEA) and adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) for measuring the pure effect of human resource spirituality on the success of organizational change projects in the power industry. It also achieves a verified tool capable of addressing complexity, nonlinearity, ambiguity, and fuzziness for measuring spirituality of human resources in the projects. Results show that spirituality of the project team has a significant effect on project success.     

Effect of Iron sulfate as electrolyte additive on plasma electrolytic oxidation of aluminum alloy

This study has been carried out to investigate the incorporation of Iron(II) sulfate as an additive of electrolyte on formed AA1010 aluminum alloy, using plasma electrolytic oxidation method in silicate-based electrolytes containing Iron(II) sulfate. In order to fabricate nanocomposite coating, silicon nitride nanopowder was added to electrolyte. The effects of iron(II) sulfate additive on the voltage-time trend, microstructure, compositions, wear, and corrosion resistances of PEO coatings were investigated. In addition, current density and concentration of additive were studied as parameters that were effective on coating. Results showed that although FeSO₄ enters to the coating structure, but it does not develop a new phase. The corrosion and wear behavior of coated samples with FeSO₄ indicate an improvement as compared to those without additive.     

Microencapsulation of Nigella sativa seeds oil containing thymoquinone by spray‐drying for functional yogurt production

The present work reports on the microencapsulation of Nigella sativa seeds oil containing thymoquinone (TQ) by spray‐drying, using modified starch (MS) and maltodextrin (MD) mixture as wall materials aimed at producing functional yogurt. First, the impact of different ratios of MS/MD on microencapsulation efficiency (ME) and TQ retention was investigated. The highest ME (90.10%) was found in microcapsules prepared from emulsion with 80/20 ratio of MS/MD; however, the microcapsules prepared with 50/50 ratio was selected for considering TQ stability under storage conditions and functional yogurt production due to an acceptable ME (89.48%) and better TQ retention (61.12%). The results showed that the microcapsules stored at refrigerator temperature had the highest content of TQ after 4 weeks. Moreover, the results of chemical and sensory analysis suggest that N. sativa seeds oil microcapsules can be used for producing functional yogurt due to high stability of TQ and proper chemical and sensory properties.     

Available and Waiting Times for Cognitive Radios

Cognitive radios (CRs) have been recently proposed for the problem of spectrum scarcity. The principle of CRs?? operation is based on the opportunistic access to the frequency spectrum mainly dedicated to primary users (PUs). The statistical time pattern of PUs?? channel usage and arrival can affect the usability of specific frequency bands for CRs. In this note, the effect of the arrival rate and channel holding time of PUs on the available times for CRs is analyzed. To this end, first, based on Poissonian arrivals, the available time for CRs is calculated. Then, assuming a gamma distribution for the inter-arrival times and a uniform distribution of channel holding time of PU in these intervals, the probability density function and moments of the available time for CRs are derived. Next, the effect of PUs statistical parameters on the average number of packets and the average symbol rate that a CR can transmit is analyzed. Also, taking that CR needs at least T seconds, the average waiting time is calculated.     

Reservoir volume optimization and performance evaluation of rooftop catchment systems in arid regions: A case study of Birjand,Iran

This study evaluated the performance of rooftop catchment systems in securing non-potable water supply in Birjand, located in an arid area in southeastern Iran. The rooftop catchment systems at seven study sites of different residential buildings were simulated for dry, normal, and wet water years, using 31-year rainfall records. The trial and error approach and mass diagram method were employed to optimize the volume of reservoirs in five different operation scenarios. Results showed that, during the dry water year from 2000 to 2001, for reservoirs with volumes of 200–20000 L, the proportion of days that could be secured for non-portable water supply was on average computed to be 16.4%–32.6% across all study sites. During the normal water year from 2009 to 2010 and the wet water year from 1995 to 1996, for reservoirs with volumes of 200–20000 L, the proportions were 20.8%–69.6% and 26.8%–80.3%, respectively. Therefore, a rooftop catchment system showed a high potential to meet a significant portion of non-potable water demand in the Birjand climatic region. Reservoir volume optimization using the mass diagram method produced results consistent with those obtained with the trial and error approach, except at sites #1, #2, and #5. At these sites, the trial and error approach performed better than the mass diagram method due to relatively high water consumption. It is concluded that the rooftop catchment system is applicable under the same climatic conditions as the study area, and it can be used as a drought mitigation strategy as well.     

Thermo-mechanical vibration analysis of rotating nonlocal nanoplates applying generalized differential quadrature method

In this study, thermal and small-scale effects on the flapwise bending vibrations of a rotating nanoplate, which can be the basis of nano-turbine design, have been analyzed. The nano-turbine is made of an orthotropic nanoplate with a setting angle that is modeled based on the classical plate theory (CPT) with cantilever boundary conditions. The axial forces are also included in the model as the true spatial variation due to the rotation and temperature change. The governing equations and boundary conditions are derived according to Hamilton's principle and the governing equations are solved with the aid of the generalized differential quadrature method. The effects of small-scale parameter, nondimensional angular velocity, temperature change, and setting angles in the first four nondimensional frequencies are discussed. Due to the consideration of the rotating effects, results of this study are applicable in nano-machines, such as nano-motors, nano-rotor, and other rotating nano-structures. Also, by considering the effect of thermal loading on rotation of a nanoplate, the results are useful in the design of nano-turbines.     

Mechanism of Martensitic to Equiaxed Microstructure Evolution during Hot Deformation of a Near-Alpha Ti Alloy

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - In this study, mechanisms of microstructural evolution during hot deformation of Ti-1100 were investigated by EBSD analysis. Misorientation angle...