A fuzzy decision tree method for fault classification in the steam generator of a pressurized water reactor

This paper extends a method previously introduced by the authors for building a transparent fault classification algorithm by combining the fuzzy clustering, fuzzy logic and decision trees techniques. The baseline method transforms an opaque, fuzzy clustering-based classification model into a fuzzy logic inference model based on linguistic rules which can be represented by a decision tree formalism. The classification model thereby obtained is transparent in that it allows direct interpretation and inspection of the model. An extension in the procedure for the development of the fuzzy logic inference model is introduced to allow the treatment of more complicated cases, e.g. splitted and overlapping clusters. The corresponding computational tool developed relies on a number of parameters which can be tuned by the user to optimally compromise the level of transparency of the classification process and its efficiency. A numerical application is presented with regards to the fault classification in the Steam Generator of a Pressurized Water Reactor.     

Coat of Arctic Fox (Alopex lagopus L.) of Different Genetic Groups in Micro- and Macroscopic Studies and in DSC Investigations

The objective of this research project was to compare in different genetic groups of arctic foxes the composition of the coat, hair length, and thickness as well as the medulla of four hair types but, primarily, to investigate the hair of the two layers of the coat hair (the underhair and the overcoat) using, for this purpose, the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method. Generally speaking, Finnish foxes were characterized by the most favorable indices of these traits. Different proportions of genes exerted a different impact on the level of these traits.     

A new method to compare planned and achieved position of an orthopaedic implant

The present study describes an automatic method to evaluate the efficacy of a computer aided orthopaedic surgery system by comparing the position of the joint implant, as derived from post-operative computed tomography (CT) scans, to that planned by the surgeon before the operation. The method relies on two spatial registrations, one to align the post-operative femur with the pre-operative femur, the second to compute the planned versus achieved (PVA) accuracy as the roto-translation that registers the pre-operative implant position with the post-operative position. Two surface registration algorithms (a generic average distance minimisation and the specialised iterative closest point (ICP) method) were comparatively evaluated first on a set of test cases to measure the absolute accuracy and robustness with respect to peculiar situations such as a distant starting point. The average distance method failed the registration of one test case and showed peak errors of 0.97 degrees on the rotations and 3.09 mm on the translations. The ICP method was found much more efficient and was able to register all test cases. The peak error was 0.44 degrees on the rotations and 0.67 mm on the translations. The ICP method was then used to compute the PVA accuracy on six clinical cases treated with a CT-based planning system in combination with conventional surgical procedures. The method successfully processed all cases demonstrating the efficacy of the proposed procedure in the specific application.     

Dynamic light scattering in subdiffusive regimes

For describing the fluctuating signal scattered from a multiple-scattering system, diffusive-wave spectroscopy makes use of a diffusion model that provides the path-length distribution of scattered waves for a specific geometry. Using the recently introduced optical path-length spectroscopy, we show that the diffusion model fails to describe wave propagation in the low-order multiple-scattering regime. We propose a new methodology with which to obtain information about the dynamic properties of nondiffusive scattering systems. We use optical path-length spectroscopy to obtain experimentally the path-length distribution of optical waves scattered from dynamic colloids, which are multiply scattering but not in the diffusion limit. The experimental results show that, with this new technique, the accuracy of dynamic measurements is significantly improved in subdiffusive scattering regimes.     

Interference suppressing OFDM UWB system with multiple users and MMSE receivers

In this letter we extend the use of interference suppressing (IS) OFDM UWB system from single user to multiuser scenarios. Multiple access capabilities are obtained by employing Multi-Carrier (MC) CDMA in the transmitter along with MMSE multiuser receivers. We illustrate the performance of the multiuser IS-OFDM UWB system with numerical results obtained from simulations.     

A suggested method for reporting landslide remedial measures

 A brief list of landslide remedial measures is presented and a format for reporting landslide remediation is suggested. They make useful additions to the Landslide Report proposed by the International Union of Geological Sciences Working Group on Landslides (formerly the International Geotechnical Societies' UNESCO Working Party on World Landslide Inventory).     

Comparative Study of TiAu-Based TES Microcalorimeters with Different Geometries

Seven microcalorimeters with different geometries have been tested and their performance is compared. The study, for TiAu TESs with a Cu absorber, indicates the presence of so-called constant voltage noise and internal thermal fluctuation noise. The constant voltage noise is not changed by a normal metal pattern on the TES, or by a magnetic field. The energy resolution of the detectors, having different heat capacities, is 2.5 and 5.0 eV (at 5.9 keV).      

The kinetics of dyeing: a non-isothermal approach

Non-isothermal kinetics can prove to be an effective tool for investigating exhaustion curves. Applying non-isothermal methods of analysis to exhaustion data for disperse dyes on polyester, it was shown that the intimate mechanism cannot be covered by a unique kinetic function, as the mechanism seems to be composed of several stages, each with its own kinetics. As a consequence, the overall kinetics change with both temperature and heating rate. It is suggested that such an analysis should be performed each time before proposing kinetic functions to fit the experimental data. Non-isothermal kinetic analysis also proves the impossibility of designing temperature-raising programmes that will ensure isoreactive dyeing for a blend of two or more dyes.     

A virtual-reality-based telerehabilitation system with forcefeedback

A PC-based orthopedic rehabilitation system was developed for use at home, while allowing remote monitoring from the clinic. The home rehabilitation station has a Pentium II PC with a graphics accelerator, a Polhemus tracker and a multi-purpose haptic control interface. This novel interface is used to sample a patient's hand positions and to provide resistive forces using the Rutgers Master II (RMII) glove. A library of virtual rehabilitation routines was developed using WorldToolKit software. At the present time, it consists of three physical therapy exercises (DigiKey, ball and Power Putty) and two functional rehabilitation exercises (peg board and ball game). These virtual reality exercises allow automatic and transparent patient data collection into an Oracle database. A remote Pentium II PC is connected with the home-based PC over the Internet and an additional video conferencing connection. The remote computer runs an Oracle server to maintain the patient database, monitor progress and change the exercise level of difficulty. This allows for patient progress monitoring and repeat evaluations over time. The telerehabilitation system is undergoing clinical trials at Stanford Medical School, with progress being monitored from Rutgers University. Other haptic interfaces currently under development include devices for elbow and knee rehabilitation connected to the same system     

Refrigerant charge reduction: On a new design optimization criterion for compact heat exchangers

With refrigerant charge reduction concern we introduce a new criterion, the so-called Ecological Cost (EC), and establish its relevance for HEXs design optimization. EC takes into account both entropy generation in the HEX and its refrigerant charge by the special environment cost values c and c’. EC minimization is conducted with given heat flux rate or given temperature difference. Results show that optimal design value depends on device life duration and on c/c’ Leakage effect can also be included in EC. We establish a link between EC and TEWI and show that optimal EC leads to optimal TEWI. We deal in the second part of this paper with volumes optimal allocation of cold and hot heat exchangers under given total volume or total refrigerant fluid mass constraint when assuming reversible cycle.