Effects of dust deposition from two major dust source regions of Iran on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production

In order to study the effects of dust on yield and yield components of wheat, an experiment was conducted in a factorial layout based on a randomized complete block design with three replicates in Mashhad, Iran in 2015. The experimental factors included the concentration of dust at three levels (0, 500 and 1500 μg.m^?3), the number of dust applications (one, two and three) and the type of dust. The results showed that biological yield, grain yield and harvest index significantly decreased and total soluble sugar content increased when plants were exposed to a 1500 μg.m^?3 dust concentration.     

Numerical Model for Reinforced Soil Segmental Walls under Surcharge Loading

The construction and surcharge loading response of four full-scale reinforced-soil segmental retaining walls is simulated using the program FLAC. The numerical model implementation is described and constitutive models for the component materials (i.e., modular block facing units, backfill, and four different reinforcement materials) are presented. The influence of backfill compaction and reinforcement type on end-of-construction and surcharge loading response is investigated. Predicted response features of each test wall are compared against measured boundary loads, wall displacements, and reinforcement strain values. Physical test measurements are unique in the literature because they include a careful estimate of the reliability of measured data. Predictions capture important qualitative features of each of the four walls and in many instances the quantitative predictions are within measurement accuracy. Where predictions are poor, explanations are provided. The comprehensive and high quality physical data reported in this paper and the lessons learned by the writers are of value to researchers engaged in the development of numerical models to extend the limited available database of physical data for reinforced soil wall response.     

Business model innovation driven by the internet of things technology,in internet service providers’ business context

Business model innovation (BMI) describes the efforts made by the business in finding new business logic or new ways of value creation. Technological change is deemed to be the main driver of BMI. This study focused on the emergence of the internet of things (IoT) as a technological driver of BMI in internet service providers’ (ISPs) business context, in the scope of wired access (WA) and fixed wireless access (FWA) providers, and addressed new ways of value creation for ISPs driven by IoT. To this end, a four-stage BMI process, including; initiation, ideation, integration, and evaluation, was used. In the implementation of the BMI process, we used the data extracted from the literature of IoT, BMI, and ISP business, as well as those obtained through interviews with experts. As a result of the process implementation, we identified possible ideas for the value creation of ISPs in the IoT domain, based on connectivity service providing, cloud service providing, technical solution providing, and business solution providing. Then, we proposed ISPs’ business models in the IoT domain, in accordance with the identified ideas, based on Hedman and Kalling’s ontology. To boost the validity of the proposed business models, the stress testing approach was recruited at the final stage of the BMI process. Implementing BMI, driven by IoT, in the ISPs’ context, reduces constraints imposed by the paucity of knowledge in both BMI and IoT, helps ISPs’ managers to anticipate and identify the IoT-based opportunities, and provides a starting point for further studies on new ways of value creation in other businesses in the telecom industry.

     

Heat transfer study on solid and porous convective fins with temperature-dependent heat generation using efficient analytical method

A simple and highly accurate semi-analytical method, called the differential transformation method（DTM）, was used for solving the nonlinear temperature distribution equation in solid and porous longitudinal fin with temperature dependent internal heat generation. The problem was solved for two main cases. In the first case, heat generation was assumed variable by fin temperature for a solid fin and in second heat generation varied with temperature for a porous fin. Results are presented for the temperature distribution for a range of values of parameters appearing in the mathematical formulation（e.g. N, εG, and G）. Results reveal that DTM is very effective and convenient. Also, it is found that this method can achieve more suitable results in comparison to numerical methods.     

Optimization of the fuel rod's arrangement cooled by turbulent nanofluids flow in pressurized water reactor (PWR)

In this paper, response surface methodology(RSM) based on central composite design(CCD) is applied to obtain an optimization design for the fuel rod's diameter and distance cooled by turbulent Al_2O_3–water nanofluid for a typical pressurized water reactor(PWR). Fuel rods and nanofluid flow between them are simulated 3D using computational fluid dynamics(CFD) by ANSYS-FLUNET package software. The RNG k–ε model is used to simulate turbulent nanofluid flow between the rods. The effect of different nanoparticles concentration is also investigated on the Nusselt number from heat transfer efficiency view point. Results reveal that when distance parameter(a) is in the minimum level and diameter parameter(r) is in the maximum possible level, cooling the rods will be better due to higher Nusselt number in this situation. Also, using the different nanoparticles on the cooling process confirms that Al_2O_3 averagely 17% and TiO_2 10% improve the Nusselt numbers.     

Optimizing Multiple-Pollutant Waste Load Allocation in Rivers: An Interval Parameter Game Theoretic Model

In this paper, a new methodology is developed for optimal multiple-pollutant waste load allocation (MPWLA) in rivers considering the main existing uncertainties. An interval optimization method is used to solve the MPWLA problem. Different possible scenarios for treatment of pollution loads are defined and corresponding treatment costs are taken into account in an interval parameter optimization model. A QUAL2Kw-based water quality simulation model is developed and calibrated to estimate the concentration of the water quality variables along the river. Two non-cooperative and cooperative multiple-pollutant scenario-based models are proposed for determining waste load allocation policies in rivers. Finally, a new fuzzy interval solution concept for cooperative games, namely, Fuzzy Boundary Interval Variable Least Core (FIVLC), is developed for reallocating the total fuzzy benefit obtained from discharge permit trading among waste load dischargers. The results of applying the proposed methodology to the Zarjub River in Iran illustrate its effectiveness and applicability in multiple-pollutant waste load allocation in rivers.     

Characteristics of ions in a magnetized plasma sheath with two species of positive ions

Using the hydrodynamic model, the effects of an external oblique magnetic field and the second ion species density on the characteristics of a three-component (electrons and two species of positive ions) plasma sheath are investigated. It is seen that depending on the magnetic induction of the external field, the velocity and the ion density distributions of both ion species begin to fluctuate. Furthermore, it is shown that density of the second ion species affects the amplitudes of these fluctuations. It is also found that the electrostatic potential of the sheath region depends on the density ratio of positive ion species and by increasing this ratio the electrostatic potential falls down.     

Experimental and Numerical Investigations on Softening Behavior of POM Under Cyclic Strain-Controlled Loading

In this paper, cyclic stress-strain behavior of POM was studied. Fatigue tests were carried out under symmetric uniaxial strain-controlled mode. In this case of loading conditions the material exhibited cyclic softening and with the increase of strain amplitude the total number of cycles to failure reduced dramatically. Additional fatigue tests were further performed under non-symmetrical uniaxial cyclic loading where specimens exhibited relaxation behavior and mean stress reached a zero value in continuous cycles. Experimental tests were performed using an INSTRON 8802 servo-hydraulic machine and the results obtained from the experiments were compared with numerical results. The numerical analysis was carried out by ABAQUS software using the following advanced plasticity models based on Von Mises criterion: isotropic hardening, linear kinematic hardening, and non-linear isotropic/kinematic hardening.     

The effect of ZIF-90 particle in Pebax/Psf composite membrane on the transport properties of CO2, CH4 and N2 gases by Molecular Dynamics Simulation method

Nowadays, mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) have considered by many researchers to overcome the problems of polymeric membranes. In addition, molecular dynamics (MD) and Monte Carlo (MC) simulation Methods are suitable tools for studying transport properties and morphology in MMMs. For this purpose, in this study using material studio 2017 (MS) software, the transport properties of CO₂, CH₄ and N₂ in Pebax, Psf neat Pebax/Psf composite and Pebax/Psf composite filled with ZIF-90 particles have been investigated. By adding Psf to Pebax matrix, the selectivity of CO₂/CH₄ and CO₂/N₂ gases has significantly increased. In addition, adding ZIF-90 particles to the Pebax/Psf composite increased the permeability of CO₂, CH₄ and N₂ compared to neat and composite membranes. The morphological properties of the membranes, such as the fractional free volume (FFV), radial distribution function (RDF), glass transition temperature (T_G), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and equilibrium density have calculated and acceptable results have obtained.