Novel Spectrally Efficient UWB Pulses Using Zinc and Frequency‐Domain Walsh Basis Functions

In this paper, two sets of spectrally efficient ultra‐wideband (UWB) pulses using zinc and frequency‐domain Walsh basis functions are proposed. These signals comply with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations for UWB indoor communications within the stipulated bandwidth of 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz. They also demonstrate high energy spectral efficiency by conforming more closely to the FCC mask than other UWB signals described in the literature. The performance of these pulses under various modulation techniques is discussed in this paper, and the proposed pulses are compared with Gaussian monocycles in terms of spectral efficiency, autocorrelation, crosscorrelation, and bit error rate performance.     

Simulation of pentane plant of Kermanshah oil refinery company

Pentane unit is one of the sub-units of Kermanshah oil refinery in which high purity pentane is produced through decomposing from Light Straight Run Gasoline (LSRG). The effects of the process variables, such as feed flow rate, feed entrance tray, feed temperature, and number of trays on the purity of n-pentane were investigated. It was found that the mean absolute percentage error for temperature, the pressure and composition of normal pentane were 0.944,1.492 and 1.28, respectively. Based on the results, using distillation, LSRG was decomposed into normal pentane of 97% using the two columns.     

An optimization study of a palm oil-based regional bio-energy supply chain under carbon pricing and trading policies

Biomass residues due to their low bulk density typically require frequent transportation from biomass plantations in rural areas to conversion bio-energy power plants. This issue contrasts with environmental protection strategies, especially when power plants are facing different carbon reduction policies that enforce them to emit less than a given specific carbon amount. Although several researchers have investigated bio-energy supply chains concerning environmental policies, the majority of studies have been devoted to strategic decisions over a single planning period. This paper presents a multi-period bio-energy supply chain under carbon pricing (carbon tax) and carbon trading (cap-and-trade) policies at the tactical planning level. A mixed-integer linear programming model was adopted to optimize the proposed regional oil-palm biomass-to-bio-energy supply chain planning model. The numerical results indicate that when carbon pricing is in place when carbon tax increases linearly, carbon emissions’ reductions have a nonlinear trend, whereas both cost increase and carbon emissions’ reductions have a relatively upward trend in the carbon trading scheme. This paper also presents the sensitivity analysis of the proposed model regarding cost, emissions’ generation and supply chain performance. Finally, the paper recommends several significant practical implications and policy-making insights for managers and policymakers.     

Employing secure coding practices into industrial applications: a case study

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) are the vital part of modern critical infrastructures. Recent attacks to ICS indicate that these systems have various types of vulnerabilities. A large number of vulnerabilities are due to secure coding problems in industrial applications. Several international and national organizations like: NIST, DHS, and US-CERT have provided extensive documentation on securing ICS; however proper details on securing software application for industrial setting were not presented. The notable point that makes securing a difficult task is the contradictions between security priorities in ICS and IT systems. In addition, none of the guidelines highlights the implications on modification of general IT security solutions to industrial settings. Moreover based on the best of our knowledge, steps to develop a successful real-world secure industrial application have not been reported. In this paper, the first attempts to employ secure coding best practices into a real world industrial application (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) called OpenSCADA is presented. Experiments indicate that resolving the vulnerabilities of OpenSCADA in addition to possible improvement in its availability, does not jeopardize other dimensions of security. In addition, all experiments are backed up with proper statistical tests to see whether or not, improvements are statistically significant.     

Structural analysis of reinforced concrete chimneys subjected to uncontrolled fire

We studied the behavior and residual structural capacity of reinforced concrete chimneys subjected to an uncontrolled fire. We used a combination of a heat transfer finite element model-to obtain the temporal distributions of temperature during the fire event-and the structural model of concrete chimney design provided by the American Concrete Institute (ACI 307-08). This approach allows estimating the reduction in the vertical (axial) strength and moment strength of the chimney both during a fire and post-fire, and gives a direct estimate of the reduction in the safety factors of the concrete chimney. Using this method, we examined the impact of various design parameters on the residual structural capacity of a concrete chimney subjected to an internal fire. An iterative finite element method was also presented as an alternative to the ACI 307 calculations. Moreover, finite element calculations were used to study the role of thermal stresses on the axial strength of the chimney during fire. Our study provides insight into possible failure mechanisms of concrete chimneys damaged due to fire and could suggest possible approaches for minimizing the risk of chimney failure due to an uncontrolled fire.     

Bioactive whey peptide particles: An emerging class of nutraceutical carriers

Whey-based diets have been linked with prolonged life expectancy and improved physical performance. These observations based on numerous clinical and simulated studies are attributed to diverse biological activities of whey peptides. Recently, bioactive whey peptides were exploited for enveloping nutraceuticals and drugs in view of fabricating capsules that the carrier matrix is also bioactive.

Some of the most considered bioactivities of whey peptides including antihypertension, antioxidant, anti-obesity, anti-diabetes, and hypocholesterolemic properties with corresponding underlying mechanisms are briefly discussed. Then, we overview the supramolecular and gelation-prompted encapsulation of nutraceuticals with whey proteins, followed by summarizing recent developments in utilization of synthetic peptides for gene and drug delivery. Finally, particulation of bioactive whey peptides are communicated.

Whey peptides may exert both biologically beneficial and technologically appreciated activities. Two procedures including desolvation and internal gelation have been so far employed for bioactive peptides particulation. Crosslinking is a prerequisite to confer acid-induced cold-set gelation to bioactive peptides. It also increases peptides Fe³⁺-reducing power. Surface activity of a population of peptides in whey protein hydrolysate may result in co-adsorption of the peptides together with small molecule surfactants onto oil–water interface, leading to modulated interfacial architecture and particle morphology.     

PIV measurements for a complex topographic terrain

Particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements are performed on a 1:3000 scale model of complex topographic area. Three distinct topographic features are investigated: a valley, a ridge and a 3D hill.PIV performs well in capturing two-dimensional mean and turbulent velocity fields both horizontally and vertically over extended areas with an approx. 5 m full-scale resolution. The results show that while for the valley and hill cases the flow is relatively well correlated over large spatial extends, the ridge flow is strongly influenced by both local and major topographies.The PIV measurements compare well with hot-wire-based mean velocity profiles for the three cases. Moreover, the turbulence intensity profiles match well for flow regions without recirculation. The ridge wake region shows discrepancies between the two techniques, which are attributed to the complexity of the flow in this region and limitations of both techniques.