Selection of dispatching rules in FMS: ANP model based on BOCR with choquet integral

Scheduling policy which depends on selection of dispatching rules is one of the reasons which affect FMS’ productivity. Selection of a dispatching rule can only be based on one or two criteria such as processing time, due date, or system components at traditional methods such as mathematical programming, simulation, and heuristic algorithms. However, traditional methods have some weakness; the first one is about selection criteria based on only one dispatching rule or a few combination of the rules, the second one is related with not considering most of the manufacturing system information, and the last one is to deal with selection decision is not a dynamic structure. In this study, an analytical network process (ANP) model has been developed in order to eradicate these weaknesses. The model based on multiple criteria decision-making process. In addition, most of manufacturing system information have been employed, and it consists of a dynamic decision-making process. The proposed model has a comprehensive structure which consists of a company’s manufacturing criteria and macro-strategies. Although interdependence is accepted among criteria in ANP, non-interaction is assumed among them (i.e., additive measure). Because of existence of interactivities among criteria, a choquet integral has been adapted in an ANP model.     

Effect of production system on carcass measurements and meat quality of Kivircik lambs

Effect of production system on carcass and meat quality was investigated in four groups of lambs: i. W-C lambs were weaned between 45 and 60 days of age and then were fattened with concentrate feed until slaughter; ii. W-G-S lambs were weaned and then taken to pasture and wheat stubble; iii. UW-C lambs were fattened with concentrate feed and they suckled their dams until slaughter; iv. UW-G lambs were kept with their dams and were taken to pasture in the day-time. Hot carcass weight was 13.62, 12.52, 14.37 and 13.88 kg (P < 0.001), and dressing percentage was 55.24, 51.77, 57.83 and 55.38% (P < 0.001), for W-C, W-G-S, UW-C and UW-G lambs, respectively. Ultimate meat pH was higher in W-G-S lambs than lambs from W-C and UW-C systems (P < 0.05). W-G-S lambs had higher shear force value in longissimus dorsi muscle (P < 0.05) and lower meat lightness (P < 0.001) than those of other systems. Panellists gave the lowest sensory scores, except juiciness, to meat of W-G-S lambs.     

Novel phthalocyanines containing substituted salicyclic hydrazone-1,3-thiazole moieties: Microwave-assisted synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, X-ray structure and thermal characterization

Novel, metal-free and metallo(Cu, Co, Ni, Zn, Pb and Mn)phthalocyanine compounds were synthesized by exposure to microwave irradiation and the products purified. The newly prepared compounds were characterized using elemental analyses, IR, ¹H/¹³C NMR, ¹H–¹H COSY measurements, MS, UV–vis spectroscopy and DTA/TG analysis. The electronic spectra exhibited an intense π → π* transition with characteristic Q and B bands of the phthalocyanine core, as expected. All decomposition products obtained from DTA/TG analysis were identified; it was found that the thermal stability of each phthalocyanine compound followed the order: MnPc < Metal-free < ZnPc < PbPc < CuPc < CoPc < NiPc.     

Antenna array pattern nulling by controlling both amplitude and phase using modified touring ant colony optimization algorithm

This paper presents an efficient method, based on the modified touring ant colony optimization algorithm, for null steering of linear antenna arrays by controlling both the amplitude and the phase of array elements. The maximum sidelobe level, the null depth level and the dynamic range ratio are taken into account in the pattern synthesis. Simulation results for Chebyshev patterns with the imposed single, multiple and broad nulls are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Determination of volatile nitrosamines in grilled lamb and vegetables using comprehensive gas chromatography – Nitrogen chemiluminescence detection

The grilling of meat may generate dangerous levels of mutagenic and carcinogenic nitrosamines (NAs). Meat and vegetable samples underwent a two-step solid-phase extraction before analysis by comprehensive gas chromatography with a nitrogen chemiluminescence detection system (GCxGC-NCD). The GCxGC-NCD method showed high selectivity, sensitivity and equimolarity in its response to six specific NAs. NA contamination of charcoal-grilled lamb at various stages of cooking and with various fat contents and also charcoal-grilled vegetables were investigated. The grilling of lamb on unready charcoal resulted in the formation of considerable quantities of NAs. Grilling lamb on properly prepared, ready charcoal resulted in an increase in total concentrations of six NAs from 0 to 4.51 μg kg⁻¹ over a period of 16 min. Increasing the fat content of the grilled lamb from 5% to 20% caused a modest increase in total concentrations of the six investigated NAs from 4.51 to 5.30 μg kg⁻¹.     

Cheap Joint Probabilistic Data Association with Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System State Filter for Tracking Multiple Targets in Cluttered Environment

The cheap joint probabilistic data association (CJPDA) with the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system state filter (ANFISSF) is presented for tracking multiple targets in the presence of low and high cluttered environments. The state update step of the CJPDA filter (CJPDAF) is realized with the ANFISSF instead of Kalman filter. The adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) has the advantages of expert knowledge of fuzzy inference system and learning capability of neural networks. A hybrid learning algorithm, which combines the least square method and the backpropagation algorithm, is used to identify the parameters of ANFIS. The tracks estimated by using the method proposed in this paper for different tracking scenarios are in very good agreement with the original tracks.     

Neural models for quasi-static analysis of conventional and supported coplanar waveguides

Neural models based on multilayered perceptrons (MLPs) for computing the effective permittivities and the characteristic impedances of both the conventional coplanar waveguides (CCPWs) and the supported coplanar waveguides (SCPWs) are presented. Six learning algorithms, Levenberg–Marquardt (LM), Bayesian regularization (BR), quasi-Newton (QN), scaled conjugate gradient (SCG), conjugate gradient of Fletcher–Powell (CGF), and resilient propagation (RP), are used to train the MLPs. The results of neural models presented in this paper are compared with the results of the experimental works, the conformal mapping technique (CMT), the spectral domain approach (SDA), and three commercial electromagnetic simulators such as IE3D, CAPIND2D, and MMICTL. The neural results are in very good agreement with the theoretical and experimental results. When the performances of neural models are compared with each other, the best result is obtained from the MLPs trained by the LM algorithm.     

Ozonation as an Environmentally Friendly Method to Decolorize the Leather Products

In this study, ozonation as an environmentally friendly bleaching method was studied for decolorization of leather products. The effect of ozonation time (3, 5, 10, 15 and 30 min) and water pick-up value (WPV) (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%) were investigated on decolorization effect. For this aim, the color measurement and tensile strength tests were performed, and also structural changes were determined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) after ozonation process. The results of color measurements showed that 30 min for ozonation and 60% WPV were optimum parameters to obtain maximum decolorization effect. SEM images of the ozonated leathers showed some deformations on the collagen fibers and resulted with the slightly decreases in tensile strength of the products. On the other hand, decreases in the tensile strength values were not statistically important levels.     

Effective side length formula for resonant frequency of equilateral triangular microstrip antenna

A novel and accurate expression is obtained by employing the differential evolution algorithm for the effective side length (ESL) of the equilateral triangular microstrip antenna (ETMA). This useful formula allows the antenna engineers to accurately calculate the ESL of the ETMA. The computed resonant frequencies (RFs) show very good agreement with the experimental RFs when this accurate ESL formula is utilised for the computation of the RFs for the first five modes.     

Reactive-Power Compensation of Coal Mining Excavators by Using a New-Generation STATCOM

This paper deals with the development and implementation of a current-source-converter-based static synchronous compensator (CSC-STATCOM) applied to the volt-ampere-reactive (VAR) compensation problem of coal mining excavators. It is composed of a plusmn750-kVAR full-bridge CSC with selective harmonic elimination, a low-pass input filter tuned to 200 Hz, and a Delta/Y-connected coupling transformer for connection to medium-voltage load bus. Each power semiconductor switch is composed of an asymmetrical integrated gate commutated thyristor (IGCT) connected in series with a reverse-blocking diode and switched at 500 Hz to eliminate 5th, 7th, 11th, and 13th current harmonics produced by the CSC. Operating principles, power stage, design of dc link, and input filter are also described in this paper. It has been verified by field tests that the developed STATCOM follows rapid fluctuations in nearly symmetrical lagging and leading VAR consumption of electric excavators, resulting in nearly unity power factor on monthly basis, and the harmonic current spectra in the lines of CSC-STATCOM at the point of common coupling comply with the IEEE Std. 519-1992