Solution of Helmholtz equation by Trefftz method

The application of the Trefftz method for calculating wave forces on offshore structures is presented. Indirect and direct formulations using complete and non-singular systems of Trefftz functions for the Helmholtz equation are posed in this paper. An effective technique using different interpolation functions for the velocity potential and wave force are suggested to improve the computational accuracy of the wave force. The numerical examples show that the present method is highly efficient and accurate.     

A Recursive Frequency Estimator Using Linear Prediction and a Kalman-Filter-Based Iterative Algorithm

This paper proposes a new Kalman-filter-based recursive frequency estimator for discrete-time multicomponent sinusoidal signals whose frequencies may be time-varying. The frequency estimator is based on the linear prediction approach and it employs the Kalman filter to track the linear prediction coefficients (LPCs) recursively. Frequencies of the sinusoids can then be computed using the estimated LPCs. Due to the coloredness of the linear prediction error, an iterative algorithm is employed to estimate the covariance matrix of the prediction error and the LPCs alternately in the Kalman filter in order to improve the tracking performance. Simulation results show that the proposed Kalman-filter-based iterative frequency estimator can achieve better tracking results than the conventional recursive least-squares-based estimators.     

Expressive Facial Gestures From Motion Capture Data

Human facial gestures often exhibit such natural stochastic variations as how often the eyes blink, how often the eyebrows and the nose twitch, and how the head moves while speaking. The stochastic movements of facial features are key ingredients for generating convincing facial expressions. Although such small variations have been simulated using noise functions in many graphics applications, modulating noise functions to match natural variations induced from the affective states and the personality of characters is difficult and not intuitive. We present a technique for generating subtle expressive facial gestures (facial expressions and head motion) semi‐automatically from motion capture data. Our approach is based on Markov random fields that are simulated in two levels. In the lower level, the coordinated movements of facial features are captured, parameterized, and transferred to synthetic faces using basis shapes. The upper level represents independent stochastic behavior of facial features. The experimental results show that our system generates expressive facial gestures synchronized with input speech.     

Corrosion Behavior of 316LN and 316 Stainless Steels During Long-term Exposure to Aerated 0.5 M NaCl Using Electrochemical Noise Technique

In the present work 316LN as well as 316 stainless steel (SS) coupons each of dimensions (0.025 × 0.018 × 0.006 m³) in well-polished condition were used as two nominal electrodes which were immersed in the aerated solution of 0.5 M NaCl. Correlated current and potential electrochemical noise (EN) signals were collected at 1 Hz sampling frequency for 1 h daily over a period of 30 days. The detrended EN data were used to calculate the noise resistance (R _N) as well as the spectral noise resistance at zero frequency (R _SN^o) values and other statistical parameters. To study the nature of pits and distribution of their diameters as well as depths, extensive observations of the pitted and the blank specimens were carried out using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). The current and the potential records of the two alloys showed distinct differences in their corrosion behavior. It was observed that within less than 4 h of immersion, 316SS showed signals indicative of unstable pitting and onset of stable pitting was noticed after 48 h of exposure. However, until about 24 h, 316LN showed just the random signals and unstable pitting was observed after 28 h. The signals clearly indicated continuous growth of the stable pits in 316SS as against the repassivation of the unstable pits in 316LN after 7 days exposure. It was observed that R _N values showed a continuous decrease in the case of 316SS, but were quite stable in the case of 316LN over the exposure period. Concurrent to these observations it was observed that 316SS specimen was extensively pitted. The frequency distributions of pit diameters as well pit depths were observed to be highest at 10-20 μm and 5-10 μm, respectively. However, pits with as large as 70-80 μm diameter and as deep as 20-25 μm too were observed. No pits were observed in case of 316LN even after 30 days of exposure, an observation that corroborates well with the stable R _N values. Thus, in the present investigation, the long-term tests using EN technique coupled with CLSM studies conclusively prove that many unstable pits initiated in 316SS turn into stable ones resulting in insidious localized corrosion attack whereas the unstable pits initiated in 316LN get passivated in the simulated coastal environment.     

Epoxy paint failure in B-52 fuel tanks: Part II. Influence of DIEGME concentration in the fuel on the failure process

A model has been proposed to explain the failure of the original BMS10-39 epoxy paint on upper vertical surfaces in B-52 fuel tanks. The model involves interaction of the paint with DIEGME, a fuel system ice inhibitor (FSII) in jet fuel, that is distilled from the liquid fuel. In this communication, distillation experiments used to support the model are refined to better match the mass transfer of vapor from fuel in a B-52 fuel tank at close to room temperature. The interaction of these lower temperature distillates with the paint affirms the earlier model. On the basis of these experiments it is proposed that paint failure may be controlled or eliminated by reducing the level of DIEGME in the fuel. Proposed changes in military jet fuel composition are detailed.     

A Convenient Synthesis of Some Coumarin Derivatives Using SnCl2 · 2H2O as Catalyst

Some substituted coumarins have been synthesized by von-Pechmann condensation using SnCl₂ · 2H₂O (10 mol %) as catalyst in ethanolic medium. The reactions are simple, easy in handling and environmentally benign.     

Production and structural features of a water-soluble polysaccharide from a mutant strain of Agrobacterium sp.

We have developed a mutant strain derived from Agrobacterium sp. ATCC 31750, which produces a water-soluble polysaccharide having potential utility to the food, feed, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. A high concentration of product (15 g/L) is obtained by 48 h cultivation of the mutant strain under optimized fermentation conditions. The water-soluble polysaccharide obtained from cultures of the mutant strain beta82 has Glc:Man:Gal in approximate molar ratios of 5.8:6.7:1.0. The molecular weight of the polysaccharide was determined to be approximately 1000 kDa by HPSEC analysis. Linkage analysis contained 3-Glcp, 3-Manp, terminal Glcp and terminal Manp, as well as a small proportion of 3- and 3,4-Galp, and 4,6-Manp residues. Based on analyses using FT-IR and ¹³C NMR spectrometers, most glycosidic bonds joining these sugar residues are of the α-type, and acetyl groups are apparently attached to the polymer chain at random.     

Effects of surfactant/silica and silica/cerium ratios on the characteristics of mesoporous Ce-MCM-41

Using the surfactant CTMABr (cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide) and cerium(IV) sulfate, mesoporous Ce-MCM-41 molecular sieves were produced under a hydrothermal condition with various surfactant/silica (surfactant/Si) and silica/cerium (Si/Ce) ratios. Changes to the structural traits caused by changing the molar ratios of both surfactant/Si and Si/Ce were investigated. XRD (X-ray diffraction), FT-IR (fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), and SEM (scanning electro microscopy) were used for the characterization of prepared mesoporous samples. Among the tested molar ratios, surfactant/Si ratio of 0.5 and 0.2 showed highest values of d_1 0 0 and intensity, respectively, for the Si-MCM-41. XRD analysis also identified a quintessential hexagonal structure of Ce-MCM-41 for the Si/Ce molar ratio higher than 40 (maintaining the surfactant/Si ratio at 0.2). When cerium content was increased to have the Si/Ce molar ratio of 20, the hexagonal structure of Ce-MCM-41 was collapsed due to the structural stress of substituted cerium. FT-IR results confirmed calcination of Ce-MCM-41 and the incorporation of Ce⁴⁺ ions of cerium sulfate into the silica surface with proper removal of the surfactant. Rod-like shape with rounded edges of the prepared Ce-MCM-41 samples was identified by SEM. These results suggest surfactant/Si ratio of 0.2 and Si/Ce ratio of 40 for the production of Ce-MCM-41 with the highest level of crystallinity.     

Generalized model of the formulation of the required composition of pitch-coke mixtures

Known methods of calculating the required compositions of pitch-coke mixtures in producing large graphitized electrodes are not widely used [1, 2]. This may be attributed to the multivariance of the problem, the probabilistic character of the technological operations, the lack of well-founded optimization criteria, and the sensitivity of the characteristics of the product to variation in the parameters of the initial materials and their ratios in the mixture. The only means of solving the problem is physical modeling, taking account of current computer capabilities.