Stimulus generalization and overinclusion in normal and schizophrenic subjects.

Compared 38 male and 12 female schizophrenics and a matched group of normals on a test of stimulus generalization, Epstein's Inclusion Test, and the Vocabulary subtest of the WAIS. Schizophrenics generalized significantly more than normal Ss (p     

A beam search-based algorithm and evaluation of scheduling approaches for flexible manufacturing systems

This paper presents a new algorithm for the flexible manufacturing system (FMS) scheduling problem. The proposed algorithm is a heuristic based on filtered beam search. It considers finite buffer capacity, routing and sequence flexibilities and generates machine and automated guided vehicle (AGV) schedules for a given scheduling period. A new deadlock resolution mechanism is also developed as an integral part of the proposed algorithm. The performance of the algorithm is compared with several machine and AGV dispatching rules using mean flow time, mean tardiness and makespan criteria. It is also used to examine the effects of scheduling factors (i.e., machine and AGV load levels, routing and sequence flexibilities, etc.) on the system performance. The results indicate that the proposed scheduling algorithm yields considerable improvements in system performance over dispatching rules under a wide variety of experimental conditions.     

Thin-layer drying characteristics of kurut, a Turkish dried dairy by-product

Kurut, which is made in villages of Eastern part of Turkey, is a sun‐dried dairy product. Thin‐layer drying behaviour of kurut at a temperature range of 35–60 °C, with 5 °C increments, and constant thickness of 0.5 cm and drying air velocity of 1.5 m s^?1 was determined in a convective type dryer. The data of sample weight, dry and wet‐bulb temperatures were recorded continuously during each experiment and drying curves obtained. The drying process took place in the falling rate period. Drying curves were then fitted to eleven mathematical models available in the literature to estimate a suitable model for drying of kurut. Two‐term model gave better predictions than other models and satisfactorily described the thin‐layer characteristics of kurut. The effective diffusivity varied from 2.444 × 10^?9 to 3.597 × 10^?9 m² s^?1 over the temperature range. The temperature dependence of diffusivity coefficient was described by the Arrhenius‐type relationship. The activation energy for moisture diffusivity was found to be 19.88 kJ mol^?1.     

Improvement of weldability of TRIP steels by use of in‐situ pre‐ and post‐heat treatments

Low alloy TRIP‐aided steels are very interesting for the automotive industry as they combine both a high strength and an excellent formability. Though the actually developed TRIP steels can be considered as low alloyed when compared to the first generations of steels exhibiting TRIP effect, due to their chemical composition, they still exhibit a quite high carbon equivalent. This is particularly detrimental for the weldability of those materials. After solidification, welds are very hard and can show a brittle behaviour. The hardness of the heat affected zone of the welds can even exceed 500HV and cold cracking phenomena is prone to occur. In the automotive industry, spot welding is the main joining process. During spot welding of TRIP steels, the interface between the plates can act like a notch and promote fracture of the weld. This is particularly dangerous when brittle welds are submitted to peel stresses. The aim of the paper is to demonstrate that a careful choice of the process parameters can significantly improve the resistance of the welds. The selection of the welding cycle parameters is far from being an easy task as many different parameters are involved. Therefore, a design of experiment methodology (DOE) was chosen to optimise the welding cycle for a cold‐rolled TRIP steel with a tensile strength above 700 MPa. Mechanical properties of the welds were significantly improved by use of pre‐ and post‐heat treatments. Those improved welding cycles were realised without excessive extension of the total weld cycle on a conventional spot welding machine. This means that the optimised welds can be obtained in the existing production lines without any additional investment or significant decrease in productivity.     

Smelting reduction of iron ore

On the basis of MIP development several process concepts for primary ironmaking technology were investigated. In the smelting reduction process described the reduction of iron ore occurs in three stages: in the first step the ore is preheated and prereduced in a cyclon-heat exchanger system. In the second step it is melted. The final reduction of the partially reduced and melted ore to metallic iron takes place in the MIP reactor.     

Plasma spray of biofunctional(Mg,Sr)-substituted hydroxyapatite coatings for titanium alloy implants

Plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite(HA) coatings have been widely utilized in load-bearing titanium alloy implants. In this study, Mg, Sr co-substituted HA((Mg, Sr)-HA) nano-scale powders have been synthesized, which are further used to prepare(Mg, Sr)-HA coatings on Ti-6 Al-4 V alloys in order to improve the biological functions. The average size of(Mg, Sr)-HA nano particles is ～75 nm. The average bonding strength for(Mg, Sr)-HA coating and samples after heat treatment at 500°C or 600°C for 3 h are26.17 ± 2.11 MPa, 36.07 ± 4.48 MPa and 37.07 ± 2.95 MPa, respectively. There is a significantly increase of bonding strength likely due to low residual stress after heated treatment. MC3 T3-E1 cells show a high proliferation rate when cultured with(Mg, Sr)-HA coating extract compared to the normal culture medium, which also exhibit large extension and deposition of extracellular matrices when adhered on the coating surfaces. Thus, these(Mg, Sr)-HA coatings show high bonding strength and improved biological functions, which offer promising future applications in the fields of orthopedics and dentistry.     

Synthesis of Ag‐NPs impregnated cellulose composite material: its possible role in wound healing and photocatalysis

Cellulose is the natural biopolymer normally used as supporting agent with enhanced applicability and properties. In present study, cellulose isolated from citrus waste is used for silver nanoparticles (Ag‐NPs) impregnation by a simple and reproducible method. The Ag‐NPs fabricated cellulose (Ag‐Cel) was characterised by powder X‐rays diffraction, Fortier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The thermal stability was studied by thermo‐gravimetric analysis. The antibacterial activity performed by disc diffusion assay reveals good zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by Ag‐Cel as compared Ag‐NPs. The discs also displayed more than 90% reduction of S. aureus culture in broth within 150 min. The Ag‐Cel discs also demonstrated minor 2,2‐diphenyl 1‐picryl‐hydrazyl radical scavenging activity and total reducing power ability while moderate total antioxidant potential was observed. Ag‐Cel effectively degrades methylene‐blue dye up to 63.16% under sunlight irradiation in limited exposure time of 60 min. The Ag‐NPs impregnated cellulose can be effectively used in wound dressing to prevent bacterial attack and scavenger of free radicals at wound site, and also as filters for bioremediation and wastewater purification.Inspec keywords: silver, nanoparticles, particle reinforced composites, nanocomposites, filled polymers, wounds, nanomedicine, biomedical materials, photochemistry, catalysis, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra, scanning electron microscopy, thermal stability, thermal analysis, antibacterial activity, dyes, wastewater treatment, contaminated site remediation, nanofabricationOther keywords: silver nanoparticles, impregnated cellulose composite, wound healing, photocatalysis, natural biopolymer, citrus waste, powder X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermal stability, thermo‐gravimetric analysis, antibacterial activity, disc diffusion assay, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, inhibition zone, broth, 2,2‐diphenyl 1‐picryl‐hydrazyl radical scavenging activity, total reducing power ability, total antioxidant potential, methylene‐blue dye, sunlight irradiation, wound dressing, bacterial attack, free radical scavenger, wastewater purification, bioremediation filters, wound site, time 60 min, Ag     

Spatial and temporal dynamics of land use pattern in Turkey: A case study in İnegöl

Recognition and understanding of landscape dynamics as a historical legacy of disturbances are necessary for sustainable management of forest ecosystems. This study analyzed forest dynamics and spatial–temporal changes in land use/land cover pattern in a sub-temperate like alluvial forest land with 1778 km² area along the Eagan Sea coast of Turkey (İnegöl). This area is studied by comparing Landsat images from 1987 to 2001 and evaluated with spatial analyses of forest cover type maps from 1972, 1983, 1993 to 2004 using GIS. The study investigated temporal changes of spatial structure of forest conditions over the period using Fragstats™.The results showed that the forested areas increased both in between 1972 and 1993 years (3.3%) and between 1987 and 2001 years (6.7%). In terms of spatial configuration, İnegöl forests are generally fragmented in the latter periods due to intensive forest utilization, illegal use, expansion of settlements and infrastructural development in the lowlands. Land use pattern significantly changed over time depending on a few factors such as unregulated management actions, social pressure and demographic movements. In conclusion, land use changes have developed in favor of forestry over time between 1972–1993 and 1987–2001. The study revealed that demographic movements have a minor effect on landscape dynamics. Both spatial and temporal changes and the factors affecting these changes should be determined for developing sustainable management of forest resources.     

A GA-based solution approach for balancing printed circuit board assembly lines

Printed circuit board (PCB) assembly lines consist of a number of different machines for mounting electronic components onto PCBs. While high-speed placement machines are employed to assemble standard components, so-called fine-pitch placement machines are used to mount complex electronic components with high precision and by use of specific nozzles. In this paper, we investigate a typical mass production environment where a single type of PCB is assembled in a line comprising high-speed as well as high-precision placement machines. The PCB assembly line balancing problem consists of assigning component feeders, each holding a specific electronic component type, and the corresponding placement operations to machines in the line so as to minimize the assembly cycle time. To solve this problem, a two-stage solution procedure based on genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed. In the first stage, component feeders are assigned to the placement machines with the objective of balancing the workload within the assembly line. A number of candidate solutions are then transmitted to the second stage, where specific machine optimization algorithms are applied to determine the feeder-slot assignment in the component magazine of the machines and the placement sequence of the various components. As a result, fine-tuned placement operation times are achieved which reflect the individual operation mode and the actual component setup of the placement machines. Finally, from the candidate solutions the one which minimizes the actual PCB assembly time is selected.