Ultrasonic absorption and visco-relaxation study of poly(vinyl alcohol) aqueous solution. (A method for the determination of molecular weight)

Ultrasonic absorption and velocity measurements are reported on aqueous solutions of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PV-OH) of different molecular weights and concentrations obtained using a pulsed ultrasonic apparatus operating at 2 MHz and 303 K. The variations in these parameters as a function of concentration are interpreted in terms of changes in the magnitude of the contribution due to relaxation of the backbone and of the side chain acetyl groups. The results show an increase in velocity, density and viscosity with increase in molecular weight and concentration of PV-OH. In contrast the attenuation values decrease with increase in molecular weight. This suggests that interaction is occurring between PV-OH and water molecules. Deviation of the variation of the attenuation with concentration from the ‘ideal’ dilute solution behaviour at high concentration is ascribed to the effects of polymer-polymer interaction. The magnitude of the volume change associated with polymer-solvent interactions is estimated and discussed. A mathematical equation correlating the relaxation amplitude and the molecular weight of the polymer is suggested. This approach was applied to the calculation of the molecular weight of four unknown samples of PV-OH from their measured relaxation amplitudes. The results obtained agree well with those obtained from osmometry.     

Microstructure Study at Different Thicknesses of Disc-Shaped YBa2Cu3O7?x Prepared by FQMG Method

The flame-quench-melt-growth (FQMG) method was used for the preparation of bulk YBa₂Cu₃O_7?x (Y123). Both the superconducting and nonsuperconducting regions changing with thickness of superconducting sample were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and also observed at micrographs taken by the polarized optical microscope. It was observed that superconducting forming ratio which was examined for different thicknesses of the sample ranging from 6.54 to 1.58 mm strongly enhanced. This means that a region near the top surface of the sample contains more superconducting phase than the other regions. These observations would be helpful in designing and manufacturing the practical applications of YBCO systems.     

The future of security in Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks

This is a position paper on our views on security aspects of Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks (Secure WMSNs). It is meant to serve as a brief survey. But, more importantly, it gives a perspective on how we foresee the future of this research area, its main challenges, and its future trends. We believe that this paper will spur new discussions and research ideas among the researchers from both the industry and the academic world.     

Solving tangram puzzles: A connectionist approach

We present a connectionist approach for solving Tangram puzzles. Tangram is an ancient Chinese puzzle where the object is to decompose a given figure into seven basic geometric figures. One connectionist approach models Tangram pieces and their possible placements and orientations as connectionist neuron units which receive excitatory connections from input units defining the puzzle and lateral inhibitory connections from competing or conflicting units. the network of these connectionist units, operating as a Boltzmann Machine, relaxes into a configuration in which units defining the solution receive no inhibitory input from other units. We present results from an implementation of our model using the Rochester Connectionist Simulator. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Experimental and theoretical analysis of particle distribution in particulate metal matrix composites

Particle distribution in particulate metal matrix composites was investigated experimentally and theoretically. SiC reinforced Pb 20%Sn alloy mechanically was stirred and cast into a cylindrical mold by an inert gas pressure. Particle distribution in the cast is determined at several locations by sectioning and microscopic investigation techniques. The particle fraction is found to decrease along the axis of the mold. The regions close to the boundary wall are determined as the possible clustering areas. A mathematical model is developed to characterize flow of mixture of molten metal alloy and ceramic particles. The distribution of particles is estimated from the trajectories of representative particles with the Lagrangian point of view. The numerical results are reasonably suited with experimental data.     

The causality between energy consumption and economic growth in Turkey

This paper applies the causality test to examine the causal relationship between primary energy consumption (EC) and real Gross National Product (GNP) for Turkey during 1970–2006. We employ unit root tests, the augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) and the Philips–Perron (PP), Johansen cointegration test, and Pair-wise Granger causality test to examine relation between EC and GNP. Our empirical results indicate that the two series are found to be non-stationary. However, first differences of these series lead to stationarity. Further, the results indicate that EC and GNP are cointegrated and there is bidirectional causality running from EC to GNP and vice versa. This means that an increase in EC directly affects economic growth and that economic growth also stimulates further EC. This bidirectional causality relationship between EC and GNP determined for Turkey at 1970–2006 period is in accordance with the ones in literature reported for similar countries. Consequently, we conclude that energy is a limiting factor to economic growth in Turkey and, hence, shocks to energy supply will have a negative impact on economic growth.     

The Artificial Bee Colony algorithm in layer optimization for the maximum fundamental frequency of symmetrical laminated composite plates

In this study the layer optimization was carried out for maximizing the lowest (first) fundamental frequency of symmetrical laminated composite plates subjected to any combination of the three classical boundary conditions, and the applicability of the Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) algorithm to the layer optimization was investigated. The finite element method was used for calculating the first natural frequencies of the laminated composite plates with various stacking sequences. The ABC algorithm maximizes the first natural frequency of the laminated composite plate defined as an objective function. The optimal stacking sequences were determined for two layer numbers, twenty boundary conditions and two plate length/width ratios. The outer layers of the composite plate had a stiffness increasing effect, and as the number of clamped plate edges was increased both he stiffness and natural frequency of the plate increased. The optimal stacking sequences were in good agreement with those determined by the Ritz-based layerwise optimization method (Narita 2003: J. Sound Vibration 263 (5), 1005–1016) as well as by the genetic algorithm method combined with the finite element method.     

Application of the output dependent feature scaling in modeling and prediction of performance of counter flow vortex tube having various nozzles numbers at different inlet pressures of air, oxygen, nitrogen and argon

In this study, the performance of the counter flow type vortex tube with the input parameters including the nozzle number (N), the densities of inlet gases (air, oxygen, nitrogen, and argon) and the inlet pressure (P_inlet) has been modeled with the proposed hybrid method combining a novel data preprocessing called output dependent feature scaling (ODFS) and adaptive network based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) by using the experimentally obtained data. In the developed system, output parameter temperature gradient between the cold and hot outlets has been determined using input parameters comprising (P_inlet), (N), and the density of gases. In order to evaluate the performance of hybrid method, the mean absolute error (MAE), mean square error (MSE), root mean square error (RMSE), determination coefficient (R²), and Index of Agreement (IA) values have been used. The obtained results are 9.0670e-004 (MAE), 5.8563e-006 (MSE), 0.0024 (RMSE), 1.00 (R²), and 1.00 (IA) using the hybrid method.     

The optimization of welding parameters for friction stir spot welding of high density polyethylene sheets

Friction stir spot welding parameters affect the weld strength of thermoplastics, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) sheets. The strength of a friction stir spot weld is usually determined by a lap-shear test. For maximizing the weld strength, the selection of welding parameters is very important. This paper presents an application of Taguchi method to friction stir spot welding strength of HDPE sheets. An orthogonal array, the signal to noise ratio (S/N), and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) are employed to investigate friction stir welding parameter effects on the weld strength. From the ANOVA and the S/N ratio response graphs, the significant parameters and the optimal combination level of welding parameters were obtained. Experimental results confirmed the effectiveness of the method.