Multi-objective optimization of an axial compressor blade

Numerical optimization with multiple objectives is carried out for design of an axial compressor blade. Two conflicting objectives, total pressure ratio and adiabatic efficiency, are optimized with three design variables concerning sweep, lean and skew of blade stacking line. Single objective optimizations have been also performed. At the data points generated by D-optimal design, the objectives are calculated by three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes analysis. A second-order polynomial based response surface model is generated, and the optimal point is searched by sequential quadratic programming method for single objective optimization. Elitist non-dominated sorting of genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) with ε-constraint local search strategy is used for multi-objective optimization. Both objective function values are found to be improved as compared to the reference one by multi-objective optimization. The flow analysis results show the mechanism for the improvement of blade performance.     

Wear and friction of Al–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> composites at various sliding speeds

The present study addresses the dry wear behavior of Al₂O₃ 6061 Aluminum particulate composite under different sliding speeds and applied load using pin-on-disk tribometer at room temperature. Three grades of the submicron particle composites containing 10, 20, and 30 vol.% Al₂O₃ were tested. The results illustrate that higher load and higher concentration of Al₂O₃ particles lead to higher wear rates. For 10 and 20% Al₂O₃ concentrations, the wear rate decreases with increasing sliding speed, while it increases for 30% Al₂O₃. The surface morphologies of the worn composites indicate that at lower sliding speeds abrasion is dominant, while at higher sliding speeds delamination and adhesion increases. Results also indicate that the friction coefficient between the composite and the mating steel surface decreases with increasing sliding speed to a steady state.     

Quantum dots: synthesis, bioapplications, and toxicity

Ferrite nanoparticles of basic composition Ni_0.7-x Zn _x Cu_0.3Fe₂O₄ (0.0 ?? x ?? 0.2, x = 0.05) were synthesized through auto-combustion method and were characterized for structural properties using X-ray diffraction [XRD], scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy [FT-IR]. XRD analysis of the powder samples sintered at 600°C for 4 h showed the cubic spinel structure for ferrites with a narrow size distribution from 28 to 32 nm. FT-IR showed two absorption bands (v ₁ and v ₂) that are attributed to the stretching vibration of tetrahedral and octahedral sites. The effect of Zn doping on the electrical properties was studied using dielectric and impedance spectroscopy at room temperature. The dielectric parameters (??', ????, tan??, and ?? _ac) show their maximum value for 10% Zn doping. The dielectric constant and loss tangent decrease with increasing frequency of the applied field. The results are explained in the light of dielectric polarization which is similar to the conduction phenomenon. The complex impedance shows that the conduction process in grown nanoparticles takes place predominantly through grain boundary volume. PACS: 75.50.Gg; 78.20; 77.22.Gm.     

Acetanilide-loaded injectable hydrogels with enhanced bioactivity and biocompatibility for potential treatment of periodontitis

Chronic periodontitis poses long-term challenges in dentistry, requiring the development of innovative dental composites with biocompatibility, bone regeneration, and antibacterial properties. This study focuses on synthesis of novel injectable thermoresponsive hydrogels composed of chitosan, sodium bicarbonate, bioactive glass (20 and 40% w/w), and acetanilide drug (0.3 and 0.6% w/w). These hydrogels exhibit a sol–gel transition at 37°C, addressing periodontal challenges with reduced gelation time. The smooth flow characteristic was evaluated through 17-22 gauge syringe needles at low temperature. Rheological studies demonstrated pseudoplastic behavior, with viscosity decreasing as shear rate increases. Fourier transform infrared and x-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the bioactivity of hydrogels, forming a bone-like apatite layer in simulated body fluid. The drug-loaded hydrogels demonstrated promising in vitro antibacterial properties against dental pathogens, specifically Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Drug dissolution analysis revealed relatively high release rate at 37°C, highlighting its role in rapidly eliminating bacterial colonies at the target site, while the subsequent sustained release contributes to the prevention of infection recurrence. Finally, biocompatibility was assessed with fibroblast, where the cells were observed anchoring into the polymeric chains of hydrogel through extended filopodia.     

A 0.5–1 GHz single stage linear-in-decibel VGA with 80 dB gain range in 0.18 μm CMOS

Communication systems require a wide gain range. For example the code-division multiple access system (CDMA) requires more than 80 dB of gain range so that, many variable gain amplifiers (VGAs) must be used, resulting in high power consumption and low linearity because of VGA non-linearity factors. In this paper, a one-stage VGA in 0.18 μm technology is presented. The VGA based on the class AB power amplifier is designed and simulated for a high linearity and an 80 dB tuning range. For the linear-in-decibel tuning range, transistors in sub-threshold region is used. The current control circuit of the VGA changes gain continuously from ?68 to 18 dB at 0.5 GHz and ?60 to 20 dB at 1 GHz with gain error of less than 2 dB. The power consumption enjoys a highest value about 13.5 mW in the maximum gain and P1dB is also about ?3.4 dBm at 0.5 GHz and 2.2 dBm at 1 GHz.     

Experimental and finite element analysis of EDM process and investigation of material removal rate by response surface methodology

In this study, thermal modeling and finite element simulation of electrical discharge machining (EDM) has been done, taking into account several important aspects such as temperature-dependent material properties, shape and size of the heated zone (Gaussian heat distribution), energy distribution factor, plasma flushing efficiency, and phase change to predict thermal behavior and material removal mechanism in EDM process. Temperature distribution on the cathode has been calculated using ANSYS finite element code, and the effect of EDM parameters on heat distribution along the radius and depth of the workpiece has been obtained. Temperature profiles have been used to calculate theoretical material removal rate (MRR) from the cathode. Theoretically calculated MRRs are compared with the experimental results, making it possible to precisely determine the portion of energy that enters the cathode for AISI H13 tool steel. Also in this paper, the effect of EDM parameters on MRR has been investigated by using the technique of design of experiments and response surface methodology. Finally, a quadratic polynomial regression model has been proposed for MRR, and the accuracy of this model has been checked by means of analysis of residuals.     

Intelligent distributed simulation and control of power plants

This paper presents summaries of five research and development activities in intelligent distributed simulation and control of power plants which were presented in a panel session of the same name at the IEEE Power Engineering Society Winter Meeting on February 6, 1997 in New York City. Each of the panelists discussed methods of how they have incorporated intelligent systems techniques into their research and development efforts in power plant control. The panel was organized by the Working group on intelligent methods in station control, station control subcommittee, and the energy development and power generation committee of the IEEE power engineering society     

An efficient method for terminal and multiterminal pathset enumeration

The literature is abundant with algorithms for determining separately the paths for the single terminal pair, paths for multiterminal pairs and cuts for a specified terminal pair of any network, from knowledge of the reliability logic diagram (RLD). However, very few methods are available as efficient algorithms for enumerating simultaneously the paths between any single terminal pair, paths for multiterminal pairs and cuts for the specified terminal pair.The present paper provides a conceptually simple and computationally efficient algorithm to obtain simultaneously the paths between any single pair of terminals, paths for multiterminal pairs and the cuts for the specified terminal pair of interest of any complex network. The algorithm is easy and computationally economical and also applicable to graphs having both nodes and branches of finite non-zero failure probability.An illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.     

Pharmacophore Synergism in Diverse Scaffold Clinches in Aurora Kinase B

Aurora kinase B (AKB) is a crucial signaling kinase with an important role in cell division. Therefore, inhibition of AKB is an attractive approach to the treatment of cancer. In the present work, extensive quantitative structure–activity relationships (QSAR) analysis has been performed using a set of 561 structurally diverse aurora kinase B inhibitors. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines were used to develop a QSAR model that has high statistical performance (R²_tr = 0.815, Q²_LMO = 0.808, R²_ex = 0.814, CCC_ex = 0.899). The seven-variable-based newly developed QSAR model has an excellent balance of external predictive ability (Predictive QSAR) and mechanistic interpretation (Mechanistic QSAR). The QSAR analysis successfully identifies not only the visible pharmacophoric features but also the hidden features. The analysis indicates that the lipophilic and polar groups—especially the H-bond capable groups—must be present at a specific distance from each other. Moreover, the ring nitrogen and ring carbon atoms play important roles in determining the inhibitory activity for AKB. The analysis effectively captures reported as well as unreported pharmacophoric features. The results of the present analysis are also supported by the reported crystal structures of inhibitors bound to AKB.     

Application of dynamical system scaling method on simple gravity-driven draining process

Scaling analysis is widely used in the design of nuclear reactor passive safety systems to ensure that the scale-down test facilities can accurately capture the important phenomena in the prototypic system. In this study, the scaling distortion of a gravity-driven draining system has been analyzed with Hierarchical Two-Tiered Scaling (H2TS) method, based on the initial static characteristic values. In the draining process, however, the key parameters may vary with respect to time, leading to a certain level of scaling distortion. To evaluate the time-dependent scaling distortion, a Dynamical System Scaling (DSS) method is applied. Through comparisons of scaling results of the two scaling methods, it is concluded that the H2TS method can effectively scale the gravity-driven draining process in different geometric sizes, if the variations in the friction factor is negligible. As the draining process slows down, accompanied by an increase in the friction factor, the distortions in water level and in discharge velocity become significant, especially at the end of the draining process in a model of relatively small geometry size. This preliminary study demonstrated the process of scaling distortion analysis using the DSS identity method, and could shed light to the scaling distortion evaluation of testing programs.