Research directions for service-oriented multiagent systems

Today's service-oriented systems realize many ideas from the research conducted a decade or so ago in multiagent systems. Because these two fields are so deeply connected, further advances in multiagent systems could feed into tomorrow's successful service-oriented computing approaches. This article describes a 15-year roadmap for service-oriented multiagent system research.     

Effect of Preform Compaction Pressure on the Final Microstructures and Superconducting Properties of YBa2Cu3O7−δ Superconductors Fabricated by Directionally Solidified Preform Optimized Infiltration Growth Process

Bulk YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ (YBCO, Y-123) superconductors with reasonable critical current densities J _c are successfully fabricated in relatively short-time durations employing Directionally Solidified Preform Optimized Infiltration Growth Process (DS-POIGP). The effect of preform compaction pressure, applied to Y₂BaCuO₅ (Y-211) preform prior to the infiltration of liquid phases, on the end microstructures and current densities is investigated. It is found that a preform compaction pressure of 460 MPa resulted in samples with superior microstructures and superconducting properties. YBCO sample fabricated by DS-POIGP under optimized conditions revealed presence of fine-sized Y-211 particles distributed uniformly in the matrix of Y-123 causing large interfacial defect density (Y-211/Y-123). Extensive twinning on a nano-scale with twins in the size range of 40–100 nm is observed in the optimized sample. These microstructural parameters enabled a considerable improvement in the field dependence of J _c . Irreversibility fields greater than 5.5 Tesla even at 77 K are achieved in the optimized sample fabricated by DS-POIGP.     

Design of pattern recognition system for static security assessment and classification

Static security analysis is an important study carried out in the control centers of electric utilities. Static security assessment (SSA) is the process of determining whether the current operational state is in a secure or emergency (insecure) state. Conventional method of security evaluation involves performing continuous load flow analysis, which is highly time consuming and infeasible for real-time applications. This led to the application of pattern recognition (PR) approach for static security analysis. This paper presents a more efficient design of a PR system suitable for on-line SSA. The feature selection stage in the PR system uses many algorithms to select the optimal feature set. This paper proposes the use of Support Vector Machine (SVM), a recently introduced machine learning tool, in the classifier design stage of PR system. The developed PR system is implemented in IEEE standard test systems for SSA and classification. The performance of SVM classifier is compared with the conventional K-nearest neighbor, method of least squares and neural network classifiers. Simulation results prove that the SVM-PR classifier outperforms other equivalent classifier algorithms, giving high classification accuracy and less misclassification rate. The feasibility of SVM-PR classifier for on-line security assessment process is also presented.     

Multi-objective biogeography based optimization for optimal PMU placement

The paper proposes a multi-objective biogeography based optimization (MO-BBO) algorithm to design optimal placement of phasor measurement units (PMU) which makes the power system network completely observable. The simultaneous optimization of the two conflicting objectives such as minimization of the number of PMUs and maximization of measurement redundancy are performed. The Pareto optimal solution is obtained using the non-dominated sorting and crowding distance. The compromised solution is chosen using a fuzzy based mechanism from the Pareto optimal solution. Simulation results are compared with Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NSGA-II) and Non-dominated Sorting Differential Evolution (NSDE). Developed PMU placement method is illustrated using IEEE standard systems to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.     

Copper-based nanoparticles for biopolymer-based functional films in food packaging applications

This review summarizes the latest developments in the design, fabrication, and application of various Cu-based nanofillers to prepare biopolymer-based functional packaging films, focusing on the effects of inorganic nanoparticles on the optical, mechanical, gas barrier properties, moisture sensitivity, and functional properties of the films. In addition, the potential application of Cu-based nanoparticle-added biopolymer films for fresh food preservation and the effect of nanoparticle migration on food safety were discussed. The incorporation of Cu-based nanoparticles improved the film properties with enhanced functional performance. Cu-based nanoparticles such as copper oxide, copper sulfide, copper ions, and copper alloys affect biopolymer-based films differently. The properties of composite films containing Cu-based nanoparticles depend on the concentration of the filler, the state of dispersion, and the interaction of the nanoparticles with the biopolymer matrix in the film. The composite film filled with Cu-based nanoparticles effectively extended the shelf life by maintaining the quality of various fresh foods and securing safety. However, studies on the migration characteristics and safety of copper-based nanoparticle food packaging films are currently being conducted on plastic-based films such as polyethylene, and research on bio-based films is limited.     

Emission characteristics of diesel fuel composed of linseed oil (Linum Usitatissium) blends utilizing rice husk producer gas

This paper highlights the experimental investigation of the emission characteristics of linseed oil blended with rice husk producer gas in a diesel engine modified to dual mode. Linseed oil was assessed in both single and dual-fuel mode with a constant gas flow rate of 21.69 kg/h at distinctive load conditions. From the experimental values it is seen that both oxides of nitrogen (NO) and smoke opacity diminish; however, carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbon (HC) increase for all test fuel blends in dual-fuel mode in comparison to that of a single mode at various loading conditions. It is noted that all fuel blends show better emissions over that of diesel for both the modes.     

Application of Nagchampa biodiesel and rice husk gas as fuel

This paper elaborates the application of Nagchampa biodiesel and rice husk producer gas in dual mode using rice husk producer gas. Nagchampa biodiesel was examined under both single and dual fuel mode having a persistent gas flow rate of 21.69 kg/h at discrete loads. The test results disclosed that the engine shows improved performance and emission characteristics at optimum load of 8 kW. There is a decrease in NO_x, smoke opacity, and performance, while HC, CO, and CO₂ increase moderately with respect to gas flow rate. It can finally be concluded that biodiesel exhibits lower performance and improved emission than that of neat diesel.     

Improved mechanical stability of indium zinc tin oxide based flexible transparent electrode through interlayer treatment

Due to the significant growth of the market for numerous flexible electronic devices, demand for mechanically stable indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO) based flexible transparent electrodes has recently expanded substantially. So, we have attempted to increase the mechanical stability of an IZTO based flexible transparent electrode by forming an ultrathin interlayer of an organic semiconductor polystyrene sulfonate doped polyaniline (PANI:PSS). According to the results of the systematic investigation, the PANI:PSS treated IZTO film can preserve 97.50% of its initial average transmittance (AVT) value (83.07%) after 20,000 bending cycles, but the bare IZTO film can retain only 89.00% of its initial AVT value (86.40%) after the same treatment. Furthermore, the PANI:PSS treatment has benefited in the reduction of IZTO film sheet resistance from 17.38 to 16.91 Ω/sq. Scanning electron microscopy images have indicated that the presence of a PANI:PSS interlayer on the IZTO film prevents the formation of fractures on the inorganic IZTO layer when mechanical stress is applied.     

A family of thioxanthato ruthenium and osmium aryls

The title complexes of type M(RL²)(PPh₃)₂(CO)(S₂CSEt) ( 2a : M = Ru; 2b : M = Os) have been synthesized in excellent yields by reacting M(RL¹)(PPh₃)₂(CO)X ( 1a : M = Ru, × = Cl; 1b : M = Os, × = Br) with potassium ethyl thioxanthate and have been characterized with the help of spectral and electrochemical data. The RL² ligand in 2 is the imine-phenol tautomer of N-C₆H₄R(p)-4-methylsalicylaldimine (R = Me, MeO, Cl) coordinated at the carbanionic-C2 atom only while RL¹ in 1 is the iminium-phenolato tautomer chelated via carbanionic-C2 and phenolato-O atoms. The synthetic reaction is thus attended with tautomerization of the Schiff base ligand. It is also associated with a rotation of the ligand by ˜180° around the M–C bond in order to exclude steric repulsion. These features have been revealed by structure determination of 2a (R = Me). The metallated aldimine ring is found to be highly noncoplanar (dihedral angle ˜40°) with the thioxanthate chelate ring due to steric repulsion originating from the relatively large size of the sulfur atom. This phenomenon, which is absent in both the precursor 1 (R = Me) and in the carboxylate analogue Ru(MeL²)(PPh₃)₂(CO)(O₂CMe), 7 , has distinctive effects on bond parameters of 2a (R = Me). Thus the two Ru–P bonds in 2a (R = Me) differ in length by as much as 0.06 Å. The thioxanthate 2 is thermodynamically more stable than the precursor 1 as well as the carboxylate 7 . Accordingly, both of these are irreversibly transformed to 2a (R = Me) upon treatment with thioxanthate.