DVCC-Based Non-linear Feedback Neural Circuit for?Solving System of Linear Equations

A neural circuit to solve a system of simultaneous linear equations is presented. The circuit employs non-linear feedback to achieve a transcendental energy function that ensures fast convergence to the exact solution while enjoying reduction in hardware complexity over existing schemes. A new building block for analog signal processing, the digitally controlled differential voltage current conveyor (DC-DVCC) is introduced and is utilized for the non-linear synaptic interconnections between neurons. The proof of the energy function has been given and it is shown that the gradient network converges exactly to the solution of the system of equations. PSPICE simulation results are presented for linear systems of equations of various sizes and are found to be in close agreement with the algebraic solution. The use of CMOS DC-DVCCs and operational amplifiers facilitates monolithic integration.     

Comparison on efficiency factors of F and C types of fly ashes

Fly ashes are obtained from thermal power plants and they are pozzolanic materials, which can act as partial replacement material for both portland cement and fine aggregate. With their economical advantages and potential for improving fresh and hardened concrete performance, they have some benefits for using in concrete industry. In this study, the objective was to find the efficiency factors of Turkish C and F-type fly ashes and to compare their properties. Three different cement dosages were used (260, 320, 400 kg/m³), two different ratios (10% and 17%) of cement reduced from the control concretes and three different ratios (depending on cement reduction ratio) of fly ash were added into the mixtures. At the ages of 28 and 90 days, compressive strength, modulus of elasticity and ultrasound velocity tests were carried out. From the compressive strength results, the k efficiency factors of C and F-type fly ashes were obtained. As a result, it is seen that efficiency factors of the concrete produced by the replacement of F and C type fly ashes with cement increase with the increase in cement dosage and concrete age.     

Characteristics of CFRP retrofitted hollow brick infill walls of reinforced concrete frames

The mechanical characteristics of infill walls retrofitted with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets are really important for the realistic prediction of seismic performance of the vulnerable reinforced concrete (RC) frames retrofitted through CFRP strengthened infill walls. In this study, 36 hollow brick wall specimens were tested either under uniaxial compression or diagonal tension before and after retrofitting externally with CFRP sheets. The test parameters are the dimensions of the walls, the orientation of holes of bricks, the type of mortar, the amount of CFRP sheets and the details of strengthening application. At the end of the tests, a significant contribution of CFRP sheets on the mechanical characteristics of hollow brick walls was observed in terms of several important structural design parameters such as Young and shears moduli, axial and shears strengths as well as the deformation capacity. Finally, the strength and deformability characteristics of the walls and frames retrofitted with CFRP sheets were predicted analytically. The predictions were in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Modulus of elasticity of substandard and normal concretes

Modulus of elasticity is an important parameter used for the structural assessment and retrofitting of concrete structures. In this study, an experimental investigation on the modulus of elasticity of concrete was carried out, the results of which is presented. 60 mixtures were prepared, in which the effects of water/cement ratio, maximum size of the aggregate, aggregate type, and fly ash content were investigated. In order to obtain very low quality concrete, the water/cement ratios were increased to as high as 2.2. Modulus of elasticity of the concretes was obtained according to ASTM C469. Compressive strength and ultrasound pulse velocities of the concretes were also recorded. The experimentally obtained modulus of elasticity values were compared with those calculated by using prediction models given in a selection of codes of practice. Dynamic moduli of elasticity of the concretes were also obtained.     

Influence of the harvesting year and fertilizer on the fatty acid composition and some physicochemical properties of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Sar? 85 (Linum usitatissimum L.) linseed variety was used in this study. Linseed was cultivated at 2008 (LS-08) and 2009 (LS-09) without fertilizer. In addition, at 2009 diammonium phosphate [(NH₄)₂HPO₄] and ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) were applied (LSF-09). The linseeds were analyzed for protein, ash and oil contents and fatty acid compositions. There were differences among harvesting years for oil, protein and ash contents of the seeds. The greater oil and protein contents were obtained during LS-08 compared with LS-09. There were no significant difference in protein and ash content between LS-09 and LSF-09 while a significant difference was observed in oil content. Seed protein, oil and ash contents were significantly affected by the harvesting year, but only oil content was affected by the fertilizer treatment. There are significant differences in palmitic, stearic, oleic, ??-linolenic and arachidic acid between LS-08 and LS-09. While palmitic, stearic, oleic acid decreased, ??-linolenic and arachidic acid increased during 2009 harvesting year. LSF-09 has the highest amount of ??-linolenic acid. The fertilizing treatment seems to have an increasing effect on the amount of ??-linolenic acid, while it has a decreasing effect on the oleic acid content.     

Effect of Postweld Heat Treatment on Microstructure, Hardness, and Tensile Properties of Laser-Welded Ti-6Al-4V

The effects of postweld heat treatment (PWHT) on 3.2-mm- and 5.1-mm-thick Ti-6Al-4V butt joints welded using a continuous wave (CW) 4-kW Nd:YAG laser welding machine were investigated in terms of microstructural transformations, welding defects, and hardness, as well as global and local tensile properties. Two postweld heat treatments, i.e., stress-relief annealing (SRA) and solution heat treatment followed by aging (STA), were performed and the weld qualities were compared with the as-welded condition. A digital image correlation technique was used to determine the global tensile behavior for the transverse welding samples. The local tensile properties including yield strength and maximum strain were determined, for the first time, for the laser-welded Ti-6Al-4V. The mechanical properties, including hardness and the global and local tensile properties, were correlated to the microstructure and defects in the as-welded, SRA, and STA conditions.     

Synthesis of ultra-small silicon nanoparticles by femtosecond laser ablation of porous silicon

We report a detailed study on the synthesis of ultra-small (1–10 nm) colloidal silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) by ablating porous silicon (pSi) in acetone using femtosecond laser pulses. Porous silicon is considered as a target material for ablation because it contains a large number of light emitting silicon nanoparticles. The pSi samples were prepared by anodic etching of silicon in aqueous HF solution for different etching current densities. Transmission electron microscope measurements confirmed the successful formation of well-isolated spherical silicon nanoparticles. The average size of spherical NPs were estimated to be ~7.6, ~7, and ~6 nm when anodic etching current densities of 5, 10, and 20 mA/cm² were used respectively for preparing pSi targets. The crystallinity of these Si NPs was confirmed by selective area electron diffraction and Raman spectroscopy measurements. The observed blue shift in the absorption and emission spectra are attributed to reduction in the average particle size with increase in etching current density. These Si NPs may be useful for fabricating low-dimensional microelectronic compatible photonic devices.     

Attenuation of heavy metal toxicity of the activated sludge process by treatment with ferric chloride

Industrial wastes containing heavy metals can interfere with the normal operation of municipal wastewater treatment plants utilizing biological treatment processes. It is well known, however, that activated sludge can become acclimated to toxic levels of heavy metals if the dosages are increased gradually. Although such an acclimation procedure could prevent inhibitory effects of slug loads of toxins, the use of toxic heavy metals for normal plant operation is too perilous for consideration. It is, however, acceptable to utilize a nontoxic metal that may give general tolerance to toxic metals.

Laboratory experiments were conducted to examine the use of ferric chloride acclimation for treatment against heavy metal toxicity of an activated sludge process. The oxygen uptake of acclimated and unacclimated seed was measured by respirometry to determine the inhibitory effects of Ag and Pb.

The toxic effects of Ag and Pb were greatly reduced for acclimated seed. The experimental data area utilized in kinetic rate equations, and families of curves are developed to show the inhibition of Ag and Pb at a range of concentrations when the activated sludge is acclimatized at different concentrations of Fe(III).     

Survey on communication architectures for wind energy integration with the smart grid

Communication systems are needed to integrate generated power from wind farms with the electrical grid. This paper provides a comprehensive review of available communication technologies, protocols and objectives related to wind energy and electrical grid integration. This paper summarizes the communication system solutions for wind generation. A major obstacle is an absence of unified communication architectures and standards.