Experimental and modeling approaches of MR behaviors under large step strains

Rheological properties of MR fluids under large step strain shear are presented in this paper. The experiments were carried out using a rheometer with parallel-plate geometry. Under the large step strain shear, MR fluids behave as nonlinear viscoelastic properties, where the stress relaxation modulus, G(t, γ), shows a decreasing trend with step strain. The experimental results indicate that G(t, γ) obeys time-strain separability. Thus, a mathematical form based on finite exponential serials is proposed to predict MR behavior. In this model, G(t, γ) is represented as the product of a linear stress relaxation, G(t), and the damping function, h(γ), i.e. G(t, γ)=G(t) h(γ). G(t) is simply represented as a three-parameter exponential serial and h(γ) has a sigmoidal form with two parameters. The parameters are identified by adopting an efficient optimization method proposed by Stango et al. The comparison between the experimental results and the model-predicted values indicates that this mathematical model can accurately predict MR behavior.     

Parallel algorithm for numerical self-consistent field theory simulations of block copolymer structure

An efficient algorithm is presented for numerically evaluating a self-consistent field theoretic (SCFT) model of block copolymer structure. This algorithm is implemented on a distributed memory parallel cluster in order to solve the SCFT equations on large computational grids. Simulation results are presented for a two-component molten mixture of a symmetric ABA triblock copolymer with an A homopolymer. These results illustrate a case in which simulating a large system is required to resolve features with a wide range of length scales.     

Popular biorthogonal wavelet filters via a lifting scheme and its application in image compression

A technique using a lifting scheme is presented for constructing compactly supported wavelets whose coefficients are composed of free variables locating in an interval. An efficient approach-based wavelet for image compression is developed by selecting the coefficients of the 9-7 wavelet filter and associated lifting scheme. Furthermore, the rationalised coefficients wavelet filter that can be implemented with simple integer arithmetic is achieved and its characteristic is close to the well known original irrational coefficients 9-7 wavelet filters developed by A. Cohen et al. (Commun. Pure Appl. Maths., vol.45, no.1, p.485-560, 1992). To reduce the computational cost of image coding applications further, an acceleration technique is proposed for the lifting steps. Software and hardware simulations show that the new method has very low complexity, and simultaneously preserves the high quality of the compressed image.     

Handover and Uplink Power Control Performance in the 3.84 Mcps TDD mode of UTRA Network

In this article we consider the performance of the 3.84 Mcpstime-division duplex (TDD) mode of UTRA (Universal TerrestrialRadio Access) network. We emphasize two of the radio resourcemanagement algorithms, handover and uplink power control, whoserole in the overall system performance is studied extensively.First, a handover algorithm used in WCDMA (Wideband Code DivisionMultiple Access) standard is considered in a TDD-mode operation.This gives rise to a careful setting of different handoverparameters, and the evaluation of the effects to the systemperformance. Secondly, the specified uplink power controlalgorithm is considered. Since it is based on several user-mademeasurements which may involve both random and systematic errors acareful study about the suitability of the power control scheme iscarried out.     

Effects of surface charge, micro-bubble size and particle size on removal efficiency of electro-flotation.

Flotation is a water treatment alternative to sedimentation, and uses small bubbles to remove low-density particles from potable water and wastewater. The effect of zeta potential, bubble size and particle size on removal efficiency of the electro-flotation process was investigated because previous model-simulations indicated that these attributes are critical for high collision efficiency between micro-bubbles and particles. Solutions containing Al3+ as the metal ion were subjected to various conditions. The zeta potentials of bubbles and particles were similar under identical conditions, and their charges were influenced by metal ion concentration and pH. Maximum removal efficiency was 98 and 12% in the presence and absence of flocculation, respectively. Removal efficiency was higher when particle size was similar to bubble size. These results agree with modelling simulations and indicate that collision efficiency is greater when the zeta potential of one is negative and that of the other is positive and when their sizes are similar.     

Assessing stem cell research productivity

Honour Index (HoI), a method to evaluate research performance within different research fields, was derived from the impact factor (IF). It can be used to rate and compare different categories of journals. HoI was used in this study to determine the scientific productivity of stem cell research in the Asian Four Dragons (Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan) from 1981 to 2001. The methodology applied in this study represents a synthesis of universal indicator studies and bibliometric analyses of subfields at the micro-level. We discuss several comparisons, and conclude the developmental trend in stem cell research for two decades. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Performance and Commercial Application of the Promoter LCC-A for Maximization of Propylene Yield

1 Introduction Propylene as an important feedstock for organic chemicals is mainly originated from steam cracking and catalytic cracking processes. During the FCC process the propylene content varies with the FCC catalyst and process technology adopted, resulting in significant difference in propylene concentration in the cracked product——LPG. The conventional FCC pro- cess generally gives a propylene yield of around 4%, while the FCC process with maximization of propylene yield can in…     

XMAC纵波时差高分辨率处理方法

在充分调研阵列声波测井分波提取方法的基础上，针对阿特拉斯公司的交叉多极子阵列声波测井（XMACⅡ）提供的单极波形信息，研究纵波时差提取及高分辨率处理方法。首先利用相关-互功谱法高精度地提取纵波时差，然后针对XMACⅡ仪器的接收阵列，研究组合子阵列的方法，形成共发射子阵列和共接收子阵列，最后利用子阵列对提取的纵波时差做高分辨率处理。处理现场实际测井资料，并将高分辨率处理成果与引进的eXpress软件处理成果、实测的国产高分辨率声波（纵波）测井曲线及岩心纵波时差对比分析，表明该方法提取的纵波时差曲线的纵向分辨率有很大提高，时差计算准确可靠，提取的单极纵波时差与国产高分辨率声波时差及岩心纵波时差的平均相对误差均小于7%。该方法具有较高的实用价值和广阔的应用前景。     

含硫化氢气井钻井过程中的腐蚀因素与防护研究

在含硫气井的钻井过程中对于HRC大于22的钻具钢材除了腐蚀疲劳之外，在pH值小于9的环境中会发生硫化物应力腐蚀破裂，这种破坏比腐蚀疲劳更突然、更快，使钻杆大量损坏。含硫气井在钻井过程中，由于湿硫化氢的出现，常常会出现油管、套管、钻井设备、钻井仪器以及对支持保护管柱的水泥环柱等腐蚀和损坏问题，为此，阐述了湿硫化氢的腐蚀特点、机理，归纳总结了影响腐蚀的因素，综述了如何在这些方面防止其腐蚀，使损失减小，为指导油管、套管防腐工程实践提供了依据。建议在钻井过程中采用碱性钻井液，其pH值可到9或更高(至pH值12)，以减缓或防止钻井过程中电化学从硫化物应力腐蚀破裂；含硫气井用的钻杆应该间歇使用。钻杆停用堆置时间可使其放氢，使钻杆恢复韧性，防止硫化物应力腐蚀断裂。