Elitist teaching–learning-based optimization (ETLBO) with higher-order Jordan Pi-sigma neural network: a comparative performance analysis

An adaptive p-step prediction model for nonlinear dynamic processes is developed in this paper and implemented with a radial basis function (RBF) network. The model can predict output for multi-step-ahead with no need for the unknown future process output. Therefore, the long-range prediction accuracy is significantly enhanced and consequently is especially useful as the internal model in a model predictive control framework. An improved network structure adaptation is also developed with the recursive orthogonal least squares algorithm. The developed model is online updated to adapt both its structure and parameters, so that a compact model structure and consequently a less computing cost are achieved with the developed adaptation algorithm applied. Two nonlinear dynamic systems are employed to evaluate the long-range prediction performance and minimum model structure and compared with an existing PSC model and a non-adaptive RBF model. The simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the developed model and superior over the existing models.

     

Occurrence and removal of antibiotics, hormones and several other pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment plants of the largest industrial city of Korea

Occurrence and removal efficiencies of 20 pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) including antibiotics, hormones, and several other miscellaneous pharmaceuticals (analgesics, antiepileptics, antilipidemics, antihypertensives, antiseptics, and stimulants) were investigated in five wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) of Ulsan, the largest industrial city of Korea. The compounds were extracted from wastewater samples by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and analyzed by High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The results showed that acetaminophen, atenolol and lincomycin were the main individual pollutants usually found in concentrations over 10 μg/L in the sewage influent. In the WWTPs, the concentrations of analgesic acetaminophen, stimulant caffeine, hormones estriol and estradiol decreased by over 99%. On the contrary, the antibiotic sulfamethazine, the antihypertensive metoprolol, and the antiepileptic carbamazepine exhibited removal efficiencies below 30%. Particularly, removal of antibiotics was observed to vary between − 11.2 and 69%. In the primary treatment (physico-chemical processes), the removal of pharmaceuticals was insignificant (up to 28%) and removal of majority of the pharmaceuticals occurred during the secondary treatment (biological processes). The compounds lincomycin, carbamazepine, atenolol, metoprolol, and triclosan showed better removal in WWTPs employing modified activated sludge process with co-existence of anoxic-oxic condition. Further investigation into the design and operational aspects of the biological processes is warranted for the efficient removal of PPCPs, particularly antibiotics, to secure healthy water resource in the receiving downstream, thereby ensuring a sustainable water cycle management.     

Effect of working gap and circumferential speed on the performance of magnetic abrasive finishing process

Magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF) is one of the advanced finishing processes in which workpiece is kept between two magnets, and cutting force is controlled by working gap and magnetic field between the two magnets. MAF setup is designed for finishing cylindrical workpieces and it is mounted on lathe machine. The loosely bounded powder is prepared for experimentation by homogeneous mixing of magnetic powder (Fe powder of 300 mesh size (51.4 μm)), abrasive powder (Al₂O₃ of 600 mesh size (25.7 μm), and lubricant called servospin-12 oil. To investigate the effects of working gap and circumferential speed on material removal, change in surface finish and percent improvement in surface finish, a series of experiments have been conducted using in-house fabricated setup. Based upon the results, in general, material removal decreases by increasing working gap or decreasing circumferential speed of the workpiece. Change in surface finish increases by increasing circumferential speed of the workpiece.     

Study of saw-tooth chip in machining of Inconel 718 by metallographic technique

The present research work aims to understand the chip formation mechanisms in Inconel 718 machining through metallographic technique. The influence of machining speed on shear band and chip shape have been analyzed. Characterization of the shear band has been conducted by analyzing the shear band thickness, strain, strain rate, stress and micro-hardness. Additionally, chip reduction coefficient parameters and chip segmentation ratio parameters have been analyzed to understand the type of chip formation at various machining speeds. The observations and analysis of the same indicated that the formation of the saw-tooth chip is due to high-strain localization within the chip and crack initiation at the free surface of the chip. Thinner shear bands are observed at higher machining speed (120 m/min), and thicker shear bands are observed at lower machining speed (40 m/min). The magnitude of chip segmentation parameters indicates that crack generation increases with increase in machining speed.     

Reuse potential of municipal wastewater treatment facility effluents for sustainable water resource management in Ulsan,Korea

Effluent qualities of five municipal wastewater treatment facilities (MWWTFs) in Ulsan were evaluated to examine their reuse potential. Effluent from Yongyeon (Y) MWWTF, Onsan (O) MWWTF and Bangeojin (B) MWWTFs can be used as cooling water without further treatment. As evident from Langelier saturation index and Ryzner index values, reuse of treated effluent from OMWWTF and BMWWTFs is recommended by controlling the pH to reduce the scale-forming potential of effluent. However, effluents from these MWWTFs need additional treatment to remove residual dissolved constituents before reuse as boiler water. Besides, effluent from Hoiya (H) MWWTF and Unyang (U) MWWTFs can be reused for agricultural irrigation without any additional treatment. Based on the scientific results obtained from this investigation, proper application of technology and promotion of public awareness to change the traditional mindset for treated effluent reuse could immensely contribute towards conserving local water resources and addressing global environmental problems on a regional basis.     

Dispersion of nanoplatelets of graphite on PMMA matrix by in situ polymerisation technique

Poly(methyl methacrylate)/expanded graphite (PMMA/EG) composites were prepared by the incorporation of EG in various proportions (1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%) with PMMA by in situ polymerisation technique. The polymer composites were characterised by ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopies. The structural property of PMMA/EG nanocomposites was studied by X-ray diffraction. The scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy of synthesised composites were taken in order to study their morphological properties. The conductivity of composites was measured as function of EG concentration. It was found that conductivity of composites gradually increased with the increase in EG loading. Oxygen permeability of PMMA/EG nanocomposites was calculated and it was found that the property was reduced substantially with rise of EG proportion. The thermal stability of PMMA/EG nanocomposites was improved by dispersion of EG with PMMA matrix.     

Structural,dielectric, and electrical properties of cerium-modified strontium manganite ceramics

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - A solid-state reaction technique was used to make cerium (Ce) modified strontium manganite SrMn0.9Ce0.1O3 (SMCO). The Goldschmidt's...     

Variation of optical properties,rheology, and microstructure in fullerene/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) nanofluids with fullerene content in n-butanol

In this study, we report non-linear variation of optical and rheology properties in fullerene (C₆₀)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) nanofluids (NFs) with C₆₀-content (C) in an alcoholic medium. From the absorption spectra, we found that the absorbance maximum (α_max) follows a non-linear path with C-value due to a donor–acceptor PVP → C₆₀ charge transfer in a C₆₀/PVP complex. The α_max value reaches maximum at a specific C₆₀-content of 13.9 μM due to percolation effect and then starts decreasing with a further increase in C-value over the subsequent region covered in this experiment. Models were proposed to show donor–acceptor interaction between C₆₀ and PVP. The molar extinction coefficient also drops through a peak maximum at 13.9-µM C₆₀. Regardless of the C-values, shear-thinning behavior was found in all NFs. The shear viscosity (η) value, which decreases with shear rate value over 5 to 100 s^?1, is shown to be increasing non-linearly against the C-value. The η-value varies non-linearly with C₆₀-content and shows a dip at a point near 13.9-µM C₆₀. High-resolution transmission electron microscope images reveal that the size of C₆₀/PVP nano-assemblies increases with C-value as PVP is anchoring C₆₀ molecules in specific structures.