Discrete time/cost trade-off problem: A decomposition-based solution algorithm for the budget version

This paper investigates the budget variant of the discrete time/cost trade-off problem (DTCTP). This multi-mode project scheduling problem requires assigning modes to the activities of a project so that the total completion time is minimized and the budget and the precedence constraints are satisfied. This problem is often encountered in practice as timely completion of the projects without exceeding the budget is crucial. The contribution of this paper to the literatures is to describe an effective Benders Decomposition-based exact algorithm to solve the DTCTP instances of realistic sizes. Although Benders Decomposition often exhibits a very slow convergence, we have included several algorithmic features to enhance the performance of the proposed tailored approach. Computational results attest to the efficacy of the proposed algorithm, which can solve large-scale instances to optimality.     

A receding contact problem between a functionally graded layer and two homogeneous quarter planes

In this paper, the plane problem of a frictionless receding contact between an elastic functionally graded layer and two homogeneous quarter planes is considered when the graded layer is pressed against the quarter planes. The top of the layer is subjected to normal tractions over a finite segment. The graded layer is modeled as a non-homogeneous medium with a constant Poisson’s ratio and exponentially varying shear modules. The problem is converted into the solution of a Cauchy-type singular integral equation in which the contact pressure and the receding contact half-length are the unknowns using integral transforms. The singular integral equation is solved numerically using Gauss–Jacobi integration. The corresponding receding contact half-length that satisfies the global equilibrium condition is obtained using an iterative procedure. The effect of the material non-homogeneity parameter on the contact pressure and on the length of the receding contact is investigated.     

The modification of the characteristics of ZnO nanofibers by TCNQ doping content

In this study, the electrical properties of an Al/p-Si metal/semiconductor photodiodes with Tetracyanoquinodimethane–Polyvinyl chloride (TCNQ–PVC) and PVC–TCNQ:ZnO interfacial layers were investigated. Growing of the interfacial layers on p-Si were fulfilled using electrospinning method as a fiber form. Al metallic and ohmic contacts were deposited via physical vapor deposition method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) pictures of the devices were captured to examine the morphology of the structure. Within the scope of electrical characterization, I–V measurements of the Al/PVC–TCNQ/p-Si and Al/PVC–TCNQ:ZnO/p-Si devices were accomplished both in the dark and under illumination conditions. Various device parameters, such as ideality factor and barrier height values were determined from I–V characteristics. Although the ideality factor values were obtained as 8.47 and 6.85 for undoped and ZnO-doped Al/PVC–TCNQ/p-Si diodes, the barrier height values were calculated as 0.84 for both devices. When a comparison was made between ZnO doped and undoped Al/PVC–TCNQ/p-Si diodes, it was evaluated that the rectification and photoresponse properties of the heterojunction diode was improved with ZnO dopant.

     

Sub-nanomolar sensing of ionic mercury with polymeric electrospun nanofibers

Ethyl cellulose (EC) based electrospun nanofibers were exploited for sub-nanomolar level optical chemical sensing of ionic mercury. An azomethine ionophore was used as Hg (I) and Hg (II) sensing material. Ethyl cellulose nanofibers with varying amounts of the ionic liquid; 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIMBF₄) were prepared and characterized. The nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning technique. The offered chemosensor allow determination of mercury ions in a large linear working range between 1.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ and 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹. Limit of detection was found to be 0.07 nM which makes this technique alternative to cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS), flame emission methods and to inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).     

Performance evaluation of metaheuristic search techniques in the optimum design of real size pin jointed structures

In recent years a number of metaheuristic search techniques have been widely used in developing structural optimization algorithms. Amongst these techniques are genetic algorithms, simulated annealing, evolution strategies, particle swarm optimizer, tabu search, ant colony optimization and harmony search. The primary goal of this paper is to objectively evaluate the performance of abovementioned seven techniques in optimum design of pin jointed structures. First, a verification of the algorithms used to implement the techniques is carried out using a benchmark problem from the literature. Next, the techniques compiled in an unbiased coding platform are evaluated and compared in terms of their solution accuracies as well as convergence rates and reliabilities using four real size design examples formulated according to the design limitations imposed by ASD-AISC (Allowable Stress Design Code of American Institute of Steel Institution). The results reveal that simulated annealing and evolution strategies are the most powerful techniques, and harmony search and simple genetic algorithm methods can be characterized by slow convergence rates and unreliable search performance in large-scale problems.     

Mechanical properties of HTPB-IPDI-based elastomers

A polyurethane elastomer having mechanical and adhesive properties suitable for liner applications in solid rocket propellants was developed using HTPB as the prepolymer and IPDI as the curing agent. The effects of the NCO/OH ratio (R value) and the trio/diol ratio on the mechanical properties of the polyurethane matrix were investigated. The reaction of HTPB and IPDI is followed by monitoring the changes in the IR absorption bands of the NCO stretching at 2255 cm⁻¹ and the CO stretching at 1730 cm⁻¹. It was found that the rate of the polyurethane formation obeys an overall second-order kinetics. At an R value of 1.15, the elastomer shows the maximum tensile strength and 200% elongation at break. The hardness, elongation, and the tensile strength reach a steady value around the same R value. The elastomers having a triol/diol ratio less than 0.03 show a decrease in the tensile strength and modulus with a concomitant increase in elongation. At a triol/diol ratio greater than 0.05, the tensile strength increases to about the same value for the liner composition without any triol component. The elongation reaches a steady level at a triol/diol ratio of 0.10 and one observes a steady increase in hardness up to 0.5. The modulus for the compositions having a triol/diol ratio greater than 0.1 is about 50% higher than that for the composition without triol. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 64: 2347–2354, 1997     

Chain-Extended bismaleimides. I. Preparation and characterization of maleimide-terminated resins

Starting from aromatic diamines, a series of bismaleimides (BMIs) and maleimide-terminated structural resins were prepared in solution and characterized. Maleimide-terminated resins were prepared through Michael addition reaction with 3/2 molar ratio of bismaleimide and aromatic diamine as reactants. The structural analysis was performed by FTIR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. Thermal properties are investigated by TGA, DTA, and DSC. Number-average molecular-weights of the resins were determined by cryoscopy. The presence of methylene ( CH₂ ) and ether ( O ) groups in the starting materials affect the reactivity and the degree of chain extension of the resins. From the viscosity measurements it was also found that thermal polymerization of BMIs could be taking place together with the Michael addition. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

DETERMINATION OF α- AND β-AMYLASE IN MALT

The Analysis Committee of the European Brewery Convention carried out a collaborative trial on malts using the specific analysis methods for α- and β-amylase activities based on dyed substrates supplied by MegaZyme (Aust.) Pty. Ltd. The repeatability and reproducibility values for the methods were judged to be unsatisfactory and consequently the methods were not recommended for Analytica-EBC.     

Physical Layer Design Alternatives for High Speed Outdoor Packet Radio Local and Medium Area Networks

In the last few years, the development of wireless local area networks (WLANs) has become a major goal in the field of computer and wireless communications. The Network Technologies Research group at the Communications Research Center in Canada has been working on a project to develop a high speed outdoor WLAN. In contrast to many existing WLANs, the new WLAN supports multimedia traffic such as voice, data and video; and will be used mainly in an outdoor environment with a cell coverage range of approximately 20 km. In this paper the physical layer design alternatives for the outdoor WLAN with a speed of 10 to 20 Mbps are described. Simulation results for some of the techniques considered to be used for the WLAN system are presented. The study is concluded by proposing two possible systems that one may consider for the implementation of a high speed outdoor WLAN. Although this study was primarily focused on WLAN applications, the results presented in this paper are applicable to several high speed wireless networks.     

Observations on the growth characteristics of the research output of Turkish physicists based on a selective citation analysis

A comparison has been carried out between the scientific production of Turkish physicists in the periods 1961-1971 and 1994-2000, by considering articles (written singly or in collaboration with scientists of different nationalities) which have received at least ten citations. The results show that in 30 years, appreciable increases have occurred in the number of authors making significant contributions and in the number of papers based on research carried out in Turkey. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.