An approach to geometric modeling of solids bounded by sculptured surfaces

In this paper we present the design and implementation of a geometric modeling system for modeling solids bounded by sculptured surfaces. The three most important solid representation schemes—constructive solid geometry, boundary representation, and octree representation—are combined together in our system in such a way that the resulting scheme enjoys many of the advantages of its individual schemes. We also developed algorithms for conversion of objects from their boundary representation to octree representation, and for the boundary evaluation of octree encoded objects. The system was implemented on a DEC 1090 computer in PASCAL, and we have presented a simple illustrative example to show the use of the system to create solid objects bounded by sculptured surfaces.     

Multifunctional TiO2 coatings for Cultural Heritage

Environmental pollution arising from industrial implants and urban factors is constantly increasing, causing aesthetical and durability concerns to urban structures exposed to the atmosphere.     

An adaptive flocking algorithm for performing approximate clustering

This paper presents an approach based on an adaptive bio-inspired method to make state of the art clustering algorithms scalable and to provide them with an any-time behavior. The method is based on the biology-inspired paradigm of a flock of birds, i.e. a population of simple agents interacting locally with each other and with the environment. The flocking algorithm provides a model of decentralized adaptive organization useful to solve complex optimization, classification and distributed control problems. This approach avoids the sequential search of canonical clustering algorithms and permits a scalable implementation.The method is applied to design two novel clustering algorithms based on the main principles of two popular clustering algorithms: DBSCAN and SNN. This apporach can identify clusters of widely varying shapes and densities and is able to extract an approximate view of the clusters whenever it is required. Both the algorithms have been evaluated on synthetic and real world data sets and the impact of the flocking strategy on performance has been evaluated.     

Implementation of the shunt harmonic voltages compensation approach

Instead of injecting harmonic currents to compensate those drawn by distorting loads, in this paper a shunt active filter is used for generating harmonic voltages to compensate harmonic voltages at the point of common coupling; the main advantage in using such a compensation approach is that, when the aim is to reduce or eliminate the harmonic voltages at the point of common coupling only one active filter is required. For determining the harmonic voltages such a filter must generate, two simple and practical methods are proposed in this paper; the effectiveness of these methods was evaluated using a 1-kW prototype of an active filter operating according to the shunt harmonic voltage compensation approach. In addition, the laboratory results were comparable to those obtained with the ATP-EMTP simulation software.     

A graph-based approach for extracting terminological properties from information sources with heterogeneous formats

The problem of handling both the integration and the cooperation of a large number of information sources characterised by heterogeneous representation formats is a challenging issue. In this context, a central role can be played by the knowledge about the semantic relationships holding between concepts belonging to different information sources (intersource properties). In this paper, we propose a semiautomatic approach for extracting two kinds of intersource properties, namely synonymies and homonymies, from heterogeneous information sources. In order to carry out the extraction task, we introduce both a conceptual model, for representing involved sources, and a metrics, for measuring the strength of the semantic relationships holding among concepts represented within the same source.     

An optimal decision-making approach for the management of radiotherapy patients

In this paper, novel integer programming formulations are developed for solving the optimal scheduling of patients waiting for radiotherapy treatment. In this specific clinical domain, the suitable management and control of a patients’ waiting list strongly affect both the quality of the therapeutical outcome, in terms of effectiveness, and the cost-saving use of the overall therapeutical resources, in terms of efficiency. The proposed models allow the best scheduling strategy to be devised by taking into account the quality of the health care service offered to the patient as well as the status and the preferences of the patient. The computational experiments, carried out on realistic scenarios and considering real data, are very promising and show the efficiency and robustness of the proposed models to address the problem under consideration.     

A robust deconvolution scheme for fault detection and isolation of uncertain linear systems: an LMI approach

Optimal H_∞ deconvolution filter theory is exploited for the design of robust fault detection and isolation (FDI) units for uncertain polytopic linear systems. Such a filter is synthesized under frequency domain conditions which ensure guaranteed levels of disturbance attenuation, residual decoupling and deconvolution performance in prescribed frequency ranges. By means of the Projection Lemma, a quasi-convex formulation of the problem is obtained via LMIs. A FDI logic based on adaptive thresholds is also proposed for reducing the generation of false alarms. The effectiveness of the design technique is illustrated via a numerical example.     

Air gap membrane distillation on the different types of membrane

Seawater desalination through the air gap membrane distillation (AGMD) process shows merit for its ambient operational conditions and low energy consumption. In this paper nine types of commercially available membranes were characterized to understand the membranes more comprehensively. The density, porosity, mean pore radius, liquid entry pressure (LEP), and contact angle (CA) of the membranes were determined. AGMD experiments were performed for the membranes to investigate the membrane difference on permeation flux and salt rejection. The effects of operating parameters such as temperature, flow rate, and NaCl concentration were studied. The 0.22 μm pore size PTFE membrane showed excellent performance for its higher permeability and higher hydrophobicity than other membranes. The mass transfer coefficients for three types of PTFE membranes were calculated from the results of the experiments.