Reserve estimation of an open pit mine under price uncertainty by real option approach

Reserve estimation is a key to find the correct NPV in a mining project. The most important factor in reserve estimation is the metal price. Metal price fluctuations in recent years were exaggerated, and imposed a high degree of uncertainty to the re-serve estimation, and in consequence to the whole mine planning procedure. Real option approach is an efficient method of deci-sion making in the uncertain conditions. This approach has been used for evaluation of defined natural resources projects until now. This study considering the metal price uncertainty used real option approach to prepare a methodology for reserve estimation in open pit mines. This study was done on a copper cylindrical deposit, but the achieved methodology can be adjusted for all kinds of deposits. This methodology was comprehensively described through the examples in such a manner that can be used by the mine planners.     

MC-MLAS: Multi-channel Minimum Latency Aggregation Scheduling in Wireless Sensor Networks

Data aggregation is a key, yet time-consuming functionality in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Multi-channel design is a promising technique to alleviate interference as a primary reason for long latency of TDMA aggregation scheduling. Indeed, it provides more potential of parallel transmissions over different frequency channels, thus minimizing time latency. In this paper, we focus on designing a multi-channel minimum latency aggregation scheduling protocol, named MC-MLAS, using a new joint approach for tree construction, channel assignment, and transmission scheduling. To our best knowledge, this is the first work in the literature which combines orthogonal channels and partially overlapping channels to consider the total latency involved in data aggregation. Extensive simulations verify the superiority of MC-MLAS in WSNs.     

A mechanistic approach to evaluate the potential of the debonding distress in asphalt pavements

The debonding distress in asphalt pavement structures is a critical problem that affects the performance of asphalt concrete pavements. It occurs at the layer interface due to the poor bond quality between adjacent asphalt concrete layers and/or when stresses at the layer interface exceed the strengths of the material at the interface. The debonding of the adjacent layers, especially the top surface layer of an asphalt pavement, is a contributing factor to the premature cracking of pavements. Hence, the debonding distress can lead to a reduction in the life of the pavement. This paper presents an analytical and experimental framework to evaluate the potential for debonding at the layer interface of asphalt concrete pavements. Computational analysis was performed to determine the critical stress and strain states in layered asphalt pavements under moving vehicle loads using the Layered ViscoElastic pavement analysis for Critical Distresses (LVECD) computer program developed at North Carolina State University. This computational analysis enables a greater understanding of the critical stress that is involved in debonding and the ways that such stress is affected by pavement design parameters and environmental conditions. In addition, a prediction model was developed that can determine the shear bond strength at the interface of asphalt concrete layers with different tack coat materials at various temperatures, loading rates and normal confining stresses. The systematic and mechanistic framework developed in this study employs the maximum shear ratio concept as a shear failure criterion and provides a tool to evaluate the effects of various loading, environmental and pavement factors on the debonding potential of asphalt pavements. The overall advantages of the mechanistic framework and approach using the LVECD analysis tool will help lead to better understanding of the debonding mechanism, proper selection of the tack coats, and economic benefit in highway pavement maintenance and rehabilitation costs.     

Control of Variation by Reward Probability.

Two bar-press experiments with rats tested the rule that reducing expectation of reward increases the variation from which reward selects. Experiment 1 used a discrete-trial random-interval schedule, with trials signaled by light or sound. One signal always ended with reward; the other signal ended with reward less often. The 2 signals were randomly mixed. Bar-press duration (how long the bar was held down) varied more during the signal with the lower probability of reward. Experiment 2 closely resembled Experiment 1 but used a random-ratio schedule rather than a random-interval schedule. Again, bar-press duration varied more during the signal with the lower probability of reward. The results support the rule--the first well-controlled comparisons to do so. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Analytical overview of DNA interaction with Morin and its metal complexes

Flavonoids play an important role in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences. Various flavonoids, especially Morin, have potential to interact with DNA. Their prospective clinical and pharmacological utilities have attracted researchers?? attention in last two decades. Due to their interaction with DNA and their anticancer effects, a lot of investigations have been carried out all over the world. In this paper, we will review the properties of Morin and its different metal complexes as well as their interactions with DNA that have been reported by several research groups. Also, further details have been provided about binding mechanisms of these materials with DNA using analytical techniques such as UV?CVisible and fluorescence spectroscopies, viscosity and voltammetry. Structural analysis showed Morin binds to DNA through non-intercalation mode, but its metal complexes interact with DNA via intercalation mode and binding mode of Morin, and its metal complexes with DNA will be helpful in the determination of anticancer drugs binding mechanism to DNA. Therefore, it will be useful in new drug designs.     

Constraint-wrench analysis of robotic manipulators

The constraint-wrench analysis of mechanisms, with focus on parallel robots, is the subject of this paper. Although the method proposed here can be generalized for parallel robots with multiple-loop kinematic chains, here, single-loop chains are targeted. To this end, a novel representation of the constraints imposed by the kinematic pairs is introduced. With this representation, the constraint matrix of a mechanism is readily derived. For the calculation of the constraint wrenches, by means of the constraint matrix and based on the Newton–Euler formulation, a new procedure is introduced. As a case study, the constraint wrench analysis of the McGill Schönflies Motion Generator (SMG), while undergoing a test cycle adopted by the industry, is conducted.     

Using Fuzzy Cost‐Based FMEA,GRA and Profitability Theory for Minimizing Failures at a Healthcare Diagnosis Service

This paper proposes an integrated approach to identify, evaluate and improve the potential failures in a service setting. This integrated approach combines Fuzzy cost‐based service‐specific FMEA (FCS‐FMEA), Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) and profitability theory for better prioritization of the service failures by considering cost as an important issue and using the profitability theory in a way that the corrective actions costs are taken into account. Considering profitability with FCS‐FMEA and GRA reduces the losses caused by failure occurrence. Besides, a maximization linear mathematical problem is used to select the best mix of failures to be repaired. We apply our approach to an academic example concerning the potential failures diagnosis of the Internal Medicine service of a hospital located in Seoul, Korea. We applied our approach and solved the associated maximization problem by a commercial solver, producing an optimal solution which indicates the most convenient mix of failures to be repaired by considering available budget. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An energy‐efficient utility‐based distributed data routing scheme for heterogenous sensor networks

A utility‐based distributed data routing algorithm is proposed and evaluated for heterogeneous wireless sensor networks. It is energy efficient and is based on a game‐theoretic heuristic load‐balancing approach. It runs on a hierarchical graph arranged as a tree with parents and children. Sensor nodes are considered heterogeneous in terms of their generated traffic, residual energy and data transmission rate and the bandwidth they provide to their children for communication. The proposed method generates a data routing tree in which child nodes are joined to parent nodes in an energy‐efficient way. The principles of the Stackelberg game, in which parents as leaders and children as followers, are used to support the distributive nature of sensor networks. In this context, parents behave cooperatively and help other parents to adjust their loads, while children act selfishly. Simulation results indicate the proposed method can produce on average more load‐balanced trees, resulting in over 30% longer network lifetime compared with the cumulative algorithm proposed in the literature. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of mesoporous magnetic carbon composite for reactive dyes removal: Process optimization using response surface methodology

Discharging the effluents of textile wastewaters into potable water resources can endanger the ecosystem, due to their reactivity, toxicity, and chemical stability. In this research, the application of powder activated carbon modified with magnetite nanoparticles (PAC-MNPs) as an adsorbent for removal of reactive dyes (Reactive black 5 (RB5) and reactive red 120 (RR120)) was studied in a batch system. The adsorption performance was evaluated as a function of temperature, contact time and different adsorbent and adsorbate concentrations. The levels of factors were statistically optimized using Box-Behnken Design (BBD) from the response surface methodology (RSM) to maximize the efficiency of the system. The adsorption process of both dyes was fit with the pseudo-second order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models. The identified optimum conditions of adsorption were 38.7 °C, 46.3 min, 0.8 g/L and 102 mg/L for temperature, contact time, adsorbent dose, and initial dyes concentration, respectively. According to the Langmuir isotherm, the maximum sorption capacities of 175.4 and 172.4 mg/g were obtained for RB5 and RR120, respectively. Thermodynamics studies indicated that the adsorption process of the reactive dyes was spontaneous, feasible, and endothermic. After five cycles, the adsorption efficiency was around 84 and 83% for RB5 and RR120, respectively. A high value of desorption was achieved, suggesting that the PAC-MNPs have a good potential in regeneration and reusability, and also can be effectively utilized in industrial applications. PAC-MNPs also show a good anti-interference potential for removal of reactive dyes in dye-industry wastewaters.