A path planning model based on nested regular hexagons using weighted centroid localization

In many wireless sensor network (WSN) applications, the location of a sensor node is crucial for determining where the event or situation of interest occurred. Therefore, localization is one of the critical challenges in WSNs. Mobile anchor node assisted localization (MANAL) is one of the promising solutions for the localization of statically deployed sensors. The main problem in MANAL localization is that the path planning of the mobile anchor (MA) node should be done so that the localization error in the network will be minimal and that all unknown nodes in the network are covered. This paper proposes a new path planning approach called nested hexagons curves (NHexCurves) for MANAL. NHexCurves guarantees that it will receive messages from at least three non-collinear anchors to locate all unknown nodes in the network. The proposed model has compared six different path planning schemes in the literature using weighted centroid localization (WCL). In these comparisons, first of all, localization errors of the models are compared using some statistical concepts. Second, the variation of the localization error according to parameters such as resolution (R) and the standard deviation of noise (σ) is observed. Then, with similar approaches, the standard deviation of errors, localization ratio, scalability performances, and finally, path lengths of the models are examined. The simulation results show that the NHexCurves static path planning model proposed in this study stands out compared to other models with high localization error and localization ratio performance, especially at low resolutions, due to its path design. At the same time, the lowest error values according to σ are obtained with the proposed model among all models considered.     

Supply chain network design using an integrated neuro-fuzzy and MILP approach: A comparative design study

In this study, an integrated supply chain (SC) design model is developed and a SC network design case is examined for a reputable multinational company in alcohol free beverage sector. Here, a three echelon SC network is considered under demand uncertainty and the proposed integrated neuro-fuzzy and mixed integer linear programming (MILP) approach is applied to this network to realize the design effectively. Matlab 7.0 is used for neuro-fuzzy demand forecasting and, the MILP model is solved using Lingo 10.0. Then Matlab 7.0 is used for artificial neural network (ANN) simulation to supply a comparative study and to show the applicability and efficiency of ANN simulation for this type of problem. By evaluating the output data, the SC network for this case is designed, and the optimal product flow between the factories, warehouses and distributors are calculated. Also it is proved that the ANN simulation can be used instead of analytical computations because of ensuring a simplified representation for this method and time saving.     

The Role of Polymorphisms at the Interleukin-1, Interleukin-4, GATA-3 and Cyclooxygenase-2 Genes in Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy

Periodontitis is a multifactorial disease. The aim of this explorative study was to investigate the role of Interleukin-(IL)-1, IL-4, GATA-3 and Cyclooxygenase-(COX)-2 polymorphisms after non-surgical periodontal therapy with adjunctive systemic antibiotics (amoxicillin/metronidazole) and subsequent maintenance in a Caucasian population. Analyses were performed using blood samples from periodontitis patients of a multi-center trial (ClinicalTrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00707369","term_id":"NCT00707369"}}NCT00707369=ABPARO-study). Polymorphisms were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR. Clinical attachment levels (CAL), percentage of sites showing further attachment loss (PSAL) ≥1.3 mm, bleeding on probing (BOP) and plaque score were assessed. Exploratory statistical analysis was performed. A total of 209 samples were genotyped. Patients carrying heterozygous genotypes and single-nucleotide-polymorphisms (SNP) on the GATA-3-IVS4 +1468 gene locus showed less CAL loss than patients carrying wild type. Heterozygous genotypes and SNPs on the IL-1A-889, IL-1B +3954, IL-4-34, IL-4-590, GATA-3-IVS4 +1468 and COX-2-1195 gene loci did not influence CAL. In multivariate analysis, CAL was lower in patients carrying GATA-3 heterozygous genotypes and SNPs than those carrying wild-types. For the first time, effects of different genotypes were analyzed in periodontitis progression after periodontal therapy and during supportive treatment using systemic antibiotics demonstrating a slight association of GATA-3 gene locus with CAL. This result suggests that GATA-3 genotypes are a contributory but non-essential risk factor for periodontal disease progression.     

The Decarburization Kinetics of Metal Droplets in Emulsion Zone

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B - A mathematical model has been developed to predict the decarburization rate within individual droplets in the emulsion zone. All the chronological...     

Changes in the texture,physicochemical properties and volatile compound profiles of fresh Kashar cheese (<90 days) during ripening

In this study, four different fresh Kashar cheese samples were ripened for 90 days. The physicochemical properties, texture attributes, fatty acid composition and volatile compound profiles of the samples were measured every 30 days of ripening. The texture properties of the cheese samples were significantly affected by the duration of the ripening period. The results of this study highlighted that texture parameters as a function of ripening period should be considered for both fresh and aged Kashar cheeses to determine the ripening period as they are very important for consumer acceptability and consumption of the end product.     

Learning Control of Robot Manipulators in Task Space

Two important properties of industrial tasks performed by robot manipulators, namely, periodicity (i.e., repetitive nature) of the task and the need for the task to be performed by the end‐effector, motivated this work. Not being able to utilize the robot manipulator dynamics due to uncertainties complicated the control design. In a seemingly novel departure from the existing works in the literature, the tracking problem is formulated in the task space and the control input torque is aimed to decrease the task space tracking error directly without making use of inverse kinematics at the position level. A repetitive learning controller is designed which “learns” the overall uncertainties in the robot manipulator dynamics. The stability of the closed‐loop system and asymptotic end‐effector tracking of a periodic desired trajectory are guaranteed via Lyapunov based analysis methods. Experiments performed on an in‐house developed robot manipulator are presented to illustrate the performance and viability of the proposed controller.     

Fatigue damage in composite cylinders

In this study, optimal angle‐ply orientation of symmetric composite cylinders under fatigue loading is investigated. The fiber‐reinforced plastic cylinders were manufactured from E‐glass/epoxy. The layers were manufactured symmetrically in [±75°]₂, [±60°]₂, [±55°]₂, and [±45°]₂ orientations. Burst pressure of filament‐wound composite cylinders under alternating pure internal pressure was measured experimentally. Internal fatigue pressure testing method was applied to the composite cylinders in close‐ended condition. For this study, a PLC controlled hydraulic pressure testing machine has been employed. The static burst pressure values of specimens were measured; subsequently, fatigue test pressure was applied in 70, 60, and 50% stress levels of burst pressure for each orientation. Damage propagations of the composite cylinders on these stress levels were observed as whitening, leakage, and final failure for [±60°]₂, [±55°]₂, and orientations. When the damage propagation of [±75°]₂ angle‐ply cylinder was observed, whitening and leakage did not occur and final failure occurred suddenly. Stress‐cycle curves obtained from the tests are given in graphics. Experimental results reveal that variation in stress levels and the winding angles have considerable effects on final failure cycles, which is also presented graphically. The optimum winding angle for the composite pressure cylinders or vessels under internal fatigue pressure load was obtained as [±45°]₂ orientation. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of various pore formers on the microstructural development of tape-cast porous ceramics

Various types of pore formers have been used for the fabrication of ceramics with controlled porosity. This study addresses a detailed and systematic comparison of different pore formers (e.g. graphite, polymethyl methacrylate, sucrose and polystyrene) with distinct features such as size, distribution and morphology of particles and decomposition/oxidation behavior. Investigations also involve their effect on the rheological properties of the slurries and the microstructural development of laminated porous ceramic tapes.Morphological features of the pore former particles were characterized using laser diffraction, B.E.T. surface area measurement and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques as their thermal decomposition/oxidation behavior were determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) methods. Tape compositions were developed and optimized in order to incorporate identical volumetric loadings of the materials in the tape formulations with different pore formers for a reliable comparison of their pore forming characteristics. Porous yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) ceramics were fabricated without macroscopic defects (e.g. cracks, warpage and delamination) by developing heating profiles based on the identified thermal properties of the pore formers. Characterization of the sintered porous ceramics by SEM and mercury intrusion porosimetry techniques revealed novel relationships between the physical properties of the utilized pore formers, processing parameters and final pore structures.     

HYDRODYNAMIC STUDIES IN A HALF SLOT-RECTANGULAR SPOUTED BED COLUMN

Experiments were carried out in a half slot-rectangular spouted bed to investigate the effects of slot width and lower section basal angle on column hydrodynamics. Flow regimes, minimum spouting velocity, spouting and maximum pressure drops, and maximum spoutable bed height were determined for 4 mm diameter polyethylene particles. The results are compared with those for conventional cylindrical and rectangular spouted beds. Correlations for each hydrodynamic parameter are developed and compared with equations available in the literature.     

Investigation of the Equivalence of National Dew-Point Temperature Realizations in the ?50?°C to +?20?°C Range

In the field of humidity quantities, the first CIPM key comparison, CCT-K6 is at its end. The corresponding European regional key comparison, EUROMET.T-K6, was completed in early 2008, about 4?years after the starting initial measurements in the project. In total, 24 NMIs from different countries took part in the comparison. This number includes 22 EURAMET countries, and Russia and South Africa. The comparison covered the dew-point temperature range from ?50?°C to +20?°C. It was carried out in three parallel loops, each with two chilled mirror hygrometers as transfer standards in each loop. The comparison scheme was designed to ensure high quality results with evenly spread workload for the participants. It is shown that the standard uncertainty due to the long-term instability was smaller than 0.008?°C in all loops. The standard uncertainties due to links between the loops were found to be smaller than 0.025?°C at ?50?°C and 0.010?°C elsewhere. Conclusions on the equivalence of the dew-point temperature standards are drawn on the basis of calculated bilateral degrees of equivalence and deviations from the EURAMET comparison reference values (ERV). Taking into account 16 different primary dew-point realizations and 8 secondary realizations, the results demonstrate the equivalence of a large number of laboratories at an uncertainty level that is better than achieved in other multilateral comparisons so far in the humidity field.