On stochastic comparisons of finite mixtures for some semiparametric families of distributions

In this paper, we consider the classical finite mixture model, which is an effective tool for modeling lifetime distributions for random samples from heterogeneous populations. We discuss new results on stochastic comparison for two finite mixtures when each of them is drawn from one of the following semiparametric families, i.e., proportional hazards, accelerated lifetime and proportional reversed hazards.     

An overlapping domain decomposition dual reciprocity method

We present a domain decomposition boundary integral equation method for two-dimensional partial differential equations. The overlapping Schwarz method is employed to improve the dual reciprocity boundary element method. The resulting algorithm turns out to be more accurate than a non-overlapping approach previously proposed. Some numerical results showing the improved accuracy and efficiency of the methods are given.     

Effects of unequal reactivity of functional groups on gelation phenomena in polyurethane systems

A model to describe the effect of unequal reactivity on curing of a diisocyanate with water, polyol and a diol was developed. The model predicts whether a given initial composition would gel or not and the fractional conversions of functional groups at the gel point. It has been shown that the relative speeds of reaction of water and hydroxyl groups can be used to classify water's behaviour as that of a (i) nonreactive diluent (ii) monofunctional blocking agent and (iii) chain extender capable of connecting branch points.     

Ice-slurry production using direct contact heat transfer

An ice slurry generation system was developed using direct contact heat transfer between water and the coolant, Fluroinert FC-84. The location of the coolant nozzle is an important design consideration to avoid clogging due to freezing of water. An ice fraction of up to about 40 percent was obtained with the nozzle located at the bottom of the ice slurry tank and the jet directed upwards into the water. Two simplified model were developed to extract the heat transfer coefficient between the coolant drops and the water. The first model requires as input the average drop diameter and the residence time while the second model uses the measured drop diameter distribution. The estimated heat transfer coefficients are much smaller than those computed using single-sphere correlations.     

A generalized equation for the prediction of melting temperatures of homopolymers and copolymers

A generalized equation was derived to calculate the melting temperatures of homopolymers and copolymers. The Gibbs‐Thomson equation for homopolymers and a modified application to copolymers were derived using the proposed equation. The melting temperature T_m⁰ in the Flory equation corresponds to the melting temperature T_m^C,∞ of copolymer crystals with stems of infinite length. Also, T_m^C,n*, the melting temperature for copolymer crystals with stems containing the maximum possible number of structural units, n*, should be used instead of T_m⁰ as the basis of supercooling in crystallization. The proposed equation shows good agreement with experimental data for α‐alkene‐ethylene homogeneous copolymers.     

On the kinetics of the autoxidation of fats: influence of pro‐oxidants,antioxidants and synergists

The influence of minor amounts of pro‐ and anti‐oxidants on the kinetics of the autoxidation of fat has been evaluated. The reaction rates of oxygen with the substrates were found to follow the same basic equation, hitherto established for pure substrates. There is evidence that the surface of the reaction vessel also acts as a reaction catalyst and its effect is proportional to the area of glass in contact with lipids. Oxidation is enhanced by trace metal ions as well as by surface‐active compounds (e.g. hydroperoxides and sterols). Antioxidants such as α‐tocopherol and butylated hydroxyanisole inhibit the oxidation by delaying the start of oxygen consumption (the induction period) while retarders like amino acids only decrease the rate of oxidation. Thus pro‐ and anti‐ oxidants affect either the start or the rate of oxygen consumption. The empirical formula dx/dt = k [O₂] (1‐x/n) f′(t) was found applicable to the different stages of oxidation.     

Evaluation of simple dynamic models and controllers for hydraulic and nozzle pressure in injection molding

Simple pseudo-steady state relations between the hydraulic and nozzle pressures of an injection molding machine were presented and verified experimentally. A simulation study was performed to evaluate the performance of simple controllers using dynamic models developed for the hydraulic and nozzle pressures. The controllers chosen were the discrete proportional, proportional-integral (PI), and proportional-integral-derivative (PID) types, tuned according to the ITAE criterion. The control of hydraulic pressure simulation showed that the PI controller had the best overall performance, whereas the result of nozzle pressure control loop simulation showed that the PID controller performance was better than that of the PI controller. All the controllers, in both loops, gave responses that were about an order of magnitude more rapid than the open loop response.     

Planning collision-free trajectories in time-varying environments: a two-level hierarchy

We propose a two-level hierarchy for planning collision-free trajectories in time varying environments. Global geometric algorithms for trajectory planning are used in conjunction with a local avoidance strategy. Simulations have been developed for a mobile robot in the plane among stationary and moving obstacles. Essentially, the robot has a global geometric planner that provides a coarse global trajectory (the path and velocity along it), which may be locally modified by the low-level local avoidance module if local sensors detect any obstacles in the vicinity of the robot. This hierarchy makes effective use of the complementary aspects of the global trajectory planning approaches and the local obstacle avoidance approaches.