ETAS: predictive scheduling of functions on worker nodes of Apache OpenWhisk platform

The Journal of Supercomputing - Fast execution of functions is an inevitable challenge in the serverless computing landscape. Inefficient dispatching, fluctuations in invocation rates, burstiness...     

On the accuracy of Landweber and Tikhonov reconstruction techniques in gas‐solid fluidized bed applications

As electrical capacitance tomography technique needs a sophisticated reconstruction, the accuracy of two of the most widely used reconstruction techniques (Landweber and Tikhonov) for gas‐fluidized bed applications were assessed. For this purpose, the results of two‐fluid model simulations were used as an input of reconstruction. After finding the optimum reconstruction parameters for the studied system, it is found that both techniques were able to obtain the radial profile and overall value of average volume fraction very well. Conversely, both methods were incapable to determine bubble sizes accurately especially small bubble sizes, unless the Landweber technique with inverted Maxwell concentration model is applied. The probability distribution of the reconstructed results was also smoother in transition between the emulsion and bubble phases compared to the reality. Finally, no significant differences in noise immunity of these two techniques were observed. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 4102–4113, 2015     

A Modified Method for the Determination of N‐Nitrosodiethanolamine in Coconut Diethanolamide Using HPLC with Dual‐Wavelength UV–Vis Detector

A simple and novel method based on high‐performance liquid chromatography with dual‐wavelength ultraviolet detection at 234 and 254 nm has been developed for the determination of underivatized N‐nitrosodiethanolamine in coconut diethanolamide. The correlation coefficient obtained shows that the method is correct.     

Borescopy in pressurized gas‐solid fluidized beds

A borescopic technique was used for finding the effect of pressure on the hydrodynamics of gas‐solid fluidized beds. The results showed that solids radial distribution may become more or less uniform with increasing pressure depending on the superficial gas velocity. Moreover, it is found that the solids volume fraction of the emulsion phase may decrease at relatively high pressures, only in the central region of the bed. Additionally, it is observed that with increasing pressure the bubble size generally decreased in the central regions and increased near the wall regions. This trend was more complicated at low excess gas velocities. The number of bubbles increased for the central regions and near the walls for all the performed experiments. However, this parameter showed a different trend at other radial positions. © 2018 The Authors AIChE Journal published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 3303–3311, 2018     

Ozonation and Electron Beam Irradiation of Dyes Mixture

In this study, the effects of ozone and electron beam radiation on color removal of dyes mixture were studied. According to the obtained results, the COD data denote that a first-irradiation process is a better one and the absorbency data denote that ozonation after irradiation will result in higher values of decolorization. Therefore, it can be said that a process that first applies an electron beam and then uses ozonation is better than the reverse process. Using a new approach for interpretation of the experimental decolorization results, it has been shown that the calculated dye removal percentages based on ozone consumption are near to experimental decolorization results.     

Design and implementation of a new high step-up DC-DC converter for renewable applications

In this paper, a new structure for a DC-DC boost converter is proposed. The presented converter provides a high voltage transfer gain with lower duty cycle. Low current and low voltage stress on the switch, enlarged area of operating in continuous conduction mode (CCM), reduced size of the inductors, and the input filter are the main advantages of the proposed converter. The high voltage transfer gain with low number of elements has made it suitable to implement. Hence, using only one switch has made the control of the proposed converter easy. Besides, decreased switching losses and higher efficiency are obtained. The proposed structure is a combination of the Luo converter and a booster unit, which its analysis is studied in three modes, CCM, boundary conduction mode (BCM), and discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). Furthermore, in order to validate the analysis and feasibility of the proposed converter, the experimental results are developed on a low power prototype.     

Emotional evaluation of architectural interior forms based on personality differences using virtual reality

Recent studies have shown that architectural interior forms could impact the affective state of inhabitants. However, the direct relation of specific forms with specific affective states is difficult to determine. In addition, no systematic categorization of architectural forms and their relation to emotional states exists. The investigation of the impact of architectural features on inhabitants' emotions is further complicated by the use of two-dimensional images of forms in laboratory investigations, which cannot perceive real-world architecture. Furthermore, the interior form consists of a combination of different forms rather than only pure forms, which was considered in previous studies. This study aimed to fill these gaps by evaluating interior forms on the basis of clustering different images of built living rooms throughout history as well as their impact on emotions. This study used pleasure, arousal, and dominance ratings with an emphasis on individual differences in personality. Virtual sample rooms were created based on formal clusters of architectural forms. Results showed a relationship between forms and emotional states for different personality traits. This work provided a novel approach on the influence of architecture on emotion by considering systematic form categorization and combinations, personality differences, and a virtual reality setup.     

Design of a polymer optical fiber luminescent solar concentrator

We present the design and optimization of a polymeric optical fiber luminescent solar concentrator (FLSC) and systematically investigate the impact of the geometrical and physical parameters of the fiber and active luminescent dopants on the FLSC performance. A multiplicity of individual FLSCs may be arranged on a surface to form a low‐weight and mechanically flexible solar concentrating fabric. In addition to these unique structural properties, we find that the overall optical‐to‐electrical conversion efficiency of the FLSC rivals that of reported flat slab LSCs while increasing the geometric gain, thereby potentially reducing the cost. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bubble Splitting in a Pseudo‐2D Gas‐Solid Fluidized Bed for Geldart B‐Type Particles

Bubble splitting in 2D gas‐solid freely bubbling fluidized beds is experimentally investigated using digital image analysis. The quantitative results can be applied for the development of a new breakage model for bubbly fluidized beds, especially discrete bubble models. The variation of splitting frequency with bubble diameter, new resulting bubble volumes, positions, and also the assumptions of mass and momentum conservation for bubbles after breakage are studied in detail. Small bubbles are found to be more stable than large ones and nearly all mother bubbles split into two almost equally sized daughter bubbles. The momentum of gas bubbles in the vertical direction remains approximately constant after breakage, whereas that of bubbles in the horizontal direction changes with no clear trend. The effect of fluidizing gas velocity in breakage frequency is also examined.     

An Inaccuracy in the Determination of Cocoamidopropyl Betaine by the Potentiometric Method

Cocoamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) is one of the most important amphoteric surfactants frequently used in cosmetic products, especially shampoos and bath products. Potentiometric and two‐phase active titrations of commercial grade CAPB are not in good agreement. The findings of this study suggest dimethylaminopropylamine‐betaines interfere with potentiometic titration.