Evaluating policies based on their long term average cost

Many decision problems can be characterized by a set of possible states and a cost associated with each possible state transition, hi this paper we discuss how to select a policy from a set of possible policies in the long term. If the cost matrix is not available the transition matrix can be used to compare expected return times to states. In our setting the transition matrix is defined by use of linguistic terms and as a consequence, the expected return times are fuzzy. In the case where the cost matrix is available, fuzzy average costs are computed. The resulting fuzzy quantities are compared by introducing the concept of minimizing sets. Finally, we look at the case where the transition takes place from a state to a state that is known to be an element of some subset of states, but we do not know which one. We use the Dempster–Shafer theory [Shafer 1976] together with techniques of Norton [Norton 1988] and Smetz [Smetz 1976] to approximate the transition probabilities     

Laser surface alloying of an electroless Ni–P coating with Al-356 substrate

Laser surface alloying of an electroless plating Ni–P coatings on an Al-356 aluminium alloy was carried out using a 1-kW pulsed Nd:YAG laser. The microstructure, chemical composition and phase identification of the alloyed layer were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD), respectively. It was shown that laser surface treatment produced a relatively smooth, crack-free and hard surface layer. The hardness of the surface significantly increased due to the formation of the uniformly distributed fine Ni–Al intermetallic phases. The corrosion behaviour of the surface alloyed specimens in 3.5% NaCl solution at 23 °C was also determined by electrochemical techniques. The laser-alloyed surface showed an improved corrosion and pitting potential compared to the substrate as well as the plated Ni–P coating.     

Magnetic losses of the soft magnetic composites consisting of iron and Ni–Zn ferrite

Ferromagnetic powders which are surrounded by an electrically insulating film (soft magnetic composites (SMCs)) exhibit unique magnetic properties, such as relatively low magnetic losses and 3D isotropic magnetic behavior. In some electromagnetic applications, including microwave frequency range applications, it is necessary to increase electrical resistivity without any noticeable reduction in magnetic properties. To achieve this purpose, electrically resistant materials, for example, ferrites with acceptable magnetic properties, are suitable candidates. This paper focuses on the effects of the synthesized Ni–Zn ferrite addition on the magnetic properties of the SMCs containing Ni–Zn ferrite within iron particles. The structure was studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD). The microstructure and the powder morphology were examined by the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The magnetic measurements on powders and samples were carried out using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and an LCR meter, respectively. The results indicate that the lowest magnetic loss and the highest magnetic permeability are related to the composites with 20 wt% ferrite and 2 wt% ferrite, respectively. Also, the composites with 10 wt% ferrite show a good combination of magnetic loss and magnetic permeability in the range 0–500 kHz.     

Reducing Occupational Noise Propagated from Centrifugal Fan through Dissipative Silencers: A Field Study

Acoustic performance of dissipative silencer was evaluated to determine the effectiveness of perforated duct porosity and absorbent material density in reducing occupational noise exposure propagated from centrifugal fan. Design charts were applied to predict noise reduction and length of a dissipative silencer. Dissipative silencers with various punched duct porosity (14%, 30% and 40%) and sound absorbent density (80 Kg/m³, 120 Kg/m³, and 140 Kg/m³) were designed and fabricated. According to ISO9612 and ISO11820, noise level was measured before and after installing all nine test silencers at fixed workstations around the discharge side of a centrifugal fan in a manufacturing plant. On average, the noise level at the discharge side of a fan without silencer was measured to be 93.6 dBA, whereas it was significantly mitigated by 67.4 dBA to 70.1 dBA after installing all silencers. Dynamic insertion loss for a dissipative silencer with 100 cm length was predicted to be 27.9 dB, which was in agreement with experimental ones. Although, there was no significant differences between insertion loss of silencers, the one with 30% porosity and 120 Kg/m³ rock wool density had the highest insertion loss of 26.2 dBA. Dissipative silencers noticeably reduced centrifugal fan noise exposures. Increasing sound absorbent density and duct porosity up to a certain limit could probably be effective in noise reduction of dissipative silencers.     

Experimental and theoretical investigation of CO2 and air bubble rising velocity through kerosene and distilled water in bubble column

This paper concerns with developing of parameters which influence terminal velocities of air and CO₂ bubbles in distilled water and kerosene pools. The objective of this study is to validate and correct the formulas that were developed by previous investigators for prediction of terminal velocities. The investigation revealed that the terminal velocity of a single rigid spherical bubble in Newtonian fluids can be developed by balancing of mechanical forces acting on the bubble. However, for large bubbles, because of deforming of the bubble which is a result of interfacial tension, the effect of surface tension should be considered in the terminal velocity prediction formula. By using PSO algorithm and plotting experimental data of terminal velocity against the size of gas bubbles, the suitable equation for each of systems was chosen. Results showed that Jamialahmadi model is more practical for terminal velocity prediction. Jamialahmadi model requires a modification to be utilized for air-kerosene, CO₂-kerosene, air- distilled water and CO₂-distilled water systems. The developed PSO algorithm model is accurate for prediction of experimental data with an average R² value of 0.9722.     

Palladium nanoparticles immobilized over Strawberry fruit extract coated Fe3O4 NPs: A magnetic reusable nanocatalyst for Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions

This paper develops a green method for in situ decorated of palladium nanoparticles over Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, by utilizing Strawberry fruit extract and ultrasound irradiations, with no use of any toxic reducing agent. The structure's characterization is represented via diverse analytical methods such as FT-IR, FE-SEM, TEM, WDX, ICP, EDS and XXPS. Catalytic efficiency of magnetic Fe₃O₄@Strawberry/Pd nanocatalyst is investigated in production of different biphenyls with good turnover frequencies (TOF) and turnover numbers (TON) through Suzuki coupling reactions. Furthermore, the catalyst could be recovered and reused 7 runs without considerable palladium leaching or alteration in its performance.     

Ultrafine agarose-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (AC-SPIONs): a promising sorbent for drug delivery applications

A method for one-step synthesis of ultrafine agarose-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (AC-SPIONs) was developed. The method is facile and fast and requires no organic solvent or surfactant. The average particle size of the prepared AC-SPIONs was only 20–40 nm with a narrow size distribution and with large saturation magnetization at room temperature. The obtained ultrafine nanogel particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer techniques. The AC-SPIONs were epoxy-activated by epichlorohydrin and aminated by ammonium hydroxide. The amination of the particles was investigated by the Kaiser test. The adsorption of two model compounds (gallic acid and ellagic acid) on the functionalized nanoparticles and their releases from them were investigated spectrophotometrically in three different pH values under biological conditions. The functionalized AC-SPIONs displayed good adsorption and in vitro drug release in a phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.4). The ultrafine AC-SPIONs can be potentially used in magnetic solid-phase extraction, drug delivery, protein purification and enzyme immobilization methods.     

BF3.SiO2: An efficient heterogeneous alternative for regio-chemo and stereoselective claisen-schmidt condensation

Under solvent free conditions between 40-50 °C, BF₃.SiO₂, a mild solid acid catalyst, is applied to regio-chemo and stereoselective Claisen-Schmidt condensation. The procedure is very simple and the products are isolated with an easy workup in good to excellent yields.