A wide neighborhood interior-point algorithm for linear optimization based on a specific kernel function

This paper presents an interior point algorithm for solving linear optimization problems in a wide neighborhood of the central path introduced by Ai and Zhang (SIAM J Optim 16:400–417, 2005). In each iteration, the algorithm computes the new search directions by using a specific kernel function. The convergence of the algorithm is shown and it is proved that the algorithm has the same iteration bound as the best short-step algorithms. We demonstrate the computational efficiency of the proposed algorithm by testing some Netlib problems in standard form. To best our knowledge, this is the first wide neighborhood path-following interior-point method with the same complexity as the best small neighborhood path-following interior-point methods that uses the kernel function.

     

Viscosity Prediction for Oxygen,Nitrogen and Their Mixtures at Zero and Moderately Dense Regimes via Semi‐Empirically Based Assessment

The viscosity coefficients for the gaseous states of N₂ and O₂ and their mixtures are determined at zero and moderately density regimes. The Lennard‐Jones 12–6 (LJ 12–6) potential energy function is used as the initial model potential required y the technique. The interaction potential energies from the inversion procedure reproduce the viscosity commensurate to the best measurements. The initial density dependence of gaseous viscosity coefficient according to the Rainwater‐Friend theory, which was given by Najafi et al., has been considered for pure N₂ and pure O₂.     

Active methods to control periodic acoustic disturbances invoking Q-learning techniques

This paper presents a new solution to the Active Noise Control problem based on the Q-learning algorithm. Unlike other common methods, this feedback method does not require any additional information about the primary and secondary transfer functions and it is fully robust to subsystems dynamics changes. The basic method is addressed for periodic acoustic disturbances at first. A number of challenges such as the need for the large memory block and long convergence time have led to the establishment of some new suggestions. These modifications have improved the system performances and decreased the computational burden. It is shown by simulation that these methods are robust not for in the subsystems dynamics changes but also at the presence of measurement noise.     

A generalized Laguerre–Legendre spectral collocation method for solving initial-boundary value problems

In this research, a mixed spectral collocation method based on Kronecker product is proposed for solving initial-boundary value problems. New implementation is suggested to achieve more accurate approximation at longer times. Test problems are also studied to demonstrate how this method is implemented. Numerical experiments reveal that the new method is very effective and convenient.     

Determination of dual glass transition temperatures of a PC/ABS blend using two TMA modes

An inherent challenge with polymer blends is the difficulty in resolving the glass transition, T _g, for the smaller mass fraction component. The objective of this work was to determine the practical scanning conditions for identifying the dual T _g’s for a 75:25 polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PC/ABS) blend using a thermomechanical analyzer (TMA). Scanning rates up to 20°C min⁻¹ using dilatometer and expansion modes were studied. Heating and cooling rates were found to affect both T _g values but the effects were not simple relationships. T _g values could either increase or decrease depending on the scanning rate applied. Higher rates resulted in large thermal lags which opened the accuracy of measurements to question. Generally, higher rates tended to display only one T _g but the duality of T _g’s can be detected with scanning rates between 0.5 and 5°C min⁻¹ for both modes.     

Preparation and characterization of polyurethane electrical insulating coatings derived from novel soybean oil‐based polyol

As a viable alternative to the petrochemical polyols in polyurethanes (PUs), a new soybean oil‐based polyol (PSBO) with high functionality of hydroxyl groups and built‐in (preformed) urethane bonds was introduced. At first, a facile and improved method was developed for the transformation of epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) to carbonated soybean oil (CSBO). Then ring‐opening reaction of carbonated oil with ethanolamine (ETA) led to the polyol. After characterization by conventional spectroscopic and analytical methods, PSBO was used for the formulation of novel one‐pack PU electroinsulating wire enamels. Tunable mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties for the final PUs were achieved by replacing 10 wt% of PSBO with poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) at different number average molecular weights of 725, 1000, 2000, 4000. Investigation of the results showed that these soy‐based PUs offer excellent thermal and electrical insulating properties. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Chi-Squared Test for the Generalized Power Weibull Family for the Head-and-Neck Cancer Censored Data

We propose a chi-squared type statistic to test the validity of the generalized power Weibull family based on the Head-and-Neck cancer censored data. Bibliography: 18 titles. __________ Published in Zapiski Nauchnykh Seminarov POMI, Vol. 311, 2004, pp. 222–236. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Thermal performance of poly(ethylene disulfide)/expanded graphite nanocomposites

In this study, the influences of expanded graphite oxide (EG) nanosheets presence with and without surfactant on structural and thermal performance of poly(ethylene disulfide) (PEDS)-based nanocomposites are investigated. Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) is used as a surfactant for the preparation of modified-EG nanosheets. The structural, morphological, and thermal properties of prepared nanocomposites are studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry techniques, respectively. XRD patterns of nanocomposites reveal that a high degree of expanded graphite nanosheets dispersion is achieved with and without surface modification using in situ polymerization method. Moreover, the presence of immobilized polysulfide chains near the interface region of nanosheets is suggested as a possible reason for the observed increase in the number of semi-crystalline organic fractions in the structure of PEDS via EG nanosheets incorporation. In addition, the morphology of SDBS-modified-EG loaded nanocomposite shows a smoother fracture surface than unmodified-nanosheets reinforced nanocomposite. Therefore, more interactions between nanosheets and polysulfide chains are expected in the structure of unmodified-EG reinforced nanocomposite. Moreover, thermal resistance and degradation kinetics of prepared nanocomposites are studied using thermogravimetric analysis results and degradation activation energy calculations, respectively. The required activation energy for the degradation process of SDBS-EG loaded nanocomposite is about 140 kJ mol^?1 lower than the required degradation activation energy of unmodified-nanosheets reinforced nanocomposite.     

Hydrogen production via CO2-reforming of methane over Cu and Co doped Ni/Al2O3 nanocatalyst: impregnation versus sol–gel method and effect of process conditions and promoter

In this study, Cu and Co doped Ni/Al₂O₃ nanocatalyst was synthesized via impregnation and sol–gel methods. The physiochemical properties of nanocatalyst were characterized by XRD, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), particle size distribution, BET, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), TG–DTA and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The samples were employed for CO₂-reforming of methane in atmospheric pressure, temperature range from 550 to 850 °C, under various mixture of CH₄/CO₂ and different gas hourly space velocity. XRD patterns besides indicating the decline of the peaks intensity in sol–gel method, proved the potential of this procedure in diminishing the crystal size and preventing the NiAl₂O₄ spinel formation. Moreover, high surface area might derive of smaller particle size and uniform morphology of sol–gel prepared ones, confirmed by FESEM and BET analysis. TG–DTG analysis as well supported the higher surface area for sol–gel made ones, represented the proper calcination temperature (approximately 600 °C). Also, presence of the active phases and elemental composition of nanocatalysts determine via EDX analysis. Promoting the basicity and the adsorption rate of CO₂, is attributed to the higher amount of OH groups for sol–gel prepared samples, proved by FTIR. Ni–Co/Al₂O₃ due to the synergetic effect of sol–gel method and cobalt addition depicted excellent characterization such as higher surface area, smaller particle size, supplying more stable support and enhanced morphology. Therefore, this nanocatalyst represented the best products yield (H₂ = 98.21 and CO = 95.64), H₂/CO close to unit (0.92–1.05) and stable conversion during 1,440 min stability test. So, Ni–Co/Al₂O₃ among all of the prepared nanocatalysts demonstrated the best catalytic performance and presented it as a highly efficient catalyst for dry reforming of methane. Despite of the stable yield of Ni–Cu/Al₂O₃, it depicted the lower catalytic activity and H₂/CO ratio than the unprompted nanocatalysts.