Neural networks analysis of free laminar convection heat transfer in a partitioned enclosure

The feasibility of using neural networks (NNs) to predict the complete thermal and flow variables throughout a complicated domain, due to free convection, is demonstrated. Attention is focused on steady, laminar, two-dimensional, natural convective flow within a partitioned cavity. The objective is to use NN (trained on a database generated by a CFD analysis of the problem of a partitioned enclosure) to predict new cases; thus saving effort and computation time. Three types of NN are evaluated, namely General Regression NNs, Polynomial NNs, and a versatile design of Backpropagation neural networks. An important aspect of the study was optimizing network architecture in order to achieve best performance. For each of the three different NN architectures evaluated, parametric studies were performed to determine network parameters that best predict the flow variables.A CFD simulation software was used to generate a database that covered the range of Rayleigh number Ra = 10⁴–5 × 10⁶. The software was used to calculate the temperature, the pressure, and the horizontal and vertical components of flow speed. The results of the CFD were used for training and testing the neural networks (NN). The robustness of the trained NNs was tested by applying them to a “production” data set (1500 patterns for Ra = 8 × 10⁴ and 1500 patterns for Ra = 3 × 10⁶), which the networks have never been “seen” before. The results of applying the technique on the “production” data set show excellent prediction when the NNs are properly designed. The success of the NN in accurately predicting free convection in partitioned enclosures should help reduce analysis-time and effort. Neural networks could potentially help solve some cases in which CFD fails to solve because of numerical instability.     

On “P” property and the column-W property

P-matrices play an important role in the well-posedness of a linear complementarity problem (LCP). Similarly, the well-posedness of a horizontal linear complementarity problem (HLCP) is closely related to the column-W property of a matrix k-tuple.In this paper we first consider the problem of generating P-matrices from a given pair of matrices. Given a matrix pair (D, F) where D is a square matrix of order m and matrix F has m rows, “what are the conditions under which there exists a matrix G such that (D + FG) is a P-matrix?”. We obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for the special case when the column rank of F is m ? 1. A decision algorithm of complexity O(m²) to check whether the given pair of matrices (D, F) is P-matrisable is obtained. We also obtain a necessary and an independent sufficient condition for the general case when rank(F) is less than m ? 1.We then generalise the P-matrix generating problem to the generation of matrix k-tuples satisfying the column-W property from a given matrix (k + 1)-tuple. That is, given a matrix (k + 1)-tuple (D₁, … ,D_k, F), where D_js are square matrices of order m and F is a matrix having m rows, we determine the conditions under which the matrix k-tuple (D₁ + FG₁, … ,D_k + FG_k) satisfies the column-W property. As in the case of P-matrices we obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for the case when rank(F) = m ? 1. Using these conditions a decision algorithm of complexity O(km²) to check whether the given matrix (k + 1)-tuple is column-W matrisable is obtained. Then for the case when rank(F) is less than m ? 1, we obtain a necessary and an independent sufficient condition.For a special sub-class of P-matrices we give a polynomial time decision algorithm for P-matrisability. Finally, we obtain a geometric characterisation of column-W property by generalising the well known separation theorem for P-matrices.     

Un modelo numérico para la simulación de disolución de precipitados en aleaciones de aluminio con endurecimiento utilizando redes neuronales

The motivation of this work is the modeling of the hardening precipitate and hardness evolutions of fully hardened heat treatable aluminium alloys during friction stir welding (FSW) and/or heat treatment processes. The model used is based on the kinetics of dissolution of precipitates model for hardened aluminium alloys given by Myhr and Grong (1991). This model contains a single independent variable, the time, and a single state variable, the volume fraction of hardening precipitates. A key point of this model is the identification of the effective activation energy for precipitates dissolution and the master curve defining the model, which was given by a look-up table. The goal of this work is to find an estimation of the effective activation energy and to model the dissolution rate of hardening precipitate in aluminium alloys using neural networks, avoiding the use of look-up tables. For this purpose a new and more convenient parametrization of the master curve is defined, a neural networks class is proposed, an objective functional is defined and a variational problem including independent parameters is solved. The novel methodology has been applied to different aluminium alloys, including the AA 6005A T6, AA 7449 T79 and AA 2198 T8. Experimental tests have been carried out for those aluminium alloys in order to get the HV1 hardness after isothermal heat treatments at different temperatures and for different treatment time durations. The effective activation energy for hardening precipitates dissolution and the master curve of the model have been obtained, using different network architectures, for the aluminium alloys considered in this work.     

Free convection heat and mass transfer in a power law fluid past an inclined surface with thermophoresis

The problem of heat and mass transfer in a power law, two-dimensional, laminar, boundary layer flow of a viscous incompressible fluid over an inclined plate with heat generation and thermophoresis is investigated by the characteristic function method. The governing non-linear partial differential equations describing the flow and heat transfer problem are transformed into a set of coupled non-linear ordinary differential equation which was solved using Runge–Kutta shooting method. Exact solutions for the dimensionless temperature and concentration profiles, are presented graphically for different physical parameters and for the different power law exponents 0 < n < 0.5 and for n > 0.5.     

An exact algorithm for the knapsack sharing problem with common items

We are concerned with a variation of the knapsack problem as well as of the knapsack sharing problem, where we are given a set of n items and a knapsack of a fixed capacity. As usual, each item is associated with its profit and weight, and the problem is to determine the subset of items to be packed into the knapsack. However, in the problem there are s players and the items are divided into s + 1 disjoint groups, N_k (k = 0, 1, … , s). The player k is concerned only with the items in N₀ ∪ N_k, where N₀ is the set of ‘common’ items, while N_k represents the set of his own items. The problem is to maximize the minimum of the profits of all the players. An algorithm is developed to solve this problem to optimality, and through a series of computational experiments, we evaluate the performance of the developed algorithm.     

Developing interaction potential for H (2H) → Cu(1 1 1) interaction system: A numerical study

In this study, we have used London–Eyring–Polanyi–Sato (LEPS) functional form as an interaction potential energy function to simulate H (2H) → Cu(1 1 1) interaction system. The parameters of the LEPS function are determined in order to analyze reaction dynamics via molecular dynamics computer simulations of the Cu(1 1 1) surface and H/(2H) system. Nonlinear least-squares method is used to find the LEPS parameters. For this purpose, we use the energy points which were calculated by a density-functional theory method with the generalized gradient approximation including exchange-correlation energy for various configurations of one and two hydrogen atoms on the Cu(1 1 1) surface. After the fitting procedures, two different parameters sets are obtained that the calculated root-mean-square values are close to each other. Using these sets, contour plots of the potential energy surfaces are analyzed for H → Cu(1 1 1) and 2H → Cu(1 1 1) interactions systems. In addition, sticking, penetration, and scattering sites on the surface are analyzed by using these sets.     

On generating (2 + 1)-dimensional hierarchies of evolution equations

Two isospectral problems are constructed with the help of a 6-dimensional Lie algebra. By using the Tu scheme, a (1 + 1)-dimensional expanding integrable couplings of the KdV hierarchy is obtained and the corresponding Hamiltonian structure is established. In addition, the 2-order matrix operators proposed by Tuguizhang are extended to the case where some 4-order matrices are given. Based on the extension, a new hierarchy of 2 + 1 dimensions is obtained by the Hamiltonian operator of the above (1 + 1)-dimensional case and the TAH scheme. The new hierarchy of 2 + 1 dimensions can be reduced to a coupled (2 + 1)-dimensional nonlinear equation and furthermore it can be reduced to the (2 + 1)-dimensional KdV equation which has important physics applications. The Hamiltonian structure for the (2 + 1)-dimensional hierarchy is derived with the aid of an extended trace identity. To the best of our knowledge, generating the (2 + 1)-dimensional equation hierarchies by virtue of the TAH scheme has not been studied in detail except to previous little work by Tu et al.     

Demand-driven energy requirement of world economy 2007: A multi-region input–output network simulation

This study presents a network simulation of the global embodied energy flows in 2007 based on a multi-region input–output model. The world economy is portrayed as a 6384-node network and the energy interactions between any two nodes are calculated and analyzed. According to the results, about 70% of the world’s direct energy input is invested in resource, heavy manufacture, and transportation sectors which provide only 30% of the embodied energy to satisfy final demand. By contrast, non-transportation services sectors contribute to 24% of the world’s demand-driven energy requirement with only 6% of the direct energy input. Commodity trade is shown to be an important alternative to fuel trade in redistributing energy, as international commodity flows embody 1.74E + 20 J of energy in magnitude up to 89% of the traded fuels. China is the largest embodied energy exporter with a net export of 3.26E + 19 J, in contrast to the United States as the largest importer with a net import of 2.50E + 19 J. The recent economic fluctuations following the financial crisis accelerate the relative expansions of energy requirement by developing countries, as a consequence China will take over the place of the United States as the world’s top demand-driven energy consumer in 2022 and India will become the third largest in 2015.     

The Lie-group shooting method for solving the Bratu equation

For the Bratu problem, we transform it into a non-linear second order boundary value problem, and then solve it by the Lie-group shooting method (LGSM). LGSM allows us to search a missing initial slope and moreover, the initial slope can be expressed as a function of r ∈ [0, 1], where the best r is determined by matching the right-end boundary condition. The calculated results as compared with those calculated by other methods, illuminate the efficiency and precision of Lie-group shooting method (LGSM) for this problem.     

Anytime anyspace probabilistic inference

This paper investigates methods that balance time and space constraints against the quality of Bayesian network inferences––we explore the three-dimensional spectrum of “time × space × quality” trade-offs. The main result of our investigation is the adaptive conditioning algorithm, an inference algorithm that works by dividing a Bayesian network into sub-networks and processing each sub-network with a combination of exact and anytime strategies. The algorithm seeks a balanced synthesis of probabilistic techniques for bounded systems. Adaptive conditioning can produce inferences in situations that defy existing algorithms, and is particularly suited as a component of bounded agents and embedded devices.     

Chiral resonant solitons in Chern–Simons theory and Broer–Kaup type new hydrodynamic systems

New Broer–Kaup type systems of hydrodynamic equations are derived from the derivative reaction–diffusion systems arising in SL(2, R) Kaup–Newell hierarchy, represented in the non-Madelung hydrodynamic form. A relation with the problem of chiral solitons in quantum potential as a dimensional reduction of 2 + 1 dimensional Chern–Simons theory for anyons is shown. By the Hirota bilinear method, soliton solutions are constructed and the resonant character of soliton interaction is found.     

Students’ coordination of lower and higher dimensional units in the context of constructing and evaluating sums of consecutive whole numbers

This paper examines how three eighth grade students coordinated lower and higher dimensional units (e.g., composite units and pairs) in the context of constructing a formula for evaluating sums of consecutive whole numbers while solving combinatorics problems (e.g., 1 + 2 + ⋯ + 15 = (16 × 15)/2). The data is drawn from the beginning of an 8-month teaching experiment. The findings from the study include: (1) a framework for understanding how students coordinate lower and higher dimensional units; (2) identification of key learning that occurred as students made the transition between solving two kinds of combinatorics problems; and (3) identification of the links between the way students’ coordinated lower and higher dimensional units and their evaluation of sums of consecutive whole numbers. Implications for research and teaching are considered.     

A generalized AKNS hierarchy,bi-Hamiltonian structure,and Darboux transformation

A new generalized AKNS hierarchy is presented starting from a 4 × 4 matrix spectral problem with four potentials. Its generalized bi-Hamiltonian structure is also investigated by using the trace identity. Moreover, the special coupled nonlinear equation, the coupled KdV equation, the KdV equation, the coupled mKdV equation and the mKdV equation are produced from the generalized AKNS hierarchy. Most importantly, a Darboux transformation for the generalized AKNS hierarchy is established with the aid of the gauge transformation between the corresponding 4 × 4 matrix spectral problem, by which multiple soliton solutions of the generalized AKNS hierarchy are obtained. As a reduction, a Darboux transformation of the mKdV equation and its new analytical positon, negaton and complexiton solutions are given.     

Multi-server machine repair problems under a (V, R) synchronous single vacation policy

This paper considers a machine repair problem with M operating machines and S standbys, in which R repairmen are responsible for supervising these machines and operate a (V, R) vacation policy. With such policy, if the number of the failed machines is reduced to R − V (R > V) (there exists V idle repairmen) at a service completion, these V idle servers will together take a synchronous vacation (or leave for other secondary job). Upon returning from the vacation, they do not take a vacation again and remain idle until the first arriving failed machine arrives. The steady-state probabilities are solved in terms of matrix forms and the system performance measures are obtained. Algorithmic procedures are provided to deal with the optimization problem of discrete/continuous decision variables while maintaining a minimum specified level of system availability.     

Simulación numérica del flujo turbulento de aire con gotas dispersas de agua a través de separadores de torres de refrigeración

This work presents a numerical study on the turbulent flow of air with dispersed water droplets in separators of mechanical cooling towers. The averaged Navier-Stokes equations are discretised through a finite volume method, using the Fluent and Phoenics codes, and alternatively employing the turbulence models k ? ?, k ? ω and the Reynolds stress model, with low-Re version and wall enhanced treatment refinements. The results obtained are compared with numerical and experimental results taken from the literature. The degree of accuracy obtained with each of the considered models of turbulence is stated. The influence of considering whether or not the simulation of the turbulent dispersion of droplets is analyzed, as well as the effects of other relevant parameters on the collection efficiency and the coefficient of pressure drop. Focusing on four specific eliminators (‘Belgian wave’, ‘H1-V’, ‘L-shaped’ and ‘Zig-zag’), the following ranges of parameters are outlined: 1 ≤ U_e ≤ 5 m/s for the entrance velocity, 2 ≤ D_p ≤ 50 μm for the droplet diameter, 650 ≤ Re ≤ 8.500 for Reynolds number, and 0.05 ≤ P_i ≤ 5 for the inertial parameter. Results reached alternately with Fluent and Phoenics codes are compared. The best results correspond to the simulations performed with Fluent, using the SST k ? ω turbulence model, with values of the dimensionless scaled distance to wall y⁺ in the range 0.2 to 0.5. Finally, correlations are presented to predict the conditions for maximum collection efficiency (100 %), depending on the geometric parameter of removal efficiency of each of the separators, which is introduced in this work.     

A cartographic study of the phase space of the elliptic restricted three body problem. Application to the Sun–Jupiter–Asteroid system

This work deals with numerical investigations of the phase space of the planar elliptic restricted three body model. The Sun–Jupiter–Asteroid system is considered and the fast Lyapunov indicator (FLI) is used as a tool to examine various types of orbits on which the infinitesimal mass can undergo. The FLI is computed on given grids of initial conditions regularly spaced in the domain 1.5 AU ? a ? 6 AU and 0 ? e ? 0.5 and for various choices of initial angles: the argument of perihelion ω and mean anomaly M. On the obtained charts the stability regions, the chaotic zones and the geography of resonances are clearly displayed. Moreover, the ‘V’ shaped layers associated with the mean motion resonances of low order with its chaotic zones due to separatrix splitting and libration regions are clearly distinguished. Their size is discussed as a function of the resonance order and the parameters entering into the perturbing function. The results are discussed and compared with analytical studies concerning the subject.     

Molecular dynamics of thermal vibration effects: Ar + Ni(1 0 0) collision system

In this work constant energy molecular dynamics simulations are achieved for investigating sputtering process of Ar + Ni(1 0 0) collision system. The Ni crystal is imitated by an embedded-atom potential, whereas the interaction between the projectile and the surface is modeled by re-parameterized ZBL potential. Seven hundred eighty-four Ar atoms carrying 20–50 eV are sent towards a Ni(1 0 0) surface at normal incidence. Each projectile meets with different initial coordinates (phase) of the nickel atoms because of thermal vibrations in the slab. Effects of the different initial phases of the surface are compared with the available theoretical and experimental data.     

Computing best-possible bounds for the distribution of a sum of several variables is NP-hard

In many real-life situations, we know the probability distribution of two random variables x₁ and x₂, but we have no information about the correlation between x₁ and x₂; what are the possible probability distributions for the sum x₁ + x₂? This question was originally raised by A.N. Kolmogorov. Algorithms exist that provide best-possible bounds for the distribution of x₁ + x₂; these algorithms have been implemented as a part of the efficient software for handling probabilistic uncertainty. A natural question is: what if we have several (n > 2) variables with known distribution, we have no information about their correlation, and we are interested in possible probability distribution for the sum y = x₁ + ⋯ + x_n? Known formulas for the case n = 2 can be (and have been) extended to this case. However, as we prove in this paper, not only are these formulas not best-possible anymore, but in general, computing the best-possible bounds for arbitrary n is an NP-hard (computationally intractable) problem.     

Inverse problems for parabolic equations 2

Let u_t − u_xx = h(t) in 0 ⩽ x ⩽ π, t ⩾ 0. Assume that u(0, t) = v(t), u(π, t) = 0, and u(x, 0) = g(t). The problem is: what extra data determine the three unknown functions {h, v, g} uniquely? This question is answered and an analytical method for recovery of the above three functions is proposed.     

Special Functions on the Sphere with Applications to Minimal Surfaces

A function which is homogeneous in x, y, z of degree n and satisfies V_xx + V_yy + V_zz = 0 is called a spherical harmonic. In polar coordinates, the spherical harmonics take the form rⁿf_n, where f_n is a spherical surface harmonic of degree n. On a sphere, f_n satisfies ▵ f_n + n(n + 1)f_n = 0, where ▵ is the spherical Laplacian. Bounded spherical surface harmonics are well studied, but in certain instances, unbounded spherical surface harmonics may be of interest. For example, if X is a parameterization of a minimal surface and n is the corresponding unit normal, it is known that the support function, w = X · n, satisfies ▵w + 2w = 0 on a branched covering of a sphere with some points removed. While simple in form, the boundary value problem for the support function has a very rich solution set. We illustrate this by using spherical harmonics of degree one to construct a number of classical genus-zero minimal surfaces such as the catenoid, the helicoid, Enneper's surface, and Hennenberg's surface, and Riemann's family of singly periodic genus-one minimal surfaces.