Effects of major-road vehicle speed and driver age and gender on left-turn gap acceptance

Because the driver's gap-acceptance maneuver is a complex and risky driving behavior, it is a highly concerned topic for traffic safety and operation. Previous studies have mainly focused on the driver's gap acceptance decision itself but did not pay attention to the maneuver process and driving behaviors. Using a driving simulator experiment for left-turn gap acceptance at a stop-controlled intersection, this study evaluated the effects of major traffic speed and driver age and gender on gap acceptance behaviors. The experiment results illustrate relationships among drivers' left-turn gap decision, driver's acceleration rate, steering action, and the influence of the gap-acceptance maneuver on the vehicles in the major traffic stream. The experiment results identified an association between high crash risk and high traffic speed at stop-controlled intersections. The older drivers, especially older female drivers, displayed a conservative driving attitude as a compensation for reduced driving ability, but also showed to be the most vulnerable group for the relatively complex driving maneuvers.     

Genetic algorithm for job-shop scheduling with machine unavailability and breakdowns

The job-shop scheduling problem (JSSP) is considered to be one of the most complex combinatorial optimisation problems. In our previous attempt, we hybridised a Genetic Algorithm (GA) with a local search technique to solve JSSPs. In this research, we propose an improved local search technique, Shifted Gap-Reduction (SGR), which improves the performance of GAs when solving relatively difficult test problems. We also modify the new algorithm for JSSPs with machine unavailability and breakdowns. We consider two scenarios of machine unavailability. First, where the unavailability information is available in advance (predictive) and, secondly, where the information is known after a real breakdown (reactive). We show that the revised schedule is mostly able to recover if the interruptions occur during the early stages of the schedules.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel anti-inflammatory poly(spiro thiazolidinone)s

A new series of spirothiazolidinone polymers has been accomplished by solution polycondensation of 4,12-dioxa-1,9-dithiadispiro[4.2.4.2]tetradecane-3,11-dione (3) with different aliphatic and aromatic diamines. A model compound 4 was prepared by the reaction of spiro-monomer 3 with benzyl amine and was characterized by elemental and spectral analyses. These polymers were characterized by elemental and spectral analyses. The thermal properties of these polymers were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis measurements. The morphological properties of selected polymers 5c and 5e were tested using scanning electron microscope to study their surface morphology. The molar masses of polymers 5a, 5b, and 5d were determined by gel permeation chromatography. In addition, the anti-inflammatory activities were studied for these spiro-polymers in comparison with the model compound by determination in vivo using acute carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats.     

紫外可见光谱区分光光度计的标准化

紫外可见光谱测量通常用于实验室的定性和定量分析。为确保测量值可靠,实验仪器必须经过校准。埃及国家标准化所建立了一种光度测定法,其吸收和传输能力满足国际和国家要求。本文介绍了紫外可见光谱测及测量仪,讨论了影响测量可靠性的因素,并讨论了包含相关测量参数的不确定度模型。     

Knowledge modelling for laser beam welding in the aircraft industry

This paper presents a knowledge model of the laser beam welding (LBW) in the aircraft industry, which is developed through the utilisation of integration definition for function modelling and concept mapping. The developed knowledge model has been captured in the form of rules and recommendations, which is commonly used as guidelines in this field, and represented with unified modelling language. The LBW component development comprises four key stages, namely, structure design, process planning, fixture fabrication and component fabrication. This has been achieved through the adoption of a three-phase qualitative research methodology: data collection and analysis, knowledge model development and validation. The captured knowledge in the form of rules and recommendations has developed an understanding of the LBW in the aircraft industry and improved the structure design and process planning from joint type selection, structure dimension definition and process parameter optimisation, etc. A prototype handbook has been developed based on skin–stringer connection of aircraft fuselage to guide designers and engineers directly in developing laser beam-welded fuselage panels. The procedure of knowledge modelling for the LBW as well as the methods and tools adopted can be applied to other processes. The developed knowledge model has been validated through a case study.     

Comparative Study of Streamers＇ Characteristics in Different Seed Based Insulating Oils under Lightning Impulse Voltages

This paper is aimed at the streamers in natural esters （vegetable oils） in point--plane electrode arrangement under lightning impulse voltage. The shape, stopping length, velocity and current of streamers are investigated. Six untreated commercial oils extracted from grape seeds, sunflower and rape seeds, corn, rice and sesame that could constitute potential liquids for high voltage applications are tested. A naphthenic mineral oil is also tested for comparison. It＇s shown that the streamers are filamentary for both polarities. For a given voltage, the stopping lengths （Lf） of streamers are longer when the point is positive than when it is negative; also, except mineral oil when the point is negative, the values of Lf-are very close in all tested oils. The streamers＇ velocities are in the same range for all vegetable oils and they vary between 0.4 km/s and 1.2 km/s for positive polarity and 0.2 km/s and 0.8 km/s for negative polarity.     

SPH and FEM Investigation of Hydrodynamic Impact Problems

Simulation of hydrodynamic impact problems and its effect on surrounding structures, can be considered as a fluid structure coupling problem. The application is mainly used in automotive and aerospace engineering and also in civil engineering. Classical FEM and Finite Volume methods were the main formulations used by engineers to solve these problems. For the last decades, new formulations have been developed for fluid structure coupling applications using mesh free methods as SPH method, (Smooth Particle Hydrodynamic) and DEM (Discrete Element Method). Up to these days very little has been done to compare different methods and assess which one would be more suitable. In this paper the mathematical and numerical implementation of the FEM and SPH formulations for hydrodynamic problem are described. From different simulations, it has been observed that for the SPH method to provide similar results as FEM Lagrangian formulations, the SPH meshing, or SPH particle spacing needs to be finer than FEM mesh. To validate the statement, we perform a simulation of a hydrodynamic impact on an elasto-plastic plate structure. For this simple, the particle spacing of SPH method needs to be at least two times finer than FEM mesh. A contact algorithm is performed at the fluid structure interface for both SPH and FEM formulations. In the paper the efficiency and usefulness of two methods, often used in numerical simulations, are compared.     

Removal and preconcentration of lead (II), copper (II), chromium (III) and iron (III) from wastewaters by surface developed alumina adsorbents with immobilized 1-nitroso-2-naphthol

The potential removal and preconcentration of lead (II), copper (II), chromium (III) and iron (III) from wastewaters were investigated and explored. Three new alumina adsorbents of acidic, neutral and basic nature (I–III) were synthesized via physical adsorption and surface loading of 1-nitroso-2-naphthol as a possible chelating ion-exchanger. The modified alumina adsorbents are characterized by strong thermal stability as well as resistance to acidic medium leaching processes. High metal up-take was found providing this order: Cu(II) > Cr(III) > Pb(II) owing to the strong contribution of surface loaded 1-nitroso-2-naphthol. The outlined results from the distribution coefficient and separation factor evaluations (low metal ion concentration levels) were found to denote to a different selectivity order: Pb(II) > Cu(II) > Cr(III)) due to the strong contribution of alumina matrix in the metal binding processes. The potential applications of alumina adsorbents for removal and preconcentration of Pb(II), Cu(II), Cr(III) from wastewaters as well as drinking tap water samples were successfully accomplished giving recovery values of (89–100 ± 1–3%) and (93–99 ± 3–4%), respectively without any noticeable interference of the wastewater or drinking tap water matrices.     

Effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on insulin resistance in hemodialysis patients

Insulin resistance is a characteristic feature of uremia. Insulin resistance and concomitant hyperinsulinemia are present irrespective of the type of renal disease. Treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) was said to be associated with improvement in insulin sensitivity in uremic patients. The aim of this study was to compare insulin resistance in adult uremic hemodialysis (HD) patients including diabetic patients treated with or without rHuEPO. A total of 59 HD patients were studied, patients were divided into 2 groups of subjects: 30 HD patients on regular rHuEPO treatment (group A), and 29 HD patients not receiving rHuEPO (group B) diabetic patients were not excluded. Full medical history and clinical examination, hematological parameters, lipid profile, serum albumin, parathyroid horomone, Kt/V, fasting glucose, and insulin levels were measured in all subjects. Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA‐IR) was used to compare insulin resistance. The results of this study showed that the mean insulin level of HD patients treated with rHuEPO (group A) (17.5 ± 10.6 μU/mL) was significantly lower than patients without rHuEPO (group B) (28.8 ± 7.7 μU/mL), (P<0.001). Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance levels in group A were significantly lower than in group B (3.8 ± 2.97, 7.98 ± 4.9, respectively, P<0.001). Insulin resistance reflected by HOMA‐IR levels among diabetic patients in group A was significantly lower than among diabetic patients in group B (3.9 ± 3.2, 9.4 ± 7.2, respectively, P<0.001). Also, HOMA‐IR levels among nondiabetic patients in group A were significantly lower than among nondiabetic patients in group B (3.7 ± 2.85, 6.9 ± 1.43, respectively, P<0.01). We found a statistically significant negative correlation between duration of erythropoietin treatment, fasting blood glucose, insulin levels, and insulin resistance (r=?0.62, ?0.71, and ?0.57, P<0.001). Patients treated with rHuEPO showed less insulin resistance compared with patients not treated with rHuEPO in diabetic and nondiabetic patients and, duration of erythropoietin treatment is negatively correlated with insulin levels and insulin resistance in HD patients.