An improved volleyball premier league algorithm based on sine cosine algorithm for global optimization problem

Volleyball premier league (VPL) simulating some phenomena of volleyball game has been presented recently. This powerful algorithm uses such racing and interplays between teams within a season. Furthermore, the algorithm imitates the coaching procedure within a game. Therefore, some volleyball metaphors, including substitution, coaching, and learning, are used to find a better solution prepared by the VPL algorithm. However, the learning phase has the largest effect on the performance of the VPL algorithm, in which this phase can lead to making the VPL stuck in optimal local solution. Therefore, this paper proposed a modified VPL using sine cosine algorithm (SCA). In which the SCA operators have been applied in the learning phase to obtain a more accurate solution. So, we have used SCA operators in VPL to grasp their advantages resulting in a more efficient approach for finding the optimal solution of the optimization problem and avoid the limitations of the traditional VPL algorithm. The propounded VPLSCA algorithm is tested on the 25 functions. The results captured by the VPLSCA have been compared with other metaheuristic algorithms such as cuckoo search, social-spider optimization algorithm, ant lion optimizer, grey wolf optimizer, salp swarm algorithm, whale optimization algorithm, moth flame optimization, artificial bee colony, SCA, and VPL. Furthermore, the three typical optimization problems in the field of designing engineering have been solved using the VPLSCA. According to the obtained results, the proposed algorithm shows very reasonable and promising results compared to others.

     

Assessment of Sustainability in Water Supply-Demand Considering Uncertainties

Water is a vital resource for life on earth; hence its maintenance is very important. Different regions especially in arid and semi-arid areas are facing population growth and subsequent increase in the domestic, industrial and agricultural activities. Planning of water systems in order to be ready for future development conditions needs further studies on the estimation of the sustainable levels of demands based on the sustainable levels of supplies. In this study a threefold approach for estimating sustainability level of supply and demand in Ahachay river basin in northwestern part of Iran as a case study is taken. In the first method, the internal flows and the origins and final uses of the total resources for each subsystem are estimated and planning for sustainability use index is determined by calculating the available water. Second method introduced a simulation model which is utilized to estimate reliability, resiliency, vulnerability and maximum deficit for a river basin to determine a group sustainability index. In the third method, for evaluating the movement toward sustainability, an index is developed. This index includes parameters that are the difference between supply and demand, percentage of the satisfied demand, productivity of water resources and an indicator for evaluating the reduction of aquifer storage. Finally these methods are compared and a hybrid index combining the indices is developed. An uncertainty analysis is also performed to investigate the random nature of variables in estimating water balance and quantifying the water sustainability. This hybrid index can be used for evaluating the planning scenarios and for maintaining and improving the sustainable state of supply-demand for the region.     

Approximating of conic sections by DP curves with endpoint interpolation

Conic sections have many applications in industrial design, however, they cannot be exactly represented in polynomial form. Hence approximating conic sections with polynomials is a challenging problem. In this paper, we use the monomial form of Delgado and Peña (DP) curves and present a matrix representation for them. Using the matrix form and the least squares method, we propose a simple and efficient algorithm for approximating conic sections by DP curves of arbitrary degree with endpoint interpolation. Finally, we test and compare the proposed algorithm on some numerical examples which validates and confirms efficiency of it.     

Evolution of quantum correlations in the open quantum systems consisting of two coupled oscillators

The open quantum systems consisting of coupled and uncoupled asymmetric oscillators are considered with an initial quantum-dot trapped-ion coherent state. The quantum correlations between spatial modes of this trapped ion are examined to find their dependence on the temperature, asymmetric parameter, dissipation coefficient and the magnetic field. It is observed that the discord of the initial state is an increasing function of the asymmetric parameter and the magnetic field. Moreover, in the case of two uncoupled modes, entanglement and discord are decreasing functions of temperature and the dissipation coefficient. However, as the temperature and dissipation coefficient increase, the discord fades out faster. In the case of two coupled modes, as the temperature and dissipation coefficient increase, the sudden death of the entanglement and fade out of the discord happen sooner; moreover, as the magnetic field increases, the entanglement sudden death and the discord fade out time occur sooner. Also, with the increase in the asymmetric parameter, the entanglement sudden death is postponed. In addition, in the asymmetric system, appreciable discord can be created in the temperature range 0–10 K, while appreciable entanglement can be created in the temperature range 0–5 mK. Finally, it is observed that non-monotonic evolution of quantum correlations is due to coupling of modes.     

Numerical simulation of transient heat transfer for tomato paste in semi rigid aluminum container

In this study, numerical model of heat transfer for tomato paste in semi-rigid aluminum container was developed by Fluent software 6.3.26. Grid independence was recognized. The impact of head space (air and water -vapor) and buoyancy force on heat transfer were investigated. Simulation results showed slowest heating zone (SHZ) located in (?11.676?<?X?<??10.738, 0.183?<?Y?<?1.269 and 4.417?<?Z?<?5.560) for model with air head space and in (?11.166?<?X?<??11.370, 0.762?<?Y?<?1.21 and 5.480?<?Z?<?5.506) for model with water–vapor head space in Cartesian system coordinate. A thermocouple was connected to container at (0, 0, 10 cartesian system coordinate) to get experimental data during process. Comparing temperatures of experimental model and predicted model (with head space) illustrated no significant difference (p?<?0.05).     

CuIns2/Cus Nanocomposite: Synthesis via Simple Microwave Approach and Investigation Its Behavior in Solar Cell

CuInS₂/CuS nanocomposite were synthesized by a copper complex, [bis(ethylenediamine)copper(ΙΙ)] sulfate. Eight sulfur sources were used for this experiment. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis spectroscopy, and room temperature photoluminescence spectroscopy. Thin film of nanocomposite powder was fabricated and its feature (V_oc, J_sc and FF) was calculated by current–voltage (I–V) curve.     

Analytic investigation of effect of electric field on elasto-plastic response of a functionally graded piezoelectric hollow sphere

In this work, the effect of electric potential on the mechanical (Stresses, strains, displacement) and electrical (electrical displacement and intensity) response of a Functionally graded piezoelectric (FGP) hollow sphere is analytically investigated. The sphere is under the action of internal/external pressure and temperature gradient as well. The inhomogeneity is based on power law in radial direction. The analysis is done in two parts: elastic response and plastic response, using Tresca yield criterion. It is shown by illustrative example that under internal pressure and assumed model parameters, the commencement of plastic region is from outside surface towards inside in the plastic zone is extended with the increase of electric potential. Interestingly, radial stress and displacement have an extreme not on the boundaries, but on the inside.     

Application of artificial neural networks for prediction of coercivity of highly ordered cobalt nanowires synthesized by pulse electrodeposition

This study aims to predict the coercivity of cobalt nanowires fabricated by Alternating Current (AC) pulse. Coercivity is one of the most important properties of magnetic materials and its value shows the needed magnetic field in a way that magnetization of system is decreased to zero. There are many parameters such as pH of solution, oxidative and reductive times, oxidative and reductive voltages, interval between pulses (off-time), and concentration of deposition solution that have direct effect on materials magnetic properties of. Change of initial conditions to obtain the best results is very time consuming, therefore employing a method which can save both the time and cost is necessary. Hence, it this study Artificial Neural Network (ANN), which has numerous applications and has attracted many attentions in various fields, was applied. Through this study, an ANN was designed to present a template that is capable for predicting output data (coercivity) according to input data (pH, oxidative and reductive times, oxidative and reductive voltages, and off-time). Besides, in this research, the results for pH = 4 and 6 were investigated and the effect of off-time as well as the deposition time on coercivity were studied.     

A comparative study on optimised and non‐optimised axial flow,spherical reactors in naphtha reforming process

In this study, the operating conditions of an axial flow spherical reactor have been optimised using a reliable optimisation technique and the results are compared with the results of non‐optimised conditions. The dynamic behaviour of the reactor has been considered in the optimisation process and orthogonal collocation method has been used in order to solve the obtained equations from mathematical modelling of the process. The goal of this study is to maximise the aromatics and hydrogen production rate. Therefore, the objective function is the combination of two terms which include the production rate of the mentioned components. The catalyst distribution for each reactor, the inlet pressure of the system, Length per radius for each reactor, the naphtha feed molar flow rate and the hydrogen mole fraction in the recycle stream as well as the inlet temperature of each reactor have been optimised in this study. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering