DSS research and practice in perspective

The aim of this paper is to assess the state-of-the-art in the Decision Support Systems (DSS) field from both a research and a practice perspective. Three main dimensions of DSS research and practice are addressed: 1) supporting human decision-making processes, 2) integrating DSS into the organizational context, and 3) identifying new application domains. The related analysis and discussion provides a better understanding of past developments in the DSS field and insights into future evolution patterns.     

Simulation of leachate migration in leaky aquifers

A two-dimensional cross-section finite difference model is presented to simulate density dependent leachate migration in leaky aquifers. Unlike existing models, a new approach is adopted to couple the groundwater-flow equation and the hydrodynamic dispersion equation with the elimination of the intermediate step of calculating velocities. The concept of the reference density is employed, permitting increased accuracy (over pressure-based models) in the representation of the transport process. The model is then used to study the effect of several hydraulic and transport parameters on the flow pattern and plume migration which are found to be very sensitive to most of these parameters. Equiconcentration and equipotential lines are overlapped to provide a better understanding of the coupling effect.     

Performance analysis of a solar-assisted swimming pool heating system

This paper deals with feasibility studies for a solar-assisted heating system for the University of Miami's Aquatic Center using the simulation program TRNSYS. The Aquatic Center is composed of an outdoor olympic size swimming pool and locker room building. The solar heating is accomplished by employing hot water generated by heat exchange with the solar collector working fluid. Two thermal storage tanks are employed for the collector and domestic use. The performance of the system is analyzed from both thermodynamic and economic standpoints and general conclusions are reached.     

SiGe: An attractive material for post-CMOS processing of MEMS

This work gives an overview of the different developments for silicon germanium (Si_1−xGe_x) from a MEMS post-processing perspective. First, the maximum processing temperature that does not introduce any damage or degradation into the standard characteristics of the CMOS driving electronics is specified. Then, the optimal type of silicon and germanium gas sources and deposition technique that results in an economical process are identified. Next, the selection criteria for a low thermal budget doping method and doping species are discussed. Finally, the advantage and disadvantage for the different approaches implemented for enhancing the physical properties of poly Si_1−xGe_x at a CMOS backend compatible temperature are highlighted. It is shown that the optimal method depends on the application requirements and the CMOS technology used for realizing the driving electronics.     

Direct sequential evaluation of optimal orthonormal eigenvectors of the discrete Fourier transform matrix by constrained optimization

The recent emergence of the discrete fractional Fourier transform has spurred research activity aiming at generating Hermite–Gaussian-like (HGL) orthonormal eigenvectors of the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) matrix F. By exploiting the unitarity of matrix F – resulting in the orthogonality of its eigenspaces pertaining to the distinct eigenvalues – the problem decouples into finding orthonormal eigenvectors for each eigenspace separately. A Direct Sequential Evaluation by constrained Optimization Algorithm (DSEOA) is contributed for the generation of optimal orthonormal eigenvectors for each eigenspace separately. This technique is direct in the sense that it does not require the generation of initial orthonormal eigenvectors as a prerequisite for obtaining the final optimal ones. The resulting eigenvectors are optimal in the sense of being as close as possible to samples of the Hermite–Gaussian functions. The technique is found to be numerically robust because total pivoting is allowed in performing the QR matrix decomposition step. The DSEOA is proved to be theoretically equivalent to each of the Gram–Schmidt algorithm (GSA) and the sequential orthogonal Procrustes algorithm (SOPA). However the three techniques are algorithmically quite distinct. An extensive comparative simulation study shows that the DSEOA is by far the most numerically robust technique among all sequential algorithms thus paying off for its relatively long computation time.     

The Impact of Metastable Intermolrecular Nanocomposite Particles on Kinetic Decomposition of Heterocyclic Nitramines Using Advanced Solid‐Phase Decomposition Models

Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials - Surface oxygen of oxide catalyst has low coordination number; they are negatively charged. Surface oxygen can act active site for...     

Recycling of pharmaceutical waste gelatin for controlled‐release applications. I. A 2,4‐dicholorphenoxy acetic acid based system

Gelatin is a natural macromolecular protein. It contains a wide variety of amino acids in its polymer structure, and it is colorless to yellowish, water‐soluble, and tasteless. It is used as a dispersing agent, sizing medium, and coating for photographic films and in pharmaceutical formulations. In this study, biodegradable mulching, based on waste gelatin from pharmaceutical gelatin scraps (derived from pharmaceutical soft gelatin capsule production), was formulated via the casting of water solutions or suspensions into flexible and consistent films. Gelatin was blended with synthetic materials such as poly(vinyl alcohol) and other natural wastes such as sugar cane bagasse and sawdust. To all formulations, 2,4‐dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4‐D) was added as a herbicide. The morphology and mechanical properties of the samples were investigated with scanning electron microscopy and tensile testing, respectively. The results showed that the produced films had controlled‐release properties. The effects of various additives and crosslinking on the films and the release of the herbicide 2,4‐D from the films were also investigated. The introduction of synthetic and natural additives reduced the release rate of 2,4‐D. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 2313–2319, 2004     

Corrosion-resistant lightweight metallic bipolar plates for PEM fuel cells

Corrosion resistant treated metal bipolar plates with higher rigidity and electrical conductivity than graphite were developed and tested for PEM fuel cell applications. Six replicas of single cells were used three of which were made of graphite composites bipolar plates and the other three of the treated metallic plates. A Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) with 5.55 cm² active electrode areas, 0.3 mg cm^–2 Pt loading and Nafion membrane 115 was fitted to each cell and operated under identical conditions. The experimental testing was conducted at room temperature (20 °C). The average value of the data obtained for the three graphite cells was plotted. Similarly, the average value of the data obtained for the three treated metal cells was plotted on the same graph for comparison. Generally, the treated metal bipolar plate provided at least 12% saving in hydrogen consumption in comparison to graphite. This is attributed to the lower bulk and surface contact resistance of the metal used in this study in relation to graphite. The results of lifetime testing, conducted at room temperature under variable loading showed no indication of power degradation due to metal corrosion for at least 1500 hours.     

Processing of an East Mediterranean phosphate ore sample by an integrated attrition scrubbing/classification scheme (part one)

ABSTRACT

In this study, an Egyptian siliceous/calcareous sedimentary phosphorite was subjected to beneficiation by unsophisticated economic means. The mineralogical and chemical examination showed that the ore sample is a typical example for the East Mediterranean phosphorites with 21.80% P₂O₅, 10.93% acid insoluble and 16.61% loss on ignition. The primary crushed sample was classified into three size fractions without any milling and they were separately subjected to an integrated attrition scrubbing study. Screening and classification on the 2.30 mm and 0.071 mm sieves were sequentially introduced with the attrition process. The effect of solid%, attrition speed and time were studied and optimized for each size fraction. Results showed that three products were produced and could be categorized according to their P₂O₅ content into the coarse tailing (+2.30 mm), the attrition concentrate (?2.30 + 0.071 mm) and the phosphate fines (?0.071 mm). The P₂O₅ contents of these products reached 12.24%, 28.72% and 18.77%, with P₂O₅ distribution reached 6.74%, 51.75% and 41.51%, respectively. A global P₂O₅ of 28.72% was obtained with a recovery of about 52%. A tentative flow-sheet for the whole process was postulated.     

Difference between mechanical alloying and mechanical disordering in the amorphization reaction of Al50Ta50 in a rod mill

Amorphous Al₅₀Ta₆₀ alloy powders have been synthesized by mechanical alloying (MA) from elemental powders of aluminium and tantalum, and mechanical disordering (MD) from crystalline intermetallic compound powders of AlTa respectively using the rod milling technique. The mechanically alloyed and the mechanically disordered alloy powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis, transmission electron microscopy, differential thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and chemical analysis. The results have shown that the crystal-to amorphous transformation in the MD process occurs through one stage, while the crystallineto-amorphous formation in the MA process occurs through three stages. At the early and intermediate stages of the MA time, heating the alloy powders to 700 K leads to the formation of an amorphous phase by a solid-state amorphizing reaction. At the final stage of the MA time, the amorphous phase is crystallized through a single sharp exothermic peak. Contrary to this, amorphous alloy powders produced by MD are crystallized through two broad exothermic peaks.