Pseudo bond graph model of thermal transfers sustained by ice quantity of a domestic refrigerator for energy saving application

This paper presents a study on the use of ice to improve the energy efficiency of a domestic refrigerator by applying a pseudo bond graph model that describes the thermal transfers sustained by a quantity of ice introduced inside the cavity of refrigeration. The use of ice resulted in a global energy saving of 4.68%. The effect of ice was found to be more significant during the transitional regime. It reduced the response time to reach the stable average temperature from 15 h to only 3.5 h compared to when not using ice. This achievement did not cost additional electrical power, but rather allowed a saving of electrical energy of 76.73%. However, during the steady state, a reduction in the energy efficiency was noted. An improvement in the cooling by keeping the temperature inside the refrigerator more homogeneous is also proved. The model has two inputs: the outside temperature, and the modulated temperature of the evaporator. This latter determines the functioning of the compressor cycle. The model describes the thermal transfers by natural convection inside the refrigerator. Two experiments were carried out to make a performance comparison and to prove the influence of ice in cooling and energy saving. We used real measurements to modulate the evaporator temperature source in the pseudo bond graph model. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Toward a web-based multi-criteria decision support system for the layered evaluation of interactive adaptive systems

Universal Access in the Information Society - The choice of suitable evaluation methods for the layered evaluation of Interactive Adaptive Systems (IAS) needs the consideration of different...     

Silane-Mediated Expansion of Domains in Si-Doped κ-Ga2O3 Epitaxy and its Impact on the In-Plane Electronic Conduction

Unintentionally doped (001)-oriented orthorhombic κ-Ga₂O₃ epitaxial films on c-plane sapphire substrates are characterized by the presence of ≈ 10 nm wide columnar rotational domains that can severely inhibit in-plane electronic conduction. Comparing the in- and out-of-plane resistance on well-defined sample geometries, it is experimentally proved that the in-plane resistivity is at least ten times higher than the out-of-plane one. The introduction of silane during metal-organic vapor phase epitaxial growth not only allows for n-type Si extrinsic doping, but also results in the increase of more than one order of magnitude in the domain size (up to ≈ 300 nm) and mobility (highest µ ≈ 10 cm²V⁻¹s⁻¹, with corresponding lowest ρ ≈ 0.2 Ωcm). To qualitatively compare the mean domain dimension in κ-Ga₂O₃ epitaxial films, non-destructive experimental procedures are provided based on X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The results of this study pave the way to significantly improved in-plane conduction in κ-Ga₂O₃ and its possible breakthrough in new generation electronics. The set of cross-linked experimental techniques and corresponding interpretation here proposed can apply to a wide range of material systems that suffer/benefit from domain-related functional properties.     

Erucic acid ameliorates the lipopolysaccharide-induced memory deficit in rats through inhibited inflammation cytokines expression/caspase 3/NF-κB pathways

Erucic acid is a single unsaturated fatty acid that falls under the omega-9 fatty acid family. It was suggested to treat Wistar rats with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced memory impairment and minimize cognitive impairment. A total of 30 animals were randomized: group I was normally treated group, group II was administered with LPS, group III was treated with LPS along with erucic acid at the dose of 10 mg kg^–1 p.o.^–1, group IV was treated with LPS along with erucic acid at 20 mg kg^–1 p.o.^–1 and group V was the erucic acid per se group provided at the dose of 20 mg kg^–1 p.o.^–1 per se. Behavioral tests were evaluated by using the Morris water maze and Y-maze. Biochemical analysis including acetylcholine esterase (AChE), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), glutathione (GSH), catalase activity (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and nitric oxide (NO) along with proinflammatory mediators tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), caspase 3, and neuroinflammatory biomarker (nuclear factor kappa B-NF-κB) were measured. Erucic acid produced substantial behavioral improvement in the Y-maze test, including spontaneous alterations and reduced latency time during acquisition, and a longer duration of time in the consolidation phase undergoing the MWM test. Furthermore, erucic acid improved the AChE, proinflammatory markers, and oxidative stress as well as restoring endogenous antioxidant levels, ChAT, caspase 3, and NF-κB levels. Erucic acid may be a therapeutic component for conditions related to memory disorders such as memory impairment, enhances memory functioning, and protects against neuronal damage.     

Intelligent Aquila Optimization Algorithm-Based Node Localization Scheme for Wireless Sensor Networks

In recent times, wireless sensor network (WSN) finds their suitability in several application areas, ranging from military to commercial ones. Since nodes in WSN are placed arbitrarily in the target field, node localization (NL) becomes essential where the positioning of the nodes can be determined by the aid of anchor nodes. The goal of any NL scheme is to improve the localization accuracy and reduce the localization error rate. With this motivation, this study focuses on the design of Intelligent Aquila Optimization Algorithm Based Node Localization Scheme (IAOAB-NLS) for WSN. The presented IAOAB-NLS model makes use of anchor nodes to determine proper positioning of the nodes. In addition, the IAOAB-NLS model is stimulated by the behaviour of Aquila. The IAOAB-NLS model has the ability to accomplish proper coordinate points of the nodes in the network. For guaranteeing the proficient NL process of the IAOAB-NLS model, widespread experimentation takes place to assure the betterment of the IAOAB-NLS model. The resultant values reported the effectual outcome of the IAOAB-NLS model irrespective of changing parameters in the network.