Measurements and physical-layer modelling of transmission loss for gas turbine engine sensor networks

The aim of this study is to extract a physical-layer wireless channel model from a set of channel measurements, in support of the wider, collaborative, WIDAGATE project to assess the potential of wireless sensor networks for the condition monitoring of gas turbine engines. The collaborative partners in WIDAGATE are Rolls-Royce, Selex and University College London. The resulting model is being incorporated into a complete system protocol stack as part of the wider project. The physical layer channel model incorporates interference [1] and noise in addition to signal transmission characteristics

Solution of Fractional Harmonic Oscillator in a Fractional B-poly Basis

An algorithm for approximating solutions to fractional-order differential equations in fractional polynomial basis is presented. A finite generalized fractional-order basis set is obtained from the modified Bernstein Polynomials, where α is the fractional-order of the modified Bernstein type polynomials (B-polys). The algorithm determines the desired solution in terms of continuous finite number of generalized fractional polynomials in a closed interval and makes use of Galerkin method to calculate the unknown expansion coefficients for constructing the approximate solution to the fractional differential equations. The Caputo’s definition for a fractional derivative is used to evaluate derivatives of the polynomials. Each term in a differential equation is converted into matrix form and the final matrix problem is inverted to construct a solution of the fractional differential equations. However, the accuracy and the efficiency of the algorithm rely on the size of the set of B-polys. Furthermore, a recursive definition for generating fractional B-polys and the analytic formulism for calculating fractional derivatives are presented. The current algorithm is applied to solve the fractional harmonic oscillator problem and a number of linear and non-linear fractional differential equations. An excellent agreement is obtained between desired and exact solutions. Furthermore, the current algorithm has great potential to be implemented in other disciplines, when there are no exact solutions available to the fractional differential equations

Study on low-grade galena-barite ore beneficiation in Khuzdar, Balochistan, Pakistan

Purpose. Galena and barite are the principal minerals of lead and barium respectively. Both minerals are used extensively in industries because of their distinct properties. In complex poly metallic ores, it is always desirable to produce separate mineral concentrates for subsequent metal extraction. Separation of two or more minerals from complex low-grade multi-metallic ore into commercial grade concentrates requires suitable process. Methods. This research work is centered on development a suitable process for the beneficiation of a low-grade galena-barite ore originating from Khuzdar region (Balochistan Province, Pakistan). Findings. The low-grade ore assaying 39.90% Pb and 24.64% BaSO4 was beneficiated on bench-scale by sequential froth flotation process to recover valuable galena and barite concentrates. The important variables of froth flotation process such as feed size, pulp pH, pulp density, impeller speed, type and quantities of flotation reagents, pulp conditioning time and froth collecting time were optimized to achieve maximum recovery and grade of both concentrates. The rougher galena and barite concentrates were re-ground separately and subjected to one cleaning flotation to obtain better grade final concentrates of respective minerals. Originality. A process flow-sheet was designed in the light of this study. Practical implications. Froth flotation experiments showed that a galena concentrate containing 77.38% Pb with recovery of 90.64% and a barite concentrate assaying 90.23% BaSO4 with recovery of 80.16% could be recovered from this ore. Both the concentrates fall in the category of metallurgical and chemical grades and are suitable for industrial applications.Мета. Підвищення якості низькосортної галеніт-баритової руди, знайденої в Хуздарском районі провінції Белуджистан (Пакистан), до концентрату металургійного якості, що містить більше 70% Pb, із використанням методу пінної флотації. Методика. Масова проба галеніт-баритової руди вагою близько 100 кг була відібрана з шахти Мал-Хор на північному заході від Хуздару та доставлена в лабораторію переробки мінералів MPRC, PCSIR Lahore для проведення досліджень. Зразок підданий первинному подрібненню із використанням щокової дробарки з наступним вторинним подрібненням із використанням валкової дробарки. Зразок до і після флотації піддавався комплексному хімічному і рентгеноструктурному аналізу (XRD). Флотаційні випробування проводилися на лабораторній флотаційній машині D-12. Після визначення оптимального помелу були проведені випробування для оптимізації щільності пульпи, рН пульпи, швидкості перемішування, кількості доданих реагентів, часу флотації й часу кондиціонування. Результати. Встановлено, що вміст свинцю та барію в поліметалічній руді є достатнім для промислового використання. Отримано оптимальну ступінь подрібнення і відновлення при розмірі подачі 80% мінус 200 меш. Виявлено, що збільшення щільності пульпи дещо знижується при збільшенні В/Т з 20 до 35%, але відновлення збільшується, а максимальне відновлення досягнуто при 30%. При використанні для коригування рН пульпи етілксантата калію, а потім бариту з олеатом натрію, виявлено, що при постійних умовах розміру часток і співвідношення твердої речовини та рідини максимально повторне покриття галену досягається при рН 8.5 і бариту при рН 10.0. Було відзначено, що невелика зміна pH значно змінила ступінь і відновлення. Розкрито вплив швидкості перемішування робочого колеса й відзначено, що оптимальною швидкістю на грубій стадії є швидкість 1100 об/хв, а на стадії очищення – 1000 об/хв. Доведено, що методом пінної флотації з даної руди можна отримати концентрат галеніту із вмістом 77.38% Pb і ступенем відновлення 90.64%, а також концентрат бариту із вмістом 90.23% BaSO4 і ступенем відновлення 80.16%. Наукова новизна. Встановлено характер впливу специфічних речовин, що поліпшують показники про-процесу флотації, які сприяють якісному відділенню цінних компонентів руди від порожніх домішок. Практична значимість. Розроблено принципову схему процесу збагачення галеніт-баритової руди на основі пінної флотації в замкнутому циклі. Отримані концентрати галеніту й бариту відповідають необхідним металургійним і хімічним стандартам та можуть знайти промислове застосування.Цель. Повышение качества низкосортной галенит-баритовой руды, найденной в Хуздарском районе провинции Белуджистан (Пакистан), до концентрата металлургического качества, содержащего более 70% Pb, с использованием метода пенной флотации. Методика. Массовая проба галенит-баритовой руды весом около 100 кг была отобрана из шахты Мал-Хор к северо-западу от Хуздара и доставлена в лабораторию переработки минералов MPRC, PCSIR Lahore для проведения исследований. Образец подвергнут первичному дроблению с использованием щековой дробилки, с последующим вторичным дроблением с использованием валковой дробилки. Образец до и после флотации подвергался комплексному химическому и рентгеноструктурному анализу (XRD). Флотационные испытания проводились на лабораторной флотационной машине D-12. После определения оптимального помола были проведены испытания для оптимизации плотности пульпы, рН пульпы, скорости перемешивания, количества добавленных реагентов, времени флотации и времени кондиционирования. Результаты. Установлено, что содержание свинца и бария в полиметаллической руде является достаточным для промышленного использования. Получена оптимальная степень измельчения и восстановления при размере подачи 80% минус 200 меш. Выявлено, что увеличение плотности пульпы несколько снижается при увеличении В/Т с 20 до 35%, но восстановление увеличилось, а максимальное восстановление достигнуто при 30%. При использовании для корректировки рН пульпы этилксантата калия, а затем барита с олеатом натрия, обнаружено, что при постоянных условиях размера частиц и соотношения твердого вещества и жидкости максимальное повторное покрытие галена достигается при рН 8.5 и барита при рН 10.0. Было отмечено, что небольшое изменение pH значительно изменило степень и восстановление. Раскрыто влияние скорости перемешивания рабочего колеса и отмечено, что оптимальной скоростью на грубой стадии является скорость 1100 об/мин, а на стадии очистки – 1000 об/мин. Доказано, что методом пенной флотации из данной руды можно получить концентрат галенита с содержанием 77.38% Pb и степенью восстановления 90.64%, а также концентрат барита с содержанием 90.23% BaSO4 и степенью восстановления 80.16%. Научная новизна. Установлен характер влияния специфических веществ, улучшающих показатели процесса флотации, что способствовало качественному отделению ценных компонентов руды от пустых примесей. Практическая значимость. Разработана принципиальная схема процесса обогащения галенит-баритовой руды на основе пенной флотации в замкнутом цикле. Полученные концентраты галенита и барита соответствуют металлургическим и химическим стандартам и могут найти промышленное применение.The authors are grateful to Associate Professor, Dr. Zulifqar Ali, Department of Mining Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore for his valuable support/ cooperation in X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and mineralogical evaluation of ore

The study of non-Newtonian nanofluid with hall and ion slip effects on peristaltically induced motion in a non-uniform channel

In this study, we considered the unsteady peristaltic motion of a non-Newtonian nanofluid under the influence of a magnetic field and Hall currents. The simultaneous effects of ion slip and chemical reaction were also taken into consideration. The flow problem was suggested on the basis of the continuity, thermal energy, linear momentum, and nanoparticle concentration, which were further reduced with the help of Ohm's law. Mathematical modelling was executed using the lubrication approach. The resulting highly nonlinear partial differential equations were solved semi-analytically using the homotopy perturbation technique. The impacts of all the pertinent parameters were investigated mathematically and graphically. Numerical calculations have been used to calculate the expressions for the pressure increase and friction forces along the whole length of the channel. The results depict that for a relatively large value of the Brownian parameter, the chemical reaction has a dual behaviour on the concentration profile. Moreover, there is a critical point of the magnetic parameter at which the behaviours of the pressure increase and friction forces are reversed for progressive values of the power law index. The present investigation provides a theoretical model that estimates the impact of a wide range of parameters on the characteristics of blood-like fluid flows

Technique to Solve Linear Fractional Differential Equations Using B-Polynomials Bases

A multidimensional, modified, fractional-order B-polys technique was implemented for finding solutions of linear fractional-order partial differential equations. To calculate the results of the linear Fractional Partial Differential Equations (FPDE), the sum of the product of fractional B-polys and the coefficients was employed. Moreover, minimization of error in the coefficients was found by employing the Galerkin method. Before the Galerkin method was applied, the linear FPDE was transformed into an operational matrix equation that was inverted to provide the values of the unknown coefficients in the approximate solution. A valid multidimensional solution was determined when an appropriate number of basis sets and fractional-order of B-polys were chosen. In addition, initial conditions were applied to the operational matrix to seek proper solutions in multidimensions. The technique was applied to four examples of linear FPDEs and the agreements between exact and approximate solutions were found to be excellent. The current technique can be expanded to find multidimensional fractional partial differential equations in other areas, such as physics and engineering fields

High Precision Photometry for K2 Campaign 1

The two reaction wheel K2 mission promises and has delivered new discoveries in the stellar and exoplanet fields. However, due to the loss of accurate pointing, it also brings new challenges for the data reduction processes. In this paper, we describe a new reduction pipeline for extracting high precision photometry from the K2 dataset, and present public light curves for the K2 Campaign 1 target pixel dataset. Key to our reduction is the derivation of global astrometric solutions from the target stamps, from which accurate centroids are passed on for high precision photometry extraction. We extract target light curves for sources from a combined UCAC4 and EPIC catalogue -- this includes not only primary targets of the K2 campaign 1, but also any other stars that happen to fall on the pixel stamps. We provide the raw light curves, and the products of various detrending processes aimed at removing different types of systematics. Our astrometric solutions achieve a median residual of ~ 0.13". For bright stars, our best 6.5 hour precision for raw light curves is ~20 parts per million (ppm). For our detrended light curves, the best 6.5 hour precisions achieved is ~15 ppm. We show that our detrended light curves have fewer systematic effects (or trends, or red-noise) than light curves produced by other groups from the same observations. Example light curves of transiting planets and a Cepheid variable candidate, are also presented. We make all light curves public, including the raw and de-trended photometry, at http://k2.hatsurveys.org.Comment: submitted to MNRA

A Method to Solve One-dimensional Nonlinear Fractional Differential Equation Using B-Polynomials

In this article, the fractional Bhatti-Polynomial bases are applied to solve one-dimensional nonlinear fractional differential equations (NFDEs). We derive a semi-analytical solution from a matrix equation using an operational matrix which is constructed from the terms of the NFDE using Caputo’s fractional derivative of fractional B-polynomials (B-polys). The results obtained using the prescribed method agree well with the analytical and numerical solutions presented by other authors. The legitimacy of this method is demonstrated by using it to calculate the approximate solutions to four NFDEs. The estimated solutions to the differential equations have also been compared with other known numerical and exact solutions. It is also noted that for solving the NFDEs, the present method provides a higher order of precision compared to the various finite difference methods. The current technique could be effortlessly extended to solving complex linear, nonlinear, partial, and fractional differential equations in multivariable problems

Approximate Solutions of Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations Using B-Polynomial Bases

A multivariable technique has been incorporated for guesstimating solutions of Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations (NPDE) using bases set of B-Polynomials (B-polys). To approximate the anticipated solution of the NPD equation, a linear product of variable coefficients ai(t) and Bi(x) B-polys has been employed. Additionally, the variable quantities in the anticipated solution are determined using the Galerkin method for minimizing errors. Before the minimization process is to take place, the NPDE is converted into an operational matrix equation which, when inverted, yields values of the undefined coefficients in the expected solution. The nonlinear terms of the NPDE are combined in the operational matrix equation using the initial guess and iterated until converged values of coefficients are obtained. A valid converged solution of NPDE is established when an appropriate degree of B-poly basis is employed, and the initial conditions are imposed on the operational matrix before the inverse is invoked. However, the accuracy of the solution depends on the number of B-polys of a certain degree expressed in multidimensional variables. Four examples of NPDE have been worked out to show the efficacy and accuracy of the two-dimensional B-poly technique. The estimated solutions of the examples are compared with the known exact solutions and an excellent agreement is found between them. In calculating the solutions of the NPD equations, the currently employed technique provides a higher-order precision compared to the finite difference method. The present technique could be readily extended to solving complex partial differential equations in multivariable problems

Bacterial isolates from neutropenic febrile pediatric patients and their sensitivity patterns to antibiotics

Patients on cytotoxic therapy often develop neutropenia and fever. Our interest was to identify the common pathogens isolated from such patients and to study the sensitivity patterns of these organisms to the antibiotics used in their treatment. Thus, guidelines can be established by hospitals to identify which antibiotics can be used in the treatment of these patients when the results of cultures and sensitivities are not available. We conducted a retrospective study of neutropenic pediatrics presenting to AKUH from July, 1990 to June, 1996. A total of 153 isolates in 35 different patients were studied. Samples for culture were taken from the sites at risk. The majority of samples consisted of blood, stool, pus and urine. Twenty stool samples were also sent for microscopy. Malignancies were both hematological and non-hematological. Gram negatives were isolated in 52.9%, gram positives in 33.9% and parasites in 13.2%. Salmonella paratyphi B was the most commonly isolated organism, followed by Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Giardia lamblia was the most common parasite. Sensitivity patterns of these organisms to antibiotics studied showed that Escheria coli had the lowest sensitivity rate being only 40% sensitive to Aztreonam and 64% sensitive to Ofloxacillin. A comparison was made between our findings and those reported in literature, as well as the risk factors for developing neutropenia. A guide to management is also discussed