Elastoplastic stress analysis of functionally graded disc under internal pressure– complas XII

The study deals with elastoplastic stress analysis of a hollow disk made of functionally graded materials (FGMs) subjected to an internal pressure. The material properties of disc are assumed to vary radially according to power law function, but Poisson’s ratio is taken constant. Small deformations and a state of plane stress are presumed, and the analysis of disk is based on Von-Mises yield criterion. The materials are assumed to be linear strain hardening, isotropic and not be affected by temperature. Variation of stresses and displacements according to gradient parameters are investigated by using analytical and finite element method. The results show that gradient parameters have an important role in determining the elastoplastic stress of functionally graded disc

Investigation of experimental research on the low velocity impact damage behavior of ncf composite plates – COMPLAS XII

In this study an experimental investigation is performed on the impact response of non-crimp fabric composite plates at room temperature. Chopped strand mat combi is used as reinforcing material and two kinds of matrix; epoxy and polyester, are also used as resin material in the composite plates. All specimens used in experiments are manufactured by vacuum assisted resin infusion method at Atard Defence and Aerospace Advanced Technology Application Research and Development Inc. An instrumented drop weight impact testing machine Instron-Dynatup 9250 HV is used for impact testing. Impact tests are performed under various impact energies ranging from initiation of damage to final perforation. Damage processes of the samples are analyzed from cross-examining load– deflection curves, energy profiling method and damaged specimens

Sinbad Automation Of Scientific Process: From Hidden Factor Analysis To Theory Synthesis

Modern science is turning to progressively more complex and data-rich subjects, which challenges the existing methods of data analysis and interpretation. Consequently, there is a pressing need for development of ever more powerful methods of extracting order from complex data and for automation of all steps of the scientific process. Virtual Scientist is a set of computational procedures that automate the method of inductive inference to derive a theory from observational data dominated by nonlinear regularities. The procedures utilize SINBAD – a novel computational method of nonlinear factor analysis that is based on the principle of maximization of mutual information among non-overlapping sources (Imax), yielding higherorder features of the data that reveal hidden causal factors controlling the observed phenomena. One major advantage of this approach is that it is not dependent on a particular choice of learning algorithm to use for the computations. The procedures build a theory of the studied subject by finding inferentially useful hidden factors, learning interdependencies among its variables, reconstructing its functional organization, and describing it by a concise graph of inferential relations among its variables. The graph is a quantitative model of the studied subject, capable of performing elaborate deductive inferences and explaining behaviors of the observed variables by behaviors of other such variables and discovered hidden factors. The set of Virtual Scientist procedures is a powerful analytical and theory-building tool designed to be used in research of complex scientific problems characterized by multivariate and nonlinear relations

Evaluating three different Open Educational Resource models provided to enable Learning in Our Connected World

The swift advancement of Web technologies has provided real opportunities for improving access, transfer and sharing of knowledge and information. One of the outcomes facilitated by these technologies is the Open Educational Resources (OER) movement, which has increasingly expanded during the last decade. The definition of OER The term OER was first used in 2002 at a UNESCO forum about the impact of the OpenCourseWare (OCW) movement on higher education institutions (D'Antoni, 2009). Though the term OER emerged after the OCW initiative, OER has a wider meaning, which also includes OCW. The OECD (2007) defined OER as including "learning content, software tools to develop, use and distribute content, and implementation resources such as open licenses" and referred to OER as "accumulated digital assets that can be adjusted and which provide benefits without restricting the possibilities for others to enjoy them"(OECD, 2007, p.10). The development of OER There are now many OER initiatives around the world, each with their own "distinctive models" (Sclater, in press, p.9). The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) OpenCourseWare initiative - "the publication on the Web of course materials used in MIT classroom teaching- is perhaps the best-publicized and most copied institutional OER model" (Albright, 2005, p.4). The MIT OCW movement played a very important role in initiating and disseminating OER around the world and this successful movement could owe its achievement in part to the popularity of MIT and the financial support it received. However, the adaptability of the MIT model by other institutions could be very difficult since MIT was well supported by funding from different foundations (i.e. the Mellon and Hewlett Foundations) (Abelson, 2008) and a dedicated OCW group. It is unlikely that many other institutions would benefit from such opportunities. The purpose of the study Therefore, we need to investigate a number of OER models and find working strategies that can be applied in other contexts as well. In this sense, the main purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast different OER initiatives in terms of the OER development model adopted to enable information transfer to future projects. More specifically quality assurance strategies, sustainability, content type (resource format), pedagogical approach, licensing and user participation are the main perspectives to be considered. To do this, three major OER projects (MIT OpenCourseWare, Rice University's Connexions, and UK Open University's OpenLearn) were selected for investigation. The rationale behind this selection is that they are successful and most importantly they each appear to have their own distinctive OER development model that differentiates them from other OER initiatives. Significance of the study The findings from this study will influence institutions that are new to the OER arena. New initiatives will be able to learn from the challenges faced and opportunities gained from these earlier initiatives. Thus, new OER initiatives will be able to build on, learn from and take advantage of the working strategies of the previous OER initiatives discussed in this paper. The Approach Although OER initiatives have been examined (Atkins et al, 2007; Stacey, 2007), they have been discussed in broader terms. This study however, will explore these three OER projects not only in detail, but also from a critical perspective. In this sense, the current study will try to answer the following research questions: "What makes the OER development models from the three selected institutions distinctive? "What models are ... [the three selected institutions] adopting in terms of the production of OER?" (Conole and McAndrew, in press, p.9) This study will be based on both desk research (reviewing published reports, journal articles etc.) and semi-structured interviews with key people at the three selected institutions. The preliminary results from the desk research are considered below. Interviews have already been undertaken with the three key people in OpenLearn and one key person from MIT and another interview is planned with key person in Connexions project over the next few months. The findings from the interviews will be reported as part of this paper. Though there are some specific questions related with the project, the themes are general structure of the project, sustainability, reusability, community building, staff engagement etc. Preliminary Results These three models can be compared and contrasted in terms of different perspectives. However in these preliminary results, we will examine these different initiatives in terms of content production, content type and revenue model. When we looked at the structure of the content production cycle, it can be said that MIT follows a very faculty centric model. That is, content has been produced from teaching materials of the faculty members. However, in the other two models, users have a chance to contribute their own content. In reality, the general structure of the Connexions model is decentralized which means it is mainly based on end-user participation. As for OpenLearn, we can say that it has a kind of mixed model. That is, its content relies heavily on the Open University's course materials, but the end-user can contribute their own content in the LabSpace, as well. Secondly, in terms of content type, the MIT OCW initiative has materials which are used as supplementary material in traditional classrooms, whereas the OpenLearn project has self-learning materials designed for distance learners though these also have the potential to be used as supplementary material in traditional campus based institutions (Wilson, 2008). Connexions OER are comprised not only of self-learning materials, but also material that supports traditional classroom learning. Finally, when we look at the revenue model, the MIT OCW project has been supported by external funding (discussed above) and OpenLearn had external funding from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and JISC in the UK. Although Connexions has some external funding, the revenue model is based on the relationship with profit or non-profit making institutions

Structure and Mechanical Behaviour of Cu‐Zr‐Ni‐Al Amorphous Alloys Produced by Rapid Solidification

The amorphous ribbons of Cu50Zr40Ni5Al5 alloy were manufactured by rapid solidification. The ribbons were investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDX) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The activation energy of the crystallisation in amorphous alloys was determined by Kissenger technique. The mechanical properties of the ribbons were characterized using Vickers microhardness (HV) tester. According to the XRD and SEM results, the Cu50Zr40Ni5Al5 alloys have a fully amorphous structure. The EDX analysis of the ribbons showed that compositional homogeneity of the Cu50Zr40Ni5Al5 alloy was fairly high. From the DSC curves of the amorphous ribbons, it was determined that glass transition temperature (Tg) is around 440–442°C and super‐cooled liquid region (ΔTx = Tx - Tx) before crystallisation is around 61–64°C. The microhardness of the as‐quenched ribbons was measured about 550 HV. However, this microhardness value decreased with increasing annealing temperature and it was calculated about 465 HV after annealing temperature of 800°C

THE STATISTICAL AND TECHNICAL EVALUATION OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS IN HOLIDAY RESORTS

The aim of this study is technical and statistical evaluation of wastewater treatment plants existing at the holiday resorts in areas surrounding Izmir City. The study was carried out in the time period from August to September 2018. Within the scope of the study, 150 holiday resorts were investigated and listed. The necessary permissions were obtained and the treatment plants were visited at their current locations. Most of the wastewater treatment plants are embedded in the ground and are referred to as package treatment systems. They are used at holiday resorts for many reasons, such as smell and noise control. Many parameters have been considered within the scope of the study, such as installed power of the plant, influent wastewater flow and pollutant concentration, the properties of the sludge, sludge disposal methods, effluent wastewater parameters, the method and location of effluent water discharge, operation period of the wastewater treatment plant. As a result of this study, it has been found that the low cost package treatment systems were generally preferred. The systems that required most energy were the blowers. In order to provide clean and smooth environment, the use of central wastewater treatment plants is more suitable than the use of package treatment systems

Factors for Success and Course Completion in Massive Open Online Courses through the Lens of Participant Types

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the factors for success and course completion through the lens of participants in a Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) system implemented in Turkey. Thirty-two participants were selected on the basis of purposive sampling among 5000 enrolled users from 10 MOOCs, who were then classified into 3 types –lurking, moderately active, memorably active– based on their participation rate in the course activities. The data were collected via the use of two semi-structured interviews. According to the findings, the factors for success in MOOCs to the participants were divided into three categories: instructor effectiveness, course design, and personal factors. As to the factors for course completion, the categories identified were the instructor, course design, personal factors, technical issues, and affordability/clarity. The findings regarding success and course completion were discussed in detail and recommendations were provided to enhance participation in MOOCs

A Novel Partial Sequence Alignment Tool for Finding Large Deletions

Finding large deletions in genome sequences has become increasingly more useful in bioinformatics, such as in clinical research and diagnosis. Although there are a number of publically available next generation sequencing mapping and sequence alignment programs, these software packages do not correctly align fragments containing deletions larger than one kb. We present a fast alignment software package, BinaryPartialAlign, that can be used by wet lab scientists to find long structural variations in their experiments. For BinaryPartialAlign, we make use of the Smith-Waterman (SW) algorithm with a binary-search-based approach for alignment with large gaps that we called partial alignment. BinaryPartialAlign implementation is compared with other straight-forward applications of SW. Simulation results on mtDNA fragments demonstrate the effectiveness (runtime and accuracy) of the proposed method