Facilitating meta-design techniques for multi-disciplinary conceptual design

The research reported in this paper was supported by the EU FP6 funded project, SimSAC (Simulating Aircraft Stability and Control Characteristics for Use in Conceptual Design)

Performance prediction of wind turbines utilizing passive smart blades: approaches and evaluation

The induced deformation, because of the presence of elastic coupling in the structure of passive smart blades, is the key parameter that affects the wind turbine aerodynamic performance, namely rotor mechanical power and blade loading. Therefore, in order to determine the aerodynamic performance of these turbines, a structural analyser is also required to bring the effect of the induced deformation into account. When predicting the rotor mechanical power, additional complexity arises when the blades are bend-twist-coupled. In this case, an iterative coupled-aero-structure analysis must be carried out at each given wind speed. Further difficulties in simulation of these turbines are posed by the fact that the current analytical models for analysis of structures made of anisotropic composite materials are not accurate enough. This differentiates the numerical simulation of wind turbines utilizing passive smart blades from the simulation of wind turbines with conventional blades. Different strategies have been proposed and followed by investigators in simulation of wind turbines utilizing passive smart blades. These methods can be categorized by the approach adopted in treating the torsional-induced deformation. In these studies, the induced twist has been predicted, planned or a combination of both. The present paper describes, evaluates and compares these approaches

A Structural VAR Analysis of the Determinants of Capital Flows Into Turkey

Since the beginning of 1990s, Turkey has been exposed to large amounts of capital flows with significant effects on the economic performance. This study examines the determinants of capital flows into Turkey in the traditional ‘push-pull’ factors approach. To this end, a structural vector autoregression (SVAR) model has been employed and impulse-response and variance decomposition functions have been produced covering the period from 1992 : 01 to 2005 : 12. The same analysis has also been carried out for the two sub-periods 1992 : 01-2001 : 12 and 2002:01-2005 : 12 to inspect if there exists a change in the roles of push and pull factors before and after the 2001 economic crisis. The empirical evidence suggests that the relative roles of some of the factors have changed considerably in the post crisis period and pull factors are in general dominant over push factors in determining capital flows into Turkey.Capital Flows, Push and Pull Factors, Structural Vector Autoregression

A Structural VAR Analysis of the Determinants of Capital Flows into Turkey

Since the beginning of 1990s, Turkey has been exposed to large amounts of capital flows with significant effects on the economic performance. This study examines the determinants of capital flows into Turkey in the traditional 'push-pull' factors approach. To this end, a structural vector autoregression (SVAR) model has been employed and impulse-response and variance decomposition functions have been produced covering the period from 1992:01 to 2005:12. The same analysis has also been carried out for the two sub-periods 1992:01-2001:12 and 2002:01-2005:12 to inspect if there exists a change in the roles of push and pull factors before and after the 2001 economic crisis. The empirical evidence suggests that the relative roles of some of the factors have changed considerably in the post crisis period and pull factors are in general dominant over push factors in determining capital flows into Turkey.Capital Flows, Push and Pull Factors, Structural Vector Autoregression

A computer model to simulate scoliosis surgery

Use of patient-specific computer models as a pre-operative planning tool permits predictions of the likely deformity correction and allows a more detailed investigation of the biomechanical influence of different surgical procedures on the scoliotic spinal anatomy. In this paper, patient-specific computer models are used of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients who underwent a single rod anterior procedure at the Mater Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, to predict deformity correction and to investigate the change in biomechanics of the scoliotic spine due to surgical compressive forces applied during implant placement

On Period and Burst Histories of AXPs and SGRs and the Possible Evolution of these Objects on the P-Pdot Diagram

In this paper, timing data for all of the anomalous X-ray pulsars and soft gamma repeaters are compiled. Timing properties of these objects are investigated. The effect of bursts of soft gamma repeaters on their period history is investigated. The P-Pdot diagram for pulsars, X-ray binaries, anomalous X-ray pulsars, soft gamma repeaters and dim radio quiet netron stars is constructed. The possible evolutionary tracks for anomalous X-ray pulsars, soft gamma repeaters and dim radio quiet netron stars are examined.Comment: 66 pages, 9 figures, submitted to Turkish Journal of Physic