Sharif Digital Repository

By development of ocean exploration, autonomous vehicles are employed to perform on-water and underwater tasks. Using an extended Kalman filter, Inertial Navigation System/Doppler Velocity Log (INS/DVL) integrated systems are trying to navigate in oceans and underwater environments when Global Positioning System (GPS) signals are not accessible. The dependency of DVL signals on acoustic environments may cause any DVL malfunction due to sea creatures or strong wave-absorbing material. In this paper, an improved version of evolutionary TS-fuzzy (eTS) is proposed in order to predict DVL sensor outputs at DVL malfunction moment, by utilizing an artificial intelligent (AI) aided integrated... 

The universe in large scales is structured as a network known as cosmic web. Filaments are one of the structural components of this web, which can be introduced as a novel probe to study the formation and evolution of structures and as a probe to study the cosmological models and to address the missing baryon problem. The aim of this work is to introduce an analytical framework to study the statistics of filaments such as number density of them and also to obtain the length-mass relation. For this objective, we model filaments as collapsed objects which have an extension in one direction, accordingly we use the ellipsoidal collapse to study the evolution of an over-dense region via... 

The universe in large scales is structured as a network known as cosmic web. Filaments are one of the structural components of this web, which can be introduced as a novel probe to study the formation and evolution of structures and as a probe to study the cosmological models and to address the missing baryon problem. The aim of this work is to introduce an analytical framework to study the statistics of filaments such as number density of them and also to obtain the length-mass relation. For this objective, we model filaments as collapsed objects which have an extension in one direction, accordingly we use the ellipsoidal collapse to study the evolution of an over-dense region via... 

The standard model of cosmology with nearly Gaussian, isotropic, scale invariant and adiabatic initial conditions describes the cosmological observations well. However, the study of any deviation from the mentioned conditions will open up a new horizon to the physics of early universe. In this work, we study the effect of the oscillatory and step-like features in potentials of inflationary models in late time large scale structure observations. Mainly we study the matter power spectrum, number density of the structures, dark matter halo bias and specifically CMB lensing. We show that the oscillatory models can introduce some degeneracy with late time effects on BAO scale. We also conclude... 

With the significant role that warehouse plays in connection to suppliers, distributors, and clients, and considering the costliness of storage systems, efforts have focused on the reduction of procedural expenses. Among the most significant expenses, one involves the distance traveled by operators or S/R machinery for the selection of ordered items; the common solution to which has been through the classification of stored items. Previous articles have focused on linear solutions to the abovementioned problem, such as P-Median. This article shall focus on the problems arising from the said solution, and instead a non-linear method proposed. Further, a heuristic algorithm is produced for the... 

In this study, a real low quality gas reservoir (which consists of 85% nitrogen) is considered for natural gas storage (UGS) operation. The native reservoir gas is used as cushion and this will considerably reduce the cost of storage plan; but the main concern during this technique is the possible mixing between nitrogen and natural injected gas which may degrade the quality of withdrawal stream.This paper presents a sensitivity analysis on some relevant parameters (such as gas production and injection rate, skin factor, and perforation length) which may affect mixing of inert cushion and natural gas during natural gas storage in a nitrogen reservoir. The extent of mixing between nitrogen... 

Veronica genus (Plantaginaceae) is broadly distributed in different habitats. In this study, the inhibitory activity of free soluble and conjugated phenolic extracts of Veronica persica on key enzymes associated to type 2 diabetes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase) and hypertension (angiotensin I converting enzyme, ACE) was assessed, as well as their antioxidant power. Our results showed that both the extracts inhibited α-amylase, α-glucosidase and ACE in a dose-dependent manner. In particular, free phenolic extract significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited α-glucosidase (IC50 532.97 μg/mL), whereas conjugated phenolic extract significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited a-amylase (IC50 489.73 μg/mL) and ACE... 

Due to increasing demand for natural gas, storage plan development in order to cope with seasonal gas fluctuations and ensure constant gas supply during a year, has recently become highly indispensable. However, developing underground gas storage (UGS) facility is so costly which may sometimes discourage the investment.One of the main cost items while fulfilling a UGS project can be attributed to cushion gas; this is part of gas inventory which remainspermanently in the storage field in order to maintain pressure and provide adequate deliverability rate during production cycles.For this reason, UGS in low quality gas reservoirs has been recentlyproposed. In such a case, native reservoir gas... 

Gait training is a critical rehabilitation procedure for patients suffering from walking problems. It, however, puts the therapist in high orthopedic risk since he should prevent the patient from possible falling. Body weight support system is a new technology helping such patients and the involved therapist by unloading a percent of the patient's weight. A new over-ground body weight support is introduced in this article. The system is composed of two main modules namely unloading and traction. The unloading module is capable of suspending an individual's weight up to 1000N dynamically. The whole system is attached to an overhead rail, moving over the head of the patient by the traction... 

The failure analysis of a ruptured superheater tube after 20. years service in the oil-fueled boiler, as the typical problems in power plants, was investigated. A thin-lipped rupture at failed region was observed in superheater tube. By measuring the tube's wall thicknesses far from failed region, non-uniformity was seen. The suggested main root cause of failure was fireside corrosion of the tube during the service. Because of low grade of used fuel, sodium, sulfur, and vanadium elements were observed at the outer surface, which caused continuously scale formation and reduction of wall thickness, by metal consumption. In addition, it seems that it has been worsened by occurrence of long-term... 

This paper is concerned with the existence of positive solution to a class of singular fourth order elliptic equation of Kirchhoff type (Formula Presented.)▵2u-λM(‖∇u‖2)▵u-μ|x|4u=h(x)uγ+k(x)uα,under Navier boundary conditions, u= ▵u= 0. Here Ω⊂ RN, N≥ 1 is a bounded C4-domain, 0 ∈ Ω, h(x) and k(x) are positive continuous functions, γ∈ (0 , 1) , α∈ (0 , 1) and M: R+→ R+ is a continuous function. By using Galerkin method and sharp angle lemma, we will show that this problem has a positive solution for m0 and 0 < μ< μ∗. Here μ∗=(N(N-4)4)2 is the best constant in the Hardy inequality. Besides, if μ= 0 , λ> 0 and h, k are Lipschitz functions, we show that this problem has a positive smooth... 

Aims. EROS (Expérience de Recherche d'Objets Sombres) has searched for microlensing toward four directions in the Galactic plane away from the Galactic center. The interpretation of the catalog optical depth is complicated by the spread of the source distance distribution. We compare the EROS microlensing observations with Galactic models (including the Besançon model), tuned to fit the EROS source catalogs, and take into account all observational data such as the microlensing optical depth, the Einstein crossing durations, and the color and magnitude distributions of the catalogued stars. Methods. We simulated EROS-like source catalogs using the HIgh-Precision PARallax COllecting Satellite... 

The preparation of high aspect-ratio TiO2 nanotubes and their photocatalytic activity were demonstrated in this study. The high aspect-ratio TiO2 nanotube thin films were produced by electrochemical anodic oxidation of Ti in chloride-containing electrolytes. Nanotubes were doped with different concentrations of ZnO particles through anodization. The catalytic behavior was evaluated under batch reactor with photo-degradation test of Red Dye. The experimental results collectively demonstrate the successful ZnO doping of the resultant nanotube layers with significant abundant OH groups on their increased surfaces. The nanotubes doped with high content combined with an anatase as a two phase... 

An efficient algorithm for the design optimization of the compressible fluid flow problem through a flexible structure is presented. The methodology has three essential parts: first the behavior of compressible flow in a supersonic diffuser was studied numerically in quasi-one-dimensional form using a flux splitting method. Second, a fully coupled sequential iterative procedure was used to solve the steady state aeroelastic problem of a flexible wall diffuser. Finally, a robust Genetic Algorithm was implemented and used to calculate the optimum shape of the flexible wall diffuser for a prescribed pressure distribution. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved  

Carbon nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene sheets have attracted great attention due to their exceptionally high strength and elastic strain. These extraordinary mechanical properties, however, can be affected by the presence of defects in their structures. When a material contains multiple defects, it is expected that the stress concentration of them superposes if the separation distances of the defects are low, which causes a more reduction of the strength. On the other hand, it is believed that if the defects are far enough such that their affected areas are distinct, their behavior is similar to a material with single defect. In this article, molecular dynamics... 

This study investigates a supply chain of perishable fruits and vegetables. A simulation model using system dynamics approach is proposed to study the behaviors and relationships within the supply chain and to determine the impact of the supply, demand and price interactions. The proposed model yields an insight into the overall agricultural system, taking into account the influence of import quota policies. The purpose of this study is to develop a multi-objective model identifying the best import quota policy for Tehran Municipality Organization of Fruits and Vegetables. The multiple objectives are considered to be price mean, price variation and markup. Key conclusions were reached on how... 

Aims. Stars twinkle because their light propagates through the atmosphere. The same phenomenon is expected on a longer time scale when the light of remote stars crosses an interstellar turbulent molecular cloud, but it has never been observed at optical wavelengths. The aim of the study described in this paper is to fully simulate the scintillation process, starting from the molecular cloud description as a fractal object, ending with the simulations of fluctuating stellar light curves. Methods. Fast Fourier transforms are first used to simulate fractal clouds. Then, the illumination pattern resulting from the crossing of background star light through these refractive clouds is calculated... 

Aims. Stars twinkle because their light propagates through the atmosphere. The same phenomenon is expected at a longer time scale when the light of remote stars crosses an interstellar molecular cloud, but it has never been observed at optical wavelength. In a favorable case, the light of a background star can be subject to stochastic fluctuations on the order of a few percent at a characteristic time scale of a few minutes. Our ultimate aim is to discover or exclude these scintillation effects to estimate the contribution of molecular hydrogen to the Galactic baryonic hidden mass. This feasibility study is a pathfinder toward an observational strategy to search for scintillation, probing... 

The assessment of the various impairments in brain damage including spasticity is important. The purpose of this study was to develop a new biomechanical method based on quantification of velocity reduction (VR) suitable for clinical use  

Background. Temporary artery clipping facilitates safe cerebral aneurysm management, besides a risk for cerebral ischemia. We developed an artificial neural network (ANN) to predict the safe clipping time of temporary artery occlusion (TAO) during intracranial aneurysm surgery. Method. We devised a three-layer model to predict the safe clipping time for TAO. We considered age, the diameter of the right and left middle cerebral arteries (MCAs), the diameter of the right and left A1 segment of anterior cerebral arteries (ACAs), the diameter of the anterior communicating artery, mean velocity of flow at the right and left MCAs, and the mean velocity of flow at the right and left ACAs, as well...