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In this paper we propose a new method for estimating the mixing matrix, A, in the linear model X = AS, for the problem of underdetermined Sparse Component Analysis (SCA). Contrary to most existing algorithms, in the proposed algorithm there may be more than one active source at each instant (i.e. in each column of the source matrix S), and the number of sources is not required to be known in advance. Since in the cases where more than one source is active at each instant, data samples concentrate around multidimensional subspaces, the idea of our method is to first estimate these subspaces and then estimate the mixing matrix from these estimated subspaces. ©2007 IEEE  

One of the major problems in underdetermined Sparse Component Analysis (SCA) in the field of (semi) Blind Source Separation (BSS) is the appropriate estimation of the mixing matrix, A, in the linear model X = AS, especially where more than one source is active at each instant of time. Most existing algorithms require the restriction that at each instant (i.e. in each column of the source matrix S), there is at most one single dominant component. Moreover, these algorithms require that the number of sources must be determined in advance. In this paper, we proposed a new algorithm for estimating the matrix A, which does not require the restriction of single dominant source at each instant.... 

In this study, the failure analysis of a shaft of a unit, which had been failed during the service, was studied. This shaft was welded to the blades, and their chemical compositions were determined by spectroscopy method. In order to determine the root cause of failure and contribution factors, different investigation methods including visual examination, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscope analysis, and hardness test were carried out. It was concluded that the shaft was failed due to fatigue. The failure was caused by improper welding of blades to the shaft. At the end, in order to prevent or decelerate such failure, some recommended remedies were suggested  

In this paper, the performance of the benzene gas detection sensor in the air is optimized by an experimental design method. So in this work, Nanostructured thin films of ZnO and Zn2SnO4 were prepared in wurtzite form via a facile atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, using metallic zinc and tin precursors. Characterization of the gas sensor was performed by using Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and surface area analysis (using BET method). The results show that Zn2SnO4 nanowire network exhibited good sensitivity at 299 °C temperature to low concentrations (100 ppb) of Benzene which can be potentially used as a resistive gas sensor.... 

An optimal fuel guidance strategy with acceleration limit is derived for interception of maneuvering targets. The guidance/control system is assumed as a linear time-varying arbitraryorder and is identical in each channel. An approximate model for drag acceleration is also considered in the solution. The optimal fuel strategy has some detrimental effects in most practical situations, if it is used entirely to the end. This strategy can be used at the beginning of the guidance phase for large initial heading errors in order to quickly reduce it with minimum effort. An explicit guidance law is then developed for minimum and nonminimum phase autopilots in order to modify the undesirable effects... 

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel solution for the predicted error and introduces a systematic method to develop optimal and explicit guidance strategies for different missions. Design/methodology/approach - The predicted error is derived from its basic definition through analytic]al dynamics. The relations are developed for two classes of systems. First, for systems in which the acceleration commands are truncated at a specified time. Second, for systems in which the corrective maneuvers are cut off at a specified time. The predicted error differential equation is obtained in a way that allows for derivation of several optimal and explicit guidance schemes. Findings... 

In this paper, midcourse guidance strategies are derived considering approximate models for drag and thrust in the presence of gravity and autopilot dynamics. The guidance/control system is assumed as a linear time-varying and of arbitrary-order. The zero-effort miss differential equation is obtained in a way that three classes of guidance laws, namely optimal fuel, optimal energy, and closed-loop explicit strategy, can be derived by available methods for minimum and nonminimum phase autopilots. The resulting guidance laws have the structure of a guidance gain multiplied by the zero-effort miss. Several thrust/drag models arc also considered and discussed to obtain the effective navigation... 

While the usual assumptions in multiperiodic inventory control problems are that the orders are placed either at the beginning of each period (periodic review) or depending on the inventory level they can happen at any time (continuous review), in this paper we assume the periods between two replenishments of several products are identical and independent random variables. For the problem at hand, the order quantities (decision variables) are of integertype and there are two kinds of space and service level constraints for each product. A model of the problem is first developed in which a combination of backorder and emergency orders is considered for the shortages, and the costs are... 

This work presents a procedure for functionalization of graphene sheets from edges by polyglycerol. Hyperbranched polyglycerol with a bi-dentate aromatic segment in its focal point was synthesized and used to sandwich graphene sheets from the cut-edges. Due to the hydrophobicity of the flat surface of the edge-functionalized graphenes and hydrophilicity of their edges, they changed their conformation from the extended- to the closed-state and formed nanocapsules in aqueous solutions. Spectroscopy and microscopy evaluations showed that the average size for nanocapsules is 300 nm. They were able to encapsulate hydrophobic molecules such as doxorubicin in aqueous solutions with a high loading... 

The current study is allocated to experimental evaluation of the multiphase flow of fine solid particles (FSPs) as well as comprehensive numerical study in an annular space under static, laminar, and turbulent flow conditions with consideration of the inner pipe eccentricity and rotation. The experimental investigation was carried out using an annular pipe flow loop. The numerical modeling and simulation of the multiphase flow in the annular space have been performed using the Euler-Euler approach. The unsteady-state multiphase model based on the kinetic theory of granular flow (KTGF) is developed to investigate the particulate flow characteristics in the annular space. Moreover, Standard... 

The present study investigates the dynamic filtration of concentrated slurry fluids containing colloidal clay particles under different salinity, shear flow, and flux rate conditions. The dynamic filtration study was carried out by the filtration cell equipped with a rotating disk to apply shear stress over the membrane surface. A 3D CFD simulation has been implemented to model the hydrodynamic flows inside the filtration cell to obtain the wall shear stress (WSS) on the membrane surface at different disk rotation speeds. The thickness and surface patterns of fouling were captured utilizing a surface profilometer. First, the cake-filtration model was used to predict the flux rate and fouling...