Sharif Digital Repository

After several decades of work by several talented researchers, estimation of the origin–destination matrix using traffic data has remained very challenging. This paper presents a set of innovative methods for estimation of the origin–destination matrix of large-scale networks, using vehicle counts on links, partial path data obtained from an automated vehicle identification system, and combinations of both data. These innovative methods are used to solve three origin–destination matrix estimation models. The first model is an extension of Spiess’s model which uses vehicle count data while the second model is an extension of Jamali’s model and it uses partial path data. The third model is a... 

This paper studies simultaneous lot sizing and scheduling problem in a job shop environment over a finite number of periods. The machines are flexible such that the production manager is able to change their working speeds. Also, the production schedule of the items over machines should be in consistence with technological precedence relationships. The problem is formulated as an integer linear program. Then, a number of valid inequalities are developed based on the problem structures. The proposed valid inequalities are added to the problem formulation in a "cut and branch" manner to accelerate the search process by common solvers. Finally, performance of the valid inequalities is... 

This paper studies unamped oscillations of fractional-order Duffing system. Stability theorems for fractional order systems are used to determine the characteristic polynomial of the system in order to find the parametric ranges for undamped oscillations in this system. We also derive relations for estimating the frequency and the amplitude of the oscillations in this system using a describing function method. Finally numerical simulation results are provided to justify the analysis  

This paper deals with the existence and the characteristics of the limit cycles in the fractional-order Arneodo system. The analysis is done using the describing function method. Our focus is on a special case where two limit cycles exist. The parametric range for the case of interest is derived, and the frequency and the amplitude of the oscillation are predicted. Numerical simulation results are presented to further demonstrate the reliability of the analysis  

This paper studies undamped oscillations of fractional-order Duffing system. Stability theorems for fractional order systems are used to determine the characteristic polynomial of the system in order to find the parametric ranges for undamped oscillations in this system. We also derive relations for estimating the frequency and the amplitude of the oscillations in this system using a describing function method. Finally numerical simulation results are provided to justify the analysis  

As steel plate shear walls are typically used in the building central cores around the elevators and stairs, introduction of an opening as door seems to be inevitable in steel plate shear wall spans. Due to the weakening of the steel plate shear walls’ performance caused by this particular type of opening, the use of stiffeners around the opening is necessary. Nevertheless, introduction of stiffeners around all sides of the opening, which does continue to boundary elements, is very expensive and inefficient. Therefore, the study on the effect of different arrangements of stiffeners on the behavior of steel plate shear walls is significant. In this research, a number of steel plate shear... 

Land cover classification is one of the most important applications of POLSAR images. In this paper, a hybrid biogeography-based optimization support vector machine (HBBOSVM) has been introduced to classify POLSAR images of RADARSAT 2 in band C acquired from San Francisco, USA. The main purpose of this classification is to minimize the number of features and maximize classification accuracy. The proposed method consists of three main steps: preprocessing, feature selection and classification. As preprocessing, radiometric calibration, speckle reduction and feature extraction have been performed. In the proposed HBBO, the combination of onlooker bee of artificial bee colony (ABC) and... 

This paper presents mathematical modeling of joint lot sizing and scheduling problem in a job shop environment under a set of realistic working conditions. One main realistic assumption of the current study is dealing with flexible machines able to change their working speeds, known as process compressibility. The production schedules should be subject to limited available time in every planning period. Also, the model assumes that periodical sequences should be determined in a way that they obey from a fixed global sequence. Another complicating aspect of the problem is about consideration of precedence relationships for the needed processes of an item type over the corresponding machines.... 

This paper presents mathematical modelling of joint lot sizing and scheduling problem in job shop environment under a set of working conditions. The main feature of the problem is to deal with flexible machines able to change their working speeds, known as process compressibility. Furthermore, produced items should be assembled together to make final products. In other words, the products have a multilevel structure, shown with bill of materials. As the problem is proved to be strongly NP-hard, it is solved by a memetic algorithm here. Computational experiences on the data of Mega Motor company are reported. Also, further experiences on random test data confirm the performance of the... 

Demand response (DR) and flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) devices can be effectively used for congestion management in power transmission systems. However, demand response program (DRP) implementation can itself affect the optimum location of FACTS devices, which is one of the main issues in power system planning. This paper investigates the impact of DRPs on unified power flow controller (UPFC) placement. The harmony search algorithm is employed to determine the optimum locations and parameter setting of UPFC in a long-term framework. The optimization problem is solved with different objectives including generation and congestion cost reduction, as well as loss reduction. In this... 

This paper aims to develop a numerical methodology to investigate the penetration process of nanoneedles into cells and the corresponding force and indentation length. The finite element approach via the explicit dynamic method handles convergence difficulties in the nonlinear phenomenon. The cell is modeled as an isotropic elastic hemiellipsoidal shell with a thickness of 200 nm, which represents the lipid membrane and actin cortex, encapsulating cytoplasm that is regarded as an Eulerian body because of its fluid-type behavior. Nanoneedles with diameters 400, 200, and 50 nm are considered for model development based on available experimental data. The Von Mises strain failure criterion is... 

In this paper, GyroSym, a compact highly-stable single-wheel robot is introduced. Symmetrical flywheels have been used as its stabilization mechanism to keep the wheel upright. Thanks to the type of the flywheel used, the dynamic equations of the robot is simplified, the torque needed to tilt the spin axis is reduced, and the space is drastically minimized. Besides, a centrifugal clutch is used to smooth the motion of the robot in forward motion. Two controllers, fuzzy and fuzzy-Padé, were implemented based on their ability to stabilize the robot. Although both prevented the GyroSym from falling over, neither can entirely cancel out the effects of nonlinear behaviors that is present in the... 

The objective of this study is to develop and apply an arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian unstructured finite-volume lattice-Boltzmann method (ALE-FVLBM) for solving two-dimensional compressible inviscid flows around moving bodies. The two-dimensional compressible form of the LB equation is considered and the resulting LB equation is formulated in the ALE framework on an unstructured body-fitted mesh to correctly model the body shape and properly incorporate the mesh movement due to the body motion. The spatial discretization of the resulting system of equations is performed by a second-order cell-centered finite-volume method on arbitrary quadrilateral meshes and an implicit dual-time stepping... 

In this work, a central difference unstructured finite volume lattice Boltzmann method (FVLBM) in an arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) framework is applied to effectively simulate the compressible viscous flows over moving bodies. Here, the two-dimensional compressible LB equation based on the multispeed Watari model is formulated in the ALE framework on an unstructured body-fitted mesh and the resulting equation is discretized by using the cell-centered finite volume method in which a central averaging scheme is made to calculate the numerical fluxes. A suitable dissipation term is added to the formulation to ensure the stability of the numerical scheme applied. The time integration is... 

Aim: The aim of this study is to look for the proper methods that would be a major step towards untreated CD diagnosis and seek the metabolic biomarkers causes of CD and compare them to control group. Background: Celiac disease (CD) is a common autoimmune disorder that is not easily diagnosed using the clinical tests. Patients and methods: Thirty cases and 30 controls were entered into this study. Metabolic profiling was obtained using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1HNMR) to seek metabolites that are helpful for the detection of CD. Classification of CD and healthy subject was done using random forest (RF). Results: The obtained classification model showed an 89% correct... 

We present a new approach for depth detection of hidden defects based on the analysis of the frequency spectrum of the output waveform in a nondestructive testing (NDT) system. In our eddy current Superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) based NDT system, we apply multiple frequencies to its single excitation coil in a magnetically unshielded environment. The excitation coil is a planar D-shaped printed circuit board coil, and a high-Tc gradiometer YBCO rf-SQUID is used as the electromagnetic sensor in this system. An automated two-dimensional nonmagnetic scanning robot is used to test samples with intentional defects at different depths. In this approach, a diagram labeled 'FFT... 

Over the last few years, the universal number of legged robots has increased astonishingly in outdoor environments. In this paper, the design, and control of a new RHex robot named IRHex with innovative Fiberglass-Fiber carbon composite legs are described. IRHex is a six-legged robot-one actuator located at each hip-achieving mechanical uncomplicatedness that provides a reliable performance. In this investigation, the new material used for building IRHex legs was discovered after several tests on the effect of sequence and orientation of laminates in the composite. IRHex achieves robust locomotion using a computer board analyzing the data sent by the sensors and communicating to the ground... 

We present a new approach for non-destructive evaluation (NDE) in homogeneous and isotropic metallic objects which contain defects at unknown depths based on single scan and multi frequency excitation. As known, there is an optimum frequency for each depth of defect. Finding the depth of an unknown defect requires us to find the optimal frequency. In conventional single frequency methods, the optimal frequency is obtained by applying a wide range of frequencies to the system separately and comparing the corresponding results in a time-consuming process. Conventional multi frequency inspections were introduced to obtain more information about test specimens. There are two ways to apply... 

Electrospray technique is one of the commonly used methods for generating nanoparticles. In this method, the chemical solution which consists of a polymer and its solvent are injected into an electric field via a nozzle. At the end of this nozzle, due to electric forces, a certain part of this liquid is separated. Then, the separated part is divided into smaller particles and the solvent is evaporated and hence, the nanoparticles are acquired. Produced nanoparticales are collected in deionized water placed under the certain distant from nozzle. However, construction of this method is generally based on practical results. In this paper, modeling and performance evaluation of high voltage...