(SoE) School of Engineering

<p>Shiv Nadar University is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, research-focused, and student-centric University offering a full range of academic programs at the undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, the University comprises of academic wings, sophisticated labs, international standard sports facilities, amphitheaters, auditorium, conference rooms and smart classrooms. The University&rsquo;s goal is to become internationally recognized for the quality of its research and creative endeavors and their applicability to improving quality of life, generating new insights and expanding the boundaries of human knowledge creativity. Committed to excellence in teaching, research and service, the University aims to serve the higher education needs of India and the world beyond.</p>

Shiv Nadar University

A comparative study of the various motif search algorithms is very important for several reasons. For example, we could identify the strengths and weaknesses of each. As a result, we might be able to devise hybrids that will perform better than the individual components. In this paper, we (either directly or indirectly) compare the performance of PMSprune (an algorithm based on the (l, d)-motif model) and several other algorithms in terms of seven measures and using well-established benchmarks. We have employed several benchmark datasets including the one used by Tompa et al. It is observed that both PMSprune and DME (an algorithm based on position-specific score matrices), in general, perform better than the 13 algorithms reported in Tompa et al. Subsequently, we have compared PMSprune and DME on other benchmark datasets including ChIP-Chip, ChIP-Seq and ABS. Between PMSprune and DME, PMSprune performs better than DME on six measures. DME performs better than PMSprune on one measure (namely, specificity). Copyright © 2014 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

Computer Science and Engineering

World University root node

Fulltext

International Journal of Bioinformatics Research and Applications

An experimental comparison of PMSprune and other algorithms for motif search

The present study investigated the temporal and diurnal distributions of atmospheric acidic gases (sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrous acid (HONO), and nitric acid (HNO3)) and those of particulate nitrate (NO3-) and sulfate (SO42-) through a comprehensive field campaign during the largest smoke haze episode in Singapore, a representative country in Southeast Asia (SEA). To identify the atmospheric behavior of these pollutants during the smoke haze period, the data generated from the measurement campaign were divided into three distinct periods: prehaze, during haze, and posthaze periods. The 24 hr average data indicated that ambient SO2, HONO, and HNO3 during the smoke haze episodes increased by a factor ranging from 1.2 to 2.6 compared to those during the prehaze and posthaze periods. Similarly, in the case of particulates SO42- and NO3-, the factor ranged from 2.3 to 4.2. Backward air trajectories were constructed and used to find the sources of biomass burning to the recurring smoke haze in this region. The air trajectory analysis showed that the smoke haze episodes experienced in Singapore were influenced by transboundary air pollution, caused by severe biomass burning events in the islands of Indonesia. © 2014 Sailesh N. Behera and Rajasekhar Balasubramanian.

Civil Engineering

Advances in Meteorology

Influence of biomass burning on temporal and diurnal variations of acidic gases, particulate nitrate, and sulfate in a tropical urban atmosphere

The synergy of the two paradigms, neural network and fuzzy inference system, has given rise to rapidly emerging filed, neuro-fuzzy systems. Evolving neuro-fuzzy systems are intended to use online learning to extract knowledge from data and perform a high-level adaptation of the network structure. We explore the potential of evolving neuro-fuzzy systems in reinforcement learning (RL) applications. In this paper, a novel on-line sequential learning evolving neuro-fuzzy model design for RL is proposed. We develop a dynamic evolving fuzzy neural network (DENFIS) function approximation approach to RL systems. Potential of this approach is demonstrated through a case study-two-link robot manipulator. Simulation results have demonstrated that the proposed approach performs well in reinforcement learning problems. © 2014 IFAC.

Electrical Engineering

IFAC Proceedings Volumes (IFAC-PapersOnline)

A reinforcement learning algorithm with evolving fuzzy neural networks

Control of web tension is crucial for maintaining quality of products processed on roll-to-roll (R2R) system. An R2R system can be divided into different tension spans which interact with each other. But converting industries tend to neglect these interactions and use decentralized single-input-single-output (SISO) control approaches to deal with tension control. Multi-input-multi-output approaches have been reported in literatures but are practically not in use. Interaction between the various tension spans is unavoidable as they are all connected by a single web. Disturbances produced in a span tend to travel further downstream along the direction of web travel. When the number of spans is less or the disturbance amplitudes are small, this does not present a big challenge and simple SISO control is sufficient. But when the amplitudes of disturbances produced in processing is large - as is the case with printed electronics - or the number of spans is large or both, then the interactions cannot be neglected. R2R-based offset printers have the potential for mass production of precision-printed electronics. In this paper, a fuzzy logic-based hybrid approach has been followed that specifically targets the printed electronics industry and this method considerably reduces the interactions. The algorithm has been designed such that it takes information from previous span to reduce the propagation of tension disturbances to the given span. This has been achieved through online computation of correlation coefficient and reducing the interaction through fuzzy feedback control. © 2013 Springer-Verlag London.

Mechanical Engineering

International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology

Fuzzy decoupling to reduce propagation of tension disturbances in roll-to-roll system

An elegant, simple, and exact analytical solution (AS) was obtained for a large range of elementary steps with practical importance in free radical polymerization. The AS matches excellently with the numerical solution for the four cases of monomer-polymer systems studied ranging from the slowest to the fastest. It works equally well for different initiators, different initiator and monomer concentrations, presence or absence of solvent, various solvent volume fractions, and different temperatures. It also matches quite well with experimental data reported in the literature. This AS is not only in line with previous published solutions but also extends their applicability in a natural way. Overall, the conceptual correctness as well as predictive capabilities of the derived AS are established beyond doubt. This AS has the potential to be used in various practical applications such as model based process control, CFD simulations, and so forth. © 2014 American Chemical Society.

Chemical Engineering

Macromolecules

Analytical solution of free radical polymerization: Derivation and validation

Linear and branched polymers of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (PDMAEMA) were synthesized in flow by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and self-condensing vinyl copolymerization adapted to ATRP, respectively, in capillary type stainless steel coiled tube (CT) microreactors. Coil flow inversion (CFI) was introduced to achieve better mixing and narrower residence time distributions during polymerization. This strategy was adopted to improve control over macromolecular characteristics and polymer architecture. Polydispersity index (PDI), as an overall indicator of control over polymerization, was significantly lower for CFI in the case of linear PDMAEMA, 1.39 compared to 1.53 for CT. For branched polymers containing up to 10 mol % of inimer, a reduced PDI was also obtained for CFI microreactor. As for the branching efficiency, it was found to follow the following trend CFI > CT > batch reactor. © 2014 American Chemical Society.

Coil flow inversion as a route to control polymerization in microreactors

Analytical solution (AS), as derived in our previous works for isothermal free radical polymerization (FRP), has been extended to nonisothermal conditions in this work. Only one differential equation, i.e., the energy balance equation, was required to calculate temperature profile by stiff solver using AS as input values. The results were compared against numerical solution (NS) of the complete set of ordinary differential equations (ODE) of FRP, 11 ODE for full set of equations (FRP-Full), and 8 ODE for quasi steady state approximation (FRP-QSSA). Two different models, namely Chiu, Carratt, and Soong (CCS) and Achilias and Kiparissides (AK), for implementing the gel/glass/cage effect, were also considered. The results were validated against published results and were found to be in excellent agreement, as well as with NS for all conditions taken. This work proved the versatility, flexibility, and adaptability of AS under all conditions (except for low temperatures) and with various models to simulate gel/glass/cage effect along with nonisothermal conditions. © 2014 American Chemical Society.

Analytical solution of free radical polymerization: Applications-implementing nonisothermal effect

We report on the synthesis of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in tubular microreactors. Different process parameters, temperature, pressure, and shear rate, were considered to accelerate the reaction. Increase in temperature induced a faster reaction, but controlled nature of ATRP decreased past a threshold value that can be increased up to 95 °C by reducing the residence time. Positive effect of pressure was observed since significant increases in monomer conversion (+12.5 %) and molecular weight (+5,000 g/mol) were obtained. Moreover, polydispersity index was found to decrease from 1.52 at normal pressure to 1.44 at 100 bars. Benefit of pressure was more visible in smaller reaction space (smaller tube diameter). Finally, shear rate has quite an influence on the early stage of the polymerization and is expressed by an increase in the reaction rate. However, the effect was dimed for long residence times. © 2013 Akadémiai Kiadó.

Journal of Flow Chemistry

Atom transfer radical polymerization in continuous microflow: Effect of process parameters

In the electro-mechanical impedance (EMI) technique, which is based on induced strain actuation through piezoelectric ceramic (PZT) patch, the knowledge of shear stress distribution in the adhesive bond layer between the patch and the host structure is very pertinent for reliable health monitoring of structures. The analytical derivation of continuum based shear lag model covered in this paper aims to provide an improved and more accurate model for shear force interaction between the host structure and the PZT patch (assumed square for simplicity) through the adhesive bond layer, taking care of all the piezo, structural and adhesive effects rigorously and simultaneously. Further, it eliminates the hassle of determining the equivalent impedance of the structure and the actuator separately, as required in the previous models, which was approximate in nature. The results are compared with the previous models to highlight the higher accuracy of the new approach. Based on the new model, a continuum based interaction term has been derived for quantification of the shear lag and inertia effects. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

A continuum based modelling approach for adhesively bonded piezo-transducers for EMI technique

In this study, an atmospheric dispersion model along with a systematic emission inventory was used to explore the possible control strategy to reduce ambient levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in Kanpur city, India. A GIS based emission inventory of NOx was developed for the base, 5th and 10th years. It was observed that the 5th and 10th years will experience increased emissions by factors of 1.7 and 2.5 of the base year if no control policy is implemented. Seventeen control options (i.e. introduction of Euro 6 to vehicles, banning of 15-year old private vehicles etc.) were considered for evaluation through the dispersion modelling. A control scenario comprising the following control options (1) implementation of Euro 6 for vehicles, (2) compressed natural gas (CNG) for commercial and public vehicles, etc. was found to be most effective in reducing the ambient NOx levels and attaining a 24-hour average air quality standard. © 2014 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.