Scientific Research Publishing

Read  full  paper  at: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=20496#.VNHb8CzQrzE Author(s)  O.O. Oluwole , O.E. Olorunniwo Affiliation(s) Materials Science and Engineering Department Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife, Nigeria . Materials Science and Engineering Department Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife, Nigeria . ABSTRACT A simulation study on the effect of the “bull’s eye” in ductile iron on stress concentrations was done in this work. Using the model of graphite nodules in a cavity, a two dimensional plate strip was subjected to plane stress conditions. The results were compared to the traditional theory of modeling the graphite as holes (cavity) in the iron matrix. In plane stress conditions, while the graphite in the hole model showed the hole as areas of stress concentration and therefore very critical as regards fracture, the hole model showed stress concentrated away from the holes making the holes not v...

Read  full  paper  at: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=53110#.VLXH98nQrzE Author(s)     Yueliang Su , Nan Lu *   Affiliation(s) School of Business Administration, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China . ABSTRACT Supply chain finance is an efficient method to solve SME’s financing problem. A core issue is to simulate the supply chain finance system’s real operations. To solve the problem, this paper designs a simulation model for supply chain finance based on Simon’s bounded rationality with multiagent simulation technique instead of absolute rationality. The influences of the behaviors of bank, SME and warehousing company on credit risk of the supply chain finance are simulated and managerial insights are given. The research can help to reduce credit risk of bank loan while increasing the supply chain system’s benefit.   KEYWORDS Supply Chain Finance , Credit Risk , ...

Read  full  paper  at: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=52930#.VKyjFcnQrzE Author(s)     Patrick R. McMullen Affiliation(s) School of Business, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA . ABSTRACT This research effort compares four sequencing rules intended to smooth production scheduling for mixed-model production systems in a Just-in-Time/Lean manufacturing environment (“JIT” hereafter). Each rule intends to schedule mixed-model production in such a way that manufacturing flexibility is optimized in terms of system utilization, units completed, average in-process inventory, average queue length, and average waiting time. A simulation experiment, where the various sequencing rules are tested against each other in terms of the above production measures, shows that three of the sequencing rules essentially offer the same performance, whereas one of them shows more variation.   ...

Read full paper at: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=52727#.VKICkcCAM4 Author(s)   Yu-Ichiro Ohnishi * , Koichi Iwatsuki , Toshiki Yoshimine Affiliation(s) Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Japan . ABSTRACT Objective: It is important and helpful for surgeons to understand the correlation between spinal anatomy and screw trajectory before surgery. We aimed to assess a simple technique using 3D imaging software available on the hospital intranet for visual and quantitative feedback to prepare surgeons for an appropriate entry point and safe trajectory when placing cervical screws. Methods: A total of 59 cervical screws were inserted from C1 to T...

Read full paper at: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=52690#.VKDC5cCAM4 Author(s) Carlos Abilio Passos Travaglia , Luiz Carlos Rolim Lopes Affiliation(s) PPGEM—Programa de Poacute;s Gradução em Engenharia Metalúrgica, UFF, Volta Redonda, Brazil . ABSTRACT In brake systems, where the components are exposed to mechanical and thermal loads, the numerical analysis is very helpful. The main function of the brake system is to control or reduce vehicle’s speed by transformation of kinetic and potential energy in thermal energy. Using finite element method and Abaqus application, the present work proposed a model to study the impact of these loads on the performance of a pneumatic S cam dr...

Read full paper at: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=52596#.VJunHcCAM4 Author(s)    Rasha Massoud Affiliation(s) Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria . ABSTRACT This paper highlights the benefits of using intelligent model based controllers to produce FES induced sit-to-stand movement (FES-STS), in terms of reducing energy cost and producing more natural responses in comparison with conventional controllers. A muscle energy expenditure model for the quadriceps is implemented in the control design of FES-STS, then simulation is run for three different control designs: an adaptive neuro-fu...