Development of Machine Vision-Based Algorithm for Counting and Discriminating Filled and Unfilled Paddy Rice in Overlapping Mode

In this study, a new method based on image processing was presented to count and discriminate paddy rice, even when they overlapped. This method was performed in three steps. In the first step, using a reference image that excludes any overlapping paddy rice, the average area, standard deviation, and a threshold value for paddy rice were determined.

Study of the spatial growth of stimulated Brillouin scattering in a gas-filled hohlraum via detecting the driven ion acoustic wave

In an experiment performed on the Shenguang-III prototype laser facility, collective Thomson scattering (TS) is used to study the spatialgrowth of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in a gas-filled hohlraum by detecting the SBS-driven ion acoustic wave. High-quality timeresolved SBS and TS spectra are obtained simultaneously in the experiment, and these are analyzed by a steady-state code based on theray-tracing model. The analysis indicates that ion–ion collisions may play an important role in suppressing SBS growth in the Au plasma;as aresult, the SBS excited in the filled gas region is dominant. In the early phase of the laser pulse, SBS originates primarily from the high-densityplasma at the edges of the interaction beam channel, which is piled up by the heating of the interaction beam. Throughout the duration of thelaser pulse, the presence of the TS probe beam might mitigate SBS by perturbing the density distribution around the region overlapping withthe interaction beam.

DYNAMIC RHEOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF POLYPROPYLENE FILLED WITH ULTRA-FINE POWDERED RUBBER PARTICLES

Dynamic rheological characteristics of polypropylene (PP) filled with ultra-fine full-vulcanized powdered rubber (UFPR) composed of styrene-butadiene copolymer were studied through dynamic rheological measurements on an Advanced Rheometric Expansion System (ARES). A specific viscoelastic phenomenon, i.e. 'the second plateau', appeared at low frequencies, and exhibits a certain dependence on the amount of rubber particles and the dispersion state in the matrix. This phenomenon is attributed to the formation of aggregation structure of rubber particles. The analyses of Cole-Cole diagrams of the dynamic viscoelastic functions suggest that the heterogeneity of the composites is enhanced on increasing both particle content and temperature.

Thermal conductivity model of filled polymer composites

Theoretical and empirical models for predicting the thermal conductivity of polymer composites were summarized since the 1920s.The effects of particle shape,filler amount,dispersion state of fillers,and interfacial thermal barrier on the thermal conductivity of filled polymer composites were investigated,and the agreement of experimental data with theoretical models in literatures was discussed.Silica with high thermal conductivity was chosen to mix with polyvinyl-acetate （EVA） copolymer to prepare SiO2/EVA co-films.Experimental data of the co-films＇ thermal conductivity were compared with some classical theoretical and empirical models.The results show that Agari＇s model,the mixed model,and the percolation model can predict well the thermal conductivity of SiO2/EVA co-films.

A Parameter-Free Filled Function for Unconstrained Global Optimization

The filled function method is an approach for finding a global minimum of multi-dimensional functions. With more and more relevant research, it becomes a promising way used in unconstrained global optimization. Some filled functions with one or two parameters have already been suggested. However, there is no certain criterion to choose a parameter appropriately. In this paper, a parameter-free filled function was proposed. The definition of the original filled function and assumptions of the objective function given by Ge were improved according to the presented parameter-free filled function. The algorithm and numerical results of test functions were reported. Conclusions were drawn in the end. Key words global optimization - filled function method - local minimizer MSC 2000 90C30

Difference in full-filled time and its controlling factors in the Central Canyon of the Qiongdongnan Basin

Based on the interpretation of high resolution 2D/3D seismic data, sedimentary filling characteristics and full- filled time of the Central Canyon in different segments in the Qiongdongnan Basin of northwestern South China Sea have been studied. The research results indicate that the initial formation age of the Central Canyon is traced back to 11.6 Ma （T40）, at which the canyon began to develop due to the scouring of turbidity currents from west to east. During the period of 11.6-8.2 Ma （T40-T31）, strong downcutting by gravity flow occurred, which led to the formation of the canyon. The canyon fillings began to form since 8.2 Ma （T31） and were dominated by turbidite deposits, which constituted of lateral migration and vertical superposition of turbidity channels during the time of 8.2-5.5 Ma. The interbeds of turbidity currents deposits and mass transport deposits （MTDs） were developed in the period of 5.5-3.8 Ma （T30-T28）. After then, the canyon fillings were primarily made up of large scale MTDs, interrupted by small scale turbidity channels and thin pelagic mudstones. The Central Canyon can be divided into three types according to the main controlling factors, geomorphology-controlled, fault-controlled and intrusion- modified canyons. Among them, the geomorphology-controlled canyon is developed at the Ledong, Lingshui, Songnan and western Baodao Depressions, situated in a confined basin center between the northern slope and the South Uplift Belt along the Central Depression Belt. The fault-controlled canyon is developed mainly along the deep-seated faults in the Changchang Depression and eastern Baodao Depression. Intrusion-modified canyon is only occurred in the Songnan Low Uplift, which is still mainly controlled by geomorphology, the intrusion just modified seabed morphology. The full-filled time of the Central Canyon differs from west to east, displaying a tendency of being successively late eastward. The geomorphology-controlled canyon was completely filled before 3.8 Ma （T28）, but that in intrusion-modified canyon was delayed to 2.4 Ma （T27） because of the uplifted southern canyon wall. To the Changchang Depression, the complete filling time was successively late eastward, and the canyon in eastern Changchang Depression is still not fully filled up to today. Difference in full-filled time in the Central Canyon is mainly governed by multiple sediment supplies and regional tectonic activities. Due to sufficient supply of turbidity currents and MTDs from west and north respectively, western segment of the Central Canyon is entirely filled up earlier. Owing to slower sediment supply rate, together with differential subsidence by deep-seated faults, the full-filled time of the canyon is put off eastwards gradually.

Numerical analysis of ultimate strength of concrete filled steel tubular arch bridges

The calculation of ultimate bearing capacity is a significant issue in the design of Concrete Filled Steel Tubular (CFST) arch bridges. Based on the space beam theory, this paper provides a calculation method for determining the ultimate strength of CFST structures. The accuracy of this method and the applicability of the stress-strain relationships were validated by comparing different existing confined concrete uniaxial constitutive relationships and experimental results. Comparison of these results indicated that this method using the confined concrete uniaxial stress-strain relationships can be used to calculate the ultimate strength and CFST behavior with satisfactory accuracy. The calculation results are stable and seldom affected by concrete con-stitutive relationships. The method is therefore valuable in the practice of engineering design. Finally, the ultimate strength of an arch bridge with span of 330 m was investigated by the proposed method and the nonlinear behavior was discussed.

Approach for analyzing the ultimate strength of concrete filled steel tubular arch bridges with stiffening girder

A convenient approach is proposed for analyzing the ultimate load carrying capacity of concrete filled steel tubular (CFST) arch bridge with stiffening girders. A fiber model beam element is specially used to simulate the stiffening girder and CFST arch rib. The geometric nonlinearity, material nonlinearity, influence of the construction process and the contribution of prestressing reinforcement are all taken into consideration. The accuracy of this method is validated by comparing its results with experimental results. Finally, the ultimate strength of an abnormal CFST arch bridge with stiffening girders is investigated and the effect of construction method is discussed. It is concluded that the construction process has little effect on the ultimate strength of the bridge.

Seismic behavior of concrete filled steel tubular arch structures

Shaking table tests of a 1:10 scale arch model performed to investigate the seismic behavior and resistance of concrete filled steel tubular (CFT) arch structures are described in this paper. The El-Centro record and Shanghai artificial wave were adopted as the input excitation. The entire test process can be divided into three stages depending on the lateral brace configurations, i.e., fully (five) braced, two braces removed, and all braces removed. A total of 46 tests, starting from the elastic state to failure condition, have been conducted. The natural vibration frequencies, responses of acceleration, displacement and strain were measured. From the test results, it is demonstrated that the CFT arch structures are capable of resisting severe ground motions and that CFT arches offer a credible alternative to reinforced concrete arches, especially in regions of high seismic intensity.

Two-parameters quasi-filled function algorithm for nonlinear integer programming

A quasi-filled function for nonlinear integer programming problem is given in this paper. This function contains two parameters which are easily to be chosen. Theoretical properties of the proposed quasi-filled function are investigated. Moreover, we also propose a new solution algorithm using this quasi-filled function to solve nonlinear integer programming problem in this paper. The examples with 2 to 6 variables are tested and computational results indicated the efficiency and reliability of the pro- posed quasi-filled function algorithm.

Damage assessment for seismic response of recycled concrete filled steel tube columns

A model for evaluating structural damage of recycled aggregate concrete filled steel tube （RCFST） columns under seismic effects is proposed in this paper. The proposed model takes the lateral deformation and the effect of repeated cyclic loading into account. Available test results were collected and utilized to calibrate the parameters of the proposed model. A seismic test for six RCFST columns was also performed to validate the proposed damage assessment model. The main test parameters were the recycled coarse aggregate （RCA） replacement percentage and the bond-slip property. The test results indicated that the seismic performance of the RCFST member depends on the RCA contents and their damage index increases as the RCA replacement percentage increases. It is also indicated that the damage degree of RCFST changes with the variation of the RCA replacement percentage. Finally, comparisons between the RCA contents, lateral deformation ratio and damage degree were implemented. It is suggested that an improvement procedure should be implemented in order to compensate for the performance difference between the RCFST and normal concrete filled steel tubes （CFST）.

Research on seismic performance of shear walls with concrete filled steel tube columns and concealed steel trusses

In order to further improve the seismic performance of RC shear walls, a new composite shear wall with concrete filled steel tube （CFT） columns and concealed steel trusses is proposed. This new shear wall is a double composite shear wall; the first composite being the use of three different force systems, CFT, steel truss and shear wall, and the second the use of two different materials, steel and concrete. Three 1/5 scaled experimental specimens： a traditional RC shear wall, a shear wall with CFT columns, and a shear wall with CFT columns and concealed steel trusses, were tested under cyclic loading and the seismic performance indices of the shear walls were comparatively analyzed. Based on the data from these experiments, a thorough elastic-plastic finite element analysis and parametric analysis of the new shear walls were carried out using ABAQUS software. The finite element results of deformation, stress distribution, and the evolution of cracks in each phase were compared with the experimental results and showed good agreement. A mechanical model was also established for calculating the load-carrying capacity of the new composite shear walls. The results show that this new type of shear wall has improved seismic performance over the other two types of shear wails tested.

Dynamic Buffering Performance of the Honeycomb Paperboard Filled with Polyurethane

A new kind of composite buffering material was made by filling the voids of honeycomb paperboard with polyurethane. Drop tests were performed to evaluate the dynamic energy absorption capacity of the material. Based on the tests results, we analyzed the mechanical behaviors of the material under different conditions and obtained the inherent influencing laws of some factors on the material＇s dynamic buffering performance. It was shown that the dynamic buffering performance varied directly with impact velocity, and inversely with the void diameter, thickness and buffeting area of the composite material.

A New Filled Function with One Parameter to Solve Global Optimization

In this paper, a new filled function with only one parameter is proposed. The main advantages of the new filled function are that it not only can be analyzed easily, but also can be approximated uniformly by a continuously differentiable function. Thus, a minimizer of the proposed filled function can be obtained easily by using a local optimization algorithm. The obtained minimizer is taken as the initial point to minimize the objective function and a better minimizer will be found. By repeating the above processes, we will find a global minimizer at last. The results of numerical experiments show that the new proposed filled function method is effective.

One-parameter quasi-filled function algorithm for nonlinear integer programming

A definition of the quasi-filled function for nonlinear integer programming problem is given in this paper. A quasi-filled function satisfying our definition is presented. This function contains only one parameter. The properties of the pro- posed quasi-filled function and the method using this quasi-filled function to solve nonlinear integer programming problem are also discussed in this paper. Numerical results indicated the efficiency and reliability of the proposed quasi-filled function algo- rithm.

Progress in optical Thomson scattering diagnostics for ICF gas-filled hohlraums

Optical Thomson scattering(OTS)diagnostics have been continuously developed on a series of large laser facilities for inertial confinement fusion(ICF)research in China.We review recent progress in the use of OTS diagnostics to study the internal plasma conditions of ICF gas-filled hohlraums.We establish the predictive capability for experiments by calculating the time-resolved Thomson scattering spectra based on the 2D radiation-hydrodynamic code LARED,and we explore the fitting method for the measured spectra.A typical experiment with a simplified cylindrical hohlraum is conducted on a 10 kJ-level laser facility,and the plasma evolution around the laser entrance hole is analyzed.The dynamic effects of the blast wave from the covering membrane and the convergence of shocks on the hohlraum axis are observed,and the experimental results agree well with those of simulations.Another typical experiment with an octahedral spherical hohlraum is conducted on a 100 kJ-level laser facility,and the plasma evolution at the hohlraum center is analyzed.A discrepancy appears between experiment and simulation as the electron temperature rises,indicating the occurrence of nonlocal thermal conduction.

THE GLOBAL DEFORMATION AND LOCAL DAMAGE ANALYSIS OF FILLED METALLIC CYLINDRICAL SHELLS IMPACTED BY MISSILES

A group of theoretical models has been developed for analyzingtransient dynamic re- sponse to filled metallic cylindrical shellsimpacted by flat-nosed missiles at normal obliquity on the ba- sis ofthe analogy modeling method of beam-on-foundation. It can be used forsolving the global defor- mation and the local failure of cylindricalshells in the impact process. the ballistic limit speed and im- pactresponse history have been calculated by this group of theoreticalmodels, and the inner pressure effect on the ballistic limit speedand some parameters are discussed at length.

A One-parameter Filled Function Method for Nonlinear Integer Programming

This paper gives a new definition of the filled function for nonlinear integer programming problem. A filled function satisfying our definition is presented. This function contains only one parameter. The properties of the proposed filled function and the method using this filled function to solve nonlinear integer programming problem are also discussed. Numerical results indicate the efficiency and reliability of the proposed filled function algorithm.

A new model for analyzing nonlinear torsion behavior of concrete filled steel tube columns with rectangular section

An experimental study on concrete filled steel tube columns with rectangular section subjected to compressionflexure-torsion combined action has been carried out. The failure modes and load-deformation hysteretic relations were obtained. Based on the principles of classical material mechanics, the relations between the torsion curvature of the section and the shear strain of the fiber on the section were established. Then the strain distribution on the rectangular section of concrete filled steel tube columns subjected to torsion was analyzed. The three-dimensional refined finite element model was also built, in order to make the precision verification. The matrix forms of the relation between the torsion curvature of the section and the shear strain of the fiber on the section were derived, and introduced into the fiber beam model considering nonlinear torsion effect on the section. The comparison between test results and calculation results showed that the fiber beam model considering nonlinear torsion effect had high modeling efficiency and solution precision for predicting the torsion behavior of concrete filled steel tube columns with rectangular sections, and was suitable for analyzing the dynamic response of various structures subjected to the combined cyclic load caused by the earthquake load.

A New Filled Function for Global Optimization Problems with Box Constraints

In this paper, auxiliary function method for global optimization with box constraints is considered. First, a new non-parameter filled function which has the same local minimizers of the objective function is proposed. By the character that having same local minimizers, and these minimizers are all better than the current minimizer of the objective function, it does not need to minimize the objective function except for thefirst iteration in the filled function method. It changes the frame of conventional filled function methods that objective function and filled function are minimized alternately,and can effectively reduce the iterations of the algorithm and accelerate the speed of global optimization. And then the theoretical properties of the filled function are discussed and the corresponding algorithm is established. Finally, numerical experiments are made and comparisons on several test problems are shown which exhibit the feasibility and effectiveness of the algorithm.