Parameter-free Community Detection through Distance Dynamic Synchronization

Community detection plays a significant role in understanding the essence of a network. A recently proposed algorithm Attractor, which is based on distance dynamics, can spot communities effectively, but it depends on a cohesion parameter. Moreover, no efficient way is provided to find an optimal cohesion parameter setting. In this paper, we propose a parameter-free community detection algorithm by synchronizing distances iteratively. In each iteration, the distance of each edge will change dynamically according to the effect generated by its related neighbours. Several iterations later, distances between vertices belonging to the same community will synchronize to 0, while distances between vertices not in the same community will synchronize to 1. Besides, merging and division strategies are built up in the process of community detection. Experiments on both real-world and synthetic networks demonstrate benefits of our method compared to the baseline methods.

NONLINEAR ANALYSIS OF RC COLUMNS USING THE DRUCKER-PRAGER MODEL

This paper aims to investigate the correct prediction of load carrying capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) columns. Although substantial experimental and analytical researches have been conducted to model and simulate the response of concrete, little success has been achieved for the general description of the failures of RC columns subjected to bending and axial load. In order to predict the load carrying capacity of RC column, this paper introduces a new relationship for calculating the cohesion parameter of Drucker-Prager criterion. The relationship is developed from a parametric study of a large number of nonlinear finite element analyses of RC columns to account for the parameters. Incorporating these parameters into the failure criterion of concrete, the failure cone of Drucker-Prager model is enforced to approximate and coincide with the whole compressive meridian of the criterion up to the analytically predicted point of the load carrying capacity in the failure analyses. The proposed approach is compared with other approaches using the available column test data to demonstrate how accurately it predicts the load carrying capacity. It is shown that the proposed approach fit quite well to the experimental results of 28 specimens tested by four different researchers.

Investigation of Interface Agent for Investment Casting With Ice Patterns

Investment casting with ice patterns is similar to that with wax patterns but with significant process differences. A major difference in our developed method is that an interface agent needs to be coated around the ice pattern to protect it from damage during the process. We have studied the criteria for choosing the interface agent and discovered that the most important factor is the cohesion parameter. The thickness of the interface agent affects the dimensional accuracy of the generated metal casting. To compensate for this, mathematical models have been constructed to predict the thickness of the interface agent for a large cylindrical part and for a small part. The interface layer thickness and the temperature distribution within the ice part and the solidifying interface agent have been investigated. For solid ice cylinders, both the immersion time and the cylinder diameter affect the interface layer thickness. For small parts, the interface thickness is mainly dependent upon the ratio between the volume and surface area of the ice part and to a lesser extent upon the physical properties of the materials. Superheat has little influence on the interface layer thickness. Based on the analysis, the dimensional accuracy of the metal castings for small parts can be much improved by compensating the interface layer thickness. The analytical results agree well with experimental observations.

Analysis of a Failed Slope

In September 1963, a landslide occurred in Upper Cretaceous clay shales of Western Canada. An analysis indicated that peak strengths were being mobilized on the steeply dipping portion of the slip surface and that strengths less than peak but greater than residual were acting along the lower part of the failure surface.In March 1971, a stadia profile of the failed slope was obtained and analyzed. In the 7.5-year interval, movement increased the scarp height from 22 to 34 ft (7–10 m). The results of the analysis indicate that the cohesion parameter has tended to zero and that the friction angle has decreased toward a residual value, at least along a part of the failure surface.