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This paper aims to further improve the efficiency of multi-objective optimization design of synchronous reluctance motors (SynRMs) using the level set (LS) method, which has the advantage of obtaining a practical shape. The solutions obtained by gradient methods tend to be local ones due to the multi-modality of the objective function, especially when multiple objective functions. A huge number of trial calculations are required to obtain a high-quality and broadly distributed Pareto front. Therefore, it is indispensable to effectively get out of the local solutions in the optimization process with the LS method.

The authors propose a novel method appropriately switching multiple objective functions with high independence of sensitivity information. The authors adopt highly independent mathematical expressions for the objective functions of the average torque and torque ripple. In addition, the authors repeatedly perform the optimization while appropriately selecting the sensitivity information of one objective function from multiple ones, which enables the authors to effectively break out of local solutions in the optimization process.

The proposed method was applied to the shape optimization of SynRM flux barriers and successfully searched a more extensive and advanced Pareto front in comparison with the conventional method.

The proposed method adopts search spaces with mathematical high independence for average torque and torque ripple. In the optimization process, when the solution search is judged to get stuck by several criteria, the search space is alternately switched to effectively get out of local solutions.

The purpose of this paper is to determine the effect of the genotype on the mineral composition (Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Se, Zn and K) of peanuts.

Samples of peanut of three genotypes common names cultivar cavalo vermelho (CCV), cultivar cavalo rosa (CCR) and cultivar tatu (CTA) were used. They were grown in the Maringá, Paraná State region in the same period and were purchased directly from the producer. About 500 g of each genotype were purchased and divided into five equal parts. Each part was analyzed separately and in triplicate (n=15). Mineral analysis was performed in an atomic absorption spectrophotometer with flame ionization.

Among the analyzed minerals, K occurred in the greatest amount (−600 mg · 100 g⁻¹ of sample), followed by Mg (−250 mg · 100 g⁻¹ of sample), and calcium (−65 mg · 100 g⁻¹ of sample). These values were statistically equal for the investigated genotypes. The iron content varied significantly between samples (from 2.7 to 4.6 mg · 100 g⁻¹ of sample). Zinc content ranged between 6 and 10 mg · 100 g⁻¹ of sample. The contents of the other minerals (Cu, Mn, and Se) were lower than 4 mg · 100 g⁻¹ of sample for all genotypes. The quantities of Mn and Se ranged between 1.2 and 2.1 mg · 100 g⁻¹.

Have few studies of comparative variation in minerals contents in different genotypes of peanuts. In relation to the RDI, the paper observed that 100 g of peanuts can provide significant amounts of most minerals or even more than the RDI amounts, all genotypes being very nutritious.

The increase in seafood trade in recent years motivates more detailed studies of different species, as well as evaluation of the nutritional quality of their lipid content. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the fatty acid composition, especially the concentrations and fractionation of omega‐3 essential fatty acid in classes of mussels (male and female), oysters, squid, and octopus captured on the south coast of Brazil.

Fatty acid methyl esters were prepared by methylation of total lipids and were separated by gas chromatography. Quantification of LNA, AA, EPA, and DHA was done against tricosanoic acid methyl ester as an internal standard. Total lipids were fractionated into neutral lipids and polar lipids by classical column chromatography.

The results of this study were as follows: the female mussel had the highest lipid content (3.52 per cent), followed by the male mussel (2.70 per cent), squid (1.05 per cent), octopus (0.79 per cent), and oyster (0.62 per cent). The samples that had the highest percentages of EPA and DHA in their lipid fraction were the female mussel and squid, respectively. The species belonging to the Bivalvia class (mussels and oysters) showed a predominance of PL, while those belonging to the cephalopods class (octopus and squid), showed a predominance of NL. The n‐6/n‐3 and polyunsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acids ratios of all samples analyzed were in accordance with the recommendations. The female mussel had the highest concentration of EPA+DHA omega‐3 fatty acids, corresponding to 1,064.63 mg EPA+DHA 100 g⁻¹ of the sample. So, the consumption of mussels caught off the southern coast of Brazil provides the omega‐3 essential fatty acids.

This paper provides important data concerning lipid quality of seafood caught off on the south coast of Brazil.

New robot aimed at arc welding, but new applications are in practical assembly. John Hartley reports.

The British visit of Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka underlines the rise of Japan's industrial might. Japanese management training, closely linked with the country's unique culture, has played a key role in the industrial success. Raymond Brown reports.

The key to any successful organization must be its communication network. Bold statement, but is it true? It is, of course, a sweeping generalization and one with which anyone would have difficulty in picking an argument. One way to determine what is, and what is not, vital to your organization is by eliminating it from the equation and asking yourself where you would be without it. Do away with your communication system, apart from the most basic, and see what you are left with? If the answer is not a great deal, then you can, it is hoped, appreciate the importance of what you have, and realize the attention it deserves. Taking things for granted is an all too common phenomenon.

Recent studies have found that the high demand for air-conditioning usage in tropical countries has affected the thermal adaptability of building occupants to hot weather, and increased building energy consumption. This pilot study aims to investigate the effects of transient thermal environment changes on participants' sensory and physiological responses.

The change of thermal perceptions, skin temperatures and core temperatures when exposed to transient thermal environments (cool-warm-cool) from 10 college-aged female participants during a simulated daily commute by foot to class in a tropical university campus were investigated. Subjective measurements were collected in real-time every 5 min.

The main finding suggests that participants were acclimatised to cool air-conditioned indoor environments, despite exhibiting significant mean skin temperature differences (p < 0.05). In addition, exposure to uniform air conditioning from 17 to 18°C for 20 min was thermally unacceptable and reduced concentration during given tasks.

The study focused on thermal comfort conditions in a uniform air-conditioned lecture hall, and the findings may not be applicable for residential and other private building spaces. The distinct temperature difference between indoor and outdoor in the tropical built environment resulted in high dependence on air-conditioning usage. The building occupants' well-being and energy conservation implications of the findings are discussed.

This study provides the platform for discussion on the dynamics of occupants' comfort level and adopting a more variable thermal environment in tropical spatial transient thermal environments among architects and building management system managers. The findings from this study may contribute to the Malaysian Standards for Energy Efficiency and Use of Renewable Energy for Non-Residential Buildings (MS1525).

A knowledge gap in adaptive thermal comfort due to exposure from transient conditions in tropical university campus for energy efficiency revision has been investigated.

The purpose of the paper is to present and discuss the Kansei engineering (KE) methodology, and to reflect on the future development of KE. The paper presents a model of the KE methodology and illustrates how this model was applied on a simple example which all may understand – design of a new chocolate bar.

The research methodology is a combination of desk research (literature analysis), data collection, data analysis, reflections and model building.

The paper suggests a structural model as a possible expanded framework for future Kansei/affective engineering research studies. According to the model profound affection is a result of the following six enabler factors: sensing experience; emotional experiences (Kansei); behavioural experiences/action; social experiences/interactions and relations; spiritual experiences/moral, ethics; intellectual experiences/cognition.

The paper defines “Profound affection” as a very comprehensive state, which is a result of a combination of sensing, intellectual/cognitive, emotional, social, behavioural and spiritual experiences. “Profound affection” is not only a result of sensing or emotional experiences.