Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
External Plate Reinforcement for Concrete Beams

Strengthening concrete beams for shear forces by means of attaching steel plates to the external surfaces could provide a practical solution to the program of upgrading concrete bridges for carrying heavier loads. The experimental study carried out on three beams with 2, 4, and 6 mm plates attached by bolting to the vertical sides (web) of the beams resulted in considerable enhancement to the shear strength capacity. External plate attachment can also be designed to give simultaneous enhancement to flexural capacity. Although the beams failed in shear, as expected, the mode of failure was ductile, controlled by the yielding and local buckling of the external plates. The experimental study, although limited in terms of number of tests, showed that the method of construction could prove to be both practical and reliable for strengthening the existing in-situ concrete beams.
Matrix-GLA-Protein and Vascular Calcification: Can Diet Influence the Consequences of Matrix GLA Protein Inactivation? A Review

In vascular calcification, as a physiological process, intimal arterial calcification (IAC) associated with increased cardiovascular risk is distinguished from medial arterial calcification (MAC) localized mainly in the lamina elatica interna, which are not only based on different pathophysiological mechanisms. They also lead to different cardiovascular diseases. While intimal arterial calcification involves inflammation and lipid accumulation, a calcification process similar to desmal ossification plays the main role in medial arterial calcification. In this context, the phenotype change of smooth muscle cells from muscular type to synthesizing form in the tunica media is considered to be of great importance, which puts the matrix GLA protein, mainly involved in bone metabolism, in the center of interest. The present review work elucidates the molecular biological basis of interaction of matrix GLA protein subunits in the pathogenesis of vascular calcifications and the influence of diet on the consequences of underactivation of matrix GLA protein.
A modified model for estimating the contact length in surface grinding

The real contact length during the grinding process is considered as an important subject for researchers, mainly because it reflects the intensity of the responses such as grinding forces and temperature generation. In order to measure and assess the real contact length, many experimental techniques and prediction models are available in the literature. Among all these models, the model developed by Rowe and Qi is being used widely by researchers because of its ability to make close predictions with real values. Rowe and Qi coined the term called roughness factor in their model. This factor varies with grinding environments and wheel–work material combinations. To decide it for a new environment, one has to do the laborious experimental work. In this article, the roughness factor has been analysed from the grinding temperature and the heat partition ratio point of view and expressed so that without experimental work prediction of the roughness factor can be done. For this, a new factor called as the thermal factor has been proposed based on the roughness factor modifications. Its good correlation with dimensionless temperature and heat partition ratio under different grinding environments have been presented and discussed in the current communication. It seems that the thermal factor can be helped in an easy and accurate prediction of the contact length during grinding operations.
Increasing durability of hot mix asphalt pavements designed with the Superpave system

Title of Thesis: INCREASING DURABILITY OF HOT MIX ASPHALT PAVEMENTS DESIGNED WITH THE SUPERPAVE SYSTEM Degree candidate: Sahand Sasha Karimi Degree and year: Master of Science, 2009 Thesis directed by: Professor Dimitrios G. Goulias Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering With the implementation of the Superpave mix design method, state highway agencies have experienced significant problems in durability of Hot Mix Asphalt mixtures due to lower binder content. To get a better understanding of the HMA mix production and the current specifications used by MSHA, the following were examined: i) differences in HMA properties that have been observed between samples taken at the plant (QC) vs. behind the paver (QA), ii) possibility of defining a transfer function between QA and QC data and iii) the potential risk to both the agency and the contractors using simulation analysis and based on the current specifications and pay factor equations. For this purpose a simulation tool was developed. The F and t tests showed that the QA and QC are two different populations and cannot be related. The simulation analysis illustrated that the correlation among mixture parameters doesn’t affect the long run average pay factor. In addition it was concluded that the newly adopted pay equations are fairly rewarding and penalizing the contractors for mixtures, but the density pay equation needs modification. Increasing Durability of Hot Mix Asphalt Pavements Designed with the Superpave System
Dynamic scheduling of oil tankers with splitting of cargo at pickup and delivery locations: a Multi-objective Ant Colony-based approach

Maritime crude oil transportation problem have been drawing the attention of researchers for quite a long time. The cost incurred in the supply chain for the oil products is one of the biggest driving factors for these researchers. In the present paper, we have addressed the problem faced by the logistics section of the petroleum downstream industry. This industry mainly deals with the transportation of finished oil products like fuel oil, high speed diesel, etc. from refineries to the demand points. For this purpose, we have developed a mathematical model to represent the problem appropriately, aiming at total cost minimisation as well as service-level maximisation. The problem in hand is then tackled with a modified Multi-objective Ant Colony optimisation algorithm which besides considering more than one pheromone structure also involves non-dominated sorting of the results to give us the best-performing solution fronts. For the purpose of dealing with the uncertainties causing docking problems at a port, we have incorporated a second stage of route allocation for the vessels. Towards the end, we have carried out a sensitivity analysis for the parameters of the ant colony algorithm to get the combination of parameters for which this new type of algorithm performs best. The comparison of obtained results with one of the other contemporary algorithms also establishes the superiority of our heuristic.
An Exploration of Student Collaboration Networks in a Team-Based Capstone Course

Learning is inherently a social act occurring through individualized interpretation and negotiations with diverse others. The ability to work with others within the learning environment and beyond is an essential skill. Student-centered teaching methods that emphasize active learning in a team setting have garnered much support across higher education. Recently, AGEDS 450 at Iowa State University was redesigned to further emphasize teamwork. Team-Based Learning (TBL) was incorporated within the capstone framework to promote higher levels of student collaboration, particularly for farm management decisions. TBL promotes higher order thinking and the application of course content in a real-world situation. For AGEDS 450, an actual farm serves as the applied learning laboratory where students make all decisions concerning its management and operation. This descriptive study sought to explore the collaboration networks of students enrolled in the fall 2015 (n = 61) and spring 2016 (n = 60) AGEDS 450. Social network analysis was utilized to construct and analyze student collaboration networks. Data were collected at the beginning and end of a 16-week semester in order to track development and/or growth of the collaboration network. The collaboration networks developed into cohesive structures encompassing all students within the course. With the increased interest in fostering teamwork in preparing students for careers, these results provide justification for the continued utilization of TBL. Further analysis of the TBL method is warranted with particular attention to longterm outcomes and skill attainment. It is recommended that TBL be implemented in other courses within colleges of agriculture to further examine its utility.
The analysis of the occurrence of high in-rush currents in DC power supplies

This paper uses detailed simulation models to investigate inrush current characteristics of typical dc power supplies, following various supply system voltage disturbances. Current methods of inrush current protection are investigated, and it is shown that careful consideration must be given to fuse selection in order to providing protect the dc power supply and avoid erroneous tripping. The paper also proposes a simplified equivalent model, based on an uncontrolled rectifier, for the accurate prediction of inrush currents considered dc power supply configurations.
Peripheral Cues and Color in Visual Simulation

Flight performance as affected by visual field size, scene complexity and the use of color was measured in a Boeing 747 flight simulator. The visual simulator was a computer generated imagery system (G.E. Compuscene). Three experiments involving different flight regimes were conducted using military C-141 pilots as test subjects. Numerous parameters indicative of landing proficiency were recorded and analyzed to establish visual scene requirements.
A New Signal Classification Method Based on EEMD and FCM and its Application in Bearing Fault Diagnosis

In order to diagnose nonlinear and non-stationary fault signals in bearings, a new method is presented based on the ensemble empirical decomposition (EEMD) and the fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering algorithm. At first, the bearing fault signals were decomposed using EEMD and the intrinsic mode functions (IMF) were produced. Second the energy ratios of these IMFs were computed and taken as the characteristic parameters for the FCM clustering algorithm. Then the FCM clustering method was conducted to classify the bearing fault signals into different classes. Finally, on the basis of the preceding classification results, we diagnosed a bearing fault through taking its distances between different cluster centers as the criteria. Experiments showed that the bearing fault signal classification results conformed to actualities well. The new signal classification method can be effectively utilized in bearing fault diagnosis.
Quantifying the Benefits: Application of Customer Loyalty Modeling in Public Transportation Context

This paper provides a demonstration of potential applications of customer loyalty modeling in the public transportation industry. Customer loyalty modeling investigates the cumulative effects of influencing factors on customers’ tendencies to choose one service or product over another for a particular need. Industries, such as airlines and telecommunications, model customer loyalty extensively to better understand and improve customer retention. A review of the literature returned only one direct application of this approach in the public transportation industry. The influencing factors of public transportation customer loyalty are explored with the use of structural equation modeling and other empirical tests to demonstrate the appropriateness of this application. A comprehensive set of hypotheses explores the relationships between public image, problem experience, service quality, service value, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty. Initial findings suggest that service quality and customer satisfaction positively and directly influence customer loyalty. In addition, public image and problem experience exert a stronger influence on service quality, customer satisfaction, and service value than initially predicted. Recommendations and managerial implications based on experiences and challenges during the research are offered for this technique.
Experimental analysis and modelling of longitudinal tyre friction dynamics for abrupt transients

A test vehicle has been used to collect experimental data related to abrupt engine throttle tip-in transients. The data point to a significant dynamic potential of the longitudinal tyre frictional force on an ice surface. Such a behaviour cannot be predicted by using the available brush-type dynamic tyre friction models. Based on the results of experimental and simulation analyses, the LuGre tyre friction model is extended to predict the dynamic friction potential. The extended model is validated against the experimental data.
No need for a body model: Positive velocity feedback for the control of an 18-DOF robot walker

In a multilegged walking robot several legs usually have ground contact and thereby form a closed kinematic chain. The control of such a system is generally assumed to require the explicit calculation of the body kinematics. Such a computation requires knowledge concerning all relevant joint angles as well as the segment lengths. Here, we propose a biologically inspired solution that does not need such a body model. This is done by using implicit communication through the body mechanics embodiment and a local positive velocity feedback strategy LPVF on the single joint level. In this control scheme the locally measured joint velocity of an elastic joint is fed into the same joint during the next time step to maintain the movement. At the same time, an additional part of this joint controller observes the mechanical joint power to confine the positive feedback. This solution does not depend on changes of the geometry, e.g. length of individual segments, and allows for a simple solution of negotiation of curves. The principle is tested in a dynamics simulation on a six-legged walker and, for the first time, also on a real robot.
SURFACE ERODIBILITY OF EARTHEN CHANNELS AT HIGH STRESSES PART II - DEVELOPING AN IN SITU TESTING DEVICE

ABSTRACT A submerged, vertical jet device was designed to measure in situ soil erodibility. Performance of the vertical jet device was calibrated based on comparisons of erodibility of three soils determined from large scale open channel testing. The results indicate that the scour factor can be related to the Reynolds number of the jet, the time factor, and the erodibility factor by a linear relationship in logarithmic scale. A linear model was therefore used to determine the best fit relationship of these variables. This equation was used to determine the coefficient of erodibility, K, from the jet test results of a soil.
Simulation and Control of an Active Tilting-Pad Journal Bearing

This study developed an active tilting-pad journal bearing with a feedback control system to regulate the orbit of a rotating shaft. The control is implemented by means of linear actuators installed behind the pivot of each pad, which allow the radial motion of the pads in real time. The control design uses the linear feedback of the state variables of the bearing-rotor system, with the feedback gains determined by the optimization of a quadratic performance index. The optimization is based on a linear spring-mass model that incorporates the direct stiffness and damping elements associated with each of the bearing pads. This linear model is found by the simulation of the system under small perturbations using a nonlinear Reynolds equation model. The nonlinear model is capable of simulating the radial motions of the pads by the actuators and is used to verify the effectiveness of the feedback control. It is shown that certain design parameters in the quadratic performance index may be used to determine both the stiffness and the damping of the closed-loop bearing system and that the shaft orbit can be thereby suitably regulated.
An Empirical Model to Predict Topographic Effects in Strong Ground Motion Using California Small- to Medium-Magnitude Earthquake Database

We develop a model to predict the effects of topography on earthquake ground motions using a database of small- to medium-magnitude earthquakes from California. The proposed model relies on a parameter called relative elevation that quantifies topography using the elevation of a site relative to its surroundings. We also investigate an alternative parameterization of topography called smoothed curvature. We study the bias in the residuals from the Chiou et al. (2010) ground motion model with respect to these parameters and fit a model to remedy those biases. We then compare these models by assessing their goodness of fit to the data. The proposed model for topographic effects is intended as a correction to the Chiou et al. (2010) small- to medium-magnitude earthquake prediction model.
A NEW APPROACH TO CALCULATE EXTREME STORM SURGES

Climate change and its consequences, for example for sea level, will have serious effects on the safety of people and economic assets in coastal areas. The uncertainties inherent in climate change necessitate new concepts of coastal protection and risk management. In the project Xtrem Risk, the ‘source pathway receptor’ concept will be used as a basis for risk analysis and the development of new strategies.
48.3 WITHDRAWN 48.4: Invited Paper: Driving Circuit Integration Using Depletion‐Mode Oxide TFTs

New circuit schemes are needed to integrate display‐driving circuits using oxide TFTs because the oxide TFTs operate only as n‐channel field‐effect transistor and tend to have negative threshold voltages. So we have invented circuits that apply negative gate bias to turn off the TFTs inside themselves. In this paper we report some of these circuits such as scan driver, DC‐DC converter, and level shifter.
Aerodynamic Synthesis of a Centrifugal Impeller Using CFD and Measurements

Abstract : The performance and flow structure in an unshrouded impeller of approximately 4:1 pressure ratio is synthesized on the basis of a detailed analysis of 3D viscous CFD results and aerodynamic measurements. A good data match was obtained between CFD and measurements using laser anemometry and pneumatic probes. This solidified the role of the CFD model as a reliable representation of the impeller internal flow structure and integrated performance. Results are presented showing the loss production and secondary flow structure in the impeller. The results indicate that while the overall impeller efficiency is high, the impeller shroud static pressure recovery potential is underdeveloped leading to a performance degradation in the downstream diffusing element. Thus, a case is made for a follow-on impeller parametric design study to improve the flow quality. A strategy for aerodynamic performance enhancement is outlined and an estimate of the gain in overall impeller efficiency that might be realized through improvements to the relative diffusion process is provided.
Modeling Coal Swelling during Pyrolysis at Elevated Pressure by Using a Single Bubble Model: Validation and Application

ABSTRACT Pressurized oxy-coal combustion technologies are attracting more attention of researchers because of their advantages of carbon capture. While the ambient pressure could significantly influence the coal pyrolysis behavior. In this study, Yulin coal was used for the pyrolysis experiment in a pressurized drop tube furnace. Pyrolysis temperature of 1273 K, and pressures of 1, 4, 7, 10 atm were considered. The swelling behavior of produced char was analyzed by the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The char evolution process during pyrolysis at elevated pressure was simulated by a revised single bubble model, in which the volatile releasing rate and yield by residence time can be obtained from the CPD (chemical percolation devolatilization) model. Results show that the revised single bubble model is suitable for predicting the char evolution over a wide range of pressure and heating rate. Optimum pressure is present in the range of 7–15 atm, where the swelling ratio and porosity reach the maximum value. This model can predict the two regimes of coal swelling in varied heating rates, which is more obvious at high pressure. The porosity development by time can also be output, and the variation trends are similar to the swelling ratio.
Supercritical Flow at an Abrupt Drop: Flow Patterns and Aeration

Stepped waterways and cascades are common features of storm waterways, at dam outlets and in water treatment plants. At an abrupt drop, open channel flows are characterised by the presence of shock waves and a substantial flow aeration. There is however little information on the basic flow characteristics. The study presents new experimental data obtained in a 0.5-m wide stepped flume with an un-ventilated nappe. The investigations describe the three-dimensional flow patterns (shock waves, standing waves, spray) downstream of the nappe impact. The characteristics of the flow patterns are similar to those observed with abrupt expansion supercritical flows. Downstream of the drop brink, substantial aeration takes place along the nappe interfaces and the flow downstream of the impact is de-aerated.
Temperature Sensitive Controller Performance of MR Dampers

Magnetorheological (MR) dampers can experience large temperature changes as a result of heating caused by energy dissipation, but control systems are often designed without consideration of this fact. Furthermore, due to the highly nonlinear behavior of MR dampers, many control strategies have been proposed and it is difficult to determine which is the most effective. This paper aims to address these issues through a numerical and experimental study of an MR mass isolator subject to temperature variation. A dynamic temperature dependant model of an MR damper is first developed and validated. Control system experiments are then performed using hardware-in-the-loopsimulations. Proportional, PID, gain scheduling, and on/ off control strategies are found to be equally affected by temperature variation. Using simulations incorporating the temperature dependant MR damper model, it is shown that this is largely due to a change in fluid viscosity and the associated movement of the lower `clipped optimal' control bound. This zero-volts condition determines how close any controller can perform to the ideal semiactive case, thus all types of controller are affected. In terms of relative performance, proportional and PID controllers perform equally well and outperform the on/off and gain scheduling strategies. Gain scheduling methods are superior to on/off control.
Distributed Mission Operations Within-Simulator Training Effectiveness

This study examined the effectiveness of distributed mission operations (DMO) training using objective and subjective measures. DMO consists of multiplayer networked environments that facilitate the training of higher order individual and team-oriented combat skills. Objective measures included performance assessments, and subjective measures included performance ratings by subject matter experts and pilot perceptions of DMO utility. Results indicated that DMO training improved pilot performance, most notably in the reduction of the number of enemy strikers reaching their target and the number of F-16 mortalities. Considerations of real-world reductions in loss of life and expenditures are discussed.