Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Study of Recirculating Flow Fields Downstream of a Diverse Range of Axisymmetric Bluff Body Geometries Suitable for Flame Stabilization

This work investigates the non-reacting time averaged and fluctuating flow field characteristics downstream of a variety of axisymmetric baffles, operating in combination with an upstream double-cavity premixer arrangement. The study aims to broaden knowledge with respect to the impact of different bluff body shapes, leading and trailing edge flow contours, blockage ratios and incoming flow profiles impinging on the bluff body, on the development and properties of the downstream recirculating wake. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements have been employed to obtain the mean and turbulent velocity fields throughout the centrally located recirculation zone and the adjacent developing toroidal shear layer. The results are helpful in demarcating the cold flow structure variations in the near wake of the examined baffles which support and, to some extent, determine the flame anchoring performance and heat release disposition in counterpart reacting configurations. Additionally, such results could also assist in the selection of the most suitable flame stabilization configuration for fuels possessing challenging combustion behavior such as multi-component heavier hydrocarbons, biofuels, or hydrogen blends.
Thin-film piezoelectric bimorph actuators with increased thickness using double Pb[Zr,Ti]O3 layers

We studied the effects of increasing the thickness of bimorph structures containing double layers of Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT) thin films. Thick PZT films allow high-voltage application (e.g. in terms of coercive electric field and breakdown voltage) and large generative force, which are effective in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) applications. Improvement of the deposition conditions and electrode structures facilitates the fabrication of the thin-film PZT/PZT bimorph structure. The PZT/PZT bimorph with a total thickness of 5.8 µm, deposited using a radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering system is much thicker than conventional bimorph structures. The characteristics of the two piezoelectric layers were similar to each other and revealed good electric and ferroelectric characteristics with a remanent polarization of 20 µC cm−2 and a coercive electric field of 50 kV cm−1. PZT/PZT bimorph cantilevers were fabricated in order to evaluate their characteristics for actuator applications. The residual stress of the bimorph cantilever was reduced by an annealing process. The vibration test on the fabricated bimorph cantilevers during electrical voltage application revealed a twice as large displacement as compared with a single layer actuation, and the piezoelectric coefficient value d31 was estimated to be −61 pm V−1, which is better than the value of conventional PZT/PZT bimorph cantilevers (−13 pm V−1). It was also shown that the influence of the temperature change is much less than that in unimorph structures with similar dimensions. The evaluated results demonstrate that the PZT/PZT bimorph structures are effective as MEMS devices.
Calculation and Measurement of the Stiffness and Damping Coefficients for a Low Impedance Hydrodynamic Bearing

This paper describes a combined theoretical and experimental investigation of the eight oil film stiffness and damping coefficients for a novel low impedance hydrodynamic bearing. The novel design incorporates a recess in the bearing surface which is connected to a standard commercial gas bag accumulator; this arrangement reduces the oil film dynamic stiffness and leads to improved machine response and stability. A finite difference method was used to solve Reynolds equation and yield the pressure distribution in the bearing oil film. Integration of the pressure profile then enabled the fluid film forces to be evaluated. A perturbation technique was used to determine the dynamic pressure components, and hence to determine the eight oil film stiffness and damping coefficients. Experimental data was obtained from a laboratory test rig in which a test bearing, floating on a rotating shaft, was excited by a multi-frequency force signal. Measurements of the resulting relative movement between bearing and journal enabled the oil film coefficients to be measured. The results of the work show good agreement between theoretical and experimental data, and indicate that the oil film impedance of the novel design is considerably lower than that of a conventional bearing.
The impact of engineering changes on materials planning

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding of the impact of engineering changes on the materials planning process. Design/methodology/approach – This study is based on a conceptual discussion and empirical data from a case study of a supply chain in the automotive industry, including end producers (two OEM companies) and first, second and third tier suppliers. Findings – A framework comprising the situational dimensions of the engineering change was derived from the conceptual discussion and described in terms of product, supply, manufacturing, demand and materials planning characteristics. The empirical study shows the characteristics of the engineering change in the case company and how these have both positive and negative, as well as direct and indirect, influences on the materials scrap, administrative and transport/handling costs. The impact of the actual materials planning strategies is also shown. Another finding was that different engineering change situations exist within the same company. Thus, it is necessary to distinguish between them and to use different planning strategies for each situation. The paper discusses how such differentiated strategies could be developed in the case companies and in general. Research limitations/implications – The case study focused on a specific product and materials planning situation in the automotive supply chain. Other products and materials planning situations resulting from the same engineering change would have different characteristics and should, therefore, be planned and controlled accordingly. However, the developed framework is a general one. Practical implications – The appropriateness of a materials planning strategy differs between different engineering change situations. This calls for differentiated materials planning strategies based on the engineering change situation and materials planning characteristics. The framework developed in this paper describes the entire materials planning environment in engineering change situations in order to understand when and how to differentiate materials planning strategies. Originality/value – This paper fulfils a need for a framework that describes the impact on materials planning from an engineering change perspective. This framework is the first step in the designing of a normative guideline for differentiated materials planning strategies in an engineering change situation.
Experiential learning in cost estimating

This paper investigates experiential learning theory and the current perception of experiential factors in the accuracy of pre-tender cost prediction. It compares the preferred learning styles of a sample of experienced pretender cost estimators with those of novice quantity surveyors and investigates how estimators have developed as a result of their experiences. Experiential factors, those which stimulate personal development in pre-tender estimators, are considered and a mechanism to improve the accuracy of pre-tender estimates is proposed linking experiential learning theory with the introduction of feedback and self-monitoring systems.
WHO GETS CLEAN WATER? AID ALLOCATION TO SMALL WATER SYSTEMS IN PENNSYLVANIA 1

ABSTRACT: Research on the condition of drinking water provision in the United States documents the inequitable financial impact of environmental regulations on small water systems (those serving 3,300 or fewer people). While a variety of federal and state financial assistance programs are available for water systems, few quantitative analyses have evaluated the success of these programs in alleviating the problems of small systems. A case study of the largest aid initiative for water supply infrastructure in Pennsylvania provides the empirical framework through which to analyze government funding opportunities for water systems. This study examines the allocation practices of the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) to water systems of varying sizes. Utilizing data from PENNVEST applications and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the distribution of PENNVEST award recipients and denied applicants by size characteristics are compared. The study indicates that very small water systems (those serving 500 or fewer) do not apply for or receive funds with the same frequency as their larger counterparts. Understanding the allocation of awards from PENNVEST offers insight into the ability of small communities to access capital for water supply infrastructure.
Numerical Investigations of Cooling Enhancement With Internal Ribs and External Coolant Film

Experimental and numerical investigations were carried out to study the average cooling performance of two different rectangular structures: 1) purely ribbed channel (only ribs were periodically embedded inner the wall of the structure); 2) combined structure of film cooling with the ribs (in the ribbed wall, film holes were periodically drilled). To create a similar environment of gas turbine blade, the experiments were performed at a high temperature mainstream, and the ambient temperature cooling air passed through the channel with the direction normal to the mainstream. In the experimental and numerical investigations, the overall cooling effect contributed by the heat conduction through channel’s wall and convections including internal ribbed wall and external film cooling was considered. In the numerical investigation, 3D conservation equations including mass, momentum, energy, turbulence eddy frequency and turbulence kinetic energy equations were solved with ANSYS-CFX, and the hybrid mesh technique and shear stress transport (SST) k-ω model were adopted. This numerical approach was validated by the experimental data. Using the validated numerical approach, the influence factors on the overall cooling effectiveness are discussed, and the effects of the internal ribs and external film cooling are numerically compared by the two structures. The relationship of the overall cooling effectiveness averaged over the rectangular surface with the mainstream Reynolds number, mass flow ratio and temperature ratio of the mainstream to cooling air, as well as the blowing ratio injected through the film holes was fitted by the numerical results.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
A Spatial Informance Design Method to Elicit Early Interface Prototypes for Augmented Reality

Abstract Designing for augmented reality (AR) applications is difficult and expensive. A rapid system for the early design process of spatial interfaces is required. Previous research has used video for mobile AR design, but this is not extensible to head-mounted AR. AR is an emergent technology with no prior design precedent, requiring designers to allow free speculation or risk the pitfalls of “path dependence. ” In this article, a participatory elicitation method we call “spatial informance design” is presented. We found combining “informance design,” “Wizard of Oz,” improvisation, and “paper prototyping,” to be a fast and lightweight solution for ideation of rich designs for spatial interfaces. A study using our method with 11 participants, produced similar and wildly different interface configurations and interactions for an augmented reality email application. Based on our findings, we propose design implications and an evaluation of our method using spatial informance for the design of head-mounted AR applications.
Numerical Analysis of Tunnelling Effects on Masonry Buildings: The Influence of Tunnel Location on Damage Assessment

The architectural heritage is subjected to various risk factors like the lack of maintenance, the material decay and the external solicitations. Nowadays, due to the ever-increasing demand for urban space, a relevant cause of structural damage that the historical buildings experience is the ground settlement due to excavation works. In the city of Amsterdam, for example, the construction of the new North-South metro line will involve an area characterized by the presence of many ancient masonry buildings. A fundamental phase of the design of this kind of projects is the assessment of the risk of subsidence which can affect the existing structures. The actual method to perform this assessment provides for a preliminary screening of the buildings located in the area surrounding the excavation, in order to evaluate which structures are at risk of settlement induced damage. It is based on the simplification of the building as a linear elastic beam and the assumption of the absence of interaction between the soil and the structure. An improved classification system should take into account the main parameters which influence the structural response, like the nonlinear behaviour of the building and the role played by the foundation in the soil-structure interaction. In this paper, the effect on the damage mechanism of the excavation advance and the location of the tunnel with respect to the building is evaluated. Numerical analyses are performed in order to understand the effect of different settlement profiles of the ground. A coupled model of the structure and the soil is evaluated, taking into account a damage model for the masonry building and the nonlinear behaviour of the soil-structure interaction. This paper demonstrates the importance of 3D modelling; neglecting the tunnel advance can lead to an underestimation of the damage.
Amber Alert and Major Catastrophe Messages on Dynamic Message Signs: Focus Group Studies in Texas

The Texas Department of Transportation wanted to expand its dynamic message sign (DMS) design and display manual to include information related to Amber alerts and specific major catastrophes. Focus groups were conducted in six Texas cities to obtain initial responses from drivers concerning information needs and to help develop messages for further study. In Amber alert situations, there was no consensus as to which descriptor would best convey that a child had been abducted. The descriptors "Amber alert," "kidnapped," and "abducted" implied a sense of danger or urgency that would be appropriate to the situation. Additionally, participants were not able to recall license plate or phone numbers easily after having viewed a message for 8 s. Participants were split as to whether they would continue to drive if the message "flooded" were displayed on a DMS. The consensus of those who would continue driving was that the message should include information regarding the location of the flooding or an exit to ta.
Establishment of an Efficient Micropropagation System for Humulus lupulus L. cv. Cascade and Confirmation of Genetic Uniformity of the Regenerated Plants through DNA Markers

The demand for virus-free hop planting material has increased in the last few years due to its multipurpose uses. The present study aimed to establish an effective protocol for clonal propagation of cv. Cascade using only the cytokinins as PGRs in all stages of micropropagation: (i) in vitro culture initiation using single-node micro-cuttings inoculated on modified Murashige and Skoog (MSm) medium solidified with Plant agar and supplemented with 0.5 mg L−1 6-benziyladenine (BA) with 76% recorded viability of nodal explants; (ii) in vitro multiplication of multinodal shoots on MSm medium gelled with Plant agar and supplemented with different types and concentrations of cytokinins: 2 mg L−1 kinetin (KIN), 0.7 mg L−1 1-(2-Chloro-4-pyridyl)-3-phenylurea) (1 CPPU), 2 mg L−1 meta-topoline (mT) and 0.5 mg L−1 BA, which was the best variant for shoot proliferation (9.48 ± 0.78 shoots/explant); (iii) rooting and acclimatization with the best results obtained by ex vitro rooting and acclimatization of plants in the same stage in perlite (96.00 ± 0.60% acclimatized rooted plants with 100% survival under greenhouse conditions). The true-to-type nature of in vitro raised plants with the mother plant was assessed by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Start Codon Target Polymorphism (SCoT) molecular markers, and then their genetic uniformity were confirmed.
Road Safety Effects of Bypasses

The results of a study on the effects on injury accidents of 20 bypass road projects in Norway are reported. Effects were evaluated by means of an observational before-and-after study, controlling for the regression-to-the-mean effect and general areawide trends in the number of accidents. On the average, a statistically significant reduction of 19 percent in the number of injury accidents was found. The two confounding factors controlled in the study did not significantly affect the results. The results of the Norwegian study are consistent with the results of previous studies that evaluated the road safety effects of bypasses. A meta-analysis of 9 evaluation studies, containing a total of 93 estimates of the effects of bypasses, indicated an average reduction of 25 percent in the total number of accidents. Effects did not vary according to accident severity. Note, however, that none of the evaluation studies employed a sufficiently rigorous study design to rule out the possibility that confounding variables not controlled may have influenced the results.
Evaluation of Uncertainty in Estimated Flow and Phosphorus Loads by FHANTM

The South Florida Water Management District uses a computer model, the Field Hydrologic and Nutrient Transport Model (FHANTM), to estimate flow (runoff and subsurface lateral flow) and phosphorus (P) loads leaving agricultural fields in the Lake Okeechobee watershed. Uncertain knowledge of FHANTM parameter values leads to uncertainty in model estimates. This study used First Order Analysis (FOA) and Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) to quantify uncertainty in model outputs. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to identify parameters that have the greatest effect on model output. Six parameters significantly affected model output and were used in the uncertainty analysis. In the case of surface runoff, FACTOR (monthly potential evapotranspiration factor) accounted for 64% of the uncertainty in terms of variance. For P concentrations in surface runoff, PADD (the mass of phosphorus added by animals each day) accounted for 79% of the uncertainty in terms of variance. Thus, improving knowledge of these parameters has a significant impact on reducing the uncertainty in the predicted runoff and phosphorus loads.
Fundamental test results of a hydraulic free piston internal combustion engine

Abstract The hydraulic free piston internal combustion engine pump that has been constructed and tested in this work is the opposed piston, two-stroke cycle, uniflow scavenging, direct fuel injection, and compression ignition type. The opposed engine pistons reciprocate the hydraulic pump pistons directly and the hydraulic power to be used in the hydraulic motors is generated. The hydraulic pressure generated is substantially constant. The opposed free pistons rest after every gas cycle and hydraulic power is continuously supplied by a hydraulic accumulator during the free pistons' rest. The smaller the hydraulic flow output, the longer the duration of the rest. Every gas cycle is performed under a fixed working condition independent of hydraulic power output. The test results in this work indicate that the number of gas cycles per second of the free piston engine pump is directly proportional to hydraulic flow output. The opposed free pistons operate every 53.2 s when hydraulic flow output is 1.02 cm3/s; at that time hydraulic power output is 0.0124 kW. Hydraulic thermal efficiency, the ratio of hydraulic energy produced to fuel energy consumed, has been measured in the range 0.0124 kW to 4.88 kW of hydraulic power output and it has become clear that hydraulic thermal efficiency in this range is constant. The measured value of hydraulic thermal efficiency is 31 per cent. It has been demonstrated that hydraulic thermal efficiency is kept constant even if hydraulic power output is very small.
PREDICTABILITY OF THE GROUND VIBRATION PARAMETERS INDUCED BY BLASTING DURING THE TUNNELING

Although many research studies were carried out in the past to eliminate environmental issues produced from blasting, unfortunately a general approach or formula has not been established yet due to the complexity of the matter. In addition to the wave and ground motion characteristics, the complexity of blasting parameters and site factors restrict the development of a general criterion. Therefore, experimental site-specific studies should still be done for predicting and controlling the blasting effects. This paper presents the results of ground vibration measurements induced by blasting, which were performed during the tunneling for Istanbul Subway. Within the scope of the study, ground vibration components were measured for all blast events using 4 different types of vibration monitors during the advancement of about 300 m length of the tunnels which required blasting over a long period, for the estimation of the peak particle velocity, and to determine the slope of the attenuation curve together with the maximum charge per delay for the test site. At the end of the statistical analysis of the data pairs, a final relation is developed between particle velocity and scaled distance.
At the mercy of the winds: The seasonal dynamics of floating and stranded seaweeds at mid‐latitudes

Many seaweed species are particularly important for passive marine dispersal, yet relatively little is known about their floating and stranding dynamics. Here, we studied these dynamics for two kelp species over four consecutive years at mid‐latitudes (30°S). Floating kelps were found during all seasons, but Macrocystis pyrifera was always more abundant than Durvillaea incurvata. Highest floating biomasses were reached during summer and fall, whereas considerable stranded biomasses on nearby shores were only observed during summer. The proportion of fragments among the floating kelps was high throughout the entire study period and highest for M. pyrifera during summer. At the same time, blades of M. pyrifera that floated in nearshore waters in summer had a high blade index and thus were intact (i.e., not yet compromised by unfavorable environmental conditions). These results suggest that during summer, floating kelps become quickly resupplied from benthic sources, which compensates their frequent losses due to degradation and stranding. During fall, biomasses of floating kelps remain high because of reduced losses. Interestingly, increased wind speed was a good predictor for the biomass accumulations of the two kelp species, although the floating biomass of M. pyrifera was additionally influenced by oceanographic fronts. Our findings suggest that at mid‐latitudes the dynamics of floating seaweed stocks are dependent on the availability of benthic source populations (continuous throughout the year) and export due to degradation (high in summer/fall) and stranding (high in summer).