Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Real-time identification of the tyre–road friction coefficient using an unscented Kalman filter and mean-square-error-weighted fusion

Vehicle active safety systems can benefit significantly from a priori knowledge of the road conditions. This paper proposes a real-time tyre–road friction estimation algorithm based on an unscented Kalman filter and mean-square-error-weighted fusion, using measurements related to the electric vehicle and in-wheel motors. Because the modules are mutually independent, the dimensionality of the matrix used in the filtering process can be reduced to shorten the computational period. The approach can also work more effectively in various conditions than those techniques which focus on a specific direction of the vehicle dynamics. First, a modified Dugoff et al. tyre model is considered to express the non-linear characteristics of the tyres. Then, to observe the longitudinal tyre forces and the lateral tyre forces, a parameter identification technique that utilizes the information from an inertial sensor and a gyroscope is introduced. An unscented Kalman filter rather than the traditional linear filter is adopted to obtain higher accuracy in the saturation region. After the relationship between the mean square error and the side-slip angle or the slip ratio is taken into account, the final identified value is set by combining the results from the longitudinal unscented Kalman filter and the lateral unscented Kalman filter in order to improve the accuracy and the robustness further. Experiments conducted on both a dry road and a slippery road verify that the method based on an unscented Kalman filter can identify different tyre–road friction levels.
Finite element modelling of the pre-camber of glulam beams reinforced by compressed wood

A new approach to reinforce glulam timber beams has been developed by using compressed wood (CW) which is made of a lower grade wood through densification processes. In the reinforcing practice, compressed wood blocks are inserted into pre-cut holes on the top of glulam beams to produce pre-camber and to generate initial tensile and compressive stresses on the top and the bottom extreme fibre of the glulam beam. In order to optimize the size, the number and the location of CW blocks, 3-D finite element models have been developed. In the numerical models, timber and compressed wood are modelled as orthotropic linear elastic materials in tension, and as elasto-plastic materials in compression in the embedding areas. Parametric studies are then carried out on the size and the location of the CW block required to produce significant pre-camber and to subsequently increase load carrying capacity, strength and stiffness of the reinforced beam. Beams with a size of 105x105x1500 in mm have been analysed through numerical modelling. Glulam beams are assumed to have a typical ambient MC of 12%, whilst MC of the CW block is conditioned as 6%. The final models developed have been validated against the corresponding experimental results in terms of the pre-camber deflection and the initial strains (so stresses).
Synchronisation and Collective Effects in Extended Stochastic Systems

The aim of this thesis is to delve into the constructive role that disordering elements can play on dynamical systems. For systems composed by many units, by disordering elements, we mean ingredients that cause each unit to evolve in a different way. For example, uncorrelated noise sources acting independently on the system constituents. Also, we consider diversity: in many systems of interest not all the interacting units are equal. Strikingly, it is the loss of degree order what causes the systems to exhibit a more coherent behaviour. We further consider the effect of different kinds of interaction, and we also show that they can generate a rich variety of phenomena: from leading towards a more coherent behaviour to causing interesting effects in chains of diverse elements.
Riders acceptance of advanced rider assistance systems

The development of assistive systems and intelligent transport systems (ITS) plays an important role for improving the safety of powered two-wheelers (PTWs). Assistive systems for cars are well known and increasingly popular but for PTW riders the development of Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (ARAS) and On-Bike Information Systems (OBIS) has not progressed far enough yet. Estimates suggest that population-wide deployment of ARAS could reduce crashes by up to 40% (Lenne et al., 2011). Within the 2BESAFE project the factors that affect the acceptance of ARAS and OBIS of PTW riders and the obstacles that may hold PTW riders off from the use of assistive systems have been identified. A literature review, focus group interviews and an online survey have been conducted. The results show that the acceptability of systems depends on their function. The acceptability is higher for systems that were perceived to be more useful in emergencies. Survey respondents raised several concerns regarding the acceptance of assistive systems for PTWs. Respondents of the on-line survey felt that there was too much focus on assistive systems as a means of improving PTW rider safety, and less on the dangers that motorcyclists face actually from the actions of other road users.
A multi-rate continuous-time adaptive equalizer for high-speed serial links

A multi-rate low-voltage continuous-time adaptive equalizer is presented in this paper. It was designed to compensate the high-frequency attenuation of a 50-m 1-mm core step-index plastic optical fiber (SI-POF) for input data ranges from 400 Mbps up to 1.25 Gbps. The equalization is based on the power-spectrum technique and the circuit operates with a single supply voltage of 1 V. The structure is formed by two loops which do not interact with each other; one loop adapts to changes in the channel length and the other in the data rates.
True sustainability in technological development and natural resource management

Preface True Sustainability in Technology Development Unsustainable Natural Resource Operations Towards Sustainable Offshore Operations: A Case Study on the Scotian Shelf Modelling Fate and Behaviour of Oil Discharges in the Marine Ecosystem Sustainable Technology Development for Offshore Oil and Gas Operations Sustainable Management Techniques of Offshore Oil and Gas Operations Zero Waste Community-Based Sustainable Energy Development Technologies Sustainable Technologies Index.
NHTSA’s 2014 Automatic Emergency Braking Test Track Evaluations

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA’s) 2014 light vehicle automatic emergency braking (AEB) test program evaluated the ability of four vehicles, a 2014 Acura MDX, a 2014 BMW i3, a 2015 Hyundai Genesis, and a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, to be tested with the agency’s August 2014 draft crash‐imminent braking (CIB) and dynamic brake support (DBS) test procedures. The maneuvers were successfully validated and the performance of the vehicles compared to a common set of draft assessment reference values (ARVs). None of the vehicles discussed in this report were able to satisfy all CIB ARVs if their performance was considered against a “seven of eight” evaluation criteria, and only the Jeep Grand Cherokee was able to satisfy the DBS ARVs during at least seven of eight trials for each test condition. The Jeep Grand Cherokee was evaluated with NHTSA’s AEB test procedures once a month for four months to assess test repeatability and to examine the effect of nominal calendar month and ambient temperature. Statistically significant differences were present in month‐to‐month speed reductions for the lead vehicle stopped tests performed with CIB and for the lead vehicle decelerates‐to‐a‐stop tests performed with DBS. However, these differences were < 1.0 mph (1.6 km/h), not believed to be practically significant, and did not affect the ability of the vehicle to satisfy the ARVs during at least seven of eight trials for each test condition. Ambient temperatures within a range of 49 to 81oF (9.4 to 27.2oC) were not found to have a meaningful effect on mean speed reduction or speed reduction variability. The tests described in this report were based on the agency’s August 2014 draft AEB procedures, but included some minor differences to address unique situations that occurred during test conduct. These differences were intended to provide clarification, not to affect (increase) test severity.
Empirical Selection of Auroral Kilometric Radiation During a Multipoint Remote Observation With Wind and Cassini

Auroral Kilometric Radiation (AKR) is terrestrial radio emission that originates in particle acceleration regions along magnetic field lines, coinciding with discrete auroral arcs. AKR viewing geometry is complex due to the confinement of the source regions to nightside local times (LTs) and the anisotropy of the beaming pattern, so observations are highly dependent on spacecraft viewing position. We present a novel, empirical technique that selects AKR emission from observations made with the spin‐axis aligned antenna of the Wind/WAVES instrument, based on the rapidly varying amplitude of AKR across spacecraft spin timescales. We apply the technique to Wind/WAVES data during 1999 day of year 227–257, when the Cassini spacecraft flew past Earth and provided an opportunity to observe AKR from two remote locations. We examine the AKR flux and power, with observations made from LTs of 1700–0300 hr having an average power up to 104 Wsr‐1 larger than those on the dayside and an increasing AKR power observed at higher magnetic latitudes. We perform a linear cross‐correlation between the Wind AKR power and the spacecraft magnetic latitude, showing positive then negative correlation as Wind travels from the Northern to Southern magnetic hemisphere. Statistically significant diurnal modulations are found in the whole 30‐day period and in subsets of the data covering different local time sectors, indicative of a predominantly geometrical effect for remote AKR viewing. The reproduction of well‐known features of the AKR verifies the empirical selection and shows the promise of its application to Wind/WAVES observations.
Installation and evaluation of domestic greywater reuse systems

This study focuses on the installation and evaluation of domestic greywater reuse systems. The project was undertaken to assess the feasibility of reusing domestic greywater for irrigating lawns/gardens and for flushing toilets, to determine potential health and environmental impacts of such reuse, and to assess social attitudes towards reusing greywater in and around the house. Greywater from bathrooms/laundries at four Melbourne properties with different soil types, slopes, house types and family characteristics was filtered, collected in tanks and distributed by gravity or pumping for subsurface irrigation and/or toilet flushing. Family water use activities, soil parameters and other environmental indicators were monitored, and flows were metered and sampled for microbiological, physical and chemical analyses. Preliminary risk analyses and two social surveys were also carried out. The results of the extensive experimental program indicated that greywater quality, water savings, costs of the systems and general reuse practicability and success would vary substantially with specific site conditions and householder practices. A number of conclusions were drawn regarding technical difficulties of installation and maintenance of these systems, costs involved and the public perception of greywater reuse, but adequate assessment of environmental and public health risk will require further research. The reader is referred to chapter 10 which contains a comprehensive review of the main conclusions and recommendations relating to the technical, economic, social, public health and environmental aspects of domestic on-site greywater reuse. These findings should serve as a useful guide for anyone contemplating the development and installation of greywater reuse systems or components for toilet flushing and/or irrigation purposes.
ALCOHOL, MARIHUANA AND SKILLS PERFORMANCE

The effects of alcohol and marihuana, singly and in combination, on driving-related skills were studied with twelve male subjects. They were initially trained to a criterion performance level on a test battery which included a compensatory tracking task, a divided attention task, a critical tracking task, and a test of the rate of information processing. They then participated in four experimental sessions. At each session a subject received both a cigarette and a beverage in one of the four possible treatment combinations: placebo-placebo, marihuana-placebo, placebo-alcohol, and marihuana-alcohol. The marihuana dose can be characterized as a moderately high level at 200 mu G delta-9 thc/kg bodyweight. The alcohol dose, calculated to produce . 07% BAC, was 0.58 g alcohol/kg bodyweight. All response measures showed significant impairment by marihuana alone and alcohol alone. The combined treatment produced greater impairment than either substance alone, with the exception that the information processing rate task showed less deficit under the combination than under alcohol alone. The nature and extent of impairment under alcohol and marihuana is a function of the behavior examined. The paper discusses these findings in terms of driving skills and traffic safety. (Author/TRRL)
Toxicity of Cadmium (Cd) on microalgal growth, (IC50 value) and its exertions in biofuel production

This study evaluated the IC50 value of cadmium against four different strains of microalgae. Chlorella sorokiniana was able to tolerate 300 mg/L of cadmium. The lipid productivity increased by 6% at 50 mg/l of Cd (II) stress. The decrease in biomass productivity was recorded with increasing concentration of Cd. The results showed that chlorophyll contents, chlorophyll a (Chl a) and chlorophyll b (Chl b) gradually decreased on increasing the concentration of Cd over 100 mg/l. The FAME composition of C. sorokiniana cultivated under Cd (II) stress and control medium were analyzed to determine the quality of the biodiesel produced. The major fatty acids present in the TAGs of the treated microalga were C10:0, C12:0, and C15:0.
The Analytic hierarchy process : applications and studies

Management science is a di scipl ine dedicated to the development of techniques that enable decision makers to cope with the increasing complexity of our world. The early burst of excitement which was spawned by the development and successful applications of linear programming to problems in both the public and private sectors has challenged researchers to develop even more sophisticated methods to deal with the complex nature of decision making. Sophistication, however, does not always trans 1 ate into more complex mathematics. Professor Thomas L. Saaty was working for the U. S. Defense Department and for the U. S. Department of State in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In these positions, Professor Saaty was exposed to some of the most complex decisions facing the world: arms control, the Middle East problem, and the development of a transport system for a Third World country. While having made major contributions to numerous areas of mathematics and the theory of operations research, he soon realized that one did not need complex mathematics to come to grips with these decision problems, just the right mathematics! Thus, Professor Saaty set out to develop a mathematically-based technique for analyzing complex situations which was sophisticated in its simplicity. This technique became known as the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and has become very successful in helping decision makers to structure and analyze a wide range of problems. "
Predictors of financial satisfaction and its impact on psychological wellbeing of individuals

PurposeIn this study, the author examines the effect of financial knowledge, financial attitude and responsible financial management behaviour on financial satisfaction and investigates the association between financial satisfaction and psychological wellbeing of individuals. The author examines these relationships having controlled for the influence of key demographic variables including age, gender, marital status, income level and employment status of respondents on the predicted relationships.Design/methodology/approachData was gathered by means of a self-administered questionnaire to postgraduate business students from a large public university in Ghana. The hypothesized relationships of the study were tested using the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) technique.FindingsThe author shows from the structural model analysis using the bootstrapping procedure that financial knowledge, financial attitude and sound financial management behaviour have important implications on financial satisfaction levels of individuals. Further, the author finds financial satisfaction to be an important predictor of the psychological wellbeing of individuals.Practical implicationsThe paper highlights the relevance of financial satisfaction on the psychological wellbeing of an individual and identifies some of the dominant factors that are associated with financial satisfaction.Originality/valueThis study examines the concept of financial satisfaction at the individual level and uniquely highlights the psychological implications of financial satisfaction.
A sagittal plane hexapedal running model: Towards robust locomotion with feedforward actuated serial elastic hips and serial elastic telescoping legs

Being able to slowly traverse rough terrain with our torque controlled, actively compliant walking hexapod [3], we are aiming at a new design that includes passively compliant elements in order to achieve increased mechanical robustness and dynamic locomotion capabilities. For this purpose we return to the analysis of conceptual models like the planar hexapedal runner with massless legs and serial elastic actuation. We believe that fast locomotion basically can be modeled as coupled nonlinear oscillations of a hybrid dynamical system. Our goal is to identify some of the core elements that result in selfstabilization and disturbance rejection of a periodically excited mechanical system in the context of rapid hexapedal locomotion.
A new hybrid approach for thermo-acoustic modeling of engine exhaust systems

The time-domain method of characteristics and the frequency-domain linear acoustics method are the two different methods of thermo-acoustic modelling of engine exhaust systems in order to predict exhaust noise. To overcome the disadvantages of both the time-domain and the frequency-domain approaches, a hybrid approach has been developed which couples the acoustical description of the muffler piping system to the acoustic source more realistically than the usual time invariant linear model. A time domain model and the corresponding frequency domain model of a linear dynamical system are interrelated by the Fourier transform pair. In the present work, the cylinder/cavity is analysed in the time domain to calculate exhaust mass flux history at the exhaust valve by means of the method of characteristics, solving a number of equations simultaneously at the valve junction. This analysis has been done by making use of an interrelationship between progressive wave variables of linear acoustic theory and those of the method of characteristics. In this approach, nonlinear propagation in the exhaust pipe is neglected and radiation impedance at the end of the exhaust tail pipe is duly taken into account. Apart from this, actual reflection of the forward wave due to the presence of muffler is incorporated to make the analysis more realistic. Damping effects present in the fluid have also been taken into account. Computational results have been corroborated by experimental data for a single-cylinder, four-stroke cycle diesel engine.
Design of Intelligent Mosquito Nets Based on Deep Learning Algorithms

An intelligent mosquito net employing deep learning has been one of the hotspots in the field of Internet of Things as it can reduce significantly the spread of pathogens carried by mosquitoes, and help people live well in mosquito-infested areas. In this study, we propose an intelligent mosquito net that can produce and transmit data through the Internet of Medical Things. In our method, decision-making is controlled by a deep learning model, and the proposed method uses infrared sensors and an array of pressure sensors to collect data. Moreover the ZigBee protocol is used to transmit the pressure map which is formed by pressure sensors with the deep learning perception model, determining automatically the intention of the user to open or close the mosquito net. We used optical flow to extract pressure map features, and they were fed to a 3-dimensional convolutional neural network (3D-CNN) classification model subsequently. We achieved the expected results using a nested cross-validation method to evaluate our model. Deep learning has better adaptability than the traditional methods and also has better anti-interference by the different bodies of users. This research has the potential to be used in intelligent medical protection and large-scale sensor array perception of the environment.
Friction and discomfort in the design and use of hand tools : exposure to textures at different loads and velocities with reference to contamination

The skin of the palm of the hand has no friction. It is only when in contact with other objects that frictional forces appear. This friction does not, however, conform to the classic laws of friction. The thesis shows that static skin friction is lower than dynamic friction, and that increased velocity increases the coefficient of friction, but increasing load reduces it. Consequently, references to coefficient of friction where palm skin is one of the friction partners require velocity, surface pressure and skin conditions to be specified in addition to contaminants in the friction interface, before reliable conclusions can be drawn. Eleven textured and one non-textured samples all made from the same material were investigated using eighteen male subjects. They were exposed to five contaminants, three skin conditions, three levels ofload and velocities in the range 2-128 mm/so It was concluded that velocity in the friction interface is the most dominant factor contributing to palm friction. Only small, non-significant, differences in friction were found between different types of textures under non-contaminated conditions, but major, and significant differences were observed under contaminated conditions. Coarse textures increased discomfort. For static- and dynamic friction the type of texture, coarse or fine, will affect friction in different ways depending on the skin conditions being "clean" or "contaminated. " Experiments show that coarse textures generate less friction than fine under the clean conditions. Under contaminated conditions however coarse textures generate more friction than fine. The highest coefficient offriction 1-1=2.22 (SO=1.12) was recorded under dynamic conditions for a clean hand on a non-textured surface when the surface pressure was low - 6.3 kPa (SO 2.1). The lowest coefficient offriction 1-1=0.05 (SO=0.03) was found under static conditions, with lard present on a non-textured surface when the surface pressure was high - 81.4 kPa (SO=31.0). Two regression models were developed. Regression coefficients are presented for surface topography variables as well as skin condition and contamination, velocity surface pressure and discomfort. Two new surface topography representations explain the generation of friction forces. The uppermost 5% of the volume of texture peaks provided significant information for transfer offriction forces.
Gust Loading Factors

The paper describes a simplified formulation of factors that can be used in design to evaluate certain dynamic effects of the wind, principally the effects of gusts. The material was prepared for use in conjunction with a new Scandinavian wind load code. The paper describes the writer's statistical approach to the problem and the dynamic characteristics that are relevant. Comments are made on the significance of vortex-shedding excitation and of aerodynamic instability.