Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rules of Thumb in Well Testing: What Works and Doesn't Work-and Why

Rules of thumb appear in every profession. They are developed when practitioners observe a repeated cause and effect relationship. This paper presents some rules of thumb used by practitioners in well testing, examines their validity and limits, and in some cases, develops their theoretical basis. The paper is presented as a forum for discussion among well testing practitioners.
The Concept of Mood Changing Garments Made from Luminescent Woven Fabrics and Flexible Photovoltaics “MoodWear”

In this project, solar harvesting and sound sensing are inputs for energy and mood, whilst power consumption for electronic devices and colour changing through lighting are the corresponding outputs. Between each set of input and output, there are key steps in processing, computing and testing which determine the working of the system. Purposed built printed-circuit boards (PCBs) are designed and made by integrating, programming and implementing ICs. For the energy system, a PCB is required for storing and conditioning the power from the PVs, and it uses a programmable microcontroller to decode the wearer’s mood intelligibly through a microphone in the information system. In this paper, the operation of the SMART clothing photonic system named “MoodWear” in energy harvesting and mood changing will be described, and the garment collection will be presented.
Microscopic Traffic Simulation Based Dispatch Modeling for Taxi Booking Service

This paper presents a study of taxi booking service in Singapore using a microscopic traffic simulation model embedded with a link-to-link shortest path algorithm. A novel trip-chaining strategy for taxi booking based on a customized algorithm of Pickup and Delivery Problem with Time Window (PDPTW) was proposed. The idea is to chain several bookings with demand time points which are spread out within a reasonable period of time, and with each pick-up point coinciding with or being within close proximity to the previous drop-off location. Based on the simulation results, the proposed system has the potential to improve the taxi booking service currently operating in Singapore.
Development of a Pneumatic Force-Display (Application to a Master-Slave System)

Abstract In this study we deal with a bilateral master-slave system composed of a pneumatic force-display as the master and a hydraulic servo system as the slave. In such systems the force-display must play two roles as master: first as a reference input device to the slave and second as a force-display device. The first purpose of this study is to develop a pneumatic force-display that consists of a pneumatic servo system. To achieve this, it is necessary to solve a problem called back-drivability, a characteristic of pneumatic servo systems. The second purpose is to investigate the compatibility of our thusly developed force-display with some representative methods of bilateral master-slave control systems in conventional use. In experiments to confirm such compatibility, the sensibility of load forces is estimated based on a master-slave system equipped with a spring to serve as a load. The experiments confirm that the developed force-display would be applicable to conventional methods of bilateral master-slave systems.
Managing and interpreting uncertainty for climate change risk

Climate change is a significant risk for the built environment because it implies not only warmer weather, but also more extreme weather events, such as storms, droughts and heat waves. Considerable uncertainty about the future also exists, partly because of the response of society's apparent reluctance to mitigate climate change by reducing fossil fuel consumption. An adaptive response to the challenge draws on the literature on climate change, the urban environment, natural hazards and risk analysis. Two concepts – life cycle costs and the avoidance of ruin – provide a useful framework for factoring the uncertainty associated with climate change into a risk analysis for the built environment. Monitoring, prediction, data management and communication are the unglamorous underpinnings of a successful urban risk-management strategy. For cities to develop a significantly improved response capacity, the active support of senior levels of government is essential because cities have neither the legal powers nor the resources to tackle climate change on their own. Ultimately, the biggest challenges are institutional and behavioural.
Vibration damping with piezoelectric actuators for electrical motors

Purpose – This paper seeks to study the feasibility of a stator vibration damping using piezoelectric (PZT) actuators applied to switched reluctance motors (SRM). Design/methodology/approach – A single‐phase structure without moving rotor, but with the same shape as an SRM stator, is introduced to simplify the study and the experimental measurements. Both analytical and finite element methods are used to detail the chosen location and design of the PZT actuators for this structure.Findings – Experimental results show that PZT actuators with a low voltage allow the decrease of the vibration level due to the electromagnetic forces.Research limitations/implications – To decrease the vibration level of the SRM stator in the real use of the machine, a closed loop system is necessary. Future works consist of the design of a closed loop numerical controller using an acceleration sensor as strain information.Practical implications – The proposed damping method gives a new solution for the SRM noise problem that ca.
Modeling methods of MEMS micro-speaker with electrostatic working principle

The market for mobile devices like tablets, laptops or mobile phones is increasing rapidly. Device housings get thinner and energy efficiency is more and more important. Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System (MEMS) loudspeakers, fabricated in complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) compatible technology merge energy efficient driving technology with cost economical fabrication processes. In most cases, the fabrication of such devices within the design process is a lengthy and costly task. Therefore, the need for computer modeling tools capable of precisely simulating the multi-field interactions is increasing. The accurate modeling of such MEMS devices results in a system of coupled partial differential equations (PDEs) describing the interaction between the electric, mechanical and acoustic field. For the efficient and accurate solution we apply the Finite Element (FE) method. Thereby, we fully take the nonlinear effects into account: electrostatic force, charged moving body (loaded membrane) in an electric field, geometric nonlinearities and mechanical contact during the snap-in case between loaded membrane and stator. To efficiently handle the coupling between the mechanical and acoustic fields, we apply Mortar FE techniques, which allow different grid sizes along the coupling interface. Furthermore, we present a recently developed PML (Perfectly Matched Layer) technique, which allows limiting the acoustic computational domain even in the near field without getting spurious reflections. For computations towards the acoustic far field we us a Kirchhoff Helmholtz integral (e.g, to compute the directivity pattern). We will present simulations of a MEMS speaker system based on a single sided driving mechanism as well as an outlook on MEMS speakers using double stator systems (pull-pull-system), and discuss their efficiency (SPL) and quality (THD) towards the generated acoustic sound.
Understanding Digital Futures

An innovative scenario in the digital world is co-creative, participatory design. By involving individuals who are normally outside the design process, these experiences are better tied to each user's needs and cultural context. Anton Andrews and Marco Bevolo examine the tools that facilitate this strategy and—using two case studies on identity and interior design—ponder the impact on design, designers, and ultimately business models.
Capabilities and Radicalism: Engineering Accessibility in the 21st century

Abstract Engineering bridges the gap between, on the one hand, that mix of philosophy and politics that we call policy and, on the other, the physical implementation of the means to put policy into practice. Starting with a brief outline of the nature of accessibility, why it is important and how in some cases a person might be disabled by a lack of accessibility, this article – based on the author's Inaugural Lecture given at University College London in February 2005 – turns to consider how a person's needs challenge their capabilities (i.e. what they can do) and considers a radical approach to understanding people's capabilities in the implementation process. Next, the formation of policy intentions in order to permit, encourage and implement the engineering of appropriate solutions is discussed and conclusions drawn about how this affects work in the transport domain. Perhaps we need to look at the world in a different way before we can make it a better place.
Threshold current of quantum-disk and quantum-wire gain-coupled distributed feedback lasers

This numerical study shows that an effective way to reduce the threshold current density (Jth) in the quantum well (QW) and bulk types of gain-coupled distributed feedback (DFB) lasers is to reduce the active volume. Although the threshold current per unit cavity width (Ith) is smaller for the quantum-disk type than it is for the quantum-wire or QW type of gain-coupled DFB laser, both the optimum number of vertically stacked quantum structures (Nst) for minimizing Ith when cavity length (L) is fixed and the optimum L for minimizing Ith when Nst is fixed are the largest for the quantum-disk type. When L=500 μm, for example, the optimum Nst is 7 for the quantum-disk type, 5 for the quantum-wire type and 3 for the QW type. Threshold current density (Jth) is almost independent of facet reflectivity (r), and this implies that all these lasers oscillate at the Bragg mode. The Jth of the bulk laser, however, is influenced most by r because this type has the smallest differential gain.
Dynamics and control of the tether elevator/crawler system

This paper investigates the dynamics and acceleration levels of a new tethered system for micro- and variable-gravity applications. The system consists of two platforms tethered on opposite sides to the Space Station. A fourth platform, the elevator, is placed in between the Space Station and the upper platform. Variable-g levels on board the elevator are obtained by moving this facility along the upper tether, while microgravity experiments are carried out on board the Space Station. By controlling the length of the lower tether the position of the system center of mass can be maintained on board the Space Station despite variations of the system's distribution of mass. The paper illustrates the mathematical model, the environmental perturbations and the control techniques which have been adopted for the simulation and control of the system dynamics. Two sets of results from two different simulation runs are shown. The first set shows the system dynamics and the acceleration spectra on board the Space Station and the elevator during station-keeping. The second set of results demonstrates the capability of the elevator to attain a preselected g-level.
Analysis of the Usage of the CII/COAA Benchmarking and Project Performance Assessment System

AbstractThe Construction Owners Association of Alberta (COAA) and the Construction Industry Institute (CII), in collaboration with the University of Calgary, researched project performance improvement. The research investigated the usage of the COAA/CII benchmarking system in order to draw attention to the benefit of improved project performance in Alberta. A qualitative research methodology was used for investigating the usage of the system. Interviews, which contained open-ended questions, were conducted with industry practitioners. The results of the research showed that a lack of resources and a lack of an understanding of benchmarking are the major barriers to adopting the benchmarking system. The usage of the system will contribute to better project performance. The system has the potential to contribute to a reduction in cost and schedule overruns. It is concluded that the system can provide a guide for companies to improve project performance in Canada.
Observer design for apex height and vertical velocity of a single-leg hopping robot during stance phase

Abstract This article proposes an observer design for two important variables in the studies of single-leg hopping robot (SLHR), the apex height, and the vertical velocity of SLHR during its stance phase. At first, the Euler–Lagrange (EL) dynamics of SLHR are obtained and apex height is identified in the state-space representation of the EL dynamics. Apex height is the state variable that represents the robot body’s height at the top point, which keeps on changing as the robot functions. Vertical velocity is the velocity of the robot in the vertical direction. An observer design is presented in this article which will estimate these variables when required. The quality of the estimation is validated by the simulation results where the estimation error is zero which means the model output is correct and observer performance is good.
Comparison of an Automated Technique TEMPO with Direct Plate Count Method for the Enumeration of Staphylococcus aureus

In this study the automated technique TEMPO STA method, a new automated enumeration based on MPN method, was compared to the direct plate count method by testing various ready-to-eat compound food prod- ucts. Artificially inoculated food samples with Staphylococcus aureus - Bibimbap, Bibimnaengmyeon, Mulnaengmy- eon, Kimmaki, Salad, Japchae, and Sushi- were tested. Statistical analysis of the results showed above 99% in agreement between the two enumeration methods. Also, we monitored 466 various ready-to-eat compound food prod- ucts samples. The measure uncertainties of the two methods is also familiar, while TEMPO STA automated method is simpler, less time-consuming, more effective and more stable.
Room temperature piezoelectric displacement detection via a silicon field effect transistor

An electromechanical oscillator embedded with a two dimensional electron gas is capacitively coupled to a silicon field effect transistor (Si-FET). The piezovoltage induced by the mechanical motion modulates the current passing through the Si-FET enabling the electromechanical oscillator’s position to be monitored. When the Si-FET is biased at its optimal point, the motion induced piezovoltage can be amplified resulting in a displacement sensitivity of 6×10−12 mHz−1/2 for a 131 kHz GaAs resonator which is among the highest recorded for an all-electrical room temperature detection scheme.
Hydrogen Plasma Annealed Titanium Dioxide Oxide/Aluminum-doped Zinc Oxide Films Applied in Low Emissivity Glass

This study applies titanium dioxide oxide/aluminum-doped zinc oxide (TiO2/AZO) films on glass as low-emissivity glass to allow self-cleaning. The AZO and TiO2 layers respectively allow low-emissivity and self-cleaning. Previous studies of TiO2 films introduce Ti 3+ and oxygen vacancies during the hydrogen plasma treatments process to increase the hydrophilic nature of the surface. This study anneals TiO2/AZO using hydrogen plasma to increase the hydrophilic nature of TiO2/AZO. TiO2/AZO films are deposited on glass substrates and then undergo hydrogen plasma treatment. AZO films also undergo hydrogen plasma treatment and the electrical resistivity is measured. The experimental results show that hydrogen plasma treatment of TiO2/AZO samples affects the structure, contact angle, and emissivity. The average roughness value for TiO2/AZO films decreases after hydrogen plasma treatment. The water contact angle for TiO2/AZO films decrease from 67.28° to 10.10° after hydrogen plasma annealing. After 1 hour of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, the contact angle further decreases to 7.04°, so the films develop a super-hydrophilic surface. The emissivity, the water contact angle and the average visible transmittance for TiO2/AZO films that undergo hydrogen plasma treatment is 0.20, 7.04° and 83.01%, respectively. These results indicate a super-hydrophilic surface that is within the range for low emissivity glass.
Performance Evaluation of a Gammatone Filterbank for the Embedded System

A structured gammatone filterbank is proposed to decompose the mixture acoustic signal for the embedded system. The performance of the gammatone filterbank with various filter channels is evaluated by signal to noise ratio (SNR), perceptual evaluation of speech quality (PESQ) and automatic speech recognition (ASR) accuracy. As a detailed analysis shown, the gammatone filterbank with 24 channels is good for most embedded applications with a low complex and high performance at the same time.
A Novel Resonant Tunneling Diode Based on AlGaAsP/GaAs and its Circuit Level Design

RTD (resonant tunneling diode) is a nonlinear device in nm scale level and operates at ps time level which is promising to be used into integrated circuits in the coming years. J.N. Schulmans physical model has beenproven to be suitable to emulate the device accurately. In this paper, a novelRTD based on new material structure is proposed which could reach a relative high PVCR (peak-valley-current-ratio). Then NFP (Nonlinear Fitting based on Physical model) method which is suitable to calculate the parameters for Schulmans physical model more quickly is proposed. At the end of paper the SPICE model of the proposed RTD is proven that it could emulate the RTD device, and shows its application ability in high frequency oscillation circuit.
MACOA: A Modified Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm for the CWFRD Problem

In the traditional scheduling scheme of the message ferry in wireless sensor networks, the route of a ferry is usually designed as a simple cycle. Closed Walk Ferry Route Design (CWFRD) aims to design the ferry route as a closed walk which contains more than one simple cycle to minimize the average weighted delay of the sensed data to the sink. In this paper, an Modified Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm (MACOA) is proposed to solve the CWFRD problem. The experimental results show that MACOA can greatly reduce the average weighted delay, comparing the previous proposed algorithms.
Built Environment and School Travel Mode Choice in Toronto, Canada

Walking to or from school may provide a regular source of physical activity for children and youth. To improve walking practices among this younger population, urban planners emphasize the importance of built environment interventions. Empirical understanding of the potential relationship between the built environment and active school transportation (e.g., walking) is therefore essential to the development of effective planning interventions. In the nexus of empiricism and policy, place-based differences in school transport policy and urbanization processes, which may associate with mode choice, provide the rationale for conducting local research to support local policy development. This study examines the association between the built environment and the likelihood of walking or being driven to or from school. The research also addresses differences in mode choice behavior across morning and afternoon school trips. Binomial logit models were specified to study the school travel outcomes of children aged 11 to 13 years in the city of Toronto, Canada. Distance between the residence and school had the strongest correlation with mode choice; other built environment measures had moderate associations with walking. Importantly, the built environment around a child's residence had a stronger association with mode choice than did the built environment around the school. Furthermore, the effect of the built environment was more apparent for home-to-school trips. This research provides evidence that the built environment may influence school travel mode choice, but planners and community-based organizations should exercise caution when the nature of interventions required to encourage walking among children is determined.
Medium-voltage level dynamic voltage restorer compensation strategy by positive and negative sequence extractions in multiple reference frames

This paper presents a new compensation strategy based on the instantaneous reactive power theory which can be used in the dynamic voltage restorer (DVR). This strategy uses a multiple DQ transformation with separation modules to extract the positive and the negative sequence components from the fundamental and the harmonic waves so as to analyse and adjust each component separately. As a result of this new strategy, the dynamic response and the tracking accuracy are improved and the fluctuations of the DQ components are decayed. To verify its effectiveness, a cascade DVR simulation model has been built in MATLAB/SINMULINK and a series of simulations have been performed. The results show that the DVR is competent to make a better compensation with this new strategy in the case of the complex conditions such as sags, harmonics and unbalances. The compensation strategy is tested by a 10 kV/500 kVA voltage drop generator test rig and the experimental results validate that the strategy can improve the dynamic response and obtain a high accuracy in both the dynamic and the steady states. Therefore the strategy has potential engineering application values.
A Dynamic Electrical Scheme for the Optimal Reconfiguration of PV Modules under Non-Homogeneous Solar Irradiation

This paper presents a strategy for the maximization of the output power of photovoltaic (PV) systems under non homogeneous solar irradiation by means of automatic reconfiguration of the PV arrays layout. The innovation of the proposed approach is the employment of a simple Dynamic Electrical Scheme (DES), allowing a large number of possible modules interconnection, to be installed between the PV generator and the inverter. The models of the PV generator and of the DES have been realized and simulated with Simulink (Dynamic System Simulation for MATLAB). The attained experimental results appear to be quite interesting in terms of the attainable benefit in power and thus energy terms. The limited calculation times of the reconfiguration algorithm allows the application of the DES for the real time adaptation of the configuration to the changing weather conditions or other causes of non-uniform solar irradiation. Moreover, the results confirm that, in case of non uniform solar irradiation, this approach allows to attain considerably much better results than those attainable with a static configuration.
Error mechanism analyses of an ultra-precision stage for high speed scan motion over a large stroke

Reticle Stage (RS) is designed to complete scan motion with high speed in nanometer-scale over a large stroke. Comparing with the allowable scan accuracy of a few nanometers, errors caused by any internal or external disturbances are critical and must not be ignored. In this paper, RS is firstly introduced in aspects of mechanical structure, forms of motion, and controlling method. Based on that, mechanisms of disturbances transferred to final servo-related error in scan direction are analyzed, including feedforward error, coupling between the large stroke stage (LS) and the short stroke stage (SS), and movement of measurement reference. Especially, different forms of coupling between SS and LS are discussed in detail. After theoretical analysis above, the contributions of these disturbances to final error are simulated numerically. The residual positioning error caused by feedforward error in acceleration process is about 2 nm after settling time, the coupling between SS and LS about 2.19 nm, and the movements of MF about 0.6 nm.