Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Research Project on Application of Air Bubble Injection to a Full Scale Ship for Drag Reduction

This paper is a progress report of a research project toward practical use of air bubble injection as a drag reduction device for ships. Air bubbles injected into the turbulent boundary layer in water flow are well known to have significant skin friction reduction effect. The current research project will last for three years, starting in April 2005. The project aims at obtaining 10% net energy-saving by air bubble injection, taking into account the work needed for injecting air bubbles. A full scale experiment is scheduled in September 2007. The photo and principal particular of the ship used for the full scale experiment are shown in Figure 1 and Table 1. The ship has a wide and flat bottom. Therefore, once air bubbles are injected at the bottom near the bow, they are expected to cover the entire bottom surface efficiently. The air bubbles must be injected against the hydrostatic pressure at the point of injection. Estimation of the rate of drag reduction per unit amount of injected air at full scale is extremely difficult if it is based on small model-scale experiments, because the scale ratio of air bubbles to boundary layer length scales is very different between model and full scale experiments. Therefore we carried out experiments using a flat plate (L = 50m, B = 1m) in the 400m towing tank of the institute. The plate was towed at 6.2m/s (12kt), the cruising speed of the ship for a full scale experiment. Air bubbles were injected at 3m from the bow. Both the total drag of the flat plate and local skin friction were measured. Recently we attached end plates almost along the entire length, in order to prevent air bubbles from getting lost from the sides, and obtained significant improvement in drag reduction. Injected air bubbles are expected to go into the propeller operating at the stern and the propeller performance may deteriorate. Therefore we carried out tests of a model propeller working in bubbly flow. So far we found that the degradation of the propeller performance due to bubbles is small and tolerable. The project is carried out in collaboration with Osaka Univ., Hokkaido Univ., Tokyo Univ., Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding CO., LTD. and Azuma Shipping CO., LTD. The project is funded by NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization), Japan.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Improved linearity low area CMOS multifunctional structures

In this article, original low-power low-voltage multifunctional structures with improved performances are presented, which allow implementation (with minor changes in the design) of four important functions: signal gain with theoretical null distortions, voltage multiplication with very good linearity and simulation of a perfect linear resistor with both positive and negative equivalent resistance. The great advantages of the increased modularity and controllability and of the associated reduced design costs represent an immediate consequence of the multiple functions realised by the proposed structures. The linearity is strongly increased by implementing the original techniques, while the silicon occupied area per function is reduced as a result of the proposed multifunctionality. The structures are implemented in 0.35 µm CMOS technology and are supplied at ±3 V. The circuits present a very good linearity (in the worst case, total harmonic distortion, THD <0.75% for differential amplifiers and active resistors and THD <0.95% for the multiplier), correlated with an extended range of the input voltage (at least ). The tuning range of the active resistors is approximately hundreds of kiloohms to megaohms.
Heat Transfer Correlation for Two-Phase Flow in Vertical Pipes Using Artificial Neural Network

In many industrial applications, such as the flow of natural gas and oil in flowlines and wellbores, the knowledge of nonboiling two-phase, two-component (liquid and permanent gas) heat transfer is required. Several heat transfer correlations for forced convective heat transfer during gas-liquid two-phase flow in vertical pipes have been published over the past 40 years. These correlations were developed based on limited experimental data and are only applicable to certain flow patterns and fluid combinations. Kim et al. (2000) proposed a heat transfer correlation for turbulent gas-liquid flow in vertical pipes with different flow patterns and fluid combinations. Their correlation was developed using four sets of experimental data (a total of 255 data points) for vertical pipes. The form of their correlation was based on the major nondimensional parameters affecting two-phase heat transfer. The coefficients of their correlation were found by using the traditional least squares regression. Their correlation predicted the experimental data with a deviation range of −64.71% and 39.55% Majority of the experimental data (245 data points or 96% of the data) were predicted within the ±30% range. The purpose of this study is to apply the method of artificial neural network (ANN) to develop a more accurate correlation. It has been shown that ANN has excellent capability of handling complicated flows. The same sets of experimental data used by Kim et al. (2000) were used in this study. The ANN method employed in this study was a three-layer feedforward network, which is a high dimensional nonlinear regression. To avoid over or underfitting, the data were separated into two sets. One set was used for the network training and the other set was used for testing. The new correlation outperforms the traditional least squares correlation and predicts the experimental data within the ±15% range. Since the ANN correlation is like a black box, the knowledge extraction from ANN correlation is also discussed in this study.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
A CANADIAN AGRICULTURE WEATHER MONITORING SYSTEM

The Canadian Agriculture Weather Monitoring System (CAWM) provides a variety of crop growth indices at 140 weather sites across Canada. CAWM uses synoptic weather observations from Environment Canada and formatted for agricultural analysis with Oceanroutes Canada software. CAWM provides nation-wide reconnaissance level information on crop growing conditions. In combination with verbal and statistical reports from various regions, crop weather reports generated by CAWM give reliable updates on regional and national crop production problems.Synoptic weather data include four observations per day of temperature, wind, sunshine and precipitation from which daily values are interpolated and the daily evapotranspiration potentials are calculated. An editing process provides continuous, uninterrupted sequences of daily weather records essential in computer simulations and agricultural monitoring by replacing missing observations with climatic normals.The crop weather indices derived from CAWM range from simple a.
A Design Method for Reducing the Effects of Clearances at Revolute Joints

A method for designing a mechanism which is free of contact loss in clearance connections is developed. Only revolute joints are considered as possible clearance joints. Earles and Wu's empirical formula has been used for defining a perfect joint or contact loss free joint. A general theory for conditions of a perfect joint has been derived in terms of the mechanical energy and the kinematic properties of the joint. This general theory was applied to a slider crank mechanism and it was shown that designing a perfect joint is theoretically possible through balancing by a non-linear spring. Further it was shown that this technique gives a practical guide for balancing a mechanism with linear springs to reduce the possibility of contact loss in clearance joints.
Research of robot simultaneous localization and mapping in multiple mobile robot system

It needs an exact global map when the multiple mobile robot system making decisions in the task allocation and action control, but each robot can only obtain the information which surrounds him nearby and often lose the information at long bowls, in other words, the robot can not build a comprehensive global map of whole field. Aimed at these problems, a multi-sensor data fusion subsystem was designed and added into the multiple mobile robot system. The experiment shows the whole system's fault-tolerance capability and identifying capability are both enhanced evidently.
Interceptive actions in sport : information and movement

b1. Interceptive Actions in Sport: Theoretical Perspectives and Practical Applications 2. Cognitive Expertise and Interceptive Actions 3. Visual Search and Cue Utilisation in Racket Sport 4. Vision and Proprioception in Controlling a Soccer Ball 5. Learning to Cross a Balance Beam: Implications for Teachers, Coaches and Therapists 6. Implicit and Explicit Learning in Golf Putting 7. Visual Information for One-Handed Catching 8. Intercepting Accelerating Objects 9. Catching Fly Balls 10. Auditory Information for Ball Catching 11. Sensitivity of Children and Adults to Haptic Information in Wielding Tennis Rackets 12. Perception and Action During Interceptive Tasks: An Integrative Modelling Perspective 13. Co-ordination Dynamics of Interceptive Actions 14. Bimanual Co-ordination in Catching Behaviour 15. Co-ordination in the Volleyball Serve: Expert-Novice Differences 16. Co-ordination and control of kicking in Soccer 17. Acquiring Co-ordination in Self-Paced Extrinsic Timing Tasks 18. Control of Grip Force in Interceptive Sport Actions 19. Grip Force Dynamics in Cricket Batting 20. Regulating Stride Parameters in the Long Jump Approach Phase 21. Co-ordination and Control of the Triple Jump Run-Up
`Pouring New Wine into Fresh Wineskins': Defense Spending and Economic Growth in LDCs with Application to South Korea

A model of defense spending and economic growth, alternative to the existing ones that have been derived from neoclassical economic theories, is proposed. The new model, which attends to the distinctive conditions and structures of LDCs' political economy, is constructed by integrating key politico-economic variables tapping domestic, international, and system-level dimensions of the relationship. The model is then applied to South Korea. The findings made in this study indicate a non-significant relationship between defense spending and economic growth. It is suggested, however, that the non-significant relationship may be an indication that industrial slack has been modest in South Korea. The growth effect of defense spending may be positive when there is significant slack in the economy, or conversely, it may be negative when there is no slack in the economy. It is further suggested that the effect may manifest itself differently in different conditions of the economy even within the same economy. It may even turn non-significant when the economy is in transition from sluggish to dynamic. Thus, if the level of industrial slack determines the nature of the relationship between defense spending and economic growth, this research bridges a gap between contrasting bodies of theoretical literature on the subject. The extremes of the views may be reconcilable under a new framework that stresses the contingent nature of the relationship. Theoretical and policy implications are also discussed.
Technology readiness among managers of Malaysian construction firms

– The purpose of this paper is to assess the Technology Readiness Index (TRI) of the managers of Malaysian construction firms. Also, the backgrounds of the managers were examined to determine the influence of background on the TRI level. , – The TRI developed by Parasuraman was adopted to measure the readiness of construction firm managers. TRI refers to people's propensity to embrace and use technologies for accomplishing goals in home life and at work. Four hundred structured questionnaires were sent out to respondents. , – The overall TRI score (M=3.18, SD=0.23) indicates that the managers are moderate in terms of their technology readiness. There are no significant differences in terms of technology readiness (TRI) across various demographic variables (e.g. gender, age, etc.), except for educational level. Individual dimensions of TRI, i.e. insecurity and overall TRI, show a significant difference at p<0.05 and p<0.01 to educational level, respectively. , – The findings are discussed in relation to the emerging information technology era in Malaysia. CIDB extensively promotes ICT training for managers in the CI. Research and development should be promoted to enhance the technology readiness.
Distributed Sensing of Static and Dynamic Fracture in Self-Sensing Piezoelectric Composite: Finite Element Simulation

Distributed sensing of static and dynamic fracture under mode-I and mode-II delamination in smart laminated composite with embedded piezoelectric sensor patches are studied. An isoparametric 4-node 3 DOF/node quadrilateral plane stress Finite Element (FE) with one active DOF/node is formulated. A consistent formulation is carried out from the coupled electro-mechanical equations of motion. The crack-tip energy release rate in the form of a generalized Energy Domain Integral (EDI) for static and dynamic fracture is implemented in the FE code to simulate the distributed sensing behavior of the embedded piezoelectric patches. Correlations between the sensor signals with the EDI under incremental delamination growth in a graphite-epoxy Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) specimen with three piezoelectric patches ahead of the delamination tip are made. The study shows various important features for sensing the incremental delamination growth, which can be used in future designs of self-sensing piezoelectric composite structures and on-line health monitoring systems.
Exploring the notion of retention in apprenticeship

Purpose – Proposes to provide a description of the factors that underlie retention and to develop a model of the process of retention.Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative study was conducted in a selected number of occupational areas. Interviews were conducted with apprentices and trainees employed under a contract of training; apprentices/trainees who had recently completed their contract of training; employers/workplace supervisors and teachers/trainers.Findings – Provides information about a range of factors and how they combined to shape the process of retention. Recognises that some of the identified factors are more amenable to interventions to enhance retention than others.Research limitations/implications – The study did not attempt to cover all occupations in which apprentices are employed, or to provide any ranking of importance of factors in relation to the retention process. The study encourages a holistic understanding of the process of retention and emphasises the dynamic nature of th.
Singularity Analysis of Spatial Stewart-Gough Platforms With Planar Base and Platform

In the neighborhood of a singularity a parallel manipulator becomes uncontrollable due to actuator saturation. Therefore it is important to know where all singularities of such a manipulator are. This paper presents a new and geometric approach to compute the singularities of all spatial Stewart-Gough platform manipulators which have anchor points of base and platform in planes. It is shown that these manipulators have a geometrically exceptional home pose and it is described how singularity free regions can be found. The developed methods are used to evaluate the singularity free orientation capability of a manipulator along any prescribed trajectory.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Diagnostics of Errors at Component Surface by Vision Recognition in Production Systems

The article deals with the diagnostics of components surface after painting by camera system in real-time. This solution is especially suitable for implementation to automatized production line above the conveyor belt. The faults on the part surface can be detected as scratches, imperfect surface coverage and dirt stuck to the surface. The scratch detection is based on edge detectors, imperfect coverage are checked by histogram comparison and all other errors are detected by counter detectors. The developed software uses open source library OpenCV and is written in C++ language. The software solution is platform independent. Final algorithm is implemented to embedded device based on SoC.
ELEPHANT TRUNKS: AN UNFORGETTABLE ALTERNATIVE TO RIGID MECHANISMS

Existing devices such as robots and machine tools rely on motion generators that have been developed almost entirely from existing technology, e.g. electric motors, hydraulic/pneumatic cylinders. Consequently, modern machines are attempting to perform increasingly complicated tasks by relying on ever more complex computer programs to compensate for the deficiencies of the device actually performing the task. In chemical plants, for example, sophisicated control software is still directing valves designed and built at the inception of the plant process. Similarly, today's factory automation systems are aiming to achieve more and more difficult tasks on the assumption that a suitable “intelligent” computer program will enable existing devices to perform these tasks efficiently.
Analysis Based on 3DGIS System for Channel Evolution

Digital Channel has been an imperative need for the channel, yet few literatures about it are presented. This paper proposes a method to block the channel according to the contours and the banks, delete the data of the seabed on the basis of scope of bank and seabed, by using radial basis function to interpolate the data of seabed and adds them to the corresponding blocks. Finally dynamic Delaunay triangulations constrained by seabed edges within updating blocks are obtained.
A Thermally Stratified Solar Water Storage Tank

Thermal stratification and fluid motion in solar water storage tanks have been investigated theoretically and experimentally. Transparent glass test sections were used in the experiment to permit visual observation of the flow fields. An electric water heater was used to simulate solar collectors. Experiments were conducted under different conditions in which a solar system is likely to operate. Altogether, about 130 test runs were conducted at various temperatures and flow rates of water at the inlet to the store. It was found that the location of the inlet/outlet ports has considerable effect on the mixing of incoming fluids with those in store Equations have been developed to predict temperature distribution in the store. Time dependent boundary conditions, which use finite mixing zone concepts, have been used to solve the equation. The predicted temperature distribution within the store shows good agreement with the experimental results.
Continuous Variable Speed Wind Turbine: Transmission Concept and Robust Control

This paper presents the theory and design of a novel hybrid mechanical-electrical variable speed wind turbine transmission, and discusses a robust control solution for optimal power output of the wind turbine equipped with such a transmission. The novel, planetary differential transmission would be driven by the variable speed rotor and controlled by a control system to ensure a constant speed of the main generator at a wide range of wind speed variations. Analysis shows that this would lead to an increase in the wind turbine energy output, estimated to be in the range of 15% to 20%, compared to a wind turbine with the same rotor and a fixed transmission. Using robust control design techniques, a single controller is synthesized for efficient operation over the entire anticipated wind speed range. The control system automatically varies the rotor speed to optimize its power output for slow wind speed variation and attenuates high frequency wind gust effects to reduce the resulting fatigue damage. Overall, the new concept provides a cost effective solution for variable speed wind turbine operation. The improved system performance is demonstrated using the results of a numerically simulated dynamic model of the proposed system.
Utilization of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies in an Indian Manufacturing Enterprise

In the present turbulent times, survival and success of any organization increasingly depends on effective use of resources available in any organization. The present study has been carried out to assess the utilization of new technologies in the manufacturing organization. A feasibility study has been carried out to find out the utilization level of different technologies for strategic success. The study has been conducted by considering the following aspects:- Utilization of different operations with respect to time. Utilization of machines by comparing the costs of automatic machines with conventional machines. It has been observed that the utilization level of all the sections is more than 70% with respect to time. The research has been carried out using flexible systems methodology. SAP-LAP (Situation Actor Process-Learning Action Performance) is a holistic framework that blends hard systems and soft systems paradigms. For this reason, the enterprises aim for improving the utilization level of existing resources.
Cost-effectiveness of Interventions to Increase Utilization of Kidneys From Deceased Donors With Primary Brain Malignancy in an Australian Setting

Background. Kidneys from potential deceased donors with brain cancer are often foregone due to concerns of cancer transmission risk to recipients. There may be uncertainty around donors’ medical history and their absolute transmission risk or risk-averse decision-making among clinicians. However, brain cancer transmissions are rare, and prolonging waiting time for recipients is harmful. Methods. We assessed the cost-effectiveness of increasing utilization of potential deceased donors with brain cancer using a Markov model simulation of 1500 patients waitlisted for a kidney transplant, based on linked transplant registry data and with a payer perspective (Australian government). We estimated costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) for three interventions: decision support for clinicians in assessing donor risk, improved cancer classification accuracy with real-time data-linkage to hospital records and cancer registries, and increased risk tolerance to allow intermediate-risk donors (up to 6.4% potential transmission risk). Results. Compared with current practice, decision support provided 0.3% more donors with an average transmission risk of 2%. Real-time data-linkage provided 0.6% more donors (1.1% average transmission risk) and increasing risk tolerance (accepting intermediate-risk 6.4%) provided 2.1% more donors (4.9% average transmission risk). Interventions were dominant (improved QALYs and saved costs) in 78%, 80%, and 87% of simulations, respectively. The largest benefit was from increasing risk tolerance (mean +18.6 QALYs and AU$2.2 million [US$1.6 million] cost-savings). Conclusions. Despite the additional risk of cancer transmission, accepting intermediate-risk donors with brain cancer is likely to increase the number of donor kidneys available for transplant, improve patient outcomes, and reduce overall healthcare expenditure.