Automated Data Acquisition System Research Articles

Optimal compression of traffic flow data

Experimental characterization of complex physical laws by probability density function of measured data is treated. For this purpose we introduce a statistical Gaussian mixture model comprised of representative data and probabilities related to them. To develop an algorithm for adaptation of representative data to measured ones we introduce the model cost function by the sum of discrepancy and redundancy. All statistics are expressed by the information entropy. An iterative method is proposed for searching the minimum of the cost function that yields an optimal model. Since representative data are generally less numerous than measured ones, the proposed method is applicable for compression of overwhelming experimental data measured by automatic data-acquisition systems. Such a compression is demonstrated on the characterization of traffic flow rate on the Slovenian roads network. The flow rate during a particular day at an observation point is described by a vector comprised of 24 components. The set of 365 vectors measured in one year is optimally compressed to just 4 representative vectors and related probabilities. These vectors represent the flow rate in normal working days and weekends or holidays, while the related probabilities correspond to the relative frequencies of these days. However, the number of representative data depends on the accuracy of PDF estimation.

Flood Forecasting and River Monitoring Expert System in the Prahova River Basin

The development of an efficient flood forecasting and river monitoring system requires the use of an automated data acquisition system and the analysis of several hydrographic basin parameters that are monitored. Due to the strategic importance of river basin monitoring, in the last years, different modern techniques were applied, including some techniques based on artificial intelligence, such as ANFIS system, agent-based modeling and neural networks. In this paper is proposed a flood forecasting and river monitoring expert system prototype. Some experimental results obtained for the prototype expert system are presented.

Automatic data acquisition system for testing photovoltaic conversion chains performances in real conditions

The analyses of the performance of a complete photovoltaic system require precise measuring equipment in order to obtain reliable comparative results. This paper presents a computer-based instrumentation system suitable for a characterization of photovoltaic conversion chains. Consisting in a data acquisition stage, a data processor, photovoltaic generators and power conditioners, the system evaluates the respective efficiency of maximum power point tracker (MPPT) and power conditioner. The efficiency of unknown MPPT functions is estimated with great accuracy by means of an extremum control-based MPPT used as a reference. Efficiency evaluations of two photovoltaic battery chargers during 4 days illustrate the estimation procedure and the system test facilities.

Evaluation Study on the Instrumentation System of Cindere Dam

The first hardfill dam in Turkey, Cindere Dam, has recently been constructed and a number of instruments have been installed. The aim of this study is to review the capability of the current instrumentation system and to observe the feasibility of possible alternative measurement systems. To this end, the current instrumentation system has been evaluated as a whole with reference to the parameters measured, instruments, and data acquisition system. Afterward, an alternative instrumentation system was developed by considering additional parameters and instruments to the current system. Furthermore, each instrumentation system equipped with manual and automatic data acquisition systems was considered. The comparison between the current and alternative instrumentation systems was also carried out in terms of technical and economical aspects. Although the current instrumentation system was found to be satisfactory according to the commonly used dam instrumentation practices, it was observed that the alternative system promotes the current one in various aspects without increasing the cost significantly.

JADAS: A customizable automated data acquisition system and its application to ice-embedded single particles

The JEOL Automated Data Acquisition System (JADAS) is a software system built for the latest generation of the JEOL Transmission Electron Microscopes. It is designed to partially or fully automate image acquisition for ice-embedded single particles under low dose conditions. Its built-in flexibility permits users to customize the order of various imaging operations. In this paper, we describe how JADAS is used to accurately locate and image suitable specimen areas on a grid of ice-embedded particles. We also demonstrate the utility of JADAS by imaging the epsilon 15 bacteriophage with the JEM3200FSC electron cryo-microscope, showing that sufficient images can be collected in a single 8h session to yield a subnanometer resolution structure which agrees with the previously determined structure.

Assessment of the functionality of a pilot-scale reactor and its potential for electrochemical degradation of calmagite, a sulfonated azo-dye

Electrochemical degradation (ECD) is a promising technology for in situ remediation of diversely contaminated environmental matrices by application of a low level electric potential gradient. This investigation, prompted by successful bench-scale ECD of trichloroethylene, involved development, parametric characterization and evaluation of a pilot-scale electrochemical reactor for degradation of calmagite, a sulfonated azo-dye used as a model contaminant. The reactor has two chambers filled with granulated graphite for electrodes. The system has electrical potential, current, conductivity, pH, temperature, water-level and flow sensors for automated monitoring. The reactor supports outdoor and fail-safe venting, argon purging, temperature regulation and auto-shutdown for safety. Treatment involves recirculating the contaminated solution through the electrode beds at small flow velocities mimicking low fluid-flux in groundwater and submarine sediments. The first phase of the investigation involved testing of the reactor components, its parametric probes and the automated data acquisition system for performance as designed. The results showed hydraulic stability, consistent pH behavior, marginal temperature rise (<5 °C) and overall safe and predictable performance under diverse conditions. Near complete removal of calmagite was seen at 3–10 V of applied voltage in 8–10 h. The effects of voltage and strength of electrolyte on degradation kinetics have been presented. Further, it was observed from the absorption spectra that as calmagite degrades over time, new peaks appear. These peaks were associated with degradation products identified using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. A reaction mechanism for ECD of calmagite has also been proposed.

Development of an experimental set-up for electroresistance measurements of materials under high pressure and temperature

We present an original experimental set-up designed to measure the electroresistance of materials under extreme conditions of pressure (0–10 GPa) and temperature (25–1500 °C). Electroresistance can be recorded automatically by a data acquisition board which controls the heating power using a fast feedback algorithm and collects the experimental data. The set-up has been put to the test by carrying out a set of preliminary measurements on Bi and Sn samples up to about 5 GPa and 500 °C. The samples have been confined inside pyrophyllite gaskets fitting the ‘Paris–Edinburgh’ non-toroidal open geometry and connected directly to a power supply. This advanced automated data acquisition system has been found to be very sensitive to tiny resistance variations, allowing for an accurate investigation of phase diagrams of materials, and can be potentially employed for the study of electroresistance anomalies of the liquid phase. The possibility of coupling this set-up with an x-ray source to carry out simultaneous x-ray diffraction measurements is emphasized.

Design and field test of an automatic data acquisition system in a self-propelled forage harvester

In this study an online information and documentation system for the performance data of a forage harvester was developed and tested. A data acquisition system with positioning sensing and a communication module were integrated into the harvester. The data were transferred from the mobile equipment to the co-operative's control centre in two ways: short message service (SMS) and manually. The following online information was recorded: performance data (operation speed, location, harvested yield, …), machine settings (knife drum speed, …) and machine warnings (oil levels, oil pressure, oil temperature, …). Harvester position on the maps was displayed on a monitor installed in the cab. Harvested area was calculated from the field patterns registered by global positioning system (GPS). It was necessary to adapt the existing cartography to the reality of the co-operative's land. In the first design of the mounted prototype the operator's ease of use and the reliability of the system were analyzed. At this stage operation and ergonomic improvements were made. An evaluation was done by comparing the costs of processing the current information with the costs following the implementation of the new system. In a second investigation a first analysis was done of the recorded time to harvest each field and then regression lines were plotted to compare the field capacity value collected by the system with the field size and the crop yield. Correlations between the field capacity of the forage harvester, the area of the plot and the crop yield were found in these first tests.

Strain-link Calibration with an Automatic Data-acquisition System

Strain-link Calibration with an Automatic Data-acquisition System

Fluxo de seiva pelo método do balanço de calor: base teórica, qualidade das medidas e aspectos práticos

O método do balanço de calor representa uma técnica importante para estudos sobre fisiologia vegetal, agrometeorologia e irrigação. Sua aplicação tem aumentado nos últimos anos em decorrência da maior facilidade de importação de material e equipamentos e do uso mais disseminado dos sistemas automáticos de aquisição de dados. Avanços importantes em diversas áreas de pesquisa têm sido alcançados com a possibilidade de se quantificar o consumo hídrico em plantas isoladas em diferentes escalas de tempo. Com base na teoria do método, esta revisão tem como objetivo apresentar e discutir os procedimentos de instalação, manutenção e de análise e processamento dos dados com vistas ao uso mais adequado da técnica e à obtenção de dados mais confiáveis e coerentes. Aspectos relacionados à influência das condições ambientais no funcionamento do sensor são abordados; são também discutidas diversas recomendações práticas observadas na literatura disponível. O grande número e a diversidade de procedimentos que envolvem a instalação dos sensores, sua manutenção em condições de campo e a análise dos dados conferem ao método grande aplicação na experimentação científica. Entretanto, o uso do método de balanço de calor em larga escala parece inadequado devido à dificuldade de correta operação, o que facilmente compromete a qualidade das medidas.

Nondestructive Evaluation of Rayleigh Pitch-Catch Contact Ultrasound Waves on Impacted-Damaged Composites

In particular, CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastics) composite materials have found wide applicability because of their inherent design flexibility and improved material properties. CFRP composites were manufactured from uni-direction prepreg sheet in this paper. However, impacted composite structures have 50-75% less strength than undamaged structures. It is desirable to perform nondestructive evaluation to assess material properties and part defect in order to ensure product quality and structural integrity of CFRP. In this work, a CFRP composite material was nondestructively characterized and a pitch-catch technique was developed to measure impacteddamaged area using an automated-data acquisition system. Also one-sided mode was performed to scan defect both manual contact measurement and an immersion tank. It is found a pitch-catch signal was found to be more sensitive than normal incidence backwall echo of longitudinal wave to subtle flaw conditions in the composite, including fiber orientation, low level porosity, ply waviness, and cracks. The paper describes the depth of the sampling volume with the head-to-head miniature Rayleigh probes and also ultrasonic C-scan images are acquired experimentally using one-sided measurement and a conventional scanner.

Wind turbine measurement technique—an open laboratory for educational purposes

AbstractAs part of the International Master of Science Programme in Wind Energy at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), a complete interactive wind turbine measurement laboratory (WTMLAB) was developed. A 500kW stall regulated wind turbine was instrumented with sensors for recording (i) turbine operational parameters, (ii) meteorological conditions, (iii) electrical quantities and (iv) mechanical loads. The data acquisition system was PC based, and it was combined with a MySQL® database for data management. The system enabled online access for real‐time recordings, which were used both for demonstration purposes, for individual student exercises and for scientific investigations. The automatic data acquisition system furthermore enabled recording of extreme and fatigue loads together with a long‐term event registration. Long‐term registration of wind turbine loads resulted in a unique database of non‐commercial time series, which would be available for practicing fatigue calculations and extreme load estimation in basic wind turbine courses. Power quality analysis was carried out based on high‐speed‐sampled, three‐phase voltage and current signals. The wide spectrum of sensors enabled a detailed study of the correlation between meteorological, mechanical and electrical quantities. Measurements were recorded with a PC placed at the wind turbine site at Risø. The PC could be remotely controlled from DTU, which gave the students the opportunity to work on an operating wind turbine. The WTMLAB was included in a new course entitled Wind Turbine Measurement Techniques. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Monitoring Circadian Rhythms of Individual Honey Bees in a Social Environment Reveals Social Influences on Postembryonic Ontogeny of Activity Rhythms

Social factors constitute an important component of the environment of many animals and have a profound influence on their physiology and behavior. Studies of social influences on circadian rhythms have been hampered by a methodological trade-off: automatic data acquisition systems obtain high-quality data but are effective only for individually isolated animals and therefore compromise by requiring a context that may not be sociobiologically relevant. Human observers can monitor animal activity in complex social environments but are limited in the resolution and quality of data that can be gathered. The authors developed and validated a method for prolonged, automatic, high-quality monitoring of focal honey bees in a relatively complex social environment and with minimal illumination. The method can be adapted for studies on other animals. The authors show that the system provides a reliable estimation of the actual path of a focal bee, only rarely misses its location for > 1 min, and removes most nonspecific signals from the background. Using this system, the authors provide the first evidence of social influence on the ontogeny of activity rhythms. Young bees that were housed with old foragers show ~24-h rhythms in locomotor activity at a younger age and with stronger rhythms than bees housed with a similar number of young bees. By contrast, the maturation of the hypopharyngeal glands was slower in bees housed with foragers, similar to findings in previous studies. The morphology and function of the hypopharyngeal glands vary along with age-based division of labor. Therefore, these findings indicate that social inhibition of task-related maturation was effective in the experimental setup. This study suggests that although the ontogeny of circadian rhythms is typically correlated with the age-based division of labor, their social regulation is different.

English

Syncrude Canada Ltd. (Syncrude) operates the Mildred Lake mine, one of the world's largest operating mines, situated in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region of northeastern Alberta. This region will produce more than 50% of Canada's oil supply within the next ten years with Syncrude alone supplying 20% of the nation's oil. It is estimated that more than 21,000 ha of boreal forest will require reclamation as a result of large tracts of land disturbed during operations. Oil sand operators receive operating licenses from the provincial government based on achievable closure and reclamation plans, and the ability to demonstrate successful reclamation is a competitive advantage in a region where limits on development due to cumulative environmental impacts are a reality. Monitoring the performance of field trials is commonly performed at mine sites to guide development of, and build support for, final reclamation closure. The objective of this paper is to allow mine operators to understand real costs associated with reclamation monitoring. Once reclamation has been completed, monitoring may be continued to document success in an effort to gain bond release. Mine sites typically utilize automated data acquisition systems to the greatest extent because of reduced labor requirement. However, due to the variety of data collected, the differences in cover and waste materials, and the inevitable need for manual intervention and monitoring, the effort required to install and maintain a network of data acquisition systems can be significant. At the beginning of the 2005 field season, Syncrude operated a network of 27 automated data acquisition systems that collect surface runoff, meteorological, and in situ soil data to track the water and salt balance of reclaimed areas. This paper describes the development of Syncrude's integrated watershed reclamation monitoring system, and the effort, time, and costs associated with maintaining the system.

New Apparatus for Evaluating Filter Performance for Dams Containing Cracks

Abstract A new test apparatus has been developed to evaluate filter performance when both the filter and the core _base_ material have been cracked. This apparatus allows the orientation of the crack to be horizontal or vertical, and accommodates flow in the horizontal and vertical directions as well. The applied hydraulic gradient and the thickness of the crack can also be varied.Two apparatuses have been constructed and tested. The smaller apparatus allows testing of truncated cylindrical test specimens that are 10 cm in diameter by 20 cm long. The larger apparatus allows testing of specimens that are approximately 30 by 30 by 30 cm. An automated data acquisition system was developed to measure the pressures and flow rates through the test specimens as well as obtaining a video record of the filter performance. In successful tests, the filter slumped to fill the crack, the flow rate decreased, and the head water pressure increased. In failed tests, the filter never slumped to fill the crack, the flow rate remained high, and the head water pressure stayed very low. The relative success of failure of a filter system could be assessed by the video record as well.

Landscape Models for Simulating Water Quality at Point, Field, and Watershed Scales

In the last four decades, a plethora of models has been developed to simulate nonpoint-source (NPS) pollutant fate and transport at point, field, and watershed scales. Developed by experts in various disciplines, these models tend to reflect the needs of those disciplines. For example, the original intent of the solute transport models was to determine impact of water, nutrient, and salts on plant growth. Later, these models were extended to examine solute transport in the vadose zone to assess possible contamination of soil and groundwater. Similarly, a number of field- and watershed-scale models have been developed by linking together submodels of system components to quantify best management practice (BMP) effectiveness and watershed-level impact. New model users are often unaware of the suite of models available and are often uncertain about the appropriateness of models for their situation. The goals of this article are to discuss why NPS pollutant models were developed at various spatial scales (i.e., scale issues), briefly review commonly used models, and reflect on the future of landscape NPS models. Since the computational power of computers has significantly increased, automated data acquisition systems that can capture and transmit data at high resolution are being used, software that can handle large volumes of data has been developed, and improved chemical analysis capabilities are being developed, we conclude this article with the projection that development of a scale-independent model that can address complex issues of the next century by coupling state-of-the-art understanding of multiple hydrogeological, geochemical, and microbiological processes is possible. Future improvement in these models will result in a more scientific and robust approach for managing NPS pollutants.

Electromotive force measurements in liquid Ag-In-Pd lead-free alloys

Emf technique was employed to determine indium activities in the liquid Ag-In-Pd alloys using galvanic cells with yttria-stabilised-zirconia as solid electrolyte according to the scheme: kanthal/rhenium, Ag-In-Pd, In 2O 3 | YSZ | Ni, NiO, Pt. Composition and temperature measurement ranges were limited, because of very steep liquidus surface; 35 compositions for X PD up to 0.3 were investigated and at temperatures from near-liquidus up to 1700 K. High temperature experiments required special moly furnace to be constructed with unique automatic gas supply system for furnace winding protective atmosphere. Emf readings were taken and recorded by automatic data acquisition system. Linear dependence of emf on temperature was observed for all compositions investigated, and results were approximated by straight line equations. Then In activities were calculated using well-known relations and taking into account correction for thermoelectric power between kanthal and platinum. Results are to be used along with other existing data to perform assessment of the ternary system under accord.

Quality control of blood irradiation: determination T cells radiosensitivity to cobalt‐60 gamma rays

To identify the most appropriate dose for the prevention of transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease, the radiosensitivity of T cells has been determined in blood bags irradiated with X-rays produced by a linear accelerator and gamma rays derived from the cesium-137 source of a specific irradiator. In this study, the influence of doses ranging from 500 to 2500 cGy was investigated on T cells isolated from red blood cell (RBC) units preserved with ADSOL and irradiated with a cobalt teletherapy unit. A thermal device consisting of acrylic and foam was constructed to store the blood bags during irradiation. Blood temperature was monitored with an automated data acquisition system. Dose distribution in the blood bags was analyzed based on isodose curves obtained with a polystyrene phantom constructed for this purpose. The influence of cobalt-60 gamma radiation on T cells was determined by limiting-dilution analysis, which measures clonable T cells. T-cell content of the mononuclear cell population plated was assessed by flow cytometry with a monoclonal antibody specific for CD3. Blood temperature ranged from 2 to 4.5 degrees C during irradiation. Dosimetry performed on the phantom showed a homogenous dose distribution when the phantom was irradiated with a parallel-opposite field. A radiation dose of 1500 cGy led to the inactivation of T cells by 4 log, but T-cell growth was observed in all experiments. At 2500 cGy, no T-cell growth was detected in any of the experiments and a greater than 5 log reduction in functional T cells was noted. The results showed that a dose of 2500 cGy completely inactivates T cells in RBC units irradiated with cobalt-60 source.

Integration of approaches to increasing water use efficiency in rice-based systems in southeast Australia

Australian rice growers are under considerable pressure to increase water use efficiency to remain profitable and avoid soil salinisation. In particular, profitability is threatened by decreasing water availability and certainty of supply and by increasing water price, as a result of environmental and National Competition Policy agendas. Field irrigation water productivity has more than doubled in the past 20 years from an average of around 0.34 g paddy rice per kg water to around 0.77 g kg −1, largely due to increased yield from the development and adoption of improved varieties and management strategies, and to a lesser degree due to the introduction of rice water use and soil suitability policies. Future increases in rice field water productivity will come from greater yields through breeding for increased cold tolerance, precision agriculture and improved crop establishment, and from reduced water use due to reduced duration of ponding. A key challenge of the next decade will be to increase cold tolerance to the extent that deep water ponding for low temperature protection is no longer required, possibly allowing a complete shift away from ponded culture and reducing irrigation water requirement. While increasing the water productivity of rice is important, water productivity and profitability of the entire cropping system is of ultimate importance. Growing winter crops after rice and permanent bed systems offer potential benefits of increased productivity of crops traditionally grown in rotation with rice and increased cropping diversity and flexibility. Irrigation water productivity is also being improved through on-farm and regional technologies such as on-farm recycling systems and automatic data acquisition and control systems in irrigation supply systems. To increase water use efficiency and achieve sustainability of rice-based farming systems in Australia, irrigation communities are implementing a range of on-farm and regional technologies and policies. An integrated approach is required to evaluate options, prioritise investments, maximise economic returns, guide policy and balance the environmental demands of river ecosystems with the needs of irrigated agriculture and its dependent regional communities. Significant progress is being made, through the development and application of farm and irrigation area hydrologic models linked with production models and economics, combined with strong stakeholder participation. The progress in integrating science, people and policy makers was recognised in 2002 by the award of the first “Reference” catchment status to the lower Murrumbidgee catchment, a major Australian rice-growing region, under the UNESCO/WMO HELP (Hydrology for Environment, Life and Policy) program.

Protocol for Early Detection and Evaluation of Inhibitory Wastewater Using Combined Aerobic Respirometric and Anaerobic Batch Techniques

Faced with the task of treating significant volumes of complex industrial wastewaters, the biological components of municipal wastewater treatment plants are operating under the risk of toxic or inhibitory contaminants from the industrial effluents that may be detrimental to their operation. This might lead to undesirable effluent toxicity and/or result in permit violations. Therefore, there is a need for upset early warning systems that can protect full-scale plants from toxic or inhibitory constituents in the incoming wastewaters. This study focused on the development of a protocol for rapid detection of potentially toxic inhibitory or toxic wastewaters using combined aerobic respirometric and anaerobic batch techniques. Aerobic respirometers equipped with automated data acquisition systems were used as potential early warning devices. The inhibition effect on carbon and nitrogen oxidation was assessed. The degree of inhibition was evaluated as the concentration causing 50% reduction in microbial activity, which was estimated by an inhibition model. Anaerobic toxicity assays were also conducted to evaluate the inhibitory effects of the toxic compounds to anaerobic inocula obtained from a master culture reactor fed with ethanol. The developed protocol for early detection of toxicity was validated using wastewater samples from a biotechnology industry and a food processing industry, and pure chemicals such as furfural and phenol. Varying degrees of sensitivity were observed in the study when different groups of microorganisms, wastewater samples, and chemicals were tested. The comparison of aerobic and anaerobic inhibition suggested the importance of using both aerobic and anaerobic cultures to maximize the necessary sensitivity of the protocol.