Graphical Relationships Research Articles

The Sustainable Development Index: An Integration of the Ecological Framework Considering the Governance-development Nexus

This paper aims to enhance the formulation of the Sustainable Development Index (SDI) by introducing a further correction term, governance lack (GL) index, in additional to the ecological impact index (EII). The GL considers a country’s governance lack by calculating a governance index (GI) with the World Governance Indicators (WGIs) starting from 1996. The SDI(g) retains the original formula of the SDI, thus remaining an indicator of strong environmental sustainability but adequately considering in its formulation the differences significant in countries’ governance climate. Finally, graphical relationships between DI and GI, and DI and (EII + GL) are shown, and the existence of these relationships are tested with WLS and nonparametric regressions. Our findings show that significant differences in country ranking were found; the graphical relationships are empirically proven; and countries with a worse GI have been further penalized in the SDI(g) ranking.

Exciters of vibrations with two pairs of impacting surfaces

Exciters of vibrations of the type when one vibrating mass performs impacts into two immovable supports, which are located on the opposite sides with respect to the mass, are investigated. Here because of the connection of the vibrating mass with the supports the system may have the point of equilibrium located at equal or different distances from the impacting surfaces. Also, because of the difference of coefficients of restitution of impacts the system may have symmetric or non-symmetric laws of motions of the vibrating mass. Such systems are important in pipe robots and other engineering devices. Typical results of investigation of dynamics of such systems are obtained. The presented results can be used in the process of design of systems with vibrators having two impacting pairs. Investigations are performed by using analytical as well as numerical methods (calculations are performed by C++ Builder Community Edition, Newmark constant average acceleration method is used for numerical integration of equations of motion). The obtained typical graphical relationships show symmetric as well as unsymmetric regimes of motion and enable to perform their comparison. The basic novelty of this paper is the investigation of unsymmetric regimes of motion.

Analysis of Cross-Generational Co-Living Space Configuration in Residential Communities—Case Study in China and Italy Based on Space Syntax

In contemporary society, a notable trend of diminishing family sizes has led to an increasing number of elderly individuals living in solitude, often facing the end of life alone. This phenomenon underscores a critical challenge: addressing the pervasive loneliness experienced by many seniors. In response to this pressing issue, the concept of “cross-generational co-living” emerges as a potential solution. By exploring and implementing cross-generational co-living models, this research contributes to the development of more inclusive, supportive, and adaptable environments. The investigation involved an extensive field study and comprehensive data analysis of twenty-four instances of cross-generational co-living spaces in China and Italy. This analysis utilized space syntax as a fundamental theoretical framework, incorporating convex graphical topological relationship extraction and visibility graph analysis models. The outcomes of the study indicate that the configuration of cross-generational co-living spaces include spatial form, type, location, and the proportion of areas. Spaces arranged in a cluster form are most effective in promoting mutual communication. Spatial types and locations characterized by elevated integration values demonstrate a heightened potential for cross-generational communication. Space possessing a higher integration value typically correlates with a reduced ratio of area discreteness. These findings are instrumental in understanding how cultural and societal variances shape the design and utilization of cross-generational co-living spaces. Consequently, this study provides valuable guidelines for improving environments that are essential for advancing the principles of age-friendly design, which aims to enhance the quality of life for the elderly and foster a more harmonious and interconnected society across all generations.

Optimization of losses by switching to higher voltage in distribution networks

The article considers the basis of scientific research in the field of electric power industry the issues of transition to 20 kV voltage in the distribution power grids of Uzbekistan. The main advantages of this method are analysed, as well as the factors affecting power and energy losses in electrical systems and networks. The paper presents a schematic diagram of an electric network section, on which a comparative calculation and analysis of voltage, energy and power losses in 6/10/20 kV networks is carried out. Special attention is paid to the peculiarities of calculation of these parameters, as well as the basic expressions for their calculation and the resulting graphical relationships. From the analysis it can be concluded that it is reasonable to use 20 kV voltage in distribution networks. It allows to reduce power and energy losses, which is an important factor in the efficient operation of electric power systems, to increase line capacity and service range. However, when selecting the optimal voltage for certain conditions, it is necessary to take into account a number of factors, such as the length of transmission lines, the type of wires and transformers used, and the load level of the network.

Сегментно-пальцевая косилка для скашивания естественных и сеяных трав в условиях малых форм хозяйствования

Segment-finger mowers are used mainly in forage harvesting. To improve their qualitative and operational indicators it is necessary to study the trajectory of movement, speed and acceleration of the mower knife under variable terrain conditions. For this purpose, the authors studied the influence of change of the non-axial value on qualitative and energy indicators of the mower’s cutter bar. They also determined parameters and operating modes of the mower knife with the axial knife drive mechanism. According to the results of experimental studies, it was established that while copying the field relief, the cutter bar changes the angle of inclination relative to the horizon within the limits of ±15 degrees. In this case, the non-axial value varies between 0.281 and 0.492 m with a step of one degree. The change of the non-axial value entails the change of the stroke, speed, and acceleration of the knife. Using the analytical method of kinematic study of crank mechanisms according to Artobolevsky’s procedure and performing calculations in the Excel software kit, the authors have obtained graphical relationships between the knife stroke and speed depending on the angular position of the cutter bar with the interval of 0, 5, 10, and 15. A change in the location of the cutter bar up to 15 degrees causes unequal speeds of the forward and reverse knife strokes, increasing it from 76.2 to 89 mm, which increases the energy consumption for the knife drive up to 17%. Another disadvantage of the non-axial crank mechanism of the knife drive is its dynamic unbalance, which is only partially smoothed with a counterweight. To eliminate the drawbacks, the authors have developed an experimental mower with axial arrangement of the crank mechanism on the finger bar of the cutter bar. The new design makes it possible to activate the transport position of the finger bar in the working mode of the cutter bar when bypassing such obstacles as bushes, trees, or rough bumps.

Численное моделирование стружкообразования при лезвийном резании волоконно-армированной композитной заготовки объемного плетения. Часть 1: Обзор и модели материалов

Edge cutting machining is more commonly used to produce precise parts made of fiberreinforced composite (FRC) with three-dimensional woven orthogonal structure. The disadvantage of this machining method is increased hairiness of the machined surface, fiber-matrix debonding, peeling and chipping. One possible solution to minimize this disadvantage is to use rational tool parameters and rational tool wedge motion in relation to the axes of the fibers. Such motion can be identified using numerical computer micro modeling of the chip formation process. The difficulty of such modeling it the need to have available both a geometric model of the composite itself and models of composite components, including a model of matrix-fiber boundary layer. Modeling based on the method of smoothed particle hydrodynamics -Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) is the most promising type of machining process micro modeling. Currently, no publications, which present SPH micro models of three-dimensional woven composites with the description of matrix-fiber boundary layers, have been found. It was also not possible to find specific models for the matrix-fiber boundary layers. In order to solve the problem of rational machining of FRC workpieces using edge cutting tools, an analysis of published material models and parameters of such models was carried out. These models should be subsequently used for SPH modeling of the machining process. The analysis made it possible to select the required material models and their parameters for fiber and matrix materials of a metal composite. The analysis of the graphical relationships obtained from the publications, made it possible to select the parameters for the fiber-matrix boundary layer model. This selection is based on the hypothesis that the boundary layer should be described by the same model, that is used for the matrix itself, but with parameters that determine lower failure stresses. The obtained solutions are planned to be used to simulate machining process of a workpiece made of three-dimensional woven FRC in the second part of the presented research.

Design and Analysis of Horizontal Axis Small Wind Turbine for Low Wind Velocity Using QBlade

Renewable energy systems are of high importance considering the present day energy requirement. In Wind energy systems design and analysis of wind turbines for enhanced efficiency at low at wind speed is studied in this paper. Aero foil shape is the one of the key aspects which determines the efficiency of the turbine. In this paper airfoil G4510, NACA 0018 and NACA 4412 are considered for the study with a blade length of 0.762 m. General Public Licensed Software QBlade is used for the simulation which uses Blade Element Method (BEM). Comparison of performance parameters for different aero foil is presented and blade is designed using G4510 airfoil nomenclature. Using these blades, a three bladed rotor is assembled and structural analysis is performed to know the pressure distribution on different areas of the blade. Finally, a tower is attached to the rotor assembly and simulation is carried on the small wind turbine. Graphical relationship between power, tip speed ratio, velocity and coefficient of pressure is obtained for analysis.

ВИЗНАЧЕННЯ ТЕПЛОТИ ЗГОРЯННЯ РОСЛИННОЇ СИРОВИНИ ТА ДЕРЕВНОГО ВУГІЛЛЯ

The values of the highest heat of combustion for the dry ashless state of combustion of 35 samples of vegetable raw materials and 35 charcoal were determined. The need for calculating indicators of their technical and elemental analysis was established. Mathematical and graphical relationships between the actual and estimated values of the highest heat of combustion of plant raw materials for the production of biogas and charcoal were developed. A statistical analysis of the dependence data was performed. The results of the analysis indicate the adequacy of the developed dependencies, and allow us to draw a conclusion about the possibility of predicting with high accuracy the value of the higher heat of combustion of vegetable raw materials by carbon or oxygen content, and charcoal for this determination of the yield of volatile substances or non-volatile carbon.

Ticks and crosses in primary mathematics assessments: What purpose do they serve?

Ticks and crosses (TCs) are a common aspect of teachers’ classroom practice in relation to assessment in many learning areas including mathematics. Putting TCs in learners’ written work is a strategy of feedback. Even though these TCs are frequently used in different types of mathematics assessments, there is limited research in relation to what they actually stand for and what functions they are designed for and especially what purpose they eventually serve in practice. This article emerged from a broader study that aimed at exploring classroom formative assessment practices of Grades 4–6 mathematics teachers, a learning goals and documentary analysis. Since this study was qualitative in nature, we used qualitative, non-probability sampling to recruit respondents according to pre-selected criteria relevant to our research questions. The study participants were 43 qualified and experienced Intermediate Phase mathematics teachers and 95 Grades 4–6 learners from the Tshwane South district, where a phenomenon of low achievement was of great concern. We engaged in document analysis of all the 95 learners’ mathematics workbooks. Questionnaires were administered to the 43 teachers. We report on an analysis of teachers’ assessment practices of Grades 4–6 learners’ mathematics work. We narrate the extent of the use of TCs among teachers from selected schools in Tshwane South district in Gauteng, South Africa. Our analysis shows that while there is prevalent use of TCs among teachers, there are critical gaps in relation to knowledge of TCs in assessing mathematics. We present a qualitative and quantitative data analysis to illustrate how these were used in connection with assessment of learners’ mathematics work linked to the concepts of numerical, geometric, and graphical relationships. We use our analysis of the vignettes to explore and argue that teachers use TCs without adequate understanding of what these actually mean in relation to assessment broadly and assessment intended at collecting and clarifying goals for mathematical learning specifically. Despite teachers having mathematical qualifications and a repertoire of experience for teaching, the majority of teachers grappled with understanding mathematical concepts as evidence in how they marked learners’ mathematics work. The study also found that teachers’ understandings of assessment of mathematics were diverse and largely inconsistent with the formal definitions of mathematics.Contribution: This study indicated that there are critical gaps in relation to knowledge of TCs in assessing mathematics. A clear-cut marking policy will guide teachers to provide effective marking using TCs.

Performance Analysis of Motorized Object Lifting Toggle Jack

This study seeks to develop a motorized car jack with maximum lifting capacity of 1.5 tons. The principle of the existing car jack was modified by making adjustments and using a prime mover which is the electric motor to control the lifting operation of the jack. The design incorporates an electric motor that is powered by a 12-volt battery of a small vehicle and the device is connected through a cigarette lighter adapter in the vehicle. The common challenge with the currently available car jacks on the market is that they are manually operated and need a substantial amount of physical effort is required to lift the vehicle. In this work, human effort was eliminated in raising the jack by the use of the torque generated by the motor as it rotates. The use of long cablings to control the motorized operation assists the jack to be safe to use as the operator can use the jack in a comfortable position and as far away from the vehicle as possible. The performances of the machine at different loads were calculated. The approximate values and graphical relationships were established. Using MS Excel. It was established that, the machine had efficiency of about 53%. The investigation revealed that the minimal efficiency was as a result of the great frictional forces between the screw and the threaded base required to be overcome as well as the capacity of the DC motor and gear system.

Single-world intervention graphs for defining, identifying, and communicating estimands in clinical trials.

Confusion often arises when attempting to articulate target estimand(s) of a clinical trial in plain language. We aim to rectify this confusion by using a type of causal graph called the Single-World Intervention Graph (SWIG) to provide a visual representation of the estimand that can be effectively communicated to interdisciplinary stakeholders. These graphs not only display estimands, but also illustrate the assumptions under which a causal estimand is identifiable by presenting the graphical relationships between the treatment, intercurrent events, and clinical outcomes. To demonstrate its usefulness in pharmaceutical research, we present examples of SWIGs for various intercurrent event strategies specified in the ICH E9(R1) addendum, as well as an example from a real-world clinical trial for chronic pain. code to generate all the SWIGs shown is this paper is made available. We advocate clinical trialists adopt the use of SWIGs in their estimand discussions during the planning stages of their studies.

Upward Pass Semantics in Arithmetic Circuit Inference

An Arithmetic Circuit (AC) is a deep learning probabilistic model that is compiled by eliminating every variable in a given Bayesian Network (BN). We introduce a special case of AC, called a p-AC, in which every node is a 1, marginal, or conditional of the joint distribution defined by the given BN. This is accomplished by using wait-sets to restrict the elimination ordering used. We show both theoretical and practical advantages of p-ACs over ACs, including that there is no increase in network size. Lastly, we observe and analyze an interesting graphical relationship between semantics in deep learning inference and causal analysis.

Computational Study of a Motion Sensor to Simultaneously Measure Two Physical Quantities in All Three Directions for a UAV.

Cross-axis sensitivity is generally undesirable, and lower values are required for the accurate performance of a thermal accelerometer. In this study, errors in devices are utilized to simultaneously measure two physical quantities of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the X-, Y-, and Z-directions, i.e., where three accelerations and three rotations can also be simultaneously measured using a single motion sensor. The 3D structures of thermal accelerometers were designed and simulated in a FEM simulator using commercially available FLUENT 18.2 software Obtained temperature responses were correlated with input physical quantities, and a graphical relationship was created between peak temperature values and input accelerations and rotations. Using this graphical representation, any values of acceleration from 1g to 4g and rotational speed from 200 to 1000°/s can be simultaneously measured in all three directions.

INVESTIGATION OF TWO-SIDED SOFT IMPACTS

In various engineering devices used in robotics, transport and agricultural engineering two-sided impacts take place. In this paper two-sided soft impacts are investigated.
 Model of the investigated vibrating system with two-sided soft impacts is described in detail. Dynamics of the investigated system with two-sided soft impacts takes place according to the three typical regimes of motion: vibrating system is not connected with the supports, vibrating system is connected with the first support, vibrating system is connected with the second support.
 Results of numerical investigations are presented in the form of graphical relationships.
 Variation of displacement of the vibrating system, variation of velocity of the vibrating system, variation of displacement of the left support, variation of displacement of the right support, variation of the value of the force and variation of the quantity characterizing the regime of motion of the vibrating system as functions of time are investigated.
 Investigation of steady state regimes of motion for various stiffnesses of the supports is performed. Results for several typical values of stiffnesses of the supports are presented in the paper. The obtained graphical representations enable to understand the behavior of the investigated vibrating system with two-sided soft impacts in steady state regimes of motion for various stiffnesses of the supports.
 The obtained results of the performed investigation are applied in the process of design of pipe robots and other engineering devices.
 Keywords: two-sided impacts, soft impacts, harmonic excitation, nonlinear dynamics, left support, right support.

INVESTIGATION OF DYNAMICS OF A PIPE ROBOT WITH SELF-STOPPING MECHANISM

Pipe robots are used in agricultural engineering for transportation of various materials inside the pipe as well as for cleaning of internal surfaces of the pipes.
 In this paper a model of a pipe robot with self-stopping mechanism is proposed and described in detail. Numerical investigations are performed, and the obtained results are presented in the form of graphical relationships. Variations of displacements as well as variations of velocities of the exciting mass and of the case of the pipe robot as functions of time are investigated. Results for steady state regime of motion are presented.
 Displacement of the first degree of freedom, velocity of the first degree of freedom, displacement of the second degree of freedom, velocity of the second degree of freedom as functions of time in the steady state regime of motion are investigated. Also, difference of displacements as well as difference of velocities as functions of time in the steady state regime of motion are represented.
 Results for three typical values of the constant force are described in the paper: first the results when the constant force is assumed equal to zero are presented and then the results for the two typical nonzero values of the constant force are presented. From the obtained graphical representations, the influence of the value of the constant force to the dynamic behavior of the pipe robot can be seen.
 The obtained graphical representations enable to understand the behavior of the investigated pipe robot with self-stopping mechanism.
 Keywords: pipe robot, self-stopping mechanism, harmonic excitation, steady state motions, parameters of the system.

A modified FGL sparse canonical correlation analysis for the identification of Alzheimer's disease biomarkers

<abstract> <p>Imaging genetics mainly finds the correlation between multiple datasets, such as imaging and genomics. Sparse canonical correlation analysis (SCCA) is regarded as a useful method that can find connections between specific genes, SNPs, and diseased brain regions. Fused pairwise group lasso-SCCA (FGL-SCCA) can discover the chain relationship of genetic variables within the same modality or the graphical relationship between images. However, it can only handle genetic and imaging data from a single modality. As Alzheimer's disease is a kind of complex and comprehensive disease, a single clinical indicator cannot accurately reflect the physiological process of the disease. It is urgent to find biomarkers that can reflect AD and more synthetically reflect the physiological function of disease development. In this study, we proposed a multimodal sparse canonical correlation analysis model FGL-JSCCAGNR combined FGL-SCCA and Joint SCCA (JSCCA) method which can process multimodal data. Based on the JSCCA algorithm, it imposes a GraphNet regularization penalty term and introduces a fusion pairwise group lasso (FGL), and a graph-guided pairwise group lasso (GGL) penalty term, the algorithm in this paper can combine data between different modalities, Finally, the Annual Depression Level Total Score (GDSCALE), Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (GLOBAL CDR), Functional Activity Questionnaire (FAQ) and Neuropsychiatric Symptom Questionnaire (NPI-Q), these four clinical data are embedded in the model by linear regression as compensation information. Both simulation data and real data analysis show that when FGI-JSCCAGNR is applied to the imaging genetics study of Alzheimer's patients, the model presented here can detect more significant genetic variants and diseased brain regions. It provides a more robust theoretical basis for clinical researchers.</p> </abstract>

Theoretical analysis of the movement trajectory of a cotton piece thrown from the pile surface

The article contains information about the theoretical analysis of the trajectory of the cotton piece thrown from the surface of the piled drum in the 1XK aggregates available in cotton ginning enterprises. For this, in the recommended cleaning equipment, cotton pieces are dragged through the mesh surface by hanging the drum piles, and the separated impurities fall through the holes of the mesh surface. The piles eject the cotton piece at the appropriate speed. A piece of cotton moves in different trajectories depending on the value of the initial exit velocity and its mass. In this case, it is necessary to determine the impact zone of pile drums located in a row in the zone of cleaning cotton from small impurities. The results of theoretical studies on determining the mathematical model of the movement of cotton pieces along a drum with piles are presented. The problem of determining the impact zone of the next pile drum depending on the movement trajectory after the cotton piece is thrown from the surface of the pile drum in the process of cleaning cotton from small impurities has been solved. The value of the distance between the axis of pile drums was based on the analysis of the obtained trajectories of the movement of cotton particles and the constructed graphical relationships. In addition, the movement of cotton particles along the surface of the piles was analyzed. The results were obtained by analyzing the movement of a piece of cotton under the influence of external forces in order to ensure the transmission of small impurities separated from the mesh surface of the 1XK equipment, which is currently used in production, and the impact of the pile drum on the cotton flow.

Rock point load test (PLT index) and its correlation with rock coring rate of bored pile machine

Rock socketed cast in-situ bored pile has getting more common in the local foundation industry due to high load carrying capacity to support the increasingly large superstructure load. The estimation of bored pile production rate based on rock strength is vital for piling contractor in terms of project planning, site work done forecasting and management of resources. Uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of rocks is a useful parameter needed for analytical and designing purpose for rock structure, as well as classification of rock strength. Owing to the time-consuming, tedious and expensive testing procedure of UCS, point load test (PLT) on irregular lump samples has appeared to be the best alternative test to ascertain rock strength, which can be performed on-site or off-site. This research was conducted to establish the correlation between rock PLT index and rock coring rate of bored pile machine, where the PLT results and rock coring data were collected from manual recording at respective project site. Graphical relationship was derived for PLT index against rock coring rate for several pile size categories. As rock UCS is typically adopted for foundation design purpose, the conversion factor between PLT index and UCS was derived for the typical bedrock formation encountered in Kuala Lumpur, namely Granitic rock and Limestone. This study also depicts the estimation of mobilized rock unit shaft friction with respect to the corresponding UCS value, using a recommended empirical formula. From this research study, it was justified that PLT could serve as a cost-effective and straightforward field test which provides invaluable guidance for piling production rate estimation as well as better engineering judgement in foundation design.

Development of Detailed Mix Design Methodology for Low Calcium Fly Ash Based Geopolymer Concrete Incorporating OPC and Crumb Rubber

This experimental study proposes a systematic mix-design procedure to develop rubberized geopolymer concrete (RGPC). The developed method is meant to identify the mix ratios for the production of high-strength, low-calcium fly ash-based geopolymer concrete, with OPC as a supplementary binder and crumb rubber as a partial replacement for the fine aggregates. The binder (80% fly ash + 20% OPC) content (350, 375, and 400 kg/m3), crumb rubber percentage (0, 5, 10, and 15%), and NaOH molarity (8, 10, and 12 M) are identified as key variables, with the focus on attaining the targeted compressive strength and workability under heat curing (60 °C). Thirty-six mix designs were tested for their compressive strength after 7 and 28 days, and their graphical relationship with the chosen variables is presented (CR-GPC graphs). A trial experiment with an example is performed to establish the validity of the developed mix-design procedure. It was found that the targeted compressive strength and slump of the rubberized GPC can be achieved with conviction.

Influence of sex, cigarette smoking and airway inflammation on treatable traits in CBIOPRED severe asthma.

Influence of sex, cigarette smoking and airway inflammation on treatable traits in CBIOPRED severe asthma.