Instrument Panel Research Articles

Local influence analysis for GMM estimation

The generalized method of moments (GMM) is an important estimation procedure in many areas of economics and finance, and it is well known that this estimation is highly sensitive to the presence of outliers and influential observations. Case-deletion diagnostic has been studied in GMM estimation; however, it is surprised that local influence analysis is under explored. To this end, a local influence method is proposed to assess the effect of minor perturbation on GMM estimation. The local diagnostic measures of GMM estimators under the perturbations of empirical distribution and moment condition are derived to study the joint influence of observations. The obtained results are applied to efficient instrumental variable estimation and dynamic panel data model. Two real data sets are used for illustration, and a simulation study is conducted to examine the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. The advantage of local influence method is analyzed in detail through comparison with the case-deletion method.

Method for Estimation of Time at Temperature Histogram of Vehicle Interior Parts Exposed to Meteorological Environments around the World (Third Report)

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">In order to help guarantee the durability and reliability of vehicle interior parts, it is necessary to use time at temperature histogram data for the parts when they are exposed to actual meteorological environments as criteria for judgment. In order to do so, it would be necessary to conduct actual vehicle exposure tests in the regions throughout the world in which the vehicles will be sold, which is unrealistic. The research discussed in this paper proposes a method of estimating the time at temperature histogram for vehicle interior parts when exposure tests are conducted at locations throughout the world using vehicle-specific constants obtained from actual vehicle exposure tests conducted in a single location and publicly available annual meteorological data.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">Using the same vehicle, exposure tests were conducted sequentially in three locations: Yomitan Village in Okinawa Prefecture (2016); a Honda parking lot in Haga, Tochigi Prefecture (2017); and a vacant lot belonging to a partner company in Takasu, Hokkaido Prefecture (2018). An analysis performed using hourly temperature measurement data and meteorological data found that air temperature is the basic temperature for the interior parts, and increases in their temperature above the air temperature were proportional to the total solar radiation or the amount of radiant heat from the instrument panel. It was also found that the degree of change in the temperatures of interior parts in relation to the amount of radiant heat, in other words the constants of proportionality, were constants specific to the vehicle used in the exposure test and not dependent on the location of the exposure test, or the season or weather in which it was conducted. It was possible to express the temperatures of the interior parts by means of these vehicle-specific constants and a linear model of the variables of air temperature and total solar radiation. Calculated values accorded well with measured values. Using this model, it has become possible to calculate time at temperature histogram data for vehicle interior parts when exposure tests are conducted at locations throughout the world.</div></div>

A numerical study of vibration-induced instrument reading capability degradation in helicopter pilots

Rotorcraft suffer from relatively high vibratory levels, due to exposure to significant vibratory load levels originating from rotors. As a result, pilots are typically exposed to vibrations, which have non-negligible consequences. Among those, one important issue is the degradation of instrument reading, which is a result of complex human-machine interaction. Both involuntary acceleration of the eyes as a result of biodynamics and vibration of the instrument panel contribute to a likely reduction in instrument reading capability, affecting flight safety. Therefore, being able to estimate the expected level of degradation in visual performance may give substantial benefits during vehicle design, allowing to make necessary adjustments while there is room for design changes or when retrofitting an existing aircraft to ensure the modifications do not adversely affect visual acuity and instrument reading ability. For this purpose, simulation is a very valuable tool as a proper model helps to understand the aircraft characteristics before conducting flight tests. This work presents the assessment of vibration-induced visual degradation of helicopter pilots under vibration exposure using a modular analysis environment. Core elements of the suggested analysis framework are an aeroelastic model of the helicopter, a model of the seat-cushion subsystem, a detailed multibody model of the human biodynamics, and a simplified model of ocular dynamics. These elements are combined into a comprehensive, fully coupled model. The contribution of each element to instrument reading degradation is examined, after defining an appropriate figure of merit that includes both eye and instrument panel vibration, in application to a numerical model representative of a medium-weight helicopter.

Distribution of microencapsulated phase change material on a plate, and inhibited build‐up of temperature in response to a constant heat flux

The application of an inorganic phase change material (PCM) on instrument panel for temperature control is reviewed here through numerical simulation. A constant heat flux is provided on one face of the panel, and the inhibited temperature build-up is studied for different modes of PCM placement. The distribution of microencapsulated PCM over the surface of the panel as embedded in the paint layer reduces the temperature gradient that is unavoidable for lumped placement at one location on the panel, which also affects the average temperature. The effect of the size of microcapsules, ranging from mm to μm scale on characteristics of temperature build-up, is reported here under two different exposure conditions of upper surface of the paint layer, that is, natural convection and fully insulated condition. The cooling characteristics of the panel in the absence of heat flux are presented.

Socket release/relock: An innovative mechanism to maintain residual limb volume

Management of socket fit is challenging for people using lower-limb prostheses because of residual limb volume fluctuation throughout the day. Releasing socket pressures during sitting (partial doffing) may help users increase their limb volume after they have undergone volume loss earlier in the day. The purpose of this research was to develop and evaluate a system to allow for quick and easy locking pin and socket panel release during sitting and relock upon standing. The system was to allow the partial doff tether length to be custom set for each user, accomplish release and relock in less than 2.0s each, require only one hand, and require a finger push force comparable to a push button on a phone. A motor-driven release/relock system (<240g build weight) housed within the socket adjusts locking pin tether length, and an instrumented ratcheting dial adjusts socket panel position. Three participants with a trans-tibial amputation operated the system properly using one hand. For a partial doff, users preferred a tether length between 5 and 6cm. All users executed release within 1.5s and relock within 1.5s.

Research on the Drop Hammer Impact Test System

The drop hammer impact test system adopts the multi-purpose and modular design to solve the four problems of the airbag door of automobile test instrument panel: the test conditions are generally inconsistent with the actual conditions; The secondary impact problem exists in the collision test. The experiment does not have the experimental data, cannot provide the technical question for the enterprise; There are some problems in the equipment construction mode, such as universality, repeatability and low utilization rate. The improvement of mechanical structure and control system makes the device simple in structure, powerful in function, able to obtain accurate experimental data, and able to realize the instrument panel airbag door detection of different vehicle models.

A Modified Cylinder Block-IC Engine Experimentation

In Internal combustion Engines, the adequate cooling plays vital role for proper functioning and enhanced efficiencies. In the present scenario, the demand for Air cooled Engines with higher powers is increasing and hence necessity for Augmented heat transfer through fins. The present work confined to fins mounted on the cylinder block.In the present work, Internal Combustion Engine test rig is used, which consist of 4S, single cylinder, vertical, air cooled, SI Engine with Instrumentation panel, Throttle control mechanism and Electrical Loading system. The performance test on IC engine is carried out for three various configurations of cylinder blocks i.e., 1. Actual cylinder block 2.Cylinder block with triangular profile fins 3. Cylinder block with perforated triangular profile fins. Performance parameters are evaluated, plotted and compared &amp; eventually conclusions are made.

Computer Vision Based Automatic Recognition of Pointer Instruments: Data Set Optimization and Reading.

With the promotion of intelligent substations, more and more robots have been used in industrial sites. However, most of the meter reading methods are interfered with by the complex background environment, which makes it difficult to extract the meter area and pointer centerline, which is difficult to meet the actual needs of the substation. To solve the current problems of pointer meter reading for industrial use, this paper studies the automatic reading method of pointer instruments by putting forward the Faster Region-based Convolutional Network (Faster-RCNN) based object detection integrating with traditional computer vision. Firstly, the Faster-RCNN is used to detect the target instrument panel region. At the same time, the Poisson fusion method is proposed to expand the data set. The K-fold verification algorithm is used to optimize the quality of the data set, which solves the lack of quantity and low quality of the data set, and the accuracy of target detection is improved. Then, through some image processing methods, the image is preprocessed. Finally, the position of the centerline of the pointer is detected by the Hough transform, and the reading can be obtained. The evaluation of the algorithm performance shows that the method proposed in this paper is suitable for automatic reading of pointer meters in the substation environment, and provides a feasible idea for the target detection and reading of pointer meters.

Preparation of Fe–Zn Alloy Biomaterials and Its Effect on Anxiety and Depression of Patients with Coronary Disease After Treatment

Relieving anxiety and depression after coronary heart disease surgery is a difficult challenge, and music electroacupuncture can reduce the negative impact of postoperative anxiety and depression on patients. In the study, first, biodegradable materials are studied, the Fe–Zn alloys with different Zn content are prepared by electroforming, and the composition of the electroforming alloy is controlled by changing the composition of the electroforming solution. Because the plant fiber is cheap, and as a reinforcing material, it can endow the composite material with complete degradation properties, Fe–Zn alloy/fiber composite biomaterials are generated in the study. In the experiment, the tensile modulus of the composite is tested first, mahogany wood is selected as the comparative material of the instrument panel, and the feasibility of the material prepared in this research is tested as a music electroacupuncture, and then it is used in the operation of patients with coronary heart disease. The results show that the content of Zn in the electrocasting solution is very close to that in the alloy, indicating that the composition ratio of electrocasting alloy can be controlled by the content of Zn ions in the electrocasting solution. By comparing the density, tensile modulus, and sound propagation velocity of mahogany wood and Zn–Fe plant fiber composite material, it is found that the sound propagation velocity of composite material is similar to that of mahogany wood perpendicular to the texture. Musical electroacupuncture based on Zn alloy/fiber composite biomaterials can effectively increase the weight of patients with coronary heart disease, make their fasting blood sugar concentration close to the level of normal people, and promote the expression of EAAT3 and GAD65 proteins in the hippocampus of the brain.

CEO Tenure, CEO Compensation, Corporate Social and Environmental Performance in China: The Moderating Role of Coastal and Non-coastal Areas.

This study uncovers a new finding on the impact of CEO tenure on corporate social and environmental performance (CS&EP) in coastal and non-coastal areas of China using fixed-effect panel data regression models. The Two-Stage Least Squares instrumental panel regression is used to validate the veracity of the empirical results. To this end, we extract data from all non-financial Chinese listed firms for the period of 2009 to 2015. By applying the multivariant framework, the findings of the study exhibit a negative and significant effect of CEO tenure on CS&EP. Moreover, this study shows that firms with head offices in coastal areas of China tend to weaken the negative impact of CEO tenure on CS&EP, indicating that CS&EP is more focused in coastal areas of China than non-coastal ones. The findings suggest that the increase in CEOs’ CS&EP in the early years of their service tenure tends to increase their compensation packages. This study is useful for policymakers to link CS&EP with firm economic practices to attain sustainable development objectives.

Probe into the targeted poverty mitigation policy in China based on causal inference: Evidence from Chongqing in the Three Gorges Reservoir region.

A quantitative analysis of the panel data of 21 districts in Chongqing City in the Three Gorges Reservoir region from 1998 to 2015 was conducted to determine the influence of China’s focused poverty reduction policy in terms of causal inference. Specifically, the effects of this policy at the initial phase of execution through break-point regression; the impacts of this policy during the implementation period by using an instrumental variable panel regression; and comparative studies of the policy impacts by using the generalized synthetic control method. The outcomes showed that: (1) China’s state policy for specific poverty mitigation has a substantial impact on reducing poverty, which has been observed from the start of the enactment, namely, peasants' net income per capita from 2011 to 2013 increased by 13.9%, as compared to that during 2008–2010. Meanwhile, the net earnings of each farmer grew by 22% from 2011 to 2015 throughout the implementation phase of the policy, as opposed to that in 1998–2010. (2) Economic behavior in the marketplace and agricultural output figure of impoverished regions has significantly improved farmers' individual net income. (3) The comparative study further proves that the poverty mitigation policy has the effect of reducing poverty. Based on these findings, it is proposed that China should increase investment to consolidate its poverty alleviation policy in the most poverty-stricken areas, activate rural markets and develop agricultural production at the local level to accelerate poverty reduction in the region. The method of causal inference was utilized as an innovative method to study China’s focused poverty reduction policy for both immediate and permanent effects. It is the first time to use the generalized integrated control method, which is a causal inference frontier method, to further verify the effectiveness of poverty reduction policies.

Is Regional Trade Integration a Growth and Convergence Engine in Africa?

The main objective of Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) is to stimulate economic growth in participating countries through increased trade, economies of scale, knowledge and technology transfer. Using a panel data over the period 1979 to 2018, this paper examines the contribution of regional trade integration (RTI) to economic growth and income convergence in Africa and its major Regional Economic Communities (RECs). The results of the instrumental variable and panel fixed-effects estimation show that RTI promotes economic growth in Africa. However, it fosters income divergence, reflecting the distribution of the gains from regional integration in favor of the more developed economies of the continent. The results of this study show the importance to support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) project with policies aimed at reducing non-tariff barriers to trade and improving infrastructure in order to maximize the effects on growth in all participating countries.

Is Regional Trade Integration a Growth and Convergence Engine in Africa?

The main objective of Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) is to stimulate economic growth in participating countries through increased trade, economies of scale, knowledge and technology transfer. Using a panel data over the period 1979 to 2018, this paper examines the contribution of regional trade integration (RTI) to economic growth and income convergence in Africa and its major Regional Economic Communities (RECs). The results of the instrumental variable and panel fixed-effects estimation show that RTI promotes economic growth in Africa. However, it fosters income divergence, reflecting the distribution of the gains from regional integration in favor of the more developed economies of the continent. The results of this study show the importance to support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) project with policies aimed at reducing non-tariff barriers to trade and improving infrastructure in order to maximize the effects on growth in all participating countries.

A Mathematical Analysis of the Wind Triangle Problem and an Inquiry of True Airspeed Calculations in Supersonic Flight

In the first half of this paper, we present a fresh perspective toward the Wind Triangle Problem in aerial navigation by deriving necessary and sufficient conditions, which we call "go/no-go conditions", for the existence/non-existence of a solution of the problem. Although our derivation is based on simple trigonometry and basic properties of quadratic functions, it is mathematically rigorous. We also offer examples to demonstrate how easy it is to check these conditions graphically. In the second half of this paper, we use function theory to re-examine another problem in aerial navigation, namely, that of computing true airspeed — even in supersonic flight — from only three instrument readings obtainable from a basic flight instrument panel: calibrated airspeed, pressure altitude, and total air temperature. We present the first known mathematically rigorous analysis of the use of fixed-point iteration to compute true airspeed and Mach number from the Rayleigh Supersonic Pitot Equation. Our analysis comes with error estimates that are not found anywhere in the literature.

Ergonomics Optimization of Heavy Commercial Vehicle

Optimize the cab seat height of the heavy commercial vehicle and the maneuverability of the shift lever. Method: The mathematical model of human sitting posture and upper limb operation were established. The Chinese human body size was corrected by the combination of height growth rate and height linear ratio. Under the constraint of sitting posture, the H-point fitline model of the 5th, 50th and 95th percentile male drivers in China was obtained, and the optimal H-point range and SgRP point height were determined. The problem of high seat height has been optimized. At the same time, a operating lever layout position model is established; The actual measurement was made in the Class A vehicle, and the shift lever arrangement position was redefined. Conclusion: The height adaptability of the seat is improved; the operating comfort of the shift lever is improved; the visible area of the instrument panel becomes larger, and the 10th percentile male driver in China has a larger blind spot.

Study on How Expert and Novice Pilots Can Distribute Their Visual Attention to Improve Flight Performance

To explore how pilots’ distribution of visual attention affects flight performance, twenty male pilots (novices and experts with 407 ± 11.3 h and 4127 ± 77 h of flight experience, respectively) were enlisted to complete the instrument holding pattern and approach procedure on the DA-42 simulator. The distribution of visual attention was based on eye movement data recorded during the flight to investigate how pilots scan the flight instrument panel, which was divided into six areas of interest (AOIs). To evaluate the pilots’ flight performance an expert scoring method was used. During the outbound-leg stage, experts paid significantly more visual attention to the airspeed indicator, altimeter and reference system, whereas for the approach phase, they devoted more attention to the airspeed indicator, altimeter and vertical speed indicator. Results showed that experts’ proportions of gaze duration on different AOIs contributed to their better performance. An effective visual attention model can be developed on this study to improve air traffic safety.

Stability efficiency in Islamic banks: Does board governance matter?

We contribute to the literature by examining the extent to which Shariah board governance in Islamic banks influences stability efficiency. We find a positive association between Shariah board governance and stability efficiency using a sample of 94 Islamic banks from 28 countries during the period 2003–2018. Our result holds when we employ the propensity score matching estimates, instrumental variable approach and dynamic panel GMM approach to address potential endogeneity issues. Further tests reveal that the effect of Shariah board governance on stability efficiency is more pronounced in countries with lower national governance than higher national governance and in large Islamic banks than their small peers.

Systematic review of measurement properties of self-reported instruments for evaluating therapeutic communication.

A systematic review was carried out to examine measurement tools of therapeutic relational communication, using an electronic search of the following databases: PubMed, LILACS, CINAHL, CiberIndex, Scielo and Scopus. The project followed the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis and the protocol recommended by the Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) panel. Thirteen instruments were included in the review. and their measurement properties were tested. The most common communication elements found in the measuring instruments were: empathy, respect, listening, contact, communicative competence, communication quality, and communication skills. Studies that used a theoretical foundation were based on patient-centered humanistic models. Empathy, respect, controlled contact, and other basic elements of interpersonal communication were most commonly found among the measuring regents. In conclusion, this review analyzed the theoretical foundations of the components of instruments used to measure therapeutic relational communication in the nursing field.

Deep convolutional neural network with new training method and transfer learning for structural fault classification of vehicle instrument panel structure

Structural defect have been detected by attaching sensors to all possible defect locations. A new method is proposed to enable the identification of structural defect locations with minimal data collection points using a deep convolutional neural network. Transfer learning was used to improve the accuracy of a hard-to-classify task by using a pre-trained model from an easy-to-classify task. To reduce the number of data collection points, it is necessary to learn the spatial information of the structure. To this end, a structure fault classification-deep convolutional neural network (SFC-DCNN) is proposed. It is an end-to-end convolutional neural network. The time-domain input data and convolutional neural network filter have 2 dimensions. With the proposed method, the accuracy of classifying the location of structural defects in a vehicle’s instrument panel structure was verified with a single vibration measurement point where the location is independent of the structural fault location.

Design and implementation of remote experimental control platform

Based on the Internet of Things technology, our team has developed a remote wireless control experimental device based on the Internet of Things, which combines traditional experiments with Internet of Things technology. In the example experiment in this paper, the rotation angle of the corresponding motor on the experimental device is changed by means of buttons in the intelligent terminal APP. At the same time, the physical clamping and pushing control function of the control hub is exerted by mechanical push rod, bayonet and other workpieces, an d then the pushing force and rotating force are provided by the motor for the push rod. Finally, the camera is used to monitor the instrument panel and transmit the image data information via the wireless communication module to achieve remote control.