Numerical Construction Research Articles

Improving SAR wind retrieval through automatic anomalous pixel detection

Satellite observations are increasingly in demand and valuable for monitoring the ocean and coastal winds in near-real-time and analyzing the data historically. However, soared up human activities, man-made constructions, and marine traffics negatively interfere and affect the reliability of observations and raise concerns about the trustworthiness of using satellite winds for many applications, such as offshore wind energy, even though Sentinel synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data is freely and easily accessible.In this paper, we presented a novel methodological framework for localization and suppression of anomalous pixels (APs), which deteriorate the confidence and accuracy of the retrieved SAR wind speeds. The backbone of the implementation relied on the constant false alarm rate (CFAR) algorithm, one of the automatic target recognition algorithms. We used a large dataset of SAR subscenes to model different sea clutter conditions after removing the potential targets. We selected the suitable distribution model that maintains a constant probability of false alarm (pfa) for the entire SAR scene. The proper pfa was optimized in various SAR scenes ranging from scenes with a considerable number of APs, such as ships and wind park clusters, to scenes with no visible APs under different wind speed conditions. The pfa optimization process prevented real wind pixels from being misidentified as APs.Applying CFAR to the logarithmic scale of raw digital numbers (log-DNs) domain with a pfa of about 3.17 × 10-5, we extracted SAR wind speeds around each ocean buoy before and after CFAR process, comparing them with their corresponding in situ wind measurements. This led to significant improvement in the quality and accuracy of SAR wind data retrieval, especially in regions with numerous man-made constructions and high marine traffics. We tested and validated our approach in the North Sea and two regions along the eastern coast of the U.S. The enclosed region, serving as a marine route for harbors in Delaware Bay, showed a substantial improvement in RMSE and BIAS after applying our approach, reducing RMSE from 2.4 m/s to 1.6 m/s and the BIAS from −1.5 m/s to −0.3 m/s. The open ocean region demonstrated stable RMSE and BIAS, indicating preservation of real wind data, as only APs affecting SAR wind speed were considered during the process.

Определение напряженно-деформированного состояния костей по данным компьютерной томографии

Numerical simulation of the inhomogeneous medium elements appears to be one of the current trends in the continuum mechanics. Approaches based on combined application of the non-destructive testing and numerical simulation methods were significantly developed. The paper proposes a technique for numerical simulation of the porous structure elements based on their computer tomography. Calculations were carried out by the finite element method using the eight-node isoparametric finite element of the continuous medium with linear approximation of the geometric parameters and the displacement field. Stiffness matrix of each finite element was integrated by using the weight function; its values corresponded to the material permeability in the current microelement volume. A static calculation technique for the porous structure elements is described based on the material spatial distribution. Simulation was carried out on the example of samples of the pygmy pigs bone organs. The tests corresponded to a three-point bend. Computational grids were constructed by filtering at the threshold value that set fraction of the elastic material content in the volume. Numerical calculations made it possible to determine the displacement field and the stress-strain state. Data reliability was established on the basis of the energy distribution error over the voltages. Results were validated according to the full-scale experiment data. The relative error was of 3...10%; therefore, simulation described the sample mechanical destruction with sufficient degree of reliability. The proposed technique demonstrated its efficiency in solving the problem of describing behavior of the inhomogeneous media elements exposed to the external loads both due to high performance at the numerical model construction stage, and due to excluding the need to accurately restore the sample computational domain.

A Proposed Knowledge Management System to Improve the Business Growth At PT. Multi Guna Equipment

The construction equipment industry in Indonesia, in which the lifting equipment is a part of, is showing promising growth with an estimated value of 4.5 billion US dollars in 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.79% during the period of 2021-2028. PT. Multi Guna Equipment (PT. MGE) is one of the authorized distributors of lifting equipment specializing in reach stackers and harbour mobile cranes from Konecranes – a company based in Finland. In recent years, PT. MGE has experienced stagnant business growth, despite the enormous potential demand for lifting equipment in Indonesia due to the numerous construction projects that are a priority for the Government. The obstacles that contribute to the stagnant business growth of PT. MGE are related to the absence of a system to manage knowledge in the company. In light of these circumstances, the company needs a structured and effective system for managing knowledge, which is through the implementation of a Knowledge Management (KM) system. In doing this, the research is based on two research questions. The first is how can a knowledge management system be proposed to improve the business growth of PT. MGE, and the second is what is the implementation plan for the proposed knowledge management system. These two research questions will be answered using theories related to knowledge, knowledge management, and two knowledge management frameworks, namely People, Process, Technology (PPT) and Socialization, Externalization, Combination, Internalization (SECI). Because a qualitative method is used in this research, data is collected through interviews and observations, which are then analyzed using thematic analysis. The results of data collection show that there are several issues related to the PPT and SECI frameworks. These issues range from the limited sales knowledge and sales skills possessed by salespeople, the lack of knowledge sharing processes within and between teams, the lack of proper knowledge transfer, difficulty in accessing knowledge and information due to manual access, and others. Through the utilization of PPT and SECI frameworks, the author was able to design a knowledge management system by formulating several tools, for example, Coaching, Training, Knowledge café, Lesson-learned documents, K-based exit interview, repository, and e-learning. With a total of 13 (thirteen) knowledge management tools or techniques, the company now has the ability to identify the knowledge needed, capture the knowledge, store the knowledge, share the knowledge, and effectively utilize knowledge and information which can improve the organization’s performance, enhance decision-making processes, and foster innovation and collaboration, thereby gaining a competitive advantage in the lifting equipment industry which ultimately contributes greatly to the growth of the company. For the knowledge management system implementation process, it will be divided into 4 (four) stages: Pre-Adaptation, Adaptation, Implementation, and Evaluation to ensure that the knowledge management system is implemented effectively, its impact can be measured, and areas for improvement can be identified to make necessary changes. Implementation will begin on the second half of 2023, to be specific in August 2023, and there will be a dedicated Person In Charge (PIC) for all knowledge management initiatives to monitor the progress and ensure the sustainability of this system.

COMPUTATION OF DISPERSION CURVES OF RAYLEIGH-LAMB WAVES BY NEWTON-RAPHSON METHOD

The paper treats the numerical construction of dispersion curves which belong to the propagation of Rayleigh-Lamb waves in isotropic elastic media. The Newton-Raphson method.is applied for computation of real, imaginary and complex wavenumbers in dependence on the frequency of the wave. Due to multivaluedness, unexpected jumps between modes of dispersion curves occur in branch tracing, which prevents successful direct application of the method. This shortcoming is eliminated in the article by introducing the arc-length continuation method. The efficiency of this supplement to the Newton-Raphson method is shown on the example of an aluminum plate with constructions of dispersion curves for real, imaginary and complex wave numbers.

Toward an Index of Adaptive Personality Regulation.

The idea that matching personality expression with situational demands is adaptive is implicit in many accounts of personality. Numerous constructs and measures have been posited to address this or similar phenomena. Few have proven adequate. In response, we proposed and tested a novel measurement approach (the APR index) assessing real-time behavior to rate participants' success in matching personality expression with situational demands, which we denote adaptive personality regulation. An experimental study (N = 88) and an observational study of comedians (N = 203) provided tests of whether the APR index constituted a useful metric of adaptive personality regulation. In both studies, the APR index showed robust psychometric properties; was statistically unique from mean-level personality, self-monitoring, and the general factor of personality expression; and provided incremental concurrent prediction of task/job performance. The results suggest that the APR index provides a useful metric for studying the phenomenon of successfully matching personality expression to situational demands.

Energy-efficient computation offloading strategy with task priority in cloud assisted multi-access edge computing

Multi-access edge computing (MEC) provides cloud-like services at the edge of the radio access network close to mobile devices (MDs). This infrastructure can provide low-latency services to MDs and significantly reduce the pressure on the backbone network. However, the computing resources configured on an edge server (ES) are limited compared to a cloud data center (DC). It is difficult for ESs to satisfy the demands of MDs anytime and anywhere. Thus, a new paradigm that combines DC with ESs has been proposed to provide better capability and flexibility, namely, cloud-assisted MEC (CA-MEC). In CA-MEC, MDs can offload tasks to ESs and the DC, which means more elasticity and more complicated offloading decisions. This paper studies MDs’ energy-efficient computation offloading strategy in CA-MEC, which considers two different priority tasks. First, we establish mathematical models to characterize the CA-MEC environment. Second, we mathematically analyze the MD’s average task response time and average power consumption. Third, we propose efficient numerical algorithms to obtain a computation offloading strategy to optimize the energy efficiency of the target MD. Finally, we demonstrate several numerical examples and construct a comparative experiment to show the effectiveness of our algorithms.

Rethinking the Description and Typology of Cantonese Causative–Resultative Constructions: A Dynamic Constructionist Lens

This article proposes a new description of Cantonese causative–resultative constructions (CRCs), constructions with two verbal elements relevant to the cause and the effect of an event respectively. We present a constructional schema for the CRC with three argument types and without using traditional categories—such as subject, object and pseudo-passivation, present various syntactic and semantic properties, and subsume constructions such as the comparative construction and numerous particle constructions under this banner. We then argue against traditional approaches to CRCs with two lexical verbs that treat the argument structure of the CRC as composed from argument structures of individual verbs (the decompositional approach); instead, CRC arguments belong to the entire construction and have only semantic orientation-based relationships with individual verbs (the holistic approach). We show how our account can shed light on Sinitic typology and the grammaticalisation mechanism of verbal particles within CRCs, particularly the extension of result verbs into a broader range of contexts to become particles. We also argue that Cantonese CRCs challenge many assumptions of serial verb typology, which typically ignore the existence of multiple layers of constructional abstraction and assume decompositional descriptions, and urge for methodological advancements in this field.

Integrated Three‐Dimensional Geological and Numerical Groundwater Model Development

AbstractConceptual site model (CSM) development is a foundational step for numerical groundwater model construction. Tools for reviewing and combining disparate data to develop a CSM have been furthered through software that efficiently integrates multiple data streams, especially when a large amount of information is available at complex sites. Three‐dimensional (3D) interfaces for data visualization and geological modeling are becoming commonly used to compile data, support development of a robust CSM, and create effective visuals that enable project stakeholders to understand site complexity. This article describes a 3D interface workflow applied to a geological and numerical groundwater modeling case study where numerical modeling (i.e., MODFLOW family of codes) was used to assess remedy effectiveness. Specifically, the numerical model was used to overview an in situ solidification (ISS) application, where soil mixing will be conducted with cement, for possible adverse effects to an existing groundwater treatment system. 3D geological modeling allowed for the existing numerical groundwater flow model to be reconstructed to include previously overlooked data on buried infrastructure, which led to a detailed depiction of high‐permeability channels and a more accurate representation of site conditions. Modeling showed that the ISS remedy would not adversely impact the existing groundwater treatment system. Integration of existing data within a 3D interface led to hydrogeological insights that would have been difficult to obtain from two‐dimensional visualization of information, improved numerical modeling efficiency, and informed site remedy decisions. Additionally, the 3D interface created effective visuals that increased internal and external project team conceptual understanding.

Text validation: Overlooking discrepancies in question constructions.

There is converging evidence that readers monitor text coherence and consistency by immediate, nonstrategic processes of validation. The literature also offers numerous instances of deficient validation. A prominent example of the latter is that understanders tend to overlook discourse anomalies that are embedded in given (presupposed) sentence information. However, we previously documented reading time "consistency effects" (O'Brien & Albrecht, 1992) that exposed readers' sensitivity to both given and new text discrepancies in numerous declarative syntactic constructions (Singer et al., 2017; Singer & Spear, 2020). Five new experiments addressed these phenomena with reference to constructions regularly shown to mask discourse inconsistencies: namely, interrogatives. In striking contrast with declaratives, five interrogative conditions in four experiments yielded no significant consistency effect. Experiments 2-4 documented coincident consistency effects with declarative but not interrogative constructions. A fifth experiment denied that the interrogative-construction findings resulted from readers' lack of knowledge about critical concepts. The cognitive-scientific linguistic construct of verb resolutivity offers a possible basis for these outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

The Family of Minister Al-Sayyid Al-Ajall: A Study of Its Political, Administrative, and Urban Role (7th-8th Century AH / 13th-14th AD)

Objectives: The study aimed to clarify the role of Al-Sayyid Al-Ajall and his family in the service of the Mongol Empire. They worked to develop its administrative and military institutions, benefiting from their extensive experience in administration, politics, economics, and urban affairs. Due to their capabilities, they received the patronage of Genghis Khan and subsequent generations, earning the confidence of the ruling Mongol authority. As a result, they were granted significant powers within the state. Methods: The study relied on the analytical method to analyze historical texts, compare them with others, and discuss them accurately. Results: The study yielded several results, including the minister's keen interest in implementing various reformist and urban projects throughout the country. These projects encompassed the construction of mosques, dams, bridges, markets, and more. Additionally, the minister played a significant role in organizing the state budget, showcasing his expertise and efficiency. Conclusions: The study concluded that Al-Sayyid Al-Ajall exerted every effort to achieve stability in the countries under his rule and promote justice among all. His profound impact on Mongol history and the regions they governed made him an exemplary figure. Additionally, Al-Sayyid Al-Ajall played a crucial role in the spread of Islam across various regions of China. Moreover, he undertook numerous construction projects, including the building of roads, markets, mosques, temples, dams, bridges, river excavation, and the establishment of shelters for orphans and the elderly.

On a numerical construction of doubly stochastic matrices with prescribed eigenvalues

We study the inverse eigenvalue problem for finding doubly stochastic matrices with specified eigenvalues. By making use of a combination of Dykstra’s algorithm and an alternating projection process onto a non-convex set, we derive hybrid algorithms for finding doubly stochastic matrices and symmetric doubly stochastic matrices with prescribed eigenvalues. Furthermore, we prove that the proposed algorithms converge, and linear convergence is also proved. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the efficiency of our method.

Теоретичне дослідження стійкості руху асиметричного посівного машинно-тракторного агрегату

Goal. Theoretical evaluation of the effect of asymmetric connection of the row drill to the tractor on the stability of the movement of the sowing unit in the horizontal plane. Methods. Theoretical studies were carried out using the methods of theoretical mechanics, higher mathematics and the theory of automatic control of dynamic systems. Numerical calculations and construction of graphical dependencies were performed on a PC using the Mathcad 15.0 programming environment. Results. Practically all existing machine-tractor units for sowing row crops (corn, sunflower, soybean, etc.) are symmetrical. This is because each row seeder has an even number of sowing sections, and the ratio of the size of the tractor track to the row width of the row crop is an even integer (k). This article presents the results of research on the sowing unit, in which, with an even number of sowing sections of the seeder, the number k is equal to 3, which is odd. As a result, an asymmetric unit was obtained, in which the seeder is offset in the transverse direction from the axis of symmetry of the tractor by half the width of the row spacing, which is equal to 70 cm. In practice, such displacement of the seeder is carried out by hanging it on the tractor with the help of a specially designed transition device. Conclusions. With the use of mathematical modeling of the movement of the seeding machine-tractor unit in the horizontal plane, it is shown that the right-side transverse displacement of the planter by 0.35 m forms a constantly acting turning moment. But it has less effect on the stability of the movement of the sowing unit than the similar moment created by the marker. Calculations have established that increasing the input resistance coefficients of the tires of the tractor wheels, which can be achieved by correspondingly increasing the air pressure in them, leads to a desired decrease in the amplitude-frequency characteristics of the seeding unit’s development of the turning disturbance moment. Such a solution is more effective concerning the tires of the tractor’s rear wheels.

Employment of serpentinite rock in architecture

The serpentinite rock is formed by minerals of the serpentine group, such as antigorite and lizardite, and can be found in several countries around the world. It has several commercial applications, among them its use as an ornamental rock. It can be found in numerous constructions, such as churches, houses and buildings. However, trade names are adopted for ornamental rocks, making it difficult to identify and confirm the existence of the specific rock in buildings. Using bibliographical research, the present work aims to study the use of serpentinite as an ornamental rock, identifying its first applications in the world and presenting commercial names adopted for this rock, allowing a better understanding of the relevance of this rock in world architecture. More than sixty commercial names of serpentinites used as ornamental rocks, in different applications, throughout different civilizations, were found.

Модель управления процессом социохозяйственного освоения пойменных территорий

The paper presents a mathematical model for managing the process of floodplain socio-economic development, which includes not only a game-theoretic, but also a scenario simulation and a geoinformation models. The main characteristic of the controlled system is a map of the average annual maximum flooding during spring floods. The map is calculated using a softwaremathematical complex for geoinformation and hydrodynamic modeling of surface water dynamics. With the help of game-theoretic modeling tools we analysed an uncontrolled and a controlled processes of buying and selling floodplain territories within the framework of asymmetric awareness using the mechanism of penalties. The paper includes an analytical representation of a Γ1 guaranteeing equilibrium for the simplest functions. The approach, described in the paper, is used to assess the effectiveness of managing the socio-economic development process of the northern part of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain. We conducted a numerical search of game-theoretic models equilibria using constructed objective functions of players. The objective functions are based on geoinformation and hydrodynamic modeling. We also analysed the equilibria dependences on model parameters. The simulation model includes a numerical construction of the dependences of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain ecological state assessment on the selling strategies. The paper shows that the level growth of the environmental imperative of society reduces the negative effect of a seller’s use of an aggressive socio-economic development strategy. On the other hand, the slow stabilization of the socioeconomic development process with high solvent demand is due to the available territory exhaustion and the decline in the quality of life with the floodplain ecosystem degradation.

Mean Field Games for Diel Vertical Migration with Diffusion

We present a theoretical framework, based on differential mean field games, for expressing diel vertical migration in the ocean as a game with a continuum of players. In such a game, each agent partially controls its own state by adjusting its vertical velocity but the vertical position in a water column is also subject to random fluctuations. A representative player has to make decisions based on aggregated information about the states of the other players. For this vertical differential game, we derive a mean field system of partial differential equations for finding a Nash equilibrium for the whole population. It turns out that finding Nash equilibria in the game is equivalent to solving a PDE-constrained optimization problem. We detail this equivalence when the expected fitness of the representative player can be approximated with a constant and solve both formulations numerically. We illustrate the results on simple numerical examples and construct several test cases to compare the two analytical approaches.

Optionality in semantic-pragmatic interface of bilingualism? Bare numeral constructions in Tibetan and Chinese bilinguals’ grammar

Bare numeral constructions (BNCs) can be anaphoric in Chinese but not Tibetan. Since the interpretation of BNCs requires a specific context, we consider it to involve a semantic-pragmatic interface, which has been argued to be vulnerable to crosslinguistic transfer for bilinguals (e.g., Sorace 2005, 2011). This study conducted a controlled sentence-picture matching truth value judgment task to examine whether Tibetan-Chinese bilinguals show crosslinguistic influence when interpreting BNCs in both languages. The data suggests that crosslinguistic effects did occur among some bilinguals. However, there were more bilinguals who successfully differentiated the two languages regarding the interpretation of BNCs. Our findings imply that early bilinguals may not necessarily show optionality in interface phenomena.

Development, predictors, and effects of trainees' organizational identification during their first year of vocational education and training.

The vocational identity of trainees is one component of their professional competence and is considered to be a central goal of vocational education and training (VET) programs. From the numerous identity constructs and conceptualizations, this study focuses on the organizational identification of trainees, that is, the extent to which trainees internalize the values and goals of their training company and perceive themselves as part of this company. We are specifically interested in the development, predictors, and effects of trainees' organizational identification, as well as the interrelations between organizational identification and social integration. We use longitudinal data of n = 250 trainees in dual VET programs in Germany at the very beginning of their VET program (t1), after 3 months (t2), and after 9 months (t3). A structural equation model was used to analyze the development, predictors, and effects of organizational identification for the first 9 months of training and the cross-lagged effects between organizational identification and social integration. The results showed a high stability of trainees' organizational identification over the first 9 months. Regarding the predictors, the results indicated positive direct and indirect effects of the formal socialization tactics implemented by the training company, as well as of support by the trainer at the beginning of the training. However, collegial support at the beginning of the training did not seem to play a significant role in organizational identification. Moreover, organizational identification positively affected trainees' emotional engagement and self-perceived competence while negatively predicting dropout intentions after 9 months of training. Finally, the cross-lagged effects between organizational identification and social integration were not significant, and only at t3 were these constructs positively correlated. However, regarding the development, predictors, and effects, very similar results were found for organizational identification and social integration. The results underline the positive significance of organizational identification for the individual, the company, and society, even at this early stage of training. The results are discussed regarding both their scientific and practical implications.

Transition of the procurement process to Paris-compatible buildings: consideration of environmental life cycle costing in tendering and awarding

PurposeThe greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by the construction industry account for an enormous share of total global CO2 emissions. The numerous construction activities therefore continue to reduce the remaining carbon budget. One lever for the reduction of these GHG emissions lies in the procurement process of buildings. For this reason, a process model was developed that takes embodied and operational emissions into account in the tendering and awarding phase of buildings.MethodsTo validate the developed theoretical framework, environmental life cycle costing (eLCC) was conducted on a single-family house case study, taking into account external cost caused by GHG emissions. Various shadow prices were defined for the calculation of external cost to identify changes in award decisions. We further investigated a results-based climate finance (RBCF) instrument, i.e., the GHG emission bonus/malus, to demonstrate an approach for calculating Paris-compatible cost (PCC) scenarios.ResultsWe show that an award decision based on life cycle costing (LCC) leads to a 12% reduction in GHG emissions. A further reduction in GHG emissions can be achieved by awarding contracts based on eLCC. However, the required shadow prices within the eLCC awards to influence the award decision are quite high. With the development of the LCA-based bonus/malus system, PCC scenarios can be determined at sufficient shadow prices, and further GHG emission reductions can be achieved.ConclusionsSince the implementation of LCA and LCC in the tendering and awarding process is currently not mandatory, in this context, the next step towards Paris-compatible buildings must first be taken by the awarding authorities as well as the policy-makers. However, the application of the LCA-based bonus/malus system and thus the awarding of contracts according to PCC scenarios show the enormous GHG emissions reduction potential and thus represent an innovative and sustainable framework for an adapted procurement process.

Numerical Construction of the Homogenized Strength Criterion for Fiber-Reinforced Composite

In this paper, we investigate whether the strength characteristics of composite materials can be described through the predictions of the homogenization theory concerning local stresses. We establish the homogenized strength criterion (HSC) of composite materials, following the general scheme developed in the homogenization theory. Since the homogenization theory involves solving the so-called periodicity cell problem (PCP), HSC can be constructed in the form of a computer procedure only. We developed the HSC computer program and carried out numerical calculations for fiber-reinforced material. We conclude that HSC can be used to calculate safety zones and the first failure strength criteria (see detailed definitions below). We present numerically calculated safety zones and fracture surfaces for several cases.

Numerical solution of Kiefer-Weiss problems when sampling from continuous exponential families

In this article, we deal with problems of testing hypotheses in the framework of sequential statistical analysis. The main concern is the optimal design and performance evaluation of sampling plans in Kiefer-Weiss problems. The main goal of the Kiefer-Weiss problem is designing hypothesis tests that minimize the maximum average sample number, over all parameter values, as opposed to both the sequential probability tests (SPRTs) minimizing the average sample number only at two hypothesis points and the classical fixed-sample-size test. For observations that follow a distribution from an exponential family of the continuous type, we provide algorithms for optimal design in the modified Kiefer-Weiss problem and obtain formulas for evaluating the performance of sequential tests by calculating the operating characteristic function, the average sample number, and some related characteristics. These formulas cover, as a particular case, the SPRTs and their truncated versions, as well as optimal finite-horizon sequential tests. In the setting of the original Kiefer-Weiss problem we apply the method of our recent work (Sequential Analysis 2022, 41(2), 198–219) for numerical construction of the optimal tests. For the particular case of sampling from a normal distribution with a known variance, we make numerical comparisons of the Kiefer-Weiss solution with the SPRT and the fixed-sample-size test provided that the three tests have the same levels of the error probabilities. All of the algorithms are implemented in the form of computer code written in the R programming language and are available at the GitHub public repository (https://github.com/tosinabase/Kiefer-Weiss). Guidelines on the adaptation of the program code to other exponential family distributions are provided.