Quality Engineering Research Articles

Intrinsic and extrinsic dopings in epitaxial films MnBi2Te4

The intrinsic antiferromagnetic topological insulator MnBi2Te4 and members of its family have been the subject of theoretical and experimental research, which has revealed the presence of a variety of defects and disorders that are crucial in determining the topological and magnetic properties. This also brings about challenges in realizing the quantum states like the quantum anomalous Hall and the axion insulator states. Here, utilizing cryogenic magnetoelectric transport and magnetic measurements, we systematically investigate the effects arising from intrinsic doping by antisite defects and extrinsic doping by Sb in MnBi2Te4 epitaxial films grown by molecular beam epitaxy. We demonstrate that the nonequilibrium condition in epitaxy allows a wide growth window for optimizing the crystalline quality and defect engineering. While the intrinsic antisite defects caused by the intermixing between Bi and Mn can be utilized to tune the Fermi level position as evidenced by a p-to-n conductivity transition, the extrinsic Sb-doping not only compensates for this doping effect but also modifies the magnetism and topology of the film, during which a topological phase transition is developed. Conflicting reports from the theoretical calculations and experimental measurements in bulk crystals versus epitaxial films are addressed, which highlights the intimate correlation between the magnetism and topology as well as the balance between the Fermi-level positioning and defect control. The present study provides an experimental support for the epitaxial growth of the intrinsic topological insulator and underlines that the topology, magnetism, and defect engineering should be revisited for enabling a steady and reliable film production.

Knowledge-based engineering and computer vision for configuration-based substation design

Introduction: As the increase in electrification poses new demands on power delivery, the quality of the distribution system is paramount. Substations are a critical part of power grids that allow for control and service of the electrical distribution system. Substations are currently developed in a project-based and manually intensive manner, with a high degree of manual work and lengthy lead times. Substations are primarily sold through tenders that are accompanied by an inherent need for engineering-to-order activities. Although necessary, these activities present a paradox as tender processes must be agile and fast. To remedy this shortcoming, this article outlines a knowledge capture and reuse methodology to standardize and automate the product development processes of substation design. Methods: A novel framework for substation design is presented that implements knowledge-based engineering (KBE) and artificial intelligence methods in computer vision to capture knowledge. In addition, a product configuration system is presented, utilizing high-level CAD templates. The development has followed the KBE methodology MOKA. Results: The proposed framework has been implemented on several company cases where three (simplified) are presented in this paper. The framework decreased the time to create a 3D model from a basic electric single line diagram by performing the identification and design tasks in an automated fashion. Discussion: Ultimately, the framework will allow substation design companies to increase competitiveness through automation and knowledge management and enable more tenders to be answered without losing engineering quality.

Concrete with Coconut Fibre Treated with Sodium Hypochlorite – Compressive and Flexural Strength

Concrete needs to be reinforced to improve its engineering qualities. Coconut fibres were employed for this study since they are widely accessible and come in big numbers. The study compares the qualities of plain concrete and concrete reinforced with coconut fibre based on a laboratory experiment. Better management of these waste fibres will result from using coconut fibres. Two types of coconut fibre treatment were employed – treatment with tap water and treatment with sodium hypochlorite. It is found in this study that adding 1% of coconut fibre does not increase the concrete strength after 7 and 14 days of curing. However, it was discovered that using 1% coconut fibres treated using tap water increased the compressive and flexural strength of the concrete after 28 days of curing by roughly 4% and 3%, respectively. Compressive and flexural strength development agrees very well with each other. Hence, it is concluded that 1% was the ideal fibre concentration (by weight of cement) to obtain a better 28th day of compressive and flexural strength, although not for 7 and 14 days. However, concrete with the highest strengths demonstrated a very low slump value, only 20 mm. A smaller or bigger slump value showed smaller concrete strengths.

Application and Analysis of Remote Sensing Image Processing Technology in Robotic Power Inspection

Along with the increase of electricity consumption in society, it means that the quality of power inspection gives higher requirements. The traditional manual inspection method is difficult to ensure the stability of checking quality. Without the popularization of manned distribution stations and smart grid methods, replacing manual inspection with electric power inspection robots can improve the inspection quality and inspection efficiency to a certain extent. Along with theimage processing process which is widely used in the robot system, visual impact is not only an effective way for us to obtain information but also the key reflection of the robot system intelligence. Unmanned aircraft as an extremely important robot has long been widely used in all walks of life. Power inspection is the most common use of unmanned aircraft robot inspection. However, due to extreme criteria such as bad weather, relative motion, and shaking of imaging equipment, inspection images are obtained ambiguously. The quality of the inspection image is related to the timely understanding, analysis, and judgment of the power engineering quality inspection database. In the paper, the unmanned aircraft power inspection robot as a scientific research foothold, according to explore the key technology of anti-internet technology to clear the image ambiguity, proposed a complete disambiguation optimization calculation method. The image denoising optimization calculation method based on the directional characteristics of time-frequency analysis and edge maintenance is selected to carry out the finding of the image, which reasonably solves the image resolution bottleneck problem of GIS in unmanned aircraft robot line inspection. Meanwhile, with the emergence of nanorobots in the 21st century, the application and analysis of remote sensing image processing technology in the field of robotic power inspection in this paper will also bring new vitality and vigor to the research of nanopower inspection robots and solve the problem of unclear images existing in nanorobots.

Research on Acoustic Recognition of Underwater Targets based on the Principle of Sound Absorption

Due to the concealment of underwater engineering, the detection and monitoring of hydraulic structure construction is often more complicated and difficult than surface engineering. Cofferdam construction inspection and settlement construction quality inspection, especially to ensure the accuracy and efficiency of inspection in complex environments, have become an urgent problem to be solved in underwater engineering quality inspection and monitoring. This project designs an offshore fixed-point monitoring device based on wave energy and piezoelectric effect energy. The invention provides a wave power generation system. The system include simple structure, reliability and stability The fixed-point monitoring device combines the cantilever float device, the gas storage tank device and the piezoelectric ceramic energy supply device to provide the marine monitoring device with energy for automatic water surface monitoring, fixed-point and data collection. Finally, the comprehensive utilization of sea surface wave, compressed gas energy storage and piezoelectric effect energy is realized.

Residual-triggered threshold decision and performance self-healing control for wastewater treatment process

The delicate control of effluent quality in wastewater engineering becomes imperative for fulfilling its role in protecting the ecological environment and promoting the water recycling. In this paper, an adaptive multivariable self-healing control strategy for the wastewater treatment process (WWTP) operating under complicated environments and facing abnormal conditions. The control goal is to meet the strict effluent standards of the WWTP and to optimize the abnormal conditions by analyzing the process operating status in the event of sudden sensor failures. Therein, a new residual-triggered threshold decision method is designed and integrated into a dynamical detection mechanism to identify such sensor failures. After locating the failures, a multivariable self-healing control scheme incorporating failure compensation information is activated to guarantee the process output tracking and improve the self-recovery capability of faulty performance in the WWTP. Extensive experiments are carried out on a standardized wastewater treatment platform, and the regulation results on the key component concentrations indicate that the proposed control scheme can ensure excellent control performance and reduce the impact of sensor failures.

Experimental investigation of a dual stage ignition biomass downdraft gasifier for deriving the engine quality gas

The dual stage ignition biomass downdraft gasifier is the promising technology for huge tar reduction, based on two experimental approaches such as single stage and dual stage ignition. The whole unit has been tested with gradually increasing electric resistive load from 15.24 kW to 38.86 kW with a useful energy output of nearly 86.41 %. In single stage ignition approach, the hot air is only supplied at the combustion zone through a nozzle, while the two-stage ignition approach has supply of the premixed gas (hot air plus producer gas) at the pyrolysis zone for partial combustion. In dual stage ignition, the enhanced quality of producer gas comes from 56 % combustible gas with the HHV of 6.415 MJ/Nm3, while the biomass consumption rate is 59 kg/h at the maximum load with grate temperature of 1310−1360 °C. The tar content after gas cooling and cleaning unit is 8 mg/Nm3 with 15 % improvement in efficiency.

Ambient formaldehyde concentrations in summer in 30 Chinese cities and impacts on air cleaning of built environment

Formaldehyde is an important carcinogen commonly found indoors. Its indoor sources have been intensively investigated. But study on outdoor formaldehyde concentration, which is potentially an important source to indoors, remains scarce. This study attempts to characterize temporal and spatial distribution of the atmospheric formaldehyde concentration in Chinese cities. Diurnal variation of ambient formaldehyde was examined in 6 cities and peak hours were identified between 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Consequently, outdoor formaldehyde concentrations were measured in the peak hours in 30 cities during the summer months of Jul.-Aug., 2022. The formaldehyde concentrations in the peak hours fell into a range of 0.005–0.087 mg/m3 (median value is 0.027 mg/m3), 87.7% of which have exceeded the chronic reference exposure criteria of 0.009 mg/m3 set by Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Health risk analysis suggests that exposure to ambient formaldehyde could cause a median carcinogenic risk of 1.9 × 10−5 (3.17×10−6–6.13×10−5), higher than threshold limit of 10−6. Pearson correlation analysis of the 30 cities shows that ambient summertime atmospheric formaldehyde concentrations of the city are positively correlated with its Gross Domestic Product (r = 0.48). We also found that the outdoor formaldehyde concentrations in urban areas (median: 0.017 mg/m3) is slightly higher than those in suburban areas (median: 0.013 mg/m3). Results here prove that outdoor formaldehyde is ubiquitous in Chinese cities and reduces effectiveness of ventilation in dilution indoor concentrations. Neglecting it would underestimate air cleaner capacity needed by a factor of about two. It should be accounted for in health analysis and air quality engineering control design of built environment in the future.

CFD ANALYSIS OF SECTOR COMBUSTION SIMULATION IN FOUR STROKE DIRECT INJECTION DIESEL ENGINE

In this article an attempt has been made in cylinder sector combustion CFD simulation of four stroke petrol engines using ANSYS fluent 2019 to obtain very useful results using a modelled engine. In order to improve engine quality, understanding on sector combustion properties in engine cylinder is of major importance because combustion condition significantly influences engine efficiency, Capabilities in providing optimum combustion conditions which include high optimum swirl ratio, and optimum tumble ratio in respective engine can result in enhancement of engine power and comfort, along with reduction of fuel consumption, exhaust emission and noise. The simulation is applied for a geometry with crank radius (55mm), connecting rod length (165mm), Engine speed (1800rpm), which is developed to study the effect combustion inside the cylinder. Piston starts from bottom dead center about 541degrees and the maximum pressure reaches at 716 degrees. The pressure increases from 542 crank angle degree to 716 crank angle degree and reaches its maximum value at 716 crank angle degrees. The Maximum pressure at the end of compression is 63.69Kpa and temperature is 1200K. The maximum penetration length of injection is occurred at crank angle 722 degree is 0.014mm.

Exploring the Project-Based Collaborative Networks between Owners and Contractors in the Construction Industry: Empirical Study in China

In the project-based construction industry, organizations build collaborative relationships through specific projects. The owners and contractors who are the key project stakeholders have gradually formed a complex project-based industry-level collaborative network in many different projects, closely related to knowledge exchange and industry development. Based on the data set of the National Quality Engineering Award (NQEA) projects in China from 2013 to 2021, we empirically analyze the characteristics and evolution of project-based collaborative networks between owners and contractors in the construction industry by using social network analysis (SNA) and network motif analysis (NMA) method. The results show that (1) the owner–contractor collaborative network exhibits small-world network characteristics. The island effect caused by small groups in the network makes the overall connectivity of the network low. During the study period, the collaborative network became more compact. (2) State-owned construction companies, such as China Construction Third Engineering Bureau Corporation Limited, China Construction Eighth Engineering Bureau Corporation Limited, and China Construction Second Engineering Bureau Corporation Limited, with high degree centrality and betweenness centrality, are the core companies in the collaborative network. In China, state-owned construction enterprises are favored by owners and have established collaborative relationships with many owners and contractors. (3) There are two local collaborative patterns in the collaborative network: motif and anti-motif. Motifs include some triangle-based tight collaborative patterns, while anti-motifs involve some loose binary collaborative patterns. The results help understand the structure and evolution of the industry-level collaborative relationship network between owners and contractors and can provide references for owners and contractors to develop relationship cultivation strategies more effectively.

Engineering economics and engineering economics education strategy

Acceleration of scientific and technological progress requires a new approach to the training and retraining of talent engaged in the real sector of the economy, which is particularly true of the economy’s elite – engineering personnel. Globalization imposes new requirements with regard to the quality of modern engineers’ education. Russian engineers are confronted with the task of carrying out technological modernisation of the industry and entering new markets with new high-tech products. This necessitates a conceptualization of the cultural traditions, philosophical and historical foundations of modern engineering education, which makes the need to create a new type of educational environment extremely obvious. The article substantiates the creation and implementation of a new strategy for continuous engineering education based on transdisciplinarity and the combination of engineering education with economic and linguistic knowledge as well as knowledge in the field of information technology.

Issue Information

Quality and Reliability Engineering InternationalVolume 39, Issue 3 ISSUE INFORMATIONFree Access Issue Information First published: 03 March 2023 https://doi.org/10.1002/qre.3131AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Volume39, Issue3April 2023 RelatedInformation

Perceived network bridging influences the career commitment decisions of early career teachers

BackgroundRetaining highly qualified science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers is imperative for meeting demands of the twenty-first century STEM workforce. While multiple studies have revealed several factors that influence teacher retention, little work has examined how these factors interact with one another. This study explored the relationship between two critical factors that relate to teachers’ decisions to remain in the profession: teacher identity and communities of practice (CoP) networks.ResultsDrawing upon scholarship on science teacher identity, CoP, and social network theory, we demonstrate a quantitative relationship between perceived network bridging roles and career commitment, which is mediated through teacher identity.ConclusionsThe findings from this study have both implications for scholarship in teacher retention and science teacher identity development. Potential solutions for improving novice teachers’ self-image through providing opportunities to grow their professional networks both locally and regionally/nationally are suggested.

A REVIEW OF SOLIDIFICATION/STABILIZATION OF HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATED SOIL

Heavy metal contamination has occurred as a result of industrial civilization. Zinc, copper, chromium, and lead are the most prevalent heavy metal pollutants. Heavy metal contamination has arisen as a significant environmental issue on a global scale. Human and environmental health is at risk when soils are contaminated. as well as have poor engineering qualities. Solidification/Stabilization is a critical remediation strategy for polluted soils which is both efficient and cost-effective. The solidification/stabilization approach has been frequently used to rehabilitate heavy metal-contaminated areas. First, The use of gypsum to strengthen and leach polluted soils was reviewed. Also, cement/fly ash-solidified/stabilized soils have better engineering qualities. On the other hand, the global output of phosphogypsum surpasses 300 million tons, raising disposal and environmental problems every year. The efficiency of the phosphogypsum-based stabilization/solidification technique was investigated, and the methods employed biochar and chemical agents such as citric acid and FeCl3. This review examines various remediation options as well as innovative soil amendments.

Minimization of surface roughness during 2.5D milling of Inconel625 using AI approach

Inconel 625 is definitely a difficult to cut material to manufacture, and its products actually require a high level of surface quality in aerospace engineering. While machining thin walled parts, heat generation during machining essentially affects the accuracy. The surface-roughness (SR) for input-parameters like cutting-speed (CS), feed(F), axial depth-of-cut (ADOC) and radial depth of cut (RDOC) become critical for maintaining precision of the thin walls surface. Response surface methodology (RSM) was utilized to make experimental tests and corresponding SR has been calculated. To investigate the connection among input-parameters and single-objective, a fuzzy mathematical-modelling-technique was utilized. The optimal performance of process parameters was estimated by Fuzzy- GA optimization. Fuzzy- GA found more suitable for minimizing the SR and provide a maximum desirability. ANOVA was performed for the significance and applicability of the proposed model, as well as the impacts of process parameters on surface quality. It has been observed that the proposed model provides more accurate results as compared to Regression RSM.

Specific DNA barcodes, germplasm resources, and genetic diversity of Eleutherococcus senticosus

Eleutherococcus senticosus is one of the Dao-di herbs in northeast China. In this study, the chloroplast genomes of three E. senticosus samples from different genuine producing areas were sequenced and then used for the screening of specific DNA barcodes. The germplasm resources and genetic diversity of E. senticosus were analyzed basing on the specific DNA barcodes. The chloroplast genomes of E. senticosus from different genuine producing areas showed the total length of 156 779-156 781 bp and a typical tetrad structure. Each of the chloroplast genomes carried 132 genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNAs, and 8 rRNAs. The chloroplast genomes were relatively conserved. Sequence analysis of the three chloroplast genomes indicated that atpI, ndhA, ycf1, atpB-rbcL, ndhF-rpl32, petA-psbJ, psbM-psbD, and rps16-psbK can be used as specific DNA barcodes of E. senticosus. In this study, we selected atpI and atpB-rbcL which were 700-800 bp and easy to be amplified for the identification of 184 E. senticosus samples from 13 genuine producing areas. The results demonstrated that 9 and 10 genotypes were identified based on atpI and atpB-rbcL sequences, respectively. Furthermore, the two barcodes identified 23 genotypes which were named H1-H23. The haplotype with the highest proportion and widest distribution was H10, followed by H2. The haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity were 0.94 and 1.82×10~(-3), respectively, suggesting the high genetic diversity of E. senticosus. The results of the median-joining network analysis showed that the 23 genotypes could be classified into 4 categories. H2 was the oldest haplotype, and it served as the center of the network characterized by starlike radiation, which suggested that population expansion of E. senticosus occurred in the genuine producing areas. This study lays a foundation for the research on the genetic quality and chloroplast genetic engineering of E. senticosus and further research on the genetic mechanism of its population, providing new ideas for studying the genetic evolution of E. senticosus.

From Model‐based to Model and Simulation‐based Systems Architectures—Achieving Quality Engineering through Descriptive and Analytical Models

ABSTRACTSystems architecture design is a key activity that affects the overall systems engineering cost. Hence it is fundamental to ensure that the system architecture reaches a proper quality. In this paper, we leverage model‐based systems engineering (MBSE) approaches and complement them with simulation techniques, as a promising way to improve the quality of the system architecture definition, and to come up with innovative solutions while securing the systems engineering process.

Clinical study of lurasidone combined with nutritional intervention strategy in the treatment of chronic schizophrenia

BackgroundSchizophrenia is a complex mental disorder with a chronic course. The atypical antipsychotics represented by lurasidone are commonly used in chronic schizophrenia, and its mechanism of action determines the superiority of efficacy and safety. However so far, there are still some adverse reactions, of which the more significant are lethargy, nausea, and sedentary inability. In view of these situations, we will combine nutrition intervention with the use of lurasidone to eliminate adverse reactions and provide help for the formulation of treatment plans.Subjects and MethodsThe study will be based on whether to add nutrition intervention as a difference set up control experiment, the experimental group using lurasidone combined nutrition intervention, the control group using lurasidone single factor intervention. The patients who received treatment in the psychiatric department of our hospital from March 2021 to March 2022 were selected as the research objects, and the efficacy and adverse reactions of the patients were monitored during the treatment. The efficacy will be judged by the medical scale of symptom severity of patients with schizophrenia (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, PANSS) and the monitoring data will be statistically analyzed by SPSS.ResultsWith the treatment, the results of the Experimental group and the control group are shown in Table 1. The PANSS scores of the two groups finally reached a range of 30-40, with a difference of 4. The incidence of nausea, lethargy and sedentary disorder in adverse symptoms was higher in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). It shows that nutritional intervention cannot affect the efficacy of psychosis itself, yet can alleviate the adverse symptoms after medication.Table 1.Efficacy and adverse reactions of the two groupsGroupPANSSNauseaSomnolenceSedentary disorderExperimental group (n=46)32.3±4.13(6.5%)4(8.7%)2(4.3%)Control group (n=41)36.3±5.28(19.5%)6(14.6%)5(12.2%)P>0.05<0.05<0.05<0.05ConclusionsThe group of schizophrenics is not limited to a certain age. Therefore, adverse symptoms caused by psychotropic drugs need to be considered in the practice. Symptoms in the course of the patient’s disease can be used as a treatment optimization path. Although the nutrition intervention strategy has no direct impact on the indicators of mental illness, the prevention of adverse symptoms during treatment can improve the actual experience of patients. In the future, the nutrition strategy will be adaptively optimized to improve the rehabilitation effect of chronic schizophrenia.AcknowledgementsThe research is supported by: Key Discipline of Nutrition and Food Hygiene of Changsha Medical university Quality Engineering Construction Project+2016; Study on Intervention Effect of Mindfulness Acceptance Stress Project on Nurses Aid to COVID-19+Outstanding Youth Project of Scientific Research of Hunan Education Department +2020(264)20B070.

Mechanical behavior of concrete containing recycled aggregates

Increased demand and decreased supply of aggregates for concrete production necessitate the search for new aggregate sources. Environmental features are increasingly being used to evaluate construction materials. Concrete recycling is becoming more popular since it conserves natural resources and reduces the need for disposal by using readily available concrete as a source of aggregate for fresh concrete. Several studies on the influence of recycled aggregate on the engineering qualities of concrete have been conducted. This investigation was carried out using the use of recycled aggregate as a form of modification. When it comes to the use of recycled aggregate, the percentage of recycled aggregate should be decided. This is because a large proportion of recycled aggregate would not allow for the achievement of the desired level of strength in the concrete. The purpose of the research is to evaluate the similarities and differences between natural aggregate and recycled coarse aggregate with regard to specific gravity, apparent specific gravity, absorption, and Los Angeles. In addition, the comparison of recycled aggregate with 0% replacement, 35% replacement, 50% replacement, and 65% replacement will be the emphasis of this study.

Wave Propagation Characteristics and Compaction Status of Subgrade during Vibratory Compaction.

Vibratory compaction status has a significant influence on the construction quality of subgrade engineering. This study carried out field experiments to study the propagation characteristics of the vertical vibration wave in the soil field along the traveling direction of the vibratory roller. The propagation coefficients of the peak acceleration at different positions and compacting rounds are compared in both the time and frequency domains. The compaction status is estimated in the form of dynamic modulus of deformation (Evd) obtained by plate load tests. The experiment results show that the propagation coefficient of peak acceleration is affected by the traveling speed, excitation amplitude, and frequency of the vibratory roller, as well as the compacting rounds. An exponential relationship between the wave amplitudes of the fundamental mode and higher-order modes is revealed. The amplitude of the fundamental wave is maximum at the speed of 3 km/h, whereas the amplitudes of higher-order waves have a maximum of 1.5 km/h. The influences of compaction rounds on the average value of Evd are also investigated to provide a practical reference for engineering construction.