Unreliable numbers: error and harm induced by bad design can be reduced by better design

Number entry is a ubiquitous activity and is often performed in safety- and mission-critical procedures, such as healthcare, science, finance, aviation and in many other areas. We show that Monte Carlo methods can quickly and easily compare the reliability of different number entry systems. A surprising finding is that many common, widely used systems are defective, and induce unnecessary human error. We show that Monte Carlo methods enable designers to explore the implications of normal and unexpected operator behaviour, and to design systems to be more resilient to use error. We demonstrate novel designs with improved resilience, implying that the common problems identified and the errors they induce are avoidable.     

Systematic convergence of nonlinear stochastic estimators on the Special Orthogonal Group SO(3)

This paper introduces two novel nonlinear stochastic attitude estimators developed on the Special Orthogonal Group with the tracking error of the normalized Euclidean distance meeting predefined transient and steady‐state characteristics. The tracking error is confined to initially start within a predetermined large set such that the transient performance is guaranteed to obey dynamically reducing boundaries and decrease smoothly and asymptotically to the origin in probability from almost any initial condition. The proposed estimators produce accurate attitude estimates with remarkable convergence properties using measurements obtained from low‐cost inertial measurement units. The estimators proposed in continuous form are complemented by their discrete versions for the implementation purposes. The simulation results illustrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed estimators against uncertain measurements and large initialization error, whether in continuous or discrete form.     

Methods of Verifying Continuous Automatic Belt Weighers: State and Prospects

The basic methods of verifying continuous automatic belt weighers are described. A comparative analysis of these methods on the basis of experimental studies is made and ways of implementing the results in industry are recommended.     

Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)—C70 complexes in aqueous solutions

Aqueous solutions of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)-fullerene complexes (PVP-C₇₀) have been studied using static and dynamic light scattering methods. Two diffusive processes were detected. The slow diffusion was interpreted as dynamics of large intermolecular PVP-C₇₀ complexes while the fast diffusion was associated with the presence of individual PVP molecules in solution. It was also shown that the molecular weights and dimensions of PVP-C₇₀ complexes are smaller than for PVP-C₆₀ by a factor of 2.5-3. In aqueous solutions of PVP-C₇₀ complex the depolarization and dissymmetry of scattered light were observed in contrast to PVP-C₆₀ solutions. It reveals the existence of anisotropic structures in PVP-C₇₀ solutions. Intermolecular interactions within PVP-C₇₀ complexes are weak and a hydrodynamic field can destroy complexes.     

Field Static Load Test on Kao-Ping-Hsi Cable-Stayed Bridge

Field load testing is an effective method for understanding the behavior and fundamental characteristics of a cable-stayed bridge. This paper presents the results of field static load tests on the Kao-Ping-Hsi cable-stayed bridge, the longest cable-stayed bridge in Taiwan, before it was open to traffic. A total of 40 loading cases, including the unit and distributed bending and torsion loading effects, were conducted to investigate the bridge behavior. The atmospheric temperature effect on the variations of the main girder deflections was also monitored. The results of static load testing include the main girder deflections, the flexural strains of the prestressed concrete girder, and the variations of the cable forces. A three-dimensional finite-element model was developed. The results show that the bridge under the planned load test conditions has linear superposition characteristics and the analytical model shows a very good agreement with the bridge responses. Further discussion of deflection and cable forces of the design specifications for a cable-stayed bridge is also presented.     

通信性能评估的仿真实验研究

研究了流量控制和差错控制对通信性能的综合影响，着重分析了停止-等待协议和连续ARQ协议的优缺点，讨论了信道利用率和帧长的关系。介绍了几种多点接人技术的基本原理，如CSMA和CSMA／CD，并给出了各自相应的性能仿真曲线。所设计的通信性能评估实验，仿真界面形象丰富，与实验知识点紧密结合，可以大大提高实验教学的效率和质量。     

低差错平底特性的非规则LDPC码的设计

介绍了非规则LDPC码的发展并给出了其优势及缺点，重点论述用ACE算法来构造非规则LDPC码从而降低其差错平底特性。对降低非规则LDPC码的差错平底特性的其它方法提出了展望。     

（2m，2，m）非线性等重码不是最佳检错码

本文证明了当ｍ＞４时（２ｍ，２，ｍ）非线性等重码不是最佳检错码。     

心电地图仪中工频干扰的一种滤除方法

在心电地图仪中记录到的体表心电信号往往由于电磁的影响而引进工频干扰．基于体表心电信号中工频干扰的特点，作者提出了一种滤除工频干扰的方法，即就单独—胸导联信号通过提高频谱的分辨率来估计工频干扰的频率；基于最小均方误差准则来估计各导联信号中工频干扰的幅度和相位。文中还给出了该算法的流程图和滤波性能分析。模拟结果表明了该算法的有效性。应用该算法对心电地图仪中的工频干扰进行对消，取得了满意的结果。