High-load, squeeze action linear bearings with beam deflection

The literature provides little information on high-speed, high-normal-load, plain linear bearings, although the case for two rigid surfaces in relative linear motion can readily be solved by assuming squeeze action resistance. A new genus of internal combustion engines based on the Stiller-Smith mechanism incorporates connecting rods constrained by linear bearings, with the central normal load on the rod restricted by an oil film. A general analysis takes into account the bending of the rod, when the distributed oil film pressure resists the distributed load on the elastic rod. Design charts result that yield the dimensionless velocity at which the rod sinks in the oil as a function of the dimensionless load and the bearing clearance, and predict the deflection of the beam. The rod clearance history simulations for the Stiller-Smith engine compare favourably with computations for the rigid beam, confirming the analysis technique.     

Three-Phase Induction Generator for Single-Phase Line

Hydroelectric generators of less than 20 kilowatts can be in remote areas served only by a single-phase line. For high efficiency and low cost, a three-phase induction generator should be used. This three-phase generator can operate with balanced voltages and currents when the ``phase-splitting' circuit uses two capacitors connetted to two different single-phase voltage sources.     

Real-Time Three-Dimensional Occupancy Grid Modeling for the Detection and Tracking of Construction Resources

Awareness of the construction environment can be improved by automatic three-dimensional (3D) sensing and modeling of job sites in real time. Commercially available 3D modeling approaches based on range scanning techniques are capable of modeling static objects only, and thus cannot model dynamic objects in real time in an environment comprised of moving humans, equipment, and materials. Emerging prototype video range cameras offer an alternative by facilitating affordable, wide field of view, dynamic object tracking at frame rates better than 1?Hz (real time). This paper describes a methodology to model, detect, and track the position of static and moving objects in real time, based on data obtained from video range cameras. Experiments with this technology have produced results that indicate that video rate 3D data acquisition and analysis of construction environments can support effective modeling, detection, and tracking of project resources. This approach to job site awareness has inherent value and broad application. In combination with effective management practices and other sensing techniques, this technology has the potential to significantly improve safety on construction job sites.     

Structural Appraisal of the Florentine Gothic Construction System

The nave of Santa Maria Novella, a Dominican church in Florence Italy is representative of a Florentine Gothic system of construction. This system, consisting of domical rib vaults on square nave bays, high side aisles, and crypto-buttressing, differs substantially from the French high Gothic system of even-level-crown rib vaults on rectangular bays, with flying buttresses over relatively low aisles. An investigation into the structural aspects of the Florentine Gothic construction system reveals that the domical vaults increase the longitudinal thrust and reduce the transverse thrust, which may require additional precautions to be taken during construction, but entails a less elaborate buttressing system. The domical vaults are found to perform well structurally, with an absence of tensile stresses, and are more suitable for a square bay. In general, the structural system of the nave of Santa Maria Novella is found to be the product of carefully considered structural design, which may be accepted as an alternative to the French Gothic construction system.     

From the Editors.

We could not imagine a more appropriate inauguration of the Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts (PACA) going to four issues per year than with a special issue honoring the life and work of the great aesthetician and psychologist, Rudolf Arnheim. PACA is off to a great start. With this move to four issues per year, we are restarting our numbering system, so this special issue is Volume 1, Issue 1. As you read the articles in this issue, we hope that you enjoy reflecting on how much Rudolf Arnheim has contributed to the field of psychology of aesthetics. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Particle Penetration through Inclined and L-Shaped Cracks

This paper presents a particle penetration model predicting particle penetration coefficient (Pp) through a narrow crack of arbitrary incline angles (θ). The objective was to simulate Pp for outdoor-to-indoor particle penetration for residential infiltration conditions. This model assumes laminar infiltration flow and considers particle deposition from both gravitational sedimentation and Brownian diffusion. For micron-sized particles, modeling results indicate that gravitational sedimentation is the major deposition mechanism. Pp increases monotonically with ∣θ∣ because effective particle sedimentation velocity (vs?cos?θ) decreases monotonically with ∣θ∣. For submicron-sized particles (0.1?μm), Brownian diffusion is the major particle deposition mechanism. Because Brownian diffusion is a nondirectional deposition mechanism, crack inclination did not affect Pp. This study applied this model to estimate Pp for L-shaped cracks, and validated modeling results with experiments. Experimental results indicated that inertial impaction and crack entrance cutoff effects were not significant particle deposition mechanisms for the test micron-sized particles. Gravitational sedimentation was the major deposition mechanism. An L-shaped crack can be simulated as the combination of horizontal and vertical sections. This model agreed reasonably with experimental results.     

Customer service providers' attitudes relating to customer service and customer satisfaction in the customer-server exchange.

The authors proposed and tested a model describing the relationship between customer service providers' perceptions and attitudes toward their service-related duties and their customers' perceptions of satisfaction with their service experiences. Results indicated that the perception of having standards for service delivery in an organization is strongly related to line-level employees' perceptions of support from coworkers and supervisors. Perceived support from coworker, was significantly related to service providers' customer orientation, whereas perceived support from supervisors showed a weaker relationship to a customer orientation. Ultimately, service providers' customer orientation was strongly related to customers' satisfaction with service. Finally, a set of post hoc analyses indicated that coworker and supervisory support explained a greater proportion of incremental variance in the model than did perceived organizational support alone. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Location of structural sections from within a highly distorted complex line drawing

Complex and highly distorted line drawings are produced by subjects attempting the Rey Complex Figure test, a clinical test of neuropsychological assessment. However, the marking scheme conventionally employed can be subjective and unreliable. In this paper, the first stages in automating this scoring system are investigated using a robust technique to locate a reduced set of scoring sections and a knowledge-based system that employs spatial metrics and fuzzy approximation techniques. Testing the technique using clinical data produced encouraging results that support the argument that this is a feasible approach for implementing a fully automated system, and that in its current state, can be immediately applied in a semi-automated system.     

Simplified method for the measurement of segmental colonic transit time

Segmental colonic transit has been measured in 101 patients. Two MBq of 111Indium absorbed on resin pellets and encapsulated in an enteric coated capsule was given at 7 00 am. Hourly images during the first day, and three images during each subsequent day were acquired for up to three days. Using all scan and patient data the scans were categorised in one of the five patterns of colonic transit: normal, rapid, right delay, left delay, or generalised delay. The geometric centres and per cent activity at each time point was compared between the five groups of colonic transit patients to find the best time for imaging and so to distinguish the five groups. During the first day, early images did not help in diagnosis of patterns of transit, however, in the later images (six hours onwards after the ingestion of the activity) the rapid transit groups could be identified. Images at 27 and 51 hours were both required to distinguish all five groups of patients from each other. Only in the 'normal' transit patients was there some excretion of the activity during the course of the second day, otherwise there was no difference in the images taken in the course of a day (second or third day). A simplified protocol requires a minimum of three images to distinguish all five patterns of colonic transit. The activity should be ingested in the morning (7 00 am) and the first image taken at the end of the working day (8-10 hours after ingestion), the second image on the morning of the second day, and the third image during the course of the third day. This simple protocol would provide all the clinically relevant information necessary for correct classification of the colonic transit.