Modeling the Direct Synthesis of Dimethyl Ether using Artificial Neural Networks

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are designed and implemented to model the direct synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from syngas over a commercial catalyst system. The predictive power of the ANNs is assessed by comparison with the predictions of a lumped model parameterized to fit the same data used for ANN training. The ANN training converges much faster than the parameter estimation of the lumped model, and the predictions show a higher degree of accuracy under all conditions. Furthermore, the simulations show that the ANN predictions are also accurate even at some conditions beyond the validity range.     

含油废钢加热过程中烟气二次燃烧率的研究

在某些废煤钢熔炼过程中,当炉料中含碳及碳氢物质且燃烧不充分时,会带来烟气中一氧化碳的燃爆、油污库发时造成的烟雾、臭味等问题。通过实施室装置研究同废钢在加热过程中烟气成分随时间的改变以及二次燃烧率的变化,试验结果表明,反应过程的限制性环节是油分的热分解;在较低的温度下φ（ＣＯ）φ（ＣＯ２）比例影响转化率和二次燃烧率;而在任意比例下保证充分反应的温度为９００℃以上。     

TORC: test plan optimization by requirements clustering

Acceptance testing is a time-consuming task for complex software systems that have to fulfill a large number of requirements. To reduce this effort, we have developed a widely automated method for deriving test plans from requirements that are expressed in natural language. It consists of three stages: annotation, clustering, and test plan specification. The general idea is to exploit redundancies and implicit relationships in requirements specifications. Multi-viewpoint techniques based on RM-ODP (Reference Model for Open Distributed Processing) are employed for specifying the requirements. We then use linguistic analysis techniques, requirements clustering algorithms, and pattern-based requirements collection to reduce the total effort of testing against the requirements specification. In particular, we use linguistic analysis for extracting and annotating the actor, process and object of a requirements statement. During clustering, a similarity function is computed as a measure for the overlap of requirements. In the test plan specification stage, our approach provides capabilities for semi-automatically deriving test plans and acceptance criteria from the clustered informal textual requirements. Two patterns are applied to compute a suitable order of test activities. The generated test plans consist of a sequence of test steps and asserts that are executed or checked in the given order. We also present the supporting prototype tool TORC, which is available open source. For the evaluation of the approach, we have conducted a case study in the field of acceptance testing of a national electronic identification system. In summary, we report on lessons learned how linguistic analysis and clustering techniques can help testers in understanding the relations between requirements and for improving test planning.     

Optical information for car following: the driving by visual angle (DVA) model

OBJECTIVE: The present study developed and tested a model of car following by human drivers. BACKGROUND: Previous models of car following are based on 3-D parameters such as lead vehicle speed and distance information, which are not directly available to a driver. In the present paper we present the driving by visual angle (DVA) model, which is based on the visual information (visual angle and rate of change of visual angle) available to the driver. METHOD: Two experiments in a driving simulator examined car-following performance in response to speed variations of a lead vehicle defined by a sum of sine wave oscillations and ramp acceleration functions. In addition, the model was applied to six driving events using real world-driving data. RESULTS: The model provided a good fit to car-following performance in the driving simulation studies as well as in real-world driving performance. A comparison with the advanced interactive microscopic simulator for urban and nonurban networks (AIMSUN) model, which is based on 3-D parameters, suggests that the DVA was more predictive of driver behavior in matching lead vehicle speed and distance headway. CONCLUSION: Car-following behavior can be modeled using only visual information to the driver and can produce performance more predictive of driver performance than models based on 3-D (speed or distance) information. APPLICATION: The DVA model has applications to several traffic safety issues, including automated driving systems and traffic flow models.     

Designing low-complexity electrical consumer products for ecological use

This study examined the environmental impact of low-complexity electrical consumer products during their use in a domestic context. In the experimental scenario, 48 users were asked to use a kettle under different conditions. On-product information (OPI), task instruction, and kettle design were employed as independent variables in a mixed multi-factorial design to examine their effects on different parameters of ecological performance (e.g., water and electricity consumption). Measures of user variables (environmental concern, knowledge, domestic habits, environmental control beliefs) were also taken to examine their relationship with performance parameters. The results revealed main effects of ecological task instruction, OPI and (partly) kettle design on ecological user behaviour. Habits, environmental concern and control beliefs were found to be related to performance parameters whereas knowledge was not. The implications of the results for product design are discussed against the background of a strong prevalence of habits and low ecological user motivation.     

The influence of prototype fidelity and aesthetics of design in usability tests: effects on user behaviour, subjective evaluation and emotion

An empirical study examined the impact of prototype fidelity on user behaviour, subjective user evaluation and emotion. The independent factors of prototype fidelity (paper prototype, computer prototype, fully operational appliance) and aesthetics of design (high vs. moderate) were varied in a between-subjects design. The 60 participants of the experiment were asked to complete two typical tasks of mobile phone usage: sending a text message and suppressing a phone number. Both performance data and a number of subjective measures were recorded. The results suggested that task completion time may be overestimated when a computer prototype is being used. Furthermore, users appeared to compensate for deficiencies in aesthetic design by overrating the aesthetic qualities of reduced fidelity prototypes. Finally, user emotions were more positively affected by the operation of the more attractive mobile phone than by the less appealing one.     

Trying to adopt systems development methodologies — a case-based exploration of business users' interests

Information systems methodologies are an important component of the IS infrastructure and a primary device for organizing systems development work. Evidence suggests that methodology adoption and use are problematic. This research seeks to generate insight into business users' interest in adoption through detailed examination of a case. A framework is developed for organizing relevant research findings. The field research methods are described and details of the case reported. The case highlights the role of business managers in methodology adoption and the influence of business pressures originating in the strategic environment. Analysis shows the organizing framework to require extension to include a more direct role for business decision makers. it is argued that previous research has obscured the legitimate concern of business with systems development methodologies. As business increasingly asserts its interest in and control over IS, it will be necessary to give greater consideration to the needs of business in the selection and adoption of methodologies.     

Modeling planar slider-crank mechanisms with clearance joints in RecurDyn

Revolute joints in applications always show clearance between pin and bushing due to manufacturing tolerances, the need of relative motion or progressing wear. Many researchers developed and investigated methodologies to calculate the dynamic behavior of mechanisms with such imperfect joints. Very often they use a simple slider-crank mechanism to test or demonstrate the capability of their approaches. In this paper, a methodology for simulating a slider-crank mechanism with an imperfect revolute joint in RecurDyn, a commercial multibody simulation tool, is presented. Therefore, a thorough investigation of existing contact, damping and friction force models as well as different ways of modeling revolute joints in RecurDyn was conducted. For the investigation of the damping models, a special program for calculating the model parameters for a given coefficient of restitution was developed. Only one damping model was capable of reproducing the experimental results, which were found in literature. Some characteristic results of the slider-crank mechanism are presented in a way that they can be compared to results in other papers. Thereby. a good correlation was achieved, demonstrating the capabilities of the methodology.     

Berechnung und Meßmethode zur Bestimmung des Temperaturgefälles und des Wärmeübergangskoeffizienten bei der direkten Kühlung von Stahldraht

Direkte Wasserkühlung von Stahldraht nach dem Ziehvorgang. Berechnung des Temperaturgefälles in einem dem Ziehhol nachgeschalteten Kühlrohr. Messung der Drahttemperaturdifferenz zwischen Kühlrohrein- und -austritt mit der Infrarotthermometrie zur Bestimmung des Wärmeübergangskoeffizienten an der Drahtoberfläche. Ermittlung des Emissionsgrades.     

The influence of user expertise and prototype fidelity in usability tests

An empirical study examined the impact of user expertise and prototype fidelity on the outcomes of a usability test. User expertise (expert vs. novice) and prototype fidelity (paper prototype, 3D mock-up, and fully operational appliance) were manipulated as independent variables in a 2 × 3 between-subjects design. Employing a floor scrubber as a model product, 48 users carried out several cleaning tasks. Usability problems identified by participants were recorded. Furthermore, performance, system management strategies and perceived usability were measured. The results showed that experts reported more usability problems than novices but these were considered to be less severe than those reported by novices. Reduced fidelity prototypes were generally suitable to predict product usability of the real appliance. The implications for the running of usability tests are specific to the fidelity of the prototype.