Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Investigation Into Feasibility Of Hybrid Laser-Gmaw Process For Welding High Strength Quenched And Tempered Steel, Lenka Kuzmikova, Nathan Larkin, Zengxi Pan, Mark Callaghan, Huijun Li, John Norrish

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

In this study, the feasibility of hybrid laser-gas metal arc welding process for replacement of conventional flux-cored arc welding procedure for welding high strength quenched and tempered steel was investigated. Experimental work focused on optimisation of process parameters to produce joint with desired properties. Hardness of the weld heat affected zone produced by both processes has been measured. Productivity and cost effectiveness of both processes were compared. It was concluded that hybrid laser-gas metal arc welding process is suitable for welding high strength quenched and tempered steel.

An Approach To Compensate The Object Movement Errors In Phase Shifting Profilometry, Lei Lu, Jiangtao Xi, Yanguang Yu, Limei Song

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Phase shifting profilometry (PSP) technique is widely used as a 3-D shape measurement technique due to its robustness and accuracy. However, PSP requires multiple fringe pattern images to be projected onto an object and a reference plane to calculate the phase value, and also the object must maintain motionless when the measurement is taken. If the object moves during the measurement, significant errors will be introduced when calculating the phase value. This paper analyses the relationship between the object movement and the phase value, and proposes a method for compensating the errors caused by two-dimensional movement of object. This method …

Predicting The Fate Of Emerging Trace Organic Contaminants Of Concern During Mbr Treatment Based On Their Molecular Properties, K C. Wijekoon, L D. Nghiem, F I. Hai, J Kang, W E. Price

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

We demonstrate that the fate of emerging trace organic contaminants during membrane bioreactor (MBR) treatment can be qualitatively predicted by assessing their molecular properties. This work futher expands the qualitative framework for the prdiction of trace organic removal by MBR treatment reported in our recent study.

Coupling Powdered Activated Carbon (Pac) Adsorption With Membrane Bioreactor (Mbr) Treatment For Enhanced Removal Of Trace Organics, Luong Nguyen, Faisal Ibney Hai, Long Nghiem, Jinguo Kang, William Price

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

the occurrence of trace organics such as pesticides, pharmaceutically active compounds, natural and synthetic hormones as well as varous industrial compounds in the aquatic environment is of great concern due to their potential adverse effects on human health and those of other biota. Therefore, the removal of these compounds from wastewater is an important consideration to ensure safe drinking water and better protection of the environment. In the literature, several techniques have been explored for trace organics removal, namely, conventional activated sludge, membrane bioreactors (MBRs), and absorptioin. However it has been found that neither MBR nor activated carbon on its …

Science's Stagnant Thinking: Our Rivers Need A Revolution, Graham Harris

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

I've been away in the UK for a few years - and what do I find when I come back? In the Murray Darling we are still arguing over inputs (the amount of water to be returned to the river) instead of focusing on the state we actually want the river system to be in, and how to make it so.

Meet Boston Dynamics' Ls3 - The Latest Robotic War Machine, Katina Michael

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

On first viewing Boston Dynamics' latest creation, the LS3 (Legged Squad Support System), I could not help but be taken back to the AT-AT (All Terrain Armoured Transport) walker, as depicted in the Star Wars film The Empire Strikes Back. But it is the AT-TE (All Terrain Tactical Enforcer) walker that appears in Attack of the Clones which strikes the most eerie resemblance to the LS3 concept, as the two images below demonstrate.

Israel, Palestine And The Benefits Of Waging War Through Twitter, Katina Michael

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Warfare, as we know, has gone digital, its volleys and counterattacks rattled out 140 characters at a time. Historically, nation states with superior military prowess have been in a position of influence, and are often dubbed superpowers. But in the post Cold War era, such geopolitical giants have not had a monopoly in terms of technological interventionism. Terrorist regimes have lifted the veil on conventional warfare and sought non-traditional methods to attack their counterparts. So-called "rogue states", such as Iran and North Korea, have been accused of hiding weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and developing nuclear programs. Today asymmetrical attacks …

Exponential-Family Random Graph Models For Valued Networks, Pavel N. Krivitsky

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Exponential-family random graph models (ERGMs) provide a principled and flexible way to model and simulate features common in social networks, such as propensities for homophily, mutuality, and friend-of-a- friend triad closure, through choice of model terms (sufficient statistics). However, those ERGMs modeling the more complex features have, to date, been limited to binary data: presence or absence of ties. Thus, analysis of valued networks, such as those where counts, measurements, or ranks are observed, has necessitated dichotomizing them, losing information and introducing biases. In this work, we generalize ERGMs to valued networks. Focusing on modeling counts, we formulate an ERGM …

A Comparison Study Of Chain-Die Forming And Roll Forming By Forming A Top Hat Section, Yuankun Zhang, Shichao Ding

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Chain-die Forming, a novel sheet metal forming method, has been proposed and developed recently to overcome the problems that arose in roll forming. As an extension to roll forming, Chain-die Forming has been proposed to elongate the deformation length by increasing the virtual roll radii, and employing discrete profiled die-blocks which move on a track board with the desired large radii to im-plement or simulate the rotation of the virtual large rolls. The roll radii are so large and the forming length is so long that all redundant strain components occurring in roll forming are significantly reduced or even eliminated.

Effects Of Feed Solution Characteristics And Membrane Fouling On N-Nitrosamine Rejection By Reverse Osmosis Membranes, Takahiro Fujioka, Long D. Nghiem, Stuart Khan, James Mcdonald, Yvan Poussade, Jörg Drewes

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Augmentation of potable water sources with reclaimed municipal wastewater is an option of increasing importance for water security in regions and countries where severe water stress occurs. Consequently, the presence of emerging trace contaminants in reclaimed water has been recognised as a critical issue due to their potential adverse health effects. Notable examples of these trace organic chemicals include N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and several other N-nitrosamines.

Photonic Chip Based Tunable Slow And Fast Light Via Stimulated Brillouin Scattering, Ravi Pant, Adam Byrnes, Christopher Poulton, Enbang Li, Duk-Yong Choi, Stephen J. Madden, Barry Luther-Davies, Benjamin J. Eggleton

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

We report the first (to our knowledge) demonstration of photonic chip based tunable slow and fast light via stimulated Brillouin scattering. Slow, fast, and negative group velocities were observed in a 7 cm long chalcogenide (As2S3) rib waveguide with a group index change ranging from ∼−44 to +130, which results in a maximum delay of ∼23  ns at a relatively low gain of ∼23  dB. Demonstration of large tunable delays in a chip scale device opens up applications such as frequency sensing and true-time delay for a phased array antenna, where integration and delays ∼10  ns are highly desirable.

Is It Important To Position Foot In Subtalar Joint Neutral Position During Non-Weight-Bearing Molding For Foot Orthoses?, Winson Lee, Christina Lee, Aaron Leung, Stephen W. Hutchins

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

When taking molds for foot orthoses, it is accepted practice to position the subtalar joint in its neutral position. However, foot orthoses have no contact with the talus, and this leads to a hypothesis that as long as there is correction available to appropriately align the forefoot relative to the hindfoot when taking a mold, changes in subtalar joint angles do not lead to significant alterations in the plantar surface shapes of the molds taken. This study tested this presumption with 20 subjects between 22 and 46 years old. During non-weight-bearing casting, the subtalar joints were aligned at positions of …

Comparison Of Custom-Moulded Ankle Orthosis With Hinged Joints And Off-The-Shelf Ankle Braces In Preventing Ankle Sprain In Lateral Cutting Movements, Winson Lee, Toshiki Kobayashi, Barton Choy, Aaron Leung

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

BACKGROUND: A custom moulded ankle orthosis with hinged joints potentially offers a better control over the subtalar joint and the ankle joint during lateral cutting movements, due to total contact design and increase in material strength. OBJECTIVES: To test the above hypothesis by comparing it to three other available orthoses. STUDY DESIGN: Repeated measures. METHODS: Eight subjects with a history of ankle sprains (Grade 2), and 11 subjects without such history performed lateral cutting movements in four test conditions: 1) non-orthotic, 2) custom-moulded ankle orthosis with hinges, 3) Sport-Stirrup, and 4) elastic ankle sleeve with plastic support. A VICON motion …

Effectiveness Of Adjustable Dorsiflexion Night Splint In Combination With Accommodative Foot Orthosis On Plantar Fasciitis, Winson Lee, W Y. Wong, Eddy Kung, Aaron Leung

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Foot orthoses and night splints have been used separately to treat patients with plantar fasciitis, but were not always successful. Combined use of both orthoses might give better outcomes. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a soft and self-adjustable dorsiflexion night splint in combination with an accommodative foot orthosis for patients with plantar fasciitis. Twenty-eight patients were assigned to group A (foot orthosis only) and group B (combination of foot orthosis and dorsiflexion night splints). A foot function index (FFI) questionnaire was used to evaluate the pain and functions of feet just before, 2 weeks after, and 8 weeks after …

Dynamic Impression Insole In Rheumatoid Foot With Metatarsal Pain, Bao-Chi Chang, Jia-Yi Wang, Biing-Shiun Huang, Hsiao-Yi Lin, Winson Lee

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Background

Custom molded insoles with metatarsal supports are used to redistribute excessive loading under the metatarsal heads in patients with metatarsalgia. However, these pressure reductions are usually insufficient for the rheumatoid foot with painful deformed metatarsal heads. We developed an effective insole made by sequential foam padding under successive walking impression.

Methods

Seventeen consecutive rheumatoid arthritic outpatients with metatarsal pain participated in this repeated measures study of 7-mm flat Ethylene Vinyl Acetate, custom molded and dynamic impression insoles. Peak plantar pressure, pressure-time integral, contact area and mean force were measured by a Pedar-X mobile system. Pain levels were assessed using …

Modélisation De La Mobilité Résidentielle En Vue D'Une Micro-Simulation Des Évolutions De Population, Eric Cornelis, Johan Barthelemy, Xavier Pauly, Fabien Walle

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Quels sont les déterminants de la mobilité résidentielle en Belgique ? Quand on déménage, quels sont les facteurs de choix d'une nouvelle commune de résidence ? Telles étaient les questions au cœur du projet MOBLOC. Dans ce cadre, un modèle a été développé en deux parties: un modèle de propension à migrer et un modèle de choix de nouvelle localisation. L'objectif étant de travailler avec un niveau de désagrégation spatiale fin (les 589 communes belges), des outils de micro-simulation étaient également nécessaires. La méthode originale développée par le GRT pour créer des populations synthétiques est donc utile de même que …

Non-Uniform Stress Distribution In Frp-Wrapped Circular Concrete Columns Under Uniform Axial Deformation, S Q. Li, J F. Chen, Tao Yu, J G. Teng

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

The confinement of concrete columns using bonded FRP wraps has become a popular retrofit technique. Through extensive research in the last two decades, many stress-strain models have been developed for concrete in FRP-wrapped circular columns. All these models assume that the stress state is axisymmetric in an FRP-wrapped circular concrete column under concentric axial compression. This implies that the FRP wrap is assumed to be axisymmetric in geometry, but in reality such axisymmetry is not realised due to the existence of an overlapping zone. This paper presents a finite element investigation into the stress state in FRP-wrapped circular concrete columns …

Pedestrian Lane Detection For Assistive Navigation Of Blind People, M Le, Son Lam Phung, Abdesselam Bouzerdoum

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Navigating safely in outdoor environments is a challenging activity for vision-impaired people. This paper is a step towards developing an assistive navigation system for the blind. We propose a robust method for detecting the pedestrian marked lanes at traffic junctions. The proposed method includes two stages: regions of interest (ROI) extraction and lane marker verification. The ROI extraction is performed by using colour and intensity information. A probabilistic framework employing multiple geometric cues is then used to verify the extracted ROI. The experimental results have shown that the proposed method is robust under challenging illumination conditions and obtains superior performance …

Some Constructions Of Mutually Orthogonal Latin Squares And Superimposed Codes, Jennifer Seberry, Dongvu Tonien

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Superimposed codes is a special combinatorial structure that has many applications in information theory, data communication and cryptography. On the other hand, mutually orthogonal latin squares is a beautiful combinatorial object that has deep connection with design theory. In this paper, we draw a connection between these two structures. We give explicit construction of mutually orthogonal latin squares and we show a method of generating new larger superimposed codes from an existing one by using mutually orthogonal latin squares. If n denotes the number of codewords in the existing code then the new code contains n2 codewords. Recursively, using this …

A Web-Based Learning Support To Improve Students' Learning Of Statistics, Norhayati Baharun, Anne L. Porter

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

This study investigating the impact of a web-based learning supports particularly a Headstart program on student outcomes in statistics at the University of Wollongong. Unlike in 2010, a Headstart program was introduced to the undergraduate students enrolled in an introductory statistics subject in 2011. This program allowed students to access the first module of work which includes a set of five lecture notes, video clips, and the first assessment via the subject e-learning site approximately four weeks prior to the start of the formal session. For the assessment, the students were required to complete a draft and redraft the first …

Reliability-Based Conversion Of A Structural Design Code For Railway Prestressed Concrete Sleepers, A M. Remennikov, Martin Murray, Sakdirat Kaewunruen

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

"Ballasted railway track is very suitable for heavy-rail networks because of its many superior advantages in design, construction, short- and long-term maintenance, sustainability, and life cycle cost. An important part of the railway track system, which distributes the wheel load to the formation, is the railway sleeper. Improved knowledge has raised concerns about design techniques for prestressed concrete (PC) sleepers. Most current design codes for these rely on allowable stresses and material strength reductions. However, premature cracking of PC sleepers has been found in railway tracks. The major cause of cracking is the infrequent but high-magnitude wheel loads produced by …

Performance Of A Reinforced Embankment On A Sensitive Champlain Clay Deposit, Chalermpol Taechakumthorn, R K. Rowe

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

An existing elastoviscoplastic constitutive model is modified using concepts of the state-dependent fluidity parameters and the damage law, to incorporate the effect of soil structure and its destructuration. The model is employed to simulate the performance of a well-documented case study of the reinforced test embankment constructed over a sensitive Champlain clay deposit at Saint Alban, Quebec. The finite element calculations, using both the original (nonstructured) and modified (structured) elastoviscoplastic soil models, are compared with the observed field data from a test embankment brought to failure. The results from the structured elastoviscoplastic soil model show better agreements with the field …

Effect Of Coiling Temperature On Oxide Scale Of Hot-Rolled Strip, Xianglong Yu, Zhengyi Jiang, Xiaodong Wang, Dongbin Wei, Quan Yang

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

The influence of the coiling temperature, ranging from 550 to 570℃, on the morphology and the phase composition of the oxide scale formed on the microalloyed low carbon steel for automobiles after hot strip rolling was investigated. Physicochemical characteristics of the oxide scales were examined and their formation mechanism was discussed. Thickness of the oxide scale is in the range of 8-11μm and decreases with a decrease of coiling temperature. The microstructure and phase composition, XRD analysis shows a large amount of magnetite (Fe3O4) and some sparse hematite (Fe2O3) exist on the surface of hot rolled strip when the coiling …

Anisotropy In The Permeability And Consolidation Characteristics Of Dredged Mud, Dhanya Ganesalingam, Jayantha Ameratunga, Guy Schweitzer, Peter Boyle, Nagaratnam Sivakugan

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Dredging and land reclamation is a billion dollar industry that is spread around the coastal regions of Australia. Maintenance dredging is carried out regularly in many major Australian ports and in several cases the dredged mud is pumped ashore into containment paddocks at high water contents. When the dredged mud settles, there can be segregation with possible anisotropy. The sedimentation of the dredged mud is followed by self-weight consolidation which can take a long time. To accelerate the consolidation process, prefabricated vertical drains and surcharge are often used. To analyse the consolidation process of the dredged mud with vertical drains …

Optimization Of Welding Parameters For Repairing Nial Bronze Components, Huijun Li, Daniel Grudgings, Nathan P. Larkin, John Norrish, Mark Callaghan, Lenka Kuzmikova

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

The objective of this study is to determine an optimal welding procedure that can be implemented to repair damaged Nickel Aluminium Bronze (NAB) components. NAB is commonly used in marine applications where components are subject to a constant corrosive environment and high stresses. Research into ideal NAB microstructure for a marine application, was performed in order to gain a baseline for experimental analysis of potential welding procedures. The results indicated that the welding repair can be performed with a wide range of heat input. The effect of post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) on the microstructure and mechanical properties in the heat …

Integrated Seat And Suspension Control For A Quarter Car With Driver Model, Haiping Du, Weihua Li, Nong Zhang

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

In this paper, an integrated vehicle seat and sus pension control strategy for a quarter car with driver model is proposed to improve suspension performance on driver ride comfort. An integrated seat and suspension model that includes a quarter-car suspension, a seat suspension, and a 4-degree-of freedom (DOM) driver body model is presented first. This in1 tegrated model provides a platform to evaluate ride comfort 1performance in terms of driver head acceleration responses under typical road disturbances and to develop an integrated control of seat and car suspensions. Based on the integrated model, an H∞ state feedback controller is designed …

Nonlinear Inelastic Behavior Of Circular Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular Slender Beam-Columns With Preload Effects, Vipulkumar Ishvarbhai Patel, Qing Quan Liang, Muhammad N. Hadi

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

This paper presents a numerical model based on fiber element formulations for simulating the nonlinear inelastic behavior of eccentrically loaded circular concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) slender beam-columns with preload effects. Deflections caused by preloads are included in the global analysis of CFST slender beam-columns as initial geometric imperfections. Computational algorithms based on the Müller's method are developed to obtain load-deflection responses of CFST slender beam-columns including preload effects. The accuracy of the numerical model is examined by comparisons of computer solutions with experimental results. The numerical model is utilized to investigate the effects of preloads on the axial load-deflection curves, …

Marginalized Exponential Random Graph Models, Thomas F. Suesse

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Exponential random graph models (ERGMs) are a popular tool for modeling social networks representing relational data, such as working relationships or friendships. Data on exogenous variables relating to participants in the network, such as gender or age, are also often collected. ERGMs allow modeling of the effects of such exogenous variables on the joint distribution, specified by the ERGM, but not on the marginal probabilities of observing a relationship. In this article, we consider an approach to modeling a network that uses an ERGM for the joint distribution of the network, but then marginally constrains the fit to agree with …

Twitter Tsunami Early Warning Network: A Social Network Analysis Of Twitter Information Flows, Akemi Chatfield, Uuf Brajawidagda

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

In the aftermath of earthquakes, tsunamis, such as the 2011 Great East Japan Tsunami, caused enormous damage around the world. With the extreme disaster events of the past, nations improved disaster preparedness and response through sensors and tsunami early warning systems. Even with system usage, however, governments still need to warn the targeted citizens – who may be anywhere within the vulnerable areas – of predicted tsunami and ordered mass evacuations within a very limited lead time. While social media research is on the rise outside the domain of social networking, very little is written about Twitter use for tsunami …

Patients Perceptions Of Web Self-Service Applications In Primary Healthcare, Xin Zhang, Ping Yu, Jun Yan, Hongxiang Hu, Niraj Goureia

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

This paper presents the preliminary findings of a case study of patients' acceptance and usage of web self-service - online appointment system - in a primary health care centre in a regional area in Australia. After two months of implementation, structured interviews were undertaken over three months to ascertain patients' perceptions of the web self-service application. The findings indicates that patients' acceptance of the web self-service application maybe hindered by their relative lower computer ownership or inadequate computer skills and access to the internet, their preference for flexible personal communication for appointment making and inadequate flexibility of the appointment system …