Integrating Virtual Reality and Energy Analysis with BIM to Optimize Window-to-Wall Ratio and Building’s Orientation for Age-in-Place Design at the Conceptual Stage

This study unfolds an innovative approach aiming to address the critical role of building design in global energy consumption, focusing on optimizing the Window-to-Wall Ratio (WWR), since buildings account for approximately 30% of total energy consumed worldwide. The greatest contributors to energy expenditure in buildings are internal artificial lighting and heating and cooling systems. The WWR, determined by the proportion of the building’s glazed area to its wall area, is a significant factor influencing energy efficiency and minimizing energy load. This study introduces the development of a semi-automated computer model designed to offer a real-time, interactive simulation environment, fostering improving communication and engagement between designers and owners. The said model serves to optimize both the WWR and building orientation to align with occupants’ needs and expectations, subsequently reducing annual energy consumption and enhancing the overall building energy performance. The integrated model incorporates Building Information Modeling (BIM), Virtual Reality (VR), and Energy Analysis tools deployed at the conceptual design stage, allowing for the amalgamation of owners’ inputs in the design process and facilitating the creation of more realistic and effective design strategies.

Thermodynamic analysis on synthesis of fibrous Ni-Co alloys precursor and Ni/Co ratio control

According to the principles of simultaneous equilibrium and mass equilibrium, a series of thermodynamic equilibrium equations in Ni（II）-Co（II）-C2O4^2--NH3-NH4^＋-H2O system at ambient temperature were deduced. The diagrams of logarithm ion concentrations versus pH values at different solution compositions were drawn. The results show that Ni^2＋ and Co^2＋ can completely precipitate at pH less than 5.0 and the predefined Ni/Co ratios can be well kept in the precursor. The precursor morphology is granular aggregation. However, rod aggregation precursor is obtained in the pH range of 5.0-8.0, and fibre-shape precursor is got at pH value higher than 8.0. The Ni/Co ratios in the above two precursors are not reproduced as that in the feed due to the formhtion of multi-coordinated Ni（NH3）n^2＋ and Co（NH3）n^2＋ （n=1-6）. Modification of precipitation medium is favorable for the precursors to keep the predefined Ni/Co ratios of the feed in the pH range of 2.0-8.6. Meanwhile, the precursors with fibrous morphology can be obtained.

MULTI-PEAK MATCH INTENSITY RATIO METHOD OF QUANTI-TATIVE X-RAY DIFFRACTION PHASE ANALYSIS

A new method for quantitative phase analysis is proposed by using X-ray diffraction multi-peak match intensity ratio. This method can obtain the multi-peak match intensity ratio among each phase in the mixture sample by using all diffraction peak data in the mixture sample X-ray diffraction spectrum and combining the relative intensity distribution data of each phase standard peak in JCPDS card to carry on the least square method regression analysis. It is benefit to improve the precision of quantitative phase analysis that the given single line ratio which is usually adopted is taken the place of the multi-peak match intensity ratio and is used in X-ray diffraction quantitative phase analysis of the mixture sample. By analyzing four-group mixture sample, adopting multi-peak match intensity ratio and X-ray diffraction quantitative phase analysis principle of combining the adiabatic and matrix flushing method, it is tested that the experimental results are identical with theory.

Effect of water absorption ratio on tensile strength of red sandstone and morphological analysis of fracture surfaces

Brazilian disc tests were undertaken on a number of red sandstone samples with different water absorption ratios.The tensile strength of the red sandstone decreases as the water absorption ratio increases.The fracture surfaces of failed red sandstone discs were scanned by Talysurf CLI 2000.With the aid of Talymap Gold software,based on ISO25178,a set of statistical parameters was obtained for the fracture surfaces.The maximum peak height(S_p),maximum pit height(S_v) and maximum height(S_z) of the fracture surfaces exhibited the same decreasing trend with increasing water absorption.Sa and Sku values for the fracture surfaces showed a downward trend as the water absorption ratio increased.The fractal dimensions of fracture surfaces were calculated and found to decrease as the water absorption ratio increased.Through analysis of PSD curves,the smallest dominant wavelength was observed to reflect the roughness of the fracture surfaces.Additionally,the results suggest that the roughness of fracture surfaces becomes small as the water absorption ratio increases.

A gated recurrent unit model to predict Poisson’s ratio using deep learning

Static Poisson’s ratio(vs)is crucial for determining geomechanical properties in petroleum applications,namely sand production.Some models have been used to predict vs;however,the published models were limited to specific data ranges with an average absolute percentage relative error(AAPRE)of more than 10%.The published gated recurrent unit(GRU)models do not consider trend analysis to show physical behaviors.In this study,we aim to develop a GRU model using trend analysis and three inputs for predicting n s based on a broad range of data,n s(value of 0.1627-0.4492),bulk formation density(RHOB)(0.315-2.994 g/mL),compressional time(DTc)(44.43-186.9 μs/ft),and shear time(DTs)(72.9-341.2μ s/ft).The GRU model was evaluated using different approaches,including statistical error an-alyses.The GRU model showed the proper trends,and the model data ranges were wider than previous ones.The GRU model has the largest correlation coefficient(R)of 0.967 and the lowest AAPRE,average percent relative error(APRE),root mean square error(RMSE),and standard deviation(SD)of 3.228%,1.054%,4.389,and 0.013,respectively,compared to other models.The GRU model has a high accuracy for the different datasets:training,validation,testing,and the whole datasets with R and AAPRE values were 0.981 and 2.601%,0.966 and 3.274%,0.967 and 3.228%,and 0.977 and 2.861%,respectively.The group error analyses of all inputs show that the GRU model has less than 5% AAPRE for all input ranges,which is superior to other models that have different AAPRE values of more than 10% at various ranges of inputs.

Novel Metrics for Mutation Analysis

A measure of the“goodness”or efficiency of the test suite is used to determine the proficiency of a test suite.The appropriateness of the test suite is determined through mutation analysis.Several Finite State Machine(FSM)mutants are produced in mutation analysis by injecting errors against hypotheses.These mutants serve as test subjects for the test suite(TS).The effectiveness of the test suite is proportional to the number of eliminated mutants.The most effective test suite is the one that removes the most significant number of mutants at the optimal time.It is difficult to determine the fault detection ratio of the system.Because it is difficult to identify the system’s potential flaws precisely.In mutation testing,the Fault Detection Ratio(FDR)metric is currently used to express the adequacy of a test suite.However,there are some issues with this metric.If both test suites have the same defect detection rate,the smaller of the two tests is preferred.The test case(TC)is affected by the same issue.The smaller two test cases with identical performance are assumed to have superior performance.Another difficulty involves time.The performance of numerous vehicles claiming to have a perfect mutant capture time is problematic.Our study developed three metrics to address these issues:FDR/|TS|,FDR/|TC|,and FDR/|Time|;In this context,most used test generation tools were examined and tested using the developed metrics.Thanks to the metrics we have developed,the research contributes to eliminating the problems related to performance measurement by integrating the missing parameters into the system.

Dynamic response analysis of liquefiable ground due to sinusoidal waves of different frequencies of shield construction

Vibration induced by shield construction can lead to liquefaction of saturated sand.Based on FLAC3D software,a numerical model of tunnel excavation is established and sinusoidal velocity loads with different frequencies are applied to the excavation face.The pattern of the excess pore pressure ratio with frequency,as well as the dynamic response of soil mass under different frequency loads before excavation,is analyzed.When the velocity sinusoidal wave acts on the excavation surface of the shield tunnel with a single sand layer,soil liquefaction occurs.However,the ranges and locations of soil liquefaction are different at different frequencies,which proves that the vibration frequency influences the liquefaction location of the stratum.For sand-clay composite strata with liquefiable layers,the influence of frequency on the liquefaction range is different from that of a single stratum.In the frequency range of 5-30 Hz,the liquefaction area and surface subsidence decrease with an increase in vibration frequency.The research results in this study can be used as a reference in engineering practice for tunneling liquefiable strata with a shield tunneling machine.

Identification and analysis of serum samples by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy combined with characteristic ratio method and PCA for gastric cancer detection

This study aimed to explore the application of surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS)in the rapid diagnosis of gastric cancer.The SERS spectra of 68 serum samples from gastric cancer patients and healthy volunteers were acquired.The characteristic ratio method(CRM)and principal component analysis(PCA)were used to differentiate gastric cancer serum from normal serum.Compared with healthy volunteers,the serum SERS intensity of gastric cancer patients was relatively high at 722 cm^(-1),while it was relatively low at 588,644,861,1008,1235,1397,1445 and 1586 cm^(-1).These results indicated that the relative content of nucleic acids in the serum of gastric cancer patients rises while the relative content of amino acids and carbohydrates decreases.In PCA,the sensitivity and specificity of discriminating gastric cancer were 94.1%and 94.1%,respectively,with the accuracy of 94.1%.Based on the intensity ratios of four characteristic peaks at 722,861,1008 and 1397 cm^(-1),CRM presented the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 100%and 97.4%,respectively,and the accuracy of 98.5%.Therefore,the three peak intensity ratios of I_(722)/I_(861),I_(722)/I_(1008)and I_(722)/I_(1397)can be considered as biologicalfingerprint information for gastric cancer diagnosis and can rapidly and directly reflect the physiological and pathological changes associated with gastric cancer development.This study provides an important basis and standards for the early diagnosis of gastric cancer.

Analysis of the elastic-plastic indentation properties of materials with varying ratio of hardness to Young’s modulus

The elastic-plastic indentation properties of materials with varying ratio of hardness to Young’s modulus(H/E) were analyzed with the finite element method. And the indentation stress fields of materials with varying ratio H/E on the surface were studied by the experiment. The results show that the penetration depth, contact radius, plastic pile-up and the degree of elastic recovery depend strongly on the ratio H/E. Moreover, graphs were established to describe the relationship between the elastic-plastic indentation parameters and H/E. The established graphs can be used to predict the H/E of materials when compared with experimental data.

Equivalence of Ratio and Residual Approaches in the Homotopy Analysis Method and Some Applications in Nonlinear Science and Engineering

A ratio approach based on the simple ratio test associated with the terms of homotopy series was proposed by the author in the previous publications.It was shown in the latter through various comparative physical models that the ratio approach of identifying the range of the convergence control parameter and also an optimal value for it in the homotopy analysis method is a promising alternative to the classically used h-level curves or to the minimizing the residual(squared)error.A mathematical analysis is targeted here to prove the equivalence of both the ratio approach and the traditional residual approach,especially regarding the root-finding problems via the homotopy analysis method.Examples are provided to further justify this.Moreover,it is conjectured that every nonlinear differential equation can be considered as a root-finding problem by plugging a parameter in it from a physical viewpoint.Two examples from the boundary and initial and value problems are provided to verify this assertion.Hence,besides the advantages as deciphered in the previous publications,the feasibility of the ratio approach over the traditional residual approach is made clearer in this paper.

Using DEA and AHP for Ratio Analysis

This research proposes an integrated approach to the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodologies for ratio analysis. According to this, we compute two sets of weights of ratios in the DEA framework. All ratios are treated as outputs without explicit inputs. The first set of weights represents the most attainable efficiency level for each Decision Making Unit (DMU) in comparison to the other DMUs. The second set of weights represents the relative priority of output-ratios using AHP. We assess the performance of each DMU in terms of the relative closeness to the priority weights of output-ratios. For this purpose, we develop a parametric goal programming model to measure the deviations between the two sets of weights. Increasing the value of a parameter in a defined range of efficiency loss, we explore how much the deviations can be improved to achieve the desired goals of the decision maker.This may result in various ranking positions for each DMU in comparison to the other DMUs. An illustrated example of eight listed companies in the steel industry of China is used to highlight the usefulness of the proposed approach.

Influence of signal-to-noise ratio on accuracy of spectral analysis by near infrared spectroscopy

As one of the important indicators of spectrometer,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)reflects the ability of spectrometer to detect weak signals.To investigate the influence of SNR on the prediction accuracy of spectral analysis,we first introduce the major factors affecting the spectral SNR.Taking green tea as an example,the influence of spectral SNR on the prediction accuracy of the origin identification model is analyzed by experiments.At the same time,the relationship between the spectral SNR and prediction accuracy of spectral analysis model is fitted.Based on this,the common methods for improving the spectral SNR are discussed.The results show that the accuracy of the prediction set model first decreases slowly,then decreases linearly,and finally tends to be flat as the spectral SNR decreases.Through calculation,in order to achieve the prediction accuracy of prediction model reaching 90%and 85%,the spectral SNR is required to be higher than 23.42 dB and 21.16 dB,respectively.The overall results provide certain parameters support for the development of new online analytical spectroscopic instruments,especially for the technical indicators of SNR.

Structural Modeling and Aeroelastic Analysis of High-Aspect-Ratio Composite Wings

A unified structural model for high-aspect-ratio composite wing with arbitrary cross-section is developed. Two types of lay-ups of the composite wing, namely, circumferentially uniform stiffness （CUS） configuration and circumferentially asymmetric stiffness （CAS） configuration, are investigated. The present structural modeling method is validated through ANSYS FEM software for the case of a composite box beam. Then, the case of a single-cell composite wing with NACA0012 airfoil shape is considered. To investigate the aeroelastic problem of high-aspect-ratio composite wings, the linear ONERA aerodynamic model is used to model the unsteady aerodynamic loads under the case of small angle of attack. Finally, flutter speeds of the high-aspect-ratio wing with various composite ply angles are determined by using U-g method.

CPSO: Chaotic Particle Swarm Optimization for Cluster Analysis

Background:To solve the cluster analysis better,we propose a new method based on the chaotic particle swarm optimization(CPSO)algorithm.Methods:In order to enhance the performance in clustering,we propose a novel method based on CPSO.We first evaluate the clustering performance of this model using the variance ratio criterion(VRC)as the evaluation metric.The effectiveness of the CPSO algorithm is compared with that of the traditional particle swarm optimization(PSO)algorithm.The CPSO aims to improve the VRC value while avoiding local optimal solutions.The simulated dataset is set at three levels of overlapping:non-overlapping,partial overlapping,and severe overlapping.Finally,we compare CPSO with two other methods.Results:By observing the comparative results,our proposed CPSO method performs outstandingly.In the conditions of non-overlapping,partial overlapping,and severe overlapping,our method has the best VRC values of 1683.2,620.5,and 275.6,respectively.The mean VRC values in these three cases are 1683.2,617.8,and 222.6.Conclusion:The CPSO performed better than other methods for cluster analysis problems.CPSO is effective for cluster analysis.

A Quantitative Factorial Component Analysis to Investigate the Recent Changes of Japan’s Weight-Based Food Self-Sufficiency Ratio

We investigate the weight-based food self-sufficiency ratio (WSSR) for Japan over a 50-year period (1961-2011) by applying factorial component analysis technique in order to measure the changes of the WSSR quantitatively. Quantitative data analysis is employed to determine the drivers of those changes. Numerical results show that Japan experienced a drastic decline in its food self-sufficiency ratio (FSSR) during the above period. The factorial component analysis shows that such a decline was caused by the changes in the FSSR of the food groups/items, not in the quantity of the food supply. A number of characteristics of those changes are presented and a list of major food groups that have major impacts on the changes is constructed. The findings in this paper reiterate the alarming food security problem in Japan and provide clear insight into the causes of this problem. The findings in this study pick up where previous studies have left off, aid the food-related policy-making process and identify new ideas for future food research.

Dynamic genetic analysis for body weight and main length ratio in turbot Scophthalmus maximus

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of body width(BW)to body length(BL)ratio(BW/BL)and of body weight traits(BWT)in turbot,and to elucidate the genetic mechanism of the two traits during ontogeny by dynamic genetic analysis.From 3 to 27 months,BW,BL and BWT of each communally stocked fish were measured every 3 months.The BW/BL ratio was measured at different sampling ages.A twotrait animal model was used for genetic evaluation of traits.The results showed that the heritability values of BW/BL ratio ranged from 0.2168 to 0.3148,corresponding to moderate heritability.The BWT heritability values ranged from 0.2702 to 0.3479 corresponding to moderate heritability.The heritability of BW/BL ratio was lower than that of BWT,except at 3 months of age.Genetic correlation between BW/BL ratio and BWT decreased throughout the measurement period.Genetic correlations were higher than the phenotypic correlations.The current results for estimating genetic parameters demonstrate that the BW/BL ratio could be used as a phenotypic marker of fast-growing turbot,and the BW/BL ratio and BWT could be improved simultaneously through selective breeding.

Finite element analysis on the collapse of infill walls with holes and different length-to-height ratios

Wenchuan earthquake damage survey displayed the major structures of buildings suffered only small damages,but it was common that infill walls suffered heavy damages or even collapse. To study the failure forms and collapse mechanism of infill walls in an earthquake,the influence of opening or length-to-height ratio on shake-resisting capability of filling walls was analyzed,and measures to improve the anti-collapse ability of infill walls were put forwaed. The numerical simulations on collapse process in earthquake were carried out by using ABAQUS software. We used 5 single story and single span models. It is revealed that the rigidity and compressive capacity of infill walls are reduced because of the infill walls with holes and the increases of length-to-height ratios. Adding constructional columns and horizontal beams can ensure structural integrity and improve the anti-collapse ability of the wall.

Bearing ratio and leachate analysis of pond ash stabilized with lime and lime sludge

Recycling of industrial waste is one of the effective ways to overcome their disposal problem. Ash produced by thermal power plants and lime sludge produced by paper mills require huge disposal land and may create environmental problems such as dusting and leaching of harmful heavy metals. Stabilization of the ash can improve its engineering properties and address the environmental problems. This paper reports the laboratory test results of a Class F pond ash stabilized with lime(2%, 4%, 6% and 8% by weight)alone and in combination with lime sludge(5%, 10% and 15% by weight). The X-ray diffraction(XRD) and scanning electron micrograph(SEM) tests were also performed to identify the possible formation of crystalline phases after stabilization. The effects of lime sludge on the unsoaked and soaked bearing ratios of pond ash with different lime contents, after 7 d, 28 d and 45 d of curing, were observed. Test results indicated that the bearing ratio increased considerably up to a 4% lime content which can be taken as the optimum lime content. Further increase in lime content increased bearing ratio gradually but at a slower rate. The effect of lime sludge was more pronounced at the optimum lime content,particularly at a low curing period. Lime sludge improved the bearing ratio in soaked condition significantly. Leachate analysis of stabilized ash was performed using toxicity characteristic leaching procedure(TCLP-1311) method. The concentrations of toxic elements Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni and Cr in the stabilized mixes were lower than those in the unstabilized waste. The results indicated that the pond ash-lime-lime sludge mixes have potential application as road subbase material.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials to Check Role of Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs as Protective Factor in Alzheimer Disease Subjects

Background: Alzheimer’s disease is the major neurodegenerative disease, affecting more than two third cases of dementia in the world. NSAIDs are widely used anti-inflammatory analgesic agents representing 7.7% of worldwide prescriptions of which 90% are in patients over 65 years old. Based on mixed findings observed by different RCTs, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to develop a better understanding of the protective role of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in AD. Methods: Database search was Pubmed, WebScience, and Embase. RCTs investigating the effect of NSAIDs on AD or test scores assessing cognitive function in people without AD at baseline were included. Three indicators were MMSE Score, ADAS-cog score, and CDR-sob. 10 studies were included in the present Meta-analysis. Results: For the ADAS-cog score, the pooled effect size was -0.31 with 95% CI -0.06 to 0.02, which was statistically significant (p = 0.03). MMSE score difference, the pooled effect size was -0.06 with 95% CI -0.22 to 0.10, which was statistically insignificant (p-value = 0.47). For the MMSE average score, the pooled effect size was -0.002 with 95% CI -0.03 to 0.07, which was statistically insignificant (p-value = 0.87). For the CDR-sob score difference, the pooled effect size calculated using the random effect model was -0.06 with 95% CI -0.39 to 0.05 which was statistically insignificant (p = 0.14). For CDR-sob average score, the pooled effect size calculated using the random effect model was 0.21 with 95% CI -0.09 to 0.51, which was statistically insignificant (p-value = 0.17). Conclusion: Present Meta-analysis shows that NSAIDs in general are not effective in the treatment of AD. They also have no protective effect against the development of AD on their sustained use.

Damping Ratio Analysis of a Silicon Capacitive Micromechanical Accelerometer

In most MEMS devices, the moving micro-structures are surrounded by air which significantly affects their dynamics behaviors. The correct prediction of the squeeze-film air damping ratio is essential in MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) devices design. In the paper, a static test is proposed to measure the squeeze-film air damping ratios of capacitive MEMS accelerometer under different pressures. The unsealed chip of capacitive accelerometer is placed in vacuum extraction equipment and an open loop circuit is developed to apply step signal in the test. By charging the pressure and measuring the overshoot Mp and the settling time ts from the time response of the system, the damping ratio ξ?under different pressures can be calculated. Finite element method (FEM) based on the modified Reynolds equation is utilized to simulate the transient response of the micro-structure. Good correlation between experiment and FEM analysis is obtained. The proposed static test in this paper provides a new method to more easily measure the dynamic performances of micro-structures under various pressures.