Identifying Factors That Influence Accuracy of Riparian Vegetation Classification and River Channel Delineation Mapped Using 1 m Data

Riparian vegetation delineation includes both the process of delineating the riparian zone and classifying vegetation within that zone. We developed a holistic framework to assess riparian vegetation delineation that includes evaluating channel boundary delineation accuracy using a combination of pixel- and object-based metrics. We also identified how stream order, riparian zone width, riparian land use, and image shadow influenced the accuracy of delineation and classification. We tested the framework by evaluating vegetation vs. non-vegetation riparian zone maps produced by applying random forest classification to aerial photographs with a 1 m pixel size. We assessed accuracy of the riparian vegetation classification and channel boundary delineation for two rivers in the northeastern United States. Overall accuracy for the channel boundary delineation was generally above 80% for both sites, while object-based accuracy revealed that 50% of delineated channel was less than 5 m away from the reference channel. Stream order affected channel boundary delineation accuracy while land use and image shadows influenced riparian vegetation classification accuracy; riparian zone width had little impact on observed accuracy. The holistic approach to quantification of accuracy that considers both channel boundary delineation and vegetation classification developed in this study provides an important tool to inform riparian management.

Numerical simulation and optimization of fine-blanking process for copper alloy sheet

When the fine-blanking process is used, secondary grinding or processing can be omitted because the shear surface of fine-blanking parts can achieve almost zero fracture zone requirements. The primary objective of the fine-blanking process is to reduce the fracture zone depth and die roll zone width. This study used a 2.5-mm-thick central processing unit (CPU) thermal heat spreader as an example. Finite element analysis software was employed to simulate and optimize the main eight process parameters that affect the fracture zone depth and die roll zone width after fine-blanking: the V-ring shape angle, V-ring height of the blank holder, V-ring height of the cavity, V-ring position, blank holder force, counter punch force, die clearance, and blanking velocity. Simulation analysis was conducted using the L18 (21 × 37) Taguchi orthogonal array experimental combination. The simulation results of the fracture zone depth and die roll zone width were optimized and analyzed as quality objectives using Taguchi’s smaller-the-better design. The analysis results revealed that with fracture zone depth as the quality objective, 0.164 mm was the optimal value, and counter punch force made the largest contribution of 25.89%. In addition, with die roll zone width as the quality objective, the optimal value was 1.274 mm, and V-ring height of the cavity made the largest contribution of 29.45%. Subsequently, this study selected fracture zone depth and die roll zone width as multicriteria quality objectives and used the robust multicriteria optimal approach and Pareto-optimal solutions to perform multicriteria optimization analysis. The results met the industry’s fraction zone depth standard (below 12% of blank thickness) and achieved a smaller die roll zone width.

Comparison of the Nucleation Parameters of Aqueous L-glycine Solutions in the Presence of L-arginine from Induction Time and Metastable-Zone-Width Data

Induction time and metastable-zone-width (MSZW) data for aqueous L-glycine solutions in the presence of L-arginine impurity were experimentally measured using a turbidity probe in this study. The nucleation parameters, including the interfacial free energy and pre-exponential nucleation factor, obtained from induction time data, were compared with those obtained from MSZW data. The influences of lag time on the nucleation parameters were examined for the induction time data. The effects of L-arginine impurity concentration on the nucleation parameters based on both the induction time and MSZW data were investigated in detail.

Optimizing Non-Glare Zone Width of Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) Using Fuzzy Logic Control

Adaptive driving beam (ADB) is an advanced vehicle forward-lighting system that automatically adapts its beam patterns to create a non-glare zone around vehicles, providing good long-range visibility for the driver without causing an uncomfortable glare for other road users. The performance of the ADB system is affected by the non-glare zone width. A narrow non-glare zone could create indirect glare in the side rearview mirrors of preceding vehicles during sharp turns while widening it results in poor road illumination. This research studies the trade-off relationship between glare and road illumination when altering the width of the non-glare zone in different driving scenarios. The study is conducted by using virtual driving simulation tools to simulate an ADB vehicle on four S-curve roads with minimum curvatures varying from 25 m to 100 m. Lux data are collected and processed using a fuzzy logic controller to mimic a human test driver to find the best non-glare zone width for balancing the trade-off. The research developed a design methodology allowing for a better understanding of the effect adjusting the width of the ADB non-glare zone has on ADB performance and improved ADB non-glare zone width optimum control system design.

Determination of the Metastable Zone Width and Nucleation Parameters of Succinic Acid for Electrochemically Induced Crystallization

Electrified downstream processes for biotechnologically produced carboxylic acids reduce waste salt generation significantly and make biotechnological production ecologically and economically more attractive. In order to design, optimize, scale-up and control electrochemically induced crystallization processes, knowledge of the metastable zone width (MSZW) is essential. An optical observation approach of nucleation processes close to the electrode and determination of the MSZW is presented. This work presents a method for MSZW measurements for electrochemically induced pH-shift crystallization processes by monitoring the nucleation, the saturation pH value and saturation concentration for different current densities. The measured MSZWs for electrochemically induced pH-shift crystallization are narrow due to the foreign surface, gas bubbles and electrode surface, and rising current densities lead to even smaller MSZW. Nucleation parameters are estimated from MSWZ data, adapting the classical approach of Nývlt to electrochemically induced crystallization.

Structure Partition and Reasonable Width Determination of Waterproof Coal Pillar in Strip Mining

Retaining a waterproof coal pillar is the most effective water conservation method for a roadway close to the gob, and determining a reasonable width of the waterproof coal pillar has been a common problem among mining scholars for a considerably long time. Based on the mining of the 15208 mining face in Xinjing Coal Mine, the structure of waterproof coal pillar is divided into a mine-pressure-influenced plastic zone, an effective waterproof elastic core zone, and a water pressure failure zone. The mine-pressure-influenced plastic zone width is determined by using the limit equilibrium theory, the parabolic strength theory, and the separation variable method. The effective waterproof elastic core zone width is determined by the semi-inverse solution method, and the water pressure failure zone width is determined by considering the infiltration and softening of water. After that, combined with the previous theoretical analysis of engineering examples, the theoretical value of waterproof coal pillar width is obtained. In addition, the physical shape distribution of the waterproof coal pillar is measured by ultrasonic detection technology. The results are consistent with the field measured results. The correctness of the model is verified. Finally, the rationality of the model is verified by comparing with the previous classical models. The research results are applied to the design of the waterproof coal pillar in Xinjing Coal Mine, which could provide a theoretical basis for determining the width of the waterproof coal pillar located close to a gob.

Calculation of the Roadside Clear Zone Width along Highways Based on the Safe Slope

International crash data indicate that roadside characteristics contribute to more than half of all roadside accidents involving serious injury or death. Therefore, research on roadside safety is urgently needed. Based on the vehicle departure speed, pavement height (i.e., the difference between pavement elevation and ground elevation), slope gradient, and horizontal curve radius, this study uses PC-Crash simulation software to carry out tests of trucks and cars exiting a road. A chi-squared automatic interaction detection (CHAID) decision tree is used to explore the causative mechanism of vehicle rollover, and the concept of a “safe slope” to ensure that vehicles do not roll over is proposed. Aiming at straight and curved sections, discriminant functions of vehicle rollover and nonrollover are fitted through Bayesian discriminant analysis, and safe slope calculation models for trucks and cars are then constructed. Based on the obtained safe slope models, calculation methods for the safe slope and the roadside clear zone width involving different traffic compositions are proposed by calibrating the lateral distance from the final position of nonrollover vehicles to the road edge. The results show that the factors affecting vehicle rollover are, in descending order of importance, the slope gradient, pavement height, vehicle type, departure speed, and horizontal curve radius. For a section with a large proportion of cars, the slope gradient should not be steeper than 1:3.5. The horizontal curve radius should not be less than 600 m for a section with a large proportion of trucks and a slope gradient steeper than 1:3.5 or shallower than 1:2.5. Additionally, for a section with a pavement higher than 0.5 m and a slope gradient steeper than 1:2.5, the operating speed limit should be lower than 60 km/h. These research results have theoretical value and practical significance to improve the driving safety level and reducing the risk of roadside accidents.