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To maintain high-quality semiconductor wafer production processes, it is necessary to build high-quality virtual metrology (VM) model. Based on the result of the VM, the engineer can monitor and control the specific process. In the manufacturing process, various sources are obtained from sensor equipment. It is important to consider that these source data exhibit varying characteristics during the model construction. However, when all data sources are simply aggregated into a single model, the performance of the overall model may degrade, especially if any of the individual sources contain outliers or noise. To address this issue, we develop a data-fusion model designed to incorporate diverse data sources into a unified multi-source model. In particular, we improve an Adaboost regression algorithm to make it suitable for multi-source data in the field of VM. The algorithm combines the residuals of the models derived from each individual data source and all sources to adaptively adjust the thresholding value, which, in turn, determines whether the predicted values are accurate or not for each weak learner. Extensive practical validations on real-world processing data from semiconductor manufacturers have demonstrated that the proposed method outperforms single learning algorithms and is more robust than all benchmarks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Out-of-school time (OST) science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programming has positive impacts for youth, and the importance of engineering design activities and principles within STEM programming is well-supported by research. Including subject matter experts (SMEs) in these programs enriches the experience of youth participants. Public libraries are widely accessible to the public, and their role in the OST arena is expanding. Library staff can boost the quality of STEM learning experiences by partnering with SMEs. Purpose: Subject matter experts (SME) contribute more than just their expertise. Between 2018 and 2019, a group of diverse professional engineers and librarians co-facilitated engineering activities at six U.S. libraries serving traditionally underserved populations. This study investigates the alignment in active learning preferences between youth, library staff, and professional engineer volunteers. Method: The study's design implemented the Framework for the Observation and Categorization of Instructional Strategies (FOCIS), which identifies seven different types of learning activities: collaborating, competing, performing, discovering, making, teaching, and caretaking. The FOCIS helped researchers evaluate the learning activity preferences of youth participants, engineers, and librarians. Results: The analysis showed that the learning activity preferences of youth and engineers were much more closely aligned than those of librarians. Conclusions: Alignment between youth-program participants and SME program facilitators has the potential to enrich the program experience and foster active engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cost engineering capabilities are becoming increasingly important for the competitiveness of industrial firms, especially for engineer to order products (ETOPs). Despite this relevance, the literature on the use of advanced data-driven methodologies, such as machine learning (ML), for early cost estimation (CE) of ETOPs is quite sparse. Furthermore, ML has still seen little use in real industrial applications due to several challenges. Accordingly, the objective of this paper is threefold: (a) to develop a solid early CE approach for ETOPs, including feature selection; (b) to investigate the benefits of adopting ML for ETOPs' CE; (c) to identify how ML can be introduced into real industrial context with little knowledge on ML. Long action research has been carried out with a large industrial company that produces Oil & Gas ETOPs. We observed how ML facilitates the exploration of the relationships between the choices of early design stages and the CE. ML algorithms also allowed to both capture the high variability of the data and test different combinations of cost drivers in very effective ways. The project resulted in an accurate CE framework with an iterative feature selection process and an approach for introducing ML into a real industrial context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) often occurs 3 weeks to 3 months after brain injury, which is mainly caused by bleeding of the bridging vein. For patients with ventriculoperitoneal (V-P) shunt, excessive drainage can also cause CSDH. We present a rare case of CSDH caused by shunt valve breakdown in brain injury. Case Report: We report a 68-year-old man with V-P shunt for 8 years. He presented with bilateral CSDH with disappearance of lateral ventricles nearly 1 month after a brain injury caused by being hit with a stick. After burr hole drainage (BHD), the patient's symptoms improved and lateral ventricles reappeared, but disappeared rapidly with CSDH recurrence within a short time. We considered the cause to be medium pressure shunt valve breakdown caused by hitting with a stick, which was confirmed by the engineer's test after the operation and excessive drainage of cerebrospinal fluid. BHD replaced the adjustable pressure shunt valve, and the patient recovered. Conclusion: V-P shunt is a common operation in neurosurgery, and postoperative shunt valve breakdown may lead to poor outcome. We report a rare case of CSDH caused by shunt valve breakdown due to excessive external forces, suggesting that patients after V-P shunt should pay attention to the protection of the shunt valve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to address issues of potential gender bias in pre-service elementary teachers' conceptions of engineers and engineering using Freire's (2018) Critical Consciousness perspective. By identifying the biasness as causal and structural attributions, the study also aimed to construct a critical pedagogy framework for future pre-service elementary teachers to reflect on and to radically reimagine and transform potential gender bias in their conceptions of engineers and engineering. Drawings of engineers and narratives of drawings from 115 pre-service elementary teachers served as data. The analysis comprised a two-step process: (1) identification of patterns through an inductive analysis of the data; and (2) analysis of patterns from the Critical Consciousness perspective to generate themes. Themes included: (1) depictions of male engineers being afforded privileges of having innate abilities to perform engineering from the standpoint of strong disciplinary backgrounds in mathematics and science while depictions of female engineers being afforded privileges of having innate abilities to perform engineering from the standpoint of computing, designing, and coding. (2) depictions of male engineers' "work" of engineering being related to tangible outcomes like physical products, and (3) depictions of male engineers as authority figures and having the ability to lead the work of engineering. The critical pedagogical framework constructed is a step toward developing a tool for critically reflecting, and radically imagining, reimagining, and thus transforming inequities inherent in future pre-service elementary teachers' conceptualizations of engineers and engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractA hard surface feels soft or elastic when carefully controlled vibrations are provided to a pressing finger. This compliance illusion method may be employed to augment graphical objects on smartphone screens with compliant tactile properties. However, product engineers encounter practical questions when attempting to use the compliance illusion method for their products. Should the waveform be sinusoidal? How much time delay is acceptable? Should the vibration axis be perpendicular to the surface? A series of experiments was conducted to address these questions. The first experiment revealed that the waveform could not be distinguished in the context of the compliance illusion method when applied to typical smartphones. The second experiment demonstrated that time delays greater than 25 ms and the use of the three vibration axes could be distinguished in the same context. The third experiment explored how the perceptual qualities of the compliance illusion change with variations in time delay and the axis of vibration. Time delay had significant effects on softness, smoothness, elasticity, and unpleasantness, while the vibration axis had significant effects on softness, smoothness, and elasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the concept of engineers' boundary work, focusing on their professional knowledge and interaction strategies as they navigate complex challenges. It discusses how engineers establish and defend their professional boundaries, as well as the role of gender and race in shaping these boundaries. The article also examines how engineers adapt and expand their roles, including taking on management and business responsibilities. It highlights the resistance to interdisciplinary education in engineering schools and the strategic manipulation of boundaries within collaborative projects. Additionally, the article explores the relationship between engineering and environmental activism, and the evolving attitudes towards integrating activism into professional identity. Overall, the article emphasizes that engineers' boundary work is influenced by social hierarchies and cultural norms, and is continuously renegotiated in response to changing responsibilities and societal expectations. [Extracted from the article]

This paper explores three different forms of negotiation implemented by environmentalist engineers between their professional work and their environmental activism. These engineers, members of environmentalist organizations, appropriate in different ways this conceptual professional boundary that separates and opposes the social worlds of engineering and activism. The article draws from narrative interviews with 50 environmentalist engineers that focused on the dynamics of these negotiations and their effects on biographical trajectories. The process of conforming, shifting or overstepping the boundary between profession and activism is linked to the framing of environmental causes. The precarious balances these engineers strike between work and activism thus depend on three factors: the emergence (or not) of a professional reflexivity, the adoption (or not) of a political interpretation and the reaction of hierarchical superiors and company management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this article is to determine the relationship between mobile money services and the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). A sample of 50 SMEs was collected. The probit model was used to estimate the result. The study established that mobile money services have a positive and significant relationship with the growth of SMEs. The determinants of mobile money services observed are; experience in business management, frequency of bill payment, size of business, male entrepreneur, operation of mobile money account, frequency of purchasing airtime, distance to financial institutions, number of business branches, mobile money accounts held, secondary education, technical support, location of business, number of workers and size of capital transaction. The challenges faced by entrepreneurs in mobile money transactions observed are: wrong manipulation of account, delays, environmental complexities, and loss of money due to hawkers. The result suggests that SMEs should intensify the use of mobile money services in their daily business transactions. It is a wise step toward business expansion. Entrepreneurs of SMEs should take advantage of the drivers of mobile money services to encourage the diverse use of digital technologists. Finally, entrepreneurs should avoid risky manipulations of their mobile money gargets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engineering education has evolved significantly in recent years, however, engineering graduates continue to encounter challenges during their transition to the workplace. There is a need to identify graduates’ needs and gather their input regarding engineering education programs to enhance the preparation of engineering students for the workplace. This study examined how early-career engineers perceive their undergraduate engineering programs in preparing them for the workplace. Additionally, it investigated what domains the engineers identify for improvement in engineering programs. In this multiple-case study, we interviewed 26 early-career engineers from seven organisations in the Aerospace and Defense industry across the U.S. We employed open coding to examine their responses and derive common themes. The findings showed that early-career engineers view technical knowledge and skills, persistence, and personal development instilled through their programs as valuable takeaways. However, they also highlighted the need for teaching professional skills, fostering collaboration between different engineering departments, promoting lifelong learning, and enhancing collaboration between academia and industry. The findings highlight areas in which engineering education and organisations can collaborate to better prepare students for the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research shows a positive association between skilled migration and innovation. Related literature however is largely limited to the use of proxies such as patents, and publications. There is also a lack of attention to how innovation is accomplished in practices. This paper addresses these gaps with an examination of the innovative contributions made by immigrant engineers in Canada. Conceptually, informed by practice-based theories, it conceives innovation as a sociocultural and sociomaterial process that leads to the transformation of the object/motives of activities, i.e. the problem space to which actions are directed. Empirically, drawing on a thematic and situational analysis of the career accounts of 32 immigrant engineers, it shows that immigrants expand engineering practices by introducing, inter alias, new technologies, products, processes, policies and standards. It further traces the rise of the problem spaces, and the ways in which engineering objects and other practitioners are knotted into practices of innovation. It argues that while immigrants manage to introduce epistemic objects through continuous learning and knowledge translation, it is through the enrolment of other practitioners, and technologies and tools that relations of differences and power are (re)negotiated, and new ways of doing become amplified as innovation at work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing complexity of societal problems and the need for more interdisciplinary problem-solving in the future raise new demands for future engineering competences. Consequently, competences related to management and leadership must be reconsidered and reflected in both engineering education and engineering education research. This leads to the following research question: In which ways are students' learning of management and leadership articulated and related in engineering education literature? In this study, this research question is answered through a systematic literature review wherein 112 journal articles were reviewed to explore articulations of students' learning of management and leadership competences. The review finds extensive diversity in the literature, with different and sometimes even overlapping articulations of management and leadership in an educational context. Furthermore, the review identifies a difference between implicit and explicit approaches to addressing the development of students' management and leadership competences. Finally, the importance of the mutual interaction between management and leadership is discussed in an engineering education context. It is stressed that moving forward when working with complex problems in interdisciplinary teams requires both change and vision, as well as the tools and plans to actually make it happen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engineering curricula need to integrate global competence learning to ensure that graduates can succeed in globalised labour markets. In this context, this study examines disciplinary engineering courses, focusing on the key characteristics of globally competent educators and teaching approaches in terms of learning environments and course activities from the students' perspective. We conducted focus group discussions with 28 students from different engineering disciplines to learn more about their perceptions and experiences. The results suggest that they felt that integrated global competence learning would require educators to demonstrate open-mindedness, a global mindset, and strong social skills. In addition, global competence teaching approaches were associated with learning environments that were described as engaging, inclusive, and student-centered, and with course activities that were related to real-world situations, included collaborative elements, and were facilitated and supported by the instructor. This study contextualises the idea of global competence in engineering education and provides valuable insights into students' perspectives and experiences with its integration during their studies. It also critically examines students' ideas and suggestions about opportunities for such learning in relation to educational science, and suggests a way forward for global competence in engineering education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various algorithms have been put forth for an efficiency estimation of an in-service induction motor with varying intrusion levels and accuracy. In the field, it is hard to reach the terminals of an in-service motor because of its location. This paper helps a field engineer to choose properly an efficiency estimation method for condition monitoring of an in-service induction motor. In this paper, the author put forth an approach based on symmetrical components to assess the efficiency of induction machine working on unbalanced power supplies at any loading condition. A comparison is done between two offline intelligence techniques like gravitational search (GS) algorithm and cuckoo search (CS) algorithm for estimating the efficiency of an induction machine by using limited measurements. The merit of these techniques is that the motor is not taken out from its place of installation for testing. Also, the highly intrusive no-load test is avoided. Simulations and experimental results support and validate the carried-out research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 3rd South East Asian Young Engineers Colloquium (YEC) took place from 19-20 January 2024, organized by the National Groups of Rep. of Korea, China, Japan, and Hong Kong S.A.R. China. The event showcased the knowledge and innovation of the engineering community in the region and had a total of 149 registered attendees. The colloquium included a design competition, presentations on structural engineering advancements, and social activities. The event provided a platform for young engineers to connect, exchange ideas, and foster collaboration. [Extracted from the article]

Using 3D models in the design phase of bridges helps the engineer to verify the bridge's geometry and to analyse its aesthetic qualities. When these models are parameterized, the whole design process becomes more dynamic and standardized, which is very attractive to the infrastructure area of bridge engineering. This work presents a technique for automated generation of box girder bridge models, in which the geometric parameters are defined based on current design standards and criteria. Fast generation of a bridge's model allows the engineer to make quicker decisions about the adopted structural solution, which expedites bridge design. Two case studies are chosen to present more details and validate the proposed technique: an existing overpass located in an urban area, and a fictitious bridge connecting two coastal cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamified-integrated STEM is a technique that combines integrated STEM stages with gamification elements and can engage individuals in climate change communication. This paper presents a gamified-integrated STEM activity focused on global climate change. The activity includes gamified-integrated STEM instructional stages implemented in 6 lesson hours. The game elements used in the activity were time, rewards, points, badges, leaderboards, materials, stories, goals, and rules. Badges included: Decoders, Explorer, Meteorologist, Climatologist, Benevolent Koala, Scientist, and Engineer. The activity was designed for middle school students and aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. Educators are encouraged to incorporate this pedagogical activity within their instructions to elucidate fundamental concepts related to the consequences of climate change. In doing so, teachers can promote student engagement, improve awareness, and refine problem-solving competencies pertinent to climate-centric challenges. The activity has been evaluated and recommendations for enhancement have been made to ensure optimal efficacy in cultivating gamification and a nuanced understanding of climate-related topics among learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pragmatists are interested primarily not in representing a purportedly unchanging Reality but in articulating prophetic future possibilities on the basis of the values most venerated by a culture/society in the present. This makes pragmatism sound a little like 'Conceptual Engineering'. Conceptual engineers too are interested in transforming our ways of talking, which implies some notion of how such improvements are to be evaluated. Nevertheless, this paper argues that accounts of conceptual engineering that regard it as key to the project of elucidating an externalist semantics find it difficult to accommodate on their own terms the problem-phenomena taken to be of shared interest: regions of discourse where the demand for change are at their most pressing culturally. This difficulty takes the form of what I call the Conceptual Engineering Dilemma (CED), an inability to accommodate simultaneously the ethical and ameliorative dimensions of contestation. I argue that acknowledging the formalist commitments that undergird CED should make pragmatism more appealing to the practically-orientated analytic philosopher and conclude with a brief survey of some of the tools that it makes available for the pressing work of changing minds for the better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The later Carnap is usually cited as the first conceptual engineer – someone who argues that we can and should revise our concepts in order to make them fit for their purpose. This paper shows that there is an earlier, pragmatist, account of conceptual engineering and that today's conceptual engineers would do well to turn to it, rather than to Carnap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positioned as part of leadership development in many organizations, 'stretch assignments' are a type of work assignment that can prove someone's readiness to advance in their career. Informed by status characteristics theory, our research investigates the frequency and expected outcomes of stretch assignments among recent engineering graduates in the workforce. Findings suggest that early-career stretch assignments, especially assignments involving new and unfamiliar areas, potentially intensify gender and racial/ethnic workforce inequality. Other types of assignments that may be more familiar and clearly-scoped to early-career engineers show a different and less inequality-intensifying pattern. We discuss why early-career engineers' assignments may be sites of inequality and the need for more focus on organizational processes around career-advancing work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the journal Engineering Studies, which has been publishing interdisciplinary work on gender, race, and power in engineering for the past fifteen years. It highlights special issues on engineering masculinities, exclusion and inclusion in engineering education, and gender dynamics in industrial design. The article also provides a list of articles published by the journal on these topics, emphasizing their high citation and readership rates. It acknowledges the lack of geographic diversity in the research, with most of the work coming from the US and Europe. The article then focuses on three specific articles in the issue that explore the experiences of early-career engineers and the impact of gender and race on their career opportunities. It concludes by encouraging more diverse research in terms of geographic locations and topics. [Extracted from the article]

While many early-career engineers in the United States leave the field of engineering in the first few years of their careers, we know little of their early professional experiences and reasoning for career plans. We conducted 33 semi-structured interviews with early-career engineers, comparing the experiences of engineers across intersections of gender and race. In particular, we examine meaningful early-career experiences and how these connect to the innate needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, as well as career intentions. Top moments on the job were often first-time experiences and milestones that enhanced the engineers' sense of competence. Meaningful moments connected to relatedness were more often positive than negative experiences for White men, whereas experiences undermining relatedness were more common for people of color and/or women. Connections to autonomy emerged more in bottom moments, especially for White engineers. Across different intended career pathways, early-career engineers often evaluated their experiences regarding their ability to work effectively and through social validation from peers and managers (or undermined by a lack thereof). The results indicate the need for a greater understanding of early-career affordances in supporting entry and retention in the engineering workforce by promoting individual effectiveness and social validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) models such as OpenAI's ChatGPT have the potential to revolutionize Statistical Process Control (SPC) practice, learning, and research. However, these tools are in the early stages of development and can be easily misused or misunderstood. In this paper, we give an overview of the development of Generative AI. Specifically, we explore ChatGPT's ability to provide code, explain basic concepts, and create knowledge related to SPC practice, learning, and research. By investigating responses to structured prompts, we highlight the benefits and limitations of the results. Our study indicates that the current version of ChatGPT performs well for structured tasks, such as translating code from one language to another and explaining well-known concepts but struggles with more nuanced tasks, such as explaining less widely known terms and creating code from scratch. We find that using new AI tools may help practitioners, educators, and researchers to be more efficient and productive. However, in their current stages of development, some results are misleading and wrong. Overall, the use of generative AI models in SPC must be properly validated and used in conjunction with other methods to ensure accurate results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides a historical overview of the Journal of Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems (CEES) from its inception in 1983 to the present day. It highlights the increasing complexity of civil engineering practice and the emergence of the systems approach as crucial to the field. The article also mentions various special issues of the journal that cover a diverse range of topics, including water resources, decision making, sustainability, and climate change. The passing of the baton from one editor to another is discussed, as well as the future direction of the journal. The article concludes with two contrasting perspectives on the role of systems thinking in addressing global challenges and averting crises. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the contributions of Paul Jowitt to the journal Civil Engineering & Environmental Systems (CES) over the years. Jowitt's early work focused on applying systems engineering methods to civil engineering, but he later realized the limitations of technique-oriented approaches. His writings evolved to emphasize the importance of real-world applications, reflective practice, and systems thinking. Jowitt's work addressed various topics such as decision-making, expert systems, demand forecasting, and sustainable development. The article highlights the need for a balance between knowledge, skills, and attitude in engineering education and emphasizes the role of engineers in providing systems-level solutions for infrastructure and climate change challenges. The journal aims to support and develop systems thinking in civil engineering. [Extracted from the article]

This report presents the key talking points in the First Workshop on the Future of Machine Learning in Geotechnics (FOMLIG), that include data infrastructure, geotechnical context, computational cost, and human judgment. On the first point, it was argued that further growth in data sharing needs stronger demonstration of value to practice and protection of data privacy. On the second point, significant progress has been made in addressing site specificity (site recognition challenge). On the third point, it is costly to interpret monitoring data in the context of machine learning guided observational method (MLOM) because the 3D domain influencing the geotechnical structure is large, real-time dataset is very large and its attributes are complicated, data fusion remains challenging, and computation speed must support real-time decision making. Real-time machine learning-based decision support is clearly not useful if it is not providing the engineer with sufficient lead time to adjust the construction process. On the fourth point, the capability of generative AIs such as ChatGPT to act as an intelligent companion to an engineer in decision making is exciting. The role of human judgment in human-machine teaming is unclear, but for human-machine teaming to be effective, a deliberate approach is needed to build trust between the human and the AI/robot partner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engineering identity has been repeatedly linked to the retention and success of engineering students, however, the current methods for understanding identity may not capture the holistic engineering identity journey. This study reviewed the method of utilising journey maps as a new approach to capture student engineering identity experiences. Interviews were conducted with 30 engineering students and early career engineers in which the participants responded to semi-structured, open-ended questions through the creation of their individual journey map. These maps were then thematically analysed to identify the key influences of engineering identity and the stage of their university journey when these influences occur. We determined that participants who strongly identify as engineers more often discussed and valued social identity experiences in the mid-year and final years of their degree, in contrast to participants who did not feel like engineers. We found that utilising journey maps as a tool for understanding identity allowed for a retrospective correlation between experience and impact, provided the participants space for authentic reflection and honoured the individuality of identity development. This method of journey mapping could be used to inform engineering education research in the further exploration and understanding of student identity development, reflective experiences and narrative storytelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Young Engineers Colloquium 2023 (YEC2023) was organized by the Belgian and Dutch National Groups of IABSE and took place at Ghent University in Belgium. The event provided a platform for young engineers under 35 years old to present their research, engineering, and construction projects to fellow engineers in the structural engineering sector. The Colloquium included oral and poster presentations, as well as a keynote lecture by Prof. José Campos e Matos. The event also featured a city walk and a technical excursion to visit bridges under construction and the Oosterweel tunnel project. Awards were given for the best paper and poster presentations. The conference proceedings are freely available for download. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the human fascination with replicating and improving upon creation and nature throughout history. It explores the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its potential to supersede human capabilities. The article explains how AI systems work by combining large sets of data using algorithms to learn from patterns and features. It also raises questions about the impact of AI on creativity, intellectual property, and the potential risks and rewards of this technology. The article includes AI-generated artworks created by four artists. [Extracted from the article]

Power Electronics (PE) is pivotal in fostering renewable energy. However, focusing on usage efficiency shifts environmental impacts across its life cycle, leading to excessive resource extraction and waste accumulation. Integrating environmental impact indicators in PE development is crucial for informed design decisions. Nevertheless, the current literature lacks the provision of adequate understanding of the PE product development process for successful ecodesign in PE industry. To effectively tackle the industrial integration aspect of ecodesign that enable functional and system innovation, this study employs empirical research, combining literature analysis with in-depth interviews with PE designers. Requirements for an ecodesign support to integrate ecodesign practices into the Product Development Process (PDP) of PCB-based Power Electronic Components (PECs) is proposed in this paper based on the interview results. These specifications are delineating the necessary working and decision- making steps. Subsequently, a parameterized Functional Block-based Life Cycle Analysis (FB-LCA) model is proposed under the requirement. A five-step methodology is proposed to operationalise the implementation of the FB-LCA model, aiming to supporting the definition of functional structure, configuration of technical solutions and choice of hardware components by considering environmental impacts generated all along life cycle, from manufacturing, transport, use, circularity scenario, end-of-life .The case study of a PCB-based boost converter design is conducted in collaboration with a PE engineer to test the practical implementation of FB-LCA model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document is an editorial introducing selected papers from the 4th International Symposium on Thermal-Fluid Dynamics (ISTFD 2023). Thermal-fluid dynamics is a crucial field that impacts various subjects and technologies, including energy generation, aerospace, automotive engineering, and more. The ISTFD series was established in 2019 to promote research and progress in thermal-fluid dynamics. The 4th symposium was successfully held in Nanjing, China, in 2023, with over 200 participants from 15 countries. This special issue contains 15 peer-reviewed articles showcasing recent research progress in thermal-fluid dynamics and interdisciplinary research. [Extracted from the article]

This article features an interview with Prof. Dr. Eva Lantsoght, a structural engineer from Ecuador and the Netherlands. She currently works as a Professor of Structural Engineering at Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador and as a part-time Assistant Professor in Concrete Structures at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. Within the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE), she serves as the Vice Chair of the Editorial Board of Structural Engineering International (SEI) journal and has been involved in various roles within the organization. Prof. Lantsoght discusses the significance of hosting IABSE events in Latin America, her experience working on a special issue of SEI focused on Latin American research and structures, recent landmark projects in Ecuador and Latin America, and the benefits of being an IABSE member. She also provides tips for young engineers and invites readers to connect with her for career advice or collaboration opportunities. [Extracted from the article]

This article is an interview with Prof. Dr. Tobia Zordan, the Chair of the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering's (IABSE) Technical Committee. The interview discusses his role and goals within the committee, including the inclusion of young engineers, the establishment of the IABSE Academy for education and training, the creation of the IABSE Repository to centralize technical output, and the increased importance and integration of National Groups within IABSE. Zordan also discusses the future of the Technical Committee and emphasizes the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the association. [Extracted from the article]

Presented here is a novel engineering degree initiative established at Charles Sturt University (CSU), Australia. This program embodies emerging trends and prospects in engineering education, aspiring to nurture adept engineers well-prepared for practical application. Furthermore, this paper delves into the application of this program for training the next generation of water engineers, equipping them with indispensable skills to confront novel challenges. The CSU Engineering program incorporates several attributes commonly found in progressive engineering curricula. It places significance on work-based learning and encompasses an extensive 6000-hour industrial work placement. This emphasizes student self-reflection, engineering design, robust academic leadership, the integration of educational innovation and novel tools for scholastic exploration, and comprehensive student assessment. Gaining robust industry support, the CSU Engineering program garners recognition as an exemplar for future education. The adaptability, professionalism, responsibility, and leadership exhibited by CSU cadets are highly regarded by their industrial partners. Feedback highlights the consistent advancement of cadets' soft skills, spanning teamwork, communication, leadership, community engagement, and interpersonal relations. Notably, CSU cadets receive substantial remuneration from their industrial engagements. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 restrictions, the CSU Engineering program continues to operate seamlessly with minimal disruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimizing testing power is a paramount concern in modern digital circuit design, particularly as the intricacy of circuits continues to rise. This issue becomes even more pronounced with the scaling down of feature sizes due to advancements in process technology. The increase in testing power dissipation, beyond the regular operational state, raises red flags for both designers and test engineers. This paper introduces a novel cluster-based approach, shedding light on the efficient reordering of test vectors to mitigate the heightened switching activity. This technique aims to reduce the power consumption during testing, while still ensuring efficient error detection, maintaining the test period, and preserving the original order of the scan chain. Importantly, this reordering method does not introduce any additional area or test time overhead, minimizing the risks associated with these factors. The potential impact of this approach is demonstrated through concrete examples drawn from ISCAS'89 benchmark circuits. The results showcase a notable 11% reduction in switching activity, all while preserving fault coverage levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We construct a new procedure for clustering partially masked images from wafer bin maps (WBMs). A WBM is an image of bin codes from circuit probe tests on a wafer after a semiconductor manufacturing process. Certain defect patterns of WBMs provide engineers with information to isolate manufacturing problems. The engineers prefer to see the identified defect patterns in clusters. Then they may match each cluster to a well-known defect type or they could easily see if there are new defect patterns. However, the WBMs may be masked at a large area due to the sequential circuit probe tests for bin codes. WBMs may also have various proportions of noise. There are two major contributions of this research. First, our method of locally iterative interpolation for the image reconstruction of masked WBMs will recover certain parts of the original patterns. Second, we proposed a new modified Radon transformation to extract features for better clustering of partly masked WBMs. We demonstrated our procedure on synthetic WBMs with various defect pattern types and levels of masking through a simulation study. The image patterns of WBMs during simulation were observed from a specific kind of real wafer product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we address the lack of a unified approach to understanding engineering practice by developing and presenting a taxonomy of common engineering activities. The taxonomy consists of 86 common engineering activities linked to 17 engineering competencies and the 11 International Engineering Alliance graduate attributes. The list of activities was developed using a six-step process, including multiple systematic literature searches and surveying engineers. The taxonomy provides a critical foundation for better understanding what engineers do, particularly in the Australian and New Zealand context. The taxonomy has potential utility in both engineering practice research and engineering education curriculum reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the challenges faced by post-disaster construction, the present study endeavours to offer an improved solution in a practical manner. To this end, a critical analysis of modular systems that can be employed in post-disaster construction is conducted, which is succeeded by the set of required features. Considering these features, a system based on modular prefabricated components (MPC) is presented, which effectively eliminates all hitches while demonstrating facilitated solutions. From a practical standpoint, a comprehensive description of the structure's dimensions, assembly steps and design constraints are proffered, accompanied by primary structural analysis factoring in the highest risk categories. The applicability and limitations of the system in post-disaster scenarios are also discussed in comparison to other modular construction methods. The findings indicate that the system exhibits high levels of disjoint-ability and collectability, flexibility and customisability, developability and repairability, in addition to being cost- and time-efficient. Furthermore, it demonstrates a favourable response to the predicaments posed by post-disaster situations, such as logistics, construction process, safety, seismic behaviour and environmental effects. Overall, this research highlights the applicability and potential of MPC systems in post-disaster construction and delivers a valuable output for policymakers, managers, architects and engineers involved in this regard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulation is usually justified by the public interest in theory but in practice may end up serving special interests. This paper evaluates the regulatory frameworks for engineers and engineering technologists in Kenya with the view to establishing whether they take the public interest into consideration or only other special interests. Taking public interest into account is necessary to foster development and avoid regulatory conflicts. The study used qualitative document analysis (QDA) to collect and analyze the documentary data available in relevant statutes, namely the Engineers Registration Act (1969–2012), the Engineers Act (from 2012), and the Engineering Technology Act, as well as the Auditor-General's annual reports. The main aim of the study is to establish whether the regulators are motivated by public interest or not. The findings are that public interest is not the main goal because regulators focus on non-regulatory activities such as business investments, there is capture of regulatory instruments by the regulator, there is limited inclusion of other actors in the regulatory operations, there is engagement in extraprofessional activities with the risk of distraction from the core mandate of professional regulation, there is budgeting for excess funds, a lack of clear definition of the public interest in the relevant sections of the statute. The findings confirm pursuit of special interests by the regulators, rather than the public interest. The main contribution of the study is that in developing and African countries, regulatory mechanism of professions can be captured by the regulators to further narrow or special interests, just as it happens with the regulation of businesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, an engineer at Google, Blake Lemoine, claimed that a chatbot he had designed had learned to have intelligent conversations with him. But that's a far cry from how AI folks typically think of computers and artificial intelligence. Now, because the system acts "intelligently", AI nerds, like that Google engineer Lemoine, mistakenly conclude that the system is "intelligent.". [Extracted from the article]

The transfer of technical artifacts from industrialized countries to other parts of the world is nowadays a common and everyday occurrence. But the differences in the cultural backgrounds of societies, and the cultural and social consequences of technological incursion on destination societies have led to conflicts and dichotomies that have sometimes destroyed the cultural infrastructure of these destination societies. Therefore, making changes to imported technologies and the possibility of developing technology based on the needs of the native culture have been indispensable necessities for destination communities. In this article, we explore the possibilities surrounding this issue and look for a solution to be implemented. To this end, we first review and critique the views of scholars of science and technology studies and also of the philosophy of technology, and in particular look at the work of Ihde and Feenberg. We found their answers to these questions to be constructive but lacking a holistic approach that is also practicable. Finally, by presenting a three-step solution of our own, we try to bridge the gap and link the ideas of thinkers and the real issues of technology and culture in non-industrial societies. We believe these three steps offer a way to indigenize various forms of imported technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article traces the career of the Greek Orthodox Ottoman engineer George Franghia, who served for a decade and a half at the end of the nineteenth century as the engineer of the District of Jerusalem. Franghia, a brilliant and prolific engineer whose name has almost entirely disappeared from the annals of Late Ottoman Jerusalem, was responsible for numerous infrastructure projects, construction plans, and an ambitious vision for modernization which would have completely changed the nature of the city and District of Jerusalem had they been fully implemented. It presents his achievements, and the vicissitudes of his lengthy career, which eventually led him to serve the central Ottoman authorities in Istanbul including the Sultan himself, despite being involved in numerous other initiatives in Jerusalem, both private and public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the things I appreciate about the engineering studies community is that we are welcoming of new scholars, both those who are early in their career and those who are turning to engineering studies after having developed their career in other academic spaces. I insist that my students and potential authors minimize the passive voice whenever possible not just for the reasons of clarity, described above, but because of the philosophical and epistemological differences undergirding the language we use. The passive voice exemplifies what Donna Haraway called "a view from above, from nowhere".[3] It presumes that knowledge is objective and that the context of the research and the personhood of the researcher are irrelevant. [Extracted from the article]

Stone columns are widely used around the world as cost-effective soil improvement techniques for highways and embankments. They are also used as drainage to expedite the consolidation period, and accordingly to increase the allowable pressure, reduce settlement, and reduce the liquefaction potential for shallow foundations. Currently the design of these columns is based on the unit cell or homogenised material concepts, which neglect the effect of the interaction of the columns. This paper presents a 3-D numerical model using the finite element technique and the commercial software 'ABAQUS' to simulate the case of a group of stone columns installed in soft clay. The model is capable of capturing the interaction between columns and the surrounding soil and of establishing the mode of failure of the system. After validating the model with the available experimental results, it was used to predict the allowable pressure and the failure mechanism of groups of stone columns for given geometry/soil conditions. An improvement factor was introduced 'IF', which is defined as the ratio of the capacity of the improved to the unimproved soft clay. The results of this investigation are presented in the form of design charts to assist the engineer to determine the level of improvement needed to achieve a given allowable pressure for the foundation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the British Arctic Expedition of 1875 under command of George Nares left in search of the North Pole, they brought with them the most up-to-date photographic equipment available to the British Admiralty. Two crew members received instruction in photography from the astronomer, engineer and photographer, William Abney at Chatham, and Abney also sourced the wet and dry-plate equipment provided for the expedition. The expedition was unsuccessful in its ambitious geographical goal of reaching the North Pole, but it returned in 1876 with over 100 photographs. However, the Admiralty did not immediately release the photographs, which was a decision that was broadly criticized in the British periodical press. This was the first time an expedition had successfully returned with photographs taken in the high Arctic, so why did the Admiralty withhold the photographs? In this article, I use examples from the Illustrated London News and Nares' official travel account Narrative of A Voyage to the Polar Sea (1878) to examine the use of photography in constructing specific ideals of exploration in the context of the British Arctic Exploration of 1875. I show that the use of photography in the Arctic had been an experiment, both in terms of using new technologies while travelling in the high north, and in incorporating this new medium into the visual archives and narrative storytelling of expeditions. The use of different forms of illustrations also speaks the construction of visual authority and narratorial control in the context of imperial expansionism in the North. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay investigates the notion of counterproduction in the writings of Alexander Kluge. In Kongs große Stunde (2015), Kluge identifies counterproduction as an essentially reparative practice. It combines a constructive ethos of care with the deconstructive attitude of critique. In this sense, repair work as counterproduction offers a model to overcome the age-old dichotomies of theory and praxis, as well as analysis and synthesis. As a form of critical labor of intelligence, it also offers a new perspective on current debates on the value of critique in the humanities in general and literary studies in particular. The objects of (literary) critique transform from matters of fact into matters of concern. Repair workers like the engineer or the bricoleur are attentive to the precariousness of all artifacts. For them, (literary) objects are in constant need of care. They (re-)construct and maintain integrity and functionality by (re-)assembling seemingly random and heterogeneous elements in an open-ended process, thus producing the poetic vision of a future not based on the demands of Capitalist production but on counterproductive repair work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ludwig Loewy was a Jewish engineer who left Nazi Germany in 1936 to set up an engineering firm in London as a refugee. Britain was rearming, and a new generation of aircraft was being developed based on light alloy construction. The new Loewy Engineering Company had the expertise to supply presses and rolling mills required for alloy fabrication, which were otherwise supplied from Germany at a time of growing tension. The new firm also built a giant tube press for steel for the Admiralty. Loewy's new company grew rapidly in London, helped by a workforce of refugee engineers and managers and 'many thousands' of machinery drawings from Germany. Loewy became a technical advisor to the British Government's production programme for aircraft until his death in 1942. Back in Germany, Loewy's former firm, Schloemann in Düsseldorf, was Aryanised after his departure. Schloemann continued to supply equipment into the UK until the outbreak of war and went on to help the German and Italian war effort. Ludwig was dispossessed of his major share in the Company, and the history of Schloemann was rewritten. Ludwig Loewy's rapid assimilation owed much to earlier contacts with the UK engineering and metals establishment, his expertise in a sector that was growing rapidly and short of skills, customers who needed his technology, and his own personal energy and drive. The Government welcomed his contribution to aircraft and warship production at a time of break-neck rearmament. Ludwig Loewy's experience supports the view that German-speaking refugee engineers were readily accepted in the UK from 1933 to 1945. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beam engines introduced America to the steam age and powered the nation's progress for much of the 19th century, spearheading the navigation of its inland waterways, powering its mills and manufacturing industry, enabling the mining of its deep mineral resources, and supplying its growing cities with water. Development of the beam engine in America lagged that in Britain and Europe but followed a similar evolution until its displacement by other forms of steam engine and by electricity at the end of the 19th century. Development started with the introduction of America's first beam engine, imported from Britain in 1755, progressed through the rapid growth of American-built engines, and culminated in the mid- to late-19th century in the metropolitan waterworks of the American Midwest and East, in the deep mines of the American West, and in the paddle steamers that first brought America together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a summary of the 10th International Conference on Inverse Problems in Engineering (ICIPE 22), which took place in May 2022 in Francavilla al Mare, Italy. The conference brought together applied mathematicians and engineers from various disciplines to collaborate and discuss the use of inverse analysis tools in fields such as manufacturing, medical imaging, and space applications. The event also honored Professor James V. Beck, who made significant contributions to parameter estimation and inverse heat transfer problems. The conference featured keynote addresses, lectures, and a tribute to Prof. Beck. The article expresses gratitude to the organizers, sponsors, reviewers, and the editor-in-chief of the Heat Transfer Engineering Journal. The 11th ICIPE conference will be held in Brazil in 2024. [Extracted from the article]