Abstract

JODE purposes to deliver international readers with high quality peer-reviewed academic articles on a wide variety of issues related to open and distance learning, in areas such as technology-assisted learning, computer based training, computer-aided instruction or computer assisted instruction, internet-based training, web-based training, online training, virtual training, virtual learning environments, m-learning, digital education, education on social networking, massive online open courses, game-based learning, active learning, content design, e-assessment, mobile applications, e-video, the quality of open and distance education and accreditation etc. Document type: Part of book or chapter of book

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) engineering process. RCM is a unique tool used by reliability, safety, and/or maintenance engineers for developing optimum maintenance plans which define requirements and tasks to be performed in achieving, restoring, or maintaining the operational capability of a system or equipment. Implementing the RCM process requires the application of a decision logic that enables systematic analysis of failure mode, rate, and criticality data to determine the most effective maintenance requirements for maintenance-important items. It is through this process that the scheduled maintenance burden and support costs are reduced while sustaining the necessary readiness state. The RCM process is designed to focus engineering attention to the part level in a formal and disciplined manner leading logically to the formulation of a maintenance strategy and plan. RCM benefits include: *The development of high quality maintenance plans in less time and at lower cost. *The availability of a maintenace history for each system; one is able to correlate this experience with specific parts and their failure modes and criticalities. *The assurance that all maintenance-important parts and their failure modes and criticality are considered in the development of maintenance requirements. *The increased probability that the level and content of the maintenance requirement is optimally specified. *The basis for routine, on-line information exchange among the engineering staff and management even in a widely dispersed organization. Document type: Report

Abstract

novel processing algorithm is demonstrated for time-domain high-resolution Brillouin schemes based on acoustic field preactivation. An iterative method is employed to correct the measured data from spurious effects associated with acoustic wave transients. Based on a model of the stimulated Brillouin scattering in the frequency domain, the spatial resolution degrading features are computed and subtracted from the acquired data. Experimental tests with 20-cm spatial resolution and dark-pulse pumping are reported.

Abstract

In this paper, the AC interference produced by an overhead power transmission line on a buried metallic pipeline is estimated using a circuital method based on the well-known Carson’s formulae and a two-dimensional finite element numerical code. The finite element formulation used in this paper implicitly takes into account the mutual inductive coupling between all the considered conductors, and it allows a more detailed analysis in cases where a nonhomogeneous soil is present. The FEM approach includes a procedure which has been developed to enforce that the sum of the currents flowing through the soil, pipeline and eventual overhead ground wire is equal to zero. A case study has been identified, and the results obtained by the two approaches have been compared and discussed.

Abstract

We derive an analytical solution for the differential gain in Brillouin optical time-domain analysis. The found solution gives insight into the mechanisms leading to the high-spatial and spectral resolution observed in differential schemes. An experimental test has been carried out to validate the analytical solution.