Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal load management strategy for large electric vehicle charging stations with undersized charger clusters

German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Grant/Award Number: 01DR18004; The Research Council of Norway; Open access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL. Abstract This study proposes a load management strategy for parking and charging facilities with the capacity to serve several hundreds of electric vehicles. The strategy is built upon two assumptions on power distribution systems of large charging stations: i) they are configured as clusters, each comprising a number of charging units for reduced cabling complexity, ii) the power delivery components (such as feeders and circuit breakers) of individual clusters are sized for load factors smaller than 100% to reduce the capital costs. Unless controlled, the load demand can concentrate into particular cluster(s) whereas other clusters can still tolerate additional demand. This may lead to avoidable load interruptions and, thus, reduced energy provision. To address this issue, a load management strategy that optimises the distribution of vehicles across the clusters and their charging profiles is proposed. The strategy is compared in simulation with a benchmark strategy in different commercial parking lot scenarios. The results demonstrate that the optimal management achieves identical demand fulfilment rates despite more pronounced load factor limitations as compared to the benchmark strategy. This can enable further reduction in system component sizing. In the tested scenarios, the proposed strategy leads to increased long term profits ranging between 12% and 43%.
Mathematical modelling of intracellular Ca2+ alternans in atrial and ventricular myocytes

During excitation-contraction coupling, Ca2+ transient induced by the depolarization of membrane potential is the trigger of mechanical contraction in cardiac myocytes, which is responsible for the pumping function of the heart. However, mechanisms underlying intracellular Ca2+ regulation and the coupling between Ca2+ transient and membrane potential are not completely understood. Abnormalities in intracellular Ca2+ regulation have been observed during heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias, such as intracellular Ca2+ alternans and T-tubule disorganization. In this project, intracellular Ca2+ dynamics in different types of cardiac myocytes were investigated by using computer modelling. For atrial myocytes, a biophysically detailed computer model was developed to describe the observations of Ca2+ alternans and Ca2+ wave propagation in cardiac myocytes lacking T-tubules. The model was validated by its ability to reproduce experimental observed Ca2+ wave propagation under normal condition and the influences on spatial Ca2+ distribution by modifying various aspects of Ca2+ cycling, such as Ca2+ influx, SR Ca2+ uptake and SR Ca2+ release in cardiac myocytes lacking T-tubules. Mechanisms underlying the genesis of Ca2+ alternans in this type of cell were investigated by the model. Furthermore, a spontaneous second Ca2+ release was observed in response to a single voltage stimulus pulse with enhanced Ca2+ influx as well as SR Ca2+ overload. For the ventricular myocytes, an existing canine model was used to study the genesis of APD and intracellular Ca2+ alternans under various conditions. The genesis of Ca2+ alternans was investigated by analyzing the relationship between systolic Ca2+ concentration and SR Ca2+ content. On the other side, the roles of SR Ca2+ regulation and action potential restitution in the genesis of intracellular Ca2+ and APD alternans were also examined under various conditions. In addition, it was shown that spatially discordant Ca2+ alternans was generated when the Ca2+-dependent inactivation of ICa,L was strong. It tended to be concordant for weak Ca2+-dependent inactivation of ICa,L. For the sinoatrial node cells, a mathematical model was developed to simulate stochastic opening of unitary L-type Ca2+ channel and single RyR channel, thereby reproducing experimental observed local Ca2+ release during diastolic depolarization phase of the action potential. Simulation results of ionic channel block and modifications of SR Ca2+ regulation suggested a limited role of intracellular Ca2+ in the automaticity of central SA node cells.
Establishing Default Dynamic Modulus Values For New England

The primary objective of this research is to test commonly used Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) mixtures throughout New England to determine their respective dynamic modulus master curves. Four mixes were requested from each of the New England states for modulus testing. Physical testing consisted of two replicates of each mix, outfitted with 3, linear variable differential transformers (LVDTs). AASHTO TP 62 was followed for the testing of these samples. Comparisons of plant produced mix vs. lab produced mix shows no significant difference between the two methods. Thus indicating lab produced samples are analogous to real-world pavements for dynamic modulus testing. Furthermore, the results of physical modulus testing were compared to predicted modulus values from three different theoretical modulus models. Comparisons of Predicted |E*| values from the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) and physical testing indicates the predicted |E*| values may be off by as much as 100% for New England Mixes. Through this research scaling factors were developed for all the mixes tested to allow state DOTs to forgo expensive and labor intensive physical testing. Furthermore, the minimal range and standard deviation of scaling factors for the Hirsh and Witczak models indicates there is potentially a constant scaling factor that could be applied to all New England mixes, regardless of aggregate source, and binder type. However, further testing may be required to determine if a uniform scaling factor for our region is truly valid.
High-peak-power, high-efficiency, widely tunable sub-nanosecond optical parametric generator based on PPMgLN

A high-efficiency, high-peak-power, widely tunable optical parametric generator (OPG) based on a MgO-doped periodically poled lithium niobate (PPMgLN) crystal is reported. Pumped by a microchip passively Q-switched laser (duration: 330 ps, repetition rate:1 kHz) with the power output of 880 mW, the OPG could be continuously tuned from 1399 nm to 4443 nm by changing the grating period and working temperature. The OPG generated an output power of 591 mW for the signal (1758 nm) and the idler (2695 nm) waves, achieving the internal conversion efficiency of 67.16%, slope efficiency of 89.6% and peak power above 1 MW at 1758 nm. The evolution of linewidth of the signal wave during wavelength tuning were also studied and the theoretical models were proposed. The linewidth was narrowed from 100 GHz to GHz level using a continuous-wave (CW) tunable seeder. The linewidth reached 1.72 GHz at 1626 nm, close to the Fourier transform limit of the sub-nanosecond signal wave.
Research at NASA on Human Response to Sonic Booms

NASA used its sonic boom simulator to study human response to shaped sonic booms and concluded that a loudness metric, such as Perceived Level, predicts human reaction to outdoor booms more accurately than overpressure. To investigate the importance of indoor phenomena (rattle, reverberation) under controlled laboratory conditions, NASA is building an "indoor sonic boom simulator. " The intention is to develop a psychoacoustic model that describes human response as a function of boom shape (spectrum), boom intensity, reverberation, and varying rattle characteristics.
Using Approximate Dynamic Programming to Solve the Military Inventory Routing Problem with Direct Delivery

Abstract : The United States Army uses Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) replenishment to manage resupply operations while engaged in a combat environment; upper-echelon organizations (e.g., a brigade) maintain situational awareness regarding the inventory of lower-echelon organizations (e.g., battalions and companies). The Army is interested in using a fleet of cargo unmanned aerial vehicles (CUAVs) to perform resupply operations. We formulate an infinite horizon, discrete time stochastic Markov decision process model of the military inventory routing problem with direct delivery, the objective of which is to determine an optimal unmanned tactical airlift policy for the resupply of geographically dispersed brigade combat team elements operating in an austere, Afghanistan-like combat situation. An approximate policy iteration algorithm with Bellman error minimization using instrumental variables is applied to determine near-optimal policies. Within the least-squares temporal differences policy evaluation step, we use a modified version of the Bellman equation that is based on the post-decision state variable. Computational results are obtained for examples based on representative resupply situations experienced by the United States Army in Afghanistan.
Evaluating Alignment Consistency for Mountainous Expressway in Design Stage: Driving Simulator-Based Approach

Evaluating design consistency is of great significance for safety evaluation on roadway design prior to its construction. Conventional design consistency showed little consideration of driving performance due to the limitation in data availability. More importantly, they were performed only on the existing roads. In this study, a simulated driving experiment was carried out in a high-fidelity driving simulator in Tongji University (Shanghai). A design stage four-lane (two-ways) mountainous expressway was implemented geo-based on the basis of the detailed road design blueprint. We attempted to establish a practical approach for evaluating its design consistency through investigating operating speed consistency, vehicle stability and vehicle lateral offset (vehicle trajectory). Specifically, the speed consistency is studied using the classic indicators ¨C the 85th speed reduction and 85th maximum speed reduction. The vehicle stability was evaluated using lateral acceleration, rollover coefficient and the conventional side-friction parameter. In the lateral offset analysis, the adjusted lateral offset was newly proposed, which is defined as the lateral offset from ideal vehicle trajectory. Utilizing the adjusted lateral offset can reflect the trajectory variation dependent on the characteristics of road geometry, which leads to the discovery of the inconsistencies in the studied mountainous expressway. The lateral acceleration and rollover coefficient could be considered as supplementary measures to provide insights into drivers’ comfortableness as well as the rollover risk. Another contribution of this work is that we developed predicting models for the considered consistency measures. The purpose is to better understand the relationship between driving performance and roadway geometry characteristics, as well as to provide a practical formulation in a rigorous manner for road design consistency evaluation.
Understanding the Digital Capabilities of Rural Communities in Low Literacy Rate Areas in Malaysia towards Digital Society

Despite several activities been focusing on urban areas, rural areas are no exception in being a digital society. Since the year 2000, various initiatives such as rural libraries establishment and Universal Service Provision (USP) programs tend to narrow down the digital divide between rural and urban areas in Malaysia. However, few empirical studies have been carried out on information access and usage of digital technologies among rural communities in Malaysia. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the digital capabilities of rural communities in low literacy rate areas in Malaysia towards a digital society. This study is a quantitative method and descriptive kind of study using questionnaires as an instrument to collect the data. Multi-stage clusters and simple random sampling were employed and 400 respondents were selected. Analysis performed confirms that rural communities in Malaysia, are digitally connected and informed society (Digital Society). Smartphones and the Internet were the highest types of ICT tools used by the rural communities in the study. The result did reflect on the ownership of their ICT tools, which most of the rural communities afford to have their own smartphones regardless of the level of age. A better understanding of digital capabilities towards information access and usage of digital technologies among rural communities could produce a better understanding of the adoption and usage of digital technologies. The findings are also expected to provide useful inputs in ensuring that the advancements in communications infrastructure and services contribute to the inclusion and participation of all segments of the population in the realization of a Digital Society. Meanwhile, able to understand the human and social factors, which affect and contribute to the adoption and usage of digital technologies and services.
How Do Men Shop for Garments

When we talk about shopping for garments, we mostly think of women first. Men also shop, need clothes, spend time and money in stores and dress in various fashion styles. That is why we decided to explore men’s attitudes and behavior in a garment shopping experience. Our main focus was men’s experience when buying fashionable garments. The thesis is based on investigation within the area of consumer behavior and its focal point is on men, shopping and how do they feel when they shop. In the study we conducted various qualitative researches which are participant observation method along with a short interview and a focus group method that helped us to get deeper into men’s mind and their perception of shopping and fashion in general. We have also conducted library research in order to obtain more data and information about previous studies made in the same field. While collecting all the possible data for this study, we tried to keep a visible link between our empirical findings and the collected library data. Results of the study identified four key traits that greatly help in defining men shopping experience as rather enjoyable or not. These traits are time consumption, uncertainty aversion, prices of garments and companionship while shopping. Time consumption and uncertainty aversion have been indicated as central traits which, in a right balance, can characterize male shopping experience as more pleasurable. Our overall findings indicate that men are strongly represented in the global shopping arena and share their own characteristic shopping behaviour. Thus, men should not be neglected nor ignored as consumers of fashionable garments.
The Fast Scattering Code (FSC): Validation Studies and Program Guidelines

The Fast Scattering Code (FSC) is a frequency domain noise prediction program developed at the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) to simulate the acoustic field produced by the interaction of known, time harmonic incident sound with bodies of arbitrary shape and surface impedance immersed in a potential flow. The code uses the equivalent source method (ESM) to solve an exterior 3-D Helmholtz boundary value problem (BVP) by expanding the scattered acoustic pressure field into a series of point sources distributed on a fictitious surface placed inside the actual scatterer. This work provides additional code validation studies and illustrates the range of code parameters that produce accurate results with minimal computational costs. Systematic noise prediction studies are presented in which monopole generated incident sound is scattered by simple geometric shapes - spheres (acoustically hard and soft surfaces), oblate spheroids, flat disk, and flat plates with various edge topologies. Comparisons between FSC simulations and analytical results and experimental data are presented.
Logistics Management and Electronic Data Interchange Effects on Logistics Service Providers’ Competitive Advantage

The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of logistics management and electronic data interchange (EDI) in enhancing competitive advantage. A total of 100 questionnaires were distributed to senior managers, middle-level managers and junior-level managers and 76 were filled and returned (76% response rate). The study adopted a quantitative method through simple and multiple linear regression analysis and qualitative descriptive method through analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results of this study found that logistics management dimensions such as transport management, physical distribution management, inventory management and warehousing management have a significant positive effect on competitive advantage. As for EDI, it is found that two out of the three dimensions such as better communication, and improved billing have a significant positive effect on competitive advantage. While quick access to information was found to have a significant negative effect on competitive advantage. The results further revealed that logistics management has a significant positive effect on competitive advantage.
Structural modeling and systems analysis of uneasy factors for realizing safe, secure and reliable society

In this paper we try to extract various uneasy factors in our life. Then, we try to construct structural models among these factors using Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL). For the purpose of analyzing priority among these factors we revised the DEMATEL and found effective factors to be resolved in order to realize future safe, secure and reliable (SSR) society. Keywords— safe, secure and reliable society, DEMATEL, structural modeling, systems analysis.
Validation of New Mix Design Procedure for Cold In-Place Recycling with Foamed Asphalt for Iowa Department of Transportation

As Cold In-place Recycling (CIR) continues to evolve, in order to place the CIR mixture with specific engineering properties, the use of a mix design process is required. To improve the consistency of the CIR using foamed asphalt (CIR-foam) mix design process, the critical mix design parameters were identified and the laboratory test procedure was developed. The developed CIR-foam mix design process is validated against seven different RAP sources collected across the state of Iowa. Given the high moisture sensitivity of CIR, the indirect tensile strength test should be performed on the vacuum-saturated mixtures. The indirect tensile strength test on vacuum-saturated samples was conducted using these RAP materials at five foamed asphalt contents, 1.0 %, 1.5 %, 2.0 %, 2.5 %, and 3.0 %, given a fixed moisture content of 4.0 %. Air voids decreased gradually as the foamed asphalt content increased but the voids did not affect the indirect tensile strength of the foamed asphalt mixtures. Based on the developed mix design procedure, the optimum foamed asphalt contents were consistently found at values between 1.5 % and 2.5 % for seven different RAP materials. The test samples should be prepared using Gyratory compactor rather than Marshall hammer because it seemed to produce the more consistent mixtures for different foamed asphalt contents and curing conditions. The indirect tensile strength of CIR-foam samples cured for two days at 60 ° was significantly higher than that of CIR-foam samples cured for three days at 40 °.
Technological foundations and current status of a modified, low-risk form of competitive boxing (Box'Tag®)

Boxing-related activities are commonly used for fitness enhancement, but for many people fear of injury precludes participation in competitive boxing. Over the past six years, technological developments have contributed to the emergence in Australia of a modified, low-risk form of competitive boxing called Box'Tag®. The rules of Box'Tag® prohibit impacts to the head and any impacts above a moderate level of force. Contestants wear instrumented equipment that, in combination with a dedicated software package, allows automated impact detection and real-time display of scores. Participatory action research methods are being used to guide iterative technology refinements, with success evaluated based on feedback obtained through constant, direct interaction with the technology end-users. In concert with technological advances, the popularity of Box'Tag® is steadily increasing, with programmes now established in three Australian states and about to be initiated elsewhere. Box'Tag® is attracting demographically diverse participation and injury rates are low. Physiological and perceptual data recorded during contests show Box'Tag® to be a highly intensive activity and an excellent vehicle for building physical fitness. There is scope for further technological improvements, but the Box'Tag® initiative is already demonstrating potential to add a new dimension to boxing and has been adopted by Australian boxing authorities.
Mentoring-Coaching: A Guide for Education Professionals

This book explores the principles behind successful mentoring-coaching in education. As well as highlighting the many benefits of mentoring-coaching, it addresses highly practical issues such as: Can anyone learn to be a mentor-coach? What behaviour counts as mentoring-coaching? How do I know what to do, in what order and how? What are the potential benefits? What pitfalls might there be and how might these be avoided? What is the support structure for the process? The book features a model which helps to create successful mentoring-coaching activity in education and sets out a clear path along which to proceed. It describes appropriate behaviours and includes examples of questions that might be used. The authors examine specific techniques and raise the kinds of questions that practitioners themselves need to consider at each stage of the simple and easy-to-memorise model. Arranged in two parts, the first part of the book encourages you to practise the skills and stages of the model that it describes and the second part explores your developing practice in greater depth. "Mentoring-Coaching" is valuable reading for leaders, managers and practitioners at all levels in education.
Opening a Conversation on Open Communication Research

Many disciplines have been debating and enacting a range of policies, procedures, and practices that fall under the umbrella term “open research” or “open science. ” Following the publication of “An Agenda for Open Science in Communication”, we invited communication scholars to continue the conversation on what open research practices broadly might mean for our diverse field. Specifically, we sought work that: looked empirically at the need for and impact of open research practices; considered the unintended consequences of calls for open research practices broadly; and that reflected on what such a move would mean for qualitative and humanistic communication research. We hope the collection of articles in this special issue motivates and facilitates an ongoing conversation on open research practices in the field of communication.