Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do not forget the breakdowns and the maintenance operations in FMS design problems

SUMMARY The increase in the number of flexible manufacturing systems is nowadays one of the main trends in the mechanical industry. Because of the complexity of such systems, careful studies are required to make the appropriate design choices in order to avoid an economical disaster. The queueing network theory provides adequate tools to deal with these problems. Most of the analytical models neglect the breakdowns and the maintenance operations which disturb the smooth working of the factory. This paper presents an easy way of modelling these perturbations so that they can be taken into account when evaluating the performances of an FMS (production rate, machine utilization,.). A comparison between the analytical results and the ones obtained by simulation demonstrates the accuracy of the proposed modelling technique.
Modifiable Walking Pattern Generation Handling Infeasible Navigational Commands for Humanoid Robots

In order to accomplish complex navigational commands, humanoid robot should be able to modify its walking period, step length and direction independently. In this paper, a novel walking pattern generation algorithm is proposed to satisfy these requirements. Modification of the walking pattern can be considered as a transition between two periodic walking patterns, which follows each navigational command. By assuming the robot as a linear inverted pendulum, the equations of motion between ZMP(Zero Moment Point) and CM(Center of Mass) state is easily derived and analyzed. After navigational command is translated into the desired CM state, corresponding CM motion is generated to achieve the desired state by using simple ZMP functions. Moreover, when the command is not feasible, feasible command is alternated by using binary search algorithm. Subsequently, corresponding CM motion is generated. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is verified by computer simulation.
New method to improve measurement accuracy of modulation transfer function

Modulation transfer function (MTF) of optical systems is often derived by taking Fourier transform (FT) of a measured line spread function (LSF). During MTF measurement process, the measurement accuracy of MTF will decrease as a result when LSF computed is not veracity. Based on the model constructed using the variance information of knife-edge and skew of the knife-edge, this paper presents a new method to improve the accuracy of measurement of MTF. The results showed that the new method can improve the accuracy of MTF to 0.01.
Multiple target angle tracking algorithm using predicted angles

We modify a multiple target angle tracking algorithm presented by Sword, et al. (1990). The predicted estimates, instead of the existing estimates, of the target angles are updated by the most recent output of the sensor array to improve the tracking performance of the algorithm for crossing targets. Also, the least square solution is modified to avoid abnormally large angular innovations when the target angles are very close. The improved performance of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated by computer simulations. >
How Destination Brand Equity and Destination Brand Authenticity Influence Destination Visit Intention: Evidence from the United Arab Emirates

Abstract The tourists' decision to visit the desired destination stems from an image created in their minds because of the marketing strategies of their destination. A lack of research regarding factors influencing tourist destination visit intention calls for further investigation of how tourist evaluates available destination. Using the opinions of 338 UAE nationals and a partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS) approach, this study empirically examines the impact of destination brand equity (i.e. destination brand image, destination brand awareness, destination brand loyalty and destination brand quality) and destination brand authenticity (Continuity, Credibility, Integrity, Symbolism) on tourists' intention to visit. The results revealed that both the constructs (i.e. destination brand equity and destination brand authenticity) significantly influence tourists' destination visit intention. The current study aims to address a vexing question of making a good memory of the tourists' destination and bringing more unexpected positive experiences. This study further provides some theoretical and managerial implications for the improvement of the tourism industry.
Research on Lane Marking Lines Detection

Nowadays traffic accidents occur more and more frequently, as a result, intelligent vehicles develop more and more quickly. In many research directions of intelligent vehicles, vision navigation becomes the hot spot. An algorithm of the present lane left-right marking lines detection was proposed in this paper. The algorithm combines edge detection and Hough transform, firstly detects the initial lane marking lines and then tracks the final target lines. Simulation results indicated that the algorithm could recognize the present lane marking lines to make vehicle navigation precise and fast.
Finite‐time output regulation by bounded linear time‐varying controls with applications to the satellite formation flying

This article studies the finite‐time output regulation problem for linear time‐invariant continuous‐time systems. By using the solution to a parametric Lyapunov equation (PLE) and regulator equations, three bounded linear time‐varying (LTV) state controllers composed of the LTV feedback gain and the LTV feedforward gain are designed, such that (prescribed) finite‐time output regulation is solved. As a further result, a linear LTV observer‐based controller is also designed. The most significant advantages of this article are that the system under consideration is more general and the output regulation problem is achieved within a user‐chosen regulation time. Finally, the developed LTV state controllers are utilized to the design of the satellite formation flying control system and simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.
A Novel Firefly Algorithm for the Choice for the Site of the Urban Public Transport Station Problem

In this paper, according to the characteristics of the site of the urban public transport station problem, a mathematical model of the urban public transport station problem was established. A Novel Firefly Algorithm was used to solve the model, with Hezuo city of Gansu Province as example, the algorithm was experimented and the experimental results show that the novel firefly algorithm has better feasibility for the site of the urban public transport station problem.
Unpacking the effects of organisational slack on exploitative and exploratory innovation: a study of knowledge-intensive firms

ABSTRACT The intensities of exploitative and exploratory innovation vary across firms. From the perspectives of organisational slack and goal orientation, this study sheds light on how the actual proportions of exploitative and exploratory innovation are determined. It proposes and empirically tests the different effects of organisational slack on exploitative and exploratory innovation as well as the underlying mechanisms. The results show that organisational slack affects exploitative innovation negatively and has a positive effect on exploratory innovation. Performance goal orientation mediates the former, whereas learning goal orientation mediates the latter. Environmental munificence moderates the relationship between performance goal orientation and exploitative innovation negatively, and that between learning goal orientation and exploratory innovation positively.
Do Social Investments by Mining Companies Harm Citizen-State Relations? Experimental Evidence from Burkina Faso

Abstract Do mining companies investing in public infrastructure in their host communities harm citizen-state relations? This study presents results from a survey-based field experiment conducted in two mining areas in Burkina Faso. We test whether informing respondents about investments undertaken by mining companies in domains considered classic government responsibilities affects citizens’ legitimating beliefs in their government and their likelihood of political participation. We randomly expose respondents to short audio stories about water infrastructure investments conducted by either a mining company or a municipal government in a fictitious but comparable village. Hearing about private as opposed to public investment leads to worse perceptions of the capacity and the legitimacy of the government in the fictitious village. Yet, the intervention does not affect respondents’ legitimating beliefs in their own local government. At the behavioural level, we find that hearing about either public or private investment as opposed to no information at all significantly increases participation in town hall meetings. Our experimental findings suggest that providing citizens in low-income settings information about investment in public infrastructure elsewhere can raise expectations in their own contexts and thereby stimulate citizen-state relations.
Design and evaluation of a prototype volume CT scanner

We designed, assembled and evaluated a prototype volume CT scanner (VCT) for the purpose of investigating various calibration methods and cone beam reconstruction algorithms as well as the potential clinical benefits of a high-resolution volume CT scanner. The new VCT is based on SIEMENS Sensation4 CT scanner. To achieve larger volume coverage and higher spatial resolution we replaced the prior 4-slices detector with a flat-panel detector. We also modified the prior x-ray tube to achieve a very small focus size by a smaller emitter and wider axial coverage by a larger anode angle. In addition the high-voltage generator was enhanced to support pulsed operation. Special measurement methods were elaborated and applied to measure the focus size, shape and position as well as the uniformity of the flat field x-ray exposure. The accuracy and stability of gantry rotation speed has been evaluated to decide for the most appropriate exposure trigger. New methods are applied to measure and calibrate the resulted x-ray geometry. One prototype VCT scanner is installed at a pre-clinical site to evaluate the application potential of the new VCT technology. The new volume scanner achieves unprecedented spatial resolution, slice sensitivity and spatial coverage. In a complementary paper we present the image quality, contrast resolution and dose issues associated with this scanner.
Improving Sustainable Safe Transport via Automated Vehicle Control with Closed-Loop Matching

The concept of vehicle automation is a promising approach to achieve sustainable transport systems, especially in an urban context. Automation requires the integration of learning-based approaches and methods in control theory. Through the integration, a high amount of information in automation can be incorporated. Thus, a sustainable operation, i.e., energy-efficient and safe motion with automated vehicles, can be achieved. Despite the advantages of integration with learning-based approaches, enhanced vehicle automation poses crucial safety challenges. In this paper, a novel closed-loop matching method for control-oriented purposes in the context of vehicle control systems is presented. The goal of the method is to match the nonlinear vehicle dynamics to the dynamics of a linear system in a predefined structure; thus, a control-oriented model is obtained. The matching is achieved by an additional control input from a neural network, which is designed based on the input–output signals of the nonlinear vehicle system. In this paper, the process of closed-loop matching, i.e., the dataset generation, the training, and the evaluation of the neural network, is proposed. The evaluation process of the neural network through data-driven reachability analysis and statistical performance analysis methods is carried out. The proposed method is applied to achieve the path following functionality, in which the nonlinearities of the lateral vehicle dynamics are handled. The effectiveness of the closed-loop matching and the designed control functionality through high fidelity CarMaker simulations is illustrated.
Assessing and plugging the missing links for effective community participation in the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Land Use Plan of Yala Wetland, Kenya

Wetlands are one of the world’s most important environmental assets but currently face complex challenges. Wetlands’ long-term sustainability require participation of the riparian communities in their management, yet this involvement in seeking solutions to wetland’s resources use remains a grave challenge. Yala Wetland, Kenya is a very important resource whose challenges revolve around land and water resource use for competing interests and from catchment degradation. Consequently, action research was conducted to assess level of and effectiveness of Yala Wetland Community Participation in Yala Strategic Environmental Assessment and Land Use Planning processes through Yala Project Advisory Committee Framework. The study targeted 410 local communities, thirty-four key informants, and 187 students from learning institutions. The study revealed that utilization of Yala resources has been partly informed by how the wetland communities perceive its formation. Further, they identified key environmental issues, their root causes and corresponding opportunities that Yala Land Use Plan needed to address. The analysis also showed existing gaps in integration of community information and scientific information, disconnect between decision making and requisite scientific and practical evidence; and absence of community sensitive governance structure. The study integrated local communities’ vast knowledge and planning information and formed Yala Swamp Management Committee with communities at the centre of conservation. Additionally, there is a secretariat led by a Community Facilitator to coordinate execution of the Conservation Area Management Plan 2019-2029. The final Yala Land Use Plan developed in participatory manner itemized three main land uses namely Conservation areas, Agricultural areas and settlement areas. Keywords: Yala Wetland, Community Participation, Land Use Planning, Governance.
A Colorimetric Strategy Based on Aptamer-Catalyzed Hairpin Assembly for the On-Site Detection of Salmonella typhimurium in Milk

Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium) is a foodborne pathogen that has caused numerous outbreaks worldwide, necessitating the development of on-site strategy to prevent early contamination. Here, we set up an enzyme-free strategy for aptamer-catalyzed hairpin assembly in which salt-induced aggregation of unmodified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) served as a colorimetric signal output, allowing on-site detection of S. typhimurium in milk. The aptamer-functionalized magnetic beads were used as a vehicle of specifically enriching target bacteria which conjugated with target aptamer to trigger the “Y” shape catalytic hairpin assembly (Y-CHA) circuit. Due to the hairpins desorbing from the surface of AuNPs to the formation of a large amount of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), AuNPs turned from dispersion to aggregation in the presence of S. typhimurium, resulting in a change of the colorimetric signal from red to blue-gray. The signal output showed a linear relationship for S. typhimurium over a concentration range of 102 to 106 CFU/mL, with a sensitivity of 2.4 × 102 CFU/mL under optimal conditions. The visual protocol has excellent selectivity even in the presence of other competitive bacteria and has been validated in real milk samples with a sensitivity of 2.8 × 103 CFU/mL.
Trusted Computing Platforms: TCPA Technology in Context

As businesses stake their very existence on the Internet, PCs, PDAs, and other key computing platforms, the trustworthiness of these platforms has become a vital concern. In response, the Trusted Computing Platform Alliance (TCPA) has delivered a complete specification for building trusted computing platforms atop trusted hardware. In Trusted Computing Platforms, leaders of the initiative illuminate TCPA for every systems developer and decision-maker. They place TCPA in context, outlining its goals, techniques, and powerful implications for the future. What trusted computing platforms are, how they work, and what problems they will solve Transforming standard platforms into trusted platforms cost-effectively Scenarios for managers: TCPA applications in the security-focused business Protected storage: how TCPA can ensure the confidentiality of stored data Software integrity: ensuring that a system's software environment hasn't been tampered with Trust mechanisms in a trusted platform: functional descriptions, advantages, and overhead Trusted platforms in practice: TCPA for developers and technical professionals How trusted platforms can be used to protect user privacy The TCPA initiative: its history, status, and next steps forwardBacked by an extraordinary range of industry leaders, TCPA offers the first complete, cost-effective, and globally applicable solution for trusted computing. Whether you develop new systems or apply them in business or government, you need to understand this technology-and with this book, you will.
Know the Farmer That Feeds You: A Cross-Country Analysis of Spatial-Relational Proximities and the Attractiveness of Community Supported Agriculture

While food production and consumption processes worldwide are characterized by geographical and social distance, alternative food networks aim to reconnect producers and consumers. Our study proposes a framework to distinguish multiple dimensions of proximity in the context of Community Supported Agriculture (a type of alternative food network) and to quantitatively evaluate them. In a principal component analysis, we aggregated various detailed proximity items from a multinational survey using principal component analysis and examined their relationship with the attractiveness of Community Supported Agriculture in a multiple regression analysis. Our findings highlight the importance of relational proximity and thus of increasing trust, collaboration, and the sharing of values and knowledge within and across organizations in the food system. Rather than focusing on spatial proximity, increasing relational proximity might support alternative food networks, such as Community Supported Agriculture.
A Computational Study on Magnetic Nanoparticles Hyperthermia of Ellipsoidal Tumors

The modelling of magnetic hyperthermia using nanoparticles of ellipsoid tumor shapes has not been studied adequately. To fill this gap, a computational study has been carried out to determine two key treatment parameters: the therapeutic temperature distribution and the extent of thermal damage. Prolate and oblate spheroidal tumors, of various aspect ratios, surrounded by a large healthy tissue region are assumed. Tissue temperatures are determined from the solution of Pennes’ bio-heat transfer equation. The mortality of the tissues is determined by the Arrhenius kinetic model. The computational model is successfully verified against a closed-form solution for a perfectly spherical tumor. The therapeutic temperature and the thermal damage in the tumor center decrease as the aspect ratio increases and it is insensitive to whether tumors of the same aspect ratio are oblate or prolate spheroids. The necrotic tumor area is affected by the tumor prolateness and oblateness. Good comparison is obtained of the present model with three sets of experimental measurements taken from the literature, for animal tumors exhibiting ellipsoid-like geometry. The computational model enables the determination of the therapeutic temperature and tissue thermal damage for magnetic hyperthermia of ellipsoidal tumors. It can be easily reproduced for various treatment scenarios and may be useful for an effective treatment planning of ellipsoidal tumor geometries.
COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE APPROACHES IN RELIABILITY MODELING AND ANALYSIS OF REPAIRABLE SYSTEMS

This paper reviews computational intelligence approaches for reliability modeling and analysis of repairable sys- tems. Albeit computational intelligence techniques such as neural networks and fuzzy systems and even stochastic methods have been employed for solving many different engineering complex problems, when it comes reliability area traditional approaches are still preferred by industry. Unfortunately with the increasing complexity of systems such techniques might not be able to cap- ture the changes in system features in a precise way what could help to prevent failures and improve system performance. This is a fairly new research area and the literature available points to the new challenges reliability engineers will have to face and the new tools they might use for planning and improving system reliability. In this paper basics of computational intelligence tech- niques will be provided as well as examples on how to apply them on the modeling and analysis repairable systems. It is empha- sized that this is a broad subject and this paper does not try to be conclusive by any means.
Discordance between fasting plasma glucose and A1c in the diagnosis and management of diabetes

There are pros and cons of using fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and A1c for the diagnosis and management of diabetes. Still, discordance between FPG and A1c is a common problem in clinical practice, and there are no definite international guidelines for dealing with it. This article explains the causes of these anomalies and the factors that affect the results of tests, and it also recommends some appropriate techniques for investigation and management of cases of discordance between FPG and A1c.
Mechanical Durability and Grindability of Pellets after Torrefaction Process

Renewable energy sources and their part in the global energy mix are beneficial to energy diversification and environment protection. However, raw biomass is characterized by low heating value, hydrophilic properties, various mechanical durability, and the logistic challenges related to transportation and storage. One frequently used process of combined biomass valorization is torrefaction and pelletization, which increase the heating value, homogeneity, and hydrophobicity of the fuel. However, industrial clients need fuel characterized by favorable grindability, whereas, the individual clients (householders) need fuel with high mechanical durability. Due to the different expectations of final customers regarding biomass fuel properties, it is necessary to investigate the influence of the torrefaction on the mechanical durability of the pellets. In this paper, five various types of pellets and their torreficates (obtained at a temperature of 200 and 300 °C) were examined. Then the mechanical durability index DU and the grindability of the untreated and torrefied pellets were determined. The results indicated that the mechanical durability of untorrefied pellets is significantly greater than torrefied pellets. Interestingly, no significant differences in mechanical durability between torrefied pellets at 200 and 300 °C were observed, For sunflower husk pellets, the DU index amounted to 95.28 ± 0.72 (untorrefied), 47.22% ± 0.28% (torrefied at 200 °C), and 46.34% ± 0.72% (torrefied at 300 °C). Considering the grindability, as the treatment temperature increased the energy demand for grindability decreased. For example, the grindability of pine tree pellets was 15.96 ± 3.07 Wh·kg−1 (untreated), 1.86 ± 0.31 Wh·kg−1 (torrefied at 200 °C), and 0.99 ± 0.17 Wh·kg−1 (torrefied at 300 °C). The highest difference between raw and torrefied pellets was determined for beetroot pomace pellet: 36.31 ± 2.06 Wh·kg−1 (untreated), 3.85 ± 0.47 Wh·kg−1 (torrefied at 200 °C), and 1.03 ± 0.12 Wh·kg−1 (torrefied at 300 °C).