Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The dynamics of supply chains in the automotive industry

This thesis looks at how supply chains in the automotive industry operate from the perspective of the manufacturers. The study includes the industry structure, the top players in the industry, factors that drive the industry, and supply chain challenges for companies in the industry. It was found that consideration to the just-in-time production system takes precedence in business decisions, and the build-to-order model still needs work in terms of lead time reductions. The thesis includes a case study of General Motors and how key business processes support one of their supply chains. Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Lawrence Lapide Title: Research Director, MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics
Design and application of a gripper for microparts using flexure hinges and pneumatic actuation

In this paper a new gripper for microparts with dimensions of 200 to 3500 micrometers is presented that is especially designed for industrial suitability. This covers beside repeatability of position and force robustness of the mechanical structure, simple interfaces of the gripper's control structure and long service life. The minimization of the grippers size and weight is no superior objective because today's precision robots usually have sufficient payload and working space. To achieve this goal well tested technology from micro- an macro handling devices are combined. The new gripper is made up of a symmetrical guiding mechanism based on flexure hinges of aluminum and it is driven by a pneumatic actuator. In the first step the maximal gripping force can easily be limited by the working pressure of the pneumatic actuator. Standard open/ close commands provide a robust control interface. The technology of pneumatic actuation is well known and reliable. Since minimization of size is not the primary goal, a long service life can be achieved by limiting the mechanical stress in the flexure hinges. A skirt of aluminum protects the guiding device against destruction caused by collisions. The new gripper has been realized and has been used in a microassembly station where it proved its reliability and robustness in thousands of gripping cycles thus demonstrating its industrial suitability. An experimental evaluation was carried out in order to assess the properties of the gripper.
Class AB CMOS analogue squarer circuit

CMOS analogue squarer circuit is presented. A compact pseudo-differential pair insensitive to input common-mode variations leads to class AB operation, hence yielding dynamic currents not bounded by quiescent currents. Measurement results for a 0.5 µm CMOS prototype are provided that verify the correct operation of the circuit.
Solid rotor induction machine optimisation by using analytical and finite element techniques

SUMMARY An optimisation procedure for solid rotor induction machines, exhibiting important advantages for micro-machine production due to the simplicity of their construction, is presented. Both non-salient and salient rotor structures have been considered and compared. Design optimisation has been performed based on the finite element method and analytical solutions in case of regular geometries combined with sensitivity analysis techniques. The developed models precision has been checked by comparing their results for the same machine configuration.
Comparative Study on Fatigue Properties of Friction Stir Welding Joint and Lap Joint

Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a new type of solid-state connection which can reduce structural weight significantly. In this paper, fatigue tests and finite element analysis were employed to study fatigue properties of aerial aluminum alloy 2524-T3 FSW joint and lap joint. The S-N curves of specimens show that the fatigue strength of FSW joint is better than that of lap joint. Finite element models of two joints were established by ANSYS software. The residual stress of FSW joint were obtained by a nonlinear direct coupled-field analysis, and the detailed stress distribution of lap joint which under pulling force were simulated. On the basis of finite element analysis results, the fatigue lives of two types of joints were estimated. It is verified that the analytic and estimated results agree with that of experiment. The residual stress is the main factor affecting the fatigue life of FSW joint and the failure of lap joint is mainly caused by stress concentration of hole edge.
Simulation of Electromagnetic Radiation Patterns of Microstrip Antennas in RFID Systems

Modeling and simulation of electromagnetic radiation of microstrip antennas, in radio frequency identification (RFID) systems, have been realized. The fields of RFID tags have been optimized for different frequencies and materials. Specific absorption rate (SAR) due to the use of these devices has also been investigated to get the lowest possible absorption dose to comply with the universal standards. The simulation shows that the electromagnetic radiation levels are less than the acceptable standard for various materials at two different operating frequencies which is safe and important for mobile system applications.
Information Security Risk Analysis: A Pedagogic Model Based on a Teaching Hospital

There is a strong need for information security education, which stems from the pervasiveness of information technology in business and society. Both government departments and private industries depend on information systems, as information systems are widespread across all business functions. Disruption of critical operational information systems can have serious financial impacts. According to a CSI/FBI report (2004), losses from security breaches have risen rapidly in recent years and exceeded $200 million in 2003. The information security field is very diverse and combines disciplines such as computer science, business, information science, engineering, education, psychology, criminal justice, public administration, law, and accounting. The broad interdisciplinary nature of information security requires several specialists to collaboratively teach the curriculum and integrate different perspectives and teaching styles into a cohesive delivery. This chapter presents a pedagogical model based on a “teaching hospital” concept that addresses the issues introduced above. By us-ing a specific information-risk-analysis case, the chapter highlights the basic concept of the teaching hospital and its application in teaching and learning contexts.
A low-power, high-efficiency Ka-band TWTA

The authors describe a NASA-sponsored program whose objective is to develop a high-efficiency, low-power TWTA (traveling wave tube amplifier) operating at 32 GHz and meeting the requirements for the Cassini Mission to study Saturn, planned for launch in 1995. The required RF output power of the helix TWT is 10 W, while the DC power from the spacecraft is limited to about 30 W. This performance level will permit the transmission to Earth of all the data produced in the mission. In order to achieve this efficiency, several novel technologies are incorporated into the TWT, including an advanced dynamic velocity taper characterized by a nonlinear reduction in pitch in the output helix section of the TWT and a Lewis-designed multistage depressed collector using copper electrodes treated for secondary electron emission suppression. Preliminary program results are encouraging: RF output power of 10.6 W has been obtained at 14-mA beam current and 5.2-kV helix voltage with overall TWT efficiency exceeding 40%. <<ETX>>
A new electromagnetic valve actuator

In conventional internal combustion engines, engine valve displacements are fixed relative to crankshaft position. If these valves are actuated as a variable function of crankshaft angle, significant improvements in fuel economy can be achieved. Existing electromagnetically actuated variable-valve-timing (WT) systems characteristically use springs to provide the large inertial power to move the engine valves. However, the large spring forces generated when the valve is being closed or opened make it difficult to hold the valve without using a normal-force electromagnetic actuator. With normal-force electromagnetic actuators, it is difficult for the valve to engage its seat at a low velocity. Furthermore, from a control systems perspective, these unidirectional normal-force actuators pose difficult design challenges when compared to bi-directional shear-force actuators, as the former have nonuniform force constants. In this paper, we propose a novel electromagnetic valve drive (EMVD) system, and discuss the design and construction of the experimental apparatus, power electronics and controllers for the EMVD. This EMVD comprises an electric motor that is coupled to an engine valve-spring system with a nonlinear mechanical transformer. Simulation results show significant advantages of this EMVD over previously designed actuation systems.
The change in dietary inflammatory index score is associated with control of long-term rheumatoid arthritis disease activity in a Japanese cohort: the TOMORROW study

Background The dietary inflammatory index (DII®), a quantitative measure of the inflammatory potential of daily food and nutrient intake, and associations between a variety of health outcomes have been reported. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no report which investigated the association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and DII. Therefore, we investigate the association between the DII and disease activity in patients with RA.Methods We performed a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis using 6 years of data (from 2011 to 2017) in TOMORROW, a 10-year prospective cohort study consisting of 208 RA patients and 205 gender- and age-matched non-RA controls recruited in 2010. Disease activity of RA patients was assessed annually using DAS28-ESR (disease activity score 28 joints and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate) as a composite measure based on arthritic symptoms in 28 joints plus global health assessment and ESR. Dietary data were collected in 2011 and 2017 using the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ). Energy-adjusted DII (E-DIITM) score was calculated using 26 nutrients derived from the BDHQ. Data were analyzed with two-group comparisons, correlation analysis, and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results RA patients had significantly higher E-DII (pro-inflammatory) score compared to controls both in 2011 and 2017 (p < 0.05). E-DII score showed statistically significant negative correlation with age in RA patients, both in 2011 (r = -0.20) and 2017 (r = -0.23). Controls also showed a similar trend. In RA patients, E-DII score was not a factor associated with disease activity in a cross-sectional analysis. However, decline in E-DII (anti-inflammatory change) score was a factor that increased the odds of maintaining low disease activity (DAS28-ESR ≤ 3.2) or less for 6 years (OR: 4.33, 95%CI: 1.66-11.29, p = 0.003). Conclusions E-DII score was high in RA patients and lowering E-DII score over time may be beneficial in controlling disease activity in patients with RA.Trial registration UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, http://www.umin. ac.jp/ctr/, UMIN000003876. Registered 7 Aug 2010 - Retrospectively registered.
An analysis of wall flow and behavior of fuel in induction systems of gasoline engines

The transient performance of an engine generally depends on the volume of wall flow and behavior of fuel in the induction system which is composed of the intake manifold and the intake port. An experimental technique has been developed for estimating these phenomena in a gasoline engine, which employs a meter for measuring the air-fuel mixture ratio. Using this technique the authors analyzed single point and multipoint injection systems, and determined the differences in the volume of fuel associated with wall flow. The effects of the shape and specifications of fuel supply system components on the volume of wall flow and fuel behavior in these systems were established.
ELECTRODEPOSITED CdTe FOR THIN FILM SOLAR CELLS

Large area 300 mm x 300 mm CdS/CdTe solar cells with record efficiencies over 10% have been fabricated using a reproducible, safe and low cost electrodeposition route for CdTe deposition. CdS window layers have been grown using chemical bath deposition which produces uniform adherent films by a cost effective route. Electrical characterization of small area (0.02 cm2) devices confirms that the structure is p-n rather than p-i-n. Module reliability tests show efficiency stability for more than 16,000 hours outside, and very little change using indoor environmental tests.
A Modified Gain Schedulling Controller by Considering the Sparseness Property of UAV Quadrotors

This work presented the gain scheduling based LQR for Quadrotor systems. From the original nonlinear model, the system is always controllable and observable in various equilibrium points. Moreover, the linearized systems have a unique property that is known as sparse system. Hence, in order to implement the most efficient state feedback controller, post-filter and pre-filter were introduced to transform the state coordinate to decrease coupling between states. Finally, the gain scheduling systems using these facts was proposed. The system behavior was tested using the proposed controller. The numerical studies showed the effectiveness of the controller to achieve desired altitude, attitude, and its ability during the disturbance
Factors Affecting the Readability of Moving Text on a Computer Display

In two experiments text was horizontally advanced in discrete jumps of one or several characters at a time along a single line on a computer-controlled screen (i.e., the leading text display format). Experiment 1 showed that when the display rate was relatively fast or when the window size was relatively small, jump lengths of five character spaces resulted in higher comprehension than did one- or nine-character jump conditions. In Experiment 2 the text display rate was under either experimenter or subject control; results showed that permitting the subject to control the rate of text presentation did not improve reading comprehension. However, when the rate of text presentation was under the control of the subject, reading efficiency (Rate x Comprehension) improved with practice.
Well-to-Wheel Energy, Emissions, and Cost Analysis of Electricity and Fuel Used in Conventional and Electrified Vehicles, and Their Connection to a Sustainable Energy Infrastructure

Software packages including Argonne National Lab’s Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) model and the EPA’s Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulation (MOVES) model are useful in analyzing the emissions profiles of light-duty vehicles. In particular, GREET performs a detailed life cycle fuel energy and emissions analysis, while MOVES focuses on energy and emissions during vehicle operation. This study uses MOVES2010b in the creation of emission trends in order to predict future emissions regulations and the subsequent aftertreatment device areas of improvement required to meet these standards. A second objective was to create four time sheet tables in order to update the base vehicle operation emission profiles used in GREET. The simulation results depict the balance between nitrous oxide and hydrocarbon emissions, the dependency upon climate effects, and areas for potential improvement given recent engine design trends. Words: 140.
An Extended DMPs framework for Decoupled Quaternions Learning and generalization

Dynamic Movement Primitives (DMPs) as a robust and efficient framework has been studied widely for robot learning from demonstration. Classical DMPs framework mainly focuses on the movement learning in Cartesian or joint space, and can't properly represent end-effector orientation. In this paper, we present an Extended DMPs framework (EDMPs) both in Cartesian space and Riemannian manifolds for Quaternion-based orientations learning and generalization. Gaussian Mixture Model and Gaussian Mixture Regression are adopted as the initialization phase of EDMPs to handle multi-demonstrations and obtain their mean and covariance. Additionally, some evaluation indicators including reachability and similarity are defined to characterize the learning and generalization abilities of EDMPs. Finally, the quaternion-based orientations are successfully transferred from human to the robot, and a real-world experiment is conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The experimental results reveal that the presented approach can learn and generalize multi-space parameters under multi-demonstrations.
Observation of the Behaviour of Confined PBX 9501 Following a Simulated Cookoff Ignition

The response of small confined disks of PBX 9501 to cookoff has been investigated with high-speed photography through a transparent toughened-glass window, observing both the ignition and propagation of reaction. External strain gauges and microwave interferometry have been used to measure the expansion of the confining ring. The results show that when reaction starts, cracks propagate from the ignition site and that these cracks may be effective in leading to the fast transfer of ignition to other sites within the charge.
Shaping Frontline Practices: A Scoping Review of Human Factors Implicated in Electrical Safety Incidents

Injuries sustained while performing electrical work are a significant threat to the health and safety of workers and occur frequently. In some jurisdictions, non-fatal serious incidents have increased in recent years. Although significant work has been carried out on electrical safety from a human factor perspective, reviews of this literature are sparse. Thus, the purpose of this review is to collate and summarize human factors implicated in electrical safety events. Articles were collected from three databases (Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar), using the search terms: safety, electri*, human factors, and arc flash. Titles and abstracts were screened, full-text reviews were conducted, and 18 articles were included in the final review. Quality checks were undertaken using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool and the Critical Appraisal Skills Program. Environmental, individual, team, organizational, and macro factors were identified in the literature as factors which shape frontline electrical worker behavior, highlighting the complexity of injury prevention. The key contributions of this paper include: (1) a holistic and integrated summary of human factors implicated in electrical safety events, (2) the application of an established theoretical model to explain dynamic forces implicated in electrical safety incidents, and (3) several practical implications and recommendations to improve electrical safety. It is recommended that this framework is used to develop and test future interventions at the individual, team, organizational, and regulator level to mitigate risk and create meaningful and sustainable change in the electrical safety space.
A Probabilistic and Value-Based Planning Approach to Assess the Competitiveness between Gas-Fired and Renewables in Hydro-Dominated Systems: A Brazilian Case Study

The main challenge with the penetration of variable renewable energy (VRE) in thermal-dominated systems has been the increase in the need for operating reserves, relying on dispatchable and flexible resources. In the case of hydro-dominated systems, the cost-effective flexibility provided by hydro-plants facilitates the penetration of VRE, but the compounded production variability of these resources challenges the integration of baseload gas-fired plants. The Brazilian power system illustrates this situation, in which the development of large associated gas fields economically depends on the operation of gas-fired plants. Given the current competitiveness of VRE, a natural question is the economic value and tradeoffs for expanding the system opting between baseload gas-fired generation and VRE in an already flexible hydropower system. This paper presents a methodology based on a multi-stage and stochastic capacity expansion model to estimate the optimal mix of baseload thermal power plants and VRE additions considering their contributions for security of supply, which includes peak, energy, and operating reserves, which are endogenously defined in a time-varying and sized in a dynamic way as well as adequacy constraints. The presented model calculates the optimal decision plan, allowing for the estimation of the economical tradeoffs between baseload gas and VRE supply considering their value for the required services to the system. This allows for a comparison between the integration costs of these technologies on the same basis, thus helping policymakers and system planners to better decide on the best way to integrate the gas resources in an electricity industry increasingly renewable. A case study based on a real industrial application is presented for the Brazilian power system.
Mode S Beacon System: Functional Description. Revision C.

Abstract : This document provides a functional description of the Mode S Beacon System, a combined secondary surveillance radar (beacon) and ground-air-ground data link system capable of providing the aircraft surveillance and communications necessary to support ATC automation in future traffic environments. Mode S is capable of common-channel interoperation with the current ATC beacon system, and may be implemented over an extended transition period. Mode S will provide the surveillance and communication performance required by ATC automation, the reliable communications needed to support data link services, and the capability of operating with a terminal or enroute, radar digitizer-equipped, ATC surveillance radar. The material contained in this document updates the information presented in Mode S Beacon System: Functional Description; DOT/FAA/PM-83.8, 15 July 1983. Keywords include: Air traffic control, Surveillance data link, Data link, Beacon, and Mode S.
Power performance of wind energy converters characterized as stochastic process: applications of the Langevin power curve

The power performance of a wind energy converter (WEC) commonly refers to the relation between the input source and the electrical output, i.e. the input wind speed u and the electrical power output P . The International Electrotechnical Commission dened a so-called power curve P (u) that quanties this relation. Recently a novel approach was introduced based on the short-time dynamical response of the WEC to high-frequency wind uctuations. The dynamical behavior of the WEC is quantied by a drift eld and the corresponding Langevin power curve. We present three applications to wind energy based on the Langevin power curve. The rst application consists in testing the power performance of WECs using LIDAR wind measurements. We then extend this test to the monitoring of WEC performance over time. Finally, we apply the Langevin power curve to a simulation model for a WEC as a tool to characterize its performance. These applications illustrate the exibility of the Langevin power curve as a relevant tool for performance testing and monitoring.