Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sliding mode control for an electrohydraulic actuator system with discontinuous non-linear friction

This paper considers the application of a sliding mode controller (SMC) to a high-precision electrohydraulic actuator (EHA) system with non-linear discontinuous friction effects. An important consideration in such systems is the oscillations that occur in the system response owing to friction for small input signals at cross-over regions where the velocity changes sign. A new model for a high-precision hydrostatic actuation system is developed to investigate the effects of discontinuous and non-linear friction. This model is used in the development of a sliding mode control strategy. A significant result from this study is that the SMC can suppress such oscillations. In addition, the paper uses a linear quadratic approach for defining a discrete-time sliding surface for non-linear systems. A comparative study involving the application of the proposed SMC versus a gain-scheduled proportional controller is presented.
Sleeping Contextual/Non-Contextual Thompson Sampling MAB for mmWave D2D Two-Hop Relay Probing

Millimeter wave (mmWave) band, i.e., 30 to 300 GHz, is characterized by short range transmissions and vulnerability to path blockage necessitating the use of relaying. Probing more relays finds out the best relay having the highest spectral efficiency but at the expense of increasing the probing overhead due to excessive beamforming training (BT) causing a decrease in the overall throughput. In this paper, mmWave two-hop relaying will be formulated as a single player multi-armed bandit (MAB) problem enabling one relay probing while maximizing the achievable spectral efficiency. Moreover, the relays could not establish the mmWave link due to blockage for instance will be identified as sleeping relays and eliminated from the rest of the MAB game. Thus, sleeping non contextual MAB (S-MAB) algorithm, namely sleeping Thompson sampling (S-TS) will be proposed to handle the problem. Furthermore, by utilizing the multiband capability of standardized WiGig devices containing both 2.4/5 GHz WiFi and 60 GHz mmWave bands, WiFi information will be used as contexts of the MAB game. Therefore, sleeping contextual MAB (S-CMAB) algorithm, namely S-CTS, will be proposed as well. Numerical and regret analysis ensure the superior performance of the S-CMAB algorithm over the S-MAB counterpart and the existing mmWave relay probing solutions accompanied with high convergence rates.
NMEA 2000 A Digital Interface for the 21 st Century

Ships and boats are outfitted with suites of electronics including everything from desktop and laptop computers, and GPS to depth sounders and nautical chart data on diskettes. This paper describes the new standardized data protocol and interface that permits inexpensive communications among these devices. The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) has introduced a new standard (NMEA 2000) for data communications among shipboard electronic devices. A single network cable replaces a myriad of cables used by today’s methods of interconnection. The NMEA 2000 network can accommodate navigation equipment, power generation, engines and machinery, piloting and steering systems, fire alarm, and controls. Data, commands, and status all share the same cable at speeds 26 times greater then the NMEA 0183 serial interface. NMEA 2000 is self-configuring, no setup is required, and no master controller is needed. Equipment may be added or removed without shutting down the network. This paper provides an in-depth description of NMEA 2000, including its capabilities, application within and beyond the marine industry, and national and international acceptance.
Study of sorbent properties of powdered and chemically treated leaves of Azadirachta indica

89 DOI: 10.37398/JSR.2021. 650613 Abstract: The leaves of Azadirachta indica (neem) have proven medicinal properties; in addition nowadays leaves of neem were also used for adsorption properties. In continuation with adsorption research, here, we report neem leaves as a bio-sorbent in the purification process of water effluent polluted by Acid Blue 15 dye. In dye removal process, appreciable uptake of it was observed by neem leaves using batch adsorption method. Further, thermodynamic and kinetic findings opened that adsorption was in alignment with Freundlich isotherm and pseudo first order respectively. Progress in the findings of other parameters like effect of pH, adsorbent dose and effect of contact time made the powdered and chemically treated neem leaves a viable selection for the removal of Acid Blue dye from the industrially polluted water.
Numerical simulation of single artificial cilium magnetic driven motion in a semi-infinite domain

The current paper deals with a completely novel method of fluid manipulation technology in micro-fluidics systems, inspired by nature, namely by the mechanisms found in ciliates. More information on this subject can be found at http://www.hitech-projects.com/euprojects/artic/. In order to simulate the drag forces acting on the artificial cilium, we have developed a computer code that is based on fundamental solutions of Stokes flow in a semi-infinite domain. The actuation mechanism consists of a bi-directional rotating excitation magnetic field. Two situations have been considered: hard-magnetic material and soft-magnetic for the cilium. In the first case, it was considered that the cilium is uniformly magnetized and immersed in a uniform magnetic field of magnetic density B, such that the magnetic torque on every element of the cilium depends mainly only on the relative position between the element and the constant direction of vector B. In the second case, the magnetization induced by the magnetic field was calculated in a separate routine based on the Integral Nonlinear Equations Approach with 1D discretization of wire (cilium). Distal-end mass flows are computed for several cilium configurations resulting non-zero average mass flow rates. The outcome and originality of this paper consist on assessing magnetic actuation as a practical tool for obtaining a consistent one-directional fluid flow.
Generalized Techniques of Harmonic Elimination and Voltage Control in Thyristor Inverters: Part I--Harmonic Elimination

This paper considers the theoretical problem of eliminating harmonics in inverter-output waveforms. Generalized methods are developed for eliminating a fixed number of harmonics in the half-bridge and full-bridge inverter-output waveforms, and solutions are presented for eliminating up to five harmonics. Numerical techniques are applied to solve the nonlinear equations of the problem on the computer. The uneliminated higher order harmonics can be easily attenuated by using filter circuits in the output stage of the inverter. The results show the feasibility of obtaining practically sinusoidal output waveforms, which are highly desirable in most inverter applications.
The Implementation of a National Strategy to Encourage Injury Prevention Program Uptake in a Community Female Sport in Ireland: A Camogie Case Study

Community sports play an important role in maintaining sporting participation across all ages, from childhood to adulthood. Maintaining participation for females, however, can be a challenge. Injuries can negatively impact sporting participation, both in the short and long term. Thus, reducing the risk of injuries in community sports is essential. While there are developed injury prevention programs available, the uptake of such programs in community sports can be limited. Here, we outline how a female community sport in Ireland, namely, the Camogie Association, has developed and implemented an evidence-based strategy to improve the uptake of an injury prevention program nationally across all ages of their membership. We use the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance) sports setting matrix as a guiding tool for evaluating this strategy. Varying settings and levels were targeted in this six-step implementation sequence, including the national sporting organisation, regional sporting organisations, alongside the individual coaches and players. The main outcomes of the strategy were that the Camogie Association formally adopted the developed injury prevention program (the Camogie Injury Prevention Program) and the adapted age appropriate programs from 8 years of age and upward. The Camogie Association also embedded this program within their coaching training course. The developed education workshop successfully improved coaches’ attitudes and perceived ability to implement the Camogie Injury Prevention Program. The majority (72.5%) of coaches, 4 weeks after conducting the workshop, had implemented the program, and 95% felt the program could be maintained over multiple seasons. This program may provide guidance to similar national or regional sporting bodies that want to embed injury prevention programs within their respective governing body and maximise the implementation of an injury prevention program by their coaches and players.
Towards Understanding and Quality Assessment of Enterprise Software Systems

The scope of this Ph.D. thesis is the research field of software engineering, while its main goal is to address the issue of high and constantly growing complexity of enterprise software systems and the issue of their permanent need for adaptation to always meet new requirements. In this context, the thesis introduces new techniques and software instruments, which are helpful in order to evaluate and enhance the quality of this type of systems.
Performance of women-managed plots compared to men-managed plots among smallholder maize farmers in western and central Ethiopia

ABSTRACT A more targeted approach towards improving women’s access to agricultural innovations is key to increase the overall agricultural productivity. This paper uses gender-disaggregated household and plot-level survey data from Ethiopia to explore the impacts of multiple agronomic practices disaggregated by the sex of the plot manager. Using a multinomial endogenous switching regression methodology, after controlling for endogeneity arising from observed and unobserved heterogeneity, we found that multiple agronomic practices have a positive and significant effect on maize yields and maize income. Crucially, subject to demographics, plot quality and agronomic practices (among others), we found that women-managed plots (WMP) had treatment effects (yields) that were statistically the same as those of men-managed plots (MMP) (and nominally higher in a number of cases).
Carrier-Signal Selection for Sensorless Control of PM Synchronous Machines at Zero and Very Low Speeds

This paper compares pulsating- and rotating-vector carrier-signal injection for self-sensing (or sensorless) control of permanent-magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs). The main focus of this paper is the evaluation of estimation errors due to the physical nonideal attributes of both the machine and the inverter. Initial-position and magnet-polarity estimations are analyzed as well. Transient response and signal processing for both techniques are discussed for completeness. The theoretical analysis is supported by experimental and simulation evidence obtained using interior PMSMs.
A Novel Identification Method of Two Phase Flow Based on ERT Measurements

Two-phase flow measurement plays an increasingly important role in the real-time, on-line control of industrial processes including fault detection and system malfunction. Many experimental and theoretical researches have done in the field of tomography image reconstruction. However, the reconstruction process cost quite long time so that there are number of challenges in the real applications. An alternative approach to monitor two-phase flow inside a pipe/vessel is to take advantage of identification of flow regimes. This paper proposes a new identification approach for common two phase flow using LDA feature extraction and Support Vector Machine based on Electrical Tomography measurement. Simulation was carried out for typical flow regimes using the approach. The results show its feasibility, and the results indicate that this method is fast in speed and can identify these flow regimes correctly.
Emergency response preparedness: small group training. Part 2 – training methods compared with learning styles

Continues from Part 1 and investigates how the learning styles and training methods for individuals and groups can be matched to maximise the efficiency of the training programme. In a similar manner to identifying personal learning styles, training methods can be classified by their efficiency with the different learning‐style groups. The training methods are divided into large and small group activities together with individual training processes. The learning styles of participants are then matched to the training styles.
The crosstalk characteristics of different PCB layouts with multiconductor transmission line: Research Articles

A simple method of moment numerical scheme is adopted to study the crosstalk characteristics of printed circuit board. Both strip lines and microstrips PCB configurations are investigated. The results indicate that with the ground plane closer to the signal line, the crosstalk voltages can be reduced. Furthermore, the non-synchronization due to difference in mode velocities can also be reduced. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved loss determination for planar integrated power passive modules

Integration of passive components, such as the planar L-C-T (Inductor-Capacitor-Transformer) technology has been the subject of research over the last few years and has been proven to be viable at high frequencies. Research to determine the volumetric limits of these structures has shown that better loss modeling is required before any volume reduction and optimization is possible. A comprehensive, yet simple loss model for the planar integrated L-L-C-T is presented and verified using experimental case studies. The loss model takes non-sinusoidal core excitation losses, both skin- and proximity-effect conductor losses and dielectric losses into account.
LEPA and Spray Irrigation for Grain Crops

Two low energy precision application (LEPA) sprinkler methods (double-ended socks and bubblers) and two spray sprinkler methods (low-elevation spray application and overhead spray) were used to irrigate corn, grain sorghum, and winter wheat in the Southern High Plains. For full or 100% irrigation, sufficient 25-mm applications were applied to maintain soil water at non-yield-limiting levels determined in earlier research with the three crops. Deficit-irrigated treatments were irrigated on the same days as the control treatment in 25 or 33% increments of the fully irrigated amount. Irrigation water was applied to or above alternate furrows with a three-span lateral move irrigation system. Corn and sorghum were grown on beds and furrows with all furrows diked, and wheat was flat-planted without basin tillage. Grain yields increased significantly with irrigation amount (p ≤ 0.05) for all crops during all years. With full irrigation, grain yields varied little among the sprinkler methods, and yields averaged .
Experimental Study on the Fundamental Characteristics of Different Parent Recycled Concrete Fine Aggregates

Recycled aggregate performance vary with different native concrete strength and use environment. Recycled fine aggregate was obtained after the primary concrete was broken and screened. According to Recycled coarse aggregate for concrete and mortar (GB/T 25176-2010), the physical properties of the different types of recycled fine aggregate were analyzed, in addition, determine the classification. The results shows that the properties of recycled fine aggregate all meet the level and they are vary by strengths of its maternal primary concrete and using environments. The overall performance of fine aggregate of high strength primary concrete is the best, followed by the low strength concrete and the moderate strength concrete.
Developing the Mandarin e-Module of “Small Talk at Workplace” for MFL learners in Malaysia

Research carried out in Malaysia identified that learners of Mandarin as a foreign language (MFL) in Malaysia were keen “to make small talk” and “to communicate with Mandarin speaking colleagues at workplace”. However, a survey of the Mandarin learning materials available in the market indicates that there are plenty of learning materials for “General Mandarin” for daily use and materials for “Business Mandarin” but none for “Workplace Mandarin”. Hence, there is an urgent need for Mandarin experts to produce suitable and comprehensive materials specifically for Mandarin for workplace communication. In contributing to the needs of “Workplace Mandarin”, the Mandarin e-Module of “Small Talk at Workplace” was developed to fulfil Mandarin language learners’ needs “to make small talk” and “to communicate with Mandarin speaking colleagues at workplace”. For this purpose, ADDIE Model, a systematic approach consists of instructional design principles was adopted to develop the e-module of “Small Talk at Workplace”. The ADDIE model consists of five phases: analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. It is a strategic plan for designing an e-module and video clips incorporated with Powtoon animation were selected as the platform to deliver the e-content developed for the e-module. The completion of the Mandarin e-Module of “Small Talk at Workplace” is important as it can be marketed as an e-learning toolkit. The toolkit will help learners to make effective small talk as a social skill where effective small talk can be a useful tool to help them achieve goals they set in their work life.
A Cutting Rate Model for Reciprocating Sawing

In the present paper, the reciprocating sawing process is analyzed, and a model for linear cutting rate is developed. The resulting model is based on an orthogonal approximation of cutting at individual teeth and accounts for elastic and plastic indentation. Cutting rates obtained from an instrumented sawing fixture show good agreement with predicted results for the range of conditions considered. Cutting rate was found to be proportional to thrust force and reciprocating rate though this behavior is influenced by edge radius and flow stress at higher levels. While it was not possible to decouple the effect of pitch and blade set, it was confirmed that coarser pitch blades do provide higher cutting rates.
Delivering an Engineering Laboratory Course Using the Internet, the Post Office, and a Campus Visit

We present the redesign of a sophomore‐level mechanics of materials engineering laboratory course for distance delivery. The distance laboratory course combined multi‐media computer experiments, portable hands‐on exercises, and place‐bound laboratory experiments. Class communication was accomplished through e‐mail, online discussion groups and telephone conversations. Preliminary assessment of this new model for providing hands‐on distance education gave valuable information that supports its effectiveness.
A Data-Driven Method for Battery Charging Capacity Abnormality Diagnosis in Electric Vehicle Applications

Enabling charging capacity abnormality diagnosis is essential for ensuring battery operation safety in electric vehicle (EV) applications. In this paper, a data-driven method is proposed for battery charging capacity diagnosis based on massive real-world EV operating data. Using the charging rate, temperature, State-of-Charge and accumulated driving mileage as the inputs, a tree-based prediction model is developed with a polynomial feature combination used for model training. A statistics-based method is then used to diagnose battery charging capacity abnormity by analyzing the error distribution of large sets of data. The proposed tree-based prediction model is compared with other state-of-the-art methods and is shown to have the highest prediction accuracy. The holistic diagnosis scheme is verified using unseen data.
Optimal production sequencing problem to minimise line stoppage time in a mixed-model assembly line

Mixed-model assembly line is utilised to assemble many product variants on a single line in automobile and other industries. In just-in-time production system, the automation (Jidoka) allows workers to stop a conveyor line whenever they fail to complete their assembly operations within predetermined process times. Given this situation, it becomes important to determine the production sequence to minimise the total conveyor stoppage time in the mixed-model assembly line. In this article, we propose an explicit and complete formulation of the production sequencing problem for the mixed-model line, in which the objective function is to minimise the total line stoppage time. Some important properties are derived and by relaxing the integer constraints in the formulation, a branch and bound algorithm is developed. The performance of a commercial mathematical programming package is discussed by solving several numerical examples using the formulation.
Wind tunnel performance results of swirl recovery vanes as tested with an advanced high speed propeller

Tests of swirl recovery vanes designed for use in conjunction with advanced high speed propellers were carried out at the NASA Lewis Research Center. The eight bladed 62.23 cm vanes were tested with a 62.23 cm SR = 7A high speed propeller in the NASA Lewis 2.44 x 1.83 m Supersonic Wind Tunnel for a Mach number range of 0.60 to 0.80. At the design operating condition for cruise of Mach 0.80 at an advance ratio of 3.26, the vane contribution to the total efficiency approached 2 percent. At lower off-design Mach numbers, the vane efficiency is even higher, approaching 4.5 percent for the Mach 0.60 condition. Use of the swirl recovery vanes essentially shifts the peak of the high speed propeller efficiency to a higher operating speed. This allows a greater degree of freedom in the selection of rpm over a wider operating range. Another unique result of the swirl recovery vane configuration is their essentially constant torque split between the propeller and the swirl vanes over a wide range of operating conditions for the design vane angle.
Energy Efficient QoS-Based Access Point Selection in Hybrid WiFi and LiFi IoT Networks

Ensuring Quality of Service (QoS) in next-generation networks would be challenging because of the expected manifolds increase in network traffic volume and the massive number of connected Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The increased resources on end-devices have made it possible to make decisions on the client-side for Access Point (AP) selection. On the other hand, due to power constraints on the client-side, energy efficiency is also essential. This paper presents a client-side energy-efficient AP selection approach for QoS provisioning in hybrid Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) and Light Fidelity (LiFi) networks. Compared to conventional WiFi and LiFi approaches, the proposed technique outperforms them in energy efficiency at any data rate and in QoS provisioning at data rates higher than 10 Mbps for a network of 50 nodes. It is also shown that adapting the uplink transmission power improves the IoT node’s energy efficiency by transmitting at minimal transmission power required to satisfy the throughput QoS constraint. This paper’s contributions include the proposed algorithm, complexity and convergence analyses of the algorithm, simulation-based evaluation, and analysis of the uplink transmission power adaption. The results show that the presented technique could be integrated into next-generation networks for QoS provisioning and improving energy efficiency.