Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of Authenticated Key Exchange Protocol for IoT Sensor Layer

An authenticated key exchange for the Internet of Things (IoT) sensor layer is discussed in this paper. This paper presents an enhanced key exchange protocol to provide an authentication scheme and data confidentiality for IoT sensor layer. In our approach, we incorporate an identity-based authentication scheme into the existing key exchange protocol based on Elliptic Curve Diffie Hellman (ECDH). We utilize two communication channels for the process, main channel and auxiliary channel. The main channel is used to exchange key and sensor data and the auxiliary channel is used to exchange the identity information prior to the key exchange process. To provide the data confidentiality, AES encryption algorithm is implemented with a key derived from shared secret key to ensure the Perfect Forward Secrecy. For the evaluations, there are four parameters that are evaluated: the protocol resistance, formal verification of protocol, the protocol security, and performance testing. The protocol resistance was evaluated using security analysis against common security threats on IoT sensor layer. The formal verification of the proposed protocol was evaluated using Scyther, and the protocol security was evaluated using attack scenarios (i.e., authentication and sniffing attack) to prove the authentication and confidentiality. The performance testing was conducted to measure time complexity and memory complexity of the protocol. The experiment results show that the proposed protocol is able to provide an authentication mechanism, data confidentiality, and resilience against common security threats at IoT sensor layers.
Statistical Monitoring of Suicides in the U.S. Armed Forces

Abstract : This study develops a methodology that assists military commanders and health professionals in making decisions on when and where to apply intervention techniques based on shifts in suicide rates. The software package that incorporates the methodology for statistical process control provides rapid detection of an out-of-control suicide rate situation. Furthermore, it minimizes the potential for unwarranted reaction to usual variation. The study models DoD suicides as a Poisson process to detect departures from usual variation using a self-starting control chart scheme. Methods are implemented in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet with Visual Basic macros for ease of use. For the United States Army, persistent shifts in the process mean are detected in August 1985 (increase), September 1987 (decrease), April 1991 (increase), November 1997 (decrease), and September 2001 (decrease). The increase in April 1991 follows the commencement of Iraqi combat operations under Operation Desert Storm in January 1991. With regard to Operation Iraqi Freedom, which began in March 2003, this study does not reveal a change in the Army's suicide rate commensurate with more soldiers being deployed to an environment of combat stress. For the Navy, persistent shifts in the process mean are detected in December 1990 (decrease), January 1993 (increase), May 1994 (decrease), July 1995 (increase), and March 1996 (decrease). Apparently, no relationships to wartime environments or high operational tempos are evident in these shifts. For the Marine Corps, persistent shifts in the process mean are detected in January 1993 (increase) and March 1998 (decrease). For the Air Force, persistent shifts in the process mean are detected in January 1988 (increase), April 1990 (decrease), November 1994 (increase), November 1998 (decrease), and April 1999 (decrease). Once again, no relationships to wartime environments or high operational tempos are evident for these two service components. (25 figures, 13 ref7
Digital Technology at the National Science Museum of Japan

Abstract The National Science Museum (NSM) in Japan has recently completed a project using different types of visitor-oriented digital technologies. With sponsorship from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), the NSM team carried out a four-year study to examine how digital technologies can be used to enhance as well as educationally enrich a visit to a science and natural history museum. Two types of devices, a handheld audio guide and an integrated circuit card, were tested in the museum. The results of the project are described along with suggestions for designers and educators who are seeking to add similar devices to their museums.
Information and Communication Technologies and Environmental Safety: The Case of Naples-Vesuvius, Italy

Information and communication technologies (ICT) are a new force in the investigation and realization of management systems oriented to the socioeconomic prediction and mitigation of the effects of disasters. This article attempts to assess the topic of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in hazardous environments. It identifies an important use to which ICT (text messages) could be put, countering the possibility of risk amplification caused by sensational media reporting. A special case was chosen: the highly urbanized area of Vesuvius and the earthquake hazard in the Naples (Italy) area. Media accounts included the recent “Vesuvius countdown” and related TV reports that caused thousands of alarmed calls to the Civil Protection call center. The long urban history of this area, and the long eruptive history of Vesuvius, together with the emergence of a new Civil Protection system adopting ICTs, including communication strategies and debriefing media (text messaging), all offer intriguing insights into ICTs and disasters.
In pursuit of implementation patterns: the context of Lean and Six Sigma

Combining Lean practices with Six Sigma has gained immense popularity in recent years. Whether a combined Lean-Six Sigma approach is the latest management fad, or leads to significant performance benefits that exceed isolated implementation is not yet apparent. Using implementation and performance data from a sample of 2511 plants, the research study attempts to uncover associative and predictive pattern of implementation between 15 Lean practices and the Six Sigma program. Our results indicate two major findings. First, implementation of any practice from a broader set of Lean practices improves the likelihood of implementing Six Sigma. Additionally, practices commonly bundled under quality management predict and distinguish the group of plants implementing Six Sigma extensively from non-implementers. Second, the regression results indicate a significant difference in the performance levels of the Six Sigma implementers group compared with the non-implementer group. These preliminary results are a first step towards separating fact from fiction.
Polarization build up in COMPASS 6LiD target

The CERN COMPASS experiment uses a large double 424 cm3 cell polarized 6LiD target for the muon program. High nuclear spin polarization |P| > 50 % is obtained, typically in five days. The high cooling power of the COMPASS dilution refrigerator helps to build up the polarization fast at temperatures around 300 mK. At lower microwave power with lower spin and lattice temperatures, the polarization build up is slower. We discuss these features of the dynamic nuclear polarization of our 6LiD target. Read More: http://www.worldscientific. com/doi/abs/10.1142/9789812701909_0171
Microstructural Modeling Method for Asphalt Specimens Supporting 3D Adaptive and Automatic Mesh Generation

AbstractTo further facilitate the automation and computational efficiency in asphalt mixture micromechanical simulation using finite-element methods, this paper develops a three-dimensional (3D) microstructural modeling method for asphalt mixture to automatically generate the adaptive 3D finite-element mesh. The methodology contains three main steps, as follows: (1) two-dimensional (2D) enclosed outlines in every X-ray computed tomography (CT) image of the specimens are detected with shape features of outlines and grayscale discrepancy between each two different phase pixels; (2) for each independent geometric solid such as aggregate particle and air void in a specimen, the mapping between the solid and its outlines on various layers is established, so that the 3D model of each solid is constructed; and (3) models of the same phase are assembled into a specific substructure model. The specimen microstructure model is finally obtained with appropriate Boolean operations towards specific substructure models.
Emergence of lateral softness sensations in surface tactile tele-presentation systems with force feedback

This paper reveals that lateral softness sensations can emerge in surface tactile tele-presentation systems with force feedback, if the systems have improper displacement measurements and/or stiffness mismatches between a fingertip and tactile sensors. In surface tactile tele-presentation systems, friction force should be reproduced on the master device for high fidelity rendering. If, however, the remote tactile sensor is made of soft material to resemble human fingers, users may experience apparent lateral softness, which does not exist in the remote sample. This work investigates such a phenomenon by using a force-reflecting type master-slave system. The phenomenon is analyzed to provide a simple solution to dissolve the lateral stiffness problem. The experiments reveal that the selection of displacement sensing point is important to prevent emergence of the apparent softness, in addition to the matching of sensor stiffness. The paper also discusses how the force reflecting gain affects the phenomenon.
Aging study in advanced photomasks: impact of EFM effects on lithographic performance with MoSi binary and 6% attenuated PSM masks

As mask dimensions continue to shrink to meet the ITRS roadmap and with the extension of 193 nm immersion lithography, the masks are affected by electromagnetic field at high NA. Absorber degradation is regularly reported under long term 193 nm exposures in the subwavelength diffraction regime. The damage mechanism known as Electric Field induced Migration of chrome (EFM) partly contributes to the lifetime reduction of advanced masks. The EFM results in a progressive alteration of the Critical Dimension (CD), CD uniformity (CDU) degradation and assist features. This study evaluates the impact and the rate of absorber degradation due to an intensive ArF irradiation on assist features and its influence on the through pitch process window for sub-45 nm technology nodes. Lithographic performance is characterized after cumulative reticle aging stages. The aging test exposures are carried out directly on 193 nm scanner to duplicate the production environment. The analysis of printed wafers is correlated to advanced mask inspection (AIMSTM). This paper reports results on irradiation damage sensitivity on two types of reticles: conventional 6% attenuated PSM and new binary material OMOG (Opaque MoSi On Glass) reticle. Test patterns have been generated with and without a set of Optical Proximity Corrections (OPC) model calibration structures based on 45nm down to 28nm half-pitch design. The combination of metrology measurements used in this work between printed wafers and reticles enables to define accurately the impact of mask damage caused by EFM effects on various test patterns and CD evolution and highlight some trends about advances masks aging phenomenon.
Analysis and average modeling of critical mode boost PFC converter

Critical mode boost PFC converter with voltage control mode and current control mode are analyzed. Two average models for them are proposed. With these models, simulation not only for small signal and static behavior but also for large signal and dynamic behavior of the two kinds of converters can be easily performed. Simulations and experiments were done to verify the proposed models.
Using a real time digital simulator to develop an accurate model of a digital relay

The use of electromagnetic transient programs (emtp's) is now a common method of deriving transient waveforms for the purpose of testing relays. The waveforms are derived off-line, stored in file form and then played back in real time via conditioning amplifiers into the relay. This is a" satisfactory way t o test the action of primary protection. If however one is concerned, say, with the system stability, or the subsequent action of other relays on a parallel line, then the effect of the primary relay trip must be fed back into the simulation. This requires a real time digital simulator (RTDS) [l] or TNA capable of accepting the input from the relay trip circuit. Such test devices are not widely available and it is therefore desirable to have a model of the relay which can be included in the emtp simulation. The relay action then becomes part of the simulation and the effects mentioned above can be examined in the simulakion run.
Design of low power RF to DC generator for energy harvesting application

This paper describes the design of a voltage doubler with matching circuit using Schottky diode HSMS-2850 and microstrip rectangular patch antenna array for RF energy harvesting application. Microstrip rectangular antenna array and two stage voltage doubler or charge pump circuit are designed for capturing directed electromagnetic energy and convert into suitable DC voltage. Simulation results show that a DC voltage of 0.747 V can be achieved at −10dBm input energy level at 2.4 GHz when load is 20 Kohm. This paper also describes microstrip rectangular patch antenna array (2x2) for increase the input energy level at 2.4 GHz frequency.
Using Focus Groups to Support the Designer in the Evaluation of Existing Products: A Case Study

This paper describes a case study which explores the potential of focus groups for assisting the designer in gathering data, in this case on the reaction of typical end-users to small domestic products. The designer worked directly with the groups as moderator, the logic being that in this way an enhanced understanding could be developed of the reactions of users and an improved empathy for the requirements of users from outside the socio-economic group most designers occupy. The paper firstly gives a background to focus groups as a data collection method. The methodology of the case study focus groups is described including the guiding objectives and methods of gathering and analysing data. The data from the focus groups, which is qualitative in nature, is examined. From this a discussion is conducted on the potential value of the focus group in this context and in the training of designers.
Identification and Modeling of Vibration Signals in Startup Stage of Electric Driven Reciprocating Pump

How to realize signal modeling and vibration signal characteristic extraction is a very significant topic. A large amount of drilling pump vibration signals were acquired from the indoor tests. The startup signals with time consistency were segmented from these measurement signals and analyzed in detail. There are mainly such five types of vibrations in the startup signals as the pump body’s vibration, whistle, shocks in moving parts, and impacts of the value lifted off or dropped on the seat, friction or grinding between moving parts. The pump body’s vibration and whistle have good time-frequency characteristics and change very regularity, which are defined as the startup vibration in this paper. The pump body’s vibration signals are modeled by OFMM method. After to exclude the OFMM modeling signal, the remaining signal was separated into different integrated components according to their vibration sources by PFM method, a HMM whistle vibration model based on PFM parameters was achieved. Furthermore, A combination of OFMM and HMM model is used to describe the pump startup vibration. Realistic simulation on the pump’s startup vibration has been achieved. Signal simulation was also carried out by use of this combination model. This approach is expected to become a powerful tool for drilling pump’s startup vibration signal analysis and modeling.
Are Observers Ever Really Complacent When Monitoring Automated Systems?

A recurring worry in recent applied research on the role of humans in highly reliable automated systems has been the fear of “complacency‘, or the tendency to trust automation too much, with the consequence that faults or abnormal function go undetected. Existing evidence does not support the conclusion that operators are complacent. Rather, it supports the notion that in any complex dynamic system even an operator who is well calibrated with respect to the probability of faults, who shows eutactic behaviour, and who behaves optimally cannot be expected to detect all faults. The question of what strategy should be adopted when monitoring a highly reliable system is discussed.
A Numerical Model of Biomass Combustion Physical and Chemical Processes

Identifying a modeling procedure of biomass thermal decomposition that is not only simple enough to implement and use, and computationally efficient, but also sufficiently accurate for engineering design activities, and with a spectrum of applications as broad as possible is a very difficult task. The authors propose a procedure which consists of two main stages: (a) the static modeling phase with the purpose of generating the algorithm (macro functions) that supplies a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model with specific input data (source/sink terms and local material properties) and (b) the dynamic modeling phase, where the CFD model is bi-directionally coupled to the external biomass decomposition model in the form of a User-Defined Function (UDF). The modeling approach was successfully validated against data obtained from single particle decomposition experiments, demonstrating its applicability even to large biomass particles, under high heating rates and combusting conditions.
Criteria for achieving efficient contractor‐supplier relations

Purpose – Despite numerous examples of benefits when adapting supplier relationship management in the manufacturing industry, the construction industry still lags behind in such areas as long‐term relationships with suppliers and continuous cost‐reductions. This may be because the characteristics of the construction industry differ from those of the manufacturing industry due to their project‐based structure, its inherent tendency for sub‐optimization and the vast number and variety of suppliers. The purpose of this study is to identify criteria for achieving efficient contractor‐supplier relations in the construction industry and for large contractors.Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on the literature on efficiency and differentiation of efficient buyer‐supplier relationships as well as a two‐year case study based on participatory observations and interviews with strategic purchasers at a large Swedish contractor.Findings – As it is not always possible to increase efficiency in the interface.
Broadside linear array of resonant type leaky-wave antenna composed of image NRD guide

A broadside linear array of a resonant-type leaky-wave antenna with a new construction based on an image nonradiating dielectric (NRD) guide is proposed. Fundamental characteristics are investigated by performing both the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) analysis and basic experiments. The proposed configuration makes it possible to improve the H-plane pattern beamwidth, which is much wider than that of the E-plane. First, a single-element resonant-type leaky-wave antenna fed by a longitudinal slot on the broad wall of a rectangular waveguide is analysed to obtain the data used for the design of the linear array. Next, based on the results obtained, a 2-element linear array employing the same feeding technique as that of the single-element case is designed and analysed. The H-plane beamwidth is found to be 34°, which is 36° narrower than that of the single-element antenna. Finally, measured results are also presented to confirm the effective performance of the proposed configuration.
Optimal Beam-Forming Design in Cognitive Relay Networks under Interference Threshold

Recently, a new model for cognitive radio networks appears, in which a cognitive user (CU) can relay the primary data stream to improve the performance of the primary user s communication. Traditionally, the transmitter of the cognitive users will send data to the receiver of the cognitive users and relay the data sent from the primary user (PU) in different time slots. However, Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) provides a remarkable increase in the spectral efficiency, which can transmit multiple independent data streams in a time slot with MIMO antenna. Based on the MIMO technique, we propose a novel framework, in which the cognitive user near by the primary user is equipped with MIMO antenna. In this paper, we search for the maximum sum-rate of the cognitive user, limiting the interference to the primary users. Simulation results show that the proposed method can really improve the performance of the cognitive relay networks.
Injecting usability in m-commerce

The use of handheld devices such as mobile phones is a rapidly growing phenomenon in m-commerce. However, the small screen display of handheld devices is a real challenge to user interface designers who have to satisfy both the functional and sensory needs of users. This paper presents the results of two usability studies of a telecommunications service provider's WAP portal and offers some usability guidelines for the design of WAP portals.
Critical Situations of Vessel Operations in Short Crested Seas—Forecast and Decision Support System

The encounter of extreme waves, extreme wave groups, or unfavorable wave sequences poses dangerous threats for ships and floating/stationary marine structures. The impact of extreme waves causes enormous forces, whereas an unfavorable wave sequence—not necessarily extreme waves—can arouse critical motions or even resonance, often leading to loss of cargo, ship, or crew. Thus, besides a well thought-out maritime design, a system detecting critical incoming wave sequences in advance can help avoiding those dangerous situations, increasing the safety of sea transport or offshore operations. During the last two years a new system for decision support onboard a ship or floating/fixed marine structure named CASH—Computer Aided Ship Handling—has been introduced. The preceding papers showed the step wise development of the main components of the program code—3d-wave forecast and 3d-ship motion forecast . These procedures provide a deterministic approach to predict the short crested seas state within radar range of the ship, as well as resulting ship motions in six degrees of freedom. Both methods have been enhanced with special focus on the speed of calculation to ensure a just-in-time forecast. A newly developed component is the adaptive 3d-pressure distribution . This method calculates the pressure distribution along the wetted surface of the ship hull using a newly developed stretching approach. With the end of the joint project Loads on Ships in Seaway (LaSSe), (funded by the German Government) the paper presents the CASH system, giving the possibility to detect critical situations in advance. Thus not only decision support onboard a cruising ship can be provided, but also time windows for offshore operations are identified well in advance.