Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
State Calculation of Power Systems from Line Flow Measurements, Part II

Extending the theoretical foundations established in Part I(1), this paper further describes this efficient method of computing the real-time load flow solution for a power system network. An efficient numerical solution technique particularly applicable to this problem is outlined. Relative weighting of the measurements is analyzed in terms of the measurement accuracies. A method is given for dynamic determination of the frequency of the state estimate calculations. The effects of real-time changes in the network are discussed.
Stochastic quantification of the electric power generated by a piezoelectric energy harvester using a time–frequency analysis under non-stationary random vibrations

Vibration energy, which is widely available, can be converted into electric energy using a piezoelectric energy harvester that generates alternating current in response to applied mechanical strain. For the last decade, there has been a strong surge of interest in developing an electromechanically-coupled analytical model of a piezoelectric energy harvester. Such a model is of great importance to enable understanding of the first principle of the piezoelectric transduction and to quantify harvestable electric power under a given vibration condition. However, existing analytical models that operate under an assumption of deterministic excitations cannot deal with the random nature present in realistic vibrations, even though this randomness considerably affects the variation in harvestable electric power. Furthermore, even when random vibrations are taken into account, existing stochastic analytical models can only be applied to stationary excitations, such as in the case of white Gaussian noise. This paper thus proposes a three-step framework for stochastic quantification of the electric power generated by a piezoelectric energy harvester under non-stationary random vibrations. First, we propose estimation of the time-varying power spectral density (PSD) of the input non-stationary random vibration using a statistical time–frequency analysis. The second step is to employ an existing electromechanical model as the linear operator for calculating the output voltage response. The final step is to estimate the time-varying PSD of the output voltage response. Following this three-step process, the expected electric power can be estimated from the autocorrelation function which is the inverse Fourier transform of the time-varying PSD of the output voltage response. The merits of the proposed framework are two-fold in that it enables: (i) quantification of the time-varying electric power generated under non-stationary random vibrations and (ii) consideration of the randomness in the design process of the energy harvester. Four case studies are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework.
A microstrip wideband bandpass filter based on λ/2 stub with spurious passband suppression scheme

In the design of bandpass filters, the use of λ/2 stubs of shunt configuration had been mostly unacceptable due to their effect of narrow stopband bandwidths in the ensuing filters. The design of bandpass filter presented in this article introduces 360° series transmission line segments to increase the stopband bandwidths to an acceptable level without affecting the wide passband. This designed filter has low insertion loss of less than –1.98 dB and a fractional bandwidth of 50% at 6 GHz mid-band frequency. A sharp rejection in the stopband is observed. To further widen the bandwidth of stopbands, a series capacitor and a shunt stub are used. The transmission line model of the filter is in good agreement with measured results. The filter is planar and is fabricated on FR-4 substrate which makes it cost-effective and easy to fabricate.
MODELING, SIMULATION AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY DETERMINATION OF A PNEUMATIC PRESSURE AMPLIFIER

In order to increase energy efficiency of a pneumatic system the compressed air discharged from pneumatic actuator is being collected. In those conditions, the air contains a certain amount of energy and can be used at the points that require a lower level of pressure for their operations. If the collected air can not be directly returned and used in a pneumatic system, then the air pressure is increased by using pressure intensifier which is known in the commercial use as pneumatic booster. For that operation, the booster uses and consumes a part of the collected air. In this paper we analyze the dynamic behavior of a pressure booster and calculate its energy efficiency by using mathematical modeling and simulation in Simulink. The model of one pneumatic booster and its energy efficiency is verified by conducted experimental testing.
Insight into Anticorrosion Mechanism of Ampicillin on Mild Steel in Acidic Environment: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Approach

The corrosion inhibition of mild carbon steels in an acidic environment by using ampicillin (AMP) has been evaluated based on experimental and quantum chemistry techniques. The experimental results indicate that the inhibition efficiency goes up at higher AMP concentration. The highest inhibition efficiency reaches 84.9% for polarization measurement and 90.1% for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy with the inhibitor of concentration 100 ppm at 298 K. The surface characteristics (SEM) also reconfirm the steel corrosion inhibition ability of AMP. Some important chemical factors such as EHOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital energy), ELUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy), ΔEL−H (energy gap), and Fukui functions were calculated based on the optimized configuration of AMP at the theoretical level of B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p). Moreover, Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations were used to analyze the absorption behavior of inhibitor on the surface of Fe(110), which supplies the mechanism of inhibition corrosion processes. The obtained results showed that AMP is considered to be a potential corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1M HCl medium. Moreover, the protonated state of AMP plays an important role in the protection of Fe surface against the corrosive process.
Drones for supply chain management and logistics: a review and research agenda

ABSTRACT This study examines the potentials and challenges of drones, or unmanned autonomous vehicles (UAVs), in supply chain management (SCM) and logistics. A systematic literature review was performed to capture the dynamics surrounding drones and to provide a timely and comprehensive overview of what has been studied so far and what needs to be investigated in the future. 55 publications were selected and thoroughly analysed. The findings of this study illustrate that the potential strengths of applying drones in SCM and logistics are: (1) support of humanitarian logistics, (2) reduced delivery time, (3) reduced cost, (4) improved flexibility, and (5) increased sustainability. In addition, the challenges posed by drones in SCM and logistics are grouped into technical, organisational, safety-related, and regulatory issues. This study also investigates real-life drone deployments in SCM and logistics and sets forth an agenda for future research.
Design and Fabrication Concepts of a Compact Undulator with Laser-Structured 2G-HTS Tapes

To produce small-scale high-field undulators for table-top free electron lasers (FELs), compact designs have been proposed using high temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes, which show both large critical current densities and high critical magnetic fields with a total tape thickness of about 50 μm and a width of up to 12 mm. Instead of winding coils, a meander structure can be laser-scribed directly into the superconductor layer, guiding the current path on a quasi-sinusoidal trajectory. Stacking pairs of such scribed tapes allows the generation of the desired sinusoidal magnetic fields above the tape plane, along the tape axis. Two practically feasible designs are presented, which are currently under construction at KIT: A coil concept wound from a single structured tape with a length of 15 m, which is a progression of a design that has been presented already in the past, as well as a novel stacked and soldered design, made from 25 cm long structured tapes, soldered in a zig-zag-pattern. In this contribution the designs are briefly recapped and the experimental progress is presented.
Effect of Guiera senegalensis and Natron on Serum Indices of Cardiac Function of Postpartum Rats

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare but devastating cardiac failure of indeterminate etiology occurring in late pregnancy or early puerperium. The prevalence of PPCM in Northern Nigeria could be attributed to the unique customary puerperal practices of prolonged consumption oflarge quantities of Guiera senegalensis and Natron. This study investigated the effect of decoction of G. senegalensis with and without Natron on cardiac markers, lipid profile and histology ofheart in postpartum female albino rats using standard methods.Thirty-five (35)female albino rats of body weights 190-200 g of five month were randomly grouped into seven (7) of five rats each. Group 2, 3 and 4 were orally administered with 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight of G. senegalensis. Group 5, 6 and 7 were orally administered with 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight (1:1) of G. senegalensis and Natron by gavage, whereas group 1 received distilled water. The study revealed significant (p< 0.05) decrease in triglyceride(TG) in group 2 to VII, high density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-c) in group 2, 5 and 6, very low density lipoprotein- cholesterol (VLDL-c) in group 3 to V, couples with significant (p< 0.05) increase in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) in group 2, 3, 5 and 7, and for (AIX) in group 2, total cholesterol(TC) in group 2, 3 and 7 when compared with control. Significant (p< 0.05) increase in Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in group 3 to 7, and Myoglobin (MB) in group 3 was observed. Significant (p< 0.05) decrease in Troponin I (TnI) in group 2 and 4 was seen. There were no significant (p>0.05) changes in Troponin T (Tn T), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and Creatine Kinase(CK-NAC) of the treatment group when compared to control group. Histopathological examination of section of the heart revealed ventricular dilatation, hypertrophied with enlarged nuclei, stretched, and irregular and mural thrombi in group 2 to 4 and 7. Inflammation in group 5 and 7, Pigment deposited in group 4 to 7 and Mild fibrosis in group 3 were observed. The study demonstrates that consumption of G. senegalensis and Natron for 28 days’induces dyslipidemia and causes changes in the heart of postpartum rats and thus may contribute to the pathogenesis of PPCM.
Understanding the spread of COVID‐19 misinformation on social media: The effects of topics and a political leader's nudge

The spread of misinformation on social media has become a major societal issue during recent years. In this work, we used the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic as a case study to systematically investigate factors associated with the spread of multi‐topic misinformation related to one event on social media based on the heuristic‐systematic model. Among factors related to systematic processing of information, we discovered that the topics of a misinformation story matter, with conspiracy theories being the most likely to be retweeted. As for factors related to heuristic processing of information, such as when citizens look up to their leaders during such a crisis, our results demonstrated that behaviors of a political leader, former US President Donald J. Trump, may have nudged people's sharing of COVID‐19 misinformation. Outcomes of this study help social media platform and users better understand and prevent the spread of misinformation on social media.
Lean enterprise self-assessment as a leading indicator for accelerating transformation in the aerospace industry

The research contained in this thesis explores leading indicators of lean enterprise transformation in the aerospace industry, as part of the greater body of work associated with MIT's Lean Aerospace Initiative (LAI). Arguments from literature are made in support of the assumption that a lean enterprise can outperform a less lean enterprise, permitting the research to focus on identifying potential means for achieving and accelerating lean enterprise transformation in the aerospace industry. Senior enterprise leaders and their leadership committees from thirty-one enterprises in the US and UK aerospace industry utilized the LAI Lean Enterprise Self-Assessment Tool (LESAT) as a means for measuring their current state of leanness in leadership/transformation processes, lifecycle processes, and enabling infrastructure. Cross-sectional LESAT data, two-period time series LESAT data, and directed interviews and site visits were utilized to formulate the conclusions drawn in this thesis. There are four primary empirical findings of this research. First, the aerospace industry as a whole exhibits lowest maturity in practices related to establishing and deploying a lean enterprise vision, even in the presence of high maturity in lean production. Second, enterprises exhibiting high lean enterprise maturity in leadership/transformation processes also exhibit high maturity in lifecycle processes and enabling infrastructure. Third, strong leadership commitment (LC) correlates highly with setting a lean enterprise change environment (CE), which then correlates highly with lean change activities in practice (CP). Finally, there is evidence that the highest lean maturity enterprises have established formal information feedback mechanisms that allow the enterprise to strategically build on the lean capabilities of the enterprise, while prioritizing lean improvement activities within the context of enterprise strategic needs. From the perspective of industry, this research suggests that there must be a formal decision to pursue the lean enterprise as an operational strategy in order to achieve successful transformation. This decision will be founded on strong leadership commitment, which if established, can help support the leadership/transformation practices as a means for improving lifecycle processes and enabling infrastructure. The LAI Transition-to-Lean (TTL) roadmap provides a logical sequencing of lean enterprise transformation activities, to which formal information feedback mechanisms should be added based on the model proposed in this thesis for accelerating lean enterprise transformation. Most importantly, this model suggests a new mode of operating, not a one-time improvement effort. Further research is needed to empirically validate the model as a means for accelerating lean enterprise transformation.
Hidden flows assessment in the agri-food sector: evidence from the Italian beef system

PurposeThe study proposes Material Flow Analysis (MFA) methodology as a tool to measure and qualify food waste in the Italian beef supply chain in each stage of the food supply chain, from farm to fork. In particular, the authors attempt to: (1) measure resources consumption and waste generation toward companies' and policymakers' sustainable evaluations; (2) enhance consumers' education in the field of agri-food resilience and sustainability.Design/methodology/approachMFA is applied to the entire Italian sector of beef consumed as packaged fresh product in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic. The analysis regards bovine, which represent roughly one-third of the national meat flow. To collect data, bottom-up and top-down mixed approach is applied. Subsequently, MFA results are used to calculate the wastage-related losses in terms of embedded natural resources (e.g. water, energy). FindingsIn 2020, it results that the Italian meat industry slaughtered more than 1.15 Mt of bovine to produce approximately 0.29 Mt of fresh meat, 0.69 Mt of by-products and over 0.015 Mt of food waste at households, while 0.15 Mt of beef meat is destined to catering services and food industry (out-of-boundaries). In terms of hidden natural resources, it emerged that, on average, more than 94bn m3 of water, approximately 101,000 TJ of energy and over 11,500 t of PET and PE trays are required to sustain the entire beef system.Originality/valueThis research is one of the few studies proposing MFA methodology as a tool to measure food waste and hidden associated flows in the agri-food sector. This analysis shows its utility in terms of natural resources (water, energy, materials) and waste quality/quantity evaluation, hidden flows accounting and development of new educational strategies toward food waste minimization and sustainability at household consumption.
The analysis of barriers for implementing circular economy practices using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)

Purpose – This paper aims to identify and classify the main barriers for adopting circular economy practices using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method for prioritization. The proposed methodology evaluates the importance of different classes of barriers for adopting circular economy practices in a food company and metalworking company. Theoretical framework – This study was based on the current theory of barriers to adopt circular economy practices and multicriteria decision-making. Design/methodology/approach – The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was used to assess and prioritize barriers for circular economy practices. Stability was ranked using a sensitivity analysis. Findings – The results indicate significant differences in the classification of barriers. While the food manufacturing company indicate that the main barriers are related to technical information, the metalworking company considered that barriers relating to financial and economic issues have more of an impact. Originality/value – The study contributes to providing insights so that managers have a greater perception of the main difficulties in adopting circular economy practices, in addition, the study also contributes to extending the application of multicriteria decision making methodologies to the circular economy and evaluating the relative importance of the barriers. Keywords - Circular Economy; Analytic Hierarchy Process; multicriteria analysis; barriers; sustainable development.
Saturation of Global Terrestrial Carbon Sink Under a High Warming Scenario

The terrestrial carbon sink provides a critical negative feedback to climate warming, yet large uncertainty exists on its long‐term dynamics. Here we combined terrestrial biosphere models (TBMs) and climate projections, together with climate‐specific land use change, to investigate both the trend and interannual variability (IAV) of the terrestrial carbon sink from 1986 to 2099 under two representative concentration pathways RCP2.6 and RCP6.0. The results reveal a saturation of the terrestrial carbon sink by the end of this century under RCP6.0 due to warming and declined CO2 effects. Compared to 1986–2005 (0.96 ± 0.44 Pg C yr−1), during 2080–2099 the terrestrial carbon sink would decrease to 0.60 ± 0.71 Pg C yr−1 but increase to 3.36 ± 0.77 Pg C yr−1, respectively, under RCP2.6 and RCP6.0. The carbon sink caused by CO2, land use change and climate change during 2080–2099 is −0.08 ± 0.11 Pg C yr−1, 0.44 ± 0.05 Pg C yr−1, and 0.24 ± 0.70 Pg C yr−1 under RCP2.6, and 4.61 ± 0.17 Pg C yr−1, 0.22 ± 0.07 Pg C yr−1, and ‐1.47 ± 0.72 Pg C yr−1 under RCP6.0. In addition, the carbon sink IAV shows stronger variance under RCP6.0 than RCP2.6. Under RCP2.6, temperature shows higher correlation with the carbon sink IAV than precipitation in most time, which however is the opposite under RCP6.0. These results suggest that the role of terrestrial carbon sink in curbing climate warming would be weakened in a no‐mitigation world in future, and active mitigation efforts are required as assumed under RCP2.6.
The virtuous cycle: the reinforcing relationship between L2 attitudes and L2 use among young Italian-speaking South-Tyrolese

Aims and Objectives: The aim of the present study is to address the reciprocal relationship between L2 attitudes and L2 use in a bilingual setting among teenaged L2 learners. Whereas several scholars suggested that L2 attitudes and L2 use mutually facilitate each other, empirical studies have traditionally assessed the relationship between L2 attitudes and L2 use from one direction. Design/Methodology: We propose a complex model that integrates concepts tied to the larger social context surrounding formal L2 teaching, such as attitudes towards L2 speakers and L2 use outside the school, with concepts that are more closely associated with formal L2 teaching, such as L2 motivation and L2 competence. In addition, acknowledging that peers’ opinion is a salient issue for teenagers, we also included L2 related peer norms into the model we propose. Based on earlier research we developed six hypotheses regarding the relationships between the theoretical concepts. Self-report questionnaire data were collected among students in Italian language secondary schools in South Tyrol (N = 315). The questionnaire included items from well-established and validated measurement instruments. We tested the proposed model with non-recursive path modelling. Findings/Conclusions: All the hypotheses were substantiated by the data. We found that both L2 attitudes and L2 related peer norms predicted L2 motivation. In addition, a significant interaction emerged between L2 attitudes and peer norms. L2 motivation predicted L2 competence which in turn predicted L2 use. Finally, the results have provided evidence of a reinforcement process, namely, that L2 use can contribute to positive intergroup attitudes. Originality: To the best of our knowledge, the present paper is the first that utilized non-recursive path modelling in exploring patterns of bilingualism. Significance/Implications: In bilingual settings, L2 use can promote better L2 attitudes. Positive peer norms regarding L2 can counterbalance the effect of negative attitudes on second language acquisition.
Temporal Measurement Invariance of the Financially Focused Self-Concept Construct

Persons maintaining a financially focused self-concept view financial success as a core aspect of their respective self-concepts. We examined whether measurement properties of the financially focused self-concept scale (FFS) are invariant over time. A sample of predominantly older community members who gamble (N = 147) completed the 4-item FFS and Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) twice, approximately four weeks apart. FFS had strong temporal measurement invariance and moderate-to-high temporal stability. FFS and PGSI were also positively associated within and across waves. These findings indicate that people who score higher in financial focus report more gambling problems concurrently and over time.
More on the bracing of one-story buildings

This paper describes a much simplified procedure for determining the rigidity of a one-story apartment building braced by any set of cross braces in its walls and ceiling panels. In particular it shows how the mechanical properties of such partially or completely braced buildings are determined wholly by two partitions of its set of halls, one given by the roof braces, the other by the wall braces.
The Analysis and Research about Temperature and Thermal Error Measurement Technology of CNC Machine Tool

The existing problems of temperature measurement for CNC machine tool are pointed out through analyzing research results of temperature measurement methods, temperature measurement points optimum and temperature variables selection technology. The devices and properties of contact and non-contact temperature measurement are compared and evaluated. The error measurement devices and their technology development of CNC machine tool are described. The measurement methods and results of temperature and error are analyzed by testing on a concrete CNC machine tool. It is concluded that some objective rules exist in various machine tools. The locations of sensitive points for temperature and errors as well as its number can be defined.