Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An evidential sensor fusion method in fault diagnosis

Dempster–Shafer evidence theory is widely used in information fusion. However, it may lead to an unreasonable result when dealing with high conflict evidence. In order to solve this problem, we put forward a new method based on the credibility of evidence. First, a novel belief entropy, Deng entropy, is applied to measure the information volume of the evidence and then the discounting coefficients of each evidence are obtained. Finally, weighted averaging the evidence in the system, the Dempster combination rule was used to realize information fusion. A weighted averaging combination role is presented for multi-sensor data fusion in fault diagnosis. It seems more reasonable than before using the new belief function to determine the weight. A numerical example is given to illustrate that the proposed rule is more effective to perform fault diagnosis than classical evidence theory in fusing multi-symptom domains.
MODELING AND NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF FLUID FLOW OF A STEEL CONTINUOUS CASTING TUNDISH

Currently, the continuous casting process is the most used technique to produce steel. Being an inherently component of the caster machine, the tundish has been designed to be not only an intermediate vessel between the ladle and the mold, but also a device to remove inclusions. The physical model for fluid flow into the tundish is very complex, therefore, analytical solutions are not available. Hence, Computational Fluid Dynamics emerges as an attractive alternative. The main goal of the present study is to analyze the fluid flow into an actual tundish. Based on the performed simulations, some modifications in the geometry of the tundish were proposed in order to improve the steel’s quality. For solving the governing equations, the ANSYS CFX software was used. Simulations were performed using water as working fluid for a turbulent flow in a 3D tundish. The results were presented in terms of residence time distribution curves.
Performance Shortfall Scope and Emerging Economy enterprises’ Overseas R&D

ABSTRACT Based on the Behavioral Theory of the Firm and upper echelon theory, this study examines the impact of performance shortfall scope on emerging economy enterprises’ (EEEs) overseas research and development (R&D). First, this study suggests that the broader the performance shortfall scope is, the less likely EEEs are to implement overseas R&D. Moreover, this study suggests that top management team (TMT) tenure weakens the negative impact of performance shortfall scope on EEEs’ overseas R&D. Meanwhile, CEO duality enhances the above relationship. Based on the empirical data pertaining to Chinese listed manufacturing enterprises from 2003 to 2020, this study confirms the arguments put forward. This study is the first of its kind to examine the relationship between performance shortfall scope and EEEs’ overseas R&D.
Convectively Coupled Kelvin Waves: Structure and Variability Analysis with Different Model Configurations

of a thesis at the University of Miami. Thesis supervised by Professor David S. Nolan. No. of pages in text. (156) The Intertropical Convergence Zone is characterized by a hierarchy of transients within a large range of spatial and temporal scales that propagate both eastward and westward with varying speeds in synoptic-scale-like waves. Among these tropical structures, the Convectively Coupled Kelvin Waves constitute one of the most significant in terms of contribution to the total ITCZ variability. The first part of this work analyzes the senstivitity of simulated CCKWs to domain size, horizontal resolution and forcing, using the WRF model. The simulations are performed using two types of idealized domains: the “aquachannel” (an oceanic surface with the Earth dimensions, but extending to the latitude of 60 degrees in both hemispheres on the beta plane), and the “aquapatch” (similar configuration as the aquachannel except for its longitudinal extent, which is 1/3 of the former, or approximately 13000 km), with both cases using periodic boundary conditions. The aquapatch is integrated in low and high resolution, and also in a doublynested configuration, in which convection is solved explicitly in the innermost grid. The model intercomparison is carried out throughout the use of several techniques such as power spectra, filtering, wave tracking and compositing, and it is extended to some simulations from the “AquaPlanet Experiment”. The second part of this work addresses a topic that has not previously been studied: the life cycle of the CCKWs. A subjective technique is applied to isolate early, mature and decay stages, and then spatial structures as well as propagation speeds of each phase are compared, resulting in some distinctive differences. Moreover, this analysis reveals a “de-coupling” between super cloud clusters and the pressure wave, which is found to be connected with the dissipation of the clusters.
Updated SAM Model for the Molten Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE)

The development of reference standard problems based on prototypical reactor designs is of particular importance to verify the adequacy of computer codes and evaluation models for specific reactor types. To support the multiphysics coupled simulation of molten-salt-fueled reactor (MSR) using SAM and Griffin computer codes for safety and licensing analysis, much efforts have been put into enhancing code capabilities and developing reference models for the MSR primary loop in SAM. In this work, a previously developed Molten Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE) primary loop model was updated to include a two-dimensional (2-D) core region and external core components in one-dimension (1-D) or zero-dimension (0-D). To ensure accurate feedback calculation in multi-physics simulations, the delayed neutron precursor tracking model and solid graphite model were added in the SAM model. In addition, the 2-D and 1-D domains are tightly coupled using the recently developed single-solve approach in SAM. The updated model has been tested under both steady-state and transient scenarios to demonstrate its potential for the multi-physics simulation of MSRE with coupled SAM and Griffin.
Superdense objects in general relativity : modeling neutron stars with free quark cores

We present the results of a numerical study of neutron stars made of a color-flavor locked (CFL) quark matter center and a nuclear fluid exterior. CFL quark matter is a theoretical state of matter which may exist at the center of highly dense neutron stars. To verify its existence, we need to make falsifiable predictions about the differences between typical neutron stars and CFL hybrid neutron stars and verify them observationally. This thesis begins this process by modelling the hybrid neutron stars at rest and while undergoing rotation. We show that Newtonian models are insufficient to correctly describe these objects; their treatment must be relativistic. We also put a bound on the upper rotation speed allowed by our approximations. Finally, we note the presence of the backbending instability in our hybrid star model which may constrain the physically accessible parameters of this model. The tools we have developed in this study are a first step in fully investigating the properties of these objects. Thesis Supervisor: Scott A. Hughes Title: Assistant Professor
Models and methods for spatial data: Detecting outliers and handling zero-inflated counts

Hierarchical spatial modelling is useful for modelling complex spatially correlated data in a variety of settings. Due to the complexity of spatial analyses, hierarchical spatial models for disease mapping studies have not generally found application at Vital Statistics agencies. Chapter 2 compares penalized quasi-likelihood relative risk estimates to target values based on Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods. Results show penalized quasi-likelihood to be a simple, reasonably accurate method of inference for exploratory studies of small-area relative risks and ranks of risks. Often the identification of extreme risk areas is of interest. Isolated ‘hot spots’/‘low spots’ which are distinct from those of neighbouring sites are not accommodated by standard hierarchical spatial models. In Chapter 3, spatial methods are developed which allow extreme risk areas to arise in proximity to one another in a smooth spatial surface, or in isolated ‘hot spots’/‘low spots’. The former is modelled by a spatially smooth surface using a conditional autoregressive model; the latter is addressed with the addition of a discrete clustering component, which accommodates extreme isolated risks and is not limited by spatial smoothness. A Bayesian approach is employed, graphical techniques for isolating extremes are illustrated, and model assessment is conducted via cross-validation posterior predictive checks. Zero-inflated data are not uncommon yet they are not handled well by standard models. These values may be of particular interest in species abundance studies where such zeros may provide clues to physical characteristics associated with habitat suitability or individual immunity. In Chapter 4 we review the overdispersion and zero-inflation literature and iii develop a series of zero-inflated spatial models. Each model highlights different features of white pine weevil infestation data. The spatial models use a variety of structures for the probability of belonging to the zero component, thus allowing the probability of ‘resistance’ to differ across models. One model focuses on individually resistant trees which are located among infested trees while another focuses on clusters of resistant trees which are likely located within protective habitats. The final chapter discusses future research ideas which have been motivated by this thesis.
Model Pencarian Diameter Optimum Pada Jaringan Pipa Distribusi Air Bersih Berbasis Algoritma Differential Evolution

Pada kondisi aliran gravitasi maka kinerja suatu hasil perencanaan jaringan pipa distribusi air bersih dapat diukur dari biaya investasi dan rata-rata simpangan energi relatif pada simpul-simpul layanan terhadap tinggi energi relatif yang ditargetkan. Oleh sebab itu fungsi tujuan optimasi pada perancangan jaringan pipa kompleks dengan aliran gravitasi merupakan sistem persamaan Multi objektif yang diarahkan pada upaya minimasi kedua besaran tersebut. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk menyelesaikan sistim persamaan optimasi tersebut dengan cara menggabungkan Metode Newton Raphson dan Algoritma Differential Evolution (DE) menjadi kesatuan yang utuh. Metode Newton Raphson digunakan untuk menyelesaikan sistem persamaan simulasi hidrolik jaringan pipa dan Algoritma DE untuk mencari kombinasi diameter pipa optimum pada jaringan. Hasil Pengujian pada jaringan pipa kompleks yang memiliki 12 elemen dan 10 simpul layanan menunjukkan sistem persamaan yang dikembangkan mampu menghasilkan kinerja yang memuaskan. Dari berbagai variasi nilai faktor bobot pada fungsi obyektif dapat ditemukan kondisi optimum pada faktor biaya (ω1) = 0.75 dan faktor simpangan energi relatif simpul (ω2) = 0.25. Dengan ukuran populasi 800 maka dicapai kondisi optimal pada nilai fitness 1.122, atau setara dengan nilai investasi 896 juta rupiah dengan simpangan energi relatif rerata pada simpul-simpul layanan 2.46 meter untuk target tinggi energi relative 10.00 meter.
Aging alters mechanisms underlying voluntary movements in spinal motor neurons of mice, primates, and humans

Spinal motor neurons have been implicated in the loss of motor function that occurs with advancing age. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that impair the function of these neurons during aging remain unknown. Here, we show that motor neurons do not die in old female and male mice, rhesus monkeys, and humans. Instead, these neurons selectively and progressively shed excitatory synaptic inputs throughout the soma and dendritic arbor during aging. Thus, aged motor neurons contain a motor circuitry with a reduced ratio of excitatory to inhibitory synapses that may be responsible for the diminished ability to activate motor neurons to commence movements. An examination of the motor neuron translatome (ribosomal transcripts) in male and female mice reveals genes and molecular pathways with roles in glia-mediated synaptic pruning, inflammation, axonal regeneration, and oxidative stress that are upregulated in aged motor neurons. Some of these genes and pathways are also found altered in motor neurons affected with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and responding to axotomy, demonstrating that aged motor neurons are under significant stress. Our findings show mechanisms altered in aged motor neurons that could serve as therapeutic targets to preserve motor function during aging.
Ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography at 1.3 μm central wavelength by using a supercontinuum source pumped by noise-like pulses

We report on the ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) with a novel high-power supercontinuum (SC) light source generated by noise-like pulses from an Yb-doped fiber laser. The SC spectrum is flat with a bandwidth of 420 nm centered around ~1.3 μm. The light source is successfully employed in a time-domain OCT (TD-OCT), achieving an axial resolution of 2.3 μm. High resolution fiber-based spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) imaging of bio-tissue was also demonstrated.
Digitally Transforming Facility Management in Healthcare: A Systematic Review of Key Digital Technologies and Systems

The COVID-19 pandemic led to an acceleration of digitalisation in healthcare institutions, not only in the medical field but also within non-medical, which includes facility management (FM). FM organisations are increasingly confronted with the need to digitally transform their operations and to implement new digital technologies. This paper aims at providing scholars and professionals with an overview of the various digital technologies and systems that are relevant in shaping the digital transformation. An integrative literature review has been chosen, as it provides a systematic approach to map, collate and report on key findings and concepts from the literature for researchers and practitioners. Overall, 33 articles were systematically reviewed. 22 different digital technologies and systems were identified in the literature and were added to so-called technology clusters. From all the described technologies, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is most prominently cited. Furthermore, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), Digital Twins (DT), and Blockchain technologies are commonly found. Additional technologies and systems mentioned in the literature, though not further detailed, were also added within a separate cluster. This study also discusses the implications for the digital transformation which is important when introducing novel digital technologies in healthcare organisations. It is argued that FM in healthcare needs to focus on integrating technologies, both at a technological level, and particularly at an organisational and interorganisational level.
Sustainable Electric Vehicle charging scheme: User requirements in designing energy trading algorithm

Promoting Electrical Vehicles (EVs) as a cleaner alternative to traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles is an important step towards transformation to a sustainable world. However, usage of grid electricity in charging EVs hinders achieving zero carbon emissions, hence, necessitates developing a renewable energy-based model for EV charging. On the other hand, encouraging renewable energy (RE) usage contributes to United Nations 2030 agenda for sustainable development. An energy trading algorithm which facilitates trading excess renewable energy generation of households to charge EVs is a key component in such renewable energy-based EV charging model. However, to design an algorithm beneficial for both stakeholders, i.e., EV users and households with solar power systems, user requirements of both stakeholders should be taken into consideration. This paper investigates the user requirements and specifications for an improved energy trading algorithm from both stakeholders’ point of view. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 EV users and 16 household solar users in the United Kingdom (UK) to explore the above. According to the findings of the interviews, both participant categories highlight renewable energy utilisation as a key requirement, whereas EV users highlight non- financial user- experience related requirements such as improving convenience and selection of preferred charging speed and household solar panel users highlight trading with less time and effort as their requirements. Additionally, households also expect higher returns to cover capital costs of solar panel installations. These findings can be used by practitioners from the industry in developing effective energy trading solutions for end users.
On knowing what is inside the walls – Challenges to Asset Management from a product perspective

The purpose of the study is to understand the current state of the art for what concerns the understanding of what assets in use actually consist of. The lack of adequate laws and regulations for the operation phase of assets is well known – the reasons for and the consequences of this lack needs being understood for sustainable management of assets. The research reported on has been based on 1) a document study of key rules and regulations within the Norwegian context, 2) international standards (in particular ISO 19650-series, part 3), 3) a literature review to establish the current state of affairs within the international research literature, and 4) a series of 22 informal interviews with key actors within the Norwegian AECOO (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Organisation and Operations)-sector. The interviewees include actors from different clients, consultancies, contractors, professional bodies and regulatory bodies. Current industry structures hinder improvements. Silos increase cost. The distance between parties e.g. clients and advisors, trades and (sub) contractors leads to a lack of control over the product coming out form the construction processes. The fragmented processes – from design via construction to operations – implies that there is little control over the products that are put into assets. In addition to this, the procurement processes is currently situate outside these processes – leaving little control over the actual products being procured and employed. The need for regulation of the products within assets in the built environment. This concerns both their implementation in the construction processes and for their actual use in the operations phase of assets.
Energy poverty in Portugal, Italy, and Norway: awareness, short-term driving forces, and barriers in the built environment

Portugal, Italy, and Norway differ by energy performance of buildings and gross domestic product (GDP). Portugal has significantly highest thermal discomfort with harsher winters. In 2021, 80% of Portuguese buildings had a low energy rating, with 75% of buildings without thermal insulation, highly contributing to the energy poverty (EP) of the country. In Italy, despite a generally mild climate, the building stock has low thermal performance. The most affected areas are the suburban and peri-urban ones, with an EP rate in southern regions between 13% and 20% compared to 8.8% at national level. Moreover, 65% of buildings were constructed before the first law on energy saving criteria and a 25% of it has never undergone any work of maintenance or improvement. Norway, despite the limited studies performs well respect to other European Economic Area and European Union countries, in investing and using indicators to enhance and monitor the green energies’ use. Because of energy price growth, seasonal price fluctuations, and different energy tariffs, energy inequality is increasing. EP risk is underestimated, masked by Norway’s high GDP and regional price disparity. Energy inequality is increasing due to energy price growth, seasonal price fluctuations, and energy prices’ geographical inequality. The barriers in reducing EP are the underestimation of risk masked by the high GDP, and the need of homogenized prices in Norway. This study provides an overview to discuss EP awareness and it assesses the drivers and barriers that influence building’s energy efficiency renovation.
The Log-Exponential Smoothing Technique and Nesterov's Accelerated Gradient Method for Generalized Sylvester Problems

The Sylvester smallest enclosing circle problem involves finding the smallest circle that encloses a finite number of points in the plane. We consider generalized versions of the Sylvester problem in which the points are replaced by sets. Based on the log-exponential smoothing technique and Nesterov's accelerated gradient method, we present an effective numerical algorithm for solving these problems.
A systematic narrative review of learning analytics research in K-12 and schools

The field of learning analytics emerged in the last decade to take advantage of the increasing availability of data about learners that digital systems generate. Existing research in learning analytics has focused on higher education, as this context often relies heavily on digital platforms such as online learning management systems, making data collection easier. In this paper, we focus on LA research in the context of elementary level teaching. We provide a systematic narrative review in which we analyze the articles that had the most impact in the field. Our results show the existence of some recurring themes such as gamification and multimodal methods. We make a distinction between papers in which learning analytics is the target of the study (e.g., dashboards) and papers in which learning analytics methods were used as a means to study a given behavior/skill/phenomenon (e.g., problem-solving skills). Lastly, we found that most studies lack a strong theoretical foundation on education science and, thus, there is a need to develop more elaborated theoretical perspectives in future research on school-level learning analytics, as well as papers that deliver a real impact on learning and teaching.
Preparation and characterization of polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles

Composite materials consisting of polystyrene-coated iron nanoparticles were prepared by the thermal decomposition of iron pentacarbonyl in the presence of polystyrene-tetraethylenepentamine dispersants. The nanocomposites contain both simple core-shell particles of 10-20 nm diameter, and more complex particles (20-100 nm) made from the agglomeration of several core-shell particles. Electron diffraction revealed that the core was composed of iron, in contrast to the iron nitride (Fe/sub 3/N) reported for similar conditions with a polyisobutylene-based dispersant. The materials exhibit hysteresis and /spl sigma//sub s/ ranges from 7.6 to 29.3 emu/g. The coercivity goes through a maximum for particles of /spl ap/25 nm diameter. Removal of unbound dispersant from the materials greatly increases the magnetization.
A stochastic procedure to solve linear ill-posed problems

ABSTRACT In this work, we propose a stochastic procedure of Robbins–Monro type to resolve linear inverse problems in Hilbert space. We study the probability of large deviation between the exact solution and the approximated one and build a confidence domain for the approximated solution while precising the rate of convergence. To check the validity of our work, we give a simulation application into a deconvolution problem.