Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modified Y2O3-coated biosilica with Dysprosium nanomaterials: synthesis, characterization, optical study with enhanced catalytic activity

Dy-doped Y2O3 coated biosilica nanostructures with variable Dy3+ contents were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal technique. The products were characterized by means of energy dispersive X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy techniques. As claimed by XRD, the particles were crystallized excellently and attributed to the cubic phase of Y2O3. The influence of substitution of Dy3+ ions into Y2O3 lattice caused a redshift in the absorbance and a decrease in the bandgap of as-prepared coated compounds. The pore volume and BET specific surface area of Dy-doped Y2O3 -coated diatomite is greater than uncoated biosilica. The sonophotocatalytic activities of as-synthesized specimens were evaluated for the degradation of Reactive Blue 19. The effect of various specifications like ultrasonic power, various scavenger, and catalyst amount was explored. The results revealed that diatomite coated with Dy3+-incorporated yttrium oxide nanoparticles can be utilized in various experimental cycles with no significant drop in photocatalytic activity.
Assessing Corporate Social Responsibility Efficiency for the International Food and Beverage Manufacturing Industry

One of the major challenges in the research on corporate social responsibility (CSR) is the aggregation of the CSR metrics into overall measures of CSR practices by firms. This paper computes composite indicators of CSR from an efficiency perspective using data envelopment analysis (DEA) for a sample of international food and beverage manufacturing firms over the period 2011-2018. The study’s contributions to the literature are twofold. First, this paper contributes by being the first to compare efficiency in CSR practices of food and beverage companies across regions of Europe, the United States and Canada, Latin America and Caribbean and Asia-Pacific. Second, methodologically we extend the composite indicators within DEA, allowing for non-convexities of the production set. The study finds a considerable potential for improvement in CSR practices as revealed by the values of CSR composite indicators. The study also shows the differences in CSR efficiency between food and beverage firms in the regions considered, with the most CSR efficient region being Latin America and Caribbean, and the least CSR efficient being firms in Asia-Pacific region. The CSR composite scores fluctuate over the analyzed period, with an increase in efficiency in 2018 experienced by all regions.
Biodiversity Conservation in Road Projects: Lessons from World Bank Experience in Latin America

The unprecedented and irreversible loss of biodiversity in modern times is caused primarily by the elimination or degradation of natural habitats. Because the construction and improvement of roads sometimes lead, directly or indirectly, to the loss and degradation of natural habitats, road construction and biodiversity aims are often at odds. However, many potentially serious conflicts between road projects and biodiversity conservation can be avoided. Induced negative impacts can be minimized by careful project siting. Where some natural habitat loss is inevitable, appropriate mitigation may include establishment of strict protection zones alongside the road or compensatory protected areas elsewhere. Such mitigation requires effective collaboration, for example, between the agencies responsible for roads and protected areas. Direct adverse impacts of road works on biodiversity also can be significant but are generally simpler to avoid or mitigate because they are more fully under the control of road construction agencies, contractors, and concessionaires. Biodiversity loss and environmental damage can be considerably reduced when planners and road construction agencies site roads adjacent to existing railways, pipelines, or transmission lines; practice sound road engineering; maintain good drainage and natural water flows; minimize roadside habitat loss; and exercise care in the siting and design of borrow pits, construction camps, and other complementary facilities. Environmental rules for contractors, including transparent penalties for noncompliance, need to be incorporated in bidding documents and contracts. Ideally, road projects are designed and implemented so as to avoid or compensate adequately for any adverse impacts on natural habitats and biodiversity. Through mitigation measures, potentially controversial projects can even produce significant net environmental benefits—a win-win outcome.
The effect of ordering policies for a manufacturing cell changing to lean production

Over the past two decades, lean production has been replacing traditional manufacturing techniques around the world, mainly owing to the success of the Toyota Motor Company. One key to Toyota's success that many Indian companies have not been able to emulate is the transformation of their suppliers to the lean philosophy. The focus of this research is analysing the impact of ordering policies for supplied parts of a manufacturing cell utilizing lean production techniques. This paper presents a simulation analysis of a multi-stage, lean manufacturing cell that produces a family of products. The analysis investigates how the ordering policy for supplied parts affects the performance of the cell under conditions of demand variability and imperfect supplier performance. The ordering policies evaluated are a periodic-review inventory control policy and two Kanban policies. The performance of the cell is measured by the flow time of the product through the cell, the on-time-delivery to the customer, the number of products shipped each week, the amount of work-in-process inventory in the cell, the approximate percentage of time the cell was stocked out, and the average supplied part inventory levels for the cell.
Argentinian odonates (dragonflies and damselflies): current and future distribution and discussion of their conservation

In terms of conservation, Argentinian odonates have not been assessed using a quantitative approach. One way to achieve this is by modelling their distribution to gather the extent of occurrence. Thus, we modelled the current and future (projected year, 2050) potential distribution of 44 odonate species that occur in Argentina as well as in neighboring countries. Our models of current times indicate a fairly wide distribution for most species but one exception is relevant for conservation purposes: Lestes dichrostigma has less than 30,000 km2 and falls in the ‘Near Threatened’ category according to the IUCN Red List. Another seven species have less than or close to 100,000 km2: Elasmothemis cannacrioides, Erythemis credula, E. paraguayensis, Heteragrion angustipenne, H. inca, Lestes forficula, and Mecistogaster linearis. Future distribution estimates suggest that: a) 12 species will lose or gain around 10%, four species will increase their distribution beyond 10% (up to 2,346%), and 28 species will lose more than 10% (up to 99%). Although current protected areas embrace most odonate species in Argentina, it is still premature to conclude whether this situation will remain in the future given the physiological tolerance and dispersal abilities of the study species among other drivers of distribution.
Use Of Distance Learning Technology In Teaching Engineering Students A Foreign Language

The article deals with using distance technologies in teaching engineering students at higher educational institutions. In 2020-2021, the introduction of distance learning gained worldwide coverage in different spheres, including the higher education system, due to the spread of the coronavirus infection around the globe. The pandemic has forced the participants of the educational process to switch to distance learning. The teaching staff of our university, as well as many our colleagues around the world, had to master distance technologies on an urgent basis. Not everyone happened to be prepared technically and psychologically for such a drastic change in the educational process. It concerns both teachers and students. The authors have analyzed the benefits and drawbacks of this teaching technology during the pandemic using the example of their own electronic course in foreign languages. Having overcome the first challenges, we thought about increasing the effectiveness of distance learning and motivating our students to learn a foreign language in this format and conducted a survey among the engineering students of our university. As it happens, the majority of students reacted positively to the transition to distance learning. However, this type of training has its drawbacks that cannot be ignored. In this article, the authors share their experience of distance teaching. The article provides the analysis of the results of the survey of the students as well.
A Modular Multifunction Power Converter Based on a Multiwinding Flyback Transformer for EV Application

In this article, a revolutionary and novel single-stage, multiport power conversion block is proposed. The power conversion concept is based on a bidirectional flyback converter with four-quadrant switches that permit us to seamlessly control the direction of the energy flow and to select which ports are active. This approach, denominated as multicell multiport bidirectional flyback (M2BF), can be used as a modular and a multifunction building block interfacing ac and dc sources and loads in complex conversion systems like the one we can encounter in electric vehicle (EV) applications. The multiport property is obtained due to the multiwinding flyback transformer that interfaces different sources and loads in a simple and effective way. We present and analyze this concept in detail, focusing on different operation modes it can provide (multiport dc–dc conversion, ac–dc conversion, vehicle-to-grid, grid-to-vehicle, and so on) and their possible implementation in the energy distribution network of an EV, where this unique multifunction multiport converter could bring an important breakthrough. The operating principles of the M2BF for different operating modes are described and analyzed, placing emphasis on the modularity of the proposed concept. The overall concept is evaluated and quantified using a gallium nitride (GaN)-based prototype achieving efficiencies higher than 91% that additionally validates the proposed idea experimentally. The presented analysis and experimental results clearly identify the advantages and limitations of the presented concept leaving no doubt about its usefulness to the future EV distribution network.
Robot Position Sensor Fault Tolerance

Robot systems in critical applications, such as those in space and nuclear environments, must be able to operate during component failure to complete important tasks. One failure mode that has received little attention is the failure of joint position sensors. Current fault tolerant designs require the addition of directly redundant position sensors which can affect joint design. A new method is proposed that utilizes analytical redundancy to allow for continued operation during joint position sensor failure. Joint torque sensors are used with a virtual passive torque controller to make the robot joint stable without position feedback and improve position tracking performance in the presence of unknown link dynamics and end-effector loading. Two Cartesian accelerometer based methods are proposed to determine the position of the joint. The joint specific position determination method utilizes two triaxial accelerometers attached to the link driven by the joint with the failed position sensor. The joint specific method is not computationally complex and the position error is bounded. The system wide position determination method utilizes accelerometers destributed on different robot links and the end-effector to determine the position of sets of multiple joints. The system wide method requires fewer accelerometers than the joint specific method to make all joint position sensors fault tolerant but is more computationally complex and has lower convergence properties. Experiments were conducted on a laboratory manipulator. Both position determination methods were shown to track the actual position satisfactorily. A controller using the position determination methods and the virtual passive torque controller was able to serve the joints to a desired position during position sensor failure.
Race-Based Stress Reactions and Recovery: Pilot Testing a Racial Trauma Meditation

Twenty-six Black collegians were exposed to a vicarious racial harassment stimulus (VRHS) then randomized into a Black Lives Matter Meditation for Healing Racial Trauma condition or a silence control condition. Heart rate (HR) was recorded throughout the experiment. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted to elicit participants’ appraisal of the VRHS and meditation. Using a Qual:Quan mixed methods experimental design, this pilot study qualitatively categorized how participants (1) described their reactions to the VRHS and (2) appraised the meditation. Participants described three types of race-based stress reactions and reported mostly positive appraisal of the meditation, although some indicated that it would not be a preferred coping strategy. To triangulate the quantitative findings, we found a significant increase in HR during VRHS. The meditation group displayed statistically significant reductions in HR from stimulus to the end of meditation; however, there were no statistically significant differences between the control and meditation groups. Results have implications for understanding and facilitating race-based stress recovery.
Multiclass decomposition and Artificial Neural Networks for intrusion detection and identification in Internet of Things environments

The Internet of Things (IoT) systems have limited resources, making it difficult to implement some security mechanisms. It is important to detect attacks against these environments and identify their type. However, existing multi-class detection approaches present difficulties related to false positives and detection of less common attacks. Thus, this work proposes an approach with a two-stage analysis architecture based on One-Vs-All (OVA) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to detect and identify intrusions in fog and IoT computing environments. The results of experiments with the Bot-IoT dataset demonstrate that the approach achieved promising results and reduced the number of false positives compared to state-of-the-art approaches and machine learning techniques.
Managing Incidents on Urban Arterial Roadways

Limiting the impact on traffic of nonrecurring events such as crashes, traffic stops, or disabled vehicles through effective incident management should be one objective for emergency response professionals. Moreover, such management is an integral part of Intelligent Transportation Systems planning. The Arterial Incident Management Study, sponsored by the Illinois Department of Transportation and conducted by Northwestern University, examined the impact and management of arterial street incidents to determine what steps could be taken to improve the handling of such events. Several approaches were used to accomplish this, including (a) analysis of incident data from police and fire agencies, (b) debriefings of responders about specific incidents, (c) observation and videotaping of incidents, and (d) an incident management simulation workshop involving police, fire, emergency medicine, tow operator, public works, insurance, and media professionals who have responsibilities for incident management. A series of incidents were simulated in a workshop and consensus was sought on specific and general management tactics. This paper describes study methods and summarizes the important issues and recommendations to improve incident management. Among the key needs identified are (a) response in a manner and with adequate resources to minimize the time an incident affects a scene, (b) rapid removal of vehicles and debris, (c) effective traffic control at and around the incident, (d) communication with motorists who may be affected by long-duration incidents, and (e) advanced, intra- and interagency planning for incident management. Recommended changes include education of drivers and professionals, legislation, communications, use of new technologies for communications and data collection, and advanced planning and coordination of on-site procedures, responsibilities, and priorities.
Influence of VAT Incentives on Financial Performance of Manufacturing Companies in Kenya

The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of VAT incentives on financial performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. The study focused on all manufacturing companies registered under Kenya Association of Manufacturers. The null hypothesis of the study was that there is no statistically significance association between VAT incentives and financial performance of manufacturing companies in Kenya. Descriptive survey research design was adopted where a sample of 211 respondents was selected from a target population of 447 manufacturing firms using stratified random sampling technique. The study collected data for a period covering 10 years, which was from 2009 to 2018. The targeted respondents were the accountants and officers in senior management. The response rate on the questionnaires issued was 73.5%. Both descriptive and inferential data analysis was carried out. The data failed in the test of normality and so the study applied ordinal regression analysis for the determination of the model. The findings of the study revealed that VAT incentives had statistically significant influence on financial performance of manufacturing companies in Kenya; hence, null hypothesis was rejected at 0.05 level of significance. The study concluded that influence of VAT incentives leads to improvement in financial performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. Hence, VAT incentives are key to financial performance of manufacturing companies. The study therefore recommended that the management of manufacturing companies should utilize VAT incentives that are offered by the government, and the government should review the VAT policy so as to widen the gap on VAT incentives.
Gauging Informal STEM Youth Program Impact: A Conceptual Framework and a Measurement Instrument

STEM education programs are often formulated with a "hands-on activities" focus across a wide array of topics from robotics to rockets to ecology. Traditionally, the impact of these programs is based on surveys of youth on program-specific experiences or the youths’ interest and impressions of science in general. In this manuscript, we offer a new approach to analyzing science programming design and youth participant impact. The conceptual framework discussed here concentrates on the organization and analysis of common learning activities and instructional strategies. We establish instrument validity and reliability through an analysis of validity threats and pilot study results. We conclude by using this instrument in an example analysis of a STEM education program.
Enabling Energy Trading in Cooperative Microgrids: A Scalable Blockchain-Based Approach With Redundant Data Exchange

Blockchain has recently been regarded as an important enabler for building secure energy trading in microgrid systems because of its inherent features of distributively providing immutable data record, storage, and sharing across networks in a peer-to-peer (P2P) manner. However, designing highly efficient and scalable blockchain-enabled energy trading mechanisms is extremely challenging because of the unique features of microgrid systems, e.g., bandwidth-constrained and high-latency communications and large-scale renewable energy source (RES) integration. To address this challenge, in this article, we propose a novel scalable blockchain-based energy trading framework for cooperative microgrid systems, which include four planes, i.e., data plane, consensus plane, smart plane, and application plane. Different from the existing solutions without consideration of network transmission, these four planes are designed with the capability of perceiving the status of block generation and transmission over interrupted P2P networks, and thus proactively improving the consensus process to guarantee the reliability of energy trading in cooperative microgrids. Meanwhile, built on this framework, a novel redundant data exchange strategy is proposed to improve the scalability of block creation with the presence of large-scale RES penetration and interrupted and dynamic communication links. Simulation results show that the proposed system framework outperforms the benchmark blockchain solutions. Furthermore, we investigate the potential applications of the proposed solutions in the practical microgrid systems to facilitate a clear understanding of the mechanisms of the proposed solutions.
Kalman Filters for a Missile with Radar and/or Imaging Sensor

The scenario covers a missile in a head-on attack against a combat aircraft, performing evasive maneuvers in the vertical plane. The improvement of the estimation of guidance signals is investigated when the radar as prime source for target information is supported and finally replaced by an imaging sensor. Kalman filters estimate the guidance signals for an augmented proportional navigation, the line-of-sight (LOS) rate and the target's normal acceleration. Filtering of these signals from the radar measurement is heavily affected by glint. An imaging sensor in the frequency band of visible light works on a much lower noise level. Flight under pure radar control is treated as a basis for comparison. In the case of uncoupled filters an imaging sensor measures the target's projection, which allows the estimation of projection rate. Via kinematic and flight mechanical relations the target acceleration can be determined. A second filter estimates the LOS rate from the radar measurement. Coupling of the filters by feeding the estimated target acceleration of the optical system into the radar's LOS rate filter improves its signal. A significant increase of performance is achieved when the imaging sensor replaces the radar also as source for LOS information.