Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biomass as Feedstock for A Bioenergy and Bioproducts Industry: The Technical Feasibility of a Billion-Ton Annual Supply

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are both strongly committed to expanding the role of biomass as an energy source. In particular, they support biomass fuels and products as a way to reduce the need for oil and gas imports; to support the growth of agriculture, forestry, and rural economies; and to foster major new domestic industries--biorefineries--making a variety of fuels, chemicals, and other products. As part of this effort, the Biomass R&D Technical Advisory Committee, a panel established by the Congress to guide the future direction of federally funded biomass R&D, envisioned a 30 percent replacement of the current U.S. petroleum consumption with biofuels by 2030. Biomass--all plant and plant-derived materials including animal manure, not just starch, sugar, oil crops already used for food and energy--has great potential to provide renewable energy for America's future. Biomass recently surpassed hydropower as the largest domestic source of renewable energy and currently provides over 3 percent of the total energy consumption in the United States. In addition to the many benefits common to renewable energy, biomass is particularly attractive because it is the only current renewable source of liquid transportation fuel. This, of course, makes it invaluable in reducing oil imports--one of our most pressing energy needs. A key question, however, is how large a role could biomass play in responding to the nation's energy demands. Assuming that economic and financial policies and advances in conversion technologies make biomass fuels and products more economically viable, could the biorefinery industry be large enough to have a significant impact on energy supply and oil imports? Any and all contributions are certainly needed, but would the biomass potential be sufficiently large to justify the necessary capital replacements in the fuels and automobile sectors? The purpose of this report is to determine whether the land resources of the United States are capable of producing a sustainable supply of biomass sufficient to displace 30 percent or more of the country's present petroleum consumption--the goal set by the Advisory Committee in their vision for biomass technologies. Accomplishing this goal would require approximately 1 billion dry tons of biomass feedstock per year.
Implementation of a series resonant converter with series–parallel transformers

This study presents a series resonant converter with series–parallel transformers in order to achieve zero voltage switching (ZVS) turn-on of MOSFETs, zero current switching (ZCS) turn-off of rectifier diodes, less voltage stress of rectifier diodes, less secondary winding with a full-wave rectifier and load current sharing. Two series resonant modules with the same switches are operated with the phase-shifted half switching cycle. In each resonant converter, primary windings of two transformers are connected in parallel in order to share the input current and reduce the root-mean-square (rms) current on primary windings such that copper losses of the transformers are reduced. The secondary windings of two transformers are connected in series in order to ensure that the primary currents are balanced to share load current. Thus the sizes of the transformer core and bobbin are reduced. Two full-wave diode rectifiers are adopted on output side such that the voltage stress of rectifier diodes is clamped to output voltage, rather than being two times the output voltage as in a conventional centre-tapped rectifier topology. Laboratory experiments with a 1000 W prototype were provided to describe the effectiveness of the proposed converter.
Cooling Rate Effect on Post Cure Stresses in Molded Plastic IC Packages

Residual stresses during cool down process after curing are evaluated on the basis of thermoviscoelastic finite element analyses with material properties dependent on both time and temperature. Temperature distributions in packages are predicted by solving the heat conduction equations. The effects of cool-down history on thermomechanical responses of a lead-on-chip (LOC), thin small outline package (TSOP) are investigated. Three linear cool down temperature histories are considered. Numerical results show that residual stresses in a LOC TSOP are significantly influenced by the manufacturing temperature history. Residual stresses in plastic packages are strongly time-temperature dependent due to the thermoviscoelastic behavior of molding compounds. Substantial residual stresses arise when a LOC TSOP has cooled to room temperature and rapid cool down permits small viscoelastic effects.
Studentische Perspektiven auf die digitale Transformation der Hochschulen

Die Universität Konstanz hat zum Beginn der Umgestal-tung ihrer Bibliothek die Studierenden eine Wand mit ihren Wünschen und Ideen beschreiben lassen. Hierfür eignet sich auch ein digitales Äquivalent, wie ein Smartboard oder ein Tablet, welches an einem
A Double Square Loop Antenna with 45° Step Beam Steering

A novel form of Double Square Loop (DSL) antenna for beam adaptive applications is presented and analysed. The double square loop antenna consists of two identical square loops with a common centre placed at 45° to each other. The antenna is fed either at the eight external corners or at the eight mid-points of the inner track, which when excited one at a time steer the beam through 360° in steps of 45°. Also, the antenna can operate in four separate frequencies in UWB region with at least 500 MHz bandwidth, thus offering wideband multichannel operation which is useful to several communication standards.
10.3.2 Functional Capabilities In Complex Project Engineering

Recent performance in the acquisition of large scale defense systems has not met expectations. The acquisition community in the U.S. Department of Defense has been challenged by the department's transition to network‐centric warfare, which leverages complex system collaborations to achieve significant new capabilities. Developing systems of systems or systems of services requires evolved system engineering and project management practices, and better integration of both. This paper presents early learning in this regard from one ongoing system‐of‐systems development program, the Single Integrated Air Picture (SIAP). A “functional capability” concept evolved to become a potentially unique definition of a project that has proved useful in a system‐of‐systems development context. This paper then explains a recommended structured‐development approach built on Functional Capabilities that yields artifacts promoting communication, specification, and work phasing. It also compares the approach to the CMMI™ to demonstrate the wide process applicability of Functional Capabilities.
YEASTS IN FERMENTED FOOD AND KEFIR: IN VITRO CHARACTERIZATION OF PROBIOTIC TRAITS

The probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a beneficial effect on host’s health. Although most probiotics are bacteria, however, one yeast species (Saccharomyces boulardii) has also been characterized as probiotic. In this study, yeasts have been very important in the food industry and have several beneficial properties that bacteria do not have. In this study, yeast strains were isolated from fermented food and beverage. Various physiological features of the candidate probiotic isolates were preliminarily investigated, including bile salt and acid tolerance, cell surface hydrophobicity, autoaggregation, antioxidant activity, and β-galactosidase activity. We demonstrated several yeast strains have potential as probiotics. For example, Saccharomyces cerevisiae JYC2508 adapted well in a bile salt and acid tolerance test and also had good autoaggregation ability. Moreover, Kluyveromyces marxianus JYC2528 grew well in the bile salt and acid tolerance test and also had good performance with antioxidant activity, cell surface hydrophobicity, and β-galactosidase activity. The overall findings of this study showed that these yeast strains may offer promising probiotic traits relevant for further study.
Calibration of fibre-optic RF E/H-field probes using a magnetic resonance (MR) compatible TEM cell and dedicated MR measurement techniques

Supervision of specific absorption rate (SAR) during Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is crucial for patient safety. Electromagnetic field (EMF) simulations have proven to be essential tools in design and evaluation of dedicated MR coil setups. However, such simulations can only be validated comprehensively by physical measurements of EM field distribution using radio frequency (RF) electric and magnetic field probes. The reliability of those measurements strongly depends on the quality of the calibration procedure. This work presents a fully MR compatible Transverse Electromagnetic Cell (TEM cell) which was used to calibrate two different fibre coupled field probes by common MR measurement techniques only. In a water filled capillary mounted inside the TEM cell the B1 (+) magnetic field component produced by the cell was measured by a flip angle mapping sequence. In a TEM cell the electric field and the magnetic field are related via E/H = 376.73 Ω. Therefore, the E-field can be related exactly to B1 (+) by E = 2 c0 B1 (+) (c0: velocity of light). For the acquisition of the sensor signals the receiver unit of a clinical 3T MR scanner and a 7T whole-body research scanner was used; as a result, no additional hardware was necessary. The estimated accuracy of the calibration procedure is 5 % or 0.4 dB and the linear behaviour of the calibrated sensor signals was verified. For further evaluation of uncertainties and homogeneity of the generated RF fields an improved design of the TEM cell with a characteristic impedance of 50 Ω is desired.
Energy considerations for partial discharges in voids

Degradation of material is directly related to energy conversion. Information about the state of energy during partial discharges in voids is thus necessary to evaluate degradation of solid insulation. In this paper, measurable quantities are related to partial discharges energies. For spherical voids in polyethylene, these measurable quantities are compared with calculated ones. In conclusion, energy conversion in voids is discussed to estimate the relevance of different measurable quantities.
The Coasian market-firm dichotomy and subcontracting in the construction industry

This is a contribution to the debate on the contractual nature of subcontracting in the construction industry by arguing, contrary to certain views in the literature on institutional and construction economics, that the Coasian firm-market dichotomy is not blurred or pointless. By reference to the type and number of contracts, the study offers a way to distinguish the firm from the market as well as the precise nature of subcontracting in terms of such distinction. Subcontracting is shown to be a nexus of Coasian firms interacting through the main contractor with a monopsony consumer in a Coasian market.
Research on Fluorescence Imaging Detecting System of Intracellular Calcium

A new effective imaging detecting system has been used to determinate of intracellular calcium. The fluorescence Image acquisition and analysis was realized with fluorescence imaging detecting system. A designed microfluidic chip has been built. Cell fostering, staining and other operations can be implemented on it. Based on it, a new detecting means was developed for fluorometric measurement. The concentration of intracellular calcium ion can been calculated by using the fluorescence ratio method. A series of experiments were performed by using the detecting system. The experimental results show the ratio of fluorescence intensity was positively correlated to the raising temperature and enhancing shear stress.
Effect of mechanical pressure and silicone grease on partial discharge characteristics for model XLPE transmission cable joint

This paper reports on the effects of mechanical pressure and silicone grease on the partial discharge (PD) characteristics at EPR-epoxy interfaces in model cable joints. An ultra wide band PD detection system was used. The PD parameters investigated are: rise time, width, fall time, amplitude, inception voltage and frequency of pulses. PD can cause degradation and eventually lead to breakdown. The presence of air bubbles or contaminants at interfaces enhances the local electric field and initiate PD, The effectiveness of mechanical pressure and/or silicone grease to reduce PD activity was demonstrated.
Application of EFQM-Based Excellence Model in PPP Projects

Public Private Partnerships (PPP) is widely applied in worldwide infrastructure development. The performance of the PPP project company should be under monitoring of the public sector to ensure that the reasonable interests of the public users are not sacrificed. In this regard, a key issue is the qualitative and quantitative measurement of the services provided by the project company. This paper introduces the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) based excellence model, which has been popularly used in enterprise management, into the PPP projects. Firstly, a comprehensive literature review is conducted, that, an EFQM Model is introduced and its advantages for PPP projects are analyzed. Then, the performance evaluation criteria are established and the performance indicators are identified for PPP projects based on literature review. Finally, a performance evaluation model for PPP projects in general is formulated based on the EFQM model.
Radial Inflow into the Downstream Cavity of a Compressor Stator Well

The subject of the interaction between the mainstream annulus flow and seal flows is now receiving increased attention as a result of concerted attempts to further improve compressor performance. In an axial compressor the use of a shroud on a stator blade row necessitates a trench and results in two such regions of interaction at the upstream and downstream stator well cavities with flow limited by a labyrinth seal. The upstream stator well cavity, with its superposed radial outflow, has received some attention and possess similarities with the cavity downstream of nozzle guide vanes in axial turbines, which have received considerable interest. The downstream compressor stator well cavity has, however, been less extensively studied. Here the flow is dominated by inflow into the cavity. This inflow is driven by the pressure gradient across the blade row and hence the pressure gradient between the upstream and downstream cavities. This paper presents preliminary pressure measurements from a high-speed two-stage research compressor. The experimental results are compared with two and three-dimensional CFD models. In order to gain confidence with CFD for compressor stator wells, the case of inflow into a rotor-stator disc wheelspace has been revisited; validating a commercial code, Fluent, for a wide range of flow conditions. This code has then been used to predict the detailed flow structure for the conditions in the experimental research compressor.Copyright © 2000 by ASME
Magnetic pulse welding on the cutting edge of industrial applications

Magnetic Pulse Welding (MPW) applies the electromagnetic principles postulated in the XIXth century and later demonstrated. In recent years the process has been developed to meet highly demanding market needs involving dissimilar material joining, specially involving difficult-to-weld materials. It is a very high speed joining process that uses an electromagnetic force to accelerate one material against the other, resulting in a solid state weld with no external heat source and no thermal distortions. A high power source, the capacitor, a discharge switch and a coil constitute the minimum equipment necessary for this process. A high intensity current flowing through a coil near an electrically conductive material, locally produce an intense magnetic field that generates eddy currents in the flyer according to Lenz law. The induced electromotive force gives rise to a current whose magnetic field opposes the original change in magnetic flux. The effect of this secondary current moving in the primary magnetic field is the generation of a Lorentz force, which accelerates the flyer at a very high speed. If a piece of material is placed in the trajectory of the flyer, the impact will produce an atomic bond in a solid state weld. This paper discusses the fundamentals of the process in terms of phenomenology and analytical modeling and numerical simulation. Recent industrial applications are presented in terms of materials, joint configurations and real examples as well as advantages and disadvantages of the process.
Speciation of Arsenic in Waste Rocks of Xinqiao Pyrite Mine, Tongling, China

The speciation of potentially toxic heavy metal elements Arsenic in waste rocks of mining activities in Xinqiao Pyrite Mine was studied by conducting improved five step sequential extraction method. The arsenic mainly existed in silicate, secondly in deoxidize, and the exchangeable, oxidizable and carbonate modes content were low. When the waste rocks reacted with the acid mine drainage, the arsenic in the deoxidize and oxidizable modes might easily release from the waste rocks. So the arsenic had high environmental risk.
LPV technique for the rejection of sinusoidal disturbance with time-varying frequency

This design of a linear parameter-varying (LPV) controller for the rejection of sinusoidal disturbance with time-varying frequency but measurable on-line for implementation purposes is described. The approach proposed is based on modelling the sinusoidal disturbance with a measurable time-varying frequency as an LPV model and adding this model to the controlled linear time-invariant (LTI) system to formulate an augmented LPV system. Then a stabilising H∞-like LPV controller is constructed for the augmented LPV system based on the Lyapunov approach with a single quadratic Lyapunov function. The effectiveness of the LPV controller is assessed by means of several simulation trials on a two-mass–spring–damper system. Numerical results are used to demonstrate the validity of the analytical results and the ability of the algorithms to reject sinusoidal disturbance with time-varying frequency.
Design of Enhanced Performance Folded Cascoded Operational Transconductance Amplifier

This paper presents a modified folded cascode transconductance amplifier. Inclusion of an extra stage and compensation network in the proposed amplifier enhanced the performance over the conventional folded. The proposed circuit offers good trade‐off on the conflicting performance parameters such as bandwidth, slew rate, d.c. gain, phase margin and settling time. The simulation has been carried out on Tanner EDA tool on TSMC 180 nm technology.
Model Predictive Control for changing economic targets

Abstract The objective of this paper is to present recent results on model predictive control for tracking in the context of economic operation of a industrial plants. The well-established hierarchical economic control is based on a Real Time Optimizer that calculates the economic target to the advanced controller, in this case model predictive controllers. The change of the economic parameters or constraints, or the existence of disturbances and modelling errors make that this target may change throughout the plant evolution. The MPC for tracking is an appealing formulation to deal with this issue since maintain the recursive feasibility and convergence under any change of the target. Thus, this MPC formulation is summarized as well as its properties. In virtue of these properties, it is demonstrated how the economic operation can be improved by integrating the Steady State Target Optimizer in the MPC. Then it is also shown how the proposed MPC can deal with practical problems such us zone control or distributed control. Finally, the economic control of the plant can be enhanced by adopting an economic MPC approach. A formulation capable to ensure economic optimality and target tracking is also shown.
Design of Prototype System for Seafloor Observatory Network

Developing the seafloor observatory network(SONet) is very significant for the human to explore the ocean resources. The information system of seafloor observatory network provides a platform for scientists to research the seafloor activities, which is a kind of open and complex system referring to diverse engineering and disciplines. The data acquiring, storing and management of the observatory instruments are the major parts of information integration. A prototype system based on the SOA(Service-oriented Architecture) is designed to manage information and knowledge in SONet. The SOA architecture, interface and device encoding mechanism are presented. Benefit from this, construction and application of the system can provide a uniform information and knowledge platform in the ocean field.
Fuzzy risk-based decision-making approach for selection of drinking water disinfectants

The potential effects of disinfection by-products (DBP) on human health have become a serious concern over the last three decades. In addition to the chronic cancer risk, several acute effects such as cardiac anomalies, stillbirths, miscarriages, low birth weights and pre-term deliveries have also been reported as a result of exposure to the DBP. Although several disinfectants including chlorine, ozone, ultraviolet ray (UV) radiation, chloramine and chlorine dioxide are available to supply safe drinking water, comparative evaluations of these disinfectants and their application approaches for a particular source of water is rare. This may be due to the variability associated with predicting DBP formation, health effects from DBP exposure, cost and disinfection performance of various disinfectants used in public water supply systems; and/or the knowledge gap in the assessment and comparison of risks associated with specific disinfection strategies. In this study, a framework for comparative evaluation of disinfectants and their application approaches has been developed through incorporation of human health risk from DBP exposure, cost of disinfection process, technical feasibility and disinfection performance. A fuzzy synthetic evaluation technique has been incorporated where fuzzy triangular membership functions were developed to capture uncertainties of the basic attributes. This paper compared three disinfection approaches: chlorination, chloramination and granular activated carbon with post chlorination through a multi-stage hierarchy risk model in which the analytical hierarchy process has been used to determine the relative importance of various attributes at different hierarchy levels. Then the best disinfection approach has been outlined. This evaluation was found to be sensitive to the assignment of relative importance.
Improved structure for efficient charge recovery logic

An improved structure for efficient charge recovery logic (IECRL) with better power performance than ECRL coupled with an improved output waveform is presented. At 25 MHz and V/sub dd/=5 V, the power dissipation of IECRL is /spl sim/60% that of the ECRL circuit. HSPICE simulations also show that the voltage can be scaled down to 1.5 V V/sub dd/ and that the power saving is further improved. At 25 MHz and V/sub dd/=1.5 V, the power dissipation of the IECRL circuit is /spl sim/49% that of the ECRL circuit.