Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visualization of the Membrane Temperature Field of a Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell

Membrane temperature field of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) has been visualized experimentally. PEFCs need further breakthrough for deployment in the market. One of the major issues is the temperature management of the polymer membrane and the whole cell that strongly govern system performance through electrochemical reactions, ion transport, water management, and gas supply. The temperature field of the membrane, however had not been visualized due to the cell configuration. In our experiment, the thermography technique is applied to visualize an operating test cell. Despite the unique configuration, measured i-V characteristics guarantee the cell performance. The visualization results revealed several important characteristics that help us understanding the physics and suggest design knowledge. One major result is the existence of so called a hot spot. The membrane does have a temperature distribution, and a local temperature maximum may exceed the membrane design limitation. This trend, of course, is not favorable for design purposes. Also, the impact of the major operation parameters, such as current density humidification, and gas flow configuration, have been clearly exhibited. The experimental results are examined by using the results of our previously developed numerical code. The code includes the conjugate nature of the electrochemical reaction and the heat and mass transport processes. By comparing the experiment and the calculation, the mechanisms of the hot-spot generation and the parameter dependence have been explained. The results revealed the physics and suggested essential design criteria.
Estimates Of Russia’s Potential Output

Taking into consideration the specifics of the Russian economy such as dependency on oil and gas drilling & production, and including the current context of the Western sanctions, COVID-19 pandemic, as well as somewhat idiosyncratic potential output development, the main aim of this paper is to quantify recent output gap for Russia. We use three mainstream methodologies: the Hodrick-Prescott filter as a benchmark, the Kalman filter to follow, and the Cobb-Douglas production function. The sample time span ranges from 1995Q1 until 2020Q3, while all calculations are performed on quarterly frequencies. The analysis suggests that given low fixed investment ratios, limited R&D spending in non-military sectors, and adverse demographic development, under a “no policy change” scenario there might soon be even more downward pressures on the country’s potential output growth, and the economy may continue increasing only at a snail’s pace even after a possible withdrawal of the Western sanctions and the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
TQM Tools for the Construction Industry

AbstractTotal Quality Management (TQM) techniques have been used extensively and beneficially in the areas of manufacturing and industrial engineering to control processes and prevent defects before they happen, ultimately saving millions of dollars. The construction industry needs the same types of tools and for the same reasons, but due to the dissimilarity between industries, cannot apply them as they are. This article presents NSF funded research on TQM use in the construction industry, which tools are most essential for adaptation, and critical criteria for applying TQM to the construction industry.
Flocking with Fault Tolerant Control and Obstacles Avoidance for Mobile Robots Based on Grid Maps

Taking α-lattice flocking as research object, the influence when faults occur in flock and its fault tolerance control algorithm is studied. The impact on flocking performance is analyzed by means of flocking property indexes when communication error, actuator failure or sensor malfunction occur. A flocking fault diagnosis method and fault tolerance control strategy based on communication and data association are introduced. Considering failure mobile robots as obstacles, a complex shaped obstacles avoidance algorithm is proposed. Simulation shows the effectiveness of the method.
Formalisation of Wilshire–Scharning methodology to creep life prediction with application to 1Cr–1Mo–0·25V rotor steel

Abstract Wilshire and Scharning have recently developed a new methodology that delivers accurate long term creep life predictions, and so offers the prospect of cost effective acquisition of long term creep design data. The present paper develops a procedure for formalising and estimating this Wilshire–Scharning model. Not only does this procedure provide the formalisation required for any acceptable international standard towards creep data acquisition, but it also allows for the construction of confidence limits around the Wilshire–Sharning predictions — something which until now has not been achievable. When applied to 1Cr–1Mo–0·25V steel, it was found that if this material was operated at a stress of 20 MPa, but a temperature of 873 K, there is only a 10% chance of failure at or before 157 702 h, and this could be stated with 95% certainty. The formalisation allows calculations to be carried out for any level of risk and for any material.
Modeling of handover counting and location management for wireless mobile networks

Handover (or handoff) management is the set of actions that allows a wireless network to maintain a mobile user's connection as it moves through different cells during a call. The handover is typically done during a cell boundary crossing and all of the mobile terminal's connection information must be transferred into the new cell (or new base station). So, it is important to count the number of handovers made by a user during a call for proper network resources dimensioning and performance prediction. Location management is the set of actions aimed to find the current location of an inactive mobile user for call delivery. It implies the transmission of signaling messages for dynamic databases updates, paging, and so on. This problem is formulated in terms of cost optimization and it is mathematically related to handover counting. In this paper, we summarize many of the proposed model to deal with these problems, and we will be mainly focussed on the renewal process approach.
Pulsed-Power System for Leachate Treatment Applications

This paper presents a water treatment system for leachate from sewage-filled ground that uses a pulsed-power modulator developed based on semiconductor switches in order to realize a long life, a high repetition rate, and a fast rising time. The specifications of the developed pulsed-power modulator are the pulsed output voltage, the output current, the pulse repetition rate (PRR), the pulse width, and an average output power of 60 ㎸ max , 300 A max , 3000, 50 ㎲, and 15 ㎾, respectively. The pulsed-power water treatment system was introduced and analyzed using an equivalent electrical circuit model to optimize the output voltage waveform. The experimental results verify that the proposed water treatment system can be effectively used for industrial applications.
Dairy cow and human sensitivity to short duration 60 Hertz currents.

The effect of length of duration of 60 Hz, sinusoidal electric current (1, 10, and 100 cycles) on the current magnitude to which lactating dairy cows responded was studied and the residual effect of previous shock was evaluated. Significantly higher currents were required for the 1 cycle current duration than for 10 and 100 cycle durations. Results of a study to determine human response to currents of similar durations are also reported.
An Improved Sensor Positioning for Wireless Sensor Networks

Sensor positioning is a fundamental block in various location-dependent applications of wireless sensor networks. In order to improve the positioning accuracy without increasing the complex and cost of sensor nodes, an improve sensor positioning method is proposed for wireless sensor networks. In the method, after receiving the broadcasting message of the neighboring anchor nodes, the sensor nodes calculate a modifying factor of the change of the signal strength. And they modify the distances between themselves and neighboring anchor nodes with the modifying factor. Simulation results show that the proposed method can obtain a high positioning accuracy.
Thermal generating unit commitment using an extended mean field annealing neural network

An extended mean field annealing neural network approach is used for the short-term thermal unit commitment. In power systems, the major goal of the generating unit commitment is to minimise the total fuel cost of the thermal units subject to some practical constraints. This also means that it is desirable to find the optimal generating unit commitment in the power system for the next H hours. The annealing neural network combines good solution quality for simulated annealing with rapid convergence for artificial neural network. The extended mean field annealing neural network is used to find short-term thermal unit commitment. By doing so, it can help in finding the optimum solution rapidly and efficiently. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated by thermal unit commitment of Taiwan power system. It is concluded from the results that the proposed approach is very effective in reaching proper unit commitment.
Photocatalytic Water Splitting over Ag/TiO2 Nano-Wire Films

Plasmonic Ag decorated TiO2 nano-wire film was firstly prepared by the combination of a hydrothermal method and a microwave-assisted chemical reduction process. The results show that Ag deposited TiO2 film exhibits obvious visible light absorption due to surface plasmon resonance absorption of Ag nanoparticles. Besides, fluorescence quenching is observed in the composite film under the excitation of 250 nm. Photocatalytic tests show that Ag deposited TiO2 exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity for H2 production by water splitting due to the synergistic effect between charge transfer and surface plasmon resonance absorption properties of Ag nanoparticles.
Low‐phase‐noise high‐efficiency MMIC VCO based on InGaP/GaAs HBT with the LC filter

This paper presents a fully integrated low‐phase‐noise and high‐efficiency VCO based on InGaP/GaAs HBT, which shows excellent power‐efficiency performance, for 802.11a application. For improved phase‐noise performance, an LC filtering technique is adapted. The measured phase noise is −87.8 dBc/Hz at 100‐kHz offset frequency and −111.4 dBc/Hz at 1‐MHz offset frequency. The phase‐noise characteristic is shown to improve by 5 dB after employing the LC filter. The figure of merit (FOM), defined as a function of the phase noise and power efficiency of the fabricated VCO with LC filter, is −172.1 dBc/Hz, which is the best result among the 5‐GHz low‐phase‐noise VCOs. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 44: 123–126, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20564
Reliability-Based Simulation-Optimization Model for Multireservoir Hydropower Systems Operations: Khersan Experience

A common method for assessing the energy potential of hydropower systems in Iran is the sequential streamflow routing with control on the energy-yield reliability. The method results in developing a reliability-based simulation (RBS) model that is used to analyze single-reservoir hydropower systems. In most of the cascade hydropower systems in the country, a single-reservoir RBS model is usually employed in the design and operation of each of the systems reservoirs. This paper presents a multireservoir RBS model considering the integrated operation of the systems. The model employs the general algorithm of the single-reservoir RBS model; however, with a single-period optimization submodel in determining releases from reservoirs during the system simulation. The objective function of the submodels minimizes the sum of reservoir releases and/or maximizes the sum of reservoir storages in each of the time periods, subject to a reliability constraint on the system’s energy yield. The single and multireservoir .
The BarrettHand grasper – programmably flexible part handling and assembly

This paper details the design and operation of the BarrettHand BH8‐250, an intelligent, highly flexible eight‐axis gripper that reconfigures itself in real time to conform securely to a wide variety of part shapes without tool‐change interruptions. The grasper brings enormous value to factory automation because it: reduces the required number and size of robotic workcells (which average US$90,000 each – not including the high cost of footprint) while boosting factory thoughput; consolidates the hodgepodge proliferation of customized gripper‐jaw shapes onto a common programmable platform; and enables incremental process improvement and accommodates frequent new‐product introductions, capabilities deployed instantly via software across international networks of factories.
Wide bandwidth and broad beamwidth microstrip patch antenna

A novel wideband and broad-beam microstrip antenna loaded with gaps and stubs is proposed. The antenna is based on atwo-layer stacked electromagnetic coupling microstrip patch antenna (ECMSA). The upper patch of the antenna is loaded with two arc gaps and three stubs. The ECMSA is used to achieve wide impedance bandwidth, while the gaps and stubs-loaded patch is used to obtain broad-beam. The impedance bandwidth is up to 34.6%. In this impedance bandwidth, the pattern bandwidth is 13%. In this pattern bandwidth, the 3%dB beamwidth of E-plane and H-plane remain stable and are about %60%. Simulation results agree well with measured results.
Selection of logistic service provider using fuzzy PROMETHEE for a cement industry

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a method to select the best alternative in a multi‐criteria decision making (MCDM) environment when the decision is taken by a group of members in an uncertain environment.Design/methodology/approach – In this paper, Fuzzy Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations (Fuzzy PROMETHEE) technique has been used for MCDM problems. The team of decision makers is constituted to integrate their opinion. The analysis is done using Geometrical Analysis for Interactive Aid (GAIA) plane, available in Decision Lab 2000 software, which provides valuable help in understanding the conflicts among criteria.Findings – The selection of best alternative is done on the basis of generally conflicting criteria. Fuzzy PROMETHEE technique has been proposed and the same is demonstrated using Decision Lab 2000 software. This software can be used for as many criteria as possible and also in a fuzzy environment, where the crisp data for criteria comparison are no.
Overview of wireless power transfer technologies for electric vehicle battery charging

In this study, a comprehensive review of existing technological solutions for wireless power transfer used in electric vehicle battery chargers is given. The concept of each solution is thoroughly reviewed and the feasibility is evaluated considering the present limitations in power electronics technology, cost and consumer acceptance. In addition, the challenges and advantages of each technology are discussed. Finally, a thorough comparison is made and a proposed mixed conductive/wireless charging system solution is suggested to solve the inherent existing problems.
FHSS optical wireless transceiver for short range low‐speed indoor sensor interconnection

Experimental and simulation results from the operation of a prototype of wireless indoor optical transceiver based on frequency hopping techniques are presented. We choose spread spectrum techniques, as it allows multiple simultaneous accesses and also increases the robustness of the system against multipath‐induced distortion. It also reduces the effect of narrowband interference, as could be low‐frequency optical noise from fluorescence or incandescence lamps. FHSS techniques also allow coexistence with IrDA or remote control emitting devices without causing of suffering interferences. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 48: 2193–2197, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.21889
Algorithm for Web Server Security

Abstract The Web application layer is the number one target for malicious online attacks. Millions of Web sites regulate access to highly sensitive information including social security numbers, credit card numbers, names, addresses, birthdates, intellectual property, financial records, trade secrets, medical data, and more. These data must be rigorously protected from intruders. To reduce the risk of losses, brand damage, theft of intellectual property, legal liability, and fines, enterprises need timely information about how Web sites are penetrated and how they can be defended. This article presents an algorithm to generate the security report. The proposed algorithm uses the experimental data of 69 different Indian research/educational Web sites and the generated security report took place after checking all the possible prospective of obtained experimental attributes dataset. This article also presents the changes in the security settings of the Indian Web sites within 3 years, on the bases of open port’s study of 3 years experimental result. Based on port scanning, preventive security measures can be taken by organizations as a policy matter.
Active and tunable waveguide devices based on silicon and silica for use in optical communication systems

Some specific aspects of design, fabrication, application and characterization of selected waveguide devices for optical communication systems will be addressed in this paper ranging from familiar components like Bragg gratings to emerging devices exploiting stimulated Raman scattering in silicon. In particular, we will focus on fiber-optical and planar waveguide components for adaptive dispersion compensation, Raman-based amplifying and nonreciprocal devices in silicon and useful respective characterization techniques.
Performance Consequences of Automation-Induced 'Complacency'

The effect of variations in the reliability of an automated monitoring system on human operator detection of automation failures was examined in two experiments. For four 30-min sessions, 40 subjects performed an IBM PC-based flight simulation that included manual tracking and fuel-management tasks, as well as a system-monitoring task that was under automation control. Automation reliability-the percentage of system malfunctions detected by the automation routine-either remained constant at a low or high level over time or alternated every 10 min from low to high. Operator detection of automation failures was substantially worse. for constant-reliability than for variable-reliability automation after about 20 min under automation control, indicating that the former condition induced "complacency. " When system monitoring was the only task, detection was very efficient and was unaffected by variations in automation reliability. The results provide the first empirical evidence of the performance consequences.
Two feeding methods based on substrate integrated waveguide for microstrip patch antennas

Two feeding methods for microstrip patch antennas (MPAs), namely aperture coupling (AC) and probe feeding (PF), based on a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) are presented in this study. Exploiting an SIW structure for MPA feeding combines the benefits of both structures. It results in a compact antenna structure retaining advantageous properties of MPAs and having a radiation characteristic non-effected by spurious radiation that is usually produced by a conventional feeding line. The proposed antenna structures are studied using parametric analyses and their design procedures are presented. The antenna structures are fabricated and verified by measurement at 10 GHz. At the operation frequency, the fabricated AC-MPA and PF-MPA with a coax-to-SIW transition achieved an impedance bandwidth of 9 and 13.1% and a gain of 8.6 and 9.2 dBi, respectively.
An empirically derived agenda of critical research issues for managing supply-chain disruptions

While the literature related to supply-chain disruptions is informative, it has primarily focused on supply-chain disruptions from a general or high-level view of the phenomenon (e.g. supply-chain uncertainty, risk perceptions). Additionally, although most would agree that disruptions are present in all supply chains, there is a limited amount of information on how to deal with them from a practical perspective in both the short term and long term. Because of the importance of and research needs within this area, we launched a major multi-industry, multi-methodology empirical study on supply-chain disruptions. The study is multi-faceted in that it seeks insights into many issues within the broad area of global sourcing and supply-chain disruptions. Throughout our various interactions with industry, we found that several common themes and issues surfaced as being critical to successful disruption analysis and mitigation as well as resilient supply-chain design. Within this paper, we report on these key issues and discuss the needs within the supply-chain research to contribute to them.
Simulation of light intensity dependent current characteristics of polymer solar cells

An extended replacement circuit describing the current–voltage characteristics of bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells at different light bias levels is introduced and discussed. A one diode-model is expanded by an extraction model for photogenerated carriers taking into account the effective reduction of the mean distance which the charge carriers cover when sweeping the electrical bias through the fourth quadrant of the solar cell. The model properly describes the current–voltage behavior of bulk heterojunction solar cells over more than three orders in light intensity with one set of parameters.
Regionalization of Precipitation Characteristics in Montana Using L-Moments

Dimensionless precipitation-frequency curves for estimating precipitation depths having small exceedance probabilities were developed for 2-, 6-, and 24-hour storm durations for three homogeneous regions in Montana. L-moment statistics were used to help define the homogeneous regions. The generalized extreme value distribution was used to construct the frequency curves for each duration within each region. The effective record length for each duration in each region was estimated using a graphical method and was found to range from 500 years for 6-hour duration data in Region 2 to 5,100 years for 24-hour duration data in Region 3. The temporal characteristics of storms were analyzed, and methods for estimating synthetic storm hyetographs were developed. Dimensionless depth-duration data were grouped by independent duration (2, 6, and 24 hours) and by region, and the beta distribution was fit to dimensionless depth data for various incremental time intervals. Ordinary least-squares regression was used to develop relations between dimensionless depths for a key, short duration—termed the kernel duration—and dimensionless depths for other durations. The regression relations were used, together with the probabilistic dimensionless depth data for the kernel duration, to calculate dimensionless depth-duration curves for exceedance probabilities from . 1 to . 9. Dimensionless storm hyetographs for each independent duration in each region were constructed for median value conditions based on an exceedance probability of . 5.