Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Harmonic evaluation of carrier-based PWM methods using harmonic distortion determining factor

This paper describes harmonic evaluation of three phase carrier-based two-level and three-level PWM methods. The harmonic distortion determining factor, which represents the intrinsic spectral property of individual PWM methods, is used as the common basis. Almost all the carrier-based PWM schemes that have been proposed so far are considered. It is concluded that in AC drives the third harmonic injected sine PWM scheme is suitable for two-level inverters, and the double carrier unipolar PWM scheme is suitable for three-level inverters.
Comparative Genomic Analysis of Bifidobacterium Catenulatum Reveal the Genetic Divergence of its Two Subspecies from Infant and Adult Gut

Background: Bifidobacterium catenulatum, which includes two subspecies that B. catenulatum subsp. kashiwanohense and B. catenulatum subsp. catenulatum are usually from infant and adult gut respectively, while the genomic studies of functional difference and genetic divergence in them have been rarely reported. In this study, we analyzed 16 B. catenulatum strains through comparative genomics, including two novel sequenced strains. Results: A phylogenetic tree based on 785 core genes indicated that the two subspecies of B. catenulatum were significantly separated and confirmed their colonizing bias in infants and adults. Comparison of general genomic characteristics revealed that the two subspecies had significantly different genomic sizes but similar GC content. Functional annotations found that they peculiarly differ in utilization of carbohydrates and amino acid. Among them, we found that carbohydrate metabolism seems to play an important role in the divergence because of their carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZyme) present two different clustering patterns. B. catenulatum subsp. kashiwanohense have functional genes that specifically adapted to the infant gut for glycoside hydrolases 95 (GH95) and carbohydrate-binding modules 51 (CBM51), which specifically participated in the metabolism of Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs), and specific genes fuc that related to HMOs were also detected. While B. catenulatum subsp. catenulatum rich in GH3 and glycosyltransferases 4 (GT4) tended to metabolize plant-derived glycan that may help it metabolize more complex carbohydrates (eg. xylan) in the adult intestine. Conclusions: Our findings revealed genomic evidence of carbohydrate utilization bias which may be a key leading to the genetic divergence of two subspecies of B. catenulatum.
Effect of age of starting ponseti casts and initial pirani score on the number of casts in ponseti treatment of idiopathic clubfoot in infants

Purpose: We chose to assess if starting treatment of Clubfoot with Ponseti casts in neonatal or early infancy can reduce the number of casts required for full correction of the feet. We also analysed the relationship between Pirani scores at commencement of treatment and the number of casts required for correction of the deformity. Methods: Inclusion criteria were idiopathic clubfeet corrected by Ponseti method in children up to one year of age. Children with postural, non-idiopathic, previously surgically treated, recurrent clubfoot were not included in this study. ANOVA regression analysis was used for finding correlation between initial Pirani score, age in weeks and number of corrective casts prior to putting on foot abduction brace. Results: There were a total of 53 children (72 feet) in the study. The average age of the child at presentation was 12 weeks and the average initial Pirani score was 3.4. The average number of corrective casts was six per child (range, 3 to 8). The regression analysis showed both Pirani and age had positive correlation with number of casts, although weak (r2=0.05–0.20). The initial Pirani scoring correlated ten times more than age (in weeks) to the number of casts. Conclusion: The number of casts for correction in idiopathic clubfoot treated in infancy is influenced by both initial Pirani score and age of commencing plasters.
Machine-learning techniques and their applications in manufacturing

Abstract Machine learning is concerned with enabling computer programs automatically to improve their performance at some tasks through experience. Manufacturing is an area where the application of machine learning can be very fruitful. However, little has been published about the use of machine-learning techniques in the manufacturing domain. This paper evaluates several machine-learning techniques and examines applications in which they have been successfully deployed. Special attention is given to inductive learning, which is among the most mature of the machine-learning approaches currently available. Current trends and recent developments in machine-learning research are also discussed. The paper concludes with a summary of some of the key research issues in machine learning.
Quasi-periodic route to chaos in a PWM voltage-controlled DC-DC boost converter

A quasi-periodic route to chaos is studied both numerically and experimentally in a DC-DC boost switching regulator. After undergoing a Neimark-Sacker bifurcation of a one-periodic orbit, quasi-periodic behavior is obtained and the corresponding attractor is a T/sup 2/ torus, Under parameter changes, such a torus may breakdown to give chaotic behavior. Two different scenarios are possible for the destruction of the torus. One is obtained by means of period doubling of a phase-locking orbit while the other is achieved by losing the torus smoothness. An approximated two-dimensional mapping is built up to predict the nonlinear phenomena detected in this system.
Influences of methane and propane on the explosion characteristics of polymethyl methacrylate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene dusts

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymers (ABS) are widely applied to industrial production, with the risk of explosion mixed with combustible gas increasing gradually. A 20 L spherical explosive device was used to study the variation pattern of the explosion characteristics of four gas–dust mixtures: methane/PMMA, methane/ABS, propane/PMMA, and propane/ABS mixtures. The results showed that despite adding methane and propane, PMMA and ABS dusts within the range of minimum explosion concentration are still likely to explode. The comparative analysis shows that propane is more chemically reactive than methane and PMMA and ABS dusts mixed with propane are more dangerous than those mixed with methane. Meanwhile, it was found that as the concentration of methane and propane increases, the maximum explosion pressure Pmax, maximum explosion pressure rise rate (dP/dt)max, and explosive index K of the dusts rise as well, but the increasing trend remains steady. The single‐phase methane and propane have higher maximum explosion pressure and explosive index than the gas–dust mixture, with the lowest maximum explosion pressure and explosive index found in the single‐phase PMMA and ABS dusts. With methane and propane mixed, the explosion hazard of PMMA and ABS dusts is intensified from St1 to St3. This study reveals the explosion characteristics of PMMA and ABS dusts, providing a basis for ensuring a safe working environment, preventing and controlling explosion accidents, and reducing the destructiveness of accidents.
Analysis of Modular Stator PMSM Manufactured Using Oriented Steel

Oriented steel has higher permeability and lower losses in the direction of orientation (the rolling direction) than non-oriented steel. However, in the transverse direction, oriented steel typically has lower permeability and higher losses. The strategic use of oriented steel in a modular Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (PMSM) stator can improve machine performance, particularly when compared to a machine designed with non-oriented steel, by increasing both torque and efficiency. Typically, steel manufacturers provide magnetic properties only in the rolling and transverse directions. Furthermore, in modern Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software, the magnetic properties between the rolling and transverse directions are interpolated using an intrinsic mathematical model. However, this interpolation method has proven to be inaccurate; to resolve this issue, an improved model was proposed in the literature. This model requires the magnetic properties of the oriented steel in between the rolling and transverse directions. Therefore, a procedure for extracting the magnetic properties of oriented steel is required. The objective of this work is to propose a method of determining the magnetic properties of oriented steel beyond just the oriented and transverse directions. In this method, flux-injecting probes, also known as sensors, are used to inject and control the flux density in an oriented steel segmented stator in order to extract the properties of the oriented steel. These extracted properties are then used to model an oriented steel modular stator PMSM. The machine’s average torque and core losses are compared with conventional, non-modular, non-oriented steel stator PMSM, and modular, non-oriented steel stator PMSM. It is shown that both the average torque and the core loss of the oriented steel modular stator PMSM have better performance at the selected number of segments than either of the two non-oriented steel stators.
The Use of a Brain Computer Interface Remote Control to Navigate a Recreational Device

People suffering from paralysis caused by serious neural disorder or spinal cord injury also need to be given a means of recreation other than general living aids. Although there have been a proliferation of brain computer interface (BCI) applications, developments for recreational activities are scarcely seen. The objective of this study is to develop a BCI-based remote control integrated with commercial devices such as the remote controlled Air Swimmer. The brain is visually stimulated using boxes flickering at preprogrammed frequencies to activate a brain response. After acquiring and processing these brain signals, the frequency of the resulting peak, which corresponds to the user’s selection, is determined by a decision model. Consequently, a command signal is sent from the computer to the wireless remote controller via a data acquisition (DAQ) module. A command selection training (CST) and simulated path test (SPT) were conducted by 12 subjects using the BCI control system and the experimental results showed a recognition accuracy rate of 89.51% and 92.31% for the CST and SPT, respectively. The fastest information transfer rate demonstrated a response of 105 bits/min and 41.79 bits/min for the CST and SPT, respectively. The BCI system was proven to be able to provide a fast and accurate response for a remote controller application.
Lean Manufacturing Implementation : A study On The Development Of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) At An Aerospace Manufacturing Company

The title of this study is "Lean Manufacturing Implementation: A Study on the Development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) at an Aerospace Manufacturing Company". The purpose of this study is to focus on the issue of the KPIs development which is linked to the goal, objective, mission and vision of CTRM Aero Composite Sdn Bhd. The KPIs are targeted to provide this company with a good performance measurement tools in supporting the success of their Lean Manufacturing journey and to be cost-competitive. The aim of all these efforts is to achieve the company's expectation of a positive gross profit around 30% of turnover and also a rise in their profit before tax around 5% of turnover. In this study, a set of KPIs measured both objectively and subjectively are developed through a comprehensive extensive literature (case study reports), internal benchmark activities and best practices benchmark in KPIs implementation process flow by visiting a non - competitor company followed by a two days workshop where company KPIs had been identified and created through brainstorming and group discussions. The other objective of this study is to learn and investigate the current communication gap at all level by using semi-structure interview and focus group discussion. A standard reporting report was also created to overcome this communications issue by having each person in each level to review and reports their standard operation to their subordinates regularly based on the decided frequency. The outcomes of KPIs implementation was tested in Strategic Development Department (SDD) and Manufacturing Operation 82 Department that have been chosen as the pilot area of the study. As· a company that has been implementing Lean Manufacturing, this study also assess the level of achievement of lean implementation efforts before and after the development of KPIs by using RAG (Red Amber Green) status to see the linkage between them. Subsequently, a new Lean House has also been constructed focusing on the new KPIs so that the lean manufacturing programme will be aligned with it. Lastly, the significance and the contributions of the study followed by limitations and the recommendations for future works were discussed in the end of this research.
Self-balanced navigation-grade capacitive microaccelerometers using branched finger electrodes and their performance for varying sense voltage and pressure

Presents a navigation-grade capacitive microaccelerometer, whose low-noise high-resolution detection capability is achieved by a new electrode design based on a high-amplitude anti-phase sense voltage. We reduce the mechanical noise of the microaccelerometer to the level of 5.5 /spl mu/g//spl radic/Hz by increasing the proof-mass based on deep RIE process of an SOI wafer. We reduce the electrical noise as low as 0.6 /spl mu/g//spl radic/Hz by using an anti-phase high-amplitude square-wave sense voltage of 19 V. The nonlinearity problem caused by the high-amplitude sense voltage is solved by a new electrode design of branched finger type. Combined use of the branched finger electrode and high-amplitude sense voltage generates self force-balancing effects, resulting in an 140% increase of the bandwidth from 726Hz to 1734 Hz. For a fixed sense voltage of 10 V, the total noise is measured as 2.6 /spl mu/g//spl radic/Hz at the air pressure of 3.9torr, which is the 51% of the total noise of 5.1 /spl mu/g//spl radic/Hz at the atmospheric pressure.
Fuzzy model reference learning control for cargo ship steering

The fuzzy model reference learning controller (FMRLC) primarily focuses on improving existing learning control approaches or introducing new ones. A comparative analysis of the FMRLC and conventional model reference adaptive control (MRAC) for a cargo ship steering application is provided. The main objective is to make an initial assessment of what advantages (if any) a fuzzy learning control approach has over conventional adaptive control approaches. <<ETX>>
Advances in fully CMOS integrated photonic devices

The complete integration of photonic devices into a CMOS process flow will enable low cost photonic functionality within electronic circuits. BAE Systems, Lucent Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cornell University, and Applied Wave Research are participating in a high payoff research and development program for the Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) of DARPA. The goal of the program is the development of technologies and design tools necessary to fabricate an application specific, electronic-photonic integrated circuit (AS-EPIC). The first phase of the program was dedicated to photonics device designs, CMOS process flow integration, and basic electronic functionality. We will present the latest results on the performance of waveguide integrated detectors, and tunable optical filters.
Feature Selection for Robust Classification of Crack and Drop Signals

This paper presents a study to the problem of features selection for accurate recognition of crack signals in raining conditions, using a multilayer perceptron and a radial basis function neural network. The features extraction process is accomplished for two time frames: in the first time frame the presence of the signal reflection is minimal; in the later a wider window include signal reflections at the specimen edges. An extensive set of 90 features (41 of them are novel), 67 in the time domain and 23 in the frequency domain, are extracted from the normalized signals and are sorted according to Fisher ratio (F-ratio). The signals database consists of over than 20,000 simulated cracks and drops signals. The NNs classification accuracy of a single crack signal in rain conditions using the most robust features ranges from 80.08% to 99.08%, which remains in the same levels when white-Gaussian noise up to 0 dB signal-to-noise ratio is added to the signal.
Barrier Effect of the Pearl River Estuarine Plume on Wind‐Induced Coastal Upwelling of Nutrients

Coastal upwelling caused by winds seasonally occurs in summer in the Northern South China Sea. The alongshore prevailing southwest winds, induced by East Asia Summer Monsoon, exert a uniform Coriolis force to drive the surface water offshore, which in turn pushes the deeper coastal water upward. The common view is that coastal upwelling brings up nutrients from deep water. The presence of a buoyance layer such as the riverine or estuarine plumes damps the Ekman effect and hence upwelling. However, the semi‐quantitative analysis of reduced upwelled nitrate amount due to plume (barrier) effect during this interactive process is rare. To examine the dynamics of water masses and nutrient upward transport process in the coastal waters in summer, vertical profiles of temperature, salinity, and nitrate were taken along the transects from the Pearl River estuary to 150 km offshore in July cruise of 2002 in the northern South China Sea. The results show a three‐layer structure resulting from the three water masses under the impact of a large buoyant plume: high‐nutrient plume water in the surface layer, undetectable‐nutrient offshore surface water in the middle layer, and low‐nutrient deep water in the bottom layer. This structure indicates that this middle layer was the offshore surface water entrained underneath the estuarine plume and hence, weakened the intensity of upwelling. Upwelled nitrate amount is reduced by ∼30%–35% from the deep water to the surface layer due to the middle layer based on our estimate. The finding suggests that the presence of estuarine plumes plays an important role as a barrier to weaken upwelling of deep water and subsequently reduce the upward transport of nutrients by wind‐induced coastal upwelling and therefore, such the barrier effect should be considered in estimating budgets of nutrients and subsequent carbon fixation in coastal waters.
Multilevel solution of augmented drift‐diffusion equations

Develops a finite element analysis and solution strategy for the augmented drift‐diffusion equations in semiconductors device theory using a multilevel scheme. Decouples the drift‐diffusion equations using Gummel iteration with incremental continuation in the applied voltage. Includes augmentation of the carrier mobility to address the issue of non‐local electric field effects (velocity overshoot) within the framework of the drift‐diffusion formulation. Gives comparison results with hydrodynamic and Monte Carlo models and sensitivity studies with respect to the augmentation parameter. Discretizes the equations with a special finite element method using bases of variable polynomial degree. Accomplishes solution of the resulting linear systems with a multilevel method using the basis degree as the grid level. Presents performance results and comparison studies with direct elimination.
Induction Heating in Domestic Cooking and Industrial Melting Applications: A Systematic Review on Modelling, Converter Topologies and Control Schemes

In the current scenario, power electronic device-based induction heating (IH) technologies are widely employed in domestic cooking, industrial melting and medical applications. These IH applications are designed using different converter topologies, modulation and control techniques. This review article mainly focuses on the modelling of half-bridge series resonant inverter, electrical and thermal model of IH load. This review also analyses the performance of the converter topologies based on the power conversion stages, switching frequency, power rating, power density, control range, modulation techniques, load handling capacity and efficiency. Moreover, this paper provides insight into the future of IH application, with respect to the adaptation of wide band-gap power semiconductor materials, multi-output topologies, variable-frequency control schemes with minimum losses and filters designed to improve source-side power factor. With the identified research gap in the literature, an attempt has also been made to develop a new hybrid modulation technique, to achieve a wide range of power control with high efficiency. A 100 W full-bridge inverter prototype is realised both in simulation and hardware, with various modulation schemes using a PIC16F877A microcontroller. The results are compared with existing techniques and the comparisons reveal that the proposed scheme is highly viable and effective for the rendered applications.
Student voice and classroom practice: how students are consulted in contexts without traditions of student voice

ABSTRACT Different countries have different histories, traditions, cultures, and practices of student voice and are currently at different stages of their student voice journeys. This paper investigates how student voice is coming to be used in relation to classroom practice in different school types and socio-economic settings in the Irish education system. Ireland is a country without a strong tradition or history of student voice and particularly in relation to teaching and learning matters and it is envisaged that this paper will be of strong interest to those in countries where student voice is not yet prominent, but there are also wider implications. This research shows that students are now being consulted in relation to classroom practice in a variety of ways but that even within single school systems consultations are very much connected to school context with voice being used to different extents in different schools in different settings.
Towards the design of effective formative test reports

Many usability practitioners conduct most of their usability evaluations to improve a product during its design and development. We call these "formative" evaluations to distinguish them from "summative" (validation) usability tests at the end of development. A standard for reporting summative usability test results has been adopted by international standards organizations. But that standard is not intended for the broader range of techniques and business contexts in formative work. This paper reports on a new industry project to identify best practices in reports of formative usability evaluations. The initial work focused on gathering examples of reports used in a variety of business contexts. We define elements in these reports and present some early guidelines on making design decisions for a formative report. These guidelines are based on considerations of the business context, the relationship between author and audience, the questions that the evaluation is trying to answer, and the techniques used in the evaluation. Future work will continue to investigate industry practice and conduct evaluations of proposed guidelines or templates.