Existing Control Mechanisms Research Articles

An overview of the operation architectures and energy management system for multiple microgrid clusters

The emerging novel energy infrastructures, such as energy communities, smart building-based microgrids, electric vehicles enabled mobile energy storage units raise the requirements for a more interconnective and interoperable energy system. It leads to a transition from simple and isolated microgrids to relatively large-scale and complex interconnected microgrid systems named multi-microgrid clusters. In order to efficiently, optimally, and flexibly control multi-microgrid clusters, cross-disciplinary technologies such as power electronics, control theory, optimization algorithms, information and communication technologies, cyber-physical, and big-data analysis are needed. This paper introduces an overview of the relevant aspects for multi-microgrids, including the outstanding features, architectures, typical applications, existing control mechanisms, as well as the challenges.

Mathematical modeling and projections of a vector-borne disease with optimal control strategies: A case study of the Chikungunya in Chad

In this work, we extend existing models of vector-borne diseases by including density-dependent rates and some existing control mechanisms to decrease the disease burden in the human population. We begin by analyzing the vector model dynamics and by determining the offspring reproductive number denoted by N as well as the trivial and nontrivial equilibria. Using theory of cooperative systems and the general theory of Lyapunov, we prove that, although there is a possibility that the trivial equilibrium coexists with a positive equilibrium, it remains globally asymptotically stable whenever N ≤ 1 . The fact that the non-trivial equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable permits us to reduce the study of the full model to the study of a reduced model whenever N > 1 . Thus, we analyze the reduced model by computing the basic reproduction number R 0 , equilibrium points as well as asymptotic stability of each equilibrium point. We also explore the nature of the bifurcation for the disease-free equilibrium from R 0 = 1 . By the application of the centre manifold theory, we prove that the backward bifurcation phenomenon can occur in our model, which means that the necessary condition R 0 < 1 is not sufficient to guarantee the final extinction of the disease in human populations. To calibrate our model, we estimate model parameters on clinical data from the last Chikungunya epidemic which occurred in Chad, using the non-linear least-square method. We find out that R 0 = 1.8519 , which means that we are in an endemic state since R 0 > 1 . To determine model parameters that are responsible for disease spread in the human community, we perform sensitivity analysis (SA) using a global method. It follows that the density-dependent death rate of mosquitoes and the average number of mosquito bites are key parameters in the disease dynamics. Following this, we thus formulate an optimal control model by including in the autonomous model, four time-dependent control functions to fight the disease spread. Pontryagin’s maximum principle is used to characterize our optimal controls. Numerical simulations, using parameter values of Chikungunya transmission dynamics, and efficiency analysis, are conducted to determine the better control strategy which guaranteed the final extinction of the disease in human populations.

Sources, characteristics, toxicity, and control of ultrafine particles: An overview

Air pollution by particulate matter (PM) is one of the main threats to human health, particularly in large cities where pollution levels are continually exceeded. According to their source of emission, geography, and local meteorology, the pollutant particles vary in size and composition. These particles are conditioned to the aerodynamic diameter and thus classified as coarse (2.5–10 μm), fine (0.1–2.5 μm), and ultrafine (<0.1 μm), where the degree of toxicity becomes greater for smaller particles. These particles can get into the lungs and translocate into vital organs due to their size, causing significant human health consequences. Besides, PM pollutants have been linked to respiratory conditions, genotoxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic activity in human beings. This paper presents an overview of emission sources, physicochemical characteristics, collection and measurement methodologies, toxicity, and existing control mechanisms for ultrafine particles (UFPs) in the last fifteen years.

A Machine-Learning-Based Framework for Optimizing the Operation of Future Networks

5G and beyond are not only sophisticated and difficult to manage, but must also satisfy a wide range of stringent performance requirements and adapt quickly to changes in traffic and network state. Advances in machine learning and parallel computing underpin new powerful tools that have the potential to tackle these complex challenges. In this article, we develop a general machinelearning- based framework that leverages artificial intelligence to forecast future traffic demands and characterize traffic features. This makes it possible to exploit such traffic insights to improve the performance of critical network control mechanisms, such as load balancing, routing, and scheduling. In contrast to prior works that design problem-specific machine learning algorithms, our generic approach can be applied to different network functions, allowing reuse of existing control mechanisms with minimal modifications. We explain how our framework can orchestrate ML to improve two different network mechanisms. Further, we undertake validation by implementing one of these, mobile backhaul routing, using data collected by a major European operator and demonstrating a 3 reduction of the packet delay compared to traditional approaches.

Unveiling the Historical Reconstruction of Financial Activity: Leveraging Compliance Practices for Implementation and Sophistication in Brazil

In recent years, economic scandals and fraudulent practices in financial institutions have captured national attention, prompting the demand for ethical conduct, transparency, and responsibility. Compliance, as a form of corporate governance, has gained significance in the Brazilian context, particularly within the financial sector. This research aims to examine how historical banking practices serve as a foundation for the establishment and advancement of compliance mechanisms in optimizing financial activities.&#x0D; Using an inductive methodology supported by bibliographic and documentary research, this study analyzes historical cases to determine if banking activities have deviated and adopted fraudulent systems. The research begins by examining the concept of the contract of deposit of fungible goods in ancient Rome, focusing on the concrete case of the Bank of Calisto I. It then explores medieval banking practices in commercial Italian cities, particularly Florence and the Medici Bank, as well as Catalonia, with emphasis on Barcelona.&#x0D; The study further investigates the financial systems of the modern era, analyzing banks in Amsterdam, Stockholm, and the Bank of England, specifically their handling of deposits and reserve contingencies. Finally, the research explores the link between past banking practices and the contemporary financial system, evaluating current prevention mechanisms, internal and external oversight of banks, and the historical contributions of financial activities to the evolution of existing control mechanisms.&#x0D; This research provides valuable insights into the historical foundations that have shaped compliance practices in Brazil. By understanding the historical context, it offers valuable knowledge for enhancing and sophisticating financial activities within the compliance framework, contributing to improved transparency, risk mitigation, and ethical behavior in the financial sector.

Responsabilidad civil de los funcionarios públicos por el uso indebido de la deuda pública

Ante el escenario de las finanzas públicas que prevalece en México, resulta imperante establecer de manera científica el verdadero alcance de las reformas realizadas por los Congresos, Federal y Estatales a los ordenamientos reguladores vigentes del endeudamiento público. Lo anterior, tiene como objetivo analizar la efectividad de los mecanismos y herramientas de control existentes, y explicar la relación entre la deuda pública y la realización de actividades ilícitas – corrupción y lavado de dinero- por parte de funcionarios públicos. La presente investigación emplea el método comparado, ya que permite la implementación de una técnica lógica de análisis cualitativa puesto que el número de casos estudiados es reducido. Los principales radican en identificar de manera clara las acciones que han provocado y provocan en la actualidad obstáculos para la adecuada aplicación del marco jurídico y los instrumentos que éste prevé para realizar un cabal control del endeudamiento y de la supresión de actos de corrupción por parte de las autoridades.

Reinforcement learning control approach for autonomous microgrids

ABSTRACT The increasing penetration of the renewable energy systems into the main power grids has raised concerns about robustness of the existing control mechanisms. An adaptive learning approach is proposed to regulate the output voltage of an autonomous distributed generation source. This controller solves the optimal control problem for that generation source by finding a recursive solution for the underlying Bellman optimality equation. A value iteration algorithm is introduced in order to find the optimal control strategy in a dynamic learning environment. Means of adaptive critics are employed to implement the solution without knowing the drift dynamics of the microgrid. The developed controller is shown to be robust against different power system disturbances and exhibited competitive behavior when compared to a standard Riccati control approach subject to uncertain dynamical environment.

A survey on access control mechanisms for cloud computing

AbstractCloud computing is an Internet‐based computing where the information technology resources are provided to end users following their request. With this technology, users and businesses can access programs, storage, and application development platforms through the Internet and via the services offered by the cloud service providers (CSPs). One of the biggest obstructions in the cloud computing environment is data security. Actually, the data are dispersed across multiple machines and storage devices such as servers, computers, and various mobile devices. The uncontrolled access to these resources and data leads to many important data security risks for the end users. In this way, and in order to ensure the reliability of the cloud and the trust of the users regarding this environment, controlling access to data and resources as well as protecting and ensuring their security becomes a critical task for CSPs. In this work, we present a comprehensive review of existing access control mechanisms used in the cloud computing environment. The advantages and disadvantages of each of these models are discussed and presented along with their analysis. Also, we study the cloud requirements of these models, and we evaluate existing control mechanisms against these requirements.

The boomerang returns? Accounting for the impact of uncertainties on the dynamics of remanufacturing systems

Recent years have witnessed companies abandon traditional open-loop supply chain structures in favour of closed-loop variants, in a bid to mitigate environmental impacts and exploit economic opportunities. Central to the closed-loop paradigm is remanufacturing: the restoration of used products to useful life. While this operational model has huge potential to extend product life-cycles, the collection and recovery processes diminish the effectiveness of existing control mechanisms for open-loop systems. We systematically review the literature in the field of closed-loop supply chain dynamics, which explores the time-varying interactions of material and information flows in the different elements of remanufacturing supply chains. We supplement this with further reviews of what we call the three ‘pillars’ of such systems, i.e. forecasting, collection, and inventory and production control. This provides us with an interdisciplinary lens to investigate how a ‘boomerang’ effect (i.e. sale, consumption, and return processes) impacts on the behaviour of the closed-loop system and to understand how it can be controlled. To facilitate this, we contrast closed-loop supply chain dynamics research to the well-developed research in each pillar; explore how different disciplines have accommodated the supply, process, demand, and control uncertainties; and provide insights for future research on the dynamics of remanufacturing systems.

Fraud prevention initiatives in the Nigerian public sector

PurposeDetecting and preventing fraud are challenging and risky tasks, especially in a fast developing economy such as Nigeria. The efforts become crucial in the government sectors, as they involve public’s trust and resources. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between the fraud incidence and the elements of fraud triangle theory (FTT) with the aim of combating current fraud outrages in the Nigerian public sector.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted and 302 questionnaires were distributed to the staff of the departments of accounting, internal auditing and investigation of ten selected ministries, departments and agencies of Kano State, Nigeria. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data.FindingsThe study reveals a significant relationship between three elements of FTT and fraud incidences in the Nigerian public sectors (p-value < 0.001 for pressure and opportunity and p-value = 0.024 for rationalization).Practical implicationsThe findings of the study are useful for forensic accountants and the Nigerian anti-graft bodies to enhance existing control mechanisms in fraud prevention initiatives. The research also contributes to bridge the gap in academic theory and empirical study related to FTT.Social implicationsFraud scandals can cause public’s frustration, damage the reputation and integrity of the ruling government and result in negative image of the public sector.Originality/valueAccordingly, the study suggests a salary scale reform (SSR) in the Nigerian public sector and improvement in fringe benefits to increase employees’ standard of living. The study concludes with recommendations to enhance fraud awareness and training programs to the government employees.

The admissibility of control over the cutting of greenery on private land plots — existing problems and prospects for regulation

This article examines the mechanisms for controlling the cutting of greenery on privately owned land plots. The authors begin the study by determining the status of green spaces, elements of their private law and public law regime. According to the authors, the current Russian legislation does not have a universal mechanism for controlling the cutting of greenery located on land plots that allows for the preservation of separate categories of greenery. The authors explore how the possibility of regulating the control of cutting green spaces on privately owned land plots was influenced by the “evolution of property rights,” including under the influence of the concept of sustainable development. According to the authors, the possibility of introducing such control at the legislative level requires the balancing of two human rights: property rights and the right to a favorable environment. The authors pay special attention to regulating the control of cutting greenery on private lands that exist in the United States, which, on the one hand, is due to the concept of the United States as a stronghold of “classical liberalism,” and on the other hand, the existence of a developed land management system in the US. The authors investigate the existing control mechanisms for felling green spaces located on privately owned land plots in the US: local cutting regulations, zoning institute, and the special institute “conservation easements.” The authors demonstrate that in the United States, regulation of control over the cutting of green spaces located on privately owned land plots differs substantially between states, and leads to widespread public debate, the existence of which is caused by different opinions in answering the fundamental question: does land belong to the current generation or is it in trusted management for future generations. The authors explore the public trust doctrine in the United States, suggesting that the government should be seen as a trustee for managing natural resources, with fiduciary responsibilities in regards to the public. In conclusion, possible options for amending the current legislation are given to introduce the necessary control over the cutting of green spaces located on land plots in private ownership.

Potential for carbon dioxide to act as a non-physical barrier for invasive sea lamprey movement

Abstract Invasive sea lampreys have had substantial negative ecological and economic impacts on the Laurentian Great Lakes region. Control efforts, such as lampricide application and barriers, have resulted in a reduction in number of sea lampreys in the Great Lakes. Due to environmental and non-target impacts of existing control mechanisms, coupled with the fact that no non-physical barrier is completely effective at stopping fish movement, there is a critical need to develop novel control technologies to assist with the control and suppression of sea lamprey populations. Recent work has indicated that carbon dioxide gas (CO 2 ) applied to water will influence the movement and behavior of fishes, providing the potential for CO 2 to act as a non-physical barrier that can exclude fish from a target area. To date, the effectiveness of CO 2 at influencing the movement and behavior of sea lampreys has not been explored. The current study showed that CO 2 applied to water will result in behavioral agitation for both adult and transformer sea lampreys, and will eventually result in equilibrium loss. More importantly, both adult and transformer sea lampreys will ‘choose’ to avoid water with CO 2 concentrations of 85 and 160 mg/L (respectively). Together, results from this study suggest that CO 2 applied to water has the potential to act as a non-physical barrier to deter the movement of free-swimming lamprey in the wild. Carbon dioxide gas can be integrated with existing control technologies to act as a novel barrier technology and augment existing control strategies for sea lampreys.

Improving Control Mechanism at Routers in TCP/IP Network

The existing control mechanisms at the network nodes have a good active and very effective at each local router, but they do not still strong enough to control nonlinear and dynamical behaviour of the network. Therefore, the control system requirements must be designed to be flexible to fully gras

State Crime in the Street-Level Bureaucracy

On the basis of two points of departure: (1) no state has clean hands and (2) the types of crime a state commits vary with state formations, this article explores cases where the Swedish state and its agencies have been held responsible for some form of wrongdoing. Drawing on a total of 8,561 judgments issued against the state by agencies of control (the Parliamentary Ombudsman, the Chancellor of Justice, and the European Court of Human Rights), the study finds that most cases of substantive and procedural crime committed by the state are related to the street-level bureaucracy, where state officials working in public sector agencies interact with citizens in the course of their everyday employment. Further, the study finds that most of the judgments revolve around issues of particular accountability relating to the individual interests of the complainants and that only a relatively small portion involve complaints against the state in relation to general policies or general conduct. One overall conclusion is that the crimes committed by the Swedish welfare state involve acts of negligence rather than purposeful acts of repression, and that the offences primarily involve procedural rather than substantive wrongs. The results are interpreted as a function of both how state bureaucracy works and of the limited ability of the existing control mechanisms.

CONTROLE JUDICIAL DO ATO ADMINISTRATIVO AMBIENTAL

Este trabalho visa avaliar o controle judicial atual dos atos administrativos ambientais, considerando a evolução da doutrina jurídica pós Constituição Federal de 1988, cuja concepção vem, paulatinamente, sendo alterada a partir de então. A inserção, no texto constitucional, de princípios norteadores da administração pública, aliada aos mandamentos específicos da tutela ambiental, vem levando os estudiosos do direito a modificarem a visão tradicionalista do princípio da presunção de legalidade do ato administrativo, quando este puder causar significativo dano ambiental à biodiversidade. Tal posicionamento da doutrina jurídica tem levado alguns tribunais a apreciarem, com maior rigor, os princípios norteadores do ato administrativo ambiental, analisando não só seus aspectos formais, mas também sua motivação, razoabilidade, proporcionalidade e finalidade. Entretanto, a defesa dos doutrinadores do direito administrativo na ampliação do controle judicial do ato administrativo ambiental, não vem se traduzindo em uma sensível alteração na jurisprudência, que ainda reflete um posicionamento dos tribunais na análise exclusiva da parte formal do processo. O controle judicial ampliado, apesar de ainda não ser uma regra na análise judicial dos atos administrativos ambientais, demonstra um caminho a ser alcançado na preservação dos recursos ambientais, ampliando os mecanismos de controle hoje existentes.

Role of Insolvency Practitioners in the UK Pre‐pack Administrations: Challenges and Control

AbstractThe pre‐pack administrations (‘pre‐packs’) in the UK have repeatedly been criticised for allowing the exploitation of certain types of unsecured creditors. In this context, the role of the administrators (who are qualified insolvency practitioners) is one of the key elements. This article examines the new challenges brought by the pre‐pack strategy to the conventional role of insolvency practitioners as the administrators. It suggests that the pre‐determination nature of pre‐packs is likely to make the administration proceedings less manager‐displacing in practice than the formal rules would suggest. Although this tendency can be expected to facilitate information gathering during the rescue negotiations, it raises urgent questions with respect to the potential alignment of interests between the inside players that may impair the impartiality of the administrators. In response to such challenges, the article argues that, in spite of the recent proposals of introducing drastic statutory regulation to control the controversy of the pre‐pack practice, a proportionate way is to see how the existing control mechanisms can contribute more in reinforcing the independence of administrators. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

INTELLIGENT DRIVE FOR INDUCTION MOTOR CONTROL

Soft computing techniques such as artificial neural networks and fuzzy logic have been used to design an intelligent drive for induction motor control. The objective of this work is to present a new method of control of induction motor using less Central Processing Unit (CPU) time. To achieve this, fuzzy logic controller with reduced rule base has been designed along with a modular type of neural observer to completely design the intelligent drive. Performance superiority over existing control mechanisms is not kept presently within the scope of work. Reduced CPU time, with speed controls within acceptable limits, achieved from this work will help to utilize available CPU time in other controls in an integrated automatic control system. Several comparative results are presented in the paper.

Is occupational fraud “typical” white-collar crime? A comparison of individual and organizational characteristics

Controversy over the appropriate unit of analysis plagued the white-collar crime literature. This state of affairs was a product, at least in part, of the continued development of two distinct research traditions. Researchers interested in “occupational crime” focused on individuals, whereas “corporate crime” researchers studied organizations. As a result, assumptions persisted about the “typical” offender and organizational setting for white-collar crime. Using a sample of 1,142 occupational fraud cases, the present study addressed voids in the literature by comparing differences in individual offender characteristics (i.e., age, gender, education, and position in the organization) and organizational victim characteristics (i.e., size, type, existing control mechanisms, and revenue) for three types of occupational fraud: asset misappropriation, corruption, and fraudulent statements. The analysis revealed that individuals who committed fraudulent statements conformed to the literature's “high status” image, while those involved in asset misappropriation or corruption more closely resembled D. Weisburd, S. Wheeler, E. Waring, and N. Bode's (1991) “middle-class” offenders. Moreover, organizations victimized by corruption were similar to the literature's depiction of the large, profit-making company setting for white-collar crime, while the other two types of occupational fraud occurred in distinctly different settings. Implications for future research and fraud prevention are provided.

Controlling the New Media: Hybrid Responses to New Forms of Power

The development of new media industries, stimulated by the technology of digitalisation, has thrown up an important literature on mechanisms for regulation and control. In this article we elaborate on and develop Lawrence Lessig’s ‘modalities of regulation’ analysis. As we reconceive them the four basic control forms are premised upon hierarchy, competition, community and design and can be deployed in fifteen pure and hybrid forms. This analysis is enriched through elaborating on the essential elements of control systems (standard–setting, monitoring and behaviour modification) to demonstrate the importance and variety of hybrid forms that real–world control systems take in the new media domains. Although the article does not provide any universal prescriptions as to which control forms are likely to be most appropriate in particular domains, it does provide a richer analytical base both for understanding existing control mechanisms and the potential for using greater variety. The development of regulatory regimes which are both legitimate and effective in any given domain is likely to require sensitivity to the particular context and culture of both the domain and the jurisdiction within which it is located.

Health care reform and social participation

This article begins by briefly reviewing different forms of citizen participation in the health system. The article then suggests the need for mechanisms for society to control each of the tasks that the health system should perform: defining overall policies, financing, insurance, service provision, and evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of the system. In general, in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, health sector policy formulation continues to be carried out in a centralized manner, with limited involvement by individuals and little adaptation to local realities. The reform processes in the Region are progressing in defining or improving the financing responsibility so as to better reconcile the objectives of equity, efficiency, and freedom of choice. Nevertheless, little has been done to develop instruments for citizens to control the functions of financing and insurance. Appropriate instruments are still lacking for citizens to effectively manage service providers. Among the principal obstacles to citizen participation in the health sector in the Region are: inequality in the distribution of income and other forms of power, an embryonic recognition of the rights of people when they are dealing with public services, limited information concerning those rights and the absence of mechanisms for people to truly exercise them, the weakness with which existing control mechanisms recognize social diversity and incorporate the views of minorities or of the most marginalized groups in society, and weak civic organizations.