External Operator Research Articles

Techno-economic analysis for the electric vehicle battery aging management of charge point operator

Temperature is a major factor that affects battery aging. Therefore, charging stations exposed to the external environment and charge point operator (CPO) operation strategy can significantly affect battery aging. In particular, when providing power services that may require a high C-rate, electric vehicle (EV) battery aging can be aggravated in certain environments. Therefore, battery aging management according to the provided power service needs to be dealt with from the perspective of the CPO, which establishes the operation strategy, in addition to the EV. This study focuses on EV battery aging management considering the charging station operating environment from the point of view of a CPO. Battery aging model considers the mutual influence between charging station's ambient temperature, EV cabin temperature, battery temperature, and battery temperature management system (BTMS). Based on this, the CPO establishes an optimal smart charging strategy considering the BTMS operating conditions and the power consumption of EVs working in an independent environment. Based on this, the technical and economic effects of battery aging management according to participation in power services were analyzed. Case study results show that indoor stations can reduce management costs for battery aging by up to 13.31% compared to that in outdoor stations.

Positivity, low twist dominance and CSDR for CFTs

We consider a crossing symmetric dispersion relation (CSDR) for CFT four point correlation with identical scalar operators, which is manifestly symmetric under the cross-ratios u,vu,v interchange. This representation has several features in common with the CSDR for quantum field theories. It enables a study of the expansion of the correlation function around u=v=1/4u=v=1/4, which is used in the numerical conformal bootstrap program. We elucidate several remarkable features of the dispersive representation using the four point correlation function of \Phi_{1,2}Φ1,2 operators in 2d minimal models as a test-bed. When the dimension of the external scalar operator (\Delta_\sigmaΔσ) is less than \frac{1}{2}12, the CSDR gets contribution from only a single tower of global primary operators with the second tower being projected out. We find that there is a notion of low twist dominance (LTD) which, as a function of \Delta_\sigmaΔσ, is maximized near the 2d Ising model as well as the non-unitary Yang-Lee model. The CSDR and LTD further explain positivity of the Taylor expansion coefficients of the correlation function around the crossing symmetric point and lead to universal predictions for specific ratios of these coefficients. These results carry over to the epsilon expansion in 4-\epsilon4−ϵ dimensions. We also conduct a preliminary investigation of geometric function theory ideas, namely the Bieberbach-Rogosinski bounds.

Preliminary Results of a Structural Health Monitoring System Application for Real-Time Debonding Detection on a Full-Scale Composite Spar.

The present paper reports the outcomes of activities concerning a real-time SHM system for debonding flaw detection based on ground testing of an aircraft structural component as a basis for condition-based maintenance. In this application, a damage detection method unrelated to structural or load models is investigated. In the reported application, the system is applied for real-time detection of two flaws, kissing bond type, artificially deployed over a full-scale composite spar under the action of external bending loads. The proposed algorithm, local high-edge onset (LHEO), detects damage as an edge onset in both the space and time domains, correlating current strain levels to next strain levels within a sliding inner product proportional to the sensor step and the acquisition time interval, respectively. Real-time implementation can run on a consumer-grade computer. The SHM algorithm was written in Matlab and compiled as a Python module, then called from a multiprocess wrapper code with separate operations for data reception and data elaboration. The proposed SHM system is made of FBG arrays, an interrogator, an in-house SHM code, an original decoding software (SW) for real-time implementation of multiple SHM algorithms and a continuous interface with an external operator.

Greek non-negative min, epistemic modality, and positive bias

Modern Greek displays two variants of the word min; one corresponds to a negative marker, and the other corresponds to an epistemic modal. We focus on the latter and provide, for the first time to our knowledge, experimental evidence on its exact interpretation, showing that (i) non-negative min is incompatible with the overt realization of polar propositional alternatives {p,¬p}, (ii) it conveys medium speaker certainty with respect to the expressed proposition p, and (iii) it encodes speaker bias in favor of p. Our findings support the novel generalization that non-negative min is uniformly interpreted as conveying that the speaker is neither unbiased nor negatively biased (as suggested by the previous literature on the topic), but positively biased with respect to a proposition p. We argue that non-negative min is a biased epistemic modal that needs to be licensed by an external non-veridical operator.

Bioinspired shark skin-based liquid metal triboelectric nanogenerator for self-powered gait analysis and long-term rehabilitation monitoring

Real-time gait monitoring is crucial for neuromuscular diagnosis and rehabilitation of neuromuscular ailments. However, the existing wearable sensors for gait analysis suffer from several drawbacks, such as external power requirement, poor sensitivity, short-term stability, and professional operator requirement, which restrict their applicability outside clinical settings. Here, a next-generation self-powered solid-liquid triboelectric nanogenerator-based flexible wearable sensor is developed. The proposed sensor is composed of a highly resilient liquid metal encapsulated within an innovative bio-mimicked shark skin-like microstructure embedded on the Ecoflex surface. The unique surface morphology imparts hydrophobicity to the solid triboelectric layer, which prevents the liquid metal adhesion during sensing and facilitates highly sensitive real-time monitoring of signals and long-term stability. The as-designed low-cost, highly scalable self-powered sensor, which is also compatible with diverse detection strategies, provides an on-demand user-friendly point-of-care gait detection and rehabilitation monitoring system with significant applications in personalized health care and sports science.

Monte Carlo approach to the conformal bootstrap

We introduce an approach to find approximate numerical solutions of truncated bootstrap equations for Conformal Field Theories (CFTs) in arbitrary dimensions. The method is based on a stochastic search via a Metropolis algorithm guided by an action $S$ which is the logarithm of the truncated bootstrap equations for a single scalar field correlator. While numerical conformal bootstrap methods based on semi-definite programming put rigorous exclusion bounds on CFTs, this method looks for approximate solutions, which correspond to local minima of $S$, when present, and can be even far from the extremality region. By this protocol we find that if no constraint on the operator scaling dimensions is imposed, $S$ has a single minimum, corresponding to the Free Theory. If we fix the external operator dimension, however, we encounter minima that can be studied with our approach. Imposing a conserved stress-tensor, a $\mathbf{Z}_2$ symmetry and one relevant scalar, we identify two regions where local minima of $S$ are present. When projected in the $(\Delta_\sigma, \Delta_{\epsilon})$-plane, $\sigma$ and $\epsilon$ being the external and the lightest exchanged operators, one of these regions essentially coincides with the extremality line found in previous bootstrap studies. The other region is along the generalized free theories in $d = 2$ and below that in both $d = 3$ and $d = 4$. We empirically prove that some of the minima found are associated to known theories, including the $2d$ and $3d$ Ising theories and the $2d$ Yang-Lee model.

Cluster perturbation theory. VIII. First order properties for a coupled cluster state.

We have extended cluster perturbation (CP) theory to comprehend the calculation of first order properties (FOPs). We have determined CP FOP series where FOPs are determined as a first energy derivative and also where the FOPs are determined as a generalized expectation value of the external perturbation operator over the coupled cluster state and its biorthonormal multiplier state. For S(D) orbital excitation spaces, we find that the CP series for FOPs that are determined as a first derivative, in general, in second order have errors of a few percent in the singles and doubles correlation contribution relative to the targeted coupled cluster (CC) results. For a SD(T) orbital excitation space, we find that the CP series for FOPs determined as a generalized expectation value in second order have errors of about ten percent in the triples correlation contribution relative to the targeted CC results. These second order models, therefore, constitute viable alternatives for determining high quality FOPs.

Two-stage optimization of a virtual power plant incorporating with demand response and energy complementation

The virtual power plant (VPP) breaks the geographical restrictions of environment and resource types by virtue of aggregating the distributed energy resources and dispatchable loads. In view of the impact of large-scale energy consumption by users on the operational safety of VPP, based on the existing demand response (DR) researches, this paper adds a penalty mechanism for the reasonable management of loads. For the difference of resources in multiple VPPs, the current researches ignore the energy interaction between different VPPs, and the external operator is introduced innovatively in this paper to coordinate the real-time complementation of regional energy. Considering the uncertainty from renewable energy and load, a two-stage scheduling strategy for VPP with multi-time scale optimization is proposed, including a long-time scale day-ahead scheduling and a short-time scale real-time scheduling. On the basis of DR and unit constraints, the resource scheduling plan is formulated in the day-ahead stage. In the real-time stage, the energy complementation between VPPs is considered under the framework of rolling optimization for the correction of the previous plan. The scheduling of both stages is aimed at the economic operation of the VPP. Simulation results show that the DR flexibly optimizes the load distribution while bringing economic benefits, and the total profit can be increased by up to 6.65%. Moreover, the results show that the energy interaction under the external operator coordination significantly reduces the total correction cost by up to 8.23%, and the correction cost is decreased with the extension of the rolling optimization scheduling period.

Deconstructing the Minimum Clinically Important Difference (MCID).

PurposeThe minimal clinically important difference (MCID) is a way of dichotomizing data for assessment of success or failure based on clinically meaningful changes. The magnitude of the MCID is often misunderstood to be a singular quantity applicable across studies. However, substantial differences have been reported among MCIDs for the same outcome measures usually based upon differences extrinsic to the calculation. This study explores the effects of variabilities intrinsic to the calculation of the MCID.MethodsThe MCIDs for two knee replacement patient-reported outcomes measures of pain and function were calculated at 1 year postoperative with an integrative anchor and distribution-based method using external anchor questions and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves. The effects upon the magnitude and precision of the MCIDs of varying the anchor questions, the thresholds for success/failure, and the sample sizes were examined.ResultsWide variabilities were observed in both the magnitudes and precision of the MCIDs. The threshold for success had the largest effect on magnitude of pain scores, while the sample size had the largest effect on precision. For function scores, the sample size had the largest effect on magnitude, and the anchor question had the largest effect on precision.ConclusionComparisons among MCIDs are difficult to interpret if elements of the calculations are different and influence the results. While factors extrinsic to the calculations, e.g., study population, trial design, methods of calculation, etc., are known to produce differences in the magnitude of MCIDs, this study shows that more subtle and less obvious factors intrinsic to the calculations have profound effects on both the magnitude and precision of MCIDs. Comparisons among MCIDs should be made with caution and call for greater transparency in reporting intrinsic methods. It is probably advisable for individual studies to calculate their own MCIDs and not rely on published values.

СПОСІБ ДЕПАРТМЕНІЗАЦІЇ ЕЛЕКТРОННОЇ КАРТИ ПРИ ЗОВНІШНЬОМУ УПРАВЛІННІ РОЗХОДЖЕННЯ СУДЕН В ЗОНІ ВІДПОВІДАЛЬНОСТІ СУРС

Hazards to navigation create conditions for emergency situations, even when modern navigation devices are used. Now there are a few protocols of connection between ships, which are equipped with modern intellectual devices. Modern protocols of connection between ships are calculated by artificial intelligence. Using artificial intelligence allow seafarers achieve high level of navigation safety. Ship’s remote-control needs upgrading to achieve new level of safe maneuvering. Only creating new algorithms of system checking, which are used by external operators can improve navigation safety throughout The World Ocean. Integrated method of task’s complex solution is offered by using early determination of emergency factors in course of vessels’ passing under external control in VTS area. This paper is aimed at the development of a method of safe and gradual transition to autonomous shipping in the future through the use of electronic database of dangerous parameters of ship proximity through their model situational integration into modern ship information systems of electronic charts of VTS operators. Remote control of marine facilities in the future cannot go into the stage of safe implementation without the development of an algorithm for the gradual implementation of the control system by external operators. The transition to unmanned shipping requires the establishment of checkpoints to monitor the reciprocal movement of such facilities. Therefore, it is very important to ensure a safe transition period with the operation of remote control of the external operator of the ship's traffic control systems with local direct control of the ship by her crew. The use by qualified operators of vessel traffic control systems of the method of departmentization of the electronic chart to regional orthogonal zones on the basis of areas of unacceptable convergence parameters is just one of such innovative steps in ensuring the functioning of checkpoints. In the future, this method may become a part of the main operating system of intelligent protocol of communication for remote external control of vessels.

Privacy-preserving energy storage sharing with blockchain and secure multi-party computation

Energy storage provides an effective way of shifting temporal energy demands and supplies, which enables significant cost reduction under time-of-use energy pricing plans. Despite its promising benefits, the cost of present energy storage remains expensive, presenting a major obstacle to practical deployment. A more viable solution to improve the cost-effectiveness is by sharing energy storage, such as community sharing, cloud energy storage and peer-to-peer sharing. However, revealing private energy demand data to an external energy storage operator may compromise user privacy, and is susceptible to data misuses and breaches. In this paper, we explore a novel approach to support energy storage sharing with privacy protection, based on privacy-preserving blockchain and secure multi-party computation. We present an integrated solution to enable privacy-preserving energy storage sharing, such that energy storage service scheduling and cost-sharing can be attained without the knowledge of individual users' demands. It also supports auditing and verification by the grid operator via blockchain. Furthermore, our privacy-preserving solution can safeguard against a majority of dishonest users, who may collude in cheating, without requiring a trusted third-party. We implemented our solution as a smart contract on real-world Ethereum blockchain platform, and provided empirical evaluation in this paper 1 .

On the mean value of the force operator for 1D particles in the step potential

In the one-dimensional Klein-Fock-Gordon theory, the probability density is a discontinuous function at the point where the step potential is discontinuous. Thus, the mean value of the external classical force operator cannot be calculated from the corresponding formula of the mean value. To resolve this issue, we obtain this quantity directly from the Klein-Fock-Gordon equation in Hamiltonian form, or the Feshbach-Villars wave equation. Not without surprise, the result obtained is not proportional to the average of the discontinuity of the probability density but to the size of the discontinuity. In contrast, in the one-dimensional Schr\"odinger and Dirac theories this quantity is proportional to the value that the respective probability density takes at the point where the step potential is discontinuous. We examine these issues in detail in this paper. The presentation is suitable for the advanced undergraduate level.

Real-world use of key performance indicators for point-of-Care Testing network accredited by ISO 22870

ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate the results of key performance indicators (KPIs) for a period of over three years, as well as their effectiveness as an improvement tool, to provide information about Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) management system performance and quality assurance. Design and methodsKPIs regarding the global POCT process, extra-analytical phase, quality assurance and staff training and competency were evaluated for blood gases, HbA1c, sweat test and non-connected and connected glucose in an ISO 22870 accredited network. We established the definition of every KPI and its corresponding target. The results of KPIs from all clinical settings were appraised every month during the study period, taking corrective actions when necessary. ResultsAnnual global results were generally acceptable. However, some clinical areas displayed deviations in specific months. The monitoring of these KPIs allowed us to detect the deviations immediately and identify their causes. These included errors in patient identification, consumables, strips, reagents, analyzers, calibration, internal and external quality control, sample management, connectivity, and operator identification strategy, among others. ConclusionsThe evaluation of these KPIs over time has shown their appropriateness. This set of quality indicators could be a useful tool for laboratory medicine leading POCT networks for better and safer patient care.

VENUS SHELL: Personalized 3D Printed Breast Shells for Prone Breast Radiotherapy

Patients report that the dedicated boards used in prone breast treatment are uncomfortable. In practice it is also difficult to reproducibly align the patient in prone, requiring time and repeated imaging to properly position the patient. In this study we investigate the idea of using personalized, 3D printed, breast shells to transform the breast board into a personalized device with the aim to improve patient comfort and reduce positioning time and inaccuracy. A healthy volunteer was put in treatment position on top of a modified dedicated breast board using movable, plexiglass, transparent, body-shaper elements to shape the body as wanted. A 3D surface model of the volunteer was then acquired using a high-resolution surface scanner. Using CAD software two different shell models that attach to the treatment board were created. The first model was 3D printed in PLA and the second both in PLA and PET-G. The volunteer self-positioned herself repeatedly in treatment position without feedback from an external operator. Cranial, medial and caudal skin marks were made on the volunteer’s back and thorax. Reproducibility of body position with respect to reference marks made on the shells was measured 5 times per shell using the in-room laser and a ruler with mm graduation. The first position was taken as reference position. Time to self-align from sitting on the board to treatment position was measured and categorized as longer or shorter than 1 minute. Comfort with and without shell was simply reported by the volunteer. Comfort increased with both shell models even while testing over a 40 minutes period. Time to align and position reproducibility depended on the shell model, but not on the shell material. Self-positioning within the shell reproduced the body position with a mean ± standard deviation of 5 ± 3 mm for the 1st shell model but which required more than 1 minute for volunteer to find a comfortable fit. The 2nd model allowed to self-align within 1 minute and had good position accuracy of 2 ± 2 mm. Personalized, 3D printed, breast shells could help improve patient comfort in prone position and obtain a patient pre-positioning accuracy of a few millimeters within 1 minute. Because the shell material is MRI compatible, it is possible to do MRI prone simulation and diagnostic in final treatment position. A clinical trial is currently in preparation and will soon verify if these results can be reproduced on a population of real breast cancer patients.

A Wizard-of-Oz experimental approach to study the human factors of automated vehicles: Platform and methods evaluation

Objectives Driving simulation is an important platform for studying vehicle automation. There are different approaches to using this platform – with most using scripting or programmatic tools to simulate vehicle automation. A less frequently used approach, the Wizard-of-Oz method, has potential for increased flexibility and efficiency in designing and conducting experiments. This study designed and evaluated an experimental setup to examine the feasibility of this approach as an alternative for conducting automation studies. Methods Twenty-four participants experienced simulated vehicle automation in two platforms, one where the automation was controlled by algorithms, and the other where the automation was simulated by an external operator. Surveys were administered after each drive and the drivers’ takeover performance after the automation disengaged was measured. Results Results indicate that while the kinematic parameters of the driving differed significantly for the two platforms, there were no significant differences in the perceptions of participants and in their takeover performance between the two platforms. Conclusion These results provide evidence for the use of alternative approaches for the conduct of human factors studies on vehicle automation, potentially lowering barriers to undertaking such experiments while increasing flexibility in designing more complex studies.

Superconformal partial waves for stress-tensor multiplet correlator in 4D mathcal{N} = 2 SCFTs

We compute the superconformal partial waves of the four-point correlator 〈JJJJ〉, in which the external operator J is the superconformal primary of the 4D mathcal{N} = 2 stress-tensor multiplet mathcal{J} . We develop the superembedding formalism for the superconformal field theories (SCFTs) with extended supersymmetry. In mathcal{N} = 2 SCFTs, the three- point functions leftlangle mathcal{JJO}rightrangle with general multiplet mathcal{O} contain two independent nilpotent superconformal invariants and new superconformal tensor structures, which can be nicely constructed from variables in superembedding space, and the three-point functions can be written in compact forms. We compute the superconformal partial waves corresponding to the exchange of long multiplets using supershadow approach. The results are consistent with the non-trivial constraints by decomposing the mathcal{N} = 2 superconformal blocks into mathcal{N} = 1 superconformal blocks. Our results provide the necessary ingredient to study the fascinating 4D mathcal{N} = 2 SCFTs using conformal bootstrap.

The Choice of work for Outsourcing: Assessment Tools

The more extensive usage of outsourcing technology poses the challenge for enterprise management to identify possible benefits and problems of such cooperation. For this reason, the purpose of this study is to establish a procedure to determine the operations most suitable for outsourcing. The methodological base of the work consists of the new institutional economic theory provisions; situational analysis, mathematical and logical modeling of the identified relationships are used as methods of study. As a research result, the author detailed the elaboration of criteria that determine the effectiveness of the business processes transfer of the company to an external operator. As well as he specified the sequence of their application within a single procedure of the assessment. There are combined the specified factors in four directions, which characterize the key organizational and economic aspects of outsourcing. The specific feature of the approach is the consideration not only of traditional parameters related to the study of customer requests and the contractor capabilities, but also the nature of the relationship between the parties, as well as the state of the market environment in which the work is carried out. In conclusion, the author proposed an algorithm forexpress-assessment of the effectiveness of the transfer of operations to a third-party operator, based on the introduced approach. The results obtained will be useful to managers for identifying business development opportunities based on the outsourcing.

Implementation of the quasiparticle finite amplitude method within the relativistic self-consistent mean-field framework: The program DIRQFAM

The DIRQFAM code calculates the multipole response of even–even axially symmetric deformed nuclei using the framework of relativistic self-consistent mean-field models. The response is calculated by implementing the finite amplitude method for relativistic quasiparticle random phase approximation. Program summaryProgram Title:DIRQFAMProgram Files doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.17632/6gv8nxg4ns.1Licensing provisions: GPLv3Programming language: Fortran 90/95, easily downgradable to FORTRAN 77.External routines/libraries: BLAS/LAPACK, version 3.6.0. or higher.Nature of problem: Multipole response of deformed even–even open-shell nuclei can be calculated using the quasiparticle finite amplitude method (QFAM), based on the relativistic self-consistent mean-field models. The particle–hole channel is described by a zero-range relativistic effective interaction, while the particle–particle channel of the effective inter-nucleon interaction is described by a separable finite-range pairing force. The method can be applied to perform systematic studies of collective modes even in heavy deformed nuclei.Solution method: The current implementation computes the multipole response by solving the QFAM equations in a self-consistent iteration scheme. At each iteration the QFAM solutions are updated using the modified Broyden’s method. The QFAM amplitudes are expanded in the simplex-y harmonic oscillator basis.Restrictions: Open-shell even–even nuclei with axially symmetric ground states are considered. An electric multipole operator with J≤3 is used to calculate the response function.Unusual features: The code should be recompiled before running it with different values of one of the following input parameters: number of oscillator shells in the expansion of nucleon spinors (n0f), number of Gauss–Hermite (NGH) or Gauss–Laguerre nodes (NGL), the multipolarity values that define the external perturbation operator (J_multipole, K_multipole).

External Jensen-type operator inequalities via superquadraticity

In this paper we establish several Jensen-type operator inequalities for a class of superquadratic functions and self-adjoint operators. Our results are given in the so-called external form. As an application, we give improvements of the H?lder-McCarthy inequality and the classical discrete and integral Jensen inequality in the corresponding external forms. In addition, the established Jensen-type inequalities are compared with the previously known results and we show that our results provide more accurate estimates in some general settings.

Automatic multiple moving humans detection and tracking in image sequences taken from a stationary thermal infrared camera

Several Particle Filter (PF)-based methods for human tracking in thermal IR image sequences have been proposed in the literature. Unfortunately, the majority of these methods are developed for tracking only a single human. Moreover, this human is manually pre-selected in the first frame of the image sequence, which is not practical for the real case of intelligent and efficient video surveillance system that needs tracking more than one human and without any external operator intervention. To contribute to addressing this need, in this paper, we propose a novel PF-based method that detects and tracks multiple moving humans using a thermal IR camera, without prior knowledge about their number and initial locations in the monitored scene. This method consists of three main parts. In the first one, all the moving objects are extracted from the image sequence by using the Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) and then, for each extracted object, a combined shape, appearance, spatial and temporal-based similarity function that allows us to detect a human without any prior training of a mathematical model is calculated. The second part consists in tracking the human previously detected by using a PF and an adaptive combination of spatial, intensity, texture and motion velocity cues. In each cue, a model for the detected human is created, and when new observations arrive in the next frames, the similarity distances between each created model and the observed moving regions are calculated. The human tracking is achieved by combining individual similarity distances using adaptive weights, into a PF algorithm. The third part is devoted to detect and handle occlusions by using simple heuristic rules and grayscale Vertical Projection Histogram (VPH). Each part of the proposed method was separately tested on a set of real-world thermal IR image sequences containing background clutters, appearance and disappearance of multiple moving objects, occlusions, illumination and scales changes. A comparative study with several state-of-the-art methods has shown that the proposed method performs consistently better in terms of Center Location Error (CLE) and the Success Rate (SR), and it can also run at speed of about 15 Frame Per Second per human, which is considerably enough for real-time applications.