Tracking Mechanism Research Articles

The optimization of the tracking mechanism used for a group of PV panels

The paper presents researches on increasing the energetic & economic efficiency of the photovoltaic conversion by designing and optimizing a dual-axis tracking mechanism that simultaneously changes the position of the panels using two motor sources; the driving source for the daily motion is a rotary motor, while the seasonal motion is performed with a linear actuator. The main task in optimizing the tracking mechanism is to maximize the energetic gain by increasing the solar input and minimizing the energy consumption for tracking. The design strategy aims to identify the optimum angular field for the daily motion, as well as the optimum actuating time in the step-by-step motion. The study is made by developing the virtual prototype of the tracking mechanism, in the mechatronic concept.

Geared Linkage driven by Linear Actuator used for PV Platform Azimuth Orientation

. To gain more solar energy the photovoltaic converter must be tracked relatively to the sun movement. The majority of the tracking systems use complicated and costly rotating mechanisms to build large angular strokes. This paper presents a new type of geared linkage composed of a triangular linkage fitted with a planetary gear pair able to reach high angular strokes. This linkage is used as basic mechanism for the azimuth tracking of a photovoltaic platform. The kinematic synthesis of the linkage shows that the azimuth angular stroke increases with the planetary gear internal ratio |i0|. The linkage is further implemented for an azimuth mono-axial tracked PV module located in a mountain location (case study - Brasov, Romania). Through numerical simulations, the amount of direct solar radiation on the PV module and the tracking efficiency are evaluated.

Adaptive consensus tracking control for robotic manipulators with nonlinear time‐varying fault‐tolerant actuator and unknown control input directions

SummaryThe consensus tracking mechanism of a multi‐agent system consisting of third‐order nonlinear single joint manipulators was investigated in this study based on the pertinent industrial context. Unlike many previous studies on consensus control that presumed a known control direction, this investigation addressed the complex challenges posed by unknown control directions and time‐varying actuators. Specifically, we explored both time‐invariant and time‐varying actuator faults in scenarios wherein all parameters are unknown. The Nussbaum function was utilized to resolve time‐varying nonlinear fault‐tolerance and unknown control direction problems. In the design process of the control law, the backstepping method combining with Nussbaum function is adopted to address unmatched nonlinearity and unmatched uncertainty system, and the radial basis function neural network is used to approximate the unknown parameters The resulting control law allows all robotic manipulators to track the angle and angular velocity of the leader. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.

Innovative bi-axial tracking mechanism for PV modules

The paper deals with an innovative bi-axial tracking mechanism for a group of photovoltaic (PV) modules, which combines the features of the classical platform and string configurations. For the daily movement (corresponding to the primary axis), the sun tracking is performed as in the case of a PV platform, while the elevation movement (around the secondary axis, which is referenced to the primary one) is transmitted similar to the case of a string of PV modules. The sun tracking is conducted by an open-loop control strategy, based on a predefined step-by-step algorithm, which was designed so that to capture as much as possible incident solar radiation with a minimum energy consumption for achieving the orientation. The modeling, simulation and optimization of the solar tracker is performed by using the virtual prototyping package ADAMS.

Risk Management and Value of Listed Commercial Banks in Nigeria

This study was carried out to examine the relationship between risk management and value of listed commercial banks in Nigeria. The study, anchored on the risk management theory, adopted the ex post facto research design. The population consists of all listed commercial banks in Nigeria. Data for the study were collected from secondary sources through content analysis of corporate financial statements of the sampled commercial banks for the period 2017 to 2022. The data collected were analysed using the descriptive and inferential statistics while the hypotheses formulated for the study were tested using the panel regression analytical method. Findings of the study showed that operational risks and liquidity risks management have a significant positive relationship with market value of listed commercial banks in Nigeria. The study also found that market value has a negative and significant relationship with credit risks. The study therefore concludes that risk management practices influence the market value of listed commercial banks in Nigeria and recommends amongst others that automated credit tracking mechanism should be put in place by the management of commercial banks so as to reduce the possibility of default and outstanding loans beyond the substandard loan level of between 90 to 180 days.

Promoting Financial Accountability in Churches & Parachurch Institutions.

All organizations, including churches, must be transparent and responsible with financial resources to maintain confidence and the credibility of their stakeholders. Resource management for churches is an important aspect of the church’s supply chain because churches are obligated to take care of and manage member gifts and donations. It is imperative for churches to set explicit policies for the handling, documentation, and reporting of resources. These policies should address budgetary planning, spending approval, and the implementation of measures to prevent fraud and conflicts of interest. Additionally, churches have the freedom to release annual financial reports or updates that include financial data including sources of income, costs, assets, and liabilities. Annual budgets comprising estimated revenues and expenses are developed and presented to the leadership for review and approval. Churches have an opportunity to have outside professionals conduct an impartial review or audit of their financial records. Additionally, churches have the ability to form finance committees made up of knowledgeable and seasoned experts in human resources, accounting, taxation, and law who can provide expert counsel. A mechanism for tracking and recording member donations ought to be in place within the church. Information regarding the receipt and distribution of funds via various channels of communication should be transparent. Although the aforementioned is commendable, it should be highlighted that accountability by itself faces numerous difficulties, such as opposition to change and the aversion of the status quo to adopting novel approaches. An inability to establish appropriate financial management guidelines could also be the result of ignorance. Complicating matters is the fact that some volunteers may sincerely wish to help but lack the appropriate education and training. Members of the board, for example, who oversee the church's governance, may be financially illiterate. The Chairman's Role in Financial Accountability is only realised when there is an effective implementation of a meaningful mission through an effective board with people elected into offices with well-capacitated board members. Well-functioning boards have a stake in the church's ability to carry out its mission plan. This is accomplished by holding frequent meetings and aggressively managing essential operational tasks, such as monitoring the church budget.

Research on the Influence Mechanism of Physical Health Tracking on the Sustainability of Physical Exercise under Big Data

Research on the Influence Mechanism of Physical Health Tracking on the Sustainability of Physical Exercise under Big Data

Study of PLL less DSGTP System using band-pass filter and APC (active power coefficient) control

This paper represents a study on a grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) system connected to a non-linear load. The system includes a PV array, a boost converter, a voltage source inverter (VSI), and a coupling inductor for grid connection. The maximum power point tracking (MPPT) mechanism based on Perturb and Observe (P&O) method which is used to control the duty ratio of the boost converter. Synchronization is achieved through a second-order band-pass filter instead of a Phase Locked Loop (PLL). However, the non-linear load causes poor current quality, leading to a high Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) in the grid current, which may affect the sinusoidal nature of the grid current and other connected loads. To address the harmonics problem, an Active Power Coefficient (APC) control technique is implemented to control the PV inverter gate pulse. The proposed model has been simulated in Matlab/Simulink, and system output parameters are analysed graphically. The simulation results indicate that the proposed approach maintains the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the grid current below 5% even in changing weather conditions, which satisfies the IEEE 519 standard.

An Improved Trajectory Tracking Mechanism With Adaptive Critic for Event-Based Multiplayer Zero-Sum Games

An Improved Trajectory Tracking Mechanism With Adaptive Critic for Event-Based Multiplayer Zero-Sum Games

Fluorescent small molecule donors.

Small molecule donors (SMDs) play subtle roles in the signaling mechanism and disease treatments. While many excellent SMDs have been developed, dosage control, targeted delivery, spatiotemporal feedback, as well as the efficiency evaluation of small molecules are still key challenges. Accordingly, fluorescent small molecule donors (FSMDs) have emerged to meet these challenges. FSMDs enable controllable release and non-invasive real-time monitoring, providing significant advantages for drug development and clinical diagnosis. Integration of FSMDs with chemotherapeutic, photodynamic or photothermal properties can take full advantage of each mode to enhance therapeutic efficacy. Given the remarkable properties and the thriving development of FSMDs, we believe a review is needed to summarize the design, triggering strategies and tracking mechanisms of FSMDs. With this review, we compiled FSMDs for most small molecules (nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, reactive oxygen species and formaldehyde), and discuss recent progress concerning their molecular design, structural classification, mechanisms of generation, triggered release, structure-activity relationships, and the fluorescence response mechanism. Firstly, from the large number of fluorescent small molecular donors available, we have organized the common structures for producing different types of small molecules, providing a general strategy for the development of FSMDs. Secondly, we have classified FSMDs in terms of the respective donor types and fluorophore structures. Thirdly, we discuss the mechanisms and factors associated with the controlled release of small molecules and the regulation of the fluorescence responses, from which universal guidelines for optical properties and structure rearrangement were established, mainly involving light-controlled, enzyme-activated, reactive oxygen species-triggered, biothiol-triggered, single-electron reduction, click chemistry, and other triggering mechanisms. Fourthly, representative applications of FSMDs for trackable release, and evaluation monitoring, as well as for visible in vivo treatment are outlined, to illustrate the potential of FSMDs in drug screening and precision medicine. Finally, we discuss the opportunities and remaining challenges for the development of FSMDs for practical and clinical applications, which we anticipate will stimulate the attention of researchers in the diverse fields of chemistry, pharmacology, chemical biology and clinical chemistry. With this review, we hope to impart new understanding thereby enabling the rapid development of the next generation of FSMDs.

Survey on IoT Privacy, Data Protection and Security Concerns

Abstract: The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has transformed the way we interact with the digital world, offering unprecedented connectivity and convenience. However, this rapid expansion brings forth profound challenges concerning privacy, data protection, and security. This survey paper comprehensively explores the multifaceted landscape of IoT, dissecting its architecture, and delving into the intricate web of concerns surrounding user privacy, data safeguarding, and system security.Beginning with an examination of the IoT architecture, we dissect the interconnected layers, ranging from sensors to cloud platforms, illustrating the intricate pathways of data flow. The survey meticulously unfolds the privacy challenges embedded in the constant data collection, tracking, and profiling mechanisms intrinsic to IoT devices. Drawing on real-world examples, we underscore the tangible consequences of privacy breaches and the potential erosion of user trust.In the realm of data protection, we delve into the complexities of safeguarding data integrity, confidentiality, and availability within the IoT ecosystem. Regulatory frameworks, notably the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), are scrutinized for their impact on shaping data protection practices. Concurrently, the paper uncovers common security threats in IoT, emphasizing vulnerabilities in devices and the looming risks associated with unauthorized access and data breaches.Navigating through the regulatory landscape, the survey provides an overview of existing standards and regulations governing IoT. Case studies spotlight instances of privacy breaches, data protection lapses, and security vulnerabilities, offering practical insights into the implications of these incidents. Mitigation strategies, encompassing encryption, authentication, and access control, are explored to address the identified concerns.As the paper concludes, it synthesizes the key findings, emphasizing the urgency of continued efforts to fortify IoT against privacy, data protection, and security challenges. The survey anticipates future trends and challenges, offering a roadmap for researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to collectively forge a secure and privacy-aware IoT landscape.

Model Prototype of a Solar Tracking System Supplying Electrical Power for Sensors Used in a Natural Disaster Monitoring System

Sun is the universe main source of energy. This energy can be converted to useful electrical energy by the utilization of solar panels or photovoltaic (PV) during the daytime with the presence of suitable sun irradiation level. It is important that during the energy conversion process, suitable methods are employed to extract as much energy as possible from the PV panels. Some issues affecting PV performance are the accuracy of the panel’s orientation and tilt angle with respect to the sun position. This causes PV to operate with lower efficiency, thus generating low output power compared to its rated capacity. One of the approaches to this issue is to constantly maintain a perpendicular profile of PV panels towards the sun direction as to capture the sun energy as much as possible, thus increases the PV efficiency. To do so, the conversion system needs a tracking mechanism to help the solar panel to constantly follow the sun’s direction, enhancing the achievement of higher PV efficiency. For this reason, a model prototype has been designed and developed which consists of a dual-axis solar tracking system, with two axis movement direction from east to west and north to south by utilizing the Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs) sensors. This tracking system is developed using Arduino UNO as the microcontroller that allows the PV panel to move optimally towards the high intensity of sunlight via four LDRs and two servo motors. To analyze the PV tracker’s performance, a monitoring system is implemented using ThingSpeak platform as the Internet of Things (IoT) platform interfacing with the controller Node MCU ESP8266. This monitoring system records the data of the PV energy parameters from the sensors’ output employed in this prototype. To assess the system efficacy, the dual-axis tracking system is compared with the single-axis tracking system. The result showed that the dual-axis tracker has efficiencies of 68.46% which is higher compared to that’s of the single-axis tracker. Implementation of the real-time monitoring system has shown a practical and handy way to analyze and monitor the solar tracking system’s performance.

Blockchain-enabled renewable energy certificate trading: A secure and privacy-preserving approach

In the 21st century, transitioning to renewable energy sources is imperative, with fossil fuel reserves depleting rapidly and recognizing critical environmental issues such as climate change, air pollution, water pollution, and habitat destruction. Embracing renewable energy is not only an environmental necessity but also a strategic move with multiple benefits. By shifting to renewable energy sources and supporting their production through the acquisition of renewable energy certificates, we foster innovation and drive economic growth in the renewable energy sector. This, in turn, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with global efforts to mitigate climate change. Additionally, renewable energy certificates ensure compliance with regulations that mandate the use of renewable energy, enhancing legal adherence while promoting transparency and trust in energy sourcing. To monitor the uptake of renewable energy, governments have implemented Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) as a tracking mechanism for the production and consumption of renewable energy. They certify the generation of a specific amount of electricity from renewable sources, allowing for accurate tracking of renewable energy contributions to the overall energy mix. However, there are two main challenges to the existing REC schema: (1) The RECs have not been globally adopted due to inconsistent design; (2) The consumer privacy has not been well incorporated in the design of blockchain. In this study, we investigate the trading of RECs between suppliers and consumers using the directed acyclic graph (DAG) blockchain system and introduce a trading schema to help protect consumer information. The DAG system reduces the intense calculation of typical blockchains for scalability and lowers mining fees by eliminating the mining of blocks. The proposed approach allows renewable energy suppliers and consumers to trade RECs globally and to take advantage of secure trading transactions. Our results demonstrate lower transaction time by 41% and energy consumption by 65% compared to proof-of-stake.

A preliminary characterization of and call for benchmarking pharmacy alumni engagement

IntroductionAlumni are essential but often overlooked stakeholders for pharmacy programs, and engaging alumni in philanthropy, volunteerism, events, and communication may have important implications for the growth and success of pharmacy programs. This research aims to preliminarily characterize pharmacy alumni engagement across four metrics and provide a call to action for standardized tracking and reporting of alumni engagement efforts across the Academy. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was sent to alumni relations and advancement personnel at United States schools and colleges of pharmacy. The survey gathered information on the accuracy of pharmacy alumni records, alumni engagement within four categories (philanthropy, communication, events, and volunteering), alumni relations personnel, and barriers to alumni engagement efforts. ResultsRespondents reported using various database systems to track and measure alumni engagement, and 41% noted having accurate pharmacy alumni records. Opportunities for alumni engagement within the four categories varied across institutions. Fifty percent of respondents indicated that one full-time equivalent position is allocated to pharmacy alumni engagement efforts at their institution. Barriers to alumni engagement efforts included limited budgets, and staff, engaging alumni via in-person events, and maintaining accurate alumni records. ConclusionsThe Academy may benefit from expanding the annual alumni survey and developing a consistent tracking mechanism to capture and report alumni engagement activities. Additionally, education on alumni engagement metrics and potential collaborative efforts with institutional alumni relations personnel would be of value. This is vital in developing and optimizing alumni relations efforts and engaging pharmacy alumni bases.

Validation of cost-efficient EEG experimental setup for neural tracking in an auditory attention task

When individuals listen to speech, their neural activity phase-locks to the slow temporal rhythm, which is commonly referred to as “neural tracking”. The neural tracking mechanism allows for the detection of an attended sound source in a multi-talker situation by decoding neural signals obtained by electroencephalography (EEG), known as auditory attention decoding (AAD). Neural tracking with AAD can be utilized as an objective measurement tool for diverse clinical contexts, and it has potential to be applied to neuro-steered hearing devices. To effectively utilize this technology, it is essential to enhance the accessibility of EEG experimental setup and analysis. The aim of the study was to develop a cost-efficient neural tracking system and validate the feasibility of neural tracking measurement by conducting an AAD task using an offline and real-time decoder model outside the soundproof environment. We devised a neural tracking system capable of conducting AAD experiments using an OpenBCI and Arduino board. Nine participants were recruited to assess the performance of the AAD using the developed system, which involved presenting competing speech signals in an experiment setting without soundproofing. As a result, the offline decoder model demonstrated an average performance of 90%, and real-time decoder model exhibited a performance of 78%. The present study demonstrates the feasibility of implementing neural tracking and AAD using cost-effective devices in a practical environment.

Mutational Signature Changes in Patients With Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal.

We examined the concordance of genetic mutations between pretreatment tumor tissue and posttreatment circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patients with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCCA) and assessed the impact of therapy on this concordance. We analyzed next-generation sequencing reports from pretreatment tumor tissue and posttreatment ctDNA in 11 patients with metastatic SCCA treated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center between 2017 and 2021. Among the mutations identified in posttreatment ctDNA, 34.5% were also found in pretreatment tumor tissue, while 47.6% of pretreatment tumor tissue mutations were found in posttreatment ctDNA. Four patients had preservation of potentially actionable mutations in both pretreatment tissue and posttreatment ctDNA, while 7 patients had newly identified mutations in posttreatment ctDNA that were not present in pretreatment tumor tissue. Patients with SCCA demonstrate a high degree of temporal mutational heterogeneity. This supports the hypothesis that ctDNA can serve as a real-time tracking mechanism for solid tumors' molecular evolution in response to therapy. Our findings highlight the potential of ctDNA in identifying emerging actionable mutations, supplementing information from tissue-based genomic assessments. Further research, ideally with larger and multi-institutional cohorts, is needed to validate our findings in this relatively rare tumor type.

Exploring Chinese Strong Base Plan Policy Development in Pilot Universities: a Policy Implementation Analysis

Abstract The strong base plan considers both college entrance examination results and comprehensive quality. It changes the practice of paying attention to subject knowledge in independent enrollment assessment. Based on the analysis of the training implementation of 36 colleges and universities in the pilot program, it is found that all colleges and universities have implemented the training programs and incentive mechanisms targeted by the Strong Base plan from various fields and have also made appropriate adjustments according to the disciplinary specialties and cultural traditions of different colleges and universities. Therefore, to further explore the implementation effect of the strong base plan, we should establish a long-term tracking mechanism and conduct more in-depth research on the participants of the strong base plan, so that we can get a glimpse of the overall implementation of the strong base plan.

Development of an Indoor Test-bed for Evaluation of Tracking Mechanism

Tracking systems are used in both solar photovoltaic and concentrated solar thermal power to harness solar energy. It is essential for a tracking mechanism to ensure reliability. There are possibilities of misalignment between collector and the sun, even if the sun’s position is known, which leads to noticeable energy losses. One of the reasons for this misalignment is the individual uncertainty/errors associated with different components of the tracking system. Evaluation of integrated tracking mechanism is, generally, performed on the field globally, which includes additional effects. Therefore, it is a very tedious process and time-consuming, in addition to the involved cost. Considering these aspects, this paper presents design of an indoor test-bed for evaluation of tracking mechanism under a controlled condition. The test-bed simulates the apparent sun-path, which is designed using a mathematical tool. A step-by-step approach for evaluation of a single-axis tracking mechanism is reported. However, provisions are made to evaluate even a dual-axial tracking mechanism. Experiments are performed with the considered one-axis tracking mechanism to demonstrate the applicability of such a test-bed. A comparative study shows that the test-bed indeed allows characterization of the developed one-axis tracking mechanism and its time independence. Thus, it can be safely stated that such a test bed, in future, will provide first-hand evaluation of existing and new tracking mechanism before its on-field implementation.

A novel visual tracking scheme for unstructured indoor environments

In the ever-expanding sphere of assistive robotics, the pressing need for advanced methods capable of accurately tracking individuals within unstructured indoor settings has been magnified. This research endeavours to devise a realtime visual tracking mechanism that encapsulates high performance attributes while maintaining minimal computational requirements. Inspired by the neural processes of the human brain’s visual information handling, our innovative algorithm employs a pattern image, serving as an ephemeral memory, which facilitates the identification of motion within images. This tracking paradigm was subjected to rigorous testing on a Nao humanoid robot, demonstrating noteworthy outcomes in controlled laboratory conditions. The algorithm exhibited a remarkably low false detection rate, less than 4%, and target losses were recorded in merely 12% of instances, thus attesting to its successful operation. Moreover, the algorithm’s capacity to accurately estimate the direct distance to the target further substantiated its high efficacy. These compelling findings serve as a substantial contribution to assistive robotics. The proficient visual tracking methodology proposed herein holds the potential to markedly amplify the competencies of robots operating in dynamic, unstructured indoor settings, and set the foundation for a higher degree of complex interactive tasks.

TransCP: A Transformer Pointer Network for Generic Entity Description Generation With Explicit Content-Planning

We study neural data-to-text generation to generate a sentence to describe a target entity based on its attributes. Specifically, we address two problems of the encoder-decoder framework for data-to-text generation: i) how to encode a non-linear input (e.g., a set of attributes); and ii) how to order the attributes in the generated description. Existing studies focus on the encoding problem but do not address the ordering problem, i.e., they learn the content-planning implicitly. The other approaches focus on two-stage models but overlook the encoding problem. To address the two problems at once, we propose a model named <bold xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">TransCP</b> to explicitly learn content-planning and integrate them into a description generation model in an end-to-end fashion. We propose a novel Transformer-based Pointer Network with <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">gated residual attention</i> and <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">importance masking</i> to learn a content-plan. To integrate the content-plan with a description generator, we propose a tracking mechanism to trace the extent to which the content-plan is exposed in the previous decoding time-step. This helps the description generator select the attributes to be mentioned in proper order. Experimental results show that our model consistently outperforms state-of-the-art baselines by up to <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2\%$</tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$3\%$</tex-math></inline-formula> in terms of BLEU score on two real-world datasets.