Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Issue Of Maritime Domain Awareness In Ghana, M. Agyare Asiamah, D. Dalaklis

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No abstract provided.

Comparing Grounded Theory And Phenomenology As Methods To Understand Lived Experience Of Engineering Educators Implementing Problem-Based Learning, Shannon Chance, Gavin Duffy, Brian Bowe

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Convincing teachers to implement pedagogical innovations is notoriously hard. This research project investigated the shift in pedagogical approach among a small group of faculty as they replaced traditional lecture-based methods with problem-based learning projects. Interviews were conducted with eight drivers of this change, around the question: What was it like to be part of a learning group focused on tangible change toward student-centred learning? Objectives were to understand how pedagogical change happened in an electrical engineering programme at a post-secondary institution in Ireland; analyse data using two different research methods; describe the processes, results, and findings, determining: To what extents …

Econophysics And Fractional Calculus: Einstein's Evolution Equation, The Fractal Market Hypothesis, Trend Analysis And Future Price Prediction, Jonathan Blackledge, Derek Kearney, Marc Lamphiere, Raja Rani, Paddy Walsh

Articles

This paper examines a range of results that can be derived from Einstein’s evolution equation focusing on the effect of introducing a Lévy distribution into the evolution equation. In this context, we examine the derivation (derived exclusively from the evolution equation) of the classical and fractional diffusion equations, the classical and generalised Kolmogorov–Feller equations, the evolution of self-affine stochastic fields through the fractional diffusion equation, the fractional Poisson equation (for the time independent case), and, a derivation of the Lyapunov exponent and volatility. In this way, we provide a collection of results (which includes the derivation of certain fractional partial …

Power System Loading Margin Enhancement By Optimal Statcom Integration:A Case Study, Sasidharan Shreedharan, Tibin Joseph, Sebin Joseph, Chittesh Veni Chandran, Vishnu J., Vipin Das P

Articles

Safe and secure network operation with acceptable voltage level has become a challenging task for utilities requiring corrective measures to be implemented. Network upgrades using Flexible Alternating Current Transmission System devices are being considered to serve this purpose. To this end, static loading margin enhancement by optimal static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) allocation to enhance the power transfer capability with minimal voltage variation is presented. Maximum loadability is formulated as an optimization problem, subjected to voltage and small-signal stability constraints. Stability indices are presented and incorporated with the optimization problem to ensure secure operation under maximum loading. The scheme is executed …

Efficient Spectral Compression Of Wavelength-Shifting Soliton And Its Application In Integratable All-Optical Quantization, Chao Mei, Jinhui Yuan, Feng Li, Binbin Yan, Xinzhu Sang, Qiang Wu, Xian Zhou, Kuiru Wang, Chongxiu Yu, Gerald Farrell

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n this paper, we numerically demonstrate efficient spectral compression (SPC) of wavelength-shifting soliton in a chalcogenide strip waveguide. It is found that the profiles of group-velocity dispersion (GVD) and Kerr nonlinearity play key roles in determining SPC. After calculating the dispersion of Kerr nonlinearity and Raman spectrum for three kinds of chalcogenide materials, Ge11.5As24Se64.5 is chosen as the material for designing the chalcogenide strip waveguide (CSW). The geometric parameters of CSW are optimized to obtain the desired GVD and Kerr nonlinearity. Simulation results show that in the designed CSW, an input spectrum width of 52.04 nm can be compressed to …

Low Level Turbulence Detection For Airport, Derek Kearney, Anthony O'Connor

Articles

Low level wind shear and turbulence present a serious safety risk to aircraft during the approach, landing and take-off phases. Despite many advances in on-board and ground based warning systems. Wind shear remains a formidable force that coupled with a microburst can overpower any aircraft. Aviation reports have concluded that pilots need to have improved information in relation to tailwinds, wind shear and wind variations on approach and during the landing phases. Low level wind shear continues to cause disruption, delays and contribute to aircraft crashes. As recently as 2016, two Boeing aircraft crashed while attempting a Go-around manoeuver after …

Dc Side And Ac Side Cascaded Multilevel Inverter Topologies: A Comparative Study Due To Variation In Design Features, Shahab Sajedi, Michael Farrell, Malabika Basu

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This paper presents a comparative study between DC side and AC side cascaded topologies for the hybrid modular multilevel converter (MMC) which are becoming popular in recent years. A multilevel converter with half or full bridge sub modules connected across DC link is another alternative for high-voltage applications as it has the same number of sub modules and footprint as AC side cascaded topology with the same DC link voltage and AC side voltage. The compared AC side cascaded structure offers a two-level converter as the high voltage stage and cascaded H-bridge (which is full bridge) sub modules with electrically …

Use Of Matrix-Pencil Method For Efficient Islanding Detection In Static Dg And A Parallel Comparison With Dwt Method, Sanjay Agrawal, Sandipan Patra, Soumya R. Mohanty, Vineeta Agarwal, Malabika Basu

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Islanding or nonislanding events in grid-connected distributed generation bring along a typical distinguishable transient signature in its frequency profile. This demarcation leads to the development of a new islanding protection approach, which is based on the estimation of frequency waveform parameter (transient's frequency) by Matrix pencil (MP) method. To demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed MP method, four critical scenarios are considered in this paper for covering all possible disturbance events. These events are also compared along with a discrete wavelet transform (DWT) based islanding detection method in simulations as well as in RT-LAB-based real-time environment. It is noteworthy to …

Towards An Ontology For Soft Robots: What Is Soft?, Kevin Chubb, Damon Berry, Ted Burke

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The advent of soft robotics represents a profound change in the forms robots will take in the future. However, this revolutionary change has already yielded such a diverse collection of robots that attempts at defining this group do not reflect many existing ‘soft’ robots. This paper aims to address this issue by scrutinising a number of descriptions of soft robots arising from a literature review with the intention of determining a coherent meaning for soft. We also present a classification of existing soft robots to initiate the development of a soft robotic ontology. Finally, discrepancies in prescribed ranges of Young’s …

Protection Of Sensitive Loads Using Sliding Mode Controlled Three-Phase Dvr With Adaptive Notch Filter, Samet Biricik, Hasan Komurcugil, Nguyen Duc Tuyen, Malabika Basu

Articles

This paper introduces a sliding mode control (SMC) strategy for three-phase dynamic voltage restorers (DVRs) with a 12-switch voltage source inverter. The compensating voltage references needed in the SMC strategy are generated by an adaptive notch filter (ANF), which exhibits excellent performance under grid voltage anomalies such as voltage sags, swells, and unbalanced and distorted grid voltage conditions. The consequence of using the ANF eliminates the use of phase-lock loop or frequency-lock loop and low-pass filter, which makes it distinguishable from the existing reference signal generation solutions. In addition, the use of the SMC strategy with its attractive properties makes …

Performance Of A Campus Photovoltaic Electric Vehicle Charging Station In A Temperate Climate, Ayda Esfandyari, Brian Norton, Michael Conlon, Sarah J. Mccormack

Articles

A photovoltaic (PV) array can be combined with battery energy storage to satisfy the electrical demand of lightweight electric vehicles. Measured solar resource and vehicle energy consumption, together with locational, mechanical and electrical constraints were used to design a vehicle charging station comprised of a 63 m2 10.5 kW AC PV array, with a 9.6 kWh lithium-ion battery. PV output, battery charge and discharge, electricity flows were monitored over one year. Deviations between measured and calculated annual AC generation averaged to 14%. Average annual direct consumption, self-consumption and system self-sufficiency were 8.47%, 30.3% and 74.36% respectively.

A Review Of Co2 Emission Reductions Due To Wind Turbines Using Energy Benchmarks: A Focus On The Irish Electrical Energy Market, Tony Kealy

Articles

The installed capacity of wind turbines in Ireland increased from a value of 2,250 MW in 2014 to 3,318 MW in 2017, a 43% increase in the four years, supported through climate mitigation policies. The main aim of this study is to determine if the increase in wind turbine installed capacity is impacting on efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. The study utilises a review methodology. The findings show that the steady rise in wind turbine installed capacity year-on-year is not reflected in the Irish CO2 g/kWh energy benchmark. The benchmark value was 457 g CO2/kWh in 2014 and 437 g …

Role Of Reactive Power (Statcom) In The Planning Of Distribution Network With Higher Ev Charging Level, Arsalan Hussain Zaidi, Keith Sunderland, Michael Conlon

Articles

In recent years, new trends in electrification of the transport sector have been a major concern for distribution grid operators. New types of flexible, uncontrollable loads, such as EV, influence the reliability of distribution networks. This work is related to the distribution system planning framework, with a particular focus on uncoordinated flexible EV loads. The main focus is the enhancement of the hosting capacity of EVs on distribution networks, while maintaining power quality (especially voltage magnitude and voltage unbalance), which is ultimately a pre-requisite for increasing prosumer engagement. Several EV charging scenarios, in the context of UK/Irish distribution networks with …

We Can’T Afford To Turn A Blind Eye To Myopia, Christine Marie Bourke, James Loughman, Daniel Ian Flitcroft, Ekaterina Loskutova, Colm O’Brien

Articles

Background

Myopia is becoming increasingly prevalent throughout the world. It is an overlooked but leading cause of blindness, particularly among the working aged population. Myopia is often considered benign because it is easily corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery. Traditionally myopia has been classified into physiological and pathological subtypes based on the degree of myopia present. Higher levels of myopia are associated with increased risk of pathological complications but it is important to note that there is no safe level of myopia. Even low levels of myopia increase the risk of retinal detachment and other ocular comorbidities which …

Permitted Incentives For Workplace Wellness Plans Under The Ada And Gina: The Regulatory Gap, Elizabeth Pendo

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Although workplace wellness plans have been around for decades, they have flourished under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”) into a $6 billion-dollar industry. Under PPACA, a “wellness plan” is a program of health promotion or disease prevention offered by an employer that is designed to promote health or prevent disease and which meets the other applicable requirements of that subsection. Employers look to these programs to promote healthy lifestyles, improve the overall health of employees and beneficiaries, and reduce rising healthcare costs.

PPACA’s amendments to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) permit employers to offer …

Peace And Subjectivity, Louis E. Wolcher

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So long as there is law there can be no universal human right to peace. This is because legalized violence, whether in threat or in deed, constitutes the very antithesis of peaceful relations from the point of view of those whom law represses. Law cannot define peace as the absence of all violence—and still less as the absence of all legalized suffering—without gainsaying justice, for as Pascal says, “Justice without might is helpless; might without justice is tyrannical.” Although legal outcomes, like falling boulders and pouncing lions, can always be imputed to historical causes, experience teaches that legal actors generally …

Regulating Bot Speech, Madeline Lamo, Ryan Calo

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We live in a world of artificial speakers with real impact. So-called “bots” foment political strife, skew online discourse, and manipulate the marketplace. Concerns over bot speech have led prominent figures in the world of technology to call for regulations in response to the unique threats bots pose. Recently, legislators have begun to heed these calls, drafting laws that would require online bots to clearly indicate that they are not human.

This work is the first to consider how efforts to regulate bots might run afoul of the First Amendment. At first blush, requiring a bot to self-disclose raises little …

Woke Capital: The Role Of Corporations In Social Movements, Jennifer S. Fan

Articles

Iconic companies such as Apple, BlackRock, Delta, Google (now Alphabet), Lyft, Salesforce, and Starbucks, have recently taken very public stances on various social issues. In the past, corporations were largely silent in the face of them. Now the opposite is true—corporations play an increasingly visible role in social movements and there are times when corporations have led the discussion, particularly in areas where they have a self-interest or public opinion supports it. The enormous influence corporations wield on both the economic and social fabric of our society due to the legal framework and norms under which they operate make them …

Fifteenth Annual Brigham-Kanner Prize Presentation Dinner Award Recipient Speech, Stewart E. Sterk

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The article presents the speech of Stewart Sterk, recipient of the Brigham-Kanner Prize, reflecting on his academic career, contributions to property law, and the significance of the Penn Central case. Sterk emphasizes the importance of property law in understanding societal systems and highlights his comprehensive approach to teaching and scholarship. He also discusses how Penn Central shaped his career and the evolution of takings law, while underscoring the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and generosity in academic and professional endeavors.

Opening Remarks: The Federalism Dimension Of Constitutional Property, Stewart E. Sterk

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No abstract provided.

The Role Of Mineral And Trace Element Supplementation In Exercise And Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review, Shane Heffernan, Katy Horner, Giuseppe De Vito, Gillian Conway

Articles

Minerals and trace elements (MTEs) are micronutrients involved in hundreds of biological processes. Deficiency in MTEs can negatively affect athletic performance. Approximately 50% of athletes have reported consuming some form of micronutrient supplement; however, there is limited data confirming their efficacy for improving performance. The aim of this study was to systematically review the role of MTEs in exercise and athletic performance. Six electronic databases and grey literature sources (MEDLINE; EMBASE; CINAHL and SportDISCUS; Web of Science and clinicaltrials.gov) were searched, in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Results: 17,433 articles were identified and 130 experiments from 128 studies were included. Retrieved …

Antimicrobial Effects Of Microwave-Induced Plasma Torch (Minimip) Treatment On Candida Albicans Biofilms, Oliver Handorf, Uta Schnabel, André Bösel, Thomas Weihe, Sander Bekeschus, Alexander C. Graf, Jörg Ehlbeck

Articles

The susceptibility of Candida albicans biofilms to a non-thermal plasma treatment has been investigated in terms of growth, survival and cell viability by a series of in vitro experiments. For different time periods , the C. albicans strain SC5314 was treated with a microwave-induced plasma torch (MiniMIP). The MiniMIP treatment had a strong effect (reduction factor (RF) = 2.97 after 50 s treatment) at a distance of 3 cm between the nozzle and the superior regions of the biofilms. In addition, a viability reduction of 77% after a 20 s plasma treatment and a metabolism reduction of 90% after a …

Direct Analysis Of Calcium In Liquid Infant Formula Via Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (Libs), Xavier Cama-Moncunill, Maria Markiewicz-Keszycka, Patrick J. Cullen, Carl Sullivan, Maria Piedad Casado-Gavalda

Articles

The present work illustrates the potential of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for the direct analysis of liquid food products. The aim of the experiment was to predict calcium content in ready-to-feed infant formula. The analysis was performed by a LIBS system coupled to a liquid sample chamber with a rotatory wheel that presents the liquid to the laser beam as a thin film. Multivariate analysis with partial least squares regression (PLSR) was performed to correlate LIBS spectral data to reference calcium contents. The obtained PLSR model exhibited a good fit and linearity, as indicated by the coefficients of determination for …

Investigation Of Mechanisms Involved In Germination Enhancement Of Wheat (Triticum Aestivum) By Cold Plasma: Effects On Seed Surface Chemistry And Characteristics, Agata Los, Dana Ziuzina, Daniela Boehm, Patrick J. Cullen, Paula Bourke

Articles

Recent reports indicate that atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) treatment of seeds can enhance their germination, however, the mechanisms of action are not yet entirely clear. In the present work, we report on the effects of plasma treatment on wheat seed germination and seedling growth. Additionally, changes in the surface chemistry and characteristics of the wheat seeds exposed to plasma were investigated. Treatments of 30–60 s significantly enhanced the germination rate and showed positive effects on seedling growth. ACP resulted in changes of seed surface and chemical characteristics including water uptake and contact angle values. Changes in seed pH and total …

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy For Food Authentication, Maria Markiewicz-Keszycka, Raquel Cama-Moncunill, Maria Piedad Casado-Gavalda, Carl Sullivan, P. J. Cullen

Articles

With the globalisation of food markets, food authentication has become a significant concern worldwide to ensure food safety and to avoid origin and quality fraud. A multi-elemental fingerprint is a powerful tool for detection of adulterants and geographical origin of foods. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a promising technique that can provide a mineral fingerprint of food products. LIBS allows a rapid, high-throughput, micro-destructive and multi-elemental analysis of a wide range of samples type. It has already been demonstrated by several authors that LIBS can be successfully used for food authentication. Although LIBS shows excellent potential for at-line or portable …

Nanostructured Materials For Food Applications: Spectroscopy, Microscopy And Physical Properties, Shubham Sharma, Swana Jaiswal, Brendan Duffy, Amit Jaiswal

Articles

Nanotechnology deals with the matter of atomic or molecular scale. Other factors that define the character of a nanoparticle are its physical and chemical properties, such as surface area, surface charge, hydrophobicity of the surface, the thermal stability of the nanoparticle, and its antimicrobial activity. A nanoparticle is usually characterized by using microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Microscopic techniques are used to characterize the size, shape, and location of the nanoparticle by producing an image of the individual nanoparticle. Several techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy/high resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM/HRTEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning …

Thermostable Phytase In Feed And Fuel Industries, Ushasree Mrudula Vasudevan, Amit Jaiswal, Shyam Krishna, Ashok Pandey

Articles

Phytase with wide ranging biochemical properties has long been utilized in a multitude of industries, even so, thermostability plays a crucial factor in choosing the right phytase in a few of the sectors. Mesophilic phytases are not considered to be a viable option in the feed industry owing to its limited stability in the required feed processing temperature. In the recent past, inclusion of thermostable phytase in fuel ethanol production from starch based raw material has been demonstrated with economic benefits. Therefore, considerable emphasis has been placed on using complementary approaches such as mining of extremophilic microbial wealth, encapsulation and …

Efficacy Of Cold Plasma Functionalised Water For Improving Microbiological Safety Of Fresh Produce And Wash Water Recycling, Apurva Patange, Peng Lu, Daniela Boehm, Patrick J. Cullen, Paula Bourke

Articles

Atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) is an effective method for microbiological decontamination. This study evaluated an alternative water-based decontamination approach for inactivation of bacterial population from fresh produce and in the wash water generated from fresh produce washing. The study characterised ACP inactivation of attached Listeria innocua and Pseudomonas fluorescens inoculated on lettuce in comparison to chlorine treatment. P. fluorescens was sensitive to ACP treatment and was reduced below detection limit within 3 min of treatment. L. innocua population was reduced by ∼2.4 Log10 CFU/g after 5 min of treatment; showing similar inactivation efficacy to chlorine treatment. The microbial load in …

Effect Of Cold Plasma On The Techno-Functional Properties Of Animal Protein Food Ingredients, Juan M. Pérez-Andrés, Carlos Álvarez, Patrick J. Cullen, Brijesh K. Tiwari

Articles

Proteins, as food ingredients, are employed in the food industry, not only for their high nutritional value, but also because of their techno-functional properties. Modifications of their native structure due to the action of external factors such as pH, temperature or processing by emerging technologies, can lead to changes in their functionality; and consequently, their applicability. The present study investigates the effects of cold atmospheric air plasma on the techno-functional properties of two common food ingredients (haemoglobin and gelatine from pork), and a novel source of functional proteins extracted from a meat co-product (bovine lung protein). Significant effects were found …

Proximate Composition And Anti-Nutritional Factors Of Fava-Bean (Vicia Faba), Green-Pea And Yellow-Pea (Pisum Sativum) Flour, Kim A. Millar, Eimear Gallagher, Roisin Burke, Sinead Mccarthy, Catherine Barry-Ryan

Articles

Pulse grains were identified as a key resource for food innovation during the International Year of the Pulse (IYP), 2016. Pulse flour offers a sustainable source of plant protein for innovation in protein enriched cereal based foods. Fava-bean (Vicia faba), green- and yellow-pea (Pisum sativum) flour were analysed for proximate composition, minerals, amino acids, phenolic content, phytic acid and trypsin inhibitory activity. Fava-bean flour had the highest protein content (28 g/100 g), while green-pea flour had the highest total dietary fibre content (15 g/100 g). All three flours contained essential amino acids in adequate quantity, highlighting them as a source …