Demonstrating SolarPILOT’s Python API Through Heliostat Optimal Aimpoint Strategy Use Case

SolarPILOT is a software package that generates solar field layouts and characterizes the optical performance of concentrating solar power (CSP) tower systems. SolarPILOT was developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) as a stand-alone desktop application but has also been incorporated into NREL’s1 System Advisor Model (SAM) in a simplified format. Prior means for user interaction with SolarPILOT have included the application’s graphical interface, the SAM routines with limited configurability, and through a built-in scripting language called “LK.” This paper presents a new, full-featured, Python-based application programmable interface (API) for SolarPILOT, which we hereafter refer to as CoPylot. CoPylot provides access to all SolarPILOT’s capabilities to generate and characterize power tower CSP systems seamlessly through Python. Supported capabilities include (i) creating and destroying a model instance with message reporting tools; (ii) accessing and setting any SolarPILOT variable including custom land boundaries for field layouts; (iii) programmatically managing receiver and heliostat objects with varied attributes for systems with multiple receiver or heliostat types; (iv) generating, assigning, and modifying solar field layouts including the ability to set individual heliostat locations, aimpoints, soiling rates, and reflectivity levels; (v) simulating solar field performance; (vi) returning detailed results describing performance of individual heliostats, the aggregate field, and receiver flux distribution; and, (vii) exporting Python-based model instances to multiple file formats. CoPylot enables Python users to perform detailed CSP tower analysis utilizing either the Hermite expansion technique (analytical) or the SolTrace ray-tracing engine. In addition to CoPylot’s functionality, Python users have access to the over 100,000 open-source libraries to develop, analyze, optimize, and visualize power tower CSP research. This enables CSP researchers to perform analysis that was previously not possible through SolarPILOT’s existing interfaces. This paper discusses the capabilities of CoPylot and presents a use case wherein we demonstrate optimal solar field aiming strategies.

Are Two Heads Better Than One For Computer-Aided Design?

With the availability of cloud-based software, ubiquitous internet and advanced digital modeling capabilities, a new potential has emerged to design physical products with methods previously embraced by the software engineering community. One such example is pair programming, where two coders work together synchronously to develop one piece of code. Pair programming has been shown to lead to higher quality code and designer satisfaction. Cutting-edge collaborative Computer-aided Design (CAD) technology affords the possibility to apply synchronous collaborative access in mechanical design. We test the generalizability of findings from the pair programming literature to the same dyadic configuration of work in CAD, which we call pair CAD. We performed human subject experiments with 60 participants to test three working styles: individuals working by themselves, pairs sharing control of one model instance and input, and pairs able to edit the same model simultaneously from two inputs. We compare the working styles on speed and quality, and propose mechanisms for our observations via interpretation of patterns of communication, satisfaction, and user cursor activity. We find that on a per-person basis, individuals were faster than pairs due to coordination and overhead inefficiencies. We find that pair work, when done with a single shared input, but not in a parallel mode, leads to higher quality models. We conclude that it is not Industry 4.0 technologies alone that influence designer output; choices regarding work process have a major effect on design outcomes, and we can tailor our process to suit project requirements.

Information Model for A-UGV Performance Measurement Standard

Automatic through autonomous - Unmanned Ground Vehicles (A-UGVs) have the potential to be applied over a wide range of manufacturing systems under industry 4.0 paradigm. In order to use A-UGVs efficiently in a manufacturing system, it is necessary to select the A-UGV suitable for each factory or workplace. A framework for evaluating the A-UGV performance under a specific manufacturing environment is needed. ASTM International Committee F45 has been developing standards2 providing a basis for A-UGV manufacturers and users to compare tasks to the A-UGV capabilities. This paper proposes information models for A-UGV performance measurement along the standards development. The standard needs are analyzed to show how the standard and information model can be used for the introduction of A-UGVs into factories. The information model in this paper provides a structured way to describe the factory elements affecting the A-UGV performance, and the measured A-UGV performances against the factory elements. To validate the proposed information model, an A-UGV performance testbed was built and the information model instance is developed to describe the testbed elements. An A-UGV is tested against the testbed elements and the measured performance is described by the other instance. This paper contributes to mutual understanding, between A-UGV makers and users, to deliver A-UGV performance information efficiently and to provide basis for A-UGVs to be tested under the same conditions.

Results from a systematic analysis of fully coupled Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical-Chemical rock models

<p>The rheology/mechanical behavior of rock is controlled by several processes including thermal, hydraulic, mechanical, and chemical conditions. (Braeck et al., 2009; Kiss et al., 2019)</p><p>We conduct a systematic parametric study within a fully coupled Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical-Chemical (THMC) numerical rheological model to identify regions of stable and unstable (brittle?) deformation. The rheological model assumes incompressible viscous deformation and is governed by the equations of conservation of mass, linear momentum, and energy; a constitutive equation, and a creep flow law. Three parameters control the deformation: background strain rate, shear heating, and a Brinkman number that captures the interplay between viscosity and temperature.</p><p>We setup a grid of points using these parameters, use each grid point as a starting instance of the<br>rheological model, and let each instance evolve with time. We are able to perform a fine-grained study of the parameter space by using a high-performance GPU cluster. Our initial results show that the background strain rate requires relatively low values (near 1) for the computation to remain stable. While keeping a constant (low) strain rate, we next observe how each model instance evolves with respect to shear heating and Brinkman values. This approach allow us to map stable/unstable regions in the 3-parameter space. </p><p>Next we analyze the rheological conditions of each model instance (in the stable and unstable regions) and its potential as a rock-weakening mechanism.</p><p><strong>References</strong><br>Braeck, S., Podladchikov, Y., & Medvedev, S., 2009. Spontaneous dissipation of elastic energy by self-localizing thermal runaway, Phys. Rev. E , 80, 046105, doi:10.1103/PhysRevE.80.046105.</p><p>Kiss, D., Podladchikov, Y., Duretz, T., & Schmalholz, S., 2019. Spontaneous generation of ductile shear zones by thermal softening: Localization criterion, 1D to 3D modelling and application to the lithosphere, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 519, 284–296, doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2019.05.026.</p>

Towards trustworthy cloud service selection: monitoring and assessing data privacy

Cloud services consumers deal with a major challenge in selecting services from several providers. Facilitating these choices has become critical, and an important factor is the service trustworthiness. To be trusted by users, cloud providers should explicitly communicate their capabilities to ensure important functional and non-functional requirements (such as security, privacy, dependability, fairness, among others). Thus, models and mechanisms are required to provide indicators that can be used to support clients on choosing high quality services. This paper presents a solution to support privacy measurement and analysis, which can help the computation of trustworthiness scores. The solution is composed of a reference model for trustworthiness, a privacy model instance, and a privacy monitoring and assessment component. Finally, we provide an implementation capable of monitoring privacy-related information and performing analysis based on privacy scores for eight different datasets.

Perbandingan Kinerja Model Klasifikasi Decission Tree , Bayesian Classifier, Instance Base, Linear Function Base, Rule Base pada 4 Dataset Berbeda

Ada banyak metode klasifikasi yang telah dikembangkan namun kinerjanya selalu berbeda dari satu masalah ke masalah lain. Perlu dilakukan suatu upaya untuk memilih model klasifikasi yang relatif optimal, salah satunya dengan membandingkan kinerja beberapa algoritma dari beberapa kelas model berbeda menggunakan beberapa dataset dengan karakteristik yang berbeda pula sehingga dapat memberikan gambaran tentang kelas model mana yang relatif optimal untuk dipilih sebagai tahap awal dalam memilih algoritma yang akan diterapkan. Pada makalah ini dibandingkan kinerja metode klasifikasi dari model Decission Tree, Bayesian Classifier, Instance Base, Linear Function Base dan Rule Base menggunakan 4 dataset yang berbeda karakteristiknya. Dari hasil pengujian diperoleh kesimpulan bahwa model Instance Base dan Decission Tree lebih robust dibanding kelas model lainnya bila diberi dataset yang mengandung noise dan missing value. Accuracy model Bayesian lebih stabil dibanding kelas model lainnya apabila diberi dataset dengan jumlah atribut yang lebih banyak. Semua kelas model mempunyai scalability yang baik dan mampu meningkatkan accuracy bila diberi jumlah record yang lebih besar. Kelas model Linear Function dan Decission Tree membutuhkan waktu training yang relatif lebih lama dibanding model lainnya, namun membutuhkan waktu testing yang relatif lebih cepat dibanding model lainnya. Secara umum kelas model Decission Tree lebih unggul dibanding kelas model lainnya

Modeling and refactoring the indigo patterns

For purpose of reconstruction and innovation of indigo patterns, this study explores modeling, reconstruction, and assembling of the pattern elements by means of mathematics. A model for indigo pattern elements is proposed based on cardinal splines, in which the rigidity of shape is conveyed by the tension coefficient, and the concavity and variety by configuration of the knots. The generalized version of this model is capable of covering any complex element. The contour tracing technique is employed to extract pattern elements from the image, and the closest model instance is selected in virtue of invariance of the improved Hu moments. The selected instances are transformed with respect to the geometric center, the coverage, and the coincidence to match the pattern elements in the image so as to reconstruct the whole pattern. The element filters are conducted on the reconstructed patterns to modify the elements and produce new innovative patterns of constant skeleton. The model is borrowed serving as a skeleton in element assembling. The skeleton properties are investigated to provide basis for skeleton embodiment in which these properties are involved into establishing the placement determiner and element determiner so as to carry out the assembling of elements. Also discussed is the extended skeleton which goes beyond the model and brings about variety and flexibility to element assembling. It is turned out that reconstruction with the model well implements a mathematical copy of the pattern, and the assembling of elements by skeletons provides rich possibilities to innovation of indigo patterns.

PENGARUH KOMPETENSI DAN PENEMPATAN PEGAWAI TERHADAP KEPUASAN DAN KINERJA PEGAWAI

Organization expects to achieve a good performance. Organizational performance can be measured if the individual or group of employees has had had success criteria or standards set by the organization. Organizational performance is often not be optimal for several reasons including a lack of support for human resources quality. Perceived job satisfaction of the employees, as well as the placement the employees in the organization and work competencies possessed may have impacts on the achievement of employee performance and organizational performance. This study was conducted to access the influence of competency and placement of employees on satisfaction and performance of employees of the Department of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (PKPO) in Ngada Regency. 66 employees are selected. Data were collected by questionnaires and the analyzed using path analysis. The results of the analysis prove that the competency and placement have positive and significant effect on job satisfaction and that the competency and placement have positive and significant impact on employee performance. It is also proved that job satisfaction has positive and significant impact on employee performance. Validation of the model shows the value of the coefficient of determination of 0.94, which means the performance variable is explained by competence, placements and job satisfaction of 94% and the remaining 6 % is explained by other factors beyond our model instance variables such as work environment, discipline, leadership and culture organization. Competence variable is proven affects the performance through satisfaction, but in influencing the performance, direct competence affect performance is more powerful compared to the competence affect performance through job satisfaction. Placement variable is proven affects the performance through satisfaction, but in influencing the performance, direct placement affect performance is more powerful compared to the placement affect performance through job satisfaction. The analysis concluded that the variable competence, placement and job satisfaction have positive and significant impact on the performance of the officer. In an effort to achieve an optimized organizational performance, it is recommended that further enhance the performance of the officer, the officer job satisfaction in the work should always get the attention of the organization. Placement officers in acting roles and responsibilities of the organization should also base on competence, experience and interest and continue to increase the competency of officers because of the competency of personnel adequate and appropriate organization standard, the performance and the organization's goals can be achieved.

Stratosphere-troposphere exchange in the vicinity of a tropopause fold

Transport of air masses from the stratosphere to the troposphere along tropopause folds can lead to peaked ozone concentrations at ground level and hereby influence the long-term trend of tropospheric ozone. To improve the understanding of responsible processes and preferred regions of exchange, transient and reversible exchange processes in the vicinity of a tropopause fold are analysed on the basis of a case study. The global and regional atmospheric chemistry model system MECO(n), which couples the limited-area atmospheric chemistry and climate model COSMO-CLM/MESSy to the global model ECHAM5/MESSy for Atmospheric Chemistry (EMAC) is applied. Using similar process parametrisations in both model instances, the system allows for very consistent, simultaneous simulations at different spatial resolutions. Simulated ozone enhancements at ground level, caused by descending stratospheric air masses, are evaluated with observational data. Because of the coarse resolution of the global model, the observed ozone enhancements are not captured by the global model instance. However, the results of the finer resolved, regional model instance coincide well with the measurements. Based on the combination of Eulerian and Lagrangian analysis methods it is shown that stratosphere-troposphere-exchange (STE) in the vicintity of the tropopause fold occurs in regions of turbulence and diabatic processes. Within the framework of a Lagrangian study the efficiency of mixing along a tropopause fold is quantified, showing that almost all (97 %) of the air masses originating in the tropopause fold are transported into the troposphere during the following two days.