Research on RFID Anticollision Algorithms in Industrial Internet of Things

As a perception enabling technology of the Internet of Things, RFID can quickly identify target objects. The tag-to-tag collision problem seriously affects the identification performance of the RFID system, which causes the reader to be unable to accurately identify any tag within the specific time. The mainstream anticollision algorithms are limited by the performance bottleneck under the standard framework. In this paper, we analyze the features and merits of three kinds of algorithms in detail and propose a new algorithm architecture for RFID anticollision. Through the extensive experimental results comparison, we prove that the new architecture is effective to improve the performance of DFSA algorithms. Finally, we summarize the future research trends in the RFID anticollision algorithms.

A Conceptual Framework to improve the design of sustainable off-grid microgrid systems for remote communities in developing countries

<p>From job creation to economic development, from security concerns to the full empowerment of women, energy lies at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - agreed to by the world’s leaders in September 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda. In the words of former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, “Energy is the golden thread that connects economic growth, increased social equity, and an environment that allows the world to thrive." Approximately 1 billion people in the world today have no access to electricity, and the issues are dominating in the remote communities of the developing countries. Decentralized systems have existed over a couple of decades to provide electricity provisions in the off-grid communities devoid of the necessary energy services. The literature, however, suggests that off-grid systems have failed in delivering the tasks set forth to curb the electricity crisis. The crisis has resulted in communities primarily residing in the remote/islanded areas having lower social and economic status compared to the urban areas with centralized grid connectivity. A further review of the literature points to a lack of a detailed standard framework for cross-sectional evaluation of sustainability and reliability of the off-grid systems, which results in non-uniformity of the universal electricity access. Given this, the main objective of the thesis is to establish a conceptual framework to improve the design of remote off-grid microgrid systems through a Techno-Economic Assessment (TEA) approach, by implementing a mixed-research approach. The research strategy adopted to advance knowledge and for achieving the objective of the research follows the Technology and Policy Assessment (TPA) approach, developed by the UK Energy Research Centre (UKREC). The research evaluation design involves formative evaluations where questionnaires designed for investigating failure cases of remote microgrids are introduced, and a conceptual framework is developed, based on the lessons learned. The conceptual framework comprising of modules incorporates essential features of improving the TEA of the remote microgrids and emphasizes on features like stakeholder assessments, sustainability aspects, energy management, and improving energy efficiency as well as overall system autonomy of the rural off-grid systems. Furthermore, following the TPA approach, the conceptual framework has been verified by involving a focus group. IEEE-Sustainable Energy Systems for Developing Communities (SESDC) was involved in the research verification process. The proposed conceptual framework was validated by incorporating a quantitative analysis to situate the research findings. The research findings in the thesis contribute extensively to the body of knowledge by establishing a standard framework indicating the importance of energy-efficient approaches towards scaling up sustainable remote microgrids for solving energy crisis issues. As it were, the practical contribution of the thesis is critical in identifying and characterizing the dimensions of the Sustainable Developing Goal 7 for “affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” and its impact on the other SDGs, thereby enabling progress towards the target 2030 of the United Nations.</p>

A Conceptual Framework to improve the design of sustainable off-grid microgrid systems for remote communities in developing countries

<p>From job creation to economic development, from security concerns to the full empowerment of women, energy lies at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - agreed to by the world’s leaders in September 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda. In the words of former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, “Energy is the golden thread that connects economic growth, increased social equity, and an environment that allows the world to thrive." Approximately 1 billion people in the world today have no access to electricity, and the issues are dominating in the remote communities of the developing countries. Decentralized systems have existed over a couple of decades to provide electricity provisions in the off-grid communities devoid of the necessary energy services. The literature, however, suggests that off-grid systems have failed in delivering the tasks set forth to curb the electricity crisis. The crisis has resulted in communities primarily residing in the remote/islanded areas having lower social and economic status compared to the urban areas with centralized grid connectivity. A further review of the literature points to a lack of a detailed standard framework for cross-sectional evaluation of sustainability and reliability of the off-grid systems, which results in non-uniformity of the universal electricity access. Given this, the main objective of the thesis is to establish a conceptual framework to improve the design of remote off-grid microgrid systems through a Techno-Economic Assessment (TEA) approach, by implementing a mixed-research approach. The research strategy adopted to advance knowledge and for achieving the objective of the research follows the Technology and Policy Assessment (TPA) approach, developed by the UK Energy Research Centre (UKREC). The research evaluation design involves formative evaluations where questionnaires designed for investigating failure cases of remote microgrids are introduced, and a conceptual framework is developed, based on the lessons learned. The conceptual framework comprising of modules incorporates essential features of improving the TEA of the remote microgrids and emphasizes on features like stakeholder assessments, sustainability aspects, energy management, and improving energy efficiency as well as overall system autonomy of the rural off-grid systems. Furthermore, following the TPA approach, the conceptual framework has been verified by involving a focus group. IEEE-Sustainable Energy Systems for Developing Communities (SESDC) was involved in the research verification process. The proposed conceptual framework was validated by incorporating a quantitative analysis to situate the research findings. The research findings in the thesis contribute extensively to the body of knowledge by establishing a standard framework indicating the importance of energy-efficient approaches towards scaling up sustainable remote microgrids for solving energy crisis issues. As it were, the practical contribution of the thesis is critical in identifying and characterizing the dimensions of the Sustainable Developing Goal 7 for “affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” and its impact on the other SDGs, thereby enabling progress towards the target 2030 of the United Nations.</p>

TURNAROUND MANAGEMENT THROUGH BUSINESS PROCESS RE-ENGINEERING FOR SBH HOTEL, BANDUNG, INDONESIA

The fact that no company is immune to distress is indicates that business perform in a similar fashion to products. A company’s failures or a passive reaction towards handling the decline would cause the company to end up in crisis. SBH Hotel has seen a continuous decline in occupancy rates from 2016 to 2019 from 70% to 51% and 27% after the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The hotel’s sluggish reaction towards increasing competition and small improvements in management since its establishment in 1998, were not good enough to help them rebound and led them into their present crisis. Turnaround management that has been known to be the best strategy to save a company in crisis, is the proposed solution that this research paper recommends. The financial data collected, interviews and this researcher’s observations in the gathering of the data and the use of International Turnaround Management Standard framework by Lymbersky will be applied in a bid to resolve the hotel’s crisis. The International Turnaround Management Standard framework by Lymbersky was chosen as a solution due to its thorough coverage which makes it the suitable framework for the turnaround process. The framework covers areas which include, financial strategies, operational and others that the hotel needs to consider. Business process re-engineering will also help this researcher to determine the change in management processes that are required when developing the hotel’s turnaround management action plan. This research paper will be a development from previous research regard its marketing strategy. Turnaround management will be done through Business Process Reengineering as a rethinking and redesign process. SBH Hotel expected to perform with better management process and provide customer with higher quality of services and products. SBH Hotel ability in earning outstanding guests’ experience brought hotel more guest loyalty and help the hotel remain profitable.

BIM Information Standard Framework for Model Integration and Utilization Based on openBIM

The use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) is becoming more common in the construction process, and the demand for the integrated use of BIM data is expected to continue increasing. BIM is a technology that can maximize various efficiencies by sharing facility information in an integrated manner; however, the information generated in the life cycle of the construction industry is broad, diverse, and complex. Accordingly, because BIM information is difficult to share and is often duplicated, it is not easy to obtain the effects of various BIMs. The solution to this is to create a systematic standard so that one item of information can be used in various ways, and everyone shares and uses it together. To this end, various standards (guides, classification systems, information standards, etc.) are being created; however, the interrelationships between standard elements are complex, so there is confusion and overlap between standards. This paper proposes an information standard framework for BIM to identify a systematic standard and method to effectively develop various guidelines for the standard.

Parental Incarceration and Children's Educational Attainment

This paper presents new evidence showing that parental incarceration increases children's education. I collect criminal records for 90,000 low-income parents who have been convicted of a crime in Colombia, and link the educational attainment of their children. I exploit exogenous variation resulting from the random assignment of judges, and extend the standard framework to incorporate both conviction and incarceration decisions. I show that the effect of incarceration for a given conviction threshold can be identified. My results indicate that parental incarceration increases educational attainment by 0.78 years for the children of convicted parents on the margin of incarceration.

Identification of Workplace Social Sustainability Indicators Related to Employee Ergonomics Perception in Indonesian Industry

Sustainability indicators have provided a breakthrough for companies to assess their performance in supporting corporate sustainability. There is no standard framework for these support-defining indicators to conduct a social sustainability performance assessment. There is a limitation of quantitative social sustainability indicators appropriate for performing ergonomic concept assessments. Ergonomics, as a field concerning people and their interactions with the environment, in particular, the workplace, can play a role in social sustainability, besides its conventional approach of workplace re-engineering. Three major areas of ergonomics were analyzed. The indicators were established based on a review of the literature and confirmed using a factor analysis that covered all major aspects of workplace ergonomics. The factor analysis aimed to reduce the complexity of workplace social sustainability indicators related to ergonomics. The final result integrated 73 indicators into 17 indicators based on three major areas of ergonomics. The findings showed that the best workplace social sustainability indicators were divided into five factors: employee well-being, safety concerns, workplace comfort, musculoskeletal health, and environmental concerns. It would be very beneficial for the industry and the government to support corporate social sustainability and the global sustainability index.

Novel generic models for differentiating stem cells reveal oscillatory mechanisms

Understanding cell fate selection remains a central challenge in developmental biology. We present a class of simple yet biologically motivated mathematical models for cell differentiation that generically generate oscillations and hence suggest alternatives to the standard framework based on Waddington’s epigenetic landscape. The models allow us to suggest two generic dynamical scenarios that describe the differentiation process. In the first scenario, gradual variation of a single control parameter is responsible for both entering and exiting the oscillatory regime. In the second scenario, two control parameters vary: one responsible for entering, and the other for exiting the oscillatory regime. We analyse the standard repressilator and four variants of it and show the dynamical behaviours associated with each scenario. We present a thorough analysis of the associated bifurcations and argue that gene regulatory networks with these repressilator-like characteristics are promising candidates to describe cell fate selection through an oscillatory process.