• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.444-457
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• 2014

This paper presents the design and realization of a digital PV simulator with a Push-Pull Forward (PPF) circuit based on the principle of modular hardware and configurable software. A PPF circuit is chosen as the main circuit to restrain the magnetic biasing of the core for a DC-DC converter and to reduce the spike of the turn-off voltage across every switch. Control and I/O interface based on a personal computer (PC) and multifunction data acquisition card, can conveniently achieve the data acquisition and configuration of the control algorithm and interface due to the abundant software resources of computers. In addition, the control program developed in Matlab/Simulink can conveniently construct and adjust both the models and parameters. It can also run in real-time under the external mode of Simulink by loading the modules of the Real-Time Windows Target. The mathematic models of the Push-Pull Forward circuit and the digital PV simulator are established in this paper by the state-space averaging method. The pole-zero cancellation technique is employed and then its controller parameters are systematically designed based on the performance analysis of the root loci of the closed current loop with $k_i$ and $R_L$ as variables. A fuzzy PI controller based on the Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy model is applied to regulate the controller parameters self-adaptively according to the change of $R_L$ and the operating point of the PV simulator to match the controller parameters with $R_L$. The stationary and dynamic performances of the PV simulator are tested by experiments, and the experimental results show that the PV simulator has the merits of a wide effective working range, high steady-state accuracy and good dynamic performances.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.545-551
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• 2015

Schistosomiasis is one of the important neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Tanzania, particularly in Lake Victoria zone. This baseline survey was a part of the main study of integrated control of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) aimed at describing morbidity patterns due to intestinal schistosomiasis among adults living on Kome Island, Sengerema District, Tanzania. Total 388 adults from Kome Islands (about 50 people from each village) aged between 12 and 85 years, were examined by abdominal ultrasound according to the Niamey protocol. Liver image patterns (LIPs) A and B were considered normal, and C-F as distinct periportal fibrosis (PPF). The overall prevalence of PPF was 42.2%; much higher in males than in females (47.0% in male vs 34.4% in females, P=0.007). Abnormal increase of segmental branch wall thickness (SBWT) and dilated portal vein diameter (PVD) were also more common in males than in females. Hepatosplenomegaly was frequently encountered; 68.1% had left liver lobe hepatomegaly and 55.2% had splenomegaly. Schistosoma mansoni-related morbidity is quite high among adults in this community justifying the implementation of integrated control strategies through mass drug administration, improved water supply (pumped wells), and health education that had already started in the study area.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.69-75
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• 2023

Recently, the application of paint protection films (PPFs) for automobiles having a self-recovery coating layer has been grown up. In this study, we report the evaluation results on the basic physical properties of a poly(vinyl chloride)- based PPF containing poly(urea-urethane) hybrid self-recovery coating layer. Depending on the main chemical composition and the thickness of poly(urea-urethane)-based coating layer for PPF, the self-recovery performance by an optical microscope and the stain resistance through color difference value are measured. To improve the surface properties and show its easy-cleaning effect against the polluted things, silicone-modified polyacrylate is introduced to the self-recovery coating composition. The contact angle of water on the coated surface is confirmed to show its hydrophobic surface. Finally, accelerated weathering test of paint protection film with poly(urea-urethane) hybrid coating layer is performed to check the possibility of discoloration and deformation due to long-term exposure on harsh condition.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.179-190
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• 2023

The effect of glass fibres (GF) and polypropylene fibres (PPF) on the fresh properties and mechanical properties of lightweight concrete (LWC) exposed to high temperatures is investigated in this study. In this study, fifteen LWC mixtures were carried out in three different groups reinforced with PPF or GF fibers by 0%, 0.2%, and 0.4% by volume of concrete. The first group included aluminum powder (AP) as an air agent at 0.03% with the normal weight coarse aggregate (NWCA) by 100% of the weight of coarse aggregate. In the second group, 33% of the NWCA weight was replaced by lightweight coarse aggregate (LWCA). In the third group, 67% of the NWCA weight was replaced by LWCA. The slump, unit weight, Compressive strength (CS), tensile strength (TS), and flexural strength (FS) were examined. For two hours, the CS and FS were subjected to elevated temperatures of 200℃, 400℃, and 600℃, in addition to microstructure analysis of concrete. In comparison to the reference mixture, the fresh properties and bulk density of LWC decreased with the use of the air agent or the replacement of 67% of the NWCA with LWCA. As a result of the fiber addition, both the slump test and the bulk density decreased. The addition of fibers increased the CS; the highest CS was 38.5 MPa when 0.4% GF was added, compared to 28.9 MPa for the reference mixture at the test age of 28 days. In addition, flexural and TS increased by 53% and 38%, respectively, for 0.4% GF mixes. As well as, adding 0.4% GF to LWC maintained a higher CS than other mixtures.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.193-200
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• 2017

BACKGROUND: Plant growth under smart greenhouse (that is plant factory system) conditions of an artificial light type is significantly depending on the artificial light sources such as a fluorescent lamps or Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) with specific spectral wavelengths regardless of the outside environmental changes. In this experiment, characteristics on the growth and compound synthesis of kale seedlings affected by light qualities and intensities provided by LEDs were mentioned. METHODS AND RESULTS: The kale seedlings which developed 3~4 true leaves were exposed by fluorescent lamps or LEDs lights of red (R), blue+white (BW), blue+red (BR) with 50 (L) or $100(H){\mu}mol/m^2/s^1$ photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) under hydroponic culture system of deep flow technique for 50 days. Shoot fresh weight increased under the RH, BWH, and BRH treatments with higher PPF. Shoot elongation of the seedlings decreased, and polyphenol synthesis promoted by the higher light intensity conditions. Sugar synthesis in the leaves was above 2 times greater under the RH treatment of monochromic red light quality with $100{\mu}mol/m^2/s^1\;PPF$ than $50{\mu}mol/m^2/s^1\;PPF$. CONCLUSION: The results show that the control of light quality and intensity in the smart greenhouse conditions with artificial lights significantly affects the growth and compound synthesis in the fresh kale leaves with higher culture efficiency compared to the conventional soil culture under greenhouse or field conditions. Researches on the optimum light intensities of the LEDs with special spectral wavelengths are necessary for maximum growth and metabolism in the seedlings.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2012

The objective of the present study is to provide data needed to find double covering method to be able to improve environment of temperature, humidity and PPF in tomato greenhouse. The distribution charts of temperature, humidity and PPF which were measured in environment control conditions such as thermal insulation, air heating, roof ventilation and air fog cooling in conventional and air inflated double layers greenhouses were drawn and analysed. The thermal insulation effect of the air inflated greenhouse was the same as that of conventional greenhouse because the temperature between insulation curtain and roof covering material was equal in heating season. The ventilation effect of the air inflated greenhouse was superior to the conventional greenhouse. The temperature distribution in the fog cooled greenhouse was uniform and the cooling effect was about $3.5^{\circ}C$. The condensation on the roof covering surface could be controlled by removing the moisture between insulation curtain and roof covering by using humidifier. The PPF of conventional greenhouse was more decreased than the air inflated greenhouse as time went by because the transmittance of conventional greenhouse declined by dust collected on the inside plastic film owing to rolling up and down operation for ventilation.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.24 no.3 s.192
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• pp.67-75
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• 2007

This paper deals with a problem of vibration suppression of a piezoelectric beam using a self-sensing algorithm. Two methods, which are PPF(positive position feedback) and SRF(strain rate feedback), are considered to suppress a residual vibration of a piezoelectric beam developed during the step positioning of a beam end point. A self-sensing algorithm treated here is basically a strain rate estimator of a beam movement and is to be used for the closed loop control. The efficacy of the proposed idea is evaluated through experiments.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery Conference
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• 2000.11c
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• pp.632-638
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• 2000

This paper represents the characteristics of evapotranspiration rate (EVTR) and graft-taking of watermelon grafted seedlings in a graft-taking enhancement system using fluorescent lamps as artificial lighting source. Four air temperature levels of 23, 25, 27 and 29C, three humidity levels of 85, 90 and 95%R.H. and two photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) levels of 30 and 50 ${\mu}$mol m$\^$-2/ S$\^$-1/ were provided to investigate the effects of air temperature, relative humidity and light intensity on EVTR and graft-taking of grafted seedlings. EVTR of grafted seedlings increased with increasing air temperature and the passage of time after grafting. Also EVTR increased with decreasing relative humidity. As relative humidity decreased and air temperature increased, vapor pressure deficit increased and thus EVTR increased. It is required to maintain a low level vapor pressure deficit for suppressing EVTR of grafted seedlings during first 1-2 days after grafting. Therefore, less EVTR at initial stage after grafting would be adequate for smooth joining of the scion and rootstock.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.74-80
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• 2011

Front-back vibrations of high-speed elevator need to be suppressed as in the case of lateral vibrations. The dynamic model for the front-back vibrations is different from the lateral vibration model since the supporting structure varies. In this study, a dynamic model was derived using the energy method. Based on the free vibration analysis, it was observed that the fundamental frequency for the front-back vibration is slightly lower than the fundamental frequency of the lateral vibration, which means that the active vibration control should be carried out in both directions. The PPF control algorithm was applied to the numerical model under measured rail irregularities. The numerical results show that the active vibration control of elevator front-back vibration is also possible.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.437-445
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• 2008

This paper deals with the experimental assessment of the vibration suppression of the smart structures. First. we have presented a new high-speed active control system using the DSP320C6713 microprocessor. A peripheral system developed is composed of a data acquisition system, N/D and D/A converters, piezoelectric (PZT) actuator/sensors, and drivers for fast data processing. Next, we have tested the processing time of the peripheral devices, and provided the corresponding test results. Since fast data processing is very important in the active vibration control of the structures, we have focused on achieving the fast loop times of the control system. Finally, numerous experiments were carried out on the aluminum plate to validate the superior performance of the vibration control system at different control loop times.