The transition to a zero-carbon economy is the inclusive growth story of the twenty-first century. It needs to be managed with effective and cohesive policies, whilst recognizing that sustainable development, inclusive growth and climate action are interwoven and mutually supportive.

The zero attraction affine projection algorithm (ZA-APA) achieves better performance in terms of convergence rate and steady state error than standard APA when the system is sparse. It uses l1 norm penalty to exploit sparsity of the channel. The performance of ZA-APA depends on the value of zero attractor controller. Moreover a fixed attractor controller is not suitable for varying sparsity environment. This paper proposes an optimal adaptive zero attractor controller based on Mean Square Deviation (MSD) error to work in variable sparsity environment. Experiments were conducted to prove the suitability of the proposed algorithm for identification of unknown variable sparse system.

The increased power density, reduced switching losses with minimum electromagnetic interference (EMI), and high efficiency are essential requirements of power converters. To achieve these characteristics, soft power converters employing soft switching techniques are indispensable. In this paper, a ZCS/ZVS PWM AC/DC converter topology has been emphasized, which finds applications in high power systems such as automobile battery charging and renewable energy systems. This converter scheme maintains zero current and zero voltage switching conditions at turn on and turn off moments of semiconductor switches, respectively and soft operation of rectifier diodes that lead to negligible switching and diode reverse recovery losses. Moreover, it improves power quality and presents high input power factor, low total harmonic distortion of the input current (THDI) and improved efficiency. The validity of theoretical analysis of the proposed converter has been carried out experimentally on a 10 kW laboratory prototype. Experimental results prove that the soft switching operation of the semiconductor switches and diodes is maintained at 98.6% rated load efficiency. In addition, the performance evaluation has been performed by comparative analysis of the proposed converter with some prior art high power AC/DC converters. Efficiencies of the proposed and prior art high power topologies have been determined for different load conditions. The highest efficiency, power factor and lower THDI of the proposed converter topology complies with international standards.

A hybrid method is presented for the integration of low-, mid-, and high-frequency driver filters in loud-speaker crossovers. The Pascal matrix is exploited to calculate denominators; the locations of minimum values in frequency magnitude responses are associated with the forms of numerators; the maximum values are used to compute gain factors. The forms of the resulting filters are based on the physical meanings of low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass filters, an intuitive idea which is easy to be understood. Moreover, each coefficient is believed to be simply calculated, an advantage which keeps the software-implemented crossover running smoothly even if crossover frequencies are being changed in real time. This characteristic allows users to efficiently adjust the bandwidths of the driver filters by subjective listening tests if objective measurements of loudspeaker parameters are unavailable. Instead of designing separate structures for a low-, mid-, and high-frequency driver filter, by using the proposed techniques we can implement one structure which merges three types of digital filters. Not only does the integration architecture operate with low computational cost, but its size is also compact. Design examples are included to illustrate the effectiveness of the presented methodology

Advanced automotive fleet repair facility wastewater treatment was investigated with Zero-Valent Iron/Hydrogen Peroxide (Air/ZVI/H2O2) process for different process parameters: ZVI and H2O2 doses, time, pH. The highest Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal efficiency, 76%, was achieved for ZVI/H2O2 doses 4000/1900 mg/L, 120 min process time, pH 3.0. COD decreased from 933 to 227 mg/L. In optimal process conditions odor and color were also completely removed. COD removal efficiency was increasing with ZVI dose. Change pH value below and over 3.0 causes a rapid decrease in the treatment effectiveness. The Air/ZVI/H2O2 process kinetics can be described as d[COD]/dt = −a [COD]tm, where ‘t’ corresponds with time and ‘a’ and ‘m’ are constants that depend on the initial reagent concentrations. H2O2 influence on process effect was assessed. COD removal could be up to 40% (560 mg/L) for Air/ZVI process. The FeCl3 coagulation effect was also evaluated. The best coagulation results were obtained for 700 mg/L Fe3+ dose, that was slightly higher than dissolved Fe used in ZVI/H2O2 process. COD was decreased to 509 mg/L.

In this paper, the influence of impact damage to the induction motors on the zero-sequence voltage and its spectrum is presented. The signals detecting the damages result from a detailed analysis of the formula describing this voltage component which is induced in the stator windings due to core magnetic saturation and the discrete displacement of windings. Its course is affected by the operation of both the stator and the rotor. Other fault detection methods, are known and widely applied by analysing the spectrum of stator currents. The presented method may be a complement to other methods because of the ease of measurements of the zero voltage for star connected motors. Additionally, for converter fed motors the zero sequence voltage eliminates higher time harmonics displaced by 120 degrees. The results of the method application are presented through measurements and explained by the use of a mathematical model of the slip-ring induction motor.

We propose building a new PKC in a ring structure, the classification of rings being an open problem. The difficulty of the scheme is based on retrieving the eigenvalues of endomorphism on a finite type module over a non-commutative ring. It is resistant to a chosen cipher text attack. Working in the fraction ring of a non-commutative ring makes our scheme a zero-knowledge proof of knowledge, result indistinguishable, in the Naor-Yung model. Finally, a dramatic improvement in security is obtained through the drawing with uniform probability of the working ring at high frequency.

This paper presents a universal approximation of the unit circle by a polygon that can be used in signal processing algorithms. Optimal choice of the values of three parameters of this approximation allows one to obtain a high accuracy of approximation. The approximation described in the paper has a universal character and can be used in many signal processing algorithms, such as DFT, that use the mathematical form of the unit circle. One of the applications of the described approximation is the DFT linear interpolation method (LIDFT). Applying the results of the presented paper to improve the LIDFT method allows one to significantly decrease the errors in estimating the amplitudes and frequencies of multifrequency signal components. The paper presents the derived formulas, an analysis of the approximation accuracy and the region of best values for the approximation parameters.

A correlation measuring tool for an endogenous pulsed neutron source experiment is developed in this work. Paroxysmal pulses generated by a bursts of neutron chains are detected by a 10-kbit embedded shift register with a time resolution of 100 ns. The system is implemented on a single reprogrammable device making it a compact, cost-effective instrument, easily adaptable for any case study. The system was verified experimentally in the Esfahan heavy-water zero power reactor (EHWZPR). The results obtained by the measuring tool are validated by the Feynman-α experiment, and a good agreement is seen within the boundaries of statistical uncertainties. The theory of the methods is briefly initiated in the text. Also, the system structure is described, the experimental results and their uncertainties are discussed, and neutron statistics in EHWZPR is examined experimentally.

The article introduces an innovative approch for the inspection challenge that represents a generalization of the classical Traveling Salesman Problem. Its priciple idea is to visit continuous areas (circles) in a way, that minimizes travelled distance. In practice, the problem can be defined as an issue of scheduling unmanned aerial vehicle which has discrete-continuous nature. In order to solve this problem the use of local search algorithms is proposed.

Technologia przepuszczalnych reaktywnych barier (PRB) należy do metod remediacji wód gruntowych. W technologii tej zanieczyszczenia usuwane są bezpośrednio w warstwie wodonośnej poprzez przepływ skażonego strumienia wód gruntowych przez wypełnioną odpowiednim materiałem (aktywnym) barierę aktywną. W artykule przedstawiono problemy związane z tworzeniem się osadów w żelazie metalicznym stosowanymjako material aktywny technologii PRB. Osady te mogą zmniejszać aktywność materiału i jego zdolność filtracyjną. Tworzeniu się osadów mogą towarzyszyć zmiany pH, potencjału redox oraz stężenia tlenu. Zmiany te były obserwowane w badaniach laboratoryjnych przedstawionych w artykule. Ponadto w artykule przedstawiono i udowodniono następującą zasadę: aby zwiększyć skuteczność działania typu Funnel-and-Gate technologii PRB przez zwiększenie szerokości strefy oczyszczania, stosunek współczynnika filtracji materiału aktywnego do współczynnika filtracji warstwy wodonośnej (k,,,/k,ą) powinien przyjąć wartość 6. Ze względu na tworzenie się osadów w żelazie metalicznym, które mogą zmniejszyć jego zdolność filtracyjną, założono jednak, iż stosunek ten powinien wynosić I O. Wartość ta daje pewność, że zmniejszenie się wartości współczynnika filtracji materiału aktywnego na skutek tworzenia się osadów, nie wpłynie w znaczący sposób na szerokość strefy oczyszczania. Przedstawione rozwiązanie może zapewnić skuteczne i długotrwale oczyszczanie wód gruntowych w typie Funnel-and-Gate technologii PRB.

The removal of nitrates from aqueous solutions is cumbersome because of their high solubility in water. The use of zero-valent iron (ZVI) for the reduction of nitrates is the chemical process and it is an alternative method to the biological ones. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the eff ectiveness of nitrates removal from water solution by using the ZVI process. The process was coupled with the removal of COD, phosphates and turbidity by using by-products of nitrates reduction. Batch tests were performed to evaluate the eff ectiveness of ZVI in the removal of nitrates from aqueous solutions. The eff ectiveness of nitrates removal was analyzed after 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 min. and compared to the initial concentration of pollutants. Simultaneously analysis of ammonium nitrogen and nitrites was controlled to identify products of nitrates reduction under various pH. The removal of COD, phosphates and turbidity was also performed in batch tests. The eff ectiveness of the emoval by using three types of chemicals was compared – PIX, FeSO4, and waste Fe2+/Fe3+ from the ZVI process. The results obtained in the study indicate that ZVI can be eff ectively used in the treatment of water polluted with nitrates and the by-products of the process could be further applied in the removal of COD, phosphates and turbidity. Based on the results the method should be advised as a promising alternative to the technologies used nowadays under technical scale as a technology that fits with a circular economy.

In Polish coal mining, medium voltage power distribution networks operate with an insulated neutral point. Zero-sequence current transformers are the basic sensors that generate input signals for earth-fault protection relays. In the literature, the problem of frequency response analysis of various types of current transformers has been examined many times, e.g. [1] [2], but not for zero-sequence current transformers so far. As part of the work, two types of zero-sequence current transformers in the range from 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz were tested. Both the change of the current ratio and the angular shift between the transformer secondary current and the total primary current were analyzed.

The purpose of this paper is to propose a model of a novel quasi-resonant boost converter with a tapped inductor. This converter combines the advantages of zero voltage quasi-resonant techniques and different conduction modes with the possibility of obtaining a high voltage conversion ratio by using a tapped inductor, which results in high converter efficiency and soft switching in the whole output power range. The paper contains an analysis of converter operation, a determination of voltage conversion ratio and the maximum voltage across power semiconductor switches as well as a discussion of control methods in discontinuous, critical, and continuous conduction modes. In order to verify the novelty of the proposed converter, a laboratory prototype of 300 W power was built. The highest efficiency η  = 94.7% was measured with the output power P_o =  260 W and the input voltage V_in = 50 V. The lowest efficiency of 90.7% was obtained for the input voltage V_in  = 30 V and the output power P_o = 75 W. The model was tested at input voltages (30–50) V, output voltage 380 V and maximum switching frequency 100 kHz.

Poles and zeros assignment problem by state feedbacks in positive continuous-time and discrete-time systems is analyzed. It is shown that in multi-input multi-output positive linear systems by state feedbacks the poles and zeros of the transfer matrices can be assigned in the desired positions. In the positive continuous-time linear systems the feedback gain matrix can be chosen as a monomial matrix so that the poles and zeros of the transfer matrices have the desired values if the input matrix B is monomial. In the positive discrete-time linear systems to solve the problem the matrix B can be chosen monomial if and only if in every row and every column of the n x n system matrix A the sum of n-1 its entries is less than one. Key words: assignment, pole, zero, transfer matrix, linear, positive, system, state feedback

This paper presents the classification of musical instruments using Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC) and Higher Order Spectral features. MFCC, cepstral, temporal, spectral, and timbral features have been widely used in the task of musical instrument classification. As music sound signal is generated using non-linear dynamics, non-linearity and non-Gaussianity of the musical instruments are important features which have not been considered in the past. In this paper, hybridisation of MFCC and Higher Order Spectral (HOS) based features have been used in the task of musical instrument classification. HOS-based features have been used to provide instrument specific information such as non-Gaussianity and non-linearity of the musical instruments. The extracted features have been presented to Counter Propagation Neural Network (CPNN) to identify the instruments and their family. For experimentation, isolated sounds of 19 musical instruments have been used from McGill University Master Sample (MUMS) sound database. The proposed features show the significant improvement in the classification accuracy of the system.

This paper presents a simplified modeling, simulation and Experimental analysis of permanent magnet brushless dc motors (PMBLDC) for sensorless operation. This model provides a mechanism for monitoring and controlling of voltage, current, Speer and torque. The sensorless scheme employs direct back emf based zero crossing detection for controlling the dynamic characteristics.

This paper presents the general solution of the least-squares approximation of the frequency characteristic of the data window by linear functions combined with zero padding technique. The approximation characteristic can be discontinuous or continuous, what depends on the value of one approximation parameter. The approximation solution has an analytical form and therefore the results have universal character. The paper presents derived formulas, analysis of approximation accuracy, the exemplary characteristics and conclusions, which confirm high accuracy of the approximation. The presented solution is applicable to estimating methods, like the LIDFT method, visualizations, etc.

This paper derives analytical formulas for the systematic errors of the linear interpolated DFT (LIDFT) method when used to estimating multifrequency signal parameters and verifies this analysis using Monte-Carlo simulations. The analysis is performed on the version of the LIDFT method based on optimal approximation of the unit circle by a polygon using a pair of windows. The analytical formulas derived here take the systematic errors in the estimation of amplitude and frequency of component oscillations in the multifrequency signal as the sum of basic errors and the errors caused by each of the component oscillations. Additional formulas are also included to analyze particular quantities such as a signal consisting of two complex oscillations, and the analyses are verified using Monte-Carlo simulations.

In this paper a concept of finite impulse response (FIR) narrow band-stop (notch) filter with non-zero initial conditions, based on infinite impulse response (IIR) prototype filter, is proposed. The filter described in this paper is used to suppress power line noise from ECG signals. In order to reduce the transient response of the proposed FIR notch filter, optimal initial conditions for the filter have been determined. The algorithm for finding the length of the initial conditions vector is presented. The proposed values of the length of initial conditions vector, for several ECG signals and interfering frequencies, are calculated. The proposed filters are tested using various ECG signals. Computer simulations demonstrate that the proposed FIR filters outperform traditional FIR filters with initial conditions set to zero.

A product is referred to as robust when its performance is consistent. In current product robustness paradigms, robustness is the responsibility of engineering design. Drawings and 3D models should be released to manufacturing after applying all the possible robust design principles. But there are no methods referred for manufacturing to carry and improve product robustness after the design freeze. This paper proposes a process of inducing product robustness at all stages of product development from design release to the start of mass production. A manufacturing strategy of absorbing all obvious variations and an approach of turning variations to cancel one another are defined. Verified the application feasibility and established the robustness quantification method at each stage. The theoretical and actual sensitivity of different parameters is identified as indicators. Theoretical and actual performance variation and accuracy of estimation are established as robustness metric. Manufacturing plan alignment to design, complimenting the design and process sensitivities, countering process mean shifts with tool deviations, higher adjustable assembly tools are enablers to achieve product robustness.

Presented article contain the teachers opinions of the perceived social expectations in relation to their own expectations of both the institutions of school and local educational authorities. The starting point is a thesis that asymmetrical and disproportionate expectations conducive to the construction of the reduced school reality a specified group of students. as reality shows school does not always reflect the social expectations, which is closely connected with the attitudes of teachers in mainstream schools. however, their expectations of working conditions and the same students with disabilities often remain inconsistent. To identify and interpret the reality that create the appearance of the school, the topic is examined in the context of the concept of the reduced space and the theory of games.

Although the explicit commutativitiy conditions for second-order linear time-varying systems have been appeared in some literature, these are all for initially relaxed systems. This paper presents explicit necessary and sufficient commutativity conditions for commutativity of second-order linear time-varying systems with non-zero initial conditions. It has appeared interesting that the second requirement for the commutativity of non-relaxed systems plays an important role on the commutativity conditions when non-zero initial conditions exist. Another highlight is that the commutativity of switched systems is considered and spoiling of commutativity at the switching instants is illustrated for the first time. The simulation results support the theory developed in the paper.