Application of Advanced Early Warning Systems with Adaptive Protection

This project developed and field-tested two methods of Adaptive Protection systems utilizing synchrophasor data. One method detects conditions of system stress that can lead to unintended relay operation, and initiates a supervisory signal to modify relay response in real time to avoid false trips. The second method detects the possibility of false trips of impedance relays as stable system swings “encroach” on the relays’ impedance zones, and produces an early warning so that relay engineers can re-evaluate relay settings. In addition, real-time synchrophasor data produced by this project was used to develop advanced visualization techniques for display of synchrophasor data to utility operators and engineers

Category Theory and Model-Driven Engineering: From Formal Semantics to Design Patterns and Beyond

There is a hidden intrigue in the title. CT is one of the most abstract mathematical disciplines, sometimes nicknamed "abstract nonsense". MDE is a recent trend in software development, industrially supported by standards, tools, and the status of a new "silver bullet". Surprisingly, categorical patterns turn out to be directly applicable to mathematical modeling of structures appearing in everyday MDE practice. Model merging, transformation, synchronization, and other important model management scenarios can be seen as executions of categorical specifications. Moreover, the paper aims to elucidate a claim that relationships between CT and MDE are more complex and richer than is normally assumed for "applied mathematics". CT provides a toolbox of design patterns and structural principles of real practical value for MDE. We will present examples of how an elementary categorical arrangement of a model management scenario reveals deficiencies in the architecture of modern tools automating the scenario.Comment: In Proceedings ACCAT 2012, arXiv:1208.430

Evaluating Resilience of Electricity Distribution Networks via A Modification of Generalized Benders Decomposition Method

This paper presents a computational approach to evaluate the resilience of electricity Distribution Networks (DNs) to cyber-physical failures. In our model, we consider an attacker who targets multiple DN components to maximize the loss of the DN operator. We consider two types of operator response: (i) Coordinated emergency response; (ii) Uncoordinated autonomous disconnects, which may lead to cascading failures. To evaluate resilience under response (i), we solve a Bilevel Mixed-Integer Second-Order Cone Program which is computationally challenging due to mixed-integer variables in the inner problem and non-convex constraints. Our solution approach is based on the Generalized Benders Decomposition method, which achieves a reasonable tradeoff between computational time and solution accuracy. Our approach involves modifying the Benders cut based on structural insights on power flow over radial DNs. We evaluate DN resilience under response (ii) by sequentially computing autonomous component disconnects due to operating bound violations resulting from the initial attack and the potential cascading failures. Our approach helps estimate the gain in resilience under response (i), relative to (ii)

MNEs, internationalization of R&D and the impact on local firms: Evidence from China's high-tech industries.

This study examines the impact of FDI and foreign-owned Research and Development (R&D) on total factor productivity (TFP) of domestic firms in China's high-tech industries. Growth in local firm's TFP is modeled as being dependent on the local firm's distance in technology space to foreign affiliates in the same industry, along with R&D, both foreign-owned and domestic. This model is tested on small-sampled industry-level data for China for the period of 1997-2003, using a within estimator, panel data approach. The results show that the technology gap has a significantly positive relation to the improvement of domestic TFP growth productivity at the industry level. However, we do not find strong positive effect of foreign-owned R&D on improving local productivity. Domestic firms' own R&D, by contrast, is a significant determinant for local industry's productivity enhancement.local total factor productivityData; Domestic; Estimator; Firms; Foreign-owned research and development; Foreign direct investment; Growth; Impact; Industries; Industry; Investment; Local total factor productivity; Model; Multinational enterprises; Panel data; Productivity; R&D; Research; Research and development; Space; Spillovers; Studies; Technology; Technology spillovers; Total factor productivity;

Synergy of the Developed 6D BIM Framework and Conception of the nD BIM Framework and nD BIM Process Ontology

The author developed a unified nD framework and process ontology for Building Information Modeling (BIM). The research includes a framework developed for 6D BIM, nD BIM, and nD ontology that defines the domain and sub-domain constructs for future nD BIM dimensions. The nD ontology defines the relationships of kinds within any new proposed dimensional domain for BIM. The developed nD BIM framework and ontology takes into account the current 2D-5D BIM dimensions. There is a synergy between the 6D and nD framework that allows the nD framework and ontology to be utilized as a unified template for future dimensional development. Future dimensions for BIM are referred as nD dimensions. The Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Facility Management (AEC/FM) industries are suffering from many problems in the area of interoperability among BIM dimensions. All nD dimensions must be interoperable. The congestion between interoperable dimensions and communication among AEC/FM stakeholders are the main problems to be resolved. The objective of the research is to solve these problems by utilizing one single nD framework and ontology for nD BIMs. The AEC/FM industries can benefit from the developed 6D framework, nD framework and nD process ontology. nD dimensions must have ontological rules that clearly define the new dimension. The AEC/FM needs non-abstract dimensions to succeed in the areas of seamless dimensional integration, interoperability, round tripping of dimensional data, and precise collaboration among stakeholders. Defined dimensions allow future dimensions to be implemented in an integrated workflow. nD ontology demonstrates new dimensional domain K\u27 shall be defined while also explicitly defining its subset-domains {K1, K2…Kn}, and subset domains K shall contain some x information for interoperability among dimensions that are within K\u27. The research contributions are the framework and ontology for nD BIM. The author conducted case studies that validate the nD methodology. The case studies show that the methodology of the input, output, control and mechanism are correct and the theory can be utilized in application for the AEC/FM and is applicable for other industries. Other contributions include the custom web-based BimServer that serves as the central repository for harvesting all control data within nD BIMs and allows all stakeholders to participate on projects in real-time via an embedded virtual environment in the BimServer. The nD BIM methodology consists of one object-oriented parametric product data model as the input and the output. A relational database is the mechanism for the nD BIM process that distributes the dimensional data. The database is the crux of the nD BIM and it allows the interoperability between the nD dimensions and querying of the nD parametric product data

Endicia Label Editor

Endicia’s Label Server’s core functionality is to generate shipping labels. The LabelServer’s rendering engine takes a predefined layout and generates labels in different formats. We added visualization of the layouts that was previously code-defined. We researched layout editors in terms of price, feature, and popularity and chose Microsoft Visio. We wrote a program that translates the layouts generated by the editor into the data structure used by the Label Server’s rendering engine. We also wrote code to translate the current code-defined layouts into the layout editor’s format. This project helped accelerate the new layout design process and made the process available to a wider client base

What Constitutes Foreign Direct Investment? Comparison of India and China

This paper is concerned with issues relating to the prevailing state of alignment of the definition of foreign direct investment (FDI) in different countries with the international standards as advocated by the International Monetary Fund and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. In this context, we review the existing accounting gap in FDI statistics between India and China and explore certain dimensions of the discrepancy. Finally, a few observations and policy recommendations evolve from the analysis