Behavior of monolithic prestressed concrete slab track at highway-railway grade crossings

Highway-railway grade crossings are an important part of the transportation system. It allows two types of vehicles to operate in the same areas. Researchers have previously studied the grade crossings, but research on the monolithic prestressed concrete slab (PSCS) track at grade crossings for 1,000mm gauge is limited. At present, there are many types of grade crossing structures that are using in Vietnam. However, these structures still have many disadvantages in the operation process. A new structure type of grade crossing for PSCS is proposed to apply for the 1,000 mm gauge to overcome the main disadvantages of existing structural types. This paper presents test production and experimental measurements to analyze the behavior of PSCS. Test samples of monolithic PSCS were produced in factory. Measurement experiments were conducted in the laboratory. The results of the manufacturing and testing process presented in this paper show that this structure completely meets the criteria of stability and durability under the effect of test loads

HyperCUT: Video Sequence from a Single Blurry Image using Unsupervised Ordering

We consider the challenging task of training models for image-to-video deblurring, which aims to recover a sequence of sharp images corresponding to a given blurry image input. A critical issue disturbing the training of an image-to-video model is the ambiguity of the frame ordering since both the forward and backward sequences are plausible solutions. This paper proposes an effective self-supervised ordering scheme that allows training high-quality image-to-video deblurring models. Unlike previous methods that rely on order-invariant losses, we assign an explicit order for each video sequence, thus avoiding the order-ambiguity issue. Specifically, we map each video sequence to a vector in a latent high-dimensional space so that there exists a hyperplane such that for every video sequence, the vectors extracted from it and its reversed sequence are on different sides of the hyperplane. The side of the vectors will be used to define the order of the corresponding sequence. Last but not least, we propose a real-image dataset for the image-to-video deblurring problem that covers a variety of popular domains, including face, hand, and street. Extensive experimental results confirm the effectiveness of our method. Code and data are available at https://github.com/VinAIResearch/HyperCUT.gitComment: Accepted to CVPR 202

Extended state observer based load frequency controller for three area interconnected power system

In this paper, we develop a new extended state variable observer based LFC scheme for three-area interconnected power systems. The extended state observerbased load frequency controllers are developed which utilize disturbance estimation techniques. The propose control approach assures that the fluctuating things of the load frequencies reaches to a safer range and the load frequencies can also be made at a very minimal not to have an effect on power quality and power flow in multi-area interconnected power system. The results of the simulations using MATLAB/SIMULINK done did not only address that the proposed newly control method works effectively but also change powerfully the parameter variations of the interconnected areas of the power system. Especially, it works very well to limit disturbances impact on interconnected areas in the system. Therefore, the performance of interconnected power system under different multi-conditions is simulated with the new control method to demonstrate the feasibility of the system

Disturbance observer-based controller for inverted pendulum with uncertainties: Linear matrix inequality approach

A new approach based on linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique for stabilizing the inverted pendulum is developed in this article. The unknown states are estimated as well as the system is stabilized simultaneously by employing the observer-based controller. In addition, the impacts of the uncertainties are taken into consideration in this paper. Unlike the previous studies, the uncertainties in this study are unnecessary to satisfy the bounded constraints. These uncertainties will be converted into the unknown input disturbances, and then a disturbance observer-based controller will be synthesized to estimate the information of the unknown states, eliminate completely the effects of the uncertainties, and stabilize inverted pendulum system. With the support of lyapunov methodology, the conditions for constructing the observer and controller under the framework of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) are derived in main theorems. Finally, the simulations for system with and without uncertainties are exhibited to show the merit and effectiveness of the proposed methods

Using Fine-Grained Sediment and Wave Attenuation as a New Measure for Evaluating the Efficacy of Offshore Breakwaters in Stabilizing an Eroded Muddy Coast: Insights from Ca Mau, the Mekong Delta of Vietnam

Offshore breakwaters can be effective in reducing the energy of incident waves through dissipation, refraction or reflection. Breakwaters are increasingly constructed to stabilize eroded muddy coasts, particularly in developing countries. Accumulation of fine-grained sediment and wave attenuation are two attributes of a stable muddy coast. Effective interventions in stabilizing eroded muddy coasts include two important elements: accumulation of fine-grained sediment and wave reduction. The efficacy of offshore breakwaters in stabilizing eroded muddy coasts is, however, not yet adequately understood. A crucial question needing attention is whether accumulation of fine-grained sediment and wave attenuation should be used in evaluating the efficacy of these offshore breakwaters in stabilizing eroded muddy coasts. To address this issue, a pile-rock offshore breakwater in Huong Mai, Tieu Dua of Ca Mau, Vietnam was selected as an appropriate example in this regard. Accumulation of fine-grained sediment and wave attenuation were tested as means to investigate the efficacy of the Huong Mai structure in stabilizing the eroded muddy coast. The study was undertaken using field-based measurements and semi-structured interviews in three stages between October 2016 and December 2020. We found that this structure has had limited efficacy in stabilizing the eroded muddy coast. The structure was effective in dissipating the energy of incident waves, but we found no evidence of fine-grained sediment accumulation due to an inappropriate structural design. There was also no monitoring system in place, leading to difficulties in evaluating its efficacy in terms of wave attenuation and accumulation of fine-grained sediment. The gaps between the shoreline and the structure have not been adequately explained, resulting in substantial challenges in replicating the structure elsewhere. The Huong Mai structure should be strengthened using supplementary measures and granulometric tests in order to improve the efficacy in stabilizing eroded muddy coasts. The methods in this study provide new insights in this regard

Optimal linear quadratic Gaussian control based frequency regulation with communication delays in power system

In this paper, load frequency regulator based on linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) is designed for the MAPS with communication delays. The communication delay is considered to denote the small time delay in a local control area of a wide-area power system. The system is modeled in the state space with inclusion of the delay state matrix parameters. Since some state variables are difficult to measure in a real modern multi-area power system, Kalman filter is used to estimate the unmeasured variables. In addition, the controller with the optimal feedback gain reduces the frequency spikes to zero and keeps the system stable. Lyapunov function based on the LMI technique is used to re-assure the asymptotically stability and the convergence of the estimator error. The designed LQG is simulated in a two area connected power network with considerable time delay. The result from the simulations indicates that the controller performed with expectation in terms of damping the frequency fluctuations and area control errors. It also solved the limitation of other controllers which need to measure all the system state variables

Applying Conflict Management Styles to Resolve Task Conflict and Enhance Team Innovation

Task conflicts among group members have a significant impact on team creativity, so it is critical to identify which conflict resolution styles should be used. This paper aims to examine how various conflict management styles influence team creativity via task conflict. The empirical research was conducted using the Structural Equation Model (SEM) for a sample of 257 employees working for Vietnamese organizations. The results show that dominating style increases task conflict while combining and obliging styles reduce it. To take advantage of the creativity-related benefits associated with task conflict, team leaders should develop an open atmosphere that encourages participants' integrating styles, rather than dominating styles. The negative influence of obliging style reflects Vietnamese culture's high collectivism. The study provides various approaches for task conflict management and also highlights the role of controlling task conflicts in enhancing team innovation. It implies that employees will be able to work better as a team in practice if conflict management strategies are used in a flexible manner. It helps them to build a good connection and successfully implement new ideas. Further research should extend the conclusion of this analysis in various contexts to generalize the findings. Doi: 10.28991/esj-2021-01303 Full Text: PD

Barrier Factors Affecting Development of Intelligent Transport System Projects

This paper identifies potential barrier factors affecting effectiveness and development (ED) of ITS projects as well as criteria for measuring ED of ITS projects in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The study discovers the barrier constructs, and analyzes data using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling method (PLS-SEM). The results provides a general and comprehensive overview of the main issues of ITS, and identifies 28 barrier factors with five main constructs affecting ED of ITS projects, namely the lack of undivided attention from the government (AG), financial constraints for ITS (FC), inadequate transport infrastructure (ITI), the over-development of urbanization (ODU), and the readiness and integration for ITS (RI). This paper fill the knowledge gap by discovering the causal relationships between barrier constructs and ED of ITS projects in Vietnam. Also it proposes several solutions for these issues, which are also a useful measurement tool for government agencies, planners, and traffic system designers to help them self-assess and make action plans now or in the near future

Impact of Strategic Management Accounting on Operating Performance: Research in Public Universities of Vietnam

Purpose: The study aims to evaluate the impact of strategic management accounting (SMA) on the operating performance of Vietnamese public universities in terms of autonomy, student size, and number of years of establishment.   Theoretical framework: The paper is based on the theory of strategic management accounting, including the use of strategic management accounting as well as the characteristics of organizations in general and universities in particular.   Design/Methodology/Approach: Survey data were collected from 142 accountants of 102 public higher education institutions, cleaned data, and used regression analysis by SPSS 22 software.   Findings: The results showed that with 07 factors of SMA stands for Strategic Application (AD), Strategic Planning (LKH), Strategic Management Accounting (KT), Financial Measures (TC), Non-Financial Measures (PTC), Reporting strategy (BC), and Strategic Management Decision Making (RQD), there are only 3 factors that have an impact on the performance of quality universities (Application of Strategy, Quality Management Accounting Techniques, and Financial Measures). Considering the control variable, only the degree of autonomy, and the number of students have a positive effect on the impact of quality management accounting information and the performance of universities.   Research, practical & social implications: The results contribute to additional evidence for managers to pay more attention to quality management accounting information, thereby improving the universites' operational performance. In addition, this study complements the literature review documents related to the content of SMA and the impact of using SMA on the performance of universities.   Originality/Value: The study provided an extension on the impact of SMA on the performance of universities as well as the mediating role of the control variable on the relationship between SMA and performance. Research results provide useful references for research on related issues