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Paper-fluidic devices are a popular platform for point-of-care diagnostics due to their low cost, ease of use, and equipment-free detection of target molecules. They are limited, however, by their lack of sensitivity and inability to incorporate more complex processes, such as nucleic acid amplification or enzymatic signal enhancement. To address these limitations, various valves have previously been implemented in paper-fluidic devices to control fluid obstruction and release. However, incorporation of valves into new devices is a highly iterative, time-intensive process due to limited experimental data describing the microscale flow that drives the biophysical reactions in the assay. In this paper, we tested and modeled different geometries of thermally actuated valves to investigate how they can be more easily implemented in an LFIA with precise control of actuation time, flow rate, and flow pattern. We demonstrate that bulk flow measurements alone cannot estimate the highly variable microscale properties and effects on LFIA signal development. To further quantify the microfluidic properties of paper-fluidic devices, micro-particle image velocimetry was used to quantify fluorescent nanoparticle flow through the membranes and demonstrated divergent properties from bulk flow that may explain additional variability in LFIA signal generation. Altogether, we demonstrate that a more robust characterization of paper-fluidic devices can permit fine-tuning of parameters for precise automation of multi-step assays and inform analytical models for more efficient design.

Paper based assays are paving the way to automated, simplified, robust and cost-effective point of care testing (POCT). We propose a method for fabricating three dimensional (3D) microfluidic paper based analytical devices (μPADs) via combining thin adhesive films and paper folding, which avoids the use of cellulose powders and the complex folding sequence and simultaneously permits assays in several layers. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, a 3DμPADs was designed to conduct more assays on a small footprint, allowing dual colorimetric and electrochemical detections. More importantly, we further developed a 3D platform for implementing automated and multiplexed ELISA in parallel, since ELISA, a routine and standard laboratory method, has rarely been used in practical analyses outside of the laboratory. In this configuration, complex and multistep diagnostic assays can be carried out with the addition of the sample and buffer in a simple fashion. Using Troponin I as model, the device showed a broad dynamic range of detection with a detection limit of 0.35 ng/mL. Thus, the developed platforms allow for various assays to be cost-effectively carried out on a single 3D device, showing great potential in an academic setting and point of care testing under resource-poor conditions.

The industry of disposables has undergone a huge revolution in this century owing to the busy lifestyles and technological advancements in its production and manufacturing process. Paper cups are one of the widely used products in disposable industry. It has multi utility options that is it can be used to drink water as well as beverages, soups, liquids etc. This paper entirely focuses on increasing the quality factor of production and manufacturing process of these paper cups by adding additional circuitry to the existing machinery to reduce waste of raw materials as well as the per unit cost involved in wastage of electricity. This research work is based on using proximity sensors to sense the materials and molded paper cups infront of machinery and reduce the electric wastage through a relay Mechanism assembly. This is a PLC based live project example of effectively increasing the overall efficiency of the manufacturing plant

In the screening area of the paper mill has the high density impurities which are removed from the pulp and it is stored in the machine chest. The pulp in the machine chest is directly transferred to the head box without removing any medium density sand particles which affects the quality of the pulp. Only if the pulp entering the paper machine is clean and well-mixed with additives a good quality of paper will be produced. So in between the pulp tank and the pulp receiver a medium density cleaner is installed. The pulp in the machine chest is allowed to flow through the round hopper. Due to the circulatory motion and by centrifugal force the high density sand particles will settle in the bottom of the hopper. Due to the centripetal force the pulp is recovered from the hopper. The sand particles that settled in the bottom of the hopper are removed by the periodic opening and closing of the solenoid valves at regular interval of time. The medium density impurities are removed by creating hydro cyclone. These sequential operations are automated and controlled through PLC. So the overall plant efficiency is increased. Since the medium density impurities are removed this ensures the good quality paper production.

In most cases, three-dimensional paper-based microfluidic analytical devices (3D-μPADs) were fabricated manually by stacking or folding methods. For the first time, digital light processing stereolithography (DLP-SLA) 3D printing technology was adopted to automatically make 3D-μPADs. In the fabrication process, a printing pause was set between two layers to allow paper to be placed in the resin tank. The resin on the fresh paper spontaneously bonded to the former cured paper layer during curing, thus realizing the automatic bonding and alignment between different layers of paper and avoiding the human participation and errors as in stacking and folding methods. There was a gap between two vertical aligned flow paths, therefore the liquid did not flow spontaneously from the upper layer to the lower layer. Most of the fluid flow in 3D-μPADs was spontaneous or manually activated, which was not conducive to complex assays that require different regents to be delivered sequentially. Herein, we used an electric field or airflow to trigger the fluid flow and demonstrated the flow controllability by a proof-of-concept colorimetric assay. The limits of detection of glucose and albumin were 0.8 mM and 3.5 μM, respectively, which were sufficient for clinical requirements. Given the characteristic of flow controllability, we believe that the proposed 3D-μPADs have great potential to make paper-based complex assays automated and programmable.

Due to the security threats faced in the connected world, the consideration of security requirements during system design and modeling has become a necessity. Unfortunately, the identification of new requirements that may arise throughout additional phases of a system’s life-cycle (e.g. operation) must also be considered due to the ever-changing threat landscape. These new requirements may derive in system adaptations or modifications that ensure continuous system security. The identification of these new requirements and the implementation of their derived changes must be performed in a timely manner in order to avoid time windows where the system is vulnerable to security attacks. Unfortunately, the timely implementation of security-related changes is a challenge when dealing with automation systems as it may affect their availability and functionality. This position paper presents an approach that allows semiautomatic identification of system vulnerabilities in order to facilitate the derivation of new requirements that allow to ensure the security of a system. This identification is carried out throughout multiple phases of a system’s life-cycle.

Recent advanced paper-based microfluidic devices provide an alternative technology for the detection of biomarkers by using affordable and portable devices for point-of-care testing (POCT). Programmable paper-based microfluidic devices enable a wide range of biomarker detection with high sensitivity and automation for single- and multi-step assays because they provide better control for manipulating fluid samples. In this review, we examine the advances in programmable microfluidics, i.e., paper-based continuous-flow microfluidic (p-CMF) devices and paper-based digital microfluidic (p-DMF) devices, for biomarker detection. First, we discuss the methods used to fabricate these two types of paper-based microfluidic devices and the strategies for programming fluid delivery and for droplet manipulation. Next, we discuss the use of these programmable paper-based devices for the single- and multi-step detection of biomarkers. Finally, we present the current limitations of paper-based microfluidics for biomarker detection and the outlook for their development.

This paper focuses on the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in academic library operations. In the quest to render fast, effective and efficient s...

Nowadays, ports are in need to maximize their incomes, and this based on the fierce competition. For this reason, all ports stakeholders should be involved to contribute in the design and the development of a policy of scheduling and priority.This project owned by the Vessel Call Service Planning Service in the port of Tanger Med as the "Tanger Med Port Authority", and it output was to report the summarized the work done and the methods behind it.The main goal is to develop a simulator model that includes all kind of operations and the operational process by choosing the appropriate KPIs that are fully reflecting the congestion transferred by port vesselsFirst, it aims to define the operating assumptions and the fundamental concepts on which our simulation model will be based and to present the data that were used for the implementation of the simulation as well as the origin of these data.Secondly, it aims to validate and calibrate the model by presenting some improvements that could be made to the simulator in order to make it more precise and more representative and to ensure automation of the processing of inputs and outputs. While towards the end we conclude with the presentation of congestion situations, the results obtained and their use in decision making.AIS data is another factor has been added to help in getting best results, this helped in vessels planification in/out predictive process while automating the use of our simulator with the AIS Data receipt from SatelliteThis part of project is in to give the smart aspect to our simulator results by using smart technology.

The aim of this study is to design a fully automatic Sundry board machine for reduction of congestion in the cardboard making process and increase the quality and quantity of production. For this purpose, the manual cutting and transfer of sheet is replaced by automated mechanism. The mechanisms include the incorporation of the cutting arrangement in the cutting drum itself, deployment of air pressure to separate the sheet edge from the cutting drum, a cross cutting mechanism and a mechatronic system to control these all mechanism. The initial review is done on the semi-automatic machine followed by the requirement definition. The required components are brainstormed and individually developed. A time based relation is designed such that a microcontroller can be programmed later on for the synchronism of all the components. Thisrelation is visually represented and the entire system is now ready for assembling.

The Science of Behavior Change project represents a major advance in the way we approach the study of behavior and behavior change; the protocols in this special issue reflect the innovative approach to intervention development. Digital technology is transforming the way we conduct science and can greatly assist with developing protocols, reporting studies, and evidence synthesis. The journal Addiction has developed an online Paper Authoring Tool (PAT) for reporting full-scale randomized controlled trials that could also be used for reporting protocols and early phase trials. PAT aims to help authors ensure that they include all the required information and present it in a way that is clear and consistent in terms of language and phrasing. It also generates a computer-readable record that should greatly facilitate automation of evidence synthesis. PAT is intended to represent the first step in creation of a supportive ecosystem for the conduct of science, linking grant applications, study protocols, study reports, measures, reviews and study data in a coordinated online knowledge base. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

This work presents an annotation tool that automatically locates mentions of particular amino-acid residues in published papers and identifies the protein concerned. These matches can be provided in context or in a searchable format in order for researchers to better use the existing and future literature.

The industry of disposables has undergone an astronomically immense revolution in this century owing to the diligent lifestyles and technological advancements in its engenderment and manufacturing process. Paper cups are one of the widely used products in disposable industry. It has multi utility options that is it can be acclimated to imbibe water as well as beverages, soups, liquids etc. This paper entirely fixates on incrementing the quality factor of engenderment and manufacturing process of these paper cups by integrating adscititious circuitry to the subsisting machinery to truncate waste of raw materials as well as the per unit cost involved in wastage of electricity. There is a necessity to improvise the quality of overall production parameters using automation techniques. Replacing the whole machinery is a very high costing implementation hence economic feasibility of automation can be achieved by adding an additional circuitry and improving the overall perfoemance. This research work is predicated on utilizing proximity sensors to sense the materials and molded paper cups in front of machinery and minimize the electric wastage through a relay Mechanism assembly. This is a PLC predicated live project example of efficaciously incrementing the overall efficiency of the manufacturing plant

Microfluidic paper-based chips have many advantages such as ease of integration, miniaturization, and automation; high throughput; low production cost; easy portability; easy storage and transportation, environmental friendliness, and feasibility of instantaneous detection. These chips are widely used in clinical diagnosis, food quality control, and immunoassays. With the continuous development of microfluidic paper microarrays in recent years, they have also received great attention for environmental contaminant analysis and detection, and research in this field has been intensive, showing excellent prospects for application. This review summarizes the latest research progress in environmental analysis from the perspective of the application of microfluidic paper-based chips, as well as future development trends and challenges. More than 150 papers from the Science Citation Index (SCI) and Chinese core journals are cited in this paper. This review includes the advantages of microfluidic paper-based chips for environmental analysis and detection; the introduction of paper chip fabrication methods, including wax printing, photolithography, dicing, plasma, laser, and inkjet etching; and the introduction of advanced analytical methods based on paper chips, such as electrochemical analysis, fluorescence analysis, colorimetric analysis, surface-enhanced Raman analysis, and integrated sensing methods. The future development trends and prospects of environmental analysis based on microfluidic paper-based chips are also reviewed. Through a rich and comprehensive review of recent related research, it is shown that although microfluidic paper-based chip technology has only been developed for little more than a decade since its introduction, this technology has seen rapid development in environmental analysis-related research and has yielded rich results. The hydrophilic and porous nature of cellulose in paper as a chip substrate allows the passive transport of liquids without an external power source. The diversity of available microfluidic paper-based chip fabrication and analysis methods allows flexible selection and matching according to different environmental conditions and detection requirements, so that the best detection results can be obtained. Moreover, microfluidic paper chips as detection platforms show good biocompatibility in the analysis and detection of environmental pollutants, enabling the analysis of more types of pollutants. The used paper is biodegradable and can be directly disposed of as ordinary garbage after appropriate degradation treatment; thus it is environmentally friendly and does not impact the health of the operators. In addition, the low production cost and simple operation of the paper chip design study make it possible to fabricate low-cost, portable, and practical analytical equipment, which is important for rapid testing of the conventional environment. However, there are some inherent disadvantages: the mechanical strength of the paper is not sufficiently high to resist deformation; degree of fluid control is difficult to achieve the desired effect, and the sample flow may be lost due to leakage; multiple contaminants may interfere with one another when analyzed in parallel; there are difficulties in commercial mass production. However, these problems also point to the direction for the research and development of microfluidic paper-based chips in the field of environmental testing. With continuous advances in manufacturing and analysis technologies, microfluidic paper-based chips are expected to play a more prominent role in future environmental analysis.

China’s packaging industry has formed a packaging big data system from three aspects: implementing information engineering, building a collaborative symbiosis network platform of packaging information resources, and building an industrial chain knowledge map centered on product chain. Packaging big data visualization design uses big data information acquisition, hierarchical division and management, problem and audience, visual transformation and other thinking modes, and adopts text information visualization, multi-dimensional information visualization, hierarchical relationship visualization and other technologies to realize the visual presentation of packaging industry data information. This paper analyzes the network data, extracts the keywords related to the key elements, and then analyzes the construction method of product paper packaging container automation system based on the keywords extraction algorithm. On the one hand, it emphasizes the importance of big data in online shopping commodity packaging design; on the other hand, it explores new ideas and methods of online shopping commodity packaging design through the application of big data in online shopping commodity packaging design.

Paper microfluidic or lateral flow devices have found many applications, especially in medical diagnostics. Their low cost and ease of use makes them particularly valuable in resource-limited and point-of-care applications. However, the process of developing new paper microfluidic devices is slowed by the need to find optimal values for their various design parameters, which determine the overall size and fluid volume requirements of the device. Often, researchers must design and test several different versions of a device to find a combination of parameters that functions as intended. To accelerate the development of new paper microfluidics, we developed a software framework that automatically designs custom paper microfluidic devices for a given application. Once the user specifies the desired device parameters, the software generates printable image files of the resulting devices, ready to output to a conventional wax ink color printer and test. As a proof-of-concept, we used our software to automatically design 51 different paper microfluidic devices we needed to create a functional lateral flow assay that detects protein and glucose in urine. These designs took only a few seconds to generate and were used in 120 lab experiments we performed in 16 h in the lab. Thus, with the help of our software framework, we went from an idea to a functional device in just two work days. By accelerating device development and enabling researchers without microfluidics experience to create custom devices, our software can help spread paper microfluidic technology to important new application areas.

Industrial control systems have strict requirements for time-sensitive applications and clock synchronization services. Performance of such applications is adversely impacted by packet delays and jitters. The impact is especially critical in process industries due to harsh environmental conditions. In this paper, we analyze delays and jitters to assess the performance of time-sensitive applications. To this end, we captured and analyzed round trip delay data retrieved from a paper factory. Analysis shows that a sub-millisecond level average delays and the jitters derived from the observed data are sufficient to meet the minimum 10ms update frequency required for most critical control applications. Moreover, the filtered delay variations at the end devices are less than the recommended 150us, which guarantees an adequate time synchronization accuracy in the factory network. Besides, this analysis can provide significant insights into performance bottlenecks for factory applications.

In this study mainly concentrated on the automation method to produce new equipment. The Paper punching machine is one of the important equipment for to make holes for spiral binding process. The existing mechanism is a difficult one to form a hole based on the increasing of paper count, much more human effort is also needed. This study and design is to improve the equipment in the sense of automation, the automation help to improve spiral binding works with produce bulky spiral binding in the short period and also reduce the human effort. In this study replacing of pedal operated mechanism and introduces electric motor with drive mechanism, reduction gear box and cam mechanism.

Failure to utilize valving and automation techniques has restricted the complexity of fluidic operations that can be performed in paper microfluidic devices. We developed a toolkit of paper microfluidic valves and methods for automatic valve actuation using movable paper strips and fluid-triggered expanding elements. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first functional demonstration of this valving strategy in paper microfluidics. After introduction of fluids on devices, valves can actuate automatically a) after a certain period of time, or b) after the passage of a certain volume of fluid. Timing of valve actuation can be tuned with greater than 8.5% accuracy by changing lengths of timing wicks, and we present timed on-valves, off-valves, and diversion (channel-switching) valves. The actuators require ~30 μl fluid to actuate and the time required to switch from one state to another ranges from ~5 s for short to ~50s for longer wicks. For volume-metered actuation, the size of a metering pad can be adjusted to tune actuation volume, and we present two methods – both methods can achieve greater than 9% accuracy. Finally, we demonstrate the use of these valves in a device that conducts a multi-step assay for the detection of the malaria protein PfHRP2. Although slightly more complex than devices that do not have moving parts, this valving and automation toolkit considerably expands the capabilities of paper microfluidic devices. Components of this toolkit can be used to conduct arbitrarily complex, multi-step fluidic operations on paper-based devices, as demonstrated in the malaria assay device.

Laser technology has been used in industrial processes for several decades. The most advanced development and implementation took place in laser welding and cutting of metals in automotive and ship building industries. However, there is high potential to apply laser processing to other materials in various industrial fields. One of these potential fields could be paper industry to fulfill the demand for high quality, fast and reliable cutting technology. Difficulties in industrial application of laser cutting for paper industry are associated to lack of basic information, awareness of technology and its application possibilities. Nowadays possibilities of using laser cutting for paper materials are widened and high automation level of equipment has made this technology more interesting for manufacturing processes. Promising area of laser cutting application at paper making machines is longitudinal cutting of paper web (edge trimming). There are few locations at a paper making machine where edge trimming is usually done: wet press section, calender or rewinder. Paper web is characterized with different moisture content at different points of the paper making machine. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of moisture content of paper material on laser cutting parameters. Effect of moisture content on cellulose fibers, laser absorption and energy needed for cutting is described as well. Laser cutting tests were carried out using CO2 laser.

Paper-microfluidic devices are becoming more common due to their ability to automate diagnostic assays at low cost. Increasingly, paper-microfluidic devices automate more complex, multi-step assays, with the aim of bringing these assays out of the laboratory to the point-of-care. However, some common assay procedures have resisted easy automation by paper-microfluidic devices. Sample preparation procedures in particular, due to the complexity of real biological samples, still largely involve the manual execution of multiple user steps before addition to a paper device, often with the aid of specialized equipment. In the laboratory, most sample types are exposed to (bio)chemical treatment to release target species, which often requires additional purification steps prior to detection. Some samples, such as urine, also require concentration of target species; others, such as nasal swabs or blood, also require removal or dilution of non-target species that interfere with downstream assay steps. Additionally, the samples used in many laboratory assays require volumes (milliliter scale) too large to process efficiently with paper devices. To broaden the effectiveness and availability of point-of-care testing, we have developed and characterized a technique that automates either the concentration or dilution of large-volume samples in paper-microfluidic devices. Here we demonstrate its simplicity and broad utility in two ways: (1) an automated parallel dilution system for an immunoassay detection antibody and (2) an automated DNA extraction and concentration system for mL-sized samples. This and similar techniques rely on an improved understanding of how fluids wet porous materials and flow through multi-material networks; they confer important new capabilities to paper-microfluidic devices, the most important of which is the integration of complex sample preparation with downstream biomolecule detection.

Automation in every domain is today’s need, so in question paper setting also. The proposed system is automation of paper setting and identification of difficulty level of questions and question papers, which uses blooms taxonomy categorization to classify the questions in easy, medium and high categories. By using blooms taxonomy, the difficulty level of question can be identified, which is helpful in generating qualitative question paper. While categorizing questions, system uses natural language pre-processing techniques, which are understood by computer and also uses Latent Dirichlet Allocation algorithm. Based on paper setter’s requirement, paper setting is done; also, if user wants to check difficulty level of any question paper then this is also done by proposed system using NLP. The paper setting using difficulty measure is right benchmark for evaluating student’s efficiency. Automation of paper setting improves the speed, and difficulty level module improves the quality.

The objective of this research is to design an approach for selecting appropriate solutions to efficiently and productively reduce environmental pollution and water, energy and raw material consumption in a recycled paper manufacturing facility, the paper mill in Latif, Iran. To reach this goal, we develop a decision-making model using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The proposed model provides a framework for cleaner production implementation specific to the paper industry. Pairwise comparisons of the results of designed questionnaires resulted in the hierarchy model being divided into five major groups: production modification; process change; preventive maintenance; renewal; and manpower resources.These five groups include 31 sub-criteria and seven alternatives. The results showed that process change yields the highest priority among the main criteria and that industrial automation and its technology level gives the highest priority among sub-criteria. Regarding the alternatives, reductio...

Nowadays, in this digital word text is one the vital knowledge carrier. Text can be perceived as structure of symbols which is accustomed to convey, transfer, or inherit civilization and way of life. It is among the major influential novelties of man kind; text performs crucial role in existence of human being. Text can be seen in all places in our day-to-day life. Thus, obtaining data from text which is present in scenarios of our day-to-day life is important. Processing the text that is present in natural scenario has two primary tasks namely Text identification and Text acknowledgment. The method of taking out text body from the natural scene is called as Text detection whereas the procedure of categorizing the characters from scene image which form expressive words is called as Text recognition. There are so many applications of scene text detection in different fields, e.g., intelligent inspection, blind navigation, industrial automation, automotive assistance, robot navigation, instant translation, automatic driving and product search, etc. Thus, street view text detection and recognition have allured rising research consideration in past few years. This paper as first step focuses on Text detection methods for natural scene images.

Modern society is deeply intertwined with modern technology, and the reaches of the internet extend into nearly all aspects of life. As more and more of our personal data is stored electronically, the risks of losing that data or having others access that data grows increasingly dangerous. Whether it is financial information or photo albums, internet users have the right to protect their data at all costs, but this may be easier said than done. To dispel attacks, companies and government agencies collect data and employ surveillance measurements to ensure that data is being protected and virtual services are being used properly, but the balance between effective security and over-intrusive surveillance is hard to maintain. With better policy and the introduction of successful cybersecurity programs driven by machine learning, cyberattacks may be better protected against without any infringements upon user privacy. The technical component of this project aims to investigate how machine learning can improve security in electronic systems. By having algorithms or procedures that can easily and accurately identify and prevent cyberattacks, systems can better protect data and prevent intrusions. Using the MITRE CALDERA cybersecurity framework, advisories and defenders can be simulated to model cyber attacks and prepare defenses for these attacks. Adversaries are equipped with abilities that can be set up with tactics, techniques, and procedures, or TTPs, detailing how an attack will be carried out. Agents, which can be advisories or defenders, can be placed in groups with each group working to attack or defend. The defending agents are equipped with abilities to defend against various attacks and the abilities are constantly updated to better recognize and prevent attacks. The STS component of this project focuses on the use of surveillance in remote work environments. As many companies take steps to protect their data, employees are increasingly being monitored to ensure they are not putting company data at risk and to encourage maximum productivity. This has raised concerns as employees feel as though their privacy is being violated and they must compete with employers to find a balance. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies shifted to remote work environments, and with a lack of in-person monitoring, many employers introduced virtual surveillance measures that extended the reach of employers further into the personal lives of employees. Policy changes both on the company level and government level must be implemented to protect the rights of employers and clearly define the jurisdictions of private and public corporations. This project aims to highlight the flaws and successes of current cybersecurity protocols a well as investigate the ethical issues related to protective surveillance measures. These issues must be considered not only by engineers in the related fields but also by policy makers and employers so that privacy on the internet can be strictly maintained. I would like to extend my gratitude to my advisors, Professors Peter Norton, Sean Ferguson, and Jack Davidson for their support and guidance throughout this project.

Wireless sensors and networks are used only occasionally in current control loops in the process industry. With rapid developments in embedded and highperformance computing, wireless communication, and cloud technology, drastic changes in the architecture and operation of industrial automation systems seem more likely than ever. These changes are driven by ever-growing demands on production quality and flexibility. However, as discussed in "Summary," there are several research obstacles to overcome. The radio communication environment in the process industry is often troublesome, as the environment is frequently cluttered with large metal objects, moving machines and vehicles, and processes emitting radio disturbances [1], [2]. The successful deployment of a wireless control system in such an environment requires careful design of communication links and network protocols as well as robust and reconfigurable control algorithms.

Paper-based digital microfluidic biochips (PDMFBs) are becoming highly effective among the microfluidic platforms due to its low-cost and in-place fabrication. The designed electrodes and wiring can be fabricated on a piece of paper by an inkjet printer and conductive ink containing carbon nanotube particles (CNTs). However, due to induced control interference, the wires cannot pass by an arbitrary electrode. Each wire that is to be routed possesses its conflict electrode group, which must be avoided for a feasible droplet movement. This paper presents a fluid-control co-design considering several important cost-driving issues like minimization of schedule length, control pin count, and wirelength, together with congestion-free and conflict-free wiring. Observably, design gaps exist among the sub-tasks of the fluid-level, control-level, and fluid-control as a whole, due to their separate considerations. It indeed introduces many design cycles lengthening the design process, and thus increases the overall cost. In this context, this work integrates the sub-tasks as a prior need to obtain a low cost and efficient platform. Several benchmarks have been studied to evaluate the performance.

The Paper-to-Reviewer Assignment Problem is a prevalent and challenging problem within the scientific community and scientific conferences. The large number of reviewers and submitted papers, as well as constraints on reviewers’ loads and papers’ coverage needs, make difficult and very tedious for the committee chair to manually assign submitted papers to suitable reviewers. Any automation of this task must tackle three main issues: modeling reviewers’ and papers’ profiles, estimating the relevance between a paper and a reviewer and finally finding an appropriate assignment.In this paper, we are interested in the two first issues. We propose to build the reviewers profiles on the basis of both pedagogical and research documents, then a formula that takes into account both topics similarity and common references is proposed. Experimental results compared to ground-truth values extracted from ICA2IT’19 data show a good performance of this approach.

Despite tremendous advancement of digital IC design automation tools over the last few decades, analog IC layout is still heavily manual which is very tedious and error-prone. This paper will first review the history, challenges, and current status of analog IC layout automation. Then, we will present MAGICAL, a human-intelligence inspired, fully-automated analog IC layout system currently being developed under the DARPA IDEA program. It starts from an unannotated netlist, performs automatic layout constraint extraction and device generation, then performs placement and post-placement optimization, followed by routing to obtain the final GDSII layout. Various analytical, heuristic, and machine learning algorithms will be discussed. MAGICAL has obtained promising preliminary results. We will conclude the paper with further discussions on challenges and future directions for fully-automated analog IC layout.

In education field, the importance of education system is the part of the most significant aspect of our social orders at all levels. Thus, a student's performance can only be tested by providing them with an examination or assessment. Examinations are very crucial as it is an activity which is performed to evaluate the performances of students. Besides students performances, the quality of the examination questions prepared would also determine the quality of the students but the most important yet challenging task is the creation of the examination questions paper which is known to be very tedious, time consuming and expensive therefore it should be prepared with full focus, right formatting and with the right selection of questions.

Data confidentiality, integrity and authentication are security properties which are often enforced with the generation of secure channels, such as Virtual Private Networks, over unreliable network infrastructures. Traditionally, the configuration of the systems responsible of encryption operations is performed manually. However, the advent of software-based paradigms, such as Software-Defined Networking and Network Functions Virtualization, has introduced new arms races. In particular, even though network management has become more flexible, the increased complexity of virtual networks is making manual operations unfeasible and leading to errors which open the path to a large number of cyber attacks. A possible solution consists in reaching a trade-off between flexibility and complexity, by automatizing the configuration of the channel protection systems through policy refinement. In view of these considerations, this paper proposes a preliminary study for an innovative methodology to automatically allocate and configure channel protection systems in virtualized networks. The proposed approach would be based on the formulation of a MaxSMT problem and it would be the first to combine automation, formal verification and optimality in a single technique.

Fog-based radio access network (F-RAN) have the potential to meet the stringent latency and bandwidth requirements of next-generation mobile networks. However, the current F-RAN is implemented mainly by utilizing dedicated hardware and does not leverage on the available large number of distributed edge devices. This motivated us to recently propose the idea of an opportunistic fog RAN (OF-RAN) which introduces the concept of a virtual fog access points (v-FAP) formed by two or more local edge devices (referred as service nodes), and monitored by physical FAPs (referred to as seed nodes). Some of the challenges arising from having many devices opportunistically deployed to serve client nodes are accessing, forming and managing them. In this paper, we propose to harness blockchain technology for assigning roles and permissions to service nodes and seed nodes in our OF-RAN, and supporting the formation and management of v-FAPs. For this blockchain architecture, the distributed formation and management algorithm (DFMA) is implemented as a script in the smart contract. The blockchain then executes the logic of the smart contract while considering the resources from all service nodes participating in the system. By integrating OF-RAN with blockchain systems and smart contracts, it is possible to provide verifiable automation of physical processes involving different nodes.

Microfluidic devices promise to automate wetlab procedures by manipulating small chemical or biological samples. We are developing a full-stack microfluidic automation platform that allows and allows users to scale up the complexity of microfluidic programming, encouraging them to mix fluidic manipulations with traditional programming. Puddle is a runtime system that provides a high-level API for microfluidic manipulations. It manages fluidic resources dynamically, allowing programmers to freely mix regular computation with microfluidics, resulting in more expressive programs. It also provides real-time error correction through a computer vision system, allowing robust execution on cheaper digital microfluidic hardware. We have been running Puddle on PurpleDrop, a new digital microfluidic device that is affordable and has novel features such as fully automated input/output of fluids. With this combination, we have demonstrated PCR with automated replenishment, a DNA sequencing preparation protocol, and the complete retrieval of digital data stored in dehydrated spots of DNA on the device's surface. Going forward, we see Puddle and PurpleDrop as part of a platform for further research. PurpleDrop is affordable and extensible, which makes a compelling case for adding new periferials or even scaling out by connecting multiple devices. And Puddle provides a flexible and abstract programming model that could enable microfluidic programs to run on different hardware targets (DMF or liquid handling robots), or even a combination thereof.

The fully-acceptable metrology product automation verification system is designed and designed based on the automation and assembly line form. According to the nature of the operation and the processing sequence, the fully-compatible verification detection system is divided into different modules. The modules are connected by conveyors, adopting modularization and flowing water. The fully compatible verification detection system should implement orderly management, realize data traceability and intelligent analysis, and can query and export historical data and various events of the full compatibility verification detection system operation, and have accurate and complete verification data records. Effectively guarantee the quality of the verification results.

Is robotics, automation, digitalization, artificial intelligence or any of the current buzzwords really going to disrupt our world? Prof. Dominik Boesl thinks so – in fact, it can even been proven! In order to predict technological breakthroughs, the domains of foresight, future studies and technology assessment offer interesting methods. One of the most know might be the analysis of megatrends. Dominik Boesl is researching the future of robotics, automation and AI and their impact on society out of HDBW (Hochschule der Bayerischen Wirtschaft) in Munich. He is convinced, that our grandchildren will grow up as first Generation R of Robotic Natives – leaving us the last generation of Robotic Immigrants (still with analogue migration background, but …). These future generations will not be afraid of robotics and smart systems permeating their living realm. But technology is never good or bad out of itself – it depends on us how we apply it. The bigger the disruption, the larger the responsibility that comes with it. As chair of the global IEEE TechEthics initiative, Dominik fosters educated discourse about the application of technology and its impact on society and humankind. He is founder and chairman of the Robotic & AI Governance Foundation, pushing for governance structures to (self-)regulate the research, development and productization of automation technologies.

A challenge in developing microfluidic devices for fully portable and automated field analyses is the ability to integrate and store reagents in a stable form while maintaining a low cost for the system. Paper-based field-deployable devices are currently the most extensively explored platforms for field use; however, centrifugal devices offer a means for heightened device automation and portability. The basis for many field devices is chemical sensing via colorimetric reactions. Here, we describe the development of polyester-paper hybrid microfluidic devices using a fabrication method, compounded from the print, cut and laminate (PCL) technique, that allows for simple yet effective dry reagent storage for enhanced use with centrifugal or polymeric-based devices. We utilized various proof-of-principle colorimetric assays for multiple applications, including the analysis of total protein, serum albumin, cocaine, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and iron content. Localized reagent integration facilitated by paper punches allowed for both reagent stability prior to reaction for storage, color stability post-reaction for image analysis, and was compatible for multi-step analyses. Qualitative and quantitative results were achieved with the broad range of sample applications trialed here, while still maintaining the ability for downstream processing.

Researches have been carried out in the past and recent years for the automation of examination systems. But most of them target on-line examinations with either choice-based or very short descriptive answers at best. The primary goal of this paper is to propose a framework, where textual papers set for subjective questions, are supplemented with model answer points to facilitate the evaluation procedure in a semi-automated manner. The proposed framework also accommodates provisions for reward and penalty schemes. In the reward scheme, additional valid points provided by the examinees would earn them bonus marks as rewards. By incremental up-gradation of the question case-base with these extra answer-points, the examiner can incorporate an automatic fairness in the checking procedure. In the penalty scheme, unfair means adopted amongst neighboring examinees can be detected by maintaining seat plans in the form of a neighborhood graph. The degree of penalization can then be impartially ascertained by computing the degree of similarity amongst adjoining answer scripts. The main question-bank as well as the model answer points are all maintained using Case Based Reasoning strategies.

This paper presents enhancements of Service Oriented SystemJ (SOSJ) framework, which extends a system-level language based on GALS model of computation SystemJ with services, into a new programming paradigm amenable for designing dynamic distributed automation systems such as reconfigurable manufacturing systems. The new paradigm combines correct-by-construction software systems development available in SystemJ with the dynamic features of service oriented architecture. The new approach introduces macro states into fundamental concurrent and distributed entities of SOSJ, called clock domains, which address typical behaviors in dynamic distributed systems. We showcase the use of the new paradigm on an example of reconfigurable manufacturing scenarios in a dynamic manufacturing system.

The purpose of this paper is creating a website so that the user can control electronic devices; see the amount of power consumption, current status of connected equipment, so the problem is the difficulty in saving electricity can be resolved. Home automation system is increasingly used due to the wide manufacturer brands and various available technologies. From a social point of view, residents are admitted to smart homes for comfort, luxury, improving quality of live, and for providing security against intrusion and burglars. In the era of IoT, it is possible to connect to the things around us so that we can access anything at any time and any place in a user friendly manner with economical operation and enhanced efficiency. Automation of the devices, appliances at home and office is having wide scope of research with the advancement of technology in communication era. Misuse of power energy can be curtailed by automating the devices and appliances. Mobile communication and internet are playing a big role in the field of automation. Android phones are powered with application programs to automate the required devices. This study focused to automate the home appliances using the Bluetooth, IR Remote and manual switching for controlling of connected equipment from short range while using internet for controlling of equipment from longer ranges. The status of the devices is linked to the local internet to enable the graphical user interface (GUI) for device monitoring.

The design and engineering of solutions based on sensor data is currently based on legacy low-level sensor communication. The transition to IoT-based sensors has started to provide IP-based sensor communication based on service concepts. This requires radically different solution architectures and the associated engineering process. Here, IoT sensors will provide services instead of a communication interface, as a means of integrating into application solutions. It is further anticipated that the size of the solution will reach well beyond that of the current legacy automation implementations.This paper addresses architectural concepts for very large-scale SoS- and IoT-based solutions. Architecture concepts and their associated engineering concepts are considered. IoT and SoS evolvability, run-time dynamics, scalability and segmentation, run-time engineering, self-engineering, self-mitigation, and machine-to-machine business are some examples of such concepts. These concepts must be coupled with the requirements such as the management of IoT/SoS solution functionality, security, safety, maintenance, and evolution.

Real-time systems are receiving increasing attention with the emerging application scenarios that are safety-critical, complex in functionality, high on timing-related performance requirements, and cost-sensitive, such as autonomous vehicles. Development of real-time systems is error-prone and highly dependent on the sophisticated domain expertise, making it a costly process. There is a trend of the existing software without the real-time notion being re-developed to realise real-time features, e.g., in the big data technology. This paper utilises the principles of model-driven engineering (MDE) and proposes the first methodology that automatically converts standard time-sharing Java applications to real-time Java applications. It opens up a new research direction on development automation of real-time programming languages and inspires many research questions that can be jointly investigated by the embedded systems, programming languages as well as MDE communities.

Internet of things (IoT) is becoming remarkable automation, a connectivity between the objects ("things") and the back-end systems via the Internet. IoT provides distinct functions in discrete fields like smart city, traffic control, waste management, surveillance and security, industry sector and medical sector [3].Medicinal system has examined a demand for smart machines and gadgets to reduce the incompetency of the medical management available.IoT sensors embedded in hospitals has enhanced technology and eliminated traditional healthcare and the whole medical system. A survey was conducted through questionnaires where the respondents gave a positive reaction towards the smart healthcare system. This paper will give a glimpse of the applications of IoT served in the healthcare system.

We describe the importance of sensors and sensing concepts for digitalization of large automation systems. Process industries have been adopted as a starting point. Two recent developments in temperature sensing are given as examples for sensor innovations with a potentially strong impact. Non-invasive and model-based sensing have been identified as trends. Advanced concepts for power supply and communication of sensors are discussed. An attempt is made to identify and interpret recent component developments, standards and systematic ideas, which may be relevant for large sensor systems in many areas.