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Data-Driven Control: Theory and Applications
WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory issued the following abstract of a journal article:
The ushering in of the big-data era, ably supported by exponential advances in computation, has provided new impetus to data-driven control in several engineering sectors. This topic's rapid and deep expansion has precipitated the need to showcase the highlights of data-driven approaches.
There has been a rich history of contributions from the control systems community in data-driven control. At the same time, several new concepts and research
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory issued the following abstract of a journal article:
The ushering in of the big-data era, ably supported by exponential advances in computation, has provided new impetus to data-driven control in several engineering sectors. This topic's rapid and deep expansion has precipitated the need to showcase the highlights of data-driven approaches.
There has been a rich history of contributions from the control systems community in data-driven control. At the same time, several new concepts and researchdirections have also been introduced in recent years.
Many of these contributions and concepts have started to transition from theory to practical applications. This paper will overview the historical contributions and highlight recent concepts and research directions.
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Original text here: https://www.pnnl.gov/publications/data-driven-control-theory-and-applications
USTDA Supports Expanded Digital Access in Kenya
ARLINGTON, Virginia, April 26 -- The U.S. Trade and Development Agency issued the following news release on April 24, 2024:
Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency signed a grant agreement with Kenyan telecommunications company Wilken Group Ltd (Wilken Group) for a feasibility study to address Kenya's internet affordability gap through the development of new fiber optic and 5G infrastructure between Mombasa and Malaba. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo witnessed USTDA's grant signing ceremony at the 2024 American Chamber of Commerce Business Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.
"Our partnership
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ARLINGTON, Virginia, April 26 -- The U.S. Trade and Development Agency issued the following news release on April 24, 2024:
Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency signed a grant agreement with Kenyan telecommunications company Wilken Group Ltd (Wilken Group) for a feasibility study to address Kenya's internet affordability gap through the development of new fiber optic and 5G infrastructure between Mombasa and Malaba. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo witnessed USTDA's grant signing ceremony at the 2024 American Chamber of Commerce Business Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.
"Our partnershipwith the Wilken Group will help address the growing demand for secure, affordable, high-quality internet connectivity that can catalyze economic growth," said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA's Director. "USTDA support for this project opens another gateway for U.S. companies to actively participate in East Africa's burgeoning digital infrastructure markets."
The USTDA-funded study will assess the construction of a wholesale open access fiber optic network and a series of 5G-capable towers across approximately 730 miles (1,170 km) of railway between the cities of Mombasa and Malaba, where future demand for fiber connectivity is projected to outstrip the capacity of existing infrastructure.
"USTDA's grant funding will significantly enhance the importance of the project by validating capacity demand and measuring project impact nationally," said Graham Shaw, Wilken Group Chief Executive Officer. "The grant will support the Government of Kenya's mandate to focus on enhancing the digital space."
"Reliable connectivity is critical to economic prosperity in Africa. This USTDA grant demonstrates the United States' commitment to partnering with Kenya to create digital infrastructure that will empower Kenyans," said U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman.
U.S. businesses interested in submitting proposals for the USTDA-funded feasibility study should visit http://www.ustda.gov/work/bid-on-an-overseas-project.
USTDA's assistance advances Biden-Harris Administration priorities, including the Digital Transformation with Africa initiative to expand digital access on the continent, Prosper Africa, and the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment. USTDA's programming also follows through on commitments made at the December 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
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Original text here: https://www.ustda.gov/ustda-supports-expanded-digital-access-in-kenya/
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder Issues Statement on DOD Delegation to Niger
WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following statement on April 24, 2024, by Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder on a delegation to Niger:
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Per the U.S. State Department, U.S. Ambassador to Niger Kathleen FitzGibbon and Maj. Gen. Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command Director of Strategy, Engagement and Programs, will meet with National Council for Safeguarding the Homeland (CNSP) officials April 25 in Niamey, Niger to initiate discussions on an orderly and safe withdrawal of U.S. forces from Niger.
Subsequently, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations
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WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following statement on April 24, 2024, by Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder on a delegation to Niger:
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Per the U.S. State Department, U.S. Ambassador to Niger Kathleen FitzGibbon and Maj. Gen. Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command Director of Strategy, Engagement and Programs, will meet with National Council for Safeguarding the Homeland (CNSP) officials April 25 in Niamey, Niger to initiate discussions on an orderly and safe withdrawal of U.S. forces from Niger.
Subsequently, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operationsand Low-Intensity Conflict Christopher Maier and Lt. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, Joint Staff Director for Joint Force Development, will conduct follow-up meetings in Niamey next week, to coordinate the withdrawal process in a transparent manner and with mutual respect.
The Department of Defense remains committed to countering violent extremist organizations in West Africa. DoD will continue to support whole-of-government approaches to work with African leaders to maintain stability and address terrorist threats in the region, including addressing core issues that drive insecurity.
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Original text here: https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3755231/statement-from-pentagon-press-secretary-maj-gen-pat-ryder-on-a-department-of-de/
Paul J. Gelinas Student Wins Brookhaven Lab's Bridge Building Contest
UPTON, New York, April 26 -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory issued the following news release on April 25, 2024:
Amanda Liang, a ninth grader from Paul J. Gelinas Junior High School, won first place at the 45th annual Bridge Building Competition hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory on April 3.
The competition shows students in grades nine through 12 what it's like to be an engineer as they attempt to design a strong bridge out of only basswood and glue with a set of challenging specifications in mind. Their structures
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UPTON, New York, April 26 -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory issued the following news release on April 25, 2024:
Amanda Liang, a ninth grader from Paul J. Gelinas Junior High School, won first place at the 45th annual Bridge Building Competition hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory on April 3.
The competition shows students in grades nine through 12 what it's like to be an engineer as they attempt to design a strong bridge out of only basswood and glue with a set of challenging specifications in mind. Their structureswere put to the test under a crushing machine that slowly added more and more weight from above until the bridges broke or bent more than one inch.
The event is organized by Brookhaven Lab's Office of Educational Programs (OEP) to advance its mission to cultivate the next generation of STEM professionals.
"I want you to imagine your future selves as professional engineers and you're contributing something important to society," Bernadette Uzzi, OEP's manager for K-12 programs told students at the start of the competition. "Perhaps you're designing a bridge, and you have to continually refine the structure to adapt to our ever-changing world, or maybe you're here at Brookhaven involved in constructing our new Electron-Ion Collider, which is a ground-breaking machine that will unravel the mysteries of nature's strongest force. Regardless of your future career plans, today you are engineering students and you're part of Brookhaven's journey."
Uzzi also reflected on the recent bridge collapse in Baltimore: "I'm reminded why it's so important to give students real-world, relevant experiential learning experiences like this event."
This year, students from 14 schools around Long Island submitted 240 bridges -- 193 of which met all qualifications for testing such as using a symmetrical design and weighing under 25 grams.
Bridges are ranked based on efficiency scores that are calculated from the load the bridge supports divided by the mass of the bridge -- all in grams.
Liang's design earned the top spot with an efficiency of 3,441.43.
"I looked at a bunch of old national bridges and I took a lot of inspiration from them," Liang said, adding later, "I was really excited especially because it was my first year. I wasn't sure how it was going to go. I didn't expect this."
Alexander Song and Daniel Liang, both juniors from Ward Melville High School, took second place and third place with efficiencies of 2,536.142 and 2,112.446, respectively.
The top two winners in Brookhaven's regional competition qualify to compete in the International Bridge Contest on April 27, 2024, in New Philadelphia, Ohio.
Competition judges also issued an award for aesthetic bridge design to Julia Pincott, a senior at John Glenn High School.
Throughout the bridge testing day, students had the chance to meet engineers from across the Lab, including longtime contest volunteers and Jordanna Kendrot, a safety engineer at the DOE-Brookhaven Site Office. Kendrot shared how in her own path to becoming a researcher, she found it was important to expand her studies beyond only engineering courses.
"It's really about broadening your horizons and questioning the norms in engineering that will help us keep moving forward," Kendrot said.
Amid all the bridge crushing, competition organizers tossed Brookhaven Lab and science trivia questions to students, who had a chance to win Lab merchandise for their correct answers.
Competitors tested their engineering skills in an additional STEM challenge to construct a miniature floating table. Students were also treated to a tour of the National Synchrotron Light Source II, a DOE Office of Science user facility that creates light beams 10 billion times brighter than the sun.
"This year's bridge contest was a new experience for everyone," STEM educator and event co-coordinator Theresa Grimaldi said. "It was the first time OEP organized this contest to be during school hours and it was such a pleasure to have the students here for the whole day, getting to know the engineers and touring the site."
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Brookhaven National Laboratory is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.
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Original text here: https://www.bnl.gov/newsroom/news.php?a=121766
La. U.S. Attorney: New Orleans Men Indicted for Federal Drug and Weapons Offenses
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, April 26 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana issued the following news release:
United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JOSEPH MILLER, age 21, and KENNETH TURNER, age 36, residents of New Orleans, were charged on April 19, 2024 in an eight-count indictment with violations of the Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts.
MILLER and TURNER are both charged in Count 1 with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of
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NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, April 26 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana issued the following news release:
United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JOSEPH MILLER, age 21, and KENNETH TURNER, age 36, residents of New Orleans, were charged on April 19, 2024 in an eight-count indictment with violations of the Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts.
MILLER and TURNER are both charged in Count 1 with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount offentanyl, and 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 841(b)(1)(B). Both men are also charged in Count 2 with possession of a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). MILLER is charged in Counts 3 through 7 with five separate distributions of various quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 841(b)(1)(C). Finally, MILLER is charged in Count 8 with possession of a machinegun, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(o) and 924(a)(2).
If convicted of the drug trafficking conspiracy charged in Count 1, MILLER and TURNER each face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 - years and up to life in prison, up to a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release. If convicted of possessing firearms in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy as charged in Count 2, each man faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to life in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release. As to his five counts for distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine, MILLER faces up to 20 years in prison, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release on Count 3, and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to 40 years in prison, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least four years of supervised release as to each of Counts 4 through 7. As to the charge of possession of a machinegun in Count 8, MILLER faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release. Both men also face payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for each count with which they are charged.
U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/new-orleans-men-indicted-federal-drug-and-weapons-offenses
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York Announces First Quarter 2024 Operating Highlights
NEW YORK, April 26 (TNSres) -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news release on April 25, 2024:
The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York ("FHLBNY") today released its unaudited financial highlights for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
"Throughout the first quarter of 2024, the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York successfully executed on our foundational liquidity mission, as reflected in our strong results for the period," said Jose R. Gonzalez, president and CEO of the FHLBNY. "Our ability to serve as a stable source
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NEW YORK, April 26 (TNSres) -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news release on April 25, 2024:
The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York ("FHLBNY") today released its unaudited financial highlights for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
"Throughout the first quarter of 2024, the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York successfully executed on our foundational liquidity mission, as reflected in our strong results for the period," said Jose R. Gonzalez, president and CEO of the FHLBNY. "Our ability to serve as a stable sourceof funding for our members also supports our efforts to make a direct impact in the communities we serve, as we allocated $24.5 million from this quarter's earnings for our Affordable Housing Program."
Highlights from the first quarter of 2024 include:
* Net income for the quarter was $220.5 million, an increase of $22.0 million, or 11.1%, from net income of $198.5 million for the first quarter of 2023. Net interest income for the quarter was $265.0 million, an increase of $35.3 million, or 15.4%, from net interest income of $229.7 million in the first quarter last year. This increase was driven by an increase of average interest earning assets from $163.8 billion in the prior year period to $169.4 billion for the first quarter of 2024, as well as an increase in yield on assets from 4.64% in the prior year period to 5.50% in first quarter of this year.
* Return on average equity ("ROE") for the quarter was 10.58% (annualized), compared to ROE of 9.61% for the first quarter of 2023, as a result of the increase in net income.
* As of March 31, 2024, total assets were $159.6 billion, an increase of $1.3 billion, or 0.8%, from total assets of $158.3 billion at December 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2024, advances (par amount) were $108.3 billion, a decrease of $1.5 billion, or 1.4%, from $109.8 billion at December 31, 2023.
* As of March 31, 2024, total capital was $8.3 billion, an increase of $0.1 billion from total capital of $8.2 billion at December 31, 2023. The FHLBNY's retained earnings were $2.4 billion as of March 31, 2024, an increase of $0.1 billion from December 31, 2023; $1.3 billion of the retained earnings were unrestricted retained earnings and $1.1 billion were restricted retained earnings. At March 31, 2024, the FHLBNY met all of its regulatory capital ratios.
* The FHLBNY allocated $24.5 million from its first quarter 2024 earnings for its Affordable Housing Program.
The FHLBNY currently expects to file its Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2024 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on or about May 9, 2024.
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Table 1: Selected Balance Sheet Items
Table 2: Operating Results (dollars in millions)
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About the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York
The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York is a Congressionally chartered, wholesale Bank. It is part of the Federal Home Loan Bank System, a national wholesale banking network of 11 regional, stockholder-owned banks. As of March 31, 2024, the FHLBNY serves 336 member institutions in New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FHLBNY's mission is to provide members with reliable liquidity in support of housing and local community development.
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Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This report may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon our current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof. These statements may use forward-looking terms, such as "projected," "expects," "may," or their negatives or other variations on these terms. The Bank cautions that, by their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk or uncertainty and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements or could affect the extent to which a particular objective, projection, estimate, or prediction is realized. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the Risk Factors set forth in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, as well as regulatory and accounting rule adjustments or requirements, changes in interest rates, changes in projected business volumes, changes in prepayment speeds on mortgage assets, the cost of our funding, changes in our membership profile, the withdrawal of one or more large members, competitive pressures, shifts in demand for our products, and general economic conditions. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.
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Original text here: https://www.fhlbny.com/news/press-releases/2024/press042524
Breaking Ground: U.S. Army Corps and Port of Virginia Spearhead Major Atlantic Ocean Channel Deepening
VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia, April 26 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Norfolk District issued the following news story:
By Haley Brown, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District
Armed with shovels in hand, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Norfolk District along with its partners, Virginia Port Authority and City of Virginia Beach broke ground during a ceremony for the commencement of the Atlantic Ocean Channel Phase II on Thursday, April 25, celebrating the commencement of construction for the final Norfolk Harbor Deepening contract along with the upcoming beach nourishment projects
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VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia, April 26 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Norfolk District issued the following news story:
By Haley Brown, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District
Armed with shovels in hand, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Norfolk District along with its partners, Virginia Port Authority and City of Virginia Beach broke ground during a ceremony for the commencement of the Atlantic Ocean Channel Phase II on Thursday, April 25, celebrating the commencement of construction for the final Norfolk Harbor Deepening contract along with the upcoming beach nourishment projectsat Resort and Croatan Beaches in Virginia Beach.
The Atlantic Ocean Channel Phase II entails deepening the channel to a minimum depth of 59 feet and beneficially using a portion of the dredge material for beach nourishment in Virginia Beach.
"The Norfolk District is committed to ensuring the Atlantic Ocean Channel dredging project is a successful part of the Norfolk Harbor Deepening project," said Col. Brian Hallberg, USACE Norfolk District Commander. "The arrangements for beneficial use of the sand at Resort and Croatan Beaches were truly a regional team effort among the Norfolk District, the Virginia Port Authority and the City of Virginia Beach that showcase our efforts to efficiently and sustainably deliver economic, environmental and social benefits through collaboration."
Channel deepening will provide economic benefits to the Port of Virginia, the region and the Nation by enabling more efficient movement of commodities. The channels will be deepened to a minimum 55 feet depth for use by deeply laden ultra-large container vessels and large colliers calling on the Port of Virginia.
"This final phase means we are nearing the finish of a critical maritime infrastructure project, which is the creation of the deepest port on the US East Coast," said Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. "The US Army Corps of Engineers has worked diligently with us to widen and deepen the ocean approach, the commercial channel and the Norfolk Harbor, allowing The Port of Virginia to safely and efficiently handle the biggest ships in the global container trade.
This partnership is making navigation in Virginia safer, is helping to grow The Port of Virginia, which is to the benefit of all Virginians, and it positions us for the future. This project began a little more than four years ago and the Corps has been a collaborative partner throughout the process. We are grateful for all of the support."
Beneficial placement of dredged material will provide storm risk management benefits for the citizens and businesses of Virginia Beach through the upcoming beach nourishment projects at Resort and Croatan Beaches.
"Protecting the infrastructure in our resort area and strengthening the shorelines along our residential beaches is a small investment that can pay big dividends. Since 2003, these replenishment efforts have averted millions of dollars in storm-related damage," said LJ Hansen, Director of Public Works for the City of Virginia Beach. "We are grateful to our partners with the USACE for seeing this project as an opportunity to contribute to these ongoing storm-mitigation efforts."
The "Wider, Deeper, Safer" dredging project will deepen the Inner Harbor channels to 55 feet, Chesapeake Bay's Thimble Shoal Channel to 56 feet and Atlantic Ocean Channel to 59 feet. The Thimble Shoal Channel will also be widened up to 1,400 feet in select areas, allowing for ultra-large container vessel two-way traffic.
Completion of the full Norfolk Harbor navigation-improvement project is expected around 2025.
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Original text here: https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Stories/Article/3756458/breaking-ground-us-army-corps-and-port-of-virginia-spearhead-major-atlantic-oce/
