Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Practical Implementation of the Backstepping Sliding Mode Controller MPPT for a PV-Storage Application

This study presents a design and an implementation of a robust Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) for a stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) system with battery storage. A new control scheme is applied for the boost converter based on the combination of the adaptive perturb and observe fuzzy logic controller (P&O-FLC) MPPT technique and the backstepping sliding mode control (BS-SMC) approach. The MPPT controller design was used to accurately track the PV operating point to its maximum power point (MPP) under changing climatic conditions. The presented MPPT based on the P&O-FLC technique generates the reference PV voltage and then a cascade control loop type, based on the BS-SMC approach is used. The aims of this approach are applied to regulate the inductor current and then the PV voltage to its reference values. In order to reduce system costs and complexity, a high gain observer (HGO) was designed, based on the model of the PV system, to estimate online the real value of the boost converter’s inductor current. The performance and the robustness of the BS-SMC approach are evaluated using a comparative simulation with a conventional proportional integral (PI) controller implemented in the MATLAB/Simulink environment. The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed approach not only provides a near-perfect tracking performance (dynamic response, overshoot, steady-state error), but also offers greater robustness and stability than the conventional PI controller. Experimental results fitted with dSPACE software reveal that the PV module could reach the MPP and achieve the performance and robustness of the designed BS-SMC MPPT controller.
The Formula of Faa Di Bruno

, Can heuristics be taught? , in J. Lockhead, ed., Cognitive Process Instruction, Franklin Institute Press, Philadelphia, 1979. , Explicit heuristic training as a variable in problem solving performance, Journal for Research in Mathematics Education,, May 1979. ____, Heuristics in the Classroom, 1980 Yearbook of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 1980. B. F. Skinner, Teaching Thinking, Chapter 6 of The Technology of Teaching, Appleton-Century-Crofts, New York, 1968. P. Smith, The Effect of General vs. Specific Heuristics in Mathematical Problem Solving Tasks, No. 73-26367, University Microfilms, Ann Arbor, 1973. R. Turner, Design problems in research on teaching strategies in mathematics, in T. Cooney, ed., Teaching Strategies: Papers from a Research Workshop, ERIC, Columbus, Ohio, 1976. W. Wickelgren, How to Solve Problems, W. H. Freeman, San Francisco, 1974. D. R. Woods et al., How can one teach problem solving? , Program for Instructional Development Newsletter, Ontario Universities, May 1977.
Challenges with the implementation and adoption of assisted reproductive technologies under communal farming system

This study aimed to assess the perception of cattle farmers regarding the challenges affecting implementation and adoption of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) such as oestrous synchronisation and artificial insemination under communal and emerging farming systems in South Africa. The study was conducted in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. A total of 27 cattle farmers who participated in the ARTs project were randomly selected, nine (9) from each province. The data were collected through in-depth interviews using semi-structured questionnaire. The collected data were managed and coded into themes using Nvivo Version 11 software programme. A total of 31 perceived sub-themes emerged that could compromise the implementation and adoption of Assisted Reproductive Technologies in the study area. Sub-themes were clustered into three major themes by the researcher, namely; those that arose from human interference, those that emanated from lack of resources and those that were the result of natural causes. The most prominent of the challenges that emerged during the interviews across the three provinces as mentioned were: drought and dry seasons (22), stock theft (21), diseases (21), inadequate infrastructure (19), lack of access to the market (16) and expansion of dwelling areas (13). Interviewed cattle farmers strongly agreed that the removal of these challenges would make the implementation and adoption of ARTs and any other livestock related technology easier for them. Key words: Artificial insemination, cattle farmers, oestrous synchronisation
The dilemma of luxury brand extensions

ABSTRACT The present paper focuses on luxury brand perceptions and their effect on attitude towards brand extensions whilst addressing the moderating role of hedonism. Particularly, the study discusses how hedonism affects the way luxury brand perceptions influence attitude towards upward and downward brand extensions. Two online surveys are used to review consumers’ attitude towards upward and downward extensions. Two real brand cases, the brands of Louis Vuitton and Hugo Boss, provide the context for the studies based on the perceived divergence between the marketing approaches of the brands. Louis Vuitton is considered as a more exclusive luxury brand, whereas Hugo Boss is perceived as more open to the masses, universally consumed brand. Study 1 indicates that luxury brand perceptions generate positive attitudes towards upward extensions. Hedonic consumption does not moderate the relationship between luxury brand perceptions and attitude towards upward extensions. Study 2 designates that luxury brand perceptions lead to negative attitudes towards downward extensions. Hedonic motives seem to significantly moderate this relationship. The study discussed significant implications for both academics and practitioners with respect to the role of consumers’ personal motives on the effectiveness of mass marketing strategies in the luxury brand sector.
Fatigue Cracking Resistance of Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) under Working Condition of Orthotropic Steel Bridge Decks Pavement

In order to investigate the fatigue cracking resistance of engineered cementitious composites (ECC) used in in total life pavement, the semi-circular bending (SCB) test and improved three-point bending fatigue test (ITBF) were utilized in this study. The digital image correlation (DIC) method was also utilized to track the surface strain fields of specimens during the SCB test. X-ray computed tomography (CT) and digital image processing (DIP) technologies were applied to measure the internal-crack distribution of the ITBF specimen. The results of the SCB test showed that the fatigue cracking damage process of ECC can be divided into three stages and that the cracking stable propagating stages occupied the main part, which indicates that ECC has excellent ductility and toughness and could work very well with existing cracks. The ITBF results showed that the fatigue cracking resistance of ECC was better than epoxy asphalt concrete (EAC). In addition, the internal-crack distribution along the depth direction of the ITBF specimen could be presented well by the image pixel statistical (IPS) method based on CT scanning of image slices. It could be found that multiple cracks propagate simultaneously in ECC, instead of a single crack, under the OSBD pavement working condition.
Curb Detection and Tracking in Low-Resolution 3D Point Clouds Based on Optimization Framework

Curb detection and tracking is an essential component of autonomous vehicle operation in urban environments. Detecting curbs is a particularly challenging task in urban environments that contain countless dynamic objects. Previous studies have approached curb detection using different types of sensor such as cameras, radar, and LIDAR. Among these, LIDAR sensors have superior advantages in regard to detecting curbs because of their robustness in different weather conditions and they can provide accurate distance measurements. Previous methods based on LIDAR have exploited high-resolution 3D point clouds using high-cost LIDARs. However, the processing of large volumes of information is inefficient for autonomous driving technologies because of real time constraints. This paper presents a novel real-time curb detection and tracking algorithm that makes use of a low-resolution LIDAR. The proposed method consists of three steps. First is the extraction of curb candidates based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN). Second is the selection of the optimal candidate using an optimization framework. Lastly is the tracking of the detected curbs. In the tracking module, we use a combination of spatial consistency and validation gate to track the curb in the occlusion region with dynamic objects. Experiments on a public dataset show that the proposed method achieved 91.54% and 89.76% $F_{1}$ score on the straight and curved road while running at about 18 ms per frame, thereby outperforming the state-of-the-art by a large margin. In addition, we integrated the proposed method with the localization module of our autonomous driving platform. The localization module integrated with the proposed method reduces the positional and lateral root mean square (RMS) error of the vehicle localization by 3.58% and 6.68% respectively. In addition, we compare this method with a deep neural network based method from the perspective of a safety-critical system such as self-driving cars.
Accumulative Roll Bonding—A Review

Different manufacturing processes can be utilized to fabricate light-weight high-strength materials for their applications in a wide spectrum of industries such as aerospace, automotive and biomedical sectors among which accumulative roll bonding (ARB) is a promising severe plastic deformation (SPD) method capable of creating ultrafine grains (UFG) in the final microstructure. The present review discusses recent advancements in the ARB process starting with the ARB basics, intricacies of the underlying mechanisms and physics, different materials, surface and rolling parameters, and finally its key effects on different properties such as strength, ductility, fatigue, toughness, superplasticity, tribology and thermal characteristics. Moreover, results of recent computational investigations have also been briefed towards the end. It is believed that ARB processing is an emerging area with tremendous opportunities in the industrial sector and ample potential in tailoring microstructures for high-performance materials.
An exploration of sensory processing patterns and their association with demographic factors in healthy adults

Purpose Previous research has provided limited evidence on whether and how demographic factors associate with sensory processing patterns (SPP) in adults. This paper aims to examine relationships between SPPs and sociodemographic factors of age, sex, education and ethnicity in healthy adults. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional study design was used. A total of 71 adult participants was recruited from the community, using convenience sampling. Each participant completed the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales – short version (DASS-21). Demographic information on age, sex, education and ethnicity was collected. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVA). Findings SPPs, as measured by the AASP, were significantly correlated to demographic factors of age and education after controlling for emotional distress using the DASS-21. A statistically significant multivariate effect was found across the four dependent variables (low registration, seeking, sensitivity and avoiding) for the age category, F = 6.922, p = 0.009, ηp2 = 0.145, in the presence of a covariate DASS. The education category showed significance only in the seeking domain (p = 0.008, ηp2 = 0.10) after controlling for DASS. There was no significant correlation between SPPs and gender or ethnicity. Results also indicated that mean scores of participants in this study were “similar to most people” as standardised in the AASP. Research limitations/implications This was a cross-sectional study with limitations including that the study used a relatively small sample and was based on self-reported healthy participants. Practical implications SPPs may correlate with healthy adults’ age and to a lesser extent education. This suggests that it might be helpful to consider such demographic factors when interpreting SPPs in clinical populations, although further research in larger samples is needed to reach firmer conclusions about possible implications of demographic variables. Originality/value The findings in this paper add to the growing evidence that suggest that SPPs vary with sociodemographic factors.
Simultaneous Lightwave Information and Power Transfer in Visible Light Communication Systems

In this paper, we investigate a novel simultaneous lightwave information and power transfer (SLIPT) in visible light communication (VLC) systems, where a photo diode (PD) and a solar panel are utilized as the information receiver and the energy harvester, respectively. By systematically analyzing both the information receiver and the energy harvester, we obtain the explicit expressions to characterize the illumination-rate-energy region. Based on the derived expressions, we investigate the downlink unicast transmission of multi-LED multi-user SLIPT VLC networks, and study the total transmit power minimization problem under the rate requirements, the minimum energy harvesting requirements, and dimming control constraints. To solve such non-convex problem, we exploit the semidefinite relaxation (SDR) technique and relax the problem into a convex problem, which can be efficiently solved via interior-point methods. Moreover, for the sake of users’ fairness, we further investigate the beamformer design to maximize the minimal rate under both minimum energy harvesting and dimming control constraints. Finally, the numerical results are provided to evaluate the proposed SLIPT system.
Detection of new methanol maser transitions associated with G358.93−0.03

We report the detection of new 12.178, 12.229, 20.347, and 23.121 GHz methanol masers in the massive star-forming region G358.93−0.03, which are flaring on similarly short time-scales (days) as the 6.668 GHz methanol masers also associated with this source. The brightest 12.178 GHz channel increased by a factor of over 700 in just 50 d. The masers found in the 12.229 and 20.347 GHz methanol transitions are the first ever reported and this is only the fourth object to exhibit associated 23.121 GHz methanol masers. The 12.178 GHz methanol maser emission appears to have a higher flux density than that of the 6.668 GHz emission, which is unusual. No associated near-infrared flare counterpart was found, suggesting that the energy source of the flare is deeply embedded.
Low-Income Mothers' Mental Health in the Context of Family Comorbidity

Title of Document: LOW-INCOME MOTHERS’ MENTAL HEALTH IN THE CONTEXT OF FAMILY COMORBIDITY Allison Schroeder, 2013 Directed By: Associate Professor Kevin Roy, Departm ent of Family Science The present study utilized longitudinal ethnographi c data from the Welfare, Children, and Families: A Three-City Study to analyze how low-income mothers construct meaning of and cope with mental health pr oblems. The study focused on a subsample of 20 mothers with one or more mental hea lth problems. Findings demonstrated the importance of family relationships and family comorbidity. Mothers often attributed mental health problems to problema tic f mily relationships. Mothers also emphasized their children’s health and well-being i n assessing their own health. Their ability to care for their children shaped how they viewed themselves. A related feature of mothers’ experience of mental health was cumulative d sadvantage. Almost all of the mothers linked their mental health to one or more a spects of poverty. Finally, mothers employed a multiple strategies to cope with mental he lth problems, with mental health treatment being one strategy. Implications for rese arch, policy, and clinical work were discussed.
Comparative Review of Corporate Social Responsibility of Energy Utilities and Sustainable Energy Development Trends in the Baltic States

This paper aims at developing the theoretical framework for linking the CSR of energy utilities with sustainable energy development achievements and at applying this framework in selected countries. The main issues of CSR relevant to the energy sector are discussed, and a comparative analysis of CSR reports of energy utilities and sustainable energy development trends in the Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia) is performed based on the developed framework. There are three main interlinked sustainable energy development targets: increase in energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy sources, and GHG emission reduction. The significance of CSR in the energy sector is underlined based on the literature review, and the state policies to promote CSR in the energy sector are discussed and critically assessed based on the case studies of three Baltic States. The CSR practices of energy utilities of the Baltic States were assessed and compared with sustainable energy development achievements in these countries, based on the analysis of sustainable energy development trends. Estonia achieved the best results in approaching all sustainable energy development targets and was ranked with the highest scores in CSR ranking among the Baltic States, followed by Lithuania. The results of the case studies demonstrate that the Baltic countries have achieved different results in sustainable energy development progress, and the role of energy utilities and their corporate sustainability practices may have huge impacts on the achievement of sustainable energy development targets.
THE EFFECTS OF LAUGHTER THERAPY ON MENTAL HEALTH: AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Laughter as alternative therapy is of great interest in the present times, that needs to be investigated. The purposes of this review are to explore the therapeutic and negative effects of Laughter Therapy (LT) on mental health. An Integrative Literature Review of published literature about effects of Laughter Therapy on mental health was conducted. Articles were identified through electronic database from PubMed, Google scholars, EBSCO, and ProQuest within the timeframe of 2010 to 2018 from peer review journals. Total of 18 articles related to the objectives was reviewed. The findings showed that the therapeutic effects of LT on mental health namely: improving positive emotion, stimulating cognition, reducing stress, improving positive coping, and improving the interpersonal relationship. It was found that the negative effect of LT is very minor, and the weakness can be resolved. After conducting a comprehensive investigation towards the effects of LT on mental health, it was concluded that LT has bigger therapeutic effects than negative effect on mental health. The LT is recommended for improving mental health because this therapy is cheap and easy to execute. However, we should always pay attention to the contradiction and negative risks of this therapy.
Tobacco Use in America: Findings From the 1999 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse

A system for limiting the speed of a gasoline engine includes a circuit responsive to the engine speed which provides control signals to a solenoid valve which in turn controls a vacuum actuator. The vacuum actuator then overrides a manual throttle control to move the throttle towards closed position when a governed engine speed is approached. The control circuit provides a signal having three components: one proportional to engine speed, a second proportional to engine acceleration and a third which is the integrated difference between the engine speed and a preset governed speed. In addition, the third signal is high at low engine speed and gradually diminishes as engine speed increases to intermediate or high values. The control signal controls a duty cycle oscillator which actuates the solenoid valve. The duty cycle oscillator is inhibited at low speeds to prevent interference with manual throttle control.
Number of Siblings in Childhood, Social Outcomes in Adulthood

In many parts of the world, fertility has declined in important ways in the past century. What are the consequences of this demographic change? Our study expands the empirical basis for understanding the relationship between number of siblings in childhood and social outcomes among adults. An important recent study found that for each additional sibling an individual grows up with, the likelihood of divorce as an adult declines by 3%. We expand this work by (a) determining whether the original pattern replicates in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health and (b) extending the analysis beyond divorce to consider whether growing up with siblings is related to prosocial adult behaviors (relationships with parents, friends, and views on conflict management with one’s partner). Our results confirm a negative association between number of siblings and divorce in adulthood. We find mixed results related to other prosocial adult behaviors.
Special Contributions HIV Pathogenesis and Prospects for Vaccine 4 From Talk to Action in Fighting AIDS in Developing 10 Countries

272). However, in contrast to previous published reports of a correlation between viral load and CTL magnitude when A2 restricted responses alone are studied, these more comprehensive studies failed to show any significant correlation. Other studies examined CTL epitope density in different regions of the virus, including p17 and Nef, and identified a clear correlation between predicted proteasomal cleavage sites and actual epitope boundaries (Yusim et al, Abstract 271). Such studies begin to address the issue of relative immunodominance of CTL responses, an issue of critical relevance to vaccine design. CD8+ cells have been shown to lyse infected cells but also to release soluble inhibitory factors that include beta chemokines that inhibit R5 viruses as well as other factor(s) that inhibit X4 viruses. The precise characterization of the elusive X4 inhibitory factor(s) remains to be determined. There was relatively little presented at the meeting relating to this response. Persons who are treated in the acute stage of infection appear to develop particularly robust CD8+ cell noncytotoxic activity, and the ability of this response to inhibit viral replication appears to be best when there is direct cell-to-cell contact (Chun et al, Abstract 504). However, full characterization of the factor remains elusive. In the past 2 years numerous publications have indicated a role for virus-specific CD4+ T helper cells in effective control of chronic HIV infection, and additional data at this meeting further support this notion, although not without persisting controversies. The relationship between CD4+ T helper cells and CTLs was further evidenced by a macaque immunization model, in which induction of CTLs was associated with the induction of strong CD4+ T helper cells directed against the virus (Belyakov, Abstract S5). Such relationships were also implied in studies of natural infection in humans (Imami et al, Abstract 158; Autran et al, Abstract 160). The delineation of this relationship between CD4+ T helper cell responses and CTL function should be important, since it will help to guide immunotherapeutic interventions for persons who are already infected. A number of studies addressed the important issue of what factors contribute to the lack of immune control in chronic infection. Insights into the lack of T helper cell responses to HIV in persons with chronic infection were provided by studies using proliferation assays, IFN-γ and interleukin 2 (IL-2) ELISPOT assays, and major Conference Highlights HIV Pathogenesis and Vaccine Development Volume 9 Issue 2 June 2001