Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Empirical and Analytical Investigation of Traffic Flow Regimes and Transitions in Signalized Arterials

The paper presents a methodological framework that integrates different data-driven techniques in order to detect the different traffic flow regimes (free flow, congested conditions, and so on) observed in signalized arterials as well as the manner traffic flow shifts from one regime to another (transitions). Traffic flow is determined by the joint consideration of the temporal evolution of volume and occupancy. The boundary conditions of the different regimes are identified via a fuzzy wavelet approach based on the volume-occupancy relationship. Moreover, a Bayesian network is developed in order to discover hidden associations between the observed shifts and the traffic flow conditions they occur. Results from the data-driven approach indicate the existence of four distinct traffic flow regimes; these regimes hold in arterials with different geometric and signalization characteristics. Finally, results are further discussed via an analytical model based on the kinematic wave theory; the comparative study of both approaches provides strong evidence that the presented statistical framework is in agreement with a simple and elegant analysis including traffic parameters that are observable and measurable.
Direct Spatial Correlation in Crash Frequency Models: Estimation of the Effective Range

Spatial correlation has shown to be present in highway safety data, yet the distance at which sites should be considered correlated is largely unknown. The purpose of this research is to explore the effect of direct spatial correlation structures on crash frequency models at the road segment level and compare them to spatial conditional models. By using direct spatial correlation structures the “effective range” (i.e., the distance at which there is no lingering spatial correlation) is estimated. Full Bayes hierarchical models with direct spatial correlation effects and conditional autoregressive (CAR) spatial effects are estimated. The model of crash, traffic, and roadway inventory data from Pennsylvania shows an average effective range of around 168 m which is in line with previous findings from conditional models. The direct spatial correlation model has a better goodness of fit than the random effects and the CAR model. Furthermore, the proportion of variation in the data explained by the spatial correlation term is almost the same for both spatial models. The standard deviations in coefficient estimates are slightly lower for the direct spatial correlation model compared to the random effects model but significantly lower than the CAR model.
Experimental Investigation of New Ultra Wideband In-Phase and Quadrature-Phase Power Splitters

The design and realization of a new in-phase and quadrature-phase power splitters for ultra wideband (UWB) applications are described in this paper. The in-phase power splitter is first designed and then the quadrature-phase power splitter (QPS) is developed using the designed in-phase power splitter, a conventional microstrip transmission line (MS) TL, and a well-synthesized metamaterial (MM) TL. The phase response of the MM TL is synthesized to achieve the desired 90° phase difference over an UWB frequency range. Two splitters were designed, implemented for UWB operation and experimentally demonstrated. To examine the performances of the proposed splitters, even-odd mode analysis, numerical simulations and experimental measurements were carried out. The comparison between simulated and experimental results shows a good agreement. Results show that the proposed in-phase power splitter has good insertion loss with equal power split, acceptable return loss at all ports and satisfactory isolation performances within the whole UWB frequency range. The proposed QPS has an output amplitude imbalance of less than 2.4 dB and a phase error of less than +15° from 3.0–9.0 GHz (100% FBW).
Social Influence in a Distributed Simulation

Massively multiplayer environments provide a distributed simulation in which to assess the effects of social influence on individual behaviors. This study used this platform to determine the presence of conformity within a virtual environment, essentially replicating the classic social psychology methodology employed by Asch (see Asch 1952a, 1956) on conformity of responses to perceptual judgment tasks. Experimental confederates acting as users in a distributed simulation provided unanimously incorrect responses to a simple line judgment task. Actual experimental participants varyingly demonstrated conforming behavior in their responses, with some deviations from Asch's findings. Implications for training, particularly in military settings, are discussed as are necessary future research endeavors.
Impact of the nature of the compliant electrodes on the dielectric constant of acrylic and silicone electroactive polymers

Dielectric elastomers are emerging electroactive materials used in high performance applications such as robots, artificial muscles and energy harvesting. The development of such applications requires the use of accurate, predictive, reliable models which take into account the dielectric constant (permittivity) of these materials. This dielectric constant is not clearly defined for such applications and depends on many parameters. This leads to values dispersed in the literature for the same electroactive polymer. This paper shows that the nature of the compliant electrodes can influence this dielectric constant significantly. However, the reduction generally observed in this permittivity according to the stretching of elastomer cannot be imputed to the nature of these electrodes, and rather confirms an effect of the volume of the elastomer. This tends to prove that the influence of the compliant electrode is located at the electrode–elastomer interfaces. In addition, the nature of the metallic particles embedded in the electrode grease seems not to influence the value of the dielectric constant. Lastly, we propose analytic laws to describe changes of the dielectric constant as a function of the temperature and the deformation of the material. This makes it possible to define new limits of operation for these polymers for actuators and energy harvesting applications.
High torque polyphase segmented switched reluctance motor with novel excitation strategy

Switched reluctance motor (SRM) with simple and rugged construction is an efficient and inexpensive alternative to permanent magnet (PM) motors. However, SRM has lower torque output than a PM motor of the same frame size. An SRM design that improves torque output by using segmented rotor topology with five phases is designed and evaluated in this study. Further, a bipolar excitation strategy wherein two phases are concurrently excited is proposed. A conventional full bridge inverter is used to feed the motor. Prototype of this machine is fabricated for experimental validation of the proposed strategy. It is found that bipolar excitation strategy results in higher torque output.
Wireless cellular networks with Pareto-distributed call holding times

Nowadays, there is a growing interest in providing internet to mobile users. For instance, NTT DoCoMo in Japan deploys an important mobile phone network with that offers the Internet service, named 'i-mode', to more than 17 million subscribers. Internet traffic measurements show that the session duration of Call Holding Time (CHT) has probability distributions with heavy-tails, which tells us that they depart significantly from the traffic statistics of traditional voice services. In this environment, it is particularly important to know the number of handovers during a call for a network designer to make an appropriate dimensioning of virtual circuits for a wireless cell. The handover traffic has a direct impact on the Quality of Service (QoS); e.g. the service disruption due to the handover failure may significantly degrade the specified QoS of time-constrained services. In this paper, we first study the random behavior of the number of handovers during a call, where we assume that the CHT are Pareto distributed (heavy-tail distribution), and the Cell Residence Times (CRT) are exponentially distributed. Our approach is based on renewal theory arguments. We present closed-form formulae for the probability mass function (pmf) of the number of handovers during a Pareto distributed CHT, and obtain the probability of call completion as well as handover rates. Most of the formulae are expressed in terms of the Whittaker's function. We compare the Pareto case with cases of $k(subscript Erlang and hyperexponential distributions for the CHT.
Persistent Parental RNAi in the Beetle Tribolium castaneum Involves Maternal Transmission of Long Double‐Stranded RNA

Parental RNA interference (pRNAi) is a powerful and widely used method for gene-specific knockdown. Yet in insects its efficacy varies between species, and how the systemic RNAi response is transmitted from mother to offspring remains elusive. Using the flour beetle Tribolium castaneum, we report an RT-qPCR strategy to unmask the presence of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) distinct from endogenous mRNA. We find that the injected dsRNA is directly transmitted into the egg and persists throughout embryogenesis. Despite this depletion of dsRNA from the mother, we show that strong pRNAi can persist for months before waning at strain-specific rates. In seeking the receptor proteins for cellular uptake of long dsRNA into the egg, we lastly present a phylogenomics profiling approach to ascertain macroevolutionary distributions of candidate proteins. We demonstrate a visualization strategy based on taxonomically hierarchical assessment of orthology clustering data to rapidly assess gene age and copy number changes, refined by several lines of sequence-based evidence. We use this approach to document repeated losses of SID-1-like channel proteins in the arthropods, including wholesale loss in the Heteroptera (true bugs), which are nonetheless highly sensitive to pRNAi. Overall, we elucidate practical considerations for insect pRNAi against a backdrop of outstanding questions on the molecular mechanism of dsRNA transmission to achieve long-term, systemic knockdown.
Perception of Stretch Marks Risk Factors Among Adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background Striae distensae (SD) or stretch marks are a common dermatological condition where the dermis becomes scarred. This phenomenon is associated with many risk factors. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical variables and risk factors in patients with SD in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the clinical variables and risk factors for stretch marks among adults in Riyadh, KSA. An electronic questionnaire with an informed consent section was distributed randomly to a sample of adult patients in Riyadh city, KSA, from April to June 2021. A sample size of 512 participants was calculated using the Cochran formula (n = Z2pq/e2), considering 95% confidence and precision of at least ±5%. A 95% confidence level yielded Z values of 1.96, per the normal tables. Results A total of 512 participants were included in this study. This study found that 41.4% of the participants were aged 15 to 25 years of which, 70.4% of the participants were females, and 38.2% had a body mass index (BMI) of 24 or more. More than half of the participants (54.0%) indicated white skin color. The most prevalent area of striae, as reported by the participants, was the abdomen (57%). Around 19.1% of the participants with stretch marks stated that they were smokers, and 23.9% stated that they were obese o, had a chronic condition such as hypertension or diabetes mellitus. The majority of the participants (70.5%) had a family history of stretch marks. Conclusions This study showed that the prevalence of stretch marks was higher in females, younger participants, smokers, participants with a family history of stretch marks, and participants with a higher BMI and multiparity. More studies should be conducted to assess the correlations between these factors and the presence of stretch marks, and their influence on the quality of life of individuals.
Essential oils on postharvest control of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in papaya fruit.

Os subprodutos de plantas medicinais tem sido estudados como uma alternativa para o controle de doencas de plantas visando amenizar e/ou reduzir o uso abusivo de agrotoxicos, principalmente em condicoes pos-colheita. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar, in vitro e in vivo, o controle de Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, agente causal da antracnose do mamao em pos-colheita, por oleos essenciais (OEs) de Cymbopogon citratus, Eucalyptus citriodora, Mentha arvensis e Artemisia dracunculus. Para inibicao do crescimento micelial in vitro, os OEs foram incorporados ao BDA (Batata-dextrose-agar) tendo-se observado a inibicao total ou parcial do crescimento micelial e da esporulacao deste fitopatogeno, dependendo do oleo essencial utilizado. No ensaio in vivo utilizaram-se os OEs de C. citratus (1%) e E. citriodora (1%). A inoculacao com o fitopatogeno foi concomitante e 24 h apos os tratamentos alternativos, que foram: oleos essenciais de C. citratus e de E. citriodora (1%) e biomassa citrica (150 mL 100 L-1) (Ecolife®). Os parâmetros avaliados foram severidade da doenca, reducao da massa, diâmetro, comprimento final dos frutos, pH e a concentracao de solidos soluveis totais (oBrix). Pode-se observar que, no controle da doenca, os frutos tratados e imediatamente inoculados com o fitopatogenos apresentaram maior AACPD (Area Abaixo da Curva do Progresso da Doenca). Porem, frutos tratados e inoculados 24 h apos os tratamentos apresentaram maior controle da doenca, confirmando o potencial dos oleos essenciais testados no presente trabalho.
Toward Real-Time, Remote Observations of the Coastal Wind Resource Using High-Frequency Radar

There is now a large installed base of high-frequency (HF) coastal ocean radars in the United States able to measure surface currents on an operational basis. However, these instruments also have the potential to provide estimates of the spatially variable surface wind field over distances ranging from 10 to 200 km offshore. This study investigates the ability of direction-finding HF radars to recover spatial maps of wind speed and direction from the dominant first-order region radar returns using empirical models. Observations of radar backscatter from the Martha’s Vineyard Coastal Observatory HF radar system were compared to wind observations from an offshore tower, finding significant correlations between wind speed and the backscatter power for a range of angles between the wind and radar loop directions. Models for the directional spreading of wind waves were analyzed in comparison to data-based results, finding potentially significant differences between the model and data-based spreading relationships. Using empirical fits, radar-based estimates of wind speed and direction at the location of the in situ wind sensor had error rates of 2 m/s and 60°, which decreased with hourly averaging. Attempts to extrapolate the results to the larger domain illustrated that spatially dependent transfer functions for wind speed and direction appear possible for large coastal ocean domains based on a small number of temporary, or potentially mobile, in situ wind sensors.
A new explanation for size effects on the flexural strength of concrete

The size dependence of the flexural strength of concrete beams is discussed. It is shown that existing approaches fail to predict the strength of real-sized structures. The scaling of the modulus of rupture σu can be consistently modelled by means of a multifractal scaling law, the influence of microstructural disorder being predominant for the shallowest beams. At larger scales, homogenization comes into play, leading to the definition of an asymptotic constant strength ft. This transition occurs more rapidly in the case of high-strength concrete, where a more brittle behaviour is observed, accompanied by the rapid vanishing of size effects. Validation of the law is pursued by means of best-fitting of relevant experimental data, which allows for determination of the asymptotic value of σu, valid for real-sized members.
Gynecological natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgeries from an anesthesiologist’s perspective: A retrospective cohort study

Background/Aim: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgical (NOTES) approach allows either transgastric or transvaginal access to the targeted organs by endoscopes without a skin incision. This study aimed to evaluate the intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of patients who underwent vaginally assisted NOTES (VaNOTES) for gynecological surgery. Methods: One hundred ten patients who underwent hysterectomy and/or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) under general anesthesia either with conventional laparoscopy (CL) or VaNOTES methods were examined. The data of the patients were obtained from the medical records retrospectively. Demographic data, perioperative hemodynamic data, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, and analgesic consumption at the 1 st , 6 th, and 24 th postoperative hours were assessed. Results : Among all patients, the median duration of anesthesia, median operation time, and hospital stay were lower in the VaNOTES group compared to those in CL ( P <0.001). The change in perioperative hemodynamic findings was similar in both patient groups. While the median VAS scores were lower in the VaNOTES group at the 6 th and 24 th postoperative hours in patients with BSO ( P= 0.024 and P= 0.021), those of patients who underwent hysterectomy were lower at the 1 st postoperative hour ( P= 0.002). However, the change in VAS scores was similar in both patient groups. In addition, no postoperative complications or mortality were observed in any of the groups. Conclusion: Application of NOTES technique in gynecological operations may contribute to the reduction of invasive procedures, shorten the duration of surgery and anesthesia, lower pain severity, and improve hospital stay postoperatively.
Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Infections among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Single-Centre Study in Somalia

Introduction Hemodialysis patients have the highest risk for developing hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) than the general population. There is no study available for HBV and HCV in this population in Somalia. The main objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and risk factors of HBV and HCV infections among hemodialysis patients in Somalia. Methods A cross-sectional assessment of hemodialysis patients from January 2021 to June 2021 was used in this study. 220 patients were included in this study. Age, sex, duration of hemodialysis, number of hemodialysis sessions per week, history of blood transfusion, HbsAg, and anti-HCV antibodies were examined. Results Out of the 220 patients, males were predominant (113 (51.4%)). The mean age of the participants was 52.70. The prevalence of HBV was 7.3% (16 respondents), while the prevalence of HCV was 3.2% (7 respondents). 1 respondent (0.5%) had both HBV and HCV. There is a positive correlation between the duration of hemodialysis and the prevalence of HBV and HCV (r(218) = 0.298, p value <0.001), blood transfusion and prevalence of HBV and HCV (r(218) = 0.347, p value <0.001), and the number of hemodialysis sessions per week and prevalence of HBV and HCV (r(218) = 0.402, p value <0.001). The regression model of the combined predictors of history of blood transfusion, duration of hemodialysis, and number of dialysis sessions per week is R2 = 0.25, which indicates a 25% variance in the prevalence of HBV and HCV with a significance of F (3,216) = 23.67, p < 0.001. Conclusions The prevalence of HBV and HCV among hemodialysis patients in this study was 7.3% and 3.2%, respectively. 0.5% of the respondents had both HBV and HCV. History of blood transfusion, duration of hemodialysis, and number of hemodialysis sessions per week appear to have a strong correlation with the prevalence of HBV and HCV.
Effects of Pulse rate, Fundamental Frequency, and Burst Density on Auditory Similarity

Auditory alarms are currently used in medicine, automotive and aviation settings. However, a high degree of variability and lack of standardization may compromise safety if multiple warning sounds are easily confused with each other. Identifying the parameters that are most relevant to auditory similarity will facilitate the development of guidelines that ensure alarms are distinct without requiring standardization. Twenty-seven undergraduate students judged the similarity of a set of abstract sounds varying in pulse rate, fundamental frequency, and burst density. Results indicate that no single parameter was entirely responsible for determining auditory similarity, but temporal characteristics were most salient. These findings suggest that designers intending to ensure perceptual separation between differentially mapped sounds should manipulate temporal characteristics before frequency or burst density.
The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on the well-being of mental healthcare providers working in a specialist clinic for personality disorder

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the well-being of mental healthcare providers working in a specialist clinic for personality disorder during the first wave of COVID-19 social restrictions. Method Clinical (n = 31) and nonclinical (n = 11) staff in a public outpatient specialist personality disorder clinic were invited to participate. Data were collected via an online survey which incorporated the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) together with a range of open-ended questions exploring mental health, physical health, sleep quality, management of relationships, alcohol consumption, eating patterns, and use of media. Inductive content analysis was used to review the responses to the open-ended questions. Data from CAS was reported descriptively. Results In total, 39 surveys were completed (92.8% response rate). According to the CAS, two participants (5.1%) experienced coronaphobia during the initial pandemic restrictions. Participants reported a diversity of experiences affecting their health status during this time. While loss of social interactions with family and friends was reported as the most challenging aspect of lockdown, participants reported that conducting their work using telehealth and the absence of the work commute provided opportunities for more time with family and for self-reflection. Conclusions The self-reported physical and mental health of participants demonstrated resilience. This suggests that the capacity to conduct therapeutic work via telehealth, and having the option of working from home helped to mitigate many of the adverse aspects of social restrictions due to the global pandemic. This study was conducted during the first wave of social restrictions; subsequent studies will reveal longer-term effects of this policy. Key Points What is already known about this topic: Australian adults reported a slight increase in psychological distress in the general community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) is a validated and reliable mental health questionnaire assessing COVID-19 related fear and anxiety (coronaphobia). CAS measures sleep disturbance, appetite loss, dizziness, tonic immobility, and abdominal distress. Living under lockdown conditions is an unnatural experience. Experience of mental health workers who provide care for people with personality disorder is not yet studied during this condition. What this paper adds: Only two participants (5.1%) experienced coronaphobia during the initial pandemic restrictions. While challenges were endorsed, the self-reported physical and mental health of participants demonstrated resilience. A range of well-being challenges were reported in this study that informs health policy makers for future interventions.