Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling the Thermal Dynamics of Buildings

Minimizing the energy consumed by heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems of residential buildings without impacting occupants’ comfort has been highlighted as an important artificial intelligence (AI) challenge. Typically, approaches that seek to address this challenge use a model that captures the thermal dynamics within a building, also referred to as a thermal model. Among thermal models, gray-box models are a popular choice for modeling the thermal dynamics of buildings. They combine knowledge of the physical structure of a building with various data-driven inputs and are accurate estimators of the state (internal temperature). However, existing gray-box models require a detailed specification of all the physical elements that can affect the thermal dynamics of a building a priori. This limits their applicability, particularly in residential buildings, where additional dynamics can be induced by human activities such as cooking, which contributes additional heat, or opening of windows, which leads to additional leakage of heat. Since the incidence of these additional dynamics is rarely known, their combined effects cannot readily be accommodated within existing models. To overcome this limitation and improve the general applicability of gray-box models, we introduce a novel model, which we refer to as a latent force thermal model of the thermal dynamics of a building, or LFM-TM. Our model is derived from an existing gray-box thermal model, which is augmented with an extra term referred to as the learned residual. This term is capable of modeling the effect of any a priori unknown additional dynamic, which, if not captured, appears as a structure in a thermal model’s residual (the error induced by the model). More importantly, the learned residual can also capture the effects of physical elements such as a building’s envelope or the lags in a heating system, leading to a significant reduction in complexity compared to existing models. To evaluate the performance of LFM-TM, we apply it to two independent data sources. The first is an established dataset, referred to as the FlexHouse data, which was previously used for evaluating the efficacy of existing gray-box models [Bacher and Madsen 2011]. The second dataset consists of heating data logged within homes located on the University of Southampton campus, which were specifically instrumented to collect data for our thermal modeling experiments. On both datasets, we show that LFM-TM outperforms existing models in its ability to accurately fit the observed data, generate accurate day-ahead internal temperature predictions, and explain a large amount of the variability in the future observations. This, along with the fact that we also use a corresponding efficient sequential inference scheme for LFM-TM, makes it an ideal candidate for model-based predictive control, where having accurate online predictions of internal temperatures is essential for high-quality solutions.
Short- and long-term training effects on motor and functional performances of community-dwelling individuals with chronic stroke

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the short- and long-term effects (1 year follow-up) of a combined program of strengthening and aerobic conditioning on measures of impairment and activity in individuals with chronic stroke. Methods: A prospective, observational study embedded within a trial was conducted. Measures of impairment (strength of the trunk and lower limb muscles) and activity (gait speed, gait capacity and ability to manage stairs) of 23 individuals with chronic stroke were reassessed 1 year after the cessation of the training. Repeated measure ANOVAs, followed by planned contrasts, were used for analyses. Results: Significant training effects were found for all outcome measures (3.81 > F > 93.5, 0.0001 > p > 0.04). The gains in strength of the paretic and non-paretic lower limbs were not maintained and returned to baseline levels after 1 year follow-up. However, the gains in all activity measures remained. Conclusions: These findings support the short- and long-term benefits of a combined program of muscular strengthening and physical conditioning for individuals with chronic stroke with high functional levels, since the gains associated with the training were maintained after the 1 year follow-up for all studied variables, except for the strength of the paretic and non-paretic lower limbs.
Identifying Psychosocial and Social Correlates of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Black Female Teenagers

Background Black teenagers have relatively high rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and recent research suggests the role of contextual factors, as well as risk behaviors. We explore the role of 4 categories of risk and protective factors on having a biologically confirmed STD among black, female teenagers. Methods Black teenage girls (14–19 years old) accessing services at a publicly funded family planning clinic provided a urine specimen for STD testing and completed an audio computer-assisted self-interview that assessed the following: risk behaviors, relationship characteristics, social factors, and psychosocial factors. We examined bivariate associations between each risk and protective factor and having gonorrhea and/or chlamydia, as well as multivariate logistic regression among 339 black female teenagers. Results More than one-fourth (26.5%) of participants had either gonorrhea and/or chlamydia. In multivariate analyses, having initiated sex before age 15 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.87) and having concurrent sex partners in the past 6 months (aOR, 1.55) were positively associated with having an STD. Living with her father (aOR, 0.44), believing that an STD is the worst thing that could happen (aOR, 0.50), and believing she would feel dirty and embarrassed about an STD (aOR, 0.44) were negatively associated with having an STD. Conclusions Social factors and attitudes toward STDs and select risk behaviors were associated with the risk for STDs, suggesting the need for interventions that address more distal factors. Future studies should investigate how such factors influence safer sexual behaviors and the risk for STDs among black female teenagers.
Six tea-towels, one calendar and 1659 children's self-portraits: A developmental study of children drawing faces

Almost all children draw, and almost all draw faces. Faces are, however, difficult to draw, and even adults typically get the internal proportions wrong, placing the eyes and ears too high, instead of in their correct position, which in adult faces is typically about halfway between chin and vertex, but somewhat lower in children’s faces (figure 4 shows the anthropometric norms of Farkas and Munro, 1987). Large-scale studies of children’s self-portraits are rare, and this study used an unusual data set to examine the development of children’s selfportraits. Each year, as a fund-raising exercise at Christmas, a local state school attended by the first author’s three children, printed a calendar or tea-towels with pictures of all the children in the Infant (3-7) and Junior (8-11) school. For the calendars Each child was given a standard 5 x 5 cms piece of paper by their teacher and asked to draw a self-portrait and to write their name. Many of the teachers also drew selfportraits. The images were then assembled by classes, photographed, and printed either as a calendar or as tea-towels.
Invisible Suffering: Practitioner Reflections on Peacebuilding Programs for Youth Exposed to Traumatic Stressors in Intergroup Conflict

For decades, the international community has recognized that youth are some of the most vulnerable to mental and emotional distress within the intractable and cyclical nature of identity-based violent conflict. Exposure to traumatic stressors within these intergroup conflicts poses unique risks not only to the neurological and social development of youth, but also to the capacities of youth to fully participate in peacebuilding interventions. The peacebuilding field has yet to strongly consider how traumatic stress affects dynamics within programs for youth and how these programs may need to modify expectations of youth’s cognitive, social, and emotional functioning to account for the traumatic dimensions of political and social violence. Through a qualitative analysis of practitioner reflections gathered from an online survey distributed worldwide, this study explores how practitioners conceptualize and approach issues of traumatic stress in peacebuilding programs focused on youth in conflict-affected contexts. The objective is to identify the working assumptions undergirding practitioner conceptualizations and approaches to traumatic stress and gaps in trauma interventions in peacebuilding programs for youth. The implications of these findings will support efforts to enhance trauma-sensitive peacebuilding practice by revisiting and reconsidering preexisting norms.
Topic-Based Bengali Opinion Summarization

In this paper the development of an opinion summarization system that works on Bengali News corpus has been described. The system identifies the sentiment information in each document, aggregates them and represents the summary information in text. The present system follows a topic-sentiment model for sentiment identification and aggregation. Topic-sentiment model is designed as discourse level theme identification and the topic-sentiment aggregation is achieved by theme clustering (k-means) and Document level Theme Relational Graph representation. The Document Level Theme Relational Graph is finally used for candidate summary sentence selection by standard page rank algorithms used in Information Retrieval (IR). As Bengali is a resource constrained language, the building of annotated gold standard corpus and acquisition of linguistics tools for lexico-syntactic, syntactic and discourse level features extraction are described in this paper. The reported accuracy of the Theme detection technique is 83.60% (precision), 76.44% (recall) and 79.85% (F-measure). The summarization system has been evaluated with Precision of 72.15%, Recall of 67.32% and F-measure of 69.65%.
On-line measurements of K+ activity in the tensile water of the xylem conduit of higher plants.

In higher plants the xylem is the main pathway for anti-gravitational, long-distance transport of nutrients and water from the root through the shoot to the upper leaves. In the xylem conduit water is in a metastable state if tension larger than 0.1 MPa (i.e. negative pressure) is developed. While diurnal changes in negative pressure of individual xylem vessels can quite accurately be recorded by the minimal-invasive xylem pressure probe technique and water flow by non-invasive NMR techniques, the problem of continuous monitoring of solute flow remains a hitherto unresolved challenge. As shown here, integration of a K+ selective and a potential measuring microelectrode into the xylem pressure probe allowed on-line measurements of the K+ activity in individual xylem vessels of maize roots together with pressure and trans-root potential, the potential difference between the xylem and the external medium (i.e. the overall driving force of ions through the root tissue). When light irradiation was increased from 10 micro mol m(-2) s(-1) to 300 micro mol m(-2) s(-1) and negative pressure developed in the vessel, xylem K+ activity dropped from 3.6 +/- 2.6 mm to 0.9 +/- 0.7 mm (n = 16), whereas the trans-root potential depolarized from -2 +/- 11 mV to + 12 +/- 11 mV (n = 11), i.e. by + 14 +/- 7 mV. The effect of light on all three parameters was reversible. Exposure of the root to various K+ activities in the bath ranging from 0.1 to 43 mm revealed that the K+ activity of the xylem sap was shielded against short-term fluctuations in K+ supply to a large extent. In contrast, control experiments in which the root was cut 1 cm below the probe insertion point, allowing direct entry of external K+ into the xylem vessels, demonstrated that the xylem equilibrated rapidly with external K+. This was taken simultaneously as a proof for the correct reading of the probe.
Confidence maps and confidence intervals for near infrared images in breast cancer

Extends basic concepts of statistical hypothesis testing and confidence intervals to images generated by a new procedure for near infrared spectroscopic tomography being developed for use in breast cancer diagnosis. By estimating the covariance matrix of the pixels of an image from data used in the image reconstruction process, confidence maps for statistical tests on individual pixels and confidence intervals for entire images are displayed as an aid to research and clinical personnel interpreting possibly noisy images. The methods are applied to simulated and phantom-based images.
A casein kinase I motif present in the cytoplasmic domain of members of the tumour necrosis factor ligand family is implicated in ‘reverse signalling’

We have identified a putative signalling feature of the cytoplasmic domains of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) family members based on available amino acid sequence data. A casein kinase I (CKI) consensus sequence is conserved in the cytoplasmic domain of six of 15 members of the type II integral membrane TNF ligand family. We examined the phosphorylation state of transmembrane tumour necrosis factor‐α (mTNF) with [32P]orthophosphate labelling and in vitro kinase assays, in lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated RAW264.7 cells. A dimeric form of the type I soluble TNF receptor (sTNFR) was found to dephosphorylate mTNF. This effect could be prevented by treatment with phosphatase inhibitors. Recombinant CKI was able to phosphorylate mTNF that had been dephosphorylated by sTNFR ligation in vivo, and this was less effective if phosphatase inhibitors had been used to prevent mTNF dephosphorylation. A mutated form of mTNF, lacking the CKI recognition site, cannot be phosphorylated by the enzyme. Binding of sTNFR to mTNF induced an increase in intracellular calcium levels in RAW264.7 cells, implying the presence of an associated signalling pathway. We predict that this CKI motif is phosphorylated in other TNF ligand members, and that it represents a new insight into the mechanism of ‘reverse signalling’ in this cytokine family.
An evaluation of move-based multi-way partitioning algorithms

This paper presents a thorough analytical and experimental comparison of four move-based multi-way partitioning algorithms. Modifications are considered to the algorithm with the best solution quality, partitioning by free moves. These modifications allow a tradeoff to be made between solution quality and execution time. Results are given for ISCAS and other benchmarks.
Gender Differences in Acquired Capability Among Active-Duty Service Members at High Risk for Suicide

The interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide (IPTS) differentiates the desire to die from the capability to inflict lethal self-injury. Despite increasing agreement in the literature regarding the theoretical relevance of the construct in understanding military suicide, acquired capability has rarely been evaluated among currently or recently suicidal active-duty service members. To this end, the present study pooled baseline data for 733 active-duty service members enrolled in one of two clinical trials to prevent suicide. We hypothesized that self-reported acquired capability would be higher among men, and would increase with (a) suicide attempt frequency and (b) combat deployment frequency. Lifetime history of suicide attempts was assessed using the Suicide Attempt Self-Injury Count. Scores of self-reported acquired capability were based on the 20-item version of the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale (ACSS) and the 7-item fearlessness about death subscale (ACSS-FAD). Consistent with the IPTS, male gender, suicide attempts (none, single, multiple), and deployments (0, 1, 2, 3+) to a combat zone predicted increased ACSS and ACSS-FAD scores. Findings support the relevance of the IPTS in a military context.
Furthering the understanding of parent-child relationships: a nursing scholarship review series. Part 1: Introduction.

PURPOSE Understanding the parent-child relationship is fundamental to nursing of children and families. The purpose of this integrative review is to explore nursing scholarship published from 1980-2008 concerning parent-child relationships. Study approaches are examined, critiqued, and future directions for research identified. CONCLUSIONS A historical review of nursing research is presented and methods described as an introduction to a review series of the parent-child relationship. IMPLICATIONS Definition and explication of the parent-child relationship is a first-step in understanding factors amenable to nursing intervention. A clear definition of the concept of parent-child relationship will support further study using appropriate theoretical frameworks, and enable development and testing of supportive nursing interventions.
Nitric Oxide Modulates Vascular Tone in Preglomerular Arterioles

Blockade of nitric oxide reduces renal blood flow, but the site or sites at which nitric oxide alters renal vascular resistance are unknown. The effects of Nω-nitro-L-arginine (100 μM), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, on the pressure–diameter relation of renal arterioles was studied using a rat juxtamedullary microvascular preparation perfused in vitro with a physiological salt solution containing 5% albumin. The basal diameters of the main arcuate and interlobular arteries and the proximal and distal afferent arterioles averaged 438±26, 64±4, 30±1, and 20±1 μm, respectively, at a perfusion pressure of 80 mm Hg. The diameters of the arcuate and interlobular arteries increased by 14±2% and 7 ±2%, whereas the proximal and distal afferent arterioles decreased by 3±1% and 7±2% when perfusion pressure was elevated to 160 mm Hg. Nitro-arginine had no effect on the basal diameters of arcuate and interlobular arteries. Nitro-arginine reduced the diameters of afferent arterioles by 7±2% at all perfusion pressures studied. Nitro-arginine increased active vascular tone in the interlobular artery and afferent arterioles and enhanced autoregulation of glomerular capillary pressure. L-Arginine (1 mM), the precursor to nitric oxide production, reversed the effects of nitro-arginine. These findings suggest that nitric oxide modulates vascular tone of the interlobular artery and afferent arterioles of deep nephrons and influences the ability of the preglomerular vasculature to autoregulate glomerular capillary pressure.
Streptococci Dominate the Diverse Flora within Buccal Cells

Previously, we reported that intracellular Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Tannerella forsythensis were present within buccal epithelial cells from human subjects, as lesser components of a polymicrobial flora. In this study, we further characterized that intracellular flora by using the same double-labeling techniques to identify Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, oral Campylobacter species, Eikenella corrodens, Treponema denticola, Gemella haemolysans, Granulicatella adiacens, and total streptococci within buccal epithelial cells. All those species were found within buccal cells. In every case, species recognized by green-labeled species-specific probes were accompanied by other bacteria recognized only by a red-labeled universal probe. Streptococci appeared to be a major component of the polymicrobial intracellular flora, being present at a level from one to two logs greater than the next most common species (G. adiacens). This is similar to what is observed in oral biofilms, where diverse species interact in complex communities that often are dominated by streptococci.
An investigation into the use of four quadrant inverter devices for voltage and var support on SWER systems

The issues of poor capacity, voltage and power quality experienced on long Single Wire Earth Return (SWER) electrical distribution systems have negative and sometimes expensive impacts on both the electrical distributor and their customers. Traditional mitigation methods employed include voltage regulators and fixed capacity Shunt Reactors and capacitors. To overcome inherent limitations of these traditional methods, the use of dynamic real and reactive power compensation devices based on 4 quadrant inverters is being investigated. This paper discusses the methodology and results of a modelling investigation into the effectiveness of these devices on a representative SWER system in Western Queensland.
Examining the effects of early life stress from maternal separation on measures of pain and anxiety

iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my mentor, Dr. Perry N. Fuchs, for his support and encouragement on this project, and for his guidance during my time as a graduate student. I would also like to thank my committee members, Dr. Fuchs for their suggestions and input during regarding this project. I would also like to thank fellow graduate student Jessica Boyette-Davis, for her invaluable help in running the study and for her support on collaborative experiments. I thank Lara Kachlic for her assistance with the technical aspects of this manuscript, and her patience during the process. I also want to thank the undergraduate students who volunteered their time in our lab during over the last two years, and Alphas Wicker for keeping the ACF running smoothly. In addition, I would like to thank my parents for financial support and encouragement, and Bryan Smith for his feedback and patience during this study. Finally, I would like to thank the animals that enabled me to complete this project and contribute far more to the scientific community than any individual researcher. Animal models of stress-induced conditions have provided important insight into the physiological mechanisms of many chronic disorders. Models of early life stress involve procedures designed to induce prenatal or postnatal stress upon pups, which produces adult rats with enhanced stress responses and behavioral similarities to animal models of schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression. Since little research has focused on the effect of maternal separation on adult pain processing, the purpose of the current study is to examine both sensory and affective pain measures in adult rats following repeated maternal separation in infancy, a common model of early life stress. Eighty-six male pups were utilized following either early maternal separation (EMS) or early handling (EH). Although sensory thresholds remained unaltered for adult EMS rats, their emotional response to nociceptive stimuli intensified under certain conditions. In addition, EMS rats demonstrated more hyperactivity and anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze. This indicates that early life stress leads to exaggerated emotional responses to novel or nociceptive stimuli in adulthood. Further research could determine whether or not this pattern holds true for different pain models, or if post-weaning enrichment could reverse the effects of maternal separation on pain processing.