Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Road roughness modelling with clustered data using ANN approach

It is a well established fact that the roughness is manifested as an effect of different individual pavement deterioration parameters. Several studies have been oriented in the direction of establishing the models capable of predicting the roughness. However, it was felt essential to develop a model explaining the dynamics of different pavement deterioration parameters on the roughness. In view of very limited studies reported in this direction, the present study is carried out, first by grouping available data into homogeneous clusters and then model them using Feed Forward Back Propagation Artificial Neural Network algorithm. K- Means partitional clustering algorithm has been adopted for clustering the data. A new mathematical algorithm has been proposed and used for optimizing the number of clusters, which is further verified with the available standard validity indices. The present modeling attempt has indicated strong correlation between the road roughness and the deterioration parameters viz cracking, raveling, potholes, patching and rutting. The models developed for all the clusters have shown decent statistical acceptability.
Nonlinear synergetic control of wind turbine for maximum power point tracking

This paper focuses to improve wind turbine systems efficiency, in other words, to maximize the output power delivered by the wind turbine. To do this it is necessary to have a good controller. In this study, we use a nonlinear synergetic controller. Synergetic control theory is applied to reach the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of a variable speed energy conversion system. A comparison with the robust sliding mode control allowed us to see the effectiveness of the proposed controller. These controllers are tested in a Simulink/Matlab environment. Simulation results present good performance compared to the classical sliding mode controller, as well as to the synergetic controller with linear macro-variable.
An evolutionary path planning algorithm for military applications

The path planning problem for military applications is discussed, with a review of relevant literature. An evolutionary algorithm originally designed for optimizing 3-dimensional highway alignments is adapted and tested for real-time military path planning applications in a changing environment. An optimization problem is formulated to seek a path for an autonomous agent or robot between given origin and destination points. The problempsilas decision variables and constraints are discussed. This problem maximizes the net benefit of reaching the destination while considering the probabilities of destroying hostile targets and getting destroyed by them during the mission. A hypothetical numerical example for a rescue operation at a location in hostile territory is presented. Minimizing time to destination, maximizing survivability and other measures of performance are also discussed. The solution algorithm is intended for real-world path planning for autonomous agents or robots.
Plant Debris and Its Contribution to Ecosystem Carbon Storage in Successional Larix gmelinii Forests in Northeastern China

Plant debris, including woody debris and litter, is an essential but frequently overlooked component of carbon (C) storage in forest ecosystems. Here, we examined the C storage of plant debris and its contribution to total ecosystem C storage in an age sequence of six larch (Larix gmelinii) forest stands (15, 36, 45, 54, 65, and 138 years old) in northeastern China. The plant debris C storage increased from 6.0 ± 0.5 Mg·C·ha−1 in the 15-year-old stand to a maximum of 9.3 ± 1.8 Mg·C·ha−1 in the 138-year-old stand. The C storage of woody debris increased during stand development in a sigmoidal pattern, increasing from 0.7 ± 0.2 Mg·C·ha−1 in the 15-year-old stand to 4.7 ± 1.3 Mg·C·ha−1 in the 138-year-old stand. However, the C storage of litter (4.6−5.4 Mg·C·ha−1) did not vary with stand age in this larch chronosequence. In addition, the ratio of woody debris to live tree biomass C storage was relatively stable across stands (approximately 3.3%). These results highlight the importance of considering successional development and stand characteristics in assessing changes of plant debris and total ecosystem C storage in the larch forest ecosystem
Emerging Applications for High K Materials in VLSI Technology

The current status of High K dielectrics in Very Large Scale Integrated circuit (VLSI) manufacturing for leading edge Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) and Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) applications is summarized along with the deposition methods and general equipment types employed. Emerging applications for High K dielectrics in future CMOS are described as well for implementations in 10 nm and beyond nodes. Additional emerging applications for High K dielectrics include Resistive RAM memories, Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) diodes, Ferroelectric logic and memory devices, and as mask layers for patterning. Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) is a common and proven deposition method for all of the applications discussed for use in future VLSI manufacturing.
Simultaneous Measurement of Flow at Several Depths Using Multiple Active Paths in a Low-Coherence Interferometer

We present a multiple-path scalable configuration that allows the interrogation of an intralipid flow in a vessel at five multiple depths separated by a spatial interval that could be easily adjusted from zero to values less, larger, or much larger than the coherence length of the optical source. The range of flow values measured is accommodated by modifying the difference between the frequencies of signals driving two frequency shifters, each being a part of an active loop placed in each arm of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer.
Ancient building electrical fire early warning system based on JenNet wireless technology

This paper analyzes the wiring problem which exists in the ancient building electrical fire monitoring system, taking JN5148 wireless low-power embedded processor as the core, we design an ancient building electrical fire early warning system based JenNet protocol of wireless sensor network. To compose communication structure of electrical fire early warning system in this paper we add the wireless network to the RS-485 cable transmission network, make it become a part of the cable transmission, and combine the advantages of wireless transmission and cable transmission to form a mixed communication mechanism.
Holistic Data Profiling: Simultaneous Discovery of Various Metadata

Data proling is the discipline of examining an unknown dataset for its structure and statistical information. It is a preprocessing step in a wide range of applications, such as data integration, data cleansing, or query optimization. For this reason, many algorithms have been proposed for the discovery of dierent kinds of metadata. When analyzing a dataset, these proling algorithms are often applied in sequence, but they do not support one another, for instance, by sharing I/O cost or pruning information. We present the holistic algorithm Muds, which jointly discovers the three most important metadata: inclusion dependencies, unique column combinations, and functional dependencies. By sharing I/O cost and data structures across the dierent discovery tasks, Muds can clearly increase the eciency of traditional sequential data proling. The algorithm also introduces novel inter-task pruning rules that build upon dierent types of metadata, e.g., unique column combinations to infer functional dependencies. We evaluate Muds in detail and compare it against the sequential execution of state-of-the-art algorithms. A comprehensive evaluation shows that our holistic algorithm outperforms the baseline by up to factor 48 on datasets with favorable pruning conditions.
Life span and reproductive cost explain interspecific variation in the optimal onset of reproduction

Fitness can be profoundly influenced by the age at first reproduction (AFR), but to date the AFR–fitness relationship only has been investigated intraspecifically. Here, we investigated the relationship between AFR and average lifetime reproductive success (LRS) across 34 bird species. We assessed differences in the deviation of the Optimal AFR (i.e., the species‐specific AFR associated with the highest LRS) from the age at sexual maturity, considering potential effects of life history as well as social and ecological factors. Most individuals adopted the species‐specific Optimal AFR and both the mean and Optimal AFR of species correlated positively with life span. Interspecific deviations of the Optimal AFR were associated with indices reflecting a change in LRS or survival as a function of AFR: a delayed AFR was beneficial in species where early AFR was associated with a decrease in subsequent survival or reproductive output. Overall, our results suggest that a delayed onset of reproduction beyond maturity is an optimal strategy explained by a long life span and costs of early reproduction. By providing the first empirical confirmations of key predictions of life‐history theory across species, this study contributes to a better understanding of life‐history evolution.
Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) for assessment of cerebral infarction. Initial clinical experience in 50 patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Our aim was to evaluate fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence in the diagnosis of cerebral infarction with MRI. METHODS A retrospective review was undertaken of 50 consecutive MRI studies ordered for suspected cerebrovascular accident. All studies included FLAIR and rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE) T2-weighted spin-echo sequences. The two sequences were compared independently by four observers at two different institutions. Detectability of lesions and image quality were scored. RESULTS Overall, FLAIR sequences proved superior in 10 patients, detecting acute cortical infarcts missed with RARE spin-echo technique in five patients. In five additional patients, improved characterization of chronic infarction and improved detection of microangiopathic deep hemispheric changes were observed. One brain stem infarct was missed with the FLAIR sequence. CONCLUSIONS FLAIR offers advantages in detection of acute infarcts affecting the cortical ribbon, is a useful, rapid adjunct to conventional T2-weighted spin-echo sequences, and has the potential to replace these in the future.
Determination of the rate constant of enzyme modification by measuring the substrate reaction in the presence of the modifier.

On the basis of the equations derived previously [Tsou, C. L. (1965) Sheng Wu Hua Hsueh Yu Sheng Wu Wu Li Hsueh Pao 5, 398-408, 409-417] for the substrate reaction during the course of enzyme modification, the kinetic behavior of the system chymotrypsin-substrate-modifier has been studied. The kinetics of benzoyltyrosine ester hydrolysis during the course of irreversible inhibition of the enzyme has been found to be in satisfactory agreement with equations obtained previously. The apparent rate constant between the enzyme and an irreversible inhibitor can be easily obtained in one single experiment by following the course of substrate hydrolysis in the presence of the inhibitor. The results are also in accord with the assumption that diisopropyl fluorophosphate can be classified as an irreversible competitive inhibitor. For both phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride and L-1-[(p-toluene-sulfonyl)amino]-2-phenylethyl chloromethyl ketone, the inhibition has been found to be in agreement with the kinetics of the complexing type; i.e., a noncovalent enzyme-inhibitor complex is formed before irreversible enzyme modification. Both the equilibrium constants for the complex formation and the first-order rate constants for the irreversible modification step have been determined also by following the course of substrate hydrolysis in the presence of the irreversible inhibitor.
Six Cases of Infectious Mononucleosis by Cytomegalovirus as Diagnosedby Multiplex Virus PCR Assay

Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is mostly caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) while IM by cytomegalovirus (CMV) is rather rare. In our retrospective clinical research with multiplex virus PCR analysis, we encountered 6 cases of CMV-IM and analyzed the clinical characteristics including diagnostic problems. The diagnosis of CMV-IM was made when the CMV genome was solely detected from the patient’s peripheral blood by multiplex virus PCR analysis. Then viral load was determined by quantitative PCR. Viral serological examinations were performed by a laboratory company as routine laboratory tests. Specific PCR signal for CMV genome was obtained by multiplex virus PCR in 6 patients, and blood CMV load ranged from 102 to 104 copies/mL. Clinical pictures and laboratory findings of these patients with CMV-IM were similar to those of EBV-IM in terms of fever, fatigue, morphology and number of atypical lymphocyte, and liver dysfunction. On serological examination, an IgM antibody against CMV was positive in all 6 patients; however, a VCA-IgM antibody against EBV was also positive in all patients examined, compromising serological differential diagnosis of IM. To make an exact diagnosis of CMV-IM, direct detection of the virus genome is important, and our multiplex virus PCR assay may be very useful in terms of quick performance and good specificity
The effects of various intensities and durations of exercise with and without glucose in milk ingestion on postexercise oxygen consumption.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to compare the 2-hr excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and rectal temperature (RT) after four-exercise bouts of varying intensity and duration, with and without glucose in milk (GM) ingestion. METHODS EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN subjects completed the exercise tests in random order 4 times on the same weekday. The four experimental exercise conditions were low intensity, long duration with GM (LL & GM), low intensity, long duration without GM (LL & NGM), high intensity, short duration with GM (HS & GM), and high intensity, short duration without GM (HS & NGM). PARTICIPANTS ten male college students (20.8 +/- 0.6) yrs participated voluntarily. Measures. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA (exercise condition x time) was used to compare the variables. RESULTS Mean EPOC for the 2-hr postexercise period for HS & GM (211.5 ml O2/kg) was significantly greater than EPOC for HS & NGM (154.8 ml O2/kg), LL & GM (140.4 ml O2/kg) and LL & NGM (125.2 ml O2/kg). Mean recovery oxygen uptakes were 6.4, 5.7, 4.5, and 4.2 ml/min/kg with HS & GM, HS & NGM, LL & GM and LL & NGM, respectively. Mean RERs for high intensity exercises were significantly lower than RERs for low intensity exercises during the recovery period. Mean RT for HS & GM (37.60 degrees C) and HS & NGM (37.43 degrees C) were significantly higher than RT for LL & GM (37.19 degrees C) and LL & NGM (37.15 degrees C) during the recovery period. CONCLUSION These results suggest that preexercise intake of GM increases EPOC above that observed in the fasting condition, and high intensity short duration exercise increases fat oxidation during recovery period more than low intensity long duration exercise.
Balanced and energy-efficient multi-hop techniques for routing in wireless sensor networks

In Wireless Sensor Networks, the power resources of the nodes are significantly restricted. Hence, a special treatment for their available energy is deeply required. In long distance transmission, Multi-Hop (MH) techniques are preferred. Although MH minimizes the amount of energy cost consumed by each node along the path but finding the optimal routing path between nodes is still very interesting issues. This paper proposes a Balanced and Energy Efficient MH (BEEMH) algorithm that is developed based on Dijkstra algorithm. It gives great interest to the residual energy of nodes; hence higher energy nodes are exclusively elected to work as relays. Moreover, the total energy consumption at both TX and RX has been merged to model the weight of links between nodes. Finally, Dijkstra algorithm is employed to efficiently search for the minimum cost path. Furthermore, two proposed MH protocols are introduced. Both are mainly based on the BEEMH algorithm. MATLAB simulator has been used to evaluate BEEMH in comparison with other conventional algorithms such as; minimum transmission energy (MTE), energy saving oriented least-hop routing algorithm (ESLHA), and energy saving-oriented routing algorithm based on Dijkstra (ESRAD) under various scenarios of network models. Then the performance of our proposed protocols is compared with the related MH protocols.
Drosophila glob1 is required for the maintenance of cytoskeletal integrity during oogenesis

Background: Hemoglobins (Hbs) are evolutionarily conserved heme‐containing metallo‐proteins of the Globin protein family that harbour the characteristic “globin fold. ” Hemoglobins have been functionally diversified during evolution and their usual property of oxygen transport is rather a recent adaptation. Drosophila genome possesses three globin genes (glob1, glob2, and glob3), and we have reported earlier that adequate expression of glob1 is required for various aspects of development, as well as to regulate the cellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The present study illustrates the explicit role of Drosophila globin1 in progression of oogenesis. Results: We demonstrate a dynamic expression pattern of glob1 in somatic and germ cell derivatives of developing egg chambers during various stages of oogenesis, which largely confines around the F‐actin‐rich cellular components. Reduced expression of glob1 leads to various types of abnormalities during oogenesis, which were primarily mediated by the inappropriately formed F‐actin‐based cytoskeleton. Our subsequent analysis in the somatic and germ line clones shows cell autonomous role of glob1 in the maintenance of the integrity of F‐actin‐based cytoskeleton components in the somatic and germ cell derivatives. Conclusions: Our study establishes a novel role of glob1 in maintenance of F‐actin‐based cytoskeleton during progression of oogenesis in Drosophila. Developmental Dynamics 245:1048–1065, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sequence Variability of Borna Disease Virus: Resistance to Superinfection May Contribute to High Genome Stability in Persistently Infected Cells

ABSTRACT The RNA genome of Borna disease virus (BDV) shows extraordinary stability in persistently infected cell cultures. We performed bottleneck experiments in which virus populations from single infected cells were allowed to spread through cultures of uninfected cells and in which RNase protection assays were used to identify virus variants with mutations in a 535-nucleotide fragment of the M-G open reading frames. In one of the cell cultures, the major virus species (designated 2/1) was a variant with two point mutations in the G open reading frame. When fresh cells were infected with a low dose of a virus stock prepared from 2/1-containing cells, only a minority of the resulting persistently infected cultures contained detectable levels of the variant, whereas the others all seemed to contain wild-type virus. The BDV variant 2/1 remained stable in the various persistently infected cell cultures, indicating that the cells were resistant to superinfection by wild-type virus. Indeed, cells persistently infected with prototype BDV He/80 were also found to resist superinfection with strain V and vice versa. Our screen for mutations in the viral M and G genes of different rat-derived BDV virus stocks revealed that only one of four stocks believed to contain He/80 harbored virus with the original sequence. Two stocks mainly contained a novel virus variant with about 3% sequence divergence, whereas the fourth stock contained a mixture of both viruses. When the mixture was inoculated into the brains of newborn mice, the novel variant was preferentially amplified. These results provide evidence that the BDV genome is mutating more frequently than estimated from its invariant appearance in persistently infected cell cultures and that resistance to superinfection might strongly select against novel variants.
Exploiting entity-level morphology to Chinese nested named entity recognition

Named entity recognition plays an important role in many natural language processing applications. While considerable attention has been pain in the past to research issues related to named entity recognition, few studies have been reported on the recognition of nested named entities. This paper presents a morpheme-based due-layer labeling method to Chinese nested named entity recognition. To approach this task, we first employ the logistic regression model to extract multi-level entity morphemes from an entity-tagged corpus, and thus explore multiple features, particularly entity-level morphological cues for Chinese nested named entity recognition under the framework of conditional random fields. Our experimental results on different datasets show that our system is effective for most nested named entities under evaluation, illustrating the benefits of using entity-level morphology.
Near ultrasonic directional data transfer for modern smartphones

The rapid advancements in the smartphone domain has made WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G commonplace in most devices, as well as accelerometers, gyros, fast CPUs and large amounts of memory. During these advancements the IR transmitter was eventually dropped, starting perhaps most importantly with the release of the Apple iPhone. It has since been observed a need for directional transmission functionality. The system described herein propose a way to to achieve short range directional data-communication on a smartphone without adding external hardware. The outcome of this project is intended to be open-sourced, enabling any application developer or phone-manufacturer to include the technology into their products.
Comparing the algorithms of multiparametric bifurcation analysis

In this paper we present the comparative study of different bifurcation analysis techniques for nonlinear dynamical systems research. The study is given through a comparison of algorithms for multiparametric diagram plotting. Thomas chaotic attractor is considered as a test dynamical system. The paper reviews statistical histogram algorithm, the kernel density estimation (KDE) algorithm and classical approach of Lyapunov exponent calculation. It is shown that KDE algorithm is superior for plotting bifurcation diagrams on short simulation times. The quantitative estimation of the effectiveness of various nonlinear system investigation algorithms and detailed data about Thomas chaotic system behavior are given.
Experiments on comparing graph clusterins

A promising approach to compare graph clusterings is based on using measurements for calculating the distance. Existing measures either use the structure of clusterings or quality–based aspects. Each approach suffers from critical drawbacks. We introduce a new approach combining both aspects and leading to better results for comparing graph clusterings. An experimental evaluation of existing and new measures shows that the significant drawbacks of existing techniques are not only theoretical in nature and proves that the results of our new measures are more coherent with intuition.