Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving Forecast Accuracy by Combination

In this paper we propose an analytical framework that intelligently combines multiple forecasts into a single and more accurate combined forecast. Four different combination methods are derived by using different weight estimation and forecast selection techniques. We examine our methods and four other commonly used combination methods in computational experiments. The results suggest that combination does improve accuracy and our methods have better and more stable performance than the others.
Study of algorithms for selecting effective network traffic monitors based on cover ratio

Network traffic monitoring is a key component in the network management. Optimally selecting a small number of effective monitors can minimize the monitoring cost and maxi- mize the traffic cover ratio. However, if it is only needed to cover a portion of traffic with a given cover ratio, there can be multiple solutions satisfying the optimization requirements according to the former optimal selection methods. From the perspective of protection, for the purpose of getting the relatively best solutions, in consideration of the nodes whose failure will result in the maximal disconnection of the network, this paper investigates the idea of selecting a few critical nodes as monitors to achieve effective monitoring of the network traffic. We present practical solutions for two situations-"cost constraints" and "ensuring the cover ratio". We develop heuristics to cope with such problems. Our simulation results show that the critical nodes selected optimally are not only destructive, but can also be effective monitors for network traffic.
Identification of a stereotypic molecular arrangement of 1 endogenous glycine receptors at spinal cord synapses 2 3 4

40 Precise quantitative information about the molecular architecture of synapses is essential to 41 understanding the functional specificity and downstream signaling processes at specific 42 populations of synapses. Glycine receptors (GlyRs) are the primary fast inhibitory 43 neurotransmitter receptors in the spinal cord and brainstem. These inhibitory glycinergic 44 networks crucially regulate motor and sensory processes. Thus far the nanoscale organization 45 of GlyRs underlying the different network specificities has not been defined. Here, we have 46 quantitatively characterized the molecular arrangement and ultra-structure of glycinergic 47 synapses in spinal cord tissue using quantitative super-resolution correlative light and electron 48 microscopy (SR-CLEM). We show that endogenous GlyRs exhibit equal receptor-scaffold 49 occupancy and constant packing densities of about 2000 GlyRs μm -2 at synapses across the 50 spinal cord and throughout adulthood, even though ventral horn synapses have twice the total 51 copy numbers, larger postsynaptic domains and more convoluted morphologies than dorsal 52 horn synapses. We demonstrate that this stereotypic molecular arrangement is maintained at 53 glycinergic synapses in the oscillator mouse model of the neuromotor disease hyperekplexia 54 despite a decrease in synapse size, indicating that the molecular organization of GlyRs is 55 preserved in this hypomorph. We thus conclude that the morphology and size of inhibitory 56 postsynaptic specializations rather than differences in GlyR packing determine the 57 postsynaptic strength of glycinergic neurotransmission in motor and sensory spinal cord 58 networks. 59 60 Introduction 61 Synaptic transmission relies on the integration of spatially and temporally controlled signals 62 by neurotransmitter receptors in the postsynaptic membrane. The molecular arrangement of 63 postsynaptic receptors and scaffold proteins is therefore key to the synaptic function, however 64 the heterogeneity and complexity of postsynaptic sites has made it difficult to resolve its 65 internal organization, to ascertain whether distinct compositional states exist, and to 66 determine how the organization is affected in disease. 67
Estimation of the agricultural profitability of rural enterprises in the Mixteca region of Oaxaca

In the Mixteca region of Oaxaca, rural poverty predominates, and the common economic activity is agriculture; however, the agricultural sector is precarious and has not reduced poverty. There are small plots, low value-added traditional products, old-technology techniques and there is no investment in capital. In this sense, it is necessary to know the economic benefits generated by the production units (PUs), visualizing them as rural enterprises. The objective of the research was to make an approximation to the estimation of the profitability of the agricultural production of the rural enterprises in the Mixteca region of Oaxaca for 2007 and to know what the main factors that influenced this profitability were, for this, the income and costs of the rural enterprises by municipality were estimated, their difference yielded the profitability value, and the factors that influence it were determined by means of ordinary least squares. The results indicated that profitability by rural enterprises was in the range from $-19 000 to $13 000, by municipalities from $-4 million to $4 million and by area, from $-9 000 to $6 500 per hectare. The production, improved seeds and size of PUs positively influenced the profitability value, while self-consumption, lack of infrastructure, communal property and income derived from government support decrease it. Finally, it is necessary to promote the association of producers that allows increasing production and increasing selling practices to generate greater benefits derived from agriculture.
The relationship between research and innovation in the public sector – an analysis of five cases from labour and welfare services

Many public agencies promote renewal in the public sector through projects that require a productive combination of research and innovation activities. However, the role of research in innovation processes is a neglected theme in the public sector innovation literature. We address this gap through an analysis of five cases from the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration. We find few examples of innovations based directly on research, but several examples of research on innovations and on more complex co-evolutionary processes of the two activities. Research seems to be particularly important for the diffusion and scaling up of innovations. We find that research has an impact on innovation in later phases of the innovation process through the 47 NJSR – Nordic Journal of Social Research Vol. 12, 2021 Special issue: Public sector Innovation Conceptual and Methodological Implications formalisation of practice-based and unsystematic knowledge, codification of experiences, and legitimation to ensure political support and funding. This new conceptualisation contributes to the public sector innovation literature and may help improve policies that set up a rather limited role for research.
Analysis of the Effect of Monetary Policy on Price Stability in Nigeria

This paper focuses on the impact of monetary policy on price stability in Nigeria, using time series data from 1980-2015 obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Statistical Bulletin. The main purpose is to investigate the extent to which the apex monetary authoritythe Central Bank of Nigeria has addressed adverse changes in price, output and interest rates through the use of monetary policy instruments. For our analysis, we adopt Error Correction model. The findings show that monetary policy has a negative and insignificant relationship with the general price level in the short period while in the longrun, they are positively related. It equally reveals that interest rate exerts a positive and insignificant influence on inflation . The study therefore, recommends among others that the autonomy granted the CBN should be sustained and even strengthened since it is only an independent monetary authority that can pursue the objective of price stability at the cost of other objectives.
7-decade tuning range CMOS OTA-C sinusoidal VCO

A new OTA-C based sinusoidal VCO has been designed and fabricated whose oscillation frequency can be tuned from 74mHz to 1MHz. The VCO uses a new OTA whose transconductance is adjusted by using a set of special current mirrors. These current mirrors operate in weak inversion and their gain can be controlled continuously through a gate voltage over many decades. To our knowledge such a wide tuning range has never been reported before for CMOS sinusoidal oscillators. Experimental results are provided. I. A New CMOS Current Mirror
Preliminary Characterization of Predictive Factors of the Visual Change after Epi-On and Epi-Off Corneal Collagen Crosslinking Techniques

Purpose To investigate the potential predictive factors of the visual change achieved with accelerated epi-on and epi-off corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) in keratoconus. Methods This retrospective comparative study analyzed 67 eyes treated with an accelerated epithelium-on (epi-on group) and epithelium-off (epi-off group) CXL. The clinical outcomes were evaluated and compared during a 1-year follow-up. Likewise, the relationship of the change achieved with both CXL techniques in the corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) with different preoperative data was investigated. Results The mean CDVA change at 3 months postoperatively was −0.04 ± 0.19 and −0.07 ± 0.25 in the epi-on and epi-off groups, respectively (p = 0.809). In the epi-on group, this change was significantly correlated with the preoperative apical (r = −0.375, p = 0.045) and central corneal thickness (r = −0.402, p = 0.031). In the epi-off group, the CDVA change was significantly correlated with not only the preoperative apical (r = 0.402, p = 0.028) and central corneal thickness (r = 0.367, p = 0.046) but also with some topometric and aberrometric indices (r ≤ −0.374, p ≤ 0.042). Furthermore, the change in CDVA in the epi-on group could be predicted from age, preoperative refractive astigmatism J45 component, anterior corneal asphericity, and posterior corneal high order aberration root mean square (p = 0.002, R2 = 0.503). In the epi-off group, the CDVA change could be predicted from the preoperative minimum corneal thickness and magnitude of the vertical anterior corneal primary coma component (p = 0.001, R2 = 0.446). Conclusions Clearly, different predictive factors of the visual change induced with the accelerated epi-on and epi-off CXL techniques are present, suggesting a different mechanism of action for stiffening the cornea and inducing changes in this structure.
Transformations for Left Skewed Data

The normality is an important assumption in the statistical methods. Thus, we should investigate the distribution of data before analyzing data. If the original data do not correspond with normality, they will be transformed to normality. A simple mathematical function can transform only some non-normal data sets to normality such as square root, logarithm, and inverse. Hence a family of transformation is used to transform non-normal data such as Box-Cox transformation, Manly transformation, and YeoJohnson transformation. These transformations are commonly used via statistical computing program. Some distributions have both left and right skewed such as Weibull distribution, Beta distribution, and so on. There are different methods for transforming left skewed data to normality. The objective of this paper is to compare eight different methods used for transforming left skewed Weibull data and left skewed Beta data to normality: reflect then logarithm with base 10 transformation, reflect then square root transformation, Box-Cox transformation, reflect then Box-Cox transformation, Manly transformation, reflect then Manly transformation, Yeo-Johnson transformation, and reflect Yeo-Johnson transformation in sense of reducing skewness, normality, and maintaining dispersion. R programming language is used to generate left skewed Weibull data and left skewed Beta data including data processing. In conclusion, left skewed Weibull data were reflected then transformed by Yeo-Johnson transformation and left skewed Weibull data were reflected then Manly transformation had a good performance in sense of normality, reducing skewness and maintaining dispersion in every situation. For left skewed Beta data, they were reflected then transformed by Manly transformation had a good performance in sense of normality, reducing skewness and dispersion. Although, some transformations can transform both left skewed Weibull data and left skewed Beta data to normality but the level of skewness of transformed data was not symmetry and the dispersion of the transformed data was different from the original data over than 20 percent.
A new load resonant dual-output converter

The resonant dual-output converter (RDOC) is derived from the series-parallel resonant LLC converter by introducing half-wave instead of full-wave rectification. The RDOC regulates two outputs independently using a single power stage. The load range covers any combination including no-load while still maintaining zero voltage switching. This holds for an input voltage range comparable to the conventional LLC converter. The RDOC can further be operated at different secondary voltages per turn in order to meet specific low voltage load requirements. A control structure is outlined that transfers the original error signals into two actuating signals which then separately control frequency and duty cycle.
Study of the optimization of embroidery design parameters for the Technical Embroidery Machine: derivation of the correlation between thread consumption and electrical resistance

The smart textile industry has become increasingly interested in textile products with electronic functions. In these smart textile products, sensing and data communication are conducted through conductive circuits by conductive threads. In embroidery technology that uses conductive threads as the material for the conductive line as a circuit, their resistance is an important factor when designing a product. The main purpose of this study was to derive an equivalent circuit model and a calculation equation for the consumption of conductive threads according to the embroidery design parameters. The effects of the embroidery design parameters on the appearance and electrical characteristics of the conductive line were also analyzed. The appearance and electrical characteristics of the embroidered conductive line were different when the embroidery design parameters were not the same. The calculation equation for the consumption of conductive threads could establish a quantitative system that could indicate the line resistance of an embroidered conductive line using the embroidery design parameters and the given thread resistance.
Research on the detection technique of Bootkit

As the information security is concerned more and more, various defendable and detection tools appear abundantly which effectively protects system from malicious software. But some new malicious software which is more stealthy and devastating comes forth. Bootkit is a typical representation, famous for that it is underlying and injected into the bottom of system. There are few detection methods for Bootkit. New techniques are necessary and imperative to be researched to detect Bootkit. This paper analyzes the current situation of Bootkit and its detection technique, discusses probable location injected by Bootkit. A detection System for Bootkit Starting up before operating system is designed. Then its implement details are described and the effect of the detection system is validated.
E-business Adoption: A Readiness and Process Study of the Italian Tourism Distribution

The potential benefits of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and e-business are well recognised in the tourism industry. Nevertheless, there are different aspects at cultural and structural levels which may hamper the innovation of organisations and their business models through the adoption of technology. This article illustrates a study of 22 Italian tour operators and travel agencies. Data about ICT use and core distribution processes are analysed to provide a picture of the current scenario and define possible ways to innovate existing models. The main contribution of the study exists in the application of a step-by-step roadmap to address a cross-disciplinary view of e-business adoption, starting from the analysis of readiness to change through the identification of technology and organisational enablers.
Acceptability of Serious Games in Pediatric Asthma Education and Self-management: Pilot Study

Background Asthma is the most common chronic pediatric disease. Despite existing tools to manage asthma, 40%-55% of children with asthma experience uncontrolled asthma. Serious games (SGs) represent a novel approach in promoting asthma education and self-management for children. Objective In this qualitative pilot study with an embedded quantitative design, we aim to use focus groups and questionnaires to describe the perceived role of SGs in different aspects of asthma self-management by children and their parents. These aspects include asthma perception and knowledge, the impact of asthma and barriers to asthma self-management, and the support system for asthma self-management. Methods A total of 5 children with asthma and their parents were invited to participate in an organized gaming session. Children and their parents completed a pregaming questionnaire on their medical history and asthma knowledge. Then, they were invited to test 4 original SG prototypes, after which the children answered a postgaming questionnaire on their asthma knowledge and perception of the SGs. Children and their parents subsequently participated in parallel focus groups, which were video-recorded or audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed by reaching consensus among members of the research team. Results The mean age of the children was 10.3 (SD 1.5) years, with 20% (1/5) of the children being male. Qualitative data from the transcripts were coded into three separate domains: asthma self-management perception and knowledge, impact of asthma and barriers to asthma self-management, and support system for asthma self-management. We specifically explored the perceived roles of SGs within each domain. A key takeaway message was identified for each of these three domains: heterogeneity of asthma knowledge and the ability of SGs to encourage knowledge transfer through games, consequences and limitations of asthma and the ability of SGs to allow for identification and management of real-life situations through games, and insufficient support system and the ability of SGs to encourage playing with others for support and shared knowledge. Conclusions Our pilot study explored the role of SGs in the self-management of asthma, as perceived by children and their parents. Our findings support the acceptability of SGs in asthma education and self-management in pediatrics and the necessity for future development in this field.
Steady-state analysis of hard and soft switching DC-to-DC regulators

In this paper, a unified method for steady-state analysis of hard-switching and soft-switching DC-to-DC converters is presented. The power stage and the feedback control circuit forming the regulator are modeled separately and analyzed as two interconnected blocks. The intersection of the open loop DC steady-state characteristics of these cascaded blocks provides the initial condition for a guess candidate steady-state solution (CS). The CS is validated as true steady-state solution (TS) if the bias conditions of switching devices are fulfilled everywhere in the switching period, otherwise the CS is changed according to the conditions violated. The CS approaches the TS through an iterative process of validation. The basic tools adopted to ensure a reliable computation of the CS are interval analysis (IA), for the identification of the commutation instants (CI), and the compensation theorem (CT), for the analysis of commutations. Some examples of applications to hard-switching and soft-switching DC-DC regulators are presented.
Application of CFD Methods to the Analysis of the Flow in Air-Lift Pump

In order to improve the understanding of the air-lift process a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model has been developed. A multi-fluid Eulerian approach is used in the modeling. Three independent interpenetrating phases are considered: a continuous liquid phase (water) and two discrete phases (air bubbles and solid particles). The simulations are conducted two-dimensionally. After the transient computational results have been obtained for a sufficiently long time period, averaging is done to obtain mean values of the flow rates for all the phases. The model has been verified by comparison with published experimental results for the air-lift pipes in the range of 300–450 m in height. Good agreement between experiment and computations has been obtained. The solution process proves to be sufficiently robust for a fairly wide range of particle sizes, densities, flow rates, pipe and injection depths, and inlet volume fractions. Flow analysis reveals the distribution of velocities and volume fractions for all phases inside the airlift pipe that improves our understanding of the process. The computational results highlight some interesting transient behavior of the multiphase flow in the pipe. The numerical model can be utilized during various stages of the design of the air-lift pumps to help answer fundamental questions on the process, and during their operation to select optimal process parameters and to address possible problems.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
The use of artificial neural networks in construction management: a review

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are systems that can learn. A neural system can be trained on a set of input and output data belonging to a particular problem. If new data of the same problem, but not in the training set, are presented to the system, the ANN can use the learned data to predict outcomes without any specific programming relating to the category of events involved. The fields of application of ANNs have increased dramatically in the past few years. A large variety of possible ANN applications now exist for non-computer specialists. Therefore, with only a very modest knowledge of the theory behind ANNs, it is possible to tackle complicated problems in a researcher's own area of speciality with the ANN technique. This is true in the field of construction management, the topic of this review. The review is divided into three sections: a background introduction to ANN methods, a review of the most important application of the ANN techniques to this point and a selection of construction managem.