Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modelling, simulation and optimal tuning of FACTS controller in a multi-machine power system

This paper presents a systemic procedure for modelling and simulation of multi-machine power system installed with a flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS) controller. The model of the example power system is developed using MATLAB/SIMULINK which can be can be used for teaching the power system stability phenomena and also for research works especially to develop generator controllers using advanced technologies. Further, the parameters of the TCSC controller are optimised using particle swarm optimisation (PSO) method. The nonlinear simulation results are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Optimizing satellite, network, and ground station operations with next generation data visualization

With the ever increasing size and complexity of constellations and ground station networks, monitoring and control continues to challenge satellite operators. Traditional monitoring tools, originally designed for single-satellite or small network operations, do not scale sufficiently well to accommodate increasingly large amounts of data. An entirely new approach to data monitoring is required. The solution to this problem is not to add staff, but to take advantage of new 3-D visual monitoring technology that provides instant access to alarm distributions and severities. This technology employs limit alarms, trend alarms, count alarms, and alarms set on derived parameters to alert the operator to problems before they happen. The environment is fully visual and can accommodate single-click access to over 100,000 parameters in a single display. Visual data monitoring gives the operations team a qualitative high-level view of the entire constellation, ground station network, and/or individual satellites or ground stations. The management and engineering staff can also monitor data remotely, giving them a direct interface to the satellite operations center from any location. In addition to reducing staffing requirements, remote monitoring supports lights out operations because it allows engineering and operations personnel to receive alarm notification via pager or email. The training requirements for visual monitoring are minimal; in fact, most users can be trained in less than one day.
High-resolution multibeam sonar for subsea leakage detection

This paper concerns detection of subsea leaks in offshore oil and gas installations by application of Multi Beam Echo Sounder (MBES) technology. Offshore recovery of hydrocarbon is carried out in still deeper waters, and in increasingly environmental vulnerable areas such as the arctic regions. Subsea leaks can occur from process infrastructure and pipelines or it can occur from the seabed itself, where reservoir instability may result in leaks. Recent catastrophic accidents within the offshore industry have lead to an increased need for monitoring subsea installations. Here, leak detection performance of the 400 kHz high resolution sonar, the Seabat 7128 forward looker, is presented. Data from an actual leaks are presented. It is shown how the sonar discovers a huge leak from a subsea reservoir. Other examples are based on small synthetic leaks established in harbors and near coastal areas. Here, detection performance is evaluated in terms of fluid leaks with varying pressure difference, orifice diameter.
Fast transient voltage-mode buck regulator applying ramp signal with a variable DC-offset scheme

A ramp signal with variable DC-offset (RSVDC) scheme implemented in a voltage-mode controlled buck voltage regulator is proposed. To enhance the response of the voltage-mode controlled buck regulator during the load transient, the variable DC-offset ramp signal is applied to drive the duty cycle full or zero, so that the output voltage can instantly respond with load change. The model, compensator and loop gain of the proposed buck regulator are derived and demonstrated. The transistor-level of the RSVDC circuit including the hysteretic comparator, oscillator and the output feedback voltage amplifier is also presented. The controller using the RSVDC scheme was implemented by the TSMC 0.35 m 2P4M process. The simulated and experimental results show that the transient response using the RSVDC scheme is about 10 s, when the load changes from 0.1 to 1 A under a 5 1.8 V voltage conversion. The test results validate the feasibility of the RSVDC control scheme in a buck voltage regulator to fulfil a simple structure, assured stability and fast transient response requirements.
Decentralised OPF of large multiarea power systems

The paper presents a method for the decentralised solution of the optimal-power-flow (OPF) problem of large, interconnected power systems. The method decomposes the central OPF problem of a multiarea system into independent OPF subproblems, one for each area. The mathematical decomposition method is based on the decoupling of the first-order (KKT) conditions of the original system-wide OPF problem. The solutions of the OPF subproblems of the different areas are co-ordinated through a pricing mechanism until they converge to the system-wide OPF solution. The method requires no parameter tuning for reaching convergence or faster convergence. Results from the application of the method to several IEEE test systems are presented.
Area scaling analysis of CMOS ADCs

Recently, the continuing reduction of analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) power consumption has received a lot of attention in the literature, while it is often assumed that converter area does not scale well anymore. An area scaling analysis based on historical data is performed. It is shown that ADC area scaling has been alive and well across all ADC topologies, and for both matching and noise-limited ADCs.
Oil slick detection by SAR imagery: potential and limitation

Ocean pollution by oil slicks is a major environmental hazard highlighted by the spectacular accidents of Exxon Valdez, Erika and Prestige. But, these oil tanker accidents only account for 5% of total oil pollution worldwide, 95% coming from wild discharges. In order to monitor and therefore to detect surface pollution, an effective tool has to be found. Satellite detection is well adapted to this problem, and especially synthetic aperture radar (SAR) can fill the lack of pollution survey which affects seas and coasts. Indeed SARs image oil slicks allowing estimation of the pollution risk in coastal areas. On satellite or aircraft, SAR is an interesting tool because, on the one hand, SAR images can be acquired through clouds unlike infrared or optical images. On the other hand, it is well suited to the detection of slicks because slicks modify seawater viscosity, producing a strong impact on short waves measured by SAR. The backscatter is attenuated and oil spills appear as a dark patch on the SAR image. Studies had shown that it is not easy to always detect oil slicks as backscatter depends strongly on wind and sea surface conditions among other restrictive factors. A comprehensive synthesis of previous studies shows the suitable SAR acquisition modes to detect slicks, function of the influence of SAR parameters such as polarization (VV), wavelength (C-band), incidence angle (20 to 45/spl deg/), satellite or aircraft flight direction, waves and wind directions. We present here cases of easy and ambiguous detection to show the possibilities offered by SAR to automatically detect slicks, in order to improve the pollution detection and the drift forecasting in case of accidents for example. For this, ERS SAR and ENVISAT ASAR ocean images examples are shown, applying segmentation algorithms and a new approach with an original method based on ocean surface characterization.
Research Needs in Construction Worker Performance

No validated model of worker motivation and performance exists for the construction industry. Reasons for this are examined. Such a model has been developed outside of construction. The model is presented and discussed. Research that is needed to develop and validate the model for use in the construction industry is discussed. The need for this research to be interdisciplinary in nature, to encompass construction researchers and industrial/organizational psychologists or organizational behaviorists, is analyzed.
Carry-select adder using single ripple-carry adder

Instead of using dual carry-ripple adders, a carry select adder scheme using an add-one circuit to replace one carry-ripple adder requires 29.2% fewer transistors with a speed penalty of 5.9% for bit length n=64. If speed is crucial for this 64 bit adder, then two of the original carry-select adder blocks can be substituted by the proposed scheme with a 6.3% area saving and the same speed.
Mating Habits of Slugs: Dynamic Carpool Formation in the I-95/I-395 Corridor of Northern Virginia

The availability in the Shirley Highway corridor in Northern Virginia of an uncongested high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane restricted to vehicles carrying three or more persons has led to the development of significant dynamic ridesharing activity. Each day, drivers of vehicles carrying too few occupants to qualify for HOV lane use (known as “bodysnatchers”) stop at informally established but well-known locations to seek additional passengers (known as “slugs”). As part of a study whose purpose was to quantify the likely effects of changing the HOV lane eligibility rule from three or more persons per vehicle to two or more persons per vehicle, data were collected on the patterns of dynamic carpool formation. These data were used in the examination of the hypothesis that an important factor contributing to the long-term success of dynamic ridesharing is that a single passenger need never ride with a lone driver: the 3+ occupant HOV rule ensures that there will always be two passengers in addition to the driver. Analysis of carpool formation patterns by number and gender revealed that slugs come in pairs. Changing the HOV occupancy rule would result in fewer vehicles seeking riders, but most slugs would still find acceptable rides. The primary effect on ridesharing would result from increased congestion in the HOV lanes.
Efficacy and safety of combination therapy with pramipexole and levodopa vs levodopa monotherapy in patients with Parkinson disease

Abstract Background: Pramipexole (P) or levodopa (L) treatment has been suggested as a therapeutic method for Parkinson disease (PD) in many clinical studies. Nonetheless, the combined effects of 2 drugs for PD patients are not completely understood. The aim of this research was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of P plus L (P+L) combination therapy in the treatment of PD compared to that of L monotherapy, in order to confer a reference for clinical practice. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of P+L for PD published up to April, 2020 were retrieved. Standardized mean difference (SMD), odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated and heterogeneity was measured with the I2 test. Sensitivity analysis was also carried out. The outcomes of interest were as follows: the efficacy, unified Parkinson disease rating scale (UPDRS) scores, Hamilton depression rating scale score or adverse events. Results: Twenty-four RCTs with 2171 participants were included. Clinical efficacy of P+L combination therapy was significantly better than L monotherapy (9 trials; OR 4.29, 95% CI 2.78 to 6.64, P < .00001). Compared with L monotherapy, the pooled effects of P+L combination therapy on UPDRS score were (22 trials; SMD −1.31, 95% CI −1.57 to −1.04, P < .00001) for motor UPDRS score, (16 trials; SMD −1.26, 95% CI −1.49 to −1.03, P < .00001) for activities of daily living UPDRS score, (12 trials; SMD −1.02, 95% CI −1.27 to −0.77, P < .00001) for mental UPDRS score, (10 trials; SMD −1.54, 95% CI −1.93 to −1.15, P < .00001) for complication UPDRS score. The Hamilton depression rating scale score showed significant decrease in the P+L combination therapy compared to L monotherapy (12 trials; SMD −1.56, 95% CI −1.90 to −1.22, P < .00001). In contrast to L monotherapy, P+L combination therapy reduced the number of any adverse events obviously in PD patients (16 trials; OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.50, P < .00001). Conclusions: P+L combination therapy is superior to L monotherapy for improvement of clinical symptoms in PD patients. Moreover, the safety profile of P+L combination therapy is better than that of L monotherapy. Further well-designed, multicenter RCTs needed to identify these findings.
Knowledge, attitude, and behaviours on diet, physical activity, and tobacco use among school students: A cross-sectional study in two Indian states

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are escalating in India and can be attributed to behavioural risk factors such as unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and tobacco use that began in early years. Understanding adolescents’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviours (KAB) related to NCD risk factors would inform the development of school-based health programmes to prevent NCDs. Methods: Sixth-grade students (n=1026) in 20 schools (10 private, 10 public) from two Indian cities (n=667 from Pune; n=359 from Bengaluru) participated in a KAB survey in 2019. Differences in KAB by gender, school type within cities were investigated. Results: Knowledge about the harms of tobacco use was higher than knowledge about a healthy diet and importance of physical activity. Only a small proportion of students did not eat breakfast (8.7%) or fruits (11.3%) daily. Only 33.4% of students read nutrition labels before choosing their food. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity of less than an hour per day was reported by 42.5% of students. Approximately one-third of students had ever tried smoking tobacco (30.1%), smokeless tobacco (30.5%), and e-cigarettes (32.4%). Differences in these behaviours by gender and school type showed that both boys, girls and students of private and public schools are vulnerable. Conclusions: The study findings highlight that knowledge is low for thematic areas like diet and physical activity. While knowledge of tobacco related harms is better but the prevalence of ever tobacco use was found to be high. Socio-demographic factors such as school type and gender had a varying effect on various KAB indicators. There is a need to strengthen health education activities by developing context-specific health intervention materials by engaging school children, their parents, teachers, and communities to promote healthy behaviours among adolescents. Need to augment school health programmes in India with a differential approach based on the issues, specific to school type and city.
Clinical and endoscopic characteristics of acute esophageal necrosis and severe reflux esophagitis

Abstract The similarities and differences between acute esophageal necrosis and severe reflux esophagitis have not been elucidated. We compared Los Angeles classification Grade C reflux esophagitis, Grade D reflux esophagitis, and acute esophageal necrosis to consider the similarities and differences between acute esophageal necrosis and severe reflux esophagitis. We retrospectively reviewed records of patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy at a tertiary referral center from January 2012 to December 2019. Data on patients diagnosed as Grade C reflux, Grade D reflux, or acute esophageal necrosis for the first time were extracted for analysis. A total of 213 patients were enrolled in the study, composed of 130 Grade C reflux, 74 Grade D reflux, and 9 acute esophageal necrosis patients. Compared to Grade C reflux patients, Grade D reflux and acute esophageal necrosis patients were more likely to be transfused (P = .013 and P = .011, respectively), to have duodenal ulcers (P = .025 and P = .049, respectively), and to have psychiatric illnesses (P = .022 and P = .018, respectively). Compared to both Grade C and D reflux, acute esophageal necrosis patients were more likely to present with shock (P = .003 and P < .001, respectively), have type 1 diabetes (P = .030 and P = .004, respectively), and present in winter (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively). Significant step-wise differences (Grade C < Grade D < acute esophageal necrosis) were observed in the need for admission (P < .001 and P = .009), coffee ground emesis (P < .001 and P = .022), and stigmata of hemorrhage on endoscopy (P = .002 and P < .001). Admission (P = .003) and coffee ground emesis (P = .003) independently predicted either Grade D reflux or acute esophageal necrosis over Grade C reflux on multivariate analysis. Shock, type 1 diabetes, and winter may predict acute esophageal necrosis, while the need for admission and coffee ground emesis may predict Grade D reflux or acute esophageal necrosis.
Bacterial coinfections and secondary infections in COVID-19 patients from a tertiary care hospital of northern India: Time to adhere to culture-based practices

Objective: Bacterial co-pathogens are common in various viral respiratory tract infections, leading to increased disease severity and mortality. Still, they are understudied during large outbreaks and pandemics. This study was conducted to highlight the overall burden of these infections in COVID-19 patients admitted to our tertiary care hospital, along with their antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Material and methods: During the six-month study period, clinical samples (blood samples, respiratory samples, and sterile body fluids, including cerebrospinal fluid [CSF]) of COVID-19 patients with suspected bacterial coinfections (at presentation) or secondary infections (after 48 hours of hospitalization) were received and processed for the same. Results: Clinical samples of 814 COVID-19 patients were received for bacterial culture and susceptibility. Out of the total patient sample, 75% had already received empirical antibiotics before the samples were sent for analysis. Overall, 17.9% of cultures were positive for bacterial infections. Out of the total patients with bacterial infection, 74% (108/146) of patients had secondary bacterial infections (after 48 hours of hospitalization) and 26% (38/146) had bacterial coinfections (at the time of admission). Out of the 143 total isolates obtained, the majority (86%) were gram-negative organisms, of which Acinetobacter species was the commonest organism (35.6%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (18.1%). The majority (50.7%) of the pathogenic organisms reported were multidrug resistant. Conclusion: The overall rate of secondary bacterial infections (SBIs) in our study was lower (7.9%) than reported by other studies. A rational approach would be to adhere to the practice of initiating culture-based guidance for antibiotics and to restrict unnecessary empirical antimicrobial therapy.
Genome-wide association study identifies BTNL2 associated with atopic asthma in children

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Abstract Asthma is a heterogeneous disease characterized by chronic airway inflammation with a genetic predisposition. Butyrophilin-like 2 (BTNL2) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily that plays an important role in regulating T cell activation and immune homeostasis. Here, we aimed to investigate the association of the genetic variants of BTNL2 with childhood asthma and asthma-related traits by utilizing extreme asthma phenotypes and employing a genome-wide association study. Our study included 243 children with well-defined moderate to severe atopic asthma and 134 healthy children with no history of allergic diseases and allergic sensitization. DNA from these subjects was genotyped using AxiomTM Genome-Wide Array Plates. Although no single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) reached a genome-wide threshold of significance, 3 SNPs, rs3817971, rs41355746, and rs41441651, at BTNL2 were significantly associated with moderate to severe atopic asthma after performing Bonferroni correction. These SNPs were also associated with the risk of allergic sensitization toward house dust mites and the presence and degree of bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Thus, we identified that BTNL2 was associated with atopic moderate to severe persistent asthma in Korean children, and this may play an important role in disease development and susceptibility.
Preoperative patients’ quality of life and outcomes after colorectal surgery

Abstract The aim of this prospective study was to assess the influence of preoperative life satisfaction on objective and subjective outcomes after elective colorectal surgery. Preoperative life satisfaction was assessed using a validated questionnaire (Échelle de Mesure des Manifestations du Bien-Être Psychologique). Postoperative quality of life was assessed by the Cleveland Global Quality of Life and QLQ-C30. Number of footsteps was recorded from preoperative day 5 to postoperative day 3. Physical activity, length of stay, and complications were compared between patients with low and high preoperative life satisfaction. Fifty patients were included. There was no difference between the 2 groups concerning postoperative objective (length of stay, complications, and number of footsteps) and subjective (Cleveland Global Quality of Life and QLQ-C30) recovery. In conclusion, preoperative life satisfaction of colorectal surgery patients had no influence on outcomes and physical activity in colorectal surgery.
Effects of traditional Chinese medicine exercise therapy on cancer-related fatigue, anxiety and sleep quality in cancer patients

Abstract Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common adverse events of anticancer therapies, with an incidence of up to 90%, which seriously affects the quality of life in cancer patients. Complementary and alternative therapies for CRF include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Tai Chi, Qigong, and massage therapy. Several studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) exercise therapies, such as Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, the classics of tendon changing, Six Healing Sounds, and Wu Qin Xi, can improve CRF, anxiety symptoms, and sleep quality in cancer patients. However, their specific efficacy and which TCM exercise therapy is the best remain controversial. In this study, we assess and compare the effects of different TCM exercise therapies on CRF, anxiety, and sleep quality in cancer patients by network meta-analysis (NMA). Methods: Randomized controlled trials reporting TCM exercise therapies for CRF, anxiety and sleep quality in cancer patients published before October 2021 will be searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Embase, China Scientific Journal Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and Wanfang Data. Two researchers will be independently responsible for literature screening, data extraction and assessment of their quality. Standard pair-wise and NMA will be performed to compare the efficacy of different TCM exercise therapies on CRF, anxiety and sleep quality in cancer patients using Stata 14.0 software. Results: The results of this meta-analysis will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. Conclusions: This NMA will contribute to identify the optimal TCM exercise therapy for CRF and provide evidence-based bias for clinical decision-making. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval was not required for this study. The systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, presented at conferences, and shared on social media platforms. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/MJ8DA.