Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal droop control placement in distribution network via an exact OPF relaxation method

— In the last decade, the integration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in distribution networks has been constantly increasing due to their many technical, economical, and environmental benefits. However, the large-scale penetration of RESs is limited by the grid security constraints, e.g., voltage and current limits. The control of inverter-interfaced RESs can guarantee to comply with those constraints while preserving the RESs performance. However, the installation of additional controllable converter units introduces supplementary investment costs and has therefore to be limited. In this paper, a Mixed-Integer Second-Order Cone (MISOCP) optimization problem is developed to optimally place the Q-V and P-V droop controllers for the RES converters. The objectives of the optimization problem are to minimize investment costs, maintenance costs, and the cost of energy purchase from the grid subject to the system constraints. To provide an accurate and convex formulation of these constraints, we adapt an augmented relaxation method, recently proposed to address the optimal power flow problem in radial distribution networks. Our method is tested on a standard IEEE 34-bus network and the results are compared to those provided by alternative approaches.
Traits for Correct-by-Construction Programming

We demonstrate that traits are a natural way to support correctness-by-construction (CbC) in an existing programming language in the presence of traditional post-hoc verification (PhV). With Correctness-by-Construction, programs are constructed incrementally along with a specification that is inherently guaranteed to be satisfied. CbC is complex to use without specialized tool support, since it needs a set of refinement rules of fixed granularity which are additional rules on top of the programming language. In this work, we propose TraitCbC, an incremental program construction procedure that implements correctness-by-construction on the basis of PhV by using traits. TraitCbC enables program construction by trait composition instead of refinement rules. It provides a programming guideline, which similar to CbC should lead to well-structured programs, and allows flexible reuse of verified program building blocks. We introduce TraitCbC formally and prove the soundness of our verification strategy. Additionally, we implement TraitCbC as a proof of concept.
Exploring Event Camera-Based Odometry for Planetary Robots

Due to their resilience to motion blur and high robustness in low-light and high dynamic range conditions, event cameras are poised to become enabling sensors for vision-based exploration on future Mars helicopter missions. However, existing event-based visual-inertial odometry (VIO) algorithms either suffer from high tracking errors or are brittle, since they cannot cope with significant depth uncertainties caused by an unforeseen loss of tracking or other effects. In this work, we introduce EKLT-VIO, which addresses both limitations by combining a state-of-the-art event-based frontend with a filter-based backend. This makes it both accurate and robust to uncertainties, outperforming event- and frame-based VIO algorithms on challenging benchmarks by 32%. In addition, we demonstrate accurate performance in hover-like conditions (outperforming existing event-based methods) as well as high robustness in newly collected Mars-like and high-dynamic-range sequences, where existing frame-based methods fail. In doing so, we show that event-based VIO is the way forward for vision-based exploration on Mars.
Crown-condition classification: a guide to data collection and analysis

The Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program of the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, conducts a national inventory of forests across the United States. A systematic subset of permanent inventory plots in 38 States is currently sampled every year for numerous forest health indicators. One of these indicators, crown-condition classification, is designed to estimate tree crown dimensions and assess the impact of crown stressors. The indicator features eight tree-level field measurements in addition to variables traditionally measured in conjunction with FIA inventories: vigor class, uncompacted live crown ratio, crown light exposure, crown position, crown density, crown dieback, foliage transparency, and crown diameter. Indicators of crown health derived from the crown data are intended for analyses at the State, regional, and national levels, and contribute to the core tabular output in standard FIA reports. Crown-condition measurements were originally implemented as part of the Forest Health Monitoring (FHM) Program in 1990. Except for crown diameter, these measurements were continued when the FIA Program assumed responsibility for FHM plot-based detection monitoring in 2000. This report describes in detail the data collection and analytical techniques recommended for crown-condition classification.
Stabilization and application of asymmetric N\'eel skyrmions in hybrid nanostructures

Increasing amounts of information force the continuous improvement of information storage and processing technologies, further device miniaturization, and their eﬃciency increase. Magnetic skyrmions, topological quasiparticles, and the smallest stable magnetic textures possess intriguing properties and potential for data storage applications. Hybrid nanostructures with elements of diﬀerent magnetization orientations can oﬀer additional advantages for developing skyrmion-based spintronic and magnonic devices. We show that an N´eel-type skyrmion conﬁned within a nanodot placed on top of a ferromagnetic stripe produces a unique and compelling platform for exploring mutual coupling between magnetization textures. The skyrmion induces an imprint upon the stripe, which, in turn, asymmetrically squeezes the skyrmion in the dot, increasing their size and the range of skyrmion stability for small values of DMI, as well as introducing skyrmion bi-stability. At the end, we present a proof-of-concept technique for unconstrained transport of a skyrmion along a racetrack based on proposed hybrid systems. Our results demonstrate a hybrid structure that is promising for applications in magnonics and spintronics. DMI strength, magnetic anisotropy of the ﬁlm, the skyrmion or stripe polarity, and the skyrmion chirality. There is an important role of the nanodot edge in the skyrmion stabilization, but we found that an elongation of the nanodot along the direction perpendicular to the ferromagnetic stripe magnetization preserves an egg-shape skyrmion, providing a suitable geometry for testing skyrmion ﬂow, and opening potential for utilization in race-track memories. Thus, this research opens an avenue for controlling the properties of topological objects in hybrid structures for spintronic and magnonic applications. at 0 value of the current intensity, during which a falling down of the total energy of the system is observed. At this time there is a slow stretching of the skyrmion and a return to the original dimensions. In both cases (f) and (g), a time of 0.2 ns is insuﬃcient to fully relax the system. For a longer electrical pulse T c , it can be seen that the total energy has increased signiﬁcantly, but the system returns to the ground state faster (1 . 5 · 10 − 4 A/m in comparison to 8 · 10 − 4 A/m in the case of shorter SP). Our results show that a technique for unconstrained skyrmion transport along the race-track based on the hybrid systems is possible but requires further optimization. In particular, the crucial is establishing the duration of the electric current pulse relative to the relaxation time, because an extending the duration of the electric pulse, the skyrmion travels a longer distance but is more severely deformed. The needed relaxation
On the Equity of Nuclear Norm Maximization in Unsupervised Domain Adaptation

Nuclear norm maximization has shown the power to enhance the transferability of unsupervised domain adaptation model (UDA) in an empirical scheme. In this paper, we identify a new property termed equity, which indicates the balance degree of predicted classes, to demystify the efficacy of nuclear norm maximization for UDA theoretically. With this in mind, we offer a new discriminability-and-equity maximization paradigm built on squares loss, such that predictions are equalized explicitly. To verify its feasibility and flexibility, two new losses termed Class Weighted Squares Maximization (CWSM) and Normalized Squares Maximization (NSM), are proposed to maximize both predictive discriminability and equity, from the class level and the sample level, respectively. Importantly, we theoretically relate these two novel losses (i.e., CWSM and NSM) to the equity maximization under mild conditions, and empirically suggest the importance of the predictive equity in UDA. Moreover, it is very efficient to realize the equity constraints in both losses. Experiments of cross-domain image classification on three popular benchmark datasets show that both CWSM and NSM contribute to outperforming the corresponding counterparts.
Inference of Human's Observation Strategy for Monitoring Robot's Behavior based on a Game-Theoretic Model of Trust

We consider scenarios where a worker robot, who may be unaware of the human's exact expectations, may have the incentive to deviate from a preferred plan (e.g. safe but costly) when a human supervisor is not monitoring it. On the other hand, continuous monitoring of the robot's behavior is often difficult for humans because it costs them valuable resources (e.g., time, cognitive overload, etc.). Thus, to optimize the cost of monitoring while ensuring the robots follow the {\em safe} behavior and to assist the human to deal with the possible unsafe robots, we model this problem in a game-theoretic framework of trust. In settings where the human does not initially trust the robot, pure-strategy Nash Equilibrium provides a useful policy for the human. Unfortunately, we show the formulated game often lacks a pure strategy Nash equilibrium. Thus, we define the concept of a trust boundary over the mixed strategy space of the human and show that it helps to discover optimal monitoring strategies. We conduct humans subject studies that demonstrate (1) the need for coming up with optimal monitoring strategies, and (2) the benefits of using strategies suggested by our approach.
Estimating Heterogeneous Causal Effect of Polysubstance Usage on Drug Overdose from Large-Scale Electronic Health Record

Drug overdose has become a public health crisis in the United States with devastating consequences. However, most of the drug overdose incidences are the consequence of recitative polysubstance usage over a defined period of time which can be happened by either the intentional usage of required drug with other drugs or by accident. Thus, predicting the effects of polysubstance usage is extremely important for clinicians to decide which combination of drugs should be prescribed. Recent advancement of structural causal models can provide ample insights of causal effects from observational data via identifiable causal directed graphs. In this paper, we propose a system to estimate heterogeneous concurrent drug usage effects on overdose estimation, that consists of efficient co-variate selection, sub-group selection and heterogeneous causal effect estimation. We apply our framework to answer a critical question, 'can concurrent usage of benzodiazepines and opioids have heterogeneous causal effects on the opioid overdose epidemic? ’ Using Truven MarketScan claim data collected from 2001 to 2013 have shown significant promise of our proposed framework's efficacy. Latest paper and codes can be found here https://arxiv.org/abs/2105.07224
Parameter Estimation and Sensitivity Analysis of an Activated Sludge Model Using Monte Carlo Simulation and the Analyst's Involvement

The present work describes an adaptation of the regionalized sensitivity analysis based on Monte Carlo simulations for the parameter estimation and sensitivity analysis of an activated sludge model. The procedure described should be used when observed data are available for the model calibration, which is nevertheless still limited by the problems inherent to activated sludge models (uncertainty and lack of identifiability). The selection between good and bad performance of the model is judged based on the Coefficient of Determination. The application of the procedure to an 11-parameter 4-state dynamic activated sludge model used for operational control was considered satisfactory. The method is simple and yet robust, and the analyst9s involvement in the interpretation of the results and decision upon the next steps to be taken increases its controllability.
Special Session: Towards an Agile Design Methodology for Efficient, Reliable, and Secure ML Systems

The real-world use cases of Machine Learning (ML) have exploded over the past few years. However, the current computing infrastructure is insufficient to support all real-world applications and scenarios. Apart from high efficiency requirements, modern ML systems are expected to be highly reliable against hardware failures as well as secure against adversarial and IP stealing attacks. Privacy concerns are also becoming a first-order issue. This article summarizes the main challenges in agile development of efficient, reliable and secure ML systems, and then presents an outline of an agile design methodology to generate efficient, reliable and secure ML systems based on user-defined constraints and objectives.
Through the Mannose Receptor Evidence for a Negative Signal Delivered IL-12 Production by Human Dendritic Cells: Mannosylated Lipoarabinomannans Inhibit

IL-12 is a key cytokine in directing the development of type 1 Th cells, which are critical to eradicate intracellular pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis . Here, we report that mannose-capped lipoarabinomannans (ManLAMs) from Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Gue´rin and Mycobacterium tuberculosis inhibited , in a dose-dependant manner, the LPS-induced IL-12 production by human dendritic cells. The inhibitory activity was abolished by the loss of the mannose caps or the GPI acyl residues. Mannan, which is a ligand for the mannose receptor (MR) as well as an mAb speciﬁc for the MR, also inhibited the LPS-induced IL-12 production by dendritic cells. Our results indicate that ManLAMs may act as virulence factors that contribute to the persistence of M. bovis bacillus Calmette-Gue´rin and M. tuberculosis within phagocytic cells by suppressing IL-12 responses. Our data also suggest that engagement of the MR by ManLAMs delivers a negative signal that interferes with the LPS-induced positive signals delivered by the Toll-like receptors. The Journal of Immunology, 2001, 166: 7477–8485. 15% acetic acid and 0.4 m l of a 1 Msodium cyanoborohydrure solution dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (27). The reaction was performed for 90 min at 55°C and was quenched by addition of 20 m l of water. From 1 to 5 m l of the APTS derivatives solution was dissolved again in 20 m l of total water before injection in CE. Analyses were performed on a P/ACE CE system (Beck-man with the cathode on the injection side and the anode on the detection side (reverse polarity). The electropherograms were on a Dell XPS P60 with the Gold software package (Beckman decided to present the data as percentage of inhibition. The detection limit of the IL-12 p70 ELISA is 15 pg/ml.
How do Computer Science Students Make Decisions in Ethical Situations? Implications for Teaching Computing Ethics based on a Grounded Theory Study

The daily influence of new technologies on shaping and reshaping human lives necessitates attention to the ethical development of the future computing workforce. To improve computer science students’ ethical decision-making, it is important to know how they make decisions when they face ethical issues. This article contributes to the research and practice of computer ethics education by identifying the factors that influence ethical decision-making of computer science students and providing implications to improve the process. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, the data from the text of the students’ discussion postings on three ethical scenarios in computer science and the follow-up interviews were analyzed. Based on the analysis, relating to real-life stories, thoughtfulness about responsibilities that come from the technical knowledge of developers, showing care for users or others who might be affected, and recognition of fallacies, contributed to better ethical decision-making. On the other hand, falling for fallacies and empathy for developers negatively influenced students' ethical decision-making process. Based on the findings, this study presents a model of factors that influence the ethical decision-making process of computer science students, along with implications for future researchers and computer ethics educators.
DECENT: A Decentralized Configurator for Controlling Elasticity in Dynamic Edge Networks

Recent advancements in distributed systems have enabled deploying low-latency and highly resilient edge applications close to the IoT domain at the edge of the network. The broad range of edge application requirements combined with heterogeneous, resource-constrained, and dynamic edge networks make it particularly challenging to configure and deploy them. Besides that, missing elastic capabilities on the edge makes it difficult to operate such applications under dynamic workloads. To this end, this article proposes a lightweight, self-adaptive, and decentralized mechanism (DECENT) for (1) deploying edge applications on edge resources and on premises of Edge-Cloud infrastructure and (2) controlling elasticity requirements. DECENT enables developers to characterize their edge applications by specifying elasticity requirements, which are automatically captured, interpreted, and enforced by our decentralized elasticity interpreters. In response to dynamic workloads, edge applications automatically adapt in compliance with their elasticity requirements. We discuss the architecture, processes of the approach, and the experiment conducted on a real-world testbed to validate its feasibility on low-powered edge devices. Furthermore, we show performance and adaptation aspects through an edge safety application and its evolution in elasticity space (i.e., cost, resource, and quality).
The Simplification of Public Administration: A Managerial Perspective

Abstract The paper addresses the issue of complexity in the administrative processes of public institutions: in particular, accounting routines and processes are examined. Back-office activities, although having a mere supporting role in the delivery of public services, absorb a relevant part of the resources of public institutions. The aim of the paper is to analyse the factors that contribute to the enhancement of complexity of these activities. The paper is based on an in-depth analysis of two Italian public organisations: a university and an ASP (agency for services to persons). Italy is an interesting context since simplification policies have been adopted in the country at central government level and in specific sectors of public administration, however, at the institutional level, simplification initiatives depend on the initiative of the single organisation. The cases described in this paper show that complexity stems from the need for inspectory controls (which is typical of the law) as well as from the volume of information requested (which is typical of management studies) for different stakeholders and at different, yet correlated, levels. The paper suggests that public management scholars have the opportunity and the burden of a contribution in this field.
Monolithic packaging and transduction approaches for CMOS-MEMS resonators

El gran increment en el rendiment dels MEMS i la seva aplicacio a multitud de camps ha motivat la seva recerca i desenvolupament. Des de la primera demostracio d’un MEMS, moltes aplicacions han sorgit, essent el camp dels sensors el seu sector mes competitiu. Aquesta dissertacio tracta sobre dispositius MEMS amb aplicacions en el domini de la radiofrequencia, com per exemple ressonadors i oscil·ladors amb l’objectiu d’utilitzar-los com a referencies de frequencia. El metode implementat en el disseny i fabricacio de tots els dispositius presentats en aquesta tesis es basa en una tecnologia comercial CMOS de 0. 35µm. La utilitzacio d’una tecnologia CMOS estandard proporciona la capacitat d’integrar monoliticament els dispositius MEMS amb circuits CMOS incrementant-ne el rendiment i la fiabilitat. Relacionat amb l’area de fabricacio, s’ha dissenyat, fabricat i caracteritzat un encapsulat per ressonadors CMOS-MEMS. S’han utilitzat varies aproximacions per aconseguir el segellat de la cavitat. Tambe s’han encapsulat diferents tipus de ressonadors MEMS. S’ha demostrat que l’encapsulat proporciona proteccio addicional als dispositius MEMS mantenint-ne la seva fiabilitat. Aquesta tesis tambe s’ha centrat en dos metodes de transduccio: capacitiu i piezoresistiu. S’han fabricat i mesurat diferents dispositius CMOS-MEMS amb sensat capacitiu amb frequencies dins de les bandes d’HF i VHF. S’han testejat oscil·ladors basats en diferents estructures mecaniques demostrant unes bones prestacions amb petites senyals de polaritzacio. Des del punt de vista de transduccio piezoresistiva s’han fabricat i testejat tambe diferents estructures mecaniques ressonants, essent la mesura obtinguda amb el pont de polisilici la demostracio de l’aplicacio del esquema de transduccio piezoresistiu a ressonadors CMOS-MEMS.
A new transmission type multi-channel strain and temperature sensor based on a 2x2 wavelength division multiplexing fused taper fiber coupler

A new type of 2x2 fused taper 16 channel wavelength division multiplexer with 20 nm spacing from 1310 to 1610nm was fabricated for application in a multi-channel strain and temperature sensor. The spectral response of each channel under strain and temperature variation was experimentally analyzed. The strain sensitivity in the range of 400-2000με and the temperature sensitivity in 20-100°C were measured. The optical power response to the strain was also measured.
Environmental influences on breeding biology and pup production in Australian fur seals

Knowledge of factors affecting a species' breeding biology is crucial to understanding how environmental variability impacts population trajectories and enables predictions on how species may respond to global change. The Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus, AUFS) represents the largest marine predator biomass in southeastern Australia, an oceanic region experiencing rapid warming that will impact the abundance and distribution of prey. The present study (1997–2020) investigated breeding phenology and pup production in AUFS on Kanowna Island, northern Bass Strait. The pupping period varied by 11 days and the median pupping date by 8 days and were negatively correlated to 1- and 2-year lagged winter zonal winds, respectively, within Bass Strait. While there was no temporal trend over the study period, annual pup production (1386–2574 pups) was negatively correlated to 1-year lagged summer zonal winds in the Bonney Upwelling region and positively correlated to the current-year Southern Oscillation Index (SOI). In addition, a fecundity index (ratio of new-born pups to adult females at the median pupping date) was positively correlated with current-year Southern Annular Mode (SAM) conditions. Periods of positive SOI and positive SAM conditions are forecast to increase in coming decades, suggesting advantageous conditions for the Kanowna Island AUFS population.