Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FORECASTING BITCOIN PRICES WITH THE ANFIS MODEL

Recently, Bitcoin has gained great importance in the cryptocurrency market with the highest market capitalization. Investors and researchers have attempted to find out the drivers of Bitcoin prices and if they are predictable. However, there is only limited research in the literature that identifies the most effective economic and technical variables for predicting Bitcoin prices using machine learning models. Thus, in this study, the future Bitcoin prices utilizing several economic and technical factors using the ANFIS model are aimed to forecasted between 01.05. 2013 - 26.02. 2021 periods. The findings show that the ANFIS model produced accurate and consistent predicting results that are in line with the real data. As a result, investors who wish to make a profit by predicting future Bitcoin values might consider using the ANFIS approach as a forecasting tool.
OPTIMAL ROUTING OF A SINGLE VEHICLE WITH LOADING AND UNLOADING CONSTRAINTS

A real-life situation in which a trucker has to collect a cargo of similar size from n different customers spread out in a given region and to deliver them to n locations spread out in another far-away region has been formulated as a route-design problem for a single vehicle. The minimal total time of loading, shipping and unloading is considered for different reshuffling methods, and the optimal method is determined. A solution procedure by enumeration is suggested to solve an actual small size problem, and an illustration is provided. (Author/TRRL)
A 94-GHz RADAR for Space Object Identification

Theoretical studies at The Aerospace Corporation over the past several years, of the general RADAR resolution problem have been the stimulus for an experimental program aimed at demonstrating the practicability of utilizing the high inherent resolution potential of millimeter-wavelength RADAR. In brief, the large bandwidth available at 94 GHz, for example, (several thousand MHz) should enable a RADAR to obtain a "range profile" of a satellite that shows more details than range profiles at lower frequencies. The high Doppler sensitivity at 94 GHz should permit a precise measurement of the spin rate for spinning satellites; the high carrier frequency offers the possibility of using synthetic aperture processing to "compress" the antenna beam along the track, so that two-dimensional resolution in range and along the track is obtained for better determination of satellite properties.
Theoretical Analysis of Longitudinal Ventilation System in a Road Tunnel for Predictive Control Based on Inertia Effect

Speed control of longitudinal ventilation systems in road tunnels is being combined with typical model predictive control (MPC) strategies which may bring huge energy saving potential to the system. Theoretical analysis of the inertia effect is presented based on the energy equation of one dimensional incompressible unsteady flow, step response model is chosen to describe the dynamic behaviors of the system. The results show that the effect of jet speed change on CO concentration is nonlinear within fan’s economical working range and the settling time of CO level has similar change trend with that of the flow field but is a little longer. The system settling time is longer when jet speed decreases than it increases and is related to the change extent of jet speed. The effect of traffic intensity on CO concentration can be regarded as linear disturbance to the system output. These results may provide useful indexes to control the tunnel ventilation system more economically and lay foundation for the application of predictive control strategy in the system.
Smoking Status Modifies the Relationship between Th2 Biomarkers and Small Airway Obstruction in Asthma

Background Cigarette smoking and Th2-inflammation are both crucial in the pathogenesis of asthma. However, it is unknown whether smoking can affect the association between Th2-inflammation and small airway obstruction in adults with asthma. Methods Adults diagnosed with asthma by a pulmonologist according to Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines were recruited from September 2016 to April 2018 to participate in this study. Participants were divided into two groups, the small airway obstruction group (those with FEF25–75% predicted value ≤ 65%) and the normal small airway function group (those with FEF25–75% predicted value > 65%). Final data analysis included 385 and 93 people in the Obstructive Group and the Normal Group, respectively. Total serum IgE level and blood eosinophil count were used as biomarkers of the Th2 phenotype. Results The Obstructive Group had a larger fraction of smokers, higher blood eosinophil count, and lower lung function than the Normal Group. Current-smoking status was associated with an increased risk of small airway obstruction (adjusted odds ratio = 4.677, 95% confidence interval [1.593–13.730]); and log-IgE level was associated with a decreased risk of small airway obstruction (0.403 [0.216–0.754]). Smoking status stratified analysis showed an association between log-IgE level and a decreased risk of small airway obstruction only in never-smoker asthmatics (0.487 [0.249–0.954]). Conclusions Current-smoking status and total serum IgE are, respectively, associated with small airway obstruction. Smoking status modifies the relationship between Th2 biomarkers and small airway function. These findings contribute to the understanding of risk factors associated with asthma endotyping.
Weapons or deterrents? Nudibranch molluscs use distinct ecological modes of chemical defence against predators.

Defensive chemicals are used by plants and animals to reduce the risk of predation through different mechanisms, including toxins that cause injury and harm (weapons) and unpalatable or odiferous compounds that prevent attacks (deterrents). However, whether effective defences are both toxins and deterrents, or work in just one modality is often unclear. In this study, our primary aim was to determine whether defensive compounds stored by nudibranch molluscs acted as weapons (in terms of being toxic), deterrents (in terms of being distasteful), or both. Our secondary aim was to investigate the response of different taxa to these defensive compounds. To do this, we identified secondary metabolites in 30 species of nudibranch molluscs and investigated their deterrent properties using anti-feedant assays with three taxa: rock pool shrimp, Palaemon serenus, and two fish species: triggerfish Rhinecanthus aculeatus and toadfish Tetractenos hamiltoni. We compared these results to toxicity assays using brine shrimp Artemia sp. and previously published toxicity data with a damselfish Chromis viridis. Overall, we found no clear relationship between palatability and toxicity, but instead classified defensive compounds into the following categories: Class I & II - highly unpalatable and highly toxic; Class I - weakly unpalatable and highly toxic; Class II - highly unpalatable but weakly toxic; WR (weak response) - weakly unpalatable and weakly toxic. We also found eight extracts from six species that did not display activity in any assays indicating they may have very limited chemical defensive mechanisms (NR, no response). We found that the different classes of secondary metabolites were similarly unpalatable to fish and shrimp, except extracts from Phyllidiidae nudibranchs (isonitriles) that were highly unpalatable to shrimp but weakly unpalatable to fish. Our results pave the way toward better understanding how animal chemical defences work against a variety of predators. We highlight the need to disentangle weapons and deterrents in future work on anti-predator defences to better understand the foraging decisions faced by predators, the resultant selection pressures imposed on prey, and the evolution of different anti-predator strategies.
Analysis of GP-designed metamaterial using equivalent circuit model and Prony’s method

ABSTRACT Prior Artificial Magnetic Conductor (AMC) designs using Genetic Programming (GP) showed that GP-based designs are competitive and often exceed those based on human expertise. However, the resultant typologies are of wild shapes and beyond intuitive explanation. To gain better physical insight into GP-designed AMCs, we develop equivalent circuit models for them and use Prony’s method to reveal their deep physical characteristics. Ansys Q3D Extractor is employed to help determine the RLC component values of the equivalent circuits. The natural resonant frequencies extracted by Prony’s method provide further explanation of the bandwidth of the structures. The equivalent circuit models and related natural frequencies of the GP designs can also provide guidance for human experts to reduce the optimization time and improve the performance of the designs.
A stochastic lot-sizing model with multi-supplier and quantity discounts

This research considers a stochastic lot-sizing problem with multi-supplier and quantity discounts. The objectives are to minimise total costs, where the costs include ordering cost, holding cost, purchase cost and shortage cost, and to maximise service level of the system. In this paper, we first formulate the stochastic lot-sizing problem as a multi-objective programming (MOP) model. We then transform the model into a mixed integer programming (MIP) model. Finally, an efficient heuristic dynamic programming (HDP) model is constructed for solving large-scale stochastic lot-sizing problems. An illustrative example with two cases for a touch panel manufacturer is used to illustrate the practicality of these models, and a sensitivity analysis is applied to understand the impact of the changes in parameters to the outcomes. The results demonstrate that the proposed two models are effective and accurate tools for determining the replenishment of touch panels from multiple suppliers for multi-periods.
Performance Analysis of Infrasound Sensor InSAS2008

It is known that earthquakes generate infrasound. The frequency spectra of the infrasound signals associated with earthquakes are concentrated within a wide frequency range (0.002-0.02 Hz), and have spectral tail extending up to the frequencies 0.1-1 Hz. Therefore, the dynamic characteristics of infrasound sensors should be chosen so as to capture main features of such signals. In this paper, the characteristics of infrasound sensor InSAS2008 developed by Institute of acoustics, Chinese academy of sciences, are described. Its performance indicators are listed and its frequency response is analyzed. The special construction in the mechanical design is developed to overcome drift problem caused by temperature variations. In addition, the infrasound sensor is not affected by nonlinear effects. The calibration results show that infrasound sensor works within a wide and flat frequency band.
Seismic vibration control of building structures with multiple tuned mass damper floors integrated

Floor isolation system (FIS) achieving very small floor accelerations has been used to ensure human comfortability or protect important equipments in buildings. Tuned mass damper (TMD) with large mass ratios has been demonstrated to be robust with respect to the changes in structural properties. This paper presents the concept of a TMD floor vibration control system, which takes advantages of both the FIS and TMD. Such a system is called ‘TMD floor system’ herein. The TMD floor system (TMDFS) in which building floors serve as TMDs can achieve large mass ratio without additional masses. Furthermore, multiple TMD floors installed in a building can control multimode vibrations. Then, an optimal design process, where the objective function is set as the maximum magnitude of the frequency response functions of inter‐storey drifts, is proposed to determine the TMD floor parameters. Additionally, the multimode approach is applied to determine the optimal locations of TMD floors if not all of the floors in a building can serve as TMDs. In addition to the numerical simulations, a scaled model shaking table experiment is also conducted. Both the numerical and experimental results show that the absolute accelerations of the TMD floors are smaller than those of the main structural storeys, which indicates the TMDFS maintains the merit of FIS while greatly reducing seismic responses of main structures. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stress related offset voltage shift in a precision operational amplifier

In molded DIP packaging die attach stresses and stresses due to the contraction of the molding compound lead to a complex state of stress on the die surface where active device elements are located. This paper summarizes experimentation to reduce the effects of packaging stresses upon offset voltage shift in a precision operational amplifier. Variables examined include circuit location, low stress mold compounds, silicone gel coatings, side braze versus molded DIP assembly and post assembly trim. <<ETX>>
Prediction of Road Network Traffic State Using the NARX Neural Network

To provide reliable traffic information and more convenient visual feedback to traffic managers and travelers, we proposed a prediction model that combines a neural network and a Macroscopic Fundamental Diagram (MFD) for predicting the traffic state of regional road networks over long periods. The method is broadly divided into the following steps. To obtain the current traffic state of the road network, the traffic state efficiency index formula proposed in this paper is used to derive it, and the MFD of the current state is drawn by using the classification of the design speed and free flow speed of the classified road. Then, based on the collected data from the monitoring stations and the weighting formula of the grade roads, the problem of insufficient measured data is solved. Meanwhile, the prediction performance of NARX, LSTM, and GRU is experimentally compared with traffic prediction, and it is found that NARX NN can predict long-term flow and the prediction performance is slightly better than both LSTM and GRU models. Afterward, the predicted data from the four stations were integrated based on the classified road weighting formula. Finally, according to the traffic state classification interval, the traffic state of the road network for the next day is obtained from the current MFD, the predicted traffic flow, and the corresponding speed. The results indicate that the combination of the NARX NN with the MFD is an effective attempt to predict and describe the long-term traffic state at the macroscopic level.
Bleed Slot Benefits on Turbocharger Centrifugal Compressor Stability

Bleed slots located in the inducer region of centrifugal compressors have been demonstrated to extend the surge margin with minimal negative impact on performance. This paper describes the investigation of the effect of a bleed slot on map width enhancement of a turbocharger centrifugal compressor used for heavy duty diesel engine application. The goal is to evaluate the overall pressure instabilities on the compressor map and to study the dynamic phenomena occurring at low mass flow rates to better understand the benefits of the bleed slot on the compressor stability and surge line. The obstruction of the bleed slot permitted to compare the compressor behavior with the recirculation feature and without it. The pressure instability levels were measured along the accessible compressor map for the two cases using a high speed response pressure transducer at the compressor outlet. In addition, static and dynamic pressure measurements were conducted within the diffuser using respectively pressure taps and high speed response pressure transducers. The compressor with open bleed slot proved to have lower instability levels at low mass flow rates when not experiencing deep surge. Frequency responses at low mass flow rates showed that the implementation of the bleed slot suppresses broad band frequencies below the rpm frequency, which improves the overall stability. These frequencies are associated with rotating instabilities (RIs) with changing propagation speed depending on the rotational speed. At lower speeds, RIs are propagated with the wheel rotation whereas at higher speeds, they tend to propagate with the speed associated with their characteristic frequency.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Solving a time constrained two-crane routing problem for material handling with an ant colony optimisation approach: an application in the roof-tile industry

This paper presents an ant colony optimisation (ACO)-based solution approach for a real-world two-crane routing problem, where a number of different load carriers must be moved within a given cycle time by two gantry cranes in a continuous production process for roof tiles. The cranes have to transport the roof-tile batches and to return the load carriers and intermediate pads for subsequent batches. A feasible solution has to observe workflow-, space-, collision-, and machine-cycle constraints. The objective is to find a feasible schedule that minimises the working time for both cranes. The authors compare different solution approaches in terms of learning – and visibility strategies based on ACO in extensive numerical studies. A visibility concept is used to both partition and balance workload between the cranes.
Optimization of the Rotor Geometry of a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine

Converting an induction machine (IM) to a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) can be a solution to increase the efficiency. Therefore we started from an original 1.5 kW 6-pole IM and converted it into a 6-pole PMSM. The stator of the 6-pole IM was kept unchanged and the rotor was converted into a permanent NdFeB magnet rotor. Furthermore we want to optimize the rotor geometry to obtain high efficiency and low magnet volume to reduce the magnet cost. In addition the cogging torque should be low, and the mechanical power should be at least equal to the nominal power of the induction machine at nominal current. The optimized parameters are the magnet thickness (tm), the number of magnet segments per pole (Np) and the magnet pole angle ("alpha" m). For simulating the 6-pole PMSM’s a transient 2D finite element model (FEM) was used, taking into account iron and copper losses. A geometry (Np = 5, "alpha"m = 150°, tm = 3 mm) was found so that the PMSM has 82.7% average efficiency and nevertheless rather low cogging torque (0.51 Nm) and magnet volume (11.1 cm³).
Use of a Systematic Observational Measure to Assess and Compare Walkability for Older Adults in Vancouver, British Columbia and Portland, Oregon Neighbourhoods

This study assessed neighbourhood walkability for older adults in eight neighbourhoods of Vancouver, British Columbia and Portland Oregon, utilizing the newly developed environmental audit tool ‘SWEAT-R’. The discrete variable based data are complemented with qualitative observation data. Findings indicate that the audit tool has a 95% or higher inter-rater reliability for more than 80% of the items. Neighbourhood environmental data suggest that neighbourhoods in Vancouver region have more urban design features supportive of walking behaviour. Sidewalk and street life environmental features were relatively similar across all four Portland neighbourhoods, however, there were notable differences in sidewalk characteristics among the four Vancouver neighbourhoods. The audit tool is useful in documenting walkable features in urban and suburban neighbourhoods with particular relevance to older adults’ needs.
Knowledge management in turbulent times: time-based scenario analysis of vaccinations against COVID-19

Purpose This paper aims to estimate the delay or timely effects of the national vaccination strategy for COVID-19 on Italian gross domestic product (GDP). By adopting a knowledge management lens, the study highlights the importance of “time” for Italian recovery. Indeed, recovering an adequate growth rate is crucial for the future of employment, well-being and management of Italian public debt. Design/methodology/approach This study applies an epidemiological model of a universal access vaccination programme against COVID-19. The economic model is based on the time-shift of available quarterly projections deriving from the expected delay or acceleration of the national vaccination plan against COVID-19. Findings The basic concept underlying the scenario analysis is that the sustainability of the expected recovery of the Italian economy due to the COVID-19 shock, and consequently the growth of the GDP, is time-dependent on the rollout of the national vaccination plan. Research limitations/implications A delay in the vaccination campaign could have a twofold negative impact on the growth of the Italian gross product: it reduces the quarterly growth over the previous year in the short term and it delays the quarterly upwards trend over the next two years. Policymakers and practitioners are called to promptly face new dynamic scenarios due to public and economic policies to fight the COVID-19 crisis. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt of research that focuses attention on the synchrony between the economic time necessary for recovery and the real-time necessary to achieve vaccination coverage for the restart of production activities.
Pioneers as Peers: How Entrepreneurial Journalists Imagine the Futures of Journalism

Abstract The article investigates the futures of journalism that pioneering entrepreneurial journalists anticipate. This comprises the different imaginaries that journalists employ to make sense of journalism’s present potentials, anticipate its possible futures, and inform their decision-making. By analysing semi-structured interviews with Finnish entrepreneurial journalists, the article identifies a peer-to-peer imaginary on which the interviewees draw and construct to anticipate the potential futures of journalism. In this peer-to-peer imaginary, journalism is produced in journalists’ and audiences’ peer networks of affinity and shared interests. The imaginary promises elevated audience engagement and increased income from audience members. It also emphasises journalistic work that is often seen as ideal: autonomous, multi-skilled, self-expressive and non-routine. Despite these potentially preferred outcomes, the imaginary risks distancing journalism from its public roles and embracing more individualised and market-oriented approaches. The peer-to-peer imaginary can shape a journalism that is increasingly elitist by orienting it towards serving paying audiences, contributing to the fragmentation of public discussion by its focus on niche interests and playing into the power interests of global social media platforms that govern much of the digital media infrastructure. The imaginary, thus, mirrors the prevailing contemporary tendency to employ emancipatory visions of digital technologies for commercial objectives.
Adhesion enhancement of biomimetic dry adhesives by nanoparticle in situ synthesis

A novel method to increase the adhesion strength of a gecko-inspired dry adhesive is presented. Gold nanoparticles are synthesized on the tips of the microfibrils of a polymeric dry adhesive to increase its Hamaker constant. Formation of the gold nanoparticles is qualitatively studied through a colour change in the originally transparent substance and quantitatively analysed using ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry. A pull-off force test is employed to quantify the adhesion enhancement. Specifically, adhesion forces of samples with and without embedded gold nanoparticles are measured and compared. The experimental results indicate that an adhesion improvement of 135% can be achieved.