Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving the last mile in a public transport trip with automated vehicles using an agent based simulation model: A Delft case study

The last mile in a public transport trip appears to be one of the main deterrents in public transport to be competitive with other modes of transport. The reason for this bad performance of the last mile can be related to the slow and inflexible character of the last mile. Where PRT systems aspire to deliver an on demand, direct service to a passenger, they are bound to fixed separated infrastructure and would therefore face high investment costs for the application of PRT systems on the last mile. As automated vehicles can make use of any kind of road that is available the investment costs are considerably lower. The system presented in this thesis is a last mile transportation service operated by automated vehicles on existing infrastructure. Multiple operational strategies have been simulated using an agent based simulation model in AnyLogic. This simulation model has been applied on the case study Delft Zuid - Technological Innovation campus. For this case study a travel demand survey has been conducted, from which the results serve as one of the main inputs of the simulation model. The outcomes of the simulations indicate that relocating empty vehicles, intermediate charging have a positive effect on the performance of the system on the last mile without compromising any other system performance parameter. Pre-booking of vehicles (via a smartphone app) showed to be very beneficial with regard to the average waiting time for a passenger. However, as vehicles are locked for a longer period the system capacity decreases. The speed of the vehicles appeared one of the main determinants for the energy use of the vehicles and therefore the available system capacity. Speed variations have shown large reductions in the average travel time for a passenger.
Race/Ethnicity and Birthplace as Risk Factors for Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia in a Multiethnic United States Population

INTRODUCTION: Several US subgroups have increased risk of gastric cancer and gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) and may benefit from targeted screening. We evaluated demographic and clinical risk factors for GIM and examined the interaction between race/ethnicity and birthplace on GIM risk. METHODS: We identified patients who had undergone esophagogastroduodenoscopy with gastric biopsy from 3/2006–11/2016 using the pathology database at a safety net hospital in Houston, Texas. Cases had GIM on ≥1 gastric biopsy histopathology, whereas controls lacked GIM on any biopsy. We estimated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations with GIM risk using logistic regression and developed a risk prediction model of GIM risk. We additionally examined for associations using a composite variable combining race/ethnicity and birthplace. RESULTS: Among 267 cases with GIM and 1,842 controls, older age (vs <40 years: 40–60 years adjusted odds ratios (adjORs) 2.02; 95% CI 1.17–3.29; >60 years adjOR 4.58; 95% CI 2.61–8.03), Black race (vs non-Hispanic White: adjOR 2.17; 95% CI 1.31–3.62), Asian race (adjOR 2.83; 95% CI 1.27–6.29), and current smoking status (adjOR 2.04; 95% CI 1.39–3.00) were independently associated with increased GIM risk. Although non-US-born Hispanics had higher risk of GIM (vs non-Hispanic White: adjOR 2.10; 95% CI 1.28–3.45), we found no elevated risk for US-born Hispanics (adjOR 1.13; 95% CI 0.57–2.23). The risk prediction model had area under the receiver operating characteristic of 0.673 (95% CI 0.636–0.710) for discriminating GIM. DISCUSSION: We found that Hispanics born outside the United States were at increased risk of GIM, whereas Hispanics born in the United States were not, independent of Helicobacter pylori infection. Birthplace may be more informative than race/ethnicity when determining GIM risk among US populations.
Flexible Multiview Spectral Clustering With Self-Adaptation

Multiview spectral clustering (MVSC) has achieved state-of-the-art clustering performance on multiview data. Most existing approaches first simply concatenate multiview features or combine multiple view-specific graphs to construct a unified fusion graph and then perform spectral embedding and cluster label discretization with $k$ -means to obtain the final clustering results. They suffer from an important drawback: all views are treated as fixed when fusing multiple graphs and equal when handling the out-of-sample extension. They cannot adaptively differentiate the discriminative capabilities of multiview features. To alleviate these problems, we propose a flexible MVSC with self-adaptation (FMSCS) method in this article. A self-adaptive learning scheme is designed for structured graph construction, multiview graph fusion, and out-of-sample extension. Specifically, we learn a fusion graph with a desirable clustering structure by adaptively exploiting the complementarity of different view features under the guidance of a proper rank constraint. Meanwhile, we flexibly learn multiple projection matrices to handle the out-of-sample extension by adaptively adjusting the view combination weights according to the specific contents of unseen data. Finally, we derive an alternate optimization strategy that guarantees desirable convergence to iteratively solve the formulated unified learning model. Extensive experiments demonstrate the superiority of our proposed method compared with state-of-the-art MVSC approaches. For the purpose of reproducibility, we provide the code and testing datasets at https://github.com/shidan0122/FMICS.
A single-phase inverter system for PV power injection and active power filtering with nonlinear inductor consideration

This paper proposes a single-phase two-wire inverter system for photovoltaic (PV) power injection and active power filtering (APF) with nonlinear inductor consideration. The proposed system can fully or partially perform APF, process PV power, eliminate harmonic currents, improve power factor, and take into account the nonlinear effect of its output filter inductor. In the system, even though only the utility current is sensed, both APF and maximum power point tracking features can be still achieved, reducing the number of current sensors and cost significantly. To prevent output current from exceeding switch ratings, inverter current is properly controlled through a current estimator and a defined limit circle. A self-learning algorithm is also proposed to determine nonlinear inductance, which can increase the accuracy of the estimated current. Simulations and experimental results have verified the feasibility of the proposed PV inverter system and the algorithm.
Envisaging an Effective Global Long-Term Agrobiodiversity Conservation System That Promotes and Facilitates Use

Genebanks were established out of a recognised need not just to provide genetic variation to support breeding objectives but to prevent crop diversity from being lost entirely for future users. Such conservation objectives may have led, over the past few decades, to a gradually diminishing connection between genebanks and current users of diversity. While there continues to be large-scale distribution of germplasm from genebanks to recipients worldwide, relatively little is known or published about the detailed trends in the demand for genebank materials. Meanwhile, the rapid expansion of the applications and uses of modern genomic technologies and approaches is, undoubtedly, having a transformational impact on breeding, research and the demand for certain genetic resources and associated data. These trends will require genebanks to be responsive and to adapt. They also provide important opportunities for genebanks to reorganize and become more efficient individually and as a community. Ultimately, future challenges and opportunities are likely to drive more demand for genetic diversity and provide an important basis for genebanks to gear up.
Achieving quality performance and environmental sustainability through the genius loci of quality management systems

Purpose – The purpose of this study is threefold. First, the authors will confirm the existence and the intensity of the latent “genius loci” within quality management systems. Second, the authors will confirm the extent of the genius loci with environmental sustainability. Finally, the authors will try to understand whether a quality management system's performance can be affected by its genius loci, and whether a quality management system's environmental sustainability performance can be affected by the extent of environmental sustainability in its genius loci. Design/methodology/approach – The extent of the genius loci in quality management systems and the genius loci with environmental sustainability are tested through higher-order confirmatory factor analysis. Findings – The findings of this study are as follows. First, genius loci partially exist in quality management systems. Second, the genius loci with the environmental sustainability concept also exist partially in certain respects. There is a l.
An electrically small antenna with integrated DGS filter

In this letter, a dumbbell‐shaped defected ground structure is proposed to suppress higher order harmonics of an electrically small antenna.A slot loading technique is applied to a well‐known low‐profile antenna, and the area miniaturization of a rectangular microstrip patch antenna by inserting a number of slits parallel to the radiating edges is investigated in relation to the quality factor. The antenna was designed to operate at 0.95 GHz (GSM). Measurement results on a prototype antenna fully demonstrate the performance of the proposed antenna. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:962–966, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27498
POWER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS

The Navy has the need to power underwater sensor packages. Powering these systems with batteries requires constant upkeep that involve diving teams. This is a hazardous and expensive process so they want to explore alternate methods of powering these sensor packages. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a potential energy source that could power devices placed underwater. MFCs are able to harvest energy from naturally occurring bacteria in open water environments. However, MFCs produce very little voltage and current. Traditional methods of power conversion are not able to allow an MFC to operate as a power source because of these limitations. This paper describes two power management systems have been designed for use with a microbial fuel cell (MFC). These systems create a power source suitable for powering electronic devices requiring higher voltage and power than what the MFC is able to supply on its own. Though the two systems use different methods they share a similar operating concept. The systems oscillate between two modes: (1) a period when energy from the MFC is accumulated in a supercapacitor and (2) when energy accumulated in the supercapacitor(s) is used to power external electronic devices. The power management system controls the operation of the integrated system, making decision about switching the modes of operation. The power supplies are entirely autonomous and the load and power management system require no external power besides the MFC. These power management systems were designed, built, and tested in the laboratory. In our application the power management systems increased the input potential from MFCs, which were as low as 300mV, to 3.3V and the input power from microwatts to milliwatts.
Association between thrombocytopenia and platelet profile with morbidity/mortality of severe and non-severe COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel infectious viral disease that can be associated with changes in platelet counts. Thrombocytopenia is a risk factor for increased mortality and morbidity among these patients. In this study, we aimed to measure the platelet count of COVID-19 patients and find the association with morbidity and mortality after following up. METHODS This study was conducted on 1,320 confirmed COVID-19 patients who were admitted to the Ayatollah Taleghani and Shohada Tajrish Hospital in Tehran, Iran. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed by standard protocols. The data on the platelet profile were retrospectively extracted from patients' electronic medical records consisted of platelet counts on admission, the next 7 days during the hospital stay, and on discharge. Patients were categorized into two groups, namely, "non-severe presentation" and "severe presentation" based on clinical signs. RESULTS There was no significant difference in platelet counts and thrombocytopenia between severe and non-severe, survivors and non-survivors, and severe survivors and severe non-survivors groups at the time of admission to the hospital. After 7 days, a trend toward an increase in platelet counts was seen in non-severe patients, survivors, and severe compared with severe patients, non-survivors, and severe non-survivors, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Thrombocytopenia and thrombotic complications in COVID-19 patients are common and lead to a higher mortality rate.
Corporate Innovation Culture and Dimensions of Project Portfolio Success: The Moderating Role of National Culture

This study examines the relationships between corporate innovation culture (analysis/practices) and dimensions of project portfolio success (strategic fit/portfolio balance) as well as national-level culture practices as moderators. Data (N = 165) were collected in four countries differing in cultural practices. Analysis and practices were identified as positive, significant, and complementary predictors of both dimensions. As hypothesized, the corporate variables related more strongly and positively to the success dimensions when assertiveness was high rather than low. The findings, thus, suggest that corporate factors should be compatible with national culture to elevate the fit and balance of project portfolios.
Metabolic Fatty Liver Disease in Children: A Growing Public Health Problem

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), previously called nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD), is one of the most important causes of chronic liver disease worldwide and will likely become the leading cause of end-stage liver disease in the decades ahead. MAFLD covers a continuum of liver diseases from fatty liver to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver fibrosis/cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer. Importantly, the growing incidence of overweight and obesity in childhood, 4% in 1975 to 18% in 2016, with persisting obesity complications into adulthood, is likely to be harmful by increasing the incidence of severe MAFLD at an earlier age. Currently, MAFLD is the leading form of chronic liver disease in children and adolescents, with a global prevalence of 3 to 10%, pointing out that early diagnosis is therefore crucial. In this review, we highlight the current knowledge concerning the epidemiology, risk factors and potential pathogenic mechanisms, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, of pediatric MAFLD.
Effect of Thermal Cycling on Properties and Microstructure of SnAgCuCe Soldered Joints in QFP Devices

Increasing global concern about the environment is bringing regulatory (European directives) and consumer ("green products") pressure on the electronics industry in Europe and Japan to reduce or completely eliminate the use of lead (Pb) in products. Among all lead-free solder alloys, SnAgCu solder system, which has better thermo-mechanical properties compared with those of SnPb solder, is proven to be one of the promising candidates for electronic assembly. Previous work also revealed that adding a small amount of rare earth Ce into SnAgCu solder can visibly improve the properties and inhibit the excessive growth of the intermetallic compound layer. Thermal fatigue properties of SnAgCuCe soldered joints in QFP devices under thermal conditions have been investigated by finite element method and experiments. Based on creep model of low stress and high stress, corresponding creep subroutine was established for simulating the stress and strain response of SnAgCuCe soldered joint from -55 ℃ to 125 ℃, and fatigue life was calculated using creep fatigue life prediction equation. Moreover, thermal cycling experiments were conducted, the experimental results were found to be close to the simulated results. In addition, the tensile force of SnAgCuCe soldered joints decreased with increasing number of thermal cycles, and the fracture mechanism transformed from toughness fracture to brittle intergranular fracture. Moreover the tensile force changes and fracture microstructure evolution could benefit the quantitative evaluations of the mechanical performances of lead-free soldered joints under thermal cycling loadings.
Automated post bonding inspection by using machine vision techniques

Inspection plays an important role in the semiconductor industry. In this paper, we focus on the inspection task after wire bonding in packaging. The purpose of wire bonding (W/B) is to connect the bond pads with the lead fingers. Two major types of defects are (1) bonding line missing and (2) bonding line breakage. The numbers of bonding lines and bonding balls are used as the features for defect classification. The proposed method consists of image preprocessing, orientation determination, connection detection, bonding line detection, bonding ball detection, and defect classification. The proposed method is simple and fast. The experimental results show that the proposed method can detect the defects effectively.
A new control strategy to improve the performance of a PWM AC to DC converter under unbalanced operating conditions

Abnormal harmonics of significant magnitude are generated at the output and input terminals of a pulsewidth modulated (PWM) AC-DC converter under unbalanced operating conditions. A control strategy is presented to selectively cancel the generated lower order abnormal harmonics at the output and input terminals and thereby preserve the high-performance features of a PWM AC-DC converter. The proposed technique essentially involves computing the sequence components of the unbalanced input supply and suitably counter unbalances the PWM gating signals of the converter switches to cancel the generated abnormal harmonics. The technique is essentially a feedforward approach and is suitable for higher-power GTO-type PWM AC-DC converters. A procedure for implementing this technique in real time is discussed. Selected results are verified experimentally on a prototype PWM AC-DC converter. <<ETX>>
Application of Ultrasonic and Fuzzy Logic to Determine Fruit Maturity Level

In this research, has been done the next usage of ultrasonic and fuzzy logic to determine fruit maturity level. Reflection of ultrasonic with different frequency are used to measure water content and fruit texture in other side fuzzy logic are used to determine the fruit maturity level depend on water content and fruit texture. The research was limited to avocado, mango and papaya. Sample of data obtained by measure 30 fruit of each kind and test it with laboratories to calibrate and also test it with human perception to prove the fact of maturity. The result of this research is device that can transmit ultrasonic signal then read the reflection of it and MatLab application to fuzzy logic processing. Accuracy and precision analyzing give the result that the system have a good accuracy and precision with low condition of error rate. However, analyze give not good condition of precision for the percentage of maturity level. Analyze with statistic calculation give the result that there is a strong and linear correlation between water content and fruit texture with the level of fruit maturity. The research found that the fruit in mature condition is not always having sweet taste and also the opposite.
Active Flutter Suppression—A Flight Test Demonstration

The first flight test demonstration of active flutter suppression has been successfully completed. The Control Configured Vehicles (CCV) B-52 test airplane was twice flown 10 knots faster than its flutter speed relying solely on an automatic control system for adequate damping. The design, safety considerations, mechanization, ground testing, and flight testing of the flutter mode control system are reported. Comparisons between flight test and theoretical results are presented. The system was tested at heavy and light airplane weights and tested for compatibility with simultaneous ride control, maneuver load control, fatigue reduction, and augmented stability.
Shoulder-Surfing Resistant Smartphone Authentication Scheme Using Virtual Joystick

User authentication techniques such as the setting of passwords are gradually gaining importance as a means of managing important information stored in smartphones. Existing text–based password authentication schemes have the advantages of being quick and easy to use. However, they are problematic in that passwords are easily exposed to shoulder-surfing attack. In addition, a graphical password authentication scheme has the limitation of being difficult to apply to mobile device environments, in which a lot of information must be remembered and small-sized screens are provided. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a new hybrid password authentication scheme using a pocket billiard and a virtual joystick, which is secure against shoulder-surfing, brute force attack, and smudge attack and has excellent usability.
Efficacy of some plant extracts against Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) on cucumber and kidney bean crops under laboratory and field conditions

In the laboratory and field experiments carried out to investigate the efficiency of some acetone and methanol plant extracts, against Tetranychus urticae Koch on kidney bean and cucumber plants. The results were recorded after 3 days for laboratory treatment. The obtained data indicated that, the acetone Egyptian henbane extract was the high toxic to the females of T. urticae with mortality rate 91.21%, followed by methanol thorn apple extract with mortality rate 85.71%, acetone winter cherry extract with mortality rate 83.52%, and methanol neem extract with mortality rate 75.82%. While common milkweed and sweet clover extract gave a weak mortality rate when extracted by both solvents. However, in the field experiment the plant extracts which extracted by methanol at a concentration 4%, recorded a high reduction at rang of (67.95-79.47%) on kidney bean while, on cucumber was between (74.51-80.16%). These results suggest that plant extracts could be incorporated in integrated pest management (IPM) programs of T. urticae on Kidney bean and cucumber plants.
100 kHz, 2 KW boost ZVT-PWM converter for power factor correction

Power factor correction has become an important topic in power electronics. The classical boost single-phase power factor correction (PFC) schemes have a serious problem. While running under CCM operation, the diode reverse recovery problem causes significant losses when the output voltage is quite high. This not only decreases the total efficiency, but also creates thermal and noise problems. To solve this problem, the zero-voltage transition (ZVT) technique has been developed which allows the use of IGBT, reducing the switching loss and achieve low conduction loss. A prototype circuit has been built and tested to verify this new technique. <<ETX>>