Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distributed Restoration for Integrated Transmission and Distribution Systems With DERs

A resilient power system is capable of providing fast and efficient recovery from outages caused by natural or man-made attacks. After a major blackout, transmission, and distribution system operators (TSOs and DSOs) coordinate to restore the system in a timely and reliable manner. However, these two systems are usually operated separately without considering capabilities and limitations of each individual network, or their mutual impacts. This could prolong the restoration process and lead to unpractical outcomes. Therefore, a distributed strategy for integrated transmission and distribution systems restoration (ITDSR) has been developed in this paper. Based on the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM), the distributed algorithm is able to provide the coordinated restoration for both TSOs and DSOs by sharing limited information of boundary buses in an iterative procedure. The ADMM-ITDSR model includes convex ac power flow model and three-phase unbalanced branch flow model. The ITDSR strategy coordinates the operation of distributed energy resources in terms of serving high priority loads across different networks. The effectiveness and advantage of developed models and algorithms are validated and demonstrated through testing of the integrated IEEE test cases, such as 14-bus transmission with 13-node distribution systems, and 39-bus transmission with 123-node distribution systems.
Crowdsourcing construction of information retrieval test collections for conversational speech

Crowdsourcing Construction of Information Retrieval Test Collections for Conversational Speech Haofeng Zhou, MSINfoStds The University of Texas at Austin, 2015 Supervisor: Matthew Lease Building a test collection for an ad hoc information retrieval system on conversational speech raises new challenges for researchers. Traditional methods for building test collections are costly, and thus they are not feasible to apply to large scale conversational speech data. Constructing a large test collection on conversational speech with high quality at low cost is challenging. Crowdsourcing may represent a promising approach. Crowd workers tend to be less expensive than professional assessors, and crowd workers can work simultaneously to perform jobs on a large scale. However, despite the benefits of scale and cost, the quality of the results delivered by crowd workers may suffer. This thesis focuses on relevance judging, one of the key components of a test collection. We adopt two crowdsourcing platforms: oDesk and MTurk, use audio clips and various versions of transcripts, conduct multiple experiments under diverse settings, and analyze the results qualitatively and quantitatively. We delve into what factors influence the quality of relevance judgments on conversational speech. We also investigate differences between relevance judgements from experts and crowd workers. This thesis also describes best practices for the design of crowdsourcing tasks to improve crowd workers’ performance. Ultimately, these may assist
Formal Verification of an Oral Messages Algorithm for Interactive Consistency

The formal specification and verification of an algorithm for Interactive Consistency based on the Oral Messages algorithm for Byzantine Agreement is described. We compare our treatment with that of Bevier and Young, who presented a formal specification and verification for a very similar algorithm. Unlike Bevier and Young, who observed that ''the invariant maintained in the recursive subcases of the algorithm is significantly more complicated than is suggested by the published proof'' and who found its formal verification ''a fairly difficult exercise in mechanical theorem proving,'' our treatment is very close to the previously published analysis of the algorithm, and our formal specification and verification are straightforward. This example illustrates how delicate choices in the formulation of the problem can have significant impact on the readability of its formal specification and on the tractability of its formal verification.
SPEECH RECOGNITION OF KV-PATTERNED INDONESIAN SYLLABLE USING MFCC, WAVELET AND HMM

The Indonesian language is an agglutinative language which has complex suffixes and affixes attached on its root. For this reason there is a high possibility to recognize Indonesian speech based on its syllables. The syllable-based Indonesian speech recognition could reduce the database and recognize new Indonesian vocabularies which evolve as the result of language development. MFCC and WPT daubechies 3 rd (DB3) and 7 th (DB7) order methods are used in feature extraction process and HMM with Euclidean distance probability is applied for classification. The results shows that the best recognition rateis 75% and 70.8% for MFCC and WPT method respectively, which come from the testing using training data test. Meanwhile, for testing using external data test WPT method excel the MFCC method, where the best recognition rate is 53.1% for WPT and 47% for MFCC. For MFCC the accuracy increased asthe data length and the frame length increased. In WPT, the increase in accuracy is influenced by the length of data, type of the wavelet and decomposition level. It is also found that as the variation of state increased the recognition for both methods decreased.
Extension polydisperse pour la description Euler-Euler des écoulements diphasiques réactifs

La comprehension des phenomenes de combustion est la cle des avancees en matiere d'amelioration de puissance, de gains de de performance et de reduction de consommation mais conditionne egalement directement le controle de la formation des polluants. Par ailleurs, les systemes d'injection actuels de carburant liquide generent des gouttes qui ne sont pas toutes de meme diametre et qui generent, apres evaporation, des zones plus ou moins riches que celles initialement prevues. Afin de comprendre et controler les phenomenes dynamiques d'un ecoulement dyphasique reactif, une extension polydisperse de modeles existants destines a la simulation des grandes echelles est proposee. Le modele est ensuite teste et confronte a des resultats de reference sur trois configurations representatives (analytique, experimentale et industrielle). Enfin, une analyse de l'apport du modele et plusieurs pistes sont proposees pour conclure ce travail.
A Variant Mode of Mammalian Olfaction

Olfaction – the sense of smell – informs animals about food, mates, threats, and other chemical signals. The odors most relevant to survival and reproduction vary across species and ecology; for this reason, olfactory nervous systems have evolved to perceive select stimuli and to elicit adaptive responses. The mammalian olfactory system accomplishes this with families of olfactory receptors – proteins that bind characteristic odor molecules and signal through parallel neural pathways. Each animal expresses a diverse repertoire of receptors, geared to its chemical environment, in a canonical mode of one receptor gene per olfactory sensory neuron. This arrangement produces precise neural representations for individual odors, which are capable of driving a range of behaviors. However, it is not known whether this conserved architecture is suited for all aspects of odor sensation. Here I report that part of the olfactory system breaks from this predominant organization. An atypical sensory subsystem, the so-called olfactory “necklace,” does not express traditional olfactory receptors, but instead detects several classes of chemical stimuli with the previously unknown MS4A receptor family. MS4A proteins are unrelated to other olfactory receptors, suggesting that they have evolved to detect distinct odors and to transduce signals by a different mechanism. Moreover, multiple members of the Ms4a family are
Intragenic repeat expansions control yeast chronological aging

Aging varies among individuals due to both genetics and environment but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Using a highly recombined Saccharomyces cerevisiae population, we found 30 distinct Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) that control chronological life span (CLS) in calorie rich and calorie restricted environments, and under rapamycin exposure. Calorie restriction and rapamycin extended life span in virtually all genotypes, but through different genetic variants. We tracked the two major QTLs to massive expansions of intragenic tandem repeats in the cell wall glycoproteins FLO11 and HPF1, which caused a dramatic life span shortening. Life span impairment by N-terminal HPF1 repeat expansion was partially buffered by rapamycin but not by calorie restriction. The HPF1 repeat expansion shifted yeast cells from a sedentary to a buoyant state, thereby increasing their exposure to surrounding oxygen. The higher oxygenation perturbed methionine, lipid, and purine metabolism, which likely explains the life span shortening. We conclude that fast evolving intragenic repeat expansions can fundamentally change the relationship between cells and their environment with profound effects on cellular life style and longevity.
An Accurate Bioinformatics Tool For Anti-Cancer Peptide Generation Through Deep Learning Omics

The Anti-cancer targets play crucial role in signalling processes of cells. We have developed an Anti-Cancer Scanner (ACS) tool for identification of Anti-cancer targets in form of peptides. ACS tool also allows fast fingerprinting of the Anti-cancer targets of significance in the current bioinformatics research. There are tools currently available which predicts the above-mentioned features in single platform. In the present work, we have compared the features predicted by ACS with other on-line available methods and evaluated the performance of the ACS tool. ACS scanned the Anti-cancer target protein sequences provided by the user against the Anti-cancer target data-sets. It has been developed in PERL language and it is scalable having an extensible application in bioinformatics with robust coding architecture. It achieves a prediction accuracy of 95%, which is much higher than the existing tools.
Bifunctional inhibitors of urokinase and metalloproteinase-9 for cancer treatment - in silico evaluation

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) overexpression or/and increased activity are considered causative elements for cancer invasion and metastasis. These enzymes are degrading the extracellular matrix (ECM) providing space for cancer progression and cancer cell mobility. Process of angiogenesis, in which microvascular endothelial cells form blood vessels, requires local degradation of the underlying basal lamina to invade into the stroma proximal to cancer, and it strongly depends on the activity of MMP-9 and uPA as well. Malignant tumor invasion, cancer metastasis and angiogenesis have been documented as a fundamental factors in the morbidity and mortality among cancer patients, thus their inhibition can be exploit therapeutically. Numerous in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that inhibition of proteolytic activity can reduce caner invasion, tumor size and limit angiogenesis. Consequently human clinical studies were designed inhibiting urokinase or MMPs, but these target specific inhibitors produce mix results. One of the possible explanation could be that cancers are overexpressing more than one enzyme simultaneously – for instance urokinase and MMPs. Thus upregulated net proteolytic activity should be normalized rather than trying to inhibit single proteolytic enzyme. Therefore, starting from specific inhibitors we have created - in silico - several hybrid molecules that could inhibit both uPA and MMP-9. The best hybrid (UI1xAGB) had theoretical affinities of Ki = 1.61-9 mol for MMP-9 and Ki = 1.36-9 mol for uPA. In the future each individual hybrid would need to be successfully synthesized and checked in the in vitro and in vivo analyses.
Statistical Software SAM II

The statistical software SAM II which is a revised version of SAM is designed to make sensitivity analysis in descriptive multivariate analysis. This program has the unified formulation of sensitivity analysis for any multivariate methods formulated as eigenvalue problems by using generalized singular value decomposition. In this program there are three steps; (1) pre-processing, (2) original analysis and (3) sensitivity analysis. By this revision, the number of multivariate methods to be treated are increased, the displays of the influences of individuals on the results of analysis are improved and the influence of not only a single individual but also multiple individuals can be observed.
ScatterScanner: Data Extraction and Chart Restyling of Scatterplots

Commonly, publications do not expose their underlying data, only simple (often poorly designed) visualizations thereof. Many authors want to source data from other papers, yet if they include the pre-designed visualization they are chained to the design choices of the original author. This is a pain point for authors who want holistic control over the design language of their publication. In order to solve this problem, we present ScatterScanner, a web interface that will process an image, extract the data, and allow the user to modify design choices such as chart form, color, spatial relationships etc. In addition, we provide an option to download the extracted data from the visualization in the form of a . csv file so that the user can save and modify this data in other applications. Due to the
FTL with feed-forward optimal design by discrete event production simulator with GA

This article formulates a new optimal design problem of a flexible transfer line with feed-forward lines (FTL-FF). The machine tools and the buffer size are included to find the optimal design of the FTL-FF that achieves a greater production rate of the FTL-FF. Machine tools with different performances are selected from a list of products available in the market. To solve this problem, a discrete event production simulator (DEPS) in conjunction with genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed. The GA methodology is based on a technique that is called multi-group arrangement method (MGAM) which arranges the genes in individuals. Numerical examples ascertained that after a number of operations based on the combination of DEPS and GA, the nearest optimal design of FTL-FF is found.
Physicochemical, Microstructural, and Rheological Characterization of Tigernut (Cyperus esculentus) Starch

The aim of this study was to characterize the physicochemical properties of starch isolated from two varieties of tigernuts. The results showed wide variations between the two types of tigernuts. Mean granule sizes were 11.1 and 6.1 μm, respectively, for starch from the yellow and black while amylose content ranged from 19 to 21%. Starch gels from the yellow variety were more stable to freeze-thaw and recorded 37.1% syneresis, compared to 56.5% after the first storage cycle. Pasting properties were significantly different (p < 0.05) among starch from the two tigernut varieties, with black recording higher peak viscosity, lower breakdown, and higher setback viscosity. Gels made from the yellow variety were clearer, softer, more adhesive, and more cohesive. Both gels showed a pseudoplastic flow behavior without thixotropy.
Real time software-only bit rate reducing of MPEG sequences

The idea of MPEG bit rate reducing relates to altering or scaling the amount of data in a previously compressed MPEG bit stream. The new scaled bit stream conforms to constraints that are not known nor considered when the original precoded bit stream was constructed. Numerous applications for video transmission and storage have been developed based on the MPEG video coding standard. In this paper, we present and evaluate a real time software implementation of a bit rate reducer system called Real Time Bit Rate Reducer (RT-BR). Keywords— MPEG video encoding, real time, bit rate reducing, video file-server.
Hotel house, cita e "via anelli". Risorse, percorsi e rischi di tre condomini multietnici

L’Hotel House di Porto Recanati, il complesso Serenissima di Padova e la Cita di Marghera nascono negli anni ’60 per soddisfare le esigenze abitative di differenti segmenti di popolazione: vacanzieri, famiglie di colletti bianchi e studenti. In assenza di politiche per la casa pensate per le fasce sociali piu svantaggiate, e con l’intensificarsi dei flussi migratori, diventano luoghi di concentrazione abitativa di stranieri. Cio che avvicina questi habitat e il comune processo di stigmatizzazione territoriale che li porta ad essere rappresentati come luoghi "patologici" in grado di disturbare il normale "metabolismo urbano". L’articolo mette al centro il carattere eterogeneo e "contestuale" di questi luoghi andando oltre la loro rappresentazione come contenitori omogenei.
Speeding Up Neural Network-Based Face Detection Using Swarm Search

This paper presents a novel method to speed up neural network (NN) based face detection systems. NN-based face detection can be viewed as a classification and search problem. The proposed method formulates the search problem as an integer nonlinear optimization problem (INLP) and expands the basic particle swarm optimization (PSO) to solve it. PSO works with a population of particles, each representing a subwindow in an input image. The subwindows are evaluated by how well they match a NN-based face filter. A face is indicated when the filter response of the best particle is above a given threshold. To achieve better performance, the influence of PSO parameter settings on the search performance was investigated. Experiments show that with fine-adjusted parameters, the proposed method leads to a speedup of 94 on 320×240 images compared to the traditional exhaustive search method.
A versatile robotic platform for the design of natural, three-dimensional reaching and grasping tasks in monkeys

Objective. Translational studies on motor control and neurological disorders require detailed monitoring of sensorimotor components of natural limb movements in relevant animal models. However, available experimental tools do not provide a sufficiently rich repertoire of behavioral signals. Here, we developed a robotic platform that enables the monitoring of kinematics, interaction forces, and neurophysiological signals during user-defined upper limb tasks for monkeys. Approach. We configured the platform to position instrumented objects in a three-dimensional workspace and provide an interactive dynamic force-field. Main results. We show the relevance of our platform for fundamental and translational studies with three example applications. First, we study the kinematics of natural grasp in response to variable interaction forces. We then show simultaneous and independent encoding of kinematic and forces in single unit intra-cortical recordings from sensorimotor cortical areas. Lastly, we demonstrate the relevance of our platform to develop clinically relevant brain computer interfaces in a kinematically unconstrained motor task. Significance. Our versatile control structure does not depend on the specific robotic arm used and allows for the design and implementation of a variety of tasks that can support both fundamental and translational studies of motor control.
Synthesis of β-Selenylated Cyclopentanones via Photoredox-Catalyzed Selenylation/Ring-Expansion Cascades of Alkenyl Cyclobutanols

Abstract A photoredox strategy to access β-selenated cyclic ketone derivatives through the coupling reaction of 1-(1-arylvinyl)cyclobutanols with diselenides under blue LED irradiation and an air atmosphere was developed. This reaction employs the easily accessible and shelf-stable diselenides as a selenium radical source, and the reaction has advantages of mild reaction conditions and broad substrate scope.
Postcolonial Netherlands: Sixty-five Years of Forgetting, Commemorating, Silencing

Nederland telt ruim een miljoen burgers met wortels in de voormalige kolonien, Indonesie, Suriname en de Antillen. Juridisch staatsburgerschap, voorgaande bekendheid met de Nederlandse taal en cultuur en een sterk retorisch argument (‘Wij zijn hier omdat jullie daar waren’) gaven deze migranten een vergelijkenderwijs sterke uitgangspositie. Deze ‘postkoloniale bonus’ bevorderde de integratie, waarbij gaandeweg de verschillen tussen deze gemeenschappen en de bredere samenleving afnamen. Gelijktijdig veranderde die samenleving sterk. In 1945 had Nederland een roomblanke bevolking, vandaag telt twee miljoen niet-westerse migranten en worden heftige debatten gevoerd over multiculturalisme. De belangrijkste ideologische debatten van de afgelopen decennia rond de postkoloniale gemeenschap draaiden om erkenning en het opnemen in de nationale herdenkingscultuur van het kolonialisme en zijn erfenissen. Dit leidde tot een reeks officiele gebaren, varierend van financiele compensatie tot monumenten, waarin op schuldbewuste en vaak weinig consistente wijze ‘recht wordt gedaan’ aan het koloniale verleden en aan de afstammelingen van de koloniale onderdanen. Postcolonial Netherlands is het eerste boek dat deze thematiek systematisch behandeld en in vergelijkend perspectief plaatst. Het boek werd bij publicatie in Nederland (2010) overwegend positief ontvangen, al riepen de uitgesproken stellingen van de auteur over ‘het einde van de postkoloniale geschiedenis’ heftige tegenspraak op.
Power-splitting relaying protocol for wireless energy harvesting and information processing in NOMA systems

Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) along with cooperative communications have been recognised as promising candidates for the fifth generation (5G) wireless networks and have attracted many researchers. Every networked device however has its own limited power supply. To this extent, this study investigates a power-splitting relaying (PSR) protocol for wireless energy harvesting (EH) and information processing in the NOMA systems to prolong the lifetime of the energy constrained relay nodes in wireless networks so as to avail the ambient radio-frequency (RF) signal as well as to simultaneously harvest the energy and process the information. Decode-and-forward relaying is employed at the relay node where the energy from the received RF signal is harvested and exploited to forward the information to the destination. Specifically, the outage probability and ergodic rate of the PSR protocol are derived to realise the impacts of EH time, EH efficiency, power splitting ratio, source data rate, and the distance between nodes. It is shown that an outperformance in terms of the energy efficiency is achieved with an increased EH efficiency and the employment of the NOMA when compared to the conventional orthogonal multiple access.