Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Irrigated Cropping Optimization

This paper develops a nonlinear optimization model for the determination of optimal cropping patterns in irrigated agriculture. Decision variables are the cultivated area in each soil type at the farm. The objective function of the model is based on crop-water production functions, irrigation technology used, and costs and prices of the products. The model is solved using the GAMS-MINOS package for conditions existing in Chile. The model gives the optimal distribution of areas and crops, irrigation water needs, labor requirements, and total profit. Sensitivity of the optimal solution to land, labor, and water resources is examined. Results of the model show that changes in the prices of exportable products and water cost have a large impact on the cropping patterns and profit. Water availability affects the distribution and area of crops, whereas labor availability is more important for the agricultural enterprise than its wages.
Blind Speaker Clustering Using Phonetic and Spectral Features in Simulated and Realistic Police Interviews

In this study, we present a novel approach to the blind automatic segmentation of speakers in police interviews, combining the use of phonetic features like pitch and the statistical pattern recognition of short-term power spectrum features like Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCCs). This approach requires minimal user intervention and allows for easy segmentation of the speech of separate speakers from multi-speaker recordings. This approach can have significant benefit in the harvesting of the speech of a single speaker for use in phonetic and automatic speaker recognition as well as gleaning quick intelligence in surveillance recordings. We propose a two-tiered approach to speaker segmentation, the first using discontinuities in the pitch trajectories to identify potential speaker clusters, and the second using an iterative speaker assignment and training method based on Gaussian mixture models. This approach will be demonstrated using realistic and simulated police witness interviews. Proposed approach and test databases The pitch tracks for the voiced segments are extracted from the interview recording using the autocorrelation-based pitch tracker in Praat (Boersma, 1993). Based on discontinuities in the pitch track, we extract ‘zones of reliability’ for the identity of a speaker. A continuous ‘run’ of similar values in the pitch track provides such a zone of reliability and any significant discontinuities in the pitch track, either in time or frequency, is used to define a candidate transition point between speakers. These candidate transition points are then used to define clusters as illustrated in Figure 1a. We use the clusters with sufficient information to model potential speakers. A statistical model of each cluster is then compared to all other segments in order to get the most divergent pair of segments.
Using SVC to Improve Voltage Stability of the Ghana Power Network

This paper forms part of an ongoing system development of the Ghanaian power network. Preliminary studies have shown that the northern sector is venerable to voltage instability which has led to the proposed installation of STATCOM at Tamale. It is therefore necessary to assess the performance of the device when put in operation. Comparison had therefore been made between the use of STATCOM and Fixed Compensator. Line and generator contingencies as well as small signal disturbances analysis had been carried out. Voltage stability is improved with the installation of STATCOM as well as reduction in voltage oscillation during transient. Loadability limit of the system is also increased. Further evaluation targeted at the inter-tie with Burkina Faso has been proposed Streszczenie. W artykule opisano prace nad rozwojem sieci elektroenergetycznej Ghany. Badania wstepne wykazaly, ze polnocny sektor sieci jest wplywa na niestabilnośc napiecia. Jako rozwiązanie zaproponowano instalacje kompensatora STATCOM. Dokonano jego porownania z klasycznymi filtrami biernymi, zarowno pod kątem potencjalnych awarii w sieci, jak i niewielkich zaklocen. Proponowane rozwiązanie zwieksza stabilnośc napiecia oraz mozliwości obciązeniowe. (Zastosowanie kompensatora SVC w stabilizacji napieci w sieci elektroenergetycznej Ghany).
Identification of DC-Link Capacitance for Single-Phase AC/DC PWM Converters

In this paper, a capacitance estimation scheme for DC-link capacitors for single-phase AC/DC PWM converters is proposed. Under the no-load condition, a controlled AC current (30[Hz]) is injected into the input side, which then causes AC voltage ripples at the DC output side. Or, a controlled AC voltage can be directly injected into the DC output side. By extracting the AC voltage/current and power components on the DC output side using digital filters, the capacitance value can be calculated, where the recursive least squares (RLS) algorithm is used. The proposed methods can be simply implemented with software only and additional hardware is not required. From the experiment results, a high accuracy estimation of capacitances less than 0.85% has been obtained.
Opioid Reduction Through Postoperative Pain Management in Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery.

OBJECTIVES Our goal with this initiative was to reduce discharge opioid prescriptions while maintaining optimal pain management through the use of standardized pain prescribing guidelines for pediatric patients after orthopedic surgical procedures. METHODS Through analysis of established yet inconsistent prescribing practices, we created a 4-tiered guideline for pediatric orthopedic postoperative pain management prescription ordering. Following the Model for Improvement methodology including iterative plan-do-study-act cycles, the team created an electronic medical record order set to be used at discharge from the hospital. The provider compliance with this order set was monitored and analyzed over time by using provider-level and aggregate control charts. A secondary measure of opioid prescriptions (morphine milligram Eq [MME] dosage per patient) was tracked over time. The balancing measure was the analysis of unanticipated opioid prescription refills. RESULTS Greater than 90% compliance with the guidelines was achieved and sustained for 20 months. This resulted in a 54% reduction in opioids prescribed during the improvement period (baseline = 71 MME per patient; postintervention = 33 MME per patient) and has been sustained for 12 months. The percentage of unanticipated opioid prescription refills did not significantly change from the period before the institution of the guidelines and after institution of the guidelines (2017 = 3%; 2019 = 3%). CONCLUSIONS The creation of these guidelines has led to a significant reduction in the number of opioids prescribed while maintaining effective postoperative pain management.
Finite element reliability analysis of chloride ingress into reinforced concrete structures

For many reinforced concrete structures corrosion of the reinforcement is an important problem since it can result in maintenance and repair actions. Further, a reduction of the load-bearing capacity can occur. In the present paper the Finite Element Reliability Method (FERM) is employed for obtaining the probability of exceeding a critical chloride concentration level at the reinforcement bars, both using Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) and the First Order Reliability Method (FORM). The chloride ingress is modelled by the Finite Element Method (FEM) and the diffusion coefficient, surface chloride concentration and reinforcement cover depth are modelled by stochastic fields, which are discretized using the Expansion Optimum Linear Estimation (EOLE) approach. The response gradients needed for FORM analysis are derived analytically using the Direct Differentiation Method (DDM). As an example, a bridge pier in a marine environment is considered and the results are given in terms of distributions of time for initiation of corrosion.
A Unified Carrier-Based Pulsewidth Modulation for Three-Phase Vienna-Type Rectifiers

Compared with space-vector pulsewidth modulation (SV-PWM) schemes, carrier-based PWM (CB-PWM) schemes feature less digital calculation burden. Unfortunately, since different CB-PWM schemes were not represented by a unified expression and the relationship between the injected zero-sequence components (ZSCs) and the switching-state sequences is not revealed, the CB-PWM has poor flexibility in designing the switching-state sequences. In this article, a unified carrier-based PWM (UCB-PWM) is proposed to unify the expressions of different CB-PWM schemes. The ZSC of the proposed UCB-PWM is classified into a basic ZSC (B-ZSC) and a redundant ZSC (R-ZSC). The B-ZSC is a shared component of all CB-PWM schemes, and the dwelling time of redundant small vectors can be distributed by injecting different R-ZSCs. Also, the neutral-point voltage balance control based on either continuous PWM or discontinuous PWM (DPWM) can be achieved by injecting R-ZSCs. Besides, not only the existing carrier-based DPWM schemes but also new carrier-based DPWM schemes are derived by the proposed UCB-PWM. Finally, experimental results verify the correctness and advantages of the proposed UCB-PWM.
Development of Artificial Neural Network Models to Predict Driver Injury Severity in Traffic Accidents at Signalized Intersections

The relationship between driver injury severity and driver, vehicle, roadway, and environment characteristics was examined. The use of two well-known neural network paradigms, the multilayer perceptron (MLP) and fuzzy adaptive resonance theory (ART) neural networks, was investigated. The use of artificial neural networks can lead to greater understanding of the relationship between the aforementioned factors and driver injury severity. Accident data for 1997 for the Central Florida area, which consists of Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties, were used. The analysis focuses on two-vehicle accidents that occurred at signalized intersections. The MLP neural network has a better generalization performance of 65.6 and 60.4 percent for the training and testing phases, respectively. The performance of the MLP was compared with that of an ordered logit model. The ordered logit model was able to correctly classify only 58.9 and 57.1 percent for the training and testing phases, respectively. A simulation experiment was then carried out to understand the MLP neural network model. Results show that rural intersections are more dangerous in terms of driver injury severity than urban intersections. Also, female drivers are more likely to experience a severe injury than are male drivers. Speed ratio increases the likelihood of injury severity. Drivers at fault are less likely to experience severe injury than are those not at fault. Wearing a seat belt decreases the chance of sustaining severe injuries. Vehicle type plays a role in driver injury severity. Drivers in passenger cars are more likely to experience a greater injury severity level than are drivers of vans or pickup trucks. Finally, drivers exposed to impact at their side experience greater injury severity than those exposed to impact elsewhere.
UTILIZING OF ULTRASONIC EMISSION TO THE PREDICTION OF ROCK SAMPLE INSTABILITY

The evaluation of stress-deformation stage of rocks, mainly time prediction of the origin of extensive brittle fracturing, belongs to the present important tasks of geomechanics. Laboratory results obtained are very important for the assessment of the origin of natural earthquakes as well as induced seismic events. Laboratory experiments were oriented to the evaluation of the possibility to predict the time of the total fracturing of the rock samples subjected to the uniaxial loading. The sandstone samples were studied. In all experiments the ultrasonic emission was recorded. Time series of ultrasonic emission were analyzed by autocorrelation method. It was found that during the fast rock sample loading the ultrasonic emission could be observed when 65% of total strength of the material is exceeded. Following parameters of the course of autocorrelation function were used: - the first value of autocorrelation coefficient R(1) - the number of positive autocorrelation coefficients (correlation radius) - the trend of autocorrelation function according to linear time dependence. For the short term rock sample loading, after the crossing of the 90% of the total strength of the material, the significant increase the value of correlation coefficient of linear approximation are observed. The dependence of the autocorrelation function is nearly linear. It means that the value of the first autocorrelation coefficient R(1) increase as well. The correlation radius at different values of acting load (starting from the 90% of strength limit) however is nearly the same. For the cyclic loading, in the case of second cycle, the autocorrelation methods can be applied, due to the Kaiser effect, after the maximum acting stress of the first loading cycle is exceeded. The nature of the ultrasonic emission originating during short-term test is influenced mainly by the response of the sample to acting force. During long-term test the parameters of ultrasonic emission reflect rheological properties of rocks sample. Results obtained under laboratory conditions could be applied to seismoacoustic investigation of rock burst occurrence.
Foreign Direct Investment and Manufacturing Sector in Sierra Leone: A Vector Auto-Regression Analysis Approach

This study assesses the short-term and long-term impact of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on the manufacturing sector output in Sierra Leone using time series from 1970 to 2018. In order to assess the impact of FDI together with some explanatory variables such as inflation, movement of exchange rates, external debt and exports; the Vector Auto Regression (VAR) method was applied. It first tests for unit root using both the Augmented Dickey-fuller (ADF) and the Philip Perron (PP) tests. The results from the granger causality test imply that the foreign direct investment (FDI) greatly influences the manufacturing output (MQ, which also implies that, an increase in FDI will result to increase in MQ. There is also significant relationship between MQ, inflation and exchange rate (ER). Additionally, there is no directional relationship between external debt (DET) and export (XPT) with MQ. This implies that MQ cannot granger cause DET and XPT individually but it can granger cause them all in totality. The study also employed the Johansen cointegration method in order to derive the long-run relationship of the variables. The results from the empirical findings identified that there is positive relationship between the FDI and to take into account the paramount role of FDI and also improve the business environment by creating an investment destination that is safe and friendly. This required government to formulate policies that are bias free and create a business environment that can inspire investors greatly. This calls for government to strengthen the implementation of reforms which will improve the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), while embarking on severe infrastructural development and curbing inflation via strengthening monetary policy.
The security of communication protocols used for Internet of Things

The thesis introduces a range of communication protocols used to implementing smart homes currently available on the market. Two protocols are chosen and theoretically analysed in depth. The analysis both describes how the protocols works and describes the measures taken in order to protect it against attacks from third parties. The theoretical evaluation analyses how susceptible the protocols are against the replay and eavesdropping attacks. The theoretical evaluation is followed by a case study where one of the communication protocols are analysed practically. During the case study a smart home using the chosen protocol is set up. The network is then attacked with the attacks described in the theoretical evaluation. The theoretical and practical outcomes are compared to see if they match. During this study the theoretical and practical outcome did not match due to faulty use of the protocol. The faulty use of the protocol prevented the equipment from differentiating authentic and inauthentic parties which made the equipment susceptible. However, the case study only represents a sample of the technology being used and the faulty use is caused by one manufacturer. Thus the protocol can not be deemed unsafe solely based on the outcome of the case study.
Determining the Force-Length-Velocity Relations of the Quadriceps Muscles: III. A Pilot Study

The purpose of this study was to propose and evaluate a method for the in vivo determination of the force-length-velocity relations of individual quadriceps muscles. One female subject performed maximum effort knee extensions on an isokinetic dynamometer. The gravitational and inertial effects were taken into consideration when determining the resultant knee torque. Selected anatomical and geometric parameters of the quadriceps muscles were obtained from radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Hill’s (1938) mechanical model was used to represent the force-velocity relation of a muscle at a given length, and the constants in Hill’s model were assumed to vary with muscle length. Experimentally determined knee torque and muscle shortening velocity data were used to determine the unknown parameters in the muscle model. The relation between each muscle parameter and muscle length for each muscle was obtained using regression analysis. On average, the muscle model overestimated the knee torque by 15.5.
Infrastructure optimization and performance monitoring: empirical findings from the water sector in Uganda

There are a number of infrastructure water utilities, especially in developing countries that have tended to use climatic change challenges as scapegoat for unreliable water supply to citizens. In this paper, we argue that there are significant gains that infrastructure managers can realise, in the short to medium term, while addressing water scarcity problems as the wider climatic change challenges are being globally tackled! We single out effective infrastructure optimization through high-impact change management plans and incorporating strong water loss management strategies. In addition, we pinpoint use of economic criteria for plant capacity expansion, raw water source protection and effective stakeholder coordination as key ingredients to infrastructure optimisation. Further, the paper investigates modes of infrastructure performance monitoring. Using a quantitative survey method and empirical data from 14 NWSC water utilities, the paper concludes that both process and output oriented monitoring approaches (measured by attitudinal indicators) are positively correlated with monitoring effectiveness and subsequently the technical efficiency change (catch-up) of infrastructure utilities. This study outlines an important issue that has not been adequately researched: the extent to which feedback and information flows from the principal to the agent could improve the capacity of the agent to conduct business.
Role of Dexmedetomidine in Early POCD in Patients Undergoing Thoracic Surgery

Objective To evaluate whether a low-dose perioperative infusion of Dex reduces early POCD. Design This study was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial that randomly assigned patients to Dex or saline placebo infused during surgery and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) infusion. Patients were assessed for postoperative cognitive decline. Interventions. Dex was infused at a loading dose of 0.5 μg/kg intravenously (15 min after entering the operation room) followed by a continuous infusion at a rate of 0.5 μg/kg/h until one-lung ventilation or artificial pneumothorax ended. Patients in the Dex group received regular PCIA pump with additional dose of Dex (200 μg). Results In total, 126 patients were randomized, and 102 patients were involved in the result analysis. The incidence of POCD was 36.54% (19/52) in the Dex group and 32.00% (16/50) in the normal saline (NS) group, with no statistic difference. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-Modified (TICS-m) scores at different times. However, the TICS-m score at 7 days after surgery was significantly lower than that at 30 days in 102 patients (32.93 ± 0.42 vs. 33.92 ± 0.47, P = 0.03). The visual analogue scale scores in the Dex group were significantly lower than those in the NS group 1 day postoperation at rest and activity (2.00 [1.00–3.00] vs. 3.00 [2.00–4.00], P < 0.01; 4.00 [3.00–5.00] vs. 5.00 [4.00–6.00], P < 0.05, respectively). Patients receiving Dex or NS had no statistical difference in activities of daily living (ADLs) scores at 7 and 30 days after surgery, but the ADL score at 30 days after surgery showed a significant reduction compared with that at 7 days (P < 0.01). Patients in the Dex group had a shorter hospital length of stay (15.26 ± 3.77 vs. 17.69 ± 5.09, P = 0.02) and less expenses (52458.71 ± 10649.30 vs. 57269.03 ± 9269.98, P = 0.04) than those in the NS group. Conclusions Low-dose Dex in the perioperative period did not reduce the incidence of early POCD in thoracic surgery. However, it relieved postoperative pain, decreased the hospitalization expenses, and shortened the length of stay.
Overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and process capability (PC) measures: a relationship analysis

Purpose – Overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and process capability (PC) are commonly used and well‐accepted measures of performance in industry. These measures, however, are traditionally applied separately and with different purposes. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between OEE and PC, how they interact and impact each other, and the possible effect that this relationship may have on decision making.Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews the OEE and PC background. Then, a discrete‐event simulation model of a bottling line is developed. Using the model, a set of experiments are run and the results interpreted using graphical trend and impact analyses.Findings – The paper demonstrates the relationship between OEE and PC and suggests the existence of a “cut‐off point” beyond which improvements in PC have little impact on OEE.Practical implications – PC uses the capability indices (CI) to help in determining the suitability of a process to meet the required quality s.
A standard predictive index of human response to the thermal environment

Temperature and sensory indicates of human response to the thermal environment are often expressed in terms of the known response in a controlled laboratory environment, as a standard. The three rational indices of this type to be considered are ASHRAE's Standard Effective Temperature (SET*) Index, defined as the equivalent dry bulb temperature of an isothermal environment at 50% RH in which a subject, while wearing clothing standardized for activity concerned, would have the same heat stress (skin temperature T/sub sk/) and thermo-regulatory strain (skin wettedness, w) as in the actual test environment; Fanger's Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) Index, defined in terms of the heat load that would be required to restore a state of ''Comfort'' and evaluated by his Comfort Equation; and Winslow's Skin Wettedness Index of ''Thermal Discomfort'' (DISC) defined in terms of the fraction of the body surface, wet with perspiration, required to regulate body temperature by evaporative cooling.