Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prospective scenarios for the management of wastewater resources in Mostaganem region, Algeria

Treatment performances of five lagoon (natural and aerated) wastewater treatment stations in the Mostaganem Region (Western Algerian) were evaluated to meet the expectations of stakeholders. This assessment was based on collected data to verify the functioning of the lagoons and the regulatory compliance of their discharge in order to evaluate the conditions of operation of the treatment facilities. Available historic data were supplemented by a sampling and analysis campaigns performed by the National Sanitation Office (Mostaganem Unit). The methodology used is based on the coupling of both functional and structural diagnoses of the treatment system and the use of conventional formulae to check the capacity of the different components of the system and justify scientifically and technically the adopted operational choices. The evaluation of Benyahi Station’s performance showed relatively good performances, exceeding 80% for chemical oxygen demand and biochemical oxygen demand up to the horizon 2045. The kinetic model of Ekcenfelder was used to simulate the reduction of solids and organic matter, and to estimate the specific power of the aeration system. The analysis of the situation of the five lagoons were carried out with satisfaction, where prospective scenarios of control of the process and management of the transfers of sewage between localities were carried out to better characterize the situation of wastewater treatment in the region by 2045. Finally, recommendations, based on rigorous computations and in-depth diagnoses, were proposed to reinforce the obtained management scenarios.
Erbium-Doped Tellurite Glass Microlaser in C-Band and L-Band

We report results of experimental laser generation in an Er-doped tellurite glass microsphere under in-band pumping. Depending on settings, single-mode and multimode lasing is achieved in the C-band near 1.56 μm and in the L-band near 1.60 μm, as well as simultaneously in both bands. We demonstrate stable single-mode L-band generation at 1.599 μm with the standard deviation of the output power <0.5%. We also present a simple yet efficient analytical model to describe lasing for better understanding of the observed regimes and further control and optimization of such systems. We found theoretically that for low Q-factors lasing occurs in the C-band but for relatively high Q-factors lasing occurs in the L-band, which agrees with the experimental observations. Switching between the generated wavelengths from the C-band to the L-band occurs with a jump which was observed experimentally and explained theoretically. We show numerically that the lasing threshold is determined by both the Q-factor and the diameter of the microsphere. The obtained results can speed-up progress in the development of tellurite glass microlasers in the telecommunication range and give a better understanding of their theoretical aspects.
Sampled-Data Adaptive Fuzzy Control of Switched Large-Scale Nonlinear Delay Systems

A decentralized adaptive fuzzy sampled-data control problem for switched large-scale nonlinear systems with time-varying delays is considered in this article. Fuzzy logic systems are applied to handle unknown nonlinear terms. A novel fuzzy adaptive law is proposed utilizing only the information of the system states at sampling instants. Moreover, a proper CLF and a new decentralized adaptive sampled-data control law are constructed to ensure that all states of the CLS are bounded. The developed strategy’s effectiveness is verified with two examples.
Some new Pythagorean fuzzy correlation techniques via statistical viewpoint with applications to decision-making problems

Pythagorean fuzzy set is a reliable technique for soft computing because of its ability to curb indeterminate data when compare to intuitionistic fuzzy set. Among the several measuring tools in Pythagorean fuzzy environment, correlation coefficient is very vital since it has the capacity to measure interdependency and interrelationship between any two arbitrary Pythagorean fuzzy sets (PFSs). In Pythagorean fuzzy correlation coefficient, some techniques of calculating correlation coefficient of PFSs (CCPFSs) via statistical perspective have been proposed, however, with some limitations namely; (i) failure to incorporate all parameters of PFSs which lead to information loss, (ii) imprecise results, and (iii) less performance indexes. Sequel, this paper introduces some new statistical techniques of computing CCPFSs by using Pythagorean fuzzy variance and covariance which resolve the limitations with better performance indexes. The new techniques incorporate the three parameters of PFSs and defined within the range [-1, 1] to show the power of correlation between the PFSs and to indicate whether the PFSs under consideration are negatively or positively related. The validity of the new statistical techniques of computing CCPFSs is tested by considering some numerical examples, wherein the new techniques show superior performance indexes in contrast to the similar existing ones. To demonstrate the applicability of the new statistical techniques of computing CCPFSs, some multi-criteria decision-making problems (MCDM) involving medical diagnosis and pattern recognition problems are determined via the new techniques.
An Improved Hough Transform Method for Detecting Forward Vehicle and Lane in Road

In this paper, we propose an integrated method for lane detection and vehicle detection, which tries to make a real-time analysis of vehicle video for identifying lane, detecting, and tracking forward vehicles. In lane detection, image preprocessing, line detection based on improved Hough transform, and straight-line model reconstruction are used. For vehicle detection, preprocessing, vehicle shadow merging based on the improved search algorithm, regions of interest (ROI) demarcation, lane determination, and vehicle tracking are used. The experiment results show that the time it takes to process an image is about 25ms. Additionally, the lane detection rate of vehicles driving on a structured road is approximately 98%, and the vehicle detection rate of the closest forward vehicle is approximately 81%.
Optimization of structural elements in highly seismic areas using neural networks

The aim of this research is to use Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to dimension structural elements in regular 6-storey buildings. The necessary data for the training of the algorithm was elaborated manually with the help of the ETABS software, these were 30 buildings of reinforced concrete with a system of structural walls. The configuration and training of the neural network was carried out in the MATLAB software. The validation was carried out in an additional analyzed building in which the concrete savings were calculated, and the requirements of the current regulations were verified. Finally, the dimensioning obtained with the neural network generated a reduction of more than 10% in the total volume of concrete used in a 6-level building and establishes that the algorithm used provides effective results for an optimal design.
Research on Text Emotion Analysis and Product Performance based on NLP and VAR Model

Customers’ evaluations, in terms of text or ratings, are important sources of information for online shops to decide products and marketing strategies. In this paper, we discuss methods to conclude and predict merchants’ performance and characteristics of customers’ behavior of target products based on Amazon dataset. First, we design a Natural Language Processing (NLP) model, Amazon-BERT, to predict text to rating based on transfer learning. We improve the model accuracy by 20% compared to the original pre-trained BERT, and we use the predicted rating in our following steps of modeling. Second, we use PCA to extract 5 principle components, which estimate review’ s popularity, product’s reputation and so on. And then, for pacifier, we find that vector auto regression (VAR) model fits better, we apply it to the regression and doing a Granger causality test. Finally, we looked at the impulse response and variance decomposition. All 3 factors included do have a small impact.
Analysis of Fingertip Force Vector for Pinch-Lifting Gripper With Robust Adaptation to Environments

This article presents an underactuated gripper with a single actuator to perform a robust pinch capability under various environmental constraints. Its fingertips have the ability not only to slide on sloped surfaces of the tabletop on which the objects to be grasped are located, but also to lift lightweight objects for subsequent tasks, such as vertical in-hand manipulation and simple peg-in-hole tasks. The finger mechanism is constructed with a well-known four-bar linkage, including two phalanges, and then its fingertip is modeled as a slider to realize the fingertip sliding, which is a four-bar driven slider-crank. Kinematic and static analyses are conducted to determine the operation principle of the slider through the input–output relationship on the Plücker coordinates. Especially, the vector of the force, which the fingertip exerts, is analyzed, and then its direction is designed through the dimensional synthesis of the linkage according to several criteria for sliding and lifting. Simulations and experiments are conducted to verify the designed directions and performances of the synthesized linkage. Finally, the gripper equipped on a manipulator is demonstrated under contacts and collisions with various environmental constraints to confirm the feasibility and effectiveness of the gripper design.
Genetic variability among canine parvovirus strains currently circulating in Poland

The aim of the study was to perform a molecular analysis of the CPV VP2 gene fragment isolated from faeces samples of 46 dogs (vaccinated, as well as non-vaccinated against parvovirosis) with clinical parvovirosis. In all animals, the infection was confirmed by PCR. The purified PCR products (fragment VP2 gene) were sequenced and compared to each other and to the sequences of CPV VP2 gene from NCBI GenBank. Readable sequences of the VP2 gene were obtained for 46 samples. In 23 out of 30 non-vaccinated dogs, the most frequently isolated CPV strain was 2b. In the remaining cases the dogs were infected with CPV-2a. The parvovirus strains isolated from faeces of vaccinated dogs were classified in most cases (14/16) as CPV-2b, one as CPV-2a and one as CPV-2c. Continuous monitoring of parvovirosis in dogs in Poland plays an important role in updating vaccines against the disease and developing effective methods of its prevention.
RETRACTED: The role of CFO power: Monitor or collusion——Evidence from China

In combination with the unique cultural and institutional background of China, this paper puts forward the measurement of CFO power in the Chinese context, and systematically analyzes and tests the role of CFO power. The empirical results show that the greater the power of CFO, the lower the degree of earnings management of the company, indicating that the power of CFO is more of a supervisory role, rather than collusion with the CEO due to interests binding. And the inhibition effect only exists in the sample group of private enterprises. Moreover, the supervision role of CFO power only exists in companies with high robustness and severe agency conflict, which shows that CFO reduces their company's earnings manipulation based on their own conservation and by suppressing opportunism. In addition, CFO power helps improve the effectiveness of their own compensation contracts.
Analysis of Biology Teacher’s Understanding in Lebak Regency Towards Environmental Literacy Based on Teaching Experience

This research was conducted to find out about understanding of biology teachers in Lebak Regency towards environmental literacy based on teaching experience. This research are using survey method with descriptive analysis. This research was conducted from May to September with research subject were 40 teachers of Public Senior High School/Islamic Senior High School (SMAN/MAN) in Lebak Regency. Data were obtained using test technique. The test consists of multiple choice questions along with reason in total 20 questions related to the understanding of environmental literacy. The results of the research indicate that: (1) biology teachers in Lebak Regency have high understanding about environmental literacy with the average score of 62. (2) There is a difference of understanding among teachers towards environmental literacy based on teaching experience. Teachers on 21 years above have lower score compared to the teachers with tenure of 1 until 10 years and 11 until
Characterization and Reactivity of Soots Obtained Under Different Combustion Conditions

The knowledge of the properties of soot obtained from different sources may allow understanding in what extent its origin and the formation atmosphere are key parameters on its structure and its capability to interact with other compounds, such as NO, leading to its reduction. Three different kinds of soots have been subject of this study, one of them is commercial soot (Printex-U) as a diesel soot surrogate, and two of them were obtained from lab scale experiments, from the pyrolysis of acetylene-ethanol mixtures and the pyrolysis of ethylene in a CO2 atmosphere. Different characterization techniques have been applied and reactivity studies towards O2 and NO have been carried out in order to identify the differences and similarities among the selected soot samples. The outcome from the reactivity experiments shows that commercial soot, Printex-U, presents higher reactivity towards O2 and NO than soots obtained in laboratory, reaching NO reductions around 25%. This soot presents the lowest degree of organization, the highest surface area and the highest content in hydrogen, being the least reactive, the soot produced in the pyrolysis of C2H4 in CO2 atmosphere.
Holography-Based Target Localization and Health Monitoring Technique Using UHF Tags Array

Radio technologies are appealing for unobtrusive and remote monitoring of human activities. Radar-based human activity recognition proves to be a success, for example, Project Soli developed by Google. However, it is expensive to scale up for multiuser environments. In this article, we propose a solution—the HoloTag system—which circumvents the multichannel-radar scaling problem through the use of a quasivirtual ultralow-cost UHF RFID array over which a holographic projection of its environment is measured and used to both localize and monitor the health of several targets. The method is first described in detail, before the image reconstruction process, employing known beamforming algorithms—Delay & Sum, and Capon—is shown and its scaling properties simulated. Then, the idiosyncrasies of the implementation of HoloTag using low-cost off-the-shelf hardware are explained, before its ability to simultaneously measure the breathing rates and positions of multiple real and synthetic targets with accuracies of better than 0.8 bpm and 20 cm is demonstrated.
Relationship between the Service Sector and Economic Growth: Evidence from China

The rapid economic growth of China during the last four decades has reshaped the political and economic arena around the world. Under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping, China has realized sets of reforms towards modernization and opening the economy since 1978 and these reforms have helped China to become an economic giant. China’s economy is still growing today and a distinct growth pattern together with a complex economic system and the society of China draw interest from all over the world to research and understand what factors trigger such fast growth rates. In this study, the relationship between economic growth and two subsectors of the service sector, namely real estate and hotel & catering in China, is analyzed. The study uses quantitative methodology and time-series data acquired from secondary sources. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag Method (ARDL) in E-views 10 statistical software is utilized to analyze the data. The findings of the data analysis reveal that both sub sectors have a significant and positive impact on economic growth of China in both the long run and short run. The findings can be generalized and referred to the entire service sector and it can also be claimed that a positive relationship exists between the service sector and economic growth in China. This paper contributes to the existing literature on how real estate and hotel & catering sub sectors affect economic growth in China.
Understanding the Spatial-Related Abstraction of Public Health Impact Goals and Measures: Illustrated by the Example of the Austrian Action Plan on Women’s Health

The influence of spatial aspects on people’s health is internationally proven by a wealth of empirical findings. Nevertheless, questions concerning public health still tend to be negotiated among social and health scientists. This was different in the elaboration of the Austrian Action Plan on Women’s Health (AAPWH). On the example of the target group of older women, it is shown whether and to what extent the inclusion of the spatial planning perspective in the discussion of impact goals and measures is reflected in the respective inter-ministerial policy paper. The retrospective analysis on the basis of a document analysis of the AAPWH and qualitative interviews with public health experts who were also invited to join, or rather were part of, the expert group, brings to light the following key reasons for the high degree of spatial-related abstraction of the content of this strategic health policy paper: the requirement for general formulations, the lack of public and political awareness for the different living situations in different spatial archetypes, and the lack of external perception of spatial planning as a key discipline with regard to the creation of equivalent living conditions. Nonetheless, this research has promoted the external perception of spatial planning as a relevant discipline in public health issues in Austria. Furthermore, first thematic starting points for an in-depth interdisciplinary dialogue were identified.
Disentangled Feature Networks for Facial Portrait and Caricature Generation

Facial portrait is an artistic form which draws faces by emphasizing discriminative or prominent parts of faces via various kinds of drawing tools. However, the complex interplay between the different facial factors, such as facial parts, background, and drawing styles, and the significant domain gap between natural facial images and their portrait counterparts makes the task challenging. In this paper, a flexible four-stream Disentangled Feature Networks (DFN) is proposed to learn disentangled feature representation of different facial factors and generate plausible portraits with reasonable exaggerations and richness in style. Four factors are encoded as embedding features, and combined to reconstruct facial portraits. Meanwhile, to make the process fully automatic (without manually specifying either portrait style or exaggerating form), we propose a new Adversarial Portrait Mapping Module (APMM) to map noise to the embedding feature space, as proxies for portrait style and exaggerating. Thanks to the proposed DFN and APMM, we are able to manipulate the portrait style and facial geometric structures to generate a large number of portraits. Extensive experiments on two public datasets show that our proposed methods can generate a diverse set of artistic portraits.
Crafting New Narratives of Diasporic Resistance with Indo-Caribbean Women and Gender-Expansive People across Generations

This study used participatory oral history and digital archiving to explore two interrelated questions: How do Indo-Caribbean women and gender-expansive people across generations experience processes of storytelling? What are the challenges and possibilities of oral history and digital archiving for constructing alternative histories and genealogies of resistance? In the first phase of the study, twelve Indo-Caribbean women and gender-expansive people across generations participated in an oral history workshop where they were introduced to oral history methods, co-created an interview guide, conducted oral history interviews of one another, and engaged in collective reflection about processes of storytelling. In the second phase, four co-authors of a community-owned digital archive participated in semi-structured interviews about their work to craft new narratives of diasporic resistance rooted in the everyday stories of Indo-Caribbean women and gender-expansive people. In this paper, I analyze how Indo-Caribbean women and gender-expansive people practice resistance by breaking silences in their communities around gender-based oppression, shift norms through producing analyses of their own stories, and reshape community narratives. Furthermore, I explore how oral history participants and co-authors of a digital archive understand the risks associated with sharing stories, raising the ethical dilemmas associated with conceptualizing storytelling as purely liberatory.
Hydrogen adsorption,structural, electronic, and spectroscopic properties of C32, B16N16, and B8C24 by DFT calculations

ABSTRACT We used DFT calculations at B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory to investigate the structural, electronic and spectral properties of C32, B16N16, and B8C24 nanocages. The C32 found as the most stable one and the bond lengths was approximately constant for the considered nanocages. We also found that B16N16 has greater atomic charges than C32 and B8C24. Very low conductivity and reactivity of B16N16, and higher conductivity and reactivity of B8C24 and C32 were also revealed in this research. C32 is the best electron donor cage and B8C24 is the best electron acceptor among the studied fullerenes. Simple infrared spectrum of fullerenes was revealed in which a few spectral regions can be identified as fingerprints of related samples. At last the binding energy of hydrogen molecules with the fullerenes was investigated.
Computationally Efficient Models of High Pressure Rolling for Wire Arc Additively Manufactured Components

High pressure multi-layer rolling is an effective method to reduce residual stress and distortion in metallic components built by wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). However, the mechanisms of the reduction in residual stress and distortion during multi-layer rolling are not well understood. Conventional finite element models for rolling are highly inefficient, hindering the simulation of multi-layer rolling for large WAAM components. This study aims to identify the most suitable modelling technique for finite element analysis of large WAAM component rolling. Four efficient rolling models were developed, and their efficiency and accuracy were compared with reference to a conventional large-scale rolling model (i.e., control model) for a WAAM built wall. A short-length transient model with fewer elements than the control model was developed to reduce computational time. Accurate predictions of stress and strain and a reduction in computational time by 96.5% were achieved using the short-length model when an implicit method for numerical solution was employed, while similar efficiency but less accurate prediction was obtained when an explicit solution method was adopted. A Eulerian steady-state model was also developed, which was slightly less efficient (95.91% reduction in computational time) but was much less accurate due to unrealistic representation of rolling process. The applicability of a 2D rolling model was also examined and it was found that the 2D model is highly efficient (99.52% time reduction) but less predictive due to the 2D simplification. This study also shows that the rigid roller adopted in the models is beneficial for improving efficiency without sacrificing accuracy.