Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multidimensional poverty in the Baltic States in the EU context: theoretical and practical aspects

There are several approaches to assessing poverty, namely, the absolute, relative, and subjective ones. They are widely used in studying income dynamics and differentiation at a national level. Yet a new research approach to the study and assessment of ‘multidimensional’ poverty is gaining popularity in developed states. Central to it is the notion of ‘risk of poverty and/or social exclusion’ (AROPE). This approach measures both income level and such non-monetary component as access to social services. Despite the versatility and severity of multidimensional poverty in some European countries, this phenomenon has not been sufficiently explored in socio-economic studies carried out in the Baltic countries of the EU — Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. This article aims to identify the characteristics of multidimensional poverty in the Baltic countries and the EU. Its objective is to examine the spread of multidimensional poverty in the Baltic countries and compare it to the situation on a European scale. The work uses Eurostat data. Various indicators suggest that the risk of multidimensional poverty in the Baltic States is above the EU average.
Uncertainty and Sensitivity Analysis of the HAZUS-MH Flood Model

AbstractEstimating flood losses for hazard mitigation planning is an increasingly important aspect of flood risk management. The loss estimation process typically includes sequential analysis of the flood hazard, building characteristics, structural damage, and economic loss. However, the reliability of economic loss estimates from the modeling process is not well understood. This research applies the method of global sensitivity analysis to the HAZUS-MH flood loss estimation model. The work is guided by two research questions: what is the uncertainty of the flood loss estimates, and what is the relative contribution of each model component to the overall uncertainty? Based on the uncertainty analysis, the estimate at the upper bound of loss distribution was found to be a factor of three higher than the lower-bound estimate. The sensitivity analysis revealed the choice of digital elevation data to be the most influential modeling stage. Recommendations are provided so that HAZUS-MH users can develop more .
Optical Differential-Phase-Shift-Keying Demodulation Using a Silicon Microring Resonator

We have for the first time experimentally demonstrated an ultrasmall, low power penalty, and robust 10 - Gb/s differential-phase-shift-keying demodulator using a silicon-based microring resonator. The microring resonator is compatible with a wide range of signal bit rates. In optical transmission measurements with 11.6-km nonzero dispersion-shifted fiber, the microring resonator demodulator had comparative power penalty compared with a Mach-Zehnder delay interferometer both in single ended detection. Error-free detection was achieved.
Research on Image Super-Resolution Reconstruction Based on BPNN and RBFNN

To overcome inherent resolution limitation of imaging system and provide a high resolution satellite image economically and practically, the paper researched on image super-resolution reconstruction (SRR) based on BPNN and RBFNN. Learning sample images are obtained according to image observation model, input/output mapping pairs are formed by way of vector mappings, and then two NN models of SRR are established respectively. Simulation and generalization tests are carried on the BPNN and RBFNN respectively. Results indicate that reconstruction performance of BPNN is better than that of RBFNN in aspect of reconstruction time-consuming, convergence speed and effect of SRR in generalization tests, although those parameters are better in simulation tests of RBFNN. So BPNN is more suitable for project applications of image super-resolution reconstruction.
Association Rules Mining in Manufacturing

In recent years, manufacturing processes have become more and more complex, manufacturing activities generate large quantities of data, so it is no longer practical to rely on traditional manual methods to analyze this data. Data mining offers tools for extracting knowledge from data, leading to significant improvement in the decision-making process. Association rules mining is one of the most important data mining techniques and has received considerable attention from researchers and practitioners. The paper presents the basic concept of association rule mining and reviews applications of association rules in manufacturing, including product design, manufacturing, process, customer relationship management, supply chain management, and product quality improvement. This paper is focused on demonstrating the relevancy of association rules mining to manufacturing industry, rather than discussing the association rules mining domain in general.
Evaluating Potential Phosphorus Management Impacts in the Lake Eucha Basin Using SWAT

Lake Eucha is a nexus of water quality conflicts between agribusiness and environmentalists, urban and rural stakeholders, and municipalities and state governments. The decline in water quality in Lake Eucha, a drinking water supply reservoir for the city of Tulsa, has been attributed to both municipal wastewater treatment plant effluent and the application of poultry litter as a fertilizer within the basin. Litigation has forced policy changes in the basin with little knowledge of their eventual impact on water quality. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was used to evaluate the effect of various nutrient management scenarios, including those forced by the litigation, on nutrient loads to Lake Eucha. The model was calibrated for streamflow and total phosphorus using a complex shuffled evolution approach on a 75 GHz computer cluster. These predictions were used to identify management strategies predicted to meet established in-lake water quality standards. SWAT predicted that the litigation-imposed changes in the basin have reduced potential phosphorus load to Lake Eucha by 39%. The model also predicted that additional changes will be needed to meet the current water quality standard. This study illustrates how a watershed model can be used to assess potential management scenarios and identify strategies to meet a particular water quality standard. This information allows policy makers to make more informed water quality management decisions.
Real-time Methods for Nondestructive Detection of Pits in Fresh Cherries

The presence of pits in processed cherries is a concern for both processors and consumers, in many cases causing injury and potential lawsuits. While machines used for pitting cherries are extremely efficient, if one or more plungers in a pitting head become misaligned, a large number of pits may pass before corrective action is taken, and consequently the overall pit count is generally much higher. X-ray imaging has been used to detect pits, but the traditional equipment is both expensive and bulky, and implementation on the processing line is cumbersome. A simpler, faster, and more economical x-ray inspection system has been developed using an array of photodiode based x-ray detectors in a linescan configuration whose outputs are combined. This reduces the data collection process from a two dimensional image to a much simpler one dimensional signal, which results in faster and simpler processing and classification of the resulting signal than conventional imaging and processing. This simplification reduces the size and complexity of the x-ray detection system significantly, leading to lower cost and greater ease of implementation. An algorithm designed to differentiate unpitted from pitted cherries yielded recognition rates of 97.3% for the pitted and 94% for the unpitted cherries, with a total error rate of 3.5%. When the algorithm was adjusted to maximize removal of pitted fruit, 100% of pitted cherries were detected with a total error rate of 8.5 percent. If orientation could be controlled after pitting, total error could be as low as 1%.
Unified model of temperature dependence of core losses in soft magnetic materials exposed to non-sinusoidal flux waveforms and DC bias condition

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present modelling of power losses dependences on temperature in soft magnetic materials exposed to non-sinusoidal flux waveforms and DC bias condition. Design/methodology/approach – Scaling theory allows the power loss density to be derived in the form of a general homogeneous function, which depends on the peak-to-peak of the magnetic inductance ΔB, frequency f, DC bias HDC and temperature T. The form of this function has been generated through the Maclaurin expansion with respect to scaled frequency, which suit very much for the Bertotti decomposition. The parameters of the model consist of expansion coefficients, scaling exponents, parameters of DC bias mapping, parameters of temperature factor and tuning exponents. Values of these model parameters were estimated on the basis of measured data of total power density losses. Findings – The main finding of the paper is a unified methodology for the derivation of a mathematical model which satisfactorily describes .
High power supply rejection low-dropout regulator for ultra-low-power radiofrequency functions

A 1.4-3.3 V 5 mA CMOS low-dropout (LDO) linear regulator with a high power supply rejection (PSR) over a large frequency range is presented. An improved circuit topology with a second loop and a replica technique has been implemented in 90 nm CMOS technology. Thanks to a highpass filter included in the replica loop, the mismatch effects between the feedback loops are cancelled and a high PSR is achieved. Complete analysis, design steps and simulation results are presented. The proposed LDO achieves a PSR better than 60 dB up to 100 MHz with a 47 nF output capacitor.
Small scale windmill

In this letter the authors report experimental results on an optimized small scale piezoelectric windmill, which can solve the problems associated with autonomous sensor networks in outdoor, remote or inaccessible locations. The whole structure of the windmill is made of plastic, and it utilizes 18 piezoelectric bimorphs which makes this design extremely cost effective. The windmill was tested at average wind speed of 10miles∕h and it provided 5mW continuous power. The threshold wind speed for the windmill was found to be of the order of 5.4miles∕h. Further, the authors present analysis on two other windmill structures which illustrate the design parameters required for small scale windmill.
Performance evaluation of a knowledge‐based system for subsidence management

This paper describes the approach adopted in the evaluation of a knowledge‐based system for subsidence management, subsidence case management system (SCAMS). It introduces general principles in the evaluation of knowledge‐based systems, highlighting some of the various techniques available. The criteria adopted for SCAMS’s evaluation are then established, followed by a description of the evaluation methodology. The paper concludes with an appraisal of the evaluation process and a discussion of its outcome.
Asphalt Pavement Structural Health Monitoring Utilizing FBG Sensors

Pavement working state and service life assessment is really meaningful for traffic security, design evaluation and road maintenance. However, this job seems to be a mission impossible, because it is almost incredible to learn how a pavement inside works exactly when the construction is finished. As a result, in this paper, current situation of pavement-design theory and testing methods was summarized, at the same time the concept of Pavement Structural Health Monitoring (PSHM) was introduced, followed by the explanation of the FBG sensing component’s basic theory. Then, an engineering application of utilizing FBG sensors in actual pavement was introduced, the monitoring effect was shown. Conclusion is that PSHM is of great importance and utilizing FBG sensors in PSHM is effective.
A NEW CONCEPT FOR THE DESIGN AND REALIZATION OF METAL BASED SINGLE ELECTRON DEVICES : STEP EDGE CUT-OFF

To increase the operating temperature of a single electron circuit, it is necessary to reduce the capacitance of the tunnel junction. Usually this is done by reducing the linewidth of the capacitor forming metal stripes, which are sandwiched with an intermediate insulator. The use of alternative materials, however, allows capacitance reduction by means of thicker isolation layers or by a capacitor geometry different from a sandwich. The new SECO (step edge cut off) method, for the fabrication of single electron devices will be presented.
Inter-process synchronization in steel production

SUMMARY The development of strategies for sequencing slabs through the reheat furnace and rolling mill of a modern steel production facility is complicated by multiple, and often conflicting production objectives. Optimal energy efficiency through the reheat furnace may lead to inefficient rolling sequences or less than desirable product delivery schedules. Not only is model formulation complicated, but the combinatorial nature of the problem precludes optimal solution. A heuristic procedure for solving this multi-objective product sequencing problem has been developed and tested under production conditions in a Danish steel mill. The methodology, which is based on a modified ‘greedy’ algorithm is presented and results using actual production data are discussed
Fault detection based on continuous wavelet transform and sensor fusion in electric motors

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to extract features from vibration signals measured from induction motors subjected to accelerated aging of bearings by fluting tests.Design/methodology/approach – Aging tests were performed according to IEEE test procedures. The data acquisition involved the measurement of vibration signals using accelerometers that were installed on the bearings and on the motor casing. In this application, only two accelerometers, which were placed near the process end of the motor bearing, are used for data analysis and feature extraction studies. After the data collection, information from the two sensors was combined using simple sensor fusion method under the linearity conditions, and then spectral analysis and time‐scale analysis were performed. The fused vibration signal is decomposed into several scales using continuous wavelet transform (CWT) and its first scale is used to indicate the bearing degradation.Findings – Bearing damage characterization was determined between 2‐.
BEHAVIORS OF ONE-DIMENSIONAL CONSOLIDATION SETTLEMENT AFTER THE REMOVAL OF SURCHARGE

サーチャージ除荷後の一次元圧密沈下量d時間曲線，主として除荷後の二次圧密沈下速度の予測法を室内圧密試験と数値計算によって検討している．サーチャージ工法を想定した室内圧密試験から，サーチャージ除荷後の二次圧密速度と過圧密比OCRの関係を見出した．次に，著者らが提案している一次圧密中に発生する二次圧密挙動を仮定した構成式に，実験から求めたOCRと二次圧密速度の関係を取り入れて一次元圧密解析を行った．解析結果は，サーチャージ工法を想定した室内圧密試験結果の一次圧密沈下挙動とよく対応することを示した．
BRCA1/2 mutation spectrum in Chinese early-onset breast cancer

Background Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women. Although many studies have reported the BRCA mutations among breast cancer patients, few studies have focused among Chinese early-onset breast cancer patients. The purpose of this study is to identify BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation features and their clinical significance of early-onset Chinese breast cancer patients. Methods A total of 54 female patients diagnosed with breast cancer were enrolled in this study, of which 27 were younger than 40 (study group, mean age 32 years, range, 23–40 years) and 27 were older than 40 (control group, mean age 52 years, range, 41–68 years). Tumor FFPE samples were collected for somatic mutation test, while blood samples or normal tissue were used for germline mutation by both PGM and Miseq platform. All codon exons and functional introns for BRCA1/2 were covered. The clinical significance of mutation types was cross analyzed in several available database. The novel mutations were confirmed by sanger sequencing. Results In study group, 14.8% (4/27) and 3.7% (1/27) patients had deleterious BRCA1/2 germline and somatic mutations respectively. While in control group, only 3.7% (1/27) and 7.4% (2/27) had deleterious BRCA1/2 germline and somatic mutations respectively. BRCA1 germline mutation c.2623C>T and BRCA2 germline mutation c.5852G>A were found to be novel mutation sites and confirmed by sanger sequencing. Conclusions Our study found two novel BRCA1/2 mutation sites in early-onset breast cancer, and also showed that early-onset breast cancer patients are more likely to harbor germline mutations with deleterious and uncertain significance.
Seasonal monitoring of Cryptosporidium species and genetic diversity in neonatal dairy calves on two large-scale farms in Xinjiang, China

Background: Neonatal dairy calves infected with Cryptosporidium can possess a significant source of zoonotic infections and disease. To assess seasonal variations in the prevalence and genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium in neonatal dairy calves, 380 fecal samples from neonatal dairy calves on two large-scale farms in Xinjiang (Alaer and Wensu) were screened for the Cryptosporidium small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene. Results: The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium was 48.7% (185/380): 48.6% (108/222) in Alaer and 48.7% (77/158) in Wensu. Cryptosporidium was most frequent in summer (56.8%, 54/95), followed by spring (50.0%, 44/88), winter (46.8%, 44/94), and autumn (41.7%, 43/103) (P > 0.05). Cryptosporidium was significantly more prevalent in calves with diarrhea (72.4%, 113/156) than in those without (32.1%, 72/224) (P < 0.01). Based on a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, C. parvum (n = 173), C. bovis (n = 7), C. ryanae (n = 3), and co-infections of the three species (n = 2) were identified. Most (172/175) C. parvum samples were successfully sequenced at the 60-kDa glycoprotein gene (gp60), revealing two zoonotic subtypes: IIdA14G1 (n = 94) and IIdA15G1 (n = 7) in Alaer and IIdA15G1 (n = 71) in Wensu.Conclusions: These results showed that neonatal dairy calves were commonly infected with Cryptosporidium throughout the year, and there was a significant association between the occurrence of diarrhea and Cryptosporidium infection. Presence of IIdA14G1 and IIdA15G1 indicated neonatal dairy calves may be a source of zoonotic C. parvum subtypes.
Integration of micro-/nano-/quantum-scale photonic devices: scientific and technological considerations

Scientific and technological issues and considerations regarding the integration of miniaturized microphotonic devices, circuits and systems in micron, submicron, and quantum scale, are presented. First, we examine the issues regarding the miniaturization of photonic devices including the size effect, proximity effect, energy confinement effect, microcavity effect, optical and quantum interference effect, high field effect, nonlinear effect, noise effect, quantum optical effect, and chaotic effect. Secondly, we examine the issues regarding the interconnection including the optical alignment, minimizing the interconnection losses, and maintaining optical modes. Thirdly, we address the issues regarding the two-dimensional or three-dimensional integration either in a hybrid format or in a monolithic format between active devices and passive devices of varying functions. We find that the concept of optical printed circuit board (O-PCB) that we propose is highly attractive as a platform for micro/nano/quantum-scale photonic integration. We examine the technological issues to be addressed in the process of fabrication, characterization, and packaging for actual implementation of the miniaturization, interconnection and integration. Devices that we have used for our study include: mode conversion schemes, micro-ring and micro-racetrack resonator devices, multimode interference devices, lasers, vertical cavity surface emitting microlasers, and their arrays. Future prospects are also discussed.
A Qualitative Case Study of an Exemplary Science Teacher`s Earth Systems Education Experiences

The purposes of this case study were (1) to explore one experienced teacher`s views on Earth Systems Education and (2) to describe and document the characteristics of the Earth Systems Education (ESE) curriculum provided by an exemplary middle school science teacher, Dr. J. All the essential pieces of evidence were collected from observations, interviews with the experienced teacher and his eighth grade students, informal conversations, document analysis, and field notes. The for MS Windows was used for an initial data reduction process and to narrow down the focus of an analysis. All transcriptions and written documents were reviewed carefully and repeatedly to find rich evidence through inductive and content analysis. The findings revealed that ESE provided a conceptual focus and theme for organizing his school curriculum. The curriculum offered opportunities for students to learn relevant local topics and to connect the classroom learning to the real world. The curriculum also played an important role in developing students` value and appreciation of Earth systems and concern for the local environment. His instructional strategies were very compatible with recommendations from a constructivist theory. His major teaching methodology and strategies were hands-on learning, authentic activities-based learning, cooperative learning, project-based learning (e.g., mini-projects), and science field trips. With respect to his views about benefits and difficulties associated with ESE, the most important benefit was that the curriculum provided authentic-based, hands-on activities and made connections between students and everyday life experiences. In addition, he believed that it was not difficult to teach using ESE. However, the lack of time devoted to field trips and a lack of suitable resource materials were obstacles to the implementation of the curriculum. Implications for science education and future research are suggested.