Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Uncertainty sensitivity assessment on the optimization of the design of complex energy systems: two complementary approaches

This paper proposes two different methods to deal with uncertainties in the design optimization of a renewable hybrid power system in order to enhance the decision-making. The first method considers the uncertainties after the optimization of the system. It permits to evaluate the impact of the uncertainties on the performances of the optimized system and through global sensitivity analysis to identify the most influential uncertain parameters. The second method integrates a Monte Carlo simulation in the optimization algorithm, allowing so to perform a robust optimization. Considered uncertainties include technical and economical parameters. These methods are applied to the electrical supply of a stand-alone application located in Nigeria, using PV as the main power source and including a hybrid energy storage: a batteries bank and a hydrogen chain (electrolyser, gas storage and fuel cell). The two methods are complementary and constitute a useful decision-making tool for dimensioning energy systems.
A Generic Foreground Calibration Algorithm For ADCs With Nonlinear Impairments

This paper presents a generic foreground calibration algorithm that estimates and corrects memoryless nonlinear impairments in both single channel and time-interleaved analog-to-digital converters (TIADCs), and which is capable of correcting for amplifier nonlinearity, comparator offsets, and capacitance mismatch for each channel. It operates by generating, and then using, a look-up table which maps raw ADC output decision vectors to linearized output. For TIADCs, the algorithm also uses information gained during the calibration phase to estimate timing and gain mismatches among the sub-ADCs. The problem of selecting an appropriate timing reference so as to relax the requirements on the time-skew correction circuitry is statistically analyzed, as is the corresponding impact on manufacturing yield. Accordingly, a new method is proposed having superior performance; for example, in the case of an eight sub-ADC TIADC system, the proposed scheme reduces the time skew correction requirement by 44% compared with conventional methods. The architecture is instrumented with some additional circuitry to facilitate built-in self-test, allowing manufacturing test time and cost reductions. Implementation aspects are discussed, and several complexity reduction techniques are presented along with synthesis results from a Verilog implementation of the calibration engine.
Efficiency Analysis of the access method with the cascading Bloom filter to the data warehouse on the parallel computing platform

A new method was developed with a cascading Bloom filter (CBF) for executing SQL queries in the Apache Spark parallel computing environment. It includes the representation of the original query in the form of several subqueries, the development of a connection graph and the transformation of subqueries, the definition of connections where it is necessary to use Bloom filters, the representation of the graph in terms of Spark. On the example of the query Q3 of the TPC-H test, full-scale experiments were carried out, which confirmed the effectiveness of the developed method.
Forecasting Electricity Demand with Dynamic Characteristics Based on Signal Analysis and Machine Learning

In daily power supply, it is important to accurately forecast the electricity demand for each time of the next day. Electric demand at a certain time is affected not only by weather conditions at that time but also by weather conditions and electric power demand in the past several hours. The dynamic characteristics of electricity demand are nonlinear and vary with time of day, day of week, and season. We focused on the frequency spectrum of the electricity demand curve as a feature of the electricity demand with dynamic characteristics which change with time. We propose a method of pattern classification of dynamic characteristics by clustering frequency spectrum, and a method of forecasting frequency spectrum by nonlinear regression based on kernel method. The former is an approach that emphasizes explanatory, and the latter is an approach that emphasizes forecast accuracy. We confirmed the usefulness by the experiment using the open data.
Implementing Community-Based Nutrition and Physical Activity Programs that Promote Healthy Aging

Poor nutrition, such as the lack of adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables, and physical inactivity are important public health concerns as the United States (US) adult population continues to age and live longer. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), by 2030 the proportion of the US population aged 65 years or older will double to approximately 71 million (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2008). With this projected population growth it is imperative to address ways to improve and sustain the health of older adults in an effort to reduce healthcare spending. The Centers for Disease Control and The Merck Company Foundation (2007) estimate that by 2030 the cost of healthcare spending for older adults will increase by 25%. Healthcare spending is associated with the prevalence of chronic disease. Approximately 80% of the older adult population has at least one chronic disease, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease, and 50% of this population has at least two chronic health conditions (CDC, 2008). A healthful diet and an active lifestyle are considered major determinants of healthy aging (American Dietetic Association, 2005). The purpose of this paper is to identify evidencebased guidelines and best practices for implementing community-based nutrition and physical activity programs which target older adults throughout North Carolina. A review of the current published literature and a social marketing plan, written by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service (NCCES), will be used to develop recommendations for implementing community-based nutrition and physical activity programs that promote healthy aging.
School-Based Structures That Support Teacher Use of Learning Trajectory Frameworks

The OGAP intervention incorporates two approaches to mathematics instruction that are well supported by research, but have not been uniformly adopted in U.S. schools: The first is ongoing formative assessment by teachers to tailor instruction to student needs (Black & Wiliam, 1998); the second is the use of learning trajectories to specify conceptual pathways for student development within specific domains (Daro et al., 2011; Sztajn et al., 2012). Implementing OGAP in schools involves a great deal of learning on the part of teachers and school leaders. It also involves embracing a fundamental shift in how one thinks about learning and designing instruction. The OGAP intervention provided grade 3-5 teachers with tools to support learning-trajectory formative assessment practices (described in other papers) and professional development (weeklong summer training and several additional training days during the academic year). We also included a site-based approach to increase understanding and capacity across all participating teachers. Each school was asked to hold a bimonthly Professional Learning Community (PLC) with the primary purpose of collaboratively analyzing student work, using learning trajectory frameworks and determining appropriate instructional responses. PLCs were envisioned as a primary structure to support use of OGAP in the schools throughout the year. They were also intended to situate the use of OGAP tools and routines in each school and normalize opportunities for discourse about student thinking among teachers (Putnam & Borko, 2000). By providing teachers with ongoing and consistent opportunities to discuss their own students’ work and use the OGAP frameworks to make instructional decisions, we anticipated they could potentially deepen teachers’ understanding of OGAP and their own students’ thinking. In this paper, we examine five PLCs in the OGAP project in order to consider the extent to which this potential was realized.
A Comparative Study Of Classification And Clustering Model: The Effect Of Intelligence, Stress And Emotion On Student Learning

Objective: a comparative study for effect of intelligence, stress and emotion on student learning in area department of students Sari Mulia School of Health Sciences. Technology or Method: This research uses the Experimental method, analyzed data by grouping the existing data based on emotional intelligence, stress level and achievement index as student learning, data analysis using classification and clustering model. Result: the result of research in this study is a comparative study k-means cluster and nearest neighbor algorithm to produce 3 groups of students based on emotional intelligence, stress level and achievement index. Conclusion: From the comparison result in this research is to know whether student learning data can be used classification and clustering model, comparative study k-means cluster and nearest neighbor algorithm. The best algorithm can use k-means cluster.
An Application of PC-AiR Method for Population Structure Inference in the Presence of Sample Relatedness

In this final project, we introduce the PC-AiR method [1] for robust inference of population structure when there exist related individuals. We describe the PC-AiR approach in detail and especially examine the shrinkage phenomenon when predicting the PC scores. To evaluate the performance and compare it with other methods, we apply it as well as competing methods in a simulation study and two real datasets.
Establecimiento, manejo y utilización de recursos forrajeros en sistemas ganaderos de suelos ácidos

Se presentan las caracteristicas agroecologicas de la region, las diferentes alternativas forrajeras para los Llanos orientales de Colombia, tanto gramineas como leguminosas, donde se describen los materiales aptos para las condiciones naturales, como para las nuevas que se generan por el mejoramiento del suelo que permite el establecimiento de gramineas mas exigentes, de alto rendimiento y mejor calidad, practicas para el establecimiento y mejora de praderas que permiten maximizar la produccion, la calidad nutritiva del forraje y su utilizacion por el animal, degradacion de praderas y estrategias para su recuperacion, finalmente se tratan los aspectos sobre sistemas silvopastoriles y agropastoriles, que hacen la produccion mas sostenible, generando bienestar para el animal e intensificando la produccion de forraje por area.
Methodology for the selection and evaluation of computer input devices for people with functional limitations.

Many computer users with motor impairments frequently use standard input devices even though these devices are not best suited for them. A methodology for specifying alternative assistive input devices as a function of type and degree of functional limitation is important for improving access to computer technology. The current research developed a matrix for matching assistive technology input devices to the assessed level of functional limitation. Since there are few reliable input device assessment instruments for people with impairments, this research also developed and validated a methodology for assessing the level of impairment for people with upperlimb motor impairments. Computer pointing task performance for 23 unimpaired participants (mean = 28.2 years, SD = 5.7 years) and 11 participants with upper extremity impairments (mean = 25.8 years, SD = 10.0 years) was evaluated using three input devices (joystick, trackball, and mouse) and a Fitts’ Law test. Impairments represented in this study included cerebral palsy, spina bifida, head injury, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injuries, and multiple disabilities. The Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test (MMDT) was used to assess manual dexterity. Each Fitts’ Law target was square in shape with a width of 5, 15, or 25 mm. Movement amplitude from the start point to the center o f the target was 40, 80, or 160 mm. Movement directions for the unimpaired group were 0 (East), 90 (North), and 225 (Southwest) degrees, but were limited to 0 and 90 degrees for participants with impairments. The control-display (CD) gains used in this study were 0.5 and 1.0. There was one practice session and two main sessions. In each run, each combination of target size, movement amplitude and movement direction appeared four times in random order. A separate run was conducted for each device and CD gain combination. Each unimpaired participant pointed to 108 targets per run and participants with impairments pointed to 72 targets per run. Fitts’ Law was a valid model of performance for assessing the levels of impairment for both groups. Movement time (MT) and Fitts’ Law index of performance (IP) correlated strongly with the MMDT scores and served as valid metrics for assessing the use of computer input devices by people with upper-limb motor impairments. This research developed and validated a sound approach to input device selection and functional limitation assessment to improve the match between computer pointing task requirements and the capabilities of challenged users.
Cross-Platform Expertise Characterization for Question Routing

Community Question-Answer(CQA) services are online portals with a community of people that share similar interests, and post question-answers for solving the difficulties they have. These services have huge social impact and have become a place where knowledge is created and distributed. Despite the advances in Question Routing and Recommendation Systems, CQA still struggles in handling large number of unanswered questions and suffer with the quality of answers provided in general. An effective solution to tackle this problem is to consider the expertise of users when routing a question to its potential answerers. There are many existing methods for measuring expertise but they tend to favour more active users rather than expert users. To address this problem, we look into cross-platform behaviour of a user and incorporate his cross-platform expertise. We provide insights into performance of question routing with this method. We perform an extensive literature survey about the CQA system, question routing, recommendation systems and types of expertise, to map a users' cross-platform behavior with a certain type of expertise. We propose a methodology to match users across multiple platforms, with which we measure expertise according to mapped user behaviour on those platforms. Finally we estimate the reliability of expertise measurement when applied to question routing. We study and discuss the effect of parameters such as division of data into training and test set sizes and use factorization machine for recommendation system.
What Do Teachers Know about Measurement and How Did They Find Out

Given the frequency with which teachers use self-developed tests to evaluate students, and given the paucity of requirements related to developing measurement competencies, some educators and measurement specialists question the adequacy of teachers' training in and knowledge of measurement principles. This study assesses teachers' measurement training and the extent to which their measurement knowledge is adequate to develop quality classroom tests. Forty-one 7thand 8th-grade science and mathematics teachers were assessed using a 65-item multiple-choice test and an interview protocol. Participants were asked to identify violations of item writing principles in 32 multiple-choice and completion items. Three questions were addressed: (1) What was the nature and extent of measurement training? (2) What measurement knowledge and skills did these teachers possess? and (3) What teacher characteristics are . -elated to their measurement knowledge? Results indicated that teachers' knowledge of measurement was insufficient, probably at least partially due to inadequate training; and that teachers frequently tested students with their own tests and placed more weight on students' scores on these tests when assigning end-of-course grades than on other forms of assessment. (LL) *********************,-,********************************************* Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** What Do Teachers Know About Measurement and How Did They Find Out?
The CakeML Compiler Explorer Visualizing how a verified compiler transforms expressions

This report documents the development of a compiler explorer that provides insight to the inner workings of the CakeML compiler. The compiler explorer can interactively present information about an expression’s origin and descent at different stages of compilation. The compiler explorer consists of a web application presenting the expression information and the CakeML compiler with our additions that enable the tracking of expressions. The CakeML compiler is developed in the HOL4 system; the web application user interface in React and the web server in PHP. Getting insight into the inner workings of a compiler is difficult. Several tools exist for other compilers that either explain how a section of the source code relates to the compiled machine code or provide snapshots of different compiler phases. While these features are useful by themselves, combining them would give better insight into the compiler’s transformations. The compiler explorer provides such a combination. The gained insight provided by the compiler explorer can both help developers of the CakeML compiler find new optimizations and improve education about the compiler.
Parallel Budgeted Optimization Applied to the Design of an Air Duct

This work explores the benefits of cloud computing in the development of kriging-based parallel optimization algorithms dedicated to expensive-to-evaluate functions. We first show how the application of a multi-point expected improvement criterion allows to gain insights into the problem of shape optimization in a turbulent fluid flow, which arises in the automobile industry. Our work then proceeds with a variety of experiments conducted on the ProActive PACA Grid cloud. Due to a multiplicative increase in search space dimensionality, the multi-point criterion cannot exploit a large number of computing nodes. Therefore, we employ the criterion with an asynchronous access to the simulation resources, when the available nodes are immediately updated while accounting for the remaining running simulations. Comparisons are made with domain decomposition which is applied here as an alternative parallelization technique. Our experiments indicate weaknesses in the use of the multi-point criterion with a synchronous node access, and benefits when working in the asynchronous mode. Finally, a relatively fast and accurate method is developed for the estimation of the expected improvement at multiple points.
Empowering Frontline Clinicians as EBP Change Champions Improves Clinical Outcomes

Summary: The purpose of this project, completed as part of the EBP Change Champion program, was to expand the nursing assistant (NA) role in implementing evidenced-based interventions to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) risk. NA knowledge increased and the unit CAUTI rate six months post-program fell to 0/1000 patient days. Content Outline: 1. Purpose 2. Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Framework 3. Synthesis of Evidence 1. Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) 2. Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP) 4. Practice Change 5. EBP Change Champion Actions 6. Implementation Strategies 7. Evaluation 8. Lessons Learned 9. Conclusion Topic Selection: Innovative Strategies for Leading Evidence-Based Practice Change (25484)
Feasibility of using the linac real-time log data for VMAT treatment verification

This study investigates the feasibility of using the real-time log data from a linac to verify Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) treatment. The treatment log data for an Elekta Synergy linac can be recorded at a sampling rate of 4 Hz using the service graphing tool on the linac control computer. A treatment plan that simulates a VMAT treatment was delivered from the linac and all the dynamic treatment parameters including monitor unit (MU), Multileaf Collimator (MLC) position, jaw position, gantry angle and collimator angle were recorded in real-time using the service graphing tool. The recorded raw data were extracted and analysed using algorithms written in Matlab (MathWorks, Natick, MA). The actual treatment parameters logged using the service graphing tool was compared to the prescription and the deviations were analysed. The MLC position errors travelling at the speed range from −3.25 to 5.92 cm/s were between −1.7 mm to 2.5 mm, well within the 3.5 mm tolerance value (AAPM TG-142). The discrepancies of other delivery parameters were also within the tolerance. The real-time linac parameters logged using the service graphing tool can be used as a supplementary data for patient specific VMAT pre-treatment quality assurance.
Comparison of Robust Model-based Control Strategies Used for a Heat Exchanger Network

The paper is focused on advanced control of the heat exchanger network (HEN). The HEN is used for cooling petroleum produced by distillation. The alternative robust model predictive control (RMPC) strategy was implemented to find the optimal control actions taking into account the boundaries on control inputs. The RMPC approach is also able to design a controller managing process uncertainties. The aim is to demonstrate that the robust model predictive control of HEN can be improved and the energy efficiency can be optimised using the nominal system optimization and the additional saturation of control inputs.
Security Analysis and Implementation of Password-based Cryptosystem

Much work has been done in recent years on mechanisms for authenticated key exchange. Many solutions rely on cryptographically secure keys and therefore have to deal with issues like key management, public-key infrastructure, or secure hardware. Recently password authenticated key exchange protocols have been proposed which enable mutual authentication and key exchange based solely on passwords, requiring no other public or private participant-specific information to be stored. The password could be a short string of characters or just a 4-digit PIN number. In this dissertation we would analyze these protocols and explain how to bootstrap a short secret into a secure strong secret. Further topics of the dissertation include a detailed evaluation and implementation of one such protocol called SNAPI (Secure Network Authentication with Password Identification) proposed by Philip MacKenzie, Sarvar Patel and Ram Swaminathan [MPS00] which is based on RSA. In their technical paper they use the concept of provable security to show that SNAPI is a secure password authenticated key exchange protocol. This dissertation would provide a detailed analysis of the proof of security for the SNAPI protocol. Apart from this, the known solutions to remote authentication like Secure Shell and SSL are also discussed.