Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Short-term hourly load forecasting using time-series modeling with peak load estimation capability

This paper presents a new time series modeling for short term load forecasting, which can model the valuable experiences of the expert operators. This approach can accurately forecast the hourly loads of weekdays, as well as, of weekends and public holidays. It is shown that the proposed method can provide more accurate results than the conventional techniques, such as artificial neural networks or Box-Jenkins models. In addition to hourly loads, daily peak load is an important problem for dispatching centers of a power network. Most of the common load forecasting approaches do not consider this problem. It is shown that the proposed method can exactly forecast the daily peak load of a power system. Obtained results from extensive testing on the Iran's power system network confirm the validity of the developed approach.
A Cost Effective Digital Signal Controller based Maximum Power Tracking Technique for Photovoltaic Power System

This paper aims at developing a simple, efficient and cost effective maximum power point tracking(MPPT) system that can be employed for stand-alone Photovoltaic (PV) applications. The power versus voltage characteristics curves of PV system is non linear and variable with sun’s irradiation and temperature. To maximize the power utilization from a PV panel, a dynamic Perturb & Observe (P&O) MPPT algorithm is implemented using voltage and current sensors, a boost converter with digital signal controller (ds PIC4011). In any standalone PV system, the power conditioning unit receives energy from the PV source there by reducing the net power generation. Considering this, the sensor circuits and the components in power conditioning unit is so rationally selected that it is not only cost effective but also consumes very less power for its operation. The suggested technique is highly advantageous in the sense it is compatible photovoltaic system with and without battery banks. Prior to hardware implementation, the proposed system was validated using Matlab/Simulink environment. The simulation and hardware results reveal that the proposed MPPT system is more efficient when compared with existing systems.
Influence of environmental enrichment on the rehabilitation of white-eyed parakeet (Psittacara leucophthalmus)

The use of sensory, physical, cognitive, and alimentary stimuli are varieties of environmental enrichment used to minimize stress caused by the monotonous captive environment. The objective of this study was to verify the impact of environmental enrichment in escape-related behavioral stereotypies. Thirty birds of the species Psittacara leucophthalmus were observed from March to September 2016, received at the Wild Animal Recovery and Screening Center of the São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of the Veterinary Medicine campus Araçatuba. The methodology used for the behavioral observations was the focal animal with observation through filming were made by 18 hours per bird for three consecutive days, while physical, cognitive, food, and sensory enrichment methods were applied, and the assessment was carried out before, during, and after the application of environmental enrichment. The data were analyzed by the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality and by the Friedman test, which showed no significant difference (p >0.05) before, during, and after environmental enrichment. Despite the statistical analyses, the perception of the bird’s welfare improving was visually clear.
Similarity Learning based Few Shot Learning for ECG Time Series Classification

Using deep learning models to classify time series data generated from the Internet of Things (IoT) devices requires a large amount of labeled data. However, due to constrained resources available in IoT devices, it is often difficult to accommodate training using large data sets. This paper proposes and demonstrates a Similarity Learning-based Few Shot Learning for ECG arrhythmia classification using Siamese Convolutional Neural Networks. Few shot learning resolves the data scarcity issue by identifying novel classes from very few labeled examples. Few Shot Learning relies first on pretraining the model on a related relatively large database, and then the learning is used for further adaptation towards few examples available per class.Our experiments evaluate the performance accuracy with respect to K (number of instances per class) for ECG time series data classification. The accuracy with 5- shot learning is 92.25% which marginally improves with further increase in K. We also compare the performance of our method against other well-established similarity learning techniques such as Dynamic Time Warping (DTW), Euclidean Distance (ED), and a deep learning model - Long Short Term Memory Fully Convolutional Network (LSTM-FCN) with the same amount of data and conclude that our method outperforms them for a limited dataset size. For K=5, the accuracies obtained are 57%, 54%, 33%, and 92% approximately for ED, DTW, LSTM-FCN, and SCNN, respectively.
Predicting College Women’s Self-esteem Based on Verbal Coercion Experience and Verbal Tactic Items on the Revised Sexual Experiences Survey

Verbal coercion experience is common among college women and has sometimes been associated with lower self-esteem. The current study examined self-esteem based on the two verbal coercion items included in the latest version of the most popular measure of sexual victimization experience, the Sexual Experiences Survey-Short Form Victimization (SES-SFV; Koss et al., 2007). One item includes verbal tactics categorized as “threat” and the other item includes verbal tactics categorized as “criticism. ” Undergraduate women (n = 479) completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the SES-SFV. Results showed that women who experienced criticism reported lower self-esteem than those who did not experience criticism. However, threat experience was not significantly related to women’s self-esteem. Findings support Koss et al.’s suggestion that criticism tactics are more negative than threat tactics, and imply that self-esteem may be negatively associated with some sexually coercive verbal tactics but not associated with others. Future researchers should pay careful attention to operational definitions of verbal coercion.
Expression levels of BAP1, OGT, and YY1 genes in patients with eyelid tumors

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate BAP1, OGT and YY1 genes and protein levels in 12 samples (8 males, 4 females) of eyelid tumor tissue with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and 12 normal control subjects (8 males, 4 females). Methods The expression levels of these genes were determined with RT-PCR and the protein levels and expression using ELISA and IHC methods, respectively. Results In RT-PCR analysis, statistically significant upregulated expression was determined of 1.84-fold of BAP1, 2.85-fold of OGT and 3.06-fold of YY1 genes (p < 0.05). In the patient group, compared to the control group, there was a similar statistically significant strong correlation between the proteins (BAP1 and YY1; r = 0.850, BAP1 and OGT; r = 0.811, OGT and YY1; r = 0.755) (p < 0.05). In the ELISA and IHC analysis methods, a significant increase in BAP1 and YY1 protein expression levels was observed compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions The study results demonstrated that BAP1 and YY1 genes and protein levels were upregulated in eyelid tumor tissue with BCC.
Passive Euro-American terahertz camera (PEAT-CAM): passive indoor THz imaging at video rates for security applications

The objective of this program is to demonstrate a system capable of passive indoors detection and identification of concealed threat items hidden underneath the clothing of non-cooperative subjects from a stand-off distance of several meters. To meet this difficult task, we are constructing an imaging system utilising superconducting ultrawideband antenna-coupled microbolometers, coupled to innovative room temperature read-out electronics, and operated within a cryogen-free pulse tube refrigerator. Previously, we have demonstrated that these devices are capable of a Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference (NETD) of 125 mK over a pre-detection bandwidth from 0.2-1 THz using a post-detection integration time of 30 ms. Further improvements on our devices are reducing this number to a few tens of mK. Such an exquisite sensitivity is necessary in order to achieve the undoubtedly stringent requirements for low false positive alarm rate combined with high probability of detection dictated by the application. Our technological approach allows for excellent per frame NETD (objective 0.5 K or below at 30 Hz frame rate), and is also amenable to multispectral (colour) imagery that enhances the discrimination of innocuous objects against real threats. In the paper we present results obtained with an 8-pixel subarray from our linear array of 128 pixels constructed using a modular approach. Two-dimensional imaging will be achieved by the use of conical scanning.
Improved 16-ary constellation mapping for three-dimensional OFDM systems

A new 16-ary constellation mapping scheme is presented for three-dimensional (3D) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. The minimum Euclidean distance of the constellations of the proposed 16-ary mapping is increased compared with conventional 16-ary mappings having the same normalised average power. Simulations show that the 3D OFDM system with the proposed 16-ary mapping scheme has a significantly lower symbol error probability than conventional 2D and 3D OFDM systems.
Questionnaire-Based Assessment of the Masticatory Function and Facial Nerve Recovery Post Pterional Approach in Brain Tumors Surgery

Background: The pterional approach for craniotomy, one of the most used surgical intervention in neurosurgery, results in a series of postoperative changes that, if they persist, affect the patient’s life, social reintegration, and his/her physical and mental recovery. The aim of the present study was to develop and validate a questionnaire for indicating directly affected masticatory muscles groups and facial nerve branches, in patients undergoing the pterional approach in neurosurgery, so that the recovery therapy can be monitored and personalized. Methods: A self-reporting questionnaire consisting of 18 items (12 for postoperative masticatory status and 6 for facial nerve branches involvement), validated on fifteen patients, following three steps: items development, scale development, and scale evaluation, was prospectively applied twice, at a one-year interval (T0 and T1), with thirty-two patients suffering from vascular or tumoral pathology and surgically treated through a pterional approach. Results: No statistically significant correlation could be found between postoperative outcomes and age or gender. Facial nerve branch involvement could not be correlated with any of the assessed variables. Pathology and time elapsed from surgery were statistically significantly correlated to preauricular pain on the non-operated side (p = 0.008 and p = 0.034, respectively). Time elapsed from surgery was statistically significantly correlated to the ability to chew hard food, pain while yawning, and preauricular pain during back and forward jaw movements and gradual mouth opening. Conclusions: We created and validated a valuable patient-centered questionnaire that can be employed as a tool for postoperative assessment of directly affected masticatory muscles and groups of facial nerve branches.
Physicochemical, structural, and rheological characteristics of corn starch after thermal-ultrasound processing

Thermal-ultrasound treatment is a green technology that can significantly alter the structural and functional properties of starches. This research extend the effect of at different temperatures (25 °C, 45 °C, and 65 °C) and times (30 and 60 min) on the physicochemical, structural, and rheological properties of corn starch was studied. Amylose content, solubility, swelling power, and the least gelling content increased with increasing temperature and time. Starch treated at 45 °C for 30 min had the lowest syneresis among all treatments. Thermal-ultrasound treatment at 25 °C and 65 °C for 60 min caused increasing paste clarity. Microscopic observations demonstrated that the starch granules were agglomerated at 65 °C. Although the crystallinity of samples decreased from 35.42% to 8.94%, the storage modulus was more than the loss modulus during the frequency sweep test. Pasting properties showed that pasting temperatures shifted to higher values after treatment. Nonetheless, the maximum viscosity decreased, and the final viscosity of the treated samples demonstrated that short-term retrogradation could deteriorate. Results showed that thermal-ultrasound is a viable technique for starch modification compared to conventional thermal and ultrasound treatments.
Radial force density and vibration characteristics of modular permanent magnet brushless ac machine

The radial force density harmonics and vibrational characteristics of a three-phase modular permanent magnet brushless AC machine is investigated. It is shown that, owing to the presence of a large number of low- and high-order stator space harmonic magnetomotive forces, modular machines are more likely to exhibit higher low-frequency vibrations than conventional permanent magnet brushless machines. Experimental results support the analysis and its findings.
Multi-model MPC with output feedback

In this work, a new formulation is presented for the model predictive control (MPC) of a process system that is represented by a finite set of models, each one corresponding to a different operating point. The general case is considered of systems with stable and integrating outputs in closed-loop with output feedback. For this purpose, the controller is based on a non-minimal order model where the state is built with the measured outputs and the manipulated inputs of the control system. Therefore, the state can be considered as perfectly known and, consequently, there is no need to include a state observer in the control loop. This property of the proposed modeling approach is convenient to extend previous stability results of the closed loop system with robust MPC controllers based on state feedback. The controller proposed here is based on the solution of two optimization problems that are solved sequentially at the same time step. The method is illustrated with a simulated example of the process industry. The rigorous simulation of the control of an adiabatic flash of a multi-component hydrocarbon mixture illustrates the application of the robust controller. The dynamic simulation of this process is performed using EMSO - Environment Model Simulation and Optimization. Finally, a comparison with a linear MPC using a single model is presented.
The microRNA miR-132 is a key regulator of lymphatic vascular remodelling

Lymphangiogenesis (growth of new lymphatic vessels), and lymphatic remodelling more broadly, are important for disease progression in cancer, lymphedema and the pulmonary disease lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Multiple molecular pathways which signal for aspects of lymphangiogenesis are known but little is understood about their co-ordinate regulation in lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs). Small RNA molecules co-ordinately regulate complex biological processes, but knowledge about their involvement in lymphangiogenesis is limited. Here we used high-throughput small RNA sequencing of LECs to identify microRNAs (miRs) regulating lymphatic remodelling driven by the lymphangiogenic growth factors VEGF-C and VEGF-D. We identified miR-132 as up-regulated by both growth factors, and demonstrated that inhibiting miR-132 in LECs in vitro blocked cell proliferation and tube formation, key steps in lymphangiogenesis. We showed that miR-132 is expressed in human LECs in vivo in the lymphatics of human breast tumours expressing VEGF-D. Importantly, we demonstrated that inhibiting miR-132 in vivo blocked many aspects of lymphangiogenesis in mice. Finally, we identified mRNAs regulated by miR-132 in LECs, by sequencing after RNA-protein cross-linking and Argonaute immunoprecipitation, which demonstrated how miR-132 co-ordinately regulates signalling pathways in lymphangiogenesis. This study shows miR-132 is a critical regulator of lymphangiogenesis and a potential target for therapeutically manipulating lymphatic remodelling in disease.
Theory of Finite Disturbances in a Centrifugal Compression System With a Vaneless Radial Diffuser

A previous small-perturbation analysis of circumferential waves in centrifugal compression systems, assuming inviscid flow, is first shown to be consistent with observations that narrow diffusers are more stable than wide ones, when boundary-layer displacement effect is included.Then, a previous analysis for finite-strength transients containing both surge and rotating stall in axial machines is adapted for a centrifugal compression system. Under certain assumptions, and except for a new second-order swirl, the diffuser velocity field, including resonant singularities, can be carried over from the previous inviscid, linear analysis.Nonlinear transient equations are derived and applied in a simple example to show that throttling through a resonant value of flow coefficient must occur in a sudden surge-like drop, accompanied by a transient rotating wave. This “inner” solution is superseded by an “outer” surge response on a longer time scale. Numerical results are shown for various parametric choices relating to throttle schedule and the characteristic slope.Copyright © 1991 by ASME
Effective length and input impedance of the NIST standard dipoles

Computed values for the effective length and input impedance for a set of standard dipoles used at the National Institute of Standards and Technology are presented. These dipoles are used as calculable reference antennas in the calibration of dipole-like electromagnetic interference antennas in an open-area test site. Estimates for the uncertainty in the computed values of the effective length and antenna impedance are also given.
Model-based decomposition of dual-pol SAR data: application to Sentinel-1

In this study, we advance a new family of model-based decompositions adapted for dual-pol synthetic aperture radar data. These are formulated using the Stokes vector formalism, coupled to mappings from full quad-pol decomposition theory. A generalized model-based decomposition is developed, which allows separation of an arbitrary Stokes vector into partially polarized and polarized wave components. We employ the widely used random dipole cloud as a volume model but, in general, non-dipole options can be used. The cross-polarized phase δ, and the α angle, which is a function of the ratio between wave components, measure the transformation of polarization state on reflection. We apply the decomposition to dual-pol data provided by Sentinel-1 covering different scenarios, such as agricultural, forest, urban and glacial land-ice. We show that the polarized term of received polarization state is not usually the same as the transmitted one, and can therefore be used for key applications, e.g., classification and geo-physical parameter estimation. We show that, for vegetated terrain, depolarization is not the only influencing factor to Sentinel-1 backscattered intensities and, in the case of vertical crops (e.g., rice), this allows the crop orientation effects to be decoupled from volume scattering in the canopy. We demonstrate that coherent dual-pol systems show strong phase signatures over glaciers, where the polarized contribution significantly affects the backscattered state, resulting in elliptical polarization on receive. This is a key result for Sentinel-1, for which dual-pol phase analysis coupled to dense time series offer great opportunities for land-ice monitoring.
Lemonia batavorum sp. nov. from the Netherlands, an overlooked sibling of L. dumi (Lepidoptera: Brahmaeidae)

Barcoding of Dutch specimens of Lemonia dumi (Linnaeus, 1761) (Lepidoptera: Brahmaeidae) and a study of a large collection material of this species resulted in discovery of a new, hitherto undescribed species Lemonia batavorum sp. nov. Based on comparison with L. dumi, species level of L. batavorum sp. nov. is supported by the differences in its external appearance, diff erences in genitalia of both sexes and by 1.92% p-distance to L. dumi as the nearest neighbour. Photographs of specimens and genitalia of both sexes are given.
Mathematical formulation for zero reflection from multilayer metamaterial structures and their notable applications

The behaviour of bilayer structures composed of common materials and metamaterials (MTMs) under oblique incidence of plane waves is investigated by exact analytical methods. The TE, TM and elliptical polarisations are analysed. There are several combinations of double positive (DPS), double negative (DNG), epsilon negative (ENG) and mu negative (MNG) media for the bilayer structures, but only DPS-DPS, DPS-DNG and ENG-MNG bilayers with TE, TM and circular polarisations are analysed in detail. For homogeneous and isotropic MTM media, exact mathematical relations are derived for the design of reflectionless bilayer structures as a function of their geometry (thickness) and electric and magnetic parameters. Frequency dispersion is included in the formulations. It is shown that bilayers composed of common materials are not effective for the construction of zero reflection bilayer surfaces, whereas the application of MTMs is required to realise reflectionless phenomena. For the design of zero reflection bilayer structures, their thicknesses and values of epsiv and mu are determined. Finally, the performance of forward and backward notch filters observed by MTM bilayer structures are studied in detail and their designs and applications are investigated. The bandwidth of lossy MTMs increases considerably.
Atomistic Descriptors for Machine Learning Models of Solubility Parameters for Small Molecules and Polymers

Descriptors derived from atomic structure and quantum chemical calculations for small molecules representing polymer repeat elements were evaluated for machine learning models to predict the Hildebrand solubility parameters of the corresponding polymers. Since reliable cohesive energy density data and solubility parameters for polymers are difficult to obtain, the experimental heat of vaporization ΔHvap of a set of small molecules was used as a proxy property to evaluate the descriptors. Using the atomistic descriptors, the multilinear regression model showed good accuracy in predicting ΔHvap of the small-molecule set, with a mean absolute error of 2.63 kJ/mol for training and 3.61 kJ/mol for cross-validation. Kernel ridge regression showed similar performance for the small-molecule training set but slightly worse accuracy for the prediction of ΔHvap of molecules representing repeating polymer elements. The Hildebrand solubility parameters of the polymers derived from the atomistic descriptors of the repeating polymer elements showed good correlation with values from the CROW polymer database.