Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Calibration of Dynamic Speed-Density Relations for Online Network Traffic Estimation and Prediction Applications

A dynamic speed-density relation is identified by using a transfer function model. The model recognizes the time-lagged response of speed to density as well as autocorrelated system noise. A framework for the adaptive calibration of dynamic speed-density relations in the context of real-time dynamic traffic assignment-simulation operation is presented. The model and the approach are evaluated on the basis of actual sensor data from the Irvine, California, network. The results indicate that use of the transfer function approach in the context of real-time simulation is preferable to the use of conventional static traffic flow models.
Dynamics of DNA replication during male gametogenesis in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

Malaria parasites undergo a single phase of sexual reproduction in their complex lifecycle, during which they cycle between mosquito and vertebrate hosts. Sexual reproduction occurs only at the point when parasites move into the mosquito host. It involves specialised, sexually committed cells called gametocytes, which develop very rapidly into mature gametes and then mate inside the mosquito midgut. The gamete development process is unique, involving unprecedentedly fast replication and cell division to produce male gametes. A single male gametocyte replicates its ∼23Mb genome three times over to produce 8 genomes, segregates these into newly-assembled flagellated gamete cells and releases them to seek out female gametes, all within ∼15 minutes. Here, for the first time, we use fluorescent labelling of de novo DNA synthesis to follow this process at the whole-cell and single-molecule levels, yielding several novel observations. Firstly, we confirm that no DNA replication occurs before gametogenesis is triggered, although the origin recognition complex protein Orc1 is abundant even in immature gametocytes. Secondly, between repeated rounds of DNA replication there is no detectable karyokinesis – in contrast to the repeated replicative rounds that occur in asexual schizonts. Thirdly, cytokinesis is clearly uncoupled from DNA replication, and can occur even if replication fails, implying a lack of cell cycle checkpoints. Finally the single-molecule dynamics of DNA replication are entirely different from those in asexual schizonts.
Advanced Microparticulate/Nanoparticulate Respirable Dry Powders of a Selective RhoA/Rho Kinase (Rock) Inhibitor for Targeted Pulmonary Inhalation Aerosol Delivery

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive disease that eventually leads to heart failure and potentially death for some patients. There are many unique advantages to treating pulmonary diseases directly and non-invasively by inhalation aerosols and dry powder inhalers (DPIs) possess additional unique advantages. There continues to be significant unmet medical needs in the effective treatment of PH that target the underlying mechanisms. To date, there is no FDA-approved DPI indicated for the treatment of PH. Fasudil is a novel RhoA/Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor that has shown great potential in effectively treating pulmonary hypertension. This systematic study is the first to report on the design and development of DPI formulations comprised of respirable nanoparticles/microparticles using particle engineering design by advanced spray drying. In addition, comprehensive physicochemical characterization, in vitro aerosol aerosol dispersion performance with different types of human DPI devices, in vitro cell-drug dose response cell viability of different human respiratory cells from distinct lung regions, and in vitro transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) as air-interface culture (AIC) demonstrated that these innovative DPI fasudil formulations are safe on human lung cells and have high aerosol dispersion performance properties.
Demonstration of three-dimensional microstructure self-assembly

Self-assembly of three-dimensional microstructures using the surface tension force of molten solder to produce out-of-plane rotation is demonstrated. The generic nature of the technique is illustrated by reconfiguring structures formed in both Ni metal and single crystal Si. The structures do not have a hinge to constrain the rotation. This considerably simplifies fabrication and eliminates problems associated with the compatibility of a suitable hinge material. Details of the fabrication processes are given and results are presented for rotated structures.
A Physics-Informed, Machine Learning Emulator of a 2D Surface Water Model: What Temporal Networks and Simulation-Based Inference Can Help Us Learn about Hydrologic Processes

While machine learning approaches are rapidly being applied to hydrologic problems, physics-informed approaches are still relatively rare. Many successful deep-learning applications have focused on point estimates of streamflow trained on stream gauge observations over time. While these approaches show promise for some applications, there is a need for distributed approaches that can produce accurate two-dimensional results of model states, such as ponded water depth. Here, we demonstrate a 2D emulator of the Tilted V catchment benchmark problem with solutions provided by the integrated hydrology model ParFlow. This emulator model can use 2D Convolution Neural Network (CNN), 3D CNN, and U-Net machine learning architectures and produces time-dependent spatial maps of ponded water depth from which hydrographs and other hydrologic quantities of interest may be derived. A comparison of different deep learning architectures and hyperparameters is presented with particular focus on approaches such as 3D CNN (that have a time-dependent learning component) and 2D CNN and U-Net approaches (that use only the current model state to predict the next state in time). In addition to testing model performance, we also use a simplified simulation based inference approach to evaluate the ability to calibrate the emulator to randomly selected simulations and the match between ML calibrated input parameters and underlying physics-based simulation.
Development of Gold Nanoparticles Decorated Molecularly Imprinted–Based Plasmonic Sensor for the Detection of Aflatoxin M1 in Milk Samples

Aflatoxins are a group of extremely toxic and carcinogenic substances generated by the mold of the genus Aspergillus that contaminate agricultural products. When dairy cows ingest aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)−contaminated feeds, it is metabolized and transformed in the liver into a carcinogenic major form of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), which is eliminated through the milk. The detection of AFM1 in milk is very important to be able to guarantee food safety and quality. In recent years, sensors have emerged as a quick, low–cost, and reliable platform for the detection of aflatoxins. Plasmonic sensors with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) can be interesting alternatives for the determination of AFM1. In this work, we designed a molecularly–imprinted–based plasmonic sensor to directly detect lower amounts of AFM1 in raw milk samples. For this purpose, we prepared gold–nanoparticle–(AuNP)−integrated polymer nanofilm on a gold plasmonic sensor chip coated with allyl mercaptan. N−methacryloyl−l−phenylalanine (MAPA) was chosen as a functional monomer. The MIP nanofilm was prepared using the light–initiated polymerization of MAPA and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate in the presence of AFM1 as a template molecule. The developed method enabled the detection of AFM1 with a detection limit of 0.4 pg/mL and demonstrated good linearity (0.0003 ng/mL–20.0 ng/mL) under optimized experimental conditions. The AFM1 determination was performed in random dairy farmer milk samples. Using the analogous mycotoxins, it was also demonstrated that the plasmonic sensor platforms were specific to the detection of AFM1.
Experimental Investigation of the Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop inside Tubes and the Shell of a Minichannel Shell and Tube Type Heat Exchanger

This paper presents an experimental study on a shell and tube mini heat exchanger (STMHE). The STMHE consisted of seven tubes in a triangular arrangement, with an 0.8 mm inner diameter and 1.0 mm outer diameter. The heat exchanger shell had an inner diameter of 11 mm, and the heat exchanger had no baffles. For the adopted operating conditions, the Reynolds number on the tube side varied in the range of 300–3000, and 2000–12,000 on the shell side. The aim of this study was to determine pressure drop values during fluid flow and Nusselt number correlations for the heat transfer. A new method based on optimisation was used to derive the equations for calculating the heat transfer coefficients. It allowed the determine of the correlation equations for the heat transfer coefficients simultaneously for both sides of the heat exchanger. The obtained correlations yielded overall heat transfer coefficient values that, in most cases, did not differ by more than ±10% from those determined experimentally. The experimentally determined critical Reynolds number value for the flow inside the tubes was equal to Recr=1160. The Darcy friction factors correlated well with the classical laminar flow correlation and with the Blasius correlation for turbulent flow. The derived correlations for the Nusselt number were best aligned with the Sieder–Tate, Gnielinski, and Kozioł correlations for tube side laminar flow, turbulent flow, and shell flow, respectively. Good agreement between the results obtained using the experimentally derived correlations and the correlations available in the literature confirms the effectiveness of the used optimisation–based method.
Phase noise and transconductance improvement in monolithic differential LC-VCOs

A novel solution to the improvement of phase noise and negative transconductance in differential LC-voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) is proposed. Feedback injection currents improve the loading effect of the switch transistor moving towards triode region and improve the total transconductance and differential output phase noise at no extra power consumption cost. A property of self-locking between the zero crossings of the output voltage and currents that may invoke further research studies is introduced. The application of the proposed solution to the design of complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-based GHz range low phase noise and/or low-power monolithic differential LC-VCOs is discussed. Post-layout results and Advanced Design System simulations using CMOS 0.18 µm TSMC RF design kit are used for evaluation and comparison, respectively.
Mimo Generalized Predictive Control for a Small Wind Turbine–Fuel Cell Hybrid Energy System

This paper presents a comparative performance analysis between the generalized predictive control (GPC) and the traditional proportional integral derivative (PID) under different dynamics cases in hybrid energy systems, which is composed of by a 400 W small wind turbine, a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells (PEMFC), an electrolyzer, and finally the ultracapacitors and a power converter unit in order to minimize voltage fluctuations in the system and generate AC voltage. In addition, the transient responses of the system to step changes in the load current and wind speed are presented as a result of the manipulation in the flow of reactants to the fuel cell. SIMULINK™ is used for the simulation of this highly nonlinear hybrid energy system.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Process Innovation: Case Studies of Critical Success Factors

Abstract In any organization, maintaining a competitive advantage is critical to success. In a service organization, process innovation is a key component in developing and maintaining competitive advantage. We studied 10 process innovation projects to determine which success factors are most important to a service organization when innovating new processes. Our sample projects were gathered from five separate service organizations: three within a telecommunications service company, one in a telecommunications equipment company, and one in a health insurance and finance management company. Two projects in each of the five organizations were studied, one successful and one unsuccessful. A key team member from each project completed a process innovation questionnaire developed by Gary Lynn and was subsequently interviewed. The responses were tabulated, and correlation across projects was noted. We identified critical success factors that were common among the successful projects and generally lacking in the unsuccessful ones. Four main themes—vision, teaming, project constraints, and information storage and processing—were most prevalent. Each theme comprises several critical success factors that provided support to overall success.
Nonparametric Regression and Short‐Term Freeway Traffic Forecasting

After reviewing the problem of short-term traffic forecasting, a nonparametric regression method, the \Ik\N-nearest neighbor (\Ik\N-NN) approach, is suggested as a candidate forecaster that might sidestep some of the problems inherent in parametric forecasting approaches. An empirical study using actual freeway data is devised to test the \Ik\N-NN approach, and compare it to simple univariate linear time-series forecasts. The \Ik\N-NN method performed comparably to, but not better than, the linear time-series approach. However, further research is needed to delineate those situations where the \Ik\N-NN approach may, or may not be, preferable. Particular attention should be focused on whether or not regression methods, which forecast mean values, are appropriate for forecasting the extreme values characteristic of transitions from the uncongested traffic regime to the congested regime. In addition, larger data bases may improve the accuracy of the \Ik\N-NN method.
A Method of Defect Detection for Focal Hard Samples PCB Based on Extended FPN Model

Suffering from the diversity, complexity, and miniaturization of printed circuit board (PCB) defects, traditional detection methods are difficult to detect. Despite object detection has made significant advances based on deep neural networks, it remains a challenge to focus on small objects. We address this challenge by allowing multiscale fusion. We introduce a PCB defect detection algorithm based on extended feature pyramid network model in this article. The backbone is constructed by part of ResNet-101, in order to accurately locate and identify small objects, this article constructs a feature layer, which integrates high-level semantic information and low-level geometric information. Based on feature pyramid networks (FPN) network structure, using $1\times1$ convolution lateral fusion of the previous semantic information, the fused features use $3\times3$ convolution to obtain the final feature layer. The problem that PCB defects are difficult to classify is considered, the focal loss function is introduced. To reduce over-fitting in the training process, the original data are enhanced using image clipping and rotation. Through the quantitative analysis on PCB defect dataset, these results are the best to be used in fused low-level feature layer for detection of the mean average precision (mAP). This is 96.2% on the public PCB dataset, which is surpassing the state-of-the-art methods.
Fuzzy fractional-order PID control for two-wheeled self-balancing robots on inclined road surface

Two-wheeled self-balancing robots (TWSBR) is a highly nonlinear and inherently unstable under-driving system. When controlling its movement on an inclined surface, it is more difficult than when it is on a level road. This paper proposes a fuzzy fractional-order PID (FFOPID) controller for the motion control of a TWSBR system in an inclined environment. The control goal of TWSBR is to realize the wheel position control and to stabilize the non-vertical direction of intermediate body (IB). Finally, we compare the control effect of the proposed FFOPID controller with that of the integer-order PID controller, the fuzzy PID (FPID) controller, and the fractional-order PID (FOPID) controller when TWSBR moving on the inclined plane. The simulation results show that the FFOPID controller has better control performance and anti-interference ability.
Can the state be terrorist

Abstract This paper examines the methodological problems involved in identifying and evaluating the extent of state terrorism. It attempts the former by examining the two parts that constitute this conceptual problem (i.e., terrorism and the state) before fusing the two in a comprehensive definition of terrorism that distinguishes between the state's terrorist and nonterrorist use of violence both at home and abroad. It then moves on to an analysis of the practical difficulties involved in applying such a definition.
The Study of Available Techniques for Existing Requirements Engineering Challenges Based on Literature Review Evidences

It is well known that software engineering suffer from various challenges. Moreover, numerous researchers found that project challenges have a negative effect on project time cost and user satisfaction. Additionally, Numerous Requirements Engineering (RE) methods have been proposed to improve the quality of requirements documents and to increase customer satisfaction about final product. Nevertheless, the choosing between various techniques may be confusing and puzzling. Therefore, this study aims to present, Literature review based study to link between RE challenges and available techniques to eliminate challenges using the utmost appropriate technique. Study conclusions are relevant for both industry and academic researchers in order to achieve effective software requirement engineering.
Anti-Acid Biomimetic Dentine Remineralization Using Inorganic Silica Stabilized Nanoparticles Distributed Electronspun Nanofibrous Mats

Background To manage the sharp pain of dentine hypersensitivity, various materials are utilized to conduct dentine remineralization. However, many prior materials are limited with their single function and complicated operations. In this study, silica and calcium (strontium) carbonates mineralized nano cellulose fibrous (Si/Ca(Sr)-NCF) mat with the ability to release acid resistant and biomimetic mineralizational silica/calcium (strontium) carbonate co-precipitation nanoparticles (Si/Ca(Sr) NPs) were fabricated. The dentine occluding effects, antibacterial activity and cytocompatibility of the Si/Ca(Sr)-NCF mats were evaluated. Methods The Si/Ca(Sr)-NCF mats were fabricated by dipping the electrospun nano cellulose fiber (NCF) into silica and calcium (strontium) carbonate liquid. Physicochemical characterizations and ion release were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ion release assays and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Sixty dentine discs were randomly divided into five groups: 1, blank NCF; 2, Si/Ca(Sr 0)-NCF; 3, Si/Ca(Sr 0.01)-NCF; 4, Si/Ca(Sr 0.05)-NCF; 5, Si/Ca(Sr 0.1)-NCF. Dentine discs were mineralized by the mats and observed with SEM immediately, after acid challenge and remineralized in artificial saliva. The releasing liquid was investigated by TEM and type I collagen model. Then, antibacterial property and cytocompatibility were evaluated. Results SEM and TEM results confirmed that the experiment mats continuously released amorphous Si/Ca(Sr) NPs and consequently realized anti-acid dentine biomimetic remineralization. Homogeneous surface coverage and collagen intrafibrillar mineralization in strontium adding groups illustrated the mineralization effect was not only by in site precipitation, but also collagen heterogeneous nucleation. Additionally, acceptable antibacterial and cytocompatibility properties were illustrated in low and middle Sr2+ containing mats. Conclusion In vitro studies on human dentine discs and type I collagen demonstrated that Si/Ca(Sr)–NCF system was a multifunction system inducing anti-acid, biomimetic, antibacterial and cytocompatible dentine remineralization. This multifunction mat would be a promising DH treatment candidate for complicated exposed dentine surfaces.
Hybrid Transshipment Policy and Ordering Model for Multiple Periods with Customer Switching Behaviour

The interaction of a hybrid transshipment policy and customer switching behaviour will exacerbate the complexity of the structure of a hybrid transshipment policy. To cope with this problem, a discrete-time dynamic programming model framework with customer switching behaviour is developed. Based on this framework, we demonstrate that the retailer can obtain more profits with a hybrid transshipment than without one. Next, the existence of a reactive and preventive transshipment policy is shown, respectively. We further analyse the structural property of the holdback policy of reactive transshipment and give the threshold of customer switching rate when always rejecting the request. Meanwhile, a dominant preventive transshipment policy is formulated by which the retailer can control the inventory regardless of the influence of the preventive transshipment policy of the other as long as the inventory is observed by developing an easy-to-implement optimal hybrid transshipment strategy. In addition, the existence of an ordering Nash equilibrium of two retailers is proven. Then, we also illustrate the existence of a transshipment area and analyse the impact of the transshipment cost and switching rate on ordering, the hybrid transshipment policy, and profit by using numerical examples. Finally, we find that the retailer is more willing to adjust inventory by ordering when there is a lower transshipment price and adjust inventory by hybrid transshipment when there is a higher transshipment price.
Evaluation Model for Information Systems Benefits in Construction Management Processes

The importance of information systems (IS) implementation in construction management has grown rapidly, and therefore, a more practical method for IS planning is required. Prioritizing the construction management processes in which IS will be implemented is one of the key processes in IS planning, and for the prioritization purpose, the benefits of IS implementation must be examined. This research suggests an evaluation model for IS benefits in construction management processes. The model is based on the evaluation of IS implementation benefits at the construction management task level, and it is postulated that the benefits are composed of the effect and possibility of IS implementation. The research suggests four basic measures as the fundamental evaluation criteria and represents an overall evaluation process in the model. A case study is performed to validate this model via a statistical analysis, and the result shows that the four measures can explain at least 58% of the variance of expected benefit from IS implementation. The contributions of this paper can be summarized in two aspects. First, researchers may further enrich the understanding of IS benefits realization mechanism with the factors. Second, industry practitioners may use the model in their IS planning task.