Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Energy efficient cooling and heating of aquaponics facilities based on regional climate

An already existing aquaponics facility in Jordan, named Khodra, will be used to evaluate the cooling and heating profiles to provide the best environment for plants and fish to thrive. A replica of the ‘Khodra’ facility will be simulated to be built in Qatar. Good ventilation rate with 50% green color shading was sufficient to reduce the temperature down by almost 10 degrees in ‘Khodra’-Jordan while using a heating, ventilation and air conditioning water-chiller based system reduced the humidity in the ‘Khodra’-Qatar greenhouse yet using AC split units was cheaper for the small size, 360 m2, of this specific greenhouse.
An Effective Disturbance-Observer-Based Nonlinear Controller for a Pump-Controlled Hydraulic System

Researches for improving the control performance of hydraulic systems in both control accuracy and energy efficiency have never stopped in aerospace and industrial applications. The existence of nonlinearities, uncertainties, and unknown terms in the system dynamics, however, significantly limits the desired performance. To realize improvements by dealing with these problems, an advanced position controller incorporated with effective disturbance observers (DOs) applied for a pump-controlled hydraulic system is proposed in this article. Here, uncertainties are considered as certainties (nominal terms) and their deviations. To eliminate certain nonlinearities in the system dynamics, the proposed controller is designed based on a simplified robust sliding-mode-backstepping scheme. The lumped unknown terms, which mainly degrade the performance of the controller, in pressure dynamics and force dynamics are expanded by using equivalent nonautonomous models. To effectively approximate the terms and to ensure usability of the estimated results inside the control framework, two different high-order DOs are developed. Asymptotic convergences of these observers are achieved by adopting nonlinear combinations of the estimation errors. Effectiveness and feasibility of the designed observers and the closed-loop system for an asymptotically tracking performance in the presence of bounded time-varying disturbances are then confirmed by Lyapunov-based proofs and extensive experiments.
Cooperative Lane Changing Strategies to Improve Traffic Operation and Safety Nearby Freeway Off-Ramps in a Connected and Automated Vehicles Environment

The study proposes a cooperative lane changing strategy to improve traffic operation and safety at a diverging area nearby a highway off-ramp in an environment with connected and automated vehicles (CAVs). The cooperative strategy was implemented by the coordination of behaviors between the diverging vehicle and its cooperative vehicle on the target lane. The Minimizing Overall Braking Induced by Lane Changes Model (MOBIL) and Intelligent Driver Model (IDM) were modified to develop a simulation platform for a CAV environment. The optimal cooperative lane changing zones were firstly calculated by a heuristic algorithm, and then were applied in the simulation platform to implement the cooperative strategy. Various metrics were considered to evaluate the proposed strategy, including: total travel time, surrogate safety measures and traffic waves in the system. The experimental results showed that the length of the optimal cooperative zones obtained in our strategy were smaller than the fixed zone required in modified MOBIL strategy. Moreover, the results indicated that the cooperative strategy with the optimal zones, could improve traffic operation, traffic safety and traffic oscillation as compared to the modified MOBIL strategy with the fixed zone. The cooperative strategy can be potentially implemented nearby highway off-ramps by vehicle-based control, with the applications of the aforementioned cooperative zones.
Design of reconfigurable in‐phase/out‐of‐phase power divider with finite‐ground microstrip line‐based switchable phase inverters

In this letter, a switchable phase inverter is presented for the design of the reconfigurable in‐phase/out‐of‐phase power divider. Firstly, the in‐phase and out‐of‐phase power dividers are designed based on the finite‐ground microstrip line (FGMSL). Next, two FGMSL‐based switchable phase inverters are designed and installed at two sides of output ports, respectively. After compensating the parasitic effects of the switches and DC blocking capacitors, a wideband reconfigurable in‐phase/out‐of‐phase power divider is constructed. To validate this proposal, a prototype with power‐dividing ratio of 2:1 is finally designed, implemented, and fabricated. The measured and simulated results show a good agreement under both in‐phase and out‐of‐phase states. A measured bandwidth of 64% with better than 15 dB return loss and 20 dB isolation is obtained. Phase unbalances are less than 2.4° for in‐phase state and 4° for out‐of‐phase state, respectively, over a wide concerned frequency range.
Trajectory Planning Based on Screw Theory with Consideration of the Optimal Berth Position for a Space Robot

Trajectory planning is a prerequisite for the tracking control of a free-floating space robot. There are usually multiple planning objectives, such as the pose of the end-effector and the base attitude. In efforts to achieve these goals, joint variables are often taken as exclusive operable parameters, while the berth position is neglected. This paper provides a novel trajectory planning strategy that considers the berth position by applying screw theory and an optimization method. First, kinematic equations at the position level are established on the basis of the product of exponential formula and the conservation of the linear momentum of the system. Then, generalized Jacobian matrices of the base and end-effector are derived separately. According to the differential relationship, an ordinary differential equation for the base attitude is established, and it is solved by the modified Euler method. With these sufficient and necessary preconditions, a parametric optimization strategy is proposed for two trajectory planning cases: zero attitude disturbance and attitude adjustment of the base. First, the berth position is transformed into the desired position of the end-effector, and its constraints are described. Joint variables are parameterized using a sinusoidal function combined with a five-order polynomial function. Then, objective functions are constructed. Finally, a genetic algorithm with a modified mutation operator is used to solve this optimization problem. The optimal berth position and optimized trajectory are obtained synchronously. The simulation of a planar dual-link space robot demonstrates that the proposed strategy is feasible, concise, and efficient.
Array Shape Estimation of a Horizontal Suspension Hydrophone Line Array

A horizontal suspension hydrophone line array system for deep water target detection is demonstrated. Theoretical estimation of the array shapes at different array states is fulfilled through detailed kinetic analysis. When steady ocean forces solely exert on the array system from three orthogonal directions and the array is in the neutral-buoyancy state, the array shapes are parabola linetypes. When no ocean forces exert on the array system and the array is in the non-neutral buoyancy state, the static array shapes are catenary linetypes. The simulation results can guide the curve fitting process of the array shape estimation based on depth and attitude sensors.
THE PREVALENCE AND FUNCTIONAL IMPACT OF MUSCULOSKELETAL CONDITIONS AMONGST PEOPLE ATTENDING A COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE IN BLOEMFONTEIN, FREE STATE

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and functional impact of musculoskeletal conditions amongst people attending a Community Health Centre [CHC] in Bloemfontein, Free State. Musculoskeletal conditions [MSC] are viewed as posing an enormous burden on governments, and communities’ as one of the major causes of disability in both developed and developing countries. Prior research has mostly been conducted in areas other than Sub-Saharan Africa, therefore leading to a large gap in available literature. Further research may aid in creating awareness of the Quadruple burden that exists in Africa, specifically highlighting MSC and the impact thereof. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted using standardised questionnaires during a structured interview. Phase I was conducted to determine the prevalence of MSC and if indicated, Phase II was used to determine the functional impact thereof. A sample of convenience was utilised and consisted of 323 participants who attended the CHC during the time of data collection. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data, namely means, medians, frequencies and percentages. Results: Three hundred and twenty-three participants completed phase I of the questionnaire of which 45.82% reported the presence of MSC during the past three months, not relating to an injury. Of these participants those with MSC experienced mild to moderate functional impact according to the Disability Index [DI]. Conclusion: A high prevalence of MSC was evident amongst those attending the CHC. Therefore, through holistic management, creating awareness of MSC and the impact thereof, strategies may be implemented at CHC to assist those suffering from the condition.
Management of Symptomatic Thrombocytopenia Associated with Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever

Introduction: Immune – mediated destruction of platelets is thought to be the mechanism of thrombocytopenia seen after the viraemic phase of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). Immuno – suppressants such as steroids, immune globulin and Anti D immuneglobulin are effective in the treatment of this type of immune thrombocytopenic purpura. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of oral Prednisolone in the rate of resolution of thrombocytopenia and monitoring of complications in patients recovering from Dengue haemorrhagic fever. Method: A controlled study was carried out on diagnosed cases Dengue haemorrhagic patients presenting with sever throm-bocytopenia and symptoms like confluent ecchymosis, epistaxis and purpuric rashes. In study was conducted in Ittefaq hos-pital (trust) Lahore, during the period of October to December 2008. Treatment group received steroids in two forms i.e. 1st line therapy prednisolone (1 mg / kg) orally or as 2nd line therapy of initial I/V high dose (prednisolone) in pulse doses i.e. 40 mg / bd for four days and later oral prednisolone as in 1st line therapy with omeprazole 20 mg / bd in addition to standard treatment. Control group received standard supportive care only. Results: A total of 341 suspected patients were admitted in hospital. Serological diagnosis was confirmed in 166 patients. CBC revealed platelet count ≤ 100 x 109 / l in 106 patients. A group of symptomatic febrile patients have platelet count < 20 x 109 / l was selected for therapeutic intervention. 1st line therapy (oral prednisolone was stated in 43 patients. In Fourteen patients 2nd line therapy (high dose dexamethasone pulse) therapy was instituted. Seven of them attained complete response whereas two patients achieved partial response. Four patients were shifted to Anti D therapy. Three deaths occurred during our study. Rest of all the patients improved and were discharged in due course of time. Conclusion: This small scale preliminary study shows promising results in reducing the morbidity of patients in a relatively serious stage but large scale double blinded randomized controlled studies are needed before making recommendations on use of steroids in symptomatic thrombocytopenic patients with dengue haemorrhagic fever.
Machine Learning and Deep Learning Methods for Intrusion Detection Systems: A Survey

Networks play important roles in modern life, and cyber security has become a vital research area. An intrusion detection system (IDS) which is an important cyber security technique, monitors the state of software and hardware running in the network. Despite decades of development, existing IDSs still face challenges in improving the detection accuracy, reducing the false alarm rate and detecting unknown attacks. To solve the above problems, many researchers have focused on developing IDSs that capitalize on machine learning methods. Machine learning methods can automatically discover the essential differences between normal data and abnormal data with high accuracy. In addition, machine learning methods have strong generalizability, so they are also able to detect unknown attacks. Deep learning is a branch of machine learning, whose performance is remarkable and has become a research hotspot. This survey proposes a taxonomy of IDS that takes data objects as the main dimension to classify and summarize machine learning-based and deep learning-based IDS literature. We believe that this type of taxonomy framework is fit for cyber security researchers. The survey first clarifies the concept and taxonomy of IDSs. Then, the machine learning algorithms frequently used in IDSs, metrics, and benchmark datasets are introduced. Next, combined with the representative literature, we take the proposed taxonomic system as a baseline and explain how to solve key IDS issues with machine learning and deep learning techniques. Finally, challenges and future developments are discussed by reviewing recent representative studies.
Soft Cationic Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery: Production and Cytotoxicity of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs)

The surface properties of nanoparticles have decisive influence on their interaction with biological barriers (i.e., living cells), being the concentration and type of surfactant factors to have into account. As a result of different molecular structure, charge, and degree of lipophilicity, different surfactants may interact differently with the cell membrane exhibiting different degrees of cytotoxicity. In this work, the cytotoxicity of two cationic solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), differing in the cationic lipids used as surfactants CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) or DDAB (dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide), referred as CTAB-SLNs and DDAB-SLNs, respectively, was assessed against five different human cell lines (Caco-2, HepG2, MCF-7, SV-80, and Y-79). Results showed that the cationic lipids used in SLN production highly influenced the cytotoxic profile of the particles, with CTAB-SLNs being highly cytotoxic even at low concentrations (IC50 < 10 µg/mL, expressed as CTAB amount). DDAB-SLNs produced much lower cytotoxicity, even at longer exposure time (IC50 from 284.06 ± 17.01 µg/mL (SV-80) to 869.88 ± 62.45 µg/mL (MCF-7), at 48 h). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that compares the cytotoxic profile of CTAB-SLNs and DDAB-SLNs based on the concentration and time of exposure, using different cell lines. In conclusion, the choice of the right surfactant for biological applications influences the biocompatibility of the nanoparticles. Regardless the type of drug delivery system, not only the cytotoxicity of the drug-loaded nanoparticles should be assessed, but also the blank (non-loaded) nanoparticles as their surface properties play a decisive role both in vitro and in vivo.
A Graph Representation Learning Algorithm for Low-Order Proximity Feature Extraction to Enhance Unsupervised IDS Preprocessing

Most existing studies on an unsupervised intrusion detection system (IDS) preprocessing ignore the relationship among packets. According to the homophily hypothesis, the local proximity structure in the similarity relational graph has similar embedding after preprocessing. To improve the performance of IDS by building a relationship among packets, we propose a packet2vec learning algorithm that extracts accurate local proximity features based on graph representation by adding penalty to node2vec. In this algorithm, we construct a relational graph G’ by using each packet as a node, calculate the cosine similarity between packets as edges, and then explore the low-order proximity of each packet via the penalty-based random walk in G’. We use the above algorithm as a preprocessing method to enhance the accuracy of unsupervised IDS by retaining the local proximity features of packets maximally. The original features of the packet are combined with the local proximity features as the input of a deep auto-encoder for IDS. Experiments based on ISCX2012 show that the proposal outperforms the state-of-the-art algorithms by 11.6% with respect to the accuracy of unsupervised IDS. It is the first time to introduce graph representation learning for packet-embedded preprocessing in the field of IDS.
Preliminary studies on improved oil-adjuvant vaccine for haemorrhagic septicaemia in buffalo calves.

Summary: Two oil-adjuvant vaccines of Pasteurella multocida Robert's type 1 were prepared and evaluated for induction of an immune response in buffalo calves. Adjuvant 1 was a water-in-oil emulsion and contained Marcol 52, Montanide 103 and antigen in ratios of 6:1:3. Adjuvant 2 was a double emulsion and contained Marcol 52, Arlacel A and Tween 80 besides antigen. Viscosity of the adjuvants was low (easily injectable) and the oil phase did not separate upon centrifugation at 1,000 g for 30 minutes or standing at room temperature for 30 days. Both preparations induced sustained high antibody titres in buffalo calves beyond 230 days after vaccination.
Managing environmental building performance through IT systems

Purpose This paper aims to disclose the role and features of various IT systems for environmental building performance (EBP) in facilities management. Design/methodology/approach The study focuses on IT systems used for facilities management in four organisations. The study is based on a maximum variance case study in which the selected organisations have different organisation type and portfolio size. Three organisations are from Denmark and one is from the UK. Findings Several IT systems can be used for managing EBP. EBP in IT systems is primarily reflected through energy management, with specific focus on monitoring and reporting electricity, heating and water consumption. Furthermore, greenhouse gas emissions related to energy consumption can be calculated in some IT systems, while other environmental categories like building materials and recycling potentials are not adequately supported by the systems covered in this study. Some IT systems offer additional features relating to EBP, such as waste management and space management, but the study shows that these features are not demanded at the current point. Practical implications The results can be used to support decision-making in organisations to improve EBP in facilities management by IT systems. Originality/value This study contributes with new knowledge on how IT systems are used in different organisations for managing EBP. The paper also shows how various IT systems can add value to real estate organisations and facilities management departments and support their business processes relating to EBP.
A fast MoM solver for wire‐to‐surface junctions in layered uniaxial media

Wire‐to‐surface structures in layered uniaxial media are of great importance in practical applications. This paper presents the essential procedures to build a fast method of moments (MoM) solver for modeling wire‐to‐surface structures in layered uniaxial media. These procedures include the modeling of junctions, accelerated evaluation, and efficient interpolation of the layered media Green's function (LMGF), and thin‐wire modeling in layered uniaxial media. Three numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of our approach.
Electricity engineers and the happening of behaviour: lessons from a real-scale experiment

ABSTRACT This paper addresses the question of the constitution of behaviour and its effects on the observers and on those observed, in the case of a ‘direct load-control’ experiment in the electricity sector in France. Typical of the rise of the behavioural approach to understanding demand in the electricity sector, that experiment lasted seven years and involved several hundred households. It aimed at sorting out human behaviours from that of heating systems and of buildings in order to prepare for ‘demand-response’ market designs. The paper proposes to consider behaviour as happening. Speaking of the happening of behaviour takes inspiration from performance art and serves to emphasize two crucial elements. First, it indicates that behaviour is more the product of a staged performance of those observed, than of a classical scientific instrumentation of an external reality. Second, it refers to the element of surprise that such a performed behaviour provokes on the part of observers. The surprise belongs to a quite different world from that of the machine-like action and well-delineated unit of the behaviour. Speaking of the happening of behaviour is a way to hold together two contradictory takes on life: that of the richness of the singular experience and that of the powerfulness of the generalized abstraction.
Output Impedance Modeling of Single-Phase Grid-Tied Inverters With Capturing the Frequency-Coupling Effect of PLL

The output impedance model for the precise stability analysis on the single-phase grid-tied inverters considering the frequency-coupling effect of the phase-locked loop (PLL) is studied. A multifrequency admittance matrix (MAM) is developed to predict the inverter-grid system stability by applying the generalized Nyquist criterion. Based on the MAM, a novel output impedance model characterized by clear physical meaning is proposed, which reveals that the inverter output impedance <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$(Z_{op}|_{(Z\text{pcc}, {Im})})$</tex-math></inline-formula> varies along with the grid impedance <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$Z_{{\text{pcc}}}$</tex-math></inline-formula> and the current reference <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$I_{m}$</tex-math></inline-formula>. The resonance and the stability problems can be identified by applying the impedance-based stability criterion to the impedance ratio <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$Z_{op}| _{(Z\text{pcc},\,{Im})}/ Z_{\text{pcc}}$</tex-math></inline-formula>. The proposed impedance model is further extended to the <italic>n</italic>-parallel inverter system. It is found that the output impedances of two <italic>n</italic>-parallel homogeneous-inverter systems are identical if the number <italic>n</italic> and the total injected current <italic>i</italic><sub>tot</sub> are the same, and the system stability is indicated by the impedance ratio <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\frac{1}{\boldsymbol{n}}$</tex-math></inline-formula> <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$Z_{op}| _{(n\cdot Z{\text{pcc}},\,{I}{{\rm{avg)}}}}/ Z_{{\text{pcc}}}$</tex-math></inline-formula>, where <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$Z_{op}| _{(n\cdot Z{\text{pcc}},\,{I{\text{avg)}}}}$</tex-math></inline-formula> is the output impedance of one special inverter with the average current <italic>i</italic><sub>tot</sub>/<italic>n</italic> injected to the grid with <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n\cdot Z_{{\text{pcc}}}$</tex-math></inline-formula>. Further on, the design procedure of the PLL bandwidth <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$f_{b}$</tex-math></inline-formula> is elaborated, which guides the selection of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$f_{b}$</tex-math></inline-formula> with the anticipated phase margin. Compared to the conventional impedance model, the developed output impedance is more qualified to precisely identify the harmonic stability problem in the weak grid. The selection of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$f_{b}$</tex-math></inline-formula> and the correctness of the proposed impedance model are experimentally verified by the measured output impedance and the waveforms of the elaborated cases.