Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Improved Quantum Particle Swarm Algorithm Optimized Regularized Extreme Learning Machine for Short-Term Load Forecasting

In order to screen out the nonlinear relationship in massive load data more quickly and improve the accuracy of short-term load forecasting model, the genetic quantum particle swarm optimization algorithm (GAQPSO) is proposed to optimize the input weight and hidden layer deviation of the regularized extreme learning machine (RELM) based on the shortcomings of quantum particle swarm optimization algorithm (QPSO) in dealing with complex high-dimensional parameter optimization problems, which forms a hybrid short-term load forecasting model called GAQPSO-RELM. Meanwhile, when the input features are selected, the influences of historical load, temperature, time interval and type of date are fully considered, so the accuracy of the short-term load forecasting model is further improved. The experimental result shows that the proposed short-term load forecasting model has a higher accuracy than the QPSO-RELM model and the common RELM model. Besides, it can better reflect the changeable trend of the daily load curve, which verifies the effectiveness of the proposed predictive model.
InjectionGAN: Unified Generative Adversarial Networks for Arbitrary Image Attribute Editing

Existing image-to-image translation methods usually incorporate encoder-decoder and generative adversarial networks to generate images. The encoder compresses an entire image into a static representation using a sequence of convolution layers until a bottleneck, and then, the intermediate features are decoded to the target image. However, the existence of bottleneck layer in those approaches still has limitations in the sharpness of details, distinct image translation and identity preservation, since different domain translations may be related to the global or local region in the input image. To address these issues, we propose a new model, InjectionGAN, based on a novel generative adversarial network (GAN) for arbitrary attribute transfer. Specifically, conditional on the target domain label, an auto-encoder-like network with multiple linear transformation and refinement connections are trained to translate the input image into the target domain. The connections block better shuttle the low-level information in the encoder to the decoder, which helps to preserve the structural information while modify the appearance slightly at the pixel level through adversarial training. The results on two popular datasets suggest that InjectionGAN achieves a better performance.
Coupling Attitude Control for Flexible Spacecraft with Rotating Structure

This paper is devoted to the precise attitude control of flexible spacecraft with rotating structures, which is modeled as a rigid platform with some attached flexible appendages. During attitude maneuver, the excited vibration of flexible appendages would downgrade the performance of the spacecraft. In order to address this key issue, the idea of a coupling attitude controller, in which the positive position feedback control method is introduced to suppress the elastic vibration based on piezoelectric materials is proposed, while a robust H∞ controller with the consideration of uncertainties is utilized to control the attitude. Also, the stability of the coupling attitude controller is analyzed. The methodology is implemented on a spacecraft attitude control problem in which the platform undergoes attitude maneuver. The simulation results show the efficiency of the coupling attitude controller. The proposed theory is meaningful for flexible spacecraft to achieve high pointing precision and stability.
Analysis of Performance Parameters of X-band Substrate Integrated Waveguide Antennas for Different Slot Shapes

The X-band Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) antennas with different radiating slots etched on top layer is presented in this paper. The main objective is to evaluate the performance of five different antennas on the basis of standing wave ratio, return loss and bandwidth. The SIW structures are designed with Square Ring, U-shape, Inverted U-shape, C-shape and Inverted C-shape slots. This results the design in compact and planar structure. It is observed that the square ring slot antenna provides excellent return loss of -39.78 dB and VSWR of 1.03 at frequency 10GHz and the C-shape slot antenna achieves very broad VSWR<2 bandwidth of 2.4 GHz. HFSS simulation software is used to carry out the simulation for the proposed antennas.
A V-Band Low Sidelobe Cavity-Backed Slot Array Antenna Based on Gap Waveguide

A cavity-backed slot antenna array element is designed to operate in V-band with low sidelobe level (SLL). The 2 − 4 element array is fed by a groove gap waveguide (GGW) cavity in the bottom layer. Simulated results indicate that the array element can achieve a 7.4% bandwidth (59.764.3 GHz) with a gain of more than 16.5 dBi. Besides, the low SLL characteristic is achieved and the simulated first SLLs are below −20 dB across the desired working band.
Modelling relationships among some test-taker characteristics and performance on EFL tests: an approach to construct validation

Construct validation has seen two proposals recently: the use of construct representation and nomothetic span variables through structural modelling and the concept of population generalizability. This study investigated the influence of two major test-taker characteristics (TTCs), social milieu or cultural background and exposure or previous instruction, on test perform ance (TP) in tests of English as a foreign language (EFL) for two native language groups, the non-Indo-European (NIE) and the Indo-European (IE). Data from the Cambridge-TOEFL comparability study (Bachman et al., 1991; N = 1448) from eight sites in eight countries was used. The instruments were 1) a 45-item Likert scale background questionnaire which captured the test-taker characteristics; and 2) the First Certificate in English, administered by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate, the TOEFL and the SPEAK, administered by the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, and the Test of English Writing. Modelling of the TTCs and the TP factors generally supported an equal influence factors model (where the factors have equal status) and an intervening factors type model (where the factors are not equal in status and one factor is an intervening factor) for both the NIE and IE groups.
A Framework for Optimal Worker Selection in Spatial Crowdsourcing Using Bayesian Network

Spatial Crowdsourcing (SC) is a new paradigm of crowdsourcing applications. Unlike traditional crowdsourcing, SC outsources tasks to distributed potential workers, and those who accept the task are required to travel to a predefined location to complete it. Currently, the primary aim of SC is to maximize the number of matched tasks or to minimize the travelling distances of the workers. However, less focus is given in matching the right tasks to the right workers, particularly in a heterogeneous tasks environment. To address this lacking, our work provides an efficient framework for selecting optimal workers for every task with various specification (geographical proximity, domain types, and expiration times), based on workers’ attributes (task domain-specific knowledge, expertise or performance history, distance to task location, and task workload distribution). We introduce the use of Bayesian Network in modelling and selecting optimal workers, and use k-medoids partitioning technique for tasks clustering and scheduling. Our experimental results on both synthetic and real-world large datasets have shown that our proposed approach has outperformed other baseline approaches, in terms of low average error rate and fast execution time.
A Dual-band Microwave Energy Harvesting Rectenna System for WiFi Sources

A compact dual-band Microwave Energy Harvesting (MEH) System is proposed in this article, in which omnidirectional antenna system is presented to receive the available radiation from WiFi routers at 2.4 GHz and 5.2 GHz frequency bands. The antenna system is followed by a Schottky diode-based rectifier to transform the received RF signal into a pulsating DC signal. To provide the proper impedance matching between antenna and rectifier, Frequency-Dependent Complex Load (FDCL) based impedance matching network is also proposed. By introducing the impedance matching network, Power Conversion Efficiency (PCE) of 64.04% at 2.4 GHz and 9.15% at 5.2 GHz is achieved for the overall rectenna system. Detailed investigation of various results such as S-parameter, Gain, radiation properties of the antenna, and Power Conversion Efficiency, is done in this paper.
A Hybrid SSPPs-EBG Filter with Glide Symmetry for 5G Applications

In this paper, we propose a metamaterial-based low-pass band-pass hybrid filter combining the low-pass features of a spoof surface plasmon polaritons transmission line and band-reject features of an edge via mushroom-like glide-symmetric EBG structure. The idea of the proposed hybrid filter is to increase the degrees of freedom to tune the performance. The filter has been designed for 5G applications, covering both the sub 6 GHz and millimeter-wave frequency ranges. A stopband suppression of more than 25 dB has been achieved.
The honeybees (Apis mellifera L) of Libya

We investigated honeybee populations of A. mellifera in Saharan and coastal locations in Libya to fill the North Africa gap of biogeography and distribution of honeybees, morphologically and using mtDNA analysis. It was found that Libyan honeybees are different, morphologically and genetically, from adjacent subspecies; and majority of Libyan bees (92%) belongs to oriental evolutionary lineage (O). As well as, it was found local impact of imported European honeybees. Further studies may to name the Libyan bees as a separate subspecies.
Update on Meningococcal Disease with Emphasis on Pathogenesis and Clinical Management

SUMMARY The only natural reservoir of Neisseria meningitidis is the human nasopharyngeal mucosa. Depending on age, climate, country, socioeconomic status, and other factors, approximately 10% of the human population harbors meningococci in the nose. However, invasive disease is relatively rare, as it occurs only when the following conditions are fulfilled: (i) contact with a virulent strain, (ii) colonization by that strain, (iii) penetration of the bacterium through the mucosa, and (iv) survival and eventually outgrowth of the meningococcus in the bloodstream. When the meningococcus has reached the bloodstream and specific antibodies are absent, as is the case for young children or after introduction of a new strain in a population, the ultimate outgrowth depends on the efficacy of the innate immune response. Massive outgrowth leads within 12 h to fulminant meningococcal sepsis (FMS), characterized by high intravascular concentrations of endotoxin that set free high concentrations of proinflammatory mediators. These mediators belonging to the complement system, the contact system, the fibrinolytic system, and the cytokine system induce shock and diffuse intravascular coagulation. FMS can be fatal within 24 h, often before signs of meningitis have developed. In spite of the increasing possibilities for treatment in intensive care units, the mortality rate of FMS is still 30%. When the outgrowth of meningococci in the bloodstream is impeded, seeding of bacteria in the subarachnoidal compartment may lead to overt meningitis within 24 to 36 h. With appropriate antibiotics and good clinical surveillance, the mortality rate of this form of invasive disease is 1 to 2%. The overall mortality rate of meningococcal disease can only be reduced when patients without meningitis, i.e., those who may develop FMS, are recognized early. This means that the fundamental nature of the disease as a meningococcus septicemia deserves more attention.
Sindbis virus replication in vertebrate and mosquito cells: an interpretation.

: This paper summarizes recent comparative studies of Sindbis virus (SV) replication in cultured Aedes albopictus (A. albo) or (A. aegypti (A. aeg) and BHK21 or chick embryo (CEF) cells. 1. Viral growth kinetics and yields are similar in A. albo cells at 28 degress C and in vertebrate cells at 37 degrees C. A. albo exhibit no CPE and yield persistenetly infected cultures. 2. SV grown in A. albo cells lacks sialic acid but is antigenically and in terms of particle/PFU or particle/HAU ratios equivalent to SV derived from vertebrate cells. The contrast to VSV in the latter respect is discussed. 3. SV from persistently infected A. albo or A. aeg cells is temperature-sensitive, thermolabile, and produces small plaques. Partial characterization of these mutants, of RNA associated with their replication, and their high reversion rate to ts+ upon serial undiluted passage in GHK21 cells are presented. 4. Hostdependent differences in the generation of defective-interfering (DI) SV particles and of low molecular weight viral RNA species have been observed upon undiluted serial passages in BHK21 and CEF. In contrast, serial passage in A. albo cells appears not to produce DI particles or small RNA species nor do these cells "recognize" as such DI particles from BHK21 cells. 5. Possible implications of these observations fro the natural life cycle of arthropod-borne togaviruses are discussed.
Draft Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas nitrititolerans Strain AGROB37, Isolated from a Sheep Dairy Farm in New Zealand

We report the draft genome sequence of a new Pseudomonas nitrititolerans strain, AGROB37, isolated from a sheep dairy farm environment in New Zealand. The genome is 4.19 Mbp long, with a GC content of 63.2%. The genome sequence was found to be closely related to that of the type strain Pseudomonas nitrititolerans GL14. ABSTRACT We report the draft genome sequence of a new Pseudomonas nitrititolerans strain, AGROB37, isolated from a sheep dairy farm environment in New Zealand. The genome is 4.19 Mbp long, with a GC content of 63.2%. The genome sequence was found to be closely related to that of the type strain Pseudomonas nitrititolerans GL14.
Responses to light changes in tropical seedlings of the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest tree species Cecropia glazioui (Cecropiaceae) and Cedrela fissilis (Meliaceae)

This study analysed the behaviour of Cecropia glazioui Sneth. and Cedrela fissilis Vell. seedlings across a 2–50% full sun light gradient. The morphological adjustments of the seedlings to the different light regimes were interpreted as means of light interception in low light and avoidance of water stress in high light conditions. Cecropia seedlings showed greater trait plasticity at the 2–15% light interval, whereas Cedrela seedlings showed a slight tendency to present greater trait plasticity at the 15–30% light interval than the 2–15% interval. The seedlings of both species did not fully acclimate to decreasing light, showing lower values for the mean relative growth rate (RGR) components, leaf area ratio (LAR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) than seedlings under constant low light, but acclimated to increasing light, showing higher values for RGR components than seedlings under constant high light. The general responses to light gradient in these two species indicate their relative tolerance and ability to grow at low and high light and provide traits used in coping with gap dynamics. The results also indicated that the two species differed in their shade tolerance.
A Compact Printed Wideband Circularly Polarized Slot Antenna for Universal UHF RFID Reader

A compact circularly polarized (CP) slot antenna is proposed, which has a wideband operation for universal ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) identification (RFID) reader. The antenna is fed by an L-shaped feeding line for achieving wide frequency response of impedance matching, while CP operation can be obtained by a couple rectangular-shaped stubs in the square slot as the ground plane. The measured 10-dB reflection coefficient (return loss) bandwidth is 790 MHz (620–1410 MHz, 87.7% centered at 900 MHz). The measured 3-dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidth is 445 MHz (795–1240 MHz, 49.44% centered at 900 MHz). The maximum measured gain is 3.7 dBi. The dimension is compact $120\times 120\times 1.6 mm^{3}$
The Investigation of the P2P Yaw Error in the Presence of Acoustic Clutters

The work aims to investigate the error in determining the angular coordinates of an object for the solution of the Perspective-2-Point problem in the presence of natural or intentional acoustic clutters to IMU. The results of simulation modeling for yaw P2P estimation errors in the presence of acoustic clutter to a three-axis accelerometer of six degrees of freedom IMU is given.
Input Device to Assist Occupational Therapists Treat Children with Difficulty Crossing the Midline

Bilateral integration, the ability to utilize both sides of one's body simultaneously and particularly crossing the midline are skills that are crucial for a child to develop by the age of 5 years old. When children have difficulty with crossing the midline, they will be unable to perform effectively. Crossing the midline allows for the advancement of various motor and cognitive skills as pathways in the brain are developed. This paper focuses on an assistive input device used with an interactive game aiming to target those children that have difficulty with crossing the midline. Previously a device was designed to accompany the game, however many complexities were encountered. Guidance from occupational therapists was sought during the development of the interactive game and the device. Using a linear potentiometer provided an innovative approach to simulate the movement of the child solving for many of the issues experienced in the design of the assistive device. Playing of the game stimulates the required pathways to create movements that were difficult or previously uncomfortable and avoided by the child. The challenges faced in the design of the assistive design will be thoroughly investigated and the ultimate working solution shall be presented.
Low Attenuation Dichroic Sub-Reflector For Wide Incident Angles For Ka/Ku Band Satellite Antenna Systems: An ECA Analysis

In this paper, we conduct an equivalent circuit approach (ECA) analysis to investigate the incident angle dependence on the performance of different frequency-selective-surface structures and arrangements in dichroic sub-reflectors (DSR’s). We find a DSR with low-attenuation performance for a range of incident angles, capable of combining both Ku band TV and Ka band broadband interactive services with the LNB located beside the feedarm of a one-arm satellite antenna dish.
Evaluation of some essential oils as botanical fungitoxicants for the protection of stored food commodities from fungal infestation

Essential oils from different parts of 18 plants belonging to 11 families were extracted and tested against two toxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus Link through the poisoned food technique. The oil of Mentha arvensis was found to be effective against both strains of A. flavus and completely stopped the radial mycelial growth of A. flavus at 0.10 mg mL−1. It was found to be superior over the synthetic fungicides tested and showed a broad fungitoxic spectrum against A. niger, A. fumigatus, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Fusarium oxysporum, Helminthosporium oryzae, Macrophomina phaseolina and Sclerotium rolfsii at 0.10 mg mL−1. The oil completely inhibited the aflatoxin B1 production by the toxigenic strain of A. flavus at 0.05 mg mL−1. Moreover, the Mentha oil also exhibited potent antioxidant activity in 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphuric acid (ABTS) bioassay. Keeping in mind the side effects of synthetic pesticides and the global interest in botanical pesticides for plant protection due to their biodegradable nature, M. arvensis oil may be used as a botanical fungitoxicant against fungal attack to stored food commodities. The antiaflatoxigenic and antioxidant nature of the oil suggest the possibility of its exploitation for enhancing the shelf life of stored food commodities. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Research on Grid-Tied Control Strategy of Distributed Photovoltaic-Energy Storage System Based on DVR

In order to improve the utilization rate and power quality of distributed new energy power generation technology and, to solve the voltage fluctuation problem in the operation of the distributed photovoltaic storage and grid-connected system. This paper proposes a control strategy based on DVR (dynamic voltage restorer) for operation of distributed photovoltaic storage and grid-connected. The remaining photovoltaic output energy is stored in energy storage via dual active bridge to reduce the waste of photovoltaic power. To compensate the output voltage fluctuation of photovoltaic grid-connected inverter, the DVR was connected to the energy storage. And PI controller parameters of the DVR are optimized by Moth-Flame Optimization (MFO) algorithm, realize the recovery of output voltage fluctuation of the photovoltaic grid-connected inverter. The advantages of the proposed control strategy are demonstrated using simulations, and the results show that the proposed strategy can ensure the quality of PV output voltage in the photovoltaic storage and grid- connected system.
ALigN: A Highly Accurate Adaptive Layerwise Log_2_Lead Quantization of Pre-Trained Neural Networks

Deep Neural Networks are one of the machine learning techniques which are increasingly used in a variety of applications. However, the significantly high memory and computation demands of deep neural networks often limit their deployment on embedded systems. Many recent works have considered this problem by proposing different types of data quantization schemes. However, most of these techniques either require post-quantization retraining of deep neural networks or bear a significant loss in output accuracy. In this paper, we propose a novel and scalable technique with two different modes for the quantization of the parameters of pre-trained neural networks. In the first mode, referred to as log_2_lead, we use a single template for the quantization of all parameters. In the second mode, denoted as ALigN, we analyze the trained parameters of each layer and adaptively adjust the quantization template to achieve even higher accuracy. Our technique significantly maintains the accuracy of the parameters and does not require retraining of the networks. Moreover, it supports quantization to an arbitrary bit-size. For example, compared to the single-precision floating-point numbers-based implementation, our proposed 8-bit quantization technique generates only $\sim 0.2\%$ and $\sim 0.1\%$ , loss in the Top-1 and Top-5 accuracies respectively for VGG-16 network using ImageNet dataset. We have observed similar minimal losses in the Top-1 and Top-5 accuracies for AlexNet and Resnet-18 using the proposed quantization scheme for the 8-bit range. Our proposed quantization technique also provides a higher mean intersection over union for semantic segmentation when compared with state-of-the-art quantization techniques. The proposed technique represents parameters in powers of 2, thereby eliminating the need for resource-computationally intensive multiplier units for the hardware accelerators of the neural networks. We also present a design for implementing the multiplication operation using bit-shifts and addition for the proposed quantization technique.