Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An adaptive search equation-based artificial bee colony algorithm for transportation energy demand forecasting

: This study aimed to develop a new adaptive artificial bee colony (A-ABC) algorithm that can adaptively select an appropriate search equation to more accurately estimate transport energy demand (TED). Also, A-ABC and canonical artificial bee colony (C-ABC) algorithms were compared in terms of eﬀiciency and performance. The input parameters used in the proposed TED model were the oﬀicial economic indicators of Turkey, including gross domestic product (GDP), population, and total vehicle kilometer per year (TKM). Three mathematical models, linear (A-ABCL), exponential (A-ABCE), and quadratic (A-ABCQ) were developed and tested. Also, economic variables were generated using the ”curve fitting” technique to see TED’s projections for the year 2034, under two different scenarios. In the first scenario, the results of linear, exponential, and quadratic models according to 2034 TED estimates were 40.1, 31.6, and 70.5 million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe), respectively. In the second scenario, the results of linear, exponential, and quadratic models according to the TED estimates for 2034 were found as 40.0, 31.5, and 66.5 Mtoe, respectively. The presented models, A-ABCL, A-ABCE, A-ABCQ for the solution of the TED problem, produced successful results compared to the studies in the literature. Besides that, according to global error metrics, developed models generated lower error values than C-ABC. Furthermore, consumption estimation values of A-ABCL and A-ABCE were lower than A-ABCQ. According to A-ABCQ model estimations for both scenarios, the TED value would increase approximately three times from 2013 to 2034.
Evaluation of social bot detection models

Final Version: . 2022 Abstract: Social bots are employed to automatically perform online social network activities; thereby, they can also be utilized in spreading misinformation and malware. Therefore, many researchers have focused on the automatic detection of social bots to reduce their negative impact on society. However, it is challenging to evaluate and compare existing studies due to diﬀiculties and limitations in sharing datasets and models. In this study, we conduct a comparative study and evaluate four different bot detection systems in various settings using 20 different public datasets. We show that high-quality datasets covering various social bots are critical for a reliable evaluation of bot detection methods. In addition, our experiments suggest that Botometer is preferable to others in order to
MUSIC’S EFFECT ON HEART RATE, RATINGS OF PERCEIVED EXERTION, AND AFFECT OF OLDER WOMEN PARTICIPATING IN WATER EXERCISE

The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to determine the effect of music on heart rate, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and affect of older adult female participants during water exercise and (b) to determine if exercising in the preferred music condition would produce more benefits than exercising in the nonpreferred and no-music conditions. Heart rate was measured with Polar F 1 heart rate monitors. Ratings of perceived exertion was measured with Borg’s RPE Scale. Affect was measured with the Exercise-Induced Feeling Inventory. There were no significant differences in the heart rate, RPE, or affect in the 3 music conditions. Results indicate that RPE is an accurate gauge for measuring the exercise intensity of older adults participating in water exercise.
Broadside Radiation based on Even-mode Spoof Surface Plasmon Polaritons Excited by Slot in AMC Ground Plane

In this paper, a broadside antenna based on even mode of spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPP) using artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) ground plane is proposed. Slot in AMC ground plane is used for first time to excite even mode of SSPP in horizontally placed corrugated metal strip while maintaining low profile. Planar configuration of the proposed design is possible due to the horizontal E-field of slot in AMC ground. The in-phase resonating even mode currents of both the SSPP strips contribute for radiation in broadside direction. The proposed antenna offers 89% radiation efficiency with 6.7 dBi gain with low profile of only 0.068 λ (where λ is free space wavelength at resonance frequency of 3.2 GHz.)
Genetic polymorphisms related to the vitamin D pathway in patients with cirrhosis with or without hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

Objective To evaluate the association of genetic polymorphisms of vitamin D transporter protein (DBPrs4588 and DBP-rs7041) and cytochrome P450-24A1 (CYP24A1-rs6013897) in patients with cirrhosis with or without hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including demographic/clinical/biochemical profiles. Methods A total of 383 individuals were studied, considering the total group (TotalG) of patients with cirrhosis (TotalG: N = 158) with or without HCC, distributed into Group 1 (G1): cirrhosis and HCC; Group 2 (G2): isolated cirrhosis; and 225 individuals without hepatopathies (G3). Polymorphisms were analysed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. An alpha error of 5% was admitted. Results CYP24A1-rs6013897 predominated the genotype with at least one polymorphic allele (_/T) in G1 (98.3%) versus G2 (88.8%; p = 0.0309). There was a moderate positive correlation between vitamin D and parathyroid hormone in patients (TotalG: R2 = 0.3273). Smoking, alcoholism and diabetes mellitus (DM) stood out as independent factors for cirrhosis, as well as for cirrhosis with HCC, except for smoking, adding, in this case, advanced age, male gender, polymorphic allele of CYP24A1-rs6013897, viral hepatitis and high levels of serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and creatinine. An increase in survival was observed in the presence of the polymorphic allele of DBP-rs7041 (p = 0.0282). Conclusion CYP24A1-rs6013897 is associated with cirrhosis and HCC as a predictor, while DBP-rs4588 is associated with reduced vitamin D, and DBP-rs7041 provides increased survival, suggesting a protective characteristic. Advanced age, alcoholism, DM, viral hepatitis and high levels of GGT, AFP and creatinine are also confirmed as predictors of HCC and cirrhosis, while smoking, alcoholism and DM for isolated cirrhosis only.
Palm Kernel Shell Activated Carbon for Lead and Methylene Blue Removal

Palm kernel shell activated carbon (PKSAC) is a porous material with high surface area used in adsorption application. The abundance of palm kernel shells from palm oil mills attracted researchers to use them as a precursor for activated carbon. This research investigates the ability of PKSAC for lead ion (Pb 2+ ) and methylene blue (MB) removal. Two size of PKSACs (0.4 mm and 1.4 mm) were prepared through chemical activation with 50w/w% potassium hydroxide, followed by activation in tube furnace at 800°C, and named as 0.4-50 PKSAC and 1.4-50 PKSAC, respectively. Morphology of PKS biochar and PKSACs were observed using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) to observe the surface characteristics. The PKSACs were characterized for their ash and moisture content, iodine number, pH, and bulk density. Then, the response surface methodology (RSM) employing Box-Behnken design, with three independent variables were used to construct the experimental design for batch adsorption study, with percentage removal as the response. The independent variables were initial concentration (5 – 20 ppm for Pb 2+ , 50 – 250 ppm for MB), pH (4.5 – 7 for Pb 2+ , 4 – 10 for MB) and contact time (20 – 60 min for Pb 2+ , 60 – 120 min for MB). The interactive effect of the independent variables on the percentage removal of Pb 2+ and MB by 0.4-50 PKSAC and 1.4-50 PKSAC were investigated using 3D surface plots. The highest experimental Pb 2+ percentage removal by 0.4-50 PKSAC and 1.4-50 PKSAC was 98.20% and 95.48%, respectively, at conditions of initial concentration of 20 ppm, contact time of 60 min and pH 7. While the highest experimental MB percentage removal by 0.4-50 PKSAC and 1.4-50 PKSAC was 99.97% and 98.71%, respectively, at initial concentration of 50 ppm, contact time of 90 min and pH 10. Overall, the present study concludes the ability of PKSACs in removing Pb 2+ and MB, with reported percentage removal of >95%. This work is based on a previous work by Sinring (2019), which was on the response surface methodology optimization of PKS biochar activation using KOH to produce PKSAC. The parameters were particle size, activating temperature and KOH concentrations. The study reported that PKSAC with iodine number higher than 1100 mg/g, which is comparable to commercially available activated carbon, could be produced. Thus, this present work aims to investigate the ability of the PKSAC in lead ion (Pb 2+ ) and methylene blue (MB) removal. The ability of any activated carbon to remove heavy metal and dyes from wastewater can be affected by its iodine number, which is indirect measurement of porosity, and particle size, as well as the initial concentration of the pollutant, the pH of the solution and the contact time. Response surface methodology (RSM) through Box-Behnken design framework was used to construct the experimental sets, and to model the response of percentage removal of Pb 2+ and MB with independent variables of initial concentration, pH and contact time, at two particle sizes of PKSAC.
PRISMS: remote high resolution in situ multispectral imaging of wall paintings

The non-invasive monitoring and examination of wall paintings in grotto sites, tombs and buildings is particularly important since these paintings are often extremely vulnerable. Traditionally, inspection of wall paintings at high resolution (i.e. sub-millimetre resolution) requires either scaffolding or some heavy and cumbersome mechanical structure to lift a person or camera to the upper parts of a wall or ceiling. We have developed a proto-type portable remote imaging multi-spectral camera that operates at ground level for in situ high-resolution colour and spectral imaging of wall paintings. We present here the latest developments for the instrument and examples of how the instrument can be used for diagnosis of wall paintings.
Investment Decision Analysis Based on NPV, IRR, and the Fisher Separation Theorem

In today's society, investment decision-making has become one of the main decisions of every large-scale company. The management and shareholders of the company conduct reasonable analysis and vote for high-quality investment plans. The paper mainly shows the impact of economic models on project decision-making, and mainly summarizes the relationship between the economic model NPV and IRR and its application loopholes in actual situations. The final results of the paper show that the economic models NPV and IRR have their own advantages and disadvantages, and they need to be used reasonably according to the situation. Second, investors do not have to follow economic models to make decisions. When faced with investment decisions, they should adapt to the current situation.
Engineering Minimum Degree Node Ordering Algorithms

The problem of solving large sparse systems of linear equations is of great importance for a variety of diﬀerent ﬁelds in scientiﬁc computing ranging from computational ﬂuid dynamics to circuit simulation. In the process of solving those systems, the matrix normally gets decomposed into two matrices which have a triangular structure. For sparse matrices, this decomposition often results in triangular matrices that are denser than the initial matrix. This increases memory consumption and running time such that in some cases the initial system becomes intractable. Those additional non-zero entries in the matrix are called ﬁll-in. The number of non-zeros can be reduced by permuting the original system before solving the linear system. The reduction is often solved by representing the matrix as a graph. In the graph representation one decomposition step, called an elimination step, in the decomposition of the sparse matrix can be represented eﬃciently. The graph representation additionally helps to create algorithms beneﬁting from previously known graph algorithms to reduce the number of additional non-zero entries. In the graph, an elimination can be represented as removing a node and adding additional so-called ﬁll-in edges in a way that previously adjacent nodes form a clique.
Experimental analysis of limitations in the strut-and-tie method

One of the overall main purposes for a structural engineer is to design structures and structural elements so that they meet society’s safety requirements, yet use as little material as possible. In order to do so, the designer has to understand and simplify a complex reality. The strut-and-tie method is such a simplification model which allows engineers to design reinforced concrete structures where basic beam theory is not applicable, e. g. high beams or discontinuity regions near supports and loads. When designing according to the strut-and-tie method, several assumptions have to be made regarding the structural behavior. Questions exists whether current recommendations regarding these assumptions are conservative – the assumed internal truss system for ultimate limit state calculations is usually based on the linear-elastic stress field. This despite stress redistribution due to cracking and plastic deformations is possible. Accounting for the stress redistribution would yield a higher load-bearing capacity in the ultimate limit state. The conservative approach derives from uncertainties regarding the materials plastic deformation capacities and serviceability limit state considerations. The aim of this report is to investigate the effects on the stress distribution of a simply supported high concrete beam when loaded to failure, investigating the redistribution capacity of the member. In the design of the specimen, extreme cases were chosen, e.g. a structure with a very small amount of reinforcement. Thus, the scope of the project also includes limitations in the strut-and-tie method. Studies were performed on four specimen with different amount of reinforcement; three members with increasing amount of reinforcement and a fourth reinforced with a minimum reinforcement mesh in accordance with Eurocode. The beams were simply supported and subjected to two-point loading. Laboratory results were compared with computer simulations and hand calculations. Analyzing the results from the simulations indicated a rise of the internal lever arm, in three out of four cases. The laboratory test results clearly showed two types of behavior; a brittle failure for the ‘insufficiently reinforced’ and a ductile response from the one with minimum reinforcement installed. Comparing the results from the lab and the model gave diverse results in terms of stiffness.
An Experimental Study of Hydraulic Jump Due to Moving Jet Impingement

The objective of this project work is to study experimentally the hydraulic jump with a moving jet impingement on a glass plate surface. The jet strikes the horizontally placed glass plate and the jump occur which is investigated with different flow rate and discussed here in detail. Hydraulic jump of two different variety has been observed in this study when jet is stationary with respect to horizontal glass plate and moving. When jet is stationary with higher angle of jet inclination, smooth curve is appeared at the jump location, and for lower angle of jet inclination, curve with sharp change in profile is observed. Radius of hydraulic jump and the profile formed due to variation in flow rate are studied experimentally. When jet is in still condition we found that the radius of hydraulic jump increases with the flow rate and elliptical shape is formed due to jet inclination and when it moves normally with respect to horizontal glass plate a semicircular shape occur in the direction of jet movement. The result are found out for hydraulic jump with variation of flow rate through graph and validate with existing results of literature. The jet is moved by the means of slider crank mechanism
Comparative study of a bidirectional multi-phase multiinput converter for electric vehicles

: Multiinput converters allow to create hybrid energy systems in electric vehicles with a reduced part count. In addition, interleaved structures help to build eﬀicient converters with several possible benefits, such as low current ripple and high power density. This paper proposes utilizing a multiphase multiinput converter (MPMIC), which concentrates the aforementioned advantages and presents a comprehensive comparison with its single-phase version, called single-phase multiinput converter (SPMIC). After analysing their steady-state characteristics, SPMIC and MPMIC are designed considering same conditions. Then, two laboratory prototypes rated at 2.5kW output power are implemented to validate the analysis. Finally, these prototypes are compared in terms of voltage-gain, input current ripple, eﬀiciency, complexity, cost, and power density. The results show that MPMIC surpasses SPMIC in eﬀiciency and in input current ripple at the expense of increments in the complexity and cost. Besides, MPMIC results in comparatively high voltage gain in low power region thanks to the discontinuous current mode operation. On the other hand, it is explored that SPMIC can reach higher power density in the event of effective cooling.
Total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol as predictors of coronary artery calcification assessed by multidetector computed tomography coronary angiography

BACKGROUND Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is an important marker of total burden of coronary atherosclerosis. Furthermore, it is a measure of subclinical atherosclerotic disease that correlates well with the cardiovascular risk. The aim of our study was to determine the role of the different lipid parameters in prediction of calcification in coronary arteries using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). METHODS This study was conducted on 120 patients presenting to the clinic with typical or atypical chest pain or dyspnea on exertion, or equivocal stress test results along with standard cardiac risk factors; they all underwent computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography. A total calcium score was determined by summing individual lesion scores from each of our anatomic sites: left main (LM), left anterior descending (LAD), left circumflex (LCX), and right coronary artery (RCA). The amount of calcium present in the coronary arteries was scored according to Agatston score, and patients were divided into 2 groups based on absence (group I) and presence (group II) of CAC. Clinical characteristics, lipid ratios, and a full blood count were calculated and compared between both groups. RESULTS Mean and standard deviation (SD) for age of group I was 52.4 ± 8.4 years, while that of group II was 53.7 ± 7.9 (P > 0.005). Patients in group II had a higher total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), TC/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and LDL/HDL-C ratio, and lower HDL levels. TC/HDL ratio and LDL/HDL ratio were found to be good predictors of calcium using a regression analysis model. Finally, at a cut-off value of ≥ 3.108, LDL/HDL ratio showed a sensitivity of 58.8% and specificity of 84.6% in prediction of coronary calcium, while TC/HDL ratio ≥ 4.742 showed a sensitivity of 60.3% and specificity of 88.5%. CONCLUSION Amongst the different lipid parameters, TC/HDL-C and LDL/HDL ratio were found to be good predictors of presence of CAC in coronary arteries.
Conversion of anti-sliding piles into 2-dimensional discrete element simulation

For 2D slope reinforcement DEM simulation,the first consideration is the conversion of anti-sliding structure into a 2D model.There are two mechanical models and corresponding calculation methods of embedding section of anti-sliding piles,which are classified into rigid pile model and elastic pile model according to the relative rigidity of pile-soil system.Laws governing the elastic anti-sliding pile model are brought forward from formula deduction.First,the strain of the pile is in inverse proportion to its EI and in positive correlation to the force acting on it.Second,the stress of the pile is independent of EI and in positive correlation to the force acting on it.The two rules are also correct for the rigid anti-sliding model.Under these rules,considering a line of piles with a distance of d in a 2D simulation model of unitage of thickness,the force acting on the pile is only 1/d of the actual value,considering EI of the pile to be converted to its 1/d,then the realistic strain can be yielded through simulation,and the stress obtained is 1/d of the actual value,which is only in positive correlation to the force.Four different transformation examples of EI are calculated.Results show that the same strain and stress can be obtained under the four situations,no matter we just change E to E/d,or just I to I/d,or both E and I of the pile to make its EI become 1/d of the actual value.A similar soil slope project of Zhangjiakou-Shijiazhuang Expressway is simulated using this method,and the strain and stress of anti-sliding piles are agreed with the actual rules.
Mobile Augmented Reality: In Reference to UTAUT Perspective in Relation to Smart Tourism

: Purpose: Man’s unending need for getting more, discovering for more insatiable thirst which gives the purpose to the tourist for tourism. Destination search is not limited with only brick and mortal websites through desktop computers with the increase acceptance of mobile device and enhanced used of innovation in wireless networks; mobile is used as a new way for destination search as mobile tourism. The aim of the study is to find out what impact is on users to accept or adopt the augmented reality with the use of mobile in tourism and destination search. A conceptual model is proposed, combining the two theories that is Unified Theory of Acceptance and Usage of Technology (UTAUT) with the Task Technology Fit (TTF) to study behavioral pattern and user behavior on any four dimensions: (1). Performance Expectancy (2). Effort Expectancy (3). Social Influence (4). Facilitating Conditions. Design/
Systematic Development of Single-objective Optimization Approaches for Chesapeake Bay Watershed Management

This technical report presents the optimization algorithms developed during the ﬁrst 18 months as part of the project: Development of a Multi-objective Optimization Tool for Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The results presented here refer to the development of six diﬀerent approaches to solve the problem. First, we present a simple random-based approach called Opt1 . Then, we present an interior-point-based classical optimization approach called Opt2 . This approach is further in-terfaced with the Chesapeake Assessment and Scenario Tool (CAST). The resulting approach is called Opt3 . Then, we implemented diﬀerent genetic algorithms with diﬀerent representations. Fi-nally, we present the results of the most promising population-based approach, called Opt4 . Next, we hybridized our Opt4 approach with the Opt2 approach. The resulting method is called Opt5 . Finally, we develop an interactive platform for users to provide feedback, investigate diﬀerent scenarios, and optimize using Opt1 to Opt5 . This latter approach is called Opt6 . This report discusses all these approaches and also present comparative results on all counties of the Chesapeake Bay.