Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic Algorithm and Singular Value Decomposition in the Design of Fuzzy Systems for the Modelling of Explosive Cutting Process

-Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Singular Value decomposition (SVD) are deployed for optimal domains selection of antecedents and consequents, respectively, of associated fuzzy sets in fuzzy systems which are used for modelling of explosive cutting process of plates by shaped charges. The aim of such modelling is to show how the depth of penetration varies with the variation of important parameters namely, apex angle, standoff, liner thickness, and mass of charge. It is demonstrated that SVD can be effectively used to fine tuning of such fuzzy models obtained either from direct matching method or designed by GA method. Such application of SVD will highly improve the performance of genetically designed fuzzy systems to model the very complex process of explosive cutting of plates by shaped charges. Key-Words:Fuzzy systems, Explosive Cutting Process, Genetic Algorithms, SVD
Probabilistic forecasts of the magnitude and timing of peak electricity demand

Adequate capacity planning requires accurate forecasts of the future magnitude and timing of peak electricity demand. Electricity demand is affected by the day of the week, seasonal variations, holiday periods, feast days, and the weather. A model that provides probabilistic forecasts of both magnitude and timing for lead times of one year is presented. This model is capable of capturing the main sources of variation in demand and uses simulated weather time series, including temperature, wind speed, and luminosity, for producing probabilistic forecasts of future peak demand. Having access to such probabilistic forecasts provides a means of assessing the uncertainty in the forecasts and can lead to improved decision making and better risk management.
Relationship of Fast- and Slow-Timescale Neuronal Dynamics in Human MEG and SEEG

A growing body of evidence suggests that the neuronal dynamics are poised at criticality. Neuronal avalanches and long-range temporal correlations (LRTCs) are hallmarks of such critical dynamics in neuronal activity and occur at fast (subsecond) and slow (seconds to hours) timescales, respectively. The critical dynamics at different timescales can be characterized by their power-law scaling exponents. However, insight into the avalanche dynamics and LRTCs in the human brain has been largely obtained with sensor-level MEG and EEG recordings, which yield only limited anatomical insight and results confounded by signal mixing. We investigated here the relationship between the human neuronal dynamics at fast and slow timescales using both source-reconstructed MEG and intracranial stereotactical electroencephalography (SEEG). Both MEG and SEEG revealed avalanche dynamics that were characterized parameter-dependently by power-law or truncated-power-law size distributions. Both methods also revealed robust LRTCs throughout the neocortex with distinct scaling exponents in different functional brain systems and frequency bands. The exponents of power-law regimen neuronal avalanches and LRTCs were strongly correlated across subjects. Qualitatively similar power-law correlations were also observed in surrogate data without spatial correlations but with scaling exponents distinct from those of original data. Furthermore, we found that LRTCs in the autonomous nervous system, as indexed by heart-rate variability, were correlated in a complex manner with cortical neuronal avalanches and LRTCs in MEG but not SEEG. These scalp and intracranial data hence show that power-law scaling behavior is a pervasive but neuroanatomically inhomogeneous property of neuronal dynamics in central and autonomous nervous systems.
Memory , Addiction & Modelling

Recent cellular and molecular studies of memory storage suggest that experience dependent modulation of synaptic strength and structure is a fundamental mechanism bywhich the diverse forms of memory are encoded and stored. For memory storage, sometype of synaptic growth is thought to represent the stable cellular change that maintainsthe long-term process. In its most general form, the synaptic plasticity and memoryhypothesis states that activity-dependent synaptic plasticity is induced at appropriatesynapses during memory formation and is both necessary and sufficient for the information storage underlying the type of memory mediated by the brain area in which thatplasticity is observed.
New Approach to Harmonic Overvoltages Reduction during Transformer Energization via Controlled Switching

During early stage of primary restoration process, unexpected Overvoltages may happen due to nonlinear interaction between the unloaded transformer and the transmission system. The most effective method for the limitation of the switching Overvoltages is controlled switching since the magnitudes of the produced transients are strongly dependent on the closing instants of the switch. We introduce a harmonic index that it's minimum value is corresponding to the best case switching time. Also, this paper presents an Artificial Neural Network (ANN)-based approach to estimate the optimum switching instants for real time applications. In the proposed ANN, Levenberg-Marquardt second order method is used to train the multilayer perceptron. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed index and accuracy of the ANN-based approach, two case studies are presented and demonstrated.
Psycognia: The Development of a Passive Gaming Environment for Use in Undergraduate Psychology Classes

Research has shown that games are able to engender educational settings that better the process of learning and enhance the execution and achievement of tasks. These studies, however, have only used games with automatic, responsive interfaces, or active games. Although effective, these video games necessitate the expenditure of human, physical, and monetary resources, and are, therefore, not inclusive of all populations. Alternatively, passive games are structured around the same principles as active games, but do not require programmed platforms. This study presents the theoretical design, development and implications of a passive game that is to be used in undergraduate psychology classes.
Antagonistic activity evaluation of Eucalyptus camaldulensis essential oil in control of algae and associated microorganisms

This study includes isolation, purification, and identification of algae from different environmental places (Tigris River and canal around AlJadriah) during February 2008. Nine unialgal cultures were obtainedwhich included 4 species of blue-green algae, 4 species of green algae, and 1 species of diatoms. However, contaminant bacteria and fungi were isolated from 4 of these algal cultures which were Anabaena circinalis, Microcystis aeruginosa, Scenedesmus quardicauda and Chlorella vulgaris. The contaminant bacteria included nine different species which were Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Bacillus polymyxa which isolated from all the selected algal cultures, while the rest Kocuria varians/rosa, Aerococcus viridians, Micrococcus sp. , Staphylococcus auricularis, Staphylococcus capitis, Kocuria kristanae and Staphylococcus cohnii varied in their presence and absence in these algal cultures. The contaminant fungi of the four algal cultures were Aspergillus flavus which was isolated from M. aeruginosa culture, Asp.niger isolated from C. vulgaris culture , Cryptococcus albidus that isolated from S. quardicauda culture, whilst Penicillium sp. isolated from A. circinalis culture. However, Eucalyptus camaldulensis essential oil was extracted and subsequently showed highly activity when tested against six species of the isolated algae and against the isolated contaminant bacteria and fungi species. Chemical composition of the extracted oil was analyzed by HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography).
Was ist eine motorische Einheit und wie funktioniert sie?

Zusammenfassung Als motorische Einheit wird die Gesamtheit aus einem Motoneuron und der von ihm innervierten Muskelfasern bezeichnet. Nach Bewegungsinitiierung im ZNS – sei es im Rahmen einer bewussten, geplanten Bewegung oder einer reflektorischen Antwort – wird ein Aktionspotenzial vom Motoneuron über sein Axon bis zur neuromuskulären Endplatte weitergeleitet, wo eine chemische Übertragung mittels Acetylcholin stattfindet. Je nach erforderlicher Funktion eines Muskels im Spektrum zwischen feinsten Augenbewegungen und grober Kraftentwicklung variieren Größe und Zusammensetzung der motorischen Einheiten. Innerhalb eines Muskels erfolgt die präzise Kraftdosierung über die Kombination verschiedener und die Entladungsfrequenz gleicher motorischer Einheiten. In der klinisch-neurophysiologischen Routinediagnostik werden regelhaft die motorische Neurografie und die Elektromyografie (EMG) dazu eingesetzt, die motorischen Einheiten eines Muskels in Bezug auf ihre Zusammensetzung, Rekrutierung und Größe zu beurteilen. Gute Grundkenntnisse über Aufbau und Funktion des peripheren motorischen Systems im Ganzen und der motorischen Einheit als „Basismodul“ im Speziellen können das Verständnis neuromuskulärer Erkrankungen und ihrer Korrelate in der neurophysiologischen Routinediagnostik erheblich erleichtern. Im vorliegenden Artikel sollen einige typische Fragen des neurophysiologischen Untersuchers aufgegriffen und in verständlicher Form beantwortet werden.
Using Conceptual Lattices to Represent Fine Granular Learning Objects through SCORM Meta-Objects.

Ideally, learning resources should be built over a shared pool of fine reusable granular learning objects. However, in order to avoid contextual lacks, dynamic creation of such resources would mostly rely on the conceptual relationships among learning objects inside a repository. These conceptual relationships, as well as the learning objects creation, are best established if students’ learning styles are considered. Common standards like Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) do not have tools to provide conceptual relationships among fine granular learning objects. This paper presents a conceptual lattice-based architecture for using SCORM to provide an effective mapping of conceptual relationships among learning objects.
Prospects and Problems of Wireless Communication for Underwater Sensor

This paper reviews the physical fundamentals and engineering implementations for efficient information exchange via wireless communication using physical waves as the carrier among nodes in an underwater sensor network. The physical waves under discussion include sound, radio, and light. We first present the fundamental physics of different waves; then we discuss and compare the pros and cons for adopting different communication carriers (acoustic, radio, and optical) based on the fundamental first principles of physics and engineering practice. The discussions are mainly targeted at underwater sensor networks with densely deployed nodes. Based on the comparison study, we make recommendations for the selection of communication carrier for underwater sensor networks with engineering countermeasures that can possibly enhance the communication efficiency in specified underwater environments.
The Mediating Role of Affective Commitment in the Organizational Rewards– Organizational Performance Relationship

Human resources are the most important factor of quality at universities and in research. Therefore, universities must try to improve their human workforce quantitatively as well as qualitatively, by creating, attracting, and retaining experts at universities. The aim of this research is to evaluate the importance of the reward system as a factor of affective commitment and the effect of affective commitment on the organizational performance. The research was conducted in the universities located in the Central and Eastern Europe. In order to test the proposed hypotheses, exploratory factor analysis and mediation tests are applied, using 148 sample data from universities’ academic and administration staff. The results indicate that organizational rewards play a significant role in influencing employees’ attitudes related to improving the organizational performance. However, organizational performance is not influenced directly by organizational rewards, but through affective commitment. Organizational rewards are needed to increase the level of employees’ commitment that will in return have a positive effect on employees’ desire to contribute more to the organizational performance.
The causal relationship between information and communication technology (ICT) and foreign direct investment (FDI)

This paper investigates the simultaneous causal relationship between investments in information and communication technology and foreign direct investment, with reference to its implications on economic growth. For the empirical analysis we use data from 23 major countries with heterogeneous economics development for the period 1976-1999. The results of unit roots and Johansen co-integration tests indicate variations in degrees of integration among the sample countries. Our causality test results suggest that there is a causal relationship from ICT to FDI interpreted as the higher level of ICT investment leads to increased inflow of FDI. ICT contributes to economic growth indirectly by attracting more foreign direct investment. In developed countries there already exist a build up ICT capacity which causes inflow of FDI, while in developing countries ICT capacity must be build up to attract FDI. The inflow of FDI causes further increases in ICT investment and capacity.
Millimeter/Submillimeter Search for the Sunyaev-Zeldovich Effect in the Coma Cluster

Observations from the first flight of the Medium Scale Anisotropy Measurement (MSAM1-92) are analyzed to search for the Sunyaev-Zeldovich (SZ) effect toward the Coma cluster. This balloon-borne instrument uses a 28' FWHM beam and a three-position chopping pattern with a throw of ±40'. With spectral channels at 5.7, 9.3, 16.5, and 22.6 cm-1, the observations simultaneously sample the frequency range where the SZ spectral distortion in the intensity transitions from a decrement to an increment and where the fractional intensity change is substantially larger than in the Rayleigh-Jeans region. We set limits on the Comptonization parameter integrated over our antenna pattern, Δy ≤ 8.0 × 10-5 (2 σ). For a spherically symmetric isothermal model, this implies a central Comptonization parameter y0 ≤ 2.0 × 10-4 or a central electron density n0 ≤ 5.8 × 10-3 cm-3 h50, a result consistent with central densities implied by X-ray brightness measurements and central Comptonization estimates from lower frequency observations of the SZ effect.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Paediatric and Adult Samples: Nature, Treatment and Cognitive Processes. A Review of the Theoretical and Empirical Literature

The appraisal model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) suggests that six key appraisal domains contribute to the aetiology and maintenance of OCD symptoms. An accumulating body of evidence supports this notion and suggests that modifying cognitive appraisals may be beneficial in reducing obsessive-compulsive symptomatology. This literature review first summarises the nature of OCD and its treatment, followed by a summary of the existing correlational and experimental research on the role of cognitive appraisal processes in OCD across both adult and paediatric samples. While correlational data provide some support for the relationship between cognitive appraisal domains and OCD symptoms, results are inconclusive, and experimental methods are warranted to determine the precise causal relationship between specific cognitive appraisal domains and OCD symptoms.
Comparative Transcriptional Profiling of Two Contrasting Barley Genotypes under Salinity Stress during the Seedling Stage

Salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses that affect crop productivity. Identification of the potential novel genes responsible for salt tolerance in barley will contribute to understanding the molecular mechanism of barley responses to salt stress. We compared changes in transcriptome between Hua 11 (a salt-tolerant genotype) and Hua 30 (a salt sensitive genotype) in response to salt stress at the seedling stage using barley cDNA microarrays. In total, 557 and 247 salt-responsive genes were expressed exclusively in the shoot and root tissue of the salt-tolerant genotype, respectively. Among these genes, a number of signal-related genes, transcription factors and compatible solutes were identified and some of these genes were carefully discussed. Notably, a LysM RLK was firstly found involved in salt stress response. Moreover, key enzymes in the pathways of jasmonic acid biosynthesis, lipid metabolism and indole-3-acetic acid homeostasis were specifically affected by salt stress in salt tolerance genotype. These salt-responsive genes and biochemical pathways identified in this study could provide further information for understanding the mechanisms of salt tolerance in barley.
Health Benefits of Reducing Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake in High Risk Populations of California: Results from the Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Policy Model

Background Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) has risen over the past two decades, with over 10 million Californians drinking one or more SSB per day. High SSB intake is associated with risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and coronary heart disease (CHD). Reduction of SSB intake and the potential impact on health outcomes in California and among racial, ethnic, and low-income sub-groups has not been quantified. Methods We projected the impact of reduced SSB consumption on health outcomes among all Californians and California subpopulations from 2013 to 2022. We used the CVD Policy Model – CA, an established computer simulation of diabetes and heart disease adapted to California. We modeled a reduction in SSB intake by 10–20% as has been projected to result from proposed penny-per-ounce excise tax on SSB and modeled varying effects of this reduction on health parameters including body mass index, blood pressure, and diabetes risk. We projected avoided cases of diabetes and CHD, and associated health care cost savings in 2012 US dollars. Results Over the next decade, a 10–20% SSB consumption reduction is projected to result in a 1.8–3.4% decline in the new cases of diabetes and an additional drop of 0.5–1% in incident CHD cases and 0.5–0.9% in total myocardial infarctions. The greatest reductions are expected in African Americans, Mexican Americans, and those with limited income regardless of race and ethnicity. This reduction in SSB consumption is projected to yield $320–620 million in medical cost savings associated with diabetes cases averted and an additional savings of $14–27 million in diabetes-related CHD costs avoided. Conclusions A reduction of SSB consumption could yield substantial population health benefits and cost savings for California. In particular, racial, ethnic, and low-income subgroups of California could reap the greatest health benefits.
Cross-Document Event Coreference: Annotations, Experiments, and Observations

We have developed cross document event tracking technology that extends our earlier efforts in cross document person coreference. The software takes class of events, like "resignations" and clusters documents that mention resignations into equivalence classes. Documents belong to the same equivalence class if they mention the same "resignation" event, i.e. resignations involving the same person, time, and organization. Other events evaluated include "elections" and "espionage" events. Results range from 45--90% F-measure scores and we present a brief interannotator study for the "elections" data set.
A controllably adhesive climbing robot using magnetorheological fluid

The novel adhesive effects of magnetorheological fluid for use in climbing robotics were experimentally measured and compared to existing theoretical models. Contrary to these models, the fluid thickness between two parallel plates was found to have little effect on the adhesive failure strength and a positive effect on time to failure. Target surface roughness was found to have a detrimental effect on pull-off adhesion and a positive effect on shearing loads. A robot capable of adhering to ceilings was designed and shown to be capable of holding 7.3 kPa of adhesive stress in both shear on rough vertical surfaces and normal force on glass sheets, demonstrating a novel form of adhesion on a wide range of surface roughnesses and orientations.
Neurodynamics of consciousness

One of the main outstanding problems in the cognitive sciences is to understand how ongoing conscious experience is related to the workings of the brain and nervous system. Neurodynamics offers a powerful approach to this problem, because it provides a coherent framework for investigating change, variability, complex spatiotemporal patterns of activity, and multi-scale processes (among others). In this chapter, we advocate a neurodynamical approach to consciousness that integrates mathematical tools of analysis and modeling, sophisticated physiological data recordings, and detailed phenomenological descriptions. We begin by stating the basic intuition: Consciousness is an intrinsically dynamic phenomenon, and must therefore be studied within a framework that is capable of rendering its dynamics intelligible. We then discuss some of the formal, analytical features of dynamical systems theory, with particular reference to neurodynamics. We then review several neuroscientific proposals that make use of dynamical systems theory in characterizing the neurophysiological basis of consciousness. We continue by discussing the relation between spatiotemporal patterns of brain activity and consciousness, with particular attention to processes in the gamma frequency band. We then adopt a critical perspective and highlight a number of issues demanding further treatment. Finally, we close the chapter by discussing how phenomenological data can relate to and ultimately constrain neurodynamical descriptions, with the long-term aim being to go beyond a purely correlational strategy of research.
Malignant thymoma in the United States: Demographic patterns in incidence and associations with subsequent malignancies

The cause of thymoma is unknown. No population‐based study has described demographic patterns of thymoma incidence. Previous reports have linked thymoma with diverse subsequent malignancies, but these associations are uncertain. We used Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data to study the incidence of malignant thymoma by sex, age and race in the United States (1973–1998). Incidence was modeled with joinpoint regression (for age) and Poisson regression. We also used SEER data to compare malignancies following thymoma diagnosis with those expected from general population rates, calculating the standardized incidence ratio (SIR, observed/expected cases) to measure risk. The overall incidence of malignant thymoma was 0.15 per 100,000 person‐years (849 cases). Thymoma incidence increased into the 8th decade of age and then decreased. Incidence was higher in males than females (p=0.007) and was highest among Asians/Pacific Islanders (0.49 per 100,000 person‐years). Following thymoma, there were 66 malignancies (SIR 1.5, 95%CI 1.2–1.9). The most notable excess risk for subsequent malignancy was for non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (B immunophenotype) where the SIR was 4.7 (95%CI 1.9–9.6, 7 cases). There were also excess digestive system cancers (SIR 1.8, 95%CI 1.1–2.9) and soft tissue sarcomas (SIR 11.1, 1.3–40.1). No other cancers were increased after thymoma. In conclusion, malignant thymoma is extremely rare. The peak in late adulthood deserves further study. Variation in incidence by race suggests a role for genetic factors. Our study did not demonstrate broadly increased risk for malignancies following thymoma. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.