Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IoT based Heart Disease Prediction using Higher Order Boltzmann Deep Belief Neural Network

: Heart disease is considered as one of the major causes of death throughout the world. Heart problems cannot be easily predicted by the medical practitioners as it is a difficult task which demands expertise and higher knowledge for prediction. Several data mining techniques and artificial intelligence techniques are applied for heart disease prediction. But existing automatic systems for heart disease diagnosis are hampered by the need of big data. Therefore, here introduces an Internet of Things-based medical device for collecting heart details of patients and processed using Higher Order Boltzmann Deep Belief Neural Network (HOBDBNN).
Analysis of Factors Affecting Financial Performance Evidence from Selected Ethiopian Insurance Companies

Financial performance is the key question for survival and stability of insurance industry. The main objective of the study was to investigate factors affecting financial performance of Ethiopian Insurance Companies. These factors categorized in to firm specific, industryand macroeconomic variables using Return on Asset used for measuring financial performance. The researcher applied quantitative approach and explanatory research design and purposive sampling. Secondary data collected from 12 insurance companies out of 17 and National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) from 2011 to 2016. Descriptive statistics and Random Effect econometric model applied for data analysis. Finding of the study indicated that previous profit performance and volume of capital positively and significantly affects the financial performance but solvency margin and loss ratio have negative association and significant effect. The lag GDP rate and current inflation have positive and significant impact on ROA whereas the lag inflation and exchange rate had negative and significant influence. Accordingly,it is better for companies to improve their solvency margin and, the government to stabilize the currency exchange rate.
Stochastic Volume Rendering of Multi‐Phase SPH Data

In this paper, we present a novel method for the direct volume rendering of large smoothed‐particle hydrodynamics (SPH) simulation data without transforming the unstructured data to an intermediate representation. By directly visualizing the unstructured particle data, we avoid long preprocessing times and large storage requirements. This enables the visualization of large, time‐dependent, and multivariate data both as a post‐process and in situ. To address the computational complexity, we introduce stochastic volume rendering that considers only a subset of particles at each step during ray marching. The sample probabilities for selecting this subset at each step are thereby determined both in a view‐dependent manner and based on the spatial complexity of the data. Our stochastic volume rendering enables us to scale continuously from a fast, interactive preview to a more accurate volume rendering at higher cost. Lastly, we discuss the visualization of free‐surface and multi‐phase flows by including a multi‐material model with volumetric and surface shading into the stochastic volume rendering.
Multi-user Edge-assisted Video Analytics Task Offloading Game based on Deep Reinforcement Learning

With the development of deep learning, artificial intelligence applications and services have boomed in the recent years, including recommendation systems, personal assistant and video analytics. Similar to other services in the edge computing environment, artificial intelligence computing tasks are pushed to the network edge. In this paper, we consider the multi-user edge-assisted video analytics task offloading (MEVAO) problem, where users have video analytics tasks with various accuracy requirements. All users independently choose their accuracy decisions, satisfying the accuracy requirement, and offload the video data to the edge server. With the utility function designed based on the features of video analytics, we model MEVAO as a game theory problem and achieve the Nash equilibrium. For the flexibility of making accuracy decisions under different circumstances, a deep reinforcement learning approach is applied to our problem. Our proposed design has much better performance compared with some other approaches in the extensive simulations.
An Optimal Energy Optimization Strategy for Smart Grid Integrated with Renewable Energy Sources and Demand Response Programs

An energy optimization strategy is proposed to minimize operation cost and carbon emission with and without demand response programs (DRPs) in the smart grid (SG) integrated with renewable energy sources (RESs). To achieve optimized results, probability density function (PDF) is proposed to predict the behavior of wind and solar energy sources. To overcome uncertainty in power produced by wind and solar RESs, DRPs are proposed with the involvement of residential, commercial, and industrial consumers. In this model, to execute DRPs, we introduced incentive-based payment as price offered packages. Simulations are divided into three steps for optimization of operation cost and carbon emission: (i) solving optimization problem using multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA), (ii) optimization of operating cost and carbon emission without DRPs, and (iii) optimization of operating cost and carbon emission with DRPs. To endorse the applicability of the proposed optimization model based on MOGA, a smart sample grid is employed serving residential, commercial, and industrial consumers. In addition, the proposed optimization model based on MOGA is compared to the existing model based on multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm in terms of operation cost and carbon emission. The proposed optimization model based on MOGA outperforms the existing model based on the MOPSO algorithm in terms of operation cost and carbon emission. Experimental results show that the operation cost and carbon emission are reduced by 24% and 28% through MOGA with and without the participation of DRPs, respectively.
Etude des artefacts de prélèvement et de la distribution gaz-particules des HAP [Hydrocarbures Aromatiques Polycycliques]

Atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) has been widely studied since several years because of their human health impact. Due to their physico-chemical properties, PAH in the atmosphere are present in particulate and gaseous phase. This gas-particle partitioning has a strong influence on PAH fate (degradation or deposition) and their health impact. So, for their study, a simultaneous samplig in the two atmospheric phases is necessary. In addition, the European Union (directive n°2004/107/CE) has recently decided that PAH should be monitored. Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) has been chosen as tracer to represent this class of molecule. For both gas-particle partitioning study and for BaP monitoring, samplings are commonly carried out using high volume sampler. Unfortunately, several studies show that this kind of sampler induced sampling artefacts which could disturb the determination of the atmospheric concentrations in the two phases. The aim of this work is to improve the sampling procedure of PAH by the validation of a denuder sampler previously calibrated under laboratory conditions. In this goal several field campaigns were carried out to compare particulate phase sampling and gas-particle partioning with both conventional and denuder samplers. For concentrations in the particulate phase the results showed significant differences between the two samplers which could be important (up to a factor 10), especially for the most reactive PAH such as BaP. This could be the result of degradations occurring on the filter of the conventional sampler during sampling whereas the filter of the denuder sampler is protected from the oxidants by the denuder tube. The importance of the degradation artefact seems more linked to “the aged of particle” than to the concentrations of oxidant. On the other hand, no relevant differences were observed for the partition study of this kind of semi-volatil coumpounds between the two devices. Finally we conceived and realised an experimental device in order to study the reactivity of PAH occuring in the denuder tube during sampling. The study have been realised for naphthalene with ozone as oxidant.
Visualizing High-Dimensional Trajectories on the Loss-Landscape of ANNs

Training artiﬁcial neural networks requires the optimization of highly non-convex loss functions. Throughout the years, the scientiﬁc community has developed an extensive set of tools and architectures that render this optimization task tractable and a general intuition has been developed for choosing hyper parameters that help the models reach minima that generalize well to unseen data. However, for the most part, the difference in trainability in between architectures, tasks and even the gap in network generalization abilities still remain unexplained. Visualization tools have played a key role in uncovering key geometric characteristics of the loss-landscape of ANNs and how they impact trainability and generalization capabilities. However
Modélisation mésoscopique des écoulements avec changement de phase à partir de l'équation de Boltzmann-Enskog. Introduction des effets thermiques.

Ce travail de these concerne la modelisation et la simulation des ecoulements diphasiques avec changement de phase par des equations cinetiques de type Boltzmann. Ce travail est motive par deux applications distinctes pour lesquelles la comprehension et l'analyse fine des mecanismes et des dynamiques de changement de phase sont necessaires. Le premier theme concerne la mise au point de dispositifs passifs de refroidissement diphasiques pour la micro-electronique. Le seconde thematique concerne la formation de depots de filtration resultant de l'agregation de particules colloidales a la surface d'une membrane dans des procedes de filtration membranaire. Pour les applications de type colloidal, un modele a deux fluides est propose en adaptant des methodes Boltzmann-sur-Reseau de la litterature pour la resolution de l'ecoulement. Enfin, dans une partie plus exploratoire, un methode de resolution originale de l'equation de Boltzmann-Enskog est proposee afin de traiter des ecoulements avec changement de phase en incluant les effets thermiques.
AN OPEN LABEL PILOT STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A PROPRIETARY NUTRACEUTICAL FORMULATION ON ELEMENTS OF SKIN FUNCTION ASSOCIATED WITH AGING

This open label pilot study evaluated the effect of a proprietary nutraceutical formulation-Skin WithinTM-on objective measures of skin function associated with aging over 3 months. The supplement containing collagen, citrus and rosemary extract, maritime pine bark extract, vitamin C, Coenzyme Q10, astaxanthin and biotin was taken twice daily. After 84 days compared to baseline, highly statistically significant effects were observed in the 30 individuals who completed the study regarding reduction in trans-epidermal water loss and skin roughness, along with increases in hydration, elasticity, and smoothness of the skin. 29 participants also reported subjective improvements in the condition of their hair and nails. This study demonstrates that Skin Within has the potential to deliver significant benefits in skin condition and reverses objective measures of skin function associated with skin aging. A larger placebo controlled trial is now proposed.
Farmer’s data sourcing: A best practise example for mapping soil properties in permanent crops in South Tyrol (northern Italy)

In agriculture, detailed knowledge of soil properties is a key element for high-quality food production. However, soil data at a single parcel scale are generally unavailable. In this study, a best practice framework is presented where, through an operational chain from an individual farmer through a centralised database and with a geostatistical approach, new knowledge has been generated that enables application far beyond a single soil sample at the parcel scale. This study was carried out in intensively managed permanent crops in South
A Magnetic Nanoparticle Labeled Immunochromatography Kit for SARS-CoV-2 Infection Diagnosis

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is breaking out and spreading rapidly around the world There is an urgent need for an accurate and rapid detection method to quickly find infected patients and asymptomatic carriers in order to prevent the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus [SARS-CoV-2] In this paper, we designed a test strip which used the principle of double antigen sandwich Fe3O4 magnetic nanobeads are firstly coupled with specific antibodies, and the S protein of the new coronavirus is used as the coating antigen to capture specific antibodies against the new coronavirus, which is used to detect the virus nucleoprotein of specific antibodies in clinical samples At the same time, Fe3O4 magnetic nanobeads have unique magnetic properties, which can be used to generate different types of detection signals and simplify the detection process These results can be judged by color changes and magnetic changes at the test and control lines Compared with the traditional method, this test strip of Fe3O4 magnetic nanobeads has high sensitivity and can qualitatively detect samples within 15 minutes The magnetic performance of the magnetic nanobeads can be used to improve the sensitivity of the strip in our further research and product development
Consumer attitudes and buying behavior for green food products From the aspect of green perceived value (GPV)

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to apply the multidimensional construct of green perceived value (GPV) to the buying behavior of green food products to enhance the understanding of consumer behavior intentions and explain the formation of the intention to buy green food products. Design/methodology/approach – This study adopted four GPVs (i.e. functional value, conditional value, social value and emotional value) and explored the relationships among GPV, attitudes and purchase intention. A total of 300 self-administered questionnaires were distributed, from which 253 usable responses were obtained. Findings – The relationships between six constructs and 20 indicators were measured using structural equation modeling. All the underlying dimensions had a significant effect on consumers’ attitudes, significantly affecting their purchase intention. Originality/value – Implications for future research and marketing strategies in the field of purchasing behaviors of green food products are discussed.
Backstress from dislocation interactions quantified by nanoindentation load-drop experiments

Recent work has identified the importance of strain hardening and backstresses among dislocations in the deformation of geologic materials at both high and low temperatures, but very few experimental measurements of such backstresses exist. Using a nanoindentation load drop method and a self-similar Berkovich tip, we measure backstresses in single crystals of olivine, quartz, and plagioclase feldspar at a range of indentation depths from 100–1750 nm, corresponding to densities of geometrically necessary dislocations (GND) of order 1014–1015 m-2. Our results reveal a power-law relationship between backstress and GND density, with an exponent ranging from 0.44 to 0.55 for each material, in close agreement with the theoretical prediction (0.5) from Taylor hardening. This work provides experimental evidence of Taylor hardening in geologic materials and supports the assertion that backstress must be considered in both high- and low-temperature deformation.
Application of Mycelium-Bound Composite Materials in Construction Industry: A Short Review

Mycelium-bound composite materials are a new class of sustainable and affordable biocomposites that have been recently introduced into packaging, fashion, and architecture as alternative to traditional synthetic materials. In recent years extensive investigation and research studies have been dedicated to explore methods of production and processing as well as to find potential applications for mycelium-bound composite materials. However, application of this novel biocomposite within the construction industry has been limited to only small-scale prototypes and exhibition installations. The problems with low mechanical properties, high water absorption and lack of standard methods for production and testing of mycelium-bound composite materials remain as main challenges that need to be addressed when used as non-structural or semi-structural elements. This short review aims to display the potential of mycelium-bound composite materials for their use within the construction sector in the form of thermal and acoustic insulation as well as replacement for drywalls and tiles. This review summarizes the main available information with regards to the properties of mycelium-bound composites that have been used in construction sector while suggesting the direction for the future research and development on these biocomposites for their applications within the construction industry.
Machine learning - Master ICFP 2019-2020 Introduction to supervised learning

• Co-taught by Francis Bach (https://www.di.ens.fr/~fbach/) and Lenäıc Chizat (https://lchizat.github.io/). Please include both of us in email correspondence. • Lecture with no practical sessions (9am to 12pm) • Lecture with practical sessions (9am to 12.30pm). Bring your laptop with Python 3 and Jupyter notebooks installed. Run https://www.di. ens.fr/appstat/spring-2019/TP/TD0-prerequisites/crash_test. ipynb as a test. • Validation: one written in-class exam, and practical sessions to finish at home. • Register online. • Ask questions! • Some exercises done in lecture. • References: [1, 2, 3, 4].
Novel Targets in Reducing Cardiac Fibrosis as a Preventive Tool for Cardiovascular Diseases. Why Always Treat Them? A Review Article

Cardiovascular diseases are the primary causes of death worldwide. These days its mortality and deadliness is rising dramatically. Cardiac fibrosis, one of the leading causes of heart diseases, is a common pathological process in cardiac disease. It can also cause sudden death even in those without cardiac symptoms. Experimental studies in animals have identified important pathways such as the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) and the endothelin pathway that contribute to fibrosis formation. Currently different groups of drugs are used for treatment of cardiac fibrosis including antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective agents. Despite the availability of these agents, the prevalence of heart failure and resistant hypertension is increasing. Therefore the search for novel targets is not a questionable issue. Recently different studies are being conducted for treatment of cardiac fibrosis specifically acting on epigenetics (ex. MicroRNAs), Receptors (ex. Adenosine receptors), Enzymes (ex. Lysl Oxidase like 2) and Oxidative stress (ex. N-Acetylcysteine). Therefore the current review looks for promising novel targets aiming at reversing cardiac fibrosis as a preventive tool for cardiovascular diseases.
What Trauma Looks Like for Incarcerated Men: A Study of Men’s Lifetime Trauma Exposure in Two State Prisons

Objective: While it is understood that high rates of trauma exposure are common among incarcerated male populations, there is limited data on the nature of the trauma exposure. This study sought to develop foundational knowledge about the trauma experiences of incarcerated men in order to provide a basis for further theory building in this area. Method: This study used a quantitative-qualitative approach to examine the trauma histories of a randomly selected sample of 67 men incarcerated in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Results: The analyses revealed several patterns among study participants, including near universal trauma exposure in adolescence with the most frequent exposures involving witnessing or being proximate to violent deaths of family and friends. The mean age of exposure for all trauma exposure types measured was 17 years old. We found that for this group of incarcerated men, trauma exposures in childhood tended to result more from community violence than child maltreatment (e.g., abuse and neglect by caregivers). Conclusion: The study results suggested that further research may be needed into the effects of close proximity to violent death during this particular window in adolescent development. Neuroscience research has shown that this is a “sensitive period” in brain development with potential negative outcomes in early adulthood, including emotional regulation deficits that can potentially lead to increased risk of arrest. Further research on trauma exposure within this population is needed both to appropriately serve men while in prison or in the process of reentering society and to support efforts to reduce mass incarceration.
Oxidation, pickling and over-pickling mechanisms of high silicon alloyed steel grades

Les mecanismes d'oxydation, de decapage et sur-decapage d'un acier bas carbone est d'un acier fortement allie au silicium (1,6 et 3.2 % en masse de silicium) ont ete etudies. Le suivi de l'oxydation par thermogravimetrie et la caracterisation de la calamine des aciers fortement allies au silicium a montre un effet tres marquant de passivation de la couche de silice. Les calamines des echantillons modeles sont composees de couches d'hematite, magnetite et wustite partiellement decomposee en fer et magnetite pour l'acier bas carbone. Pour l'acier au silicium, la fayalite est presente a l'interface acier/wustite sous forme de grains ou d'une couche interne. Le suivi du potentiel de circuit ouvert pendant le decapage et sur-decapage de ces echantillons a montre un potentiel de corrosion stable et anodique pour les oxydes de fer et une chute drastique de ce potentiel au contact de l'acide avec le metal. Le suivi du taux de dissolution totale par ICP-AES combine avec des mesures de courant de corrosion par la methode de Tafel a montre une contribution importante de la dissolution electrochimique par oxydation de la wustite et la magnetite et reduction de Fe3+ issu de la dissolution chimique de l'hematite et la magnetite. La fayalite est liberee dans la solution par dissolution de la wustite ou du metal adjacents. Apres le contact acide/metal, toutes les dissolutions sont exclusivement electrochimiques par corrosion du metal et reduction de la magnetite (cas des calamines industrielles). La spectroscopie d'impedance electrochimique a ete utilisee pour la premiere fois pour ce type d'etude. L'estimation des valeurs de capacite a montre un comportement pseudo passif pour la couche d’hematite et d’electrode poreuse pour la wustite.