Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
iApp: An Autonomous Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, and Palpation Platform

Disease symptoms often contain features that are not routinely recognized by patients but can be identified through indirect inspection or diagnosis by medical professionals. Telemedicine requires sufficient information for aiding doctors' diagnosis, and it has been primarily achieved by clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) utilizing visual information. However, additional medical diagnostic tools are needed for improving CDSSs. Moreover, since the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine has garnered increasing attention, and basic diagnostic tools (e.g., classical examination) have become the most important components of a comprehensive framework. This study proposes a conceptual system, iApp, that can collect and analyze quantified data based on an automatically performed inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation. The proposed iApp system consists of an auscultation sensor, camera for inspection, and custom-built hardware for automatic percussion and palpation. Experiments were designed to categorize the eight abdominal divisions of healthy subjects based on the system multi-modal data. A deep multi-modal learning model, yielding a single prediction from multi-modal inputs, was designed for learning distinctive features in eight abdominal divisions. The model's performance was evaluated in terms of the classification accuracy, sensitivity, positive predictive value, and F-measure, using epoch-wise and subject-wise methods. The results demonstrate that the iApp system can successfully categorize abdominal divisions, with the test accuracy of 89.46%. Through an automatic examination of the iApp system, this proof-of-concept study demonstrates a sophisticated classification by extracting distinct features of different abdominal divisions where different organs are located. In the future, we intend to capture the distinct features between normal and abnormal tissues while securing patient data and demonstrate the feasibility of a fully telediagnostic system that can support abnormality diagnosis.
A finite element model for extension and shear modes of piezo- laminated beams based on von Karman's nonlinear displacement-strain relation

Piezoelectric actuators and sensors have been broadly used for design of smart structures over the last two decades. Different theoretical assumptions have been considered in order to model these structures by the researchers. In this paper, an enhanced piezolaminated sandwich beam finite element model is presented. The facing layers follow the Euler-Bernoulli assumption while the core layers are modeled with the third-order shear deformation theory (TSDT). To refine the model, the displacement-strain relationships are developed by using von Karman's nonlinear displacement-strain relation. It will be shown that this assumption generates some additional terms on the electric fields and also introduces some electromechanical potential and non-conservative work terms for the extension piezoelectric sub-layers. A variational formulation of the problem is presented. In order to develop an electromechanically coupled finite element model of the extension/shear piezolaminated beam, the electric DoFs as well as the mechanical DoFs are considered. For computing the natural frequencies, the governing equation is linearized around a static equilibrium position. Comparing natural frequencies, the effect of nonlinear terms is studied for some examples
Video-based Detection and Tracking with Improved Re-Identification Association for Pigs and Laying Hens in Farms

It is important to detect negative behavior of animals for breeding in order to improve their health and welfare. In this work, AI is employed to assist individual animal detection and tracking, which enables the future analysis of behavior for individual animals. The study involves animal groups of pigs and laying hens. First, two state-of-the-art deep learning-based Multi-Object Tracking (MOT) methods are investigated, namely Joint Detection and Embedding (JDE) and FairMOT. Both models detect and track individual animals automatically and continuously. Second, a weighted association algorithm is proposed, which is feasible for both MOT methods to optimize the object re-identification (re-ID), thereby improving the tracking performance. The proposed methods are evaluated on manually annotated datasets. The best tracking performance on pigs is obtained by FairMOT with the weighted association, resulting in an IDF1 of 90.3%, MOTA of 90.8%, MOTP of 83.7%, number of identity switches of 14, and an execution rate of 20.48 fps. For the laying hens, FairMOT with the weighted association also achieves the best tracking performance, with an IDF1 of 88.8%, MOTA of 86.8%, MOTP of 72.8%, number of identity switches of 2, and an execution rate of 21.01 fps. These results show a promising high accuracy and robustness for the individual animal tracking.
Strategies of Facebook users in offering condolences on a death anniversary: A case study from Jordan

This paper explores the most frequently used strategies by Jordanian Facebook users when commenting on the death anniversary status of Wasfi al-Tal, a former prime minister of Jordan, who was assassinated in 1971. The corpus comprises 530 comments. The findings reveal the use of nine strategies, e.g., praying for God’s mercy, praying for God’s mercy annexed to wishing the deceased an abode in paradise, praying for God’s mercy in combination with highlighting the uniqueness and unforgettability of the deceased, among others. The findings also uncover that while some Facebook death anniversary related strategies were similar to those associated with offering condolences in general, some other strategies appeared to be solely used for this death anniversary.
CDM Controller Incorporating Friction Compensation for Rotational Inverted Pendulum

A controller designed by CDM for a servo type system which is an augmented system constructed from a rotational inverted pendulum with an integrator added to its arm, is presented in this paper. In order to be able to apply the CDM concept, the augmented system must be linearized and converted into controllable canonical form. Then, the controller consisting of the state feedback gain matrix and an integral gain in the sense of CDM can be obtained. This shows that design procedure for the proposed controller is easy. The experimental results obtained from the rotational inverted pendulum controlled by the proposed controller show that the system response has no steady-state error, however, the oscillation amplitude of the arm angle is still significant. Therefore, in this paper, the friction compensation using Coulomb friction with stiction is also added to the controller. The oscillation amplitude of the arm angle that can be reduced remarkably is also shown in the experimental results.
A Methodological Proposal for Implementing Demand-Shifting Strategies in the Wholesale Electricity Market

The energy transition has shown that fossil generation can be complemented with renewable energy and other resources capable of providing flexibility to the energy system’s operation, in compliance with the wholesale electricity market’s rules. This paper proposes a market-based methodology for introducing flexible demand in the energy dispatch , optimizing the scheduling of electricity system operation in the short-term, and considers the challenge of implementing an incentive scheme for participants in demand-response programs. The scheme includes the criteria of the elasticity of substitution and a renewable energy quota. This methodology is focused on a strategic demand shift to minimize the cost of supply; increase the dispatch of renewable energy; control CO2 emissions; and satisfy the generation, demand, and transmission operating constraints. These conditions encourage the development of a simulation tool that allows a sensitivity analysis to aid decision-making by operators and agents. The proposed methodology optimizes the operational cost of generation supply and specific performance indicators to determine the percentages of demand shift, the amount of CO2 emissions, the ratio of unserved power, the demand benefits obtained from an incentive scheme, and the natural market behavior.
Early detection of Ventricular Bigeminy/Trigeminy rhythms

Premature Ventricular Contraction is an arrhythmia that can be associated with several cardiac disorders that affect from 40% to 75% of the general population. Premature Ventricular Contraction occurrence is diagnosed from the Electrocardiogram. If in an Electrocardiogram one (or two) Premature Ventricular Contraction occurs between two Normal heartbeats, then there is a Ventricular Bigeminy (or Trigeminy). The prevalence of Ventricular Bigeminy/Trigeminy rhythms is associated with angina, hypertension, congestive heart failure and myocardial infarction. In this work it is proposed a new approach for these rhythms early diagnosis using Decision Tree models. The proposed approach uses the information before occurrence of Ventricular Bigeminy/Trigeminy, i.e., the number of normal and abnormal heartbeats and the heart rhythm. In order to rhythm prediction, the models obtained from Random Forest algorithm, induced by cross-validation approach, are used. Proposed approach predicted Ventricular Bigeminy/Trigeminy occurrence with accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of 98.94%, 96.28% and 99.83, respectively. Furthermore, the results showed that the Ventricular Bigeminy/Trigeminy is preceded for Normal, Atrioventricular Junctional and Paced heart rhythms in most of the examples. Besides that, it is presented a simple algorithm for decision about the occurrence of Ventricular Bigeminy/Trigeminy rhythms.
Economic Drivers of Voluntary Return among Conflict-Induced Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria

North-East Nigeria is recovering from a decade of terrorism by Boko Haram during which the region collapsed socioeconomically and millions were displaced. The displaced live in various camps in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States, and serve as the primary source of data for this research. The Nigerian government has expressed their desire for the displaced to return home following peace restoration to the region. Their unwillingness to return despite the perceived gains of reintegration prompted this research to examine economic determinants of willingness for reintegration. Logistics regression results show a strong positive influence of having an assurance of finding employment back home on the willingness for reintegration. The results further suggest that displaced persons are 14 times more willing to return home when the government guarantees employment. To encourage willingness for reintegration, the authors recommend that displaced persons be empowered economically through the provision of jobs upon their return to their various home communities. Recommendations for the Nigerian government and interested parties are presented with suggestions to expand social institutions and their collaboration with the government.
A multi‐period integrated planning and scheduling approach for developing energy systems

In this work, we present a generic multi‐period integrated infrastructure planning and operational scheduling approach for developing energy systems. The methodology is applicable to energy systems with multiple resources, locations, processing pathways, and planning periods in which infrastructure decisions can be carried out. The framework incorporates a graph based approach to mode based scheduling, in which the mode transitions are mapped to a directed graph. We illustrate the applicability and effectiveness of the overall framework through the use of a case study examining the long‐term development of a multi‐site energy‐intensive hydrogen based energy system in Texas. In the case study, we find that developing the energy system over the course of its operational life as opposed to the beginning of its operational life reduces its capital and operational cost by over 20%.
The National Air Emissions Monitoring Study: Overview of barn sources

The National Air Emissions Monitoring Study (NAEMS) is required by a U.S. EPA air consent agreement, in which livestock producers agreed to collect air emission data in exchange for more time to report their emissions and apply for any necessary permits. Field measurement of livestock air emissions is a major part of the study. Compared with most previous field studies of barn air quality, the NAEMS was designed to have 1) several pollutants measured simultaneously including particulate matter (PM), ammonia (NH3), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC), 2) a long duration of two years, 3) a large number of measured barns (38) using the same protocol, 4) careful selection of farms to enhance their representativeness, and 5) a high level of quality assurance and quality control as required by the U.S. EPA, which is supervising the study. The NAEMS is collecting continuous air emission data from 38 barns at five dairies, five pork production sites, three egg layer operations, one layer manure shed, and one broiler facility for a period of 2 years starting in 2007. At each barn monitoring site, an on-farm instrumentation shelter houses equipment for measuring pollutant concentrations at representative barn air inlets and outlets, barn airflows, operational processes, and environmental variables. A multipoint gas sampling system delivers selected air streams to gas analyzers. Mass PM concentrations are measured at one representative exhaust location per barn using real-time monitors. Motion sensors monitor activity of animals, workers and vehicles. Building ventilation rate is assessed by monitoring fan operation and building static pressure in mechanically ventilated barns, and air velocities through ventilation openings in naturally-ventilated buildings. Data is logged every 15 and 60 s and retrieved with network-connected PCs, formatted, validated, processed, and delivered to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Marketing intelligence: Innovation ability to anticipate global competition

Making strategic decisions in a dynamic business environment has become a challenge for business people, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Contextual knowledge gained in understanding the external environment is a factor that must be owned by every business person so that they gain a competitive advantage in increasing competition. This study aims to test the Entrepreneurial Performance model. The research was conducted on SMEs in West Java, in the city of Bandung. The sample selection was determined using the purposive sampling method and obtained 170 respondents as a sample. The analysis was carried out using the Structural Equation Model (SEM). The results of the study indicate the fit model after modification and produce an alternative model in the form of a correlation between Marketing Intelligence and Entrepreneurial Performance. Marketing Intelligence, Product Innovation and Competitive Advantage have a direct significant influence on Entrepreneurial Performance. Product Innovation partially has no significant effect on Competitive Advantage. This research is expected to contribute to SMEs in the city of Bandung to always have a good knowledge before making a decision. This knowledge includes an understanding of trends, media, competitors, and suppliers. The limitation in this study is also in its scope, which is only limited to a few SMEs in the city of Bandung. It is expected that future researchers will add samples and use other variables that can improve entrepreneurial performance.
Strain-tuning of domain walls in multilayer graphene probed in the quantum Hall regime

Domain walls, topological defects that deﬁne the frontier between regions of different stacking order in multilayer graphene, have proved to host exciting physics. The ability to tune these topological defects in situ in an electronic transport experiment brings a wealth of possibilities in terms of fundamental understanding of domain walls as well as for electronic applications. Here, we demonstrate, through a MEMS (microelectromechanical system) actuator and magnetoresistance measurements, the effect of domain walls in multilayer graphene quantum Hall effect. Reversible and controlled uniaxial strain triggers the topological defects, manifested as addtional quantum Hall effect plateaus as well as a discrete and reversible modulation of the current across the device. Our ﬁndings are supported by theoretical calculations and constitute indication of the in situ tuning of topological defects in multilayer graphene probed through electronic transport, opening the way for the use of reversible topological defects in electronic applications.
Qos Enhancement in Manet by Directional Power Control

model of a directional antenna for determining the interference is shown in Fig. 1, where R denotes the maximal permitted transmission range of node A, θ is the beam width of the main lobe. This model is simplified, since the side lobes are not used [8]. In this paper, the 4-Way Directional Power Control with Recoil Loop (4WDPCRL) protocol for power control of directional antennas is presented. We propose the scheme with using of control packets (RTS/CTS/DATA/ACK) for exchanging information about node’s transmitted energy. Whenever the frame is received, the appropriate power for transmitted frame is computed. This information is stored together with updated information about position of node to the table. If a new transmission occurs, the node sends packet with updated information about position and appropriate power. The simulation results show that the throughput and energy consumption of the proposed protocol was improved compared to IEEE 802.11 MAC protocol with omni-directional antenna and DMAC protocol with directional antenna.
Investigating the changes in matrix and fracture properties and fluid flow under different stress-state conditions

Investigating the Changes in Matrix and Fracture Properties and Fluid Flow Under Different Stress-state Conditions. (August 2004) Vivek Muralidharan, B.E. , Regional Engineering College, India Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. David S. Schechter The fracture aperture and fracture permeability are usually considered to remain the same during the production life of a naturally fractured reservoir, regardless of the degree of depletion; but reservoirs experience different stress state conditions, therefore understanding the fracture behavior becomes more complex. This research analyzes the effect of fracture aperture and fracture permeability on the fluid flow under different overburden pressures. This research investigates the fracture apertures under different stress-state conditions. The equations to quantify the flow through the matrix and the fracture at different overburden pressures are provided. An X-ray CT scanner was used to obtain fracture aperture distributions at various overburden pressures to verify the use of log-normal distribution, which was commonly used for distributing fracture apertures. In addition, reservoir simulations are performed to duplicate the experimental results and to provide a valid model for future stress-sensitive reservoirs. Our experimental results show that the fracture aperture and fracture permeability have significant pressure-dependent changes in response to applying variable injection rates and overburden pressures. The laboratory results show that the change in overburden pressure significantly affects the reservoir properties. The change in matrix permeability with different injection rates under variable overburden pressures is not significant in contrast with that effect on fracture aperture and fracture permeability. A calibration curve was obtained to determine fracture aperture from the X-ray CT scanner results. The aperture distribution from data obtained from X-ray CT scanner confirms lognormal distribution at various overburden pressures. This experimental research will increase the understanding of fluid flow behavior in fractured reservoirs.
Economically Optimal Road Subnetwork

The paper deals with the following situation: An area is served by a transportation network, usually the road one. The current quality of the network is not satisfactory for the owner (e.g. a company or public administration), but the reconstruction or recovery of the whole network is not feasible for the economic reasons. Managers, who are responsible for the network, make decisions how to reduce the network and then to reconstruct or recover it meeting certain conditions and minimizing costs. The condition is formulated by means of the set W of important pairs of sources and sinks of transport flows and by the number q ≥ 1 representing the maximal acceptable elongation rate of routes between nodes (vertices) from the set W. Such a problem can be met e.g. in rural road network reduction for winter maintenance, choice of tram or trolleybus network as a subnetwork of the bus one etc. The paper describes the mathematical support for that decision making. The mathematical model of the problem is presented. Then a depth-first search type exact method is proposed and verified. Afterwards, a heuristics is described and verified as well. Finally, linear programming version of the problem is added. The results were applied to urban bus network of Slovak town Piestany.
A Review of Slow- and Fast-Light Based on Stimulated Brillouin Scattering in Future Optical Communication Networks

The delay time Δ T is variable and externally controllable. The easiest way to realize an optical pulse delay is to send the signal into a delay line with a fixed length L , e. g. an optical fiber. Inside the fiber segment the signal propagates with the group Slow- and Fast-Light has been investigated during the last years as a powerful tool to reduce and increase the group velocity of light pulses by light. It has enjoyed much recent interest because of the practical applications for telecommunication and information systems. Among these are optical signal processing, radio frequency-photonics, nonlinear optics and time domain spectroscopy. Furthermore, it can be seen as a key technology for optical delay lines, buffers, equalizers and synchronizers in packet switched networks. For a realization, there are different methods and material systems possible. Among them the nonlinear effect of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) is of special interest. This article gives an overview about the fundamentals and some experimental results of the Slow- and Fast-Light effect based on the SBS in optical fibers.
MdSCL8 as a Negative Regulator Participates in ALA-Induced FLS1 to Promote Flavonol Accumulation in Apples

Apples (Malus domestica) are rich in flavonols, and 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) plays an important role in the regulation of plant flavonoid metabolism. To date, the underlying mechanism of ALA promoting flavonol accumulation is unclear. Flavonol synthase (FLS) is a key enzyme in flavonol biosynthesis. In this study, we found that ALA could enhance the promoter activity of MdFLS1 in the ‘Fuji’ apple and improve its expression. With MdFLS1 as bait, we screened a novel transcription factor MdSCL8 by the Yeast One-Hybrid (Y1H) system from the apple cDNA library which we previously constructed. Using luciferase reporter assay and transient GUS activity assay, we verified that MdSCL8 inhibits the activity of MdFLS1 promoter and hinders MdFLS1 expression, thus reducing flavonol accumulation in apple. ALA significantly inhibited MdSCL8 expression. Therefore, ALA promoted the expression of MdFLS1 and the consequent flavonol accumulation probably by down-regulating MdSCL8. We also found that ALA significantly enhanced the gene expression of MdMYB22 and MdHY5, two positive regulators of MdFLS. We further demonstrated that MdMYB22 interacts with MdHY5, but neither of them interacts with MdSCL8. Taken together, our data suggest MdSCL8 as a novel regulator of MdFLS1 and provide important insights into mechanisms of ALA-induced flavonol accumulation in apples.