Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A generalization of a SIS epidemic model with fluctuations

In a recent paper (Nakamura and Martinez, 2019), the classical epidemic compartmental susceptible‐infectious‐susceptible (SIS) model has been upgraded to a form which permits fluctuations in terms of the mean and the variance of infected individuals. This novel model happens to admit a Hamiltonian realization involving a constant ρ0 that is related to the reproduction number R0. In this work, we generalize ρ0 as a t‐dependent function to arrive at a non‐autonomous system of differential equations that we call SISt model. We make use of the theory of Lie systems to provide a (nonlinear) superposition rule for the general solution of SISt model. To conclude, we present a quantum version of the same model, giving rise to a parametric family of SISt systems. We provide a superposition rule for the general solution of the quantum extension as well.
Association of Cholinergic Basal Forebrain Volume and Functional Connectivity with Markers of Inflammatory Response in the Alzheimer's Disease Spectrum.

BACKGROUND Inflammation has been described as a key pathogenic event In Alzheimer's disease (AD), downstream of amyloid and tau pathology. Preclinical and clinical data suggest that the cholinergic basal forebrain may moderate inflammatory response to different pathologies. OBJECTIVE To study the association of cholinergic basal forebrain volume and functional connectivity with measures of neuroinflammation in people from the AD spectrum. METHODS We studied 261 cases from the DELCODE cohort, including people with subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, AD dementia, first degree relatives, and healthy controls. Using Bayesian ANCOVA, we tested associations of MRI indices of cholinergic basal forebrain volume and functional connectivity with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of sTREM2 as a marker of microglia activation, and serum levels of complement C3. Using Bayesian elastic net regression, we determined associations between basal forebrain measures and a large inflammation marker panel from CSF and serum. RESULTS We found anecdotal to moderate evidence in favor of the absence of an effect of basal forebrain volume and functional connectivity on CSF sTREM2 and serum C3 levels both in Aβ 42/ptau-positive and negative cases. Bayesian elastic net regression identified several CSF and serum markers of inflammation that were associated with basal forebrain volume and functional connectivity. The effect sizes were moderate to small. CONCLUSION Our data-driven analyses generate the hypothesis that cholinergic basal forebrain may be involved in the neuroinflammation response to Aβ 42 and phospho-tau pathology in people from the AD spectrum. This hypothesis needs to be tested in independent samples.
Quantitative Analysis of Structural Changes during Rapid Urban Growth: Case Study of Kerman, Iran

New quantitative measures of urban structural changes are introduced and applied to the fast-growing city of Kerman, Iran. The results of 20,802 street measurements show that the main street orientations are orthogonal, both in the old inner part and in the more recent outer parts, but the streets are shorter and more irregular in shape in the inner part. The Shannon/Gibbs entropy is a measure of dispersion and is used to quantify the street-population differences within Kerman. The results show that then inner (old) part has lower orientation and length entropies (and shorter average lengths and length ranges) than any of the outer parts. Also, the length entropy gradually increases with distance from the inner part, indicating spreading of the street network with expansion of the city. The evolution of the Kerman street network from 1902 to 2006 indicates two growth processes: densification (streets added within the existing network) and expansion (streets added at the margin of the network). During densification periods, the network entropy decreased, but it increased during expansion periods. Entropy is thus a powerful tool for quantifying the evolution of city structure and for understanding and planning structural changes, particularly in fast-growing cities.
Adaptive protection as preventive and emergency control

Recent advances suggest expanding the concept of power system protection to "adaptive protection. " It is important to recognize that both "demand pull" and "technology push" drive this trend. A literature survey from 1988 to 1999 shows adaptive relaying ideas have advanced from early concepts to experiments in wide-area emergency control. A wide-area control system contains three hierarchical levels of protection and control-local, substation and interconnected wide area. At least two operating scenarios are conceivable. Under the first scenario, one anticipates vulnerabilities and positions the system to be more robust in the event of a threat or hidden failures. The second scenario calls for the system to respond to failure events by, for example, modifying the protection system to defend against future events in case of a component failure. To complete this concept of adaptive protection as a preventive and emergency controller, it remains to identify the important issues. This paper identifies, for each level, the control action necessary and the system required to implement that control.
Suppressing the parasitic bipolar action in fully-depleted MOSFETs/SIMOX by using back-side bias-temperature treatment

A new suppression method for parasitic bipolar action is presented for fully-depleted surface-channel nMOSFETs on SIMOX-structures by using the back-side bias-temperature (BSBT) treatment technique. After 10 h of BSBT treatment, increase in source-drain breakdown voltage of about 300 mV was obtained. A peculiar hot-carrier degradation is also suppressed and device lifetime is improved by 20 times. The device characteristics are not degraded by BSBT treatment because it induces a bias stress to back interface between the buried oxide and the active silicon layer, which does not affect the front channel. Influences of BSBT stress to the back interface were investigated using several methods. The suppression mechanism proposed is the generation of charges and interface traps at the back interface.
High Dynamic Performance of Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Drives Based on Feed-forward Load Torque Compensator

Abstract This article presents an improvement in the dynamic performance of interior permanent magnet synchronous motor drives by using a feed-forward load torque compensator along with a proportional-integral speed controller. In such a case, the load torque estimator compensates the speed control by setting a feed-forward torque value through the q-axis current reference value, so that the machine speed can reach the reference speed very fast. The experimental and simulation results indicate that the proposed control technique improves the interior permanent magnet synchronous motor speed performance in terms of tracking precision and travel time. Moreover, the performance of an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor drive system using a conventional proportional-integral controller is compared with the proposed controller. The results show that the proposed proportional-integral controller with a feed-forward load torque compensator has achieved superior performance compared to those of the conventional one. An acceptable speed response under load torque variations and parameter uncertainty is found.
Stress and Strain Rate Evolution During the Finite Strain Deformation of a Weak Ferropericlase Grain by Diffusion Creep: Implications for Shear Localization in the Lower Mantle

We investigate the finite deformation of a weak inclusion embedded in a strong matrix. The goal is to understand the possible causes for shear localization that would explain the presence of geochemical heterogeneity in the Earth's lower mantle. The weak phase in the lower mantle is ferropericlase (Fp), and the strong phase is bridgmanite (Br). We herein consider deformation by diffusion creep for which some supporting evidence is available. When an inclusion deforms by diffusion creep, deformation itself modifies its geometry and stress distribution. The modified stress distribution in turn leads to strain‐dependent rheological properties due to the changes in diffusion path length and the stress gradient that drives diffusion flux. We investigate the evolution of deformation of a weak inclusion (i.e., Fp‐like weak grain embedded in Br‐like strong matrix) using the Eshelby theory (for stress and strain rate fields) combined with a theory of diffusional mass transport caused by the gradient in the normal stress within the inclusion. We found that finite strain leads to a significant strain weakening under simple shear deformation but not under axial deformation. Since diffusion creep is thought to be a dominant mechanism of the lower mantle rheology, the results of the present study provide a basis for investigating the nature of shear localization and its important implication for the preservation of geochemical heterogeneity and the distribution of seismic anisotropy in the lower mantle.
Neuromodulation for Refractory Epilepsy

Three neuromodulation therapies, all using implanted device and electrodes, have been approved to treat adults with drug-resistant focal epilepsy, namely, the vagus nerve stimulation in 1995, deep brain stimulation of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT-DBS) in 2018 (2010 in Europe), and responsive neurostimulation (RNS) in 2014. Indications for VNS have more recently extended to children down to age of 4. Limited or anecdotal data are available in other epilepsy syndromes and refractory/super-refractory status epilepticus. Overall, neuromodulation therapies are palliative, with only a minority of patients achieving long-term seizure freedom, justifying favoring such treatments in patients who are not good candidates for curative epilepsy surgery. About half of patients implanted with VNS, ANT-DBS, and RNS have 50% or greater reduction in seizures, with long-term data suggesting increased efficacy over time. Besides their impact on seizure frequency, neuromodulation therapies are associated with various benefits and drawbacks in comparison to antiseizure drugs. Yet, we lack high-level evidence to best position each neuromodulation therapy in the treatment pathways of persons with difficult-to-treat epilepsy.
An examination of just-in-time management for the small manufacturer: with an illustration

SUMMARY Productivity increases attributed to the Japanese management approach known as just-in-time (JIT) include better customer service, higher quality levels, increased labour and machine efficiency and reduced inventory levels. These potential benefits, as well as others, have caused many large companies to examine JIT. Most of this interest has been focused on JIT applications for large repetitive manufacturers. Research, and the experiences of some managers, indicate its potential in job-shop and process industry environments. Little research has been conducted in small manufacturing environments This paper examines JIT, its elements, benefits and feasibility in a small manufacturing setting. A bottling company is described and examined in terms of its suitability for JIT implementation. This example shows that not all elements of JIT are feasible for all situations. Each element of a JIT system should be examined as it applies to small or large manufacturing or to repetitive, job-shop or process in.
Synthesis of Lange Couplers

This paper shows that it is possible to synthesize Lange couplers directly and thereby save considerable computing time. The procedure outlined is essentially based on two available techniques: Ou's analysis of the Lange coupler and Akhtarzad's design method for a pair of coupled microstrip lines. Including a correction in the latter for a single strip shape ratios less than unity, is significant. The described approach compares favorably with existing iterative methods and was used to obtain reasonably good performances on a low dielectric constant laminate.
Resonant gate driver with efficient gate energy recovery and switching loss reduction

This article describes a novel resonant gate driver for charging the gate capacitor of power metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect-transistors (MOSFETs) that operate at a high switching frequency in power converters. The proposed resonant gate driver is designed with three small MOSFETs to build up the inductor current in addition to an inductor for temporary energy storage. The proposed resonant gate driver recovers the CV2 gate loss, which is the largest loss dissipated in the gate resistance in conventional gate drivers. In addition, the switching loss is reduced at the instants of turn on and turn off in the power MOSFETs of power converters by using the proposed gate driver. Mathematical analyses of the total loss appearing in the gate driver circuit and the switching loss reduction in the power switch of power converters are discussed. Finally, the proposed resonant gate driver is verified with experimental results at a switching frequency of 1 MHz.
Synthesising the roles of torque and sensation in pinch force: a framework

Although studies show that torque and sensation are important factors to consider in grip force, there appears to be few frameworks that focus on their roles in pinch force. This study proposes a framework that potentially explains the roles of torque and sensation in pinch force. A review was done on these factors followed by a literature synthesis which categorised them into sub-factors. The sub-factors were combined to output a framework that explains the mechanisms of their interactions. This framework enriches the knowledge on pinch force levels for reduced injury risks by identifying preliminary factors that may influence pinch force. It can potentially be used to improve the effectiveness of manufacturing tasks. Although further research on it is required, it still provides researchers with more factors to consider for studies on occupational risks and injuries. With this framework, researchers can potentially improve predictions on functional outcomes in precision manufacturing tasks.
Automation- Induced "Complacency": Development of the Complacency-Potential Rating Scale

Automation-induced "complacency" has been implicated in accidents involving commercial aircraft and other high-technology systems. A 20-item scale was developed for measuring attitudes toward commonly encountered automated devices that reflect a potential for complacency. Factor analysis of responses (N = 139) to scale items revealed four factors: Confidence-Related, Reliance-Related, Trust-Related, and Safety-Related Complacency. It is proposed that these form components of automation-induced complacency rather than general attitudes toward automation. The internal consistency (r = 37) and test reliability (r = .90) of the factors and the scale as a whole were high. Complacency potential is discussed with respect to interrelations between automation and operator trust in and reliance on automation.
A Built-in Vibration Sensor Using Arc-Discharged Reactive Ion Plated PZT

A piezoelectrically excited micro cantilever with multiple electrode ports has been developed as a standard test device to investigate the piezoelectric oscillation sensing capability. A 5 μm thick PZT was deposited by the arc-discharge reactive ion plating on a 20-μm-thick and 2700-μm-long SOI cantilever, and its piezoelectrically measured vibration signal was correlated with the reference oscillation signal from the laser Doppler vibrometer to prove the feasibility as oscillation detector. An equivalent circuit expression for the sensing electrode has been found.
A novel unit commitment method considering various operation constraints

This paper presents a novel unit commitment method in which some intricate constraints are considered, such as available transfer capability limitation (ATCL) of both lines and interfaces, network loss effects, and units' ramp rates. The network security constraints are checked by DC power flow. The key technique of the method is the combination of dynamic programming for one tentative running unit with economic dispatch for fulfilled load (EDFL). The distinct features of the method are monotonous convergence, considering more constraints and less computational requirements. Comparison of the proposed method with the Lagrangian relaxation approach demonstrates the effectiveness and the potential benefits of the proposed method for power system operation.
Experimental and Numerical Study of Water Entry Supercavity Influenced by Turbulent Drag-Reducing Additives

The configurational and dynamic characteristics of water entry supercavities influenced by turbulent drag-reducing additives were studied through supercavitating projectile approach, experimentally and numerically. The projectile was projected vertically into water and aqueous solution of CTAC with weight concentrations of 100, 500, and 1000 ppm, respectively, using a pneumatic nail gun. The trajectories of the projectile and the supercavity configuration were recorded by a high-speed CCD camera. Besides, water entry supercavities in water and CTAC solution were numerically simulated based on unsteady RANS scheme, together with application of VOF multiphase model. The Cross viscosity model was adopted to represent the fluid property of CTAC solution. It was obtained that the numerical simulation results are in consistence with experimental data. Numerical and experimental results all show that the length and diameter of supercavity in drag-reducing solution are larger than those in water, and the drag coefficient is smaller than that in water; the maintaining time of supercavity is longer in solution as well. The surface tension plays an important role in maintaining the cavity. Turbulent drag-reducing additives have the potential in enhancement of supercavitation and drag reduction.
Computational Study of the Therapeutic Potential of Novel Heterocyclic Derivatives against SARS-CoV-2

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus- 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including the recently reported severe variant B.1. 617.2, has been reported to attack the respiratory tract with symptoms that may ultimately lead to death. While studies have been conducted to evaluate therapeutic interventions against the virus, this study evaluated the inhibitory potential of virtually screened novel derivatives and structurally similar compounds towards SARS-CoV-2 via a computational approach. A molecular docking simulation of the inhibitory potentials of the compounds against the SARS-CoV-2 drug targets—main protease (Mpro), spike protein (Spro), and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp)—were evaluated and achieved utilizing AutoDock Vina in PyRx workspace. The absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) properties of these compounds were assessed using SwissADME and ADMETLab servers. All the compounds displayed high binding affinities for the SARS-CoV-2 drug targets. However, the C13 exhibited the highest binding affinity for the drug targets, Spro and RdRp, while C15 exhibited the highest binding affinity for Mpro. The compounds interacted with the LEU A:271, LEU A:287, ASP A:289, and LEU A:272 of Mpro and the HIS A:540, PRO A:415, PHE A:486, and LEU A:370 of the Spro receptor binding motif and some active site amino acids of RdRp. The compounds also possess a favourable ADMET profile and showed no tendency towards hERG inhibition, hepatotoxicity, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or drug-liver injury. These novel compounds could offer therapeutic benefits against SARS-CoV-2, and wet laboratory experiments are necessary to further validate the results of this computational study.
Avaliação da segurança rodoviária em fase de planeamento: modelo estatístico de resposta qualitativa

Neste estudo propoe-se a adocao de um modelo estatistico de resposta qualitativa para a analise da seguranca rodoviaria de redes de transporte na fase de planeamento. Tendo em conta as caracteristicas desta fase, como seja a escassez de informacao e o âmbito generalista da analise, os modelos de resposta quantitativa poderao nao ser os mais adequados como se pretende demonstrar com este estudo. Assim, neste trabalho desenvolveu-se um modelo de resposta qualitativa (modelo ordenado probit MOP) considerando tres categorias de (in)seguranca como variavel dependente, com base nos dados da cidade do Porto. Os parâmetros foram estimados com nivel de confianca de 95% estando os efeitos marginais em linha com outros estudos. Nesse sentido, verifica-se que os locais com menor risco de ocorrer acidentes correspondem a segmentos classificados como via distribuidora local e situados em zonas de baixa densidade habitacional ou com equipamentos publicos. Com o objetivo de analisar a influencia dos atributos do segmento na seguranca, assim como comparar os resultados do MOP com um modelo binomial negativo, considerou-se ainda uma analise dos referidos modelos a cenarios de segmentos hipoteticos. O MOP, atraves da probabilidade de ocorrer cada categoria, permite realizar uma analise de risco a partir da qual se podem comparar diferentes solucoes definidas em fase de planeamento. Palavras-chave : acidentes rodoviarios, modelo de resposta qualitativa, modelo ordenado probit, modelo binomial negativo, rede viaria urbana, fase de planeamento. Abstract : This study proposes the use of a qualitative response model to analyze safety of an urban road network at the planning level. Taking into account the poor data available at planning level and the general scope of analysis that features this level, the quantitative response models may not be the most appropriate. Thus, using data from Porto, an ordered probit model was developed using three categories illustrating degrees of unsafety as the dependent variable. The parameter estimates were statistically significant and the marginal effects were in line with expectations. Therefore, segments classified as local distributor and located at low density of buildings or community building zones are associated to low accident risk probability. In order to better analyze the effects o the segment features and also to compare this model with the negative binomial model, both were applied to several scenarios of a segment. The probabilities associated to each category allow to performing a risk analysis from which various solutions defined at planning level are compared. Keywords : road accidents, qualitative response model, ordered probit model, negative binomial model, urban road network, planning level.
Aroma Properties of Cocoa Fruit Pulp from Different Origins

Cocoa pulp occurs as a by-product of cocoa bean production and can be repurposed to different food applications, such as jams, fruit preparations and beverages, improving the sustainability of cocoa production, as well as the livelihoods of cocoa farmers. In this work, aroma-active compounds of fresh cocoa fruit pulps from different origins were investigated by applying aroma extract dilution analyses in combination with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/olfactometry for identification. In total, 65 aroma-active compounds were determined in four different pulps originating from Indonesia, Vietnam, Cameroon, and Nicaragua. Vietnamese pulp showed the highest number of aroma-active regions, while Cameroonian pulp accounted for the lowest. Moreover, Cameroonian cocoa pulp showed the lowest FD factors. Overall, the odorants with the highest FD factors were trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-decenal, 2- and 3-methylbutanoic acid, 3-(methylthio)propanal, 2-isobutyl-3-methoxypyrazine, (E,E)-2,4-nonadienal, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, 4-vinyl-2-methoxyphenol, δ-decalactone, 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethylfuran-2(5H)-one, dodecanoic acid, and linalool. This study provides insights into the aroma composition of fresh cocoa pulp from different origins for future food applications.