bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring while drilling in Florida limestone for geotechnical site investigation
Authors: Rodgers Michael , McVay Michael , Horhota David , Hernando Jose , Paris Jerry
Published: January 2020

Florida limestone can be challenging to recover during coring operations, as the rock generally is soft, porous, and often highly weathered. Low recoveries coupled with poor rock quality are common in Florida, which limits the data available for geotechnical design. However, the low recoveries and poor rock quality may be attributable to coring techniques and not the rock’s in situ condition. This paper explores integrating measuring while drilling (MWD) into standard coring procedures to provide in situ strength assessment and optimize core recoveries and rock quality to improve rock mass characterization. Six drilling parameters were monitored during the research, and a controlled drilling environment was developed to investigate each monitored parameter’s effects. Variable drill bit configurations were also explored to investigate the effects of bit geometry. Interdependent relationships between the drilling parameters were discovered and a new concept of operating within optimal drilling parameter ranges based on these relationships is introduced. The coring practices developed in the controlled environment were then tested in natural Florida limestone. It was concluded that operating within the optimal ranges allows in situ strength assessment and improves core recoveries and rock quality.
Constrained gauge-gravity duality in three and four dimensions
Authors: Assimos T. S. , Sobreiro R. F.
Published: January 2020

The equivalence between Chern–Simons and Einstein–Hilbert actions in three dimensions established by Achúcarro and Townsend (Phys Lett B 180:89, 1986) and Witten (Nucl Phys B 311:46, 1988) is generalized to the off-shell case. The technique is also generalized to the Yang–Mills action in four dimensions displaying de Sitter gauge symmetry. It is shown that, in both cases, we can directly identify a gravity action while the gauge symmetry can generate spacetime local isometries as well as diffeomorphisms. The price we pay for working in an off-shell scenario is that specific geometric constraints are needed. These constraints can be identified with foliations of spacetime. The special case of spacelike leafs evolving in time is studied. Finally, the whole set up is analyzed under fiber bundle theory. In this analysis we show that a traditional gauge theory, where the gauge field does not influence in spacetime dynamics, can be (for specific cases) consistently mapped into a gravity theory in the first order formalism.
Angular asymmetry of the nuclear interaction probability of high energy particles in short bent crystals
Authors: Scandale W. , Cerutti F. , Esposito L. S. , Garattini M. , Gilardoni S. , Natochii A. , Rossi R. , Smirnov G. I. , Zhovkovska V. , Galluccio F. , Addesa F. , Iacoangeli F. , Kovalenko A. D. , Taratin A. M. , Gavrikov Yu. A. , Ivanov Yu. M. , Koznov M. A. , Malkov M. V. , Malyarenko L. G. , Mamunct I. G. , Borg J. , James T. , Hall G. , Pesaresi M.
Published: January 2020

The rate of inelastic nuclear interactions in a short bent silicon crystal was precisely measured for the first time using a 180 GeV/c positive hadron beam produced in the North Experimental Area of the CERN SPS. An angular asymmetry dependence on the crystal orientation in the vicinity of the planar channeling minimum has been observed. For the inspected crystal, this probability is about $$\sim 20\%$$∼20% larger than in the amorphous case because of the atomic density increase along the particle trajectories in the angular range of volume reflection, whose dimension is determined by the crystal bending angle. Instead, for the opposite angular orientation with respect to the planar channeling, there is a smaller probability excess of $$\sim 4\%$$∼4%.
Overspinning Kerr-MOG black holes by test fields and the third law of black hole dynamics
Authors: Düztaş Koray
Published: January 2020

We evaluate the validity of the weak form of the cosmic censorship conjecture and the third law of black hole dynamics for Kerr-MOG black holes interacting with test scalar fields. Ignoring backreaction effects, we first show that both extremal and nearly extremal Kerr-MOG black holes can be overspun into naked singularities by test fields with a frequency slightly above the superradiance limit. In addition, nearly extremal Kerr-MOG black holes can be continuously driven to extremality by test fields. Next, we employ backreaction effects based on the argument that the angular velocity of the event horizon increases before the absorption of the test field. Incorporating the backreaction effects, we derive that the weak form of the cosmic censorship and the third law are both valid for Kerr-MOG black holes with a modification parameter $$\alpha \lesssim 0.03$$α≲0.03, which includes the Kerr case with $$\alpha =0$$α=0.
Programmable Radio Environments with Large Arrays of Inexpensive Antennas
Authors: Li Zhuqi , Xie Yaxiong , Shangguan Longfei , Zelaya R. Ivan , Gummeson Jeremy , Hu Wenjun , Jamieson Kyle
Published: January 2020

Conventional wireless network designs to date target endpoint designs that view the channel as a given. Examples include rate and power control at the transmitter, sophisticated receiver decoder designs, and high-performance forward error correction for the data itself. We instead explore whether it is possible to reconfigure the environment itself to facilitate wireless communication. In this work, we instrument the environment with a large array of inexpensive antenna (LAIA) elements, and design algorithms to configure LAIA elements in real time. Our system achieves a high level of programmability through rapid adjustments of an on-board phase shifter in each LAIA element. We design a channel decomposition algorithm to quickly estimate the wireless channel due to the environment alone, which leads us to a process to align the phases of the LAIA elements. We implement and deploy a 36-element LAIA array in a real indoor home environment. Experiments in this setting show that, by reconfiguring the wireless environment, we can achieve a 24% TCP throughput improvement on average and a median improvement of 51.4% in Shannon capacity over baseline single-antenna links.
A Millimeter Wave Network for Billions of Things
Authors: Mazaheri Mohammad H. , Abedi Ali , Ameli Soroush , Abari Omid
Published: January 2020

With the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT), billions of new connected devices will come online, placing a huge strain on today's Wi-Fi and cellular spectrum. This problem will be further exacerbated by the fact that many of these IoT devices are low-power devices that use low-rate modulation schemes and therefore do not use the spectrum efficiently. Millimeter wave (mmWave) technology promises to revolutionize wireless networks and solve the spectrum shortage problem through the usage of massive chunks of high-frequency spectrum. However, existing mmWave networks are power-hungry and expensive, which make them unsuitable for low-power, low-cost IoT devices. In this paper, we present mmX, a system which significantly reduces cost and power consumption of a mmWave network, enabling its use in IoT applications.
A Language for Programmable Hardware Security
Authors: Casinghino Chris
Published: January 2020

No paper or presentation is available, but information on the "inherently secure processor" developed by Draper Laboratory can be found here: https://www.draper.com/explore-solutions/inherently-secure-processor
SPARK Formal Verification for Security
Authors: Taft Tucker
Published: January 2020

PDF of Powerpoint Slides
Winners of 2018 SIGAda Awards
Authors: Moore Brad , Hamilton John A.
Published: January 2020

SIGAda is pleased to announce that Brad Moore and John Hamilton received SIGAda's awards for 2018. Brad Moore, a Software Engineer at General Dynamics Missions Systems Canada, received the Robert Dewar Award for Outstanding Ada Community Contributions. John A. "Drew" Hamilton, Jr., a Professor at Mississippi State University, received the ACM SIGAda Distinguished Service Award. The awards were presented during SIGAda's High Integrity Language Technology (HILT 2018) Workshop, held in Boston, MA, November 5-6, 2018.
Modernizing Static Analysis Tools to Facilitate Integrations
Authors: Anderson Paul
Published: January 2020

PDF of Powerpoint Slides
Performance Investigation of Tunnel Lining with Cavities around Surrounding Rocks
Authors: Li Jiajia , Fang Yong , Liu Cheng , Zhang Yongxing , Lu Weihua
Published: January 2020

This paper presents a systematical numerical investigation into the lining performance of a tunnel with cavities around surrounding rocks, focusing on the influences of cavity size and multicavity distribution. The study demonstrates that the cavities around surrounding rocks have much influence on tunnel stability and may induce damages in tunnel structures, in which cavity width has a more severe effect on the stress state of tunnel structures than cavity depth. Moreover, the numerical investigation also illustrates that the nonadjacent distribution of multicavities has more serious influence on tunnel structures than that from adjacent distribution of multicavities as well as that from a single cavity.
Dynamic Rule-Based Algorithm to Tune Insulin-on-Board Constraints for a Hybrid Artificial Pancreas System
Authors: Bertachi Arthur , Biagi Lyvia , Beneyto Aleix , Vehí Josep
Published: January 2020

The artificial pancreas (AP) is a system intended to control blood glucose levels through automated insulin infusion, reducing the burden of subjects with type 1 diabetes to manage their condition. To increase patients’ safety, some systems limit the allowed amount of insulin active in the body, known as insulin-on-board (IOB). The safety auxiliary feedback element (SAFE) layer has been designed previously to avoid overreaction of the controller and thus avoiding hypoglycemia. In this work, a new method, so-called “dynamic rule-based algorithm,” is presented in order to adjust the limits of IOB in real time. The algorithm is an extension of a previously designed method which aimed to adjust the limits of IOB for a meal with 60 grams of carbohydrates (CHO). The proposed method is intended to be applied on hybrid AP systems during 24 h operation. It has been designed by combining two different strategies to set IOB limits for different situations: (1) fasting periods and (2) postprandial periods, regardless of the size of the meal. The UVa/Padova simulator is considered to assess the performance of the method, considering challenging scenarios. In silico results showed that the method is able to reduce the time spent in hypoglycemic range, improving patients’ safety, which reveals the feasibility of the approach to be included in different control algorithms.
Subaortic Membrane Papillary Fibroelastoma
Authors: Bryde Robyn , Landolfo Kevin , Ray Jordan C. , Parikh Pragnesh , Zhai Qihui “Jim” , Landolfo Carolyn
Published: January 2020

A 61-year-old male presented for an annual exam and received a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) which revealed a mobile mass arising from a subaortic membrane. Further investigations with a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) and cardiac computerized tomography angiography (CTA) confirmed the presence of a mobile 9 mm×3 mm mass on a subaortic membrane. Cardiothoracic surgery was performed with an open operation removing the mass and subaortic membrane. Upon visual inspection, the mass was likened to a sea anemone and immunohistochemical staining performed pathologically confirmed the diagnosis of cardiac papillary fibroelastoma. This case represents the first reported example of a cardiac papillary fibroelastoma (PFE) arising from a subaortic membrane. Although PFEs are benign cardiac tumors, proper identification and consideration for excision of these lesions may be indicated to prevent thromboembolic complications.
Cytokines and Chemokines Are Detectable in Swivel-Derived Exhaled Breath Condensate (SEBC): A Pilot Study in Mechanically Ventilated Patients
Authors: van der Zee Philip , van Walree Inez , Fijen Jan-Willem , van Houte Arend-Jan , van Velzen-Blad Heleen , Rijkers Ger , Gommers Diederik , Endeman Henrik
Published: January 2020

Introduction. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a noninvasive method to collect samples from the respiratory tract. Usually, a thermoelectric cooling module is required to collect sufficient EBC volume for analyses. In here, we assessed the feasibility of cytokine and chemokine detection in EBC collected directly from the ventilator circuit without the use of a cooling module: swivel-derived exhaled breath condensate (SEBC). Methods. SEBC was prospectively collected from the swivel adapter and stored at -80°C. The objective of this study was to detect cytokines and chemokines in SEBC with a multiplex immunoassay. Secondary outcomes were to assess the correlation between cytokine and chemokine concentrations in SEBC and mechanical ventilation parameters, systemic inflammation parameters, and hemodynamic parameters. Results. Twenty-nine SEBC samples were obtained from 13 ICU patients. IL-1β, IL-4, IL-8, and IL-17 were detected in more than 90% of SEBC samples, and significant correlations between multiple cytokines and chemokines were found. Several significant correlations were found between cytokines and chemokines in SEBC and mechanical ventilation parameters and serum lactate concentrations. Conclusion. This pilot study showed that it is feasible to detect cytokines and chemokines in SEBC samples obtained without a cooling module. Despite small sample size, correlations were found between cytokines and chemokines in SEBC and mechanical ventilation parameters, as well as serum lactate concentrations. This simple SEBC collection method provides the opportunity to collect EBC samples in large prospective ICU cohorts.
Comparison of the Flexural Performance and Behaviour of Fly‐Ash‐Based Geopolymer Concrete Beams Reinforced with CFRP and GFRP Bars
Authors: Ahmed Hemn Qader , Jaf Dilshad Kakasor , Yaseen Sinan Abdulkhaleq
Published: January 2020

A construction system with high sustainability, high durability, and appropriate strength can be supplied by geopolymer concrete (GPC) reinforced with glass fibre‐reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars and carbon fibre‐reinforced polymer (CFRP) bars. Few studies deal with a combination of GPC and FRP bars, especially CFRP bars. The present investigation presents the flexural capacity and behaviour of fly‐ash‐based GPC beam reinforced with two different types of FRP bars: six reinforced geopolymer concrete (RGPC) beams consisting of three specimens reinforced with GFRP bars and the rest with CFRP bars. The beams were tested under four‐point bending with a clear span of 2000 mm. The test parameters included the longitudinal‐reinforcement ratio and the longitudinal‐reinforcement type, including GFRP and CFRP. Ultimate load, first crack load, load‐deflection behaviour, load‐strain curve, crack width, and the modes of failure were studied. The experimental results were compared with the equations recommended by ACI 440.1R‐15 and CSA S806‐12 for flexural strength and midspan deflection of the beams. The results show that the reinforcement ratio had a significant effect on the ultimate load capacity and failure mode. The ultimate load capacity of CFRP‐RGPC beams was higher than that of GFRP‐RGPC, more crack formations were observed in the CFRP‐RGPC beams than in the GFRP‐RGPC beams, and the crack width in the GFRP‐RGPC beams was more extensive than that in the CFRP‐RGPC beams. Beams with lower reinforcement ratios experienced a fewer number of crack and a higher value of crack width, while numerous cracks and less value of crack width were observed in beams with higher reinforcement ratio. Beams with the lower reinforcement ratios were more affected by the type of FRP bars, and the deflection in GFRP‐RGPC beams was higher than that in CFRP‐RGPC beams for the same corresponding load level. ACI 440.1R‐15 and CSA S806‐12 underestimated the flexural strength and midspan deflection of RGPC beams; however, CSA S806‐12 predicted more accurately.
scFv against HSP60 of Strongyloides sp. and Its Application in the Evaluation of Parasite Frequency in the Elderly
Authors: Miguel Camila Botelho , Levenhagen Marcelo Arantes , Costa-Cruz Julia Maria , Goulart Luiz Ricardo , Alves Patrícia Terra , Ueira-Vieira Carlos , Brito Patrícia Kellen Martins Oliveira , Gomes Angelica Oliveira , Lazo-Chica Javier Emilio , Oliveira Carlo José Freire , Rodrigues Wellington Francisco
Published: January 2020

The present study is aimed at evaluating serological method using scFv anti-Strongyloides sp. and reporting the frequencies of the results with conventional parasitological technique (faeces) in elderly individuals. Among 112 elderly individuals (≥60 years of age), 14.28% were positive for at least one enteroparasite, with one individual positive for S. stercoralis. Sera were evaluated for the presence of anti-Strongyloides sp. antibodies using total or detergent fraction extracts of Strongyloides venezuelensis, which presented positivity rates of 19.64% and 10.71%, respectively. An anti-HSP60 single-chain variable fragment from Strongyloides sp. was used to detect parasite antigens, with 5.36% (6 individuals) of ELISA-positive individuals returning a positive result. While the serological test indicates previous or recent infection and may be limited by antigen purification, the anti-HSP60 method reflects the presence of Strongyloides sp. immune complexes and exhibits greater sensitivity and specificity. Our results demonstrate the variable occurrence of enteroparasites in elderly individuals residing in long-term nursing homes and validate a novel epidemiological tool to describe infection cases by Strongyloides sp.
Performance Enhancement for Conventional Tightly Coupled INS/DVL Navigation System Using Regeneration of Partial DVL Measurements
Authors: Yoo Taesuk , Kim Moonhwan , Yoon Seonil , Kim Daejoong
Published: January 2020

Inertial navigation systems/Doppler velocity log (INS/DVL) integrated navigation systems are widely used in underwater environments where GPS is unavailable. An INS/DVL integrated navigation system is generally loosely coupled; however, this does not work if any of the DVL transducers do not work. If a system is tightly coupled, velocity error can be estimated with fair accuracy even if some of the transducers fail. However, despite the robustness of a tightly coupled system compared to a loosely coupled one, velocity error estimation accuracy of the former decreases as the number of faulty transducers increases. Therefore, this paper proposes an INS/DVL/revolutions per minute (RPM) integrated navigation filter designed to improve the performance of conventional tightly coupled integrated systems by estimating data from faulty transducers using RPM data. Two salient features of the proposed filter are (1) estimating RPM data accounting for error from the effect of tidal currents and (2) continuous estimation of error in RPM data by selectively converting only the measurements of faulty transducers. The performance of the proposed filter was first verified using Monte Carlo numerical simulations with the analysis range set to 1 standard deviation (1σ, 68%) and then with real sea test measurement data.
Retrograde Balloon Dilation outside the Main Branch Stent to Restore the Occlusion of Side Branch in Chronic Total Occlusion Bifurcation Lesions
Authors: Hao-kao Gao , Cheng-xiang Li
Published: January 2020

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of a chronic total occlusion (CTO) can be challenging when a bifurcation is present at the distal cap. We described a case of retrograde balloon outside the main branch stent to restore the occlusion of side branch in CTO bifurcation lesion through the jailed wire.
Analysis of Molecular Pretreated Tumor Profiles as Predictive Biomarkers of Therapeutic Response and Survival Outcomes after Neoadjuvant Therapy for Rectal Cancer in Moroccan Population
Authors: El Otmani Ihsane , El Agy Fatima , El Baradai Sanae , Bouguenouch Laila , Lahmidani Nada , El Abkari Mohammed , Benajah Dafr Allah , Toughrai Imane , El Bouhaddouti Hicham , Mouaqit Ouadii , Ibn Majdoub Hassani Karim , Mazaz Khalid , Benjelloun El Bachir , Ousadden Abdelmalek , El Rhazi Karima , Bouhafa Touria , Benbrahim Zineb , Ouldim Karim , Ibrahimi Sidi Adil , Ait Taleb Khalid , Chbani Laila
Published: January 2020

Pathologic features depending on tumor response to preoperative chemoradiotherapy are important to determine the outcomes in patients with rectal cancer. Evaluating the potential predictive roles of biomarker expression and their prognostic impact is a promising challenge. We reported here the immunohistochemical staining of a panel marker of mismatch repair protein (MMR), Ki67, HER-2, and p53. Additionally, identification of somatic mutations of KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF genes were performed by direct sequencing and pyrosequencing in pretreated biopsy tissues from 57 patients diagnosed for rectal cancer. Clinical features and pathological criteria for postneoadjuvant treatment surgical resection specimen’s data were collected. Immunohistochemical expression and mutational status were correlated with therapeutic response, overall survival, and disease progression. The mean age of patients was 56 years. Seven (12.3%) out of 57 patients had a complete therapeutic response. Our analysis showed that when using complete therapeutic response (Dworak 4) and incomplete therapeutic response (Dworak 3, 2, and 1) as grouping factor, high p53 expression at the pretreatment biopsy was significantly associated to an incomplete response (p=0.002). For 20 and 2 out of 57, KRAS and NRAS mutations were detected, respectively. The majority of these mutations affected codon 12. KRAS mutations detected at codon 146 (A146T, A146V) was associated with the appearance of recurrence and distant metastasis (p=0.019). A high expression of HER-2 corresponding to score 3+ was observed in 3 pretreatment biopsy specimens. This class was significantly associated with a short relapse-free survival (p=0.002). Furthermore, the high expression of Ki67 was moderately correlated with an older age (p=0.016, r=0.319). In addition, this shows that high p53 expression in the pretreatment biopsy was associated with an incomplete response in surgical resection specimens after neoadjuvant treatment, and a HER-2 score 3+ can be a predictive factor of distant metastasis and local recurrence. Larger, prospective, and more studies are needed.
A Rare Case of Multivessel SCAD Successfully Treated with Conservative Medical Management
Authors: Alquran Lance , Patel Ankita , Safi Lucy , Patel Ankitkumar
Published: January 2020

A female patient presented with severe, symptomatic multivessel spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) with no known medical history or risk factors. The affected vessels were left anterior descending artery (LAD), right coronary artery (RCA), and the ramus. She was treated with conservative medical management. Two months later, repeat coronary angiogram to evaluate for any residual disease was performed which showed near-complete resolution of all involved vessels.
Herpes Zoster Infection Presenting as Aseptic Meningitis and Dermatomal Rash in Immunocompetent Adult
Authors: Dawadi Suyash , Lamsal Sudesh , Shah Bhupendra
Published: January 2020

Herpes zoster is a localized, painful, and vesicular rash involving one or adjacent dermatomes caused by varicella-zoster virus reactivation. Herpes zoster presenting as aseptic meningitis is prevalent among elderly population and people with immunocompromised status. However, it is a rare phenomenon in the young immunocompetent adult; hence, we are reporting a case of a herpes zoster infection presenting as aseptic meningitis and dermatological manifestation in a 19-year-old immunocompetent male.
Response Surface Optimization of Cactus Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) with Lantana camara (L. camara) Fruit Fermentation Process for Quality Wine Production
Authors: Tsegay Zenebe Tadesse , Lemma Solomon Mengistu
Published: January 2020

Fermenting blended fruits has been used to improve fruit wine quality. Cactus pear and Lantana camara fruits have well-known nutritive and health benefits. The purpose of this study was to investigate cactus wine quality improvement by applying response surface optimization method of cactus pear and Lantana camara fruits juice fermentation process. Wine quality responses were optimized at an experimental strategy developed using central composite rotatory design by varying fermentation process variable temperature, inoculum, and Lantana camara fruit juice concentration for six days. The developed fermentation models were significant (p<0.01) to predict alcohol, total phenol content, and sensory property of the final wine accurately. From the statistics calculations, fermentation temperature of 24.8°C, inoculum concentration 10.16% (v/v), and Lantana camara fruit juice concentration of 10.66% (v/v) were the overall optimum values to produce cactus pear fruit wine with alcohol 9.53±0.84% (v/v), total phenol content 651.6±54 (mg L-1 equivalent to gallic acid), and sensory value of 8.83±0.29. The Lantana camara fruit juice concentration added had shown significant (p<0.05) enhancement on total phenol content and sensory values of the final wine. The results can be used for large-scale wine production in order to reduce its postharvest losses.
Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion with Stand-Alone Cages for the Treatment of Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis: A Retrospective Study with 1-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Huo Yachong , Yang Dalong , Ma Lei , Wang Haidong , Ding Wenyuan , Yang Sidong
Published: January 2020

Patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) often suffer from years of low back pain (LBP) due to instability of the lumbar spine and the reduction of disc height. Since January 2016, we have performed oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) on 154 patients. Among these, 56 patients who suffered from DLS underwent OLIF with stand-alone cages. Forty-two patients with a follow-up time that exceeded 1-year were enrolled for this study. The forty-two patients were followed up for at least one year. Operation segments ranged from L3-4 to L4-5. All the patients were with 1-level fusion. The mean postoperative ventral-disc height and dorsal-disc height increased significantly compared with preoperative (P<0.05). A significant postoperative increase was also observed in the mean operative segmental lordotic angle and the whole lumbar lordotic angle (P<0.05). Compared with preoperative, the postoperative VAS significantly decreased with no significant increase in the VAS in the last follow-up. The LBP was significantly relieved. The mean postoperative VAS of LBP decreased significantly compared with the preoperative ((1.6 ± 0.8) vs. (7.8 ± 0.8)). Postoperative complications included psoas major abscess and intervertebral space infection (1/56). Except for one patient whose cage subsided during the last follow-up, the other patients had good cage position. The one whose cage collapsed complained no symptoms including LBP. OLIF with stand-alone cages should be considered as a safe and effective option which can effectively alleviate LBP for the treatment of DLS.
Prevalence of Hyperhomocysteinaemia and Associated Factors among Ethiopian Adult Population in a 2015 National Survey
Authors: Challa Feyissa , Getahun Tigist , Sileshi Meron , Nigassie Bikila , Geto Zeleke , Ashibire Genet , Gelibo Terefe , Teferra Solomon , Seifu Daniel , Sitotaw Yohannes , Bekele Abebe , Abate Ebba , Baye Kaleab
Published: January 2020

Hyperhomocysteinaemia (HHcy) is an independent risk factor for major cardiovascular diseases, but data on the prevalence and predictors of HHcy in low‐ and middle‐income countries like Ethiopia are scant. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HHcy and associated risk factors in the Ethiopian adult population. A cross‐sectional survey on risks of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) using the STEPwise approach to surveillance (STEPS) survey was conducted between April and June 2015. A total of 4,175 study participants were surveyed. Serum homocysteine (Hcy) and metabolic profile were determined using Cobas Integra 400 Plus and CardioChek PA analyzer, respectively. Factors associated with HHcy were determined using logistic regression. The mean serum tHcy concentration was 14.6 μmol/L, with 16.4 μmol/L in males and 13.4 μmol/L in females. Overall, 38% had HHcy, with figures in males (49%) higher than females (30%). Increased age, being male, and high blood pressure and/or taking blood pressure medication, as well as low consumption of fruit and/or vegetables, were independent risk factors for HHcy. In conclusion, the prevalence of HHcy among the adult Ethiopian population is alarmingly high. Improving diets through the promotion of fruit and vegetable consumption is needed to reduce the risk of NCDs.
Three phase PUC5 inverter fed induction motor for renewable energy applications
Authors: Goriparthi V V Nagaraju , Sambasiva Rao Gudapati
Published: January 2020

This paper gives the overview three phase 5 level packed U cell (PUC5) inverter fed Induction Motor feed from renewable energy sources for electric vehicles and water pump set in agriculture applications. PUC5 inverter requires a minimum number of semiconductor devices, one PV panel and only one capacitor in each phase. Maximum all possible switching sequences are analyzed and sensor less voltage balancing technique depending on simple switching modes was integrated as level shifted PWM controller for control the PUC5 inverter switches. Sensor less voltage balancing fixes the capacitor voltage (Vc) at half of the PV source (Vdc) magnitude in each phase, which results the symmetric five level wave in phase voltage output and seven level waveform in line voltage with less harmonics. This topology minimizes the complication in the control system which creates the PUC5 inverter most suitable for industrial applications and market requirements. It is compared with other popular multilevel inverters In terms of component count, voltage rating, voltage balancing and complexity etc. In order to test the performance proposed PUC inverter it is tested with rated load with Matlab/Simulink. The results obtained have shown good dynamic performance under different conditions.
PI controller for DC motor speed realized with simulink and practical measurements
Authors: Ibrahim Mohammed A. , Hamoodi Ali N. , Salih Bashar M.
Published: January 2020

This article describes the methodology of speed control by understanding control method of DC motor, definitely, armature and field resistances with additional to armature voltage control methods. The speed of DC motor is controlled PI controller as donor in this work. Using Matlab simulation and practical measurements, Terco DC motor speed control is achieved in this work. The results that obtained from Matlab simulation circuit is appeared approximately similar that obtained by practical connection.

 
Design of H_∞ for induction motor
Authors: Ismael Ammar issa , Jumaa Lafta E. , Khamas Nisreen
Published: January 2020

For Induction motor is a system that works at their speed, nevertheless there are applications at which the speed operations are needed. The control of range of speed of induction motor techniques is available. The robust control is used with induction motor and the performance of the system with the controller will be improved. The mathematical model to the controller, which were coded in MATLAB. The modeling and controller will be shown by the conditions of robustness of  be less than one.
New model of electric traction drive based sliding mode controller in field-oriented control of induction motor fed by multilevel inverter
Authors: Laoufi Chaymae , Sadoune Zouhair , Abbou Ahmed , Akherraz Mohammed
Published: January 2020

This paper presents a new model of electric traction drive for electric vehicle. The sliding mode speed controller applied in the Indirect Rotor Field Oriented Control is used to control the induction motor fed by the five levels Neutral Point Clamped inverter (NPC). The simulation results showed the high performances dynamics and high robustness of the proposed model, that are reflected by faster startup and good speed tracking performances in terms of response time, oscillations and disturbance rejection. Also, a comparative study between different inverter topologies: two levels inverter, three levels NPC inverter and five levels NPC inverter has been carried out. From the spectral analysis, the five-levels NPC inverter fed drive provides better dynamics of voltage and current with reduced total harmonic distortion (THD).
Comparative study of new MPPT control approaches for a photovoltaic system
Authors: Haddou Ahmed , Tariba Nour-Eddine , Ikken Naima , Bouknadel Abdelhadi , EL Omari Hafsa , El Omari Hamid
Published: January 2020

The output characteristics of the photovoltaic (PV) installation normally depend on solar radiation and ambient temperature, the charge impedance, its maximum power point (MPP) is not constant. In each state of the PV module has a point where it can produce its MPP. Therefore, MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) methods can be used to keep the photovoltaic panel running on its MPP. In this article, the objective was to determine how the different maximum point power monitoring (MPPT) techniques applied to PV systems work. Therefore, two MPPT algorithms are presented and compared under different temperature and radiation conditions: MRAC methods and sliding mode controller combined with the Incremental Conductivity (IC) algorithm. These algorithms are widely used in PV systems because of their easy implementation and low cost. These techniques were analyzed and their performance evaluated using the PSIM software under different types of solar radiation and temperature.
Differential game theory with FPA optimization in multi-area power system
Authors: Khadarvali S. , Madhusudhan V. , Kiranmayi R.
Published: January 2020

The distribution generation penetration increases due to the increased need of power. These penetration causes problem of frequency deviations. In this paper the in multi-area power system the combination of renewable energy resources is proposed. Here the area 1 & area 2 are thermal power plant. Hydro power generation plant is taken in area-3 & area-4. Renewable energy system is considered in area-5. Here the cyber security attack is taken as change in power in the entire area. This can make the power block out or wrong data entry. Here differential game theory-based problem formulation is done. The PI controller and differential game theory with flower pollination are compared for performance of fast response. The MATLAB 2017b is used for building the areas and algorithm
Wireless power transfer framework for minirobot based on resonant inductive coupling and impedance matching
Authors: Lum Kin Yun , Chow Jyi-Shyan , Yiauw Kah Haur
Published: January 2020

Minirobots which are under the field of miniature robotics, have a dimension of a few centimetres to even a few millimetres. Conventionally, these small sized robots are usually powered up by batteries. The batteries can take up a lot of space and result in a bulky system. Isolating the energy storage components from the robot itself can provide a good alternative to further down sized the robot. This can be done with the incorporation of wireless power transfer (WPT) technology. However, studies of small-size WPT are usually reported with poor efficiency. The objective of this paper is to present an efficient wireless power transfer framework for the minirobot by employing the resonant inductive coupling together with impedance matching technique. The theory and design process will be discussed. Then, a simple prototyping experiment was conducted to verify the proposed framework. Result showed 35% transfer efficiency had been achieved on a transmission distance of 0.5 cm. The proposed framework had also successfully powered a 4 watts minirobot prototype at about 16% transfer efficiency where its receiver coil was located 3.5 cm above the transmitter coil.
An ELM-based single input rule module and its application in power generation
Authors: Yaw Chong Tak , Wong Shen Young , Yap Keem Sian
Published: January 2020

Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) is widely known as an effective learning algorithm than the conventional learning methods from the point of learning speed as well as generalization. In traditional fuzzy inference method which was the "if-then" rules, all the input and output objects were assigned to antecedent and consequent component respectively. However, a major dilemma was that the fuzzy rules' number kept increasing until the system and arrangement of the rules became complicated. Therefore, the single input rule modules connected type fuzzy inference (SIRM) method where consociated the output of the fuzzy rules modules significantly. In this paper, we put forward a novel single input rule modules based on extreme learning machine (denoted as SIRM-ELM) for solving data regression problems. In this hybrid model, the concept of SIRM is applied as hidden neurons of ELM and each of them represents a single input fuzzy rules. Hence, the number of fuzzy rule and the number of hidden neuron of ELM are the same. The effectiveness of proposed SIRM-ELM model is verified using sigmoid activation functions based on several benchmark datasets and a NOx emission of power generation plant.  Experimental results illustrate that our proposed SIRM-ELM model is capable of achieving small root mean square error, i.e., 0.027448 for prediction of NOx emission.
Battery energy storage system (BESS) design for peak demand reduction, energy arbitrage and grid ancillary services
Authors: Abdullah Wan Syakirah Wan , Osman Miszaina , Ab Kadir Mohd Zainal Abidin , Verayiah Renuga
Published: January 2020

Renewable Energy (RE) penetration is a new phenomenon in power systems. In the advent of high penetration of RE in the systems, several issues have to be addressed especially when it involves the stability and flexibility of the power systems. Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) has gained popularity due to its capability to store energy and to serve multiple purposes in solving various power system concerns. Additionally, several BESS can be combined to operate as Virtual Power Plant (VPP). This study will involve the design and implementation of BESS for five potential customer sites for the demonstration project and to be possibly integrated into one VPP system. The study is expected to demonstrate bill savings to the customers with BESS due to peak demand reduction and energy arbitrage savings.<table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 444.85pt; border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext;" width="593" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
Renewable Energy (RE) penetration is a new phenomenon in power systems. In the advent of high penetration of RE in the systems, several issues have to be addressed especially when it involves the stability and flexibility of the power systems. Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) has gained popularity due to its capability to store energy and to serve multiple purposes in solving various power system concerns. Additionally, several BESS can be combined to operate as Virtual Power Plant (VPP). This study will involve the design and implementation of BESS for five potential customer sites for the demonstration project and to be possibly integrated into one VPP system. The study is expected to demonstrate bill savings to the customers with BESS due to peak demand reduction and energy arbitrage savings.
IoT based facial recognition door access control home security system using raspberry pi
Authors: Radzi Syafeeza Ahmad , Alif M.K. Mohd Fitri , Athirah Y. Nursyifaa , Jaafar A. S. , Norihan A. H. , Saleha M. S.
Published: January 2020

The home security system has become vital for every house. Previously, most doors can be open by using traditional ways, such as keys, security cards, password or pattern. However, incidents such as a key loss has led to much worrying cases such as robbery and identity fraud. This has become a significant issue. To overcome this problem, face recognition using deep learning technique was introduced and Internet of Thing (IoT) also been used to perform efficient door access control system. Raspberry Pi is a programmable small computer board and used as the main controller for face recognition, youth system and locking system. The camera is used to capture images of the person in front of the door. IoT system enables the user to control the door access.
Applied measurement of the motor speed controller for washing machine with random loads, part II
Authors: Mohammed Khalid , Yahaya Jabbar A.F. , Khan Reyasudin Basir
Published: January 2020

This research presents a very important industrial issue of controlling the production target, despite changing loads. Engines of various types, whether synchronous or synchronous, operate on single and three phase AC, DC motors or special motors such as stepper and servo. In all these motors, the speed control of the torque and speed of the above motors has gained considerable importance. There are three main ways reviewed in the current search, the second that completes the previous research referred to in the references. The three methods are PID method, LQR method and feeding –forward control methods. A real DC motor was used in electrical engineering machine laboratory at University of Diyala, Iraq. Where the actual parameters of the DC motor were actually calculated. The practical parameters were then integrated into the three control method Matlab codes for the purpose of comparing the results and representing the motor performance in the indicated control methods.
Intelligent fuzzy sliding mode controller based on FPGA for the speed control of a BLDC motor
Authors: K.M. Arun Prasad , Nair Usha
Published: January 2020

Brushless DC (BLDC) motors are one of the most widely used motors for various industrial applications due to their high efficiency, high torque to weight ratio and elimination of mechanical commutator. These motors operate in wide range of speeds and necessitate precise speed control techniques, for their nonlinear model, insenseitive to parameter variations and external disturbances, when used in various sensitive applications. Conventional PI and other existing controllers produce high overshoot and increased rise time and settling time. The performance of BLDC motor is enhanced using a Fuzzy Sliding Mode Controller (FSMC) whose gain is intelligently varied with the help of a Fuzzy Inference System (FIS). For this purpose, a suitable FSMC is designed, simulated and implemented using FPGA. The simulation results are validated using Hardware in the loop (HIL) simulation as well as actual hardware implementation. Great improvement in the transient performance is achieved when compared to chatter free SMC, Fuzzy PI and conventional PI controller.
Improvement of adaptive fuzzy control to adjust speed for a doubly fed induction motor drive (DFIM)
Authors: Brahim Dahhou , Mokhtar Bendjebbar , Salah Lachtar
Published: January 2020

This paper presents the doubly fed induction motor (DFIM) speed control using adaptive fuzzy logic PI (AFLPI) controller to give better dynamic performances. Before the advent of modern technology, integral proportional based current controller is usually used due to its simplicity. But, the performance of closed-loop control is largely influenced by this type of speed and torque controllers used, as long as the PI controllers suffer from tuning problem. To overcome the problem, a new technique AFLPI based speed controller for direct field oriented control fed DFIM to get fast speed response and to minimize the torque ripple. The application of this type of control is very satisfactory to replace the conventional PI controller and, even the fuzzy logic PI (FLPI) controller. The performance of the field oriented controlled DFIM drive has simulated at different operating conditions using the AFLPI controller and the obtained results are compared with FLPI controller and conventional PI controller. Accordingly, an improvement in dynamic and robustness is clearly appears in AFLPI controller simulation results compared to the others aforementioned controllers. Simulation Results are presented for the three techniques using Matlab/Simulink to prove the dynamic performances and robustness.
Improvement of protection relay with a single phase autore-closing mechanism based on artificial neural network
Authors: Hussain Zozan Saadallah , Ali Ahmed J. , Allu Ahmed A. , Antar Rakan Khalil
Published: January 2020

This paper presents a developed logical tripping scheme to improve conventional protection performance. Adaptive single pole auto reclosure (ASPAR) system is proposed that considers, automatically tripping and reclosing of a multi-shot independent pole technique of a circuit breaker at a predetermined sequence, which can be used to boost the synchronization of the power grid under the transient fault conditions. Moreover, the ASPAR can be utilized to enhance the electrical system stability and reliability at the same operating conditions. Based on the three-phase system, the Artificial neural network (ANN) in this work has been done in order to diagnose and detect healthy and faulted phases. The proposed ANN fault classifier method consists of the logic gates, router circuits, timers, and positive and negative sequence analyses circuit. In addition, it is used to give the ability to recognize a fault type, which by training on the sequence angle values and coordination of the transmission line. Three-phase overhead transmission line including the proposed ASPAR is built in MATLA \SIMULINK environment. Thus the performance ANN-fault classified is tested under different fault conditions. Simulation results show that the proposed ASPAR based on ANN is accurate and well performance. Whereas resultant tripping and reclosing signals of ASPAR are successfully provided that enhances the circuit breaker mechanism under these operating condition.
512 bit-SHA3 design approach and implementation on field programmable gate arrays
Authors: Neelima S. , Brindha R.
Published: January 2020

In this work, the authors consider the newly selected Hash Secure (SHA-3) algorithm on FPGA Gateway. The design is logically optimized for zone efficiency by combining the Rho steps and the one-pass algorithm. Logically recording these three steps registers leads to usage 16% of the logical resources for all implementations. This in turn reduces the latency and increases the maximum operating frequency of the project. It uses only 240 sections and has a frequency of 301.02 MHz compared to the design results with the previous FPGA implementation described in SHA3-512, the design shows the Throughput-Per-Slice (TPS) ratio of 30, 1.