esa-sceva/satcom-chunk-collection huggingface dataset:
# Outpatient Appointment Optimization: A Case Study of a Chemotherapy Service
## 5 Resolution Methods
### Dispatching Rule Heuristics  
Due to the time-lag constraint, one must always ensure the exact waiting time between two patient sessions. With First Fit Strategy (FFS) [27], we can find a resource, precedence, and feasible planning for a sequence of appointments of a patient by scheduling as soon as possible while ensuring the time-lag and resources' availability for the patient. In addition, the time-lag is only applied to the appointments of each patient. Hence, it is sufficient to represent the problem's instance as an orderly list of patients.  
Since the SPT rule is a well-known rule for \(1\,|\,|\sum C_{j}\)[28] by prioritizing the job with lower processing time, we first define the priority value _total processing time_ as the sum of the entire elapsed time for all steps at all appointments.  
We also define the _ideal total processing time_, a variation that takes into account the flexibility of jobs in the ideal case where we process without resource constraints:\[IPT_{i,k} :\text{ {ideal total processing time of appointment $k$ of patient $i$}}\] \[=p_{i,k}^{A}+\max\left\{p_{i,k^{\prime}}^{B},\left(1-e_{i,k}^{C} \right)p_{i,k}^{C}\right\}+p_{i,k}^{D}\] \[=\left\{\begin{array}{ll}p_{i,k}^{A}+\max\left\{p_{i,k}^{B};p_{ i,k}^{C}\right\}+p_{i,k}^{D}&\text{if C is not allowed to preproceed}\\ p_{i,k}^{A}+p_{i,k}^{B}+p_{i,k}^{D}&\text{otherwise}\end{array}\right.\] \[\Rightarrow IPT_{i} =\sum_{k\in\Theta_{i}}IPT_{i,k}:\text{ {ideal total processing time of patient $i$}}\]  
Finally, note that, if we delay the first session by _one day_, the time-lag pushes the second session an equal amount, resulting in an increase of _two days_ (\(2\times H\) time slots) in total on the objective (10). In other words, delaying the first session of patient \(i\) by one day increases the objective (10) by at least \(n_{i}\times H\). For that reason, we see by intuition that prioritizing long requests reduces the objective substantially. Combining with the idea of _MTS (Most Total Successor)_[29], we construct hence the RLIPT priority value, as a lexicographical order (\(n_{i}\); \(IPT_{i}\)) so that the lengthier cycle (greater \(n_{i}\)) is prioritized, tie-broken by the ideal total processing time (\(IPT_{i}\)) as processing the shorter jobs first might be beneficial. There are thus four possible variations of ordering (all listed for the sake of completeness) _RLIPT-DD_ (both (\(n_{i}\); \(IPT_{i}\)) in decreasing order), _RLIPT-II_ (both (\(n_{i}\); \(IPT_{i}\)) in increasing order), _RLIPT-DI_ (decreasing order of \(n_{i}\) then increasing order of \(IPT_{i}\)), and _RLIPT-ID_ (increasing order of \(n_{i}\) then decreasing order of \(IPT_{i}\)).  
In summary, we sort patients' planning requests in increasing (or decreasing) order of priority values defined formally in Table 3. The heuristics to examine are SPT, LPT, SIFT, LIPT, RLIPT-DD, RLIPT-II, RLIPT-DI, and RLIPT-ID.
## Abbreviations  
\begin{tabular}{l l} \hline \hline
**Abbreviation** & **Meaning** \\ \hline \(n\) & The number of smart meters SX \\ \hline \(m\) & The number of DR projects \\ \hline \(u_{i}\) & The _ith_ user in AMI. \(u_{0}\) refers to MS; \(\;\) ot hers refer to SXs \\ \hline \(k_{i}\) & A user key for \(u_{i}\) \\ \hline \(gk_{i}\) & A group key for the _ith_ DR project \\ \hline \(sk_{i}\) & A session key is used for message transmissions, with \(i=0\) and the \\   specifically for broadcast mode and other values for the unicast mode. \\ \hline \(gsk_{i}\) & a session key for multicast mode of the _ith_ DRproject \\ \hline \(C_{i}\) & an additional value to help generate \(sk_{i}\) \\ \hline \(GC_{i}\) & an additional value to help generate \(gsk_{i}\) \\ \hline \(Count_{i}\) & a counter for \(u_{i}\) to help generate \(C_{i}\) \\ \hline \(GCount_{i}\) & a counter for \(u_{i}\) to help generate \(GC_{i}\) \\ \hline \(Data\) & Data of the message. \\ \hline \(EData\) & Encrypted data of the message. \\ \hline \(M_{i}\) & Metered data of \(u_{i}\) in the previous day, which is in binary mode with a fixed length. \\ \hline \(CDate\) & The measure date of \(M_{i}\). \\ \hline \(Sign_{t}\) & A signature of the encrypted data created in the sending end. \\ \hline \(Sign_{r}\) & A signature of the encrypted data created in the receiving end. \\ \hline \(Project_{j}\) & The _jth_ DR project \\ \hline \(request_{\textit{in}j}\) & request information of joining in the _jth_ DR \\ \hline \(request_{\textit{out}j}\) & request information of quitting in the _jth_ DR \\ \hline \(response+\) & Indicating that the distribution by MS succeeded. \\ \hline \(response-\) & Indicating that the distribution by MS failed. \\ \hline \(Kgen(1^{b})\) & A secure \(b-\) bit key generation algorithm. \\ \hline \(Random\) (\(b\)) & A function to generate a \(b-\) bit random number. \\ \hline \(E_{k}(Data)\) & An encryption function that utilizes a symmetric cryptography algorithm and utilizes the encryption key \"\(k\)\" \\ \hline \(DE_{k}(EData)\) & A decryption function that employs a symmetric cryptography algorithm and uses \"\(k\)\" as the decryption key. \\ \hline \(k\oplus c\) & an exclusive OR operation between \(k\) and c. \\ \hline \(k||c\) & A concatenation between \(k\) and \(c\). \\ \hline \(H(k)\) & A hash function. \\ \hline \(HMAC_{K}(c)\) & A keyed-hash message authentication function that employs as \"\(k\)\" the key. \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
###### Abstract  
Tuned mass dampers (TMDs) are commonly used to mitigate vibrations in civil structures. There is a growing demand for new solutions that offer similar effectiveness as TMDs but with reduced mass. In this context, this paper investigates active (ATMD) and semi-active (STMD) tuned mass dampers with relative displacement and velocity feedback. The control force of the ATMD is assumed to be the sum of viscous damping and either positive or negative stiffness forces. This control force is calibrated for a specific parameter \(K\) such that the effectiveness of the ATMD in reducing harmonic vibrations matches that of the TMD with \(K\) times larger mass. The optimal calibration is derived based on the mathematical reformulation of an existing optimal acceleration feedback control algorithm. The control approach for the ATMD is then applied to the STMD. Subsequently, the sub-optimal STMD is analyzed, with a focus on its limitations arising from the clipping of active forces. Finally, the paper presents a calibration of the STMD using a numerical optimization method. It is demonstrated that the maximum achievable performance of the numerically optimized STMD matches that of the TMD with three times larger mass.  
vibration; damping; tuned mass dampers; active; semi-active; control; negative stiffness; equivalent linearization; optimization Article  
Calibration of Viscous Damping-Stiffness Control Force in Active and Semi-Active Tuned Mass Dampers for Reduction of Harmonic Vibrations. _Appl. Sci._**2023**, 13, 11645. [[https://doi.org/10.3390/app13211645](https://doi.org/10.3390/app13211645)]([https://doi.org/10.3390/app13211645](https://doi.org/10.3390/app13211645))
# Near Infrared Illumination Optimization for Vein Detection: Hardware and Software Approaches
## 2 Methodology
### Data Evaluation: Vein Counting  
There are three veins visible in the antecubital fossa. The median cubital vein should be the primary option among the three veins in the middle of the arm, followed by the veins in the lateral aspect (outer thumb side), which is the cephalic vein, and the veins in the medial aspect (inner little finger side), which is the basilic vein [21]. The median cubital vein is thought to be the ideal location for venepuncture. It is described as firmly anchored, big and noticeable [22], and acts as a branching between the two major veins [23]. These were the veins detected during prototype testing, with special attention on the median cubital vein [24].  
The number of veins apparent in both palm and arm was counted by visual examination after image enhancement. The number of vein counts was recorded and compared. A branching vein, having a Y-shape as in Figure 8, was counted as consisting of two [25]. If there was uncertainty about whether the ROI was indeed a vein or a shadow, it was not included in the count. Rules for counting were consistent for both palm and arm.
## 4 Engineering Example Application
### Least Squares Support Vector Machine Test  
In this study, a total of 72 sets of rainfall, water level, and corresponding displacement data were analyzed. The data were divided into two groups: the training set, consisting of the first 60 sets of data, and the test set, consisting of the remaining 12 sets. To simulate the data set, next, an LSSVM simulation model was established and the sparrow search optimization algorithm was invoked for training. This led to the establishment of the SSA-LSSVM slope displacement simulation model, where the mean square error between the predicted value and the expected value was derived and taken as the initial adaptation value of the sparrow population. However, the SSA-LSSVM algorithm was complicated and time-consuming. Based on the idea of the iterative optimization search, the IESSA-LSSVM algorithm was fused with LSSVM to optimize it. In this algorithm, each sparrow in the sparrow search algorithm is located in the two-dimensional search space (\(\gamma,\delta^{2}\)), and the LSSVM calculates the fitness value as the criterion with which to search for the global optimal solution.
# On Construction of a Campus Outdoor Air and Water Quality Monitoring System Using LoRaWAN
## 3 System Design and Implementation  
In this section, we describe the LoRa system's architecture and implementation in this paper, which established an air pollution and water monitoring system on the Tunghai University campus. The characteristic of this system, just like [32; 33], efficiently assess real-time air quality information and display and low power consumption of data transmission. In addition, the system supports historical data query and analysis. Finally, the proposed system has a user-friendly graphical interface.
## 5 FGI Challenges and NGN Solutions for Future Networks
### Mobility  
Mobility is one of the services available to the end-users. The applications should be available anywhere and anytime.  
One real problem is the connectivity. The moving user usually gets out of the network coverage. For WiFi, the network coverage is in the scale of hundreds meters, one mobile network covers at most the area of one country. Besides these limits, the user needs to change to another network either with the same technology, or with a different one. This process usually entails changing the IP address. However, this problem is not really important to the end-user.  
End-user is more focused on the applications. Therefore, there should be a framework allowing the users seamless handover via various technological environments. NGN is independent from the access networks and is able to provide services through any access technology. This is ensured by the separation of the applications from access layer. The only problem is the resource allocation and QoS management, which can be different for various network types.
## 4 EE Improvement Issues for Each Component
### RS Overhead Reduction  
The RS overhead of LSASs is a serious problem, because the RS overhead increases as \(N_{i}\) increases. There are two kinds of channel estimation schemes, a scheme utilizing channel reciprocity (SUCR),  
Figure 8: EE difference between ZF and MF.  
Figure 7: TP difference between ZF and MF.  
and a scheme with no channel reciprocity (SNCR). The SUCR is a scheme where the BS estimates the channel for downlink precoding by using uplink signals. That is to say, the BS measures the downlink channel by using uplink signals. This means that when using SUCR, the number of RS for downlink channel measurements is proportional to the number of users, \(K\). This kind of mechanism usually can be used for a time division duplex (TDD) system. Uplink/downlink channel calibration is necessary to use an uplink signal for downlink precoding. Using SNCR means the BS estimates the channel for precoding by using feedback signals from users. That is to say, the UE measures the channel by using the downlink RS. It indicates that the number of RS for downlink channel measurements is proportional to the number of TX antennas, \(N_{t}\). This kind of mechanism can be applicable for both TDD and frequency division duplex (FDD) systems.  
Figure 9 shows the RS overhead (%) versus the number of TX antennas, \(N_{t}\), for 1 ms coherence time. In fact, SUCR does not use RS resources for downlink, however for fair comparison, we assume SUCR takes \(K\) RS and SNCR takes \(N_{t}\) RS. If we increase \(N_{t}\), there is an opportunity to increase the co-scheduled \(K\) maintaining the minimum channel hardening effect of LSAS, \(N_{t}=10K\). We also assume that the fundamental limit of RS overhead is 50%, which corresponds to \(N_{t}=84\) in the case of SNCR. If \(N_{t}\) is more than 84, the RS takes more resources than the data signal, and it is not acceptable from the system performance point of view. If we use SUCR, even if we use \(N_{t}=600\), the RS overhead does not reach the 50% limit, and thus we should use SUCR for the realization of LSAS. The fundamental problem of SUCR is the requirement of fine channel calibration. Because of uplink/downlink RF mismatch, uplink signals cannot be directly used for downlink precoding. A good calibration scheme is essential for the realization of SUCR based LSAS. Also, we assumed only one RS resource element is allocated to one user which is not enough for exact channel estimation in certain situations. Thus, we should keep in mind that RS overhead reduction accompanies channel estimation errors because the reduced RS causes an inaccurate estimation of channels.
# A Polymer Inclusion Membrane for Sensing Metal Complexation in Natural Waters
## 2 Materials and Methods  
### Reagents and Solutions  
Stock solutions (1000 mg L\({}^{-1}\)) of Cu and Zn were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich (Saint Louis, MO, USA) and from SPEX CertiPrep (Metuchen, NJ, USA), respectively. KNO(99.0%), EDTA (disodium salt) (99.0-101.0%), and HNO\({}_{3}\) for analysis (65%) were from Panreac, Castellar del Valles, Spain) and 2-(N-morpholino ethane sulfonic acid (MES, \(\geq\)99%) and HA sodium salt technical grade were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (Saint Louis, MO, USA).  
Solutions of 200 mg L\({}^{-1}\) HA, 10 mM EDTA, and 0.5 M MES were prepared using the above-mentioned reagents.  
Feed solutions containing Zn or Cu in the range 0.001 to 0.03 mM (from the 1000 mg L\({}^{-1}\) stock solution) in 0.01 M KNO\({}_{3}\) and 0.01 M MES (to obtain pH = 6.0 \(\pm\) 0.3) were prepared.  
The evaluation of the effect of ligands was done by adding the corresponding amount of the stock solutions of EDTA or HA to a 0.03 mM metal solution in nitrate media at pH = 6.0 \(\pm\) 0.3.  
Simulated natural water (SNW) consisted of 2 mM NaHCO\({}_{3}\) pure pharma grade (99.0-100.5%), 0.5 mM Na\({}_{2}\)SO\({}_{4}\) Reag. Ph Eur (\(\geq\)99.0%), both reagents purchased from Merck (Darmstadt, Germany), and 1 mM calcium CaCl\({}_{2}\) for analysis (98.0%), obtained from Panreac (Castellar del Valles, Spain). In this solution, pH was also adjusted at 6.0 \(\pm\) 0.3 using MES.  
Competitive studies were done fixing the Zn content in 0.03 mM and varying Cu concentration from 0.008 to 0.03 mM in two different media: 0.01 M KNO\({}_{3}\) and SNW (both at pH 6).  
In all cases, a 0.01 M HNO\({}_{3}\) solution was used as a receiving phase.  
For the PIMs preparation, the polymer CTA was purchased from Across Organics (Geel, Belgium), the carrier D2 EHA (97%), the plasticizer NPOE (\(\geq\)99.0%), and the organic solvent chloroform (CHCl\({}_{3}\), \(\geq\)99.8%) were provided by Sigma-Aldrich (Saint Louis, MO, USA).  
All reagents and solvents were of analytical grade and the ultrapure water used to prepare the aqueous solutions were obtained using the Milli-Q Plus water purification system (Millipore Iberica S.A., Barcelona, Spain).
# _photonics_
## 5 Discussion  
Satellite communication networks have been declared as a strong candidate to support QKD blocks towards global-scale quantum-secured networks. This strategy for global-scale interconnection segments is going to be implemented through national-scale infrastructures, allowing for the enhanced feasibility of delivering satellite QKD across OGSs. Contributing in this direction, this research attempted to evaluate a satellite QKD downlink under realistic clear sky conditions for Greek QCI. Assuming a sufficient number of bits stored to be able to refresh the AES-256 keys, even with very low-key rates or frequent link interruption, the QKD-enabled communication link would still be practical, as it was presented in the results section. Beyond this proof-of-concept key distillation, a feasibility analysis investigating other atmospheric effects such as cloud coverage and the impact of the background radiance in the QKD link is the next research step. More specifically, studying on solar radiance under different sun and moon positions in the sky as well as the satellite's position would be an interesting research.  
It should also me mentioned that the finite size effect of key bits is an important parameter, especially in LEO satellite-to-ground QKD links. Due to the limited transmission time windows between the satellite and the OGS, this design parameter is taken into account in QKD studies [65; 66]. Usually, the finite size effect is considered and examined in the optimization of QKD protocols. In our case, the finite size effect of key bits was not taken into consideration in the feasibility analysis, since the amount of exchanged key bits is big enough to exceed the lower bounds set in [67], therefore allowing positive key rates. Under a scenario where the link gets frequently interrupted (e.g., due to the cloud presence), thus leading to shorter communication time windows, this effect should be taken into consideration.  
Besides the feasibility of the satellite-to-ground QKD link, the distribution of the quantum keys across terrestrial fiber segments is also an essential block of the future QCI. Observatories may be able to host state-of-the-art equipment that will grant higher key rates, but the support of the demanding needs of a terrestrial environment requires a closer investigation in both the physical layer and the security architecture. Under the Greek QCI initiative, dark fiber segments are planned to interconnect OGSs with nearby cities. By establishing QKD links between OGSs and the nearest cities and at the same time using the OGS as trusted relays, key delivery can be supported to distant fiber terminals. QKD protocols with proven performance in real-world circumstances can be considered as a deployment option [68]. Aside from the state-of-the-art QKD protocols allowingfor outstanding distance-rate performance metrics, advanced quantum key management strategies can be implemented, based on collaboration with quantum-resistant algorithms (QRAs) [69].
# Renal Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Elastography in Hypertensive Nephroangiosclerosis Patients
## 2 Material and Methods  
### Patients  
This cross-sectional study was performed in the Department of Internal Medicine, Timisoara, Romania between July and September 2019 on a group of 80 patients with HN and 50 healthy subjects, used for matching, as controls.  
HN was diagnosed based on the following criteria: essential hypertension, having a period of evolution over 5 years before the proteinuria development, mild to moderate persistent proteinuria, normal or minimal changes of urinary sediment, hypertensive retinopathy, left ventricular hypertrophy, exclusion of other primary or secondary kidney diseases [9; 16]. Exclusion criteria were represented by: age under 18 years, patients' refusal to participate in this study, pregnancy, breast feeding women, secondary hypertension of any etiology, primary or secondary kidney diseases, cardiovascular diseases. The controls were selected among the healthy subjects, who have periodically checked their health. The controls presented normal values of arterial blood pressure, normal renal structure and function, and no risk factors for chronic kidney disease (diabetes mellitus, collagen-vascular diseases, inflammatory systemic diseases, urinary tract infections, heart diseases). All the participants signed the informed consent. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Railway Clinical Hospital Timisoara, Romania, with registration number 137/July 2019. This study respected the Declaration of Helsinki.  
All the patients and controls underwent clinical examinations, laboratory tests (serum and urinary creatinine, albuminuria, estimated glomerular filtration rate), renal ultrasonographic examinations (gray scale, Doppler, ARFI).
###### Abstract  
This study investigated the influences of CaSO\({}_{4}\) type (i.e., anhydrite vs. gypsum) on strength development and reaction products in the activation of ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) when different activators (i.e., CaO vs. NaOH) and sources of GGBFS were used. In the CaO-activation, the addition of calcium sulfates greatly enhanced 28-day strengths, regardless of the choice of CaSO\({}_{4}\) or GGBFS source, through increasing the quantities of reaction products and reducing pore volume and size. However, in the NaOH-activation, the use of calcium sulfates showed the complex dependency of strength on the choice of CaSO\({}_{4}\) type and GGBFS source, and it barely produced beneficial effects on the quantity of reaction products and reduction of pore volume and size. Thus, the results in this study indicate that the combination of CaO-activation and calcium sulfates is a more effective means of activating GGBFS to gain enhanced strength and significant quality control than the use of gypsum with NaOH-activation.  
GGBFS; alkaline activation; CaO-activation; anhydrite; gypsum +
Footnote †: journal: Applied Sciences
## 3 Case-Study Building and Retrofit
### Air Conditioning System  
The air conditioning unit currently used in the case-study building is a split-type conventional air conditioning unit that has been employed since the construction of the building. However, the unit is aging and has low efficiency because of the technology at the time of installation. Thus, the replacement unit is a variable-speed type (inverter) that has a significantly higher SEER than the current one. These units require lower power consumption while maintaining the cooling capacity and providing the same amount of thermal comfort as the currently used unit. A comparison between the specifications of the currently used and replacement air conditioning units is shown in Table 11.
# Covert Anti-Jamming Communication Based on Gaussian Coded Modulation
## 6 Results  
In this section, we present numerical results to demonstrate the anti-jamming performance of the proposed system. First, we compare the SJE qualities of the two algorithms, GSJE and BSJE, in terms of the mean squared error (MSE). Second, we demonstrate the BER at the receiver under a jamming attack using several channels (AWGN and frequency-selective fading), coding methods (linear Gaussian and codebook), and jamming estimation algorithms (GSJE and BSJE).