Deep-based conditional probability density function forecasting of residential loads

This paper proposes a direct model for conditional probability density forecasting of residential loads, based on a deep mixture network. Probabilistic residential load forecasting can provide comprehensive information about future uncertain-ties in demand. An end-to-end composite model comprising convolution neural networks (CNNs) and gated recurrent unit (GRU) is designed for probabilistic residential load forecasting. Then, the designed deep model is merged into a mixture density network (MDN) to directly predict probability density functions (PDFs). In addition, several techniques, including adversarial training, are presented to formulate a new loss function in the direct probabilistic residential load forecasting (PRLF) model. Several state-of-the-art deep and shallow forecasting models are also presented in order to compare the results. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the proposed deep mixture model in characterizing predicted PDFs is demonstrated through comparison with kernel density estimation, Monte Carlo dropout, a combined probabilistic load forecasting method and the proposed MDN without adversarial trainin

Combined Effect of Levofloxacin and N-Acetylcysteine against Enterococcus faecalis Biofilm for Regenerative Endodontics: An in Vitro Study

Introduction: Endodontic treatment of necrotic immature teeth poses several clinical challenges. A major problem is the elimination of microorganisms from the root canal system. This study evaluates the in vitro antibacterial efficacy of ciprofloxacin (CIP), levofloxacin (LEV), and their combination with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in root canals infected with Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis). Methods and Materials: A total of 120 human extracted teeth with single canals were prepared and randomly divided into six groups: Calcium hydroxide (CH), ciprofloxacin (CIP), levofloxacin (LEV), ciprofloxacin and N-acetylcysteine (CIP+NAC), levofloxacin and N-acetylcysteine (LEV+NAC), and normal saline as a positive control. According to the name of the groups, intracanal medicaments were placed into the canals and the teeth were restored with a temporary filling. After one week, intracanal medicament was removed and the final count of bacteria was measured. Antibacterial effect of medicament was assessed by measuring the percentage reduction in the colony counts (RCC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare the overall antibacterial efficacy of the intracanal medicaments at significance level of 0.05. Results: All intracanal medicaments were significantly more effective than calcium hydroxide (P<0.05). The combination of LEV and NAC caused significantly higher reduction in colony count in comparison with other tested medicaments (P=0.001). Conclusion: The combination of LEV and NAC showed greater antibacterial activity compared with other tested medicaments against biofilm of E. faecalis. Thus, it has the potential to be used in regenerative endodontic treatments.Keywords: Antibiotics; Biofilm; Enterococcus faecalis; Regenerative Endodontic

Probabilistic Load Flow based on Parameterized Probability-boxes for Systems with Insufficient Information

The increased penetration of intermittent renewable energy sources and random loads has caused many uncertainties in the power system. It is essential to analyze the effect of these uncertain factors on the behavior of the power system. This study presents a new powerful approach called probability-boxes (p-boxes) to consider these uncertainties by combining interval and probability simultaneously. The proposed method is appropriate for problems with insufficient information. In this paper, the uncertainty of distribution functions is modeled according to the influence of natural factors such as light intensity and wind speed. First, the p-boxes load flow problem is studied using an appropriate point estimation method to calculate statistical moments of probabilistic load flow (PLF) outputs. Then, the Cornish–Fisher expansion series is used to obtain the probability bounds. The proposed approach is analyzed on the IEEE 14-bus, and IEEE 118-bus test systems consist of loads, solar farms, and wind farms as p-boxes input variables. The obtained results are compared with the double-loop sampling (DLS) approach to show the proposed method’s precision and efficiency.©2021 The Authors. Published by IEEE. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. For more information, see https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/This work has been funded by Academy of Finland (Grant Number: Profi4/WP2)fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed

Melatonin and Exercise: Their Effects on Malondialdehyde and Lipid Peroxidation

Melatonin as an omnipresent molecule is secreted by the pineal gland. It is a strong free radical scavenger, which reduces nitric oxide (NO) generation within mitochondria. Exercise has great impacts on many body’s homeostatic systems. Most human’s organisms display rhythms and have 24 hours environmental cycles, which are called circadian rhythm. Melatonin is one of the circadian rhythm generator in various physiological variables. Exercises could regulate plasma melatonin levels. Melatonin scavenges reactive oxygen spices (ROS) and reactive nitrogen spices (RNS) and acts as the antioxidant cascade. It not only decreases the exercise induced-oxidative stress in the muscles but also enhances muscle antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase. Body lipids and unsaturated fatty acids are prone to oxidation, while the free radicals penetrate into bilayer membrane structure lipid peroxidation is going to happen. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is created by free radicals, and it is one of the most frequent marker of lipid peroxidation. Exercise, its duration, and time of the day have immediate and or delayed effects on melatonin secretion. The combination of aerobic exercise and melatonin reduces the exercise induced-free radicals agents. Melatonin supplementation, especially while it combined with aerobic training, could decrease the lipid peroxidation and malondialdehyde. Melatonin could impede exercise-induced ROS, increase body health, and exercise-related adaptation

The relation among achievement goals and academic achievement in statistics: the mediating role of statistics anxiety and statistics self-efficacy

AbstractIn order to predict student's academic achievement in statistics in terms of achievement goals, statistics anxiety and statistics selfefficacy, 323 participants from Fars Peyame Noor Universities were selected via multi- stage cluster sampling and then were asked to fill in a set of questionnaires, consisted of achievement goals, statistics anxiety and statistics self-efficacy scales. Results of path analysis generally showed that achievement goals indirectly and through statistics anxiety and statistics self-efficacy affect students’ achievement in statistics. Moreover, results showed that unlike avoidance-performance goals, the indirect effect of mastery goals on statistical achievement is positive

Human Gait Database for Normal Walk Collected by Smart Phone Accelerometer

The goal of this study is to introduce a comprehensive gait database of 93 human subjects who walked between two endpoints during two different sessions and record their gait data using two smartphones, one was attached to the right thigh and another one on the left side of the waist. This data is collected with the intention to be utilized by a deep learning-based method which requires enough time points. The metadata including age, gender, smoking, daily exercise time, height, and weight of an individual is recorded. this data set is publicly available

Determining Asphalt Mixture Properties Using Imaging Techniques

This study introduces imaging technology to determine the bulk specific gravity (Gmb) of compacted asphalt mixture specimens. Using an advanced three-dimensional scanner, a fast, accurate technique for determining compacted asphalt mixture specimen Gmb was developed. The feasibility of this technique was evaluated by testing a collection of asphalt mixtures, including dense-graded and stone mastic asphalt mixtures. The results were compared with those obtained using the currently-specified Gmb measurement methods of AASHTO T166 and CoreLok. The proposed scanning technique was also used for both laboratory-prepared and field-cored specimens to determine its reliability and reproducibility. The study results suggest the proposed imaging technique is effective in decreasing Gmb measurement variation as well as in improving the accuracy and reproducibility. Additionally, the results indicate the proposed technique can be applied to any asphalt specimen, regardless of mixture type, aggregate sizes, or fabrication technique

Effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields during foetal life on adulthood learning in male rat

زمینه و هدف: صنعتی شدن، محیط ما را در معرض میدان های الکترومغناطیسیی قرار داده است که حفاظت در مقابل آنها مشکل به نظر می رسد. در این مطالعه تاثیر امواج الکترومغناطیسی با فرکانس پایین در دوران جنینی بر میزان یادگیری موش صحرایی در زمان بلوغ بررسی شد. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه تجربی، 48 سر موش صحرایی حامله نژاد اسپراگ داولی به 6 گروه 8 تایی شامل گروه کنترل، شاهد و گروه های با فرکانس 5 یا 25 هرتز و شدتهای 50 یا 500 µT تقسیم شدند. مدت زمان تابش 4 ساعت در روز، از 8 تا 12 صبح به صورت مداوم از اولین روز حاملگی تا روز پانزدهم حاملگی بود. پس از زایمان شاخص های یادگیری، وزن بدن، وزن مغز، حجم مغز، نسبت وزن مغز به وزن بدن و چگالی مغز روی فرزندان نر دو ماهه آنها بررسی شد. یادگیری با کمک جعبه شاتل (Shuttle box) به روش یادگیری اجتنابی فعال یک طرفه آزمایش شد و تعداد پاسخ های شرطی و دوره تاخیر پاسخ ها در گروه های مختلف، به کمک آزمون آماری کروسکال والیس مورد تجزیه و تحلیل قرار گرفت. یافته ها: بررسی آماری نتایج نشان داد که فرکانس 25 هرتز و شدت 50 میکروتسلا باعث بهبود یادگیری، کاهش وزن بدن و افزایش نسبت وزن مغز به وزن بدن می شود (05/0

Prevalence of Untreated Canals and Their Association with Periapical Periodontitis Using Cone-beam Computed Tomography

Introduction: Untreated canals represent the primary cause of treatment failure in molars and the second leading cause in other dental groups. This study determined the prevalence of untreated canals and their relationship with periapical periodontitis using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Materials and Methods: 385 CBCT images with at least one treated canal were selected from the oral and maxillofacial radiology center. The number of roots and canals, presence, and size of periapical pathology, and presence of untreated canals were recorded. The study used descriptive statistics and Chi-square, Fisher's exact, and odds ratio tests to analyze data. Results: Of the 2053 teeth examined, 14.9% had at least one untreated canal. Untreated canals in teeth increase the chance of having a periapical lesion, raising the prevalence by 11 times. Of these, 91.8% had both untreated canals and periapical lesions. This was more than teeth without untreated canals (35.8%). Most untreated canals were in maxillary molars (65.3%), and mandibular molars (12.54%). There was a statistically significant relationship (P<0.001) between the number of roots, canals, expansion, destruction, and jaw type with the prevalence of untreated canals. The maxillary first molar (68.66%) and second mesiobuccal (MB2) canal (63.27%) had the highest percentages of untreated canals. Conclusions: The MB2 had the highest prevalence of untreated canals. The presence of untreated canals significantly increased the risk of expansion and/or destruction. Therefore, identifying these conditions can also be useful in diagnosing untreated canals. Dentists should assess the anatomy of the tooth and the structure of the root canal to minimize the possibility of an untreated canal. CBCT can assist in this process