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We present a simulation methodology for the prediction of ЃgunexpectedЃh bottlenecks, i.e., the bottlenecks that occur suddenly and unexpectedly for drivers on a highway. Such unexpected bottlenecks can be either a moving bottleneck (MB) caused by a slow moving vehicle or a motionless bottleneck caused by a stopped vehicle (SV). Based on simulations of a stochastic microscopic traffic flow model in the framework of KernerЃfs three-phase traffic theory, we show that through the use of a small share of probe vehicles (FCD) randomly distributed in traffic flow the reliable prediction of ЃgunexpectedЃh bottlenecks is possible. We have found that the time dependence of the probability of MB and SV prediction as well as the accuracy of the estimation of MB and SV location depend considerably on sequences of phase transitions from free flow (F) to synchronized flow (S) (F→S transition) and back from synchronized flow to free flow (S→F transition) as well as on speed oscillations in synchronized flow at the bottleneck. In the simulation approach, the identification of F→S and S→F transitions at an unexpected bottleneck has been made in accordance with Kerner's three-phase traffic theory. The presented simulation methodology allows us both the prediction of the unexpected bottleneck that suddenly occurs on a highway and the distinguishing of the origin of the unexpected bottleneck, i.e., whether the unexpected bottleneck has occurred due to a MB or a SV.

The work is devoted to the problem of creating a model with stationary parameters using historical data under conditions of unknown disturbances. The case is considered when a representative sample of object states can be formed using historical data accumulated only over a significant period of time. It is assumed that unknown disturbances can act in a wide frequency range and may have low-frequency and trend components. In such a situation, including data from different time periods in the sample can lead to inconsistencies and greatly reduce the accuracy of the model. The paper provides an overview of approaches and methods for data harmonization. In this case, the main attention is paid to data sampling. An assessment is made of the applicability of various data sampling options as a tool for reducing the level of uncertainty. We propose a method for identifying a self-leveling object model using data accumulated over a significant period of time under conditions of unknown disturbances with a wide frequency range. The method is focused on creating a model with stationary parameters that does not require periodic reconfiguration to new conditions. The method is based on the combined use of sampling and presentation of data from individual periods of time in the form of increments relative to the initial point in time for the period. This makes it possible to reduce the number of parameters that characterize unknown disturbances with a minimum of assumptions that limit the application of the method. As a result, the dimensionality of the search problem is reduced and the computational costs associated with setting up the model are minimized. It is possible to configure both linear and, in some cases, nonlinear models. The method was used to develop a model of closed cooling of steel on a unit for continuous hot-dip galvanizing of steel strip. The model can be used for predictive control of thermal processes and for selecting strip speed. It is shown that the method makes it possible to develop a model of thermal processes from a closed cooling section under conditions of unknown disturbances, including low-frequency components.

While working on activity recognition using wearable sensors for healthcare applications, the main issue arises in the classification of activities. When we attempt to classify activities like walking, sitting, or running from accelerometer and gyroscope data, the signals often overlap and noise complicates the classification process. The existing methods do not have solid mathematical foundations to handle this issue. We started with the standard magnitude approach where one can compute $m =  \sqrt{a^2_1 + a^2_2 + a^2_3}$ from the accelerometer readings, but this approach failed because different activities ended up in overlapping regions. We therefore developed a different approach. Instead of collapsing the 6-dimensional sensor data into simple magnitudes, we keep all six dimensions and treat each activity as a rectangular box in this 6D space. We define these boxes using simple interval constraints. For example, walking occurs when the $x$-axis accelerometer reading is between $2$ and $4$, the $y$-axis reading is between $9$ and $10$, and so on. The key breakthrough is what we call a separability index $s = \frac{d_{\min}^{}}{\sigma}$ that determines how accurately the classification will work. Here dmin represents how far apart the activity boxes are, and $\sigma$ represents the amount of noise present. From this simple idea, we derive a mathematical formula $P(\text{error}) \leqslant (n-1)\exp\left(-\frac{s^2}8\right)$  that predicts the error rate even before initiating the experiment. We tested this on the standard UCI-HAR and WISDM datasets and achieved $86.1 %$ accuracy. The theoretical predictions matched the actual results within $3 %$. This approach outperforms the traditional magnitude methods by $30.6 %$ and explains why certain activities overlap with each other.

Evaluation of software reliability is an important part of the process of developing modern software. Many studies are aimed at improving models for measuring and predicting the reliability of software products. However, little attention is paid to approaches to comparing existing systems in terms of software reliability. Despite the enormous importance for practice (and for managing software development), a complete and proven comparison methodology does not exist. In this article, we propose a software reliability comparison methodology in which software reliability growth models are widely used. The proposed methodology has the following features: it provides certain level of flexibility and abstraction while keeping objectivity, i.e. providing measurable comparison criteria. Also, given the comparison methodology with a set of SRGMs and evaluation criteria it becomes much easier to disseminate information about reliability of wide range of software systems. The methodology was evaluated on the example of three mobile operating systems with open source: Sailfish, Tizen, CyanogenMod.

A byproduct of our study is a comparison of the three analyzed Open Source mobile operating systems. The goal of this research is to determine which OS is stronger in terms of reliability. To this end we have performed a GQM analysis and we have identified 3 questions and 8 metrics. Considering the comparison of metrics, it appears that Sailfish is in most case the best performing OS. However, it is also the OS that performs the worst in most cases. On the contrary, Tizen scores the best in 3 cases out of 8, but the worst only in one case out of 8.

Solution of Dynamic Light Scattering problem makes it possible to determine particle size distribution (PSD) from the spectrum of the intensity of scattered light. As a result of experiment, an intensity curve is obtained. The experimentally obtained spectrum of intensity is compared with the theoretically expected spectrum, which is the Lorentzian line. The main task is to determine on the basis of these data the relative concentrations of particles of each class presented in the solution. The article presents a method for constructing and using a neural network trained on synthetic data to determine PSD in a solution in the range of 1–500 nm. The neural network has a fully connected layer of 60 neurons with the RELU activation function at the output, a layer of 45 neurons and the same activation function, a dropout layer and 2 layers with 15 and 1 neurons (network output). The article describes how the network has been trained and tested on synthetic and experimental data. On the synthetic data, the standard deviation metric (rmse) gave a value of 1.3157 nm. Experimental data were obtained for particle sizes of 200 nm, 400 nm and a solution with representatives of both sizes. The results of the neural network and the classical linear methods are compared. The disadvantages of the classical methods are that it is difficult to determine the degree of regularization: too much regularization leads to the particle size distribution curves are much smoothed out, and weak regularization gives oscillating curves and low reliability of the results. The paper shows that the neural network gives a good prediction for particles with a large size. For small sizes, the prediction is worse, but the error quickly decreases as the particle size increases.

The paper provides a method for selecting the composition of a refrigerant with a given isobaric cooling curve using an artificial neural network (ANN). This method is based on the use of 1D layers of a convolutional neural network. To train the neural network, we applied a technological model of a simple heat exchanger in the UniSim design program, using the Peng – Robinson equation of state.We created synthetic database on isobaric boiling curves of refrigerants of different compositions using the technological model. To record the database, an algorithm was developed in the Python programming language, and information on isobaric boiling curves for 1 049 500 compositions was uploaded using the COM interface. The compositions have generated by Monte Carlo method. Designed architecture of ANN allows select composition of a mixed refrigerant by 101 points of boiling curve. ANN gives mole flows of mixed refrigerant by composition (methane, ethane, propane, nitrogen) on the output layer. For training ANN, we used method of cyclical learning rate. For results demonstration we selected MR composition by natural gas cooling curve with a minimum temperature drop of 3 К and a maximum temperature drop of no more than 10 К, which turn better than we predicted via UniSim SQP optimizer and better than predicted by $k$-nearest neighbors algorithm. A significant value of this article is the fact that an artificial neural network can be used to select the optimal composition of the refrigerant when analyzing the cooling curve of natural gas. This method can help engineers select the composition of the mixed refrigerant in real time, which will help reduce the energy consumption of natural gas liquefaction.

Buckling problems of thin elastic shells have become relevant again because of the discrepancies between the standards in many countries on how to estimate loads causing buckling of shallow shells and the results of the experiments on thinwalled aviation structures made of high-strength alloys. The main contradiction is as follows: the ultimate internal stresses at shell buckling (collapsing) turn out to be lower than the ones predicted by the adopted design theory used in the USA and European standards. The current regulations are based on the static theory of shallow shells that was put forward in the 1930s: within the nonlinear theory of elasticity for thin-walled structures there are stable solutions that significantly differ from the forms of equilibrium typical to small initial loads. The minimum load (the lowest critical load) when there is an alternative form of equilibrium was used as a maximum permissible one. In the 1970s it was recognized that this approach is unacceptable for complex loadings. Such cases were not practically relevant in the past while now they occur with thinner structures used under complex conditions. Therefore, the initial theory on bearing capacity assessments needs to be revised. The recent mathematical results that proved asymptotic proximity of the estimates based on two analyses (the three-dimensional dynamic theory of elasticity and the dynamic theory of shallow convex shells) could be used as a theory basis. This paper starts with the setting of the dynamic theory of shallow shells that comes down to one resolving integrodifferential equation (once the special Green function is constructed). It is shown that the obtained nonlinear equation allows for separation of variables and has numerous time-period solutions that meet the Duffing equation with “a soft spring”. This equation has been thoroughly studied; its numerical analysis enables finding an amplitude and an oscillation period depending on the properties of the Green function. If the shell is oscillated with the trial time-harmonic load, the movement of the surface points could be measured at the maximum amplitude. The study proposes an experimental set-up where resonance oscillations are generated with the trial load normal to the surface. The experimental measurements of the shell movements, the amplitude and the oscillation period make it possible to estimate the safety factor of the structure bearing capacity with non-destructive methods under operating conditions.

The paper discusses the possibility of modeling the strength anisotropy of layered elastic medium using a scalar damage parameter. Thermodynamically consistent constitutive equations are formulated. Using SIMULIA / Abaqus we numerically simulated the stretching and compression of the samples. The results of calculation using the proposed model are compared with the known experimental data from the literature and the predictions of traditional models.

Ligand protected metal nanoclusters (NCs) have gained much attention due to their unique physicochemical properties and potential applications in material science. Noble metal NCs protected with thiolate ligands have been of interest because of their long-term stability. The detailed structures of most of the ligandstabilized metal NCs remain unknown due to the absence of crystal structure data for them. Theoretical calculations using quantum chemistry techniques appear as one of the most promising tools for determining the structure and electronic properties of NCs. That is why finding a cost-effective strategy for calculations is such an important and challenging task. In this work, we compare the performance of different theoretical methods of geometry optimization and absorption spectra calculation for silver-thiolate complexes. We show that second order Moller–Plesset perturbation theory reproduces nicely the geometries obtained at a higher level of theory, in particular, with RI-CC2 method. We compare the absorption spectra of silver-thiolate complexes simulated with different methods: EOM-CCSD, RI-CC2, ADC(2) and TDDFT. We show that the absorption spectra calculated with the ADC(2) method are consistent with the spectra obtained with the EOM-CCSD and RI-CC2 methods. CAM-B3LYP functional fails to reproduce the absorption spectra of the silver-thiolate complexes. However, M062X global hybrid meta-GGA functional seems to be a nice compromise regarding its low computational costs. In our previous study, we have already demonstrated that M062X functional shows good accuracy as compared to ADC(2) ab initio method predicting the excitation spectra of silver nanocluster complexes with nucleobases.

This article presents a classification of cities, taking into account their spatial planning and possible transport solutions for cities of various types. It also discusses examples of various strategies for the development of urban public transport in Russia and the European Union with a comparison of their efficiency. The article gives examples of the impact of urban planning on mobility of citizens. To implement complex strategic decisions, it is necessary to use micro and macro models which allow a comparison of situations “as is” and “as to be” to predict consequences. In addition, the authors propose a methodology to improve public transport route network and road network, which includes determining population needs in working and educational correspondences, identifying bottlenecks in the road network, developing simulation models and developing recommendations based on the simulation results, as well as the calculation of efficiency, including the calculation of a positive social effect, economic efficiency, environmental friendliness and sustainability of the urban transport system. To prove the suggested methodology, the macro and micro models of the city under study were built taking into account the spatial planning and other specifics of the city. Thus, the case study of the city of Naberezhnye Chelny shows that the use of our methodology can help to improve the situation on the roads by optimizing the bus route network and the road infrastructure. The results showed that by implementing the proposed solutions one can decrease the amount of transport load on the bottlenecks, the number of overlapping bus routes and the traffic density.