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Functional programming is a programming paradigm that is becoming increasingly popular among software developers. This is due in part to the rise of distributed systems and the need for more robust and scalable code. In the paper is presented an overview of the syntax and capabilities of Lambda expressions in three programming languages - C#, Java and Python. Performance of programming language constructions is an important research task. Some popular topics for investigation are comparison of programming languages efficiency in fields like bioinformatics or classification of Lambda expression usage and their productiveness. In the current study the performance of Lambda expressions is tested with three specific test cases and the results are compared to alternative technologies that could be used to solve similar problems. The results shows that speed performance of C# is the best from the compared languages and that List Comprehensions is the optimal method for collection filtering in Python. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing use of DC/DC power converters has resulted in the requirement that their complex controllers be cheaper and smaller, thus using cost-effective implementations. For this purpose, it is necessary to decrease the computational burden in controller implementation to minimize the hardware requirements. This manuscript presents two methods for tuning an adaptive linear–quadratic–Gaussian voltage controller for a battery charger/discharger, implemented with a Sepic/Zeta converter, to work at any operating point. The first method is based on a lookup table to select, using the nearest method, both the state feedback vector and the observer gain vector, solving the Riccati's differential equation offline for each practical operating point. The second method defines a polynomial function for each controller element that is based on the previous data corresponding to the system operating points. The adaptability of the two controllers to fixed voltage regulation and reference tracking was validated using simulations and experimental tests. The overshoot and settling time results were lower than 11% and 3.7 ms, which are in the same orders of magnitude of a control approach in which the equations are solved online. Likewise, three indices were evaluated: central processing unit capacity, cost, and performance. This evaluation confirms that the controller based on polynomial interpolation is the best option of the two examined methods due to the satisfactory balance between dynamic performance and cost. Despite the advantages of the controllers in being based on a lookup table and polynomial interpolation, the adaptive linear–quadratic–Gaussian has the benefit of not requiring an offline training campaign; however, the cost saving obtained with the lookup table controllers and polynomial interpolation controllers, due to the possible implementation on small-size microcontrollers with development tool simple and easy maintenance, will surely be desirable for a large number of deployed units, ensuring that those solutions are highly cost-effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing use of DC/DC power converters has resulted in the requirement that their complex controllers be cheaper and smaller, thus using cost-effective implementations. For this purpose, it is necessary to decrease the computational burden in controller implementation to minimize the hardware requirements. This manuscript presents two methods for tuning an adaptive linear–quadratic–Gaussian voltage controller for a battery charger/discharger, implemented with a Sepic/Zeta converter, to work at any operating point. The first method is based on a lookup table to select, using the nearest method, both the state feedback vector and the observer gain vector, solving the Riccati’s differential equation offline for each practical operating point. The second method defines a polynomial function for each controller element that is based on the previous data corresponding to the system operating points. The adaptability of the two controllers to fixed voltage regulation and reference tracking was validated using simulations and experimental tests. The overshoot and settling time results were lower than 11% and 3.7 ms, which are in the same orders of magnitude of a control approach in which the equations are solved online. Likewise, three indices were evaluated: central processing unit capacity, cost, and performance. This evaluation confirms that the controller based on polynomial interpolation is the best option of the two examined methods due to the satisfactory balance between dynamic performance and cost. Despite the advantages of the controllers in being based on a lookup table and polynomial interpolation, the adaptive linear–quadratic–Gaussian has the benefit of not requiring an offline training campaign; however, the cost saving obtained with the lookup table controllers and polynomial interpolation controllers, due to the possible implementation on small-size microcontrollers with development tool simple and easy maintenance, will surely be desirable for a large number of deployed units, ensuring that those solutions are highly cost-effective.

The aim of this thesis was to compare the performance of two relational database management systems PostgreSQL and MySQL. For the purpose of the study a relational database was designed and a piece of software was implemented to connect desktop application with the database system. This software shall also create entities and relations between them in desired empty schemes on servers for databases. There has also been implemented a desktop application in Java programming language, that allows browsing data stored in database and performing the tests of database performance. Tests addressed basic operations of adding, collecting, updating and deleting data. Thisthesis makes a hypothesis ”PostgreSQL is more efficient for desktop application while loaded with small data, in that case 1000 of queries”, that was confirmed by achieved results from tests performed.

Comparison of Athletics Records of Intellectually Disabled Persons with Records of Intact Athletes Comparative studies between intact and ID (Intellectually Disabled) individuals have been carried out in many areas (psychic, somatic characteristics, motor skills of individuals with ID, comparison of the level of intellect and motor performance). The study compares the records of intellectually disabled athletes with the records of majority population athletes. For comparison, we have used the existing world records registered by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), and Inas, (International Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disability). To compare the best Czech records with world records, the best performances of women registered by the ČSMPS (Czech Sports Association for the Mentally Handicapped) were used. If we compare the World Records (IAAF and Inas), we can find differences ranging from 8.2 to 45.3%. The differences between intact and intellectually disabled men are approx. by 2 to 10% lower than in women’s similar events. It is only in three events that the differences between intact and ID are slightly lower in women than in men (high jump, discus throw, javelin throw). The smallest differences between the IAAF and Inas records are in sprints events and middle running distances of men and women (10% men, or 15% women respectively). The differences in long distances reach 18% (men) and 23% (women). The differences in jumping events are very different, accounting for 20% for men and 24% for women with some generalization. Throwing events for practically both sexes bring differences above 40% (except for shot put). Srovnání atletických rekordů intelektově postižených osob s rekordy intaktních sportovců Srovnávací studie mezi IP a intaktními byly realizovány v řadě oblastí (psychika, somatické charakteristiky, motorika jedinců s IP, srovnání úrovně intelektu a motorické výkonnosti). Studie přináší srovnání rekordních výkonů intelektuálně postižených atletů s rekordy sportovců většinové populace. Pro komparaci jsme využili stávající světové rekordy vedené mezinárodní atletickou federací IAAF a Inas, (mezinárodní organizací pro paralelní sport pro osoby s intelektovým postižením). Pro srovnání českých nejlepších atletek se světem byly využity rekordy ČSMPS (Českého svazu mentálně postižených sportovců, žen). Ze srovnání světových rekordů (IAAF a Inas) vyplývají diference na úrovni 8,2–45,3 %. Diference mezi intaktními a intelektově postiženými muži jsou o cca 2–10 % nižší než u obdobných disciplín žen. Pouze u tří disciplín jsou rozdíly mezi intaktními a IP u žen nepatrně nižší nežli u mužů (skok vysoký, hod diskem, hod oštěpem). Nejmenší rozdíl mezi rekordy IAAF a Inas je u sprintů a středních tratí mužů i žen (10 % u mužů, resp. 15 % u žen) Rozdíly na dlouhých tratích dosahují 18 % (u mužů) a 23 % (u žen). Ve skokanských disciplínách jsou diference velmi různé, při určitém zobecnění 20 % u mužů a 24 % u žen. Vrhačské disciplíny prakticky u obou pohlaví přináší rozdíly nad 40 % (vyjma vrhu koulí).

Sediments are active environmental compartments capable of interchanging the chemical species with the water column, degrading their quality and influencing the toxicity of the matrix. The average concentrations of sediment-associated metallic species have been used to evaluate the extent of their contamination. The approaches used have progressed considerably over the last few decades and different instrumental techniques have been employed in quali-quantification of metal compounds associated with sediments. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the technique of Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (EDXRF) performed on the equipment Shimadzu (model Rany, Series EDX-720) in the validation process, adopting as reference the technique of Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS), appliance GBC (model Avanta) to quantify the species: Zn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Pb and Cr in solution, in chemically available fraction (3050B Protocol-United States Environmental Protection Agency), extracted from sediments of the River Barigüi, metropolitan region of Curitiba, southern Brazil. The samples were collected according to the clean techniques protocols. The analytical figures of precision, accuracy and determination limit of the method were evaluated using the two techniques separately and on the same samples. Statistically significant differences were observed between the two methods. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Journal for Educational Research Online / Journal für Bildungsforschung Online is the property of Waxmann Verlag GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Universitatis Carolinae: Kinanthropologica is the property of Charles University Prague, Karolinum Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: The performance of three different types of ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) devices: GDA2 with a radioactive ion source (Airsense, Germany), UV-IMS with a photo-ionization source (G.A.S. Germany) and VG-Test with a corona discharge source (3QBD, Israel) was studied. The gas-phase ion chemistry in the IMS devices affected the species formed and their measured reduced mobility values. The sensitivity and limit of detection for trimethylamine (TMA), putrescine and cadaverine were compared by continuous monitoring of a stream of air with a given concentration of the analyte and by measurement of headspace vapors of TMA in a sealed vial. Preprocessing of the mobility spectra and the effectiveness of multivariate curve resolution techniques (MCR-LASSO) improved the accuracy of the measurements by correcting baseline effects and adjusting for variations in drift time as well as enhancing the signal to noise ratio and deconvolution of the complex data matrix to their pure components. The limit of detection for measurement of the biogenic amines by the three IMS devices was between 0.1 and 1.2ppm (for TMA with the VG-Test and GDA, respectively) and between 0.2 and 0.7ppm for putrescine and cadaverine with all three devices. Considering the uncertainty in the LOD determination there is almost no statistically significant difference between the three devices although they differ in their operating temperature, ionization method, drift tube design and dopant chemistry. This finding may have general implications on the achievable performance of classic IMS devices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Although septic tanks are amply used for on site sewage treatment, these units have serious drawbacks: the removal efficiency of organic material and suspended solids is low, the units are costly and occupy a large area and operational cost is high due to the need for periodic desludging. In this paper an innovative variant of the UASB reactor is proposed as an alternative for the septic tank. This alternative has several important advantages in comparison with the conventional septic tank: (1) Although the volume of the UASB reactor was about 4 times smaller than the septic tank, its effluent quality was superior, even though small sludge particles were present, (2) desludging of the UASB reactor is unnecessary and even counterproductive, as the sludge mass guarantees proper performance, (3) the UASB reactor is easily transportable (compact and light) and therefore can be produced in series, strongly reducing construction costs and (4) since the concentration of colloids in the UASB effluent is much smaller than in the ST effluent, it is expected that the infiltration of the effluent will be much less problematic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wearable sleep monitors are of high interest to consumers and researchers because of their ability to provide estimation of sleep patterns in free-living conditions in a cost-efficient way.Objective: We conducted a systematic review of publications reporting on the performance of wristband Fitbit models in assessing sleep parameters and stages.Methods: In adherence with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, we comprehensively searched the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane, Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases using the keyword Fitbit to identify relevant publications meeting predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.Results: The search yielded 3085 candidate articles. After eliminating duplicates and in compliance with inclusion and exclusion criteria, 22 articles qualified for systematic review, with 8 providing quantitative data for meta-analysis. In reference to polysomnography (PSG), nonsleep-staging Fitbit models tended to overestimate total sleep time (TST; range from approximately 7 to 67 mins; effect size=-0.51, P<.001; heterogenicity: I2=8.8%, P=.36) and sleep efficiency (SE; range from approximately 2% to 15%; effect size=-0.74, P<.001; heterogenicity: I2=24.0%, P=.25), and underestimate wake after sleep onset (WASO; range from approximately 6 to 44 mins; effect size=0.60, P<.001; heterogenicity: I2=0%, P=.92) and there was no significant difference in sleep onset latency (SOL; P=.37; heterogenicity: I2=0%, P=.92). In reference to PSG, nonsleep-staging Fitbit models correctly identified sleep epochs with accuracy values between 0.81 and 0.91, sensitivity values between 0.87 and 0.99, and specificity values between 0.10 and 0.52. Recent-generation Fitbit models that collectively utilize heart rate variability and body movement to assess sleep stages performed better than early-generation nonsleep-staging ones that utilize only body movement. Sleep-staging Fitbit models, in comparison to PSG, showed no significant difference in measured values of WASO (P=.25; heterogenicity: I2=0%, P=.92), TST (P=.29; heterogenicity: I2=0%, P=.98), and SE (P=.19) but they underestimated SOL (P=.03; heterogenicity: I2=0%, P=.66). Sleep-staging Fitbit models showed higher sensitivity (0.95-0.96) and specificity (0.58-0.69) values in detecting sleep epochs than nonsleep-staging models and those reported in the literature for regular wrist actigraphy.Conclusions: Sleep-staging Fitbit models showed promising performance, especially in differentiating wake from sleep. However, although these models are a convenient and economical means for consumers to obtain gross estimates of sleep parameters and time spent in sleep stages, they are of limited specificity and are not a substitute for PSG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]