Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Physical Activity Learning Module Improves Medical Students’ Skills and Confidence for Advising Patients about Physical Activity

Physicians’ knowledge, confidence, and prior training will influence physical activity (PA) counselling in general practice. This study evaluated the effects of a PA learning module on knowledge, skills, and attitudes toward PA counselling in third-year medical students. Students (n=216; age: 21.1±2.2 years; 47% males; participation rate 91%) participated in a PA learning module that included tutorials, lectures, and experiential learning through providing health checks to adults. At baseline and four months after the intervention, students completed a paper questionnaire about their awareness of current PA guidelines, benefits of, and attitudes toward PA advising, perceived competence/importance of PA advising skills, and personal PA habits. Data were analysed using a t-test for dependent samples and Chi-square analysis. After the intervention, students reported a greater awareness of the PA guidelines (pre vs. post: 3.1±1.1 vs. 3.8±0.9), the national PA initiative (4.2±0.9 vs. 4.7±0.7), the importance of PA counselling in general practice (4.1±0.8 vs. 4.3±0.8), and their confidence (3.2±0.9 vs. 3.9±0.8), and perceived competence (3.1±0.8 vs. 3.8±0.8, all p<0.05) in providing PA advice compared to baseline. In conclusion, exposure to a PA learning module increased medical students’ awareness and knowledge of the current PA guidelines and improved their confidence and perceived competence in providing PA advice. However, even after the training, students on average perceived themselves to be only moderately competent in providing PA advice. Therefore, clinical training for medical students should be designed to improve students’ competence and skills in PA counselling.
Wicked Which: The Linking Relative in Australian English

This paper examines the linking relative (or connective which) in the spontaneous conversation of Australian English. Using a combination of survey and corpus data, two distinct discourse functions are identified: resumptive topic marker and focus. Survey data from 170 linguistics students at an Australian university indicate a strong preference for the resumptive topic marker function: I argue that this is due to the parallel between discourse function and the structure of the standard relative clause. UWA corpus data suggest that the connective which is used solely to create textual cohesion in Australian English, while anecdotal examples from American English podcasts, blogs and the animated TV show Archer hint at the possibility of this becoming an expressive resource for speakers in the future. Thus it appears the Australian English use of the connective which is situated on the textual level of Traugott’s cline: propositional > textual > expressive.
Passivity-Based Fuzzy ISMC for Wind Energy Conversion Systems With PMSG

This paper investigates the fuzzy integral sliding-mode control (ISMC) for permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG)-based wind energy conversion systems (WECSs). To do this, by using the double orthogonal complement and Frobenius theorem, the existence condition of the fuzzy sliding surface is presented. By constructing a suitable fuzzy Lyapunov function and introducing slack matrices, the sufficient conditions are gained via linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) for the concerned model to be asymptotically stable and passive. Further, the reachability of the switching surface is ensured by the considered fuzzy sliding-mode control laws. Besides that an adaptive fuzzy ISMC is constructed to derive the passivity criterion. For the demonstration, the presented control strategy is validated with nonlinear PMSG-based WECS. Finally, the effectiveness of the derived theoretical result is established by the numerical parameter values of PMSG-based wind-turbine model.
Circuits for efficient and secure power delivery in distributed applications

The growing number of widely distributed IoT devices presents new challenges in power delivery. Existing frameworks for charging electronic devices, be they wired or wireless, either end up limiting the amount devices can be shrunk due to the size of standardized connectors or end up restricting their free placement due to their reliance on charging mats. The large amounts of vital data IoT devices gather and their heavily distributed nature also makes it important to protect them against unauthorized or malicious charging that might be aimed at damaging and/or stealing data from them. This thesis focuses on developing circuits and architectures to enable a more distributed and secure approach to charging such devices by exploring two topics in particular energy harvesting and wireless charging. First, a converter for harvesting power from thermoelectric generators (TEGs) is presented. The converter is capable of cold-starting from a bipolar supply as low as 40 mV, making it suitable for applications where the direction of heat flow from which energy is harvested could be bi-directional. Upon cold-starting from such low voltages, the converter transitions to a high-efficiency mode in steady state that achieves up to 60% efficiency while delivering 110 pW of power. With the goal of building a fully integrated transformer in the future, techniques for modeling an integrated transformer for optimal harvester performance have also been presented. Second, a receiver for device-to-device wireless charging is presented. The receiver dynamically measures the end-to-end system efficiency adjusts the ac input impedance it presents to the wireless power transmission system in order to track the maximum efficiency point. It also employs an inverter-inspired resonant rectifier that overall results in a 13.8% total energy saving for the transmitter with when the received power is 650 mW. Next, an adaptive rectifier control scheme for wireless power transfer that integrates linear regulation into the high-side switches of the rectifier is presented. This has the capability to reduce the area of an integrated converter by eliminating an additional LDO at the output of the rectifier. Additionally, the regulation technique presented results in lower system efficiency degradation when the output power is regulated below the maximum value. Finally, a wireless power receiver detuning technique is presented. Detuning allows the receiver to protect itself from harmful transients imposed by counterfeit or malicious chargers, by reducing the received power by up to 16 x. It also allows multiple receivers coupled to the same charger to co-operate in order to balance their received powers. Using this technique, the asymmetry in the output powers of two receivers at 4:1 distance ratios from the transmitter can be reversed. Thesis Supervisor: Anantha P. Chandrakasan Title: Vannevar Bush Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Retrieval of sea surface salinity from SMAP L‐band radiometer: A novel approach for wind speed correction

The present article introduces a new sea surface salinity (SSS) retrieval technique from the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) L–band (1.4 GHz) microwave radiometer. The ocean surface wind speed (WS) correction, which is very critical in any of the SSS retrieval techniques, is accounted for with a different approach. A model function between ΔSSS (the difference between SSS of flat and rough ocean surfaces) and ocean surface WS is developed and used to correct the impact of ocean surface roughness due to the winds on SSS. In addition to WS correction, the retrieval technique appropriately accounts for the effects of atmospheric attenuation on L‐band frequency due to water vapour and oxygen, and ocean surface temperature on SSS. The performance of the estimations is statistically evaluated by comparing the estimations with the in situ Argo, buoy SSS, and SMAP version 3, 70 km resolution SSS observations in global oceans during 2016. The retrieved salinity well captured the global distribution patterns of SSS, including low and high values. Comparison of retrieved salinity with Argo and SMAP products show a root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) of 0.32 and 0.39 psu, a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.94 and 0.93, and a scatter index of 0.0093 and 0.011 respectively on a monthly time‐scale. In addition, retrieved SSS promisingly captured day‐to‐day variability in SSS observed by tropical moored buoy SSS with RMSE of 0.36 psu and a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.94. The validation confirms the potential ability of the new retrieval technique in capturing SSS changes on daily and monthly time‐scales.
Multilayer waveguide modes based analysis of 2-D photonic crystals-pertinent to modelling PCSELs

Semiconductor lasers with the combination of characteristics such as large output power, single mode operation and good beam quality are very often desired. The photonic crystal surface emitting laser (PCSEL) has shown significant promise and has received much attention with the purpose of achieving devices with the desired characteristics. The evaluation of the resonant modes of the structure is a primary requirement in modelling PCSELs. However, conventional techniques such as PWE, CMT and FDTD are either computationally very time consuming or mathematically rather intensive. The aim of this thesis is to develop a new model for evaluating resonance of 2-D photonic crystal, pertinent to the lasing mode of PCSEL. Such aim is achieved by first studying wave characteristics of 1-D periodic structure and understanding the eigenmode and eigenfunction of both infinite and finite periodic structure. It is shown that the eigenmode of the infinite periodic structure is the Bloch mode while the eigenmode of the finite periodic structure is represented by optical tunnelling type of solution. The solutions correspond to the characteristic impedance of the periodic structure. The concept of eigenmode of finite periodic structure is then used to establish the 2-D model of photonic crystal. The essential underlying concept of the analysis procedure presented in this work is based on viewing the 2-D photonic crystal as a laterally periodic multilayer waveguide which is longitudinally segmented. Such model matches with conventional model favourably and proved to be versatile, efficient, fast (for 500×500 periods takes ~7min using laptop: 2 core at 1.70 GHz, negligible memory usage. (Compare to FDTD for 20×20 periods takes 5h using supercomputer system: 12 core, 24GB RAM). Thus, the model has the potential of generating more comprehensive models of photonic crystal based devices. Experimental work including fabrication, characterisation further proved the validity of the model. PCSEL with external reflection is experimental studied. It is shown that the lasing characteristics can be modified through introduced external reflection.
Efficient Strategy Computation in Zero-Sum Asymmetric Information Repeated Games

Zero-sum asymmetric information games model decision-making scenarios involving two competing players who have different information about the game being played. A particular case is that of nested information, where one (informed) player has superior information over the other (uninformed) player. This paper considers the case of nested information in repeated zero-sum games and studies the computation of strategies for both the informed and uninformed players for finite-horizon and discounted infinite-horizon nested information games. For finite-horizon settings, we exploit that for both players, the security strategy, and also the opponent's corresponding best response, depend only on the informed player's history of actions. Using this property, we formulate an linear program (LP) computation of player strategies that is linear in the size of the uninformed player's action set. For the infinite-horizon discounted game, we construct LP formulations to compute the approximated security strategies for both players, and show that the worst-case performance difference between the approximated security strategies and the security strategies converges to zero exponentially. Finally, we illustrate the results on a network interdiction game between an informed system administrator and an uniformed intruder.
ALMA and HST kiloparsec-scale imaging of a quasar-galaxy merger at $z\approx 6.2$.

We present kpc-scale ALMA and HST imaging of the quasar PJ308-21 at $z$=$6.2342$, tracing dust, gas (via the [CII] 158 $\mu$m line) and young stars. At a resolution of $\sim0.3''$ ($\approx1.7$ kpc), the system is resolved over $>4''$ ($>$20 kpc). In particular, it features a main component, identified to be the quasar host galaxy, centered on the accreting supermassive black hole; and two other extended components on the West and East side, one redshifted and the other blueshifted relative to the quasar. The [CII] emission of the entire system stretches over $>$1500 km/s along the line of sight. All the components of the system are observed in dust, [CII], and rest-frame UV emission. The inferred [CII] luminosities [(0.9-4.6)$\times 10^9$ L$_\odot$], dust luminosities [(0.15-2.6)$\times10^{12}$ L$_\odot$], and rest-frame UV luminosities [(6.6-15)$\times10^{10}$ L$_\odot$], their ratios, and the implied gas/dust masses and star formation rates [11-290 M$_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$] are typical of high-redshift star-forming galaxies. A toy model of a single satellite galaxy that is tidally stripped by the interaction with the quasar host galaxy can account for the observed velocity and spatial extent of the two extended components. An outflow interpretation of the unique features in PJ308-21 is not supported by the data. PJ308-21 is thus one of the earliest galaxy mergers imaged at cosmic dawn.
Axioms of Value

Extensive work exists on value in multiple domains. However, there are different interpretations, highlighting a lack of clarity about the fundamental characteristics. To address this, we present seven value axioms resulting from inductive research. The axioms may be viewed as general rules describing value in any context, therefore conveying the fundamental characteristics of the phenomenon. They reveal that value is: (1) connected to people; (2) an output of a cognitive process; (3) in requirement of a determination process; (4) a matter of a given situation; (5) determined by the interpretations of entities; and related to (6) entities and (7) criteria. The nature of value is of particular importance to the design community, given the emphasis on value in design and product development. In this context, a lack of clarity may be perceived in terms of when value appears, appropriate metrics, and how to add value. To provide explanations, there is a need for a theory of value in design. The presented axioms may provide the basis, as they are fundamental statements on the nature of value and not limited to a specific domain. We highlight theory requirements based on the axioms.
Highly Transparent Frequency Selective Surface Based on Electrotextiles for On-Chip Applications

In this letter, a novel methodology using electrotextile fabrics is employed for designing a highly transparent, wideband frequency selective surface (FSS) in the millimeter-wave band. The standard metallization is replaced by a low-cost, extremely fine conductive mesh (RadioScreen or VeilShield) that gives to the periodic structure high see-through properties in the 27–35 GHz frequency band. An acrylic dielectric material that is easily available and very low-cost has been used as a substrate. Simulation and measurement results alike are presented to validate the principle. By assessing the high transparency properties of the FSS and its high performance in terms of stopband, this FSS could be seen as a potential candidate for multiple 5G applications like for on-chip shielding, autonomous vehicles, antenna and on-chip antenna devices, radar cross section augmentation, robotic guided paths, and electromagnetic interference protection.
Activity dynamics of amygdala GABAergic neurons during cataplexy of narcolepsy

Recent studies showed activation of the GABAergic neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) triggered cataplexy of sleep disorder narcolepsy. However, there is still no direct evidence on CeA GABAergic neurons’ real-time dynamic during cataplexy. We used a deep brain calcium imaging tool to image the intrinsic calcium transient as a marker of neuronal activity changes in the narcoleptic VGAT-Cre mice by expressing the calcium sensor GCaMP6 into genetically defined CeA GABAergic neurons. Two distinct GABAergic neuronal groups involved in cataplexy were identified: spontaneous cataplexy-ON and predator odor-induced cataplexy-ON neurons. Majority in the latter group were inactive during regular sleep/wake cycles but were specifically activated by predator odor and continued their intense activities into succeeding cataplexy bouts. Furthermore, we found that CeA GABAergic neurons became highly synchronized during predator odor-induced cataplexy. We suggest that the abnormal activation and synchronization of CeA GABAergic neurons may trigger emotion-induced cataplexy.
Frictional hysteresis and particle deposition in granular free-surface flows

Shallow granular avalanches on slopes close to repose exhibit hysteretic behaviour. For instance, when a steady-uniform granular flow is brought to rest it leaves a deposit of thickness $h_{stop}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D701})$ on a rough slope inclined at an angle $\unicode[STIX]{x1D701}$ to the horizontal. However, this layer will not spontaneously start to flow again until it is inclined to a higher angle $\unicode[STIX]{x1D701}_{start}$ , or the thickness is increased to $h_{start}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D701})>h_{stop}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D701})$ . This simple phenomenology leads to a rich variety of flows with co-existing regions of solid-like and fluid-like granular behaviour that evolve in space and time. In particular, frictional hysteresis is directly responsible for the spontaneous formation of self-channelized flows with static levees, retrogressive failures as well as erosion–deposition waves that travel through the material. This paper is motivated by the experimental observation that a travelling-wave develops, when a steady uniform flow of carborundum particles on a bed of larger glass beads, runs out to leave a deposit that is approximately equal to $h_{stop}$ . Numerical simulations using the friction law originally proposed by Edwards et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 823, 2017, pp. 278–315) and modified here, demonstrate that there are in fact two travelling waves. One that marks the trailing edge of the steady-uniform flow and another that rapidly deposits the particles, directly connecting the point of minimum dynamic friction (at thickness $h_{\ast }$ ) with the deposited layer. The first wave moves slightly faster than the second wave, and so there is a slowly expanding region between them in which the flow thins and the particles slow down. An exact inviscid solution for the second travelling wave is derived and it is shown that for a steady-uniform flow of thickness $h_{\ast }$ it produces a deposit close to $h_{stop}$ for all inclination angles. Numerical simulations show that the two-wave structure deposits layers that are approximately equal to $h_{stop}$ for all initial thicknesses. This insensitivity to the initial conditions implies that $h_{stop}$ is a universal quantity, at least for carborundum particles on a bed of larger glass beads. Numerical simulations are therefore able to capture the complete experimental staircase procedure, which is commonly used to determine the $h_{stop}$ and $h_{start}$ curves by progressively increasing the inclination of the chute. In general, however, the deposit thickness may depend on the depth of the flowing layer that generated it, so the most robust way to determine $h_{stop}$ is to measure the deposit thickness from a flow that was moving at the minimum steady-uniform velocity. Finally, some of the pathologies in earlier non-monotonic friction laws are discussed and it is explicitly shown that with these models either steadily travelling deposition waves do not form or they do not leave the correct deposit depth $h_{stop}$ .
Multivariate Ensemble Sensitivity Analysis for Super Typhoon Haiyan (2013)

Ensemble sensitivity is often a diagonal approximation to the multivariate regression, leading to a simple univariate regression. Comparatively, the multivariate ensemble sensitivity retains the full covariance matrix when computing the multivariate regression. The performances of both univariate and multivariate ensemble sensitivities in multiscale flows have not been thoroughly examined, and the demonstration of the latter in realistic applications has been sparse. A high-resolution ensemble forecast of Typhoon Haiyan (2013) is used to examine the performances of the two ensemble sensitivities. Compared to the multivariate sensitivity, the univariate sensitivity overestimates the forecast metric, especially at higher levels. To increase the predicted Haiyan’s intensity, multivariate ensemble sensitivity gives initial perturbations characterized by a warming area around the center of the storm, an increased moisture area around the eyewall, a stronger primary circulation around the radius of maximum wind, and stronger inflow at low levels and stronger outflow at high levels. Perturbed initial condition experiments verify that the predicted response from the multivariate sensitivity is more accurate than that from the univariate sensitivity. Therefore, the ability of multivariate sensitivity to provide more accurate predicted responses than the univariate sensitivity has been demonstrated in a realistic multiscale flow application.
Synchronized Timetables for Bus Rapid Transit Networks in Small and Large Cities

The quality of public transportation service has major effects on people’s quality of life. During frequency and timetable setting, synchronization is a very important and complicated issue which can directly influence the utility and attractiveness of the system. In this paper, a mixed-integer nonlinear programming model is proposed that aims at setting timetables on a bus transit network with the maximum synchronization and the minimum number of fleet size. The proposed model is shown to be applicable for both small and large-scale transit networks by employing it for setting timetables on two samples of both sizes. As an illustrative example, a simple version of the model is coded and run in GAMS Software and a completely reasonable timetable is obtained. As the second example, the proposed model is used to set timetables on Tehran BRT networks through the genetic algorithm; then the NSGA-II is used to obtain the Pareto optimal solutions of the problem for five different scenarios. The Pareto optimal solutions are used to draw the Pareto optimal fronts which act as an essential decision making tool. The overall results show that the proposed model is efficient enough to be employed setting timetables on transit networks with different sizes.