Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In the beginning was the word: How terminology drives our understanding of endosymbiotic organelles

The names we give objects of research, to some extent, predispose our ways of thinking about them. Misclassifications of Oomycota, Microsporidia, Myxosporidia, and Helicosporidia have obviously affected not only their formal taxonomic names, but also the methods and approaches with which they have been investigated. Therefore, it is important to name biological entities with accurate terms in order to avoid discrepancies in researching them. The endosymbiotic origin of mitochondria and plastids is now the most accepted scenario for their evolution. Since it is apparent that there is no natural definitive border between bacteria and semiautonomous organelles, I propose that mitochondria and plastids should be called bacteria and classified accordingly, in the bacterial classification system. I discuss some consequences of this approach, including: i) the resulting “changes” in the abundances of bacteria, ii) the definitions of terms like microbiome or multicellularity, and iii) the concept of endosymbiotic domestication.
A Synthesis of Effective Supervising Teacher Behaviours in the Final Year of the Primary Practicum

This study focused on supervisory processes used by primary teachers in Queensland, Australia, who were perceived to be excellent student teacher supervisors. Structured interviews were conducted with 32 supervising teachers working with student teachers, some of whom were also interviewed. Synthesis of data collected from these interviews resulted in a broad profile of the supervising teachers and their behaviors. "Excellent" supervising teachers tended to prepare in advance for the student teacher; emphasize a positive beginning to student teaching; seek appropriate information from student teachers; convey expectations to student teachers; arrange and conduct effective pre-lesson and post-lesson discussion; provide opportunities for purposeful observation of student teachers; cooperate with training institution faculty; afford some autonomy to student teachers; and establish rapport with student teachers. (CB) *********************************:. ************************************* Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** RESEARCH GRANTS SERIES
Admittance Control Based on EMG-Driven Musculoskeletal Model Improves the Human–Robot Synchronization

The synchronization of output torque is an important issue during human–robot interaction. Since the human–robot synchronization may be affected by the delay between the human's voluntary torque and the robot's assistive torque when a torque sensor is applied to detect human intention, an electromyography (EMG)-based admittance controller (EAC) was proposed to improve human–robot synchronization compared with that achieved by the use of a torque-sensing-based admittance controller (TAC). Simulations and experiments were conducted to investigate the performance of the EAC and the TAC. The simulation results indicated that the delay between the human's voluntary torque and the exoskeleton robot's assistive torque significantly degraded the performance of the human–robot cooperation movement when the TAC was used. The experimental results indicated that the jerk value, interaction torque, and EMG level of the tibialis anterior obtained with the EAC were significantly smaller than those with the TAC. Compared with the TAC, the EAC has an advantage in improving human–robot cooperation movement because the EAC can reduce the delay between the human's voluntary torque and the exoskeleton robot's assistive torque.
An Adaptive Graph Spectral Analysis Method for Feature Extraction of an EEG Signal

The obtained electroencephalograph (EEG) signal is often contaminated by different kinds of artifacts and noises. An adaptive graph spectral analysis method is thereby proposed in this paper for feature extraction from the low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) EEG signal with complex structures. The EEG signal is first processed by graph filter to extract the graph components of the rhythm in the graph spectrum domain. Then, the desired rhythm is extracted from the graph filtered signal using singular spectrum analysis. This method is verified by the simulated EEG signal based on a Markov process amplitude EEG model and the real EEG signal. Simulated and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method performs better than the other extensively used methods. The proposed method can avoid components mixing for EEG signal with complex structures and extract brain rhythm from the low SNR EEG signal. Therefore, the proposed method could be potentially applied for the epileptic seizure detection.
Mobility Aids Detection Using Convolution Neural Network (CNN)

The automated detection of disabled persons in surveillance videos to gain data for lobbying access for disabled persons is a largely unexplored application. We train You Only Look Once (YOLO) CNN on a custom database and achieve an accuracy of 92% for detecting disabled pedestrians in surveillance videos. A person is declared disabled if they are detected in the close proximity of a mobility aid. The detection outcome was further categorised into five classes of mobility aids and precision was calculated.
Effect of Applied Compressive Stress and Impregnation Material on Internal Strain and Stress State in Nb3Sn Rutherford Cable Stacks

The Nb3Sn superconductor in accelerator magnets must resist high mechanical stresses. In order to better understand the effect of the coil impregnation system on the stresses exerted on the strain-sensitive Nb3Sn superconductor, we have measured the elastic strain evolution in the conductor constituents under externally applied loads. For this purpose, a dedicated load frame that enables rotation of the sample load axis with respect to the neutron scattering geometry was installed in the Stress-Spec beamline at the neutron source Heinz Maier-Leibnitz FRM II. The Nb3Sn- and Cu-loading strains were measured in situ by neutron diffraction under monotonic and cyclic compressive loading. So-called ten-stack samples composed of Nb3Sn Rutherford type cables with different impregnation and coil blocks extracted from an 11 T dipole short model coil were investigated.
Fusion Image Based Radar Signal Feature Extraction and Modulation Recognition

The development of cognitive radio and radar electronic reconnaissance has put forward an important demand for improving the recognition ability of modulated signals in complex electromagnetic environment. In this paper, we propose a valid radar signal modulation recognition technology under low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The recognition technology can recognize 12 different modulation signals, including Costas, LFM, NLFM, BPSK, P1–P4, and T1–T4 codes. First, we propose the image fusion algorithm of non-multi-scale decomposition to fuse images of a single signal with different time–frequency (T–F) methods. Specifically, weights are designed by the principal component analysis, which could combine significative details of T–F images. Second, we adopt transfer learning-based convolutional neural networks and self-training-based stacked autoencoder, which extract the effective information on fusion image, furthermore guarantee the recognition performance. Moreover, multi-feature fusion algorithm is used to fuse features, which reduces redundant information on features and enhances computing efficiency. Finally, the classifier is performed by a classical algorithm called support vector machine. Simulation results show that the average recognition success rate is 95.5% at SNR of −6dB. It is testified that proposed recognition technology possesses good robustness and superiority in RSR with a wide range of SNR.
Optimising energy recovery in mine dewatering systems

Mines in South Africa face many challenges, chief among these are rising production costs. One of the main reasons for the inflated costs is a rise in energy costs. Mines are, therefore, continuously looking for innovative ways to reduce energy usage, especially during peak tariff periods. Hydraulic energy recovery devices such as turbine pumps and three-chamber pipe feeder systems, are often used to save energy. These devices use chilled water required for mining activities and underground cooling to aid in the resulting dewatering process. Previous studies investigated the optimal integration of energy recovery devices into dewatering systems. However, these studies overlooked certain difficulties associated with controlling these systems. It was also found that certain technologies used in older studies were outdated. A strategy was, therefore, developed to optimally integrate modern energy recovery devices into existing dewatering systems. Before being implemented, the strategy was modelled using integrated dynamic simulation software. On a practical case study, a load of 1.5 MW could be shifted from the Eskom evening peak and 2.5 MW from the morning peak. For this case study, the potential energy cost savings in the dewatering system resulting from these initiatives was R1.7 million p.a. The new strategy proved to be successful when all equipment was available, and posed as a practical solution to save energy cost in mine dewatering systems.
Novel Broadband Bow-Tie Antenna Based on Complementary Split-Ring Resonators Enhanced Substrate-Integrated Waveguide

This paper presents a broadband bow-tie antenna based on the metamaterial-inspired periodic structure of coupled complementary split-ring resonators substrate-integrated waveguide for the first time. The CSRRs and two branches of the bow-tie patch are etched on the top and bottom metal surfaces of the substrate. The CSRRs produce a resonant frequency, which can be combined with the two resonant frequencies produced by the bow-tie patch and the feedline of the bow-tie patch. The bandwidth can then be broadened. In order to enhance the gain in the low-frequency bandwidth, the gap width g of the CSRR is decreased without destroying its broadband characteristic. By decreasing g from 1 to 0.5 mm, the minimum gain in the low-frequency bandwidth is increased from 3.4 to 5.2 dBi, and the flat gain characteristic is obtained in the whole operating frequency range. The experiment results show that the realized antenna can operate from 7.3 to 10.3 GHz with the gain of 5.1 to 6 dBi. The absolute bandwidth is about 3 GHz, and the relative bandwidth is about 34.1%. Compared with the results for dipole antennas based on traditional SIW which with a series of metalized via holes embedded in a thin metal-backed dielectric substrate as the side walls, the relative bandwidth is improved about at least 17.7%.
Hierarchical Ensemble Learning for Alzheimer's Disease Classification

In this paper, we propose to tackle the problem of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) classification by a novel Hierarchical Ensemble Learning (HEL) framework. Given an MRI image of a subject, our method will divide it into multiple slices, and generate the classification result in a coarse-to-fine way: First, for each slice, multiple pre-trained deep neural networks are adopted to extract features, and classiflers trained with each type of these features are used to generate the coarse predictions; Second, we employ ensemble learning on the coarse results to generate a refined result for each slice; At last, the given subject is classified based on the refined results aggregated from all slices. Using pre-trained networks for feature extraction can reduce the computational costs of training significantly, and the ensemble of multiple features and predicted results from slices can increase the classification accuracy effectively. Hence, our method can achieve the balance between efficiency and effectiveness. Experimental results show that the HEL framework can obtain notable performance gains with respect to various features and classifiers.
Mapping Shallow Waters of the Baltic Sea with Sentinel-2 Imagery

Benthic habitats and changes in them are indicators of coastal water quality. Bathymetry is nearly impossible to measure with conventional methods (sonar on a ship) in shallow (less than 3-4 m) water due to high damage risk for the ship and instruments. Both water depth and bottom type are critical information for environmental monitoring, maritime spatial planning and managing of coastal waters. Airborne remote sensing can solve the problem and provide the necessary information. However, covering very large areas with airborne sensors is quite expensive. ESA launched Sentinel-2A and 2B satellites in the frame of Copernicus program. This imagery is free of charge, comes with high frequency (every 2-3 days at the latitude of Estonia) and has 10 m spatial resolution. We carried out in situ measurements to assess the suitability of Sentinel-2 to map benthic habitat and bathymetry in optically complex water like the Baltic Sea. The high frequency free data enables new possibilities in mapping shallow coastal waters.
Wireless-Coupled Oscillator Systems With an Injection-Locking Signal

A detailed analysis of wireless-coupled oscillator systems under the effect of an injection-locking signal is presented. The injection source of high spectral purity is introduced at a single node and enables a reduction of the phase-noise spectral density. Under this injection source, the behavior of the coupled system is qualitatively different from the one obtained in free-running conditions. Two cases are considered: bilateral synchronization, in which an independent source is connected to a particular system oscillator, coupled to the other oscillator elements, and unilateral synchronization, in which one of these elements is replaced by an independent source that cannot be influenced by the rest. The two cases are illustrated through the analysis of a wireless-coupled system with a star topology, such that the injection signal is introduced at the central node. The investigation involves an insightful analytical calculation of the coexisting steady-state solutions, as well as a determination of their stability and bifurcation properties and phase noise. The injection signal stabilizes the system in a large and continuous distance interval, enabling a more robust operation than in autonomous (noninjected) conditions. A coupled system operating at 2.45 GHz has been manufactured and experimentally characterized, obtaining a very good agreement between simulations and measurements.
In-Circuit Characterization of Low-Frequency Stability Margins in Power Amplifiers

Low-frequency resonances with low stability margins affect video bandwidth characteristics of power amplifiers. In this paper, a nonconnectorized measurement technique is presented to obtain the low-frequency critical poles at internal nodes of a hybrid amplifier. The experimental setup uses a high-impedance probe connected to a vector network analyzer to obtain a fully calibrated closed-loop frequency response that is identified to get the poles of the device at low frequency. Compared to previous connectorized solutions, the approach avoids the ad hoc insertion of extra RF connectors to access the low-frequency dynamics of the amplifier. In addition, it simplifies the characterization at multiple internal nodes, which is worthwhile for an efficient detection and fixing of critical low-frequency dynamics in multistage power amplifiers. The technique is first applied to dc steady-state regimes and compared to the connectorized approach on a single-stage amplifier. Next, it is applied to a three-stage amplifier to show its potential to detect the origin of the undesired dynamics and the most effective way to increase stability margin. Finally, the technique has been extended to the large-signal case to increase its usefulness for the design and diagnosis of high-power amplifiers.
Transesterification of Jatropha Seed Oil Naturally Extracted by Distilled Water on Highly Stabilized Structure of Zeolite NaX Impregnated with Potassium Buffer Solution

This research aimed at establishing species of active potassium onto 3D-framework of Zeolite NaX that was prepared with a molar ratio of 1Al2O3:1.65K2O:2.2SiO2: 5.5 Na2O:122H2O by hydrothermal synthesis. The potassium acetate/acetic acid buffer solution impregnated catalysts produced the desired K loadings of xKa/NaXs (x values were 9, 10, 11 and 12 wt%). Characterization of catalysts were carried out with FTIR, N2 adsorption-desorption, XRD and CO2-TPD to analyse the respective parameters of the reagents (catalysts) and the product. The 3D-framework of NaX was not destroyed but the surface area and the volume of its micropore were found to have slightly decreased when number of loadings of K was increased. All prepared xKa/NaXs were used to conduct transesterification of Jatropha Curcas Lineaus (JCL) seed oil and methanol at the molar ratio of 1:16. 12K/NaX emerged as the best catalyst which produced 78.39 wt% yield of biodiesel and found to be the highest yield at a reaction time of 3.5 hours. The basicity increased with K loadings and facilitated a better catalytic performance for biodiesel synthesis from this source.
A Dual-Active-Bridge-Based Novel Single-Stage Low Device Count DC–AC Converter

This paper presents a novel single-stage, isolated, and single-phase dc–ac converter topology, suitable for low-medium power-scale solar photovoltaic and fuel-cell applications. The circuit employs two full-bridge cells with floating dc bus capacitors placed on either side of a high-frequency transformer and works on the dual-active-bridge principle. It has advantages of a single-stage power processing structure, low device count (uses eight switches), and the possibility of achieving zero-voltage-switching operation over the full ac line cycle. Moreover, by dynamic variation of phase-shift between the high-frequency primary and secondary voltages, twice-line-frequency energy buffering can be affected via the high-voltage side dc bus capacitor, which reduces decoupling capacitance requirement, enabling a film capacitor-based implementation. Basic operating principle, control strategy, and detailed design optimization guidelines of the circuit are described followed by simulation results to validate the approach. Practical evaluation of converter performance is done on a 250 W, 20–35 V input, and 110 V rms output prototype.
A Comparative Study Among Various Algorithms for Lossless Airborne LiDAR Data Compression

Airborne LiDAR scanning systems are one of the most advanced remote sensing systems. They are capable to rapidly cover large geographical areas to gather data from with very high precision and great density. As a result, obtained datasets can contain tens of millions of points which consume more than a gigabyte per square kilometers (GB/km2). In practice, significant problems had been issued such as expensive storage, difficult distribution to the users, and time-consuming exchange over the internet and data processing and display time. For these reasons, LiDAR data compression has become recently a critical issue. In this paper, we compared three LiDAR domain-specific compression algorithms (LASzip, LASComp, and LiDAR Compressor) against three general-purpose compression algorithms (7-Zip, WinZip, and WinRAR). We have used real Airborne LiDAR point clouds data for Washington, DC (District of Columbia) for doing the experiments to reflect real LiDAR data compression issues. In this work, the algorithms had been evaluated in terms of Compression Ratios, Compression Times, and Bits per Point. Also, we have evaluated effects of point cloud density and number of contained points on the compression efficiency. Experiment results indicated that LASzip algorithm outperforms other algorithms with average compression ratio achieved 16.63% and average compression time achieved 16.65 sec. on the other hand, the general-purpose compression algorithm (WinRAR) surpass the LiDAR domain-specific compression algorithm (LiDAR Compressor) with compression ratio achieved 20.24%.
A Compact Single-Layer Ultra-Wideband Phase Shifter Using Weakly Coupled Lines

This paper presents a novel compact single-layer ultra-wideband phase shifter using weakly coupled lines, which contains a main line and a reference line. The basic equations of this phase shifter are calculated based on the even–odd mode theory. Then, the parameters are determined in the design procedure. A compact ultra-wideband 90° phase shifter is designed, fabricated, and measured for demonstration. The measured results, in good agreement with the EM simulation, show that this phase shifter can provide a wide bandwidth from 1.36 to 4.53 GHz (107.6%) with a phase deviation of only ±5°. Meanwhile, return loss better than 10 dB and insertion loss less than 1.25 dB can be obtained.
Threshold Voltage Improvement of Enhancement-Mode Al2O3/ AIGaN/GaN MIS-HEMT with High Drain Current Density

We present an AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) operating in enhancement-mode (E-mode) with metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) structure showing improved threshold voltage. The design includes an aluminium gallium nitride (Alo.3Gao.7N) barrier layer of 5-nm-thickness and a silicon nitride (SiN) passivation layer. The passivation layer is used for controlling the charge density of electron gas in 2-dimension (2DEG). While aluminium oxide (Ah03) on AIGaN does not change the 2DEG charge density in the hetero-interface, it increases the threshold voltage in enhancement mode. MIS-HEMT operating in E-mode shows a peak drain-current density (IDS) of 975mA/mm and a threshold voltage (Vth) of 1.25 V. The drain current density can be increased with the increase of barrier layer charge concentration. On/off ratio and threshold voltage are compared with existing design available in literature. The significant improvement of device performance metrics can be done by controlling the charge concentration and the thickness of Alo.3Gao. 7N barrier layer.
24 GHz Horizontally Polarized Automotive Antenna Arrays With Wide Fan Beam and High Gain

In this paper, two 24 GHz horizontally polarized $1 \times 8$ patch antenna arrays were developed for automotive radar applications. The proposed antenna arrays offer the advantages of wide fan beams and high gain. The far-field radiation patterns are widened in the E-plane by disturbing the near-field distribution of each driven patch. In Design I, the driven patch is loaded with a parasitic loop, which functions as a director in the E-plane. Due to the directing effect, the E-plane beamwidth can be increased. The experimental verification prepared for Design I showed that a beamwidth of 130° and a gain of 12.2 dBi can be achieved through this method. To further enhance the beamwidth, another array with each patch loaded with parasitic mushroom-like elements was proposed by Design II. The PMLEs are 180° out of phase to their corresponding driven patch. The cancelation effects can be properly managed to slightly sacrifice the gain of the array in return for a wider beamwidth in the E-plane. Design II exhibits a wider beamwidth of 150° and a lower gain of 11.1 dBi.
A New Approach for Treating a Time Delay System: A State Space Approach

In this paper, a new state space design methodology is developed for systems with a single input lag. The main contribution is in converting a compensating transfer function with a single input lag to a fixed order with a finite dimensional state space system. This new methodology is mainly based on the spirit of the improved work introduced by Saidahmed in [11], where it is applied on a unity feedback closed loop delay system that ended up with a state space that has its delayed element be confined only in the control action. This new methodology resulted in an alternative unique and exact state space linear form with no delays in the state variables nor in the control action. Finally, some examples are introduced to support our claim.