Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Silver diamine fluoride as a proactive anti-caries tool: A review

The management of ECC by the regular stereotyped restorative methods alone is incapable, particularly in a vast community or developing countries like India, where we lack free availability of dental equipment and manpower. The announcement of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) as another fluoride delivery system is a breakthrough therapy with evidences of caries lesion arrest rates of about 70 percent. SDF presents as an advantageous modality and is favoured as a satisfactory interim treatment option for its less invasive nature and its inexpensiveness. Most of the researchers have reported SDF to be undeniably more potent cariostatic agent than the fluoride varnishes in arresting caries. Its anti -caries effectiveness was found to be alike on incipient dental caries, non-cavitated and cavitated lesions and no severe pulpal damage after SDF application has been reported. Hence it is justified to state that SDF is a competent, efficient, secure and a reasonable caries preventive tool which is time saving and also patient oriented. Keywords: Silver diamine fluoride (SDF), Cariostatic agents, Fluoride delivery systems, Early childhood caries (ECC), Caries prevention, Fluoride varnishes.
Review of water deficit mediated changes in vine and berry physiology; Consequences for the optimization of irrigation strategies

The increasing risk of water deficit stress due to global warming subjects winegrowers of traditional rain fed viticulture regions to new challenges regarding vine water status assessment and possible drought mitigation strategies, such as irrigation.This review summarizes the most recent studies on the impact of water deficit stress on vine and berry physiology; it discusses the latest scientific advances regarding hormonal and hydraulic regulation and segmentation and addresses the current debate on iso/an-isohydricity within vine cultivars. Latest literature on irrigation frequency, water stress memory and the impact of abiotic factors such as VPD (Vapor Pressure Deficit), radiation, temperature and canopy architecture on vine physiology and water use, raise important questions on water status assessment and the implementation of irrigation strategies. Practical consequences regarding the effects of vine water regime on vine water regulatory mechanisms are discussed. Recent technical and scientific advances shed new light on how site specific irrigation strategies matching production objectives could improve vineyard water use.
G-Centre Formation and Behavior in a Silicon on Insulator Platform by Carbon Ion Implantation and Proton Irradiation

The interest in the G-centre is driven by reports that it can lase in silicon. To further this, the transfer of this technology from bulk silicon to a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform is an essential requirement to progress to lasing and optical amplification on silicon. We report on the efficient generation of the lasing G-centre in SOI substrates by proton irradiation of carbon ion implants. Following carbon implantation samples were annealed and then proton irradiated to form the G-centre and characterized by photoluminescence measurements. The temperature dependence of the emission and the behaviour of the G-centre with post proton annealing were investigated and results are compared with identical implants in control samples of bulk silicon. Overall, we find that the optically active G-centre can be up to 300% brighter and has better survivability over a wider process window in SOI than in bulk silicon.
An overview of optical flow-based approaches for motion segmentation

ABSTRACT The goal of motion segmentation is to segregate a visual scene into independently moving objects. It is an indispensable pre-processing step for various tasks in computer vision and has evolved as an active and flourishing research area in the last few decades. In the sequences captured using a monocular camera, motion segmentation is typically performed by analyzing apparent motion of pixels in the image plane, i.e. the optical flow. Optical flow is generally contemplated as an appropriate representation of image motion. Numerous techniques for reliable flow estimation and subsequent advancements in their framework have been proposed in the last couple of decades and are outlined briefly in this work. The paper attempts to give a summary of diverse optical flow-based approaches used for robust segmentation of static or dynamic scenes containing rigidly moving objects and discusses in brief the shortcomings associated with them.
Detrimental effects of low-rank coal utilization to the operational condition of large capacity updraft moving-bed gasifier

ABSTRACT The feedstock of updraft Fixed-Bed Gasifier must meet very strict criteria such as low fragmentation, non-caking property and high ash fusion temperature (AFT), which represent the general characteristic of medium rank coal. In this paper, the properties of low-rank coal were carefully selected according to literature recommendations such as high AFT (above 1500°C), low grindability (HGI 55), swelling index (FSI 1) and lump size ranging from 30 to 80 mm. Thermal fragmentation was also evaluated by using sieve analysis and show Fd value of 0.81. After 90 h of service time, the temperatures of the vessel body declined gradually and 580 kg/h gasifier reactor was forced to shut down after 300 h. The rotating grate was found severely damaged with a large deposit of char. The OES, SEM, EDS and XRD analysis results confirmed each other that rotating grate has experienced excessively high temperature during gasification. It is likely that high breakage during devolatilization is the root cause of all operational problems. It causes melting of the cone, block the air exit ports, localize pressure drop, aggravate bed channeling, and so on. It is possible that FSI value is not necessarily to be low to maintain uniform pressure drop of the gasifier.
The Effect of Neutral Sodium Fluoride, Casein Phosphopeptide-Amorphous Calcium Phosphate, and Nano-Carbonate Apatite on Enamel Surface Roughness and Staining after Home Bleaching

Purpose: To investigate the effect of neutral sodium fluoride gel (Flor-Opal), Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous Calcium Phosphate is containing paste (GC Tooth Mousse) and nano-carbonate Apatite Paste (n-CAP), on enamel surface roughness and staining ability after home bleaching in vitro. Material and Methods: Eighty enamel specimens were divided into four groups according to enamel surface treatments that were applied after bleaching (n=20). Group 1 (control group) kept in artificial saliva, group 2 assigned to Flor-Opal gel, group 3 for GC Tooth Mousse and group 4 for n-CAP. Baseline average roughness (Ra1) of all surfaces was measured using Talysurf Intra 50 instrument profilometer, and the initial color of the specimens (ΔE) was recorded using Color Eye 7000A Spectrophotometer. The specimens were subjected to bleaching for 2 weeks with 10% carbamide peroxide. After bleaching, the average surface roughness (Ra2) and the color difference (ΔE1) measurements were retaken. Then, surface treatments were applied for 2 weeks according to manufacturer instructions for the four groups then the third average surface roughness (Ra3) was recorded. After that, specimens were stained with coffee 10 minutes per day for 2 weeks. Finally, measurements of color differences after staining were evaluated (ΔE2). Results: Statistically significant increase in surface roughness and color change of all enamel specimens were noticed after bleaching. After the application of the three surface treatments, enamel treated with n-CAP showed a significant reduction in surface roughness (P=0.002) and recorded the lowest color change after staining (ΔE2=4.1). The treatment of bleached enamel surfaces with Flor-Opal and GC Tooth Mousse did not significantly reduce the increased roughness resulted from bleaching (p=0.57 and 0.08 respectively). However, no significant difference in color was found between the specimens treated with Flor-Opal, GC Tooth Mousse, and specimens treated with n-CAP after staining. Conclusions: N-CAP was effective in reducing enamel surface roughness resulted from bleaching. Also, n-CAP was able to reduce enamel re-staining after bleaching.
Effects of indirect air cooling combined with direct evaporative cooling on the quality of stored tomato fruit

ABSTRACT A 53 m3 solar-powered evaporative cooler for temporary storage of tomato fruit was developed to improve the shelf life of tomatoes under hot and humid climatic conditions. This study investigated the effect of indirect air-cooling combined with evaporative cooling (IAC+EC), maturity stage at harvesting and period of storage on the quality of tomatoes. The effect of total soluble solids, firmness, color, physiological weight loss (PWL), and marketability of tomatoes (star 9037) was investigated by monitoring the storage of green and pink maturity stage harvested fruit over 28 days under both IAC+EC and ambient conditions. The three factors had a significant effect (P < .001) on the overall quality of tomatoes. The tomatoes stored in the IAC+EC system were 18.9% firmer, maintained 10.5% lower concentration of sugars, increased the hue angle by 3%, had 6.31% lower PWL and were 24.8% more marketability than tomatoes stored under ambient conditions. The tomatoes harvested at the green stage were 20.2% firmer, had 6.6% lower total soluble content, increased the hue angle by 4.9%, had a 3.1% lower PWL, and were 11.6% more marketable than the pink harvested tomatoes. This study clearly demonstrated the efficacy of IAC+EC under sub-humid and hot conditions in improving the quality and marketability and increasing the shelf life of tomatoes by reducing the rate of ripening and utilization of sugar.
Functionalized Porphyrins as Red Fluorescent Probes for Metal Cations: Spectroscopic, MALDI-TOF Spectrometry, and Doped-Polymer Studies.

The sensing ability of benzoporphyrins 1-5 and porphyrin-2-ylpyridines 6-10 towards different metal ions Na+ , K+ , Ca2+ , Mg2+ , Pb2+ , Cu2+ , Ni2+ , Zn2+ , Cd2+ , Hg2+ , and Cr3+ was explored in solution by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Strong changes in the ground and excited state were detected only in the case of the soft metal ions Zn2+ , Cd2+ , Hg2+ , and Cu2+ . A one metal per ligand molar ratio was obtained in all cases for compounds 1-5. In addition, a remarkable increase of the emission intensity for 1-5 was observed in the presence of Hg2+ . In this series the highest association constant was obtained for compound 1 (log Kass =(8.71±4.81)×10-3 ), which was able to quantify 32 ppb of Hg2+ . For compounds 6-10 containing an additional pyridine unit, a metal-to-ligand stoichiometry of 1:2 was determined. The gas-phase detection abilities of compounds 1-10 using MALDI-TOF-MS spectrometry confirmed that their sensorial ability and theoretical calculations are in accordance with the stoichiometry observed. Our preliminary studies show that some of the compounds supported in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) films can be used as promising metal-ion solid chemosensors; it was found that compound 1 in PMMA is able to distinguish between Zn2+ and Hg2+ in the solid phase.
Ventilatory effects of angiotensin and vasopressin in conscious rats

Angiotensin II (ANG II) stimulates ventilation (V), when ventilatory baroreceptor reflexes are taken into account, and arginine vasopressin (AVP) causes baroreflex inhibition of V in conscious and anesthetized dogs. To study mechanisms of hormonal modulation of V, a conscious rat model was investigated. V and metabolism were measured during steady-state intravenous infusions of ANG II and AVP in Sprague-Dawley rats (mean arterial pressure (MAP) increased 20 mmHg (1 mmHg = 133.3 Pa)). These data were compared with observations during equal pressor infusions of phenylephrine (PE), an agent classically used to study baroreceptor reflexes. V, respiratory frequency (f), and tidal volume (Vt) were maintained during the increased MAP associated with ANG II infusions, a response identical with that reported in conscious dogs. However, unlike dogs, AVP infusion did not depress V and metabolism in rats. PE in conscious rats caused an unexpected increase in Vt and V in association with increased metabolism. None of the pressor agents affected breath timing when the latter was binned by breath f. Since there was no obvious baroreflex inhibition of V with AVP and PE, potential stimulatory effects of ANG II on respiration could not be discerned. As well, the ventilatory baroreceptor pressure threshold may be higher or adaptation of the reflex may be faster in conscious rats than in dogs.
Depth Analysis of Planar Array for 3D Electrical Impedance Tomography

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) imaging modality has great potential on industrial applications with the advantages of being high temporal resolution. It is especially useful in cases, such as geophysical detection, landmine detection, and detections on non-transparent region, where the measurement data are only available from single surface, for data acquisition. Instead of the circular EIT model that uses the traditional circular electrode model, in this paper, planar array EIT is implemented, aiming to visualize a pipeline transporting a two-phase flow. The planar array can explore spatial information within its detectable region by producing 3D images, which have a higher spatial resolution in the axis direction than a traditional EIT with a dual-plane electrode sensor. However, in solving the inverse problem of a 3D subsurface EIT using a planar array, the images may be degraded, especially in cases where the location of the target is relatively deep. The total variation (TV) algorithm as block prior assumption-based regularization method has the potential to improve the image quality, and some works have shown that TV reconstructs sharper images, which provides an advantage when representing spatial information. In this paper, the performance of subsurface EIT using the TV algorithm for 3D visualization is presented based on simulations and experiments, and the results of quantitative measurement of depth are discussed.
Deep Learning for Intelligent Transportation Systems: A Survey of Emerging Trends

Transportation systems operate in a domain that is anything but simple. Many exhibit both spatial and temporal characteristics, at varying scales, under varying conditions brought on by external sources such as social events, holidays, and the weather. Yet, modeling the interplay of factors, devising generalized representations, and subsequently using them to solve a particular problem can be a challenging task. These situations represent only a fraction of the difficulties faced by modern intelligent transportation systems (ITS). In this paper, we present a survey that highlights the role modeling techniques within the realm of deep learning have played within ITS. We focus on how practitioners have formulated problems to address these various challenges, and outline both architectural and problem-specific considerations used to develop solutions. We hope this survey can help to serve as a bridge between the machine learning and transportation communities, shedding light on new domains and considerations in the future.
Examining interactive whiteboard-based instruction on the academic self-efficacy, academic press and achievement of college students*

Abstract The study reported here examined college students’ academic self-efficacy, ‘academic press’ and learning achievement, as well as the association between these three variables within learning contexts using interactive whiteboard-based instruction. A quasi-experimental study was conducted using a sample (n = 103) of first-year college students in China. Participants were taught English by either an interactive whiteboard-based or traditional lecture-based instructional approach for three months. The results showed that the interactive whiteboard-based instructional intervention cultivated higher levels of academic press and academic self-efficacy among students and a significant, positive correlation was identified between these two variables. Students’ learning achievement was not affected by the instructional intervention. These results indicate that interactive whiteboard-based instruction offers some distinct benefits. In future work, additional research is needed to clarify how the instructional model relates to understanding learning achievement.
Exploring the Role of Project Management in Product Development of New Technology-Based Firms

This article explores the role of project management in the product development of new technology-based firms (NTBFs). For this qualitative study, we conducted a series of semi-structured in-depth interviews with 36 NTBFs. Consequently, we discovered a set of practices that are applied in the new product development (NPD) process and, based on entrepreneurs’ perceptions, link them to the success dimensions of NTBFs. Our findings indicate that entrepreneurs apply Lean startup and agile approaches to project management to a large extent. Moreover, we identify key contingencies for approach selection and propose a framework for NPD in an entrepreneurial context. The study contributes to the literature by integrating project management, new product development, and entrepreneurial perspectives.
A Unified State-Space Modeling Method for a Phase-Shift Controlled Bidirectional Dual-Active Half-Bridge Converter

In certain applications of phase-shift (PS) controlled dual-active half-bridge (DAHB) extended dc–dc converters, the duty cycle is not fixed at 50%. The existing state-space modeling methods are only suitable for modeling such a converter in two PSs directions separately, which results in a positive-PS model and a negative-PS model. This is inconvenient for study the converter operation where the PS direction changes online, such as in the energy storage applications. Hence, a unified approach is very desirable to include the two PS directions into a single model. However, this is very challenging for non-50% duty cycle. The current-fed dual half-bridge (CF-DHB) converter is one typical example of such converters. For the CF-DHB converter, this article proposes an approach for the bidirectional PSs unification. The approach is named the ‘conjugate PSs superposition technique. ’ A basic modeling method is also proposed based on the approach. A single model built by the method can be utilized for both positive and negative PSs, even with a non-50% duty cycle. A large-signal model and a small-signal model are established. Simulations and experiments are used to validate the PSs unification approach and the modeling method.
Control of a Multiphase Buck Converter, Based on Sliding Mode and Disturbance Estimation, Capable of Linear Large Signal Operation

Power-hardware-in-the-loop systems enable testing of power converters for electric vehicles (EV) without the use of real physical components. Battery emulation is one example of such a system, demanding the use of bidirectional power flow, a wide output voltage range and high current swings. A multiphase synchronous DC-DC converter is appropriate to handle all of these requirements. The control of the multiphase converter needs to make sure that the current is shared equally between phases. It is preferred that the closed-loop dynamic model is linear in a wide range of output currents and voltages, where parameter variations, control signal limits, dead time effects, and so on, are compensated for. In the case presented in this paper, a cascade control structure was used with inner sliding mode control for phase currents. For the outer voltage loop, a proportional controller with output current feedforward compensation was used. Disturbance observers were used in current loops and in the voltage loop to compensate mismatches between the model and the real circuit. The tuning rules are proposed for all loops and observers, to simplify the design and assure operation without saturation of control signals, that is, duty cycle and inductor current reference. By using the proposed control algorithms and tuning rules, a linear reduced order system model was devised, which is valid for the entire operational range of the converter. The operation was verified on a prototype 4-phase synchronous DC-DC converter.
Cooperative Game Approach to Optimal Merging Sequence and on-Ramp Merging Control of Connected and Automated Vehicles

Vehicle merging is one of the main causes of reduced traffic efficiency, increased risk of collision, and fuel consumption. Connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) can improve traffic efficiency, increase safety, and reduce the negative environmental impacts through effective communication and control. Therefore, to improve the traffic efficiency and reduce the fuel consumption in on-ramp scenarios, this paper addresses the global and optimal coordination of the CAVs in a merging zone. Herein, a cooperative multi-player game-based optimization framework and an algorithm are presented to coordinate vehicles and achieve minimum values for the global pay-off conditions. Fuel consumption, passenger comfort, and travel time within the merging control zone were used as the pay-off conditions. After analyzing the characteristics of the merging control zone and selecting the appropriate control decision duration, multi-player games were decomposed into multiple two-player games. An optimal merging strategy was, thereby, derived from a pay-off matrix, and minimum payoffs were predicted for a number of different potential strategies. The optimal trajectory corresponding to the predicted minimum payoffs was then utilized as the control law to coordinate the vehicles merging. The proposed control scheme derives an optimal merging sequence and an optimal trajectory for each vehicle. The effectiveness of the proposed model is validated through simulation. The proposed controller is compared with two alternative methods to demonstrate its potential to reduce fuel consumption and travel time and to improve passenger comfort and traffic efficiency.
A 100-W Doherty Power Amplifier With Super-Octave Bandwidth

This brief presents design, fabrication, and measurement results of a high-power Doherty power amplifier (DPA) with a fractional bandwidth of wider than 90%. An inverter-less architecture was used to overcome the intrinsic bandwidth limitation of conventional DPA in which a quarter wavelength impedance inverter is utilized. Thanks to the use of a real-to-real post impedance matching network, the modulated impedance at the load modulation point was simply [using simple output matching networks (OMNs)] transferred to the optimum load impedances of the transistors which of course dynamically change with changing the output power. Input and OMNs of both the main and auxiliary amplifiers were designed with maximum efficiency in mind not only in saturation but also in an output back-off region. In a frequency band of 650–1750 MHz, our measurements showed an average saturated output power of 100 watts and a drain efficiency between 56%–78% and 41%–61% at saturation and 6-dB back-off, respectively. Compared to the state-of-the-art broadband high-power DPAs, the one presented in this brief is shown to provide the highest output power in the widest fractional frequency bandwidth while keeping the efficiency at a very high level in both the peak and back-off outputs.