Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanical and electrical characterization of BCB as a bond and seal material for cavities housing (RF-)MEMS devices

This paper reports on the mechanical and electrical characterization of benzo-cyclo-butene (BCB) as a bonding and sealing material for 0-level packages (cavities) housing (RF-)MEMS devices. Shear strength and hermeticity of BCB-sealed cavities are experimentally investigated as functions of the geometrical parameters of the BCB sealing ring and the bonding conditions. The leak rate of BCB-sealed cavities strongly depends on the BCB width, and leak rates as low as 10−11 mbar l s−1 are measured for large BCB widths (>800 µm), dropping to 10−8 mbar l s−1 for BCB widths of around 100 µm. Depending on the bonding conditions, shear strengths as high as 150 MPa are achieved. BCB is also used in 0-level packaging of RF-MEMS devices, such as RF-switches and coplanar waveguides (CPWs). The electrical influence of the 0-level package is studied for different capping materials. It is experimentally shown that a 0-level package using capping chips made of low-loss high-resistivity materials (AF45 glass and high-resistivity silicon) and having a cavity height larger than about 45 µm above RF-MEMS devices, has a negligible impact on the microwave characteristics of an RF-MEMS device. Finally, some reliability testing is performed on BCB-sealed 0-level packages in order to study the influence of temperature and humidity on the mechanical properties of BCB. After testing in relatively harsh conditions, the BCB seal stays gross leak tight and shear strengths as high as 30 MPa are measured. BCB turns out to be a very robust and reliable material to encapsulate MEMS devices.
Dynamic analysis of railway transition curves

Transition curves play an important role in riding quality, especially for high-speed railways. Accordingly, various curves have been proposed as transition forms. To evaluate the effects of the forms in transition curves, the basic requirements and forms of transition curves were first discussed, and then simulations were performed with several typical transition curves at various speeds, based on the dynamic model developed in this research. The results indicate that the dynamic effects of transition curves are determined by the curvature variation and the order of the curvature derivative that is equal to zero at the curve endpoints, while the expression mode (such as algebraic or trigonometric expression) does not make much difference. From a dynamic viewpoint, the ideal transition form requires that the second derivative of its curvature is equal to zero at the curve endpoints at least, such as the seventh parabola, ninth parabola, and sinusoid, with which the vibration accelerations of the vehicle vary smoothly and the jerk can be effectively eased. Then the appropriate transition forms are recommended for ordinary and high-speed railways, respectively.
Focal Peripheral Neuropathies Observed in Patients Diagnosed With COVID-19

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Abstract A growing number of studies have documented a wide variety of neurological manifestations associated with the novel SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Of the available literature, cranial neuropathies and central nervous system disorders, such as encephalopathy and ischemic strokes, remain the predominant discussion. Limited investigations exist examining peripheral neuropathies of those with COVID-19. This case series discusses eight patients who tested positive for COVID-19 and presented with localized weakness after a prolonged course of mechanical ventilation (>21 days). We retrospectively reviewed all patients’ charts who received electrodiagnostic evaluation between March and November 2020 in the outpatient clinic or in the acute care hospital at the JFK Medical Center/JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute and Saint Peter's University Hospital of New Jersey. A total of eight COVID-19–positive patients were identified to have a clinical presentation of localized weakness after a prolonged course of mechanical ventilation. All patients were subsequently found to have a focal peripheral neuropathy of varying severity that was confirmed by electrodiagnostic testing. Patient demographics, clinical, and electrodiagnostic findings were documented. The findings of local weakness and focal peripheral neuropathies after diagnosis of COVID-19 raise significant questions regarding underlying pathophysiology and overall prognosis associated with COVID-19.
Electro-optic polymer-based modulator design and performance for 40 Gb/s system applications

We investigate the potential performance of polymer-based electro-optic (EO) modulators for high-speed systems at 40 Gb/s and beyond. General strategies and specific designs are presented to reduce the modulator half-wave drive voltage while maintaining a broadband response. In addition, we consider practical system requirements that may allow the relaxation of certain modulator design parameters to further improve performance. Designs are presented that may enable a 3-dB electrical bandwidth of 30 GHz with a single-ended half-wave drive voltage of /spl sim/1.6 V for 1.3-/spl mu/m light assuming an effective EO coefficient of 30 pm/V in the waveguide core.
Cortical mechanisms in migraine

Migraine is the second most prevalent disorder in the world; yet, its underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. Cumulative studies have revealed pivotal roles of cerebral cortex in the initiation, propagation, and termination of migraine attacks as well as the interictal phase. Investigation of basic mechanisms of the cortex in migraine not only brings insight into the underlying pathophysiology but also provides the basis for designing novel treatments. We aim to summarize the current research literatures and give a brief overview of the cortex and its role in migraine, including the basic structure and function; structural, functional, and biochemical neuroimaging; migraine-related genes; and theories related to cortex in migraine pathophysiology. We propose that long-term plasticity of synaptic transmission in the cortex encodes migraine.
Natural history predicts patterns of thermal vulnerability in amphibians from the Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil

Abstract In the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest (AF), amphibians (625 species) face habitat degradation leading to stressful thermal conditions that constrain animal activity (e.g., foraging and reproduction). Data on thermal ecology for these species are still scarce. We tested the hypothesis that environmental occupation affects the thermal tolerance of amphibian species more than their phylogenetic relationships. We evaluated patterns of thermal tolerance of 47 amphibian species by assessing critical thermal maxima and warming tolerances, relating these variables with ecological covariates (e.g., adult macro‐ and microhabitat and site of larval development). We used mean and maximum environmental temperature, ecological covariates, and morphological measurements in the phylogenetic generalized least squares model selection to evaluate which traits better predict thermal tolerance. We did not recover phylogenetic signal under a Brownian model; our results point to a strong association between critical thermal maxima and habitat and development site. Forest species were less tolerant to warm temperatures than open area or generalist species. Species with larvae that develop in lentic environment were more tolerant than those in lotic ones. Thus, species inhabiting forest microclimates are more vulnerable to the synergistic effect of habitat loss and climate change. We use radar charts as a quick evaluation tool for thermal risk diagnoses using aspects of natural history as axes.
Assessment and evaluation of contractor data against client goals using PERT approach

A methodology for assessing and evaluating contractor data for the purpose of prequalification and bid evaluation is presented. The PERT approach is used to develop a linear model for the assessment of contractor data. The model incorporates a multiple ratings permitting the uncertainty in contractor data to be evaluated. An empirical study investigating the importance of different contractor criteria is described. A lexicographical ordering with aspiration levels and risk analysis with sensitivity methods are used to evaluate and select or rank-order contractors against the main client goals of time, cost, and quality. A literature review is reported regarding client goals and current evaluation strategies. The assumptions, advantages and disadvantages of this work as well as an example are also presented.
Evaluation Methods of Change Detection of Seagrass Beds in the Waters of Pajenekang and Gusung Selayar

Knowledge about coastal and small island ecosystems is increasing for the monitoring of marine resources based on remote sensing. Remote sensing data provides up-to-date information with various resolutions when detecting changes in ecosystems. Studies have defined a shift in marine resources but were limited only to pixel or object classification in changes of seagrass area. In the present study, two classification method analysis approaches were compared to obtain optimum results in detecting changes in seagrass extent. It aimed to determine the dynamics of a seagrass ecosystem by comparing two classification methods in the waters of Gusung Island and Pajenekang, South Sulawesi, these methods being pixel-based and object-based classification methods. This research used SPOT-7 satellite imagery with 6 m2 of spatial resolution. Accuracy assessment using the confusion matrix showed optimum accuracy in object-based classification with an accuracy value of 87 %. Meanwhile, pixel-based classification showed an accuracy value of 78 % around Gusung Island. Pajenekang Island had accuracy values of 69 % with object-based classification and 65 % with pixel-based classification. A comparison of both classification methods revealed statistically high accuracy in mapping the benthic habitats of seagrass ecosystems. The results of the classifications showed a decline in the area of seagrass populations around Gusung Island from 2016 - 2018 and around Pajenekang Island from 2013 - 2017, with a change rate of 11.8 % around the island of Gusung and 7.6 % around the island of Pajenekang. This can explain the reason for the temporal method of object-based research classification having the best potential to process data changes in areas of seagrass in South Sulawesi waters and remote sensing information for the mapping of coastal area ecosystems. HIGHLIGHTS Information on coastal ecosystems globally with remote sensing data is currently very easy to access, but information related to ecosystem management and seagrass ecology in certain areas is still limited Analysis of seagrass benthic changes in shallow water requires data processing methods with high accuracy The OBIA (Object Based Image Analysis) method is one of the analytical methods that can provide optimal results in observing changes in seagrass ecosystems in the waters of South Sulawesi, Indonesia GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Analysis of risk factors for canine mast cell tumors based on the Kiupel and Patnaik grading system among dogs with skin tumors

Background: Skin tumors are the most frequently diagnosed lesions, of which 7%–21% are mast cell tumors (MCTs). There is a great effort to identify factors that can influence the prospective course of MCTs. Although, the histological grade is considering an important predictor helping to determine the malignancy and metastatic potential of MCTs. Aim: In this study, an epidemiological analysis of risk factors (breed, age, sex, and anatomical site) for dogs having MCTs was evaluated considering the respective MCTs histological grade in comparison to other skin tumors. Methods: The study included 244 dogs affected by cutaneous MCTs from a universe of 1,185 dogs diagnosed with skin tumors. A univariable analysis with Fisher exact test was performed to determine the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Boxers had a higher predisposition to Patnaik’s grade I (OR = 5.9, 95% CI 2.648–13.152) and to Kiupel’s low-grade MCTs (OR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.539–4.447). Labrador retrievers (OR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.423–3.184), and pugs (OR = 12.9, 95% CI 2.336–70.931) had a predisposition for Patnaik’s grade II MCTs and Kiupel’s low-grade lesions (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.478–3.597; OR = 17.1, 95% CI 3.093–94.377, respectively). French bulldogs had a higher risk to grade III MCTs (OR = 7.9, 95% CI 2.381–26.072). Pit bulls had a predisposition to grade III MCTs and Kiupel’s high-grade tumors (OR = 4.4, 95% CI 1.221–16.1 and OR = 4.962, 95% CI 1.362–18.077, respectively). Bull terriers (OR = 12.7, 95% CI 2.098–76.818) presented higher risk for having low-grade MCTs. The perigenital area and trunk exhibit a greater risk for high grading lesion (OR = 6.6, 95% CI 2.679–16.334; OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.028–3.395, respectively) and the limbs had a predisposition to grade II tumor (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.134–2.395). A decreased risk of having MCT was seen in older dogs (from 7–10 years to 11–18 years) compared to that in the reference group (4–6 years). Conclusion: When comparing to canine skin tumors, this study showed a relationship between MCT histological grading and the risk factors, age, breed, and topography of canine MCTs. The variations noted in the clinical presentation of MCTs amongst predisposed dog breeds reinforces the relevance of the genetic background in MCTs carcinogenesis.
Belief and actual behaviour in green information technology within a South African tertiary institution

Most research in green IT tend to focus on the practices of large IT vendors and companies. There is therefore a need to examine the beliefs and actual behaviour of IT users about green IT, as it significantly impact of energy consumption and computer design on the broader society. The main question to be answered was ―Are IT users generally concerned with regards to green IT issues? ‖. Therefore the main purpose of this study was thus to evaluate the beliefs and actual behaviour of IT users regarding green IT in South Africa through a survey that was completed by university students and lecturers. The paucity of available research on this subject pertaining to South Africa justifies the importance of conducting this study. A hypothesised research model based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) was used to evaluate the main factors contributing to green IT awareness in an empirical study. A mixed research method was used as the paradigm which combines aspects from both interpretive and positivist research approaches. A questionnaire was used to collect data from university students and lecturers. The data was captured and analysed for convergent validity. The reliability of measurement items was tested using Cronbach‘s alpha. Structural Equation Modelling was used to model latent variables under conditions of non-normality. Subjective norm was the main factor contributing to intended belief and actual behaviour.
The Impact of Joint Liability Group Lending on Lowering the Risk of Farmer and Agriculture Crowdfunding in Indonesia

Research on agriculture crowdfunding in developing countries is still limited. The crowdfunding platform offers uncollateralised loans to farmers. Therefore, they apply joint liability group lending to lower the default risk. However, from farmer’s point of view, joint liability causes higher risk since every group member bears his/her own risk and that of all other group members. Thus, the purpose of this article is to analyse how joint liability may lower the risk of both farmer and agriculture crowdfunding in Indonesia. A deductive qualitative research design with case study approach is used in this article. A series of in-depth interviews were conducted with one agriculture crowdfunding platform and two farmer groups. Data analysis was conducted by using pattern matching technique. The findings of this article are as follows: joint liability may lower the default risk of crowdfunding platform because the farmer groups are self-selected. The leader of the farmer group plays an important role in monitoring the members, and he may apply social sanction to the defaulting member. By implementing joint liability group lending, crowdfunding platform can provide extension services such as price certainty through contract farming, field agent monitoring and non-cash credit disbursement. These extension services help to lower the farmer’s risk.
The influence of somatosensory and auditory evoked potentials on concurrent transcranial-magnetic stimulation – electroencephalography recordings

Background Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) evoked potentials (TEPs) can be used to index cortical excitability. However, it remains unclear to what extent TEPs reflect somatosensory and auditory-evoked potentials which arise from the scalp sensation and click of the TMS coil, as opposed to transcranial stimulation of cortical circuits. Objectives The present study had two aims; a) to determine the extent to which sensory potentials contaminate TEPs using a spatially matched sham condition, and b) to determine whether sensory potentials reflect auditory or somatosensory potentials alone, or a combination of the two. Methods Twenty healthy participants received active or sham stimulation, with the latter consisting of the click of a sham coil combined with scalp electrical stimulation. Earplugs/headphones were used to suppress the TMS click noise. Two additional control conditions i) electrical stimulation alone and ii) auditory stimulation alone were included in a subset of 13 participants. Results Signals from active and sham stimulation were correlated in spatial and temporal domains, especially >70ms post-stimulation. Relative to auditory or electrical stimulation alone, combined (sham) stimulation resulted in a) larger evoked responses b) stronger correlations with active stimulation and c) a signal that could not be explained by the linear sum of electrical and auditory stimulation alone. Conclusions Sensory potentials can confound data interpretations of TEPs at timepoints >70ms post-TMS, while earlier timepoints appear reflective of cortical excitability. Furthermore, contamination of TEPs cannot be explained by auditory or somatosensory potentials alone, but instead reflects a non-linear interaction between both sources. Future studies may benefit from controlling for sensory contamination using sham conditions that are spatially matched to active TMS, and which consist of combined auditory and somatosensory stimulation.
Entrance Loss Coefficients and Inlet Control Head–Discharge Relationships for Buried-Invert Culverts

In current practice, entrance loss coefficients and inlet control head–discharge relationships for buried-invert culverts designed for fish passage applications are either ignored or approximated using traditional culvert design data due to a lack of data specific to these alternative culvert geometries. This study experimentally determined entrance loss coefficients and inlet control head–discharge relationships for circular culverts with invert burial depths of 20, 40, and 50% and an elliptical culvert with 50% invert burial depth. In general, the inlet loss coefficients for buried-invert culverts were higher than for traditional culverts of the same cross-sectional shape without invert burial. The influence of approach flow conditions (ponded or channelized) on inlet loss coefficients and inlet control head–discharge relationships was also investigated. This paper outlines the experimental methods used to determine entrance loss coefficients and inlet control head–discharge regression constants relativ.
Effects of Rural Highway Median Treatments and Access

The safety records of rural and suburban four-lane highways in Arkansas as a function of median treatment and access density were examined. The study excluded roadways with posted speeds lower than 64 km/h (40 mph) and excluded fully controlled access roadways. When entering an urban area, the segments were normally terminated when the first traffic signal or stop sign was encountered. By using 3 years of crash data, the analyses revealed a number of relationships relating crash frequency to median, volume, and access frequency attributes. Crash severity and crash type were also examined. As median width increased, there was a weak but statistically significant decline in the crash rate. There was a weak but statistically significant increase in the crash rate as access density increased. The roadways with shoulders and depressed medians had the lowest crash rates, and the roadways with no median (i.e., painted centerline) and curbs had the worst safety record. An inspection of these data suggests that there may be a correlation between median type and land use type: certain types of median are more likely to be present in certain land use environments. This raises the possibility that in this and in other studies of the safety effects of median treatments, the findings may be influenced or skewed by correlations between median type and land use or surroundings or by other factors.
What is the best fitness measure in wild populations? A case study on the power of short-term fitness proxies to predict reproductive value

Fitness is at the core of evolutionary theory, but it is difficult to measure accurately. One way to measure long-term fitness is by calculating the individual’s reproductive value, which represents the expected number of allele copies an individual passes on to distant future generations. However, this metric of fitness is scarcely used because the estimation of individual’s reproductive value requires long-term pedigree data, which is rarely available in wild populations where following individuals from birth to death is often impossible. Wild study systems therefore use short-term fitness metrics as proxies, such as the number of offspring produced. This study obtained three frequently used short-term proxies for fitness obtained at different offspring life stages (eggs, hatchlings, fledglings and recruits), and compared their ability to predict reproductive values derived from the genetic pedigree of a wild passerine bird population. We used twenty years of precise field observations and a near-complete genetic pedigree to calculate reproductive success, individual growth rate and de-lifed fitness as lifetime fitness measures, and as annual de-lifed fitness. We compared the power of these metrics to predict reproductive values and lineage survival to the end of the study period. The three short-term fitness proxies predict the reproductive values and lineage survival only when measured at the recruit stage. There were no significant differences between the different fitness proxies at the same offspring stages in predicting the reproductive values and lineage survival. Annual fitness at one year old predicted reproductive values equally well as lifetime de-lifed fitness. However, none of the short-term fitness proxies was strongly associated with the reproductive values. In summary, the commonly short-term fitness proxies capture long-term fitness with intermediate accuracy at best, if measured at recruitment stage. As lifetime fitness measured at recruit stage and annual fitness in the first year of life were the best proxies of long-term fitness, we encourage their future use.