Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design of low phase noise K‐band VCO using high quality factor resonator in 0.18 μm CMOS technology

A novel resonator to improve the phase noise of a Voltage‐Controlled Oscillator (VCO) utilizing double series resonances or two attenuation zeros to improve the susceptance slope parameter of the resonator circuit is proposed, and its effectiveness is demonstrated by designing a low phase noise K‐band VCO. The first series resonance is created by an additional inductor (L) in series to the capacitor (C) in the parallel branch of a conventional LC‐tank circuit, and the second one is realized by an additional capacitor in series to the whole resonator circuit. The additional L is realized by defected ground structures (DGS) so that there is no additional burden in the chip size. The proposed resonator is fabricated in 0.18 μm CMOS technology and has active quality factor of 101 and a compact size of 0.009 mm2 (0.00046 λ2). The measured return loss |S11| and insertion loss |S21| of the fabricated prototype resonator are 2.8 and 11 dB, respectively, at a center frequency of 37 GHz with 8 GHz of bandwidth. The resulting active quality (QK‐) factor of the proposed resonator is enhanced significantly that, in returns, improves the phase noise. The design is implemented in 0.18 μm CMOS technology, and the post‐layout simulation shows that VCO has a tuning range of 3.8% and phase noise of −114.4 dBc/Hz @1 MHz offset at 19.5 GHz oscillation. The VCO consumes 2.96 mW power resulting in a Figure of Merit (FoM) of −195.5 dB. The proposed resonators improve the VCO FoM by more than 5.5 dB compared to conventional LC resonator.
Effect of basalt and polypropylene fibers on crumb rubber mortar with Portland cement and calcium aluminate cement binders: Strength and artificial neural network prediction model

This paper aims to study the influence of basalt fiber (BF) and polypropylene fiber (PPF) in crumb rubber (CR) mortar made of two different types of cement, including ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and calcium aluminate cement (CAC). CR was used to partially (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by volume) replace the fine aggregate in OPC and CAC mortars. BF and PPF were added (0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5% by total volume) in the CR mortars. The consistency, density, compressive, and flexural strength of cement mortars were investigated. The use of CAC cement slightly increased the consistency; however, the results showed that the CR replacement and the addition of both fiber types tend to reduce the consistency in OPC and CAC mortars. Significant reduction in the density of fiber-added CR mortar was found with increasing CR content, whereas the influence of both PPF and BF was minimal. The fiber-added CR mortar made of both binder and fiber types in general exhibited a reducing trend in the 28 days compressive strength when increasing CR and fiber contents. Nevertheless, an enhancement in the compressive strength of CAC mortar with 20% CR was found with the addition of 0.1% of both fibers. The use of CR and addition of the fibers generally decreased the flexural strength of mortar made of both binder types; however, the addition of 0.3% BF in mortars containing 15–20% CR positively affected the flexural performance. Finally, the artificial neural network (ANN) approach demonstrated the ability to predict the compressive strength of fiber-added CR mortars. The model showed a considerably insignificant mean square error (MSE) of 1.4–1.5 and high plot regression (R) results of 0.97–0.98.
Rethinking Basic Assumptions for Modeling Parasitic Capacitance in Inductors

This article rethinks the basic assumptions often used in analytically modeling parasitic capacitance in inductors. These assumptions are classified in two commonly-used physics-based analysis methods: the lumped capacitor network method and the energy conservation method. The lumped-capacitor network method is not the proper solution for calculating the equivalent parasitic capacitance in inductors at the first resonant frequency, but rather represents the equivalent parasitic capacitance above the last resonant frequency. The energy-conservation based method is shown to be more accurate and a reasonable solution to model the equivalent parasitic capacitance at the first resonant frequency. Multiple case studies of inductors are used for verifying the theory.
Overexpression of the recombinant human interferon-beta (rhIFN-β) gene in tobacco chloroplasts

Chloroplast genetic engineering is a convenient method for the production of recombinant proteins by increasing the expression level of transgenes. Interferon-beta (IFN-β) is a member of type I interferons that possess some pharmaceutical properties. The present study aimed to investigate the overexpression and production of the recombinant human IFN-β gene (rhIFN-β) in the tobacco chloroplast genome. For this purpose, a codon-optimized rhIFN-β was transferred to the pVSR326 plastid vector containing the aadA gene as a selectable marker. The rhIFN-β gene was then successfully introduced into the tobacco chloroplast genome by using a gene gun. The integration of the rhIFN-β gene into the chloroplast genome and the homoplasmy of the T1 progeny were confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analysis, respectively. RT-PCR and western blot analyses confirmed the transcription and translation of the rhIFN-β gene, respectively. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that the rhIFN-β protein in transplastomic plants comprised approximately 2.4% of total soluble protein (TSPs). The bioassay confirmed that the rhIFN-β protein expressed in the tobacco chloroplast had a relatively high biological activity (2.9 × 104 IU/ml) and protected human amnionic cells against the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). On the basis of these findings, it can be concluded that plastid transformation can serve as an operative method for the production of pharmaceutical recombinant proteins.
Indian Users' Expectations for the Location of Web Objects on Informational Websites

Previous research has established that users form mental models of web page layout. Bernard (2001, 2002) demonstrated that users expect web objects to be located in specific places on a web page. Further research has attempted to evaluate users' expectations on a global level (Bernard & Sheshadri, 2004). Th3 study discussed in this paper used a similar methodology on students at an Indian university in Mumbai in order to determine the structure of the Indian user's mental model for web page layout. India is one of the fastest growing Internet user markets in the world. With a predicted 100 million users by 2007, it is essential to get a better understanding of the Indian user. This paper graphically identifies the expected location of five web objects (back to home link, about us link, site search engine, internal links, and advertisements) commonly found on informational websites. Suggestions for overall page layout are also provided.
Appraisal of Cluster Front Line Demonstration on Rapeseed and Mustard in Biharand Jharkhand

Performance of ten varieties of rapeseed and mustard were assessed through cluster frontline demonstration (CFLD) under different agro-climatic condition of Bihar and Jharkhandcontinuously for four years (2017-18 to 2020-21) by the KVKs of Bihar and Jharkhand.Among the agro-climatic zones of Bihar, highest yield was recorded in the demonstratedplot from zone III (B) i.e. South-West alluvial plain in case of variety RH 0749 (15.29 q/ha) and in Jharkhand state from zone I (Central and North astern plateau) with varietyNRCHB 101 (13.31 q/ha). Lowest technology index was observed for variety RajendraSufalam in all the zone (-4.96, 5.53, 7.18 and 22.92 % in zone I, III (B), III (A) & II) ofBihar and NRCHB 101 (23.15% in zone I) in Jharkhand. The range of extension gapwas1.38 to 4.37 and 1.13 to 4.86 q/ha under the agro-climatic zone of Bihar and Jharkhand,respectively. Pooled data shows that in Bihar, maximum net return (Rs. 46986 /ha) wasobtained in variety Rajendra Sufalam in agro-climatic zone III A of Bihar with benefit costratio 3.85:1 whereas under agro-climatic condition of Jharkhand maximum net return (Rs.39598 /ha) was recoded from variety NRCHB 101 with benefit cost ratio 2.80:1
Influence of the interteeth clearances on the flow ripple in a gerotor pump for engine lubrication

A gerotor pump, which is widely used in the automotive industry for engine oil lubrication, produces an instantaneous flow fluctuation and the estimation of this is fundamental in order to evaluate the pump quality for silent and smooth operation. The intricate aspects of the pumping process of a gerotor pump make computational fluid dynamics the appropriate tool for modelling and simulation to provide insights into its flow characteristics. Because the instantaneous flow is rather dependent on the teeth contact, a new boundary condition of a virtual wall was developed, which allows simulation of the teeth contact in the interteeth radial clearances. This new boundary condition is utilized in a three-dimensional model of the gerotor pump with mesh deformation and remeshing at every time step by means of a home-made ad-hoc code programmed by the present authors and named viscous wall cell. The code has been integrated into the computational fluid dynamics solver. The interteeth clearances are studied under the following different operating conditions (working pressures and rotational velocities): first, no contact points (no teeth contact is studied in order to prove that, even if the interteeth radial clearance is sufficiently small, the leakage cannot be negligible); second, all contact points (the ideal approach is considered with zero interteeth radial clearances used to model zero manufacturing tolerances); third, one contact point at different locations (the existence of manufacturing tolerances and the teeth contact approach make the pump’s operation and its pumping mechanism more realistic in the simulation). The numerical instantaneous flow is compared with the analytical instantaneous flow, with the instantaneous flow modelled by using the bond graph technique, and with the experimental determination of the flow ripple for a specific unit. The results obtained show the importance of simulating the teeth contact and prove to be an excellent estimation of the instantaneous flow behaviour to obtain the dynamic properties of a gerotor pump under more realistic conditions than its design.
Capacity-Demand-Diagram Methods for Estimating Seismic Deformation of Inelastic Structures: SDF Systems

ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS iii CONTENTS iv INTRODUCTION 1 EQUIVALENT LINEAR SYSTEMS 3 ATC-40 ANALYSIS PROCEDURES 7 PROCEDURE A 8 Examples: Specified Ground Motion 8 Examples: Design Spectrum 15 PROCEDURE B 21 Examples: Specified Ground Motion 21 Examples: Design Spectrum 26 EVALUATION OF ATC-40 PROCEDURES 29 SPECIFIED GROUND MOTION 29 DESIGN SPECTRUM 33 IMPROVED PROCEDURES 38 INELASTIC DESIGN SPECTRUM 38 INELASTIC DEMAND DIAGRAM 38 PROCEDURE A 40 Examples 40 Comparison with ATC-40 Procedure A 46 PROCEDURE B 46 Examples 47 Comparison with ATC-40 Procedure B 47 ALTERNATIVE DEFINITION OF EQUIVALENT DAMPING 47 IMPROVED PROCEDURE: NUMERICAL VERSION 51 BASIC CONCEPT 51 RY – μ −TN EQUATIONS 51 CONSISTENT TERMINOLOGY 55 CONCLUSIONS 55 NOTATION 58 REFERENCES 60
Beam-column behaviour of steel tubes filled with high strength concrete

The results of an investigation into the behaviour of thin-walled steel tubes filled with high strength concrete are presented. The main emphasis is placed on the level of ductility that can be achieved, considering the fact that neither high strength concrete nor thin steel tubes are individually able to absorb significant amounts of energy under cyclic loading. Results of 26 tests on specimens with a diameter of 152 mm and a wall thickness of 1.7 mm, filled with concrete of characteristic compressive strength ranging between 73 and 92 MPa, are reported. Load combinations on the specimens range from pure axial compression, through various combinations of axial load and bending, to pure bending. Three specimens were subjected to cyclic loading. Test results are compared with design models that are used in current code specifications. Key words: steel tubes, concrete, composite, beam-column, beam, column, experimental.
Two‐Sample Multivariable Mendelian Randomization Analysis Using R

Mendelian randomization is a framework that uses measured variation in genes for assessing and estimating the causal effect of an exposure on an outcome. Multivariable Mendelian randomization is an extension that can assess the causal effect of multiple exposures on an outcome, and can be advantageous when considering a set (>1) of potentially correlated candidate risk factors in evaluating the causal effect of each on a health outcome, accounting for measured pleiotropy. This can be seen, for example, in determining the causal effects of lipids and cholesterol on type 2 diabetes risk, where the correlated risk factors share genetic predictors. Similar to univariate Mendelian randomization, multivariable Mendelian randomization can be conducted using two‐sample summary‐level data where the gene‐exposure and gene‐outcome associations are derived from separate samples from the same underlying population. Here, we present a protocol for conducting a two‐sample multivariable Mendelian randomization study using the ‘MVMR’ package in R and summary‐level genetic data. We also provide a protocol for searching and obtaining instruments using available data sources in the ‘MRInstruments’ R package. Finally, we provide general guidelines and discuss the utility of performing a multivariable Mendelian randomization analysis for simultaneously assessing causality of multiple exposures. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate Supplementation May Not Enhance Additional Effects of Exercise on Muscle Quality in Older Women

ABSTRACT Purpose The combined treatment effects of nutritional supplementation and exercise on muscle quality (MQ) remain unexamined in individuals at risk for sarcopenia. This secondary analysis aimed to test whether β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation enhances the effects of resistance training (RT) on MQ in older women with low muscle mass. Methods This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-by-two factorial design trial was conducted at the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology. Women age 65–79 yr with a skeletal muscle mass index of <5.7 kg·m−2 were randomly allocated to one of four arms (RT + HMB, RT + placebo, education + HMB, and education + placebo). Participants attended supervised RT sessions twice weekly or education programs every 2 wk and were provided calcium-HMB (1500 mg) or placebo supplements once daily for 12 wk. The main outcomes were changes in functional MQ, assessed by knee extension strength per quadriceps thickness, and compositional MQ, assessed by the echo intensity of the rectus femoris muscle. Results Overall, 156 and 149 participants completed baseline and follow-up assessments, respectively. Two-factorial analysis of variance showed no significant interaction of HMB supplementation with RT in terms of functional or compositional MQ. Main-effects analyses revealed that the decline in functional MQ of the group performing RT was smaller by 0.71 N·mm−1 (95% confidence interval, 0.11–1.31) compared with that in the education group. No significant main effects of RT or HMB supplementation on compositional MQ were observed. Conclusions HMB supplementation did not enhance the treatment effects of RT for either MQ parameter; however, RT reduced the decline in functional MQ. Thus, adding HMB supplementation to RT is not significantly useful for improving MQ in this population.
Efficiency of Storm Detention Tanks for Urban Drainage Systems under Climate Variability

Climate change effects on combined sewer systems efficiency is a great matter of concern. In fact, changes in rainfall regime could significantly affect combined sewer overflows (CSOs) into receiving water bodies. Given that CSOs are a significant source of pollution, a better understanding and modeling of climate change effects on urban drainage systems is a compelling requirement to support design of adaptation strategies. This paper aims at studying the resilience of storm water detention tanks efficiency with respect to changes in rainfall forcing. In detail, an analytical probabilistic model is proposed to assess overflow reduction efficiency and volumetric efficiency of detention tanks depending on behaviors of climate and urban catchment. Sensitivity of tank efficiencies is evaluated under assigned changes in rainfall forcing. Results show that resilience of storm tanks benefits from filtering of climate change effects operated by the urban catchment.
Linguistic Parameters of Spontaneous Speech for Identifying Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer Disease

In this article, we seek to automatically identify Hungarian patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild Alzheimer disease (mAD) based on their speech transcripts, focusing only on linguistic features. In addition to the features examined in our earlier study, we introduce syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic features of spontaneous speech that might affect the detection of dementia. In order to ascertain the most useful features for distinguishing healthy controls, MCI patients, and mAD patients, we carry out a statistical analysis of the data and investigate the significance level of the extracted features among various speaker group pairs and for various speaking tasks. In the second part of the article, we use this rich feature set as a basis for an effective discrimination among the three speaker groups. In our machine learning experiments, we analyze the efficacy of each feature group separately. Our model that uses all the features achieves competitive scores, either with or without demographic information (3-class accuracy values: 68%–70%, 2-class accuracy values: 77.3%–80%). We also analyze how different data recording scenarios affect linguistic features and how they can be productively used when distinguishing MCI patients from healthy controls.
Elicitation of Medicinal Plants In Vivo—Is It a Realistic Tool? The Effect of Methyl Jasmonate and Salicylic Acid on Lamiaceae Species

Salicylic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJa) are prominent phytohormones that are involved in stress reactions. Both compounds may influence the biosynthesis of secondary compounds; however, scientific experiments in vivo are rare and contradictive. This paper reports on a study on the elicitation of volatiles and total phenolics (TPC) by MeJa and SA. The subjects were four Lamiaceae species studied in open field conditions in Budapest (Hungary). According to the results, both elicitors provoked specific responses in each plant species depending on the dosage applied and the parameter studied; 2 mM of SA stimulated essential oil (EO) accumulation in marjoram and peppermint, while in hyssop 0.1 mM was optimal. MeJa proved to be effective only in marjoram and in basil. In marjoram, cis-sabinene hydrate was decreased and in hyssop, isopinocamphone was increased by both dosages of SA. In peppermint, pulegone content was reduced by 2 mM SA, but no significant change of the major components of basil EO was detected. SA was successful in increasing TPC and antioxidant activity (AC) in three of the experimental species, but not in hyssop. In marjoram, only 0.1 mM induced TPC and eventually AC, while in peppermint and basil both dosages of SA were effective. Optimalisation of the treatments is suggested in further in vivo experiments.
Language control in regional dialect speakers – monolingual by name, bilingual by nature?

Abstract While research on bilingual language processing is sensitive to different usage contexts, monolinguals are still often treated as a homogeneous control group, despite frequently using multiple varieties that may require engagement of control mechanisms during lexical access. Adapting a language-switching task for speakers of (Scottish) Standard English and Orcadian Scots, we demonstrate switch cost asymmetries with longer naming latencies when switching back into Orcadian. This pattern, which is reminiscent of unbalanced bilinguals, suggests that Orcadian is the dominant variety of these participants – despite the fact they might be regarded as English monolinguals because of sociolinguistic factors. In conjunction with the observed mixing cost and cognate facilitation effect (indicative of proactive language control and parallel language activation, respectively), these findings show that ‘monolinguals’ need to be scrutinised for routine use of different varieties to gain a better understanding of whether and how mechanisms underlying their lexical access resemble those of bilinguals.
Hollywood in the Information Age: Beyond the Silver Screen

1. Introduction: Hollywood and the Culture Industry. 2. The Way We Were: An Historical Look at Hollywood and Technology. 3. Film Production: In the Information Age. 4. The Big Boys: The Hollywood Majors. 5. The Wired Nation and the Electronic Super Highway: Cable Television, Pay Cable, Pay--Per--View and Beyond. 6. Talkina a Bout a Revolution: Home Video. 7. The Silver Screen: Theatrical Exhibition in the Information Age. 8. Hollywood Meets Madison Ave: The Commercialization of U. S. Films. 9. Around the World in Nanoseconds: International Markets for Filmed Entertainment. 10. Hooray for Hollywood: Moving into the 21st Century. Index.
Performance Evaluation of NCDOT W-beam Guardrails under MASH TL-2 Conditions

This report summarizes the research efforts of using finite element modeling and simulations to evaluate the performance of W-beam guardrails for different heights under Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) Test Level 2 (TL-2) and Test Level 3 (TL-3) impact conditions. A literature review is included on performance evaluation of W-beam guardrails as well as applications of finite element modeling and simulations in roadside safety research. The modeling and simulation work was conducted on W-beam guardrails placed at a height of 27, 29 and 31 in. with vehicular impacts of a 1996 Dodge Neon and a 2006 Ford F250. All three W-beam guardrail placement heights were evaluated and compared to MASH TL-2 conditions, i.e., both vehicles were tested at an impact speed of 44 mph (70 km/hour) and a 25° impact angle. The 29- and 31-inch W-beam guardrails were also evaluated under MASH TL-3 conditions, i.e., both vehicles were tested at an impact speed of 62 mph (100 km/hour) and a 25° impact angle. The simulation results demonstrated the effectiveness of the 27-, 29- and 31-in. guardrails under MASH TL-2 conditions. They also showed the effects of guardrail heights on the vehicles’ post-impact responses such as redirection, snagging and large exit angles. The use of finite element simulations was shown to be both effective and efficient because they were nondestructive, repeatable, modifiable, and inexpensive. Furthermore, finite element simulations can be used to study crash scenarios that are difficult and/or extremely expensive to conduct with physical crash testing. Finite element modeling and simulations are recommended for future investigations of other research issues.