Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optical delay line matched filters

Two multimode optical fibers connected mutually at several locations along their lengths can act as an encoding or decoding structure depending on which terminals are used for the input/output of the data. It is shown that two multicoupled lines have one input which acts as the matched filter for another input, thus enabling easy correlation of data in real time. The performance of such a structure was simulated on a digital computer and the results are discussed.
Reducing Car Travel in Australian Cities: Review Report

This paper addresses the issue of managing car-travel demand in large urban centers and reviews two instruments—urban form changes and public transport improvements—by drawing on the experience of Australian cities. Urban form changes can be achieved by higher population and employment densities. At a city or broad zonal level, the reviews show that higher densities of population and employment lead to lower levels of travel and car use. However, the linkage between urban form changes can be a complex and indirect process at a less aggregate level. Large changes in the urban form may be necessary to produce small changes in car and transit usage. This study also shows that new rail transit investments in the cities of Perth and Gold Coast were only able to reduce car use in the same transport corridor by a small percentage. A significant proportion of the rail users were previous bus users. There is no quick fix to the urban transport problems confronting large cities, and the solution will need political.
Power deposited on a dielectric by multipactor

We use a simple transmission line model to evaluate the RF power deposited on a dielectric window by a multipactor discharge. The calculation employs Monte Carlo simulation, using realistic secondary electron yield curves as input, and taking into account the distributions in the emission velocities and emission angles of the secondary electrons. Beam loading on the external RF, as well as the evolution of the DC electric field due to dielectric charging, are also accounted for. It is found that the buildup of the multipactor space charge, rather than beam loading, causes saturation. Over a wide range of operating conditions and materials, it is found quite generally that the multipactor delivers on the order of 1 percent, or less, of the RF power to the dielectric. A simple estimate is given in support of this ratio, using the susceptibility diagram that was constructed from kinematic considerations. Comparison with experimental results is given.
Bicalutamide Exhibits Potential to Damage Kidney via Destroying Complex I and Affecting Mitochondrial Dynamics

Bicalutamide (Bic) is an androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for treating prostate cancer, while ADT is potentially associated with acute kidney injury. Previously, we recognized Bic induced renal mitochondria dysfunction in vitro and in vivo via the ROS -HIF1α pathway. Whether OXPHOS complex, as well as mitochondrial dynamics, can be influenced by Bic via modulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor coactivator 1α (PGC1α), NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4), mitofusins 1/2 (MFN 1/2), optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), and sirtuins (SIRTs) has not been documented. Renal mesangial cell line was treated with Bic (30~60 μM) for the indicated time. SIRTs, complex I, mitochondrial dynamics- and oxidative stress-related proteins were analyzed. Bic dose-dependently reduced mitochondrial potential, but dose- and time-dependently suppressed translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane member 20 (Tomm 20), complex I activity. Nox4 and glutathione lead to decreased NAD+/NADH ratio, with upregulated superoxide dismutase 2. SIRT1 was initially stimulated and then suppressed, while SIRT3 was time- and dose-dependently downregulated. PGC1α, MFN2, and OPA1 were all upregulated, with MFN1 and pro-fission dynamin-related protein I downregulated. Bic exhibits potential to damage mitochondria via destroying complex I, complex I activity, and mitochondrial dynamics. Long-term treatment with Bic should be carefully followed up.
A Multi-Sensor Fusion Positioning Strategy for Intelligent Vehicles Using Global Pose Graph Optimization

Positioning technology is an important component of environmental perception and the basis of decision-making and motion control for intelligent vehicles. Current independent positioning methods inevitably have defects and poor environmental adaptability. To improve positioning accuracy and stability using low-cost sensors, a multi-sensor fusion positioning strategy for intelligent vehicles using global pose graph optimization is proposed in this paper. This strategy complements the advantages of multiple sensors to obtain global optimal positioning results, and it can cope with a variety of challenging working conditions. Considering the fast response of the inertial measurement unit (IMU) and the advantages of a camera without drift, this strategy realizes the tightly coupled fusion of vision and the IMU to obtain the optimal pose of visual-inertial odometry (VIO) by nonlinear optimization. Moreover, this strategy refines the modeling of the IMU, and proposes a keyframe selection strategy to deal with driving in a straight line without obvious feature changes, turning, and other driving conditions. Taking into account the versatility of the global positioning system (GPS) and the low cost of the network real-time kinematic (NRTK) positioning, the output of VIO and GPS/NRTK is adaptively fused through global pose graph optimization to maintain global consistency. Finally, the multi-sensor fusion positioning strategy is verified using the KITTI dataset on the ROS simulation platform. The results show that the multi-sensor fusion positioning strategy for intelligent vehicles has better accuracy and environmental adaptability at a lower cost than state-of-the-art strategies.
The biopsychosocial-spiritual factors influencing relapse of patients with schizophrenia

Objective: High relapse rate of patients with schizophrenia has a large impact on patients and their families that can be reviewed from biopsychosocial and spiritual factors. Determining all the potential risk factors of relapse in schizophrenia can help increase awareness of physicians, patients, and families. Physicians are the ones who examine patients and have responsibility to manage and educate them and expect to prevent relaps. This study analyze various biopsychosocial and spiritual factors affecting relapse occurrence in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: Cross sectional observational analytic study on 226 subjects with schizophrenia in three places in East Java, Indonesia, namely Soetomo Academic Hospital Surabaya (33.2%), Menur Hospital Surabaya (32.7%), and Radjiman Wediodiningrat Mental Hospital Lawang (34.1%) that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data collection including 33 biopsychosocial and spiritual factors and were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Relapse rate within 1 year was 59.73%. There were 12 factors significantly affected the relapse of schizophrenia, namely history of physical disease of mothers during pregnancy (p < .001; B = 27.31; 95% CI 3.96–188.52), presence of trigger (p < .000; B = 6.25; 95% CI 2.61–14.96), negative beliefs (p < .000; B = 4.94; 95% CI 2.10–11.61), hereditary factors (p < .001; B = 4.84; 95% CI 1.93–12.10), insight (p < .003; B = 4.27; 95% CI 1.62–11.27), 1-year GAF Scale (p < .015; B = 3.79; 95% CI 1.30–11.09), response to treatment (p < .006; B = 3.68; 95% CI 1.45–9.36), family knowledge (p < .011; B = 3.23; 95% CI 1.31–7.93), history of head trauma (p < .029; B = 3.13; 95% CI 1.13–8.69), medication side effects (p < .028; B = 2.92; 95% CI 1.12–7.61), substance use history (p < .031; B = 2.86; 95% CI 1.10–7.45), and occupation (p < .040; B = 2.40; 95% CI 1.04–5.52). Conclusions: The 12 factors of biopsychosocial-spiritual are determinant to predict the risk of relapse in patients with schizophrenia. These factors should be emphasized in psychoeducation for patients and their families to enable intervention and relapse prevention.
Colonic Diverticulosis and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Is There a Connection?

Background and Objectives: The development and severity of colonic diverticulosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been associated with several components of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate a possible connection between NAFLD, colonic diverticulosis, and MetS. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with diverticulosis between January 2017 and December 2019. Data regarding the patient demographics, Diverticular Inflammation and Complication Assessment (DICA) score and category, disease localization, hepatic steatosis, blood pressure, comprehensive metabolic panel, need for colonic surgery, and co-morbidities were collected from medical records. Results: A total of 407 patients with a median age of 68 years (range, 34–89 years) were included (male: 53.81%). The majority was diagnosed with left-sided diverticulosis (n = 367, 90.17%) and an uncomplicated disease course (DICA category 1, n = 347, 85.3%). Concomitant hepatic steatosis was detected in 47.42% (n = 193) of patients. The systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, C-reactive protein (CRP), and fasting glucose were higher in the NAFLD group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). A higher prevalence of hypertension (HTA), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and hypothyroidism was noted in the same group of patients (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.008, respectively). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol was lower in patients with more severe forms of diverticulosis (DICA category 2 and 3), while CRP levels were significantly higher (p = 0.006 and p = 0.015, respectively). HTA and NAFLD were more common in patients with more severe forms of colonic diverticulosis (p = 0.016 and p = 0.025, respectively). Using a multivariate logistic regression, the DICA score, CRP, total cholesterol, HTA, and hypothyroidism were identified as discriminating factors for the presence of hepatic steatosis. Conclusion: Components of metabolic dysregulation were prominent in patients diagnosed with colonic diverticulosis and concomitant hepatic steatosis. HTA, T2DM, and hypothyroidism were more frequently observed in this group. Hepatic steatosis was more commonly detected in more severe forms of colonic diverticulosis.
Analysis of Oil Film Thickness and Heat Transfer on a Piston Ring of a Diesel Engine: Effect of Lubricant Viscosity

The effect of lubricant viscosity on the temperature and thickness in oil film on a piston ring in a diesel engine was analyzed by using unsteady state thermohydrodynamic lubrication analysis, that is Reynolds equation and an unsteady state two-dimensional (2-D) energy equation with heat generated from viscous dissipation. The oil film viscosity was then estimated by using the mean oil film temperature and the shear rate for multi grade oils. The shear rate between the ring and liner becomes higher, so that the viscosity for the multi grade oil is affected by the oil film temperature and shear rate, and the viscosity becomes lower. Under low temperature condition, the viscosity becomes lower due to viscous heating and shear rate and under higher temperature condition, the viscosity affected by the shear rate becomes lower. The oil film thickness between the ring and liner decreases with decrease of the oil viscosity, and it is the thinnest that the oil film thickness is calculated by using the viscosity estimated by both the shear rate and the oil film temperature. Moreover, the heat transfer at ring and liner surfaces was examined.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Earthquake Input Energy to Soil-Structure Interaction Systems: A Frequency-Domain Approach

A new evaluation method of earthquake input energy to soil-structure interaction systems is developed. The method is an approach in the frequency domain. Because the inertial interaction (foundation impedance) and the kinematic interaction (effective input motion) are well described by frequency-dependent functions, the present approach based on the frequency domain analysis is appropriate and effective. Especially it is demonstrated that even soil-structure interaction systems including embedded foundations can be treated in a simple way and effects of degree of the foundation embedment on the earthquake input energy to the super-structure can be clarified systematically. The proposed approach has a generality that, if the foundation impedance and the effective input motion are evaluated for any ground system, the earthquake input energies to the structure and to the structure-foundation-soil system can be obtained in a unified manner. It is also shown briefly that the formulation of the earthquake input energy in the frequency domain is effective for solving a critical excitation problem for the maximum earthquake input energy and deriving a bound on the earthquake input energy for a class of ground motions.
Proportion of rapid eye movement sleep related obstructive sleep apnea (REM related OSA) in patients with sleep disordered breathing: A cross sectional study

Background and Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) during rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep is gaining importance in recent years. This study was done to determine the proportion of REM-related OSA and its associated polysomnographic features. Methods: One hundred forty-two patients were included in the study. REM-related OSA was defined based on previously established broad and strict criteria (REM apnea–hypopnea index [AHI]/non-REM [NREM] AHI ratio ≥2 and REM AHI >5 with NREM AHI <5, respectively), and its association with polysomnographic features was studied using appropriate statistical tools. Results: The proportion of REM-related OSA in the study was 56.3% and 25.3% as per broad and strict criterion, respectively. The REM-related OSA group had a mean younger age (47.4 ± 13.2 years) as compared to NREM-related OSA group (52.6 ± 15.8 years). Females (34 out of 45; 75.6%) were more likely to have REM-related OSA as compared to males (46 out of 107; 47.4%). Supine AHI, arousal index, oxygen desaturation index, length of the longest event, and the lowest oxygen saturation recorded during sleep had a significant association with REM-related OSA. 74% of patients with overall AHI <5 and 87% patients with overall AHI 5 to 15 satisfied the criteria for REM-related OSA as per broad criterion. Conclusion: REM-related OSA was quite prevalent in the study population (56.3%) and was more common in the mild and moderate severity subgroups of OSA.
Development of PCM Storage for Process Heat and Power Generation

The increased interest in solar thermal systems using steam as a working medium either for power generation or process heat applications gave rise to a growing demand for latent heat storage units. Essential for the development of cost-effective latent heat storage systems is the achievement of a sufficient power level in spite of the characteristic low thermal diffusivities of latent heat storage materials. The sandwich concept using fins made either from graphite or aluminum has been identified as the most promising option for latent heat storage systems. The feasibility of this approach has been demonstrated by three prototypes using graphite and one prototype using aluminum fins. The prototype with aluminum fins was filled with sodium nitrate and was operated for more than 4000 h without degradation of power. The volume specific average power density is in the range 10-25 kW/m 3 , so it is proven that the major problem of phase change material (PCM) storage of low heat transfer rates has been overcome and high-temperature PCM storage with large capacity factor is possible.
Campus information systems for undergraduate students in Spain: a country-wide cluster classification

The availability of broad characterizations of campus information systems for students can be useful for the strategic information management of higher education centres. First we describe and contextualize a characterization model for on-line campus information systems for undergraduate students. This serves as a framework of conceptual reference for empirical work on Spanish universities. Information was gathered by means of structured visits to institutional websites and structured interviews with undergraduate students. Analyzing the information collected enables us to classify Spanish higher education institutions into three clusters with homogeneous characteristics, in the sense of their information system and organizational aspects. Finally, we discuss future research on this subject.
Nonreciprocal Remanence Ferrite Phase Shifters Using the Grooved Waveguide

For the purpose of improving the performance charasteristics of the nonreciprocal remanence ferrite phase shifter, a new configuration with a grooved waveguide is proposed and analyzed. Some results calculated as functions of dielectric and ferrite thickness, waveguide dimensions, and frequency are shown and compared as being in good agreement with experiments at the X band. The figure of merit (differential phase shift per insertion loss) and the handling power of the proposed phase shifter are discussed in comparison with those of the conventional waveguide geometry.
Optimization of Electromagnetic Metasurface Parameters Satisfying Far-Field Criteria

Electromagnetic metasurfaces offer the capability to realize arbitrary power-conserving field transformations. These field transformations are governed by the generalized sheet transition conditions, which relate the tangential fields on each side of the surface through the surface parameters. Ideally, designers would solve for the surface parameters based on their application-specific far-field criteria. However, determining the surface parameters for these criteria is challenging without knowledge of the tangential fields on each side of the surface, which are not unique for a given far-field pattern. Current designs are generally restricted to analytical examples where the tangential fields can be solved for, or determined via ad hoc methods, although there has been recent work to circumvent this. This paper presents an optimization scheme which determines surface parameters, such as electric impedance, magnetic admittance, and magneto-electric coupling, satisfying far-field constraints such as beam level, side lobe level, and null locations. The optimization is performed using a method of moments-based model incorporating edge effects and mutual coupling. The surface parameters are optimized for using the alternating direction method of multipliers. Examples of this optimization scheme performing multi-criteria pattern forming, extreme angle small surface refraction, and Chebyshev-like beamforming are presented.
The Microbiota-Bone-Allergy Interplay

Emerging knowledge suggests an increasing importance of gut microbiota in health and disease. Allergy and bone metabolism are closely interconnected, and the possible negative effects of common therapies are not the only aspects of this relationship. The immune system is influenced by the microbiota-host interactions, and several pieces of evidence suggest the existence of an interplay between microbiota, bone metabolism, and allergies. Understanding these inter-relationships is essential for the development of new potential strategies of treatment and prevention targeting microbiota. A wide range of substances and germs, prebiotics and probiotics, are capable of influencing and modifying the microbiota. Prebiotics and probiotics have been shown in several studies to have different actions based on various factors such as sex, hormonal status, and age. In this review, we summarize the latest knowledge on the topic, and we discuss practical implications and the need for further studies.
Pulsed device measurements and applications

A pulsed measurement system can provide more than just isothermal characteristic data. An off-the-shelf system can determine rapidly the timing necessary for both pulsed-I-V and pulsed-S-parameter measurements to be isothermal and isodynamic. Instantaneous channel temperature may be determined. Thermal and charge-trapping effects can be separated and time constants measured. Full gain-derivative surfaces can be obtained far more efficiently than by spectral sweep measurements. Characteristics and transient effects following excursions beyond the safe-operating-area and into breakdown may be observed nondestructively.
76 GHz flip-chip MMICs for automotive radars

Using the flip-chip bonding technique, we developed a 76-GHz MMIC chip set for automotive radars. A chip set consists of a 76-GHz amplifier, a 76-GHz mixer, 76-GHz SPDT switches, a 38/76-GHz doubler, a 38-GHz voltage-controlled oscillator and a 38-GHz buffer amplifier.
Molecular Detection of Avian Influenza Virus in Wild Birds in Morocco, 2016–2019

SUMMARY. Avian influenza (AI) is a zoonotic disease significant to both public and animal health, caused by influenza virus A, and affects domestic poultry, wild birds, and mammals including humans. Aquatic birds are considered the natural reservoir of this virus. In 2016, Morocco experienced the first occurrence of low pathogenic H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) in poultry; however, no cases were reported in wild birds. The present study aimed to monitor the presence of AIV in wild birds in Morocco in order to trace the possible sources of the viruses affecting poultry. Between 2016 and 2019, 967 samples obtained from 480 birds representing 56 different wild bird species, 20 families, and 8 orders, mostly from Charadriiformes, Anseriformes, Pelecaniformes, and Passeriformes, were collected from various wetlands and relevant ornithologic sites in Morocco. These field samples consisted of 374 cloacal swabs, 321 tracheal swabs, 54 fecal samples, and 218 organ pools including the trachea, lung, liver, spleen, heart, intestine, and brain. The samples were examined for the presence of AIV using TaqMan-based real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR (rRT-PCR) targeting the matrix gene, followed by further subtyping rRT-PCR tests targeting the H1–H16 genes. The AI matrix gene was detected in 18 out of 967 samples (1.86%); positive samples were detected in 17 birds belonging to 10 bird species: two redshanks (Tringa totanus), one little stint (Calidris minuta), one ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres), one common snipe (Gallinago gallinago), one common greenshank (Tringa nebularia), one black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus), two black-headed gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus), one slender-billed gull (Chroicocephalus genei), six cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis), and one Eurasian coot (Fulica atra). AIV was detected in 2 wetlands and 1 ornithologic site (Sidi Moussa Oualidia Complex, Smir lagoon and El Jadida Coast) and the highest positivity was revealed in fresh fecal samples (11.1%), indicating the suitability of this matrix for wild bird surveillance. Our results highlight that waders, gulls, and cattle egrets are the most affected species and may represent a potential risk for AI introduction in the poultry sector in Morocco. Regular monitoring of wild birds in Morocco, focusing in particular in the areas and species identified in this study as a high risk of virus circulation, should be implemented to anticipate and prevent possible AIV spread.