Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long distance transmission experiments using the WDM technology

The wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) technology is useful to utilize the vast bandwidth of the optical fiber, and it should be one key to overcome the transmission capacity problems of the future broadband communications such as multimedia services. Until the optical amplifiers were developed, only the short distance (up to a few tens kilometers) WDM system was in focus, because the optical repeaters for the WDM transmission were considered to be not practical. The advent of the optical amplifiers made it possible to construct the long distance (more than several hundreds kilometers) WDM systems, and many demonstrations of the long distance WDM transmission have been reported up to today. This paper describes the recent results of the long distance transmission experiments using the WDM technology. A few examples of the long distance transmission experiments using WDM technology is presented. As the four-wave mixing (FWM) is the substantial limiting factor of the WDM transmission, these system demonstrations adopt the method to reduce the FWM effect. The stability of the performance is another significant concern to design a practical system. Therefore, the experimental study of the WDM system stability is also discussed.
Design of FPGA-based emulator for series multicell converters using co-simulation tools

When high dynamic performances are desired, multicell converters are an option, but they may require extra control loops. However, cost reduction does not allow using additional sensors, and low cost estimators and observers have to be developed. Field-programmable gates arrays (FPGAs) with high sampling frequency seem to be able to perform such functions. The aim of this paper is to show how co-simulation helps designing such estimators and predicting their performances.
Privileged Scaffold for Drug Design and Activity Improvement - Part III.

Scaffolds have become increasingly important as privileged structures in the design and discovery of drugs. For rational drug design, some of the scaffolds, such as imidazole, have gained wide acceptability due to their drug-like properties. The review entitled “Imidazole Scaffold based Compounds in the Development of Therapeutic Drugs” focused on the recent developments of imidazole derivatives as well as their different pharmacological activities [1]. The imidazole scaffold interacted with different targets via hydrogen bonds, coordination, ion-dipole, cation-π, hydrophobic effects, etc. Two other aromatic heterocycles, thiadiazole and thiazolidinedione, had attracted Han and Sun’s attention [2], respectively. Thiadiazole and its unique chemical properties and biological characteristics showed strong anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-tuberculosis, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-leishmanial, and other functions. Considering the important role of thiazolidinedione for anticancer drug discovery, its derivatives with different positions of the substituents had been clarfied, showing involvement in anticancer development strategies, cancer progression, and metastasis. Except for the heterocycle scaffold, the review entitled “γ-AApeptides as a New Class of Peptidomimetics: Design, Synthesis, and Applications” focused on linear scaffolds [3]. γ-AApeptides possessed prominent advantages such as resistance to proteolytic degradation, enhanced chemodiversity, good selectivity, and outstanding bioactivity. Different intriguing structures and applications of γ-AApeptides had been developed by different approaches such as structure-based design, combinatorial library screening, and peptides self-assembly and folding with the potency of activities such as anticancer, anti-T2DM (Type 2 diabetes mellitus), anti-HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), and anti-Alzheimer’s disease. Interestingly, Qiu and her co-authors discussed the progress of artificial intelligence and cheminformatics-guided modern privileged scaffold [4]. Some representative cases with an emphasis on distinct research aspects are presented, including an update of the knowledge on privileged scaffolds, proof-of-concept tools, and workflows to identify privileged scaffolds. Beyond all question, this special issue covers a broad spectrum. I am hopeful that these papers will entertain readers.
Inelastic seismic response of stiffening systems and development of demand spectrum: Application to MSSS bridges

A stiffening system is a system that increases its stiffness as it goes under large displacements. Such behavioural characteristic can result from constitutive behaviour or at the structural level often from closure of gaps between various components (sub‐systems) of the structure. An example of the latter situation is multi‐span simply supported (MSSS) bridges under horizontal earthquake ground motion. Unlike softening systems, stiffening systems have not been studied. In addition to the need for more understanding of the seismic response of stiffening systems, there is a need to develop response spectrum that can be used in design. Several parameters including gap size and ratios of sub‐systems stiffness, strength, and mass control the behaviour of a stiffening system. In this study, a simplified stiffening model is developed and over 367 000 cases are analysed to investigate the nonlinear stiffening behaviour and pounding. Parameters considered also include ground motion characteristic. Results are evaluated and compared in terms of displacement and dissipated hysteretic energy. Parameter study results show that, on average, the displacement response is lower for stiffening systems, however, they dissipates higher hysteretic energy, due to higher yield cycles and yield excursions, and can possibly sustain more damage than a bilinear, elastic–plastic system. Using parameter study database, design response spectrum for stiffening systems is also proposed and its practical application is demonstrated through its application to an MSSS bridge. Results of this study goes beyond MSSS bridges and will have application for many structural systems where response is characterized by a stiffening behaviour. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A New Procedure in Reliability Assessment of Wind-Diesel Islanded Grids

Abstract High penetration of distributed generation in distribution networks makes the islanding operation more realistic. Because of environmental concerns and increasing fuel prices, the use of renewable energies, particularly wind energy, is becoming a popular choice. In this article, a new algorithm using the Monte Carlo technique and adaptive load shedding for assessing the reliability of wind–diesel systems in the islanding mode of operation is proposed. Weibull distribution and maximum likelihood estimation have been implemented to simulate the wind speed. Then, the islanding indices are introduced, and the reliability indices, when islanding operation is allowed and not allowed, are compared. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is performed to investigate the effects of wind and diesel capacity and the maximum wind to load penetration on the reliability and economic indices.
COVID-19 and Students’ Mental Wellbeing: A Cross-Sectional Study across Selected Nigerian Universities

The emergence of the coronavirus pandemic has affected the global population in an unprecedented way, which has disrupted livelihoods, as well as social activities including the closure of schools. The effect of the pandemic and the associated lockdown measures amplified the mental status of tertiary institution students in Nigeria, which has not been taken into proper view. To this effect, this study was conducted to assess the extent to which the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown measures impacted the mental health of tertiary university students in Southwestern, Nigeria. A cross-sectional online survey, using the standardized Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) depression and anxiety questionnaires were used, and appropriate summary statistics were carried out. In all (122 respondents), more than a third (35.5%) of the respondents had daily uncontrolled worries, 6.7% had suicidal intent, and over a tenth (14.2%) and (13.9%) had depression and anxiety respectively. The psychological impact of the coronavirus pandemic and associated lockdown measures on Nigerian university students is quite significant. Therefore, the mental well-being of Nigerian students should be taken into awareness and prioritized.
A new record of psychrotrophic Paecilomyces formosus (Eurotiales: Ascomycota) from India: morphological and molecular characterization

A filamentous fungus Paecilomyces formosus (Eurotiales, Ascomycota) was detected for the first time from the region while surveying fungal diversity of a cold arid high-altitude pass (4,000 msl) located in Kargil district (Ladakh), India. The fungal isolate was characterized morphologically with camera lucida drawings and microphotographs, and identified using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) ribosomal DNA sequences. P. formosus has not been reported from India, or from arid/semi-arid/cold regions before, thus this represents a new record of Indian hot/cold desert mycoflora that is psychrotrophic in contrast to the more common thermophilic fungi.
Indoor localization and beacon calibration using ultrasonic and radio frequency

Using the ultrasonic and the radio frequency, a method for the robot localization and calibration was presented. The distance between the receiver and a beacon can be computed by using the difference between times of flight. The presented method uses the gradient of the maximum amplitude of the ultrasonic in order to measure the time of flight precisely. The measured three distances between the receiver and the beacon were used to compute the robot position by the direct inverse method and the iterated least square approximation method. This paper defines the calibration as the problem to find the location of 3 beacons and 3 robots, and presents 3 methods for it and found the 2B2R method as the best among them.
Synthesis and characterization of crosslinked membranes based on sodium alginate/polyvinyl alcohol/graphene oxide for ultrafiltration applications

Novel sodium alginate/polyvinyl alcohol/graphene oxide (SA/PVA/GO) nanocomposite ultrafiltration membranes were successfully synthesized via the phase inversion process. Their application in ultrafiltration requires crosslinking. The resulting hydrophilic membranes were in situ crosslinked using glutaraldehyde as a covalent crosslinker and calcium chloride as an ionic crosslinker. The synthesized membranes were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, water contact angle, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Performance tests showed that the sodium alginate membranes have a high affinity for bovine serum albumin and can remove 87% at an optimum transmembrane pressure of 2 bar. The presence of GO improved the cobalt and copper rejection, reaching around 23% (Co) and 34% (Cu) at 2 bar. The prepared membrane showed a higher affinity for Cu2+ than for Co2+ due to the size effect. The permeability of the membranes was improved by increasing the PVA concentration up to 3 wt. %. The use of graphene oxide increased the hydrophilic property of the membrane, which yielded a significantly higher flux than the unmodified membrane. The as-prepared membrane with 3 wt. % SA, 9 wt. % PVA, and 0.3 wt. % GO percentages was chosen as the best membrane and was found to have the optimal performance.
Information filtering and its application to relative navigation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to estimate the relative states between the leader and wingman based on vision‐based relative navigation system using extended information filtering (EIF). Design/methodology/approach – For a typical leader‐wingman formation case, the relative navigation equations are introduced. Vision‐based navigation system which consists of an optical sensor and a series of specific light sources is used to capture the line‐of‐sight measurement between the two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Owing to the limitations on the field of view of the optical sensor, not every specific light source would be visible. And the spatial relative position of the two vehicles could also contributes to the diminution of visibility since some of the light sources are likely to be shielded by the frame and wing. Therefore, the EIF can be applied to the vision‐based relative navigation while every specific light source is regarded and processed as an individual information source. It is demonstrate.
Earnings Management in Hospitality Firms

This study examines whether Portuguese hotel sector firms engage in earnings management (EM) practices to provide specific accounting results and test the main determinants in explaining EM. We use the SABI database to collect panel data regarding 1615 Portuguese SME hotels from 2006–2013. In order to obtain results, a graphical representation of the distribution of the net income and the estimation of the discretionary accruals were used, from which two estimation models were formulated. The results obtained provide empirical evidence that firms in the Portuguese hotel sector seem to engage in earnings management practices and that the main determinants behind them appear to be debt level, return on assets, and firm size. The adoption of earnings management practices by firms is a widespread phenomenon across various sectors and nations. Yet, despite the general awareness regarding the importance of the tourism sector for communities at a financial, social, and cultural level, the lack of empirical studies with application to the accommodation sector makes it pertinent to investigate this phenomenon.
Broad beamwidth stacked patch antenna with wide circularly polarised bandwidth

A broad beamwidth stacked patch antenna with wide circularly polarised (CP) bandwidth is presented. The proposed antenna consists of a stacked structure with a rectangular shell under its ground structure to obtain CP characteristics and wide beamwidth. The radiation quality is excellent over the entire upper hemisphere. The 3 dB beamwidth of the proposed antenna on 2.4 GHz is larger than 140°. Moreover, the CP bandwidth, determined from the 3 dB axial ratio, is found to be about 240 MHz. CP bandwidth of 10.2% and the impedance bandwidth of 52.8% centred on 2.4 GHz are obtained. The proposed antenna is a good candidate for wide angle scanning phased arrays.
Review of Teaching ESL and STEM Content Through CALL: A Research-based Interdisciplinary Critical Pedagogical Approach

Book review of:Teaching ESL and STEM Content Through CALL: A Research-based Interdisciplinary Critical Pedagogical Approach By Abdelilah Salim Sehlaoui Published in 2020 by Rowman Littlefield Publishing Group, Incorporated 292 pagesISBN: 978-1-4985-5565-4
Noncontact broadband microwave material characterization at low and high temperatures

In this paper, we present a unique approach to wide frequency band high/low temperature dielectric characterization of materials from 8.0 GHz to 110 GHz and the temperature range from -40 to 1500 degree(s)C. Using a HP 8510 XF single connection, single sweep network analyzer along with 3 pairs of spot focused horn lens antennas, it is possible to perform broad band in-situ and real time dielectric characterization of materials. Presently all other methods restrict the measurements either to narrow frequency bands due to sensor/applicator restrictions or difficulties with accurate sample preparation for different frequency bands. This method, based on a microwave beam focused to a measurement plane, is non-contact, so it can be easily adapted for measurements in high temperature and hostile environments. Frequency dependence of the complex dielectric properties of a number of common samples are measured as a function of temperature and frequency, and compared with existing data. This approach can be easily adapted for process monitoring that involves very high or very low temperatures.
A new Ka-band microstrip Y-junction circulator with a ferrite sphere

A novel microstrip circulator with a magnetized ferrite sphere is proposed for millimetre wave communications. A three-dimensional finite difference time-domain (FDTD) approach for the analysis of this ferrite sphere-based microstrip circulator is presented. The electromagnetic fields inside the ferrite junction are calculated by using special updating equations derived from the equation of motion of the magnetization vector and Maxwell's curl equations in consistency. Frequency-dependent insertion loss, isolation and reflection loss of circulator are calculated over a wide band of frequencies with a single FDTD run. Experimental results at the Ka-band are presented and compared with theoretical simulation. Good agreement is found between them.
Analysis and design of microstrip-to-waveguide transitions

A wide band, low insertion loss transition from shielded microstrip line to rectangular waveguide is analyzed by the mode matching method and the cascading procedure using generalized scattering matrices. The transition consists of a discontinuity between a ridge waveguide and the microstrip line and a ridge waveguide impedance transformer. The microstrip eigennodes, including complex modes, are obtained by mode matching method with LSE and LSM mode expansion. The element values of the equivalent circuit for a ridge waveguide step junction is determined from its S-parameters. Computed results of a 17-22 GHz transition agree well with available experimental results. This rigorous approach provides a useful tool for the optimum design of microstrip to air filled waveguide or dielectric filled waveguide transitions. >
Fish Upstream Passage Through Gauging Stations. Experiences With Iberian Barbel in Flat-V Weirs

The monitoring of river discharge is vital for the correct management of water resources. A worldwide facility used for measuring discharge are flat-V gauging weirs. These structures consist of a small weir, with a triangular cross-section and a flat “V”-shaped notch. Their extensive use is a consequence of their utility in the measurement of both low and high flow conditions. However, depending on their size, local morphology and river discharge can act as full or partial hydraulic barriers to fish migration. To give answer to this question, the present work studies fish passage performance over flat-V weirs considering their hydraulic performance. For this, radio-tracking and video monitoring observations were combined with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models in two flat-V weirs, using Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus bocagei) as target species. Results show that fish passage is conditioned by both hydraulic and behavioral processes, providing evidences about the scenarios where flat-V weirs may act as full or partial barriers to upstream movements. For the studied flat-V weirs, a discharge range of 0.27-8 m3/s, with a water drop difference between upstream and downstream water levels lower than 0.7 m and a depth downstream the weir higher than 0.30 m can be considered as an effective passage situation for barbels. These findings are of interest to quantify flat-V weir impacts, for engineering applications and to establish managing or retrofitting actions when required.
Effects of Myrothecium verrucaria on morning-glory (Ipomoea ) species

During field testing of a bioherbicidal strain of the fungus Myrothecium verrucaria (MV) for control of spurges and purslanes in tomato test plots in summer of 2005, we noted extensive damage to volunteer morning-glory ( Ipomoea spp.) seedlings. This observation prompted investigations on the biological control efficacy of MV on various Ipomoea species under a controlled environment. Seven morningglory species [ivyleaf ( Ipomoea hederacea ), moonvine ( Ipomoea turbinate ), palmleaf (Ipomoea wrightii ), pitted ( Ipomoea lacunosa ), multi-color ( Ipomoea tricolor ), moonflower ( Ipomoea alba ), and cypressvine ( Ipomoea quamoclit )] were grown in greenhouse and tested at first to second leaf growth stage. MV spores (10 7 spores mL 1 ) were formulated in Silwet L-77 surfactant (0.2 %, v/v) or an invert emulsion containing this surfactant. Plants were treated either with Silwet (0.2%, v/v) alone (control), invert emulsion plus Silwet, MV plus Silwet, or MV plus Silwet plus invert emulsion via spray application. After application, the plants were placed in a dew chamber (15-18 h) and then transferred to a greenhouse. Plant injury and disease progression were assessed visually and fresh and dry weights were determined at the end of tests (7 days after treatment). Some of these species exhibited more tolerance than others to spray applications of MV plus Silwet, depending on the time after treatment. Compared to MV alone treatments, formulations of MV plus the invert emulsion promoted injury symptomology in pitted and moonvine morning-glories, but caused less disease symptomology than MV alone in palmleaf seedlings. There were no significant differences in disease symptomology of the MV alone and MV plus invert treatments in the other species. Overall, the results indicate some differential injury effects of MV on closely related species, i.e., Ipomoea (morning-glories), and that the invert emulsion can increase the efficacy of MV in certain instances.
Power Efficient, Telemetry-Enabled Position Sensor for Animal Tracking

This thesis describes the design, development and characterisation of an animal position sensor system. It focuses on the implementation of a telemetry system capable of retrieving position data wirelessly. The position sensor electronics weigh only 10 g and utilises the 868MHz frequency band for telemetry. Implementing a solar energy harvesting system, the sensors demonstrated the potential for an indefinite deployable lifetime. With over 300,000 location acquisitions, the static position sensors were found to have a Circular Error Probable (CEP) accuracy of <4m. The telemetry system showed reliable data transmission out to 1 km. However, it is capable of a range of 2.4 km with a clear line of sight. All aspects of the position sensors were developed to be power efficient. The development included details of the hardware circuit design and the software for both the position sensor devices and the base station. Also included is a customised telemetry protocol centred around power efficient strategies. Characterisation and testing of the position sensor included the evaluation of three key factors. The factors investigated were location accuracy, power consumption and the telemetry transmission performance. Finally, future revisions to the position sensor system are detailed, with exciting possibilities from the hardware layer up to the telemetry protocol.