Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Limit cycles in periodically switched circuits

Examines the existence, uniqueness, and stability of limit cycles in periodically switched circuits, such as those used in power electronic and power conditioning applications. The main results relate the existence and uniqueness of limit cycles in these switched circuits to the analogous properties of equilibrium points in nonswitched averaged models for these circuits. The results are applicable to two types of circuits. First, the author considers circuits built from incrementally passive (or locally passive) elements including DC sources and ideal switches in which the switches are operated periodically in an open-loop manner. Second, the author introduces an averaging procedure based on the describing function method. This procedure is then used to study limit cycle stability in closed-loop DC-DC converters. <<ETX>>
Innovative Collaborative Method for Interaction between a Human Operator and Robotic Manipulator Using Pointing Gestures

The concept of “Industry 4.0” relies heavily on the utilization of collaborative robotic applications. As a result, the need for an effective, natural, and ergonomic interface arises, as more workers will be required to work with robots. Designing and implementing natural forms of human–robot interaction (HRI) is key to ensuring efficient and productive collaboration between humans and robots. This paper presents a gestural framework for controlling a collaborative robotic manipulator using pointing gestures. The core principle lies in the ability of the user to send the robot’s end effector to the location towards, which he points to by his hand. The main idea is derived from the concept of so-called “linear HRI”. The framework utilizes a collaborative robotic arm UR5e and the state-of-the-art human body tracking sensor Leap Motion. The user is not required to wear any equipment. The paper describes the overview of the framework’s core method and provides the necessary mathematical background. An experimental evaluation of the method is provided, and the main influencing factors are identified. A unique robotic collaborative workspace called Complex Collaborative HRI Workplace (COCOHRIP) was designed around the gestural framework to evaluate the method and provide the basis for the future development of HRI applications.
High Boost Ratio Hybrid Transformer DC–DC Converter for Photovoltaic Module Applications

This paper presents a nonisolated, high boost ratio hybrid transformer dc–dc converter with applications for low-voltage renewable energy sources. The proposed converter utilizes a hybrid transformer to transfer the inductive and capacitive energy simultaneously, achieving a high boost ratio with a smaller sized magnetic component. As a result of incorporating the resonant operation mode into the traditional high boost ratio pulsewidth modulation converter, the turn-off loss of the switch is reduced, increasing the efficiency of the converter under all load conditions. The input current ripple and conduction losses are also reduced because of the hybrid linear-sinusoidal input current waveforms. The voltage stresses on the active switch and diodes are maintained at a low level and are independent of the changing input voltage over a wide range as a result of the resonant capacitor transferring energy to the output of the converter. The effectiveness of the proposed converter was experimentally verified using a 220-W prototype circuit. Utilizing an input voltage ranging from 20 to 45 V and a load range of 30–220 W, the experimental results show system of efficiencies greater than 96% with a peak efficiency of 97.4% at 35-V input, 160-W output. Due to the high system efficiency and the ability to operate with a wide variable input voltage, the proposed converter is an attractive design for alternative low dc voltage energy sources, such as solar photovoltaic modules and fuel cells.
A Study on the Acceptance and Use of Handheld E-Book Readers

This paper proposes a new model to test the technology acceptance model which proposed by Davis in order to study the influence factors on acceptance and use of handheld e-book readers. The main conclusions are as follows: 1.There are significant correlation between self-efficacy and usefulness, without significant correlation between self-efficacy and other variables; 2.There are significant correlation between product feature and intention to use, without significant correlation between product feature and other variables; 3.There are significant correlation between usefulness and ease of use as well as intention to use, without significant correlation between usefulness and other variables; 4.There are significant correlation between ease of use and usefulness, without significant correlation between ease of use and other variables; 5. There are no significant correlation among intention to use, self-efficacy, product feature, usefulness and ease of use.
Atmospheric Iron and Aluminium Deposition and Sea-Surface Dissolved Iron and Aluminium Concentrations in the South China Sea off Malaysia Borneo (Sarawak Waters)

South China Sea (SCS) is an oligotrophic sea which usually receives low nutrients supply. However, massive atmospheric dust input was occurred during the haze event in Southeast Asia for almost every year. The input of dissolved iron (DFe) and dissolved aluminium (DAl) from dust and nearby land into SCS off Sarawak Borneo region during the worst haze event in 2015 of the Southeast Asia were investigated. The estimation dust deposition during this study was 0.162 mg/m2/yr. The atmospheric fluxes of total Fe and total Al at the offshore Sarawak waters were 0.611 µmol/m2/yr and 2.03 µmol/m2/yr, respectively, where the readily available dissolved Fe and Al from the dust were 0.11 µmol/m2/yr (DFe) and 0.31 µmol/m2/yr (DAl). Fe has higher solubility (17.78%) than Al (15.21%). The lateral fluxes (e.g. from the nearby land) were 37.08 nmol/m2/yr (DFe) and 125 nmol/m2/yr (DAl), with strong Fe organic ligand class L1 (log K:22.43 – 24.33). High concentrations of DFe and DAl at the surface water of the offshore region, coincided with high concentration of macronutrients due to the prevailing south-westerly winds originated from the west Kalimantan. Low residence times, ~0.92 (DFe) and ~1.31 (DAl) years, corresponded well with DAlexcess in surface seawater due to biological utilization of DFe. Future works emphasize on natural organic Fe(III) ligands and phytoplankton study are needed for better understanding on biogeochemistry of Fe and Al at SCS off Malaysia Borneo.
Addressing Uncertainty about Future Airport Activity Levels in Airport Decision Making

This report provides a guidebook on how to develop air traffic forecasts in the face of a broad range of uncertainties. It is targeted at airport operators, planners, designers, and other stakeholders involved in planning, managing, and financing of airports, and it provides a systems analysis methodology that augments standard master planning and strategic planning approaches. This methodology includes a set of tools for improving the understanding and application of risk and uncertainty in air traffic forecasts as well as for increasing overall effectiveness of airport planning and decision making. In developing the guidebook, the research team studied existing methods used in traditional master planning as well as methods that directly address risk and uncertainty, and based on that fundamental research, they created a straightforward and transparent systems analysis methodology for expanding and improving traditional planning practices, applicable through a wide range of airport sizes. The methods presented were tested through a series of case study applications that also helped to identify additional opportunities for future research and long-term enhancements.
Natural Course of Acute Primary Angle Closure without Subsequent Medical Treatment after Surgical Resolution of an Acute Episode

Acute primary angle closure (APAC) is caused by a sudden obstruction of aqueous humor outflow resulting from contact between the trabecular meshwork and the iris without other pathological factors. A sudden increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) can cause severe blurred vision, headache, nausea and/or vomiting, severe eye pain and red eye. Although APAC is regarded as an ophthalmic emergency that can be sight-threatening, it is less likely to cause vision loss if treated properly in a timely manner. Despite timely treatment, however, patients may experience progressive long-term optic nerve damage after an acute episode of APAC. The mechanism underlying progressive damage has not yet been determined, nor has the treatment strategy to halt such progression. Because the only proven way to delay glaucomatous progression is to 급성기 발작의 수술적 치료 후 후속치료를 받지 않은 급성 일차 전방각폐쇄의 자연 경과
Electrical and Structural Properties of Multioriented Thin Film PZT Deposited at Room Temperature by RF-PVD

As PZT target are prepared from solid solution method. The perovskit phase evolution is investigated in this paper by DRX at different temperatures in order to show crystallization, morphology and structure of lead zirconate ceramics (PZT) target. Samples were deposited at room temperature on Aluminum (Al) and silicon (Si) substrates, and then heat-treated in a tabular furnace at 200 and 400°C during 30 min under atmospheric pressure. The films characterization were done glancing incidences X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) analysis with Fe Kα radiation (l=1.936Å ) at glancing angle of 1.5°for crystallographic characteristics; and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-Zeiss ultra plus) in Ultra-High resolution imaging to observe surfaces morphology and cross-sections of thin films.We present in this paper a x-ray diffraction analysis, showing that as-deposited PZT films depend strongly on substrate nature, it presents an amorphous structure and nanocrystallizes in a pure perovskite phase PbZr0.44Ti0. 56O3 when it was deposited on Al substrate (followed by thermal treatement at 400°C). Ferroelectrics and piezoelectric properties are showed using Sawyer Tower circuit and impulsionel test respectively.
Issues of Safety and Security: New Challenging to Malaysia Tourism Industry

The safety and security issues nowadays become one of the forces causing changes in tourism industry in era of millennium. The main concern of this issues more focus on crime rates, terrorism, food safety, health issues and natural disaster. This topic gained the popularity in tourism research after 9/11 tragedy and since then the academicians and practitioners started seeking the best solution in ways to mitigate these negative impacts. For Malaysia, the image as safety and secure destination was tarnished a few years lately and new unfortunates incident in this year bring more damage to Malaysia image. Healthy issues, terrorism, Lahad Datu intrusion, repeated kidnapping and shooting in Sabah, twin airlines incident, riot and illegal demonstration and false reporting by international media brings new challenging to Malaysia. Although some incident may be had short-term impact to Malaysia tourism industry, but it’s still gave the big impact to Malaysia branding process. Many travellers and Malaysian itself still believe that Malaysia is a one of safer destination and country to visit and stayed in, but more outstanding efforts was require to make sure Malaysia tourism industry was capable to recover from this negative impact as soon as possible.
Challenges of an Emerging Disease: The Evolving Approach to Diagnosing Devil Facial Tumour Disease

Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) is an emerging infectious disease that provides an excellent example of how diagnostic techniques improve as disease-specific knowledge is generated. DFTD manifests as tumour masses on the faces of Tasmanian devils, first noticed in 1996. As DFTD became more prevalent among devils, karyotyping of the lesions and their devil hosts demonstrated that DFTD was a transmissible cancer. The subsequent routine diagnosis relied on microscopy and histology to characterise the facial lesions as cancer cells. Combined with immunohistochemistry, these techniques characterised the devil facial tumours as sarcomas of neuroectodermal origin. More sophisticated molecular methods identified the origin of DFTD as a Schwann cell, leading to the Schwann cell-specific protein periaxin to discriminate DFTD from other facial lesions. After the discovery of a second facial cancer (DFT2), cytogenetics and the absence of periaxin expression confirmed the independence of the new cancer from DFT1 (the original DFTD). Molecular studies of the two DFTDs led to the development of a PCR assay to differentially diagnose the cancers. Proteomics and transcriptomic studies identified different cell phenotypes among the two DFTD cell lines. Phenotypic differences were also reflected in proteomics studies of extracellular vesicles (EVs), which yielded an early diagnostic marker that could detect DFTD in its latent stage from serum samples. A mesenchymal marker was also identified that could serve as a serum-based differential diagnostic. The emergence of two transmissible cancers in one species has provided an ideal opportunity to better understand transmissible cancers, demonstrating how fundamental research can be translated into applicable and routine diagnostic techniques.
Compact wideband bandpass filter using fish spear‐shaped multimode resonator

A compact wide‐band pass filter (BPF) with sharp band rejection characteristics and wide upper stopband is presented in this article. The proposed bandpass filter is designed using a fish spear‐shaped multimode resonator (MMR). This fish spear‐shaped MMR has four arms and have five resonant modes, out of which three are even modes and the remaining two modes are odd. These modes lie in the wide frequency spectrum and they are used to realize the wideband passband of the filter. These five modes are brought closer by optimizing the dimensions of fish spear‐shaped MMR to get the desired passband. To improve out‐of band performance, a stepped impedance resonator is added at the central plane. The proposed wideband BPF filter have fractional bandwidth better than 85%. Moreover, to verify the proposed concept the designed filter is fabricated and measured. The measured bandwidth of proposed filter is 6.82 GHz and is from 2.55 to 9.37 GHz with an insertion loss of 2 dB. The measured return loss of the filter is better than 10 dB in the entire designed wideband. Measured results are validated with the simulated results. The group delay variation is less than 0.25 ns. A wide stopband with 15 dB attenuation is extended up to 20 GHz is obtained. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2833–2837, 2015
THE INFLUENCE OF A NON-RIGID BAFFLE ON INTERMODAL RADIATION IMPEDANCES OF A FLUID-LOADED BILAMINAR PLATE

Abstract Theoretical formulae for intermodal radiation impedances (including self- and interaction radiation impedances) are derived for a bilaminar rectangular plate which is mounted on a non-rigid baffle and immersed in a fluid. Green function and Fourier transform methods are used to solve the governing vibration equation. Numerical calculations of the intermodal radiation impedances of a square plate are presented for different baffle impedances, and the effects of baffle impedance on the acoustic radiation impedance are discussed. The results show that intermodal radiation impedances are strongly dependent on the baffle impedance. For different baffles, the frequency characteristics of the intermodal radiation impedances vary. For certain baffle impedances they are highly frequency dependent at low frequencies but asymptotically approach a constant at high frequency. It is concluded that it is possible, by means of a judicious choice of baffle material, to control sound radiation in the near field.
Robust Real-Time Traffic Surveillance with Deep Learning

Real-time vehicle monitoring in highways, roads, and streets may provide useful data both for infrastructure planning and for traffic management in general. Even though it is a classic research area in computer vision, advances in neural networks for object detection and classification, especially in the last years, made this area even more appealing due to the effectiveness of these methods. This study presents TrafficSensor, a system that employs deep learning techniques for automatic vehicle tracking and classification on highways using a calibrated and fixed camera. A new traffic image dataset was created to train the models, which includes real traffic images in poor lightning or weather conditions and low-resolution images. The proposed system consists mainly of two modules, first one responsible of vehicle detection and classification and a second one for vehicle tracking. For the first module, several neural models were tested and objectively compared, and finally, the YOLOv3 and YOLOv4-based network trained on the new traffic dataset were selected. The second module combines a simple spatial association algorithm with a more sophisticated KLT (Kanade–Lucas–Tomasi) tracker to follow the vehicles on the road. Several experiments have been conducted on challenging traffic videos in order to validate the system with real data. Experimental results show that the proposed system is able to successfully detect, track, and classify vehicles traveling on a highway on real time.
An experimental analysis of the dieless drawing process (Variant B) using ELI grade Ti-6AL-4V wire alloy

Dieless drawing is a novel forming process which enables a workpiece to be reduced in a cross-sectional area without using conventional multipass dies. This paper reports on a series of dieless drawing (Variant B) experiments on ELI grade Ti-6AL-4V. A sample of the titanium alloy wire was fixed at one end and loaded in tension by the application of a specific velocity, V 1, at the other end. Simultaneously, a heating and cooling device travelled along the longitudinal length of the sample with a velocity V 2. The deformation process utilized the mechanics of superplasticity to take advantage of the reduction in flow stress caused by the temperature increase. First, the suitability of ELI Ti-6AL-4V to the process of dieless wire drawing was considered by determining the materials strain rate sensitivity index m, the measure of a material's ability to deform in a superplastic manner. It was determined that this material had an m value of 0.45 within a narrow strain rate band of 10-4—10-2 /s at a temperature of 950 °C. Second, a comprehensive series of experiments was carried out to determine the dieless drawing variables of Variant B. Results indicated that the dieless drawing process is capable of producing up to 40 per cent reductions per pass but the process is dependent upon both the ratio of V 1/V 2 and the separation distance between the heating and cooling devices, S. It was also established that there was a direct relationship between the wire diameter variation (maximum—minimum wire-drawn diameter) and the V 1/V 2 ratio. The experimentally determined results showed good agreement with a mathematical model proposed by Gliga and Canta. A mathematical analysis was undertaken to determine the temperature distribution within the heated sample.
Cis-9, Trans-11 CLA Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Depression of Fatty Acid Synthesis by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Autophagy in Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the dominating endotoxin of Gram-negative bacteria, which can cause mastitis. Bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs), as major components of the mammary gland, usually suffer LPS challenge. Cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been reported to have anti-inflammatory characteristics, while its anti-oxidative ability to maintain cellular homeostasis in BMECs under LPS challenge is limited. Therefore, we studied whether cis-9, trans-11 CLA can restore the disturbance of cellular homeostasis indicated by the redox status and autophagy level caused by LPS and have an effect on cellular function- milk fat metabolism. For oxidative stress, LPS challenge promoted the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and decreased the concentration of glutathione. Anti-oxidative signaling regulated by transcription factor nuclear factor, erythroid 2 like 2 (Nrf2) was also depressed by LPS at the mRNA and protein level. However, cis-9, trans-11 CLA pretreatment downregulated the formation of ROS and TBARS and upregulated the expression of antioxidative enzymes. As a part of innate immunity, autophagy was also motivated by LPS challenge, while CLA decreased the autophagy level. LPS and H2O2 inhibited milk fat synthesis-related transcription factor sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP1), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARG) and their downstream enzymes. Furthermore, 50 uM cis-9, trans-11 CLA promoted the mRNA and protein abundance of milk fat synthesis-related genes and lipid droplet formation in BMECs. In conclusion, LPS challenge disturbed the cellular homeostasis and depressed milk fat synthesis in BMECs; while cis-9, trans-11 CLA alleviated oxidative stress and decreased autophagy level, thus promoting milk fat synthesis, which offers a natural therapeutic strategy for mastitis.
Simulation of Carbon Exchange from a Permafrost Peatland in the Great Hing’an Mountains Based on CoupModel

Climate change is accelerating its impact on northern ecosystems. Northern peatlands store a considerable amount of C, but their response to climate change remains highly uncertain. In order to explore the feedback of a peatland in the Great Hing’an Mountains to future climate change, we simulated the response of the overall net ecosystem exchange (NEE), ecosystem respiration (ER), and gross primary production (GPP) during 2020–2100 under three representative concentration pathways (RCP2.6, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5). Under the RCP2.6 and RCP6.0 scenarios, the carbon sink will increase slightly until 2100. Under the RCP8.5 scenario, the carbon sink will follow a trend of gradual decrease after 2053. These results show that when meteorological factors, especially temperature, reach a certain degree, the carbon source/sink of the peatland ecosystem will be converted. In general, although the peatland will remain a carbon sink until the end of the 21st century, carbon sinks will decrease under the influence of climate change. Our results indicate that in the case of future climate warming, with the growing seasons experiencing overall dryer and warmer environments and changes in vegetation communities, peatland NEE, ER, and GPP will increase and lead to the increase in ecosystem carbon accumulation.
E-Book Based on Local Wisdom to Improve Students’ Numeracy Skill: Is It Effective?

21st-century technology in education makes it straightforward for teachers to support students for independent learning. Technology facilitates students to access information, create innovations, and increase student interest in learning. Previous studies proffered that better learning outcomes were achieved by students who used e-books than those with regular printed books. This quasi-experimental study tested the effectiveness of e-book based on local wisdom in improving students’ numeracy skill. This study used a non-equivalent groups design. The sample was seventh-grade secondary school students. An experiment class comprised 30 students and a control class involved 32 students. The experimental class used the local wisdom-based e-book in learning mathematics. Meanwhile, the control class did not use the local wisdom-based e-book in learning mathematics. The two classes were taught the same lesson of social arithmetic. The sample selection used random cluster sampling. The employed instrument was a numeracy test for pretest and posttest. It was validated, tried out, and analyzed to determine the feasibility before the test. This study shows that the students’ mean scores of the experimental class are greater than the control class. It was deduced that the use of e-book based on local wisdom is effective since it could improve students’ numeracy skill.