Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An annotated checklist of the amphibians and reptiles of North Padre Island, Texas, USA, with comparisons to adjacent barrier island and mainland herpetofauna

Abstract Padre Island is the world’s longest barrier island and includes the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world. Largely due to harsh environmental conditions and difficult access, only cursory and incomplete checklists and subjective estimates of abundance have been produced. The results of an inventory of amphibians and reptiles of North Padre Island conducted 2002–2020, including the results of extensive field surveys conducted 2002–2003, are reported herein. Natural history museum and iNaturalist records are summarized and compared among North and South Padre and Mustang islands and the mainland portion of the seven counties in which the islands occur. The conservation status of rare species and extirpation of others is noted. The morphology and taxonomic status of some unique occurrences are discussed. Eleven species of amphibians and 39 species of reptiles presently occur or have occurred naturally or as introduced or accidental species on North Padre Island. Twelve species of amphibians and 50 species of reptiles occur or have occurred on North Padre, South Padre, and Mustang islands. Thirty-one species of amphibians and 93 species of reptiles have been reported from the seven counties in which the islands occur.
Two-phase neural network based modelling framework of constrained economic load dispatch

A two-phase optimisation neural network based modelling framework and a solution technique is proposed for solving the economic load dispatch problem in large-scale systems. The method is based on the solution of a set of differential equations obtained from transformation of an augmented Lagrangian energy function. The main objective is to minimise the total cost of generation while meeting the load demand and satisfying a number of constraints like power balance, unit generation limits, maximum ramp-rate limits, network losses and prohibited zone avoidance. It compares the proposed technique with the lambda iteration and genetic algorithm methods while investigating its applicability to large-scale power systems. The technique has shown the potential for achieving improved and feasible results with proper selection of control parameters.
Wideband three-way out-of-phase microstrip power divider

A wideband three-way out-of-phase microstrip power divider based on the wideband phase inverter is presented. The measured return loss is <−10 dB and the isolations are better than −19 dB from 2.5 to 5.37 GHz. The insertion losses are <0.6 dB, and the output amplitude imbalances are <0.9 dB. The phase differences (ang(S41)–ang(S42)) are within 180 ± 6°. The operation bandwidth of the proposed design achieves about 73.4% efficiency.
A Simple Control Strategy Based on Trajectory Planning for Vertical Acrobot

This paper presents a simple control method on the basis of the trajectory planning for vertical Acrobot to accomplish the control goal of moving the system from the downward initial position (DIP) and steadying the system at the upward target position (UTP). First, for the active link, we frame a trajectory that contains some adjustable parameters. Along the framed trajectory, we can make the active link stabilize at its end angle from its start angle. Furthermore, we change the trajectory parameters to make the passive link also arrive at the zone near the end angle. Next, we devise a PD-based tracking controller to track this planned trajectory. In this way, the vertical Acrobot is swung up to a small zone near the UTP. Then, from the approximate linear model at the UTP, we devise a stabilization controller to stabilize the vertical Acrobot at the UTP. Finally, we implement the simulation to show the validity of the proposed method.
A steady state drain current technique for generation and recombination lifetime measurement in the SOI MOSFET

A new steady state drain current technique is developed for both the generation and recombination lifetime extraction in the fully-depleted (FD) SOI MOSFET. At all times during the measurement, the device has one silicon surface maintained in strong accumulation, and the other surface in strong inversion. The accumulation layer is modulated with a negative ramp voltage applied to the gate, so that more holes are demanded by the accumulation layer (n-channel enhancement MOSFET). When the demand for the additional holes cannot be met by generation in the bulk of the silicon film, electrons from the inversion region have to be expelled, resulting in a decrease in the external drain current. The drain current saturates when the rate of demand for additional holes is balanced by the rate of hole generation. From the measured saturation drain current, together with the given ramp rate, the generation lifetime can be easily determined. A positive ramp voltage is used to extract recombination lifetime. As a nonpulse technique, only steady state parameters are measured. The technique has the added advantage of simplicity in the interpretation of the results.
A Step-by-Step Design for Low-Pass Input Filter of the Single-Stage Converter

Active power factor correction converters are often introduced as the front stage of power electronic equipment to improve the power factor and eliminate higher harmonics. A Boost or Buck-Boost converter operating in discontinuous current mode is always adopted to achieve high power factor correction. In addition, the input current contains a large amount of higher harmonics, and a low-pass input filter is commonly adopted to filter it out. In this paper, a single-stage high-frequency AC/AC converter is taken as an example to demonstrate the design method of a passive low-pass filter. Firstly, the input side of the grid needs to meet the power factor and harmonic requirements. The preset parameters are set to a range to characterize the performance of the LC filter. The quantitative design method of input filter is proposed and summarized. Moreover, the sensitivity of the filter parameters is analyzed, providing a direction in practical applications. Preset parameters are all proved to conform to the preset range through PSIM simulation. Finally, a 130-W prototype is established to verify the correction of proposed design method. The power factor is around 0.935 and harmonic content in the input current is about 26.4%. All requirements can be satisfied.
Improved Analytical Estimate of Global CTE Mismatch Displacement in Areal-Array Solder Joints

An analytical expression is derived for determining the maximum solder joint shearing displacement occurring in an areal-array interconnect under global CTE mismatch loading. The result may be viewed as a “load correction factor,” to be applied to the commonly used estimate which is based on the free thermal expansion of component and substrate. The new expression for the correction factor includes the following parameters: (a) dimensions and material properties of component and substrate, (b) array size and population, (c) material properties of solder, and (d) geometric parameters of the individual joints. The theoretical result is based on modeling the assembly as two circular elastic disks connected by a shear-type “elastic foundation” whose distributed shear stiffness is related to the joint/array characteristics. The analytical expression and the graphical aids presented herein may provide convenient alternatives to performing time-consuming and expensive finite element “macro-analyses” on the assembly for the purpose of specifying boundary conditions for a subsequent “micro-analysis” on a single joint.
Development and Validation of a Prognostic N6-Methyladenosine-Related Immune Gene Signature for Lung Adenocarcinoma

Purpose The prognostic value of an N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation-related immune gene signature for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) was investigated. Patients and Methods Gene expression and clinical phenotype data of LUAD patients were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. A list of immune-related genes was retrieved from the InnateDB database. Correlation analysis, survival analysis, and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed. After allocating patients into a high-risk or a low-risk group, the corresponding survival rates, immune microenvironment, expression of immune checkpoint genes, and modulation of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were examined. Finally, the expression levels of prognostic biomarkers were assessed in the GSE126044 dataset. Results Seven m6A-related immune prognostic genes were identified. High expression of PSMD10P1, DIDO1, ABCA5, and CIITA was associated with high survival rates, while that of PRC1, ZWILCH, and ANLN was associated with low survival rates. The high- and low-risk groups showed significant differences in terms of the abundance of six tumor-infiltrating immune cell types and expression of 12 immune checkpoint genes. The risk group acted as an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio = 0.398, 95% confidence interval = 0.217–0.729, P = 0.003). Finally, the developed nomogram could predict most efficiently the 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival probability of LUAD patients with a C-index of 0.833. Conclusion A seven-gene risk signature, associated with the immune microenvironment in LUAD, showed independent prognostic value.
Deep CNN based microaneurysm-haemorrhage classification in retinal images considering local neighbourhoods

ABSTRACT Retinal image characteristics can be utilised for early diagnosis of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR). The earliest symptom of DR is the presence of microaneurysm and haemorrhage in retinal fundus images. A computerised classification system can increase the effectiveness of the large volume screening process of retinal images. In this paper, a deep convolutional neural network-based pixel classification approach has been presented where the models, trained on online public datasets, are used for symptom level classification of the fundus images, collected from patient data of a local state hospital. The method achieves average values of sensitivity of 0.4556, specificity of 0.8395 and accuracy of 0.8341 on the local dataset. The CNN did not require exhaustive training with a large number of images as symptom level training was performed on annotated overlapping patches. The average classification time is 0.7275 sec/image. The results in terms of classification metrics and in terms of execution time requirement are very encouraging when compared with different recently developed classification methods and as per the simplicity of the method is concerned.
Optimal Measurement Configuratioiis for Gough Platform Calibration

The robustness of robot calibration with respect to sensor noise is sensitive to the manipulator poses used to collect measurement data. The present paper proposes an algorithm based on a constrained optimization method which allows one to choose an set of measurement configurations. It works by selecting iteratively one pose after another inside the workspace, and after a few steps a set of N configurations is obtained which maximizes an index of observability associated to the parameter Jacobian. Our algorithm converges to a set of poses that are localized at the boundary of the articular workspace. Finally, a validation through simulation of a calibration experience shows that selected configurations improve significatively the kinematic parameters identification by dividing by 10 to 15 the noise associated to the results.
An angle of attack-based derailment criterion for wheel flange climbing

A three-dimensional equilibrium model of a wheelset is created that takes the geometrical contact and non-linear creep force between the wheel and rail into account. This model can thus be used to study derailment conditions during flange climbing. To ensure the validity of Nadal’s criterion at small and negative angles of attack, the effects of the angle of attack and friction coefficient on an “equivalent friction coefficient”, which is defined as the ratio of the lateral creep force to the normal force, are studied. Using the results of the wheelset equilibrium equation, two curve-fitted formulas for the equivalent friction coefficient are generated in terms of the angle of attack and friction coefficient using, respectively, the Shen–Hedrick–Elkins creep theory and FASTSIM approach. A derailment criterion is proposed based on the curve-fitted equivalent friction coefficients, which takes the angle of attack, friction coefficient and contact angle into consideration. The effectiveness of the proposed criterion is verified through numerical comparisons with wheelset equilibrium equations for different contact angles and friction coefficients, and through experimental comparisons with scaled tests made by Japanese National Railways and full-scale field testing at the Transportation Technology Center, Inc.
DO VKORC1 AND CYP2C9 MUTATIONS LEAD TO WARFARIN RESISTANCE?

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of VKORC1 and CYP2C9 polymorphisms on warfarin resistant patients. Warfarin resistance is described as the inability to prolong the prothrombin time or raise the INR up to the 2 therapeutic range when the drug is given at typically doses. Polymorphisms may play a role as some VKORC1 and CYP2C9 variant alleles are known to be associated with these circumstances. 28 patients who were taking warfarin more than 15 mg/day and had INR values below 2.1 and had thromboembolic events while using warfarin were enrolled in this study. Heterozygote mutation in the VKORC1 gene was identified in 15 of 28 patients. Seven patients had heterozygote mutation of the CYP2C9 gene, and that may correspond to the ultrarapid metabolism of warfarin. VKORC1 and CYP2C9 polymorphism contribute to the difference in dose requirement amongst the patients, but other additional possible factors may play a role in different races. We suggest that medicians may use this tests before starting warfarin therapy and shape the treatment course according to this results.
Improved transient and steady‐state performance of series resonant ZCS high‐frequency inverter‐coupled voltage multiplier converter with dual mode PFM control scheme

A variety of switched‐mode high‐voltage DC power supplies using voltage‐fed‐type or current‐fed‐type high‐frequency transformer resonant inverters with MOS gate bipolar power transistors (IGBTs) have been recently developed for medical‐use X‐ray high power generators. In general, the high‐voltage high‐power X‐ray generator using voltage‐fed high‐frequency inverter with a high‐voltage transformer link has to meet some performances such as (i) short rising period in start transient of X‐ray tube voltage, (ii) no overshoot transient response in tube voltage, (iii) minimized voltage ripple in periodic steady‐state under extremely wide load variations and filament heater current fluctuation conditions of the X‐ray tube.
Analysis of a short-stroke, single-phase, quasi-Halbach magnetised tubular permanent magnet motor for linear compressor applications

The analysis of a novel single-phase, short-stroke, reciprocating tubular motor with a quasi-Halbach magnetised moving-magnet armature is described. The motor was developed for applications such as linear compressors. The magnetic field distribution, the back-emf and the thrust force of the motor are established analytically in the cylindrical co-ordinate system, and predictions are compared with results derived from finite-element (FE) analysis. It is shown that the difference between the analytical and FE predicted average emf (thrust force) over the operating stroke of 0.01 m is <5%. The analysis and the emf and thrust force predictions are validated by measurements.
Study and Analysis of Simple and Precise of Contact Resistance Single-Transistor Extracting Method for Accurate Analytical Modeling of OTFTs Current-Voltage Characteristics: Application to Different Organic Semiconductors

Contact resistance (Rc) characterizes the interface of source-drain electrodes/organic semiconductors and controls the injection efficiency of carriers in organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs). This research paper presents and assesses two methods for extracting the value of the contact resistance from the measured current-voltage characteristics of OTFTs made with various p-type organic semiconductors as active layers. These two methods are the transition voltage method (TVM) and the transfer line method (TLM). The obtained Rc values by the TVM method are in fair agreement with those obtained by TLM, with a maximum percentage of difference around 10%, demonstrating the accuracy of the used transition-voltage method. An analytical model was employed to calculate output characteristics in the linear regime of OTFTs made with various organic semiconductors using the contact resistance values obtained by the transition voltage method. The calculated results are in reasonably good agreement with the experimental ones of each fabricated device, which affirms the ability of the used model to characterize the charge transport correctly in these types of devices. It can be concluded that the used TVM method is not only an easy and practical method, but also a precise way for extracting Rc in OTFTs produced using different organic semiconductor materials.
Features Of Islamic And Traditional Banking In Dual Banking Systems

Banking development implies many changes and transformations, which concern not only the activities of financial institutions, but also creating new models of financial transactions. One such model is the Islamic Financial Management System. For the last 30 years, it has been actively developed. Current trends in the development of financial markets and the banking system involve many factors that contribute to the volatility of the economic system both at the level of the global economy and within the national borders. The Islamic financial services industry has repeatedly reflected the more stable dynamics of its development and the presence of a more sustained response to negative and crisis effects of external factors of the global economic turbulence. Accordingly, the relevance of the study on the development and efficiency of the Islamic finance industry is increasing. This purpose of this study is to identify and systematize the main approaches to compare the performance of the two financial models. The study revealed that the Islamic bank differs from traditional banking institutions in both the specifics of individual states and the architecture of national banking systems, and similar identical characteristics that indicate an insignificant difference in the effectiveness and sustainability of the two models.
Data-Driven Quality Prediction of Batch Processes Based on Minimal-Redundancy-Maximal-Relevance Integrated Convolutional Neural Network

For batch processes that are extensively applied in modern industry and characterized by nonlinearity and dynamics, quality prediction is significant to obtain high-quality products and maintain production safety. However, some quality variables and key performance indicators are difficult to measure online. In addition, the mechanism-based model for batch processes is usually tough to acquire due to the strong nonlinearity and dynamics, which makes quality prediction a challenge. With the accumulation of historical process data, data-driven methods for quality prediction gain increasing attention, among which convolutional neural network (CNN) is quite successful for its automatic feature extraction of nonlinear features from raw data. Considering that most CNN-based methods mainly take the variety of extracted features into account and ignore the redundancy between them, this paper introduces the minimal-redundancy-maximal-relevance algorithm to select features obtained by original CNN and further improves it with a feature selection layer to form the proposed method referred as mRMR-CNN. Then, a quality prediction model is established based on mRMR-CNN and the effectiveness of it is verified on the penicillin fermentation process, where the proposed method shows remarkable performance.
Menopausal Symptoms, Postural Balance, and Functional Mobility in Middle-Aged Postmenopausal Women

The aim of the present study was to determine the associations between the severity of the menopausal symptoms and postural balance and functional mobility in middle-aged postmenopausal women. A cross-sectional study was performed (171 participants, 57.18 ± 4.68 years). Severity of the menopausal symptoms (on the Menopause Rating Scale), postural balance (stabilometric platform) with eyes open and closed, and functional mobility (timed up and go test) were determined. A multivariate linear regression was performed, with body mass index, waist to hip ratio, age and fall history as possible confounders. Our findings showed that a greater severity of the menopausal symptoms at a psychological level was associated, under both eyes open and closed conditions, with worse postural control assessed by the length of the stabilogram (adjusted R2 = 0.093 and 0.91, respectively), the anteroposterior center of pressure displacements (adjusted R2 = 0.051 and 0.031, respectively) and the center of pressure velocity (adjusted R2 = 0.065 for both conditions). Older age was related to greater mediolateral displacements of the center of pressure with eyes open and closed (adjusted R2 = 0.45 and 0.58, respectively). There were no associations between the menopausal symptoms’ severity and functional mobility. We can conclude that a greater severity of psychological menopausal symptoms was independently associated with worse postural balance in middle-aged postmenopausal women.
Germanium and InGaAs/InP SPADs for single-photon detection in the near-infrared

Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs) for near-infrared (800-1700 nm) wavelengths can be manufactured both in InGaAs/InP and in germanium. Recently, new InGaAs/InP SPADs became commercially available with good overall performances, but with the intrinsic bottleneck of strong afterpulsing effect, originated in the InP multiplication layer. At present, germanium technology is not exploited for single-photon detectors, but previous devices demonstrate lower afterpulsing even at very low temperatures and promising dark count rate when employing pure manufacturing process. In this work, we compare germanium and InGaAs/InP SPADs in terms of dark counts, afterpulsing, timing jitter, and quantum efficiency. Eventually, we highlight the motivations for considering germanium as a key material for single-photon counting in the NIR.