Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High-dv/dt-Immune Fine-Controlled Parameter-Adaptive Synchronous Gate Driving for GaN-Based Secondary Rectifier in EV Onboard Charger

<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$LLC$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$CLLC$ </tex-math></inline-formula> resonant converters are good candidates for the isolated dc–dc stage in electric vehicle (EV) onboard chargers (OBCs) due to their capability of achieving zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) at full load range. The synchronous rectifier (SR) is usually utilized to reduce the conduction loss and improve the system efficiency compared with the conventional diode bridge rectifier. In this article, a high-dv/dt-immune, fine-controlled, and parameter-adaptive gate driving scheme is presented for GaN-based SR in EV OBCs. A novel self-driven SR drain-to-source voltage sensing circuit is proposed. The circuit provides a low-impedance bypassing path for the displacement current induced by the high dv/dt, which addresses the overvoltage and oscillation issues for the controller input. The detailed operating principles and the design considerations of the novel sensing circuit are discussed as well. Moreover, the adaptive SR ON-time tuning algorithm is implemented, which avoids the influence from the loop stray inductance and the propagation delay in the path and reaches the SR zero-current turn-off moment with fine accuracy. A 3.3-kW, 500-kHz <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$CLLC$ </tex-math></inline-formula> resonant converter prototype is built to validate the proposed SR gate driving scheme. With the employment of the proposed gate driving scheme, the SR almost achieves zero-current turn-off for the whole operating frequency range. The prototype demonstrates the peak efficiency of 97.6% and the power density of 130 W/in<sup>3</sup>.
Complementary Bidding and the Collusive Arrangement: Evidence from an Antitrust Investigation

A number of recent papers have proposed that a pattern of isolated winning bids may be associated with collusion. In contrast, others have suggested that bid clustering, especially of the two lowest bids, is indicative of collusion. In this paper, we present evidence from an actual procurement cartel uncovered during an anticollusion investigation that reconciles these two points of view and shows that both patterns arise naturally together as part of a cartel arrangement featuring complementary bidding. Using a difference-in-difference approach, we compare the extent of winning-bid isolation and clustering of bids in Montreal's asphalt industry before and after the investigation to patterns over the same time span in Quebec City, whose asphalt industry has not been the subject of collusion allegations. Our findings provide causal evidence that the collusive arrangement featured both clustering and isolation. We use information from testimony of alleged participants in the cartels to explain how these two seemingly contradictory patterns can be harmonized.
AI and Robotics (AIR) Solution Validation Platform

For Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics (R) solutions to achieve mass adoption across industries, impartial performance evaluation to establish trustworthiness is fundamental, before the AIR technology field can progress to the governance stage with a set of industry-accepted best practices and enforceable regulatory frameworks. Currently, there is a disconnect between the solution seekers and solution providers of AIR technology due to different foci – solution providers are primarily concerned with the science and capabilities of the technology, while solution seekers are looking at outcomes. The technology is stuck in the bind of requiring regulation but not yet reaching the regulation stage due to the missing link of independent performance evaluation. Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation has become the first in the world to establish an AIR Validation Platform as an independent third-party performance evaluation tool to address this missing link and help build the trustworthiness of AIR solutions. The platform uses a combination of Physical and Virtual labs based on a comprehensive set of consideration factors of relevance to solution seekers and solution providers to establish an objective set of performance metrics and build consensus for them. A Physical Lab will be equipped with a range of hardware to enable AI and Robotics functional performance and safety testing. It will support solution providers to test and measure the actual performance parameters of a solution such as accuracy, repeatability and mobility. Then those parameters will be used to create a corresponding virtual AIR solution in a Virtual Lab together with different application scenarios provided by solution seekers, such as a hospital, hotel or shopping mall, as a digital twin. Limitless combinations of variables can be added to the Virtual Lab to ascertain a solution’s potential performance in varied settings and application scenarios of any industry. This paper on the AIR Validation Platform will articulate the challenge of establishing trust for AIR technology and explain in detail the first-in-the-market solution that covers all three critical parts of building trustworthiness – performance metrics, physical testing and virtual testing [1]. The paper will also share initial results from two pilot studies and describe the platform roadmap for building trust, encouraging mass adoption and driving the market dynamics that will lead to global standards for regulation.
Immobilization of Poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone)-Capped Platinum Nanoclusters on Indium−Tin Oxide Glass and Its Application in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP)-capped Pt nanoclusters were deposited on indium−tin oxide glass via a simple two-step dip-coating process. This new type of electrode was examined by atomic force microscopy, inductively coupled plasma−atomic emission spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The results reveal that the Pt nanoclusters sized about 10−20 nm show a noticeable catalytic effect on tri-iodide reduction although they are surrounded by PVP entanglements. The new electrolyte can serve as a counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In addition, we have found a counter action between the nanosized effect and the hindrance effect by PVP entanglement on both catalytic kinetics and ion diffusivity. Finally, at certain PVP levels, the so-prepared electrode's performance is similar to a smooth Pt metal sheet electrode. So this process could potentially reduce manufacturing costs for DSSCs, which further enhances the feature of DSSCs in furnishing low co.
Redfield ratios revisited: Removing the biasing effect of anthropogenic CO2

Redfield ratios of remineralization are calculated based on chemical data analysis on isopycnal surfaces. The concentrations of dissolved inorganic carbon used in this study were corrected for the anthropogenic CO2 content as estimated with a back‐calculation technique. The corrections increased the apparent carbon remineralization by 25–30%, thus proving important for the reliable estimation of Redfield carbon ratios in the presence of anthropogenic CO2. Best estimates from this study largely confirm the more recently published Redfield ratios of remineralization. The following results were obtained for the latitude range 3–41°N along 20–29±W in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean: Corg: P ratio = 123 ± 10; Corg : N ratio = 7.2 ± 0.8; —O2 :Corg ratio = 1.34 ± 0.06; —O2 : P ratio = 165 ± 15; N: P ratio = 17.5 ± 2.0. These ratios are in close agreement with the average composition of phytoplankton and represent respiration of organic matter consisting on average of 52% protein, 36% polysaccharide, and 12% lipid.
Per Capita Income Inequality in Czech Households Before, During and After the Economic and Financial Crisis

The study tackles the issue of distribution inequality in equalized per capita income in households defined by multiple grouping criteria in the Czech Republic before, during and after the economic and financial crisis. The factors were economic status of the household head, number of children, education and the NUTS 3 administrative regions. Interval grouped per capita income data assembled within the EU-SILC framework via quota sampling were received from czso.cz for 2008, 2012 and 2016. Indicators of income level, variation, quantiles, medial and Gini index were calculated for the respective household groups. Income concentration in the Czech Republic is considerably low among OECD states and still decreasing due to government social and economic policy and favourable phase of the economic cycle. The largest income inequality was detected in the self-employed, jobless and qualified employees, households with 3 or more children, single-parent families with dependants, households with one or both tertiary educated parents or households residing in Prague or Středoceský region. The threat of poverty is imminent in the jobless, economically inactive pensioners, unqualified labourers and households with 3 or more children. Geographically, the poverty affects households mostly in Moravskoslezský or Ustecký regions. Government measures evidently helped reduce income inequality, poverty and social exclusion in Ustecký region in 2008. The least affected regions by poverty were Prague and Středoceský region. Significant differences in income level or concentration of income distributions by regional and other household grouping criteria were revealed.
A New Strategy to Microporous Polymers: Knitting Rigid Aromatic Building Blocks by External Cross-Linker

A series of microporous polymers has been obtained via a low-cost versatile strategy, which involves “knitting” rigid aromatic building blocks, such as benzene, biphenyl, 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene, methylbenzene, chlorobenzene, and phenol using an external cross-linker. These materials are predominantly microporous and exhibit high surface areas. Moreover, different building blocks can generate materials with different pore structures, functional groups and application properties, which are significant for materials design.
Censuses of agriculture and COVID-19: Global situation and lessons

A review of the status of censuses of agriculture in 150 countries and territories shows that the impact of COVID-19 has not discriminated between developed and developing countries However, some countries have fared better than others when faced with the challenges posed by the pandemic Earlier improvements in national statistical systems, a wide range of ICT solutions and the sourcing of census data from administrative registers have enabled these countries to significantly reduce their reliance on physical contact for tasks such as final preparation of field activities, training and data collection The experience has confirmed the usefulness of these efforts and will likely further accelerate the pace of innovation, even though most of these countries expect that farmers' non-response rates will be higher than in the past At the same time, the COVID-19 crisis has been a lesson to other countries on the need to improve the working environment, diversify census data collection and training methods, and make use of administrative registers in future census rounds © 2020 - IOS Press and the authors All rights reserved
Baseline reliability and early response in clinical trials of major depressive disorder

Many double-blind, placebo-controlled, antidepressant clinical trials conducted in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) fail to separate the candidate drug from placebo. Multiple factors can affect trial outcomes including the patient’s expectations and motivation, the clinician’s ratings competency and reliability, and the design of the trial itself. Two factors affecting treatment outcome associated with trial design are 1) the reliability of the baseline measure, and 2) an early, indiscriminate symptomatic response following randomization that can occur regardless of treatment assignment. The motivation to participate in the trial itself can influence the baseline measurement as well as the early symptomatic response that follows the baseline. An unreliable baseline measure will affect all subsequent symptomatic assessments during the clinical trial and may affect the interpretation of results. The baseline measure is usually the primary contingency variable used to evaluate treatment outcome in clinical trials and is typically a single point in time measurement obtained sometime on the baseline day. It is well known that the symptoms of MDD naturally fluctuate during the day (diurnal variation) and from day to day as well. Consequently, it is unrealistic to presume that a single point in time measurement can accurately and reliably capture the true symptom severity of all MDD patients at baseline. Several MDD trials have revealed an early symptomatic response that occurs shortly after randomization regardless of treatment assignment. It has been shown that the early symptomatic response may be sustained throughout the trial, includes patients assigned to placebo, and may impede signal detection at the end of the study. This review explores the importance of baseline reliability and the influence of early symptomatic response in some clinical trials of MDD patients and considers an alternative assessment method (ecological momentary assessment) as an innovative strategy to improve the reliability of the baseline measurement.
System Identification of Micro Piezoelectric Actuators via Rate-Dependent Prandtl-Ishlinskii Hysteresis Model Based on a Modified PSO Algorithm

As one of the high-precision actuating mechanisms, the piezoelectric actuators show the advantage of micro/nano stage maneuverability in facilitating the actuating performance of the mechanical systems. To improve the actuating accuracy, it is important to predict the output behavior accurately under the wide operating range, particularly, the change of the driving frequency. The modeling method using the rate-dependent Prandtl-Ishlinskii (RDPI) model is subsequently adopted, which can show the strong nonlinearities relating to the coupling effects between the internal hysteresis and the actuating frequency. Considering the electromechanical characteristics of piezoelectric actuators, a modified particle swarm optimization (MPSO) algorithm is introduced for identifying the RDPI model using the experimental measurement data. The developed MPSO algorithm can overcome the local optimizing limitation of the classical particle swarm optimization (CPSO) algorithm and guarantee the accuracy of predicting the output. The utility and superiority of the MPSO are verified by fitting the identified model to the actual output of the piezoelectric actuators in the micro range at different actuating frequencies. The comparisons with available models using MPSO, CPSO and LS algorithms have examined the validity of the proposed identification method.
Microinjection of a Dopamine-D1 Receptor Agonist into the Ventral Tegmental Area Reverses the Blocked Expression of Morphine Conditioned Place Preference by N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Antagonist

Background: The release of dopamine (DA) in the posterior ventral tegmental area (pVTA) plays an important role in cue-related learning, reward, and relapse. On the other hand, studies have shown that the use of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist (AP5) inhibits the expression of morphine (5 mg/kg, s. c) conditioned place preference (CPP). In this study, we have tried to show the interaction effect of the DA stimulatory agents through D1-like receptor (D1R) agonist (SKF38393) and D2-like receptor (D2R) antagonist (eticlopride; through disinhibition) with NMDAR antagonist into the pVTA on the expression of morphine CPP. Materials and Methods: The SKF38393 and eticlopride, individually and simultaneously (in ineffective doses), were injected into the pVTA with the AP5 in rats, and animals were then placed in a CPP apparatus. Results: Concomitant administration of D1R agonist (4 μg/rat) with NMDAR antagonist (1 μg/rat) induced the expression of morphine CPP, but the administration of D2R antagonist with NMDAR antagonist was unaffected on the expression of morphine CPP. Furthermore, concomitant administration of ineffective doses of D1R agonist and D2R antagonist with NMDAR antagonist had no effect on the expression of morphine CPP. Conclusions: The results showed using higher doses of D1R agonist with NMDAR antagonist could reverse the blocked expression of morphine CPP by NMDAR antagonists, while, the use of D2R antagonist with NMDAR antagonist could not. Therefore, presynaptic receptors such as D1R probably through releasing other stimulatory neurotransmitters can play a vital role in the expression of morphine CPP and cue-related learning.
Excitons in Pure and Doped Solid Neon

A detailed investigation of the optical excitations of pure solid Ne and of Xe, Kr, and Ar impurities in Ne has been carried out in the vacuum ultraviolet using synchrotron radiation. For pure solid Ne the optical constants ϵ1(ω) and ϵ2(ω) are derived via a Kramers-Kronig analysis. For the guest atoms the energy levels within the band gap are determined. A new value of 21.69eV is established for the gap energy of pure Ne. The binding energies for the impurity excitations are the same as those for pure Ne for n ≧ 2. The Wannier model provides a satisfactory description. There is no linear dependence of the central cell correction ΔEc on the binding energies B1 as previously claimed. Estimates for the oscillator strength of the excitons in pure Ne (both spin components included) gave f(n = 1) = 0.22, f(n = 2) ≈ 0.042, and f(nn = 3)≈ 0.016 by comparing the experimental results with model calculations. Eine ausfuhrliche Untersuchung der optischen Anregungen in reinem Ne und in Ne dotiert mit Xe, Kr und Ar wurde im Vakuumultraviolett mit Hilfe von Synchrotronstrahlung durchgefuhrt. Fur reines festes Ne werden mit Hilfe einer Kramers-Kronig- Analyse die optischen Konstanten ϵ1(ω) und ϵ2(ω) bestimmt, fur die Gastatome werden die Energieniveaus in der Bandlucke festgelegt. Fur reines Ne ergibt sich ein neuer Wert von 21,69 eV fur die Energie der Bandlucke, die Bindungsenergien der Storstellenanregungen sind fur n ≧ 2 mit denen des reinen Ne identisch. Das Wannier-Modell stellt eine befriedigende Beschreibung dar. Eine lineme Abhangigkeit der Zentralzellenkorrektur ΔEc von den Bindungsenergien, wie sie fruher behauptet wurde, gibt es nicht. Abschatzungen far die Oszillatorstarken der Exzitonen in reinem Neon (unter Einschlus beider Spin-Komponenten) auf Grund eines. Vergleichs der experimentellen Ergebnisse mit Modellrechnungen liefern f(n = 1) = 0,22, f(n = 2) ≈ 0,042 und f(n = 3) ≈ 0,016.
Channel Estimation Performance Analysis of Massive MIMO IoT Systems With Ricean Fading

This article analyzes the channel estimation performance of massive multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) Internet-of-Things (IoT) systems with Ricean fading. First, by utilizing the least squares (LSs) and minimum mean squared error (MMSE) estimation methods, we consider the relative channel estimation error (RCEE) between the IoT device and base-station, and provide the approximations of the expectation of RCEE (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\text {Exp}}_{\textrm {rcee}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>). Then, it is found that when the number of antennas <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$M$ </tex-math></inline-formula> becomes infinite, pilot contamination (PC) exists in both cases. However, for MMSE case, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\text {Exp}}_{\textrm {rcee}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> scales down by the inverse of Ricean <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-factor, and hence PC phenomenon disappears with a large Ricean <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-factor. Moreover, as <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$M\rightarrow \infty $ </tex-math></inline-formula>, the power scaling laws show that the pilot sequence power can be scaled down proportionally to <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1/M^{\alpha }$ </tex-math></inline-formula> (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\alpha >0$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) with the MMSE case, where the performance is determined only by the Ricean <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-factor. Next, the channel hardening and favorable propagation effects are examined via analyzing the approximations of the variance of RCEE (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\text {Var}}_{\textrm {rcee}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>). Analysis implies that <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\text {Var}}_{\textrm {rcee}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> decreases by <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1/M$ </tex-math></inline-formula> when <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$M\rightarrow \infty $ </tex-math></inline-formula>. For a large Ricean <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-factor, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\text {Var}}_{\textrm {rcee}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> approaches a nonzero constant for the LS case and scales down by the inverse of the square of Ricean <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-factor for the MMSE case. Finally, all results are verified via Monte Carlo simulations.
Fast Frequency Sweep Analysis of Passive Miniature RF Circuits Based on Analytic Extension of Eigenvalues

A fast frequency sweep approach based on analytic extension of eigenvalues (AEE) is presented and investigated for an efficient analysis of miniature passive RF circuits. In this approach, an eigenvalue decomposition is performed to the Z-parameters of the circuit components at one or a few frequencies, and analytic extension is applied to obtain the eigenvalues at all other frequencies within the band of interest. For electrically small circuit components, the frequency-independent characteristic inductances and capacitances, as well as the frequency-dependent resistances, are extracted from the eigenvalues at the sampling frequencies. The extracted characteristic parameters are then used to approximate the Z- and Y-parameters and predict the responses of the circuit over the entire frequency band. The accuracy of this approach is evaluated by comparing it with the results from a full-wave analysis. It is found that the proposed AEE is very accurate with a relative error of less than 1% for miniature RF circuits whose electrical sizes are smaller than one tenth of the wavelength and is more general and powerful than the one based on lumped equivalent circuits.
Aprovechamiento de desechos de pescado y cáscara de piña para producir ensilado biológico

Se formularon seis tratamientos para elaborar ensilado biologico con desechos de pescado, rastrojo de maiz, melaza, cascara de pina (CP) [15, 30 y 45%] e inoculo Lactobacillus sp. o Lactobacillus B2. Los ensilados de cada tratamiento se hicieron por triplicado y se incubaron a 30°C durante 0, 2, 4, 7 y 14 dias con el proposito de evaluar la acidificacion bajo un diseno factorial 3 x 2 x 5. A los ensilados se les determino la composicion quimica y la digestibilidad in vitro de la materia seca (DIVMS) al terminar la fermentacion. La acidificacion mas alta (p 0.05). La concentracion mayor de lipidos (9.85%) se presento en los tratamientos con CP 30 y 45% y Lactobacillus B2. Las fracciones de fibra detergente disminuyeron al aumentar el nivel de CP y la DIVMS mas alta (82.9%) se presento en los ensilados al utilizar Lactobacillus B2, independientemente del nivel de CP (p<0.05). Los ensilados obtenidos son una alternativa para alimentacion de rumiantes.