Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design of a miniaturized electrochemical instrument for in-situ O2 monitoring

The authors are working toward the design of a device for the detection of oxygen, following a discrete and an integrated instrumentation implementation. The discrete electronics are also used for preliminary analysis, to confirm the validity of the conception of system, and its set-up would be used in the characterization of the integrated device, waiting for the chip fabrication. This paper presents the design of a small and portable potentiostat integrated with electrodes, which is cheap and miniaturized, which can be applied for on-site measurements for the simultaneous detection of O2 and temperature in water systems. As a first approach a discrete PCB has been designed based on commercial discrete electronics and specific oxygen sensors. Dissolved oxygen concentration (DO) is an important index of water quality and the ability to measure the oxygen concentration and temperature at different positions and depths would be an important attribute to environmental analysis. Especially, the objective is that the sensor and the electronics can be integrated in a single encapsulated device able to be submerged in environmental water systems and be able to make multiple measurements. For our proposed application a small and portable device is developed, where electronics and sensors are miniaturized and placed in close proximity to each other. This system would be based on the sensors and electronics, forming one module, and connected to a portable notebook to save and analyze the measurements on-line. The key electronics is defined by the potentiostat amplifier, used to fix the voltage between the Working (WE) and Reference (RE) electrodes following an input voltage (Vin). Vin is a triangular signal, programmed by a LabView© interface, which is also used to represent the CV transfers. To obtain a smaller and compact solution the potentiostat amplifier has also been integrated defining a full custom ASIC amplifier, which is in progress, looking for a point-of-care device. These circuits have been designed with a 0.13 μm technology from ST Microelectronics through the CMP-TIMA service.
Conformal mapping of the field and charge distributions in multilayered substrate CPWs

Conformal mapping (CM) and partial capacitance techniques are used for analytical evaluation of charge/current and electric- and magnetic-field distributions in a multilayered substrate coplanar waveguide (CPW) in the quasi-TEM approximation. The results, compared with finite-element method simulations, show that the magnetic wall assumed at the dielectric-dielectric interfaces in CM is a good approximation for many practical cases. The method is applied to a CPW with a thin ferroelectric film used in tunable microwave devices.
Accurate Analysis of Tapered Planar Transmission Lines for Microwave Integrated Circuits

A broad class of nonuniform transmission lines is analyzed through the method of coupled modes accompanied by the spectral domain solution of uniform lines. This combination offers efficient computation of the coupling coefficients. Small coupling allows the rigorous field theory of the spectral domain approach to give explicitly the scattering matrix of the taper. Several structures, including microstrip to coplanar waveguide taper and waveguide to fin-line taper, are successfully analyzed. The computed values of reflection coefficients are compared with the values derived by a simple impedance method and with the measured values. Results from the experimentally investigated tapers show that the theory is in good agreement.
Identification and Molecular Investigation of Diplostomum in Capoeta umbla Caught from Freshwater Sources, Turkey

In this study, identification of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene region in mitochondrial DNA of the Diplostomum specimens, which are parasitic in the eyes of Capoeta umbla fish naturally distributed in Karakaya Dam Lake, Keban Dam Lake and Lake Hazar, (Elazığ province) was performed. A total of 8 haplotypes were determined using sequence analysis of the mtCOI gene region and phylogenetic trees were constructed by determining the genetic distance based on these haplotypes by the Maximum Likelihood (ML), Neighbor Joining (NJ), Minimum Evolution (ME) and Bayes methods. As a result, the lowest genetic distance was 0,00209 and the highest genetic distance was 0,01264. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a closer relationship between haplotype 3 and haplotype 4. It has been evaluated that all the samples studied belong to Diplostomum spathaceum and that the parasite may have been spread by the main hosts between study sites.
Multimodal query-guided object localization

Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of using hand-drawn sketches of objects as queries for one-shot object localization. However, hand-drawn crude sketches alone can be ambiguous for object localization, which could result in misidentification, e.g., a sketch of a laptop could be confused for a sofa. To overcome this, we propose a novel multimodal approach to object localization that combines sketch queries with linguistic category definitions, allowing for a better representation of visual and semantic cues. Our approach employs a cross-modal attention scheme that guides the region proposal network to obtain relevant proposals. Further, we propose an orthogonal projection-based proposal scoring technique that effectively ranks proposals with respect to the query. We evaluated our method using hand-drawn sketches from the ‘Quick, Draw! ’ dataset and glosses from ‘WordNet’ as queries on the widely-used MS-COCO dataset, and achieve superior performance compared to related baselines in both open- and closed-set settings.
Life Assessment of Gas Turbine Components Using Nondestructive Inspection Techniques

The life expectancy of gas turbine components is strongly dependant on the service conditions in which they operate. Diverse factors can reduce the life dramatically, or can extend it far beyond what was originally predicted by the Original Equipment Manufacturer. In order to examine the condition of the casing, compressor blading, stationary turbine vanes, and rotating turbine blades, nondestructive inspection has been performed more frequently as part of an overhaul. During inspections, visual examination is usually the only method used. Hot corrosion, oxidation or overaging of the blades may not be obvious during such an inspection. The most accurate method of evaluation involves the removal of the parts from the unit, complete visual and penetrant inspection, metallurgical evaluation, and destructive mechanical testing. Yet, complete disassembly only takes place if obvious problems are found. Microstructural analysis and physical testing in such situations add much to the condition assessment. Although many in-situ techniques have been in place for years, applying them to the evaluation of gas turbine components has been limited. When nondestructive inspection is done regularly, the art of evaluation and life assessment can become more scientific. The risk of failure can be reduced and the component life extended. This paper describes the procedure for preparation and examination.Copyright © 1997 by ASME
The role of financial resources in SMEs' financial and environmental performance; the mediating role of green innovation

The current study investigates the influence of financial resources on environmental and financial performance with the mediating role of green practices (innovation) in manufacturing firms of the emerging economy, Pakistan. The research model and its proposed hypothesis was using 294 manufacturing firms' samples, for fruitful insights, the hypothesis was tested through a structured equation model using Smart PLS 3. Our results exhibited a positive and significant impact of financial resources on financial performance but not on environmental performance. However, green innovation fully mediates the relationship between financial resources and financial performance, while partially mediate the relationship between financial resources and environmental performance. Considering our insight, we suggest to the government that financially support the SMEs sector because they have a lack of tangible and intangible resources due to small size, and to easily adapt the green practices.
Imaging performance and challenges of 10nm and 7nm logic nodes with 0.33 NA EUV

The NXE:3300B is ASML’s third generation EUV system and has an NA of 0.33 and is positioned at a resolution of 22nm, which can be extended down to 18nm and below with off-axis illumination at full transmission. Multiple systems have been qualified and installed at customers. The NXE:3300B succeeds the NXE:3100 system (NA of 0.25), which has allowed customers to gain valuable EUV experience. It is expected that EUV will be adopted first for critical Logic layers at 10nm and 7nm nodes, such as Metal-1, to avoid the complexity of triple patterning schemes using ArF immersion. In this paper we will evaluate the imaging performance of (sub-)10nm node Logic M1 on the NXE:3300B EUV scanner. We will show the line-end performance of tip-to-tip and tip-to-space test features for various pitches and illumination settings and the performance enhancement obtained by means of a 1st round of OPC. We will also show the magnitude of local variations. The Logic M1 cell is evaluated at various critical features to identify hot spots. A 2nd round OPC model was calibrated of which we will show the model accuracy and ability to predict hot spots in the Logic M1 cell. The calibrated OPC model is used to predict the expected performance at 7nm node Logic using off-axis illumination at 16nm minimum half pitch. Initial results of L/S exposed on the NXE:3300B at 7nm node resolutions will be shown. An outlook is given to future 0.33 NA systems on the ASML roadmap with enhanced illuminator capabilities to further improve performance and process window.
High performance microstrip transverse resonance lowpass filter

We report 5‐pole Butterworth transverse resonance type lowpass filter (TR‐LPF) at cut‐off frequency 2.5 GHz with sharpness of cut‐off 170 dB/GHz, at 20 dB, 30 dB, 40 dB, and 50 dB rejection bandwidth of 9.2 GHz, 7.7 GHz, 5.9 GHz, and 3.12 GHz, respectively.The depth of attenuation is 68.7 dB. The parameters could be optimized for given specification. Such high order of attenuation is achieved by 30‐pole classical Hi–Lo LPF. The attenuation can be further increased to 72 dB for a 7‐pole LPF and 94 dB for a 11‐pole LPF. In case of the 11‐pole LPF at fc=2.5 GHz, we can achieve more that 7.1 GHz rejection bandwidth at 70 dB rejection. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:1149–1152, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27501
Analysis of growth and yield fkom three - Kaingaroa thummg experiments

This paper examines net basal arealha and mean dbhob development in three replicated radiata pine thinning experiments in Kaingaroa Forest. Stockings represented range from 200 to 1300 stemslha. The analysis here is focussed, however, on lower stockings (200,300 and 4001 ha), primarily because of the interest of forest managers in the reliability of yield forecasts for low stocking regimes. By age 24 years in the oldest of the three trials, it was evident that whereas basal area trends for stockings of 300lha and above were similar and logically related one to the other, the 200lha stockings had a noticeably lower growth trajectory path. The same consistent trends were demonstrated in the younger trials. Mean dbhob of the top 200 in stockings of 200, 300 and 4001ha were not as different as might have been expected. Pruning schedules imposed on two of the trials are difficult to analyse ade- quately, because of inadequate replication. It is important to continue measurement in these experiments for at least another ten years. It is now over 20 years ago that Fenton and Sutton (1968) pro- posed a tending regime for Pinus radiata in New Zealand, which, at the time, represented a radical departure from the then conventional silviculture. In essence, the regime recom- mended heavy early thinning to waste, with pruning in three lifts, to shorten rotations to 25-26 years, and to concentrate growth on the pruned butt log so as to produce sawlogs with average dbhob estimated to be around 58 cm. In a later contri- bution, Sutton (1976) gave estimates of 63.7 m2/ha of basal area and a mean diameter of 64.5 cm at age 26, achievable in stands thinned to 198 stemstha when top-height is 10.7 m for a site index of about 29 m. At the time, the amount of long-term mensurational data available to support these yield estimates was scant. Accor- dingly, between 1969 and 1973 Messrs J.W. Shirley and D.A. Elliott, then of the New Zealand Forest Service, established four well-replicated thinning experiments in different com- partments of Kaingaroa State Forest. These trials are now between 19 and 24 years old with up to 18 annual remeasure- ments; they provide a rare opportunity to study growth devel- opment of various thinning regimes, obtained from extensive and reliable data. What we have done, and now report here, is an analysis of basal area and dbhob development in three of those trials. The comparisons were of considerable interest to us and are likely to be also to forest managers today; emphasis here is placed on presentation of the major results to date, without full details of statistical analyses.
A phosphorylation code regulates the multi-functional protein RETINOBLASTOMA-RELATED1 in Arabidopsis thaliana

The RETINOBLASTOMA-RELATED (RBR) proteins play a central role coordinating cell division, cell differentiation and cell survival within an environmental and developmental context. These roles reflect RBR ability to engage in multiple protein-protein interactions (PPIs), which are regulated by multi-site phosphorylation. However the functional outcomes of RBR phosphorylation in multicellular organisms remain largely unexplored. Here we test the hypothesis that phosphorylation allows diversification of RBR functions in multicellular context. Using a representative collection of transgenic loss- and gain of function point mutations in RBR phosphosites, we analysed their complementation capacity in Arabidopsis thaliana root meristems. While the number of mutated residues often correlated to the phenotypic strength of RBR phosphovariants, phospho-sites contributed differentially to distinct phenotypes. For example, the pocket-domain has a greater influence on meristematic cell proliferation, whereas the C-terminal region associates to stem cell maintenance. We found combinatorial effects between the T406 phopspho-site with others in different protein domains. Moreover, a phospho-mimetic and a phospho-defective variant, both promoting cell death, indicate that RBR controls similar cell fate choices by distinct mechanisms. Thus, additivity and specificity of RBR phospho-sites fine tune RBR activity across its multiple roles. Interestingly, a mutation disrupting RBR interactions with the LXCXE motif suppresses dominant phospho-defective RBR phenotypes. By probing protein-protein interactions of RBR variants, we found that LXCXE-containing members of the DREAM complex constitute an important component of phosphorylation-regulated RBR function, but also that RBR participates in stress or environmental responses independently of its phosphorylation state. We conclude that developmental-related, but not stress- or environmental-related functions of RBR are defined and separable by a combinatorial phosphorylation code.
Relative Jitter of Accelerating Voltage Amplitude on Resonator's Cells of Linear Electron-positron collider TESLA-ILC

The present work covers irregularity of jitter of accelerating voltage amplitude over the cells of accelerating resonators and M×N superstructures of linear electron-positron collider TESLA -ILC (Teraelectron volt Energy Super conducting Linear Accelerator-International Linear Collider), caused by random jitter of cells frequency. The author derived analytical formula and provides the results of numerical calculations for mean-square relative irregularity of accelerating voltage amplitude jitter as a function of a number of cells and mean-square relative jitter of their frequencies. M×N superstructure has less sensitivity of accelerating voltage amplitude jitter over resonator cells to random jitter of cells frequencies comparing traditional type resonators.
A novel CMOS first-order all-pass filter

A novel first-order all-pass filter is proposed. Consisting of level shifters and two passive components, the circuit uses just six transistors to achieve desired phase shifts at near unity gain in a 3.3 V, 0.35 μm CMOS process. Experimental results using 4007 ICs confirm the operation of the circuit.
Radiative- and artificial-cooling enhanced dew collection in a coastal area of South Australia

Dew yield can be increased by artificial cooling at a cost of energy consumption. To examine how much enhancement in dew yield can be achieved by artificial cooling, and how this enhancement varies with meteorological conditions and collector materials, a dew collection experiment was performed over a month (April–May) in a coastal area of South Australia. Four collectors made of two different materials (aluminium and Teflon) were tested. Evaluated over the whole dew collection period, without artificial cooling, the Teflon collector is on average 120% more efficient than the aluminium collector. With artificial cooling, the Teflon collector is about 20% more efficient than the aluminium collector. The artificial cooling enhances dew formation close to 45% for the Teflon collectors, while the enhancement is over 150% for the aluminium collectors. The enhancement magnitude is dependent on meteorological conditions.
The Behaviour of High-Rise Building with or without Shear Wall under Different Earthquakes

On the 5th June 2015, an earthquake hit Ranau, Sabah with a magnitude of 6.0 that caused 18 casualties and several injuries are one of the examples that show Malaysia is not safe from any seismic event. Most of the structure in Malaysia was designed not to include seismic action. Furthermore, an area that has a high density of population such as in the central region (Klang valley) and several main cities in Malaysia has less available land to build landed housing and uses high-rise apartments as an alternative. High-rise buildings that are normally having problems with soft story mechanisms and plan irregularity which could lead to severe damage when earthquakes happen. This study aims to observe the response of high-rise buildings when under different earthquakes in the presence of shear walls. To achieve this objective two models were modelled and analyzed by using ETABS software, the one with a shear wall and the one with no shear wall. The methods used in this study were the response spectrum method and time-history analysis. In the end, the parameters observed were base shear, story stiffness, story drift, and story displacement. The observations highlighted that the effect of earthquake intensities shows a significant effect. The acquired results indicated that the building with the shear wall is more resistant and strong structures as compared to buildings without shear wall when undergoing seismic analysis.
Tibetan Dust Accumulation Linked to Ecological and Landscape Response to Global Climate Change

The Tibetan Plateau (TP) is a hotspot of earth system research, and understanding its landscape and ecosystem evolution has been hampered by the lack of time‐constrained geological records. Geochronological data from 14 loess sites covering a large region in the Tibetan interior show that the TP loess, rather than accumulating during glacial periods, began aggrading at either 13.4 ± 0.4 or 9.9 ± 0.2 ka. An ecological threshold was crossed, when warmer and wetter conditions resulted in increased vegetation cover enabling dust trapping. This dust accumulation model is out of phase with that of the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) where high sedimentation rates occurred during the cold/dry glacial stages. The TP loess accumulation is in response to global climate change, at both orbital (glacial/interglacial) and millennial (e.g., Younger Dryas event) time scales, despite more complexity via ecological and landscape processes than the CLP loess.
Differential Response of the Proteins Involved in Amino Acid Metabolism in Two Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strains during the Second Fermentation in a Sealed Bottle

The traditional method for sparkling wine making consists of a second fermentation of a base wine followed by ageing in the same bottle that reaches the consumers. Nitrogen metabolism is the second most important process after carbon and takes place during wine fermentation by yeast. Amino acids are the most numerous nitrogen compounds released by this process. They contribute to the organoleptic properties of the wines and, therefore, to their sensory quality. The main objective of this study is to compare the differential proteomic response of amino acid metabolism, specifically their proteins and their interactions in the G1 strain (unconventional yeast) during sparkling wine production versus the conventional P29 strain. One of the new trends in winemaking is the improvement of the organoleptic diversity of wine. We propose the use of unconventional yeast that shows desirable characteristics for the industry. For this purpose, these two yeasts were grown at sealed bottle conditions for the second fermentation (Champenoise method). No differences were obtained in the middle of fermentation between the yeast strains. The number of proteins identified, and the relationships established, were similar, highlighting lysine metabolism. At the end of the second fermentation, the difference between each strain was remarkable. Hardly any proteins were identified in unconventional versus conventional yeast. However, in both strains, the metabolism of sulfur amino acids, methionine, and cysteine obtained a greater number of proteins involved in these processes. The release of these amino acids to the medium would allow the yeast to balance the internal redox potential by reoxidation of NADPH. This study is focused on the search for a more complete knowledge of yeast metabolism, specifically the metabolism of amino acids, which are key compounds during the second fermentation.
Patient-generated evidence in Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB): Development of a questionnaire to assess the Quality of Life

Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is a group of genetic conditions that cause fragile and blistering skin. Although there are different types of EB, which differ in severity, their signs and symptoms overlap. As a result of this disorder, patients face an unbearable burden in their lives, and their Quality of Life (QoL) is negatively affected at every life cycle stage. Nevertheless, the assessment of the quality of life of these patients is scanty. This project aims to develop a patient-centered questionnaire to assess the QoL of EB patients. This tool will be a valid aid for clinicians to understand patients better and identify the areas that need more attention; moreover, it will allow them to follow the patients over time and evaluate the impact of any treatments. The methodological process to develop the questionnaire consisted of two phases: firstly, a critical review of scientific literature was performed; secondly, a pseudo-Delphi study was carried out. A multidisciplinary panel (including patients, caregivers, and clinicians) actively participated in round tables to discuss the main areas of interest. Starting from this initial set of areas and through the repetition of Delphi (up to three rounds), a gradual refinement of the statements was carried out to define a list of items to be included in an easy-to-use but meaningful questionnaire. The final patient-centered questionnaire is thus able to measure the QoL beyond the physical symptoms and the clinical evolution of the disease, encompassing functional autonomy, psycho-emotional state, social relations and the working field.