Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bioinoculants—Natural Biological Resources for Sustainable Plant Production

Agricultural sustainability is of foremost importance for maintaining high food production. Irresponsible resource use not only negatively affects agroecology, but also reduces the economic profitability of the production system. Among different resources, soil is one of the most vital resources of agriculture. Soil fertility is the key to achieve high crop productivity. Maintaining soil fertility and soil health requires conscious management effort to avoid excessive nutrient loss, sustain organic carbon content, and minimize soil contamination. Though the use of chemical fertilizers have successfully improved crop production, its integration with organic manures and other bioinoculants helps in improving nutrient use efficiency, improves soil health and to some extent ameliorates some of the constraints associated with excessive fertilizer application. In addition to nutrient supplementation, bioinoculants have other beneficial effects such as plant growth-promoting activity, nutrient mobilization and solubilization, soil decontamination and/or detoxification, etc. During the present time, high energy based chemical inputs also caused havoc to agriculture because of the ill effects of global warming and climate change. Under the consequences of climate change, the use of bioinputs may be considered as a suitable mitigation option. Bioinoculants, as a concept, is not something new to agricultural science, however; it is one of the areas where consistent innovations have been made. Understanding the role of bioinoculants, the scope of their use, and analysing their performance in various environments are key to the successful adaptation of this technology in agriculture.
Green supply chain management practices in India: an empirical study

This paper presents an empirical study of green supply chain management (GSCM) practices in the Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in India. Although the research in the area of GSCM has grown in recent times, the literature has yet to furnish an accepted explanation for why green practices are to be manifested in supply chain management given external and internal pressures. These MSMEs have been involved in such green supply chain practices only to the extent of their participation as suppliers, distributors and in other capacities as business partners. This study confirms and validates that Indian MSMEs face significant pressures from external stakeholders to adopt GSCM practices. Among internal pressures, on-the-job training forces MSMEs in India to adopt GSCM practices. It has been also established that external pressures and adoption of GSCM are fully mediated by internal pressures.
Business Intelligence: Relationship between Capabilities, Success and Decision Environment

The concept of Business Intelligence (BI) was first proposed in the late 1980-s. Since then the field of BI has experienced the rapid extension and development. More than 50 billion dollars have already been invested in different BI tools and application software, such as new desktop data analysis tools, data warehousing technologies, data extraction middleware and many other tools and techniques into the market. But not all the BI initiatives are successful. This paper posits that a key antecedent of BI success is having the right BI Capabilities, and right BI Capabilities depend on the Decision Environment in which the BI is used. Research suggests that a lack of fit between an organization and its BI is one of the reasons for lack of success. The match between the Decision Environment and what a BI provides has been studied as an indicator of success. The theoretical framework is proposed in this paper to study relationship between BI Capabilities, BI Success and Decision Environment
Photonics-Assisted Terahertz-Wave Beam Steering and Its Application in Secured Wireless Communication

Beam forming and beam steering are inevitable technologies for the practical application of high-frequency electromagnetic waves. Specifically, beam control technology using a phased array for terahertz waves above 100 GHz is necessary to realize the future of high-speed wireless communication. By photomixing, which is a promising method for generating terahertz waves, the phase of the generated waves can be tuned in the optical domain, so that the beam from the phased array can be controlled by photonics technologies. Directing the beam of a terahertz wave enables wireless communication to be improved not only via an increase in power efficiency but also in security in the physical layer of the wireless transmission. By utilizing this advantage and using coherent detection at the receiver, a secured wireless communication system is proposed, and the fundamental mechanism is demonstrated in a feasibility experiment.
LSPD: A Large-Scale Pornographic Dataset for Detection and Classification

: This paper introduces a new dataset named Large-Scale Pornographic Dataset for detection and classification (LSPD) that intends to advance the standard quality of pornographic visual content classification and sexual object detection tasks. As we recognize, the LSPD dataset is the first ever dataset for both object detection and image/video classification tasks in this area. The dataset gathers a large-scale corpus of pornographic/non-pornographic images and videos containing a rich diversity of context. The images and videos are not only labelled with their representative class but are also annotated by polygon masks of four private sexual objects (breasts, male and female genitals, and anuses). Our dataset contains 500,000 images and 4,000 videos, with more than 50,000 annotated images. To ensure fair use of the dataset, we present a detailed statistical analysis and provide baseline benchmarking scenarios for both image/video classification and instance detection/segmentation tasks. Finally, we evaluate the performance of four object detection algorithms and a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) classifier on these scenarios.
Synchronizing and damping torque modulation controllers for multi-infeed HVDC systems

The main purpose of this paper is to present a practical example on how various HVDC system controllers on a multi-infeed DC system can be designed to provide the interconnected AC system with an improved dynamic performance, a high level of operational flexibility and the maximization of the overall system loadability. The derivation of a controllability table that provides reliable information regarding how and where the DC link modulation would be more effective is presented. The importance of a coordinated design of the various controllers is analyzed. >
Robust Predictive Control with Feasible Contingencies for Fault Tolerance

Abstract This paper introduces the notion of M -step robust fault tolerance for discrete-time systems where finite-time completion of a control manoeuvre is desired. It considers a scenario with two distinct objectives; a primary and secondary target are specified as sets to be reached in finite-time, whilst satisfying operating constraints on the states and inputs. The primary target is switched to the secondary target when a fault affects the system. As it is unknown when or if the fault will occur, the trajectory to the primary target is constrained to ensure reachability of the secondary target within M steps. A variable-horizon linear MPC formulation is developed to illustrate the concept. The formulation is then extended to provide robustness to bounded disturbances by use of tightened constraints. Simulations demonstrate the efficacy of the controller formulation on a double-integrator model.
Recent Trends in Assessment of Cellulose Derivatives in Designing Novel and Nanoparticulate-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Improvement of Oral Health

Natural polymers are revolutionizing current pharmaceutical dosage forms design as excipient and gained huge importance because of significant influence in formulation development and drug delivery. Oral health refers to the health of the teeth, gums, and the entire oral-facial system that allows us to smile, speak, and chew. Since years, biopolymers stand out due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity, and stability. Polysaccharides such as cellulose and their derivatives possess properties like novel mechanical robustness and hydrophilicity that can be easily fabricated into controlled-release dosage forms. Cellulose attracts the dosage design attention because of constant drug release rate from the precursor nanoparticles. This review discusses the origin, extraction, preparation of cellulose derivatives and their use in formulation development of nanoparticles having multidisciplinary applications as pharmaceutical excipient and in drug delivery, as bacterial and plant cellulose have great potential for application in the biomedical area, including dentistry, protein and peptide delivery, colorectal cancer treatment, and in 3D printable dosage forms.
Evaluation of cotton stalks destroyers

The destruction of the cotton crop residues (cotton stalks) is a mandatory procedure in Brazil for prophylactic issues, but is a subject unexplored by the research and there are few studies that deal with this issue. However, this is not encouraged in recent decades, studies aimed at developing and evaluating equipment for this purpose. The present study had the objective to evaluate six methods for mechanical destruction of cotton crop residues. Each method was defined based on the principle of operation of the active parts of the equipment, which were tested in medium texture soil and in a clayey one. The variables used to evaluate the efficiency of the equipment were the regrowth rate, the theoretical field capacity and energy demand. The equipment with convergent concave disks (DCC) and flat cutters discs from manufacturer A (CPS-a) showed the best results in cotton stalks destruction in both soil types. The harrow disc (GPD) was efficient only in clay soil. It was concluded that the equipment with convergent concave disks, among those tested, was the most efficient to destroy cotton stalks, regardless of soil type, and that the harrow disc was not included among the best performers.
Design and Simulation of a Ka-Band Pattern Reconfigurable Microstrip Patch Antenna

This letter presents a Ka-band(26.5GHz-40GHz) microstrip patch antenna with pattern reconfigurable characteristic. The antenna is provided with five rectangular patches and four RF MEMS (microelectromechanical systems for RF circuits) switches. The central patch and other surrounding patches are connected by the switches. By changing the states of the switches, the antenna can achieve four radiation patterns and it is designed and simulated by using Ansoft HFSS. In addition, the different states are operated at the same centre frequency of 35GHz and the gain of the main radiation direction is about 7.5dB
Secure and Lightweight Authentication for Mobile-Edge Computing-Enabled WBANs

Wireless body area networks (WBANs) technology nowadays has become a promising networking paradigm in the Internet of Things (IoT) as it can provide people with high quality of life and high level of medical service. In order to ensure the security and privacy of patients’ sensitive biomedical data and the efficiency of message processing across different devices, it is critical to provide a secure and lightweight authentication scheme for WBANs. In this article, we propose an extra lightweight authentication scheme for mobile-edge computing-enabled WBANs. Two different authentication phases based on the modular square roots technique are designed: one is the intra-BAN authentication between the sensor node and edge node (EN), and the other is the inter-BAN authentication between EN and application provider. The proposed scheme offers robust security by providing comprehensive security analysis. Performance is also evaluated in terms of computation, communication, and storage costs. The evaluation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme achieves a reduction of at least 90% in computation cost and at least 30% in communication cost when compared to four other related schemes.
Dynamical Downscaling of Near‐Term (2026–2035) Climate Variability and Change for the Main Hawaiian Islands

Natural climate variability poses a limit to the confidence in regional climate projections, particularly for the near‐term. Therefore, the next decades are of importance for regional impact studies and the development of regional adaptation plans. This article presents results from an ensemble of regional climate model simulations (years 1996–2005 and 2026–2035) that are used to examine the effects of both anthropogenic forcing and natural variability associated with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) on near‐term climate projections for the Hawaiian Islands. The Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble (CESM‐LE) is used in conjunction with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model for downscaling. The climate responses to the PDO and anthropogenic forcing are isolated and analyzed separately. In response to anthropogenic forcing, significant increases in surface air temperature, of ∼0.8 K, are projected at low elevations. Stronger warming, of up to 1.3 K, is seen at higher elevation areas. Future climate simulations show significant increases in wet season rainfall, of ∼10%–20%, along the windward slopes of Big Island and Maui. Rainfall patterns during the positive PDO phase are projected to reverse in sign, leading to drier conditions, by ∼10%–30%, at many locations. Future climate simulations show daily rainfall extremes will increase, by up to ∼10%–15%, at many locations. Daily temperature extremes are also projected to increase significantly, by up to 1.4 K. Overall, results indicate that natural variability will continue to contribute to uncertainty in near‐term rainfall projections for the Hawaiian Islands, masking the forced signal.
SAW reflectivity and resonator results for LGT and LGN

SAW properties are currently being investigated for the use of LGN and LGT materials. Current efforts are focused on the measurement of SAW reflectivity and resonator performance. This paper will present recent results of SAW reflectivity for various cuts and propagation directions on LGT and LGN. The measurement procedure and the parameter extraction method for the reflectivity will be discussed. Theoretical predictions of the reflectivity for aluminum electrodes, based on fundamental material parameters, will be compared to experimental measurements for various film thicknesses on differing cut angles and propagation directions. Recently fabricated SAW resonator results will be provided.
Multi-sensor blue LED and touch probe inspection system

ABSTRACTIn coordinate metrology, features of sheet metal parts in early production may be significantly out of nominal, so the inspection path created from its CAD nominal has to be adjusted to avoid cosine error or probe collisions. To solve this problem and seize the advantages of contact and non-contact measurement methods, a multi-sensor blue LED scanner and touch-trigger inspection system was constructed, in which the tactile inspection path was tuned by scanner data. Extrinsic calibration of the scanner was investigated using an angled slot target. Additionally, a lightweight 2-axis rotary table was designed for use with surfaces with non-vertical normal directions. The calibration, qualification, registration, and path correction methods are presented. A stamped sheet metal automobile part was experimentally measured.
Particle swarm optimization to solving the economic dispatch considering the generator constraints

This paper proposes a particle swarm optimization (PSO) method for solving the economic dispatch (ED) problem in power systems. Many nonlinear characteristics of the generator, such as ramp rate limits, prohibited operating zone, and nonsmooth cost functions are considered using the proposed method in practical generator operation. The feasibility of the proposed method is demonstrated for three different systems, and it is compared with the GA method in terms of the solution quality and computation efficiency. The experimental results show that the proposed PSO method was indeed capable of obtaining higher quality solutions efficiently in ED problems.
A grid amplifier

A 50-MESFET grid amplifier is reported that has a gain of 11 dB at 3.3 GHz. The grid isolates the input from the output by using vertical polarization for the input beam and horizontal polarization for the transmitted output beam. The grid unit cell is a two-MESFET differential amplifier. A simple calibration procedure allows the gain to be calculated from a relative power measurement. This grid is a hybrid circuit, but the structure is suitable for fabrication as a monolithic wafer-scale integrated circuit, particularly at millimeter wavelengths. >
New Extended Topsis Method Based On The Entropy Measure And Picture Fuzzy Rough Set Information And Their Application In Decision Support System

In this article, we shall introduce a novel technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS)-based methodology to resolve multicriteria group decision-making problems within picture fuzzy environment, where the weights information of both the decision makers (DMs) and criteria are completely unknown. First, we briefly review the definition of picture fuzzy sets (PFS), score function and accuracy function of PFRSs and their basic operational laws. In addition, defined the generalized distance measure for PFRSs based on picture fuzzy rough entropy measure to compute the unknown weights information. Secondly, the picture fuzzy information based decision-making technique for multiple attribute group decision making (MAGDM) is established and all computing steps are simply depicted. In our presented model, it's more accuracy and effective for considering the conflicting attributes. Finally, an illustrative example with robot selection is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed picture fuzzy decision support approaches, together with comparison results discussion, proving that its results are feasible and credible.
Flexible Pressure Sensor Based on Photo Paper-Molded Micro-Structural AgNWs/PDMS Electrode

The novel flexible pressure sensor with skin-like stretchability and sensibility has attracted tremendous attention in academic and industrial world in recent years. And it also has demonstrated great potential in the applications of electronic skin and wearable devices. It is significant and challenging to develop a highly sensitive flexible pressure sensor with a simple, low energy consuming and low cost method. In this paper, the silver nanowires (AgNWs) as electrode material were synthesized by polyol process. The polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was chosen as a flexible substrate and polyimide (PI) film as dielectric layer. The AgNWs based electrode was prepared in two methods. One is coating the AgNWs on photographic paper followed by in situ PDMS curing. Another one is suction filtration of the AgNWs suspension followed by glass slide transfer and PDMS curing. Then the capacitive pressure sensor was packaged in a sandwich structure with two face to face electrodes and a PI film in the middle. The sensitivity of the sensor as well as the micro-structure of the electrodes was compared and studied. The results indicate that the roughness of the electrode based on AgNWs/PDMS micro-structure plays an important role in the sensitivity of sensor. The as-prepared flexible pressure sensor demonstrates high sensitivity of 0.65kPa-1. In addition, the fabrication method is simple, low energy consuming and low cost, which has great potential in the detection of pulse, heart rate, sound vibration and other tiny pressure.
A Survey on Masked Facial Detection Methods and Datasets for Fighting Against COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to pose a great challenge to the world since its outbreak. To fight against the disease, a series of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques are developed and applied to real-world scenarios such as safety monitoring, disease diagnosis, infection risk assessment, and lesion segmentation of COVID-19 CT scans. The coronavirus epidemics have forced people wear masks to counteract the transmission of virus, which also brings difficulties to monitor large groups of people wearing masks. In this article, we primarily focus on the AI techniques of masked facial detection and related datasets. We survey the recent advances, beginning with the descriptions of masked facial detection datasets. A total of 13 available datasets are described and discussed in detail. Then, the methods are roughly categorized into two classes: conventional methods and neural network-based methods. The conventional methods are usually trained by boosting algorithms with hand-crafted features, which accounts for a small proportion. Neural network-based methods are further classified as three parts according to the number of processing stages. Representative algorithms are described in detail, coupled with some typical techniques that are described briefly. Finally, we summarize the recent benchmarking results, give the discussions on the limitations of datasets and methods, and expand future research directions. To our knowledge, this is the first survey about masked facial detection methods and datasets. Hopefully our survey could provide some help to fight against epidemics.
USING EYE TRACKING TECHNOLOGY FOR WEB SITE USABILITY ANALYSIS: THE APPLICATION OF ERICA TO GEFANUC.COM

Given its role as a tool for business and information sharing, efficient navigation of the Web has become imperative. In order to evaluate and improve a Web site, usability has emerged as an important field of study. In the business world, an intuitive Web interface mitigates the frustration of customers and arguably relates directly to increased sales. Despite this fact, many contemporary usability techniques remain subjective. Our team conducted an innovative analysis of the GE Fanuc Web Site. Using ERICA (Eye-Gaze Response Interface Computer Aid), we examined the paths test subjects used to accomplish tasks outlined in a testing protocol. GazeTracker™, ERICA’s associated software, allowed the team to record and quantify user behavior patterns. Analysis of this data enabled us to make recommendations for design improvements to the content owners of gefanuc.com. GE Fanuc’s relies on the Six Sigma design process, which requires quantitative data to ensure the quality of their products and services. Traditional usability techniques could not provide GE Fanuc with adequate quantitative data. Through this project, we used ERICA to collect this previously unavailable data. Our study found that the addition of ERICA to a usability study makes testing more precise and quantitative. We found it to be a valuable complement to traditional, qualitative usability analysis.
Hydrodynamic Design and Analysis of Horizontal Axis Marine Current Turbines With Lifting Line and Panel Methods

This paper presents the computational models used by the authors at MARETEC/IST for hydrodynamic design and analysis of horizontal axis marine current turbines. The models combine a lifting line method for the optimization of the turbine blade geometry and an Integral Boundary Element Method (IBEM) for the hydrodynamic analysis. The classical lifting line optimization is used to determine the optimum blade circulation distribution for maximum power extraction. Blade geometry is determined with simplified cavitation requirements and limitations due to mechanical strength. The application of the design procedure is illustrated for a two-bladed 300 kW marine current turbine with a diameter of 11 meters. The effects of design tip-speed-ratio and the influence of blade section foils on power and cavitation inception are discussed. A more complete analysis may be carried out with an IBEM in steady and unsteady flow conditions. The IBEM has been extended to include wake alignment. The results are compared with experimental performance data available in the literature.Copyright © 2011 by ASME