Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
3-D Printed Zirconia Ceramic Archimedean Spiral Antenna: Theory and Performance in Comparison With Its Metal Counterpart

Based on the radiation from high-permittivity dielectric waveguide and ceramic three-dimensional (3-D) printing technology, a dielectric Archimedean spiral antenna made of zirconia is proposed in this letter. Its operational mechanism and performance are here discussed in comparison with its metal counterpart. It is found that although the radiation principles of metal and dielectric spiral antennas are different, similar impedance and radiation characteristics can be achieved. Moreover, compared with the conventional metal spiral antenna, the proposed dielectric one possesses lower profile, lower radar cross section at high-frequency spectrum (9–13 GHz), and better prospect on radiation efficiency. The profile of fabricated antenna prototype is 9.5 mm and the radiation efficiency is more than 92%. The measured impedance and axial ratio bandwidths cover from 4.65 to 6.23 GHz and 4.75 to 6.1 GHz, respectively, with the maximal radiation gain of 9 dBic. The proposed antenna is suitable for C-band electronic countermeasures and navigation systems. This study provides a novel dielectric Archimedean spiral antenna, as well as its unique characteristics compared withthe metal counterpart.
The biopsychosocial experience of sexual harassment: the concomitant effects of being harassed and response choice

ABSTRACT While copious research considers the health outcomes of sexual harassment experiences and investigates how individuals respond to sexual harassment, it has not investigated the concomitant effects of sexual harassment experiences and responses on their wellbeing. Further, no research has applied the biopsychosocial (BPS) framework to consider how sexual harassment impacts wellbeing. Hence, we present a framework to guide research examining the concomitant effects of experiences with and responses to sexual harassment on wellbeing. By viewing sexual harassment as a stressor, we integrate literature related to sexual harassment appraisals and responses, and expand existing sexual harassment literature to include the BPS framework, thereby advancing the theoretical foundation of the wellbeing effects of sexual harassment. The resulting theoretically integrative model provides a means of categorising individuals’ experiences with sexual harassment by considering the concomitant effects of the individual’s appraisal and response choice on wellbeing as well as the recursive effects that response choice and wellbeing have on one another.
Cyclodextrin-Based Nanosponges as Perse Antimicrobial Agents Increase the Activity of Natural Antimicrobial Peptide Nisin

At present, antibiotic resistance is considered a real problem. Therefore, for decades scientists have been looking for novel strategies to treat bacterial infections. Nisin Z, an antimicrobial peptide (AMP), can be considered an option, but its usage is mainly limited by the poor stability and short duration of its antimicrobial activity. In this context, cyclodextrin (CD)-based nanosponges (NSs), synthesized using carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), were chosen for nisin Z loading. To determine the minimum inhibitory of nisin Z loaded on CD-NS formulations, agar well diffusion plates were used. Then, the bactericide concentrations of nisin Z loaded on CD-NS formulations were determined against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and -negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria, using microdilution brain heart infusion (BHI) and tetrazolium salt 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT). The minimum and bactericide inhibitory values of the nisin complex with NSs were potentially decreased against both bacteria, compared with the nisin-free sample, while the nisin complex with β-CD showed lower antibacterial activity. The antimicrobial effect was also demonstrated by free NSs. Furthermore, the total viable counts (TVCs) antibacterial experiment indicated that the combination of nisin Z in both PMDA and CDI β-CD-based NSs, especially CDI, can provide a better conservative effect on cooked chicken meat. Generally, the present study outcomes suggest that the cross-linked β-CD-based NSs can present their own antimicrobial potency or serve as promising carriers to deliver and enhance the antibacterial action of nisin Z.
A Restricted Dual Peaceman-Rachford Splitting Method for a Strengthened DNN Relaxation for QAP

Splitting methods in optimization arise when one can divide an optimization problem into two or more simpler subproblems. They have proven particularly successful for relaxations of problems involving discrete variables. We revisit and strengthen splitting methods for solving doubly nonnegative relaxations of the particularly difficult, NP-hard quadratic assignment problem. We use a modified restricted contractive splitting method approach. In particular, we show how to exploit redundant constraints in the subproblems. Our strengthened bounds exploit these new subproblems and new dual multiplier estimates to improve on the bounds and convergence results in the literature. Summary of Contribution: In our paper, we consider the quadratic assignment problem (QAP). It is one of the fundamental combinatorial optimization problems in the fields of optimization and operations research and includes many fundamental applications. We revisit and strengthen splitting methods for solving doubly nonnegative (DNN) relaxation of the QAP. We use a modified restricted contractive splitting method. We obtain strengthened bounds from improved lower and upper bounding techniques, and in fact, we solve many of these NP-hard problems to (provable) optimality, thus illustrating both the strength of the DNN relaxation and our new bounding techniques.
The Shear Stresses in Tapered Beams

Summary There is considerable lack of information regarding shear stresses in tapered beams. In this brief report these stresses are examined by a simple extension of the conventional engineering method for uniform beams, and where possible the results are compared with those of classical theory. Complete agreement is obtained with the few existing classical solutions. The use of the engineering method is illustrated by its application to various types of beam, and curves are drawn illustrating the general nature of the influence of taper on shear stresses.
Everyday mobility practices and the ethics of care: young women’s reflections on social responsibility in the time of COVID-19 in three African cities

Abstract This paper draws principally from COVID-19 diaries written by young women whom we had previously trained as peer researchers in a mobility study of low-income neighbourhoods in Abuja, Cape Town and Tunis. Some live with parents or older extended family members, others have children in their care, but concerns around avoiding contagion have forced all peer researchers to reflect on their everyday socio-spatial mobility practices. This includes whether/how much they need to travel or can substitute virtual for physical travel; which transport mode to take and when; what precautions they must take on the move; what strategies of engagement are required to cope with externally imposed rules and contingencies – and the potential impact of their negotiations, decisions and experiences on the health of those dear to them at home. Reflections on these pandemic-induced responsibilities range from social distancing and mask wearing to issues around handling cash, modes of greeting and travel to funerals. The personal interpretations of responsibility that are reported in individual diaries point to the complexity of entanglements between everyday mobility practices on city streets and negotiated relations of care within the household (and other relational settings) that have emerged and deepened as the COVID story unfolds.
The Role of Information and Communication Technology in Managing Supply Chains in Base-of-the-Pyramid Markets

The rapid development of information and communication technology (ICT) has created opportunities for supply chain performance improvements to address challenges in base-of-the-pyramid (BoP) contexts. The article aims to analyze how ICTs that provide information, financial access, and transaction applications serve as enablers for transaction cost (TC) reductions and supply chain management (SCM) improvements in the agricultural sector. The objectives of the article are reached by deducting explanations from a framework of existing TC and SCM theories while analyzing six exemplary case studies in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. ICT enables the BoP market to improve its SCM activities. Three different ICT models can be identified: Some ICTs impact 1) information flows only, while others influence 2) financial flows or 3) material flows. TC reductions in the form of screening and selection, measurement, communication, negotiation, and coordination costs serve as explanations and theoretical foundations for these models. Future empirical research should evaluate the application of ICTs in more detail and validate the proposed framework with the help of other methods. The current study will help BoP actors, such as farmers or agricultural dealers, capture more value and reduce poverty through TC reductions and improved SCM. The findings are also applicable to other small businesses considering their industrial contexts. The main contribution of the article is that it brings together theoretical arguments from TC theory, SCM, and practical ICT developments in BoP markets. The framework provides a foundation for developing more in-depth empirical research.
High-q spiral inductors for high performance integrated RF front-end sub-systems

Wireless telecommunication systems are moving rapidly to broadband applications at high frequencies. This evolution poses severe requirement on the miniaturization technologies and components used to realize the RF front-end of these systems. Inductors remain essential components in these miniature RF front-ends. In this paper, high-Q spiral inductors integrated in thin film multilayer MCM-D technology are discussed. Using examples of voltage controlled oscillators, filters and a rat race circuit, the impact of the inductor quality on the performance and power consumption in front-end (sub)systems is analyzed. In addition, the relation with cost is indicated. From the discussed examples, it is clear that high-Q inductors are essential to achieve a high performance in a miniature RF front-end system at an acceptable cost.
The role of green technology on carbon emissions: does it differ across countries’ income levels?

ABSTRACT This study examines the impact of green technology on CO2 emissions in a sample of 45 countries for 1989–2018. Renewable energy consumption and environmental-related patents are used as indicators of green technology. We consider the production of renewable energy and the development of climate-related innovation as ‘two sides of the same coin’. One needs to be complemented by the other for countries to be successful in the fight against climate change. After applying the fixed-effect method with Driscoll and Kraay standard errors, results reveal that renewable energy consumption significantly reduces CO2 emissions in the full sample and all three subsamples (High-income, Upper-middle-income, and Lower-middle income countries). However, environmental-related patents significantly lower CO2 emissions only in very high-income countries. This paper also analyses how CO2 emissions influence the development of green technology and carbon-intensive technology. A negative association is found between renewable energy and CO2 emissions in the high-income and upper-middle-income groups. Environmental-related patents respond positively to carbon emissions only in high-income countries. The results allow us to draw important conclusions for energy policies. Among the necessary measures to be adopted, developing countries should not neglect the promotion of green innovation, which is a critical condition for carbon neutrality achievement.
The impact of public debt on domestic and foreign direct investments in developing market: An ARDL bounds testing approach

This research investigates the effect of the components of state government debts (domestic and external debts) on the various forms of investment (domestic investment and foreign direct investment — FDI) in Sri Lanka both in the short and long terms applying the ARDL bounds testing approach over the period, 1980–2020. The previous research has revealed that higher internal and external government borrowing lowers domestic investments in both the short and long terms, confirming the crowding-out effect of public debt on the volume of domestic investment of our country. The research discovered that internal debt accumulates FDI inflows in the short term, but it crowds out FDI when considering the long term. In contrast, foreign debt has a substantial inverse connection with FDI inflows in the short term, as expected, but it does not influence FDI in the long run. The findings also showed that higher lending rates of interest share a considerably inverted connection with domestic investments, but it does not have any impact on the long-term FDIs. However, in the short term, an increase in the rate of lending interest rate decreases the prospect of external financiers and crowds out the course of FDI in Sri Lanka. Further, the depreciation of the exchange rate decreases both domestic investment and the flow of FDI in the short-run, but it encourages both types of investments in the long run
Evaluation of performance improvement of the combined biomass gasifier power cycle using low‐temperature bottoming cycles: Organic Rankine cycle, Kalina and Goswami

A novel combination of a conventional combined power plant and low‐temperature power generators as a cogeneration cycle coupled with a biomass gasifier is presented in this study. For this purpose, mathematical modeling of organic Rankine cycle (ORC), Kalina, and Goswami cycles was performed as a bottoming power system. To achieve the goals of sustainable energy development, a portion of the fuel required for the proposed cycle has been provided using renewable biomass fuels. The results indicated that the base cycle heat recovery in all proposed scenarios would increase energy efficiencies by 6.1%, 3.3%, and 1.1%, respectively, to ORC, Kalina, and Goswami cycles. Furthermore, the results of the parametric studies on principal factors such as steam to biomass and equivalence ratios in the gasifier, working fluid types in the ORC, mass fraction of ammonia‐water mixture in Kalina and Goswami cycles, as well as thermodynamic properties of the expander and condenser can be highly considered for the energy industry developers.
Where did the Arizona‐Plano Go? Protracted Thinning Via Upper‐ to Lower‐Crustal Processes

Mesozoic‐Cenozoic subduction of the Farallon slab beneath North America generated a regionally extensive orogenic plateau in the southwestern US during the latest Cretaceous, similar to the modern Central Andean Plateau. In Nevada and southern Arizona, estimates from whole‐rock geochemistry suggest crustal thicknesses reached ∼60–55 km by the Late Cretaceous. Modern crustal thicknesses are ∼28 km, requiring significant Cenozoic crustal thinning. Here, we compare detailed low‐temperature thermochronology from the Catalina metamorphic core complex (MCC) to whole rock Sr/Y crustal thickness estimates across southern Arizona. We identify three periods of cooling. A minor cooling phase occurred prior to ∼40 Ma with limited evidence of denudation and ∼10 km of crustal thinning. Major cooling occurred during detachment faulting and MCC formation at 26–19 Ma, corresponding to ∼8 km of denudation and ∼8 km of crustal thinning. Finally, we document a cooling phase at 17–11 Ma related to Basin and Range extension that corresponds with ∼5 km of denudation and ∼9 km of crustal thinning. During the MCC and Basin and Range extension events, the amount of denudation recorded by low‐temperature thermochronology can be explained by corresponding decreases in the crustal thickness. However, the relatively limited exhumation prior to detachment faulting at ∼26 Ma recorded by thermochronology is insufficient to explain the magnitude of crustal thinning (∼10 km) observed in the whole rock crustal thickness record. Therefore, we suggest that crustal thinning of the Arizona‐plano was facilitated via ductile mid‐ to lower‐crustal ﬂow, and limited upper‐crustal extension at 50–30 Ma prior to detachment faulting and Basin and Range extension.
A serious shoot and leaf disease caused by Colletotrichum theobromicola discovered on eucalypts in South Africa

Eucalypt plantations in South Africa make up an important part of the local forestry industry. Recently, one-year-old nursery plants of a Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla variety displayed symptoms of leaf and shoot anthracnose disease. Samples were collected from these plants and isolations were made from the disease symptoms. Isolates were identified based on their morphological characteristics and DNA sequence data for eight gene regions. Phylogenetic analyses led to the isolates being identified as Colletotrichum theobromicola and the reduction of Colletotrichum pseudotheobromicola to synonymy with the former species. Pathogenicity trials with isolates of C. theobromicola were conducted on clones of E. grandis and hybrids of E. grandis × E. urophylla and E. grandis × Eucalyptus camaldulensis. Resulting symptoms were similar to those found on naturally infected plants and the fungus was re-isolated from the infections. Colletotrichum theobromicola is known to cause anthracnose on various plants including eucalypts in Brazil, but this is the first record of the pathogen in South Africa.
Evaluation of Price-sensitive Loads' Impacts on LMP and Market Power Using LMP Decomposition

This paper presents a novel approach for evaluating impacts of price-sensitive loads on electricity price and market power. To accomplish this aim an analytical method along with agent-based computational economics are used. At first, Nash equilibrium is achieved by computational approach of Q-learning then based on the optimal bidding strategies of GenCos, which are figured out by Q-learning, ISO's social welfare maximization is restated considering demand side bidding. In this research, it was demonstrated that Locational Marginal Price (LMP) at each node of system can be decomposed into five components. The first constitutive part is a constant value for the respective bus, while the next two components are related to GenCos and the last two parts are associated to Load Serving Entities (LSEs). Market regulators can acquire valuable information from the proposed LMP decomposition. First, sensitivity of electricity price at each bus and Lerner index of GenCos to the bidding strategies and maximum price- sensitive demand of LSEs are revealed through weighting coefficients of the last two terms in the decomposed LMP. Moreover, the decomposition of LMP expresses contribution of LSEs to the electricity price. The simulation results on two test systems confirm the capability of the proposed approach.
The Effect of Cooperative Problem-Solving Method on Students’ Motivation Towards Learning Algebra

The of Method Students’ Motivation ABSTRACT This study aimed to examine the effect of cooperative problem-solving method on grade nine secondary school students ’ motivation towards learning algebra. In this study, pretest-posttest non-equivalent group quasi- experimental design was employed. The data were collected from 142 grade ninth students using mathematics motivation questionnaire and analyzed using paired sample t-test, analysis of variance, and analysis of covariance. The result revealed that there was a statistically significant mean difference between groups on intrinsic goal orientation, extrinsic goal orientation, task-value, control of beliefs for learning, self-efficacy, and total motivation of students to learn algebra. Besides, except test anxiety motivation component, students ’ motivation and its components to learn algebra were affected by the cooperative problem-solving and the problem-solving methods. However, there was no statistically significant mean difference between groups on test anxiety motivation component. Finally, we recommend that further study is needed to examine how students test anxiety can be improved.
Scalable Production of High-Quality Silver Nanowires via Continuous-Flow Droplet Synthesis

Silver nanowires (Ag NWs) have shown great potential in next-generation flexible displays, due to their superior electronic, optical, and mechanical properties. However, as with most nanomaterials, a limited production capacity and poor reproduction quality, based on the batch reaction, largely hinder their application. Here, we applied continuous-flow synthesis for the scalable and high-quality production of Ag NWs, and built a pilot-scale line for kilogram-level per day production. In addition, we found that trace quantities of water could generate sufficient vapor as a spacer under high temperature to efficiently prevent the back-flow or mixed-flow of the reaction solution. With an optimized synthetic formula, a mass production of pure Ag NWs of 36.5 g/h was achieved by a multiple-channel, continuous-flow reactor.
Method to Minimize the Errors of AI: Quantifying and Exploiting Uncertainty of Deep Learning in Brain Tumor Segmentation

Despite the unprecedented success of deep learning in various fields, it has been recognized that clinical diagnosis requires extra caution when applying recent deep learning techniques because false prediction can result in severe consequences. In this study, we proposed a reliable deep learning framework that could minimize incorrect segmentation by quantifying and exploiting uncertainty measures. The proposed framework demonstrated the effectiveness of a public dataset: Multimodal Brain Tumor Segmentation Challenge 2018. By using this framework, segmentation performances, particularly for small lesions, were improved. Since the segmentation of small lesions is difficult but also clinically significant, this framework could be effectively applied to the medical imaging field.
Preparing and Implementing Instruction Reading Activities in French Language Classes: An Action Research with Pre-Service French Teachers

In this study, answers were sought about how instruction reading activities affect pre-service teachers’ instruction reading behavior, the opinions of pre-service teachers about instruction reading activities, how to apply instruction reading activities in Text Grammar in a French course, and how instruction reading activities affect pre-service teachers’ awareness of delivering the instructions. The study was designed as action research. For this purpose, following the literature review, teaching materials were developed and applied to improve instruction reading skills. The participants of the study consisted of students studying at the French Language Teaching Program in a state university, who are attending a second-year spring semester Text Grammar in a French course. Different qualitative and quantitative data collection tools such as video recordings, observations, interviews, researcher diary, and achievement tests were used to collect data in the study. As a result of the analysis of the data, it was observed that instruction reading activities had a positive effect on the students’ instruction reading skills, increased the students’ awareness of instruction reading, and supported the use of strategies in instruction reading. Instruction reading activities conducted during the action research influence the development of instruction reading skills of French teacher candidates. And these activities created an awareness of the instruction in pre-service teachers and supported instruction reading behaviour. In addition, instruction reading activities had positive effects on the academic achievement, strategy use, and professional development of participants.