Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design and Experiment of a Dielectric-Loaded Gyro-TWT With a Single Depressed Collector

A Ka-band gyrotron traveling wave tube (gyro-TWT) with a single depressed collector (SDC) has been designed, and the SDC has been experimentally verified for the first time in the tube with a dielectric-loaded circuit. The effect of reflection electrons on the output power and the movement of electrons in gyro-TWT with an SDC are also analyzed in this article. The simulation results indicate that gyro-TWT driven by a 60-kV, 10-A electron beam can achieve about 230-kW maximum peak power and 150 kW recycled power with a 15-kV depressed collector. The overall efficiency of gyro-TWT increases from 38.3% to 51.1%. The hot experiment results show that the measured maximum peak power is 155.3 kW at 31 GHz, corresponding to an average power of 15.53 kW with a 10% duty factor and 140 kW pulsed recycle power with a 14-kV depressed collector. The overall efficiency is improved from 27.1% to 33.8% and increased by 24.7%. The saturated bandwidth is 4 GHz from 27.7 to 31.7 GHz.
Autonomous Docking for Marine Vessels Using a Lidar and Proximity Sensors.

This thesis reviews the development of an autonomous docking feature for a marine vessel in a small-scale, sheltered, environment. Proximity sensors are added to aid the autonomous exploration by detecting obstacles outside the lidars scan-plane, an assessment of different thrust allocations to emulate leisure boats are addressed. The Cyber Ship Saucer, a model-scale vessel built for testing in the Marine Cybernetics Laboratory at NTNU, have been serving the platform for testing the docking scheme. The model and the lab, together with autonomous systems, optimal thrust allocation, sensors and SLAM is presented as a background for the experimental work performed in this thesis. In addition to the fixed thrusters, four new configurations which considering rotation, emulating a leisure boat, have been studied. The ”constrained control allocation for azimuth thruster” were applied to find an optimal solution for each of the modes. The online visualization process has been altered such that obstacles detected by the proximity sensors become apparent for the operator, along with the heading of the vessel. Through modifying the existing system, influencing both the path planning strategy and operator interaction, autonomous docking and take-off arose. Simulations, and later experiments, verified the autonomous docking by utilizing the proximity sensors using a fixed thruster configuration. Through the user interface, the user is able to select a spot and then inputting the desired heading there. The results are presented, and discussed, in a separate chapter. The electronic attachment contains, among other, photos and videos from the experimental trials.
Surface Modification of ETFE Membrane and PTFE Membrane by Atmospheric DBD Plasma

Fluorine resin membranes with excellent chemical resistance have great potential for the application of high-performance chemical protective clothing. However, it is difficult to integrate fluorine resins into other materials such as fabrics due to their lower surface energy and poor bondability, making the fabrication of composite fabrics and the further seal splicing challenging. In this study, atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma in helium (He) and helium/acrylic acid (He/AA) mixture atmospheres were used to modify two kinds of fluorine resins, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane. The surface chemical properties, physical morphology, hydrophilicity and adhesion strength of the fluororesin membranes before and after plasma treatments were systematically analyzed. The results showed that the plasma treatment can modify the membrane surface at the nanoscale level without damaging the main body of the membrane. The hydrophilicity of the plasma-treated membrane was improved with the water contact angle decreasing from 95.83° to 49.9° for the ETFE membrane and from 109.9° to 67.8° for the PTFE membrane, respectively. The He plasma creates active sites on the membrane surface as well as etching the membrane surface, increasing the surface roughness. The He/AA plasma treatment introduces two types of polyacrylic acid (PAA)—deposited polyacrylic acid (d-PAA) and grafted polyacrylic acid (g-PAA)—on the membrane surface. Even after ultrasonic washing with acetone, g-PAA still existed stably and, as a result, improved the polarity and adhesion strength of fluororesin membranes. This work provides useful insights into the modification mechanism of DBD plasma on fluorine resins, with implications for developing effective strategies of integrating fluorine resin membrane to chemical protective clothing fabrics.
Biomimetic CPGs for robotic applications

Locomotion is one of the most basic abilities of animals. Neurobiologists have established that locomotion results from the activity of half-center oscillators that provides alternating bursts. Most rhythmic movements are programmed by central pattern-generating (CPG) networks consisting of neural oscillators. A biomimetic system mimics the nature for simulating the living behavior and/or replaces it (rebuilding the living part). We propose a network of hundreds biomimetic CPGs using biomimetic neuron model and synapses. This network is implemented in an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). This article is decomposed into two parts: the description, the implementation and results of the biomimetic network of CPGs, and the architecture and advantages of robots including our biomimetic CPGs.
Epidermal Electrodes with Ferrimagnetic/Conductive Properties for Biopotential Recordings

Interfacing ultrathin functional films for epidermal applications with external recording instruments or readout electronics still represents one of the biggest challenges in the field of tattoo electronics. With the aim of providing a convenient solution to this ever-present limitation, in this work we propose an innovative free-standing electrode made of a composite thin film based on the combination of the conductive polymer PEDOT:PSS and ferrimagnetic powder. The proposed epidermal electrode can be directly transferred onto the skin and is structured in two parts, namely a conformal conductive part with a thickness of 3 μm and a ferrimagnetic-conductive part that can be conveniently connected using magnetic connections. The films were characterized for ECG recordings, revealing a performance comparable to that of commercial pre-gelled electrodes in terms of cross-spectral coherence, signal-to-noise ratio, and baseline wandering. These new, conductive, magnetically interfaceable, and free-standing conformal films introduce a novel concept in the domain of tattoo electronics and can set the basis for the development of a future family of epidermal devices and electrodes.
Parallel Parent–Child Mindfulness Intervention Among Chinese Migrant Families: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study

Purpose This study examines the feasibility and effects of a parallel parent–child mindfulness intervention on parenting stress, child behavior, and parent–child relationship among low-income migrant families. Methods Using a quasi-experimental design, 21 Chinese migrant parents and one child of each parent were assigned to an 8-week intervention (n = 11 pairs) or waitlist control (n = 10 pairs). Semi-structured qualitative interviews and pre–post quantitative measures were used to assess intervention feasibility and effects. Results Qualitative interviews suggest mindfulness training promotes family well-being through enhanced parental and child emotional regulation. Quantitative results suggest within-group parenting stress significantly decreased in the intervention group (partial η 2 = .423) but not in controls (partial η 2 = .000); between-group analyses showed a nonsignificant, medium effect size on parenting stress (partial η 2 = .069). Conclusions The intervention shows good feasibility and initial support for reducing parenting stress. Future research requires a larger randomized controlled trial among high-stress populations such as migrant families.
Investigating webrooming behavior: a case of Indian luxury consumers

PurposeThe purpose of the current study is to examine why luxury consumers webroom. The study further examines the intervening effects of social norms, age, and gender.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional data from 374 Indian luxury consumers was collected using questionnaire surveys. Confirmatory factor analysis, covariance-based structural equation modeling and PROCESS macro were used to analyze the data.FindingsFindings suggest that perceived usefulness of searching online, sales-staff assistance, socialization, and need for touch have significant positive effect on attitude toward webrooming. The moderation effect findings suggest that subjective norm significantly moderates the association between attitude toward webrooming and webrooming intention.Practical implicationsPractically, the findings are likely to aid luxury marketers in designing effective channel strategies to maximize their reach via both offline and online channel.Originality/valueThis study provides several contributions to the luxury marketing and retailing literature by examining luxury consumers' webrooming intention.
Iron-TAML® catalysts in the pulp and paper industry

Here we report on a novel catalytic approach to removing color from the effluent derived from the bleaching process of bleached kraft pulp mills. First we show how an Fe-TAML catalyst with hydrogen peroxide, after laboratory simulation, can be used at a pulp mill as an effective end-of-pipe treatment to decolorize the effluent water from the caustic extraction stage of a chlorine-based bleaching process. Then we show laboratory experimentation for applying the Fe-TAML catalyst in the El extraction stage of the bleaching process itself. The goal of this second treatment type is to obviate the need for the previously described end-of-pipe treatment. The details regarding the benefits that a Fe-TAML/H 2 O 2 system could have on mill operations will be discussed.
Design optimization-under-uncertainty of a forward swept wing unmanned aerial vehicle using SAMURAI

In this paper the design optimization-under-uncertainty of a forward swept wing (FSW) blended wing body (BWB) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is examined. Conventional BWBs are often tailless, which leads to a backward swept wing to ensure longitudinal static stability. This in turn can induce flow separation at the tip, leading to a loss of lift, controllability and the appearance of a nose-up pitching moment. A possible solution to this problem is a conceptual redesign by introducing a forward swept wing, which is inherently free of tip-stall, but needs a careful design in order to be controllable. However, fixed wing UAVs are often produced by means of direct injection expanded foam moulding, which is characterized by not negligible production tolerances. This lead to a reliability-based robust design optimization problem, for which a novel framework is employed: SAMURAI. Firstly, the method accounts for computational cost by means of surrogate modelling, an analytical treatment of the problem and an asynchronous updating scheme that balances design space exploration and objective exploitation. Secondly, the method treats the problem as a multi-objective problem, which leads to a Pareto front of robust and reliable designs. The result is a novel series of UAV designs that are inherently free of tip stall, perform robustly and meet the stability requirements with the target reliability obtained with a computationally feasible budget.
Patients’ Stem Cells Differentiation in a 3D Environment as a Promising Experimental Tool for the Study of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease (NDD) that affects motor neurons, causing weakness, muscle atrophy and spasticity. Unfortunately, there are only symptomatic treatments available. Two important innovations in recent years are three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The aim of this work was to demonstrate the robustness of 3D cultures for the differentiation of stem cells for the study of ALS. We reprogrammed healthy and sALS peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in iPSCs and differentiated them in neural stem cells (NSCs) in 2D. NSCs were printed in 3D hydrogel-based constructs and subsequently differentiated first in motor neuron progenitors and finally in motor neurons. Every step of differentiation was tested for cell viability and characterized by confocal microscopy and RT-qPCR. Finally, we tested the electrophysiological characteristics of included NSC34. We found that NSCs maintained good viability during the 3D differentiation. Our results suggest that the hydrogel does not interfere with the correct differentiation process or with the electrophysiological features of the included cells. Such evidence confirmed that 3D bioprinting can be considered a good model for the study of ALS pathogenesis.
High Power Irradiance Dependence of Charge Species Dynamics in Hybrid Perovskites and Kinetic Evidence for Transient Vibrational Stark Effect in Formamidinium

Hybrid halide perovskites materials have the potential for both photovoltaic and light-emitting devices. Relatively little has been reported on the kinetics of charge relaxation upon intense excitation. In order to evaluate the illumination power density dependence on the charge recombination mechanism, we have applied a femtosecond transient mid-IR absorption spectroscopy with strong excitation to directly measure the charge kinetics via electron absorption. The irradiance-dependent relaxation processes of the excited, photo-generated charge pairs were quantified in polycrystalline MAPbI3, MAPbBr3, and (FAPbI3)0.97(MAPbBr3)0.03 thin films that contain either methylamonium (MA) or formamidinium (FA). This report identifies the laser-generated charge species and provides the kinetics of Auger, bimolecular and excitonic decay components. The inter-band electron-hole (bimolecular) recombination was found to dominate over Auger recombination at very high pump irradiances, up to the damage threshold. The kinetic analysis further provides direct evidence for the carrier field origin of the vibrational Stark effect in a formamidinium containing perovskite material. The results suggest that radiative excitonic and bimolecular recombination in MAPbI3 at high excitation densities could support light-emitting applications.
Vedic Mathematics Applications in DSP: Convolution and De-Convolution

Convolution and Deconvolution is having wide area of application in Digital Signal Processing. As in DSP Convolution and Deconvolution of long sequences is often required in many applications. Convolution helps to estimate the output of a system with arbitrary input, with knowledge of impulse response of the system. Linear systems characteristics are completely specified by the systems impulse response, as governed by the mathematics of convolution. Primary requirement of any application to work fast is that increase the speed of their basic building block. Multiplier and Divider is the heart of convolution and Deconvolution respectively. It is most important but, slowest unit of the system and consumes much time in the system. Many methods are invented to improve the speed of the Multiplier and Divider, amongst all vedic Multiplier and Divider is under focus. Because, of faster working and low power consumption. In this paper the speed of Convolution and Deconvolution module is increased using Vedic multiplier and Divider.
Nitrous oxide emissions from productive and degraded potato fields in the Fraser Valley delta of British Columbia

Abstract Soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and potato yield were evaluated under 0, 90, and 120 kg N ha−1 fertilizer rates and two planting dates, at productive and degraded fields in the Fraser Valley delta. During the growing season, N2O emissions were comparable among N fertilizer rates. Following November rainfall, N2O emissions increased by three times with 120 kg N ha−1. In the degraded field, yield did not respond to the increasing N fertilizer rates. These findings suggest that lower N fertilizer rates, especially in fields with degraded soils, can lower N2O emissions from British Columbia potato production. Résumé Les auteurs ont évalué les émissions de protoxyde d’azote (N2O) du sol et le rendement de la pomme de terre après l’application de 0, de 90 ou de 120 kg d’engrais N par hectare et deux dates de repiquage, dans des champs en production ou dégradés du delta de la vallée du Fraser. Pendant la période végétative, ils ont relevé des dégagements similaires de N2O pour tous les taux d’application de l’engrais. Après une précipitation en novembre, les émissions de N2O ont triplé avec le traitement de 120 kg de N par hectare. Le rendement du champ dégradé a mal réagi à la hausse des applications d’engrais. Ces résultats laissent croire que l’application d’une moins grande quantité d’engrais N, surtout sur les sols dégradés, pourrait réduire les dégagements de N2O résultant de la culture de la pomme de terre en Colombie-Britannique. [Traduction par la Rédaction]
An integrated hydrodynamic and adsorption model of expanded bed operation : its development and application

The expanded bed adsorption (EBA) process naturally assumes a mixed bed (MB) in terms of particle size and displays particle dispersion. To date models have not accounted for this simultaneously and accurately. Moreover, there has not been any work to predict an adsorption response when the bed is in a hydrodynamic-transient state which occurs for example while changing feedstock. A series of MB steady state hydrodynamic EBA models were developed which are increasingly close mimics of reality. This was achieved by progressively considering: a single representative equivalent particle size per axial position (MBEQD), separate particle size categories by using size-partition (MBSP) approach and inclusion of an additional component flux due to particle dispersion. Breakthrough predictions using the MB approach were more accurate compared to both that of a mono-sized bed and perfectly classified bed approaches clearly demonstrating its importance. The results of both MBEQD and MBSP were in close agreement with 40 cm bed height breakthrough experimental data. An important weakness in an existing method of including the particle dispersion was identified and a model for its more accurate representation developed. A transient hydrodynamic EBA model was developed by integrating the mono-sized transient hydrodynamic model and adsorption model. A simulation study using this demonstrated the possibility of loading while a bed is still expanding which may afford an increase in an operational throughput. The effects of various physical parameters on the performance of EBA were investigated using simulation. Windows of operation in relation to fluid velocity and load volume were determined which would satisfy minimum yield and throughput criteria. The model was also used to determine optimal loading time strategies in order to maximise yield and throughput. Finally a preliminary work explaining future potential developments in EBA modelling was performed.
Predictors of Kidney Delayed Graft Function and Its Prognostic Impact following Combined Liver–Kidney Transplantation: A Recent Single-Center Experience

Combined liver–kidney transplantation (CLKT) improves patient survival among liver transplant recipients with renal dysfunction. However, kidney delayed graft function (kDGF) still represents a common and challenging complication that can negatively impact clinical outcomes. This retrospective study analyzed the incidence, potential risk factors, and prognostic impact of kDGF development following CLKT in a recently transplanted cohort. Specifically, 115 consecutive CLKT recipients who were transplanted at our center between January 2015 and February 2021 were studied. All transplanted kidneys received hypothermic pulsatile machine perfusion (HPMP) prior to transplant. The primary outcome was kDGF development. Secondary outcomes included the combined incidence and severity of developing postoperative complications; development of postoperative infections; biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR); renal function at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-transplant; and death-censored graft and patient survival. kDGF was observed in 37.4% (43/115) of patients. Multivariable analysis of kDGF revealed the following independent predictors: preoperative dialysis (p = 0.0003), lower recipient BMI (p = 0.006), older donor age (p = 0.003), utilization of DCD donors (p = 0.007), and longer delay of kidney transplantation after liver transplantation (p = 0.0003). With a median follow-up of 36.7 months post-transplant, kDGF was associated with a significantly increased risk of developing more severe postoperative complication(s) (p < 0.000001), poorer renal function (particularly at 1 month post-transplant, p < 0.000001), and worse death-censored graft (p = 0.00004) and patient survival (p = 0.0002). kDGF may be responsible for remarkable negative effects on immediate and potentially longer-term clinical outcomes after CLKT. Understanding the important risk factors for kDGF development in CLKT may better guide recipient and donor selection(s) and improve clinical decisions in this increasing group of transplant recipients.
Enterprise E-Commerce Management Strategies Based on Light Weight Deep Learning Model in the Context of New Retail

The advancement of information technology has changed traditional manufacturing and business methods, resulting in the emergence of a new business mode known as electronic commerce (E-Commerce). Owing to its obvious benefits, E-Commerce has been extensively employed in a short time, creating a group of E-Commerce enterprises. Establishing financial management strategies that are appropriate for E-Commerce enterprises is critical since it not only aids executors in formulating better financial policies but also benefits enterprises’ administration and market competitiveness. Most of the retail stores in the technological environment are taking different dimensions in their performance through this enterprise E-Commerce. In this study, an E-Commerce system is implemented for retail marketing using lightweight deep learning technology. The deep Lagrangian multiplier approach is used to promote the user’s purchase behavior and to determine whether the estimated optimal transaction quantity is achieved. The user can utilize the mobile application with the internetworking facility to place the order for required products. The proposed system showed the highest performance achieving 98.78% accuracy as compared to the existing system with 92.46% accuracy.