Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A novel dual‐band circularly polarized slot antenna with fractal slot geometry

A compact circularly polarized (CP) antenna with fractal‐geometry characteristics for dual‐band applications is proposed in this paper. The antenna is fabricated on a 41 mm × 41 mm × 1.6 mm FR4 substrate with 10‐dB impedance bandwidth of 2.19–3.7 GHz and 3‐dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidth of 2.3 − 2.5 and 3.39–3.55 GHz. The antenna is designed based on fractal theory and the working mechanism is investigated. Due to its unique slot structure, left hand circular polarization radiation is achieved at the upper hemisphere. Simulated results and measured results are given and analyzed in detail. The dual‐band CP performance demonstrates that the proposed antenna is well suited for the WLAN/WiMAX wireless applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:451–456, 2017
How to promote the class engagement of graduate students in seminar teaching: An empirical research

Student engagement is of critical importance because it can help students gain more knowledge from the course. This paper investigates how to improve student engagement of graduate students in seminar teaching, and the results show that student self-efficacy, classmate support, and teacher support have significant positive effects on student engagement. These findings highlight the value of self-efficacy, classmate support, and teacher support. Therefore, college should take measures to promote self-efficacy, classmate support, and teacher support.
Robust transmission gate-based 10T subthreshold SRAM for internet-of-things applications

This paper presents a transmission-gate-based 10T (TG10T) subthreshold SRAM cell for internet of things applications. To estimate its relative strength, it is compared with six-transistor (6T), transmission gate (TG)-based 8T (TG8T), and fully differential 8T (FD8T) cells subjected to severe process variations. The simulation results are carried out using HSPICE software and a 16 nm CMOS technology node. The TG10T cell uses a differential scheme to enhance the sense margin, two TGs instead of two NMOS access transistors to enhance write-ability, and two extra buffer transistors to improve read stability. The proposed TG10T cell minimizes leakage power dissipation by means of a greater number of PMOS devices. The proposed cell shows at least a 1.67X lower read delay (T RA) and a 1.13X higher read static noise margin. In addition, it offers a 1.22X and 1.52X lower write delay (T WA), and a 1.36X and 1.40X higher write static noise margin (WSNM) than that of 6T and FD8T, respectively. The TG10T cell consumes 2.06X/1.28X lower dynamic/leakage power compared to the 6T cell. For all these improvements, it incurs a penalty of 1.24X T WA, 1.48X WSNM, and 1.12Xdynamic power when compared with the TG8T cell, at V DD = 0.36 V. However, when subjected to severe process variations, the proposed TG10T cell shows high reliability. Moreover, a 2 kb SRAM memory using the proposed TG10T cell along with peripheral circuitries is implemented to evaluate the proposed cell’s performance in an array level.
Cluster Synchronization for Multiweighted and Directed Fractional-Order Networks With Cooperative-Competitive Interactions

In this brief, we investigate the cluster synchronization of fractional-order multiweighted complex networks (FOMCNs) via pinning control. Recently, multiweighted complex network has been a hot model to replace classical single-weighted network. The outer coupling matrices (OCMs) are often assumed to be symmetric and strongly connected; moreover, the interactions between nodes are only cooperative. The main contribution of this brief is that we can remove all these limitations, i.e., OCMs can be asymmetric and not connected, while interactions inter-/intra-nodes can be cooperative or competitive. The approach is called re-arranging variables’ order technique (ROT), where we combine OCMs with elements in inner linking matrices (ILMs) as coefficients to form union matrices on the same dimension of each node. Some sufficient criteria are presented to guarantee cluster synchronization of FOMCNs, and numerical simulations are given to demonstrate its effectiveness.
Unleashing the Potential of Networked Tethered Flying Platforms: Prospects, Challenges, and Applications

Networked Tethered Flying Platforms (NTFPs) have gained growing interest in recent years due to their versatility and cost-efficiency. These aerial platforms are linked to ground stations via tethers that supply them with continuous power and data. The main advantages of NTFPs include endurance, broad coverage, and robust backhaul capacity, allowing them to carry various types of applications. This survey provides a comprehensive overview of NTFPs from a general and wireless communication perspective. We start with a general overview of this solution by reviewing all the existing types of NTFPs, including their components, characteristics, applications, advantages, and regulations. We also describe several case studies in various fields. Then, we investigate the role of NTFPs in wireless communications and their integration in Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) alongside free-flying platforms and satellites in Sixth Generation (6G) cellular technology. We present NTFPs system models and emerging works on NTFPs performance. We show how 6G key technologies will be integrated into NTFPs and discuss how NTFPs will enable 6G use cases. The related channel models to NTFPs deployment are also covered. For completeness, we provide an economic analysis of the use of NTFPs. Finally, we discuss the challenges and open problems.
Analysis of key predistribution schemes in wireless sensor networks

Combinatorial designs are used for designing key predistribution schemes that are applied to wireless sensor networks in communications. This helps in building a secure channel. Private-key cryptography helps to determine a common key between a pair of nodes in sensor networks. Wireless sensor networks using key predistribution schemes have many useful applications in military and civil operations. When designs are efficiently implemented on sensor networks, blocks with unique keys will be the result. One such implementation is a transversal design which follows the principle of simple key establishment. Analysis of designs and modeling the key schemes are the subjects of this project.
Research on Financial Market Risks Based on VaR Model

With the continuous development of the Internet financial industry, its impact on people's daily life is growing. Under the influence of the information technology and the financial innovation, the volatility of the financial market has been significantly enhanced, and the financial risk has become increasingly serious. The COVID-19 in 2020 still has a profound impact on the global financial market. The reasonable measurement of the financial risks is the most important step in the financial risk management. Based on the sample analysis of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index from January 3, 2013 to June 30, 2020, this paper measures the risks by analyzing and calculating the value at risk (VaR) of the sample data by different methods. This paper mainly establishes the ARMA model, the GARCH model based on bayese statistics, and the POT model based on the extreme value theory, and compares and analyzes the VaR values obtained by the three models. Finally, the effectiveness of VaR is tested by VaR backtracking test, and the advantages and disadvantages of the methods are compared and evaluated.
Modeling Users’ Adoption of Shared Autonomous Vehicles Employing Actual Ridership Experiences

Despite the growing interest in implementing shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs) as a new mobility mode, there is still a lack of methodologies to unpack SAV adoption by individuals after experiencing self-driving vehicles. This study aimed to fill this gap by analyzing data collected from a users’ survey of a self-driving shuttle piloted downtown and on a university campus in Arlington, TX. Employing structural equation modeling, the hypothesized relationships between SAV adoption and key factors were tested. Data analyses indicated that individuals with limited access to a private vehicles, low-income people, young adults, university students, males, and Asians were more likely to ride this new service. Furthermore, results showed that SAV service attributes, including internal and external service performance and usual transportation mode, affected users’ willingness to continue using the service in the future. The study also highlighted the role of trip waiting time, -purpose, and -frequency on SAV adoption. Our model simultaneously considered usual transportation mode and trip frequency as factors that could mediate the role of vehicle ownership on SAV adoption. The results suggested that participants with greater access to a private vehicle were strongly interested in using private vehicles and less likely to use the ridesharing alternative, consequently they less frequently used the piloted SAV. The outcomes from this study are expected to inform planners with advanced knowledge about emerging technology to help them to adjust SAV policies before autonomous vehicle services are fully on the roads.
Effects of Varied Practice Approach in Physical Education Teaching on Inhibitory Control and Reaction Time in Preadolescents

This study aimed to investigate the effects of nonlinear and linear varied practice compared to a constant linear practice on inhibitory control and reaction time, which are capacities that involve cognition in preadolescents. Eighty-three participants in the 8th grade participated in the study. They were assigned to two experimental groups (varied practice), taught using nonlinear pedagogy (NLP) and linear pedagogy (VLP), respectively, or one control group (constant practice), taught using linear pedagogy (CLP). All participants were tested for inhibitory control (congruent and incongruent conditions) and simple reaction time. Overall, varied practice (both linear and nonlinear) induced larger improvements than constant practice under both congruent (p = 0.026) and incongruent (p = 0.013) conditions of inhibitory control. Additionally, VLP provided greater improvements in inhibitory control (for the incongruent condition) than NLP and CLP. Although NLP and VLP may be preferable to CLP approaches for enhancing executive functions in preadolescents, VLP seems to be the most effective approach aimed to improve cognition within PE classes.
Broadband NIR luminescence in double-core germanate optical fiber

In the paper, 1.4 – 2.2 μm broadband emission under 796, 808, 980 nm laser diode excitation in low phonon energy germanate glass system co-doped with 0.7Er2O3/0.35Tmo2O3 (1st core) and 0.7Tm2O3/0.15Ho2O3 (2nd core) were investigated. Next, double-core, double-clad optical fiber has been developed by the modified rod-in-tube technique. Amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) in double-clad optical fiber with 3dB bandwidth was measured to be 346 nm and 677 nm for - 10 dB. ASE spectrum is a result of the partial donor-acceptor energy transfer and superposition of Er3+: 4I13/2 → 4I13/2, Tm3+: 3F4 → 3H6, 1.8 μm and (Ho3+:5I7 → 5I8) 2 μm emission bands. Excellent spectroscopic properties indicate that the developed germanate optical fiber is a promising active element for construction compact, broadband ASE sources.
Microbial regulation of net N mineralisation is driven by C, N, P content and stoichiometry

Soil net nitrogen mineralisation (Nt) is crucial for nitrogen availability and ecosystem productivity. However, the patterns and drivers of Nt remain unclear under different management practices. We examined the biotic and abiotic determinants of Nt, using 11 treatments in Northern China fluvo‐aquic soil under wheat–maize rotation. Biotic properties, for example, soil microbial community, were determined based on phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) together with high‐throughput sequencing technologies. Abiotic properties were characterised by the content and stoichiometric ratios of soil nutrients. Animal manure applications (HNM, NM, M, FM) significantly increased the Nt (1.80–3.40 mg kg−1) and available phosphorus (Olsen‐P) (46.3–199.3 mg kg−1), compared with treatments with plant residues (NG, NS) incorporation. Fallow with animal manure (FM) had the highest Gram‐negative bacteria (G‐, 29.3 nmol g−1), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF, 4.57 nmol g−1) abundance, which was also significantly higher than that of the NG and NS. Structural Equation Modelling revealed that the content of total nutrient, including soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) rather than biotic properties, such as microbial community (λ = −0.26) and enzyme activities (λ = −0.16), had the strongest direct effect on Nt (λ = 0.85). Stoichiometric ratios of C, N, and P controlled Nt indirectly by mediating enzyme activities. Specifically, high Nt was associated with low Dothideomycetes, Tectomicrobia abundance that negatively correlated with SOC, TN, TP, Olsen‐P, and BG activity. Random forest model indicated that SOC and Olsen‐P contents were top‐rated determinants of Nt. Our result indicated that the content and stoichiometric ratios of SOC and N, P directly drive Nt or via microbial ways. Our study highlighted the importance of P to improve Nt: animal manure was thus recommended for nitrogen availability.
Comparison of bioceramic and epoxy resin sealers in terms of marginal adaptation and tubular penetration depth with different obturation techniques in premolar teeth: A scanning electron microscope and confocal laser scanning microscopy study

Introduction and Objective: The proper performance of a sealer in root canal treatment depends on its physical properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two bioceramic and epoxy resin sealers in terms of marginal adaptation and tubular penetration depth in different obturation methods of human premolar teeth. Materials and Methods: A total of 82 premolar teeth extracted due to caries and gum disease were used in the present in vitro experimental study. Two types of sealers, epoxy resin (AH-Plus, Dentsply, Germany) and bioceramic (Endosequence BC sealer, Brasseler, Savannah, GA, USA), were used in this research. Lateral compaction and single-cone techniques were used for filling the teeth. Marginal adaptation and tubular penetration depth were measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM), respectively. Statistical analysis of data was performed by repeated-measures ANOVA. The significance level was considered as P < 0.05. Results: The marginal adaptation and tubular penetration depth in all three coronal, middle, and apical regions were better in bioceramic sealer (P < 0.001). The marginal adaptation and tubular penetration depth in all regions were not affected by the filling method and the interaction between the sealer type and the obturation technique. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the use of bioceramic sealer caused better depth of tubular penetration and marginal adaptation compared to epoxy resin. Further studies and the use of different filling techniques are necessary to achieve a three-dimensional sealing in curved root canals.
Nobiletin as a Neuroprotectant against NMDA Receptors: An In Silico Approach

Excitotoxicity is a type of neurodegenerative disorder. It caused by excessive glutamate receptor activation, which leads to neuronal malfunction and fatality. The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are found in glutamatergic neurons, and their excessive activation is primarily responsible for excitotoxicity. They are activated by both glutamate binding and postsynaptic depolarization, facilitating Ca2+ entry upon activation. Therefore, they are now widely acknowledged as being essential targets for excitotoxicity issues. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation analyses have demonstrated that nobiletin efficiently targets the binding pocket of the NMDA receptor protein and exhibits stable dynamic behavior at the binding site. In this study, five potential neuroprotectants, nobiletin, silibinin, ononin, ginkgolide B, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), were screened against the glutamate NMDA receptors in humans via computational methods. An in silico ADMET study was also performed, to predict the pharmacokinetics and toxicity profile for the expression of good drug-like behavior and a non-toxic nature. It was revealed that nobiletin fulfills the criteria for all of the drug-likeness rules (Veber, Lipinski, Ghose, Muegge, and Egan) and has neither PAINS nor structural alerts (Brenks). In conclusion, nobiletin demonstrated a possible promising neuroprotectant activities compared to other selected phytochemicals. Further, it can be evaluated in the laboratory for promising therapeutic approaches for in vitro and in vivo studies.
Position Sensorless Control for IPMSM Based on Extended EMF and Voltage Injection Synchronized with Pulse‐Width Modulation Carrier

This paper presents a new position sensorless control system for an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM). The proposed method is based on the extended electromotive force (EMF) and voltage injection synchronized with a pulse‐width modulation carrier. The proposed method does not need to switch the estimation method by speed in order to estimate the magnetic pole position by extended EMF, even at low speeds. Further, the amplitude of the superimposing voltage is changed according to the extended EMF; the applied voltage is not saturated in the high‐load and high‐speed regions. The effectiveness of the proposed sensorless control system was verified experimentally.
Distributed Finite-Time Consensus Control of Multiagent Systems With Fully Intermittent Communication via Dynamic Event-Triggered Strategy

Taking into account the multi-agent systems (MASs) with the single-order integrator dynamics and the directed internal topology, this brief is devoted to investigating the finite-time consensus (FTC) control problem based on the event-triggered strategy (ETS). A novel dynamic and state-dependent ETS is designed by using an adaptive and dynamic variable for each agent. Based on the triggered states, a discontinuous FTC control strategy is proposed and the tools from the non-smooth analysis theory are adapted to analyze the stability. Moreover, under the developed protocol, consensus can be realized after a finite transient time while avoiding the continuous information transmissions among agents. Finally, the effectiveness corroboration of the theoretical results are provided by the numerical simulation.
Ectomycorrhizal Influence on the Dynamics of Sesquiterpene Release by Tricholoma vaccinum

Tricholoma vaccinum is an ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete with high host specificity. The slow-growing fungus is able to produce twenty sesquiterpenes, including α-barbatene, sativene, isocaryophyllene, α-cuprenene, β-cedrene, ß-copaene, 4-epi-α-acoradiene, and chamigrene in axenic culture. For the three major compounds, Δ6-protoilludene, β-barbatene, and an unidentified oxygenated sesquiterpene (m/z 218.18), changed production during co-cultivation with the ectomycorrhizal partner tree, Picea abies, could be shown with distinct dynamics. During the mycorrhizal growth of T. vaccinum–P. abies, Δ6-protoilludene and the oxygenated sesquiterpene appeared at similar times, which warranted further studies of potential biosynthesis genes. In silico analyses identified a putative protoilludene synthesis gene, pie1, as being up-regulated in the mycorrhizal stage, in addition to the previously identified, co-regulated geosmin synthase, ges1. We therefore hypothesize that the sesquiterpene synthase pie1 has an important role during mycorrhization, through Δ6-protoilludene and/or its accompanied oxygenated sesquiterpene production.
Future Orientation and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Italian University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Resilience and the Perceived Threat of COVID-19

Several studies have already examined the psychological impact of COVID-19 on psychological well-being in samples of the general population. However, given the importance of future orientation for university students’ mental well-being, it is important to explore whether and how COVID-19 affected this vulnerable population. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate the protective role of future orientation and the mediating effect of resilience on negative emotional symptoms (anxiety and depression). An online questionnaire was administered to a sample of 244 non-infected Italian university students. The mediation analysis results indicated that resilience fully mediated the relationship between anxiety and depression. Finally, the perceived threat of death from COVID-19 moderated the association between resilience and anxiety. This study shows that university students with higher levels of future orientation exhibit higher resilience levels and, consequently, fewer symptoms of negative emotions.
Geometric consistency index for interval pairwise comparison matrices

Abstract Interval pairwise comparison matrices are widely accepted for practical decision making problems when the decision maker is unable to provide an exact judgment on the alternatives. However, as measuring the preference consistencies in pairwise comparison decision making problems is important, this paper proposes a new interval pairwise comparison matrix consistency measure, the average geometric consistency index, that assumes that the preference in a given interval follows the lognormal distribution. This geometric consistency measure accounts for the interval boundaries and uncertainties. As it is often difficult to rationally rank alternatives when interval pairwise comparison matrices are highly uncertain and/or inconsistent, we propose an optimization model to reduce the inconsistencies of these matrices while minimizing information loss and controlling uncertainties. An interval priority vector is derived to rank the alternatives. The feasibility and efficiency of the models are demonstrated using numerical examples.
5-Methyltetrahydrofolate Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Improves Kidney Function in Acute Kidney Injury through Activation of Nrf2 and Antioxidant Defense

Oxidative stress is a major mediator of adverse outcomes in acute kidney injury (AKI). Deficiency of micronutrients, such as folate, is common in AKI. Our previous study reported that AKI impaired kidney reabsorption of folate and decreased plasma folate level in rats. The present study investigated the effect of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), a biologically active form of folate/folic acid, on AKI-impaired kidney function and oxidative stress. Sprague-Dawley rats developed AKI after kidney ischemia (45 min) and reperfusion (24 h). Injection of 5-MTHF (3 µg/kg body weight) improved kidney function and attenuated oxidative stress with a restoration of glutathione and a reduction of lipid peroxidation in the kidney. Injection of 5-MTHF activated transcription factor Nrf2 and increased the expression of glutathione synthesizing enzymes, superoxide dismutase-1 and heme oxygenase-1 in the kidney. Simulated ischemia-reperfusion through hypoxia-reoxygenation increased oxidative stress in proximal tubular cells. Incubation of cells with 5-MTHF alleviated cell injury and increased antioxidant enzyme expression and intracellular glutathione levels. Inhibition of Nrf2 expression through siRNA transfection abolished the effect of 5-MTHF against oxidative stress. These results suggest that low-dose folic acid can improve kidney function through activation of Nrf2 and restoration of antioxidant defence. Micronutrient supplements may improve clinical outcomes in AKI.