Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in the structure and properties of graphene oxide surfaces during reduction and modification

The aim of the current study was to find changes in the structure and state of the surface of graphene oxide (GO) under the conditions of its reduction and modification by hetero atoms of nitrogen and amino acids. Reduction of GO was performed with hydrazine hydrate (R-GO), doping with nitrogen atoms - urea impregnation and subsequent heat treatment (N-GO), and the surface of GO was modified with sulfur-containing amino acid – L-cysteine by nucleophilic addition (L-GO). The samples obtained were characterized by analytical methods, such as Raman scattering, IR spectroscopy, TPD-mass-spectrometry, dynamic light scattering spectroscopy. The available Raman spectra indicate a defective structure of GO, reduction of GO leads to greater ordering of the structure in relation to GO, nitrating and modification by amino acid - to the opposite effect, a slight deterioration of the structural state. According to the results of IR spectroscopy, also confirmed by TPD-MS, GO has a large number of functional surface groups: (OH), (C=O), (C=C), (C-O-C), (CO-O-CO), (CH). Hydrazine reduction completely hydrophobizes the surface, in the IR spectra there is only a peak at ~ 1040 cm–1, which corresponds to CO-O-CO vibrations, with significantly reduced intensity, as well as bands at 2120 and 2300 cm–1, which indicate the aromatic nature of the samples and exist in all GO derivatives. In nitrogen and sulfur-containing samples (L-GO) a new peak of ~ 1520 cm–1appears, which corresponds to N-H vibrations in amines. Sulfur-containing derivatives have valence vibrations at 600 cm–1, which most likely corresponds to S-H bonds. Thus, modification of GO leads to a significant change in its structure and surface chemistry, which in turn affects the capability of the obtained samples to capture free radicals. Previous empirical studies have shown that this property increases in the series L-GO > GO > N-GO > R-GO.
GranDGamesBR: Perceptual Analysis of Computer Graphics Characters in Digital Entertainment

This paper presents a discussion regarding the area of perceptual analysis in Computer Graphics characters. This discussion is focused on presenting one challenge area in Digital Entertainment. Many issues in the area of perception analysis have been researched in last years, in particular with respect to the theory of Uncanny Valley (UV) proposed by Masahiro Mori in 1970. Indeed, it is known that realistic characters from movies and games can cause strangeness and involuntary feelings in viewers, what can affect the acceptance of audience in games and movies. This paper aims to present concepts and discuss issues in this area.
Battery Thermal Management System for Electric Vehicles: A Brief Review

Battery is the heart of an electric vehicle. The global growth of electrification in the automotive market makes improvements in battery health and longevity a vital aspect to consider to accommodate this growing demand. This paper presents a qualitative literature review on different battery thermal management systems (BTMS) for electrified vehicles. Different works in the literature were examined to determine the types of BTMS to be considered and their main characteristics. As a result, we listed different types of BTMS with their main characteristics. This brief review can support the research about battery thermal management systems as a summary of the state-of-the-art on this topic.
Evolution of IC Switching Voltage Regulator

To satisfy the fast voltage regulation and low input harmonic current distortion, a voltage regulator and a power factor correction (PFC) pre-regulator need to be existed. Cascading the voltage regulator with the PFC pre-regulator is the simplest way to implement the switching voltage regulator. The voltage regulator and PFC pre-regulator is processed the input power for switching regulator serially. The switching regulators efficiency has confirmed deteriorate. The requirement of the harmonic emission has been satisfied by the various types of the non-cascading PFC switching regulators. In this paper, the evolution of the switching regulator and various types of the non-cascading PFC switching regulator is discussed and the design of implementation of different output power levels for two types of non-cascading PFC switching regulator is presented. Streszczenie. Do regulacji napi cia skuteczn metod jest kaskadowe po czenie regulatorów napi a)cia I uk adów korekcji wspó czynnika mocy PFC. W artykule omówiono ewolucje ró nych prze czalnych re ulatorów napi cia. Przedstawiono te projekt i zastosowanie dwóch rodzajów regulatorów nie po czonych kaskadowo. Ewolucja prze czalnych regulatorów napi cia.
J. Gen. Appl. Microbiol., 59, 39‒47 (2013)

Tributyltin (TBT) is one of the most toxic xenobiotics deliberately introduced into the environment by Man (Goldberg, 1986). It has been employed in a variety of industrial processes and it is subsequently discharged into the environment (Gadd, 2000). Production, use and export of TBT have been prohibited in developed countries since the 1990s by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The European Union (EU) introduced Directive 2002/62/EC, which forbids the use of TBT in any boat after 2008. However, considering the long half life of TBT, it is likely that it will remain in the water column and sediments for up to 20 years after the cessation of TBT inputs into the environment. TBT is toxic to eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Examples of the effects of TBT in eukaryotes are the imposex (Barroso et al., 2000), which is the superimposition of male characters onto gastropod females, and immune system inhibition and endocrine disruption in humans J. Gen. Appl. Microbiol. , 59, 39‒47 (2013)
Impacts of Chronic Habitat Fragmentation on Genetic Diversity of Natural Populations of Prunus persica in China

Wild peach is an important resource for improving existing peach varieties. However, the extant populations of wild peach show fragmented distribution due to human disturbance and geographic isolation. In this study, we used natural populations (or wild populations) of Prunus persica (Rosaceae) to assess the genetic effects of habitat fragmentation. A total of 368 individuals sampled from 16 natural populations were analyzed using 23 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Prunus persica maintained low within-population genetic variation and high level of genetic differentiation. Two genetic clusters were revealed based on three different methods (UPGMA, PCoA, and STRUCTURE). All populations showed a significant heterozygosity deficiency and most extant populations experienced recent reduction in population size. A significant isolation by distance (IBD) was observed with Mantel’s test. Compared to historical gene flow, contemporary gene flow was restricted among the studied populations, suggesting a decrease in gene flow due to habitat fragmentation. Habitat fragmentation has impacted population genetic variation and genetic structure of P. persica. For breeding and conservation purpose, collecting as many individuals as possible from multiple populations to maximize genetic diversity was recommended during the process of germplasm collection. In addition, populations from central China had higher genetic diversity, suggesting these populations should be given priority for conservation and germplasm collection.
The Use of Computational Fluid Dynamics in the Thermal Design of Rotating Electrical Machines

Thermal constraints impose limitations on the power capability of many electric motors and generators. However, inadequate data on ventilation air flows and convection heat transfer coefficients hamper the design process. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) presents an opportunity to predict air flow and heat transfer in many situations. However, the complex geometries combined with rotation in the end regions of electric motors and generators present significant difficulties for CFD. An experimental study of air flow and heat transfer in the end region of a 200 kW 2 pole totally enclosed, fan cooled (TEFC) induction motor was carried out. Detailed measurements of heat transfer coefficient around the end windings and frame were made along with measurements of windage loss and airflow at particular locations within the end region. These were compared with a detailed model of the end region using the CFD software Fluent UNS and good agreement was found. The results are presented and the reasons for the difference between the measured values and CFD predictions are discussed. It is concluded that general purpose CFD software is now at a stage of development where it can be used in a design office environment to undertake design analysis of electrical machines.
Application of Improved Instance Segmentation Algorithm Based on VoVNet-v2 in Open-Pit Mines Remote Sensing Pre-Survey

The traditional mine remote sensing information pre-survey is mainly based on manual interpretation, and interpreters delineate the mine boundary shape. This work is difficult and susceptible to subjective judgment due to the large differences in the characteristics of mining complex within individuals and small differences between individuals. CondInst-VoV and BlendMask-VoV, based on VoVNet-v2, are two improved instance segmentation models proposed to improve the efficiency of mine remote sensing pre-survey and minimize labor expenses. In Hubei Province, China, Gaofen satellite fusion images, true-color satellite images, false-color satellite images, and Tianditu images are gathered to create a Key Open-pit Mine Acquisition Areas (KOMMA) dataset to assess the efficacy of mine detection models. In addition, regional detection was carried out in Daye Town. The result shows that the performance of improved models on the KOMMA dataset exceeds the baseline as well as the verification accuracy of manual interpretation in regional mine detection tasks. In addition, CondInst-VoV has the best performance on Tianditu image, reaching 88.816% in positioning recall and 98.038% in segmentation accuracy.
Clinical Application and Evaluation of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing in Pulmonary Infection with Pleural Effusion

Purpose Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a novel technique of pathogens detection that plays an increasingly important role in clinical practice. In this study, we explored the application value of mNGS in pulmonary infection combined with pleural effusion applied to samples of pleural effusion fluid. Patients and Methods We reviewed 80 cases of pulmonary infection with pleural effusion between August 2020 and October 2021. Among them, 40 patients were placed in the mNGS group and underwent both culture and mNGS testing; the patients in the control group were only subjected to culture test. The effectiveness of mNGS was evaluated for microbial composition and diagnostic accuracy in every pleural effusion specimen type. Results We found that the positive rate of mNGS was 70% (28/40). The comparison between mNGS and culture method resulted that the sensitivity was 100% (95% CI: 29.2–100%) and the specificity was 64.9% (95% CI: 47.5–79.8%). The positive predictive value of mNGS was 18.8% (95% CI, 13.0–26.3%), and the negative predictive value was 100%. The most commonly identified potential pathogens were bacteria, such as Streptococcus, Prevotella, Parvimonas, Porphyromonas and Gemella. The most detected fungal infection was Candida and Pneumocystis. A total of 11 patients were identified as mixed infection by mNGS. Treatment regimen adjustments were made according to mNGS results and the overall length of hospital stay in the mNGS group was shorter compared to that of the control group. Conclusion In this study, mNGS produced higher positive rates than the culture method in detecting pathogens in the pleural effusion specimens. The technology performed satisfactorily, providing more diagnostic evidence and reducing the length of hospital stay.
Flipped classroom learning system based on guided inquiry using moodle on acid-base solutions

This study aims to develop a digital learning system that can be used during a pandemic and meet the demands of the industrial revolution 4.0 by determining its validity and practicality. The type of research in this research is Educational Design Research (EDR) using the Plomp development model. The research was conducted at a public high school (SMA Negeri 8 Padang) in the academic year 2021/2022. Data was collected using a validated questionnaire and a practicality questionnaire. The results showed that the learning system obtained average content validity of 0.87 with a valid category and average media validity of 0.88 with a valid category. The results of the practicality test for students have average practicality of 90% in a very practical category and average practicality for teachers of 92% in a very practical category. Overall, the research results show that developing a flipped classroom learning system based on guided inquiry using Moodle on acid-base solution material is valid and practical.
Problems related to mask use in hay fever sufferers by repeated surveys

Purpose Many Japanese hay fever (HF) sufferers wear a hygienic face mask to prevent pollen inhalation, but most find it very uncomfortable. The purpose of this paper is to identify the problems associated with mask wearing through repeated surveys. This information can be used in the improved design of a hygienic face mask that can be worn without discomfort by HF sufferers. Design/methodology/approach In 2009 (n=1,519), 2012 (n=2,994), and 2015 (n=3,213), repeated surveys of university students were conducted. HF sufferers were queried regarding symptoms, countermeasures, and problems associated with wearing a hygienic face mask. Holistic perspectives for each year were obtained by a co-occurrence analysis of the aggregated data. The triplet co-occurrence of specific problems was compared among the surveys using the χ2 test. Temporary and contemporary co-occurrence relationships were also determined. Findings Most Japanese university students with HF wore a hygienic face mask. In each survey, the most common problems associated with mask use were related to its thermal, hygroscopic, and air-flow properties. Contemporary problems with co-occurrence relationships were “humidity,” “breathing difficulty,” and “mist over eyeglasses” for males and, “humidity,” “breathing difficulty,” and “make-up coming off” for females. Originality/value The results of this study will contribute to improving hygienic face mask design. The co-occurrence of contemporary problems related to mask use was identified by comparing the results obtained in each year. The thermal, hygroscopic, and air flow properties of the mask cause these problems, and the air gap between the mask and the wearer’s face influences the inherent physical properties of the mask. To measure the air gap, a suitable hydrostatic pressure-balanced experimental method was applied, and the data were demonstrated experimentally.
The 21st August 2020 Flood in Douala (Cameroon): A Major Urban Flood Investigated with 2D HEC-RAS Modeling

A major flood event occurred on 21 August 2020 in the densely populated Makèpè Missokè neighborhood in the city of Douala (Cameroon, Africa). Nearly 2210 buildings and 12,376 victims spread over 82 hectares were affected. A 2D HEC-RAS model is applied to simulate and characterize this event. A cross analysis of flood depth and flow velocity is used to classify the flood risk and identify areas exposed from low to high hazard. The simulations provide detailed information on the flood characteristics (extent, depth, velocity, arrival time, and duration). The simulated maximum water surface profiles are consistent with the floods marks with differences ranging from 0.02 m to 0.44 m, indicating a good agreement between the observed and simulated water levels at the peak flow (NSE = 0.94, Erel = 0.92, RMSE = 0.21 m). The maximum inundation level is 4.48 m and the flow velocity is globally low at less than 1 m/s. The average flood arrival time and duration are 5 h and 26 h, respectively, for a threshold height of 0.5 m. These results indicate a fast mobilization of the major river channel for the evacuation of this flood. The level of accuracy of the developed model of the 21 August 2020 flood event is appropriate for flood hazard assessment in the city of Douala and is designed to find operational application in future events.
5G R&D Activities for High Capacity Technologies with Ultra High-Density Multi-Band and Multi-Access Layered Cells

In this paper, we make a summary report of our 5G R&D activities for "High Capacity Technologies with Ultra High-Density Multi-Band and Multi-Access Layered Cells", funded by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) in Japan. This national project consists of three research subjects: "Ultra high-density distributed antenna systems", "Optical access technologies accommodating highly densified small cells" and "Multi-RAT system technologies for multi-band and multi-access layered cells". We describe the research and development result for each subject.
Optimal trajectory planning for robotized tiling of floors

This thesis describes the strategy of a new approach for automated tilesetting currently under development by nLink AS in Sogndal. The main focus of the thesis is the development of an appropriate strategy for path planning for this robotic system. A mathematical model of a 4-wheel skid-steering mobile platform with a model-based nonlinear controller is presented. A brief introduction to the basics of path planning is offered, before detailing some relevant algorithms. Three different optimization criteria, based on distance time and energy consumption, are defined and a MATLAB implementation of a Sampling-Based Model Predictive Optimization algorithm is presented. The mobile platform is implemented in SIMULINKTMwith input from the SBMPO-algorithm. Simulation results of three different obstacle cases with both constant and variable speed are presented and the performance of the different optimization schemes are reviewed and compared. The simulations clearly reveal that while optimizing with respect to energy consumption does present some very promising results, the current implementation is far to slow when computing paths with variable speeds. The most promising optimization method is an optimization with respect to time, but with a restriction on the turning radius to avoid sharp, energy-costly turns. This too has some drawbacks, but the ideal optimization strategy can be concluded to be a combination of time and energy efficiency.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on health care, essential services, employment, and economic activities, mental distress, and perceived quality of life among women and girls

Background: After the first case of Covid-19 was identified in Pune city in the second week of March 2020, the deleterious effect of the pandemic was seen on the availability and accessibility of services for most health care needs, particularly for women. Aim: To identify the needs accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown,facilitating the design of relevant interventions. Methods: The study was conducted in a purposive sample of 12 slums in Pune city. In-depth interviews with 20 frontline workers and 165 randomly selected women <=49 years of age were conducted. Results: One in every four respondents experienced an endemic illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alarge proportion could not access treatment because of lack of availability and affordability of services,but most pregnant women reported that they could access some routine antenatal care either from UPHCs (Urban Public Health Centre) or private hospitals. Women and girls appear to be the worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic due to a considerable increase in workload, loss of peer support, decline in spousal communication, increase in family conflicts, and a lack of time for themselves. The majority of respondents reported that one or more family members had lost their job and livelihood. The COVID-19 pandemic had a deleterious impact on the mental wellbeing of women and girls, resulting in a perceived deterioration of their quality of life. The study emphasizes the need for improving the availability, accessibility, and affordability of healthcare during disaster situations.
Electrostatic Force-Driven Millimeter-Class Mechanisms for Micro-Assembly Work

This paper describes activities of a group of students developing insect-size mechanisms at Small Mechanism Applications Laboratory (SMAL) at California State University, Sacramento. Our group focuses on a class of millimeter-size mechanisms larger than micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) but much smaller than ordinary mechanisms seen in our daily life. Seeing the technological trend of electro-mechanical products getting more and more minitualized, we believe this class size of mechanisms has a wide range of future applications in manufacturing, bioengineering, the military, and many other areas. One of the difficult challenges to building this class size of mechanism is a lack of actuator technologies for miniaturization. Today's commonly used actuators for industrial automation, such as electric motors, hydraulic actuators, and pneumatic actuators, are not suited for miniaturization. At SMAL, students have been experimenting with the use of untraditional actuating sources to design miniature mechanisms. Those untraditional actuating sources include but are not limited to electrostatic force, Shape Memory Alloy (SMA), and thermal expansion/contraction. These actuating sources have potentials for simplifying mechanisms, minimizing a number of assembly components, and reducing component weights. Therefore, they are more suited for miniaturization compared to traditional actuating sources. Case studies of developing electrostatic force-driven miniature grippers and suction devices intended for micro-assembly work are described. Brief descriptions of other ongoing work are also presented.
Farmers’ Adaptive Behaviors to Heavy Metal-Polluted Cultivated Land in Mining Areas: The Influence of Farmers’ Characteristics and the Mediating Role of Perceptions

Heavy metal pollution in cultivated land poses a serious threat to environmental health and farmers’ livelihoods. As the direct user of cultivated land, understanding farmers’ adaptive behavior to heavy metal pollution, and its influencing factors, can provide insight and information relevant for decision-making, so as to better manage the hazards and risks of heavy metal pollution. We proposed a conceptual framework of “farmers’ characteristics-perceptions-adaptive behaviors”. Factor analysis and mediation effect analysis were used to explore the influence of characteristics and perceptions on adaptive behaviors. The data of 278 farmers in a typical mining area in Daye, China, show that local farmers perceive the hazards of heavy metal pollution, but their adaptive behaviors are hindered to a certain extent. The results of the mediation effect analysis show that perceptions of health impact, self-efficacy, and adaptive cost play a partial mediating role in the impact of characteristics on adaptive behaviors. In addition, the influence of the “factor of dependence on farmland” and the “factor of obstacles to action” on adaptive behavior have no significant relationship with perception levels. By comparing the influencing factors, we found that although farmers’ perceptions have mediating effects between characteristics and adaptive behaviors, characteristics still play a decisive role in adaptive behaviors.