Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Novel Design of Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) E-Plane Inductive Strip Filter Implemented Using LTCC

Low-temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) was used for a novel band-pass filter design. The filter is based on metallic strips parallel to the E-plane and mounted in a substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW). A new iterative technique based on the variation principle was used to obtain the inductive reactance of equivalent T-network of the metallic strip. The design method of the filter was derived by applying the equivalent network of the metallic strip to the usual method of the filter design. A set of curves relating the various filter parameters is introduced. This filter was designed such that it is electromagnetically isolated inside the SIW and excited using grounded coplanar waveguide (GCPW) to SIW transitions; therefore, it can be easily integrated with MMICs. The design steps are explained and verified by examples and results. Three-dimensional electromagnetic field modeling and simulation was carried out using a high frequency structure simulator (HFSS). A comparison between different types of SIW is.
A pilot study on discriminative power of features of superficial venous pattern in the hand

The goal of the project is to develop an automatic way to identify, represent the superficial vasculature of the back hand and investigate its discriminative power as biometric feature. A prototype of a system that extracts the superficial venous pattern of infrared images of back hands will be described. Enhancement algorithms are used to solve the lack of contrast of the infrared images. To trace the veins, a vessel tracking technique is applied, obtaining binary masks of the superficial venous tree. Successively, a method to estimate the blood vessels calibre, length, the location and angles of vessel junctions, will be presented. The discriminative power of these features will be studied, independently and simultaneously, considering two features vector. Pattern matching of two vasculature maps will be performed, to investigate the uniqueness of the vessel network / L’obiettivo del progetto e di sviluppare un metodo automatico per identificare e rappresentare la rete vascolare superficiale presente nel dorso della mano ed investigare sul suo potere discriminativo come caratteristica biometrica. Un prototipo di sistema che estrae l’albero superficiale delle vene da immagini infrarosse del dorso della mano sara descritto. Algoritmi per il miglioramento del contrasto delle immagini infrarosse saranno applicati. Per tracciare le vene, una tecnica di tracking verra utilizzata per ottenere una maschera binaria della rete vascolare. Successivamente, un metodo per stimare il calibro e la lunghezza dei vasi sanguigni, la posizione e gli angoli delle giunzioni sara trattato. Il potere discriminativo delle precedenti caratteristiche verra studiato ed una tecnica di pattern matching di due modelli vascolari sara presentata per verificare l’unicita di questi
Relationship Between Mode of Financing and Financial Performance of Deposit Taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in the Lake Region Counties of Kenya

Mode of financing is an important factor for consideration when it comes to firm financial performance. Several studies show that highly leveraged organizations usually do well in terms of financial growth by increasing the value of a firm, contrary to the MM theorem that argues that capital structure is irrelevant factor to consider since it does not affect the value of an organization. This study focused on establishing the relationship between share capital, retained earnings, members’ deposits, debt financing and financial performance of SACCOs in the Lake Region Counties of Kenya. The study was prompted by the increase in the number of SACCOs in the Lake Region Counties facing financial difficulties resulting to low returns to investors and in some instances, SACCOs being de-registered by SASRA for not meeting the SASRA regulations, thus threatening the wellbeing of the lake region’s economy. The study adopted explanatory research design and the target population was all the 34-deposit taking SACCOs in the Lake Region Counties of Kenya. Secondary data was obtained from the annual reports and financial statements of the 34 DT-SACCOs were used for analysis. The annual reports and financial statements were sourced from the official website of SASRA and the respective official websites of the DT-SACCOs. The period of study was stretch from year 2015 to year 2019. The collected data was converted into panels and fed into STATA version 14 for analysis. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and panel data regression analysis. The study revealed that share capital has an insignificant positive relationship with performance of SACCOs in the lake region while retained earnings has a significant effect on financial performance of SACCOs in the lake region. The study also showed that debt financing has a significant negative effect on financial performance of SACCOs in the lake region. The study recommends DT SACCO management to exploit internal source of financing such as retained earnings and share capital. It also recommends that DT SACCOs should avoid expensive debts but instead sought loans with favorable terms.
Genetic variability analysis in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. complex) through in vitro chemical mutagenesis on callus culture

The present investigation on was carried out in south Gujarat heavy rainfall region of India. Callus derived from sugarcane variety CoN – 13073 subjected for mutagenic treatment varying in different concentration as well as time period. Callus culture of 25 - 30 days old white globular form is considered a suitable material to undergo mutagenic treatments. Among the mutagenic treated calli, maximum survival per cent was observed in EMS 0.2% + 60 min treatment. Maximum regeneration per cent (78.2%) was found in explants treated with treatment MMS 0.3% + 30 min. In case of the number of days for shoot formation, callus treated with EMS 0.2% + 60 min registered a maximum of 15.20 days. The maximum numbers of multiple shoots were observed in MMS 0.2% + 60 min (30.4). Time factor found to be highly significant with a wide range of mean performance. The effect of the mutagenic agent was found to be succeeding to create variability at a lower concentration for lower time intervals for most of the characters under study. In the present study EMS, 0.2% in addition to 0.3%, treatments were most effective. And the effectiveness decrease with the increase in the time interval.
Automatic Catalog Construction for Product Search Engines

With the steady increase in online shopping, more and more consumers are resorting to Product Search Engines and shopping sites such as Yahoo! Shopping, Google Product Search, and Bing Shopping as their first stop for purchasing goods online. These sites act as intermediaries between shoppers and merchants to drive user experience by enabling faceted search, comparison of products based on their specifications, and ranking of products based on their attributes. The success of these systems heavily relies on the variety and quality of the products that they present to users. In that sense, product catalogs are to online shopping what the Web index is to Web search. Therefore, comprehensive product catalogs are fundamental to the success of Product Search Engines. Given the large number of products and categories, and the speed at which they are released to the market, constructing and keeping catalogs up-to-date becomes a challenging task, calling for the need of automated techniques that do not rely on human intervention. The main goal of this dissertation is to automatically construct catalogs for product search engines. To achieve this goal, the following problems must be addressed by these search engines: (i) product synthesis—creation of product instances that conform with the catalog schema; (ii) product discovery—derivation of product instances for products whose schemata are not present in the catalog; (iii) schema synthesis—construction of schemata for new product categories. We propose an end-to-end framework that automates, to a great extent, these tasks. We present a detailed experimental evaluation using real data sets which shows that our framework is effective, scaling to a large number of products and categories, and resilient to noise that is inherent in Web data.
VRFMS: Verifiable Ranked Fuzzy Multi-Keyword Search Over Encrypted Data

Searchable encryption(SE) allows users to efficiently retrieve data over encrypted cloud data, but most existing SE schemes only support exact keyword search, resulting in false results due to minor typos or format inconsistencies of queried keywords. The fuzzy keyword search can avoid this limitation, but still incurs low search accuracy and efficiency. Besides, most of fuzzy keyword search schemes do not consider malicious cloud servers which may execute a fraction of search operations or forge some results due to various interest incentives such as saving computation or storage resources. To solve these problems, we propose an efficient and Verifiable Ranked Fuzzy Multi-keyword Search scheme, called VRFMS. VRFMS uses locality-sensitive hashing and bloom filter to implement fuzzy keyword search, and employs Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency(TF-IDF) to sort the relevant results. Aiming to further improve the search accuracy, we design an improved bi-gram keyword transformation method. Furthermore, the homomorphic MAC technique and a random challenge technique are utilized to verify the correctness and completeness of returned results, respectively. Formal security analysis and empirical experiments demonstrate that VRFMS is secure and efficient in practical applications, respectively.
Managing Botrytis blossom blight of wild blueberry through field sanitation, lime sulfur and Trichoderma application

Abstract Botrytis blossom blight is an important disease of wild blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium) and causes substantial yield loss annually. Field trials that involve primary inoculum reduction and disease reduction techniques were conducted for the 2015/2016 and 2019/2020 growing seasons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the single and combined effects of thermal treatment, calcium polysulphide and Trichoderma harzianum T-22 application on Botrytis blossom blight development, physical plant structure and harvestable yield over the 2-year production cycle of the crop. The treatments were such that fields were thermally treated in May after pruning, followed by calcium polysulphide application in November 2015 and 2019. Trichoderma harzianum was applied in June 2016 and 2020 as single and combined treatments. Thermal treatment + calcium polysulphide + T. harzianum and thermal treatment + calcium polysulphide combinations reduced Botrytis blossom blight incidence and severity by over 50% and 74%, respectively, compared with the untreated control in both seasons. Plots receiving only the thermal treatment and calcium polysulphide as well as the calcium polysulphide + T. harzianum combination showed reductions in disease incidence of over 51, 38 and 81%, and reductions in disease severity of 55, 39 and 68%, respectively, compared with the untreated control. Plots that received thermal treatment combined with calcium polysulphide had taller stems, and a higher number of floral and vegetative buds. Results from this study have demonstrated that Botrytis blossom blight in wild blueberry fields can be adequately reduced when calcium polysulphide is used tandem with thermal treatment and biofungicides.
Exploring Relationships Between Learners’ Internet Self-efficacy, Online Self-Regulation, and Interaction during Online Learning amid COVID-19 in Vietnam

Internet self-efficacy and self-regulation/autonomy have proven to play essential roles in online learning, especially during the compulsory closure of educational institutions due to Covid-19 all over the world. This study was conducted in an attempt to explore the inter-relationships among three constructs: Internet self-efficacy, online self-regulation, and interaction during the emergency online learning amid Covid-19 in Vietnam. A partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to mine the data collected from over two thousand undergraduate students at a Vietnamese university. Research results indicated that Internet self-efficacy was a significant predictor of learner autonomy directly and indirectly through learner–content, learner–instructor, and learner-learner interactions. The study findings also revealed significant differences between learners of language and non-language majors, between those with a prior online learning experience and those without in the relationships among the constructs mentioned above. However, gender did not have any impact on the relationships. The study findings provide new insights and useful implications for teachers and students in promoting learners' Internet self-efficacy, self-regulation, and online interaction in the context of oriental cultures where students tend to rely on their teachers in both traditional and online learning.
Efficient separation of 1,3-butadiene from C4 hydrocarbons by flexible metal-organic framework with gate-opening effect

Efficient and economical separation of 1,3-butadiene (C4H6) from C4 hydrocarbons is imperative yet challenging in industrial separation processes. Herein, a guest-induced flexible Mn-bpdc MOF has been employed to separate C4H6 from C4 hydrocarbons, including n-butene (n-C4H8), iso-butene (iso-C4H8), n-butane (n-C4H10) and iso-butane (iso-C4H10). Significantly, C4H6 can instantaneously induce gate-opening of Mn-bpdc MOF at 0.13 bar and 298 K, thus significant amounts of C4H6 can be adsorbed, while other C4 hydrocarbons cannot induce the gate-opening even at 1 bar. The uptake selectivities of Mn-bpdc MOF for C4H6/n-C4H8 and C4H6/iso-C4H8 are up to 40.0 and 45.0 at 298 K and 1 bar, respectively, both surpassing all the reported adsorbents. In addition, breakthrough experiments verified that C4H6/n-C4H8, C4H6/iso-C4H8, C4H6/n-C4H10 and C4H6/iso-C4H10 mixture can be efficiently separated. More importantly, Mn-bpdc possesses excellent water stability and outstanding regeneration ability for C4H6 separation, making it a new benchmark for C4H6 purification.
Tourists’ Booking Behavior: Online Social Media Perspectives

Abstract The availability of online booking has secured valuable competitive advantages for the tourism industry: lower distribution costs, increase tourist delight, and efficiency. Despite the advantages, there has been little research into the types of online motives that drive the emotions of users and affective response to purchase tourism services online. Most literature in the tourism online booking identified factors, however the affect e-booking behaviors as well as post-purchase behavior has been understudies. This study uses two phases: Phase I explains the pre-booking emotional and intention behavior of tourists, whilst Phase II focuses on the post-booking emotional consequences of initial one. Results from a sample of 587 participants showed that online review, return policy leniency and convenience are key determinant of tourist positive affective response regarding e-booking decision, while hedonic and utilitarian motivation has moderated effects. The finding revealed that online booking intention influence tourist surprise which in turn induce tourist arousal and tourist delight. The study provides further insights relating to tourists’ e-booking decision process that can improve marketing strategies.
Relating Logic and Relating Semantics. History, Philosophical Applications and Some of Technical Problems

Here, we discuss historical, philosophical and technical problems associated with relating logic and relating semantics. To do so, we proceed in three steps. First, Section 1 is devoted to providing an introduction to both relating logic and relating semantics. Second, we address the history of relating semantics and some of the main research directions and their philosophical applications. Third, we discuss some technical problems related to relating semantics, particularly whether the direct incorporation of the relation into the language of relating logic is needed. The starting point for our considerations presented here is the 1st Workshop On Relating Logic and the selected papers for this issue.
Operational transconductance amplifier-based comparator for high frequency applications using 22 nm FinFET technology

Fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) based analog circuits are gaining importance over metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) based circuits with stability and high frequency operations. Comparator that forms the sub block of most of the analog circuits is designed using operational transconductance amplifier (OTA). The OTA is designed using new design procedures and the comparator circuit is designed integrating the sub circuits with OTA. The building blocks of the comparator design such as input level shifter, differential pair with cascode stage and class AB amplifier for output swing are designed and integrated. Folded cascode circuit is used in the feedback path to maintain the common mode input value to a constant, so that the differential pair amplifies the differential signal. The gain of the comparator is achieved to be greater than 100 dB, with phase margin of 65°, common mode rejection ratio (CMRR) of above 70 dB and output swing from rail to rail. The circuit provides unity gain bandwidth of 5 GHz and is suitable for high sampling rate data converter circuits.
Electrohydrodynamically induced pumping and mixing of multifluid systems in microchannels

We investigate electrostatically induced hydrodynamics in stratified flows. Vertical electric fields are used to destabilise stably stratified systems in channel geometries and generate interfacial motion. Efficient electrohydrodynamically actuated control processes are studied theoretically and shown to induce time dependent flows in small scale confined geometries without requiring an imposed velocity field or moving parts. Using linear stability theory, the most unstable wavenumbers for a given microscale geometry are identified in order to deduce electric field strengths that can be utilised to produce a required wave pattern. Starting from simple mechanisms, such as uniform field on-off protocols, promising results are presented in this context. Two-dimensional computations using the volume-of-fluid (VOF) method are conducted to fully validate the linear stability theory. Practical optimisation possibilities such as distributions of field strengths and time intervals between on and off positions are examined numerically in the nonlinear regime. We also propose a mechanism to induce pumping by generating a travelling wave voltage distribution on one or both of the electrodes. The generated flux allows for further improvement of the microfluidic mixing process and could have numerous other relevant ramifications. The analytical and numerical tools constructed enable the study of competitive alternatives in a broad spectrum of applications, from microfluidic mixing to electrostatically induced soft lithography.
Simple generation of orbital angular momentum modes with azimuthally deformed Cassegrain subreflector

A parabolic reflector antenna with an azimuthally deformed Cassegrain subreflector is proposed to effectively generate arbitrary orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes. The Cassegrain dual-reflector antenna was fabricated for 18 GHz and measured in the near-field range. The near-field to far-field transformed radiation phase around a full azimuth shows that the proposed antenna generates fields with the l = 1 OAM mode. Simulated and measured feed reflection coefficients are below -10 dB for 15.1-21.2 GHz, even though the distance between a horn feed and a deformed subreflector is 15.6 mm, thus it is expected that the proposed structure can be used for a broadband low-profile antenna.
Nonlinear Stability Analysis and Experimental Exploration of Limit Cycle Oscillations with Flared Folding Wingtips

Recent studies have considered the use of Flared Folding Wingtips (FFWTs) to enable higher aspect ratios - reducing overall induced drag - whilst also reducing gust loading and meeting airport operational requirements. This paper presents the ﬁrst experimental research into the nonlinear dynamic behaviour of a wing incorporating FFWTs. Wind tunnel tests were conducted at a range of velocities below and beyond the linear ﬂutter boundary. The experimental ﬁndings are compared with results obtained by conducting continuation and bifurcation analyses on a representative low ﬁdelity numerical model. The results show that beyond the linear ﬂutter boundary a stable Limit Cycle Oscillation (LCO) forms which, dependent on the ﬂare angle, is bounded by either geometric or aerodynamic nonlinearities. Also presented is the eﬀect of a wingtip trim tab on the stability boundary of a wing incorporating FFWTs. It is found that the tab angle can signiﬁcantly alter the stability boundary of the system, indicating that a moveable control surface on a FFWT could be used ’in-ﬂight’ to extend the stability boundary of an aircraft.
Relationship between Prosocial Behaviours and Addiction Problems: A Systematic Review

The relationship of addiction problems with other pathologies or with different problematic factors has often been studied by psychology. Positive psychology is also currently approaching to these problems and their relationship with positive factors, such as prosocial behaviours. The purpose of this research is to carry out a systematic review of the scientific literature that has studied this relationship from 1900 to 2020. After the screening process with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 15 articles were selected. The main characteristics found in this relationship and the problems or limitations of investigations that have found relationships other than the mainstream, which show a negative relationship between prosocial behaviours and addiction problems, are discussed.
The Receding Tide

(Bloomberg Intelligence) -The decreasing likelihood of a definitive U.S.-China trade accord, and V-shaped bottoms in crude oil and stocks, will pressure broad commodities as the macroeconomic tide recedes, in our view. Declining Treasury yields have been a leading indicator this year, continuing 4Q's risk-off trend. Commodities appear to be teetering on their last, wobbly pillar (stockmarket volatility), with declining crude oil -the greater risk, in our view -dashing hopes.