Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Water Droplets Translocation and Fission in a 3D Bi-Planar Multifurcated T-Junction Microchannels

Droplet fission has gained notable interest in drug delivery applications due to its ability to perform parallel operations in single device. Hitherto, droplet flow behavior in a 3D constriction was scarcely investigated. This study aims to investigate droplets fission inside a 3D bi-planar multifurcated microfluidic device. The flow behavior and droplet size distribution were studied in trifurcated microchannels using distilled water as dispersed phase (1 mPa·s) and olive oil (68 mPa·s) as continuous phase. Various sizes of subordinate daughter droplets were manipulated passively through the modulation of flowrate ratio (Q) (0.15 < Q < 3.33). Overall, we found droplet size coefficient of variations (CV%) ranging from 0.72% to 69%. Highly monodispersed droplets were formed at the upstream T-junction (CV% < 2%) while the droplet fission process was unstable at higher flowrate ratio (Q > 0.4) as they travel downstream (1.5% < CV% < 69%) to splitting junctions. Complex responses to the non-monotonic behavior of mean droplet size was found at the downstream boundaries, which arose from the deformations under nonuniform flow condition. CFD was used as a tool to study the preliminary maximum velocity (Umax) profile for the symmetrical (0.01334 m/s < Umax < 0.0153 m/s) and asymmetrical branched channels (0.0223 m/s< Umax < 0.00438 m/s), thus complementing the experimental model studies.
Four-Element Microstrip Patch Array Antenna with Corporate-Series Feed Network for 5G Communication

The paper proposes a simple four-element microstrip patch array antenna fed with corporate-series technique. The paper compares the proposed design with four-element antennas fed with only series-fed and corporate-fed microstrip antennas. All three antenna designs use rectangular microstrip patch elements with two insets and slots on both sides of the patch. The patch elements are accompanied by Yagi elements: three director elements and two reflector elements. Through comparison of simulation results, the paper shows that four-element array antenna with combined corporate-series feeding technique performs better compared to antennas with only either series or corporate feeding network. The proposed corporate-series fed antenna achieves better performance with wide frequency bandwidth of 25.04–30.87 GHz and gain of 9.5 dB. The antenna has an end-fire radiation pattern. Overall performance shows that the proposed corporate-series-fed microstrip patch antenna with Yagi elements is suitable for next generation 5G communication.
Wrangelia gordoniae, a new species of Rhodophyta (Ceramiales, Wrangeliaceae) from the tropical western Atlantic

Abstract On the basis of comparative morphological and molecular analyses, a new red algal species in the genus Wrangelia (Wrangeliaceae, Ceramiales) is described from the tropical western Atlantic. Distinctive characteristics of the proposed new species, W. gordoniae, include: overall habit; built up pseudoparenchymatous cortex that is composed of 2, and in localized sites up to 3, layers of cortical cells, with the outermost layer incomplete, composed of smaller, irregular-shaped cells; and spermatangial heads with 5–6 (–7) involucres, each consisting of a single elongate cell. Analyses of SSU sequences of specimens of Wrangelia from Puerto Rico further support the presence of four genetically distinct entities. In addition to numerous recent collections, a number of herbarium specimens from different Caribbean locales previously identified as “W. penicillata” are now recognized to be W. gordoniae. The new species is compared morphologically with other Wrangelia species that also have 5 whorl branchlets per segment and a cortex that partially or wholly covers their axes. A key to the tropical western Atlantic species of Wrangelia is provided.
Analysis of SVD-Based Hybrid Schemes for Massive MIMO With Phase Noise and Imperfect Channel Estimation

In hybrid analog-digital schemes, proposed to reduce the number of RF chains especially at millimeter waves, the precoding at the transmitter and the combining at the receiver are split into digital and analog parts. We analyze the sensitivity of hybrid schemes to phase noise and channel estimation errors and we compare them to a full-digital approach. The scheme adopted for the analog part employs fixed phase shifters, then the digital part is optimized by a singular-value decomposition. We derive analytical expressions for the interference and the SNR degradation arising from the imperfect decomposition due to phase noise and the channel estimation error, for typical millimter-wave massive MIMO channels. In particular we show that when the channel estimation is made in the beam-space, this hybrid scheme is more robust to the phase noise and to the channel estimation errors than a full-digital approach.
PCR‐based diagnosis of the Filipino (−−FIL) and Thai (−−THAI) α‐thalassemia‐1 deletions

In southeast Asia, the carrier frequency of two‐gene α‐thalassemia deletions is quite high, ranging from 4% to 14% depending on the population. The most common α‐thalassemia‐1 deletion is the so‐called southeast Asian deletion (−−SEA). In addition, a significant proportion of cases involve two other deletions, the Filipino (−−FIL) and Thai (−−THAI) deletions. In this report, we identify the deletion breakpoints for the (−−FIL) and (−−THAI) deletions, and describe PCR‐based protocols for rapid and reliable DNA diagnosis of these deletions. Am. J. Hematol. 63:54–56, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Counterion Enhanced Organocatalysis: A Novel Approach for the Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of Enones

We present a novel strategy for organocatalytic transfer hydrogenations relying on an ion‐paired catalyst of natural l‐amino acids as main source of chirality in combination with racemic, atropisomeric phosphoric acids as counteranion. The combination of a chiral cation with a structurally flexible anion resulted in a novel chiral framework for asymmetric transfer hydrogenations with enhanced selectivity through synergistic effects. The optimized catalytic system, in combination with a Hantzsch ester as hydrogen source for biomimetic transfer hydrogenation, enabled high enantioselectivity and excellent yields for a series of α,β‐unsaturated cyclohexenones under mild conditions. Moreover, owing to the use of readily available and chiral pool‐derived building blocks, it could be prepared in a straightforward and significantly cheaper way compared to the current state of the art.
Morphology and sexual reproduction of Carteria palmata sp. nov. belonging to the Carteria group I sensu Lembi (Chlorophyceae, Volvocales)

S. Suda, H. Nozaki and M.M. Watanabe. 2005. Morphology and sexual reproduction of Carteria palmata sp. nov. belonging to the Carteria group I sensu Lembi (Chlorophyceae, Volvocales). Phycologia 44: 596–607. Carteria palmata Suda, Nozaki & M.M. Watanabe sp. nov. from Japan has been examined by light and electron microscopy using cultured materials. The cells are nearly spherical, 16–22 µm long, and 15–21 µm wide. The chloroplast is single and stellate cup-shaped, containing a basal and palm-shaped pyrenoid without coherent starch grains. The pyrenoid matrix is traversed by reticulated chloroplast thylakoid lamellae, and there is no clear border between the pyrenoid matrix and the chloroplast stroma. In the chloroplast, many microtubule-like structures exist around the pyrenoid. A conspicuous eyespot is located in the middle to anterior surface of the chloroplast. Four contractile vacuoles are located in the anterior cytoplasm under the flagellar bases. The flagellar apparatus is arranged similarly to the Carteria group I type, which has eight connecting fibres, each interlinking two adjacent basal bodies at the distal and proximal ends. In addition to these fibres, one distal connecting fibre interlinks a pair of diagonally opposed basal bodies, called basal bodies number 1 and 2. A fibrous root (rhizoplast) extends inward along the nucleus from basal bodies number 1 and 2, near the proximal ends; the microtubular root system has the 6-2-6-2 arrangement. Among the previously described species of Carteria, the spherical cell body, four contractile vacuoles, and the pyrenoid lacking coherent starch grains are only reported in C. rotunda. Carteria rotunda, however, has a cup-shaped chloroplast probably without an eyespot, clearly different from that of C. palmata. Carteria palmata has morphologically isogamous heterothallic sexual reproduction. The clumping reaction is the first sign of the sexual process. Paired gametes then separate from the clump and plasmogamy starts on the anterior sides of the gametes, resulting in a planozygote. After swimming for a while, the planozygote turns reddish in colour and becomes a spherical hypnozygote. Meiosis is likely zygotic and produces four daughter cells. Molecular phylogenetic studies reveal that the species C. palmata belongs to the Carteria I-Pseudocarteria lineage.
The Role of Enhanced Heterotrophic Bacterial Growth on Iron Oxidation by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

Addition of organic carbon substrate (glucose) profoundly affected the growth of cultures of acidophilic bacteria typical of acid mine drainage (AMD) sites: the iron-oxidizing autotrophic bacteria, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans , and a common heterotrophic strain, Acidiphilium acidophilum . Growth of A. ferrooxidans on soluble ferrous iron media was significantly inhibited in the presence of 1,000 mg/L glucose, regardless of the initial cell density, and in spite of favorable pH and aeration conditions. Interestingly, inhibition of A. ferrooxidans was reduced with addition of the heterotroph, apparently due to the consumption of glucose because the onset of iron oxidation coincided with reduction in glucose concentration in the medium. Another mechanism, local production of CO 2 by A. acidophilum provided inorganic carbon required by A. ferrooxidans cells, was investigated. Although no direct proof of interspecies CO 2 exchange was identified, iron oxidation was enhanced and glucose inhibition reduced with incubation of A. ferrooxidans cultures with 5% CO 2 in air. When oxygen was limited and glucose was added to the acidic coculture, the ultimate amount of iron oxidized was significantly lower and the ferric iron produced was subsequently reduced by the heterotrophs as conditions became anoxic. Attribution of ferric iron reduction to A. acidophilum was confirmed in pure culture experiments where a zero-order iron-reduction rate of 458 - 26.9 w mol Fe/L-day (25.6 - 1.5 mg Fe/L-day) was observed. Bacterial iron reduction also led to an increase in pH from 2.5 to 4.0. Thus, the addition of glucose or some other organic electron donor could provide an in situ or ex situ bioremediation strategy to raise pH at AMD sites resulting in a lower amount of metal leaching into drainage water by promoting reducing conditions favorable to iron reduction.
Evaluation of wind turbine power outputs with and without uncertainties in input wind speed and wind direction data

: This paper analyses importance of including wind direction (WD) as an additional explanatory variable to the wind speed (WS) for evaluating uncertainty in wind turbine (WT) power output ( P out ). Using available measurements of an actual WT, the paper compares a ‘two-dimensional’ (2D) P out -WS model with a ‘three-dimensional’ (3D) P out -WS-WD model for two general cases: (a) for the specific input WS and WD values (i.e. WS and WD without uncertainties), and (b) for the forecasted input WS and WD values (i.e. WS and WD with uncertainties). In paper, 2D and 3D Gaussian mixture Copula model and vine Copula framework are combined with 2D and 3D Markov chain models, which are used to forecast input WS and WD data with uncertainties. The obtained results show that inclusion of WD will provide noticeable improvement for models with no uncertainties in input WS and WD data, while in the case of forecasted WS and WD data with uncertainties, WS is a much stronger contributor to the total WT P out uncertainty than WD.
Bat activity in coniferous forest areas and the impact of air pollution

This study concerns comparison of bat activity in five mixed coniferous forest areas, exposed to different degree of air pollution. Forest age at every study plot was 70-100 years. The main census method was the detection of ultrasound signals along line transects. A significant difference was found in bat diversity and activity between these areas. Median flight activity varied between 21 flights/1 control (Biebrza Valley) and 1 flight/1 control (Upper Silesia). The largest bat diversity was found at the less disturbed and less polluted forests in Białowieża Primeval Forest and Biebrza Valley, the lowest was recorded at the Upper Silesia region in South-West Poland, the area of highest impact of heavy industry. The possible reasons for these results are analyzed and discussed.
Foraging ecology of the Tokay gecko, Gekko gecko in a residential area in Thailand

The foraging behavior of Gekko gecko was observed at the visitor complex of the Khao Khiao Open Zoo at the Khao Khiao-Khao Chomphu Wildlife Sanctuary in Chon Buri Province, Thailand. Foraging parameters of G. gecko (foraging period, time spent moving, foraging attempts, foraging success, prey size consumed, and foraging distance) did not vary significantly between males, females, and juveniles. Individuals foraged between 18:01 and 09:00 hrs. Peak emergence time was between 18:01 and 20:00 hrs. Peak retreat time was between 04:01 and 07:00 hrs. Major food items included insects of the orders Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, and Coleoptera. Prey sizes of males, females, and juveniles were not significantly different, indicating no prey size selection. This may have been due to low insect availability in the habitat. Gekko gecko tended to be a sit-and-wait forager spending most of the time waiting for active prey. However, it sometimes foraged more actively when insect abundance was relatively high. Foraging behavior of males tended to be more variable than females and juveniles. In addition, variation in foraging parameters among individuals was noted. Foraging strategies of G. gecko observed in this study are interpreted in the context of optimal foraging theory.
Stability analysis of a control system with nonlinear input uncertainty based on disturbance observer

In disturbance observer (DO)‐based control, control input attenuates a disturbance using observer output. Thus, the input may not achieve the attenuation if the input term includes uncertainty. Therefore, in order to correctly suppress the disturbance, it is essential to consider the uncertainty existing in the input term, and thus this article focuses on a nonlinear uncertainty in the input term. This article analyzes the stability and robustness of a DO‐based nonlinear control system with both the disturbance and the input uncertainty. We address the case that the disturbance and the uncertainty depend on time and states of a controlled system. The disturbance and the uncertainty are gathered in an integrated disturbance, and the integrated disturbance depends on many variables: the states, the control input, and the time. Therefore, a norm estimations for the disturbance and a time variation of the disturbance is difficult without knowledge of the state trajectory. Hence, a slope‐restriction for the disturbance is used for the stability analysis. Based on the mathematical analysis, we show input‐to‐state stability conditions due to extend the application class of the DO‐based controller to a control system with the disturbance and the nonlinear input uncertainty. The analytical results are verified by numerical simulations.
Measuring efficiency of Brazilian courts: one decade later

Medindo a eficiencia dos tribunais brasileiros: uma decada depois ABSTRACT The Judiciary is perhaps one of the most scrutinized political institutions in Brazil. Its credibility, independence and efficiency are considered to have crucial impacts on social, political and economic outcomes. This paper aims at measuring (in)efficiency of the Brazilian Judiciary and its dynamism in recent years (2009-2015). We use DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) and the Malmquist index to evaluate efficiency and productivity change in Brazilian courts. Our results show that, more than a decade after the Conselho Nacional de Justica’s (CNJ) first attempts to publicize judicial statistics in the beginning of the year 2000, local courts have substantially improved the discipline and the quality of data production and collection. Yet, there is still much room for progress. In terms of productivity, the picture has not changed much; also, the Malmquist indexes showed little improvement throughout the years. RESUMO O Judiciario e, talvez, uma das instituicoes politicas mais escrutinadas no Brasil. Sua credibilidade, independencia e eficiencia tem impactos cruciais nos resultados sociais, politicos e economicos. Este trabalho visa medir a (in)eficiencia do Judiciario brasileiro e sua dinâmica nos ultimos anos (2009-15). Utilizamos a Analise Envoltoria de Dados — Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) e o Indice de Malmquist para avaliar a eficiencia e a mudanca de produtividade nos tribunais. Nossos resultados mostram que, mais de uma decada depois das primeiras divulgacoes de estatisticas pelo Conselho Nacional de Justica (CNJ), os tribunais locais melhoraram substancialmente a disciplina e a qualidade da producao e coleta de dados. Mas ha ainda muito espaco para progresso. Em termos de produtividade, a situacao nao mudou muito; tambem os Indices de Malmquist apresentaram pouca evolucao ao longo dos anos.
Two species of eriophyoid mites (Acari, Prostigmata) in wheat cultivation (Triticum aestivum L.) and associated grass community in Wielkopolska, Poland

Abstract: Quantitative characteristics of the occurrence of eriophyoid mites on wheat and associated grasses were studied. Three groups of hosts: cultivated wheat (Triticum aestivum), quackgrass (Agropyron repens) in cultivation, and quackgrass in balks were analysed. Two species of eriophyoid mites were recorded: Aceria tosichella Keifer and Abacarus hystrix (Nalepa). A. hystrix appeared more frequent [present in 65.0% of all collected samples; (95% confidence interval: 50–80)] and abundant [mean number of individuals per sample: 207.3 (94.4–351.5)] than A. tosichella (17.5%; (7.5–3.0), 13.8 (0.9–32.8), respectively). Significant differences in numbers among studied mite species populations on different host plants have been found. It is concluded that wheat is the marginal host for these two eriophyoids when compared to quackgrass.
Food Microorganisms that Effectively Hydrolyze O‐Glycoside but Not C‐Glycoside Isoflavones in Puerariae Radix

CT CT CT CT: This study was performed to determine the daidzin hydrolysis activity of the various strains of probiotic bacteria This study was performed to determine the daidzin hydrolysis activity of the various strains of probiotic bacteria This study was performed to determine the daidzin hydrolysis activity of the various strains of probiotic bacteria This study was performed to determine the daidzin hydrolysis activity of the various strains of probiotic bacteria and edible fungi during fermentation of PR. Among the strains tested, and edible fungi during fermentation of PR. Among the strains tested, and edible fungi during fermentation of PR. Among the strains tested, and edible fungi during fermentation of PR. Among the strains tested, tion. The addition of skim milk and whole milk also improved the conversion of daidzin into daidzein. Puerarin, tion. The addition of skim milk and whole milk also improved the conversion of daidzin into daidzein. Puerarin, tion. The addition of skim milk and whole milk also improved the conversion of daidzin into daidzein. Puerarin, tion. The addition of skim milk and whole milk also improved the conversion of daidzin into daidzein. Puerarin, a C-glucoside of daidzein in PR, was not hydrolyzed into daidzin by any of the experimental strains during a C-glucoside of daidzein in PR, was not hydrolyzed into daidzin by any of the experimental strains during a C-glucoside of daidzein in PR, was not hydrolyzed into daidzin by any of the experimental strains during a C-glucoside of daidzein in PR, was not hydrolyzed into daidzin by any of the experimental strains during a C-glucoside of daidzein in PR, was not hydrolyzed into daidzin by any of the experimental strains during fermentation. This study demonstrates that daidzin can be efficiently converted into daidzein by the proper fermentation. This study demonstrates that daidzin can be efficiently converted into daidzein by the proper fermentation. This study demonstrates that daidzin can be efficiently converted into daidzein by the proper fermentation. This study demonstrates that daidzin can be efficiently converted into daidzein by the proper fermentation. This study demonstrates that daidzin can be efficiently converted into daidzein by the proper combination of probiotic strains and fermentation conditions. combination of probiotic strains and fermentation conditions. combination of probiotic strains and fermentation conditions. combination of probiotic strains and fermentation conditions. combination of probiotic strains and fermentation conditions.
Ants build transportation networks that optimize cost and efficiency at the expense of robustness

Like modern human societies, many biological systems are dependent on transportation networks for the efficient distribution of resources and information. Network builders face the daunting challenge of optimizing conflicting network criteria such as robustness, efficiency, and cost, which cannot be optimized simultaneously. Here, we use graph and network theory to examine the trail networks of the polydomous meat ant Iridomyrmex purpureus. Meat ants build and maintain physical trails that connect their multiple nests to each other and to food resources. The resulting transportation network is used to distribute workers, brood, and food resources. We found that meat ants built low-cost trail networks that were relatively efficient. However, networks were less robust than comparable simulated networks, suggesting that meat ants prioritize cost and efficiency over robustness. Populous nests had higher connectivity than did less populous nests, implying they play a key role in resource distribution throughout the network. We propose that meat ant networks are an ideal model system for the development of network optimization heuristics.
Heterogeneous Integration of Magnetic Component Windings on Ceramic Substrates

Heterogeneous integration and the converter in package concept have been highlighted as enabling technologies to unlock the full potential of silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) devices. Control of parasitic elements in the commutation loops and passive filter integration within the power module reduces the risk of overcurrent and overvoltage stresses for the transistors and can improve the containment of high-frequency noise at source, resulting in safer operation of the whole converter. However, at present, the major limitation to filter integration is posed by the low energy density of commercial magnetic components. This article further investigates on the integration of more reliable high-power-density magnetic components within the power module structure. The proposed approach consists of bonding individual copper parts, representative of single winding turns, onto an appropriately patterned ceramic substrate, thus improving the filters thermal management. At first, an experimental comparison between different bonding techniques has been carried out based on mechanical performance. Finally, to prove the feasibility and repeatability of the proposed route, a complete inductor has been manufactured using the solder bonding technique. Both thermal tests and simulations confirmed that due to the enhanced heat exchange between the inductor and cooling system, the maximum current density can be increased above commercial standards while maintaining the temperature in a safe range for the nearby active devices.