Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low-Variance Memristor-Based Multi-Level Ternary Combinational Logic

This paper presents a series of multi-stage hybrid memristor-CMOS ternary combinational logic stages that are optimized for reducing silicon area occupation. Prior demonstrations of memristive logic are typically constrained to single-stage logic due to the variety of challenges that affect device performance. Noise accumulation across subsequent stages can be amortized by integrating ternary logic gates, thus enabling higher density data transmission, where more complex computation can take place within a smaller number of stages when compared to single-bit computation. We present the design of a ternary half adder, a ternary full adder, a ternary multiplier, and a ternary magnitude comparator. These designs are simulated in SPICE using the broadly accessible Knowm memristor model, and we perform experimental validation of individual stages using an in-house fabricated Si-doped HfOx memristor which exhibits low cycle-to-cycle variation, and thus contributes to robust long-term performance. We ultimately show an improvement in data density in each logic block of between $5.2\times - 17.3\times $ , which also accounts for intermediate voltage buffering to alleviate the memristive loading problem.
Distributed Localized Vibration Control of Membrane Structures Using Piezoelectric Actuators

The present study develops a vibration suppression strategy, which meets rigorous requirements for membrane space structures. Collocated piezoelectric actuators/sensors are introduced along the suspension cables to realize autonomous distributed cable-tension controllers, which complement the substructure-based linear controllers. Lightly pre-stressed membranes have very low natural frequencies and little damping eect in the out-of-plane direction; thus, it is very challenging to suppress vibration in membrane structures. Wrinkles in membranes add further diculty because wrinkles make the dynamic characteristics of membranes less predictable. Furthermore, the controllers should be simple and lightweight not to impair the mass advantage of membrane structures. The present study derives optimal feedback laws for two kinds of active controllers using partitioned structural modeling. A series of transient analyses allowing for wrinkling eects corroborates the eectiveness of the proposed dual vibration-control system.
Nonlinear Modeling, Identification and Control of Membrane Bioreactors

This thesis proposes a simple submerged membrane bioreactor (sMBR) dynamic model that comprises physical and biological process behaviors. Filtration (physical aspect) is represented by a resistance-in-series model composed of a reversible resistance, linked to the sludge cake formation (that can be detached by air scouring) and an irreversible fouling resistance. The biological process is described by a simple chemostat model. The model asymptotic behavior, observability, controllability and fast and slow dynamics are analyzed. The latter analysis, based on Tikhonov's theorem, reveals the possibility decouple the dynamics in three time-scales, i.e. long-term fouling evolution (slow dynamic), biological degradation (fast dynamic) and fouling cake formation (ultrafast dynamic). Therefore, a parameter identification is organized in three steps corresponding to the three time-scales obtained from the analytical analysis. The parameter identification is implemented using a weighted least-squares cost function and a lower bound on the covariance matrix of the parameter estimates, which is used to obtain the parameters confidence intervals, is computed by the inverse of the Fisher Information Matrix (FIM). The model capacity to predict trans-membrane pressure and biological degradation is proved by model identification and cross-validation results. As sMBR processes are relativity new, experimental process data are scarce. Thus, a lab-scale recirculating aquaculture system with an sMBR is designed, built and automated. Process online measurements, such as temperature, total suspended solids (TSS), ammonia and nitrate effluent concentrations, air cross- and effluent flow rates and trans-membrane pressure, are gathered in order to validate the proposed model. In addition, experimental data from a pilot plant located in Spain are also used to further analyze and validate the model. Concerning the process control theoretical study of two different approaches are presented: a nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) is implemented in order to optimize the effluent production rate and maximize the period between two chemical cleaning procedures and a partial-linearizing feedback Lyapunov controller is designed in order to stabilize the fouling by actuating in the air cross- and effluent flows. The results included in this thesis show the importance of analytical model studies in order to gain process insight and deduce model simplification. Another important point is the simple dynamic model structure with a small number of parameters, which is adequate to implement advanced control strategies on sMBR processes and, similarly, to predict biological degradation and fouling build-up dynamics.
The Effect of Physician Communication on Inpatient Satisfaction

(1) Background: The importance of physician-patient communication and its effect on patient satisfaction has become a hot topic and has been studied from various aspects in recent years. However, there is a lack of systematic reviews to integrate recent research findings into patient satisfaction studies with physician communication. Therefore, this study aims to systematically examine physician communication’s effect on patient satisfaction in public hospitals. (2) Methods: Using a keywords search, data was collected from five databases for the papers published until October 2021. Original studies, observational studies, intervention studies, cross-sectional studies, cohort studies, experimental studies, and qualitative studies published in English, peer-reviewed research, and inpatients who communicated with the physician in a hospital met the inclusion criteria. (3) Results: Overall, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria from the 4810 articles found in the database. Physicians and organizations can influence two determinants of inpatient satisfaction in physician communication. Determinants of patient satisfaction that physicians influence consist of amounts of time spent with the patient, verbal and nonverbal indirect interpersonal communication, and understanding the demands of patients. The organization can improve patient satisfaction with physician communication by the organization’s availability of interpreter service and physician workload. Physicians’ communication with inpatients can affect patient satisfaction with hospital services. (4) Conclusions: To improve patient satisfaction with physician communication, physicians and organizational determinants must be considered.
Circumscription and Phylogenetic Position of Two Propagulose Species of Syntrichia (Pottiaceae, Bryophyta) Reveals Minor Realignments within the Tribe Syntricheae

In the course of a worldwide revision of the genus Syntrichia, we identified problems in the circumscription of some species of the genus as well as among some allied genera grouped in the tribe Syntricheae. This is the case for the two propagulose Syntrichia amphidiacea and S. gemmascens, closely related to Streptopogon. We analyzed phylogenetic relationships between these species, based on nuclear (ITS) and two plastid (trnL-F and trnG) markers and morphological features. Species delimitation using molecular data was consistent with our preliminary morphological inference. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. Our results placed Syntrichia amphidiacea in the Streptopogon clade. Syntrichia gemmascens is also included in Streptopogon in spite of the discrepancy of the ITS and plastid relationships, which could be evidence of an exchange of genetic material between species in various lineages in the Pottioideae. Streptopogon is maintained as a separate genus on the basis of morphology characters, and we consider the differentiation of laminal papillae and the presence of a stem central strand as new characters in the genus. We accept Sagenotortula as distinct genus sister to Syntrichia. We consider the lack of costal dorsal epidermis and the differentiation of a crescent-shaped costal dorsal stereid band as distinctive generic characters in Syntrichia. Additionally, we include Syntrichia percarnosa as a new synonym for S. breviseta. Three names are lectotypified.
Modulation of WNx/Ge Schottky barrier height by varying N composition of tungsten nitride

Modulation of the Schottky barrier heights was successfully demonstrated for WNx/p-Ge and WNx/n-Ge contacts by increasing the nitrogen component in the WNx films. The WN0.38/p-Ge contact exhibits rectifying characteristic and an apparent Schottky barrier of 0.49 e V while the WN0.38/n-Ge Schottky contact exhibits quasi-Ohmic current–voltage characteristics. Dipoles formed at the contact interface by the difference of the Pauling electronegativities of Ge and N are confirmed to alleviate the Fermi-level pinning effect.
SOLID SUBSTRATE FERMENTATION OF SAGO WASTE AND ITS EVALUATION AS FEED INGREDIENT FOR RED HYBRID TILAPIA

The increasing demand for fishmeal in aquaculture industry causes the rising cost of feed yearly. Here, we reported on the solid-state fermentation of sago waste inoculated with mixed microbial cultures, optimization of its fermentation parameters to improve the nutrient contents, and the use of the fermented sago waste as an ingredient in the formulation of fish feed diet. The use of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Aspergillus niger, and Neurospora crassa as inoculums gave the best, improved physiochemical properties and nutrient content of the fermented sago waste. The optimum conditions were 5 days, 28°C, pH 3, and sodium nitrate as a nitrogen source. Under the optimized conditions, moisture content, crude protein, and ash increases by 11.8%, 1.3%, and 5.1%; whereas dry matter and crude fiber decreases by 11.8% and 6.1%; respectively. The fermented sago waste prepared was further used as ingredient in the formulation of the fish feed diet and fed to red hybrid tilapia. Fish feed that contained up to 150 g kg-1 of fermented sago waste had a similar growth rate. Growth performance, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and survival rate of tilapia fed were not of significant difference compared to control diet. The supplementation of the diets for 60 days resulted in 1.50 ± 0.48 g fish-1 mean body weight gain with a specific growth rate of 0.68 ± 0.17% day-1, feed conversion ratio of 2.33 ± 0.84, and survival rate of 80%. This concludes that fermented sago waste has the potential as a partial substitute for fishmeal.
Development of a Stress Compensation Layer for 3-D Assembly of Thin Pixel Modules

Pixel modules are the fundamental building blocks of the ATLAS pixel detector system used in the CERN LHC facility. In their basic form, they consist of a silicon sensor that is flip-chip bonded to a CMOS read-out integrated chip (ROIC). One of the main objectives for the ATLAS experiment is to develop an approach toward low-mass modules, thus reducing radiation length. From the module perspective, this can be achieved by using advanced 3-D technology processes that include the formation of copper and solder microbumps on top of the ROIC front side, the thinning of both the sensor and the CMOS ROIC, and, finally, the flip-chip assembly of the two chips. The thinning of the silicon chips leads to low bump yield at the solder reflow stage, due to bad coplanarity of the two chips creating dead zones within the pixel array. In the case of the ROIC, which is thinned to 100 μm, the chip bow varies from −100 μm at room temperature to +175 μm at reflow temperature, resulting in CTE mismatch between materials in t.
Trans-Saharan Belt Provenance: A Potential Source for the Ordovician Succession of the Balkan Terrane (Svoge Unit) - Clues from LA-ICP-MS Detrital Zircon Dating Analysis

Two sandstone samples from the upper and lower part of the Ordovician succession of Svoge Unit were analyzed in order to determine their detrital zircon U–Pb age spectra using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). One sample was collected from the Hirnantian siliciclastic glaciomarine deposits of the Sirman Formation. The other sample is amiddle Darriwilian sandstone from the lower half of the Grohoten Formation. Additionally, micropetrographic studies were performed. They are composed predominantly of detrital monocrystalline quartz grains with uniform or rarely undulose extinction and only sporadically presented feldspar grains, muscovite flakes and single rock fragments. The heavy mineral assemblages are also characterized mostly by detrital zircon. As suggested from previous studies of the Hirnantian glaciomarine deposits of Sirman Formation, the provenance of siliciclastic material was most probably associated with sedimentary recycling of maturesands deposited across the North Gondwana Platform. Multi-dimensional scaling statistical technique allowed a reliable objective identification of the potential source areas in Northern Africa and palaeogeographic reconstructions were made. Both samples are close to the Trans-Saharan Belt provenance, which is the most probable source for the detrital component. Our data supportthe idea proposed by previous researchers that the present-day position of some of these terranes implies significant dextral strike-slip displacement, probably due to the movement on the Pangea megashear during the Carboniferous and Permian.
Classifying Alzheimer's Disease using MRIs and Transcriptomic Data

: Early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases is essential for the effectiveness of treatments to delay the onset of related symptoms. Our focus is on methods to aid in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease, the most widespread neurocognitive disorder, that rely on data acquired by non-invasive techniques and that are compatible with the limitations imposed by pandemic situations. Here, we propose integrating multi-modal data consisting of omics (gene expression values extracted by blood samples) and imaging (magnetic resonance images) data, both available for some patients in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative dataset. We show how a suitable integration of omics and imaging data, using well-known machine learning techniques, can lead to better classiﬁcation results than any of them taken separately, also achieving performance competitive with the state-of-the-art.
Estimation for a hybrid model of functional and linear measurement errors regression with missing response

In this paper, we consider least squares estimation and empirical likelihood inference for partial functional linear models when the covariates in the non-functional linear component are measured with additive error and the responses are missing at random. Asymptotic properties of the proposed estimators for the parametric and nonparametric components are established. A class of empirical log-likelihood ratio functions of the parametric component and response mean are developed, and the corresponding maximum empirical likelihood estimators are constructed. We also prove that the empirical log-likelihood ratio functions are asymptotic standard chi-squared distribution. The results can be used to construct confidence intervals for the parametric component and response mean. The asymptotic distributions of the corresponding maximum empirical likelihood estimators are also established. Meanwhile, a simulation study is conducted to demonstrate the finite sample performance of the proposed procedure. A real data analysis is also used to illustrate our methods.
Cooperative Learning Through Art-Based Activities by Students with Hearing Disabilities Studying Abroad

In recent years, Japan has promoted transactional education between children with and without disabilities to build a symbiotic society. is study aimed to develop an introductory program in a teacher training course that enables students with and without disabilities to establish close psychological ties with one another, and to cultivate a positive mindset and attitude toward social justice. Accordingly, the author created an art-based exchange program for an international student with a hearing disability and for three graduate students based on intergroup contact theory. e program involved 16 sessions, each lasting 90 minutes. e art-based activities were e ective as they (1) provided common ground for discussion among the students, and (2) generated sensitive and emotional communication about personal attributes.
Energy efficient solution in the brewing process using a dual-source heat pump

In this paper, the investigation of an experimental heat pump equipment is presented. This equipment is capable of serving two different temperature cooling needs and a given temperature heating demand within a given industrial process, adapting to its time and performance requirements. The use of a heat pump is energetically advantageous, if a nearly continuous operation can be realized in the course of an industrial process to serve simultaneous cooling and heating needs. In the field of brewing, it was demonstrated by model experiments that CO2 emissions can be reduced by 60% with a 10% reduction in energy costs if the energy requirements are satisfied using a dual-source heat pump.
Comparison of FPGA-based Direct Torque Controllers for Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors

This paper reports two types of direct torque controllers for permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) in which the hardware configuration differs. These controllers used a single-chip FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). One of the controllers was constructed by programming the soft-CPU and the hardware logics written in VHDL (Very high speed ic Hardware Description Language), another was constructed only by hardware. The characteristics of these two controllers were compared in this paper. As the result, the controller constructed only by the hardware was able to shorten the control period, and it was able to suppress the torque ripple low.
Hydropeaking impairs upstream salmonid spawning habitats in a restored Danube tributary

Hydropower is considered an important form of renewable energy, often involving hydropeaking. While the effects of hydropeaking on aquatic communities in areas downstream the dam are well understood, there is a lack of studies investigating potential impacts on tributaries located further upstream. In this study, we tested the effects of hydropeaking operations on upstream tributaries in a restored area of the Danube River, with a focus on the periods of backlog and release of water (up‐ramping and down‐ramping, respectively) during the filling and release of the reservoir. We used brown trout egg and larval mortality, linked to hydraulic, sedimentary and physiochemical changes in spawning grounds as an indicator. We compared hydropeaking‐affected versus non‐affected sites in upstream tributaries using HydroEcoSedimentary Tools (HESTs) loaded with clean gravels and brown trout eggs. Egg and larval mortalities were significantly higher in the hydropeaking‐affected site with more than 80% egg mortality and almost 100% larval mortality compared to values of 55–63% and 80–85%, respectively, in non‐affected sites. Spawning ground quality was significantly altered in the hydropeaking‐affected site, where the highest mortalities were observed. Overall, duration of time periods with flow velocities close to zero were a key variable, potentially decreasing oxygen supply for eggs and larvae. Such periods of close to zero flow velocities were driven by backlog periods during the filling of the reservoir, revealing that such events can severely impair ecological integrity of spawning sites in tributaries upstream of dams by slowing the flows in upstream tributaries. Such altered processes can reduce fish population recruitment and need to be considered in future restoration projects.
Developing a regional learning center for engineering

Antelope Valley is a burgeoning distant suburb of Los Angeles that is demanding new services from colleges and universities. This study investigated industry a nd community needs for engineering curriculum in order to inform the state university’s pla nning and decision-making. The study employed mixed methods as part of an action-research approach by t he newly state-appointed Director of Engineering Programs in three consec utive phases, January through June 2008. Phase I included mailed surveys to 156 active engineeringrelated organizations; Phase II assessed selected senior personnel’s pe rc ptions through long, semi-structured interviews; Phase III integrated an analysis of t he state university’s local learning center plan, meeting minutes of the business advisory board, and researcher’s field notes for June 2007June 2008. Major findings from the survey, with 51 organizations responding, revealed that the area would annually require 200-300 newly graduated engineers and substantiat ed the area’s demand for a state university center. Uniformly, the organizations have e xpressed a preference to hire locally-educated personnel as they would be a better ret ntion investment; new hires from other areas remain only two-three years. The three most prominent majors are mechanical, electrical, and aerospace engineering. From the 13 interviews, in order to sustain university life, specialty courses and certificate programs, such as composite materials and reliability a nd m intainability, should be developed. Interviews recommended construction management as an emerging major. Respondents expressed that the desired quality of engineering graduat es, in rank order, was communication, teamwork, and presentation skills. Interviews and the xx advisory board support the development of engineering management graduate progra m and systems engineering as viable new programs. Every organization, from the surveys and interviews, will support student internships and other work-experience opportunities for engineering students. The advisory board will financially assist the hiring of a fulltime faculty member and encourage skilled personnel to serve in adjunct faculty positions. Board members stat ed that the state university hiring a respected engineering doctorate as l ocal representative to direct the engineering programs was essential to university expansion into thi s area. Direct targeted contact was the most effective means to market engineer ing programs. The personnel contacted throughout this study are key to this marketing strategy.
Sizing of Hybrid Energy Storage Systems Using Recurring Daily Patterns

A hybrid Energy Storage Systems (ESS) consists of two or more energy storage technologies, with different power and energy characteristics. Using a hybrid ESS, both high-frequency and low-frequency power variations can be addressed at the same time. For an accurate sizing of a hybrid ESS, the use of high-resolution data is required. However, high-resolution data over long periods leads to large data sets, which are difficult to handle. In this paper, an improved motif discovery algorithm is introduced to find the most recurring daily consumption patterns within the time series of interest. The most recurring pattern is selected as the representative of the time series for sizing the hybrid ESS. Next, a simple optimization framework is proposed for selecting the cut-off frequency of a low-pass filter, used for allocating the power to different storage technologies. Finally, the proposed sizing approach is applied for sizing a hybrid battery-flywheel ESS at four different low voltage distribution grids in southern Germany using real measurement data. It is demonstrated that a hybrid ESS, with the characteristics derived from the most recurring patterns only, can effectively provide their intended grid services for most of the days during the whole period of the time series.