Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Highly stretchable and robust transparent conductive polymer composites for multifunctional healthcare monitoring

ABSTRACT Soft, stretchable, conductive thin films have propelled to the forefront of applications in stretchable sensors for on-skin health monitoring. Stretchable conductive films require high conformability, stretchability, and mechanical/chemical stability when integrated into the skin. Here, we present a highly stretchable, conductive, and transparent natural rubber/silver nanowire (AgNW)/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) composite film. Overcoating the PEDOT:PSS layer results in outstanding mechanical robustness and chemical stability by suppressing the mechanical and chemical degradation of the nanowire networks. Moreover, the introduction of the organic surface modifier enhances the bonding strength between the natural rubber substrate and AgNW at the interface. The highly conformable composite films are integrated into multifunctional on-skin sensors for monitoring various human motions and biological signals with low-power consumption. We believe that the highly stretchable, robust, and conformable natural rubber/AgNW/PEDOT:PSS composite film can offer new opportunities for next-generation wearable sensors for body motion and physiological monitoring. Graphical abstract
A Review on Hydroponics and the Technologies Associated for Medium- and Small-Scale Operations

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the world population will reach nine billion people in 2050, of which 75% will live in urban settlements. One of the biggest challenges will be meeting the demand for food, as farmland is being lost to climate change, water scarcity, soil pollution, among other factors. In this context, hydroponics, an agricultural method that dispenses with soil, provides a viable alternative to address this problem. Although hydroponics has proven its effectiveness on a large scale, there are still challenges in implementing this technique on a small scale, specifically in urban and suburban settings. Also, in rural communities, where the availability of suitable technologies is scarce. Paradigms such as the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0, promote Precision Agriculture on a small scale, allowing the control of variables such as pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, among others, resulting in higher production and resource savings.
Primary and Secondary Frequency Control Techniques for Isolated Microgrids

Isolated microgrids have been shown to be a reliable and efficient solution to provide energy to remote communities. From the primary control perspective, due to the low system inertia and fast changes in the output power of wind and solar power sources, isolated microgrids’ frequency can experience large excursions and thus easily deviate from nominal operating conditions, even when there is sufficient frequency control reserves; hence, it is challenging to maintain frequency around its nominal value. From the secondary control perspective, the generation scheduling of dispatchable units obtained from a conventional Unit Commitment (UC) are considered fixed between two dispatch time intervals, yielding a staircase generation profile over the UC time horizon; given the high variability of renewable generation output power, committed units participating in frequency regulation would not remain fixed between two time intervals. The present work proposes techniques to address these issues in primary and secondary frequency control in isolated microgrids with high penetration of renewable generation. In this thesis, first, a new frequency control mechanism is developed which makes use of the load sensitivity to operating voltage and can be easily adopted for various types of isolated microgrids. The proposed controller offers various advantages, such as allowing the integration of significant levels of intermittent renewable resources in isolated/islanded microgrids without the need for large energy storage systems, providing fast and smooth frequency regulation with no steady-state error, regardless of the generator control mechanism. The controller requires no extra communication infrastructure and only local voltage and frequency is used as feedback. The performance of the controller is evaluated and validated using PSCAD/EMTDC on a modified version of the CIGRE benchmark; also, small-perturbation stability analysis is carried out to demonstrate the contribution of the proposed controller to system damping. In the second stage of the thesis, a mathematical model of frequency control in isolated microgrids is proposed and integrated into the UC problem. The proposed formulation considers the impact of the frequency control mechanism on the changes in the generation output using a linear model. Based on this model, a novel UC model is developed which yields a more cost efficient solution for isolated microgrids. The proposed UC is formulated based on a day-ahead scheduling horizon with Model Predictive Control (MPC) approach. To test and validate the proposed UC, the realistic test system used in the first part of the thesis is utilized. The results demonstrate that the proposed UC would reduce the operational costs of isolated microgrids compared to conventional UC methods, at similar complexity levels and computational costs.
Melanaphis sorghi (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Clonal Diversity in the United States and Brazil

Simple Summary Melanaphis sorghi has been a perennial economically important pest to U.S. sorghum since 2013. Previous research has shown its recent infestation on sorghum has been spreading as a super-clone, a highly abundant clone that is distributed over a large geographic area and persists over time, in the U.S. To continuously monitor the genotypes present in the U.S. and to determine the genotype present in Brazil on sorghum, Melanaphis spp. were collected in 2019 and 2020. Genotyping of aphid samples with microsatellite markers revealed that the super-clone predominated in the U.S. in 2019 and 2020 and Brazil in 2020. Thus, the M. sorghi super-clone remains in the U.S. on sorghum, Johnsongrass, and giant miscanthus and is present in Brazil on sorghum. Abstract Melanaphis sorghi (Hemiptera: Aphididae), are an economically important pest to sorghum in the Americas. Previous studies have found that a super-clone that belongs to multilocus lineage (MLL)-F predominated in the U.S. from 2013 to 2018 and uses multiple hosts besides sorghum. In contrast, previous studies found that aphids in South America belong to MLL-C, but these studies only examined aphids collected from sugarcane. In this study we sought to determine if the superclone persisted in the U.S. in 2019–2020 and to determine the MLL of aphids found on sorghum in the largest country in South America, Brazil. Melanaphis spp. samples (121) were collected from the U.S. in 2019–2020 and Brazil in 2020 and were genotyped with 8–9 Melanaphis spp. microsatellite markers. Genotyping results showed that all samples from the U.S. in 2019 and Brazil in 2020 had alleles identical to the predominant superclone. Of the 52 samples collected in the U.S. in 2020, 50 samples were identical to the predominant super-clone (multilocus lineage-F; M. sorghi), while two samples from Texas differed from the super-clone by a single allele. The results demonstrated that the super-clone remains in the U.S. on sorghum, Johnsongrass, and giant miscanthus and is also present on sorghum within Brazil.
Development of an Image Analysis-Based Prognosis Score Using Google’s Teachable Machine in Melanoma

Simple Summary The increase in adjuvant treatment of melanoma patients makes it necessary to provide the most accurate prognostic assessment possible, even at early stages of the disease. Although conventional risk stratification correctly identifies most patients in need of adjuvant treatment, there are some patients who, despite having a low tumor stage, have poor prognosis and could therefore benefit from early therapy. To close this gap in prognosis estimation, deep learning-based image analyses of histological sections could play a central role in the future. The aim of this study was to investigate whether such an analysis is possible only using basic image analysis of 831 H&E-stained melanoma sections using Google’s Teachable Machine. Although the classification obtained does not provide an additional prognostic estimate to conventional melanoma classification, this study shows that prognostic prediction is possible at the mere cellular image level. Abstract Background: The increasing number of melanoma patients makes it necessary to establish new strategies for prognosis assessment to ensure follow-up care. Deep-learning-based image analysis of primary melanoma could be a future component of risk stratification. Objectives: To develop a risk score for overall survival based on image analysis through artificial intelligence (AI) and validate it in a test cohort. Methods: Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained sections of 831 melanomas, diagnosed from 2012–2015 were photographed and used to perform deep-learning-based group classification. For this purpose, the freely available software of Google’s teachable machine was used. Five hundred patient sections were used as the training cohort, and 331 sections served as the test cohort. Results: Using Google’s Teachable Machine, a prognosis score for overall survival could be developed that achieved a statistically significant prognosis estimate with an AUC of 0.694 in a ROC analysis based solely on image sections of approximately 250 × 250 µm. The prognosis group “low-risk” (n = 230) showed an overall survival rate of 93%, whereas the prognosis group “high-risk” (n = 101) showed an overall survival rate of 77.2%. Conclusions: The study supports the possibility of using deep learning-based classification systems for risk stratification in melanoma. The AI assessment used in this study provides a significant risk estimate in melanoma, but it does not considerably improve the existing risk classification based on the TNM classification.
Relationship between intake and faecal excretion of indigestible fractions in trials with sheep: impact of the method of analysis, diet and trial

Abstract A data set of individual observations was compiled from 17 digestibility trials with sheep with the aim of evaluating the impact of the method of analysis and, within each method, the effect of dietary fibre content and trial on the faecal recovery rate (RR) of indigestible dry matter (iDM) and indigestible neutral detergent fibre (iNDF). Markers concentration in samples of diet and faeces were determined either in polyester filter bags of 40 μm of porosity incubated in situ for 144 h (method A; n = 257) or in bags of 16 μm of porosity incubated in situ for 288 h (method B; n = 321). Regardless of the incubation method, the intake of either iDM or iNDF was linearly (P < 0.05) related to the amount excreted in faeces and, for all linear relationships, the slopes were lower than 1 (i.e. between 0.53 and 0.71). Within both methods, the RR of both markers linearly decreased at increased NDF content in diet (P < 0.05). The root mean square error of the linear relationships varied from 0.147 to 0.189 which represented from 19% to 24% of the respective average RR of markers. In conclusion, regardless of the incubation method, the RR of both markers showed high individual variability and, thus, the use of average RR values obtained in controlled digestibility trials as an index to correct the individual digestibility values obtained with either marker in field trials has the potential to improve the accuracy but not the precision of the digestibility estimates.
On the Turbulent Behavior of a Magnetically Confined Plasma near the X-Point

We construct a model for the turbulence near the X-point of a Tokamak device and, under suitable assumptions, we arrive to a closed equation for the electric field potential fluctuations. The analytical and numerical analysis is focused on a reduced two-dimensional formulation of the dynamics, which allows a direct mapping to the incompressible Navier-Stokes equation. The main merit of this study is to outline how the turbulence near the X-point, in correspondence to typical operation conditions of medium and large size Tokamaks, is dominated by the enstrophy cascade from large to smaller spatial scales.
Integration of the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) on Hotel Room Repurchase Intention using Online Hotel Room Booking Applications

Objective: The business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce or online shopping market is growing rapidly and has become one of the most exciting developments in e-commerce. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of perceived ease of use, service quality, customer trust on the mediating role of customer satisfaction on perceived ease of use of online hotel room booking applications on repurchase intention. Design/Methods/Approach: The research sample size is 183 respondents who used the RedDoorz application at Indonesian hotel locations. Data are collected by distributing online questionnaires using a Likert scale point 1 to 5. The data analysis technique is carried out using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) method. Findings: The results of this study indicate that customer satisfaction as a mediator has a positive but not significant effect on service quality. The results of this study also show that partial customer satisfaction has a significant influence on the repurchase intention. Originality: This study shows that the use of theory of reasoned action to explain the customer satisfaction variable as a mediation can be done by predicting the repurchase intention of consumers in online hotel room booking applications. Practical/Policy implication: The managerial implications of this research can be considered for business stakeholders to ensure service quality, user convenience, and customer trust so that customers feel satisfied and can order again.
Transitions to parenthood, flexible working and time-based work-to-family conflicts: A gendered life course and organisational change perspective

Objective: This study investigates how flexitime and flexiplace moderate the consequences of transitions to parenthood for time-based work-to-family conflicts for women and men, and whether the normalisation of their use in organisations additionally contributes to reducing work-to-family conflicts. Background: Although flexible working has been described as a resource for better aligning demands in the domains of work and family, the findings of previous - mainly cross-sectional – research on its consequences for work–family conflict are inconsistent. Method: Individual fixed effects analyses were conducted using linked employer-employee panel data for 1,973 partnered men and 1575 partnered women in 132 large work organisations in Germany. Results: Time-based work-to-family conflicts after transition to parenthood increased for men but decreased for women. This can be explained by women reducing their working hours. However, work-to-family conflicts remained rather stable despite of the transition to parenthood among women who used flexitime. This can partly be explained by their weaker work-to-family conflicts already before the transition as well as to adjustments in work investments being less common among them. There is some evidence that the normalisation of flexitime and flexiplace in the organisation is associated with fewer work-to-family conflicts among women and men. Conclusion: Flexitime seems to be not an additional but an alternative resource to decrease the likelihood of more frequent time-based work-to-family conflicts after transition to parenthood among women. The normalization of flexible working depicts organizational change towards more family-friendliness.
Comparison between Different Groups of Vegetarianism and Its Associations with Body Composition: A Literature Review from 2015 to 2021

Background: Vegetarian and vegan diets have become increasingly popular in the last years for many reasons, including their association with various health benefits when compared to omnivorous diets. The main objective of the study was to collect recent (2015–2021) scientific evidence for potential implications between a vegetarian/vegan diet and an individuals’ body composition. Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, with 22 studies selected for inclusion in our collective evaluation. Of the 22 studies included, there were 12 randomized controlled trials, 1 nonrandomized controlled trial, 1 comparative study, and 8 cross-sectional. The overall sample included in this study consists of 436,178 participants, 10,090 of whom were vegetarians, 5044 vegans, and 421,044 omnivores. Results: Most studies, 17 out of 22, reported a significant positive relationship between a plant-based diet and body composition. Conclusion: There is scientifically sound evidence that vegan or vegetarian diets are associated with weight and body mass index reduction and, in some cases, fat mass distribution changes.
Dual-bridge LLC-SRC with extended voltage range for deeply depleted PEV battery charging

ABSTRACT This paper proposes a dual-bridge LLC series resonant converter with hybrid-rectifier for achieving extended charging voltage range of 50–420 V for on-board battery charger of plug-in electric vehicle for normal and deeply depleted battery charging. Depending upon the configuration of primary switching network and secondary rectifier, the proposed topology has three operating modes as half-bridge with bridge rectifier (HBBR), full-bridge with bridge rectifier (FBBR) and full-bridge with voltage doubler (FBVD). HBBR, FBBR and FBVD operating modes of converter achieve 50–125, 125–250 and 250–420 V voltage ranges, respectively. For voltage above 62 V, the converter operates below resonance frequency zero voltage switching region with narrow switching frequency range for soft commutation of secondary diodes and low turn-off current of MOSFETs to reduce switching losses. The proposed converter is simulated using MATLAB Simulink and a 1.5 kW laboratory prototype is also built to validate the operation of proposed topology. Simulation and experimental results show that the converter meets all the charging requirements for deeply depleted to fully charged battery using constant current-constant voltage charging method with fixed 400 V DC input and achieves 96.22% peak efficiency.
Genetic diversity and population structure of Dermatophagoides farinae based on microsatellite markers

ABSTRACT Dermatophagoides farinae is one of the most important allergens that cause allergic diseases and trigger serious harm to the human body. D.farinae is widely distributed, and the development of genetic markers and genetic information regarding the populations of this species are needed to establish control strategies. The aim is to develop a microsatellite marker and assess the genetic diversity and population structure of different populations of D. farinae. The genomic DNA of D. farinae was extracted and sequenced by NGS analysis. Microsatellite markers were identified and screened with MISA software. Primers were designed with Primer5.0 and screened by capillary electrophoresis detection. Genotyping was implemented with GeneMarker 2.2. Genetic diversity and population structure were analysed by related softwares. Twelve microsatellite markers detected 66 alleles in 256 individuals of D. farinae from 12 geographic populations. The average allele number (Na), effective allele number (Ne), observed heterozygosity (Ho), and expected heterozygosity (He) were 4.431, 2.610, 1.056 and 0.484, respectively. Genetic variation existed within populations and there was no correlation between geographic distance and genetic distance (Fst) (P = 0.160). Structure analysis showed D. farinae is largely divided into three groups. The genetic diversity of the geographical population of D. farinae is relatively high.
Classical and Bayesian Inference Using Type-II Unified Progressive Hybrid Censored Samples for Pareto Model

In the lifetime and reliability experiments, the censored samples play a fundamental and important role in order to control time and cost. The researchers developed the censored sample schemes to solve the problems that arise by applying the previous methods. Recently, Górny and Cramer (2018) proposed a new general type of censored sample called Type-II unified progressive hybrid censored sample. In this paper, we present an overview of the Type-II unified progressive hybrid censored sample. We used this censored sample to compute the maximum likelihood estimates of unknown parameters from the Pareto distribution, as well as Bayesian estimates for unknown parameters under three different error loss functions. The point and interval Bayesian predictions one- and two-sample Bayesian predictions from the Pareto distribution are shown. Simulation studies are carried out to compare the efficacy of the various inference approaches. Finally, real data sets are examined to determine the applicability of the proposed model and various estimating approaches.
Emerging Market Investing: A Multi-Asset, Granular, and Dynamic Portfolio Approach

Investors seldom include emerging markets in their strategic asset allocations. The authors argue that much of this skepticism is due to a period of weak returns, exacerbated by the suboptimal construction of the traditional market-cap benchmarks. Such indexes concentrate risk in single countries, are inconsistent across asset classes, and do not reflect the fundamentals of the underlying economies. Hence, the authors propose an asset allocation framework comprising two modules. The first module constructs a portfolio with balanced risk targeted across regions, countries, and asset classes. By geographically balancing risk, the portfolio is less vulnerable to the idiosyncratic shocks prevalent in emerging markets. Moreover, the resulting portfolio overweights lower-volatility bond markets, which not only exhibit higher risk-adjusted returns but are also less correlated with riskier assets. The second module introduces tilts based on expected returns within a tracking error budget. The authors demonstrate the benefit of incorporating expected return assumptions via systematic value- and carry-based tilting.
A Secure Communication Method Based on Message Hash Chain

Traditional network communication methods lack endogenous security mechanisms, which is the root cause of network security problems, e.g., spoofing identity and address forgery. This paper proposes a secure communication method based on the message hash chain, referred to as the chain communication method or MHC method. We use the message hash chain to ensure that the transmission process is immutable, non-repudiation, reliability, and the integrity and synchronization of the message. At the same time, we can sign and authenticate data streams in batches through chain signature and authentication technology, which can significantly reduce the overhead of signature and authentication, thereby improving the efficiency of secure message transmission. This paper formally proves the security of the message hash chain, conducts an in-depth analysis of the reliability of the MHC method, and conducts relevant experimental tests. The results show that the average transmission efficiency of the MHC method applied at the network layer is about 70% lower than that of the IP protocol communication method without a security mechanism. However, it is about 5% higher than the average transmission efficiency of the non-repudiation IPSec protocol communication method. The average transmission efficiency of the MHC method is about 23.5 times higher than that of the IP protocol communication method with the packet-by-packet signature. It is easier to ensure the non-repudiation of the data stream.