Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seasonality in the equatorial tropics: Flower, fruit, and leaf phenology of montane trees in the highlands of Southwest Uganda

Phenology influences many forest functions and can inform forest conservation and management, yet representative phenological data for most common tropical forest tree species remain sparse or absent. Between June 2011 and December 2013, we investigated flowering, fruiting, and leafing patterns in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a montane forest located near the equator in Uganda, drawing on 16,410 observations of 530 trees of 54 species located between 2066 and 2527 m in elevation. The park's climate is equatorial with two wet and dry seasons each year. Flowering and fruiting were strongly seasonal while patterns in leafing were less pronounced. Flower occurrence peaked at the beginning of the short dry season followed by a pronounced trough during the beginning and the middle of the short wet season. Fruit occurrence had a pronounced peak during high rainfall months in March through April with most fruits ripening during drier months in May through July. Fruit scarcity was observed for a 4‐month period spanning September to December and most flushing of leaves noted at the end of the wet season in November and December. Our binomial generalized linear mixed models indicated that flowering and fruiting were negatively associated with temperature and that leafing activity was positively associated with rainfall and temperature. These findings are consistent with the insolation‐ and water‐limitation hypotheses suggesting that the seasonally varying availability of resources such as light, water, and nutrients determines these phenological patterns. Ideally, prolonged, multi‐year community‐level studies would be supported so as to better characterize the influence of climate and of climate variability.
Strip loaded waveguide on lithium niobate thin films

We present the experimental demonstration of a strip loaded waveguide on crystalline lithium niobate thin film. The structure consists in a 1 μm-wide and 200 nm-thick titanium dioxide strip waveguide on a 700 nm lithium niobate slab waveguide. It operates at the telecom wavelength for a TE-polarized light.
Defining Time in Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: When Should We Start the Clock?

Introduction: The execution of upper endoscopy at the proper time is key to correctly managing patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). Nonetheless, the definition of “time” for endoscopic examinations in UGIB patients is imprecise. The primary aim of this study was to verify whether the different definitions of “time” (i.e., the symptoms-to-endoscopy and presentation-to-endoscopy timeframes) impact mortality. The secondary purpose of this study was to evaluate the similarity between the two timeframes. Methods: A post-hoc analysis was performed on a prospective multicenter cohort study, which included UGIB patients admitted to 50 Italian hospitals. We collected the timings from symptoms and presentation to endoscopy, together with other demographic, organizational and clinical data and outcomes. Results: Out of the 3324 patients in the cohort, complete time data were available for 3166 patients. A significant difference of 9.2 h (p < 0.001) was found between the symptoms-to-endoscopy vs. presentation-to-endoscopy timeframes. The symptoms-to-endoscopy timeframe demonstrated (1) a different death risk profile and (2) a statistically significant improvement in the prediction of mortality risk compared to the presentation-to-endoscopy timeframe (p < 0.0002). The similarity between the two different timeframes was moderate (K = 0.42 ± 0.01; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The symptoms-to-endoscopy and presentation-to-endoscopy timeframes referred to different timings during the management of upper endoscopy in bleeding patients, with the former being more accurate in correctly identifying the mortality risk of these patients. We suggest that further studies be conducted to validate our observations, and, if confirmed, a different definition of time should be adopted in endoscopy.
An Algorithm of Attribute Reduction of Information System Based on Entropy

Finding minimum attributes reduction is a NP-hard problem in rough set. This paper defined importance of attributes based on definition and properties of knowledge entropy, made the analysis of its nature, gave the solution of core and the reduction theorem and proposed an algorithm of attribute reduction based on entropy. The algorithm uses heuristic search method. First it calculates the attribute importance and gets core, then taking the core as a starting point and making size of attribute importance as heuristic information, it selects attributes and gets the minimum attributes reduction. The theoretical analysis and example calculation show the algorithm is simple and effective.
Run-to-Failure Relay Dataset for Predictive Maintenance Research With Machine Learning

Predictive maintenance (PdM) offers enormous potential for improvement, both economically and ecologically. The extended use of components can improve sustainability, minimize the occurrence of component failures and associated safety risks for people and the environment, and ultimately increase the profitability of plants. PdM is therefore a future key technology that requires sensing, communication of collected data, and analysis of data to implement. In this work, the phoenix contact relay (PCR) dataset is provided and used to demonstrate that there is a need for research into new PdM techniques. The PCR dataset presented includes life data from 546 relays with a total of more than 106 million switching cycles collected over a period of several years at a sampling rate of 10 kHz. Manufacturers and loads were varied to ensure practical relevance. This sets PCR apart from previously published datasets in terms of number of measurements, complexity of measurements, scope of units tested, and practicality, providing the opportunity to design and evaluate new methods for PdM.
Robust joint source-channel coding theory

We consider joint source-channel coding for a memoryless Gaussian source and an additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel. A code is said to be robust if its performance is arbitrarily close to the theoretical limit for a wide range of channel noise conditions. The existence of robust codes depends on the ratio of the channel bandwidth to the source bandwidth-a quantity we called /spl rho/. We first show that when /spl rho/=1, robust codes do indeed exist. Secondly, no robust code exists for /spl rho//spl ne/1.
Anti-Swing Control of Gantry and Tower Cranes Using Fuzzy and Time-Delayed Feedback with Friction Compensation

We designed a feedback controller to automate crane operations by controlling the load position and its swing. First, a PD tracking controller is designed to follow a prescribed trajectory. Then, another controller is added to the control loop to damp the load swing. The anti-swing controller is designed based on two techniques: a time-delayed feedback of the load swing angle and an anti-swing fuzzy logic controller (FLC). The rules of the FLC are generated by mapping the performance of the time-delayed feedback controller. The same mapping method used for generating the rules can be applied to mimic the performance of an expert operator. The control algorithms were designed for gantry cranes and then extended to tower cranes by considering the coupling between the translational and rotational motions. Experimental results show that the controller is effective in reducing load oscillations and transferring the load in a reasonable time. To experimentally validate the theory, we had to compensate for friction. To this end, we estimated the friction and then applied a control action to cancel it. The friction force was estimated by assuming a mathematical model and then estimating the model coefficients using an off-line identification technique, the method of least squares (LS).
Multiobjective output-feedback control via LMI optimization

This paper presents an overview of a linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach to the multiobjective synthesis of linear output-feedback controllers. The design objectives can be a mix of H/sub /spl infin// performance, H/sub 2/ performance, passivity, asymptotic disturbance rejection, time-domain constraints, and constraints on the closed-loop pole location. In addition, these objectives can be specified on different channels of the closed-loop system. When all objectives are formulated in terms of a common Lyapunov function, controller design amounts to solving a system of linear matrix inequalities. The validity of this approach is illustrated by a realistic design example.
Observer-based robust control of ( 0 < α < 1 ) fractional-order linear uncertain control systems

Stability and stabilisation problems for fractional-order linear (FOL) uncertain systems with fractional order α ( 0 < α < 1 ) are difficult and interesting. This study focuses on observer-based robust control for FOL uncertain system with fractional order 0 < α < 1 . Recently, a new method based on linear matrix inequality is presented to solve the stability and stabilisation problems of FOL systems with fractional order 0 < α < 1 . Based on the new method and the matrix's singular value decomposition, a necessary and sufficient condition for quadratic stability of observer-based FOL uncertain systems is presented in this study. Finally, two examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Legacy effects of canopy gaps on liana abundance 25 years later in a seasonal tropical evergreen forest in northeastern Thailand

Lianas require host trees to reach and stay in the forest canopy, but as seedlings and juveniles, they benefit from canopy gaps created by treefalls. Here, we evaluated the relative importance of these two aspects, that is, the availability of potential hosts vs. the legacy effect of past treefall gaps, on the local abundance of liana stems in a seasonal tropical evergreen forest in the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve in northeastern Thailand. Within a 2.5‐ha plot for forest dynamics monitoring, canopy height was measured in 1993 and 2018 at 5‐m intervals to distinguish areas of mature (canopy height ≥ 20 m), building (10–20 m), and gap phases (< 10 m). In 2017–2018, we surveyed all liana stems ≥ 1 cm in diameter at breast height within 50 subplots (10 m × 10 m each) and recorded their diameter and the diameter of the host tree. Of a total of 445 liana individuals, 242 could be identified at least to the family level, while the others had clear morphological traits of climbing mechanisms. The number of liana stems was higher in areas that had been at the building/gap phase than those at the mature phase in 1993. When this 25‐year‐old legacy of past gap locations was considered, there was a positive association of local abundance between lianas and trees in areas at the mature phase in 2018. In conclusion, liana abundance reflected a long‐term legacy of past treefall gaps more than 25 years earlier in this seasonal evergreen forest.
Evolution of a Quasi-Linear Convective System Sampled by Phased Array Radar

AbstractOn 2 April 2010, a quasi-linear convective system (QLCS) moved eastward through Oklahoma during the early morning hours. Wind damage in Rush Springs, Oklahoma, approached (enhanced Fujita) EF1-scale intensity and was likely associated with a mesovortex along the leading edge of the QLCS. The evolution of the QLCS as it produced its first bow echo was captured by the National Weather Radar Testbed Phased Array Radar (NWRT PAR) in Norman, Oklahoma. The NWRT PAR is an S-band radar with an electronically steered beam, allowing for rapid volumetric updates (~1 min) and user-defined scanning strategies. The rapid temporal updates and dense vertical sampling of the PAR created a detailed depiction of the damaging wind mechanisms associated with the QLCS. Key features sampled by the PAR include microbursts, an intensifying midlevel jet, and rotation associated with the mesovortex. In this work, PAR data are analyzed and compared to data from nearby operational radars, highlighting the advantages of using .
Negative ion production rates in rare gas-halide lasers

This paper reports on dissociative electron attachment in F 2 , NF 3 , Cl 2 , and I 2 . The principle of the method is to produce a short burst of photoelectrons from a photocathode by means of light from an argon-fluoride laser. Subsequently, by studying the motion of electrons and negative ions in a constant electric field ( E ) region, information is obtained about drift velocities and effective attachment cross sections. Helium, argon, and nitrogen were used as buffer gases. Of particular interest is a very strong temperature dependence of the attachment coefficient in I 2 . Measurements were taken from 35 to 110°C, covering an E/N range of 1-50 Townsend. An explanation based on vibrational excitation is presented.
A General Predator-Prey Model

We consider n = 2 populations of animals or plants that are living in mutual predator-prey relations or are pairwise neutral to each other. We assume the temporal development of the population densities to be described by a system of differential equations which has an equilibrium state solution. We at first give sufficient conditions for this equilibrium state to be asymptotically stable by linearizing the system around it. Then we derive sufficient conditions for asymptotic stability by Lyapunov’s method. Finally we investigate a discretization of the Volterra-Lotka model.
Recent Advances of N-2,2,2-Trifluoroethylisatin Ketimines in Organic Synthesis

The special properties of fluorine atoms and fluorine-containing groups have led to an increasing number of applications for fluorine-containing organic compounds, which are also extremely widely used in the field of new drug development. Unfortunately, naturally fluorinated organics are rare in nature, so the selective introduction of fluorine atoms or fluorine-containing groups into organic molecules is very important for pharmaceutical/synthetic chemists. N-2,2,2-trifluoroethylisatin ketimines have received the attention of many chemists since they were first developed as fluorine-containing synthons in 2015. This paper reviews the organic synthesis reactions in which trifluoroethyl isatin ketimine has been involved in recent years, focusing on the types of reactions and the stereoselectivity of products, and also provides a prospect of its application in this field.
Trivariate quartic splines on type-6 tetrahedral partitions and their applications

In this paper we develop a 3D quasi-interpolating spline scheme, on a bounded domain, based on trivariate quartic C 2 box splines on type-6 tetrahedral partitions. Then, we describe some applications related both to the reconstruction of gridded volume data and to numerical integration. We also provide some numerical tests.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF LEAST-SQUARES AND THE WEAK-FORM GALERKIN FINITE ELEMENT MODELS FOR THE NONLINEAR ANALYSIS OF TIMOSHENKO BEAMS

In this paper, a comparison of weak-form Galerkin and least-squares finite element models of Timoshenko beam theory with the von Karman strains is presented. Computational characteristics of the two models and the influence of the polynomial orders used on the relative accuracies of the two models are discussed. The degree of approximation functions used varied from linear to the 5th order. In the linear analysis, numerical results of beam bending under different types of boundary conditions are presented along with exact solutions to investigate the degree of shear locking in the newly developed mixed finite element models. In the nonlinear analysis, convergences of nonlinear finite element solutions of newly developed mixed finite element models are presented along with those of existing traditional model to compare the performance. © 2010 IAU, Arak Branch. All rights reserved.
Fast tip-tilt secondary for the Blanco 4-m Telescope

A very low cost fast tip-tilt secondary mirror has been implemented on the NOAO Blanco 4m Telescope located on Cerro Tololo, Chile. The secondary mirror is an 800-mm diameter Cervit mirror, lightweighted to 92 kg and polished to match the optical quality of the existing 4.0-m primary. The final focal ratio is 14.5. The secondary mirror is mounted in a cell which provided high torsional inertia and stiffness. This mirror cell drew heavily from an existing secondary mirror cell, which had been built for the Blanco Telescope many years ago but never used. Modifying an existing mirror cell provided significant cost savings. The mirror is axially attached to this cell via three piezo electric actuators, which are computer driven to provide the tip-tilt corrections required. A mercury band provides radial support. Unlike most tip-tilt systems, this secondary is not momentum compensated. Tests have shown that the telescope is unaffected by the reaction forces induced by motion of the secondary mirror. Eliminating the momentum compensating system makes the mechanical design simple, reliable and inexpensive. The system will normally operate at frequencies in the range of 10 to 40 Hz with only very small amplitudes at the higher frequencies. When operated as part of a closed loop feedback system using a fast CCD camera operating at 240 Hz the RMS image motion of stars is reduced to 0.02 arcseconds. All image motion at frequencies lower than 25 - 30 Hz is removed.
Lower bound analysis of H ∞  performance achievable via decentralized LTI controllers

This paper is concerned with the decentralized H ∞ controller synthesis problem for discrete‐time LTI systems. Despite of intensive research efforts over the last several decades, this problem is believed to be nonconvex and still outstanding in general. Therefore, most of existing approaches resort to heuristic optimization algorithms that do not allow us to draw any definite conclusion on the quality of the designed controllers. To get around this difficulty, in this paper, we propose convex optimization procedures for computing lower bounds of the H ∞ performance that is achievable via decentralized LTI controllers of any order. In particular, we will show that sharpened lower bounds can be obtained by making good use of structures of the LTI plant typically observed in the decentralized control setting. We illustrate via numerical examples that these lower bounds are indeed useful to ensure the good quality of decentralized controllers designed by a heuristic optimization. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The time-dependent development of electric double-layers in saline solutions

We have studied the time-dependent development of electric double-layers (ionic sheaths) in saline solutions by simultaneously solving the sodium and chlorine ion continuity equations coupled with Poisson's equation in one dimension. The study of the effects of time-varying electric fields in solution is relevant to the possible health effect of radio-frequency electric fields on cells in the human body and to assessing the potential of using external electric fields to orient proteins for attachment to surfaces for biosensing applications. Our calculations, for applied voltages of 10–175 mV between the electrode and the solution, predict time scales of ∼0.1–110 µs for the formation of double-layers in solutions of concentration between 0.001 and 1.0 M. We develop an empirical equation that can predict the double-layer formation time to within 10% over this wide parameter range. The method has been validated by comparing the solutions obtained, once the program has run to a steady state, with the standard non-linear Poisson–Boltzmann equations. Excellent agreement is found with the Gouy–Chapman solution of the non-linear Poisson–Boltzmann equation. Thus the method is not restricted in accuracy and applicability as is the case for the linear Poisson–Boltzmann equation. The method can also provide solutions for cases where there are orders of magnitude changes in the ion densities; this has not been the case for previous studies where small perturbation analysis has been employed. The method developed here can readily be extended to two and three dimensions using time-splitting methods.
Switched Capacitor Based High Gain Boost Converter for Renewable Energy Application

This article presents an improved nonisolated high-voltage gain boost converter with a switched capacitor and reduced voltage stress across the switches for low-voltage applications. In the proposed topology, a coupled inductor (CI) and a switched capacitor (SC) are incorporated to get a high voltage gain. The output of the CI has low-voltage ripples, which reduces the size of the output filter capacitor. Further, SC and CI form a resonating circuit that helps to achieve zero voltage switching and zero current switching at full load. Additionally, stress across the switches is reduced, leading to low-rated switches utilization, which makes it cost effective. The bridge diode, coupled with a SC and mutual inductor, inherently works as a snubber circuit for switch protection. A converter with an input voltage of 48 V and an output voltage of 380 V is developed in this article to meet the requirements of a grid-connected inverter for household applications. Finally, an experimental 500-W high-gain boost converter prototype is developed, tested, and the simulink results are verified with hardware results. It has been found that the converter is 96.20% efficient at full load and achieves low stress across the switches.
Effects of Probiotics on Glycemic Control and Metabolic Parameters in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives: To assess the effects of probiotic supplements on glycemic control and metabolic parameters in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. The primary outcome was glycemic control, i.e., serum glucose and insulin levels. Secondary outcomes were maternal weight gain, neonatal birth weight, and lipid parameters. Weighted mean difference (WMD) was used. Cochrane’s Q test of heterogeneity and I2 were used to assess heterogeneity. Results: Of the 843 papers retrieved, 14 (n = 854 women) met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. When compared with placebo, women receiving probiotic supplements had significantly lower mean fasting serum glucose, fasting serum insulin, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides, total cholesterol, and VLDL levels. Decreased neonatal birth weight was witnessed in supplements containing Lactobacillus acidophilus. Conclusion: Probiotic supplements may improve glycemic control and lipid profile and reduce neonatal birth weight in women with GDM.