Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between changes in interface characteristics and external voltage under compressing force in metal–graphene–metal stacks

Metal–graphene–metal (M–G–M) stacks have provided new specific methods for the integration of two-dimensional (2D) materials into three-dimensional (3D) electronic devices, such as transistors, supercapacitors, memristors and others. Intentional control of the local electronic properties in the stacks is the primary problem to be solved when developing hybrid structures with 2D and 3D elements. In order to do this, the physical mechanisms and processes that define the properties of the stacks must be thoroughly understood. This report introduces an approach based on the force curve analysis in terms of the interface characteristics in the M–G–M stack. In the study, the stack was produced by pressing the platinum probe of a scanning probe microscope into the surface of a gold-supported graphene monolayer, and the force curve was measured under applied direct current voltage. Based on the model of the van der Waals contact, the equilibrium interface distances and the built-in potential were obtained from the experimental results. The equilibrium state was proved to be weakly dependent on the applied voltage below a threshold level. Above this level, irreversible changes and the effect of the history of the tests were detected. The proposed method is acceptable to quantitatively describe the most essential characteristics in a local area of the M–G–M stack, essential for the construction of nano-scaled electronic devices.
Wind- and eddy-driven upwelling over submarine canyons inshore of the northern Agulhas Current

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, located along the coastline of northern KwaZulu-Natal, hosts South Africa’s only subtropical coral reef system. Episodic upwelling events are observed inshore and at the heads of Diepgat, Leadsman and Leven canyons within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and may assist in larval dispersal and act as a buffer against coral bleaching. Over a 12-month period (1 June 2018-31 May 2019), two cooling events were identified from surface and subsurface temperature measurements extracted from the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) product of the Operational Sea Surface Temperature and Ice Analysis (OSTIA) satellite and data collected from underwater temperature recorders, respectively. Lagged correlations between subsurface temperatures confirmed that the anomalous cooling events were upwelling events (of 2-7 hours). The approximate upwelling rate was greatest at Diepgat Canyon, which suggests that upwelling events are enhanced by the physical structure of the canyon head and its shallow termination point which may influence the affected ecosystems. Wind measurements from the Mbazwana weather station and satellite sea-level anomalies were used to investigate the respective roles of wind stress and mesoscale ocean variability as driving forces of the upwelling events. The results indicate that the less intense and shorter cooling event was driven by a cyclonic eddy event, but that the stronger cooling event was driven by a combination of both forcing mechanisms.
Paper Mill Biosolids and Forest-Derived Liming Materials Applied on Cropland: Residual Effects on Soil Properties and Metal Availability

Combined paper mill biosolids (PB) and forest-derived liming by-products improve soil properties, but their residual effects following several years of application have hardly been investigated. A 13-year (2009–2021) field study was initiated at Yamachiche, QC, Canada, to assess the residual effects of PB and liming materials on the properties of a loamy soil. The PB was applied during nine consecutive years (2000–2008) at 0, 30, 60, and 90 Mg wet·ha−1, whereas the 30 Mg PB·ha−1 rate also received one of three liming materials (calcitic lime, lime mud, wood ash) at 3 Mg wet·ha−1. No amendment was applied during residual years. Past liming materials continued to increase soil pH but their effect decreased over time; meanwhile, past PB applications caused a low increase in residual soil NO3-N. Soil total C, which represented 40% of added organic C when PB applications ceased, stabilized to 15% after six years. Soil Mehlich-3-extractable contents declined over the thirteen residual years to be not significant for P, K, and Cu, while they reached half the values of the application years for Zn and Cd. Conversely, Mehlich-3 Ca was little affected by time. Therefore, land PB and liming material applications benefited soil properties several years after their cessation.
Water release and homogenization by dynamic recrystallization of quartz

Abstract. To evaluate changes in water distribution generated by dynamic recrystallization of quartz, we performed infrared (IR) spectroscopy mapping of quartz in deformed granite from the Wariyama uplift zone in NE Japan. We analyzed three granite samples with different degrees of deformation: almost undeformed, weakly deformed, and strongly deformed. Dynamically recrystallized quartz grains with a grain size of ∼10 µm are found in these three samples, but the percentages of recrystallized grains and the recrystallization processes are different. Quartz in the almost-undeformed sample shows wavy grain boundaries, with a few bulged quartz grains. In the weakly deformed sample, bulging of quartz, which consumed adjacent host quartz grains, forms regions of a few hundred micrometers. In the strongly deformed sample, almost all quartz grains are recrystallized by subgrain rotation. IR spectra of quartz in the three samples commonly show a broad water band owing to H2O fluid at 2800–3750 cm−1, with no structural OH bands. Water contents in host quartz grains in the almost-undeformed sample are in the range of 40–1750 wt ppm, with a mean of 500±280 wt ppm H2O. On the other hand, water contents in regions of recrystallized grains, regardless of the recrystallization processes involved, are in the range of 100–510 wt ppm, with a mean of 220±70 wt ppm; these values are low and homogeneous compared with the contents in host quartz grains. These low water contents in recrystallized regions also contrast with those of up to 1540 wt ppm in adjacent host grains in the weakly deformed sample. Water contents in regions of subgrains are intermediate between those in host and recrystallized grains. These results for water distribution in quartz imply that water was released by dynamic recrystallization.
Wital: A COTS WiFi Devices Based Vital Signs Monitoring System Using NLOS Sensing Model

Vital sign (breathing and heartbeat) monitoring is essential for patient care and sleep disease prevention. Most current solutions are based on wearable sensors or cameras; however, the former could affect sleep quality, while the latter often present privacy concerns. To address these shortcomings, we propose Wital, a contactless vital sign monitoring system based on low-cost and widespread commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) Wi-Fi devices. There are two challenges that need to be overcome. First, the torso deformations caused by breathing/heartbeats are weak. How can such deformations be effectively captured? Second, movements such as turning over affect the accuracy of vital sign monitoring. How can such detrimental effects be avoided? For the former, we propose a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) sensing model for modeling the relationship between the energy ratio of line-of-sight (LOS) to NLOS signals and the vital sign monitoring capability using Ricean K theory and use this model to guide the system construction to better capture the deformations caused by breathing/heartbeats. For the latter, we propose a motion segmentation method based on motion regularity detection that accurately distinguishes respiration from other motions, and we remove periods that include movements such as turning over to eliminate detrimental effects. We have implemented and validated Wital on low-cost COTS devices. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of Wital in monitoring vital signs.
Post operation neuropathy of common peroneal nerve resulting in foot drop

Common peroneal nerve (CPN) neuropathy resulting in foot drop is a relatively uncommon complication of patients who are positioned in the lithotomy position during surgery, and the most common cause of spontaneous painless foot drop. Although diagnosis is often based on the clinical findings, ultrasound can be used as an efficient and effective imaging tool to identify the cause of CPN neuropathy and other peripheral nerve disorders. In this article, two ultrasound cases of patients with post operation foot drop as a result of CPN neuropathy are presented. The anatomy, ultrasound imaging technique, ultrasound appearance of CPN neuropathy; and potential causes of CPN are described.
Acceptability and Usability of a Wearable Device for Sleep Health Among English- and Spanish-Speaking Patients in a Safety Net Clinic: Qualitative Analysis

Background Sleep disorders are common and disproportionately affect marginalized populations. Technology, such as wearable devices, holds the potential to improve sleep quality and reduce sleep disparities, but most devices have not been designed or tested with racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse patients. Inclusion and engagement of diverse patients throughout digital health development and implementation are critical to achieving health equity. Objective This study aims to evaluate the usability and acceptability of a wearable sleep monitoring device—SomnoRing—and its accompanying mobile app among patients treated in a safety net clinic. Methods The study team recruited English- and Spanish-speaking patients from a mid-sized pulmonary and sleep medicine practice serving publicly insured patients. Eligibility criteria included initial evaluation of obstructed sleep apnea, which is most appropriate for limited cardiopulmonary testing. Patients with primary insomnia or other suspected sleep disorders were not included. Patients tested the SomnoRing over a 7-night period and participated in a 1-hour semistructured web-based qualitative interview covering perceptions of the device, motivators and barriers to use, and general experiences with digital health tools. The study team used inductive or deductive processes to code interview transcripts, guided by the Technology Acceptance Model. Results A total of 21 individuals participated in the study. All participants owned a smartphone, almost all (19/21) felt comfortable using their phone, and few already owned a wearable (6/21). Almost all participants wore the SomnoRing for 7 nights and found it comfortable. The following four themes emerged from qualitative data: (1) the SomnoRing was easy to use compared to other wearable devices or traditional home sleep testing alternatives, such as the standard polysomnogram technology for sleep studies; (2) the patient’s context and environment, such as family and peer influence, housing status, access to insurance, and device cost affected the overall acceptance of the SomnoRing; (3) clinical champions motivated use in supporting effective onboarding, interpretation of data, and, ongoing technical support; and (4) participants desired more assistance and information to best interpret their own sleep data summarized in the companion app. Conclusions Racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse patients with sleep disorders perceived a wearable as useful and acceptable for sleep health. Participants also uncovered external barriers related to the perceived usefulness of the technology, such as housing status, insurance coverage, and clinical support. Future studies should further examine how to best address these barriers so that wearables, such as the SomnoRing, can be successfully implemented in the safety net health setting.
Is an 11 eV sterile neutrino consistent with clusters, the cosmic microwave background and modified Newtonian dynamics?

In this paper, we show that if a single sterile neutrino exists such that m vs ∼ 11 eV, it can serendipitously solve all outstanding issues of the Modified Newtonian Dynamics. We focus on fitting the angular power spectrum of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) in detail which is possible using a flat Universe with Ω vs ∼ 0.23 and the usual baryonic and dark energy components. One cannot match the CMB if there is more than one massive sterile neutrino, nor with three active neutrinos of 2 eV. This model has the same expansion history as the A cold dark matter (ACDM) model and only differs at the galactic scale, where the modified dynamics outperform ACDM comprehensively. We discuss how an 11 eV sterile neutrino can explain the dark matter of galaxy clusters without influencing individual galaxies and potentially match the matter power spectrum.
Stable Gait Planning and Robustness Analysis of a Biped Robot with One Degree of Underactuation

In this paper, stability analysis of walking gaits and robustness analysis are developed for a five-link and four-actuator biped robot. Stability conditions are derived by studying unactuated dynamics and using the PoincarA© map associated with periodic walking gaits. A stable gait is designed by an optimization process satisfying physical constraints and stability conditions. Also, considering underactuation problem, a time-invariant control law is designed to track the stable motion of biped. Validation of proposed approach is achieved by numerical simulations. Moreover, the robustness of motion on the uneven surfaces and elastic contact model are investigated.
Youth Voices: Evaluation of Participatory Action Research

Abstract: When conducted with sensitivity and reflexivity, participatory action research (PAR) can be an empowering process that is particularly relevant for engaging young people in reflection and dialogue for social change. As the theory and practice of PAR evolve, researchers have evaluated the experiences of community participants, using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. However, only a limited number of evaluations have focused on PAR processes undertaken with youth, and few published papers have reported on involving youth in the evaluation. This article addresses the process of enabling youth to participate to their fullest ability in an evaluation of a PAR project called Youth Voices. The analysis draws on feedback questionnaires from community evaluators, minutes and notes from team meetings, and the researchers’ experiences and observations. The authors reflect on lessons learned that can be helpful to others considering participatory evaluation research with youth. The study revealed limitations in employing participatory evaluation with at-risk youth, including challenges posed by their psychosocial development and maintaining participants’ engagement throughout the processes of participatory evaluation. These lessons shed light on key tensions in using participatory evaluation and challenge the implicit assumption that a higher level of participation is necessarily better when working with youth. A central question is posed: What level of participation is optimal to ensure authentic community decision-making in a PAR project without overwhelming youth participants?
IDEPAR: a multichannel digital video broadcasting-terrestrial passive radar technological demonstrator in terrestrial radar scenarios

Passive bistatic radars (PBRs) sensors are emerging technologies that have sparked interest due to the advantages derived from the use of opportunity illuminators instead of dedicated transmitters. An important research effort is being carried out, mainly focused on the analysis of the illuminators waveforms and the development of system demonstrators, being the detection and tracking of low flying aircrafts the most extended validation scenario. IDEPAR is a digital video broadcasting-terrestrial (DVB-T)-based multichannel PBR technological demonstrator, developed in the University of Alcala. The main contributions of this study are the radar scenario, detection of terrestrial vehicles in semi-urban environments, and the development of a general and complete design methodology, that will allow the definition of system design requirements for any system and application. To validate system performance, real data were processed and detection and tracking results were evaluated using global positioning system data from cooperative targets. Reference signal processing algorithms were used. Results showed the feasibility of DVB-T-based PBRs for detecting and tracking low speed terrestrial vehicles in semi-urban scenarios.
A Fast and Efficient Estimation of the Parameters of a Model of Accident Frequencies via an MM Algorithm

In this paper, we consider a multivariate statistical model of accident frequencies having a variable number of parameters and whose parameters are dependent and subject to box constraints and linear equality constraints. We design a minorization-maximization (MM) algorithm and an accelerated MM algorithm to compute the maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters. We illustrate, through simulations, the performance of our proposed MM algorithm and its accelerated version by comparing them to Newton-Raphson (NR) and quasi-Newton algorithms. The results suggest that the MM algorithm and its accelerated version are better in terms of convergence proportion and, as the number of parameters increases, they are also better in terms of computation time.
Age‐Structured Within‐Host HIV Dynamics with Multiple Target Cells

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can infect various types of cell populations such as CD4+ T cells and macrophages. The heterogeneity of these target cells implies different birth, death, infection rates, and so on. To investigate the within‐host dynamics of HIV which can infect n different types of target cells, a theoretical model with infection‐age structure for each type of target cells and a general nonlinear incidence rate is proposed in this manuscript. The model, in the form of a hyperbolic system of partial differential equations (PDE) for infected target cells coupled with several ordinary differential equations, is shown to be biologically reasonable with the establishment of existence, positivity, and boundedness of solutions. Although the PDE form poses novel challenges to theoretical investigation, rigorous analysis is performed to show the uniform persistence of the virus when the basic reproduction number is greater than one. Furthermore, by constructing suitable Lyapunov functionals, we show that the infection‐free steady state is globally asymptotically stable when the basic reproduction number is less than unity, while the positive steady state is globally asymptotically stable when the basic reproduction number is greater than one.
Design challenges for light harvesting in photovoltaic devices

Device modelling and characterization are indispensable tools in the design of photovoltaic devices. In the contribution we present two challenging issues related to accurate modelling and efficient characterization of light scattering at nanotextured interfaces or other nanophotonic structures used in solar cell technologies. The model based on finite element method, which is upgraded with the Huygens’ expansion theorem is presented. It enables to calculate the angular distribution function of scattered light in the near and far field. It accounts also for the antireflection effects originating from nanoroughnesses. To characterize scattered light efficiently a camera based angular resolved spectroscopy system is presented. It captures the spatial angular distribution function in broad angular range at one shot.
Moving object detection by combining SIFT and differential multiplication

For the difficulty of moving object detection by a moved camera,a method for detecting dynamic background caused by camera motion was proposed by combining a Scale Invariant Feature Transform(SIFT) and a differential multiplication.Firstly,the image registration based on SIFT features was applied to calculate transformation parameters,including translation factors,rotation angles and scaling coefficients,and to provide a robust matching for realizing the motion compensation precisely.Then,the object segmentation based on the differential multiplication was introduced to detect moving objects accurately.Finally,the experiments on the video sequences were performed to verify the robustness and validity of the method.Experiments show that instead of 6 or more frames,4 frames are enough for the differential multiplication in practical applications.The detection method is robust and denoising in dynamic scenes and has good adaptability to changing illumination,occlusion and camera movement.
Factors Affecting Population Dynamics of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in a Mixed Landscape with Bt Cotton and Peanut

Simple Summary Helicoverpa zea is a polyphagous pest of multiple cultivated and non-cultivated plants throughout the Americas. Overall, in North America, H. zea overwinters in southern states and recolonizes areas in northern states, which have lethal winter temperatures for this species. Studies of H. zea ecology in southern states, such as Florida, which are a source of migrants, can provide region-specific information with potential continental-wide implications. Here we determined the occurrence of H. zea in commercial fields of Bt cotton and peanut in two regions of the Florida Panhandle, investigated the effect of weather on the moth’s occurrence, and determined hosts used by H. zea across seasons from 2017 to 2019. The results indicate a year-round flight of H. zea and no difference on catches among traps set on Bt cotton versus peanut fields. The highest and lowest H. zea moth catches were from July to September and November to March, respectively. Higher H. zea catches were observed in warm and humid conditions. Based on carbon isotopic analysis, we detected larval feeding predominantly on C3 host plants throughout the year, which includes Bt cotton, with additional larvae feeding during the summer on C4 hosts, which includes Bt corn. These results suggest that overwintering and resident populations of H. zea in the Florida Panhandle may have increased exposure to Bt crops, increasing the risk for the evolution of resistance. Abstract In North America, weather and host-plant abundance drive the population dynamics of the migratory pest Helicoverpa zea. The objectives of this study were to (i) estimate monthly abundance of H. zea moths in Bt cotton and peanut fields, (ii) document the effects of weather on H. zea trap catches, and (iii) determine larval hosts supporting H. zea populations from 2017 to 2019. Year-round trapping of H. zea moths was conducted in 16 commercial fields in two regions of the Florida Panhandle using delta traps. H. zea moth catches were associated with temperature, rainfall, and relative humidity. Larval hosts were determined by isotopic carbon analysis. Our results showed year-round H. zea flights in both regions across two years, with the highest and lowest moth catches occurring from July to September and November to March, respectively. There was no difference in catches between traps set on Bt cotton and peanut. In the Santa Rosa/Escambia counties, weather explained 59% of the variance in H. zea catches, with significant effects of temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall. In Jackson County, weather explained 38% of H. zea catches, with significant effects of temperature and relative humidity. Carbon isotopic data showed that feeding on C3 plants, including Bt cotton, occurred over most of the year, although feeding on C4 hosts, including Bt corn, occurred during the summer months. Hence overwintering and resident populations of H. zea in the Florida Panhandle may be continually exposed to Bt crops, increasing the risk for the evolution of resistance.