Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study of the Substrate Materials and Thin Film Sensing Layer on the SAW Sensor Behaviour for VOCs

A SAW gas sensor has been designed for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The model was performed employing COMSOL Multiphysics software and analysis of the device was carried out in order to study the sensing behavior of the device when different substrates and different VOC gases are applied. The results indicate that, among the investigated substrates, Lithium Niobate shows the lowest total displacement with a value of $5.17\times 10^{-4}\ \mu\mathrm{m}$. The value is associated with a frequency shift value of about 233.5949 Hz and a highest SAW resonance mode at an approximated value of 855 MHz. On the other hand, Barium Sodium Niobate substrate shows the highest frequency shift value of about 281.5899 Hz. Indeed, the SAW device is simulated under the influence of several VOCs. Furthermore, investigation of the thickness of the polyisobutylene (PIB) thin film sensing layer with Lithium Niobate as a substrate shows that the frequency difference between the resonance frequency before and after applying the Dichloromethane (DCM) VOC, reaches its maximum value of ∼1650 Hz at a PIB layer thickness of about $1.4\ \mu\mathrm{m}$.
A 17.6-nW 35.7-ppm/°C Temperature Coefficient All-SVT-MOSFET Subthreshold Voltage Reference in Standard 0.18-μm N-Well CMOS

This paper presents a low-power, low-voltage, and low-temperature-coefficient (TC) MOSFET-only subthreshold voltage reference circuit based on a standard 0.18-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> n-well CMOS process. The circuit consists of two novel current generators and an I/V conversion circuit with temperature compensation. Under the control of a proposed pMOS-bulk-driven (PBD) temperature compensation circuit, two pMOSFETs operating in a linear region act as resistors with different TCs and can be used for PTAT and CTAT current generation. Owing to the PBD technique and the subthreshold operating method, these two current generators and the I/V conversion circuit can operate at low voltage. The proposed reference circuit is realized with only standard <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{\mathrm {TH}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> (SVT) MOS devices. The measurement results show that it can operate at a minimum supply voltage of 0.5 V. The line sensitivity is 0.09% for supply voltages between 0.5 and 1.8 V. The PSRR measured at 100 Hz is 51.8 dB. A measurement of 20 samples indicates that the average TC is 35.7 ppm/°C across a temperature range of −40 to 85 °C. The proposed circuit consumes 17.6 nW from a 0.5-V power supply and occupies an active area of 0.0092 mm<sup>2</sup>.
Mycorrhizal fungi as drivers of ecosystem processes in heathland and boreal forest biomes

The importance of mycorrhizas in heathland and boreal forest biomes, which together cover much of the landmass of the Northern Hemisphere and store most of the global stocks of carbon, is reviewed. The taxonomic affinities of the organisms forming these symbiotic partnerships are assessed, and the distinctive structural features of the ericoid mycorrhizas of heathland dwarf shrubs and the ectomycorrhizas of boreal forest trees are described. It is stressed that neither in terms of the geographical distribution of the plants nor in terms of the occurrence of their characteristic mycorrhizas in the soil profile should these biomes be considered to be mutually exclusive. What unites them is their apparent affinity for acidic organic soils of inherently low accessibility of the major nutrients nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). These properties relate directly to the nature of the nutrient-poor recalcitrant litter produced by their host plants and through positive-feedback mechanisms that are reinforced by sele.
Operation and Evaluation of Wind Power Generation System with Constant Frequency Double Rotor Generator

Constant frequency double rotor generator (CFDRG) is a novel doubly-fed machine for wind power generation with auxiliary excitation of permanent magnets (PMs). This paper proposes a grid connected wind power generation system employing the CFDRG. The operation of the PM rotor is very crucial to the dynamics of the machine. So the operation under certain disturbances and stability analysis of the CFDRG are carried out to find the safe operating limit of the machine. Notably, the CFDRG under wind gust and grid disturbances are analyzed in aims to find the dynamic performance of the power generation system. Theoretical analysis and simulations in MATLAB have validated the effectiveness of the proposed wind power generation system.
A Novel Stacked CNN for Malarial Parasite Detection in Thin Blood Smear Images

Malaria refers to a contagious mosquito-borne disease caused by parasite genus plasmodium transmitted by mosquito female Anopheles. As infected mosquito bites a person, the parasite multiplies in the host’s liver and start destroying the red-cells. The disease is examined visually under the microscope for infected red-cells. This diagnosis depends upon the expertise and experience of pathologists and reports may vary in different laboratories doing a manual examination. Another way around, many machine learning techniques have been applied for spontaneous detection of blood smears. However, feature engineering is a challenging task that requires expertise to adjust positional and morphological features. Therefore, this study proposes a novel Stacked Convolutional Neural Network architecture that improves the automatic detection of malaria without considering the hand-crafted features. The 5-fold cross-validation process on 27, 558 cell images with equal instances of parasitized and uninfected cells on a publicly available dataset from the National Institute of health, the accuracy of our proposed model is 99.98%. Furthermore, the statistical results revealed that the proposed model is superior to the state-of-the-art models with 100% precision, 99.9% recall, and 99% f1-measure.
Deep Convolutional Neural Network Assisted Reinforcement Learning Based Mobile Network Power Saving

This paper addresses the power saving problem in mobile networks. Base station (BS) power and network traffic volume (NTV) models are first established. The BS power is modeled based on in-house equipment measurement by sampling different BS load configurations. The NTV model is built based on traffic data in the literature. Then, a threshold-based adaptive power saving method is discussed, serving as the benchmark. Next, a BS power control framework is created using Q-learning. The action-state function of the Q-learning is approximated via a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN). The DCNN-Q agent is designed to control the loads of cells in order to adapt to NTV variations and reduce power consumption. The DCNN-Q power saving framework is trained and simulated in a heterogeneous network including macrocells and microcells. It can be concluded that with the proposed DCNN-Q method, the power saving outperforms the threshold-based method.
Optical Footprint Image Recognition Algorithm Based on Metric Learning and SVM

Footprint recognition plays an important role in criminal investigation, security protection and other fields. In terms of the key problems of feature extraction and classification, a footprint recognition algorithm is proposed based on optical footprint images. The algorithm first transforms the footprint image into the complex frequency domain through the dual-tree complex wavelet transform (DTCWT), then extracts the histogram of oriented gradient (HOG) features of the footprint image in the complex frequency domain. Finally, a symmetric projection matrix is obtained through metric learning. The symmetric projection matrix is used to project the original features to a new feature space. And then the SVM is used to identify the optical footprint in the new feature space. The experimental results show that on the optical footprint images of 134 people, the recognition accuracy of the algorithm in this paper is improved, which is valid to help the application and research of footprints.
Performance Comparison between SerDes and Time-Based Serial Links

This paper presents a Performance comparison between the SerDes architecture and the time-based architectures. The challenges and the drawbacks in designing both architectures have been discussed. An example of 4-bit 2Gb/s and 5-bit 2.5Gb/s SerDes links and PPM-TDC links have been designed and simulated in 180nm CMOS technology. The FFT and the percentage energy concentrated in different bandwidths of the transmitted signals have been studied and compared. The timing diagram of the received signals at the end of 40-inch FR4 channel is provided and compared. 3Gb/s and 4Gb/s links have been designed and simulated too using SerDes and time-based approach and the results are compared. The time-based architectures show better performance over SerDes architectures when limited number of bits are transmitted
A throughput-aware joint vehicle route and access network selection approach based on SMDP

In intelligent transportation system (ITS), the interworking of vehicular networks (VN) and cellular networks (CN) is proposed to provide high-data-rate services to vehicles. As the network access quality for CN and VN is location related, mobile data offloading (MDO), which dynamically selects access networks for vehicles, should be considered with vehicle route planning to further improve the wireless data throughput of individual vehicles and to enhance the performance of the entire ITS. In this paper, we investigate joint MDO and route selection for an individual vehicle in a metropolitan scenario. We aim to improve the throughput of the target vehicle while guaranteeing its transportation efficiency requirements in terms of traveling time and distance. To achieve this objective, we first formulate the joint route and access network selection problem as a semi-Markov decision process (SMDP). Then we propose an optimal algorithm to calculate its optimal policy. To further reduce the computation complexity, we derive a suboptimal algorithm which reduces the action space. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed optimal algorithm significantly outperforms the existing work in total throughput and the late arrival ratio. Moreover, the heuristic algorithm is able to substantially reduce the computation time with only slight performance degradation.
Herbivore-mediated linkages between aboveground and belowground communities

Understanding how terrestrial ecosystems function requires a combined aboveground–belowground approach, because of the importance of feedbacks that occur between herbivores, producers, and the decomposer subsystem. In this paper, we identify several mechanisms by which herbivores can indirectly affect decomposer organisms and soil processes through altering the quantity and quality of resources entering the soil. We show that these mechanisms are broadly similar in nature for both foliar and root herbivory, regardless of whether they operate in the short term as a result of physiological responses of individual plants to herbivore attack or long-term following alteration of plant community structure by herbivores and subsequent changes in the quality of litter inputs to soil. We propose that a variety of possible mechanisms is responsible for the idiosyncratic nature of herbivore effects on soil biota and ecosystem function; positive, negative, or neutral effects of herbivory are possible depending upon the balance of these different mechanisms. However, we predict that positive effects of herbivory on soil biota and soil processes are most common in ecosystems of high soil fertility and high consumption rates, whereas negative effects are most common in unproductive ecosystems with low consumption rates. The significance of multiple-species herbivore communities is also emphasized, and we propose that if resource use complementarity among herbivore species or functional groups leads to greater total consumption of phytomass, and thus greater net herbivory, then both positive and negative consequences of increasing herbivore diversity for belowground properties and processes are theoretically possible. Research priorities are highlighted and include a need for comparative studies of herbivore impacts on above- and belowground processes across ecosystems of varying productivity, as well as a need for experimental testing of the influence of antiherbivore defense compounds on complex multitrophic interactions in the rhizosphere and the significance of multiple herbivore species communities on these plant–soil interactions.
Research on Access Mechanism of Massive Machine Type Communications in Industrial Internet of Things

When facing the application of industrial Internet of things, the main problem of massive Machine Type Communications (MTC) is that when massive MTC devices directly access the cellular network, it will cause congestion, which will cause some MTC devices and cellular user devices unable to access the network normally, and at the same time, it will cause huge signaling overhead in the cellular network. In order to solve these problems, this paper first analyzes the principle of massive MTC related access mechanism, proposes a massive MTC device resource management mode based on cluster mode, and gives the static and dynamic management mechanism of cluster. This mechanism takes the optimal cluster size and the fairness principle of cluster members into account. In the case of limited cellular resources, it can achieve reliable access to massive MTC.
Organisation structurale et moléculaire des lipides dans les aliments : impacts possibles sur leur digestion et leur assimilation par l’Homme

From the nutrition point of view, lipids are primarily considered as energy suppliers, their dietary intake having to be limited. In fact, lipids are sources of various fatty acids, and dietary recommendations include the required daily intakes in different fatty acids (fatty acid profile). Beyond these quantitative aspects, fatty acids are part of larger molecules, mainly triacylglycerols (TAG), that are organized in supramolecular structures as for example fat crystals and lipid droplets. Recent advances in nutrition research have demonstrated that these structures, and lipid organization in food matrices, influence digestibility and metabolism of fatty acids. Therefore, the members of the technological network Listral propose a synthesis of the knowledge about the influence of molecular and supramolecular structures of lipids on digestion and metabolic fate of dietary fatty acids originating from for the main food industry sectors. Fatty acids are mainly provided in the diet in the form of TAG, or phospholipids (PL) where they are esterified in external (sn-1, sn-3) or internal (sn-2) position of the glycerol backbone. They can also be found as ethyl esters (EE) in specific formulations. These molecular characteristics of the lipid molecules affect their hydrolysis and their absorption rate but also their metabolism in indifferent organs, as assessed in studies often using inter esterified fat sources. The results depend on the types of fatty acids (saturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids) but also on the model used for the studies: in vitro or in vivo studies; animal model, human newborn or adult, either healthy or exhibiting some diseases. Among others, it was found that the crystal form and fat melting point as affected by the fatty acid profiles and the lipid molecular structures directly impact fatty acid absorption kinetics through modifications of lipolytic enzyme activities. However, in these studies, the relative effect of the thermal properties of lipids and the proportion of saturated fatty acids chains in sn-2 position were hardly distinguished. Supramolecular structures, namely type and size of the fat droplets and their interfacial composition, of lipids, either in their native forms or obtained after food processes, also affect the digestibility and absorption of lipids. This aspect is reviewed with specific focus on dairy, marine, meat, oil plant and egg products. The impact of other nutritional components present in these food matrices on the absorption of lipids is also discussed.
The energetic cost of calling in the variable field cricket, Gryllus lineaticeps

Abstract. Female preferences for conspicuous male calls have been documented in many groups. However, relatively few studies have examined the metabolic costs associated with the production of call types preferred by females. We measured the oxygen consumption of calling male Gryllus lineaticeps Stål crickets using closed chamber respirometry. Calling song was recorded concurrently. The average increase in mass‐specific oxygen consumption during calling was 2.7 times basal rates of oxygen consumption, and calling males consumed approximately 1.2ml O2g‐lh‐1. Oxygen consumption increased with increasing chirp rate and pulse duration, but not with increasing chirp duration. Females of this species prefer higher chirp rates, thus some call types that increase the male's attractiveness to females require more metabolic energy to produce.
Population dynamics of the black-cheeked gnateater (Conopophaga melanops, Conopophagidae) in southern Brazil

Abstract: Population structure and dynamics of the black-cheeked gnateater (Conopophaga melanops) were studied at Salto Morato Nature Reserve, in Paraná, southern Brazil, from October 2006 to September 2007. Territory size and population density, breeding season (timing and length), reproductive success and annual survival rates were estimated from sightings of 18 marked adult birds and the success of 18 nesting attempts. The black-cheeked gnateater is socially monogamous and territorial, with a breeding-season length of approximately 3 mo beginning in early October. Predation caused most nest failures, nest survival was 0.96 d−1 and apparent annual nesting success was 22%, resulting in annual productivity of 0.36 individuals per adult. Apparent adult annual survival was ~0.44 y−1. Seventy-five per cent of fledglings survived at least 2 mo after fledging. Two methods of estimating population growth rate suggest very different rates: r = −0.04 (~ stable), or λ varies between 0.475–0.616 (declining). Yet, low apparent adult survival suggests that territories are not permanent, perhaps abandoned after nest failure. We find that by estimating population growth, even in short-term studies, testable hypotheses can be generated that will allow better understanding of population dynamics.
Reply to the Letter to the Editor by Bara, et al

In Response: We welcome the interest of Drs. Bara and Forgue-Lafitte in our publication ([1][1]). There are two issues that we will address. The first and more clinically relevant is that the PAM4-reactive epitope seems to be a highly specific biomarker for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We have
Regulation of a petal-specific ethylene-induced 70-kDa protein from Dianthus caryophyllus

Ethylene enhances senescence of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) flowers. Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration followed by SDS-PAGE of extracts of petals exposed to ethyiene revealed the increase or appearance of proteins with molecular masses of 70, 60, 35 and 33 kDa, and a concomitant decrease in proteins with molecular masses of 62. 45. 34. 30 and 26 kDa. The 70-kDa protein, which was not detected in untreated flowers, was isolated and polyclonal antibodies were prepared against it. Its N-terminal sequence (20 amino acids) was identical to that of a portion of the deduced protein encoded by cDNA clone pSR 12. recently isolated by others from carnation petals. Western blot analyses of petal extracts after various exposure times to ethylene alone or in the presence of translation or transcription inhibitors suggested that accumulation of the 70-kDa protein is due primarily to ethylene-induced synthesis. The apparent induction by ethyiene was further supported by data indicating that the protein is not formed in flowers pre-treated with silver thiosulfale. an inhibitor of ethylene action, prior to exposure to ethylene. Ethylene induction of the protein was found only in petal tissue, and the protein was not detected in other carnation plant organs. Immunological studies revealed that the protein is specifically expressed in carnation petals and not in petals of several other flowers. Southern and northern analyses using an SRI2 cDNA probe indicated that the genomic DNA of petunia, carnation, and gerbera contain fragments homologous to SRI2. Gene expression products were however, only detected in petals of ethylenetreated carnation flowers.
Nonlinear Operators and Convergence Theorems in Optimization

Let $H$ be a real Hilbert space and let $C$ be a nonempty closed convex subset of $H. $ $A$ mapping $U$ : $Carrow H$ is called extended hybrid if there exist $\alpha,$ $\beta,$ $\gamma\in \mathbb{R}$ such that $\alpha(1+\gamma)\Vert Ux-Uy\Vert^{2}+(1-\alpha(1+\gamma))\Vert x-Uy\Vert^{2}$ $\leq(\beta+\alpha\gamma)\Vert Ux-y\Vert^{2}+(1-(\beta+\alpha\gamma))\Vert x-y\Vert^{2}$ $-(\alpha-\beta)\gamma\Vert x-Ux\Vert^{2}-\gamma\Vert y-Uy\Vert^{2}$ for all $x,$ $y\in C$ . In this article, we first deal with fundamental properties for extended hybrid mappings in a Hilbert space. Then we deal with weak and strong convergence theorems for these nonlinear mappings in a Hilbert space.
Assessing the probability of private sector involvement in climate adaptation in developing countries

The large investments required to adapt to climate change in developing countries ask for the involvement of the private sector. For the private sector to participate in infrastructural projects, there needs to be clarity about, amongst others, how and when returns on investments are made and who carries the risks. This may vary by types of infrastructural measure and country’s institutional setting. The project Water2Invest under the European Climate-KIC (Knowledge Innovation Communities) programme develops an internet-based tool to support these types of decisions by showing both the effectiveness of supply-increasing or demand-reducing measures under various scenarios and by providing insight in financing possibilities in different institutional settings. To support the latter, this paper introduces a qualitative model of factors influencing the probability of private finance for climate adaptation, as a first step in understanding financial feasibility of infrastructural measures in developing countries.
University of Groningen Model predictive control of a robotically actuated delivery sheath for beating heart compensation Vrooijink,

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) during cardiovascular interventions reduces trauma and enables the treatment of highrisk patients who were initially denied surgery. However, restricted access, reduced visibility and control of the instrument at the treatment locations limits the performance and capabilities of such interventions during MIS. Therefore, the demand for technology such as steerable sheaths or catheters that assist the clinician during the procedure is increasing. In this study, we present and evaluate a robotically actuated delivery sheath (RADS) capable of autonomously and accurately compensating for beating heart motions by using a model-predictive control (MPC) strategy. We develop kinematic models and present online ultrasound segmentation of the RADS that are integrated with the MPC strategy. As a case study, we use pre-operative ultrasound images from a patient to extract motion profiles of the aortic heart valve (AHV). This allows the MPC strategy to anticipate for AHV motions. Further, mechanical hysteresis in the steering mechanism is compensated for in order to improve tip positioning accuracy. The novel integrated system is capable of controlling the articulating tip of the RADS to assist the clinician during cardiovascular surgery. Experiments demonstrate that the RADS follows the AHV motion with a mean positioning error of 1.68 mm. The presented modelling, imaging and control framework could be adapted and applied to a range of continuum-style robots and catheters for various cardiovascular interventions.