Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ga‐based microencapsulated phase change material for low‐temperature thermal management applications

Gallium is expected to use as a high‐performance phase change material (PCM) for a low‐temperature thermal management. However, high corrosivity of liquid gallium is a serious technical barrier to handle gallium as a PCM. To this end, we report on the development of a Ga‐based microencapsulated PCM (MEPCM) by using a three‐step process. First, Ga is particularized by high‐speed mixing. Second, a GaOOH shell is precipitated on the surface of the Ga particles by chemical treatment. Finally, the GaOOH shell is subjected to an oxidation treatment, after which the shell transforms into a Ga2O3 shell. As the results, MEPCM obtained at the oxidation temperature of 600°C was the only one completely covered with a shell without agglomeration. The MEPCM was composed of a β‐Ga2O3 shell and Ga core with internal voids, whose presence can relieve the pressure on the shell owing to the volume expansion of the core during solidification. The latent heat of the MEPCM was nearly 56% that of the Ga particles. This study demonstrates the first successful microencapsulation of Ga and exhibits the potential of Ga as a new thermal management material.
Exploring Learning Capability of an Agent in SOAR: Using 8-Queens Problem

Cognitive architecture deals with describing the intelligent behavior of an agent. The description of intelligent behavior states how well an agent can solve and represent variety of problems of the domain-independent task. The intelligence of an agent is considered in terms of its learning capabilities. In this study, we are exploring solving 8-Queens combinatorial problem using SOAR symbolic cognitive architecture. An 8-Queens problem consists of various constraints which is expressed by Constraint Satisfaction Problem (CSP). The constraints are further generalized in the Fuzzy Constraint Satisfaction Problem (FCSP) (a sub domain of CSP), which simplifies the condition of constraints by providing the priority value to the location of queen. This paper provides a way to solve 8-Queens problem by using a heuristic search and backtracking. These concepts are implemented in SOAR to find an efficient solution of similar task. The implementation of 8-Queens in SOAR provides computation efficiency in solving and a way for an agent to learn their own production rules to solve similar domain problems. The 8-Queens problem is analyzed by two parameters. First parameter defines how an agent can learn and transfer rules to solve similar domain problem. The second parameter describes number of chunks required to solve a problem.
Research on Consistency Enhancement of Wireless Channel Key Against RF Fingerprint

The development of the physical layer key extraction technology provides a new type of encryption mechanism that uses the reciprocity and time varying of wireless channels to generate keys. This encryption mechanism can achieve informational security. However, the wireless channels in the real environment are not completely reciprocal, which results in low consistency in generating the keys. In this paper, we study the influence of RF fingerprint on channel reciprocity, and propose a calibration matrix algorithm resist the RF fingerprint effect. Based on the RF fingerprinting model established previously, we propose two calibration methods from the perspective of RF gain and I/Q gain. The superiority of the two calibration methods is proved by the average system capacity and the linear quantification error rate. Next, we extend the calibration matrix algorithm of narrowband systems to wideband OFDM systems. The applicability of the calibration matrix algorithm in OFDM systems is proved by the linear quantification error rate of the uplink and downlink channels. In order to prove the reliability of the algorithm in the real environment, we use a USRP to collect multiple sets of measured data, and analyse the data through the calibration algorithm. The final result shows that this algorithm makes the uplink and downlink channel reciprocity compensated.
Corresponding patterns of site quality, decline and tree growth in a sessile oak stand

Summary This study focuses on two rarely studied aspects of oak decline: relations with site characteristics and effects on tree growth. The study was carried out in a 5.5 ha stand in Hungary which is strongly affected by oak decline. The nearly pure sessile oak (Quercus petraea) stand of mostly coppice origin was 90 years old at the beginning of the study. Within-stand site heterogeneity was described by the herbaceous vegetation. Four ecological site types were distinguished by the species composition of herbs, and characterized by the ecological indicator values of the species. Tree growth between 1987 and 1993 was measured, and tree vigour was estimated from visual characteristics five times between 1987 and 1993. Potential volume increment of declining trees was estimated with the growth rates of healthy trees of the same size. Volume increment loss caused by oak decline was also assessed. Significant positive relationships were found between tree vigour and tree size and between tree vigour and tree growth. The growth of seriously declining trees dropped to almost one-half of that of healthy ones. Growth reduction of living trees at the stand level amounted to 5.4%, whereas growth reduction of all trees, including those that died during the observation period, amounted to 19.9% of the potential growth. Tree size and growth were greater on better sites. A strong relationship was also found between tree vigour and site type, but sessile oak was more susceptible to decline at better sites.
Controls on cobalt and nickel distribution in hydrothermal sulphide deposits in Bergslagen, Sweden - constraints from solubility modelling

ABSTRACT We address controls on Co and Ni distribution, based on their solubility in hydrothermal fluids as functions of pH, ƒO2 and T, in two end-member types of sulphide deposits in Bergslagen, Sweden. Oxidized hydrothermal fluids, as have been suggested for the formation of the Zinkgruvan deposit, would efficiently transport Co and Ni in solution, even at 150 °C. Formation of Co and Ni sulphides and sulphosalts supersedes or overlaps the precipitation of other sulphides along a reduction or H2S-mixing path. This is consistent with the presence of Co and Ni sulphides and sulphosalts in vent-proximal Cu-Zn mineralization at Zinkgruvan. Reduced, acidic and hot (≥250 °C) hydrothermal fluids that have been invoked for the formation of deposits like Falun and Stollberg could also transport Co and Ni in solution. However, their solubility is strongly dependent on high T and low pH. Cooling and neutralization are here proposed as likely key triggers for the deposition of Co and Ni, yet, unlike in the Zinkgruvan scenario, saturation will occur within the pyrite stability field, whereby these metals may be sequestered as stoichiometric lattice substitutions in pyrite and other sulphides rather than forming minerals of their own. We conclude that at any T or realistic pH, hydrothermal systems involving oxidized brines have a greater ability to traverse and leach large rock volumes of Co and Ni. Consequently, areas hosting deposits that formed from such brines have a significant exploration potential for these metals, even in areas where Co-enriched source rocks are lacking or subordinate.
Dating and Tracing the Origin of Enstatite Chondrite Chondrules with Cr Isotopes

Chondrules are major components of chondrites and are believed to drive the accretion of planetary embryos. As such, constraining the timing and origin of chondrules is central for understanding the early evolution of the solar system and the formation of planets. Enstatite chondrites (ECs) have isotope compositions for multiple elements that match that of the Earth and, thus, are considered to be good analogs of the precursor material from which the Earth formed. Here, we report the first high-precision mass-independent Cr isotope data of nine chondrules in one of the least-altered EH chondrites, Sahara 97096. Seven primitive chondrules show typical 54Cr/52Cr ratios of bulk ECs, whereas two chondrules have ratios similar to carbonaceous chondrites. The presence of two chondrules with a carbonaceous chondrite signature suggests early inward transport of material to the EC accretion region. The Mn/Cr ratios of the EC-like chondrules (except one with high Fe content) correlate with their 53Cr/52Cr isotope ratios, which we interpret as a fossil isochron, with a slope corresponding to a 53Mn/55Mn initial ratio of (5.01 ± 0.59) × 10−6 (2σ). When anchored to the D’Orbigny angrite, this 53Mn/55Mn ratio returns an absolute age of 4565.7 ± 0.7 Ma for EC chondrule formation (precursor age), 1.6 ± 0.7 Ma after solar system formation. This protracted formation of EC chondrules may suggest that the mass transfer of outer solar system material started prior to the end of planetary embryo accretion, as chondrules could represent the main building blocks of terrestrial planets.
Tropical grasshopper glutathione-S-transferase and detoxification of plant allelochemicals in Calotropis procera

Poecilocerus bufonius inhabits Saudi Arabia and uses Calotropis procera as its main host plant. Cardenolids of this plant are used by this grasshopper as chemical defence against the natural enemies. The activity of enzyme detoxification in mid-gut wall for these allelochemicals has been determined in this study. Results indicate that the activity of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) was significantly higher after 24 hours of feeding on the main host plant but no difference has been found after one, two, four and five hours of feeding.
The Energetics of Plant Parasitic Nematodes-a Review

The mean size of tylenchid species that lack saccate females is significantly less than that of the bacterial-feeding Rhabditida. This suggests that the body size of these plant parasites is limited by a factor other than that imposed on all nematodes by the soil environment. The trophic mode of feeding with a stomatostylet may limit the food intake of some species because a limited maximum number of cells can be attacked each day and each possesses a relatively small volume of extractable contents. The major adaptation overcoming this limitation is the ability of several genera with saccate females to modify and enlarge the plant cells on which they feed. The associated increase in female size results in enhanced fecundity rather than an increase in egg size, which seems unnecessary for either prolonged dormancy or successful invasion of plants after hatching. The modification of plant cells by saccate genera raises feeding rates to an extent that growth of large females does not overprolong the developmental period. Feeding by these saccate females at high density may have a pathogenic effect by reducing the energy available for root growth and maintenance. Further study of the energetics of tylenchids may contribute to our understanding of the pathogenicity of these important plant parasites.
Characterization of Tc1 Transposon‐like sequences in Notothenioids

Abstract The Tc1 family of transposable elements is composed of DNA‐mediated transposons with inverted terminal repeats and an open reading frame encoding a putative transposase. These elements have been identified in a wide range of organisms, among which several fish species. Here we report on the presence of a Tc1‐like element in the ice‐fish Chionodraco hamatus. This element, only 800 bp long, is shorter than those observed so far and contains a degenerate open reading frame of approximately 440 bp bearing several deletions. Corresponding sequences were found in the genomes of other notothenioid species after Southern‐blot hybridization and polymerase chain reaction amplification. Although the efficiency of this widespread Tel element as a phylogenetic marker is still debated, it can be hypothesized that the Tc1‐like family isolated in C. hamatus appeared early in the genome of notothenioids, and its divergence probably accompanied or occurred in parallel to the evolutionary history of this taxon.
Eficiência do CCB na resistência da madeira de algaroba (Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) D.C.) em ensaio de apodrecimentoacelerado

The objective of research was to analyze the "Osmose CCB" preservative efficiency to improve the wood Prosopis juliflora (Sw) D.C. resistance to Postia placenta fungus. In order to meet the objectives proposed, round pieces of P. juliflora were treated by sap displaced method in 1; 2 and 3% of active ingredients of CCB solutions, by 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days. Wood disks were obtained at three positions (50 cm from the base, middle and top) of the treated pieces. CCB penetration and retention were analyzed at these positions, as well as the resistance to P. placenta fungus (accelerated laboratory test decay) It was found better penetration and retention in pieces submitted to 2% of CCB solutions. The CCB penetration and retention, as well as the resistance of treated wood, in general, decreased from base to top of pieces. The preservative treatment conferred high-level resistance against P. placenta fungus to P. juliflora pieces. This has not occurred only for samples from the top (1% CCB and 15-day treatment; 2% and 9 days; 3% and 3, 12 and 15 days) and from the middle of pieces (3% CCB and 3 and 12-day treatment), which were classified as resistant.
Lower Working Memory Capacity is Associated with Shorter Prosodic Phrases: Implications for Speech Production Planning

The present study investigated speech production planning from an individual differences perspective. In particular, we explored the possibility that cross-speaker variation in prosodic phrase length—assumed to reflect, in part, variation in speakers’ planning scope—is systematically related to individual differences in working memory capacity—a cognitive resource that early phonological planning may utilize. Connected speech from a read passage, produced by 100 American English speakers, was analyzed for phrase structure, defined within the Autosegmental-Metrical framework, and the lengths of speakers’ intermediate phrases and Intonational Phrases were calculated. Results showed that shorter reading spans (a measure of verbal working memory) were associated with shorter spoken phrase lengths, significantly so in the case of intermediate phrases. The basic findings lend support to the idea that planning is to some extent flexibly dependent on internal and external pressures facing the speaker. We discuss the implications of these findings for models of speech production and models of prosodic interfaces.
High-accuracy calibration method based on piezoelectric dynamometer for large vector force

ABSTRACT High-accuracy measurement for vector force is essential in the process of industrial manufacture and control. Piezoelectric sensor has the characteristics of high frequency and stiffness, great dynamic response and resistance to harsh conditions, which are widely used to measure vector force. To solve the problem that vector force calibration device (VFCD) is difficult to comprehensively calibrate vector force test system (VFTS), a multi-station calibration method is proposed. Taking the six degree-of-freedom of vertical large VFCD as an example, mechanical model of vector force is established after matching output voltage and force value of piezoelectric dynamometer. Multi-station deflection calibration experiment is performed, and a fitting circle method is proposed to fit vector force parameters of multi-station under different step-force loadings. Finally, the results show that error of multi-station vector force calibration is less than 2%, which proves rationality of the calibration method. The error of fitting radius obtained by fitting circle method is less than 3.4%, which further verifies reliability of the calibration method, and provides a guarantee for VFTS to accurately measure vector force.
Isolation of Cellulose Nanofibers from Oryza sativa Residues via TEMPO Mediated Oxidation

ABSTRACT Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) or cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) with different morphologies, chemical, mechanical and physical properties can be obtained when microcrystalline cellulose is subjected to enzymatic, chemical or mechanical treatment. With the aim of utilizing cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) from Oryza sativa, we isolated microcrystalline cellulose using the Kraft process, followed by successive fiber fibrillation using mechanical grinding, then (2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO) mediated oxidation. Analysis of pulp fibers obtained after each treatment step revealed that fiber properties such as length, crystallinity and crystal size changed when the pulp was subjected to mechanical grinding, ultrasonication and TEMPO mediated oxidation. The degree of crystallinity of the fibers increased while crystal size and fiber length decreased after each treatment. TEMPO mediated oxidation led to a decrease in fiber length and an increase in degree of crystallinity of the fibers as compared to mechanical treatment and ultrasonication. It further introduced carboxyl functional groups (COOH) on the surface of the fibrils, which implies that the nanofibers obtained in this study could be further functionalized. Hence, TEMPO mediated oxidation offers the possibility of further chemical functionalization of cellulose nanofibers isolated from agricultural residues.
Adjunct instruction in higher education: examining the effects on English foreign language proficiency

ABSTRACT This study aims to measure the longitudinal impact of a 60-hour adjunct instruction course, involving L2 content-based teaching with a systematic focus on form, on students’ grammatical and lexical knowledge and on their receptive skills (i.e. reading and listening) in a foreign language higher education context. The participants were 52 university students enrolled in two different strands of the same Dentistry degree: an English-Medium Instruction (EMI) group, with no explicit L2 teaching/learning objectives, (n = 25) and an L1 group (n = 27) (Catalan/Spanish). In the L1 group, students had to read articles and teachers’ powerpoint presentations in the L2. Quantitative data collected by means of a battery of tests over 16 weeks indicate that adjunct instruction leads to statistically significant improvement in overall L2 language scores for all students alike. Nonetheless, results show that adjunct instruction tends to bring larger L2 grammatical improvement and significantly higher gains in receptive skills to Dentistry students who receive minimal English Foreign Language exposure (i.e. the L1 strand) than to those with massive exposure to English (i.e. the EMI strand).
Development of Adaptation Tools for Pupils on the Autism Spectrum in Microsystems

This research investigates the possibilities for the development of adaptation tools for pupils on the autism spectrum (AS), studying in the first and second forms, within their microsystems. Five mothers and five teachers of children on the AS participated in the research, and their insights help reveal the process of moving from one microsystem to another for a child on the AS. Children studying in the first and second forms were chosen because children experience a particularly significant social turning-point during this period. The following question is raised: How do synergy-driven processes taking place in the microsystems of pupils on the AS contribute to the development of the adaptation processes in these children? The research data was collected via semi-structured interviews and underwent qualitative content analysis. The research results reveal that the development of adaptation tools in children on the AS is determined by a mesosystem that covers various combinations of microsystems, and the synergy between the factors of the microsystems creates conditions for a child’s gradual transfer from one microsystem to another, perceiving the mechanisms of its functioning, and adapting within them. A mesosystem, which evolves on the school campus, within a family, and with specialists, not only encourages the development of adaptation tools in a child on the AS but also helps mothers to restore their inner harmony and actively engage in their children’s education process. In the microsystem of their peers, children on the AS acquire fundamental instruments for participation in community activities.
Heritable chilling tolerance improvement in rice through somaclonal variation and cell line selection

Embryo-derived calli of four rice varieties (Oryza sativa L.) were submitted to different continuous or discontinuous periods of chilling stress at 4 degrees C, with a total length varying from 2 to 6 weeks. Other calli were cultivated during different times without cold stress. The reduction of plant regeneration percentages induced by low temperature was more pronounced in the more cold-sensitive varieties. Regenerated plants (RO) and their descendants in R1, R2 and R3 generations were cold-screened together with control plants. A mass selection was applied to the control plants during three successive generations. In all varieties, significantly higher chilling survival rates were obtained in R3 with in vitro grown plants than with control plants. Higher plant survival rates were obtained with the more chilling-sensitive varieties when a short discontinuous chilling treatment or no treatment had been applied, with the intermediate variety with short or intermediate treatments, and with the more cold-tolerant variety with longer, continuous treatments. The relative importance of pre-existing versus in vitro-induced variation and of epigenetic versus heritable variation, along with the significance of such cold tolerance improvement for breeding purposes are discussed.
Cortical Tasks-Based Optimal Filter Selection: An fNIRS Study

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is one of the latest noninvasive brain function measuring technique that has been used for the purpose of brain-computer interfacing (BCI). In this paper, we compare and analyze the effect of six most commonly used filtering techniques (i.e., Gaussian, Butterworth, Kalman, hemodynamic response filter (hrf), Wiener, and finite impulse response) on classification accuracies of fNIRS-BCI. To conclude with the best optimal filter for a specific cortical task owing to a specific cortical region, we divided our experimental tasks according to the three main cortical regions: prefrontal, motor, and visual cortex. Three different experiments were performed for prefrontal and motor execution tasks while one for visual stimuli. The tasks performed for prefrontal include rest (R) vs mental arithmetic (MA), R vs object rotation (OB), and OB vs MA. Similarly, for motor execution, R vs left finger tapping (LFT), R vs right finger tapping (RFT), and LFT vs RFT. Likewise, for the visual cortex, R vs visual stimuli (VS) task. These experiments were performed for ten trials with five subjects. For consistency among extracted data, six statistical features were evaluated using oxygenated hemoglobin, namely, slope, mean, peak, kurtosis, skewness, and variance. Combination of these six features was used to classify data by the nonlinear support vector machine (SVM). The classification accuracies obtained from SVM by using hrf and Gaussian were significantly higher for R vs MA, R vs OB, R vs RFT, and R vs VS and Wiener filter for OB vs MA. Similarly, for R vs LFT and LFT vs RFT, hrf was found to be significant p<0.05. These results show the feasibility of using hrf for effective removal of noises from fNIRS data.