Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reconfigurable ultra‐wideband monopole antenna with single‐, dual‐, and triple‐band notched functions

A miniaturized ultra‐wideband (UWB) monopole antenna with reconfigurable multiple‐band notched performance is demonstrated. By modifying the shape of the patch and the ground plane, the UWB operation is achieved. The first and second band‐notches are respectively generated by etching a rectangular slot with open ends and a U‐shaped slot in the patch, and the third band‐notch is produced by loading a C‐shaped parasitic element beneath the patch. To realize the reconfigurable band‐notched functions, four PIN diodes are inserted in three band‐rejected structures. The antenna has a compact dimension of 30 mm × 26 mm. It can switch between a UWB state and several band‐notch states by alternating the states of the diodes. Also, good radiation patterns are obtained.
Static Modeling of Miniaturized Pneumatic Artificial Muscles, Kinematic Analysis, and Experiments on an Endoscopic End-Effector

In this paper, we present the design, development, modeling, and experimental validation of an endoscopic attachment that can be used to independently position an endoscopic catheter tip at a desired location. Three miniaturized pneumatic artificial muscles (MPAMs) are used in a flexible endoscopic attachment, each MPAM is of 1.2 mm diameter and 45 mm in length and placed approximately 120 degrees apart within a pair of concentric springs. Pressurizing one or more MPAMs allows the tip to be positioned in a workspace, which is approximately a hemispherical section of radius 45 mm. We present a new and improved theoretical model for pressure-deformation relationship of a MPAM using static equations of a pressurized thick cylinder and constraints due to the braids. Comparison with existing models show that the proposed model performs better and the errors predicted by the model are less than 5% with experiments. A new forward kinematic model relating the position and orientation of the tip of the end-effector with changes in MPAM lengths is developed. Finally, we present experimental results conducted on a prototype endoscopic attachment and show that our model could predict the pose of the end-effector with a maximum error of 2 $\pm$ 1 mm.
SOFIA/FORCAST Observations of the Sgr A-H H ii Regions: Using Dust Emission to Elucidate the Heating Sources

The Sgr A-H H ii regions are a collection of sources that may represent one of the most recent sites of star formation in the Galactic center (GC). Examining these H ii regions provides important information on the prevalence and distribution of massive stars in the region and may provide clues on the origin of other massive field stars throughout the GC. In this work, we present infrared imaging observations of the Sgr A-H H ii regions taken with the Faint Object Infrared Camera for the SOFIA Telescope (FORCAST) at 19.7, 25.2, 31.5, and 37.1 μm. These data provide high angular resolution maps (∼4″) of the sources, which allow us to study the morphology of spatially extended H ii regions in detail. The wavelength coverage of FORCAST also supplies important constraints on the dust mass, temperature, and luminosity of the sources. We produce spectral energy distribution models using DustEM to measure the luminosity and dust mass, which range from ∼3 × 103 to 6 × 105 L⊙ and from ∼6 × 10−4 to 3 × 10−1 M⊙, respectively. Analysis of dust temperatures in the four spatially extended H ii regions (H1, H2, H3, and H5) shows that three of these objects require multiple heating sources, and we identify potential stellar candidates. We also compare the size and morphology of the H ii regions and demonstrate that the properties of H2 are consistent with in situ star formation. Lastly, we identify nine additional sources that may be part of the H complex and provide initial characterizations of their infrared emission.
Effects of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) on water quality in aquatic ecosystems dominated by submerged plants: a mesocosm study

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) have been introduced into aquatic systems across the world, where their benthivorous feeding behavior has resulted in serious water quality problems. A 12-week mesocosm experiment was set up to test the hypotheses that common carp increase water column nutrient levels and decrease water clarity in aquatic ecosystems dominated by submerged plants. Further, we tested whether the effect of common carp on macrophytes depended on the species of plants. Relative to the controls, the presence of carp decreased water clarity by increasing total suspended solids (TSS) and light attenuation. However, levels of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) in the water column were reduced. No significant change in phytoplankton biomass (measured as chlorophyll a) and the biomass of Hydrilla verticillata was observed between common carp treatment mesocosms and controls, but the common carp did reduce the biomass of the submerged macrophyte Vallisneria denseserrulata. We conclude that removal of common carp is likely to improve water clarity in aquatic ecosystems dominated by submerged plants primarily by decreasing TSS and that the effect of common carp on macrophytes is stronger for the meadow forming Vallisneria than for the canopy forming Hydrilla.
A Longitudinal Study to Assess Abdominal Adiposity by Sonography, DXA, and BMI

Obesity has been linked to several chronic health conditions, including increased risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and metabolic syndrome. Understanding the trends in metabolic syndrome and examining those who are at an increased risk for metabolic conditions is paramount. Currently body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) are believed to be appropriate screening measures for assessing body composition and metabolic syndrome risk. This approach uses diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) as a tool for assessing abdominal adiposity in hopes of this methodology being adopted to help determine an individual’s risk for metabolic conditions. A convenience sample of overweight and obese cancer survivors provided several anthropometric measures as well as imaging data to determine if sonographic measures of abdominal fat could be assessed longitudinally. These measures were then compared to corresponding measures of BMI, WC, and DXA (android percent body fat, subscores). These measures demonstrated moderately positive association and were statistically significant. DMS is an indirect imaging tool that could be used in correlation with other measures to help determine an individual’s risk for metabolic syndrome.
Evaluation of Gait Variable Change over Time as Transtibial Amputees Adapt to a New Prosthesis Foot

A variety of prescribed accommodation periods have been used in published prosthesis intervention studies that have examined biomechanical outcomes. Few investigators included repeated measurements in their study design, leaving questions as to how measured outcomes change as amputees acclimate to a new prosthesis. This paper is the product of our investigation as to whether measured gait variables were affected by the duration of accommodation period, and to assess the relationship between measured outcomes and the subjective perception of the participants. A sample of transtibial amputees were recruited for this study. Gait data was collected by wearable sensor repeatedly, starting immediately after fitting the interventional foot and extending over a subsequent four days. Participants indicated their perceived accommodation quality on a visual analog scale (VAS). A total of twelve commonly used spatiotemporal gait parameters were analyzed. Friedman tests were used to determine overall differences across time points in both early (one hour) and late (day two through five) accommodation phases, for each gait variable. Statistically significant changes across the early phase were found for variables gait speed χ2(2)=8.000, p=0.018, cadence χ2(2)=7.185, p=0.028, and double support time on the sound side χ2(2)=8.615, p=0.013. Across days two through five, no gait variable significantly changed. VAS scores correlated strongly with step count (r=1.000, p<0.001) and cadence (r=0.857, p=0.014). Longer accommodation periods resulted in less deviations of gait variables for the clinical assessment in the process of prosthetic rehabilitation. Trying out prosthetic interventions for less than one hour has yielded unreliable outcomes.
Effects of Imazaquin Residues on Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Field and laboratory studies were conducted in 1987 and 1988 on several Arkansas soils to determine the effects of residual levels of imazaquin on cotton. Imazaquin concentrations ranging from 0.007 to 0.024 μg/g and 0.00 to 0.015 μg/g were found in soil samples taken 12 and 24 months, respectively, following preplant-incorporated applications at rates of 140 g/ha. Cotton yields were reduced from 7 to 42% in 1987 as the soil concentration of imazaquin increased from 0.007 to 0.024 μg/g. Imazaquin persistence was greater in clay soils than loams or sandy loams. Imazaquin was weakly adsorbed to a clay, loam, and sandy loam soil in laboratory studies; the adsorption isotherms did not differ significantly by soil texture. A bioassay utilizing cotton as the indicator species was developed to determine imazaquin concentrations in soils ranging from 0 to 0.06 μg/g. Imazaquin concentrations determined by the bioassay method were found to be 75, 77, and 80% of those determined by chemical extractions for a clay, loam, and sandy loam soil, respectively.
Funnel‐like prescribed tracking control for uncertain nonlinear stochastic switched systems

This paper deals with the funnel‐like prescribed tracking control problem for a class of uncertain nonlinear stochastic switched systems. An improved performance technique is developed to restrain the fluctuation at the moment of switches and a new algorithm is proposed to address the funnel‐like prescribed tracking problem. First, a dynamic gain‐based switched K‐filter is constructed to estimate the unmeasured state information of the switched system. Subsequently, the performance technique is applied to prescribe output tracking error and restrain fluctuations of the system. Thereafter, the dynamic output feedback switched controller is designed by the use of the backstepping method. Moreover, based on the Lyapunov stability theory, it is proved strictly that all signals of the resulting closed‐loop system are bounded in probability if the switching signal satisfies the average dwell time. Finally, a numerical simulation is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed theoretical results.
Interpretación de Variabilidad en la Postura Bípeda Quieta en edad Sensible al Sistema de Control

The human postural control study through statistical mechanic techniques identifies dynamic behavior with characteristics of persistence and anti-persistence. Such behaviors are interpreted like time-dependent variability of the control systems, and indicators that reflect these ones, are diffusion coefficient and scaling exponent obtained with stabilogram diffusion analysis (SDA) technique. A force platform was used to obtain stabilometry records and SDA was applied in order to discriminate the temporal behavior of the variability in quasi-static bipedal position in a group of 22 students in critical age (11,2 ± 1,5 years old) for postural control maturity, between eyes-closed and eyes-open conditions. The results of diffusion coefficients (Ds, Dl) and scaling exponents (Hs, Hl) in both visual condition have two distinct phases from ADE graphic and establish statistically significant differences for Ds and Hs, when comparing the displacement of COP between open eyes and closed eyes. The SDA allows us to identify a behavior of postural control system similar to adults, modeled like a two-phase fractional Brownian motion.
Intraspecific and Interspecific Sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia) Interference

Intraspecific interference of sicklepod and interspecific interference between sicklepod and soybeans were investigated in field experiments in 1982 and 1983. Sicklepod growth and reproductive parameters were reduced as intraspecific spacing between plants decreased from 90 to 2.5 cm. Sicklepod plants growing intraspecifically were competing at spacings below 90 cm. Soybean plant heights were affected only slightly by sicklepod interference. Soybeans grew little in height from 35 to 84 days after emergence, while sicklepod plants continued to grow until they were 30 to 45 cm taller than the soybeans. Sicklepod plants spaced 10 and 30 cm apart in soybeans reduced soybean yield (25 to 35%) more than sicklepod spaced 90 cm apart. Sicklepod produced 900 to 2000 seeds per plant even when growth was restricted by interference from soybeans.
Assist-as-needed control in a cable-actuated robot for human joints rehabilitation

This paper presents a low-cost cable-actuated robot with a single degree of freedom for human joints rehabilitation, using assist-as-needed control strategy. A serious game was developed to provide visual feedback and encourage patients. Movements to be performed are taught using teaching-byshowing strategy and, during its execution, related data are collected and can contribute to patient’s diagnosis, performance evaluation, and progress tracking. A device validation was performed and the results showed high accuracy and repeatability levels. DOI: https:/doi.org/10.24243/JMEB/3.5. 214 2019. Published by Rational Publication. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, PO Box 1866, Mountain View, CA 94042, USA. Research Article
Impact of Regional Public Agencies on Firms’ Internationalization Processes: Evidence from Case Studies

To achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the support for the internationalization of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) for inclusive and sustainable growth needs improvement. Decided to accomplish these global goals, many regional governments have established regional public agencies aiming at increasing MSME competitiveness. In the area of internationalization, regional governments have created Regional Export Promotion Agencies (REPA), which are a type of Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) that has been implemented, for instance, in all Spanish regions. However, we found a gap in the literature since there is not enough evidence on the utility of the services provided by TPOs. Thus, the aim of this paper is to explore how a REPA interacts with firms when they internationalize and cooperates with the corresponding Regional Development Agency (RDA) during this process. The preliminary findings suggest that a better coordination between both Regional Agencies is required. In addition, further financial measures to support firms in the first stages of the internationalization processes as well as an improvement of communication activities to increase awareness of the services offered are demanded by the firms.
Structure-Aware Collaborative Representation for Hyperspectral Image Classification

Recently, collaborative representation (CR) has drawn increasing attention in hyperspectral image classification due to its simplicity and effectiveness. However, existing representation-based classifiers do not explicitly utilize class label information of training samples in estimating representation coefficients. To solve this issue, a structure-aware CR with Tikhonov regularization (SaCRT) method is proposed to consider both class label information of training samples and spectral signatures of testing pixels to estimate more discriminative representation coefficients. In the proposed framework, marginal regression is employed; furthermore, an interclass row-sparsity structure is designed to preserve the compact relationship among intraclass pixels and more separable interclass pixels, thereby enhancing class separability. The experimental results evaluated using three hyperspectral data sets demonstrate that the proposed method significantly outperforms some state-of-the-art classifiers.
Communities Serve: A Systematic Review of Need Assessments on U.S. Veteran and Military-Connected Populations

Military veterans and their families face a multiplicity of challenges once they transition from service. Even though more American private and public-sector organizations are engaged in studying the needs of veterans and their families through need assessments, few assessments are comprehensive analyses of the challenges they face. This systematic review of 61 need assessments from 2007-2018 in the United States summarizes findings on 18 veterans issues. While most studies addressed issues relating to accessing U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health and benefit services, mental health, employment, and homelessness, gaps in the literature emerged, particularly regarding ethnic and sexual minority, rural and elderly veterans, and National Guard/Reserve servicemembers. Large cities and states with varying degrees of military presence were frequent regions of study, with national think tanks, nonprofit organizations, and public universities conducting most need assessments. Future assessments should address persistent inequities in coverage among communities and topics of study using mixed-method research and survey design.
The Role of MEG in Unveiling Cognition

As Dolan (2008) has suggested, to measure brain activity associated with discrete states of mind is the Holy Grail of cognitive neuroscience. Fortunately, and as pointed by several authors, the techniques and analitic tools to study the living brain have greatly evolved. In fact, since 1970 there have been remarkable advances in the way we study human brain thought imaging and, as Raichle (2001) has pointed out, the results of this work constitute a strong argument for the development of new imaging methods to try to overcome the weakness of data gathering or data analysis. In conjunction, new hardware and signal processing methods, are also addressing the weaknesses of data gathering and data analyses. In his 1998 book, Papanicolau compares imaging with the process of taking photographs and makes the argument that all imaging is mediated rather than direct. Whether one is talking about photography or brain imaging, all images are partial, not complete models of the reality imaged, and the accuracy with which they represent reality varies. Though it might seem obvious, it is important to reinforce that all imaging is mediated rather than direct, in order to emphasize that although one of MEG’s advantages is that it “measures directly” brain activity, as with every other technique, the obtained imaging is mediated by processes of recording and registration of a form of energy and processes of development or construction of a representation or a model of the object. Because virtually an infinity of different models can be constructed based on the same reality, functional brain imaging is a “mixed blessing: it renders functional imaging valuable and promises tools for new discoveries, while it entails the perils of deception, error and disappointment” (Papanicolau, 1998). Regarding the importance that imaging now has in the study of cognition, it is also worthwhile to note that sometimes the advances were not only methodological. For instance, fMRI, in comparison with PET: “democratized access to a powerful technology for investigating the living human brain, allowing a broad cross-section of academic disciplines to pursue new agendas” (Dolan, 2008). These disciplines, like cognitive psychology or neuropsychology, with their specific contributions, brought to the fore questions related to human cognition in the development of the field of neuroimaging. The same is happening with MEG.
Artificial intelligence
in education:
The urgent need to prepare
teachers for tomorrow’s
schools

Two decades ago, no one had heard about Google, Facebook, YouTube, or Wikipedia. Today they are the most used digital tools on the planet. In this swiftly mutating world, digital technology exerts a tremendous influence on the economic, social, and cultural evolution of all societies. As new forms of technology continue to pervade our lives and captivate our youth, schools have no choice but to make room for them. At the same time, and in line with 21st century visions, countries expect their teachers and students to behave as informed and responsible digital citizens.
A policy conflict detection mechanism for multi-controller software-defined networks

As the network environment expands and becomes more complex, the deficiencies of decision-making capabilities in the single-controller software-defined network architecture are increasingly exposed. Currently, software-defined networks have gradually adopted a multi-controller-based architecture. However, in this architecture, multiple controllers may cause conflicts in the flow policies, which may cause failures such as security and route conflicts. Most of the existing detection methods are only aimed at specific types of conflicts. Aiming at the above insufficiency, this article proposes a policy conflict detection mechanism for multi-controller software-defined network. First, it quantifies and classifies the software-defined policy conflict itself to provide the basis for detection mechanism; then, it proposes a conflict detection model and its deployment scheme for multi-controller software-defined networks; finally, based on the software-defined flow policy’s structure, a multi-branch tree-based policy conflict detection algorithm is proposed to accurately detect the universal types of conflicts. The experimental results under the campus network environment prove that our method can effectively detect the conflict of flow policies existing in the multi-controller software-defined network and has advantages over the existing methods in the integrity, accuracy, and efficiency of the detection.
FamilyLog: Monitoring Family Mealtime Activities by Mobile Devices

By learning from the existing family mealtime activities, family members can be motivated to make the positive changes towards better relationships, which are important for the physical and mental health of children. Moreover, the details of family mealtime activities provide rich information for study in sociology and culture. This paper presents FamilyLog – a practical system to log family mealtime activities using smartphones and smartwatches. FamilyLog automatically detects and logs details of activities during the mealtime, including occurrence and duration of meal, conversations, participants, TV viewing, etc., in an unobtrusive manner. Based on the sensor data collected from real families, we carefully design robust yet lightweight signal features from a set of complex activities during the meal, including clattering sound, arm gestures of eating, human voice, TV sound, etc. Moreover, FamilyLog opportunistically fuses data from built-in sensors of multiple mobile devices available in a family with a CRFs-based classifier. To evaluate the real-world performance of FamilyLog, we perform extensive experiments that consist of 77 days of sensor data from 37 subjects in 8 families with children. FamilyLog can detect those events with high accuracy across different families and home environments.