Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SAT-Based Exact Synthesis for Multi-Level Logic Networks

Today, the design of electronic systems is largely automated. The practice of using software automation technologies for the design of electronic hardware is commonly referred to as Electronic Design Automation (EDA). EDA comprises a large set of tools, from languages that specify high-level hardware designs, to software that determines the layout of nanoscale devices on an integrated circuit. Within this collection, an important role is played by so-called logic synthesis algorithms. A substantial field of research onto itself, logic synthesis can be roughly thought of as the problem of finding good representations for Boolean functions. Such functions are the backbone of digital circuits, which can be thought of, to a first approximation, as devices that compute with Boolean values. In other words, circuits can be viewed simply as large Boolean functions. Logic synthesis, then, is assigned the important task of finding good structural representations for such circuits. Choosing the right logic synthesis algorithm can have a significant impact on the efficiency of an electronic design. Depending on one’s reckoning, the development of logic synthesis tools can be traced back to Claude Shannon’s famous 1937 master’s thesis on switching circuits, or perhaps even further back to George Boole’s seminal work from the 1800s on what is now known as Boolean algebra. Development of multi-level logic synthesis started some decades ago, in the late 1970s. Due to the complexity of multi-level logic synthesis, current algorithms are mostly based on heuristic methods. In this thesis, we consider a special type of logic synthesis algorithm known as exact synthesis. Specifically, we analyze and develop multi-level exact synthesis algorithms based on a SAT formulation. Such algorithms attempt to solve a very difficult problem in which, given any Boolean function, they find the optimum (i.e. best possible) circuit that represents it. Our contributions can be roughly split into two parts: (i) core exact synthesis algorithms, and (ii) applications of exact synthesis. In the first part, we start by examining, in detail, different ways to encode the exact synthesis problem into CNF formulas. These formulas are given as input to SAT solvers, which solve them to find solutions. Finally, the solutions to these formulas can be decoded to obtain optimum Boolean circuits. We will compare and contrast the different encodings and show, quantitatively and experimentally, that a proper encoding can greatly influence the efficiency of exact synthesis algorithms. Next, we will show how such exact synthesis algorithms can be improved by adding domain-specific information. This information takes the form of families of DAG topologies which contain some additional
Triple-channel comparative analysis of volatile flavour composition in raw whole and skim milk via electronic nose, GC-MS and GC-O

A novel triple-channel comparative analysis of volatile composition in raw whole and skim milk (RWM and RSM) was developed via an electronic nose (E-Nose), headspace solid-phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O). Volatile flavour compounds from RWM and RSM caused the differences in mouthfeel characteristics by the human sensors, and also affected consumer preference. Solid state sensor technology, an E-Nose, was applied to distinguish the differences in volatiles between RWM and RSM. Headspace volatiles adsorbed by HS-SPME fiber (CAR/PDMS) were detected by GC-MS. Aroma compounds were identified by GC-O. Nine and three compounds were found to be aroma-active compounds from RWM and RSM, respectively. Octanoic acid, butanoic acid, and 3-hydroxy-2-butanone were found to be the most important aroma-active compounds in RWM, while the most important aroma-active compound of RSM was octanoic acid.
Reaction-Diffusion Manifolds and Global Quasi-linearization: Two Complementary Methods for Mechanism Reduction

The paper outlines the current state in the model reduction of systems governing reacting flows by manifold methods. The main idea of such approaches is based on the fact that any reduced model defines a manifold of low dimen- sion imbedded in the system composition/state space. In this respect the decomposition into relatively fast and slow mo- tions due to multiple time scales present in the system is a crucial property of the reacting system. It allows the application of the geometrical framework of slow and fast invariant manifolds to model reduction. Recently developed approaches, namely, the so-called Reaction-Diffusion Manifolds (REDIMs) and Global-Quasi Linearization (GQL) are in the focus of this work. The methods extend and follow the well known ILDM method. The paper discusses both the theoretical basis of the approaches and detailed implementation schemes for studying, reducing and simulating the reacting flows systems. Simple yet containing all features of the reacting flows models of n-heptane/air and syngas/air systems are used to illus- trate and verify the methods.
Introduction à la microfluidique

La microfluidique est une discipline jeune, en plein developpement. Nee dans les annees 1990, elle a pour objet l'etude des ecoulements des fluides dans des microsystemes fabriques grâce a la technologie de miniaturisation des MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems). Domaine reserve jusqu'a present aux ingenieurs, les MEMS et la microfluidique font l'objet, dans cet ouvrage, d'une reflexion plus large sur la physique et en particulier l'hydrodynamique a l'echelle micrometrique. Outre une presentation de l'etat de l'art de cette nouvelle discipline prometteuse, l'auteur decrit ici quelques applications a la physique, la chimie et la biologie. Une introduction claire et pedagogique qui s'adresse aux etudiants, aux chercheurs et aux industriels.
Synthesis of cobalt oxide nanocrystal self-assembled materials

Self-assembling of size, shape, and phase-selected nanocrystals into superlattices in a new approach for synthesizing a new generation of advanced materials with functionality. In this paper, high purity and monodispersive tetrahedral of CoO, with edge lengths of 4.4 ± 0.2 nm, have been synthesized and separated from Co nanocrystals using colloidal chemistry and magnetic separation. The tetrahedral CoO nanocrystals behave like a molecular matter, and their assembling forms superlattices with translational symmetry. The phase transformation of the CoO nanocrystals is examined by ex situ annealing in oxygen, and the results showed the formation of Co_3O_4 with spinel structure.
Preparation of Pyrazole–Pyrazolate Half-Sandwich Complexes of Ruthenium and Osmium

Pyrazole (HRpz) [MCl(η6-p-cymene)(HRpz)L]BPh4 (1–8) and imidazole (HIm) complexes [MCl(η6-p-cymene)(HIm)L]BPh4 (9–10) [M = Ru, Os; R = H, 3-Me, 3,5-Me2; L = P(OEt)3, PPh(OEt)2, PPh2OEt, CNtBu] were prepared by allowing the dichloro compounds MCl2(η6-p-cymene)L to react with the appropriate azole in the presence of NaBPh4. Treatment of the dichloro complexes with an excess of both pyrazole and NEt3 yielded the pyrazole–pyrazolate derivatives [M(Rpz)(η6-p-cymene)(HRpz)L]BPh4 (11–14). Conversely, the reaction of carbonyl compounds RuCl2(η6-p-cymene)(CO) with pyrazole or imidazole yielded the bisazole complexes [MCl(η6-p-cymene)(HRpz)2]BPh4 or [MCl(η6-p-cymene)(HIm)2]BPh4 (15–17). The complexes were characterised spectroscopically (IR and 1H, 13C, 31P NMR) and by X-ray crystal structure analysis [RuCl(η6-p-cymene)(HRpz){PPh(OEt)2}]BPh4 (1b), [Ru(pz)(η6-p-cymene)(HRpz){P(OEt)3}]BPh4 (11a) and [RuCl(η6-p-cymene)(HRpz)2]BPh4 (15).
Use of a lux‐modified bacterial biosensor to identify constraints to bioremediation of btex‐contaminated sites

Sediment and groundwater samples obtained from a benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX)‐contaminated site were screened, using a bioluminescence‐based (lux gene‐marked) bacterial biosensor, to identify constraints to site remediation. Through a series of sample manipulations and linked biosensor responses, constraints to BTEX remediation such as adverse pH, presence of nonvolatile organic contaminants, and the presence of heavy metals were investigated. Conventional chemical analysis (gas chromatography, inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy) was used to confirm the reliable performance of the biosensor and to identify its potential contribution to site management to ensure effective remediation. The toxicity results of the biosensor were expressed in % maximum bioluminescence calculated against a blank of double deionized water with pH adjusted to 5.5. Untreated samples caused reductions in percentage bioluminescence from 10 to 95%. Water sample W1, containing a total BTEX concentration of 30,595 μg/L caused the highest decrease in bioluminescence (5.78%). This toxicity was significantly reduced after elimination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (42.01%) and bioluminescence was further increased to 87.80% after removal of total organic matter. This suggested that VOCs were not the only toxic organopollutants present. Water samples giving high values of bioluminescence contained BTEX concentrations of 17 to 31 μg/L.
Fate of Neuraminidases of Influenza A Viruses

The current COVID-19 pandemic creates the biggest health and economic challenges to the world. However, not much knowledge is available about this coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, because of its novelty. Indeed, it necessarily knows the fate of proteins generated by SARS-CoV-2. Anyway, before a large-scale study on proteins from SARS-CoV-2, it would be better to conduct a small-scale study on a well-known protein from influenza A viruses, because both are positive-sense RNA viruses. Thus, we applied a simple method of amino-acid pair probability to analyze 94 neuraminidases of influenza A viruses for better understanding of their fate. The results demonstrate three features of these neuraminidases: (i) the N1 neuraminidases are more susceptible to mutations, which is the current state of the neuraminidases; (ii) the N1 neuraminidases have undergone more mutations in the past, which is the history of the neuraminidases; and (iii) the N1 neuraminidases have a larger potential towards future mutations, which is the future of the neuraminidases. Moreover, our study reveals two clues on the mutation tendency, i.e. the mutations represent a degeneration process, and chickens, ducks and geese are rendered more susceptive to mutation. We hope to apply this approach to study the proteins from SARS-CoV-2 in near future.
Dynamics of Emerging Water Droplet Subjected to Sidewall with Different Wettabilities in a Fuel Cell Cathode Channel

On‐site experiments on low temperature fuel cells revealed that water droplets tend to emerge into the gas channel at the corner. This motivates the present investigation on the effects of the location where water emerges from and the wettability of sidewall on the dynamic behaviour of liquid water in gas channel by numerical simulations that employ the volume‐of‐fluid method. A microchannel with a square cross‐section of 0.25 mm in width and a pore of 0.05 mm in diameter is adopted. The simulation results for different pore locations and wettabilities of sidewall show that the behaviour of water droplet only depends on the wettability of bottom wall when it emerges from the centreline without attaching to the sidewall and gains the highest pressure drop. When the emergence location shifts towards the corner, the water droplet unavoidably attaches to the sidewall and thus the wettability of sidewall is found to have significant effects on its dynamics: hydrophobic sidewall results in droplet detachment and fast removal with the highest pressure drop and the minimal water saturation, whereas hydrophilic sidewall leads to a water film and accumulation with the lowest pressure drop and the minimal water coverage on the bottom wall.
Fluorescence Intensity Indicates Bean Hardening

Fluorescence microscopy was used to measure the intensity of fluorescent emanation from the cut surface of uncooked bean cotyledons. This parameter correlated significantly with the hardness of soaked cooked beans determined by either compression force of whole beans or the probe force of cotyledons only. This relationship existed whether hardness resulted from varietal differences or elevated storage conditions. Similarly, a significant correlation was found between the fluorescence intensity of isolated cell wall material and bean hardness. These results led to the conclusion that the increase in fluorescence intensity in hard beans may have been due to the accumulation of phenolic compounds within the cell wall and that the procedure developed had potential as a quicker and simpler way to determine bean hardness.
High uniformity and monodispersity of sodium rare-earth fluoride nanocrystals: controllable synthesis, shape evolution and optical properties

Highly uniform and monodispersed pure hexagonal phase NaReF4 (Re = Y, Pr–Nd, and Sm–Yb) nanocrystals with well-defined morphologies, including pills, rods, spheres, tubes, and plates, were systematically synthesized by a facile solution-based hydrothermal method using oleic acid as a stabilizing agent. Crystal phase, shape and size can be tuned readily by simply adjusting the molar ratio of F/Re and reaction temperature. Detailed experimental studies revealed that NaReF4 hosts strongly tend to form hexagonal phase nanocrystals with increasing rare earth ion radius. Based on the studies on crystal phase control and shape evolution of NaReF4 nanocrystals, the whole growth mechanism of nanocrystals can be concluded as a kinetic and thermodynamic growth process. Simultaneously, highly efficient up-conversion luminescence under 980 nm excitation was realized, such as eye-visible red, green, and blue up-conversion luminescence generated from NaYbF4 host doped with Er3+, Ho3+, and Tm3+, respectively. Due to their unique up-conversion luminescence, the highly uniform and monodispersed nanocrystals can be applied for biolabels, colour displays, light-emitting diodes, and solid-state lasers.
Vineyard variability in Marlborough, New Zealand: characterising variation in vineyard performance and options for the implementation of Precision Viticulture

Background and Aims: Vineyards are variable. However, to date, no spatial analysis of vineyard variability has been conducted in New Zealand. We were interested to quantify variability in a Marlborough vineyard and to produce a spatial platform onto which modelled information on phenology and juice composition could be integrated. Methods and Results: A combination of remote and proximal sensing of vine vigour, direct measurement of trunk circumference, yield mapping and high resolution electromagnetic induction (EM38) soil survey was used to examine vineyard variability in a 5.9 ha Marlborough vineyard planted to Vitis vinifera L. cv. Sauvignon Blanc. Yield variation was little more than twofold, in spite of substantial variation in vine vigour which was associated with variation in the land (soil, topography) underlying the vineyard. Conclusions: A focus on tools that facilitate enumeration of variation in vine vigour may offer the greatest value to Marlborough practitioners interested in adopting Precision Viticulture approaches to grapegrowing and winemaking. EM38 soil survey appeared to be useful for describing vineyard soil variation, but because the soils that predominate over the alluvial Wairau Plains in Marlborough are shallow and stony, very low values of apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) over a narrow range were observed. However, ECa was closely correlated with trunk circumference, an index of vine vigour. In contrast to Australian studies, neither ECa, plant cell density (derived from remotely sensed imagery) nor trunk circumference were good predictors of grapevine yield. It is hypothesised that this is largely a reflection of differences in vine training systems (hand cane pruning in Marlborough vs mechanical pruning in Australia) and the greater degree of selection of buds when vines are hand pruned. Significance of the Study: This is the first such study conducted in New Zealand and provides results that contrast with similar studies conducted in Australia. Nevertheless, the maps produced are expected to provide a valuable platform for a follow-up study aimed at understanding spatial variation in vine phenology and juice composition. The study also highlighted the power of kriging as a means of interpolating useful vineyard maps from relatively sparse, unevenly distributed sampling data.
Current Perspectives on Silicone Rubber Technology

Abstract This perspective embraced many factors that are important in understanding silicone elastomer technology and the reasons for the unique properties that they exhibit. The fact that they possess the lowest transition temperatures for any known polymer qualify them as a viscoelastic polymer that can be converted to an elastomer by crosslinking. Important also is the fact that the polymer molecules are predominantly linear prior to vulcanization, which allows high extensibility when the chemical crosslinks are in the desirable range of 100–400 mer units. Siloxane chemistry is uniquely different from hydrocarbon chemistry primarily because silicon is more electropositive than carbon, and the siloxane bonds possess more ionic character. Intermolecular forces for polydimethylsiloxane based elastomers are much lower than hydrocarbon polymer based elastomers. These polymers exhibit unusually high chain flexibility, easy rotation of pendant organic groups attached to silicon, and more free volume at ambien.
The first 9-hydroxyhomoisoflavanone, and antiplasmodial chalcones, from the aerial exudates of Polygonum senegalense

Phytochemical re-examination of the aerial exudates of Polygonum senegalense forma senegalense has resulted in the isolation and characterization of a novel homoisoflavonoid, 5,7- dihydroxy-3-(hydroxy-phenyl-methyl)-6-methoxy-chroman-4-one (trivial name: polygohomoisoflavanone). The structure was determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. The new compound along with other components of the aerial exudate showed good antiplasmodial activities towards chloroquine-sensitive (D6) and chloroquine-resistant (W2) strains of Plasmodium falciparum.
Monitoring Subsurface Contamination Using Tree Branches

This paper proposes a method of assessing the distribution of chlorinated solvents in soil and ground water using tree branches. Sampling branches is a potentially more cost‐effective and easier method than sampling tree cores, with less risk of damage to the tree. This approach was tested at Argonne National Laboratory, where phytoremediation is being used to remove tetrachloroethene (PCE), trichloroethene (TCE), and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) from soil and ground water. The phytoremediation system consists of shallow‐rooted willows planted in an area with contaminated soil and deep‐rooted poplars planted in an area with clean soil and contaminated ground water. Branch samples were collected from 126 willows and 120 poplars. Contaminant concentrations from 31 soil borings and six monitoring wells were compared to those from branches of adjacent trees. Regression equations with correlation coefficients of at least 0.89 were obtained, which were found to be chemical specific. Kriged profiles of TCE concentration based on soil and willow branch data were developed and showed good agreement. Profiles based on ground water data could not be developed due to lack of sufficient monitoring wells for a meaningful statistical analysis. An analytical model was used to simulate TCE concentrations in tree branches from soil concentrations; the diffusion coefficient for TCE in the tree was used as the fitting parameter and the best‐fit value was two orders of magnitude greater than literature values. This work indicates that tree branch sampling is a useful approach to assess contaminant distribution and potentially to determine where to locate monitoring wells or perform detailed soil analysis. Further research is necessary prior to using this method as a quantitative monitoring tool for soil and ground water.
Use of spent mushroom substrate for growing containerized woody ornamentals: an overview

There are substantial environmental and economic benefits to be gained by recycling spent mushroom substrate (SMS). Researchers throughout the world have grown many types of crops with SMS but information with ornamental nursery crops is sparse. High salt levels in SMS is largely responsible for its restricted use in agriculture. Investigations showed that many ornamental woody species grew well in 6-liter (2-gal) regular nursery containers amended with different proportions of SMS (33%, 67%, and 100% by volume) mixed with bark. Test species were: cotoneaster (Cotoneaster dammeri ‘Coral Beauty’); deutzia (Deutzia gracilis); dogwood (Cornus alba and C. alba ‘Argenteo-marginata’); forsythia (Forsythia × intermedia ‘Lynwood’); juniper (Juniperus sabina ‘Blue Danube’ and J. virginiana ‘Hetzii’); ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius); potentilla (Potentilla fructicosa ‘Red Ace’); privet (Ligustrum vulgare); rose (Rosa ‘John Franklin’); and weigela (Weigela ‘Bristol Ruby’ and W. florida ‘Variegata Nana’). Despite .
EFFECT OF FAT REPLACERS ON LOW FAT GOUDA CHEESE QUALITY

Six batches of Gouda cheese were made to study the effect of using Simplesse ® 100 (as protein based fat replacer) and Novagel ® (as carbohydrate based fat replacer) on the quality of low fat Gouda cheese. One of these batches was made from milk standardized to 3.0% fat (control C1). The other five batches were made from milk standardized to 2.0% fat, one of them was served as control (C2), and two were made with adding Simplesse ® 100 at the rate of 0.5 and 1.0%, respectively, whereas the other two batches were made with adding Novagel  at the same mentioned previously, individually. Cheese treatments made by adding fat replacers characterized with a pronounced increase in moisture content and titratable acidity. Cheese treatments made by adding Novagel  (T3 and T4) were of higher moisture content and acidity than those made by adding Simplesse  (T1 and T2). On the other hand, cheese treatments made by adding Simplesse ® characterized with higher ripening indices (soluble nitrogen, soluble tyrosine, soluble tryptophan and total volatile fatty acids) and were more acceptable than the corresponding cheese treatments being made by adding the addition of Novagel ® . Fat, total nitrogen contents, titratable acidity, values of ripening indices and scores of organoleptic properties of all cheese treatments increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) throughout the ripening period, while
Application of Membranes and Compact, Porous Units for the Separation of Biopolymers

For fast separation of biopolymers, recently developed media have become increasingly widespread. They consist either of membranes or of compact, porous disks and tubes, both called Convective Interaction Media (CIM). Separation can be carried out in every mode, e.g., ion-exchange, reversed-phase, hydrophobic-interaction, and affinity recognition. The units can be used for analytical as well as for preparative purposes. Such fast analytical units will allow separations within less than 10 s and can therefore be used for in-process analysis. The advantages and disadvantages of such analytical and preparative separations are discussed along with technical problems which have been solved.