Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bayesian Optimization of PCB-Integrated Field Grading for a High-Density 10 kV SiC Power Module Interface

An automated numerical optimization workflow using Bayesian optimization and a novel weighted point-of-interest (POI) cost function is proposed and demonstrated for PCB-integrated electric field grading structures. The traditional manual design techniques for high-density insulation systems involve simulating the electric field performance and manually assessing the performance characteristics, iterating until an acceptable design is achieved. The proposed technique improves on this by allowing for a fully automated workflow, based on a scalable, computationally efficient cost function that is readily implemented in commercial software and finite element method (FEM) packages. The workflow is demonstrated on PCB-integrated field grading structures, which are employed to alleviate field crowding, and improve field uniformity around the terminals of a high-density 10 kV SiC mosfet power module. The integrated field grading, in conjunction with the module housing, enables a power terminal spacing of 6 mm, while ensuring partial discharge (PD) free operation of the module. The proposed workflow accelerates design time by a factor of three when compared with a competing descent-based technique, and by a factor of 100 when compared with manual design techniques, with seven times lower convergence error. In addition, the optimized system performed 38% better than the previous manually designed version, experimentally demonstrating a PD inception voltage of 11.6 kV rms (16.4 kV peak). The proposed workflow is scalable to larger systems, making it applicable to a broad range of high-density, high-voltage insulation design problems.
Performance of global positioning system precise time and frequency transfer with integer ambiguity resolution

The Global Positioning System (GPS) carrier-phase technique is a widely used spatial tool for remote precise time and frequency transfer. However, the performance of traditional GPS time and frequency transfer has been limited because the ambiguity parameter is still the float solution. This study focuses on the performance of GPS precise time and frequency transfer with integer ambiguity resolution and discusses the corresponding mathematical model. Fractional-cycle bias (FCB) products were estimated using an ionosphere-free combination. The results show that the satellite wide-lane (WL) FCB products are stable, with a standard deviation (STD) of 0.006 cycles. The narrow-lane (NL) FCB products were estimated over 15 min with a STD of 0.020 cycles. More than 98% of the WL and NL residuals are smaller than 0.25 cycles, which helps to fix the ambiguity into integers during the time and frequency transfer. Subsequently, the performance of time transfers with integer ambiguity resolution at two time links between international laboratories was assessed in real-time and post-processing modes and compared. The results show that fixing the ambiguity into an integer in the real-time mode significantly decreases the convergence time compared with the traditional float approach. The improvement is ∼49.5%. The frequency stability of the fixed solution is notably better than that of the float solution. Improvements of 48.15% and 27.9% were determined for the IENG–USN8 and WAB2–USN8 time links, respectively.
Associations between psychosocial factors and circulating cytokines in breast cancer survivors

Abstract Objective Research has established links between social isolation and heightened levels of proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., interleukin-6 [IL-6], tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]). Recent advances allow for the examination of cytokines that may also play a role in antiviral immunity (interferon-gamma [IFN-γ]). The present work explored how various features of social experience relate to circulating cytokines in breast cancer survivors, as inflammation has been tied to cancer recurrence and mortality. Design Female breast cancer survivors (N = 43) completed a blood draw to assess circulating levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) and levels of a cytokine that also relates to antiviral immunity (IFN-γ). Main Outcome Measures We examined associations between cytokines and different aspects of social experience, including household size, psychosocial well-being, and social threat anxiety. Results Circulating levels of IFN-γ were associated with larger household size (r = 0.32, p = 0.04) and higher levels of psychosocial well-being (r = 0.33, p = 0.04). Additionally, heightened levels of IL-6 were associated with social threat anxiety (r = 0.38, p = 0.01). Heightened IL-6 was also associated with household size (r = 0.33, p = 0.03). Conclusion These findings are consistent with work suggesting that antiviral immunity and inflammation may have distinct contributions to the links between social experience and health, particularly for those previously diagnosed with breast cancer.
THE REWARDS OF PATIENCE

Most supergene copper heap leach operations today employ forced-aeration, irrespective of ore grade. Unfortunately, there is little published quantification of its benefit. There is a natural desire to strive for the ideal chemical kinetics. The reality, however, is that physical mechanisms control the commercial extraction rate. This paper presents the performance of a number of operations, their operating conditions and physical ore characteristics, which contribute to non-ideal solution distribution and variable extraction rate. Regardless whether one uses forced-aeration, commercial experience to date suggests it is prudent to design for longer leach cycle times to ensure the production target is met.
THE MANAGEMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) FOR COMMERCIALIZATION IN NIGERIA

Effective management of R&D activities is crucial for wealth creation and national development. But at present the issues of commercialization of R&D outcomes have remained a mirage. Hence, this study aimed at investigating some of the factors that could affect the management of R&D results for commercialization. Three factors namely: implicit (X1), explicit (X2) and technology brokering factors (X3) were examined for their impact on R&D management structure (Y) in Nigeria. A questionnaire was designed and used to collect data for the study. The data were grouped and analyzed using Multiple Regression Method. The result of Multiple Regression of R&D Management Structure (Y) on the three independent variables (X1, X2 and X3) affecting the management of R&D results for commercialization showed a significant R value of 0.973 and Coefficient of determination of 0.962. The multiple regression model is: Y = 3.243 + 0.154 X1 + 0.578 X2 + 0.085X3 The study also identified that a significant relationship exists among implicit factors, explicit factors, technology brokering influences and R&D management structure. The study applied Regression for Categorical Data to ascertain the degree of importance of the factors that made up each variable. Therefore, the study finally suggests that policymakers prioritize appropriate and adequate investment on management of R&D results for commercialization towards building a strong, sound and viable economy.
Structural Analysis of Molecular Materials Using the Pair Distribution Function

This is a review of atomic pair distribution function (PDF) analysis as applied to the study of molecular materials. The PDF method is a powerful approach to study short- and intermediate-range order in materials on the nanoscale. It may be obtained from total scattering measurements using X-rays, neutrons, or electrons, and it provides structural details when defects, disorder, or structural ambiguities obscure their elucidation directly in reciprocal space. While its uses in the study of inorganic crystals, glasses, and nanomaterials have been recently highlighted, significant progress has also been made in its application to molecular materials such as carbons, pharmaceuticals, polymers, liquids, coordination compounds, composites, and more. Here, an overview of applications toward a wide variety of molecular compounds (organic and inorganic) and systems with molecular components is presented. We then present pedagogical descriptions and tips for further implementation. Successful utilization of the method requires an interdisciplinary consolidation of material preparation, high quality scattering experimentation, data processing, model formulation, and attentive scrutiny of the results. It is hoped that this article will provide a useful reference to practitioners for PDF applications in a wide realm of molecular sciences, and help new practitioners to get started with this technique.
Survey of wind farm control - power and fatigue optimization

The main goal of this paper is to establish the present state of the art for wind farm control. The control area that will be focused on is the mechanical/aerodynamic part, which includes the wind turbines, their power production, fatigue and wakes affecting neighbouring wind turbines. The sub-objectives in this area of research are as follows: (i) maximizing the total wind farm power production; (ii) following a reference for the total wind farm active power; and (iii) doing this in a manner that minimizes fatigue loading for the wind turbines in the farm. Each of these sub-objectives is discussed, including the following important control issues: choice of input and output, control method and modelling used for controller design and simulation. The available literature from industry is also considered. Finally, a conclusion is presented discussing the established results, open challenges and necessary research. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Flexray goes graphical

FlexRay was conceived as a safety-critical network for cars but it is possible to squeeze graphical data onto it, as one experiment shows. FlexRay is now being deployed in automotive electronic architectures, as demonstrated by its introduction in new cars such as the BMW X5 and X6, where it is used for dynamic suspension control. The BMW 7-series will incorporate FlexRay, with further cars from other manufacturers expected to follow.
Radical treatment of Sister Mary-Joseph nodule: case report and literature review

Sister Mary-Joseph nodule (NSMJ) is a cutaneous metastasis of the umbilicus, rare and accounts for 2-3% of the patients with advanced stages of colorectal adenocarcinoma. Here we report the observation of a 48-year-old Moroccan man, referred to our hospital to manage a painful ulcero-budding nodule of the umbilicus; computed tomography revealed that the processes infiltrated the urachus and the bladder. Laboratory parameters were normal and radical surgery was performed to remove the tumor and embryological remnant of the umbilicus. The histological assessment confirmed the sigmoidal origin of the umbilical nodule. This kind of disease always poses a problem of treatment. It was considered for a long time as an outdated stage of tumor disease that deserves just palliative treatment. Several cases published in the international literature with radical treatment had good survival and evolution, which gives hope to patients with this disease.
Automatic Composition of Encoding Scheme and Search Operators in System Architecture Optimization

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new method for the automatic composition of both encoding schemes and search operators for system architecture optimization. The method leverages prior work that identified a set of six patterns that appear often in system architecture decision problems (down-selecting, combining, assigning, partitioning, permuting, and connecting). First, the user models the architecture space as a directed graph, where nodes are decisions belonging to one of the aforementioned patterns, and edges are dependencies between decisions that affect architecture enumeration (e.g., the outcome of decision 1 affects the number of alternatives available for decision 2). Then, based on a library of encoding scheme and operator fragments that are appropriate for each pattern, an algorithm automatically composes an encoding scheme and corresponding search operators by traversing the graph. The method is demonstrated in two case studies: a study integrating three architectural decisions for constructing a portfolio of earth observing satellite missions, and a study integrating eight architectural decisions for designing a guidance navigation and control system. Results suggest that this method has comparable search performance to hand-crafted formulations from experts. Furthermore, the proposed method drastically reducing the need for practitioners to write new code.
POMDP-based Decision Making for Cognitive Cars using an Adaptive State Space.

This thesis analyzes the use of a Partially Observable Markov Decision Process (POMDP) based decision making for cognitive cars. Hence the modeling of vehicles and of the vehicle environment is described (including state-, actionand observation-spaces, transitionand observation-probabilities as well as discounting in infinite-horizon-(PO)MDPs). The focus lies on the combination of continuous and discrete descriptions. The chances and problems of both static and adaptive state spaces (both have been implemented during this work) are being analyzed and discussed. Last but not least the future perspective of this general approach is being evaluated and the work which has to be done until a POMDP-based decision making can be applied to traffic situations in real, complex and highly dynamic environments is outlined.
THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT CROPPING METHODS ON THE MEAT QUALITY OF VARIOUS GAME SPECIES

Ante-mortem stress is known to adversely affect the meat quality of animals, and cropping methods that induce the least amount of stress are thus key in ensuring acceptable meat quality from wild ungulates. The purpose of this study was to compare day and night cropping on the quality of red hartebeest meat. Forty animals were cropped, 19 during the day and 21 at night. There was no significant difference in stress score or serum cortisol (nmol/L) between treatments. Since the rate of temperature decline varied between animals, all pH measurements were adjusted to 4°C. Treatment had no significant effect on the adjusted pHu. None of the constants of the exponential decay model of the adjusted pH data (y = a + b e) differed (mean a = 5.49 ± 0.096; b = 1.86 ± 0.272; c = -0.21 ± 0.023). No significant differences were found in drip loss, cooking loss or shear force between treatments. Significant correlations were found between drip loss (r = -0.322) and cooking loss (r = 0.323) and pHu. A significant difference was found for a* and chroma between day (a* = 13.42 ± 0.236; C* = 16.12 ± 0.231) and night (a* = 12.71 ± 0.219; C* = 15.36 ± 0.215) cropped animals. All colour ordinates, except hue angle, were found to be significantly correlated to pHu. The results of this study indicate that if an experienced cropping team is used, neither of the two cropping methods has any adverse effect on the meat quality of red hartebeest.
A Label-Free Proteomic and Complementary Metabolomic Analysis of Leaves of the Resurrection Plant Xerophyta schlechteri during Dehydration

Vegetative desiccation tolerance, or the ability to survive the loss of ~95% relative water content (RWC), is rare in angiosperms, with these being commonly called resurrection plants. It is a complex multigenic and multi-factorial trait, with its understanding requiring a comprehensive systems biology approach. The aim of the current study was to conduct a label-free proteomic analysis of leaves of the resurrection plant Xerophyta schlechteri in response to desiccation. A targeted metabolomics approach was validated and correlated to the proteomics, contributing the missing link in studies on this species. Three physiological stages were identified: an early response to drying, during which the leaf tissues declined from full turgor to a RWC of ~80–70%, a mid-response in which the RWC declined to 40% and a late response where the tissues declined to 10% RWC. We identified 517 distinct proteins that were differentially expressed, of which 253 proteins were upregulated and 264 were downregulated in response to the three drying stages. Metabolomics analyses, which included monitoring the levels of a selection of phytohormones, amino acids, sugars, sugar alcohols, fatty acids and organic acids in response to dehydration, correlated with some of the proteomic differences, giving insight into the biological processes apparently involved in desiccation tolerance in this species.
A Multiscale Joint Deep Neural Network for Glacier Contour Extraction

Abstract Rapid and accurate acquisition of glacier regional changes is of great significance to the study of glaciers. Among all satellite images, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data has a great advantage in monitoring the glaciers in harsh weather conditions. Conventionally, glacier boundaries are manually delineated on images. However, this is a time-consuming process, especially in the batch process of large-area data. In this paper, we propose a Multiscale Joint Deep Neural Network (MJ-DNN) for large-scale glaciers contour extraction using single-polarimetric SAR intensity images. Based on U-Net, the proposed method has been improved in three aspects. First, Atrous Separable Convolution is used instead of convolution with the down-sampling part. Second, we propose a multiscale joint convolution layer to obtain information at multiple scales. Third, we deepen the network with the residual connection structure for higher-level features. At the final layer, we optimize the network result with the conditional random field method. To validate our approach, we test it on three glaciers and we compare the segmentation results of four different methods in parallel. The results show that the intersection over the union of the proposed method is the most efficient.
Broad-banding technique for in-phase hybrid ring equal power divider

A broad-banding technique for in-phase equal power divider is described. Detailed comparisons between the proposed variants of power dividers and the conventional in-phase power divider are also performed. Based on the 15-dB input and output return losses criteria, it is noted that a maximum impedance bandwidth of 44.3% for an amplitude error of /spl plusmn/0.9 dB and a phase error of /spl plusmn/1.8/spl deg/ can be achieved, for the first time, for divider with length more than 3/spl lambda//2 ring impedance transformer. A systematic design technique that relaxes some of the conventional constraint in in-phase hybrid ring equal power divider design, is also described.
Biophilic architecture: a review of the rationale and outcomes

Contemporary cities have high stress levels, mental health issues, high crime levels and ill health, while the built environment shows increasing problems with urban heat island effects and air and water pollution. Emerging from these concerns is a new set of design principles and practices where nature needs to play a bigger part called “biophilic architecture”. This design approach asserts that humans have an innate connection with nature that can assist to make buildings and cities more effective human abodes. This paper examines the evidence for this innate human psychological and physiological link to nature and then assesses the emerging research supporting the multiple social, environmental and economic benefits of biophilic architecture.
Neuroglobin in Retinal Neurodegeneration: A Potential Target in Therapeutic Approaches

Retinal neurodegeneration affects an increasing number of people worldwide causing vision impairments and blindness, reducing quality of life, and generating a great economic challenge. Due to the complexity of the tissue, and the diversity of retinal neurodegenerative diseases in terms of etiology and clinical presentation, so far, there are no cures and only a few early pathological markers have been identified. Increasing efforts have been made to identify and potentiate endogenous protective mechanisms or to abolish detrimental stress responses to preserve retinal structure and function. The discovering of the intracellular monomeric globin neuroglobin (NGB), found at high concentration in the retina, has opened new possibilities for the treatment of retinal disease. Indeed, the NGB capability to reversibly bind oxygen and its neuroprotective function against several types of insults including oxidative stress, ischemia, and neurodegenerative conditions have raised the interest in the possible role of the globin as oxygen supplier in the retina and as a target for retinal neurodegeneration. Here, we provide the undercurrent knowledge on NGB distribution in retinal layers and the evidence about the connection between NGB level modulation and the functional outcome in terms of retinal neuroprotection to provide a novel therapeutic/preventive target for visual pathway degenerative disease.
Human-Automation Interaction

Automation does not mean humans are replaced; quite the opposite. Increasingly, humans are asked to interact with automation in complex and typically large-scale systems, including aircraft and air traffic control, nuclear power, manufacturing plants, military systems, homes, and hospitals. This is not an easy or error-free task for either the system designer or the human operator/automation supervisor, especially as computer technology becomes ever more sophisticated. This review outlines recent research and challenges in the area, including taxonomies and qualitative models of human-automation interaction; descriptions of automation-related accidents and studies of adaptive automation; and social, political, and ethical issues. Keywords: Driver distraction; Language: en
Investigation of competitive adsorption and desorption of heavy metals from aqueous solution using raw rock: Characterization kinetic, isotherm, and thermodynamic

Heavy metals are the most dangerous inorganic pollutants Due to their bioaccumulation and their nonbiodegradability, for this, several studies have focused on the recovery of these metals from water using different techniques. In this context, our study consists of evaluating an efficient and eco-friendly pathway of competitive recovery of heavy metals (Cd, Cr and As) from aqueous solutions by adsorption using raw rock. This adsorbent was characterized before and after the adsorption process by several techniques. The multi-metals adsorption process in the batch mode was undertaken to evaluate the effect of adsorbent mass, contact time, pH, Temperature, and initial heavy metals concentration. The kinetic data were analyzed using the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intra-particle diffusion kinetic models. According to the modeling of the experimental results, the adsorption kinetics of heavy metals were adapted to the pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption isotherms were evaluated by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The experimental isotherm data of heavy metals were better fitted with the Langmuir model rather than Freundlich isotherm models. The maximum experimental adsorption capacities (Qmax) predicted by the Langmuir model are 15.23 mg/g for Cd (II), 17.54 mg/g for Cr (VI) and 16.36 mg/g for As (III). The values of thermodynamic parameters revealed that the heavy metals adsorption was exothermic, favorable, and spontaneous in nature. The desorption process of heavy metals showed that this raw rock had excellent recycling capacity. Based on the results, these untreated clays can be used as inexpensive and environmentally friendly adsorbents to treat water contaminated by heavy metals.