Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Humidity-Sensing Chipless RFID Tag with Enhanced Sensitivity Using an Interdigital Capacitor Structure

An eight-bit chipless radio frequency identification tag providing humidity sensing and identification information is proposed. A compact, enhanced-sensitivity resonator based on an interdigital capacitor (IDC) structure is designed for humidity sensing, whereas seven electric-field-coupled inductor capacitor (ELC) resonators are used for identification information. These eight resonators are placed in a two-by-four array arrangement. A step-by-step investigation for the effect of varying the number of elements and array configuration on the resonant frequency and radar cross-section (RCS) magnitude of the IDC resonator is conducted. The RCS value of the resonant peak frequency for the IDC resonator increases as the number of array elements placed nearby increases due to the mutual coupling among the elements, and the increase in the RCS value becomes larger as the number of arrays increases in the vertical direction. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is coated on the IDC-based resonator at a thickness of 0.02 mm. A non-reflective temperature and humidity chamber is fabricated using Styrofoam, and the relative humidity (RH) is varied from 50% to 80% in 10% intervals at 25 °C in order to measure a bistatic RCS of the proposed tag. The humidity sensing performance of the IDC resonator in the proposed tag is measured by the shift in the resonant peak frequency and the RCS value, and is compared with a single ELC resonator. Experiment results show that when RH increased from 50% to 80%, the sensitivities of both the resonant peak frequency and the RCS value of the IDC resonator were better than those of the ELC resonator. The variation in the RCS value is much larger compared to the resonant peak frequency for both IDC and ELC resonators. In addition, the resonant peak frequency and RCS value of the PVA-coated IDC-based resonator change, whereas those of the other seven resonators without a PVA coating do not change.
Coded Aperture Hyperspectral Image Reconstruction

In this work, we study and analyze the reconstruction of hyperspectral images that are sampled with a CASSI device. The sensing procedure was modeled with the help of the CS theory, which enabled efficient mechanisms for the reconstruction of the hyperspectral images from their compressive measurements. In particular, we considered and compared four different type of estimation algorithms: OMP, GPSR, LASSO, and IST. Furthermore, the large dimensions of hyperspectral images required the implementation of a practical block CASSI model to reconstruct the images with an acceptable delay and affordable computational cost. In order to consider the particularities of the block model and the dispersive effects in the CASSI-like sensing procedure, the problem was reformulated, as well as the construction of the variables involved. For this practical CASSI setup, we evaluated the performance of the overall system by considering the aforementioned algorithms and the different factors that impacted the reconstruction procedure. Finally, the obtained results were analyzed and discussed from a practical perspective.
Review of Control Techniques in Microinverters

The use of renewable energies sources is taking great importance due to the high demand for electricity and the decrease in the use of fossil fuels worldwide. In this context, electricity generation through photovoltaic panels is gaining a lot of interest due to the reduction in installation costs and the rapid advance of the development of new technologies. To minimize or reduce the negative impact of partial shading or mismatches of photovoltaic panels, many researchers have proposed four configurations that depend on the power ranges and the application. The microinverter is a promising solution in photovoltaic systems, due to its high efficiency of Maximum Power Point Tracking and high flexibility. However, there are several challenges to improve microinverter’s reliability and conversion efficiency that depend on the proper control design and the power converter design. This paper presents a review of different control strategies in microinverters for different applications. The control strategies are described and compared based on stability, dynamic response, topologies, and control objectives. One of the most important results showed that there is little research regarding the stability and robustness analysis of the reviewed control strategies.
An Efficient Closed Form Solution to the Absolute Orientation Problem for Camera with Unknown Focal Length

In this paper we propose an efficient closed form solution to the absolute orientation problem for cameras with an unknown focal length, from two 2D–3D point correspondences and the camera position. The problem can be decomposed into two simple sub-problems and can be solved with angle constraints. A polynomial equation of one variable is solved to determine the focal length, and then a geometric approach is used to determine the absolute orientation. The geometric derivations are easy to understand and significantly improve performance. Rewriting the camera model with the known camera position leads to a simpler and more efficient closed form solution, and this gives a single solution, without the multi-solution phenomena of perspective-three-point (P3P) solvers. Experimental results demonstrated that our proposed method has a better performance in terms of numerical stability, noise sensitivity, and computational speed, with synthetic data and real images.
Advanced Bioelectrical Signal Processing Methods: Past, Present and Future Approach—Part II: Brain Signals

As it was mentioned in the previous part of this work (Part I)—the advanced signal processing methods are one of the quickest and the most dynamically developing scientific areas of biomedical engineering with their increasing usage in current clinical practice. In this paper, which is a Part II work—various innovative methods for the analysis of brain bioelectrical signals were presented and compared. It also describes both classical and advanced approaches for noise contamination removal such as among the others digital adaptive and non-adaptive filtering, signal decomposition methods based on blind source separation, and wavelet transform.
An Overview of Eco-Driving Theory, Capability Evaluation, and Training Applications

Constrained by traditional fuel-saving technologies that have almost reached the limit of fuel-saving potential, the difficulty in changing urban congestion, and the low market penetration rate of new energy vehicles, in the short term, eco-driving seems to be an effective way to achieve energy-saving and emissions reduction in the transportation industry. This paper reviews the energy-saving theory and technology of eco-driving, eco-driving capability evaluation, and the practical application of eco-driving, and points out some limitations of previous studies. Specifically, the research on eco-driving theory mostly focuses on a single vehicle in a single scene, and there is a lack of eco-driving research for fleets or regions. In addition, the parameters used to evaluate eco-driving capabilities mainly focus on speed, acceleration, and fuel consumption, but external factors that are not related to the driver will affect these parameters, making the evaluation results unreasonable. Fortunately, vehicle big data and the Internet of Vehicles (V2I) provides an information basis for solving regional eco-driving, and it also provides a data basis for the study of data-driven methods for the fair evaluation of eco-driving. In general, the development of new technologies provides new ideas for solving some problems in the field of eco-driving.
PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILING OF ETHANOLIC LEAVES EXTRACT OF AVICENNIA GERMINANS

Plants are a rich source of secondary metabolites with interesting biological activities. Avicennia germinans is a traditional medicinal plant and the leaves have tremendous medicinal values. In the present study ethanolic leaf extract of Avicennia germinans was analyzed using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and the compound structures were identified with help of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) library. GC-MS analysis of test plant revealed the presence of 12 bioactive compounds. Among them 3-dodecene, 1-hexodeconol, 9-eicosene and Tetratriacontane are important bioactive compounds which act as essential drugs for dangerous diseases and disorders and other compounds are used in antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cytotoxicity and cancer preventive activities.
Development of Lignin-Based Terpolyester Film and Its Application to Separator Material for Electric Double-Layer Capacitor

For new application of technical lignins as separator material for electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC), we tried first to prepare bipolyester film by melt-polycondensation of polyethylene glycol lignin (PEGL) and maleic anhydride. The EDLC assembled with this film, however, showed lower electrochemical performance than the reference EDLC with commercial cellulosic separator. Porous bipolyester film was then prepared and the resulting EDLC exhibited improved specific capacitance, but high intrinsic and charge transfer resistances. Non-porous terpolyester film was prepared next, using polyethylene glycol 500,000 to improve flexibility of the film, which might lower the resistances. This film was flexible enough and provided the resulting EDLC with superior electrochemical performance to the bipolyester film. EDLC with porous terpolyester film was finally prepared and showed the highest electrochemical performance, comparable to the reference EDLC. Porous morphology and flexibility were key factors to fabricate lignin-based self-standing film as separator material for high-performance EDLC.
Dose-dependent Effect of Avocado Peel Hydroethanolic Extract on Antioxidant Status of Heart and Kidney Tissue Homogenates in Wistar Rats

This study evaluated the dose-dependent effect of avocado (Persea americana) peel hydroethanolic extract on antioxidant status of heart and kidney tissue homogenates in wistar rats. A total of 60 wistar rats were used and the study period lasted for 42 days. The animals were randomly sampled into six (6) groups; Group i -normal untreated wistar rats, ii -P. americana peel extract (50 mg/kg), iiilead acetate (100 mg/kg), ivP. americana peel extract (50 mg/kg) + lead acetate (100 mg/kg), v-P. americana peel extract (100 mg/kg) + lead acetate (100 mg/kg) and viP. americana peel extract (150 mg/kg) + lead acetate (100 mg/kg). Biomarkers assayed for include antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase; non-enzyme antioxidant reduced glutathione; isoprostanes and malondialdehyde. The extract caused a dose-dependent increase in antioxidant enzymes and non-enzyme markers when administered alone and when combined with Original Research Article Onoja et al.; JAMPS, 19(3): 1-6, 2018; Article no.JAMPS. 46358 2 lead acetate most especially at doses 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg. The extract also caused a significant dose-dependent decrease in isoprostanes and malondialdehyde. From the outcome of this study, avocado peel extract has an effect on antioxidant status of both the heart and kidney, but this effect is dose-dependent.
Diffusion and localization of proteins in the plasma membrane of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) plasma membrane is unique, as diffusion is 3-4 orders of magnitude slower than in other known membranes. In this thesis, we study diffusion and localization of proteins in the yeast plasma membrane. In the yeast plasma membrane, proteins are not uniformly distributed, many of them show localization to distinct domains. MCC/eisosomes are one type of such domains. They are very stable compartments that do not change for longer periods of time than cell cycle of the yeast cells. We have developed a new method of immobilization of the cells allowing us to study them in more detail. Using that method, we looked at the diffusion and localization of proteins in relation to the MCC/eisosomes. Some proteins (like Can1p) are immobilized in the MCC/eisosomes, can diffuse through the MCC/eisosomes without immobilization (like Nha1), or are excluded from them (like Pma1p). However, the structure does not have an effect on diffusion coefficients of any of the groups. Additionally, we have discovered, that proteins can be excluded from the MCC/eisosomes due to large cytoplasmic domains close to the plasma membrane. We also tried to determine the cause(s) of the slow diffusion in the yeast plasma membrane, and while we think lipid composition of the membrane has major impact on it, we are still far from any conclusions.
Implications of temperature overshoot dynamics for climate and carbon dioxide removal policies in the DICE model

Assessing climate policies that involve temporary overshoot of temperature targets requires an accurate representation of carbon cycle and climate dynamics. Here, we compare temperature overshoot climate policies obtained with the dynamic integrated climate–economy (DICE) integrated assessment model using two different climate-carbon cycle sub-models: first, the original DICE implementation, and second an implementation of the finite amplitude impulse response (FaIR) simple climate model. We analyze in a cost-effectiveness framework the minimum abatement and carbon dioxide removal costs for compliance against a (future) ceiling on temperatures. In our setup, the magnitude of the overshoot is not limited by temperature impacts, but simply by the temperature dynamics such that from a certain compliance date onwards a temperature ceiling cannot be exceeded anymore. We show that the rather sluggish temperature response and underestimation of carbon sinks in the most recent version of DICE implies that the additional future temperature change after a cessation of a given CO2 emission scenario is significantly overestimated compared to the zero emission commitments obtained with FaIR and complex earth system models. However, investigating climate policies which allow for a temporary temperature overshoot, this inertia translates into more than twice as high optimal carbon prices compared to FaIR and consequently in rather strict climate policies. For compliance with the 1.5 °C target from 2100 onward and non-CO2-warming of 0.2 °C, the mean optimal carbon prices in the year 2030 are 173USD/tCO2 and 56USD/tCO2 for DICE and FaIR, respectively. Still, the dynamics towards the target suggest that improved understanding of and accounting for (limited) reversibility of vulnerable Earth system components is required to derive appropriate overshoot climate policies.
Mlo Resistance to Powdery Mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei) in Barley Landraces Collected in Yemen

Barley (Hordeumvulgare L.) is one of the most important cereal crops in the world. Powdery mildew on barley, which is caused by the pathogen Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei, occurs world-wide and can result in severe yield loss. Thousands of barley accessions are stored in national gene banks, and their characterization for breeding purposes is needed. This study was conducted to determine the resistance to powdery mildew in 33 barley landraces from Yemen, which were obtained from the ICARDA gene bank. Twenty differential isolates of barley powdery mildew were used. Nine single plant lines were selected from five landraces, based on tests that were performed with 30 plants per landrace, after inoculation with the most avirulent isolate of barley powdery mildew available. Two of these landraces originated from the Al Bayda province in Yemen, and three others originated from Dhamar, Sanaa, and Taizz, respectively. Next, single plant lines were tested using a set of 20 differential isolates of powdery mildew. Two lines that were selected from landrace from the Al Bayda province in Yemen, showed disease reaction designated as 0(4), which is specific for the presence of Mlo resistance. The new source of highly effective Mlo powdery mildew resistance that is described in this study could be used in barley breeding programs.
A Wideband Functionality-Reconfigurable RF Building-Block With Four Operating Modes

In this brief, a wideband functionality-reconfigurable RF building-block with in-phase/out-of-phase powering dividing (PD) and single-/dual-band Single-Pole-Double-Throw (SPDT) filtering switching modes is proposed utilizing a novel Switched Central-Loaded Parallel Coupled-Line (SCLPCL) structure. By independently forward- or reverse-biasing the four PIN diodes in the SCLPCL structure, three reconfigurable sub-block statuses (Status I, II and III) can be obtained, which further leads to four operating modes of the whole building block. With the aid of the stepped-impedance compensation network and the Central Loaded Short-Circuited Stubs (CLSCS), the 180° phase-shift difference at two achieved pass-through statuses (Status I and II) can be balanced, together with an enhanced out-of-phase bandwidth. In addition, the compensation network can also be used to ease the trade-off between wide out-of-phase bandwidth at the pass-through statuses and high isolation at the isolated circuit status (Status III). The SCLPCL is further modified and optimized to achieve the three-port functionality-reconfigurable RF building-block. The implemented prototype demonstrates a wide bandwidth in all modes. Moreover, less PIN diodes are applied to obtain more operating modes, verifying the simplicity of the proposed method to design functionality-reconfigurable RF circuits.
Foreword to the research front on ‘Microplastics in Soils'

Knowledge about the transport of microplastics in soils is necessary to correctly assess their possible transfer to ground and surface waters as well as their impact in the soils themselves. Microplastics mostly enter soils from the surface, but little is known about their later distribution and fate. Yu et al. (2019) explore whether biogenic activities can be a pathway for microplastics to be transported in soils and into groundwater, and conclude that biogenic activities need to be considered in microplastic dynamics in soil systems. The role of microplastics as vectors for organic micropollutants has been widely studied in aquatic systems, but much less so in soils. Rodrı́guez-Seijo et al. (2019) investigate whether earthworms (Eisenia fetida) could be carriers of pesticides in these media. Interestingly, they could not demonstrate thatmicroplastics can be carriers of pesticides to earthworms, but found that these organisms avoided pesticide-contaminated microplastics. CSIRO PUBLISHING
Hierarchical Co3O4 Nanofiber–Carbon Sheet Skeleton with Superior Na/Li‐Philic Property Enabling Highly Stable Alkali Metal Batteries

Uncontrollable dendritic behavior and infinite volume expansion in alkali metal anode results in the severe safety hazards and short lifespan for high‐energy batteries. Constructing a stable host with superior Na/Li‐philic properties is a prerequisite for commercialization. Here, it is demonstrated that the small Gibbs free energy change in the reaction between metal oxide (Co3O4, SnO2, and CuO) and alkali metal is key for metal infusion. The as‐prepared hierarchical Co3O4 nanofiber–carbon sheet (CS) skeleton shows improved wettability toward molten Li/Na. The 3D carbon sheet serves as a primary framework, offering adequate lithium nucleation sites and sufficient electrolyte/electrode contact for fast charge transfer. The secondary framework of Co/Li2O nanofibers provides physical confinement of deposited Li and further redistributes the Li+ flux on each carbon fiber, which is verified by COMSOL Multiphysics simulations. Due to the uniform deposition behavior and near‐zero volume change, modified symmetrical Li/Li cells can operate under an ultrahigh current density of 20 mA cm−2 for more than 120 cycles. When paired with LiFePO4 cathodes, the Li/Co–CS cell shows low polarization and 88.4% capacity retention after 200 cycles under 2 C. Convincing improvement can also be observed in Na/Co–CS symmetrical cells applying NaClO4‐based electrolyte. These results illustrate a significant improvement in developing safe and stable alkali metal batteries.
Enumeration of marine microbial organisms by flow cytometry using near‐UV excitation of Hoechst 34580‐stained DNA

A flow cytometry method for enumerating marine heterotrophic bacteria and phytoplankton in a living or preserved sample using a low power solid state near‐ultraviolet laser is described. The method uses Hoechst 34580 to stain DNA in microbial cells in seawater samples. This stain is optimally excited at 375 nm unlike the similar Hoechst 33342, which requires ~ 350 nm excitation only available on more expensive lasers. Phytoplankton abundances from the Hoechst 34580 method are comparable to those of unstained samples and when analyzed by the Hoechst 33342 staining method. With this new method, nonpigmented marine bacteria and phytoplankton abundances are obtained simultaneously in a single sample as the Hoechst emission wavelength (~ 450 nm) is well separated from the emission wavelengths of chlorophyll and phycoerythrin fluorescence. Bacteria abundances are similar between this new method and those obtained with established Hoechst 33342 and SybrGreen I methods. Precision estimates (coefficient of variation) on populations with abundances near ~ 105 cells mL−1 are 1–3%, increasing to 3–9% at lower cell concentrations of 103 cells mL−1. The Hoechst 34580 method is simple, requiring no heating or pretreatment with RNAse, can be used on unpreserved and formaldehyde‐preserved cells, and is amenable to at‐sea use with portable, compact, low power‐requiring flow cytometers.
Pressure-induced structural and electronic transitions in InTeI

Based on crystal structural search and ab initio calculations, we report pressure-induced structural and electronic phase transitions for the semiconductor indium tellurium iodine (InTeI). We have found two structures belonging to the same space group of InTeI at high pressure (labeled as $P4/nmm\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{I}$ and $P4/nmm\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{II}$, respectively), where $P4/nmm\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{II}$ is metastable. Our calculation results show that the ambient $P{2}_{1}/c$ phase transforms to a tetragonal $P4/nmm\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{I}$ phase at about 15 GPa, characterized by the appearance of metallization and superconductivity with ${T}_{\mathrm{c}}$ of around 7 K. Besides, band-structure calculations suggest that the InTeI system undergoes a pressure-induced electronic phase transition from a direct to indirect band gap in the $P{2}_{1}/c$ phase. On the application of atomic substitution, the superconducting temperature ${T}_{\mathrm{c}}$ of InTeI can be further raised to around 9.7 K if the iodine atoms are replaced by the lighter chlorine atoms in the $P4/nmm\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{I}$ phase. The results pave the way for applying of Indium tellurohalide in optoelectronic devices and demonstrate a method that adjusts electronic properties by pressure or atomic substitution.