Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fertility Control for Wildlife: A European Perspective

Simple Summary Current trends of human population growth and landscape development in Europe suggest that wildlife impacts will increase. Traditional methods to mitigate these impacts, such as culling, can be ineffective, environmentally harmful and often publicly opposed. Contraceptives might be an alternative to culling. This review focuses on contraceptives for mammals and birds, currently registered or widely tested, which might be considered for European wildlife. The review describes the effects of contraceptives on reproduction and welfare, the methods and challenges of contraceptive administration to large numbers of animals, the potential cost and feasibility of using fertility control and the knowledge gaps in this area. Contexts and species for using contraceptives to reduce the impacts of European wildlife include small, isolated wildlife populations, charismatic species and situations in which lethal control is either illegal or publicly unacceptable, such as urban environments and national parks. The review provides guidance to assist decisions about the potential use of wildlife fertility control and lists eight main reasons for Europe to invest in this area, and particularly in developing oral contraceptives which will allow large-scale applications of wildlife fertility control. This would be crucial for Europe, where humans and wildlife are increasingly sharing space and resources. Abstract Trends of human population growth and landscape development in Europe show that wildlife impacts are escalating. Lethal methods, traditionally employed to mitigate these impacts, are often ineffective, environmentally hazardous and face increasing public opposition. Fertility control is advocated as a humane tool to mitigate these impacts. This review describes mammalian and avian wildlife contraceptives’ effect on reproduction of individuals and populations, delivery methods, potential costs and feasibility of using fertility control in European contexts. These contexts include small, isolated wildlife populations and situations in which lethal control is either illegal or socially unacceptable, such as urban settings, national parks and areas where rewilding occurs. The review highlights knowledge gaps, such as impact of fertility control on recruitment, social and spatial behaviour and on target and non-target species, provides a decision framework to assist decisions about the potential use of wildlife fertility control, and suggests eight reasons for Europe to invest in this area. Although developing and registering contraceptives in Europe will have substantial costs, these are relatively small when compared to wildlife’s economic and environmental impact. Developing safe and effective contraceptives will be essential if European countries want to meet public demand for methods to promote human–wildlife coexistence.
Scattering by infinite one-dimensional rough surfaces

We consider the Dirichlet boundary–value problem for the Helmholtz equation in a non–locally perturbed half–plane. This problem models time–harmonic electromagnetic scattering by a one–dimensional infinite rough perfectly conducting surface; the same problem arises in acoustic scattering by a sound–soft surface. Chandler–Wilde and Zhang have suggested a radiation condition for this problem, a generalization of the Rayleigh expansion condition for diffraction gratings, and uniqueness of solution has been established. Recently, an integral equation formulation of the problem has also been proposed and, in the special case when the whole boundary is both Lyapunov and a small perturbation of a flat boundary, the unique solvability of this integral equation has been shown by Chandler–Wilde and Ross by operator perturbation arguments. In this paper we study the general case, with no limit on surface amplitudes or slopes, and show that the same integral equation has exactly one solution in the space of bounded and continuous functions for all wavenumbers. As an important corollary we prove that, for a variety of incident fields including the incident plane wave, the Dirichlet boundary–value problem for the scattered field has a unique solution.
Analysis of Aluminum Oxides Submicron Particle Agglomeration in Polymethyl Methacrylate Composites

Agglomeration of distributed particles is the main problem in polymer composites reinforced with such particles. It leads to a decrease in mechanical performance and its poor reproducibility. Thus, development of methods to address the agglomeration of particles is relevant. Evaluation of the size and concentration of agglomerates is required to select a method to address agglomeration. The paper analyzes aluminum oxide particles agglomeration in particles-reinforced polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) composites. Quantitative parameters of polystyrene-coated aluminum oxide particles agglomerates are obtained for the first time in this article. Unlike uncoated aluminum oxide particles, when coated aluminum oxide particles are used, agglomerates concentration in polymer composites decreases approx. 10 times. It demonstrates that modification of submicron particles by a polymer coating decreases the number of agglomerates in the polymer composite. The use of transmittance and opacity values to estimate particles agglomerates is reasonable in this article. It is shown that the difference in optical performance of specimens reinforced with coated and the original particles is related to the number and average size of agglomerates in the specimens. For example, when the concentration exceeds 0.2%, transmittance values for the specimens reinforced with coated particles are greater than the ones for the specimens reinforced with the original particles.
Excitation of a magnetic multilayer by an electric current

We describe variations in the resistance of $\mathrm{Co}/\mathrm{Cu}$ multilayers, induced by means of a high current density $\ensuremath{\approx}{10}^{8}\mathrm{A}/{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ injected into the multilayer through a point contact. We propose that the observed resistance changes are due to excitations of zero-wave-number spin waves in the magnetic layers. As predicted, such current-driven excitation of a magnetic multilayer occurs for only one direction of current flow and has a current threshold which increases linearly with the applied magnetic field.
Near-band edge light emission from silicon semiconductor on insulator diodes

Light-emitting diodes have been designed and fabricated on commercial crystalline silicon semiconductor on insulator wafers. Strong infrared light emission has been observed from these diodes under forward bias conditions with an external quantum efficiency of 2×10−6. The band edge phonon-assisted photoluminescence from the top single-crystalline silicon layer is responsible for such emission with a spectrum peaked at 1. 135μm wavelength. Due to negligible reabsorption of spontaneously emitted photons within the extremely thin silicon layer, the short wavelength emission is significantly stronger in relative terms compared to emission from bulk-silicon light-emitting devices.
Preliminary Study on Suppression Rate of Unbalanced Sheath Current of Coaxial Cable Using Sleeve Choke

An approximate analysis method for estimating the spurious radiations from unbalanced sheath current on a coaxial cable is presented and validated. The coaxial cable is vertically connected to a horizontal planar, quasi-isotropic magnetic dipole antenna. The spurious radiation generated by the unbalanced sheath current can be approximately calculated by the superposition of two radiated, high-order resonant electric dipole modes: In that way, the measured patterns of magnetic dipole antenna can be approximately “calibrated” by excluding the dual-mode, spurious cable radiations. Both coaxial cables with/without sleeve choke have been studied to yield the concept of “suppression rate of unbalance sheath current” (SRUSC). As is validated at 3 GHz-band, the SRUSC of a quarter-wavelength sleeve choke is about 14 dB at the centered frequency.
Broadband dual polarization horn antenna application for millimeter wave 5G

A quad-ridge dual-polarized broadband horn cone antenna for millimeter wave 5G applications has been designed and simulated. The composition of the quad-ridge dual-polarized horn antenna can be viewed as two symmetrical dual-ridge horn antennas, using a new coaxial line with a new feed technology that gradually thins from the transition of the quad-ridge waveguide to enhance the tunability of the physical performance. The antenna working frequency is 18–50 GHz, the VSWR in the working band of this antenna is less than 2:1, the isolation is less than -35dB, the gain typical value is 15 dBi, the cross-polarization isolation is more than 35dB, the radiation map keeps good characteristics in the whole frequency band.
A High Gain All Metal Endfire Antenna

A high gain all metal endfire antenna is presented in this paper. The antenna is constructed by gradually decreasing grooves of an odd-mode structure, which acts as spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) radiation structure. A novel 3D structure is used to feed the antenna. The feeding structure conducts signals to the antenna, and nearly encloses the feeding point, thus avoids signals escaping from feeding part to air, improving radiation efficiency of the antenna. The antenna is designed and simulated, simulation results show that high gain (larger than 13 dB) could be obtained at Ku frequency band.
Impacts of Binary Oxide Nanoparticles on the Soybean Plant and Its Rhizosphere, Associated Phytohormones, and Enzymes

The utilization of binary oxide nanoparticles is geometrically increasing due to their numerous applications. Their intentional or accidental release after usage has led to their omnipresence in the environment. The usage of sludge or fertilizer containing binary oxide nanoparticles is likely to increase the chance of the plants being exposed to these binary oxide nanoparticles. The aim of the present review is to assess the detailed positive and negative impacts of these oxide nanoparticles on the soybean plants and its rhizosphere. In this study, methods of synthesizing binary oxide nanoparticles, as well as the merits and demerits of these methods, are discussed. Furthermore, various methods of characterizing the binary oxide nanoparticles in the tissues of soybean are highlighted. These characterization techniques help to track the nanoparticles inside the soybean plant. In addition, the assessment of rhizosphere microbial communities of soybean that have been exposed to these binary oxide nanoparticles is discussed. The impacts of binary oxide nanoparticles on the leaf, stem, root, seeds, and rhizosphere of soybean plant are comprehensively discussed. The impacts of binary oxides on the bioactive compounds such as phytohormones are also highlighted. Overall, it was observed that the impacts of the oxide nanoparticles on the soybean, rhizosphere, and bioactive compounds were dose-dependent. Lastly, the way forward on research involving the interactions of binary oxide nanoparticles and soybean plants is suggested.
The evolution of the Jacobi ellipsoid by gravitational radiation

The quasi-static evolution of the Jacobi ellipsoid by gravitational radiation is determined by integrating the equation that gives the rate of dissipation of the angular momentum with the constraint that the ellipsoid remains Jacobian at all times. It is found that the evolution is in the direction of increasing angular velocity toward a non-radiating state at the point of bifurcation with the Maclaurin sequence.
EL-REP: A New 2D Geometric Decomposition Scheme and Its Applications

This work describes the EL-REP, a new 2D decomposition scheme with interesting properties and applications. The EL-REP can be computed for one or more simple polygons of any kind: convex or nonconvex, with or without holes and even with several shells. A method for constructing this decomposition is described in detail, together with several of its main applications: fast point-in-polygon inclusion test, 2D location, triangulation of polygons, and collision detection.
Unusual size effect on the polarization patterns in micron-size Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 film capacitors

Direct observation of polarization distribution at nanoscale by scanning force microscopy across partially etched Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 film ferroelectric capacitors with size 2×3 μm and preferential orientation (111) has revealed an anomalous polarization pattern characterized by polarization inversion in the center of the capacitor. This self-structured pattern is reproducible and independent on the spontaneous polarization orientation, but strongly influenced by the film texture and capacitor size. In particular, capacitors of the same texture with size 0.5×0.5 μm as well as capacitors with (100) preferential orientation of any size did not exhibit such anomalous polarization distribution. A tentative explanation consistent with the essential features of the observed polarization behavior in terms of strain-induced phase transition is discussed.
Revised Harris–Benedict Equation: New Human Resting Metabolic Rate Equation

This paper contains a revision of the Harris–Benedict equations through the development and validation of new equations for the estimation of resting metabolic rate (RMR) in normal, overweight, and obese adult subjects, taking into account the same anthropometric parameters. A total of 722 adult Caucasian subjects were enrolled in this analysis. After taking a detailed medical history, the study enrolled non-hospitalized subjects with medically and nutritionally controlled diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and thyroid disease, excluding subjects with active infections and pregnant or lactating women. Measurement of somatometric characteristics and indirect calorimetry were performed. The values obtained from RMR measurement were compared with the values of the new equations and the Harris–Benedict, Mifflin–St Jeor, FAO/WHO/UNU, and Owen equations. New predictive RMR equations were developed using age, body weight, height, and sex parameters. RMR males: (9.65 × weight in kg) + (573 × height in m) − (5.08 × age in years) + 260; RMR females: (7.38 × weight in kg) + (607 × height in m) − (2.31 × age in years) + 43; RMR males: (4.38 × weight in pounds) + (14.55 × height in inches) − (5.08 × age in years) + 260; RMR females: (3.35 × weight in pounds) + (15.42 × height in inches) − (2.31 × age in years) + 43. The accuracy of the new equations was tested in the test group in both groups, in accordance with the resting metabolic rate measurements. The new equations showed more accurate results than the other equations, with the equation for men (R-squared: 0.95) showing better prediction than the equation for women (R-squared: 0.86). The new equations showed good accuracy at both group and individual levels, and better reliability compared to other equations using the same anthropometric variables as predictors of RMR. The new equations were created under modern obesogenic conditions, and do not exclude individuals with regulated (dietary or pharmacological) Westernized diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and thyroid disease).
Off-axis compensation of attosecond pulse chirp

By performing calculations on the generation of attosecond pulses by intense laser fields, we demonstrate that the pulse temporal width is sensitive to the angle of emission. We show that this effect results from the interference of the short and long electronic trajectory contributions, responsible for high-order harmonic generation. In particular, we find that the shortest pulses are emitted off-axis, which are substantially shorter than those emitted on-axis, where single trajectory contributions dominate.
Semiconductor Nanomaterial Photocatalysts for Water-Splitting Hydrogen Production: The Holy Grail of Converting Solar Energy to Fuel

Nanomaterials have attracted attention for application in photocatalytic hydrogen production because of their beneficial properties such as high specific surface area, attractive morphology, and high light absorption. Furthermore, hydrogen is a clean and green source of energy that may help to resolve the existing energy crisis and increasing environmental pollution caused by the consumption of fossil fuels. Among various hydrogen production methods, photocatalytic water splitting is most significant because it utilizes solar light, a freely available energy source throughout the world, activated via semiconductor nanomaterial catalysts. Various types of photocatalysts are developed for this purpose, including carbon-based and transition-metal-based photocatalysts, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. The present review highlights the basic principle of water splitting and various techniques such as the thermochemical process, electrocatalytic process, and direct solar water splitting to enhance hydrogen production. Moreover, modification strategies such as band gap engineering, semiconductor alloys, and multiphoton photocatalysts have been reviewed. Furthermore, the Z- and S-schemes of heterojunction photocatalysts for water splitting were also reviewed. Ultimately, the strategies for developing efficient, practical, highly efficient, and novel visible-light-harvesting photocatalysts will be discussed, in addition to the challenges that are involved. This review can provide researchers with a reference for the current state of affairs, and may motivate them to develop new materials for hydrogen generation.
Relationships among Structures, Development Processes, and Heating Profiles for Two Mesoscale Convective Systems in Inactive Phase of a Large-Scale Disturbance over Northern Australia during the Southern Summer in 1998-1999

The relationships among structures, development processes, and diabatic heating profiles of a maritime mesoscale convective system (MCS) and a continental MCS in the inactive phase of a large-scale disturbance associated with Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) were studied mainly using dual-Doppler radar data around Darwin, Australia during the southern summer in 1998-1999. The maritime MCS (15 January 1999) formed in a west to southwesterly flow of moist air at the lowmid levels during the monsoon active regime, and had several convective lines oriented parallel to the mid-level shear in 1-2 hours cycle within an extensive stratiform region. Radar analyses revealed that a new convective line formed on a convergence between the outflow of a weak downdraft within the stratiform precipitation and the moist westerly in the low-level, and developed more deeply within a mid-level moist rear inflow. A cyclonic circulation (mesovortex) in the mid-level was subsequently found in the stratiform region. The analysis of heating profiles is indicative of a convective heating maximum at 6 km and a stratiform region with large heating and relatively small cooling above and below the melting level, respectively. The developments of the convective line and mesovortex are attributed to the small low-level cooling and convergence of moist air with the large mid-level heating, respectively, and both are considered to play a significant role in the maintenance of the MCS. The continental MCS (21 January 1999) formed in a strong mid-level east-southeasterly flow of dry air that was influenced by tropical depressions during the break regime. Radar analyses showed that the MCS formed a number of convective lines oriented parallel to low- and mid-level shears with relatively strong negative vortices and convergence in the low-mid level. Positive vorticity were found with a descending rear inflow in the rear of the lines and the stratiform region of the MCS below the mid-level. The heating profiles represented a convective heating maximum at 5.5 km, and a moderate stratiform cooling below the melting level. It is suggested that the stratiform cooling due to the mid-level dryness made a contribution to the advection of positive vorticity below about 5 km, resulting in the development of convective lines with a intensive vortex couplet. A comparison of the heating profiles in the stratiform parts of two MCSs indicated a larger low-level cooling in the continental MCS and a larger heating at the mid-upper level in the maritime MCS. It was suggested that the different stratiform heating of two MCSs in the inactive phase of the MJO played significant roles in their structures and development processes.
Overview of iFogSim: A Tool for Simulating Fog Networks of the Future

The forthcoming Internet of Things is already at the doorstep, with over 50 billion devices connected locally. This requires expansion and growth in existing Cloud infrastructure. Among many solutions, Fog computing offers optimal one. It is due to its scalable architecture and reduced latency properties. Implementing Fog has its own challenges. One of the questions indicate acute shortage of training datasets in the real world. Hence many simulators provide the much-needed insight to system design. iFogSim is currently providing reliable simulation scenarios with easy to use interface. Its applications in different fields are growing exponentially. This paper comprises of Fog architecture and its associated iFogSim interface Additionally This paper covers most notable areas where iFogsim is providing reliable results.
An Active Integrated Antenna using a Q-Matching Approach for Base Station Application

The interconnection loss between RF front-end and antenna becomes a challenge for system integration and requires joint design at the device level. This paper presents a Q-matching approach for the co-design of an active integrated antenna (AIA). A base station antenna operating in the Sub-6GHz band is prototyped for verification. Without the traditional matching network, the input impedance of the antenna can directly match the optimal output impedance of the target power amplifier (PA). The measured results show that the power-added efficiency (PAE) of the AIA in the frequency band of 3.4-3.6 GHz is over 58% when the output power is higher than 40 dBm.
BTS: Exploring Effects of Background Task-Aware Scheduling for Key-Value CSDs

A computational storage device (CSD) using Intel SPDK guarantees low latency and high throughput. The CSD must aid background tasks for the storage service applications (background tasks) without harming user I/O performance (foreground I/O) since the CSD is also a storage device. However, in practice, SPDK often increases foreground I/O latencies and underutilizes CPU cores in the CSD. These problems proceed from allocating foreground I/Os and background tasks to the same CPU core because SPDK processes them as the same request without distinguishing them. To tackle this, we propose a Background Task-aware Scheduler (BTS) for CSDs built using SPDK. BTS solves the following problems: (i) idle CPU cores in the CSD are not used, and (ii) the latency of foreground I/O increases due to interference with background tasks. For evaluation, we implemented a key-value interface CSD using SPDK. With BTS, the results show that idle CPUs are properly used to process background tasks by guaranteeing the low latency of foreground I/O when the background tasks are set to deduplication.
Formation of molecular CH + in interstellar shocks.

Formation of CCH/sup +/ is considered in the hot gas immediately behind shock fronts that may be present in the neutral gas clouds of the interstellar medium. Special attention is given to shocks which can result from expansion of the H II region around the stars toward which the observations are made. Column densities near 10/sup 13/ cm/sup -2/ in agreement with observations of diffuse clouds are obtained for likely values of uncertain physical parameters. Column densities for other species, including CH, OH, and H/sub 2/O, are also computed and are compatible with observations of diffuse clouds. Formation by shocks is thus proposed as a solution to the long-standing CH/sup +/ abundance problem which has been clarified by a recent laboratory measurement for the reaction rate of CH/sup +/+e.