Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lignin-Based Mesoporous Hollow Carbon@MnO2 Nanosphere Composite as an Anodic Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

The lignin-based mesoporous hollow carbon@MnO2 nanosphere composites (L-C-NSs@MnO2) were fabricated by using lignosulfonate as the carbon source. The nanostructured MnO2 particles with a diameter of 10~20 nm were uniformly coated onto the surfaces of the hollow carbon nanospheres. The obtained L-C-NSs@MnO2 nanosphere composite showed a prolonged cycling lifespan and excellent rate performance when utilized as an anode for LIBs. The L-C-NSs@MnO2 nanocomposite (24.6 wt% of MnO2) showed a specific discharge capacity of 478 mAh g−1 after 500 discharge/charge cycles, and the capacity contribution of MnO2 in the L-C-NSs@MnO2 nanocomposite was estimated ca. 1268.8 mAh g−1, corresponding to 103.2% of the theoretical capacity of MnO2 (1230 mAh g−1). Moreover, the capacity degradation rate was ca. 0.026% per cycle after long-term and high-rate Li+ insertion/extraction processes. The three-dimensional lignin-based carbon nanospheres played a crucial part in buffering the volumetric expansion and agglomeration of MnO2 nanoparticles during the discharge/charge processes. Furthermore, the large specific surface areas and mesoporous structure properties of the hollow carbon nanospheres significantly facilitate the fast transport of the lithium-ion and electrons, improving the electrochemical activities of the L-C-NSs@MnO2 electrodes. The presented work shows that the combination of specific structured lignin-based carbon nanoarchitecture with MnO2 provides a brand-new thought for the designation and synthesis of high-performance materials for energy-related applications.
Contraction and expansion dynamics: deciphering genomic underpinnings of growth rate and pathogenicity in Mycobacterium

Background Mycobacterium bacteria, encompassing both slow growth (SGM) and rapid growth mycobacteria (RGM), along with true pathogenic (TP), opportunistic pathogenic (OP), and non-pathogenic (NP) types, exhibit diverse phenotypes. Yet, the genetic underpinnings of these variations remain elusive. Methods Here, We conducted a comprehensive comparative genomics study involving 53 Mycobacterium species to unveil the genomic drivers behind growth rate and pathogenicity disparities. Results Our core/pan-genome analysis highlighted 1,307 shared gene families, revealing an open pan-genome structure. A phylogenetic tree highlighted clear boundaries between SGM and RGM, as well as TP and other species. Gene family contraction emerged as the primary alteration associated with growth and pathogenicity transitions. Specifically, ABC transporters for amino acids and inorganic ions, along with quorum sensing genes, exhibited significant contractions in SGM species, potentially influencing their distinct traits. Conversely, TP strains displayed contraction in lipid and secondary metabolite biosynthesis and metabolism-related genes. Across the 53 species, we identified 26 core and 64 accessory virulence factors. Remarkably, TP and OP strains stood out for their expanded mycobactin biosynthesis and type VII secretion system gene families, pivotal for their pathogenicity. Conclusion Our findings underscore the importance of gene family contraction in nucleic acids, ions, and substance metabolism for host adaptation, while emphasizing the significance of virulence gene family expansion, including type VII secretion systems and mycobactin biosynthesis, in driving mycobacterial pathogenicity.
Message-Passing-Based Distributed Cooperative Simultaneous Localization and Synchronization in Dynamic Asynchronous Networks

Location awareness is a key enabling technology for many applications and services of the Internet of Things (IoT). Since densely deployed heterogeneous agents in IoT typically have mobility and different qualities of internal clocks, as well as limited computation and communication capabilities, high-precision network localization is a challenging problem. Existing methods do not compensate the position variation caused by the agent mobility during a measurement phase, which will result in estimation error, and have high-computational complexity. In this article, we propose a cooperative, distributed, and low-complexity algorithm for network simultaneous localization and synchronization (SLAS), which is suitable for large-scale network consisting of heterogeneous agents with mobility, time-varying clock and time-varying connectivity. We first propose a new measurement model based on the asymmetric time-stamped communication scheme, which compensates for the position variation of each agent within a measurement phase. Second, we construct a factor graph (FG) to represent the underlying Bayesian estimation problem, and apply belief propagation to obtain the marginal distribution of each agent’s state. To deal with the complex nonlinear measurements, we extend the posterior linearization technique by using iterative statistical linear regression with respect to the joint posterior of neighboring agents. All the messages on FG are derived in Gaussian form and the computational complexity at each agent is linear in the number of neighboring agents, which has significant advantages in large-scale networks. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm has better estimation performance and lower average running time compared to existing methods.
Hardware-Based Modulation Strategy to Suppress the Leakage Current for Transformerless Odd-Module Cascaded H-Bridge Inverter in PV System

Transformerless cascaded H-bridge (CHB) grid-connected inverters are widely used in engineering due to its advantages in volume, cost, and efficiency. However, the lack of electrical isolation results in a leakage current loop between the system and earth, creating additional electromagnetic interference and safety issues First, the CHB model with parasitic capacitance is established, and proved that the leakage current of odd-module CHB (OM-CHB) cannot be suppressed solely by modulation. Then, a new hardware-based pulsewidth modulation (HB-PWM) strategy is proposed to suppress the leakage current of OM-CHB. In the proposed strategy, two new redundant states are created by adding two power switches in the intermediate module. These extra switching states are applied to the HB-PWM strategy, which can eliminate the high-frequency component of the sum of parasitic capacitive voltage (SPCV), thus, suppress the leakage current, and available generalizes to CHB with arbitrary odd-module. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by a MATLAB/Simulink simulation model and an experimental prototype with a rated power of 550 W. The experimental results show that the SPCV of the proposed method does not contain high-frequency components, and the value of the leakage current meets the standard of VDE 0126-1-1.
Evaluation of Torque-Dense Electric Machine Technology for Off-Highway Vehicle Electrification

Electrification of off-highway vehicles offers the benefits of improved energy efficiency, enhanced control, and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. However, progress towards electrification has been limited by the low torque density (30 <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{kNm/m}^{3}$</tex-math></inline-formula>) of conventional electric machines compared to mobile hydraulic machines (up to approximately 1000 <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{kNm/m}^{3}$</tex-math></inline-formula>). This article reviews emerging variants of electric machines that offer a step improvement in torque density and potential pathway to enable electrified off-highway vehicles. First, sizing approaches for electric and hydraulic machines are developed, and torque-dense electric machines reviewed in literature are compared to commercial hydraulic machines to identify design trends in terms of speed, torque density, and power density. Next, key metrics are identified for the electric machine, based on which the following four emerging electric machine variants that promise to improve torque density are reviewed: i) multi-harmonic machines injection, ii) combined radial-axial flux machines, iii) magnetic gears, and iv) magnetically-geared machines. The findings from this review show that these new electric machines can achieve upwards of 300% improvement in electric machine torque density, with several designs exceeding 100 <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{kNm/m}^{3}$</tex-math></inline-formula>, making them worthy candidates for further research to bridge the torque density gap with hydraulic machines.
The role of reservoirs under the impacts of climate change on the Srepok River basin, Central Highlands of Vietnam

Forecasting streamflow is important for managing future water resources and environmental needs under the impacts of climate change. Moreover, quantifying the combined effects of future climate variations and human-made infrastructures, e.g., dams and reservoirs, poses a significant challenge. In this study, we used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) for a case study in the Srepok River Basin—a tributary of the Mekong River Basin. Here, we aim to reveal the impacts of various climate change scenarios and the effects of reservoir operations in this region. Our findings indicate that 1) the projected annual streamflow is anticipated to increase by a minimum of 9.2% (2046–2065) and could peak at an increase of 14.9% (2080–2099) under the highest greenhouse gas emissions, 2) Srepok 4, Srepok 3, and Buon Kuop demonstrate a higher capability for mitigating flood peaks and managing seasonal flow in the downstream floodplain, whereas Buon Tua Srah shows the least performance, and 3) reservoirs operated with annual regulation have more pronounced impacts than those regulated on a daily schedule. Our work provides i) a scientific foundation for regional stakeholders and decision-makers to develop sustainable strategies that address the combined effects of reservoir operation and future climate, and ii) it supports national authorities and officials in resolving conflicts related to transboundary rivers within the Mekong River Basin.
Molecular detection reveals diverse tick-borne bacterial and protozoan pathogens in two tick species from Yingshan County of Hubei Province, China in 2021–2022

In this study, a total of 179 ticks infesting ruminant livestock, including 166 Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks and 13 Rhipicephalus microplus ticks were collected from Yingshan county of Hubei province, China in 2021–2022. PCR testing and sequence analysis revealed that the ticks infected with various species of pathogens including Rickettsia (R. japonica), Anaplasma (A. bovis, A. ovis, A. platys, and Ca. A. boleense), Ehrlichia (E. minasensis and Ehrlichia sp.), Theileria (T. orientalis and T. luwenshuni), and Babesia (B. bigemina). The infection rates of these pathogens were 0.56, 16.76, 7.26, 2.79 and 0.56%. respectively, while only 3 of 13 R. microplus ticks were detected to be infected wth Ehrlichia sp. , A. bove. , or T. luwenshuni. Our results revealed that a variety of tick-borne pathogens highly carried by these ticks, specially Ha. longicornis. Therefore, it is necessary to make effective control of the ticks and the tick-borne diseases in the County.
Identifikasi Kemampuan Berpikir Kreatif Siswa dari Sudut Pandang Gaya Kognitif dalam Pembelajaran Matematika

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi dan menganalisis Kemampuan Berpikir Kreatif Matematis (KBKM) siswa dari sudut pandang gaya kognitif (field independent dan field dependent). Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian kualitatif dengan desain studi kasus. Subjek penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas VIII di salah satu SMP negeri yang ada di kabupaten Kuansing, Riau. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan teknik tes dan teknik wawancara, menggunakan instrumen soal tes GEFT, instrumen soal tes kemampuan berpikir kreatif matematis dan naskah pedoman wawancara. Data dianalisis melalui tiga tahapan yaitu reduksi data, penyajian data, dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil analisis data penelitian menunjukkan bahwa siswa dengan tipe gaya kognitif Field Independent (FI) mampu memecahkan masalah lebih baik dan mempunyai tingkat kemampuan berpikir kreatif matematis lebih tinggi dari siswa dengan tipe gaya kognitif Field Dependent (FD), namun signifikansinya masih perlu diuji. Secara umum, siswa dengan tipe gaya kognitif FI dan FD mampu menyelesaikan soal pada indikator kelancaran yaitu memikirkan lebih dari satu jawaban dan kesulitan dalam menyelesaikan soal pada indikator elaborasi yaitu menambah atau merincikan detail-detail dari suatu gagasan, objek, atau situasi menjadi lebih menarik.
A Robust LiDAR-Camera Self-Calibration Via Rotation-Based Alignment and Multi-Level Cost Volume

Multi-sensor collaborative perception has been a significant trend in self-driving and robot navigation. The precondition for multi-sensor fusion is the accurate calibration between sensors. Traditional LiDAR-Camera calibrations rely on laborious manual operations. Several recent studies have demonstrated the advantages of convolutional neural networks regarding feature extraction capabilities. However, the vast modality discrepancy between RGB images and point clouds makes it difficult to explore corresponding features, remaining a challenge for LiDAR-Camera calibrations. In this letter, we propose a new robust online LiDAR-Camera self-calibration network (SCNet). To reduce the search dimensionality for feature matching, we exploit self-supervised learning to align RGB images with projected depth images in 2D pixel coordinates, thereby achieving pre-alignment of the roll angle. In addition, to generate more accurate initial similarity measures for RGB image pixels and possible corresponding projected depth image pixels, we propose a novel multi-level patch matching method that concatenates cost volume constructed from multi-level feature maps. Our method achieves a mean absolute calibration error of 0.724 cm in translation and 0.055<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{\circ }$</tex-math></inline-formula> in rotation in a single frame analysis with miscalibration magnitudes of up to <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\pm$</tex-math></inline-formula>1.5 m and <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\pm 20^{\circ }$</tex-math></inline-formula> on the KITTI odometry dataset, which demonstrates the superiority of our method.
Development of a method for attaching thin films to curved surfaces using a bipolar electrostatic chuck with a collective beam structure

A bipolar electrostatic chuck (ESC) having a collective beam structure is getting attention as an effective device for handling thin, soft dielectric objects such as polymer film or paper. It has been shown that the ESC devices can grasp and attach thin film objects on a plane. However, the feasibility of pasting films on curved surfaces was not verified. Accurate film attachment requires a designated attachment trajectory so that the thin film does not slide on the curved surface. The trajectory determination depends on how the stiffness of the beam and thin film, the frictional force between the beam and thin film, and electrostatic force affect the attachment process. This study aims at developing a method for calculating the attachment trajectory by modelling the beam of the electrostatic device and thin film as a continuum model consisting of springs and masses. The model's validity was verified by comparing the results with experimental data, and the feasibility of attaching a thin film to a curved surface using an ESC having a collective beam structure was clarified. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Siliceous microfossils as late-Quaternary paleo-environmental indicators at Braamhoek wetland, South Africa

A peat-sequence covering the last 16 ka (16 000 cal. yr BP) from Braamhoek wetland, eastern South Africa, was analysed in terms of phytolith and diatom composition. The fossil peat was rich in phytoliths, while diatoms were less prominent, probably as a result of degradation during wetland plant growth associated with silica uptake. With this study we present the first continuous phytolith and diatom record from South Africa covering the Late Pleistocene and Holocene period. The phytolith assemblages indicate a clear dominance of C3-grasses within the wetland throughout the sequence. The fossil diatom record infer changes in past moisture conditions. Unlike the modern wetland, which is dominated by benthic and aerophilic diatoms, the Late Pleistocene—early Holocene wetland favoured growth of planktonic species. Abundance of planktonic diatoms suggests three main phases when water depth was deeper than today; at c.13. 6 ka, 11.3 ka and 10.4—10.0 ka. These indications of past fluctuations in humidity mostly provide confirmation of previously published indications of pollen, charcoal fragments and isotopes in the same core, but the siliceous microfossil data also help to refine the paleo-environmental interpretation of the sequence.
Pathogenetic Insights into Developmental Coordination Disorder Reveal Substantial Overlap with Movement Disorders

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by non-progressive central motor impairments. Mild movement disorder features have been observed in DCD. Until now, the etiology of DCD has been unclear. Recent studies suggested a genetic substrate in some patients with DCD, but comprehensive knowledge about associated genes and underlying pathogenetic mechanisms is still lacking. In this study, we first identified genes described in the literature in patients with a diagnosis of DCD according to the official diagnostic criteria. Second, we exposed the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms of DCD, by investigating tissue- and temporal gene expression patterns and brain-specific biological mechanisms. Third, we explored putative shared pathogenetic mechanisms between DCD and frequent movement disorders with a known genetic component, including ataxia, chorea, dystonia, and myoclonus. We identified 12 genes associated with DCD in the literature, which are ubiquitously expressed in the central nervous system throughout brain development. These genes are involved in cellular processes, neural signaling, and nervous system development. There was a remarkable overlap (62%) in pathogenetic mechanisms between DCD-associated genes and genes linked with movement disorders. Our findings suggest that some patients might have a genetic etiology of DCD, which could be considered part of a pathogenetic movement disorder spectrum.
An Inverse Model for Seasonal Circulation over the Southern Brazilian Shelf: Near-Surface Velocity from the Heat Budget

Abstract An inverse model was developed of the seasonal upper-layer circulation in the region adjacent to the coast of southern Brazil between 30° and 35°S, 50° and 55°W near the boundary of the Brazil–Malvinas confluence. In this region there are no in situ data on circulation, while a large array of data on sea surface temperature and surface heat fluxes acquired through the last 30 years is available. The model is based on the joint analysis of observed seasonal changes of SST along with observed fields of insolation and surface heat fluxes. From the equation of heat conservation integrated over the variable depth of the mixed layer the “residual” flux fields required to explain the observed temperature changes between seasons were computed. Generally, this residual flux accounts for advection, diffusion, and entrainment. Diffusion has been neglected based on scaling estimates of term sizes, while entrainment was parameterized through observed changes of the mixed layer depth, with the assumption that .
Larger deep white matter hyperintensity volume correlates with more severe social behavioral changes in patients with subacute ischemic stroke

Background Changes in social behavior can occur after ischemic stroke. We aimed to investigate the potential correlations between neuroimaging variables and changes in social behavior in patients who experienced subacute ischemic stroke. Methods We prospectively screened patients with first-ever ischemic stroke. Three months after the index stroke, changes in patients’ social behavior were investigated by the Frontal Behavioral Inventory (FBI), which consists of both deficit and positive groups of behaviors. The protocol of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including the baseline MRI at the acute stage and additional MRI with three-dimensional T1-weighted imaging on follow-up. Using these MRI scans, we assessed the acute infarction and the volumes of various brain structures by an automatic volumetry tool. Results Eighty patients were enrolled. In univariate analyses, patients with deficit behavioral changes had more left cortical infarction (r = 0.271, p = 0.015), Cholinergic Pathways Hyperintensities Scale scores (r = 0.227, p = 0.042), DWMH volumes (r = 0.349, p = 0.001), and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores (r = 0.392, p < 0.001). Patients with positive behavioral changes had more frequency of men (r = 0.229, p = 0.041) and a history of hypertension (r = 0.245, p = 0.028). In multiple stepwise linear regression models, after adjusting for age, deep WMH volumes (β = 0.849, 95% confidence interval = 0.352–1.346, p = 0.001) and mRS scores on follow-up (β = 1.821, 95% confidence interval = 0.881–2.76, p < 0.001) were significantly correlated with deficit behavioral changes (R2 = 0.245). Conclusion Larger deep WMH volumes and poorer mRS scores on follow-up were significantly correlated with deficit behavioral changes in patients with subacute ischemic stroke.
Spatial Differences of Precipitation over Northwest China During the Last 44 Years and Its Response to Global Warming

Based on climatic data of precipitation and temperature of 77 meteorological stations covering 1958-2001 in the northwestern China(the area is within the north of 35°N and west of 105°E in China) as well as the NCAR/NCEP reanalyzed data,and by using the methods of regressive analysis and composition analysis,the inter-annual variation of the precipitation over the northwestern China as well as its relationship with global warming were studied.The results show that there exists relationship between the anomalies of precipitation over the northwestern China and that of the global mean temperature.However,the trends of precipitation with temperature are different in west(west of 93°E) and east part(east of 93°E) of the northwestern China.In west part the precipitation has increased with global warming in the past 44 years,while in east part the precipitation declined.