Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of a Soft Robotic Bending Actuator Based on a Novel Sulfonated Polyvinyl Chloride–Phosphotungstic Acid Ionic Polymer–Metal Composite (IPMC) Membrane

This work presents the development of a cost-effective electric-stimulus-responsive bending actuator based on a sulfonated polyvinyl chloride (SPVC)–phosphotungstic acid (PTA) ionic polymer–metal composite (IPMC), using a simple solution-casting method followed by chemical reduction of platinum (Pt) ions as an electrode. The characterizations of the prepared IPMC were performed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. Excellent ion-exchange capacity (IEC) and proton conductivity (PC), with values of ca. 1.98 meq·g−1 and ca. 1.6 mS·cm−1, respectively, were observed. The water uptake (WU) and water loss (WL) capacities of the IPMC membranes were measured at 25 °C, and found to have maxima of ca. 48% for 10 h, and ca. 36% at 6 V DC for almost 9 min, respectively. To analyze the actuation performance of the developed membrane, tip displacement and actuation force measurements were conducted. Tip displacement was found to be ca. 15.1 mm, whereas bending actuation was found to be 0.242 mN at 4 V DC. The moderate water loss, good proton conductivity (PC), high thermal stability, and good electrochemical properties of the developed IPMC membrane actuator position it as a cost-effective alternative to highly expensive conventional perfluorinated polymer-based actuators.
Effects of a simplified drilling protocol at 50 rpm on heat generation under water-free conditions: an in vitro study

Purpose In recent years, guided implant surgery has been widely used for the convenience of patients and surgeons. Further streamlining the surgical procedure would make implant surgery more convenient. Low-speed water-free conditions are often used in guided implant surgery. Therefore, in this study, we attempted to confirm once again whether drilling was safe at a low speed without water. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a simplified drilling protocol that omits some intermediate steps in the drilling process was safe from the viewpoint of heat generation. Methods D1 density artificial bone blocks were drilled under 50 rpm, 10 N·cm water-free conditions, and the surface temperature was measured using a digital infrared camera. First, drilling was performed with the sequential drilling method, which is the most widely used technique. Second, for each drill diameter, the temperature change was measured while performing simplified drilling with omission of the previous 1, 2, or 3 steps. Results In sequential drilling, the heat generated during drilling at all diameters was less than the critical temperature of osteonecrosis (47°C) except for the ⌀2 drill. Statistical significance was observed in all groups when comparing sequential and simplified drilling in the ⌀3.2, ⌀3.8, and ⌀4.3 drills (P<0.001). However, in the simplified drilling procedures, the temperature was below the osteonecrosis threshold temperature (47°C) except for the ⌀4.3 drill with the omission of the previous 3 steps (⌀3.0, ⌀3.2, and ⌀3.8). Conclusions In general, drilling under low-speed, water-free conditions has shown stable results in terms of heat generation. Simplified drilling showed statistically significantly greater heat generation than sequential drilling. However, most of the diameters and omitted steps seem to be clinically acceptable, so it will be useful if an appropriate selection is made according to the patient’s clinical condition.
Process optimization for efficacious biodecolorization of crystal violet by Malaysian Rhodococcus pyridinivorans using monothetic analysis

Environmental concern over the discharge of improperly treated textile wastewater has been on the rise. The present study explored the use of the limitedly studied, tropical Rhodococcus pyridinivorans for the decolorization of crystal violet, a typically encountered dye in the textile industry. The effect of agitation speed, temperature, pH, nutritional source, initial dye concentration, and size of inoculum on crystal violet removal were evaluated using one-factor-at-a-time method. Decolorization of 0.6 mM crystal violet carried out at agitated mode showed 73 ± 3% crystal violet removal efficiency in comparison to static mode (43 ± 2%) after 24 h. This crystal violet removal efficiency escalated to 91 ± 2% after optimizing the culture conditions at 45°C and pH 7 using maltose as carbon source and 12% (v/v) size of inoculum. Furthermore, the optimization process reduced the incubation time to achieve almost complete decolorization by 67%. Ultraviolet–visible analysis revealed that the decolorization of crystal violet primarily occurred through biodegradation. The findings from this study validated the potential of R. pyridinivorans as an effective biocatalyst to remediate crystal violet. R. pyridinivorans will be attempted to decolorize different triphenylmethane dyes, namely, malachite green in future studies.
Characterization of a 60GHz Reader and mmID System for High Fidelity Real-time Tracking With On-chip Processing

In this work, a 60GHz real-time tracking system utilizing an ultra-low-cost and compact mmID-enabled system is characterized. The characterized system consists of an ultra-lowcost and compact Antenna on Package (AoP) FMCW radar and mmID tag. The system leverages the use of on-chip processing and high-fidelity ranging enabled through the mm-Wave radar module providing a probability of detection greater than 0.9 at 35cm from the radar module and bounded average ranging error and standard deviation of 1.36 cm and 2.01 cm, respectively. Additionally, the angular coverage of the mmID was characterized at 35cm and displays an angular coverage of ±15° with a probability of detection greater than 80%. Finally, the authors present a multi-tag measurement with a maximum mmID displacement error of 1.5 cm. Thus, the survey of the system provides a framework for a potential future system centered around tracking multiple mmIDs for wearable applications such as gait analysis.
Compound Wind and Precipitation Extremes Across the Indo‐Pacific: Climatology, Variability, and Drivers

Compound wind and precipitation extremes (CWPEs) can severely impact multiple sectors and regions, often causing critical infrastructure failure and fatalities, especially in the Indo‐Pacific region, which is a hotspot for CWPEs of various synoptic origins. Results show that the northwestern Pacific Ocean and its coasts have experienced the most frequent, strongest, and longest‐lasting CWPEs in summer in recent decades, which are induced by cyclones. Landfalling atmospheric rivers are one of the main drivers for frequent occurrences of CWPEs in central and western China and the northwestern Indo‐China Peninsula in both boreal summer and winter. The frequency of CWPEs over southern China exhibits significant decreasing trends in contrast to increasing trends in equatorial tropical areas. Moreover, the magnitude and pattern for the observed changes in the frequency of CWPEs result primarily from the variations in the dependence between univariate extremes, when evaluating the Indo‐Pacific as a whole.
New Family of Boost Switched-Capacitor Seven-Level Inverters (BSC7LI)

This paper proposes a new family of multilevel inverter topology that is able to generate seven voltage levels by utilizing one or two floating capacitors and 10 power switches. This novel boost switched-capacitor seven-level inverter possesses voltage boosting capability with an achievable maximum voltage level 1.5 times the input direct current (dc) voltage. The generation of higher output voltage does not incur high-voltage stress on any power switch in this topology, as the peak inverse voltages of all power switches do not exceed the input source voltage. In addition, capacitor voltage balancing is not essential since the floating capacitors are effectively balanced during the charging and discharging processes. Furthermore, the proposed topology eliminates the need for multiple isolated dc sources, and a single dc source is sufficient in both its single-phase and three-phase topologies. The operating principle and steady-state analysis of the proposed topology are elaborated. Experimental results from a single-phase prototype are then presented to verify the validity of the proposed topology.
A Novel Magnetic Coupling for Miniaturized Bandpass Filters in Embedded Coaxial SIW

In this paper, embedded coaxial substrate integrated waveguide (CSIW) filters with innovative magnetic couplings are presented and studied. By creating the loading capacitance of a combline topology using inner layers of a low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) stack-up, it is possible to achieve resonator miniaturization while improving the spurious-free band and providing full-packaged solutions. Moreover, a new magnetic coupling scheme consisting of short-ended stripline probes is proposed and analyzed in detail, both for direct and external couplings. An in-line three-pole filter at L-band is designed, manufactured, and measured proving how the proposed approach can be used for designing wideband bandpass filter (BPF) with extremely compact size. The designed BPF is centered at 1.5 GHz with 10 % fractional bandwidth (FBW), while the layout size is just 35 × 9.5 mm 2 . The experimental results validate the coaxial SIW technology that allows for, at the same time, easy integration, compact size, flexible design, and enhanced stop-band performance.
Molecular and Kinetic Models for Pore Formation of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry Toxin

Cry proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and other bacteria are pesticidal pore-forming toxins. Since 2010, when the ABC transporter C2 (ABCC2) was identified as a Cry1Ac protein resistant gene, our understanding of the mode of action of Cry protein has progressed substantially. ABCC2 mediates high Cry1A toxicity because of its high activity for helping pore formation. With the discovery of ABCC2, the classical killing model based on pore formation and osmotic lysis became nearly conclusive. Nevertheless, we are still far from a complete understanding of how Cry proteins form pores in the cell membrane through interactions with their host gut membrane proteins, known as receptors. Why does ABCC2 mediate pore formation with high efficiency unlike other Cry1A-binding proteins? Is the “prepore” formation indispensable for pore formation? What is the mechanism underlying the synergism between ABCC2 and the 12-cadherin domain protein? We examine potential mechanisms of pore formation via receptor interactions in this paper by merging findings from prior studies on the Cry mode of action before and after the discovery of ABC transporters as Cry protein receptors. We also attempt to explain Cry toxicity using Cry–receptor binding affinities, which successfully predicts actual Cry toxicity toward cultured cells coexpressing ABC transporters and cadherin.
Analyses of the Heavy Metal Resistance Pattern and Biosorption Potential of an Indigenous Bacillus tropicus Strain Isolated from Arable Soil

Abstract Heavy metal contamination has a significant impact on the environment and is a matter of global concern. Microorganisms, particularly bacteria, have evolved specific resistance mechanisms to metabolize and convert heavy metals into less toxic forms. The primary goal of this study was to explore naturally occurring indigenous bacteria from arable land and investigate their role in the eco-friendly recovery of heavy metal pollutants from arable land. In this study, 18 heavy metal resistant bacterial isolates were obtained from the arable soil of Dakshin Dinajpur region of West Bengal, India. A potent bacterial isolate (Bacillus tropicus MCCC 1A01406), was obtained demonstrating resistance against multiple heavy metals like Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu, Ni, Fe, Zn, and Co. The effect of heavy metals on the growth kinetics, heavy metal uptake, and antibiotic susceptibility of the isolate was studied in detail. The isolate was found to be efficient in Pb uptake and demonstrated relatively higher biological Pb removal efficiency and capacity in comparison to other Bacillus strains reported in the literature. The Pb biosorption capability of the isolate was interpreted using Langmuir and Freundlich’s adsorption isotherms. The experimental data fitted well with the Langmuir model, suggesting monolayer type adsorption. The isolate also demonstrated resistance against antibiotics like doxycycline, nalidixic acid, kanamycin, imipenem, metronidazole, ceftriaxone, and amoxicillin.
Exploration sécurisée d'un champ aérodynamique par un mini drone. (Safe exploration of an aerodynamic field by a mini drone)

This thesis is part of the project "Small drones in the wind" carried by the ONERA center of Lille. This project aims to use the drone as a "wind sensor" to manage a UAV quadrotor in disturbed wind conditions using wind field prediction. In this context, the goal of the thesis is to make the quadrotor a wind sensor to provide local information to update the navigation system. With real-time on-board wind estimation, the quadrotor can compute a trajectory planning avoiding dangerous areas and the corresponding trajectory control, based on anexisting cartography and information on the aerodynamic behavior of airflow close to obstacles. Thus, the results of this thesis, whose main objectives are to estimate instant wind and position control, will be merged with another study dealing with trajectory planning. An important problem is that pressure sensors, such as the aeroclinometer and the Pitot tube, are not usable in rotary-wing vehicles because rotors air inflow interferes with the atmospheric flow and lightweight LIDAR sensors generally are not available. Another approach to estimate the wind is to implement an estimation software (or an intelligent sensor). In this thesis, three estimators are developed using the sliding mode approach, based on an adequate drone model, available measurements on the quadrotor and inertial tracking position systems. We are then interested in the control of the trajectory also by sliding mode considering the nonlinear model of the quadrotor. In addition, we are still studying quite an early alternative solution based on the H control, considering the linearized model for different equilibrium points as a function of the wind speed. The control and estimation algorithms are strictly based on the detailed model of the quadrotor, which highlights the influence of the wind
Photometric Monitoring of the Gravitationally Lensed Ultraluminous Broad Absorption Line Quasar APM 08279+5255

We report on 1 year of photometric monitoring of the ultraluminous broad absorption line quasar APM 08279+5255. The temporal sampling reveals that this gravitationally lensed system has brightened by ∼0.2 mag in 100 days. Two potential causes present themselves: either the variability is intrinsic to the quasar, or it is the result of microlensing by stars in a foreground system. The data are consistent with both hypotheses, and further monitoring is required before either case can be conclusively confirmed. We demonstrate, however, that gravitational microlensing cannot play a dominant role in explaining the phenomenal properties exhibited by APM 08279+5255. The identification of intrinsic variability, coupled with the simple gravitational lensing configuration, would suggest that APM 08279+5255 is a potential “golden lens” from which the cosmological parameters can be derived and is worthy of a monitoring program at high spatial resolution.
Some Integral Transforms of Vector Fields

In the inversion of the Radon and X-ray transforms, a scalar function f is found from its integrals over hyperplanes and lines, respectively. In this paper we demonstrate how to deene diierent kinds of Radon transforms and X-ray transforms for vector elds in a natural way. It is shown that having data from one such Radon and one such X-ray transform it is possible to reconstruct the vector eld uniquely in R n , n 2. Here, in a Helmholtz decomposition of the vector eld, the solenoid part is obtained from an X-ray transform, and the potential part from a Radon transform. In two dimensions it is shown that this approach even works for the exponential counterpart of the Radon and X-ray transforms, but then each of the solenoid and potential parts appear for each of the transforms. Inversion formulas similar to the widely used ltered back projection formula are deviced for these vectorial transforms. The motivation to study these kinds of problems has been ultrasound measurements of ows, from which velocity spectra along lines can be determined. The rst moment of these spectra can be interpreted by means of the vectorial X-ray transform. Moreover, using the zeroth moment of the spectrum, by another use of the X-ray transform, it is possible to determine the region in which there are reeecting particles. Some experiments have been performed on ows in plastic pipes in a tank of water. The reconstruction results are promising. The ultimate goal of the project is to nd safe measuring and reconstruction methods for mammography, based on ultrasound Doppler measurements on blood ows.
First Detection of Salmonella enterica Serovar Choleraesuis in Free Ranging European Wild Boar in Sweden

Following the first detection of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica, serovar Choleraesuis (S. Choleraesuis) in a Swedish pig herd for more than 40 years and subsequent detection of the same serotype in an enclosure with kept wild boar, a national surveillance for S. Choleraesuis in free living wild boar was launched. A total of 633 wild boar sampled within the active and the enhanced passive surveillance were examined for Salmonella enterica serovars by culture. Of these, 80 animals were culture positive for S. Choleraesuis var. Kunzendorf. All positive animals, including those in the original outbreaks, originated from counties located in the southern and eastern parts of Sweden. Fifty-eight isolates were selected for sequence typing, revealing a relatively homogenous population of S. Choleraesuis with two distinct genetic clusters containing isolates from the southern counties in one and the counties further northeast in the other. Sequenced isolates from domestic pig farms all clustered with wild boar in the same region. S. Choleraesuis appears highly contagious in dense wild boar populations, making it a relevant model for other infectious diseases that may be transmitted to pigs. The many potential routes of introduction and spread of S. Choleraesuis warrant further investigations in order to prepare for other disease threats.
Valeurs spéciales des fonctions $L$ des motifs

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Robust prestack seismic facies analysis using shearlet transform-based deep learning

One of the primary purposes of seismic stratigraphy is to evaluate the components of seismic layer relationships within a depositional chronology. Prestack seismic images contain a wealth of information, such as variations in the offset and azimuth of a seismic event, and naturally produce higher-resolution seismic facies analysis results than poststack data. However, prestack data usually suffer from potential unreliability issues due to low signal-to-noise ratios. As this is often overlooked, the present facies analysis methods sometimes fail to extract accurate features from prestack images, which inevitably influences the facies analysis results. To address this issue, this article provides a robust data-driven technique for extracting offset-temporal features via shearlet transform-based deep convolution autoencoders (STCAEs). Unlike the present facies analysis in the time domain, STCAE can optimally represent prestack images at multiple scales and directions through the two-dimensional shearlet transform, which preserves fine edges while suppressing noise in prestack images. Subsequently, robust features are extracted from prestack images in a data-driven manner through a contractive convolutional autoencoder network. We compare our method with other advanced methods and demonstrate the advantages of the proposed approach in classifying seismic layers in prestack data.
An (Un)Necessary Evil - Users' (Un)Certainty about Smartphone App Permissions and Implications for Privacy Engineering

App permission requests are a control mechanism meant to help users oversee and safeguard access to data and resources on their smartphones. To decide whether to accept or deny such requests and make this consent valid, users need to understand the underlying reasons and judge the relevance of disclosing data in line with their own use of an app. This study investigates people's certainty about app permission requests via an online survey with 400 representative participants of the UK population. The results demonstrate that users are uncertain about the necessity of granting app permissions for about half of the tested permission requests. This implies substantial privacy risks, which are discussed in the paper, resulting in a call for user protecting interventions by privacy engineers.
Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Normalization in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy and Risk of Ventricular Arrhythmias and Clinical Outcomes: Results From the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial With Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (MADIT–CRT) Trial

Background— Appropriate guideline criteria for use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) do not take into account potential recovery of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients treated with CRT-defibrillator. Methods and Results— Patients randomized to CRT-defibrillator from the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial With Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (MADIT-CRT) trial who survived and had paired echocardiograms at enrollment and at 12 months (n=752) were included. Patients were evaluated by LVEF recovery in 3 groups (LVEF ⩽35% [reference], 36%–50%, and >50%) on outcomes of ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTAs), VTA ≥200 bpm, ICD shock, heart failure or death, and inappropriate ICD therapy by multivariable Cox models. A total of 7.3% achieved LVEF normalization (>50%). The average follow-up was 2.2±0.8 years. The risk of VTA was reduced in patients with LVEF >50% (hazard ratio [HR], 0.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.07–0.82; P=0.023) and LVEF of 36% to 50% (HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.28–0.68; P<0.001). Among patients with LVEF >50%, only 1 patient had VTA ≥200 bpm (HR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.02–1.51), none were shocked by the ICD, and 2 died of nonarrhythmic causes. The risk of HF or death was reduced with improvements in LVEF (LVEF >50%: HR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.09–0.97; P=0.045; and LVEF of 36%–50%: HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.28–0.69; P<0.001). For inappropriate ICD therapy, no additional risk reduction for LVEF>50% was seen compared with an LVEF of 36% to 50%. A total of 6 factors were associated with LVEF normalization, and patients with all factors present (n=42) did not experience VTAs (positive predictive value, 100%). Conclusions— Patients who achieve LVEF normalization (>50%) have very low absolute and relative risk of VTAs and a favorable clinical course within 2.2 years of follow-up. Risk of inappropriate ICD therapy is still present, and these patients could be considered for downgrade from CRT-defibrillator to CRT-pacemaker at the time of battery depletion if no VTAs have occurred. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT00180271.