Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Strategy to Control Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand) using Imidacloprid and an Arboricultural Method to Gauge Hemlock Health

Imidacloprid, a systemic insecticide is labeled for use against Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) and armored scales. In this study we applied imidacloprid by soil and/or tree injection, neither of which is, in of itself unique. What is new is combining both as a strategy for insect management and tree protection. Designed as a two year study, applications to trees were made in 2007. Evaluations include HWA and Elongate Hemlock Scale (EHS) densities, tree response and imidacloprid residues. An outcome is a method for the forest manager to gauge hemlock health. In 2007 results, 94.2% of hemlocks were categorized as being in poor to very poor health (little or no growth or dieback); 52.2% of hemlocks had symptoms of dieback. Low HWA densities (mean of 0.41 HWA/cm of twig) and poor tree condition categorize very late stage infestation. HWA survival is most closely associated with new growth (17.5% of trees); the potential of reemergence therefore exists. EHS was present in the study trees as well (mean of 1.15 EHS/needle) with highest numbers observed in three-year old needles. Protecting the extant canopy is critical to tree recovery; therefore EHS is a management priority. Successful treatment methods are those that aid hemlock recovery and provide protection over time. Combining tree and soil injection is a new strategy that may provide the forestry manager with key advantages, such as quick and simple applications for near and long term tree protection.
Quantifying Land Use/Land Cover Change and Urban Expansion in Dongguan, China, From 1987 to 2020

Dongguan has experienced the most rapid urbanization since the Chinese reform and opening policy. To analyze the urban expansion in this city, in this study, 12 land use/land cover maps were produced using a multiple classifiers system on the Google Earth Engine platform. A long time-series land use dataset from 1987 to 2020, was achieved. The results indicate that, during the past 33 years, the urban area increased by 13.84 times and reached 1483.06 km2 in 2020, whereas cultivated land and forest continually decreased because of rapid urbanization. By analyzing the changes in urban forms and landscape indexes, Dongguan experienced a diffusion–coalescence–diffusion phase, and its urban expansion can be divided into three stages: The early-age urbanization stage (1987–1996), the rapid urbanization stage (1996–2011), and the intensive urbanization stage (2011–2020). The development of the economic and dual-level administration of Dongguan expanded the urban area surrounding the towns and traffic corridors, and, finally, formed a connected urban area. The urban expansion, just like sparking spots firing the prairie, is special and conforms to a Dongguan urbanization pattern.
Demographic and clinical characteristics of free-text writers in chronic pain patient intake questionnaires

ABSTRACT Background Chronic pain is a prevalent and burdensome problem within the Canadian health care system, where the gold standard treatment occurs at multidisciplinary pain facilities. Patient intake questionnaires (PIQs) are standard practice for obtaining health information, with many patients including free-text (e.g., writing in margins of questionnaires) on their PIQs. Aims This study aims to quantitatively examine whether and how patients who include free-text on PIQs differ from those who do not. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 367 PIQs at a Canadian pain facility in Winnipeg, Canada. Patients were categorized into free-text (i.e., any text response not required in responding to questions) or no free-text groups. Groups were compared on sociodemographics, pain, health care utilization, and depressive symptoms with independent samples t-tests and chi-square analyses. Results Patients with free-text compared to those without had more sources of pain (6.66 vs. 4.63), longer duration of pain (123.2 months vs. 68.1 months), and a greater proportion of past pain conditions (66.3% vs. 55.2%). Additionally, they had tried more treatments for their pain, had seen more specialists, had tried more past medications, were currently on more medications, and had undergone more tests. No differences were identified for depressive symptoms across groups. Conclusions This study is the first to examine patient and health-related correlates of free-text on PIQs at a Canadian pain facility. Results indicate that there are significant differences between groups on pain and health care utilization. Thus, patients using free-text may require additional supports and targeted interventions to improve patient–physician communication and patient outcomes.
On-chip cross-talk analysis for multiple RF front ends of a wireless gigabit LAN system

In the Wireless-Gigabit-Local-Area-Network (WiGLAN) project, we proposes a system architecture that adopts multiple antennas [1, 2, 3, 4] to control the trade-off between data rate and transmission quality [5, 6] through Space-Time Coding (STC) [7, 8, 91 and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). However, along the multiple RF front-ends, there are multiple nodes that signal cross-talk can occur. Such signal cross-talk occurring on a silicon chip becomes more and more significant as the integration level and operating radio frequency rise, seriously degrading the system performance, the data rate and transmission quality. Most of the literature about on-chip crosstalk suppression have been focusing on adopting various processtechnology techniques, such as using guard ring structures to separate the parallel RF front ends or inserting a ground plane to shield the cross-talk. In this study, we will take a different approach. We will investigate the effects of on-chip cross-talk upon the operations of the coding and modulation schemes adopted in the WiGLAN system and explore methods, other than those mentioned, to counteract them. Thesis Supervisor: Charles G. Sodini Title: Professor
Comparative evaluation of modulation methods for a three-phase/switch buck power factor corrector concerning the input capacitor voltage ripple

For a three-phase three-switch buck-type PWM rectifier with unity power factor, the RMS value of the input filter capacitor voltage ripple is calculated for different modulation methods. A modulation method being optimal concerning the occurring switching losses and the RMS value of the capacitor voltage ripple is identified and guidelines for the dimensioning of the input filter are derived.
Fear vs humor appeals: a comparative study of children's responses to anti-smoking advertisements

PurposeThis study aims to examine the different effects that the fear and humor appeals in anti-smoking advertisements for children have on their affective reactions to the advertisements, on their beliefs about smoking and on their behavioral intentions to smoke.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents the findings of a qualitative research study conducted in Italy with children aged from 8 to 11 years.FindingsThe results indicated that the humor appeal is a useful method for conveying a social theme in a pleasant way and creating a likable character that becomes an example for children to imitate; however, it is necessary to employ the fear appeal to make children reflect carefully about the negative consequences of smoking.Research limitations/implicationsThis study examined only children's behavioral intentions derived from anti-smoking advertisements, but future research should also examine their real behaviors after a period following repeated viewing of public service announcements about smoking prevention or other social issues.Practical implicationsUnderstanding how different types of appeals can influence children represents an important result for the prevention of youth smoking and the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits during childhood.Social implicationsUnderstanding how different types of appeals can influence children represents an important result for the prevention of youth smoking and the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits during childhood.Originality/valueFew studies have examined the impact of social advertisements on children, and particularly little is known about the effectiveness of fear appeals on this group.
Evaluating Opportunities for Improved Processes and Flow Rates in Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 Reparable Items Supply Chain

Abstract : This research focuses on improving the F-15 reparable parts supply chain process in the Royal Saudi Air Force. The F-15 reparable parts supply chain process currently requires too much time to repair and return parts which affect the capability of aircraft operational missions. Because the F-15 is the first line of Saudi Arabia s defense, it is essential that they be fully mission ready in the shortest time possible. That can be done by improving relationships, communication, reducing batching before shipments and by efficient use of the available qualified workforces, tools and equipment. Consideration is given to applying an existing management technique to the Royal Saudi Air Force s F-15 supply chain. The selected techniques are supply chain mapping, Lean management approach and gap analysis. The research suggests that those techniques can improve the F-15 supply chain process in the Royal Saudi Air Force.
Dynamic Preisach modelling of hysteresis for the piezoceramic actuator system

Abstract A rate-dependent hysteresis property is a common phenomenon in various hysteretic systems including the piezoceramic material system. The dynamic Preisach model is needed to describe the rate-dependent hysteresis. This paper proposes a new dynamic Preisach model by introducing the dependence of the Preisach function on the input variation rate. An input variation rate function was introduced to adjust the relationship of hysteresis loop to the input variation rate for different hysteresis systems. A detailed numerical implementation procedure is also presented. Experiments were conducted to study the hysteresis behaviour of the piezoceramic actuator system and to verify the proposed model.
The Pathophysiologic Role of Gelsolin in Chronic Kidney Disease: Focus on Podocytes

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is normally related to proteinuria, a common finding in a compromised glomerular filtration barrier (GFB). GFB is a structure composed of glomerular endothelial cells, the basement membrane, and the podocytes. CKD with podocyte damage may be associated with actin cytoskeleton reorganization, resulting in podocyte effacement. Gelsolin plays a critical role in several diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Our current study aimed to determine the connection between gelsolin and podocyte, and thus the mechanism underlying podocyte injury in CKD. Experiments were carried out on Drosophila to demonstrate whether gelsolin had a physiological role in maintaining podocyte. Furthermore, the survival rate of gelsolin-knocked down Drosophila larvae was extensively reduced after AgNO3 exposure. Secondly, the in vitro podocytes treated with puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) enhanced the gelsolin protein expression, as well as small GTPase RhoA and Rac1, which also regulated actin dynamic expression incrementally with the PAN concentrations. Thirdly, we further demonstrated in vivo that GSN was highly expressed inside the glomeruli with mitochondrial dysfunction in a CKD mouse model. Our findings suggest that an excess of gelsolin may contribute to podocytes damage in glomeruli.
A compact planar wide‐band balun with high isolation based on coupled‐line and composite right–left‐handed transmission line

A novel compact single‐layer wide‐band planar balun with high isolation is proposed. It is composed of a broadband coupled‐line power divider and an improved phase shifter using coupled‐line (CL) and composite right/left‐handed transmission line (CRLH TL). The CRLH structure is used to realize the advanced phase response while the coupled‐line power divider can be utilized to provide the performance of wide‐band matching and isolation. For demonstration, a novel planar microstrip balun operating at ∼2.75 GHz is designed and implemented. The proposed balun has many advantages including compact single‐layer structure, excellent return loss, high isolation, and perfect phase response. Finally, good agreements between the simulated and measured results verify this design. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:372–376, 2016
SEVENTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME THEME 3 Information & Communication Technologies (ICT)

This document is a system requirement document for the radio prototypes delivered by WP2. It reflects the current view of WP2 and is related to current standards and state of the art technology. Currently, WLAN, WPAN-UWP and WPAN-60GHz are considered. The document describes technical requirements for the power amplifier, the RF and the PHY part of the different radios. MAC requirements are described when they are directly related to the radio Updates due to change request out of the OMEGA consortium or due to technical reasons will be done in accordance with the management handbook.
A security-aware framework for designing indu-strial engineering processes

Modern critical infrastructures are complex Cyber-Physical-Systems (CPS) that tightly integrate physical processes with Information and Communication Technology components. Numerous safety mishaps and security attacks in such systems have demonstrated the need to ensure their safety and security from early design stages. Research on CPS has mostly focused on securing existing, implemented industrial systems, while safety and security consideration during the design stages of modern industrial infrastructures has largely gone unnoticed. In this paper, we present a framework that extends previous, preliminary work on the integration of security in industrial engine-ering design practices, and provide an algorithmic approach that effectively reduces risk during industrial system design lifecycles. We achieve this by analyzing flows of materials and information related to physical processes using three steps: (1) Identifying critical compo-nents and flows, (2) prioritizing flows based on their ties to high risk and importance in terms of dependencies, and (3) classifying system components based on their influence on the overall industrial system. To do that, we utilize (i) material flow networks (MFN) for modell-ing/designing the physical system (ii) dependency risk graphs for analyzing networks dependencies and assessing the system, in terms of risk, (iii) graph minimum spanning trees, and (iv) network centrality metrics. To evaluate our approach, we model and assess the production chain corresponding to an oil refinery plant’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) purification process. Preliminary findings demonstrate the complex dependencies between cybersecurity vulnerabilities and system safety.
MotionBenchMaker: A Tool to Generate and Benchmark Motion Planning Datasets

Recently, there has been a wealth of development in motion planning for robotic manipulation—new motion planners are continuously proposed, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. However, evaluating new planners is challenging and researchers often create their own ad-hoc problems for benchmarking, which is time-consuming, prone to bias, and does not directly compare against other state-of-the-art planners. We present MotionBenchMaker, an open-source tool to generate benchmarking datasets for realistic robot manipulation problems. MotionBenchMaker is designed to be an extensible, easy-to-use tool that allows users to both generate datasets and benchmark them by comparing motion planning algorithms. Empirically, we show the benefit of using MotionBenchMaker as a tool to procedurally generate datasets which helps in the fair evaluation of planners. We also present a suite of 40 prefabricated datasets, with 5 different commonly used robots in 8 environments, to serve as a common ground to accelerate motion planning research.
Effects of Sub-Chronic Exposure to Imidacloprid on Reproductive Organs of Adult Male Rats: Antioxidant State, DNA Damage, and Levels of Essential Elements

Although considered a good alternative to organophosphate pesticides, there are reports indicating adverse effects of neonicotinoid insecticides on reproduction. Our aim was to assess the effects of exposure to low doses of imidacloprid on antioxidant state, DNA damage, and concentration of essential elements in the testes and epididymis using a rat model. Adult male Wistar rats were orally treated with doses comparable to currently proposed health-based reference values: 0.06 (ADI), 0.80 (10× AOEL), or 2.25 (1/200 LD50) mg/kg b.w. /day for 28 consecutive days. Exposure to 2.25 mg/kg b.w. /day of imidacloprid resulted in a significantly lower testis weight (1.30 ± 0.17 g compared to 1.63 ± 0.15 g in controls). Treatment with 0.06 mg/kg b.w. /day increased the level of reduced glutathione in the epididymis (73%), while the activities of epididymal glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase significantly increased in all treated rats (74–92% and 26–39%, respectively). Exposure to imidacloprid resulted in a low, but significant, level of DNA damage in testicular sperm cells regardless of the concentration applied (<28% compared to the negative control). Higher concentrations of Mo were measured in the testes of rats treated with 0.80 and 2.25 mg/kg b.w. /day (72.9 ± 7.9 and 73.9 ± 9.1 mg/g, respectively) compared to the control animals (60.5 ± 7.8 mg/g). Higher concentrations of Na were measured in the testes of rats treated with 2.25 mg/kg b.w. /day (1679 ± 82 mg/g compared to 1562 ± 56 mg/g in controls). The fact that such low doses of imidacloprid were able to produce measurable biological effects calls for the further evaluation of this widely used insecticide.
Frequency response of prime movers during restoration

In the initial phase of restoration, operators are often concerned with the size of load which can safely be picked-up, and the effectiveness of the generation reserve. There has been a need for a methodology to readily address these concerns by providing simple guidelines to facilitate an orderly power system restoration. In this paper, a simple approach is developed based on an approximate frequency response rate of prime movers for determining: (a) the maximum load pickup within the allowable system frequency dip, and (b) the amount and distribution of reserve for maintaining firm generation.
Solid Waste Management in Developing Countries

Integrated solid waste management (SWM) in developing countries like Egypt has traditionally focused on organizational and technical concerns. However, this approach neglects the many activities and actors that waste management comprises. A new paradigm of SWM is needed which must extend the technical model to tackle a range of problems associated with waste management in order to achieve socially and environmentally responsible waste management.
Field evaluation of the improved version of the UCDavis compaction profile sensor (UCD-CPS)

Our experience with the development of the first prototype of the UC Davis soil compaction profile sensor allowed us to define design parameters for improvements in three areas: cost, size, and operational characteristics. The goal was to design, fabricate, and test a field-ready, cost-effective device with enhanced capabilities to sense the differences in soil compaction along a profile up to a depth of 46 cm. The new design has close resemblance to commercially available subsoiler shanks. This new sensor used five custom-made load cells with their rated capacity adjusted to their location along the shank to achieve consistent sensitivity. Cutting elements of 63.5 mm in height were directly connected to these force transducers. The total thickness of the sensor was 28.6 mm. Field tests were performed on a Yolo loam soil at different moisture contents. The results of this phase indicated that the new sensor had similar response characteristics as the older prototype. The output of this sensor correlated with soil moisture content and density just like in the case of its predecessor. Moreover, its output also correlated with soil Cone Index values very well. This sensor was interfaced with a Differential Global Position System (DGPS) to geo-reference its output. Field evaluation was performed at the farm level in a variety of soils typical of the US Mid-west. Numerous Cone Penetrometer readings were obtained to compare with the output of the soil compaction sensor. Except in stony soils, the sensor was able to stand the field conditions during extensive fieldwork with significant reliability. Results indicate that the improved UCD-CPS can detect differences in the compaction state of the soil profile reasonably well.
High-performance p-i-n Ge on Si photodetectors for the near infrared: from model to demonstration

We have investigated the integration of Ge p-i-n and n-i-p heterojunction photodiodes on Si. Recognizing the crucial role of interface defects at the Ge-Si interface on the performance of photodetectors, we have designed and fabricated high-performance n-i-p Ge photodiodes on p/sup +/-Si substrates. These photodiodes exhibit short-circuit responsivities of 0.3 and 0.2 A/W at 1.3 and 1.55 /spl mu/m, respectively, reverse dark currents of 20 mA/cm/sup 2/ and response times of 800 ps.
A review of the biological EMF/health effects controversy

There has been a considerable rise in public awareness and concern in recent years regarding health and safety and environmental protection issues. Numerous regulatory initiatives and directives have been put in place. One example is the European Community's EMC directive which aims to ensure that all electrical or electronic equipment sold within the EC is so constructed that they do not cause excessive electromagnetic interference and are not unduly affected by electromagnetic radiation. Other issues are as diverse as environmental impact statements (EIS) relating to power transmission systems, air pollution, acid rain, depletion of the ozone layer and biological effects of fields on humans. The present paper reviews the state of knowledge on the important subject of biological EM field (EMF)/health effects which continues to remain relatively high in public concern and awareness despite the frequent and strongly reassuring statements made by supply utilities worldwide. The paper discusses relevant work including key epidemiological and related studies, indicating perceived flaws in methodologies of some. It attempts to provide a totally independent overview of the important EMF/health effects controversy and reviews epidemiological and experimental studies relevant to the possible adverse health effects of electromagnetic emissions from electrical equipment including EHV systems. Related work concerning visual display units (VDUs) is also be considered.