Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reliability of electrically conductive adhesive joints for surface mount applications: a summary of the state of the art

Electrically conductive adhesives are of large potential interest for the bonding of surface mount devices, especially in those cases where the use of soldering processes is restricted or impossible. Among the claimed benefits are mild processing conditions, process simplicity, flexibility, high resolution potential, and lead omission. Most of the presently available knowledge on the utility and reliability of conductive adhesives has been gathered with silver filled isotropic conductive epoxy adhesives (ICAs). In addition, the use of gold or nickel filled anisotropic conductive film or paste adhesives has been investigated quite intensively. Even conductive adhesive joints made with unfilled nonconductive adhesives are being considered for flip chip applications. To date, quite some work has been published demonstrating the usefulness and limitations of isotropic adhesives to bond a variety of IC (e.g., QFP) discrete (e.g., SOT) and passive components (R and C) under different climate conditions using various circuit and component-metallizations. Most of the isotropic conductive adhesives require noble metallizations (e.g., An or AgPd) to survive harsh environmental conditions as for instance 85/spl deg/C/85%RH and temperature cycling from -40 to +125/spl deg/C. Most of the adhesives give bad results on SnPb surfaces, a few special types show better results in 85/spl deg/C/85%RH. Deterioration of the electrical properties is due to an increase in the contact resistance. The bulk resistance of the adhesive, although considerably higher than that of solder, usually remains quite constant. On passivated Cu substrates reasonable good results are obtained. With Au finished surfaces large components may give problems in drop tests and temperature cycling due to insufficient bond area, unfavorable bond geometries or failures due to thermal expansion differences. The use of a coating or glob top on the leads may overcome these problems. With Au coated plastic spheres filled anisotropic conductive adhesives [ACA(F)] results opposite to the ICAs were obtained. For QFP80 (Au) joints with ACAF on FR-4 (Au) considerable increase in R-value was found after Temperature Humidity (TH) testing at 85/spl deg/C/85%RH and Temperature Cycling (TC,-20/100/spl deg/C), while with QFP80 (SnPb) R-values did not increase. This was found to be due to the formation of microsolder bridges. Microsolder joints can also be made with commercially available SnBi filled ACA. Some insight has been developed into the possible failure causes with ICAs. Surface oxidation of SnPb and interfacial cracks and delamination have for instance been observed, although the extent of their contributions under various conditions still needs to be resolved. The danger of Ag migration seems to be low as long as no liquid water is present. In summary, present results indicate that reliable connections with conductive adhesives even under harsh climate conditions are possible with the right choice of adhesive and metallizations of components and boards.
Tunable acoustooptic filters and equalizers for WDM applications

We describe a high performance acoustooptic tunable filter for add-drop application and for signal equalization in WDM telecommunication crossconnects. It results from a thorough investigation in TeO/sub 2/ of bulk collinear interaction, the geometry of which, particularly the direction of propagation of the acoustic wave, has been chosen in order to obtain the best compromise between the spectral resolution of the device and the acoustooptic figure of merit. Less than 40 mW of electric power is needed either to deviate 100% of a selected light wavelength /spl lambda/ at resonance, or to induce a 30-dB attenuation of its intensity. The sidelobes practically vanish for this configuration and the resolution is equal to 0.75 nm (or 94 GHz) for /spl lambda/=1.55 /spl mu/m. Polarization splitters combined with half-wave plates allow to completely get rid of polarization sensitivity problems. The use of optical fibers to collect the signal at the filter outputs, actually contributes to the high performance of the device as a whole. Experiments have been performed by multiplexing three signals in the input fiber, separated by 4, 2, and 1 nm. The transmission of the filter has been examined through the bar and cross state.
Microfluidics-a review

An overview is given of research activities in the field of fluid components or systems built with microfabrication technologies. This review focuses on the fluidic behaviour of the various devices, such as valves, pumps and flow sensors as well as the possibilities and pitfalls related to the modelling of these devices using simple flow theory. Finally, a number of microfluidic systems are described and comments on future trends are given.
Light coupling and propagation in composite optical fiber-slab waveguides

A theoretical investigation of evanescent coupling between an optical fiber and a slab waveguide with an asymmetric geometry is presented. The characteristics of right propagation and coupling are obtained through numerical calculations based on simplified coupled-mode and compound-mode equations and found to be highly dependent not only on the relative values of refractive index of the fiber core and slab, as shown in previous work, but also on the asymmetry of the slab waveguide configuration. >
Collision Resolution in Multi-player Bandits Without Observing Collision Information

The absence of collision information in Multi-player Multi-armed bandits (MMABs) renders arm availabilities partially observable, impeding the design of algorithms with regret guarantees that do not allow inter-player communication. In this work, we propose a collision resolution (CR) mechanism for MMABs inspired from sequential interference mechanisms employed in communication protocols. In the general case, our collision resolution mechanism assumes that players can pull multiple arms during the exploration phase. We, thus, propose a novel MMAB model that captures this while still considering strictly bandit feedback and single-pulls during the exploitation phase. We theoretically analyze the CR mechanism using tools from information theory in order to prove the existence of an upper bound on the probability of its failure that decreases at a rate exponential in the number of players.
Triple-Q: A Model-Free Algorithm for Constrained Reinforcement Learning with Sublinear Regret and Zero Constraint Violation

This paper presents the ﬁrst model-free , simulator-free reinforcement learning algorithm for Constrained Markov Decision Processes (CMDPs) with sublinear regret and zero constraint violation. The algorithm is named Triple-Q because it has three key components: a Q-function (also called action-value function) for the cumulative reward, a Q-function for the cumulative utility for the constraint, and a virtual-Queue that (over)- estimates the cumulative constraint violation. Under Triple-Q, at each step, an action is chosen based on the pseudo-Q-value that is a combination of the three “Q” values. The algorithm updates the reward and utility Q-values with learning rates that depend on the visit counts to the corresponding (state, action) pairs and are periodically reset. In the episodic CMDP setting, Triple-Q achieves ˜ O (cid:16) 1 δ H 4 S 12 A 12 K 45 (cid:17) regret, where K is the total number of episodes, H is the number of steps in each episode, S is the number of states, A is the number of actions, and δ is Slater’s constant. Furthermore, Triple-Q guarantees zero constraint violation when K is sufﬁciently large. Finally, the computational complexity of Triple-Q is similar to SARSA for unconstrained MDPs, and is computationally efﬁcient.
Prototyping for Robot Motion Design through Subjective and Objective Analyses

This paper presents design method for a service robot’s motion and an evaluation method for impressions of these motions. The procedure consists of three phases: i) 3D CG modeling and the design of motion types, ii) subjective analysis using a two-step semantic di ﬀ erential (SD) method, and iii) brain monitoring to objectively evaluate the subjective answers. In the ﬁrst phase, several types of robot motion are prepared by considering the psychology of Anna Freud, the Kestenberg movement proﬁle, and personal space. In the second phase, the impression of each motion is analyzed using the SD method and factor analysis (FA). Based on the FA results, motions are classiﬁed accoring to whether they provide good or bad impressions. In the third phase, objective di ﬀ erences in brain activity are investigated for good and bad impressions. The result showed that the changes in cerebral blood ﬂow at Fp1 of the brain statistically di ﬀ ered for good and bad impressions as classiﬁed by the subjective analysis ( p < 0 . 01). Thus, the suitability of the presented prototyping approach to robot motion design and impression analysis was validated.
Design and performance of a 60-GHz multi-chip module receiver employing substrate integrated waveguides

The design, fabrication and performance of a 60-GHz multi-chip module receiver employing a substrate integrated waveguide filter and antenna are presented. The receiver is integrated onto a single multilayer substrate, fabricated using photoimageable thick-film technology. The module incorporates a GaAs monolithic microwave integrated circuit low-noise amplifier and downconverter, with lumped elements for intermediate frequency (IF) filtering embedded into the substrate. The chip cavities for mounting of the MMICs are photo-imaged as part of the standard process, giving precise dimensional control for short bond-wire lengths. The complete module including integrated antenna measures only 22.5 mm x 5.4 mm x 0.3 mm and works from 58 to 64 GHz.
Analysis of partial discharge by Wavelet–Hilbert transform

Time-frequency and time-scale transforms are one of the powerful mathematical methods for feature extraction of non-stationary signals such as partial discharge (PD) signals. Modified Fourier-based transforms and Wavelet transforms are well known among them. PD signals can be analyzed by these influential methods but normally with some serious limitations and inadequacies. This paper proposes a new approach based on Wavelet–Hilbert transform for the analysis of electrical PD signals. The mathematical model of a Wavelet–Hilbert transform is described. Contemplating of natural behavior of PD, that is, stochastic and non-stationary an artificial multi-source of PD is simulated in a Detail model of an HV power transformer winding. The PD signal is measured at the bushing terminal of the faulty model, and then it is analyzed. The analyzed PD signal by the proposed method shows great advantages over the Fourier based algorithms. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identifying obstacles to transfer of critical thinking skills

ABSTRACT This study investigated whether unsuccessful transfer of critical thinking (CT) would be due to recognition, recall, or application problems (cf. three-step model of transfer). In two experiments (laboratory: N = 196; classroom: N = 104), students received a CT-skills pretest (including learning, near transfer, and far transfer items), CT-instructions, practice problems, and a CT-skills posttest. On the posttest transfer items, students either (1) received no support, (2) received recognition support, (3) were prompted to recall acquired knowledge, or (4) received recall support. Results showed that CT could be fostered through instruction and practice: we found learning, near transfer, and (albeit small) far transfer performance gains and reduced test-taking time. There were no significant differences between the four support conditions, however, suggesting that the difficulty of transfer of CT-skills lies in problems with application/mapping acquired knowledge onto new tasks. Additionally, exploratory results on free recall data suggested suboptimal recall can be a problem as well.
In vivo and in vitro studies on heavy metal tolerance in Sesbania grandiflora L

Several experiments were carried out to study heavy metal tolerance in tissue cultures or whole plants of S. grandiflora. , Callus was induced and maintained on modified Murashige and Skoog, 1962 medium (MS) supplemented with (0.5)mg/l benzyl adenine and (2)mg/l 2,4-phenoxy acetic acid . Heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Cr or Zn) were added to the culture medium at different concentrations as contamination agents. In order to asses the effect of these heavy metals on seed germination; seeds were sown in soil contaminated with different concentrations of heavy metals for 3 weeks. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer was used for analysis of samples taken from whole plants and callus cultures. Results showed that callus fresh weight decreased with increasing heavy metal concentration in cultural medium. Germination percentages and plant heights increased over time. However, a reduction occurred in these parameters with increasing heavy metal levels. Percentages of metals accumulated in calli were (0.001, 0.011, 0.012 and 0.013%) at (0.0, 0.05, 0.075 and 0.1)mg/l Cd respectively; (0.001, 0.008, 0.016 and 0.006%) at (0.0, 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5)mg/l Co respectively; (0.001, 0.020, 0.034 and 0.015%) at (0.0, 0.075, 0.2 and 0.5)mg/l Cu respectively; (0.001, 0.013, 0.012 and 0.010%) at (0.0, 0.25, 0.4 and 0.5)mg/l Cr respectively and (0.027, 0.051, 0.059 and 0.056%) at (0.0 , 0.75, 1.0 and 1.5)mg/l Zn respectively. Percentages of metals accumulated in whole plants were (0.08, 0.55, 1.11, 0.83 and 0.44%) at (0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0)mg/Kg soil Cd respectively; (0.11, 0.22, 0.55, 0.47 and 0.44%) at (0.0, 15.0, 30.0 45.0 and 60.0)mg/Kg soil Co respectively; (0.01, 0.10, 0.57, 0.58 and 0.72%) at (0.0, 25.0, 50.0, 75.0 and 100.0)mg/Kg soil Cu respectively. (0.08, 0.80, 1.28, 1.31 and 0.88%) at (0.0, 25.0, 50.0, 75.0 and 100.0)mg/Kg soil Cr respectively and (0.06, 1.11, 1.20, 1.83 and 2.22%) at (0.0, 100.0, 200.0, 300.0 and 400.0)mg/Kg soil Zn respectively.
Comparative study of antibiofilm activity of lime juice and lithium dioxide nanoparticles against Salmonella isolated from local cheese

Thirty specimens of fresh white cheeses, presented for sale in different markets at different cities of Iraq were analyzed microbiologically in this study. Isolates of Salmonella, included in the specimens collected from November 2017 to January 2018, were investigated. Capacity for biofilm producing was demonstrated by two method, Tissue culture plate method (TCP) and Congo red agar (CRA). After that the antibiofilm activity of lime extract and LiO2NPs was studied as each one of them alone and then the synergistic effect was done by TCP method. The results showed that all Salmonella isolates produce biofilm but in different degrees. The results also displayed that Lime extract and LiO2NPs had antibiofilm effect against Salmonella when used alone and when the combination done between each one of these materials. In conclusion, it was observed that the specimens of fresh white cheese included in this study contained microbial contamination at a health-threatening level but we can eliminate this contamination by using lime extract and LiO2NPs.
Measurement and characterization of environmental pollutants via data correlation of sensor outputs

model for the analysis and the characterization of environmental data, acquired by means of multi-sensor monitoring system and elaborated by suitable sofrware agents. Modeling is basically important in order to validate measured data and to forecast the time vaying behavior of contaminating substances. The proposed model is initially based on rhe individuation of possible correlations existing behwen some pollutants. Afterwards, to increase the accuracy of estimated values, the influence of meteorological quantities is taken in account to improve significantly the so-obtained modeL FinaIfy, some information about reiiabiiiry degree of estimate isprovided
Automated and Reproducible Application Traces Generation for IoT Applications

In this paper, we investigate and present how to generate application traces of IoT (Internet of Things) Applications in an automated, repeatable and reproducible manner. By using the FIT IoT-Lab large scale testbed and relying on state-of-the-art software engineering techniques, we are able to produce, collect and share artifacts and datasets in an automated way. This makes it easy to track the impact of software updates or changes in the radio environment both on a small scale, e.g. during a single day, and on a large scale, e.g. during several weeks. By providing both the source code for the trace generation as well as the resulting datasets, we hope to reduce the learning curve to develop such applications and encourage re-usability as well as pave the way for the replication of our results. While we focus in this work on IoT networks, we believe such an approach could be of used in many other networking domains.
Northern Region Landbird Monitoring Program: A USFS- University of Montana Partnership Designed to Provide Both Short-term and Long-term Feedback for Land Managers

The Northern Region Landbird Monitoring Program (NRLMP) began in 1990 as a cooperative effort between the United States Forest Service (USFS) and the University of Montana. The combination of a research-oriented perspective from the University and a management-needs perspective from the National Forests within the Northern Region led to the realization that landbirds as a group might serve as a powerful tool to address more widespread monitoring needs in the USFS Northern Region. The program quickly evolved from one that was put into place specifically to use federally earmarked dollars to address neotropical migratory bird conservation, into a more general region-wide monitoring program. Today, the program is uniquely designed to provide two kinds of monitoring activity—one is conducted during even-numbered years and is designed to shed light on the long-term population trends and habitat relation- ships of numerous landbird species within the region; the other is conducted during odd-numbered years and is designed to shed light on the ecological effects of various kinds of land use activity. The University of Montana had (and continues to provide) the expertise needed to handle the design, training, data management, analysis, and information dissemination components, while the USFS had (and continues to provide) the funding needed to hire seasonal technicians who conduct the actual bird monitor- ing and it has the management needs that serve as the primary driver of short-term management effects assessments. It is the short-term management effects monitoring and the habitat-relationships information that have generated the most support for the monitoring program within the USFS. Overall, the program is widely viewed as useful and successful, but obstacles that still need to be overcome include (1) the incorporation of monitoring results into a more formal adaptive management cycle within the USFS, and (2) the inclusion of additional state, federal, and private corporation partners so that the program emerges as one part of a more comprehensive statewide (or broader) landbird monitoring program, and (3) the recognition that monitoring buy-in involves support for more than the field effort involved with data collection.
Lessons from neuroscience: form follows function, emotions follow form

The argument that the environment impacts human perception and behaviour, and vice versa, is not a new one. What is lacking however is a fine-grained, deep understanding of the neural underpinnings that drive human behaviour as a result of environmental interaction. The challenge of simulating three-dimensional environments while mapping brain behaviour (which is still a rather confined activity) has made this initiative daunting. In this article, we argue that a common unit between architectural environments and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiments is ‘the visual image’. Architecture relies on visual stimuli to conceive, design, present, and even experience environments. fMRI experiments use visual stimuli to induce desired cognitive and emotional states to study the neural underpinnings. Although a wealth of evidence exists in the field of environmental psychology and psychophysiology on how visual images, specifically nature content in visual images, can reduce the negative emotions of fear, pain and anxiety-aiding restoration to a positive state, it is not clear, however, which specific visual properties contribute to this effect. If the specific visual properties could be isolated and correlated to specific emotional response, they could serve as the building blocks for designing not just for functions a design supports, but also the emotions it invokes. In this article we look at the emotional impact of visual stimuli, and bridge the evidence between environmental psychology and neuroscience, within the scope of nature images, to identify specific visual properties that (may) elicit emotional responses. We then investigate a particular visual property ‘contours’ and explore it within the theoretical paradigm of neuro-architecture to generate specific hypotheses for architecture and neuroscience. Finally, we take the discourse to architecture and explore the relevance of the subject of form, especially rapid emotional response to form, elicited by the specific property of contours.
Fuzzy Dispersion Entropy: A Nonlinear Measure for Signal Analysis

Entropy is a powerful tool for nonlinear analysis of time series. We have recently introduced dispersion entropy (DispEn), which has widely drawn attention from researchers in a variety of settings in data analysis. However, DispEn is sensitive to its parameters, especially number of classes (quantization level). Additionally, in some cases, a small change in the signal amplitude due to noise changes the quantized series and so entropy value. To address these limitations, we develop fuzzy dispersion entropy (FuzzDispEn) on the basis of fuzzy membership functions for the quantization of a signal and Shannon entropy (ShEn). In FuzzDispEn, the concept of fuzzification in ShEn-based methods is introduced for the first time. Several straightforward concepts in signal processing using a set of time series were utilized to show the advantages of FuzzDispEn over DispEn in terms of the detection of the dynamical variability of signals. The results showed that FuzzDispEn has lower sensitivity to noise and signal length compared to DispEn. FuzzDispEn was also applied to five real world applications: mechanical fault detection in gearbox, fault diagnosis of rolling element bearings, damage level detection of bearings, detection of blood pressure in salt-sensitive rats, and detection of seizure and seizure-free electroencephalographics (EEGs). The results suggest that FuzzDispEn outperforms DispEn as well as popular sample entropy and permutation entropy in distinguishing different kinds of dynamical patterns in synthetic and real data.
A COMPACT TUNABLE DUAL-BAND BANDPASS FILTER BASED ON SUBSTRATE INTEGRATED WAVEGUIDE AND DEFECTED GROUND STRUCTURE

A compact tunable dual-band bandpass fllter (BPF) based on substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) and defected ground structure (DGS) is investigated in this paper. The second passband can be ∞exibly controlled by changing the dimensions of the up- down DGSs whereas the flrst passband is flxed. The proposed fllter exhibits improved selectivity due to the introduction of four left-right DGSs generating transmission zeroes. To verify the design method, a compact dual-band fllter with the second center frequency switched among 5.4GHz, 5.8GHz, 6.4GHz and 6.8GHz and the flrst center frequency flxed at 4.78GHz, is designed and fabricated. The simulated and measured results are in good agreement with each other.