Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New information on Trichophiala devylderi Aurivillius, 1879. Full description of both sexes, genetic study and lectotype designation (Lepidoptera, Eupterotidae)

Abstract: Described from Namibia, Trichophiala devylderi Aurivillius, 1879 is a species for which, apart from the original description of female “types”, little is known. Building upon recent observations in the field, investigations in various museums that preserve specimens, and a review of the literature, we describe for the first time the habitat, the known distribution, the morphology of both sexes including the presence of two phenotypes, and the genitalia of both male and female. We also provide genetic information from several specimens that reveal little variation in the standard animal DNA barcode. Finally, we designate a lectotype among the three specimens preserved at the Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Glycated albumin in diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy

Abstract Objectives Guidelines recommend the diagnosis of diabetes should be based on either plasma glucose or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) findings. However, lately studies have advocated glycated albumin (GA) as a useful alternative to HbA1c. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the overall diagnostic accuracy of GA for the diagnosis of diabetes. Content We searched for articles of GA diabetes diagnostic accuracy that were published up to August 2021. Studies were selected if reported an oral glucose tolerance test as a reference test, measured GA levels by enzymatic methods, and had data necessary for 2 × 2 contingency tables. A bivariate model was used to calculate the pooled estimates. Summary This meta-analysis included nine studies, totaling 10,007 individuals. Of those, 3,106 had diabetes. The studies showed substantial heterogeneity caused by a non-threshold effect and reported different GA optimal cut-offs for diagnosing diabetes. The pooled diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) was 15.93 and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.844, indicating a good level of overall accuracy for the diagnosis of diabetes. The effect of the GA threshold on diagnostic accuracy was reported at 15.0% and 17.1%. The optimal cut-off for diagnosing diabetes with GA was estimated as 17.1% with a pooled sensitivity of 55.1% (95% CI 36.7%–72.2%) and specificity of 94.4% (95% CI 85.3%–97.9%). Outlook GA has good diabetes diagnostic accuracy. A GA threshold of 17.1% may be considered optimal for diagnosing diabetes in previously undiagnosed individuals.
Fast-response high-quality rectifier with sliding mode control

A PWM rectifier including an uncontrolled rectifier and a Cuk converter stage driven by a sliding mode controller is described. Like other high-quality rectifiers, this solution allows low-distorted and in-phase line current. Moreover, due to the sliding mode control, fast and stable response is achieved, in spite of the large output filter. Control complexity is the same as that of standard current-mode controls. Converter analysis, design criteria, and experimental results are reported. >
Revision of the genus Parasyleter Balkenohl, 2021 with the descriptions of four new species (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Clivinini)

Abstract: The genus Parasyleter Balkenohl, 2021 is revised. For the type species P. doriae (Putzeys, 1873) a lectotype is designated in order to maintain stability of the nomenclature. The following new species are described: P. perak sp. nov., P. kerdil sp. nov., P. rastellus sp. nov., and P. livaguensis sp. nov. An identification key to the species is provided. The distribution records of the species are displayed on a map.
Rapid Changes in Composition and Contents of Cuticular Hydrocarbons in Sitobion avenae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Clones Adapting to Desiccation Stress

Abstract Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are diverse in insects, and include variable classes of cuticular lipids, contributing to waterproofing for insects under desiccation environments. However, this waterproofing function of CHCs is still not well characterized in aphids. In this study, we compared CHC profiles for desiccation-resistant and nonresistant genotypes of the grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (Fabricius), in responses to desiccation. Our result showed that a total of 27 CHCs were detected in S. avenae, and linear alkanes (e.g., n-C29) were found to be the predominant components. Long-chain monomethyl alkanes were found to associate closely with water loss rates in S. avenae in most cases. Resistant genotypes of both wing morphs had higher contents of short-chain n-alkanes under control than nonresistant genotypes, showing the importance of short-chain n-alkanes in constitutive desiccation resistance. Among these, n-C25 might provide a CHC signature to distinguish between desiccation-resistant and nonresistant individuals. Compared with linear alkanes, methyl-branched CHCs appeared to display higher plasticity in rapid responses to desiccation, especially for 2-MeC26, implying that methyl-branched CHCs could be more sensitive to desiccation, and play more important roles in induced desiccation-resistance. Thus, both constitutive and induced CHCs (linear or methyl-branched) can contribute to adaptive responses of S. avenae populations under desiccation environments. Our results provide substantial evidence for adaptive changes of desiccation resistance and associated CHCs in S. avenae, and have significant implications for aphid evolution and management in the context of global climate change.
Research on humanoid movements of a 7-DOF manipulator for planar grasping

The Seven degree-of-freedom anthropomorphic manipulator is a research hotspot in the field of robotics. In order to improve the efficiency of human-robot interaction, the manipulator should not only look like human in appearance, but also imitate human action as much as possible. The planar grasping movements were studied for the developed 7-DOF humanoid manipulator. Firstly, the planar grasping action of human arms is captured by experiments. The motion captured device Opti-track is used to obtain human arm motion data, which is then converted into the position, posture and arm angle of the human hand. Secondly, according to the motion data, the grasping law of the human arm is summarized, obtaining the relationship between palm posture and grasping position, which reveals the postural synergies of the human arm. Finally, the grasping experiment on the humanoid manipulator is carried out. The results show that the humanoid manipulator can accurately imitate the grasping behavior of the human arm, verifying the effectiveness of the proposed method.
The semiology of colors in scripture translation: Arabic-English

Abstract This paper examines the color symbolic values in two different and unrelated languages, Arabic and English. It analyses the colors mentioned in the Qur’an semiotically and their translation based on Peirce’s semiotic model of sign interpretation, while considering the socio-cultural differences that influence the understanding and rendering of color signs, informed by corpus-based analysis. Although the Qur’an contains the most basic colors like other languages, the semiotic values of some colors are different. The study shows that colors in the Qur’an, and Arabic in general, are tightly linked to the environment and culture of the early Muslims who received the Qur’an first-hand from the Prophet. These colors as situated in their culture could appear positively or negatively to users in other languages in a way that is not intended in the source text. Therefore, the translator’s awareness of the socio-cultural signs could bridge the gap between the different systems of codification and recodification of signs.
Nanostructured In3SbTe2 antennas enable switching from sharp dielectric to broad plasmonic resonances

Abstract Phase-change materials (PCMs) allow for non-volatile resonance tuning of nanophotonic components. Upon switching, they offer a large dielectric contrast between their amorphous and crystalline phases. The recently introduced “plasmonic PCM” In3SbTe2 (IST) additionally features in its crystalline phase a sign change of its permittivity over a broad infrared spectral range. While optical resonance switching in unpatterned IST thin films has been investigated before, nanostructured IST antennas have not been studied, yet. Here, we present numerical and experimental investigations of nanostructured IST rod and disk antennas. By crystallizing the IST with microsecond laser pulses, we switched individual antennas from narrow dielectric to broad plasmonic resonances. For the rod antennas, we demonstrated a resonance shift of up to 1.2 µm (twice the resonance width), allowing on/off switching of plasmonic resonances with a contrast ratio of 2.7. With the disk antennas, we realized an increase of the resonance width by more than 800% from 0.24 µm to 1.98 µm while keeping the resonance wavelength constant. Further, we demonstrated intermediate switching states by tuning the crystallization depth within the resonators. Our work empowers future design concepts for nanophotonic applications like active spectral filters, tunable absorbers, and switchable flat optics.
Gerência Quantitativa para o Processo de Desenvolvimento de Requisitos

This paper describes guidelines for the implementation of software process quantitative management. The Requirements Development process was chosen as object of study and example of quantitative management due to its relevance. These guidelines have been developed based on bibliographical research and in the experience of the authors in implementation and evaluation of software processes. Our goal is that these guideline lead to an implementation that takes care of to organizations’ objectives, being adherent to expected results of the maturity models. Resumo. Este artigo apresenta um conjunto de orientações para a implementação da gerência quantitativa de processos de software. O processo de Desenvolvimento de Requisitos foi escolhido como objeto de estudo e exemplo da gerência quantitativa, devido à sua relevância para os projetos de software. Estas orientações foram produzidas a partir da pesquisa bibliográfica sobre o tema, e da experiência dos autores em implementação e avaliação de processos. O propósito é que, quando seguidas, estas orientações levem a uma implementação que atenda aos objetivos das organizações, e ao mesmo tempo seja aderente ao que é especificado como resultado esperado dos níveis avançados dos modelos de maturidade.
Prolonged Water-only Fasting Followed by an Exclusively Whole-Plant-Food Diet in the Management of Severe Plaque Psoriasis: A Case Report

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that manifests as cutaneous lesions and/or systemic conditions that can negatively affect patient quality of life. Psoriasis is incurable and standard of care consists of symptom management. We report the case of a 47-year-old male with a 28-year history of plaque psoriasis that underwent a 13-day, medically supervised, water-only fast, which coincided with a clinically meaningful reduction in the severity of his psoriatic lesions. After the water-only fast, the patient followed an exclusively whole-plant-food diet without medications and at the two-month, follow-up visit there was continued improvement with no new plaque formation. This case provides a basis for further inquiry into prolonged water-only fasting followed by an exclusively whole-plant-food diet in the treatment of severe plaque psoriasis.
Simulation Study of Receive Diversity Techniques for MIMO Wireless Communication System Using MATLAB

In modern day wireless communication MIMO technology is one of the promising technologies to provide high speed data, throughput and are operable at different frequency. Due to its features it is mostly find application in modern day emerging wireless communication such as Long Term Evolution(LTE), World Wide Interoperability of Microwave Access(WiMAX) and Third Generation Packet Project(3GPP). In this paper will simulate the receive diversity techniques using two parameters bit error rates and number of receive antenna.
Career Self-Efficacy of the Black Engineer in the U.S. Government Workplace

This paper reports the results of a quantitative, nonexperimental, cross-sectional, one-time, webbased survey on the career self-efficacy of self-selected black engineers in the engineering workplace—a workplace that has been described as a “haven of whiteness and masculinity” and “pale” and “male”. Engineering has been a key component of the U.S.’s global technological superiority. However, U.S. racial demographics are changing. The number of whites currently in the workforce and the number of whites entering the workforce will decrease over the next several decades. Given current college and university graduation rates by race, the number of underrepresented minority engineers is not on a path to maintain the engineering workforce. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs attempt to address this shortfall with much attention in primary and secondary schools, and in college. Additionally, U.S. companies spend $8 billion to $10 billion annually on diversity programs to create opportunity and inclusion strategies for underrepresented minorities. Even with this focus on diversity, the underrepresented engineer enters an engineering workforce where career attainment is less likely than for the majority, thus creating a gap between attainment and opportunity. Career self-efficacy—a belief in one’s ability to plan, implement, and execute the courses of action required to attain in one’s career—may be one way to understand this gap between career attainment and career opportunity, as suggested by social cognitive career theory. However, no data on the career self-efficacy of engineers in the workplace exists. During this study, career self-efficacy of black engineers was measured using an adapted 25question Career Decision Self-efficacy Short Form (CDSE-SF) instrument, assessing career self-efficacy subscales of self-appraisal, occupational information gathering, goal setting, planning, and problem solving. The results of a survey of 131 black engineers in a large government engineering organization indicate that the career self-efficacy of black engineers is high. While the CDSE-SF is highly respected and widely used, the recommendation is made to further develop and validate the career self-efficacy scale for the workplace. Additionally, outcome expectations of black engineers should also be explored to gather additional human resource data to provide a complete assessment of the social cognitive career theory model.
Validation and Verification of a Numerical Prediction Method for Lift-off Acoustics of Launch Vehicles

To predict harmful acoustic loading due to the intense acoustic waves generated by exhaust jets from propulsion systems of launch vehicles during lift-off, a numerical method based on computational fluid dynamics is developed. High-fidelity large-eddy simulations, or hybrid large-eddy and Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes simulations are employed for the computation of the hydrodynamic field. Computational aeroacoustic simulations based on full-Euler equations are applied to compute acoustic propagation to the farfield. Validation and verification studies are conducted using experimental results of free and impinging jets from a 2.4%-scale solid motor. It is found that the prediction accuracy with approximately 4 dB in overall sound-pressure level is obtained for both the free and impinging jets.
Evaporative Two-Phase Micro-Flow Modelling

As smaller satellites hold many advantages over their larger counterparts, such as reduced production, testing and launch costs, the cubesat standard of very small satellites has become increasingly popular over the last decade. For these cubesats (1 to 3 kg) the race for an adequate yet simple propulsion system is on, as traditional exothermic rocket engines cannot be easily scaled down to appropriate sizes. Vaporizing liquid micro-thrusters (VLM) are a promising solution to provide reliable thrusters, as the principle combines the tried and proven inert-gas thruster systems with the dense and compact storage of liquids. The liquids are evaporated using an external heating source, and the consequently created vapour is accelerated through a nozzle structure to provide thrust. However, in the design of VLM systems little two-phase fluid-flow modelling has been performed so far. Multi-phase fluid flow is a challenging area in the field of fluid dynamics. The analytic evaporation models published so far focus on high mass-flux (> 100[kgm−2 s−1]) cooling of integrated circuits, and are restricted to low vapour fraction (< 0.2) operation to maximise the silicon-cooling potential of the fluid flow. By contrast, VLM systems require all of the fluid to be evaporated for optimal performance, resulting in unity vapour mass fractions. To ensure full evaporation, low mass-flux (< 30[kgm−2 s−1]) systems are generally used. This mismatch ensures that evaporation models cannot be freely exchanged. It is the goal of this thesis to further the knowledge in modelling of evaporative two-phase flows in microstructures, to be able to improve the design methods of VLM’s. This thesis therefore presents two methods of investigating two-phase fluid flow behaviour, novel to VLM design-studies. They will be implemented on the current state of art VLM design by the TU Delft, both as a test case for the methods, and to investigate possible design improvements. Firstly an analytical modelling approach is presented, correlated using visual data available in published literature. Secondly a first-principle modelling approach is presented, using a newly-developed adaptation of the Reynolds equation, with a reintroduction of both inertia terms and viscous friction terms of in-plane fluid motion. The analytical approach is shown to provide insight in design improvement options, and is expected to be a valuable tool in the future design methodology of VLMs, allowing for the identification of minimal wall temperatures, efficiency values and performance values of VLM designs. The first-principle approach, solved using numerical means, shows promise, as it reduces the computation time of two-phase fluid flow systems drastically compared to the reference of the phase-field method. Future work on the stabilisation of the numerical algorithms is still required. This thesis will conclude with a set of recommendations based on the performed simulations, enabling designers to improve current VLM design strategies.
Procedural justice and the hedonic principle: How approach versus avoidance motivation influences the psychology of voice

The authors investigate the relation between the hedonic principle (people’s motivations to approach pleasure and to avoid pain) and procedural justice. They explore whether approach or avoidance motivation increases the effect that people feel they were treated more fairly following procedures that do versus do not allow them an opportunity to voice their opinion. Experiments 1 and 2 reveal that these procedures influence procedural justice judgments more strongly when people conduct approach motor action (arm flexion) than when they conduct avoidance motor action (arm extension). Experiment 3 indicates that individual-difference measures of participants’ approach motivations predicted procedural justice judgments following voice versus no-voice procedures. The authors conclude that people’s motivational orientations stimulate their fairness-based reactions to voice procedures.
Variability study with CD-SEM metrology for STT-MRAM: correlation analysis between physical dimensions and electrical property of the memory element

A methodology to evaluate the memory cell property of STT-MRAM (Spin Transfer Torque-Magnetic Random Access Memory) with a CD-SEM (Critical Dimension-Scanning Electron Microscope) was proposed. STTMRAM is one of the promising candidates among various emerging memories, owing to its low power consumption, low latency, and excellent endurance. Meanwhile, the major issues of STT-MRAM are its small resistance window and the etching-induced damage during memory pillar formation process. The resistance variability and the damage region should be minimized to achieve the reliable operation and the size scaling. The correlation analysis between the resistance and the physical dimension was performed. It provided quantitative information required for process development and control, such as the size-independent resistance variability, the width of the damaged region, and the origin of the short failures. They are essential for the investigation of the causes for the cell-to-cell resistance variability as well as for the quantification of the damage during etching process.
Intrinsically shunted NbN/TaN/NbN Josephson junctions on Si substrates for large-scale integrated circuits applications

Superconducting circuits based on Josephson junctions have the potential to achieve high speed and ultra-low power consumption, but their integration is limited by the low controllability of Nb-based tunnel junction and the existence of shunt resistors. In this work, we report the fabrication of superconductor/normal metal/superconductor (SNS) Josephson junctions with high reproducibility on oxidized Si substrates. The junctions based on NbN/TaN/NbN trilayers measured at 4.2 K show excellent Josephson properties with a wide range of critical current (I c) from 227 to 2000 μA. The variations of critical current density (J c) and characteristic voltage (V c) are respectively less than 7.1% and 7.5% in the 2 inch region. The standard deviation of I c is calculated to be less than 1.7% for Josephson arrays with the number of junctions up to 10 000 occupying an area of 0.34 mm2. The results provide a guarantee for the applications of NbN-SNS Josephson junctions in superconducting large-scale integrated circuits.