Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Coal Ash on Fe-Based Oxygen Carrier in Coal Char Chemical Looping Gasification

Abstract Chemical looping gasification (CLG) is a cost-effective alternative to the traditional fossil conversion process. In this article, the effects of three different types of coal ash on Fe-based oxygen carrier in coal char CLG were investigated. The composition of coal ashes and the microstructure of Fe4Al6 oxygen carrier were characterized by SEM-EDS, XRD and BET. The effects of different components of coal ash (SiO2, CaO, and K2O) were examined, and their effect mechanisms were analyzed. The findings suggested that the effect of coal ash on Fe4Al6 oxygen carrier could be divided into three aspects: (i) inhibition effect by forming low-melting-point compounds; (ii) enhancement effect through catalysis or formation of specific structure; and (iii) neutral effect by integrating with oxygen carrier. In addition, the formation of low-melting-point compounds, which is mainly due to SiO2 and CaO, was found to cause sinter and agglomeration of oxygen carrier. Moreover, potassium salts were found to either act as catalysts or cause the formation of K-Fe-O compounds; they promoted the release of lattice oxygen from oxygen carrier while enhanced oxygen carrier’s stability. The findings suggested that coal ash containing high content of K2O and Fe2O3 could enhance the performance of oxygen carrier during CLG.
Alcohol, Aging, and Cognitive Performance:

Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between alcohol consumption and cognitive performance in two culturally diverse community-based populations. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was used including Japanese Americans (n = 1,836) and Caucasians (n = 2,581) aged 65 and older. Cognitive performance was measured using the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI) (0 to 100 point scale) and reaction time. Results: Multivariate analysis revealed significant cultural and gender differences with cognitive performance. Compared to abstainers, Caucasian drinkers scored higher than Japanese American drinkers on the CASI (adjusted means = 93.4 versus 91.6). In contrast, Japanese American drinkers scored faster than Caucasian drinkers on choice reaction time (adjusted means = 505 versus 579 milli-seconds). Discussion: Results showed that current drinking was associated with better cognition in both the Caucasian and Japanese American groups. Longitudinal studies are needed to support the possible protective effects of alcohol on cognition and explore whether culture may modify this apparent benefit.
Far-dissipation range of turbulence.

Navier-Stokes turbulence at low Reynolds number ([ital scrR][sub [lambda]][approx]15) is studied by high-resolution computer simulation. The energy spectrum in the range 5[ital k][sub [ital d]][lt][ital k][lt]10[ital k][sub [ital d]] is well fitted by [ital k][sup [alpha]]exp([minus][ital ck]/[ital k][sub [ital d]]), where [ital k][sub [ital d]] is the Kolmogorov dissipation wave number, [alpha][approx]3.3 and [ital c][approx]7.1. High-order spatial derivatives of the velocity field exhibit strong intermittency, associated with gentle spatial variation of large-scale structure rather than with sparse, intense small-scale structures. Analysis by the direct-interaction approximation, which ignores intermittency, gives [alpha]=3, [ital c][approx]11.
Position Control of a Wheeled Mobile Robot Including Tire Behavior

Advanced driver assistance systems are increasingly available on road vehicles. These systems require a thorough development procedure, an important part of which consists of hardware-in-the-loop experiments in a controlled environment. To this end, a facility called vehicle hardware-in-the-loop (VeHIL) is operated, aiming at testing the entire road vehicle in an artificial environment. In VeHIL, the test vehicle is placed on a roller bench, whereas other traffic participants, i.e., vehicles in the direct neighborhood of the test vehicle, are simulated using wheeled mobile robots (WMRs). To achieve a high degree of experiment reproducibility, focus is put on the design of an accurate position control system for the robots. Due to the required types of maneuvers, these robots have independently driven and steered wheels. Consequently, the robot is overactuated. Furthermore, since the robot is capable of high-dynamic maneuvers, slip effects caused by the tires can play an important role. A position controller based on feedback linearization is presented, using the so-called multicycle approach, which regards the robot as a set of identical unicycles. As a result, the WMR is position controlled, whereas each unicycle is controlled, taking weight transfer and longitudinal and lateral tire slip into account.
Blind Image Quality Assessment Using Statistical Structural and Luminance Features

Blind image quality assessment (BIQA) aims to develop quantitative measures to automatically and accurately estimate perceptual image quality without any prior information about the reference image. In this paper, we introduce a novel BIQA metric by structural and luminance information, based on the characteristics of human visual perception for distorted image. We extract the perceptual structural features of distorted image by the local binary pattern distribution. Besides, the distribution of normalized luminance magnitudes is extracted to represent the luminance changes in distorted image. After extracting the features for structures and luminance, support vector regression is adopted to model the complex nonlinear relationship from feature space to quality measure. The proposed BIQA model is called no-reference quality assessment using statistical structural and luminance features (NRSL). Extensive experiments conducted on four synthetically distorted image databases and three naturally distorted image databases have demonstrated that the proposed NRSL metric compares favorably with the relevant state-of-the-art BIQA models in terms of high correlation with human subjective ratings. The MATLAB source code and validation results of NRSL are publicly online at http://www.ntu. edu.sg/home/wslin/Publications.htm.
Synthetic gecko foot-hair micro/nano-structures as dry adhesives

This paper proposes techniques to fabricate synthetic gecko foot-hairs as dry adhesives for future wall-climbing and surgical robots, and models for understanding the synthetic hair design issues. Two nanomolding fabrication techniques are proposed: the first method uses nanoprobe indented flat wax surface and the second one uses a nano-pore membrane as a template. These templates are molded with silicone rubber, polyimide, etc. type of polymers under vacuum. Next, design parameters such as length, diameter, stiffness, density, and orientation of hairs are determined for non-matting and rough surface adaptability. Preliminary micro/nano-hair prototypes showed adhesion close to the predicted values for natural specimens (around 100 nN each).
How sequencing and fading affects the relationship between intrinsic and germane cognitive loads

ABSTRACT Scaffolding techniques, such as sequencing and fading, used in online video lectures may help mitigate the negative relationship between complex contents represented by intrinsic load and content understanding represented by germane load. This study analyzed survey responses from university students (n = 2365) who participated in online classes in South Korea, and looked at the relationships between sequencing and fading and germane load, intrinsic load and germane load, and the moderating effect of sequencing and fading on the relationship between intrinsic load and germane load. Results showed a positive relationship between sequencing and fading and germane load and a negative relationship between intrinsic load and germane load. Furthermore, sequencing and fading moderated the negative relationship between intrinsic load and germane load. This article examines conflicting evidence on the topic and provides explanations as to why sequencing and fading reduces the negative impact of complex contents found in the current study.
Tissue-specific changes in the RNA structurome mediate salinity response in Arabidopsis

RNA structures are influenced by their physico-chemical environment. Few studies have assessed genome-wide impacts of abiotic stresses on in vivo RNA structure, however, and none have investigated tissue-specificity. We applied our Structure-seq method to assess in vivo mRNA secondary structure in Arabidopsis shoots and roots under control and salt stress conditions. Structure-seq utilizes dimethyl sulfate (DMS) for in vivo transcriptome-wide covalent modification of accessible As and Cs, i.e. those lacking base pairing and protection. Tissue type was a strong determinant of DMS reactivity, indicating tissue-specificity of RNA structuromes. Both tissues exhibited a significant inverse correlation between salt stress-induced changes in transcript reactivity and changes in transcript abundance, implicating changes in RNA structure and accessibility in transcriptome regulation. In mRNAs wherein the 5’UTR, CDS and 3’UTR concertedly increased or decreased in mean reactivity under salinity, this inverse correlation was more pronounced, suggesting that concordant structural changes across the mRNA have the greatest impact on abundance. Transcripts with the greatest and least salt stress-induced changes in DMS reactivity were enriched in genes encoding stress-related functions and included housekeeping functions, respectively. We conclude that secondary structure regulates mRNA abundance, thereby contributing to tissue specificity of the transcriptome and its dynamic adjustment under stress. One Sentence Summary: Transcriptome-wide methods reveal dynamic tissue-specific and salt stress-dependent modulation of mRNA accessibility and structure, and correlated mRNA abundance changes.
Improving Software Integration and Development for Engineering Education in Nigeria

An overview of engineering education in Nigeria and the incorporation of Information and Communication Technologies are presented. The study traces the historical development and implementation policy towards providing the nation with qualified manpower for technological development. The profile of engineering faculties with regards to computing integration is presented with UNILAG as a case study. Local efforts in the development and usage of software packages relevant for the engineering profession are identified and found to be inadequate. Associated problems and potential solutions were enumerated to enhance the software integration process for engineering education in Nigeria.
Neotropical mammal diversity and the Great American Biotic Interchange: spatial and temporal variation in South America's fossil record

The vast mammal diversity of the Neotropics is the result of a long evolutionary history. During most of the Cenozoic, South America was an island continent with an endemic mammalian fauna. This isolation ceased during the late Neogene after the formation of the Isthmus of Panama, resulting in an event known as the Great American Biotic Interchange (GABI). In this study, we investigate biogeographic patterns in South America, just before or when the first immigrants are recorded and we review the temporal and geographical distribution of fossil mammals during the GABI. We performed a dissimilarity analysis which grouped the faunal assemblages according to their age and their geographic distribution. Our data support the differentiation between tropical and temperate assemblages in South America during the middle and late Miocene. The GABI begins during the late Miocene (~10–7 Ma) and the putative oldest migrations are recorded in the temperate region, where the number of GABI participants rapidly increases after ~5 Ma and this trend continues during the Pleistocene. A sampling bias toward higher latitudes and younger records challenges the study of the temporal and geographic patterns of the GABI.
Effects of quinolone analog CI-960 in a monkey model of Chlamydia trachomatis salpingitis

Several quinolones have been shown to have antichlamydial activity in vitro and in vivo. We evaluated the effects of the quinolone CI-960 (Parke-Davis) on primary or repeated chlamydial infection in the monkey salpinx pocket model. The antichlamydial effect was evaluated in the tissues, and we tested for the presence of the organism by culture, immunocytochemical stains, in situ hybridization, and histopathology. An intravenous dosage of 5 mg/kg of body weight produced therapeutic concentrations in plasma (blood sera and pocket fluids) of at least 0.25 microgram/ml at 2 h posttreatment. In monkeys with primary infections, treatment was started 2 days after inoculation and was continued for 7 days. After CI-960 treatment, all animals became culture negative. One of two control animals was culture positive through day 10 postinoculation. In monkeys with repeated infections five inoculations were given within 2 weeks. A 7-day intravenous treatment was started on day 2 postinoculation following the last inoculation. Isolation of Chlamydia trachomatis prior to treatment was positive intermittently for all monkeys. After treatment, isolation of C. trachomatis was negative for all monkeys. In monkeys with both primary and repeated infections, no significant differences were noted in the inflammatory responses in the tissues of treated and untreated animals. All tissues tested were positive by immunoperoxidase staining and/or in situ hybridization. After CI-960 therapy, C. trachomatis organisms were no longer recoverable by cell culture. The persistent finding of chlamydial DNA throughout the observation periods following drug therapy may indicate the presence of dead organisms or viable organisms in an unculturable state.
Planar Path Following of 3-D Steering Scaled-Up Helical Microswimmers

Helical microswimmers that are capable of propulsion at low Reynolds numbers have great potential for numerous applications. Several kinds of artificial magnetic-actuated helical microswimmers have been designed by researchers. However, they are primarily open-loop controlled. This paper aims to investigate methods of closed-loop control of a magnetic-actuated helical swimmer at low Reynolds number by using visual feedback. For many in-vitro applications, helical swimmers should pass through a defined path, for example along channels with no prerequisite on the velocity profile along the path. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to achieve a velocity-independent planar path following task. Since the planar path following is based on 3-D steering control of the helical swimmer, a 3-D pose estimation of a helical swimmer is introduced based on the real-time visual tracking with a stereo vision system. The contribution of this paper is in two parts: The 3-D steering of a helical swimmer is demonstrated by visual servo control; and the path following of a straight line with visual servo control is achieved, then compared with open-loop control. We further expect that with this visual servo control method, the helical swimmers will be able to follow reference paths at the microscale.
Electrodynamical modelling of bidirectional fuel cell systems for HIL simulations of combined grid systems

For investigating combined grid systems including electrical, thermal and chemical grids, a scientific approach based on Hardware-in-the-loop simulation is carried out where models as virtual energy components are coupled with experimental facilities. In this contribution, a bidirectional fuel cell system is described in detail as a virtual energy component considering the bidirectional fuel cell, the power inverter and the local management. For modelling the bidirectional cell, the electrochemical domain is considered by a physical-based approach in a first step. Common models for unidirectional fuel cells or electrolysis cells are discussed regarding the applicability for bidirectional cells. Afterwards, the DC-DC converter as part of the overall power inverter is considered for modelling. A novel averaged model for the dual active bridge based on the method by Sanders and Verghese is presented. Finally, the overall model and local management of such systems are discussed.
Prognostic markers in AIDS-related cryptococcal meningitis.

OBJECTIVE Despite the advent and expanding access to antiretroviral therapy, HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis (CM) remains a significant cause of mortality and morbidity amongst individuals with this infection in resource-limited settings. METHODS We prospectively studied the clinical, biochemical and mycological parameters of 30 HIV patients diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis at our centre over a period of 6 months with a view to identify prognostic factors predictive of poor outcome. RESULTS Our study documented a mortality rate of 36.7%. Age, sex and previous diagnosis of HIV had no bearing on the survival outcome of patients. The study identified several poor prognostic factors including low GCS score, papilledema, elevated CSF opening pressure (>250 mm of H2O) and lack of regular HIV care in those with a prior diagnosis of HIV. CSF pleocytosis was significantly higher in the mortality group. CONCLUSION There have been relatively few attempts to focus on poor prognostic markers associated with AIDS related Cryptococcal meningitis in Asian patients. Our study highlights how simple bedside clinical tools like ophthalmoscopy and CSF manometry can help in risk stratification in this group of patients.
Plerixafor and Filgrastim XM02 (Tevagastrim®) as a first line peripheral blood stem cell mobilisation strategy in patients with multiple myeloma and lymphoma candidated to autologous bone marrow transplantation

Plerixafor, a CXCR4 antagonist, has shown to be effective in increasing the number of circulating stem cells, even in patients failing a previous mobilisation attempt. Recently a number of non‐glycosylated recombinant human granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF) has been clinically approved for the same indications as the originator G‐CSF for comparable safety and efficacy and their reduced cost. In an attempt to provide a less toxic strategy, 14 patients affected by haematological malignancies (non‐Hodgkin’s lymphoma = 4, Hodgkin’s disease = 2 and multiple myeloma = 8), received the combination of biosimilar filgrastim and plerixafor as a first line mobilising strategy. The median number of circulating CD34+ cells on day 4 was 16 (3–42); Plerixafor was administered to all, but one patient who had already 42 CD34+ cells per μL on day 4. On day 5, after plerixafor administration, the median number of circulating CD34+ cells had raised to 60 per μL (14–138). All the patients underwent leukapheresis and were able to collect a number of CD34+ cells ≥2.0 × 106/kg in a median number of procedures of one. Although preliminary, these data show the combination of biosimilar filgrastim and plerixafor is effective and provides a non‐toxic approach to mobilise stem cells.
Potential mechanism for the effects of dexamethasone on growth of androgen-independent prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND Dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid, has clinical benefit in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC), but the mechanisms responsible for its effects are unknown. The nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB)-dependent cytokine interleukin (IL) 6 (IL-6) is thought to stimulate growth of HRPC. Because dexamethasone interferes with NF-kappaB activation, we determined whether dexamethasone inhibits prostate cancer growth by working through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) to interfere with NF-kappaB-IL-6 pathway. METHODS Three human prostate cancer cell lines (DU145, PC-3, and LNCaP) were assessed for GR expression and responsiveness to dexamethasone. Levels of GR, NF-kappaB, and the cytoplasmic NF-kappB inhibitor IkappaBalpha were determined by western blotting and of IL-6 by enzyme immunoassay. The subcellular localization of NF-kappaB was analyzed by immunofluorescence. The effects of dexamethasone (thrice weekly injections of 1 microg/mouse) on DU145 xenografts in nude and severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice were evaluated. GR expression in human prostate cancers was assessed by immunohistochemistry. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS Dexamethasone dose dependently decreased GR levels and inhibited the growth of DU145 and PC-3 but not LNCaP cells (DU145 cells, P< .001; PC-3 cells, P = .009). Dexamethasone increased IkappaBalpha protein levels and the cytosolic accumulation of NF-kappaB in DU145 cells and decreased secreted IL-6 levels to 37 pg/mL (95% confidence interval [CI] = 33 pg/mL to 41 pg/mL), compared with 164 pg/mL (95% CI = 162 pg/mL to 166 pg/mL) secreted by ethanol-treated control cells. Dexamethasone inhibited the growth of DU145 xenografts in nude (P = .006) and SCID (P = .026) mice without affecting GR levels. Eight of 16 human prostate cancers expressed GR at high levels (>or=30% GR-positive cells). CONCLUSION Dexamethasone inhibited the growth of GR-positive cancers, possibly through the disruption of the NF-kappaB-IL-6 pathway.
Public transport occupancy estimation using WLAN probing

Prediction of availability of physical services can be a valuable addition to transportation systems operation. In this paper we are focusing on estimation of public transport occupancy (PTO), or more specifically, on estimating bus passenger load, i.e., the number of people on the bus. This information can be used by bus operators as input to the analysis of bus routes' efficiency, or to provide an app indicating passenger load. PTO estimation based on collecting WiFi probes emitted by WiFi enabled devices is cheap and easy to install. This paper presents a prototype implementation of this method, analysis of the collected data and of the estimation algorithm accuracy. Analysis of passenger load in a bus has indicated that there are two main challenges of the estimation using WiFi probes. The algorithm provides overestimation due to inclusion of WiFi devices that are outside the bus and underestimation due to exclusion of people without an active WiFi enabled device or by missing out probes in the detection algorithm from devices carried on board. We have shown how by fine-tuning parameters of the algorithm the probes received from people outside the bus can be filtered out thereby reducing the severity of the underestimation problem. The typical approach to combat the overestimation problem is to make the adjustments based on a statistical ratio of people possessing a WiFi enabled smart device over the whole population.
Deriving Connectivity and Application Usage Patterns From Longitudinal Mobile Phone Usage Data

In this paper, based on the Mobile Data Challenge data obtained from the Lausanne data collection campaign, our research aims first to derive network connectivity (e.g., WLAN, 3G) and its Quality of Service (QoS) and mobility patterns of the mobile users, as this connectivity and QoS relate to the user's application activity. Second, we aim to understand how these patterns relate to the overall Quality of Experience (QoE) of the user. Concerning the mobility patterns, we define indoor and outdoor activity for each mobile user. Moreover, we attempt to define semantic places using time filters and GIS techniques, which could also be correlated to the application activity of the users. By correlating the above with the application activity of the users, as well as the hour and weekday patterns, certain inferences can be extracted, concerning the users' spatial and temporal behaviour. These inferences could be used further in developing methods for assurance of the mobile users' QoE.