Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pengaruh Jenis Pelarut dan Ultrasonikasi terhadap Ekstrak Fikoeritrin dari Kappaphycus alvarezii

Kappaphycus alvarezii merupakan salah satu jenis rumput laut merah (Rhodophyta) yang mengandung pigmen fikobiliprotein. Rumput laut merah didominasi oleh fikobiliprotein berjenis fikoeritrin. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah menentukan pengaruh jenis pelarut dan waktu akselerasi ekstraksi ultrasonikasi terhadap pigmen fikoeritrin. Proses ekstraksi dilakukan secara bertahap menggunakan pelarut akuades, CaCl2 dan buffer fosfat dengan akselerasi ultrasonikasi 35-55 menit. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa ekstrak pigmen fikoeritrin K. alvarezii menggunakan akuades menghasilkan warna pigmen lebih pekat dibanding buffer fosfat dan CaCl2, menunjukkan konsentrasi tertinggi sebesar 0,057 mg/mL, dan indeks kemurnian sebesar 0,189. Pelarut air aman digunakan karena air tidak memiliki daya toksik. Maka, tidak perlu dilakukan uji pendahuluan toksisitas pelarut. Lebih ekonomis dibandingkan dengan jenis pelarut lainnya. Ekstraksi pigmen fikoeritrin menggunakan pelarut akuades selama 45 menit menghasilkan warna pigmen lebih pekat. Konsentrasi pigmen fikoeritrin sebelum dan sesudah presipitasi berturut-turut sebesar 0,170 mg/mL dan 0,421 mg/mL. Indeks kemurnian pigmen fikoeritrin sebelum dan sesudah presipitasi berturut-turut sebesar 0,301 dan 0,831. Aktivitas antioksidan (% Inhibisi) terbaik ada pada konsentrasi pigmen fikoeritrin 50 ppm dan 80 ppm dengan lama waktu ekstraksi 45 menit berturut-turut sebesar 62% dan 89%. Profil protein dengan SDS-Page menunjukkan fikoeritrin memiliki bobot molekul 16,27 kDa pada subunit α, 17,79 kDa pada subunit β, dan 30,60 kDa pada subunit γ.
Phase-locked particle image velocimetry measurements of a flapping wing

The unsteady aerodynamics of a biomimetic inspired flapping-wing mechanism has been analyzed by performing detailed phase-locked diagnostics of its flow field. Flow visualization and particle image velocimetry results have shown the presence of a shed dynamic stall vortex that spans across most of the wing span. The shedding of this type of leading-edge vortex was accompanied by the formation of another leading-edge vortex before the first vortex reached the midchord, resulting in multiple shedding leading-edge vortices on the top surface of the wing during each wing stroke. A strong starting vortex was also formed at the trailing edge of the wing during the early part of its translational stroke. This vortex continuously gained strength from shed vorticity as the wing accelerated into its stroke. The starting vortex remained close to the trailing edge until the wing reached midstroke. A pair of vortices that continuously trailed from the root and tip of the wing were identified, both of which induced a significant downwash velocity over the wing surface. These trailed vortices were found to exhibit a contracting wake structure as they convected into the wake below the wing, consistent with an increase in slipstream velocity. The evolution of the tip and root vortex pair showed rapid diffusive characteristics with an increase in time (wake age).
Shear Lag Based Iwan Model for Interface Friction Contacts

Reduced order models for characterizing friction interfaces have been investigated for the last 75 years. Recent work has been focused on microslip formulation of the interface behavior, where continuous contact is approximated with a multi-point contact model. A novel multi-point contact model is presented in this work, which is entirely derived from a shear lag approach to resolve the kinematic state of the friction interface under the presence of tangential loading. Both static and dynamic loading conditions are analyzed and comparisons are drawn between the continuous and discrete models. The series Iwan model presented in this work differentiates between the elastic and friction components of the interface displacement, both parameters being calibrated using material properties and model geometry. Convergence behavior of such models with increasing model order is demonstrated. The response characteristics of the series Iwan model under dynamic loading conditions is also investigated. The series Iwan model is in good agreement with the shear lag approach for results such as propagation of the slip zone with increasing pullout force. The transient response of the the structural mass and the kinematic states of the damping elements are convergent with increasing model order. © 2005 ASME
"Is Water a Human Right?": Priming Water as a Human Right Increases Support for Government Action

Many First Nations homes in Canada do not have adequate water services. This issue is unlikely to be resolved without public pressure on the government. Thus, we investigated one strategy to increase non-Indigenous Canadians’ support for government action: framing water as a human right. Informed by a partnership with Indigenous community members and multidisciplinary collaborators, we conducted seven experiments that sampled non-Indigenous Canadian community members (N = 584) and university undergraduates (N = 274). Overall, framing water as a human right increased public support, relative to control conditions. Further, the human rights frame indirectly increased support for government action through increases in perceived suffering (physical and financial) and empathy. We discuss policy implications and end with a call for action.
Curved in-plane electromechanical relay for low power logic applications

A curved design for in-plane micro- and nano-electromechanical switches based on a single clamped cantilever is proposed, optimized with finite-element simulations and demonstrated experimentally. The design enables precise control of the switch motion and of the closed-state air gap, resulting in a uniform electrostatic field and increased robustness. The switch size and curvature are optimized for actuation voltage, actuation energy and the electrostatic field strength. These optimizations and the proposed fabrication process are amenable to micro- and nano-electromechanical switches. The scalability of the concept is demonstrated with simulations of nanoscale relays in terms of force and energy, showing that the concept is suitable for sub-100 aJ switching energy. Experimental results on microscale devices demonstrate the advantages of the curved MEM switches, namely a fabrication process with a single sacrificial layer for a switch with a low actuation voltage and excellent robustness. The designed as well as the experimentally observed breakdown voltage is four times higher than the contact voltage, thus enabling a large operating window for electromechanical switches.
The Global Financial Cycle∗

We review the literature on the empirical characteristics of the global financial cycle and associated stylized facts on international capital flows, asset prices, risk aversion and liquidity in the financial system. We analyse the co-movements of global factors in asset prices and capital flows with commodity prices, international trade and world output as well as the sensitivity of different parts of the world to the Global Financial Cycle. We present evidence of the causal effects of the monetary policies of the US Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank and of the People’s Bank of China on the Global Financial Cycle. We then assess whether the 2008 financial crisis has altered the transmission channels of monetary policies on the Global Financial Cycle. Finally, we discuss the theoretical modelling of the Global Financial Cycle and avenues for future research.
Strength, Fracture and Durability Characteristics of Ambient Cured Alkali—Activated Mortars Incorporating High Calcium Industrial Wastes and Powdered Reagents

Alkali-activated mortars (AAMs) are developed incorporating binary/ternary combinations of industrial wastes comprising of fly ash class C (FA-C), fly ash class F (FA-F) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) with alkaline reagents and silica sand. The use of high calcium precursors, calcium-based powder form reagents, dry mixing method, and ambient curing with performance characterization based on chemical ratios and fracture properties are some novel aspects of the study. The mechanical (dry density, compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, elastic modulus, fracture/crack tip toughness and fracture energy), durability (shrinkage/expansion and mass change in water and ambient curing conditions, water absorption and freeze-thaw resistance) and microstructural (SEM/EDS and XRD analyses) characteristics of eight AAMs are investigated. The binary (FA-C + GGBFS) mortars obtained higher compressive strengths (between 35 MPa and 42.6 MPa), dry densities (between 2032 kg/m3 and 2088 kg/m3) and ultrasonic pulse velocities (between 3240 m/s and 4049 m/s) than their ternary (FA-C + FA-F + GGBFS) counterparts. The elastic modulus and fracture toughness for mortars incorporating reagent 2 (calcium hydroxide: sodium sulphate = 2.5:1) were up to 1.7 and five times higher than those with reagent 1 (calcium hydroxide: sodium metasilicate = 1:2.5). This can be attributed to the additional formation of C-S-H with C-A-S-H/N-C-A-S-H binding phases in mortars with reagent 2. Ternary mortars exhibited comparatively lower shrinkage/expansion and initial sorptivity indices than their binary counterparts due to the lower geopolymerisation potential of fly ash class F that facilitated the reduction of matrix porosity. All mortar specimens demonstrated 100% or more relative dynamic modulus of elasticity after 60 freeze-thaw cycles, indicating the damage recovery and satisfactory durability due to probable micro-level re-arrangement of the binding phases. This study confirmed the viability of producing cement-free AAMs with satisfactory mechanical and durability characteristics.
Thermal impedance extraction for bipolar transistors

This paper describes a method for extracting the thermal impedance of bipolar transistors. The measurement is a two-step process: first the fractional temperature coefficients are calibrated at dc and then a transient step response is measured to extract the thermal spreading impedance. Measurement configurations and an example measurement cycle are shown. The measurement results can be fitted to multiple-pole models for use in compact circuit modeling in SPICE.
Examining Evidence of Benefits and Risks for Pasteurizing Donor Breastmilk

An evidence map is visualized as a starting point for deliberations by trans-disciplinary stakeholders, including microbiologists with interests in the evidence and its influence on health and safety. Available evidence for microbial benefits and risks of the breastmilk ecosystem was structured as an evidence map using established risk analysis methodology. The evidence map based on the published literature and reports included the evidence basis, pro- and contra-arguments with supporting and attenuating evidence, supplemental studies on mechanisms, overall conclusions, and remaining uncertainties. The evidence basis for raw breastmilk included one benefit–risk assessment, systematic review, and systematic review/meta-analysis, and two cohort studies. The evidence basis for benefits was clear, convincing, and conclusive, with supplemental studies on plausible mechanisms attributable to biologically active raw breastmilk. Limited evidence was available to assess microbial risks associated with raw breastmilk and pasteurized donor milk. The evidence map provides transparent communication of the ‘state-of-the-science’ and uncertainties for microbial benefits and risks associated with the breastmilk microbiota to assist in deeper deliberations of the evidence with decision makers and stakeholders. The long-term aims of the evidence map are to foster deliberation, motivate additional research and analysis, and inform future evidence-based policies about pasteurizing donor breastmilk.
Influence of Social Distancing Behavior and Cross-Cultural Motivation on Consumers’ Attitude to Using M-Payment Services

With the sustainable economy and the development of innovative technology, China is anticipated to have a large number of mobile payment (m-payment) users due to cultural influences and population size. This payment culture leads to a significant motivation to adopt m-payment services, which can stimulate new users from other groups. The role of cultural motivation is the most important factor in the m-payment context. This paper empirically examines the impact of cross-cultural motivation in the context of the practicing of social distancing behavior due to COVID-19 and the mobile payment (m-payment) context. We develop a conceptual model to validate user intention to use mobile payment systems during the COVID-19 crisis. Data were surveyed from 409 international students in China, and the model is validated using the AMOS structural equation modeling approach. Similar to the results of previous studies based on the adoption of mobile payment, this study also confirms the hypothesis testing. The key and robust result is that, due to cultural motivation and social distancing behavior, international students respond swiftly to the use of mobile payment services during COVID-19. Subsequently, perceived usefulness and awareness influence behavior intention to use mobile payment services. The findings of this study suggest that motivational characteristics, including the awareness of efficiency and the social distancing behavior due to COVID-19, play an important role in the adoption of mobile payment. As a result, the empirical results of this research provide useful information to stakeholders so that they can enhance m-payment services strategies and implement these successfully by considering various factors.
Risk-Taking and Suicidal Behaviors among Army National Guard Soldiers

Abstract A major concern of military leaders, health scientists, and policymakers has been increased suicides among U.S. military personnel. Few studies have examined how risk-taking conveys suicide risk. The present study examined survey data (12,612 soldiers in 180 company-sized units) obtained from an under-studied military population, the Army National Guard (ARNG). One-fifth to one-third of the soldiers reported risk-taking behaviors, such as alcohol misuses, unauthorized work absences, criminal behaviors, and unsafe sex practices. Risk-taking behaviors were simultaneously related to suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts, namely: unauthorized work absences (Odds-Ratio = 6.38, 95% CI 4.06-10.02), alcohol misuses (6.12, 4.56-8.20), such as driving under the influence (DUI), committing illegal acts while drinking, etc., and criminal behaviors (3.00, 2.05-4.39) to suicide thoughts; unauthorized work absences (7.63, 4.28-13.59), alcohol misuses (4.36, 2.73-6.96), and criminal behaviors (4.30, 2.60-7.11) to suicide plans; and unauthorized work absences (41.40, 19.40-88.38) and criminal behaviors (6.10, 2.95-12.60), and unsafe sex practices (2.37, 1.29-4.35) to suicide attempts. Risk-taking behaviors that showed stronger associations with suicide risk are interpreted as likely reducing inhibitions against violence and self-harm, namely, criminal behaviors and unauthorized work absences with alcohol misuses. Several practical implications of risk-taking findings are offered for suicide prevention.
Experimental study on antimicrobial activity of cotton fabric treated with aloe gel extract from Aloe vera plant for controlling the Staphylococcus aureus (bacterium)

Biotechnology is a frontier area in science and technology having significant commercial applications in healthcare, agriculture, process industry and service sectors the world over. Ethiopia is in an advantageous position to harness the potential of biotechnology due to its unique strengths such as availability of technical expertise, skilled manpower, rich bio-resources and progressive government policies. The country is also rapidly emerging as a major market for biotech products. Today, new processes and products are closely linked with biotechnology in many research and industrial fields. There are the most diverse possibilities for its profitable use in the textile industry too. In this study, aloe gel has applied to 100% cotton fabric to develop antimicrobial fabric. In order to optimize the process parameter, cotton fabric was treated with Aloe vera extract (Aloe barbadensis Mill) at various concentrations that is 1, 2, 3 and 5 gpl at 60°C for 30 min by pad-dry ‐cure method. Methanol was used as a solvent for aloe gel extraction from Aloe vera plant. The finished fabric samples have been tested for activity as per the ATCC (Agar diffusion) method and quantitative analysis test method. The aloe gel treated fabrics exhibited antimicrobial activity against the Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538). The treated cotton fabrics have shown excellent antimicrobial activity at 5 gpl concentration. The wash durability of the treated sample was found good even after 50 wash.
Assessment of antimicrobial use in private and government hospitals, a comparative study in central kerala, using who indicators

Background: Irrational use of antimicrobial can cause various unwanted and untoward events. It may diminish the quality of patient care, increase the cost of therapy, and involvement in various side effects. Thus, the appropriateness of antimicrobial use in hospitals plays a pivotal role in patient safety. Objective: To analyze and assess the prescribing pattern of antimicrobials in private and government hospitals as per the WHO indicators. Methodology: A prospective comparative observational study was carried out for 6 months, with the patient diagnosed with an infectious disease admitted to the medical ward of both the hospitals during the study period. The data obtained from the study sites were Compared and analyzed using WHO indicators described in WHO’s “How to Investigate Antimicrobial use in Hospitals: Selected Indicators, Feb 2012”. Results: The study involved 216 patients and the average number of antimicrobials prescribed was found to be 1.73 in a private hospital and 2.07 in the government hospital, average cost of antimicrobials was found to be 86.48 INR in private and 31.04 INR in the government hospital, average duration of antimicrobial treatment was 4.8 in private and 5.2 in the government hospital, and the percentage of antimicrobials prescribed in generic was 33.33% in private and 87.83% in the government hospital. Considering the spectrum of antibiotics, both private (94.7%) and government (88.8%) used broad-spectrum antimicrobials. In both hospitals, cephalosporins were the most frequently prescribed class of antimicrobials. Comparing the dosage of antimicrobials given, injection usage is at the highest in government (59.5%) as well as in the private hospital (68.4%). Conclusion: This study indicates that the average cost of antimicrobials was more in a private hospital than that in a government hospital and other indicators such as the number of antimicrobials per hospitalization, duration of antimicrobial treatment, and the percentage of generic antimicrobials prescribed were all found to be more in a government hospital. In both private and government hospitals broad-spectrum antimicrobials were widely used, with cephalosporin as the most prescribed class.
Interaction Between Self-Perceived Disease Control and Self-Management Behaviors: The Role of Subjective Life Expectancy

Backgrounds: One of the effective ways to control chronic diseases is long-term self-management, but it is difficult to adhere to. Therefore, the understanding of how people engage in the process of self-management behavior change is necessary. In this study, we aimed to examine the dynamic relationship between self-perceived disease control and self-management behaviors in Chinese older adults with hypertension, namely, medication use, self-monitoring, physical activity, tobacco and alcohol avoidance; and to explore the mediating role of subjective life expectancy (SLE) on this relationship. Methods: Data came from a nationally representative sample of 508 older hypertensive patients (aged 45+) from 2013, 2015, and 2018 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. A cross-lagged panel model combined with mediation analysis was used to determine the dynamic relationship between self-perceived disease control and self-management behaviors, and also clarify the mediating effect of SLE on this ascertained relationship.Results: Good self-perceived disease control predicted subsequently well medication use, self-monitoring and physical activity, and vice versa. The subjective life expectancy (SLE) partially mediated the prospective reciprocal relationships between self-perceived disease control and these self-management behaviors, accounting for 37.11%, 25.88%, 19.39% of the total effect of self-perceived disease control on medication use, self-monitoring and physical activity, respectively. These self-management behaviors further had significantly and positively feedback effect on self-perceived disease control. However, both direct and indirect effects (via SLE) of self-perceived disease control on tobacco and alcohol avoidance were not revealed.Conclusions: Positive feedback loops of present self-perceived disease control, future SLE and self-management behaviors (medication use, self-monitoring, and physical activity) help older hypertensive patients adhere to these behaviors, but useless for their addictive behaviors’ avoidance. Interventions aimed at enhancing effect perception of general self-management behaviors (e.g., medication use, self-monitoring and physical activity) on present disease control perspective and future lifespan perspective would be beneficial for consistent these self-management behaviors of older hypertensive patients. The utility of present disease control perception to these self-management behaviors was much higher than the utility of future expectations. While alternative stress relief strategies may be conducive to the long-term change of their addictive behaviors.
Competencies relevant for gerontological nursing: Focus-group interviews with professionals in the nursing of older people

Older people are present in a variety of nursing settings and have distinct care needs. Evidence about the competencies required is crucial when developing the profession. The aim of the study was to describe competence areas relevant in gerontological nursing. A qualitative, descriptive study design was used with 27 participants included. Finnish gerontological nursing professionals who worked at several healthcare organizations and in education were interviewed in five focus-group interviews. The interviews were carried out between October 2017 and February 2018 and were analyzed using inductive content analysis. The study is reported according to SRQR guidelines. Analysis indicated four main competence areas for gerontological nursing: clinical nursing competence; competence in promoting health and well-being; interaction competence; and ethical competence. Registered nurses (RNs) must possess multiple competencies when caring for older people which should be taken into account in nursing and education.