Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermodynamic Benefits of Opposed-Piston Two- Stroke Engines

A detailed thermodynamic analysis was performed to demonstrate the fundamental efficiency advantage of an opposed-piston two-stroke engine over a standard four-stroke engine. Three engine configurations were considered: a baseline six-cylinder four-stroke engine, a hypothetical threecylinder opposed-piston four-stroke engine, and a threecylinder opposed-piston two-stroke engine. The bore and stroke per piston were held constant for all engine configurations to minimize any potential differences in friction. The closed-cycle performance of the engine configurations were compared using a custom analysis tool that allowed the sources of thermal efficiency differences to be identified and quantified. The simulation results showed that combining the opposed-piston architecture with the twostroke cycle increased the indicated thermal efficiency through a combination of three effects: reduced heat transfer because the opposed-piston architecture creates a more favorable combustion chamber area/volume ratio, increased ratio of specific heats because of leaner operating conditions made possible by the two-stroke cycle, and decreased combustion duration achievable at the fixed maximum pressure rise rate because of the lower energy release density of the two-stroke engine. When averaged over a representative engine cycle, the opposed-piston two-stroke engine had 10.4% lower indicated-specific fuel consumption than the four-stroke engine.
Hearing Loss in Beta-Thalassemia: Systematic Review

In the last half century, the life expectancy of beta-thalassemia patients has strikingly increased mostly due to regular blood transfusions and chelation treatments. The improved survival, however, has allowed for the emergence of comorbidities, such as hearing loss, with a non-negligible impact on the patients’ quality of life. This thorough review analyzes the acquired knowledge regarding hearing impairment in this hereditary hemoglobinopathy, aiming at defining its prevalence, features, course, and possible disease- or treatment-related pathogenic factors. Following PRISMA criteria, we retrieved 60 studies published between 1979 and 2021. Diagnostic tools and criteria, forms of hearing impairment, correlations with beta-thalassemia phenotypes, age and sex, chelation treatment and laboratory findings including iron overload, were carefully searched, analyzed and summarized. In spite of the relatively high number of studies in the last 40 years, our knowledge is rather limited, and large prospective studies with homogeneous diagnostic tools and criteria are required to define all the aforementioned issues. According to the literature, the overall prevalence rate of hearing impairment is 32.3%; age, sex, and laboratory findings do not seem to correlate with hearing deficits, while the weak relationship with clinical phenotype and chelation treatment seems to highlight the presence of further yet to be identified pathogenic factors.
Efficacy of Tamsulosin as Compared to Placebo, in Reducing Post Operative Flank Pain during Voiding, in Patients with Ureteric Stent

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of tamsulosin in reducing post operative flank pain during voiding, in patients with ureteric stent. Study Design: This is a Randomized control trial (RCT) study. Place and Duration: Study carried out at Department of Urology, Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre, Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from June 2016 to November 2016. Methodology: 60 patients aged between 15 – 45years, undergone placement of ureteric stent to treat ureteric and renal calculi and have pain score >4, were included in the study. Divided into two groups ‘group A’ and ‘group B’. In group ‘A’ and group ‘B’ Tamsulosin and Placebo was given respectively in patients with ureteric stent and reduction in post-operative flank pain was measured and compared. Tamsulosin was given post operatively when NPO is broken after 2 hours – 6 hours. Patients having uretral trauma, patients having BPH, patient underwent TURP or TURBT, patent having urinary tract infection and patients with pregnancy or lactating females were excluded. All patients were received intravenous antibiotic (Ceftrixone 1gr). Also all patients were receive oral analgesic (diclofenic sodium 50mg BID) and antispasmodics (Drotaverine 80mg BID). Patients were discharged after 24 hours. Postoperatively stent related flank pain during voiding was assessed via Pain Scale. Results: 60 Patients who got operated for ureteric stent. In group ‘A’ there were 21 males (70%) and 9 females (30%), the mean age of group A was 35.67±5.99 as In group ‘B’ there were of 21 males (70%) and 9 females (30%) and mean age of group B was 35.04±6.42 (Table 1). Mean Pain score in ‘Group A’ (Tamsulosin) in week 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 was 4.1, 3.5, 2.9, 2.3, 1.9, 1.3 respectively as shown in Table 2. Mean Pain score in ‘group B’ (Placebo) in week1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 was 6.9, 6.3, 5.9, 5.6, 5, 4.2 respectively as shown in Table 2. Average pain score in ‘group A’ and ‘group B’ came out to be 2.67 and 5.64 respectively (P value 0.005). Conclusion: Alpha blockers reduces the post-operative flank pain and voiding complaints in patients with ureteric stent. Our study shows that the efficacy of Tamsulosin in reducing post-operatice flank pain in patients with uretercic stent is better than placebo.
Serum cortisol in mules intended for agricultural work

Cortisol is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that is stimulated by physiological and pathological factors and has been studied widely in equids, but not in mules. The objectives of this study were to obtain a reference value for serum cortisol in mules destined for agricultural activities and to identify age- and gender-related differences in the value. The concentration was obtained in blood samples using a commercial sandwich ELISA specific for cortisol. The concentration was 96.3 ± 40.6 ng/ml and similar between age groups and genders.
Rapid Detection of Urea Fertilizer Effects on VOC Emissions from Cucumber Fruits Using a MOS E-Nose Sensor Array

The widespread use of nitrogen chemical fertilizers in modern agricultural practices has raised concerns over hazardous accumulations of nitrogen-based compounds in crop foods and in agricultural soils due to nitrogen overfertilization. Many vegetables accumulate and retain large amounts of nitrites and nitrates due to repeated nitrogen applications or excess use of nitrogen fertilizers. Consequently, the consumption of high-nitrate crop foods may cause health risks to humans. The effects of varying urea–nitrogen fertilizer application rates on VOC emissions from cucumber fruits were investigated using an experimental MOS electronic-nose (e-nose) device based on differences in sensor-array responses to volatile emissions from fruits, recorded following different urea fertilizer treatments. Urea fertilizer was applied to cucumber plants at treatment rates equivalent to 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 kg/ha. Cucumber fruits were then harvested twice, 4 and 5 months after seed planting, and evaluated for VOC emissions using an e-nose technology to assess differences in smellprint signatures associated with different urea application rates. The electrical signals from the e-nose sensor array data outputs were subjected to four aroma classification methods, including: linear and quadratic discriminant analysis (LDA-QDA), support vector machines (SVM), and artificial neural networks (ANN). The results suggest that combining the MOS e-nose technology with QDA is a promising method for rapidly monitoring urea fertilizer application rates applied to cucumber plants based on changes in VOC emissions from cucumber fruits. This new monitoring tool could be useful in adjusting future urea fertilizer application rates to help prevent nitrogen overfertilization.
Investigation of Two Precipitation Methods for Extracting Immunoglobulin Y (IgY) from Egg Yolks

Two groups of hens (control and immunization group) were arranged in an experimental design with an immunization schedule of 3 injections of BSA antigen. IgY antibodies were extracted from egg yolks by two precipitation processes (chloroform and polyethylene glycol precipitates) and quantified using a standard curve of protein concentration. The purification of IgYwas confirmed by SDS-PAGE. Total protein extracted from egg yoks were less contaminated with yellow pigments (lutein and zeaxanthin) by using chloroform precipitate. The 2nd week post-immunization, IgY concentration increased respectively to 3903 ± 726 μg. ml-1 (chloroform extraction process) and 2937 ± 294 μg. ml-1 (PEG extraction process) (P < 0.01). After 3rdimmunization, IgY level obtaining from in immunization group extracted by chloroform process (6633 ± 1166 μg.ml-1) increased 2.7 times higher than that in control group (2482 ± 414 μg.ml-1). Whereas IgY concentrations obtained from PEG extraction process were not significantly different between the experimental group and control group. Chloroform and PEG precipitation methods had the same protein profile on the SDSPAGE. IgY antibody was identified by the presence of bands corresponding with IgY heavy chain (67-70 kDa) and IgY light chain (25 kDa) for both precipitation processes.
Response of Five Miscanthus sinensis Cultivars to Grasshopper Herbivory: Implications for Monitoring of Invasive Grasses in Protected Areas

Introduced grasses can aggressively expand their range and invade native habitats, including protected areas. Miscanthus sinensis is an introduced ornamental grass with 100+ cultivars of various invasive potential. Previous studies have demonstrated that the invasive potential of M. sinensis cultivars may be linked to seed viability, and some of the physiological traits, such as growth rate. Little is known, however, about whether these traits are associated with response of M. sinensis to insect herbivory, and whether plant tolerance and resistance to herbivory vary among its cultivars; which, in turn, can contribute to the invasive potential of some of M. sinensis cultivars. To address this issue, in our study we explored the response of five cultivars of M. sinensis to herbivory by Melanoplus grasshoppers. We demonstrated that plant responses varied among the cultivars during a season; all the cultivars, but “Zebrinus”, demonstrated a significant increase in plant tolerance by the end of the growing season regardless of the amount of sustained leaf damage. Different patterns in plant responses from “solid green” and “striped/spotted” varieties were recorded, with the lowest plant resistance detected for “Autumn Anthem” in the cage experiment. Our results have important applications for monitoring low-risk invaders in protected areas, as well as for biotic resistance of native communities to invasive grasses.
Impact of tourism development on inclusive growth: A panel vector autoregression analysis for African economies

The persistent debate among policy makers and academics around combating the high rates of poverty and income inequality can be further illuminated by understanding how tourism contributes to inclusive growth, especially in developing economies. Tourism sector can be regarded as one of the key contributors to inclusive growth and where it has the capacity to generate prospects for productive employment. The goal of this article is thus to investigate the link between inclusive growth and tourism in the African context. To do this, we utilized a recent panel vector autoregression (pVAR) and data for 45 African countries spanning the period 1995 to 2019. Thus, by the error variance decomposition and impulse response functions, our results showed a weak positive effect of international tourism arrivals and the composite tourism indicator on inclusive growth, while tourism receipts and tourism expenditure insignificantly decreases inclusive growth in the sampled African economies. Our result is further supported by the panel system generalized method of moments (GMM). We provide some policy implications from our findings.
The Roles of Neurotrophins in Traumatic Brain Injury

Neurotrophins are a collection of structurally and functionally related proteins. They play important roles in many aspects of neural development, survival, and plasticity. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) leads to different levels of central nervous tissue destruction and cellular repair through various compensatory mechanisms promoted by the injured brain. Many studies have shown that neurotrophins are key modulators of neuroinflammation, apoptosis, blood–brain barrier permeability, memory capacity, and neurite regeneration. The expression of neurotrophins following TBI is affected by the severity of injury, genetic polymorphism, and different post-traumatic time points. Emerging research is focused on the potential therapeutic applications of neurotrophins in managing TBI. We conducted a comprehensive review by organizing the studies that demonstrate the role of neurotrophins in the management of TBI.
The Effect of Loneliness in Psychological and Behavioral Profile among High School Students in Spain

Loneliness is a distressing feeling that can be a barrier to a student’s development and affect their mental health. This research aimed to analyse the effects of loneliness on psychological and behavioral factors among students aged 12–19 years in Spain. Loneliness, experiential avoidance, psychological inflexibility, physical activity, mobile phone use, and smoke habits were analysed in a sample of 110 men and 122 women assigned into two groups depending on their loneliness levels: higher loneliness group (HLG) and lower loneliness group (LLG). Results showed that experimental avoidance and psychological inflexibility were related with loneliness (r = 0.471; p = 0.000). Experiential avoidance and psychological inflexibility were higher in HLG than LLG. Regarding the use of mobile phones and smoking habits, LLG presented significantly higher values than HLG. Higher age correlated with lower loneliness values (r = −0.155; p = 0.017). The present research found how students with higher loneliness presented higher experiential avoidance and psychological inflexibility and lower age, use of mobile phone, and smoking habits. These findings reveal the importance of considering multiple social behaviours when examining adolescent mental health factors.
Structural consolidation of mud brick masonry

The first aim of this paper is to provide an illustration of fabric survey, damage assessment, and structural consolidation of the mud brick structures of Al Ain, an oasis in the United Arab Emirates. The buildings mostly date to the turn of the last century and it was concluded that damage of such vernacular architecture is represented by thermal movement, structural cracks, leaning walls, granular disintegration, erosion and creation of preferential channels, and coving. Furthermore, damage caused by animals and by recent interventions was also surveyed. The second aim of the paper is to illustrate the structural consolidation of mud brick masonry by explaining the work undertaken in the mosque of Al Jahili (1891–1898). This includes eroded wall repair, window filling, repair of cracks with the stitching technique, wall top consolidation, and roof repair.
Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance Study in Bread Wheat Genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.)

: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a high-yielding crop with a wide range of adaptability, and it is the world's and Ethiopia's principal source of food. In Ethiopia, however, wheat productivity has increased in recent years. Due to abiotic like heat, drought, frost and others and biotic like rusts (Stem, yellow and leaf), Septoria, fusarium and others causes, it is still quite low when compared to other wheat-producing countries. The objectives were to test variability of genotypic and phenotypic and also heritability and genetic advance in bread wheat genotypes. Hence, in this studied conducted on 30 bread wheat genotypes of yield and associated traits was assessed. A trial was undertaken Holetta in Ethiopia in 2018/19 cropping season. The materials were tested using a three-replication alpha lattice pattern. Data on yield and associated traits were analyzed using SAS versions 9.3 software. The heritability estimates for 1000 kernel weight were found to be very high, at 81.14 percent. The trait 1000 kernel weight was also shown to have a high heritability couple with a high genetic advance as a percentage of the mean. So it concluded that 1000 kernel weight may be targeted as the selection criteria for the grain yield improvement However, further study needs to be conducted the future bread wheat breeding effort should be focus on varietal development.
Comparing the Performance of Four Sinc Methods for Numerical Indefinite Integration

Aims/ Objectives: To compare the performance of four Sinc methods for the numerical approximation of indefinite integrals with algebraic or logarithmic end-point singularities. Methodology: The first two quadrature formulas were proposed by Haber based on the sinc method, the third is Stengers Single Exponential (SE) formula and Tanaka et al.s Double Exponential (DE) sinc method completes the number. Furthermore, an application of the four quadrature formulas on numerical examples, reveals convergence to the exact solution by Tanaka et al.s DE sinc method than by the other three formulae. In addition, we compared the CPU time of the four quadrature methods which was not done in an earlier work by the same author. Conclusion: Haber formula A is the fastest as revealed by the CPU time.
Comportamento de atributos físicos de um Latossolo Amarelo sob agroecossistemas do Amazonas

The Amazon tropical forest deforestation and the agricultural use of soils can lead to soil physical, chemical and biological degradation. This study evaluated land use and tillage systems in Yellow Latosol, very clayey, by physical attributes determinated in 0.0-0.2 and 0.2-0.4 m depths, in Universidade do Amazonas, Manaus (AM). The land used and tillage systems were: corn, orange, peach palm, guarana, pasture, capoeira and forest. Deforestation, slash-burning and mechanizated operation of tillage and manage were used on corn, orange, peach palm and pasture systems. Soil properties (particle size, clay flocculation degree, organic matter, particle density, bulk density, total porosity, macro and microporosity, initial and basic infiltration) were evaluated after 6 to 12 years of management. The experiment was a completely randomized design with three replicates. Capoeira, guarana, corn, orange, peach palm and pasture, in this order, induced soil physical attributes degradation compared with forest, presented greater values of soil bulk density and lowest macroporosity, water infiltration and organic matter.
The Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Summer School for English Language Learners

The purposes of this paper are to explain the development processes of an intensive summer program for English language learners and to discuss course improvement strategies based on the evaluation outcomes. This 60-hr partnership program between local schools and a university was developed to improve the language proficiency of increasing numbers of international students in the southeastern United States. Following a conventional instructional design model, the authors conducted needs assessments with parents and teachers and developed and implemented a one-month intensive English program emphasizing the improvement of reading and writing skills and test preparation. Formative and summative evaluations were conducted to identify areas of improvement and to examine the effectiveness of the program. This paper reports the evaluation results and discusses three areas that need to be considered to develop a quality summer English program: (a) the incorporation of standardized tests, (b) the creation of comfortable learning environments, and (c) the development of curriculum content.
Exploring the Use of Egocentric Online Social Network Data to Characterize Individual Air Travel Behavior

The rapid growth of online social networking over the past decade has generated substantial amounts of data about individuals and their social relationships. Recent research studies investigating social relationships and travel behavior have sought connections between individuals’ social networks and socially related travel; however, to the authors’ knowledge, no study has pursued the use of online social networking data to do so. This study explores the use of online social network data in characterizing individuals’ air travel behavior. Data were collected through a web-based survey including information about individuals’ air travel history and online social network information, specifically participants’ Facebook networks. The data were then analyzed to address a series of hypotheses about the association between online social network characteristics (specifically Facebook) and air travel behavior, in particular, travel distance, leisure-related travel, and trip generation. This study found a positive relationship between the size and distribution of individuals’ Facebook social networks and both their engagement in air travel and the odds that their air travel will be leisure related or will include a leisure component.
Scene Graph Generation Using Depth, Spatial, and Visual Cues in 2D Images

To understand an image or a scene properly, it is necessary to identify objects participating in the scene, their relationships, and various attributes that describe their properties. A scene graph is a high-level representation that confines all these features in a structured manner. Scene graph generation includes multiple challenges like the semantics of relationships considered and the availability of a well-balanced dataset with sufficient training examples. We tried to mitigate these problems by extracting two subsets, VG-R10 and VG-A16, from the popular Visual Genome dataset. Also, a framework (S2G) is proposed for generating scene graphs directly from images using depth and spatial information of object pairs. Evaluations on the scene graph generation model reveal that the proposed framework achieves better results on our data than the state-of-the-art.
An improved numerical model for wave rotor design and analysis

A numerical model has been developed which can predict both the unsteady flows within a wave rotor and the steady averaged flows in the ports. The model is based on the assumptions of one-dimensional, unsteady, and perfect gas flow. Besides the dominant wave behavior, it is also capable of predicting the effects of finite tube opening time, leakage from the tube ends, and viscosity. The relative simplicity of the model makes it useful for design, optimization, and analysis of wave rotor cycles for any application. This paper discusses some details of the model and presents comparisons between the model and two laboratory wave rotor experiments.
Atomically thin In2O3 field-effect transistors with 1017 current on/off ratio

Recent advances have enabled the demonstration of record high-performance atomically thin n-type indium oxide (In 2 O 3 ) ﬁeld-effect transistors with low thermal budget suitable for back-end-of-line logic or memory applications. By using ultra-thin layers of In 2 O 3 , its degenerate carrier density is suppressed so that it can be modulated by conventional dielectric gating. These devices have high on-currents due to its high mobility and low contact resistance; meanwhile they can have exceptionally low off-currents due to its wide bandgap. For both low-power logic and memory, the off-state performance should be understood in more detail, although they are constrained by the limits of traditional measurement techniques. In this Letter, we systematically probe the off-current of ultra-thin In 2 O 3 transistors by adopting a wide channel geometry with temperature-dependent electrical measurements and demonstrate the potential for record high current on/off ratios of 10 17 on In 2 O 3 transistors. an