Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of temperature and humidity on the thermal resistance of waste materials for the efficiency of the building envelope

A thermal insulation material’s effectiveness is influenced by its thermal conductivity and ability to maintain its thermal characteristics, particularly in hot and humid environments. In this study, different waste materials used in building envelopes are investigated for their thermal conductivity under temperature and humidity variations. Four materials are being studied experimentally; rubber, paper, plastic, and foam are mixed separately and proportionally with plain mortar. Thermal conductivity in testing samples is determined using heat-flow meters. Testing waste materials in a room environment for 14 days revealed varying degrees of thermal resistance. Compared to plain mortar, the inclusion of rubber, plastic, paper, and foam increase thermal resistance by 1.6, 43.4, 50.5, and 101.4%, respectively. In a climatic testing chamber, samples were exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity levels consistent with Bahrain’s monthly average temperatures. To determine the effect of changes in temperature and humidity on each waste material’s thermal properties, the thermal resistance of the samples was measured after 24, 48, and 72 hours. The change in environmental factors seems to have a mild impact on rubber’s thermal resistance. Most materials are foam and plastic, while paper and paperboard are moderately affected. Such a change is not substantial for the four tested waste materials during the July environment. Foam, which has demonstrated more significant changes throughout the January environment, shows fewer changes than rubber, paper, and plastic. In an extreme environment, all the tested waste materials, except for plastic, are highly influenced by exposure to extremities of temperature and relative humidity.
Surface mechanics implications for a nanovoided metallic thin-plate under uniform boundary loading

The goal of this work is to shed some light on the problem of stress concentrations near nanoscale pores (nanovoids) in metallic thin-plates subjected to mechanical load. The limitations of classical elasticity at the nanoscale can be mitigated by the incorporation of a coherent surface model. The disturbance of the elastic field due to a nanovoid in an elastic thin-plate can be determined using a three-dimensional displacement formulation. Numerical results suggest that the surface energy and corresponding surface stress of the nanovoid significantly alter the local stress distribution and the relevant stress concentrations. The magnitude of this effect depends on parameters like the void size, film thickness, applied load, and material properties of the thin-plate and the void surface. The results of the study suggest that nanoporous thin-plates could be optimized for lower stress concentrations and might be less vulnerable to fracture, at least when subjected to uniaxial tensile loads.
Modelling and Application of Doppler Reflectometry for Advanced Turbulence Studies on the ASDEX Upgrade Tokamak and the TJ-II Stellarator

Doppler reflectometry is an experimental technique used for density turbulence studies in fusion plasmas. In this thesis, the technique is investigated analytically, numerically and experimentally. The understanding obtained is applied for an advanced characterization of turbulence on the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak and the TJ-II stellarator. A new measurement method of the tilting of turbulent structures has been developed and applied in the confinement region for the first time. This has allowed innovative comparisons with physical models and simulations.
Lyα emitters with very large Lyα equivalent widths, EW0(Lyα) ≃ 200–400 Å, at z ∼ 2

We present physical properties of spectroscopically confirmed Ly$\alpha$ emitters (LAEs) with very large rest-frame Ly$\alpha$ equivalent widths EW$_{\rm 0}$(Ly$\alpha$). Although the definition of large EW$_{\rm 0}$(Ly$\alpha$) LAEs is usually difficult due to limited statistical and systematic uncertainties, we identify six LAEs selected from $\sim 3000$ LAEs at $z\sim 2$ with reliable measurements of EW$_{\rm 0}$ (Ly$\alpha$) $\simeq 200-400$ \AA\ given by careful continuum determinations with our deep photometric and spectroscopic data. These large EW$_{\rm 0}$(Ly$\alpha$) LAEs do not have signatures of AGN, but notably small stellar masses of $M_{\rm *} = 10^{7-8}$ $M_{\rm \odot}$ and high specific star-formation rates (star formation rate per unit galaxy stellar mass) of $\sim 100$ Gyr$^{-1}$. These LAEs are characterized by the median values of $L({\rm Ly\alpha})=3.7\times 10^{42}$ erg s$^{-1}$ and $M_{\rm UV}=-18.0$ as well as the blue UV continuum slope of $\beta = -2.5\pm0.2$ and the low dust extinction $E(B-V)_{\rm *} = 0.02^{+0.04}_{-0.02}$, which indicate a high median Ly$\alpha$ escape fraction of $f_{\rm esc}^{\rm Ly\alpha}=0.68\pm0.30$. This large $f_{\rm esc}^{\rm Ly\alpha}$ value is explained by the low {\sc Hi} column density in the ISM that is consistent with FWHM of the Ly$\alpha$ line, ${\rm FWHM (Ly\alpha)}=212\pm32$ km s$^{-1}$, significantly narrower than those of small EW$_{\rm 0}$(Ly$\alpha$) LAEs. Based on the stellar evolution models, our observational constraints of the large EW$_{\rm 0}$ (Ly$\alpha$), the small $\beta$, and the rest-frame He{\sc ii} equivalent width imply that at least a half of our large EW$_{\rm 0}$(Ly$\alpha$) LAEs would have young stellar ages of $\lesssim 20$ Myr and very low metallicities of $Z<0.02 Z_\odot$ regardless of the star-formation history.
The complete chloroplast genome and phylogenetic analysis of Jacobaea maritima (Asteraceae)

Abstract Jacobaea maritima is an important horticulture plant in the genus Jacobaea. Here, we assembled the complete chloroplast genome of J. maritima. The chloroplast genome was 153,857 bp in length, with a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRs) (27,936 bp) separated by a large single-copy region (LSC) (82,771 bp) and a small single-copy region (SSC) (15,214 bp). The complete chloroplast genome contained 112 unique genes, including 79 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis showed Jacobaea was more closely related to Senecio, Crassocephalum and Gynura. The chloroplast genome of J. maritima can provide data to support future phylogenetic studies of Jacobaea.
N-acetylcysteine reduces severity and mortality in COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: Recent clinical studies suggest that oxidative stress is one of the key players in the pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant, has been shown to improve clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature published on the therapeutic intervention of NAC on COVID-19 infection. Methods: We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. We identified and screened eight studies with 20,503 participants, including 2,852 in the NAC-treated group and 17,651 in the placebo group, which reported the effect of NAC on COVID-19 infection. A meta-analysis was performed using forest plots under fixed effect estimates based on the standardized mean difference (SMD) and risk ratio (RR). Results: Pooled analysis showed that NAC was associated with lower mortality in patients with COVID-19 compared with the placebo group [RR, 0.65; (95% CI: 0.56 to 0.75); p < 0.0001]. Similarly, C-reactive protein (CRP) [SMD, −0.32; (95% CI: −56 to −0.09); p = 0.0070] and D-dimer [SMD, −0.35, (95% CI: −0.59 to −0.10; p = 0.0062] levels were significantly decreased, and the oxygenation marker, PaO2/FiO2 ratio, was increased in the NAC-treated group compared with the placebo group [SMD, 0.76; (95% CI: 0.48 to 1.03); p < 0.0001]. Conclusion: Although the number of included studies was minimal, this meta-analysis suggests that NAC may have a positive effect on COVID-19 outcomes, specifically, a significant decrease in CRP and D-dimer levels and a significant increase in oxygen saturation, which decreased mortality. We have also presented a comprehensive review of the role and mechanisms of NAC in patients with COVID-19.
Latent Toxoplasmosis among Breast Cancer Patients in Jahrom, South of Iran

Objective Reactivation of latent toxoplasmosis is the main cause of severe infection among immunocompromised patients, including patients with cancer. Hence, this study is aimed at screening the status of Toxoplasma gondii infection among breast cancer patients by serological and molecular methods and determining their associated risk factors in Jahrom County, Fars Province, south of Iran. Methods One hundred and seven women with breast cancer (aged 34 to 80 years) were screened for anti-T. gondii antibodies (IgG and IgM) during 2019–2020. A questionnaire regarding demographic factors was filled out by participants. Molecular detection was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the primer pair targeting the repetitive element (RE) gene of T. gondii. The risk factors and demographic data were analyzed by SPSS software (ver. 20, Chicago, IL, USA) using the Chi-squared test. Results Anti-T. gondii IgG was detected in 45.8% (49/107) of the patients, which indicates latent infection, but anti-T. gondii IgM and PCR were negative in all samples. Demographic factors revealed a statistically significant increased T. gondii seropositivity among nonmenopause cancer patients (P < 0.0005), patients without previous breast cancer (P = 0.0001), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2- (HER2-) negative patients (P = 0.00002). As such, patients with a history of previous abortions and who were at stages II, III, and IIII of cancer had higher seropositivity rates than patients without a history of previous abortions or who were at stage I cancer, but the statistical analysis was not significant. We did not find a statistically significant association between T. gondii seropositivity and other risk factors of toxoplasmosis (e.g., education level, type of water source, washing raw fruits and vegetables, consumption of raw or undercooked meat, and contact with soil, cats, and domestic animal). Conclusion A high seroprevalence rate of latent T. gondii infection was detected among patients with breast cancer; hence, these patients may be at high risk for reactivation of latent infection. Screening of T. gondii infection is recommended to detect active infection among patients with malignancies.
Characterization of channel temperature in Ga2O3 metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors by electrical measurements and thermal modeling

The channel temperature (Tch) and thermal resistance (Rth) of Ga2O3 metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors were investigated through electrical measurements complemented by electrothermal device simulations that incorporated experimental Ga2O3 thermal parameters. The analysis technique was based on a comparison between DC and pulsed drain currents (IDS) at known applied biases, where negligible self-heating under pulsed conditions enabled approximation of Tch to the ambient temperature (Tamb) and hence correlation of IDS to Tch. Validation of the device model was achieved through calibration against the DC data. The experimental Tch was in good agreement with simulations for Tamb between 20 °C and 175 °C. A large Rth of 48 mm·K/W thus extracted at room temperature highlights the value of thermal analysis for understanding the degradation mechanisms and improving the reliability of Ga2O3 power devices.
Effects of Acute Stretching on Resistance Training Performance

Abstract. Marek, Shaun J., Wolfarth, Jon M. , Dettinger, Luke J., Kelley, Darin C. Effects of Acute Stretching on Resistance Training Performance. J. Undergrad. Kin. Res. 2005;1(1):9-15. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of resistance training performance on a 1 RM bench press test using a stretching routine vs. no stretching routine. Ten healthy male students took part in this study. The mean values for age, height, and body mass were 26 yrs, 71.5 in, and 192 lbs. Each subject performed a 5 minute warm-up and 5 upper-body static stretches that were held for 20 seconds each. The subjects also performed a 5 minute warm-up with no static stretching before a 1 RM bench press. All subjects were independent in performing stretching vs. no stretching before the 1 RM bench press test. No significant difference was found (p>0.05) between subjects who stretched (253.0 lbs) before the 1 RM bench press test and subjects who did not perform a stretching routine (252.5 lbs). These results suggest that static stretching before resistance training neither improves nor reduces muscular performance. Therefore, stretching should be used only to maintain or increase flexibility, range of motion, and prevention of injuries. Marek, Shaun J., Wolfarth, Jon M. , Dettinger, Luke J., Kelley, Darin C. Effects of Acute Stretching on Resistance Training Performance. J. Undergrad. Kin. Res. 2005;1(1):9-15. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of resistance training performance on a 1 RM bench press test using a stretching routine vs. no stretching routine. Ten healthy male students took part in this study. The mean values for age, height, and body mass were 26 yrs, 71.5 in, and 192 lbs. Each subject performed a 5 minute warm-up and 5 upper-body static stretches that were held for 20 seconds each. The subjects also performed a 5 minute warm-up with no static stretching before a 1 RM bench press. All subjects were independent in performing stretching vs. no stretching before the 1 RM bench press test. No significant difference was found (p>0.05) between subjects who stretched (253.0 lbs) before the 1 RM bench press test and subjects who did not perform a stretching routine (252.5 lbs). These results suggest that static stretching before resistance training neither improves nor reduces muscular performance. Therefore, stretching should be used only to maintain or increase flexibility, range of motion, and prevention of injuries.
Integrating the “Quit and Stay Quit Monday” Model into Smoking Cessation Services for Smokers with Mental Health Conditions: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction People with mental health conditions (MHCs) are less likely to achieve long-term abstinence than people without MHCs. The Quit and Stay Quit Monday (QSQM) model offers a long-term approach to treating tobacco use by encouraging people to quit, requit, or recommit to quit smoking every Monday. Aim To evaluate the efficacy, patient satisfaction, and patient engagement with an intervention that integrated the QSQM model into multicomponent smoking cessation services among people with an MHC. Methods This was a randomized controlled pilot trial. Eligibility criteria were as follows: (1) ≥18 years old, (2) smoked a cigarette in the past 30 days, (3) diagnosis of an ICD-10 MHC, (4) interest in quitting smoking, (5) able to receive services in English, and (5) had an active email and a cell phone. The intervention group (n = 33) received QSQM-focused telephone coaching, a weekly QSQM email newsletter, a SmokefreeTXT anchored around a Monday quit date, and 4 weeks of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). The control group (n = 36) received information about contacting their state Quitline for usual services. Primary outcomes were self-reported quit attempts, 7-day abstinence, and intervention satisfaction at 3 months. Results Twenty-four participants (73%) in the intervention group began telephone coaching, 26 (79%) enrolled in the QSQM email newsletter, 19 (58%) enrolled in SmokefreeTXT, and 15 (46%) used NRT. Using a penalized intent-to-treat approach, quit attempts in the intervention and control groups were 63.6% and 38.9% (OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.03-7.30), respectively. Seven-day abstinence in the two groups was 12.1% and 5.6% (OR 2.35, 95% CI 0.40-13.74), respectively. Of the 15 intervention group participants who set a quit date during the intervention, 13 (86.7%) selected a Monday quit day. Qualitative interviews revealed positive participant experiences with picking a Monday quit day. On follow-up surveys, 89.5%, 69.3%, and 64.3% of intervention participants reported that the counseling, QSQM email, and text messaging, respectively, were very or somewhat helpful. Conclusions The QSQM model was acceptable and potentially efficacious among people with MHCs, but intervention engagement and satisfaction were modest. Future research should adapt or develop new QSQM delivery approaches to improve patient engagement and potential efficacy of the model. This trial is registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04512248).
Preferences of Patients With Musculoskeletal Disorders Regarding the Timing and Channel of eHealth and Factors Influencing Its Use: Mixed Methods Study

Background Implementation of eHealth is progressing slowly. In-depth insight into patients’ preferences and needs regarding eHealth might improve its use. Objective This study aimed to describe when patients want to use eHealth, how patients want to communicate and receive information digitally, and what factors influence the use of eHealth in clinical practice. Methods A multimethod study was conducted. Two meetings of ~5.5 hours with plenary information sessions and focus groups were held with 22 patients from the rheumatology, orthopedics, and rehabilitation departments of a Dutch hospital specialized in musculoskeletal disorders. Assignments were performed during the focus groups in which qualitative (eg, semistructured interview questions) and quantitative (ie, voting and ranking factors) data were collected. Results The way patients want to use eHealth varies between patients and moments of a patient’s care pathway. Patients’ digital channel preferences depended on the need for interaction with a health care provider (HCP). The interaction need is in turn influenced by the degree to which information or communication is specific to an individual patient and leads to consequences for the patient. The 5 most important factors influencing the use of eHealth were access to medical information (eg, electronic health records), perceived control over disease management, correctness and completeness of information, data security, and access to information or an HCP at any time. The 5 least important factors influencing eHealth use were help with using digital devices, having internet or equipment, digital skills, attitude or emotions toward eHealth, and societal benefits. Conclusions Patients identified opportunities for using eHealth during all moments of their care pathway. However, preferences for eHealth varied between patients and phases in the care pathway. As a consequence, eHealth should be tailored to fit individual patients’ preferences but also the need for interaction regarding different topics by offering a variety of digital channels with a gradient of interaction possibilities. Furthermore, digital skills and access to the internet might become less important to focus on in the future. Improving eHealth use by patients may be achieved by providing patients access to correct and safe (medical) information and more control over their care.
Avian wings can lengthen rather than shorten in response to increased migratory predation danger

Abstract Increasing predation danger can select for safety‐enhancing modifications to prey morphology. Here, we document the multi‐decade wing lengthening of a Pacific flyway migrant, the western sandpiper (Calidris mauri), and contrast this with contemporaneous wing shortening of the closely related semipalmated sandpiper (C. pusilla) on the Atlantic flyway. We measured >12,000 southbound western sandpipers captured from 1978 to 2020 at a major stopover site in British Columbia. Wing length increased at 0.074 mm year−1 (SE = 0.017; p < .0003) for adults, and 0.087 mm year−1 (SE = 0.029; p < .007) for juveniles. These rates are of similarly large magnitude (4%–5% overall), but opposite in direction, to the rate we previously reported for semipalmated sandpiper adults (−0.103 mm year−1). In both species, the change is specific to wings rather than being part of a general body size change. We interpret both trends as responses to the ongoing strong increase of peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) populations since the mid‐1970s, an important predator encountered by these species in contrasting ways during migration. Western sandpipers and peregrine migrations have temporal and spatial overlap. Longer wings enhance migratory speed and efficiency, enabling western sandpipers to decrease overlap by advancing to safer zones ahead of falcon passage. In contrast, semipalmated sandpipers primarily encounter peregrines as residents at migratory staging sites. Shorter wings improve acceleration and agility, helping migrants to escape attacks. Juvenile western sandpiper wing length also shows a component additive to the lengthening trend, shifting between years at 0.055 mm day−1 with the highly variable snowmelt date, with wings shorter following early springs. On the Pacific flyway, the timing of peregrine southward passage advances with snowmelt, increasing the relative exposure of juveniles to post‐migratory resident peregrines. We interpret this annual wing length adjustment as an induced defense, made possible because snowmelt timing is a reliable cue to danger in the upcoming migration.
The effectiveness of gamification through classroom leaderboards for student engagement

Universities, researchers and practitioners are looking for effective ways to engage, enhance, and promote students’ learning in the classroom. Gamification is the integration of game-like design elements into non-game context to motivate action, engage, and solve problems. This paper presents the effectiveness of gamification through leaderboards to improve student engagement in subjects for Company Website Design (EIC552) and Communication through Drama (EPE530) at Akademi Pengajian Bahasa, Universiti Teknologi MARA. Questionnaires were given to examine the effects of gamification on student learning and engagement. Results suggest that gamification through leaderboards are effective in improving student participation and encouraging extracurricular learning.
Component-wise variable step-size diffusion least mean square algorithm for distributed estimation

In this study, the authors propose a novel component-wise variable step-size diffusion least mean square (CWVSS-DLMS) algorithm for distributed estimation. Different from the traditional variable step-size DLMS (VSS-DLMS) algorithms in which the updating of all components in the weight vector are the same, the step sizes vary from each other on all components at each iteration in the CWVSS-DLMS algorithm. After deriving the CWVSS-DLMS algorithm, they perform theoretical analysis in terms of mean stability and mean-square behaviour. They have also compared the performance of the CWVSS-DLMS algorithm with several other DLMS algorithms through numerical simulations in both stationary and non-stationary environments. Simulation results show that the performance of the CWVSS-DLMS algorithm is more outstanding than the fixed step-size DLMS algorithm, several non-component-wise VSS-DLMS algorithms and existing component-wise VSS-DLMS algorithms in balancing high convergence rates and low steady-state misadjustment. Moreover, they have investigated the performance of the CWVSS-DLMS algorithm for estimating sparse parameter in a distributed way. Simulation results show that the CWVSS-DLMS algorithm can yield satisfying performance in sparsely distributed estimation regardless of the degree of sparsity in the real parameter.