Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ON-FARM EVALUATION OF DIESEL FUEL OXYGENATED WITH ETHANOL

The benefits of burning an ethanol-diesel blend in a diesel engine primarily include lower emissions and the use of a renewable bio-based product. Specially formulated additives can effectively overcome problems of fuel separation, reduced cetane number and reduced fuel lubricity. Laboratory-based tests have shown that these blends can fuel diesel engines without damaging the engine. The objective of this work is to evaluate the effects of E diesel (a blend containing 10% ethanol, an additive and diesel) on selected tractors and combines working under normal field conditions. Two tractors and two combines were instrumented with data loggers that collected data through the CAN bus. One of each vehicle type was fueled with E diesel and the other with no.2 diesel. Comparisons showed that increases in fuel consumption of approximately 4 to 5% occurred on average with both the tractor and the combine, which was equivalent to the reduced energy content of the blend. Timeliness penalties increased as the engine loading increased, but were mostly negligible. The operators reported no differences between the vehicles running on the respective fuels while performing the daily tasks.
A Novel Scheme for Sliding-Mode Control of DC-DC Converters with a Constant Frequency Based on the Averaging Model

A new scheme for sliding-mode control (SMC) of DC-DC converters with a constant switching frequency is proposed. The scheme is based on the averaging model and the output signal of the controller is d? or d? instead of the on or off signal of a direct sliding-mode (SM) controller or the continuous signal d = u eq of an indirect SM controller. Two approaches using the new scheme are also proposed and the design procedures for a buck converter are given in detail. The first approach called constant d? and d? SMC is simple, cost effective and dynamically fast. In order to improve the dynamic characteristics of the reaching phase and to alleviate chattering, the second approach called reaching law SMC is also presented. Analyses and simulation results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed scheme.
Effect of Gurney flap Height and Mounting Position on the Performance of a Centrifugal Fan

The effect of Gurney flap height and mounting position on the head coefficient of a centrifugal fan at different Reynolds numbers is investigated experimentally. Quarter round Gurney flap of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 mm height is mounted at three different positions, S=1.00 (impeller tip), S=0.95 and S=0.90 on the pressure surface of the impeller blade tip. Performance tests are carried out on the centrifugal fan at five Reynolds numbers corresponding to five rotational speeds of 1100, 1500, 2000, 2500 and 2900 rpm respectively. From the performance curves it is found that the fan head coefficient increases significantly with Gurney flaps at low Reynolds numbers and increases marginally at high Reynolds numbers. Effect of Reynolds number on the head coefficient is considerable for the baseline fan and found to be negligible for the fan with Gurney flaps, for all combinations of Gurney flap mounting position and height. The head coefficient of the fan improves as Gurney flap height increases but the improvement is marginal after certain height of Gurney flap. The head coefficient of the fan deteriorates when Gurney flap is mounted away from the impeller blade tip.
Location of overhead power lines within Bukowe hills mesoregion in relation to the assessment of forest area fragmentation

National power grid in Poland requires modernisation, therefore by 2030 numerous actions are scheduled regarding the expansion of the existing network and the construction of new electricity transmission lines (power lines). The planned activities will undoubtedly change the quality of landscape and result in fragmentation of forest habitats, some of which are characterised by high biodiversity and constitute a key element of ecological corridors. The aim of the present paper was to outline the issue of the impact of the power line corridors on forest habitat fragmentation, as well as to present the GuidosToolbox software (Graphical User Interface for the Description of image Objects and their Shapes) used, among other things, for the determination of the degree of fragmentation of forest habitats. The analysis concerned the Puszcza Bukowa forest, which is a part of the Natura 2000 network and is protected under the Szczecin Landscape Park ‘Puszcza Bukowa’. Despite abundant natural assets of the Puszcza Bukowa forest, it was necessary to run many power lines through its area due to location of the forest in the vicinity of the Szczecin agglomeration. The course of power lines contributed to the fragmentation of the discussed forest complex and to the depletion of its interior classified with the GuidosToolbox software as ‘Intact’. The software discussed in the present paper may prove useful in the identification of the degree of forest area fragmentation, connected with the course of high-voltage power transmission lines, and in the assessment of the impact of the planned investment projects on biocenoses.
shar: An R package to analyze species-habitat associations using point pattern analysis

Studying species-habitat associations is one approach to reveal the importance of abiotic processes in shaping the spatial distribution of species. Even though the R programming language offers many packages for spatial point pattern analysis, currently there is no comprehensive package specifically designed to analyze species-habitat associations. The shar package builds on widely used R packages for spatial analyses and provides an easy and straightforward way to uncover species-habitat associations for discrete environmental data.
LEO Mega-Constellations for 6G Global Coverage: Challenges and Opportunities

Mega-constellations have the potential for providing 6G Internet owing to the unique advantage of global coverage. However, current satellite technologies are not omnipotent. There are still many challenging problems that need to be solved for mega-constellations to support 6G, e.g., efficient resource allocation, gratifying mobility management, and large-scale full-time TT&C (tracking, telemetry, and command). This paper starts with a novel definition of LEO mega-constellations and a brief review regarding the current typical mega-constellations, discussing the development direction of the mega-constellation air interface. Then, the key technologies development status of satellite networks is illustrated and analyzed from five aspects: network protocol, multiple access, satellite handover, TT&C, and interference mitigation, especially their adaptability in mega-constellations for 6G global coverage. Finally, considering the features and requirements of 6G, future challenges for mega-constellations and some potential solutions are proposed.
Single event effects hardening and characterization of Honeywell's RHPPC integrated circuit

We describe SEE testing of Honeywell's radiation-hardened RHPPC processor chip, which is functionally and pin-compatible with the commercial PowerPC603e/spl trade/. Results support an upset rate of 1.1/spl times/10/sup -5/ upsets/chip-day in geosynchronous orbit.
Moral distress among nurses in caring COVID-19 patients

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses experienced tremendous dilemmas including the need to perform their duties in caring for patients while they have concerns about contracting the disease. This study described the moral distress of nurses in-charge of handling COVID-19 patients which can be used as baseline data for intervention programs in overcoming moral distress among nurses. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with nurses in-charge of handling COVID-19 treatment rooms. Before conducting the survey, ethical approval was obtained from the Medical Faculty of Universitas Hasanuddin. Questionnaires on moral distress for clinical nurses and the demographic data questionnaire were distributed to 128 respondents. These nurses experienced relatively low levels of moral distress despite the fact that they were generally exposed to morally stressful situations. Education background appeared as a factor influencing this condition, in which higher moral distress was mostly experienced by nurses with undergraduate education.
Association between Serum Uric Acid Levels and Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women: A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study

Background: Uric acid is one of natural antioxidants in human body. There have been several studies on the correlation between uric acid with oxidative stress and osteoporosis. However, the data are insufficient and results are controversial. In this regard, we determined the association between uric acid levels and bone mineral density (BMD) during the postmenopausal period. Methods: We analyzed data from 328 postmenopausal women (mean age, 57.3 ± 6.5 years; mean serum uric acid level, 4.6 ± 1.0 mg/dL). The participants were divided into three groups based on tertiles of the serum uric acid level. The participants receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT), bisphosphonates, or lipid-lowering agents were included. Results: Blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and serum triglyceride levels were significantly higher in the upper tertiles of uric acid levels. No significant difference was found in the mean uric acid levels between medication users and non-users. Each HRT regimen had a different mean serum uric acid level. A cross-sectional analysis showed no significant correlation between the serum uric acid levels and BMD in the spine and femoral neck (spine BMD: 1.050 ± 0.131, 1.060 ± 0.160, 1.084 ± 0.140, p = 0.22; femoral neck BMD: 0.837 ± 0.110, 0.849 ± 0.096, 0.863 ± 0.115, p = 0.28 for each tertile of uric acid). Longitudinal analysis of data from 186 women with follow-up examinations at a mean interval of 14.6 months also revealed no difference in reduction in both spine and femoral neck BMD between tertile groups of serum uric acid (the median BMD reduction for spine: −0.02, 0.01, −0.04, p = 0.95; the median BMD reduction for femoral neck: 0.008, 0.005, −0.003, p = 0.34). Conclusions: Serum uric acid level is not associated with BMD in postmenopausal women.
Effect of Tantalum Pentoxide Addition on the Radiopacity Performance of Bi2O3/Ta2O5 Composite Powders Prepared by Mechanical Milling

Among the various phases of bismuth oxide, the high temperature metastable face-centered cubic δ phase attracts great attention due to its unique properties. It can be used as an ionic conductor or an endodontic radiopacifying material. However, no reports concerning tantalum and bismuth binary oxide prepared by high energy ball milling and serving as a dental radiopacifier can be found. In the present study, Ta2O5-added Bi2O3 composite powders were mechanically milled to investigate the formation of these metastable phases. The as-milled powders were examined by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy to reveal the structural evolution. The as-milled composite powders then served as the radiopacifier within mineral trioxide aggregates (i.e., MTA). Radiopacity performance, diametral tensile strength, setting times, and biocompatibility of MTA-like cements solidified by deionized water, saline, or 10% calcium chloride solution were investigated. The experimental results showed that subsequent formation of high temperature metastable β-Bi7.8Ta0. 2O12.2, δ-Bi2O3, and δ-Bi3TaO7 phases can be observed after mechanical milling of (Bi2O3)95(Ta2O5)5 or (Bi2O3)80(Ta2O5)20 powder mixtures. Compared to its pristine Bi2O3 counterpart with a radiopacity of 4.42 mmAl, long setting times (60 and 120 min for initial and final setting times) and 84% MG-63 cell viability, MTA-like cement prepared from (Bi2O3)95(Ta2O5)5 powder exhibited superior performance with a radiopacity of 5.92 mmAl (the highest in the present work), accelerated setting times (the initial and final setting time can be shortened to 25 and 40 min, respectively), and biocompatibility (94% cell viability).
Sex differences in mental rotation: the role of stereotyped material, perceived performance and extrinsic spatial ability

ABSTRACT Men usually outperform women in mental rotation tests with larger differences in paper-pencil tests than in chronometric tests. Using male or female stereotyped objects instead of cube figures as rotational material, interactions of sex and material appear in paperpencil tests. In the present study, 117 participants (72 women) solved a chronometric mental rotation test with male and female stereotyped objects, rated their test performance, and solved a water-level test. A significant interaction of sex and material in the mental rotation test illustrates a significant sex difference in the male but not in the female version. Participants' perceived performance and their water-level test performance predicted their mental rotation performance. Above that, participants' sex predicted the results in the male version of the mental rotation test. Stereotype threat and lift effects in women are discussed as potential reasons for the absent sex differences in the mental rotation test with female stereotyped objects.
Flavonoids of Morus, Ficus, and Artocarpus (Moraceae): A review on their antioxidant activity and the influence of climate on their biosynthesis

Moraceae plants are widely distributed in various regions of the world in various climatic conditions. Morus, Ficus, and Artocarpus are the genera of the family Moraceae that have been widely studied for their health benefits such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiplasmodial, antidiabetic, immunomodulator, antispasmodic, and neurodegenerative diseases treatment. These activities are mostly related to the flavonoids that act as natural antioxidants. The flavonoids in plants vary and are influenced by environmental conditions. The objectives of this review were to provide the flavonoids of Morus, Ficus, and Artocarpus (family Moraceae) and their antioxidant activity and to study the influence of the climate on flavonoid biosynthesis. This review includes several studies published in the PubMed database obtained using the keywords (“Morus” OR “Ficus” OR “Artocarpus”) AND “flavonoids” NOT “opuntia” with “fulltext” and “10 year” filter. Various classes of flavonoids found in these plants are mostly flavonols and flavones. These three genera of plants also exhibit a strong antioxidant activity through various mechanisms. The flavonoids in Morus, Ficus, and Artocarpus plants are influenced by climatic conditions including temperature and solar radiation by upregulating and downregulating the gene expression involved in flavonoid biosynthesis.
Developing Workforce Capability in Nonprofits Through Effective Leadership

Leaders of nonprofit organizations in the United States must build workforce capabilities to meet increasing demands for services. This single-case study explored strategies nonprofit leaders used to build workforce capability to address increasing service demands. The conceptual lens for this study was the full-range leadership theory. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with senior executives of a single nonprofit organization located in the Midwestern region of the United States, which included internal organizational and workforce performance data, strategy plans, annual reports internal and external financial documents, and publicly available information. Four major themes related to building workforce capacity emerged from a thematic analysis of the data: (1) an emphasis on employee development, (2) the expansion of technology systems, (3) a concentration on developing a culture of autonomy and trust, and (4) the introduction of processes and measurements. The findings from this study might contribute to positive social change by providing nonprofit leaders with strategies and data to support a deeper understanding of how to effectively build workforce capability to address increasing service demands.
Postglacial outsize fan formation in the Upper Rhone valley, Switzerland – gradual or catastrophic?

Outsize fans are characterized by seemingly disproportionately small feeder catchments in relation to their fan area. Often having escaped rigorous scientific inquiry, the formative processes of these landforms remain inconclusive, supposedly ranging from catastrophic mass‐wasting processes to gradual fluvial formation. Here we apply a multi‐method approach, combining morphometric analysis with geophysical subsurface surveys and cosmogenic radionuclide exposure dating, to three outsize fans with hitherto unknown formation history in the Upper Rhone valley, Switzerland. Their feeder catchments are cut into bedrock hillslopes with a lack of indication of both pre‐existing catchment structures and/or unconsolidated material that was available after deglaciation.
Senduro Goat Semen Characteristics as A Candidate for Low Temperature Storage

The goal of this study was to investigate the reproductive profile of male Senduro Goats as superior male candidates based on data of semen quality. The experiment was carried out on ten male Senduro Goats kept at the Singosari Animal Husbandry Service Unit in East Java, Indonesia. An artificial vagina was used to collect sperm. The macroscopic and microscopic qualities of fresh Senduro Goat sperm have been observed. Color, volume, smell, pH, and viscosity were examples of macroscopic observations. Concentration, motility, viability, and membrane integrity were examples of microscopic observations. The results of macroscopic observations showed that the average of Senduro Goat semen was milky white; with volume 1,24 ± 0,22; 6.77 ± 0.05; thick semen. The results of microscopic observations showed that there was concentration 2,5 x 109 ± 0.1; mass motility +++; individual motility 77.5% ± 2.63; viability 88.98% ± 2.07; membrane integrity 89.71 ± 1.69. Based on the results of these studies, it can be concluded that the semen of Senduro Goat has good quality so it can be processed further, namely storage at low temperatures and applied to Artificial Insemination technology.
Seeding Methods Performance for Cereals, Rape, and Beans

Drilling, band sowing, broadcast sowing, and precision drilling are dealt with. The uniformity of the sowing depth is described by its standard deviation. It is shown that the field emergence of small grains under average German conditions can be improved distinctly by seeding methods with a small standard deviation of the mean seeding depth.
Two-dimensional shear wave elastography for assessing liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease: a prospective cohort study

Background/Aims The objective of this study was to determine whether the newly developed two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE, RS85, Samsung-shearwave imaging) was more valid and reliable than transient elastography (TE) for predicting the stage of liver fibrosis. Methods The study prospectively enrolled a total of 116 patients with chronic liver disease who underwent 2D-SWE, TE, laboratory testing, and liver biopsy on the same day from two tertiary care hospitals. One patient with unreliable measurement was excluded. The measurement of 2D-SWE was considered acceptable when a homogenous color pattern in a region of interest of at least 10 mm was detected at 10 different sites. Diagnostic performance was calculated using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). Results Liver fibrosis stages included F0 (18%), F1 (19%), F2 (24%), F3 (22%), and F4 (17%). Interclass correlation coefficient for inter-observer agreement in 2D-SWE was 0.994 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.988 to 0.997). Overall, the results of 2D-SWE and stages of histological fibrosis were significantly correlated (r = 0.601, p < 0.001). For The 2D-SWE showed good diagnostic ability (AUROC, 0.851; 95% CI, 0.773 to 0.911) comparable to TE (AUROC, 0.859; 95% CI, 0.781 to 0.916) for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis (≥ F2), and the cut-off value was 5.8 kPa. AUROC and optimal cut-off of 2D-SWE for the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis were 0.889 (95% CI, 0.817 to 0.940) and 9.6 kPa, respectively. TE showed similar diagnostic performance in distinguishing cirrhosis (AUROC, 0.938; 95% CI, 0.877 to 0.974; p = 0.08). Conclusions 2D-SWE is comparable to TE in diagnosing significant fibrosis and liver cirrhosis with high reliability.
Sustainable bridge construction through innovative advances

Sustainability is now recognised as a key issue that must be addressed in the design, construction and lifelong maintenance of civil engineering structures. This paper briefly discusses the generic aspects of sustainability, but the main focus is its application to bridges. Motorway bridges built in the 1960s and 1970s had design lives of 120 years; many, however, were showing signs of deterioration after only 20–40 years. This led to much (ongoing) debate on the issue of initial versus full life-cycle costing. In order to address the highly complex issue of the sustainability of bridges, this paper considers the following specific areas that impinge on this important subject: the impact on sustainability of different forms of bridge construction and maintenance/repair/replacement strategies; the utilisation of innovative in situ testing equipment for assessing the long-term durability of concrete; the development of innovative structural designs for bridges that inherently have greatly extended lives at .
Retrieval of Leaf Area Index by Linking the PROSAIL and Ross-Li BRDF Models Using MODIS BRDF Data

Canopy structure parameters (e.g., leaf area index (LAI)) are key variables of most climate and ecology models. Currently, satellite-observed reflectances at a few viewing angles are often directly used for vegetation structure parameter retrieval; therefore, the information content of multi-angular observations that are sensitive to canopy structure in theory cannot be sufficiently considered. In this study, we proposed a novel method to retrieve LAI based on modelled multi-angular reflectances at sufficient sun-viewing geometries, by linking the PROSAIL model with a kernel-driven Ross-Li bi-directional reflectance function (BRDF) model using the MODIS BRDF parameter product. First, BRDF sensitivity to the PROSAIL input parameters was investigated to reduce the insensitive parameters. Then, MODIS BRDF parameters were used to model sufficient multi-angular reflectances. By comparing these reference MODIS reflectances with simulated PROSAIL reflectances within the range of the sensitive input parameters in the same geometries, the optimal vegetation parameters were determined by searching the minimum discrepancies between them. In addition, a significantly linear relationship between the average leaf angle (ALA) and the coefficient of the volumetric scattering kernel of the Ross-Li model in the near-infrared band was built, which can narrow the search scope of the ALA and accelerate the retrieval. In the validation, the proposed method attains a higher consistency (root mean square error (RMSE) = 1.13, bias = −0.19, and relative RMSE (RRMSE) = 36.8%) with field-measured LAIs and 30-m LAI maps for crops than that obtained with the MODIS LAI product. The results indicate the vegetation inversion potential of sufficient multi-angular data and the ALA relationship, and this method presents promise for large-scale LAI estimation.
A simplified thermal response model

The observed dynamic thermal response of intermittently occupied buildings can usually be described by one or two time constants. This suggests that much of the complexity in detailed computer thermal response models may not always be necessary. Simplified thermal response models may be adequate for many purposes, and ought to have cost advantages, both in setting up and run time. The paper describes the basis of a simplified microcomputer model of building thermal response. Model predictions of internal temperature variation in a working school are shown to agree well with observations. The model is intended for professional use and user interface is being developed in consultation with an architectural practice.