Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of ion exchange membranes for reverse electrodialysis via radiation induced graft co-polymerisation

A major disadvantage of fossil fuels being the primary source of global energy is the negative effect that the burning of such fuels has on the planet. This is evident in factors including climate change. Reverse electrodialysis (RED) is an emerging membrane-based process for clean energy conversion. The technique works by utilising the transport of cations and anions through ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) to create an electrical current, via differences in chemical potential, when mixing salt solutions of different concentrations. The core components of a RED cell, and the largest factor affecting the performance and economic viability, are the IEMs. Recently, increased efforts have been made with regard to the preparation of IEMs and understanding the relationships between membrane properties and RED cell power performance. The work in this thesis has focused on the development of RED-focused IEMs by radiation induced grafting polymerisation (RIG). The RIG technique has been used to chemically modify commercially available polymer films to produce a large sample of IEMs targeted for application in RED. The IEM properties were experimentally determined and used as part of a literature recognised mathematical model to estimate the gross power densities that can theoretically be obtained by each IEM in a working RED cell. The results obtained for RIG IEMs contradicts the earlier notion that IEM permselectivity is of less significance than area resistance and indicate that a minimum permselectivity (≈ 90%) is required for RED IEMs. A trade-off relationship between the two properties is observed, rationalised by Donnan exclusion factors surrounding IEM water content. Chemical crosslinking was implemented into RIG methods to control excessive gravimetric water uptake (WU%). Linear tertiary diamine head-groups were used to produce crosslinked anion-exchange membranes (AEMs), with tetramethylhexanediamine (TMHDA) head-group yielding theoretical gross power densities of 3.42 W m-2 for single IEM RED model calculations and 1.89 W m-2 for AEM/CEM pair calculations (paired with literature SPEEK 65 CEM). Crosslinked CEMs were produced via chemical crosslinking by divinylbenzene (DVB) and bis(vinylphenyl)ethane (BVPE) was implemented into the RIG method, which resulted in cation-exchange membranes (CEMs) yielding theoretical gross power densities of 5.55 and 5.99 W m-2 respectively, for single IEM RED model calculations and 2.81 and 2.71 W m-2 for AEM/CEM pair calculations (paired with commercial Neospeta® AFN AEM).
Selective molecular characterization of particulate matter from gasoline cars using internal extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Particulate matter (PM) from on-road automobile exhaust remains analytically challenging as PM contains thousands of inorganic and organic species, despite its negative contribution to atmospheric air quality. Herein, a facile method based on internal extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (iEESI-MS) has been established to focus on the less abundant polar substances of automobile PM, removing the dominating lubricating oil species out of the equation. Different sized PM (e.g., 0.22–0.45, 0.45–1, 1–2, 2–3, 3–5, and 5–10 μm) formed at a given engine speed and total PM at different engine speeds (e.g., 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, and 3000 rpm) were collected on filter membranes and subjected to investigation. The aqueous methanol extraction solvent and the usage of electrospray-like ionization, characteristics of the iEESI technique, allow for the detection of species of moderate and high polarity. Major substances identified include alcohols, nitrogenous compounds, ketones, and esters. Direct infusion ESI measurements of the used lubricating oil sample inside the engine suggested that some of the observed substances originated from lubricating oil. Moreover, similar chemical fingerprints were observed in PM of different sizes, while more chemicals were observed in PM of 0.45–1.00 μm. The experimental data showed that iEESI-MS is practically useful for molecular characterization of exhaust PM, providing a mass spectrometry tool for advanced studies on PM.
Waiting longer, feeling fatter: Effects of response delay on tactile distance estimation and confidence in females with anorexia nervosa

Research suggests that patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) exhibit differences in the perceptual processing of their own bodies. However, some researchers suggest that these differences are better explained with reference to non‐perceptual factors, such as demand characteristics or emotional responses to the task. In this study, we investigated whether overestimation of tactile distances in participants with AN results from differences in tactile processing or non‐perceptual factors, by measuring the role of allowed response time in an adapted version of the tactile distance estimation task (TDE‐D). We further investigated the relationship between allowed response time and participants' confidence in their tactile judgments.
The Meaning of Puji Saji in Sura Offerings at Selametan Sumber Banyu or Tirta Amerta Ritual at Sumberawan Toyomarto Singosari Temple, Malang

This study discusses the meaning of puji saji in Sura offerings at the Tirta Amerta at Candi Sumberawan Toyomarto Singosari Malang. Puji saji is a mandatory offering that is served in this ritual. This study uses an anthropological linguistic approach that utilizes semiotic theory and an emic-ethic approach. The data obtained from the caretaker of Candi Sumberawan and cultural experts in Singosari were then analyzed using the Lyons triangle of meaning. The results showed that there were fifteen puji saji that could be calcified based on the form: crops, food, beverages, fragrances, spices, and equipment. The whole meaning of the puji saji in Sura offerings is that in life, humans must be able to be in harmony with themselves, fellow humans, nature, ancestors, and remember God. In order to unify all these things, humans must tolerance, determination, a noble mind and character. The strategy for naming and eating the offerings is based on three things, namely (1) sign, an acronym of the concept or philosophical meaning to be achieved, (2) the significatum representing the concept or philosophical meaning to be achieved, and (3) the concept or philosophical meaning to be achieved in accordance with the function of the sign.
Peripheral Lymphadenopathy in Children: Cytomorphological Spectrum and Interesting Diagnoses

Objective: Peripheral lymphadenopathy is a common complaint in the pediatric outpatient department. Fine needle aspiration cytology is the first investigation of choice with a high sensitivity for diagnosis but cytology may be challenging in some cases. The study was planned to study the cytomorphological spectrum and discuss a few interesting cases. Material and Method: 1890 paediatric subjects’ up to 12 years of age with significant peripheral lymph node enlargement and an adequate cytology specimen were included in the study. Inadequate aspirates were excluded. Results: The majority of children presented within 4-8 years of age with a male to female ratio of 1.7:1. The anterior cervical group was most commonly affected, followed by the posterior cervical, axillary and inguinal. Reactive lymphadenitis constituted the majority of the diagnoses, followed by Tuberculosis, acute suppurative, BCG-induced lymphadenitis, Kimura disease, Rosai-Dorfmann disease and Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease. Lymphomas and metastatic malignancies were less common, and mainly consisted of Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, anaplastic large cell lymphoma, and Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Cytomorphological features of a few challenging and interesting cases have been discussed. Conclusion: Non neoplastic causes of lymphadenopathy predominate in the pediatric age group. A definitive diagnosis rests upon a complete clinical, radiological, microbiological, and cyto-histopathological correlation with the use of ancillary techniques wherever necessary.
Predictors of social distancing and hand washing among adults in five countries during COVID-19

The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to examine disparities in hand washing and social distancing among 2,509 adults from the United States, Italy, Spain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and India. Respondents were recruited via Qualtrics’ participant pool and completed an online survey in the most common language spoken in each country. In hierarchical linear regression models, living in a rural area (β = -0.08, p = .001), older age (β = 0.07, p < .001), identifying as a woman (β = 0.07, p = .001), and greater educational attainment (β = 0.07, p = .017) were significantly associated with hand washing. Similar results were found regarding social distancing, in which living in a rural area (β = -0.10, p < .001), country of residence (β = 0.11, p < .001), older age (β = 0.17, p < .001), identifying as a woman (β = 0.11, p < .001), and greater educational attainment (β = 0.06, p = .019) were significant predictors. Results from the multivariable linear regression models demonstrate more nuanced findings with distinct and significant disparities across the five countries found with respect to hand washing and social distancing. Taken together, the results suggest multiple influencing factors that contribute to existing disparities regarding social distancing and hand washing among adults internationally. As such, more tailored public interventions are needed to promote preventive measures to mitigate existing COVID-related disparities.
The Effect of Magma Poor and Magma Rich Rifted Margins on Continental Collision Dynamics

The transition between non‐rifted continental lithosphere and oceanic lithosphere in rifted margins can display a wide range of characteristics, depending on the regional tectonic evolution. The velocity and duration of the rifting process as well as the geodynamic setting influence the properties and geometry of the margins, which are often grouped into two main categories: magma‐poor and magma‐rich. We show how different types of rifted margins can influence the dynamics of continental collision, focusing on the time and depth of slab break‐off after collision and the fate of margin material. We find that rifted margins have a noticeable impact on subduction dynamics, as we observe large variability in slab break‐off times and depths. In particular, the presence of a rifted margin can delay slab break‐off to up to 60 Myr after the onset of collision. Our results show that a large portion of the weak crust of magma‐poor margins is likely to detach from the subducting plate and accrete to the upper plate, while the dense and strong mafic and ultramafic component of magma‐rich margins causes most of the margin to subduct and be lost into the mantle, leaving only a small fraction of transitional and oceanic crust at the surface. Therefore, the volume of accreted material is much larger when the margin is magma‐poor than magma‐rich, which is consistent with geological observations that fossil magma‐poor rifted margins are preserved in many mountain ranges, whereas remnants of magma‐rich rifted margins are scarce.
The assumptions associated with the indices of South African anchovy abundance provided by the Daily Egg Production Method

Past publications on the development and application of the Daily Egg Production Method (DEPM) to estimate South African anchovy abundance are reviewed. These indicate that the current assumptions in the anchovy assessment model that the time series of DEPM indices can be assumed to provide an absolute index of anchovy spawner biomass remain intact, despite recent developments in estimating anchovy maturity and the bias associated with the hydro‐acoustic survey.
Identification of Key Genes and Pathways associated with Endometriosis by Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis

Background: Endometriosis is a common gynecological disorder with high rates of infertility and pelvic pain. However, its pathogenesis and diagnostic biomarkers remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate potential hub genes and key pathways associated with endometriosis in ectopic endometrium (EC) and eutopic endometrium (EU). Material and Method: EC and EU-associated microarray datasets were obtained from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed to obtain further biological insight into the EU and EC-associated genes. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed to find clinically significant modules of highly-correlated genes. The hub genes that belong to both the weighted gene co-expression network and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were identified using a Venn diagram. Results: We obtained EC and EU-associated microarray datasets GSE7305 and GSE120103. Genes in the EC were mainly enriched in the immune response and immune cell trafficking, and genes in the EU were mainly enriched in stress response and steroid hormone biosynthesis. PPI networks and weighted gene co-expression networks were constructed. An EC-associated blue module and an EU-associated magenta module were identified, and their function annotations revealed that hormone receptor signaling or inflammatory microenvironments may promote EU passing through the oviducts and migrating to the ovarian surfaces, and adhesion and immune correlated genes may induce the successful ectopic implantation of the endometrium (EC). Twelve hub genes in the EC and sixteen hub genes in the EU were recognized and further validated in independent datasets. Conclusion: Our study identified, for the first time, the hub genes and enrichment pathways in the EC and EU using WGCNA, which may provide a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of endometriosis and have important clinical implications for the treatment and diagnosis of endometriosis.
Use of Modified Colloids and Membranes to Remove Metal Ions from Contaminated Solutions

An efficient process was developed allowing the removal of metal ions from polycontaminated aqueous solutions by combining modified colloids and membranes. Firstly, filtration experiments were performed using polyethersulfone membranes modified by a self-assembled multilayer film of polyelectrolytes. These polymer-modified membranes allowed the uptake of more than 90% of the metal ions initially present in the contaminated solutions (for solutions concentrated at 50 mg L−1). Secondly, adsorption experiments were carried out with colloidal silica encapsulated with carboxymethyl chitosan (SiO2-CMCS) or with mesoporous silica functionalized by grafting of 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane, i.e., cyclam (SiO2-cyclam). The adsorption capacity of these compounds was shown to be higher than numerous other literature-known adsorbents, reaching 68 and 61 mg g−1 towards Cu(II) for SiO2-CMCS and SiO2-cyclam, respectively. Finally, by coupling adsorption with ultrafiltration in the tangential mode, the removal of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) ions was found to be improved, allowing to reach a removal efficiency of 99% towards Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) ions at a metal concentration of 50 mg L−1, and a promising removal efficiency around 70% at a very high metal concentration of 1200 mg L−1. The mechanisms involved in the capture of the metal ions by modified membranes and colloids are also discussed.
Normal force controlled rheology applied to agar gelation

A wide range of thermoreversible gels are prepared by cooling down to ambient temperature hot aqueous polymer solutions. During the solgel transition, such materials may experience a volume contraction which is traditionally overlooked as rheological measurements are usually performed in geometries of constant volume. In this article, we revisit the formation of 1.5% wt. agar gels through a series of benchmark rheological experiments performed with a plate-plate geometry. We demonstrate on that particular gel of polysaccharides that the contraction associated with the sol/gel transition cannot be neglected. Indeed, imposing a constant gap width during the gelation results in the strain hardening of the sample, as evidenced by the large negative normal force that develops. Such hardening leads to the slow drift in time of the gel elastic modulus G0 toward ever larger values, and thus to an erroneous estimate of G0. As an alternative, we show that imposing a constant normal force equals to zero during the gelation, instead of a constant gap width, suppresses the hardening as the decrease of the gap compensates for the sample contraction. As such, imposing a zero normal force is a more reliable way to measure the linear properties of agar gels, which we prove to work equally well with rough and smooth boundary conditions.
Pulsed vacuum drying (PVD) technology improves drying efficiency and quality of Poria cubes

ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to examine the drying characteristics of pulsed vacuum drying (PVD) system as an alternative drying technology for a functional food—Poria cocos. Poria cubes in thin layer were dried at different temperatures (55, 65, and 75°C), vacuum duration (5, 15, and 25 min), and atmospheric pressure duration (4, 8, and 12 min) to evaluate the operating conditions on the drying kinetics and quality attributes of P. cocos. The quality attributes included volume shrinkage ratio, firmness, water-soluble polysaccharide content. Volume shrinkage ratio was determined by image processing technology and analyzed by Bigot’s curves. The material internal temperature was also recorded during the whole drying process. Considering the drying rate and quality attributes, drying temperature of 65°C, vacuum pressure duration of 15 min, and atmospheric pressure duration of 4 min were proposed as the most favorable drying conditions for drying Poria cubes. The current work indicates PVD is a promising technology for P. cocos drying as it not only enhances the drying process but also improves the quality attributes of it.
Students’ Digital Thinking Skills in Solving Mathematics Problems

This study aims to describe the level of students' digital thinking skills in solving mathematics problems in terms of 21st – century digital skills, referring to the eight levels of digital competence by prioritizing the cognitive domain of students in their measurement. Data collection was carried out by data analysis and two-interviews with 20 students of class XI in Malang city as subjects in solving mathematics problems using digital technology. The results showed that the students' digital thinking skills were at levels 4, 5, and 6. There were no students who showed digital thinking skills at levels 7 and 8.
How Do Endogenous Cultural Institutions (not) Shape Peasant Farmers’ Climate Adaptation Practices? Learning from Rural Cameroon

The inter-linked issues of climate change and sustainable development remain high on the science and policy agenda, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where context-specific local adaptation practices are required in her agricultural system. However, the dearth of scientific (quantitative) evidence on how endogenous cultural institutions (ECIs) shape the local adaptation practices of rural farmers in SSA, stalls, in part, the advancement of climate adaptation practice in the agricultural sector. Based on a representative sample of 158 farming households in rural Cameroon, we contribute to bridge this knowledge gap, by: (1) exploring the household socio-economic attributes and general social and political factors that determine peasant farmer’s compliance with agro-based ECIs, and (2) estimating the effect of ECI compliance on farmers’ adaptation practices. Our estimation revealed the following: Increasing compliance with ECIs is a function of increasing age of peasant farmers. While political factors do not sufficiently explain compliance with ECIs, state influence, mirrored through the application of formal rules significantly contributes to a decline in compliance. Differential levels of compliance with ECIs produce differential climate adaptation outcomes; while some ECIs (e.g. traditional rain forecast) significantly explain several climate adaptation practices, others (e.g. pouring of libation) do not. While we conclude that the differentiated effects of ECI compliance manifest throughout the climate adaptation practices of peasant farmers, we also call for further empirical evidence to ground this claim.
Transmission Power Line Fault Detection using Convolutional Neural Networks

: In an electrical power system, most of the faults occurs in overhead transmission lines because of most of the conductor exposure to the atmosphere. Therefore, Insulated Overhead Conductors (IOCs) are widely used. To overcome this, a robust real-time PD fault analysis system is required. To analyze and classify the raw voltage signal for detection of PD's in IOC's a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) based fault classification algorithm is proposed in this paper. The CNN is implemented using popular pre-trained CNN architectures such as AlexNet, VGG16 & ResNet are applied to the voltage signals in the dataset. From the values of Precision, Recall & F1-Score it is observed that ResNet architecture provides the best prediction and classification results.
FACTORS INFLUENCING NURSES’ PARTICIPATION IN CLINICAL RESEARCH : A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY IN HOSPITAL PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA

Background: The Malaysian nurses encounter many barriers in their involvement in clinical research [and also in research utilization (RU)]. Objective: This cross-sectional survey utilized a self-administered questionnaire within a study population of the Malaysian nurses working in a government hospital to determine the level of involvement of nurses in clinical research at Hospital Putrajaya from May to August 2015, which led to an assessment of the level of association between a list of pre-specified demographic and job-related characteristics and the involvement of nurses in clinical research, in order to identify any plausible factors which might have an association with either facilitating or hindering these nurses from their involvement in clinical research. Methods: After having prepared and validated the self-administered questionnaires for this study, they were then distributed to a total of 406 nurses working in Hospital Putrajaya. This self-administered questionnaire was specifically designed to achieve the objectives of this study which aimed to collect the baseline socio-demographic information of the respondents, and also information pertaining to their nursing practice and their participation in activities that were related to nursing research. Results: This study had provided some valuable insights into several plausible factors that were associated with the low level of involvement of Malaysian nurses in clinical research. Conclusion: The study provides valuable information for formulating strategies to increase nurses' participation in research activities at Hospital Putrajaya by providing more research training opportunities and enhancing the level of awareness and increasing the accessibility to these resources by the nurses.