Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
1405 Neonates presenting to the paediatric emergency department and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

ObjectivesWe aimed to audit the number of infants 80 neonates in November 2020, which matched the number seen the previous year.A large majority of neonates seen in the PED are well babies, with between 15–40% of those seen in 2020 diagnosed as ‘No Abnormality Detected’. The proportion of well neonates from November 2019 – February 2020 was 13–24%, but this increased to 20–40% from March 2020 onwards.Diagnoses that remained consistent throughout the year were feeding problems making up 15–22% of the diagnoses, and jaundice making up between 5–13%. On average 5–10% of neonates were diagnosed with sepsis. A notable effect of the pandemic and the subsequent social distancing was the reduction in respiratory presentations. In a normal Autumn/Winter such as November 2019 – February 2020, 20–35% of neonatal attendances were diagnosed as Bronchiolitis or Upper Respiratory Tract Infections. Whereas September-November 2020 saw just 9–11%. On average the PED discharges 30–50% of all neonates without any Paediatric Specialty input.From 2016–2020 the average number of neonates presenting to the PED has increased from 1–2 infants per day, to 3 infants per day.ConclusionsThe reduction in PED attendance seen during the 1st COVID-19 lockdown was not seen during the 2nd lockdown, and the number of neonates being booked into the Paediatric ED increased to near normal in November 2020 despite overall Paediatric ED attendances remaining low. The reduction in neonates presenting with respiratory illnesses is likely a direct result of social distancing. While the increase in the number of well neonates seen following the first UK lockdown coincides with the reduction in postnatal home visits, and a move towards virtual consultations in primary care. The Paediatric Emergency Department offers an unrestricted route of access to healthcare for new parents, with an average of 3 infants <28 days old attending the LGI Paediatric Emergency Department every day.
Management options for rice residues for sustainable productivity of rice-wheat cropping system

Rice-wheat (RW) system of the Indo-Gangetic Plains has played a significant role in the food security of India. However, sustainability of this important cropping system is at risk due to deterioration of soil health, mounting pressure on natural resources and emerging challenges of climate change. Zero tillage and innovations in crop residue management to avoid straw burning should assist in achieving sustainable productivity and allow farmers to reduce nutrient and water inputs, and reduce risk due to climate change. High yields of the irrigated RW system have resulted in production of huge quantities of crop residues. Common practice of burning of rice straw is causing nutrient losses and serious air quality problems affecting human health and safety. Retaining rice residues as surface mulch in wheat crop is a good option for their management. Mulching increased yield, water productivity and profitability, while decreasing weed pressure. Studies on rice residue recycling have indicated improvements in soil quality. Since rice residues contain significant quantities of plant nutrients, their continuous application will have positive effect on fertilizer management in RW system. Other plausible options of rice residues lie in utilizing a potion of surplus residues for producing biofuel and biochar (and co-production of bioenegy), and for using as soil amendment to improve soil health, increase nutrient use efficiency and minimize air pollution. A small fraction of rice residues can be utilized for preparing value added compost for recycling to improve soil fertility and crop productivity.
Dynamics of Coffee Certifications in Producer Countries: Re-Examining the Tanzanian Status, Challenges and Impacts on Livelihoods and Environmental Conservation

Certification is increasingly becoming necessary for accessing coffee export markets and practicing environmental conservation, especially at this time when many of the farmers in developing countries strive to achieve agricultural transformation. Using data from 400 randomly selected coffee farmers in Tanzania, the study determined the status, constraints, key drivers, and impact of coffee certifications. Descriptive statistics and the endogenous switching regression (ESR) model were used for data analysis. Results indicated that the level of coffee certification is low, being constrained by unawareness and inaccessibility, the prevalence of coffee diseases, failure in realizing price advantages, and certification not being cost effective. Economies of scale, experience, and participation in collective actions are significant factors affecting coffee farmers’ decision to join certification schemes. Additionally, the study rejects the hypothesis of certification to improve household income. However, certification improved awareness and practices of environmental conservation among coffee farmers. It is thus important to embark on awareness creation and make certification services accessible and cost effective to coffee farmers for increased access to niche export markets. Easing transmission of price premiums to coffee farmers will also increase the supply of sustainably grown coffee, improve coffee farmers’ livelihood, and help in the attainment of environmental sustainability goals within the coffee supply chain.
Integrated environmental monitoring system for spacecraft

This paper describes an integrated space environmental monitoring system for geosynchronous satellites. The system provides measurements of surface charging, internal charging, and total dose radiation from the space environment. It is installed on seven of Martin Marietta's commercial communications spacecraft, which are scheduled for launch in the near future. There are two components: an internal charge monitor, and a surface charge detector. Total weight is less than one pound; power consumption, about 0.5 watt. Charging flux information from these detectors will permit evaluation of the effects of internal charging on electronic PC boards and will lead to the development of reliable, low-weight methods to detect on-orbit spacecraft charging events and to control charging and discharging.
Comparison on Land-Use/Land-Cover Indices in Explaining Land Surface Temperature Variations in the City of Beijing, China

The urban thermal environment is closely related to landscape patterns and land surface characteristics. Several studies have investigated the relationship between land surface characteristics and land surface temperature (LST). To explore the effects of the urban landscape on urban thermal environments, multiple land-use/land-cover (LULC) remote sensing-based indices have emerged. However, the function of the indices in better explaining LST in the heterogeneous urban landscape has not been fully addressed. This study aims to investigate the effect of remote-sensing-based LULC indices on LST, and to quantify the impact magnitude of green spaces on LST in the city built-up blocks. We used a random forest classifier algorithm to map LULC from the Gaofen 2 (GF-2) satellite and retrieved LST from Landsat-8 ETM data through the split-window algorithm. The pixel values of the LULC types and indices were extracted using the line transect approach. The multicollinearity effect was excluded before regression analysis. The vegetation index was found to have a strong negative relationship with LST, but a positive relationship with built-up indices was found in univariate analysis. The preferred indices, such as normalized difference impervious index (NDISI), dry built-up index (DBI), and bare soil index (BSI), predicted the LST (R2 = 0.41) in the multivariate analysis. The stepwise regression analysis adequately explained the LST (R2 = 0.44) due to the combined effect of the indices. The study results indicated that the LULC indices can be used to explain the LST of LULC types and provides useful information for urban managers and planners for the design of smart green cities.
Modeling the effects of rainfall intensity on traffic speed, flow, and density relationships for urban roads

The relationships between traffic speed, flow, and density under various rainfall conditions on urban roads in Hong Kong are investigated in this study. The effects of rainfall intensities are examined empirically, particularly their effects on the reduction of key traffic stream parameters such as free-flow speed, speed at capacity, and capacity (or maximum flow) on urban roads. Rainfall intensity has been found to have significant impacts on urban road key traffic stream parameters, but not on traffic jam density. Generalized speed-flow and speed-density functions are also proposed and calibrated, taking into account the effects of varied rainfall intensity. The calibrated generalized functions are validated with an independent data set from the same location. The generalized speed-flow and speed-density functions are useful for assessing the performance of urban roads, particularly in cites with relatively high annual rainfall intensity. It is believed that the findings could provide better insights into the effects of rainfall intensity on urban road traffic environments for modeling their impacts on road users’ route choice behaviors.
GROWTH AND YIELD RESPONSES OF PEPPER (Capsicum frutescens L.) TO VARIED POULTRY MANURE RATES IN UYO, SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

Field trial was carried out during the early cropping seasons of 2007 and 2008 at University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria to evaluate the effects of poultry manure rates (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 t/ha) on growth and yield of pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.). A randomized complete block design with three replicates was used. Results showed that increase in poultry manure rate resulted in increase in growth and yield of pepper up to 8 t/ha rate. It also showed decline in yield with application rate above 8t/ha. Application of 8 t/ha produced 22.75 and 23.56 t/ha of fresh pepper in 2007 and 2008, respectively while 10 t/ha produced 22.70 and 23.91 t/ha of fresh pepper in 2007 and 2008, respectively. This implies that application above 8t/ha rate will not be economical and beneficial to the farmer.
Decreasing Measuring Errors of a Thermal Groundwater Flowmeter

The probe of a commercial thermal groundwater flowmeter was evaluated in the laboratory to determine the causes of apparent inaccurate results from field experiments conducted under high groundwater velocities in a gravel and coarse sand soil. The test was performed with water velocities from 2.3 to 103 m/day. Errors as large as 40% arose in the magnitude and direction of velocities within the measuring range specified by the manufacturer. The poor cosine response of the thermal sensor axes was found to be a major source of errors, because the accuracy of the velocity vector depends strongly on the angular response of the thermal sensor axes. This was partially corrected with a set of coefficients determined from laboratory tests.
The factors influencing bid mark-up decisions of large- and medium-size contractors in Singapore

The construction industry in Singapore is dominated by a competitive business environment that is being driven by a lowest cost mentality. The pressure on contractors' profit margins has further increased after a prolonged recession in this sector, which has seen construction demand and output shrinking significantly. This paper examines the factors that contractors perceive to be important when they are considering the size of their bid mark-up. The research hypothesis is that contractor size would have a significant bearing on the factors that would influence the bid mark-up decision. Forty factors were identified and a survey was conducted. The results showed that contractor size has a significant impact on their attitude towards bid mark-up decision-making. The analysis also showed that when deciding the size of a bid mark-up large contractors tend to be more concerned with the nature of the construction work while medium-size contractors are more concerned about the state of their own companies finance.
Contribution of Portuguese Vernacular Building Strategies to Indoor Thermal Comfort and Occupants’ Perception

Solar passive strategies that have been developed in vernacular architecture from different regions are a response to specific climate effects. These strategies are usually simple, low-tech and have low potential environmental impact. For this reason, several studies highlight them as having potential to reduce the demands of non-renewable energy for buildings operation. In this paper, the climatic contrast between northern and southern parts of mainland Portugal is presented, namely the regions of Beira Alta and Alentejo. Additionally, it discusses the contribution of different climate-responsive strategies developed in vernacular architecture from both regions to assure thermal comfort conditions. In Beira Alta, the use of glazed balconies as a strategy to capture solar gains is usual, while in Alentejo the focus is on passive cooling strategies. To understand the effectiveness of these strategies, thermal performances and comfort conditions of two case studies were evaluated based on the adaptive comfort model. Field tests included measurement of hygrothermal parameters and surveys on occupants’ thermal sensation. From the results, it has been found that the case studies have shown a good thermal performance by passive means alone and that the occupants feel comfortable, except during winter where there is the need to use simple heating systems.
Saving Energy with Highly-Controlled Lighting in an Open-Plan Office

Abstract An installation in a Federal building tested the efficacy of a highly-controlled, workstation-specific lighting retrofit. The study took place in 86 cubicles in an open office with low levels of daylight. A direct/indirect pendant luminaire with three 32 watt lamps, two DALI ballasts, and an occupancy sensor provided both task and ambient light for each cubicle. All three lamps turned on and off according to occupancy on a workstation-by-workstation basis. Field measurements taken over the course of several months demonstrated 40 percent lighting energy savings compared to a baseline that represents a typical Federal building retrofit; the baseline has a lighting power density of 8.9W/m2 (0.83W/ft2) and no advanced controls. A photometric analysis found that the installation provided higher desktop light levels than the baseline did, while an occupant survey suggested that occupants preferred the lighting system to the baseline. This document was prepared as an account of work sponsored by the United States Government. While this document is believed to contain correct information, neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor The Regents of the University of California, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by its trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof, or The Regents of the University of California. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof or The Regents of the University of California.
Structural Health Monitoring Using Macro-Fiber Composites and Impedance Methods

A current technique that has been the subject of a great deal of study in the structural health monitoring community is the impedance method, which uses high frequency responses to monitor a local area of a structure for changes in structural impedance that indicate damage. To date, piezoceramic sensors, whose electrical impedance is directly coupled with the structure’s mechanical impedance, have been used as both sensors and actuators for impedance measurements and this practice is fairly well developed. However because these sensors are ceramic, they are brittle, making them vulnerable to accidental breakage. They also conform poorly to curved surfaces. In this study macro-fiber composite (MFC) patches, which are flexible in nature, are examined for feasibility of use with the impedance method. Two test structures with both MFC patches and PZTs are considered. Both traditional linear features and newer nonlinear features are used for structural health monitoring. High frequency responses of the MFC patches are examined and they yield damage identification results that are comparable to piezoelectric impedance signals and indicate that MFCs are suitable for impedance sensing and other high-frequency structural health monitoring.
What about the Antibacterial Activity of Fresh Ginger Juice (Zingiber officinale)?

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the antibacterial activity of the juice obtained by squeezing fresh ginger roots (Zingiber officinale) against the standard strains Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC® 25923) and Escherichia coli (ATCC® 25922), as well as Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from patients hospitalized in intensive care units. Methods: For this purpose, the antibacterial effect of the fresh ginger juice was tested against antibiotics such as ampicillin, cefazolin, cefuroxime, meropenem, colistin, ofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, tetracycline, and gentamicin. The antibacterial effects against the tested bacteria were determined by the disc diffusion method using 5 µL, 10 µL, 15 µL and 20 µL amounts of ginger juice impregnated on sterile discs. Results: As a result of the study, it was detected that the antibacterial effect increased in parallel with the increasing amounts of fresh ginger juice in all tested bacteria. Conclusion: Consequently, fresh Zingiber officinale can provide protection to a certain extent against bacterial pathogens due to its antibacterial action.
The Effectiveness of Production-Based Learning Models in the ICARE Approach to Entrepreneurial Literacy Ability

Entrepreneurship training activities in the literacy village program are one of the national literacy movement programs. Learning citizens with limited characteristics need effective learning skills to achieve the goals of literacy skills in the industrial era 4.0. The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of the Production Based Training learning model with the ICARE approach on entrepreneurial literacy skills of women participating in entrepreneurship training in literacy villages. The research method used is a quantitative approach pretest-posttest one group design with data analysis using SPSS t-test. The research population is the community of women as learning citizens in the literacy village program. The sampling technique was simple random sampling. Data collection techniques used observation, questionnaires, and performance ability tests. The results showed that the ICARE-based Production-Based Training learning model was effective in improving entrepreneurial literacy skills significantly as indicated by the high insight into entrepreneurial knowledge and attitudes as well as pioneering entrepreneurial skills with critical thinking skills, communicating, collaborating, and developing creativity in problem-solving to pioneer entrepreneurship. The impact of this research is to provide increased literacy skills, especially for marginalized women in pioneering and developing entrepreneurship.
EFFECT OF THUMB ABDUCTION AND ADDUCTION ON HYDRODYAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF A MODEL OF THE HUMAN HAND

The purpose of this study was to compare hydrodynamic characteristics of human hand models with the thumb abducted and the thumb adducted using pressure differential and flow visualization techniques. Two different models of an adult man's right hand (Model A, the hand with abducted thumb; Model B, the hand with thumb adducted) were made with polyester resin. The magnitudes of pressure acting on holes located at the hand model surfaces were measured for various pitch angles to a flow of air in a wind tunnel. Flow visualization of air around the model was conducted using a laser beam. By means of the pressure data, the magnitudes of fluid force were calculated. The experimental results revealed that the thumb position has a large influence on the pressure distribution. The difference of the pressure distribution affected the hydrodynamic characteristics.
Evaluation of Modal and FEMA Pushover Analysis Procedures Using Recorded Motions of Two Steel Buildings

The objective of this investigation is to evaluate the FEMA-356 Nonlinear Static Procedure (NSP) and a recently developed Modal Pushover Analysis (MPA) procedure using recorded motions of two steel buildings that were damaged during the 1994 Northridge earthquake. It is found that the FEMA-356 NSP typically underestimates the drifts in upper stories. Among the four FEMA-356 distributions considered, the “Uniform” distribution led to the most excessive underestimation indicating that this distribution may be unnecessary. The MPA procedure, in general, provides much-improved estimates of the response compared to the FEMA-356 NSP.
Entrepreneurship development through Finger Millet processing for better livelihood in production catchment

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn) is one of the important millets grown extensively in various parts of India and Africa. It is nutritious and even superior to rice and wheat, in respect of crude fiber and minerals like calcium and phosphorus. It is a major source of dietary carbohydrates for a large section of society and forms at least one meal per day for the families residing in production catchments. Unfortunately it is termed as poor men’s food and due to lack of awareness of its importance and properties its utilization is restricted in the regions where it is grown. Unavailability of processed products of finger millet is the major reason for its localized utilization. Efforts have been made to convert the millet grains into convenient forms such as Multi-grain Flour and Ragi Malt and deliver the products to the consumers through the establishment of enterprises on finger millet with the help of Self Help Groups in rural areas. Establishment of rural enterprises on finger millet has been found to be a successful profit making avenue for the farmers and processors (stakeholders). This has not only created additional employment and enhanced income of the group members but also playing significant role in increasing the demand of finger millet. This is directly related to the increased consumption of nutritious food thereby marching towards a better health of the society.
A Review of Therapy for Primary Membranous Nephropathy Post-MENTOR

Primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults worldwide. Recent evidence confirms an autoimmune pathogenesis highlighted by the discovery of the phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antigen. PLA2R serves as both a marker and a guide for treatment. Traditional treatments, including alkylating agents and calcineurin inhibitors, have been associated with adverse risk profiles. Consequently, alternative therapies have been developed. Rituximab is a promising addition to the therapeutic armamentarium of PMN. However, there are few head-to-head trials comparing rituximab with cyclophosphamide. In this clinical review, the results of the MENTOR, STARMEN, and RI-CYCLO trials are discussed and evaluated. Based on the results of these trials, a more personalized treatment approach is needed. World J Nephrol Urol. 2021;10(1):7-11 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/wjnu426