Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Numerical Computations of Air Flow Regimes in Healthcare Facilities and their experimental verifications

One of the main objectives of ideal air distribution in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems is to create proper combination of temperature, humidity, and air motion in the occupied zone of the air-conditioned room. Recent advances in air conditioning technologies and applications had led to better performance, development and modifications to air flow pattern in air conditioned rooms design for ultimate comfort. Recent development of experimental measuring techniques for air temperature, relative humidity, velocities, and turbulence intensities in flow regimes had aided better understanding of flow phenomena, heat transfer and turbulence interactions. Extensive efforts are exerted to adequately predict the air velocity and turbulence intensity distributions in the room and to reduce the energy requirements and noise to ultimately produce quite and energy efficient air conditioning systems. The healthcare requirements take different views depending on the air conditioning applications. The healthcare in residential applications is completely different than those in the medical applications, due to the nature of applications, and occupants. Pioneers in the medical applications enforced many restrictions to the comfort criteria requirements to form health criteria. These criteria were accumulated and compiled to healthcare standards such as ASHRAE standard for the residential and commercial applications and the National Health Service (NHS) standard for the healthcare applications. The present work investigates the airflow patterns in a full-scale operating theatre under actual operating conditions; the present work also utilizes a CFD program, with the aim to forecast the air flow characteristics in the operating theatre. Comparisons between the measured and predicted flow pattern are shown and analyzed. The present work demonstrates factors affecting the flow in operating rooms, and the limitation of these factors . On the other hand, the present work demonstrates the capabilities of the numerical procedures to adequately represent the flow regimes, heat transfer and turbulence in complex flows. Comparisons between measured and calculated flow properties and temperatures had demonstrated the capabilities of the modeling technique to predict the airflow movement in a complex domain such as the surgical operating theatre. The present study gives a better understanding of the air flow regimes and velocity distributions, particularly in the vicinity of air suppliers . The effect of the room furniture was clearly observed on the flow pattern and turbulence . The present experimentally measured velocity profiles obtained downstream and in the vicinity of the diffusers are proposed to be used as a design inlet conditions.
Digital publishing, indexing and ethics: Implications in civil and hydraulic engineering and research

Digital publishing and electronics resources have changed our working environment for ever. In the course of civil engineering projects, the bibliographic search is conducted using Internet search engines, electronic repositories including commercial databases and open access repositories. These new techniques yield too many information that become useless unless they are critically evaluated by experts. The electronic aids have induced a widening gap between universities and small engineering companies, and between developed and developing countries, because many commercial services including databases and digital publishing are outrageously expansive. The technological revolution has some impact beyond, in particular in terms of research quality and impact. The research quality must be assessed through peer-reviewed publications, although the role of expert-reviewers is rarely acknowledged at its true value. While many research funding institutions and government agencies are driving the implementation of research quality assessment and framework, there is no single measure of research quality and impact. Simplistic metrics (impact factor, h-index) are naive, artificial and biased, and fairer indicators including the number of co-authors could be considered. Any assessment of research quality should focus on the reputation and impact of the researcher based upon his/her individual contributions in peer-reviewed publications, and his/her own impact on the research and professional communities. Civil engineering researchers are under pressure to publish more and more papers ("publish or perish"). With the increasing numbers of journals and conferences, an increasing number of unethical and dishonest behaviours have emerged. Although the problem is still small in absolute numbers, it is a critical issue discrediting the entire profession and the recent trend is alarming. The electronic aids, digital resources and Internet "surfing" do not replace basic scholarship, personal experience and professional expertise. Civil engineering is not a "virtual" science. Engineers and researchers must gain first hand experience in real professional situations, and comprehend the complex interactions between engineering and non-engineering constraints. All the e-resources and digital "band-aids" shall never replace critical thinking.
Mimicking the Biology of Engineered Protein and mRNA Nanoparticle Delivery Using a Versatile Microfluidic Platform

To investigate the delivery of next-generation macromolecular drugs, such as engineered proteins and mRNA-containing nanoparticles, there is an increasing push towards the use of physiologically relevant disease models that incorporate human cells and do not face ethical dilemmas associated with animal use. Here, we illustrate the versatility and ease of use of a microfluidic platform for studying drug delivery using high-resolution microscopy in 3D. Using this microfluidic platform, we successfully demonstrate the specific targeting of carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) on cells overexpressing the protein in a tumor-mimicking chip system using affibodies, with CAIX-negative cells and non-binding affibodies as controls. Furthermore, we demonstrate this system’s feasibility for testing mRNA-containing biomaterials designed to regenerate bone defects. To this end, peptide- and lipid-based mRNA formulations were successfully mixed with colloidal gelatin in microfluidic devices, while translational activity was studied by the expression of a green fluorescent protein. This microfluidic platform enables the testing of mRNA delivery from colloidal biomaterials of relatively high densities, which represents a first important step towards a bone-on-a-chip platform. Collectively, by illustrating the ease of adaptation of our microfluidic platform towards use in distinct applications, we show that our microfluidic chip represents a powerful and flexible way to investigate drug delivery in 3D disease-mimicking culture systems that recapitulate key parameters associated with in vivo drug application.
Triage 4.0: On Death Algorithms and Technological Selection. Is Today’s Data- Driven Medical System Still Compatible with the Constitution?

ABSTRACT Health data bear great promises for a healthier and happier life, but they also make us vulnerable. Making use of millions or billions of data points, Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are now creating new benefits. For sure, harvesting Big Data can have great potentials for the health system, too. It can support accurate diagnoses, better treatments and greater cost effectiveness. However, it can also have undesirable implications, often in the sense of undesired side effects, which may in fact be terrible. Examples for this, as discussed in this article, are discrimination, the mechanisation of death, and genetic, social, behavioural or technological selection, which may imply eugenic effects or social Darwinism. As many unintended effects become visible only after years, we still lack sufficient criteria, long-term experience and advanced methods to reliably exclude that things may go terribly wrong. Handing over decision-making, responsibility or control to machines, could be dangerous and irresponsible. It would also be in serious conflict with human rights and our constitution.
Experimental campaign and modeling of a low-capacity waste heat recovery system based on a single screw expander

This paper presents an experimental characterization of an 11 kWe single screw expander modified from a standard compressor and integrated into an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) test facility using Solkatherm as working fluid. A total of 62 steady-state points are collected over a wide range of operating conditions to evaluate the expander and the system performance by changing the expander rotational speed, the pump frequency and the cooling condenser flow rate. The maximum expander isentropic efficiency and generated power are respectively 64.78% and 7.8 kWe. A maximum cycle efficiency of 9.8% is reached for an evaporating temperature of 108 X C and a condensing temperature of 27.5 X C. A low order semi-empirical model of the expander is derived based on the experimental data. Performance curves for the ORC unit components are implemented and used to develop a steady-state model of the ORC unit. The steady-state model of the whole system is then validated against experimental data.
Acid Dentin Lysate Modulates Macrophage Polarization and Osteoclastogenesis In Vitro

Dentin prepared from extracted teeth is used as autograft for alveolar bone augmentation. Graft consolidation involves the acid lysis of dentin thereby generating a characteristic paracrine environment. Acid lysate of dentin is mimicking this environment. Acid dentin lysate (ADL) potentially targets hematopoietic cells thereby affecting their differentiation towards macrophages and osteoclasts; however, the question remains if ADL controls macrophage polarization and osteoclastogenesis. Here, we show that ADL reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage polarization of the pro-inflammatory (M1) phenotype, indicated by attenuated Interleukin 1 (IL1), Interleukine 6 (IL6)and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) expression. This decrease in M1 macrophages was confirmed by the reduced phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65 in the LPS-exposed RAW 264.7 macrophages. Similarly, when RAW 264.7 macrophages were incubated with other agonists of Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling e.g., FSL1, Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid High Molecular Weight (Poly (1:C) HMW), Pam3CSK4, and imiquimod, ADL reduced the IL6 expression. We further show herein that ADL decreased osteoclastogenesis indicated by the reduced formation of multinucleated cell expressing cathepsin K and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase in murine bone marrow cultures. Overall, our results suggest that acid dentin lysate can affect the differentiation of hematopoietic cells to M1 macrophage polarization and a decrease in osteoclastogenesis in bone marrow cultures.
Jet Aeroacoustic Testing: Issues and Implications

Issues that are important for jet aeroacoustic tests and the critical role of good data in the development of jet noise technology are reviewed and discussed. A major effort for improving the quality of aeroacoustic data acquired at the Boeing Low Speed Aeroacoustic Facility has been carried out. This extensive undertaking targeted all aspects of model-scale testing and acquisition of good quality data and covered issues of flow quality, nozzle performance, and acoustics. Significant improvements have been made in all of the named categories. Simultaneous measurement of nozzle aerodynamic performance and noise is important, especially for the development of noise suppression devices. The capabilities of a jet rig incorporated with a six-component force balance are described. It is clearly demonstrated that the measured thrust with the current rig is in excellent agreement with that obtained using a dedicated force balance over a wide range of nozzle pressure ratios. Results of the efforts at rig refurbishment, carried out over the last few years, are presented. The high quality of noise measurements is established through good spectral agreement with data obtained with a blowdown jet, for a wide range of nozzle conditions. An extensive study of available jet noise data from various jet noise facilities has been completed. Implications of contaminated data from most tests and the obligations of the experimental community for the advancement of jet noise technology are discussed.
mRNA vaccination induces tick resistance and prevents transmission of the Lyme disease agent

Description An Ixodes scapularis saliva mRNA vaccine induces tick resistance and prevents Borrelia burgdorferi infection in guinea pigs. An mRNA vaccine for ticks Repeated exposures to the black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis, can lead to acquired resistance against ticks or “tick immunity. ” To bypass the need for repeated exposures while still generating tick resistance, Sajid et al. developed an mRNA vaccine that encoded for 19 I. scapularis salivary proteins (19ISP). Guinea pigs vaccinated with 19ISP developed erythema at the site of tick attachment, a feature of acquired tick resistance. This led to poor tick feeding and, in the case of ticks infected with the Lyme disease agent, Borrelia burgdorferi, reduced transmission of the pathogen. Thus, 19ISP is a promising candidate for antitick vaccines that may also prevent transmission of tick-borne diseases. Ixodes scapularis ticks transmit many pathogens that cause human disease, including Borrelia burgdorferi. Acquired resistance to I. scapularis due to repeated tick exposure has the potential to prevent tick-borne infectious diseases, and salivary proteins have been postulated to contribute to this process. We examined the ability of lipid nanoparticle–containing nucleoside-modified mRNAs encoding 19 I. scapularis salivary proteins (19ISP) to enhance the recognition of a tick bite and diminish I. scapularis engorgement on a host and thereby prevent B. burgdorferi infection. Guinea pigs were immunized with a 19ISP mRNA vaccine and subsequently challenged with I. scapularis. Animals administered 19ISP developed erythema at the bite site shortly after ticks began to attach, and these ticks fed poorly, marked by early detachment and decreased engorgement weights. 19ISP immunization also impeded B. burgdorferi transmission in the guinea pigs. The effective induction of local redness early after I. scapularis attachment and the inability of the ticks to take a normal blood meal suggest that 19ISP may be used either alone or in conjunction with traditional pathogen-based vaccines for the prevention of Lyme disease, and potentially other tick-borne infections.
Industrie 4.0 und die Folgen für Arbeitsmarkt und Wirtschaft: Szenario-Rechnungen im Rahmen der BIBB-IAB-Qualifikations- und Berufsfeldprojektionen

"This study conducted by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) and the Institute of Economic Structures Research (GWS) focuses on the economic effects of the phenomenon of 'industry 4.0', the digitalisation of the production processes. These developments involve considerable challenges at enterprise and political level. The five-step scenario analysis begins with the impacts of increased investments of enterprises in equipment (1) and of the state in the network infrastructure (2) on the overall economy and the labour market. On this basis we further model the consequent personnel and material costs of the enterprises (3) and a changed pattern of demand for occupations and skills (4). The cumulative effects of these four partial scenarios are compared with a baseline scenario which contains no advanced development path to industry 4.0. In a further scenario the effects on the labour market of a potentially increasing demand for goods (5) are taken into consideration and also contrasted with the baseline scenario. The results show that industry 4.0 will accelerate the structural change towards more services. In this process labour force movements between branches and occupations are much larger than the change of the number of employees in total. The turnover on the labour market are accompanied by an increasing value added which is leading not only to more economic assets but also - due to higher requirements for the labour force - to higher aggregate wages. The underlying assumptions have a positive effect on the economic development. But this also means that, given a delayed realization, the assumptions are turning against the business location Germany: We will export less and demand more 'new' goods from abroad. In order to improve the economic findings on the effects of digitization, a further development of QUBE-I4.0-project is planned. " (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en)) Additional Information Aktueller Bericht 16/2015 English version
Ethics Consultation in U.S. Hospitals: New Findings about Consultation Practices

ABSTRACT Background While previous research has examined various aspects of ethics consultation (EC) in U.S. hospitals, certain EC practices have never been systematically studied. Methods To address this gap, we surveyed a random stratified sample of 600 hospitals about aspects of EC that had not been previously explored. Results New findings include: in 26.0% of hospitals, the EC service performs EC for more than one hospital; 72.4% of hospitals performed at least one non-case consultation; in 56% of hospitals, ECs are never requested by patients or families; 59.0% of case consultations involve conflict; the usual practice is to visit the patient in all formal EC cases in 32.5% of hospitals; 56.6% of hospitals do not include a formal meeting in most EC cases; 61.1% of hospitals do not routinely assess ethics consultants’ competencies; and 31.6% of hospitals belong to a bioethics network. We estimate the total number of non-case consultations performed in U.S. hospitals to be approximately one half the number of case consultations; we estimate the total number of ECs performed in U.S. hospitals, including both case and non-case consultations, to be just over 100,000 per year. Conclusions These findings expand our current understanding of EC in U.S. hospitals, and raise several concerns that suggest a need for further research.
Household Dysfunction Is Associated With Bullying Behavior in 10-year-old Children: Do Socioeconomic Circumstances Matter?

This study measured the prevalence of bullying behavior in 10-year-old children and investigated the effect of the socioeconomic context on the impact of household dysfunction on bullying. We studied 5,338 members of the Portuguese Generation XXI birth cohort. Information on involvement in bullying, socioeconomic characteristics, and household dysfunction was collected by trained interviewers using structured questionnaires. Being a victim of bullying was reported by 14.4% of participants, being a bully by 1.4%, and being a bully-victim by 3.9%. Being a victim or both bully-victim, simultaneously, was more frequent among children from medium-high income families. Also, children from low-income families who reported household substance abuse, witnessed parents’ intimate partner violence, and were victims of physical violence, were more frequently victims of bullying; and those who experienced family violence were more frequently involved as bully-victims. Among children from medium-high income families, all these household adversity experiences significantly increased the odds of being victim, bully, or bully-victim. Thus, although children from medium-high income families are less likely to experience adversity at home, when it happens, there is a greater effect on their behavior, suggesting that better socioeconomic circumstances do not seem to act as a protective factor.
The Output Composition Puzzle: A Difference in the Monetary Transmission Mechanism in the Euro Area and U.S

We revisit recent evidence on how monetary policy affects output and prices in the U.S. and in the euro area. The response patterns to a shift in monetary policy are similar in most respects, but differ noticeably as to the composition of output changes. In the euro area investment is the predominant driver of output changes, while in the U.S. consumption shifts are significantly more important. We dub this difference the output composition puzzle and explore its implications and several potential explanations for it. While the evidence seems to point at differences in consumption responses, rather than investment, as the proximate cause for this fact, the source of the consumption difference remains a puzzle.
Archivists 2.0: redefining the archivist's profession in the digital age

Purpose – Public organizations are investing in e‐government development and e‐services to improve the interaction and services to the citizens. Archivists need to act more pro‐active to capture and manage records in order to be accessible both in the present and in the long‐term. Archivists need to understand the conceptual context and business processes in which the records are created. This study aims to focus on an ongoing process within a specific context, which may have direct, but also future implications for archivists' professional identity. Professional identity is understood as a sense of shared understandings and skills, experiences, common way of perceiving problems and their possible solutions. The study is meant to answer the overall research question and sub‐questions: What is the status of archivist professionals' positions and practice within public organizations? What organizational effect has the change from paper‐based to electronic record keeping had on archivists' professional posit.
Ontogenetic niche specialization of the spider crab Libinia ferreirae associated with the medusa Lychnorhiza lucerna

Abstract Symbiotic relationships in marine environments are not fixed and can change throughout the animal’s life. This study investigated the ontogeny of symbiosis of the spider crab Libinia ferreirae with the host medusa Lychnorhiza lucerna. We described the type of relationship, the temporal correlation among species, and food habits. More than 50% of the sampled crabs were symbionts, most in early life stages. The highest number of crabs found in a single medusa was 11. Symbiosis was observed throughout most of the year but was more evident in warm periods. The crab has many benefits in this relationship with a medusa. One is the use of food resources captured by the medusa, primarily copepods. Because the crab steals the medusa’s food, it is a kleptoparasitic relationship. There is a niche partition between symbiont and the free-living crabs as they occupy different habitats and use nonoverlapping food resources. Previous research reported that symbiosis first developed during the crab’s last larval phase (megalopa) when crab and medusa are in the same habitat. Observation of the crab’s behavior shows that symbiosis occurs when the crab can grab to the medusa when the host touches the sea bottom. The crab also took advantage of water currents, releasing itself from the substrate and then drifting toward the medusa. The symbiotic relationship that crabs have with the medusa provides then with a nursery, food resources, shelter, dispersion, and decreased competition with free-living adult crabs, all essential for the crab’s survival.