Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Bacillus Coagulans and Moulding Water Content on the Unconfined Compressive Strength of Lateritic Soil

Abstract: The effect of bacterial concentrations of Bacillus coagulans and moulding water content (MWC) on the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of lateritic soil for use as waste containment material was studied. Tests conducted include index test, pH, calcium carbonate content (CCC), and UCS. Soil samples for all tests were mixed with an increasing number of microbes at step suspension densities of 0 up to 2.4 × 10 cells/ml individually. The soil was prepared at MWC of -2, 0, +2, and +4% in relation to optimum moisture content (OMC) and compacted using the Reduced British Standard Light (RBSL), British Standard Light (BSL), West African Standard (WAS) Compaction and British Standard Heavy (BSH) Compaction Energy (CE) respectively. The cementation reagent was added to the compacted samples and allowed to flow by gravity to a point that saturation was reached. Results revealed an increase in pH, while calcium carbonate content values marginally increased from 3.6% at the natural state to 3.9% maximum value at 2.4 × 10 cells/ml. The UCS values increased with a higher number of microbes. Values increased from 204.6, 278.3, 351.3, and 416.8 kN/m for the natural soil to peak values of 1,036.3, 1,835.5, 2,076.8, and 2,237.3 kN/m for specimens prepared at -2% OMC and compacted with RBSL, BSL, WAS and BSH compaction energy, respectively. A similar trend was observed for 0, +2, and +4% in relation to OMC. A minimum regulatory UCS value of 200 kN/m was achieved at MWC of -2, 0, and +2% OMC for all energies. Therefore, it is recommended that CE, moisture content, and the number of microbes should be carefully studied during field construction of a lateritic soil-compacted clay liner in other to achieve the desired result.
Three-dimensionality of hypersonic laminar flow over a double cone

Abstract Hypersonic laminar flow over a canonical 25°–55° double cone is studied using computational fluid dynamics and global stability analysis (GSA) with a free-stream Mach number of 11.5 and various unit Reynolds numbers. Axisymmetric simulations reveal that secondary separation occurs beneath the primary separation bubble beyond a critical Reynolds number. The numerical results agree well with existing experiments and the triple-deck theory with the axisymmetric effect on the incoming boundary layer treated by the Mangler transformation. The GSA identifies a three-dimensional global instability that is azimuthally periodic immediately prior to the emergence of secondary separation. The criterion of the onset of global instability in terms of a scaled deflection angle established for supersonic compression corner flows (Hao et al., J. Fluid Mech., vol. 919, 2021, A4) can be directly applied to double-cone flows. As the Reynolds number is further increased, the flow is strongly destabilized with the coexistence of multiple stationary and low-frequency oscillating unstable modes. Direct numerical simulations confirm that the supercritical double-cone flow is intrinsically three-dimensional, unsteady and exhibits strong azimuthal variations in the peak heating.
Transport of Components and Phases in a Surfactant/Foam EOR Process for a Giant Carbonate Reservoir

Transport of Components and Phases in a Surfactant/Foam EOR Process for a Giant Carbonate Reservoir by José Luis López-Salinas The transport of components and phases plays a fundamental role in the success of an EOR process. Because many reservoirs have harsh conditions of salinity, temperature and rock heterogeneity, which limit process options, a robust system with flexibility is required. Systematic experimental study of formulations capable to transport surfactant as foam at 94°C, formulated in sea water, is presented. It includes methodology to conduct core floods in sand packs using foaming surfactants and to develop “surfactant blend ratiosalinity ratio maps” using equilibrium phase behavior to determine favorable conditions for oil recovery in such floods. Mathematical model able to reproduce the foam strength behavior observed in sand packs with the formulations studied is presented. Visualization of oil recovery mechanism from matrix is realized using a model system of micro-channels surrounded by glass beads to mimic matrix and fractures respectively. The observations illustrate how components may distribute within the matrix, thereby releasing oil into the fractures. The use of chemicals to minimize adsorption is required when surfactant adsorption is important. The presence of anhydrite may limit the use of sodium
Thermal Efficiency Enhancement of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Using Solar Thermal Energy

Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) is a power generation system that utilizes small temperature differences between the surface and deep sea water. This paper describes the simulation results of the thermal efficiency of an OTEC plant that utilizes not only ocean thermal energy but also solar thermal energy as a heat source. This power generation system is termed SOTEC (solar and ocean thermal energy conversion). Simulation results of a 100- kWe SOTEC plant, in which the solar collector is installed in two configurations, are obtained and compared with those of an ordinary OTEC plant. The simulation result shows that the proposed SOTEC plant can enhance the annual mean thermal efficiency up to 1.5 times higher than that of the ordinary OTEC plant.
Experimental Determinations of the Flow Characteristics in the Volutes of Centrifugal Pumps

This paper is a discussion of an exhaustive study which was made to determine internal-flow characteristics of two high-efficiency, high-head centrifugal pumps of commercial design. Special equipment was constructed to measure instantaneous values of pressures and velocities at various stations in the volutes. The authors discuss previous work of a nature similar to their study. They describe briefly the apparatus used in their tests, the arrangement of the test equipment, and the accuracy of the equipment used to measure the instantaneous values of pressures and velocities in the volutes. The results of the tests are presented in graphical form.
Physiological Effects of Cryptic Ancient Religious Chants

Aim: One of the variables that contributes to higher academic achievement is awareness. In Indian schools, traditional practises are applied to improve mental skills with the purpose of adding value. Prayers and other mantras, for example, can help to regulate and enhance the cardiovascular heart's rhythm while also modifying baroreflex sensitivity. Method: 50 healthy individuals were selected for the study. Comparisons of the effects of reciting Mary's petitions or mantra during voluntary breathing and metronome device control on rate of respiration, spontaneous pulse, blood pressure, and brain circulation in the RR region. The purpose of this study is to compare the impact of singing the Gayatri mantra (GM) on awareness to the function of letter substitution (DLST). Respiratory frequency, normal breathing, baroreflex sensitivity, heart oscillation frequency were recorded. The Bonferroni adjustment was utilised in the frequent measurement analysis of difference. Conclusion: With the DLST net, both of these times showed complete upgrades in total points. In comparison to PL (3.85 percent), the extent of the development of net points was large after GM (22.67 percent). When repeated seven times per minute, both prayers and mantras generate a noticeable, forceful, and simultaneous rise in present-time cardiovascular system pulsations. The sensitivity of the baroreflex also increases significantly, from 9.2 (SD 4.4) to 11.7 (4.5) ms/mm Hg, P0.06. Original Research Article Bodne and Patond; JPRI, 33(60B): 1042-1048, 2021; Article no.JPRI. 79521 1043
A simple model for arbitrary pollution effects on rotating free-surface flows

Abstract In an experimental context, the contamination of an air–liquid interface by ambient pollutants can strongly affect the dynamics and the stability of a given flow. In some configurations, the interfacial flow can even be blocked by surface tension effects. A cylindrical free-surface flow driven by a slow rotating disc is considered here as a generic example of such effects and is investigated both experimentally and numerically. We suggest here a simple numerical model, without any superficial transport of the pollutants, adaptable into any code for single-phase flows. For the stationary axisymmetric base flow, the radial velocity at the interface is set to zero whereas the usual stress-free boundary conditions are retained for the perturbations. The model does not feature any free parameter. For a geometrical aspect ratio of 1/4, known to display ambiguous behaviour regarding stability thresholds, the modal selection as well as a nonlinear stability island found in the experiments are well reproduced by the model, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The robustness of the model has also been validated by replacing the radial velocity profile by a more accurate experimental fit, with very little influence on the stability results.
Emergence of extensively drug-resistant Aeromonas hydrophila complex isolated from wild Mugil cephalus (striped mullet) and Mediterranean seawater

Abstract Background and Aim: Antibiotic resistance has been a progressively documented problem, resulting in treatment failure in humans and animals. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Aeromonas spp. in wild Mugil cephalus and its surrounding seawater along the coastal road of Port Said, Egypt. Materials and Methods: Specimens were examined bacteriologically, confirmed biochemically, and tested for their sensitivity against 11 antimicrobial agents. Molecular confirmation of the obtained isolates by 16S rRNA was performed, followed by the detection of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes. Results: Aeromonas spp. was recovered from fish (44%) and water samples (36%). A. hydrophila was the most prevalent identified strain, followed by Aeromonas sobria, Aeromonas caviae, and Aeromonas schubertii. Moreover, 90% of the tested isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR), while 26.67% were XDR. Tested isolates were resistant to b-lactams and sulfonamides (100%), oxytetracycline (90%), and streptomycin (62.22%) but completely susceptible to cefotaxime. XDR isolates successfully amplified resistance genes (blaTEM , sul1, and tetA(A)) but not the (aadA1) gene, although there was phenotypic resistance to streptomycin on plates. All XDR isolates carry the cytotoxic enterotoxin gene (act), but alt gene was detected in only one isolate (12.5%). Conclusion: Data in this study provide a recent update and highlight the role of wild mullet and seawater as reservoirs for MDR and XDR Aeromonas spp. that may pose a risk to humans as food-borne infection or following direct contact.
Investigating the Effect of Crocus sativus (Saffron) Petal Hydro-alcoholic Extract on Ovarian Follicle, Inflammatory Markers, and Antioxidant Enzymes in Mice Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background: Saffron petals have traditionally been used to treat a variety of diseases, such as gynecological diseases, primary dysmenorrhea, and premenstrual syndrome. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a kind of gynecological disease that causes infertility, menopausal and urogenital disorders and saffron petals seem to be an efficient treatment for such disorders. Methods: NMRI mice (total=60, each group n=12) were divided into control, PCOS, and the treatment groups. PCOS and treatment groups were injected with testosterone enanthate (TE=1 mg/kg). After 4 weeks, the treatment group was treated with Saffron Petal Extract (SPE) for 14 days. Ovary and blood samples were collected for histological and serological analyses, and expression of NF-κB, NF-κB p65, and IκB genes was analyzed. Finally, data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA (p<0.05). Results: In this study, the number of corpus luteum decreased in PCOS mice (p<0.001) but increased with SPE treatment (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001). The number of cystic follicles increased in PCOS mice (p<0.001), but decreased with SPE treatment (p<0.05, p<0.001). TNFα, IL1ß, IL6, IL18, and CRP levels increased in PCOS mice (p<0.001), but decreased following SPE treatment (p<0.05, p<0.001). Glutathione (GSH) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) serum levels decreased in PCOS mice (p<0.001), but increased with SPE treatment (p<0.05, p<0.001). The transcriptional level (s) of NF-κB, NF-κB p65, IκB genes changed in PCOS condition (p<0.001), and were regulated by SPE treatment (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.001). Conclusion: The present study shows that SPE improved the PCOS symptoms in mice via increasing antioxidant factors and reducing inflammatory markers in serum.
Effect of Novel Nanocomposite Materials for Enhancing Performance of Thin Film Transistor TFT Model

The potential impact of high permittivity gate dielectrics on thin film transistors short channel and circuit performance has been studied using highly accurate analytical models. In addition, the gate-to-channel capacitance and parasitic fringe capacitances have been extracted. The suggested model in this paper has been increased the surface potential and decreased the threshold voltage, whenever the conventional silicon dioxide gate dielectric is replaced by high-K gate dielectric novel nanocomposite PVP/La 2 O 3 K ox =25. Also, it has been investigated that a decrease in parasitic outer fringe capacitance and gate-to-channel capacitance, whenever the conventional silicon nitride is replaced by low-K gate sidewall spacer dielectric novel nanocomposite PTFE/SiO 2 K sp =2.9. Finally, it has been demonstrated that using low-K gate sidewalls with high-K gate insulators can be decreased the gate fringing field and threshold voltage. In addition, fabrication of nanocomposites from polymers and nano-oxide particles found to have potential candidates for using it in a wide range of applications in low cost due to low process temperature of these nanocomposites materials.
A study of innovation in collegiate business education

Innovation and the creation of innovative organizations have become increasingly important in virtually every professional endeavor. The pressure to create new products and services, new business processes, and new approaches to solving old problems is immense. This study explores the dynamics of innovation in accredited schools of business, focusing upon sources of innovation, systems to support innovation, and obstacles to innovation. For the purposes of the study, innovation was defined in the broadest term. The concept of business concept innovation, innovation in any phase of a business model, serves as the foundation for defining innovation. Relatively little study has been done of how business concept innovation occurs in education, specifically business education. The researcher utilizes qualitative research methods to investigate the sources of innovation, systems which support and nurture innovation, and obstacles to innovation. The study focuses on a sample of AACSB accredited business schools in Southern California. Interviews were conducted with 12 deans, from a potential pool of 18, of AACSB accredited business schools in Southern California. The semi-structured interview format focuses on sources of innovation, systems to support innovation, and obstacles to innovation. Data analysis is completed using NVivo qualitative analysis software. Participants discuss from where innovative ideas emerge in their schools; what systems, cultures and strategies exist to support innovation; and major obstacles to innovation. Participants discuss a broad range of challenges to and supporting elements of innovation in their schools. The study focuses heavily on the role of AACSB in fostering innovation.
High extinction-ratio compact polarisation beam splitter on silicon

A novel polarisation beam splitter (PBS) with a high extinction ratio in a broad band has been proposed and realised by cascading a bent directional coupler and a low-loss transverse-magnetic (TM)-pass polariser based on a subwavelength grating. The realised PBS has a footprint as small as 3 × 22.5 μm, a high extinction ratio (>20 dB) and a low excess loss (~1 dB) are obtained over a broad band of ~60 nm for both transverse-electric and TM polarisations.
Youth Training Programs and Their Impact on Career and Spell Duration of Professional Soccer Players

A unique data set of post-war English trained soccer players that signed professionally with their parent club when they turned 18 is used to study the impact of their stay with the home team and their total career duration. The home team (first) spell and career durations of these soccer players in a top European leagues is modeled using robust hazard models. The results of the analysis show that players that start their professional careers after acquiring training in competitive youth academy/programs have different outcomes on their career and first spell duration depending on the clubs they start their training. The first spell duration analysis is performed to estimate the bond or loyalty factor established by clubs with their youth trainees. The spell analysis outlines the nature of the competitive environment in which smaller clubs have a chance to keep up with the larger ones in terms of producing and holding on to home-grown talent. This would be a necessary condition for them to remain competitive in light of their lagging financial resources that limit their activity and ability to attract top talent in the soccer transfer market. The analysis of career duration in the top European leagues will show the success of a specifc academy's training programs in producing players competitive in top soccer leagues. Finally, the results of both analyses were tested for endogeneity bias using a split sample test.
Competency Analysis of Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) Biology Teachers

TPACK competence of teachers can improve the quality of learning in accordance with the demands and changes. Information on TPACK competencies is needed regarding the ability of teachers to know the professional development of teachers. This study aims to determine the competence criteria of biology teachers in Aceh Province in the components of CK, TK, PK, PCK, TCK, TPK, and TPACK, to find out the significant differences in TPACK competence of biology teachers based on teacher certification and teaching experience. This type of research is descriptive with a quantitative approach. The population in this study were all Biology teachers at state high schools in Aceh Province, namely civil servants, and non-civil servants, totaling 692 teachers. Sampling using a simple random sampling technique, obtained 232 respondents which is a total of 33.53% of the number of teachers in each district. The research instrument in the form of a questionnaire was adapted from Schmidt which consists of 38 items and has gone through face validity. Data analysis for the TPACK component is described according to the predicate criteria. The TPACK competence of biology teachers based on certification was analyzed by independent sample t-test, while the TPACK competencies of biology teachers based on teaching experience were analyzed using ANOVA. The results showed that the highest competency criteria for the TPACK component were PK with a score of 83.35% (very good), while the lowest was TK with a score of 76.84% (good). The results also showed that there was no significant difference (p> 0.05) in the TPACK competence of biology teachers based on certification and teaching experience
Breath sound analyses of infants with respiratory syncytial virus-induced acute bronchiolitis

Introduction: The reliability of breath sound analysis using an improved method in infants has been reported. Objective: Breath sounds of infants with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-induced acute bronchiolitis were analyzed to evaluate their specificity and examine their relationship with the severity. Subjects and methods: We evaluated the inspiratory and expiratory breath sound parameters of 33 infants (median age=2 months old) diagnosed with RSV-induced acute bronchiolitis. The sound powers of inspiration and expiration and the spectrum curve indices (ratio of the third and fourth area to the total area under the curve and ratio of the power and frequency at 50% and 75% of the highest frequency were evaluated at the acute phase and recovery phase. Furthermore, the relationship between the breath sound parameters and the clinical severity of acute bronchiolitis was examined. Results: Analyses of the breath sound spectrogram showed that the power of expiration at the acute phase was large, and was the expiration-to-inspiration sound power ratio in a mid-frequency range (E/I MF), with values decreased in the recovery phase. Data of the inspiratory sound spectrum curve showed the improvement of airway stenosis during the recovery period. Furthermore, there were significant relationships between the E/I MF and SpO2 and the severity score of acute bronchiolitis. Conclusion: In RSV-induced acute bronchiolitis, specificity of breath sounds was observed in the expiration sound and the reversible airway stenosis was evaluated. Breath sound analyses are expected to be useful for the diagnosis and clinical evaluation of the severity of acute bronchiolitis.
Compact dual‐band ring dielectric resonator antenna with moon‐shaped defected ground structure for WiMAX/WLAN applications

In this article, compact ring‐shaped dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) along with moon‐shaped defected ground structure (DGS) was studied. The proposed antenna was fed by microstrip line shifted from center position, which excited TE01δ mode in ring DRA. Moon‐shaped DGS was acting as a radiator and also reduced the size of proposed antenna by an amount of 14.87% (lower frequency band) and 48.77% (upper frequency band). The proposed antenna was designed to resonate at two different frequencies namely 2.24 and 5.82 GHz with a fractional bandwidth of 30.17% and 22.14%, respectively. Based on optimized design parameters, archetype of antenna structure has been constructed and measured successfully, which shows good agreement with simulated ones. The proposed antenna design was suitable for WLAN (2.4/5.2/5.8 GHz); WiMAX (2.5/5.5 GHz); AMSAT (5.6/5.8 GHz); and WAVE (5.9 GHz) bands. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 26:503–511, 2016.
Cold and Hot Matching of Coupled-Cavity Traveling-Wave Tubes

The matching condition for coupled-cavity travelingwave tubes is derived from an eigenvalue formulation. The slowwave structure is modeled by a simple equivalent circuit, and cold operation, i.e. without electron beam, is assumed. Several case studies of simple input and output matching circuits are presented. A dispersion analysis both without and with beam coupling is performed. It reveals the strong influence of the beam. Finally, the input reflection is exemplarily simulated in the presence of electron beams of different intensity (hot match). Beam coupling is shown to substantially alter the matching condition. This effect has to be considered when designing traveling-wave tubes based on cold data.