Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance Assessment of Wastewater Treatment Plants: Multi-Objective Analysis Using Plant-Wide Models

As the knowledge about anthropogenic impacts of climate change has grown, the awareness of the contributions from treatment of wastewater has widened the scope for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Not only shall ever stricter effluent constraints be met, but also energy efficiency be increased, greenhouse gases mitigated and resources recovered. All under a constant pressure on costs. The main objective of this research has been to develop a plant-wide modelling tool to evaluate the performance of operational strategies for multiple objectives at the plant and for off-site environmental impact. The plant-wide model platform Benchmark Simulation Model no. 2 (BSM2) has been modified to improve the evaluation of energy efficiency and include greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the plant-wide process model has been coupled to a life cycle analysis (LCA) model for evaluation of global environmental impact. For energy evaluation, a dynamic aeration system model has been adapted and implemented. The aeration model includes oxygen transfer efficiency, dynamic pressure in the distribution system and non-linear behaviour of blower performance. To allow for modelling of energy recovery via anaerobic co-digestion the digestion model of BSM2 was updated with a flexible co-digestion model allowing for dynamic co-substrate feeds. A feasible procedure for substrate characterisation was proposed. Emissions of the greenhouse gases CO2, CH4 and N2O were considered. The bioprocess model in BSM2 was updated with two-step nitrification, four-step denitrification and nitrifier denitrification to capture N2O production. Fugitive emissions of the three gases were included from digestion, cogeneration and sludge storage. The models were tested in case studies for the three areas of development: aeration, co-digestion and greenhouse gas production. They failed to reject the hypothesis that dynamic process models are required to assess the highly variable operations of wastewater treatment plants. All parts were combined in a case study of the Kappala WWTP in Lidingo, Sweden, for comparison of operational strategies and evaluation of stricter effluent constraints. The averaged model outputs were exported to an LCA model to include off-site production of input goods and impact of discharged residues and wastes. The results reveal trade-offs between water quality, energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions and abiotic depletion of elemental and fossil resources. The developed tool is generally applicable for WWTPs and the simulation results from this type of combined models create a good basis for decision support. (Less)
Digital Device and Mathematics: Multilevel vs Machine Learning Models for Value-added Ranking in Italy

With the COVID-19 pandemic and the development of distance education programs, digital learning is popular and strategic in many learning fields. The deployment of Information and Communications Technology and its impact on both national and international learning programs are becoming increasingly significant. This study seeks to explore in the Italian context both the effectiveness of digital learning in Mathematics Education and which features and how affect value-added at the classroom level. To explore Information and Communications Technology contribution and value-added scoring, the study takes into consideration the analytical power of classical multilevel models concerning the predictive power of different types of machine learning models. The study aims to investigate how Information and Communications Technology, and related concepts, impact theWeighted Likelihood Estimates in Mathematics for students in the lower secondary school, using data from the INVALSI of the school year 2017/2018. The main finding is that Personal Computer ownership at home plays an important role in mathematical learning. Finally, a machine learning model incorporated in the educational domain can be an interesting starting point for developing class-predictive policies.
Encouraging HPV Vaccination via an Evolutionary Theoretical Approach: A Randomized Controlled Study in Japan

In recent years, researchers have discussed the introduction of an evolutionary perspective into public health and health behavior research. We aimed to examine the effects of messages that target the fundamental human motive of kin care on HPV vaccination recommendations among mothers with daughters, based on an evolutionary theoretical approach. This study consisted of a three-arm parallel-group single-blinded randomized controlled study. A web-based survey was conducted from 7 to 8 October 2021 in Japan. Mothers with daughters (n = 969) were randomly assigned either to a group that received an intervention message that targeted the fundamental motive of kin care, or that targeted the fundamental motive of disease avoidance, or a control message. Intention to have daughter(s) receive HPV vaccination was assessed both before and right after reading the messages. A one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s or Games–Howell test was conducted. An intervention message targeting the fundamental motive of kin care and disease avoidance significantly increased intention of vaccination versus a control message (p < 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference between the two intervention groups. The evolutionary theoretical approach that focuses on fundamental human motives may have the potential to extend the communication strategy for HPV vaccination recommendations. Health professionals may be recommended to deliver messages that target the fundamental motive of kin care as well as messages about the susceptibility and severity of cervical cancer and vaccine efficacy (e.g., “Getting cervical cancer can prevent childbirth. To protect your daughter and your future grandchildren, get your daughter vaccinated against HPV”). However, the present study only evaluated HPV vaccination intentions in Japanese mothers with daughters. Future studies should evaluate vaccination behavior in a wider range of subjects to confirm that the evolutionary theoretical approach promotes HPV vaccination.
Fluoride exposure and its potential health risk assessment through ingestion of food in the mica mining areas of Jharkhand, India

Abstract The study was taken up to assess the fluoride concentration in the plant and animal based food items (cereals, pulses, vegetables, milk, chicken, egg and fish) in the vicinity of mica mining areas of Jharkhand which is rich in fluoride bearing minerals like biotite, muscovite, apatite, etc. The highest fluoride concentrations were observed in the wheat and chicken samples amongst the plant and animal origin foods, respectively. The leafy vegetables accumulated higher fluoride content as compared to other vegetables. The estimated daily intake (EDI) exceeded the Provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI) of fluoride of 0.04 mg/kg/day in some of the wheat and rice samples. For the assessment of non-carcinogenic risk of fluoride, Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Indices (HI) were calculated as per United States Environmental Protection Agency methodology. The HQ of wheat and rice were highest amongst all the food items and contributed about 69% of the total risk. The hazard index (HI) for the adult population in view of the content of fluoride in the food samples ranged from 0.409 to 3.04 considering all the locations. HI exceeded unity in 60% of the locations, indicating non-carcinogenic risk to the populace. Higher HIs were assessed in the locations under the influence of mica mining activities.
Job embeddedness as a mediator of the effects of organizational antecedents on voluntary turnover intention of hotel employees in Nigeria

Abstract There is a dearth of research on Organizational Job Embeddedness in the hospitality and tourism industry. Drawing from the Social Exchange Theory, Conservation of Resource Theory, Job Embeddedness Theory, and Ability-Motivation-Opportunity frameworks, this study addresses the gap. A self-reported survey of 320 frontline hotel workers from Abuja Nigeria is used to analyze the proposed hypotheses using PLS-SEM. The findings indicate that Coworker Support, Organizational Rewards, Manager Trust, and Growth Opportunities directly predict Organizational Job Embeddedness. Furthermore, Organizational Job Embeddedness was established as a significant mediator between the predictors and Voluntary Turnover Intentions. The study’s implications for practices and limitations are discussed.
Entropy-based quantification of a product’s BOM blocking effect

Abstract Manufacturing complexity increases as a result of product configuration, and even though different manufacturing complexity measures have been developed, none of them seem to put attention to the blocking effect a product’s bill-of-material imposes to the process flow. The following paper extends the research presented by the authors in a previous paper, where a set of entropic formulations were developed to act as an increase/decrease indicator of a manufacturing system’s performance parameters. Our findings show that the improvements to the entropic formulations provide results that are closer to the system’s performance parameters final values.
A Unified Fault-Tolerant Strategy for Multiphase Machine With Minimum Losses in Full Torque Operation Range Based on Closed-Form Expressions

Fault-tolerant capability is one of the dominant advantage of multiphase drives. In case of open-phase fault occurrence, the control strategy needs to be modified in order to maintain smooth operation, resulting in larger amplitude of the phase current. Consequently, the winding losses are increased in comparison with healthy operation. Also, the torque operation range (TOR) is reduced inevitably. This article proposed a unified fault-tolerant strategy that can ensure the widest TOR while minimizing losses. Compared with state-of-the-art literature, the execution of the fault-tolerant algorithm does not require any online or offline global optimization process. Instead, simple closed-form expressions are adopted, which could be considered a feasible simplification. Furthermore, the proposed strategy can be adopted for symmetrical or asymmetrical multiphase machines with any number of phases. Experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed fault-tolerant method.
Head and neck cancer readmission reduction (HANCARRE) project: Reducing 30‐day readmissions

Abstract Objective Unplanned 30‐day readmissions result in increased costs and decreased patient satisfaction. The objective of this study was to compare readmission rates before and after a multidisciplinary quality improvement initiative that focuses on patient and staff education, use of targeted skilled nursing facilities, and appropriate use of patient observation status. Methods This was a quality improvement study of all unplanned admissions to the Head and Neck Oncology service at a tertiary care facility during a 3‐year period between October 2015 and September 2018. In October 2016, when the Head and Neck Oncology service revised its discharge practices for patients undergoing extirpative and/or reconstructive surgery. These changes included enhancing patient education, increasing the use of a skilled nursing facility with directed staff education and patient handoffs by advanced practice nurses, and appropriate utilization of 23‐h observation status for returning patients. The readmission rate from the pre‐intervention era (October 2015 through September 2016) was compared to the readmission rate from the post‐intervention era (October 2016 through September 2018). Secondary outcomes were the rates of 23‐h observation within 30 days of the discharge as well as emergency room visits within 30 days of discharge. Results In this sample of 449 patients, 161 (35.9%) were observed before the change‐in‐practice (before October 2016), and 288 (64.1%) were observed following the change‐in‐practice (after September 2016). On univariable analysis, the risk of readmission declined by approximately 41.4% from the pre‐intervention era, though this conclusion was not statistically significant (P = 0.06). On multivariable analysis, patients at moderate or high risk of death were 2.31 times more likely than those at minor risk of death to readmit within 30 days (P = 0.03). Similarly, those with recurrent or persistent cancer were 3.33 times more likely than those undergoing initial curative surgical management of cancer to readmit within 30 days (P = 0.001). No patient characteristics were associated with a 23‐h observation following discharge (all P > 0.05). Conclusions were similar for emergency room visits following discharge. Conclusions A three‐part quality improvement strategy resulted in a clinically important decrease in 30‐day readmissions, though the decline was not statistically significant. There were no significant changes in 23‐h observation within 30 days of discharge or emergency room visits within 30 days of discharge.
Global Noncoding microRNA Profiling in Mice Infected with Partial Human Mouth Microbes (PAHMM) Using an Ecological Time-Sequential Polybacterial Periodontal Infection (ETSPPI) Model Reveals Sex-Specific Differential microRNA Expression

Periodontitis (PD) is a polymicrobial dysbiotic immuno-inflammatory disease. It is more prevalent in males and has poorly understood pathogenic molecular mechanisms. Our primary objective was to characterize alterations in sex-specific microRNA (miRNA, miR) after periodontal bacterial infection. Using partial human mouth microbes (PAHMM) (Streptococcus gordonii, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia) in an ecological time-sequential polybacterial periodontal infection (ETSPPI) mouse model, we evaluated differential mandibular miRNA profiles by using high-throughput Nanostring nCounter® miRNA expression panels. All PAHMM mice showed bacterial colonization (100%) in the gingival surface, an increase in alveolar bone resorption (p < 0.0001), and the induction of a specific immunoglobin G antibody immune response (p < 0.001). Sex-specific differences in distal organ bacterial dissemination were observed in the heart (82% male vs. 28% female) and lungs (2% male vs. 68% female). Moreover, sex-specific differential expression (DE) of miRNA was identified in PAHMM mice. Out of 378 differentially expressed miRNAs, we identified seven miRNAs (miR-9, miR-148a, miR-669a, miR-199a-3p, miR-1274a, miR-377, and miR-690) in both sexes that may be implicated in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. A strong relationship was found between male-specific miR-377 upregulation and bacterial dissemination to the heart. This study demonstrates sex-specific differences in bacterial dissemination and in miRNA differential expression. A novel PAHMM mouse and ETSPPI model that replicates human pathobiology can be used to identify miRNA biomarkers in periodontitis.
Determination of non-nuclear alternative to the nuclear density gauge through laboratory and field testing

v Chapter 1: Introduction . 13 1.1 Problem Statement . 13 1.2 Study Objectives . 15 1.3 Thesis Organization . 15 Chapter 2: Review of Literature . 17 2.
Investigating the relationship between cognitive failures and workload among nurses of Imam Khomeini and Vali-e-Asr hospitals in Tehran

Introduction: High level of workload and its consequent cognitive failures are among factors which impact nurses’ behavior, performance, and efficiency. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between nurses’ cognitive failures and perceived workload. Material and Method: This cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical study was carried out among 150 male and female nurses, working in different units of Emam Khomeini and Vali-e-Asr hospitals in Tehran in 2013. NASA task load index (NASA-TlX) and Cognitive Failure Questionnaire (CFQ) were used to assess workload and cognitive failures, respectively. Data were analyzed using Pearson Correlation, Independent sample t-test, and one-way ANOVA statistical tests with SPSS software version 20. Result: Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients test results showed a significant relationship between nurses’ mental workload and their memory for names (P-value<0.001). Moreover, there was significant association between physical workload and memory, attention and total cognitive failures (CFQ total) (P-value<0.05). Perceived frustration mong nurses was significantly correlated with memory, attention, motor functions and total cognitive failures (P-value<0.05). Conclusion: The results showed a high level of workload among study nurses. Furthermore, the relationships between some dimensions of mental workload and cognitive failures were confirmed, so that an increase in workload dimension can lead to more cognitive failures while doing task.
FDI inflows and the economic growth of city clusters: evidence from China's Yangtze River Economic Belt

Abstract This study investigates the impact and transmission mechanism of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows on the economic growth of city clusters. Via theoretical analysis, a spatial Durbin model (SDM) and mediating effect model are applied based on panel data of the three major city clusters in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) from 1997 to 2018. The results reveal the following: (1) FDI inflows promote the economic growth of city clusters in the YREB, but the degrees of impacts on the three city clusters are different; (2) the spatial effects of FDI inflows differ across city clusters; the effects are negative in city clusters of the Yangtze River Delta and the Yangtze River Middle Reaches, and positive in the Chengdu-Chongqing city cluster; (3) urbanization and industrial structure upgrading are two important mechanisms by which FDI inflows promote the economic growth of city clusters. However, there are differences among the three major city clusters; the intermediary effect of urbanization is more significant in city clusters of Chengdu-Chongqing and the Yangtze River Middle Reaches, while the intermediary effect of industrial structure upgrading is more significant in the Yangtze River Delta and Chengdu-Chongqing city clusters. Policy implications are proposed accordingly.
Comparative Evaluation of Triphala Extract Prepared Using Two Methods

In view of the wide usage of Triphala for large number of therapeutic indications, ethno medicinal practice of extract preparation viz . extracting the three plants together (sample A) and mixing the extracts of three plants prepared separately (sample B), were compared. Both the test samples were analyzed with respect to their physicochemical, phytochemical and pharmacological profiles. In case of physicochemical properties, ash values and moisture content of both samples were comparable. Sample A showed less acidic nature and high water soluble extractive (96.15±1.7) value which was statistically significant (p<0.05). Phytochemical estimation of gallic acid and ellagic acid by high-performance thin-layer chromatography showed higher content in sample B (-97.7 ng/µg) and sample A (-49.2 ng/µg) respectively. Pharmacological activity of both the samples was comparable for total phenol content, total antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity. Although both samples inhibited the activities of acetylcholine esterase and lipase in a concentration dependent manner; sample B showed better activity. Usually, multi-plant extracts were proven more superior over single plant extracts. In our study extract prepared by mixing the extracts of 3 plants prepared separately showed better pharmacological activity profile than the extract prepared by extracting the three plants togethers.
From pacemaker to vortex ring: Modeling jellyfish propulsion and turning

Alexander Hoover: From Pacemaker to Vortex Ring: Modeling Jellyfish Propulsion and Turning (Under the direction of Laura Miller) Jellyfish have been widely studied by disparate disciplines such as organismal biology, biooceanography, mechanical engineering, physics and mathematics. The jellyfish blooms of our warming oceans and their disruptions to industrial processes and fishing operations have garnered a high amount of attention from ecologists. More recently, the advent of drones has motivated engineers to look to jellyfish and other organisms for inspiration in the design of efficient underwater vehicles [18]. With their soothing motion to their impressive swarms, jellyfish are a creature that that both affixes the mind’s imagination and demands attention, whether from popular science articles on their ‘immortality’ [78] to the painful sting from the tentacles that can ruin a day at the beach. Dating back to Romanes in the 1870s, biologists have studied this biomechanical system, using excision experiments to explore the nervous system and musculature [80]. One motivation for this work is that jellyfish are one the earliest examples of a motile, multi-cellular organism [23]. With a fossil record dating to the Middle Cambrian [16], one can gain insight into how the first cells organized into a moving system by studying the biomechanics of jellyfish locomotion. At its most general, the propulsion cycle of jellyfish is a result of the interaction of pacemakers, a decentralized nervous system, and the musculature driving the motion of an elastic bell. The resulting dynamics are robust enough to allow for both regular forward swimming gaits and complicated steering manuevers resulting from asymmetrical activation of the musculature. Relative to other organisms, mathematicians and physical scientists have focused a disproportional amount of attention to the mechanics of jellyfish swimming. This work has used both computational and analytical methods to reveal the optimal kinematics for vortex formation and fluid-structure interaction. There are few reasons that jellyfish have garnered the attention of mathematicians, with one of the simplest being its geometry. The smooth and simple geometry of a jellyfish bell
Multitarget identification method for dual‐plane detection based on data fusion and correlation analysis

The light screen that tests the velocity of a projectile is often affected by indoor illumination changes and interference caused by air disturbance of the projectile, affecting the identification of the projectile target signals by the test system. To solve these problems, based on the detection light screen formed by the array infrared diodes and the array photosensitive tube, this article proposes the method of identifying multiprojectile targets in the dual‐plane detection of data fusion and related analysis. Use the amplitude of signals generated by the projectile moving in the screen and the time width of valid signals as the diagnosis basis to build a multiprojectile signal identification model for a single plane detection light screen. Using the similarity of projectile passing through two light screens, a matching algorithm for the two‐plane detection screen projectile signal is established. By collecting the multiprojectile signals of the dual‐plane detection light screen and following the single detection light screen data fusion model, the velocity measuring system can identify the projectile signals of the dual‐plane detection screen. Based on the fusion and identification result of each detection plane and the established match algorithm related to the shot signal, the test result of the test system with interference is obtained. The result verifies the correctness of the established model and algorithm.