Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hypertension and prehypertension: prevalence and associated factors in Gabonese Youth and Adolescents

Background : Early detection of hypertension is necessary to reduce subsequent morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension in high school students from the capital city of Gabon and to identify their associated factors. Methods : This was a cross-sectional and analytical study carried out on a population of students enrolled in two establishments in Libreville during the 2018-2019 year school. Information on hypertension family history, eating habits, alcohol and/or tobacco consumption, oral contraception, age, gender, body mass index and blood pressure were collected. The National High Blood Pressure and European Cardiology Society 2013 classifications were used for the analysis of blood pressure in children and young adults respectively. Results : A total of 613 students with mean age of 20.3 ± 2.5 years were included. Sex ratio was 2.3. Prevalence of hypertension was 19.4% and the following factors were found to be independently associated with hypertension: overweight (aOR: 2.77 [1.29-9.99]) and male gender (aOR: 2.10, [1.22-3.62]) or not independently: overweight (OR: 2.52, [1.30-4.89] and obesity (OR: 2.62, [1.30-5.27]) (p<00.1). The prevalence of prehypertension was 23.0%, obesity (aOR:3,93 [1.02-15.2]) was independently associated with prehypertension, while overweight (OR: 2.16, [1.03-4.53]) and male sex (OR: 1.72, [1.10-2.78]) (p<00.1) were dependent factors. Conclusions : Hypertension and prehypertension are not unfrequent in school students from Libreville. Awareness of associated factors and screening campaigns within school establishments are necessary to reduce complications in adulthood.
Short- and long-term reliability of nitrided oxide MISFETs

The short- and long-term reliability of thin nitrided oxide (oxynitride) films is studied. Tests conducted on several oxynitride films fabricated under various nitridation conditions show that (1) the defect density of thin (5-nm) oxynitride film is very low; (2) oxynitride MISFETs exhibit less transconductance degradation due to hot-carrier injection than oxide MISFETs; (3) these thin films have superior time-dependent dielectric breakdown characteristics; and (4) the electron traps in oxynitride film are drastically reduced by annealing in an O/sub 2/ gas atmosphere. >
Investigation on a low‐melting‐point gallium alloy MHD power generator

A magnetic hydrodynamic (MHD) power generator using an electro‐conductive low‐melting‐point gallium alloy is introduced. An experimental setup is designed and established to investigate its performance with aids of numerical simulations. Theoretical derivations based on Faraday Law are also presented as a theoretical foundation of the present study. It is found that the electric output increases with flow velocity, magnetic strength and electric conductivity, and the theoretical predictions and numerical results are in good agreement with the experimentally measured data. It is understood that in order to obtain a practical power generation, priority should be put on increasing fluid flow velocity and magnetic field strength. The present MHD power generation system has shown to be operated reliably in a long time at room temperature and could be used as a micro‐distributed energy supply system for domestic use in the future. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The greening of brownfields in American cities

The redevelopment of brownfields has become a central component of government efforts to revitalize many US cities. While the focus of these efforts has concentrated on promoting industrial and commercial redevelopment, some cities have started to also consider converting brownfields into parks and open space as part of a more comprehensive renewal strategy. Based on a survey of 20 case studies, this paper identifies and discusses: (1) the primary issues involved in brownfield greening projects; (2) the benefits of such projects; and (3) the specific planning processes involved. The overall conclusion drawn from the survey is that numerous renewal-oriented benefits can ensue from greening projects, if there is extensive stakeholder commitment devoted to deal with its financial and development-oriented challenges.
Transforming Government-Built Housing: Lessons from Developing Countries

People love to alter and extend their homes. Many countries have large stocks of government-built housing which, for various reasons, are in poor physical conditions and/or do not conform to the expectations of occupants as we approach the second millenium. In many developing countries, occupants of such housing make unauthorised but quite considerable changes and extensions to their dwellings for their own use and for renting out. This phenomenon is known as "Transformation" and may contain useful models for countries around the world. In this paper we examine user-initiated transformations to government-built housing in Bangladesh, Egypt, Ghana and Zimbabwe, studied in an ODA (now DFID)-sponsored research programme. The 1600 dwellings surveyed show how relatively low income households are capable of supplying new rooms and services both to improve their own housing conditions and to supply rental rooms or accommodation for family members living rent-free. In addition, the new construction is often of at least as good quality as the original structures and sometimes envelops the original in a new skin. Thus, transformation can be 1 This paper contains material previously presented in a paper at the 24th IAHS International Congress, Ankara, Turkey, 27-31 May, 1996 and the ENHR Conference in Helsingor, Denmark, 26-31 August, 1996. Although it was sponsored by the Overseas Development Administration of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of Her Majesty's Government, the views expressed are the authors alone.
Multiobjective Approaches to River Basin Planning

The impact of alternative water development strategies upon an urbanized area in the semi‐arid Southwest is examined within a multiobjective context. The main stem of the Santa Cruz River Basin is taken as a case study. The conflicting nature of wateraelated issues necessitates a broader approach to river basin planning than the frequently used single‐objective context in which each objective, such as flood protection, ground‐water recharges, and water supply, is considered in isolation of the other objectives. In reformulating the problem, a multiobjective approach is taken. Solutions are obtained from four multiobjective techniques briefly described and applicable to the selection among discrete alternatives: ELECTRE, compromise programming, cooperative game theory, and multiattribute utility theory. Review and comparison of these solutions as well as sensitivity analysis on each is provided. The difference between results may be explained by the manner in which the techniques use discordance. All four .
Project Manager Roles in IT Outsourcing

Abstract: This article contributes to providing insight into the growing form of outsourcing by studying different managerial roles by IT project managers in outsourcing and termination projects. During the last several years outsourcing has emerged as a major issue in IT management. In this article we have examined which management roles are emphasized by the client's and vendor's project managers in both outsourcing as well as termination projects. The six managerial roles we applied were leader, resource allocator, spokesman, entrepreneur, liaison, and monitor. An important insight from this study is the need for a contingent approach to outsourcing projects and that the appropriate leadership role depends on the outsourcing perspective, time, and situation. Another result from this study is that external project manager roles are found to be significantly more important in outsourcing termination projects than in outsourcing projects. Although this paper is based on limited data, it lays the foundation for a framework of management roles in IT outsourcing projects. An engineering manager can use this article to better understand which roles project managers should emphasize in IT outsourcing and termination projects.
Simulation of digital mammography images

A number of different technologies are available for digital mammography. However, it is not clear how differences in the physical performance aspects of the different imaging technologies affect clinical performance. Randomised controlled trials provide a means of gaining information on clinical performance however do not provide direct comparison of the different digital imaging technologies. This work describes a method of simulating the performance of different digital mammography systems. The method involves modifying the imaging performance parameters of images from a small field of view (SFDM), high resolution digital imaging system used for spot imaging. Under normal operating conditions this system produces images with higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) over a wide spatial frequency range than current full field digital mammography (FFDM) systems. The SFDM images can be 'degraded’ by computer processing to simulate the characteristics of a FFDM system. Initial work characterised the physical performance (MTF, NPS) of the SFDM detector and developed a model and method for simulating signal transfer and noise properties of a FFDM system. It was found that the SNR properties of the simulated FFDM images were very similar to those measured from an actual FFDM system verifying the methodology used. The application of this technique to clinical images from the small field system will allow the clinical performance of different FFDM systems to be simulated and directly compared using the same clinical image datasets.
Estimating the Willingness to Pay for Improvement of an Urban Park in Southern Brazil Using the Contingent Valuation Method

AbstractUrban green spaces play a key role in the improvement of environmental quality, livability, and sustainability of towns and cities. The aim of this paper is to elicit the willingness of the population of Passo Fundo, a town in southern Brazil, to pay for improvements, maintenance, and conservation of a park situated in the Cidade Universitaria (University Campus) subdivision. After the preliminary description of the current situation of the park, a scenario was defined for environmental valuation offered by proposed improvements according to different experts in urban and environmental planning. A total of 338 households in the urban area of Passo Fundo were surveyed through the application of a questionnaire and by the contingent valuation method. An economic value between R$964,560.00 (US$550,547.94) and R$2,531,970.00 (US$1,445,188.35) was obtained for the improvement, maintenance, and conservation of the park. Also, a relationship was observed between the socioeconomic characteristics of the p.
Design and characterization of a micromachined Fabry–Perot vibration sensor for high-temperature applications

We have designed and characterized a MEMS-based Fabry–Perot device (MFPD) to measure vibration at high temperatures. The MFPD consists of a micromachined cavity formed between a substrate and a top thin film structure in the form of a cantilever beam. When affixed to a vibrating surface, the amplitude and frequency of vibration are determined by illuminating the MFPD top mirror with a monochromatic light source and analyzing the back-reflected light to determine the deflection of the beam with respect to the substrate. Given the device geometry, a mechanical transfer function is calculated to permit the substrate motion to be determined from the relative motion of the beam with respect to the substrate. Because the thin film cantilever beam and the substrate are approximately parallel, this two-mirror cavity arrangement does not require alignment or sophisticated stabilization techniques. The uncooled high-temperature operational capability of the MFPD provides a viable low-cost alternative to sensors that require environmentally controlled packages to operate at high temperature. The small size of the MFPD (85–175 µm) and the choice of materials in which it can be manufactured (silicon nitride and silicon carbide) make it ideal for high-temperature applications. Relative displacements in the sub-nanometer range have been measured and close agreement was found between the measured sensor frequency response and the theoretical predictions based on analytical models.
Development of prefabricated timber–concrete composite floor systems

The timber–concrete composite structure consists of timber joists or beams effectively interconnected to a concrete slab cast on top of the timber members. This type of structure is finding new applications in multi-storey buildings and short-span bridges. Most of the research performed to date has focused on systems where ‘wet' concrete is cast on top of timber beams with mounted connectors. This paper presents a novel composite system where the concrete slab is prefabricated off-site with connectors already embedded and then connected to the timber joists on site. The advantages of this method include reduced cost and better quality control of the materials, absence of ‘wet' components on site during building erection and reduced concrete shrinkage effects on the composite beam. The paper reports an overview of a pilot research project conducted at Lulea University of Technology, Sweden, which includes direct shear tests to failure of different connection systems, bending tests to failure, dynamic (vibr.
Modulation du mouillage par des microtextures

Nous resumons ici differents travaux relatifs au comportement des liquides sur des surfaces solides microtexturees. Nous montrons en particulier comment on peut modifier la mouillabilite d'un solide en le texturant, et nous nous interessons a la question de l'accrochage des gouttes sur de telles surfaces
Capacitance requirements of self-excited induction generators

A simple method for computing the minimum value of capacitance, C min. required for initiating voltage build-up in a three-phase self-excited induction generator (SEIG) is presented. Based on the steady-state equivalent circuit model, a consideration of the circuit conductances yields a sixth-degree polynomial in the per-unit frequency. The polynomial can be solved for real roots, which enables the value of C/sub min/ to be calculated. Critical values of load impedance and speed, below which the machine fails to self-excite irrespective of the capacitance used, are found to exist. Closed form solutions for C/sub min/ are derived for no-load and inductive loads. Using the same numerical approach, an interative procedure is developed for predicting the capacitance required for maintaining the terminal voltage at a preset value when the generator is supplying load. Experimental results obtained on a 2 kW induction machine confirm the feasibility and accuracy of the proposed methods. >
Two-Dimensional Optimization of a Stent for an Aneurysm

This work attempts to optimize stents that are implanted at the neck of coronary or cerebral aneurysms to effect a flow diversion. A two-dimensional version of the stent, which is a series of struts and gaps placed at the neck, is considered as the first step. Optimization is carried out based on the principles of exploration of design space using reductions in velocity and vorticity in the aneurysm dome as the objective functions. Latin hypercube sampling first develops 30-60 samples of a strut-gap arrangement. Flow past an aneurysm with each of these samples is computed using the commercial software FLUENT and the objective functions evaluated. This is followed by a Kriging procedure that identifies the nondominated solutions to the system, which are the optimized candidates. Three different cases of stents with rectangular or circular struts are considered. It is found that placing struts in the proximal region of the neck gives the best flow diversion.
Wise Ancestors, Good Ancestors: Why Mindfulness Matters in the Promotion of Planetary Health

The concept of planetary health blurs the artificial lines between health at scales of person, place, and planet. It emphasizes the interconnected grand challenges of our time, and underscores the need for integration of biological, psychological, social, and cultural aspects of health in the modern environment. Here, in our Viewpoint article, we revisit vaccine pioneer Jonas Salk’s contention that wisdom is central to the concept of planetary health. Our perspective is centered on the idea that practical wisdom is associated with decision-making that leads to flourishing—the vitality and fullest potential of individuals, communities, and life on the planet as a whole. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has illustrated the acute consequences of unwise and mindless leadership; yet, wisdom and mindfulness, or lack thereof, is no less consequential to grotesque biodiversity losses, climate change, environmental degradation, resource depletion, the global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), health inequalities, and social injustices. Since mindfulness is a teachable asset linked to both wisdom and flourishing, we argue that mindfulness deserves much greater attention in the context of planetary health.
Models for road surface roughness

This study focuses on the statistical description and analysis of road surface irregularities that are essential for heavy-vehicle fatigue assessment. Three new road profile models are proposed: a homogenous Laplace moving average process, a non-homogenous Laplace process and a hybrid model that combines Gaussian and Laplace modelling. These are compared with the classical homogenous Gaussian process as well as with the non-homogenous Gaussian model that represents the road surface as a homogenous Gaussian process with Motor Industry Research Association spectrum enhanced by randomly placed and shaped irregularities. The five models are fitted to eight measured road surfaces and their accuracy and efficiency are discussed.
A Linear Theory of Vibrations Caused by Ball Bearings With Form Errors Operating at Moderate Speed

A linear theoretical model is presented for the vibrations of a shaft bearing system caused by ball bearing geometrical imperfections. It is valid for low and medium speeds where ball centrifugal forces can be neglected. The excitation forces from each bearing are calculated and can serve as input to suitable rotor dynamics programs. Imperfections covered are radial and axial waviness of outer and inner rings, ball waviness and diameter distribution, nonuniform cage pocket distribution
Profitability and Leverages as Determinants of Dividend Policy: Evidence of Turkish Financial Firms

The purposes of this study is to investigate the impact of profitability and leverage ratios on the determination of dividend policy for Turkish financial firms listed on Borsa Istanbul. In order to do so, secondary longitudinal data were collected for the listed financial firms from DataStream database over the period 2008-2020. The financial crisis 2007-2008 has affected the sector undoubtedly. Thus, it is important to investigate how dividend policy behaves with debt level and level of profitability in financial sector of developing country after the well-known financial crisis. The research expects that both profitability and leverage have significant correlation with dividend payout ratio. Consistent to the findings of the majority of the prior empirical studies, the results of this study found that both profitability and leverage are negatively associated with dividend payout ratio.
A two-step time simulation of ground vibrations induced by the railway traffic

Recent decades have been fertile in terms of development of vehicle dynamics simulations. But the usual applications dedicated to the train design rarely take into account ground vibrations. In order to assess the influence of vehicle dynamics on track deflection and therefore on ground wave propagation, the vehicle/track system must be studied globally. The track/soil coupling is first investigated, through various track/soil models. From there, a decoupled approach is proposed, which proves valid as far as the soil is sufficiently rigid with respect to the ballast. It works in two stages: the simulation of the vehicle/track subsystem provides in a first step the ground forces, considering the irregularities of the rail as the excitation mechanism. The resulting forces are then applied, in a second step, to the soil subsystem model. Two applications are presented, consisting of the passing of a tram over a local discontinuity and the passing of a high-speed train over a rough track. The results obtained show a good agreement with experimental measurements as well as the importance of the whole vehicle/track/soil dynamics on the level of ground vibration.
Nonlinear Response of Bridges under Multisupport Excitation

The authors present the results of an extensive numerical study on the nonlinear response of bridges subjected to multisupport seismic excitation. Bridges of varying stiffness and ductility have been designed for nonsynchronous and synchronous motion, and subsequently, have been analyzed in the nonlinear range under nonsynchronous input motion. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the effects on the peak inelastic response of bridge structures and the extent of validity of the force reduction factor (q-factor) approach for the design. Findings revealed that displacement ductility demands in bridges designed by the q-factor method for a multisupport excitation were in good agreement with the chosen value of q. The bridges designed for synchronous input and then examined for nonsynchronous motion displayed an excess of strength in the central piers, whereas the opposite happened for those near the abutments, which may have displacement ductility demands larger than those requested under synchronous motion.
Hybrid Control Robust Using Logic Fuzzy Applied to the Position Loop for Vector Control to Induction Motors

Abstract This article presents the study and implementation of position control for an induction motor drive using the vector control strategy to improve tracking of the motor shaft. Thus, a novel hybrid control technique is proposed in contrast to the proportional-integral-derivative controller with a fixed gain traditionally used in this type of application. The hybrid control relies on error techniques based on fuzzy rules systems weighting the control action of proportional-integral-derivative and generalized predictive controllers previously adjusted. The simulation and experimental results to check the performance and robustness of the control strategy demonstrate the merit of the proposed approach.
An Enhanced Dual-Path ΔΣ A/D Converter

This paper presents an enhanced dual-path delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter. Compared with other architectures, the enhanced architecture increases the noise shaping order without any instability problems and displays analog complexity equivalent to the multi-stage noise shaping architecture. Our delta-sigma converter is based on this new architecture. It employs not only doubly-differential structure to reduce common-mode errors in the system-level but also delayed-feed-in structure to mitigate the timing constraint of the feedback signal. Regarding the circuit implementation, the first-order enhancement of the quantization noise shaping is achieved via the use of a switched capacitor circuit technique. The circuit is incorporated into the active adder in a low-distortion structure. The supporting clock generation circuit that provides additional phases of clocks with the enhancement block is also implemented in the CMOS logic gates. A digital dynamic element matching circuit (i.e., segmented data-weighted-average circuit) is designed to reduce mismatch errors caused by the feedback DAC of modulator. A test chip, fabricated in a 0.18-μm CMOS process, provides a signal-to-noise+distortion ratio (SNDR) of 75-dB for a 1.0-MHz signal bandwidth clocked at 40-MHz. The 2nd harmonic is ―101 dB and the 3rd harmonic is ―94 dB when a ―4.5-dB 100-kHz input signal is applied.