Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Baseline Interleukin-6 Level Predicts Risk of Severe COVID-19: A Two-Center, Retrospective Study

Background:The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has affected almost every country. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine secreted by CD4+ T cell, has been shown to be a reliable marker of disease severity and a useful parameter for monitoring progression of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). However its value as a predictor of severe disease has not been assessed.Methods:A total of 160 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to two hospitals were enrolledand separated into two groups according to whether or not they progressed to develop severe illness. Demographic and clinical characteristics at admission were compared between the groups.Results: Patients who developed severe COVID-19 had significantly higher baseline IL-6 levels than patients who had mild disease course in hospital (P< 0.001). Patients were further grouped according to quartiles of IL-6 level. The cumulative incidence of severe illnesswas significantly higher in the third and fourth quartiles groups than in the first quartile group (55% vs. 15% and 80% vs. 15%, respectively;bothP< 0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the risk for developing severe disease was markedly higher in the highest IL-6 quartile than in the lowest quartile (odds ratio: 14.95; 95% confidence interval: 3.65–61.30; P< 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of potential predictive variables showed the area under the curve to be largest for baseline IL-6, with the value of 5.20 pg/mL having the best balance of sensitivity and specificity for predicting risk of severe COVID-19.Conclusion: Serum baseline IL-6 appears to be a reliable predictor of risk of severe COVID-19. Early intervention may be advisable in patients with serum IL-6 levels >5.20 pg/mL, even if initial symptoms are mild.
Energy, exergy and thermoeconomic analysis of a combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) system with gas turbine prime mover

In this paper energy, exergy and thermoeconomic analysis of a combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) system has been performed. Applying the first and second laws of thermodynamics and economic analysis, simultaneously, has made a powerful tool for the analysis of energy systems such as CCHP systems.
Dissipation and Residues of Thiram in Potato and Soil

The residue levels of thiram during potato cultivation in open field were evaluated. Thiram residues were determined by methylation derivation method with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Wettable powder (WP) formulation containing 25% thiram was applied at 2320 g active gradient hm−2 (a.i. hm−2) dosage for the dissipation study. The decline rate in potato leave and soil followed first-order kinetics equation, and the half-life ranged from 2.8 to 5.4 days and 2.6 to 9.9 days, respectively. In terminal residue, the thiram was sprayed at 580 g a.i. hm−2 (low concentration, recommended dosage) and 1160 g a.i. hm−2 (high concentration, double of recommended dosage). The residues of thiram in potato and soil samples collected in the field at preharvest interval of 21 days and 30 days were all below 0.02 mg kg−1. The results show that thiram possesses low dietary risk in potato at harvest according to supervised residue field trial. It may be safe when used at recommended rate of application.
Exploring the Yield Spread Between Sukuk and Conventional Bonds in Malaysia

This article aims to shed light on the differences in yield rate between conventional bond and sukuk in the Malaysian market. We find that the historical yield rates for the government-issued sukuk is significantly higher than the conventional bond. Conversely, there is a slight yield spread discount between the corporate-issued sukuk and bonds for all rating classes. We conclude that liquidity factor can mainly explain the positive yield spread on the government-issued sukuk. We also illustrate the effect of tax and expenses on asset pricing, which may contribute to the yield spread discount for corporate issuance. JEL Classification: E43, G12, G13
A preliminary approach on point cloud reconstruction of bronze statues through oriented photogrammetry: the “Principe Ellenistico” case

Close-Range Photogrammetry is a widespread and efficient technique in the 3D acquisition of artefacts, particularly in fields like Cultural Heritage. Despite this wide usage, also due to a convenient quality/cost ratio, it shows some limitations due to light conditions as well as the artefact surface finishing. In this paper, we would like to report the assessment of a photogrammetry approach to 3D capture metal reflective surfaces, such as bronze, which is a widely used material in ancient statues. To this aim, we propose a photogrammetry workflow based on systematic steps capable of overcome some of the main issues of reflective surfaces. To validate this approach, the developed 3D model is compared to a more accurate model of the same artefact, obtained with a 3D scanner. As a case study, we selected the Principe Ellenistico, an ancient bronze statue conserved in the Museo Nazionale Romano (Rome, Italy), of which a photogrammetric model is firstly developed and then compared to the scanned one.
Transpedicular Screw Fixation for Microinstability in Recurrent Lumbar Disc

Background: Microinstability represents the first phase of the degenerative cascade and has specific pathoanatomical and clinical characteristics (low back pain) in the interested vertebral segment, without the presence of spondylolisthesis it is more prominent in recurrent lumbar disc. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the surgical outcome of trans-pedicular screw fixation for microinstability in recurrent lumbar disc herniation with ipsilateral or bilateral transpedicular screw fixation, with highlights on lumbosacral instability classification. Patients and Methods: Two hundred patients with recurrent lumbar disc herniation were managed surgically by discectomy, curettage and unilateral transpedicular screw fixation at the offending side (100 patients among 200 patients of recurrent lumbar disc), or discectomy with endplate curettage and bilateral transpedicular screw fixation (100 patients among 200 patients of recurrent lumbar disc). Results: No significant difference was reported between both groups regarding patient age, gender, level of the disc. Surgery was on left side in 120 patients. The clinical outcome at the last follow up visit revealed that, recurrence and dural tears were confined to group A (unilateral) (each was reported in 1 patient), while root injury and spinal instability were confined to group B (Bilateral) (one patient for each. The recovery rate was 0.888 for group A and 0.807 for group B, with statistically significant difference. Conclusion: unilateral transpedicular screw fixation for recurrent lumbar disc provides slightly better outcome than bilateral approach, especially for recovery rate.
FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMENGARUHI PRE-EKLAMPSI PADA IBU HAMIL TRIMESTER III DI RUMAH SAKIT UMUM DAERAH DR. ZUBIR MAHMUD IDI ACEH TIMUR TAHUN 2017

Latar Belakang :Data yang diperoleh dari Rumah Sakit Umum Daerah (RSUD) dr. ZUBIR MAHMUD tahun 2016-2017 jumlah ibu hamil trimester III yang dirawat dan berobat jalan di Rumah Sakit Umum Daerah (RSUD) dr. ZUBIR MAHMUD IDI berjumlah 2.089 orang. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui faktor-faktor yang memengaruhi Pre-eklampsi pada ibu hamil trimester III di RSUD dr. Zubir Mahmud Idi Aceh Timur Tahun 2017. Metode Penelitian Penelitian ini bersifat survei analitik dengan menggunakan data sekunder. Desain yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah studi korelasi yang menggunakan analisa data chi-square 0,05. Dengan tehnik pengambilan sampel yaitu total populasi sampling jumlah sampel sebanyak 35 responden ibu hamil trimester III yang mengalami Pre-elampsi di RSUD dr. Zubir Mahmud Idi Aceh Timur Tahun 2017.Hasil Penelitian; Berdasarkan uji statistik dengan menggunakan uji chi-square, diperoleh probabilitas (Asymp sig) umur yaitu 0,000 lebih kecil dari tingkat kepercayaan 0,05, nilai probabilitas paritas yaitu 0,022 lebih kecil dari 0,05, nilai probabilitas kehamilan ganda yaitu 0,003 lebih kecil dari 0,05.Kata Kunci: Umur, Paritas dan Pre-Eklamsi
Authoritarianism, Ethnic Management and Non-Securitisation: The Kyrgyz Minority in Uzbekistan

Abstract Why was there no ethnicity-based violence in Uzbekistan in June 2010? That month there was widespread violence against ethnically Uzbek citizens of southern Kyrgyzstan. Although its occurrence might have been expected, there was no retaliation against the sizeable Kyrgyz minority of Uzbekistan. Following an overview of the relatively sparse research on this minority, the essay explores how authoritarian conflict management by the Uzbek government reanimated ‘people’s friendship’ discourses, preventing both active mobilisation and the demonisation of a minority. It concludes with some reflections on the prospects for the future of ethnic minorities in Central Asia’s nationalising republics.
Synthesis and Characterization of Partially Disulfonated Hydroquinone-Based Poly(arylene ether sulfone)s Random Copolymers for Application as Proton Exchange Membranes

Partially disulfonated hydroquinone (HQ)-based poly(arylene ether sulfone) random copolymers were synthesized and characterized for application as proton exchange membranes. The copolymer composition was varied in the degree of disulfonation. The copolymers were characterized by 1H NMR, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and other analytical techniques. The copolymer with a 25% degree of disulfonation showed the best balance between water uptake and proton conductivity. The copolymers showed substantially reduced methanol permeability compared with Nafion® and satisfactory direct methanol fuel cell performance. The methanol selectivity improved significantly in comparison to Nafion® 117. At a given ionic composition, the HQ-based system showed higher water uptake and proton conductivity than the biphenol-based (BPSH-xx) poly(arylene ether sulfone)s copolymers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 384–391, 2009
PIAGET AND ORGANIC CHEMISTRY : TEACHING INTRODUCTORY ORGANIC CHEMISTRY THROUGH LEARNING CYCLES

This paper describes the first application of the Piaget-based learning cycle technique (Atkin and Karplus, Sci. Teach. 1962, 29, 45-51) to an introductory organic chemistry course. It also presents the step-by-step process used to convert a lecture course into a discussion-based active learning course.The course is taught in a series of learning cycles. A learning cycle is a three phase process that provides opportunities for students to explore new material and work with an instructor to recognize logical patterns in data, and devise and test hypotheses. In this application, the first phase, exploration, involves out-of-class student evaluation of data in attempts to identify significant trends and develop hypotheses that might explain the trends in terms of fundamental scientific principles. In the second phase, concept invention, the students and instructor work together in-class to evaluate student hypotheses and find concepts that work best in explaining the data. The third phase, application, is an.
Researchers' Seedbeds for the Development of Research Skills in Universities

: The objective of this study is to demonstrate the effects of the application of the pedagogical strategy "researcher's seedbed" in the development of research skills in universities. This research is of quasi-experimental, longitudinal and prospective design, where 2 groups were formed: control and experimental, of 18 students each. A validated instrument was used to measure the research competences, as well as a rubric for the evaluation of the research projects. It began with a pre-test, and after 14 weeks of the development of the strategy, through different educational sessions, the post-test was administered. Likewise, the research projects carried out were evaluated. The results obtained showed that the pedagogical strategy had a positive effect on the development of research skills, with the highest evaluation being found in 40% of the students, with statistically significant differences between the control and experimental groups (Mann Whitney U, p=0.007), and between the pre-test and post-test (Wilcoxon, p=0.00). In the development of cognitive and procedural competence, an effect was also found in the strategy, but not in the attitudinal competence (Mann Whitney U, p=0.496). The application of this study is based on the fact that the formation of research groups in universities strengthens formative research in higher level students. This study shows the benefits of the implementation of strategies for the development of research competencies, since the product will be to train professionals with a scientific culture in favor of society.
Model Reduction Using the Balanced Truncation Method and the Padé Approximation Method

The objective of this article is the construction of a new model reduction method for the simplification of large-scale linear dynamical plants. In this method, the denominator of the lower order plant is determined by using the balanced truncation technique and the numerator is obtained by the Padé approximation method. This technique is given for the removal of existing limitations of the Padé approximation and the balanced truncation method. In this proposed method, it is ensured the stability and steady-state value of the original system are preserved in the reduced model. Thus the instability problem of the Padé approximation method and the steady-state error limitation of the balanced truncation method are circumvented. The advantages of the Padé approximation and the balanced truncation method are retained in the reduced model. For showing the accuracy and simplicity of the proposed method, standard numerical examples are simplified. This method is also compared to the recent and standard methods of the model diminution with the help of MATLAB.
Parents’ Views on Young Children’s Distance Learning and Screen Time During COVID-19 Class Suspension in Hong Kong

ABSTRACT This study explored parents’ views on kindergarten and primary school students’ distance learning experience and support needed as well as the amount of time children spend on screen media at home during COVID-19 class suspension. Between February 19 and 22, 2020, three weeks after classes were suspended in Hong Kong, responses from 6,702 parents (93% mothers) of kindergarten students and primary school students were collected via an online survey. Research Findings: Three major findings emerged: (a) Most children encountered difficulties in completing distance learning tasks at home, with major difficulties being children’s lack of learning interests and home environment related limitations. Most children were not able to complete the learning tasks independently; (b) More parents without online learning were dissatisfied with distance learning during class suspension than those with online learning. Parents wanted more interactive online learning to facilitate children’s learning during class suspension and desired better learning support from schools, flexible work arrangements, and government subsidies; (c) There was a high usage of electronic devices without parental mediation during class suspension. Practice or Policy: Together, the findings have important policy and pedagogical implications for delivering a distance learning curriculum and working with families during class suspension. The findings also suggest the need for schools to work on a balance of types of learning during class suspension by introducing diversified on- and off-line activities as well as supporting parents in navigating children’s screen time.
Addition of activated carbon to batch activated sludge reactors in the treatment of landfill leachate and domestic wastewater

Leachate from a municipal landfill was combined with domestic wastewater and was treated in batch activated sludge systems. The effectiveness and applicability of the addition of Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) to activated sludge reactors was investigated. Isotherm tests were carried out with PAC in order to estimate the extent of adsorption of organic matter onto PAC. Then, in activated sludge reactors COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) removal and nitrification were studied both in the absence and presence of PAC for comparison purposes. In both cases, Oxygen Uptake Rates (OUR) were measured with respect to time in order to investigate substrate removal and change in microbial activity. Addition of PAC to activated sludge increased COD removal by removing mainly the non-biodegradable fraction in leachate. The COD decreases in batch reactors were best expressed by a first-order kinetic model that incorporated this non-biodegradable leachate fraction. With added PAC, nitrification was also enhanced. But in all of the batch runs a significant accumulation of NO2-N took place, indicating that the second step of nitrification was still inhibited. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
A Review of Roof and Pond Rainwater Harvesting Systems for Water Security: The Design, Performance and Way Forward

Rapid urbanization, population explosion and climate change have threatened water security globally, regionally and locally. While there are many ways of addressing these problems, one of the innovative techniques is the recent employment of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) which include rainwater harvesting systems (RWHS). Therefore, this paper reviews the design and component of two types of RWHS, the namely roof harvesting system (RHS) and the pond harvesting system (PHS). The performance in terms of quantity and quality of collected rainwater and energy consumption for RWHS with different capacities were evaluated, as well as the benefits and challenges particularly in environmental, economic and social aspects. Presently, the RHS is more commonly applied but its effectiveness is limited by its small scale. The PHS is of larger scale and has greater potentials and effectiveness as an alternative water supply system. Results also indicate the many advantages of the PHS especially in terms of economics, environmental aspects and volume of water harvested. While the RHS may be suited to individual or existing buildings, the PHS has greater potentials and should be applied in newly developed urban areas with wet equatorial climate.
Sounds of scents: olfactory-auditory correspondences in the online purchase experience for perfume

Purpose – Perfume is arguably one of the most challenging experience products offered online. This article explores how the associations between the human senses of olfaction and audition can help consumers recognize the characteristics of the scent in the absence of the real scent. Method – Given the scarcity of contributions regarding online shopping behavior for perfume, an exploratory qualitative approach was implemented. Twenty-seven in-depth interviews were conducted among individuals from three countries with prior experience of purchasing perfume online. Results –The study highlights the associations made by the interviewees between the types of sounds/voice and types of scents and the complementary role of these cues in online shopping for perfume. Practical implications – Both e-sellers and e-buyers can benefit from the findings of this research. In fact, it is likely that e-shoppers decide to either consider or ignore an unknown perfume for purchase based on the scent signals perceived from sounds, which can provide guidance for e-sellers as well.
Liquid Crystal-based Imaging of Biomolecular Interactions at Roller Printed Protein Surfaces

In this study, the orientational behavior of thermotropic liquid crystals (LC) supported on a film of protein receptors was examined. Avidin was roller printed and covalently immobilized onto the surface of gold using NHS/EDC chemistry. The orientation of nematic 4-cyano-4’-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) was found to be parallel to the plane of the printed avidin surface before incubation with a solution of biotin. However, protein-receptor complexation induced a random orientation of 5CB, where protein-receptor complexes disturbed the nanoscale topography of the printed protein surface. Atomic force microscopy and ellipsometry was used to confirm printing and the specific interaction of proteins. These results demonstrate that the combination of LC and roller printing can be used to detect specific interactions between biomolecules by manipulating the orientational behavior of LC to the printed protein surfaces.
Sharing communities – Community currency in the sharing economy

For the further development and more efficient operation of the sharing economy, a fast and inexpensive peer-to-peer payment system is an essential element. The aim of this study is to outline a prototype that ensures the automation and decentralization of processes through smart contracts without blockchain technology. The model has been built based on the narrative that a community currency created through smart contracts can promote genuine practices of sharing as opposed to the profit-oriented approach that most of the currently operating sharing economy platforms have. Features of the model, such as ease of use, high-speed transactions without transaction cost are benefits that can provide a more efficient alternative to the traditional or to the cryptocurrency-based centralized sharing economy platforms.
Open sternoclavicular osteophyte debridement in the surgical management of sternoclavicular osteoarthritis: clinical outcome of a new procedure

Introduction Symptomatic sternoclavicular osteoarthritis is uncommon but remains the most frequent non-traumatic condition affecting the sternoclavicular joint and tends to have a predilection for middle-aged women. It responds well to conservative management. Surgery is indicated when conservative management fails. We present the clinical outcome of open symptomatic sternoclavicular osteophyte debridement, a new operation for treating recalcitrant symptomatic sternoclavicular osteoarthritis. Methods Five patients (five symptomatic sternoclavicular joints) with symptomatic sternoclavicular osteoarthritis underwent open sternoclavicular debridement following failure of conservative treatment. There were three females and two males. Mean age was 46.6 years (range 37.17–66). Four cases were primary osteoarthritis and one case was secondary to trauma. They were reviewed at mean follow-up at 35.4 months with minimum follow-up of 29 months. Assessment included Quick Disabilities of Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and subjective patient satisfaction score. Results There was no post-operative complication. Mean Quick DASH score 10.9 (range 0–29.5) at mean 35.4-month follow-up (range 29–43 months). Three patients reported excellent and two reported good outcome as per subjective satisfaction score. Conclusions Open sternoclavicular debridement has proved to be a simple, safe and highly effective new surgical treatment for patients with symptomatic sternoclavicular osteoarthritis unresponsive to non-operative management.