Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CFD-DEM study of a spouted bed operating in dense-phase, transition, and jet-spouting regimes

Abstract Spouted beds have been extensively studied for various applications due to their cyclic solid motion and intimate gas-solid contact. However, there are some applications that need more vigorous contact and shorter residence time than those observed in conventional spouted beds, and in some cases a high accumulation of sticky materials can even cause bed blockage. An option to overcome these problems related to fluid dynamics is to operate in a dilute phase regime, known as jet spouted bed. However, fluid dynamics in this non-conventional regime is different in relation to the conventional one. In this work, the dynamics of glass spheres in a spouted bed operating in the conventional, transition and jet spouting regimes was investigated using the CFDDEM coupling approach. Simulated results of particle velocities and local bed voidages were compared to the experimental data under the same conditions. In addition, the effect of fluid dynamics regimes on the number of contacts, number of collisions, and intensity of collisions inside the equipment was also evaluated. The simulated results were found to be satisfactory to predict the experimental behavior of all regimes investigated. A higher particle collision/contact ratio was observed in the dilute phase regime, which makes it interesting to study jet spouted bed in operations in which the collisions between particles are more important than the slip.
Assessment and enforcement of liquidated and ascertained damages in construction contracts in Ghana

Purpose – The enforcement of liquidated and ascertained damages (LADs) can be problematic when the amounts are poorly assessed and there are lapses in the administration of contracts. This paper seeks to investigate the relevance of LAD clauses in construction contracts in Ghana, as well as the methods employed in their assessment and enforcement.Design/methodology/approach – A parallel survey method was adopted. Three sets of similar questionnaires (slightly modified) were administered to professionals in client, consultant and contractor organisations in contract administration roles, to explore their experiences in the assessment and enforcement of LADs.Findings – LADs are not serving their purpose in construction contracts in Ghana. Clients have created situations that render LADs unenforceable. LAD amounts are also not genuine pre‐estimates of expected loss to be incurred, as assumptions and guesses rather than genuine calculations on a case‐by‐case basis are adopted in their assessment.Originality/v.
Tunnelling-based SRAM

This paper describes the use of low-current-density tunnelling devices to obtain dense low-power (sub-100 nW/bit) compound semiconductor static random access memory (SRAM); this cell power is over two orders of magnitude lower than the best previously demonstrated in III-V materials. This same circuit topology promises orders of magnitude reduction in static power dissipation for silicon memories, assuming a suitable Si-based negative differential resistance device, at sub-pA current levels, is developed. The concept of low-standby-power tunnelling-based SRAM (TSRAM) is presented in the context of a scaling theory for all memories and a comparison is given across technologies. Experimental results for a 50 nW TSRAM gain cell using ultralow current density (~1 A cm-2) resonant tunnelling diodes and low-leakage heterostructure field-effect transistors are discussed. We describe a one-transistor TSRAM cell, verify its operation, and discuss merits of TSRAM relative to other memory types. Silicon TSRAM standby power is projected to be lower than that of conventional-style silicon SRAM or DRAM.
Uneven Ambitions: Explaining National Differences in Proposed Emissions Reductions

Large-scale commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have been difficult to achieve, in part because we do not understand the social conditions that encourage mitigation. An analysis of variations across countries’ emissions reduction plans, submitted for the United Nations’ 2015 Paris conference, provides a way to identify the conditions that make societies more likely to commit to emissions reductions. A metric created from a country’s pledged emissions reductions and its baseline year for calculating emissions makes it possible to compare ambition across countries. Possible explanations for cross-national differences in ambition come from different approaches in environmental social science. Societies with ecologically modernized technologies, without fossil fuel–dependent treadmills of production, with mobilized citizens, and with effective governance adopted more ambitious mitigation plans. Given their importance in shaping the 2015 emissions reduction plans, these same social forces could play important roles in the future acceleration of emissions reduction commitments.
Sharing Economy

Globally, prominent sharing-based services include Uber, Lyft, and Airbnb, which have become behemoths in terms of their valuation, revenue, and number of users. Uber is reported to have over 100 million users globally. Bangladesh has also witnessed a rise in sharing-based services of both global and local origins. Sharing services have severely disrupted traditional business models and the economy they collectively encompass is referred to as the “sharing economy. ” Based on a systematic literature review of top management journals and other scholarly works, the authors present the most overarching conceptualization of sharing-based services. Taking this knowledge forward, this chapter not only conceptualizes and compares sharing-based services in Bangladesh but also identifies “collaborative consumption” as the most dominant type of sharing-based services among them. This chapter also presents scholarly works on the customers' motivators and barriers, which creates grounds for future research efforts in Bangladesh concerning collaborative consumption services.
Joint Packet Generation and Covert Communication in Delay-Intolerant Status Update Systems

In this letter, we jointly investigate packet generation and covert communication in delay-intolerant status update systems. For the first time, we establish a bridge between the prior transmission probability and the finite block-length in covert communication by modeling the stochastic status packet generation as a Poisson process. Considering a general prior transmission probability model, we derive closed-form expressions for the covertness constraint, the average packet error probability, and the effective covert throughput (ECT) to reveal the non-trivial tradeoff between the communication covertness and reliability. An optimization problem to maximize ECT is also formulated, and then the optimal transmit power and block-length are obtained, respectively. In contrast to exiting results, our examination shows that the longest block-length and the widely adopted equal prior probabilities are generally suboptimal when jointly considering the packet generation and covert communication.
Effectiveness of a Product Quality Classifier

ABSTRACT This article develops measures for evaluating the effectiveness of a quality sorting station. It takes into account the availability of prior information such as incoming product quality, sorting errors, and losses due to under/over graduation. It is shown that the loss function selection leads both to the already known measures, as well as to some new measures. Two ways of improving effectiveness using repeated sorting are compared to a case using only one rater. A case study shows that the measures that take into account real losses provide more distinguishable results and support the choice of the optimal classification method.
Seasonal variation in maternal dietary diversity is reduced by small‐scale irrigation practices: A longitudinal study

Abstract Some agricultural practices, such as irrigation, have the potential to buffer seasonal dietary gaps and through increased production and consumption improve diets, particularly of the rural poor relying on subsistence farming but also for rural and urban households purchasing irrigated produce on local markets. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of seasonality and irrigation on women's diet in rural Ethiopia. Using a longitudinal study design, three rounds of surveys were conducted among women of reproductive age (15–49 years). Data on socioeconomic status, food consumption and haemoglobin concentration was collected. Energy and nutrient intakes were estimated using an interviewer‐administered multiple‐pass 24‐h recall. Women's dietary diversity score (WDDS), the proportion of women meeting the minimum dietary diversity for women (MDDW), haemoglobin concentration, the prevalence of anaemia and energy and nutrients intakes were compared between irrigators and nonirrigators and by season. Associations between MDDW/WDDS and irrigation status were assessed using fixed‐effect models, after adjusting for covariates. WDDS was low (3–4 out of 10 food groups) and exhibited high seasonal variability (p < 0.05). Diets were predominantly cereal‐based, with little consumption of nutrient‐dense foods like fruits and animal source foods. High seasonal variability in energy, protein, vitamin C, calcium, iron and zinc intakes were observed (p < 0.01). Irrigators were more likely to meet the MDDW than women from non‐irrigating households (p < 0.05). No cases of malaria were reported from the three rounds of screening. There is a high seasonal variation in women's diet, but this could be partly offset by irrigation practices.
Dual-fuel engine developments at MAN B&W

MAN B&W in Augsburg, Germany has further developed its dual-fuel line of engines with the 32/40 DG engine family. These engines, with prechamber injection, augment the company`s spark-ignited gas and dual-fuel engines based on its four-stroke diesel engines. MAN B&W`s power range is between 400 and 16200 kW. Based on the well-proven 32/ 40 engine, the 32/40 DG dual-fuel engine was developed mainly for stationary applications in cogeneration plants and power stations, covering an output range from 2.4 to 7.2 MW. The engine line (bore 320 x stroke 400 mm) has a cylinder output of 400 kW at 750 r/min and a bmep of 19.9 bar with a maximum efficiency of 44.4%. The development focused on meeting TA Luft limits for NO{sub x} emissions of less than 500 mg/m{sup 3} NO{sub x}. This level was targeted without catalytic exhaust after treatment (SCR) and retaining high efficiency and high mean effective pressure similar to that of the diesel engine. To meet the development goals, a combustion system is used with two injection systems, one for the pilot injection into a prechamber and another for the main injection volume under diesel fuel operation.
Revitalisation as a tool for the development of slow city (Cittaslow)

Cities and regions are struggling with social, economic, ecological, and spatial problems, which often accumulate in the historical centers, industrial areas, and degraded residential housing estates. A possible solution is to implement revitalisation measures as an instrument to activate the socio-economic functions of degraded (crisis-stricken) areas. The aim of this article is to discuss the specific character of revitalisation processes in cities which are members of the Polish National Cittaslow Network, and to determine the role of revitalisation in the development of Polish slow cities as well as the extent to which this tool is used in the local and regional development policy within the Polish National Cittaslow Network. The results of the author’s own study (a survey questionnaire addressed to mayors of Cittaslow cities in 2020) were presented against the background of the data on revitalisation measures taken by municipal governments, which were collected and reported by Statistics Poland. Beside individual revitalisation programs in Cittaslow member cities, there is an ongoing supralocal revitalisation program. This is an innovative approach to planning revitalisation efforts pursued simultaneously in several cities in one region. Moreover, the revitalisation measures and activation of crisis-stricken areas are pointed to as one of the major effects achieved owing to the membership in the Cittaslow network. This implicates that competition among cities in one region can evolve towards effective coopetition of cities. This transformation is important for building the resilience of slow cities, which play an increasingly growing role in the sustainable development of regions.
Non‐reproducible signals of adaptation to elevation between open and understorey microhabitats in snapdragon plants

Experimental studies on local adaptation rarely investigate how different environmental variables might modify signals of adaptation or maladaptation. In plant common garden experiments, signals of adaptation or maladaptation to elevation are usually investigated in open habitats under full light. However, most plants inhabit heterogeneous habitats where environmental conditions differ. Understorey microhabitats are common and differ in terms of tree shade, temperature, water availability, microbiota, allelochemicals etc. Germination is a fitness‐related trait of major importance for the adaptation of plants to contrasted climate conditions. It is affected by shade in snapdragon plants (Antirrhinum majus) and many other plant species. Here, we tested for the reproducibility of signals extrapolated from germination results between open and understorey microhabitats in two parapatric snapdragon plant subspecies (A. m. striatum and A. m. pseudomajus) characterized by a similar elevation range by using common garden experiments at different elevations. Signals observed under one microhabitat systematically differed in the other. Most scenarios could be inferred, with signals either shifting, appearing or disappearing between different environments. Our findings imply that caution should be taken when extrapolating the evolutionary significance of these types of experimental signals because they are not stable from one local environmental condition to the next. Forecasting the ability of plants to adapt to environmental changes based on common garden and reciprocal transplant experiments must account for the multivariate nature of the environment.
Effects of Magnetized Water and Irrigation Water Salinity on Soil Moisture Distribution in Trickle Irrigation

Magnetized water is obtained by passing water through a strong permanent magnet installed in or on a feed pipeline. This study was performed at Gorgan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, Gorgan province, Iran, to investigate soil moisture distribution under trickle irrigation. Two main treatments of magnetic and nonmagnetic water and three subtreatments of irrigation water salts, including well water as a control, 200-ppm calcium carbonate, and 400-ppm calcium carbonate were used. The experiment was laid out with a complete randomized block design with three replications. Soil moisture distribution around the emitters were measured 24 h after irrigation during the 3-month irrigation period. The results showed that the mean soil moisture contents at depths of 0–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm below the emitter for the magnetized irrigation water treatment were more than the nonmagnetized irrigation water treatment, and the differences were significant at the 5% level. The irrigation with magnetic w.
Ultra-Low-Power FinFETs-Based TPCA-PUF Circuit for Secure IoT Devices

Low-power and secure crypto-devices are in crucial demand for the current emerging technology of the Internet of Things (IoT). In nanometer CMOS technology, the static and dynamic power consumptions are in a very critical challenge. Therefore, the FinFETs is an alternative technology due to its superior attributes of non-leakage power, intra-die variability, low-voltage operation, and lower retention voltage of SRAMs. In this study, our previous work on CMOS two-phase clocking adiabatic physical unclonable function (TPCA-PUF) is evaluated in a FinFET device with a 4-bits PUF circuit complexity. The TPCA-PUF-based shorted-gate (SG) and independent-gate (IG) modes of FinFETs are investigated under various ambient temperatures, process variations, and ±20% of supply voltage variations. To validate the proposed TPCA-PUF circuit, the QUALPFU-based Fin-FETs are compared in terms of cyclical energy dissipation, the security metrics of the uniqueness, the reliability, and the bit-error-rate (BER). The proposed TPCA-PUF is simulated using 45 nm process technology with a supply voltage of 1 V. The uniqueness, reliability, and the BER of the proposed TPCA-PUF are 50.13%, 99.57%, and 0.43%, respectively. In addition, it requires a start-up power of 18.32 nW and consumes energy of 2.3 fJ/bit/cycle at the reference temperature of 27 °C.
Systematic reviews should be at the heart of continuing medical education

ABSTRACT Today, keeping up with the fast evolving evidence is more challenging than ever for practising physicians. A huge number of studies are published every day, and it is no longer possible to read all the relevant individual studies. Many physicians prefer attending continuing medical education (CME) to reading international scientific publications. Consequently, it is critical that CME is based on the best available evidence and presented in an unbiased manner free of conflicts of interest. Systematic reviews and Cochrane reviews in particular can thus provide a valuable resource of up-to-date and high-quality information on health care questions for CME providers. Of note, systematic reviews might become outdated quickly. Furthermore, some systematic reviews are fraught with limitations such as poor methodology and conduct or incomplete and misleading reporting. This article provides a brief overview of systematic reviews and Cochrane reviews, outlines how systematic reviews can be “kept alive” using today’s digital opportunities and points to several common problems of systematic reviews with suggestions for solutions.
Towards Insect-Friendly Road Lighting—A Transdisciplinary Multi-Stakeholder Approach Involving Citizen Scientists

Simple Summary Road lighting is a service provided at night, mainly to ensure the secure and safe passage of humans. However, lighting at night can have adverse effects on insects or ecosystems, which are not yet considered in planning. Here, we introduce a comprehensive approach for the design and implementation of a novel insect-friendly road luminaire. The lighting design provides an optimized radiation geometry that avoids emissions at the trajectory height of insects, reduces the attraction of insects and the fragmentation of their habitats, and at the same time provides adequate night-time illumination in residential areas. The effects of the new design on insect behavior and night sky brightness will be evaluated two years before and two years after the change of the road luminaires and additionally in a direct comparison, as some luminaires of the old design will remain as controls. Citizen scientists are involved in the identification of insects and the measurement of night sky brightness. A broad public engagement program also highlights discussions about the competing interests of different stakeholders in lighting design, explicitly including the effects of illumination on insect fauna and biodiversity. Abstract (1) The project “Tatort Streetlight” implements an insect-friendly road light design in a four year before–after, control–impact (BACI) approach involving citizen scientists. It will broaden the stakeholder interests from solely anthropogenic perspectives to include the welfare of insects and ecosystems. Motivated by the detrimental impacts of road lighting systems on insects, the project aims to find solutions to reduce the insect attraction and habitat fragmentation resulting from roadway illumination. (2) The citizen science approach invites stakeholders to take part and join forces for the development of a sustainable and environmentally friendly road lighting solution. Here, we describe the project strategy, stakeholder participation and motivation, and how the effects of the alternative road luminaire and lighting design can be evaluated. (3) The study compares the changes in (a) insect behavior, (b) night sky brightness, and (c) stakeholder participation and awareness. For this purpose, different experimental areas and stakeholders in four communities in Germany are identified. (4) The project transfers knowledge of adverse effects of improperly managed road illumination and interacts with various stakeholders to develop a new road lighting system that will consider the well-being of street users, local residents, and insects.
A causal model for supply chain partner’s commitment

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relations of information, organisation and environment on the supply chain partner’s commitment using data from the auto parts industries listed in the Taiwan External Trade Development Council. Low levels of environmental uncertainty within the context of supply chain relationships with higher levels of intraorganisational facilitators and interorganisational relationships will have influence on the level of information sharing, quality and availability. As expected, it was found that there is a positive relationship between the level of information sharing, quality and availability, and the level of trust. Additionally, it was also found that there is a positive relationship between levels of trust and commitment in supply chain relationships.
Implementation for Controller to Unified Single Phase Power Flow Using Digital Signal Processor (DSP)-TMS320C31

Presenting in his paper, Digital signal processor (DSP)-based implementation of a single phase unified power flow controller (UPFC). For shunt side and series side An efficient UPFC control algorithm is achieved. Discussing the laboratory experimental results using DC source are taken as an UPFC linked by two ll-bridge PWM voltage source converters.
COVID-19 emergency: the influence of implicit attitudes, information sources, and individual characteristics on psychological distress, intentions to get vaccinated, and compliance with restrictive rules

BACKGROUND To limit the spread of the COVID-19 emergency, a massive vaccination program was implemented and restrictive measures were imposed on the population. However, the propensity to adhere to the vaccination program has struggled to take off. Moreover, complying with the restrictive rules and maintaining social distancing have been highly distressing for many individuals. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE Italian participants (N = 140, females = 65%, mean age = 29.50, SD = 10.80) were presented with an online survey consisting of multiple-choice questions and two single-category implicit association tests (SC-IATs). One SC-IAT evaluated the tendency of participants to automatically associate personal protective equipment (PPE) and vaccines with safety or danger; the other evaluated their tendency to automatically associate social situations with good or bad. Multiple-choice questions explored individual, social, and environmental factors that were expected to contribute to vaccine propensity, compliance with restrictive rules, and feelings of distress. RESULTS Using scientific information sources was related to implicitly associating PPE and vaccines with safety, which in turn was associated with the propensity to get the vaccine. Moreover, being female, young, unsatisfied with social relationships, having suffered health and economic consequences due to the pandemic, and having negative implicit attitudes toward social situations contributed to increasing feelings of distress. CONCLUSIONS Communication may contribute to individuals’ behavior and preferences and it can also be associated with implicit attitudes, becoming consequently one of the main leverages to reduce vaccine hesitancy. Recovery programs should prioritize the development of interventions aimed at fostering psychological well-being through the enhancement of social contacts.