Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conceptual design of a concentrating solar power plant for a combined electricity and water supply of the city El Gouna

The cogeneration of power and water in large concentrating solar power (CSP) plants with thermal storage can have significant energetic and economic benefits to supply regions with high direct irradiation and good seawater access. Due to increasing water scarcity, the Middle-East North-Africa (MENA) region has a high demand of desalinated water and a strongly increasing energy demand which cannot be completely covered using fossil fuels. In the first six chapters of the thesis, a combined approach of power generation by a solar tower plant and a thermal seawater desalination unit is examined in detail. In order to perform the analysis, the most commercialized and demonstrated technologies are derived from literature and modeled for an integrated simulation. The applied thermal desalination technology bases on a new process using an improved internal heat transfer which has been extensively tested. The obtained data have been used to derive a simulation to integrate the desalination unit as power plant condenser. The results of the energy analysis are presented by different parameter variations of boundary conditions in order to examine the most important design factors. The exergy analysis points out thermodynamic inefficiencies in certain components of the CSP plant, the heat exchangers of the desalination unit and the power plant condenser. The economic analysis focuses on capital and operational expenditures as well as the derivation of optimal cogeneration ratios based on different product prices. All simulations are carried out using real meteorological measurement data by a weather station in El Gouna, Egypt. The obtained meteorological data are compared to literature and satellite data obtained by yearly observations. In the last chapter, the simulated cogeneration system is then used to build a real demand scenario of El Gouna. The scenario is developed in order to optimize the share of renewable energy supply. This requires the integration of a photovoltaic and a wind power plant to complement the renewable power generation. The analysis shows that the integrated energy supply system covers up to 71 % of the annual energy at around 17 ¢/kWh and up to 31 % of the yearly water demand. In addition, a new process for a short-term storage of surplus power is proposed and analyzed. The surplus power is converted into heat and stored in the thermal storage system of the CSP plant which results in an extended operation time and increased capacity factor.
The Link Between Supervisor-Subordinate Computer-Mediated Immediate Behaviors and Organizational Identification in U.S., English, and Australian Organizations

More than 5.89 million people have died from COVID-19. Due to COVID-19, there is a need for organizations to reconsider their structures and systems in response to increased remote working and decreased face-to-face (FTF) interactions. This study analyzes organizational relationships, specifically the supervisor-subordinate relationship. This study examines the link between supervisor-subordinate immediacy and organizational identification in mediated communication. Participants from three nations (n = 1776) were explored to test the assumption that supervisor-subordinate immediacy explains organizational identification. The United States, Australia, and England were chosen as focal nations due to the differing government responses to the COVID-19 outbreak. Results revealed supervisors’ perceived computer-mediated immediate behaviors and subordinates’ perceived immediacy with their supervisors were positive predictors of organizational identity. U.S. supervisors were perceived to use higher levels of computer-mediated immediacy behaviors and have more perceived immediacy than Australian and English supervisors. Australian supervisors had higher levels of perceived immediacy than English supervisors.
Experimental study on transport characteristics of pollutants with different density in braided rivers

A physical model experiment system was set up for the braided river,a typical river pattern in the nature.The transport mechanism of the denser pollutant in this river was experimentally studied.The tracer was sodium chloride solution.First,the transport process pollutant released at different transverse places of the main channel was measured.The results showed that the concentration distributions were obviously affected by the inflow rate of the river,width ratio of two anabranches and releasing location.When the inflow rate changed from large to small,a concentration bifurcation phenomena occurred in the main channel.For centerline release,the number of high concentration zones changed from one to two.For left bank release,only a single core occurred and moved along the left bank if the inflow rate is large.However,under a small flowrate,the left concentration core was reflected by the left bank and emerged into the right one.The combined cloud drifted off the left bank and moved to the center of the channel.Secondly,the pollutant transport flux ratio of two anabranches was calculated and analyzed.For centerline release,the pollutant transport flux ratio was correlated positively with the width ratio and diversion ratio,and had reverse correlation with the inflow rate.For left bank release,three factors were all positively associated with the pollutant transport flux ratio.Finally,the relationships between the pollutant transport flux ratio,flowrate and diversion ratio were established for different release locations,which provides scientific basis for the transport mechanism in the braided rivers.
Promoting remote workers' psychological health: Effective management practices during the COVID‐19 crisis

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify specific management practices that promote the psychological health of remote workers in the context of the COVID‐19 crisis. A two‐round Delphi study was conducted among 28 teleworkers and 22 managers. A list of 60 specific management practices was presented and participants had to identify whether each one could be used in the current remote working context and, if so, how useful it was to promote psychological health at work. Results indicate that most specific management practices usually used in a face‐to‐face setting can also be used in a remote context (85%). Practices that show consideration, establishing work structure, and allowing flexibility were also identified as the most useful to promote remote workers' psychological health during the pandemic. This study contributes to the advancement of knowledge about specific management practices, remote working, and crisis management. It also suggests specific practices that managers can adopt to promote the psychological health of their employees during a period of crisis, even while managing from a distance.
Sodium Nitroprusside-Induced Activation of Vascular Smooth Muscle BK Channels Is Mediated by PKG Rather Than by a Direct Interaction with NO

Nitric oxide (NO) is a powerful vasodilator in different vascular beds and NO-donors are widely used in clinical practice. Early data suggested that NO and NO-donors activate vascular smooth muscle high-conductance, calcium-activated potassium channels (BK channels). There exist two hypotheses explaining the effect of NO and NO-donors on BK channels—one stating that protein kinase G (PKG) mediates the effect of NO, and the other one stating that NO acts directly on the channel. Thus, the degree of contribution of PKG to the NO-induced activation of the BK channel is still not completely clear. This study tested the hypothesis that the sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced activation of vascular smooth muscle BK channels is fully mediated by PKG. This hypothesis was investigated using the patch-clamp technique and freshly isolated smooth muscle cells from rat tail artery. In whole-cell experiments, SNP considerably increased the outward current compared with the addition of the bath solution. SNP did not alter the current in the presence of iberiotoxin, the specific blocker of BK channels, during co-application with hydroxocobalamin, an NO-scavenger, and in the presence of Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS, the specific PKG-inhibitor. In inside-out patches, the activity of BK channels was increased by SNP, SNAP, and DEA-NO. However, these effects did not differ from the effect of the application of drug-free bath solution. Furthermore, a similar increase in single BK channel activity was induced by Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS, Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS together with SNP, hydroxocobalamin, and hydroxocobalamin together with SNP or DEA-NO. Finally, the activity of excised BK channels did not change in the absence of any application but was considerably increased by PKG compared with the addition of drug-free bath solution. These results suggest that NO released from NO-donors stimulates the BK current only through activation of PKG.
Fuel injection via rectangular cross-section injectors for mixing enhancement in scramjets

We investigate the mixing enhancement provided by rectangular injectors in a flow of applicable to inlet injection in scramjets: oblique injection into a cross-flow with a high supersonic Mach number. This is accomplished via three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes simulations. The near field mixing efficiency is quantified for all cases investigated and is seen to be closely linked to the generation of streamwise vorticity in the jet-cross-flow interaction. The production of streamwise vorticity is quantified and its impact on the flow physics is discussed.
Graphite Exfoliation using MnO2 Paste via Sonication in Irradiated Water for Volumetric-Shrinkage Resistant Sponge

Graphite exfoliation has been the main mechanism to produce graphene material and its derivatives, such as graphene oxide (GO) and reduced GO (rGO). This study was aimed to exfoliate graphite using MnO2 paste in Zinc-Carbon (ZnC) battery wastes via audio sonication in X-ray irradiated water. The exfoliated graphite (EG) sample was then characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, and SEM. The EG sample was utilized as an additive for producing sponge with heat-induced volumetric-shrinkage resistance property. The irradiated water was obtained by exposing X-ray radiation upon distilled water. The graphite and K2MnO4 were mixed in the irradiated water followed by audio sonication accompanied by stirring and heating. The K2MnO4 was obtained from the MnO2 paste added with KOH. The UV-Vis results showed a shouldering peak at 271 nm indicating that the graphite was succesfully exfoliated. The FTIR test showed the presence of hydroxyl, C-O, CO2, N-O, and C=C functional groups. The XRD showed a peak at 12° for the EG sample similar to the XRD peak of GO. The SEM images showed layers of graphene flakes. The threshold temperature values of the sponge, sponge with EG (sponge+EG), and sponge with graphite (sponge+graphite) were 399.20, 271.03, and 414.82 °C, respectively. The sponge+EG underwent less volume shrinkage compared to ordinary sponge and sponge+graphite, which confirms its volume shrinkage resistant upon heating. HIGHLIGHTS We have exfoliated graphite using MnO2 paste obtained from ZnC battery wastes via audio sonication in X-ray irradiated water The UV-Vis characterization of the exfoliated graphite shows a shouldering peak at 271 nm. The FTIR test shows the presence of hydroxyl, C-O, CO2, N-O, and C=C functional groups. The XRD diffractogram shows a peak at 12° of an amorphous material. Finally, the SEM image shows layers of graphene flakes The exfoliated graphite is used as an additive to produce a volume-shrinkage resistant sponge, which underwent less volume shrinkage compared to ordinary sponge and sponge with graphite GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Association of serum uric acid with albuminuria in type 2 diabetic patients with comorbid obesity and/or essential arterial hypertension

Abstract. Decompensation of diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM), duration of the disease, level of proteinuria, obesity and essential arterial hypertension (AH) play the main role in the development and progress of diabetic nephropathy. The present study aimed to analyze the level of serum uric acid in type 2 diabetic patients with comorbid overweight/obesity and AH and to find its possible correlations with lipid panel data and urinary albumin excretion. Methods. 579 medical records of type 2 diabetic patients treated at the Endocrinological department of the municipal non-profit enterprise "Ternopil University Hospital" of Ternopil Regional Council (Ternopil) in 2018-2019 years were analyzed. Results. The analysis of renal panel data of type 2 diabetic patients with comorbid overweight/obesity and AH found out that only serum levels of urea and uric acid were statistically different in the patients with only T2DM and comorbid course of T2DM. Herewith the maximal changes were established for serum uric acid level, which in type 2 diabetic patients with comorbid obesity exceeded by 175.9 % data of only T2DM patients. Moreover, it was established a significant direct relationship between serum uric acid level and BMI and dyslipidemia in both groups of type 2 diabetic patients - with comorbid obesity and with comorbid obesity and AH. At the same time, a significant direct association between serum uric acid level and albuminuria was established only in type 2 diabetic patients with comorbid obesity and AH. Conclusions. Our retrospective study indicates that serum uric acid level is markedly elevated and positively associated with albuminuria in type 2 diabetic patients with comorbid obesity and AH and can be used as a biomarker allowing further risk stratification for development and/or progress of diabetic nephropathy in this cohort of the patients.
Who’s gonna use this? Acceptance prediction of emerging technologies with Cognitive-Affective Mapping and transdisciplinary considerations in the Anthropocene

In the Anthropocene, mankind is facing enormous challenges. Science and technology obviously have an essential role to play in addressing these challenges but have to be supplemented by the collaboration of different actors from the scientific and non-scientific community. Possibly beneficial technologies can only unfold their full potential if they are socially accepted. Participation and transdisciplinarity are key concepts in this regard. The need for methods fostering collaborative knowledge production and reverse communication from the public to the scientific community is accordingly high. In this article, we propose to apply Cognitive-Affective Mapping (CAM) to predict psychological acceptance of novel research fields and potentially resulting technologies. As an example, we use life-like materials systems. CAM enables acceptance prediction at an early stage—already for basic research when prototypes are not yet available. The method bridges the gap between qualitative and quantitative research traditions. Its product—Cognitive-Affective Maps (CAMs)—is a vivid visual tool. In perspective, CAM-based technology acceptance assessment can be conceived as a participatory, transdisciplinary practice.
Symptoms reported by Canadians posted in Havana are linked with reduced white matter fibre density

Abstract Diplomats representing the USA have reported with unusual neurologic symptoms and MRI changes after being posted in Havana, Cuba between late 2016 and 2018. Here, we examined white matter microstructure and network connectivity of individuals stationed in Havana, using diffusion-weighted MRI, fixel-based analysis and structural connectomics as implemented in MRtrix3. MRI data acquisition and clinical assessments were done in a total of 24 diplomats and their family members and 40 healthy controls. The diplomat data were grouped into an exposed cohort (n = 16) and an unexposed cohort (n = 10), and among these, two individuals were assessed before and after potential exposure. Fixel-based analysis revealed a reduction in fibre density in two specific regions: the fornix and the splenium, in exposed individuals, relative to unexposed individuals and healthy controls. Post hoc analyses showed the effect remained present (P < 0.05) in both regions when comparing exposed and unexposed diplomats; and reduced fibre density was correlated with longer time period stationed in Cuba after age correction. Reduction of fibre density was also found to be linked with clinical symptoms of persistent migraine, tinnitus, sound sensitivity and fatigue. Network statistical comparisons revealed decreased structural connectivity in two distinct networks, comprising subcortical and cortical systems in exposed individuals, relative to unexposed and normative data. While the cause for the differences between the groups remains unknown, our results reveal region-specific white matter injury, that is, significantly correlated with clinical symptoms.
A Meaningful Boost: Effects of Teachers’ Sense of Meaning at Work on Their Engagement, Burnout, and Stress

The two studies presented here examine the effects of teachers’ enhanced sense of meaning at work (SOM) on their burnout and engagement. In the first study, 41 teachers in two Arab schools were randomly assigned to a meaning-induction group—in which they were prompted daily to acknowledge meaningful incidents at work for 2 weeks or to a control group. Qualitative analyses focused on teachers’ daily experiences of meaningful incidents, reflecting their contribution to others. In addition, one-way repeated measures analyses of variance indicated that teachers that acknowledged these incidents reported decreased burnout and increased engagement. In Study 2, the sample comprised 60 Arab and Jewish teachers who completed daily surveys for 12 workdays. Hierarchical linear modeling analyses showed that teachers’ daily SOM was associated with increased engagement on the following day and somewhat increased stress. Thus, the studies highlight teachers’ SOM as a resource that contributes to engagement and can be enhanced intentionally.
Analysis and Optimization of Building Energy Consumption

Energy is one of the most important resources required by modern human society. In 2010, energy expenditures represented 10% of global gross domestic product (GDP). By 2035, global energy consumption is expected to increase by more than 50% from current levels. The increased pace of global energy consumption leads to significant environmental and socioeconomic issues: (i) carbon emissions, from the burning of fossil fuels for energy, contribute to global warming, and (ii) increased energy expenditures lead to reduced standard of living. Efficient use of energy, through energy conservation measures, is an important step toward mitigating these effects. Residential and commercial buildings represent a prime target for energy conservation, comprising 21% of global energy consumption and 40% of the total energy consumption in the United States. This thesis describes techniques for the analysis and optimization of building energy consumption. The thesis focuses on building retrofits and building energy simulation as key areas in building energy optimization and analysis. The thesis first discusses and evaluates building-level renewable energy generation as a solution toward building energy optimization. The thesis next describes a novel heating system, called localized heating. Under localized heating, building occupants are heated individually by directed radiant heaters, resulting in a considerably reduced heated space and significant heating energy savings. To support localized heating, a minimallyintrusive indoor occupant positioning system is described. The thesis then discusses occupant-level sensing (OLS) as the next frontier in building energy optimization. OLS captures the exact environmental conditions faced by each building occupant, using sensors that are carried by all building occupants. The information provided by OLS enables fine-grained optimization for unprecedented levels of energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
Hospital learning from extreme weather events: using causal loop diagrams

Extreme weather events (EWEs) represent an important opportunity for hospital facilities managers to learn lessons to improve future hospital resilience. However, little is known about the process by which this occurs and how effectively this happens. These questions are addressed by an exploration of how individual hospital stakeholders learn about the performance of their facilities and share these lessons in the adaptation of future hospital disaster management plans. More specifically, the evidence of behavioural and social/collective learning is investigated amongst hospital stakeholders during EWEs. The data gathered from a case study of a major hospital network of four hospitals were qualitatively analysed within a constructionist ontology and interpretivist epistemology using causal loop diagrams (CLDs). This revealed how lessons were learned in the hospital network from collective stakeholder EWEs’ experiences. The findings highlight the need to develop appropriate processes and structures to capture, share and use facilities-related knowledge and embed new lessons learnt into future hospital disaster planning processes. Using Nonaka and Takeuchi's model of organizational knowledge creation, this paper presents new theoretical and practical insights for hospital facilities managers to build hospital resilience by better capturing the facilities-related lessons learnt in responding to an EWE.
Comparison of the temperature dependence of impact ionization coefficients in AlAsSb, InAlAs, and InP

A series of AlAsSb p+-i-n+ and n+-i-p+ diodes with varying i-region thickness from 0. 08μm to 1. 55μm have been used to determine the temperature dependent impact ionization coefficients by performing avalanche multiplication measurements from 210K to 335K. The increase in electron and hole ionization coefficients as the temperature decreases is much smaller when compared to InAlAs and InP. This leads to a much smaller avalanche breakdown variation of 13mV/K in a 1. 55μm p+- i-n+ diode. For a 10Gb/s InGaAs/AlAsSb separate absorption and multiplication avalanche photodiode (SAM-APD), the variation in breakdown voltage is predicted to be only 15.58 mV/K.
Psychotherapeutic change in children and adolescents who have been sexually abused: A model from participants’ perspectives

Change in psychotherapy research in cases of child sexual abuse (CSA) has mainly emerged from a symptomatologic view, which needs to be complemented by a subjective perspective of change. Thus, this article aim is to describe different outcomes and stages of change during psychotherapy in children and adolescents who have been sexually abused, from the subjective perspectives of those involved in the process. A longitudinal qualitative study was developed. Qualitative interviews were conducted at different moments of the psychotherapeutic process (at around 6 months of therapy, 12 months and at the end of therapy) with 28 children and adolescents aged 6 to 17, with their caregivers and therapists. All children and adolescents attended and then completed psychotherapy due to sexual abuse in natural settings, in public specialized centres in Santiago, Chile. Sexual abuse occurred mainly in an intrafamilial context or by acquaintances. Data analysis was conducted using narrative analysis. Three stages of therapy were identified: i) settling into therapy; ii) approaching CSA; and iii) healing from abuse. Three different outcomes of psychotherapeutic change were also identified: i) protective and psychosocial changes; ii) changes related to diminishing the effects of abuse; and iii) changes related to healing from abuse. Psychosocial characteristics of the cases and features of the therapeutic process are described in each group. The outcomes of change and the stages of therapy are interrelated in a dynamic and gradual process where change is linked with the case’s psychosocial characteristics and the features of the therapeutic process. Results allowed the authors to situate the voices of the participants within a proposed model of psychotherapeutic change for CSA, with clinical practical implications.