Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Utilization of CFRP waste as a filler in polyester resin-based composites

The paper presents an attempt to use milled waste of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (rCFRP) laminates as fillers for polyester resin. The obtained polyester-rCFRP composites were tested for technological, mechanical and frictional properties. It was found that the viscosity increased for the compositions containing rCFRP particles in comparison to the neat resin. Flexural strength improved in comparison to the neat resin, but only for the composites filled with a fraction containing particles below 0.2 mm in diameter and a mixed-diameter particles fraction. For composites containing the above-mentioned fractions, a significant reduction in the dynamic friction coefficient and a reduction in wear (the weight loss after friction test) were found. The obtained results indicate the advisability of further research and optimization of this new type of composites in terms of frictional applications.
How do hotels in developing countries manage the impact of COVID-19? The case of Lebanese hotels

Purpose Many researchers have attempted to outline the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the growth of economies across the world. Few researchers consider addressing the COVID-19 pandemic as a crisis that needs effective crisis management measures. In particular, there is a gap in research that maps a way forward that managers can use as a guide to recover and revive the hospitality industry after the pandemic. This paper aims to fill this gap. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through interviews with 26 hoteliers managing 4- and 5-star hotels in the city of Beirut. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings Findings show that the level of preparedness toward dealing with such a pandemic had been low. Hotels have been focused on ensuring transparency with the employees, providing adequate information and decentralizing power to the departmental levels to deal with the impacts of COVID-19. Operationally, hotel managers are shifting focus toward more safety-conscious operations across all departments; emphasizing the importance of local tourists rather than complete dependence on foreigners as a source of revenue; increasing flexibility in bookings and cancellations to incentivize customers. Shifts are expected to be made, making operations in hotels more technologically-aligned and focused. Research limitations/implications The aim of this study is to address the managerial reactions of the hotel industry during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and the potential strategic approaches that hotels might adopt in the future. A focus on the Lebanese context can provide scholars with a new model and inform managers on how to approach a crisis of such nature and magnitude, especially in a country that is facing its worst political and economic crisis. The main challenge of this paper is that it examines the hotel industry only in the Lebanese context. The development of the hospitality sector cannot be studied outside the institutional context in which it operates. Originality/value This paper fulfills an identified need to study to which extent hotel managers were prepared to deal with a crisis the size of a global pandemic, what shifts in strategies were implemented and what is the future of the hospitality industry?
The advanced producer services complex as an obligatory passage point: Evidence from rent extraction by investment banks

Advanced producer services have long been theorized as pivotal in organizing the global economy. Finance takes centre stage in the advanced producer services complex as orchestrator of global flows, particularly in underwriting investment and evaluating corporate performance. The ascent of financialized globalization raises the suspicion that key advanced producer services act as rent-extracting ‘obligatory passage points’ in the orchestration of global financial flows. Competition within the financial sector is contentious given the sustained profits by globally connected banks operating in concentrated markets. Investment banks and other advanced producer services play key roles in underwriting of securities, raising questions whether underwriting is a competitive process. This paper interrogates the microeconomic foundations for the role of investment banks in investment chains to shed light on their rent extraction practices. Using a sample of 2940 initial public offerings for the USA, Canada, and Europe in the 1998–2017 period, we examine the structure of fees charged by investment banks for underwriting of equity securities. Our results are consistent with the proposition that investment banks with more market power and stronger network ties with institutional investors utilize their dominant position in the marketplace to extract rents from both issuers and institutional investors. Taken together, at times of spatial and sectoral consolidation, these results show compelling evidence for the status of investment banks and by extension the wider advanced producer services complex as obligatory passage points under financialized globalization.
Reproductive Allocation Strategy of TwoHerbaceous Invasive Plants AcrossDifferent Cover Classes

Plant invasion succeeds because of such invader characteristics as fecundity and high-efficiency multiple reproduction modes. The acquisition of individual resources and the benefits of individual fitness are driven by optimum patterns of life history and trade-offs of reproductive allocation (RA) in plants, and variations in RA strategy play an key role in plant adaptation to environmental changes. Thus determining the RA strategy of invasive plants is important for understanding the successful mechanism underlying plant invasion. This study aims to determine the reproductive allocation (RA) strategy of two herbaceous invasive plants (Conyza canadensis and Solidago canadensis) across different cover classes in eastern China. Plant height, maximum branch length, the reproductive branch number, aboveground biomass, the amount of reproductive investment, and the coefficient of RA of the two plants decreased with increasing cover class (although the changes were not pronounced). Thus the two plants may decrease physiological investment on reproductive behavior and reduce RA under competitive conditions because of interspecies competition that progressively decreased and intraspecific competition that gradually increased with increasing cover class. The RA of the two plants may be principally influenced by plant community composition at low cover classes, but by soil pH at high cover classes. This may be the outcome that soil pH of the two plants decreased with increasing cover class significantly. Thus, intraspecific competition for resources may play an important role in the RA strategy of the two plants under high cover class.
Attenuation of Oxidative Stress-Associated Hematological Alterations and Hepatic Injury Induced by D-Dalactose or γ-Irradiation Using β-Hydroxybutyrate in Male Rats

This work aims to investigate the possible inhibitory action of β-hydroxybutyrate (βOHB) against hematological alterations and hepatic injury associated with oxidative stress caused by D-galactose or γ-irradiation in rats. Six groups of male rats were used as the control, irradiated group (5 Gy), D-galactose (150 mg/kg b.wt), β-hydroxybutyrate (72.8 mg/kg b.wt), γ-irradiation plus βOHB, and D-galactose plus βOHB. Complete blood count and glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity were determined in whole-blood samples. In addition, the hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and glutathione (GSH) levels and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were evaluated. Moreover, certain elements were measured in liver tissue (iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn)). The G6PD activity significantly diminished post exposure to D-galactose or γ-irradiation. In the βOHB, D-galactose, or γ-irradiation groups, liver MDA levels and SOD activity were significantly increased. Meanwhile, NO and GSH levels were significantly increased relative to normal control levels in the γ-irradiation group. The findings showed that βOHB alleviated hematological alterations, enhanced the altered biochemical indices, and modulated the change in Cu, Fe, and Zn elements in D-galactose or γ-irradiation group. These results highlight the role of βOHB as a powerful protective agent against hematological alterations and liver impairment by reducing G6PD-mediated oxidative stress and controlling the measured elements.
Piezoelectric energy harvester converting wind aerodynamic energy into electrical energy for microelectronic application

Correspondence Sitharthan R, Department of Electrical Engineering, School of Electrical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632014, India Email: sithukky@gmail.com Abstract Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Systems play a vital role in energizing microelectronic devices with the low-frequency operation. Here, a novel piezoelectric energy harvesting device has been developed for low power electronic devices. The developed Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Systems consists of a cantilever with poles projecting outwards and the cantilevers one end is connected to the wind-catcher, and another end is connected to the torsional spring. The developed Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Systems signifies its application in energizing microelectronic devices. The cantilever is placed inwards to the piezoelectric crystal stack. When the wind strikes, a vortex is created in the windcatcher, which oscillates the cantilever and generates stress in the piezoelectric crystal stack to develop electric energy. The output voltage obtained from the Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Systems does not affect any input frequency of the piezoelectric crystal. The result obtained shows that the developed Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Systems generates 120–200 eV with 2.9 × 1016–4.84 × 1016 Hz frequency considering an elementary charge unit as 40 for a variable wind flow of 4–9 m/s. This research aims to develop an efficient wind-based Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Systems for low powered microelectronic devices.
Detrimental Immediate- and Medium-Term Clinical Effects of Right Ventricular Pacing in Patients With Myocardial Fibrosis

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background: Long-term right ventricular (RV) pacing leads to heart failure or a decline in left ventricular (LV) function in up to a fifth of patients. We aimed to establish whether patients with focal fibrosis detected on late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) have deterioration in LV function after RV pacing. Methods: We recruited 84 patients with LV ejection fraction ≥40% into 2 observational CMR studies. Patients (n=34) with a dual-chamber device and preserved atrioventricular conduction underwent CMR in 2 asynchronous pacing modes (atrial asynchronous and dual-chamber asynchronous) to compare intrinsic atrioventricular conduction with forced RV pacing. Patients (n=50) with high-grade atrioventricular block underwent CMR before and 6 months after pacemaker implantation to investigate the medium-term effects of RV pacing. Results: The key findings were (1) initiation of RV pacing in patients with fibrosis, compared with those without, was associated with greater immediate changes in both LV end-systolic volume index (5.3±3.5 versus 2.1±2.4 mL/m2; P<0.01) and LV ejection fraction (−5.7±3.4% versus −3.2±2.6%; P=0.02); (2) medium-term RV pacing in patients with fibrosis, compared with those without, was associated with greater changes in LV end-systolic volume index (8.0±10.4 versus −0.6±7.3 mL/m2; P=0.008) and LV ejection fraction (−12.3±7.9% versus −6.7±6.2%; P=0.012); (3) patients with fibrosis did not experience an improvement in quality of life, biomarkers, or functional class after pacemaker implantation; (4) after 6 months of RV pacing, 10 of 50 (20%) patients developed LV ejection fraction <35% and were eligible for upgrade to cardiac resynchronization according to current guidelines. All 10 patients had fibrosis on their preimplant baseline scan and were identified by >1.1 g of fibrosis with 90% sensitivity and 70% specificity. Conclusions: Fibrosis detected on CMR is associated with immediate- and medium-term deterioration in LV function following RV pacing and could be used to identify those at risk of heart failure before pacemaker implantation.
Populism and Charity Donations: An Australian Case Study

The reasons why people donate to charities have been extensively researched, but how this behavior relates to political values is less well understood. We also know little about how the rise of populist values among the electorate will influence charitable giving in the future. Using a national election survey conducted in Australia in mid-2019, this article examines the influence of populist values on charity donations. The results show that populist values are strong predictors of charitable giving and that those who hold these values are significantly less likely to donate. Among those who do choose to donate, the choice of charity is also strongly influenced by populist values. These results demonstrate that the increasing importance of populist values among the public will have significant implications for the future level and direction of charity donations.
Multi-objective framework for optimum configuration of human-driven and shared or privately owned autonomous vehicles

Abstract Private Autonomous Vehicles (PAV) and Shared Autonomous Vehicles (SAV) are known to improve safety, mobility, roadway capacity, driver productivity and reduce parking costs (due to better utilization of space and self-parking to less expensive spots). However, the increased vehicle miles traveled (VMT), might increase overall emission production, system travel time, and operating costs. Also, the purchase price of autonomous vehicle (AV) is expected to be higher than that of human-driven (conventional) vehicles. A multi-objective mathematical model is proposed to minimize the purchase and operating costs, time spent, and emission production. The proposed model captures the tradeoff between the benefits of increased mobility, reduction in the value of travel of time (VOTT), efficient driving pattern, and the negative impacts of increased VMT, ownership cost due to the adoption of AVs. The proposed framework assists with the development of simplified adoption models that can be used by the policymakers and/or investors. SAVs would be the optimal solution if the replacement rate or CO2 costs are significantly low, or CO costs are sufficiently high. SAVs can also be the optimal solution if the travel time is used efficiently, or the purchase price is below certain relative threshold while minimizing system cost. Considering the private mobility system, PAVs can be the optimal solution only if the on-board amenities are improved, lifetime mileage is increased, AV technology is installed in luxurious cars, and is being adopted by people with high VOTT.
Hydrogen Sulfide Upregulates Acid-sensing Ion Channels via the MAPK-Erk1/2 Signaling Pathway

Abstract Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emerged recently as a new gasotransmitter and was shown to exert cellular effects by interacting with proteins, among them many ion channels. Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are neuronal voltage-insensitive Na+ channels activated by extracellular protons. ASICs are involved in many physiological and pathological processes, such as fear conditioning, pain sensation, and seizures. We characterize here the regulation of ASICs by H2S. In transfected mammalian cells, the H2S donor NaHS increased the acid-induced ASIC1a peak currents in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Similarly, NaHS potentiated also the acid-induced currents of ASIC1b, ASIC2a, and ASIC3. An upregulation induced by the H2S donors NaHS and GYY4137 was also observed with the endogenous ASIC currents of cultured hypothalamus neurons. In parallel with the effect on function, the total and plasma membrane expression of ASIC1a was increased by GYY4137, as determined in cultured cortical neurons. H2S also enhanced the phosphorylation of the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (pErk1/2), which belongs to the family of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Pharmacological blockade of the MAPK signaling pathway prevented the GYY4137-induced increase of ASIC function and expression, indicating that this pathway is required for ASIC regulation by H2S. Our study demonstrates that H2S regulates ASIC expression and function, and identifies the involved signaling mechanism. Since H2S shares several roles with ASICs, as for example facilitation of learning and memory, protection during seizure activity, and modulation of nociception, it may be possible that H2S exerts some of these effects via a regulation of ASIC function.
Foliar spray of amino acids and potassic fertilizer improves the nutritional quality of rice

Abstract The effect of amino acid (AA) fertilizers on the quality and nutritional value of rice have rarely been studied. A field trial to determine the effect of foliar application of amino acids (AA) and potassium (K) on mineral nutrients (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Ca and Mg), the contents of protein, amylose and amino acids (non-essential and essential) of two rice varieties (Tarom mahali and Neda), comprising of four treatments (control, AA, K and AA + K) using randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at the Rice Research Institute of Iran (Amol). The two years data during 2018 and 2019 showed that the foliar spray of AA and AA + K improved the concentrations of mineral nutrients, protein and amylose contents of brown and milled rice in both rice varieties compared to the control treatment. The foliar application of AA + K also significantly increased the contents of essential and non-essential amino acids of brown and milled rice in both rice varieties. In all similar treatments, the concentrations of element nutrients and the contents of protein, amylose, and amino acids of T. mahali variety were higher than Neda. Therefore, it can be concluded that the combined spray of AA and K can be a suitable practice for improving the quality of rice.
The roles of dual networks and ties on absorptive capacity in SMEs: the complementary perspective

Drawing from social network theory with dual embeddedness and dual ties perspectives, the main purpose of this study is to examine the differing influences of weak ties and strong ties in the supply chain network and competitive network on potential and realised absorptive capacity. According to the empirical results, the weak ties both in the supply chain network and competitive network are positively related to a firm’s potential absorptive capacity, while weak ties in the competitive network are more powerful in improving potential capability. The strong ties both in the supply chain network and competitive network are positively related to a firm’s realised absorptive capability, while strong ties in the supply chain network are more effective in realised absorptive capability. Besides, complementary term (the product term of potential absorptive capacity and realised absorptive capacity) has significant effects on a firm’s innovative performance. Finally, we discuss implications of this research and offer suggestions for future research.
Toxicological Profile for Carbon Monoxide

FOREWORD This toxicological profile is prepared in accordance with guidelines* developed by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The original guidelines were published in the Federal Register on April 17, 1987. Each profile will be revised and republished as necessary. The ATSDR toxicological profile succinctly characterizes the toxicologic and adverse health effects information for the toxic substances each profile describes. Each peer-reviewed profile identifies and reviews the key literature that describes a substance's toxicologic properties. Other pertinent literature is also presented but is described in less detail than the key studies. The profile is not intended to be an exhaustive document; however, more comprehensive sources of specialty information are referenced. The profiles focus on health and toxicologic information; therefore, each toxicological profile begins with a public health statement that describes, in nontechnical language, a substance's relevant toxicological properties. Following the public health statement is information concerning levels of significant human exposure and, where known, significant health effects. A health effects summary describes the adequacy of information to determine a substance's health effects. ATSDR identifies data needs that are significant to protection of public health. Each profile: (A) Examines, summarizes, and interprets available toxicologic information and epidemiologic evaluations on a toxic substance to ascertain the levels of significant human exposure for the substance and the associated acute, subacute, and chronic health effects; (B) Determines whether adequate information on the health effects of each substance is available or being developed to determine levels of exposure that present a significant risk to human health of acute, subacute, and chronic health effects; and (C) Where appropriate, identifies toxicologic testing needed to identify the types or levels of exposure that may present significant risk of adverse health effects in humans. The principal audiences for the toxicological profiles are federal, state, and local health professionals; interested private sector organizations and groups; and members of the public. This profile reflects ATSDR's assessment of all relevant toxicologic testing and information that has been peer-reviewed. Staff of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal scientists also have reviewed the profile. In addition, this profile has been peer-reviewed by a nongovernmental panel and was made available for public review. Final responsibility for the contents and views expressed in this toxicological profile resides with ATSDR. The toxicological profiles are developed under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act …
Impact of Cardiac Catheterization on the Outcome of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) After Congenital Cardiac Surgery - Two Centers Experience

Background: Cardiac catheterization performed for patients supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) after congenital heart surgery may affect their clinical outcome, yet its effect in this group of patients is not adequately studied. The objective of this study was the evaluation of the impact of cardiac catheterization on successful weaning from ECMO support and survival after congenital heart surgery and determining predictors that influence successful weaning. Methods : This is a retrospective cohort study conducted on paediatric patients underwent cardiac catheterization while on ECMO support after congenital heart surgery in two cardiac centres from November 2012 till February 2020. Predictors of successful weaning from ECMO support were studied using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Out of 141 patients received ECMO support after congenital cardiac surgery,60 patients underwent 60 cardiac catheterizations (31 diagnostic and 29 interventional). The median age was 6.5 months (range 4 days -20 years), median weight was 5 kg (range 2-53 kg). Thirty-four patients (56.7%) underwent successful decannulation from ECMO support and 22patients (36.3%) survived to hospital discharge. Predictors of successful weaning from ECMO support and survival were shorter duration on ECMO support, absence of bleeding tendency, early cardiac catheterization, and biventricular physiology. Conclusion: Cardiac catheterization is feasible with acceptable risks for patients receiving ECMO after congenital heart surgery. The shorter duration on ECMO support may have a significant influence on successful weaning from ECMO and survival after congenital heart surgery. Early cardiac catheterization could also influence the successful weaning from ECMO.