Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CO2 Capture and Crystallization of Ammonia Bicarbonate in a Lab-Scale Scrubber

A lab-scale bubble-column scrubber is used to capture CO2 gas and produce ammonia bicarbonate (ABC) using aqueous ammonia as an absorbent under a constant pH and temperature. The CO2 concentration is adjusted by mixing N2 and CO2 in the range of 15–60 vol % at 55 °C. The process variables are the pH of the solution, temperature, gas-flow rate and the concentration of gas. The effects of the process variables on the removal efficiency (E), absorption rate (RA) and overall mass-transfer coefficient (KGa) were explored. A multiple-tube mass balance model was used to determine RA and KGa, in which RA and KGa were in the range of 2.14 × 10−4–1.09 × 10−3 mol/(s·L) and 0.0136–0.5669 1/s, respectively. Results found that, RA showed an obvious increase with the increase in pH, inlet gas concentration and gas temperature, while KGa decreased with an increase in inlet gas concentration. Using linear regression, an empirical expression for KGa/E was obtained. On the other hand, ammonia bicarbonate crystals could be produced at a pH of 9.5 when the gas concentration was higher than 30% and γ (=Fg/FA, the gas-liquid molar flow rate ratio) ≥ 1.5.
Low power wireless sensor networks for infrastructure monitoring

Sensors with long lifetimes are ideal for infrastructure monitoring. Miniaturized sensor systems are only capable of storing small amounts of energy. Prior work has increased sensor lifetime through the reduction of supply voltage , necessitating voltage conversion from storage elements such as batteries. Sensor lifetime can be further extended by harvesting from solar, vibrational, or thermal energy. Since harvested energy is sporadic, it must be detected and stored. Harvesting sources do not provide voltage levels suitable for secondary power sources, necessitating DC-DC upconversion. We demonstrate a 8.75mm3 sensor system with a near-threshold ARM microcontroller, custom 3.3fW/bit SRAM, two 1mm2 solar cells, a thin-film Li-ion battery, and integrated power management unit. The 7. 7μW system enters a 550pW data-retentive sleep state between measurements and harvests solar energy to enable energy autonomy. Our receiver and transmitter architectures benefit from a design strategy that employs mixed signal and digital circuit schemes that perform well in advanced CMOS integrated circuit technologies. A prototype transmitter implemented in 0. 13μm CMOS satisfies the requirements for Zigbee, but consumes far less power consumption than state-of-the-art commercial devices.
Iterative graph cuts segmentation with local constraints

Most existing stroke-based graph cut image segmentation techniques use only intensity information of strokes to update intensity distributions of object and background. Accordingly, fluctuation effect may occur unexpectedly as a result of the global effect of regional term in the graph cut framework. In this note we present an iterative graph cuts-based image segmentation technique which incorporates local constraints. A new energy function with local constraints term generated following additional seed points is formulated and is minimized to obtain a globally optimal segmentation. We tested the method on cone-beam CT data of printed circuit board and comparatively found the strength of the proposed method in accuracy and controllability.
Enhanced Multi-Band Scheduling for Carrier Aggregation in LTE-Advanced Scenarios

This work updates and proposes an integrated Common Radio Resource Management (iCRRM) for inter-band Carrier Aggregation (CA) between band 7 (2.6 GHz) and band 20 (800 MHz), in the context of Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) scenarios. The iCRRM entity performs Component Carrier (CC) scheduling and increases user’s quality of service and experience. Two multi-band schedulers are implemented, an updated General Multi-Band Scheduling (GMBS) algorithm which performs User Equipment (UE) allocation to only one of the CCs at a time by using integer programming optimization, and a new Enhanced MBS (EMBS), which allocates UEs to one or both CCs simultaneously with reduced optimization scheduling complexity. Following the current and upcoming trend of growth from mobile applications usage, video traffic is addressed. The performance from iCRRM is compared with the one from a simpler CRRM, where scheduling is performed by first allocating UEs in one of the two CCs until it is fully loaded and the case of the summed capacity of two bands system without CA. Simulation results have shown that, for a cell radius equal to 1000 m, with EMBS and GMBS, 3GPP and ITU-T’s 1 % Packet Loss Ratio (PLR) threshold is only exceeded above 58 UEs while CRRM 54 UEs are supported, with PLRs of 0.88 %, 1.03 % and 0.99, respectively. Without CA the minimum obtained PLR is approximately 2 %. The corresponding values for the average cell goodput are 7500, 7400 and 6900 kbps for EMBS, GMBS and CRRM, respectively. It has been found that a minimum value of 2.5 for the Quality of Experience can only be supported up to approximately 70, 68, 64 and 36 UEs, with a corresponding supported cell goodput of 8800, 8450, 7950 and 3500 kbps with EMBS, GMBS, CRRM and without CA, respectively. Finally, costs and revenues are analysed from the operator/service provider’s point of view, for two fixed MByte prices, i.e., equal to 0.005 and 0.01 AC/MByte. An optimal operating point that maximizes expected profits is sought. Results have shown substantial improvements by using CA. For R = 1000 m and MByte price of 0.01 AC/MByte profits of 440, 416, 385 and 173 % have been obtained for the EMBS, GMBS, CRRM and without CA, respectively.
The Dynamics of Disability and Benefit Receipt in Britain

This paper exploits rarely-used longitudinal data to examine the impacts of disability onset on benefit receipt in Britain over the period 2004–2012. Differences in the timing of onset are exploited for identification in a framework that combines propensity score matching with difference-in-differences estimation. Disability onset increases receipt of disability insurance, a wider measure of sickness and disability benefits, and receipt of non-sickness benefits by six, eight and six percentage points respectively in the first year. These effects do not vary significantly by individual characteristics, but are larger for more severe disability onset, for those who did not previously report a long-term health condition, and for those who experienced disability onset under the less restrictive pre-2009 disability benefit regime. Contrary to the perception of disability benefits being an absorbing state, disability exit has an almost symmetrical impact on receipt of disability insurance and on wider sickness benefits in the first year.
A Reduced Prony's Method in Power-Quality Analysis—Parameters Selection

This paper presents a new modification of the least-squares Prony's method for power-quality analysis in terms of estimation of harmonics and interharmonics in an electric power signal. The so-called reduced Prony's method can be competitive, in some specific case, to the Fourier transformation method and the classical LS Prony's method. The modification constitutes in a specific selection of a constant frequency vector in a Fourier-like manner leading to a remarkable reduction of the computational burden and enabling online real-time computations. In addition, a sampling frequency and an analysis window length can be selected to provide the numerical stability of the new algorithm.
Effects of Dietary Fibres on Acute Indomethacin-Induced Intestinal Hyperpermeability in the Elderly: A Randomised Placebo Controlled Parallel Clinical Trial

The effect of dietary fibres on intestinal barrier function has not been well studied, especially in the elderly. We aimed to investigate the potential of the dietary fibres oat β-glucan and wheat arabinoxylan to strengthen the intestinal barrier function and counteract acute non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (indomethacin)-induced hyperpermeability in the elderly. A general population of elderly subjects (≥65 years, n = 49) was randomised to a daily supplementation (12g/day) of oat β-glucan, arabinoxylan or placebo (maltodextrin) for six weeks. The primary outcome was change in acute indomethacin-induced intestinal permeability from baseline, assessed by an in vivo multi-sugar permeability test. Secondary outcomes were changes from baseline in: gut microbiota composition, systemic inflammatory status and self-reported health. Despite a majority of the study population (85%) showing a habitual fibre intake below the recommendation, no significant effects on acute indomethacin-induced intestinal hyperpermeability in vivo or gut microbiota composition were observed after six weeks intervention with either dietary fibre, compared to placebo.
A method for predicting survival and mortality of ICU patients using objectively derived weights

Data at ICU admission and after 24 h in the ICU were collected on 755 patients, to derive multiple logistic regression models for predicting hospital mortality. The derived models contained relatively few and easily obtained variables. The weight associated with each variable was determined objectively. There were seven admission variables, none of which were treatment dependent, and seven 24-h variables reflecting treatments and patients' conditions in the ICU. Predicted outcomes using these two models were closely correlated with actual outcome. Theoretically, a predictive model would be useful to physicians for triage decisions as well as determining aggressiveness of care through discussions with families, determining utilization of ICU facilities, and objectively comparing different ICUs. This research represents an initial attempt to develop models that are not based on subjectively determined weights.
A global router with a theoretical bound on the optimal solution

The global routing problem is formulated as a multiterminal, multicommodity flow problem with integer flows, An E-optimal 2-terminal multicommodity flow algorithm with fractional flows is extended to handle multiterminal commodities, Our adaptation of this network flow algorithm seeks to maximize overall routability by minimizing edge congestion as opposed to conventional techniques which usually seek to minimize wire length. We show that under certain conditions, our approach derives an approximate optimal solution. We apply a randomized rounding procedure to derive an integer solution from the fractional multicommodity flow solution. Experimental results demonstrate that this network flow algorithm can be realistically used to route industrial sized circuits with reduced congestion.
Motivating Online Learners Using Attention, Relevance, Confidence, Satisfaction Motivational Theory and Distributed Scaffolding

Learning online requires self-regulation, intrinsic motivation, and independence. Building an online classroom environment that fosters the development of these behaviors for students is key to their success. Use of ARCS (attention, relevance, confidence, satisfaction) Motivational Theory and distributed scaffolding can assist faculty in developing intentional support to help the online student achieve learning outcomes. The authors discuss development of teaching strategies in online, distance learning courses that will enhance student motivation and learning outcomes.
Electromagnetic resonances in individual and coupled split-ring resonators

We study experimentally and numerically the electromagnetic resonances in split ring resonators (SRRs), around 1 GHz. For an individual SRR, we show that both electric and magnetic fields can induce resonances, the magnetic one being the strongest. The utilization of such resonant structures as efficient microwave filter is also demonstrated. The coupling between two or more SRRs can be quite complex and strongly depends on their geometrical arrangement. For small separation distances, very strong coupling, leading to sharp resonances with high quality factors are observed. In that case a magnetic field circulation which connects neighboring elements is established. The practical implications of these results for the fabrication of a left-handed metamaterial are discussed.
Multiple Shades of Grey: Opening the Black Box of Public Sector Executives’ Hybrid Role Identities

Public sector reforms of recent decades in Europe have promoted managerialism and aimed at introducing private sector thinking and practices. However, with regard to public sector executives' self-understanding, managerial role identities have not replaced bureaucratic ones; rather, components from both paradigms have combined. In this article, we introduce a bi-dimensional approach (attitudes and practices) that allows for different combinations and forms of hybridity. Empirically, we explore the role identities of public sector executives across Europe, building on survey data from over 7,000 top public officials in 19 countries (COCOPS survey). We identify country-level profiles, as well as patterns across countries, and find that administrative traditions can account for these profiles and patterns only to a limited extent. Rather, they have to be complemented by factors such as stability of the institutional environment (indicating lower shares of hybrid combinations) or extent of reform pressures (indicating higher shares of hybrid combinations).
Conceptualising Social Value: Perspectives of the Public, Private and Third Sectors in the UK

In present times when economic recession has impacted all the countries in the world to some extent, different approaches have been adopted by governmental and non-governmental organisations to maximise the provision of social benefit. The UK Government, for instance, launched the Social Value Act in 2012 and implemented it in 2013, requiring organisations to create social and environmental value in addition to the economic value during public procurement processes. This act encouraged the collaboration of public, private and third sectors to focus on social value creation for the benefit of beneficiaries. However, the construct of social value remains ambiguous and subjective as it is understood and practiced differently by societal stakeholders, leading to the conduct of this research study. This research study takes a qualitative approach to study the concept of social value within the UK society. The research utilised Q method to understand the construct of social value and interviewed individuals creating social value in the UK to understand the process of social value creation. Results from the Q method indicated four different facets of social value: action-driven, outcomes-driven, sustainability-driven and pluralism-driven social value. The results from the qualitative data provided insights into the process adopted by stakeholders for the creation of social value, which includes three phases: individual and collaborative responses, resource mobilisation and impact on social value creation. Both the studies complemented each other and provided analytical and valuable insight into the construct of social value that can be helpful in future research and/or practice related to social value.
Enthalpy of Mixing in Al-Tb Liquid

The liquid-phase enthalpy of mixing for Al–Tb alloys is measured for 3, 5, 8, 10, and 20 at% Tb at selected temperatures in the range from 1364 to 1439 K. Methods include isothermal solution calorimetry and isoperibolic electromagnetic levitation drop calorimetry. Mixing enthalpy is determined relative to the unmixed pure (Al and Tb) components. The required formation enthalpy for the Al3Tb phase is computed from first-principles calculations. Based on our measurements, three different semi-empirical solution models are offered for the excess free energy of the liquid, including regular, subregular, and associate model formulations. These models are also compared with the Miedema model prediction of mixing enthalpy.
Strengthening storage, credit, and food security linkages: The role and potential impact of warehouse receipt systems in Malawi

This study considers the extent to which smallholder farmers, including those who do not necessarily produce a surplus for the market, might benefit from participating in warehouse receipt systems (WRS) in terms of improved income and food security. We consider three potential channels: efficient food markets; reduced post-harvest losses; and access to credit. Firstly, we find that WRS, through its potential to increase demand for storage and facilitate temporal arbitrage, could address high price seasonality driven by high transport margins and thin commodity markets. By lowering price seasonality, WRS would benefit net-consuming households that tend to sell low and buy high. However, since temporal arbitrage transactions are associated with costs and price risks, engaging in them becomes undesirable if prices do not follow predictable seasonal patterns. Prices tend to be less predictable in countries such as Malawi where government market intervention is highly discretionary.
Effect of Inhaled Benzene on Mice ’ s Peripheral Blood : Erythrocyte Morphology & Count Analysis , Haematocrit & Haemoglobin Level and Erythrocyte Indices

Benzene is a well-known carcinogen that results in haematotoxicity. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of inhaled benzene on mice’s peripheral erythrocytes based on its morphology, count, haematocrit and haemoglobin level and erythrocyte indices analysis. A total of 32 mice were divided into two groups, (1) expose to benzene and (2) non-exposed group. After 4 weeks of exposure through inhalation, blood samples were drawn from anesthetized mice at orbital sinus. Collected blood samples were subjected for morphological analysis, erythrocyte count, haematocrit and haemoglobin level and erythrocyte indices analysis. Upon exposure, the appearance of dacrocytes, accompanied by microcytosis and acanthocytes was noted. Significant increases were recorded for erythrocyte count, haemoglobin level and mean cell volume (MCV) calculation. However, no significant changes were noted for haematocrit, mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) calculation. Increase in erythrocyte appeared to serve as a filler, preventing empty space after the loss of bone marrow cells. In conclusion, 4 weeks exposure of benzene through inhalation causing alteration in erythrocytes morphology and count, haemoglobin and haematocrit level in mice.
The Morphospace of Consciousness

We construct a complexity-based morphospace to study systems-level properties of conscious & intelligent systems. The axes of this space label 3 complexity types: autonomous, cognitive & social. Given recent proposals to synthesize consciousness, a generic complexity-based conceptualization provides a useful framework for identifying defining features of conscious & synthetic systems. Based on current clinical scales of consciousness that measure cognitive awareness and wakefulness, we take a perspective on how contemporary artificially intelligent machines & synthetically engineered life forms measure on these scales. It turns out that awareness & wakefulness can be associated to computational & autonomous complexity respectively. Subsequently, building on insights from cognitive robotics, we examine the function that consciousness serves, & argue the role of consciousness as an evolutionary game-theoretic strategy. This makes the case for a third type of complexity for describing consciousness: social complexity. Having identified these complexity types, allows for a representation of both, biological & synthetic systems in a common morphospace. A consequence of this classification is a taxonomy of possible conscious machines. We identify four types of consciousness, based on embodiment: (i) biological consciousness, (ii) synthetic consciousness, (iii) group consciousness (resulting from group interactions), & (iv) simulated consciousness (embodied by virtual agents within a simulated reality). This taxonomy helps in the investigation of comparative signatures of consciousness across domains, in order to highlight design principles necessary to engineer conscious machines. This is particularly relevant in the light of recent developments at the crossroads of cognitive neuroscience, biomedical engineering, artificial intelligence & biomimetics.
ANALYSIS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP ORIENTATION, ADAPTABILITY OF BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT, AND INTERNAL RESOURCES COMPANY ON COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES TO IMPROVE COMPANY PERFORMANCE (Study at Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Embroidered Kudus District)

Economic development in Indonesia MSMEs has an important role because the majority of Indonesia's population lives from MSME activities both in the traditional and modern sector. MSME in Central Java is also quite good. However, MSMEs in Central Java also experienced an increase in competitiveness, especially with similar businesses. Therefore, entrepreneurs are required to be able to innovate and dare to explore the resources it has for its business can continue to grow and survive amid the competition. In this study, the authors explain the condition of competitiveness of SMEs in the Kudus Regency is the business of embroidery which from year to year always decreased. Based on the result of the theoretical study directing this study developed a model with five research variables covering entrepreneurial orientation, business environment adaptability, internal resources of company, competitive advantage, and company performance. The results of the analysis show that the entrepreneurship orientation does not positively affect the competitive advantage. The adaptability of the business environment positively affects the competitive advantage. Internal resources of the company positively influence the competitive advantage. Entrepreneurship orientation positively affects the company's performance. Internal resources of the company positively affect the company's performance. Competitive advantage positively affects the company's performance.
Crop Insurance Scheme Among Paddy Farmers in Kedah, Malaysia: Are They Willing to Pay?

This study examines the farmers’ willingness to pay (WTP) in contributing to the Crop Insurance Scheme (CIS) specifically among the paddy farmers in Kedah. The CIS reduces the risk that farmers face in the event of natural disaster such as flooding or crop failure causes from pest attack and crop diseases. In this study, we focus on three selected districts in Kedah. A total of 139 respondents were randomly selected from these areas. The CIS is based on a hypothetical product which contain of three main attributes; (1) type of coverage, (2) sum assured/benefit, (3) and premium payment or the price. Data are obtained by applying Choice Experiment (CE) technique and analyzed with the multinomial logit model (MNL). Two models are presented in this paper namely the basic model and the interaction model. The study shows, among others, that marginal willingness to pay to obtain protection from crop failure amongst the attributes ranges between RM33.69 to RM128.63 per year for the basic model. On the other hand the marginal willingness to pay for the interaction model ranges between RM19.42 to RM73.32.