Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High-Performance 3-Phase 5-Level E-Type Multilevel–Multicell Converters for Microgrids

This paper focuses on the analysis and design of two multilevel–multicell converters (MMCs), named 3-phase 5-Level E-Type Multilevel–Multicell Rectifier (3Φ5L E-Type MMR) and 3-phase 5-Level E-Type Multilevel–Multicell Inverter (3Φ5L E-Type MMI) to be used in microgrid applications. The proposed 3-phase E-Type multilevel rectifier and inverter have each phase being accomplished by the combination of two I-Type topologies connected to the T-Type topology. The two cells of each phase of the rectifier and inverter are connected in interleaving using an intercell transformer (ICT) in order to reduce the volume of the output filter. Such an E-Type topology arrangement is expected to allow both the high efficiency and power density required for microgrid applications, as well as being capable of providing good performance in terms of quality of the voltage and current waveforms. The proposed hardware design and control interface are supported by the simulation results performed in Matlab/Simulink. The analysis has been then validated in terms of an experimental campaign performed on the converter prototype, which presented a power density of 8.4 kW/dm3 and a specific power of 3.24 kW/kg. The experimental results showed that the proposed converter can achieve a peak efficiency of 99% using only silicon power semiconductors.
New insights of nanomaterials usage toward superhydrophobic membranes for water desalination via membrane distillation: A review

Abstract Membrane distillation (MD) is a promising technology for seawater desalination due to the ability to process high-salinity waters and the ability to be driven by low-grade or waste heat. However, practical applications of MD membranes are limited by the low vapor flux and fouling problem. Recently, there is a growing interest in developing novel MD membrane materials with enhanced hydrophobicity to improve the efficiency of desalination performance. Interestingly, the incorporation of nanomaterials for tailoring superhydrophobic properties of MD membranes has attracted enormous attention in MD. Herein, according to the new insights of the available literature data, the current trend for achieving superhydrophobic MD membranes by embedding inorganic nanomaterials is provided. The influence of the inorganic additives on membrane fouling, stability, separation performance, is also discussed. Finally, theoretical principles of MD, the milestones of the evolution of developing superhydrophobic membrane surfaces, and future trends are also given for the new readers in the field. Graphical abstract
Experts’ reasoning about the replication crisis: Apt epistemic performance and actor-oriented transfer

ABSTRACT Background: The modern world is rife with complex challenges that require citizens to weigh multiple, conflicting claims and competing methods for discerning truth from falsehood. Such evaluations depend highly upon prior knowledge. Therefore, the goal of epistemic education is the cultivation of apt epistemic performance: successfully achieving valuable epistemic aims (e.g., evaluating conflicting claims, discerning truth from falsehood) through competent use of ideals and reliable processes across a range of contexts. However, educators cannot prepare people for every contentious claim they will encounter over their lifetime. Therefore, we investigated if and how apt epistemic performance developed in one discipline could be adapted or transferred for use in another discipline. Methods: We analyzed think-aloud protocol data gathered as experts from psychology, other social sciences (i.e., near transfer), and natural sciences (i.e., far transfer) grappled with a complex problem: psychology’s replication crisis. Findings: An actor-oriented approach best captured how experts outside of psychology were able to near transfer or adapt epistemic performance; far transfer was more difficult. Contribution: Our findings suggest epistemic education for an informed citizenry should prioritize teaching disciplinary norms and practices as well as their scope and limitations, along with self-awareness of when transfer is and is not appropriate.
Constrained Backtracking Matching Pursuit Algorithm for Image Reconstruction in Compressed Sensing

Image reconstruction based on sparse constraints is an important research topic in compressed sensing. Sparsity adaptive matching pursuit (SAMP) is a greedy pursuit reconstruction algorithm, which reconstructs signals without prior information of the sparsity level and potentially presents better reconstruction performance than other greedy pursuit algorithms. However, SAMP still suffers from being sensitive to the step size selection at high sub-sampling ratios. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a constrained backtracking matching pursuit (CBMP) algorithm for image reconstruction. The composite strategy, including two kinds of constraints, effectively controls the increment of the estimated sparsity level at different stages and accurately estimates the true support set of images. Based on the relationship analysis between the signal and measurement, an energy criterion is also proposed as a constraint. At the same time, the four-to-one rule is improved as an extra constraint. Comprehensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed CBMP yields better performance and further stability than other greedy pursuit algorithms for image reconstruction.
Joint Innovation Investment and Pricing Decisions in Retail Supply Chains with Customer Value

In the retail industry, customer value has become the key to maintaining competitive advantages. In the era of new retail, customer value is not only affected by the product price, but it is also closely related to innovations, such as value-added services and unique business models. In this paper, we study the joint innovation investment and pricing decisions in a retailer–supplier supply chain based on revenue sharing contracts and customer value. We first find that, in the non-cooperative game, equilibrium only exists in the supplier Stackelberg game. However, revenue sharing contracts cannot coordinate the supply chain in the non-cooperative game. By considering supply chain members’ bargaining power, we find that there exists a unique equilibrium for the Nash bargaining product. In addition, revenue sharing contracts can coordinate the supply chain and achieve the optimal consumer surplus. When the supply chain is coordinated, supply chain profit is allocated to the supply chain members based on their bargaining powers.
Electron collision cross section set for N2 and electron transport in N2, N2/He, and N2/Ar

Electron collision cross section set for N2 is proposed. The proposed set consists of vibrational elastic momentum transfer cross section and cross sections for 31 rotational excitation, 29 rotational deexcitation, 10 vibrational excitation, 17 electronic excitation, 2 neutral dissociation, and 5 ionization collision processes. Electron transport coefficients in N2, N2/He, and N2/Ar are calculated by Monte Carlo method with considering anisotropic inelastic electron scattering and partitioning of the residual energy after the ionization collision on the basis of experimental results. The reliability of the proposed electron collision cross section set is demonstrated by comparing the calculated and measured electron transport coefficients in a wide range of reduced electric fields, E/N (E: electric field strength, N: number density of gas molecules). Comparison of the values of the electron transport coefficients in N2 calculated from eight individual cross section sets partly provided on LXCat with the measured values is also carried out. Furthermore, the effect of anisotropic inelastic electron scattering on the electron transport coefficients is examined. The electron transport coefficients in N2 are found to be affected by considering anisotropic electron scattering with increasing E/N values, and the longitudinal third-order transport coefficient is found to be sensitive to considering anisotropic electron scattering even at middle E/N values.
Modeling and Simulation of Dissemination of Cultivated Land Protection Policies in China

Cultivated land protection is the top priority of the national economy in China and the livelihood of people. Cultivated land protection policies (CLPP) play an important role in the protection of cultivated land. However, the process of dissemination of CLPP on social networks of farmers has problems, such as distortion of policy content, single dissemination channels, low level of farmers’ knowledge, and low dissemination efficiency. For revealing the characteristics of the dissemination of CLPP in the farmers’ social networks (FSN), this study combines the Suspected–Exposed–Infected–Recovered–Suspected (SEIRS) epidemic model to construct a model of CLPP dissemination suitable for FSN. In addition, a numerical simulation of the dissemination process of CLPP is conducted on the FSN, and the influence of the structural characteristics of the FSN and different model parameters on the dissemination of CLPP is analyzed. Results show that (1) the dissemination rate between farmers in FSN has a significant impact on the scale and speed of CLPP. A greater initial dissemination rate corresponds to faster speed and larger scale of CLPP dissemination. (2) A greater node degree in FSN means stronger dissemination ability for CLPP. Therefore, identifying structural holes (opinion leaders) in FSN can effectively promote the dissemination of CLPP. (3) The SEIRS model can dynamically describe the evolution law of CLPP dissemination process over time through the four states of farmer nodes of suspected, exposed, infected, and recovered. Numerical simulation results show that the immune degradation rate is proportional to CLPP. However, the direct immunization rate is inversely proportional. The increase in immune degradation rate can reduce the number of recovered farmers and improve the efficiency of CLPP dissemination. On the basis of the abovementioned conclusions, this study draws policy recommendations to increase the scale and speed of CLPP dissemination in China.
Surfaces of (Nearly) Dormant Comets and the Recent History of the Quadrantid Meteor Shower

The parent of the Quadrantid meteor shower is the inactive solar system small body (196256) 2003 EH1. EH1 has likely only gone dormant in the past few hundred years, and may be related to the bright comet C/1490 Y1. Compared with the other best-studied inactive meteor shower parent (3200) Phaethon, EH1 has received comparatively minimal characterization of its surface properties. We present the first reflectance spectrum and additional photometry of EH1, as well as new spectra of the nuclei of three nearly dormant comets P/2006 HR30 (Siding Spring), 364P/Pan-STARRS, and 249P/LINEAR for comparison. We also present new short-term high-resolution orbital integrations of these bodies for context. EH1s spectrum is red in color below 0.8 μm in between C and D types, consistent with previous photometric measurements, but is blue beyond 0.8 μm until at least 1.02 μm. 249P and 364P have both red slopes consistent with C taxonomic types and HR30 has a classic comet nucleus D-type slope. If the downturn in EH1’s spectrum is due to an absorption feature, magnetite and olivine are plausible candidates, but more data are needed. 249P and 364P have similar recent and historical dynamical evolutions in addition to their similar surface properties. We discuss the interrelation between the dynamical histories and modern surfaces of these four objects and suggest avenues for further study to better constrain how the Quadrantids and Geminids were created.
Do higher education students really seek ‘value for money’?: Debunking the myth

Although students are increasingly cast as consumers wanting ‘value for money’, this study empirically investigated whether students actively seek value for money. In Study 1, 1,772 undergraduates at a mid-ranked English university were asked open-ended questions about what they had wanted from their university learning experience and how that had turned out. Hopes were coded as fulfilled or unfulfilled. Responses were searched for key words related to ‘value for money’. Less than 2 per cent of students referenced ‘value for money’. Those students were significantly more likely to have unfulfilled hopes. In Study 2, 185 first-year science students were asked open-ended questions about why they chose their subject and their programme, and what they had wanted from their learning experience in that programme. None referenced value for money. Students’ reasons for choosing their subjects and programmes were analysed. ‘Value for money’ does not do justice to students’ hopes for university or their programme.
Comparison of Heart Rate Variability between Shift and Rest Days in Nurses Working at Coronary Intensive Care Unit

Objective: Stress of working conditions change the circadian rhythm and body’s autonomic functions. Heart rate variability is a simple and noninvasive method that reflects the heart’s autonomic system. In this study, we analyzed the rhythm differences of intensive care unit nurses between 24 hours shift and rest days. Materials and Methods: 51 nurses working in intensive care units of our center were included in the study. The nurses were divided into two groups as study and control groups according to the shift and rest days for 24 hours holter recordings, respectively. Results: Heart rate parameters were under parasympathic and sympathic dominance in rest and shift days, respectively. Although normalized high frequency, normalized low frequency and low frequency/high frequency ratio values were parallel to the shift and rest days at 24-hour intervals, inverse correlations were observed between 03.00- 08.00 hours. No statistically significant difference was seen in circadian rhythm between shift and rest days. Heart rate parameters generally showed similar pattern of circadian rhythm irrespective of the working status of the participants. Sympathetic activity was significantly higher in the day period than the night period in the shift days however there was no difference within resting group. Conclusion: Slight increase in sympathetic system activity and marked decrease in parasympathetic activity during 03-05 o’clock were apparent in shift days. This increase was attributed to early cortisol release.
Der Duncker'sche Muskelegel : Funde bei der Trichinenuntersuchung mittels Verdauungsverfahren

In 2002 and 2003 we had several discoverys of mesocercaria of Alaria alata during the examination of samples of wild boar from Brandenburg for trichinosis. The assessment of the venison is unfit, if it is infected, because of the danger for humans to get Larvale Alariose, as it is reported in literature.
Management of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy in Black women: a systematic review

Background: Black women are four times more likely to die than White women due to complications during pregnancy or childbirth in the U.K. This cohort are also more prone to Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy (HDP). Outside of pregnancy, there are race based differences in the management of hypertension as Calcium-Channel Blockers (CCB) 9 are more effective in reducing blood pressure in Black patients. It is unclear whether these differences in anti-hypertensive management extend to the management of hypertension in pregnancy. The primary objective was to address this gap in evidence by undertaking a systematic review of all randomised control trials investigating pharmacological management of HDP to assess whether CCBs are the most effective anti-hypertensive agent in Black pregnant women. Methods: The following electronic databases were searched: PubMed, MEDLINE and Embase. We used MeSH and free text terms in conjunction to increase sensitivity to potentially relevant studies. Inclusion criteria included: (1) study involved treatment of HDP; (2) study was of a randomised control trial design; (3) one of the treatment arms involved CCBs and (4) English full-text. Information regarding baseline participant data, type of anti-hypertensive, and clinical outcomes was extracted from each study. Results: This review highlighted four randomised control trials, which published race or ethnicity demographics, with only one trial that stratified HDP outcomes by ethnicity. Conclusions: There is a lack of evidence to draw definite conclusions as to whether CCBs are the most effective anti-hypertensive agent for Black patients with HDP, highlighting the need for further research in this area. However, this review demonstrates some evidence to support the hypothesis that CCBs could be more effective in the management of HDP in Black patients and that Labetalol, which is the current first-line management of HDP, may not represent the gold standard of treatment in this cohort.
Bio-Fe3O4-MNPs Promoted Green Synthesis of Pyrido[2,1-a]isoquinolines and Pyrido[1,2-a]quinolines: Study of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity

Abstract In this work, synthesis of pyrido[2,1-a]isoquinolines and pyrido[1,2-a]quinolines in excellent yield using multicomponent reactions of isoquinoline, methyl malonyl chloride, alkyl bromides, and triphenylphosphine in the presence of catalytic amount of Fe3O4-MNPs in water at 80 °C were investigated. The reduction of ferric chloride solution with Clover Leaf water extract caused to synthesis of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) as a green method. As well, antioxidant activity was studied for some newly synthesized compounds such as 6a, 6b, 8b, and 8c using the DPPH radical trapping and reducing of ferric ion experiments and comparing results with synthetic antioxidants (TBHQ and BHT). As a result, compounds 6a, 6b, 8b, and 8c show trace DPPH radical trapping and excellent reducing strength of ferric ion. These compounds have biological potential because of isoquinoline or quinoline core. For this reason, the antimicrobial activity of some synthesized compounds was studied employing the disk diffusion test on Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria. The results of disk diffusion test showed that compound 6a, 6c, 6d, 8a, and 8b prevented the bacterial growth. Highlights Organic solvents that are needed for performing some organic reactions are often toxic and expensive. For this reason, elimination of these solvents is a suitable work for nature. The present procedure avoids the use of toxic solvent. Isoquinoline or quinoline derivatives are one of the important heterocyclic compounds that have outstanding moiety in medicinal chemistry and display a broad variety of biological and pharmacological properties. This recoverable catalyst is very easy and performed by external magnet.
3D Origami Sensing Robots for Cooperative Healthcare Monitoring

In this study, cooperative healthcare sensing robots that closely monitor and evaluate the patients’ muscle functions through gait analysis and electromyography (EMG) are developed. By integrating the biological sensors, the sensing robot can recognize the vital signs. The sensing robots are developed by the design and optimization of their architectures and materials using a green strategy. To achieve mechanically durable robot designs, 3D origami structures are used with specific optimum criteria. Different sensing robot applications are created through the 3D origami insole and humanoid hands for healthcare monitoring. The smart insole built with 3D origami monitors the foot pressure distribution for gait analysis of patients, and the humanoid hand equipped with the 3D origami‐structured EMG fingers cooperatively detects EMG signals. Such cooperative sensing robots hold considerable promise for healthcare monitoring with convenience for patients with quality of care, because the robots can derive empathetic adaptability with humans.
Between walls and fences: How different types of gated communities shape the streets around them

Gated communities in Latin American cities have become the new normal. The streets bordered by fences, walls and the occasional gate, formed when two or more gated communities face each other, dominate the urban landscape today. Taking Bogotá with its 3500 gated communities as my case study, I create a novel typology focusing on the gated community’s spatial dimension, not portraying it as an isolated island but as an integral part of the urban realm. Using an empirically grounded typology formation process, I present five distinctive types of gated communities in Bogotá, varying widely in how they shape the surrounding public spaces. Some types have significant expected negative effects on activity and security in the adjacent streets and others hardly any. I show how future gated community research and policymaking would benefit from disaggregation of the concept and present some policy strategies to mitigate negative external effects of gated communities.
Gas Hydrate System Offshore Chile

In recent decades, the Chilean margin has been extensively investigated to better characterize the complex geological setting through the geophysical data. The analysis of seismic lines allowed us to identify the occurrence of gas hydrates and free gas in many places along the margin and the change of the pore fluid due to the potential hydrate dissociation. The porosity reduction due to the hydrate presence is linked to the slope to identify the area more sensitive in case of natural phenomena or induced by human activities that could determine gas hydrate dissociations and/or leakage of the free gas trapped below the gas-hydrate stability zone. Clearly, the gas hydrate reservoir could be a strategic energy reserve for Chile. The steady-state modelling pointed out that the climate change could determine gas hydrate dissociation, triggering slope failure. This hypothesis is supported by the presence of high concentrations of gas hydrate in correspondence of important seafloor slope. The dissociation of gas hydrate could change the petrophysical characteristics of the subsoil triggering slopes, which already occurred in the past. Consequently, it is required to improve knowledge about the behavior of the gas hydrate system in a function of complex natural phenomena before the exploitation of this important resource.
Assessing perceptions of COVID-19 self-protective measures: a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach

This study aimed to develop scales to assess perceptions of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) self-protective measures (SPMs) and examine the psychometric properties based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). ,A total of 412 participants from Bangalore, India, randomly volunteered to participate in this research. The questionnaire consisted of items related to the TPB scales and demographic details. ,A structural equation model showed a reasonable model fit. In total, 70% of the individuals' behavioral intentions of following COVID-19 SPMs were predicted by perceived benefits, barriers, social norms and social influence. Participants' age impacted on perceived benefits and perceived social influence and individuals' behavioral intentions of following COVID-19 SPMs, with a 13.6% difference in model prediction. ,The TPB can be used as a strong psychometric property to assess behavioral determinants of COVID-19 SPMs.