Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Establishment of the Refined Model for Prediction of Flocculation/Sedimentation Efficiency Using Model Tree Technique

This study was conducted to establish the refined model for prediction of flocculation/sedimentation efficiency in factual drinking water treatment plants using model tree technique. In order to carry out machine leaning for determining each linear model, five parameters; time, coagulant dose, raw water turbidity, SCD and conductivity, which were measured and collected from the field (K_DWTP), were selected and used. The existing analytical models developed by previous researchers were used only to examine closely the mechanism of flocculation rather than to apply it for practical purpose. The refined model established using model tree technique in this study could predict the factual sedimentation efficiency accurately (below 9% of average absolute error). Also, in aspect of engineering convenience, without any additional manipulation of parameters, it can be applied to practical works.
A Non-Destructive Health Evaluation Method for Wooden Utility Poles with Frequency-Modulated Empirical Mode Decomposition and Laplace Wavelet Correlation Filtering

Wooden utility poles are one of the most commonly used utility carriers in North America. Even though they are given different protection treatments, wooden utility poles are prone to have defects that are mainly caused by temperature, oxygen, moisture, and high potential hydrogen levels after decades of being exposed in open-air areas. In order to meet the growing demand regarding their maintenance and replacement, an effective health evaluation technology for wooden utility poles is essential to ensure normal power supply and safety. However, the commonly used hole-drilling inspection method always causes extra damage to wooden utility poles and the precision of health evaluation highly relies on technician experience at present. Therefore, a non-destructive health evaluation method with frequency-modulated empirical mode decomposition (FM-EMD) and Laplace wavelet correlation filtering based on dynamic responses of wooden utility poles was proposed in this work. Specifically, FM-EMD was used to separate multiple confusing closely-spaced vibration modes due to nonlinear properties of wooden utility poles into several single modes. The instantaneous frequency and damping factor of the decomposed signal of each single mode of the dynamic response of a wooden utility pole could be determined using Laplace wavelet correlation filtering with high precision. The health status of a wooden utility pole could then be estimated according to the extracted instantaneous frequency and damping factor of the decomposed signal of each single mode. The proposed non-destructive health evaluation method for wooden utility poles was tested in the field and achieved successful results.
Towards the implementation of an assessment-centred blended learning framework at the course level: A case study in a Vietnamese national university

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to build an assessment-centred blended learning (BL) framework to assess learners, to analyse and to evaluate the impact of the technology support in the form of formative assessment in students’ positive learning. Design/methodology/approach This research proposed an assessment-centred BL framework at the course level to support formative assessment in students by designing a variety of online learning activities combined with e-assessment tools of learning management system (LMS) to analyse and evaluate the impact of the technology application in the form of formative assessment student learning initiative. The author has tested this model in five years with more than 200 courses. Findings Experimental results have shown that formative assessment evaluation form is more efficient when supported by technology such as LMS. Originality/value This research proposed an assessment-centred BL framework at the course level by using LMS tools combined with traditional teaching.
Control Structure Design for Optimal Oparation of 4-Product Thermally Coupled Columns

Control and operation of energy efficient complex distillation arrangements like Kaibel and Petlyuk columns can be challenging. This paper discusses the control structure design for stabilizing and operation of aforesaid systems for separating a 4-component feed namely methanol, ethanol, propanol and n-butanol as an example. The works carried out on the Kaibel column include experimental studies while the work on the Petlyuk column comprises only the simulation studies. The work demonstrates validation of proposed control structure for these two systems. Hence, provides the suggestions for operation of these designs as well as future works.
Antitumor Properties of a New Macrocyclic Tetranuclear Oxidovanadium(V) Complex with 3-Methoxysalicylidenvaline Ligand

A wide variety of metal-based compounds have been obtained and studied for their antitumor activity since the intensely used cytostatic drugs (e.g., cisplatin) failed to accomplish their expected pharmacological properties. Thus, we aimed to develop a new vanadium-based drug and assess its antitumor properties using the human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cell line. The compound was synthesized from vanadyl sulfate, DL-valine, and o-vanillin and was spectrally and structurally characterized (UV-Vis, IR, CD, and single-crystal/powder-XRD). Compound stability in biological media, cell uptake, and the interaction with albumin were assessed. The mechanisms of its antitumor activity were determined compared to cisplatin by performing cytotoxicity, oxidative and mitochondrial status, DNA fragmentation, β-Tubulin synthesis investigation, and cell cycle studies. Herein, we developed a macrocyclic tetranuclear oxidovanadium(V) compound, [(VVO)(L)(CH3O)]4, having coordinated four Schiff base (H2L) ligands, 3-methoxysalicylidenvaline. We showed that [(VVO)(L)(CH3O)]4: (i) has pH-dependent stability in biological media, (ii) binds to albumin in a dose-dependent manner, (iii) is taken up by cells in a time-dependent way, (iv) has a higher capacity to induce cell death compared to cisplatin (IC50 = 6 μM vs. 10 μM), by altering the oxidative and mitochondrial status in HepG2 cells. Unlike cisplatin, which blocks the cell cycle in the S-phase, the new vanadium-based compound arrests it in S and G2/M-phase, whereas no differences in the induction of DNA fragmentation and reduction of β-Tubulin synthesis between the two were determined. Thus, the [(VVO)(L)(CH3O)]4 antitumor mechanism involved corroboration between the generation of oxidative species, mitochondrial dysfunction, degradation of DNA, cell cycle arrest in the S and G2/M-phase, and β-Tubulin synthesis reduction. Our studies demonstrate the potent antitumor activity of [(VVO)(L)(CH3O)]4 and propose it as an attractive candidate for anticancer therapy.
The Perils of the Pandemic for the Tourism and Hospitality Industries: Envisaging the Combined Effect of COVID-19 Fear and Job Insecurity on Employees’ Job Performance in Pakistan

Purpose This study aims to improve employees’ job performance during COVID-19 pandemic circumstances and demonstrates the impact of COVID-19 fear on hospitality employees’ job performance under the mediating role of job insecurity changes and job loss insecurity. Methods The study adopts a quantitative approach, and data were accumulated through a structured questionnaire. In total, 509 valid questionnaires were received from employees working in Pakistan’s hospitality sector. A structural equation model using Smart-PLS software was used to analyze the collected data from the respondents. Results The results have identified that COVID-19 fear has a positive and significant influence on job insecurity changes, job loss insecurity, and a negative and significant relationship with job performance. The mediating relationship of job insecurity changes and job loss insecurity negatively significantly influence job performance. Additionally, results indicate a significant relationship between the moderating effect of the COVID-19 vaccines and job insecurity changes, job loss insecurity, and job performance. Conclusion The study revealed that employees who perceived their jobs to be insecure during the COVID-19 pandemic tried to cope with the situation, feel healthy, and perform well in their job after getting vaccinated. The study’s findings recommend modifying the employees’ working pattern for organizations. This study enhances the existing literature on the COVID-19 crisis in Pakistan’s hospitality industry. In particular, this study is a novel addition to academia that highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the work performance of front desk employees in the hotel and tourism industry.
COMPARATIVE METAGENOMIC PROFILING OF MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES IN HUMAN-IMPACTED AND PRISTINE STREAM WATER IN OLUGBADE VILLAGE, ISEYIN, OYO STATE

Stream water, a major water source in rural communities, being impacted by human activities results to disturbance of the microbial ecosystem balance, pollution and impacts community health depending on such water. The study aimed to compare the metagenomic profiling of microbial communities in human-impacted and pristine stream water in Olugbade village, Oyo State, Nigeria. Human-impacted (sample A) and pristine (sample B) areas of the Stream were sampled following standard collection method. DNA extraction from the samples was performed using CTAB method and estimated through the Qubit ds DNA high sensitivity kit. Samples were sequenced on the Sequel system by PacBio (www.pacb.com). Raw subreads were processed through the SMRTlink (v9.0) Circular Consensus Sequences (CCS) algorithm to produce highly accurate reads (>QV40). These highly accurate reads were then processed through vsearch (https://github.com/torognes/vsearch) and taxonomic information was determined based on Qualitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology (QIMME2) version 2018.6. 0. Results showed that organisms identified were 100% bacteria where sample A had 8,198 reads and B had 9, 827 reads. The taxonomic distribution revealed 23 and 43 phyla, 52 and 109 classes, 91 and 170 orders, 108 and 212 families, 211 and 336 genus and 277 and 455 species for sample A and B respectively. The study revealed that there is a statistical difference between human-impacted and pristine samples (p-value < 0.05). Sample B had more bacterial community than sample A thereby, showing that many of the bacterial naturally occurring in sample A are extinct or displaced due to different anthropogenic activities occurring there.
Grad-Shafranov Equation in Fractal Dimensions

Abstract The main aim of this paper is to discuss the influence of fractal dimensions on the behavior of the solutions of the Grad-Shafranov equation. Our study is based on the product-like fractal measure approach constructed by Li and Ostoja-Starzewski in their attempt to explore anisotropic fractal continuum media. The fractal Grad-Shafranov equation gives the possibility to analyze, in a toroidal fusion reactor, the plasma equilibrium in fractal dimensions. Examples of the exact equilibrium solution are given for both the vacuum case outside the plasma and the toroidally shaped spheromak. Note: PACS numbers 05.45. Df: Fractals; 28.52. −s: Fusion reactors; 52.30. Cv: Magnetohydrodynamics; and 52.55. Ip: Spheromaks.
Review on the Therapeutic Protein Production in Plants

The production of protein therapeutics in plants it is great potential for increasing, improving and developing the number of therapeutic protein production, therapeutic protein help for the prevention of diseases and treatments in animals and human transgenic plants are the most promising system for the production of a human therapeutic protein. The glycoproteins produced from plants are not the same as a native therapeutic proteins produced in mammals. But using the plants has more advantages such as the low cost and the large scale production is safe. Therefore biological active plant protein has become an alternative option to animal cells for the production of the therapeutic protein.
Early Detection of Corrosion-Induced Concrete Micro-cracking by Using Nonlinear Ultrasonic Techniques: Possible Influence of Mass Transport Processes

This work presents results allowing an unequivocal correlation of the observations of strong nonlinear elastic features of ultrasonic waves (values of the nonlinearity parameters exceeding the thresholds corresponding to undamaged states), with the critical events of the corrosion-induced surface cracking of reinforced cement-mortar specimens. These observations point to the possibility of the early detection of cracking using nonlinear ultrasonic (NLU) techniques. Experimental evidence is presented on the existence of active net mass transport processes, due to wick action, in the course of the corrosion tests, in the experimental conditions of this work. These phenomena might explain the observed abrupt shifting of the nonlinear parameter values (typically increasing and then decreasing post-peak, even reaching values typical of the undamaged state), and, partially, the high variability obtained for the values of the nonlinear parameters in damaged (cracked) states. Finally, some consequences are derived from the point of view of use of the NLU techniques in engineering practice, i.e., in surveys aimed at evaluating reinforced concrete structures affected by corrosion.
Electric Vehicle Public Charging Infrastructure Planning Using Real-World Charging Data

The current increase of electric vehicles in Germany requires an adequately developed charging infrastructure. Large numbers of public and semi-public charging stations are necessary to ensure sufficient coverage. To make the installation worthwhile for the mostly private operators as well as public ones, a sufficient utilization is decisive. An essential factor for the degree of utilization is the placement of a charging station. Therefore, the initial site selection plays a critical role in the planning process. This paper proposes a charging station placement procedure based on real-world data on charging station utilization and places of common interest. In the first step, we correlate utilization rates of existing charging infrastructure with places of common interest such as restaurants, shops, bars and sports facilities. This allows us to estimate the untapped potential of unexploited areas across Germany in a second step. In the last step, we employ the resulting geographical extrapolation to derive two optimized expansion strategies based on the attractiveness of locations for electric vehicle charging.
Simple Robust Model Predictive Current Control for PMSM Drives Without Flux-Linkage Parameter

The model predictive control (MPC) has its superiorities in simple algorithm and exceptional dynamic performance. However, the mismatch of the model parameters will strongly affect the control performance on MPC and will also cause current error in prediction. Aiming to enhance the robustness of MPC while eliminating the predicted current error under parameters mismatch, in this article, a simple robust MPC method is put forward. In the proposed control strategy, accurate inductance information can be extracted simply by designing a discrete integral controller based on the predicted current error of the d-axis. Moreover, two methods are proposed to deduce the gain coefficient of the integration controller theoretically. Furthermore, in the new current prediction model, the flux-linkage parameter has been replaced by the extracted accurate inductance information. This indicates that the flux-linkage parameter has been removed from the model of current prediction. Since the resistance does not have much influence on the accuracy of the current prediction model, the inductance parameter becomes the only factor that predominantly affects the accuracy of the current prediction model. Finally, the experimental results prove the effectiveness of the proposed method.
The First Mitochondrial Genomes of the Family Haplodiplatyidae (Insecta: Dermaptera) Reveal Intraspecific Variation and Extensive Gene Rearrangement

Simple Summary The insect order Dermaptera is commonly known as earwigs. The earwigs have many interesting biological characteristics, such as epizoic on other small animals, viviparous, and maternal care on their eggs and young nymphs. The external morphology of earwigs has been studied in detail, but their genetic characteristics remain unclear. The phylogenetic position of Dermaptera among all insect orders and the inner relationship of Dermaptera are largely unsolved. To better understand the molecular characters of earwigs, we sequenced and analyzed two mitogenomes of an earwig species from the family Haplodiplatyidae. The results revealed the existence of intraspecific variation and extensive gene rearrangement events in the mitogenomes of earwigs. The phylogenetic results are partially similar to previous studies. The discoveries in this study could provide new information for the molecular diversity and mitogenomic evolution of earwigs. Abstract Haplodiplatyidae is a recently established earwig family with over 40 species representing a single genus, Haplodiplatys Hincks, 1955. The morphology of Haplodiplatyidae has been studied in detail, but its molecular characters remain unclear. In this study, two mitogenomes of Haplodiplatys aotouensis Ma & Chen, 1991, were sequenced based on two samples from Fujian and Jiangxi provinces, respectively. These represent the first mitogenomes for the family Haplodiplatyidae. The next-generation sequencing method and subsequent automatic assembly obtained two mitogenomes. The two mitogenomes of H. aotouensis were generally identical but still exhibit a few sequence differences involving protein-coding genes (PCGs), ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, control regions, and intergenic spacers. The typical set of 37 mitochondrial genes was annotated, while many transfer RNA (tRNA) genes were rearranged from their ancestral locations. The calculation of nonsynonymous (Ka) and synonymous (Ks) substitution rates in PCGs indicated the fastest evolving nd4l gene in H. aotouensis. The phylogenetic analyses supported the basal position of Apachyidae but also recovered several controversial clades.
PSO-VFA: A Hybrid Intelligent Algorithm for Coverage Optimization of UAV-Mounted Base Stations

When the number of outdoor wireless users surges and fixed base stations (BSs) can hardly accommodate high-load communication traffic, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) carrying BSs can provide wireless communication services, and the location deployment of the UAV-mounted BSs directly influences the reliability of network communications. For the target area scenario where the UAVs uniformly cover user nodes, we propose a hybrid intelligent coverage algorithm called PSO-VFA to optimize the coverage of a fixed number of UAV-BSs. The PSO-VFA algorithm consists of two phases employing different intelligent algorithms. First, we adopt a particle swarm optimization (PSO) method for a global search of the coverage areas. Then, for local search, a virtual-repulsive-force-based firefly algorithm (VFA) is proposed in this paper to maximize the user coverage. In the VFA algorithm, the users are treated as the objects attracting the UAVs, and the virtual repulsive force is used for UAV location adjustment. Simulation results show that the proposed PSO-VFA hybrid algorithm has faster convergence and significantly increases the communication coverage of UAV-mounted BSs compared with individual intelligent algorithms such as VFA, PSO, genetic algorithm (GA), and simulated annealing (SA).
Alzheimer Caregiving Problems According to ADLs: Evidence from Facebook Support Groups

Background and study goal: Social media are a societal phenomenon today, including the oldest generation, yet they are seldom used in current health research to identify the needs of persons with Alzheimer’s disease (PADs) and their carers. There is an even bigger research gap in the analysis of caregivers’ communication in online support groups and its classification according to activities of daily living (ADLs). For this, the goal of this study is to identify real-life practices of informal caregivers who care for PADs based on the analysis of their communication in Facebook groups. Methods: A sample of 1603 contributions was obtained from support groups by keyword search, manual coding, and verification; thus, the contributions in the sample are relevant for the individual basic ADLs of PADs. Next, five main conversation topics were identified for each ADL. This was done using the topic extractor based on simple parallel threaded implementation of LDA with a sparse sampling scheme and data structure. Results: The qualitative dimension of research identified discussion topics as well as specific caregiver behavior patterns for each ADL. The quantitative dimension determining the level of engagement of group members in individual ADLs was also measured. The highest engagement was found in activities of feeding and drinking, followed by bathing. In contrast, the activities of dressing, continence, and toileting attract the lowest interest. Moreover, the causal links between the topics discussed within the areas of ADLs were identified. Conclusions: The acquired knowledge can help further research focus on the most problematic areas relevant for people with AD in order to increase their quality of life and at the same time reduce the caregiver burden. The study expands the information of the demands posed by the individual caregiver activities, specifically in the context of activity-based costing or time-based activity costing.
Formulation and Characterization of Metformin-Loaded Ethosomes for Topical Application to Experimentally Induced Skin Cancer in Mice

To achieve the best treatment of skin cancer, drug penetration inside the deepest layers of the skin is an important scientific interest. We designed an ethosome formulation that serves as a carrier for metformin and measured the in vitro skin permeation. We also aimed to measure the antitumor activity of the optimal ethosomal preparation when applied topically to chemically induced skin cancer in mice. We utilized a statistical Box–Behnken experimental design and applied three variables at three levels: lecithin concentration, cholesterol concentration and a mixture of ethanol and isopropyl alcohol concentrations. All formulations were prepared to calculate the entrapment efficiency %, zeta potential, size of the vesicles and drug release % after 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24 h. The size of the vesicles for the formulations was between 124 ± 14.2 nm and 560 ± 127 nm, while the entrapment efficiency was between 97.8 ± 0.23% and 99.4 ± 0.24%, and the drug release % after 8 h was between 38 ± 0.82% and 66 ± 0.52%. All formulations were introduced into the Box–Behnken software, which selected three formulations; then, one was assigned as an optimal formula. The in vivo antitumor activity of metformin-loaded ethosomal gel on skin cancer was greater than the antitumor activity of the gel preparation containing free metformin. Lower lecithin, high ethanol and isopropyl alcohol and moderate cholesterol contents improved the permeation rate. Overall, we can conclude that metformin-loaded ethosomes are a promising remedy for treating skin cancers, and more studies are warranted to approve this activity in other animal models of skin cancers.
Modern ipari környezet informatikai hálózati lehetőségei a rendelkezésre állás biztosítása érdekében

Az ipari informatikai rendszerek működése megköveteli a magas szintű megbízhatóságot, redundanciát, karbantarthatóságot és biztonságot, ezért törekedni kell olyan technológiák alkalmazására, melyek biztosítják ezeket. A cikk bemutat olyan hálózati megvalósításokat, melyek egy Ipar 4.0-s rendszer kialakításához szükségesek lehetnek.