Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study of Nasal Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FENO) in Children with Allergic Rhinitis

(1) Background: Exhaled nitric oxide (NO) has been considered as a biomarker of airway inflammation. The measurement of fractional exhaled NO (FENO) is a valuable test for assessing local inflammation in subjects with allergic rhinitis (AR). (2) Objective: To evaluate (a) the correlation between nasal FENO with anthropometric characteristics, symptoms of AR and nasal peak flows in children without and with AR; and (b) the cut-off of nasal FENO for diagnosis of AR in symptomatic children. (3) Methods: The study was a descriptive and cross-sectional study in subjects with and without AR < 18 years old. All clinical and functional characteristics of the study subjects were recorded for analysis. They were divided into healthy subjects for the control group and subjects with AR who met all inclusion criteria. (4) Results: 100 subjects (14 ± 3 years) were included, including 32 control subjects and 68 patients with AR. Nasal FENO in AR patients was significantly higher than in control subjects: 985 ± 232 ppb vs. 229 ± 65 ppb (p < 0.001). In control subjects, nasal FENO was not correlated with anthropometric characteristics and nasal inspiratory or expiratory peak flows (IPF or EPF) (p > 0.05). There was a correlation between nasal FENO and AR symptoms in AR patients and nasal IPF and EPF (p = 0.001 and 0.0001, respectively). The cut-off of nasal FENO for positive AR diagnosis with the highest specificity and sensitivity was ≥794 ppb (96.7% and 92.6%, respectively). (5) Conclusion: The use of nasal FENO as a biomarker of AR provides a useful tool and additional armamentarium in the management of allergic rhinitis.
DETERMINATION OF NUTRITIVE VALUE AND ANTI-METHANOGENIC POTENTIAL OF TURKISH GRAPE POMACE USING IN VITRO GAS PRODUCTION TECHNIQUE

Grape pomace from the wine industry has been used in ruminant nutrition to meet the requirements of animals during shortages of conventional feed in most parts of the world. The aim of the current study was to screen Turkish grape pomaces (GPs) collected from various sites for chemical composition and anti-methanogenic potential using an in vitro gas production technique. Source had a significant effect on the chemical composition, gas production, methane (CH 4 ) production, metabolizable energy (ME), and organic matter digestibility (OMD) of some Turkish GPs. Crude ash (CA), ether extract (EE), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), condensed tannin (CT) contents, gas production, CH 4 production, ME, and OMD values of the GPs were in the ranges of 3.90-9.37%, 3.07-7.87%, 2.65-13.50%, 26.60-58.80%, 24.98-53.88%, 1.99-16.43%, 42.75-113.50 mL, 5.57-13.38 mL, 5.36-8.69 MJ/kg DM, and 39.87-61.27%, respectively. The in vitro experiment showed that most of the GP samples studied have low CH 4 mitigation potential. However, there is a need for in vivo experiments to test the mitigating potential of GP samples.
Measuring the Workload of Sustained Attention

The utility of a new measure of perceived mental workload in vigilance, The Multiple Resources Questionnaire (MRQ), was evaluated by comparing its sensitivity against that of the standard measure in this area, the NASA-TLX. Sensitivity was assessed in regard to the effects of a factor previously shown by the NASA-TLX to affect task demand, detecting stimulus presence/absence. Performance efficiency was significantly greater when critical signals for detection were defined by the presence of a target feature than by the absence of that feature. This effect was echoed in higher global workload scores for absence than presence when workload was measured by the NASA-TLX and by a modified version of the MRQ involving an increase in the response range for each item in the scale. Additionally, the MRQ identified resources utilized in the vigilance task that are not reflected in the standard measure. The results indicate that the new scale could be a useful adjunct to the older one.
Research on the Control Method of High Power APF for Oil Drilling Rig

The wide use of oil drilling rig brings nominated economic profits for oil drilling industry. However, it will bring about great quantities of harmonic current to the grid, lowering the power quality and reliability of the power grid. Meanwhile, harmonic currents will have a deteriorated influence to surrounding electrical equipment and grid. This paper studies the distribution characteristics of the harmonic current in the oil industry and puts forward a control strategy aiming for improving stability and reliability of the power supply system. This paper also proposes an algorithm for detecting harmonic current based on time domain transformation and control strategy based on two cascade (voltage and current) control loop. Experiment and simulation results validate the proposed control strategy.
Study of Short-Run Grain Movements on the Inland Waterway System

Time series techniques—particularly impulse–response functions and variance decompositions—are used to characterize the short-run relationships between 17 variables in a vector autoregressive model designed to trace the short-run interconnections among variables affecting lockages on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. The model contains five categories of variables: lockages, barge rates, grain bids, rail rates, and rail deliveries. Variance decompositions are constructed that identify barge rates as the most important variable affecting lockages at both short and long horizons. Barge rates are, in turn, explained largely by lockages and rail rates, indicating two-way feedback or bidirectional causality between lockages and barge rates. Impulse–response functions are also examined. The variance decompositions indicate that barge rates are important in explaining lockages, and the impulse–response functions show how lockages and other variables respond to such shocks. In general, there is a substitution away from barge transportation and toward rail transportation when barge rates increase. The results are useful for illuminating the causal relationships among variables in the model and for understanding behavioral relationships present in the data and can be used to guide short- and long-run planning models. For example, many planning models assume that barge traffic does not respond significantly to changes in barge rates; however, results obtained here imply that barge traffic and rail deliveries do respond to such changes. This potentially important implication illustrates the usefulness of the time series techniques used.
Soundscape and Sound Preferences in Urban Squares: A Case Study in Sheffield

The general aim of this paper is to demonstrate the significance of intentional soundscape design in urban squares by investigating people's general perceptions of urban soundscape and sound preferences, and the effects of demographic factors. An intensive questionnaire survey was carried out in two urban squares in Sheffield. Sound identification and classification were both considered. The results show that natural sounds as a group were generally preferred to urban sounds; the preferences of soundscape elements influenced people's choice of using an urban square; and in terms of sound preference, the differences amongst age groups were rather significant, whereas between males and females only slight differences were found. Finally, some suggestions on soundscape design in urban squares are given.
Performance enhancement of inverse diffusion flame burners with distributed ports

An experimental study regarding the influence of the air port design on the inverse diffusion flame characteristics was performed for two different burner configurations, wherein the combustion/heat transfer performance was optimized. In the first configuration that comprised a single air port and distributed fuel ports, decreasing the air jet diameter enhanced the combustion efficiency by 3.6% as testified by recording a maximum decrease of 81.3% in the CO emissions. As the central air jet Reynolds number thus reached 18038, the stability limit was extended by 181% in terms of the air jet velocity; while the flame length was reduced by 38.6%. Inasmuch as the flow residence time across the high-temperature zone thus decreased, NO x emissions as low as 6 ppm were obtained. In the other configuration that had multiple air ports, there was a decrease in the CO, HC, and NO x emissions respectively by 69%, 58%, and 31% in comparison to those of the single port having the same port area. It was found that the smallest jet diameter was accompanied by the highest peak temperature as well as the maximum heat flux to a plate on which the flame impinged, respectively, having the values of 1761℃ and 11.4 kW/m2. In this regard, increasing the air jet Reynolds number by 30% increased the peak flame temperature by 8.3%. In the primary equivalence ratio range between 0.8 and 2.0, the impingement plate optimum spacing for the maximum heat flux was found to correlate well with Reynolds number. Combining the nonunity Lewis number and the Gas Research Institute-3 (GRI-3) kinetics with the k − ɛ model verified the fuel jet deflection and soot development, but overpredicted the NO x emissions by 11.5%. Increasing the center-to-center distance between the central air jet and the distributed fuel ports reduced the flame length by 19%.
First draft genome assembly and identification of SNPs from hilsa shad ( Tenualosa ilisha) of the Bay of Bengal

Background: Hilsa shad ( Tenualosa ilisha), a widely distributed migratory fish, contributes substantially to the economy of Bangladesh. The harvest of hilsa from inland waters has been fluctuating due to anthropological and climate change-induced degradation of the riverine habitats. The whole genome sequence of this valuable fish could provide genomic tools for sustainable harvest, conservation and productivity cycle maintenance. Here, we report the first draft genome of T. ilisha from the Bay of Bengal, the largest reservoir of the migratory fish. Methods: A live specimen of T. ilisha was collected from the Bay of Bengal. The whole genome sequencing was performed by the Illumina HiSeqX platform (2 × 150 paired end configuration). We assembled the short reads using SOAPdenovo2 genome assembler and predicted protein coding genes by AUGUSTUS. The completeness of the T. ilisha genome assembly was evaluated by BUSCO (Benchmarking Universal Single Copy Orthologs). We identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by calling them directly from unassembled sequence reads using discoSnp++. Results: We assembled the draft genome of 710.28 Mb having an N50 scaffold length of 64157 bp and GC content of 42.95%. A total of 37,450 protein coding genes were predicted of which 29,339 (78.34%) were annotated with other vertebrate genomes. We also identified 792,939 isolated SNPs with transversion:transition ratio of 1:1.8. The BUSCO evaluation showed 78.1% completeness of this genome. Conclusions: The genomic data generated in this study could be used as a reference to identify genes associated with physiological and ecological adaptations, population connectivity, and migration behaviour of this biologically and economically important anadromous fish species of the Clupeidae family.
Development of the Electric Fuel System for the More Electric Engine

This paper describes the experimental rig test result of the electric motor-driven fuel pump system for the MEE (More Electric Engine). The MEE is an aircraft engine system concept, which replaces conventional mechanical/hydraulic driven components with electric motor-driven components. Various MEE approaches have been studied since the early 2000s and one of its key concepts is an electric motor-driven fuel pump [1–4]. The authors commenced a feasibility study of the electric motor-driven gear pump system for what was assumed to be a small-sized turbofan engine. The concept study and system design were conducted, whereupon technical issues for the electric fuel pump system, which both supplies and meters fuel via the motor speed control, were clarified [5, 6]. Since one of the key issues is fuel-metering accuracy, the electric fuel system, including a flow feedback closed-loop control, was designed to ensure accurate fuel-flow metering for aircraft engine applications.To verify the rig system, an experimental model of the electric fuel pump system is assumed for a small-sized turbofan engine. The hardware of the motor-driven fuel pump and flow measurement mechanism, including an FPV (Fuel-Pressurizing Valve) and orifice, were designed, manufactured and fabricated and a differential pressure sensor for flow feedback was selected. Other equipment was also prepared, including a motor controller, power source and measurement devices, and the entire rig set-up was constructed.A bench test using the rig test set-up was conducted to verify the fuel-metering accuracy, response and system stability. Data, including the static performance and frequency response, were obtained for the electric motor, motor-driven fuel pump and entire fuel system respectively. The rig test results indicate the feasibility of the system, which will provide an accurate engine fuel flow (Wf) measurement and frequency response required for actual engine operation, via an electric motor speed control and fuel-flow feedback system, as proposed in the MEE electric fuel system.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
SSQSC: a tool to measure supplier service quality in supply chain

The objective of this research is to derive supplier service quality dimensions in the context of supply chain. Initial service quality dimensions were derived from an extensive literature review on the subject followed by refining through a series of procedures needed for scale development. Data was collected from 117 working executives of manufacturing organisations in India. The respondents were asked to assess supplier service quality in supply chain based on the perception and expectation scales. Further, data was summarised for respondents stating a high level of external service quality. Factor analysis resulted in a seven-factor structure as representative of supplier service quality in supply chain. The SSQSC tool will be beneficial to practising managers in identification of opportunities for improvements in supplier service quality.
Safe teleradiology: information assurance as project planning methodology

This project demonstrates use of OCTAVE, an information security risk assessment method, as an approach to the safe design and planning of a teleradiology system. By adopting this approach to project planning, we intended to provide evidence that including information security as an intrinsic component of project planning improves information assurance and that using information assurance as a planning tool produces and improves the general system management plan. Several considerations justify this approach to planning a safe teleradiology system. First, because OCTAVE was designed as a method for retrospectively assessing and proposing enhancements for the security of existing information management systems, it should function well as a guide to prospectively designing and deploying a secure information system such as teleradiology. Second, because OCTAVE provides assessment and planning tools for use primarily by interdisciplinary teams from user organizations, not consultants, it should enhance the ability of such teams at the local level to plan safe information systems. Third, from the perspective of sociological theory, OCTAVE explicitly attempts to enhance organizational conditions identified as necessary to safely manage complex technologies. Approaching information system design from the perspective of information security risk management proactively integrates health information assurance into a project’s core. This contrasts with typical approaches that perceive “security” as a secondary attribute to be “added” after designing the system and with approaches that identify information assurance only with security devices and user training. The perspective of health information assurance embraces so many dimensions of a computerized health information system’s design that one may successfully deploy a method for retrospectively assessing information security risk as a prospective planning tool. From a sociological perspective, this approach enhances the general conditions as well as establishes specific policies and procedures for reliable performance of health information assurance.
Tank waste remediation system engineering plan

This Engineering Plan describes the engineering process and controls that will be in place to support the Technical Baseline definition and manage its evolution and implementation to the field operations. This plan provides the vision for the engineering required to support the retrieval and disposal mission through Phase 1 and 2, which includes integrated data management of the Technical Baseline. Further, this plan describes the approach for moving from the ``as is`` condition of engineering practice, systems, and facilities to the desired ``to be`` configuration. To make this transition, Tank Waste Remediation System (TWRS) Engineering will become a center of excellence for TWRS which,will perform engineering in the most effective manner to meet the mission. TWRS engineering will process deviations from sitewide systems if necessary to meet the mission most effectively.
Dual-mode impulse radio ultra-wideband transmission for body area networks

A dual-mode impulse radio ultra-wideband (IR-UWB) system, which combines body channel communication for wearable on-body transmission with conventional UWB communication for in-body to on-body transmission, is proposed. The basic system structure is presented, and the path loss characteristics are derived based on numerical analysis and measurement. Moreover, through a bit error rate performance analysis, the required transmit power against communication distance shows the feasibility for on-body and in-body transmissions at a data rate of at least 10 Mbps.
Management optimisation based on dynamic SKU for RFID-enabled warehouse management in the steel supply chain

Abstract Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology is one of the encouraging technologies to improve the productivity in warehouse management. However, the problem of how to explore the potential benefits of a RFID system and reduce the expenditure of RFID application are troubling many managers who are planning to, or have engaged in, the implementation. This paper enriches existing theory by introducing the useful and comprehensive warehouse management optimisation methods based on dynamic SKU (storage keeping unit) management in the design and development of a RFID-enabled warehouse. Based on the dynamic SKU management method proposed, cost optimisation methods are employed in the development of RFID-enabled warehouse. Furthermore, a storage area management optimisation for multi-size coils and a crane scheduling optimisation method is established for the purpose of enhancing the productivity of the warehouse. The optimisation methods are applied and verified in a coil warehouse and the result shows that the hardware investment is cut down by reducing the number of RFID cards used without any decrease in location accuracy and the warehouse productivity is improved significantly.
Envelope correlation in (N, N) MIMO antenna array from scattering parameters

A simple closed‐form equation to calculate the envelope correlation between any two receiver or transmitter antennas in a multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) system of an arbitrary number of elements is derived. The equation uses the scattering parameters obtained at the antenna feed point to calculate the envelope correlation coefficient. This approach has the advantage that it does not require knowledge of the antenna radiation pattern. Numerical data that include conductor and permittivity loss are shown to validate the approach. Using the scattering parameters for calculating the envelope correlation is less laborious and relatively cheaper, as compared to the radiation pattern approach. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 48: 832–834, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.21490
Analog mitigation of out of band strong interferers in wide band acquisition for multiband HF transmissions

It is clear that in the near future much broader transmissions in the HF band will replace part of the current narrow band links. Our personal view is that a real wide band signal is infeasible in this environment because the usage is typically very intensive and may suffer interferences from all over the world. Therefore, we envision that dynamic multiband transmissions may provide better satisfactory performance. From the very beginning, we observed that real links with our broadband transceiver suffered interferences out of our multiband but within the acquisition bandwidth that degrade the expected performance. Therefore, we concluded that a mitigation structure is required that operates on severely saturated signals as the interference may be of much higher power. In this paper we address a procedure based on Higher Order Crossings (HOC) statistics that are able to extract most of the signal structure in the case where the amplitude is severely distorted and allows the estimation of the interference carrier frequency to command a variable notch filter that mitigates its effect in the analog domain. (5 pages)
A study on adaptation of SBW parameters to individual driver’s steer characteristics for improved driver–vehicle system performance

This study focuses on the adaptation of steer-by-wire (SBW) parameters to the driver’s steer characteristics for a vehicle equipped with SBW system whereby steering gain and derivative time constant between the steering-wheel angle and the front-wheel-steer angle can be freely set. First of all, it presents a simple yet effective method to estimate the driver’s steer parameters from experimental data based on the general driver’s model. Driver’s parameters for young and aged drivers are compared. SBW parameters are then adapted to the identified driver’s parameters based on a simple analytical method, and its effect on the driver–vehicle system performance improvement is examined through an experimental study, for the case of aged drivers.
Defect classification using phase lag information of EC-GMR output

Eddy current testing (ECT) is an important method in non-destructive testing. Classification of defects is a challenging problem in ECT. In this paper, we propose a method in which the phase lag is adopted, and in order to detect the deep sub-surface defects, giant magneto resistance sensor is chosen to detect the magnetic field influenced by the defects. The phase of the magnetic field intensity is used to help classify the defects. Results from the experiments carried out show that the method is effective.
Obstacle Avoidance and Navigation of Autonomous Mobile Robot

This paper presents a hybrid obstacle avoidance methodology for autonomous navigation of a mobile robot in an unstructured environment. Decision is taken based on the classical method depending on the environmental scenario where the space between multiple obstacles is measured and the feasibility of passing the robot through any immediate pair of obstacles examined. In other cases, the decision is taken by the Fuzzy Logic controller. The developed algorithm is simulated and experimentally validated with a mobile robot platform equipped with forward-looking sonar for obstacle detection. Odometry sensors assist in localization of the mobile robot. The developed algorithm is found adequately intelligent to navigate the robot from any start position through to the desired goal position avoiding obstacles, and without taking recourse to any pre-built map. The simulated results exhibit fair agreement with the experimental results.