Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Guiding equitable prioritisation of COVID-19 vaccine distribution and strategic deployment in South Africa to enhance effectiveness and access to vulnerable communities and prevent waste.

BACKGROUND In South Africa (SA), >2.4 million cases of COVID‑19 and >72 000 deaths were recorded between March 2020 and 1 August 2021, affecting the country's 52 districts to various extents. SA has committed to a COVID‑19 vaccine roll-out in three phases, prioritising frontline workers, the elderly, people with comorbidities and essential workers. However, additional actions will be necessary to support efficient allocation and equitable access for vulnerable, access-constrained communities. OBJECTIVES To explore various determinants of disease severity, resurgence risk and accessibility in order to aid an equitable, effective vaccine roll-out for SA that would maximise COVID‑19 epidemic control by reducing the number of COVID‑19 transmissions and resultant deaths, while at the same time reducing the risk of vaccine wastage. METHODS For the 52 districts of SA, 26 COVID‑19 indicators such as hospital admissions, deaths in hospital and mobility were ranked and hierarchically clustered with cases to identify which indicators can be used as indicators for severity or resurgence risk. Districts were then ranked using the estimated COVID‑19 severity and resurgence risk to assist with prioritisation of vaccine roll-out. Urban and rural accessibility were also explored as factors that could limit vaccine roll-out in hard-to-reach communities. RESULTS Highly populated urban districts showed the most cases. Districts such as Buffalo City, City of Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay experienced very severe first and second waves of the pandemic. Districts with high mobility, population size and density were found to be at highest risk of resurgence. In terms of accessibility, we found that 47.2% of the population are within 5 km of a hospital with ≥50 beds, and this percentage ranged from 87.0% in City of Cape Town to 0% in Namakwa district. CONCLUSIONS The end goal is to provide equal distribution of vaccines proportional to district populations, which will provide fair protection. Districts with a high risk of resurgence and severity should be prioritised for vaccine roll-out, particularly the major metropolitan areas. We provide recommendations for allocations of different vaccine types for each district that consider levels of access, numbers of doses and cold-chain storage capability.
Current Progress in Vascular Engineering and Its Clinical Applications

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is caused by narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is widely used for the treatment of severe CHD cases. Although autologous vessels are a preferred choice, healthy autologous vessels are not always available; hence there is a demand for tissue engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) to be used as alternatives. However, producing clinical grade implantable TEVGs that could healthily survive in the host with long-term patency is still a great challenge. There are additional difficulties in producing small diameter (<6 mm) vascular conduits. As a result, there have not been TEVGs that are commercially available. Properties of vascular scaffolds such as tensile strength, thrombogenicity and immunogenicity are key factors that determine the biocompatibility of TEVGs. The source of vascular cells employed to produce TEVGs is a limiting factor for large-scale productions. Advanced technologies including the combined use of natural and biodegradable synthetic materials for scaffolds in conjunction with the use of mesenchyme stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide promising solutions for vascular tissue engineering. The aim of this review is to provide an update on various aspects in this field and the current status of TEVG clinical applications.
Mathematical approach to artificial neural network on Methyl violet removal with magnetically coated activated carbon

In this study, new magnetic activated carbon (Fe3O4-AC) was synthesized from activated carbon which was obtained from the inner bark of acorn with the activation of H3PO4 and its effectiveness in Methyl violet (MV) removal from aqueous solutions was investigated. Characterization of the samples was done by scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. In MV adsorption on Fe3O4-AC, pH (2–10), initial MV concentration (25–150 mg/L), amount of adsorbent (0.1–1.0 g), adsorption time (5–180 min) and temperature (298–318 K) adsorption parameters were investigated. The compatibility of MV and Fe3O4-AC adsorption with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models was investigated, and it was determined that Langmuir isotherm which proposed single-layer adsorption, was the most compatible isotherm for adsorption at three different temperatures. The highest maximum adsorption capacity with Langmuir isotherm was obtained as 156.25 mg/g at 298 K. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model had a better fit with the best correlation to the kinetic data. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS°) were calculated from the Van’t Hoff plot of lnKd. 1/T in order to discuss the removal mechanism of MV. Then, in MV removal process under different conditions, experimental results were compared with the artificial neural network model.
Predicting Sea Surface Temperatures with Coupled Reservoir Computers

Abstract. Sea surface temperature (SST) is a key factor in understanding the greater climate of the Earth and is an important variable when making weather predictions. Methods of machine learning have become ever more present and important in data-driven science and engineering including in important areas for Earth Science. We propose here an efficient framework that allows us to make global SST forecasts by use of a coupled reservoir computer method that we have specialized to this domain allowing for template regions that accommodate irregular coastlines. Reservoir computing is an especially good method for forecasting spatiotemporally complex dynamical systems, as it is a machine learning method that despite many randomly selected weights, it is nonetheless highly accurate and easy to train. Our approach provides the benefit of a simple and computationally efficient model that is able to predict sea surface temperatures across the entire Earth’s oceans. The results are demonstrated to replicate the actual dynamics of the system over a forecasting period of several weeks.
A study on seismic signal HHT features extraction and SVM recognition of earthquake and explosion

Earthquake and explosion are nonlinear signals originating from non-stationary process.However, traditional signal analysis techniques are only suitable to linear and stationary signals.This paper describeds an attempt to extract discriminative seismic wave features from earthquake and explosion recorded signals based upon Hilbert-Huang Transform (HHT). By Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD)original complex seismic signals are reduced to about ten intrinsic mode function components (IMF). In the first three IMF,extract their respective maximum amplitude s period (T_(Amax))and average cepstrum values(C_(ave))as signals features.The features data matrix of 1583 lines and 6 rows extracted from these signals by the above mentioned extraction method.This sample was partitioned by strict mode recognition samples,and was recognized by Support Vector Classifier (SVC). About the model which was got from part of the collection of the samples,the prediction capability is very effective,correct recognition rate reached about 75%～-94%. This result shows that maximum amplitude s period (TA_(Amax))and average cepstrum values (C_(ave))of EMD components of original seismic wave are effective features for discriminating earthquake and explosion.
Integrated Regenerative Braking Energy Utilization System for Multi-Substations in Electrified Railways

This paper proposes an integrated regenerative braking energy utilization system (RBEUS) to improve regenerative braking energy (RBE) utilization in electrified railways. The proposed RBEUS uses a traction substation energy storage system and two sectioning post converters to achieve coordinated RBE utilization in three consecutive traction substations via power-sharing and storage, and the power quality can also be improved. A hierarchically coordinated control strategy is developed based on the operation principle to provide real-time power management and control for the RBEUS. In the system layer, a centralized power management strategy is designed for operation mode management and active power command generation. It uses a sequential quadratic programming-based algorithm to solve the objective function to achieve optimal RBE utilization under different operation modes. In the converter layer, local controllers of the RBEUS enable converters to respond to the active power commands from the system layer and reactive power commands generated by themself for power flow control. The effectiveness of the RBEUS is comprehensively verified by using a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) experiment. Besides, a comparison analysis of the RBEUS and literature methods is conducted to testify the superiority of the RBEUS. The feasibility of RBEUS implementation is discussed from fault protection and economy.
Immanent sensemaking by entrepreneurs and the interpretation of consumer context

Contemporary research has highlighted entrepreneurial sensemaking as a dynamic, socially embedded action undertaken to reduce uncertainty, but scholars have yet to fully address the role of routine-like immanent sensemaking employed when entrepreneurs try to understand their task environment. Defined as a routinised way of making sense of how to proceed in novel situations, we investigate how entrepreneurs use immanent sensemaking as they continuously seek to make sense of their consumer context. Our study reveals that entrepreneurs absorb individual, social and cultural signals from consumers to support their judgement and action. The findings suggest that entrepreneurs use immanent sensemaking not only for unusual events but also construct multilevel frames to understand their customers as individual, social and cultural beings in their everyday encounters.
Modified Stoney's Equation for Evaluation of Residual Stresses on Thin Film

In the article, a simple method for the modification of the Stoney's equation was presented. The Stoney's equation is proposed from the assumption of equi-biaxial residual stresses in thin films. In this present method, biaxial stresses are different in x-axis and y-axis on thin film. The location of neutral axis depends on the material parameters and the film thickness. The finite element method (FEM) was used to simulate the thermal stress on the thin film. The results of the modified methods are compared with the results of FEM and other literatures. The present method is more accurate than the Stoney's equation in the evaluation of such films.
Tactile based Intelligence Touch Technology in IoT configured WCN in B5G/6G-A Survey

Touch enabled sensation and actuation is expected to be one of the most promising, straightforward and important uses of the next generation communication networks. In light of the next generation (B5G/6G) system’s need for low latency, the infrastructure should be reconfigurable and intelligent in order to be able to work in real time and interoperable with the existing wireless network. It has a drastic impact on the society due to its high precision, accuracy, reliability and efficiency as well as the ability to connect a user from far away or remote areas. Such a touch-enabled interaction is primarily concerned with the real time transmission of the tactile based haptic information over the internet, in addition to the usual audio, visual and data traffic, thus enabling a paradigm shift towards establishing a real time control and steering communication system. Due to the existing system’s latency and overhead, it creates delays and limits the usability of the future applications. In light of the aforementioned concerns, this study proposes an intelligent touch-enabled system for B5G/6G and IoT based wireless communication network that incorporates the AR/VR technologies. The tactile internet and network slicing serve as the backbone of the touch technology which incorporates intelligence from techniques such as artificial intelligence and machine/deep learning. The survey also introduces a layered and interfacing architecture complete with its E2E solution for the intelligent touch based wireless communication system. It is anticipated for the next generation system to provide numerous opportunities for various sectors utilizing AR/VR technology in robotics and healthcare facilities, all with the intension of helping in addressing severe problems faced by the society. Conclusively the article presents a few use cases concerning the deployment of touch infrastructure in automation and robotics as well as in intelligent healthcare systems, assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of the prevailing covid-19 cases. The paper concludes with some considerable future research aspects of the proposed system with few of the ongoing projects pertaining to the development in the incorporation of the next generation (6G) system.
Acceleration Factor to relate Thermal Cycles to Power Cycles for Ceramic Ball Grid Area Array Packages

There is a need for a new Acceleration Factor (AF) that can relate Accelerated Thermal Cycle (ATC) fatigue life to Power Cycle (PC) fatigue life quickly and accurately in order to avoid over designing electronic packages for benign environments. An AF, such as the Norris-Landzberg AF, is only applicable when using it to predict fatigue life within the same environment, i.e. ATC to ATC or PC to PC. This work proposes an AF that takes into account the differences between ATC tests and PC tests for ceramic ball grid array (CBGA) packages by considering relevant design and environmental parameters. The new AF is based on relevant design parameters such as substrate size, substrate thermal conductivity, substrate thickness, coefficient of thermal (CTE) mismatch between the substrate and printed wiring board (PWB), PWB thickness, and environmental parameters such as temperature range (ΔT), frequency of cycles (f), and peak/junction temperature (Tj). Finite Element Models (FEM), experimental data, laser moire in.
Modeling and Experiment for the Diffusion Coefficient of Subcritical Carbon Dioxide in Poly(methyl methacrylate) to Predict Gas Sorption and Desorption

Several researchers have investigated the phenomenon of polymer–gas mixtures, and a few have proposed diffusion coefficient values instead of a diffusion coefficient model. There is a paucity of studies focused on the continuous change in the diffusion coefficient corresponding to the overall pressure and temperature range of the mixture. In this study, the gas sorption and desorption experiments of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were conducted via solid-state batch foaming, and the weight change was measured using the gravimetric method with a magnetic balance. The control parameters were temperature, which ranged from 290 to 370 K, and pressure, which ranged from 2 to 5 MPa in the subcritical regime. Based on the experimental data, the diffusion coefficient of the PMMA was calculated using Fick’s law. After calculating the diffusion coefficient in the range of the experiment, the diffusion coefficient model was employed using the least-squares method. Subsequently, the model was validated by comparing the obtained results with those in the literature, and the overall trend was found to be consistent. Therefore, it was confirmed that there were slight differences between the diffusion coefficient obtained using only Fick’s equation and the value using by a different method.
Educator and staff perspectives on a rights-based sex education for young men in jail and prison in Sweden

ABSTRACT Young men in jail and prison are vulnerable regarding sexual health and the fulfilment of their sexual rights. As a response to this, the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education (RFSU) has been providing sex education to young, incarcerated men, via a project initiated by and in cooperation with the Swedish Prison and Probation Services (SPPS). This article is a qualitative exploration of how RFSU educators experienced their work, and of how staff within SPPS experienced the initiative. Eight RFSU educators, and six persons working within SPPS were interviewed, and a thematic analysis was conducted. Overall, the experiences described by RFSU educators and by SPPS staff were similar, they regarded sex education sensitive to what young men wanted to discuss as valuable and the project feasible. Future improvement areas include strategies on how to handle toxic masculinity among young men in jail and prison. Additionally his, the different aims that the organisations RFSU and SPPS have, and how young men navigate them, must be acknowledged. Young men’s voices are missing in this study, and examining their experiences of the sex education in future work would be valuable.
Association of ADIPOQ Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms with the Two Clinical Phenotypes Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Syndrome in a Kinh Vietnamese Population

Purpose Genetic factors play an important role in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, few genetic association studies related to these disorders have been performed with Vietnamese subjects. In this study, the potential associations of ADIPOQ single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with T2DM and MetS in a Kinh Vietnamese population were investigated. Patients and Methods A study with 768 subjects was conducted to examine the associations of four ADIPOQ SNPs (rs266729, rs1501299, rs3774261, and rs822393) primarily with T2DM and secondarily with MetS. The TaqMan SNP genotyping assay was used to determine genotypes from subjects’ DNA samples. Results After statistical adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index, the ADIPOQ SNP rs266729 was found to be associated with increased risk of T2DM under multiple inheritance models: codominant (OR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.16–4.58), recessive (OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.11–4.26), and log-additive (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.02–1.70). However, rs1501299, rs3774261, and rs822393 were not associated with risk for T2DM. Additionally, rs266729, rs3774261, and rs822393 were statistically associated with MetS, while rs1501299 was not. Haplotype analysis showed a strong linkage disequilibrium between the SNP pairs rs266729/rs822393 and rs1501299/rs3774261, and the haplotype rs266729(G)/rs822393(T) was not statistically associated with MetS. Conclusion The results show that rs266729 is a lead candidate SNP associated with increased risk of developing T2DM and MetS in a Kinh Vietnamese population, while rs3774261 is associated with MetS only. Further functional characterization is needed to uncover the mechanism underlying the potential genotype–phenotype associations.
The extinction time under mutational meltdown

Mutational meltdown describes an eco-evolutionary process in which the accumulation of deleterious mutations causes a fitness decline that eventually leads to the extinction of a population. Possible applications of this concept include medical treatment of RNA virus infections based on mutagenic drugs that increase the mutation rate of the pathogen. To determine the usefulness and expected success of such an antiviral treatment, estimates of the expected time to mutational meltdown are necessary. Here, we compute the extinction time of a population under high mutation rates, using both analytical approaches and stochastic simulations. Extinction is the result of three consecutive processes: (1) initial accumulation of deleterious mutations due to the increased mutation pressure; (2) consecutive loss of the fittest haplotype due to Muller’s ratchet; (3) rapid population decline towards extinction. We find accurate analytical results for the mean extinction time, which show that the deleterious mutation rate has the strongest effect on the extinction time. We confirm that intermediatesized deleterious selection coefficients minimize the extinction time. Finally, our simulations show that the variation in extinction time, given a set of parameters, is surprisingly small.
Numerical investigation of secondary flows in a constant-width wind-tunnel contraction

Abstract The flow inside a constant-width wind-tunnel contraction is simulated by solving the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations with an eddy-viscosity turbulence model. The results show the presence of longitudinal vortices near the sidewalls centreline. This confirms a former hypothesis involving the generation of skew-induced longitudinal vorticity within the sidewalls boundary layers. Detailed analysis reveals that the flow structure is influenced by viscous effects in the boundary layers and streamline curvature in the potential flow. Three-dimensional boundary-layer profiles on the contraction sidewall are analysed in the framework of the streamline co-ordinate system and its associated hodographic diagram. The resulting profiles help understand the generation of secondary flows and the associated longitudinal vorticity.
Demand for Mobile Health in Developing Countries During COVID-19: Vietnamese's Perspectives from Different Age Groups and Health Conditions

Background Vietnam’s economy and intellectual standards have witnessed significant development, improving conditions for residents to acquire novel mHealth applications. Additionally, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced Vietnamese awareness of healthcare; however, previous studies have only been clinician-centered rather than customer-centered. Methods This study addresses this literature gap by interviewing 50 Vietnamese participants grouped by age, namely Generation X, Generation Y, and Generation Z, and health conditions, namely whether participants or family members have chronic illness. The study utilized semi-structured and in-depth interviews to collect the data and used thematic analysis to analyze the data under the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology framework. Results Most participants were willing to adopt this technology and demanded a convenient and user-friendly one-stop-shop solution, endorsements from credible and authoritative sources, and professional customer services. However, each group also had distinctive demands and behaviors. Conclusion This study contributes theoretically by providing context-rich demand for Vietnamese customers across three generations and healthcare conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic and comparing their behavior with pre-COVID literature. While this research provides helpful information for potential app developers, this study also suggests that mHealth developers and policymakers should pay more attention to the differences in the demand of age groups and health conditions.