Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preliminary Study of Bio-Impedance Based Sensor Using Organic Polymer Membrane for Identification of Pork and Beef

Bio-impedance based sensor using organic polymer-membrane was presented in this paper. The Ca-alginate with glycerol as plasticizer used in the experiments was fabricated by slip casting method on a glass substrates. After atmospheric heating treatment of edible films at 60°C for 24 hours, the films-membranes of 50 mm were obtained. Bio-impedance characterizations were carried out by LCR meter at room temperature. The experiment results showed that the sensor finely operated at low frequency i.e. less than 40 kHz. Response of the sensor increased with the increase of samples mass and became constant after a critical mass. Finally, bio-impedance responses of beef and pork were clearly indicated by a different magnitude that it is possible to apply the films-membranes as bio-sensor applications.
Topic Modeling for Hiking Trail Online Reviews: Analysis of the Mutianyu Great Wall

Hiking is now one of the most popular activities amongst adventure travelers. Although recent studies have highlighted the differences between Chinese adventure tourists and their international counterparts, few studies have comprehensively explored the differences in hikers’ interests and concerns for experience elements between these two groups. Topic modeling is adopted for an analysis of the online reviews of the Mutianyu Great Wall to identify attributes influencing hikers’ experiences and behavior. Using a large-scale review dataset, the latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) technique was applied to construct a comprehensive list of the topics posted by hikers. The findings revealed that Chinese and non-Chinese hikers have common concerns regarding the degree of challenges, scenery, tour services and crowding during hiking. Nevertheless, their perceptions of cultural resources are presented in a different way. These findings are beneficial for understanding the similarities and differences between Chinese and non-Chinese hikers’ perceptions, in addition to improving domestic and international markets’ management and marketing strategies.
Insight into prognostics, diagnostics, and management strategies for SARS CoV-2

The foremost challenge in countering infectious diseases is the shortage of effective therapeutics. The emergence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has posed a great menace to the public health system globally, prompting unprecedented endeavors to contain the virus. Many countries have organized research programs for therapeutics and management development. However, the longstanding process has forced authorities to implement widespread infrastructures for detailed prognostic and diagnostics study of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS CoV-2). This review discussed nearly all the globally developed diagnostic methodologies reported for SARS CoV-2 detection. We have highlighted in detail the approaches for evaluating COVID-19 biomarkers along with the most employed nucleic acid- and protein-based detection methodologies and the causes of their severe downfall and rejection. As the variable variants of SARS CoV-2 came into the picture, we captured the breadth of newly integrated digital sensing prototypes comprised of plasmonic and field-effect transistor-based sensors along with commercially available food and drug administration (FDA) approved detection kits. However, more efforts are required to exploit the available resources to manufacture cheap and robust diagnostic methodologies. Likewise, the visualization and characterization tools along with the current challenges associated with waste-water surveillance, food security, contact tracing, and their role during this intense period of the pandemic have also been discussed. We expect that the integrated data will be supportive and aid in the evaluation of sensing technologies not only in current but also future pandemics.
Electrospinning of antibacterial scaffolds composed of poly (L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone)/collagen type I/silver doped hydroxyapatite particles: potential material for bone tissue engineering

Abstract In current study, various types of electrospun scaffolds have been prepared including poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone), collagen type I, hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAp) and silver doped hydroxyapatite particles (Ag-HAp). 13C-NMR, 1H-NMR, FT-IR, XRD, TEM and EDS analyses were performed to characterize the synthesized copolymer and nanoparticles. SEM analysis revealed that the greatest fiber diameter (761 ± 434 nm) was yielded for PLCL fibers, on the other hand, smallest diameter (151 ± 91 nm) was measured for PLCL/COL/Ag-HAp based fibers. According to contact angle test, the existence of collagen and HAp in the blend improved the hydrophilicity of the electrospun scaffolds. The highest tensile strength value (28 MPa) was determined for PLCL/COL based scaffold in the machine direction. Antibacterial efficiency of PLCL/COL/Ag-HAp scaffold was evaluated against gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria and remarkable bactericidal effect (99.99%) has been recorded.
Application of Suctioning Ureteral Access Sheath during Flexible Ureteroscopy for Renal Stones Decreases the Risk of Postoperative Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome

Purpose To clarify the efficiency and outcomes of suctioning ureteral access sheath (UAS) during flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy (fURL) for the management of renal stones. Methods Between January 2017 and January 2019, a total of 444 patients with renal stones undergoing fURL were divided into suctioning UAS and nonsuctioning UAS groups. The outcomes of patients in both groups were compared using a matched-pair analysis (1 : 1 scenario). Furthermore, a directed acyclic graph (DAG) was drawn to guide the multivariate logistic regression model and analyze the protective effect of suctioning UAS on the incidence of postoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Results Before propensity score matching, significant differences were observed between the two groups in blood white cell counts, urine white cell counts, preoperative fever, preoperative indwelling stents, and laterality (P < 0.05). Eighty-one patients in the suctioning UAS group were successfully matched with 81 patients in the nonsuctioning group. The stone-free rate (SFR) on postoperative day 1 after fURL in the suctioning group was higher than that in the nonsuctioning group (86.4% vs. 71.6%; P=0.034), whereas it was comparable between the two groups 1 month after the surgery (88.9% vs. 82.7%; P=0.368). The incidence of postoperative fever or SIRS was lower in the suctioning group (fever: 3.70% vs. 14.8%; P=0.030; SIRS: 1.23% vs. 12.3%; P=0.012). However, the operative duration was similar in both groups (mean (SD)) (72.9 (28.1) min vs. 80.0 (29.5) min; P=0.121). The result of the multivariate logistic regression model guided by DAG revealed that the application of nonsuctioning UAS (odds ratio: 5.28 [1.38–35.07], P=0.034) during fURL was associated with postoperative SIRS. Conclusions The application of suctioning UAS during fURL was associated with higher SFR on day 1 after surgery and a lower incidence of postoperative fever or SIRS.
Experiences of Inclusive Action and Social Design Research with Social Workers and People with Intellectual Disabilities

In this study, we report on a two-year experience of inclusive participative action and social design research consisting of intensive collaboration between social workers, people with intellectual disabilities and researchers. Action research and design research are attunable and lend themselves to an inclusive approach aimed at knowledge development and change in practice. Social workers and people with intellectual disabilities were involved in a community of development. They became owners of the subject matter and the answers and solutions they designed. We conclude that an inclusive approach lends itself well to combining or even merging action research and social design research. Inclusive participative action and social design research cannot be standardized since it contains a particularly emergent process. Hence, it requires flexibility and creativity in finding ways to create an inclusive process of co-creation.
On-line orbit determinative method for satellites with continuous thrust acceleration

This paper focuses on the continuous constant low-thrust maneuver,which has drawn extensive interests in current space research activities due to its efficiency and flexibility in realizing the maneuver of space vehicles.It is required to estimate the acceleration that applies to maneuvering a vehicle to determine the motion parameters in order to pick up the maneuvering satellite and interfere in maneuver process in case of emergency.In this paper,an elegant differential equation is derived for variable acceleration which is chosen as a state variable,and measurement equations are built to reflect the relationship between the state space and measurement sampling space.The variation equations for the measurement vector to acceleration are put forward in order to linearize the discrete-time measurement equations.The algorithm has successfully applied to maneuver process in commanding LEO satellite into geo-stationary orbit.The mission real flight scenery shows the algorithm developed here can estimate the acceleration and determine the orbital parameters during the continuous thrust maneuver process.
Critical role for the lung endothelial nonmuscle myosin light‐chain kinase isoform in the severity of inflammatory murine lung injury

Abstract Global knockout of the nonmuscle isoform of myosin light‐chain kinase (nmMLCK), a primary cellular regulator of cytoskeletal machinery, is strongly protective in preclinical murine models of inflammatory lung injury. The current study was designed to assess the specific contribution of endothelial cell (EC) nmMLCK to the severity of murine inflammatory lung injury produced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and mechanical ventilation ventilator‐induced lung injury or ventilation (VILI). Responses to combined LPS/VILI exposure were assessed in: (i) wild‐type (WT) C57BL/6J mice; (ii) transgenic mice with global deletion of nmMLCK (nmMylk −/−); (iii) transgenic nmMylk −/− mice with overexpression of nmMLCK restricted to the endothelium (nmMylk −/−/ec‐tg+). Lung inflammation indices included lung histology, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), lung protein biochemistry, tissue albumin levels, Evans blue dye (EBD) lung extravasation, and plasma cytokines (interleukin‐6 [IL‐6], keratinocyte chemoattractant [KC]/IL‐8, IL‐1bβ, extracellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, tumor necrosis factor‐α). Compared to WT C57BL/6J mice, the severity of LPS/VILI‐induced lung injury was markedly reduced in mice with global nmMLCK deletion reflected by reductions in histologic inflammatory lung injury, BAL PMN counts, mitogen‐activated protein kinase, and NF‐kB pathway activation in lung homogenates, plasma cytokine levels, and parameters of lung permeability (increased BAL protein, tissue albumin levels, EBD lung extravasation). In contrast, mice with restricted overexpression of nmMLCK in EC (nmMylk −/−/ec‐tg+) showed significant persistence of LPS/VILI‐induced lung injury severity compared to WT mice. In conclusion, these studies strongly endorse the role of EC nmMLCK in driving the severity of preclinical inflammatory lung injury. Precise targeting of EC nmMLCK may represent an attractive therapeutic strategy to reduce lung inflammation and both lung and systemic vascular permeability.
A direct algorithm for estimating clear-sky surface longwave net radiation (SLNR) from MODIS imagery

ABSTRACT Surface longwave net radiation (SLNR) is the key component of the surface radiation budget. SLNR is estimated by using the conventional method, in which surface longwave downward radiation (SLDR) and surface longwave upward radiation (SLUR) are estimated separately, and then SLNR is calculated by subtracting SLUR from SLDR. However, uncertainties in SLDR and SLUR may accumulate and propagate into the calculated SLNR, affecting the SLNR estimate accuracy. This paper proposes a direct algorithm that links clear-sky SLNR with the top-of-atmosphere (TOA) radiances in MODIS channels 29, 31 and 32 and column water vapour (CWV). The multivariate regression (MVR) and extreme gradient boosting (×GBoost) were employed to establish the relationships sequentially with collocated ground measurements and satellite data for high-latitude, mid-latitude, and low-latitude areas. According to the training and validation results, the GBoost model performs slightly better than the MVR model, which indicates that weak nonlinearity exists between clear-sky SLNR and its predictors. The absolute biases of the XGBoost models are approximately 1.0 Wm−2, and the RMSEs of the XGBoost model are 17.77, 27.33, and 19.60 Wm−2 in high-latitude, mid-latitude, and low-latitude areas. These results indicate that nonlinear relationships exist between clear-sky SLNR and predictors, but this nonlinearity is not strong. The superiority of the direct algorithm over the conventional method was also demonstrated. In the future, we will collect more data to improve the performance of the proposed direct algorithm especially in high-latitude and mid-latitude areas.
Delivering education reform in Wales: a flexible route into teaching

ABSTRACT This discussion paper explores the development and implementation of a new flexible route into the teaching profession. This flexible route is offered within an education system in the midst of wide reform, which has partnership working between universities and schools at the centre of its Initial Teacher Education. Key elements of the new programme examined include how student teachers acquire the knowledge they need, with interconnectivity, immersive practice and blended learning of significance. This case study illustrates the importance of flexibility in the development of the student teacher’s personal construct and communities of practice. The programme’s adaptive learner-centred approach is delivering an alternative, flexible route into the teaching profession, broadening the experience base of the future teaching workforce and beginning to successfully address key government policy drivers.
Finite element analysis on elastic characteristics of rubber shock absorber of inertia platform

Taking a certain typed shock absorber of inertia platform as an object of study,the finite element analytical method on the elastic property of rubber shock absorber was approached.Utilizing the finite element Ansys analytical software to carrying out the analysis of numerical experiment on the finite element modeling of rubber chock absorber.For the sake of describe precisely the characteristics of rubber the method of elastic strain energy function has been adopted.The matching test data of constitutive equation was selected to carrying out the evaluation on the characteristics curve of rubber materials.The predicted computation result was coinciding fairly well with the experiment,it is indicated that the being established mathematical model and finite element computation method could obtain quite ideally the static and dynamic solutions of rubber shock absorber.The method provided in this paper laid a foundation for the static and dynamic calculations of shock absorbers of the same kind and of its complex structural system.In the mean time,it has certain referencing significance for the design of later shock absorber of the same kind.
Alternative Generalized Predictive Control for Output Disturbed Multi-Input Multi-Output Discrete-Time Systems

This article proposes an option to execute conveniently the traditional Model Predictive Control (GPC), called the Alternative Generalized Predictive Control (AGPC). In this AGPC the disturbed discrete-time input-output mapping of controlled plant is utilized directly for the prediction of plant outputs, instead of its transfer function as being done in the conventional approach. Hence, solving Diophantine equations will be avoided. Within this AGPC all recorded values of plant inputs/outputs in the last time-horizon are matched into separate vectors for computing predictive control signals at the next control step, which helps therefore that its implementation becomes more manageable. To verify via virtually real simulation the control performance of this proposed AGPC a Simscape water tank model, which is chosen as the controlled plant, had been created among Thermal Fluids Toolbox. The simulation is carried out for two different circumstances, one by using AGPC and the other by applying conventional PID, for comparison purposes. The simulation demonstrates also how to realize this AGPC in practice.
Distance-Based Detection of Cough, Wheeze, and Breath Sounds on Wearable Devices

Smart wearable sensors are essential for continuous health-monitoring applications and detection accuracy of symptoms and energy efficiency of processing algorithms are key challenges for such devices. While several machine-learning-based algorithms for the detection of abnormal breath sounds are reported in literature, they are either too computationally expensive to implement into a wearable device or inaccurate in multi-class detection. In this paper, a kernel-like minimum distance classifier (K-MDC) for acoustic signal processing in wearable devices was proposed. The proposed algorithm was tested with data acquired from open-source databases, participants, and hospitals. It was observed that the proposed K-MDC classifier achieves accurate detection in up to 91.23% of cases, and it reaches various detection accuracies with a fewer number of features compared with other classifiers. The proposed algorithm’s low computational complexity and classification effectiveness translate to great potential for implementation in health-monitoring wearable devices.
Obtaining Protein Hydrolysates from Hemp Seeds

The National Institute for Research and Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry, 202 Splaiul Independentei, District 6, 060021 Bucharest, Romania; diana.pasarin@gmail.com (D.P.); cata.matei@gmail.com (C.M.) * Correspondence: rovinarucamelia@yahoo.com † Presented at the 17th International Symposium “Priorities of Chemistry for a Sustainable Development” PRIOCHEM, Bucharest, Romania, 27–29 October 2021.
Phytochemical effects of Apium graveolens on the abundances of functional genes associated with PAH degradation in soil

Abstract The biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil is enhanced by chemical constituents of various plant species that support the growth and activity of PAH degrading bacteria in the rhizosphere. Here, we investigated the phytochemical effects of celeriac (Apium graveolens var. rapaceum) root tissues, a known stimulator of PAH degradation, on the copy numbers of nahAc, xylE, and 16S rRNA genes to determine the relative contributions of growth-linked degradation versus selective enrichment of PAH degraders. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis showed that the copy numbers of 16S rRNA genes, as a reporter of general bacterial population size, increased approximately 2- to 5-fold in soil amended with celeriac, but were not affected by exposure to naphthalene alone. In contrast, copy numbers of two functional genes (nahAc and xylE), commonly used as reporters for monitoring the population size of PAH degraders, were significantly increased following exposure to naphthalene but were differently affected by soil amendment with celeriac. As compared with the copy numbers of nahAc gene in unamended control soil, the nahAc copy numbers were increased by 460-fold in soil amended with naphthalene alone and by 610-fold in soil amended with both naphthalene and celeriac after 10 days of incubation. The copy numbers of xylE were increased by 20-fold in soil amended with naphthalene alone and increased by 200-fold in soil amended with both naphthalene and celeriac after 10 days of incubation. The result suggests that increased degradation rates of PAHs in the presence of celeriac involves both growth linked processes and selective enrichment of the degrader population.
Small Alpine Marsupials Regulate Evaporative Water Loss, Suggesting a Thermoregulatory Role Rather than a Water Conservation Role

We show here that evaporative water loss (EWL) is constant over a wide range of ambient relative humidity for two species of small, mesic habitat dasyurid marsupials (Antechinus agilis and Antechinus swainsonii) below thermoneutrality (20°C) and within thermoneutrality (30°C). This independence of EWL from the water vapor pressure deficit between the animal and its environment indicates that EWL is physiologically controlled by both species. The magnitude of this control of EWL was similar to that of two other small marsupials from more arid habitats, which combined with the observation that there were no effects of relative humidity on body temperature or metabolic rate, suggests that control of EWL is a consequence of precise thermoregulation to maintain heat balance rather than a water-conserving strategy at low relative humidities. The antechinus appear to manipulate cutaneous EWL rather than respiratory EWL to control their total EWL by modifying their cutaneous resistance and/or skin temperature. We propose that there is a continuum between enhanced thermoregulatory EWL at high ambient temperature and so-called insensible EWL at and below thermoneutrality.
Can The Easing Of COVID-19 Restrictions Enhance the Performance of Sectors in The Stock Market?

COVID-19 pandemic has affected stock prices in many sectors of financial markets and this can be seen in many countries all over the world. The main enquiries in this study included whether the negative effect of COVID-19 pandemic was converted into a positive reaction in the financial markets after the restriction related to the pandemic were gradually relaxed and which sectors were more affected by this relaxation. These inquiries were investigated through examining the case of the state of Qatar because it has an attractive investment environment as the richest country in the Arab world. Quantitative method was followed to answer the enquiries of this study by testing the performance of the stock indices in the sectors of Qatari market for the period from 25 April, 2021 to 18 November, 2021. The performance of the index of each sector was measured using risk-adjusted performance measures. Data of the study were analyzed using Friedman test. Study results revealed that the gradual lifting of the restrictions has positively affected the performance of the sectors in the stock market and that the magnitude and direction of the effect was different on each sector.