Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
All for naught? A critical study of zero waste to landfill initiatives

Modern human society operates under a prevailing waste management paradigm, that is based upon linear systems which convert resources, through synthesis of problematic materials and disposability-focused manufacturing processes, into largely non-recoverable and poorly-degradable wastes which ultimately require dumping in landfills. Zero waste is an alternative paradigm based on circular systems thinking, where wastes are fully recovered through the use of appropriate materials only, and design for durability. The global zero waste movement has emerged in response to mounting waste-related problems which include pollution, health impacts, and the loss of land to new landfills. Zero waste initiatives have been launched around the world, primarily at the local government level where responsibility for dealing with waste typically falls. Zero waste goals range from aspirational-only to 100% diversion – the latter meaning zero waste to landfill, which is the specific focus of this study. The initial findings of this study reveal no examples of zero waste to landfill initiative success to date. A grounded approach is used to explore this relatively new phenomenon, with the threefold aim of better understanding the root causes of this chronic failure, how such campaigns might become successful, and how the zero waste to landfill story informs the wider discourse on global sustainability efforts. Four case studies are investigated in depth, using a combination of qualitative analysis from site visits, policy decisions and actions, and open-ended interviews with stakeholders, as well as quantitative analysis of waste generation trends as the limited and inconsistent nature of this available data permits. Zero waste to landfill is a supermegaproject, as it requires massive and unprecedented transformation from all sectors: retooling of industry, behaviour change from the public, and leadership from government. However, proponents consistently fail to openly recognise the full magnitude of such a goal, and as a result the launch of each campaign is followed notably by the emergence of a planning void: the lack of a sufficiently comprehensive blueprint for implementing 100% diversion. Zero waste to landfill initiatives are thus unacknowledged supermegaprojects: undertakings which are destined to fail because they lack the depth of planning and effort required to overcome the steep resistance gradient comprising industry resistance, public apathy, and a lack of leadership from government. Underpinning the consistent failure of zero waste to landfill initiatives is a stubborn preference for technical solutions, such as expanded recycling schemes, which are primarily aimed at the end-of-pipe, and have proven to be unequal to the task of achieving 100% diversion. Success in achieving zero waste to landfill appears to require a more fundamental and behaviour change-based paradigm shift, requiring top-of-pipe solutions including appropriate materials selection, increased localisation of production, and an overall circular systems…
A monitoring instrument with capacitive porous silicon humidity sensors

A monitoring instrument with novel porous silicon humidity sensors is presented. The sensors feature a humidity-sensitive capacitor with a porous silicon dielectric, as well as two on-chip integrated thermoresistors and a refresh resistor. The capacitance variation upon water uptake is here modelled with an effective medium approximation. This approximation can be used to understand how the water adsorption is influenced by the pore morphology. It for instance explains why the adsorption is, in general, nonlinear. Hence, here an electronic compensation concept is proposed. The complete instrument consists of hybrid integrated humidity and temperature sensors, a microcontroller interface and calibration software. A maximum of four humidity and temperature sensors can be read simultaneously. The concept shows the feasibility of simple relaxation oscillators for both temperature and humidity measurement with resolutions of 1 °C and 1%rh or better. These results can be interpreted as a first step towards monolithic integrated porous silicon humidity sensors.
The engineering design of the MARGRON® femoral hip prosthesis system

The design and development of the MARGRON® modular femoral hip prosthesis system is described. The basic system currently provides six stem components and three neck components. System extensions provide several different degrees of length extension to each basic stem size, and extender pieces of various lengths that relate to each basic neck size. The system allows rapid surgical preparation of the femur cavity and a reliable high-quality installation with independent good control of height, offset and anteversion. It also provides a residual stress distribution in the host bone that is designed to avoid the worst effects of stress shielding, and consequential remodelling of the bone and loosening of the prosthesis. Early surgical experience is summarized.
Tie-confined fibre-reinforced high-strength concrete short columns

An experimental study was carried out to investigate the behaviour of steel fibre-reinforced high-strength concrete (HSC) short columns confined by square ties under monotonically increasing concentric compression. A total of 72 confined and 24 unconfined specimens were tested in this test programme. The test variables included aspect ratio and volume fraction of crimped steel fibres, volumetric ratio, yield strength and configuration of transverse tie reinforcement and concrete strength. The effects of these variables on the uniaxial behaviour of HSC short columns are presented and discussed. The results indicate that the addition of fibres to the HSC mix prevented the early spalling of the cover and increased the load-carrying capacity and ductility of the specimens over that of comparable non-fibre columns. The effect of mixed aspect ratio of fibres on the stress–strain behaviour of confined HSC was also studied by blending the short and long fibres. It is shown that a higher gain in column strength ca.
Challenges of Biohydrometallurgy in the Circular Economy

The sustainable management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is considered a challenge, given the fastest increasing stream of waste in the world. Natural resource exploitation is accelerating in the face of resource decline, while at the same time people are generating ever-growing fluxes of wastes and pollutants [1]. WEEE can be considered as a source of various metallic and nonmetallic components including critical or strategic materials for the development of new high technologies. Considering the ever-present possibility of depletion of non-renewable resources, the economic benefits of recovering valuable metals from the recycling of WEEE are potentially important in the coming decades. Metal ores stem from non-renewable resource stocks; and predictions as to how long metal world reserves will last depend mainly on economic growth, price trends and technological development [2,3]. The circular economy assumes that it is important to reuse consumer goods as well as efficiently and profitably extract valuable inputs from discarded materials such as electronic waste while mitigating environmental impacts over decades for those same wastes [4,5]. In developed and developing countries, the correlation between WEEE generation and its GDP is clear [6] as well as this correlation was also observed for South American countries [7]. Circular supply chains cannot circulate 100% of resources and hence new resource inputs from the natural environment will remain necessary. Moreover, a transition towards a circular economy requires innovative technologies for WEEE recovery and recycling practices to be sustainably managed.
Left frontal white matter links to rhythmic processing relevant to speech production

Recent evidence suggests that a shared neurocomputational mechanism tracks the temporal structure of auditory input and speech output. We investigate the link between speech production and rhythmic abilities in 24 healthy controls and 23 patients with primary progressive aphasia, including 12 non-fluent variant patients (NFV) with apraxia of speech. Seventy-five percent of NFV cases displayed poorer rhythmic abilities. Rhythmic abilities and speech rhythm were significantly correlated in both controls and patients. Deformation-based morphometry and diffusion tensor imaging were used to identify white matter atrophy related to impaired rhythmic abilities in NFV. Left frontal white matter volume adjacent to the supplementary motor area (SMA) correlated with rhythmic abilities. Metrics of the left Aslant tract, which is typically damaged in NFV cases, also correlated with rhythmic abilities. Our results support the existence of a common temporal scaffolding mechanism structuring perceptual input and speech output. This mechanism partly explains abnormal speech in NFV.
Study on the Water Damage Resistance Performance of Micro-Surfacing

The water damage resistance performance of micro-surfacing is studied by means of gradation and clay content; It can be found that the cleaness of powder lot in the mineral aggregates plays an important role on water damage resistance ability of micro-surfacing; The MB test is proved to be more convenient for evaluating the cleaness and clay content in aggregates than the SE test, and the MBV for micro-surfacing is given so as to make sure the favorable water resistance ability of the mixture.
COVID-19 higher induced mortality in Chinese regions with lower air quality

COVID-19 has spread in all continents in a span of just over three months, escalating into a pandemic that poses several humanitarian as well as scientific challenges. We here investigated the geographical expansion of the infection and correlate it with the annual indexes of air quality observed from the Sentinel-5 satellite orbiting around China, Italy and the U.S.A. Controlling for population size, we find more viral infections in those areas afflicted by Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2). Higher mortality was also correlated with poor air quality, namely with high PM2.5, CO and NO2 values. In Italy, the correspondence between poor air quality and SARS-CoV-2 appearance and induced mortality was the starkest. Similar to smoking, people living in polluted areas are more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infections and induced mortality. This further suggests the detrimental impact climate change will have on the trajectory of future epidemics.We found a significant correlation between levels of air quality and COVID-19 spread and mortality in China, Italy and the United States. Despite the infection being still ongoing at a global level, these correlations are relatively robust not being influenced by varying population densities. Living in an area with low air quality seems to be a risk factor for becoming infected and dying from this new form of coronavirus.
Nickel Stress Induced Antioxidant Defence System in Sponge Gourd (Luffa Cylindrical)

Nickel Stress Induced Antioxidant Defence System in Sponge Gourd (Luffa Cylindrical) Nickel is an essential nutrient for plants, and it is required in very low amounts for normal growth of plants. However, since Ni pollution in the environment is increasing, it is essential to understand the functional roles and toxic effects of Ni in plants. To evaluate the influence of excess nickel (Ni) on sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrical L.) cv. Nirmal 28, plants were grown in refined sand with complete nutrition for 40 days (d). On the 41st day, pots with plants were separated into five lots, out of which one set was treated as a control, and rest of the four lots were given nickel as sulphate at 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mM Ni, respectively. At d 46 (6 days after metal treatment-DMT), excess Ni induced interveinal chlorosis in young leaves, along with marked growth depression. With persistent excess Ni, chlorosis turned to bleached ivory.
TRANSIENT MODELING OF CHILLED WATER COOLING COILS

Chilled water cooling coils are important components in commercial cooling systems. Transient modeling of chilled water cooling coils can be useful in the development of feedback controller and fault detection and diagnostic algorithms. In the initial design and validation of these algorithms, it is much more cost effective to use computer models than to run real time experiments. Relatively little work has been published on dynamic modeling of cooling coils, especially when considering dehumidification. This paper describes a physical model that involves the solution of transient energy balances expressed with partial differential equations. Energy storage within fin and tube material and water are considered. Temperature distributions in the direction of water flow are handled by using a finite-volume approximation to the partial differential equations. A fin efficiency method is utilized to characterize the temperature distribution in fins in the air flow direction. The model performance is investigated by comparing model prediction with test data for an 8-row coil.
Experimental transport of intensity diffraction tomography

In this thesis, I perform intensity-based tomographic phase imaging in two ways. First, I utilize the paraxial transport of intensity equation (TIE) to construct phase maps of a phase object at multiple projection angles and reconstruct the object 3dimensionally using basic tomographic principles. Then, I use an Intensity Diffraction Tomography (IDT) approach to improve the quality of reconstruction by accounting for diffraction effects under 1st order Rytov Approximation. I improve both approaches by applying compressive sensing techniques to estimate missing points in the undersampled data. Finally, I compare I-DT with single-shot, Gabor-type digital holography (also integrating use of compressive sensing principles) and discuss improvements and extensions of the presented implementation of IDT. Thesis Supervisor: George Barbastathis Title: Professor
Pre‐ and post‐ingestive defenses affect larval feeding on a lethal invasive host plant

Evolutionary traps arise when organisms use novel, low‐quality or even lethal resources based on previously reliable cues. Persistence of such maladaptive interactions depends not only on how individuals locate important resources, such as host plants, but also the mechanisms underlying poor performance. Pieris macdunnoughii (Remington) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) lays eggs on a non‐native mustard, Thlaspi arvense (L.) (Brassicaceae), which is lethal to the larvae. We first tested whether larval feeding behavior was affected before (pre‐) ingestion or following (post‐) ingestion of leaf material, indicating activity of feeding deterrents, toxins, or both in this evolutionary trap. Neonates were less likely to start feeding and eventually fed more slowly on T. arvense than on the native host plant Cardamine cordifolia (Gray) (Brassicaceae) in both laboratory and field. Starvation was a primary cause of mortality, indicating the role of a feeding deterrent. Feeding did not differ between larvae from invaded and uninvaded population. Second, T. arvense defensive chemistry is dominated by the glucosinolate sinigrin (allyl or 2‐propenyl glucosinolate). Adding sinigrin to the leaves of T. arvense and native hosts C. cordifolia and Descurainia incana (Bernhardi ex Fischer & Meyer) (Brassicaceae) delayed the onset of feeding, caused larvae to feed more slowly, and decreased survival on the native hosts. This evolutionary trap may not be driven by a novel deterrent, but rather by a change in the concentration of a deterrent found in native hosts. Many insects have adapted to evolutionary traps posed by invasive plants, incorporating the new plant into their diets. Thlaspi arvense remains lethal to P. macdunnoughii, and pre‐ingestive deterrents such as excess sinigrin may contribute to persistent maladaptation.
Prevalence, phenotypic and genotypic characterization, virulence potential and antimicrobial resistance of Cronobacter species from ready-to-eat foods

Background Cronobacter , an emerging foodborne pathogen, contaminates various foods such as ready-to-eat (RTE) food due to its ubiquitous nature. Consumption of food contaminated with Cronobacter can cause severe infections in children, elderly or immunocompromised people. Therefore, we aimed to assess the presence of Cronobacter spp. in RTE foods, popularly consumed products, and pose potential health threat for consumers, especially for risk groups.Results Out of 340 RTE food samples, 59 (17.4%) were contaminated with Cronobacter spp. in this study. The highest contamination rate was found in meat free cig koftes (51.9%, 14/27), followed by spices (46.7%, 7/15), cereals (30.8%, 4/13), and desserts (30.2%, 13/43). A total of 64 Cronobacter isolates were identified phenotypically and genotypically from the 59 ready-to-eat foods samples. Molecular characterization was accomplished by PCR targeting 16S rRNA, gluA , rpoB and cgcA genes. The 64 Cronobacter isolates were completely identified by the biochemical and rpoB , while the PCR targeting the cgcA gene failed to identify to eight isolates. In this study, we investigated major virulence characteristics contributing to the pathogenicity of Cronobacter spp. including the outer membrane protein A, zinc-metalloprotease, siderophore production and biofilm formation. Many Cronobacter isolates (>87%) had these virulence characteristics. All isolates and a type strain were characterized using ERIC-PCR and genetic profiles of cluster analysis showed that the isolates were highly heterogeneous and genetically diverse. Antimicrobial susceptibility of RTE isolates to 18 different antimicrobial agents was determined by the disc diffusion method. Most Cronobacter isolates with a rate of 81.3% were resistant to cephalothin, 32.8% to cefoxitin and 20.3% to ampicillin. All Cronobacter isolates were susceptible to gentamicin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. The multidrug resistance to at least three or more antimicrobial agents was detected in 18.8% of Cronobacter isolates.Conclusions Results indicate that RTE food harbors potential pathogenic Cronobacter species and is a possible transmission vehicle for Cronobacter infection in vulnerable person. So, there is a need to adopt hygienic practices and rigorous sanitization treatments to ensure microbiological safety of RTE food.
Short-term changes in behaviors resulting from COVID-19-related social isolation and their influences on mental health

Withdrawing from social activities abruptly can be associated with anxiety and mental health struggles, but this behavior is unavoidable when an infectious disease such as Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading. With many governments taking to social distancing protocols, short-term changes in behaviors and their influences on health are expected. This study adopted a correlational research approach to assess the behavioral outcomes of the social distancing protocols and its influences on mental health. An online survey hosted by Survey Monkey was utilized to collect data from residents of three cities under a COVID-19 mandatory lockdown. A total of 621 surveys were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis, with a sensitivity analysis utilized to select potential covariates for the final regression model. Findings indicate that reduced physical activity time, increased sedentary behavior time, and a change in sexual activity and smoking frequency are some short-term changes in behavior resulting from social isolation during the lockdown. An increase in sedentary behavior made a negative influence on mental health (β = -0.85; t = -46.76, p = 0.000). The only change in behavior that has a positive influence on mental health is substance use. For the most part, changes in behaviors in the short-term attributable to COVID-19 social isolation were associated with lower mental health scores. Our findings imply that COVID-19 social distancing measures should be rolled out alongside public education programs for discouraging unhealthy changes in behaviors.
Apply process integration to waste minimization

This article presents a systematic method for identifying process modifications to minimize waste generation. It is based on the hierarchical decision procedure, which provides a framework for identifying process improvement options and evaluating heat and mass integration opportunities. The article deals specifically with an adaptation of the hierarchical decision approach for use in pollution abatement applications. The article also illustrates the use of the technique by applying it to the fluid catalytic cracking unit at Amoco Oil Co.'s Yorktown, VA, refinery.
Flexible AMOLED display with integrated gate driver operating at operation speed compatible with 4k2k

We present a QVGA (320x240 with 3 sub-pixel) top-emitting AMOLED display with 250ppi resolution using a self-aligned (SA) IGZO TFT backplane on polyimide-foil with full barrier. The back plane process flow is based on a 7 layer photolithography process. The aperture ratio of the top-emitting OLEDs is approx. 80%. An integrated gate driver is shown that can be driven at operation speed equivalent to a 4k2k display at 100Hz
Ethics and aesthetics in intelligent product and system design

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Comparison of Different Methods for the Subjective Sound Quality Evaluation of Compression Drivers

In this work an approach to the problem of sound quality evaluation of radiating systems is considered, applying a perceptual model. One of the objectives is to use the parameter proposed by Moore in [1] to test if it provides satisfactory results when it is applied to the quality evaluation of indirect radiation loudspeakers. Three compression drives have been used for these proposals. Recordings with different test signals at different input voltages have been done. Using this experimental base, an approach to the problem from different points of view is done: a) Taking in consideration classic sound quality parameters such as roughness, sharpness and tonality. c) Applying the parameter suggested by Moore obtained from the application of a perceptual model. Moreover, a psychoacoustic experiment has been made on a population of 25 people. The results, although preliminary and strongly dependant on the reference signal used to obtain Rnonlin, show a good correlation with the Rnonlin values.