Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Possibility of VRC Dehydration for Energy Production from Wet Biomass

Wet biomass comprises diverse organic wastes, which are discarded in large amount from our society. Energy production from them, therefore, poses great challenges both in quality and in quantity. However, anaerobic digestion is practically the only method currently available and due to its limited applicability, the alternative technologies are desired. In this paper, an energy-efficient dryer called the VRC (vapor recompression) dehydrator that the author have developed for years, is proposed to be applied to wet biomass. The dried biomass would be used as a fuel for thermochemical energy conversions. The VRC dehydrator compresses evaporated steam and recovers its latent heat, which is used for the subsequent evaporation. Test results on a prototype dehydrator showed that the compression energy is as little as one tenth of the latent heat of water evaporation. Based on the experience, generated electricity from the hypothetical wet biomass was estimated in two processes: VRC dehydration followed by the thermochemical generation; and anaerobic digestion followed by the biogas generation. It was found that the VRC dehydration process would obtain more electricity than the anaerobic digestion process, even after the dehydrator's consumption was subtracted from the generator output. Additional advantages and future possibilities of the VRC dehydration system are also mentioned.
Getting what is needed, when it's needed: Sharing information, knowledge, and know‐how in a Collaborative Learning Health System

Collaborative Learning Health Systems (CLHS) improve outcomes in part by facilitating collaboration among all stakeholders. One way to facilitate collaboration is by creating conditions for the production and sharing of medical and non‐medical resources (information, knowledge, and knowhow [IKK]) so anybody can get “what is needed, when it's needed” (WINWIN) to act in ways that improve health and healthcare. Matching resources to needs can facilitate accurate diagnosis, appropriate prescribing, answered questions, provision of emotional and social support, and uptake of innovations.
Short-term Effect of LDL-Apheresis on Lipid Profile of Patients with Nephrotic and Non-Nephrotic Hyperlipidemia: A Comparative Study

Background: Persistent hyperlipidemia is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity in patients with nephrotic and non-nephrotic patients. Low-density lipoprotein-apheresis (LDL-apheresis) was shown to rapidly remove lipid structures. The current study aimed to compare the initial lipid profiles in patients with nephrotic syndrome and non-nephrotic hyperlipidemia as well as to evaluate the lipid profile of each group following a single treatment with LDL-apheresis. Methods: This is an open-label observational cross-sectional study of patients treated with LDL-apheresis including ten patients with nephrotic syndrome and thirteen patients with non-nephrotic hyperlipidemia who were either resistant and/or intolerant of lipid lowering therapy, with normal kidney function. Routine blood tests with full traditional lipid profile (Total cholesterol-(TC), Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), High-density lipoprotein (HDL), Triglycerides-(TG)) were determined before and after 12-hours following a single LDL-apheresis procedure. Results: Both groups were comparable by sex and age with more males than female in both groups. Baseline lipid profile was different between the two groups with nephrotic syndrome patients having significantly higher TC (p=0.05), LDL (p<0.001) and HDL (p<0.02) than those with non-nephrotic hyperlipidemia. A single treatment with LDL-apheresis resulted in significant improvements in the lipid profile of both groups including TC, HDL, LDL and TG, however HDL not significantly reduced in patients with nephrotic syndrome. Conclusion: Resistant nephrotic syndrome patients have a more severe and persistent hyperlipidemia than patients with non-nephrotic hyperlipidemia. The current study shows that LDL-apheresis is a safe and effective alternative to those who cannot tolerate or resistant to conventional treatments.
Influence of Nitrate on the Bacterial Flora of Activated Sludge under Anoxic Condition

A two-year survey of bacterial populations in activated sludge was carried out in a municipal sewage treatment plant receiving industrial wastewater having a high nitrate content. Phosphorus removal was not improved with a modified operation with a dissolved oxygen (DO)-deficient selector. In these circumstances, the anoxic selector in the aeration tanks acted as a site for denitrification not as a site for phosphate incorporation. The ecological interactions between the different bacterial species are thought to occur in the anoxic zone. Possible competition between the Pseudomonas/Alcaligenes group and the Acinetobacter/Moraxella group was suggested under laboratory conditions. Commensalism between the Enterobacter/Aeromonas group and the Acinetobacter/Moraxella group was observed by using a Nuclepore membrane-dialysis culture technique.
An interleaved ZVS ultra‐large gain converter for sustainable energy systems applications

This paper proposes an interleaved zero-voltage switching (ZVS) ultra-large gain converter. By implementing coupled-inductor (CI) and built-in transformer (BIT) together with a switched capacitor (SC) voltage multiplier cell (VMC), a higher degree of ﬂexibility is achieved for improvement of step-up voltage gain in comparison with those in which only one of these magnetic devices is utilised. Furthermore, the imposed voltage across the semiconductors is reduced by adjusting the turns ratio of the implemented CI and BIT. To further improve the efﬁciency, semiconductor devices with low ON-state resistance can be used. Moreover, to ensure ZVS turn-on, active clamp circuits are located in parallel with the main MOSFETs, which realize ZVS for all MOSFETs during an entire switching cycle. Minimizing the input current ripple as well as attenuating the reverse recovery problem of the diodes are the other advantages of this converter. Therefore, the proposed converter is a suitable candidate for those applications requiring high step-up gain and high conversion efﬁciency, such as renewable energy systems. To validate the performance of the proposed converter, a 600 W prototype with 22–380 V voltage conversion is designed, fabricated, and tested. Experimental results conﬁrm that the proposed converter outperforms the previously presented ones in terms of the voltage gain and efﬁciency.
Thymoquinone, but Not Metformin, Protects against Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity and Renal Dysfunction in Rats

Background: Gentamicin (GM) is an antibiotic that is widely used to treat many Gram-negative bacteria, such as those involved in urinary tract infections. However, being nephrotoxic, GM dose adjustment and reno-protective elements must be concurrently administered with GM to minimize kidney damage. Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of GM-induced nephrotoxicity. Thymoquinone (TQ) is a promising therapeutic substance, that is being extensively studied in many diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, cancer, hypertension, and others. The powerful antioxidant properties of TQ may greatly help in minimizing GM nephrotoxicity. Metformin (MF) is a well-known, clinically approved oral hypoglycaemic drug that has many other actions, including antioxidant properties. The aim of this work was to evaluate the possible antioxidant and reno-protective effects of TQ and metformin in GM-induced nephrotoxicity in the same model (rats) at the same time. In addition, we aimed to further understand the effects underlying GM-induced nephrotoxicity. Methods: Twenty male rats were randomly divided into four equal groups: the first group (control) received distilled water; the second group received GM only; the third group received concurrent oral TQ and GM; and the fourth group received concurrent oral MF and GM. After 4 weeks, renal function and histopathology, as well as levels of the oxidative markers glutathione peroxidase-1 (GLPX1), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the kidney tissues, were assessed. Results: Compared with the control group, and as expected, the GM-injected rats showed significant biochemical and histological changes denoting renal damage. Compared with GM-injected rats, the concurrent administration of TQ with GM significantly reduced the levels of serum creatinine, serum urea, and tissue MDA and significantly increased the levels of GLPX1 and SOD. Concurrent metformin administration with GM significantly increased the levels of both GLPX1 and SOD and significantly decreased the levels of tissue MDA but had no significant effect on serum creatinine and urea levels. Compared with GM-injected rats, the addition of either TQ or MF resulted in a reduction in endothelial proliferation and mesangial hypercellularity. Conclusions: Both TQ and MF effectively alleviated the oxidative stress in GM-induced nephrotoxicity in rats, with TQ but not MF producing a complete reno-protective effect. Further studies for evaluation of different reno-protective mechanisms of TQ should be conducted.
The Effect of Integrated Marketing Communication on Image, Satisfaction and Loyalty of Hotel Guests in Makassar City

Research objectives are to examine and analyze the effects of: (1) Integrated marketing communication on image (2) Integrated marketing communication on satisfaction (3) Marketing communication on hotel guest loyalty, (4) Image on loyalty, (5) Satisfaction with loyalty, (6) ) Integrated marketing communication towards loyalty through image, (7) Integrated marketing communication towards loyalty through satisfaction. This research was conducted at a 4-star hotel in Makassar City. The population of this research is hotel guests. The sample is 234 respondents. The research data were analyzed using a structural equation modeling (SEM) program. The results showed that: (1) Integrated marketing communication has a significant influence onThis image shows that marketing communication that is applied directly can improve image (2) Integrated marketing communication has a significant effect on satisfaction, this shows that the higher the integrated marketing communication, the satisfaction will increase as well (3) Integrated marketing communication has a significant effect on loyalty, This shows that there is a good integrated marketing communication that will make hotel guests loyal (4) Image has a significant effect on satisfaction, this shows that image can directly create satisfaction (5) Satisfaction has a significant effect on loyalty, this shows that direct satisfaction can create loyalty (6) Integrated marketing communication has an indirect and significant effect on loyalty through images, this shows that integrated marketing communication can increase loyalty through images. (7) Integrated marketing communication has an indirect and significant effect on loyalty through satisfaction, this shows the higher the integrated marketing communication implemented by the hotel.will create hotel guest loyalty through satisfaction.
Cryptococcal Meningoencephalitis During Convalescence From Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia

Invasive cryptococcal infection in a previously immunocompetent patient complicating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia has not been described before. In this report, a 76-year-old woman survived a bout of respiratory failure from severe COVID-19 pneumonia, during which she received remdesivir, convalescent plasma, corticosteroids, and tocilizumab. Soon after discharge, she developed acute encephalopathy and multifocal ischemic strokes. CSF and blood cultures were positive for Cryptococcus neoformans. Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of encephalopathy in a patient with COVID-19. Treatment with high-dose steroids and tocilizumab may be predisposing factors.
Assessing the risk factors of under-five deaths in rural parts of Ethiopia

Background of the study: Under-five mortality is the likelihood for a child born alive to die between birth and fifth birth day. Mortality under the age of five has been the main problem in public health policies especially in rural parts of Ethiopia.Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the risk factors of under-five mortality in Ethiopia using the 2011 EDHS data. Results: Information from 8,668 women included in the study show that 64.5% of the women never experienced under-five deaths of their children. Among four possible count models considered, the ZINB regression model was selected as the most appropriate model. Conclusion: The study revealed that mother’s age first birth, breastfeeding status, wealth index, whether the mother is currently working, region and mother’s level of education had statistically significant association with the number of under-five deaths in rural parts of Ethiopia.
‘It’s time we invested in stronger borders’: media representations of refugees crossing the English Channel by boat

ABSTRACT Refugees crossing the Mediterranean Sea in small boats has become a common sight in the media, particularly since the so-called ‘refugee crisis’ in 2015. The number of boats crossing the English Channel between the French and UK coasts has been increasing as other migration routes have been closed down. This article reports the findings of a discourse analysis of 96 UK newspaper articles published in December 2018 when the daily crossings were referred to as a ‘major crisis’. Adopting a broadly critical discursive psychology perspective, we identify the use of three main interpretative repertoires used within the media reporting. Firstly, a ‘secure the borders’ repertoire which positions the UK’s borders as porous and easily breached, secondly, a ‘smuggling is immoral’ repertoire which works to position smugglers as to blame for the current ‘crisis’ and removes responsibility for the crisis from the Government, and finally, a ‘desperate people’ repertoire which worked to position the refugees themselves as vulnerable and in need of protection, but also as people who will engage in risky behaviours. We suggest that the use of these repertoires ultimately functions to obscure the need for safe and legal migration routes to the UK.
Fitness Policies Within the Fire Service: A Pilot Investigation of Exercise Adherence on Fitness Outcomes Among Rural Firefighters

The purpose of this study was to investigate the adherence to departmental fitness policies and to evaluate the impact of on-duty firefighters’ adherence to fitness outcomes. This cross-sectional designed study utilized a convenience sample of 40 career firefighters from one department in rural southeast Georgia. Onsite gym attendance logs were recorded during a 10-month period. Firefighters were classified as lowest (0-16 sessions), low (17-30 sessions), moderate (31-44 sessions), or high (45+ sessions) adherence for analyses based on gym attendance. The fitness outcomes were retrieved from required annual fitness testing, including measurements of muscular strength (1RMest leg press and 1RMest bench press), muscular endurance (pushup), muscle power (vertical jump), cardiovascular fitness (submaximal treadmill), mobility (functional movement screen), and flexibility (shoulder elevation). Only 12.5% (n = 5) of firefighters complied with the department’s fitness policy of a minimum 75% adherence rate. Furthermore, there were significant differences (P ≤ .05) between various muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility between adherence rates. This study indicated that firefighters that complied more with the fitness policies were more physically fit than those that did not. Considerations should be made to promote and enforce departmental fitness policies to ensure that firefighters can physically perform their responsibilities.
Impact of lack of sufficient incentives on the healthcare provision of township healthcare centers in rural China

Background China's government launched a large-scale healthcare reform from 2009. One of the main targets of this round reform was to improve the primary health care system. Major reforms for primary healthcare institutions include increasing government investment. However, it is lack of an empirical study based on large sample to catch long-term effect of increased government subsidy and lack of sufficient incentives on township healthcare centers (THCs), therefore, this study aims to fill this gap by conducting an empirical analysis of THCs in Shaanxi province in China.Methods We collected nine years (2009 to 2017) data of THCs from the Health Finance Annual Report System (HFARS) that was acquired from the Health Commission of Shaanxi Province. We applied two-way fixed effect model and continue difference-in-difference (DID) model to estimate the effect of percentage of government subsidy on medical provision. Results A clear jump of the average percentage of government subsidy to total revenue of THCs can be found in Shaanxi province in 2011, and the average percentage has been more than 60% after 2011. Continue DID models indicate every 1% percentage of government subsidy to total revenue increase after 2011 resulted in a decrease of 1.1% to 3.5% in THCs healthcare provision (1.9% in medical revenue, 1.2% in outpatient visit, 3.5% in total occupy beds of inpatient, 1.1% in surgery revenue, 2.1% in sickbed utilization rate). The results show that the THCs with high government subsidy reduce the number of medical services after 2011.Conclusions We think that it is no doubt that the government should take more responsibility for the financing of primary healthcare institutions, the problem is when government plays a central role in the financing and delivery of primary health care services, more effective incentives should be developed.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of the Coalescence and Melting Process of Cu and Ag Nanoparticles

The coalescence and melting process of different sizes and arrangements of Ag and Cu nanoparticles is studied through the molecular dynamics (MD) method. The results show that the twin boundary or stacking fault formation and atomic diffusion of the nanoparticles play an important role in the different stages of the heating process. At the beginning of the simulation, Cu and Ag nanoparticles will contact to each other in a very short time. As the temperature goes up, Cu and Ag nanoparticles may generate stacking fault or twin boundary to stabilize the interface structure. When the temperature reaches a critical value, the atoms gain a strong ability to diffuse and eventually melt into one liquid sphere. The coalescence point and melting temperature increase as cluster diameter increases. Moreover, the arrangement of Cu and Ag nanoparticles has a certain effect on the stability of the initial joint interface, which will affect subsequent coalescence and melting behavior.
Rotors for wave energy conversion—Practice and possibilities

This review studies some of the existing ideas which create a fundamentally new direction for wave energy converter (WEC) development, obtaining energy from the elliptical motion of particles in water waves using a rotor. The review focuses on three main aspects of rotor-based WECs: experimental study of the developed prototypes, derivation and development of the mathematical models, and control effectors and philosophies for the proposed devices. The range of developed small scale prototypes and their experimental studies are presented. The shortcomings of the current mathematical and hydrodynamic models are identiﬁed, while an overview of the proposed and new possible control effectors and strategies is conducted. This allows us to see the state of the development of the different concepts and problems to be solved in bringing wave energy rotors to operational reality.
Protecting Security-Sensitive Data Using Program Transformation and Trusted Execution Environment

Cloud computing allows clients to upload their sensitive data to the public cloud and perform sensitive computations in those untrusted areas, which drives to possible violations of the confidentiality of client sensitive data. Utilizing Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) to protect data confidentiality from other software is an effective solution. TEE is supported by different platforms, such as Intel’s Software Guard Extension (SGX). SGX provides a TEE, called an enclave, which can be used to protect the integrity of the code and the confidentiality of data. Some efforts have proposed different solutions in order to isolate the execution of security-sensitive code from the rest of the application. Unlike our previous work, CFHider, a hardware-assisted method that aimed to protect only the confidentiality of control flow of applications, in this study, we develop a new approach for partitioning applications into security-sensitive code to be run in the trusted execution setting and cleartext code to be run in the public cloud setting. Our approach leverages program transformation and TEE to hide security-sensitive data of the code. We describe our proposed solution by combining the partitioning technique, program transformation, and TEEs to protect the execution of security-sensitive data of applications. Some former works have shown that most applications can run in their entirety inside trusted areas such as SGX enclaves, and that leads to a large Trusted Computing Base (TCB). Instead, we analyze three case studies, in which we partition real Java applications and employ the SGX enclave to protect the execution of sensitive statements, therefore reducing the TCB. We also showed the advantages of the proposed solution and demonstrated how the confidentiality of security-sensitive data is protected.
Direct Transfer of Gas-Borne Nanoparticles into Liquid Suspensions by Means of a Wet Electrostatic Precipitator

The direct transfer of flame-synthesized aerosols of silica nanoparticles into aqueous suspensions is investigated. Silica nanoparticle aerosols with production rates of 0.5 g/h and different mean diameters and degrees of agglomeration are transferred into liquid suspensions by means of a novel wet electrostatic precipitator. Particle collection efficiencies above 99.999% were measured. The influence of the transfer on the particle size distribution was investigated by comparison of aerosol and suspensions size measurements. Aerosol sizes were measured with the scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), and suspension size measurements were conducted by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and by SMPS measurements of the aerosolized suspension employing a novel nebulizer. Depending on the aerosol and stabilization conditions, particle transfer with nearly no influence on the particle size distribution is possible. Suspensions generated from the same particle aerosol by direct transfer and by sonication of the respective powder were compared. In contrast to the direct transfer, the aerosol particle size distribution could not be restored by ultrasonication. Copyright © 2015 American Association for Aerosol Research