Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Column Bioleaching of Arsenic and Heavy Metals from Gold Mine Tailings by Aspergillus fumigatus

A column bioleaching experiment was carried out to compare the effectiveness of the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus to bioleach arsenic (As) and heavy metals from the tailings using two different methods. In the first method, which is named as distribution method (DM), the fungus was distributed in the column by means of vertical and horizontal layers of coarse sand. In the other method, named as surface applied method (SAM), the fungus was cultivated on the surface of the tailings, which was covered with a few centimeters of coarse sand. Results showed that in the DM, oxalic acid production was stimulated and maximum removal of As, Fe, Mn, and Zn was 53, 51, 81, and 62%, respectively. However, Pb removal was low (8%), which might be due to the precipitation of Pb as its oxalates. On the other hand, the maximum removal of As, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn were 22, 28, 37, 64, and 34%, respectively, for the SAM. Results of the sequential extraction study showed that the DM was effective in removing the water soluble, exchangeable, carbonate, and Fe/Mn oxide fractions of As, Fe, Mn, and Zn. Our study suggested that A. fumigatus has a potential to be used in remediation of heavy metal contaminated sites. Distributing the fungus throughout the entire tailings columns improved the bioleaching of heavy metals by the fungus.
Migrating Engineering Windows HPC applications to Linux HTCondor and Slurm Clusters

The CERN IT department has been maintaining different High Performance Computing (HPC) services over the past five years. While the bulk of computing facilities at CERN are running under Linux, a Windows cluster was dedicated for engineering simulations and analysis related to accelerator technology development. The Windows cluster consisted of machines with powerful CPUs, big memory, and a low-latency interconnect. The Linux cluster resources are accessible through HTCondor, and are used for general purpose parallel but single-node type jobs, providing computing power to the CERN experiments and departments for tasks such as physics event reconstruction, data analysis, and simulation. For HPC workloads that require multi-node parallel environments for Message Passing Interface (MPI) based programs, there is another Linux-based HPC service that is comprised of several clusters running under the Slurm batch system, and consist of powerful hardware with low-latency interconnects.In 2018, it was decided to consolidate compute intensive jobs in Linux to make a better use of the existing resources. Moreover, this was also in line with CERN IT strategy to reduce its dependencies on Microsoft products. This paper focuses on the migration of Ansys [1], COMSOL [2] and CST [3] users from Windows HPC to Linux clusters. Ansys, COMSOL and CST are three engineering applications used at CERN for different domains, like multiphysics simulations and electromagnetic field problems. Users of these applications are in different departments, with different needs and levels of expertise. In most cases, the users have no prior knowledge of Linux. The paper will present the technical strategy to allow the engineering users to submit their simulations to the appropriate Linux cluster, depending on their simulation requirements. We also describe the technical solution to integrate their Windows workstations in order from them to be able to submit to Linux clusters. Finally, we discuss the challenges and lessons learnt during the migration.
Nanoparticles in the supramolecular order of discotic liquid crystals

This article primarily summarises our work, presented at the 24th International Liquid Crystals Conference in Mainz, on the dispersion of various functionalised nanoparticles such as gold nanoparticles, cadmium selenide quantum dots, single-wall carbon nanotubes and gold nanorods in the supramolecular order of columnar mesophases of discotic liquid crystals (DLCs). Dispersion of such nanomaterials in small concentration has negligible effect on the mesomorphic properties of the DLCs but improves the physical properties like conductivity of the system significantly. Nanoparticles embedded discotic nanoribbons can be prepared via simple solution processing. Such nanocomposites may emerge as advanced semiconducting materials for many device applications.
Molecular Simulation Studies of Separation of CO2/N2, CO2/CH4, and CH4/N2 by ZIFs

In this work, molecular simulations were performed to evaluate the separation performance of two typical zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), ZIF-68 and ZIF-69, for CO2/N2, CO2/CH4, and CH4/N2 mixtures. To do this, we first identified a suitable force field for describing CO2, N2, and CH4 adsorption in ZIFs. On the basis of the validated force field, adsorption selectivities of the three mixtures in these ZIFs were simulated then. The results show that ZIF-69 is more beneficial for separating CO2 from CO2-related mixtures than ZIF-68, mainly due to the presence of chlorine atoms in cbIM linkers in the former for the pressures we have considered. The overall separation performances of these two ZIFs for separating the chosen mixtures are comparable to typical MOFs and zeolites. In addition, this work demonstrates that the electrostatic interactions produced by the frameworks are very important for achieving high adsorption separation selectivities in ZIFs, and ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) may b.
Microstructure, Tribological Behaviour and xrd analysis of HVOF Sprayed and Laser Remelted CoCrTaAlCSiY Coatings

Superalloys with cobalt as a base material are widely used among different industry applications. Their main advantages are excellent corrosion and wear resistance. Material CoCrTaAlCSiY was chosen for this study as an unexplored representative of Co-based superalloys with a potential for good tribological behavior. This paper follows the results of previous paper called “Microstructure and Tribological Behavior of HVOF Sprayed and Laser Remelted CoCrTaAlCSiY Coatings”. In this paper are also presented three states of HVOF sprayed and post laser treated coatings of CoCrTaAlCSiY (as spray state and two different laser treatments varying in specific energy of laser). Pin-on-disc test was carried out to evaluate wear behavior. XRD analysis was done to reveal phase transformations between FCC and HCP. A positive effect on wear coefficient for both laser treated CoCrTaAlCSiY coatings was proved.
ConvAix: An Application-Specific Instruction-Set Processor for the Efficient Acceleration of CNNs

ConvAix is an application-specific instruction-set processor (ASIP) that enables the energy-efficient processing of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) while retaining substantial flexibility through its instruction-set architecture (ISA) based design. By utilizing a combination of data-level parallelism (DLP), instruction-level parallelism (ILP), and subword parallelism, the proposed design offers sufficient processing power for the execution of state-of-the-art CNNs in real-time. ConvAix’s arithmetic logic units (ALUs) are C-programmable, thereby offering the degree of flexibility required to implement many different convolution layer types, e.g., depthwise-separable convolutions and residual blocks, as well as fully-connected and pooling layers. It comprises a total of 256 ALUs and leverages low-precision computations down to 4 bits. Furthermore, it exploits sparsity in feature maps and weights via zero-guarding of redundant computations to maximize its energy efficiency. The processor was implemented in a modern 28 nm CMOS technology operating at 1V supply voltage with a resulting clock frequency of 513 MHz. The final design offers a precision-dependent peak throughput between 263 GOP/s (int16) and 1.1 TOP/s (int4), while consuming between 972mW and 340mW of power, resulting in effective energy-efficiencies ranging from 176 GOP/s/W to 2 TOP/s/W. Well-known CNNs, such as AlexNet, MobileNet, and ResNet-18, are simulated based on the placed and routed netlist, achieving between 233 (AlexNet) and 69 (ResNet-18) frames-per-second for a batch-size of 1, including times for off-chip transfers.
Cooperative Orientation Effects in Solutions

A general theoretical method for evaluating the effect on thermodynamic properties of cooperative orientation in solutions is developed. The theory is applied to the systems methanol+benzene, methanol carbon tetrachloride, and chloroform+ethanol. Theoretical curves for excess free energy of mixing, heat of mixing, and excess entropy of mixing as functions of composition are presented and are in reasonable quantitative agreement with experimental values for the first two systems and qualitatively similar to the experimental curves for the third. It is concluded that the method provides a useful approach to the theory of solutions of associated liquids in general.
The Dynamic Effects of a Summer Learning Program on Behavioral Engagement in School

Abstract Evidence that student learning declines or stagnates during summers has motivated an interest in programs providing intensive summer instruction. However, existing literature suggests that such programs have modest effects on achievement and no impact on measures of engagement in school. In this quasi-experimental study, we present evidence on the impact of a comprehensive and mature summer learning program that serves low-income middle school students and features unusual academic breadth, including a robust and well-designed social-emotional learning curriculum. Our results indicate that this program led to substantial reductions in unexcused absences, chronic absenteeism, and suspensions and a modest gain in English language arts test scores. We find evidence that the gains in behavioral engagement are dynamic, growing over time and with additional summers of participation.
Preparation and characterization of pentanuclear molybdenum halide clusters

The cyclic voltammogram of ((n-C/sub 4/H/sub 9/)/sub 4/N)/sub 2/Mo/sub 5/Cl/sub 13/ shows two quasi-Nernstian redox couples: E/sub 1/2/(ox) = 0.49 V and E/sub 1/2/(red) = -0.36 V vs. Ag/AgCl in methylene chloride solution. Both the electrochemically stable Mo/sub 5/Cl/sub 13//sup -/ and Mo/sub 5/Cl/sub 13//sup 3 -/ clusters have been isolated as their tetrabutylammonium salts. The synthesis of ((n-C/sub 4/H/sub 9/)/sub 4/N)/sub 2/Mo/sub 5/Br/sub 13/ is described along with its cyclic voltammogram, which also shows two quasi-Nernstian waves at E/sub 1/2/(ox) = 0.41 V and E/sub 1/2/(red) = -0.33 V ((n-C/sub 4/H/sub 9/)/sub 4/NMo/sub 5/Br/sub 13/ and ((n-C/sub 4/H/sub 9/)/sub 4/N)/sub 3/Mo/sub 5/Br/sub 13/ have been isolated). The ((n-C/sub 4/H/sub 9/)/sub 4/N)/sub 3/Mo/sub 5/X/sub 13/ complexes are paramagnetic, and their temperature-dependent magnetic behavior is interpreted in terms of two thermally populated sublevels of a /sup 3/A/sub 2/(e/sup 2/) ground state. Sublevel splitting of < 4 cm/sup -1/ in Mo/sub 5/Cl/sub 13//sup 3 -/ and 15 (5) cm/sup -1/ in Mo/sub 5/Br/sub 13//sup 3 -/ are estimated from EPR data. 10 references, 7 figures, 2 tables.
Chaos-Based Space-Time Trellis Codes With Deep Learning Decoding

In this brief we propose a space-time trellis code scheme based on three-dimensional chaotic attractors. The chaotic trajectories are represented by the symbolic dynamics generated by a labeled Poincaré section and are transmitted by multiple antennas, defining a chaos-based space-time trellis code (CB-STTC). This code is defined by a finite state encoder that maps information sequences to restricted sequences satisfying the dynamics of the attactor. We also propose a neural network architecture capable of learning how to decode the CB-STTC. Finally, the frame error rate of the proposed CB-STTC is analyzed with maximum likelihood and neural network decoding.
A Hybrid Approach for Single Channel Speech Enhancement using Deep Neural Network and Harmonic Regeneration Noise Reduction

This paper presents a hybrid approach for single channel speech enhancement using deep neural network (DNN) and harmonic regeneration noise reduction (HRNR). The DNN was used as a supervised algorithm to predict new target mask such as constrained Wiener Filter (cWF) target mask from noisy mixture signal that was transformed into gammatone filter bank features. Meanwhile, HRNR algorithm was applied in the post-filtering strategy to eliminate residual noise. The DNN algorithm is an emerging supervised speech enhancement to overcome heavy nonstationary noise and low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) issues. To validate the proposed algorithm with new target mask, 600 Malay utterances combining male and female speakers were used in a training session while 120 Malay utterances were used in a prediction session. The short time objective intelligibility (STOI) and perceptual evaluation of speech quality (PESQ) scores were calculated as the performance metrics. In this work, the proposed target mask outperformed other baseline target masks. Thus, PESQ and STOI scores for the hybrid speech enhancement algorithm is 1.17 and 0.79, respectively, at - 5 dB babble noise SNR.
Management of business processes using stochastic simulation

The paper deals with risks and uncertainties that are related to business processes. The risks and uncertainties (risk factors) can significantly influence organizational performance, value creation and long term-sustainability. Managers are often puzzled with making decisions in the environment of breakthrough discontinuities. The main outcome of the paper is the presentation of purposefully developed software tool that uses stochastic simulation of risks and uncertainties of business processes to support making optimum managerial decisions. This software is able to simulate any process risk factors that are describable by a mathematical model. The model was tested on the examples of production and investment cases. The research applied Business Process Modelling Notation Approach (BPMN) as well as mathematical and stochastic modelling. In addition, contextual interviews with company managers and risk specialists were used to get unbiased, reliable, and professional information on determination and analysis of process risk factors. The research was also supported by the evidence provided by the case study that illustrates software based decision-making process relating to opting for technology variant.
NUMERICAL STUDY OF MHD CONVECTIVE NANOFLUID FLOWS WITHIN A CORRUGATED TRAPEZOIDAL ENCLOSURE

We consider the unsteady magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) natural convection flows of alumina (Al2O3)-water and single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-water nanofluids within a symmetrical corrugated trapezoidal enclosure with the effects of viscous and Joule dissipations. In this study, the corrugated bottom wall is isothermally heated, whereas the top wall is thermally insulated. The temperature of the side walls is fixed at the initial nanofluid temperature within the enclosure. We solve the governing equations for velocity and temperature, along with the corresponding initial and boundary conditions, using the polynomial pressure projection stabilized (PPPS) finite element method. The effects of sidewall inclination angle and Eckert number on nanofluid flow and convective heat transfer within the corrugated enclosure are examined. The results obtained from this study are important in various fields of engineering and technology, such as the design and manufacture of efficient heat exchangers and the cooling of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) using nanofluids.
A Lightweight Authentication and Attestation Scheme for In-Transit Vehicles in IoV Scenario

With the rise of new technological paradigms such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), we are going to see an unprecedented growth of connected vehicles on the roads. Also, with the ever-increasing complexity of vehicular electronics and with the increasing number of Electronic Control Units (ECUs) inside these next-generation vehicles, the need for verification of the firmware and software running on these ECUs using attestation techniques is heightened all the more. In this paper, we propose a lightweight and secure authentication and attestation scheme for attesting vehicles while they are on the roads. Since this attestation is proposed to be carried out on moving vehicles, there is also a need for authenticating the vehicles with the Road Side Units (RSUs) first before carrying out attestation. Therefore, a combined attestation and authentication scheme for verification of the vehicle ECU firmware is presented here. The ECU firmware running on the vehicles can be attested from the edge servers connected to the RSUs while the vehicles are in-transit and passing through these RSUs. We perform a security analysis of the proposed attestation and authentication protocol and compare it with other similar existing protocols. We also do a performance analysis of the proposed protocol and show the feasibility of its deployment.
Estimation of friction surface temperature of a dry clutch

This paper presents an approach to estimate the temperature on the friction surface of a dry clutch. The study comprises both experimental measurements and transient thermal numerical analysis of heavy duty truck clutches for the successive engagements on a slope road. Compared to previous mathematical models in the literature; pressure plate surface convection coefficient, energy dissipation, engagement duration and variation of the clutch housing air temperature were obtained on the basis of experimental data and have been applied as input in the 3D clutch transient thermal finite element analysis. Simulation results show that the design of clutch plate has a significant effect on the temperature rise at the friction surface.
Structural and physical properties of BEDO-TTF charge-transfer salts: κ-phase with CF3SO3–

The synthesis, X-ray crystal structures, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies, conductivity measurements and electronic-band calculations for two new charge-transfer salts κ-(BEDO-TTF)2CF3SO3(I) and (BEDO-TTF)2CF3SO3(C4H8O)0.5(II), are described. Most of the discussion concerns the former which is the first κ-phase obtained with BEDO-TTF. This salt is metallic at room temperature (RT)(σRT= 100 S cm–1) and undergoes a slow change towards semiconducting behaviour at low temperature. Simultaneously, the EPR linewidth of the κ-phase decreases with T from ca. 60 G at 300 K, unlike the behaviour of classical κ-phase superconductors. However, the calculated band structure of I is quite similar to those previously reported for classical κ-phase salts. Comparison of magnetic and conductivity data allows the classification of κ-salts into two groups: (i) classical superconducting salts and (ii) the present salt and related materials. The properties of salts in the latter group are discussed in relation to the role of the anions.
THE CHILDREN ARE MISSING! SOME THOUGHTS ON THE UNDERREPRESENTATION OF NON-ADULT BURIALS IN LATVIAN IRON AGE CEMETERIES

It is generally accepted that the mortality of young children (0–5 years) in past societies was approximately 40%, but archaeological material yields considerably lower non­adult percentages over and over again. The purpose of this study is to analyse subadult representation in Latvian Iron Age cemeteries (5th–13th c. AD) by critically approaching and discussing various taphonomic and cultural aspects that could affect the preservation of burials. The proportion of children aged between zero and five years comprises less than 6% of all studied burials, and there are only two confirmed infant burials from the Iron Age. In order to analyse the underrepresentation of non­adult burials, two hypotheses were tested: 1) non­adults are missing because of intrinsic and extrinsic taphonomic factors; 2) infants and small children were buried elsewhere/differently. It was concluded that skeletal material has been considerably affected by taphonomic processes and that better preservation of skeletal material could increase the quantity of non­adult burials. Although the shallowness of non­adult burials is frequently mentioned as one of the reasons that significantly affect preservation, it was concluded that there is no correlation between the depth of a burial and the age of an individual. In the course of research it was hypothesized that there could have been different burial traditions for infants and that the majority of infants may have been buried elsewhere or in a different manner.
Trends in Indian Private Sector Bank Efficiency: Non-Stochastic Frontier DEA Window Analysis Approach

The study examines the efficiency of private sector banks in India with the help of Window DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) for a period from 2005 to 2017. With a window of three years, the period was divided into 11 windows. The study outcomes show that 59.9% of all private sector banks in India operate at more than 0.9 level of efficiency, and there are only three occasions when banks were operating at the efficiency value between 0.6 to 0.7. Further, the consistency in the efficiency scores of the banks has also been analyzed using an efficiency mapping matrix, and the mean efficiency score of the bank in each window is studied. The score of standard deviation was interpreted accordingly for these banks. Banks that are showing the highest efficiency scores also have a higher variance of efficiency scores. There was no bank identified in the matrix that promises high-efficiency ratings with low variability. The study concludes that the analysis of the efficiency mapping matrix indicates that, as a DMU escalates in the efficiency scores, the standard deviation reflecting the risk in overall efficiency scores also tends to rise. The findings complement the concept of higher risk to higher return or greater efficiency.
A DC Droop-Based Optimal Dispatch Control and Power Management of Hybrid Photovoltaic-Battery and Diesel Generator Standalone AC/DC System

This article deals with the parallel operation of photovoltaic (PV), battery energy storage (BES), and diesel generator (DG) for standalone ac/dc system. It is known that the maximum penetration of PV systems in DG-based power system is limited in the range of 40%–60%. When the PV capacity becomes comparable to DG capacity, the system suffers from stability and synchronization issues. Hence, this article proposes a dc droop-based hierarchical control of the PV-BES-DG system based on dc integration at a common dc bus. The dc integration alleviates the scalability limit on PV and facilitates better control of the hybrid system than ac counterpart. Moreover, an optimal regulator-based secondary control is proposed to ensure optimal load sharing among DG and BES. Further, a power management scheme (PMS) is designed to ensure reliable operation of the standalone system during source and load power imbalances and operation under critical state of charge limit condition of BES. Also, the PMS constraints the operation of DG below a defined low-level loading. Further, small signal stability analysis is presented to analyze the effects of droop and optimal regulator gain on the system's stability. The laboratory-scale prototype is developed to evaluate the performance of proposed PMS and dc droop-based hierarchical control of the PV-BES-DG system.