Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Manipulation of Lipid Content in Algae Biomass at the Blue Lagoon R&D Center

Microalgae have long been recognized as a potentially good source for biofuel production because of their high oil content and rapid biomass production. There are two main objectives of this research: one is to explore the effect of growth conditions on the lipid content in algae biomass and the other is to convert the algae biomass into lipid by using so-called hydrothermal liquefaction, (HTL, a process where long chain polymers of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon decompose into shortchain petroleum hydrocarbons, under heat and high pressure). The optimal circumstances for the HTL both in terms of temperature, pressure and running time during the HTL were investigated, with the aim maximizing the lipid content. Microalgae strain, isolated from the geothermal environment of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland was cultivated at the Blue Lagoon R&D Center in geothermal seawater. Algae were harvested and subsequently processed by HTL by exposing the algae to high pressure (more than 50 bar) and high temperature (up to 270 °C) at the same time, to achieve the chemical conversion of the biomass. An induction-heated autoclave, available from a previous M.Sc. project carried out at the Blue Lagoon R&D Center, was used. To investigate the highest amount of lipids naturally accumulated in the microalgae cells, growth conditions (nutrition concentration and pH) were manipulated in small-scale bioreactors. As the best outcome, oil content increased to 9.03% from the initial 0.46% in algae biomass, during hydrothermal processing at 280 °C temperature and under 56-61 bar pressure. This research confirmed that, microalgae cultivated with low nutrition concentration has the most lipid content per produced mass. However, unfavorable circumstances are limiting the growth rate of the biomass in a way, the absolute mass of produced lipids in are the lowest in the case of nutrition limitation. The thesis also gives an overview of geothermal systems and the most common methods and technologies used to harness geothermal energy.
Living up to expectations: An insight into university students’ struggles in English medium programs in Kazakhstan.

English language becomes pivotal in Kazakhstan’s education system. It is aligned with an internal governmental trilingual policy initiated by the first President Nursultan Nazarbayev in 2007. Moreover, it was accelerated by joining the Bologna Process in 2010. Although it has ignited a debate among citizens, delivering courses in English widely has been piloting across 153 secondary schools and 70 higher education institutions. In addition, there are four major universities where programs delivered exceptionally only in English by international instructors. Despite increasing the number of universities, there is lack of data on how graduate students are coping with academic writing and reading in English, in their third language here in Kazakhstani universities. This study used a mixed-method design. It employed survey with open-ended and close-ended questions. In the survey took part three English-medium instructed universities and seven regional universities where some programs led in English. Total response rate 320 however some responses were missing or incomplete. The results of the study elicited two major challenges in academic reading and writing. First, it was in English proficiency as graduates referred to vocabulary paucity. Second, it was unfamiliarity with English academic culture as students lacked experience of reading articles in English and structuring their ideas according to English style requirements. Hence, this study recommends to systematize English language programs across secondary and undergraduate studies to reach advanced level of English by graduate studies. To train local faculty members according to international standards in terms of English language as well as equipping them with innovative methods of teaching.
Optimization of transverse flux motor for utilization in bionic joints

Though there have been remarkable advances in powered prosthesis technology over the past decade, design limitations of commercial electric motors are one of the main bottlenecks in meeting critical device requirements, such as minimum range on a single battery charge and acoustic emission restrictions. Traditional motor design focuses on motor development for operation at specific torques and velocities, but a motor design which minimizes the power loss over the torque-velocity profile of a bionic ankle is more precisely what is needed for our application. Considering the design requirement in this way lays the groundwork for a new design framework. Leveraging this problem statement, we herein develop a new motor design process generalizable to all applications requiring a variable but cyclic torque-velocity profile. We present a motor optimization package for cyclic variable torque-velocity motor design and demonstrate its viability in constrained optimization of a transverse flux motor for use in a bionic ankle. We further evaluate and present the intended use of this transverse flux motor for application in bionic joints, along with advantages and design hurdles of the planned system. Thesis Supervisor: Hugh Herr Title: Associate Professor of Media Arts and Sciences
The receiver noise equation: A method for system level design of an RF receiver

In this article, a new equation, the receiver noise equation, is introduced for the system level design of an RF receiver. The receiver noise equation may be viewed as an extended added-noise analysis, and it summarizes noise and other signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) degrading factors in the receiver. With this introduced equation and the analysis of the SNR degrading factors in the receiver, the required performance of a receiver may be easily obtained.
Overcoming the Adverse Impact of Internal Subculture Communications within Organizations

Overcoming the Adverse Impact of Internal Subculture Communications within Organizations by Terrence Lee Farrier MSS, U.S. Army War College, 2005 MBA, Regis University, 2001 BS/BA, University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, 1989 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management and Technology Walden University February 2017 Abstract The need for clear and organizationally effective communications is necessary to maintain sustainability as competition increases. Current research has not addressed problems associated with senior managers’ clarity and intent and the misinterpretation by midlevel managers of that intent, causing division managers to misinterpret the companyThe need for clear and organizationally effective communications is necessary to maintain sustainability as competition increases. Current research has not addressed problems associated with senior managers’ clarity and intent and the misinterpretation by midlevel managers of that intent, causing division managers to misinterpret the company plans. Unresolved miscommunications may lead to destructive subculture development. This mixed methods design focused on how to minimize the confusion that manifests between senior and midlevel management within diverse and decentralized decision support structures. The secondary purpose was to advocate for the identification of divisional misalignment and provide information for a tool to help senior level managers identify possible misalignment. Leader-member exchange theory and decision theory guided the research design associated with the study of middle-level managers (N = 220) whose companies were members of the local Rotary clubs and selected individual businesses in South Carolina. Results were analyzed with correlations, ANOVA, and regression. Results indicated that the independent variables of clarity, information delivery tools, mental frame, and the form of message did not statistically affect the decision-making processes of middle level managers in similar-sized businesses. However, the qualitative results suggested that the senior manager’s clarity is related directly to the distinction between FYI and FYA forms of communication. Positive social change may result from the findings. The results could be used to improve decision makers’ ability to communicate their organizational strategy to other managers, thus promoting sustained businesses success and employment in a community. Overcoming the Adverse Impact of Internal Subculture Communications Within Organizations by Terrence Lee Farrier MSS, U.S. Army War College, 2005 MBA, Regis University, 2001 BS/BA, University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, 1989 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management and Technology
Cuff-less blood pressure measurement using pulse arrival time and a Kalman filter

The present study designs an algorithm to increase the accuracy of continuous blood pressure (BP) estimation. Pulse arrival time (PAT) has been widely used for continuous BP estimation. However, because of motion artifact and physiological activities, PAT-based methods are often troubled with low BP estimation accuracy. This paper used a signal quality modified Kalman filter to track blood pressure changes. A Kalman filter guarantees that BP estimation value is optimal in the sense of minimizing the mean square error. We propose a joint signal quality indice to adjust the measurement noise covariance, pushing the Kalman filter to weigh more heavily on measurements from cleaner data. Twenty 2 h physiological data segments selected from the MIMIC II database were used to evaluate the performance. Compared with straightforward use of the PAT-based linear regression model, the proposed model achieved higher measurement accuracy. Due to low computation complexity, the proposed algorithm can be easily transplanted into wearable sensor devices.
Icograda and the Development of Pictogram Standards: 1963–1986

ABSTRACTThe rise of pictograms in the 1960s is usually associated with the Olympic games (Tokyo 1964, Mexico City 1968, Munchen 1972) or world exhibitions (Montreal 1967). It is often suggested that the designers of the symbols for these events, played a pioneering role in their development. Remarkably the role of international organizations that contributed to the development of pictograms in these years has seldom been researched. An organization that was most active in this area was the International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda) as it was then known. President Willy de Majo and his close collaborator Peter Kneebone held the opinion that a standardized and tested pictogram set for general traveller information should be developed. Through its activities Icograda eventually contributed to raising awareness about the necessity of standards for public information symbols. By using the archives of Icograda and researching the organizations and individuals it was dealing with including t.
A New Curriculum In Neural Engineering With Emphasis On Design Of Neural Systems

Introduction. Academic and commercial research teams are currently developing a new generation of devices that will interact with, incorporate, and/or emulate living nervous systems. Neural prostheses to restore hearing, mobility or sight will offer a wider range of function; robotic devices will become more effective with “neuromorphic” control systems; fundamentally new methods for processing information will be motivated by biological systems. Neural Engineering is the intellectual force behind these developments, supported by recent advances in cellular neurobiology, microfabrication and neural modeling. Based on decades of quantitative approaches to increase our understanding of neural systems, bioengineers are now beginning to design neural systems and neural interfaces. Neural engineers have new tools to control aspects of these systems such as guided axon growth and multielectrode arrays for stimulation and recording. In addition to potential applications attracting the attention of biotech and defense industries, these efforts in turn increase our understanding of natural neural systems.
Antenna Radiation Patterns: RadPat4W — FLOSS for MS Windows or Wine Linux

This paper briefly highlights the features of the software tool [RadPat4W], named after Radiation Patterns for Windows, that is based on an alternative exposition of fundamental Antenna Theory. This stand-alone application is compatible with the [Wine] environment of Linux and is part of a freeware suite, which is under active development for many years. Nevertheless, the [RadPat4W] source code has been now released as FLOSS Free Libre Open Source Software and thus it may be freely used, copied, modified or redistributed, individually or cooperatively, by the interested user to suit her/his personal needs for reliable antenna applications, from the simplest to the more complex.
Smart metacomposite-based systems for transient elastic wave energy harvesting

In this paper, novel harvesting systems are proposed and studied to obtain enhanced energy from transient waves. Each of these systems contains a piezo-lens to focus waves and a harvester to yield energy from the induced focused waves. The piezo-lens comprises a host plate and piezoelectric patches bonded on the plate surfaces. The piezoelectric patches are shunted with negative capacitance (NC) circuits in order to control the spatial variation of the effective refractive index inside the piezo-lens domain. The harvester is placed at the designed focal point of the piezo-lens, two different synchronized switch harvesting on inductor (SSHI) based harvesters are analyzed in the studies. Corrected reduced models are developed to predict the transient responses of the harvesting systems. The performances of the systems incorporating SSHI-based harvesters in transient wave energy harvesting are studied and compared with the system using a standard DC harvester. The focusing effect of the piezo-lens on transient waves and its capability to improve the harvested energy are verified. Since the NC circuits are active elements, an energy balance analysis is performed. Applicability of the harvesting systems is also discussed.
Best Value Procurement in Construction and its Evolution in the 21st Century: A Systematic Review

This research attempts to facilitate client needs by describing the priority indicators that could help in decision making for awarding contracts. The indictors are recognized as key variables that impact the subsequent decisions of contracts award. The authors present a hierarchical review of relevant literature and integrate the factors that help in decision making using the Best Value Approach. This framework is comprised of eight dimensions of Best Value contributing factors – cost , risk , performance , quality control , health and safety , project control , current workload and delay claims . These eight dimensions aid the individual clients and organizations in selecting the most suitable contractor. The authors provide a brief understanding of Best Value contract strategy and the basis for the contract award in terms of business choice, managerial capacity and competency. This paper aims to provide a philosophy as to how Best Value decision making could be influenced by the ranking of contributing factors. This work also help in decision making by providing a hierarchical arrangement of the influential factors and the corresponding criteria for Best Value contract award.
Experimental Validation of a Domestic Stratified Hot Water Tank Model in Modelica for Annual Performance Assessment.

The use of stratified hot water tanks in solar energy systems including ORC systemsas well as heat pump systems is paramount for a better performance of these systems. However, the availability of effective and reliable models to predict the annual performance of stratified hot water tanks coupled with energy system solutions is limited. In this poster, a discretized model of a stratified tank developed in Modelica is presented. The physical phenoma to be considered are the thermal transfers by conduction and convection – stratification, heat loss to ambient, charging and discharging with direct inlet and outlet and immersed heat exchangers. Results of experimental and numerical investigations in a residential hot water tank with two immersed heat exchangers, one inlet and one outlet are presented and the performance of the model is assessed.
Design of penta-band low noise amplifier with integrated active antenna for vehicular communications

The design and integration of penta-band planar antenna with a low noise amplifier (LNA) for vehicular wireless applications is discussed in this research. By integrating antenna with a LNA, the return loss can be kept low with the increased bandwidth compared with a passive antenna with the same design. The performance of the passive antenna, LNA, and integrated active antenna (IAA) are individually validated with the aid of vector network analyzer. The designed IAA covers navigational frequencies 1.2 and 1.5 GHz, wireless communication frequencies 2.4, 3.3 GHz and dedicated short range communication frequency 5.8 GHz, with LNA gain (>10 dB) and noise figure (<2 dB). The proposed design gives room for simultaneous reception of all the desired frequency bands with better performance for vehicular communications.
Flexible Microgap Electrodes by Direct Inkjet Printing for Biosensing Application

A rapid fabrication method of microgap electrodes using inkjet printing is described. In this approach, the lateral spacing between two printed electrode lines is precisely controlled down to 1 µm without any surface modification or substrate patterning. The strong confinement, well below typical resolution of inkjet printing, relies on complete solvent evaporation between the printing of adjacent electrode structures, which is achieved by controlling the printing speed and temperature profiles. The feasibility of this method is demonstrated by writing electrode structures with two distinct inks, based on carbon and silver nanoparticles, with comparable results. As an application proof‐of‐principle, arrays of microgap electrodes are fabricated using a carbon nanoparticle ink for electrochemical detection based on redox‐cycling, a technique in which the sensitivity of the device depends on the distance between the two electrodes. The redox‐cycling amplification of electrochemical signals is demonstrated and it is shown that the printed microgap device can be used as an electrochemical biosensor for the determination of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐related single‐stranded DNA. This work presents a promising new approach for fabricating low‐cost and label‐free redox‐cycling biosensors using all‐inkjet‐printed electrodes.
Rare and Common Genetic Variation Underlying the Risk of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in a National Biobank.

Importance Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young people. Although rare genetic variants are well-established contributors to HCM risk, common genetic variants have recently been implicated in disease pathogenesis. Objective To assess the contributions of rare and common genetic variation to risk of HCM in the general population. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study of the UK Biobank (data from 2006-2010) and the Mass General Brigham Biobank (2010-2019) assessed the relative and joint contributions of rare genetic variants and a common variant (polygenic) score to risk of HCM. Both rare and common variant predictors were then evaluated in the context of relevant clinical risk factors. Data analysis was conducted from May 2021 to February 2022. Exposures Pathogenic rare variants, common-variant (polygenic) score, and clinical risk factors. Main Outcomes and Measures Risk of HCM. Results The primary study population comprised 184 511 individuals from the UK Biobank. Mean (SD) age was 56 (8) years, 83 690 (45%) of participants were men, and 204 (0.1%) participants had HCM. Of 51 genes included in clinical genetic testing panels for HCM, pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 14 core genes (designated by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics [ACMG]) were associated with 55-fold higher odds (95% CI, 35-83) of HCM, while those in the remaining 37 non-ACMG genes were not significantly associated with HCM (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 0.6-4.0). ClinVar pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutations in MYBPC3 (OR, 72; 95% CI, 39-124) and MYH7 (OR, 61; 95% CI, 26-121) were strongly associated with HCM, as were loss-of-function variants in ALPK3 (OR, 13; 95% CI, 4.4-28). A polygenic score was strongly associated with HCM (OR per SD increase in score, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.4-1.8), with concordant results in the Mass General Brigham Biobank. Genetic factors enhanced clinical risk prediction for HCM: addition of rare variant carrier status and the polygenic score to clinical risk factors (obesity, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and coronary artery disease) improved the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve from 0.71 (95% CI, 0.65-0.77) to 0.82 (95% CI, 0.77-0.87). Conclusions and Relevance Both rare and common genetic variants contribute substantially to HCM susceptibility in the general population and improve HCM risk prediction beyond that achieved with clinical factors.
Extracellular vesicles derived from patients with antibody‐mediated rejection induce tubular senescence and endothelial to mesenchymal transition in renal cells

Extracellular vesicles (EV) are emerging mediators in several diseases. However, their role in the pathophysiology of antibody‐mediated allograft rejection (AMR) has been poorly investigated. Here, we investigated the role of EV isolated from AMR patients in inducing tubular senescence and endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and analyzed their miRNA expression profile. By multiplex bead flow cytometry, we characterized the immunophenotype of plasma AMR‐derived EV and found a prevalent platelet and endothelial cell origin. In vitro, AMR‐derived EV induced tubular senescence by upregulating SA‐β Gal and CDKN1A mRNA. Furthermore, AMR‐derived EV induced EndMT. The occurrence of tubular senescence and EndMT was confirmed by analysis of renal biopsies from the same AMR patients. Moreover, AMR‐derived EV induced C3 gene upregulation and CFH downregulation in tubular epithelial cells, with C4d deposition on endothelial cells. Interestingly, RNase‐mediated digestion of EV cargo completely abrogated tubular senescence and EndMT. By microarray analysis, miR‐604, miR‐515‐3p, miR‐let‐7d‐5p, and miR‐590‐3p were significantly upregulated in EV from AMR group compared with transplant controls, whereas miR‐24‐3p and miR‐29a‐3p were downregulated. Therefore, EV‐associated miRNA could act as active player in AMR pathogenesis, unraveling potential mechanisms of accelerated graft senescence, complement activation and early fibrosis that might lead to new therapeutic intervention.