Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization and uncertainty analysis of VOCs emissions from industrial wastewater treatment plants

Air toxics from the industrial wastewater treatment plants (IWTPs) impose serious health concerns on its surrounding residential neighborhoods. To address such health concerns, one of the key challenges is to quantify the air emissions from the IWTPs. The objective here is to characterize the air emissions from the IWTPs and quantify its associated uncertainty. An IWTP receiving the wastewaters from an airplane maintenance facility is used for illustration with focus on the quantification of air emissions for benzyl alcohol, phenol, methylene chloride, 2‐butanone, and acetone. Two general fate models, i.e., WATER9 and TOXCHEM+V3.0 were used to model the IWTP and quantify the air emissions. Monte Carlo and Bootstrap simulation were used for uncertainty analysis. On average, air emissions from the IWTP were estimated to range from 0.003 lb/d to approximately 16 lb/d with phenol being the highest and benzyl alcohol being the least. However, emissions are associated with large uncertainty. The ratio of the 97.5th percentile to the 2.5th percentile air emissions ranged from 5 to 50 depending on pollutants. This indicates point estimates of air emissions might fail to capture the worst scenarios, leading to inaccurate conclusion when used for health risk assessment. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2010
Acceptability and Feasibility of the ProLiSMental Psychoeducational Intervention to Promote Adolescents’ Mental Health Literacy on Anxiety in a School Context

Abstract The ProLiSMental psychoeducational intervention intends to promote adolescents’ mental health literacy on anxiety, facilitating their access, understanding, evaluation, and use of effective mental health information. This study aimed to assess the acceptability and feasibility of that intervention in a school context and improve its content, structure, and procedure. A convenience sample of seventeen participants has been recruited: eleven students (mean age = 14.09 years, SD = 0,30) and six education and health professionals (mean age = 53.00 years, SD = 4,05). High levels of acceptability and feasibility of the ProLiSMental psychoeducational intervention were observed and important improvements were made.
Characterization of a reverberation chamber for automotive susceptibility

This paper describes the implementation and measurement of a reverberation chamber for susceptibility testing of automotive electronics in the range 200-1000 MHz. The reverberation method goes a long way to solving a susceptibility test problem that we have had: in the 200-1000 MHz frequency range, required power levels have entailed prohibitive costs. The reverberation chamber solves this. The method indicates that a nonpolarized field can be produced with high field components in each of the axes. This should speed testing, since the need to rotate a DUT is removed. Preliminary measurement also suggests that a polarized field may be attainable with proper mapping of the stirring paddle positions.
Two-stage simulation optimization for agile manufacturing capacity planning

Capacity planning involves the selection of manufacturing technologies and the allocation of budget to specific equipment acquisitions. In today's highly volatile manufacturing world, an agile capacity-planning tool is required. This tool must provide the mechanism for a company to thrive in an environment of uncertainty. Uncertain future demands make capacity planning and technology selection difficult tasks, whether they are caused by variations in forecasts of direct demand or by upstream variability in a supply chain. In this paper, a practical modelling technique for minimizing the required investment in capacity planning for discrete manufacturing sites under an uncertain demand stream is presented. The method consists of a two-stage stochastic integer program. The first stage characterizes the optimal response of the system under uncertainty. The second stage selects a tool set based on the characterization from the first stage, with the addition of budget constraints. The model is scalable, allowing for multiple products, multiple operations, multiple flow paths including re-entrant flow, and multiple tool types. A simple example is introduced to explain the methodology, followed by the results of a large-scale real-world application in the semiconductor industry.
Using Taguchi Method to Optimize Molding Process Parameters of Chair Base

In this study, volumetric shrinkage at ejection of the chair base in the injection process, application of the 3D CAD software pro/e to design the shape of the product, and then combines moldflow simulation analysis and Taguchi method with L25 Orthogonal Array to determine the optimal injection molding parameters combination. In the Taguchi L25 experimental design, the six controlling factors used are melt temperature, mold temperature, injection time, packing time, packing pressure and cooling time, the result of experiment revealed that the optimum combination of parameters was the A2 (melting temperature 265°C), B3 (mold temperature 40°C), C2 (injection time 1.7sec), D4 (packing pressure 95%), E5 (packing time20sec), F5 (cooling time 20sec). The results show that the combination of Taguchi method and Moldflow can not only improve the molding process parameters effectively, but also optimize the quality of the products.
ASRE: Adaptive Spatial Resolution Wearable EEG

Electroencephalography (EEG) has been used as a gold standard in various clinical and research applications including disease diagnoses and cognitive understanding. It is also being used as brain-machine interfaces in robotics and assistive technologies. Wearable EEG systems provide a good solution for out-of-hospital recording; however, they are still not suitable for long-term monitoring due to the bulky placement of electrodes over the scalp. The goal of this study is to develop an adaptive spatial resolution framework for wearable EEG systems that can use a limited number of EEG electrodes to achieve high spatial resolution detection. It also shows the high feasibility for achieving high-density and ultra-high-density EEG from traditional 10-20 or 10-10 systems. The proposed method utilized the matrix completion technique to recover high-resolution EEG field from only a limited number of electrodes, which enables simplification of hardware design for wearable EEG that can achieve a compatible performance of P300 detection. The results show that 75% reduced electrodes can achieve a comparable performance as regular EEG with the RMSE under 5%.
LOCAL POSTBUCKLING ANALYSIS OF CURVED AEROSPACE STRUCTURES

Minimum mass design of aerospace structures is greatly enhanced by allowing for their postbuckling reserve of strength, which is mainly due to stress re-distribution within the structure following buckling in a local mode. The paper first outlines a geometrically nonlinear analysis for longitudinally compressed panels, in which the ratio of postbuckling to prebuckling axial stiffness is established by an iterative procedure, critical buckling loads and mode shapes being found by an ‘exact strip’ algorithm. The analysis is illustrated by its application to a simply supported, curved, stiffened panel. The paper next describes an incremental approach to the local postbuckling analysis of longitudinally stiffened cylindrical shells loaded by longitudinal compression and/or a bending moment. The shell is modelled as a collection of skin/stiffener portions, for each of which the critical buckling load and stiffness ratio are determined. Next the axial loads in each portion due to the applied loads are calculated under linear elastic assumptions, so that it is possible to determine which portion will buckle first. Thereafter the buckled portion is modelled with a reduced stiffness, so that the location of the shell’s neutral axis changes and is found by an iterative improvement to a method originally developed by Bruhn.
Federal Reserve Chair Communication Sentiments' Heterogeneity, Personal Characteristics, and their Impact on Uncertainty and Target Rate Discovery

We estimate the personal communication risk-premium profile of the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair by measuring a new dataset of the sentiment revealed by their public statements during their tenure. We analyze the impact of such Fed communications’ sentiment risk on the uncertainty of the monetary policy, and the market price discovery process of interest rates, in the aftermath of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meetings. After controlling for the evolving state of the economy surrounding the meetings, we find that there is a significant statistical and economic difference in the communications’ sentiment that is heterogeneous across Chairs, depending on their personal traits. The sentiment in the Chairs’ communications plays a role in moderating the potential surprises in the Fed announcements, and it can be effectively used as a tool for controlling and measuring monetary policy shocks. This version: November, 2021. JEL classification: G12, G14, G18, G21, G28, G41.
Synopsis of the terrestrial and freshwater gastropod fauna of southern Bahia, Brazil

The terrestrial and freshwater malacofauna of southern Bahia is little known, especially in comparison to the well-studied eastern portion of the state covered by remnants of Atlantic Forest. We present here a synopsis of all gastropod species known from the central southern region of Bahia state, known as ‘Centro-Sul Baiano’, focusing on four municipalities: Condeúba, Cordeiros, Mortugaba, and Piripá. The list herein contains data from the literature, historical material deposited in museum collections, and two recent expeditions undertaken in the region. The survey resulted in 21 species of gastropods, with nearly 700 voucher specimens (mostly freshwater) deposited in the collection of the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (São Paulo, Brazil). Circa 30% of the species are non-indigenous; previously, the only known exotic in the region was Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774). The family Achatinidae was the most diverse group in number of native species, while the typically diverse superfamily Orthalicoidea was represented by only two species.
System-Level Variation in Multiple Sclerosis Disease-Modifying Therapy Utilization: Findings From the Multiple Sclerosis Continuous Quality Improvement Research Collaborative.

BACKGROUND The Multiple Sclerosis Continuous Quality Improvement (MS-CQI) Collaborative is the first multicenter improvement research collaborative for multiple sclerosis (MS). The main objective of this study is to describe baseline system-level variation in disease-modifying therapy (DMT) utilization across 4 MS centers participating in MS-CQI. METHODS Electronic health record data from the first year of the 3-year MS-CQI study were analyzed. Participants were adults ≥ 18 years with MS presenting to any of the 4 MS-CQI centers. DMT utilization was categorized into oral, infusion, and injection types. Multinomial logistic regression was used to investigate associations between centers and DMT utilization. RESULTS Overall, 2,029 patients were included in the analysis. Of those patients, 75.1% were female, mean age was 50 years, and 87.4% had relapsing-remitting MS. Overall, 32.7% were on an oral DMT, 23.5% on an infusion DMT, and 43.9% on an injection DMT. Overall, statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) were observed across centers for proportions of patients who received oral, infusion, and no DMTs. There were also overall significant differences (p < 0.01) across MS types for proportions of encounters who received oral, infusion, injection, no DMTs, and mean age varied significantly across centers. CONCLUSION System-level effects on MS treatment and outcomes have not been previously studied and our findings contribute initial evidence concerning system-level variation in DMT utilization. Results suggest system-level variation in DMT utilization (ie, after adjusting for individual level factors, MS center or location of care a person with MS engages in care influences DMT treatment choices), resulting in a lack of standardization in DMT management. Continued research and improvement efforts targeting system-level performance could improve outcomes for people with MS.
Applying Clockwise and Counterclockwise Torque Directions in Pinch Grips: A Descriptive Study

Hand and finger-related injuries are increasingly common in the manufacturing industry. In relation to this, researchers have conducted various studies and found that a clockwise torque can produce a greater grip force than a counterclockwise torque direction, hence improving the grip control and exertion of an individual. However, there appears to be limited studies that explore this theory in the circumstances of pinch grips. Thus, the aim of this study is to explore the effects of different torque directions on the pinch grips. 6 prototype industrial screw knobs were designed, produced and evaluated by surveying 160 workers from a manufacturing firm. The results show that although the sizes are different, the effort to turn the knobs with a counterclockwise torque direction is still greater than the effort with a clockwise torque direction, which can technically mean that the pinch exertion in a clockwise torque direction is relatively greater. Based on these findings, guidelines can be developed to further improve hand tool designs and the capacity of torque exertions to potentially increase human performance and the effectiveness in tasks at the workplace.
THE WAY TO PLAN A SUSTAINABLE "DEEP CITY": THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK AND ECONOMIC MODEL

Abstract Underground infrastructures and buildings are new urban forms. This paper will give an overview of the strategic framework for developing and managing urban underground space (UUS) development, which represents a rational iterative process going through steps of ―criteria framing‖, ―data building‖, ―city-scale zoning‖, ―project-scale evaluating‖, ―decision analyzing‖, and ―policy making‖. Each step will be illustrated in detail, while we will mainly focus on project evaluation by introducing new urban economic indicators, and on decision analysis by using decision criteria in scenario analysis. Optimization of urban underground space use has to take into account social-economic demand and supply capacity of geo-space resources. Urban development land can be classified based on a zoning system mapping subsurface integrated quality, which is an indicator combining engineering constructability and development value of below-ground space. Based on this macro-zoning of UUS at a city scale, high potential land parcels can be selected or stock-taken for short-term development, while special protection area can be reserved for valuable geo-resources protection for long-term use. An economic model is developed to perform micro-analysis for project scenario evaluation. Two economic indicators (―underground development rate‖ and ―underground premium‖) will help to integrate underground options into real-estate project appraisal. The decision criteria will take into account direct and indirect costs generated along the project life cycle, developer gains and social benefits for the whole community, opportunities for synergetic resources exploitation (e.g. geothermal energy use), and risks induced by sectorial development patterns (e.g. groundwater damage). These main criteria of cost, benefit, opportunity and risk are useful for decision-makers to promote urban subsurface projects in a sustainable way. At the end, a multi-criteria decision-making process with performance indicators will be demonstrated, designed to guide strategic development and policy making. The improvement in policy making will further change the ―criteria framing‖ for successful underground development practices, enabling a continuous improvement cycle for underground space management in urban areas.
Intellectual Capital Reporting: Utilising an Inside-Out Perspective to Examine Value Creation Capacity

Intellectual Capital Reporting (ICR) is located high on the agenda of government, concerned with the establishment of guidelines and positioning their nation-states as 'knowledgeeconomies' on the global landscape. Voluntary guidelines have been established in certain jurisdictions while others have mandated ICR. In contrast to this burgeoning focus on ICR, evidence from the field of practice suggests little take-up, raising concerns about the management of IC. However, examinations of ICR practices have focused predominantly on evaluating the type and level of IC disclosures in annual reports. In contrast to these studies, this paper sought to evaluate ICR practices as enabling a narrative on the value creation capacity of the firm, and employed an inside-out perspective to do so. As such, it examined the extent and type of NSW Lands' ICR practices as evidenced in its annual reports, and evaluated this against a broader context of strategic management challenges and initiatives to sustain value creation as obtained through semi-structured interviews with organisational personnel. At NSW Lands, there was no means within the annual report to locate ICR to a wider strategic context. A number of management challenges were considered to have significant impacts on NSW Lands' future, and were seen as requiring organisational attention to maintain, renew and enhance IC resources and knowledge activities. However, these received limited or no mention in its annual reports. Thus, ICR did little to reveal the value creation capacity of the organisation. This raises significant implications for policymakers, the broader public sector and researchers in the area.
Implementing transmission zeros in inductive-window bandpass filters

Transmission zeros are usually implemented in microwave filters as extracted poles, or with cross couplings between nonadjacent cavities. Recent work, however, indicates that, for inductive band-pass filters, higher order-mode excitation can be usefully exploited for the purpose of creating transmission zeros. In this paper we describe a new cavity configuration that can be used to introduce transmission zeros in the electrical performance of microwave filters based on thick inductive windows in rectangular waveguides using the higher order-mode interactions. One transmission zero per filter cavity can be introduced and its frequency location can be easily controlled adjusting suitable geometrical parameters. The basic principle is discussed in detail and a computer aided design procedure is also presented. Finally, several application examples are included indicating how the new cavity design can indeed be used to improve the performance of this class of filters. >
Updates to the list of Estonian lichenized, lichenicolous and allied fungi

Sixteen species are reported as new for Estonia. Among these species, ten are lichenized and six are lichen-habiting fungi. One lichen-habiting species – Bryostigma molendoi (Heufl. ex Arnold) S.Y. Kondr. & Hur (= Arthonia molendoi (Heufl. ex Arnold) R. Sant. ) and one lichenized species – Lecania nylanderiana A. Massal. should be excluded from the Estonian list of lichenized and allied fungi as misidentifications. New locality data are given for two critically endangered (CR) lichens last found more than 45 years ago – Hypogymnia vittata (Ach.) Parrique and Nephroma bellum (Spreng.) Tuck. (Lõhmus et al., 2019). Additional information on the distribution in Estonia is provided for recently described Toniniopsis separabilis (Nyl.) Gerasimova & A. Beck (Gerasimova et al., 2021).
The Interview Method in Comparative Politics: The Process of Interviewing Far-Right Actors

Abstract Interviews have been the basis for some of the greatest insights in many disciplines but have largely been on the backstage of comparative political inquiry. I first rely on bibliometric data to show the limited use of interviews in research published by major journals in the past 30 years. I then focus on how interviews are used to study a hard-to-reach population: far-right actors. Using the extant literature and reflecting on my field experience with far-right leaders and functionaries, I examine in detail how interviews help investigate this phenomenon; I analyse challenges related to interview access, rapport, analysis and ethics and offer remedies. I argue that comparativists using interviews need to address these challenges by explicating and reflecting on the process through which they collect interview data rather than solely focusing on the data itself.
Psychological Predictors of Weight Loss Based on Participants' Predispositions: Obesity Treatment Implications.

INTRODUCTION Treatments for obesity focused on improving self-regulation, self-efficacy, and mood demonstrated promise for inducing maintained weight loss. However, they might be improved if tailored to subjects' psychological predispositions. METHODS The study sample was of women (N = 139) with obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2). After classification of the subjects as low self-regulation (n = 23), high negative mood (n = 16), high emotional eating (n = 24), low body satisfaction (n = 25), and no predisposition (n = 51), multiple regression models were fit. RESULTS Changes in self-regulation, self-efficacy, and mood over 3 months significantly predicted 6-month change in weight (R2 = 0.17-0.50). Except for the negative mood grouping, changes in self-regulation contributed most strongly to the explained variances in weight loss. CONCLUSION Findings contributed to the limited research on tailoring obesity treatments to individual psychological characteristics. Regardless of characteristics, the value of increasing self-regulatory skills to address lifestyle barriers and improving mood through increased physical activity was indicated.
Did Electric Vehicle Sales Skyrocket Due to Increased Environmental Awareness While Total Vehicle Sales Declined during COVID-19?

Since the beginning of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed a global threat to humankind. In addition to many cases of illness and millions of deaths, the economy has suffered. Not surprisingly, vehicle sales have declined sharply in most countries by up to 25%. However, the overall sales of electric vehicles (EVs) did not stall; instead, they increased to previously forecasted levels. Is this increase evidence that COVID-19 has promoted sustainable action and strengthened environmental awareness, as researchers have discussed in recently published articles? Or is this merely the effect of monetary incentives by governments, as has been demonstrated in scientific research? This study examines the causes behind the surprising continuous climb of EV sales despite the outbreak of the pandemic by contrasting the influence of COVID-19 on environmental concerns and the usual monetary incentives with their potential complementary effects.
An Interactive Visual Data Acquisition Tool for Multistage Care and Risk Evaluation of Pressure Ulcer Based on REDCap

Pressure Ulcer (PU) is a frequently occurring health problem throughout the world both in clinical settings and home care[3]. Nursing skills and a holistic multi-stage (including clinical settings and home care) risk assessment can benefit PU warning, prevention, and individualized treatment. [1]. Our study aims to develop an interactive visual data acquisition tool for multi-stage care and risk evaluation of PU, which may (1) help nurses acquire more accurate information in clinical settings; (2) be convenient and understandable for patients (or their caregivers) to pre-warn the risk of PU prevalence during home care.