Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Methane Oxidation E ﬃ ciency in Bioﬁltration Systems with Di ﬀ erent Moisture Content Treating Diluted Landﬁll Gas

: This study investigates the influence of moisture content on the potential oxidation efficiency of methane (CH 4 ) of biofiltration systems treating landfill gas containing high oxygen concentrations. Column tests filled with compost with different moisture contents (20%, 30%, and 40%) loaded with different methane flows were set up on a laboratory scale. Analyzing the results the following evidences can be summarized: With low methane load ( < 100 g CH 4 m − 2 d − 1 ), a moisture content of 20% was not enough to support bacterial activity, while a moisture content of 40% advantaged the compost respiration assisting it to become the dominating process; with higher methane load (100–300 g CH 4 m − 2 d − 1 ), a moisture content of 30% resulted in an optimal value to support methanotrophic activity showing the highest CH 4 concentration reduction; moving on to a CH 4 load above 300 g CH 4 m − 2 d − 1 , the inhibition of methanotrophic activity emerged independently to the moisture content of the ﬁlter media. The optimal conﬁguration is obtained for a moisture content of 30% and in the case of ﬂows below 200 g CH 4 m − 2 d − 1 for which the oxidation e ﬃ ciency results higher than 80%.
Mar 23, 2020 Multidimensional diffusion MRI with spectrally modulated gradients reveals

Characterization of porous media is essential in a wide range of biomedical and industrial applications. Microstructural features can be probed non-invasively by diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI). However, diffusion encoding in conventional dMRI may yield similar signatures for very different microstructures, which represents a significant limitation for disentangling individual microstructural features in heterogeneous materials. to solve this problem, we propose an augmented multidimensional diffusion encoding (MDE) framework, which unlocks a novel encoding dimension to assess time-dependent diffusion specific to structures with different microscopic anisotropies. Our approach relies on spectral analysis of complex but experimentally efficient MDE waveforms. Two independent contrasts to differentiate features such as cell shape and size can be generated directly by signal subtraction from only three types of measurements. Analytical calculations and simulations support our experimental observations. proof-of-concept experiments were applied on samples with known and distinctly different microstructures. We further demonstrate substantially different contrasts in different tissue types of a post mortem brain. Our simultaneous assessment of restriction size and shape may be instrumental in studies of a wide range of porous materials, enable new insights into the microstructure of biological tissues or be of great value in diagnostics. A wide variety of materials are porous in nature. Characterizing the microstructure of such materials is key to understand for example the state and function of biological tissues, elasto-mechanic properties of materials, or texture of food products and rocks. This range of porous materials can be non-invasively studied by diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) 1 . However, despite the high sensitivity of dMRI, No procedures
ACCEPTED AUTHOR VERSION OF THE MANUSCRIPT: Prevalence and genetic diversity of C. jejuni isolated from broilers and their environment using fla A-RFLP typing and MLST analysis

Campylobacter is highly diverse genetically and also undergoes frequent intraspecific recombination. A major source of campylobacteriosis, which is transmitted to humans is found in poultry. The assessment of the genetic diversity among Campylobacter population is critical to our understanding of the epidemiology. The genetic diversity of Campylobacter jejuni isolates in broilers and their environment were investigated by fla A-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The study revealed that 92.3 % of the examined broiler flocks were contaminated with Campylobacter spp . A total number of 35 different fla A types defined by fla A-RFLP were found in 448 C. jejuni isolates originated in broilers, litter, puddles, zones, anteroom and wild birds. The most dominated fla A type was XXV. MLST defined 20 belonging sequence types (STs) to 10 clonal complexes (CCs). Among all the STs 9 isolates (15 %) were consigned to 2 different STs (ST-7413 and ST-4800), which could not be assigned. The most common CCs were ST-21 and ST-179. The ST-21 CC was common in broilers and environment (puddle water and concentric zones) and the ST-179 CC was specific to wild birds, but also was found in puddle water and concentric zones. The PCR on 2.5% agarose at 90 V for 90 min. The flaA-RFLP gels were visualized on UV board and photographed. The images in TIFF format were performed by using BioNumerics version 7.1 (Applied Maths, After the normalization of the pattern, the similarity matrix was calculated by using the Dice similarity coefficient and clustering by the Unweighted Paired Group Method with Arithmetic mean values (UPGMA). The band position tolerance and the optimization coefficient were set to 2.0%. The GeneRuler TM 100 bp plus DNA was used as the size marker.
Filamentous sulfur bacteria, Beggiatoaspp., in arctic marine sediments (Svalbard,79 1 N)

Fjord sediments on the west coast of the arctic archipelago Svalbard were surveyed to understand whether large ﬁlamentous sulfur bacteria of the genus Beggiatoa thrive at seawater temperatures permanently near freezing. Two sediments had abundant populations of Beggiatoa , while at six sites, only sporadic occurrences were observed. We conclude that Beggiatoa , although previously unnoticed, are widespread in these arctic fjord sediments. Beggiatoa ranged in diameter from 2 to 52 m m and, by those tested, stored nitrate in vacuoles at up to 260 mM. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of a 20- m m-wide ﬁlament is closely associated with other large, marine, nitrate-storing Beggiatoa . The Beggiatoa mostly occurred in the upper 2–5 cm of oxidized surface sediment between oxygen and the deeper sulﬁdic zone. In spite of a very low or an undetectable sulﬁde concentration, sulfate reduction provided abundant H 2 S in this zone. The total living biomass of Beggiatoa ﬁlaments at one study site varied over
Sensitive, Efﬁcient Quantitation of 13 C-Enriched Nucleic Acids via Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Applications in Stable Isotope Probing

Stable isotope probing (SIP) of nucleic acids is a powerful tool for studying the functional traits of microbial populations within complex communities, but SIP involves a number of technical challenges. Many of the difﬁculties in DNA-SIP and RNA-SIP experiments can be effectively overcome with an efﬁcient, sensitive method for quantitating the isotopic enrichment of nucleic acids. Here, we present a sensitive method for quantitating 13 C enrichment of nucleic acids, requiring a few nanograms of sample, and we demonstrate its utility in typical DNA-SIP and RNA-SIP experiments. All ﬁve nucleobases (adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, and uracil) were separated and detected by using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. We detected all isotopic species in samples with as low as 1.5 atom% 13 C above natural abundance, using 1-ng loadings. Quantitation was used to characterize the isotopic enrichment kinetics of cellulose- and lignin-based microcosm experiments and to optimize the recovery of enriched nucleic acids. Application of our method will minimize the quantity of ex-pensive isotopically labeled substrates required and reduce the risk of failed experiments due to insufﬁcient recovery of labeled nucleic acids for sequencing library preparation. RNA, since lower quantities of starting material are added to the gradient (7). Until now, there have been only two quantitative methods which involve direct measurement of [ 13 C]carbon in nucleic acids, but both require between 0.8 and 1.0 (cid:2) g of nucleic acids and thus cannot be used for assessing enrichment postcentrifugation, where typical recovery is between 10 and 200 ng of nucleic acid. One method is based on elemental analysis using isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (8), while a more recent method uses liquid chroma-tography-mass spectrometry to measure 13 C incorporation into thymine and is therefore unsuitable for the detection of RNA We present a signiﬁcant improvement of the latter methodology, based on ultrahigh-performance chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), demon-strating the detection of all ﬁve nucleobases, with sufﬁcient sensitivity for all stages of DNA-SIP and RNA-SIP and without substantial depletion of sample.
EFFICIENT FINITE DIFFERENCE-BASED SOUND SYNTHESIS USING GPUS

Finite Difference (FD) methods can be the basis for physics-based music instrument models that generate realistic audio output. However, such methods are compute-intensive; large simulations cannot run in real time on current CPUs. Many current systems now include powerful Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), which are a good fit for FD methods. We describe an implementation of an FD-based simulation of a two-dimensional membrane that runs efficiently on mid-range GPUs; this will form a framework for constructing a variety of realistic software percussion instruments. For selected problem sizes, real-time sound generation was demonstrated on a mid-range test system, with speedups of up to 2.9 over pure CPU execution.
STUDY OF AIR JET IMPINGING ON CURVED SURFACES

This study reports experimental and numerical results exposing the effect of the impingement surface geometry on the flow field for impinging low and high speed jets. Air jets from convergent circular nozzle of 10 mm exit diameter have been allowed to impinge normally on a flat plate, hemispherical, and conical surfaces. Experiments were done with varying the stagnation pressure from 1.2 to 2 bar. The Reynolds number based on the nozzle exit diameter for this range of stagnation pressure was changed from 7.5 x 10 5 to 3 x 10 6 . The distance between the nozzle exit plane and the test surface was varied from 10 to 80 cm. Measurements of static and total pressure were made by the help of pressure taps made on the test surfaces and a pitot tube. The numerical simulations were performed by the solution of Navier-Stokes equations with a k- ε model. Behaviors of the impinging jets were compared with those of a free jet. The flow field was found to be depend on the stagnation pressure, spacing between the nozzle and impinging surface, as well as the impinging surface geometry. A comparison of the predicted behavior of the jet with those obtained from experimental results gives a good agreement.
Student Evaluation Of A Digital Learning Game

Data from 294 post-graduate students studying business administration were analysed to determine perceptions toward digital learning games. This research can be used as a conceptual model of how to react to new methods of instruction. 25 subject (game) related and 21 tutor related attributes made up the course evaluation form. Preliminary findings suggest a Halo effect in form of student’s perception of the tutor being influenced by the subject, vice versa. Although the overall evaluation of both, game and tutor, were on average very positive, there were distinct differences between clusters.
used A Verification Technique for Multiple Soft Fault Diagnosis of Linear Analog

 Abstract —The paper deals with multiple soft fault diagnosis of linear analog circuits. A fault verification method is developed that allows estimating the values of a set of the parameters considered as potentially faulty. The method exploits the transmittance of the circuit and is based on a diagnostic test leading to output signal in discrete form. Applying Z -transform a diagnostic equation is written which is next reproduced. The obtained system of equations consisting of larger number of equations than the number of the parameters is solved using appropriate numerical approach. The method is adapted to real circumstances taking into account scattering of the fault–free parameters within their tolerance ranges and some errors produced by the method. In consequence, the results provided by the method have the form of ranges including the values of the tested parameters. To illustrate the method two examples of real electronic circuits are
International Experience in Upper Echelon Theory: Literature Review

Abstract Background: The international experience of top managers is an evolving research within the upper echelon theory; therefore this literature review summarizes everything made so far. Objectives: The purpose of this paper is to provide a literature review of international experience within the theory of the upper echelons. Methods/Approach: We reviewed the literature from the beginning of the theory formation and tried to understand the direction in which it develops, particularly in the context of international experience. We conducted a bibliometric analysis in order to understand the research area better. Results: We have found that 38 papers were published in 25 different journals by 72 authors. We have concluded that the area of research is very narrow and that most of the research is concentrated on finding out the impact of demographic characteristics and international experience of top managers on internationalization strategy mostly with MNC-s. Conclusions: After two decades of international experience in the upper echelon theory there is a significant possibility of uniformity of the theory but only if researchers are able to prove equal results among different countries.
Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University A semi-parametric two-stage projection type estimator of multivalued treatment effects

One of the most well documented regularities in evaluation literature like returns to schooling (or funding for programs) is that several factors come together to confound the measurement of its e⁄ect. First, in observational studies the true return is often individual speci(cid:133)c, and so it is almost impossible to use a traditional treatment e⁄ect models with randomly assigned treatment and control groups. This endogeneity in the model further exacerbates our inability to conduct such trials. Second, the problem is not a classical treatment e⁄ect measurement problem where we have discrete or more often binary treatments. Hence, techniques like measuring the Local Average Treatment E⁄ect (LATE) cannot be implemented as it is not very well de(cid:133)ned for the continuous treatment case. Third, a traditional 2SLS approach might be misleading because of the non-Gaussian nature of response distribution, in particular, if di⁄erent quantiles of response have di⁄erent e⁄ects. However, their technique is also not de(cid:133)ned for continuous treatments, and cannot measure if di⁄erent distributions of the treatment might have di⁄erent e⁄ects on the response variable. In this paper, we propose the e⁄ects of di⁄erent multi-valued continuous treatment variable after conditioning for other covariates.
1211 Typeset-in progress

Objective: Virtual patients (VPs) are a method of simulating clinical practice however little is known about their use by healthcare professionals. This study explores if, and how, one VP is educationally beneficial for pharmacists and pre-registration trainees to teach non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC) patient counselling. Method: The evaluation used a before and after questionnaire measuring self-perceived counselling ability; further questions considered the outcomes of VP use. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics; ethical approval was granted by Keele University. Results: There was an average improvement in the user’s (n=94) self-perceived ability to conduct NOAC counselling (+10.2%). Although, there was variation in educational outcomes with changes in both knowledge and confidence reported. Some reported a decreased ability, but they were still positive towards the VP as it may have had a regulatory effect. Conclusion: Most users perceived multiple benefits of use; more generic outcomes related to counselling skills were also reported.
A N A LGORITHM T O D ETECT D RIVER ’ S D ROWSINESS B ASED O N N ODDING B EHAVIOUR

Driver’s drowsiness is one of the major causes of serious accidents in road traffic. Thus, special effort in searching for better assistant technology has been paid. However, several existing approaches fail to work effectively as the head of a drowsy driver is usually in slanting state. Moreover, the shaking of vehicle or the driver’s winking even makes the problem much more complicated. Anyway, head bend posture also signifies a drowsy state. Consequently, this paper proposes a novel approach by considering head nodding behaviour as an input in our detection model. After detecting a human face, some significant facial features are extracted; then, they are used to calculate the predetermined optimal parameters; finally, drowsiness is evaluated based on these thresholds. In our empirical experiments, the proposed algorithm can successfully and accurately detect 96.56% of cases.
Cardiovascular Patient’s Adherence to the Exercise Component of a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program: Role of Patient’s Perceived Autonomy Support, Motivation, and Competence

Objectives Adherence to the exercise component of a Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) remains low. Up to 50% of patients do not complete CR program. Autonomy support (i.e. encouraging patients to carryout a behavior by providing a meaningful rationale and minimizing pres- sure) had improved health behaviors but its role on adherence to CR has been rarely studied. Our objective is to examine relationships among autonomy support, perceived competence to exercise, type of motivation (autonomous/controlled) and adherence to the exer- cise component of CR. Methods In a cross-sectional design, we recruited 50 patients (66% male, 92% whites, 70% ≥60 years) who attended a hospital based CR pro gram for at least 1 month in a midwestern city. We collected data on patients’ perceived autonomy support from their rehabilitation staff, type of motivation and competence to exercising using theory-based questionnaires. Adherence to the exercise component of the CR was assessed by asking patients whether they attended all the exercise sessions in the past 2 weeks. Autonomy support was correlated positively with perceived competence (rho=0.62, p<0.001) and negatively with controlled motivation (rho=-0.37, p=0.01). Unexpectedly, perceived autonomy support, competence and type of motivation were not correlated significantly with adherence to exercise sessions (p>0.05 in all). Our findings demonstrated that autonomy support from rehabili tation personnel may increase patients’ perceived competence and decrease controlled motivation to exercise in a CR. Further studies with a longitudinal designs and bigger sample size are needed to better understand the influence of these concepts on adherence to exercise component of CR. of self-determination theory constructs among all participants and by status of adherence to cardiac rehabilitation.
The incretin receptors for GLP-1 and GIP are essential for the sustained metabolic actions of vildagliptin in mice

Objective: DPP4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) lower blood glucose in diabetic subjects however the mechanism of action through which these agents improve glucose homeostasis remains incompletely understood. Although GLP-1 and GIP represent important targets for DPP4 activity, whether additional substrates are important for the glucose-lowering actions of DPP4 inhibitors remains uncertain. Research Design and Methods: We examined the efficacy of continuous vildagliptin administration in wildtype (WT) and dual incretin receptor knockout (DIRKO) mice after 8 weeks of a high fat (HF)-diet. Results: Vildagliptin had no significant effect on food intake, energy expenditure, body composition, body weight gain or insulin sensitivity in WT or DIRKO mice. However glycemic excursion after oral glucose challenge was significantly reduced in WT but not in DIRKO mice after vildagliptin treatment. Moreover, vildagliptin increased levels of glucose-stimulated plasma insulin, and reduced levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in WT but not in DIRKO mice. Vildagliptin treatment reduced the hepatic expression of genes important for cholesterol synthesis and fatty acid oxidation, including Phosphomevalonate kinase (Mvk), Acyl-Coenzyme Dehydrogenase medium chain (Acadm), Mevalonate (diphospho)decarboxylase (Mvd), and Acyl-CoA Synthetase (Acsl1) in WT but not in DIRKO mice. However, vildagliptin also reduced levels of hepatic mRNA transcripts for Farnesyl di-phosphate transferase (Fdft1), Acetyl Co-enzyme A Acyltransferase 1 (Acaa1) and Carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (Cpt 1) in DIRKO mice. No direct effect of GLP-1R agonists was detected on cholesterol or triglyceride synthesis and secretion in WT hepatocytes. Conclusions: These findings illustrate that although GLP-1 and GIP receptors represent the dominant molecular mechanisms for transducing the glucoregulatory actions of DPP4 inhibitors, prolonged DPP4
Analysis of the Effect of NaCl Solution Concentration on the Properties of Impedance Solutions and Different Phases with a Gold Electrode Impedance Measurement System

— Electrolyte solution is a solution that can conduct electric current. Research on the impedance value of biological materials using dielectric materials has been carried out, whereas impedance studies using electrolyte materials/solutions are still not widely used. The concentration of the solution states the amount of solute in each unit of solution or solvent. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between the concentration of the solution and the value of the solution impedance, and the relationship between the frequency and the value of the solution impedance. In this measurement, the researcher used the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (SIE) method. This method was done by injecting an electric stimulus (input) in the form of an electric current and observing the output (output) in the form of a signal (voltage). This study using four gold electrodes with frequencies used in the range of 1 Hz - 1 MHz. The solution used is a NaCl solution with a concentration range of 0.00017 M - 0.00085 M. From the results of the study found the highest electrical impedance value is at the lowest solution concentration at the concentration of 0.00017 M, while the lowest impedance value is at the highest solution concentration, namely at concentration 0.00085 M. In the frequency range of 1 Hz 1 kHz the effect of frequency on the electrical impedance value in a solution is difficult to distinguish in the frequency range of 1 kHz 100 kHz the effect of frequency on impedance can be distinguished well. In the frequency range above 100 kHz, the effect of frequency on the impedance value of the measurement is difficult to distinguish; this is because the tool is increasingly insensitive to changes in frequency.