Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Psidium guvajava L Leaf Powder — A Potential Low-cost Biosorbent for the Removal of Cadmium(II) Ions from Wastewater

In the present investigation, an evaluation has been made of the adsorption of Cd(II) ions onto Psidium guvajava L leaf powder (PGL). Scanning electron micrographs of the powder as-prepared showed that PGL possessed an irregular texture consisting of globular and elongated grains. The porosity of the structure was also noted. After adsorption of Cd(II) ions, ca. 30% of the powdered grains on the resulting surface showed a pixel concentration of Cd(II) ions, indicating the adsorption of Cd(II) ions by selective grains. The FT-IR spectra of the as-prepared powder and the Cd(II) ion-loaded powder were similar but the absorption bands were shifted by 5–35 cm−1 after the adsorption process. The experimental parameters chosen for adsorption studies included time, pH, particle size, temperature, adsorbate, biosorbent, anions and Pb(II) ion concentrations. The kinetic data followed linear and non-linear pseudo-second-order kinetics. The adsorption of Cd(II) ions increased from zero to 60.39% as the pH of the aqueous solution was increased from 2 to 3.5, with a further increase in pH to 5.5 resulting in a marginal increase in the extent of adsorption to 63.7%. The isothermal data were well fitted by the Freundlich adsorption model. On the basis of the Langmuir isotherm model, the maximum loading capacity was calculated as 31.15 mg/g. The presence of chloride or sulphate anions had an adverse effect on the Cd(II) ion uptake by PGL. Lead(II) ions were adsorbed preferentially from binary Cd(II)/Pb(II) ion solutions, thereby decreasing the Cd(II) ion uptake. The thermodynamic parameters for the process were also estimated.
Proxy SVAR Identification of Monetary Policy Shocks – Monte Carlo Evidence and Insights for the US

In empirical macroeconomics, proxy structural vector autoregressive models (SVARs) have become a prominent path towards detecting monetary policy (MP) shocks. However, in practice, the merits of proxy SVARs depend on the relevance and exogeneity of the instrumental information employed. Our Monte Carlo analysis sheds light on the performance of proxy SVARs under realistic scenarios of low relative signal strength attached to MP shocks and alternative assumptions on instrument accuracy. In an empirical application with US data we argue in favor of the specific informational content of instruments based on the dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model of Smets andWouters (2007). A joint assessment of the benchmark proxy SVAR and the outcomes of a structural covariance change model imply that from 1973 until 1979 monetary policy contributed on average between 2.2 and 2.4 units of inflation in the GDP deflator. For the so-called Volcker disinflation starting in 1979Q4, the benchmark structural model shows that the Fed's policy measures effectively reduced the GDP deflator within three years (i.e. by -3.06 units until 1982Q3). While the empirical analysis largely conditions ona small-dimensional trinity SVAR, the benchmark proxy SVAR shocks remain remarkably robust within a six-dimensional factor-augmented model comprising rich information from Michael McCracken's database (FRED-QD).
Therapeutic Potential of Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

The vagus nerve is a mixed nerve, comprising 80% afferent fibers and 20% efferent fibers. It allows a bidirectional communication between the central nervous system and the digestive tract. It has a dual anti-inflammatory properties via activation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, by its afferents, but also through a vago-vagal inflammatory reflex involving an afferent (vagal) and an efferent (vagal) arm, called the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Indeed, the release of acetylcholine at the end of its efferent fibers is able to inhibit the release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha by macrophages via an interneuron of the enteric nervous system synapsing between the efferent vagal endings and the macrophages and releasing acetylcholine. The vagus nerve also synapses with the splenic sympathetic nerve to inhibit the release of TNF-alpha by splenic macrophages. It can also activate the spinal sympathetic system after central integration of its afferents. This anti-TNF-alpha effect of the vagus nerve can be used in the treatment of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, represented by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis where this cytokine plays a key role. Bioelectronic medicine, via vagus nerve stimulation, may have an interest in this non-drug therapeutic approach as an alternative to conventional anti-TNF-alpha drugs, which are not devoid of side effects feared by patients.
Enantiomorphism and multiple-beam X-ray diffraction. Revised

The conclusions of a previous paper [Colella (1994). Acta Cryst. A50, 55–57] are revised in view of an error found in a formula for structure factors. With the correct formula, it is found that, indeed, in the virtual Bragg scattering (VBS) approximation, multibeam diffraction can be used to identify the handedness of the enantiomorphic space groups P3121 and P3221, provided circularly polarized X-rays are used. Outside the VBS approximation, three-beam diffraction can still be used to distinguish the two enantiomorphs through a qualitative comparison of the experimental azimuthal plots with theory.
A Leakage Current Eliminated and Power Oscillation Suppressed Single-Phase Single-Stage Nonisolated Photovoltaic Grid-Tied Inverter and Its Improved Control Strategy

Single-phase single-stage nonisolated photovoltaic (PV) grid-tied inverters mainly suffer from issues of the common-mode leakage current and double-line-frequency power oscillation. Aiming to address these issues, this article designs a new single-phase PV grid-tied inverter with only two switches. The structure of the proposed inverter allows the neutral line of the alternating current (ac) grid to be directly connected to the negative pole of the PV panel so that the common-mode leakage current can be completely eliminated. Additionally, a power decoupling method is proposed to suppress the double-line-frequency power oscillation. Then an improved control strategy is presented in this article to solve the stability problem of the proposed inverter when it is connected to a weak grid. It should be noted that the designed inverter can also output reactive power, achieve zero-voltage switching, track the maximum power point, and step up the input voltage. The validity of the proposed inverter and improved control strategy is verified by simulation and experimental results.
Acceleration-Based Disturbance Observer for Hybrid Control of Redundant Systems

This study proposes a method for simultaneous implementation of performance improvement, decoupling of null space and workspace, and suppressing operational force for a hybrid control system with a redundant degree of freedom (RDOF). Hybrid control systems with RDOF are necessary for motion control systems to achieve future applications for human support systems and robots in unknown and open environments. This article shows that the acceleration controller performs decoupling of task (modal) spaces in the redundant system. Additionally, this article proposes a novel method based on the extension of an acceleration-based disturbance observer in modal space for position/force hybrid controllers to the redundant systems. The proposed method contributes to the suppression of operating (inertia) force and interference from the null space with the simplification of inverse kinematics. Experiments of the scaled bilateral control, which is one of the hybrid control systems for the master and slave systems with RDOF, are conducted to validate the proposed method.
Modeling the direct solar conversion of CO2 to CO and O2

At high temperatures (greater than 2300 K), CO 2 is known to dissociate to CO and O. A prototype solar collector was previously demonstrated to achieve such high temperatures, achieving 4-6 mol% CO in the product stream from an inlet stream of pure CO 2 . This paper describes the results of computer modeling performed to determine the flow, temperature, and reactions occurring in the prototype device. Of particular interest are the heat-transfer and reaction mechanisms involved and how much photolysis occurs in the prototype. Predictions were performed with two different computational fluid dynamic codes (Fluent and PCGC-3). The solar flux heated a zirconia rod at the throat of the device to 2625 K, which in turn heated the surrounding gas by convection. All CO formation reactions occurred in the boundary layer of the zirconia rod and just beyond the region of high solar flux. Predictions of CO concentrations exiting the reactor, performed using three reversible reactions, matched experimentally observed values.
Structural investigations on Co3-xMnxTeO6; (0 < x ≤ 2); High temperature ferromagnetism and enhanced low temperature anti-ferromagnetism

In the quest of materials with high temperature ferromagnetism and low temperature anti-ferromagnetism, we prepare Co3-xMnxTeO6; (0 < x ≤ 2) solid solutions. Room temperature structural investigations on these solid solutions as a function of Mn concentration using Synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD) and X-ray absorption near edge structure measurements in corroboration with magnetism are presented. Phase diagram obtained from Rietveld Refinement on SXRD data as a function of Mn concentration indicates doping disproportionate mixing of both monoclinic (C2/c) and rhombohedral (R 3¯) structure for x < 0.5, while only R 3¯ structure for x ≥ 0.5. Further, it shows increase in both lattice parameters as well as average transition metal-oxygen (Co/Mn-O) bond lengths for x ≥ 0.5. Co and Mn K-edge XANES spectra reveal that both Co and Mn are in mixed oxidation state, Co2+/Mn2+ and Co3+/Mn3+. Relative ratios of Co3+/Co2+ and Mn3+/Mn2+ obtained using Linear combination fit decrease with increasing x (for x ≥ 0.5).
Prevalence Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Celiac Disease And Their Manifestations Among Muhimbili University Of Health And Allied Sciences Staff And Students: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Global prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome is high among medical students and health care professionals with significant morbidity. Similarly, the prevalence of celiac disease in irritable bowel syndrome is higher than the general population. These conditions impair quality of life and contribute to social-economic burden. In Tanzania, little is known about irritable bowel syndrome and celiac disease among medical students and health care professionals. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted to MUHAS and Mloganzila Academic Medical Center (MAMC) staff and students who fulfilled the online shared Rome IV criteria of irritable bowel syndrome from August to November 2018. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data, anthropometric measurements and clinical manifestations. Blood samples for full blood picture, liver enzymes and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate were taken. Celiac disease was tested using anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody test. Qualitative and quantitative data were summarized using frequency distribution tables. Chi-square and fishers exact test were used to study comparison between groups. Logistic regression was used to study associations. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 and a P value of ≤0.05 was considered significant.Results: Out of 1,321 participants, 192 (14.5%) had irritable bowel syndrome in which 77 (40.1%) were males and 115 (59.9%) were females. Among the 192 participants with irritable bowel syndrome, 3 (1.6%) were positive for celiac disease, 2 (66.7%) were females and 1 (33.3%) was a male. Of the 3 patients with CD, 2 had elevated ALAT and 1 had anaemia. Age (AOR 2.53, 95% C.I 1.57-4.09), sex (AOR 1.67, 95% C.I 1.16-2.41), marital status (AOR 4.95 C.I 2.07-11.82), alcohol intake (AOR 2.47, 95% C.I 1.16-5.23), year of study (AOR 8.49, 95% C.I 5.71-12.64) and sleep duration (AOR 2.24, 95% C.I 1.23-4.06) were found to be independently associated with IBS. Conclusion: Prevalence of IBS and its associated factors in our study population was similar to findings from studies done elsewhere. Also, our study revealed a low prevalence of celiac disease among IBS participants.
ANALYSIS OF ECO-ENVIRONMENTAL VULNERABILITY: IMPLICATION FOR BUSH ENCROACHMENT AND LIVESTOCK POPULATION DYNAMICS OF THE TELTELE RANGELAND, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Eco-environmental vulnerability is one of the challenges of Teltele rangeland Southern, Ethiopia. This research aimed to analyzing change of grassland area to bush covered area via remote sensing method using NDVI values, temperature, perception, land use change and the local community background knowledge from 1990-2015. The eco-environmental Vulnerability Integrated Index (EVSI) for each class,1990-1995, 1995-2000, 2000-2005, 2005-2010 and 2010-2015 shows an upward trend. That is 1.59, 2.61, 2.91, 2.67 and 2.8 respectively for each interval. The higher EVSI value, is the more serious impact of eco-environmental vulnerability or encroachment of the bush plant coverage. Based on the NDVI data, the net change in open bare grazing area to bush covered vegetation over the past 25 years was 43.2%. The key factor in the rapid encroachment of bush vegetation was the frequency of drought (El Niño), causing a decline in the population of pastoralist community of Teltele were faced with poverty due to their livelihood. As a result, trend of livestock population dynamics shows a decreasing in the pattern. Based on the current results, the design of the scientific management techniques for ecoenvironmental vulnerability and raising awareness in the local community will be the priority area for further studies.
Surface segregation during reactive etching of GaAs and InP

We have studied the surface composition of gallium arsenide and indium phosphide under conditions of physical sputtering and reactive ion beam etching. Samples of Fe‐doped (100) GaAs and InP were bombarded with 1‐keV Ne+ ions under a varying amount of Cl2 dose. Low‐energy ion scattering spectroscopy and sputtered neutral mass spectrometry indicate an increase of the Group V element at the surface upon addition of Cl2 to the system. This effect is believed to be due to segregation of the As and P due to an altered chemical potential at the surface/vacuum interface resulting from chlorine adsorption. The segregation and subsequent volatilization of PClx species leaves aggregates of In/InClx species at the surface, resulting in a roughened surface.
Thermoelectric Power and Scattering of Carriers in Bi2?xSnxTe3 with Layered Structure

Thermoelectric power, electrical resistivity, and Hall effect of p-type Bi2—xSnxTe3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.030) single crystals have been measured in the temperature range 4.2 to 300 K. By doping Sn atoms into the host Bi2Te3 lattice, enhancements in the thermopower and resistivity are observed in the intermediate temperature range 30 to 150 K, and activation type behaviors are found in the resistivity versus temperature curves with an activation energy of the order of 10 meV which corresponds to the Sn-induced impurity band located above the second lower valence band. For our experimental results, we have also given a qualitative discussion about the scattering mechanism. Thermospannung, elektrischer Widerstand und Halleffekt von p-Bi2—xSnxTe3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0,030) Kristallen werden bei Temperaturen von 4,2 bis 300 K gemessen. Die Dotierung mit Sn-Atomen in den Bi-Schichten von Bi2Te3 erhoht die Thermospannung und den Widerstand in einem mittleren Temperaturgebiet von 30 bis 150 K, und die Temperaturabhangigkeit des Hallkoeffizienten oder des Widerstands ergibt eine Aktivierungsenergie in der Grose von 10 meV, die dem Sn-induzierten Fremdband, das oberhalb des zweitniedrigsten Valenzbands liegt, entspricht. Fur diese experimentellen Ergebnisse geben wir eine qualitative Diskussion uber das Bandmodel und den Einflus der Sn-Dotierung auf die elektronischen Eigenschaften.
Role of sapphire nitridation temperature on GaN growth by plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy: Part I. Impact of the nitridation chemistry on material characteristics

The impact of the nitridation temperature on sapphire/GaN interface modifications and the structural, chemical, and optical properties of GaN epitaxial thin films with N plasma radicals is investigated. Based on ex situ spectroscopic ellipsometry and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, it is found that the sapphire nitridation chemistry, specifically AlN versus oxynitride (NO) production, depends on the surface temperature. Nitridation at 200 °C produces a very thin AlN layer with 90% coverage, while high temperature nitridation leads to a 70% coverage of AlN layer containing NO. These initial stages of growth significantly impact the characteristics of the layers following the nitridation step, specifically the low temperature buffer, annealed buffer, and the GaN epitaxial layer. The annealed buffer on a 200 °C nitridation provides a homogeneous GaN thin layer covering most of the sapphire surface. This homogeneous GaN layer after annealing produces a superior template for subsequent growth, resul.
X-ray charge densities and chemical bonding

1. Scattering of X-rays and Neutrons 2. The Effect of Thermal Vibrations on the Intensities of the Diffracted Beams 3. Chemical Bonding and the X-ray Scattering Formalism 4. Least-squares Methods and Their Use in Charge Density Analysis 5. Fourier Methods and Maximum Entropy Enhancement 6. Space Partitioning and the Analysis of the Total Charge Density 7. The Electrostatic Moments of a Charge Distribution 8. X-ray Diffraction and the Electrostatic Potential 9. The Electron Density and the Lattice Energy of Crystals 10. Charge Density Studies of Transition Metal Compounds 11. The Charge Density in Extended Solids 12. Electron Density Studies of Molecular Crystals
The use of bisoprolol in comprehensive treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a chronic progressive heart disease leading to the death of the animal. To provide timely and effective medical assistance to dogs suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy, early diagnosis is essential. It allows identifying sick animals before the development of cardiac decompensation and clinical manifestations of congestive heart failure. There are two major diagnostic methods for dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs at the symptomless stage: echocardiography and 24-hour Holter monitoring. If untreated, this pathology progresses over time. For this reason, the clinicians are faced with a challenge of enhancing the quality of an animal’s life and prolonging it. Given this, we set the objective of studying the effects of the beta-blocker Bisoprolol (Concor) on myocardial conduction and contractility in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy and comparing tolerance to this drug taken by dogs in various initial dosages with their therapeutic efficacy. The study object was beta-blocker Bisoprolol (Concor). The experiments were performed on dogs, age 2–5 years, weight 15-30 kg, with dilated cardiomyopathy in the developed chronic Stage С Index B heart failure stage. All dogs underwent comprehensive clinical examinations, tonography, echocardiography, and Holter monitoring. It was established that usage of Bisoprolol (dosage 0.25 mg/kg) led to blood pressure decrease, reduced ejection fraction, shortening fraction, and deterioration of the general condition of sick dogs. We have proved therapeutic efficacy and good tolerance of Bisoprolol in the initial dosage of 0.15 mg/kg taken by dogs every 12 hours.
Pore water isotope fingerprints to understand the spatiotemporal groundwater recharge variability in ungauged watersheds

Reliable groundwater recharge quantification at the regional scale (e.g., watershed or subwatershed) is fundamental to sustainable water resource management. Although modeling at the watershed scale is gaining wide support, the long‐term monitoring needed for model calibration is often not readily available, as many watersheds worldwide remain ungauged. In response to this situation, we propose a new approach to estimate groundwater recharge at the watershed scale. This approach is fast and accurate and takes into account the existing variability without requiring long‐term monitoring. Only a single field campaign to acquire soil water content and pore water isotopic composition depth profiles is needed. The principle is to extend a physically based, one‐dimensional unsaturated zone flow model from the local (i.e., profile) to the watershed scale, using an index method for distributed recharge based on a GIS. The methodology was validated in a gauged watershed, where previous studies have estimated recharge using a spatialized water balance model calibrated using long‐term discharge monitoring data. Scaling was investigated by comparing recharge values obtained using the local‐scale approach at 10 study sites within the watershed with coinciding values obtained at the watershed scale. Recharge values were similar in terms of both dynamics and quantity. Using the pore water isotopic fingerprint of ungauged watersheds is therefore confirmed to be a suitable approach for understanding spatiotemporal recharge variability.
An Overview of Uplink Access Techniques in Machine-Type Communications

The bright future of smart cities relies on an effective deployment of IoT technologies. Machine-type communications (MTC) is a major backbone technology that supports connectivity for the Internet of things (IoT). Cellular networks are known to be cost-effective, with ubiquitous coverage that ease the deployment of MTC. However, cellular networks were originally designed for human-centric services with high-cost devices and ever-increasing rate requirements. In contrast, MTC services need to support low-cost, low-energy, massive number of devices. This poses a number of challenges toward the adaptation of current cellular networks to accommodate MTC. This article gives an overview of the conventional random access (RA) scheme of cellular networks and its variants in the literature. However, without discounting the efforts of optimizing the RA scheme, we show that due to the increased collisions and prohibitive overhead, it falls short to support MTC with reduced latency and guaranteed reliability. Alternatively, we discuss different uplink access techniques that are found promising in tackling massive connectivity while avoiding the shortcomings of the conventional RA. Moreover, we discuss how to utilize different future 5G and beyond technologies to efficiently handle massive MTC while pointing out the promising role of machine learning techniques.