Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Identification of Hotspots in the Bioenergy Production Chain

Increasing interest in bioenergy production in the context of the transition towards a circular economy and the promotion of renewable energy has produced demands for optimization of the value chain of energy production to improve the environmental viability of the system. Hotspot analysis based on life cycle assessment (LCA) contributes to the mitigation of environmental burdens and is a very important step towards the implementation of a bioeconomy strategy. In this study, hotspots identified using two parallel pathways: a literature review and empirical research on four different biogas plants located in Poland. LCA and energy return on investment (EROI) analysis of the whole bioenergy production chain were considered to identify unit processes or activities that are highly damaging to the environment. The biogas plants differ mainly in the type of raw materials used as an input and in the method of delivery. The results show that the most impactful processes are those in the delivery of biomass, especially road transport by tractor. The second contributor was crop cultivation, where fossil fuels are also used. Although the EROI analysis indicates a negligible impact of transport on the energy efficiency of bioenergy plants, the environmental burden of biomass transportation should be taken into consideration when planning further measures to support the development of the bioeconomy.
ESGOTAMENTO PROFISSIONAL EM TEMPOS DE PANDEMIA E SUAS REPERCUSSÕES PARA O TRABALHADOR

A pandemia da COVID-19 tem impactado o mundo do trabalho de diferentes formas. Atento a este contexto, a presente pesquisa buscou analisar a influencia do esgotamento emocional no trabalho na autoestima dos trabalhadores. Participaram do estudo, 85 trabalhadores de mais de 50 ocupacoes profissionais distintas, em que a maioria (54,10%) seguia realizando seu trabalho de maneira presencial, apesar das recomendacoes de distanciamento social. Verificou-se que o esgotamento profissional afeta a autoestima dos trabalhadores. Alem disso, foi identificado que as mulheres apresentam maior esgotamento durante a pandemia, em funcao da sobrecarga de trabalho domestico. Em conjunto, os resultados da presente pesquisa chamam atencao para as desigualdades de genero e para as repercussoes psicologicas para o trabalhador durante a pandemia. Palavras-chave: COVID-19; Burnout; Autoestima; Trabalho domestico
Surfactant additives for improved photovoltaic effect of polymer solar cells

We herein report on the photovoltaic (PV) effect of a polymer bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) layer consisting of poly(3-hexylthiophene) : methanofullerene mixed with a surfactant additive. The mixed surfactant is poly(oxyethylene tridecyl ether) (PTE). Excellent performance was achieved by using the surfactant as an additive in the PV layer, thereby increasing the short-circuit current density and fill factor. These increases led to a power conversion efficiency of 4.51 ± 0.16%, which was higher than that (3.89 ± 0.08%) of the reference device without the surfactant. This improvement can be attributed to the increased dissociation efficiency of the bound e–h pairs, which may be due to the oriented PTE surfactant molecules at interfaces between the phase-separated BHJ domains. These results suggest that a PV layer mixed with a PTE surfactant additive is a promising functional composite material for use in polymer PV cells.
Eddy‐correlation measurements of benthic fluxes under complex flow conditions: Effects of coordinate transformations and averaging time scales

Eddy‐correlation measurements of sediment oxygen uptake rates in aquatic systems are increasingly used to obtain areal‐averaged fluxes with a high temporal resolution. Here we discuss the effects of coordinate rotation and averaging time scale for Reynolds decomposition on flux estimates. Using 119 hours of continuous eddy‐correlation measurements of sediment oxygen fluxes in an impounded river, we demonstrate that rotation of measured current velocities into streamline coordinates can be a crucial and necessary step in data processing under complex flow conditions in non‐flat environments with complex topography. We found that under these conditions neither time series detrending nor coordinate rotation can remove low‐frequency velocity variations completely. These variations result in spurious flux contributions and in a pronounced dependence of the derived fluxes on averaging time scales. Application of the planar fit transformation was found to provide an alternative means for transforming measured velocities into streamline coordinates for longer‐term observations. The observed sensitivity of estimated fluxes to coordinate transformation and selection of averaging time scale is discussed in the context of the theoretical concepts underlying eddy‐correlation measurements and a set of recommendations for planning and analyses of flux measurements are derived.
In Vitro Replication of HCV RNA in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Isolated from Patients Undergoing Treatment for Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Background: Although the liver is the main site for the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) replication, there is still an essential debate about extrahepatic HCV reservoirs. Objectives: It has been proposed that Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) could be the possible virus replication sites. Therefore, PBMCs may be candidates for recurrent HCV infection after achieving Sustained Virologic Response (SVR). In this study, we designed a lymphocyte culture to explore more about virus replication in PBMCs collected from patients with chronic hepatitis C. Methods: Plasma and PBMC samples were collected from 16 randomly selected seropositive patients for the anti-HCV antibody. Four out of 16 (25%) patients received combination therapy with alpha interferon and ribavirin. PBMCs were isolated from whole blood. Between 106-107 cells were cultured with optimized concentrations of IL-2 (10 mg/ml) and phytohemagglutinin A (5 mg/ml). Total RNA was extracted from the first collected sera and harvested lymphocytes. Constructed plasmids containing the NCR coding region were used to plot the standard curve for the relative quantification of SYBR green real-time PCR. The sensitivity and specificity of the detection were established by using plasmids containing cDNA. Results: With this plasmid containing the NCR coding region, the Limit of Detection (LOD) of in-house-developed real-time RT-PCR sensitivity was 2×101 copies. Using primers for the NCR region, 10 out of 16 (62.5 %) PBMCs were positive for negative-strand HCV RNA. Among the four samples collected from patients with SVR, negative-strand HCV RNA was found in two patient samples. Conclusions: Our results indicated that cultured lymphoid cells from patients with chronic hepatitis, even with SVR, in the presence of IL-2 and PHA, markedly enhanced the detection of HCV RNA replica-tive strands. Therefore, PBMCs may be reservoirs for recurrent hepatitis infection after SVR and antiviral treatment. However, more clinical samples and control groups (lymphocyte culture without mitogen) should be examined to support the data presented in this study.
Delay aware scheduling in UAV-enabled OFDMA mobile edge computing system

: In infrastructure-less scenarios such as rural environments, wild emergency response, military applications and disaster relief, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are capable of providing enhanced mobile edge computing (MEC) services for ground users. Although small latency is the most important advantage of MEC system, how to provide delay aware scheduling in UAV-enabled MEC system still remains unsolved. In this study, the authors investigate the delay aware scheduling problem in UAV-enabled orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) MEC system and formulate two non-convex optimisation problems. Moreover, they consider uplink and downlink architecture with characteristics in different UAV-ground links and traffic load. Furthermore, they propose two novel multi-stages resource allocation algorithms, i.e. the JSPA-T and JSPA-F algorithms with respect to downlink transmit power allocation and sub-carrier assignment. The mathematical frameworks with duality theory based alternative search optimisation and successive approximation method are proposed. The simulation results validate the performance improvement of the proposed solutions as well as the fast converge behaviour and small computational complexity.
Simultaneous quantification of seventeen bioactive components in rhizome and aerial parts of Alpinia officinarum Hance using LC-MS/MS

The rhizomes of Alpinia officinarum Hance (Zingiberaceae family) have been used as antiemetics, stomachics and analgesics in Asia for centuries. Unfortunately, the aerial parts were thrown away as waste whilst harvesting the rhizomes of A. officinarum. Recently, scientists reported that the ethanol extract of the aerial parts displayed anti-proliferation activity through mitochondrial pathway-induced cell apoptosis. However, the chemical composition of this extract remained largely unknown. We have identified sixteen chemicals including twelve flavonoids and four diarylheptanoids from the methanol extract of A. officinarum leaves using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In order to better explore the potential value of the aerial parts, we need to know what the main constituents occurring in the aerial parts are and how the content of these chemicals is influenced by growing period. In the present study, a LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for determination of seventeen compounds occurring both in the aerial parts and rhizomes sampled at different growing periods. The validation indices evaluated were satisfactory and the method was successfully employed to analyze the above-mentioned plant samples. Notably, we found that the content of these compounds, except for quercetin, was higher in rhizomes than in aerial parts. The six major constituents both in the aerial parts and rhizomes were galangin, kaempferide, hexahydrocurcumin, pinocembrin, chrysin and isorhamnetin. Moreover, the trends of change in content along with the sample period for most of the monitored phytochemicals were almost similar between the aerial parts and rhizomes. Our study should be of value in arousing everyone's interest to make the best use of the aerial parts of A. officinarum in the future.
Methadone Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Critically Ill Patients Following Intramuscular and Intravenous Administration: A Pilot Stud

Background: Methadone is used for the pain management worldwide. Its special characteristics make it a potential alternative for pain management in critically ill and geriatric patients. Due to lack of studies in this population, we aimed to compare the pharmacokinetic behavior of Methadone following intramuscular and intravenous administration in geriatric ICU patients and with previously reports in healthy volunteers. Methods: According to the limitations in ICU setting, we could include 11 patients over 65 years old, who required opioid for pain relief in this study. Patients were randomized to receive 5 mg of Methadone IM or IV injection every 8 hours for 6 days. The Methadone plasma level detected with LC-mass tandem mass spectrometry, and pharmacokinetics parameters were evaluated for each subject in both 1st and 6th days of treatment. Results: Based on our results, bioavailability of intramuscular Methadone in geriatric ICU patients was low and less than 40% of the dose was absorbed within first 12 hours. The volume of distribution of Methadone in the first day was significantly lower than the previously reported values in healthy subjects and significantly increased during these 6 days. The Methadone half-life in this population also significantly increased through this period. Conclusion: Pharmacokinetic behavior of Methadone in geriatric ICU patients is unpredictable. Reduced volume of distribution and half-life may be observed initially, following with an increase to the normal range. It seems that IM administration of Methadone in geriatric critically ill patients may not provide target analgesic Methadone serum levels.
Quadrupole-echo techniques in multiple-quantum-filtered NMR spectroscopy of heterogeneous systems

Abstract Multiple-quantum-filtered quadrupole-echo pulse sequences for spin I = 1 and I = 3 2 are suggested. A general condition for obtaining simultaneously Zeeman and quadrupolar echo is formulated. A theoretical analysis of the various pulse sequences was performed on the basis of second-order perturbation approximation of the Liouville equation for the density matrix. The extent of refocusing as a function of the ratio of the residual quadrupolar interaction and the relaxation rates was calculated. Experimental results are presented for 2H and 23Na in cartilage as an example of a heterogeneous system with residual quadrupolar interaction. The difference between relaxation times measured by the multiple-quantum-filtered echo techniques and those measured by conventional multiple-quantum-filtered NMR spectroscopy is a simple diagnostic of anisotropic motion that leads to a residual quadrupolar interaction. The results of the echo experiments are compared with the relaxation times computed on the basis of lineshape analysis of double-quantum-filtered spectra of a heterogeneous system.
Trade, revenue, and welfare effects of the
 AfCFTA
 on the
 EAC
 : An application of
 WITS‐SMART
 simulation model

The paper estimates the likely effects of the AfCFTA on the east african community (EAC) countries. The paper adopts two approaches. First, a trend analysis of the EAC exports and imports to and from the rest of Africa and the world at large using data from the Trade Map database. Second, we use the WITS-SMART analytical framework. It is established that the EAC countries mainly export agricultural commodities and products, and minerals, which are not likely to be readily imported by the rest of Africa. This is because between 2001 and 2018, the African continent heavily relied on exter-nal markets for exports and imports. Therefore, signing the AfCFTA agreement is a welcome step, but it may not necessarily increase EAC trade with the rest of African and intra-African trade. Results for the trade effects suggest a mixed effect among the EAC countries. All the EAC countries incur tariff revenue losses, although this varies in absolute amounts and proportions. Whereas Uganda and Burundi experience positive welfare effects, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda experience negative welfare effects. The policy implications include: a need to build capacity for production; pursue product diversification and sophistication; innovate and attract investments; adopt high international products standards; and target industrialization as a must.
Profile production in multi-veneer sheets by continuous roll forming

Abstract Roll forming is a rapid operation that employs consecutive roll stations to progressively deform a strip into a desired profile. The continuous nature of the process coupled with its versatility and speed makes it extremely attractive for producing lightweight, structurally efficient components from sheet materials. This paper describes the roll forming of plywood by heated rolls, which is an innovative concept that can increase the range of usage and add value to the end products. Deformation length measurements from static roll bend tests were carried out to determine the roll spacing and the results agree well with the values predicted by a modified theory based on the minimisation of the total deformation energy for a rigid-plastic material. The deformation lengths, such as in metals and composite sheets, depend essentially on the geometric parameters of the profiles produced and are practically independent of the mechanical properties of the work material. Further, the real-time strain measurements by strain gauges bonded on the roll formed specimens show that the strain profiles compare reasonably well with those obtained for metallic and continuous fibre-reinforced thermoplastic sheets. Finally, the macroscopic deformation of veneer sheets due to roll forming has been analysed kinematically by means of grid strain analysis and the geometric conformance of the product has been determined.
Preparation of Green-Emissive Zinc Oxide Composites Using Natural Betacyanin Pigment Isolated from Red Dragon Fruit

In this work, we reported the synthesis of green-emissive composite materials of zinc oxide (ZnO) and isolated betacyanin pigment from red dragon fruit (RDF) extract utilizing organic linkers, i.e. (3-chloropropyl)trimethoxysilane (CPTMS) and (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APTMS). Betacyanin was extracted using a maceration technique, while CPTMS-ZnO and APTMS-ZnO were prepared by mixing ZnO and the respective organic linker in ethanol. The obtained ZnO/CPTMS and APTMS-ZnO composites were separately added into the RDF extract, followed by stirring at room temperature for 24 h. As high as 80 and 90% of betacyanin was successfully impregnated onto CPTMS-ZnO and APTMS-ZnO, respectively. A comparison study was made by preparing RDF-CPTMS and RDF-APTMS first and then introducing them onto ZnO. In this case, as high as 81 and 100% of betacyanin in RDF-CPTMS and RDF-APTMS, respectively, were impregnated onto ZnO. These results revealed that APTMS was a better organic linker than CPTMS and the order of the steps to introduce APTMS was important. The presence of betacyanin on the composite materials was confirmed by FTIR and fluorescence spectroscopy. All the composite materials had an excitation signal at 426–428 nm and emission signals at 459 and 517–518 nm, demonstrating their promising application as green-emissive materials.
Critical Review: Adhesion in surface micromechanical structures

We present a review on the state of knowledge of surface phenomena behind adhesion in surface micromechanical structures. After introducing the problem of release-related and in-use adhesion, a theoretical framework for understanding the various surface forces that cause strong adhesion of micromechanical structures is presented. Various approaches are described for reducing the work of adhesion. These include surface roughening and chemical modification of polycrystalline silicon surfaces. The constraints that fabrication processes such as release, drying, assembly, and packaging place on surface treatments are described in general. Finally, we briefly outline some of the important scientific and technological issues in adhesion and friction phenomena in micromechanical structures that remain to be clarified.
Effects of Diffusion of Hydrogen and Oxygen on Electrical Properties of Amorphous Oxide Semiconductor, In-Ga-Zn-O

We found that device-quality thin films of amorphous oxide semiconductor, a-In-Ga-Zn-O, unintentionally include high-density hydrogens over 1020 cm−3 but the electron concentration remains low at ~1015 cm−3 in as-deposited states. The hydrogens exist in the form of hydroxyl group –OH, but most of them are inactive as an electron donor, which is explained by charge compensation due to incorporation of excess oxygens. Although their diffusions are fast compared with those in crystalline ZnO, but oxygen can diffuse only 20 nm even at 400°C. Hydrogen diffusion is much faster, and easily hydrogenizes a thin channel of a thin-film transistor.
Enhanced Meiyu‐Baiu Rainfall in Early Summer 2020: Aftermath of the 2019 Super IOD Event

In early summer 2020, the Meiyu‐Baiu rainfall was markedly enhanced, triggering devastating floods in Japan and central China. We examined the underlying processes using a climate model and analysis. The enhanced Meiyu‐Baiu rainfall was reasonably predicted by the climate model initialized at the end of April. The sensitivity experiment indicated that Indian Ocean (IO) warming enhanced the Meiyu‐Baiu rainfall. Moreover, we found that the warm IO condition can be traced back to the super Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) in 2019. The IO warmth was influenced by successive processes: record strong downwelling Rossby waves excited by the IOD and tripole sea surface temperature anomalies in the tropical IO‐western Pacific, their arrival to the southwestern IO in spring, and associated modulation of monsoon flow. The results suggest that the seasonal predictability of the Meiyu‐Baiu rainfall in 2020 originated from the super IOD.
Implementation of Modeling Tools for Teaching Biorefinery (Focused on Bioethanol Production) in Biochemical Engineering Courses: Dynamic Modeling of Batch, Semi-Batch, and Continuous Well-Stirred Bioreactors

Due to the ever-growing pressure on our planet’s natural resources to supply energy, the production of bioethanol by fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass is increasingly important in courses related to engineering and energy. Moreover, recent changes in the teaching–learning paradigm make necessary the introduction of novel teaching tools where students are the protagonist of their education. In this context, the purpose of this study is to compare the results obtained after traditional lessons with those obtained after the implementation of various computer activities based on modeling and simulation of bioreactors to teach biorefinery concepts focused on bioethanol production. Berkeley Madonna was chosen as the digital simulation software package because it is user-friendly, fast, and easy to program. This software allowed students to gain experience writing models that let optimize fermentations in well-stirred bioreactors and others bioprocess of industrial interest. The students (those who participated in the modeling-simulation classes and those who participated in traditional ones) completed a questionnaire and a cognitive test at the end of the course. Students that participated in modeling-simulation classes got a better score than students that participated in traditional classes. Therefore, the study showed the improvement in the understanding of the biorefinery concepts and the students improved their grades. Finally, students’ perception about the proposed modeling-simulation learning was also analyzed and they rated the efficiency of this new learning methodology as satisfactory. There are very few studies providing information about educational experiences regarding the development of skills for the formulation, interpretation, simplification, and use of mathematical models based on mass balances and simple microbial kinetics in biochemical engineering courses. The experience described in this work can be used by professors to plan and conduct courses based on the modeling of biochemical engineering problems.