Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Numerical Study on Cavities Shape for the Hydrothermal Performance of Microchannel Heat Sinks with Elliptical Ribs and Secondary Channels

In order to explore the effect of the different combinations of cavities, ribs, and secondary channels on the performance and efficiency of the microchannel heat sink (MCHS), this paper numerically investigated the heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics of MCHS with different shapes of cavities, elliptic ribs, and secondary channels, where the shapes of cavities include trapezoid, fan, elliptic, elliptic rectangle and triangle, named as MC-TraS, MC-FS, MC-ES, MC-ERS, MC-TriS, respectively. The results have verified that the overall performance of all the above radiators is better than that of smooth rectangular microchannels and the shape of cavities has an important effect on the pressure drop and the average temperature of the bottom surface. More specifically, compared with other optimized structures, MC-ERS has achieved the maximum system pressure drop but the highest overall heat dissipation performance with a maximum PEC of 1.73, while the MC-TriS has the minimum comprehensive performance with a minimum PEC of 1.26. In addition, there is little difference in heat dissipation performance between MC-FS and MC-ES.
Decision-Making Framework for Construction Clients in Selecting Appropriate Procurement Route

Procurement decision-making is a crucial determinant of project success. Although several objective, stage-based models have been proposed to guide clients’ procurement choices, little emphasis has been made on the subjective nature of construction clients. Recognizing the role of clients’ experiences in justifying procurement routes, this study develops a decision-making framework that is capable of guiding construction clients in making informed procurement choices. Adopting a mixed-method approach, comprising semi-structured interviews and multi-objective optimization, relevant procurement options were appraised based on clients’ specifications and project deliverables. The lived experiences of construction clients and the importance they attach to pre-defined selection rating criteria were subsequently evaluated, using a template that enables clients to prioritize procurement methods for different project types. The resultant framework offers a holistic, practical, and collaborative procurement selection process that promotes the efficient delivery of construction projects by reducing the cost overrun and delays associated with uninformed client decisions in construction procurement.
Path- and Area-Integrated Rainfall Measurement by Microwave Attenuation in the 1–3 cm Band

Abstract The reasons for the linear relationship between microwave attenuation A and rainfall rate R near 1 cm wavelength are explained. This linearity also implies independence of the A-R relationship from the drop size distribution (DSD), thus making attenuation measurements near this wavelength attractive for path-averaged rainfall. Regression equations of the form A = KRα are calculated for four radar wavelengths from 0.86 to 3.2 cm from drop size spectra. As predicted, α increases from about 1.04 to 1.16 and average errors of estimate of R from the regression equations increase from about 9 to 21% from 0.86 to 3.2 cm, respectively. The larger errors at 3.2 cm reflect the increased dependence on the form of DSD. Even at 3.2 cm, the errors are typically less than half those incurred from the use of reflectivity factor Z and a priori Z-R relations. Various methods of measuring path- and area-averaged R are studied. Radar methods using standard targets fail over 30 km paths at wavelengths of 0.86 and 1.2.
In-Situ Measuring sEMG and Muscle Shape Change With a Flexible and Stretchable Hybrid Sensor for Hand Gesture Recognition

The accurate recognition of hand motion intentions is an essential prerequisite for efficient human-machine interaction (HMI) systems such as multifunctional prostheses and rehabilitation robots. Surface electromyography (sEMG) signals and muscle shape change (MSC) signals which are usually detected with different types of sensors have been used for human hand motion intention recognition. However, using different sensors to measure sEMG and MSC respectively, it would be inconvenient and add deploying difficulty for human-machine interaction systems. In this study, a novel flexible and stretchable sensor was fabricated with a nano gold conductive material, which could simultaneously sense both sEMG and MSC signals. Accordingly, a wireless signal acquisition device was developed to record both sEMG and MSC signals with the fabricated hybrid sensors. The performance of the proposed in-situ dual-mode signal measurement (IDSM) system was evaluated by the recording signal quality and the accuracy of hand gesture recognition. The results demonstrated that by using two pairs of the hybrid sensors, the proposed IDSM system could obtain two-channel sEMG at a noise level of about $0.89~\mu $ Vrms and four-channel MSC with a resolution of about $0.1~\Omega $ . For a recognition task of 11 classes of hand gestures, the results showed that only with two pairs of the hybrid sensors, the average accuracy over all the subjects was 95.6 ± 2.9%, which was about 7% higher than that with two-channel sEMG and six-channel accelerometer signals. These results suggest that the proposed IDSM method would be an efficient way to simplify the human-machine interaction system with fewer sensors for high recognition accuracy of hand motions.
Accuracy and Technical Predictability of Computer Guided Bone Harvesting from the Mandible: A Cone-Beam CT Analysis in 22 Consecutive Patients

This study assesses the accuracy and technical predictability of a computer-guided procedure for harvesting bone from the external oblique ridge using a patient-specific cutting guide. Twenty-two patients needing bone augmentation for implant placement were subjected to mandibular osteotomy employing a case-specific stereolithographic surgical guide generated through computer aided design. Differences between planned and real cut planes were measured comparing pre- and post-operative Cone Beam Computed Tomography images of the donor site according to six validated angular and displacement indexes. Accuracy and technical predictability were assessed for 119 osteotomy planes over the study population. Three different guide fitting approaches were compared. An average root-mean-square discrepancy of 0.52 (0.30–0.97) mm was detected. The accuracy of apical and medial planes was higher than the mesial and distal planes due to occasional antero-posterior guide shift. Fitting the guide with an extra reference point on the closest tooth performed better than using only the bone surface, with two indexes significantly lower and less disperse. The study showed that the surgical plan was actualized with a 1 mm safety margin, allowing effective nerve preservation and reducing technical variability. When possible, surgical guide design should allow fitting on the closest tooth based on both radiological and/or intra-oral scan data.
Challenges to Identifying Economic Development Impacts

Researchers investigating causal estimates of economic development programs face many challenges. This commentary highlights three challenges for future researchers to consider. Specifically, the author discusses how important it is to examine distributional changes and not just mean effects. Additionally, the merits of determining migration effects when studying economic development programs to better understand if original residents benefit from the program are discussed. Finally, the author questions how the pandemic will affect economic development research, particularly relating to how labor markets are defined.
From ultrasoft pseudopotentials to the projector augmented-wave method

The formal relationship between ultrasoft (US) Vanderbilt-type pseudopotentials and Bl\"ochl's projector augmented wave (PAW) method is derived. It is shown that the total energy functional for US pseudopotentials can be obtained by linearization of two terms in a slightly modified PAW total energy functional. The Hamilton operator, the forces, and the stress tensor are derived for this modified PAW functional. A simple way to implement the PAW method in existing plane-wave codes supporting US pseudopotentials is pointed out. In addition, critical tests are presented to compare the accuracy and efficiency of the PAW and the US pseudopotential method with relaxed core all electron methods. These tests include small molecules $({\mathrm{H}}_{2}{,\mathrm{}\mathrm{H}}_{2}{\mathrm{O},\mathrm{}\mathrm{Li}}_{2}{,\mathrm{}\mathrm{N}}_{2}{,\mathrm{}\mathrm{F}}_{2}{,\mathrm{}\mathrm{BF}}_{3}{,\mathrm{}\mathrm{SiF}}_{4})$ and several bulk systems (diamond, Si, V, Li, Ca, ${\mathrm{CaF}}_{2},$ Fe, Co, Ni). Particular attention is paid to the bulk properties and magnetic energies of Fe, Co, and Ni.
Identification of the curve of discontinuity of the determinant of the anisotropic conductivity

Abstract - Consider an anisotropic conductor of electric current which occupies a domain Ω ⊂ℝ2 with conductivity coefficient A = A0 +BχD, where D is a subdomain of Ω, A0 and A0+B are real, symmetric, uniformly positive definite and 2×2-matrix-valued functions. Denote by ΛA(f) the flux across ∂Ω induced by an electric potential f on ∂Ω. We prove that D can be uniquely determined by ΛA(f) for infinitely many f provided det A is discontinuous on ∂D and B is small on ∂D.
Stabilitas Ekonomi Makro dan Imbal Hasil (Yield) Obligasi Pemerintah di Negara ASEAN-5

: This research is about differences in yields of government bonds in 5 ASEAN countries. The differences in economic conditions between countries are expected to be considered by investors in entering the number of funds. The general objective of this study is to determine the effect of macroeconomic relationships on government bond yields. The specific aim of this study is to determine the differences in the macroeconomic impact of 5 ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines) on government bond yields. This study uses panel data analysis. This study uses secondary data consisting of monthly data from government bond yields, exchange rates, inflation, and benchmark interest rates. The analysis found a significant negative effect of the exchange rate variable on the imbalance of results (yield). Meanwhile, macroeconomic indicators of inflation and interest rates have a positive and significant effect on unbalanced results. The analysis results show that there is no significant difference in the economic conditions of the ASEAN-5 countries on the yield of the 10-year government bonds.
On solid grounds: Dynamic emplacement and category construction in US specialty coffee, 1974–2016

Understanding how the construction of a market category occurs is contingent upon a consideration of where it occurs. Yet extant research mostly depicts place as the backdrop against which market actors cognitively formulate claims about the meaning of a category. Drawing on an inductive historical study of over four decades of the US specialty coffee category, I induce an empirically grounded model of category construction through dynamic emplacement: actors’ ongoing efforts to ground category meanings in particular places and places’ ongoing heightening of the category’s credibility. This model reorients research away from an exclusive focus on socio-cognitive explanations that highlight claim-making and claim-evaluation as the drivers of category construction and, instead, recognizes that categories are also experienced and transformed materially. Dynamic emplacement unfolds as (1) actors anchor category meanings, shift material forms, and transpose the category to new meaning systems, and (2) places, as bundles of location, material forms, and meanings, become truth-spots—sites in which experiences of the category render “what ought to be” and, thus, what is central to the category. The study suggests that dynamic emplacement helps to address construction challenges, enabling the category to develop without losing its bearings.
A similarity-guaranteed clustering algorithm and its search tree for handling an increased weight

A Clustering Tree, which is a kind of data structures, is not only used for clustering data but also a search tree for searching clusters number. Normally, it is constructed from a Minimum Spanning Tree (MST). In the case a connection line is later adjusted its weight: either increased or decreased weight. It is necessary to invoke the Clustering Tree constructing algorithm again. This situation affects the overall running time which can be greater. There was an algorithm for handling the decreased weight. In this paper, a new algorithm is presented. This new algorithm avoids reconstructing the Clustering Tree at each increased weight. Additionally, its running time is O(n) per weight adjustment where n is the number of nodes in the Clustering Tree.
Microbial Intervention: An Approach to Combat the Postharvest Pathogens of Fruits

Plants host diverse microbial communities, which undergo a complex interaction with each other. Plant-associated microbial communities provide various benefits to the host directly or indirectly, viz. nutrient acquisition, protection from pathogen invaders, mitigation from different biotic and abiotic stress. Presently, plant-associated microbial strains are frequently utilized as biofertilizers, biostimulants and biocontrol agents in greenhouse and field conditions and have shown satisfactory results. Nowadays, the plant/fruit microbiome has been employed to control postharvest pathogens and postharvest decay, and to maintain the quality or shelf life of fruits. In this context, the intervention of the natural fruit microbiome or the creation of synthetic microbial communities to modulate the functional attributes of the natural microbiome is an emerging aspect. In this regard, we discuss the community behavior of microbes in natural conditions and how the microbiome intervention plays a crucial role in the postharvest management of fruits.
Absorption features in the 3 micron spectra of protostars

Low-resolution spectra have been obtained for a selection of infrared protostars and one object located behind the Taurus dark cloud. Most of the differences in the spectra can be attributed to different H{sub 2}O ice temperatures combined with additional broad absorption between 3.3 and 3.5 microns plus another absorption in the 2.8-2.9 micron range. An NH{sub 3}-H{sub 2}O ice mixture, scattering by H{sub 2}O ice-coated grains, and hydrated silicates are ruled out as explanations for the last type of absorption. The most plausible explanation is still some form of hydrocarbon in the grain mantles. 59 refs.
Adaptive sampling technique

An adaptive sampling technique utilizing the first three terms of a Taylor series expansion about the n th sampling instant for the error signal in an error-sampled feedback control system is presented. The necessary rules for determining the sign convention used in applying the technique are given along with an example illustrating the method. The procedure basically depends on the determination of a preselected constant difference between successive sampling instants.
Predicting students’ academic performance using e-learning logs

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) drives most higher education systems in many countries to stop face-to-face learning. Accordingly, many universities, including Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), changed the teaching method from face-to-face education to electronic learning from a distance. This research paper investigated the impact of the e-learning experience on the students during the spring semester of 2020 at JUST. It also explored how to predict students’ academic performances using e-learning data. Consequently, we collected students’ datasets from two resources: the center for e-learning and open educational resources and the admission and registration unit at the university. Five courses in the spring semester of 2020 were targeted. In addition, four regression machine learning algorithms had been used in this study to generate the predictions: random forest (RF), Bayesian ridge (BR), adaptive boosting (AdaBoost), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). The results showed that the ensemble model for RF and XGBoost yielded the best performance. Finally, it is worth mentioning that among all the e-learning components and events, quiz events had a significant impact on predicting the student’s academic performance. Moreover, the paper shows that the activities between weeks 9 and 12 influenced students’ performances during the semester.
3-D ray modeling by wavefront construction in open models

A synthesis of two newly developed concepts in 3-D modeling is developed in this paper: (1) The open, (non-complete) seismic model, and (2) the ray tracing based wavefront (WF) construction method. The open model may contain interfaces with holes and other missing parts, which simplifies model building considerably because the input horizon data from standard interpretation and processing packages are often incomplete. A set of volumes is defined in the model. A volume is a logical unit that points to a set of property functions, e.g., P-velocity, S-velocity, and density. The properties are represented either as constants or as B-spline functions of the spatial coordinates (x, y) or (x, y, z). The volumes of the model are assigned to opposing sides of each interface and not to specific spatial areas of the model, which is the case in most (blocky) model representations. The interfaces are given explicitly by triangular grids where the sizes of the triangles are determined locally by the curvature of the interface. We show how modeling by WF construction is both possible and computationally efficient in open models, but only after some modifications to deal with the ambiguity of the model representation. It is not possible to find a unique volume for the spatial positions in an open model. Instead, the volumes (with associated velocities, etc.) are determined from the last interface encountered by each ray in the WF. To find an arrival in a receiver, the volume associated to the receiver has to match the volume of the WF hitting the receiver.
Parametric MRI Detects Aristolochic Acid Induced Acute Kidney Injury

Exposure to aristolochic acid (AA) is of increased concern due to carcinogenic and nephrotoxic effects, and incidence of aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) is increasing. This study characterizes renal alterations during the acute phase of AAN using parametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An AAN and a control group of male Wistar rats received administration of aristolochic acid I (AAI) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), respectively, for six days. Both groups underwent MRI before and 2, 4 and 6 days after AAI or PEG administration. T2 relaxation times and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were determined for four renal layers. Serum creatinine levels (sCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured. Tubular injury scores (TIS) were evaluated based on histologic findings. Increased T2 values were detected since day 2 in the AAN group, but decreased ADCs and increased sCr levels and BUN were not detected until day 4. Significant linear correlations were observed between T2 of the cortex and the outer stripe of outer medulla and TIS. Our results demonstrate that parametric MRI facilitates early detection of renal injury induced by AAI in a rat model. T2 mapping may be a valuable tool for assessing kidney injury during the acute phase of AAN.
Social movements and public policies - action of the NGO HTLVida

Abstract In contemporary history, several forms of civil society organizations have stood out in the struggle to expand rights. Non-governmental organizations dedicate themselves to extending the rights of the group for which they were created. This study shows the work of the HTLVida to NGO introduce HTLV to the governmental agenda of Bahia State, Brazil, and to extend rights for this population. HTLV is a retrovirus affecting T lymphocytes which can cause neurological and hematological diseases, among others. Brazil has the highest absolute number of cases and Bahia is one of the states with the highest infection prevalence. We found that several factors contributed to including the topic in the Bahia government agenda and the subsequent implementation of rights; among these, the strong militancy of individuals infected with the virus in the HTLVida group. Regarding their achievements, we highlight the structuring of a municipal outpatient clinic, the creation of the Municipal Day to Confront HTLV, and its inclusion in activities related to STIs in health departments. Despite significant advances, this social movement still needs to persist to mobilize the expansion of social rights for people living with HTLV.
Sincronización entre la videodeglución y la electromiografía de superficie en pacientes con afectación neurológica y síntomas de disfagia

Resumen Introducción. La disfagia se define como la dificultad para movilizar la comida desde la boca hasta el estómago. La prueba diagnóstica para esta condición es la videofluoroscopia, la cual no es totalmente inocua pues utiliza radiación ionizante. La electromiografía de superficie registra la actividad eléctrica de los músculos de manera no invasiva, por lo que puede considerarse como una alternativa para evaluar la deglución y estudiar la disfagia. Objetivo. Evaluar la relación entre los tiempos relativos de activación de los músculos implicados en la fase oral y faríngea de la deglución, con los movimientos registrados durante la videofluoroscopia. Materiales y métodos. Se analizaron las señales de la electromiografía de superficie de 10 pacientes neurológicos con síntomas de disfagia, captadas en forma simultánea con la videofluoroscopia. Se suministraron 5 ml de yogur y 10 ml de agua, y 3 g de galleta. Se estudiaron bilateralmente los grupos musculares maseteros, suprahioideos e infrahioideos. Se analizó el paso del bolo por la línea mandibular, las valleculas y el músculo cricofaríngeo, correlacionándolo con el tiempo inicial y el final de la activación de cada uno de los grupos musculares. Resultados. El tiempo promedio de la fase faríngea fue de 0,89 ± 0,12 s. En la mayoría de los casos, hubo activación muscular antes del paso por la línea mandibular y las valleculas. La terminación de la actividad muscular parece corresponder al momento en que se completa el paso del bolo alimenticio por el músculo cricofaríngeo. Conclusión. Se determinaron los tiempos de actividad muscular, la duración de la fase faríngea y la secuencia de la activación de los grupos musculares involucrados en la deglución, mediante electromiografía de superficie, validada con la videofluoroscopia.