Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Removal of Cr (VI) by Biochar Derived from Six Kinds of Garden Wastes: Isotherms and Kinetics

Garden waste is one of the main components of urban solid waste which affects the urban environment. In this study, garden waste of Morus alba L. (SS), Ulmus pumila L. (BY), Salix matsudana Koidz (LS), Populus tomentosa (YS), Sophora japonica Linn (GH) and Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco (CB) was pyrolyzed at 300 °C, 500 °C, 700 °C to obtain different types of biochar, coded as SSB300, SSB500, SSB700, BYB300, etc., which were tested for their Cr (VI) adsorption capacity. The results demonstrated that the removal efficiency of Cr by biochar pyrolyzed from multiple raw materials at different temperatures was variable, and the pH had a great influence on the adsorption capacity and removal efficiency. GHB700 had the best removal efficiency (89.44%) at a pH of 2 of the solution containing Cr (VI). The pseudo second-order kinetics model showed that Cr (VI) adsorption by biochar was chemisorption. The Langmuir model showed that the adsorption capacity of SSB300 was the largest (51.39 mg·g−1), BYB500 was 40.91 mg·g−1, GHB700, CBB700, LSB700, YSB700 were 36.85 mg·g−1, 36.54 mg·g−1, 34.53 mg·g−1 and 32.66 mg·g−1, respectively. This research, for the first time, used a variety of garden wastes to prepare biochar, and explored the corresponding raw material and pyrolysis temperature for the treatment of Cr (VI). It is hoped to provide a theoretical basis for the research and utilization of garden wastes and the production and application of biochar.
Atmospheric boundary layer observations on the East Coast at Kalpakkam using Doppler mini-sodar during different seasons

A phased array Doppler Mini-Sodar has been installed at Anupuram near Kalpakkam nuclear site during the Coastal Atmospheric Boundary Layer Experiments (CABLE) carried out on the east coast of India. Mini-Sodar was used to measure the wind profile and investigate the coastal boundary layer development due to land-sea breeze circulation for the study of coastal dispersion of pollutants. The atmospheric boundary layer, its variability during SW (August 13, 14 : ARMEX I and September 3, 7, 11, 14) and pre-monsoon period (April 27, 28 : ARMEX II) 2003 has been studied. Large wind direction change and high vertical velocity variance were observed during the onset of sea breeze. The Thermal Internal Boundary Layer (TIBL) height has been found to increase progressively with season: summer - 170 m, SW monsoon - 210 m and NE monsoon - 325 m whereas the Nocturnal Boundary Layer (NBL) height decrease progressively during the corresponding period: summer - 370 m, SW monsoon - 340 m and NE monsoon - 210 m.
Pupils’ Profiles of Social Media Usage in Mathematics with a Special Look at Facebook

The presence of social media platforms in secondary students’ daily life is growing on but it may appear difficult to know which ones are more convenient for academia, particularly among secondary school pupils who are commonly substantial internet-based life clients. This study seeks to understand Zambian pupils’ profiles of social media usage, in particular, in mathematics learning environments, mainly focusing on Facebook. Primary data sources were collected using a validated questionnaire from 288 participants at Wusakile Secondary School in Kitwe comprising of Grade 11 and Grade 12 pupils. Results revealed that Facebook was the most widely used application and that there was no statistically significant difference in pupils’ mathematics Facebook usage based on gender while there was when considering grade level. Results also indicated that Grade 11 pupils’ mean scores for social media usage were higher than those from Grade 12 pupils. Finally, results show that in the absence of mathematics classroom instructions, some pupils are also having mathematics discussions outside the classroom by means of social media, particularly on Facebook, although this academic use is still far from being relevant.
Visualização de ontologias: perspectivas para a representação de domínios modelizados

Objetivo: Trata do uso de visualizações para representar ontologias de domínio. Objetivo: identificar as técnicas de visualização da informação aptas a representar esse Sistema de Organização do Conhecimento. Metodologia: uma abordagem qualitativa, de natureza aplicada e objetivo exploratório onde foi realizado um estudo bibliográfico. Resultados: apresenta e exemplifica as técnicas e ferramentas lista identada, árvores de links e nós, visualização zoomable, preenchimento de espaço, foco mais contexto e paisagem 3D. Conclusões: aponta a inexistência de uma técnica apropriada a todos os cenários onde uma visualização de ontologia pode estar inserida.
Comparison of nalbuphine versus fentanyl as intrathecal adjuvant to bupivacaine for orthopedic surgeries: A randomized controlled double-blind trial

Background and Aims: Intrathecal adjuvants are used with local anesthetics to prolong the duration and provide postoperative pain relief while minimizing the dose of local anesthetic. Nalbuphine is an agonist-antagonist opioid and provides prolonged duration of analgesia with fewer side effects of fentanyl such as pruritus, nausea, and vomiting. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the onset and duration of sensory and motor blockade, hemodynamic effects, duration of postoperative analgesia, and adverse effects of nalbuphine and fentanyl given intrathecally with hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine in orthopedic lower limb surgeries. Material and Methods: Sixty six patients classified in American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) classes I and II scheduled for orthopedic lower limb surgeries were enrolled. Patients were randomly allocated to receive 15 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine with either 1 mg nalbuphine (group N), 25 μg fentanyl (group F) or 0.9% normal saline (group C) intrathecally. Results: Patients who received intrathecal nalbuphine (group N) had a significantly delayed onset of sensory and motor block as compared to patients who received fentanyl (group F). The time to two segment regression was significantly prolonged in group F (122.05 ± 10.65 minutes) as compared to group N (114.55 ± 10.90 minutes) [P < 0.05]. The mean duration of motor blockade was significantly prolonged in group F (197.73 ± 15.09 minutes) as compared to group N (180.68 ± 15.68 minutes) [P < 0.05]. Duration of spinal analgesia was comparable in group N (323.18 ± 57.39 minutes) and group F (287.05 ± 78.87 minutes), both significantly more than group C (224.32 ± 42.54 minutes). Hemodynamic effects, 24-h rescue analgesic requirements, and incidence of side effects were comparable among group N and F. Conclusion: Intrathecal nalbuphine in a dose of 1 mg is an equally useful alternative to fentanyl in a dose 25 μg when used as an intrathecal adjuvant to bupivacaine for lower limb surgeries. The prolonged duration of analgesia and no adverse effects makes it a good choice for the orthopedic procedures of lower limb.
Planar Common-Mode EMI Filter Design and Optimization for High-Altitude 100-kW SiC Inverter/Rectifier System

Silicon-carbide (SiC) devices are receiving popularity for high-power converter systems in aircraft due to many advantages over silicon counterparts. However, the electromagnetic interference (EMI) problems are more serious with the SiC devices operating at higher switching speeds and higher switching frequencies. The common-mode (CM) EMI filter design of the high-power SiC converter is especially challenging for high-altitude applications due to the harsher requirements of insulation and heat dissipation. The optimization of the parameters and physical design of a CM EMI filter in a 100-kW SiC inverter/rectifier system operating at 50 000 ft is conducted in this article to obtain the highest power density. The effect of the switching frequency on the EMI filter volume and the total power density of the converter system is analyzed. The lower breakdown voltage of air and the higher thermal resistance of natural convection make the conventional design of the CM choke infeasible at high altitudes. A printed circuit board (PCB)-based planar CM choke is designed with the consideration of partial discharge (PD) and heat dissipation at the altitude of 50 000 ft. The structure of the CM choke is optimized with embedded electric-field shielding plates, which controls the electric-field intensity in the air below 300 V/mm. The PCB windings improve the efficiency of heat dissipation at high altitudes and reduce the profile of the CM choke. A Pareto optimization is conducted to minimize the size of the choke and the volume of the final design is only 155 cm3. The experimental results show that the CM noise is reduced effectively with the CM EMI filter. PD is not observed even at the altitude of 50 000 ft and the thermal performance is excellent with a current of 190 A. With the optimization and the dedicated design of the CM EMI filter, the power density of the converter system is up to 33.3 kW/L.
Water scarcity and alternative water sources in South Africa: can information provision shift perceptions?

ABSTRACT Consumer perceptions are key to the success of strategies to address water scarcity. A decision pathway survey was used to investigate attitudes amongst South Africans (N = 668) in urban areas towards four alternative water sources. Results showed that storm and rainwater harvesting was the most (49.7%), and reclaimed wastewater the least acceptable options (15.7%). Direct potable reuse was the most supported alternative (26.6%), followed by indirect potable reuse (22.2%), reuse with additional piping (18.3%), direct non-potable reuse (8.3%), and indirect non-potable reuse (6.8%). Importantly, information provision led to a >66% increase in reclaimed wastewater acceptance amongst those initially opposed to it. In contrast, support for desalinated water and water restrictions decreased. Information provision also led to greater acceptance for direct relative to indirect reuse in situations of severe water scarcity. Together, the data suggest a role for information in influencing attitudes towards alternative water sources amongst consumers.
Mst1-Nrf2 regulates myocardial injury in type 2 diabetic mice through autophagy

Purpose This paper presents the effect of Mst1-Nrf2 on myocardial injury in type 2 diabetic mice through autophagy. Method C57BL/6N wild-type mice, Mst1 knockout mice and Mst1 knockout mice interfered by Keap1-Nrf2 pathway inhibitors are divided into wild group, Mst1 group, Mst1-Nrf2 group, diabetic cardiomyopathy group (DCM), DCM+Mst1 group and DCM+ Mst1-Nrf2 group. Each group contains 5 mice. Mice in DCM group, DCM+Mst1 group and DCM+Mst1-Nrf2 group are given high-glucose and high-fat diet for 4 weeks, then intraperitoneally injected 40mg/kg streptozotocin(STZ). Meanwhile, high-glucose and high-fat diet is continued for 8 weeks. Body weight and fasting blood glucose are measured every week. Mice in Mst1-Nrf2 group and mice in DCM+Mst1-Nrf2 group are given interference of Keap1-Nrf2 pathway inhibitors, and intraperitoneally injected for 4 weeks at a dose of 5mmol/L. Results After 8 weeks of STZ injection, the body weight of mice in DCM+Mst1 group and mice in DCM+ Mst1-Nrf2 group increases and fasting blood glucose level decreases, the differences are statistically significant (P<0.01). Compared with the wild group, the fasting glucose level of mice in Mst1 group and Mst1-Nrf2 group decreases after 8 weeks (P<0.01). Compared with the wild group, the degree of myocardial fibrosis in Mst1 group and Mst1-Nrf2 group is significantly reduced, while the level of myocardial fibrosis in DCM group is significantly increased (P < 0.01). After 8 weeks of STZ injection, the degree of myocardial fibrosis in DCM+Mst1 group and DCM+ Mst1-Nrf2 group is significantly reduced. Compared with the wild group, the expression of myocardial Beclin1 protein in Mst1 group and Mst1-Nrf2 group is significantly increased (P < 0.01); Compared with DCM group, myocardial Beclin1 protein expression is significantly increased in DCM+Mst1 group and DCM+Mst1-Nrf2 group(P< 0.01). Compared with the wild group, the expression of p62 protein in myocardium of Mst1 group and Mst1-Nrf2 group is significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with DCM group, the expression of p62 protein in myocardium of DCM+Mst1 group and DCM+Mst1-Nrf2 group is decreased significantly (P< 0.01). Compared with the wild group, myocardial Nrf2 protein expression in Mst1 group and Mst1-Nrf2 group is significantly increased (P < 0.01). Compared with DCM group, myocardial Nrf2 protein expression of mice in DCM+Mst1 group and DCM+ Mst1-Nrf2 group is significantly increased (P < 0.01). Conclusion Mst1-Nrf2 promotes autophagy in type 2 diabetic mice and inhibits the progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy.
An End-to-End UAV Simulation Platform for Visual SLAM and Navigation

Visual simultaneous localization and mapping (v-SLAM) and navigation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are receiving increasing attention in both research and education. However, extensive physical testing can be expensive and time-consuming due to safety precautions, battery constraints, and the complexity of hardware setups. For the efficient development of navigation algorithms and autonomous systems, as well as for education purposes, the ROS-Gazebo-PX4 simulator was customized in-depth, integrated into our previous released research works, and provided as an end-to-end simulation (E2ES) solution for UAV, v-SLAM, and navigation applications. Unlike most other similar works, which can only stimulate certain parts of the navigation algorithms, the E2ES platform simulates all of the localization, mapping, and path-planning kits in one simulator. The navigation stack performs well in the E2ES test bench with the absolute pose errors of 0.3 m (translation) and 0.9 degree (rotation), respectively, for an 83 m length trajectory. Moreover, the E2ES provides an out-of-box, click-and-fly autonomy in UAV navigation. The project source code is opened for the benefit of the research community.
Urban Transformations and Complex Values: Insights From Beirut

Through an urban renewal process driven by a well-resourced Lebanese diaspora and foreign investment, Beirut has undergone conspicuous morphological densification, characterised by parcel aggregation and exploitation of building height. Planning agencies have contributed to these transformations, deliberately involved in the production of illegality, and contributing to unplanned urban development. Although recent literature has substantially furthered our understanding of deregulated planning in Beirut, little is known of the preferences of residents with regards to the urban development process. This article sheds light on how morphological densification affects the complex values attached by residents to their urban environments using a novel data set and mixed-methods approach. It explores how dramatic urban restructuring affects resident values of architectural amenities and neighbourhood belonging. Findings show that although living in areas with different rates of building change does not affect preferences for architectural amenities, it affects resident socio-political activism towards the preservation of their built environment. Residents living in areas with high building-change rates had almost 50% lower odds of being willing to stop new construction near their location of residence because of their lack of confidence in the planning system. Neighbourhood belonging is not significantly affected by construction rates, but substantially increases both with the number of years lived in a neighbourhood and in locations with better building conditions, confirming a role for the built environment.
Blood Metabolomic Phenotyping of Dry Cows Could Predict the High Milk Somatic Cells in Early Lactation—Preliminary Results

Subclinical mastitis (SCM) is a very common disease of dairy cows. Currently, somatic cell count (SCC) is used for SCM diagnoses. There are no prognostic tests to detect which cows may develop SCM during the dry-off period. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to identify metabolic alterations in the serum of pre-SCM cows during the dry-off period, at −8 and −4 weeks before calving, through a targeted mass spectrometry (MS) assay. Fifteen cows, free of any disease, and 10 cows affected only by SCM postpartum served as controls (CON) and the SCM group, respectively. Results showed 59 and 47 metabolites that differentiated (p ≤ 0.05) CON and pre-SCM cows at –8 and −4 weeks prior to the expected date of parturition, respectively. Regression analysis indicated that a panel of four serum metabolites (AUC = 0.92, p < 0.001) at −8 weeks and another four metabolites (AUC = 0.92, p < 0.01) at −4 weeks prior to parturition might serve as predictive biomarkers for SCM. Early identification of susceptible cows can enable development of better preventive measurements ahead of disease occurrence.
Becoming a student representative in Brazil: a phenomenological study of students with intellectual disabilities

ABSTRACT The gap between social participation and inclusive education policies highlights a lack of participation and opportunities for decision-making among people with intellectual disabilities (ID). In particular, the underrepresentation of students with ID in representative roles in schools underscores the need to consider notions of in-school participation. Based on Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenology perspective, this study investigates the lived experience of all stakeholders involved in the process of students with ID becoming representatives in a Brazilian school. Several collaborative preparatory meetings were held with key stakeholders. The six participants interviewed were the teacher of the resource room, two student representatives with ID, the pedagogical coordinators, and a mother of the student representative. The results showed that the students’ representation was an inclusive practice that allowed students to develop advocacy skills. This study contributes with a practical application on how a school can create opportunities for students to voice their collaboration in the Global South.
Impact of Income and Industry on New-Onset Diabetes among Employees: A Retrospective Cohort Study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of income and industry type on the risk of developing diabetes among Japanese workers, including how this impact is affected by sex. A total of 24,516 employees at small- and medium-sized enterprises in Japan aged 40–74 years who underwent health examinations in fiscal years 2010–2015 were included in this retrospective cohort study. Generalized linear regression models were used to assess the association between new-onset diabetes and income and industry. In men, the cumulative incidence rate was significantly higher in the low-income group; it was highest in the transportation and postal service industries. Although income and industry were independent risk factors for developing diabetes in men, an interaction was found between income and industry, which was affected by participants’ sex: in specific industries (i.e., lifestyle-related, personal services, and entertainment services), men had a significantly higher risk of developing diabetes in the high-income group, and women had a significantly higher risk of developing diabetes in the low-income group. These findings highlight important factors to consider in assessing diabetes risk and suggest that efficient primary and secondary prevention should be encouraged in industries where workers have a high risk of diabetes.
AERODYNAMICS OF SMALL VEHICLES

In this review we describe the aerodynamic problems that must be addressed in order to design a successful small aerial vehicle. The effects of Reynolds number and aspect ratio (AR) on the design and performance of fixed-wing vehicles are described. The boundary-layer behavior on airfoils is especially important in the design of vehicles in this flight regime. The results of a number of experimental boundary-layer studies, including the influence of laminar separation bubbles, are discussed. Several examples of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in this regime are described. Also, a brief survey of analytical models for oscillating and flapping-wing propulsion is presented. These range from the earliest examples where quasi-steady, attached flow is assumed, to those that account for the unsteady shed vortex wake as well as flow separation and aeroelastic behavior of a flapping wing. Experiments that complemented the analysis and led to the design of a successful ornithopter are also described.
Regional impacts of black carbon morphologies on aerosol-radiation interactions: A comparative study between the US and China

Abstract. Black carbon (BC) is one of the dominant absorbing aerosol species in the atmosphere. It normally has complex fractal-like structures due to the aggregation process during combustion. A wide range of aerosol-radiation interactions (ARI) of BC has been reported throughout experimental and modeling studies. One reason for the large discrepancies among multiple studies is the application of the over-simplified spherical morphology for BC in ARI estimates. Here, we employ a regional chemical transport model coupled with a radiative transfer code which utilizes the non-spherical BC optical simulations to re-evaluate the effects of particles' morphologies on BC ARI. Anthropogenic activities and wildfires are two major sources of BC emissions. Therefore, we choose four typical polluted cities in East China which are dominated by urban emissions, and three locations in the northwest US that are dominated by fire emissions in this study. Our modeling results show that spherical BC models overestimate the aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 550 nm wavelength up to 0.03 and 0.15 at typical polluted cities in East China and fire regions in the northwest US, respectively, than fractal BC models with a fractal dimension (Df) of 1.8. Besides, spherical BC model underestimates BC aerosol absorption optical depth (AAOD) at 450 nm up to 0.016 and 0.04 at typical polluted cities in East China and fire sites in the US, respectively, than the fractal BC model. BC morphologies have relatively small impacts on the single scattering albedo (SSA) and extinction Ångström exponent (EAE), while these morphological effects on the absorption Ångström exponent (AAE) are rather significant. The spherical BC models underestimate AAE by approximately 0.17 at 450 and 850 nm wavelength pair than the fractal counterparts. Besides, BC morphologies have non-negligible impacts on the BC ARI. The calculated mean ARI using the spherical BC model is approximately 3.47–4.45 Wm−2 at typical polluted cities in China, while the values increase to approximately 3.83–4.92 Wm−2 when using the fractal aggregate model, and the relative variations are approximately 10.4 %–15.3 %. The mean BC ARI increases from approximately 4.91–6.61 Wm−2 to 5.52–7.05 Wm−2 and the relative variations for BC ARI are approximately 6.2 %–6.9 % when we modify the BC from spheres to fractal aggregates with a Df of 1.8 in the northwest US. Therefore, the effects of BC morphologies on the regional radiative effects should be carefully evaluated in different regions.