Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gasflows in Barred Galaxies with Big Orbital Loops—A Comparative Study of Two Hydrocodes

We study the flow of gas in a barred-galaxy model, in which a considerable part of the underlying stable periodic orbits have loops where, close to the ends of the bar, several orbital families coexist and chaos dominates. Such conditions are typically encountered in a zone between the 4:1 resonance and corotation. The purpose of our study is to understand the gaseous flow in the aforementioned environment and trace the morphology of the shocks that form. We use two conceptually different hydrodynamic schemes for our calculations, namely, the mesh-free Lagrangian SPH method and the adaptive mesh refinement code RAMSES. This allows us to compare responses by means of the two algorithms. We find that the big loops of the orbits, mainly belonging to the x1 stable periodic orbits, do not help the shock loci to approach corotation. They deviate away from the regions occupied by the loops, bypass them and form extensions at an angle with the straight-line shocks. Roughly at the distance from the center at which we start to observe the big loops, we find characteristic “tails” of dense gas streaming towards the straight-line shocks. The two codes give complementary information for understanding the hydrodynamics of the models.
Design of an automated corn kernel inspection system for machine vision

A prototype machine vision system for automatically inspecting corn kernels was designed and built. A strobe light was used to eliminate image blur due to the motion of corn kernels. Kernel singulation and the synchronization of strobe firing with the image acquisition were achieved by using optical sensors. Control circuitry was designed to enable synchronization of strobe firing to the vertical blanking period of the camera. Corn kernels of random orientation were inspected for whole versus broken percentages and on-line tests had successful classification rates of 91% and 94% for whole and broken kernels, respectively.
Non-ideal feedforward torque control of wind turbines: Impacts on annual energy production & gross earnings

We discuss non-ideal torque control in wind turbine systems. Most high-level controllers generate a reference torque which is then send to the underlying electrical drive system (generator+inverter) of the wind turbine system to steer the turbine/generator to its optimal operation point (depending on the wind speed). The energy production heavily depends on the mechanical power (i.e. the product of rotational speed and generator torque). However, since torque sensors in the MW range are not available or extremely expensive, the underlying torque control system is implemented as feedforward control and, therefore, is inherently sensitive to parameter variations/uncertainties. Based on real wind data and a wind turbine system model, we discuss causes and impacts of non-ideal feedforward torque control on the energy production and the annual gross earnings.
Design of 0.4 V operational amplifier using low-power techniques

In this paper a low-power low-voltage CMOS operational amplifier (op amp) using sub-threshold region of MOSFET for bio-medical instrumentation operating with a 0.4 V supply is described. A two stage operational amplifier is designed and simulated using 0.18 μm CMOS technology. Two types of low-power low-voltage design techniques (a) bulk-driven (b) dynamic threshold voltage MOSFET (DTMOS) are used. With bulk-driven technique, the open loop gain is 69.88 dB, the unity gain-bandwidth (UGBW) is 87.1 kHz, CMRR obtained is 83 dB and phase margin is 88.78 degree with 10pF load. The power consumption is 1.8 μW. With DTMOS technique, the open loop gain is 83.31 dB, the unity gain-bandwidth is 758.6 kHz, CMRR obtained is 157.1 dB and phase margin is 71.5 degree with 10pF load. The power consumption is 1.8 μW. DTMOS technique provides high unity gain-bandwidth and high open loop gain as compared to bulk-driven technique.
Controller design methods for linear systems: With emphasis on integrating processes

Certain new approaches for designing efficient controllers for linear systems, in particular, for integrating processes, are proposed in this thesis. The parameters of the proposed proportionalintegral-derivative (PID) controllers and its variants are optimized by minimizing the integral square error (ISE) using the so called bacterial foraging algorithm (BFA). Although ISE is a standard minimization criterion as well as BFA has certain advantages such as better solution quality and good convergence, both of them suffer from some drawbacks. To obtain the robust closed loop performance, the ISE criterion is initially modified by appending time parameters to the said criterion. Similarly, to ensure the convergence of BFA, an adaptive strategy for the run length vector along with two modifications in the standard BFA are also proposed. Next, the parameters of the PID and its variants are estimated using the proposed ‘slope of the Nyquist curves’ technique. The approach of the said slope of the Nyquist curves method is also extended to design controllers for the modified Smith predictors. Finally, the parameters of the PID and its variants are derived analytically using the user-defined percentage overshoot and process model parameters.
Immune cell responses in pancreatic cancer and their clinical application

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal diseases around the world, for hardly detection and poor prognosis. Recent years, functions of the tumor microenvironment and immune cells attract people’s view and there is emerging evidence implicating some immune cells hold the key points in the metabolism, invasion, and metastasis in pancreatic cancer. In this review, we highlight some main immune cells, such as Tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) and macrophages (TAMs), Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and Regulatory T cells (Tregs). Furthermore, we review current clinical applications and discuss potential values in future.
Non-bacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis as a Rare Manifestation of Early Stage Gastric Cancer

Endocarditis is an inflammation of the endocardium and is characterized by the presence of vegetation, which may occur in the context of infectious or non-infectious diseases. Despite the higher rate of infective endocarditis diagnosis, it may also surge in other non-infectious conditions such as cancer or chronic inflammatory syndromes. Cancer defines a hypercoagulable state, and cancer-associated thrombophilia can have a diverse clinical presentation, most commonly venous thromboembolism and rarely non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE). The diagnosis of NBTE is difficult and requires a high level of suspicion. The treatment relies on anticoagulant therapy, control of underlying disease, and valve replacement when applied. Independently of the etiology, without treatment, endocarditis may lead to valve dysfunction and to the worst prognosis. In this paper, we describe a case of a patient with persistent fever and NBTE of the tricuspid valve, disclosing a rare presentation of gastric cancer.
Advances and Pitfalls of Specialized Pain Care through Public and Private Health Care Providers in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands: A Physician's Survey

Optimal diagnosis and treatment of pain require a multidisciplinary approach that demands considerable coordination and forethought. A cross-sectional physician survey based on an online questionnaire was carried out to assess the adoption of multidisciplinary working patterns, compare the public and private models, and provide an update on the resources and organization of specialized pain care in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. Active pain practitioners identified through the Catalan Health Service and Pain Society databases were sent an invitation in December 2020. Of the 321 physicians contacted, 91 (28.3%) answered and 71 provided complete responses (commonly anesthesiologists, representing 92 different sites; some worked at public and private sites). Up to 78.7% reported working in pain management teams, but only 53.5% were regularly involved in teaching or research activities. Thus, the proportion of multidisciplinary sites lies somewhere in-between. Median wait times were significantly shorter and within the recommended standards in private practices (e.g., 15 vs. 90 days in public practices for noncancer patients). In turn, private practices were slightly less staffed and equipped, albeit the differences did not reach statistical significance. Respondents made a median of 530 regular and 30 emergency visits per year, of which 190 involved interventional procedures. They offered a wide range of pharmacological and interventional therapies, although psychotherapy and the most sophisticated procedures were only available in ≤50% of sites. Pain clinicians and facilities are reasonably available in Catalonia, but barely more than half are truly multidisciplinary. Public and private practices differ in some aspects; the latter seems to be more accessible, but it is restricted to patients who can afford it. Compared to previous reports, this update shows both advances and outstanding issues. Multidisciplinary care could be expanded by incorporating more psychologists and some interventional procedures. The public practices should reduce wait times.
A transportable strontium optical lattice clock towards space

This work presents the realisation and characterisation of the world’s smallest transportable optical lattice clock as part of the Space Optical Clocks 2 EU project built at the University of Birmingham. Housed in a transportable rack of dimensions 170 x 100 x 60 cm, such a device aims to measure the frequency of the doubly-forbidden 1S0−3P0 clock transition in 88Sr in an unprecedented compact apparatus as a major technological milestone towards an optical clock upon the International Space Station. A master optical clock in space would serve with unrivalled accuracy and stability to disseminate a precise and accurate reference for terrestrial clocks and the coordination of international time. Such a clock has the potential to redefine the second, revolutionise timekeeping and precision measurements, and perform fundamental science experiments in space. Using a combination of novel design, innovative cooling techniques, and robust, compact commercially available products, the clock portability, robustness and operational simplicity have been improved. The apparatus simply and effectively cools and traps up to 105 88Sr atoms at a temperature of 1.3±0. 2μK in an optical lattice with a lifetime of 0.52±0.01s within 400ms. The most recent preliminary clock spectroscopy measurement was 3.6 ± 0.2Hz. The instability of the clock has been measured at 8×10−17 after averaging for 300s with the goal instability being 5.8×10−17 within the same averaging time. These results show the experiment will lead transportable optical clock research and continue with the goal of being a master clock in space.
Factors affecting consumer attitudes towards SMS advertising in the Palestinian banking sector. The moderating role of national culture

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors affecting consumer attitudes towards SMS advertising in the Palestinian banking sector: The moderating role of national culture) from a consumers’ point of view. An empirical study was conducted using a survey questionnaire to collect primary data in order to test the hypotheses. A structural equation model (SEM) technique is employed to analyze the data collected from 424 banks’ clients. The findings show that national culture acts as a moderating variable in managing the relationship between (i.e., relevancy, entertainment, informativeness, irritation, and creditability), and consumer’s attitudes towards SMS advertising indicating its importance for marketers when they communicate via SMS with their clients for advertising purposes. While this paper builds on previous work, it also offers results that can help researchers and practitioners in their hunt for SMS advertising success.
Formulation of unified kinematics for overconstrained Schönflies parallel mechanism using vectorial algebra

This study establishes unified kinematics of Schönflies parallel manipulators (PMs) considering the constraint matrix. Based on vectorial algebra, the kinematics of 4-RRRRR PM is solved using the geometric relation between the links, which solves the PM problem that the vector method could not solve using several kinematic pairs and links. First, the overall Jacobian and Hessian matrices of the Schönflies PM are derived. Then, a complex 4-RRRRR PM was selected and the inverse displacement analysis is performed using a new strategy. The 6 × 6 Jacobian and 6 × 6 × 6 Hessian matrices of the mechanism are deduced. Finally, the kinematics is derived and the results are used to demonstrate the proposed method.
Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury Alters Brain Acylcarnitine Levels in a Mouse Model

Hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI) leads to depletion of ATP, mitochondrial dysfunction, and enhanced oxidant formation. Measurement of acylcarnitines may provide insight into mitochondrial dysfunction. Plasma acylcarnitine levels are altered in neonates after an HIBI, but individual acylcarnitine levels in the brain have not been evaluated. Additionally, it is unknown if plasma acylcarnitines reflect brain acylcarnitine changes. In this study, postnatal day 9 CD1 mouse pups were randomized to HIBI induced by carotid artery ligation, followed by 30 min at 8% oxygen, or to sham surgery and normoxia, with subgroups for tissue collection at 30 min, 24 h, or 72 h after injury (12 animals/group). Plasma, liver, muscle, and brain (dissected into the cortex, cerebellum, and striatum/thalamus) tissues were collected for acylcarnitine analysis by LC-MS. At 30 min after HIBI, acylcarnitine levels were significantly increased, but the differences resolved by 24 h. Palmitoylcarnitine was increased in the cortex, muscle, and plasma, and stearoylcarnitine in the cortex, striatum/thalamus, and cerebellum. Other acylcarnitines were elevated only in the muscle and plasma. In conclusion, although plasma acylcarnitine results in this study mimic those seen previously in humans, our data suggest that the plasma acylcarnitine profile was more reflective of muscle changes than brain changes. Acylcarnitine metabolism may be a target for therapeutic intervention after neonatal HIBI, though the lack of change after 30 min suggests a limited therapeutic window.
EFFECT OF REPEATED SPRINTS TRAINING IN HYPOXIC AND HYPEROXIC CONDITIONS ON ANAEROBIC PERFORMANCE IN TEAM SPORTS PLAYERS

The purpose of this research was to study the effect of repeated sprints training in hypoxic and hyperoxic conditions on anaerobic performance in team sports players. Twenty-four male team sports players age 19-23 of Faculty of Sports Science Kasetsart University were the subjects of the research. For 6 weeks, the subject performed repeated sprints training for 3 set, 7 times per set, in each times included maximum sprint for 5 second separated by active recovery for 55 second, and rest 3 minutes between set . They similarity performed in 3 groups with the different amount of oxygen in the air. All of the subjects were tested for weight, height, resting heart rate and serum iron before and after the sixth week of training. Peak power, mean power and fatigue index were tested before the training and after the third and the sixth week of training. Lactic accumulation were tested after the first and the final training. The results were analyzed with One way ANOVA with repeated measures, Two way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparison test at p<0.05 The results shown that the peak power, mean power, fatigue index and lactic accumulation in repeated sprints training in normoxic, hyperoxic and hypoxic groups before the training and after the third and the sixth week of training were significantly within groups at p<0.05. The different in amount of oxygen in the air was improved in different ways. Peak Power was improved the most by repeated sprints training in normoxic group, Mean Power was improved the most by repeated sprints training in hypoxic group and Fatigue Index was improved the most by repeated sprints training in hyperoxic group. However, the comparison of each groups, peak power, mean power, fatigue index and lactic accumulation, was not found significant at p<0.05. These findings suggested that amount of oxygen different in the air is improved not different. Therefore, the coaches can select any types of training but the improvement was not different. (Journal of Sports Science and Technology 2014;14(1): 81 -92) KEYWORD: Repeated Sprint Training, Hypoxic Training, Hyperoxic Training
MEDIVISION TECHNOLOGY FOR TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT (THR). A NEW CHALLENGE FOR ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS.

Authors describe their first experience with a computerized navigation system for cup insertion in THR (Medivision). Computer navigation systems started first at the Muller Institute (Bern) in 1991 when prof. Nolte inserted his first pedicle screw in a spine specimen. In January 1997 a CT-based cup module for hip pros-thesis was developed in laboratory by prof. Nolte. At the end of 1998 a first clinical trial on a CT-based cup navigation started in Maastrict by Prof. Geesink. A new CT-free cup navigation module appeared on the scene at the end of 2000. The first clinical successful CT-free cup navigation was performed in Ludwigshafen by Dr. Grutzner in January 2001. More then 3000 hip implants have been done with good results in Europe. A postoperative CT accuracy study of cup orientation shows mean error of about 5° (to be published by Bernsmann et al. in summer 2001). Medivision uses in orthopedic surgery are multiple. Spine surgery, Pelvic Osteotomy, C-arm Navigator, C-arm Nailing, CT-based Cup, CT-free Cup, ACL-reconstruction, Total Knee Replacement. We used Medivision first in THA to asses cup orientation and lower limb length. First results confirm system reliability. The feeling with this computer-guided surgery is good and grew up every new case. Learning curve is not so long and deep if few principles are used.
Behaviour of Trace Elements in Soil and Two Varieties of Tomato under Different Rates of Fertilizers with and without Biofertilizer

Field e xperiment was carried out to s tudy the effect of biofertilizer and di fferent combination of chicken manure and mineral fertilizers on the behaviour of trace elements (Fe, Cu and Mn) i n s oil and the different organs of tow var ieties (GS12 and A lisa) of tomato plant organs and f ruits. Different rates of c hicken manure and mineral f ertilizers with and without b iofertilizer w ere applied. T he obtained results revealed that G S12 variety re leased available Fe, C u and Mn in soil by us ing 100% chicken manure with or w ithout biofertilizer. A lso i t released Fe, Cu and Mn i n c ase of using 100% mineral and 75 % chicken plus 25% mineral f ertilizers without b iofertilizer. O n the other h and, A lisa variety re leased elements in soil under o ther tre atments. Available iron and manganese were decreasing with growing tomato in soil under d ifferent treatments. Chicken manure and mineral fertilizers increased significantly the total yie ld of t omato. T he highest to tal yi eld was o btained by 75% chicken manure + 25% mineral f ertilizers while the lowest total yield was recorded by 100% mineral fertilizers or 100% chicken man ure. Biofertilizer increased s ignificantly the total yield of tomato f ruits. The interaction bet ween organic a nd mi neral fertilizers as well as biofertilizer had no significant effect on the total yield of tomato in t he two var ieties (GS 1 2 and Alisa).
Indoor Environmental Quality in Naturally Ventilated Office Buildings and its Impact on their Energy Performance

Abstract During the last two decades the significance of indoor environmental quality in buildings has been appreciated, not only in relation to thermal comfort, but also to indoor air quality. Ventilation is an important tool for securing both a good indoor climate and air quality. However, in buildings without mechanical ventilation and air conditioning systems (which comprise the majority in most European countries) natural ventilation presents the only means to satisfy indoor air quality needs. Natural ventilation is, however, a process that is difficult to control, whilst its impact is difficult to quantify by the buildings‘ occupants in real life. A field survey, carried out by the authors, is described in this paper. This highlights both the potential and the constraints of natural ventilation in office buildings. The survey focused on the two main parameters, which determine indoor environmental quality, namely thermal comfort and air quality. The data collection strategies employed were in-situ measurements to determine and evaluate the prevailing conditions, and questionnaires, which monitored and evaluated the perceptions held by the buildings‘ users in relation to those conditions. The latter confirmed the occupants‘ difficulties and dissatisfaction with respect to controlling prevailing thermal comfort conditions, whilst the former demonstrated the role of natural ventilation in reducing CO 2 and particulate matter concentrations. The survey also underlined the ineffectiveness of natural ventilation when attempting to control relative humidity levels and the overall difficulties in achieving a satisfactory energy performance of the building.
Students of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs): Viability of Digital Media Literacy in Pakistan

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have changed the dynamics of higher education institutions (HEIs) worldwide. The dependency of students on ICTs increased significantly and it considered requisite for modern higher education. Adverse impacts of ICTs studied by scholars on students of higher education that reflect ICTs are influencing social interaction pattern, cognition, academics and bring addiction. However, little work is done in HEIs to create curricula of digital media literacy which may reflect the demography of students and direct training and utility of ICTs that may mitigate adverse effect. This article argues that how students of HEIs use ICTs and what are the plausible actors that can contribute in the digital media literacy in Pakistan. For this purpose, a structured questionnaire is designed to collect the data from 640 respondents of two major public sector universities of Pakistan i.e. University of Sargodha and Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan through online survey on google form by distributing it to various online WhatsApp groups by convenience sampling technique. Actor Network Theory (ANT) is the conceptual framework of this study. The findings of the study reveal that significant respondents spent their large amount of time on ICTs for pleasure instead of necessity drive. However, findings reflect that ICTs are using by youth for various purposes that are education, political and religious information, and entertainment. Moreover, the significant respondents use ICTs for connect themselves with Internet, gaming consoles, movies, audio/video players and sharing of documents. The gender is also significant factor that contributes in the utility of ICTs. This article argues on digital media curriculum development in the universities of Pakistan.