Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation of microbial community structure and its potential for biomethane production by co‐digestion of cassava pulp and distillery stillage

Cassava pulp (CP), a by‐product of the tapioca starch industry, has been recognized as a high potential substrate for bio‐gas production due to its high carbon content. In this work, co‐digestion between CP and distiller stillage (DS) was investigated with the main objective to improve the system stability as well as to enhance the biogas production. The effect of five different CP:DS ratios including 1:0, 1:0.5, 1:1, 0.5:1, and 0:1 based on volatile solids (VS) was carried out. The result showed that the co‐digestion of CP and DS is a promising approach for increasing the cumulative methane yield by 65.57%–222.19% compared to the digestion of CP alone. The highest methane yield of 685.10 ml/g VS was obtained at the CP:DS of 1:1. The bacterial and archaeal communities were analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. The bacterial community of CP:DS ratio was dominated by Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Chloroflexi phylum whilst Methanosarcina (Methanosarcina barkeri) dominated the methanogenic archaeal community. This work demonstrated the adaptation of co‐digestion resulting in a higher methane production with a higher stability of the system. The result could pave a way for a highly efficient co‐digestion system in a larger scale biogas production.
Transportation of AIE-visualized nanoliposomes is dominated by the protein corona

Abstract Liposomes, especially cationic liposomes, are the most common and well-investigated nanocarriers for biomedical applications, such as drug and gene delivery. Like other types of nanomaterials, once liposomes are incubated in a biological milieu, their surface can be immediately cloaked by biological components to form a protein corona, which confers a new ‘biological identity’ and modulates downstream interactions with cells. However, it remains unclear how the protein corona affects the transportation mechanism after liposomes interact with cells. Here, we employed home-made aggregation-induced-emission-visualized nanoliposomes TR4@Lipo as a model to investigate transportation with or without the protein corona by optical imaging techniques. The results show that the protein corona can change the cellular transportation mechanism of TR4@Lipo from energy-independent membrane fusion to energy-dependent endocytosis. The protein corona also modulates the intracellular distribution of loaded cargoes. This knowledge furthers our understanding of bio-nano interactions and is important for the efficient use of cationic liposomes.
Design and Development of an Embedded Controller for a Hydraulic Walking Robot WLBOT

In order to meet the requirement for the real-time of the hydraulic walking robot (WLBOT) and the stability of its movement, an embedded controller is proposed, which takes charge of multi-sensor information processing and signal output of the servo valve. The controller is capable of receiving control command and sending processed information while communicating with an embedded single board computer PCM-3365 via Control Area Network (CAN) bus at a 200 Hz frequency. In this paper, an appropriate interrupt cycle is selected and a 2 kHz high-speed control loop is run after we research the relationship between analog-to-digital converter direct memory access (ADC–DMA) interrupt cycle, data volume, and sampling rate. Significantly, the control strategy of WLBOT joint is introduced and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) compound controller with velocity feedforward compensation (VFC) is realized. Meanwhile, the Chebyshev filtering algorithm is utilized to attenuate the vibration noise of joint signals. What’s more, an impedance controller is designed to gain better locomotion behavior and compliance in joint force control. Finally, the joint angle tracking and robot walking experiments are implemented, where the feasibility of the design and the validity of the control algorithm is verified. The results show that the PID velocity feedforward compensation controller can reduce the maximum tracking error by 39.13% and 71.31% in the knee and hip joint and the impedance control can reduce the standard deviation (SD) of the foot force by 36.06% and 72.79%.
Soft Robotic Hands and Tactile Sensors for Underwater Robotics

Research in the field of underwater (UW) robotic applications is rapidly developing. The emergence of coupling the newest technologies on submersibles, different types of telecommunication devices, sensors, and soft robots is transforming the rigid approach to robotic design by providing solutions that bridge the gap between accuracy and adaptability in an environment where there is so much fluctuation in object targeting and environmental conditions. In this paper, we represent a review of the history, development, recent research endeavors, and projected outlook for the area of soft robotics technology pertaining to its use with tactile sensing in the UW environment.
Construção de um Conjunto de Dados para Análise Estática de Ransomwares

This paper presents the construction of a data set for static analysis of ransomwares. The resulting database consists of 338 PE files, separated into 21 different families and containing general information about the files and features of the ransomwares analyzed. The set produced, here made publicly available, can be used to identify and classify families of ransomware. Resumo. Este trabalho apresenta a construção de um conjunto de dados para análise estática de ransomwares. A base de dados resultante consiste de 338 arquivos PE, separados em 21 diferentes famı́lias e contendo informações gerais dos arquivos e caracterı́sticas dos ransomwares analisados. O conjunto produzido, aqui disponibilizado publicamente, pode ser utilizado para identificação e classificação de famı́lias de ransomware. 1. Introdução Malware ou software malicioso (em Inglês, malicious software) são programas desenvolvidos para infectar computadores, causando qualquer tipo de danos a usuários, equipamentos ou redes de comunicação. São, muitas vezes, usados como intermediários para a prática de golpes, a realização de ataques e a disseminação de spam [Sikorski and Honig 2012]. No Brasil, a criação de qualquer tipo de malware é considerado um crime digital. Os principais motivos que levam ao desenvolvimento e à propagação de códigos maliciosos são a obtenção de vantagens financeiras, a coleta de informações confidenciais, o desejo de autopromoção e o vandalismo. Ataques de uma classe especı́fica de software malicioso, conhecida como ransomware, têm se disseminado ao redor do mundo, prejudicando negócios, empresas e governos. No Brasil, a situação não é diferente e, de acordo com relatório da FortiGuard Labs [Fortinet 2020], o paı́s ultrapassou a marca de 8,4 bilhões de ataques no ano de 2020. O mesmo relatório alerta ainda que tais ataques tendem a aumentar em 2021 e que os cibercriminosos estão empregando tecnologias cada vez mais avançadas, como inteligência artificial, em ataques direcionados e com alto grau de sofisticação e eficiência. Esse cenário evidencia a importância da pesquisa em cibersegurança para a área de Sistemas de Informação e a necessidade de dados para melhor compreender e permitir combater esse tipo de ameaça. No entanto, a disponibilidade de dados para análise sobre ransomware ainda é limitada e, por isso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi aplicar técnicas de análise estática, seguindo uma metodologia bem definida, para criar um conjunto de dados robusto e confiável, com informações sobre famı́lias de ransomware, e disponibilizá-lo para a comunidade cientı́fica. Anais Estendidos do XVII Simpósio Brasileiro de Sistemas de Informação (SBSI 2021)
MOLECULAR DYNAMIC SIMULATION OF V176G MUTATION ASSOCIATED WITH GERSTMANN–STRÄUSSLER–SCHEINKER AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURE

The transformation of cellular prion protein (PrPc) into pathogenic conformer (PrPSc) in transmissible spongiform encephalopathy is expedited by mutations in the prion protein. One recently reported novel mutation V176G is located in region of the protein known to cause Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) but possess a unique neuropathological profile and spongiform alteration similar to Gerstmann–Straussler–Scheinker syndrome (GSS). Using molecular dynamics simulations; the denaturation of the prion structure with V176G at 500K was studied to identify the dynamics in structural properties such as salt bridge, solvent accessibility, hydrogen bonds and hydrophobicity. The simulations revealed that the heat-induced unfolding caused destabilization of the native structure of PrP and affecting the β-sheet region of the structure more than the α-helix. Unique salt bridge formation suggests conformational orientation that may be attributed to the V176G mutation. The mutation effects showed an increased fluctuation of the H1 region, gain of hydrogen bonds between H3 and H2 which may be part of the oligomerization pathway and determine the features of the PrPSc assemblies.
A Literature Review based Conceptual Framework for Data Literacy in Construction Education

The construction industry creates a vast quantity of data each year. As the industry moves to Construction 4.0, this data will be leveraged to improve stakeholders' overall outcomes. The construction industry seems poised and interested to capitalize on data capabilities. Research suggests that data literacy provides a feasible approach to prepare students for professional careers in this digital age. However, little is known about data literacy programs specifically for undergraduate construction engineering and management (CEM) students. The purpose of this detailed literature review aimed to define and describe a data literacy framework for CEM education. The study's primary goal was to establish a conceptual framework of data literacy education specific to undergraduate CEM programs. The resulting conceptual framework included five modules: (1) statistics, (2) data collection and processing, (3) data analysis, (4) ethical use and communication, and (5) publishing with data. The modules provide a comprehensive yet flexible set of modules for teaching data literacy. Ultimately, the study contributes to the body of knowledge of CEM education by presenting initial steps and proposing further discussions related to construction discipline-specific data literacy.
Towards an Optical Gas Standard for Traceable Calibration-Free and Direct NO2 Concentration Measurements

We report a direct tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (dTDLAS) instrument developed for NO2 concentration measurements without chemical pre-conversion, operated as an Optical Gas Standard (OGS). An OGS is a dTDLAS instrument that can deliver gas species amount fractions (concentrations), without any previous or routine calibration, which are directly traceable to the international system of units (SI). Here, we report NO2 amount fraction quantification in the range of 100–1000 µmol/mol to demonstrate the current capability of the instrument as an OGS for car exhaust gas application. Nitrogen dioxide amount fraction results delivered by the instrument are in good agreement with certified values of reference gas mixtures, validating the capability of the dTDLAS-OGS for calibration-free NO2 measurements. As opposed to the standard reference method (SRM) based on chemiluminescence detection (CLD) where NO2 is indirectly measured after conversion to NO, titration with O3 and the detection of the resulting fluorescence, a dTDLAS-OGS instrument has the benefit of directly measuring NO2 without distorting or delaying conversion processes. Therefore, it complements the SRM and can perform fast and traceable measurements, and side-by-side calibrations of other NO2 gas analyzers operating in the field. The relative standard uncertainty of the NO2 results reported in this paper is 5.1% (k = 1, which is dominated (98%) by the NO2 line strength), the repeatability of the results at 982.6 µmol/mol is 0.1%, the response time of the instrument is 0.5 s, and the detection limit is 825 nmol/mol at a time resolution of 86 s.
New parametrization of stochastic volatility models

Abstract The basic objective of this paper is to introduce a new parametrization and extension of stochastic volatility models where the diffusion of the stock return is generated by the shifted compound Poisson distribution. This new class generalizes the affine standard process and can be better adapted to several empirical characteristics of return data. The shifted compound Poisson Model is more flexible and is usually implemented to modeling negative and non negative continuous data with a discrete probability mass at zero. The proposed model parameters, based on the Bayesian analysis, have been estimated. Furthermore, the dispersion stochastic volatility which follows an infinite mixture inverse Gamma distribution is elaborated. The model’s performance has been analyzed with real data for its selection by varying the power parameter p in The paper also develops formal tools for comparing the basic standard stochastic volatility and the proposed model. Moreover, the proposed methodology is illustrated by analyzing four series of real indexes returns.
Involving, Countering, and Overlooking Stakeholder Networks in Soft Regulation: Case Study of a Small-to-Medium-Sized Enterprise’s Implementation of SA8000

To achieve effective stakeholder governance in the context of international social accountability certification (SA8000) requires constructing a network of agreement. In a case study of a small-to-medium-sized enterprise (SME), we examine managers’ attempts at enrolling participants in the supply chain to investigate how they strive to engage these stakeholders. We adopt actor-network theory (ANT) and sensemaking theory to develop a novel approach to understanding social accountability (SA) standards’ certification in stakeholder networks. We argue that the design and operation of any SA standard across a network requires not only attempts at enrolling other participants in the supply chain but management contextualizing and problematizing the terms of their involvement.
Locked up and safe – But for how long? Exploring how legitimising narratives shape decisions to sustain placement in secure institutions

ABSTRACT This article draws on findings from a qualitative study in Denmark on decision-making related to secure placement of young people. The article identifies a repertoire of narratives that legitimise the decision and contribute to sustain the placement in secure accommodation. Secure placement is imbued with a range of dilemmas serving a purpose to protect and provide care for young people assessed to be at risk to themselves or others. However, confinement can also have detrimental effects on young people’s mental health, access to education and relational continuity. Secure placement is temporary and, according to UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, should not be sustained any longer than necessary. Thus, scholarly attention is needed to understand the logics that legitimise keeping young people locked up. The article draws on the theorisation of sense-making and committed interpretation developed by Karl Weick (2001), and contributes to the growing literature on decision-making in child welfare, adding insights on the logics that sustain and even replicate decisions to confine young people. Acknowledging the dynamics and effects of certain legitimising narratives is an important step in reducing the length of stay in confinement.
How has the Change in the Way Auditors Determine the Audit Report Date Changed the Meaning of the Audit Report Date? Implications for Academic Research

Archival research in accounting often relies on the audit report date to capture the constructs of audit efficiency, audit timeliness, audit effort, or audit completion. Auditors' view of what constitutes sufficient appropriate evidence to support the audit opinion, and consequently the date of the audit report, previously coincided with the substantial completion of audit fieldwork, which would be days or weeks before a 10-K filing. However, this view has shifted to coincide with the timing of the public issuance of clients' financial statements (i.e., the 10-K filing date) following several regulatory actions, audit practice changes, and professional standard setting changes occurring since the turn of the century. In this study, we present evidence of this shift in auditor perspective and discuss implications for academic research and standard setting.
Neurodegenerative disorders affecting the autonomic nervous system: Pure autonomic failure and multiple system atrophy

Pure autonomic failure (PAF) and multiple system atrophy (MSA) are representative neurodegerative diseases present with a severe autonomic dysfunction in the urinary, cardiovascular, and pupillary systems, as well as the gastrointestinal tract and skin/sweat glands. Clinically PAF is characterized by chronic progressive pure autonomic dysfunction occasionally associated with parkinsonism or cognitive dysfunction (Lewy body disease), whereas MSA is associated with cerebellar manifestation and/or parkinsonism. Pathology of both PAF and MSA is characterized by α‐synuclein deposition, but in PAF major involvement exists in the sympathetic ganglion and postganglionic autonomic nerve fibers, whereas MSA mainly affects the central autonomic system, such as the vagal nerve lateral nucleus, locus coeruleus, spinal cord medial lateral nucleus, and sacral Onuf's nucleus. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate whether peripheral or central autonomic function is predominantly affected by the differential diagnosis of PAF and MSA. Autonomic dysfunction is also frequently present in patients with Parkinson's disease, but usually not so severe as in PAF or MSA. This review summarizes features of autonomic dysfunction in PAF and MSA.
Governance in social-ecological agent-based models: a review

Analyzing governance is particularly important for understanding and managing social-ecological systems (SES). Governance systems influence interactions between actors and the ecological system and are in turn influenced by the changes that occur in the actors’ and ecological systems. Agent-based models (ABM) are well adapted for studying SES, for exploring interactions and the resulting collective behavior and for predicting the results of management processes. Considering the potential of ABM to analyze SES, we performed a literature review of the modeling of governance in ABM of SES and highlight the perspectives and challenges surrounding this issue. Our results show in particular that a significant share of the literature is not explicitly based on theories supporting the modeling of governance and actors’ decision making. Regarding the conceptualization of governance, formal and informal institutions are rarely represented compared with diverse modes of governance. The governance modes that are mostly modeled are state interventions whereas the community-based and market-based modes of governance are scarcely represented. Finally, the overview of how interactions between governance and SES are operationalized in ABM highlights two main forms of implementation of governance: variable-based and agent-based implementations. The corresponding sets of models differ in terms of main theoretical background, types of governance modes represented or presence of interactions. Therefore, we recommend moving toward a greater diversity in the representation of governance and toward a better implementation of the dynamics of models, which can be facilitated by the explicit use of theories supporting the modeling of governance and the decision making of actors and by the representation of governance as an agent.
Electronic Unit for the Management of Energy Harvesting of Different Piezo Generators

The constant advance in the development of piezoelectric materials for energy harvesting has demanded new implementations in the electronics field. The piezoelectric property of these materials has been considered an energy source for low-power devices; nevertheless, the units that provide energy are usually adapted to just one piezoelectric device. This aspect complicates the process, taking into account the amount of time needed for an energy harvest; therefore, this research inquired at first into the adequate piezoelectric materials for carrying out the current study. Afterwards, an energy management unit was designed, considering the connection between some modules and allowing the sourcing of an electrolytic cell for producing hydrogen and, in turn, energy. The results evidence a decrease in time charging of the energy storage unit, which allows a cell’s supply of energy in shorter time intervals, its design efficiency being about 90%, in such a way that the energy harvested through the piezoelectric devices can be used in a better manner.
Evaluation procedure for blowing machine monitoring and predicting bearing SKFNU6322 failure by power spectral density

This work shows the results of the comparative study of characteristic frequencies in terms of Power Spectral Density (PSD) or RMS generated by a blower unit and the SKFNU322 bearing. Data is collected following ISO 10816, using Emonitor software and with speed values in RMS to avoid high and low frequency signal masking. Bearing failure is the main cause of operational shutdown in industrial sites. The difficulty of prediction is the type of breakage and the high number of variables involved. Monitoring and analysing all the variables of the SKFNU322 bearing and those of machine operation for 15 years allowed to develop a new predictive maintenance protocol. This method makes it possible to reduce from 6 control points to one, and to determine which of the 42 variables is the most incidental in the correct operation, so equipment performance and efficiency is improved, contributing to increased economic profitability. The tests were carried out on a 500 kW unit of power and It was shown that the rotation of the equipment itself caused the most generating variable of vibrational energy.
Addressing the Healthcare Needs of African Men who have Sex with Men: Barriers to Healthcare and Promoting HIV and STI Treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa.

1 Program in Human Sexuality, University of Minnesota Medical School, MN 55454, Minneapolis, USA. 2 CHESA, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, P. O. Box 114, Malik Street, Tanzania. School of Public Health, University of Texas, 1200 Pressler Street Houston TX 77030, USA. Department of Psychiatry, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Division of Social Medicine and Global Health, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, P.O. Box 187, Lund, SE 221 00, Sweden Malmö, Sweden. Freelance Medical Research Consultant and Writer, Mumbai, India (affiliated to Board of Editors in Life Sciences) *Author for correspondence ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5718-9989; email: mwross@umn.edu.