Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bacteriological Quality Assessment of Well and Stream Water Sources from Ikwerre, Emohua and Etche Local Government Areas of Rivers State

Background: Majority of the human population in semi-urban and urban areas in Nigeria are heavily reliant on well and stream water as the main source of water supply for drinking and domestic use due to the inadequate provision of potable pipe borne water. These groundwater sources can easily be fecally contaminated and thus, increase the incidence and outbreaks of preventable waterborne diseases. This study was carried out to determine the bacteriological quality of some well and stream waters sources in Ikwerre, Emohua and Etche Local Government Areas of Rivers State. Methodology: Twenty-four sampling sites with 8 from each Local Government Area were randomly selected for this study. A total of 48 samples, 2 from each of the sites were collected aseptically for 12 months. Samples were analysed using membrane filtration technique for total heterotrophic bacterial count and total coliform count. The well and stream water samples were also cultured for E. coli, Salmonella, and Vibrio sp. Results: The results show that Emohua Local Government Area had the highest total heterotrophic bacterial count of 5.2 x 103 cfu/ml. This was followed by Ikwerre LGA with total bacterial count of 4.3 x 102 cfu/ml, while Etche LGA had 3.1 x 102 cfu/ml. The total coliform count ranged from 25 cfu/100ml to 50 cfu/100ml for the three LGA’s, whereas the faecal coliform count was between 12 cfu/100ml and 20 cfu/100ml. The total coliform, E. coli, Salmonella and Vibrio counts from the three local government areas occurred above the WHO stipulated zero count in 100ml of water. Conclusion: The results from this study showed contamination of all the wells studied with faecal coliforms thus, indicating the presence of other enteric pathogens and a potential source for waterborne disease outbreaks. Well water in Ikwerre, Emohua and Etche Local Government Areas of Rivers State are not safe for drinking without additional treatment like disinfection or boiling. Periodic testing and constant monitoring of these water sources should also be done to meet up with the World Health Organization Standards in the provision of safe, clean drinking water.
24 GHz active retrodirective antenna array

A 24 GHz active Van Atta planar antenna array proposed for increasing the vehicle radar echo in a vehicle collision avoidance system is designed and demonstrated. The antenna array contains two parallel linear sub-arrays. Each sub-array is composed of four receiving microstrip antennas, four transmitting microstrip antennas and four transistor amplifiers. At the angles of –40° < thetas < 40°, except those very close to the specular direction (thetas = 0°), the measured backscattering field levels of the fabricated array have variations < 3 dB and are at least 10 dB higher than those of a metal plate of the same size.
Cooperative Target Allocation for UCAV Team Air-to-Ground Attack Based on Decision Graph Bayesian Optimization Algorithm

In order to control and optimize cooperative air-to-ground attack decision-making of the unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) team, the principle of income maximum and loss minimum of UCAV team is built firstly. Accordingly, the mathematical model of cooperative target allocation is built based on the decision variables and constraints. Then Bayesian optimization algorithm (BOA) is introduced which is one kind of the evolution algorithm. For improving the ability of the BOA, decision graph is introduced to enhance the represent and learn of Bayesian network and compress the parameter saving. Finally decision graph Bayesian optimization algorithm (DBOA) is utilized to optimize and analyze the model. The simulation results verify that the mathematical model of cooperative target allocation can reflect the importance of cooperative decision-making, the DBOA can converge quickly to the global optimal solution and can effectively solve the cooperative target allocation problem of UCAV team air-to-ground attack.
Three phase induction machines asymmetrical faults identification using bispectrum

Bispectrum analysis is introduced for three-phase induction machine faults identification and condition monitoring. Bispectrum analysis is capable of providing more information than power spectrum analysis. In the present investigation, machine vibration signals operating at different rotating speed and degree of unbalance are thoroughly analyzed. Very promising results were obtained and presented. The results and analysis indicate that bispectrum analysis can be successfully applied to machine asymmetric faults, machine rotation speed and stator winding fault analysis and identification.
Mulching with Leaf Litter from Municipal Green Waste Favours Predatory Mononchid Nematodes

Although the incorporation of organic amendments into the soil is widely researched, less attention has been given to the impact of in-situ composting of municipal green wastes (MGW), especially leaf litter, on free-living nematodes. In a four year experiment (2016–2019) of tomato cropping cycles, we tested the hypothesis that leaf litter mulch has a positive effect on mononchid predatory nematodes and influences their species composition. Two treatments were applied every year: plots were either mulched with leaf litter or left unmulched. Soil samples were collected every autumn at the end of the growing season. Active, free-living nematodes were extracted by Baermann funnel from soil samples, the density of mononchid predatory nematodes was determined, and the individuals were identified to genus or species. In the first year (2016), mulching did not affect the density of mononchids. From the second year (2017) on, their number significantly increased in mulched plots, compared to in unmulched ones. During the study period the presence of four mononchid genera: Clarkus, Mylonchulus, Prionchulus, and Iotonchus, were detected. Our hypothesis was confirmed, as the number of mononchids increased in the presence of MGW leaf litter mulch layer.
Development of an Abstraction Tool to Assess Palliative Care Components

Background: Little is known regarding the fidelity of delivery of guideline-recommended components of palliative care in “real world” encounters. Objective: To develop a qualitative coding framework to identify components of clinical palliative care in clinical documentation across care settings. Design: Retrospective review of palliative care clinical documentation from medical providers, with directed qualitative content analysis to identify components of clinical care documented. Setting/Subjects: Purposively sampled deceased patients seen by palliative care at a US academic medical center between 7/1/2011–7/1/2018. Main Outcomes and Measures: The outcome of this work is a coding framework for use in future research. We assessed the robustness of the framework using Cohen’s kappa. Results: We reviewed sixty-two encounters from twenty-six patients. We identified 7 major themes in documentation: (1) addressing physical symptoms, (2) addressing psychological symptoms, (3) establishing illness understanding, (4) supporting decision making, (5) end-of-life planning, (6) understanding psychosocial context, and (7) care coordination. Interrater reliability varied widely between components, with Cohen’s kappa ranging from −. 51 to 1. Conclusions: This pilot study provides a coding framework to measure documentation of clinical palliative care components. Several components could not be reliably identified using this framework, suggesting the need for additional measurement strategies.
Dynamic response of a stand-alone wind energy conversion system with battery energy storage to a wind gust

A mathematical model of each element of a stand-alone wind energy conversion system is developed. The model variables are expressed in the d-q rotor reference frame. The wind turbine was considered as the only source of power in this study. Using this model, the system response to a recorded wind gust is investigated by calculating the generator current, the rectifier current, the load current, the battery charging current and the battery voltage. The calculated results are then verified by comparing them with actual values obtained from a data acquisition system. Good agreement was achieved between the experimental and analytical results.
The moment lever arm is a predictor of the pronation in running

The over-pronation of foot in the running stance phase is a major factor of running injury. Therefore, running shoes need feature to prevent over–pronation in stance phase. Many earlier studies about foot pronation focused on kinematic parameters such as pronation angles (Nigg 1999). Going through biomechanical predictor is necessary in designing pronation control shoes. Basically pronation is occurred as the results of such forces acting at foot caused by the ground reaction force (GRF) etc. Therefore, in this study, the moment produced by GRF around the ankle joint center is calculated from experimental results and it is discussed how the factors of the moment can affect.
Thermal analysis of Malaysian double storey housing - low/medium cost unit

Almost half of the total energy used today is consumed in buildings. In the tropical climate, air-conditioning a housing unit takes much of the energy bill. Malaysia is no exception. Malaysian double storey terrace housing is popular among developers and buyers. Surveys have shown that housing occupants are much dissatisfied with the thermal comfort and artificial cooling is often sought. The objective of this study is to assess the thermal comfort of the low and medium-cost double storey housing in the area surrounding Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. A simulation program using the Weighting Factor Method calculates the heat transfer interaction, temperature distribution, and PMV level in three types of housing units in relation to the size. Fanger's PMV model based on ISO Standard 7730 is used here because it accounts for all parameters that affect the thermal sensation of a human within its equation. Results showed that both the low and medium-cost housing units studied are out of the comfortable range described by ASHRAE Standard 55 with the units all complied with the local bylaws. In view of the uncertainties in energy supply, future housing units should consider natural ventilation as part of the passive energy management.
Evaluation of Nutritional Ingredients, Biologically Active Materials, and Pharmacological Activities of Stropharia rugosoannulata Grown under the Bamboo Forest and in the Greenhouse

Evaluations of the nutritional ingredients, biologically active materials, and pharmacological activities (antibacterial and antioxidant) of two types of Stropharia rugosoannulata, grown under the bamboo forest and in the greenhouse, respectively, were carried out in this study. The nutritional ingredient tests included moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, total carbohydrates, total sugar, mineral elements, vitamins, and amino acids. The biologically active material assays included total flavonoids, total polysaccharides, total triterpenoids, and reducing sugars. In addition, a broth microdilution susceptibility test was performed to evaluate antibacterial activity. The antioxidant activity was measured by ABTS+ radical scavenging, ferric-reducing power, and β-carotene bleaching assays. Results showed that two types of S. rugosoannulata were rich in protein, carbohydrate, fiber, mineral, B-group vitamins, polysaccharides, triterpenoids, and reducing sugars, with low content of fat and low Na/K ratio. Besides, they were effective in antibacterial and antioxidant activities, while S. Rugosoannulata grown under the bamboo forest was better than the greenhouse one in some respects such as higher content of protein, calcium, selenium, nicotinic acid, folic acid, polysaccharides and triterpenoids, and stronger antibacterial and antioxidant activities. They were appropriate for functional food and nutritional supplements, especially bamboo forest.
A Numerical Approach of Self-Sustained Tone Generation and Reduction in Ducts

Starting from numerical models which are used in engineering, it is shown that it is possible to bring to light the main features which are responsible for the generation of self-sustained tones in turbulent flows. The numerical study is based on our experimental results. The set-up consists of two diaphragms in tandem in a duct, leading to self-sustained tones up to 150 dB. The modelled flow is assumed to be incompressible. It does not allow estimation of noise levels. However the calculation of the flow field exhibits the necessary conditions for the conversion of the kinetic energy towards the acoustical field. An initial stationary model shows the location of the acoustical source. A second non-stationary L.E. S. model describes the dynamics of the detachment and impingement of the coherent structures. An experimental noise reduction method is performed. The numerical approach contributes an explanation of the noise reduction mechanism.
77 GHz Reconfigurable Reflectarray with Nematic Liquid Crystal

A 77 GHz liquid crystal microstrip reflectarray with beam reconfiguration capability in one dimension is presented. The free-standing reflector (without feed) has been characterized with respect to its reflection phase and magnitude. While it is possible to tune the reflection phase through almost 300°, the associated reflection losses are still quite high. Nevertheless the pattern measurements of the reflectarray showed distinct beam collimation towards different angles when appropriate DC control voltages are applied. (5 pages)
Novel tunable single‐longitunal mode fiber ring laser with two FBG‐FP filters

Using a pair of fiber Bragg grating Fabry‐Pérot filters (FBG‐FP) as its wavelength‐selective components based on the Vernier effect, a novel single longitudinal, discretely tunable and stable fiber ring laser is proposed in this letter.We studied the characteristics of this sort of tunable fiber laser both theoretically and experimentally, and obtained eight single‐wavelength lasing from 1550.840 to 1551.762 nm with an average of 96 pm spacing by pulling the Tunable FBG‐FP. The output spectrum of the single‐wavelength lasing is specified by the transmission maximum of the fixed FBG‐FP and recorded automatically by the optical spectrum analyzer at an interval of 1 min. It is found that the output wavelength drift within a few picometers, and the fluctuation of the output power is less than 0.1 dB. This sort of fiber ring laser has potential applications in optical communications and sensors. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:1230–1234, 2012
Low-power FIR filter realization with differential coefficients and inputs

This paper presents a low-power finite-impulse response filter design by using differential coefficients and inputs instead of using them directly such that fewer bits are required, thereby reducing the size of arithmetic units and power dissipation. We present an improved algorithm to effectively generate differential coefficients so that the differential coefficients methods can be applied to full bandwidth (BW) of filters instead of only narrow-band filters in previous approaches. Simulations with fixed coefficient filters indicate reduction in transition activity ranging from 1-53% over the full range of filter BW's. The presented results can be applied to adaptive filters to generate suitable differential coefficients.
Hippocampal AMPA‐ and NMDA‐induced cGMP signals are mainly generated by NO‐GC2 and are under tight control by PDEs 1 and 2

In the central nervous system, the nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signalling cascade has an established role in fine‐tuning of synaptic transmission. In the present study, we asked which isoform of NO‐sensitive guanylyl cyclase, NO‐GC1 or NO‐GC2, is responsible for generation of N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA)‐ and AMPA (α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole propionic acid)‐induced cGMP signals and which of the phosphodiesterases (PDEs) is responsible for degradation. To this end, we performed live cell fluorescence measurements of primary hippocampal neurons isolated from NO‐GC isoform‐deficient mice. Although both isoforms contributed to the NMDA‐ and AMPA‐induced cGMP signals, NO‐GC2 clearly played the predominant role. Whereas under PDE‐inhibiting conditions the cGMP levels elicited by both glutamatergic ligands were comparable, NMDA‐induced cGMP signals were clearly higher than the AMPA‐induced ones in the absence of PDE inhibitors. Thus, AMPA‐induced cGMP signals are more tightly controlled by PDE‐mediated degradation than NMDA‐induced signals. In addition, these findings are compatible with the existence of at least two different pools of cGMP in both of which PDE1 and PDE2—known to be highly expressed in the hippocampus—are mainly responsible for cGMP degradation. The finding that distinct pools of cGMP are equipped with different amounts of PDEs highlights the importance of PDEs for the shape of NO‐induced cGMP signals in the central nervous system.
Evaluation of Low NOx Combustor Concepts for Aeroderivative Gas Turbine Engines

An experimental program was conducted to evaluate low NOx combustor concepts applicable to natural-gas-burning aeroderivative gas turbine engines operating at a nominal pressure ratio of 20:1. Gas sampling measurements at the exit of the primary zone of high-shear and lean premixed burners were acquired under elevated entrance pressure and temperature conditions over a range of primary zone equivalence ratios. Piloting systems were incorporated in most of the burner designs to achieve satisfactory burner operability. Both swirl stabilized and perforated-plate (grid) stabilized burners were found to produce NOx levels lower than the current engine goal of 25 ppm (15% O2). Copyright © 1992 by ASME
Tracking of Stiffness Variation in Structural Members Using Input Error Function Observers

This study evaluates input error function observers for tracking of stiffness variation in real-time. The input error function is an Analytical Redundancy (AR)-based diagnosis method and necessitates a mathematical model of the system and system identification techniques. In practice, mathematical models used during numerical simulations differ from the actual status of the structure, and thus, accurate mathematical models are rarely available for reference. Noise is an unwanted signal in the input–output measurements but unavoidable in real-world applications (as in long span bridge trusses) and hard to imitate during numerical simulations. Simulation data from the truss system clearly indicates the effectiveness of the proposed structural damage detection method for estimating the severity of the damage. Optimization of the input error function can further automate the stiffness estimation in structural members and address critical aspects such as system uncertainties and the presence of noise in input–output measurements. Stiffness tracking in one of the planar truss members indicates the potential of optimization of the input error function for online structural health monitoring and implementing condition-based maintenance.
Physico-chemical survival pattern for the radiophile D. radiodurans: a polyextremophile model for life on Mars

The two Viking missions of the 1970's are a testimony to the success of our technological capability when it is driven by consuming curiosity and sense of adventure. In the case of Viking, the national spirit in the United States supported an assemblage of equally spirited expertise within NASA to determine if life existed on Mars, and within the defined science of those missions to establish if conditions on Mars might support life. The technological successes of Viking led to a confusion of interpretations for the issue of life on Mars. This confusion in turn led to polarities in the scientific community and a subsequent resting period of some years for the enthusiasm required to support continued investigation of the potential existence of life on Mars, and indeed elsewhere in our solar system.
Reduction in delay in procurement of materials using Six Sigma philosophy

Abstract The management of a company was facing the problem of procuring materials in a scheduled time owing to its many pending activities. A study was conducted to reduce the delay in procurement of incoming materials using the six-sigma methodology. The objectives of the study were to understand and internalize the methodology and also to reduce the time taken by critical activities through a disciplined approach. The defect levels for each activity and for the overall system were estimated. The baseline sigma level was found to be 1.8. After taking actions on the critical activities, the average times taken for completing the activities along, with their variabilities, have been reduced satisfactorily. The yield of the overall process has improved to 76% from the level of 62%, leading to an improved sigma level of 2.4.
Seismic Rehabilitation of Reinforced Concrete Beam-Column Connections

As building codes are updated, some of the existing important structures may fall short of complying with current standards even though they may have been properly designed and constructed according to earlier codes. Many existing structures may be inadequate and may pose severe risk during seismic events. Rehabilitation measures to upgrade the capacity of these structures can be performed at some point in their useful lives especially when located in seismically active zones. A new method for improving the seismic performance of existing reinforced concrete structures is by jacketing the deficient connections using corrugated steel jackets. An experimental program was conducted to evaluate this method of rehabilitation. Corrugated steel jacketing addresses the particular weakness that is often found in existing reinforced concrete structures, namely the lack of sufficient shear reinforcement and the required confining reinforcement within the joints and in adjoining beams and columns. The performance of four reinforced concrete connections was determined experimentally. The test specimens include one connection representing existing structures, one designed according to current seismic codes and two rehabilitated connections. The test results showed satisfactory performance at high cyclic load levels and significant increase in the shear capacity and ductility of connections rehabilitated with corrugated steel jackets.
Risk Factors for Infections, Antibiotic Therapy, and Its Impact on Cancer Therapy Outcomes for Patients with Solid Tumors

Infections represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Multiple factors related to the patient, tumor, and cancer therapy can affect the risk of infection in patients with solid tumors. A thorough understanding of such factors can aid in the identification of patients with substantial risk of infection, allowing medical practitioners to tailor therapy and apply prophylactic measures to avoid serious complications. The use of novel treatment modalities, including targeted therapy and immunotherapy, brings diagnostic and therapeutic challenges into the management of infections in cancer patients. A growing body of evidence suggests that antibiotic therapy can modulate both toxicity and antitumor response induced by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and especially immunotherapy. This article provides a comprehensive review of potential risk factors for infections and therapeutic approaches for the most prevalent infections in patients with solid tumors, and discusses the potential effect of antibiotic therapy on toxicity and efficacy of cancer therapy.