Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lifecycle Cost Assessment of Fuel Cell Technologies for Soldier Power System Applications. Paper and Presentation for the 43rd Power Sources Conference held 8-9 July 2008, Philadelphia, PA

Abstract : The US Army Communications-Electronics Research Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC) Fuel Cell Technology Team has executed a series of development programs over the past several years examining fuel cell technologies for soldier power applications in the 15 to 100-Watt range. The focus of this program has been to demonstrate the feasibility and highlight the benefits of fuel cell systems in hybrid configurations and integrated into specific power applications. Although many technical objectives have been achieved, future procurement decisions will significantly depend on the price differential between various competing fuel cell technologies and the more traditionally used batteries. Recent improvements in the reliability and performance of Soldier power fuel cell systems have resulted in a new focus on future procurement and cost assessments. To date, there is no single source for cost and pricing information on Soldier fuel cell systems. CERDEC intends to focus on the near and long term cost of developing and fielding Soldier fuel cell systems. Surveys were submitted to multiple Soldier power fuel cell system integrators requesting cost data on complete systems and balance of plant components. Additionally, companies were asked to provide information on methods for recycling components and integrated system performance data. The surveys were directed toward system manufacturers who had previously developed and demonstrated a fuel cell power system in the 15 to 100-Watt range. These systems were chosen because they were viewed as the closest to being transitioned into military applications. Specific technologies under consideration include direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC), reformed methanol fuel cells (RMFC), and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC).
The Role of ANRIL in Atherosclerosis

There is a huge number of noncoding RNA (ncRNA) transcripts in the cell with important roles in modulation of different mechanisms. ANRIL is a long ncRNA with 3.8 kb length that is transcribed in the opposite direction of the INK4/ARF locus in chromosome 9p21. It was shown that polymorphisms within this locus are associated with vascular disorders, notably coronary artery disease (CAD), which is considered as a risk factor for life-threatening events like myocardial infarction and stroke. ANRIL is subjected to a variety of splicing patterns producing multiple isoforms. Linear isoforms could be further transformed into circular ones by back-splicing. ANRIL regulates genes in atherogenic network in a positive or negative manner. This regulation is implemented both locally and remotely. While CAD is known as a proliferative disorder and cell proliferation plays a crucial role in the progression of atherosclerosis, the functions of ANRIL and CAD development are intertwined remarkably. This makes ANRIL a suitable target for diagnostic, prognostic, and even therapeutic aims. In this review, we tried to present a comprehensive appraisal on different aspects of ANRIL including its location, structure, isoforms, expression, and functions. In each step, the contribution of ANRIL to atherosclerosis is discussed.
Market and Value Chain Analyses of Marketable Natural Products from Agroforestry Systems in Eastern Sudan

The objectives of the present study were: 1) to identify the prioritized marketable natural products (NPs) from agroforestry systems (AFS), and 2) to conduct market value chain analyses of the most important and prioritized NPs to identify markets and marketing channels; actors, functions and characteristics; constraints and opportunities to entry and growth; opportunities for value addition, and conduct analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis). The study was conducted in the Refugees’ camps and their hosting communities in Eastern Sudan. Using the participatory value chain analysis (PVCA) approach, it was found that communities in the project sites obtained a multiplicity of NPs for sustenance and for increasing their incomes. Eight products were identified and ranked as the most important NPs with greatest opportunities for enterprise development at the community level. These are: gum Arabic, honey, fodder, non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and tree seeds. Gum Arabic has been shown to score higher ranks in terms of a) marketability b) ecological suitability (availability), c) social suitability, and d) potential for value addition. The results show that marketing of gum Arabic in the study site is characterized by a large number of producers and relatively few traders and companies work through seven marketing channels. The results demonstrate that in the customary marketing channel there is an upward skewed benefit distribution among the value chain actors. The total relative commercialization margin was 80% indicating that “traders” accrued higher proportion, while “producers”, receive less income (20%) of the end market price. Poor land security, one-sided prices, taxes and levies, lack of finance and appropriate skills are major impediments to gum commodity growth and development. One of the most important opportunities for growth and entry of Gum Arabic are: it is natural organic product and thus well-fit for fair trade, environmentally sustainable and organic market development. Numerous opportunities exist in the site for value addition and distribution synergies and gender-specific development, including that gum Arabic has high synergy with natural resource management and other sectors for enhancing regional and national growth. The study concludes that Gum Arabic production and marketing is financially profitable for producers, traders and companies and has the potential to open new markets and bring new opportunities to smallholder farmers. However, technical, financial, and institutional support could result in an increase in local actors’ income and contribute to sustainability of the supply of the product.
To the Statistical Description of the Structure Formation in Coulomb-like Systems

A new solution to the problem of the calculation of the partition function for a Coulomb-like system is proposed. The quantum-field-theory approach is used to give a statistical description of a system of interacting particles with due regard to an arbitrary spatially inhomogeneous configuration. The formation of structures in a Coulomb-like system is analyzed and applied to thedusty plasma treatment. A necessary condition for the crystal formation in a three-dimensional system of dust particles is obtained. In the one-dimensional case, an exact solution for the spatial distribution of charged particles is presented.
Prediction of Computer Network Security Situation Based on Association Rules Mining

Traditional NSSA (network security situational awareness) systems have significant equipment limitations, poor data fusion capabilities, and a low level of analysis and evaluation, making them difficult to adapt to large-scale and complex network environments. This paper proposes the study of computer NSS (network security situation) prediction technology based on AR (association rules) mining to solve this problem. The support-confidence framework is improved by introducing an interest evaluation standard, and the value of AR is re-evaluated, based on a discussion of traditional concepts and algorithms related to AR mining. The MFP-interest algorithm proposed in this paper is a combination of alarm AR template and interest degree. The MFP-interest algorithm was put to the test. We discovered that the MFP-interest algorithm can effectively predict NSS and indicate its development trend when run in a real-world network environment. Most time points have a relative error range of less than 0.035.
Bio-inspired vertebral column, compliance and semi-passive dynamics in a lightweight robot

This paper presents the humanoid robot Acroban. We study two main issues: 1) Compliance and semi-passive dynamics for locomotion of humanoid robots regarding robustness against unknown external perturbations; 2) The advantages of a bio-inspired multi-articulated vertebral column. We combine mechatronic compliance with structural compliance due to the use of flexible materials. And we explore how these capabilities allow to enforce morphological computation in the design of robust dynamic locomotion. We also investigate the use of compliance to design semi-passive motor primitives using the torso and the arms as a system of accumulation/release of potential/kinetic energy.
An empirical study of cyclical learning rate on neural machine translation

In training deep learning networks, the optimizer and related learning rate are often used without much thought or with minimal tuning, even though it is crucial in ensuring a fast convergence to a good quality minimum of the loss function that can also generalize well on the test dataset. Drawing inspiration from the successful application of cyclical learning rate policy to computer vision tasks, we explore how cyclical learning rate can be applied to train transformer-based neural networks for neural machine translation. From our carefully designed experiments, we show that the choice of optimizers and the associated cyclical learning rate policy can have a significant impact on the performance. In addition, we establish guidelines when applying cyclical learning rates to neural machine translation tasks.
Buck quasi-resonant ZVS converter with linear feedback control: A comparison with current-mode control

Quasi-resonant (QR) DC-DC converters can be controlled with either voltage-mode, or current-mode control, which leads to similar advantages to those that occur in the case of PWM converters. In this paper, a linear feedback control law for QR-ZVS converters is compared with current-mode control. Instead of using the instantaneous value of the current, the linear feedback control uses the average of the inductor current. This is an advantage, since a noiseless and non-distorted sample of the current becomes more difficult to obtain with high switching frequency. Optimal control techniques are used to design a linear quadratic regulator (LQR) for a buck QR-ZVS converter. The method is based on averaged small-signal models and it is shown that the dynamic responses with the LQR can be similar to those obtained by current-mode control. Experimental results from a I MHz QR-ZVS buck converter with a LQR are presented.
Pulse Width Modulation Control of a Direct AC-AC Power Converter with Five-phase Input and Three-phase Output

This paper presents pulse width modulation technique for a direct ac-ac converter. The converter has five-phase input supply and three-phase output. The input supply may be obtained from a five-phase wind energy generation system with variable output voltage magnitude and frequency. The output of the proposed converter topology may be fed to the three-phase stiff grid system. Thus the requirement of the modulation of the ac-ac converter is to produce fixed voltage and fixed frequency output while the input can be variable. Additionally the output voltage gain should be high. Simple carrier-based PWM technique is suggested and harmonic injection scheme is proposed to enhance the output voltage magnitude. The output voltage reaches 89.2% of the input supply voltage with the proposed technique. An additional control block is used to stabilize the output voltage and frequency of the converter. Simulation and experimental results are shown in the paper for the verification of the proposed scheme.
Rethinking Sustainable Housing Maintenance Delivery

The concerns for climate change, population explosion, environmental degradation, pollution, and resource depletion have led to the quest for sustainable buildings. Building maintenance is able to contribute to sustainability by curtailing noxious gases to the lowest minimum, reduction of emission, optimize energy, avoid leakage, and waste, as well as enhancing the reliability, durability and availability of buildings. However, consideration of sustainable practice in residential buildings is low due to a poor understanding of the meaning of maintenance and lack of motivation by building users. This study aims to create awareness on the roles of housing maintenance towards sustainability by evaluating the sustainability credentials of current maintenance practices and to contextualise the Maslow’s Hierarchy of need to motivate homeowners’ towards sustainable maintenance practice. This is important because to investigate sustainable maintenance behaviours and to implement sustainable maintenance practice, the motivations of the users need to be identified. Primary data is collected through survey questionnaires. Data obtained were analysed through descriptive statistics. The results of the findings led to the conclusion that in order for the housing sector to be a solution of sustainable development, the maintenance of the building required rethinking. A salient finding within the study is that sustainable building maintenance is driven by the market, ethics and legislation.
Development of a dynamic wind tunnel rig for aircraft pure pitching motion

This paper presents the design, fabrication and testing of a dynamic wind tunnel test rig that is used in conjunction with aircraft dynamics theory in estimating aerodynamics stability derivatives. The value of and can be obtained from free oscillation theory of pure pitching motion. The rig comprises a scale down 1:30 full model of two-seater light aircraft, accelerometer, charge amplifier, A/D converter and IBM-PC. The result of the study has shown that the test rig is capable of predicting the derivatives. The effect of Reynold? s number to the dynamics testing can be considered small as in dynamic testing, where the rate of change was measured rather than the absolute value. Finally, the rig can be used as part of the experimental testing in flight dynamics for aircraft design.
Methanol Stem Bark Extract of Ficus platyphylla Protects Against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Damage in Wistar Rats

Ficus platyphylla (Gutta percha tree) is used in Nigerian traditional medicine for treating pain and psychosis. This study evaluated the protective effect of methanol stem bark extract of Ficus platyhylla (MEFP) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury in Wistar rats. Rats were allotted into six groups namely normal control, negative control, standard drug (silymarin) and extract treated (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg p.o. respectively) groups. Treatment was administered for 7 days. Animals in groups II-VI received a single dose of CCl4 (1:1) p.o. in olive oil at 1.5 ml/kg body weight after last treatment. Experimental rats were sacrificed after 24 hours of CCl4 administration and blood samples collected for determination of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities. Supernatant of liver homogenate was used to determine activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Results indicate increased activities (p < 0.05) in CAT, SOD and GPx in samples of MEFP treated rats while levels of ALT and AST in serum samples of treated groups differ significantly (p<0.05) when compared with negative control group (Group III). Treatment with methanol stem bark extract of Ficus platyphylla may have offered protection against CCl4 induced liver damage in experimental rats.
Ethnobotanical, phytochemical, pharmacological properties and applications of Pimenta dioica L

ABSTRACT Allspice (Pimenta dioica L.) has been used since time immemorial for its culinary and medicinal qualities. Its unique characteristics are flavor conglomerates of cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon. Eugenol (60–90% in the berries, >90% in the leaves) is the key component followed by 1,8-cineole, α-humulene, β-caryophyllene and cadinene derivatives of pimenta essential oil that imparts health and wellness. Recent studies represent eugenol and gallic acid as selective antitumor and anti-proliferative agents besides excellent antioxidants, anticancerous agents, antimicrobial molecules. Currently, pimenta has received considerable attention in developed countries due to its promising pharmaceutical properties and culinary consumption. Thus, the need with emphasis for explorations of active packaging using the biomolecule from pimenta in developing flavor biofilms, micro and nano delivery systems in extending biomedical applications, food and beverage industries is indicated. This review emphasizes the processing, chemistry, applications of pimenta and impending modes of green and sustainable technologies besides the development of value-added products.
Testbaseret optag til videregående uddannelser

På Syddansk Universitet vil der som led i et nyt projekt blive indført nye optagelsesprocedurer i forbindelse med bacheloroptaget i 2017. Allerede nu er over 50 bacheloruddannelser på tværs af fakulteterne i færd med at ændre deres nuværende optagelsesprocedurer til i højere grad at anvende tests og samtaler, enten i form af optagelsesprøver i kvote 2 eller som adgangsprøver, der kan sidestilles med et karakterkrav. I artiklen beskrives anvendeligheden af skriftlige/mundtlige tests og motiverede ansøgninger samt de lovgivningsmæssige muligheder for indførelse af optagelses- og adgangsprøver på de danske universiteter. Der gives eksempler på typer af optagelsestests, der anvendes på universiteter i udlandet, ligesom der præsenteres konkrete eksempler på testindhold og resultater fra den særlige optagelsesprocedure i kvote 2 på Det Sundhedsvidenskabelige Fakultet på SDU. Erfaringer fra andre uddannelsesinstitutioner inddrages også, danske såvel som internationale. As part of a new project, The University of Southern Denmark (USD) will introduce revised admission procedures for students starting programmes in the 2017/18 academic year. More than 50 undergraduate courses have already decided to change their current grade based admission procedures to make greater use of entrance tests. This article describes the applicability of written/oral tests and personal statements; as well as Danish Law relating to the implementation of test-based admission procedures at Danish Universities. We will present examples of different types of tests used for university admission worldwide as well as concrete examples and results from the USD Health Faculty Admission Procedure. Experiences from other educational institutions are also discussed.
Numerical Modeling of Smartphones with WCDMA, LTE, and WLAN Bands for Epidemiological Studies

This paper presents the representative numerical modeling of smartphones with wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), long-term evaluation (LTE), and wireless local area network (WLAN) bands for epidemiological studies. For this purpose, based on specific absorption rate (SAR) test reports for commercial smartphones released in South Korea from 2013 to 2019, we determined the smartphone size, frequency band categorization, antenna locations, and target 1-g peak-spatial SAR (psSAR) values for a specific anthropomorphic mannequin (SAM) phantom. Numerical results showed that the designed numerical smartphone models yielded good matching and radiation performance, and more importantly, their 1-g psSAR values were within ±16% of the target 1-g psSAR values.
Time Trends of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in a 2008–2021 German National Survey of Hemp Food Products

∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is known as the main psychotropic compound present in the hemp plant. It also occurs in commercially available hemp food products and may have adverse effects on consumers. This article provides an overview of the current situation of the THC content in hemp food products in Germany in recent years. The content of THC was evaluated in a data set of 5 different hemp food product groups (tea, seeds, seed oils, food supplements, and nonalcoholic beverages) comprising 511 samples. For the toxicological assessment, the THC intake was estimated and the exhaustion of acute reference dose (ARfD) and lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) was calculated using average daily consumption scenarios. Data show that hemp beverages and seeds typically do not contain amounts of THC that can exceed toxicological thresholds. On the contrary, hemp food supplements, such as cannabidiol (CBD) products, can contain high levels of THC, since the THC content of 18% of the samples has the potential to exceed the LOAEL and 8% even exceed the minimum intoxication dose. However, a significant linear decrease in the THC content of hemp food supplements was observed between 2018 and 2021 (n = 111, R = −0.36, p < 0.0001). A problematic food group is also tea based on flowers, leading to an increase in overall THC levels in recent years. Regulation of low-THC products within the framework of controlled distribution of cannabis for recreational use appears to be advisable.
A case study on implementing Lean Six Sigma: DMAIC methodology in aluminum profiles extrusion process

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the sources of variation in aluminum profiles hot extrusion process for the purpose of process capability improvement at National Aluminum and Profiles Company (NAPCO) in Palestine. The critical-to-quality characteristics (CTQ) have been determined as base variables to measure the process capability.Design/methodology/approachThe DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) Lean Six Sigma (LSS) approach has been adopted to conduct this study. More specifically, historical data analysis and PARETO charts have been employed. The defects' root causes have been determined using the cause-and-effect diagram and decision matrix. A course of suggested actions has been established to help in improving extrusion process capability. Minitab-18 software was used for conducting inferential statistical analysis. A case study considering a geometry CTQ of D3 dimension of bottom sash aluminum profiles 4,332 was selected for analysis.FindingsThe results indicated a reduction in DPMO from 89,649 to 15,659, sigma level was improved from 2.84 to 3.65, process yield was improved from 91.04% to 98.43% and cost was reduced from U$75,972 to U$13,250.9 (i.e. a saving of U$62,721). Studying and improving the sigma level of the extrusion process would yield fewer defective products and consequently fewer customer complaints. A validation process which has been conducted during the year 2019 showed a consistent improvement that aligns with the first stage of improvement made on October 1, 2018.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focuses on only one critical quality characteristic (CTQ), namely, a geometry CTQ of D3 dimension of bottom sash aluminum profiles 4,332 produced by NAPCO was selected for analysis.Practical implicationsThis study would be useful for researchers and practitioners to improve the process capability in aluminum profiles manufacturing industries in general and hot extrusion processes in particular.Originality/valueMany previous studies on applying LSS-DMAIC methodology have been conducted in aluminum industries in developed countries. According to the literature, it is highly recommended to have more case studies of applying LSS-DMAIC in different industries in developing countries. NAPCO is the only aluminum manufacturing plant in Palestine that hotly extrudes and coats aluminum profiles. Hence, the present study is the first of its kind in NAPCO and in Palestine. Projecting the assessment of the impact of process improvement opportunities and capability analyses into monetary measures are also innovative.