Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Implementing New Manufacturing Technologies: Managerial Lessons over the FMS Life Cycle

Research in manufacturing technology and its implementation is still largely in the developmental stage with the major contributions coming from surveys and case studies. Most of the case studies are cross-sectional and identify the major issues that a majority of manufacturers experience. The case situations described here constitute a vertical section instead, reporting on the managerial lessons learned from operating three flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) at different stages in their life cycles.
Formulation and evaluation of transdermal patch of rabeprazole sodium

Aim: The goal of the current study is to design and evaluate transdermal patches of rabeprazole sodium (RPS). Materials and Methods: Transdermal patches of RPS were prepared using polymers such as hydroxyl propyl cellulose (HPC-EF), polyvinyl pyrrolidone K-30 (PVP K-30), and polyvinyl pyrrolidone K-90 (PVP K-90) as film formers, polyethylene glycol (PEG-400) as a plasticizer, and Tween-80 and azone as permeation enhancers. The solvent casting technique was employed to develop the patches using aluminum foil as the backing membrane. These patches were evaluated for compatibility using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry and for content by ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometry besides physicochemical properties such as thickness, adhesion, moisture content, moisture loss, and folding endurance. The patches were tested for in vitro release in United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) dissolution apparatus V and ex vivo permeation across shed snake skin in vertical Franz diffusion cell (FDC). Results: The characteristic FTIR spectra of RPS were also evident in the spectra of the patches, indicating drug-excipient compatibility. In vitro drug release indicated that the release of the drug was maximum from patches composed of HPC-EF (60.08±1.04%), which was much higher when compared with patches made of PVP K-30 (47.53±0.40%) and PVP K-90 (42.84±0.74%). The ex vivo permeation studies suggested that about 116.79±1.99 µg/cm2 of the drug was permeated in 24 h from formulation patches composed of HPC-EF that resulted in flux of nearly 7.06 µg/cm2/h. Conclusion: The studies indicated that feasibility of transdermal delivery of rabeprazole as a patch of 16 cm2 is likely to suffice the therapeutic requirement.
Seroprevalence of CMV in Women with Bad Obstetric History in Babil/Iraq

Placental dysfunction and or fetal central nervous system infestation caused by Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the leading cause of congenital non-genetic neuro-developmental problems of the newborn, worldwide. Although the highest rates of congenital infection and CMV seroprevalence occurs in developing countries like Iraq, there remains a paucity of data from that part of the world. This descriptive case control study was undertaken in Babylon/ Iraq to determine the local seroprevalence of CMV in women of child bearing age, and to identify the socio-demographic factors associated with it. This study found a seropositivity peak amongst the 26-35 yr olds which declined in the 36 – 45 yr olds. However, the evidence of current infection was stable at 25% among the 26-35 yr olds and the 36 – 45 yr old women. Overall seropositivity was at 77.32%, a susceptibility rate was at 22.68%, and seropositivity for IgG was highest among the educated, those living in overcrowded settings, and those with poor obstetric histories. Our study concludes that CMV screening of women in the Al Hamza district in Babylon/Iraq and the availability of advice on how to prevent the infection can be beneficial for health outcomes.
Detecting Barriers Between Protected Areas to Restore Ecological Connectivity

Protected areas have two tasks on a global scale: First, to protect biodiversity and second, to ensure the continuity of ecosystem services. Identifying potential links between protected areas in a region and barriers between these links or restoration points is very important for the effective development and implementation of conservation strategies within the scope of biodiversity. In this study firstly, potential connectivity corridors between 10 different protected areas were determined to support the biological diversity in the Rize landscape, then the barriers that could block the ecological flows in these corridors were determined by using 100 m, 500 m, 300 m radii. Least Cost Path and Cost Weighted Distance methods were used for both analyses. The most suitable corridors have been identified between Kaçkar Mountains National Park-1st Degree Natural Protected Areas-Wildlife Protection and Development Area and Firtina Creek. Improvement scores were calculated by considering the radii determined for the barriers. As a result, the highest improvement scores at 100 m, 500 m 300 m radii were calculated as 21.1, 4.49, and 7.0, respectively, and according to these scores, it showed that there were barriers between Karadere, Handüzü Nature Park, Uzungöl Special Environmental Protection Area and Kaçkar Mountains National Park. The method used in this study is important in terms of generating protection strategies for protected areas in the Rize landscape. The results of this study will guide not only protected areas in Rize landscape, but also conservation priority planning studies.
Development of Gate Drive Circuit for Next-Generation Ultra High-Speed Switching Devices

This paper describes a gate drive circuit which is capable to drive an ultra high-speed switching device and to suppress a high-frequency noise caused by its high-dV/dt rate of 104-V/μs order. SiC (Silicone Carbide) based power semiconductor devices are very promising as next generation ultra high-speed switching devices. However, one of their application problems is how to drive them with less high-frequency noise without sacrificing their ultra high-speed operation capability. The paper proposes a new gate drive circuit specialized for such devices, which charges and discharges the input capacitance of the device by using an impulse voltage generated by inductors. This ultra high-speed switching operation causes the high-frequency common-mode noise current in the gate drive circuit, which penetrates an isolated power-supply transformer due to the parasitic capacitance between the primary and the secondary windings. In order to overcome this secondary problem, a toroidal multi-core transformer is also proposed in the paper to reduce the parasitic capacitance drastically. By applying the former technique, the turn-on time and the turn-off time of the power device were shortened by 50% and by 20%, compared with a conventional push-pull gate drive circuit, respectively. In addition, the latter technique allows suppressing the peak common-mode noise current down to 25%, compared with a case of using a conventional standard utility power-supply transformer.
ENTERPRICE LOCAL AREA COMMUNICATION

In this project, we propose a Enterprise Local Area Communication approach to efficient and instant communication within local organization or enterprise with updated resource information.This projects tries to provide open but professional framework in organization for instant communication, resource information, open discussion , resource classification and grouping like features.Here we are trying to combine best features of ERP and Social Networking concepts.We maintained a local server for storing enterprise database and application programs for business logic. This application provide instant service to any employee or member of that organization who is registered and authenticated by administrator.This application contain main basic features as employee or department wall. Employee wall contain all his profile information , recent work, announcement information while department wall contain information about department resources, department notifications, member list, announcements etc.Features on wall contain modules for post, messages, events, create link, photos, forms link, like button, comment button, messaging groups, create groups , generate report link , etc. Benefits of this application is that everything information of enterprise is available at single point, also any new member or employee can understand organization discussion and work task completed in his absences.
Criteria and Thresholds for U.S. Navy Acoustic and Explosive Effects Analysis

Abstract : The U.S. Navy is required to assess the potential impacts to marine species from training and testing activities to remain in compliance with a suite of Federal environmental laws and regulations including, but not limited to, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act. In cases where these activities introduce high-levels of sound or explosive energy into the marine environment, an effects analysis must be conducted. The acoustic effects analysis begins with mathematical modeling to predict the sound transmission patterns from Navy sources. These data are then coupled with marine species distribution and abundance data to determine the sound levels likely to be received by various marine species. Finally, criteria and thresholds are applied to estimate the specific effects that animals exposed to Navy-generated sound may experience.
Gender, Stress, and Mental Health Among Older African Americans

Though past research has examined the influence of social stress exposure on the mental health of older African Americans, the tendency is to investigate singular stress exposures (e.g., discrimination). Furthermore, this research rarely assesses whether the psychological effects of specific stress exposures are gender-specific. The current study fills these gaps by ascertaining (a) gendered patterns of stress exposure among older African Americans, and (b) gendered nuances in the individual, collective, and cumulative effects of stress exposure on mental health. Using the National Survey of American of Life (N = 992; 614 women, 378 men), the study utilizes a sample of African American-identified women and men, 50 years of age and older. Study results revealed that gender patterns of stress exposure were dependent on the stress measure under investigation. In addition, women and men shared some stress predictors of mental health (e.g., everyday discrimination); nevertheless, other stress predictors were specific to women (e.g., health-related mobility challenges) while others were unique to men (e.g., perceived neighborhood crime). Study findings challenge gerontologists to engage how racial and gendered identities intersect to place race-gender groups at distinct risks for stressors that elicit poor mental health. Study results have implications for the development of tailored strategies for improving the psychological health of African American women and men in mid to late life.
Research on Cooling Performance of Self-Circulation Evaporative Cooling System for High Power Inverter

Compared with air-cooling and water-cooling method for high power inverter, self-circulation evaporative cooling technology possesses outstanding advantages in cooling effect and maintainability. In this paper, a researching model of four layers power units is built to simulate the heat output of power inverter cabinet, and the power unit has matching evaporative cooling plate. The heat transfer and two-phase flow are calculated by FEM, and the 3D fluid field and thermal field are obtained under different heat loads of power unit. An experimental model is built to verify the calculation results, and the calculation is in accordance with the test results. According to the temperature results on cooling plate, the significant cooling effect of self-circulation evaporative cooling system is verified.
FINANCIAL LITERACY CHALLENGES: THE CASE OF FILIPINO PUBLIC-SCHOOL TEACHERS

This study analyzed the Philippine public school teachers' financial literacy challenges. The data and results were gathered through online survey questionnaires and focused group discussions conducted in the school year 2019-2020. Twelve participants contributed to the FGD, while a total of 325 teacher respondents answered the online survey questionnaires. The results showed that the majority of the public-school teachers are struggling financially. That results in a controlled and limited financial lifestyle. Moreover, teachers unconsciously practice informal debt, which causes uncontrolled debt. Without proper knowledge and education to financial literacy, borrowing money becomes a lifestyle of every teacher in the country. Based on the findings, a financial literacy program must be included in every in-service training or division-wide teachers' mass gathering. The financial literacy program may be implemented by all participating schools where the study was conducted. Future research related to financial literacy programs may be conducted in basic education, colleges, and universities following the method used in this study.
A low speed reciprocating permanent magnet generator for direct drive wave energy converters

The design of a prototype linear variable reluctance permanent magnet machine is outlined in this paper. It has been built to investigate operation at speeds of 0.5 m/s, which is typical of a wave energy converter. Results are presented to verify the design, and to investigate the performance of the machine. In order to optimise power conversion, methods of compensating for the effects of the high inductance of these machines are discussed.
Multiple Understandings of Sustainability among Alternative Food Organizations in Geneva

Alternative Food Organizations (AFOs) seek to establish more sustainable practices in the food system. However, they might hold different conceptualizations of sustainability. Hence, we miss an overview of AFOs’ conceptualizations of sustainability that allows grasping their overall transformative potential. In this paper, we analyze a broad range of AFOs active in food production, distribution, and consumers’ advocacy to examine to what extent they share a common understanding of sustainability. Our empirical analyses focus on the Swiss canton of Geneva, we build on organizational survey data and detailed coding of the discourses published on their websites. We find that the environmental dimension of sustainability is more prominent and that weak and strong conceptualizations of sustainability are equally present in AFOs’ discourses. However, important differences appear between food producers and distributors. The former have a multidimensional and strong conceptualization of sustainability, while the latter focus on fewer dimensions and a weak conceptualization. In spite of these differences, AFOs interact within a small but heterogeneous network.
Phase control of optically injection locked oscillators for phased arrays

The most suitable architecture for millimeter-wave frequencies is based on the transmit/receiver (T/R)-level data mixing architecture, where a frequency reference is provided to local oscillators in the subarrays to have them frequency and phase synchronized. The indirect subharmonic optical injection locking has the benefit of a high degree of frequency synchronization up to millimeter-wave frequencies; however, the local oscillators suffer from phase inaccuracy over the locking range, first formulated by R. Adler (1946). A scheme is proposed to measure this phase error and correct for it by adjusting the free-running oscillation frequency of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). Experiments supporting this approach are reported for two optically injection locked oscillators at 18 GHz, where controlled phase shifts over -90 degrees to 78 degrees are achieved by adjusting the bias current to a yttrium-iron-garnet (YIG) tuned VCO. <<ETX>>
The Cost-effectiveness of a Mass Media Campaign to Promote Smartphone Apps for Weight Loss: Updated Modeling Study

Background Evidence suggests that smartphone apps can be effective in the self-management of weight. Given the low cost, broad reach, and apparent effectiveness of weight loss apps, governments may seek to encourage their uptake as a tool to reduce excess weight in the population. Mass media campaigns are 1 mechanism for promoting app use. However, the cost and potential cost-effectiveness are important considerations. Objective The aim of our study was to use modeling to assess the health impacts, health system costs, cost-effectiveness, and health equity of a mass media campaign to promote high-quality smartphone apps for weight loss in New Zealand. Methods We used an established proportional multistate life table model that simulates the 2011 New Zealand adult population over the lifetime, subgrouped by age, sex, and ethnicity (Māori [Indigenous] or non-Māori). The risk factor was BMI. The model compared business as usual to a one-off mass media campaign intervention, which included the pooled effect size from a recent meta-analysis of smartphone weight loss apps. The resulting impact on BMI and BMI-related diseases was captured through changes in health gain (quality-adjusted life years) and in health system costs. The difference in total health system costs was the net sum of intervention costs and downstream cost offsets because of altered disease rates. An annual discount rate of 3% was applied to health gains and health system costs. Multiple scenarios and sensitivity analyses were conducted, including an equity adjustment. Results Across the remaining lifetime of the modeled 2011 New Zealand population, the mass media campaign to promote weight loss app use had an estimated overall health gain of 181 (95% uncertainty interval 113-270) quality-adjusted life years and health care costs of –NZ $606,000 (–US $408,000; 95% uncertainty interval –NZ $2,540,000 [–US $1,709,000] to NZ $907,000 [US $610,000]). The mean health care costs were negative, representing overall savings to the health system. Across the outcomes examined in this study, the modeled mass media campaign to promote weight loss apps among the general population would be expected to provide higher per capita health gain for Māori and hence reduce health inequities arising from high BMI, assuming that the intervention would be as effective for Māori as it is for non-Māori. Conclusions A modeled mass media campaign to encourage the adoption of smartphone apps to promote weight loss among the New Zealand adult population is expected to yield an overall gain in health and to be cost-saving to the health system. Although other interventions in the nutrition and physical activity space are even more beneficial to health and produce larger cost savings (eg, fiscal policies and food reformulation), governments may choose to include strategies to promote health app use as complementary measures.
How to Formulate an Accident Prediction Model for Urban Intersections

Several safety prediction models and methods have been developed to eliminate the relationship between the expected accident frequency and various urban intersection geometry and operational attributes. It is generally accepted that accident rates tend to be higher at intersections than on through sections of a road. This is particularly frequent in urban area where roads are characterized by intersections in close succession; moreover, the safe and effective operations of the urban road system can be significantly affected by safety conditions at intersections. In this paper models and methods designed to understand and to predict the accident process at urban intersections are reviewed. In particular, this study intends to show why the statistical modeling approach is useful for accident analysis and how it can be applied to provide some general advice for conducting safety evaluations with accident data. An exploratory example describes how to formulate an accident model for urban intersections by the analysis of significant explanatory variables affecting accident phenomenon and by the modeling of accident and traffic data for urban intersections. Finally, in view of the recent great interest in the safety problems of urban roads with particular regard to intersections, the research intends to summarize the main features of the accident intersection models and their part in developing quantitative safety effectiveness measures for installation design improvements.
Interferon-gamma mediates skeletal muscle lesions through JAK/STAT pathway activation in inclusion body myositis

Dysimmune and Inflammatory Myopathies (DIMs) are acquired idiopathic myopathy associated with immune response dysregulation. Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM), the most common DIMs, is characterized by endomysial infiltrates of cytotoxic T lymphocytes CD8, muscle type II-interferon (IFNγ) signature, and by the lack of response to immunomodulatory therapies. We showed that IBM was pathologically characterized by the presence of chronic degenerative myopathic features including myofiber atrophy, fibrosis, adipose involution, and the altered functions of skeletal muscle stem cells. Here, we demonstrated that protracted systemic exposure to IFNγ delayed muscle regeneration and led to IBM-like muscular degenerative changes in mice. In vitro, IFNγ treatment inhibited the activation, proliferation, migration, differentiation, and fusion of myogenic progenitor cells and promoted their senescence through JAK-STAT-dependent activation. Finally, JAK-STAT inhibitor, ruxolitinib abrogated the deleterious effects of IFNγ on muscle regeneration, suggesting that the JAK-STAT pathway could represent a new therapeutic target for IBM.
USING OPTIMIZATION TO ESTIMATE SOIL INPUTS OF CROP MODELS FOR USE IN SITE-SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT

Predicting the spatial variability of grain yield is of crucial importance for site-specific management (SSM) because it allows for testing of management prescriptions and for correct assessment of agronomic and economic outcomes. One common limitation of crop simulation model use in SSM is the need for accurate values of many inputs from numerous sites in a field. Optimization can be of great help in the estimation of parameters using more easily measured variables such as yield. We have used simulated annealing and compared parameter estimates and yield predictions resulting from the use of two distinct objective function variables: grain yield and soil-water content. Estimating site-specific soil parameters from grain yield measurements led to acceptable errors in grain yield estimates. However, soil-water was not accurately predicted, which made the strategy unreliable. The errors in soil-water were particularly high in the bottom soil layer. In addition, most of the soil-water holding limits were not valid, especially for the lower limit and saturation. Estimating site-specific soil parameters from soil-water content measurements led to acceptable errors in grain yield and soil-water estimates. The estimated soil-water holding limits were valid with an exception of saturation for the intermediate soil layers.