Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BUCKLING OF PILES DURING EARTHQUAKE LIQUEFACTION

Collapse of pile-supported structures by formation of plastic hinges in the piles is observed in the majority of recent strong earthquakes despite the fact that a large factor of safety is employed in their design. Studies show that when failure occurred in structures, they most often resulted due to loads that have been overlooked by the designer or considered as secondary; rather than inadequate factor of safety. Recent research into the pile failure mechanism has shown that there is also a fundamental omission of a load effect in the seismic pile design in liquefiable areas. The current codes of practice for pile design such as Euro code 8, NEHRP 2000, JRA1996 and IS1893 is based on a bending mechanism where lateral loads due to inertia or slope movement (Lateral spreading) induces bending failure in the pile. These codes omit considerations necessary to avoid buckling of a pile due to the axial load acting on it during soil liquefaction due to the diminishing confining pressure surrounding the pile. It is needless to mention that irrespective of lateral loads imposed by the earthquake, a pile has to sustain the axial load acting on it when the surrounding soil is at its lowest possible strength and stiffness owing to liquefaction. The provisions in the current codes are inadequate and buckling needs to be addressed. It must be mentioned here that buckling is the most destructive form of failure and it occurs suddenly. Bending and buckling require different approaches in design. Bending is a stable mechanism and is dependent on strength whereas buckling is dependent on geometric stiffness and is almost independent of strength. Designing against bending would not automatically suffice the buckling requirements. In pile design, to avoid buckling there is a need to have minimum diameter depending on the depth of the liquefiable soil, typically length to diameter ratio of about 12 in the likely liquefiable zone. Thus there is a need to reconsider the safety of the existing piled foundations designed based on the current codes of practice. This paper discusses the practical implications and new research needs.
Developing a Moral Behavior Learning Model Through Regular Practices at Playgroups

The research aimed at developing a model which could shape children’s moral behavior through activities at the Playgroups in Padang. Moreover, the research was also to describe the effectiveness of the learning model that was used to shape children’s moral through their regular practices. The design of the research was Research and Development using the limited test. The test design was experiment one group pretest-posttest design, without control class. Then, in terms of a wider scope, the test was given also to three more playgroups occupying with control and experiment class. The measuring indicators used were moral development, religious values, and social, emotional and independence development. The effectiveness was also described based on the teachers’ observation. The data were obtained through instrument test and observation sheets. Then the data were analyzed by using t-test. The model is a combination of teaching model proposed, they are information-processing and behavioral. The information processing focuses on mastery aspect and information processing done by the students during the learning process. The findings of the research showed that the implementation of the learning model significantly shaped the children’s moral, religious values, and their social and emotional development. Then according to the teachers, the implementation of the model improved children’s creativity.
Protective effect of interferon-alpha on carbon tetrachloride-induced nephrotoxicity.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic administration of interferon-alpha 2b for the prevention of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity. METHODS Thirty rats were divided into three groups: control, CCl4+placebo (CCl4+P) and CCl4+interferon-alpha 2b (CCl4+INF). Control rats were treated with pure olive oil. The other rats were treated for seven weeks with subcutaneous injections of CCl4 (0.15 mL /kg) in pure olive oil three times a week. Rats were killed at the end of the seventh week and renal histopathological examinations were done: specimens of renal tissue were obtained for investigating oxidative stress parameters, including malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). RESULTS Tubular changes, glomerular hypercellularity, and capillary obliteration were significantly less in the CCl4+INF group than with CCl4+P (p<0.05) and the interstitial fibrosis score for the CCl4+INF group was similar to the control group. However, the interstitial inflammation score was higher in the CCl4+INF group than the control group (p<0.05). No change was observed in the CCl4+P group. Renal MDA levels in the control and CCl4+INF groups were significantly lower than the CCl4+P group, while GSH-Px was significantly higher (p<0.001). There was no difference between the control and CCl4+INF groups in oxidative stress markers (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Administration of interferon-alpha 2b to CCl4-treated rats prevented interstitial fibrosis, probably as a result of its antifibrogenic effect. It also reduced intrarenal oxidative stress in rats with CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity.
Simulating pH effects in an algal‐growth hydrodynamics model1

Models and numerical simulations are relatively inexpensive tools that can be used to enhance economic competitiveness through operation and system optimization to minimize energy and resource consumption, while maximizing algal oil yield. This work uses modified versions of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC) in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers' water‐quality code (CE‐QUAL) to simulate flow hydrodynamics coupled to algal growth kinetics. The model allows the flexibility of manipulating a host of variables associated with algal growth such as temperature, light intensity, and nutrient availability. pH of the medium is a newly added operational parameter governing algal growth that affects algal photosynthesis, differential availability of inorganic forms of carbon, enzyme activity in algae cell walls, and oil production rates. A single‐layer algal‐growth/hydrodynamic model without pH limitation was verified by comparing solution curves of algal biomass and phosphorus concentrations to an analytical solution. Media pH, now included in the model as a growth‐limiting factor, can be entered as a measured value or calculated based on CO2 concentrations. Upon adding the ability to limit growth due to pH, physically reasonable results have been obtained from the model both with and without pH limitation. When the model was used to simulate algal growth from a pond experiment in the greenhouse, a least‐squares fitting technique yielded a maximum algal production (subsequently modulated by limitation factors) of 1.05 d−1. Overall, the measured and simulated biomass concentrations in the greenhouse pond were in close agreement.
Splenic trauma: value of follow-up CT.

PURPOSE To determine the value of follow-up computed tomography (CT) after expectant treatment in patients with clinically stable blunt splenic trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS Medical records and CT studies for 42 patients were reviewed, and injuries were graded on a scale of 1-6. Patients were divided into three groups: stable patients with no follow-up CT (group 1, n = 14), stable patients with follow-up CT (group 2, n = 22), and symptomatic patients with follow-up (group 3, n = 6). Serial hemoglobin values and clinical findings at follow-up CT were reviewed. RESULTS All patients in groups 1 and 2 remained clinically stable with good outcomes. In group 3, follow-up CT scans demonstrated worsening condition in four patients (67%), and three of the four had poor outcomes. CONCLUSION Follow-up CT may be unnecessary in patients with clinically stable splenic trauma.
High Fluoroquinolone Resistant Strains of Helicobacter pylori in the Golden triangle

Background and aims: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections, associated with fatal GI diseases such as gastric cancer and MALT lymphoma, remain a major health problem in ASEAN countries. The Golden triangle has long been known as one of Asia’s main opium-producing areas. There have been no prior studies of H. pylori infection in this area. The major objectives of this project were therefore to establish prevalence, antibiotic resistance patterns and associated predictive in the Golden triangle. Methods: We recruited dyspeptic patients in Chiang khong and Chiang saen districts, Chiangrai province of Thailand. All subjects underwent gastroscopy, and 3 antral gastric biopsies were collected for rapid urease tests and H. pylori culture. E-tests were used to evaluate the MICs for metronidazole (MNZ), levofloxacin (LVX), ciprofloxacin (CIP), amoxicillin(AMX), tetracycline (TET) and clarithromycin (CLR). Results: Total of 148 patients was included. H. pylori infection was present in 36.3%(37/102) of Chiang khong and 34.8 % (16/46) of Chiang saen subjects and the overall H. pylori infection rate was 35.8% (53/148). Antibiotic resistance was demonstrated in 44%, including 2% for CLR and 26% for MNZ, whereas fluoroquinolone resistance was demonstrated to be as high as 25% in Chiang khong. Multi-drug resistant H. pylori was detected in 4%. There was no AMX and TET resistance in this study. The prevalence of CLR resistance on a background of gastritis was significantly higher than peptic ulcer disease in the golden triangle area (100%vs 0%: P= 0.04). Conclusions: H. pylori remains a common infection in the Golden triangle. MNZ resistance appears to be high, whereas fluoroquinolone resistance is prevalent and is becoming a significant problem in this area. Diagnosis of gastritis might be a predictor of CLR resistance in the Golden triangle. H. pylori eradication with an appropriate regimen by using the local antibiotic resistant pattern is a key important tool to reduce H. pylori associated GI diseases in this particular part of the world.
MICROMECHANICS MODELING THE SOLUTE DIFFUSION IN UNSATURATED HARDENED CEMENT PASTE

Based on the characterization of microstructure morphology and local physical properties, a micromechanics model is proposed to estimate the solute diffusion coefficient of the unsaturated hardened cement paste. The water films adsorbed on the gas-pore wall interface as well as the connectivity of the capillary pore water are accounted for in the micromechanics model. It is shown that the evolution of solute diffusion coefficient exhibits notable nonlinear decrease with saturation degree. At high saturation degree (Sr ≥ 80%), the drastic decrease of the solute diffusion with decreasing saturation degree is due to the draining of the capillary pore water.
Schistosoma mansoni: evidence that eosinophils and/or macrophages contribute to skin-phase challenge attrition in vaccinated CBA/Ca mice

SUMMARY Naive CBA mice and mice vaccinated 4 weeks previously with gamma-irradiated cercariae were challenged percutaneoualy with normal cercariae and the skin site of challenge removed at various times to provide samples for histological examination. Neutrophil abscesses surrounding schistosomula as well as cast cercarial tails were identified at the skin surface in both naive/challenged and vaccinated/challenged mice. The dermis in both groups of animals became infiltrated with mononuclear cells and granulocytes. Neutrophils were the predominant granulocyte in naive/challenged skin but eosinophils replaced neutrophils by 48 h post-challenge in skin from vaccinated mice. Schistosomula with adherent mononuclear cells and granulocytes were identified preferentially in the dermis of vaccinated mice; such larvae frequently exhibited subtegumental vacuolation. A further major characteristic of vaccinated/challenged skin was the formation, from 18 h, of extensive subdermal inflammatory foci, consisting of up to 50% mononuclear cells and 50% eosinophils. These foci invariably surrounded one or more larval parasites which were seen by both optical and scanning electron microscopy to have a morphology typical of lung stage rather than skin stage schistosomula. Dead, infiltrated parasites were also recognized within the subdermal foci. Our data support the view that vaccine immunity in this mouse model is mediated primarily in the skin and indicate that challenge attrition involves immobilization and killing of larval parasites by effector cells within subdermal inflammatory foci.
Chapter 2 Mercury and Venus : Signi fi cant Results from MESSENGER and Venus Express Missions

Understanding how the solar system evolved has been one of the driving reasons for exploring the solar system until recently. Now the focus includes planets around other stars and particularly terrestrial planets and habitability. Mercury and Venus are two extreme members in our solar system but are poorly understood. Our closest planetary neighbors, with their proximity to the sun made it challenging to learn much about them from telescopes, as they are accessible for only a short time before sunrise or after sunset for large telescopes (due to scattered light and sensitive detectors). Venus with it global cloud cover made it impossible to learn about its surface, until new advances in radar and microwave techniques. Only partly surveyed by Mariner 10 from three fly-bys during 1974–1976, Mercury remained enigmatic until MESSENGER. By contrast, Venus has been explored from fly-by spacecraft, orbiters, entry probes and landers and even balloons, yet the major science questions have only become sharper. MESSENGER and Venus Express, the two current spacecraft visitors from Earth to the innermost, entered the final phase of their mission lives in summer 2014 as the fuel required for orbit maintenance was depleted. Orbiting Venus since 15 April 2006, Venus Express conducted an aerobraking experiment in June 2014. It collected its last observations on 27 November 2014 when the fuel was exhausted during orbit raise maneuvers, and the spacecraft entered the atmosphere on 18 January 2015. Over more than eight years of observing Venus from its 24 h, polar elliptic orbit, it collected a large amount of data from its operating instruments which have provided new insights into the atmosphere of Venus and to a limited extent, its surface. The MESSENGER spacecraft also observed Venus on its third fly-by of Venus which also yielded some new results.
Algorithms and Mechanism Design for Traffic Management

In the future world of self-driving cars, intersections will be managed by computers that send individual commands to each passing vehicle. This paper proposes to make traffic priority contingent on self-reported value of time of vehicle occupants. A model of two merging roads with stochastic traffic is developed. Algorithms for calculation of optimal exit sequences, accounting for time value heterogeneity, are characterized. Welfare costs of limited planning horizon are assessed. Incentive compatible scheme of payment for priority is calculated. The winners and losers of the proposed mechanism are described. Optimality of traffic volume and composition under optimal exit regulation is established.
The extent of disclosure in annual reports of banking companies: The case of India

This study is an empirical investigation of the extent of both mandatory and voluntary disclosure by listed banking companies in India. It also reports the results of the association between company-specific attributes and total disclosure, i.e., mandatory and voluntary, of the sample companies. A total of 184 items were selected of which 101 and 81 were mandatory and voluntary respectively. The study revealed that in disclosing mandatory items, the average score is 88, whilst the average score for voluntary disclosure is 25. The findings also indicate that size, profitability, board composition, and market discipline variables are significant, and other variables such as age, complexity of business and asset-in-place are insignificant in explaining the level of disclosure. Results also indicate that Indian banks are very compliant with the rules regarding mandatory disclosure. In contrast, they are far behind in disclosing voluntary items. This paper has contributed to the academic literature, showing that the existence of a close monitoring system by regulatory authorities brings the potential for high compliance regarding disclosure and transparency, at least in mandatory cases. This study would be a good example for other developing countries, wanting to learn how Indian banks achieved this high level of compliance in mandatory disclosure.
Role of women after genocide among Barzanian families in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Background and objective: Genocide of Barzani people in 1983 led to the disappearance and death of 8000 Barzani males. After the genocide, Barzani women played an important active role which has been ignored by almost all research studies. The present study was an investigation into Barzani women’s lived experiences in order to figure out their role after the genocide of Barzani people. Methods: The present investigation was a qualitative investigation which was carried out by inductive content analysis method. The required data were obtained through in-depth semistructured interviews with 10 Barzani women who had survived the Barzani genocide. Finally, analyzing the collected data through inductive content analysis method led to the extraction of the main themes and subthemes. Results: The data analysis led to the emergence of three main themes namely, "making enormous efforts," "raising the children well," and "creating the family's future" which proved that Barzani women played a significant active role during and after the Barzani genocide. Conclusion: Barzani families, especially their women, have been through a large number of problems and challenges and consequent mental and physical harms as a result of losing their spouses and sons to the Barzani genocide; therefore, they need special assistance particularly from nurses and medical personnel in hospitals.
Ticlopidine and subcutaneous heparin as an alternative regimen following coronary stenting.

Subacute thrombosis of coronary stents may occur up to the end of the first month after their implantation and remains the major problem associated with the technique. A cohort of 238 patients with placement of one or more stents in 244 arteries was monitored for this period. All patients were given 500 mg/day of ticlopidine (started 3 days before) and a push dose of 10,000 IU of heparin during the procedure, then 1,000-1,500 IU/hr for 20 hr. Following removal of the arterial introducer, they were kept on subcutaneous heparin for 1 week and ticlopidine (500 mg/day) for 3-6 months. Nine patients (3.8%) showed evidence of thrombosis at 7 days. The overall thrombosis rate at 30 days was 4.2% (3.5% for elective stents, as compared with 7.9% associated with occlusive dissections). Emergency treatment by further angioplasty (8 cases) and intracoronary thrombolysis (5 cases) was undertaken. Complications were as follows: 5 deaths (2%), 3 MI (1.2%), 2 non-Q MI (1.7%). Three predictive factors for subacute thrombosis were identified: age < 70 (p = 0.00006), unstable angina (p = 0.006) and arterial diameter less than 3 mm (p = 0.043). The peripheral vascular complication rate was 4.6%. This study suggests that preventive treatment with ticlopidine appears to reduce the incidence of subacute thrombosis of stents in patients > 70 years of age. Furthermore, the combination of ticlopidine and heparin facilitates laboratory monitoring after stenting. Stenting is thought to represent definitive treatment in situations where placement for occlusive dissection is the indication.
Investigation of the Relationship between Teachers' Philosophies of Education Beliefs and Curriculum Design Approaches

Bu calismanin amaci, ogretmenlerin benimsedikleri egitim felsefeleri ile tercih ettikleri egitim programi tasarim yaklasimlari arasindaki iliskiyi belirlemektir. Arastirmanin calisma grubunu, Van ilinde gorev yapan 280 ogretmen olusturmaktadir. Arastirmada veri toplama araci olarak, Yilmaz, Altinkurt ve Cokluk (2011) tarafindan gelistirilen “Egitim Inanclari Olcegi” ve Bas (2013) tarafindan gelistirilen "Ogretmenlerin Egitim Programi Tasarim Yaklasimi Olcegi” kullanilmistir. Elde edilen veriler betimsel istatistikler (ortalama ve standart sapma), Pearson Carpim Momentler Korelasyon Katsayisi ve basamakli regresyon analizi kullanilarak cozumlenmistir. Arastirmanin sonucunda, ogretmenlerin en cok benimsedikleri egitim felsefelerinin sirasiyla varolusculuk, ilerlemecilik, yeniden kurmacilik, daimicilik ve esasicilik oldugu; en cok ogrenci merkezli egitim programi tasarim yaklasimlarini, en az ise konu merkezli egitim programi tasarim yaklasimlarini benimsedikleri belirlenmistir. Ogretmenlerin benimsedikleri egitim felsefeleri ile egitim programi tasarim yaklasimlari arasinda orta duzeyde anlamli iliskilerin oldugu belirlenmistir. Ayrica, daimicilik ve esasicilik egitim felsefelerinin konu merkezli program tasarim yaklasiminin; ilerlemecilik ve varoluscu egitim felsefelerinin ogrenci merkezli program tasarim yaklasiminin; ilerlemecilik, yeniden kurmacilik ve varoluscu egitim felsefelerinin ise sorun merkezli program tasarim yaklasiminin anlamli bir yordayicisi oldugu sonucuna ulasilmistir.
Silicon heterojunction solar cell: a new buffer Layer concept with low-temperature epitaxial silicon

Amorphous silicon/crystalline silicon heterojunction solar cells, deposited by the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technique, have been fabricated using different technologies to passivate defects at the heterointerface: without treatment, the insertion of a thin intrinsic amorphous layer or that of a thin intrinsic epitaxial layer. The open circuit voltage of heterojunction solar cells fabricated including an intrinsic amorphous buffer layer is strangely lower than in devices with no buffer layer. The structure of the amorphous buffer layer is investigated by high resolution transmission electron microscope observations. As an alternative to amorphous silicon, the insertion of a fully epitaxial silicon layer, deposited at low temperature with conventional PECVD technique in a hydrogen-silane gas mixture, was tested. Using the amorphous silicon/crystalline silicon (p a-Si/i epi-Si/n c-Si) heterojunction structure in solar cells, a 13.5% efficiency and a 605-mV open circuit voltage were achieved on flat Czochralski silicon substrates. These results demonstrate that epitaxial silicon can be successfully used to passivate interface defects, allowing for an open circuit voltage gain of more than 50 mV compared to cells with no buffer layer. In this paper, the actual structure of the amorphous silicon buffer layer used in heterojunction solar cells is discussed. We make the hypothesis that this buffer layer, commonly considered amorphous, is actually epitaxial.