Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Initial Normal Stress Assumption of Slip Surface on Safety Factor of Symmetrical Three-Dimensional Slopes

By using the explicit solution of three-dimensional slope stability based on modification of normal stress distribution over the slip surface, the influence of assumption of the three-dimensional initial normal stress on the safety factor is investigated. The initial normal stress distribution over the 3D slip surface was assumed, and then it was modified by a function with 2 parameters to satisfy two force equilibrium conditions about two axes and one moment equilibrium condition around one axis. An iterative equation was derived that would yield a value to 3D safety factor. The values of three-dimensional safety factor of symmetrical slopes are computed with different assumptions of initial normal stresses. The computation results show that the influence of assumption of initial normal stress on the safety factor of symmetrical three-dimensional slopes is negligible because the maximum different value of the three-dimensional safety factor is below 5%.
Validation of Ramathibodi's acute asthma predictive score.

BACKGROUND The authors have recently developed Ramathibodi's acute asthma predictive score to help the attending physician decide on a safe discharge of an acute asthmatic patient from the emergency room (ER). However the authors did not validate it in the previous study. OBJECTIVE To validate the predictive score with a new different population. MATERIAL AND METHOD The authors conducted a study on acute asthmatic patients, in continuation from our previous study, between September 2005 and September 2007 in the ER of Ramathibodi Hospital. Vital signs, oxygen saturation, and severity factors were recorded. All patients were treated with nebulized salbutamol initially and repeatedly if the peak expiratory flow rates were < 70% predicted or if unfavorable physical signs were seen. The patients who had any of the severity factors were given systemic steroids. Patients were assessed for admission if further treatments were needed after the fourth nebulization. An unfavorable outcome was defined as either hospital admission or relapse within 48 hours of the ER discharge. Then, the authors' predictive score was calculated to give a total score for each patient. Using a cutoff score of 2, the authors calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was also calculated and compared with that of the development cohort. RESULTS There were 863 visits from 546 patients and 66.6% had a score of < or = 1 while 33.4% had a score of > or = 2. Using a cutoff score of 2, the acute asthma score exhibited a sensitivity of 60.0%, a specificity of 67.4%, a PPV of 5.7%, and a NPV of 98.1%. The validation group's AUC did not differ from that of the development group. CONCLUSION Ramathibodi's acute asthma predictive score was found as a valid useful tool for a proper ER discharge of acute asthmatic patients.
CD40 Is Required for Protective Immunity against Liver Stage Plasmodium Infection

The costimulatory molecule CD40 enhances immunity through several distinct roles in T cell activation and T cell interaction with other immune cells. In a mouse model of immunity to liver stage Plasmodium infection, CD40 was critical for the full maturation of liver dendritic cells, accumulation of CD8+ T cells in the liver, and protective immunity induced by immunization with the Plasmodium yoelii fabb/f− genetically attenuated parasite. Using mixed adoptive transfers of polyclonal wild-type and CD40-deficient CD8+ T cells into wild-type and CD40-deficient hosts, we evaluated the contributions to CD8+ T cell immunity of CD40 expressed on host tissues including APC, compared with CD40 expressed on the CD8+ T cells themselves. Most of the effects of CD40 could be accounted for by expression in the T cells’ environment, including the accumulation of large numbers of CD8+ T cells in the livers of immunized mice. Thus, protective immunity generated during immunization with fabb/f− was largely dependent on effective APC licensing via CD40 signaling.
Motivational and Success Factors of Entrepreneurs: The Evidence from a Developing Country

This paper is focused on the study of motivational and success factors of entrepreneurs in Serbia with respect to the basic methodological approach developed by Chu (using principal component factor analysis with varimax rotation). The objective of the research was to analyse the motives of entrepreneurs starting their own business and to determine factors that affect the success of SMEs. The empirical research was conducted according to 11 motivational items of entrepreneurs to establish their own business and 17 items affecting entrepreneurs’ success. Four motivational factors are obtained in this research (greater business achievement, independence, intrinsic factor and job security), as well as seven factors affecting entrepreneurs’ success (position in society, interpersonal skills, approval and support, competitive product/service, leadership skills, always to be informed and business reputation). Based on these results and their comparison with the empirical findings in other countries, it may be concluded that motivational factors of entrepreneurs are generic in developing countries. The results showed that there was a lack of motives concerned with sustainable development of enterprise in a long run. On the other hand, there is a variety of different success factors affecting entrepreneurs, which primarily depend on the current situation in the local environment.
Photosynthesis Can Be Optimized to Feed and Fuel the World : Evolutionary Challenges and Engineering Possibilities

Photosynthesis is a vitally important but inefficient system, converting only 3-6% of light energy into biomass. Photosynthetic rate is limited by the carbon-fixing enzyme Rubisco, which is slow and reacts unproductively with atmospheric oxygen. This study reviews scientific literature relating to enhancement of photosynthetic efficiency. Evolutionary responses to the inefficiencies of photosynthesis are described and their limitations explored. Engineering strategies are reviewed, including strategies to increase CO2 concentration around Rubisco or replace Rubisco entirely. Also considered are strategies to improve the efficiency of photon absorption. Strategies are assessed on potential to increase photosynthetic efficiency and likelihood of successful implementation towards improving agricultural and biofuel yields.
BIG FIVE PERSONALITY TRAITS AS PREDICTORS OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN RIVERS STATE OF NIGERIA

This study investigated Big Five personality traits as predictors of emotional intelligence of secondary school teachers in Rivers State of Nigeria. Two research questions and two corresponding hypotheses were formulated to guide the conduct of the study. The participants in the study were 770 teachers drawn from public secondary schools in Rivers State, Nigeria. Cluster sampling technique was used to draw the sample of the study. Two instruments were used for data collection. They are: Emotional Intelligence Behaviour Inventory (EQBI) by Akinboye and NEO Five Factor Inventory by Costa and McCrae adapted from Ata, Ather and Bano (2013). Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The hypotheses were tested at 0.05 alpha level. Results of the study showed that: Big Five personality traits taken together statistically significantly predicted emotional intelligence of secondary school teachers; the relative contribution of agreeableness and extraversion personality traits in the prediction of emotional intelligence of secondary school teachers was statistically significant while the reverse was the case for others (conscientiousness, openness and neuroticism). Based on the findings, conclusions were drawn and recommendations made accordingly.
AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION AND VALIDATION OF THERMO-ELASTIC MODELS ON THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY BEHAVIOUR OF Al 6061-SILICON CARBIDE-GRAPHITE HYBRID METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES

Metal matrix composites are regarded to be one of the most predominant classifications in composite materials. The thermal characterization of metal matrix composites by using laser flash apparatus is a sophisticated technique meant for the determination of thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity. In this research paper, the determination of thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity have been accomplished for Al 6061, Silicon Carbide and Graphite hybrid metal matrix composites from room temperature to 300°C. Aluminium based composites reinforced with Silicon Carbide and Graphite particles have been prepared by stir casting technique. The results have indicated that, the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity for different compositions of hybrid MMCs decrease by the addition of Graphite with Silicon Carbide to the matrix alloy Al 6061. Empirical or thermo-elastic models viz., rule of mixtures, series model, geometric model and Maxwell’s model have been validated for the evaluation of thermal conductivity of composites.
Effects of Actual Exhaust Gas Recirculation of the Direct Injection Spark Ignition Engine Fuelled by Compressed Natural Gas at Partial Injection Timing

The exhaust gas that is released from vehicles contribute to pollution of the environment and create global warming, acid rain, haze, respiratory and other health problem. Due to this concerns, this research focus on exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for spark ignition (SI) engine fuelled by compress natural gas (CNG) at partial injection timing to reduce Nitrogen Oxides (NOX) emissions which are very harmful to the environment and humanity health. Thus, the primary objectives of this study was to experimentally study the performance and emission characteristics of the SI engine fuelled by CNG under various actual EGR rates at partial injection timing. The experiment was performed using various engine operating conditions such as engine speed which varied from 2000-4000 rpm, part-throttle, stoichiometric mixture and various percentage of EGR. The results of the performance and the emissions level were compared for various EGR rates. The result revealed that as the EGR rates increase the brake torque and brake specific fuel consumption decrease respectively. However, Nitric Oxide emissions (NO) decrease as EGR rates increase. Unlike Unburned Hydrocarbon (UHC) and Carbon Monoxide (CO), the gas emissions decrease as the EGR rates decrease. Thus it can be concluded that by utilize various EGR rates in the DI SI engine, the performance of the engine decrease while the NOX emission decrease which created a trade-off between performance and emission.
Epidural Bupivacaine with Dexmedetomidine or Fentanyl for Lower Abdominal and Lower Limb Surgeries - A Randomized Prospective Study

Background: Epidural anaesthesia with catheter insertion offers a useful anaesthetic technique for lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries. Further it can also be used to offer effective post operative analgesia. Adjuvants added to local anaesthetics improve the quality of epidural block and prolong block-ade. Objectives: To assess and compare the effects of dexmedetomidine and fentanyl as adjuvants to epi-dural bupivacaine in lower limb and lower abdominal surgeries Materials and Methods: This randomized prospective study was conducted in a referral teaching hospital in Kolar, Karnataka. Sixty adult patients of either sex belonging to ASA physical status I and II and aged between 18 to 50 years undergoing elective lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries under epidural anaesthesia were studied. Patients were random-ly allotted to group D who received epidural bupivacaine with dexmedetomidine and to Group F who re-ceived bupivacaine with fentanyl. The onset and duration of sensory and motor blocks with haemodynamic variability were assessed. The requirement of rescue analgesics and side effects were recorded. Continuous data is analysed using student t-test and categorical data using Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test. P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Time to attain adequate sensory and motor block was faster in Group D in comparison to Group F (p<0.001). Two segment regression, the duration of analgesia and time to complete motor recovery was prolonged in Group D when compared to Group F. On-set of sensory blockade and motor blockade were faster in group D compared to group F. Duration of senso-ry and motor blockade were prolonged in group D compared to compared to group F. Conclusion: Epidural bupivacaine with dexmedetomidine is associated with faster onset of and prolonged sensory and motor blockade with lesser requirement of rescue analgesia compared to bupivacaine with fentanyl. Keywords: Epidural analgesia, Bupivacaine, Dexmedetomidine, Fentanyl, RCT
AGAMOUS-Like 15 Promotes Somatic Embryogenesis in Arabidopsis and Soybean in Part by the Control of Ethylene Biosynthesis and Response 1 [ C ] [ W ] [ OA ]

Many of the regulatory processes occurring during plant embryogenesis are still unknown. Relatively few cells are involved, and they are embedded within maternal tissues, making this developmental phase difficult to study. Somatic embryogenesis is a more accessible system, and many important regulatory genes appear to function similar to zygotic development, making somatic embryogenesis a valuable model for the study of zygotic processes. To better understand the role of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) MADS factor AGAMOUS-Like15 (AGL15) in the promotion of somatic embryogenesis, direct target genes were identified by chromatin immunoprecipitation-tiling arrays and expression arrays. One potential directly up-regulated target was At5g61590, which encodes a member of the ethylene response factor subfamily B-3 of APETALA2/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR transcription factors and is related to Medicago truncatula SOMATIC EMBRYO-RELATED FACTOR1 (MtSERF1), which has been shown to be required for somatic embryogenesis in M. truncatula. Here, we report confirmation that At5g61590 is a directly expressed target of AGL15 and that At5g61590 is essential for AGL15’s promotion of somatic embryogenesis. Because At5g61590 is a member of the ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR family, effects of ethylene on somatic embryogenesis were investigated. Precursors to ethylene stimulate somatic embryogenesis, whereas inhibitors of ethylene synthesis or perception reduce somatic embryogenesis. To extend findings to a crop plant, we investigated the effects of ethylene on somatic embryogenesis in soybean (Glycine max). Furthermore, we found that a potential ortholog of AGL15 in soybean (GmAGL15) upregulates ethylene biosynthesis and response, including direct regulation of soybean orthologs of At5g61590/MtSERF1 named here GmSERF1 and GmSERF2, in concordance with the M. truncatula nomenclature.
ulti-particle suspension in a laminar flow gitated by a Rushton turbine

Multi-particle suspension in a laminar stirred tank flow agitated by a standard Rushton turbine was investigated experimentally and numerically. In the experiments, the motion of the particles was measured by two high-speed cameras and was quantitatively analyzed. Two very stable particle patterns were observed. Strong flow is required to break these patterns because their formation hinders the particle lift-off process. The experimental trajectories and vertical velocities of the particles were measured, and highly reproducible results were found. Direct numerical simulations based on the lattice-Boltzmann method and the resolved particle model were performed to fully resolve the motion of the particles and the flow field. The influence of the friction coefficient and the subgrid lubrication force model on particle suspension was evaluated. Except for the random characteristics of particles interaction at the initial lift-off stage, the predicted trajectories and velocities of the particles are in good agreement with the experimental results. The pressure gradient around the irect numerical simulation particles is a key mechanism for the lift-off process. © 2018 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Blais and Bertrand, 2017; Lassaigne et al., 2016) combined ERT with a . Introduction tirred tanks with solid–liquid mixtures are widely used in varius industrial processes, such as petrochemical engineering, fine hemistry, reaction systems with solids catalyst, and crystallization rocesses. The critical impeller speed to suspend all solids is an imporant parameter for the design and optimization of the stirred tank; that s, with this speed, and thus minimum power input, all the solids can e suspended, ensuring maximum solid–liquid interfacial area. Extenive research has been carried out to determine the critical condition n stirred tanks. Zwietering (1958) pioneered the concept of just susended speed Njs at which no particles rested on the bottom of the ank more than 1 or 2 s. As extensions of Zwietering’s work, many esearchers (Blais et al., 2017; Kee and Tan, 2002; Srinivasa and Jayanti, ∗ Corresponding authors at: State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource f Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China. E-mail addresses: lizp@mail.buct.edu.cn (Z. Li), gaozm@mail.buct. ed ttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd. 2018.02. 035 263-8762/© 2018 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsev 2007) combined empirical correlations with numerical simulations to study solid-liquid suspension for different geometrical and operating
Assessment of Health Care Seeking Behavior among House Hold Heads in Dale Woreda, Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia, Ethiopia

Introduction: Health seeking behavior refers to activities undertaken by persons related to diseases experience. The initiation and treatment need for sick women, children, adolescents, and the old household members are usually determined by household heads. While household heads who are sick will independently decide to seek health care. There is limited information on the level of health care seeking behavior and associated factors among household heads. Therefore, assessing factors associated with health care seeking behavior among household heads have significant role in filling the information gap to control inappropriate health care seeking practice and its outcomes. Objective: To assess health care seeking behavior & its associated factor among household heads of Dale woreda from February to March 2017. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Dale woreda by using quantitative data collection methods. Stratified random sampling technique was employed to select household heads from rural and urban areas. Data were collected using a structured and pretested questionnaire and entered into a computer using Epi data 4.13 and analyzed using SPSS for windows version 20.
THE EFFECT OF SLIP ON THE COMPRESSIVE BEHAVIOR OF UNBONDED RUBBER PADS : A FINITE ELEMENT APPROACH

Steel-reinforced elastomeric isolators (SREIs) are considerably more expensive than unbonded steel-reinforced elastomeric bearings like those typically used in bridge applications to accommodate thermal expansion/contraction of the bridge deck. SREIs are vulcanized to thick steel end-plates (25 mm or thicker) that are bolted to the supports, while unbonded elastomeric bearings do not have thick end-plates, and they rely on friction to transfer the shear force between the bearing and the supports. The reason for the increased cost of SREIs is not merely the additional steel but the manufacturing cost associated with ensuring a proper bond between the steel plates and the rubber that will accommodate the large tensile stresses that can develop in SREIs during shearing of the isolator. Unbonded rubber bearings, on the other hand, are not bonded to their supports and do not develop tensile stresses during shearing. Consequently the need for stringent bonding requirements, such as those in SREIs, is eliminated. Since unbonded rubber bearings are held in place only by friction, there is a possibility that the frictional resistance may be compromised by lubrication that is introduced intentionally or accidentally. As a result a reduction in the frictional resistance that develops between the support-rubber interfaces is expected to occur. Since friction plays a dominant role in holding unbonded bearings in place, it is important to predict the effect of slip in these bearings. In this paper, the effect of parameters such as shape factor, friction coefficient and elastomer bulk modulus, on the pressure distribution and compression modulus of unbonded strip pads is investigated using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). It is shown that friction has a significant effect on both the maximum pressure and the compression modulus. 1 PhD Student, Dept. of Civil Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8 Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8 Rastgoo Moghadam S, Konstantinidis D. The effect of slip on the compressive behavior of unbonded rubber pads: a Finite Element approach. Proceedings of the 10 National Conference in Earthquake Engineering, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, Anchorage, AK, 2014. The Effect of Slip on the Compressive Behavior of Unbonded Rubber Pads: A Finite Element Approach S. Rastgoo Moghadam and D. Konstantinidis
Path tree analysis as a tool for describing motor recovery following acquired brain injury: An exploratory study

Purpose. Knowledge of the likely sequence of motor recovery following brain injury has obvious usefulness within rehabilitation. Research has tended to focus on establishing the linearity of the recovery sequence. This study aimed to ascertain the usefulness of path tree analysis as a graphical means of exploring inter-subject variation in routes followed during motor recovery. Method. Data were collected via physiotherapist questionnaire, ascertaining recovery sequence of 14 motor milestones across 80 adults with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). An adapted version of the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) was used. Data were analysed to establish inter-subject agreement regarding recovery sequence. A path tree diagram was then composed to explore inter-subject variation. Results. Putative order of recovery for the 14 motor milestones appeared to have face validity. Guttman coefficients of reproducibility ((0.954) and scalability (0.948) were good, suggesting intrinsic order. Composition of a path tree suggested considerable variation in recovery paths between individuals, with 34 combinations of test items being evident. Conclusions. Motor recovery following severe TBI follows a distinct pattern, but path tree analysis emphasises the variety of routes which individuals can follow. Additional research should ascertain the scope of this method to document the natural history of the recovery process.
Pterygium in aged population in Doumen County, China.

PURPOSE To estimate the prevalence of pterygium and its influence on visual acuity in aged population of Doumen County, southern China. METHODS A population-based survey was conducted in Doumen County, the rural area of southern China. Twenty-seven sample units were selected by random sampling. The prevalence and severity of pterygium and it-related low visual acuity were analyzed. RESULTS Of the total 4 762 individuals aged 50 years or over, 4 214 were examined. The prevalence of pterygium was 33.01% in subjects aged 50 years or above. There was a significantly higher prevalence in female (35.70%) than in male (29.70%, P = 0.025). The prevalence of pterygium in age groups of 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s years old is 33.98%, 36.40%, 30.73% and 25.40%, respectively. Most of the pterygia were located in the nasal side (93.31%) of cornea, and only 6.69% in the temporal side. 0.92% of the eyes had visual acuity less than 0.32, which were directly caused by pterygia. CONCLUSION The current survey suggests that the pterygium is one of the most common diseases of external eye in the population aged 50 years and above. It is still leading to the impairment of visual acuity in the rural area.