Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simulation of nitrate and potassium concentrations in soil solution using parametric models and Hydrus-2D

This study estimated the nitrate and potassium concentration in the soil solution of drainage lysimeter using the mathematical models developed by Vogeler et al. (1996) and MuñozCarpena et al. (2005) and the computational model Hydrus-2D, while comparing the simulated and observed data using statistical parameters. The cultivar used for the study was ‘Prata Gorutuba’. The experimental plots were six lysimeters of drainage. Fertigation was performed weekly. The mathematical models developed by Vogeler et al. (1996) and Muñoz-Carpena et al. (2005) were used to determine the specific concentration of a given ion (Ci). The Hydrus software was used to simulate the dynamics of nutrients. The concentrations of nitrate and potassium in the soil solution were estimated by the model of Vogeler et al. (1996), adapted to the linear type CEw-Ci ratio and simulated by the Hydrus model, resulting in an acceptable characterization of the distribution of these nutrients.
Estimating water balance components in irrigated agriculture using a combined approach of soil moisture and energy balance monitoring, and numerical modelling

Information on water balance components such as evapotranspiration and groundwater recharge are crucial for water management. Due to differences in physical conditions, but also due to limited budgets, there is not one universal best practice, but a wide range of different methods with specific advantages and disadvantages. In this study, we propose an approach to quantify actual evapotranspiration, groundwater recharge and water inflow, i.e. precipitation and irrigation, that considers the specific conditions of irrigated agriculture in warm, arid environments. This approach does not require direct measurements of precipitation or irrigation quantities and is therefore suitable for sites with an uncertain data basis. For this purpose, we combine soil moisture and energy balance monitoring, remote sensing data analysis and numerical modelling using Hydrus. Energy balance data and routine weather data serve to estimate ET0. Surface reflectance data from satellite images (Sentinel‐2) are used to derive leaf area indices, which help to partition ET0 into energy limited evaporation and transpiration. Subsequently, first approximations of water inflow are derived based on observed soil moisture changes. These inflow estimates are used in a series of forward simulations that produce initial estimates of drainage and ETact, which in turn help improve the estimate of water inflow. Finally, the improved inflow estimates are incorporated into the model and then a parameter optimization is performed using the observed soil moisture as the reference figure. Forward simulations with calibrated soil parameters result in final estimates for ETact and groundwater recharge. The presented method is applied to an agricultural test site with a crop rotation of cotton and wheat in Punjab, Pakistan. The final model results, with an RMSE of 2.2% in volumetric water content, suggest a cumulative ETact and groundwater recharge of 769 and 297 mm over a period of 281 days, respectively. The total estimated water inflow accounts for 946 mm, of which 77% originates from irrigation.
Irreproducibility in hydrogen storage material research

The storage of hydrogen in materials has received a significant amount of attention in recent years because this approach is widely thought to be one of the most promising solutions to the problem of storing hydrogen for use as an alternative energy carrier in a safe, compact and affordable form. However, there have been a number of high profile cases in which erroneous or irreproducible data have been published. Meanwhile, the irreproducibility of research results in a wide range of disciplines has been the subject of an increasing amount of attention due to problems with some of the data in the literature. In this Perspective, we provide a summary of the problems that have affected hydrogen storage material research. We also discuss the reasons behind them and possible ways of reducing the likelihood of further problems occurring in the future.
An Analysis of Thai Student Teacher Appropriate Internet Use Behaviour

The goals of this research were to analyse and develop a Hierarchical Linear Model (HLM) of appropriate Internet use behaviour of Thai student teachers. The sample group consisted of 1,800 student teachers studying for their bachelor’s degree at 30 Thai government educational institutions. The research tool used was a questionnaire with content validity and reliability at 0.83 – 0.92. Mean (¯(x )), standard deviation (S.D.), and HLM were used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that appropriate Internet use behaviour in Thai student teachers was at a high level. Additionally, the HLM for appropriate Internet use behaviour for Thai student teachers consisted of two levels of predictor variables. The first level was the student teacher level, in which six of the hypothesized nine predictor variables had statistical significance. Five had a positive effect, which included ability, affect, family situation, gender, and GPA, while one variable had a negative effect, which was income. The second level was the institutional level, which contained two predictor variables with statistical significance, friends and educational institution situation, with both having positive effects. Friends had a direct effect on behaviour at the educational institution level, while educational institution situation had an effect through ability.
Energy Efficiency Indicators for Hotel Buildings

Hotels are energy-intensive buildings; therefore, in this study, we investigate the indicators used for measuring the energy efficiency of one- to five-star hotels, in temperate and tropical regions of Asia, Europe, and Africa. There are several indicators for measuring energy intensity, but we found that the “total average annual energy use intensity index”, measured in kilowatt-hours per square meter per year (kWh/m2 year), was most often used. Surveys and energy audits are the methods used most often to collect the indicator data. Hotels in the tropics tend to consume more energy than those located in temperate zones, with four- and five-star hotels consuming the most energy.
Testing normal fault growth models by seismic stratigraphic architecture: The case of the Pliocene‐Quaternary Fucino Basin (Central Apennines, Italy)

Normal faults grow either by radial propagation and segment linkage or by accruing displacement without a proportional increase in fault length. To test these competing models of fault growth, a novel 2D seismic stratigraphic interpretation of the recent Fucino Basin of the central Apennines (Italy) has been performed. The Fucino is a major Pliocene‐Quaternary non‐marine ‘extensional collapse basins’, developed immediately after the Apenninic compressional strain had locally abated, and bounded by seismogenic faults that generate strong (Mw = 6–7) and destructive earthquakes. The Fucino is an overall dual polarity half‐graben, built around two border fault systems: the northern one lies along the east‐northeast striking Avezzano‐Bussi regional fault‐zone; the other, south‐eastern trending, bounds the basin to the east. Two separate fault‐driven depocentres of fluvio‐lacustrine sequences (maximum thicknesses of ~1,750 m) are present. One is associated to the northern border faults, with mainly Late Pliocene activity; the second is to the hanging‐wall of the eastern border‐faults and reveals a stepwise Pleistocene‐Recent activity. Tectonic depocentres have migrated clockwise through time, and new‐born fault systems have developed at the south‐eastern basin periphery (Gioia dei Marsi area). This, together with the progressive accumulation of throw in time without significant fault lengthening, suggests that the model of fault growth by segment linkage is not the best explanation for this basin. Instead, the stepwise onset and growth of the Fucino extensional collapse faulting, and its ongoing earthquake hazard, may have been promoted by polyphase inversion tectonics of inherited deep‐seated zones of weaknesses (e.g. Avezzano‐Bussi Line).
Vitamin K supplementation and arterial calcification in dialysis: results of the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled RenaKvit trial

Abstract Background Arterial calcification is associated with cardiovascular mortality in dialysis patients. Active matrix Gla protein (MGP) is a vitamin K-dependent inhibitor of arterial calcification. Elevated plasma concentrations of inactive MGP, i.e. dephosphorylated-uncarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP), are prevalent in dialysis patients. MGP inactivity might contribute to arterial calcification. We investigated whether vitamin K supplementation had an effect on arterial calcification in chronic dialysis patients. Methods In a 2-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention trial, 48 dialysis patients were randomized to vitamin K [menaquinone-7 (MK-7), 360 µg daily] or placebo. MK-7 in serum and dp-ucMGP in plasma were used to assess vitamin K status. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and scores of coronary arterial calcification (CAC) and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) were used to assess arterial calcification. Results Thirty-seven participants completed Year 1, and 21 completed Year 2. At Year 2, serum MK-7 was 40-fold higher, and plasma dp-ucMGP 40% lower after vitamin K supplementation compared with placebo {mean dp-ucMGP difference: −1380 pmol/L [95% confidence interval (CI) −2029 to −730]}. There was no significant effect of vitamin K supplementation on cfPWV [mean difference at Year 2: 1.2 m/s (95% CI −0.1 to 2.4)]. CAC Agatston score increased significantly in vitamin K supplemented participants, but was not significantly different from placebo [mean difference at Year 2: 664 (95% CI −554 to 1881)]. AAC scores increased in both groups, significantly so within the placebo group at Year 1, but with no significant between-group differences. Conclusions Vitamin K supplementation improved vitamin K status, but did not hinder or modify the progression of arterial calcification in dialysis patients.
Scaling of Droplet Breakup in High-Pressure Homogenizer Orifices. Part I: Comparison of Velocity Profiles in Scaled Coaxial Orifices

Properties of emulsions such as stability, viscosity or color can be influenced by the droplet size distribution. High-pressure homogenization (HPH) is the method of choice for emulsions with a low to medium viscosity with a target mean droplet diameter of less than 1 µm. During HPH, the droplets of the emulsion are exposed to shear and extensional stresses, which cause them to break up. Ongoing work is focused on better understanding the mechanisms of droplet breakup and relevant parameters. Since the gap dimensions of the disruption unit (e.g., flat valve or orifice) are small (usually below 500 µm) and the droplet breakup also takes place on small spatial and time scales, the resolution limit of current measuring systems is reached. In addition, the high velocities impede time resolved measurements. Therefore, a five-fold and fifty-fold magnified optically accessible coaxial orifice were used in this study while maintaining the dimensionless numbers characteristic for the droplet breakup (Reynolds and Weber number, viscosity and density ratio). Three matching material systems are presented. In order to verify their similarity, the local velocity profiles of the emerging free jet were measured using both a microparticle image velocimetry (µ-PIV) and a particle image velocimetry (PIV) system. Furthermore, the influence of the outlet geometry on the velocity profiles is investigated. Similar relationships were found on all investigated scales. The areas with the highest velocity fluctuations were identified where droplets are exposed to the highest turbulent forces. The Reynolds number had no influence on the normalized velocity fluctuation field. The confinement of the jet started to influence the velocity field if the outlet channel diameter is smaller than 10 times the diameter of the orifice. In conclusion, the scaling approach offers advantages to study very fast processes on very small spatial scales in detail. The presented scaling approach also offers chances in the optimization of the geometry of the disruption unit. However, the results also show challenges of each size scale, which can come from the respective production, measurement technology or experimental design. Depending on the problem to be investigated, we recommend conducting experimental studies at different scales.
Gender Differences in Factors Affecting Life Satisfaction of the Elderly with Multimorbidity in Korea

To enhance the life satisfaction of the elderly with multimorbidity, it is necessary to investigate the relevant factors and to examine the differences in factors according to gender. The aim of this study was to identify factors affecting life satisfaction of the elderly with multimorbidity in the community by gender in Korea. We analyzed data from 2140 participants with multimorbidity who were aged 65 or older and participated in the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA) in 2016. A multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the factors affecting life satisfaction among male and female older participants with multimorbidity. The most common pattern of multimorbidity of women was hypertension and arthritis/rheumatism, while that of men was hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Some factors, such as depression, exercise, and number of chronic diseases, affected both male and female participants, but others related to life satisfaction varied by gender. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the characteristics of multiple chronic diseases, and policy support should be provided in consideration of gender differences to improve the life satisfaction of the elderly.
Public service delivery in Uganda: a reconsideration of grand corruption

Abstract Purpose: This review intends to ascertain and analyse available literature for the degree of corruption in the Ugandan public organisations and how they can be enhanced to get rid of corruption. Research methodology: Focussed Mapping Review and Synthesis approach were adopted to unpack corruption in public organisations. We examine obtainable literature using thematic approach. Results: The review exposes potential influence of both predisposing factors and precipitating factors in terms of socio-economic and political dimensions. Nonetheless, Public organisations in Uganda can be enhanced to get rid of corruption by enforcing a robust blend of all the three clusters of instruments of accountability; internal, legal and external. Limitations: Since the study was largely based on Uganda, its outcomes may not be generalized. Contribution: This explanatory review underscores the apathy of government machinery to rid public organisations of corruption. There is a need for politicians and policy experts to conduct additional analysis of corruption within the public sector. Keywords: Corruption, Predisposing factors, Precipitating factors, Accountability
Early literacy materials and teacher practices in preschool classrooms

In this qualitative study, the aim was to examine early literacy materials used by teachers in preschool classrooms as well as teachers’ practices that were related to early literacy instruction. The participants of this qualitative study were 52 preschool teachers working in 22 public schools in the city of Uşak, Turkey. The Early Literacy Material Control Form was used to examine materials in the classrooms and one-to-one interviews were made with a semi-structured interview form to understand the practices of teachers. Results indicated that the preschool classes were lacking a sufficient amount and type of early literacy materials as well as activities chosen to stimulate early literacy skills development among children. There were shortcomings in effective literacy environment, book variety and the inclusion of diverse and interesting visuals in classroom. It was determined that teachers generally do mathematical activities and asked children to engage in drawing lines for their early literacy skills development. The most used method in the implementation of activities was the use of books and/or worksheets. Based on these findings, alternative ways to support early literacy skills and carrying out training programs which place more emphasis on early literacy materials and classroom practices are recommended.
Mechanisms for Springtime Onset of Isolated Precipitation across the Southeastern United States

This study uses four-year radar-based precipitation organization and reanalysis datasets to study the mechanisms that lead to the abrupt springtime onset of precipitation associated with isolated storms in the Southeast United States (SE US). Although the SE US receives relatively constant precipitation year-round, previous work demonstrated a “hidden” summertime maximum in isolated precipitation features (IPF) whose annual cycle resembles that of monsoon climates in the subtropics. In the SE US, IPF rain abruptly ramps up in May and lasts until sometime between late August and early October. This study suggests that the onset of the IPF season in the SE US is brought about by a combination of slow thermodynamic processes and fast dynamic triggers, as follows. First, in the weeks prior to IPF onset, a gradual seasonal build-up of convective available potential energy (CAPE) occurs in the Gulf of Mexico. Then, in one-to-two pentads prior to onset, the upper-tropospheric jet stream shifts northward, favoring the presence of slow-moving frontal systems in the SE US. This poleward shift in the jet stream location in turn allows the establishment of the North Atlantic subtropical high western ridge over the SE US which, with associated poleward transport of high CAPE air from the Gulf of Mexico, leads to the establishment of the warm-season regime of IPF precipitation in the SE US.
Structural analysis of a modulated load-bearing structure designed to investigate the interaction between soil and the working parts of agricultural machines

The article presents how to approach the structural analysis of a modulated load-bearing structure (MLBS) for researching the interaction between the soil and the working parts of agricultural machines. The special approach, in relation to the usual structures, is due to the fact that the supporting structure is a modulated, multifunctional one and, consequently, all the usual modular types of operation must be tested. The structure is analyzed in the hypothesis of the loads that maintain the demands of the materials used in the characteristic range of the linear elasticity, because the structure is expected to work in such conditions. The analyzed modulated structure is obtained by modular design for use in research, in several working variants. The authors also present the difficulties related to the transformations of CAD / CAM models into CAD / CAE models and opinions on the necessity of mixed analysis teams in addressing such problems.
The Correlation Between Gastrocnemius Muscle Thickness And Activity Limitations In Patients With Severe OA

Muscle thickness offers an excellent indicator of maximal force generating capacity, and, accordingly, a reduction in muscle thickness may contribute to muscle weakness; this in turn may be related to functional limitations in patients undergoing total knee replacement. The purpose of this study was to correlate the morphologic changes in the gastrocnemius muscle in relation to muscle activity in subjects with severe knee osteoarthritis (OA), in order to establish an objective means of measuring muscle function and muscle recovery. Two subject groups participated in this study, one group of 10 non-pathological subjects (NP) and a separate group of 10 subjects with severe OA. The muscle thickness (MT) and EMG muscle activity (MA) of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) were assessed using ultrasonography (US) and electromyography (EMG), respectively. The correlation between MA and MT was thus investigated, and linear regression analysis performed to determine prediction equations for muscle activity. The results showed that MA is highly related to MT for both MG and LG in NP subjects. The MA prediction equation based on linear regression analysis resulted in R2 values of 0.90 and 0.95 (p<0.05) for LG and MG, respectively, while in OA subjects, a good correlation was shown between MA and MT within the MG, with R2 = 0.80, though a more moderate correlation was found for LG, with R2 = 0.52. The thickness of the MG was not significantly increased during maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) as compared with the resting state, while the thicknesses of LG significantly increased, from 15 to 22 mm, on moving from resting to MVC. This study thus demonstrated that MG is more useful parameter than LG for the prediction of muscle force generating intensity in patients with severe OA.
Generation and sampling of nanoscale infectious viral aerosols

ABSTRACT Airborne viruses represent a potentially significant health threat. However, only recently have researchers begun to characterize the size and infectivity of viral bioaerosols in the nanoscale size range. There are limitations in the generation of test viral aerosols and the ability to sample with acceptable efficiency. Reported here is use of a laminar-flow water condensation method to efficiently sample nanoscale bioaerosols to sizes well below 100 nm. We used MS2 bacteriophage in water to provide an aerosol with particles sizes from 300 nm down to 45 nm for sampling by both an all-glass impinger (4 mm; AGI-4) and the water condensation bioaerosol sampler. We demonstrated the existence of infectious viral particles below 100 nm and a higher collection efficiency by the water condensation sampler compared to the AGI-4 at nanoscale sizes. For example, the water condensation bioaerosol sampler that collected particles at 45 nm in diameter had 20 times more infective virions per collected particle compared to the AGI-4. However, when we corrected the AGI-4 data for particle size–dependent collection efficiency, the results were similar. We also used quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, along with culturing for infectivity to determine the percent infectivity of the aerosol by particle size. Finally, we used a simple calculation to determine that a large fraction of sub-100 nm particles did not contain infectious virus because of the low titer concentration of virus in the Collison fluid. © 2016 RTI International
Nudging Public Employees Through Descriptive Social Norms in Healthcare Organizations

Nudging Public Employees Through Descriptive Social Norms in Healthcare Organizations 589 Abstract: We draw on the focus theory of normative conduct and nudge theory to experimentally test the effect of descriptive social norms on desired behaviors that public employees may engage in at suboptimal levels, namely, vaccination and help-seeking. Through a series of framed randomized controlled trials with 19,984 public healthcare professionals, we demonstrate that descriptive norms—doing what the majority of others do—trigger conformity. Specifically, employees are more likely to get a flu shot and advocate vaccination when knowing that the majority of their colleagues get vaccinated against the seasonal influenza compared to when most colleagues do not. Similarly, the probability of making help requests on the job is noticeably higher when asking colleagues for advice is the norm rather than not. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these experiments for scholars and policy makers interested in predictably altering high-stakes behaviors among public employees through low-powered incentives.