Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Wind‐Blown Sand With Near‐Wall Motions and Turbulence: From Grain‐Scale Distributions to Sediment Transport

The impact and lift‐off parameters of particles play a key role in the understanding of the saltation mechanisms in aeolian environment. However, limitations of experimental instruments and numerical simulation may result in unreliable motion parameters near the bed surface. Here, we report on the impact and lift‐off parameters of saltating particles in wind‐blown sand predicted with Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) or large eddy simulation (LES) and the three‐dimensional stochastic particle‐bed collision model. Simulation results showed new phenomena, including: (a) a reduced mean impact velocity and an increased probability of lift‐off velocities distribution at left extreme with increasing free stream velocity, and (b) two peaks of the impact angle distribution. These phenomena disappear when the statistical height is increased to five times the particle diameter, suggesting that the near‐wall motions are not negligible. In addition, when turbulence is considered and wind velocity increases, the extreme value of velocity distribution increases, impact angle distribution shows a longer tail, and mean impact and lift‐off parameters increase (except impact velocity). We conclude that new velocity distribution with near‐wall motions and turbulence will significantly improve the prediction of aeolian transport flux.
Post-pandemic dark tourism in former epicenters

As one of the first studies to explore the joint consumption of both leisure and pandemic-related tourism products in former pandemic epicenters, this research expands the scope of dark tourism to include former pandemic epicenters. The motivational determinants of intention to visit leisure and pandemic-related sites are empirically identified using an ordered logit model. This is the first study which formally proposes patriotism as a new push motive in stimulating people to visit post-disaster destinations. The identified segmentations of tourists with different levels of push–pull motives and socio-demographic features provide key stakeholders and practitioners in former epicenters with a systematic recovery plan in the post-pandemic era.
The Role of Laboratory Parameters in Assessment of Disease Severity and Outcome in COVID-19 patients – A Retrospective Study in a Tertiary Care Centre in Southern India

Background: Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID19) is a global pandemic, the outbreak of which started in China in December 2019. Apart from the clinical symptoms and pulmonary computed tomography (CT) findings, several laboratory biomarkers also play an important role in management of these patients so that immediate attention can be given to those with severe disease and critical illness. In this study we tried to find the association of various laboratory biomarkers in COVID-19 patients, analyzed around the time of admission, with the severity of the disease and outcome. Methods: In this study 1048 COVID19 positive cases admitted in our hospital during the study period from April 2020 to October 2020 were included. The cases were clinically assessed based on the severity of the disease at the time of presentation and during the course in hospital and categorized into 3 categories as Mild, Moderate and Severe according to our hospital protocol for management of COVID 19 patients. The clinical and laboratory data were retrieved from electronic medical records. The levels of various laboratory parameters at/around the time of admission were compared with clinical categories, severity and outcome of the disease. Result: We found a statistically significant association of severity and outcome of COVID-19 with various laboratory parameters. There were significantly higher levels of D-dimer, LDH, CK, CRP, Sr Ferritin, cTnI, NT pro BNP, PCT, IL-6 and lower ALC in non survivors compared to survivors and in severe disease compared to mild disease with a p value of <0.05. Conclusion: In this study we propose that along with the initial clinical assessment, age and concurrent co-morbidities of COVID-19 patients which determine the need for their admission to ICUs, the initial assessment of several laboratory parameters is helpful in triaging the patients who need intensive care so that proper allocation of resources can be done.
Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for risk stratification in patients with prostate cancer.

Background To investigate the usefulness of perfusion parameters derived from dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients diagnosed as prostate cancer (PCa) in differentiating clinically significant cancer [CSC, Gleason score (GS) ≥7] from non-CSC (GS 6). Methods A total of 94 patients diagnosed between August 2018 and September 2020 as PCa by radical prostatectomy were included in this retrospective study (mean age: 68.7 years, range, 47-83 years). All of the patients had undergone DCE-MRI on a single 3T-MR scanner. Whole-tumor volume was measured by reviewing a pathologic topographic map as a reference standard. The quantitative DCE perfusion parameters, including volume transfer constant (Ktrans), rate constant (kep), extracellular extravascular space (EES) volume fraction (ve), plasma volume fraction (vp) and area of region of interest (ROI) were calculated under an extended Tofts model. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis by pair-wise comparison was performed to compare the diagnostic performances of the perfusion parameters. Results The study population comprised GS 6 (n=17), GS 7 (n=57), GS 8 (n=9) and GS 9 (n=11) cases. Among the perfusion parameters, ve differed significantly between CSC (0.238±0.095) and non-CSC (0.300±0.126) (P=0.0308). Area under the curve (AUC) was 0.643 (95% CI, 0.538-0.739), and a maximum accuracy of 64%, a sensitivity of 66%, and a specificity of 53% were estimated. Area of ROI also differed significantly between CSC (201.89±163.87 mm2) and non-CSC (84.99±85.82 mm2) (P=0.0054). AUC was 0.807 (95% CI, 0.713-0.881), and maximum accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 81%, 82%, and 76%, respectively. Conclusions Size of the tumor and interstitial space volume fraction are significant parameters in differentiating aggressiveness in PCa.
Optimization of COD Removal from Pharmaceutical Wastewater by Electrocoagulation process using Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

Abstract In this research, the feasibility of using an electrocoagulation method as a process for treating of hospital wastewater generated from Al-Dewaniya hospital located at Al-Dewaniya city/Iraq was confirmed. Batch experimental runs were conducted using an electrochemical reactor with stainless steel and aluminum as cathode and anode, respectively. The impact of operating variables like current density, pH, and addition of NaCl on the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) was investigated. For this purpose, Box-Behnken (BB) design based on the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was adopted to design and analyze the results. The results revealed that the current density has the major impact on the efficiency of COD removal followed by addition of NaCl while pH has the lower effect on the COD removal under the studied range of pH. The optimized operating parameters were a current density of 25 A/cm2, pH of 8.6,and NaCl addition of 2.06 g/l in which COD removal efficiency of 99.45% was achieved with a specific energy consumption of 26.079kWh/kgCOD.
Properties of Extruded Snacks Prepared from Corn and Carrot Powder with Ascorbic Acid Addition

The objective of this research was to investigate the potentiality of carrot powder (CP) utilization at levels 4, 6, or 8% as ingredient of corn snacks and evaluation of the extrusion influence on functionally important ingredients such as carotenoids (color), polyphenols, fiber, fat, and antioxidant activity. The influence of ascorbic acid (AA) as an external source at levels 0.5 and 1% on this particular extrusion was also investigated. A single-screw extruder at two temperature regimes (135/170/170 °C (E1) and 100/150/150 °C (E2)) carried out extrusion. The E1 temperature regime acted favorably on total polyphenol content and crude fiber, but fat preferred the E2 regime. Extrusion, especially the E1 temperature regime, increased the extractability of carotenoids. Ascorbic acid degraded during extrusion, but it still provided protection to carotenoids and color attributes of extrudates. Snacks with increased nutritional and functional value due to carrot powder addition were successfully produced, which is a starting point for production of a new type of extruded snacks.
Groundwater resources for domestic and irrigation purposes in Melong (Littoral Region, Cameroon): Hydrogeochemical constraints

Groundwater is a valuable natural resource whose quality is threatened by natural and man-made pollutants. This study aims to perform a hydrochemical characterization of groundwater resources used for domestic and irrigational activities in Melong (Littoral Cameroon). Thus, 26 subsurface water samples were collected in the dry season (six sampling points) and rainy season (seven sampling points) of the years 2019 and 2020. Physical water quality parameters were measured on the field while ionic constituents and bacteriological parameters were determined in the laboratory. The main findings revealed that the pH of the water samples was slightly acidic to neutral, fluctuating from 5.3 to 7.1; electrical conductivity ranged from 0.03 to 0.33 µS/cm and turbidity varied from 0.5 to 33.7 NTU revealing that the water is weakly mineralized. The ionic constituents were such that Ca2+ > K+ > Mg2+ > Na+ for cationic constituents while anions appeared as HCO3-> NO3- >Cl- > PO43-. The major ions fell within the acceptable limits of World Health Organisation (WHO) drinking water standards. Bacteria indicators of faecal pollution were identified in all the water samples, including Enterobacteria, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus, Salmonella, Shigella, Staphylococcus and Vibrio. This indicates an exposure of water sources to unhygienic conditions that may place consumers at risk of water-borne diseases, hence necessitating basic treatment of the water before consumption. Key words: Hydrochemistry, Melong, groundwater quality, bacteriological analysis, Littoral Cameroon.
Blood-Based Brain and Global Biomarker Changes after Combined Hypoxemia and Hemorrhagic Shock in a Rat Model of Penetrating Ballistic-Like Brain Injury

Penetrating traumatic brain injury (pTBI) often occurs with systemic insults such as hemorrhagic shock (HS) and hypoxemic (HX). This study examines rat models of penetrating ballistic-like brain injury (PBBI) and HX+HS to assess whether the blood levels of brain and systemic response biomarkers phosphorylated neurofilament-heavy protein (pNF-H), neurofilament-light protein (NF-L), αII-spectrin, heat shock protein (HSP70), and high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) can distinguish pTBI from systemic insults and guide in pTBI diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring. Thirty rats were randomly assigned to sham, PBBI, HS+HX, and PBBI+HS+HX groups. PBBI and sham groups underwent craniotomy with and without probe insertion and balloon expansion, respectively. HX and HS was then simulated by blood withdrawal and fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) reduction. Biomarker serum concentrations were determined at one (D1) and two (D2) days post-injury with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Axonal injury-linked biomarkers pNF-H and NF-L serum levels in PBBI groups were higher than those in sham and HX+HS groups at D1 and D2 post-injury. The same was true for PBBI+HX+HS compared with sham (D2 only for pNF-H) and HX+HS groups. However, pNF-H and NF-L levels in PBBI+HX+HS groups were not different than their PBBI counterparts. At D1, αII-spectrin levels in the HX+HS and PBBI+HS+HX groups were higher than the sham groups. αII-spectrin levels in the HX+HS group were higher than the PBBI group. This suggests HX+HS as the common insult driving αII-spectrin elevations. In conclusion, pNF-H and NF-L may serve as specific serum biomarkers of pTBI in the presence or absence of systemic insults. αII-spectrin may be a sensitive acute biomarker in detecting systemic insults occurring alone or with pTBI.
Dynamic modeling and simulation of a flexible-rotor ball bearing system

This work proposes a comprehensive numerical dynamic model of a flexible-rotor bearing system based on the Hertzian and cubic polynomial nonlinear contact force methods. The model can consider the influences of the nonlinear bearing contact forces and unbalanced force caused by the rotor offset. The displacements and spectrums of the flexible-rotor bearing system from the Hertzian and cubic polynomial nonlinear contact force methods are discussed. The influences of the radial clearance, eccentricity, mass, and deformation of the rotor on the frequency–amplitude characteristics of the flexible-rotor bearing system considering a large speed range are analyzed. The results show that the dynamic and vibration characteristics of the flexible-rotor bearing system from the Hertzian and cubic polynomial nonlinear contact force methods are different. The differences of the frequency–amplitude characteristics between the flexible- and rigid-rotor bearing system are small in a lower speed stage; however, their differences are very large in a higher speed stage. This method can be applied to the nonlinear dynamic modeling and simulation of the flexible-rotor bearing system, which can predict the dynamics and prevent the system failures during the design processing of rotor system.
Atmospheric Rivers and Snow Accumulation in the Upper Colorado River Basin

We utilized a macroscale hydrology model in conjunction with an atmospheric river (AR) catalog to evaluate AR‐affected snow accumulation in the Upper Colorado River basin (UCRB) headwaters for water years 1951–2015. We find that there are on average 11.4 days during which AR‐originating snow accumulates in the UCRB each year, yielding 5.75 km3 of snow water equivalent (SWE). This AR‐originating SWE accounts for 30.8% of average annual peak SWE in the basin. Most of the ARs that reach the UCRB first intercept the Sierra Nevada region of California; 84% of days affected by ARs in the UCRB are also AR‐affected days in the Sierra Nevada. The pathways of the ARs reaching the UCRB do not have a great effect on snow accumulation, however ARs that first pass through the Sierra Nevada generally produce greater snow accumulations there than in the UCRB.
Plasma interleukin-6 levels correlate with survival in patients with bacterial sepsis and septic shock

Abstract In this study, IL-6 levels were assessed as inflammatory biomarker of bacterial sepsis in patients hospitalized at the ICU of the hospital of Colombia. Materials and methods Prospective study on 62 patients diagnosed with sepsis and septic shock. An ELISA assay was used to test serum levels of IL-6 at admission and 48 h after admission. Variables were analyzed by χ2 test (alfa <0.05). Multivariable Cox regression was used to determine the survival with the statistical program SPSS v23.00. Results Patient's median age was 53 years old and 59.7% were male. Lung was the most common primary site of infection (43.5%), and hypertension comorbidity with higher prevalence (40%). Infection by Gram negative bacteria were significantly more frequent among patients than Gram positive (P = 0.037). Overall, survival analysis showed that 10 (16.1%) patients died with a survival median of 7.00 +4.874 (2–3) days. In patients with sepsis we detected a significant decline in the average of IL-6 serum levels after 48 h of admission [7.50 (SD: 7.00–68.00) pg/mL vs. 68.00 [SD: 7.00–300.00] pg/mL (P = 0.000). Only 25% of patients with septic shock who presented high levels of IL-6 at the time of admission and at 48 h had a survival up to 15 days (P = 0.005). Conclusion We found significant differences between the plasma levels of IL-6 during the first 48 h after admission to the ICU among patients with sepsis and septic shock. Patients with sepsis had a significant decline in IL-6 levels, whereas in patients who developed septic shock, levels of this cytokine remained high and have a lower survival compared to those who maintained low levels of IL-6.
A sense of belonging at university: student retention, motivation and enjoyment

ABSTRACT A sense of belonging is important as it incorporates feelings of being valued, included and accepted at university. Research suggests that higher education students who have a greater sense of belonging tend to have higher motivation, more academic self-confidence, higher levels of academic engagement and higher achievement. This article presents findings from a questionnaire (n = 578) that was developed to explore the relationships between university students’ sense of belonging and student retention. The current study found a significant difference in the level of belonging between first-generation students and students whose parents had both completed university. Additionally, students who frequently considered leaving university without completing their degree (i.e. dropping out) had a significantly lower sense of belonging than students who did not. Finally, university students with a higher sense of belonging reported higher motivation and enjoyment in their studies whereas students who reported lower levels of belonging reported lower levels of motivation and enjoyment. This study highlights that university students’ sense of belonging is of high importance to higher education institutions as it increases students’ academic motivation and enjoyment in their studies, which can impact on student achievement and reduces the likelihood of students considering leaving university before completing their studies, thus contributing to student retention.
How happy are people as they work in nonprofit organizations?

Abstract This study examines the extent to which working for a nonprofit organization (NPO) is associated with happiness in five Asian societies. The dataset of the World Values Survey is employed for empirical analysis. The findings indicate that NPO employment has a favorable effect on happiness and that the roles of NPO workers influence this effect. The increased sense of well-being associated with working for NPOs is related to workers’ occupations, and this relationship is particularly significant for nonsupervisory and highly skilled workers. The happiness enhancement effect is irrelevant for NPO workers engaged in manual tasks. Part-time employment by NPOs is associated with relatively limited enhancement of happiness. Enhancing all employees’ well-being is crucial for the sustainability of NPOs. On the basis of our findings, we suggest that NPOs should implement policies to determine the sources of employee stress to help create a happier workforce and achieve organizational missions effectively.
Triple-Negativity Identifies a Subgroup of Patients with Better Overall Survival in Essential Thrombocythemia

Essential thrombocythemia, as defined by the WHO in 2016, is a Philadelphia-negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm showing a better prognosis than polycythemia vera and myelofibrosis. In a variable percentage, patients with essential thrombocythemia show none of the known driver-gene mutations that may occur on JAK2, CALR, and MPL genes. Such patients are classified as triple-negative and their clinical features and prognosis have not been described with precision yet. In this study, we evaluated some of the characteristics of this population by comparing them with those of patients with driver-gene mutated ET. Data from 266 consecutive essential thrombocythemia patients were analysed. Triple-negative patients had a significantly lower symptom load and a lower frequency of splenomegaly at diagnosis. The results show that the rate of thrombosis was equal in the two subgroups. Overall survival was slightly better in the triple-negative group of patients.
The Narrative of Criminal Behaviour in Indonesian Literature by Female Author: Psychosocial Criminology Perspective

Criminology studies, currently, are the most discussed subject from interdisciplinary perspectives. Hence, in this research, Indonesian literature written by the female author is studied using a psychosocial criminology perspective. One of the female authors in Indonesia who brings up criminology in her literary work is Dewi Lestari. She is an Indonesian novelist. The research problems are 1) How criminology depicted in Indonesian literature written by the female author is, and 2) Types of criminology depicted in Indonesian literature written by a female author. The method used in this research is qualitative interpretative. The collecting data technique in the literature study. The result shows that criminology in Indonesian literature is depicted explicitly. Whereas, types of criminology in Indonesian literature written by the female author are corruption, sex crimes, and transnational crimes related to endangered animal trade.
Cluster Observations of Energetic Electron Acceleration Within Earthward Reconnection Jet and Associated Magnetic Flux Rope

We study acceleration of energetic electrons in an earthward plasma jet due to magnetic reconnection in the Earth magnetotail for one case observed by Cluster. The case has been selected based on the presence of high fluxes of energetic electrons, Cluster being in the burst mode and Cluster separation being around 1,000 km that is optimal for studies of ion scale physics. We show that two characteristic acceleration mechanisms are operating during this event. First, significant acceleration is achieved inside the magnetic flux pile‐up of the jet, the acceleration mechanism being consistent with betatron acceleration. Second, strong energetic electron acceleration occurs in magnetic flux rope like structure forming in front of the magnetic flux pile‐up region. Energetic electrons inside the magnetic flux rope are accelerated predominantly in the field‐aligned direction and the acceleration can be due to Fermi acceleration in a contracting flux rope.
Focused Penetrative Plumes: A Possible Consequence of the Dissociation Transition of Post‐Perovskite at ∼0.9 TPa in Massive Rocky Super‐Earths

Based on the standard view of depth‐increasing viscosity in the mantle of rocky planets, convection in the deep mantle of these planets is expected to become less likely as the size of planet increases. However, a recent theoretical study suggests that above 100 GPa pressure, the mantle viscosity can instead decrease with pressure at higher depths. We explore the potential impact of this type of viscosity structure on the nature of mantle convection in a super‐Earth planet of size GJ 876 d with a mass of ∼7.33 M⊕ (M⊕: Earth's mass). The pressures at the bottom of the mantle of GJ 876 d allow MgSiO3 post‐perovskite to dissociate into magnesium oxide (MgO) and relatively highly oxidized magnesium silicate MgSi2O5 at 0.9 TPa with highly negative Clapeyron slope. Our 3D‐spherical numerical model results suggest that for sufficiently low values of viscosity at the transition depth, a vigorous layered mantle convection may develop at the bottom of GJ 876 d‐size super‐Earth. Focused penetrative plumes originating from the deep mantle layered region can survive and stabilize over very long geological timescales and reach to the surface, which may induce unique circumstances of volcanism and tectonic activity.