Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Septic Arthritis of the Hip in Lome (Togo)

Objectives: To determine the epidemiological, clinical, and bacteriological characteristics of septic arthritis of the hip (SAH) among patients hospitalized in the departments of Rheumatology in Lome. Patients and Methods: This was a multicentre, descriptive study, conducted over a 16-year period, from January 2004 to December 2020 on patients’ records at the three departments of Rheumatology in Lome. We included in this study only patients with complete laboratory and radiological data. Patients who underwent hip replacement surgery and those with arthritis of the hip due to all inflammatory arthropathies were excluded. The diagnosis of SAH was based on clinical, radiological and bacteriological features. In the absence of bacteriological confirmation, the presumptive etiological diagnosis was based on epidemiological data, contacting with a person with tuberculosis, the presence of high-grade fever, the mode of presentation of the symptoms, the patient’s general appearance, and the result of the tuberculin skin test. The data was collected using Epi info 7.0 and statistical analysis was performed using STATA/IC 11.0. Results: Out of 3776 patients hospitalized in the three departments over the study period, 705 (18.67%) were diagnosed with septic arthritis of which 70 (9.92%) patients with SAH. The 70 patients with SAH were 44 (62.86%) females, and 26 (37.14%) males, with a sex ratio of 1.7 F/M. The mean age of the patients was 42.43 ± 19.37 years (range: 5 years and 80 years) and the mean duration of symptoms was 6.57 ± 8.85 months (range: 2 days and 48 months). The pain was inflammatory in nature in 46 (65.71%) and mechanical in nature in 24 (34.29%) patients. The onset of the disease was progressive in 50 (71.43%) patients and sudden in 20 (28.57%) patients. The locations of the pain were: groin only 25 (35.71%), greater trochanter only 15 (21.43%), groin and lower back 14 (20%), and groin and greater trochanter 9 (12.86%). Sixty-four patients (91.43%) were limping and only six (08.57%) were crippled. Weight loss was noted in 38 (54.29%) patients. A risk factor was identified in 63 (90.00%) patients; they were chronic alcohol abuse 24 (34.29%), poor hygiene 17 (24.29%), sickle cell disease 13 (18.57%), HIV infection five (7.14%), and diabetes four (05.71%). Radiologic features suggestive of SAH were seen on plain radiograph and computed tomography in 55 (78.57%) and 15 (21.43%) patients, respectively. The SAH was unilateral (48 right hip and 20 left hip) in 68 (97.14%) patients and bilateral in two (02.86%) patients. The diagnosis of SAH was probable tuberculosis in 46 (65.71%) patients and probable pyogenic bacteria in 24 (34.29%) patients. The outcome was favourable in 68 (97.14%) patients and two (02.86%) patients died. Conclusion: The hip remains a relatively rare localization of infectious pathologies. Most cases of SAH are due to tuberculosis.
Nutrient resorption strategies of three oak tree species in response to interannual climate variability

Background Nutrient resorption is critical for plants toward balancing their nutritional requirements and adapting to environmental variabilities, which further impacts litter quality and nutrient cycling. However, the interannual variability of nutrient resorption under climate change remains unclear. Methods We investigated the five-year nutrient resorption efficiencies (NuRE, %) of 14 elements in three deciduous oak tree species ( Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata , Q. glandulifera , and Q. variabilis ) in a warm-temperate forest of Central China and assessed their relationships with interannual climate and soil factors. Results Nutrient resorption did not differ between species but varied significantly between different years. For each year, N, P, S, K, C, Mg, and Zn were preferentially resorbed in all of the oak species in contrast to Ca, Na, Mn, Ba, Al, Fe, Cu, which were to some extent discriminated. Among the 14 elements, the NuRE of C, N, P, S, Ca, and Mg was more sensitive to interannual climate variations in the three oak species. The carbon resorption efficiency was significantly increased during the driest year of the study (2014); N resorption efficiency was reduced with temperature; whereas N and P resorption efficiency initially decreased and then increased with precipitation. Moreover, the elements with higher NuREs typically had lower coefficient of variation (CV) in all three oak species. Conclusions Different oak species exhibited analogous nutrient conservation strategies in response to annual climate variabilities, and interannual climate variations strongly impacted plant nutrient resorption. Deciduous plants may establish a tradeoff mechanism to rebalance somatic nutrients for regrowth at the end of the growing season.
Factors influencing Gen-Z customer perception online shopping in Indonesia

This study aims to examine the relationship between benefits, ease of use, self-efficacy, safety, trust, and perceived usefulness on customer perceptions. The data in this study were collected through a survey. The samples in the study were consumers who made online purchases on Shoppee, Tokopedia, and Bukalapak, which amounted to 327 respondents. This study employed simple linear regression as a statistical and hypothetical test tool with the help of SPSS version 24. The conclusion of this study is that all hypotheses have a positive and significant effect on consumer perceptions and provide new findings that perceived usefulness is a variable that affects customer perceptions.
Prognostic Nomogram for Death from Pneumocystis Pneumonia in Non-HIV- and HIV- Infected Patients

Background: Pneumocystis pneumonia is a major cause of death in immunocompromised patients. Many risk factors for poor prognosis have been reported, but few studies have created predictive models with these variables to calculate the death rate accurately. This study created nomogram models for the precise prediction of mortality risk in non-human immunodeficiency virus (NHIV)- and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP). Methods: A retrospective study was performed over a 10-year period to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of NHIV-PJP at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital and HIV-PJP at Beijing Ditan Hospital in China from 2010 to 2019. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to screen out mortality risk factors to create the nomograms. Nomogram models were evaluated by using a bootstrapped concordance index, calibration plots and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.Results: A total of 167 NHIV-PJP patients and 193 HIV-PJP patients were included in the study. Pneumothorax, febrile days after admission, CD4+ T cells ≤100/µl and sulfa combined with caspofungin (CAS) treatment were identified as independent risk factors for death that could be combined to accurately predict mortality risk in NHIV-PJP patients. We created a nomogram for mortality by using these variables. The area under the curve was 0.865 (95% confidence interval 0.799-0.931). The nomogram had a C-index of 0.865 and was well calibrated. The independent risk factors for death in HIV-PJP patients included in the nomogram were pneumothorax, platelet (PLT) ≤80×109/L, haemoglobin (HGB) ≤90 g/L, albumin (ALB), cytomegalovirus (CMV) coinfection and sulfa combined with CAS treatment. The nomogram showed good discrimination, with a C-index of 0.904 and excellent calibration. The area under the curve was 0.910 (95% confidence interval 0.850-0.970). Conclusions: Our nomograms were useful tools for the precise prediction of mortality in NHIV-PJP and HIV-PJP patients.
The gender earnings gap among elite athletes in semi-professional sports

ABSTRACT Research question This study examines gender differences in human capital, performance characteristics, and earnings among elite athletes in semi-professional sports in Germany. Research methods In 2018, a nationwide online survey of elite athletes supported by the German Sports Aid Foundation was conducted where they were asked about their life and earnings situation (n = 1064). Regression analyses were estimated to identify the role of gender while controlling for human capital and performance characteristics. Results and findings The results showed a significant gender earnings gap in favor of male athletes for annual earnings and calculatory wage rate. This gap is mainly driven by gender differences in earnings from work and public sport funding, while financial support from the German Sports Aid Foundation and from family/friends attenuated the gap. The results can be explained by treatment discrimination and male athletes’ preferences for current work, while female athletes invested significantly more time into studying/learning and their human capital, respectively. Implications The findings have implications for funding institutions as well as people involved in supporting elite athletes in semi-professional sports. Research contribution Since earnings data are typically not publicly available, this study relies on unique data to examine athletes’ earnings taking a gender perspective.
Spectral characterization of dissolved organic matter along trophic gradients: Potential indicators of eutrophication of plateau lakes in Southwest China

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) acts as a chemical intermediary between terrestrial and lacustrine ecosystems and significantly affects the structure and function of lakes. The optical characteristics of DOM have been widely used to estimate the water quality. However, little is known about its absorption and fluorescence under different trophic states. Especially, comparative research is needed among gradient eutrophic level of plateau lakes when considering their special characteristics. A total of 119 water samples were collected in the Erhai watershed from November 2018 to July 2019 to investigate the optical properties of DOM depending on the trophic state using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and parallel factor analysis of the excitation–emission matrix. The water quality conditions in the Erhai watershed were classified using the trophic state index (TSI; 31 < TSI < 67). The DOM is largely autochthonous and includes tyrosine-like protein (C1), tryptophan-like protein (C2), and humic-like compounds (C3). Except for an apparent trend of decreasing slope ratio (SR) (p < 0.01), both absorption coefficient at 254 nm and fluorescence intensity increase with the rising trophic state (p < 0.01). In this study, new models (R2aCDOM(254) = 0.762; R2 Fn(355) = 0.705, p < 0.01) basing on significant correlations between the TSI and aCDOM(254) and Fn(355) were established to predict the trophic state. The results of this study demonstrate that the effects of nutrients and environmental factors (pH and water temperature) on DOM vary depending on the trophic state and that the pH plays the main role in DOM production. Our analyses highlight the importance of DOM in aquatic ecosystems and the correlation between TSI and the optical properties of DOM. Our research unmasks the strong linkage between optical parameters of DOM and freshwater quality by applying neural network prediction.
Technological Distance and Breakthrough Inventions in Multi-Cluster Teams: How Intra- and Inter-Location Ties Bridge the Gap

Multi-cluster R&D teams have the potential to generate breakthrough inventions because they can tap into the distinct knowledge of the different geographic hot spots in which team members are located. Having access to a variety of knowledge offers these teams great recombinatorial potential. To succeed, however, the geographically dispersed members must share and integrate the different local knowledge pools available to them. We argue that the density of intra-team co-patenting ties shapes intra-team knowledge sharing and integration and hence the extent teams benefit from the knowledge they can access. Whereas greater density of intra-cluster team ties (within a given location) hinders sharing and integration of locally tapped knowledge across locations, greater density of inter-cluster ties (across cluster locations) facilitates it. Our empirical analysis of 834 multi-cluster nanotechnology R&D teams shows that the technological distance (the difference in knowledge) between clusters in which inventors are located has an inverted-U relationship with the likelihood of the team generating a breakthrough. Further, we find that the density of multi-cluster team intra- vs. inter-cluster ties influences the effect of technological distance on the likelihood of breakthrough invention.
The Relationship between Leader-Member Exchange andInnovative Work Behavior: The Mediating Role of the Voice Behavior

Purpose - This research aims to examine the mediation mechanism between leader-member exchange (LMX) and innovative work behavior (IWB) through employee voice behavior. Specifically, this research exploited the social exchange theory (SET) to examine the influence of LMX on IWB through employee voice behavior. Within this context, employees performing in higher quality LMX relationships with IWB are likely to exhibit more voice behavior. Design/methodology/approach – Self-reported questionnaires were applied to obtain data from 360 employees mainly with engineering qualifications from four companies in the defense sector in Turkey. Data were collected with a simple random sampling method in November and December 2020. Hypotheses were tested using correlation and regression analysis. The reason why the defense sector was selected for this study is the fact that the defense industry field has characteristics that make for a unique working environment. Findings - The findings show that LMX positively and significantly affects IWB and additionally voice behavior has a mediating role in this relationship. LMX had a significant influence on employee voice behavior that was ultimately associated with IWB. Finally, Voice behavior mediated the positive correlation between LMX and IWB, and stronger voice behavior boosted the indirect relationship. Discussion - This research reveals the effects of LMX and provides practical suggestions to help employees express their opinions in the organization to enhance innovation performance. Based on the SET, this research helps to understand how certain LMX which encourage high-quality exchange relationships with the supervisors and foster employee voice behaviors, may nurture employee IWBs in the organizations.
Prevalence and molecular characterisation of extended-spectrum β-lactamases genes in Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. isolated from fish samples in Chhattisgarh, India

In this study, fish samples were examined for the presence of extended spectrum β -lactamases (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. Out of 200 samples collected from retail markets of Durg, Raipur, Rajnandgaon and Balod districts of Chhattisgarh State, 76 (38) and 46 (23%) samples were found contaminated with E. coli and Salmonella spp. , respectively. Multiple antibiotic resistant (MAR) index varied between 0.00 to 0.88 and 0.11 to 0.88 for E. coli and Salmonella isolates, respectively. The isolates were screened phenotypically for ESBL production and multiplex PCR targeting bla TEM , bla SHV , and bla CTX-M genes, was carried out followed by sequencing. Prevalence of bla TEM , bla SHV and bla CTX-M genes in E. coli and Salmonella isolates were found to be 13.2, 1.3, 0 and 6.5, 0, 4.4%, respectively. Higher percentage of resistant genes was detected in plasmid DNA in comparison to genomic DNA. Sequencing of PCR amplicons of bla TEM and bla CTX-M genes revealed the presence of bla TEM-116 and bla CTX-M-15 variants, respectively. The study indicates the presence of multidrug resistant ESBL producing E. coli and Salmonella in samples, which may pose threat to the fish consumers.
Diffusion mechanism of fingering in smolder combustion of thin solid fuel

ABSTRACT The frontal propagation of smolder combustion of thin solid fuel in airflow in a narrow channel is considered. It is shown that the governing process that determines the propagation of the smolder combustion front is the diffusion of oxygen in flow and its absorption by the front. A two-dimensional thermodiffusion model of propagation of the smolder combustion front is considered and the equations describing the front propagation have been obtained. The solution of the equations was obtained in general form that allows constructing an algorithm for the numerical simulation. The stability of the planar smolder combustion front is investigated. It is shown that diffusion of oxygen and thermal conductivity in airflow are competing processes and can play either a stabilizing or destabilizing role depending on the mutual direction of airflow and the propagation of the smoldering front. So, if airflow occurs against the propagating smoldering front, the diffusion of oxygen in airflow plays a destabilizing role while the thermal conductivity is a stabilizing factor. If, however, airflow and the propagation of the smoldering front occur in the same direction, the phenomenon will be reversed. The diffusion of oxygen in airflow is a stabilizing factor while the thermal conductivity plays a destabilizing role.
An experimental study on seismic performance levels of highly corroded reinforced concrete columns

In the literature, only one empirical model is available as a nondestructive method for the prediction of seismic performance levels of corroded reinforced concrete (RC) columns as a function of the initial corrosion crack width at lower corrosion levels. Because of the ruptured transverse reinforcement bars at higher corrosion levels, the structural behavior may turn brittle in terms of shear failure. Therefore, in this study, higher corrosion levels for a different concrete strength level from that empirical model were studied. To do this, four RC columns were subjected to accelerated corrosion, and the widths of initial corrosion cracks were measured. The corroded RC columns were then tested under combined constant axial load and cyclic lateral displacement excursions. After the cyclic loading test, the actual corrosion levels at each reinforcement bar were obtained by extracting the reinforcement bars from the concrete. Test results showed that the prediction of seismic performance levels of corroded RC columns based on initial corrosion crack widths were limited owing to the nonlinear increase in the crack width with the increase in the corrosion levels. New empirical models were developed to predict the remaining energy capacities and seismic performance levels of the corroded RC columns.
Single Image Dehazing Based on Weighted Variational Regularized Model

SUMMARY Image dehazing is of great signiﬁcance in computer vision and other ﬁelds. The performance of dehazing mainly relies on the precise computation of transmission map. However, the computation of the existing transmission map still does not work well in the sky area and is easily inﬂuenced by noise. Hence, the dark channel prior (DCP) and luminance model are used to estimate the coarse transmission in this work, which can deal with the problem of transmission estimation in the sky area. Then a novel weighted variational regularization model is proposed to re-ﬁne the transmission. Speciﬁcally, the proposed model can simultaneously reﬁne the transmittance and restore clear images, yielding a haze-free image. More importantly, the proposed model can preserve the important image details and suppress image noise in the dehazing process. In addition, a new Gaussian Adaptive Weighted function is deﬁned to smooth the contextual areas while preserving the depth discontinuity edges. Experiments on real-world and synthetic images illustrate that our method has a rival advantage with the state-of-art algorithms in di ﬀ erent hazy environments.
A Critical Review of Physical Models in High Temperature Multiphase Fluid Dynamics: Turbulent Transport and Particle-Wall Interactions

This review article examines the last decade of studies investigating solid, molten, and liquid particle interactions with one another and with walls in heterogeneous multiphase flows. Such flows are experienced in state-of-the-art and future-concept gas turbine engines, where particles from the environment, including volcanic ash, runway debris, dust clouds, and sand, are transported by a fluid carrier phase and undergo high-speed collisions with high-temperature engine components. Sand or volcanic ash ingestion in gas turbine engines is known to lead to power-loss and/or complete engine failure. The particle-wall interactions that occur in high-temperature sections of an engine involve physics and intrinsic conditions that are sufficiently complex that they result in highly disparate and transient outcomes. These particles, which often times are made up of glassy constituents called calcium–magnesium–alumino–silicate (CMAS), are susceptible to phase change at combustor temperatures (1650°), and can deposit on surfaces, undergo elastic and plastic deformation, rebound, and undergo breakup. Considerable research has been put into developing empirical and physics-based models and numerical strategies to address phase interactions. This article provides a detailed account of the conceptual foundation of physics-based models employed to understand the behavior of particle-wall interaction, the evolution of numerical methods utilized for modeling these interactions, and challenges associated with improving models of particle-particle and particle-wall interactions needed to better characterize multiphase flows. It also includes description of a testbed for acquiring canonical data for model validation studies.
Urban Farming During the Pandemic and Its Effect on Everyday Life

This study aims to see the effect of practicing urban farming in limited space in landed houses, especially during this pandemic. Pandemic forces us to stay at home at all times while continuing to do our daily activities of working and studying. This results in a shifting of time consumption we used to spend time commuting to work for other activities, including urban farming at home. Urban farming is the activity of growing and producing food in the city, as food is one of the basic needs of humans to survive. In addition to supporting food security within the area, it gives benefits also to the people’s health and well-being, as well as the surrounding environment. The methods used in this study are exercising and observing the availability of space and its effect on people and living space (environment) from the literature review point of view and case studies. This study eventually finds that performing urban farming as a choice of activity is proven to be beneficial in maintaining people’s health and wellbeing.
A Study on Beryl in the Cuonadong Be-W-Sn Polymetallic Deposit, Longzi County, Tibet, China

Recently, aquamarine was discovered in the Cuonadong Be-W-Sn Polymetallic Deposit, Longzi County, Tibet. Longzi aquamarine is being extracted and is expected to be available over the next decade. This study provides a full set of data through standard gemmological properties, including scenes, color characteristics and advanced spectroscopic and chemical analyses, including micro ultraviolet–visible–near-infrared (UV–Vis–NIR), Raman and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The main inclusions in Longzi aquamarine are gas–liquid inclusions and a great number of quartz inclusions. The content of type I H2O is greater than that of type II H2O because of the low-alkali metal content, and “tetrahedral” substitutions and “octahedral” substitutions exist at the same time.