Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Moment Analysis for Modeling Soil Water Distribution in Furrow Irrigation: Variable vs. Constant Ponding Depths

Despite increasing use of pressurized irrigation methods, most irrigation projects worldwide still involve surface systems. Accurate estimation of the amount of infiltrating water and its spatial distribution in the soil is of great importance in the design and management of furrow irrigation systems. Moment analysis has previously been applied to describe the subsurface water distribution using input data from numerical simulations rather than field measured data, and assuming a constant ponding depth in the furrow. A field experiment was conducted in a blocked-end level furrow at Maricopa Agricultural Center, Arizona, USA, to study the effect of time-variable ponding depths on soil water distribution and the resulting wetting bulb under real conditions in the field using moment analysis. The simulated volumetric soil water contents run with variable and constant (average) ponding depths using HYDRUS 2D/3D were almost identical, and both compared favorably with the field data. Hence, only the simulated soil water contents with variable ponding depths were used to calculate the moments. It was concluded that the fluctuating flow depth had no significant influence on the resulting time-evolving ellipses. This was related to the negligible 10-cm variation in ponding depths compared to the high negative matric potential of the unsaturated soil.
Consumer‘s Behaviour Regarding Cashless Payments during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Purpose: The objective of the paper was to define the current attitudes of Poles vs. cashless transactions and their perception of the related risk of Covid-19 infection. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research method involved a survey, and the research tool was a survey questionnaire distributed by a research agency. The target-amount selection procedure was applied and the sample structure corresponds to the structure of the Polish population with respect to the studied features. The survey sample included 1000 respondents. Findings: The studied population (of Polish consumers) were less willing to pay with cash during the pandemic than beforehand. This is related with avoiding contact with cash, as well as easy documentation of transactions, increasing their transparency. During the pandemic Polish consumers were more willing to shop at Polish online shops or retail services (e.g. Allegro) than foreign ones (e.g., AliExpress). However, the study shows that Polish customers are more cautious in their shopping decisions during the pandemic, being afraid to lose financial liquidity. Practical Implications: The pandemic led to landslide changes in consumer behaviours and habits. Identification of the current shape of Polish customers' attitudes to cashless transactions and their perception of the associated risk of Covid-19 infection is important for all market entities related directly or indirectly to such transactions. Nowadays, it is difficult to even think of a business with no such needs. Originality/Value: The study presented in the paper is original because there was no research on cashless payments in relation to shopping risk. The article displays an original approach to the subject. The 2020 pandemic itself allows for observation of customers in a completely new situation and development of an entirely new area of consumer behaviour research.
Psychiatric Adverse Effects of Levetiracetam in Malignant Glioma Populations; a Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective: Levetiracetam is commonly used in malignant glioma populations because of its efficacy, limited drug-drug interactions and adverse effects. Although, there has been growing evidence of adverse neuropsychiatric side effects from levetiracetam; however, such evidence in malignant brain tumor settings is limited. Hence, we hypothesized that malignant glioma patients exposed to levetiracetam would also experience more adverse neuropsychiatric effects compared to patients not receiving this medication. Material and Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted in 150 high grade malignant glioma patients at our Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center; from 2013-2014, comparing the accumulative adverse neuropsychiatric outcomes between patients who received levetiracetam and patients who did not (n=108 and 42, respectively). A sub-analysis of each specific neuropsychiatric side effect between these two groups was performed. Results: Patients with malignant glioma receiving levetiracetam had increased risk of developing neuropsychiatric adverse effects compared to the non-levetiracetam group (odds ratio=2.08, p-value=0.040, 95% confidence interval=1.00-4.36). After adjusting for confounding factors, past psychiatric history and the interaction between seizure and levetiracetam use was significantly associated with neuropsychiatric problems. Delirium, psychosis, and irritability were more common in the levetiracetam group, and likely led to more psychiatric referrals, starting of psychotropic medications, and vitamin B6 use. Conclusion: Incidence of neuropsychiatric presentations in malignant glioma patients was higher in the levetiracetam exposed group than the non-exposed group. The changes, or emergence of new neuropsychiatric behaviors should prompt clinicians to search for possible causes; including levetiracetam adverse effects, so they can be managed accordingly.
Drivers and implications of change in an inshore multi-species fishery

Inshore fisheries are an important source of employment and income across Europe. However, their sustainability and management efficacy are relatively understudied, particularly in a multispecies context. Management of these data-limited fisheries can be informed by assessments of standardized catch and landings per unit effort (CPUE and LPUE) data from fishery-dependent surveys. We demonstrate the utility of this approach in the first robust assessment of the sustainability and management of a multispecies inshore fishery for live wrasse (Labridae) in southern England. Our findings have wider ramifications for assessment and management of inshore fisheries, including international live wrasse fisheries, many of which are intensely exploited but have less stringent management than the fishery studied here. Using generalized linear models, we identified ecologically relevant drivers of variation in CPUE and LPUE, alongside interspecific variation in responses to fishing pressure during 2017–2019. We also highlight robust evidence of declines in the primary target species, a protogynous hermaphrodite, that are suggestive of fishery impacts driven by management-enabled selective removal of mature females. We demonstrate the need to consider ecologically similar species separately for management purposes, and account for ecogeographical variables in assessments; a failure to do so risks erroneous conclusions regarding inshore fisheries’ sustainability.
Temperature Study during the Edge Trimming of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Plastic [0]8/Ti6Al4V Stack Material

Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) and Titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) stacks are used extensively in the modern aerospace industry thanks to their outstanding mechanical properties and resistance to thermal load applications. Machining the CFRP/Ti6Al4V stack is a challenge and is complicated by the differences in each constituent materials’ machinability. The difficulty arises from the matrix degradation of the CFRP material caused by the heat generated during the machining process, which is a consequence of the low thermal conductivity of Ti6Al4V material. In most cases, CFRP and Ti6Al4V materials are stacked and secured together using rivets or bolts. This results in extra weight, while the drilling process required for such an assembly may damage the CFRP material. To overcome these issues, some applications employ an assembly that is free of bolts or rivets, and which uses adhesives or an adapted curing process to bond both materials together. The present research analyzes a thermal distribution and its effect on quality during the edge trimming process of a CFRP/Ti6Al4V stack assembly. Different types of tools and cutting parameters are compared using thermocouples embedded within the material and others on the tool cutting edge. In contrast to previous studies, the feed rate was the most significant factor affecting the cutting temperature and quality of the workpiece, while the cutting speed had no significant impact. The temperature in the workpiece increases as the feed per tooth decreases.
Investigations of Donor–Acceptor Interactions in 1,3,5-Tris-(3-Methoxy & 3-Methyl Carboxy) Phenyl Ethynyl Benzene Derivatives Using Experimental and DFT Study

Abstract Two new 1,3,5-tris-(3-methoxy (6a) & 3-methyl carboxy (6b)) phenyl ethynyl benzene derivatives were synthesized from 1,3,5-triethynylbenze and 3-bromo anisole/methyl-3-bromo benzoate, respectively, under Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction conditions. The molecular structures of these two compounds were confirmed by spectral, CHN, and single-crystal XRD analysis. The compound 6a, crystallized in triclinic system (Space group = Pî, Z = 2, a (Å) = 8.4849(1); b (Å) = 12.0292(2); c (Å) = 12.9601(2); α(°) = 95.580(1); β(°) = 93.170(1); γ (°) = 99.942(1)) and 6b, crystallized in monoclinic system (Space group = P21/n, Z = 4, a (Å) = 3.9282(6); b (Å) = 32.274(1); c (Å) = 27.440(2); β(°) = 92.29(1)). Furthermore, the optimized molecular geometries were compared with experimental counter parts employing DFT approach. The complete spectroscopic studies of the titled compounds were carried out using analytical techniques, such as FT-IR, NMR, CV, and UV–VIS analysis and compared with the theoretical results. The first order hyper-polarizability, natural bond orbital analysis, frontier molecular orbitals, and molecular electrostatic potentials were performed on 6a&b, by employing the DFT method and compared with their ortho- and para-substituent compounds. These results indicated that the two compounds 6a&b, showed different donor–acceptor (D–A) interactions based on donor (−OCH3) or acceptor (–COOCH3) moieties attached to the benzene ring. Graphical Abstract
Designing Educational Videos for University Websites Based on Students’ Preferences

Recent developments have seen a significant increase in the number of educational videos being made, mostly for use as a resource in a range of educational levels and different specializations. Indeed, currently, many universities either provide videos as supplementary resources or, indeed, offer entire courses as online learning materials. The qualitative study this paper presents was conducted to answer the following questions: “How have educational videos (lectures/tutorials) published on YouTube affected the university students’ studies at both postgraduate and undergraduate levels? ” and “would it be better to upload these types of videos onto a university website? ” The aim was to explore the experiences of students from two universities (one a high- ranking university and one from a developing country) regarding online educational videos and to assess the extent to which these kinds of videos influence their studies. The data collection method used was individual interviews with students from two different universities to gather their perspectives, their opinions, and their aspirations regarding such videos. The results section analyzes and discusses the students’ varied opinions. Based on the research findings, several recommendations are made to develop a useable design to add videos to university websites. Finally, the research discussed how this study’s findings contribute during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effect of Annealing on the structural, surface morphology and optical properties for CdO:PbO composite thin films

Thin films of pure cadmium oxide films (CdO) and composite with lead oxide (PbO) at different atomic ratios were prepared by pulsed laser deposition under vacuum usingpulsed laser of ND-YAG from CdO and CdO:PbO targets. The prepared thin films were characterized by different technique before and after annealing. The X-ray diffraction shows polycrystalline structures of cubic CdO phase convert tosample of mixed phases for composites. The AFM images illustratedecreasing the particle diameter and increasingsurface roughness with increasing the PbO ratio in composite. While, annealing cause to increase the particle size and reduce roughness. The optical absorbance increased with the PbO ratio, while the absorbance decreased with annealing. The energy gap reduced after annealing and increased with increasing the molar ratio of PbO. These variation in some fundamental properties of the prepared thin films by simplyvarying the components of the started target show the possibilityof controlling the properties of the prepared thin films by pulsed laser depositionfor use in many fields.
Effects of Internal CSR Activities on Social Performance: The Employee Perspective

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) continues to receive greater attention in the current business world. Many studies on CSR focus on manufacturing or industrial companies by examining external CSR activities from external stakeholders’ perceptions. However, academic institutions such as higher education institutions (HEIs) remain highly unexplored in the context of internal corporate social responsibility (ICSR). Employees are the most valuable and vital assets for every business organization. Therefore, this study focuses on CSR’s internal dimensions to determine its impact on social performance in HEIs in Ghana. Recognizing the social exchange theory (SET), we specifically examined the effects of five internal CSR dimensions (i.e., health and safety, human rights, training and development, workplace diversity, and work-life balance) on social performance. We used a multi-case approach to assess internal CSR activities in private and public Ghanaian universities. We purposely selected three public universities and one private university because of their varying contexts and academic mandates. We used structured questionnaires to collect data from both teaching and non-teaching staff of the selected universities. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess the data. We found that health and safety, workplace diversity, and training and development positively and significantly impact social performance. At the same time, human rights and work-life balance have an insignificant effect on social performance. Thus, ICSR practices have a substantial influence on both employees’ and organization’s performance, and hence this study gives important implications for both researchers and practitioners
Environmental stratification and genotype recommendation toward the soybean ideotype: a Bayesian approach

Abstract The genotype × environment (G×E) interaction plays an essential role in phenotypic expression and can lead to difficulties in genotypes recommendation. Thus, the objectives of this study were: i) propose the Multi-Environment Index Based on Factor Analysis and Ideotype-Design/Markov Chain Monte Carlo (FAI/MCMC index), and ii) apply it for soybean genotypes recommendation. To this end, a data set with 30 soybean genotypes evaluated in 10 environments for grain yield trait was used. Variance components, genetic parameters and genetic values were estimated through MCMC algorithm. Environmental stratification was conducted by factor analyses and the selection of soybean genotypes was performed using the FAI/MCMC index. The results indicated the existence of genotypic variability and G×E interaction. The environments were grouped into three factors. The predicted genetic gains from indirect selection was 4.81%. Thus, our results suggest that the FAI/MCMC index can be successfully used in soybean breeding.
Mechanical Performance of Concrete Exposed to Sewage—The Influence of Time and pH

Contact of concrete with aggressive factors, technological structures, reduces their durability through microstructural changes. This work presents the results of research on determining the influence of post grit chamber sewage and sewage from the active sludge chamber in three different environments, i.e., acidic, neutral, and alkaline, on the structure and compressive strength of concrete. Compressive strength tests were carried out after 11.5 months of concrete cubes being submerged in the solutions and compared. To complete the studies, the photos of the microstructure were done. This made it possible to accentuate the relationship between the microstructure and performance characteristics of concrete. The time of storing the cubes in both acidic environments (sewage from post grit chamber and active sludge chamber) has a negative influence on their compressive strength. The compressive strength of cubes decreases along with the time. Compressive strength of cubes increases with increasing pH of the environment.
Relationships of Osmolality and Oxidative Stress with Semen Quality and Their Effects on Male Fertility

The objective of this study was to investigate and find the relationships between human semen osmolality and oxidative stress with semen quality. Semen analysis was determined to evaluate semen quality and fertility. The concentration of semen malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured to assess oxidative stress. For this purpose, one hundred seventy healthy adult males were used in this study. The study was conducted from September 2018 to November 2019 in the Infertility care and in vitro fertilization center (IVF) and the Biology department of the College of Science at Salahaddin University in Erbil city. A significant positive correlation was observed between the total sperm motility, grade activity, and sperm motility index with semen osmolality less than 300 mOsm kg-1 (r= 0.62, r = 0.64, and r= 0.75 pâ‰¤0.01 respectively) and osmolality 300-350 (r= 0.53, pâ‰¤0.05 r= 0.52 pâ‰¤0.05, and r= 0.56 pâ‰¤0.01 respectively). Total sperm motility, grade activity, and sperm motility index are negatively correlated with osmolality 351-400 mOsm kg-1 (r= -0.65 pâ‰¤0.05, r= -0.56 pâ‰¤0.05, and r= -0.67 pâ‰¤0.01) and more than 400 mOsm kg-1 (r= -0.86, r = -0.74 and r= -0.88 pâ‰¤0.01). Regarding the relation between oxidative stress and sperm motility kinetics, total sperm motility, grade activity, and sperm motility index is negatively correlated with MDA more than 2 Âµmol/L (r= -0.56 pâ‰¤0.05, r= -0.52 pâ‰¤0.05, and r= -0.67 pâ‰¤0.01 respectively). No significant correlation was found between semen osmolality and MDA concentration with sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm viability, and normal sperm morphology.
Trend, Status, and Challenges of Irrigation Development in Ethiopia—A Review

Ethiopia’s food supply and economy in general is largely dependent on rain-fed agriculture. Hence, irrigation development is vital to minimize the risk of crop failure and sustain agricultural production. The purpose of this review was to collect published and unpublished information from relevant sources and then review and synthesize key information on the trends and status of irrigation development and challenges threatening its implementation and sustainability. Historically, traditional irrigation based on farmers’ own initiative and indigenous knowledge has been practiced in Ethiopia for over 2000 years. However, well-planned, government-funded medium and large-scale irrigation development started only three decades ago. Specifically, significant progresses have been registered during the implementation of two consecutive five-year plans, the “Growth and Transformation Plans”. Currently, the total area equipped for irrigation has reached some 3.07 million hectares. However, the actual area irrigated is lower than this figure. The challenges facing the irrigation sector are related to study and design, construction or implementation, irrigation management, and lack of other support services such as extension, input services, and market. While the expansion of irrigation is still important, the poor performances and operational management of existing irrigation schemes needs to be given equal attention. As many of the problems are related to capacity and capability limitations, there is an urgent need for institutional and capacity development for the irrigation sector.
A phase ib trial of assessing the safety and preliminary efficacy of a combination therapy of geptanolimab (GB 226) plus fruquintinib in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

e15551 Background: A combination of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor(anti-VEGFR) and anti-programmed cell death-1/ligand 1 (PD-1/L1) may synergize with each other and lead to better anti-tumor efficacy. We aimed to assess the safety and preliminary efficacy of combination therapy with geptanolimab (GB226, a highly selective, fully human monoclonal antibody PD-1 mAb) plus fruquintinib (a VEGFR inhibitor) in previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. Methods: In this phase Ib trial, we enrolled mCRC patients who had failed one or two standard therapies. Patients were given geptanolimab (3mg/kg every 2 weeks) and fruquintinib (once daily for 21 days on/7 days off with planned dose cohorts of 3mg, 4mg, and 5mg) on a 28-day cycle. A standard 3+3 design was employed to determine the primary endpoints of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and/or the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) based on dose-limiting toxicities (DLT). Secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR), disease control rate (DCR), progression free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Results: By December 15, 2020, 15 patients were enrolled: 1 with MSI-H, 12 with MSS, and 2 with MS unknown. Ten out of 15 patients (66.7%) had received ≥2 previous lines of treatment including chemotherapy in combination with anti-EGFR (33.3%) or anti-VEGF (53.3%). Seven patients (46.7%) were found to have the PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS)≥1. Two DLTs (one patient with grade 3 ALT and AST elevation and one patient with grade 3 proteinuria) were identified in fruqintinib 5mg cohort (6 patients enrolled). No DLT was observed in either 3mg (3 patients enrolled) or 4mg (6 patients enrolled) cohorts. RP2D of this combination was identified as geptanolimab (3mg/kg, every 2 weeks) and fruquintinib (4mg, once daily for 21 days on/7 days off). In all evaluable patients, the overall ORR was 26.7% (4/15, 3 confirmed PR, 1 unconfirmed PR), and the ORR was 33.3% (2/6) in the RP2D group. The DCR for all evaluable patients was 80%, and the median PFS (mPFS) was 7.33 months (95% CI: 1.91 – NE). The median DOR and median OS was not reached at the data cut-off date. Among 12 patients with MSS, the ORR was 25.0% (3/12, 2 confirmed PR, 1 unconfirmed PR), DCR was 75% and mPFS was 5.45 months (95% CI: 1.84-9.66). All patients had at least 1 treatment related AE (TRAE). The common TRAE were proteinuria (46.7%), hypertension (46.7%), and elevated aspartate aminotransferase (40.0%). Grade 3 AEs were observed in 46.7% of patients and the most common grade 3 AE was hypertension (20.0%). No grade 4 and 5 TRAE was observed. Conclusions: The combination of geptanolimab and fruquintinib had manageable safety profiles and encouraging anti-tumor activity in mCRC patients. Clinical trial information: NCT03977090.