Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Beyond binary baseflow separation: a delayed-flow index for multiple streamflow contributions

Abstract. Understanding components of the total streamflow is important to assess the ecological functioning of rivers. Binary or two-component separation of streamflow into a quick and a slow (often referred to as baseflow) component are often based on arbitrary choices of separation parameters and also merge different delayed components into one baseflow component and one baseflow index (BFI). As streamflow generation during dry weather often results from drainage of multiple sources, we propose to extend the BFI by a delayed-flow index (DFI) considering the dynamics of multiple delayed contributions to streamflow. The DFI is based on characteristic delay curves (CDCs) where the identification of breakpoint (BP) estimates helps to avoid rather subjective separation parameters and allows for distinguishing four types of delayed streamflow contributions. The methodology is demonstrated using streamflow records from a set of 60 mesoscale catchments in Germany and Switzerland covering a pronounced elevation gradient of roughly 3000 m. We found that the quickflow signal often diminishes earlier than assumed by two-component BFI analyses and distinguished a variety of additional flow contributions with delays shorter than 60 d. For streamflow contributions with delays longer than 60 d, we show that the method can be used to assess catchments' water sustainability during dry spells. Colwell's predictability ( PT ), a measure of streamflow periodicity and sustainability, was applied to attribute the identified delay patterns to dynamic catchment storage. The smallest dynamic storages were consistently found for catchments between approx. 800 and 1800 m a.s. l. Above an elevation of 1800 m the DFI suggests that seasonal snowpack provides the primary contribution, whereas below 800 m groundwater resources are most likely the major streamflow contributions. Our analysis also indicates that dynamic storage in high alpine catchments might be large and is overall not smaller than in lowland catchments. We conclude that the DFI can be used to assess the range of sources forming catchments' storages and to judge the long-term sustainability of streamflow.
How urban stormwater regimes drive geomorphic degradation of receiving streams

For streams draining urban catchments, sediment transport capacity is the key driver of physical impacts including bed sediment removal and channel incision. The main unanswered question is the relative role of flow alteration compared to sediment supply in influencing sediment transport capacity. With this objective, we computed sand and gravel bed sediment transport capacity using the Wilcock and Kenworthy two-fraction bedload transport relation for nine streams in catchments covering a gradient of urbanisation. Computations were done for typical natural bed surface material, based on conditions in the least urban study streams. We compared transport capacity distributions and cumulative transport capacity over one-year between the streams. Transport capacity was up to three orders of magnitude higher in urban streams than in forested-catchment streams. This was driven overwhelmingly by the urbanisation-induced alterations to the flow regime, with only minor feedback from channel form changes. Transport capacity was two to three orders of magnitude greater than measured bedload transport in all but the least urban streams. This excess bedload transport capacity mobilises and removes bed sediment, produces channel incision and enlargement and reduces channel complexity. Rebalancing transport capacity with sediment supply therefore requires significant flow mitigation towards pre-urban conditions. Other responses, which may theoretically help to regain this balance – channel widening, grade control, increasing roughness, sediment augmentation – are either inappropriate or only feasible following flow mitigation measures.
Error Analysis of a Finite Difference Method on Graded Meshes for a Multiterm Time-Fractional Initial-Boundary Value Problem

Abstract An initial-boundary value problem, whose differential equation contains a sum of fractional time derivatives with orders between 0 and 1, is considered. Its spatial domain is ( 0 , 1 ) d {(0,1)^{d}} for some d ∈ { 1 , 2 , 3 } {d\in\{1,2,3\}} . This problem is a generalisation of the problem considered by Stynes, O’Riordan and Gracia in SIAM J. Numer. Anal. 55 (2017), pp. 1057–1079, where d = 1 {d=1} and only one fractional time derivative was present. A priori bounds on the derivatives of the unknown solution are derived. A finite difference method, using the well-known L1 scheme for the discretisation of each temporal fractional derivative and classical finite differences for the spatial discretisation, is constructed on a mesh that is uniform in space and arbitrarily graded in time. Stability and consistency of the method and a sharp convergence result are proved; hence it is clear how to choose the temporal mesh grading in a optimal way. Numerical results supporting our theoretical results are provided.
Customers’ Intention to Purchase Halal Products in Malaysia: A Case of Non-Muslims

In today’s modern society, people are more concern about the food they purchase and consume. The issues of food poisoning and unethical food preparation and sources had caused the concern around the world, especially in a less developed country. Therefore, people tend to be more cautious about the source of the ingredients, the preparation process and finished products in the market. As the advancement of the information technology, customers were more educated and information is easily available by just-a-click on the search engine. Hence, there will be more consumers looking for products with quality and safe to consume. In a Muslim country, halal products were a norm in the society whereby the halal products were not only being consumed by Muslims in their daily life, the acceptance of non-Muslims towards the halal food products is growing as well because of the strict process and laws to follow. Besides, the halal food products are also being monitored, certified and enforced by the government. Halal product with certification will automatically gain the confident of the customers without any doubts. Therefore, this study tends to examine the intention of non-Muslim customers in purchasing halal food products in Klang Valley. Six independent variables are being adapted and adopted in this research to identify the intention of non-Muslim customers to consume halal food products which are product quality, product price, product availability, product ingredients, product awareness and product safety. A total of 321 respondents from Klang Valley area were participated and responded in this survey. Based on the findings and analysis, this study revealed that there are three independent variables that have positive significant relationship in affecting the intention of non-Muslim customers to purchase halal food products which are product quality, product price and product availability. Hopefully, these findings can be used by the government and private sector to further develop the halal industry locally and internationally. Lastly, based on the findings, the researcher also suggested a few proposals for further study and improvement.
Neurogame Therapy as an Upper Extremity Home Program for Persons After Stroke: A Preliminary Mixed Methods Investigation

Neurogame Therapy as an Upper Extremity Home Progra m for Persons After Stroke: A Preliminary Mixed Methods Investigation Elena V. Donoso Brown Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Sarah Westcott McCoy, Professor Department of Rehabilitation Medicine This preliminary study was designed to evaluate th e effectiveness and acceptability of Neurogame Therapy (NGT), an innovative application of surface electromyography (sEMG) with a computer game, as a home program for persons after stroke. A concurrent mixed methods design was used. A repeated measures design tested he quantitative outcomes such as sEMG, kinematics, and activity measures including the Wol f Motor Function Test and the Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory. Nested one-on-one inte rviews were completed to gather information on home exercise programs in general, f unctional use of the upper extremity, and the acceptability of NGT. Nine participants completed t he quantitative portion of the study and ten completed the qualitative portion. A statistically significant change was found across the intervention period on one of the surface electromy graphy outcomes, however no changes were found in kinematic or activity outcomes. The qualit ative interviews provided in depth information on upper extremity functional use in da ily ctivities and home programs, as well as, information on the acceptability of NGT. Most parti cipants found NGT to be motivating and while most reported no dramatic changes in their up per extremity use, some did report small changes in movement of the affected limb or an incr eased awareness and desire to use the limb. Participants also identified ways to improve NGT in cluding more time with the system and increased clarity in the interface. The combined re sults suggest that NGT requires further study and may benefit from the inclusion of a functional activity component that would assist in generalizing changes at the sEMG level to the funct io al level. This preliminary investigation suggests that NGT is motivating for adults after st roke and acts primarily at the level of sEMG, at this time. Future studies could investigate: (1) adding a functional activity component to the program (2) the use of NGT with persons in the acut e phase of stroke recovery and (3) the nature of home exercise from the perspective of therapists and caregiver.
Comparison of chronology of teeth eruption with body mass index among school children at Mangalore: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: The development and eruption of the teeth, chronologies of human dentitions, dental age, and tooth formation standards are important aspects applied to dental practice. Body mass index (BMI) gives an indication about the nutritional status of the child. It is relevant to know whether BMI has influenced chronology of tooth eruption pattern. Aim: To determine the eruption age of the different permanent teeth and compare eruption age with BMI in a group of children from selected schools in Mangalore. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed in which 2928 children ranging in age from 5.5 to 15 years were included in the study. The children were divided into 20 chronological age groups with half year intervals. All the children were examined by a single examiner with the help of a trained assistant. The teeth were examined under natural light with mouth mirror. The comparison was made between mean eruption ages in males and females using the independent t-test. Results: There were 1526 males constituting 52.1% and 1402 females constituting 47.9% of the total sample of 2928 children. The mean age of eruption of maxillary central incisor, maxillary lateral incisor, maxillary and mandibular canines, maxillary and mandibular premolars, maxillary and mandibular second molars were found to have statistical significant with BMI. The mean age of eruption of the teeth in females was found to be earlier than in males, with the exception of the maxillary first molar which is earlier in males. Conclusion: Different categories of BMI were underweight, normal weight, risk of overweight and overweight, wherein overweight children had early eruption of teeth. Girls had early eruption time compared to boys.
A comparative study of relative roles and sequences of cognitive and affective attitudes on tourists’ pro-environmental behavioral intention

Abstract Attitudinal interventions are commonly implemented to nudge pro-environmental actions. However, the relative roles and sequences of cognitive and affective attitudes on tourists’ pro-environmental behavioral intention (PEBI) and how PEBI variants impact the attitude-intention relationships require further investigation. Based on the theory of planned behavior, this paper compares the differential effects and sequences of cognitive and affective attitudes on tourists’ low-effort and high-effort PEBI. Structural equation modeling results of two studies conducted in a nature-based and an urban destination showed a superior role of affect, i.e., affective, but not cognitive attitude, guided tourists’ PEBI, irrespective of implementation difficulty variants. This finding supports the automatic-processing rather than the controlled-processing hypothesis of attitude-intention processes in the tourism context. The results of sequential models further confirmed the above conclusion and supported the “affective” model wherein affective attitude predicts cognitive attitude when shaping subsequent PEBI. These studies advance understandings of relationships between and sequences of attitudes and PEBIs and challenge predominant cognitive interventions in environmental communication practices.
Influence of Chinese eye exercises on myopia control in an East Asian population: a meta-analysis

Objective: The rates of myopia (-0.50 diopter), and high myopia ([≥] -6.0 diopter) have been increasing in East Asian populations; the reasons for which may include the combinations of genetic, environment and behavioural factors. The most affected demography point to the young elite population of intellectuals produced from universities. Of the several recommendations to address the myopia epidemic, the influence of Chinese eye exercises (CEE) have been examined. However, reports have been inconsistent, prompting a meta-analysis to obtain more precise estimates. Methods: Eight articles were included in the meta-analysis where we operated on the hypothesis that CEE either increased or reduced myopia control. We compared the subjects that performed CEE against those that did not. We used and estimated odds ratios [ORs] and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using the generic inverse variance method. Subgroup analysis involved quality (high/serious and low/non-serious) and frequency (> 5 times/week) of performing CEE comprised. Heterogeneity was subjected to outlier treatment which split the findings into pre- (PRO) and post- (PSO) outlier. The strength of evidence in our findings were based on high significance (Pa < 10-5), surviving the Bonferroni correction and homogeneity (I2 = 0%). Outcomes with these features comprised our core findings. Results: Our core findings were found in the PSO overall indicating elevated myopia control (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.61-0.86, Pa = 0.0002) and CEE subgroups (Serious: OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.68-0.84, Pa < 10-5; Frequent: OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.45-0.68, Pa < 10-5). The low quality subgroup outcome was null in PRO (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.50-1.86, Pa = 0.92) but conveyed significantly less myopia control in PSO (OR1.57, 95% CI 1.24-2.01, Pa = 0.0002). Conclusions: This meta-analysis found that CEE afforded 28% greater control of myopia. Enabled by outlier treatment, this finding was homogeneous and consistent. Subgroup effects elevated myopia control to 62% when CEE was done up to 5 times a week. Improper CEE performance implied reduced myopia control of up to 57%.
BCL2-Negative Follicular Lymphoma of the Uterine Cervix: A Case Report and Literature Review

Follicular A ABSTRACT Lymphoma involving the female genital tract is rare and the uterine cervix is an uncommon site for lymphoma. Follicular lymphoma is the second most common Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma involving the uterine cervix. The t(14;18)(q32;q21) chromosome abnormality is the genetic hallmark of Follicular lymphoma and can be detected in about 80% of Follicular lymphoma involving the gynecologic tract. The t(14;18)(q32;q21) negative follicular lymphoma is unusual and may cause confusion for the pathologist not familiar with its clinical, histologic and immunohistochemical features. This case report intends to create awareness of this rare clinical entity. Lymphoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of gynecologic malignancies.
Critical ventilation velocity under the blockage of different metro train in a long metro tunnel

To address the effect of metro train blockage on the critical ventilation velocity in a long tunnel, a series of scenarios were conducted numerically through this study, including different fire sizes (5‐10 MW), metro train lengths (80‐120 m), and blockage ratios (φ, 0.50, and 0.57). It is known from the numerical results that the metro train length shows a limited effect on the critical ventilation velocity, which is because the longitudinal ventilation has become stable before reaching the fire source to prevent smoke back‐layering, and increasing the metro train length only increases the distance of stabilizing the longitudinal ventilation. The blockage ratio shows an obvious influence on the critical ventilation velocity, which is because the presence of the metro train can obviously reduce the flow cross‐sectional area of the tunnel. An empirical model is developed as well, while it is known that the critical ventilation velocity increases with the one‐third power of dimensionless heat release rate and (1‐φ). The research outcomes of this study provide a technical guide for the design of the metro tunnel and the relevant emergency management of fire rescue under fire conditions.
Audit of patients with ruptured amoebic liver abscess and outcome of surgical versus non-surgical treatment

Background: Amoebic liver abscess (ALA) is a common infection caused by parasite Entamoeba histolytica and is one of the leading causes of death in tropics. 10% of world population is infected with E. histolytica . It is highly endemic in India. This is a retrospective observational study conducted from July 2011 to November 2013. Aims and objectives are to study (1) Demographic, clinical features, treatment given and outcomes. (2) Compare outcome between surgical versus non-surgical methods (3) Assessing the complications of ruptured amoebic liver abscess. Methods: Retrospective observational study of patients with ruptured amoebic liver abscess presenting to our institute (a tertiary referral centre). Details of demographics, clinical features, imaging findings were recorded. Also details of procedure, complications and outcome of surgical or non-surgical methods were recorded. Univariate analysis will be done applying ‘t’ test. Data will be analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Pain in abdomen and tenderness was the most common presentation of patients (100% cases). Right lobe of liver was involved in 83.3% cases. Pigtail catheter drainage was the most common treatment modality given to patients (63.3% cases). Following rupture, pleural effusion was the most common complication noted in our study. Common sites for perforation include pleural cavity or bronchial tree (72%). The mean duration of stay in ward was 9.8 days. Zero percent mortality in patients who received non-surgical treatment compared to 40% mortality in patients treated surgically (2 out of 5). Conclusions: This study concluded that there is significant mortality in patients of ruptured amoebic liver abscess all associated with surgical intervention compared to non-surgical measures. Surgery is reserved for cases of generalized peritonitis or of superadded infections not responding to non-surgical measures with guarded prognosis.
Measuring cross‐country material wellbeing and inequality using consumer durables

We advance a framework for defining a country’s material wellbeing based on an (imperfectly observed set of) households’ consumer durables, and apply the framework to household-level data from the OECD PISA surveys. We construct household and national material wellbeing metrics plus national inequality metrics consistently for 40 countries over 2000-2012. Comparisons with income-based alternatives (GNI per capita and the Gini coefficient of household incomes) indicate that our consumption-based measures capture aspects of material wellbeing that are not captured fully by income-based measures. The PISA consumption-based metrics are more closely associated with some (but not all) of a set of objective mortality-related national outcomes than are income-based measures. The results imply that consumption-based measures should be used in conjunction with income-based measures as indicators of the mean and variation in country material living standards.
The Prevalence of Gingival Recession in the Egyptian Population

Background: Gingival recession (GR) is a challenging condition especially with the increasing esthetic demand of patients today. Hence, there is a need to assess the prevalence of GR and to investigate possible associations with this condition. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study design was used where a sample of 500 patients, within the age range of 18-60 years, was drawn from the Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine at Cairo University. The collected data included demographic and periodontal variables, and the significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05. Statistical analysis was performed via IBM® SPSS® Statistics Version 20 for Windows using the Chi-square and Fisher exact test. Results: The overall prevalence of GR was 69.4%. Statistical analysis indicated a significant association between gender and GR (significant male predilection, P ≤ 0.05), and between GR and plaque biofilm due to periodontitis with 90.8% of recession cases having periodontitis. A significant association was also found between the cause and distribution of GR, where mandibular incisors showed the highest prevalence of GR. Conclusion: Gingival recession is a highly prevalent condition among Egyptians, with periodontitis being the fundamental cause. Frenal pull is the most prominent local factor in inducing GR in the Egyptian population. This information can be applied by educating the population and initiating new preventive programs and awareness campaigns.
Application of micro pump hydro energy storage for reliable operation of microgrid system

The energy storage system is the backbone of an isolated microgrid (MG), which helps to provide a secure and reliable power supply. The operation of the MG systems operating without storage is affected highly due to intermittent generation and sudden load demand fluctuations. This study investigates the operational behaviour of an isolated MG system in terms of frequency and power balance by incorporating the Micro Pump Hydro Energy Storage (MPHES) system. The investigated MG system consists of biodiesel, solar and wind-based generating units with MPHES and battery as energy storage systems. The realistic data for solar and wind resources have been used to consider the practical scenario of any area. The recently developed coyote-optimisation algorithm is employed for optimal tuning of the proportional–integral controller using the integral of time multiplied absolute error criterion. The simulation studies have been conducted to investigate the performance of the MG system by incorporating the MPHES system for a typical day (36 h) under various operating conditions. The analysis reveals that the MG system exhibits smoother and consistent dynamic performance by including the MPHES unit and efficiently utilises renewable power.