Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stability analysis of a dike constructed of anthropogenic materials

Numerical analyses of stability are presented for a hypothetical dikes constructed of dredged materials and bottom ash, in varying proportions. The paper is related to the international research project DredgDikes, which focused on the use of anthropogenic materials in dikes construction and flood protection. The aim of this project was to investigate the possibility of using anthropogenic materials from rivers and sea dredging and coal combustion products in dikes construction. The influence of different proportions of ash and dredged materials on the stability of dike is discussed. Mechanical and hydraulic parameters of various dredged material-ash mixtures are based on the results of laboratory and field tests performed in DredgDikes project. Numerical calculations are carried out using geotechnical software Plaxis. Cementation phenomenon and its effect on the performance of ash and dredged material mixtures is discussed.
Deep Soil Cores Reveal Large End‐of‐Season Residual Mineral Nitrogen Pool

Residual mineral N in 0‐ to 210‐cm‐deep soil following summer crops was evaluated. Soils contained a mean of 253 kg ha−1 mineral N, 115 kg ha−1 as NO3–N. 55% of mineral N was 90‐ to 210‐cm deep, where it is most at risk for leaching loss. More residual NO3–N remained after soybean than after corn. Awareness of residual deep N levels is essential to develop N conservation practices.
Excessive pruning and limited regeneration: Are Faidherbia albida parklands heading for extinction in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia?

Scattered Faidherbia albida trees provide multiple ecological and production benefits across the Sahel. The intensive management and use of this important tree may impede its regeneration. Regeneration bottlenecks were explored and population dynamics modelled. On experimental plots in which seed of F. albida was sown, exposure to the first 2 months of dry season resulted in a quarter of seedling mortality. Exposure to season‐long free grazing and browsing caused significantly greater seedling mortality. Results from monitoring 100 permanent plots scattered over the landscape showed that adult population density was 4.2 ± 0.3 (mean ± SE) trees ha−1 and dominated by old age classes. Sixty percent of the total population were older than 30 years. The mean density for juveniles was 1.4 ± 0.2 (mean ± SE) individuals ha−1. The annual rates of decline were 1.2%, 51.3%, and 63.2% for adults, seedlings, and saplings, respectively. Our model predicted that the F. albida population will start to decline within 1–2 decades to eventually fall below 1 tree ha−1 within 60 years under current management. The model highlighted that the limited seed source, caused by excessive pruning, was the main constraint for recruitment. Appropriate land management policy to ensure adequate seed production would avert current trends in decline of F. albida population.
ONION SEED PRODUCTION AS INFLUENCED BY FOLIAR APPLICATION OF THIOUREA AND PGPRS AT POST-ANTHESIS STAGE

The onion (Allium cepa L.) is a biennial vegetable with regard to seed production. Seed yield is influenced by high temperature at the time of anthesis and seed setting in Punjab. Thiourea (TU) and PGPRS have been used in different crops to induce stress tolerance and to increase the yield. Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of different concentrations of thiourea (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20mM) and different PGPRS (Control, PsJN and FD17) on onion seed production. Thiourea and PGPRS were applied as foliar spray at post-anthesis stage in onion seed crop. Three replications were used under RCBD. In first experiment, maximum values of scape height was 30.367cm in 15mM TU, number of scapes (10.33), thousand seed weight (4.20mg), umbel diameter (5.29mm), weight of seed per umbel (0.34g), seed yield per plant (3.21g), plumule length (7.70cm), radicle length (4.17cm), germination percentage (85.66%), yield of seed per plot (369.85g/ft-2), dry weight (70.70mg) and fresh weight (431.64mg) of seedling in 5mM TU and seed germination duration as 16 days in 15mM of TU. Most of the results were higher in 5mM application of TU. While in second experiment, scape height (29.8cm), umbel diameter (5.29mm) and number of scapes per plant (10.3) were not significantly affected by different treatments yet FD17 showed the best results. Seed yield per plant (3.31g/plant) and yield of seed per plot (296.5g/ft2) were significantly (P<0.00) affected by FD17 treatment. Almost all the results of FD17 were superior to PsJN. In conclusion of this research, overall, the performance of thiourea (especially 5mM) was better as compared to others.
Intense oceanic uptake of oxygen during 2014–2015 winter convection in the Labrador Sea

Measurements of near‐surface oxygen (O2) concentrations and mixed layer depth from the K1 mooring in the central Labrador Sea are used to calculate the change in column‐integrated (0–1700 m) O2 content over the deep convection winter 2014/2015. During the mixed layer deepening period, November 2014 to April 2015, the oxygen content increased by 24.3 ± 3.4 mol m−2, 40% higher than previous results from winters with weaker convection. By estimating the contribution of respiration and lateral transport on the oxygen budget, the cumulative air‐sea gas exchange is derived. The O2 uptake of 29.1 ± 3.8 mol m−2, driven by persistent undersaturation (≥5%) and strong atmospheric forcing, is substantially higher than predicted by standard (nonbubble) gas exchange parameterizations, whereas most bubble‐resolving parameterizations predict higher uptake, comparable to our results. Generally large but varying mixed layer depths and strong heat and momentum fluxes make the Labrador Sea an ideal test bed for process studies aimed at improving gas exchange parameterizations.
Optimizing the input for learning of L2-specific constructions: the roles of Zipfian and balanced input, explicit rules and working memory

Usage-based theory has proposed that learning of linguistic constructions is facilitated by input that contains few high-frequency exemplars, in what is known as a skewed (or Zipfian) input distribution. Early empirical work provided support to this idea, but subsequent L2 research has provided mixed findings. However, previous approaches have not explored the impact that cognitive traits (e.g., working memory) have on the effectiveness of skewed or balanced input. The experiment reported here tested learners’ ability to develop new L2 categories of adjectives that guide lexical selection in Spanish verbs of “becoming. ” The results showed that, when explicit rules are provided, low-working memory learners benefitted from reduced variability in skewed input, while high-working memory individuals benefitted from balanced input, which better allows for rule-based hypothesis testing. The findings help clarify the mixed findings in previous studies and suggest a way forward for optimizing the L2 input based on individual traits.
Seasonal rainfall forecasting using large scale climate drivers: an artificial intelligence approach

ii Acknowledgements . v Declaration . vi Dedication . vii List of Publications . viii List of Figures . xii List of Tables . xiv List of Abbreviations . xvi List of Notations . xviii Chapter 1 .
Low-Level Students’ Perspectives Toward Synchronous and Asynchronous Blended Learning Activities in the Post-Pandemic Era

Entering the post-pandemic era, educators at universities across South Korea dealt with many restrictions and challenges transitioning back to face-to-face courses. To overcome these difficulties, some instructors used their experiences during emergency remote teaching to incorporate more blended learning activities. This study aimed to gain insight into low-level students’ perspectives toward participating in online synchronous and online asynchronous activities during an in-person EFL course in the first semester of 2022. A total of 83 students participated in this study by completing a series of surveys composed of a mix of Likert-scale and semi-structured qualitative questions. Data analysis combined descriptive statistical analysis with qualitative analysis based on the creation of themes and categories. Key findings are as follows: first, learners enjoyed both types of blended learning activities but preferred asynchronous discussion boards; second, low-level learners believe synchronous activities can help improve their listening skills, while asynchronous activities provide valuable chances to read and write; third, low-level students will accept an activity if they perceive it has value, and these learners have their own opinions of how to make the activities better. Specific comments and examples related to student perspectives and suggestions for the future use of blended learning activities are discussed.
Spatio-Temporal Variation of Actual Evapotranspiration of Lower River Kaduna Catchment, Nigeria

Assessing spatio-temporal variation of actual evapotranspiration is very important, most especially in the areas that are prone to changing climate. Lower River Kaduna is one of the critical ecosystems in the northwest, Nigeria. As such it is critical to investigate the evapotranspiration of this area, because of its impact on water availability for both human, plants, and other organism population dwelling the basin. ModisTerra imageries from 2000-2014 were used to computecrop coefficient (Kc) through a relationship with normalize difference vegetation index (NDVI). Makkink method was used to estimate the reference evapotranspiration using temperature and solar radiation obtained from Nigerian Meteorological Agency. Actual evapotranspiration was estimated by multiplying evapotranspiration and crop coefficient. Trend analysis was determined using Mann-Kendall and Sen’s slope. The results reveal that the actual evapotranspiration of annual is less than 61% of winter and 71% of autumn. Spring and summer Actual evapotranspiration value are less than annual with 51% and 79%. Annual, winter and summer have a decreased of actual evapotranspiration. It also reveals that spring and autumn has an increased of actual evapotranspiration. The spatio-temporal result reveals that the vegetated area has a high Actual evapotranspiration while the non-vegetated area has lower Actual evapotranspiration value.
Determination of apical constriction and apical foramen using electronic apex locator in vivo: Comparison between vital and nonvital teeth

Introduction: The aims of the present study were (1) to compare the in vivo accuracy of electronic apex locator (EAL) to locate the apical foramen and apical constriction (AC) in vital and nonvital teeth and (2) to measure and compare the distance between the AC and apical foramen based on EAL readings and those obtained by direct observation under stereomicroscope following extraction of the tooth. Materials and Methods: A sample of 40 teeth scheduled for extraction independent of the study from patients in the age range of 45–65 years was selected and divided into two groups (Group I – vital and Group II – nonvital). The AC and apical foramen were located using Root ZX II (J. Morita Corp, Kyoto, Japan) in both the groups and then by direct observation under stereomicroscope following extraction. Results: Fischer's exact test found no statistically significant difference in the ability of EAL to locate AC and apical foramen when compared between vital and nonvital teeth. Likewise, no statistically significant difference was found in the distance between the AC and apical foramen as measured by EAL in vivo and that measured by direct observation under stereomicroscope following extraction in vital (P = 0.412) and nonvital (P = 0.719) teeth (paired t-test). Conclusion: The study supports that EAL measures the location of AC and apical foramen with similar accuracy in vital and nonvital teeth. Furthermore, the distance between the two is reliable when compared with the actual distance observed under stereomicroscope supporting its widespread usage in clinical endodontics.
A Novel Allele in the Promoter of Wx Decreases Gene Expression and Confers Lower Apparent Amylose Contents in Japonica Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Wx is the key gene that controls amylose content (AC), and various alleles have been found in rice populations. Wxb is the major allele in japonica and produces moderate AC (15~18%). It was recently found that editing the promoter of Wx could produce a series of alleles that have different Wx activities. Although some studies have edited the promoter, few studies have focused on the natural variations in Wx. Here, we used the Rice3K database to investigate variations in the Wx promoter and found that the allele Wx1764178 (A/G) has a higher LD (linkage disequilibrium) with the two key SNPs (1765751, T/G; 1768006, A/C), which could produce different Wx alleles and influence AC, as reported previously. Further study showed that the Wx1764178 allele (A/G) is functional and influences the expression of Wx positively. Editing the A allele using CRISPR‒Cas9 produced 36 and 3 bp deletions and caused a decrease in the expression of Wx. The apparent amylose content (AAC) in the edited lines was decreased by 7.09% and 11.50% compared with that of the wild type, which was the japonica variety Nipponbare with Wxb and the A allele at 1764178, while a complementary line with the G allele showed a lower AAC than the A allele with no effect on other agronomic traits. The AAC of the edited lines showed a higher increase than that of the wild type (Nipponbare, Wxb) in low-nitrogen conditions relative to high-nitrogen conditions. We also developed a dCAPS marker to identify the allele and found that the G allele has widely been used (82.95%) in japonica-bred varieties from Jiangsu Province, China. Overall, we found a functional allele (Wx1764178, A/G) in the Wx promoter that could affect AAC in japonica cultivars and be developed as markers for quality improvement in rice breeding programs.
Implementation of the PBL-STEM Model to Improve Students' Critical Thinking on Reaction Rate Material

The application of PBL-STEM can encourage students to be independent in the learning process and emphasize the process of thinking critically and analytically to seek and find answers to a problem in question. This study used a true–experimental design with the Posttest Only Control Design type. The population in this study were all students of class XI SMA Kristen Sunodia Samarinda for the academic year 2022/2023 divided into 2 classes. This study aims to determine the effect of PBL-STEM in improving students' critical thinking skills. Sampling was done by cluster random sampling technique. The instruments used to measure students' critical thinking skills in chemistry were post-test questions, teacher and student observation sheets, and student response sheets (questionnaire). Data analysis was performed by t-test. The results of the t-test with Mann-Whitney obtained sig. (2-tailed) in both classes is 0.00 <0.05, it is concluded that Ha accepted the statement that there is an effect of the application of PBL-STEM on the critical thinking skills of class XI students at Christian Senior High School Sunodia Samarinda regarding reaction rates. The results of the teacher and student activity sheets in the experimental class were both in very good categories, as well as the student response to PBL-STEM learning, namely 77.2% of students agreed with the application of PBL-STEM in learning which can train students' critical thinking skills. This research discusses the analysis of how effective the influence of PBL and STEM integration is to improve critical thinking skills on reaction rate material so that this research can be used as a reference for applying PBL-STEM to other chemistry topics.
Current status of immunological therapies for rheumatoid arthritis with a focus on antigen-specific therapeutic vaccines

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is recognized as an autoimmune joint disease driven by T cell responses to self (or modified self or microbial mimic) antigens that trigger and aggravate the inflammatory condition. Newer treatments of RA employ monoclonal antibodies or recombinant receptors against cytokines or immune cell receptors as well as small-molecule Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors to systemically ablate the cytokine or cellular responses that fuel inflammation. Unlike these treatments, a therapeutic vaccine, such as CEL-4000, helps balance adaptive immune homeostasis by promoting antigen-specific regulatory rather than inflammatory responses, and hence modulates the immunopathological course of RA. In this review, we discuss the current and proposed therapeutic products for RA, with an emphasis on antigen-specific therapeutic vaccine approaches to the treatment of the disease. As an example, we describe published results of the beneficial effects of CEL-4000 vaccine on animal models of RA. We also make a recommendation for the design of appropriate clinical studies for these newest therapeutic approaches, using the CEL-4000 vaccine as an example. Unlike vaccines that create or boost a new immune response, the clinical success of an immunomodulatory therapeutic vaccine for RA lies in its ability to redirect autoreactive pro-inflammatory memory T cells towards rebalancing the “runaway” immune/inflammatory responses that characterize the disease. Human trials of such a therapy will require alternative approaches in clinical trial design and implementation for determining safety, toxicity, and efficacy. These approaches include adaptive design (such as the Bayesian optimal design (BOIN), currently employed in oncological clinical studies), and the use of disease-related biomarkers as indicators of treatment success.
Torrefaction Study of Indonesian Crop Residues Subject to Open Burning

Forty-five million tonne of Indonesian crop residues representing 21% of total crop residues are openly burned annually. Giving added value to the residues was one of the solutions to reduce open burning activities and consequently mitigate the emissions. Torrefaction is one of the pretreatment processes for improving biomass properties. In this work, fast and slow torrefaction experiments (300°C-5 minutes and 250°C-45 minutes) of Indonesian rice straw, corncob and cassava stalk were conducted using static and rotating tubular reactors. The result shows that fast torrefaction gave superior solid product properties to the slow counterpart for both reactors. Furthermore, the static tubular reactor showed better performance. Blending samples did not have a significant impact on the product properties. However, blending method can help to distribute the crop residues for the whole year due to the lack of availability on seasonal time.
Large‐Eddy Simulation of a katabatic jet along a convexly curved slope: 2. Evidence of Görtler vortices

This paper is the second part of a study of katabatic jet along a convexly curved slope with a maximum angle of about 35.5°. Large‐Eddy Simulation (LES) is performed with a special focus on the outer‐layer shear of the katabatic jet. In the first part, a basic statistical quantitative analysis of the flow was performed. Here a qualitative and quantitative description of vortical structures is used to gain insight in the present 3‐D turbulent flow. It is shown that Görtler vortices oriented in the streamwise downslope direction develop in the shear layer. They spread with a specific mushroom shape in the vertical direction up to about 100 m height. They play a main role with respect to local turbulent mixing in the ground surface boundary layer. The present curved slope configuration constitutes a realistic model for alpine orography. This paper provides a procedure based on local turbulence anisotropy to track Görtler vortices for in situ measurements, which has never been proposed in the literature.
Production and Assessment of Sensory Properties of Probioticated Tigernut and Soybean Milk Stored Under Ambient and Refrigerated Temperatures

Background and Objective: The health benefits of probiotics have increased consumer’s demand for probiotic foods. Several food products suggested as delivery vehicles for probiotics to consumer. The production and sensory properties of probioticated tigernut and soybean milk stored under ambient and refrigerated temperatures were investigated. Materials and Methods: Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) isolated from tigernut and soybean was assessed for probiotics properties. LAB 2 and 3 were identified as Lactobacillus fermentum and L. plantarum , respectively and found to possess 100% Cumulative Probiotic Potential (CPP) was used to prepare probioticated drinks. Results: Probiotication of the drinks with the two probiotics resulted in the reduction of pH of the drinks and an increase in Total Titratable Acidity (TTA). The probioticated drinks had a higher score for all sensory attributes assessed which made them compare favourably with dairy yoghurt as against un-probioticated drinks. The LAB count of the stored probioticated drink increased during the period of storage while coliforms were not detected before and during the period of storage. The probioticated tigernut and soybean drinks were also generally acceptable compared to the un-probioticated counterparts. Conclusion: Findings from this study revealed that probiotic milk from soybean and tigernut was accepted based on its sensory attributes and may have promising commercial potential for vegetarians and individuals suffering from lactose intolerance.
Rejection of the Covid-19 Vaccination in Community Sidourip Village-Beringin District

: Covid-19 is currently a global concern, with the number of cases increasing daily. Indonesia has the highest rate of confirmed cases in Southeast Asia. The Covid-19 vaccine is one of the government's breakthroughs in the control and management of Covid-19. The aim of Covid-19 vaccination is to reduce spread, morbidity and mortality, achieve immunity and protect the public. However, there are still many groups of people who refuse to be vaccinated. The main objective is to determine the factors associated with community refusal of Covid-19 vaccination in Sidourip village, Beringin district in 2021. Methods are observational-analytical studies with cross-sectional design. Sample size was determined using a convenience sampling method with a sample of 83 people. Relationship between age and community refusal of Covid-19 vaccine p value = 0.003 (p≤0.05). Relationship between work and community refusal of Covid-19 vaccine p value = 0.007 (p≤0.05). Relationship between level of education and community refusal of Covid-19 vaccine p value = 0.000 (p≤0.05). The conclusion is that there is a relationship between age, occupational status and level of knowledge with community rejection of Covid-19 vaccine in Sidourip village, Beringin district in 2021.