Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Method of Determining Kinetic Parameters of Strength Recovery in Self-Healing Ceramic Composites

Self-healing ceramic composites are promising smart materials for high-temperature applications. Experimental and numerical studies have been performed to more fully understand their behaviors, and kinetic parameters such as the activation energy and frequency factor have been reported to be indispensable for investigating healing phenomena. This article proposes a method of determining the kinetic parameters of self-healing ceramic composites using the oxidation kinetics model of strength recovery. These parameters are determined by an optimization method using experimental strength recovery data under various healing temperatures, times, and microstructural features on the fractured surfaces. Alumina and mullite matrix-based self-healing ceramic composites such as Al2O3/SiC, Al2O3/TiC, Al2O3/Ti2AlC (MAX phase), and mullite/SiC, were selected as the target materials. The theoretical strength recovery behaviors of the cracked specimens obtained from the kinetic parameters were compared with the experimental results. The parameters were within the previously reported ranges, and the predicted strength recovery behaviors reasonably agreed with the experimental values. The proposed method can also be applied to other self-healing ceramics with matrices reinforced with different healing agents to evaluate oxidation rate, crack healing rate, and theoretical strength recovery behaviors to design self-healing materials used in high-temperature applications. Furthermore, the healing ability of composites can be discussed regardless of the type of strength recovery test.
Student perceptions of effective use of tablet PC recorded lectures in undergraduate mathematics courses

Tablet PCs have been increasingly used in undergraduate courses to create recorded lectures that are close copies of the live lectures. Research has shown that students are largely positive about the availability of tablet PC recorded lectures. However, there is some concern that the availability of such faithful recordings may encourage students to miss live lectures, which may in turn lead to lower achievement in the course. In this study, we surveyed students on their use of recorded lectures in two large undergraduate mathematics courses. We investigated patterns in their use of recorded lectures and live lecture attendance, how and why they used recorded lectures and how this use was associated with their final grade. The results suggest that the practice of missing live lectures intentionally because the recordings were available was not associated with final grade. However, those respondents who intended to watch more recorded lectures than they actually did achieved significantly lower grades.
An age dependent branching process with variable lifetime distribution: The generation size

In a branching process with variable lifetime, introduced by Fildes (1972) define Yjk (t) as the number of particles alive in generation k at time t when the initial particle is born in generation j. A limit law similar to that derived in the Bellman-Harris process is proved where it is shown that Yjk (t) suitably normalised converges in mean square to a random variable which is the limit random variable of Znm–n in the Galton-Watson process (m is the mean number of particles born).
Compressive Strength of Concrete Containing Recycled Glass Powder

Glass bottle waste takes a million years to decompose. Recycling is the best option to solve this problem. Onealternative is to use recycled glass in the form of powder as a material for making concrete. This study proposes theuse of recycled glass powder as a concrete material to partially substitute fine aggregate. This study aims todetermine the effect of glass powder as a partial substitute for fine aggregate on the compressive strength of concrete.Partial substitution of fine aggregate was selected with a percentage of 5%, 10%, and 15%. Standard cylindricalspecimens aged 28 days used in compressive strength testing in this study. Then, the test results of concretecontaining recycled glass powder compared to ordinary concrete. The test results show that the compressive strengthof concrete containing 15% recycled glass powder gives an average compressive strength of 35.57 MPa which isslightly higher than the compressive strength of normal concrete of 35.10 MPa. This study found that the use of glasspowder as a substitute for fine aggregate can be used as a substitute for normal concrete in terms of compressivestrength and reduce glass waste.
VqMAPK3/VqMAPK6, VqWRKY33, and VqNSTS3 constitute a regulatory node in enhancing resistance to powdery mildew in grapevine

Abstract Grapevine powdery mildew is caused by Erysiphe necator, which seriously harms grape production in the world. Stilbene synthase makes phytoalexins that contribute to the resistance of grapevine against powdery mildew. A novel VqNSTS3 was identified and cloned from Chinese wild Vitis quinquangularis accession Danfeng-2. The novel VqNSTS3 was transferred into susceptible ‘Thompson Seedless’ by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The transgenic plants showed resistance to the disease and activated other resistance-related genes. VqNSTS3 expression in grapevine is regulated by VqWRKY33, and which binds to TTGACC in the VqNSTS3 promoter. Furthermore, VqWRKY33 was phosphorylated by VqMAPK3/VqMAPK6 and thus led to enhanced signal transduction and increased VqNSTS3 expression. ProVqNSTS3::VqNSTS3-GFP of transgenic VqNSTS3 in Arabidopsis thaliana was observed to move to and wrap the pathogen’s haustoria and block invasion by Golovinomyces cichoracearum. These results demonstrate that stilbene accumulation of novel VqNSTS3 of the Chinese wild Vitis quinquangularis accession Danfeng-2 prevented pathogen invasion and enhanced resistance to powdery mildew. Therefore, VqNSTS3 can be used in generating powdery mildew-resistant grapevines.
Implementation Status of Airborne Infection Control Measures in Primary and Secondary Public Health Facilities, Puducherry: A Mixed-Methods Study

Background: Poor ventilation in healthcare settings is a concern for airborne infections, particularly in light of the potential for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission. This study aimed to assess the implementation status of airborne infection control (AIC) measures in primary and secondary public healthcare facilities (HCFs) and to explore the facilitating factors and barriers in the implementation of AIC measures. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was adopted, which includes a cross-sectional descriptive study using a checklist to collect data on the implementation of AIC measures in 22 primary and two secondary public HCFs in Puducherry, South India, between October 2020 and February 2021. Further, key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted among medical officers (MOs). The qualitative data were manually analyzed, and transcripts created from handwritten notes and audio recordings were deductively evaluated. Results: Of the twenty-four health facilities visited, 54.2% had infection control (IC) committees. Annual IC training was held for housekeeping staff, MOs, nurses, and laboratory technicians in 23 (95.8%), 21 (87.5%), 20 (83.4%), and 14 (58.4%) facilities, respectively. Respiratory symptomatic patients were counseled on cough etiquettes in 22 (91.6%) facilities. Adequate cross-ventilation was present in outpatient departments in 16 (66.6%) institutions. N95 masks and face shields were provided in 21 (87.5%) facilities. Training through the KAYAKALP program and the presence of a separate sputum collection area were facilitators of IC, while lack of patient adherence and delays in fund release were found as barriers. Conclusion: Overall, the AIC measures were well-implemented, but improvements are needed in infrastructure development for patient segregation in outpatient departments and dedicated AIC training for all healthcare personnel.
Evaluation of Environmentally Relevant Nitrated and Oxygenated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Honey

In this work, a novel analytical methodology for the extraction and determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon derivatives, nitrated (NPAH) and oxygenated (OPAH), in bee honey samples was developed. The extraction approach resulted in being straightforward, sustainable, and low-cost. It was based on a salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry determination (SALLE-UHPLC-(+)APCI-MS/MS). The following figures of merit were obtained, linearity between 0.8 and 500 ng g−1 for NPAH and between 0.1 and 750 ng g−1 for OPAH compounds, coefficients of determination (r2) from 0.97 to 0.99. Limits of detection (LOD) were from 0.26 to 7.42 ng g−1 for NPAH compounds and from 0.04 to 9.77 ng g−1 for OPAH compounds. Recoveries ranged from 90.6% to 100.1%, and relative standard deviations (RSD) were lower than 8.9%. The green assessment of the method was calculated. Thus, the Green Certificate allowed a classification of 87 points. This methodology was reliable and suitable for application in honey samples. The results demonstrated that the levels of nitro- and oxy-PAHs were higher than those reported for unsubstituted PAHs. In this sense, the production chain sometimes transforms foods as direct carriers of contaminants to consumers, representing a concern and demonstrating the need for routine control.
Search for supersymmetry using weak boson fusion processes in proton-proton collisions at the large hadron collider

In 2012, the Large Hadron Collider at CERN (LHC) collided protons at an unprecedented center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV. With data corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 19.7 fb−1, the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) collaboration is studying various Standard Model processes as well as searching for Beyond the Standard Model processes through a plethora of distinct projects. This dissertation searches for Supersymmetry using weak boson fusion processes. These processes provide a unique opportunity to access the electroweak sector of supersymmetry. Though well motivated, this search finds no excess above the Standard Model. Exclusion limits are obtained in the context of electroweakino masses at the 95% confidence level.
The Impact of the Wavelength and Its Transmittance on the Visual Evoked Potentials, at Baseline, and under the Effect of Six Monochromatic Filters Used for Visual Treatments

Purpose: This is an observational, non-invasive study which measures the VEPs of twelve individuals, at baseline, and under the effect of six monochromatic filters used in visual therapy, to understand their effect on neural activity to propose successful treatments. Methods: Monochromatic filters were chosen to represent the visible light spectrum, going from red to violet color, 440.5–731 nm, and light transmittance from 19 to 89.17%. Two of the participants presented accommodative esotropia. The impact of each filter, differences, and similarities among them, were analyzed using non-parametric statistics. Results: There was an increase on the N75 and P100 latency of both eyes and a decrease was on the VEP amplitude. The neurasthenic (violet), omega (blue), and mu (green) filter had the biggest effects on the neural activity. Changes may primarily be attributable to transmittance (%) for blue-violet colors, wavelength (nm) for yellow-red colors, and a combination of both for the green color. No significant VEPs differences were seen in accommodative strabismic patients, which reflects the good integrity and functionality of their visual pathway. Conclusions: Monochromatic filters, influenced the axonal activation and the number of fibers that get connected after stimulating the visual pathway, as well as the time needed for the stimulus to reach the visual cortex and thalamus. Consequently, modulations to the neural activity could be due to the visual and non-visual pathway. Considering the different types of strabismus and amblyopia, and their cortical-visual adaptations, the effect of these wavelengths should be explored in other categories of visual dysfunctions, to understand the neurophysiology underlying the changes on neural activity.
Experimental Investigation of Wake-Induced Bypass Transition Control by Surface Roughness

Surface roughness is experimentally used to control the flat-plate boundary layer bypass transition induced by an upstream convected two-dimensional (2D) circular cylinder wake. It is shown that the later stage of this bypass transition is successfully postponed, at the price of accelerating the earlier transition stage. A regularisation process of the hairpin vortices, which are the dominant coherent structures to promote the transition process, are observed under the influence of roughness elements. Significant scale reduction and localisation of these hairpins are achieved, which enhances the possibility of a hairpin self-annihilation process. Therefore, the cascade to large-scale structures in the later transition stage might be impeded/weakened.
The Paleoproterozoic Evolution of Basement Rocks of the Taebaeksan Basin, Korean Peninsula, and Their Correlation to Those of the Paleoproterozoic Massifs in the Korean Peninsula

The Korean Peninsula mainly comprises the Paleoproterozoic Gwanmo, Nangnim, Gyeonggi, and Yeongnam massifs from north to south. The Paleoproterozoic basement is rarely exposed in the Paleozoic Taebaeksan basin, which is located in the northeastern part of the Okcheon belt between the Gyeonggi and Yeongnam massifs. One of the most important issues in the tectonic interpretation of the Korean Peninsula is whether Paleoproterozoic rocks in the Taebaeksan basin have an affinity with those in the Gyeonggi or Yeongnam massifs. To solve this problem, we focused on the petrogenesis of the Imgye gabbroic diorite, Jungbongsan granite, and Jangsan quartzite in the Imgye area of the Taebaeksan basin. The Imgye gabbroic diorite shows mafic to intermediate compositions with slightly enriched LREEs compared to HREEs, slightly positive Rb, K, and Pb anomalies, and negative Ta, Nb, and P anomalies. The Imgye gabbroic diorite formed in a volcanic arc tectonic setting. The geochemical compositions of the Jungbongsan granite show enriched LREEs compared to HREEs with negative Eu anomalies, and reveal strong positive Rb, Th, K, and Pb anomalies with negative Ba, Ta, Nb, Sr, P, Eu, and Ti anomalies. This Jungbongsan granite also formed in an arc tectonic setting like the Imgye gabbroic diorite. LA-ICP-MS zircon age dating of the Imgye gabbroic diorite gives an intrusion age of 1948 ± 21 Ma, whereas SHRIMP U–Pb zircon age dating on the Jungbongsan granite yields an emplacement age of 1873 ± 14 Ma. The εHf(t) values of the Imgye gabbroic diorite are from 3.5 to 9.7, whereas those of the Jungbongsan granite are from −2.9 to 0.6. These data imply that the Imgye gabbroic diorite formed from a depleted mantle in the arc tectonic environment, whereas the Jungbongsan granite formed by reworking pre-existing crust material in the arc environment. The detrital zircons in the Jangsan quartzite show ages ranging from 3.06 to 1.85 Ga, with a peak concentration of ca. 2.5 Ga. Previous studies have suggested that the northern Gyeonggi and Nangnim massifs underwent collision-related magmatism and metamorphism at ca. 1.93–1.90 Ga, and then post-collisional magmatism and metamorphism at ca. 1.89–1.83 Ga, whereas the southern Gyeonggi massif underwent subduction-related magmatism and metamorphism at ca. 1.94–1.92 Ga, and then post-collision-related magmatism and metamorphism at ca. 1.84–1.78 Ga. By contrast, subduction-related events were recognized in the northern Yeongnam massif at ca 2.02–1.96 Ga and 1.90–1.85 Ga. This work, combined with the previous studies, suggests that the Paleoproterozoic basement in the Imgye area of the Taebaeksan basin can be correlated with the Paleoproterozoic basement of the northern Yeongnam massif rather than with those of the Nangnim and Gyeonggi massifs.
On the Collective Importance of Model Physics and Data Assimilation on Mesoscale Convective System and Precipitation Forecasts over Complex Terrain

Forecasting mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) and precipitation over complex terrain is an ongoing challenge even for convective permitting numerical models. Here, we show the value of combining mesoscale constraints to improve short-term MCS forecasts for two events during the North American monsoon season in 2013, including: 1) the initial specification of moisture, via GPS-precipitable water vapor (PWV) data assimilation (DA), 2) kinematics via modification of cumulus parameterization, and 3) microphysics via modification of cloud microphysics parameterization. A total of five convective-permitting Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) model experiments is conducted for each event to elucidate the impact of these constraints. Results show that combining GPS-PWV DA with a modified Kain-Fritsch scheme and double moment microphysics provides relatively the best forecast of both North American monsoon MCSs and convective precipitation in terms of timing, location, and intensity relative to available precipitation and cloud-top temperature observations. Additional examination on the associated reflectivity, vertical wind field, equivalent potential temperature, and hydrometeor distribution of MCS events show the added value of each individual constraint to forecast performance.
Impact of Crown Closure on Cone Production and Effective Number of Parents in Natural Stands of Taurus Cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.)

This study was carried out to estimate the effect of crown closure classes (degraded forest, low crown coverage, medium crown coverage, and full crown coverage) and growth characteristics (three heights, diameter at base, diameter at breast height, and crown diameter) on cone production and to estimate fertility variation and its allied parameters in 130-year-old natural populations of Taurus cedar, also called cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani A. Rich.). The effect of biotic (e.g., growth characteristics, crown closure) and abiotic (e.g., light penetration, temperature, humidity, and soil characteristics) factors on cone production, fertility variation, and gene diversity was evaluated in two consecutive years of Taurus cedar. The factors, viz., altitude, temperature, aspect, and rainfall, varied, while some of them could be managed by cultural operations such as management of the crown and stand density. The impact of crown closure on cone production, fertility variation, and related parameters were observed in Taurus cedar’s natural populations sampled from southern Turkey. Maximum cone productions of 29 and 40/tree were recorded with full crown closure in two consecutive years, due to significant differences among individuals within crown closure class. For instance, cone productions were between 10 and 67 in the full crown closure of the first year. The sibling coefficient, which is a measure of the fertility variation in a stand, was the highest (1.16) for the full crown closure in the first (meaning 86% fertile trees) and the second years (1.55, 65%), while it was the lowest for the medium crown closure (1.09, 92%) in both years. Gene diversity decreased from a degraded patch (0.987) to that with full crown closure (0.984). Results of variance analysis showed a significant (p ≤ 0.05) difference between crown closure classes for cone production within the second year and between years. Significant positive (p ≤ 0.05) correlations were noted between years for cone production (r = 0.22) and between cone production and crown closure in the first and second years (r = 0.29). However, growth characteristics had no effect on cone productions in individual crown closure classes, while there were significant (p ≤ 0.05) correlations between the diameter at breast height and cone production for both years (r = 0.15 and 0.17) in pooled populations.
Qui lemmatise dilemme attise

Après trente ans de controverses, le débat sur la lemmatisation s'apaise au moment où les programmes d'étiquetage et de codage grammatical sont enfin sur le marché. On s'emploie ici à comparer les résultats qu'on obtient pour un même corpus en traitant successivement les formes brutes, puis les données étiquetées, puis les lemmes dûment reconnus. Sur des données empruntées à des sources variées (programme Francil, monographie de Le Clézio, littérature latine recensée au LASLA), l'expérimentation montre que les méthodes se rejoignent lorsque la totalité du vocabulaire est prise en compte, notamment dans la mesure de la distance lexicale. Mais lorsque l'étude porte sur des distributions particulières, les données lemmatisées offrent une garantie supérieure.
The Coupled Motion of Containers and their Sloshing Liquid Loads

A mathematical approach is undertaken to determine the possible behaviour of fluid in containers of fairly simple geometry. The containers are initially assumed to be fixed, with the only motion under investigation being the oscillation of the fluid in the containers concerned. After this work has been carried out a simple linearised theory is used to obtain the coupled motion of the fluid and container, the container assumed to be on a smooth surface with no further constraints. Finally, in addition to the containers being allowed to move on a smooth surface, similar methods are used to approximate the same motion with the added constraint of a spring-like apparatus providing a restoring force to the system. All the motions described above are assumed time periodic and the valid frequencies of oscillation are determined in each case. c © Copyright by Carl Roberts, 2005
Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis to Evaluate Therapeutic Effectiveness of Interferon Beta-1b in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused havoc in the health sector. Inflammatory cytokines play an important role in the disease condition. Existing evidence has provided certain insights into the repurposing of the drugs. This meta-analysis and systematic review aimed to explore the efficacy of the administration of interferon beta-1b (IFN β-1b) and standard care versus only standard care as the therapeutic agent for managing COVID-19 patients who are severely ill. The search was conducted in the following databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, which were published during the period January 1, 2020, to February 16, 2023. All the included three studies were independently assessed for eligibility. The modified data extraction form of Cochrane were used. The quality of the three included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. GradePro software was used to summarize the quality grading of the primary outcome measures. The time taken for clinical improvement was (MD: -3.28 days; 95% CI: -5.65, -0.91; P value = 0.007) when treated with IFN β-1b. The duration of hospital stays (MD: -2.43 days; 95% CI: -4.45, -0.30; P value = 0.03), and need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission (RR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.52, 0.97; P value = 0.03) was statistically significant. Interferon beta-1b is proven to reduce the duration of hospital stay, and the improved clinical status may become a cornerstone of COVID-19 treatment.