Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship of superior mesenteric artery thrombus density with transmural intestinal necrosis on multidetector computed tomography in acute mesenteric ischemia.

Background Acute arterial occlusive mesenteric ischemia with transmural intestinal necrosis (TIN) is a fatal disease, which is difficult to diagnose on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) thrombus density with TIN on MDCT in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) due to SMA thromboembolism. Methods In this retrospective study, 33 patients who underwent abdominal MDCT and angiography for AMI due to SMA thromboembolism were divided into two groups: the AMI with TIN group and the AMI without TIN group. We analyzed the relationships of clinical characteristics, qualitative MDCT signs, and SMA thrombus density with TIN. The SMA thrombus density was measured on non-contrast MDCT. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the risk factors for predicting TIN. The diagnostic performances of risk factors were evaluated by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results Of the patients with AMI enrolled in this study, 33.3% (11/33) were diagnosed with TIN. Peritonitis (P=0.042), bowel wall thinning (P=0.033), and pneumatosis/portomesenteric gas (P=0.010) were significantly associated with TIN. AMI patients with TIN exhibited a higher SMA thrombus density than AMI patients without TIN [41.2±6.1 vs. 34.2±3.0 Hounsfield unit (HU), P=0.003]. Multivariate analysis showed that SMA thrombus density was an independent predictor of TIN [P=0.044, hazard ratio (HR): 1.82, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-3.25]. For diagnosing AMI with TIN, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of SMA thrombus density (0.83) was larger than those of peritonitis (0.68), bowel wall thinning (0.66), and pneumatosis/portomesenteric gas (0.71). Conclusions In patients with AMI, erythrocyte-rich thrombus blocking the SMA trunk which has a higher density on MDCT is prone to the occurrence of TIN compared with erythrocyte-scarce thrombus with a lower density. SMA thrombus density could be an independent risk factor for TIN in patients with AMI due to SMA thromboembolism.
High Expression of Caspase-8 Associated with Improved Survival in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Machine Learning and Artificial Neural Networks Analyses

High expression of the anti-apoptotic TNFAIP8 is associated with poor survival of the patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and one of the functions of TNFAIP8 is to inhibit the pro-apoptosis Caspase-8. We aimed to analyze the immunohistochemical expression of Caspase-8 (active subunit p18; CASP8) in a series of 97 cases of DLBCL from Tokai University Hospital, and to correlate with other Caspase-8 pathway-related markers, including cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved PARP, BCL2, TP53, MDM2, MYC, Ki67, E2F1, CDK6, MYB and LMO2. After digital image quantification, the correlation with several clinicopathological characteristics of the patients showed that high protein expression of Caspase-8 was associated with a favorable overall and progression-free survival (Hazard Risks = 0.3; p = 0.005 and 0.03, respectively). Caspase-8 also positively correlated with cCASP3, MDM2, E2F1, TNFAIP8, BCL2 and Ki67. Next, the Caspase-8 protein expression was modeled using predictive analytics, and a high overall predictive accuracy (>80%) was obtained with CHAID decision tree, Bayesian network, discriminant analysis, C5 tree, logistic regression, and Artificial Intelligence Neural Network methods (both Multilayer perceptron and Radial basis function); the most relevant markers were cCASP3, E2F1, TP53, cPARP, MDM2, BCL2 and TNFAIP8. Finally, the CASP8 gene expression was also successfully modeled in an independent DLBCL series of 414 cases from the Lymphoma/Leukemia Molecular Profiling Project (LLMPP). In conclusion, high protein expression of Caspase-8 is associated with a favorable prognosis of DLBCL. Predictive modeling is a feasible analytic strategy that results in a solution that can be understood (i.e., explainable artificial intelligence, “white-box” algorithms).
Calculation of maximum crack width for practical design of reinforced concrete

Correspondence Dirk Schlicke, Graz University of Technology, Institute of Structural Concrete, Graz, Austria. Email: dirk.schlicke@tugraz.at Abstract Cracks are an essential characteristic of reinforced concrete (RC) construction. Serviceability and durability, however, require a reasonable limitation of the maximum crack width. The prediction of the maximum crack width of RC, however, is not trivial and has been much debated over the past decades. This article starts with a fundamental comparison of basic procedures for determining the crack width, namely using a mechanical or calibrated model. Following, the behavior of reinforced concrete during crack formation is thoroughly discussed with a focus on the bond stress-slip relation at the reinforcement-concrete interface and with regard to the particular crack stage. Based on these fundamentals, a mechanical calculation model is then proposed for practical calculation of maximum crack width in RC members. The suitability of the proposed model is demonstrated by the comparison of predicted and experimentally obtained maximum crack widths for a database including 460 crack width measurements. It is shown that the current state of knowledge enables a mechanically plausible calculation of the maximum crack width. Although the formulation based on the bond law is not trivial, the calculation model can be prepared with appropriate simplifications in a practical way.
Distance‐based formation control for multi‐lane autonomous vehicle platoons

This paper investigates the formation control of connected autonomous vehicle (CAV) pla-toons moving in multi lanes using distance-based formation control techniques based on rigid graphs and V2V communication. A hierarchical architecture is proposed to decompose the cooperative control into velocity planning and vehicle dynamic control. A new velocity planning method is ﬁrst developed via a distributed distance-based formation controller so that each vehicle can keep platoon and change lane. Then, for the vehicle dynamics with nonlinearities and bounded disturbances, an adaptive controller is designed for regulating driving/braking torque to achieve the longitudinal velocity output of the velocity planner. The steering controller is designed to adjust the yaw angle of each vehicle to track and change lanes. Furthermore, stability analysis is conducted based on the Lyapunov theory. Finally, the applications of the proposed control designs to various of automated highway system (AHS) scenarios including lane-change, curve lane and platoon overtaking, are simulated and numerically analysed to validate the effectiveness of theoretical results.
Evaluation of the Efficiency of Ceramic Water Filter Improved by Dried Duckweed Plant (Lemna minor) in Wastewater Treatment

The lack of clean water sources due to pollution and industrialisation is a major problem in many countries including Nigeria. To overcome this challenge, various methods have been adopted including phytoremediation treatment. This study evaluates dried duckweed an aquatic plant and its removal efficiency in comparison with other locally available treatment materials. This was achieved by formulating ceramic water filters (C.W.F) categorized into four different typesclay and kaolin(P1), clay, kaolin and sawdust(P2), clay, kaolin and charcoal(P3) and clay, kaolin and duckweed(P4). These filters were subjected to contaminated water and the following physicochemical parameters Colour, pH, Conductivity(Ec), Fluoride(F), Magnesium(Mg), Nitrites(NO2 ), Sulphates (SO4 2), Ammonia (NH3) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Total Nitrogen were determined before and after filtration. In all the ceramic water filters, the filter improved by duckweed showed the best removal efficiency of Colour – 100%, Conductivity(Ec) 72.60%, Fluoride(F)99.82%, Magnesium(Mg 2+ )51.68% Nitrites(NO2 )-92.34, Sulphates (SO4 2)Original Research Article Osemeahon et al.; AJEE, 14(3): 36-43, 2021; Article no.AJEE. 65955 37 46.09%, Ammonia (NH3)-98.75%, and Total Suspended Solids (TSS)85.43% and Total Nitrogen (TN) -83.79% indicating that duckweed is capable of adsorbing inorganic and organic pollutants from water.
Carbon Storage of Single Tree and Mixed Tree Dominant Species Stands in a Reserve Forest—Case Study of the Eastern Sub-Himalayan Region of India

In recent decades, carbon (C) management is an important point on the agenda to identify the best viable mitigation strategies for its reduction. The study was conducted at Jaldapara National Park located in the Eastern Himalayan region of India. The study quantified litter production, decomposition, periodic nutrient release, soil fertility status, and soil organic carbon (SOC) of five major forest stands i.e., Tectona grandis (TGDS), Shorea robusta (SRDS), Michelia champaca (MCDS), Lagerstroemia parviflora (LPDS) and miscellaneous stand (MS). A stratified random nested quadrate method was adopted for sample collection. Results reveal that the greatest amount of litter production and decomposition was under MCDS followed by MS, LPDS, SRDS, and the smallest under TGDS. The material annual turnover through litter decomposition in all the stands varies between 96.46% and 99.34%. The content and amount of the available nutrients in litter varied significantly among the stands. Moreover, release of these nutrients was nearly equal to the amount available in the initial litter mass. In general, the magnitude of the total nutrient return was in the same order as the total litter fall and the nutrient availability was more closely related to litter nutrient content and soil organic carbon. The range of pH (4.86–5.16), EC (0.34–0.50), soil moisture (27.01–31.03) and available primary nutrients (N: (0.21–0.26 Mg/ha), P: (0.09–0.12 Mg/ha), K: (0.13–0.14 Mg/ha)) also varied significantly among the stands. Significant positive correlations were observed between SOC, N and K. Both the fertility indices exhibited no definite pattern in the stands but a significant correlation between the two indicates the healthy soil fertility status of the stands. SOC varies significantly under different forest stands, but the greatest content was found under MS. The estimated SOC ranges between 75.9 and 107.7 Mg ha−1 up to 60 cm and is reported to be below the Indian average of 182.94 Mg ha−1. The present study strongly recommends that Tectona grandis, Shorea robusta, Michelia champaca, and Lagerstroemia parviflora should be the important commercial timbers of the Eastern Himalayan region because they may help further to increase the C sink in agricultural and degraded landscapes.
Have International Sanctions Impacted Iran’s Environment?

Economic sanctions have been actively used against Iran in the last four decades. In response to sanctions, Iran has adopted a range of survivalist policies with notable environmental implications. This study provides the first extensive overview of the unintended environmental impacts of international economic sanctions on Iran. It is argued that while sanctions are certainly not the root cause of Iran’s major environmental problems, they have had an undeniable impact on Iran’s environment by: (1) restricting its access to technology, service, and know-how; (2) blocking international environmental aid; and (3) increasing the natural resource-intensity of its economy. Sanctions have effectively limited Iran’s economic growth and its ability to decouple its economy from natural resources, thereby growing the role of natural resources in Iran’s political economy. Overall, sanctions have made economic production much costlier to its environment, which is not currently considered a priority in the policy agenda of the Iranian leaders who manage the country in survival mode while aggressively pursuing their ideology. The study calls for increased attention to the overlooked environmental impacts of sanctions on Iran with major health, justice, and human rights implications that could be transgenerational and transboundary.
The Use of Strategic Noise in Reactive Impression Management: How Do Market Reactions Matter?

Management scholars have argued and demonstrated that firms use strategic noise as an anticipatory form of impression management to minimize the effect of a potential negative reaction to an event of interest. In this study, we contribute to the impression management literature by exploring how both positive and negative strategic noise may intercede in the process of reactive impression management. We argue that in reactive impression management, since firms already know the initial market reaction to a focal event, they can “strategically” release subsequent positive and/or negative strategic noise depending upon the direction and magnitude of the initial market reaction to the focal event. Using a sample of 7,575 mergers and acquisitions from 2001 to 2015 that represent our focal events, we find strong evidence to support our arguments.
GIS and remote sensing-based assessment of soil erosion risk using RUSLE model in South-Kivu province, eastern, Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract Soil erosion risk assessment in South-Kivu longs for the colonial epoch, while the province faces the problem of extreme degradation of land in the form of soil erosion. Thus, the study attempts to assess the soil erosion at the province level using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) in conjunction with the Geographical Information System (GIS), and remote sensing data. The estimated total soil erosion was 2.084 million tons; with an annual average of 138.2 t ha−1 yr−1. Moreover, the soil loss greater than 100 t ha−1 yr−1 accounts for 45.2% of the total erosive land. The soil erosion worsening nearly the entire territories range between 87 t ha−1 yr−1 in Shabunda to 248 t ha−1 yr−1 in Uvira. Under high aggressiveness of rainfall with mean of 1857.19 mm/y, the highest rate found in Perennial crop, Trees, and Cropland in contrast to Shrub and closed Forest was mainly due to the mean slope of 22% found in the former Land cover categories compared to 17% of Shrubland and closed forest. The adoption of terracing could reduce by 76% the current rate of cropland i.e., from (162.12 t ha−1 yr−1 to 38 t ha−1 yr−1). Therefore it is strongly recommended.
Working from Home during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Health and Well-Being of Project-Based Construction Workers

In the ongoing attempt to prevent the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus and flatten the curve, governments and employers have encouraged (and in some cases required) workers to work at home This sudden widespread shift to home-based teleworking was not anticipated Consequently, the ability to make provisions to ensure the health and safety of workers was limited Further, in many cases, the shift to working at home has been involuntary and likely to continue for an extended period The study presented in this paper aimed to examine the health and well-being experiences in a sample of professional/managerial workers who were engaged in teleworking as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic situation developed Data were collected from workers in the Australian construction industry who were required to work from home on alternate weeks to reduce the number of people in project offices A multiwave survey was conducted at three construction projects Longitudinal analysis of the data indicated a consistent gradual decline in the mental well-being of participants The analysis identified a positive and significant relationship between work-life satisfaction and mental well-being and indicated that the effects of work hours, work pressure, work engagement, and work-life interference on mental well-being were mediated by the extent to which participants were satisfied with their work-life balance Combining these results with qualitative comments made by participants helped to understand their varying experiences during the pandemic and the impact on their mental well-being The results highlight the importance of considering work-life satisfaction and creating opportunities for improved work-family balance when designing teleworking arrangements The paper contributes to knowledge and practice by providing the evidence that helps organizations to maximize the health benefits and reduce the risks associated with home-based working during (and potentially beyond) the pandemic © 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers
Engagement at the margins: Investigating how marginalized teens use digital media for political participation

This study investigates the information and participatory political practices of marginalized youth via four focus groups with 23 teens (aged 13–17 years) from two geographically distinct regions of the United States to address this limited understanding. The findings indicate that teens encounter political information and news from members of their social networks via digital media more than legacy media outlets, because it enables them to assert agency over social and political issues to which they feel connected. Furthermore, teens identify a tension between viewing adults, specifically teachers and politicians, as authoritative yet untrustworthy information sources, which can lead to their use of digital media to verify or challenge what adults are telling them. Finally, teens must navigate the sociotechnical challenges of digital media, including exposure to unwanted information and the potential social backlash of posting content that could be considered by others to represent slacktivism.
My way or the highway: Narcissism and dysfunctional team conflict processes

Individuals higher in grandiose narcissism strive to create and maintain their inflated self-views through self-aggrandizing and other-derogating behaviors. Drawing from the dual-process model of narcissistic admiration and rivalry, we proposed that individuals higher in narcissism may contribute to more competitive and less cooperative conflict processes. We tracked over 100 project design teams from inception to dissolution, gathering data at three time points. We evaluated how team levels of narcissism (i.e., maximum team score, team mean, and team variance) related to latent team means of cooperative and competitive conflict processes. Team mean scores of narcissistic rivalry corresponded to less cooperative and more competitive team conflict processes as teams approached their final project deadline. Our results show how narcissistic rivalry (but not admiration) alters the types of team conflict processes that arise within groups, and is particularly consequential as teams approach major project deadlines.
Effects of Ethinyl Estradiol in Combined Oral Contraceptives on Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis in Ectopic Endometrial Tissue: A Randomized Controlled Study

Objective: Since endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease; therefore, combined oral contraceptives (COCs) may not be the best choice for the treatment of endometriosis. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of ethinyl estradiol (EE) and desogestrel (DSG) in COCs on cell proliferation and apoptosis in ectopic endometrial tissue as compared to DSG alone. Materials and methods: Forty-five women of reproductive age with at least one endometriotic cyst were recruited into this single-blind randomized controlled trial study and randomly divided equally into three groups. EE-DSG and DSG groups received EE (0.03 mg) and DSG (0.15 mg) or DSG alone daily for 28-35 days before surgery. The control group was prescribed nothing. Endometriotic cyst tissues were collected during ovarian cystectomy for immunohistochemistry. Results: Levels of Ki-67 positive cells in the ectopic endometrial tissue of the EE-DSG group were significantly higher than the DSG group (median [IQR]; 1.4[1.2] vs 0.6 [0.7], P <0.016). There were significantly more TUNEL-positive cells in the EE-DSG group compared to the DSG group (median [IQR]; 2.8[0.7] vs 1.8[1.4], P < 0.016, respectively). Moreover, the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the EE-DSG and DSG groups were significantly higher than the control (median [IQR]; 2.8[0.7] vs 0.2[0.2] and 1.8[1.4] vs 0.2[0.2], P <0.016). The levels of cells that positively stained for Bcl2 were not different among all groups. Conclusion: Progestin alone increased cell apoptosis in ectopic endometria. However, concurrent EE in COCs enhanced proliferation and promoted a greater apoptotic effect in ectopic endometria compared to progestin alone.
Quantifying decadal volumetric changes along sandy beaches using improved historical aerial photographic models and contemporary data

Technological advances have reinvigorated the aerial photogrammetric technique using both historical and contemporary imagery, and fostered new perspectives in geomorphology studies. On sandy beaches, however, the dynamic processes, the lack of tonal contrast and reduced texture, make the application of photogrammetry extremely more difficult than in most other landscapes. This study quantifies decadal volumetric changes along the beaches of the Great Ocean Road, Australia, using improved digital surface models (DSMs) derived from structure‐from‐motion (SfM) photogrammetry applied to historical archives and a contemporary unmanned aerial vehicle survey. Alongside surficial sediment analysis, this approach demonstrates the potential to relate present‐day to historical morphological changes at sandy beaches worldwide. The discussion highlights the influence of photographic scale, lens distortions, ground control points in segmented blocks, and the use of shoreline as a proxy of volumetric change. DSMs were derived using datasets obtained in 1946, 1966, 1971, 1977, 1986 and 2019, and compared to a 2007 light detection and ranging (LiDAR)‐derived DSM. The emerging approach produced suitable DSMs for volumetric analysis, except for the 1946 dataset, which had the smallest scale and was significantly vertically offset. Volumetric losses of up to 60 m3/m of beach length were calculated for parts of Mounts Bay between 1977 and 2007, and up to 21 m3/m in recent years. At Apollo Bay, the construction of the port in the early 1950s significantly impacted the natural longshore drift to the beach. The adjacent stretch of coastline accreted at a rate of ~35 m3/m between 1966 and 2007, as a function of dredge disposal and changes in sediment transport, whereas a maximum volumetric loss of ~47 m3/m was detected further north between 1977 and 2007. A volume of ~71,330 ± 15,200 m3 was lost from the system from 2007 to 2019, despite the continued deposition along the northern section of the beach.
Academic Dishonesty in Islamic Primary Schools

This research aimed to find out the forms and factors of academic dishonesty during the time of doing a task or test on Islamic Primary School Students in central Java, Indonesia. There were 7 informants in this research consisting of 4 primary informants that involved students from fourth, fifth, and sixth grades, and 3 secondary informants that involved homeroom teachers of the primary informants. This was qualitative research with a case study approach whose data were collected using interviews. The results showed that the forms of students' academic dishonesty included copying the answers, cheating, having their homework done by someone else, asking for and giving the answers, cooperating in cheating, correcting answers, bringing some notes, and lying about doing the assignments. Meanwhile, the factors that caused students to commit those dishonesties were low self-confidence, low internal motivation, gender, low control, unpreparedness for the test, conformity, and the ease of technology.