Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Circulation conservation in the outflow of warm conveyor belts and consequences for Rossby wave evolution

Rossby waves on the jet stream are associated with meridional motions, displacing air and the strong potential vorticity (PV) gradient on isentropic surfaces. Poleward motion along sloping isentropic surfaces typically results in ascent and a ridge of air with low PV values. Latent heating in the ascending warm conveyor belt (WCB) enables air to cross isentropic surfaces so that the WCB outflow into a ridge occurs in a higher isentropic layer than the inflow. However, the PV impermeability theorem states that there can be no PV flux across isentropic surfaces, so how can heating alter the PV pattern of a Rossby wave? Here, the ways in which heating in WCBs can influence Rossby wave evolution at tropopause level are explained in the context of the PV impermeability theorem. First, a WCB outflow volume is defined by the upper tropospheric air in a ridge that has experienced net heating over the last few days, using a tracer within short global model forecasts. Second, the boundary of this outflow volume is tracked backwards using isentropic trajectories allowing quantification of the degree to which circulation is conserved, as predicted by theory, even though the WCB transports mass into the volume from lower isentropic layers. This diabatic flux of mass into the outflow volume results in an increase in density and expansion in the outflow area, the partition being determined approximately by PV inversion. The area expansion, combined with conservation of circulation, implies stronger anticyclonic vorticity. The relative vorticity change from divergent outflow can be as large as the decrease relative to the background planetary vorticity associated with poleward displacement of the circuit. The additional anticyclonic relative motion results in enhanced anticyclonic overturning of PV contours on the eastern flank of the ridge, altering qualitatively the nonlinear evolution of the Rossby wave.
A comparative study on pyrolysis characteristics of bituminous coal and low-rank coal using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)

ABSTRACT This study aims to compare the pyrolysis characteristics of low-rank coal and bituminous coal with the elemental composition using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) at the heating rates of 10, 20, 30, and 40 K/min in the temperature range 30–950°C. Friedman’s method was used to find out the kinetic parameters such as activation energy and pre-exponential factor. The average value of activation energy for bituminous coal was found to be between 46.24 and 420.00 kJ/mol and for low-rank coal it was 42.321 kJ/mol. These experimental results may be useful for the utilization of low-rank coal.
A Multilevel Analysis of Risk and Protective Factors for Adolescent Childbearing in Malawi

Although teenage pregnancy and childbearing has declined throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the recent increase in teenage pregnancy in countries such as Malawi has prompted interest from social researchers. Using Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS) data from 2004 to 2015, this study employs multilevel logistic regression to examine the magnitude of change over time in risk and protective factors for teenage childbearing. During this period, teenage childbearing declined from 36.1% (C.I.: 31.5–36.7) in 2004 to 25.6% (C.I.: 24.0–27.3) in 2010 before increasing to 29.0% (C.I.: 27.4–30.7) in 2015. Age and being married (compared to never married) were consistently significantly associated with increased odds of teenage childbearing. However, delaying sexual debut, attaining secondary education, belonging to the richest quintile and rural residence offered protective effects against early motherhood, while Muslim affiliation (compared to Christian denominations) was associated with increased likelihood of teenage childbearing among adolescents. Teenage childbearing remains high in the country, largely influenced by adolescents’ early sexual debut and child marriage—risk factors that have hardly changed over time. While individual socioeconomic predictors are useful in explaining the apparent high risk of adolescent fertility among specific subgroups in Malawi, sustained declines in teenage childbearing were not evident at district level.
A retrospective study of the epidemiology and histological subtypes of ovarian epithelial neoplasms at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital

Background Epithelial ovarian neoplasms constitute the majority of ovarian tumours and are the most common malignant ovarian neoplasm. They are the eighth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. This study evaluated the epidemiology and histological subtypes of epithelial ovarian neoplasms at a single institution. Methods This retrospective, quantitative analysis evaluated 123 epithelial ovarian neoplasms between 2013 and 2017 and classified them according to age, biological behaviour and histological subtype. Results Of 123 cases, 64 (52.0%), tumours were benign, 30 (24.4%) were borderline and 29 (23.6%) tumours were malignant. Serous cystadenoma was the most common benign tumour (42.2%). Mucinous borderline tumours were the most common borderline neoplasm (50.0%). High-grade serous carcinoma was the most common carcinoma (58.6%). Patients presented at an older age with borderline tumours and malignant tumours, compared with patients with benign tumours. Conclusion The current study demonstrated that serous tumours were the most common type of benign and malignant tumours whilst mucinous neoplasms were the commonest subtype of borderline tumours. These findings are congruent with multiple similar studies. A higher number of borderline tumours were seen in this cohort in comparison with previous studies. This suggests a need for additional sampling of borderline tumours, over and above the international standard, in our population, to definitively exclude invasive malignancy. This study also demonstrated the histological progression of benign serous and mucinous tumours to borderline tumours and low-grade serous carcinoma and mucinous carcinoma, respectively, which supports the stepwise tumour progression model of these tumours.
Degradation of Hydrocarbons and Lignin-like compounds by Alcaligenes sp. strain 3k isolated from Ilorin

The primary goal of this study was to isolate hydrocarbon-degrading organisms and assess their ability to bioremediate petroleum-contaminated soil and water. Nigeria is one of the major oil producing countries and petroleum contamination is widespread in agricultural soil. Alcaligenes sp. strain 3k was isolated from a kerosene-polluted soil in Ilorin, Nigeria. We also assessed its ability to degrade plant lignin, as lignin is a complex aromatic heteropolymer commonly found in soil and aquifer environment. Strain 3k was originally grown on mineral salts medium with kerosene as a sole energy and carbon source. The capacity of the isolate to degrade both aromatic, aliphatic hydrocarbons and lignin-like compounds was tested. Among the tested compounds, the organism utilized kerosene, hexadecane, cyclohexane, phenol and benzoate as the sole sources of carbon. In addition, strain 3k also degraded various lignocellulose compounds as the sole source of carbon. However, hexane, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene were not metabolized. Our study demonstrates that soil organisms like Alcaligenes could play important role in the reclamation of petroleum-contaminated soil and water. Utilization capacity of lignin as the sole carbon source suggest that these organisms can survive on plant detritus and also have the ability to degrade hydrocarbons upon accidental or deliberate contamination of agricultural soil and water.
Intrusive or Relevant? Exploring How Consumers Avoid Native Facebook Ads through Decomposed Persuasion Knowledge

Abstract This study investigates the mechanism underlying how consumers cope with native advertising on the Facebook newsfeed, particularly focusing on ad avoidance. Native ads on Facebook have unique features in that they are both intrusive and relevant to users. Study 1 (survey: N = 501) decomposed a persuasion knowledge construct into dispositional, conceptual, and attitudinal features to address how multidimensional constructs of persuasion knowledge are associated with ad avoidance in response to the intrusiveness and relevance of native advertising. Study 2 (experiment: N = 157) employed a 2 × 2 between-subject experimental design to examine causal relationships between the same variables. The results of both studies revealed that dispositional persuasion knowledge was more significant than situational factors in activating conceptual and attitudinal persuasion knowledge. Conceptual persuasion knowledge directly increased ad avoidance. Contrary to expectations, attitudes toward native ads did not play any intermediary role between persuasion knowledge and native ad avoidance. Implications are discussed.
Short‐ and long‐term effects of nutrient enrichment on salt marsh plant production and microbial community structure

Nutrient enrichment impacts ecosystems globally. Population history, especially past resource environments, of numerically dominant plant species may affect their responses to subsequent changes in nutrient availability. Eutrophication can also alter plant–microbe interactions via direct effects on associated microbial communities or indirect effects on dominant species’ biomass production/allocation as a result of modified plant–soil interactions. We combined a greenhouse common garden and a field reciprocal transplant of a salt marsh foundation species (Spartina alterniflora) within a long‐term, whole‐ecosystem, nutrient‐enrichment study to determine whether enrichment affects plant production and microbial community structure differently depending on plant population history. For the greenhouse portion, we collected 20 S. alterniflora genotypes—10 from an enriched creek that had received elevated nutrient inputs for 10 years and 10 from an unenriched reference creek—and reared them in a common garden for 1 year. For the field portion, we conducted a 2‐year, fully crossed reciprocal transplant experiment with two gardens each at the enriched and unenriched sites; we examined the effects of source site (i.e. population history), garden site and plant genotype. After 2 years, plants in enriched gardens had higher above‐ground biomass and altered below‐ground allocation compared to plants in unenriched gardens. However, performance also depended on plant population history: plants from the enriched site had decreased above‐ground and rhizome production compared to plants from the unenriched site, most notably in unenriched gardens. In addition, almost all above‐ and below‐ground traits varied depending on plant genotypic identity. Effects of nutrient enrichment on the associated microbial community were also pronounced. Following 1 year in common garden, microbial community structure varied by plant population history and S. alterniflora genotypic identity. However, at the end of the reciprocal transplant, microbial communities differed primarily between enriched and unenriched gardens. Synthesis. Nutrient enrichment can impact plant foundation species and associated soil microbes in the short term. Most importantly, nutrient enrichment can also have long‐lasting effects on plant populations and associated microbial communities that potentially compromise their ability to respond to changing resource conditions in the future.
Effect of Alkali Treatment on Interfacial and Mechanical Properties of Kenaf Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Unidirectional Composites

Kenaf fibres demonstrate enormous potential in fibre reinforced composites with the excellent performance and environmental benefits. In this work, kenaf fibres were treated with NaOH at the concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 3%. Effects of the alkaline treatments on the mechanical properties of fibre and interfacial shear properties (IFSS) of the resulted composites were systematically evaluated. In addition, relationship between tensile strength and surface friction coefficient of kenaf fibre was shown. Relationship between tensile strength of fibre and IFSS of composites were explored. They were conducted by correlation analysis method. The results indicated that after NaOH treatment, kenaf fibres has increased in tensile strength, surface roughness, friction coefficient, but decreased in diameter. Tensile properties, flexural properties and water absorption of unidirectional kenaf fibre reinforced epoxy resin composites have improved. IFSS of composite treated at 2% alkali has increased by 10.34%, compared to composites untreated fibres. Correlation analysis indicated that there was no significant correlation between kenaf fibre tensile strength and IFSS of the composite. On the other hand, there was significant correlation between kenaf fibre surface friction and the IFSS of the composite with the correlation coefficient of 0.905.
Qualitative analysis of the implementation of a hospital room service in a large metropolitan hospital: foundations for transformation

ABSTRACT Introduction and aims: Room service is a hospital meal service model with demonstrated improved nutrition intake, reduced wastage and cost benefits in some settings compared with traditional models. However, uptake across public hospital settings appears low; the underlying reasons require exploration. In 2019, room service was introduced in a Queensland Hospital and Health Service site. The aim of this article is to identify the barriers and enablers to implementing room service to provide recommendations for future implementation of this model. Methods: The current qualitative descriptive study utilized semistructured interviews with project members and key stakeholders involved in implementation of the room service meal delivery model at the Prince Charles Hospital (Queensland, Australia). A convenience sample of participants were recruited. Interviews explored project experiences from commencement to completion, barriers and enablers to implementation, strategies to overcome challenges and recommendations for implementation at other sites. Interviews were coded to identify themes and subthemes. Results: Nine participants were interviewed. Key themes with associated subthemes were (1) foundations of transformation, (2) navigating implementation and (3) embedding sustainable practices. Conclusion: The current study adds rich information to understand factors that support the implementation of a room service model in a large public hospital. Future implementation of room service should not only consider measuring quantifiable outcomes, but also the importance of qualitative descriptive studies surveying project members and key stakeholders to further explore experiences, barriers and enablers to implementation and develop strategies to overcome challenges to assist further sites implement this model.
Effect of Cu, Ni and Pb doping on the photo-electrochemical activity of ZnO thin films

In the present study, the effects of metallic doping on the photoelectron\chemical properties of zinc oxide thin films have been studied. All films have been deposited using the spray pyrolysis technique at a constant doping level of 3 wt% whereby Cu, Ni, and Pb were used as dopants. The structure of all films was studied by X-ray diffraction which showed the grain size of all doped films to be 50 nm. The energy band gap of all films was estimated using optical transmission spectroscopy. The Ni, Cu, and Pb-doped ZnO photoelectrodes were applied for the photoelectrochemical (PEC) H2 generation from H2O. Pb doping leads to the highest photocurrent of the ZnO photoelectrodes. The current density–potential characteristics were measured under white light and monochromatic illumination. The stability of the electrode was quantified as a function of the number of H2 production runs and exposure time. Finally, the incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency, IPCE, and applied bias photon-to-current efficiency, ABPE, were calculated. The optimum IPCE at 390 nm was ∼30% whereas the ABPE was 0.636 at 0.5 V.
One-step green synthesis and characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles using aqueous leaf extract of Teucrium polium and their catalytic application in dye degradation

Green synthesis of materials have received increasing attentions in the field of nanotechnology due to its characteristics of low-cost, high-efficiency, non-toxicity, and eco-friendly manner. In the present study, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were successfully synthesized using aqueous leaf extract of Teucrium polium as a low-cost and simple green technique to evaluate their effective applicability as dye degradation nanomaterial. The synthesis part comprises the reaction of Fe3+ to obtain spherical-shaped iron oxide nanoparticles with sizes in the range of 5.68 to 30.29 nm, which were further characterized using various techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), particle size analysis (PSA), x-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Additionally, the dye degradation activity of these nanoparticles was studied with the degradation of model dye methyl orange (MO). Remarkably, the results showed that the green synthesized IONPs were able to decolorize MO dye with 73.6% efficiency in a 6-h reaction, and so have the potential to serve as effective catalyst for environmental remediation.
Medical Student Summer Externship Program: Increasing the Number Matching in Family Practice

Abstract: Background and Objectives. The number of US allopathic medical school graduates choosing a residency in family medicine has fallen from 13.4% in 1999 to 10.5% in 2002. Concern about declining numbers has led to the development of programs to provide medical students exposure to family medicine outside the clerkship. This paper reports on the development and longitudinal achievements of a clinical summer externship program 1993 to 1999. Methods. The program description, practice settings, students’ experiences, and department commitment are described. The purpose of this prospective study is to determine the percentage of family medicine summer externship participants (n=115) who match into family medicine. Results. During the six years studied, 49 (43.4%) of the participants matched into family medicine. Program participants viewed the program favorably, mean = 5.82 out of 6. Conclusions. The Ohio State University Department of Family Medicine Medical Student Summer Externship Program demonstrates an effective educational experience that can increase and/or attain the proportion of students going into family medicine at the time of graduation.
Investigation of cyberchondria level and digital literacy on women in Turkey

ABSTRACT This study aims to examine the effect of women’s perceptions of digital literacy on their cyberchondria levels and determine whether their digital literacy perceptions and cyberchondria levels differ according to some socio-demographic characteristics. Data were collected in the Internet environment from 740 women living in Turkey via surveys generated through Google Forms within the study. According to the correlation analysis results, positive and weak relations were found between cyberchondria levels and digital literacy. According to the regression model, the increase in the participants’ perceptions of digital literacy statistically increases their cyberchondria levels. It was also determined that women’s digital literacy scores show statistically significant differences according to age, marital status, educational level, place of residence, and internet usage. On the other hand, it has been determined that the cyberchondria levels of women show significant differences according to their education and income levels. Cyberchondriac behavior demonstrates that digital transformation in health can reveal its negative consequences. For this reason, it is very important to provide training to women on digital literacy and to raise awareness about what needs to be considered in terms of accessing health-related information in these trainings. In addition, it is considered vital to take measures to reduce the anxiety of those who show cyberchondria behavior and to raise awareness that this is a serious problem. Thus, possible mental health problems can be reduced by preventing cyberchondriac behaviors.
Salt Weathering of Natural Stone: A Review of Comparative Laboratory Studies

Natural stone is an important component of historical heritage (buildings and art objects such as sculptures or rock engravings), and it is still widely used in contemporary works. Soluble salts are the main erosive agent in the built environment, and we review here comparative studies that subject the same rock type to testing with different salt solutions. The results mostly support the accepted notion of the major impact of sodium sulphate, although there are some exceptions. The effects of sodium chloride and calcium sulphate deserve specific discussion given field information on the relevance of these specific salts in the built environment. We relate the information collected to the issues of risk assessment (considering both geochemical conditions and salt effects) and conservation interventions (highlighting the interest of tests that do not produce damage to susceptible materials) and present some methodological suggestions to avoid a case study culture.
Symptoms of PTSD and Depression among Central American Immigrant Youth

The aim of this paper is to explore the mental health challenges that Central American immigrant youth face before and after arriving in the United States. This population is hard to reach, marginalized, and disproportionately exposed to trauma from a young age. This paper investigates the mental health stressors experienced by Central American immigrant youth and asylum seekers, including unaccompanied minors, surveyed in the U.S. in 2017. This mixed methods study uses qualitative data from interviews along with close-ended questions and the validated PHQ-8 Questionnaire and the Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS). These new migrants face numerous challenges to mental health, increased psychopathological risk exacerbated by high levels of violence and low state-capacity in their countries of origin, restrictive immigration policies, the fear of deportation for themselves and their family members, and the pressure to integrate once in the U.S. We find that Central American youth have seen improvements in their self-reported mental health after migrating to the U.S., but remain at risk of further trauma exposure, depression, and PTSD. We find that they exhibit a disproportionate likelihood of having lived through traumatizing experiences that put them at higher risk for psychological distress and disorders that may create obstacles to integration. These can, in turn, create new stressors that exacerbate PTSD, depression, and anxiety. These conditions can be minimized through programs that aid immigrant integration and mental health.