Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Environmental life cycle assessment of railway bridge materials using UHPFRC

Abstract The railway infrastructure is a very important component of the world’s total transportation network. Investment in its construction and maintenance is significant on a global scale. Previously published life cycle assessment (LCA) studies performed on road and rail systems very seldom included infrastructures in detail, mainly choosing to focus on vehicle manufacturing and fuel consumption. This article presents results from an environmental study for railway steel bridge materials for the demonstration case of the Buna Bridge in Croatia. The goal of these analyses was to compare two different types of remediation works for railway bridges with different materials and construction types. In the first part, the environmental impact of the classical concrete bridge construction was calculated, whereas in the second one, an alternative new solution, namely, the strengthening of the old steel bridge with ultra-high-performance fibre-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) deck, was studied. The results of the LCA show that the new solution with UHPFRC deck gives much better environmental performance. Up to now, results of LCA of railway open lines, railway bridges and tunnels have been published, but detailed analyses of the new solution with UHPFRC deck above the old bridge have not previously been performed.
Investigation of high-energy ultrasonication of RE 2BaCuO5 (RE = Y, Gd) on the growth and superconducting properties of REBa2Cu3O7−δ top-seeded melt textured bulks

Recently, an improvement in the flux pinning performance of REBa2Cu3O7−δ (REBCO) bulk was achieved employing high energy ultrasonic irradiation (up to 300 W and 60 min) prior to the infiltration-growth process. Here, we demonstrate that a higher ultrasonic power and shorter duration treatment (450 W for 30 min) of the RE 2BaCuO5 (RE211, RE= Y, Gd) powder produces individual, nanometer-sized and surface damaged RE211 particles (RE211Ultra). We study the growth of YBCO and GdBCO systems via the top-seeded melt-growth method, with the addition of 30 mol% of RE211Ultra, which were pre-treated by high-energy ultrasonication and compared with the conventional method. Isothermal growth experiments clarified that the addition of RE211Ultra particles enables faster and more effective crystal growth via an improved peritectic reaction due to their size in the nanometer range and presence of sharp edges, which are crucial for growing large, single grain bulks of REBCO. Microstructural investigations by scanning electron microscopy indicated the presence of two differently sized RE211 inclusions within the bulk GdBCO and YBCO superconductors. All samples showed an onset of superconductivity at ∼92 K or above. Utilizing the effective growth temperature window and the addition of RE211Ultra, single grain bulks of GdBCO and YBCO were fabricated by the slow-cooling method. The field dependent critical current density (J c) of the bulk samples using RE211Ultra were found to exhibit superior performance over the standard GdBCO/YBCO samples due to significant changes of sample growth and of their microstructures. Here, we discuss various factors affecting the addition of RE211Ultra on the development of the microstructure, growth of bulk, single grain materials and further, the superconducting properties of different REBCO superconductors.
Crescent-shaped shadow of second harmonic generation in dielectric microsphere/TMD monolayer heterostructure

For heterointerfaces at micro/nano scales, extremely-space-confined second harmonic generation (SHG) of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers can facilitate the extraction of TMD monolayers’ 3D dielectric environment. Here, we construct SiO2 microsphere/MoS2 monolayer (3D/2D) heterostructures and spatially resolve their SHG distributions via pixel-to-pixel spatial mapping. Asymmetric 3D refractive index distribution of the microsphere is successfully projected to 2D plane of TMD monolayer and visualized by corresponding 2D image of SHG intensity distribution, which presents a crescent-shaped shadow. Out results open up new possibilities for 3D interfacial sensing and imaging with SHG of 2D monolayers.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF INDONESIAN EFL LEARNERS’ IDENTITIES: A NARRATIVE-BASED CASE STUDY

The identity that the learners construct during the English learning process is essential to understand how the EFL learners continuously negotiate the identities they have until they successfully achieve adequate proficiency in English. This narrative-based case study investigates how the learning of English has constructed the learner identity of two Indonesian postgraduate students who graduated from the English Education Department. Categorized under narrative inquiry design, this research explored the participants’ personal narratives related to their experiences during the English language learning process. In the early phase of identity construction, both participants showed little or no relevance in learning English because it was imposed on them through the school curriculum. However, soon they developed positive identities which later turned to be false positivity. Thus, these distressing moments asked for more investments from the participants. This study successfully confirms the notion of complex, multilayered, and multifaceted proved by the narratives that emerged from the participants' lived English learning experiences.
Artificial Anisotropy in Ge2Sb2Te5 Thin Films after Femtosecond Laser Irradiation

Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST225) looks to be a promising material for rewritable memory devices due to its relatively easy processing and high optical and electrophysical contrast for the crystalline and amorphous phases. In the present work, we combined the possibilities of crystallization and anisotropic structures fabrication using femtosecond laser treatment at the 1250 nm wavelength of 200 nm thin amorphous GST225 films on silicon oxide/silicon substrates. A raster treatment mode and photoexcited surface plasmon polariton generation allowed us to produce mutually orthogonal periodic structures, such as scanline tracks (the period is 120 ± 10 μm) and laser-induced gratings (the period is 1100 ± 50 nm), respectively. Alternating crystalline and amorphous phases at the irradiated surfaces were revealed according to Raman spectroscopy and optical microscopy studies for both types of structures. Such periodic modulation leads to artificial optical and electrophysical anisotropy. Reflectance spectra in the near infrared range differ for various polarizations of probing light, and this mainly results from the presence of laser-induced periodic surface structures. On the other hand, the scanline tracks cause strong conductivity anisotropy for dc measurements in the temperature range of 200–400 K. The obtained results are promising for designing new GST225-based memory devices in which anisotropy may promote increasing the information recording density.
SELF-EFFICACY IN MEDICAL EDUCATION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF LITERATURE

ABSTRACT: Self-efficacy is described as an important influencing factor of human behavior, linked to motivation and performance. Thus, its analysis in the educational context is relevant. The study aims to carry out a systematic review of self-efficacy in medical education, nationally and internationally, to analyze the main factors that impact the self-efficacy beliefs of medical professors and students. Therefore, we researched four databases: Virtual Health Library (BVS), Public Medline (PubMed), Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (BDTD), and CAPES Portal, from 2015 to 2020, in Portuguese, Spanish, and English. The descriptors used were: “self-efficacy” and “medicine”, resulting in the selection of 20 studies. Based on the main objectives of the study, we created these categories: 1) self-efficacy and emotional factors, 2) self-efficacy and use of active teaching methodologies, 3) student self-efficacy and different teaching methods, 4) self-efficacy, motivation and self-regulated learning, and 5) student self-efficacy in a specific task and its correlation with performance. We concluded that the studies were consistent in qualifying self-efficacy as an important construct for medical education, associated with good emotional state, the development of teaching/learning strategies, and performance, in addition to pointing out the impact of the feedback type on the formation of student self-efficacy. As for the teaching methodology, it was not possible to confirm, in general, which is more favorable to strengthening self-efficacy, considering that other factors may be involved in the process.
Optimal deceleration of surrogate models in a generic side impact set-up

ABSTRACT Optimal deceleration being defined as the fastest deceleration possible, without breaching any injury criteria, is the ultimate goal for automotive safety systems. Here, the optimal deceleration in a generic side impact set-up will be presented for three different models of the human body, commonly used in vehicle safety. Various forms of surrogate models for the human body are used in the development of automotive safety systems. Traditional crash test dummies developed for real crash tests also exist as simulation models. Modern human body models, digital surrogate models directly derived from the human body, offer more insight and higher biofidelity. A finite element model and a multibody model of a second generation European Side Impact dummy (ES-2re) will be compared to the Total Human Model for Safety (THUMS) through the method of optimal deceleration. This method can also be used to facilitate the design of safety systems for next generation dummy models.
Fault Prediction for Network Devices Using Service Outage Prediction Model

Minimization of network downtime is the biggest challenge for service providers and one of its prime causes is equipment failure. On-time prediction and rectification of faults can reduce downtimes. Dynamic and very adaptive algorithms are required for processing huge torrents of data and the generation of predictions based on patterns and trends in the data obtained from trouble tickets and system logs. A novel strategy for fault detection based on the data accumulated has to be applied where the equipment behavior is monitored closely to prevent its failure and further prevent a network failure or downtime. Paper proposes Service Outage Prediction (SOP) that uses hidden Markov models (HMMs) which have a successful record in tasks related to pattern recognition and have been successfully used in the prediction of failures. The features of the aggregated fault data are subject to the supervised learning algorithm, in the initial phase of training. The samples are traced at different stages, and the failures are detected through high priority in tickets. Among the many solutions possible one of the best solutions being the approach of combining the Hidden Markov model and Bayesian Network. The results indicate the strengths of Hidden Markov Models as the probabilistic approach increases the accuracy of the prediction when compared to the other prediction algorithms. The likelihood of a customer raising a trouble ticket with high priority is predicted by the SOP model proposed.
Niclosamide as a Repurposing Drug against Corynebacterium striatum Multidrug-Resistant Infections

Corynebacterium striatum (C. striatum) is an emerging multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogen associated with nosocomial infections. In this scenario, we screened the antimicrobial activity of the anthelmintic drugs doramectin, moxidectin, selamectin and niclosamide against 20 C. striatum MDR clinical isolates. Among these, niclosamide was the best performing drug against C. striatum. Niclosamide cytotoxicity was evaluated by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on immortalized human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT). After 20 h of treatment, the recorded 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) was 2.56 μg/mL. The antibacterial efficacy was determined via disc diffusion, broth microdilution method and time-killing. Against C. striatum, niclosamide induced a growth inhibitory area of 22 mm and the minimum inhibitory concentration that inhibits 90% of bacteria (MIC90) was 0.39 μg/mL, exhibiting bactericidal action. The biofilm biomass eradicating action was investigated through crystal violet (CV), MTT and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Niclosamide affected the biofilm viability in a dose-dependent manner and degraded biomass by 55 and 49% at 0.39 μg/mL and 0.19 μg/mL. CLSM images confirmed the biofilm biomass degradation, showing a drastic reduction in cell viability. This study could promote the drug-repurposing of the anthelmintic FDA-approved niclosamide as a therapeutic agent to counteract the C. striatum MDR infections.
Observations of the Turkana Jet and the East African dry tropics: the RIFTJet field campaign

The Turkana Low-level Jet (LLJ) is an intrinsic part of the African climate system. It is the principle conduit for water vapour transport to the African interior from the Indian Ocean, and droughts in East Africa tend to occur when the jet is strong. The only direct observations of the Turkana Jet come from manual tracking of pilot balloons in the 1980s. Now, modern reanalysis datasets disagree with one another over the strength of jet winds and underestimate the strength of the jet by 25-75% compared to the pilot balloon data. This article gives an overview of a month-long field campaign based in northwest Kenya - the Radiosonde Investigation For the Turkana Jet (RIFTJet) - which measured the Turkana Jet for the first time in forty years using modern technologies. Radiosonde data reveal a persistent low-level jet, which formed on every night of the campaign, with an average low-level maximum wind speed of 16.8 m.s-1 at 0300LT. One of the latest reanalysis datasets (ERA5) underestimates low-level wind speeds by an average of 24% (4.1 m.s-1) at 0300LT, and by 33% (3.6 m.s-1) at 1500LT. The measurements confirm the role of the Turkana LLJ in water vapor transport: mean water vapour transport at Marsabit is 172 kg.m.s-1. The dataset provides new opportunities to understand regional dynamics, and to evaluate models in one of the most data sparse regions in the world.
Financial integration and the comparative advantage of exports

We use a cross-country cross-industry unbalanced panel dataset to examine whether countries with a higher degree of international financial integration exhibit a greater comparative advantage in the exports of industries that rely more on external financing. Our results indicate that financial integration can be a source of comparative advantage, especially for industries relying more on external finance. However, the benefits of financial integration also depend on a country’s quality of economic and legal institutions. The pros and cons of international financial integration are still being debated in the literature. Our study adds empirical evidence to the beneficial effects of financial integration on real economic activity.
Intracellular mechanism of antimicrobial peptide HJH-3 against Salmonella pullorum

To explore the potential intracellular mechanism of the antimicrobial peptide HJH-3 in killing Salmonella, a DNA blocking test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to determine the ability of the peptide to bind bacterial DNA in vitro. Laser confocal analysis and electron microscopy were used to observe the binding of antimicrobial peptide HJH-3 and Salmonella DNA, and flow cytometry was used to analyze the effect of antimicrobial peptides on cell division in vivo. The results showed that HJH-3 can bind to DNA to block the diffusion and migration of DNA in agarose gel. Laser confocal microscopy revealed that antimicrobial peptide HJH-3 penetrated the bacterial cell membrane and bound with bacterial DNA. Transmission electron microscopy showed that antimicrobial peptide HJH-3 aggregated in the nucleoid of Salmonella cells, and through a channel in the membrane destroyed by the antimicrobial peptide, DNA and other intracellular contents were excreted, and polymerized DNA was fragmented. The results of the flow cytometry analysis confirmed that the death rate of Salmonella increased significantly after exposure to antimicrobial peptide HJH-3 and increased with increasing antimicrobial peptide concentration. These results suggest that AMP HJH-3 may be a candidate antimicrobial agent to treat infectious diseases caused by Salmonella pullorum.
The role of gender in monitoring fine arts creative skills of elementary school students

The following article presents the results of research, whose purpose was the analysis of the artistic creativity level and development of fine arts skills among students in the third cycle of elementary school. We monitored the level of artistic creativity and analysed the differences between artistic creativity from the viewpoint of factors among eighth-grade students of different elementary schools in Maribor, Slovenia. The aim of the research, which included 101 students (n=101), was to highlight the importance of art-oriented educational work on creativity among students finishing elementary school, in comparison to the students of lower grades. The results revealed that the level of artistic creativity between genders, showed statistically significant differences in only one factor – fluency, with the girls being more successful. There was a tendency of elaboration and flexibility, where girls achieved slightly better results as well. In comparison to previous research, we can conclude that the girls in lower and higher grades were more creative than boys
Gram-negative bacteria act as a reservoir for aminoglycoside antibiotics that interact with host factors to enhance bacterial killing in a mouse model of pneumonia

Abstract In vitro exposure of multiple Gram-negative bacteria to an aminoglycoside (AG) antibiotic has previously been demonstrated to result in bacterial alterations that interact with host factors to suppress Gram-negative pneumonia. However, the mechanisms resulting in suppression are not known. Here, the hypothesis that Gram-negative bacteria bind and retain AGs, which are introduced into the lung and interact with host defenses to affect bacterial killing, was tested. Following in vitro exposure of one of several, pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria to the AG antibiotics kanamycin or gentamicin, AGs were detected in bacterial cell pellets (up to 208 μg/mL). Using inhibitors of AG binding and internalization, the bacterial outer membrane was implicated as the predominant kanamycin and gentamicin reservoir. Following intranasal administration of gentamicin-bound bacteria or gentamicin solution at the time of infection with live, AG-naïve bacteria, gentamicin was detected in the lungs of infected mice (up to 8 μg/g). Co-inoculation with gentamicin-bound bacteria resulted in killing of AG-naïve bacteria by up to 3-log10, mirroring the effects of intranasal gentamicin treatment. In vitro killing of AG-naïve bacteria mediated by kanamycin-bound bacteria required the presence of detergents or pulmonary surfactant, suggesting that increased bacterial killing inside the murine lung is facilitated by the detergent component of pulmonary surfactant. These findings demonstrate that Gram-negative bacteria bind and retain AGs that can interact with host-derived pulmonary surfactant to enhance bacterial killing in the lung. This may help explain why AGs appear to have unique efficacy in the lung and might expand their clinical utility.
Are Fish Markets in Central Malawi Profitable and Efficient? Performance of Diploxatodon spp. (Ndunduma) Markets in Salima and Lilongwe Districts

The production of underexploited small fish species has surpassed that of bigger and more valuable species, such as Oreochromis species. However, profitability and efficiency of the key players in the marketing chain and system associated with these small fish species are yet to be understood. Therefore, this article aims to analyze the profitability and efficiency of Diplotaxodon spp. (an example of a small fish species) fish marketing systems in Malawi. The analysis was based on data collected in 2019 through field surveys from 265 respondents, which included fishers, processors, wholesalers, and retailers. Gross margin, return on capital employed (ROCE), and the Acharya and Agarwal’s market efficiency index were used in our empirical strategy. The results reveal that Diplotaxodon spp. trading was profitable to all actors. Firm-level efficiency showed that all actors used their capital efficiently, except for fishers, who had lowest return on capital employed, while retailers had the highest return on capital employed. All marketing channels identified were inefficient, due to high marketing margins and low fisher’s share of the consumer price, attributed to high transportation cost. The study concludes that, unless efforts are taken to improve efficiency of Ndunduma marketing system, through improving marketing margins and fisher’s share of consumer price, Diplotaxodon spp. will continue to be under-exploited, thereby sustaining or exacerbating the fish supply gap.
Towards the copular status of clefts—Evidence from diachrony

This paper draws attention to a robust grammatical change trajectory, here dubbed the copula-to-cleft pathway. We show that the emergence of the copular clause construction tends to lead to the emergence of the cleft construction, and the decline of one tends to be in tandem with the other. We further propose that the above pattern follows from a syntactic treatment that derives the cleft structure from a copular clause. Such copular syntax can be further combined with a semantic analysis where the focus interpretation of clefts is computed based on a copular structure.
Highly-Isolated RF Power and Information Receiving System Based on Dual-Band Dual-Circular-Polarized Shared-Aperture Antenna

A highly integrated RF power and information receiving system is proposed in this paper. The system consists of an antenna, a rectifier, and an information receiving module. The information receiving module acts as part of the dc load. To realize high integration, a dual-band, dual-circular-polarized shared- aperture antenna is implemented. The antenna consists of a left-circular-polarized element operating at 2.4-GHz band, and a high-gain, right-circular-polarized $2\times 2$ array operating at 5.8-GHz band. The lower-frequency antenna is for communication, while the higher-frequency one is for power transmission. All the elements share the same aperture, and the radiator of lower- frequency antenna acts as the reflector of higher-frequency elements. Accordingly, a class-F rectifier that matches the higher- frequency array is designed and verified, and a system-level demonstration is implemented. Owing to the high isolation on frequency splitting and polarization diversity, the baseband signal can be successfully demodulated under a 30-dB input-power-level difference at two frequency bands. The base-band information can be displayed by an ink screen. The received RF power can be effectively rectified and power the data-processing modules.