Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Successful Strategy for Managing the Mechanical Integrity of Coke Drums

A novel approach to mechanical integrity was utilized for addressing failures in an old set of coke drums. Using a rigorous routine of inspections, assessments, and long-term repairs, drums which had suffered accelerated deterioration, unpredicted cracks, and loss of containment were transformed to a reliable set of vessels. Despite old age and thin walls, due to the success of this strategy and results of a fatigue test program, plans to replace these vessels were canceled and the time between turnarounds is being considered for an increase. In this paper, we describe the approach that was used and compare results from this set of drums to another set at the same facility that was managed differently.Copyright © 2017 by ASME
Vitamin D for Recovery of COVID-19 in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

The severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is determined not only by viral damage to cells but also by the immune reaction in the host. In addition to therapeutic interventions that target the viral infection, immunoregulation may be helpful in the management of COVID-19. Vitamin D exerts effects on both innate and adaptive immunity and subsequently modulates immune responses to bacteria and viruses. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) frequently have vitamin D deficiency and increased susceptibility to infection, suggesting a potential role of vitamin D in this vulnerable population. In this paper, we review the alterations of the immune system, the risk of COVID-19 infections and mechanisms of vitamin D action in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 in CKD patients. Previous studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency can affect the outcomes of COVID-19. Supplementing vitamin D during treatment may be protective against COVID-19. Future studies, including randomized control trials, are warranted to determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the recovery from COVID-19 in CKD patients.
Low Thermal Conductivity of Hydrous Phase D Leads to a Self‐Preservation Effect Within a Subducting Slab

Earth's deep water cycle impacts the physical and chemical properties and geodynamics in its deep interior. However, how dense hydrous magnesium silicates (DHMSs) influence the thermal evolution and dynamics of sinking slabs remains poorly understood. We have precisely measured thermal conductivity of phase D, an important DHMS that could carry large amounts of water from the mantle transition zone to the lower mantle, at high pressure‐temperature conditions. The thermal conductivity of (Al,Fe)‐bearing phase D is lower than those of the pyrolitic mantle and basaltic crust along slab subduction, except for the depth range of ∼800–1,100 km where a spin transition of iron occurs. Numerical simulations indicate that although the spin transition in phase D has minor effects on slab's temperature due to its small volume fraction, the poorly thermally‐conductive hydrous minerals contribute to maintain a cold hydrous layer within a sinking slab, stabilizing slab hydrous minerals and promoting water transportation to the deeper mantle.
Regional associations of white matter hyperintensities and early cortical amyloid pathology

Abstract White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) have a heterogeneous aetiology, associated with both vascular risk factors and amyloidosis due to Alzheimer’s disease. While spatial distribution of both amyloid and WM lesions carry important information for the underlying pathogenic mechanisms, the regional relationship between these two pathologies and their joint contribution to early cognitive deterioration remains largely unexplored. We included 662 non-demented participants from three Amyloid Imaging to Prevent Alzheimer’s disease (AMYPAD)-affiliated cohorts: EPAD-LCS (N = 176), ALFA+ (N = 310), and EMIF-AD PreclinAD Twin60++ (N = 176). Using PET imaging, cortical amyloid burden was assessed regionally within early accumulating regions (medial orbitofrontal, precuneus, and cuneus) and globally, using the Centiloid method. Regional WMH volume was computed using Bayesian Model Selection. Global associations between WMH, amyloid, and cardiovascular risk scores (Framingham and CAIDE) were assessed using linear models. Partial least square (PLS) regression was used to identify regional associations. Models were adjusted for age, sex, and APOE-e4 status. Individual PLS scores were then related to cognitive performance in 4 domains (attention, memory, executive functioning, and language). While no significant global association was found, the PLS model yielded two components of interest. In the first PLS component, a fronto-parietal WMH pattern was associated with medial orbitofrontal–precuneal amyloid, vascular risk, and age. Component 2 showed a posterior WMH pattern associated with precuneus-cuneus amyloid, less related to age or vascular risk. Component 1 was associated with lower performance in all cognitive domains, while component 2 only with worse memory. In a large pre-dementia population, we observed two distinct patterns of regional associations between WMH and amyloid burden, and demonstrated their joint influence on cognitive processes. These two components could reflect the existence of vascular-dependent and -independent manifestations of WMH-amyloid regional association that might be related to distinct primary pathophysiology.
An Investigation into the Associative Relationship Between Transformational Leadership and Innovative Working Behaviour, in Irish Technology Consulting Organisations

Purpose: The purpose of this research paper is to investigate the relationship between Transformational Leadership (TL) and Innovative Working Behaviours (IWB) by employees within Irish Technology Consulting Organisations (TCOs). To this end, the paper will examine the mediating influences on employee’s Creative Self-Efficacy (CSE) and the Organisation’s Climate for Innovation (OCI), in the TL and IWB causal relationship. Findings: The quantitative results indicated that TL did not have an associative relationship with IWB or employee CSE within the sample population. TL did have a significant positive relationship with OCI within the TCO context. Employee CSE was found to have the most significant relationship in promoting IWB. Further qualitative results indicated that the distributed leadership structure within TCOs reduces the positive influences of TL. Research Limitations and Implications: The research participants were from several different TCOs, each with their own and varying level of TL. The research methodology was limited to a cross-sectional study, supporting a time-specific result only. Future research should conduct a longitudinal quantitative analysis of the relationship between TL, CSE, OCI and IWB on a single TCO, to support a deeper understanding of how TCO leadership frameworks can leverage TL, and also to measure the transformative properties of TL on TCO employees over time. Practical Applications: By supporting an in-depth understanding of the associative relationship between leadership and IWB (in a knowledge-intensive services organisation) - this will allow TCOs to review their leadership and employee engagement frameworks to better promote innovative working behaviours, to maximise the potential for positive organisational outcomes. Originality and Value: To date, the main body of research on the relationship between TL and innovation has focused on product-centric and/or non-skilled services organisations. This research paper extends the relational research (between TL and IWB) into the growing knowledge-services and technology consulting sectors. The study expands on the existing research, by focusing on knowledge-services and consulting organisations subjects. The study brings academic and practitioner value by supporting a deeper understanding of the value of TL as a predictor positive of outcomes in ‘knowledge economy’ technology services organisations.
Neuropsychological Alterations in Patients with Congenital Hypothyroidism Treated with Levothyroxine: Linked Factors and Thyroid Hormone Hyposensitivity

Eighty-five percent of the studies of patients with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) treated with Levothyroxine (L-T4) report neuropsychological sequelae throughout life. In neonates and infants, there is a deficit in sensorimotor skills (impaired balance). In preschool and elementary school children and adolescents, there are alterations in intellectual quotient (low scores), language (delayed phonological acquisition), memory (visual, verbal, visuospatial, visuoconstructive, autobiographical, and semantic), sensorimotor skills (impaired fine and gross motor control), and visuoconstructive–visuospatial domain (low scores in spatial location, block design, and object assembly). These neuropsychological domains are also affected in young adults, except for language (adequate verbal fluency) and visuoconstructive–visuospatial domain (no data). The onset and severity of neuropsychological sequelae in patients with treated CH depend on several factors: extrinsic, related to L-T4 treatment and social aspects, and intrinsic, such as severity and etiology of CH, as well as structural and physiological changes in the brain. In this review, we hypothesized that thyroid hormone hyposensitivity (THH) could also contribute to neuropsychological alterations by reducing the effectiveness of L-T4 treatment in the brain. Thus, further research could approach the THH hypothesis at basic and clinical levels to implement new endocrinological and neuropsychological therapies for CH patients.
Pathways from Childhood Economic Conditions to Adult Mortality in a 1953 Stockholm Cohort: The Intermediate Role of Personal Attributes and Socioeconomic Career

Although both childhood and adult economic conditions have been found to be associated with mortality, independently or in combination with each other, less is known about the role of intermediate factors between these two life stages. This study explores the pathways between childhood economic conditions and adult mortality by taking personal attributes as well as adult socioeconomic career into consideration. Further, we investigate the role of intergenerational income mobility for adult mortality. We used data from a prospective cohort study of individuals that were born in 1953 and residing in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1963 who were followed for mortality between 2002 and 2021 (n = 11,325). We fit Cox proportional hazards models to assess the association of parental income, cognitive ability, social skills, educational attainment, occupational status, and adult income with mortality. The income mobility is operationalized as the interaction between parental and adult income. Our results show that the association between parental income and adult mortality is modest and largely operates through cognitive ability and adult educational attainment. However, our results do not provide support for there being an effect of intergenerational income mobility on adult mortality. In a Swedish cohort who grew up in a comparatively egalitarian society during the 1950s and 1960s, childhood economic conditions were found to play a distinct but relatively small role for later mortality.
Semiconductor power device

This invention discloses an improved semiconductor power device including a plurality of power transistor cells wherein each cell further includes a planar gate padded by a gate oxide layer disposed on top of a drift layer constituting an upper layer of a semiconductor substrate wherein the planar gate further constituting a split gate including a gap opened in a gate layer whereby the a total surface area of the gate is reduced. The transistor cell further includes a JFET (junction field effect transistor) diffusion region disposed in the drift layer below the gap of the gate layer wherein the JFET diffusion region having a higher dopant concentration than the drift region for reducing a channel resistance of the semiconductor power device. The transistor cell further includes a shallow surface doped regions disposed near a top surface of the drift layer under the gate adjacent to the JFET diffusion region wherein the shallow surface doped region having a dopant concentration lower than the JFET diffusion region and higher than the drift layer.
Examination of online group discussions in terms of intrinsic motivation, social presence, and perceived learning

This experimental study within the scope of Anadolu University Open Education Faculty in Turkey aims to examine the effect of online group discussion techniques. In this context, the online group discussion technique, which is applied by dividing the learners into manageable groups in online learning environments, has been examined within the scope of intrinsic motivation, social presence, and perceived learning variables. Sequential explanatory mixed method design was used to conduct this study. The online group discussion process was applied in the study’s experimental group by dividing the learners into manageable groups. In this process, a field expert accompanied each group. In the control group, the discussion process was left to its natural state, and all learners who took the relevant course were included in a single group. Before and after the experimental process, data were collected from 250 learners through the study scales, and then five learners were interviewed. The findings obtained within the study’s scope show that the design to be applied in the online group discussion technique used in online learning environments is important in increasing the efficiency to be obtained from the process. In this context, it has been observed that to manage online learning processes effectively, attention should be paid to the fact that the groups must be less than 150 learners to not show mass features. Online group discussions in groups that do not show mass features positively affected the learners’ intrinsic motivation, social presence, and perceived learning levels. However, acting in line with the principles of social constructivism theory and the community of inquiry theory in learning processes has increased the discussions’ efficiency. Besides, it has been observed that the increase in the social presence and intrinsic motivation of the learners positively affects their perceived learning levels.
Parsimonious: Initiation of Integrated Financial Health Assessment Model in Preventing Company Bankruptcy (Case Study: PT Pos Indonesia (Persero) Period 2018-2020)

This study aims to analyze the development of health assessment indicators and the financial health condition of PT Pos Indonesia (Persero). This research used a quantitative approach. The analysis technique used for evaluating the level of financial health referred to the Decree of The Minister of State-Owned Enterprises No. Kep- 100/MBU/2002. The data collection technique used was documentation studies sourced from the annual report of PT Pos Indonesia (Persero) from 2018 through 2020. The results showed that the development of the indicator value of return on equity, return on investment, and cash ratio decreased, while the value of collection periods, the ratio of equity to total assets, and inventory turn over increased. This study also found the fluctuated value of the current ratio and total asset turnover. The financial health assessment in 2018 and 2019 had a healthy predicate. However, in 2020, it had an unhealthy financial health assessment predicate. Therefore, the company needs to have better financial performance to achieve good financial health conditions that will finally affect all stakeholders.
Chemical composition, physicochemical, and sensory properties of fermented maize and defatted baobab seed flour blends

This study investigated the chemical composition, physicochemical, and sensory properties of fermented maize and defatted baobab seed flour blends. Fermented maize (ogi) and defatted baobab seed powder (DBSP) were blended at ratios (%, w/w) 100:0 (control), 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, and 50:50. Proximate, minerals, tannin, pasting, and colour order properties of the blends were determined. The sensory properties of gruels prepared from the blends were also determined. Protein, ash, fibre, vitamin C, K, Ca, and Fe of ogi increased significantly (p < 0.05) with an increasing level of DBSP while fat, carbohydrate, calorific value, and tannin decreased. Peak, breakdown, final, final viscosity, colour intensity, measures of lightness, redness, and yellowness of fermented maize decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with an increasing level of DBSP. The incorporation of ≤ 20% DBSP did not cause a significant change in pasting temperature and time. Gruels produced from blends that contained ≤ 20% DBSP compared favourably with the one prepared from the control. The study showed an improvement in the quality of ogi following the incorporation of 20% DBSP.
Colonisation and accounting development in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) was colonised for about a century by the British, French and other European countries. Therefore, we examine these forms of colonisation on accounting development in Africa. We use a description-explanatory approach to show how three forms of colonisation have driven the development of accounting in Africa during and post-colonisation era. This paper defines driving forces during the colonisation period as ex-ante driving forces, and after independence, as ex-post driving forces. We identify among the ex-ante driving forces, governance, economic policy, education and language influenced accounting systems/practices, and they are still predominant. Regarding the ex-post, we found four ex-post driving forces that impact accounting in SSA, which supports the instrumental form of accounting colonisation. These four driving forces are foreign aid, foreign trade liberalisation, membership in international associations and prevalence of foreign ownership. This paper provides insights into how accounting practices have evolved in Africa and how colonisation has driven different accounting systems across the continent. Unlike prior studies, which are limited to pre or post-colonial eras, we provide an understanding of accounting development during the colonial and post-colonial era. Therefore, we demonstrate how colonisation still influences accounting development even after independence in many African countries.
Impacts of COVID-19 Sanitary Cues on Hedonic Appreciation of Foods

The COVID-19 pandemic led to several lifestyle changes, including eating behavior. Herein, we aimed to evaluate how pandemic-related sanitary cues presented in food videos impact food appraisal and desire to eat, and their priming after-effects on subsequent food pictures presented without such cues. In two online sessions, separated by 4 to 7 days, participants watched either a Non-Pandemic or a Pandemic video of a woman eating, the latter containing sanitary elements adopted during the pandemic. The order of the videos was counterbalanced across participants over the two experimental sessions. Videos were followed by images of food from different categories. After observing both videos and each picture, participants were instructed to evaluate the visual aspect, expected smell and flavor, and rate their desire to eat. Our study demonstrated (1) higher hedonic responses to the Non-Pandemic compared to the Pandemic video, (2) a priming effect showing higher appreciation for sweet foods after the Non-Pandemic compared to the Pandemic video, (3) that food exposure gradually increases one’s desire to eat, but such effects are impacted by pandemic sanitary cues, and (4) greater hedonic responses are given for sweet and high-calorie foods compared to salty and low-calorie ones, irrespective of pandemic priming. Finally, depression and anxiety symptoms were associated with lower smell evaluations only in the Pandemic condition.
A combination of a road restraint system and a noise reducing device

Based on measurements performed on a low-height noise barrier, an investigation was commenced on where such product could be implemented with respect to both noise reduction and to road restraint requirements, including traffic safety. By using three noise prediction tools, SoundPLAN (version 7.4), a Boundary Element Method (BEM) and an analytic solution, the screen insertion losses could be estimated and compared. The screen heights that were studied were 1.2m and 1.4m. The noise reducing effects of these screens were investigated in two real cases that were given by Malmo Stad and in a theoretical case. Standards for both a road restraint system and a noise reducing devise have been studied and summarised to facilitate the development of the combined system. The insertion losses for the two heights were 10 dB(A) and 11 dB(A) respectively when calculating for the theoretical situation. For the real case scenarios, the insertion losses were deteriorated to around 3 dB(A), concluded to be due to reflections in surrounding facades. The deviations in insertion loss between the different calculation methods was at most 2 dB but the results for the increased barrier height showed that a higher insertion loss could be achieved. The use of the BEM results, which were pre-calculated and provided to the project, showed that an absorbing screen should be considered when it comes to a lowheight noise barrier, since an even higher reduction could be achieved. A low-height noise barrier should be considered and further investigated since it actually reduces the levels of community noise and has good potential to protect pedestrians from collisions within an urban environment.