Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Horizontal structures of velocity and temperature boundary layers in two-dimensional numerical turbulent Rayleigh-Bénard convection

We investigate the structures of the near-plate velocity and temperature profiles at different horizontal positions along the conducting bottom (and top) plate of a Rayleigh-Benard convection cell, using two-dimensional (2D) numerical data obtained at the Rayleigh number Ra = 108 and the Prandtl number Pr = 4.4 of an Oberbeck-Boussinesq flow with constant material parameters. The results show that most of the time, and for both velocity and temperature, the instantaneous profiles scaled by the dynamical frame method [Q. Zhou and K. -Q. Xia, “Measured instantaneous viscous boundary layer in turbulent Rayleigh-Benard convection,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 104301 (2010)] agree well with the classical Prandtl-Blasius laminar boundary layer (BL) profiles. Therefore, when averaging in the dynamical reference frames, which fluctuate with the respective instantaneous kinematic and thermal BL thicknesses, the obtained mean velocity and temperature profiles are also of Prandtl-Blasius type for nearly all horizontal positions. We further show that in certain situations the traditional definitions based on the time-averaged profiles can lead to unphysical BL thicknesses, while the dynamical method also in such cases can provide a well-defined BL thickness for both the kinematic and the thermal BLs
Implementation of Problem-Based Learning-Stem Strategy on Students’ Conceptual Understanding and Critical Thinking in Fundamental of Chemical Equilibrium

This research aims to determine differences in students’ conceptual and critical thinking of XI High School Students that teach using Problem Based Learning-STEM strategy on learning chemical equilibrium. This research use design quasi-experimental factorial 2x2 design with convenience sampling. Instruments used in this research are students’ conceptual and critical thinking tests. The result shows that (1) there are differences students’ conceptual and critical thinking in the group that learned by Problem Based Learning-STEM with the group that learned using Problem Based Learning Strategy, (2) there are differences in students’ conceptual and critical thinking based on initial abilities in the group that learned by Problem Based Learning-STEM with the group that learned using Problem Based Learning strategy, (3) there is no interaction of Problem Based Learning-STEM strategy and Problem Based Learning based on initial abilities to students’ conceptual and critical thinking
Relationship between Psychological Distress and Demographic Characteristics among Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients often present with anxiety and depression. These symptoms coupled with pain are major concerns and are widely reported among CABG patients. The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between psychological distress and patients’ demographic data. This cross-sectional study in which 178 patients from a surgery ward were selected using the census method. Data were collected using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Brief Pain Inventory (Short Form). The participants’ mean age was 57.49 ± 13.78 years. The majority of participants had a moderate level of anxiety (89.3%) and a moderate level of pain interference (74.7%). Significant differences were noted, with a higher proportion of moderate anxiety level participants aged between 60 and 74 years old, married, and with a tertiary level education (p < 0.05) being found. There were also significant differences between gender (p < 0.05) and pain severity (p < 0.01) across the levels of depression. The levels of anxiety, depression, and pain were significant, especially among older patients. These symptoms should be routinely assessed, and further identification of predictors such as socioeconomic status before the procedure is necessary.
Deep learning technique for examining the mechanism, transport, and behavior of oil-related hazardous material caused by wave breaking and turbulence

A marine oil spill produces oil-related hazardous material (OHM) which can cause damage to the marine ecological environment, and seriously affect coastal economic development such as tourism and aquaculture. The turbulent momentum and energy generated by the wave breaking process have a significant effect on accelerating the mixing of OHM and seawater, which is one of the main factors in oil becoming sunken or submerged. In order to explore the influence of offshore wave breaking on the formation and transportation of OHM, the wave breaking process was simulated in a 2D laboratory flume, and the behavior process of OHM was identified and tracked in this paper. Five groups of breaking waves of different significant wave height (SWH) were set up in the experiment, and then OHM with the same density and mass was added, respectively, in order to observe the sinking process under the action of wave-induced turbulence. The results show that the turbulence intensity is closely related to the phase of the wave, the turbulence activity is violent at the wave crest, and the vertical distribution of the turbulent energy dissipation rate in the turbulent mixing zone remains basically unchanged. Under the actions of wave breaking and turbulence, the OHM’s submergence depth shows a good binomial growth trend. For SWH = 12.45 cm, the OHM stays under the water for nearly 2.32 s, and it reaches the deepest position of 0.165 m. Compared with SWH = 12.45 cm, the submergence depths for waves with SWHs of 20.61 cm, 26.81 cm, 32.32 cm, and 36.54 cm are increased by 8%, 37%, 80%, and 159%, respectively. Then, the submergence depths due to the other four waves are increased progressively, and the growth rates are 8%, 26%, 31%, 44%, respectively (compared with the same period of the previous wave).
Analysis of the relationship between hamstring flexibility with muscular strength and its response to myofascial release

Background: Decreased flexibility can contribute to postural changes, the deficit in the ability to produce strength, and predispose to injuries. Currently, several myofascial release techniques work to improve muscle flexibility. Objective: To analyze the relationship between flexibility and muscle strength of the knee flexors and to verify the acute effect of two modalities of myofascial release on the flexibility of the hamstrings. Methods: 45 women participated in this study, divided into Manual Release Group, Instrumental Release Group, and Control Group. A sit and reach test, a third finger floor test, an assessment of the popliteal angle, and an assessment of knee flexion muscle strength were performed. Subsequently, the volunteers received a myofascial release session in the hamstring muscle group. After treatment, the volunteers were reassessed. Results: Both groups that received myofascial release performed better in flexibility tests. There was no correlation between hamstring flexibility and the ability to produce joint torque from knee flexion. Conclusion: The flexibility of the hamstring muscles did not influence the ability to produce knee flexion torque and both myofascial release techniques were effective in improving the flexibility of this musculature.
School-Level Autonomy and Its Impact on Student Achievement

ABSTRACT I examine the student-achievement implications of school-level budgetary autonomy in public schools. I propose a theoretical model of a principal’s allocation decisions and empirically examine determinants of participation and the resulting impacts on student achievement. A principal’s years of administrative experience positively impact program participation both for middle schools and elementary schools. In elementary schools, estimates show that increased autonomy improves both math and reading scores. Autonomous elementary schools with a high percentage of free and reduced lunch eligible students also appear to have a greater ability to improve test scores.
Text-Guided Sketch-to-Photo Image Synthesis

We propose a text-guided sketch-to-image synthesis model that semantically mixes style and content features from the latent space of an inverted Generative Adversarial Network (GAN). Our goal is to synthesize plausible images from human facial sketches and their respective text descriptions. In our approach, we adapted a generative model termed Contextual GAN (CT-GAN) that efficiently encodes visual-linguistic semantic features pre-trained on over 400 million text-image pairs at different resolutions along the model. Also, we introduced an intermediate mapping network called c-Map that combines textual and visual-based features to a disentangled latent space $\mathcal {W{+}}$ for better feature matching. Furthermore to maximise the computational performance of our model, we implemented a linear-based attention scheme along the pipeline of our model to eliminate the drawbacks of inefficient attention modules that are quadratic in complexity. Finally, the hierarchical setting of our model ensures that textual, style and content features are synthesised based on their unique fine grained details, which result in visually appealing images.
Parameter dependant Lyapunov control design: numerical evaluation

In this paper, it is intended to numerically point out the interest of a new quadratic stabilizability condition in comparison to the classical one, whose drawback stands in the use of a single Lyapunov function to assess the stability over the whole uncertainty domain. Such a condition is also of interest in the case of structurally constrained control design.
Recent Advances in Extracellular Vesicle-Based Therapies Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are being widely investigated as acellular therapeutics in regenerative medicine applications. EVs isolated from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are by far the most frequently used in preclinical models for diverse therapeutic applications, including inflammatory, degenerative, or acute diseases. Although they represent promising tools as cell-free therapeutic agents, one limitation to their use is related to the batch-to-batch unreliability that may arise from the heterogeneity between MSC donors. Isolating EVs from MSCs derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iMSCs) might allow unlimited access to cells with a more stable phenotype and function. In the present review, we first present the latest findings regarding the functional aspects of EVs isolated from iMSCs and their interest in regenerative medicine for the treatment of various diseases. We will then discuss future directions for their translation to clinics with good manufacturing practice implementation.
The Transient Development of Vortices Over a Delta Wing

Abstract : The most interesting finding was that for large angles of attack, a delta wing actually sheds vortices alternately, just like bluff bodies do. Also, at high sweep angles, vortex shedding is suddenly initiated at an angle of attack of 37 degrees. In addition, it was found, it was found that a seven-hole probe as small in diameter as 2% of the diameter of the vortex can actually precipitate breakdown, but with little effect on the static pressure on the wing suction surface.
Human papillomavirus infection

In the past decade, cervical cancer has increased alarmingly in different parts of the world especially in developing regions. Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with high-risk HPV. Interestingly, HPV infection is associated with other cancers also besides cervical carcinoma. Therefore, a proper understanding of epidemiology, pathophysiology,and treatment and prevention strategy is required to combat this commonly occurring cancer. To eliminate cervical cancer from the global map the only strategy is rigorous vaccination in school-going teenage girls. The WHO wants to eliminate HPV by 2030. Its goal is to vaccinate 90% of females by 2025. However, proper awareness and government initiatives are far behind the required drive. Moreover, the low use of cervical cancer screening techniques like Pap smear and visual inspection with acetic acid hindered HPV infection and cervical cancer control in affected countries. In addition, we try to describe the whole pathological cycle of HPV in humans with prominent risk factors that can be a key to control the incidence of HPV-associated cancers. Finally, we showed the significance of the only available strategy to prevent HPV infection- i.e. vaccination.
Hemodynamic Responses to Resistance Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction Using a Practical Method Versus a Traditional Cuff-Inflation System

The aim of this study was to examine the potential differences in acute hemodynamic responses and muscular performance outcomes following resistance exercise between traditional blood flow restriction (TRABFR) and a novel band tissue flossing method (BTFBFR). METHODS: Fifteen healthy young adults (23.27 ± 2.69 years) visited the lab for three sessions (≥72 h apart). Each session’s exercise consisted of three sets of 20 maximum-effort seated leg extensions and flexions with one of three conditions: control (CON), TRABFR (50% limb occlusion pressure (LOP)), or BTFBFR. During TRABFR and BTFBFR sessions, occlusion was applied immediately prior to exercise and removed immediately after. Heart rate was collected prior to exercise, after onset of occlusion, immediately after exercise, and one-minute after removal of occlusion. Ultrasonography was performed prior to, and at least 30 s after, occlusion. RESULTS: BTFBFR caused greater reductions in arterial distance (14.28%, p = 0.010) and arterial area (28.43%, p = 0.020) than TRABFR. BTFBFR was able to significantly reduce arterial flow below pre-occlusion values, while TRABFR did not. Both conditions caused significant elevations in heart rate following occlusion (TRABFR: +4.67 bpm, p = 0.046 and BTFBFR: +6.07 bpm, p = 0.034), immediately post-exercise (TRABFR: +56.93 bpm, p < 0.001 and BTFBFR: +52.79 bpm, p < 0.001) and one-minute post-exercise (TRABFR: +15.71, p = 0.003 and BTFBFR: +14.57, p < 0.001). Only BTFBFR caused significant reductions in performance as measured by average power per repetition. CONCLUSIONS: BTFBFR causes a more exaggerated decrease in arterial blood flow as well as muscular power when compared to traditional TRABFR at 50% of LOP.
Tumoral PD-L1 does not impact time to treatment discontinuation in EGFR mutated non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor—a Danish cohort study

Background Not all non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations respond equally to therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) has previously been speculated as a possible biomarker for treatment outcome because of its positive correlation with these mutations in cell lines, but clinical studies have yielded conflicting results. We investigate the predictive potential of this surface protein in relation to clinical benefit in patients as measured by time to treatment discontinuation (TTD). Methods We screened 516 Danish patients with EGFR mutations for inclusion based on a history of TKI treatment and a PD-L1 status that was assessed no earlier than three months prior to treatment initiation. Patients were stratified according to their expression of the potential biomarker as either negative (0%), low (1–49%) or high (≥50%). We employed the Kaplan-Meier method and the log rank test to test for a difference in treatment duration according to PD-L1 expression. Results We included 111 Danish patients. The median follow-up time from inclusion until death or censoring at the end of the study was 670 days (range, 32–1,664 days, 95% CI: 502–897 days). Fifty-seven patients (51%) categorized as PD-L1 expression negative, 32 (29%) as low and 22 (20%) as high. We tested for differences in treatment duration between the three groups. Our tests did not yield statistically significant P values. Conclusions In our cohort of 111 Danish patients with NSCLC harboring mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor gene, expression levels of PD-L1 did not significantly impact the duration of clinical benefit from tyrosine kinase treatment.
Probiotic as Adjuvant Significantly Improves Protection of the Lanzhou Trivalent Rotavirus Vaccine against Heterologous Challenge in a Gnotobiotic Pig Model of Human Rotavirus Infection and Disease

This preclinical study in the gnotobiotic (Gn) pig model of human rotavirus (HRV) infection and disease evaluates the effect of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) as a mucosal adjuvant on the immunogenicity and cross-protective efficacy of the Lanzhou live oral trivalent (G2, G3, G4) vaccine (TLV, aka LLR3). Gn pigs were immunized with three doses of TLV with or without concurrent administration of nine doses of LGG around the time of the first dose of the TLV vaccination, and were challenged orally with the virulent heterotypic Wa G1P[8] HRV. Three doses of TLV were highly immunogenic and conferred partial protection against the heterotypic HRV infection. LGG significantly enhanced the intestinal and systemic immune responses and improved the effectiveness of protection against the heterotypic HRV challenge-induced diarrhea and virus shedding. In conclusion, we demonstrated the immune-stimulating effects of probiotic LGG as a vaccine adjuvant and generated detailed knowledge regarding the cross-reactive and type-specific antibody and effector B and T cell immune responses induced by the TLV. Due to the low cost, ease of distribution and administration, and favorable safety profiles, LGG as an adjuvant has the potential to play a critical role in improving rotavirus vaccine efficacy and making the vaccines more cost-effective.
Rehydration Characteristics of Cut White Pine and Norway Spruce Christmas Trees

Rehydration characteristics of cut eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) and Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst. ] Christmas trees were evaluated over a wide range of xylem water potentials and storage periods. Cut pines failed to rehydrate fully when initial xylem water potential was less than –3.00 MPa. Norway spruce trees completely rehydrated at xylem water potentials as low as –3.50 MPa, with partial rehydration occurring below –4.0 MPa. Twig water content closely paralleled xylem water potential. All sample trees rehydrated fully when outdoor storage periods were < 6 weeks during the months of December and January.
Prediction of rotating-blade vortex noise from noise of nonrotating blades

Measurements were conducted in an acoustic wind tunnel to determine vortex noise of nonrotating circular cylinders and NACA 0012 airfoils. Both constant-width and spanwise tapered models were tested at a low turbulence level. The constant-diameter cylinder and constant-chord airfoil also were tested in the turbulent wake generated by an upstream cylinder or airfoil. Vortex noise radiation from nonrotating circular cylinders at Reynolds numbers matching those of the rotating-blade tests were found to be strongly dependent on surface conditions and Reynolds number. Vortex noise of rotating circular cylinder blades, operating with and without the shed wake blown downstream, could be predicted using data for nonrotating circular cylinders as functions of Reynolds number. Vortex noise of nonrotating airfoils was found to be trailing-edge noise at a time frequence equal to that predicted for maximum-amplitude Tollmein-Schlichting instability waves at the trailing edge.
Study of mechanical properties of walnut shell powder
filled-glass fiber reinforced vinyl ester hybrid composite

In this article, an experimental investigation has been performed to examine the mechanical behaviour of walnut shell powder filled-glass fiber reinforced vinyl ester composite. The size of walnut shell varied in the range of 80 micron to 120 micron. Glass fiber was reinforced in mat form to provide primary strength to the composite while walnut shell powder (WNP) was used in view of giving value addition to it. Weightage of glass fiber was kept constant at 10 wt. % while WNP was varied as 0, 10, 15 and 20. Composite was fabricated by conventional hand lay-up method and characterized for mechanical propertied such as tensile strength, flexural strength and impact energy. The obtained results revealed that incorporation of WNP has significant influence on the mechanical properties but at higher weightage of WNP, a slight reduction in the properties were observed except flexural strength which showed linear increase with the addition of WNP.
Mesozoic floras of India: The Kota-Malert stage

The paper gives an account of some recent investigations on the Flora of Kota and Maleri, two villages lying on the Maharashtra-Andhra Pradesh border and a little further. These two areas have been variously treated by different geologists and botanists as belonging to the Upper or Lower Gondwana System. As a matter of fact, they belong to what are called the "Transitional beds". Evidence from plants and animals found in them indicates that there was a distinct dry interlude between the Lower and Upper Gondwanas which is now well recognised as the Middle Gondwanas. It corresponds to the Triassic of Europe. On the basis of the flora at least, it seems, that these two areas represent two distinct stages and not one. The Maleri stage corresponds to the Middle Gondwanas on par with the Rhaetic of Europe and Kota on par with the Upper Gondwanas or the Liassic.
Vitamin D3 Supplementation in Overweight/Obese Pregnant Women: No Effects on the Maternal or Fetal Lipid Profile and Body Fat Distribution—A Secondary Analysis of the Multicentric, Randomized, Controlled Vitamin D and Lifestyle for Gestational Diabetes Prevention Trial (DALI)

Vitamin D deficiency is a common finding in overweight/obese pregnant women and is associated with increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcome. Both maternal vitamin D deficiency and maternal obesity contribute to metabolic derangements in pregnancy. We aimed to assess the effects of vitamin D3 supplementation in pregnancy versus placebo on maternal and fetal lipids. Main inclusion criteria were: women <20 weeks’ gestation, BMI ≥ 29 kg/m2. Eligible women (n = 154) were randomized to receive vitamin D3 (1600 IU/day) or placebo. Assessments were performed <20, 24–28 and 35–37 weeks and at birth. Linear regression models were used to assess effects of vitamin D on maternal and cord blood lipids. In the vitamin D group significantly higher total 25-OHD and 25-OHD3 levels were found in maternal and cord blood compared with placebo. Adjusted regression models did not reveal any differences in triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C, free fatty acids, ketone bodies or leptin between groups. Neonatal sum of skinfolds was comparable between the two groups, but correlated positively with cord blood 25-OH-D3 (r = 0.34, p = 0.012). Vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy increases maternal and cord blood vitamin D significantly resulting in high rates of vitamin D sufficiency. Maternal and cord blood lipid parameters were unaffected by Vitamin D3 supplementation.