Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modelling of particle capture by expanding droplets

Abstract Froth flotation by small air bubbles has been traditionally used in industry to capture fine minerals and other hydrophobic particles. This method, however, is not efficient for capturing very small particles. The present work is motivated by a new agglomeration process that overcomes this lack of efficiency. It consists of mixing a particle suspension and saltwater-filled droplets covered with semi-permeable oil layers. This paper investigates the two-particle dynamics of a solid particle and a semi-permeable spherical drop that expands due to osmosis in an external, pure extensional flow field. A dimensionless engulfment parameter measures the relative effects of droplet growth and convective flow. The computational results from numerical integration determine a transient collision efficiency, which describes the influence of hydrodynamic interactions and osmotic flow on particle capture. The results show that drop expansion, which decays slowly with time, greatly increases particle capture rates, especially for small particles. Moreover, as the engulfment parameter increases, there is a transition from flow-dominated capture to expansion-dominated capture. For the case of a non-expanding droplet, we provide a numerical solution for the transient pair distribution function, which enables us to explain the transient particle-capture rate in terms of the microstructure of the suspension. Furthermore, we derive an analytical expression for the initial collision efficiency at zero times, which agrees with our numerical data. The numerical results for non-expanding droplets at long times show increasing collision efficiency as the permeability increases and when the size ratio is near unity, in agreement with previous steady-state calculations.
Reducing the risk of collision between ships in a close-quarters situation by simulating collision avoidance actions

Abstract ‘Close-quarters situation’ is a term used in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. As the term is not precisely defined, this paper analyses the interpretations and definitions of the term by various authors or courts, based on judicial processes and judgments. In the end, the authors suggest their own definition of the term ‘close-quarters situation’. Knowing the minimum distance from another ship and the time to the closest point of approach at which collision may still be avoided by one's own manoeuvre is information that every ship's officer needs to know. In accordance with the proposed definition of the term ‘close-quarters situation’, minimum distances between ships and time to the closest point of approach in which the ship can still take action to avoid a collision by its own manoeuvring are determined by means of simulations on a navigational simulator. A total of 168 simulations were performed with three fine-form vessel sizes and three full-form vessel sizes. Due to the extensive amount of data, the paper presents the results for one vessel only.
Vortex shedding from cylinders with two step discontinuities in diameter

Abstract A dual-step cylinder is a canonical geometry commonly encountered in many practical flows. It consists of a large diameter cylinder ($D$) attached coaxially to the mid-span of a small diameter cylinder ($d$). This work provides a comprehensive description of the flow development, classifies common wake regimes and considers the associated structural loading on a dual-step cylinder. The influence of the aspect ratio of the large diameter cylinder ($L/D$) and diameter ratio ($D/d$) is studied experimentally for a Reynolds number of $Re_D = 2100$, $1.33\leq D/d \leq 4$ and $0.2\leq L/D \leq 5$. The flow evolution and structural loading are quantified via a combination of flow visualization, Laser Doppler velocimetry, particle image velocimetry measurements and multi-component force balance measurements. Through a detailed analysis of the results, six distinct flow regimes are identified based on observed changes in the flow development downstream of the large diameter cylinder. The findings are distilled into a map of flow regimes that provides a framework for analysis of the dual-step cylinder wakes and incorporates limiting cases of this geometry, namely, uniform circular cylinders, cantilevered cylinders, cylinders with two free ends, coin-like cylinders and single-step cylinders. The identified flow regimes are also related to changes in structural loading.
Geometrically weighted modal decomposition techniques

Abstract Modal decomposition techniques have become important mathematical methodologies in analysing complex flow physics. The data-driven methods, such as proper orthogonal decomposition and dynamic mode decomposition are used to extract coherent structures in the form of spatial modes. These methods can be applied to both numerical and experimental data to identify the characteristic dynamics of the system. However, the classical data-driven modal decomposition methods are only applicable to problems with a fixed shape and are not suitable for systems with fluid–structure interaction or systems with shape-changing geometries. In this paper we propose a novel method utilizing a conformal mapping technique to solve this issue. Through different examples with deforming geometry, the capability of the method to accurately capture the flow features is demonstrated. The proposed method is found to be suitable for a wide range of applications and a possible candidate for reduced-order flow modelling of complex shape-changing systems.
Mechanism and modelling of the secondary baroclinic vorticity in the Richtmyer–Meshkov instability

Abstract We elucidate the effect of the secondary baroclinic vorticity (SBV) on the Richtmyer–Meshkov instability (RMI) accelerated by a weak incident shock and develop a vortex-based model for spike and bubble growth rates. Two major mechanisms of the single-mode RMI, the primary baroclinic vorticity (PBV) and the pressure perturbation, are distinguished by simplified models with the vortex-surface field. We find that the effect of the pressure perturbation can be neglected in the present RMI, and the growth of the interface or vortex surface is first driven by the PBV. Subsequently, the SBV, generated by the misalignment between the density gradient across the interface and the pressure gradient produced by the PBV-induced velocity, leads to the nonlinear growth of the interface with the generation of spikes and bubbles. Inspired by this mechanism, we develop a predictive model of spike and bubble growth rates using the motion of viscous vortex rings. The circulation of the vortex ring is modelled with the SBV effect. This model is validated by five data sets of direct numerical simulations and experiments of the single-mode RMI with various initial conditions.
Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus on growth, nutrient content, seed yield and quality of mustard

A pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of three levels of nitrogen and phosphorus combinations, i.e. N 60 P 30 kg ha -1 , N 80 P 40 kg ha -1 and N 100 P 50 kg ha -1 on growth, yield and quality of two cultivars of mustard (Brassica juncea). The data revealed that cultivar Pusa Bold gave higher plant height, leaf number, leaf area, number primary branches and plant dry weight than Kranti. Application of higher dose of NP fertilizers, i.e. N 100 P 50 kg ha -1 proved significantly better in improving all these parameters. Higher fertilizer dose also resulted in a significant increase in number of siliqua plant -1 , length of siliqua and number of seeds siliqua -1 , which consequently resulted in a marked increase in harvest index and seed yield of both the cultivars. N 100 P 50 kg ha -1 also resulted in an over all increase in leaf N, P and K contents and seed protein content. Oil content was found to be decreased with increased dose of NP fertilizers, however, extent of decrease in seed oil content was lower than increase in seed yield and thus total edible oil production was still higher with higher fertilizer dose as compared to the normal recommended dose.
Self-reported sleep problems are related to amyloid deposition in cortical regions with high HOMER1 gene expression Running title: Sleep, amyloid and HOMER1 gene expression

Sleep problems are related to elevated levels of the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarker βamyloid (Aβ). Hypotheses about the causes of this relationship can be generated from molecular markers of sleep problems identified in rodents. A major marker of sleep deprivation is Homer1a, a neural protein coded by the HOMER1 gene, which also has been implicated in brain Aβ accumulation. Here we tested whether the relationship between cortical Aβ accumulation and self-reported sleep quality, as well as changes in sleep quality over three years, was stronger in cortical regions with high HOMER1 mRNA expression levels. In a sample of 154 cognitively healthy older adults, Aβ correlated with poorer sleep quality cross-sectionally and longitudinally (n = 62), but more strongly in the younger than in older individuals. Effects were mainly found in regions with high expression of HOMER1. The anatomical distribution of the sleep-Aβ relationship followed closely the Aβ accumulation pattern in 69 patients with mild cognitive impairment or AD. Thus, the results indicate that the relationship between sleep problems and Aβ accumulation may involve Homer1 activity in the cortical regions that harbor Aβ deposits in AD. The findings may advance our understanding of the relationship between sleep problems and AD risk.
On-Farm Assessment of AquaSpy Soil Moisture Sensors for Irrigation Scheduling

The aim of this study was to compare a commercially-available radio-frequency (RF) spectroscopy soil moisture sensor with an array of calibrated research-grade soil water reflectometers in a no-till irrigated corn field during 2020. The RF probe consisted of 12 sensors spaced at 4-inch intervals across 48 inches in length, while the array of soil water reflectometers consisted of four sensors deployed along the soil profile at 4, 12, 20, and 28 in depth. Soil moisture sensors were installed at about 30 ft apart in two different regions within the same field characterized by contrasting soil textural classes. Hourly soil moisture and soil temperature were collected by both sensors and compared across the study period. The RF probe closely followed the soil moisture dynamics captured by the research-grade sensors. Preliminary results reveal that the tested RF sensor is useful for irrigation scheduling as long as end users feel comfortable with relative soil moisture values. Field-specific calibrations are required to translate the relative nature of soil moisture measurements into soil water storage in terms of volumetric water content or inches of water in the soil profile.
The Relationship Between Decision Making Skills and Students’ Behaviour Management

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between decision making skills and students’ behaviour management. The study was conducted at secondary schools in Kuala Lumpur by utilising a quantitative survey design. The samples of the study were 557 Form Four students who were selected based on random stratified sampling technique. As for data collection process, questionnaires with high reliability index were distributed to the respondents which covered student demography, decision making skills and students’ behaviour management. Data were analysed descriptively and inferentially by using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 24.0). Results from descriptive analysis indicated that students’ decision making skills level was average (mean=3.45, SD=0.51). The same was also found for students’ behaviour which was also reported as average level (mean = 3.61, SD = 0.68). Findings from inferential statistics by using Pearson Correlation revealed that decision making skillshad significant relationship and highly correlated with student behaviour management (r = 0.758). This study indicated that when students had high decision making skills level, their behaviour management was also high. It is hoped that this study could contribute to the theoretical and practical aspects for relevant parties so that they would concentrate on decision making skills factor in producing the next generation.
Toward Narrative-Based Conversational Interfaces

Advances in language technology research led to the rise in popularity of conversational interfaces that allow human users to carry on natural-like conversations with the software agent during task performance. Children comprise a sector of society who can benefit from interacting with these agents, particularly to enhance their language acquisition, literacy skills and emotional development. Stories dominate the everyday conversations of children. They learn about themselves and their environment through sharing of stories. In this paper, we describe our conversational storytelling agent that can support children in constructing a story, reflecting on story events, and expressing their emotions.
Influence of Carbon Based Nanofillers Addition on the Properties of Microporous Layers Prepared via Phase Inversion

Gas Diffusion Layers (GDLs) must have good electrical conductivity and a great hydrophobicity to prevent the pore flooding. These properties can be enhanced by adding a Micro Porous Layer (MPL) based on carbon composites. In this work several MPLs were prepared using carbon-based fillers, such as exfoliated graphite, carbon black and nanotubes, incorporated at very low loadings (<1% wt) in a porous PVDF based matrix obtained by the phase separation technique. The samples were characterized by measurements of electrical resistance, gas permeability and contact angle as well as observations with both optical and field emission electron microscopy. Carbon black has given overall interesting results as it can be well dispersed in the polymeric matrix and can improve all the fundamental properties required for an MPL. Exfoliated graphite showed an interesting decrease of the electrical conductivity only after compression of the MPL, probably due to its two-dimensional structure. Nanotubes showed a strong tendency to agglomeration, so the final properties mainly depend on the homogeneity of the dispersion of these aggregates.
Effect of Bone Marrow- Derived Stem Cells on Apopto sis of Dental Pulp Cells of Strepto zotocin -Induced Diabetic Rats

Aim: the aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of mesenchymal bone marrowstem cells (BMSCs) on the histological structure of the dental pulp of rats with Streptozotocininduceddiabetes mellitus using hematoxylin & eosin and Masson’s trichrome stains. Furthermore,the apoptotic activity of dental pulp cells was detected through Caspase-9 localization.Material and Methods: Thirty, three- month old, adult male albino rats, 180-200 gram weightwere used in this investigation. They were divided into three groups. Group I: 10 animals servedas controls. Group II: 10 animals subjected to a single intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocinin a dose of 60 mg/kg body weight for induction of diabetes mellitus that was verified by detectinghyperglycaemia (200mg/dl or more) in a blood sample. Group III: 10 animals treated the sameas those of group II and one week later these animals were intravenously injected with BMSCs.At the end of the experiment which lasted for two months, the animals of the different groupswere euthanized. Their jaws were dissected, decalcified and processed for hematoxylin and eosin,Masson’s trichrome stains and immunohistochemical stain for caspase-9 to study the dental pulpof the experimental rats.Results: The present work revealed that the treatment of diabetic rats with single intravenousinjection of bone marrow stem cells resulted in amelioration of the degenerative and apoptotic.effect of diabetes on the pulpal tissuesConclusion: Induction of diabetes in albino rats has degenerative effect on pulpal tissuesaccompanied by increased expression of caspase-9 (apoptotic marker). Intravenous injectionof BMSCs resulted in regeneration of pulp tissues and decreased apoptosis as detected by lowcaspase-9 expression.
MORINPEPTIDES: IN SILICO IDENTIFICATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDES AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY FROM Moringa oleifera LEAVES

The excessive use of antibiotics together with the high mutation rate at which bacteria become resistant constitute a public health issue that generates great concern. As a consequence, the prevalence of health careassociated infections (HCAIs) is increasing, especially in developing countries. In view of this, natural products from traditional plants have been envisaged as a new source of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts of Moringa oleifera leaves against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans responsible for the appearance of HCAIs. In parallel, we performed an in silico identification of AMPs using a previously published genome of Moringa. The results showed the susceptibility of the microbial isolates to different concentrations and incubation times with the plant extract. The decreasing order of growth inhibition was C. albicans > S. aureus > P. aeruginosa at 30 minutes and C. albicans > P. aeruginosa > S. aureus after 24 hours of incubation. These tendencies were also observed along a concentration gradient of 12.5%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% extract. Additionally, a total of 50 AMPs sequences were identified in the Moringa genome. Ten sequences were reported to display antimicrobial activity against at least one of the microorganisms evaluated here. The results of this study show that M. oleifera ethanolic leaf extracts have a potent antimicrobial action and retain a valuable potential as a source of AMPs. Furthermore, our findings suggest that its use could be effective against HCAIs of bacterial/fungal origin.
Development and characterization of inter-specific crosses involving cultivated and wild species of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The crossability of cultivated chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) with two wild annual species C. reticulatum (ILWC 46) and C. echinospermum (ILWC 239, ICC 17159) was estimated under field condition at two environmental locations viz., Palampur and Sangla. C. reticulatum showed higher crossability to chickpea as evident from higher seed set (14.36%) than C. echinospermum (seed set = 8.49%). Crosses involving C. reticulatum also had higher pollen viability (93-97%) than crosses involving C. echinospermum (3367%). Weather parameters with day temperature regimes of 15.9-29.4C; relative humidity of 38-41% and photoperiod of 8.9 hours were most appropriate for successful hybridization. Positive heterosis for seed yield per plant was observed in HC-2 × ILWC239 (148%) and HC-1 × ILWC46 (71.70%). Interspecific crosses were also characterized for different traits and sufficient genetic variability existed for all the traits under study. Seed yield per plant for inter-specific hybrids was 12.70 g as compared to 12.64 g for chickpea and 6.79 g for wild species. Correlation studies revealed that higher seed yield per plant can be obtained by selecting derivatives with high biological yield per plant, pods per plants, seeds per plant and harvest index.
Molecular Characterization of Papaya Ring Spot Virus Isolates From Different Parts of Tamil Nadu

An attempt has been made to characterize different PRSV isolates which infects papaya plants were collected from different parts of Tamil Nadu. The isolates were of PRSV-P type strain and the Coat Protein gene (CP) varied in size from 840860 bp which encodes 280 284 amino acids. Sequence alignment results revealed that the seven sequences obtained from different regions shared a homology of about 90% -95% with each other and homology of about 96% with the already reported Indian isolate and 88-90% with the other country isolates collected from NCBI. KE repeats were observed in the N terminus of the CP coding region from the different isolates found out. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolates identified here placed on the same group and reference isolates were grouped in a different progeny. Our study further helped us to identify conserved regions among the seven isolates and we also constructed an RNAi silencing vector targeting Coat protein gene to challenge the Papaya Ring Spot Virus (PRSV) for our future study.
Mathematical Model of a Nanosensor Based on Optical Tweezers

The paper considers the conditions for capturing a dielectric nanoparticle in a liquid by an optical tweezers trap. It is shown that the displacement of a nanoparticle from the equilibrium position under the action of a local physical field not associated with a laser trap shaper can be used to create a nanosensor for fields of physical or chemical origin.
SARS-CoV-2 infection activates a subset of intrinsic pathways to inhibit type I interferons in vitro and in vivo

SARS-CoV-2 infection poses a global challenge to human health. Upon viral infection, host cells initiate the innate antiviral response, which primarily involves type I interferons (I-IFNs), to enable rapid elimination of the invading virus. Previous studies revealed that SARS-CoV-2 infection limits the expression of I-IFNs in vitro and in vivo, but the underlying mechanism remains incompletely elucidated. In the present study, we performed data mining and longitudinal data analysis using SARS-CoV-2-infected normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells and ferrets, and the results confirmed the strong inhibitory effect of SARS-CoV-2 on the induction of I-IFNs. Moreover, we identified genes that are negatively correlated with IFNB1 expression in vitro and in vivo based on Pearson correlation analysis. We found that SARS-CoV-2 activates numerous intrinsic pathways, such as the circadian rhythm, phosphatidylinositol signaling system, peroxisome, and TNF signaling pathways, to inhibit I-IFNs. These intrinsic inhibitory pathways jointly facilitate the successful immune evasion of SARS-CoV-2. Our study elucidates the underlying mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 evades the host innate antiviral response in vitro and in vivo, providing theoretical evidence for targeting these immune evasion-associated pathways to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection.