Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermal Conductivity of Al2O3 and CeO2 Nanoparticles and Their Hybrid Based Water Nanofluids: An Experimental Study

In many heat exchange systems, there is a demand to improve the thermal conductivity of the working fluids to make those fluids more efficient, and this can be done by dispersing solid nanomaterials into conventional liquids. In the present work, the thermal conductivity of alumina, ceria, and their hybrid with ratio (50:50) by volume-based deionized water nanofluids was experimentally measured. The nanofluids were prepared by two-step method with a range of dilute volume concentration (0.01-0.5 % Vol.), and measured at various temperatures (35, 40, 45, and 50 ºC). The experimental data for basefluid and nanofluids were verified with theoretical and experimental models, and the results have shown good agreement within the accuracy of the thermal conductivity tester. The results demonstrated that the higher thermal conductivity enhancement percentages for Al2O3, CeO2, and their hybrid nanofluids were (5.3 %, 3.3 %, and 8.8 %) at volume concentration (0.5 % Vol.) and temperature (50 ºC) compared to deionized water, respectively. Moreover, a correlation was proposed for the thermal conductivity enhancement ratio of the hybrid nanofluid and showed good accuracy with measured experimental data.
Processi autoregolativi e feedback nell’apprendimento online

The e-learning training, both within most traditional formal education contexts and in the latest version of MOOCs, is growing. However, the limits are also highlighted: high risk of drop-out, high variability in the quality of education and learning outcomes. The commitment to further qualify e-learning training implies a redefinition of educational and evaluation models and tools that consider aspects of cognitive, metacognitive and motivational nature. Specifically it seems interesting to study the self-regulation processes which many have highlighted as one of the main success factors in the study and which we must consider as particularly critical when the regulation of learning processes is completely or almost at the expense of the subject, as typically happens in e-learning contexts. It is therefore interesting to develop tools and strategies that help students to reflect and become aware of those dimensions that are basis of self-regulating behaviour. In this way also Social Learning Analytics perspective, through the implementation of feedback tools, offers interesting solutions to improve levels of awareness and trust of students in e-learning environments.
Tree Damage by Ice Accumulation in Norway Spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) Stands Regarding Stand Characteristics

Freezing rain is a frequently occurring, but relatively rarely studied disturbance in Europe, although ice accumulation may occasionally cause severe damage for forestry. We aimed to characterize ice-accumulation damage to overstory trees in spruce stands, assess the probability of damage based on the stand and individual tree parameters, and define the most significant parameters that affect the probability of individual tree damage in all stands and in recently thinned stands. Among the studied stands, the proportion of damaged overstory spruce ranged from 1.8% to 60.9% and was higher (p < 0.001) in recently thinned stands (27.8% ± 1.9%) than in the other stands (20.4% ± 1.6%). Stem breakage was the prevalent (98.5% ± 1.1%) damage type. At the stand level, the probability of damage decreased for older, less dense stands with a larger mean diameter. Within stands, overstory trees were more damaged (23.5% ± 1.2%; p < 0.001) than those in the lower stand layers, but, within overstory, trees with larger dimensions and a higher social position (high relative diameter and low slenderness ratio) and a higher proportion of crown were less damaged. The probability of breakage to overstory trees was most accurately predicted using almost the same variables for all stands and recently thinned stands. The site type, tree height, relative diameter, and crown ratio were common for both, with the addition of mean diameter at breast height for all stands and the stand density for recently thinned stands. Our results indicate the importance of the tree and stand characteristics on the resistance of individual tree to ice accumulation and the need for management practices that balance increased growth and the stability of trees throughout the rotation.
Global OTC pharmaceutical packaging with a local touch

PurposeThe aim of this study is to explore the contextual influences of packaging design and its cues on respondents' preferences.Design/methodology/approachTo explore the contextuality of packaging cues, a multi-attribute valuation technique, conjoint analysis was used for two types of pharmaceutical products (painkiller and sore throat medicine) across seven countries. Data were collected among respondents (N = 461) from Finland, Ghana, Mongolia, Nigeria, Portuguese, South Africa and the USA.FindingsSimilarities and dissimilarities were observed between the product types and countries analysed in terms of the impact of packaging cues. The findings demonstrate the global and local nature of brand cues expressed in retail packaging.Practical implicationsThe study implies that some cues may serve global markets, while some cues may need to be localised in order to meet the needs of local markets. Understanding these cues and their influences on consumers' brand preferences and choices at the point-of-purchases may enable companies to enter new markets, help them create sustainable and credible global brands.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the existing retail packaging literature and pharmaceutical branding literature by providing empirical evidence of the multidimensional aspects of sensory packaging cues. Second, it contributes by showing the contextual nature of retail packaging and its associated cues for OTC pharmaceuticals.
The Influence of After Sales Services on Marketing Performance in the Retail Sector in Botswana

The focal point of the study was to investigate the influence of after sales services on marketing performance at Sefalana Holdings in Botswana. The study was conducted in order to find out the influence of after sales services on customer satisfaction, customer loyalty and customer retention at Sefalana Holdings in Botswana. Causal research approach was employed and a questionnaire was used to collect data from Sefalana customers. The study results indicated that after sales services are provided at Sefalana but they are not fully utilized and implemented. The study findings revealed that there is a weaker significant positive relationship between after sales services and customer satisfaction, customer loyalty and customer retention at Sefalana Holdings in Botswana. This infers that after sales services are not properly done at Sefalana and therefore, the researcher recommended that Sefalana Holdings should improve on the delivery of its after sales services in order to increase customer satisfaction, customer loyalty and customer retention.
The youngest Ordovician (latest Katian) coral fauna from eastern Australia, in the uppermost Malachis Hill Formation of central New South Wales

Abstract Corals representing the sole occurrence of C/S Fauna IV of the regional biostratigraphic scheme occur in limestone in the uppermost Malachis Hill Formation of the Bowan Park area, central New South Wales. New species described and illustrated from this fauna include the rugosan Bowanophyllum ramosum and tabulate Hemiagetiolites longiseptatus. Also documented are three other distinct species of Hemiagetiolites, H. spinimarginatus (Hall, 1975), H. sp. cf. H. palaeofavositoides (Lin & Chow, 1977) and H. sp. , an unnamed species of Paleofavosites, and three heliolitine corals, Heliolites waicunensis Lin & Chow, 1977, Navoites cargoensis (Hill, 1957) and Plasmoporella sp. These descriptions, which complete knowledge of the entire fauna collected over 50 years, enable interesting conclusions to be drawn regarding palaeogeographic affinities of this youngest in situ Ordovician coral fauna known from eastern Australia. Its remarkable similarities to contemporaneous coral faunas from South Tien Shan and the Chu-Ili Terrane indicate strong connections between eastern Australia and the latter two terranes, supporting their positioning in equatorial latitudes of eastern peri-Gondwana. However, it is puzzling that fewer similarities exist between the eastern Australian coral fauna and those from rocks of Katian age in SE China, which may be due to either a slightly younger age of the former fauna or a relatively higher palaeolatitudinal position of South China. Guangxu Wang [gxwang@nigpas.ac. cn], State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy; Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Nanjing 210008, China; Ian G. Percival [ian.percival@planning.nsw. gov.au], and Yong Yi Zhen [yong-yi.zhen@planning.nsw. gov.au], Geological Survey of New South Wales, 947–953 Londonderry Road, Londonderry, NSW 2753, Australia.
Latitudinal variation in structure and function of conspicuous reef fish assemblages along the western Gulf of California

The Gulf of California is characterized by great biodiversity, high biological productivity and important fisheries. Studies on community structure of the reef fish fauna in the region have been conducted mainly in central and southern areas and, except for a few studies that have focused on cryptic species, there are no comparisons of the fish assemblages along this 1,600 km sea. In this study, we examine how diversity and community structure of rocky reef fishes vary with the latitude in the north, central and southern part of the west side of the Gulf of California. We conducted stationary visual censuses in observation cylinders (5 m radius) in 6 locations between Bahia de los Angeles (29° N) and Los Cabos (22° N) and estimated the following ecological descriptors and indexes: species richness, abundance, Shannon diversity, Pielou evenness, average taxonomic distinctness, and average trophic level. In addition, we used ordination analysis to determine the degree of similarity among study areas. Our results identified 3 distinct zones: north (29° N), central (27° N to 24° N) and south (24° N to 22° N).
The effect of competitive intelligence on competitive strategy and performance: study on cafes and restaurants in Malang, Indonesia

This study aims to investigate the effect of competitive intelligence to competitive strategy and performance of cafes and restaurant in Malang, Indonesia. Data analysis applying path analysis on 100 samples showed that competitive intelligence directly affects performance and indirectly through competitive strategy performance. These findings are expected to provide recommendations for strategic planning development efforts in the future for cafes and restaurants in Malang, and also to help in developing the best practices in responding the market change.
Top Management Turnover and Its Effect on Employee Absenteeism: Understanding the Process of Change

This study investigates the effect of top management turnover in public organizations on employee absenteeism, examining school principal turnover in public primary schools. While previous research has focused on the impact of principal turnover on school performance, we analyze how principal turnover influences employee absence. A longitudinal study of 481 employees is conducted. Findings indicate that managerial turnover at schools does indeed influence absence. Absence is particularly high after a new top manager has taken office, and especially for employees where the gap between resignation of one manager and another taking office is short. Findings also show that the absence effect of a new top manager diminishes over time.
INFLUENCE OF BUCKLING FORMS INTERACTION ON STIFFENED PLATE BEARING CAPACITY

The work is devoted to studying the influence of initial geometric imperfections on a value of the peak load for the compressed stiffened plate with the two-fold buckling load. The finite-element set MSC PATRAN – NASTRAN was used for solving the set tasks. When modelling the stiffened plate, flat four-unit elements were used. Geometric non-linearity was assumed for calculations. The plate material was regarded as perfectly elastic. Buckling forces of stiffened plate at the two-fold buckling load were calculated (simultaneous buckling failure on the form of the plate total bending and on the local form of wave formation in stiffened ribs). Equilibrium state curves, peak load decline curves depending on initial imperfection values and the bifurcation surface were plotted.
Energy efficient production of geopolymer bricks using industrial waste

Bricks are the most predominant masonry units that are consumed globally. Brick manufacturing is energy consuming process and generates large amount of air pollution. The main objective of this paper is to synthesis geopolymer bricks made of Ground Granulated Blast furnace Slag (GGBS), M-Sand and Alkaline solution. The significance of this research work is the designing of geopolymer brick under economic condition with properties equivalent to the Class A first class bricks. The various factors that affect the geopolymerization such as proportions of raw materials, ratio of alkaline solution and molarity of the sodium hydroxide solution are optimized in this research work. Compressive strength and water absorption test were conducted over the brick specimens as per IS 3495 (Part 2): 1992. The results report that GGBS based geopolymer bricks could be designed with better engineering properties. This extends the scope of geopolymerization in the arena of bricks.
Effects of Temperature and Grafting on Yield, Nutrient Uptake, and Water Use Efficiency of a Hydroponic Sweet Pepper Crop

In areas characterized by mild winter climate, pepper is frequently cultivated in unheated greenhouses in which the temperature during the winter may drop to suboptimal levels. Under low temperature (LT) conditions, the uptake of nutrients may be altered in a different manner than that of the water and thus their uptake ratio, known as uptake concentration, may be different than in greenhouses with standard temperature (ST) conditions. In the present study, pepper plants of the cultivars “Sammy” and “Orangery”, self-grafted or grafted onto two commercial rootstocks (“Robusto” and “Terrano”), were cultivated in a greenhouse under either ST or LT temperature conditions. The aim of the study was to test the impact of grafting and greenhouse temperature on total yield, water use efficiency, and nutrient uptake. The LT regime reduced the yield by about 50% in “Sammy” and 33% in “Orangery”, irrespective of the grafting combination. Grafting of “Sammy” onto both “Robusto” and “Terrano” increased the total fruit yield by 39% and 34% compared with the self-grafted control, while grafting of “Orangery” increased the yield only when the rootstock was “Terrano”. The yield increase resulted exclusively from enhancement of the fruit number per plant. Both the water consumption and the water use efficiency were negatively affected by the LT regime, however the temperature effect interacted with the rootstock/scion combination. The LT increased the uptake concentrations (UC) of K, Ca, Mg, N, and Mn, while it decreased strongly that of P and slightly the UC of Fe and Zn. The UC of K and Mg were influenced by the rootstock/scion combination, however this effect interacted with the temperature regime. In contrast, the Ca, N, and P concentrations were not influenced by the grafting combination. The results of the present study show that the impact of grafting on yield and nutrient uptake in pepper depend not merely on the rootstock genotype, however on the rootstock/scion combination.
Will I be back? Evoking nostalgia through college students’ memorable exchange programme experiences

Purpose International exchange students have been known for an often-neglected population in tourism research and their intention to revisit the host country has not been explored. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships among international exchange students’ memorable experiences, nostalgia, satisfaction and revisit intention. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from students (N = 169) with recent international exchange experience using snowball sampling approach through various online platforms. The hypothesised relationships were tested using the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Findings Results showed that memorable experiences had a positive effect on nostalgia and satisfaction, and nostalgia significantly affected satisfaction. Satisfaction was also found to have a positive effect on revisit intention. In addition, memorable experiences and nostalgia had indirect effects on satisfaction and intention to revisit a host country in the near future. Originality/value The findings of this study contribute to the extant literature on international exchange students’ experience and provide tourism marketers with strategies to encourage them to revisit a host country.
Indicators for an extended length of stay in the emergency service unit of a Thai community hospital: A multi-level analysis

Background: Extended length of stay affects the efficiency of patient care and results in undesirable patient outcomes. This study explores potential indicators for a prolonged length of stay in the emergency unit in a community hospital setting. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Patients who visited the emergency unit during the first half of September 2018 were included. A multivariable multi-level risk regression was used to explore for potential indicators of an extended length of stay in the emergency unit. Results: A total of 1,160 emergency visits nested within 16 days study period were included for analysis. 126 (10.9%) visits with an extended length of stay (≥4 hours) and 1,034 visits with a length of stay less than 4 hours were identified. Different patient characteristics and characteristics related to emergency unit between groups were explored. Male gender (RR=1.52, 95% CI; 1.05-2.20, p=0.025), elderly patients (RR=1.82, 95% CI; 1.08-3.04, p=0.016), Burmese citizenship (RR=1.72, 95% CI; 1.15-2.59, p=0.009), non traumatic mode of presentation (RR=2.50, 95% CI; 1.28-4.92, p=0.008), hospital admission as disposition status (RR=2.38, 95% CI; 1.50-3.77, p<0.001), visit on weekends (RR=2.42, 95% CI; 1.12-5.23, p=0.025), and visit during day shifts (RR=5.75, 95% CI; 1.38-23.92, p=0.016) were identified as significant indicators for extended length of stay in the emergency unit. Conclusion: Indicators for an extended length of stay in the emergency unit of a Thai community hospital were male patients, elderly patients, Burmese citizenship, non-traumatic mode of presentation, hospital admission as disposition status, visit on weekends, and visit during day shifts.
Remittance inflows and financial development: evidence from the top recipient countries in Sub-Saharan Africa

ABSTRACT This paper utilizes a panel cointegration approach to investigate the relationship between remittances and financial development in the top remittance recipient countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our results point to a significant and positive long-run relationship. More specifically, the pooled-mean group estimates indicate that a one-percentage point increase in remittance inflows promotes financial development by more than one percentage point. In addition, the results support the existence of bidirectional causality between remittances and financial development in the long-run. We also find some evidence that remittance pricing has a negative impact on the long-run relationship between remittances and financial development. While the results suggest that remittance inflows promote financial development, migrant workers may be timing the foreign exchange market to remit.
A titanium dioxide/nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dot nanocomposite to mitigate cytotoxicity: synthesis, characterisation, and cell viability evaluation

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have attracted tremendous interest owing to their unique physicochemical properties. However, the cytotoxic effect of TiO2 NPs remains an obstacle for their wide-scale applications, particularly in drug delivery systems and cancer therapies. In this study, the more biocompatible nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) were successfully incorporated onto the surface of the TiO2 NPs resulting in a N-GQDs/TiO2 nanocomposites (NCs). The effects of the nanocomposite on the viability of the breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) was evaluated. The N-GQDs and N-GQDs/TiO2 NCs were synthesised using a one- and two-pot hydrothermal method, respectively while the TiO2 NPs were fabricated using microwave-assisted synthesis in the aqueous phase. The synthesised compounds were characterised using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and UV-visible spectrophotometry. The cell viability of the MDA-MB-231 cell line was determined using a CellTiter 96® AQueous One Solution Cell Proliferation (MTS) assay. The obtained results indicated that a monodispersed solution of N-GQDs with particle size 4.40 ± 1.5 nm emitted intense blue luminescence in aqueous media. The HRTEM images clearly showed that the TiO2 particles (11.46 ± 2.8 nm) are square shaped. Meanwhile, TiO2 particles were located on the 2D graphene nanosheet surface in N-GQDs/TiO2 NCs (9.16 ± 2.4 nm). N-GQDs and N-GQDs/TiO2 NCs were not toxic to the breast cancer cells at 0.1 mg mL−1 and below. At higher concentrations (0.5 and 1 mg mL−1), the nanocomposite was significantly less cytotoxic compared to the pristine TiO2. In conclusion, this nanocomposite with reduced cytotoxicity warrants further exploration as a new TiO2-based nanomaterial for biomedical applications, especially as an anti-cancer strategy.
Genetic Association of GDF5, COG5 and CYBA Gene Polymorphisms with PrimaryKnee Osteoarthritis in South Indian Population

Purpose: Osteoarthritis (OA) is also known as degenerative arthritis and it affects millions of people and can have a huge impact on their lives. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in combination with genome wide association studies (GWAS) have been significantly focused. GWAS have been evaluated using candidate genes with genetic variants for Growth Differentiation Factor 5 (GDF5), Component of Oligomeric Golgi complex 5 (COG5), and Cytochrome B-245 alpha chain (CYBA) with primary knee Osteoarthritis (OA). These studies have been documented in Caucasian population, and we aimed to investigate the case-control study to evaluate association between knee OA in the South Indian population. Materials & methods: SNPs for GDF5 (rs143383), COG5 (rs4730250) and CYBA (rs4676) were genotyped with polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism in 150 primary Knee OA cases and 150 age and gender-matched controls. Alleles and genotype frequencies were calculated to compare the significant and non-significant association with the p-values. Multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) analysis was performed to study the gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. Results: Baseline clinical details such as Body Mass Index (BMI), weight, histories of Type 2 diabetes and hypertension were significantly associated with primary Knee OA (p<0.05). Genetic factors for 3 SNPs were significantly associated with allelic frequency, dominant, and recessive mode of inheritance pattern (p<0.05). MDR analysis revealed a strong synergistic interaction between GDF5 and CYBA as well as COG5 and CYBA gene polymorphisms. GDF5 gene polymorphism is also synergistically interacting with BMI. Conclusion: The three gene polymorphisms of GDF5, COG5 and CYBA could be used as a molecular biomarker to identify primary Knee OA in south Indian population to assess the risk of disease which in turn helps us to reduce the disability caused by the disease. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study in India.