Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Numerical Simulation of Airborne Salt Particle Behavior in Dry Gauze Method Using Porous Media Model

Airborne salt accelerates the corrosion of steel materials and, thus, must be quantitatively evaluated for the management of steel structures. In Japan, the dry gauze method, which uses a gauze embedded in a wooden frame, is often used to evaluate the amount of airborne salt. However, its collection efficiency for salt particles has not been verified owing to the complex airflows around the device. Therefore, as a first step to clarify the collection efficiency, the authors simulated the flow field around the collection device using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). In this study, the gauze was modeled as a porous medium to reduce the computational costs. Wind tunnel tests were performed to obtain the pressure loss coefficients of the gauze, which is necessary for the porous media method. Subsequently, particle tracking was performed in the calculated flow field, and the collection efficiency was evaluated under the condition of a filtration efficiency of 100%. The flow fields around the device were accurately reproduced using the porous media model, which considered both the tangential and normal resistances of the gauze. This result suggests that the tangential resistance must be considered in the porous media model when the porosity of an object is small, even if the thickness is small. The dependence of collection efficiency on wind speed and direction was quantitatively evaluated. The results showed that the collection efficiency was greatly affected by the complicated flow field around the device due to the combination of the gauze and wooden frame.
Relative importance of triggers influencing cost contingency determination for building contracts - the perspective of quantity surveyors

Abstract The main purpose of contingency sum is to mitigate the effect of uncertainties and construction variations during the execution of the project. Studies indicated that the estimation of contingency sum is associated with challenges, where some contractors consider contingency as part of their profit and this has resulted in disputes amongst consultants and contractors. Researches in developing economies (Ghana) have focused on the generic determination of cost contingency with little on the perspective of quantity surveyors who are the main players in the determination of contingency. The aim of this study was to identify the main triggers influencing the determination of contingency sum for building works from the perspective of Ghanaian quantity surveyors. Through literature, triggers were analyzed and ranked with relative importance index, also, Kendall’s coefficient of concordance was used to measure the degree of agreement amongst public and private quantity surveyors. Though all the categories were relevant, economic, exogenous and technical were paramount. Taxation was among the least influential triggers. This study provides information for players in building sector on triggers that require attention and also help them establish their own cost data, which will assist Quantity Surveyors and policy makers in their budgetary preparation for future projects.
Effect of Children’s Support on Depression among Older Adults Living Alone or with a Spouse: A Comparative Analysis between Urban and Rural Areas of China

Against the backdrop of rapid urbanization and severe population aging, older adults living alone or with a spouse in China have become a special and vulnerable group that deserve more research attention. Based on a national sample of 3886 older adults (≥60 years old) living alone or with a spouse, we used multiple linear regression models to investigate the effect of children’s support on depression among older adults living alone or with a spouse in China. A comparative analysis was conducted to examine the differences between urban and rural areas. The results indicated that financial support from children was negatively correlated with depression among older adults living alone or with a spouse, especially in rural areas. Their children’s frequency of contact also significantly alleviated depression among non-cohabiting parents in rural areas, but not for the same types of parents living in urban areas. Compared with financial support, their children’s frequency of contact contributes more to decreasing depression among older adults living alone or with a spouse. The effect of their children’s support on depression is comparable to that of demographic characteristics, which are usually deemed as important factors in the psychological health of older adults. Moreover, we found that the marginal effects of self-rated health and pain were significant and much higher than other control variables, especially in the urban model.
3D-finite element pavement structural model for using with traffic speed deflectometers

ABSTRACT The traditional practice for pavement structural capacity evaluation is mostly dependent on the falling weight deflectometer (FWD) measurements. However, this practice has several challenges due to its stationary nature. Recently, a Rolling Weight Deflectometer (RWD), capable of measuring the pavement deflections at regular traffic speeds, has been introduced into the market. This research aims to develop a finite element (FE) model simulating pavement structural response under the moving RWD loads. This model could be further utilised for accurately estimating pavement layers mechanical characteristics. The model was successfully validated utilising the RAPTOR (a commercially available RWD) data collected on the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) test track. A good correlation between the simulated and the measured values was found – yielding an average root mean square percentage error (RMSPE) of approximately 2.40% between the RAPTOR and the FE deflections.
A systems psychodynamic description of clinical psychologists’ role transition towards becoming organisational development consultants

Organisational development (OD) is an established function in organisations tasked to optimise organisational functioning and relationship building. Organisational development is mostly populated by staff members with academic qualifications, experience and competence in human resources and organisational psychology (OP). Large organisations also often employ clinical psychologists (CPs) in OD consultant roles.
Roles of TAO/TRITON and Argo in tropical Pacific observing system: An OSSE study for multiple time scale variability

In this study, a series of ocean observing system simulation experiments (OSSEs) are conducted in support of the tropical Pacific observing system (TPOS) 2020 Project (TPOS 2020) which was established in 2014, with aims to develop a more sustainable and resilient observing system for the tropical Pacific. The experiments are based on an ocean data assimilation system that is under development at the Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation (JCSDA) and the Environmental Modeling Center (EMC)/National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). The atmospheric forcing and synthetic ocean observations are generated from a nature run, which is based on a modified CFSv2 with a vertical ocean resolution of 1-meter near the ocean surface. To explore the efficacy of TAO/TRITON and Argo observations in TPOS, synthetic ocean temperature and salinity observations were constructed by sampling the nature run following their present distributions. Our experiments include a free run with no “observations” assimilated, and assimilation runs with the TAO/TRITON and Argo synthetic observations assimilated separately or jointly. These experiments were analyzed by comparing their long-term mean states and variabilities at different time scales [i.e., low-frequency (>90 days), intraseasonal (20~90 days), and high-frequency (<20 days)]. It was found that (1) both TAO/TRITON and especially Argo effectively improve the estimation of mean states and low-frequency variations; (2) on the intraseasonal time scale, Argo has more significant improvements than TAO/TRITON (except for regions close to TAO/TRITON sites); (3) on the high-frequency time scale, both TAO/TRITON and Argo have evident deficits (although for TAO/TRITON, limited improvements were present close to TAO/TRITON sites).
Can TV shows promote acceptance of sexual and ethnic minorities? A literature review of television effects on diversity attitudes

Until recently, western TV programming rarely featured sexual or ethnic minority members; if present, their representation was mostly negative. Increasingly, though, diverse characters start to play likeable protagonists as well. Thus, television can promote negative diversity attitudes and, at other times, positive ones. The present article reviews and connects theories and research from sociology, psychology, and media and communication studies to clarify the role of television in diversity attitudes formation and to identify directions for future research. Specifically, two research questions are addressed. First, through which processes does television influence diversity attitudes? Second, what features of TV shows contribute to positive diversity attitudes formation among viewers, according to different theories of television effects? Findings indicate that television can entrench existing negative diversity attitudes through the echo chamber phenomenon. However, TV content featuring numerous, likeable, attractive, and typical minority characters that have friendly interactions with the rest of society can promote positive diversity attitudes. Future research should study openness to view content with minority characters, examine the effects of the complete video media diets, check media effects in non ‐ western countries, explore media effects in longitudinal studies and investigate what constitutes attractive, likeable, and typical representation of ethnic and sexual minorities.
The Influence of Utilizing Recycled and Reclaimed Coarse Aggregates in Producing Concrete for Structural Applications

: Utilizing recycled or reclaimed coarse aggregates in producing recycled concrete for structural applications helps in preserving natural resources from depletion and reduces the volume of waste created throughout construction and demolition. Recycling makes the concrete production more sustainable and environment-friendly, by narrowing the traditionally vast area needed to be occupied as landfills. In this research, four types of mixes were prepared using recycled concrete aggregates and reclaimed crushed aggregates as substitution of natural coarse aggregates in different replacement percentages. Series of tests were conducted to investigate the properties of fresh and hardened concrete samples prepared from mixes with various compositions. The effects of adding recycled or reclaimed aggregates are presented in this paper. The results reveal that recycled concrete with 50% replacement of natural coarse aggregates with recycled or reclaimed aggregates can have adequate fresh and hardened properties. However, with full replacement ratio, although the compressive strength of recycled concrete was higher than that of conventional concrete, the workability of the recycled concrete mix significantly decreased.
Hospitality services in the post COVID-19 era: Are we ready for high-tech and no touch service delivery in smart hotels?

ABSTRACT Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, some hotels have introduced a new service model called contactless service. This paper unpacks this new hospitality landscape through a random sample of 510 valid responses collected at a smart hotel in Taiwan in June 2020 and discusses the emergent insights through Multiple Linear Regression (MLR). The findings revealed that (1) Sense experience (SE), feel experience (FE), and relate experience (RE) were all positively impacting information sharing (IS); (2) Sense experience (SE) and feel experience (FE) positively affected satisfaction (CS). The positive adjustment of the relationship between the sense experience (SE) and the related experience (RE) for information sharing (IS) is regulated by the outbreak event disruption (ED). Intelligence operation (IO) is a significant mediating effect among five-sense experiences, customer satisfaction, and information sharing. This paper analyzes empirical data and provides insights that illuminate the nuances of customer experiences with contactless hospitality service.
‘Ordinary’ and ‘diverse’ families. A case study of family discourses by Finnish early childhood education and care administrators

ABSTRACT The increased family diversity is a major global trend. Although family configurations are also diverse in contemporary Finland, it has been argued that Finnish family policies and institutional understanding of family life continues to focus on the heteronormative two-parent family with a native Finnish background. To address this issue, we analysed Finnish family discourses through qualitative interviews with early childhood education and care administrators (n = 47), applying a discourse analytic framework. Our results suggest that families are discussed through two divergent but interwoven discourses, i.e. the discourse of ordinary families and that of diverse families. The former focuses on heteronormative two-parent native-born Finnish families, perceived as ‘ordinary’ and familiar, and the latter on, especially, LGBTIQ and immigrant families, perceived as ‘new’, confusing and strange. We demonstrate how diversity is produced discursively by othering families that diverge from the ‘ordinary’. These discourses, reflecting wider cultural understandings of family, may have implications for both families and institutional practices. We conclude by arguing that the conventional and heteronormative understanding of family remains entrenched in Finnish family discourses.
A case of tracheal foreign body encountered in a Kangal dog: clinical, radiological, endoscopic findings and treatment

The subject of this study was a dog brought to our clinic with complaints of severe cough, dyspnea and anorexia. During the clinical examination, a hard mass was detected by palpation of the neck area. Vomiting reflex was observed. As a result of radiographic and endoscopic examination, a foreign body was found in the caudal part of the larynx. After the diagnosis was made, the patient was anesthetized and the foreign body was removed with forceps from the oral cavity. During the postoperative period, the patient was administered parenteral antibiotics and intraoral antiseptic for a week. The approach to foreign body cases in the respiratory tract of dogs is discussed.
Lignite‐fired air‐blown IGCC systems with pre‐combustion CO2 capture

Detailed analyses based on mass and energy balances of lignite‐fired air‐blown gasification‐based combined cycles with CO2 pre‐combustion capture are presented and discussed in this work. The thermodynamic assessment is carried out with a proprietary code integrated with Aspen Plus® to carefully simulate the selective removal of both H2S and CO2 in the acid gas removal station. The work focuses on power plants with two combustion turbines, with lower and higher turbine inlet temperatures, respectively, as topping cycle. A high‐moisture lignite, partially dried before feeding the air‐blown gasification system, is used as fuel input. Because the raw lignite presents a very low amount of sulfur, a particular technique consisting of an acid gas recycle to the absorber, is adopted to fulfill the requirements related to the presence of H2S in the stream to the Claus plant and in the CO2‐rich stream to storage.
Methodology to combine theoretical knowledge with a data-driven probabilistic graphical model

ABSTRACT This study presents an analytic inference methodology using probabilistic modeling that provides faster decision-making and a better understanding of complex relations. Two educational psychology models (i.e., the MUSIC Model of Motivation and the domain identification model) were coupled with a data-driven Probabilistic Graphical Model to provide a top-down and bottom-up combination for reasoning. Using survey data from middle school students, Bayesian Network models captured the probabilistic interactions between students’ perceptions of their science class, their identification with science, and their science career goals. Complex/non-linear relationships among these variables revealed that students’ perceptions of their science class (i.e., eMpowerment, Usefulness, Success, Interest, and Caring) were significant predictors of their science-related career goals. These findings provide validity evidence for using the MUSIC and domain identification models and provide educators and school administrators with a web-based simulator to estimate the effect of students’ science class perceptions on their science identification and career goals.
Revolutionary Approach for Fusion of the Classic, Relativity and Quantum field Theories: Sayed’s Acceleration Equation and Probable Violation of E=mc2

Expansion of the universe is a divine fact in the glorious Quran. The accelerated expansion of the universe is one of the physics mysteries and challenges. This article is a try to find an answer to this ambiguity. A simple fusion and merging of the Newton, Einstein and quantum field equations were carried out to clarify this topic. Innovative equations correlating the acceleration (As), cosmological constant (Ʌ), vacuum energy density (ρ) and distance (d) was deduced. It can be concluded that Sayed`s acceleration constant (As) is proportional to (Ʌ/ρ), (1/8mc2) and (1/πd2). The derivative equation reveals a probable violation of the mass-energy formula (E= mc2); the speed of light might be 12.5% more. This disparity may be due to antimatter contribution; neutrino-antineutrino, β-β+ annihilation and/or a predicted unrecognized very light particle in the atom nucleus. The Sayed`s acceleration constant (As) and (As/Ʌ) ratio were calculated and found to be 6.33825x10-8 m/s2 and 5.7620475x10+44 m3/s2 respectively. Using Sayed`s equations, the calculated acceleration in planck scale is matched with the declared 5.56081x1051 m/s2 value. The The calculated recession velocity at 1 Mpc was found to be 6.5192677 x 108 m/s . and the cosmological constant (Ʌ) is as measured;~1.1x10-52 m-2
Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis: Frequent Pathogens and Conservative Antibiotic Therapy

Chronic diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) is a frequent complication in adult polyneuropathy patients with long-standing diabetes mellitus. Regarding the conservative therapy, there are several crucial steps in adequate diagnosing and approaches. The management should be performed in a multidisciplinary approach following the findings of recent research, general principles of antibiotic therapy for bone; and according to (inter-)national guidance. In this chapter we emphasize the overview on the state-of-the-art management regarding the diagnosis and antibiotic therapy in DFO. In contrast, in this general narrative review and clinical recommendation, we skip the surgical, vascular and psychological aspects.
Non-consumptive effects of the zigzag ladybird beetle, Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fab.) on its prey, the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover

ABSTRACT Non-consumptive effects (NCEs) of predators include non-lethal changes in prey altering their behaviour and physiology with increased oxidative stress under predation-risk. Although prey species may exhibit a complex of antioxidant mechanisms, these may be inadequate to result in a reduction of adverse biological consequences in the prey. Reduced prey fitness may result and could contribute to enhancing biological control. Cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii is an important polyphagous pest predated by a variety of coccinellids and very much preferred by zigzag ladybird beetle, Cheilomenes sexmaculata (F.). Possible NCEs of C. sexmaculata on cotton aphid were studied to understand the underlying anti-oxidative mechanisms. We found that the non-consumptive effect is induced by olfactory cues, and even short-duration exposure could raise antioxidant enzyme levels in the cotton aphid. Aphids antioxidant mechanism uses upregulation of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) but not sufficiently to offset the oxidative damage that led to increased Malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Affected aphid biology with reduced reproductive performance as recorded 30.0 ± 4.40 nymphs/female under predation-risk compared to no-predation (41.6 ± 5.60). Further, the induction of winged morphs increased with active predation (21.53 ± 1.05%) and increased risk of predation (18.28 ± 4.86%) compared to aphids not exposed to predators (6.00 ± 2.99%). Antioxidant production costs were compensated by the exposed aphids directly through reduced reproduction and also triggered winged morphs in progeny. Non-consumptive effect might directly contribute to declines in aphid populations through reduced reproduction and may also stimulate dispersal of winged morphs.
Antimicrobial efficacy of triple antibiotic paste in teeth with primary endodontic infection: A systematic review

Objectives: This systematic review aims to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of triple antibiotic paste (TAP) as an intracanal medicament for root canal treatment of permanent or primary teeth with primary endodontic infection, as compared to other intracanal medicaments. Material and Methods: Three electronic databases, namely PubMed, CENTRAL, and Google Scholar, were searched for articles published in the English language till December 2019. Two hundred eighty-three studies were obtained for screening from an electronic database and one from the reference list of an article. After screening 234 records by title and abstract, 226 were excluded, and eight were selected for full-text eligibility assessment. Finally four studies were included in the systematic review. Results: Due to variations in the methods of outcome measurement and its evaluation at different time points, it was impossible to present the results as a meta-analysis. Thus, a narrative synthesis was performed for TAP compared to comparators used. The overall quality of included studies suggested a moderate risk of bias. Three comparators were reported in the included studies: Calcium hydroxide (CH) with 2% chlorhexidine (CHX), CH alone, and Ocimum sanctum. The antimicrobial efficacy of TAP was significantly better than plain CH and O. sanctum, whereas results did not differ significantly between TAP and CH plus 2% CHX. Conclusion: There is a lack of sufficiently high-quality clinical studies regarding the use of TAP. More clinical trials are recommended comparing the antimicrobial efficacy of TAP and other intracanal medicaments under standard protocols to establish a strong clinical evidence.