Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Numerical Investigations on Seismic Bearing Capacity of Interfering Strip Footings

The interaction between footings placed at close proximity affects the ultimate bearing capacity, settlement, and tilt of adjacent footings, especially under seismic loading. This paper reports the numerical finite element analysis to investigate the interference effect on the seismic bearing capacity of closely spaced rigid strip footings for a wide range of footing spacings, friction angles and horizontal acceleration factor. The results are presented in terms of seismic efficiency factors, and their variation was computed with respect to the change in the spacing ratio between the two footings. The results revealed that the increase in the earthquake acceleration leads to a reduction in efficiency gains owing to the failure zone of footings interfere altering the performance of the footings.
Interaction of Hippocampal Ripples and Cortical Slow Waves Leads to Coordinated Large-Scale Sleep Rhythm

The dialogue between cortex and hippocampus is known to be crucial for sleep dependent consolidation of long lasting memories. During slow wave sleep memory replay depends on slow oscillation (SO) and spindles in the (neo)cortex and sharp wave-ripple complexes (SWR) in the hippocampus, however, the mechanisms underlying interaction of these rhythms are poorly understood. Here, we examined the interaction between cortical SOs and hippocampal SWRs in a computational model of hippo-cortico-thalamic network and compared the results with human intracranial recordings during sleep. We observed that ripple occurrence peaked following the onset of SO (Down-to-Up-state transition) and that cortical input to hippocampus was crucial to maintain this relationship. Ripples influenced the spatiotemporal structure of cortical SO and duration of the Up/Down-states. In particular, ripples were capable of synchronizing Up-to-Down state transition events across the cortical network. Slow waves had a tendency to initiate at cortical locations receiving hippocampal ripples, and these “initiators” were able to influence sequential reactivation within cortical Up states. We concluded that during slow wave sleep, hippocampus and neocortex maintain a complex interaction, where SOs bias the onset of ripples, while ripples influence the spatiotemporal pattern of SOs.
Features of the Phase and Structural Transformations in the Processing of Industrial Waste From the Production of High-Alloyed Steels

We have investigated the physical and chemical properties of the alloy obtained by reduction smelting using wastes from the production of highly-alloyed steels and alloys. This is necessary to determine the technological aspects that reduce the loss of doping components when obtaining and using a doping alloy. The study results indicate that at the charge's oxygen-to-carbon ratio of 2.25, the alloy consisted mainly of a solid solution of doping elements in γ-Fe. At the charge's oxygen-to-carbon ratio of 1.67, we also observed Fe 3 C, followed by an increase in the intensity of carbide manifestation at the oxygen-to-carbon ratio of 1.19. Photographs of the microstructure clearly showed several phases with a different ratio of doping elements. The Ni content in the examined sections of various phases changed within 1.38‒46.38 % by weight, Cr ‒ 3.45‒45.32 % by weight, W ‒ 1.51‒27.32 % by weight, Mo ‒ 0.48‒10.38 % by weight. Mo, W, Nb mostly concentrated in individual particles. The Nb content in some inclusions reached 47.62 % by weight. Analysis of the study results has shown that the most beneficial charge's oxygen-to-carbon ratio is 1.67. At the same time, the phase composition is dominated by a solid solution of doping elements in γ-Fe. The proportion of residual carbon, which was in the form of a carbide component, accepted values in the range of 0.52‒2.32 % by weight while providing the necessary reducing capacity when using the alloy. Our research has identified new technological aspects in the processing of highly-alloyed anthropogenic waste when obtaining an alloy with a relatively low residual carbon content. The resulting parameters of the resource-saving doping material ensure the possibility to replace some of the standard ferroalloys when smelting steels with certain carbon content restrictions.
Experiences of Sexual Health Literacy in Sexual Relationship among Female Adolescent Students with Unplanned Pregnancy: A Qualitative Stud

บทคดยอ วตถประสงค: เพออธบายประสบการณความรอบรดานสขภาพทางเพศในความสมพนธทางเพศของนกเรยนวยรนหญงทตงครรภโดยไมไดวางแผน วธการศกษา: ในการศกษาเชงคณภาพน คดเลอกผใหขอมลแบบเฉพาะเจาะจง จำนวน 20 คน ขอมลจงอมตว มอายระหวาง 14 - 19 ป ซงตงครรภขณะกำลงศกษาอยในโรงเรยน เกบขอมลทแผนกฝากครรภของโรงพยาบาลชมชน ตงแตเดอนพฤศจกายน 2561 – มถนายน 2562 เกบขอมลดวยการสมภาษณเชงลก โดยใชแบบสมภาษณกงโครงสราง, บนทกเทปการสมภาษณ, การสงเกตแบบไมมสวนรวม, และการจดบนทกภาคสนาม ใชการวเคราะหแกนสาระตามแนวคดของ Braun และ Clarke ผลการศกษา: ประสบการณความสมพนธทางเพศ สามารถจำแนกได 3 ประเดนหลก คอ 1) การคบหากบเพศตรงขาม 2) สถานการณทนำไปสการยนยอมมเพศสมพนธ และ 3) การแสวงหาวธแกปญหาหลงการมเพศสมพนธ สรป: ประสบการณความรอบรดานสขภาพทางเพศในความสมพนธทางเพศของนกเรยนวยรนหญงทตงครรภโดยไมไดวางแผนทพบนสามารถนำไปใชใหความรเพอปองกนการมเพศสมพนธโดยไมไดวางแผนและการสงเสรมการคมกำเนดทเหมาะสม คำสำคญ : นกเรยนวยรนหญง, วจยเชงคณภาพ, ความรอบรดานสขภาพทางเพศ, ความสมพนธทางเพศ, ตงครรภโดยไมไดวางแผน Abstract Objective: To describe the experiences of sexual health literacy in sexual relationship among female adolescent students with unplanned pregnancy. Method: In this qualitative study, 20 informants were purposively sampled and interviewed until the data were saturated. They were 14 - 19 years old and got pregnant while in school. The recruitment participants at Ante natal care department of the Community hospitals from November 2018 to June 2019. Data were collected through in-depth interviews by semi-structured interview guide using voice recorder, non-participant observations, and field note. Thematic analysis of Braun and Clarke was employed to analyze the data. Results: The experiences of sexual relationship could be categorized into 3 groups, 1) dating the opposite sex, 2) situations leading to consent to have sexual intercourse, and 3) seeking a solution after sex. Conclusion: Experiences of sexual health literacy among female adolescents with unplanned pregnancy were identified. They could be used in education to promote the unplanned sex prevention and the proper use of birth control. Keyword: female adolescent students, qualitative study, sexual health literacy, sexual relationship, unplanned pregnancy
Performance Analysis of a H-Darrieus Wind Turbine for a Series of 4-Digit NACA Airfoils

The purpose of this paper is to estimate the H-Darrieus wind turbine aerodynamic performance, aerodynamic blade loads, and velocity profiles downstream behind the rotor. The wind turbine model is based on the rotor designed by McDonnell Aircraft Company. The model proposed here consists of three fixed straight blades; in the future, this model is planned to be developed with controlled blades. The study was conducted using the unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) approach with the k-ω shear stress transport (SST) turbulence model. The numerical two-dimensional model was verified using two other independent aerodynamic approaches: a vortex model and the extended version of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code FLOWer. All utilized numerical codes gave similar result of the instantaneous aerodynamic blade loads. In addition, steady-state calculations for the applied airfoils were also made using the same numerical model as for the vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) to obtain lift and drag coefficients. The obtained values of lift and drag force coefficients, for a Reynolds number of 2.9 million, agree with the predictions of the experiment and XFOIL over a wide range of angle of attack. A maximum rotor power coefficient of 0.5 is obtained, which makes this impeller attractive from the point of view of further research. Research has shown that, if this rotor were to work with fixed blades, it is recommended to use the NACA 1418 airfoil instead of the original NACA 0018.
Reppelency to spider mite mediated by the gene mi and by the synergism between high foliar contents of acylsugar and zingiberene in tomato

Tomato fruits (Solanum Lycopersicum) are intended for human consumption in its in natura or industrially processed form. However, the expansion of its cultivation area has favored the emergence of pests, such as spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), which significantly affects the production. The objective of this study was to quantify and evaluate the repellency of tomato lines to spider mite in function of the gene Mi and of the individual and synergistic effects of acylsugar and zingiberelene allelochemicals. The experiment consisted of a complete randomized design with four replications. For the bioassay, four fully expanded leaflets with similar size were removed from the upper third of the plants at pre-flowering phenological stage. The bioassay was carried out in a cold chamber, at 16±1°C, and 64 ± 4% RH. The gene Mi was not effective in conferring repellency to spider mite. On the other hand, zingiberene and acylsugar were efficient and equivalent regarding repellency to spider mite. When combined in tomato lines, zingiberene and acylsugar had synergistic effect, which increased repellency to spider mite.
Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in Brazil: clinical presentation, genetic findings and outcomes of a case series in adults and children treated with eculizumab

Abstract Background Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and kidney injury caused by a dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway. Methods We conducted a multicenter nonregistry study aimed at collecting clinical, laboratory and genetic information of patients with aHUS in Brazil. Demographic data, genetic findings, treatments and outcomes are presented. Results Thirty-four patients were included, 62% were female and 67% were Caucasian. Half of the patients had the first manifestation of aHUS before the age of 18 years (pediatric group). Among the 17 patients who had the first manifestation after the age of 18 years (adult group), 6 were kidney transplant patients. Overall, 22 patients (65%) received plasma exchange/plasma infusion (PE/PI) and 31 patients (91%) received eculizumab. Eculizumab was started later in the adult group compared with the pediatric group. Two patients stopped dialysis after PE/PI and 19 patients stopped dialysis after eculizumab despite a late start. A pathogenic/likely pathogenic variant was found in 24.3% of patients. A coexisting condition or trigger was present in 59% of patients (infections, pregnancy, hypertension, autoimmune disease and transplant), especially in the adult group. There was a 30% relapse rate after stopping eculizumab, irrespective of genetic status. Conclusion This is the largest case series of aHUS in Brazil involving a wide range of patients for which eculizumab was the main treatment. Although eculizumab was started later than advised in the guidelines, most patients were able to stop dialysis at variable intervals. Discontinuation of eculizumab was associated with a 30% relapse of aHUS.
Does corporate tax avoidance explain firm performance? Evidence from an emerging economy

Abstract Corporate tax avoidance is an act aiming at reducing tax amount liable to the government, which is expected to raise firm value. However, agency theory postulates that opportunistic managers can lower tax liabilities through the arrangement of complex transactions, enabling them to shirk or pursue own interests. Therefore, the need to examine the link between corporate tax avoidance and firm performance is evident, yet there has not been any research on this in the context of Vietnam, a country plagued with tax-avoiding cases. We are the first to examine the empirical link using a sample of Vietnamese listed firms over the period from 2010 to 2016, using a wide-ranging set of performance and tax-sheltering indicators. Overall, the results indicate a mixed relationship between corporate tax avoidance and firm performance in Vietnam.
Laboratory Assessment of Potato Resistance to Phytophthora Infestans

Abstract Resistance breeding is a very important alternative to chemical control of late blight. Many resistance (R) genes from the wild Solanum species have been discovered and introduced into the cultivated potato. The laboratory methods to assess the resistance to late blight such as tests on detached leaflets, leaves, tuber slices, or whole tubers, are easy, cheap, fast and provide a good estimation of resistance that can be further confirmed in field trials for the selected material. Laboratory assessment is particularly useful for materials, in which major resistance genes segregate and the resistance is qualitative rather than quantitative.
The ‘cost’ of collaborating and other challenges in inter-organizational child welfare practice: a community-wide perspective

ABSTRACT Research consistently identifies challenges in inter-organizational relationships in child welfare practice, yet studies typically examine partnerships among two or three organizations in siloed domains (e.g., child protective services and education) rather than the more encompassing inter-organizational landscape. Using a mixed-methods design, including a quantitative survey (n = 80 organizations) and 67 qualitative interviews with directors/administrators, this study sought to clarify and broaden a systemic understanding of challenges experienced among a comprehensive network of organizations community-wide. The sample included child protective services, schools, courts, law enforcement, domestic violence shelters, advocacy programs, hospitals, health clinics, mental and behavioral health providers, civic groups, religious groups, housing and homelessness services, youth mentorship and recreation programs, food banks, and more. In all, 15 challenges were evidenced and were organized into three clusters: (1) six process and procedural challenges (e.g., the ‘cost’ of collaborating), (2) six engagement challenges (e.g., negotiating roles and resources), and (3) three environmental challenges (e.g., political and policy shifts). Implications are discussed, including recommendations for dedicated staff and funding for collaboration, the use of interdependent response strategies, and enhancing inter-organizational empathy and respect.
Economic Models of Optimism: What Does the Evidence Say?

Recent economic models define a (non-Bayesian) optimist as someone whose beliefs and expectations are typically “too rosy”, in the sense that her priors and the evidence objectively available statistically warrant a more negative outlook. This paper reviews the existing empirical literature on optimism to assess the empirical relevance of those models. While there exists abundant and compelling evidence in favor of motivated inference, i.e., that preferences shape beliefs, the support for the most specific predictions of the economic models seems mixed, if not negative. We discuss open questions and opportunities for future research
Early-life social environment predicts social network position in wild zebra finches

Early-life experience can fundamentally shape individual life-history trajectories. Previous research has suggested that exposure to stress during development causes differences in social behaviour later in life. In captivity, juvenile zebra finches exposed to elevated corticosterone levels were less socially choosy and more central in their social networks when compared to untreated siblings. These differences extended to other aspects of social life, with ‘stress-exposed’ juveniles switching social learning strategies and juvenile males less faithfully learning their father's song. However, while this body of research suggests that the impacts of early-life stress could be profound, it remains unknown whether such effects are strong enough to be expressed under natural conditions. Here, we collected data on social associations of zebra finches in the Australian desert after experimentally manipulating brood sizes. Juveniles from enlarged broods experienced heightened sibling competition, and we predicted that they would express similar patterns of social associations to stress-treated birds in the captive study by having more, but less differentiated, relationships. We show striking support for the suggested consequences of developmental stress on social network positions, with our data from the wild replicating the same results in 9 out of 10 predictions previously tested in captivity. Chicks raised in enlarged broods foraged with greater numbers of conspecifics but were less ‘choosy’ and more central in the social network. Our results confirm that the natural range of variation in early-life experience can be sufficient to predict individuals' social trajectories and support theory highlighting the potential importance of developmental conditions on behaviour.
Allelopathic Effects of Different Plant Water Extracts on Yield and Weeds of Wheat

ABSTRACT: Use of synthetic herbicides to control weeds poses serious threats to sustainable agricultural production around the globe. The phytotoxic effect of different plant water extracts (i.e., sorghum, sunflower and mulberry) against weeds has been previously studied; however, their combined effects at different rates are yet to be explored. In this study, mixtures of allelopathic water extracts of sorghum + sunflower and sorghum + sunflower + mulberry were sprayed each at 12, 15, 18 and 21 L ha-1 at 40 and 55 days after sowing in wheat to control wild oats (Avena fatua), little seed canary grass (Phalaris minor), lamb’s quarters (Chenopodium album) and swine cress (Coronopus didymus). A synthetic herbicide Affinity 50 WP (Carfentrazone-ethyl 0.75% + Isoproturon 50% applied at 1000 g a.i., ha-1) and a weedy check were kept as a control treatment. The increasing order of water extract dose 12-21 L ha-1 showed substantial reduction in total weed density and their dry biomass production of both narrow and broad-leaved weeds in all the treatment combinations. Mixture of sorghum + sunflower + mulberry water extracts each at 18 L ha-1 applied at 40+55 DAS resulted in an 87.14% decrease in total weed dry matter with a 19.5% increase in grain yield of wheat and higher net benefits of Rs. 100525 with 777.5% marginal rate of return. Nonetheless, application of sorghum + sunflower water extracts each at 12 L ha-1 at 40+55 DAS was more economical than the other treatments in terms of higher marginal rate of return of 799.82%. Based on this study, it can be suggested that the use of allelopathic plant water extracts in a mixture may act as a potential weed control strategy in wheat.
Detection of Parking Slots Based on Mask R-CNN

Obtaining information on parking slots is a prerequisite for the development of automatic parking systems, which is an essential part of the automatic driving processes. In this paper, we proposed a parking-slot-marking detection approach based on deep learning. The detection process involves the generation of mask of the marking-points by using the Mask R-CNN algorithm, extracting parking guidelines and parallel lines on the mask using the line segment detection (LSD) to determine the candidate parking slots. The experimental results show that the proposed method works well under the condition of complex illumination and around-view images from different sources, with a precision of 94.5% and a recall of 92.7%. The results also indicate that it can be applied to diverse slot types, including vertical, parallel and slanted slots, which is superior to previous methods.
ECONOMIC LEADING SECTORS AND COMPETITIVENESS IN SOUTH TAPANULI REGENCY

This study aims to determine the economic leading sectors, determine the position of the ecoomic leading sectors Agriculture sector specially and the priority sectors in the economic developement in South Tapanuli Regency. The data used is secondary data of the Gross Domestic Regional Bruto year 2011 to 2018 obtained from the Central Bureau of Statistic. Location Quotient (LQ), Dynamic Location Quotient (DLQ) , Shift-share, and Overlay analysis were applied in this research. The result of the analysis showed that the economic leading sectors in Souths Tapanuli regency are Transportation and Warehousing sector, Other Services Activities, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing, Manufacturing, and Electricity and Gas sector. These sectors are also a priority order to be developed. The study also showed that the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries sector is one of the leading sector with description: not progressive and weak competitiveness.
Groundwater vulnerability assessment using modified SINTACS model in Wadi Shueib, Jordan

ABSTRACT Water scarcity is the most serious environmental challenge that Jordan faces. Water resources require better protection and management as groundwater accounts for about 50% of the water usage in Wadi Shueib, central Jordan. Intrinsic vulnerability for Wadi Shueib (a valley located south of As-Salt city) watershed was assessed using modified SINTACS model using GIS techniques. According to our model, the investigated area encompassed very high, high and moderate areas of potential pollution with area coverage <1%, 26% and 51%, respectively. The high potential pollution is mainly influenced by combined contributions of parameters such as; unsaturated zone, aquifer media, lineaments density and effective infiltration. Sensitivity analysis indicates that lineament density is significant for the calculation of the groundwater vulnerability index. Nitrate concentrations measured in selected wells and springs were compared with the model to inspect its reliability. The validation rate of our model reaches more than 70%, which is an indication of acceptable modelling approach. Moreover, there was a good match of vulnerability classes with land use land cover categories as indicators of groundwater vulnerability. The SINTACS method proved its versatility even in this complex hydrogeological environment.
Nonionic surfactant-based cloud point extraction of polyhydroxyalkanoate from the fermentation crude in a rotating disc contactor

ABSTRACT Nonionic surfactant-based cloud point extraction of polyhydroxyalkanoate from fermentation broth was implemented in a modified rotating disc contactor. The effect of rotor speed and phase flowrates on dispersed micellar phase holdup, mass transfer coefficient, yield, and purity were studied with micellar system contains TX114 (4.5 wt %)+ TMN6 (0.5 wt %) and 0.1 M ammonium chloride at broth pH of 3. The rotor speed and the micellar phase flowrate had a significant effect. A maximum PHA recovery of 85.48% and purity of 86.01% were achieved. The correlation was developed to predict the dispersed-phase holdup.
Remittance inflows and poverty Nexus in Botswana: a multivariate approach

ABSTRACT This study investigates the causal relationship between remittances (remittance inflows) and poverty in Botswana. Time series data is utilised from 1980 to 2017. To improve the robustness of the results, two poverty proxies are used, namely: household consumption expenditure and infant mortality rate. The study employs autoregressive distributed lag approach (ARDL) to cointegration and the error correction model (ECM)-based causality test, the findings of the study reveal a short-run and long-run bidirectional causal relationship between poverty and remittances when household consumption expenditure is used as a proxy for poverty. However, when poverty is measured by infant mortality rate, a unidirectional causal relationship from poverty to remittances is confirmed both in the long run and the short run. Using the same poverty proxy, remittances were found to have an indirect causal effect on poverty through real gross domestic product per capita. The study concludes that remittances play an important role in driving poverty reduction in Botswana, irrespective of whether the level of poverty is measured by household consumption expenditure or by infant mortality rate.