Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A multi-parameter design formula for riprap size selection at wing-wall abutments

A numerically-based approach is used to obtain a size selection formula for the riprap stone part of the apron used to protect wing-wall abutments against erosion. Several series of simulations with a given mean riprap diameter are conducted to estimate the maximum bed shear stress over the riprap apron and then the maximum (critical) Froude number at which riprap stones will resist shear failure by the flow for cases where the abutment is placed in straight and curved channels with or without a floodplain. Simulation results show that some of the existing design formulas for wing-wall abutments placed in straight river channels are not conservative enough for relatively large floodplain widths. Using data from the numerical simulations, a modified, two parameter design formula for riprap size selection is proposed that explicitly incorporates the effects of bank curvature and floodplain width.
Plastic changes in primate motor cortex following paired peripheral nerve stimulation

Repeated paired stimulation of two peripheral nerves can produce lasting changes in motor cortical excitability, but little is known of the underlying neuronal basis. Here we trained two macaque monkeys to perform selective thumb and index finger abduction movements. Neural activity was recorded from the contralateral primary motor cortex during task performance, and following stimulation of the ulnar and median nerves, and the nerve supplying the extensor digitorum communis (EDC) muscle. Responses were compared before and after one hour of synchronous or asynchronous paired ulnar/median nerve stimulation. Task performance was significantly enhanced after asynchronous, and impaired after synchronous stimulation. The amplitude of short latency neural responses to median and ulnar nerve stimulation was increased after asynchronous stimulation; later components were reduced after synchronous stimulation. Synchronous stimulation increased neural activity during thumb movement and decreased it during index finger movement; asynchronous stimulation decreased activity during both movements. To assess how well neural activity could separate behavioral or sensory conditions, linear discriminant analysis was used to decode which nerve was stimulated, or which digit moved. Decoding accuracy for nerve stimulation was decreased after synchronous, and increased after asynchronous paired stimulation. Decoding accuracy for task performance was decreased after synchronous, but unchanged after asynchronous paired stimulation. Paired stimulation produces changes in motor cortical circuits which outlast the stimulation. Some of these changes depend on precise stimulus timing.
HIGH-PRECISION SATELLITE LEVELING AND INVESTIGATION OF THE LOCAL GEOID MODEL IN THE TERRITORY OF KASHKADARYA REGION

In this paper, a study of the accuracy of obtaining normal heights using Global Geopotential Models EGM2008, EIGEN6C4, GECO and GNSS measurements for the territory of the Kashkadarya region in Uzbekistan is carried out. The heights obtained by the classical leveling in Baltic reference system were used as reference data. EIGEN-6C4 and GECO models were recommended for definition a preliminary quasi  geoid model of the region.
On the heat capacity of crystalline magnesium oxide

The heat capacity of single crystals of magnesium oxide has been measured in the temperature range 3 to 270°K with estimated accuracies of ± 0.5% for 10 < T < 20°K and ± 0.2% for T > 20°K. Reliable results were not obtained below 10°K because of desorption of helium exchange gas in the calorimeter vessel. With the assumption that the effect of anharmonicity of the lattice vibrations may be neglected for T < 1/3 ⊝D, the experimental results have been analyzed to obtain a number of properties of an effective harmonic frequency spectrum of magnesium oxide. In particular, several negative moments, three even positive moments, and the coefficients of the first three terms in the low-frequency expansion have been calculated. From the low-frequency expansion the apparent Debye characteristic temperature at 0°K (⊝0) is calculated to be 946 ± 4°K, in good agreement with the measured elastic constants (⊝ (elastic) ═ 949°K). The zero-point energy is found to be 3455 ± 25 cal mole-1 deg-1; it is pointed out that zero-point energy will cause some anharmonic effects even at the lowest temperatures. A comparison with the heat capacities and elastic constants of the alkali halides suggests that the interatomic forces in magnesium oxide may be rather similar to those in lithium fluoride. The difference between the present heat capacity results and earlier results of Giauque & Archibald (1937) for small particles of magnesium oxide is much larger than that predicted by theoretical estimates of the effect of particle size on the heat capacity of solids. A simple theoretical approximation is derived for the change of ⊝∞ with particle size; here again the experimental change is found to be much larger.
Menthol, Borneol, Camphor and WS-3 Eutectic Mixture

Eutectic system is a mixture or solution which the ingredients solidify or liquefy simultaneously. A eutectic mixture is therefore that unique composition of two (or more) components that has the lower crystallization temperature or melting point. This aim of this study was to prepare and characterize the eutectic systems containing menthol, borneol, camphor and N-Ethyl-5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide (WS-3). Menthol is able to form liquid eutectic at room temperature with camphor in the ratio of 8:2, 7:3, 6:4 and 5:5 whereas menthol and borneol in the ratio of 8:2 and 7:3, menthol and WS-3 in the ratio of 6:4 and 1:1. The rheology behavior of all liquid eutectic systems was Newtonian flow which the surface tension was in the range of 28-29 mN/m. From contact angle measurement, all liquid eutectic systems were categorized as high wettability to the glass plate. The suitable liquid eutectic system for further application as liquid carrier for injectable active compounds was 1:1 menthol:camphor because of its lowest viscosity. IR spectra indicated that there was no chemical interaction of these two materials in the selected liquid eutectic mixture.
Spectroscopic Investigation of the Anatase-to-Rutile Transformation of Sol−Gel-Synthesized TiO2 Photocatalysts

Among the three major phases in titania, anatase is reported to be a better photocatalytically active phase. Anatase to rutile transformations, under normal conditions, usually occurs at a temperatue range of 600−700 °C. Various chemical additives have previously been employed to extend the anatase transition to higher temperatures. The effect of employing various concentrations of formic acid and water on phase transition has systematically been studied by XRD, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy. A considerably higher anatase phase (41%) has been obtained at 800 °C, and 10% anatase composition is retained after annealing the materials at 900 °C for the optimized composition. On comparison, a control sample which has been prepared without formic acid showed that the rutile phase formed at a temperature of 600 °C, FTIR and Raman studies indicated that the formate group favored a bridging (syn−anti or syn−syn) mode of chelation depending on the reaction conditions. It has been concluded that the resulting syn−ant.
Narrow-bandwidth spontaneous luminescence from oriented semiconducting polymer nanostructures

High-resolution fluorescence imaging of isolated nanoparticles of a common semiconducting polymer (poly[2-methoxy-5-(2‘-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene, MEH-PPV), produced by ink-jet printing techniques, has revealed highly uniform transition moment orientation perpendicular to the glass substrate. In contrast with the broad emission spectra associated with bulk or single molecules of these species in thin films, we observe narrow photoluminescence emission spectra (10−15 nm fwhm) from individual oriented polymer nanostructures with no evidence of spectral diffusion on time scales of several hundred seconds. The distribution of center frequencies (from several hundred individual nanoparticle measurements) shows clearly defined peaks that can be correlated with excitonic traps of integer multiples of monomer conjugation lengths (8, 9, 10, and 11). The observation of discrete emission characteristics in this important class of materials suggests exciting possibilities in photonics and molecular optoe.
Bio-Fuel Potential of Some Sweet Sorghum Genotypes [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ssp. saccharatum]

The fossil energy sources used in the world are gradually decreasing and limited. Fossil fuels cause environmental pollution, and the unit price is constantly increasing. For this reason, demand for cheaper and renewable energy sources that do not pollute the environment is increasing day by day. The sweet sorghum plant has attracted attention in recent years with its high biomass yield, sugar content and bioethanol yield. In this study, it was aimed to determine the bio-fuel potential of some sweet sorghum genotypes in semi-arid climatic conditions. The experiment was set up in randomized complete block design with 4 replicates. Research was carried out in 2015 under Harran Plain (36 42’ N and 38 58’ E) second crop conditions, Sanliurfa, Turkey. In the study 49 genotypes of sweet sorghum were used. Stalk yield, juice yield, syrup yield, brix, sugar yield and theoretical ethanol yield were determined in the study. Significant differences were found between the genotypes for tested characteristics (P≤0.01). Stalk yield ranged from 7110.0 kg da -1 to 24262.5 da -1 , juice yield from 2550.0 L da -1 to 12187.5 L da -1 , syrup yield from 291.4 L da -1 to 2242.5 L da -1 . Also, brix value varied between %7.0 and %18.87, sugar yield between 247.7 da and 1906.1 da, Original Research Article Oktem et al.; JENRR, 6(4): 15-22, 2020; Article no.JENRR. 63186 16 Theoretical ethanol yield between 131.9 L da and 1014.8 L da. Considering to stalk yield, juice and syrup yield, brix, sugar yield and theoretical ethanol yield; Nebraska sugar, Topper 76, Smith, M81E and Corina genotypes were found as the best. As a result of research, 21 genotypes with better performance than the others were selected for further studies.
Identifying Challenges and Opportunities in Teaching Chemistry Online in India amid COVID-19

Online teaching and learning as an electronically supported approach relies mainly on the Internet as the medium for knowledge transmission The utmost efforts are being made so that learning will be possible, even during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, while also maintaining academic integrity In this paper, we discuss the major steps taken to foster the educational needs of chemistry students in India along with the major challenges faced by Indian teachers and learners Transmission of education involves all-round and far-ranging development of the learners This paper elaborates on how the activities being carried out in everyday classrooms could not be replicated efficiently in an online teaching-learning platform Great attention was given to maintaining academic integrity;this was reflected in the process of moving instruction online © 2020 American Chemical Society and Division of Chemical Education, Inc
Electrical Energy Prediction in Residential Buildings for Short-Term Horizons Using Hybrid Deep Learning Strategy

Smart grid technology based on renewable energy and energy storage systems are attracting considerable attention towards energy crises. Accurate and reliable model for electricity prediction is considered a key factor for a suitable energy management policy. Currently, electricity consumption is rapidly increasing due to the rise in human population and technology development. Therefore, in this study, we established a two-step methodology for residential building load prediction, which comprises two stages: in the first stage, the raw data of electricity consumption are refined for effective training; and the second step includes a hybrid model with the integration of convolutional neural network (CNN) and multilayer bidirectional gated recurrent unit (MB-GRU). The CNN layers are incorporated into the model as a feature extractor, while MB-GRU learns the sequences between electricity consumption data. The proposed model is evaluated using the root mean square error (RMSE), mean square error (MSE), and mean absolute error (MAE) metrics. Finally, our model is assessed over benchmark datasets that exhibited an extensive drop in the error rate in comparison to other techniques. The results indicated that the proposed model reduced errors over the individual household electricity consumption prediction (IHEPC) dataset (i.e., RMSE (5%), MSE (4%), and MAE (4%)), and for the appliances load prediction (AEP) dataset (i.e., RMSE (2%), and MAE (1%)).
Sex-specific survival benefit in early skin melanoma based on 8th AJCC edition: an analysis of data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database

Background Females have been found to have a survival benefit over males in past studies. However, in early melanoma patients, this benefit occurred in only those aged >60 years. The 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) readjusted the melanoma staging system, specifically stage I. This study aims to verify whether the sex-specific benefit in females exists in different age groups according to the 8th edition of the staging system. Methods We collected the data of individuals diagnosed with skin melanoma between 2004 and 2015 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Based on the 8th edition of the melanoma staging system, patients diagnosed with pathological stage T1a-T3a, N0 and M0 melanoma were enrolled. Results A total of 115,576 patients, including 62,938 male patients and 52,638 female patients, were enrolled in this study. The survival rates of males and females in each stage from IA–IIA were significantly different (P<0.001). In further analyses of each age group, it was found that the proportions of patients with stages IA, IB and IIA were significantly different in each age group. Cox analysis showed that females with stage IA in all age groups benefited significantly, but those in stage IB benefited only when they were aged >60 years. In stage IIA patients, there were significant differences between the <50 and 61–70 years age groups. Conclusions Based on data from the SEER database, we found that according to the 8th edition of the AJCC melanoma staging system, females had a higher survival rate than males, and this difference was significant in all age groups in the stage IA group but fluctuated with age in the stage IB and IIA groups.
The Influence of Urban Conditions on the Phenology of Aesculus hippocastanum L. Using the Example of Wroclaw (Poland)

The differences in plant phenology between rural and urban areas are the subject of research conducted all over the world. There are few studies aimed at assessing the impact of the urban heat island on plant vegetation only in urban areas. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of the distance from the city center and the form of land cover on the phenological development of trees using the example of the horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.). The research area covered the entire city of Wrocław. In order to best capture the impact of the distance from the city center on the rate of changes of individual phenophases, 3 areas were designated—at a distance of 1 km, 2 km and 5 km. The study assessed the average duration of individual phenological phases along with the variability characteristics for leafing, flowering and fruiting in relation to the designated zones and classified forms of land cover based on mean value (x¯) and standard deviation (±SD) in individual weeks of the year. For the leafing and flowering phases, the frequency of the occurrence of phases in individual weeks of the year was analyzed in relation to the designated zones and classified land use methods. The results obtained on the basis of phenological observations carried out in 2017 in Wrocław confirmed the extension of the period of vegetation in the city center in relation to its peripheries. Trees growing in road lanes entered the vegetation period later and defoliated faster, which confirms the negative impact of street conditions on the development of trees in urban space. Thus, the growing season in road lanes is shorter and due to the 1-year observation period, it is justified to conduct further observations.
Vocational identity flexibility and psychosocial functioning in Italian high school students

ABSTRACT Flexibility is considered one of the key resources for a successful adaptation to the world of work. It has also been defined as “the positive side” of career reconsideration process in vocational identity theory. However, previous empirical observations conducted in the Italian context have highlighted the negative relationship between vocational identity flexibility and psychological resources in adolescence. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between vocational reconsideration dimensions and positive and negative outcomes of psychosocial functioning in a sample of Italian high school students. Structural equation modeling was performed in order to test theoretical hypothesis about the relations between reconsideration dimensions, agency, well-being, internalizing symptoms and externalizing behavior. Results confirmed a general association between vocational identity flexibility and negative psychosocial functioning. The study shows how a better conceptualization of career reconsideration dimensions is needed. Finally, the results warn against an excessive promotion of vocational flexibility among adolescents and encourage high schools to support students in their life design process.
Biodegradable metals for bone fracture repair in animal models: a systematic review

Abstract Biodegradable metals hold promises for bone fracture repair. Their clinical translation requires pre-clinical evaluations including animal studies, which demonstrate the safety and performance of such materials prior to clinical trials. This evidence-based study investigates and analyzes the performance of bone fractures repair as well as degradation properties of biodegradable metals in animal models. Data were carefully collected after identification of population, interventions, comparisons, outcomes and study design, as well as inclusion criteria combining biodegradable metals and animal study. Twelve publications on pure Mg, Mg alloys and Zn alloys were finally included and reviewed after extraction from a collected database of 2122 publications. Compared to controls of traditional non-degradable metals or resorbable polymers, biodegradable metals showed mixed or contradictory outcomes of fracture repair and degradation in animal models. Although quantitative meta-analysis cannot be conducted because of the data heterogeneity, this systematic review revealed that the quality of evidence for biodegradable metals to repair bone fractures in animal models is ‘very low’. Recommendations to standardize the animal studies of biodegradable metals were proposed. Evidence-based biomaterials research could help to both identify reliable scientific evidence and ensure future clinical translation of biodegradable metals for bone fracture repair.
Experiences associated with psychological richness

Psychologists typically conceptualize a good life either in terms of hedonic (e.g. life satisfaction, positive affect) or eudaimonic well-being (e.g. meaning, fulfillment of potential). In the current research, we explored another form of a good life: the psychologically rich life. In Study 1, we conducted a 14-day daily diary study (N = 203). In Study 2, we compared Chinese studying in the United States (N = 97) with Chinese studying in China (N = 169). In Study 3, we conducted a 12-week weekly survey study among Americans studying abroad (N = 43) and Americans studying in the United States (N = 100). In Study 4, we recruited students who had studied abroad (N = 84) and their friends (informants) who did not (N = 76). Study 1 showed that participants who scored higher in a psychologically rich life were more likely to take a short trip during the 14-day period. In Studies 2 to 4, those who studied abroad reported higher levels of a psychologically rich life than those who did not. Unusual experiences such as study abroad were consistently associated with higher levels of psychological richness, whereas they were not consistently associated with life satisfaction, positive affect, and meaning in life.
Characterization of human prostasomes protein Clusterin (macromolecule) – a novel biomarker for male infertility diagnosis and prognosis

Abstract Prostasomes, a secretory particle from prostate gland in human seminal fluid plays a role in enhancing the fertility and its absence or less presence will lead to male infertility. Very few fertility associated proteins were detected in prostasomes. In order to isolate the prostasomes from ejaculated semen, the characterization was done using biochemical, molecular and in silico methods. The objective of current work on prostasomes is to identify a novel protein biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of male infertility. Semen samples were collected, primary semen analysis was done and prostasomes were isolated from ejaculated semen of fertile and infertile categories. Biochemical parameters like protein content, total antioxidant capacity, cholesterol content were evaluated in prostasomes. The critical expressed protein was identified by using SDS page and MALDI TOF techniques. Isolated particle from the semen samples was confirmed as prostasomes from SEM analysis and particle size analyzer. In MALDI results, the maximum hit was obtained against Clusterin that been reported to be involved in capacitation and motility of sperm. Structural modeling and molecular dynamics were carried out on Clusterin and elucidate the structural insights in the dynamic system. Overall, our study reported the novel biomarker Clusterin in prostasomes for diagnosis and prognosis of male infertility. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
Thermodynamic Study on the Synergistic Mixture of Bis(chlorophenyl)dithiophosphinic Acid and Tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate for Separation of Actinides(III) from Lanthanides(III)

Abstract The extraction of Am(III), Cm(III), and nearly the whole lanthanide(III) series from dilute nitric acid solutions into the synergistic mixture composed of bis(chlorophenyl)dithiophosphinic acid [(ClPh)2PSSH] and tris(2‐ethylhexyl)phosphate (TEHP) as synergist was studied. The extractions were investigated as a function of the aqueous concentrations of nitric acid, (ClPh)2PSSH, and TEHP. Am(III)/Ln(III) separation factors of over 3,000 and also surprisingly high Am(III)/Cm(III) separation factors of approximately 8 were achieved. Using NMR, the aggregation of (ClPh)2PSSH has been determined, and its effect on the extraction has been considered. Treatment of distribution data by slope analysis suggests that the extracted An(III) and Ln(III) complexes have the composition ML3(Syn)xorg, where HL=(ClPh)2PSSH and Syn=neutral synergist TEHP. Furthermore, the thermodynamic parameters ΔH 0, ΔS 0, and ΔG 0 of the extraction have been determined in the temperature range between 10 and 45°C.
Quantitative Determination of Verbascoside in Scrophularia scorodonia. by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

ABSTRACT A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of verbascoside and an analytical study of iridoids and others phenylpropanoids in Scrophularia scorodonia. L. is reported and validated. The method is applied for the analysis of stem, leaf, and flower extracts. The results showed that verbascoside represents 1.25% in leaf extracts.