Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Retracing Hypoxia in Eckernförde Bight (Baltic Sea)

Abstract. In recent years, upwelling events of low-oxygenated deep water have been repeatedly observed in Eckernförde Bight (EB) situated in the Baltic Sea, Germany. Many of these events were related to massive fish-kill incidents – with negative consequences for commercial fisheries and tourism. The aim of this study is to dissect underlying mechanisms and to explore the potential of existing monitoring programs to predict these events. Our main tool is an ultra-high spatially resolved general ocean circulation model which drives an elementary representation of the biogeochemical dynamics of dissolved oxygen (dubbed MOMBE and EckO2, respectively). In addition, we integrate artificial clocks that measure the residence time of the water in EB along with timescales of (surface) ventilation. We present an ensemble of hind cast model simulations, covering the period from 2000 up to 2018, designed to cover a range of poorly known model parameters for vertical background mixing (diffusivity) and local oxygen consumption within EB. Our results indicate that the dynamics of low (hypoxic) oxygen concentrations in bottom waters deep inside EB is, to first order, determined by the following antagonistic processes: (1) the inflow of low-oxygenated water from the Kiel Bight (KB) – especially from July to October and (2) the local ventilation of bottom waters by local (within EB) subduction and vertical mixing. Biogeochemical processes that consume oxygen locally, are apparently of minor importance for the development of hypoxic events. Reverse reasoning suggests that subduction and mixing processes in EB contribute, under certain environmental conditions, to the ventilation of the KB by exporting recently-ventilated waters enriched in oxygen. A detailed analysis of the 2017 fish-kill incident highlights the interplay between westerly winds importing hypoxia from KB and ventilating easterly winds which subduct oxygenated water. Finally, we explore the capabilities of – comparably computationally cheap – feed-forward artificial neuronal networks to forecast hypoxia deep in EB based on data at a monitoring site at the entrance of EB.
Alcohol Quantity and Type on Risk of Gouty tophi

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the impact of drinking alcohol on tophi and its surrounding inflammation in the joints by ultrasound. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 356 gout patients and collected their information of drinking history, clinical biochemical parameters and ultrasound results. Multiple regression analyses including several variables and potential confounders were then performed. Results: Relative to no drinking, more alcohol intake (>200 g/week), longer drinking time (>20 years) and higher frequency of drinking (>2 times/week) had significant positive effects on the size of tophus after controlling for potential confounders (P=0.024; P=0.002; P=0.040). Further subgroup analysis of different ages illustrated that more alcohol consumption had positive effects on the size of tophi only in the younger gout patients (≤50 years old), rather than in older ones (>50 years old). However, alcohol consumption had no significant association with the formation and number of tophus, and the associations between type of drinking and tophi was not observed in the current study. Moreover, except for tophi, there was no relationship between alcohol consumption and other ultrasound signs including double-contour sign (DCS), bone erosion, effusion and synovial hypertrophy.Conclusion: Alcohol consumption is closely associated with ultrasound-detected tophi in gout patients. More alcohol intake, longer drinking time and higher frequency of drinking are crucial factors that positively affect the size of tophus, especially in younger gout patients. However, significant association between type of alcohol and tophi was not observed in the current study.
Surface Treatment of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) by Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) for Biocompatibility Enhancement

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is one of the most commonly used polymers in joint replacements because of its biologically inert properties and low friction coefficient. However, it has downfalls relating to its wear, adhesion, and lubrication. In this study, UHMWPE samples were treated with a tubular helium cold atmospheric pressure (CAP) plasma source in order to improve three properties of the polymer: (1) its wear resistance, which was characterized by durometer hardness, (2) its lubrication characterized by water contact angle, and (3) its adhesion characterized by both root mean square surface roughness (Rq) and water contact angle. The polymer was treated by two different parts of the plasma plume (the base and the tip) at two different helium flow rates (1 L/min and 2.5 L/min), for different treatment times. Results of the plasma treatment showed a decrease in the contact angle of between 32 and 54 degrees, a significant increase in the roughness by up to 10 times the pristine surface, and no substantial change in the hardness. These improvements to the adhesion and lubrication properties of the polymer examined suggest that the treated surface could be more suitable for use in artificial joints.
Model SEIRS Penyebaran Penyakit Tuberkulosis di Kota Makassar

Abstrak. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membangun model penyebaran penyakit tuberkulosis tipe SEIRS (Susceptible- Exposed- Infected- Recovered- Susceptible) dengan menambahkan asumsi bahwa manusia yang pulih dapat rentan kembali terkena tuberkulosis. Model ini dibagi menjadi empat kelas yaitu, rentan, terinfeksi tapi belum aktif, terinfeksi, dan sembuh. Data yang digunakan adalah data jumlah penderita penyakit tuberkulosis dari Dinas Kesehatan Kota Makassar tahun 2017. Model matematika tipe SEIRS digunakan untuk menentukan titik equilibrium. Berdasarkan hasil simulasi model SEIRS diperoleh bilangan reproduksi dasar ( ) sebesar 0,312 berarti bahwa seseorang yang terinfeksi penyakit tuberkulosis tidak menyebabkan orang lain terkena penyakit tuberkulosis di wilayah Kota Makassar.Kata Kunci: Titik Equilibrium, Bilangan Reproduksi Dasar, Tuberkulosis, Model SEIRS, Pemodelan.Abstract. This research aims to model of tuberculosis type SEIRS (Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovery-Susceptible) by adding assumption that human that has been recovered can be suspected again by Tuberculosis. This model can be divided to four classes, those are suspected, exposed, infected, and recovered. The data that used is data on the number of tuberculosis sufferer from Health Department in Makassar City 2017. Mathematicsl model of SEIRS type is used to determine the equilibrium point. According to the simulation results of SEIRS model, obtained the base reproduction number ( ) is 0.312 means that people who infected by tuberculosis does not causes other people get tuberculosis in Makassat city.Keywords: Equilibrium Point, Basic Reproduction Numbers, Tuberculosis, SEIRS Model, modeling.
Reciprocal facilitation between annual plants and burrowing crabs: Implications for the restoration of degraded saltmarshes

Increasing evidence shows that facilitative interactions between species play an essential role in coastal wetland ecosystems. However, there is a lack of understanding of how such interactions can be used for restoration purposes in saltmarsh ecosystems. We therefore studied the mechanisms of reciprocal facilitative interactions between native annual plants, Suaeda salsa, and burrowing crabs, Helice tientsinensis, in a middle‐elevation saltmarsh (with generally high plant density and moderate tides) in the Yellow River Delta of China. We investigated the relationship between the densities of the plants and crab burrows in different seasons. Then, we tested whether and how saltmarsh plants and crabs indeed facilitate each other in a series of field and laboratory experiments. Finally, we applied the results by creating a field‐scale artificial approach for microtopographic modification to restore a degraded saltmarsh. We found that the density of plant seedlings in spring was positively correlated with the density of crab burrows in the previous autumn; moreover, the density of crab burrows was correlated with the density of plants in summer. The concave–convex surface microtopography created by crabs promoted seed retention and seedling establishment of saltmarsh plants in winter and spring. These plants in turn facilitated crabs by inhibiting predators, providing food and reducing physical stresses for crabs in summer and autumn. The experimental removal of saltmarsh plants decreased crab burrow density, while both transplanting and simulating plants in bare patches promoted crabs. The microtopographic modification, inspired by our new understanding of the interactions between saltmarsh plants and crabs, showed that these degraded saltmarsh ecosystems can be restored by a single ploughing intervention. Synthesis. Our results suggest a reciprocal facilitation between annual plants and burrowing crabs in a middle‐elevation saltmarsh ecosystem. This knowledge yielded new restoration options for degraded coastal saltmarshes through the one‐time ploughing initiation of microtopographic variation, which could promote the re‐establishment of ecosystem engineers and lead to the efficient recovery of pioneer coastal vegetation and associated fauna.
Effects of Hip Abductor Strengthening on Musculoskeletal Loading in Hip Dysplasia Patients after Total Hip Replacement

Hip dysplasia patients after total hip replacement show worse functional performance compared to primary osteoarthritis patients, and unfortunately there is no research on muscle and joint loads that would help understand rehabilitation effects, motor dysfunctions and failure events. We tested the hypothesis that a higher functional improvement in hip dysplasia patients who received hip abductor strengthening after hip replacement, would result in different gait function and musculoskeletal loads during walking compared to patients who performed standard rehabilitation only. In vivo gait analysis and musculoskeletal modeling were used to analyze the differences in gait parameters and hip and muscle forces during walking between the two groups of patients. We found that, in a functional scenario of very mild abnormalities, the patients who performed muscle strengthening expressed a more physiological force pattern and a generally greater force in the operated limb, although statistically significant in limited portions of the gait cycle, and likely related to a higher gait speed. We conclude that in a low-demand task, the abductor strengthening program does not have a marked effect on hip loads, and further studies on hip dysplasia patients would help clarify the effect of muscle strengthening on loads.
Virtual Screening of Citrus Flavonoid Tangeretin: A Promising Pharmacological Tool for the Treatment and Prevention of Zika fever and COVID-19

It is of great importance for the pharmaceutical industry to find therapeutic substances extracted from natural sources, which are abundant, obtained with low costs and presenting the antiviral potential for the treatment of Zika virus (ZIKV) and COVID-19 Tangeretin (TAN) is a citrus polymethoxyflavone from Citrus reticulata peel oil with known antiviral activities, whose physico-chemical properties are not reported The present study aimed to investigate by a theoretical screening of electronic, structural properties and pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters that characterize TAN as a therapeutic drug in the treatment and prevention of zika fever and COVID-19 The molecule reached its minimum energy-forming state of −795 85747kJ/mol and the HOMO and LUMO boundary orbitals reactivity descriptors suggest that the compound is stable and does not tend to be reactive in intermolecular interactions The ligand connects to the NS1 ZIKV receptor with strong H-bond interactions, also connects with the NS5 ZIKV receptor in a competitive effect with the SAM inhibitor and acts in a supplementary effect with the N3 inhibitor and the BRT drug in the Mpro SARS-CoV-2 receptor The properties of ADMET shows that the compound suffers few amounts of drug alterations because it inhibits the metabolic enzymes CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 and penetrates the central nervous system, without accumulation of drug residues in the blood or in the lumen in the gastrointestinal tract, without risk of toxicity to the patient With the results obtained, it is possible to identify TAN as a promising pharmacological tool for the treatment and prevention of Zika fever and COVID-19 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Computational Biophysics & Chemistry is the property of World Scientific Publishing Company and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use This abstract may be abridged No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract (Copyright applies to all Abstracts )
Sewage gardens – constructed wetlands for single family households

During the last 30 years the increase of interest in low-cost decentralized and small wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) is observed in Europe. For this purpose sand filters, stabilization ponds, mini reactors with activated sludge, trickling filters and treatment wetlands are used. Among the listed facilities treatment wetlands (TWs) offer effective and reliable treatment efficiency, being at the same time low-cost and simple in operation. This is a sustainable treatment technology which does not generate secondary sewage sludge. In this paper the design concept and performance of nine TWs constructed in 2009 for single-family households in Kashubian Lake District is discussed. The treatment efficiency of three different TW configurations is compared. The findings of the study provide a basis for future design and implementation of TWs in agricultural areas.
Atomic Layer Deposited Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Aluminates as Potential Low-k Dielectric Materials

The material properties of atomic layer deposited hybrid organic-inorganic aluminate thin films have been evaluated for potential low dielectric constant (i.e. low- k ) applications. The hybrid aluminates were deposited using trimethyl aluminum and various linear and aromatic carboxylic acids. The observed electrical and mechanical properties for the hybrid aluminate films varied greatly depending on the selected organic acid with k values ranging from 2.5 to 5.1 and Young’s modulus ranging from 6 to 40 GPa. Leakage currents as low as 4 x 10 -10 A/cm 2 (at 2 MV/cm) were obtained for films grown using saturated linear carboxylic acids. These results suggest the potential of ALD hybrid aluminate thin films for low- k dielectric applications.
Characterization of Cold-Spray Coatings on Fiber-Reinforced Polymers through Nanoindentation Tests

Polymer matrix composites are finding never-ending widespread uses in the last decades; one recent tendency is to metallize their surface to further widen their field of application. Cold-spray deposition is one of the most promising techniques that can be adopted to this aim. Cold-spray deposition on polymers is in its early stage and more experimental work is required to fully understand the phenomena ruling the deposition. In this paper, the results of nanoindentation measurements on cold-spray coatings on various substrates will be presented and discussed. Polypropylene was used as matrix while carbon and glass fibers have been used as reinforcement, both steel and aluminum have been used as feedstock material for the cold-spray deposition. Nanoindentations tests have been then carried out on all the different samples; the influence of the fibers and of the powders sprayed on the behavior of the coatings is discussed in light of the experimental outcomes.
First-principles investigation of superconductivity in the body-centred tetragonal

We have investigated the ground state and electronic properties of in the structure using a generalised gradient approximation of the density functional theory and the ab initio pseudopotential method. We find that the calculated electronic properties of exhibit three-dimensional rather than two-dimensional characteristics in spite of the apparent two dimensionality in its atomic structure. An interesting feature of the phonon dispersion curves is the phonon anomaly in the lowest transverse acoustic branch as well as the longitudinal acoustic branch. We have shown that these phonon anomalies give rise to large electron-phonon interaction, as is evident from the calculated Eliashberg spectral function F(). By integrating this spectral function, the value of average electron-phonon coupling parameter is calculated to be 0.85, from which the superconducting critical temperature is estimated to be 3.74 K, in gratifying accord with its experimental value of 4.0 K.
Microbial Diversity of Nigerian Sludge and Its Potential for Use as Biofertilizer

Sludge samples were collected from a wastewater treatment plant in Nigeria for characterization and evaluation for agricultural applications. Conventional and Molecular techniques were adopted for the isolation and identification of indigenous microorganisms and resulting isolates were characterized and identified by consulting Bergey’s manual of determinative bacteriology and subjected to further screenings to assess their biofertilizer potential using standard microbiological techniques. The viable cells obtained were enumerated and were found to be in the range of 1.03 ± 0.09 x10 cfu/g to 7.45 ± 0.78 x10 cfu/g for heterotrophic Bacteria and 1.63 ± 0.74 x10 cfu/g for fungal community. The Molecular analysis carried out revealed a rich assemblage of diverse species of microorganisms with Bacteria (99.40%) being the most dominant group, followed by Fungi (0.39%) and others (0.21%). Thirty (30) isolates belonging to four (4) Phyla was recovered culturally and identified with Firmicutes 9(30%) being the most dominant group, followed by Original Research Article Fatunla et al.; BJI, 25(1): 14-22, 2021; Article no.BJI. 60179 15 Proteobacteria 8(26.7%) and Zygomycota 1(3.33%) was the least dominant. The phosphate solubilization index range from 0.86 to 6.3 for bacterial and 2.5 to 3.8 for fungal isolates respectively. The molecular analysis also revealed microbes adept at improving soil fertility to include those in the order Rhizobiales and Actinomycetales. Although pathogens are of a concern in the land application of sludge, our findings have revealed rich microbial consortia of heterotrophic microorganisms whose beneficial attributes can be harnessed to produce nutrient rich biofertilizer and soil amendment.
Epidemic transmission with quarantine measures: application to COVID-19

Equations for infection spread in a closed population are found in discrete approximation, corresponding to the published statistical data, and in continuous time in the form of delay differential equations. We consider the epidemic as dependent upon four key parameters: the size of population involved, the mean number of dangerous contacts of one infected person per day, the probability to transmit infection due to such contact and the mean duration of disease. In the simplest case of free-running epidemic in an infinite population, the number of infected rises exponentially day by day. Here we show the model for epidemic process in a closed population, constrained by isolation, treatment and so on. The four parameters introduced here have the clear sense and are in association with the well-known concept of reproduction number in the continuous susceptible– infectious–removed, susceptible–exposed–infectious–removed (SIR, SEIR) models. We derive the initial rate of infection spread from the published statistical data for the initial stage of epidemic, when the quarantine measures were absent. On this basis, we can found the corresponding basic reproduction number mentioned above. Our approach allows evaluating the influence of quarantine measures on free pandemic process that leads to the time-dependent rate of infection and suppression of infection. We found a good correspondence of the theory and reliable statistical data. The initially formulated discrete model, describing epidemic course day by day is transferred to differential form. The conditions for saturation of epidemic are found by solving the delay differential equations. They differ essentially from ones in SIR model due to finite delay, typical for COVID-19 The proposed model opens up the possibility to predict the optimal level of social quarantine measures. The model is quite flexible and it can be extended to more complex cases.
Comparative Performance of Medium-Chain-Length Polyhydroxyalkanoates Production Between Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Pseudomonas Putida

Non-degradable polymer waste enlarged over increasing of human population. This badly affected on environmental pollution and biosphere changing. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), an eco-friendly biopolymer, were substituted for conventional- or petrochemical-derived polymer. They are reserve carbon energy produced from diversity of microorganisms in granular under limited nutrient for bacterial growth (e.g. nitrogen and phosphorus). Pseudomonas aeruginosa TISTR 1287 was used to catalyze emulsified palm oil to produce valuable PHAs. The highest yield of PHAs production (0.65 g/L, 38.0%) was obtained in MSM supplemented with 0.75% (v/w) emulsified palm oil after 72-hr cultivation, which was a few lower than that produced by Pseudomonas putida TISTR 1522 (0.95 g/L, 40.15%) cultivated in 1% (w/v) fatty acid salt for after 24-hr cultivation. The intracellular PHAs were detected by staining with Nile red . The characters of intracellular PHAs examined by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) exhibited that PHAs accumulate in white and roundish-shaped granules with 0.2-0.5 m m diameter inside the cells, about 2-3 granules per rod-shaped bacterium cell. These optimizations were successfully demonstrated high content of intracellular PHAs accumulation in P. aeruginosa TISTR 1287 by utilization of emulsified palm oil.
Does avatar design in educational games promote a positive emotional experience among learners?

Virtual learning companions, such as avatars, have shown significant potential in assisting learners—particularly in the Digital Game-Based Learning (DGBL) condition. Since there are many avatar design approaches which can be utilized in DGBL, questions arise on which type of these are most preferred by learners. Mainly, in ensuring that the design promotes positive emotional experience throughout the learning process. This research has specifically explored the realism aspect of avatar design. In particular, we have found that moderate cartoon-like character designs can be more promising in promoting positive emotional experiences among viewers, in comparison to slightly realistic and overly exaggerated avatar designs.