Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
U(VI) removal efficiency by the oxidation of Fe(II) under the only injection of O2 and co-injection of CO2 and O2

Batch experiments were carried out to investigate the U(VI) removal efficiency by the oxidation of Fe(II) under the only injection of O2 and co-injection of CO2 and O2. Experiment results show that under the only injection of O2, the synergistic effect of Fe(II) and O2 could effectively remove U(VI) from the solution. For the different initial concentrations of Fe(II) at 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 mg/L, almost all the removal rates of U(VI) reach up to 90% in the neutral conditions. There is no inevitable correlation between the removal efficiency of U(VI) and the initial concentration of Fe(II), revealing that the coprecipitation of U(VI) with Fe-oxides plays a dominant role in the removal of U(VI) rather than the simple sorption to the surface of Fe-oxides. Under the co-injection of CO2 and O2, the generated carbonate ions have a significant effect on the removal efficiency of U(VI) by the synergistic effect of Fe(II) and O2. The removal efficiency of U(VI) increases with the initial concentration of Fe(II). In the presence of carbonate ions, U(VI) is easy to bind with HCO3- to form uranyl carbonate complexes such as UO2(CO3)20 and UO2(CO3)42-, which would hinder the process of sorption and co-precipitation of U(VI) with Fe-oxides.
Emotional Intelligence and Academic Stress among College Students

The present study was designed to study academic stress and emotional intelligence among college students. In order to conduct the study, six degree colleges of Jalandhar city were selected randomly. From these six colleges, 300 students were selected randomly for the study. The scale of emotional intelligence and academic stress i.e. Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS) by Anukool Hyde, Sanjyot Pethe &Upinder Char (2001) and Bisht Battery of stress scale (BBSS) by Abha Rani Bisht (Almora) were administered on selected sample. Thus the data obtained was analysed using descriptive statistics. Relevant means, S.D's, t values &3x2 ANOVA were computed to draw the conclusions. The analysis of data significantly concluded that the students from science stream experience high stress as compared to students from humanities and commerce streams. Further it was found that emotional intelligence of students has got significant effect on their academic stress. The students with low emotional intelligence reported high academic stress as compared to the students with high emotional intelligence.
Advances in Omics for Enhancing Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Millets

Millets are small-seeded annual cereal crops which are mostly grown in marginal soils of arid and semi-arid regions, and consequently have to face several abiotic constraints that lead to reduction in the yield. Advanced biotechnological applications, particularly ‘omics’ approaches could serve as the most immediate and prospective strategies for improving abiotic stress tolerance in millet crops. Omics approaches lead to understand the mechanism of stress response and tolerance at molecular level through insights into gene, protein or metabolite profile and their phenotypic effects. Among millet crops, foxtail millet has been more intensively studied and characterized under abiotic stress conditions owing to its small genome size and diploidy. Genome-wide investigation and expression profiling studies have been extensively carried out in foxtail millet. However proteomic and metabolomic studies in response to abiotic stress in millets are still very limited. Some of the major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling abiotic stress tolerance in millets have also been identified and mapped as for instance a major QTL for terminal drought tolerance in pearl millet and a major QTL for dehydration tolerance in foxtail millet. Gene manipulation for enhanced abiotic stress tolerance involving regulatory genes have proved to be more useful than using single or multiple stress responsive genes. Consequently, the recent advances in ‘omics’ technologies and accessibility to the genome sequences extend huge potential to enhance stress tolerance of millets. This review thus attempts to summarize various omics strategies and their applications in abiotic stress research in important millet crops namely foxtail millet, pearl millet and finger millet.
The effect of body size and water temperature on the results of intensive rearing of pike-perch, Stizostedion lucioperca (L.) fry under controlled conditions

Abstract Studies were carried out on the effect of initial size summer pikperch fry, Stizostedion lucioperca, (two size groups), water temperature (22 and 24°C), and food type (zooplankton or artificial feeds) upon the results of rearing in controlled conditions. Weight and total length of the fish at the beginning of the experiment amounted respectively to 0.25 ± 0.06 g and 32.9 ± 2.7 mm (group S), 0.53 ± 0.06 g 39.4 ± 1.6 mm (group L). No significant effect of the initial fish size and water temperature on fish survival and losses due to cannibalism was bserved in fish which fed on zooplankton (p > 0.05). Statistical analysis revealed significant effect of initial fish size (p = 0.0011) as well as water temperature (p = 0.0001) on the survival in the groups of fish reared on artificial food. These fish attained bigger size (body weight and length) than fish in the control group (feeding on live zooplankton) (p < 0.05). Temperature had no effect on growth rate of the fish, those reared on artificial as well as natural food.
Immunotherapy: a new era for hepatocellular carcinoma

Cancer is a major disease threatening human health. The overall prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients is poor, with a dismal 5-year survival rate of approximately 5%-30%. The dysfunction of immune system plays a pivotal role in the development of cancer, which has attracted attention of several researchers. Recent advances in immunotherapy have led to various inspired achievements and refreshed our concepts about cancer treatments. In this article, several types of immune-based therapies for treating HCC are reviewed. Their underlying mechanisms, preclinical and clinical study results, potential prospects, and deficiencies are discussed, and an outline for future research directions is proposed.
Building design and operational choices that impact indoor exposures to outdoor particulate matter inside residences

Much of human exposure to particles of outdoor origin often occurs inside homes where we spend most of our time. This work (1) reviews existing literature on the important parameters governing the infiltration and persistence of particles of outdoor origin in residences, (2) re-analyzes portions of data from recent experimental investigations of submicron particle infiltration and central HVAC system operation in single-family homes, and (3) combines these data to highlight particularly stark differences in particle infiltration factors and human exposures to submicron particles of outdoor origin that are driven by building envelope design, filter choice, and HVAC system design and operation (with an additional focus on data from one low-energy home). Results reveal that envelope design and construction, HVAC filter selection, and HVAC system operation can lead to variations in infiltration factors for submicron particles ranging by a factor of 60 or more from the most protective homes to the least protective homes. Moreover, an additional experiment performed in the most protective low-energy home (when relying on infiltration for ventilation air) was also responsible for the highest amount of outdoor particle infiltration when tested again while using an energy recovery ventilator connected to an outdoor air supply for ventilation air, suggesting that residential mechanical ventilation systems can adversely influence outdoor particle infiltration if improperly installed.
ON THE STRUGGLE TO FIND A SET OF ROOM ACOUSTICAL PARAMETERS THAT EXPLAINS AND PREDICTS SUBJECTIVE RANKING OF CONCERT HALLS

During the 20th century a huge number of room acoustical parameters to describe concert hall acoustics were suggested. Too many, in the opinion of acousticians, who by the beginning of millennium arrived at some consensus expressed by the proposed set of five parameters now found in ISO 3382. One should expect that this quintet would prove to be able to explain and predict the subjective ranking of concert halls, e.g. Beranek‘s extensive rank-ordering of 58 concert halls. Indeed, Beranek has found high correlation between objective and subjective parameters, though not with the five aforementioned ISO-parameters. This author has (ICA 2010) pointed at some unsettling issues regarding former approaches, including the assumption of linearity and the uncritical use of hall average values representing the noticeably different listening conditions found throughout high-ranked halls (IOA Oslo 2008). Among the objectives addressed in this paper is a recent study based on Gade‘s 126 impulse responses measured in 11 European halls[4], Beranek‘s 58 hall rank ordering[3], a critical comment on linearity and orthogonal parameters, and a new method for testing parameter relevance, suggested by this author. A hundred years of reverberation time, but we still haven‘t found what we are listening for (sic). This paper is a status report on the struggle to find a set of acoustical parameters that explains and predicts the subjective ranking of concert halls. Details regarding parameters and hall data are given in Annex.
Freshwater fish diseases caused by bacteria belonging to the genera Aeromonas and Pseudomonas

Bacterial fish diseases caused by pseudomonas-like bacteria which are now classified as belonging to the genus Aeromonas are very common among warmwater pond fishes. Here ~ belong the economically most important pondfish diseases in Europe. There is increasing evidence that also in the United States and Canada fish diseases caused by bacteria belonging to this genus are of considerable economh. : Significance. Fish diseases caused by bacteria belonging to the apparently related genus Pseudomonas are less common. Diseases caused by bacteria of this group have been described by various investigators as:
The EYE‐MI pilot study: a prospective acute coronary syndrome cohort evaluated with retinal optical coherence tomography angiography

Purpose To evaluate the association between retinal microvasculature (vascular density) on optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A) and the cardiovascular profile of patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods EYE-Myocardial Infarction (EYE-MI) study is a prospective cross-sectional study in the Cardiology Intensive Care Unit of Dijon University Hospital. Retinal OCT-A was performed for each patient within 2 days after admission. Superficial retinal capillary plexus (SCP) vascular density was measured. The population was divided into tertiles according to OCT-A data. Results Overall, 237 cases were retained for analysis. Patients in the tertile with the lowest retinal vascular density (RVD) were older, and more frequently had systemic hypertension and diabetes. Moreover, American Heart Association (AHA) risk and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) scores were higher and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was lower in these patients. In multivariate analysis, the AHA risk score (odds ratio [OR], 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.09; P < 0.001) and LVEF (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.93-0.98; P = 0.001) were significantly associated with the lowest tertile of RVD. The association between RVD and a high-risk cardiovascular profile was confirmed by a moderate correlation with the GRACE scores (Spearman r = -0.33, P < 0.001). Conclusions SCP density measured on OCT-A was associated with the cardiovascular risk profile and with impaired LVEF in patients with a high-risk cardiovascular status. In the future, quantitative retinal microvascular data could be considered a good surrogate of the cardiovascular risk profile and could improve cardiovascular risk assessments.
Smooth Transition Regression Models in UK Stock Returns

This paper models UK stock market returns in a smooth transition regression (STR) framework. A variety of financial and macroeconomic series are employed that are assumed to influence UK stock returns, namely GDP, interest rates, inflation, money supply and US stock prices. STR models are estimated where the linearity hypothesis is strongly rejected for at least one transition variable. These non-linear models describe the in-sample movements of the stock returns series better than the corresponding linear model. Moreover, the US stock market appears to play an important role in determining the UK stock market returns regime.
Analysis of indicators of physical development of children of senior preschool age

Lilia Honchar & Yuliia Borysova Children's health is the most valuable asset of every civilized society; it creates the physical, intellectual, spiritual and social foundation of the state. It was established that the deviation of physical development indicators from the age norms of development and the disharmony of development is accompanied by changes in the health status of children. Purpose: make an analysis of indicators of the physical development of children 5–6 years. Material & Methods: analysis and synthesis of scientific and methodological literature, Internet resources and educational programs, pedagogical observation, determination of the level of physical development (anthropometry method), index method (Pigne index), methods of mathematical statistics. Results : analysis of anthropometric indicators of length and body weight, chest circumference in boys and girls 5-6 years old allowed us to determine that these indicators in all three gender and age groups correspond to the average level. Conclusions: children 5 – 6 years old, head circumference are low ( 0,05), 35,7% and 40,8% of children have a disharmony in development, respectively. According to the Pigne index, in children of 5 – 6 years old, in all three age groups, normostenic (5,2%) and asthenic (94,8%) body types are observed.
CRM Processes and the Impact on Business Performance

CRM aims to create value for both organization and customers through initiating and maintaining customer relationships. CRM is a systematic process for initiating, maintaining and terminating relationships with customers across all contact points, with the purpose to maximize the value of relationships portfolio. This paper examines the direct outcomes of the CRM processes, as well the relationship among these outcomes and business performance. We conducted a survey on 82 companies operating in the Western region of Romania, which revealed that the CRM processes implementation generates superior business performance. Key-Words: CRM processes, CRM outcomes, customer retention, customer satisfaction, business performance, Romania
Experimenting in the Unknown: Lessons from the Manhattan Project

Experimentation is of paramount importance in innovation. On this topic, the seminal book of Prof. Thomke entitled “experimentation matters” has received a warm welcome from innovation scholars and practitioners. Unfortunately, the companies still have major difficulties to organize experimentations in situation of high uncertainty. This research aims at verifying the validity of Thomke’s principles in such situation. For doing this, this research studies the exemplary experimentations carried out by the Manhattan Project to create the first implosion type fission bomb. Our findings show that the Thomke’s organizational principles by are ill adapted to manage experiment in the unknown. In particular, the lack of theoretical knowledge, the crisis of the scientific instruments and the absence of pre-established organizations are critical aspects. Finally, research avenues for experimenting in the unknown are formulated.
The Effectiveness of Park-and-Ride as a Policy Measure for More Sustainable Mobility

Abstract Purpose The chapter provides a general review of the policy debate around the provision of formal Park-and-Ride (P&R) facilities and the empirical research evidence about travellers’ responses to the opportunities they present, drawing on evidence from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. The effects of the schemes on road traffic and car dependence are considered. Design/methodology/approach The different ways in which private vehicles and public transport are combined during journeys are reviewed. The position of P&R is considered as a modal variant within a ‘socio-technical system’ competing with the more established journey options of fully private and fully public transport. Scenarios which can maximise the traffic reduction and sustainable development potential of P&R are examined. Findings The review of the policy context establishes that a range of policy objectives are conceived for P&R depending on different professional and citizen perspectives. There is partial understanding amongst local authorities about the effectiveness with which P&R addresses the range of objectives in practice. The key travel behavioural findings are that only a portion of P&R users’ car trips are shortened. Hence, overall increases in car use occur, combined with overall reductions in public transport use, and in some cases less active travel. Where dedicated public transport services are operated, these are also a further source of additional traffic. Practical implications P&R implementations are generally successful where they are explicitly for providing more parking for economic growth or traffic management reasons, rather than to enhance sustainable mobility. The essential conditions for traffic reduction to occur in future are a strategic subregional integrated parking and public transport strategy which achieves interception of car trips early and ensures public transport services remain attractive for a range of access modes. Originality/value The chapter provides a synthesis of work by a number of leading authors on the topic and includes elements of originality in the combination of the established knowledge, the addition of novel insights, and in overall interpretation.
Modeling an optical diaphragm for human pulse pressure detection

This paper presents the modeling of an optical diaphragm behavior for human pulse pressure detection. In this study, the comparison between the performance of the polyimide and silicon nitride diaphragm has be analyzed. The effect of diaphragm's radius and thickness on static and frequency response are also investigated. The findings show that the polyimide diaphragm is more sensitive than the silicon nitride diaphragm. The radius of the polyimide diaphragm has more effect on the deflection, sensitivity and resonance frequency as compared to the diaphragm's thickness. It can be concluded that the polyimide diaphragm achieves the optimum performance in term of the deflection, sensitivity, and resonant frequency for human pulse pressure detection.
Growth performance, intestinal microflora, and meat quality of broiler chickens fed lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) powder

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) powder as an herbal feed additive on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, jejunal histomorphology, and ileal microbial population in broiler chickens. A total of two hundred twenty one day-old male broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicates (11 birds per replicate) for 42 days. Experimental diets consisted of a basal diet without any additives as control group and the basal diet containing flavophospholipol (0.02 %) or 3 levels of lavender powder (0.3, 1 or 1.7 %). Body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were measured during the starter (1- 10 d), grower (11- 24 d) and finisher (25-42 d) periods. The results showed that lavender powder (at 1 % level) significantly increased feed intake during the finisher and entire rearing periods. Also, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio improved during the grower, finisher and entire rearing periods. Lavender powder significantly decreased (P<0.01) jejunal crypt depth and increased (P<0.01) villous height: crypt depth ratio compared to the control group. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content and cooking loss of meat samples were significantly decreased in birds fed 1 % lavender powder (P<0.01). Overall, the results of this experiment showed that lavender powder may be used to improve growth performance and meat quality in broiler chickens.
The FRIENDS for Life Program for Mexican Girls Living in an Orphanage: A Pilot Study

Anxiety and depression are common problems experienced by children and adolescents that, without an effective intervention, can lead to a series of negative consequences. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness the Spanish version of the FRIENDS for Life program (Barrett, 2008a, 2008b), a social and emotional skills program that uses cognitive-behavioural techniques for the prevention and early intervention of anxiety and depression. The program was implemented at the selective level of prevention with girls living at an orphanage in Mexico. Participants received the program for 10 consecutive weeks, and pretest and post-test measures were administered. Measures evaluated participants’ anxiety and depressive symptoms and risk status, proactive coping skills, levels of self-concept, self-esteem, and optimism. Social validity was also assessed. Results showed positive changes particularly in optimism and self-concept. Particular items and subscales of the measures also reported statistically significant changes, such as a decrease in worry, physiological symptoms of anxiety, and negative mood, and an increase in self-esteem at home and with peers. Participants evaluated the program as enjoyable and useful. Implications of the findings and further research are discussed.
Oxalate metal complexes in aerosol particles: implications for the hygroscopicity of oxalate-containing particles

Abstract. Atmospheric aerosols have both a direct and an indirect cooling effect that influences the radiative balance at the Earth's surface. It has been estimated that the degree of cooling is large enough to weaken the warming effect of carbon dioxide. Among the cooling factors, secondary organic aerosols (SOA) play an important role in the solar radiation balance in the troposphere as SOA can act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and extend the lifespan of clouds because of their high hygroscopic and water soluble nature. Oxalic acid is an important component of SOA, and is produced via several formation pathways in the atmosphere. However, it is not certain whether oxalic acid exists as free oxalic acid or as metal oxalate complexes in aerosols, although there is a marked difference in their solubility in water and their hygroscopicity. We employed X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy to characterize the calcium (Ca) and zinc (Zn) in aerosols collected at Tsukuba in Japan. Size-fractionated aerosol samples were collected for this purpose using an impactor aerosol sampler. It was shown that 10–60% and 20–100% of the total Ca and Zn in the finer particles (