Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Responses of morphological and physiological traits to herbivory by snails of three invasive and native submerged plants

The submerged plant species Carolina fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana) has become a dominant invasive aquatic plant in the Lake Taihu Basin (LTB) in China. Introduced species may escape their original specialist enemies and encounter fewer enemies in their new environment. They were assumed to have suffered less herbivory than native species as they are relatively unpalatable (the enemy release hypothesis (ERH)). The objective of this study was to compare the responses of C. caroliniana with those of co-occurring native species to herbivory from native herbivores. We conducted a mesocosm experiment to record the responses of C. caroliniana and two commonly co-occurring native submerged plant counterparts, water thyme (Hydrilla verticillata) and Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), to herbivory by two native generalist gastropod snails, Radix swinhoei and Sinotaia quadrata. Plant morphological traits (total biomass, shoot/root (S/R) biomass ratio and relative growth rate (RGR)) and physiological traits (leaf total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC), lignin, and cellulose) were recorded. The snail S. quadrata rarely influenced the plant traits of the three submerged plants. With the increasing numbers of R. swinhoei treatments, most of the plant traits of H. verticillata and M. spicatum changed, while those of C. caroliniana showed a relatively stable fluctuation. This result indicates that C. caroliniana is more resistant to herbivory by the snail R. swinhoei, which is consistent with the ERH hypothesis. This finding indicates that herbivorous snail species contributes to the invasion of C. caroliniana, which potentially alters the species composition of submerged plants in the plant community.
Choosing an Effective Compatibilizer for a Virgin HDPE Rich-HDPE/PP Model Blend

The most widely used commodity polymers in the rigid packaging industry are polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). For example, blow molding grade of HDPE as a bottle and injection molding grade of PP as a cap are often used to produce detergent bottles. Therefore, the recycled HDPE bottles from post-consumer waste include PP as a contaminant originated from PP bottle caps. To simulate mechanical recycling of bottle waste, the mechanical properties of HDPE-rich-HDPE/PP virgin model blend were studied. For compatibilization, ethylene-based olefin block copolymer, propylene-based olefin block copolymer, ethylene propylene random copolymer, and styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer were chosen as potential compatibilizer candidates. Contact angle measurements, morphological analysis, adhesion tests of compatibilizer candidates to polymer blend components and the tensile as well as tensile impact properties of the ternary blends were studied. It was found that the ethylene-based olefin block copolymer was the most effective compatibilizer resulting in a return of mechanical properties to those of neat vHDPE due to its ability to encapsulate dispersed vPP particles in a vHDPE matrix (core-shell morphology) and the best adhesion to polymer blend components.
Behaviour of Composite Plate Shear Walls with Variable Column Stiffness

Steel plate shear walls (SPSW) have been increasingly applied in structures as a lateral load resisting system. SPSW systems utilize thin unstiffened plates as the infill between boundary members. Infill panels are very slender elements and buckle under low lateral loads due to which SPSW relies on the post‐critical tension field action of the infill panel. Such load transfer mechanism has two downsides: a) significant transverse forces are exerted on the boundary elements, particularly columns; b) load bearing capacity of the tension infill panel after yielding is lower than yielding of the panel in shear. In order to preclude these shortcomings relatively new vertical stabilization systems, termed composite plate shear walls (CPSW), were developed where stiffening of the infill panel using reinforced concrete plate was introduced. However, lack of research on CPSW systems led to creation of structural building codes which adopted requirements prescribed for SPSW. Experimental and numerical research has been conducted on CPSW. Three specimens, with varying column flexural stiffness, were tested. The obtained results show less prominent column “pull‐in” when compared to SPSW. The results were assessed comparing stiffness, resistance and ductility between the above‐mentioned systems. Finally, the experimental results were used to calibrate numerical models. Afterwards, the obtained numerical results served for more detailed comparison of behaviour between SPSW and CPSW.
Okul Öncesi Dönem Çocuklarının Duygu Düzenleme Becerileri ile Problem Çözme Becerileri Arasındaki İlişkinin Çeşitli Değişkenlere Göre İncelenmesi

This study was conducted to identify the relationship between preschool children’s emotion regulation and problem solving skills and to what extent children's emotion regulation skills predict their problem solving skills. The working group of the study consisted of 120 children between 60-71 months who attend official preschool education institutions affiliated to the Ministry of National Education in Kahramanmaraş. The study employed "Participant Information Form" prepared by the researchers, "Emotion Regulation Scale" adapted to Turkish by Batum and Yağmurlu (2007), "Problem Solving Skill Scale for Children" developed by Oğuz and Köksal-Akyol (2015). The results revealed that the children’s emotion regulation skills did not significantly vary according to their gender, age and duration of receiving preschool education. However, the emotion regulation sub-dimension of the scale was identified to differ in favor of an only child. Children’s problem solving skills did not significantly vary depending on their gender and age; whereas, a significant difference was found in favor of those who are an only child and who have two years of preschool education. Upon analyzing the relationship between the scores of the two scales, positive relationships were determined between the two sub-dimensions of the Emotion Regulation Scale and problem solving skill scores; moreover, children's emotion regulation skills were concluded to explain 20% of the total variance in problem solving skills, and the variability/negativity behaviors explained 6% of the total variance in problem solving skills.
Vital Sign Detection in Any Orientation Using a Distributed Radar Network via Modified Independent Component Analysis

Recent advances in radar systems have demonstrated the possibility of noncontact human vital signs detection. Most prior research has focused on vital sign detection with specific subjects’ orientations. So far, very few reported studies have been carried out on vital sign detection in any orientation, which is necessary to be applicable in various scenarios, e.g., assisting in the daily life of elderly persons living alone. To tackle this problem, this article presents a scheme that uses a distributed radar network, which transmits stepped frequency continuous-wave (SFCW) signals, then collecting the vital sign data returned from different directions of the subject and subsequently obtaining the respiratory and heartbeat rates from these collected data. A new respiratory and heartbeat model is proposed here for the theoretical analysis and simulation of vital sign detection for any orientation utilizing a distributed radar network. A modified independent component analysis (ICA) method noted as derivative independent component analysis (DICA) is proposed here to estimate the respiratory and heartbeat rates from multiple channels of the distributed radar network. Use of the ICA method was theoretically validated first to prove that the problem formulation satisfies the three conditions required for its implementation. Vital signs of a stationary subject were detected in simulation and measurement using multiple receiving antennas that are fan-shaped distributed around the subject from different directions. In this scenario, both the heartbeat and respiratory rates can be accurately estimated using the proposed DICA algorithm. Moreover, we also experimentally investigated the performance of the DICA method with different combinations of channels as input signals to the DICA algorithm. Both the simulated and experimental results have demonstrated that, by using a distributed radar network and the DICA method, a successful and accurate respiratory and heartbeat rate detection of a subject regardless of subject’s orientation can be achieved due to the independence of their non-Gaussian sources.
Frequency of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Its Patterns in Families of Children with OCD in Rafsanjan, 2016

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the common psychiatric disorders among children and adolescents that can be created by both genetic and environmental factors. Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the frequency of OCD and its patterns in families with OCD children. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 95 children and adolescents with OCD who were referred to the Psychology Clinic of Rafsanjan, Iran, in 2016 were enrolled by a convenience sampling method. The research tool was an obsessive-compulsive questionnaire (children form), and interviews were also carried out with the patients to find the deterioration of the symptoms in them and/or their families. Data were presented and analyzed by mean ± SD, frequency, and Chi-square test. The level of significance was 0.05. Results: The highest frequency of OCD patterns was washing, Checking, and doubt. 36.7% of fathers and 56.1% of mothers had one of obsessive-compulsive disorder patterns. Meanwhile, the most common pattern observed in the parents was cleaning. In total, 79.6% of the paternal families and 87.7% of the maternal families of the patients had OCD. Moreover, a significant relationship was observed in the levels of OCD between children and mothers (P = 0.027), whereas no significant association was detected between the OCD of children and that of their parents. Conclusions: Family history (especially maternal family) plays a significant role in OCD development, which is indicative of the transmission pattern of multifactorial traits, while the heritability of OCD is still not determined.
Passion in the pit: the effects of harmonious and obsessive passion on nurse burnout

PurposeAnecdotal and survey reports indicate that nurses are suffering increased stress and burnout due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Therefore, this study investigated two forms of passion, harmonious and obsessive passion, as resources that may indirectly predict two forms of burnout, disengagement and exhaustion, through the mediator of job stress.Design/methodology/approachThe authors tested their hypotheses in a mediation model using a sample of nurses surveyed at three timepoints during the COVID-19 pandemic.FindingsAs hypothesized, harmonious passion indirectly decreased disengagement and exhaustion by decreasing job stress. Contrary to authors’ hypotheses, obsessive passion also indirectly decreased (rather than increased, as hypothesized) both disengagement and exhaustion by decreasing job stress. Harmonious, but not obsessive, passion, was significantly negatively directly related to disengagement and exhaustion.Research limitations/implicationsData were collected during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have impacted nurses’ work environments and their willingness to respond.Originality/valueThis study extends conservation of resources theory to conceptualize harmonious and obsessive passion as resources with differing outcomes based on their contrasting identity internalization, per the Dualistic Model of Passion. This study also operationalizes burnout more comprehensively by including cognitive and physical exhaustion along with emotional exhaustion, as well as disengagement. By collecting responses at three timepoints, this study provides a more robust test of causality than previous work examining passion and burnout.
Aberration Corrected Large-scale Hybrid-metalenses

Hybrid components combining the optical power of a refractive and a diffractive optical system can form compact doublet lenses that correct various aberrations. Unfortunately, the diffraction efﬁciency of these devices decreases as a function of the deﬂection angle over the element aperture. Here, we address this issue, compensating for chromatic dispersion and correcting for monochromatic aberrations with centimeter-scale hybrid-metalenses. We demonstrate a correction of at least 80% for chromatic aberration and 70% for spherical aberration. We ﬁnally present monochromatic and achromatic images that clearly show how these hybrid systems outperform standard refractive lenses. The possibilities to adjust arbitrary spatial amplitude, phase, polarization, and dispersion proﬁles with hybrid metasurfaces offer unprecedented optical design opportunities for compact and broadband imaging, augmented reality/virtual reality, and holographicprojection.
APA Resolution Recommending the Immediate Retirement of American Indian Mascots, Symbols, Images, and Personalities by Schools, Colleges, Universities, Athletic Teams, and Organizations

WHEREAS the continued use of American Indian mascots, symbols, images, and personalities establishes an unwelcome and often times hostile learning environment for American Indian students that affirms negative images/stereotypes that are promoted in mainstream society (Clark & Witko, in press; Fryberg, 2003; Fryberg & Markus, 2003; Fryberg, 2004a; Munson, 2001; Society of Indian Psychologists, 1999; Staurowsky, 1999);
COVID-19 Pandemic: An Islamic Analysis

The study's purpose is to analyse the prevention of the Covid-19 Pandemic in the light of the Holy-Qur'an and Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh)’s Sunnah. Just as a Pandemic, disaster, or calamity in the world has some external causes, it also has some internal and subtle reasons. Islam considers the plague as a punishment in a natural and broad sense; simultaneously, Islam believes this epidemic to be a test and a warning for the believer. Besides, Islam thinks that dangers and calamities happen according to Almighty Allah's judgment. Islam always gives the idea of a healthy-capable human group. There are 'Kitabut Tib' or medical chapters in almost all Hadith texts regarding the importance of health and treatment. The golden branch of Islam was the development of a particular scripture called the Prophet in Tibet. If there is a Pandemic in a specific area, Islam prescribes quarantine and lockdown. Modern medical systems embraced this warning fourteen hundred years ago as the only way out. In this context, Muhammad (pbuh) said people would not enter the area affected by the pandemic. Besides, people will not go out of where the epidemic has spread [1]. The damage caused by the outbreak could have been drastically reduced if the hadith teachings had been implemented at this critical time in the Coronavirus's presence. To survive the Coronavirus, the World Health Organization (WHO) always says to stay clean. Islamic law orders a Muslim who believes that he is immaculate at every stage of his life. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: Cleanliness is a part of faith [2]. There are various dispositions of the Shari'a that have been prescribed as a means of attaining holiness. According to medical science's advice, Islam advises taking treatment and taking precautionary measures in a Pandemic of any disease.
Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Performance of Small and Medium Business Enterprises in Abuja-FCT, Nigeria

It is obvious that corona virus pandemic has seriously disrupted the world economy and continuing to ravage the existence of businesses. The small and medium businesses are worst hit. This study specifically identifies the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of SMEs business in Abuja and providing recommendations on how their businesses can improve and perform effectively during this falling economy and the numerous challenges caused by the pandemic. The study adopted a quantitative research technique using data collection method through the administration of structured questionnaire and on 10 selected SMEs with 100 respondents in Municipal Area Council in Abuja which were selected purposively to elicit insights into the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on their businesses. Findings from the analysis indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect includes: loss of competent staff resulting from reduction in staff salary, low revenue or income generation, lack of patronage, and lack of sincerity on the part of government to reduce the prevalence of the pandemic. The SMEs are often faced with problems such as: inability to pay salaries, repay loans and rent. Most respondent suggested that government should introduce a well monitored and structured palliative schemes, poverty alleviation programs, reduced interest rates, relax loans and defer tax payments. There are related variables that were not mentioned in this study. It is therefore necessary to consider them in future research work.
Performance of first Bi-2212 cable with pre-over pressure and over pressure heat treatment

Due to the excellent current carrying performance of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x (Bi-2212) and the development of its industrial manufacturing technology, Bi-2212 is a promising material to be developed as superconductor for application in fusion reactor magnets. The cable-in-conduit conductor (CICC) concept is often chosen for the development of large-scale magnets because of their high stability. Bi-2212 is presently the only kind of copper oxide superconducting material which can be made into solid round wire, which provides a good basis for developing CICCs. The over pressure (OP) heat treatment can significantly improve the superconducting performance of Bi-2212 wires but it also reduces the wire diameter by ∼5%. This leads to an increase of the void fraction of CICCs, typically from 30% to 40% for a CICC with ITER scale dimensions. A pre-OP heat treatment before OP is proposed in this study. The reduction of the wire diameter can be completed before the formation of the continuous superconducting phase, which would dramatically decrease the CICC void fraction. One Bi-2212 cable consisting of 84 wires, was first pre-OP heat treated successfully and after completing the OP heat treatment, the cable’s transport performance was tested. The results showed good performance with a critical current (I c) of 35.7 kA at 5.8 T background field in 4.2 K, which is consistent with the predication.
Set in motion by data: Human and data intra-actions in educational governance

ABSTRACT With the increased use of data in the governance of education, studies on how human beings interact with data become increasingly important. Recent scholarship has conceptualized human responses to data through the notion of affectivity. While this conceptualization offers a viable alternative to previous rational choice theorizations of human responses to data that over-emphasize rational though, it in turn under-emphasizes rational thought. This paper theorizes human responses to data as a matter of being set in motion by data, a term that includes rational thought, affect, and other responses. Through the philosophy of agential realism and an empirical analysis of various actors engaging with Danish graduate unemployment data, the paper elaborates how data and human beings (among other entities) intra-act and how human beings are affected by data, both in terms of what the data articulate and in terms of a code of conduct for dealing with data.
Assessment of the Clinical, Serological and Parasitological Aspects of Onchocercal Skin Disease, 20 Years of Community Directed Treatment with Ivermectin (CDTI) in the Ruvuma, Southwestern Tanzania

Background: Onchocerciasis is a chronic disease caused by filarial worm, maintained in the communities through the black flies that breed in rapid fast flowing rivers. The disease triggers enormous sufferings and compromise community and individual socio-economic opportunities. Approximately 37 million people are afflicted by onchocerciasis and 46,000 new cases of blindness are reported each year in the hyper-mesoendemic communities. Study objective was assessing interruption of transmission after over 20 years of mass drug administration in the area. Methods: In this descriptive study design, clinical signs, symptoms and skin snip results were the parameters used to diagnose Onchocercal skin disease (OSD) in hyper and hypo/non-endemic communities. Quantitative PCR was used to confirm the diagnosis and determine the number of onchocerca volvulus (o.v.) genomes present in the skin specimens of onchocerciasis cases and non-infected cases. Results: A total of 106 individuals participated in this study, 59.4% (63/106) were males. The median age was 49.5 years with an inter-quantile range of 36 to 62 years and the mean weight was 55.7 kg with a 95% CI of 53.8-56.7 kg. Microfilaridermia prevalence in the hyper and hypo / non endemic communities was 48.1% (51/106) and 1.0% (2/228) respectively with geometric mean intensity GMI of 2.8mff/mg skin with 95% CI of 2.5-3.1. The prevalence of troublesome itching was 9.6% (49/513) the hyper and hypo/non endemic communities respectively. Chronic papular onchodermatitis (CPOD) prevalence in the hyper-endemic villages was 24.5% (26/106) presented by itching along with scratch marks. An association between CPOD and microfilaridermia was observed (r=-0.27; p=0.047) while in the hypo and non-endemic communities the most frequent skin lesion observed was scabies and a red scaly skin rash. The amounts of O.V. DNA detected in the specimen varied greatly. Twelve participants had data on O.V. DNA and expressed higher levels of O.V. DNA (r2 = 0.25). Conclusion: These findings have shown clearly that, transmission has not been interrupted in the entire focus. However, in areas considered non endemic in the previous surveys today transmission is ongoing.
Habitat Suitability Modeling to Inform Seascape Connectivity Conservation and Management

Coastal habitats have experienced significant degradation and fragmentation in recent decades under the strain of interacting ecosystem stressors. To maintain biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, coastal managers and restoration practitioners face the urgent tasks of identifying priority areas for protection and developing innovative, scalable approaches to habitat restoration. Facilitating these efforts are models of seascape connectivity, which represent ecological linkages across heterogeneous marine environments by predicting species-specific dispersal between suitable habitat patches. However, defining the suitable habitat patches and migratory pathways required to construct ecologically realistic connectivity models remains challenging. Focusing on two reef-associated fish species of the Florida Keys, United States of America (USA), we compared two methods for constructing species- and life stage-specific spatial models of habitat suitability—penalized logistic regression and maximum entropy (MaxEnt). The goal of the model comparison was to identify the modeling algorithm that produced the most realistic and detailed products for use in subsequent connectivity assessments. Regardless of species, MaxEnt’s ability to distinguish between suitable and unsuitable locations exceeded that of the penalized regressions. Furthermore, MaxEnt’s habitat suitability predictions more closely aligned with the known ecology of the study species, revealing the environmental conditions and spatial patterns that best support each species across the seascape, with implications for predicting connectivity pathways and the distribution of key ecological processes. Our research demonstrates MaxEnt’s promise as a scalable, species-specific, and spatially explicit tool for informing models of seascape connectivity and guiding coastal conservation efforts.