Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Niacinamide May Be Associated with Improved Outcomes in COVID-19-Related Acute Kidney Injury: An Observational Study.

Background AKI is a significant complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with no effective therapy. Niacinamide, a vitamin B3 analogue, has some evidence of efficacy in non-COVID-19-related AKI. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between niacinamide therapy and outcomes in patients with COVID-19-related AKI. Methods We implemented a quasi-experimental design with nonrandom, prospective allocation of niacinamide in 201 hospitalized adult patients, excluding those with baseline eGFR <15 ml/min per 1.73 m2 on or off dialysis, with COVID-19-related AKI by Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria, in two hospitals with identical COVID-19 care algorithms, one of which additionally implemented treatment with niacinamide for COVID-19-related AKI. Patients on the niacinamide protocol (B3 patients) were compared against patients at the same institution before protocol commencement and contemporaneous patients at the non-niacinamide hospital (collectively, non-B3 patients). The primary outcome was a composite of death or RRT. Results A total of 38 out of 90 B3 patients and 62 out of 111 non-B3 patients died or received RRT. Using multivariable Cox proportional hazard modeling, niacinamide was associated with a lower risk of RRT or death (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.40 to 1.00; P=0.05), an association driven by patients with KDIGO stage-2/3 AKI (HR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.65; P=0.03; P interaction with KDIGO stage=0.03). Total mortality also followed this pattern (HR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.52; in patients with KDIGO stage-2/3 AKI, P=0.002). Serum creatinine after AKI increased by 0.20 (SEM, 0.08) mg/dl per day among non-B3 patients with KDIGO stage-2/3 AKI, but was stable among comparable B3 patients (+0.01 [SEM, 0.06] mg/dl per day; P interaction=0.03). Conclusions Niacinamide was associated with lower risk of RRT/death and improved creatinine trajectory among patients with severe COVID-19-related AKI. Larger randomized studies are necessary to establish a causal relationship.
New Insights on Self-Employment of Older Adults in the United States

Abstract This work examines the nature of self-employment arrangements of older adults in the United States. Many people engage in self-employment - in the 2016 Health and Retirement Study (HRS), 20 percent of respondents working for pay reported being self-employed - yet there exists a dearth of data on these arrangements. This lack of data prevents consideration of important questions relevant to employment, inequality, and policy. Who works in different types of self-employment? What resources facilitate some individuals obtaining higher quality self-employment arrangements? To what extent does the income from different types of arrangements keep people out of poverty? Are different types of arrangements associated with individuals being happier and having more job satisfaction? This work leverages novel restricted-access data collected in the HRS in 2016 on the employer names and locations for individuals reporting self-employment along with respondent narratives on industry and type of work to classify self-employment reports into three entrepreneurial roles (own/run; manage; independent) across 14 different types of work. Using the breadth of information collected in the HRS and linkage to administrative records, this work then presents differences in characteristics, such as demographics, income, wealth, savings, health insurance coverage, home ownership, health status, and expectations of working longer, associated with different classifications of self-employment. Exploring these questions provides unique insights into the changing nature of work and the transition to retirement relevant to policy considerations across the health, insurance, and retirement income dimensions, among others.
SOLVENT PROPERTIES OF LIQUID AND SUPERCRITICAL HYDROFLUOROCARBONS

The dipolarity/polarizability parameter {pi}{sup *}, introduced by Kamlet and Taft, was measured for difluoromethane (HFC 32) and pentafluoroethane (HFC 125) and compared with those previously reported for 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC 134a). This was carried out as a function of temperature and pressure, to cover the liquid and supercritical states over the range 30--130 C and 40--300 bar. The change in dipolarity/polarizability with the reduced density is explained in terms of local density augmentation and a van der Waals model is used to predict the changes in solvent properties. The mean sphere approximation (MSA) model was applied to the data and found to produce an excellent fit for all of the solvents in both the liquid and supercritical states.
Experimental study of sulfur isotope fractionation factors between sulfate and sulfide in high temperature melts

Sulfur isotope fractionation factors between sulfate and sulfide at 600 to 1, 000°C were experimentally determined by decomposing anhydrous Na2SO3 in melts of NaCl and LiCl-KCl mixture (6 : 4 molar ratio). Sulfur isotope exchange equilibrium was attained between sulfate and sulfide formed by decomposition of sodium sulfite within 120 minutes at 600°C in the LiCl-KCl melt and within 30 minutes at 810°C in the NaCl melt. The observed fractionation factors (α) obey the relationship in the experimental temperature range: 1000 lnαsulfate-sulfide = 7.4 × 106/T2 − 0.19. In alkali chloride melts, sulfide would exist as HS-, S2-, NaHS and NaS-, and sulfate as SO42- and NaSO4-, respectively, in an analogy with aqueous sodium chloride solution. The observed fractionation factors are considered to represent those between bulk sulfate and sulfide ions. The fractionation factor between gaseous H2S and dissolved sulfate in melt at 600 and 700°C is about 1 and 0.7‰ smaller than those between dissolved sulfide and sulfate in melt, respectively, and may be approximated by the following equation in the experimental temperature range: 1000 lnαsulfate-H2S = (6.5 ± 0.3) × 106/T2.
Sequential bond energies of chromium carbonyls (Cr(CO)x+, x = 1-6)

The sequential bond energies of Cr(CO) x + , x=1-6, are determined by collision-induced dissociation in a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer. Values for the 0 K bond energies (in eV) are determined to be D(Cr + -CO)=0.93±0.04, D[(CO)Cr + -CO]=0.98±0.03, D[(CO) 2 Cr + -CO]=0.56±0.06, D[(CO) 3 Cr + -CO]=0.53±0.08, D[(CO) 4 Cr + -CO]=0.64±0.03, and D[(CO) 5 Cr + -CO]=1.35±0.08
Isolation, screening and identification of moisture stress tolerant Rhizobacteria from xerophyte Prosopis juliflora (Sw)

Plant growth and productivity are adversely affected by various abiotic (high temperature, moisture stress and salinity) and biotic stresses (Pest and Disease). To overcome this problem various strategies are followed viz., modified cultivation practices, improved breeding methods and application of stress tolerant/resistant microorganisms. Present investigation was designed with the view to address the moisture stress by exploring autochthonous microflora of xerophyte Prosopis juliflora (Sw). Ten different isolates were obtained from southern agro-climatic zone of Tamil Nadu and screened in vitro by artificial induction of drought in solution using PEG 6000. Of which two potential isolates (MLSB 2 & MLSB 6) were obtained from the rhizosphere of Prosopis juliflora collected based on significant anount of IAA and proline produced during moisture stress condition and withstand upto (-1.03 M Pa) osmotic potential.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy in previously operated patients: A prospective study

Purpose: To determine the effect of previous renal stone surgery on result and complications of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Materials and Methods: Total 300 patients were enrolled in the study. We enrolled 100 surgery-naive cases (those with no history of any renal surgery) as control and labeled them as Group A. Group B comprised 100 cases who had PCNL in the past. Group C constituted 100 patients who had open renal stone surgery in the past. Stones were classified using Guy's stone score. PCNL was performed by standard technique in prone position and technical features encountered during operation and outcomes were compared between groups. Complications were graded using modified Clavien grading system. Results: There were no differences between the three groups in age, gender, body mass index, stone burden, and stone opacity. Multiple calyceal stones and distorted pelvicalyceal system anatomy were more in Group C, but stone score showed no statistically significant difference from other groups. The mean operative time (68.91 ± 21.27 min) and fluoroscopy time (264.40 ± 74.90 s) were longer in Group C, but there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Multiple access was significantly more common in Group C compared to the other two groups (P < 0.001). Access location too did not show any statistically significant difference between the groups. Postoperative complications were more in previous stone surgery patients, but did not show statistically significant difference. Conclusion: PCNL is a safe and effective treatment modality for patients with renal stones regardless of history of previous PCNL or open renal surgery.
Evaluation of exclusive breastfeeding rates and breastfeeding duration in term uncomplicated Turkish adolescent mothers

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates and breastfeeding duration in adolescent Turkish mothers after term-uncomplicated deliveries. Material and Methods: The study comprised 803 uncomplicated, nulliparous women, who had a single pregnancy and delivered at term gestational age. After excluding any maternal and fetal factors that affected early breastfeeding initiation, 674 nulliparous pregnant women were divided into three groups as follows: adolescents 16–17 years old, adolescents 18–19 years old, and non-adolescents 20–24 years old. The primary outcome of the study was defined as EBF of the infant, especially during the first 6 months of life. Results: Gestational age at delivery, birth weight, newborn gender, rate of induced labor, and rate of vaginal deliveries were similar among the groups. We found that 22.5% (14/62) of patients in the 16- to 17-year group, 41.8% (72/172) in 18- to 19-year group, and 72.9% (321/440) in the 20- to 24-year group had EBF during the first 6 months of their baby’s life. The rate of EBF during the first 6 months was significantly less in the 16- to 17-year and 18- to 19-year groups compared to that in the 20- to 24-year group (p<0.001). The mean breastfeeding duration was 6.7±1.4months in the 16- to 17-year group, 9.5±2.2 months in the 18-to 19-year group, and 15.2±3.2 months in the 20-to 24-year group. Mean breastfeeding duration was significantly less in the 16-to 17-year and 18- to 19-year groups than in the 20- to 24-year group (p<0.001). Conclusion: Our results indicated that adolescent pregnancy in Turkish populations is an important risk factor affecting both EBF during the first 6 months of life and breastfeeding duration.
Evaporation and condensation at a liquid surface. II. Methanol

The rates of evaporation and condensation of methanol under the vapor–liquid equilibrium condition at the temperature of 300 and 350 K are investigated with a molecular dynamics computer simulation. Compared with the argon system (reported in part I), the ratio of self‐reflection is similar (∼10%), but the ratio of molecule exchange is several times larger than the argon, which suggests that the conventional assumption of condensation as a unimolecular process completely fails for associating fluids. The resulting total condensation coefficient is 20%–25%, and has a quantitative agreement with a recent experiment. The temperature dependence of the evaporation–condensation behavior is not significant.
How Teachers Value Pension Wealth: A Reexamination of the Illinois Experience

In a widely-cited study, Fitzpatrick (2015) found that more than a quarter of Illinois teachers were unwilling to pay 19 cents for pension enhancements worth one dollar in present value. We revisit this finding by tracking the same cohort of teachers to retirement, which permits exact measurement of the annuity received and service years. The vast majority of teachers purchased the upgrade. Among the teachers who did not, the benefit on average had a negative value given their retirement timing. Our analysis finds that Fitzpatrick's instrumental variables fail to capture the underlying heterogeneity of preferences driving this result.
Dipole model explaining high-k/metal gate field effect transistor threshold voltage tuning

An interface dipole model explaining threshold voltage (Vt) tuning in HfSiON gated n-channel field effect transistors (nFETs) is proposed. Vt tuning depends on rare earth (RE) type and diffusion in Si∕SiOx∕HfSiON∕REOx/metal gated nFETs as follows: Sr<Er<Sc+Er<La<Sc<none. This Vt ordering is very similar to the trends in dopant electronegativity (EN) (dipole charge transfer) and ionic radius (r) (dipole separation) expected for a interfacial dipole mechanism. The resulting Vt dependence on RE dopant allows distinction between a dipole model (dependent on EN and r) and an oxygen vacancy model (dependent on valence).
Conflict-Free Scheduling in Cellular V2X Communications

Cellular V2X, the “Vehicle to Everything” standard, defines a framework for information exchange among vehicles and other network entities. In one of the main modes, LTE V2X relies on a central scheduler to minimize the consumed resources in a conflict-free manner. This NP-hard problem leads to a scheduling strategy that assigns separate resources to the conflicting links and can enjoy from opportunistic resource reuse. In this paper, a novel polynomial-time heuristic, MUCS, is introduced, which models this scheduling as a Vehicle Routing Problem. The existing conflict-free schedulers face major incompetence in satisfying the LTE and 5G V2X requirements mainly due to their reliance on simplifications that are unnatural to the V2X environment. On the contrary, MUCS can flexibly accommodate general Device-to-Device topologies as the basis of V2X networks without imposing any packet segmentation. This way, MUCS minimizes the control information overhead in the cellular V2X standard. Due to scalability and a high quality resource utilization (near-optimal in certain conditions), compared to the existing literature, MUCS is desirable for LTE V2X and the 5G networks.
Espacialização da umidade do solo por meio da temperatura da superfície e índice de vegetação

The study of soil moisture is important in determining the resilience of ecosystems and their recovery, as well as in the modeling of water-vegetation-atmosphere relationship. Remote sensing is an important tool for the acquisition, mapping and monitoring soil moisture through the surface temperature and vegetation indices. For the soil moisture content assessment, several methods have been proposed, however its application is still limited. In this work the soil moisture index (SMI) was applied and modeled with the objectives: to establish and delineate areas with different levels of desertification through SMI mapping and to map the dynamic of border, as well as to verify possible relationships betweem SMI and soil water parameters. In the application of this model as input data was used: NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) and LST (land surface temperature). It was observed that SMI accessed by the average of the SMI derived by NDVI and LST can be used in the determination of soil surface degradation and in the production of maps showing different levels of this degradation. It was also verified, that there was no direct relationship between SMI and physical parameters of soil moisture content. Remote sensing showed to be an important tool in the evaluation of soil moisture indices in degraded areas and to delineate the border effect in this desertification nucleus.
A person-organization fit Model of Generation Z: Preliminary studies

The study looks at developing a person-organization fit model based on the unique characteristics of the new generational cohort, Generation Z, now entering the workforce. Theory suggests competitive advantage may come to a firm based on its unique human capital, the human resources it employs and develops. Further, organizations will be more successful in attracting the valuable employees they seek if they can provide a workplace appealing to them in terms of organizational values, culture, and other aspects that may also include more familiar enticements such as pay and benefits. To address the gap, this pioneering study investigates the context of person-organizational culture for the Z Generation entering the labor market. The key questions answered by the authors when describing the Person-Organization Fit Framework for Generation Z include the differences in how organizational culture appeals to Gen Z men and Gen Z women. The research results are presented in three steps: an analysis of workplace environment elements for Gen Z, correlation analysis between the workplace environment elements required by Gen Z, and presentation of a Person-Organization Fit Framework for Gen Z. From a sample of 3393 students at technological secondary schools in the Wielkopolska Region, the survey results provided evidence of the workplace preferences for this cohort. In addition, results were further analyzed for differences in gender and intended profession. For this region, Generation Z has variable individual needs and wants, some of which can be easily identified (gender, profession) but some of which may be less clear. These research results may be used for designing appealing workplaces taking into account person-organization needs for young people. Based on this novel research, organizations employing the resulting work framework for Gen Z will be better prepared to consider the nature and communication of what they have to offer as well as how they can be flexible in adapting these offerings to unique individuals.
Enhanced Control with a General Cascade Control Structure

In this paper, a general cascade control structure is proposed to handle stable, integrating, and unstable processes for cascade control systems. With the structure, a IMC controller is derived to get a desired closed-loop response and converted to a conventional PID controller. Several examples are given to illustrate the superiority of the structure and the proposed controller. The new structure is more robust to measurement noises than a conventional cascade control structure.
Phytochemical studies on the essential oils of species belonging to the Achillea genus by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Several populations of Achillea species were collected from Hungarian localities. The characteristic composition cf the essential oils of almost 220 populations were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The main component of Achillea asplenifolia, A. setacea and A. collina oils is chamazulene, with a molecular mass of 184. The composition of some A. setacea is different: instead of chamazulene it contains a significant amount of farnesene. Oils of A. distans, A. crithmifolia, A. nobilis, A. pannonica and A. ochroleuca contain some different and specific compounds instead of chamazulene. During the analysis of many essential oils, we found some very interesting differences within species originating from another geographical area.
Explaining Sex Differences in Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy Outcome

Women are less likely to receive cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT), yet accumulating evidence suggests that they derive more benefit than men. This review summarises existing literature elucidating why sex-specific differences in CRT outcome exist. First it is demonstrated that among CRT candidates, women exhibit different risk factors resulting in better heart failure prognosis, irrespective of CRT. Second, women more often display factors associated with good response to CRT, such as non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy with lower scar burden and left bundle branch block at shorter QRS duration, possibly due to smaller heart size. Whether differences in CRT outcome can be attributed to these factors or if, after correction, a true sex difference exists, remains a topic of debate.
El tiempo de uso de los videojuegos en el rendimiento académico de los adolescentes

Video game usage among young people has generated great concern due to its possible negative effects on their health, socialization and academic performance. Regarding this last aspect, there are studies that point out that video games have negative consequences for academic performance while others emphasize their positive effects. Therefore, the present study deals with the relationship between the video game usage time and the academic performance in adolescent schoolchildren from the Valencian Autonomous Community. An ad hoc questionnaire was used and validated through expert judgment (0.8 validity and reliability) to develop this cross-sectional and ex post facto study. A stratified and proportional representative sample was designed for the ESO student population of this autonomous community and 1,502 questionnaires were collected. Adolescents spend an average of 47.23 minutes a day playing video games, with less time spent during the week than at the weekend. Those who devote more time to videogames during the week fail more subjects and those who spend more time on weekends get better school grades. In addition, frequent, moderate and many of the occasional players obtain good academic results, while the opposite happens to the intensive players. As many of the occasional players achieve good academic performance, a moderate time devoted to video games seems not to affect academic performance. PALABRAS CLAVE |
A photogrammetric method for calculating soil bulk density

Soil bulk density is an important parameter in many research fields. Unfortunately, no single method exists for measuring bulk density for a wide range of soil conditions. We have carried out tests and compared the results of a photogrammetric method for bulk density estimation as a supplement to widely-used methods (core method, excavation method). The differences between the methods indicate the potential for using photogrammetry as a supplementary application for estimating soil bulk density.
International Merger & Acquisitions

In Recent times, Mergers and Acquisitions have become a universal phenomenon. Companies had been actively involved in both Domestically & Internationally mergers and acquisitions. The increased global market rivalry has encouraged the companies to go global as a significant strategic choice for mergers and acquisitions. Mergers & Acquisitions are the strategic growth strategies in the hands of growing numbers of companies not only to remain in the competition but also to increase their margins, market share, and global domination. The scale of cross-border operations has seen an unparalleled Surge since the mid-1990s and the same pattern continues. The size and speed at which mergers are coming are remarkable. In the context, Mergers and acquisitions have become a strategic practice for a number of the world’s leading businesses to expand rapidly.