Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multielement sorption of cadmium, zinc, copper and lead onto a Fluvisol profile at the Stara Loza site, Croatia

The subject of this study is the Fluvisol profile, developed in the Stara Loza water wellfield area of the Zagreb aquifer. The main objectives of the investigation were: 1) to determine the sorption characteristics of lead, zinc, copper and cadmium using a batch experiment and 2) to build isotherms of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) in soil horizons of Fluvisol. The soil texture is silt loam of a light yellow colour, and granular structure. The pH values of the soil vary from 7.97 to 8.38. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) has higher values in the first three horizons. Based on the results of the experiment, linear sorption isotherms were created for all the soil horizons. Freundlich distribution coefficients are determined from sorption isotherms, and the sequence is Pb > Cu > Cd > Zn. The comparison of sorption isotherms has determined that lead has the best sorption in the soil. Sorption of potentially toxic metals decreases with depth.
Predictors of seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccination coverage among adults in Tennessee during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has convoluted hesitancy toward vaccines, including the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine. Because of COVID-19, the flu season has become more complicated; therefore, it is important to understand all the factors influencing the uptake of these vaccines to inform intervention targets. This article assesses factors related to the uptake of influenza and COVID-19 vaccines among adults in Tennessee. Methods A cross-sectional, secondary data analysis of 1,400 adults was conducted in Tennessee. The adult sample came from two data sources: Data source 1 completed a baseline survey from January to March 2022, and data source 2 was completed from May to August 2022. Data on vaccine attitudes, facilitators and barriers, and communication needs were collected via random digit dial by Scientific Telephone Samples (STS). Two multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to predict sociodemographic and overall vaccine-related factors associated with receipt or non-receipt (referent) of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines. Results Approximately 78% of the adult sample had received the COVID-19 vaccination. A significant positive association for COVID-19 vaccine uptake was seen among those who were older (aged 50–65) (aOR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.2–3.2), Black (aOR = 2.0; 95% CI:1.3–2.8), and had a college education and higher (aOR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.5–3.6). However, there was a significant negative association for persons reporting they were extremely religious (aOR = 0.5; 95% CI:0.3–0.9). Over 56% of the adult sample had received the influenza vaccination this season. Those who had a higher annual household income ($80,000+) (aOR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.3–2.6) and had health insurance (aOR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.4–4.8) had a significant positive association with influenza vaccine receipt. However, those who were employed part-time or were unemployed had a significant negative association for influenza vaccine receipt (aOR = 0.7; 95% CI: 0.5–0.9). Both COVID-19 and influenza vaccine receipt had strongly significant positive trends with increasing belief in effectiveness and trust (p < 0.0001) and strongly significant negative trends with higher levels of overall vaccine hesitancy (p < 0.0001). Conclusion Strategies to increase COVID-19 and influenza vaccination should be age-specific, focus on increasing geographical and financial access, and offer tailored messages to address concerns about these vaccines.
Mechanical Thrombectomy in Stroke—Retrospective Comparison of Methods: Aspiration vs. Stent Retrievers vs. Combined Method—Is Aspiration the Best Starting Point?

Background: There are three main methods of mechanical thrombectomy (MT): using a stent retriever (SR) only (SO), aspiration catheter (AC) only (AO) and the combined method (CM) using both the SR and AC. This paper describes a real-life, single-center experience using SO, AO and CM during 276 consecutive MTs. Methods: The primary endpoint was the frequency of first-pass complete (FPE TICI3). The secondary endpoints were final mTICI 2b-3, procedure duration, clinical outcome and the total number of device passes. The third aim of this study was to test the association between the clinical outcomes in patients treated with each method and various factors. Results: There was a significant difference (p = 0.016) between the groups’ FPE TICI3 rates with 46% mTICI 3 in the AO group, 41% in the CM group and 21% in the SO group. AO resulted in procedure time shortening to a mean duration of 43 min, and the scores were 56 min for CM and 63 min for SO (p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes or in-hospital mortality. The analysis showed a correlation between good clinical outcomes and the administration of IVT: OR 1.71 (1.03–2.84) p = 0.039. Patients ≥66 years old had higher odds of a bad outcome compared to younger patients in general (OR, 1.99 95% CI, 1.17–3.38; p = 0.011). FPE TICI3 was associated with good functional outcomes in the whole treated cohort (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.21–3.25; p = 0.006). Conclusions: In our series, AO proved to be the best starting point in most cases. It demonstrates good technical efficacy regarding FPE, it is fast and clinical outcomes seem to be the least age- and FPE TICI3-dependent. It can be easily converted into the combined method, which had the second-best outcomes in our cohort.
THE MEDIATING ROLE OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE (ESG) AND FIRM VALUE

Background: As global awareness begins to lead to sustainable business practices, the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework becomes one of the important things in evaluating firms. Sustainability information such as ESG is considered capable of influencing firm value.Objective: The goal of the study is to examine the effect exerted by ESG on the value of the firm with financial performance acting as a mediating variable.Research Method: This study utilizes regression data analysis techniques to test the influence between variables. Secondary data were used in this study using Thomson Reuters and OSIRIS databases. The sample obtained was 35 firms that fit the purposive sampling criteria, with the number of observations for the 2017-2022 period being 210 observations.Research Results: ESG cannot affect firm value, while ESG can affect financial performance, and financial performance can affect firm value. Results also show the full mediating effect exerted by financial performance on the connection between ESG and firm value.Research Originality/Novelty: A research construct that uses financial performance mediation in explaining the connection between ESG and firm value.
Building resilience in European food supply chains: results of a Delphi study

The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have negatively affected the sustainability of the food market and contributed significantly to the increase in agricultural prices. The goal of this article is to present the results of a European Delphi study on enabling factors and barriers to developing robustness within food distribution networks. The paper also aims to identify ways to ensure food security and build resilience in supply chains for European Union (EU) citizens, as well as strategies to protect the agricultural sector. The Delphi theses, the expected timing of their implementation and their impact on selected stages of supply chains were assessed. The paper employs a literature review, the Delphi method and STEEPED analysis to identify factors for increasing the robustness of European food distribution networks. The research findings highlighted crucial factors in enhancing food supply chain resilience, including financial aid to farmers, the use of advanced technologies (like AI, remote sensing, GIS, VR, or drones), and the encouragement of conscious consumption practices. The study revealed that severe weather, inadequate financial support for farmers and insufficient favourable legislation at the national level are the main barriers to achieving resilience in food supply chains. The main recommendations for building food resilience include encouraging localised food supply chains and, advocating for eco-friendly, sustainable production approaches and small-scale agriculture and reducing unnecessary food losses. The originality of the study is reflected in the presentation of the opinions of international experts on developing robustness within food distribution networks in view of the disruption caused by COVID-19 and the geopolitical situation.
The Impacts of Background Music on the Effects of Loving-Kindness Meditation on Positive Emotions

Loving-kindness meditation (LKM) has been widely used in promoting mental health, with positive emotions as an important mechanism. The current study explored the impact of background music on the effects and difficulties of LKM practice. Two hundred participants were randomly divided into six groups, wherein LKM plus music with harmony only, LKM plus music with harmony and melody, and LKM without music were presented in a different order during the intermediate three days of a five-day LKM intervention. Participants reported three types of positive emotions (pro-social, low-arousal, and medium-arousal positive emotions) and the difficulties during meditation (lack of concentration and lack of pro-social attitudes) after each of three sessions. The results of MANOVA indicated that compared to the session without music, incorporating music could evoke more low-arousal positive emotions and pro-social positive emotions without altering the difficulties. However, the results did not reveal significant differences in the effects of music with harmony and music with harmony and melody on both emotions and difficulties. Additionally, practice effects may have influenced the generation of medium-arousal positive emotions and the difficulty of concentration, but the results were inconsistent across groups. Our findings suggest potential benefits for practitioners of LKM in incorporating music during the meditation process, and the directions for future research were further discussed.
The Relative Importance of Geoeffective Length Versus Alfvén Wing Formation in the Saturation of the Ionospheric Reverse Convection Potential

We compare the relative importance of two competing mechanisms (Alfvén wing vs. magnetosheath force balance) in determining the saturation of the reverse convection potential under northward interplanetary magnetic field. We run the Lyon‐Fedder‐Mobarry magnetohydrodynamic model under strong northward interplanetary magnetic field (20 nT) twice: once with a solar wind number density of 20 cm−3 and once with a density of 2 cm−3. We find that the reverse convection potential is reduced for the low‐density run, as predicted by both models. We also find that despite the formation of Alfvén wings, the sunward flows in the magnetosphere are governed by the local reconnection physics. Further, the length of the x‐line poleward of the cusp is reduced by a factor of 2 for the low‐density run. This suggests that the reverse convection potential is governed by the local reconnection physics at the x‐line and the geoeffective length.
Crosslinked Polyesters as Fully Biobased Coatings with Cutin Monomer from Tomato Peel Wastes

Cutin, one of the main structural components of tomato peels, is a waxy biopolymer rich in hydroxylated fatty acids. In this study, 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid (10,16-diHHDA) was extracted and isolated from tomato peels and exploited to develop fully crosslinked polyesters as potential candidates for replacing fossil-based metal protective coatings. A preliminary screening was conducted to select the base formulation, and then a design of experiments (DoE) was used as a methodology to identify the optimal composition to develop a suitable coating material. Different formulations containing 10,16-diHHDA and other biorefinery monomers, including 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, were considered. To this end, all polyesters were characterized through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and gel content measurements to determine their Tg value and crosslinking efficiency. Compositions exhibiting the best trade-off between Tg value, chemical resistance, and sufficiently high 10,16-diHHDA content between 39 and 48 wt. % were used to prepare model coatings that were characterized for assessing their wettability, scratch hardness, chemical resistance, and adhesion to metal substrates. These polyester coatings showed a Tg in the range of 45–55 °C, a hydrophobic behavior with a water contact angle of around 100°, a good solvent resistance (>100 MEK double rubs), and an adhesion strength to steel higher than 2 MPa. The results obtained confirmed the potential of cutin-based resins as coatings for metal protection, meeting the requirements for ensuring physicochemical properties of the final product, as well as for optimizing the valorization of such an abundant agri-food waste as tomato peels.
Assessing the Awareness on Symptoms and Risk Factors of Stroke amongst Rural Community in Central Region of Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Background As the third leading cause of mortality in Malaysia, stroke is recognised as a medical emergency which requires urgent medical attention within a limited timeframe to prevent exacerbation of the brain damage and death in patients. Recent report revealed a high prevalence of pre-hospital delay amongst the stroke patients due to the lack of awareness on symptoms and risk factors of stroke, as well as poor understanding on appropriate action towards stroke. A number of studies had assessed stroke awareness amongst urban population residing in central region of Malaysia but yet amongst rural population. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted amongst individuals residing in rural districts of Selangor by using a set of questionnaires assessing the sociodemographic characteristics, as well as the awareness and action towards stroke symptoms and risk factors. Results All 343 respondents were able to recognise at least one modifiable risk factor for stroke. Meanwhile, only 36.44% were able to identify all the stroke symptoms. Despite majority of them were familiar with the stroke term, less than half of the respondents were aware of calling the emergency medical service as the appropriate action towards stroke symptoms. Conclusion The present study indicated a poor level of awareness and action towards stroke symptoms and risk factors amongst rural population residing in Selangor.
Evaluation of different methods to identify preconsolidatin pressure of Champlain Sea Clay from CRS tests

Identifying precisely the preconsolidation pressure of any soil is one of the most challenging geotechnical problems. For sensitive soils, misjudging the preconsolidation pressure can lead to a large overestimation or underestimation of settlement due to the high compressibility after p’c. The performances of eleven graphical identification methods are evaluated on constant rate of strain (CRS) consolidation tests conducted on Champlain Sea clay. The tests include unloading/reloading cycles that are used to evaluate the accuracy of the methods based on known maximum past pressure. A number of numerical procedures are developed to aid in the use of the graphical methods for CRS test data, including locating the inflection point and the point of the maximum curvature on an e-logp curve. Preconsolidation pressure is calculated using straight line equations rather than interpreting it visually. These numerical methods are applied to the test data and their validities and ease of use are evaluated.
Quantification des changements de la circulation océanique profonde de l'Atlantique au cours des changements climatiques rapides des derniers 40 ka

Au cours des derniers 40 ka, le Groenland et l'Atlantique Nord ont enregistre des oscillations de temperature rapides et de grande amplitude (8 a 15°C en a peine 300 ans) associees a de profondes modifications de la circulation oceanique et atmospherique. Les mecanismes a l’origine de ces changements climatiques rapides ne sont encore que partiellement elucides. L’objectif de cette these est de quantifier les changements de circulation oceanique qui ont accompagne ces changements climatiques abrupts. La premiere partie de cette these a consiste a combiner les informations paleoceanographiques de trois traceurs geochimiques, de maniere a s'affranchir des limitations de chaque traceur pris separement. Les rapports isotopiques du carbone des foraminiferes benthiques (δ13C et Δ14C) et le Pa/Th sedimentaire ont ete mesures sur la carotte sedimentaire de l'Atlantique Nord SU90-08 (43°N, 30°W, 3080m). Les proxies semblent depeindre une situation contradictoire au cours du dernier maximum glaciaire: les isotopes du carbone indiquent une faible ventilation des masses d'eau profondes alors que le Pa/Th sedimentaire atteste d'une circulation active. Ce resultat interroge sur la nature exacte du signal enregistre par chaque proxy. Par ailleurs, le recours a la modelisation est necessaire afin de quantifier les variations de la circulation oceanique passee. La seconde partie de cette these a donc consiste a ajouter le calcul du Pa/Th sedimentaire dans le modele de climat de complexite intermediaire iLOVECLIM. Ce modele, capable de simuler l'evolution simultanee des trois proxies, a ete utilise pour analyser la reponse de chaque proxy a des changements abrupts de circulation. Les resultats montrent que la reponse des proxies est differente dans les trois principales masses d'eau de l'Atlantique. Dans l'Atlantique Nord-Ouest profond (> 2000 m), la reponse du Pa/Th precede celle des isotopes du carbone de quelques centaines d'annees, constituant un exemple de decouplage entre les differents proxies.
3D-Printed Chitosan-Based Scaffolds with Scutellariae baicalensis Extract for Dental Applications

The plant material Scutellariae baicalensis radix, which is rich in flavones (baicalin), possesses antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This work aimed to develop a 3D-printed chitosan-based hydrogel rich in Scutellariae baicalensis extract as an innovative approach for the personalized treatment of periodontal diseases. Chitosan-based hydrogels were prepared, and the printability of the prepared hydrogels was determined. The hydrogel with 2.5% w/v of high molecular-weight chitosan (CS), 2% w/v gelatin (Gel), and 10% w/w of extract (Ex) presented the best printability, producing smooth and uniform scaffolds. It was proved that the CS/Gel/Ex hydrogel was stabilized by hydrogen bonds and remained in amorphous dispersion in the 3D-printed structures (confirmed by ATR-FTIR and XRPD). Due to the amorphization of the active substance, a significant increase in the release of baicalin in vitro was observed. It was demonstrated that there was an initial burst release and a continuous release profile (n = 3). Higuchi kinetic was the most likely baicalin release kinetic. The second fit, the Korsmeyer–Peppas kinetics model, showed coupled diffusion of the active ingredient in the hydrated matrix and polymer relaxation regulated release, with n values ranging from 0.45 to 0.89. The anti-inflammatory properties of 3D-printed scaffolds were assessed as the ability to inhibit the activity of the hyaluronidase enzyme. Activity was assessed as IC50 = 63.57 ± 4.98 mg hydrogel/mL (n = 6). Cytotoxicity tests demonstrated the biocompatibility of the material. After 24 h of exposure to the 2.5CS/2Gel/10Ex scaffold, fibroblasts migrated toward the scratch, closed the “wound” by 97.1%, and significantly accelerated the wound healing process. The results render the 3D-printed CS/Gel/extract scaffolds as potential candidates for treating periodontal diseases.
Three‐Dimensional Phase‐Field Investigation of Pore Space Cementation and Permeability in Quartz Sandstone

The present work investigates the dynamics of quartz precipitation from supersaturated formation fluids in granular media, analogous to sandstones, using a multiphase‐field model. First, we derive a two‐dimensional (2‐D) Wulff shape of quartz from the three‐dimensional (3‐D) geometry and simulate the unitaxial growth of quartz in geological fractures in 2‐D in order to examine the role of misorientation and crystal c to a axis ratios (c/a) in the formation of quartz bridge structures that are extensively observed in nature. Based on this sensitivity analysis and the previously reported experiments, we choose a realistic value of c/a to computationally mimic the 3‐D anisotropic sealing of pore space in sandstone. The simulated microstructures exhibit similarities related to crystal morphologies and remaining pore space with those observed in natural samples. Further, the phase‐field simulations successfully capture the effect of grain size on (I) development of euhedral form and (II) sealing kinetics of cementation, consistent with experiments. Moreover, the initially imposed normal distribution of pore sizes evolves eventually to a lognormal pattern exhibiting a bimodal behavior in the intermediate stages. Furthermore, computational fluid dynamics analysis is performed in order to derive the temporal evolution of permeability in numerically cemented microstructures. The obtained permeability‐porosity relationships are coherent with previous findings. Finally, we highlight the capabilities of the present modeling approach in simulating 3‐D reactive flow during progressive sealing in porous rocks based on innovative postprocessing analyses and advanced visualization techniques.
Striking Distance Determined From High‐Speed Videos and Measured Currents in Negative Cloud‐to‐Ground Lightning

First and subsequent return strokes' striking distances (SDs) were determined for negative cloud‐to‐ground flashes from high‐speed videos exhibiting the development of positive and negative leaders and the pre–return stroke phase of currents measured along a short tower. In order to improve the results, a new criterion was used for the initiation and propagation of the sustained upward connecting leader, consisting of a 4 A continuous current threshold. An advanced approach developed from the combined use of this criterion and a reverse propagation procedure, which considers the calculated propagation speeds of the leaders, was applied and revealed that SDs determined solely from the first video frame showing the upward leader can be significantly underestimated. An original approach was proposed for a rough estimate of first strokes' SD using solely records of current. This approach combines the 4 A criterion and a representative composite three‐dimensional propagation speed of 0.34 × 106 m/s for the leaders in the last 300 m propagated distance. SDs determined under this approach showed to be consistent with those of the advanced procedure. This approach was applied to determine the SD of 17 first return strokes of negative flashes measured at MCS, covering a wide peak‐current range, from 18 to 153 kA. The estimated SDs exhibit very high dispersion and reveal great differences in relation to the SDs estimated for subsequent return strokes and strokes in triggered lightning.