Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of Road Fencing on Ungulate–Vehicle Collisions and Hotspot Patterns

The number of road traffic accidents decreased in Lithuania from 2002 to 2017, while the ungulate–vehicle collision (UVC) number increased and accounted for approximately 69% of all wildlife–vehicle collisions (WVC) in the country. Understanding the relationship between UVCs, traffic intensity, and implemented mitigation measures is important for the assessment of UVC mitigation measure efficiency. We assessed the effect of annual average daily traffic (AADT) and wildlife fencing on UVCs using regression analysis of changes in annual UVCs and UVC hotspots on different categories of roads. At the highest rates, annual UVC numbers and UVC hotspots increased on lower category (national and regional) roads, forming a denser network. Lower rates of UVC increase occurred on higher category (main) roads, forming sparser road networks and characterized by the highest AADT. Before 2011, both UVC occurrence and fenced road sections were most common on higher-category roads. However, as of 2011, the majority of UVCs occurred on lower-category roads where AADT and fencing had no impact on UVCs. We conclude that wildlife fencing on roads characterized by higher speed and traffic intensity may decrease UVC numbers and at the same time shifting UVC occurrence towards roads characterized by lower speed and traffic intensity. Wildlife fencing re-allocates wildlife movement pathways toward roads with insufficient or no mitigation measures.
Intratumoral hemorrhage after endoscopic third ventriculostomy for obstructive hydrocephalus caused by brain tumors.

IntroductionEndoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) for obstructive hydrocephalus and endoscopic biopsy (EB) for intra- and paraventricular tumors are recognized as standard therapies because of their minimal invasiveness. Although EB-associated hemorrhagic risk has been well documented, reports on the ETV-associated hemorrhagic risk are only few. Therefore, we conducted this retrospective study to review the incidence of hemorrhage due to EB and/or ETV in a single institution.Material and MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed data, including patient characteristics, procedure, pathological findings, and complications, including hemorrhage, of 100 patients with intra- and paraventricular tumors who underwent EB and/or ETV at our institution from 2000 to 2020.ResultsEB and ETV combined surgery (combined group), EB-alone surgery (EB-alone group), and ETV-alone surgery (ETV-alone group) were performed in 44 (44%), 24 (24%), and 32 (32%) patients, respectively, and all procedures were successful. The rates of definitive and suggestive diagnoses in EB were 76.5% and 23.5%, respectively. Adverse events were observed in six patients. An acute obstruction of the ETV stoma and a transient double vision were observed in the combined group. Two transient aqueductal stenosis/obstructions were recognized in the EB-alone group. Hemorrhage was observed in two patients in the ETV-alone group; these patients developed intratumoral hemorrhage despite ETV-alone surgery. Subsequently, these two patients underwent tumor removal, and the histopathological diagnosis was atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) in both.ConclusionsFor obstructive hydrocephalus with AT/RTs, physicians must be aware of the risk of postoperative intratumoral hemorrhage after performing ETV.Trial registration numberE-2385 (2021/3/11)
Determinants of habitat suitability models transferability across geographically disjunct populations: Insights from Vipera ursinii urs inii

Abstract Transferability of habitat suitability models (HSMs), essential to accurately predict outside calibration conditions, has been seldom investigated at intraspecific level. We targeted Vipera ursinii ursinii, a meadow viper from southeastern France and central Italy, to assess determinants of transferability among geographically disjunct populations. We fitted HSMs upon occurrences of the Italian and French populations separately, as well as on the combined occurrence dataset. Internal transferability of HSMs, on spatially independent test data drawn from the calibration region, and their external transferability on the geographically disjunct populations were evaluated according to (a) use of full or spatially rarefied presence datasets; (b) ecology‐driven or statistics‐driven filtering of predictors; (c) modeling algorithm, testing generalized additive models and gradient boosting models; and (d) multivariate environmental novelty within test data. Niche overlap between French and Italian populations was also tested. Niche overlap was low, but niche divergence between the two populations’ clusters was not corroborated. Nonetheless, wider niche breadth and heterogeneity of background environmental conditions characterizing the French populations led to low intercluster transferability. Although models fitted on the combined datasets did not attain consistently higher internal transferability than those separately fitted for the French and Italian populations, ensemble projection from the HSMs fitted on the joint occurrences produced more consistent suitability predictions across the full range of V. u. ursinii. Spatial thinning of occurrences ameliorated internal transferability but did not affect external transferability. The two approaches to predictors filtering did not differ in transferability of the respective HSMs but led to discrepant estimated environment–occurrence relationships and spatial predictions, while the two algorithms attained different relative rankings depending on the considered prediction task. Multivariate novelty of projection sites was negatively correlated to both internal transferability and external transferability. Our findings clarify issues researchers should keep in mind when using HSMs to get predictions across geographically disjunct populations.
Does the Olympic legacy perceived in the host city influence the resident support after the games?

ABSTRACT This study aims to explore and describe the structural relationships among (a) perceptions of city transport legacy, (b) trust in the government, and (c) resident support towards the Olympic Games. A field study was conducted in Rio de Janeiro 4-years post-Games, and data were collected from residents who lived in the Olympic city through a self-administered questionnaire (n = 452). A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) analysed the psychometric properties of the constructs, and a subsequent structural equation model (SEM) examined the relationships between the constructs. The direct-effects model and the partially mediated model were tested based on the mediating role of transport structural legacy. Results indicated that Rio’s resident support for the mega-event is essentially influenced by their trust in the local government, while their perceptions of Olympics legacy alone may be a negative predictor of support behaviour. The findings confirmed the predictive power of residents’ trust in government on achieving high event support, suggesting its inclusion in future models. Implications focus on effective synergies of political and social engaging to enhance the public support level in the host city.
A study on sexual behaviour practiced by the adolescent and its source of inspiration

Adolescence is a period of transition between childhood and adulthood. It occupies a crucial and important place in the life of human beings whereby transition is characterized by rapid rate of growth. The origin of the term is from the Latin word, “adolescere” meaning “to grow, to mature” indicate the defining features of adolescence. However, a universally accepted definition of the concept has not been established. WHO defines adolescence both in terms of the age (spanning the ages between 10 and 19 years) and in terms of a phase of life marked by special attributes. These attributes include: rapid physical growth and development; physical, social and psychological maturity, but not all at the same time; sexual maturity and the onset of sexual activity; experimentation; development of adult mental process and adult identity; transition from total socio-economic dependence to relative independence.
A Pilot Study Comparing Sex Trafficking Indicators Exhibited by Adult and Minor Service Populations

ABSTRACT Indicators of sex trafficking are widely disseminated by organizations in the criminal justice, social service, healthcare, and community sectors. Drawing from a larger pilot study examining survey responses of providers working with sex trafficking survivors (N = 86), the present study specifically examines providers’ observations of 62 sex trafficking indicators comparing minor and adult service populations (n = 47) in a Midwestern metropolitan area. Respondents indicated how commonly such indicators appeared among their service populations. Robust MANOVA identified a significant effect of age group on five out of the six domains of indicators. Univariate Mann-Whitney tests showed that overall there were few differences in observed indicators comparing adults and minors, yet participants reported significant differences for several mental health indicators. Median responses similarly showed overlap as well as differences in observed indicators among adult and minor service populations. Implications for further research examining indicators with the aim of improving identification, screening questions, and practice are provided.
Estrazione di petit-grain con CO2 supercritica

A process to extract essential oil from leaves of citrus fruit trees (bitter orange, bergamot and mandarin) by means of supercritical CO 2 , is described in this report. The product obtained is very different from the one (petit grain) extracted by distillation; in fact the extract obtained by supercritical CO 2 is similar to its natural composition as the modifications caused by temperature, used in the traditional process of distillation, are not present. The yield in essential oil (petit grain) extracted by supercritical CO 2 is about the 75% if we consider as reference target the quantity extracted by hydrodistillation.
In-Vitro Antagonistic Effect of Bacillus thuringiensis on Ralstonia solanacearum, the Causal Agent of Bacterial Wilt Disease of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill).

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum, Mill) is a rich source of vitamins, minerals and lycopene, which has many health benefits. However, its production is hampered by bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum resulting in significant yield losses. Use of chemicals in the control of plant pathogens has detrimental effects on humans and the environment in terms of leaving residues in soil which later find their way into underground waters. Therefore, it is desirable to find an alternative to chemical control of this bacterial pathogen. This study investigates the potential of native Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for biological control of Ralstonia solanacearum (Rs) under laboratory conditions. B. thuringiensis was isolated from cultivated soil, noncultivated soil, stagnant water, sawdust, horse dung, grain dust, dead leaves and poultry manure. R. solanacearum was isolated from stem exudates of bacterial wilt infected plants and its pathogenicity assay was carried out using 2-week-old seedlings of Beske tomato variety. The Bt and R. solanacearum isolates were then characterized phenotypically. Bt isolates were further identified using endospore and parasporal staining techniques. All the Bt isolates were tested for in-vitro antagonistic activity on R. solanacearum using agar well diffusion method. Isolates Bt2, Bt16, Bt17, Bt32 and Bt34 were confirmed as Bacillus thuringiensis while isolate Rs was confirmed as R. solanacearum. Beske showed wilting symptoms from the fourth day of inoculation and eventual death of seedlings. The zone of inhibition exhibited ranged from 0.0 mm to 20.0 mm.
Undetected but widespread: the cryptic invasion of non-native cattail (Typha spp.) in a Pacific Northwest estuary

Early detection of invasive species is an important predictor of management success. Non-native narrow-leaved cattail (Typha angustifolia) has been detected in the Fraser River Estuary (FRE) in recent decades, but questions around their degree of establishment, and the potential emergence of hybrid cattail (Typha x glauca), remain unanswered. This study models the current and potential future distribution of non-native cattails in the FRE using a unique combination of spectral imagery analysis and species distribution modelling. Contrary to our expectation, we find that non-native cattails are already widespread, currently occupying approximately 4% of FRE tidal marshes. Though never formally recorded in the FRE, hybrid cattail is the more abundant of the two taxa, suggesting that heterosis may be facilitating this invasion. In our species distribution model, we distinguish between site suitability (ability to establish and persist) and site susceptibility (risk of being colonized when suitable). Our model predicts that 28% of the estuary has > 50% probability of suitability, and 21% has > 50% probability of susceptibility to non-native Typha, indicating the scale of this invasion may increase over time. Restoration projects had proportionally more cattail, susceptible habitat, and suitable habitat than the overall estuary, casting doubt on their effectiveness at mitigating wetland destruction. Due to their resemblance to native Typha latifolia, these cattails qualify as cryptic invaders, which explains how they were able to establish and remain undetected for decades. Regional eradication is unlikely given the extent of invasion, therefore management should prioritize areas of high conservation and cultural values.
Comparative study of diesel sorption performance between Chorisia speciosa fibers and a commercial polyurethane foam

The objective of this work was to evaluate and compare the potential of polyurethane and kapok (Chorisia speciosa) residues as sorbent materials in the treatment of diesel spillage. To determine the sorption capacity, gravimetric tests were performed in static medium at room temperature and at different temperatures (10, 15 and 28 °C) and varying the time of contact between the sorbent material and diesel. It was observed that the sorption process occurs at a high velocity, with saturation point achieved in the first 5 minutes of contact, and the natural fiber presents higher sorption capacity compared to the polyurethane residue due to the low viscosity of diesel oil, that contributes to reduce de entrapment inside the porous foam. It has also been observed that the polyurethane residue exhibits an increase in sorption capacity with time and temperature increase. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis have shown that the main morphological property involved in smooth oil sorption was the high porosity associated with a small porous diameter. The kapok presented sorption capacity of 37 g/g in equilibrium demonstrating its great potential of application as a sorbent material for the treatment of diesel spillage. Keywords: Removal; Diesel; Natural Fiber; Polymer; Sorption.
Consideration of workers’ differences in production systems modelling and design: State of the art and directions for future research

The effects of workforce differences on manufacturing systems have attracted the attention of a wide range of researchers in recent years. The differences between workers in terms of skills, age, gender and anthropometric measures have a large impact on production system performance. In this study, the workforce differences factors in production system design and modelling were investigated, with the aim of understanding how the differences between workers could influence a production system and how they had been considered in previous studies. The papers selected from the Scopus database were categorised based on whether how human factors are incorporated into manufacturing system optimisation and design approaches is discussed therein or is not. To find relevant papers, two sets of keywords were defined: (1) keywords relating to the differences between workers and (2) keywords relating to the kind of problem under study. Furthermore, the investigated papers helped highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the existing literature and derive a discussion on the possible future research steps.
Neuroticism and satisfaction in romantic relationships: A systematic investigation of intra- and interpersonal processes with a longitudinal approach

Relationship satisfaction—the degree to which a close relationship is perceived as rewarding and satisfying by both partners—is reliably predicted by both partners’ neuroticism, but the psychological mechanisms underlying this effect are not sufficiently well understood. By analyzing several cognitive, emotional, and behavioral processes simultaneously, the current longitudinal study looked at how both partners’ neuroticism affects their respective (and mutual) relationship satisfaction both on an intra- and on an interpersonal level. Dyadic data from 2090 heterosexual couples from the “Pairfam” study were analyzed with Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Models (APIMeM). Results support the assumption that neuroticism reliably predicts cognitive, emotional, and behavioral variables, which, in turn, predict both partners’ relationship satisfaction. Importantly, cognitive processes play a particularly important role both on an interpersonal as well as on an intrapersonal level. These findings help to shed light on the maladaptive cognitive, emotional, and behavioral processes underlying the effect of neuroticism on relationship satisfaction.
Effect of high hydrostatic pressure processing and squeezing pressure on some quality properties of pomegranate juice against thermal treatment

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment (200, 300, 400 MPa; 5°C, 15°C and 25°C; 5 and 10 min) on some quality properties of pomegranate juice. Juice samples are obtained under industrial conditions at two different squeezing pressure levels (100 and 150 psi – 0.689 and 1.033 MPa, respectively). Results are compared against conventional thermal treatment (85°C/10 min) and raw sample. For all three processing temperature, HHP combinations at 400 MPa for 10 min were sufficient to decrease the microbial load around 4.0 log cycles for both squeeze levels. All HHP treatments showed no significant decrease at antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and monomeric anthocyanin pigment concentrations, while there was a significant decrease (p ≤ .05) in thermal-treated samples. Being the highest sugar alcohol in pomegranate juice, mannitol content must be considered for determining the authenticity, and mannitol content increased with squeezing pressure and thermal treatment.
Weighted empirical likelihood inferences for a class of varying coefficient ARCH-M models

In this paper, we consider the empirical likelihood inferences for a class of varying coefficient ARCH-M models, which is an extended version of parametric ARCH-M models. By constructing a weighted auxiliary random vector, we propose a weighted empirical likelihood method for estimating the functional-coefficients. Under some regularity conditions, the constructed empirical log-likelihood ratio is shown to be asymptotically , and then the pointwise confidence interval for functional-coefficient is constructed. Some simulation studies are carried out to compare finite sample performances of the proposed empirical likelihood estimation method with some existing estimation methods under various model settings. A real data analysis is also undertaken to illustrate practical implementation and performance of the proposed estimation procedure.
Nonlinearities and Chaos: A New Analysis of CEE Stock Markets

After a long transition period, the Central and Eastern European (CEE) capital markets have consolidated their place in the financial systems. However, little is known about the price behavior and efficiency of these markets. In this context, using a battery of tests for nonlinear and chaotic behavior, we look for the presence of nonlinearities and chaos in five CEE stock markets. We document, in general, the presence of nonlinearities and chaos which questions the efficient market hypothesis. However, if all tests highlight a chaotic behavior for the analyzed index returns, there are noteworthy differences between the analyzed stock markets underlined by nonlinearity tests, which question, thus, their level of significance. Moreover, the results of nonlinearity tests partially contrast the previous findings reported in the literature on the same group of stock markets, showing, thus, a change in their recent behavior, compared with the 1990s.
Preoperative Cognitive Impairment as a Perioperative Risk Factor in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background: The study assessed whether pre-existing cognitive impairment (CI) prior to elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with worse postoperative outcomes such as delirium, in-hospital medical complications, 30-day mortality, hospital length of stay and non-home discharge. Methods: A retrospective database analysis from the NSQIP Geriatric Surgery Pilot Project was used. There was an initial cohort of 6350 patients undergoing elective TKA, 104 patients with CI were propensity score matched to 104 patients without CI. Results: Analysis demonstrated a significantly increased incidence of post-operative delirium (POD) in the cohort with pre-op CI (p = < .001), a worsened functional status (p = < .001) and increased nonhome discharge postoperatively compared to the group without CI (p = 0.029). Other post-operative outcomes included 30-day mortality of 0% in both groups, and low rate of complications such as infection (2.88% vs 0.96%), pneumonia (1.92% vs 0%), failure to wean (0.96% vs 0%), and reintubation (0.96% vs 0%). Some other differences between the CI group and non-CI group, although not statistically significant, included increased rate of transfusion (10.58% vs 6.73%), and sepsis (1.92% vs 0%). The length of stay was increased in the non-CI group (4.28% vs 2.32%, p = 0.122). Conclusion: CI in patients undergoing TKA is associated with an increased risk of POD, worsened postoperative functional status, and discharge to non-home facility.
Medieval Relict Beaver Ponds in the Polish Plain: Studies from the Tuchola Forest

Beavers have lived in the territory of Poland since the beginning of the Holocene, as testified by bone remains found in archaeological sites of different ages. The area inhabited by these animals has experienced continuing transformations of terrain relief, geological structure, hydrology and plant cover. In Poland, beavers are partially protected and their population has spread in virtually every part of the country (except in the highest mountain ranges). The authors of this paper wish to present the results of field works carried out since 2006 in the Tuchola Forest (Polish Plain). This paper aims to identify the potential sediments of relict beaver ponds and their sedimentological features. The studies are also backed up with a description of radiocarbon dating of samples. The results indicate that beavers used to live in the Tuchola Forest in the Middle Ages, as shown by the radiocarbon dates and sequences of mineral–organic deposits found in exposures and geological boreholes. The spatial distribution of organic and mineral deposits in wider sections of river valleys can be explained by the avulsion of the riverbed downstream of the pond and by the distribution of ponds in the Gołyjonka valley. The discovery of relict beaver pond sediments suggests that the activity of these mammals in the Middle Ages played a major part in shaping the landscape of the valley. The results of studies clearly indicate that analyses of the valley sediment facies of small watercourses should take into account the role beavers played in the past in shaping the landscape of the analysed valley. This highlights the insufficiency of studies concerning the activity of beavers in river valleys.