Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Asbestos-Related Malignant Mesothelioma in The South of Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: Malignant Mesothelioma (MM) is a rare malignancy of the serosa membranes with a high mortality rate and long latent period. The relationship between a group of mineral fibers known as asbestos and mesothelioma is now well accepted in which people can be exposed to these fibers by various means during their lifetime.Method: In this study, we analyzed the demographic features and occupations of confirmed cases of MM in Shiraz, southern Iran along with the follow-up of the patients' disease from 2008 to 2018.Results: Among the 35 confirmed cases of MM with an average of 61 years, 9 (25.7%) were female and 26 (74.3%) were male. At the time 12 patients have already died with a mean of 11.26 months after diagnosis. Our results showed a higher prevalence of MM among housekeepers and oil company employees. Compared to the control group, we concluded that employees of the oil company are at a high risk of MM in Iran. Also, individuals living near refinery locations had higher MM rates.Conclusion: Exposure with asbestos, either through occupation or proximate living location to a source, had a significant correlation with MM occurrence. MM can be prevented if asbestos exposure is reduced.
Catalytic Gasification of Biomass in a CREC Fluidized Riser Simulator

Gasification of biomass is an environmentally important technology that may contribute to fulfill requirements set by the Kyoto protocol. Biomass can be converted into a vast array of chemical products and fuel, and can be utilized to produce power/electricity. However, a major limitation of biomass gasification is the resultant tars and particulate matter that potentially destroy downstream process equipment, harm the environment, and hinder economic efficiency. This study considers the catalytic steam gasification of waste-wood, with the catalyst being fluidizable nickel/a-alumina. Experiments are conducted in the CREC Riser Simulator Reactor, at temperatures between 800°C - 850°C, near atmospheric pressures, and reaction times over 10 seconds. Experimental results suggest that catalytic steam gasification of biomass is a versatile process; with a considerable amount of H2 being produced at steam/biomass feed ratios above 0.3kg/kg daf. It is also found that the catalyst effectively converts tars to permanent gases at temperatures ranging from 800°C - 850°C and for steam/biomass feed ratio ranging from 0.17  0.58kg/kg daf, with the carbon conversion being above 90% in all cases. An equilibrium model from the literature is developed and modified, and then considered to analyze the experimental data. At 800°C and steam/biomass ratios from 0.17  0.42kg/kg daf, the H2/CO product ratio is estimated accurately by the equilibrium model. However, product lump compositions are estimated with less accuracy, which provides support to the need of a non-equilibrium model to fully explain the inter-conversion of gaseous species following biomass catalytic gasification.
Facile, Efficient Copolymerization of Ethylene with Bicyclic, Non-Conjugated Dienes by Titanium Complexes Bearing Bis(β-Enaminoketonato) Ligands

Copolymerizations of ethylene with 5-vinyl-2-norbornene or 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene under the action of various titanium complexes bearing bis(beta-enaminoketonato) chelate ligands of the type, [(RN)-N-1=C(R-2)CH=C(R-3)O](2)TiCl2 (1, R-1=Ph, R-2=CF3, R-3=Ph; 2, R-1=C6H4F-p, R-2=CF3, R-3=Ph; 3, R-1=Ph, R-2=CF3, R-3=t-Bu; 4, R-1=C6H4F-p, R-2=CF3, R-3=t-Bu; 5, R-1=Ph, R-2=CH3, R-3=CF3; 6, R-1=C6H4F-p, R-2=CH3 R-3=CF3), have been shown to occur with the regioselective insertion of the endocyclic double bond of the monomer into the copolymer chain, leaving the exocyclic vinyl double bond as a pendant unsaturation. The ligand modification strongly affects the copolymerization behaviour. High catalytic activities and efficient co-monomer incorporation can be easily obtained by optimizing the catalyst structures and polymerization conditions.
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris L.) essential oils rich in germacrene D, and their toxic activity

ABSTRACT The chemical composition of essential oils of Artemisia vulgaris L. plants collected in Lithuanian has been reported. The oils were obtained by hydro-distillation from air-dried aerial parts. Up to 75 compounds (an average 88.7– 99.3% of the total oil content) were identified by GC−MS and GC (FID). Germacrene D (10.6 ± 2.5 – 30.5 ± 2.0%) was revealed as the first principal constituent in the investigated oils. To the best of our knowledge, mugwort essential oils rich in germacrene D are quite rare. 1,8-Cineole (6.9 ± 1.9 − 9.8 ± 1.1%, in 4 oils), β-pinene (6.7 ± 1.2 and 8.4 ± 2.3%), sabinene (8.5 ± 1.8%), cis-thujone (12.9 ± 2.5%), β-caryophyllene (5.5 ± 1.3 − 16.7 ± 4.2%, in 5 samples), caryophyllene oxide (6.4 ± 1.1 − 9.3 ± 1.3%, in 4 oils), α-humulene (5.5 ± 1.5%) and davanone (6.5 ± 2.5%) were found to be the second or third major compounds. The toxic activity of five mugwort essential oil samples was evaluated using a brine shrimp (Artemia sp.) bioassay. LC50 mean values (10.25–19.11 µg/mL) revealed that the oils containing appreciable amounts of germacrene D were notably toxic.
Identifying Bereavement‐Related Markers of Mental and Behavioral Health Problems Among Clinic‐Referred Adolescents

Objective This study examined bereavement‐related risk markers (number of deaths, cause of death, and relationship to deceased) of mental and behavioral health problems (suicidal thoughts or behaviors, self‐injury, depression, posttraumatic stress, and substance use) in a national sample of clinic‐referred bereaved adolescents. Method Participants included 1281 bereaved youth aged 12–21 years (M=15, SD=1.8; 62.1% female), from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network Core Data Set. Results Generalized linear mixed‐effects regression models controlling for demographics and other traumas revealed that youth bereaved by multiple deaths had higher posttraumatic stress scores than youth bereaved by a single death (Estimated difference ±SE=3.36 ± 1.11, p=0.003). Youth bereaved by suicide were more likely to report experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors (AOR=1.68, p=0.049) and alcohol use (AOR=2.33, p<0.001) than youth bereaved by natural causes. Youth bereaved by homicide were at greater risk for substance use than youth bereaved by natural death (AOR=1.76, p=0.02). Compared to parentally bereaved youth, youth who lost a peer were more likely to use alcohol (AOR=2.32, p=0.02) or other substances (AOR=2.41, p=0.01); in contrast, parentally bereaved youth were more likely to experience depression compared to those who experienced the death of an adult relative or unrelated adult (range of AOR: 0.40 to 0.64, p‐values<0.05). Conclusion These bereavement‐related contextual factors can serve as early markers of mental and behavioral health problems among bereaved youth.
Development of maize and soil fertility after application of tannery sludge and rock phosphate

This study was elaborated with the objective of evaluating the chemical alterations in soil and the growth of maize in Red Yellow distrophic soil, in two successive crops, after tannery sludge application. Under greenhouse conditions, the effects were studied of two doses of sludge (2.5 e 5.0 Mg ha-1) "in natura" and associated to phosphate rock, on the growth and nutrition of maize and soil fertility. Significant effects were observed for the sludge dose "in natura" compared with NPK treatment and control. The addition of sludge in the soil increased the indicators of soil fertility. These treatments showed maximum values of soluble phosphorus in the soil. The tannery sludge failed to supply the amount of K for the development of the plants in the second crop. It was observed that the tannery sludge "in natura" increased the concentration of N and P in the plant, resulting in good development of maize in the first crop. The composted tannery sludge presented a high concentration of N in the second crop. This confirmed stabilization of nitrogen in the composting. The association of residue with rock phosphate increased the corn development with increase of available P in the soil.
Agent-Based Modeling for Integrating Human Behavior into the Food–Energy–Water Nexus

The nexus of food, energy, and water systems (FEWS) has become a salient research topic, as well as a pressing societal and policy challenge. Computational modeling is a key tool in addressing these challenges, and FEWS modeling as a subfield is now established. However, social dimensions of FEWS nexus issues, such as individual or social learning, technology adoption decisions, and adaptive behaviors, remain relatively underdeveloped in FEWS modeling and research. Agent-based models (ABMs) have received increasing usage recently in efforts to better represent and integrate human behavior into FEWS research. A systematic review identified 29 articles in which at least two food, energy, or water sectors were explicitly considered with an ABM and/or ABM-coupled modeling approach. Agent decision-making and behavior ranged from reactive to active, motivated by primarily economic objectives to multi-criteria in nature, and implemented with individual-based to highly aggregated entities. However, a significant proportion of models did not contain agent interactions, or did not base agent decision-making on existing behavioral theories. Model design choices imposed by data limitations, structural requirements for coupling with other simulation models, or spatial and/or temporal scales of application resulted in agent representations lacking explicit decision-making processes or social interactions. In contrast, several methodological innovations were also noted, which were catalyzed by the challenges associated with developing multi-scale, cross-sector models. Several avenues for future research with ABMs in FEWS research are suggested based on these findings. The reviewed ABM applications represent progress, yet many opportunities for more behaviorally rich agent-based modeling in the FEWS context remain.
Dynamical and structural aspects of the cold crystallization of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)

A detailed study of the dynamical and structural aspects of the cold crystallization behavior of highly flexible poly(dimethylsiloxane)(PDMS) is presented. In order to understand the complete behavior, before, under and after crystallization, a wide range of experimental techniques have been employed. A particular emphasis is made on the interplay between dynamical and structural effects and how the properties of the amorphous phase evolve during the crystallization. This is highlighted by combining mobility sensitive techniques, involving broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) and differential scanning calorimetry, with neutron scattering: wide and small-angle neutron scattering (WANS/SANS) which are sensitive to the relative ordering of the atoms. In this way, we are able to compare the structure associated with crystal formation with the evolution and modification of the amorphous phase. The kinetics deduced from WANS points toward a classical nucleation and growth behavior closely following a Avrami-.
ICD corporate communication and its determinants: evidence from Italian listed companies’ websites

Purpose This study aims to analyse the extent and type of online intellectual capital (IC) disclosure provided by a sample of 117 Italian listed companies. The study also seeks to identify possible determinants of the extent and type of intellectual capital disclosure (ICD) practiced by Italian listed companies via the Web. Design/methodology/approach A content analysis is conducted to investigate the extent and type of online ICD provided through websites by a sample of 117 Italian listed companies. Two multivariate ordinary least squares regression models are applied to estimate the associations proposed in the research hypotheses. Findings The results show that Italian listed companies are exploiting the potential of websites to satisfy the information needs of investors and other stakeholders in relation to strategic IC-based corporate resources, with a particular focus on external capital. For the most part, ICD is conveyed in narrative form. Moreover, while the size and board independence positively affect both the extent and type of ICD, profitability exerts a positive influence only on the extent of online ICD. Originality/value Unlike previous ICD studies, which focussed on annual reports, this study explores an emerging and innovative tool to convey ICD, namely, the website. In today’s world, websites are considered to be the most expedient and effective tools for sharing and transmitting information, including IC; they are a vehicle that can shift the IC focus from the organisation to the wider ecosystem.
Academic Success Between Disabling Hearing Loss and Hearing Students in Upper-Secondary: An Inclusive Classroom

Academic performance between disabling hearing loss (DHL) and hearing students is unclear when considering students in the same classroom. The main objective of this study is to identify significant differences in grade by semester between DHL students who study in the same classroom supported by sign language interprets. Second, this study looks to identify what school subjects show significant differences between DHL and hearing students. N= 35 upper-secondary students from a Mexican school with an inclusive educational methodology (deaf and hearings share the same classroom supported by an interpreter) participated in the study (M = 17; SD = 2.2), n = 21 disabling hearing loss students (52% males) and n = 14 hearing students were followed during three years (six semesters). The first step was to obtain the previous grade earned in their low-secondary studies. Second, we got the overall rate by semester identifying grades by subject and comparing results between groups. Results indicated significant differences in academic performance, showing higher mastery for DHL students in the fourth and fifth semesters, particularly in computer-logical subjects and social subjects. In conclusion, this research provides evidence that supports the success of an inclusive methodology where DHL and hearing students share the same instructional design supported by a sign language interpreter. Additionally, DHL students performed better in the computer-logical subjects, an important skill daily but even more in the current COVID -19 crisis, as well as a social subject, an important factor suggested by prior evidence.
Shelf-Life of Bunched Carrots as Affected by Nitrogen Fertilization and Leaf Presence

Nitrogen (N) fertilization is essential for adequate earliness and the commercial attractiveness of carrots, but its excess could generate fast decay during postharvest, mostly in bunched carrots exhibiting their highly perishable leaves. A field experiment was conducted over the 2016–2017 growing season to address the effects of two N fertilization rates (120 and 240 kg N ha−1, hereafter N120 and N240, respectively) and leaf presence/absence (leaf+ and leaf−) on physicochemical and compositional traits of carrots cv. ‘Dordogne’, after storage at 4.0 ± 0.5 °C, 95–96% relative humidity (RH) for 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 days (hereafter S0–S24). Before storage, carrots were arranged in bunches and packaged in common low-density polyethylene (LDPE) pouches (thickness 95 μm), 54 × 24 cm size, with 16 holes of 5 mm size. N240 carrots compared to N120 showed higher cumulative weight loss (CWL) and firmness reduction, with differences at S24 equal to 108 vs. 41 g kg−1 fresh weight (FW) and 13.3 vs. 14.5 N, respectively. N240 compared to N120 increased also the color deviation (ΔE*ab, +126%) and nitrates content (+93%) of carrots and slowed down their temporal increase of total polyphenols and antioxidant activity. Leaf+ carrots compared to leaf boosted CWL and firmness reduction, with differences at S24 equal to 90 vs. 58 g kg−1 FW and 12 vs. 17 N, respectively. In addition, leaf presence increased reducing sugars (+17%) and decreased nitrates (−24%) contents. This research has shown the possibility of improving the desirable quality and shelf-life of carrots by halving the N dose commonly supplied by growers and marketing bunched carrots within 12 days from the start of storage.
Psychotherapies for depression: a network meta‐analysis covering efficacy, acceptability and long‐term outcomes of all main treatment types

The effects of psychotherapies for depression have been examined in several hundreds of randomized trials, but no recent network meta‐analysis (NMA) has integrated the results of these studies. We conducted an NMA of trials comparing cognitive behavioural, interpersonal, psychodynamic, problem‐solving, behavioural activation, life‐review and “third wave” therapies and non‐directive supportive counseling with each other and with care‐as‐usual, waiting list and pill placebo control conditions. Response (50% reduction in symptoms) was the primary outcome, but we also assessed remission, standardized mean difference, and acceptability (all‐cause dropout rate). Random‐effects pairwise and network meta‐analyses were conducted on 331 randomized trials with 34,285 patients. All therapies were more efficacious than care‐as‐usual and waiting list control conditions, and all therapies – except non‐directive supportive counseling and psychodynamic therapy – were more efficacious than pill placebo. Standardized mean differences compared with care‐as‐usual ranged from –0.81 for life‐review therapy to –0.32 for non‐directive supportive counseling. Individual psychotherapies did not differ significantly from each other, with the only exception of non‐directive supportive counseling, which was less efficacious than all other therapies. The results were similar when only studies with low risk of bias were included. Most therapies still had significant effects at 12‐month follow‐up compared to care‐as‐usual, and problem‐solving therapy was found to have a somewhat higher long‐term efficacy than some other therapies. No consistent differences in acceptability were found. Our conclusion is that the most important types of psychotherapy are efficacious and acceptable in the acute treatment of adult depression, with few significant differences between them. Patient preference and availability of each treatment type may play a larger role in the choice between types of psychotherapy, although it is possible that a more detailed characterization of patients with a diagnosis of depression may lead to a more precise matching between individual patients and individual psychotherapies.
eService-Learning: A Decade of Research in Undergraduate Online Service–learning

ABSTRACT With an increasing number of courses taught asynchronously online, it is important to explore how to implement high-impact practices in this modality. Service-learning – a high impact practice – is a course-based, credit-bearing type of experiential learning. It is important to understand instructional strategies and course design for service-learning in the online modality. This review provides an analysis of the last decade of research of Type II and Type IV eService-Learning (with service component online). Analysis of the literature reveals the absence of STEM disciplines, cursory attention to detailing reflection and assessment in describing learning environments in eService-Learning research, and heavy reliance on self-reported, subjective measures. This study presents a framework for performing service-learning fully online, regardless of discipline. Finally, this paper presents a clear call to research – one that aims at resolving unknowns within eService-Learning.
The Astrophysical Events Observatories Network (AEON)

Astrophysical phenomena occur on a range of timescales, and to properly characterize them, observations must be made at appropriate intervals on instrumentation determined by the scientific goals of the study. The traditional model of scheduling telescope time in blocks of consecutive nights and requiring the investigators to operate the instrument (either in person or remotely) is not optimal for this science. A queue-scheduled approach to time allocation can relieve the personal and financial burden of interactive observing runs. This is particularly powerful when requests for observations can be made through a programmatic interface, which provides not just a convenient tool for all astronomy programs, but also the opportunity to build fully automated observing programs. This will be an essential component of projects making follow-up observations for modern surveys that produce millions of alerts per night, as much of the science return will depend upon obtaining classification and characterization data rapidly and efficiently, as well as for coordination of observations across multiple facilities. The AEON Network is an initiative to build a programmatically accessible, queue-scheduled and user driven network of telescopes ideal for modern astronomical observing programs.
OPTIMIZATION OF HYDROLYSIS CONDITIONS USING CENTRAL COMPOSITE DESIGN TO CONVERT CORN STOVER TO BIOETHANOL

The goal of the research was to find out optimum hydrolysis parameters to convert corn stover to bioethanol using response surface methodology. The pretreatment of corn stover was administered using alkali potassium hydroxide. The results of the pretreated indicated that the important elements of corn stover were cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, 35.23, 23.5, and 16.3% respectively. Additionally, cellulose is the main component of cornstover that is sufficient for biofuel production. Experimental layout and statistical evaluation were carried out using the response surface technique. Acid concentration at (1.5-2.5%, w/w), particle dimension (0.15-0.25 mm), temperature (125-145 °C) and time (30-80 min) were used to evaluate the hydrolysis parameters. The result indicates that the optimum hydrolyzed parameters were, acid concentration; 2.334 (w/w %), particle size; 0.153 mm, temperature; 144.976 C, and time; 77.233 minutes. The optimized independent variables were derived from the quadratic model and selected primarily based on the highest desirability. Under these conditions, the yield of glucose and xylose was 48.69 and 33.091% respectively. After 48 h of fermentation time, 27.1 g of ethyl alcohol concentration was investigated (this is equivalent to 92.07% of theoretical yield of ethyl alcohol at optimized conditions).