Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Airborne microplastic particle concentrations and characterization in indoor urban microenvironments.

Airborne microplastics (MPs) have recently drawn the attention of the scientific community due to their possible human inhalation risk. Indoor environments are of relevance as people spend about 90% of their time indoors. This study evaluated MPs concentrations in three indoor environments: houses, public transport and working places, which are representative of urban life. Sampling involved the collection of airborne particulate matter on nylon 20 μm pore size filters. Samples were first visually inspected, and particles were characterized (colour, length or area). Polymer identification was performed through μFTIR analysis. Working conditions were controlled to guarantee quality assurance and avoid background contamination. Limits of detection, recovery tests and repeatability were performed with home-made polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) standards. The highest average MP concentrations were found in buses (17.3 ± 2.4 MPs/m3) followed by 5.8 ± 1.9 MPs/m3 in subways, 4.8 ± 1.6 MPs/m3 in houses, and 4.2 ± 1.6 MPs/m3 in the workplaces. Polyamide, PA (51%), polyester PES (48%) and PP (1%) were the polymers identified and most common in personal care products and synthetic textiles. Most of these polymers were below 100 μm in size for both fibres (64 ± 8%) and fragments (78 ± 11%). The frequency of MP particles in our study decreased with increasing size, which points to their potential as an inhalation hazard.
Roman Snail (Helix pomatia L.) as Bioindicator of Heavy Metals Pollution in Mitrovica Town, Kosovo

Our purpose was to monitor the environmental pollution with heavy metals, such as Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd, and their accumulation in Roman snails ( Helix pomatia L. ) and the possibility of Roman using snail as a bioindicator of heavy metal pollution. For analyses, we were taken 22 specimens of roman snails in the Mitrovica town (area with the heavy metal pollution derived from the “Trepça” smelter) and 22 specimens in the Vernica village (control area), in which case is analyzed the concentration of heavy metals: Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu) in the hepatopancreas, foot, and shell of snails. Our results show the high concentration of Pb, Zn, and Cd in the hepatopancreas compared to the other tissues (foot and shell), whereas Cu concentration was higher in the foot of snails from Mitrovica compared to the control group in a significant degree (P < 0.001). We have found a significant (P<0.001) positive correlation between all heavy metals (Pb/Cd; Pb/Cu; Pb/Zn; Cd/Cu; Cd/Zn and Cu/Zn) in the hepatopancreas tissue. In the foot, we have found the negative correlation for Pb/Cd and Pb/Cu and positive for the Pb/Zn; Cd/Cu; Cd/Zn, and Cu/Zn, whereas in the shell the correlation was positive for the Pb/ Cd; Pb/Cu and Cd/Cu, and negative for the Pb/Zn; Cd/Zn and Cu/Zn. In the hepatopancreas, the concentration of metals ranged from higher to the lower concentration was: Zn>Cd>Pb>Cu; in the foot: Cu>Zn>Cd>Pb, whereas in the shell: Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd. The Mitrovica town is the area with heavy metals pollution, whereas the Roman snail accumulates relatively high values of these heavy metals and can serve as an indicator organism for pollution with the metals such as Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu.
Dimensions of Online Role-Playing: Anchored in the Tolkien Mythos

Based on close study of two multi-player games in the tradition of J. R. R. Tolkien, this study documents the complex features of modern role-playing in online virtual worlds and constructs a six-component typology of its dimensions. The Lord of the Rings: War in the North is oriented toward the popular movies based on Tolkien’s novels, and can be played by as many as three people. The Lord of the Rings Online is based directly on the novels and is massively multi-player, even one event reported here having 487 avatars simultaneously at the same virtual location. A brief sociometric analysis of thousands of online stories in Tolkien’s legendarium, observation inside 20 Tolkien Facebook groups, and references to social science published during Tolkien’s lifetime, anchor the analysis in a tradition. The six theory components interact dynamically: identity, function, connection, engagement, representation, and property. They were derived from participant observation and ethnographic methods, but also illustrated by statistics, notably censuses of avatars and their homesteads. A great number of other role-playing computer games have similar components, but often fewer and less clearly represented. Therefore, this pair in the Tolkien mythos were especially suitable for this concept-development project.
Isolasi dan identifkasi jamur endofit dari akar tanaman kentang sebagai anti jamur (Fusarium sp, Phytopthora infestans) dan anti bakteri (Ralstonia solanacaerum)

INDONESIA: Telah dilakukan penelitian pada tanaman kentang yang merupakan salah satu bahan pangan utama dunia setelah padi, gandum dan jagung yang mendapatkan prioritas dalam pengembangannya di Indonesia. Kendala utama dalam budi daya kentang di Indonesia adalah serangan hama dan penyakit. Upaya untuk mengatasi kendala tersebut adalah dengan melakukan isolasi mikroba endofit khususnya jamur endofit yang hidup dalam jaringan tanaman dan mampu menghasilkan metabolit sekunder sesuai dengan tanaman inangnya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengisolasi dan mengidentifikasi jamur endofit dari akar tanaman kentang yang mempunyai potensi sebagai penghasil senyawa antifungi terhadap jamur Fusarium sp, Phytopthora infestans dan Bakteri Ralstonia solanacaerum. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan Laboratorium Mikrobiologi Fakultas Sains dan Teknologi Universitas Islam Negeri Malang pada bulan Desember 2009 sampai April 2010. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode eksplorasi dan eksperimen. Penelitian dilakukan dengan cara mengisolasi jamur endofit dari akar tanaman kentang yang diperoleh Sumber Brantas, Kecamatan Bumiaji, Kota Batu, Malang Jawa Timur yang kemudian dilakukan identifikasi terhadap jamur endofit yang tumbuh pada media PDAS. Produksi metabolit sekunder jamur endofit diperoleh dengan metode fermentasi dan diuji aktivitasnya terhadap jamur Fusarium sp, Phytopthora infestans dan Ralstonia solanacaerum dengan menggunakan metode difusi agar (Kirby-Bauer). Jamur uji yang digunakan diperoleh dari Laboratorium Mikrobiologi Jurusan Biologi Fakultas Sains dan Teknologi Universitas Airlangga. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian yang telah dilakukan, jamur endofit yang telah diisolasi dan diidentifikasi dari akar tanaman kentang mempunyai aktivitas anti jamur terhadap jamur Fusarium sp, Phytopthora infestans dan bakteri Ralstonia solanacaerum. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sebanyak 3 isolat jamur endofit berhasil diisolasi dari akar tanaman kentang. Dari hasil penelitian didapatkan bahwa jamur endofit yang paling berpotensi sebagai Anti jamur Fusarium sp, Phytopthora infestans dan Anti Bakteri dan Ralstonia solanacaerum adalah Penisillium sp.
Desarrollo conceptual a través de simulaciones computacionales: un estudio de caso en física

Este trabajo indaga cómo los estudiantes se involucran con una simulación, durante la resolución de un problema, y aprenden. Es un estudio de caso con tres grupos de estudiantes universitarios que resuelven un problema de termodinámica (ciclo de Carnot) asistidos por una simulación computacional específicamente diseñada para esa circunstancia. Se utiliza la Teoría de Clases de Coordinación para interpretar los resultados. Estos revelan que existen tres tipos distintos de interacción entre los estudiantes y la simulación que promueven el desarrollo conceptual de los grupos participantes.
REAL EXCHANGE RATE AND STRUCTURAL CHANGE: THEORY AND EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE

This paper analyses the influence of the real exchange rate (rer) on the productive structure. A contribution of this article is to sys-tematize and advance in the identification of the new transmission mechanisms through which the rer affects the productive structure. We show how these effects can be incorporated into the balance of payments constrained growth model. On the empirical level, the article assesses the association between the rer and structural change. A series of regressions was performed in a panel setting for various countries, using aggregated and sectorial databases. The estimates using the aggregated database suggest that a competitive rer fa-vours manufacturing. Regressions also indicate that a competitive rer is associated with a more diversified and complex productive structure . In turn, the estimates using a sectoral database point out that a competitive rer expands manufacturing activities, and this effect is associated with sectoral particularities.
Pedestrian crowd tactical-level decision making during emergency evacuations

Summary This paper investigates pedestrian crowd tactical-level decision making during emergency evacuations. Of particular interest is crowd exit-choice behaviour. Two sources of stated choice data are collected and combined. One data set is derived from an experiment linked to a real-life exit choice experience of participants (in a non-evacuation setting). We examine aspects that have often been taken for granted in the literature in connection with egress behaviour of crowds during emergencies. We quantify evacuees' trade-off between “distance”, “density”, “exit visibility” and “directional density” as well as the interactive effect between exit visibility and tendency to follow others. A comprehensive random-utility analysis is conducted ranging from traditionally practiced models to the state-of-the-practice methods such as random-coefficient nested logit. Our findings suggest that (i) unless evacuees face certain levels of uncertainty in the escape environment; flows of crowd are unlikely to be followed. Otherwise, most evacuees perceive other individuals as potential sources of congestion and extra delay (generalisation to situations where crowd is completely unfamiliar with the egress geometry, however, may require careful scrutiny). (ii) Evacuees mostly prefer visible exits over the exits whose congestion level is unknown to them (i.e. the tendency to minimise ambiguity). (iii) The presence of attribute uncertainty (e.g. exit visibility) significantly changes the impact of observing decisions of others on each individual choice maker. We also found out that (iv) spatial distribution of exits has a significant influence on evacuees' decisions (presenting itself in the form of violating the IIA assumption). (v) The marginal weights that different individuals place upon attributes of exits are significantly heterogeneous. (vi) There is meaningful correlation between certain utility weights of individual evacuees. These behavioural findings can provide significant behavioural insight essential for safe evacuation planning and accurate forecast of evacuees' behaviour. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cold but not too cold: advances in hypothermic and normothermic organ perfusion

Transplantation is the method of choice and, in many cases, the only method of treatment for patients with end-stage organ disease. Excellent results have been achieved, and the main focus today is to extend the number of available donors. The use of extended-criteria donors or donors after circulatory death is standard, but is accompanied by an increased risk of ischemia reperfusion injury. This review presents newly developed machine perfusion techniques using hypothermic, subnormothermic, or normothermic conditions, with or without oxygenation. Possibilities for treatment and quality assessment in decision-making about organ acceptability are also discussed.
Dynamic deformation–dependent magnetic field–induced force transmissibility characteristics of magnetorheological elastomer

The need for broad-band vibration isolation performance of the structures is fulfilled by magnetorheological elastomer–based smart vibration isolation system. The smart isolation capabilities of magnetorheological elastomer isolator vary with the input dynamic deformation levels. In this study, force transmissibility measurement approach is adapted to evaluate the influence of dynamic deformation on the field-induced isolation capabilities of magnetorheological elastomer. The variation in isolation capabilities of magnetorheological elastomer is assessed in terms of isolation effect. Isolation performance of magnetorheological elastomer is enhanced with the increase in the magnetic field. Under increased dynamic deformation levels, the isolation characteristics of magnetorheological elastomer are influenced by the Payne effect. Dominance of the Payne effect under non-magnetized state of magnetorheological elastomer has enhanced the isolation effect at larger strain levels. The influence of strain on isolation characteristics of magnetorheological elastomer is verified from the magnetic force simulation between a pair of dipoles performed in ANSYS (version 14).
A Novel Model of Network Ideological Education in Universities Based on Learning Analysis for the Era of 5G Mobile Computing

Internet 5G introduces new methods and carriers for NIE (network ideology education) and marks a new milestone in multicarrier linkage and multichannel university NIE education, combining the benefits of emerging and traditional media. The specific intervention strategies for college students’ online learning procrastination are calculated in this paper, and a learning analysis-based implementation framework for college students’ online learning procrastination intervention is built. The K -means algorithm is used to analyze learning style; additional contextual information, such as student-knowledge point mastery and lesson-knowledge point, is added using the CF (collaborative filtering) algorithm, and students’ mastery is predicted using the excavated learning path. Experiments show that adding more data improves the prediction effect, especially in terms of operation efficiency. At the same time, the proposed framework can not only dynamically assess students’ knowledge mastery but also facilitate systematic review feedback and learning order adjustment, as well as provide personalized learning services.
Determinants of the Incident of Pneumonia in Toddlers in Bengkulu City in 2020

The number of pneumonia cases in toddlers in Bengkulu City in 2018 reached 3,411. In 2017 there were 3,437 cases. In 2016 there were 31 people. The increase in pneumonia cases will affect the health status of infants and children in the future. This study aims to analyze the determinants of the incidence of pneumonia in children under five in Bengkulu City. The research method was cross-sectional, located in 4 health centers (Sukamerindu, Betungan, Telaga Dewa, and Kuala Lemembu). The sample in this study was 90 people. Data collection using a questionnaire. Data analysis by univariate and bivariate. Results, There is a relationship between immunization status (P-Value 0.000), exclusive breastfeeding (P-Value 0.004), history of ARI (P-Value 0.000), and residential density (p-value 0.004) with the incidence of pneumonia in children under five in Bengkulu City. The study concluded the significant relation between immunization status, exclusive breastfeeding, history of ARI, and residential density with the incidence of pneumonia in children under five in Bengkulu City. The most influential variable was exclusive breastfeeding.
Impact of Vaccination on Rotavirus Genotype Diversity: A Nearly Two-Decade-Long Epidemiological Study before and after Rotavirus Vaccine Introduction in Sicily, Italy

Sicily was the first Italian region to introduce rotavirus (RV) vaccination with the monovalent G1P[8] vaccine Rotarix® in May 2012. In this study, the seasonal distribution and molecular characterization of RV strains detected over 19 years were compared to understand the effect of Rotarix® on the evolutionary dynamics of human RVs. A total of 7846 stool samples collected from children < 5 years of age, hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis, were tested for RV detection and genotyping. Since 2013, vaccine coverage has progressively increased, while the RV prevalence decreased from 36.1% to 13.3% with a loss of seasonality. The local distribution of RV genotypes changed over the time possibly due to vaccine introduction, with a drastic reduction in G1P[8] strains replaced by common and novel emerging RV strains, such as equine-like G3P[8] in the 2018–2019 season. Comparison of VP7 and VP4 amino acid (aa) sequences with the cognate genes of Rotarix® and RotaTeq® vaccine strains showed specific aa changes in the antigenic epitopes of VP7 and of the VP8* portion of VP4 of the Italian RV strains. Molecular epidemiological surveillance data are required to monitor the emergence of novel RV strains and ascertain if these strains may affect the efficacy of RV vaccines.
Forming post-socialist urban identities through small-scale heritage-based regeneration: a role for intangibles?

Abstract While the issue of socialist heritage in Central and Eastern Europe has been extensively researched by scholars, this paper addresses an existing gap in theory and practice ‒ how safeguarding socialist cultural heritage (tangible and intangible) can be used in post-socialist towns that have little emblematic resources available today to pursue urban progress and prosperity. The paper focuses on the city of Velenje in Slovenia and its collectivist means of original production. Attention is drawn to both the importance of this aspect of its intangible cultural heritage, and the problematic nature of appealing to it, to underpin citizens’ engagement in a small-scale urban regeneration project. The paper offers insights about how using cultural heritage can be called upon to motivate citizens to participate in urban development and reform their urban identity, drawing on the recent past and living memory, through volunteered labour.
Intracarpal midazolam: does it offer better pain relief than dexamethasone in carpal tunnel syndrome patients? A randomized double-blind clinical trial

ABSTRACT Background Intracarpal injection of steroids has produced favorable effects in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS); however, it still carries some drawbacks. Perineural midazolam injection has some promising effects in chronic neuralgia. This study focused upon pain visual analog scale (VAS) improvement, and Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ) improvements when comparing intracarpal injection of midazolam versus dexamethasone. Methods One hundred and thirty-four patients with mild to moderate CTS were randomized (1:1 ratio) to receive intracarpal 3 ml bupivacaine 0.5% with either 8 mg dexamethasone in 2 ml saline (group DX) or 2 mg midazolam in 2 ml saline (group MZ). VAS and BCTQ were assessed preintervention and postintervention (1st week, 1st, 3rd, and 6th months) Results The VAS showed a significantly lower value in MZ than the DX group with median value of 2 (maximum-minimum = 1–3) in MZ and 4 (2–5) in DX by the 6th month p = 0.049. Intragroup comparison of follow-up VAS to the baseline value showed significant decreases in the MZ group during the whole study period, whereas in DX the decrease was noticed by the 1st week and 1st month only. In postinterventional BCTQ, both symptom severity (SSS) and functional severity (FSS) scores were significantly lower in MZ rather than DX group after the 1st, 3rd, and 6thmonths where SSS (p = 0.029, 0.048, 0.04) and FSS (p = 0.04, 0.019, 0.003) in consequence. Conclusions Intracarpal injection of midazolam offers a longer duration of pain relief and higher hand functional improvement scores in comparison to dexamethasone.
Phenotypic and genotypic divergence of plant–herbivore interactions along an urbanization gradient

Urban environments provide challenging conditions for species survival, including increased temperatures, drought and pollution. Species can deal with these conditions through evolution across generations or the immediate expression of phenotypic plasticity. The resulting phenotypic changes are key to the performance of species and their interactions with other species in the community. We here document patterns of herbivory in Arabidopsis thaliana along a rural–urban gradient, and tested the genetic background and ecological consequences of traits related to herbivore resistance. Aphid densities increased with urbanization levels along the gradient while plant size did not change. Offspring of urban mothers, raised under common garden conditions, were larger and had a decreased trichome density and seed set but a higher caterpillar (Pieris brassicae) tolerance. In contrast, no urban evolution was detected for defences against aphids (Myzus persicae). Aphids reduced seed set more strongly in urban offspring, but this effect disappeared in second‐generation plants. In general, urban adaptations as expressed in size and caterpillar tolerance were found, but these adaptations were associated with smaller inflorescences. The maternal effect on the response of seed set to aphid feeding demonstrates the relevance of intergenerational plasticity as a direct ecological consequence of herbivory. Our study demonstrates that the urban environment interacts with the plant's genotype and the extended phenotype as determined by ecological interactions.
Comparison of Clinical Outcomes Between Ticagrelor and Clopidogrel in Elderly Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Cohort Study

Background Age is a strong predictor of adverse outcomes due both to a higher risk of bleeding and ischemia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ticagrelor in elderly patients. Methods Patients ≥75 years of age admitted to our center from January, 2015 to December, 2019 who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and received dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) were included in our study. Eligible patients were divided into clopidogrel and ticagrelor groups according to the P2Y12 receptor inhibitor and were followed up for 1 year. The primary safety endpoint was types 2, 3, and 5 bleeding, as defined by Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC), and the primary efficacy endpoint was combined major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs). A Cox proportional hazard model and propensity score matching were used to correct confounding factors. Results Of 1505 patients enrolled in this study, 442 were assigned to ticagrelor group and 1063 were assigned to clopidogrel group. The incidence of BARC 2, 3, and 5 bleeding (HR, 2.304; 95% CI, 1.540–3.447), and any bleeding (HR, 2.476; 95% CI, 1.802–3.403) in ticagrelor group was significantly higher than clopidogrel group. There were no significant difference between the two groups with respect to BARC 3 and 5 bleeding (HR, 1.566; 95% CI, 0.767–3.198) and MACCEs (HR, 0.957; 95% CI, 0.702–1.305). Conclusion Compared with clopidogrel, DAPT with ticagrelor significantly increased the risk of BARC 2, 3, and 5 bleeding without reducing MACCEs in elderly patients who underwent PCI. Trial Registration The study was retrospectively registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 04999293).
Tissierella Praeacuta Infection in the Setting of Chronic Sacral Wounds

Tissierella praeacuta is a gram negative anaerobe with few documented cases of human infections. This case illustrates a patient who was admitted for infected chronic sacral and ischial decubitus wounds. BACT/ALERT blood culture system using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) (Bruker Daltonics, Billerica, USA) was employed ultimately identifying Tissierella praeacuta as the causative organism. The suspected source of the pathogen was presumed to be from his infected decubitus wounds.