Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The relation between L1 and L2 category compactness and L2 VOT
 learning

We test how the compactness of L1 and L2 sound categories may reflect individual differences in L2 sound acquisition. To this end, we examined the speech of ten L1 English-L2 Spanish learners over one semester in early Spanish courses. We analyzed VOT values of voiceless word-initial stops produced during word- list reading tasks in both languages. The results show that L1 English VOT compactness at the beginning of the semester correlated with L2 Spanish VOT accuracy at the end of the semester for all learners (R2 =.663, F(1,9)=15.7, p=. 004). This finding indicates that L1 category compactness may reflect speaker characteristics, such as production precision, which influence progress in L2 learning. Moreover, we found that lower, more target-like L2 Spanish VOT correlated with higher L2 Spanish VOT standard deviation at the end of the semester for all learners but those with the most target-like pronunciation (R2 = .562, F(1,7) =7.71, p =. 032). This suggests that speakers with relatively target-like L2 pronunciations may show more compact categories; yet, for early learners with non-target-like pronunciations, L2 categories may expand as production improves. In sum, L2 categories seem to reflect both a learner's personal production precision and their specific time-point in their L2 pronunciation development.
Foraging Behavior of Birds at Morning and Evening Times: A Preliminary Study

Birds exhibit a wide variety of behaviors including foraging behavior which could vary both inter- and intra-specifically. The current study was aimed to investigate different aspects of the foraging behavior of birds in different fields situated at the Quaid-e-Azam Campus, University of the Punjab, Lahore. The said campus covers an area of about 721 ha and has a stable ecosystem which supports a diverse range of birds. Three fields were selected for study purposes. The first field (F1) was characterized by dense vegetation. The second field (F2) contained relatively less vegetation and the third field (F3) was situated near the premises containing the hostel and the shopping center. Observations were recorded during December 2019 for a week at morning (0800-0900 h) and evening (1500-1600 h) times. The observations were based on the assumptions that an abundant availability of food will increase the stay time and vice versa. Moreover, number of pecks by birds also correlate with stay time. A total of 10, 8 and 5 bird species were observed in the above mentioned three fields, that is, F1, F2 and F3, respectively. Different patterns of bird frequency, pecking rate and search time were observed in all fields at morning and evening times which could be associated with the nature of the microhabitat, vegetation, predator risk, food availability, group size and various environmental factors such as temperature. Spearman’s correlation revealed a significant (p < 0.01) association between search time and number of pecks of birds in all three fields.
Changes in risk perception and protective behavior during the first week of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States

By mid-March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic spread to over 100 countries and all 50 states in the US. Government efforts to minimize the spread of disease emphasized behavioral interventions, including raising awareness of the disease and encouraging protective behaviors such as social distancing and hand washing, and seeking medical attention if experiencing symptoms. However, it is unclear to what extent individuals are aware of the risks associated with the disease, how they are altering their behavior, factors which could influence the spread of the virus to vulnerable populations. We characterized risk perception and engagement in preventative measures in 1591 United States based individuals over the first week of the pandemic (March 11th-16th 2020) and examined the extent to which protective behaviors are predicted by individuals’ perception of risk. Over 5 days, subjects demonstrated growing awareness of the risk posed by the virus, and largely reported engaging in protective behaviors with increasing frequency. However, they underestimated their personal risk of infection relative to the average person in the country. We found that engagement in social distancing and handwashing was most strongly predicted by the perceived likelihood of personally being infected, rather than likelihood of transmission or severity of potential transmitted infections. However, substantial variability emerged among individuals, and using data-driven methods we found a subgroup of subjects who are largely disengaged, unaware, and not practicing protective behaviors. Our results have implications for our understanding of how risk perception and protective behaviors can facilitate early interventions during large-scale pandemics.
Heteroleptic lead(II)-halide complexes supported by a bulky iminoanilide ligand

Abstract The lead(II) chloride [{N^NiPr}PbCl] (1), where {N^N}− is a bulky, monoanionic, bidentate iminoanilide ligand, was synthesised by salt metathesis between [{N^NiPr}Li] and PbCl2. The complex was characterised by X-ray diffraction crystallography and 207Pb nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. It exists in the molecular solid state as a monometallic three-coordinate species, with two independent, similar but not identical molecules per asymmetric unit. The differences between the first coordination sphere of 1 and that of Fulton’s structurally related β-diketiminato complex [{N^NiPr}PbCl] are illustrated. The synthesis of 1 offers a convenient handle in the still underdeveloped organometallic and inorganic chemistry of lead(II), as exemplified by the synthesis of the alkyl complex [{N^NiPr}PbCH(CH3)2] (3). The iodo complex [{N^NiPr}PbI] (2) was also synthesised, but, unlike 1, it showed limited stability in solution.
Soluble polyimides containing 1,4:3,6-dianhydro-d-glucidol and fluorinated units: Preparation, characterization, optical, and dielectric properties

Aiming to develop soluble and colorless polyimides, two novel diamines, 2,5-bis(2-trifluoromethyl-4-amino-phenoxy)-1,4:3,6-dianhydrosorbitol (2a) and 2,5-bis(2-methyl-4-amino-phenoxy)-1,4:3,6-dianhydrosorbitol (2b), were designed and synthesized by the reduction of corresponding dinitro monomer which was obtained via solvent-free melt heating method. Polyimides (PI–(1–5)) containing 1,4:3,6-dianhydro-d-glucidol fragments were prepared from 2a and five kinds of common dianhydrides and PI–6 was synthesized from 2b and 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)-diphthalic anhydride (6FDA) via a two-step thermal imidization. All the polyimides were readily soluble in common polar solvents and could afford flexible, tough, and transparent films with transparency as high as 87% at 450 nm. Meanwhile, PI–(1–6) exhibited unexpectedly low dielectric constants of 2.02–2.52 at 1 MHz. In addition, analogs PI–7 derived from 2,5-bis(4-amino-phenoxy)-1,4:3,6-dianhydrosorbitol (2c) and 6FDA and PI–8 derived from 4,4′-bis(4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)biphenyl (2d) and 6FDA were also obtained via a two-step thermal imidization for comparision with PI–(1–6) on aspects of thermal, mechnical, optical, electrical, and morphological properties. The structure–property relationships of PI–(1–8) were discussed in detail. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 3253–3265
A Qualitative Study of Dyadic Coping among Couples Dealing with Burden of Chronic Illness

The present qualitative study aimed in-depth exploration of dyadic coping among couples dealing with chronic illness. There were 12 couples (six females and six males) with chronic illness and their healthy partners were interviewed. The in-depth interviews were conducted through interview guide based on Systematic Transactional Model (STM) (Bodenmann, 1995) and lived experiences of participants. The results were analyzed by using (Braun & Clarke, 2006) method of thematic analysis. The results revealed that female diagnosed partners showed less supportive dyadic coping to deal with physical and emotional burden of their chronic illnesses as compared to chronically ill male partners. However, the economic hardships is equally stressful for both members of the couples resulted in negative dyadic coping. The therapeutic assistance should be given to improve the dyadic coping among couples to deal with burden of chronic illness and live with better quality of life.
BIODETERIORATION OF CYPERMETHRIN BY LOCAL ISOLATE ISOLATED FROM EGYPTIAN PETROLEUM CONTAMINATED SOIL

Cypermethrin is a widespread pyrethroid pesticide and is an environmental pollutant because of its toxicity and persistence. Biodegradation of such chemicals by microorganisms may provide a cost-effective method for their detoxification. Sixty-two cypermethrin degrading bacteria were isolated from Egyptian contaminated soil and water samples. The most potent bacterial strain was identified as Ochrobactrum intermedium SP9 based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, as well as several morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics examinations on classical level. The maximum biodegradation of cypermethrin by bacterial strain SP9 was achieved at 35°C and pH 7.0, and the degradation rate reached 69.1% within 8 days under the optimal conditions. Hence, the Ochrobactrum intermedium SP9could potentially be used in the future for bioremediation of cypermethrin contaminated soil.
The Effect of Accounting Training on Accounting Information in Small and Medium Micro Enterprises

The purpose of this study was to determine the analysis the effect of accounting training on accounting information in SMEs of Tangerang City. The datas are analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression models with SPSS 21 Program. The sampling method for the study used the Random Sampling method and the result is 51 SMEs owners in the Tangerang City. The result of this study indicate that accounting training significantly influence applied of accounting information.
Synthesis and characterisation of brannerite compositions (U0.9Ce0.1)1−xMxTi2O6 (M = Gd3+, Ca2+) for the immobilisation of MOX residues

A suite of uranium brannerites for the disposal of MOX residues, formulated (U0.9Ce0.1)1−xMxTi2O6 (M = Ca2+ and/or Gd3+), were prepared using a mixed oxide route under oxidising, inert and reducing atmospheres (air, argon and H2/N2). Gd3+ was added to act as a neutron absorber in the final Pu bearing wasteform and Ce added to function as a structural analogue for Pu. X-ray powder diffraction of the synthesised specimens found that phase distribution was strongly affected by the processing atmosphere and Gd content. In all cases prototypical brannerite was formed, accompanied by different secondary phases dependent on processing atmosphere. Microstructural analysis (SEM) of the sintered samples confirmed the results of the X-ray powder diffraction. Bulk XANES found that Ti remained in the Ti4+ oxidation state whereas Ce was uniformly reduced to the Ce3+ oxidation state regardless of processing conditions or stoichiometry. Micro-focus XANES was used to determine U oxidation in the brannerite phase and showed that U oxidised to higher U oxidation states to charge compensate. It was concluded that the charge balance mechanism was a combination of U oxidation and A-site vacancies.
Abstract 12630: Association Between Z-score for Birth Weight and Postoperative Outcomes in Neonates and Infants With Congenital Heart Disease

Background: Neonates with congenital heart disease are more likely to be small for gestational age. Few studies have investigated the effect of birth weight Z-score on outcomes after congenital heart surgery. Methods: Patients from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database (2010 to 2016) undergoing cardiac surgery at a corrected gestational age ≤ 44 weeks were included, and classified as severely (birth weight Z-score -4 to -2), moderately (Z-score between -2 and -1) and mildly growth restricted (Z-score -1.0 to -0.5) and compared to a reference (Z-score 0 to 0.5). Multivariable logistic regression clustering on center was used to evaluate the association of birth weight Z-score with operative mortality, postoperative complications and length of stay, adjusting for other patient characteristics. Interaction between Z-score for birth weight and gestational age was assessed. Results: In 25,244 patients, operative mortality was 8.6% and major complications occurred in 19.4%. Compared to the reference group with no growth restriction, the adjusted odds (AOR) of mortality was increased in infants with severe (AOR 2.4, CI 2.0-3.0), moderate (AOR 1.7, CI 1.4-2.0) and mild growth restriction (AOR 1.4, CI 1.2-1.6). The AOR for major postoperative complications was increased for infants with severe (AOR 1.4, CI 1.2-1.7) and moderate growth restriction (AOR 1.2, CI 1.1-1.4), but not in mildly growth restricted infants (AOR 1.0, CI 0.9-1.2). Length of stay was prolonged for all growth restricted cohorts (adjusted Hazard Ratio<1, p<0.05 for all). There was significant interaction between birth weight Z-score and gestational age (p=0.007) with the strongest association between birth weight Z-score and operative mortality in early-term (gestational age 37-38 weeks), followed by full-term (>38 weeks) and then preterm infants (<37 weeks). Conclusions: Even birth weight Z-scores that are slightly below average are independent risk factors for mortality and morbidity in neonates undergoing cardiac surgery. The strongest association between poor fetal growth and operative mortality exists in early-term neonates. These novel findings may account for some of the previously unexplained variation in cardiac surgical outcomes.
The relationship between infertility family stigma, self-stigma and psychological well-being in female first-visit patients at a reproductive medicine center in Taiwan

BACKGROUND Steeped in Chinese culture which considers continuing the family lineage highly important, infertility stigma endorsed by others and oneself can both negatively impact psychological well-being in women with infertility in Taiwan. The aim of the present study was to find out whether family stigma attached to infertility has a direct effect on psychological well-being, or whether it is only when family stigma is internalized into self-stigma that psychological well-being is affected. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE The present study had a cross-sectional design, approved by an institutional review board in Taiwan. 245 female participants with infertility completed measures on infertility stigma, self-esteem, and positive and negative affect. The main question of this study was analyzed by conducting structural equation modeling. RESULTS The present study found that none of the direct effects of family stigma on self-esteem, negative affect, or positive affect were significant, while the indirect effects of family stigma on the three psychological well-being indexes through the mediator of self-stigma were significant. CONCLUSIONS Self-stigma fully mediates the effect of family stigma on self-esteem, positive affect, and negative affect in women with infertility. Collectively, stigma endorsed by others does not necessarily lead to negative psychological well-being. The negative influence comes from internalizing public/family stigma into self-stigma.
Differential diagnosis of parkinsonian degenerative disorders in combination manual measurements with automated volumetry of the brain

Background: To compare brain morphological differences in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), multiple system atrophy with the parkinsonian variant (MSA-P), Parkinson’s disease (PD) and controls by manual and automated measurements and to explore the feasibility of these measurements in disease differentiation.Methods: Ninety-five PSP patients (48 males, mean age 67.9 y), 32 MSA-P patients (18 males, mean age 63.0 y), 136 PD patients (72 males, mean age 66.6 y) and 100 controls (50 males, mean age 66 y) were included. The 12 manual measurements were acquired. Relative brain structural volumes adjusted according to the intracranial volume (ICV) of different brain regions werealsoquantified. Differences among and between groups were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to assess diagnostic performance and define cutoff values of these measures.Results: P/M area 2.0displayed the highest diagnostic performance (AUC: 0.801) for distinguishing PSP from MSA-P or PD (sensitivity69.5%, specificity 82.1%). Furthermore, the combination of morphological features in manual parameters (P/M area 2.0, MRPI and M/P diameter) and volume atrophy in the midbrain improved the PSP discrimination (AUC: 0.870, sensitivity 76.8%, specificity 83.9%). The relative volume of the putamen can better differentiate MSA-P from PSP and PD (AUC: 0.844, sensitivity 81.3%, specificity 75.3%). Similarly, the ability to differentially diagnose MSA-P increased most significantly (AUC: 0.927, sensitivity 87.5%, specificity 87.9%) when combing volume atrophy in the putamen with the caudate and manual parameter (M/P diameter). Conclusion: Manual and automated MR variables can reveal atrophy features of the brain and be helpful in the differential diagnosis.
A qualitative report on exploratory data on the possible emotional/behavioral correlates of Covid-19 lockdown in 4-10 years children in Italy.

This preliminary, exploratory and qualitative report aimed at at raising public debate on the topic of psychological consequences of Covid-19 lockdown in children. Results are exploratory and conclusions are speculative and must be confirmed through further rigorous studies. Our preliminary data suggests that during the first month of quarantine, the pandemic had an important effect on children's emotions and behavior. One in four children (26.48%) showed the regressive symptom of the demand for physical proximity to their parents during the night and almost one in five (18.17%) manifested fears that they never had before. Half of the children (53.53%) showed increased irritability, intolerance to rules, whims and excessive demands, and one in five presented mood changes (21.17%) and sleep problems including difficulty falling asleep, agitation, and frequent waking up (19.99%). One in three (34.26%) displayed nervousness about the topic of pandemic when it was mentioned at home or on TV. Almost one in three (31.38%) seemed calmer and one in two (49.57%) seemed wiser and more thoughtful. Almost all (92.57%) seemed able to adapt to the pandemic restrictions; even though one in two (43.26%) seemed more listless to the activities they were used to perform before the pandemic including playing, studying, and gaming.
Bambangan (Mangifera pajang) kernel fat: a potential new source of cocoa butter alternative

Bambangan (Mangifera pajang) is one of the underutilised tropical fruits found in the Borneo islands (Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei). The physicochemical and thermal properties of bambangan kernel fat (BKF) were investigated in an eﬀort to identify an innovative fat that could be exploited in confectionery applications. The fatty acids and triglyceride (TG) contents, melting behaviour and solid fat content (SFC) of the BKF were determined by various chromatographic and thermal techniques. BKF had three main TGs, namely 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-3-stearoyl-glycerol (POS) (11.6%), 1,3-distearoyl-2-oleoyl-glycerol (SOS) (28.7%) and 1-stearoyl-2,3-dioleoyl-glycerol (SOO) (11.2%), with SOS being the major component. Stearic, oleic and palmitic acids were the dominant fatty acids with the area percentage of 36.4%, 44.5% and 8.4%, respectively. The melting behaviour indicated a single curve with only one maximum shoulder. With respect to the physicochemical and thermal properties, BKF is ideal for use in formulations (blending components) as an alternative to CB in food products, especially confectionary products.
Prenatal diagnosis and pregnancy determination of sex chromosome aneuploidy screened by non-invasive prenatal testing from 52,453 unselected singleton pregnancies: a retrospective analysis of 4-year experience

Objective To estimate the positive predictive value (PPV) of fetal sex chromosome aneuploidy (SCA) screened in non-selective population and explore the rate of pregnancy termination and ultrasound findings for fetal SCA and the factors influencing parents’ decisions in South China. Methods This is a large-scale retrospective cohort of positive SCA screened from unselected singleton pregnancies by non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) from a single prenatal center of a tertiary hospital, from January 2016 to November 2019. Clinical information, indications, diagnostic results, ultrasound findings, pregnancy determinations, and follow-up were reviewed and analyzed. Results 248 cases of SCA positive were screened out of 52453, giving a positive detection rate of 0.47%. The majority of indications (42.7%) were low-risk pregnancies. After genetic counseling, 43 pregnancies (17.3%) declined to prenatal diagnosis, the rest of 205 cases (82.7%) conducted with amniocentesis to detect fetal chromosome, of which 95 were confirmed as true positive of SCA with PPV of 46.3% (95/205). The SCA consisted of 68 sex chromosomal trisomies (26 cases of 47,XXY, 20 cases of 47,XXX and 22 cases of 47,XYY), 17 cases of monosomy X (45,X), three cases of 48,XXYY, three cases of mosaicisms (45,X/46,XX), four cases with sex chromosomal deletions, included two cases of 46,X,del(Y)(q11.21), one case of 46,X,del(X)(p11) and one case of 46,X,i(X)(q10). Of the 95 cases confirmed as true positive SCA, 50 cases (52.6%)chose to terminate the pregnancy (82.6%, 64.3%, 17.6% and 33.3% for 45,X, 47,XXY, 47,XXX and 47,XYY, respectively), 45 cases (47.4%) elected to continue the pregnancy. Ninety-three pregnant were also continued pregnancy after the exclusion of SCA. Conclusions NIPT, as a first-tier routine method for screening autosomal aneuploidies, also could play an important role in screening SCA. Low-risk pregnant women are the main indication for the detection of SCA as NIPT test provides to non-selective population. The trend of overall termination rates of SCA-affected pregnancies is decreased. For 47,XXX and 47,XYY with mild phenotype, couples would like to continue the pregnancy. But for 45,X and 47,XXY, parents apt to terminate pregnancy no matter ultrasound abnormalities were found or not. pregnancy determinations are affected by types of SCA, sonographic findings, maternal age, and presence of infertility.