Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of sequence of melt mixing on the properties and morphology of blends of polypropylene, styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene copolymer grafted with maleic anhydride, and organophilic montmorillonite clay

Styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene (SEBS) copolymer, grafted or not, with maleic anhydride and organophilic montmorillonite clay was melt mixed with polypropylene (PP) using different mixing sequences to understand its effect on properties and morphology. The addition of clay changed the blend morphology from large elongated domains to droplets. The nanocomposites without maleic anhydride presented clay in the intercalated form. In the formulation containing maleic anhydride, clay is exfoliated on the blend, indicating that the maleic anhydride group acted to increase the interaction between the clay lamellae and the polymer chains. The best balance of mechanical properties was achieved in the formulation in which the clay was first melt mixed in SEBS without maleic anhydride and afterward melt mixed with clay and PP. It is reported in the literature that nanocomposites with exfoliated structures have better mechanical properties than nanocomposites with intercalated structure. However, in this study, an opposite trend was found, which may be related to the higher amount of crystalline phase formed in the intercalated structure nanocomposites, since the clay intercalation phenomenon in the polymer chains favored the polymer crystallization process.
An extensive usage of hand held devices will lead to musculoskeletal disorder of upper extremity among student in AMU: A survey method

Title: Extensive usage of hand held devices will lead to musculoskeletal disorder of upper extremity among student in AMU: Survey Objective: The use of hand held devices (HHD) has been increase dramatically in past decade. While texting or using HHD user has to use their thumb and palm (upper limb) muscle extensively. The objective of this study is to find out the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorder in upper limb among student in AMU. Method: 200 student was chosen randomly for participating in this research, questionnaires (DASH and Your use of computing and communication devices) was distributed to them and there was instructed to answer all questions, the questionnaires were collected at the same day and for those who participate goodies bag were given. Result: The result shows that 100% of the students in AMU are cell phone users. The cell phone usage duration was interpreted from questionnaires, based on 24 hours calculation and it was found that the largest duration spend on cell phone was for 14 hours for purpose of email, browsing, Recreation, Gaming, follow by making call for 12 hours and lastly scheduling for 7 hours. The symptoms of pain was evaluated by using VAS (visual analogue scale), 27.5% of them were known to be unaffected by hand pain symptom, 44.5% of them were affected by mild hand pain, for moderate hand pain there were 24% of them. Apart from that there were 3.5% of students were known to be affected by severe hand pain and worst possible pain. Conclusion: To live in accordance to the current advancements of the technology, the use of cell phone in our daily living is crucial. However, prolonged use of cell phone is known to cause symptoms of musculoskeletal disorder keeping this into consideration, more study should be done in the future to create awareness among cell phone user regarding the seriousness of this matter.
Innovation, internationalisation and the performance of microbusinesses

This article integrates internationalisation, and specifically exporting, into a conceptualisation of how innovation production leads to productivity performance in microbusinesses employing fewer than 10 people. Innovation production is reframed for the microbusiness context by focusing on knowledge acquisition and formalisation rather than on research and development (R&D) activity. Propensity score matching analysis is used to investigate British microbusiness survey data. It finds a causal process in which innovation promotes exporting activity. This in turn leads to improved productivity. In contrast to research on larger businesses, this study finds no direct link between innovation production and productivity. These findings are robust to various checks for potential endogeneity arising from feedback into innovation from internationalisation and from self-selection of high productivity firms into exporting.
Toward an Aesthetics of the Epistemologies of the South

that have been with us throughout the modern era: capitalism, colonialism, and patriarchy (Santos 2018). They are so intimately interconnected that none of them operates in isolation. However, the social forces that have been resisting against modern domination have usually focused on one of these forms and rarely on all of them. As a consequence, anti-capitalist struggles have often been colonialist, racist, and sexist in character, while anti-colonialist or anti-racial struggles have often condoned capitalism and hetero-patriarchy, and anti-patriarchal struggles have often been capitalist and colonialist or racist in character. The tragedy of our time is that domination operates as a coordinated totality, while resistance against it is fragmented. 2. This pattern of domination, rather than being a mere economic or political model, is a Eurocentric civilizational paradigm. It is served by an immense body of hegemonic knowledges—the epistemologies of the North—based on the negation of the inhabitants and knowledges of the territories that are subjected to colonization and exploitation and which I call the global South. The epistemologies of the North are the knowledge structure this civilizational paradigm has developed to legitimize itself. By ignoring the underlying articulation among the three main forms of domination, these epistemologies contribute to disarm social resistance against them. Under global neoliberalism, such disarmament has reached an extreme level illustrated by the idea that there is no alternative to the status quo, as supposedly proven by the failure of all attempts in the last 100 years to change it in substantive ways. However, as the most brutal forms of exploitation—exclusion, discrimination, inequality, and 7
Non-auditory Effects Caused by Environmental Noise Pollution

Date Received: Apr 03 2012 Date Revised: Nov 27 2012 Date Accepted: Dec 03 2012 Abstract: Noise pollution is one of the prominent environmental problems affecting human health especially in developing countries. The impacts of noise on health should not be underestimated. Exposure to acoustical stimuli impairs not only the function of auditory system but also that of many other systems of human body. Previous investigations revealed that noise exposure could result in sleep disturbance, cardiovascular diseases, endocrine disorders, cognitive deterioration and mental health problems. Although in an overall view, some of these effects can be more confidently attributed to the noise, but - in other cases - the influence of psychophysiological, social, occupational, personal characteristics, … is caused to ambiguous points and lack of expected coordination in previous findings. Cardio-vascular and cognitive changes due to noise exposure, particularly in different age and sex groups, are still unclear. Indeed, given the current conditions of simultaneous exposure to noise and other environmental contaminants, especially in large cities, formation of a new field of research based on the potential combined effects should be considered. These serious and chronic non-auditory complaints have recently come under specific scrutiny by investigators. The present study was conducted to review the existed scientific evidences in order to identify the state of the current knowledge about the non-auditory field of noise consequences and to determine the future direction for further researches. Keywords: Environment, Noise adverse effects
Optimizing molecular residual disease detection using liquid biopsy postoperatively in early stage lung cancer

Anna L McGuire*,1, Curtis B Hughesman2, Melissa K McConechy3, Barb Melosky4,5, Stephen Lam4,6, Renelle Myers4,6, John Yee1, Ernest Tang1 & Stephen Yip2,7 1Department of Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V5Z1M9, BC, Canada 2Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, BC Cancer, Cancer Genetics & Genomics Laboratory, Vancouver, BC, Canada 3Contextual Genomics Inc., Vancouver, BC, Canada 4Department of Medical Oncology, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada 5Medical Oncology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada 6Department of Medicine, Divisions of Respiratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada 7Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada *Author for correspondence: anna.mcguire@vch.ca
Genetic insights on the role of telomere dynamics in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) regardless of HIV status

iv Acknowledgements . v List of Abbreviations . 1 List of Figures . 4 List of Tables . 6 Chapter 1: Literature Review/Introduction . 7 1.1. Background to the study . 7 1.2. Human Immunodeficiency Virus . 7 1.2. 1. What is HIV? 7 1.2. 2. HIV: epidemiology, treatment and related diseases . 8 1.3. The Kidney . 10 1.3. 1. HIV and the Kidney . 10 1.3. 2. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) . 11 1.4. Telomere, Telomerase and Disease . 16 1.4. 1. Telomeres and telomerase . 17 1.4. 2. The telomerase enzyme . 21 1.5. Genome-wide Association Studies (GWAS) on telomere-associated genes . 25 1.5. 1. Variation within the hTERT gene . 26 Justification . 31 1.6. Aims and Objectives . 32 1.6. 1. Aims . 32
Small-scale E-Region Irregularities in High-Latitude Plasma

Turbulence is pervasive in natural fluids. This includes rivers, the atmosphere, and the ionosphere, i.e., the plasma above 100 km altitude in the upper atmosphere. This thesis investigates ionospheric turbulence at altitudes between 100 and 120 km. In that region turbulence is triggered by Hall currents introduced by the fact that, given the presence of the geomagnetic field, ions and electrons respond very differently to electric fields of the kind that are found in the auroral regions. The turbulent properties of this region have been rather well characterized through numerous rocket flights and with ground-based radars observations. Turbulence in this case leads to the creation of large amplitude plasma density structures. This thesis focuses on the fact that the structures have been found over the years to move at velocities that are far slower than expected from the notion that they are driven by the electron motion and should therefore be moving at close to the so-called E×B drift introduced by the presence of electric fields. Based on fluid theory, this thesis offers an explanation for the slower motion making the point that it has to be due to electric field inside the density structures becoming increasingly small as their amplitude grows through the so-called Farley-Buneman instability mechanism. The electric field changes until the structures are moving so slowly that they can no longer grow in amplitude. Prior to getting into the new theory this thesis presents the context for the work. It starts with a discussion of plasmas, and more specifically ionospheric plasmas. It then goes over some of the salient properties observed by rocket instruments and ground-based radars. It then reviews how Hall currents create an unstable situation that leads to the growth of density structures. This is followed by a review of a subset of nonlinear theories that have attempted to explain the observations through nonlinear particle fluxes. The evolution in the theoretical thinking on this topic has lead to the development of the new theory presented in Chapter 5 of this thesis. The main highlights of the theory are that it offers an explanation for the decrease of the electric field inside structures on the basis of a notion of anomalous diffusion that had later evolved into the evolution of substructures that were described
Comparing the Politicisation of EU Integration during the Euro and Schengen Crises

Although European integration has become an increasingly salient and controversial topic in domestic politics, the consequences of this politicisation of the European Union for the integration process have not received adequate scholarly attention. To fill this lacuna, this article devises five hypotheses on the effects of politicisation for the integration process, which are subsequently tested against the evidence of the Euro and Schengen crises. Both crises had comparable origins, but the Euro crisis caused substantial deepening of integration, while the Schengen crisis has not engendered any meaningful reforming steps. The empirical analysis finds that politicisation assumed different forms across the two crises, which is shown to be one causal factor that explains the variation in crises outcomes. The article thereby contributes to a multifaceted understanding of the politicisation of international institutions, EU integration theory and the dynamics of the Euro and Refugee crises.
Overall survival in patients with advanced melanoma (MEL) who discontinued treatment with nivolumab (NIVO) plus ipilimumab (IPI) due to toxicity in a phase II trial (CheckMate 069).

9518Background: Results from CheckMate 069 demonstrated a significant improvement in objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) with NIVO+IPI vs IPI alone in treatment-naive patients (pts) with BRAF wild-type MEL (N Engl J Med 2015;372:2006). We evaluated overall survival (OS) in pts who discontinued treatment due to toxicity in this study. Methods: Pts (N = 142) were randomized 2:1 to receive NIVO 1 mg/kg plus IPI 3 mg/kg or IPI 3 mg/kg plus placebo every 3 weeks x 4 doses, followed by NIVO 3 mg/kg or placebo, respectively, every 2 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was ORR in pts with BRAF wild-type tumors. Secondary and exploratory endpoints included PFS and OS. A post-hoc analysis was performed to evaluate OS in pts who discontinued treatment due to toxicity. Results: At a follow-up of ≥18 months, median OS in pts who discontinued treatment was not reached with NIVO+IPI and was 11.2 months for IPI alone (Table). Similar 18-month OS rat.
Mammography Exemplars in online News Commentary: Prevalence of Exemplars, Effects on Risk Perceptions and Mammography Intentions, and Mechanisms of Action

Multiple prior studies have examined the nature of news coverage of mammography but have neglected comments generated by readers. However, comments on online news stories have been shown to affect readers’ beliefs and behaviors. Understanding the potential effects of user-generated comments and comments with exemplars, in particular, is necessary to fully understand the effects of online mammography news on media consumers. Study 1 describes the prevalence, content, and representativeness of mammography exemplars in comments on online news about mammography using a content analysis of mammography news articles (n = 71) and comments (n = 5,858) appearing on The New York Times website from November 2009 to December 2014. Study 2 tests the effects of comments on risk perceptions and mammography intentions and mechanisms of these effects using a randomized online experiment with a sample of U.S. women between the ages of 38 and 48. Of comments on news articles about mammography, 31% included a mammography exemplar. Of those, 41% included a mammogram-detected breast cancer exemplar and 19% included a false-positive mammogram exemplar. Additionally, articles with mammography exemplars were more likely to have comments that included mammography exemplars. In Study 2, when compared to comments without exemplars, comments with exemplars did not produce effects on mammography intentions or risk perceptions. Compared to comments about false positives, comments about mammogram-detected breast cancer led to higher intentions to have a mammogram in the next two years, lower intentions to wait until age 50 to have a mammogram, and higher breast cancer risk perceptions. Effects were moderated by participant education level, family history of breast cancer, history of prior mammography, and time spent reading the experimental manipulation. Some effects on mammography intentions were mediated by changes in attitude toward waiting until age 50 to have a mammogram. This study adds to evidence suggesting that comments appearing with news articles have effects on readers. Those who share content online and allow user-generated comments should consider potential effects before allowing comments to be posted. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Communication This dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn. edu/edissertations/1997 First Advisor Joseph N. Cappella
Purification of Ethanol Produced by al Mosul State Company for Sugar Production Using Carbon Nano Tubes

Ethanol produced by AL Mosul state Company usually used for industrial uses contains impurities such as methanol and formaldehyde. In order to remove these impurities, functionalized MWCNTs were used as an adsorbent in batch process. In the present work, multi wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared by catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) method, using tubular furnace in which thermal decomposition of acetylene gas has been done under 700 C° for 1 hour in quartz tube using argon as carrier and inert gas. Purification of carbon nanotubes from impurities of amorphous carbon and metal catalyst has been done by using ultrasonic path in the presence of 6M HCl. Functionalization of MWCNTs has been obtained by chemical treatment with a high concentration (69% - 72%) nitric acid under total reflux. MWCNTs were characterized by using a different technique. The result of SEM showed a well-defined CNTs with 75nm in diameter and several μm in length, this result was confirmed by XRD analyses in which two peaks were observed for MWCNTs at (2θ) 26.1° and (2θ) 42.9° which represent the hexagonal structure of MWCNTs. BET technique showed that carbon nanotubes have a specific surface area of 175m²/g and with pore volume of about 0. 91cm³/g. Fourier Transfer Infrared Spectra (FTIR) was used to detect functional group, peak at 3429.34 cm¹ characterized hydroxyl group and peak at 3394.72 cm ¹ characterized carboxyl group. In batch adsorption process experiments, the effect of MWCNTs dosage of (50, 100 and 150) mg/L, pH (3-12) with initial concentration of (10, 20 and 30) ppm for methanol and (20, 40 and 60) ppm for formaldehyde and contact time (5-35) min have been studied. The maximum removal efficiency was obtained under the following conditions (pH=5, and concentration=10, 20 for methanol and formaldehyde respectively). Adsorption isotherms were fitted with the Langmuir and Freundlich models. The equilibrium data were best represented by the Langmuir isotherm model with higher correlation coefficient R2 value of (0.9321, 0.9987) for formaldehyde and methanol respectively.
Decreased cardiorespiratory fitness and slow gait speed in Thai patients after open cardiac surgery: a preliminary prospective observational study

Introduction. The study purpose was to investigate the pulmonary function test, respiratory muscle (RM) strength, functional capacity, and gait speed in Thai patients submitted to open heart surgery. Methods. A prospective observational cohort study was designed with 48 patients who underwent open heart surgery, aged 35–70 years, both males and females. The average duration of follow-up after cardiac surgery was 16.15 ± 4.97 days. Spirometry, RM strength, 6-minute walk test, and 5-meter walk test were performed. ANoVAs were used to compare whether these parameters significantly changed in the preoperative, prior to discharge, and follow-up periods. Results. overall, 26 female and 22 male patients participated in the initial and follow-up study; the average age was 55.46 ± 10.35 years. There was a significant decrease in lung function (%predicted forced vital capacity [FVC] and %predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]), RM strength (maximal inspiratory pressure [MiP] and maximal expiratory pressure [MEP]), functional capacity, and gait speed compared with preoperative values. Before discharge from hospital, the mean %predicted FVC was dramatically decreased to –22.87 ± 14.93 and %predicted FEV1 was –22.10 ± 15.59 compared with the preoperative period (p < 0.05). Furthermore, mean MiP dropped to –24.75 ± 17.08 cm H2o and MEP to –20.96 ± 15.79 cm H2o. These values did not fully recover after discharge from hospital (p < 0.001). Conclusions. decreased lung function, RM, functional capacity, and gait speed were observed during hospitalization and follow-up time.
Density Profiles of 51 Galaxies from Parameter-Free Inverse Models of Their Measured Rotation Curves

Spiral galaxies and their rotation curves have key characteristics of differentially spinning objects. Oblate spheroid shapes are a consequence of spin and reasonably describe galaxies, indicating that their matter is distributed in gravitationally interacting homeoidal shells. Here, previously published equations describing differentially spinning oblate spheroids with radially varying density are applied to 51 galaxies, mostly spirals. A constant volumetric density (ρ, kg m−3) is assumed for each thin homeoid in these formulae, after Newton, which is consistent with RCs being reported simply as a function of equatorial radius r. We construct parameter-free inverse models that uniquely specify mass inside any given r, and thus directly constrain ρ vs. r solely from velocity v (r) and galactic aspect ratios (assumed as 1:10 for spirals when data are unavailable). Except for their innermost zones, ρ is proven to be closely proportional to rn, where the statistical average of n for all 36 spirals studied is −1.80 ± 0.40. Our values for interior densities compare closely with independently measured baryon density in appropriate astronomical environments: for example, calculated ρ at galactic edges agrees with independently estimated ρ of intergalactic media (IGM). Our finding that central densities increase with galaxy size is consistent with behavior exhibited by diverse self-gravitating entities. Our calculated mass distributions are consistent with visible luminosity and require no non-baryonic component.