Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Battery Electric Buses or Fuel Cell Electric Buses? A Decarbonization Case Study in the City of Brescia, Italy

Nowadays, designing and adopting sustainable and greener transport systems is of upmost interest. The European Commission and different EU countries are developing plans and programs—but also delivering resources—aimed at the decarbonization of cities and transport by 2030. In this paper, the case study of the city of Brescia, a city of about 200,000 inhabitants located in northern Italy, is addressed. Specifically, a preliminary operational and financial feasibility study is performed assuming the replacement of the entire compressed natural gas (CNG) powered bus fleet of a specific line; the two alternatives considered are battery electric buses (BEBs) and fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs). For the comparison and evaluation of the two alternatives, specific economic parameters of the three alternatives (BEB, FCEB and the current solution CNGB) were considered: CAPEX (CAPital EXpenditure) and OPEX (OPerational EXpenditure). This allowed us to determine the TCO (total cost of ownership) and TCRO (total cost and revenues of ownership) along three annuities (2022, 2025 and 2030). For the BEB alternative, the TCO and TCRO values are between EUR 0.58/km and EUR 0.91/km. In the case of the FCEB solution, the values of TCO and TCRO are between EUR 1.75/km and EUR 2.15/km. Considering the current CNGB solution, the TCO and TCRO values range between EUR 1.43/km and EUR 1.51/km.
Individual and collective moral disengagement as predictors of bullying perpetration: a short-term longitudinal multilevel study

Abstract This study examined whether individual and collective moral disengagement (MD) in seventh grade were associated with bullying perpetration across seventh and eighth grade, and whether changes in individual and collective MD from seventh to eighth grade were associated with concomitant changes in individual-level bullying perpetration. In this short-term longitudinal study, 1232 students from 96 lower secondary classrooms answered a web-based questionnaire on tablets during school, once in seventh grade and once in eighth grade. According to the findings, and in line with the study’s hypotheses, students who scored higher in individual MD in seventh grade and students who belonged to classrooms with higher levels of collective MD in seventh grade were more inclined to engage in bullying perpetration across seventh and eighth grade. In addition, students who increased in individual MD or belonged to classrooms that increased in collective MD from seventh to eighth grade reported increased levels of bullying perpetration. In contrast, students who decreased in individual MD and who belonged to classrooms that decreased in collective MD declined in their levels of bullying perpetration from seventh to eighth grade.
Mollusks (Gastropoda, Bivalvia) from Miocene cold-seep deposits in northern Italy: revisions and additions

Here, we report on 33 molluscan species from Miocene ’Calcari a Lucina’ hydrocarbon-seep deposits in northern Italy. Three new species are described: the chilodontaid gastropod Putzeysia diversii sp. nov., the lucinid bivalve Miltha (sensu lato) romaniae sp. nov., and Sisonia ultimoi sp. nov., a heterodont bivalve of uncertain taxonomic affinity. Fourteen species are described in open nomenclature. The common but enigmatic gastropod species Phasianema taurocrassa is here suggested to belong to the seguenzioid genus Cataegis. Most gastropod species are inhabitants of the deep-sea floor in general, and are not restricted (obligate) to sites of hydrocarbon-seepage. The gastropod Putzeysia diversii sp. nov. and the bivalve Sisonia ultimoi sp. nov. are the geologically oldest members of their genera known to date. While the genus Putzeysia is geographically restricted to the NE Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, Sisonia ultimoi sp. nov. represents another link of the Miocene Mediterranean seep fauna to that of the central Indo-West Pacific Ocean.
TAPHONOMIC CLOCK AND BATHYMETRIC DEPENDENCE OF CEPHALOPOD PRESERVATION IN BATHYAL, SEDIMENT-STARVED ENVIRONMENTS

Abstract: The dependence of skeletal alteration on time spent in the taphonomic active zone (TAZ) can generate a taphonomic clock, which can be used to quantify scales of time averaging and rates of skeletal production and recycling in the fossil record. However, the strength of the taphonomic clock is variable in present-day shallow marine environments and it is unclear how this strength varies with depth. Here, we assess the strength of the taphonomic clock in Nautilus macromphalus dead shells that were collected in cool-water, sediment-starved, epi- and mesobathyal environments off New Caledonia and range in postmortem age from few decades to several millennia. We find that, first, differences in the onset and extent of alteration states in the epibathyal zone (< 750 m) segregate well-preserved shells with red stripes (less than ∼ 200 years) from encrusted shells with faded colors and extensively bored by sponges (∼ 400 years), and from strongly fragmented, bored, and coated shell relicts (> 1,000 years). The onset of dissolution and formation of clay-goethitic coating occurs earlier (∼ 200 years) in the mesobathyal zone (> 750 m) than in the epibathyal zone. Clay-goethitic rims and boring infills show signs of microbial binding, pelletization, and coccolith dissolution and can represent nascent stages of glauconitization. Second, shells several centuries old show differences between right and left flanks (1) in the degree of encrustation and sponge bioerosion in the epibathyal zone and (2) in the extent of clay-goethitic coating in the mesobathyal zone. The upper flanks are ultimately removed in both depth zones, leaving relict half-shells that are millennia old. Third, the depth dependence of alteration can reflect a bathymetric decline in disintegration rates by heterotrophic borers due to a reduced productivity in the mesobathyal zone and an increase in dissolution rates due to the proximity of the aragonite compensation depth. The between-flank asymmetry in preservation implies (1) horizontal position of shells close to the sediment-water interface for several decades or centuries without being overturned or subjected to reworking and (2) shell exposure to two distinct taphonomic regimes separated by few centimeters, with the upper flank located in the TAZ and the lower flank facing a less aggressive sediment zone. The stable exposure of shells in the taphonomic active zone and slow alteration rates in bathyal environments allow discriminating between within-habitat time-averaged assemblages on one hand and environmentally or stratigraphically condensed assemblages on the other hand.
Revisiting minority stress theory to understand psychological distress among Czech sexual minorities

Minority stress theory explains psychological vulnerability in sexual minorities; however, data is scarce in the Central and Eastern European region. Combining the minority stress model with the Psychological Mediation Framework, we tested a theoretically developed path model. Participants were 1452 (Mage = 24.9 years) Czech sexual-minority individuals (38.7% gay, 27.1% lesbian, 18.7% bisexual women). The model explained 55.5% of the variance of psychological distress in the overall sample, representing a total effect of 9.75% (p < .001) increase in measurement units by the modeled associations. Within the subsamples, the associations were similar between harassment and rejection, stigma awareness, and rejection sensitivity, as well as emotional dysregulation, rumination, and psychological distress. However, internalized homonegativity was a stronger factor of psychological well-being in gay men and lesbian women than in bisexual women. Bisexual women may have experienced less social support and more emotional dysregulation due to more concealment and rejection sensitivity, respectively. While we confirmed that the minority stress model applies to the Czech context and explained well psychological distress in sexual minorities, our data highlights notable differences between bisexual women who reported highest rates of distress compared to gay men and lesbian women.
INVESTIGATING ONLINE EFL ASSESSMENT CHALLENGES: TEACHERS' PERCEPTIONS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN SAUDI ARABIA

: The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes and challenges in language teaching and learning in almost every country worldwide. Many countries have effectively embraced various online teaching platforms for language teaching tasks. However, one challenging aspect of online teaching for many teachers is the online assessment task. This study examines teachers' perceptions of online EFL assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. A survey research design is adopted for the study. To this end, quantitative data were collected using a closed- and-open-ended questionnaire. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that teachers exhibited positive perceptions towards online assessment because it is easy to be administered and marked. It also saves teachers’ time and effort and provides instant feedback for students, allowing them to improve their performance. Moreover, teachers positively perceived online formative assessments because they allow students to develop their learning skills. Furthermore, the study's findings posed some challenges faced by teachers while giving online EFL assessments. It is challenging to ascertain its credibility as several technical factors affect the smooth evaluation process. Therefore, some recommendations are forwarded for further studies and practitioners.
Variety-driven rhizosphere microbiome bestows differential salt tolerance to alfalfa for coping with salinity stress

Soil salinization is a global environmental issue and a significant abiotic stress that threatens crop production. Root-associated rhizosphere microbiota play a pivotal role in enhancing plant tolerance to abiotic stresses. However, limited information is available concerning the specific variations in rhizosphere microbiota driven by different plant genotypes (varieties) in response to varying levels of salinity stress. In this study, we compared the growth performance of three alfalfa varieties with varying salt tolerance levels in soils with different degrees of salinization. High-throughput 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing were employed to analyze the rhizosphere microbial communities. Undoubtedly, the increasing salinity significantly inhibited alfalfa growth and reduced rhizosphere microbial diversity. However, intriguingly, salt-tolerant varieties exhibited relatively lower susceptibility to salinity, maintaining more stable rhizosphere bacterial community structure, whereas the reverse was observed for salt-sensitive varieties. Bacillus emerged as the dominant species in alfalfa's adaptation to salinity stress, constituting 21.20% of the shared bacterial genera among the three varieties. The higher abundance of Bacillus, Ensifer, and Pseudomonas in the rhizosphere of salt-tolerant alfalfa varieties is crucial in determining their elevated salt tolerance. As salinity levels increased, salt-sensitive varieties gradually accumulated a substantial population of pathogenic fungi, such as Fusarium and Rhizoctonia. Furthermore, rhizosphere bacteria of salt-tolerant varieties exhibited increased activity in various metabolic pathways, including biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, carbon metabolism, and biosynthesis of amino acids. It is suggested that salt-tolerant alfalfa varieties can provide more carbon sources to the rhizosphere, enriching more effective plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) such as Pseudomonas to mitigate salinity stress. In conclusion, our results highlight the variety-mediated enrichment of rhizosphere microbiota in response to salinity stress, confirming that the high-abundance enrichment of specific dominant rhizosphere microbes and their vital roles play a significant role in conferring high salt adaptability to these varieties.
A Review on Mutual Coupling Reduction Techniques in mmWaves Structures and Massive MIMO Arrays

In the most recent years multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas have been widely implemented to take advantage of the opportunity in controlling their radiation pattern and/or polarization in overcoming modern telecommunication systems issues. High levels of mutual coupling can lead to great degradation of an antenna’s performance and as such, the study of solutions to minimize its impact was encouraged. This paper provides a literature review of the mutual coupling analysis and its possible mitigation techniques in various systems including massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems and mmWaves antennas. Besides going through the main decoupling techniques, this letter compares the different achievements with the respective approaches, and it even allows the understanding of the main advantages and downsides of each one of the techniques studied.
Pragmatic Reasons for Non-Clause-Initial Placement of Subjects of Active and Passive Clauses in Northern Mansi

This article discusses the linear placement of the syntactic function of subject in Northern Mansi, concentrating on the less frequent non-clause-initial placement, and differences between the nature of subject in active (SA) and passive (SP) clauses. The study is realized as a template analysis. The main aim of this study is to elaborate and expand on my previous template analysis on Northern Mansi constituent order (Virtanen 2021), regarding the subjects of both active and passive clauses. The data used in the study are gathered from Лӯимā с º å рипос [L ū im ā S ē ripos], the only up-to-date Mansi newspaper. The most remarkable result of this study is that the majority of the non-clause-initial subjects are pragmatically focal, which affects the linear placement of the subject. This finding does not overrule the earlier findings concerning the correlation between primary topic and subjects, but it refines the whole picture.
Vegetation communities and their relationship with the pulse regime on islands of the Middle Paraná River, Argentina

Vegetation associated to the Parana River is subject to conditions imposed by the pulse regime. This study aimed to evaluate the pulse regime influence on the vegetation of the Parana River islands. Using multivariate techniques for classification and ordination, six communities were identified and described: willow forests of marginal levees, riverine forest of internal levees, floating meadows, floating rooted plants, a tall grass herbaceous community and a marshy community. The forests were the most diverse and the richest communities while the floating meadows and the marshy community were less rich and diverse. Our results indicate that duration and recurrence of floods are important variables in determining the characteristics of the vegetation. However, forests with a similar flood recurrence and duration showed important differences in physiognomy, structure and floristic composition. The differences between the forests could be explained by the connectivity degree, geomorphological dynamics and succession time.
Analysis of Two Selected Solar Events in 2011 and 2015 With Mars Express Radio Occultation Data

The temporal behavior of the Martian ionosphere is highly variable due to various dynamic processes including space weather events. Here, we study the effect of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) on the Martian ionosphere for two selected solar events in 2011 and 2015, using the publicly available Mars EXpress (MEX) radio occultation (RO) data (MaRS). We developed a data processing software that converts the calibrated Radio Occultation (RO) Doppler data to scientifically valuable atmospheric profiles. Using this software and previously unexplored MaRS observations, the variations in ionospheric parameters (electron density profiles and total electron content (TEC)) are calculated in order to evaluate the ionospheric changes due to solar flares and CMEs. The RO measurements mostly available 1–4 days apart from the peak events, showed no evident change in the TEC nor in the shape of electron density profiles except for a possible gradual decrease in altitude of M2 (main layer) peak density following the arrival of CMEs. To better quantify the effect of solar events on electron density profiles, RO observations near the time of arrival of solar flares and CMEs are crucial. This can be achieved by frequent RO measurements by various Mars orbiters including spacecraft‐to‐spacecraft measurements assisted by multi‐instrument monitoring of the ionosphere.
Political and programmatic decentralization in India's health sector : insights from Karnataka

: While India has made progress in achieving important health sector goals, there is still a long way to go. The Government of India has adopted decentralization or devolution with the objective of promoting greater equity and supporting people-centred, responsive health systems. We report on a study that problematizes the idea of strengthening health sector governance through decentralization and that explores the intersection of the political goal of enhanced local-level autonomy and the programmatic goal of more responsive health service delivery. The study examines the extent to which both political and programmatic decentralization are functional at the village level; looks at the design and objectives of decentralization at the village level; and considers whether sustained and supportive capacity building can create the necessary conditions for more genuine de facto decentralization and empowerment of village-level functionaries. Our methodology included semi-structured interviews with village-level functionaries in two districts of Karnataka, based on which we designed an Action Research to strengthen coordination and synergy between the functionaries responsible for political and programmatic decentralization. We found that both political and programmatic decentralization at the village level are at risk due to a lack of convergence between the political and programmatic arms of the government. This is substantially due to problems inherent in the design of the decentralization mechanism at the district level and below. Sustained capacity building can contribute to the more effective application of decentralization mechanisms, but systemic issues regarding the decentralization mechanisms need to be addressed alongside. We were also able to identify some spaces where coordination between village-level functionaries is possible, and the steps that need to be taken to build on this potential.
Pediatric Atypical Melanocytic Proliferations: Single-Site Retrospective Cohort Assessment of Treatment and Long-Term Follow-Up

Simple Summary Pediatric skin lesions of melanocytes are understudied, with limited data regarding long-term survival and treatment methods. Melanocytes are cells that produce melanin and cause pigmentation in the skin. The authors sought to add to the literature by looking at all cases of atypical melanocytic proliferations that were seen at our institution over a twenty-year period; there were 166 such cases. With these data, we compared the findings, such as follow-up time, location of disease, and treatment method, to other studies on childhood atypical lesions of melanocytes. Our findings were similar to prior studies in terms of location of primary disease and overall high survival rate. There were exceptions in positive lymph node rate for pediatric melanoma, a lower excision rate for atypical Spitz tumors, and a patient who died from atypical Spitz melanoma. Abstract Atypical and malignant cutaneous tumors are understudied in the pediatric population, with limited data on long-term follow-up. This study examines pediatric (0–18 years) atypical melanocytic proliferations over a twenty-year period (January 2002–December2022) using the EPIC SlicerDicer at our institution. Over a twenty-year period, there were 55 cases of pediatric melanoma (53 patients). The median follow-up time was 8 years, 11 months. A proportion of 96% were treated with wide local excision (WLE), and 47% had a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) (35% positive rate). There were 101 atypical Spitz tumor cases (85% atypical Spitz tumors, 15% Spitz melanoma), with a median follow-up duration of 9 years. A proportion of 77% were treated with WLE (with one patient dying of metastatic disease). There were 10 cases of atypical melanocytic proliferations not otherwise specified, including 5 pigmented epithelioid melanocytomas (PEM), 4 deep-penetrating nevi, and 1 atypical cellular blue nevus. This study adds to the growing body of knowledge on pediatric atypical cutaneous melanocytic proliferations, aligning with many described characteristics such as disease location and overall survival rates, with distinct exceptions (higher melanoma positive SLNB rate, lower atypical Spitz tumor WLE rate, and a case of fatal metastatic atypical Spitz tumor).
Field estimates of groundwater circulation depths in two mountainous watersheds in the western U.S. and the effect of deep circulation on solute concentrations in streamflow

Estimates of groundwater circulation depths based on field data are lacking. These data are critical to inform and refine hydrogeologic models of mountainous watersheds, and to quantify depth and time dependencies of weathering processes in watersheds. Here we test two competing hypotheses on the role of geology and geologic setting in deep groundwater circulation and the role of deep groundwater in the geochemical evolution of streams and springs. We test these hypotheses in two mountainous watersheds that have distinctly different geologic settings (one crystalline, metamorphic bedrock and the other volcanic bedrock). Estimated circulation depths for springs in both watersheds range from 0.6 to 1.6 km and may be as great as 2.5 km. These estimated groundwater circulation depths are much deeper than commonly modeled depths suggesting that we may be forcing groundwater flow paths too shallow in models. In addition, the spatial relationships of groundwater circulation depths are different between the two watersheds. Groundwater circulation depths in the crystalline bedrock watershed increase with decreasing elevation indicative of topography‐driven groundwater flow. This relationship is not present in the volcanic bedrock watershed suggesting that both the source of fracturing (tectonic versus volcanic) and increased primary porosity in the volcanic bedrock play a role in deep groundwater circulation. The results from the crystalline bedrock watershed also indicate that relatively deep groundwater circulation can occur at local scales in headwater drainages less than 9.0 km2 and at larger fractions than commonly perceived. Deep groundwater is a primary control on streamflow processes and solute concentrations in both watersheds.
Convergence of accounting standards in the South Pacific Island nations: the case of Fiji

A variable effort automotive power steering gear including an input or stub shaft, an output shaft or pinion head, a torsion bar between the stub shaft and pinion head defining an open-center position of one relative to the other, and detent reaction apparatus between the stub shaft and pinion head. The detent reaction apparatus includes a radial socket in a cylindrical wall of the pinion head, a detent groove in a stem of the stub shaft in the cylindrical wall, an insert rotatably supported in the radial socket with an eccentric bore offset from the centerline of the radial socket, and a detent element slidably supported in the eccentric bore in the insert and having a spherical end adapted to seat in the detent groove. The spherical end of the detent element is centered in the detent groove by rotating the insert until the detent element is at an innermost radial position. The adjusted position of the insert is captured by an in-situ injection molded plastic retainer on the pinion head which engages an exposed cavity on the insert.