Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Brief Review: Application of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate in Asphalt Pavement Reinforcement

Plastic is considered one of the most significant industrial inventions of this era due to its excellent properties, which lend well to many manufacturing applications. These days, there are tons of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) waste products that are generated around the world. This waste presents a real environmental hazard because PET is not biodegradable. This paper delineates the physical and chemical properties of PET to justify its use as an additive and aggregate replacement in the manufacture of asphalt mixtures. Furthermore, discusses details of PET-modified asphalt mixture by a dry and wet process with sufficient information to better understand the mixture. Several critical matters are investigated, such as asphalt modification to increase resistance to fatigue, rutting deformation, and moisture sensitivity. These results are important for determining the factors that significantly improve pavement mixture characteristics. The findings show that the addition of PET to asphalt mixtures yielded very promising results. PET enhanced the mechanical properties, the durability, and the long-term sustainability of the pavement. Finally, using PET waste as an additive in asphalt mixtures could serve as an environmentally friendly method to dispose of PET waste while simultaneously producing high-quality pavements.
Cranberry dosed extract: an effective therapy for recurrent Escherichia coli cystitis in elderly patients. The GerHogar Cysticlean® study

Introduction: Cystitis is the most prevalent urinary tract infection (UTI), and antibiotics are its conventional therapy. However, the prevalence rate of antibiotic resistance to uropathogens is significantly increased. Cranberry treatment has been associated with the inhibition of Escherichia coli (Ec) adherence to uroepithelial cells due to the anti-adhesive property related to its proanthocyanidins content, and cysticlean® (CYS) is a cranberry extract which contains 240 mg PACs per capsule. Since elderly people is one of the populations mostly exposed to cystitis and bacteria antibiotic resistance, it was decided to originally study the efficacy and safety of CYS, to treat cystitis instead of antibiotic, in elderly individuals. Material & Methods: Two groups were studied: Group 1 (G1): first cystitis episode was recorded within the last 3 months before the study initiation. Group 2 (G2): frequent cystitis recurrent episodes (1-2/month or more) within the last 3 months before the study initiation. G1 patients were treated with 1 capsule of CYS every 12 h for 1 month, while G2 patients were treated up to 12 months. Comparative evaluation was performed using Student test. Results: 160 elderly ambulatory and nursing home patients suffering from recurrent cystitis were treated with CYS. G1 and G2 had 38 and 122 subjects, respectively. Cranberry-based cystitis treatment was successful in 81.57% and 81.96% in G1 and G2 patients, respectively. Conclusion: CYS showed to be an effective alternative therapy to antibiotics to treat cystitis recurrences caused by Ec. Neither side effects nor adverse reactions have been reported.
High-Order Harmonics Generation in Atomic and Molecular Zinc Plasmas

We demonstrate the variations of single harmonic resonance enhancement during high-order harmonics generation in zinc-containing atomic and molecular species at the conditions of single-color and two-color pumps of laser-induced plasmas by applying different laser sources. We show how selenides of this metal notably modify the enhancement of single (9th, 15th or 16th) harmonic compared with purely atomic zinc plasmas. The variations of single harmonic enhancement are demonstrated using fixed (806 nm) and tunable (1280–1440 nm) radiation.
Evaluating acquisition, preference and discrimination in requesting skills between picture exchange and iPad®-based speech generating device across preschoolers

This study compared a picture exchange (PE) system and an iPad®-based speech generating device (SGD) when teaching requesting skills to preschoolers with developmental disabilities and limited functional speech. A multiple baseline design with counterbalancing the order of two instruction conditions across participants was applied to compare the acquisition rate, followed by a concurrent operant arrangement to examine participants’ preference for these two augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. Discrimination of two picture symbols presented via the priority AAC system was also probed using a concurrent operant arrangement. Results indicated that two of three participants required less sessions to reach mastery for the iPad®-based instruction condition. All participants showed a clear preference for the iPad®-based SGD and were able to discriminate between two picture symbols presented simultaneously on the iPad®-based SGD when making requests. This study highlights practice implications in terms of describing a systematic approach that could be employed when identifying a priority AAC system for learners with developmental disabilities and limited functional speech.
Empirical evaluation of utility of anti-frost layer in pavement structure considering regional climate characteristics

ABSTRACT Anti-frost layers in road pavement structures are widely applied to cold areas internationally. They mitigate cracks, potholes and roughness caused by the freeze–thaw phenomenon. Although the anti-frost layer design has been introduced to Korean road networks since the 1990s, its utility has not yet been empirically proven. This study attempts to evaluate the utility of the anti-frost layer with statistical methods using empirical data. As an analytical tool, the Bayesian Markov mixed hazard model for deterioration modelling and comparative analysis was introduced. In empirical studies, 8-year nation-wide network long-term pavement performance data (2316 sections) collected by the Korean Pavement Management System was applied. The analysis results signify that the anti-frost layer is good for prevention of cracks in network levels but is not enough for some cold areas with a freezing index of over 100. To secure the utility of anti-frost layers in the entire road network, it is necessary to revise the current Korean design standard.
Comparing the Upper Triassic Deep‐sea Flysch of the Shannan Terrane with the Coeval Shallow Shelf Sediments of the Tethys Himalaya, Southern Tibet

The provenance and paleogeography of the Upper Triassic deep‐sea flysch Langjiexue Group (LG) of the Shannan Terrane in the northeastern Himalaya orogen, south of Yarlung Zangbo, have been disputed in recent years since its affinity to the Tethys Himalaya was suspected during the early 2000s. Based on the earlier discoveries of the Upper Permian–Triassic basalts and mafic dykes from the LG and of coeval detrital zircons from the Qulonggongba Formation (QF) in shallow shelf sediments of the Tethys Himalaya, the previous viewpoints on the basin and tectonics of the LG have been recently rejected. We compared the two units of the Upper Triassic, and our results reveal a number of differences, discrepancies, and inconsistencies in the debate, raising crucial questions on the postulation and provenance model of the remote Gondwanide Orogen for the LG. It is suggested that more observations and evidence are needed to further improve the paleogeographic understanding and relationship of the two units.
A Wall‐Like Sharp Downward Branch of the Walker Circulation Above the Western Indian Ocean

In the zonal direction, the downward branch of the Walker circulation above the Indian Ocean is only 20° wide, whereas the Pacific counterpart is 90° wide. This zonal sharpness is notable because atmospheric disturbances smaller than the planetary scale can interact with the planetary‐scale Walker circulation through this branch. This zonal sharpness is also imprinted on a unique zonal discontinuity of the tropical rain belt above Northeast Africa. Therefore, we refer to this narrow downward branch as the “Wall,” investigate its climatology and interannual variability, and aim at determining its reason for existence. The strongest season of the lower tropospheric Wall in boreal summer is sustained by horizontal cold advection associated with the Asian Summer Monsoon, whereas another peak in boreal spring is explained by the seasonal migration of zonal winds. Two weak phases of the Wall correspond to two rainy seasons at the Eastern Horn of Africa, which are not reproduced well by the state‐of‐the‐art global climate models. Experiments using a convection‐permitting atmospheric model show that vertical mixing forced by mountain waves in East Africa is necessary for sustaining the Wall. After flattening the East African topography, zonal discontinuity of the tropical rain belt disappears. As for interannual variability, one standard deviation variability of vertical motions at the Wall is associated with one degree of sea surface temperature in the tropical Pacific, and the relationship is strongest in boreal autumn. Nevertheless, total variance is explained more by sea surface temperature in the tropical Indian Ocean.
Quantifying longevity and circularity of copper for different resource efficiency policies at the material and product levels

Resource efficiency strategies are emerging on policy agendas worldwide. Commonly, resource efficiency policies aim at decreasing losses at the waste management stage and, thus, diverge from public interest in more comprehensive resource efficiency measures that include a focus the earlier material life cycle stages. Just in recent years, improvements in the lifetimes of products and increased repair and reuse ability have become policy objectives in some countries. However, the effectiveness of policy measures is usually not assessed, even though it is crucial to support informed policy‐making and efficiently decrease the environmental impact of resource use. In this paper, we provide such an assessment for the copper cycle, the third most consumed metal with sharply increasing demand. Under current practices, in Western Europe and North America, 50% and 44% of the losses by 2050 occur at end‐of‐life collection, and only 2% of losses take place at the recovery stage; in Middle East and Africa for 19% and 54%, respectively. By 2050, most copper would be lost in China with a proportion of 58%. We evaluate the resource efficiency by quantifying the two key parameters, circularity and longevity, that is, how often and how long the material is in use in the anthroposphere. Our results show that the current global longevity of high‐grade copper is 47 ± 2.5 years, and a copper atom is used in 2.1 ± 0.1 applications on average. Ambitious political measures across the life cycle can increase longevity by 85% and circularity by 45%.
Influence of social capital in adopting climate change adaptation strategies: empirical evidence from rural areas of Ambo district in Ethiopia

ABSTRACT The impact of climate change is increasingly affecting the daily lives of poor farmer households. An understanding of the social dimension profoundly shapes the way in which policy-makers develop adaptation policies. This paper investigates the influence of components of social capital on the adoption of climate change adaptation strategies using data from rural households in Ethiopia. First, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on the dataset of components of social capital to construct composite indicators for measuring farmers’ social capital. Second, the logit model was employed to investigate the influence of components of social capital on adopting climate change adaptation strategies. The results suggest that institutional trust positively influences climate change adaptation decisions. On the contrary, bonding social capital negatively affects the adoption decision. The following implications are worthy of consideration for improving farmers’ adoption of adaptation strategies: improving the institutions’ communication and sharing of information with farmers and investing in programmes that build links across groups in communities and up to those in authority.
Do Narcissistic Managers Prefer Incentive Systems Based on Financial Instruments? An Analysis Based on Choice Experiments

The purpose of this work is to analyse the preferences of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) in relation to the different components of incentive systems: financial vs. non-financial. The incentive systems could be an instrument for the sustainable development of Firms. Upper Echelons Theory establishes that the traits of executives affect the decision-making processes, and among these traits, narcissism is a potentially influential factor in these processes. Therefore, the extent to which the level of narcissism influences the choice of one instrument or another is also analysed. For this purpose, a choice experiment has been carried out to analyse the preferences of CEOs. The questionnaire developed incorporates both the choices about different systems and the NPI-16 test that allows individuals to be classified according to their narcissistic nature. The main results show that, in general, there is a stronger preference for non-financial instruments than for financial instruments in the design of incentive systems. However, narcissistic CEOs show a clear inclination towards financial incentives that bring them benefits rather than provide incentives.
Effect of different power ratio mode of intermittent microwave convective drying on quality attributes of Kiwi fruit slices

Effect of the power ratio (PR) of microwave on product quality during intermittent microwave convective (IMWC) drying of kiwifruit slice was investigated in a laboratory-scale microwave convective dryer. This study investigates vitamin C, total polyphenol degradation and color changes during IMWC drying of kiwifruit slices. The nutritional quality of the dried samples showed that there was a significant difference between the fresh and IMWC dried samples and lower power ratios obtained better nutrient retention. Major correlation between pulse ratio and color degradation was also observed from this study where the color degradation of the dehydrated product increased with the decrease of microwave pulse ratio. The drying condition at PR 1/4 provided the best result since highest vitamin C retention and lowest color degradation obtained while the drying time was relatively short compared to convection drying. The lower PR might greatly maintain the dried food quality, the processing time will increase significantly, and the desired outcome might not be achievable due to lengthy exposure of food to drying environment. Even though higher PR greatly reduces the drying time, the quality of the products may degrade as a result of a severe thermal treatment. Therefore, the PR should be optimized to obtain the best quality food with shorter drying time.
A Resource Building Virtual Care Programme: improving symptoms and social functioning among female and male rural veterans

ABSTRACT Background: Veterans have higher rates of PTSD and depression compared to the general population and experience substantial functional impairment. Impairment in social functioning has been a significant concern among Veterans, particularly rural Veterans, who have limited access to mental health care and are at risk for social isolation. Objective: A mixed-method study was implemented to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of webSTAIR, a web-based skills training programme, paired with home-based telehealth sessions. It was hypothesized that the programme would lead not only to reductions in PTSD and depression but also to improvements in social functioning. Method: Participants were 80 trauma-exposed Veterans enrolled in rural-serving VHA facilities with clinically elevated symptoms of either PTSD or depression. The study directed substantial outreach efforts to rural women Veterans and those who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST). Results: Significant improvements were obtained with PTSD and depression symptoms as well as in social functioning, emotion regulation, and interpersonal problems at post-treatment and 3-month follow-up. Ratings of therapeutic alliance were high as were reports of overall satisfaction in the programme. There were no differences by gender or MST status in symptom outcomes or satisfaction. Conclusions: The results support the feasibility and effectiveness of this integrated telehealth web-based skills training programme for both male and female Veterans as well as for those with and without MST. The focus on resource building and improved functioning make this programme of particular interest. Further testing is warranted. HIGHLIGHTS An online skills intervention, webSTAIR, paired with home-based telehealth sessions delivered to rural Veterans was effective in improving not only symptoms of PTSD and depression but also social functioning, a critical part of trauma recovery.
Wage politics and feminist solidarity

Funding information Academy of Finland, Grant/Award Number: 326646 Abstract This article explores a case of feminist solidarity and wage politics—namely, a social movement claiming equal pay for early education teachers. In 2018, the Finnish media revealed that several municipalities in the Finnish capital area had secretly agreed not to compete with each other by paying higher wages for early education teachers even though there was a severe shortage of labor. The revelation resulted in public outrage and the rise of the No Play Money social movement that demanded higher wages for early education teachers. The driving force for the mobilization was feminist solidarity, which resulted in collective resistance toward gendered labor market practices and, ultimately, higher wages. For an institutionalized practice to change, the legitimacy of the practice must be convincingly questioned, and this requires actors who problematize previous ways of understanding the issue. This was achieved in the present case through wage politics; the politicization and contestation of mainstream conceptualizations of wage formation and appropriate wage levels for feminized work.
Emotional Intelligence, Psychological Well-Being, and Self-Control of Athletic and Non Athletic Postgraduates

The article presents differences in scores of components of emotional intelligence, psychological well-being, and self-control constructs’ in terms of gender, athletic, non-athletic postgraduates, and significant correlations between some components’ of the studied constructs. Only the scores of perception of emotion and using emotions were significantly higher for athletic than non-athletic. The article also presents models for predicting components’ values of psychological well-being.
Adjustment disorder, traumatic stress, depression and anxiety in Poland during an early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Background: The current COVID-19 pandemic is associated with a variety of stressors. Preliminary research has demonstrated that general public are experiencing a range of psychological problems, including stress-related disturbances. However, to date, there is not much research on the prevalence of adjustment disorder during the current pandemic. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of symptoms of adjustment disorder compared to posttraumatic symptoms, depression and generalized anxiety in a large sample of adult Poles, in the first phase of the current pandemic. Method: Self-report data from a web-based sample (N = 1,742) was collected between March 25 and April 27, just after the introduction of nationwide quarantine measures in Poland. Results: The current COVID-19 pandemic was a highly stressful event for 75% of participants and the strongest predictor of adjustment disorder. Increased symptoms of adjustment disorder were reported by 49%, and they were associated with female gender and not having a full-time job. However, after exclusion of co-occurring symptomatology, 14% of the sample were finally qualified as meeting diagnostic criteria of adjustment disorder. A substantial proportion of the sample screened also positive for generalized anxiety (44%) and depression (26%); the rate for presumptive PTSD diagnosis was 2.4%. Conclusions: High rates of negative mental health outcomes were found in the Polish population in the first weeks into the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures. They indicate the intense current stress-related symptoms in the early phase of the pandemic and warrant further monitoring on population’s mental health. HIGHLIGHTS • The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with a variety of stressors. • High rates of stress-related adjustment disorder and other emotional disorders were found in the first weeks into the lockdown measures. • Intense stress-related symptoms related to pandemic warrant further monitoring.
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Coupled with Multivariate Statistical Analysis to Identify the Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitors from Flesh of Salacca zalacca Fruits and Their Molecular Docking Studies

Fruit of salak (Salaaca zalacca) is traditionally used and commercialized as an antidiabetic agent. However, scientific evidence to prove this folk claim is quite lacking. Therefore, this research was aimed to evaluate the α-glucosidase inhibition activity of S. zalacca fruit and identify the bioactive compounds. The fruits were extracted by different ratios of ethanol and water (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100%, v/v) to get E0 (100% water), E20 (20% ethanol), E40 (40% ethanol), E60 (60% ethanol), E80 (80% ethanol), and E100 (100% ethanol) extracts. The extracts obtained were subjected to the α-glucosidase inhibitory assay. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry- (GC-MS-) based metabolomics approach was used in profiling the bioactive metabolites present in the extracts. Orthogonal partial least square (OPLS) was used to correlate GC-MS data and α-glucosidase assay results to identify the possible chemical markers. All active compounds identified were subjected to molecular docking. The extracts from the S. zalacca fruit showed potent inhibition activity against α-glucosidase. The IC50 values from the α-glucosidase inhibitory assay ranged between 16 and 275 µg/ml. Overall, E60 displayed significantly higher α-glucosidase inhibition activity, while E0 showed the lowest α-glucosidase inhibition activity. Major compounds detected in S. zalacca fruits were sugars, fatty acids, and sterols, including myo-inositol, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and β-sitosterol. Moreover, the results obtained from molecular docking indicated that palmitic acid and β-sitosterol were close to the active side of the enzyme. Some of the residues that interacted include HID295, ASN259, LEU313, LYS125, PHE159, VAL216, PHE178, TYR72, TYR158, HIE315, ARG315, and PHE303. The bioassay result strongly suggests that E60 extract from S. zalacca fruits has potential α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The hydrophobic compounds, including palmitic acid and β-sitosterol, were found to induce the α-glucosidase inhibition activity.