Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interactions between microorganisms and oxic-anoxic transitions

Hypoxia and anoxia are detrimental for most aerobic organisms. Oxygen consumption by microorganisms can facilitate the development of hypoxia and anoxia and, vice versa, microbial activity is also strongly affected by oxygen availability. To explore the interactions between microorganisms and oxic-anoxic transitions, this thesis investigates the dynamic changes in microbial community composition (especially of microorganisms involved in the sulfur and nitrogen cycle) in a seasonally stratified lake (Lake Vechten). Specifically, the following research questions have been addressed: 1. How do oxic-anoxic transitions affect bacterial community dynamics? 2. How are microbial and chemical feedbacks involved in oxic-anoxic transitions? 3. How do oxic-anoxic transitions affect the microbial sulfur and nitrogen cycle? In general, the bacterial community composition at different depths in the lake diverged when the bottom layers became anoxic during summer stratification and converged when the lake was mixed. Mathematical model and field observations show that gradual changes in oxygen influx can induce major oxic-anoxic regime shifts, associated with hysteresis loops and tipping points. The dynamics of various sulfur bacteria during oxic-anoxic transitions show that once ecosystems have become anoxic and sulfidic, a large oxygen influx is needed to bring the ecosystem back into the oxic state. Nitrogen microorganisms in the water column and sediment displayed a pronounced seasonal succession, which was closely linked to the oxic-anoxic transitions. In particular, our results show that microbial communities do not only track seasonal changes in environmental conditions, but also affect and modify the environment through their involvement in biogeochemical oxidation-reduction processes.
The Impact Of Ownership Structure And Board Characteristics On Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosed By Palestinian Companies

The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent and nature of Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure (CSRD) of the companies listed on the Palestine Exchange (PEX). The study is also set to examine the impact of ownership structure and board characteristics on the level of CSRD. Relevant data was collected from a sample of 44 companies' annual reports for the period from 2013 to 2017. CSRD is measured by constructing and applying a disclosure index, including 30 items of social responsibility information. It was found that a company discloses on average 43.7% of the items included in the index. A significant positive relationship was found between board independence, gender diversity, audit committee, firm size, auditor type and CSRD. In contrast, a significant negative relationship was found between board size, CEO duality and CSRD. This study is expected to contribute to the literature on accounting by providing an understanding of the relationship between ownership structure and board characteristics on one hand and CSRD on the other hand. It also provides evidence on the adequacy of board’s guidelines in the corporate governance practices in Palestine (Corporate Governance Code, 2009). The findings of this study should assist Palestinian regulators in revising and improving regulations and practices related to CG and CSR disclosure.
Tailored Degradation and Dye Release from Poly(ester amides)

ABSTRACT Poly(ester amides) based on L-valine and adipic acid with different aliphatic and aromatic diols were synthesized by interfacial polymerization. Four different diols such as ethylene glycol, 1,5-pentanediol, resorcinol, and catechol were used to systematically vary the chain lengths and position of the hydroxyl groups. The chemical structures, thermal properties, degradation, and dye release of these polymers were investigated. This study demonstrates that the release kinetics can be tailored through the control of the chain length of the diol and the position of the hydroxyl groups. These findings have important implications for designing biodegradable polymers for tailored release. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Risk factors, bacteriological profile and outcome of surgical site infections following orthopaedic surgery

Background and Objectives: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a challenge for the surgeon. Incidence of SSI reported in literature varies from 0.5% to 15%. Severity of SSI ranges from superficial skin infection to life-threatening condition like septicaemia. It is responsible for increased morbidity, mortality, and economic burden to the hospital in general, and the patient in particular. The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors, bacteriological profile, length of hospitalization, and cost due to orthopaedic SSI in patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective case control study. Cases were diagnosed based on CDC definition of nosocomial SSI. All cases were assessed preoperatively, intraoperatively and postoperatively, according to type of surgery, wound class, duration of operation, antimicrobial prophylaxis, use of drain, preoperative hospital stay, causative micro organism, total hospital stay, readmission rates and cost incurred. Age, sex and surgical procedure matched controls without SSI, were also assessed. Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were used for analysis. P= <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 1023 patients, 47 cases had SSI, with a rate of 4.6%. Cigarette smoking was a risk factor for SSI (P = 0.0035). The most common etiologic agents were Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus. Incidence of readmission among SSI cases was more compared to controls (P= 0.0001). Costs attributable to SSI (Indian Rupees) was Rs 32,542 (17,054 to 87,514) which was significantly more than those without SSI (P= <0.001). Conclusion: Despite latest surgical amenities, meticulous sterilization protocols and pre-operative antibiotic prophylaxis, SSI continues to be present in healthcare settings. The increase in duration of hospital stay due to SSI adds to additional burden to an already resource-constrained healthcare system.
Effect of General Anesthesia on Levels of Blood Sugar Values in Different Times of Operation

The present study was carried out on a period between December 2019 to February 2020 on 50 healthypatients, their ages ranged from eighteen to fifty years. They were 26 males and 24 females. These healthypatients were attending Baghdad Educational Hospital, Al-Harriri Hospital, and Al-Diwaniyah GeneralHospital in order to perform various surgeries. And after all tests are done. Then they were admitted to theoperating theater. In this study used the general anesthesia method. And they were given drugs of anesthesia,during each step; the values of blood sugar levels (Mg\dl) were measured. Such as pre induction, postinduction, after incision, after fluid, and recovery. To know the effect of general anesthesia method on bloodsugar levels in different times of operation on gender and age groups.This study showed that total numbers of patients were 50 including males about 26 (52.0%) and femalesabout 24(48.0%), their age of all individuals ranged from less than 20 years old (<20-29) which numberand percentage 22,44.0% to 50 years old 7 (14.0%). Also there are no significant difference was observedin the blood sugar levels changes (Mg\dl) in both males and females (gender) before and after the operationor surgery, also no found any differences between blood sugar levels changes (Mg\dl) at the age groups andthe general anesthesia method, after and before the operation in different times of surgery. So in this studysummarized the mean and stander deviation values according to the levels of blood sugar (Mg\dl) amongdifferent times of surgery, and then show the mean of pre induction period about 83.84, While mean ofvalues of blood sugar at post induction time at general anesthesia method about 104.94. Aims and Objectives: This study was investigated the influence of general anesthetic drugs that effect onthe blood sugar level changes of patients with surgery. This was done with the following objectives:• To administer general anesthesia by using a different combination of drugs. • To assess and compare the blood sugar level changes of the patients at different time intervals. • Complications, if any were observed and noted on patients at different time intervals.
General Awareness Regarding Face Masks to Combat Covid-19: A Comprehensive Review

The pandemic, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) due to SARS-COV-2 also called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, is directly related to bat SARS. Higher risk of spread can be caused due to prolonged exposure to a carrier person and shorter contacts with symptomatic individuals as briefer contacts with asymptomatic contacts are less inclined to transmission. The transmission can be either presymptomatic or asymptomatic. Wearing a face mask is becoming a requisite, in hospitals as well as community settings in this context as it can reduce the SARS Co-2 transmission rates. Masks has to be worn regularly and correctly to keep away from getting the virus. China recommended everyone to wear face masks and cloth masks to the ones less likely to spread or contract the infection when the current pandemic Covid-19 got outbursted. During this pandemic, when countries are facing shortage of resources, it is necessary to adopt and implement policies to ensure the balance of demand and supply to reduce the infection transmission rates. The irrational usage of surgical and the FFP masks by the general public has resulted into a shortage of their supply for the health care workers who need them the most, across the world. Awareness should be created among the public about the necessity of using face masks, selection of the mask, rational use in accordance with the situation, proper discarding of disposable masks, and other control measures that has to be kept in mind to prevent virus transmission. Face shields (Personal protective equipment-PPE) which are used by the healthcare providers in combination with face masks or respirators for eye protection, helps reduce transmission of the virus through respiratory droplets through the mucous membrane of the eyes offering a partial protection to the facial area.
P-Wave-Only Inversion of Challenging Walkaway VSP Data for Detailed Estimation of Local Anisotropy and Reservoir Parameters: A Case Study of Seismic Processing in Northern Poland

In this paper, we present a detailed analysis of walkaway vertical seismic profiling (VSP) data, which can be used to obtain Thomsen parameters using P-wave-only inversion. Data acquisition took place in difficult field conditions, which influenced the quality of the data. Therefore, this paper also shows a seismic data processing scheme that allows the estimation of correct polarization angles despite poor input data quality. Moreover, we showed that it is possible to obtain reliable and detailed values of Thomsen’s anisotropy parameters for data that are challenging due to extremely difficult field conditions during acquisition and the presence of an overburden of salt and anhydrite (Zechstein formation). This complex is known for its strong seismic signal-attenuating properties. We designed a special processing workflow with a signal-matching procedure that allows reliable estimation of polarization angles for low-quality data. Additionally, we showed that P-wave-only inversion for the estimation of local anisotropy parameters can be used as valuable additional input for detailed interpretation of geological media, even if anisotropy is relatively low.
Atypical Visual Motion-Prediction Abilities in Autism Spectrum Disorder

A recent theory posits that prediction deficits may underlie the core symptoms in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, empirical evidence for this hypothesis is minimal. Using a visual extrapolation task, we tested motion-prediction abilities in children and adolescents with and without ASD. We examined the factors known to be important for motion prediction: the central-tendency response bias and smooth-pursuit eye movements. In participants with ASD, response biases followed an atypical trajectory that was dominated by early responses. This differed from control participants, who exhibited response biases that reflected a gradual accumulation of knowledge about stimulus statistics. Moreover, although better smooth-pursuit eye movements for the moving object were linked to more accurate motion prediction in control participants, in participants with ASD, better smooth pursuit was counterintuitively linked to a more pronounced early-response bias. Together, these results demonstrate atypical visual prediction abilities in people with ASD and offer insights into possible mechanisms underlying the observed differences.
Does Non-controlling Large Shareholder Monitoring Improve CEO Incentives?

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the influence of non-controlling large shareholders (NLSs) on CEO pay-performance sensitivity (PPS), using over 2,000 Chinese firms. We find that NLSs’ equity ownership or Shapley value is positively related to CEO PPS, suggesting that cash-flow rights or real voting power of NLSs help align the interests between CEOs and shareholders. This positive impact is more prominent when the benefit of monitoring is larger. There is also preliminary evidence that different types of NLSs boost CEO incentives through different channels. Overall, our study helps understand the monitoring role of NLSs in emerging markets.
Completing the climate change adaptation planning cycle: monitoring and evaluation by local government in Australia

Local governments are at the forefront of climate change adaptation planning. Although there is significant research on adaptation planning processes, there is scant empirical evidence of how local governments are completing the adaptation planning cycle by monitoring or evaluating their efforts. This leads to a fundamental lack of understanding about what actions work, in which contexts, and why? This article explores the practice of monitoring and evaluation of adaptation by local government, drawing on data from a national survey of Australian local governments, enhanced by interviews with selected respondents. It finds that monitoring and evaluation of climate change adaptation is challenging for local governments. Monitoring efforts focus on tracking implementation of actions, and evaluation of adaptation plans and projects is rare. It argues that for effective adaptation planning and learning, greater attention needs to be paid to building evaluative capacity of local governments to complete the adaptation planning cycle.
Influence of Organic Manure and Lime on Cadmium Mobility in Soil and Uptake by Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

ABSTRACT Spinach grown in cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soils accumulates Cd compounds in toxic concentration contaminating the food chain leading to the chronic toxic effects on human and animal health. A study was conducted in a Cd-contaminated soil to examine the ameliorative effect of lime and organic manure on the mobility of Cd and its uptake in spinach. Application of lime or organic manure or both decreased the Cd concentration in soil and shoots and increased chlorophyll content of leaves. As compared to the control treatment, combined application of lime and organic manure decreased the level of Cd in soil by 54.7%, in spinach shoot by 61.3%, and the transfer factor of Cd by 35.0% and increased in leaf chlorophyll content by 29.4%. Combined application of lime and organic manure emerged as a viable option in reducing the mobility of Cd in contaminated soil for growing spinach.
Inspiratory flow patterns with dry powder inhalers of low and medium flow resistance in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Inhalation profiles to support use of dry powder inhalers for drug delivery in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension have not been reported. We aimed to evaluate the inspiratory flow pattern associated with low and medium flow resistance dry powder inhaler devices (RS01-L and RS01-M, respectively) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. This single-center study enrolled patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with connective tissue disease (n = 10) and idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (n = 10) to measure the following inhalation parameters: inspiratory effort (kPa), peak inspiratory flow rate (L/min), inhaled volume (L), and flow increase rate (L/s2) using the two devices. We identified a trend toward higher mean pulmonary artery pressure in the idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension group (50 ± 13 mmHg vs. 40 ± 11 mmHg in pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with connective tissue disease; p = 0.077). On average, peak inspiratory flow rate was higher with RS01-L vs. RS01-M (84 ± 19.7 L/min vs. 70.4 ± 13.2 L/min; p = 0.015). In the overall group, no differences between RS01-L and RS01-M were observed for inhaled volume, inspiratory effort, or flow increase rate. Inhaled volume with RS01-L was higher in pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with connective tissue disease vs. idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension patients: 1.6 ± 0.4 L vs. 1.3 ± 0.2 L; p = 0.042. For the RS01-L, inhaled volume correlated with forced expiratory volume in one second (r = 0.460, p = 0.030) and forced vital capacity (r = 0.507, p = 0.015). In patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with connective tissue disease using RS01-L, both inspiratory effort and flow increase rate were highly correlated with pulmonary vascular compliance (r = 0.903, p = 0.0001 and r = 0.906, p = 0.0001; respectively); while with RS01-M, inspiratory effort was highly correlated with pulmonary vascular compliance (r = 0.8, p = 0.001). Our data suggest that the use of RS01-L and RS01-M dry powder inhaler devices allowed adequate inspiratory flow in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients. The correlation between flow increase rate and pulmonary vascular compliance in pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with connective tissue disease deserves further investigation.
THERMODYNAMIC ASSESSMENT OF WATER DIESEL EMULSIFIED FUEL USAGE IN A SINGLE CYLINDER DIESEL ENGINE

ABSTRACT In this study, 5% (W5), 10% (W10), and 15% (W15) of water-diesel emulsified fuels have been prepared using surfactants and obtained emulsifications were experimentally tested in a single-cylinder diesel engine on maximum torque and maximum power area at full load condition. In this way, theoretical analyses have been performed in order to evaluate the energy potential of a diesel engine fueled with emulsified fuel. According to results, thermal efficiency raises up to 9.4% with water amount increment since the reduction of work is smaller than the reduction of fuel energy rate. Fuel exergy rates increase up to 14.3% thanks to oxygen and hydrogen content of water but the destruction rate of exergy increased at the same time up to 25.2% and also exergetic efficiency reduces as up to 16.9% compared to neat diesel. Last of all, the ecological coefficient of performance (ECOP) criterion was obtained as 0.24 and 0.18 on maximum torque area and 0.28 and 0.21 on maximum power area for neat diesel and W15 as a disadvantage of water emulsified fuels.
New polytriazoleimides containing green synthesized titanium dioxide using Artemisia pallens plant extract: optical, dielectric, thermal and mechanical properties

A novel aromatic diamine containing a pyridine pendant group, 1,2,3-triazole ring and ether linkage was synthesized by ‘click reaction’ in the presence of Cu(I) catalyst. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) was introduced in poly(amic acid) to prepare poly(triazole-imide) (PTAI) nanocomposite film by typical solution casting and thermal imidization method. The TiO2 was prepared from Artemisia pallens plant extract by sol–gel method. The structure of the PTAI was confirmed by FT-IR and NMR analyses. The morphologies of TiO2 and PTAI as well as those of PTAI/TiO2 nanocomposites were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. PTAI/TiO2 nanocomposite films containing different amounts of TiO2 (0–15 wt%) were compared in terms of their morphologies and thermal, mechanical and optical properties. The tensile strength and elongation at break decreased with an increase in the TiO2 percentage. Furthermore, the incorporation of TiO2 in the polymer matrix significantly improved the glass transition temperature (260–283 °C) and thermal stability (T5% were found to be in the range of 483–540 °C) of the composite films in terms of their char yield (found to be in the range of 49.3–60.1 at 800 °C). The dielectric constant (in the range of 3.12–4.10 at 1 MHz) and dielectric loss (in the range of 0.15–0.30 at 1 MHz) increased with an increase in the content of TiO2. This effective approach shows a potential application in fabricating multifunctional polymer-based composites.
Effects of hedonic shopping motivations and gender differences on compulsive online buyers

ABSTRACT Online shopping addiction has become a worsening problem in China for males and females. Based on 904 shoppers, this study examines the relationship between hedonic shopping motivations and compulsive online buying and investigates gender differences using gender theories. This study finds that different hedonic motivations contribute to compulsive online buying. Gratification seeking and idea shopping are key motivations for compulsive online buyers (females are mostly gratification seekers, while males are mostly information seekers). Conversely, value and role-play shopping reduce compulsive online buying, with a stronger effect on females; however, role-play shopping was unrelated to compulsive online buying for males.
Four individuals' experiences during and following a psilocybin truffle retreat in the Netherlands

This article reports on the experiences of four healthy individuals who attended a legal psilocybin truffle retreat in the Netherlands. The study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach, using semi-structured interviews to gain an understanding of participants' psilocybin experiences and their after-effects. The experiential themes that emerged from these case studies closely match themes that have been identified in previous studies of psilocybin, including variability of the experience, the presence of mystical-type features, significant changes to subjective sense of self, and a generalized sense of connectedness. Participants framed their narrative accounts around moments of key insight, and these insights were related to a sense of connection: to self, others, and to a broader relational ontology. Embodiment, currently an understudied topic in psychedelic research, also emerged as a theme. The case studies presented here provide preliminary evidence to suggest that for healthy individuals in a well-controlled and supportive retreat setting, a high dose of psilocybin can lead to enduring positive after-effects that last up to twelve months.
Are Global Neighborhoods in Houston Less Polluted? A Spatial Analysis of Twenty-First-Century Urban Demographics

Suburban metropolitan areas across the United States have become racially diverse. We examine this novel spatial demography in relation to pollution levels across census tracts within the greater Houston area for the year 2015. We integrate a multigroup measure of racial diversity (the Entropy Index) with information on pollution levels from the Toxics Release Inventory. Maps of these two variables show that racial diversity tends to be higher in the Houston suburbs where pollution levels tend to be lower. Indeed, across five different spatial regression models, we find that tract-level racial diversity is negatively correlated with pollution levels, controlling for a host of other factors, including population size and land area. We outline this finding as a human ecology approach to urban environmental inequality; specifically, we speculate that recent demographic shifts, like the “back-to-the-city” movement, are modifying the dynamics of environmental inequality in cities.