Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SUSTAINABILITY OF SCHOOLS: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO STUDYING AIR QUALITY IN EDUCATIONAL BUILDINGS

This work reports the preliminary results of the “Sustainability of Schools” (SoS) project, a multidisciplinary project funded by Roma TRE University which involves the departments of architecture, engineering, economics, mathematics and physics, and sciences at Roma Tre University and the Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Epidemiology and Hygiene of Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL). Healthy indoor air and thermal comfort are important for any type of building, but they play an essential role in teaching and learning processes because the intellectual activities are intimately conditioned by these. There is a significant bibliography on the indoor environment in office buildings, while few studies have been focused on educational buildings. The main objective of this project is to form a research team with specific areas of expertise in different fields aimed at defining technologies, methodologies, and protocols to assess the use for health, wellbeing, and energy saving in educational buildings. In this preliminary report of activity, two types of construction have been chosen as case studies, representative of a large number of Italian schools. A building of the first kind, prefabricated and built during the 1960s, is located on the Rome seaside. Two buildings of the second kind are historical properties of Roma Tre University in Rome downtown and are representative of a large number of masonry buildings with thermal mass. Here we present a multidisciplinary methodological approach for measuring indoor air quality parameters (i.e. temperature, relative humidity, concentration of pollutants, presence of ionizing radiation, biotic and abiotic factors) and the development of a class of numerical models. Overall, we paved the way for the future development of more advanced models integrating measures and models.
A review of factors to consider when using camera traps to study animal behavior to inform wildlife ecology and conservation

Camera traps (CTs) are an increasingly popular method of studying animal behavior. However, the impact of cameras on detected individuals—such as from mechanical noise, odor, and emitted light—has received relatively little attention. These impacts are particularly important in behavioral studies in conservation that seek to ascribe changes in behavior to relevant environmental factors. In this article, we discuss three sources of bias that are relevant to conservation behavior studies using CTs: (a) disturbance caused by cameras; (b) variation in animal‐detection parameters across camera models; and (c) biased detection across individuals and age, sex, and behavioral classes. We propose several recommendations aimed at mitigating responses to CTs by wildlife. Our recommendations offer a platform for the development of more rigorous and robust behavioral studies using CT technology and, if adopted, would result in greater applied benefits for conservation and management.
Improving Fairness for Distributed Interactive Applications in Software-Defined Networks

With the popularization of distributed interactive applications (DIAs), for getting good interactive experience among participants, efficient and fair allocation of network resource should be considered. In software-defined networks, the presence of central controllers provides novel solution to deploy customizable routing for interactive applications, which allows fine-grained resource allocation for DIAs to achieve fairness among participants. But opportunities always come with challenges, the wide spread user locations often require distribution of controllers to meet the requirements of applications. Hence, the latency involved among participants is directly affected by the processing time of controllers. In this context, we address the DIAs’ fair resource provisioning problems on computing and links load with the objective of balancing the achievable request rate and fairness among multiple flows in SDN networks. We firstly formulate the problems as a combination of controller loading and routing optimization. Then, we propose proactive assignment controller algorithm based on deep learning and fairness path allocation algorithm to share the bottleneck links. Compared with the state-of-the-art greedy assignment algorithm and priority order allocating algorithm, the final result is proven to get better fairness on controller and link load among DIAs’ participants by trace driven simulation.
Social capital, built environment and mental health: a comparison between the local elderly people and the ‘laopiao’ in urban China

Abstract In rapidly urbanising China, a high number of elderly people, the so-called ‘laopiao’, float to cities where their sons or daughters live to look after their children and grandchildren. Laopiao in urban China are thought to suffer poor mental health owing to their floating status. This study explores the inter-relationship among social capital, the built environment and mental health in urban China. Using a recent survey conducted in Nanjing (N = 591), structural equation modelling was performed to compare the local elderly people and the laopiao. Results showed that mental health determinants are dissimilar between the two groups of elderly people. Bonding social capital promotes mental health in both groups, while bridging and linking social capital only contributes to the mental health of the laopiao. Also, access to public transportation is positively correlated with mental health in both groups. Furthermore, lower street network density and better access to parks enhance the mental health of the local elderly people, while higher street network density and more open space within a community enhance the mental health of the laopiao. Our findings suggest that different policy measures should be implemented for different groups of elderly people in urban China to improve their mental health.
The effect of fire history on soil nutrients and soil organic carbon in a semi-arid savanna woodland, central Namibia

Fire is an integral part of savanna ecosystems that has shaped these systems since the Miocene. Substantial uncertainty about fire effects in semi-arid ecosystems exists. Fire may affect ecosystem productivity directly through nutrient volatilisation, increased mineralisation and altering organic matter quantity, and indirectly through altering vegetation structure. We explored the effects of fire history and vegetation patch types (tree canopy vs inter-canopy) on soil nutrients and soil organic carbon (SOC) in a semi-arid ecosystem. We collected soil samples along transects in four treatments with different fire histories (1 to 24 years since the last burn). In the statistical analyses, tree canopy and inter-canopy samples along transects were differentiated. Fire showed an inconsistent effect on soil nutrients and SOC. There was a short-term negative influence on total nitrogen, whereas phosphorus, potassium and magnesium increased in the 1-year treatment. Sodium consistently decreased with increasing time since the last burn, whereas SOC and calcium were not affected. Calcium and magnesium were significantly higher under canopy relative to inter-canopy patches. There was no significant interactive effect between fire history and vegetation patch type on soil nutrients and SOC. Management decisions regarding fire within the frequency experienced in this system appear not to necessitate concern regarding soil resource impacts.
The Duality of Patterning in Language and its Relationship to Reading in Children with Hearing Loss.

Purpose Duality of Patterning has long been recognized as a unique design feature of human language, and refers to the distinct bi-level structure in which words comprise one level (semantic) and word-internal, phonetic elements comprise the other level (phonological). This report describes this design feature and offers a perspective on why and how it should help shape reading interventions for children with hearing loss. Method Three components comprise this report. Section I offers an overview of Duality of Patterning. Section II reviews results from a longitudinal study illustrating how children with and without hearing loss acquire each level of linguistic structure, and how each level contributes to reading acquisition for each group differently. Section III of this report provides suggestions for how to incorporate this information into interventions for children with hearing loss. Results Outcomes presented illustrate that semantic structure begins to take form first, with phonological structure following. Semantic structure is related to reading comprehension, and phonological structure is related to word recognition, at least for alphabetic orthographies. Children with hearing loss acquire a less differentiated linguistic system, with structure at the phonological level only partly, or coarsely acquired, and with a lack of clear distinction from the semantic level of structure. Consequently the roles of each level of structure in reading acquisition are less clearly defined for children with hearing loss. Conclusion For children with normal hearing, learning to read is compartmentalized: Emerging sensitivity to phonological structure supports development of word recognition, and semantic-level skills support reading comprehension. Hearing loss diminishes language skills overall, but especially phonological sensitivity. Children with hearing loss, especially those with cochlear implants, must rely on all language skills to learn to read, including both word recognition and reading comprehension, which creates a highly inefficient processing strategy.
Efficient Isolation of an MIMO Antenna Using Defected Ground Structure

To implement efficient isolation between units of a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) antenna, a defected ground structure (DGS) has been investigated. An antenna with two elements operating at 5.8 GHz and fed by coaxial is considered. To reduce mutual coupling between the elements, a zigzag groove is inserted into the center of two elements formed as a DGS. To verify this design, a scattering matrix was tested, such as reflection coefficient S11 and transmission coefficient S21 between two element ports. Meanwhile, radiation pattern, current distribution, envelope correlation coefficient (ECC), and diversity gain of the antenna were simulated and measured. The results showed that the mutual coupling was reduced by 28.8 dB when a DGS was used, and the ECC was less than 0.02. Owing to these good performances, each antenna element can operate almost independently, and this MIMO antenna can be efficiently applied to the narrow band Internet of Things system.
Identification of a Natural Hybrid between Castanopsis sclerophylla and Castanopsis tibetana (Fagaceae) Based on Chloroplast and Nuclear DNA Sequences

Castanopsis × kuchugouzhui Huang et Y. T. Chang was recorded in Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae (FRPS) as a hybrid species on Yuelushan mountain, but it is treated as a hybrid between Castanopsis sclerophylla (Lindl.) Schott. and Castanopsis tibetana Hance in Flora of China. After a thorough investigation on Yuelushan mountain, we found a population of C. sclerophylla and one individual of C. × kuchugouzhui, but no living individual of C. tibetana. We collected C. × kuchugouzhui, and we sampled 42 individuals of C. sclerophylla from Yuelushan and Xiushui and 43 individuals of C. tibetana from Liangyeshan and Xiushui. We used chloroplast DNA sequences and 29 nuclear microsatellite markers to investigate if C. × kuchugouzhui is a natural hybrid between C. sclerophylla and C. tibetana. The chloroplast haplotype analysis showed that C. × kuchugouzhui shared haplotype H2 with C. sclerophylla on Yuelushan. The STRUCTURE analysis identified two distinct genetic pools that corresponded well to C. sclerophylla and C. tibetana, revealing the genetic admixture of C. × kuchugouzhui. Furthermore, the NewHybrids analysis suggested that C. × kuchugouzhui is an F2 hybrid between C. sclerophylla and C. tibetana. Our results confirm that C. × kuchugouzhui recorded in FRPS is a rare hybrid between C. sclerophylla and C. tibetana.
Socially Engaged Art Education: Exploring Issues of Homelessness in an Elementary Art Classroom

Over the past two decades, the field of art education has emphasized visual culture art education for developing visual literacy. More recently, social justice art education has come into focus since there have been many unresolved social justice issues in American society. Underprivileged groups such as persons experiencing homelessness have not yet gained public attention, nor have they evoked from the government a true sense of urgency. Homelessness often occurs at the intersection of unemployment, poverty, domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health disorders. The impact on families, especially young children, can be profound. The essential part of social justice art education is to provide a safe learning place for students to voice unjust social conditions through art. A case study was conducted in a large urban city in the southwestern United States to explore elementary students’ perceptions about homelessness and how contemporary activist art inspires students to envision a more just society. The article begins with a literature review of socially-engaged art education and discusses homelessness issues in art education, first by describing several art examples by a contemporary mural artist, Skid Robot, who has addressed homelessness in his art. Inspired by Robot’s art, elementary students in a relevant art lesson expressed their views on various issues regarding homelessness and “drew” a home for homeless persons through a printmaking exercise. Students' artwork and their implications for social justice art education were provided.
Anti-infective Assessment of Dichrostachys cinerea Root Bark, an Ivorian Anti-asthmatic Herbal

Dichrostachys cinerea root bark is used in Ivorian folk to manage asthma attack. As asthma is often accompanied with secondary infections, this study aimed to assess its potential effects of this medicine against microorganisms. An aqueous-alcoholic extract was obtained from Dichrostachys cinerea root bark. The growth of bacteria in the presence of the extract was measured by the method of dilution in microplate. The antiparasitic potent of the extract was determined on cell culture in microplate with determination of the parasitic viability by reading the optical density of wells in optical microscope. The antifungal activity of the extract was measured by the method of dilution in tube. At 200; 100; 50; 25; 12.5; 6.25 and 3.125 mg/mL the extract did not inhibit growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus sp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis. IC90 of the plant extract on Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Caenorhabditis elegans and Aspergillus fumigatus was superior to 125 µg/mL and on average 50 µg/mL on Leishmania donovani and Candida albicans. In conclusion, the extract did not exert any significant anti-infective effect towards the studied microorganisms, supposing that Dichrostachys cinerea root bark would be effective only to delete bronchospasm, the main characteristic of asthma attack.
Crystal structure, chemical bonding and magnetic properties of the new antimonides Ce2Ir3Sb4, La2Ir3Sb4, and Ce2Rh3Sb4

Abstract The antimonides Ce2Ir3Sb4, La2Ir3Sb4, and Ce2Rh3Sb4 were synthesized by solid state reaction from the elements. The crystal structures of these compounds were determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. Ce2Ir3Sb4 crystallises in a new structure type in the space group Pnma (no. 62) with a = 16.1510(8) Å, b = 4.5600(3) Å, c = 10.9463(5) Å. La2Ir3Sb4 and Ce2Rh3Sb4 crystallise in the Ce2Ir3Sb4 structure type as well with a = 16.2659(10) Å, b = 4.5896(3) Å, c = 10.9996(7) Å) and a = 16.2293(8) Å, b = 4.5604(2) Å, c = 10.9804(5) Å, respectively. The four- and five-bonded transition metal atoms and three- and four-bounded Sb atoms form a 3D-network with the rare-earth metal embedded in its cavities, resembling the topology of Ca in the CaBe2Ge2 or Th in ThCr2Si2 type. Magnetic susceptibility and X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy data indicate a stable trivalent state for Ce in the Ce2Ir3Sb4 compound.
Effect of music instruction on phonological awareness and early literacy skills of five- to seven-year-old children

ABSTRACT Multiple studies and systematic reviews have shown that music instruction improves phonological awareness (PA) and early literacy skills in children, although findings vary. In meta-analyses, the reliability and significance of the transfer effect are reduced. The study evaluated the effect of varying durations of music instruction exposure, over a single academic year, on PA and early literacy of young children. Based on the exposure to music instruction, participants were assigned to either a low- or high-exposure group. Additional analyses were conducted for 17 age-matched pairs and to compare participants that only received class music to those that received additional music instruction. Between-groups comparisons showed no significant difference after a single academic year of music instruction. Within-groups comparisons identified more PA improvements in the high-exposure group. Exposure to music instruction for no less than one academic year, is required to conclusively evaluate the effect on PA and early literacy.
Business organisation in the Mediterranean Sea: Genoese galley entrepreneurs in the service of the Spanish Empire (late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries)

Abstract This article analyzes the business organisation and activities of Genoese naval entrepreneurs who managed galleys for the Spanish Empire in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. While conventional narratives of business history begin with the Industrial Revolution and focus on the rise of the modern corporation, this article brings to the fore early modern entrepreneurs from Italy and shows how they led family-controlled firms running permanent navies in the Mediterranean. By using private ledgers and merchant correspondence, the paper aims to understand how these naval entrepreneurs governed their affairs and managed resources internationally. We find that delegation (through family ties, hierarchy, and networks) was the main solution chosen to deal with distant commodity, labour, and capital markets. We retrace the different forms this delegation took and explain its determinants considering alternative options and providing comparative insights.
Powered by “Qinghuai”: The melding of traditional values and digital entrepreneurship in contemporary China

Based on three case studies of Chinese Internet start‐ups, this study seeks to address the research question: “How is digital entrepreneurship enacted in China? ” Our findings reveal that there was a common theme that underpinned the start‐ups we studied, which we termed ‘Qinghuai’ in the language of the informants we spoke with. In this paper, we explain the roots of the concept and its six constituent elements at the individual, organizational, and ecosystem levels. These elements are then abstracted into two dimensions: (a) spiritual idealism and (b) perpetual development. We argue that Qinghuai as a concept is a product and reflection of the cultural and institutional complexity of contemporary China. Further, we discuss how Qinghuai facilitates digital entrepreneurship across the business, organizational, and technological domains. This explanation is substantiated by data from our three cases and juxtaposed with what has been discussed in the existing digital entrepreneurship literature. Finally, as we present the contributions of our study, we elaborate on (a) how Qinghuai reflects the contemporary context of China; (b) how Qinghuai is instrumental to digital entrepreneurship in China; and (c) how Qinghuai is different from other related concepts including Guanxi, collectivism, collective action and social entrepreneurship. We conclude the paper by discussing its limitations, future research opportunities, as well as its practical implications.
Malaria: Prevalence and related factors in children at Aba, Southeast Nigeria

Background: Childhood malaria has remained a major public health burden. It severely affects children aged under-5 years, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Curbing the prevalence of malaria begins with determining the prevalence and related factors of the disease in the community. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and related factors of malaria in children at Aba, Southeast Nigeria. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 275 case files of children admitted with malaria in the Department of Paediatrics of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2016, were analyzed. Results: During the study period, among the 440 overall admission, 275 children were diagnosed with malaria. The prevalence of malaria in our study was 62.5%. The male:female ratio was 1:1.2. We found, 234 (85.1%) children were 11 and 16 years. The highest prevalence of malaria 40 (14.4%) occurred in September while the least 10 (3.6%) occurred in April. Around 247 (89.8%) patients were discharged home, 18 (6.5%) patients succumbed to death, and 6 (2.1%) patients were discharged against medical advice. Conclusion: The prevalence and mortality rates of malaria are high. To curb the trend of this disease, good environmental sanitation, prevention of the anophelene mosquito blood meal on humans, and early diagnosis and treatment of malaria should all be enhanced.
Advances in Nowcasting Economic Activity: Secular Trends, Large Shocks and New Data

The assessment of macroeconomic conditions in real time is challenging. Dynamic factor models, which summarize the comovement across many macroeconomic time series as driven by a small number of shocks, have become the workhorse tool for ‘nowcasting’ activity. This paper develops a novel dynamic factor model that explicitly captures three salient features of modern business cycles: low frequency movements in long-run growth and volatility, lead-lag patterns in the responses of variables to common shocks, and fat-tailed outliers. We use real-time unrevised data for the last two decades and cloud computing technology to conduct an out-of-sample evaluation exercise of the model. The exercise demonstrates the importance of considering these features for forecasting and probability assessment of economic conditions. In an application to the COVID-19 recession, we develop a method to incorporate newly available high-frequency data. The use of such alternative data is essential to track the downturn in activity, but a careful econometric specification is just as important.