Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Similar use of intonation structure in early implanted children and hearing children: The case of Italian

This work presents an analysis of the intonation competence in a group of Italian children with cochlear implant (CI). Early cochlear implantation plays a crucial role in language development for children who were born deaf in that it favours the acquisition of complex aspects of language, such as the intonation structure. A story-generation task, the Narrative Competence Task, was used to elicit children’s stories. Narrations produced by 8 early implanted children and by 16 children with typically hearing (TH) (8 one-to-one matched considering the chronological age, TH-CA, and 8 considering the hearing age, TH-HA) were analysed considering intonation features (pitch accent distribution, edge tones and inner breaks). Results show that children with CI produce intonation patterns that are similar to those of both TH-CA and TH-HA control groups. Few significant differences were found only between children with CI and children matched for TH-HA in the use of rising edge tones. These results are discussed in light of the role of cognitive development in using prosody and intonation and the importance of early CI implantation. This study shows for the first time that intonation use of early implanted children is not different from that of typically developing children with the same chronological age.
Larger Connection Radius Increases Hub Astrocyte Number in a 3-D Neuron–Astrocyte Network Model

Astrocytes - a prominent glial cell type in the brain - form networks that tightly interact with the brain’s neuronal circuits. Thus, it is essential to study the modes of such interaction if we aim to understand how neural circuits process information. Thereby, calcium elevations, the primary signal in astrocytes, propagate to the adjacent neighboring cells and directly regulate neuronal communication. It is mostly unknown how the astrocyte network topology influences neuronal activity. Here, we used a computational model to simulate planar and 3D neuron-astrocyte networks with varying topologies. We investigated the number of active nodes, the shortest path, and the mean degree. Furthermore, we applied a graph coloring analysis that highlights the network organization between different network structures. With the increase of the maximum distance between two connected astrocytes, the information flow is more centralized to the most connected cells. Our results suggest that activity-dependent plasticity and the topology of brain areas might alter the amount of astrocyte controlled synapses.
A long-term comparison of nighttime cluster events and daytime ion formation in a boreal forest

New particle formation (NPF) events are typically observed during daytime when photochemical oxidation takes place. However, nighttime nucleation mode particles have been observed across various locations only sporadically. We present 11 years (2003–2013) of air ion number size distribution data from the SMEAR II station in Hyytiälä, Finland, where during a third of the nights a sub-3 nm negative (n = 1324 days) and positive (n = 1174 days) ion events took place. To investigate nocturnal clustering at sizes above the constant small ion pool, we defined cluster events (CE) as a nocturnal event with 2–3 nm ion concentrations reaching ≥ 70 cm–3 between 18:00 and 24:00 local time. CE (n = 221 days) were characterized by a rapid, 10-fold increase in the median 2–3 nm ion concentration from the start (~10 cm–3) to the event peak (~100 cm–3). Furthermore, small and intermediate ions during the CE, NPF events and nonevents were compared: while concentrations of 1.5–2 nm ions were the highest during CE (median 235 cm–3), as compared with the NPF events (96 cm–3) or the daytime and nighttime nonevents (~20 cm–3), 3–7 nm ion concentrations increased notably only during NPF events (median 52 cm–3). Specifically, ion concentrations during CE decreased for sizes above ~2.4 nm (< 10 cm–3). In addition, 90% of CE proceeded either a NPF event (55%) or a undefined day (35%), and only 10% of them proceeded a daytime non-event. This study suggests a build-up of 0.9–2.4 nm ion clusters during CE nights (18:00–24:00) that equals or exceeds the ion concentration levels during daytime NPF, but unlike the latter, CE fail to activate and grow clusters > 3 nm in diameter in nighttime Hyytiälä.
The Risk Prediction Model for Healthcare-Associated Infections among Elderly Patients Underwent Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Background: The elderly are a high-risk group of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), and the effective prediction model may be beneficial to HAIs control. Methods: The data were obtained from Hospital Infection Surveillance System. The BP-ANN model was conducted according to univariate analysis. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), the prediction accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were used to estimate the predicted performance. The final weight coefficients were calculated to illustrate the relative importance of indicators. Results: Of 688 elderly patients underwent PD, 83 (12.06%) were diagnosed with HAIs. 9 significant factors (P<0.05) including weight, fever, continuous fever for more than three days, blood routine abnormal percentage, ever livered in intensive care unit (ICU), antibacterial combination, postoperative antibacterial use days, ventilator use and urinary catheter use days were included into prediction model. The prediction accuracy in testing sets was 93.79%, and the sensitivity and specificity were 0.67 and 0.97. The contribution level of 9 significant factors were 10.65%, 8.54%, 10.17%, 9.64%, 9.26%, 10.02%, 12.53%, 11.90% and 17.29%, respectively. Conclusions: The 9-9-1 BP-ANN prediction model underpinned by complex factors in this study has relatively excellent performance for HAIs prediction among elderly patients after PD. Urinary catheter use days, postoperative antibacterial use days, ventilator use, weight and continuous fever for more than three days are the top five contribution indicators for HAIs prediction, which should be fully taken into consideration when developing HAIs prediction for the PD patients.
High-performance large-area WS2-based transistors by a novel tin-oxide assisted liquid-phase exfoliation: doping adjustment by plasma treatment

We report a novel strategy to stitch small WS2 flakes to form larger features in liquid-phase exfoliation. Owing to the initial granular size of the bulk WS2, which, is around 2 µm, the use of conventional liquid-based exfoliation techniques leads to small area nanoflakes with sizes around 1 μm. However, by joining smaller flakes through tin-oxide quantum dot (SnO2 QD) decoration during probe sonication, sheets up to 20 μm are achieved. The neighboring flakes could stitch together to form larger features through the Sn–S and Sn–O bonds at their lateral sides of their flakes and to realize mosaic arrangement of arbitrary shaped larger sheets. While the original WS2 flakes show n-type behavior, an interesting conversion into a p-channel behavior is observed upon addition of SnO2 QDs followed by additional SF6 plasma treatment process. Additionally, we have investigated the use of SF6 plasma treatment to enhance the carrier mobility and on-off ratio of the field effect transistors, yielding an effective field-effect-mobility of 80 cm2 V−1 s−1 and relatively high on/off current ratio of 105, indicating its superior electronic properties.
Journal of Inborn Errors of Metabolism & Screening

Inborn errors of metabolism are predominantly autosomal-recessive disorders, but several follow an X-linked pattern of inheritance. They are called X-linked recessive, if the female carriers are asymptomatic, and are called X-linked dominant disorders, if almost all females are affected. Conditions, in which some females have symptoms while others are asymptomatic lifelong are simply referred to as X-linked. The aim of this review is to point out the variability in clinical manifestation of affected females in some X-linked metabolic disorders and to discuss on the basis of these examples possible mechanisms that may explain the broad phenotypic spectrum, such as the type of the underlying mutation, the issue of autonomous versus non-autonomous gene expression and the degree of skewing of X-inactivation. The use of the terms “X-linked dominant” and “X-linked recessive” will be discussed.
Happiness and its Relationship to Psychosocial Adjustment among Teenagers in the Protection and Care Houses in Amman

This study aimed to reveal the level of happiness and psychosocial Adjustment among teenagers living in protection and care houses in Amman, to know the possible relationships between these factors and the possible differences according to brothers exist and age. By using a quantitative approach, 82 Teenager were selected from the teenagers their ages are between (12-16) years, to achieve the objectives of the study, the study measures were developed and the indications of validity and reliability of the two scales were verified and applied to the study sample. Their levels of happiness and psychosocial Adjustment were found to be moderate, with a statistically significant positive correlation between the variables. Also, the results revealed a statistically significant difference in the level of both happiness and psychosocial Adjustment according to brothers exist in favor to who has brothers and according to age in favor of less than 15 years.
The Impact of Environmental Stimuli on Hotel Service Employees’ Service Sabotage—Mediation Role of Emotional Intelligence and Emotional Dissonance

While scholarly inquiries into Service Sabotage (SS) have received ample attention in the literature of various industries, the role of Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Emotional Dissonance (ED) in employee-customer relations in the context of Environmental Stimuli (ES) in the tourism accommodation sector has remained unexplored. The role of employee–customer interaction in tourism is paramount for a hospitality organization’s growth, sustainability, and profitability. We hypothesized hotel service employees’ EI and ED can be influential factors to SS. Adopting the Mehrabian–Russell model (M–R) and Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework as conceptual paradigms, we tested the effect of hotel ambiance on employees’ emotions, which can have significant effects on SS. The study revealed that ES links to behaviors and elicits EI and ED as human emotional responses to environments that have a parallel mediating effect on mitigating or neutralizing the negative effect of SS in an organization. The findings provide important insights into an organization’s awareness of the provision of ES as a positive factor for employees, subsequently forming their behavioral consequences of EI and ED which can mitigate the negative impacts of SS. The study yields important implications on how hospitality organizations should pay attention to the impact of rule-breaking behaviors. Theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.
Toxicological characterization of bio-active drugs on basis of Iron Fe, Co, and Copper Cu nanopowders

The article presents investigations of toxicological parameters (acute and chronic toxicity, cumulative coefficient) of iron, cobalt, copper and copper oxide nanoparticles with white rats in labs. We have estimated the optimal concentrations of the above mentioned substances with rabbits. We have also studied morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters of the animals when adding the optimal doses to the diet for a long term.
Dielectric Breakdown of γ-ray irradiated Epoxy Resin with Alumina

In this paper, we report on dielectric breakdown characteristics of alumina-filled epoxy resin irradiated by γ-ray under a needle-plane electrode geometry. For that purpose, we studied relationship between breakdown voltage and filler parts, relationship between breakdown voltage and irradiation dose, and an influence of thickness of epoxy resin on breakdown voltage. In order to investigate these results, we made further experiments on Glass Transition Temperature change before and after γ-ray irradiation using a DSC method, and filler parts dependence of tan δ and ε We also investigated surface oxidization of epoxy resin from a wave analysis of spectra measured using FT-IR difference spectro-meter, We observed surfaces of epoxy resin before and after γ-ray irradianon using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The results are as follows:
Effect of microclimate alteration devices and feed additive on stress hormones in Murrah buffaloes

The present study was carried out on twenty four lactating Murrah buffaloes housed in four different groups (six in each group) viz. foggers (T1), fans (T2), fans and feed additive (T3) and control group (C) in LRS, Mamnoor. The stress hormones estimated by the influence of microclimatic alteration devices and feed additive on Murrah buffalaoes were Triidothyronine (T3), Thyroxin (T4) and Cortisol. The serum total T3 levels were higher in C group followed by T3, T2 and T1 groups while total T4 levels were higher in C group followed by T2, T1 and T3 groups. The serum cortisol levels were higher in C group followed by T2, T3 and least in T1 group of Murrah buffaloes.
Identifying Shared Risk Genes between Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Metabolic Traits by Cross-Trait Association Analysis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) generally co-occurs with metabolic disorders, but it is unclear which genes have a pleiotripic effect on NAFLD and metabolic traits. We performed a large-scale cross-trait association analysis to identify the overlapping genes between NAFLD and nine metabolic traits. Among all the metabolic traits, we found that obesity and type II diabetes are associated with NAFLD. Then, a multitrait association analysis among NAFLD, obesity and type II diabetes was conducted to improve the overall statistical power. We identified 792 significant variants by a cross-trait meta-analysis involving 100 pleiotripic genes. Moreover, we detected another two common genes by a genome-wide gene test. The results from the pathway enrichment analysis show that the 102 shared risk genes are enriched in cancer, diabetes, insulin secretion, and other related pathways. This study can help us understand the molecular mechanisms underlying comorbid NAFLD and metabolic disorders.
Many-Body Dispersion Correction Effects on Bulk and Surface Properties of Rutile and Anatase TiO2

Titanium dioxide (titania, TiO2) is a widely studied material with diverse applications. Here, we explore how pairwise and many-body descriptions of van der Waals dispersion interactions perform in atomistic modeling of the two most important TiO2 polymorphs, rutile and anatase. In particular, we obtain an excellent description of both bulk structures from density-functional theory (DFT) computations with the many-body dispersion (MBD) method of Tkatchenko and co-workers coupled to an iterative Hirshfeld partitioning scheme (“Hirshfeld-I”). Beyond the bulk, we investigate the most important crystal surfaces, namely, rutile (110), (101), and (100) and anatase (101), (100), and (001). Dispersion has a highly anisotropic effect on the different (hkl) surfaces; this directly changes the predicted nanocrystal morphology as determined from Wulff constructions. The periodic DFT+MBD method combined with Hirshfeld-I partitioning appears to be promising for future large-scale atomistic studies of this technological.
Influence of calcium sulfate and calcium hydroxide on the hydration of calcium sulfoaluminate clinker

Les ciments au sulfo-aluminate de calcium constituent une alternative aux ciments Portland usuels a faible teneur en CO 2 . Pour mieux comprendre les mecanismes d'hydratation de ce type de ciment, il a ete examine un clinker au sulfo-aluminate de calcium usuel melange a du gypse, de l'anhydrite et de la portlandite en quantites differentes. Il a ete constate que par addition de sulfate de calcium suffisamment reactif, l'hydratation de la phase hydraulique principale Ye'elimit (C 4 A 3 S) peut etre acceleree et influencee. En presence de gypse ou d'anhydrite, il y a formation d'ettringite et de Al(OH) 3 comme produits d'hydratation. Apres consommation du sulfate de calcium, il y a ensuite formation de monosulfate a la place de l'ettringite. L'ajout d'hydroxyde de calcium provoque une reaction initiale d'hydratation tres rapide et formation d'hydrate d'aluminium de calcium C 4 AH x ce qui engendre une prise tres rapide du liant. Par comparaison avec les ciments Portland, les mortiers a base de ciments au sulfo-aluminate de calcium peuvent atteindre une resistance a la compression plus elevee de 100 Mpa apres 28 jours.
Flow simulation around circular cylinder at low Reynolds numbers using vortex particle method

The algorithm of the Viscous Vortex Domain method implemented in the author’s code VM2D is investigated. This code allows simulating 2D viscous incompressible flows and solving fluid-structure interaction problems. The verification of the algorithm, namely, the correctness of taking into account the viscosity effect, is performed on well-studied test problems of the flow simulation around a circular cylinder for Reynolds numbers in the range 20 . 200: the problem of the impulse start of the circular cylinder is considered, and the dependency of the flow separation angle on the Reynolds number is investigated. The comparison shows that for low Reynolds numbers (up to 140), the flow separation angle obtained in numerical simulations by using the VM2D code is in good agreement with the results of other studies. For higher Reynolds numbers, the estimated separation angle is slightly overestimated.
Motivation and Self-Confidence in Motor Activities in Kindergarten

Early childhood is an active and energetic individual. Children love to do challenging motion activities. Because the movement activities that are routinely carried out by children will have a good impact on their growth and development. There are several factors that influence children’s movement. The results showed that routine physical activities given to young children/ can stimulate the growth and development of the body including the brain, increasing the body's resistance to disease. However, children's movement and motor activities begin to decrease due to several things. For example, children spend more time playing gadgets. In addition, research shows that nearly 70% of three years old children in Europe attend day care services so that they stay more indoors and lead to high rates of obesity. Meanwhile, children who are obese are twice as likely to have bad self-confidence than children who are of normal weight. Meanwhile, the results of other studies show that children in coastal areas have better basic motor skills than other areas. It is proven from 8 sub-districts in the city of Padang, only 2 sub-districts in the coastal area show very good results. However, these results are not perfect due to other factors that have not been observed, one of which is motivation and self-confidence. With the existence of further analysis, it is hoped that it can improve the results of previous research and see how motivation and self-confidence of children in carrying out movement activities in Kindergarten in the city of Padang.
Spatiotemporal Fusion Network for the Droplet Behavior Recognition in Inkjet Printing

Inkjet 3D printing has broad applications in areas such as health and energy due to its capability to precisely deposit micro-droplets of multi-functional materials. However, the droplet of the inkjet printing has different jetting behaviors including drop initiation, thinning, necking, pinching and flying, and they are vulnerable to disturbance from vibration, material inhomogeneity, etc. Such issues make it challenging to yield a consistent printing process and a defect-free final product with desired properties. Therefore, timely recognition of the droplet behavior is critical for inkjet printing quality assessment. In-situ video monitoring of the printing process paves a way for such recognition. In this paper, a novel feature identification framework is presented to recognize the spatiotemporal feature of in-situ monitoring videos for inkjet printing. Specifically, a spatiotemporal fusion network is used for droplet printing behavior classification. The categories are based on inkjet printability, which is related to both the static features (ligament, satellite, and meniscus) and dynamic features (ligament thinning, droplet pinch off, meniscus oscillation). For the recorded droplet jetting video data, two streams of networks, the frames sampled from video in spatial domain (associated with static features) and the optical flow in temporal domain (associated with dynamic features), are fused in different ways to recognize the droplet evolving behavior. Experiments results show that the proposed fusion network can recognize the droplet jetting behavior in the complex printing process and identify its printability with learned knowledge, which can ultimately enable the real-time inkjet printing quality control and further provide guidance to design optimal parameter settings for the inkjet printing process.
RECIPIENTES E SUBSTRATOS NA PRODUÇÃO DE MUDAS DE JATOBÁ (Hymenaea courbaril L.)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar diferentes recipientes e substratos na producao de mudas de jatoba ( Hymenaea courbaril L.), arborea nativa da familia Caesalpinioideae. O delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente ao acaso com 2 recipientes (tubete e sacola plastica) e 10 formulacoes de substratos (misturas de solo, esterco bovino - EB, cama aviaria de poedeiras - CA, fertilizante quimico e areia, em diferentes proporcoes). Aos 210 dias apos semeadura foram avaliadas as variaveis: altura da parte aerea, diâmetro do colo, materia seca da parte aerea, radicular, e total, e calculado os indices de qualidade das mudas. Foi realizada a quantificacao de esporos de fungos micorrizicos arbusculares (FMAs) e a normalizacao por meio de correcao ESPOROS/MSR. Na maioria das caracteristicas avaliadas, nao houve diferenca significativa entre os substratos testados, o que possibilita o uso de acordo com o custo e a disponibilidade local de cada. A sacola plastica e os substratos de origem animal possibilitaram maiores ganhos de biomassa as mudas. Quanto ao numero de esporos de FMAs os maiores valores foram observados em substratos contendo CA em tubete. Recomenda-se para a producao de mudas de jatoba: sacola plastica e o substrato com 60% solo + 20% areia + 20% CA.
ScholarWorks @ UTRGV ScholarWorks @ UTRGV

Cloud computing, financial incentive and patient-centered care are the game changers that deepen EHR diffusion beyond breadth. Based on the innovation diffusion theory (IDT), technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework and alignment literature, this study examines how these changes shape business requirement, service value and society need that drive different phases of EHR diffusion in terms of planning, adoption, usage and upgrade. A longitudinal analysis with the USA National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) reveals the impacts of different drivers on EHR diffusion. In addition to quantitative results, interview observations corroborate the relationships among game changers, decision drivers and EHR diffusion. The findings provide healthcare providers, system vendors and policy-makers the insights on the best practices of promoting EHR diffusion for long-term success.