Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effectiveness of Peer-Mediated Interventions and Applied Behavioural Analysis in Improving Autistic Individuals Social Interaction: A Comparative Analysis

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by difficulties in social communication and interaction. To enhance the social functioning of individuals with ASD, various intervention strategies including Peer-Mediated Interventions (PMI) and Applied Behavioural Analysis-Based Interventions (ABA-BI), have been developed. This research article conducted a comprehensive comparative analysis by reviewing existing literature to assess PMIs and ABA-BIs effectiveness in improving social initiation, social understanding, and social responses in individuals with ASD. The findings revealed that PMI showed better results in improving the social initiation of autistic individuals, while ABA-BI demonstrated better outcomes in enhancing their social responses. However, there is limited research on the improvement outcomes related to social understanding in autistic individuals, and the long-term effects of these interventions were not examined. In addition, certain factors, including gender, cultural context, social context, and age group, may influence the relative effectiveness of these interventions. As is this, more research needs to be conducted to examine the influence of these factors on improving the social interaction ability of autistic individuals. Understanding these influences may help design tailored intervention strategies to optimise treatment outcomes.
User Perceptions of Visual Clot in a High-Fidelity Simulation Study: Mixed Qualitative-Quantitative Study

Background Viscoelastic hemostatic assays, such as rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) or thromboelastography, enable prompt diagnosis and accelerate targeted treatment. However, the complex interpretation of the results remains challenging. Visual Clot—a situation awareness-based visualization technology—was developed to assist clinicians in interpreting viscoelastic tests. Objective Following a previous high-fidelity simulation study, we analyzed users’ perceptions of the technology, to identify its strengths and limitations from clinicians’ perspectives. Methods This is a mixed qualitative-quantitative study consisting of interviews and a survey. After solving coagulation scenarios using Visual Clot in high-fidelity simulations, we interviewed anesthesia personnel about the perceived advantages and disadvantages of the new tool. We used a template approach to identify dominant themes in interview responses. From these themes, we defined 5 statements, which were then rated on Likert scales in a questionnaire. Results We interviewed 77 participants and 23 completed the survey. We identified 9 frequently mentioned topics by analyzing the interview responses. The most common themes were “positive design features,” “intuitive and easy to learn,” and “lack of a quantitative component. ” In the survey, 21 respondents agreed that Visual Clot is easy to learn and 16 respondents stated that a combination of Visual Clot and ROTEM would help them manage complex hemostatic situations. Conclusions A group of anesthesia care providers found Visual Clot well-designed, intuitive, and easy to learn. Participants highlighted its usefulness in emergencies, especially for clinicians inexperienced in coagulation management. However, the lack of quantitative information is an area for improvement.
Comprehensive Analysis of Geopolymer Materials: Properties, Environmental Impacts, and Applications

The advancement of eco-friendly technology in the construction sector has been improving rapidly in the last few years. As a result, multiple building materials were developed, enhanced, and proposed as replacements for some traditional materials. One notable example presents geopolymer as a substitute for ordinary Portland concrete (OPC). The manufacturing process of (OPC) generates CO2 emissions and a high energy demand, both of which contribute to ozone depletion and global warming. The implementation of geopolymer concrete (GPC) technology in the construction sector provides a path to more sustainable growth and a cleaner environment. This is due to geopolymer concrete’s ability to reduce environmental pollutants and reduce the construction industry’s carbon footprint. This is achieved through its unique composition, which typically involves industrial byproducts like fly ash or slag. These materials, rich in silicon and aluminum, react with alkaline solutions to form a binding gel, bypassing the need for the high-energy clinker production required in OPC. The use of such byproducts not only reduces CO2 emissions but also contributes to waste minimization. Additionally, geopolymer offers extra advantages compared to OPC, including improved mechanical strength, enhanced durability, and good stability in acidic and alkaline settings. Such properties make GPC particularly suitable for a range of construction environments, from industrial applications to infrastructure projects exposed to harsh conditions. This paper comprehensively reviews the different characteristics of geopolymers, which include their composition, compressive strength, durability, and curing methods. Furthermore, the environmental impacts related to the manufacturing of geopolymer materials were evaluated through the life-cycle assessment method. The result demonstrated that geopolymer concrete maintains positive environmental impacts due to the fact that it produces fewer carbon dioxide CO2 emissions compared to OPC concrete during its manufacturing; however, geopolymer concrete had some minor negative environmental impacts, including abiotic depletion, human toxicity, freshwater ecotoxicity, terrestrial ecotoxicity, and acidification. These are important considerations for ongoing research aimed at further improving the sustainability of geopolymer concrete. Moreover, it was determined that silicate content, curing temperature, and the proportion of alkaline solution to binder are the major factors significantly influencing the compressive strength of geopolymer concrete. The advancement of geopolymer technology represents not just a stride toward more sustainable construction practices but also paves the way for innovative approaches in the field of building materials.
Evolution of the Deep Western Boundary Current of Antarctic Bottom Water in the Brazil Basin

Abstract A synthesis of WOCE (and other) hydrographic data shows that the deep western boundary current of Antarctic Bottom Water has a double-core structure, and that it is differentially modified during its northward transit through the Brazil Basin. At 25°S, it descends about 200 m while continuing equatorward as a paired, double-core current over the relatively broad, sloping topography of the western region. The downslope core is faster, 4–6 cm s−1 versus 3 cm s−1, and is coincident with the high-density core. Equatorward of 19°S the cores begin to diverge and by 15°S, the velocity cores have separated and the high-speed pattern has inverted. Between 13° and 11°S the colder, slower-flowing branch (around 3 cm s−1) deepens by 350 m, with a noticeable decrease in the vertical stratification of overlying water characteristics. Subsequently, it continues to the equator toward the Romanche–Chain Fracture Zones. The warmer, faster-flowing branch (around 8 cm s−1) proceeds to the equator along the continent.
Grain-scale microstructures and physical properties of faulted chalk

Changes in matrix texture of chalk are observed in the walls of normal faults, with a decrease in porosity and pore-sizes, mainly due to pressure-solution and cementation. A closer analysis of a 50 mm thick fringe along a fault plane using SEM and image analysis indicates the possible formation of wall-like structures partitioning the medium and of few large pores forming channels. A method of 3D reconstruction of porous media is applied in order to quantify the geometrical properties and to predict macroscopic transport properties such as permeability. The strained material forms a sort of barrier, with a lowered permeability, between the unstrained material (50 mm from the fault plane) and the faulted material (5 mm from the fault plane). The latter displays heterogeneous permeabilities which seem to be randomly distributed.
Predicting EMS Response Time using Geographic Zones’ Socio-Economic Indicators

Emergency Medical Services (EMS), also known as prehospital care, is a time-sensitive and integral public service [1]. In this paper, we present a usually overlooked, but nonetheless crucial, set of factors that predicts the EMS response time for a community—its geographic socio-economic conditions. EMS response time is an essential factor in the success of prehospital care [2] which is the time from the notification of an occurrence (by dispatch) to the arrival of a response unit at the scene of an emergency. In life-threatening incidents that require getting the patient to care where medical professionals can perform vital procedures, shorter out-of-hospital EMS time intervals are vital for survival. A variety of factors influence EMS response time, such as the unavailability of ambulances at centers closest to a call, triage process, call location, and the distance from the scene to the nearest hospital [3]. Although other factors have been investigated more frequently, research on the environmental and socio-demographic factors that affect EMS response time remains limited. The effective and timely provision of emergency services is an issue that all countries struggle with, and variations across socio-demographic differences (such as poverty level) can contribute to the continued social inequities within the United States.
Brazilian Clinical Strains of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and Pasteurella multocida: Capsular Diversity, Antimicrobial Susceptibility (In Vitro) and Proof of Concept for Prevention of Natural Colonization by Multi-Doses Protocol of Tildipirosin

One hundred Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) and sixty Pasteurella multocida subsp. multocida serogroup A (PmA) isolates were recovered from porcine pneumonic lungs collected from eight central or southern states of Brazil between 2014 and 2018 (App) or between 2017 and 2021 (PmA). A. pleuropneumoniae clinical isolates were typed by multiplex PCR and the most prevalent serovars were 8, 7 and 5 (43, 25% and 18%, respectively). In addition, three virulence genes were assessed in P. multocida isolates, all being positive to capA (PmA) and kmt1 genes, all negative to capD and toxA, and most of them (85%) negative to pfhA gene. The susceptibility of both pathogens to tildipirosin was investigated using a broth microdilution assay. The percentage of isolates susceptible to tildipirosin was 95% for App and 73.3% for PmA. The MIC50 values were 0.25 and 1 μg/mL and the MIC90 values were 4 and >64 μg/mL for App and PmA, respectively. Finally, a multiple-dose protocol of tildipirosin was tested in suckling piglets on a farm endemic for both pathogens. Tildipirosin was able to prevent the natural colonization of the tonsils by App and PmA and significantly (p < 0.0001) reduced the burden of Glaesserella parasuis in this tissue. In summary, our results demonstrate that: (i) tildipirosin can be included in the list of antibiotics to control outbreaks of lung disease caused by App regardless of the capsular type, and (ii) in the case of clinical strains of App and PmA that are sensitive to tildipirosin based on susceptibility testing, the use of this antibiotic in eradication programs for A. pleuropneumoniae and P. multocida can be strongly recommended.
Are they finally talking about European Politics? Analysis of the issues discussed by the parties in the 2019 EP election as signs of politicization

Recent studies point to a progressive politicization of the European Union, after years of being considered a project of the political elites that received little attention from European citizens. The aim of this article is to find evidence of the progress in the process of politicization of the European project. For this purpose, an analysis of all the tweets published during the 2019 election campaign by all political parties in Germany, France, Italy and Spain has been carried out. The topics addressed and the number of parties speaking on those topics are studied, in order to trace two of the elements necessary to consider an issue politicized: its visibility and the diversity of voices. The article addresses an issue that has been the subject of previous research using a new methodology and at a particularly relevant moment in history; the first elections held after Brexit. The research provides results that can be interpreted as evidence of a growing politicization of EU policy on issues such as climate or social policy
The mediating role of narcissistic behavior in the relationship between materialistic orientation and conspicuous online consumption behavior on social media

Abstract Materialism is a prevalent phenomenon in contemporary society and exerts a substantial influence on consumer behavior. Materialistic individuals prioritize their life goals, success criteria, and sources of happiness through the accumulation of wealth, often exhibiting a proclivity towards narcissism. Concurrently, conspicuous consumption entails the consumption of products or services primarily to fulfill social needs. These three facets—materialism, narcissistic behavior, and conspicuous consumption on social media—have garnered significant attention in academic research. However, prior investigations have not delved into the role of narcissistic behavior in elucidating the positive association between materialism and conspicuous consumption on social media. To address this gap, this study employed an online survey method, involving 330 respondents, with 292 questionnaires deemed suitable for analysis. The structural equation model analysis unveiled several noteworthy findings. Firstly, materialistic orientation exhibited a positive and significant impact on both narcissistic behavior and conspicuous consumption on social media. Secondly, narcissistic behavior demonstrated a positive influence on conspicuous consumption on social media. Finally, this study confirmed that narcissistic behavior mediates the positive relationship between materialism and conspicuous consumption on social media. As a result, this study constitutes a valuable contribution to the literature on consumer behavior.
Thermophilic Tree Species Reinvade Subalpine Sweden—Early Responses to Anomalous Late Holocene Climate Warming

ABSTRACT Consistent with general predictions and earlier empirical studies, it appears that recent climate warming has started to affect large-scale biogeographical patterns in northern Sweden. Long-term, systematic monitoring in permanent altitudinal belt transects reveals spread of broadleaved thermophilic tree species with quite different life histories into the subalpine forest belt. Saplings of Quercus robur, Ulmus glabra, Acer platanoides, Alnus glutinosa, and Betula pendula have responded to altered climatic conditions by jump-dispersal in the order of 50–300 km northwards and 500–800 m upwards. Thereby, they have reinvaded elevations where they grew during the warmest phase of the Holocene, 9500–8000 years ago, but were subsequently extirpated by Neoglacial cooling. Confined to the past 15 years or so, these unique observations are consistent with background climatic data, i.e. warming of all seasons. The results contribute to more realistic vegetation models by stressing that at least certain plant species are able to track climate warming without substantial migration lag.
Corporate tax avoidance: Is South African society negatively affected by chartered accountant CEOs?

Corporate tax avoidance can impede governments’ spending towards social and economic initiatives that can increase infrastructure development, economic growth, and equality, and reduce poverty. Yet, why some companies avoid more tax than others is not adequately understood, and, in particular, research regarding the influence of CEO-characteristics on tax avoidance, is lacking. This study is an empirical investigation into the influence of a CEO’s tax knowledge and tax awareness, construed as a ‘CEO effect’, on corporate tax avoidance, using data from the 112 largest listed companies on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange between 2004 and 2018. We found that the CEO effect, not measured before, does not have an observable influence on the level of corporate tax avoidance. This finding assuages possible concerns that chartered accountants, and particularly chartered accountants in the top leadership positions in large companies, are more shareholder oriented, to the detriment of the interests of society, as suggested in the literature.
A Multiplex RT-PCR Method for the Detection of Reptarenavirus Infection

Reptarenaviruses cause Boid Inclusion Body Disease (BIBD), a fatal disease of boid snakes with an economic and ecological impact, as it affects both captive and wild constrictor snakes. The clinical picture of BIBD is highly variable but often only limited. Intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies (IB), which develop in most cell types including blood cells, are the pathognomonic hallmark of BIBD; their detection represents the diagnostic gold standard of the disease. However, IBs are not consistently present in clinically healthy reptarenavirus carriers, which can, if undetected, lead to and maintain the spread of the disease within and between snake populations. Sensitive viral detection tools are required for screening and control purposes; however, the genetic diversity of reptarenaviruses hampers the reverse transcription (RT) PCR-based diagnostics. Here, we describe a multiplex RT-PCR approach for the molecular diagnosis of reptarenavirus infection in blood samples. The method allows the detection of a wide range of reptarenaviruses with the detection limit reaching 40 copies per microliter of blood. Using 245 blood samples with a reference RT-PCR result, we show that the technique performs as well as the segment-specific RT-PCRs in our earlier studies. It can identify virus carriers and serve to limit reptarenavirus spreading in captive snake collections.
Sediment Transport and Geomorphological Change in a High-Discharge Tropical Delta (Magdalena River, Colombia): Insights from a Period of Intense Change and Human Intervention (1990–2010)

ABSTRACT Restrepo, J.C. ; Schrottke, K. ; Traini, C. ; Ortiz, J.C. ; Orejarena, A. ; Otero, L. ; Higgins, A. , and Marriaga, L. , 2016. Sediment transport and geomorphological change in a high-discharge tropical delta (Magdalena River, Colombia): Insights from a period of intense change and human intervention (1990–2010). There is strong indication that environmental changes and human interventions have affected freshwater discharge and sediment flux in the Magdalena River (northwestern South America) within the period from 1990 to 2010. Thus, stream flow, suspended sediment load (SSL), and riverbed dynamics were analysed in this study for estimating changes in the suspended sediment transport regime as well as of erosional/depositional patterns in different zones of the delta. It can be shown that stream flow increased at a higher rate than suspended sediment transport, promoting changes in the sediment transport regime. Erosion appeared at the mouth/frontal bar and the outlet zones and modified the sedimentary balance within the prodelta in the early 2000s. There is indication that cycles of erosion and accretion were controlled by the magnitude of fluvial discharge and riverbed scouring in the river outlet, whereas effluent diffusion and sediment dispersion were dominant in the delta front. High freshwater discharge, as buoyancy inputs, promoted the transfer of sediments from the river channel to the outer prodelta through the upper layers of the water column. Total sediment accumulation in the delta corresponded to <5% of the annual mean SSL of the Magdalena River. Overall, delta morphology remained relatively stable, experiencing a slow progradational state with highest sedimentation rates (≤1430 mm y−1) in the deepest zones.
“It’s New to Us”: Exploring Authentic Innovation in Local News Settings

Many local newsrooms across the globe have been forced to re-assess (and re-assert) their value and function during a period of intense digital disruption. “Innovate or die” has become an accepted mantra as governments, policymakers, and academics focus on shifting, for example, traditional newspapers into the digital era to maintain their perceived relevance. This article argues the need to understand and learn from the experiences of traditional commercial local news providers who have been encouraged to consider innovative solutions for their businesses. The article adopts a pooled case comparison approach, drawing on data from two separate studies examining media innovation in Norway and Australia. We outline three specific themes that appear to shape localized innovation practices: there is ambivalence or challenge to innovation discourse; introduced innovations are done so incrementally and re-contextualised to adapt to a local setting; and there is an authentic approach to innovation that prioritizes change aligning with local journalism’s social and community values.
Computational Intelligence-Based Stuttering Detection: A Systematic Review

Stuttering is a widespread speech disorder affecting people globally, and it impacts effective communication and quality of life. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and computational intelligence have introduced new possibilities for augmenting stuttering detection and treatment procedures. In this systematic review, the latest AI advancements and computational intelligence techniques in the context of stuttering are explored. By examining the existing literature, we investigated the application of AI in accurately determining and classifying stuttering manifestations. Furthermore, we explored how computational intelligence can contribute to developing innovative assessment tools and intervention strategies for persons who stutter (PWS). We reviewed and analyzed 14 refereed journal articles that were indexed on the Web of Science from 2019 onward. The potential of AI and computational intelligence in revolutionizing stuttering assessment and treatment, which can enable personalized and effective approaches, is also highlighted in this review. By elucidating these advancements, we aim to encourage further research and development in this crucial area, enhancing in due course the lives of PWS.