Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
“Acoustic wallpaper” under control – the case of musique d’ameublement and Muzak

Attention is one of the most important cognitive processes. Its functioning and key characteristics play a vital role in the perception of music, especially in everyday situations when music becomes an acoustical background. Thanks to selectiveness, shift and division of attention, the listener can balance between an active and a passive act of listening, however, the results of auditory perception may be difficult to determine. Can the sender, in the process of musical communication, manage the listener’s attention in such a way as to achieve the effect of “acoustic wallpaper” understood as a perception-based effect of background music, where music, in line with the sender’s intentions, is located in the peripheral zone of the listener’s attention, within extensive attention? What function, from the perspective of the sender, is performed by “acoustic wallpaper”? Is it a target result or a mechanism leading to cer- tain reactions in an indirect way? What factors play a decisive role for the efficiency of an adopted strategy? The main aim of this article is to answer the above questions by the analysis of two exemplary concepts of background music (musique d’ameublement by Erik Satie and Muzak) through the prism of the author’s theoretical model of “acoustic wallpaper” (Makomaska, 2021). This novel ap- proach derives from the psychologically-based reciprocal feedback model of musical response (hargreaves, et al., 2005) and socio-musicological studies on pragmatic forms of musical communication (brown, 2006). It assumes that the effectiveness of “acoustic wallpaper” being under control of the sender (the composer or a professional company) is conditioned by correlations between structural characteristics of music, the listener, and historical-social context. The analysis shows that the intended functions of background music (seen from the perspective of the sender) can differ from the real ones and in the case of particular concepts can be moderated by various groups of factors. The results provoke further discussion on the application potential of the proposed model in psychologically, historically and/or marketing-oriented studies on such concepts as e.g. ambient music and contemporary audiomarketing strategies implemented in commercial environments, where music located on the periphery of the listener’s attention can become an effective tool of mani- pulation.
Factors Affecting the Application of Environmental Accounting in Manufacturing Enterprises in Vietnam

Purpose: Starting from the goal of economic development associated with environmental protection activities, this study examines the factors affecting the application of environmental accounting (EA) in manufacturing enterprises in Vietnam. Methodology: This study is conducted using a combination of qualitative research methods (review of previous theories and research papers related to the research) and a quantitative research model (testing the degree of the appropriateness of the scale and the theoretical model through Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficient, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), multivariable regression analysis to determine the relationship between factors affecting the application environmental accounting in manufacturing enterprises in Vietnam. Results: Multivariable regression analysis shows that all factors (six factors) included in the study have an impact on the application of environmental accounting in manufacturing enterprises in Vietnam. Which stakeholder pressure has the strongest impact and financial resources have the weakest effect on the application of EA in these enterprises. Originality/Value: This study provides empirical evidence about the impact of each factor on the application of environmental accounting, thereby helping state management agencies, professional associations, and businesses in the process of developing and promulgating policies affecting these factors to promote the application of environmental accounting in Vietnamese enterprises.
The Sources and Potential Hosts Identification of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in the Yellow River, Revealed by Metagenomic Analysis

The fate of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) has been revealed in various environmental media in recent years. Namely, the emergence of genes that resist colistin and carbapenems has attracted wide attention. However, the pollution condition of ARGs and sources in the Yellow River is still little understood, despite the river being the second longest in China. The present study determined the levels of ARG pollution in the Henan section of the Yellow River and evaluated the role of the aquaculture industry in the spread of ARGs. As revealed by the results, a total of 9 types of ARGs were detected in the sediments of the Yellow River, and the total ARG content in the Yellow River ranges from 7.27 to 245.45 RPKM. Sul1 and sul2 are the dominant ARGs, and the huge usage of sulfonamides, horizontal gene transfer, and wide bacteria host contribute to the prevalence of these two genes. The results of Spearman correlation analysis indicate that the breeding industry has little influence on ARGs in the Yellow River. Network analysis reveals that the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas is the potential host of sul1, tetG, and ANT(3′′)-IIa, which can pose a risk to human health.
Pediatric Minimally Invasive Surgery—A Bibliometric Study on 30 Years of Research Activity

Background: Pediatric minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is a standard technique worldwide. We aimed to analyze the research activity in this field. Methods: Articles on pediatric MIS (1991–2020) were analyzed from the Web of Science™ for the total number of publications, citations, journals, and impact factors (IF). Of these, the 50 most cited publications were evaluated in detail and classified according to the level of evidence (i.e., study design) and topic (i.e., surgical procedure). Results: In total, 4464 publications and 53,111 citations from 684 journals on pediatric MIS were identified. The 50 most cited papers were published from 32 institutions in the USA/Canada (n = 28), Europe (n = 19), and Asia (n = 3) in 12 journals. Four authors (USA/Europe) contributed to 26% of the 50 most cited papers as first/senior author. Hot topics were laparoscopic pyeloplasty (n = 9), inguinal hernia repair (n = 7), appendectomy, and pyloromyotomy (n = 4 each). The majority of publications were retrospective studies (n = 33) and case reports (n = 6) (IF 5.2 ± 3.2; impact index 16.5 ± 6.4; citations 125 ± 39.4). They were cited as often as articles with high evidence levels (meta-analyses, n = 2; randomized controlled trials, n = 7; prospective studies, n = 2) (IF 12.9 ± 22.5; impact index 14.0 ± 6.5; citations 125 ± 34.7; p > 0.05). Conclusions: Publications on laparoscopic pyeloplasty, inguinal hernia repair, appendectomy, and pyloromyotomy are cited most often in pediatric MIS. However, the relevant number of studies with strong evidence for the advantages of MIS in pediatric surgery is missing.
Lindbladian dynamics of the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev model

We study the Lindbladian dynamics of the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev (SYK) model, where the SYK model is coupled to Markovian reservoirs with jump operators that are either linear or quadratic in the Majorana fermion operators. Here, the linear jump operators are non-random while the quadratic jump operators are sampled from a Gaussian distribution. In the limit of large N , where N is the number of Majorana fermion operators, and also in the limit of large N and M , where M is the number of jump operators, the SYK Lindbladians are analytically tractable, and we obtain their stationary Green’s functions, from which we can read off the decay rate. For finite N , we also study the distribution of the eigenvalues of the SYK Lindbladians.
Supporting Students With Disability: Learning and Support Teachers and Learning Support Teams in NSW Schools

Abstract There are various models for supporting students with disability and their teachers in mainstream schools. In New South Wales, each school has a learning and support teacher allocation and the New South Wales Department of Education recommends each school have a learning support team. This paper draws on in-depth interviews with school staff from 22 schools, including 16 learning and support teachers, 20 class teachers, 25 school executives and other stakeholders. We report here on the role of learning and support teachers and learning support teams in planning, implementing and evaluating adjustments and on the operation of learning support teams. Qualitative analysis of the interview transcripts revealed two kinds of learning support teams: those that focus on a particular student and those that oversee the education and resource provision for all students with disability in a school. Some teams had more of a focus on administration and resourcing, while others dealt more with educational adjustments. Similarly, some learning and support teachers were more involved in administrative and liaison roles, while others were more active in supporting teachers and providing services directly to students. The most detailed descriptions of support were provided by learning and support teachers with special education qualifications.
A model of continuous improvement programme management

Abstract The aim of this study is to identify key management decisions that enable the sustainment of a continuous improvement (CI) initiative. To accomplish this aim, we examine the procedures and practices used by two manufacturing companies for the management of their CI initiatives; one that is successfully sustaining the effectiveness of its CI initiative and another failing to do the same. This research makes two contributions to the conceptual understanding of CI programme management. First, we identify five CI programme management factors that enable the sustainment of a CI initiative. Second, the five factors are incorporated into a new CI programme management model. The model details a ‘bottom-up’ procedure for the generation of manufacturing performance improvement ideas and the management of their implementation.
The Role of Mass Media Campaigns in Improving Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Among Adolescents Living with HIV in Southwestern Uganda

Background Globally, about 1.8 million adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 were living with HIV by close of 2021, of these, about 1.5 million were living in sub-Saharan Africa. This study explored the influence of mass media campaigns in promoting adherence to antiretroviral therapies among adolescents living with HIV in southwestern Uganda. Methods We conducted a phenomenological qualitative study design that was adopted to explore the role of mass media campaigns on adherence to antiretroviral therapy among adolescents at the adolescents’ HIV clinic Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. The FGDs were conducted in Runyankole-Rukiga, and they were transcribed verbatim and later translated to English. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results We conducted 7 Focus Group Discussions with adolescents living with HIV aged 10–19 years and 5 key informants’ interviews with the health care providers. Results from the analysis were grouped into three broad themes: awareness of mass media HIV campaigns promoting adherence to ART, influence of mass media campaigns on adherence to antiretroviral therapy, and preferred mass media mode of delivery by adolescents’ living with HIV. Participants preferred broadcast media channels and messages that featured success stories of people living with HIV. Conclusion HIV mass media campaigns influence adherence to antiretroviral therapy among people living with HIV. It is recommended that HIV-related media campaign designers consider the unique needs of adolescents while designing and airing out various media campaigns. This will influence their positive living and thus lead to their increased health life expectancy.
Determinants of Technological and non-technological Innovations: Evidence from Ghana’ Manufacturing and Service Sectors

ABSTRACT This paper aims at investigating the various factors driving technological and non-technological innovations in the manufacturing and service sectors in Ghana. We argue that numerous previous studies have shown that digitalization, firms’ collaborations, access to finance, engaging in research and development and certain firm characteristic such as age, size and ownership influence firms’ aptitude and incentives to be innovative. However, in the context of developing countries like Ghana, we do not know whether these same determinants also have positive effects on stimulating innovations at the firm-level. Using a sample of 549 firms sourced from the World Bank Enterprises Survey conducted between 2007 and 2013, this study finds that the adoption of digitalization promotes non-technological (organizational) innovations than technological innovations. We also find that firms’ innovation collaboration with consultants and universities rather exert no impact on technological and non-technological innovations. Our finding show that internal R&D enhance technological innovations and not non-technological innovations. The main practical implications of the study are that attempts to boosting firm-level and developing countries innovation potentials should mainly focus on improving internal R&D and innovation support activities, expanding access to finance, and upgrading Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure to enhance digitalization.
Electromechanical properties of A-site (LiCe)-modified sodium bismuth titanate (Na0.5Bi4.5Ti4O15) piezoelectric ceramics at elevated temperature

The Aurivillius-type bismuth layer-structured (NaBi)0.46(LiCe)0.04Bi4Ti4O15 (NBT-LiCe) piezoelectric ceramics were synthesized using conventional solid-state processing. Phase analysis was performed by x-ray diffraction and microstructural morphology was assessed by scanning electron microscopy. The dielectric, piezoelectric, ferroelectric, and electromechanical properties of NBT-LiCe ceramics were investigated. The piezoelectric activities were found to be significantly enhanced compared to NBT ceramics, which can be attributed to the lattice distortion and the presence of bismuth vacancies. The dielectric and electromechanical properties of NBT-LiCe ceramics at elevated temperature were investigated in detail. The excellent piezoelectric, dielectric, and electromechanical properties, coupled with high Curie temperature (Tc=660 °C), demonstrated that the NBT-LiCe ceramics are the promising candidates for high temperature applications.
Dental and Periodontal Health in Acute Intermittent Porphyria

In the inherited metabolic disorder acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), high sugar intake prevents porphyric attacks due to the glucose effect and the following high insulin levels that may lower AIP disease activity. Insulin resistance is a known risk factor for periodontitis and sugar changes diabetogenic hormones and affects dental health. We hypothesized differences in homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) scores for insulin resistance in AIP cases vs. controls and in those with periodontitis. Our aim was to systematically study dental health in AIP as poor dental health was previously only described in case reports. Further, we aimed to examine if poor dental health and kidney failure might worsen AIP as chronic inflammation and kidney failure might increase disease activity. In 47 AIP cases and 47 matched controls, X-rays and physical examination of clinical attachment loss (CAL), probing pocket depth (PPD), and decayed missing filled teeth (DMFT) were performed. Dietary intake was evaluated through a diet logbook. Plasma cytokines and diabetogenic hormones were measured using multiplex technology and urine porphobilinogen and kidney and liver function by routine methods. An excel spreadsheet from the University of Oxford was used to estimate HOMA scores; beta cell function, HOMA%B (%B), insulin sensitivity, HOMA%S (%S), and insulin resistance HOMA-IR (IR), based on glucose and plasma (P) C-peptide. The Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test, the Mann–Whitney U-test, and Spearman’s non-parametric correlation were used. Insulin (p = 0.007) and C-peptide (p = 0.006) were higher in the AIP cases with periodontitis versus those without. In AIP patients, the liver fibrosis index 4 correlated with DMFT (p < 0.001) and CAL ≥4 mm (p = 0.006); the estimated glomerular filtration rate correlated with DMFT (p < 0.001) and CAL ≥4 mm (p = 0.02). CAL ≥4 mm was correlated with chemokine ligand 11 and interleukin (IL)-13 (p = 0.04 for both), and PPD >5 mm was correlated with plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (p = 0.003) and complement component 3 (p = 0.02). In conclusion, dental health in AIP cases was correlated with insulin resistance, inflammatory markers, and biomarkers of kidney and liver function, demonstrating that organ damage in the kidney and liver are associated with poorer dental health.
Socioeconomic impacts on Andean adolescents’ growth

Abstract Background/Objectives We evaluated potential socioeconomic contributors to variation in Andean adolescents’ growth between households within a peri-urban community undergoing rapid demographic and economic change, between different community types (rural, peri-urban, urban) and over time. Because growth monitoring is widely used for assessing community needs and progress, we compared the prevalences of stunting, underweight, and overweight estimated by three different growth references. Methods Anthropometrics of 101 El Alto, Bolivia, adolescents (Alteños), 11.0–14.9 years old in 2003, were compared between households (economic status assessed by parental occupations); to one urban and two rural samples collected in 1983/1998/1977, respectively; and to the WHO growth reference, a representative sample of Bolivian children (MESA), and a region-wide sample of high-altitude Peruvian children (Puno). Results Female Alteños’ growth was positively associated with household and maternal income indices. Alteños’ height averaged ∼0.8SD/∼0.6SD/∼2SDs greater than adolescents’ height in urban and rural communities measured in 1983/1998/1977, respectively. Overweight prevalence was comparable to the WHO, and lower than MESA and Puno, references. Stunting was 8.5/2.5/0.5 times WHO/MESA/Puno samples, respectively. Conclusions/Implications Both peri-urban conditions and temporal trends contributed to gains in Alteños’ growth. Rural out-migration can alleviate migrants’ poverty, partly because of more diverse economic options in urbanized communities, especially for women. Nonetheless, Alteños averaged below WHO and MESA height and weight medians. Evolved biological adaptations to environmental challenges, and the consequent variability in growth trajectories, favor using multiple growth references. Growth monitoring should be informed by community- and household-level studies to detect and understand local factors causing or alleviating health disparities.
The Change in Net Ecosystem Productivity and its Driving Mechanism in a Mountain Ecosystem of Arid Regions, Northwest China

During the past several decades, the carbon budget in the dryland ecosystem has experienced great variation under the joint impact of climate change and anthropogenic interference. How the net ecosystem productivity (NEP) responds to climate change and human interference in the Qilian Mountains (QLM), Northwest China, remains unclear. To fill these gaps, we first estimated the NEP in the QLM and then quantified the independent and interactive influences of natural environment factors, climatic factors, and human activity intensity on the NEP change from 2000 to 2020 by linking the Geodetector and structural equation models. The NEP of the QLM showed a significant increase during the recent 20 years, and 78.93% of the QLM experienced a significant increase in NEP; while only 4.83% of the area in the QLM experienced a decreasing trend, which is dominantly located on the southeast edge, surrounding the Qinghai Lake, and the midland of the QLM. The area percentage of the carbon sink region increased from 47% in 2000 to 62% in 2020. The natural environment factors (e.g., altitude and soil type) and climate factors (e.g., temperature and precipitation) were the dominant factors that determine the spatial distribution of NEP. Compared with a single factor, the interaction of pairs of factors enhanced the influence strength on NEP. The natural environment factors indirectly affected NEP change through influencing human activities intensity and climatic factors. Human activities intensity played a medium indirectly negative effect on NEP, while climatic factors exerted strong direct and indirect positive influences on NEP. The contributions of human activity intensity, climatic factors, and natural environment on NEP change in the QLM were 33.5%, 62.3%, and 38.3%, respectively. Overall, warming and wetting shifts in meteorological conditions offset the negative impact of human activities on NEP in the QLM, and the QLM has acted as a growing carbon sink in the past 20 years.
Early-Season Crop Mapping on an Agricultural Area in Italy Using X-Band Dual-Polarization SAR Satellite Data and Convolutional Neural Networks

Early-season crop mapping provides decision-makers with timely information on crop types and conditions that are crucial for agricultural management. Current satellite-based mapping solutions mainly rely on optical imagery, albeit limited by weather conditions. Very few exploit long-time series of polarized synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. To address this gap, we assessed the performance of COSMO-SkyMed X-band dual-polarized (HH, VV) data in a test area in Ponte a Elsa (central Italy) in January–September 2020 and 2021. A deep learning convolutional neural network (CNN) classifier arranged with two different architectures (1-D and 3-D) was trained and used to recognize ten classes. Validation was undertaken with in situ measurements from regular field campaigns carried out during satellite overpasses over more than 100 plots each year. The 3-D classifier structure and the combination of HH+VV backscatter provide the best classification accuracy, especially during the first months of each year, i.e., 80% already in April 2020 and in May 2021. Overall accuracy above 90% is always marked from June using the 3-D classifier with HH, VV, and HH+VV backscatter. These experiments showcase the value of the developed SAR-based early-season crop mapping approach. The influence of vegetation phenology, structure, density, biomass, and turgor on the CNN classifier using X-band data requires further investigations, along with the relatively low producer accuracy marked by vineyard and uncultivated fields.