Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ENVIRONMENTAL, FOOD AND HUMAN BODY BURDEN OF DECHLORANE PLUS IN A WASTE RECYCLING AREA IN THAILAND: NO ROOM FOR EXEMPTIONS

Dechlorane Plus is a widely used polychlorinated flame retardant, despite its endocrine disrupting effects in humans. It has been marketed and used as a replacement for brominated flame retardants. The scientific expert committee under the Stockholm Convention, the POPs Review Committee, has concluded that it meets all Stockholm Convention criteria (persistence, bioaccumulation, toxicity and potential for long-range transport) and recommends its listing into the Annex A of the Convention for global elimination. This will be considered by the Conference of Parties in May 2023. In this study, Dechlorane Plus levels in e-waste recycling communities in northeastern Thailand were determined through a comprehensive set of samples taken at various stages of the processing pathways of the waste. In total, fifty-eight environmental and food samples were taken. Human blood serum samples were taken from forty e-waste workers. Widespread Dechlorane Plus contamination of the environment and of the concerned communities was confirmed. Concentrations ranged between 0.005 and 108 ng/g dry matter in dust, 0.005 and 4.9 ng/g dry matter in soil, 0.24 and 15.4 ng/g dry matter in sediment, 0.002 and 0.10 ng/g in fish, 0.002 and 0.03 ng/g in snails, and 0.15 and 12.6 ng/g lipid in eggs. One composite ash sample contained 1.7 ng/g dry matter of Dechlorane Plus. Waste (shredded plastic pieces), rice, and crab samples did not contain Dechlorane Plus above the laboratory limit of quantification. The results revealed a clear difference in Dechlorane Plus blood serum concentrations between e-waste workers (mean value of 12.57 ng/g lipid) and a reference group of organic farm workers (mean value of 0.32 ng/g lipid). The study clearly links environmental and blood serum levels of Dechlorane Plus in Thai workers with recycling activities of e-waste plastics and end-of-life vehicles. E-waste dismantling and re-cycling activities were found to be the source of Dechlorane Plus in the dust of the small-scale community-based workshops, and transport, storage
Lay Personality Knowledge 1 Running Head: LAY PERSONALITY KNOWLEDGE Lay Personality Knowledge and Dispositionist Thinking: A Knowledge-activation Framework

We explicate a knowledge-activation framework depicting the link between lay personality knowledge and dispositional judgments, building on work by C. S. Dweck, C. Chiu, and Y. Hong (1995a, b). According to this framework, most people possess knowledge consistent with an entity theory (personality is fixed) and incremental theory (personality is malleable), which operates according to knowledge-activation principles. Consistent with this claim, we find that people render more confident dispositional judgments when their entity knowledge is made relatively more accessible through priming manipulations that activate aspects of their existing knowledge. Findings also illustrate the usefulness of incorporating both specific and general knowledge in our analysis. The present framework enhances and complements the individualdifferences approach to the study of person theories prevalent in the literature.
Atmosphere in a Test Tube

The ancestor philosophers’ dream of thousand of new world is finally realised: more than 1800 extrasolar planets have been discovered in the neighborhood of our Sun. Most of them are very different from those we used to know in our Solar System. Others orbit the Habitable Zone (HZ) of their parent stars. Space missions, as JWST and the very recently proposed ARIEL, or ground based instruments, like SPHERE@VLT, GPI@GEMINI and EPICS@ELT, have been proposed and built to measure the atmospheric transmission, reflection and emission spectra over a wide wavelength range of these new worlds. In order to interpret the spectra coming out by this new instrumentation, it is important to know in detail the optical characteristics of gases in the typical physical conditions of the planetary atmospheres and how those characteristics could be affected by radiation driven photochemical and bio-chemical reaction. Insights in this direction can be achieved from laboratory studies of simulated planetary atmosphere of different pressure and temperature conditions under the effects of radiation sources, used as proxies of different bands of the stellar emission. ”Atmosphere in a Test Tube” is a collaboration among several Italian astronomical, biological and engineering institutes in order to share their experiencece in performing laboratory experiments on several items concerning extrasolar planet atmospheres.
Static load-balancing techniques for iterative computations on heterogeneous clusters

This paper is devoted to static load balancing techniques for mapping iterative algorithms onto heterogeneous clusters. The application data is partitioned over the processors. At each iteration, independent calculations are carried out in parallel, and some communications take place. The question is to determine how to slice the application data into chunks, and to assign these chunks to the processors, so that the total execution time is minimized. We establish a complexity result that assesses the difficulty of this problem, and we design practical heuristics that provide efficient distribution schemes.
Observation of the Resonant Character of the Zð4430Þ− State

R. Aaij et al. (LHCb Collaboration) (Received 7 April 2014; published 4 June 2014) Resonant structures in B → ψ 0π−Kþ decays are analyzed by performing a four-dimensional fit of the decay amplitude, using pp collision data corresponding to 3 fb−1 collected with the LHCb detector. The data cannot be described with Kþπ− resonances alone, which is confirmed with a model-independent approach. A highly significant Zð4430Þ− → ψ 0π− component is required, thus confirming the existence of this state. The observed evolution of the Zð4430Þ− amplitude with the ψ 0π− mass establishes the resonant nature of this particle. The mass and width measurements are substantially improved. The spin parity is determined unambiguously to be 1þ.
The effect of a physician-targeted intervention on metoclopramide prescribing practice

Background: Metoclopramide use is associated with serious and potentially irreversible neurologic side effects. However, it is often used for questionable or unclear indications in clinical practice. Objectives: To (1) determine whether an intervention targeted at the prescribing physician would increase the rate of metoclopramide discontinuation among patients prescribed the medication for questionable or unclear indications; and (2) assess the durability of the discontinuation. Study design: A randomized controlled trial. Main rate and the durability of metoclopramide discontinuation. Results: Fourteen of 31 (45%) patients of intervention group clinicians and 10 of 30 (33%) patients of nonintervention group clinicians had metoclopramide discontinued within 12 weeks, yielding a risk ratio for metoclopramide discontinuation of 1.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.6–3.0) in the intervention versus nonintervention group. Of the 29 patients who had their metoclopramide discontinued during the study, 26 (90%, 95% CI 73%–98%) still had no active metoclopramide prescription in the subsequent 6 months. No adverse events were detected during the follow-up period. Conclusion: A physician-targeted intervention letter did not lead to a statistically significantly increased rate of metoclopramide discontinuation among patients who had questionable or unclear indications for the medication. Discontinuation of metoclopramide therapy for questionable or unclear indications was durable in most patients.
An Air Stagnation Index to Qualify Extreme Haze Events in Northern China

Stagnation weather affects atmospheric diffusion ability, and hence causes the occurrence of haze events, which have been happening frequently in northern China (NC). This work puts forward an air stagnation index (ASITS) to characterize the stagnation weather in NC, in which the processes of ventilation, vertical diffusion, and wet deposition potency are concerned. ASITS can be applied to analyze air stagnation conditions with daily to monthly time scale. It is shown that the ASITS and particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) concentrations own similar lognormal probability distribution functions on both daily and monthly time scales. And the correlation analyses between the ASITS and PM2.5 concentrations indicate that the ASITS can reflect the monthly and daily variations in PM2.5 concentrations in NC. In addition, ASITS could be used as a leading predictor of haze events since correlation coefficients of ASITS leading PM2.5 concentrations by 1 day were significant and were larger than simultaneous correlation coefficients in almost all areas in NC. The robust relationship between ASITS and PM2.5 concentrations exists possibly because the index can reflect the activities of synoptic systems. ASITS could be a useful statistical indicator for variations in PM2.5 concentrations and haze events, and a good tool in analyzing the relationship between climate change and long-term variations in haze in NC.
Evaluation of the Shreveport Predictive Policing Experiment

This report documents an assessment of a predictive policing effort that was conducted to evaluate the crime reduction effects of policing guided by statistical predictions. In addition to a basic appraisal of the process, the report shows the crime impacts and costs directly attributable to the strategy in order to provide a fuller picture for police departments considering if and how a predictive policing strategy should be adopted.
Opioid-induced hyperalgesia: What to do when it occurs?

While treating cancer pain with opioids, we can sometimes observe a decline in analgesic efficacy of a given opioid dose, in particular with disease progression. If this phenomenon occurs whilst there is no obvious disease progression, this has been traditionally attributed to development of pharmacological tolerance. However, there is now increasing evidence for the phenomenon of opioid-induced hyperalgesia as another mechanism to explain the loss of effectiveness of opioids. Opioid-induced hyperalgesia has been defined as increasing pain sensitivity in patients chronically exposed to opioids without any evidence for new causes of pain. Opioid-induced hyperalgesia has been described in a large number of animal studies, since a first publication of this phenomenon in 1971, which reported that repeated injection of morphine produced hyperalgesia in rats (1).
Eeects of Price Signal Choices on Market Stability

We study the eeects of diierent price signals on the stability of an agent-based auction-cleared automated market, using both simulation and analysis. The results show that such markets can be stabilized using a price signal that is the average of all bids, and that this signal leads to more stable behavior if the bids are weighted inversely with the size of the ooers. This connrms the notion that information in the order book is valuable, and suggests new, more stable algorithms for market-based control.
Maternal stress and childhood migraine: a new perspective on management

Background: Migraine without aura is a primary headache which is frequent and disabling in the developmental age group. No reports are available concerning the prevalence and impact of migraine in children on the degree of stress experienced by parents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of maternal stress in a large pediatric sample of individuals affected by migraine without aura. Methods: The study population consisted of 218 children (112 boys, 106 girls) of mean age 8.32 ± 2.06 (range 6–13) years suffering from migraine without aura and a control group of 405 typical developing children (207 boys, 198 girls) of mean age 8.54 ± 2.47 years. Mothers of children in each group answered the Parent Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF) questionnaire to assess parental stress levels. Results: The two groups were matched for age ( P = 0.262), gender ( P = 0.983), and body mass index adjusted for age ( P = 0.106). Mothers of children with migraine without aura reported higher mean PSI-SF scores related to the Parental Distress domain ( P , 0.001), Dysfunctional Parent-Child Interaction domain ( P , 0.001), Difficult Child subscale ( P , 0.001), and Total Stress domain than mothers of controls ( P , 0.001). No differences between the two groups were found for Defensive Responding subscale scores. Conclusion: Our study may be the first to highlight the presence of high levels of stress in parents of children affected by migraine without aura.
Effect of some postharvest treatments on pepperment quality.

The present investigation was conducted in season (20062007) to study the best harvesting method , the best drying method, packages type and storage period in peppermint which give the lowest average of total microbial count (TMC) and best essential oil content with active ingredients of the oil. The results of this study indicated that the best harvesting method occurred with using gloves with clear plastic, harvesting boxes; while, the best drying system was the solar drying. The best package type through storage period was carton boxes; increasing storage period decreased the volatile oil percentage and the most of main components.
Effects of common mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD domain and its ligand the human ACE2 receptor on binding affinity and kinetics

The interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 virus Spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) and the ACE2 cell surface protein is required for viral infection of cells. Mutations in the RBD domain are present in SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern that have emerged independently worldwide. For example, the more transmissible B.1. 1.7 lineage has a mutation (N501Y) in its Spike RBD domain that enhances binding to ACE2. There are also ACE2 alleles in humans with mutations in the RBD binding site. Here we perform a detailed affinity and kinetics analysis of the effect of five common RBD mutations (K417N, K417T, N501Y, E484K and S477N) and two common ACE2 mutations (S19P and K26R) on the RBD/ACE2 interaction. We analysed the effects of individual RBD mutations, and combinations found in new SARS-CoV-2 variants first identified in the UK (B.1.1.7), South Africa (B.1.351) and Brazil (P1). Most of these mutations increased the affinity of the RBD/ACE2 interaction. The exceptions were mutations K417N/T, which decreased the affinity. Taken together with other studies, our results suggest that the N501Y and S477N mutations primarily enhance transmission, the K417N/T mutations facilitate immune escape, and the E484K mutation facilitates both transmission and immune escape.
NEST FEATURES AND NEST-TREE CHARACTERISTICS OF SHORT-TOED EAGLES (CIRCAETUS GALLICUS) IN THE DADIA-LEFKIMI-SOUFLI FOREST, NORTHEASTERN GREECE

AI3STP•ACT. -•Data on nest features and nest-tree characteristics of 29 nest trees of Short-toed Eagles ( Circaetus gallicus) were compared with the same number of paired, randomly-selected trees in the DadiaLefkimi-Soufli forest complex, northeastern Greece. Short-toed Eagles usually nested in Calabrian pine (Pinus brutia, 83%) trees that were either dominant (87%) or intermediate (13%) in the canopy. Most nests were in the largest trees in terms of height (i = 13.8 _+ 0.4 m, _+SE) and diameter at breast height (i = 49.7 + 1.6 cm) in stands. Nests were located in the lower or middle third of the canopy at a mean height of 8.6 + 0.41 m and on horizontal branches at a mean distance of 133 cm _+ 12.4 cm from trunks. A tendency for building nests on the south-facing side of canopies of nest trees was detected (mean angle = 178 ø, angular deviation s = 58ø). Short-toed Eagles selected nest trees that provided them with easy access while also providing protection from predators and inclement weather.
Barcelona GSE Working Paper Series Working Paper n o 617 Unemployment , Participation and Worker Flows Over the Life-Cycle

We estimate and report life-cycle transition probabilities between employment, unemployment and inactivity for male and female workers using Current Population Survey monthly files. We assess the relative importance of each probability in explaining the life-cycle profiles of participation and unemployment rates using a novel decomposition method. A key robust finding is that most differences in participation and unemployment over the life-cycle can be attributed to the probability of leaving employment and the probability of transiting from inactivity to unemployment, while transitions from unemployment to employment (the job finding probability) play secondary roles. We conclude that search models that seek to explain life-cycle work patterns should not ignore transitions to and from inactivity. at UAB and CEA for helpful discussions. Sekyu Choi gratefully acknowledges financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Education through grant ECO2009-09847. Alexandre Janiak and Benjamin Villena thank Fondecyt for financial support (project no 1120593). All errors are ours.
Assessing Technology-based Spin-offs from University Support Units

This paper takes a regional studies approach to assess the efficiency of technology-based spin-offs that benefited from financial and infrastructure aid. It does so by following the objectives of institutions for regional support and provides evidence on spin-offs created within the special case of a technology transfer network placed at Catalan universities. We contribute to the literature in at least two ways. First, we detect and conceptualise the specific regional objectives and the associated inputs and outputs needed to assess firms created at university-based support units. Second, an application provides empirical insights into regional mechanisms for firm creation. Results indicate that many efficient spin-offs have formal technology transfer agreements and emerge from universities with more technological background. Second stage analyses show that higher levels of innovation and specific academic knowledge or experience related with the university of origin are associated with higher efficiency. Concluding remarks focus on regional policy making and future research directions.
Management of severe community-acquired pneumonia of children in developing and developed countries

Childhood community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is common, and recent data have shown that the number of children with severe CAP is increasing worldwide. Regardless of geographical area, severe cases are those at the highest risk of hospitalisation, prolonged hospitalisation and death, and therefore require prompt identiﬁcation and the most effective treatment in order to reduce CAP-related morbidity and mortality. This review evaluates the available data concerning the diagnosis and treatment of severe and/or complicated cases of paediatric CAP in developed and developing countries. It also underlines the fact that any evidence-based recommendations require more research in various areas, including the aetiology of severe cases and the reasons for the complications, the better deﬁnition of ﬁrst-choice antibiotic treatment and when surgery may be useful, and the role of chest physiotherapy
, Characterisation and Detection of Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate Salts

Sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium salts of gamma-hydroxybutyrate have been synthesised from gamma-butyrolactone and the corresponding group 1 or 2 hydroxide. Although the group 2 salts are non-hygroscopic, FT-IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis revealed them to be hydrated. X-ray powder diffraction was found to be a quick, non-destructive method of discriminating between the four salts. The Smith and the chlorophenol red/modified Schweppes reagent presumptive colour tests gave positive results regardless of the salt tested. Microcrystalline tests for NaGHB were in accordance with previous literature reports, but results for the other three salts were not reliable.
Functional Specialization in the Human Medial Temporal Lobe

Investigations of memory in rats and nonhuman primates have demonstrated functional specialization within the medial temporal lobe (MTL), a set of heavily interconnected structures including the hippocampal formation and underlying entorhinal, perirhinal, and parahippocampal cortices. Most studies in humans, however, especially in patients with brain damage, suggest that the human MTL is a unitary memory system supporting all types of declarative memory, our conscious memory for facts and events. To resolve this discrepancy, amnesic patients with either selective hippocampal damage or more extensive MTL damage were tested on variations of an object discrimination task adapted from the nonhuman primate literature. Although both groups were equally impaired on standard recall-based memory tasks, they exhibited different profiles of performance on the object discrimination test, arguing against a unitary view of MTL function. Cases with selective hippocampal damage performed normally, whereas individuals with broader MTL lesions were impaired. Furthermore, deficits in this latter group were related not to the number of discriminations to be learned and remembered, but to the degree of “feature ambiguity,” a property of visual discriminations that can emerge when features are part of both rewarded and unrewarded stimuli. These findings resolve contradictions between published studies in humans and animals and introduce a new way of characterizing the impairments that arise after damage to the MTL.
Effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill on eelgrass communities in Prince William Sound, Alaska 1990-1995. Restoration project 95106. Exxon Valdez oil spill restoration project final report

Injuries to the shallow subtidal eelgrass community were observed in the heavily oiled portions of Western Prince William Sound following the Exxon Valdez oil spill. High PAH concentrations were associated with observed differences in communities at oiled vs. reference sites. Dominant taxa within the eelgrass community, including infaunal amphipods, infaunal bivalves, helmet crabs, and leather stars were less abundant at oiled than at reference sites in 1990. Other taxa, including several families of opportunistic or stress-tolerant infaunal polychaetes and gastropods, epifaunal polychaetes and mussels, and small cod, were more abundant at oiled sites. By 1995, there was apparent recovery of most community constituents. However, not all taxa had recovered fully. Some evidence of slight hydrocarbon contamination still existed at some sites, and three infaunal bivalves, two amphipods, a crab, and a sea star were still more abundant at reference sites than at oiled sites.
Supplementary Materials of Searching for Better Spatio-temporal Alignment in Few-Shot Action Recognition

The supplementary materials are organized as follows. In Appendix A, we provide the implementation details of training and inference settings. We illustrate the details of Transformer space shrinking in Appendix B. The details of the evolutionary search are presented in Appendix C. We report the effect of Transformer space shrinking strategy with bigger Transformer space in Appendix D. Then, we implement the Patch Embedding layer in our SST with single-layer big kernel convolution layer and evaluate the performance in Appendix E. Moreover, we compare searched models with four hand-designed architectures in Appendix F. In Appendix G, we conduct the visualization for spatiotemporal feature distribution. We show more detailed searching results in Appendix H. We elaborate the relationship between spatio-temporal representation and temoporal alignment in Appendix I. More results under the condition of similar compute budget with TRX are reported in Appendix J. And we also present motivations and more details of search space in Appendix K and Appendix L.