Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risky Fertility Behavior, Breastfeeding Practices and Neonatal Mortality Risk: Evidence from Repeated Cross-Sectional Nationally Representative Data

Background: Notwithstanding government efforts in improving maternal and child health, childhood mortality still remains a serious burden in the country, with neonatal mortality rate of 39 deaths and under-five mortality rate of 132 per 1,000 live births. This has implication on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted towards reducing under-fiver mortality rate to 25 deaths per 1,000 live births by the year 2030. This study examined risky fertility behavior, breastfeeding practices, and neonatal mortality risk in Nigeria. Materials and methods: This study involved the analysis of secondary data, Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (pooled dataset of the three most recent surveys, NDHS, 2008, 2013 and 2018). The sample size was a weighted sample of 94,062 women aged 15-49 years with 172, 252 live births for the ten years period. Descriptive statistics and cox-proportional hazard model were performed using Stata 14.1 software. Results: Nearly two thirds (64.0%) of births were high risk. The practice of breastfeeding among the women was quite poor, just (39.5%) initiated breastfeeding within one hour of childbirth, though (74.0%) reported breastfeeding their child for a minimum of 12 months. The independent effect of risky fertility behavior (RFB) was associated with elevated hazards of neonatal mortality, with the highest risk observed among births belonging to the multiple high-risk group (HR=2.1, p<0.01). Adjusting for breastfeeding practices, maternal/child characteristics and maternal health seeking behavior was associated with elevated hazard of neonatal mortality with the highest hazard observed among births belonging to the multiple high-risk group (HR=1.76, p<0.05). Other factors associated with elevated hazard for neonatal mortality are sex of the child, maternal level of education and breastfeeding duration. Conclusion: RFB was associated with elevated hazard for neonatal mortality, even after adjusting for breastfeeding practices, maternal and child characteristics and maternal health-seeking behavior thereby lending credence to Mosley and Chen theory.
The nature effect in motion: visual exposure to environmental scenes impacts cognitive load and human gait kinematics

Prolonged exposure to urban environments requires higher cognitive processing resources than exposure to nature environments, even if only visual cues are available. Here, we explored the moment-to-moment impact of environment type on visual cognitive processing load, measuring gait kinematics and reaction times. In Experiment 1, participants (n = 20) walked toward nature and urban images projected in front of them, one image per walk, and rated each image for visual discomfort. Gait speed and step length decreased for exposure to urban as compared with nature scenes in line with gait changes observed during verbal cognitive load tasks. We teased apart factors that might contribute to cognitive load: image statistics and visual discomfort. Gait changes correlated with subjective ratings of visual discomfort and their interaction with the environment but not with low-level image statistics. In Experiment 2, participants (n = 45) performed a classic shape discrimination task with the same environmental scenes serving as task-irrelevant distractors. Shape discrimination was slower when urban scenes were presented, suggesting that it is harder to disengage attention from urban than from nature scenes. This provides converging evidence that increased cognitive demands posed by exposure to urban scenes can be measured with gait kinematics and reaction times even for short exposure times.
A concetration-dependent model for silver colloids in nanostructured sol-gel materials

We report on the physical modelling of the photoconductive response of nanostructured sol-gel films in function of the silver nitrate concentration (ions and colloids). This model considers several factors as the silver nitrate concentration and the transport parameters obtained. The model is compared with others commonly used. 2d-hexagonal nanostructured sol-gel thin films were prepared by dip-coating method using a non-ionic diblock copolymer Brij58 (surfactant) to produce channels into the film. Silver colloids (metallic Ag0 nanoparticles ) were obtained by spontaneous reduction process of Ag+ ions to Ag0. These nanoparticles were deposited into the channels formed by the surfactant. The structure was identified by X-ray diffraction and TEM. An absorption band located at 430 nm was detected by optical absorption; it corresponds to the plasmon surface. Fit to this band with modified Gans theory is presented. Photoconductivity studies were performed on films with silver ions and films with silver colloids to characterized their mechanisms of charge transport in the darkness and under illumination at 420, 633 nm wavelengths. Transport parameters were calculated. The films with silver colloids exhibit a photovoltaic effect stronger than the films with silver ions. While, the last ones possesses a photoconductivity behaviour.
Visual Pathway Alterations after Severe Acute Occupational Elemental Mercury Poisoning: Report of a Series of 29 Cases

BACKGROUND: There are almost no available data on retinal involvement after acute exposure to high concentrations mercury and the available reports are on a small number of patients that suffered chronic expposure. The purpose of this paper is to report visual findings in 29 workers exposed to very high concentrations of mercury vapor in a factory in northern Spain in 2012.METHODS: Twenty-nine patients and 16 controls were evaluated in a comparative case series. Fifteen of the 29 workers underwent belated chelation for heavy metal intoxication, only 3 in a prompt way. The mercury levels in blood and urine samples, visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity (CS), visual field (VF), color discrimination and optical coherence tomography (OCT) data were recorded. The pattern reversal visual-evoked potentials (PRVEP), full-field and multifocal electroretinography (ffERG/mfERG), pattern electroretinography (PERG), systemic symptoms, presence of erethism, and electromyography (EMG) were also gathered. A descriptive analysis was performed. The evolution of patients who did not undergo chelation (group 1), those who underwent late chelation (group 2), and those with deep VF defects (group 3) were compared with a control group. The correlations between variables also were studied.RESULTS: The VA was affected slightly. The loss of CS in at least one of four spatial frequencies and color vision alterations occurred in 96.5% (n=28) and 44.8% (n=13), respectively, in the entire group. VF alterations were identified in 72.4% (n=21). No morphologic changes were seen in the OCT scans. Latencies over 100 milliseconds and reduced amplitudes of P100 were found in the PRVEP. The ffERG and PERG results suggested that both the outer and inner retinal processes were involved. The mfERG indicated reduced parafoveal retinal function. Twenty-six workers exhibited symptoms of erethism. The EMG showed sensorimotor polyneuropathy and multiple mononeuropathy alterations. Significant negative correlations among blood mercury levels, VA, and ffERG were observed.CONCLUSION: Advanced visual functions were impaired significantly independent of the mercury levels. Delayed chelation was not beneficial. Although neurologic and visual pathway involvement was clearly demonstrated, this study also showed clear functional retinal participation in impaired vision.
Students Perceptions on Oral Error Correction at a Chilean High School

Given the scarce literature focusing on students’ perceptions and preferences on oral error correction especially at secondary school level, this study intended to provide some insight on this important issue on English language teaching by exploring the perceptions and preferences of 149 secondary school students in Chile regarding oral error correction. An adapted version of a survey developed by Katayama (2007) was used to explore their general attitudes towards error correction and their preferences for correction of different types of errors as well as particular correction methods. Frequency distribution was calculated to analyse their Likert-scale answers. The results showed that the majority of the respondents regarded error correction as something crucial to improve their proficiency in English. They also favoured those correction techniques in which they were clearly informed about their errors or those in which they participated to correct them.
Selecting optimal site for solar photovoltaic plant in Ikwerre L.G.A., Rivers State, Nigeria

Erratic power supply is a serious problem to most part of Rivers State, Nigeria in general and Ikwerre Local Government Area in particular. This situation does not only halt social and economic development of the area but has also given birth to other social vices such as arm robbery, kidnapping, and other criminal activities. Renewable energy is an alternative form of energy aim at alleviating the problems of erratic power supply. It is generally considered as the cleanest form of energy. Solar photovoltaic is a type of renewable energy which derived its energy from the sun. The construction of solar plant requires the selection of suitable location for the generation of optimal energy. The purpose of the study is to determine suitable locations in Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State to site solar photovoltaic plant using multi-criteria analysis (MCA) in ESRI’s ArcGIS. The dataset used for the determination of the optimal sites include; solar radiation and slope map produced from digital terrain model (DTM), pipeline, road network, land use/ cover map, soil map, and settlement. The datasets were converted to raster and reclassed into six classes for the purpose of data integration. The datasets were weighted according to their relative importance in the weighted overlay tool. Solar radiation has the highest percentage influence 40, followed by proximity to pipeline and road network which are 15 each. The model produced four suitability classes ranging from poorly suitable to highly suitable class. Highly suitable class has an area of 10139.87ha with 548 polygons, representing 15.78% of the study area. Further analysis was carried out using highly suitable class and settlement layer, it was found that three (3) optimal sites were obtained as most suitable for sitting solar plant. The three polygons were located in the region with very high solar radiation, accessible to road and away from built-up areas. The above results suggest the usefulness of GIS in site selection, particularly in sitting solar photovoltaic plant. It is recommended that further study should include transmission line which was completely omitted in this analysis due to inability to get the shapefile from the ministry of power.
Hydrogen Peroxide Associated with Ambient Fine-Mode, Diesel, and Biodiesel Aerosol Particles in Southern California

To investigate the sources of H2O2 generation in fine-mode aerosols, a series of measurements on laboratory-generated particles, source materials, and ambient particles collected in the Los Angeles area were performed. Ambient fine-mode H2O2 levels were associated with transition metals, and were increased by the addition of dithiothreitol, a marker for quinone redox activity. H2O2 levels were sensitive to the pH of the particle extraction solutions, peaking in the pH range of 2.5–5.5. The initial rate of H2O2 generation by fine-mode ambient aerosols averaged 5.9 (±2.8) × 10−9 M min−1, in the range of the initial rates of H2O2 generation by active quinones and hydroxyl radical generation by transition metals. H2O2 levels were persistent, remaining nearly constant for about a week in ambient fine-mode particles. Laboratory experiments show that secondary organic aerosols and diesel and biodiesel exhaust particles generate as much or more H2O2 than ambient particles. These data indicate roles for metals such as iron, zinc, and copper, with additional sources, likely quinones and other unidentified organics, in the H2O2 generation by fine-mode aerosols. [Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Aerosol Science and Technology to view the free supplementary files. ]
Parametric Sensitivity Analysis of Fast Load Changes of a Dynamic MCFC Model

Molten carbonate fuel cells are well suited for stationary power production and heat supply. In order to enhance service lifetime, hot spots, respectively, high temperature gradients inside the fuel cell have to be avoided. In conflict with that, there is the desire to achieve faster load changes while temperature gradients stay small. For the first time, optimal fast load changes have been computed numerically, including a parametric sensitivity analysis, based on a mathematical model of Heidebrecht. The mathematical model allows for the calculation of the dynamical behavior of molar fractions, molar flow densities, temperatures in gas phases, temperature in solid phase, cell voltage, and current density distribution. The dimensionless model is based on the description of physical phenomena. The numerical procedure is based on a method of line approach via spatial discretization and the solution of the resulting very large scale optimal control problem by a nonlinear programming approach.
Non-Financial Disclosure Assurance: Critical Insights from the Italian Financial Services Sector

Directive 2014/95/EU was released with the aim of improving the transparency, comparability and harmonization of non-financial reporting among European undertakings. However, the Directive is vague regarding both non-financial disclosure contents and the transposition of its provisions into national European laws, making it somewhat ambiguous. This issue has been underlined by scholars, who have found the comparison of non-financial disclosures challenging and have not seen a considerable improvement in the level of transparency. This is also mirrored in the assurance process, which remains underexplored. The present exploratory study analyses non-financial disclosure assurance in the Italian financial services sector. Content analysis of the level and features of assurance of non-financial disclosures published in 2020 was conducted. The results show that the ambiguity of the Directive also has consequences for assurance outcomes, which remain limited and strictly adhere to provisions provided by national practitioner associations.
The Use of Manipulative in Teaching Elementary Mathematics

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of manipulative (concrete learning materials) in teaching elementary mathematics. The study employed a pretest posttest quasi experimental design. The study was conducted in two grade 3 sections of San Agustin Elementary School in the school year 2016-2017. The experimental group was taught mathematics using the manipulative while the control group was taught mathematics using the conventional method. Data were collected and analyzed from both the experimental and control groups using T-test, Paired T-test, and standard deviation. As a result of the research, the pretest and posttest scores of experiment and control groups were found to differ significantly in favor of posttest in both groups. There was a significant mean gain difference in the pupils’ pretest and posttest scores in mathematics exposed to manipulative and conventional method. Generally, the use of manipulative in teaching mathematics is more effective than the use of conventional method.
Engagement and effectiveness of symbolic and iconic learning support for math problem representation: an eye tracking study

ABSTRACT Successful problem solving begins with constructing mental problem representations and the identification of problem characteristics to clarify the solution. The purpose of the current study is to examine the design principles of learning supports promoting mental problem representation in the math problem solving setting. We investigated the mental problem representations and problem solving performance influenced by the formats of the learning supports. Through the analysis of participants’ visual attention and solution notations, the current study found that problem solvers’ visual attention on symbolic learning support increases whereas their visual attention on iconic learning supports decreases during the problem representation stages. There is a significant difference in problem solvers’ visual attention on iconic learning supports between the successful and unsuccessful problem-solving groups. Unsuccessful problem solvers tended to disregard critical elements in the math word problem.
2,2'-Bipyrimidine (bpm)-bridged dinuclear complexes. 3. Structure of μ-(2,2'-bipyrimidine-N1,N1':N3,N3')bis(tetraaquazinc) disulfate dihydrate, [Zn2(μ-bpm)(H2O)8](SO4)2.2H2O

The title compound, [Zn 2 (μ-C 8 H 6 N 4 )(H 2 O) 8 ]. (SO 4 ) 2 . 2H 2 O, consists of [Zn 2 (μ-bpm)(H 2 O) 8 ] 4+ dinuclear units (bpm=2,2'-bipyrimidine), sulfate counter anions and crystallization water molecules. The bpm ligand acts in a bis-chelating fashion and bridges the two metal ions. Each metal ion is in a distorted octahedral environment created by two N atoms from bpm and four O atoms from the water molecules
One Marketing Metric To Rule Them All? An Examination of the Emergence and Rise of Net Promoter Score as a Marketing Fashion

Net Promoter Score (NPS) is heralded by proponents as the quintessential marketing metric for measuring customer and brand loyalty. Its popularity is currently very high, especially in North-American companies. The frenetic interest in NPS has led some commentators to call it a cult-like following and religion. From an outsider’s perspective, it is interesting to scrutinize and reflect on why the NPS has gained such a strong position in the marketing practitioner community. Therefore, in the current paper, the emergence and rise of NPS is examined using management fashion theory as an interpretive lens and organizing framework. The findings indicate that the NPS concept exhibits several of the key characteristics and hallmarks of management fashions. In particular, the popularization of the NPS concept has been spearheaded by consulting and marketing research firms selling software solutions. However, as the concept has grown in popularity, it has attracted more scrutiny from skeptical academics, and particularly during the last few years, there have been numerous critical pieces in high-profile business media outlets. Therefore, it can be argued that the NPS concept, at least to some extent, has fallen victim to its own success. The paper discusses these findings about NPS’s evolutionary trajectory and lifecycle in light of theories about management fads and fashions.
Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Faradic Current Stimulation on the Recovery of Bell's Palsy

Background: Bell’s palsy is one of the most common problems that affect motor neurons of facial muscles either unilateral or bilateral. It affects the function and quality of life frequently. Therefore, physiotherapists focus on restoring the facial function with different modalities. Electrical stimulation is one of these modalities included in the physiotherapy program to enhance recovery of Bell’s palsy. Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and faradic current stimulation on the recovery of Bell’s palsy. Methods: One hundred and ninety-six patients from both genders with unilateral Bell’s palsy; their ages ranged from 15 to 60 years. They were divided randomly into four groups with forty-nine patients in each group. Group A received conventional therapy, group B received transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), group C received faradic current stimulation, and group D received TENS + faradic current. All patients were assessed at the initial treatment (after 2 weeks of onset), after one month, and at the end of the study by using the House Brackmann Scale (HBS) for the severity of symptoms and facial symmetry which consist of six grades from normal to total paralysis. Results: In group B, there was a statistically significant improvement in grade IV, V, and VI compared to groups A, C, and D while there was no statistically significant difference among the four groups on grade II and III. Conclusion: TENS is more effective in treating moderately severe dysfunctions as well as total paralysis than convention therapy, faradic current and TENS plus faradic current in patients with acute Bell’s palsy.
Leaf heat tolerance of 147 tropical forest species varies with elevation and leaf functional traits, but not with phylogeny.

Exceeding thermal thresholds causes irreversible damage and ultimately loss of leaves. The lowland tropics are among the warmest forested biomes, but little is known about heat tolerance of tropical forest plants. We surveyed leaf heat tolerance of sun-exposed leaves from 147 tropical lowland and pre-montane forest species by determining the temperatures at which potential photosystem II efficiency based on chlorophyll a fluorescence started to decrease (TCrit ) and had decreased by 50% (T50 ). TCrit averaged 46.7°C (5th -95th percentile: 43.5-49.7°C) and T50 averaged 49.9°C (47.8-52.5°C). Heat tolerance partially adjusted to site temperature; TCrit and T50 decreased with elevation by 0.40°C and 0.26°C per 100m, respectively, while mean annual temperature decreased by 0.63°C per 100m. The phylogenetic signal in heat tolerance was weak, suggesting that heat tolerance is more strongly controlled by environment than by evolutionary legacies. TCrit increased with the estimated thermal time constant of the leaves, indicating that species with thermally buffered leaves maintain higher heat tolerance. Among lowland species, T50 increased with leaf mass per area, suggesting that in species with structurally more costly leaves the risk of leaf loss during hot spells is reduced. These results provide insight in variation in heat tolerance at local and regional scales. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
WhatsTrust: A Trust Management System for WhatsApp

Online communication platforms face security and privacy challenges, especially in broad ecosystems, such as online social networks, where users are unfamiliar with each other. Consequently, employing trust management systems is crucial to ensuring the trustworthiness of participants, and thus, the content they share in the network. WhatsApp is one of the most popular message-based online social networks with over one billion users worldwide. Therefore, it is considered an attractive platform for cybercriminals who spread malware to gain unauthorized access to users’ accounts to steal their data or corrupt the system. None of the few trust management systems proposed in the online social network literature have considered WhatsApp as a use case. To this end, this paper introduces WhatsTrust, a trust management system for WhatsApp that evaluates the trustworthiness of users. A trust value accompanies each message to help the receiver make an informed decision regarding how to deal with the message. WhatsTrust is extensively evaluated through a strictly controlled empirical evaluation framework with two well-established trust management systems, namely EigenTrust and trust network analysis with subjective logic (TNA-SL) algorithms, as benchmarks. The experimental results demonstrate WhatsTrust’s dominance with respect to the success rate and execution time.