Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of CNT inclusions on structure and dielectric properties of PVDF/CNT nanocomposites

ABSTRACT The effects of multiwall carbon nanotube (CNT) inclusions on the crystalline structure of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), and on the dielectric properties of PVDF/CNT nanocomposites (NCs), prepared by melt mixing, were investigated by employing X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and dielectric spectroscopy techniques. Our results imply that, in the NCs, the formation of β-phase crystals depends on specific compression treatment in the melt and fast cooling. Dielectric measurements on NCs, with CNT concentrations below the electrical percolation threshold, reveal that the dielectric strength of the two relaxation processes in the amorphous phase and dielectric permittivity, ϵ′, measured within the broad temperature range from −150 °C to 60 °C, increase strongly with increasing CNT concentration. This enhancement of amorphous PVDF polarizability has been attributed to the increase of the local electric field, due to local polarization generated at the surface of conductive inclusions/CNT clusters.
Analyse exergétique des processus de séparation et de mélangeage : application aux thermotransformateurs

Nous etudions les variations d'enthalpie, d'entropie et d'exergie, lors de la separation d'un melange de deux corps A et B, en deux phases, l'une riche en A et l'autre pauvre en A, puis lors de l'operation inverse de melangeage. Les bilans d'exergie sont representes sur deux diagrammes: (exergie/composition) et (exergie/enthalpie) qui permettent d'identifier les pertes d'exergie dans ces operations
Spectral Assignments and Reference Data Complete assignments of 1 Ha nd 13 CN MR spectral data for arylnaphthalene lignan lactones

Because representatives of this class oflignan lactones are less numerous than those belonging to otherlignan types with different skeletons, a few are the reports ontheir spectroscopic data. Therefore, additional data on this kindof compounds is very important for the scientiﬁc communityinterested in natural products. We present herein a detailedassignmentoftheNMRdataobtained forsucharylnaphtalene lignanlactones, including the measurement of most of the homonuclearhydrogen coupling constants and the determination of all thesignal multiplicities. 2D NMR data are also presented for thesecompounds.
Clinical, Laboratory, and Radiological Features Indicative of Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Emergency Departments – A Multicentre Case-Control Study in Hong Kong

(1) Background: It is unclear whether the reported presenting clinical features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are useful in identifying high-risk patients for early testing and isolation in the emergency department (ED). We aimed to compare the exposure history, clinical, laboratory, and radiographic features of ED patients who tested positive and negative for COVID-19; (2) Methods: We conducted a case-control study in seven EDs during the first five weeks of the COVID-19 outbreak in Hong Kong. Thirty-seven laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients were compared with 111 age- and gender-matched controls; (3) Results: There were no significant differences in patient characteristics and reported symptoms between the groups, except patient-reported fever. A positive travel history or contact history was the most significant predictor for COVID-19 infection. After adjustment for age and presumed location of acquiring the infection in Wuhan/Hubei, patient-reported fever (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 6.3), delayed presentation (OR 5.0, 95% CI 2.0 to 12.5), having medical consultation before ED presentation (OR 7.4, 95% 2.9 to19.1), thrombocytopenia (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.6 to 9.7), raised lactate dehydrogenase (OR 5.9, 95% CI 1.9 to 18.5), haziness, consolidation or ground-glass opacity on chest radiography (OR 5.6, 95% CI 2.0 to 16.0), and bilateral changes on chest radiography (OR 13.2, 95% CI 4.7 to 37.4) were associated with a higher odds of COVID-19 separately while neutrophilia was associated with a lower odds (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.8); and (4) Conclusions: This study highlights several features that may be useful in identifying high-risk patients for early testing and isolation while waiting for test result. Further studies are warranted to verify the findings.
Achievement Gaps in the Wake of COVID-19

A survey targeting education researchers conducted in November 2020 provides forecasts of how much achievement gaps between low- and high-income students in U.S elementary schools will change as a result of COVID-related disruptions to in-class instruction and family life. Relative to a pre-COVID achievement gap of 1.00 SD, respondents’ median forecasts for the jump in the achievement gaps in elementary school by spring 2021 were large–a change from 1.00 to 1.30 and 1.25 SD for math and reading achievement. Forecasts were similar for 2022. Although forecasts were heterogeneous, respondents showed overwhelming consensus that gaps would grow. We discuss implications for strategies to reduce learning gaps exacerbated by the pandemic as well as the mental models researchers appear to employ in making their forecasts.
Coalescence-based assessment of aerosol phase state using dimers prepared through a dual-differential mobility analyzer technique

ABSTRACT Viscosity of atmospheric aerosol spans at least 15 orders of magnitude, from thin liquids to glassy solids, with possible concomitant impact on multiple processes of meteorological and/or climatological concern. Recently there has been interest in aerosol phase assessment techniques based upon dimer coalescence. Theoretical treatment suggests discernible reductions in dimer diameter begin when viscosity ∼108 Pa·s and the dimer is spherical at ∼105 Pa·s for submicron particles, or the middle range of the semisolid regime. A method using nanoparticle dimers synthesized by utilizing differential mobility analyzers of opposite polarity to produce monomers of opposite charge that subsequently undergo electrostatically mediated coagulation has been developed and is detailed in this work. This method was used to assess the aerosol phase state of several atmospherically relevant organic species and inorganic salts at relative humidity (RH) values ranging between 10% and 100%. Ammonium sulfate, monosodium α-ketoglutaric acid, sodium chloride, and sucrose all displayed RH-dependent phase state. These observed viscous transitions occurred at RH values less than existing deliquescence RH data, a result consistent with existing literature reports of RH-induced structural rearrangements. Fully coalesced and fully uncoalesced diameters could be fitted to single values, indicating that the presented technique is absolute. The method was also used to assess the phase state of dry sucrose aerosol at temperatures between 20°C and 70°C. A phase transition was noted at 63.7°C ± 4.4°C, near the glass transition temperature, suggesting the presented method may also be useful for probing phase responses to temperature perturbations. Copyright © 2016 American Association for Aerosol Research
Serum concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: a case-control study in a highly polluted area in Italy

Background: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are human carcinogens, based on sufficient evidence for melanoma and limited evidence for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and breast cancer. Few data are available for liver cancer, although PCBs cause it in rats and determined liver damage in poisoned people. We investigated the association between PCB serum levels and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with a case-control study in a PCB-polluted area in North Italy.Methods: We enrolled prospectively 102 HCC incident cases and 102 age- and gender-matched hospital controls. Serum concentrations of 33 PCB congeners were determined by a gas chromatograph coupled to mass spectrometry.Results: Of the 102 HCC cases, 62 who had lost < 3 kg of body weight in past 3 years were included in the analysis (67.7% males, mean age 68 years). 69% of them (8% of controls) had one or more risk factors for HCC: past alcohol intake ≥60 g/day and/or HBV or HCV infection. The odds ratio (OR) for HCC for 3rd compared to 1st tertile of PCB distribution was 1.76 (95% confidence interval 0.62-5.03) for total PCB, adjusting for socio-demographic variables and risk factors for HCC by logistic regression. No differences were found restricting the analysis to HCC cases and controls with or without the main risk factors for HCC. For most PCB congeners, ORs > 1.5 or 2 were found, although the 95% CIs included the null value for almost all of them. Conclusions: This preliminary study suggests that PCBs might play a role in HCC development.Electronic word count for abstract: 252 words.
Complexation of Pentavalent and Hexavalent Actinides by Fluoride

The stability constants for formation of MO, F+ (M = U, Np, Pu) and NpOjF'have been measured in solutions of l.O^CNaClO,) ionic strength by solvent extraction and potentiometry. The order of complexation strength was U(VI) > Np(VI) > Pu(VI) > Np(V). Using a modified Born equation and the stability constants, values for the effective cationic Charge on the metal atoms in the dioxoactinyl ions were estimated to be: Np(V) inNpOt: +2.2 ± 0.1 U(VI) inUOt^: +3.2 ± 0.1 Np(Vl) in NpOt^:+3.0 ± 0.1 Pu(VI)inPuOt^ :+2.9 ±0.1.
US heavy ion beam research for high energy density physics applications and fusion

Key scientific results from recent experiments, modeling tools, and heavy ion accelerator research are summarized that explore ways to investigate the properties of high energy density matter in heavy-ion-driven targets, in particular, strongly-coupled plasmas at 0.01 to 0.1 times solid density for studies of warm dense matter, which is a frontier area in high energy density physics. Pursuit of these near-term objectives has resulted in many innovations that will ultimately benefit heavy ion inertial fusion energy. These include: neutralized ion beam compression and focusing, which hold the promise of greatly improving the stage between the accelerator and the target chamber in a fusion power plant; and the Pulse Line Ion Accelerator (PLIA), which may lead to compact, low-cost modular linac drivers.
Thermal conductivity of epitaxially grown InP: experiment and simulation

The integration of III–V optoelectronic devices on silicon is confronted with the challenge of heat dissipation for reliable and stable operation. A thorough understanding and characterization of thermal transport is paramount for improved designs of, for example, viable III–V light sources on silicon. In this work, the thermal conductivity of heteroepitaxial laterally overgrown InP layers on silicon is experimentally investigated using microRaman thermometry. By examining InP mesa-like structures grown from trenches defined by a SiO2 mask, we found that the thermal conductivity decreases by about one third, compared to the bulk thermal conductivity of InP, with decreasing width from 400 to 250 nm. The high thermal conductivity of InP grown from 400 nm trenches was attributed to the lower defect density as the InP microcrystal becomes thicker. In this case, the thermal transport is dominated by phonon–phonon interactions as in a low defect-density monocrystalline bulk material, whereas for thinner InP layers grown from narrower trenches, the heat transfer is dominated by phonon scattering at the extended defects and InP/SiO2 interface. In addition to the nominally undoped sample, sulfur-doped (1 × 1018 cm−3) InP grown on Si was also studied. For the narrower doped InP microcrystals, the thermal conductivity decreased by a factor of two compared to the bulk value. Sources of errors in the thermal conductivity measurements are discussed. The experimental temperature rise was successfully simulated by the heat diffusion equation using the FEM.
The impacts of fuel price policies on air pollution: A case study of Tehran

Background: This study aims to investigate the impacts of fuel price policies on the concentration of air pollutants emitted from the transport sector.Methods: Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) estimation models were used to investigate the impacts of gasoline and diesel prices along with the weather and economic variables on the following traffic-related pollutants: Carbon monoxide (CO), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and Particular matter 10 micrometers or less (PM10). Results: In the short term, one percent increase in gasoline prices leads to 0.02 and 0.012 percent decrease in the concentration of CO and PM10, respectively. In addition, in the short term, one percent increase in diesel prices leads to 0.008, 0.02, and 0.015 percent decrease in the concentration of CO, PM10, and NO2, respectively. Results demonstrate that one percent increase in gasoline prices leads to 0.011 and 0.02 percent increase in NO2 concentration in the short term and long term, respectively. Fuel prices had a greater impact on air pollutant concentration in the long term than in the short term. In the long term, one percent increase in diesel prices leads to 0.011, 0.024, and 0.029 percent decrease in the concentration of CO, NO2, and PM10, respectively.Conclusion: Although fuel price increases lead to a significant reduction in air pollution concentration, other factors related to weather conditions (wind speed, temperature, and rainfall) as well as economic activities have a greater impact on air pollution. Therefore, other policies such as improving fuel quality and technology along with other economic policies can be more effective.
Magnetic Leakage Internal Detection Device and Series-Parallel Detection Method for Small Diameter Ferromagnetic Spiral Heat Exchanger Tubes

Based on the calculation of magnetic circuit of the detection probe, this article designs a kind of magnetic leakage detection device and series-parallel detection method of small diameter spiral heat exchange tube to realize the safety detection of small diameter spiral heat exchange tube. The detection device includes a detection probe and a probe drive mechanism, which drives the detection probe to move in the spiral heat exchange tube. The detection probe includes an intermediate connector, a magnetizer which is arranged coaxially at both ends of the intermediate connector in turn, a steel ball support body and an end connector. The designed detection probes are mixed in series and parallel, and multiple detection probes are put together in series to be placed in a spiral heat exchange tube to form a group of detection probes in series. Then, multiple groups of detection probes in series are placed in each spiral heat exchange pipe, forming a series-parallel combination, which can detect multiple spiral heat exchange pipes at the same time and improve the detection efficiency greatly.
Do environmental and social risks affect corporate financial policies?

We investigate the effects of heightened corporate social responsibility (CSR) risk, through environmental and social (E&S) incidents, on corporate financial policies. We test for this relation by investigating changes in corporate financial policies of unaffected but at-risk firms after an E&S incident. We find that firms draw down on cash holding, cut capital expenditure and borrow more debt. The changes in financial policies coincide with an increase in CSR investment, which in turn helps preventing future E&S incidents. The reaction is more pronounced in firms with weaker reputational capital and corporate governance due to their inability to absorb adverse CSR shocks. Overall, our analysis suggests that firms are responsive to heightened CSR risk.
Extended spectrum beta-lactamase and ﬂuoroquinolone resistance genes among Escherichia coli and Salmonella isolates from diarrheal children, Burkina Faso.

Background The emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria (MDR) has become a major public health concern worldwide. This resistance is caused by enzymes-mediated genes (i.e., extended spectrum beta-lactamases) that are common in certain Enterobacterioceae species. However, the distribution of these genes is poorly documented in Burkina Faso. This study aims to determine the prevalence and distribution of the resistant genes coding for broad spectrum beta-lactamases and quinolones in rural Burkina Faso. Methods Multiplex PCR assays were carried out to detect ESBL-encoding genes, including blaOXA, blaTEM, blaCTX-M, blaSHV. The assays also assessed the presence of quinolone resistance gene namely qnrA, qnrB and qnrS in the quinolone-resistance DEC and Salmonella strains. Results The Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (ESBL) resistance phenotype was reported in all the E. coli isolates (5/5). Cross-resistance phenotype to quinolones (CRQ) was shown by one Salmonella strain (1/9) and three E. coli (3/5). Cross-resistance phenotypes to fluoroquinolones (CRFQ) were harboured by one Salmonella (1/9) and carbapenemase phenotypes were detected in two E. coli strains (2/5). Whilst the blaOXA genes were detected in 100% (5/5) of E. coli isolates and in 33.33% (3/9) Salmonella isolates. One strain of E. coli (1/5) harbored the blaCTX−M gene and the qnrB gene simultaneously. Conclusions This study identified β-lactam (bla) and quinolone resistance (qnr) genes in multidrug-resistant E. coli and Salmonella spp. in rural Burkina Faso. Our finding which highlighted the enterobacteriaceae strains resistance to β-lactams and quinolones are of high interest for adequate management of antimicrobial resistant genes outbreak in Burkina Faso.
Startup Product Development and Financing Decisions against a Market Incumbent

Problem defi nition: Startups are emerging in many industries, and many startups have to compete with an existing fi rm in the market. The most critical decisions for a startup include what product should be developed and how to nance the company. Academic/practical relevance: Although they are interrelated decisions, the joint product development (in terms of product design and pricing) and fi nancing (in terms of internal or external financing) decisions of a startup, especially in the presence of a market incumbent, have not been studied in the prior literature. Methodology: We study the problem using a stylized model under the framework of vertical product differentiation where consumers differ in their willingness-to-pay for quality and market uncertainty exists for the startup product. Results: We fi nd that it is optimal for a startup to pursue pure internal financing, even if external financing is available, when the startup product's market uncertainty is either very small or very large. Otherwise, the startup benefi ts from a combination of internal self- financing and external debt financing, and the optimal debt leverage first increases then decreases with the market uncertainty. We characterize conditions for when the startup should launch a high-end or low-end product relative to the incumbent's. Surprisingly, having fewer (resp., more) financial resources|when external financing is inaccessible (resp., accessible) to the startup|does not always lead to a poorer (resp., better) product offering from the startup. Managerial implications: Our work provides guidance for how a startup should make joint product development and financing decisions in the presence of a market incumbent and shows the impact of the startup's accessibility to external financing on the firms and the consumers.
Particular microbial taxa rather than total microbial diversity best predict the vertical profile variation in soil multifunctionality in desert ecosystems

In desert ecosystems, the desertification process is characterized by increasing attenuation of plant productivity and deterioration of soil habitats, leading to enhanced environmental stress gradients for soil microbiomes. Despite the significance of microbial communities for multifunctionality in terrestrial ecosystems, the feedback dynamics of microbiomes and their contributions to maintaining subsurface soil multifunctionality as desertification progresses have yet to be evaluated. Here, we used three sites with different desertification stages and investigated the variation trends of microbiomes in soil profiles (0-100 cm) and their contributions to regulating multifunctionality. We first confirmed that multifunctionality did not exhibit a significant difference between superficial soils (0-20 cm) and deep soils (20-100 cm) and slightly decreased as soil depth increased throughout the entire profile. Desertification progression drove distinct variation trends of microbiomes in vertical soil profiles. Soil bacterial communities received on average more positive and progressive feedback from desertification development than fungal and archaeal communities, characterized by significant variation in bacterial alpha- and beta-diversity and slight variation in fungal and archaeal alpha- and beta-diversity. The most abundant phyla in the microbiomes did not vary between the superficial and deep soils at any desertification stage. Significant declines in microbial clades within Acidobacteria are an important feature as desertification proceeds. Particular microbial taxa rather than total microbial diversity best predict and explain the vertical profile variation in soil multifunctionality in desert ecosystems. Our results highlight the significance of microbial community composition in subsurface soils for regulating multifunctionality in desert ecosystems.
The Decomposition Kinetics of Monocrotophos in Aqueous Solutions by the Hydrogen Peroxide–Ozone Process

Decomposition of monocrotophos in an aqueous solution by the hydrogen peroxide–ozone (H2O2–O3) process was studied under various solution pHs and H2O2–O3) molar ratios. Experimental results indicated that monocrotophos could be almost completely (>95%) decomposed by the H2O2–O3) process within 20 minutes. Formation of carbon dioxide was observed, followed by the formation of nitrate and phosphate. A simplified kinetic model, consisting of three two‐step consecutive reactions based on elemental mass balances, was found to accurately describe the temporal behaviors of reacting species during the decomposition of monocrotophos in aqueous solution by the H2O2–O3) process. In most experiments, acidic conditions favored the disappearance of monocrotophos, possibly because of breakage of the carbon–carbon double bond to form various organic intermediates, but mineralization of organic intermediates by free radical hydroxyl (OH·) attack was more favored in alkaline conditions. The decomposition of monocrotophos by the H2O2–O3) process was found to be significantly affected by the mode of H2O2 addition. For the batch mode of H2O2 addition, increased H2O2 dose reduced the decomposition rate, possibly because large amounts of H2O2 added initially served as a scavenger for OH· free radicals. For the continuous mode of H2O2 addition, increased H2O2 dose accelerated reaction rates of monocrotophos until an optimum H2O2–O3) molar ratio was reached, which was found to vary for different solution pHs.
Pharmacotherapy in Pediatric Obesity: Current Status and Future Prospects

As obesity is principally a biologically mediated disease, biologically based interventions are often needed to counter the compensatory biological adaptations designed to maintain body weight at high levels. Pharmacotherapy can serve as an adjunctive treatment to lifestyle modification in some children and adolescents with obesity, especially those with severe forms of the disease and/or comorbidities. Despite the increasing number of anti-obesity drugs recently approved for the treatment of obesity in adults, few medications have been evaluated in terms of safety and efficacy in pediatric obesity. This mini review aims to provide some principles for the use of pharmacotherapy in pediatric obesity, summarizes results of some of the most important clinical trials on approved and “off-label” obesity medications and discusses some new options for the future of research on this field.