Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 Pandemic: A comparison of adult and pediatric populations

Aim: Couple of pneumonia cases were reported in a short period in Wuhan, China. The cases were revealed to be associated with a different coronavirus type was named SARS-CoV-2 and the disease was identified as Covid-19. It is known that the disease occurs in all age groups. We aimed to evaluate the differences in clinical and laboratory features between adult and pediatric patients. Method: The study is a retrospective cross-sectional study and consists of 206 patients with a definitive diagnosis of Covid-19 confirmed by a positive real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for SARS-CoV-2. They hospitalized in health institutions connected to City Health Administrative of Bolu, Turkey between 11.03. 2020 and 19.04. 2020. The number of the pediatric patients (0-17 age group) was 106, that of the adult patients (18 and above age group) was 100. Data concerning the patients consisted of age, symptoms, laboratory parameters such as hemogram, biochemistry, coagulation. Results: The mean values of platelet (PLT), platocrit (PCT), percentage of monocytes (MONO %) and MONO in the “0-17” age group were found to be significantly higher than the mean values in the “18 and above” age group. The hemoglobin (HGB) mean value of the “0-17” age group was significantly lower than that of the “18 and above” age group. The mean C - reactive protein (CRP) value of the “0-17” age group (4.55;min: 1.20 – max: 11.80) was significantly lower than that of the “18 and above” age group (5.35;min 1.25- max: 19.77) with no statistically significance. In pediatric group, the most common symptoms were other symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting and joint pain whereas the adult patients had fever and cough often with statistically significant. Conclusion: Clinical findings and laboratory abnormalities in Covid-19 are less common in children. Although it seems that Covid-19 is less symptomatic in children, they are also affected by the disease. Performing RT-PCR test based on the contact history of the children may help to minimize morbidity with an early diagnosis. Multicenter studies with more numbers of patients should be performed.
A SYNTHESIS METHOD FOR STATIC ANTI-WINDUP COMPENSATORS

Synthesis of static anti-windup compensators is considered. LMI conditions are established for stability and performance analysis of the closed loop system. The performance criterion describes the servo problem for the resulting closed-loop pi ecewise linear system. The synthesis of the anti-windup compensators will be given by some bilinear matrix inequalities.
Impact of Audit and Remuneration Committee on Firm Performance: Evidence from Cement and Textile Firms of Pakistan Stock Exchange

The core purpose of this study is to empirically analyze the impact of audit and remuneration committees on the performance of the cement and textile firms listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) for years 2012-2018.The methodology-The study focuses on the impact of attributes of audit and remuneration committees on firm performance. A simple random sampling technique is used to collect the secondary data from the cement and textile annual reports of the 63 cement and textile firms. The findings of the study support the postulation of agency theory and stewardship theory in the context of cement and textile industry of Pakistan. The study provides valuable inputs especially for the strategies of audit and remuneration committees to achieving the desired financial outcomes. Audit committee attributes have a positive and significant impact on firms return on asset (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). Likewise, remuneration committee’s attributes also have positive and significant impact on return on asset (ROA). However, the relationship turns into insignificant when it comes to ROE which may be possible due to the fact that most of the firms in the sample are family-owned which do their best for their self-interests. It is concluded that board members having accounting and financial expertise helps in executing the compensation plan and improve the quality of financial information reporting which positive implications. The study also recommends that they should focus on the busyness of members on board, size of the board, independent members and, stakeholders to improve firm performance.
Cost Inference in Smooth Dynamic Games from Noise-Corrupted Partial State Observations

—Robots and autonomous systems must interact with one another and their environment to provide high-quality services to their users. Dynamic game theory provides an expressive theoretical framework for modeling scenarios involving multiple agents with differing objectives interacting over time. A core challenge when formulating a dynamic game is designing objectives for each agent that capture desired behavior. In this paper, we propose a method for inferring parametric objective models of multiple agents based on observed interactions. Our inverse game solver jointly optimizes player objectives and continuous state estimates by coupling them through Nash equilibrium constraints. Hence, our method is able to directly maximize the observation likelihood rather than other non-probabilistic surrogate criteria. We demonstrate our method in a simulated highway driving scenario. Results show that it reliably estimates player objectives from a short sequence of noise-corrupted, partial state observations. Furthermore, using the estimated objectives, our method makes accurate predictions of each player’s trajectory.
Foaming Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Microfibrillated Cellulose Composites with CO2 and Water as Co-blowing Agents

We investigated the continuous extrusion foaming of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH)/microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) composites using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) as the blowing agent. First, the as-received PVOH pellets were compounded with water to decrease their melting point. Then, they were compounded with an MFC solution to prepare the sample. Both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) showed that the MFC dispersed well in the PVOH/MFC composites. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that adding MFC affected the thermal behavior. This, in turn, affected cell nucleation and cell growth phenomena during foam extrusion. Water also acted as a co-blowing agent, together with scCO2, in creating biodegradable polymer foams with a uniform cell structure and a high cell density. The effects of the MFC content, scCO2 content, and die temperature variations on the cell density and cellular morphology of the PVOH/MFC composite foams were ex.
Improving the Extraction of Juice and Bioactive Compounds from Blueberry Fruits and Their By-products by Application of Moderate Electric Field (mef)

The influence of Moderate Electric Field (MEF) pre-treatment of blueberry fruits on the yield and quality of the expressed juice as well as the subsequent extraction yield of bioactive compounds from berry by-products (press cake left after MEF-assisted pressing), was investigated. Thermal MEF pre-treatments were performed under different combinations of electric field strengths (E=18-55 V.cm-1) and final heating temperature (Tf=25-80 °C) before applying a pressure of 1.32 bar for 5 min. For the sake of comparison, the effect of conventional heating (CH) (Tf=25-80 °C), was also investigated. Results showed that the Zp values increased with increasing the field strength and heating temperature. However, at the same final heating temperature, MEF treatment achieved higher Zp values (up to 0.66) than CH (up to 0.45). Coherently, thermal MEF pre-treatment (36.4 V.cm-1, 60 °C) significantly increased the juice yield, which also showed higher TPC, TAC, and AA, as compared with either untreated or CH-treated samples. Moreover, compared to the untreated and CH-treated samples, higher amounts of total phenolics, total anthocyanins and antioxidant activity were detected in the press cake extracts. These results were explained by the combined non-thermal and thermal effect of MEF on the cell disintegration and extraction efficiency.
The hidden diversity of the endemic Arctic sponges (Porifera)

ABSTRACT The biogeographical analysis of the Barents Sea sponge fauna was undertaken on the basis of their modern distribution. Samples of sponges were collected in the Barents Sea during four annual multispecies trawl surveys (2003–2006) by the Knipovich Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography (PINRO) research vessels F. Nansen, Smolensk and Muklevich. Also, in 2019 fresh samples were collected during the benthic trawl survey by the PINRO research vessel F. Nansen. A total of 64 sponge species were studied. Among them, there was a large group of 24 (37.5% of the total number) boreal species – invaders from the North Atlantic, and their distribution in the Arctic Ocean is confined to the western Barents Sea. Since these species do not spread deep into the Arctic Ocean, they do not really affect the characteristics of the modern Arctic fauna. The second major component (24 species; 37.5%) of the Barents Sea sponge fauna (and the primary component of the modern Arctic fauna as a whole) is represented by Arctic endemics. A characteristic feature of some arctic sponges (endemics) is that there are pairs of morphologically and genetically close species inhabiting the North Atlantic. Their distributional ranges do not overlap significantly but are immediately adjacent to each other (vicariant species). The origin of vicariant species pairs among sponges inhabiting the Arctic and the adjoining North Atlantic was associated with glacial/interglacial cycles of the Quaternary, which drastically reorganised the boreal North Atlantic faunal elements that inhabited the Arctic Ocean in the Pliocene epoch. However, if we take a closer look not only at these species pairs but also at their close relatives inhabiting the North Atlantic, Arctic and North Pacific oceans, we see that they share the same roots as the North Pacific ones, and probably have evolved from the latter. The last species group, the arctic-boreal (16 species; 25%), is rather arbitrary and unified species of uncertain origin.
New records and ecological observations on Greek cave crickets (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae)

ABSTRACT We record Dolichopoda lustriae Rampini & Di Russo, 2008 (Orthoptera: Ensifera: Rhaphidophoridae) from the Pindus mountain range in Epirus, Greece, more than 200 km to the north of the type locality in Aetolia-Acarnania. We show that this species has an unusually broad distribution for a Balkan cave cricket, and can also live independently of caves, instead inhabiting the crevices of large rock formations. We found D. lustriae to be sympatric with Troglophilus zorae Karaman & Pavićević, 2011, whose presence in Greece is recorded for the first time in this study. We provide high-quality photographs of the habitus and genitalia of D. lustriae and re-describe its morphology. Detailed information about the habitat, behaviour of the D. lustriae is also provided, and possible measures for its conservation are suggested.
Mn-rich fluorapatite from Austria: Crystal structure, chemical analysis, and spectroscopic investigations

Abstract The crystal structure of a pale blue transparent Mn-rich fluorapatite (MnO: 9.79 wt%) with the optimized formula ∼(Ca8.56Mn2+1.41Fe2+0.01)P6O24F2.00 and space group P63/m, a = 9.3429(3), c = 6.8110(2) Å, Z = 2 has been refined to R = 2.05% for 609 unique reflections (MoKα). The Mn in the Eibenstein an der Thaya, Austria apatite is strongly ordered at the Ca1 site: Ca1: Ca0.72(1)Mn0.28, Ca2:Ca0.96(1)Mn0.04. There is a linear variation in as a function of Mn content (r2 = 1.00). The dominant band in the optical absorption spectrum of fluorapatite from Eibenstein is in the 640 nm region with E || c > E ⊥ c. The 640 nm band is attributed to Mn5+ at the P site by analogy with previous studies. This interpretation is consistent with studies of well-characterized synthetic materials of the apatite structure that contain Mn5+. Because Mn5+ has intense absorption in the visible region of the spectrum, if a small proportion of the total Mn is Mn5+ at the P site, that substituent dominates the spectrum and the color of the mineral. To determine if the pale blue color is due to radiation effects, a fragment of the fluorapatite crystal was heated at 400° C for 1 hour, and the change in color was slight. All of these observations are consistent with the origin of color from Mn5+. Assuming that all the intensity of the 640 nm (E || c) absorption is from Mn5+, the concentration of Mn5+ in this fluorapatite sample was calculated as 2.6% of the total manganese content (∼P5.96Mn5+0.04). The calibration was estimated from the spectrum of the related compound Sr5(P0.99Mn5+0.01)3Cl. The weak band at about 404 nm in the E || c spectrum may be the corresponding band for Mn2+ in octahedral coordination.
Morphology of the mouthparts and digestive system in two species of Uristidae Hurley, 1963 (Amphipoda: Lysianassoidea)

ABSTRACT In amphipods, the morphology of the mouthparts and digestive system is known to vary according to lifestyle and feeding habits. Since mouthparts are widely used in amphipod taxonomy and the digestive system was also suggested as a source of taxonomic information, it is essential to be able to distinguish between the evolutionary conserved characters of the feeding and digestive apparatus and those influenced by dietary preferences. The opposite side of the same problem is whether the morphology of oral appendages and digestive organs can provide a useful indication of the feeding mode. The present study examined the mouthparts and the digestive apparatus of two common species of Uristidae, Anonyx nugax (Phipps, 1774) and Tmetonyx cicada (Fabricius, 1780), using light and scanning electron microscopy to assess morphological modifications that can reflect the feeding habits and to reveal characters that can be useful for taxonomy. The results show that the mouthparts of A. nugax are modified for shearing and the stomach with reduced lateralia and primary filter are adapted for processing soft muscular tissues suggesting that this species is an obligate scavenger. The morphology of T. cicada is more consistent with the lifestyle of an omnivore and opportunistic scavenger: the mouthparts are adapted both for shearing and grinding and the stomach has functional lateralia and a well-developed secondary filter. The study discusses the characters of potential taxonomic value such as the crater-like structures on the molar and setation on the inner plates of maxillae and maxillipeds.
Attitude toward Computers and Critical Thinking of Postgraduate Students as Predictors of Research Self-Efficacy

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine to what extent the attitude toward computers and disposition to critical thinking of postgraduate students in the field of educational sciences predicted their research self-efficacy and to investigate the difference in these variables on the basis of students’ postgraduate education levels. Participants were 197 postgraduate students in the field of educational sciences in eight different public universities in Turkey: 105 (53.3%) doctoral students, 92 (46.7%) master’s students. The results revealed a significant positive attitude between research self-efficacy and critical thinking. The results also showed that attitude toward computers and critical thinking accounted for 3% of total research self-efficacy variation; and that of these two variables, critical thinking made a significant contribution to the model. Based on ongoing levels of education, there was a significant difference between the research self-efficacies of master’s and doctoral students. The source of this variation was attributed to doctoral students’ research self-efficacy scores being significantly higher than those of master’s students. Additionally, results showed a significant difference between attitudes toward computers of master’s and doctoral students.
“Only when it’s written here”: personal writing as testimony in the aftermath of childhood sexual abuse

ABSTRACT The article presents a narrative qualitative study that included analysis of 54 texts written and published online by 22 women aged 20–40 who had been sexually abused in childhood. The study found that personal writing by victims of childhood sexual abuse fosters rehabilitation of the damaged witness function within the post-traumatic mind by self-testimony processes that occur in various forms in the writing. Writing facilitates different aspects within conflicting experiences, as shows through the theme of silence and speech. I shall also address the unique role of images and metaphors in trauma processing. The theoretical contribution of the study to the field of bibliotherapy and poetry therapy is in understanding the role and meanings of writing in processes of coping with abuse and constructing self-cohesion as well as in the significance of combining writing and metaphorical work in therapy with victims of childhood sex abuse.
Rejoinder to Veal’s ‘a critique of serious leisure as theory’

Veal (2021) has just published a critique of the serious leisure perspective (SLP), and this article is a rejoinder to his observations. My comments are presented in the order that he presents those observations from start to finish. All page numbers for Veal’s article are those of its preprint online edition. We start on page 2 where Veal argues that the SLP should be offering ‘causal explanation and understanding of social processes. ’ Apropos the first I take my cue on this matter from Abraham Kaplan (1964), a well-known philosopher of social science methodology:
‘Like an earthquake in a submarine’: the social and institutional impact of a theatre laboratory programme at the ‘C. Beccaria’ youth detention centre in Milan

ABSTRACT This article presents two key findings from a case study on the impact of a theatre laboratory programme implemented at ‘C. Beccaria’ youth detention centre in Milan. First, the opening of a permanent theatre inside the prison, with the involvement of the broader community, has helped fulfil detained minors’ rights to culture and rehabilitation, as well as remodel the relationship between prison and society. Second, the institution’s reaction to the theatre laboratory has been ambivalent. The article critically examines this tension, exploring the conditions required to rethink and transform the institutional, rehabilitative, and cultural framework of the youth detention centre.
Revision of the New World subgenus Titanogrypa (Cucullomyia) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), with a reassessment of diagnostic characters

ABSTRACT Species of the flesh fly subgenus Cucullomyia Roback (of genus Titanogrypa Townsend) are poorly studied and scarce in field samplings. Currently, eight species are described, distributed in the Neotropical and Nearctic regions, with six exclusively Neotropical species. The available descriptions and illustrations of some species of Cucullomyia lack sufficient detail to enable their accurate identification, and some issues regarding their subgeneric inclusion are debatable. Cucullomyia spp. have mainly been diagnosed by the peculiar shape of the male cercus, in particular the broader proximal half and the robust and rounded apex in lateral view, and by presenting a patch of white setulae on the sides of the scutellum, although there are exceptions in the colouration of these setae within the subgenus. This work presents redescriptions of the species, expands the distribution of some species in Brazil, and provides an identification key for the males. We discuss some diagnostic characters of Titanogrypa (Cucullomyia), such as the presence and colour of the patch of setulae laterally on the scutellum, as well as the limits of the vesica and juxta as the most important phallic structures for the segregation of the species of this taxon. Titanogrypa rubrigaster Dodge is transferred from the subgenus Cucullomyia to the nominative subgenus Titanogrypa.
A preliminary survey of the inland aquatic macroinvertebrate biodiversity of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

ABSTRACT The use of quantitative invertebrate community indices to monitor inland water quality is widespread. However, this approach is rare for the Caribbean, where the dominant animal groups are substantially different from those in continental waters and surface water availability is strongly influenced by seasonality. For the United States Virgin Islands, these limitations are amplified by a general lack of biodiversity data on non-marine aquatic environments. To begin bridging this knowledge gap, we surveyed 41 inland aquatic sites on the island of St. Thomas and adjacent Water Island and Saba Island. Samples were obtained from lotic and lentic habitats, phytotelmata, rural and urban areas, and natural and anthropogenic settings. Out of 118 taxa across 591 records, 46% were first records for the islands sampled, with 23.4% of these being new to the US Virgin Islands territory. Shrimps and snails dominated lotic environments taxonomically, whereas insects dominated lentic environments and phytotelmata. Two confirmed undescribed species were encountered, but this is likely underestimated given the large number of juveniles encountered for some insect groups and the need for a taxonomic revision of multiple genera. The most common and widespread species was the invasive snail Melanoides tuberculata. When sampling periods or multiple samples from the same site were compared, only a 36–42% similarity was found, suggesting a much higher biodiversity than currently appreciated for these seasonally fluctuating habitats. Deep knowledge of inland aquatic biodiversity is necessary to establish baselines to assess watershed health and develop management and conservation plans in the US Virgin Islands, which in turn may be applied to other Caribbean islands.
Description of a new species of Southeast Asian reed snake from northern Laos (Squamata: Colubridae: Genus Calamaria F. Boie, 1827) with a revised diagnosis of Calamaria yunnanensis Chernov, 1962

ABSTRACT I describe a new Calamaria from northern Laos that was previously misidentified as Calamaria yunnanensis Chernov, 1962. This new species is quite similar to C. yunnanensis, but is distinguished by having a considerable pairwise genetic distance in the mitochondrial gene CytB (~20.2%) and the following morphological characters: nine modified maxillary teeth; length of rostral scale visible from above half the length of the prefrontal suture; eye diameter less than eye–mouth distance; preocular scale absent; single postocular scale present, less than eye diameter; 179 ventral scales in female; 21 subcaudal scales in female; subcaudals 10.9% of total body scales on the ventral surface; dorsal scales reducing to six rows above 12th subcaudal anterior to the tail tip, reducing to four rows above the last subcaudal; dorsal ground colour in preservative bluish-grey with five indistinct dark brown longitudinal stripes throughout body; and entire ventral region immaculate yellow in preservative. To clarify the taxonomic status of C. yunnanensis, I provide a revised diagnosis of this species and thoroughly describe a referred specimen sampled for mitochondrial DNA sequence data in past studies. Additional material from south-western China, northern Laos, Thailand and Myanmar is needed to resolve issues in the taxonomy of Calamaria in this region. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:AD8D2EAF-E76E-4D49-9DA8-4C5A656B4F9A