Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Loneliness influences avoidable absenteeism and turnover intention reported by adult workers in the United States

PurposeLoneliness is known to adversely impact employee health, performance and affective commitment. This study involves a quantitative cross-sectional analysis of online survey data reported by adults employed in the United States (n = 5,927) to explore how loneliness and other related factors may influence avoidable absenteeism and turnover intention.Design/methodology/approachWorker loneliness was assessed using the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3). Composite variables were constructed as proxy measures of worker job and personal resources. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine independent variable effects on dependent outcomes of (a) work days missed in the last month due to stress (stress-related absenteeism) and (b) likelihood to quit within the next year (turnover intention). FindingsThe job resources of social companionship, work-life balance and satisfaction with communication had significant negative relationships to loneliness in the SEM, as did the personal resources of resilience and less perceived alienation. Results further show lonely workers have significantly greater stress-related absenteeism (p = 0.000) and higher turnover intention ratings (p = 0.000) compared to workers who are not lonely. Respondent demographics (age, race and gender) and other occupational characteristics also produced significant outcomes.Practical implicationsStudy findings underscore the importance of proactively addressing loneliness among workers and facilitating job and personal resource development as an employee engagement and retention strategy.Originality/valueLoneliness substantially contributes to worker job withdrawal and has negative implications for organizational effectiveness and costs.
Real-Time BDS-3 Clock Estimation with a Multi-Frequency Uncombined Model including New B1C/B2a Signals

The global system of BDS (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System), i.e., BDS-3, is characterized with a multi-frequency signal broadcasting capability, which was demonstrated as beneficial for GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) data processing. However, research on real-time BDS-3 clock estimation with multi-frequency signals is quite limited, especially for the new B1C and B2a signals. In this study, we developed models for BDS-3 multi-frequency real-time data processing, including the uncombined model for clock estimation and the GFIF (Geometry-Free Ionosphere-Free) combined model for IFCB (Inter-Frequency Clock Bias) determination. Based on the models, simulated real-time numerical experiments with about 80 global IGS (International GNSS Service) network stations are conducted for validation and analysis. The results indicate that: (1) the uncombined model with multi-frequency signals can achieve comparable accuracy with the traditional dual-frequency IF model in terms of clock estimation, and the double-differenced clock STDs (Standard Deviations) are generally less than 0.05 ns with post-processed clocks as a reference; (2) unlike the B1C and B1I/B3I signals, the satellite IFCBs generated from multi-frequency clock estimation show apparent temporal variations for B2a and B1I/B3I signals, further investigation with GFIF models confirm the variations mainly result from the errors of receiver antenna corrections. Therefore, we addressed the feasibility of the uncombined model and the importance of accurate antenna information in the multi-frequency data processing.
Peri-operative Management and the Role of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in a Case of Hemophilia B

Hemophilia A and B are rare X-chromosome-linked recessive bleeding disorders caused by mutations in the genes causing abnormalities of blood clotting factors VIII and IX, respectively. Surgery in these patients will require additional planning and interaction among the surgeon, anesthetist, and a hematologist because they inevitably result in bleeding, excessive blood loss, and other life-threatening complications. The authors present a case 62-year-old male with haemophilia B and progressive neurological claudication. On plain radiographs and MRI the patient had grade 1 spondylolisthesis with lumbar canal stenosis at L4-L5 with a VAS score of 8 and ODI score of 45 and was operated with MIS-TLIF with 22 mm diameter tubular retractor (METRx, Medtronics) and an operating microscope. Pre-operatively, the hematologist opinion was taken and the patient was optimised by maintaining the plasma factor peak level activity according to the WFH guidelines. The patient had uneventful peri-operative period. The total hospital stay is 16 days and a VAS score of 3 and ODI score of 12 after one-year follow-up and without any notable complications. Minimally invasive surgical techniques are a better option in hemophilia patients as these techniques provide the surgeon with an excellent magnification of the operative field, which enables the use of a smaller incision, better hemostasis, and facilitates less traumatic procedures.
Direct and Linker-Exchange Alcohol-Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis of Imide-Linked Covalent Organic Frameworks

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are an extensively studied class of porous materials, which distinguish themselves from other porous polymers in their crystallinity and high degree of modularity, enabling a wide range of applications. However, the established synthetic protocols for the synthesis of stable and crystalline COFs, such as imide-linked COFs, often requires the use of high boiling solvents and toxic catalysts, making their synthesis expensive and environmentally harmful. Herein, we report a new environmentally friendly strategy—an alcohol-assisted hydrothermal polymerization approach (aaHTP) for the synthesis of a wide range of crystalline and porous imide-linked COFs. This method allows us to gain access to new COFs and to avoid toxic solvents by up to 90% through substituting commonly used organic solvent mixtures with water and small amounts of n-alcohols without being restricted to water-soluble linker molecules. Additionally, we use the aaHTP to demonstrate an eco-friendly COF-to-COF transformation of an imine-linked COF into a novel imide-linked COF via linkage replacement, inaccessible using published reaction conditions.
How to behave when marooned: the behavioural component of the island syndrome remains underexplored

Animals on islands typically depart from their mainland relatives in assorted aspects of their biology. Because they seem to occur in concert, and to some extent evolve convergently in disparate taxa, these changes are referred to as the ‘island syndrome’. While morphological, physiological and life-history components of the island syndrome have received considerable attention, much less is known about how insularity affects behaviour. In this paper, we argue why changes in personality traits and cognitive abilities can be expected to form part of the island syndrome. We provide an overview of studies that have compared personality traits and cognitive abilities between island and mainland populations, or among islands. Overall, the pickings are remarkably slim. There is evidence that animals on islands tend to be bolder than on the mainland, but effects on other personality traits go either way. The evidence for effects of insularity on cognitive abilities or style is highly circumstantial and very mixed. Finally, we consider the ecological drivers that may induce such changes, and the mechanisms through which they might occur. We conclude that our knowledge of the behavioural and cognitive responses to island environments remains limited, and we encourage behavioural biologists to make more use of these ‘natural laboratories for evolution’.
Scientific-Consensus Communication About Contested Science: A Preregistered Meta-Analysis

Scientific-consensus communication is among the most promising interventions to minimize the gap between experts’ and the public’s belief in scientific facts. There is, however, discussion about its effectiveness in changing consensus perceptions and beliefs about contested science topics. This preregistered meta-analysis assessed the effects of communicating the existence of scientific consensus on perceived scientific consensus and belief in scientific facts. Combining 43 experiments about climate change, genetically modified food, and vaccination, we found that a single exposure to consensus messaging had a positive effect on perceived scientific consensus (g = 0.55) and on belief in scientific facts (g = 0.12). Consensus communication yielded very similar effects for climate change and genetically modified food, whereas the low number of experiments about vaccination prevented conclusions regarding this topic. Although these effects are small, communicating scientific consensus appears to be an effective way to change factual beliefs about contested science topics.
Development of NASA's Next Generation L-Band Digital Beamforming Synthetic Aperture Radar (DBSAR-2)

NASA's Next generation Digital Beamforming SAR (DBSAR-2) is a state-of-the-art airborne L-band radar developed at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The instrument builds upon the advanced architectures in NASA's DBSAR-1 and EcoSAR instruments. The new instrument employs a 16-channel radar architecture characterized by multi-mode operation, software defined waveform generation, digital beamforming, and configurable radar parameters. The instrument has been design to support several disciplines in Earth and Planetary sciences. The instrument was recently completed, and tested and calibrated in a anechoic chamber.
Study of an Approach for Road Design by Using MicroStation-InRoads

Currently,CAD technology has a large area of promotion and application,and the three-dimensional topographic map-based virtualization technology in engineering design and planning has been paid more and more attention by designers.The use of InRoads software is made a brief introduction and a highway design practice is given on how to use InRoads software to link-aided design of the highway routes.Its unique design capabilities can provide a wide range of design,analysis,mapping out and road-line engineering solutions.
Soluble Trace Metals Associated with Atmospheric Fine Particulate Matter in the Two Most Populous Cities in Vietnam

16 Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCM), the most populous cities in Vietnam, have received 17 increasing global attention because of their poor air pollution status. As part of the recent UK-18 Vietnam 2-Cities project, the concentrations of trace metals in fine particulate matter have been 19 characterized. 24-hour samples of PM 2 were collected at 2 sites in Hanoi and 3 sites in HCM 20 during two 4-week periods in September / October 2018 and March 2019. The soluble fraction 21 of 15 trace metal(oid)s (Fe, Al, Mn, Ti, Zn, V, Cu, Ni, Co, Cd, Pb, Th, Cr, As, and Sb) bound 22 to PM 2 were analyzed by ICP-MS. The results show that Zn was the most abundant soluble 23 metal in PM 2 in both cities, with very large numbers of road vehicles (e.g. tyre wear) likely 24 contributing in both cities and non-ferrous metal production being a substantial additional 25 source in Hanoi. Fe and Al, derived from crustal sources, were the dominant metals after Zn. 26 Most trace metals concentrations in Hanoi were higher than in HCM, especially toxic metals 27 such as Pb, Cd, Cr and As. V and Ni were the only two metals having higher concentrations in 28 HCM than in Hanoi, likely due to shipping emissions (combustion of heavy fuel oil) that 29 strongly affect the air quality in HCM. Coal-power plants and non-ferrous metal production 30 are likely to be the major sources of trace metals in Hanoi. Health risk assessment shows that 31 a high carcinogenic risk exists for inhalation exposure of soluble trace metals bound to PM 2 in 32 both cities. 33
Vector Magnitude Circuit Using Three Triangle Wave-based Time Division Multipliers

ABSTRACT A circuit that accepts two input dc voltages V1 and V2 and provides output dc voltage by using three triangular wave-referenced time division multipliers is described in this paper. One input voltage is given to one multiplier and the other input voltage is given to another multiplier. Both multipliers are configured to work as squarer. The squared voltages are added and given to non-inverting input of an op-amp OA. The third multiplier which is also configured as a squarer is given at the negative feedback path of the op-amp OA. The op-amp OA output is the output voltage VO. The conventional multipliers used are the author's triangular wave-referenced time division multipliers. Verification of the feasibility of the circuit is established by way of test results on a prototype.
Trial of static pressed precast pile composite foundation in wet-collapsible loess area

Combined with specific projects,according to the site condition and the feature of the buildings,this paper compares several foundation treatment schemes,among which the static pressed precast pile composite foundation is the best choice,and points out that constructed in accordance with this scheme,the compaction effect of soil between the jacked the static pressed precast piles,the removing result of wet-collapsibility and the bearing capacity of the composite foundation all can meet the design requirements.
Model-based control of combustion instabilities

Model-based control has been successfully implemented on an atmospheric pressure lean premixed combustion rig. The rig incorporated a pressure transducer in the combustor to provide a sensor measurement, with actuation provided by a fuel valve. Controller design was based on experimental measurement of the open loop transfer function. This was achieved using a valve input signal which was the sum of an identification signal and a control signal from an empirical controller to eliminate the non-linear limit cycle. The transfer function was measured for the main instability occurring at a variety of operating conditions, and was found to be fairly similar in all cases. Using Nyquist and H∞ -loop shaping techniques, several robust controllers were designed, based on a mathematical approximation to the measured transfer function. These were implemented experimentally on the rig, and were found to stabilise it under a variety of operating conditions, with a greater reduction in the pressure spectrum than had been achieved by the empirical controller.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Life cycle assessment of bioethanol from wheat and sugar beet discussing environmental impacts of multiple concepts of co-product processing in the context of the European Renewable Energy Directive

ABSTRACT The environmental performance of biofuels is often assessed comparing multiple feedstocks while implications of different co-product processing options are neglected. This study presents a life cycle assessment of several co-product processing concepts of wheat- and sugar beet-based ethanol production in Germany. Inventory data are first-hand industry data presenting state-of-the-art plants. The methodology defined by the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) is applied. The cradle-to-gate investigation shows that the co-production of fodder results in lowest impacts allocated to ethanol: 37 g CO2-eq. per MJ of ethanol from sugar beets. Total impacts are lower in case of beet-based ethanol in impact categories which are dominated by emissions from cultivation, such as eutrophication and acidification. Biogas co-production results in lowest total emissions but in higher emissions allocated to ethanol. A sensitivity analysis shows how certain assumptions, such as using a different energy carrier, grain drying, etc., influence these results. Results indicate that the environmental impacts of different co-product processing concepts differ. Consequently, special attention should be given to this aspect when the environmental impacts of biofuels are compared. It is furthermore advised to apply a method accounting for the utility and benefits of co-products when allocating emissions, as opposed to RED methodology.
Challenges and prospects in development of e-learning system for IT students

The purpose of this research is to determine the IT competence, willingness and readiness of students to use distance learning system to fulfill their learning goals. To implement the objectives of the study, we used the results of a students' survey conducted to determine the opinion on the use of information technology as a means to improve the learning process. We concentrated our efforts on a target group of IT students, whose IT background knowledge enabled them to easily master new software tools and technologies. In this paper, the creation, implementation and operation of a distance learning system in DSTU is discussed. Also stated are general requirements for distance learning system and administrative actions that should precede the process of its implementation.
Development of Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia and Graphene Coatings Obtained by Suspension Plasma Spraying: Thermal Stability and Influence on Mechanical Properties

This study investigated the feasibility of depositing graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)-reinforced yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) composite coatings. The coatings were deposited from an ethanol-based mixed YSZ and GNP suspension using suspension plasma spraying (SPS). Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of GNPs in the YSZ matrix, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed a desired columnar microstructure with GNPs distributed predominantly in the inter-columnar spacing of the YSZ matrix. The as-deposited YSZ-GNP coatings were subjected to different isothermal treatments — 400, 500, and 600 ◦ C for 8 h — to study the thermal stability of the GNPs in the composite coatings. Raman analysis showed the retention of GNPs in specimens exposed to temperatures up to 500 ◦ C, although the defect concentration in the graphitic structure increased with increasing temperature. Only a marginal effect on the mechanical properties (i.e., hardness and fracture toughness) was observed for the isothermally treated coatings.
The Dynamic Impact Among Oil Dependence Volatility, the Quality of Political Institutions, and Government Spending

This paper empirically examines the direct and indirect effect of the role of democracy, and, in turn, the effect of oil dependence volatility on governmental expenditure in oil exporting countries. To achieve this aim, we apply a panel Vector Auto-Regressive (PVAR) model along with panel impulse response functions from the period 1983 to 2016. The findings show that the quality of political institutions, it is observed that in democratic countries an increase in oil volatility leads to an increase in government expenditure. In contrast, in non-democratic countries, governments respond to oil volatility fluctuating between the positive and negative depending on the quality of political institutions; the more some attributes of democracy are seen, the greater the expenditure. This difference in response between them can be attributed to a variation in institutional quality. Therefore, an improvement in strategic risk planning together with greater government transparency could lead to institutional quality improvement.
Paralleling Control Technique of Microgrid Inverters Based on Improved Droop Method

This paper analyzes the active and reactive power circulating current model of the paralleling inverters in typical microgrid and presents an improved adaptive droop controller to improve the performance of parallel-connected inverters.With the proposed control strategy,large fluctuations of bus voltage and system frequency caused by load variation can be avoided.It uses an adaptive integral loop gain to improve the dynamic performance of parallel systems.It also reduces unreasonable reactive power flow between the inverters in a microgrid,therefore avoids unnecessary power losses and additional equipment capacity.Simulation and experimental results confirm the validity of the proposed control technique.
Current Limitations and Novel Perspectives in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Simple Summary This review article presents a synopsis of the key clinical developments, their limitations, and future perspectives in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. In the first part, we summarize the available treatments for pancreatic cancer patients according to tumor stage, as well as the most relevant clinical trials over the past two decades. Despite this progress, there is still much to be improved in terms of patient survival. Therefore, in the second part, we consider various components of the tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer, looking for the key drivers of therapy resistance and tumor progression, which may lead to the discovery of new potential targets. We also discuss the most prominent molecules targeting the stroma and immune compartment that are being investigated in either preclinical or clinical trials. Finally, we also outline interesting venues for further research, such as possible combinations of therapies that may have the potential for clinical application. Abstract Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide, largely due to its aggressive development. Consequently, treatment options are often palliative, as only one-fifth of patients present with potentially curable tumors. The only available treatment with curative intent is surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. However, even for patients that are eligible for surgery, the 5-year OS remains below 10%. Hence, there is an urgent need to find new therapeutic regimens. In the first part of this review, we discuss the tumor staging method and its impact on the corresponding current standard-of-care treatments for PDAC. We also consider the key clinical trials over the last 20 years that have improved patient survival. In the second part, we provide an overview of the major components and cell types involved in PDAC, as well as their respective roles and interactions with each other. A deeper knowledge of the interactions taking place in the TME may lead to the discovery of potential new therapeutic targets. Finally, we discuss promising treatment strategies targeting specific components of the TME and potential combinations thereof. Overall, this review provides an overview of the current challenges and future perspectives in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
A Comparison of Firefighting Higher Education Curriculums Between China and the United States

This research aims to systematically compare the educational concepts between the U.S. and China, to answer a research question: what courses, based on the experience of developing fire services in both countries, should be included in firefighting higher education programs to increase knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs)? The authors utilized the method of content analysis and applied the theoretical framework from emergency management to compare those curriculums from both countries into common contextual research criteria. Results of our analysis demonstrate that the two countries have similar expectations by which to develop core KSAs in their firefighting higher education programs.