Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of acidity and surface-modulated acid dissociation on cloud response to organic aerosol

Abstract. Acid dissociation of the organic aerosol fraction has the potential to impact cloud-activating properties by altering aqueous-phase H+ concentrations and water activity but is currently overlooked in most atmospheric aerosol models. We implemented a simple representation of organic acid dissociation in the aerosol–chemistry–climate box model ECHAM6.3–HAM2.3 and investigated the impact on aerosol-forming aqueous sulfur chemistry, cloud droplet number concentrations, and the shortwave radiative effect. Many atmospheric organic acids are also surface-active and may be strongly adsorbed at the surface of small aqueous droplets. The degree of dissociation has recently been observed for several atmospheric surface-active organics with Brönsted acid character to be significantly shifted in the surface, compared to the bulk aqueous solution. In addition to the well-known bulk acidity, we therefore introduced an empirical account of this surface-modulated dissociation to further explore the potential impact on aerosol climate effects. Malonic acid and decanoic acid were used as proxies for atmospheric organic aerosols of different surface-active and acid strengths. Both acids were found to yield sufficient hydrogen ion concentrations from dissociation in an aqueous droplet population to strongly influence aqueous aerosol sulfur chemistry, leading to enhanced cloud droplet number concentrations and a cooling shortwave radiative effect. Further considering the surface modulation of organic acid dissociation, the impact on cloud microphysics was smaller than according to the well-known bulk solution acidity but still significant. Our results show that organic aerosol acid dissociation can significantly influence predictions of aerosol and cloud droplet formation and aerosol–cloud–climate effects and that, even for a well-known bulk solution phenomenon such as acidity, it may be important to also consider the specific influence of surface effects when surface-active acids comprise a significant fraction of the total organic aerosol mass.
Evaluation of maize (Zea mays) hybrids for leaf thermo-stability, photosynthetic rate, stem reserves and productivity under rain-dependent conditions

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most versatile crops probably due to its wider adaptability and photosynthetic efficiency but drought and higher temperature tolerance are prerequisite for cultivation under rain-dependent conditions. Fifteen maize hybrids were evaluated for yield and yield attributes during two consecutive years, i.e. 2011 and 2012, and heat tolerance and stem reserves (starch + sugars) during 2012. Leaf photosynthetic rate (PN) was measured during 2012 and 2013. Analysis of variance of grain yield and its attributes during two years showed significant variations in genotype (G), year of cultivation (Y) and their interaction (G × Y). Tasseling and silking intervals were least in PHM-1 and Parakash during both the years. Leaf relative injury index (RI) varied between 40% in both Parakash and PHM-1, and 74% in HQPM-1. Thus, hybrids were classified based on RI values such as tolerant (RI between 40 and 49%), moderately tolerant (RI between 50 and 59%) and susceptible (RIâ‰¥60). In general, PN enhanced from vegetative to anthesis and thereafter declined during grain filling stages. This was attributed to reproductive sink-driven demand. Stem reserves (non-structural carbohydrates) were higher in Parakash, HQPM 7 and JH-3459. In addition, grain protein and starch contents during milking stage were higher in DHM-117, Parakash and DHM-3. Average values of biomass and grain yields recorded during two consecutive years ranged between 1 874 and 4 769 g/m2, and 809 and 1 669 g/m2, respectively. Also, associations between various attributes of grain yield, photosynthesis, leaf temperature, RI and stem reserves were established, and potential hybrids were identified. Especially, hybrids Parakash and PHM-1 were found efficient in most of the parameters studied, such as, heat tolerance, lesser tassling and silking interval, relatively lower stem diameter at final harvest, higher stem reserves, PN, 1 000-seed mass, HI, grain and biomass yields.
Diagnostic Technology: Trends of Use and Availability in a 10-Year Period (2011–2020) among Sixteen OECD Countries

Background. Overuse of imaging results in cost increases, with little to no benefit to patients. The purpose of this study is to evaluate imaging tests and radiology equipment over a ten-year period in 16 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Methods. Twelve countries were included in a time-trend analysis based on OECD indicators on diagnostic imaging (computer tomography [CT], magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], and positron emission tomography [PET]). These annual indicators included the number of exams per 1000 population, the number of devices per million population, and the number of exams per device. Average annual percent change was used to measure country-specific trends. Results. Most countries saw a rise in the exam-to-scanner ratio for CT, MRI, and PET, demonstrating a faster increase in exam volume than device volume. Italy exhibited an increase in CT, MRI, and PET equipment units during the same period, but not in exams, most likely due to a reduction in medical procedures during the pandemic. Only in Luxemburg, CT and PET examinations increased despite a reduction in scanners. Conclusions. Considering the expected increasing demand for diagnostics due to the evolving needs of the population, proper governance and resource allocation are necessary requirements for cost-efficient health systems.
An Influence Perceived Organizational Support on Affective Commitments with Satisfaction Work as a Mediation Variable

The purpose ofthis study was to determine how the role of job satisfaction mediating the effect of perceived organizational support on organizational commitment. This research was conducted at PT. Aerofood ACS Deli Serdang. The number of samples taken were 89 employees, using the proportionate random sampling technique. Data collection was obtained from the results of interviews, observation and questionnaires. Data analysis using classical assumption test, path analysis, sobel test. Based on the results of the analysis, was found that perceived organizational support had a positive and significant effect on job satisfaction. Perceived organizational support has a positive and significant effect on organizational commitment. Job satisfaction has a positive and significant effect on organizational commitment. Perceived organizational support has a positive and significant effect on organizational commitment through mediating job satisfaction. Efforts to increase employees' sense of organizational commitment, organizations should be able to provide support to their employees because the higher the support given to employees, the higher the job satisfaction felt by employees.
Advanced numerical methods for simulating non-autonomous periodic strongly nonlinear circuits

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Establishing a method to measure bone structure using spectral CT

Combining bone structure and density measurement in 3D is required to assess site-specific fracture risk. Spectral molecular imaging can measure bone structure in relation to bone density by measuring macro and microstructure of bone in 3D. This study aimed to optimize spectral CT methodology to measure bone structure in excised bone samples. MARS CT with CdTe Medipix3RX detector was used in multiple energy bins to calibrate bone structure measurements. To calibrate thickness measurement, eight different thicknesses of Aluminium (Al) sheets were scanned one in air and the other around a falcon tube and then analysed. To test if trabecular thickness measurements differed depending on scan plane, a bone sample from sheep proximal tibia was scanned in two orthogonal directions. To assess the effect of air on thickness measurement, two parts of the same human femoral head were scanned in two conditions (in the air and in PBS). The results showed that the MARS scanner (with 90μm voxel size) is able to accurately measure the Al (in air) thicknesses over 200μm but it underestimates the thicknesses below 200μm because of partial volume effect in Al-air interface. The Al thickness measured in the highest energy bin is overestimated at Al-falcon tube interface. Bone scanning in two orthogonal directions gives the same trabecular thickness and air in the bone structure reduced measurement accuracy. We have established a bone structure assessment protocol on MARS scanner. The next step is to combine this with bone densitometry to assess bone strength.
Assessing satisfaction of search in virtual mammograms for experienced and novice searchers

Abstract. Purpose Satisfaction of search (SOS) is a phenomenon where searchers are more likely to miss a lesion/target after detecting a first lesion/target. Here, we investigated SOS for masses and calcifications in virtual mammograms with experienced and novice searchers to determine the extent to which: (1) SOS affects breast lesion detection, (2) similarity between lesions impacts detection, and (3) experience impacts SOS rates. Approach The open virtual clinical trials framework was used to simulate the breast anatomy of patients, and up to two simulated masses and/or single-calcifications were inserted into the breast models. Experienced searchers (residents, fellows, and radiologists with breast imaging experience) and novice searchers (undergraduates who had no breast imaging experience) were instructed to search for up to two lesions (masses and calcifications) per image. Results 2 × 2 mixed factors analysis of variances (ANOVAs) were run with: (1) single versus second lesion hit rates, (2) similar versus dissimilar second-lesion hit rates, and (3) similar versus dissimilar second-lesion response times as within-subject factors and experience as the between subject’s factor. The ANOVAs demonstrated that: (1) experienced and novice searchers made a significant amount of SOS errors, (2) similarity had little impact on experienced searchers, but novice searchers were more likely to miss a dissimilar second lesion compared to when it was similar to a detected first lesion, (3) experienced and novice searchers were faster at finding similar compared to dissimilar second lesions. Conclusions We demonstrated that SOS is a significant cause of lesion misses in virtual mammograms and that reader experience impacts detection rates for similar compared to dissimilar abnormalities. These results suggest that experience may impact strategy and/or recognition with theoretical implications for determining why SOS occurs.
MATH ONLINE TESTS: A RASCH ANALYSIS

The M.In. E.R. Va. project, which was presented at EDULEARN 2014 and 2016, was developed to help students of secondary schools to recover their deficiencies in Mathematics. As the experimentation has produced good results, we extended the project to Calculus and Financial Mathematics courses in Catholic University in Milan. We will use Rasch Analysis and other statistical techniques (e.g. Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory) to prove the “goodness” of the multiple-choice questions that we used in the online exercises and to perform a differential analysis, dividing students in subgroups, in order to individuate the “disturbing” variables. We found that a few questions were problematic. In this case, the common approach is to change the question. We preferred instead to change the didactic approach to the subject of the question and to change the question only if the performance remains low. Since this trial showed quite good results, we can conclude that the platform can be successfully used to point out early problematic subjects and to intervene immediately.
Biocatalytic selective acylation of technical lignins: a new route for the design of new biobased additives for industrial formulations

In this article, we describe a proof of concept of the potential use of a biocatalytic process for the functionalization of technical soda lignins from wheat straw through the selective acylation of primary hydroxy groups of lignin oligomers by acetate or hexanoate, thus preserving their free, unreacted phenols. The selectivity and efficiency of the method, although they depend on the structural complexity of the starting material, have been proven on model compounds. Applied to technical lignins, the acylation yield is only moderate, due to structural and chemical features induced by the industrial mode of preparation of the lignins rather than to the lack of efficiency of the method. However, most of the physicochemical properties of the lignins, including their antioxidant potential, are preserved, advocating the potential use of these modified lignins for industrial applications.
Three‐dimensional grayscale‐free topology optimization using a level‐set based r‐refinement method

In this paper, we propose a three‐dimensional (3D) grayscale‐free topology optimization method using a conforming mesh to the structural boundary, which is represented by the level‐set method. The conforming mesh is generated in an r‐refinement manner; that is, it is generated by moving the nodes of the Eulerian mesh that maintains the level‐set function. Although the r‐refinement approach for the conforming mesh generation has many benefits from an implementation aspect, it has been considered as a difficult task to stably generate 3D conforming meshes in the r‐refinement manner. To resolve this task, we propose a new level‐set based r‐refinement method. Its main novelty is a procedure for minimizing the number of the collapsed elements whose nodes are moved to the structural boundary in the conforming mesh; in addition, we propose a new procedure for improving the quality of the conforming mesh, which is inspired by Laplacian smoothing. Because of these novelties, the proposed r‐refinement method can generate 3D conforming meshes at a satisfactory level, and 3D grayscale‐free topology optimization is realized. The usefulness of the proposed 3D grayscale‐free topology optimization method is confirmed through several numerical examples. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Copper Deficiency as Wilson’s Disease Overtreatment: A Systematic Review

Background: Treatment of Wilson’s disease (WD), an inherited disease characterized by copper overload, is lifelong and there is the possibility that copper deficiency (CD) may occur. We systematically reviewed the literature to describe treatment patterns, symptoms and outcomes associated with CD. Methods: Using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the PubMed database was searched up to 6 April 2023. Results: Across 17 articles, 20 cases of CD were described, most commonly (15 cases) in WD patients treated with zinc salts (ZS), less often on combined chelator and ZS therapy (3 cases), molybdate salts plus ZS (1), or molybdate alone (1). CD symptoms occurred insidiously, including sideroblastic anemia, neutropenia, axonal sensory neuropathy, posterior cord myelopathy and increased ratio of epileptic seizures (or epilepsy). CD diagnosis was based on symptoms and severely reduced urinary copper excretion (<20 µg/24 h [<0.3 µmol/24 h] on ZS, or <100 µg/24 h [<1.6 µmol/24 h] on chelators) with low total serum copper and ceruloplasmin. Conclusions: Awareness of CD and regular monitoring of copper metabolism is needed during WD treatment. Temporary cessation of anti-copper treatment usually reverses serum copper reductions as well as pancytopenia; however, some symptoms, especially neuropathy and myelopathy, may persist.
1 - Introduction: Pan Africanism and the Reparative Framework for Global Africa

A revolutionary future is taking place that is transforming almost every aspect of society on a global level. Africa has been engulfed by this revolutionary transformation as well as the entire African Diaspora. Of course, this means that Pan-Africanism, the discourse and action that links together Africa and the African Diaspora, is being transformed in the digital age. (Alkalimat and Williams) (this Bulletin page 49)
Characterization of dual band and double polarized notched metallic ring FSS and their equivalent parallel metallic strip structures

ABSTRACT In this work three rejecting band filters for multi band and dual polarization applications are proposed. The first proposed structure is an open quasi square FSS with a centered notch. The variation of the notch position to the left leads to the tenability of frequencies in both directions of polarization. The addition of a second notch has resulted in a third frequency in the y direction maintaining two resonant frequencies in the x direction. The structures are simulated by the Wave concept Iterative Method and the Comsol Multiphysics software 4.3b. In the second part of this paper a new approach is proposed to obtain an equivalent FSS structures based on non-coupled parallel metallic strips. The new equivalent FSS structures allow the frequency adjustment by the variation of the corresponding strip lengths. The results obtained by the WCIP method and measurements are compared and a good agreement is obtained.
Perioperative Anxiolysis and Analgesic Effect after Premedication with Melatonin and Pregabalin in Total Hip Arthroplasty under Spinal Anaesthesia: A Prospective Comparative Trial

Background: Preoperative anxiety plays a critical role in post-operative pain response and other outcomes. Melatonin is a naturally secreted hormone which has anxiolytic, sedative, and analgesic properties. Pregabalin, analogue of gabapentin which has property of anxiolytic and analgesic effects. Materials and Methods: Total 96 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty, divided into 3 groups of 32 each and were given placebo (group I), melatonin 6 mg (group II), and pregabalin 150 mg (group III). Anxiety level, postoperative pain score, sedation level and duration as well as characteristics of spinal anaesthesia were assessed with other vital parameters. Results: Group I showed an increment in the anxiety score from baseline whereas in group II and group III, there was a decline in pre-operative anxiety score from baseline at all the periods of observation and more significantly in group III. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score and total dose of rescue analgesia were highest in group I, but group II and group III were comparable to each other. However, the durations of spinal anaesthesia and motor blockade showed a statistically significant difference with maximum duration in group III followed by II and then I. The level of sedation among the three groups were comparable at all the periods of observation. Conclusions: Pregabalin was found better for perioperative anxiolysis, post-operative analgesia and for prolongation of duration of spinal anaesthesia when compared to melatonin.
Why Glide Paths Evolve: 'Expected-To-Do' Glide Paths

This is the first article in a two-part series entitled “Why Glide Paths Evolve. ” The series discusses one of the most fundamental questions of optimal glide path design – should optimal glide paths be evolving or stationary? This article demonstrates that the investor’s glide path should generally evolve if the investor endeavors to achieve the best outcomes and expects to regularly reevaluate his portfolio makeup. The article presents a concise review of the pros and cons of the existing justifications for evolving glide paths. The article also presents a simple example that demonstrates that the principle “any sub-glide path of an optimal glide path should be optimal on its own” generally leads to evolving glide paths. We call the glide paths that follow this principle “expected-to-do” glide paths because they are based on rational expectations of the investor’s future portfolio selections. The second article in the series will present different conditions that also lead to evolving glide paths.
Buying Online - A Characterization of Rational Buying Procedures

In decision theory, an agent chooses from a set of alternatives. When buying online, alternatives are "represented" in one form of another. For instance, online search results are lists of items, wine menus are often lists of lists (grouped by type or country), and online shopping often involves browsing or filtering items which can be viewed as navigating a tree. An agent can make use of the structure of the representation when choosing. For instance, in the case of a list he can use the order in which alternatives are represented. In this paper we model general representations and procedures operating on them. We then ask which properties procedures have to fulfill such that their choices can equivalently be understood as a maximization of a rational preference relation when representations are ignored. We fully characterize such procedures and establish that they are intimately linked to well known properties such as Sen's $\alpha$. What is more, we show that there exist purely procedural properties that are sufficient for a rationalization.