Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is Smartphone Addiction Associated with a Younger Age at First Use in University Students

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence highlighted the potential of habitual smartphone use among youth to become an addiction analogous to established behavioral and substance-related addictions. While investigators revealed independent predictive effects of several sociodemographic factors, personality traits, psychological conditions, and smartphone usage patterns on smartphone addiction (SPA) in university students, none examined the independent effect of age at first smartphone use, a potential predictor variable, on subsequent development of SPA.OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the independent association between age at first smartphone use and SPA score in a sample of 688 Lebanese undergraduate university students.METHODS: A random sample of 688 undergraduate students selected from Notre Dame University, Lebanon filled out survey forms that included a) questions on socio-demographics, academics, smartphone use, personality type, depression, anxiety, and lifestyle habits; b) 26-item Smartphone Addiction Inventory (SPAI) Scale. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the independent association between age at first use and SPA level.RESULTS: Mean age at first smartphone use was about 15 years. Younger age at first use of smartphone was found to be significantly associated with several SPA symptoms and correlated with higher total SPAI score. In the unadjusted regression model, higher total SPAI scores were found to be significantly associated with younger age at first smartphone use. This association remained significant in the partially adjusted model, but disappeared in the fully adjusted one when controlling additionally for smartphone use habits.CONCLUSION: Younger age at smartphone use did not independently predict SPA in this sample of students.
Reversal magnetic chirality of solar active regions and a possible dynamo model

The transfer of magnetic chirality in solar active regions is related to the emerging magnetic flux ropes generated in the subatmosphere. This analysis has been presented based on the calculation of the injection of magnetic helicity at the solar surface. As the long-term evolution of the accumulated magnetic helicity is followed, it is found that the transfer of reversal magnetic helicity of active regions is a complex process, and is not monotonic with the same sign. It is found that the dominant contribution of helicity occurs mainly in the fast-developing stage of active regions. By considering the hemispheric trends of magnetic helicity, it is proposed that the reversal helicity in solar active regions has two possible causes: local generation in the convection zone, and trans-equatorial processes in the subatmosphere. In addition to the mirror-symmetrical reverse of twisted magnetic field in the convection zone, the possibility of a trans-equatorial process is discussed in this paper.
Biological cost of tolerance to heavy metals in the mosquito Anopheles gambiae

The global rate of heavy metal pollution is rapidly increasing in various habitats. Anopheles malaria vector species (Diptera: Culicidae) appear to tolerate many aquatic habitats with metal pollutants, despite their normal proclivity for ‘clean’ water (i.e. low levels of organic matter). Investigations were conducted to establish whether there are biological costs for tolerance to heavy metals in Anopheles gambiae Giles sensu stricto and to assess the potential impact of heavy metal pollution on mosquito ecology. Anopheles gambiae s.s. were selected for cadmium, copper or lead tolerance through chronic exposure of immature stages to solutions of the metals for three successive generations. Biological costs were assessed in the fourth generation by horizontal life table analysis. Tolerance in larvae to cadmium (as cadmium chloride, CdCl2), copper [as copper II nitrate hydrate, Cu(NO3)2 2.5 H2O] and lead [as lead II nitrate, Pb(NO3)2], monitored by changes in LC50 concentrations of the metals, changed from 6.07 μg/L, 12.42 μg/L and 493.32 μg/L to 4.45 μg/L, 25.02 μg/L and 516.69 μg/L, respectively, after three generations of exposure. The metal-selected strains had a significantly lower magnitude of egg viability, larval and pupal survivorship, adult emergence, fecundity and net reproductive rate than the control strain. The population doubling times were significantly longer and the instantaneous birth rates lower in most metal-selected strains relative to the control strain. Our results suggest that although An. gambiae s.s. displays the potential to develop tolerance to heavy metals, particularly copper, this may occur at a significant biological cost, which can adversely affect its ecological fitness.
Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity Variation in Cultivated and Virgin Soils

Variation of saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) values of soils under diverse management practices may be needed to determine the required sample number, sample size, and chose suitable sample scheme for characterize the Ks values used in water flow and solute transport modelling studies. The purpose of this study was to examine the variability in Ks and try to understand some part of the determinism of this variability in virgin and adjacent cultivated field using 36 undisturbed soil samples from each location with 0.5-m grid space. Ks was measured with 100 cm 3 undisturbed soil cores in laboratory using falling or constant head methods. The results showed that variability of ln (Ks) values (variance = 10.3) at the cultivated site was 2.5 times greater than that (variance = 2.5) at the virgin site. Furthermore, significant Ks differences exist between cultivated sample locations and within the rows of each cultivated location. Greater variations occurred in two cultivated locations may be attributed to compaction by traffic and soil tillage resulting in heterogeneous bulk density over the study area. ‹fllenen ve ‹fllenmeyen Toprakta Doygun Hidrolik ‹letkenlik Deiflkenlii Ozet: Su ak›fl› ve eriyik madde tafl›n›m›n›n modellemeleri cal›flmalar›nda kullan›lan doymufl hidrolik iletkenliin tan›mlanmas› icin gerekli olan ornekleme say›s› ve miktar›n›n belirlenmesi ve uygun ornekleme plan›n›n seciminde farkl› uygulamalar alt›ndaki topraklar›n doygun hidrolik iletkenlik (Ks) deerlerindeki deiflime ihtiyac duyulabilir. Bu cal›flman›n amac›, 0.5 m ›zgara aral›kl› her bir ornekleme istasyonundan 36 adet bozulmam›fl toprak orneini kullanarak, ifllenen ve ifllenmeyen komflu arazilerdeki Ks deiflkenliini ve deiflkenlii meydana getiren baz› nedenleri anlamaya cal›flmakt›r. Ks olcumleri, laboratuvarda deiflken ve sabit su yukleri alt›nda, 100 cm 3 hacimli bozulmam›fl toprak ornekleri kullan›larak gerceklefltirilmifltir. Sonuclar ifllenen arazideki ln (Ks) deerlerinin (varyans = 10.3) ifllenmeyen arazidekilerinden (varyans = 4.2) 2.5 kat daha fazla bir deiflkenlik gosterdiini, hatta ifllenen arazideki ornekleme istasyonlar› aras›nda ve bu istasyonlar›n kendi iclerindeki s›ralar aras›nda da buyuk Ks deiflkenliin olduu gostermifltir. ‹fllenen arazideki iki ornekleme istasyonuna ait daha buyuk Ks deiflkenlii, tarla trafii kaynakl› toprak s›k›flmas› ve devaml› toprak ifllemesi kaynakl› heterojen hacim a¤›rl›¤›ndan kaynaklanm›fl olabilir.
14C Dating and Material Analysis of the Lime Burial of Cova de Na Dent (Mallorca, Spain)

Lime burials are a characteristic phenomenon of the protohistoric funerary tradition on the Balearic Islands. At Cova de Na Dent, a lime burial has been sampled for analysis. The lime burial was made up of lime and fragmented bones. Six layers were sampled and described in the laboratory according to their color, the consistency of the deposition, and the aspect and quantity of the bone fragments. Bone samples and lime were dated. The lime was analyzed by using petrographic analysis, X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, and simultaneous thermal analysis. The results show that the bones were cremated in the presence of crushed rock carbonate. The 14C dates on the lime suggest an earlier chronology for this ritual, starting in the Bronze Age, as generally is accepted.
Optimizing Improved Hardy Inequalities

Let Ω be a bounded domain in RN, N⩾3, containing the origin. Motivated by a question of Brezis and Vazquez, we consider an Improved Hardy Inequality with best constant b, that we formally write as: −Δ⩾(N−22)21∣x∣2+bV(x). We first give necessary conditions on the potential V, under which the previous inequality can or cannot be further improved. We show that the best constant b is never achieved in H01(Ω), and in particular that the existence or not of further correction terms is not connected to the nonachievement of b in H01(Ω). Our analysis reveals that the original inequality can be repeatedly improved by adding on the right-hand side specific potentials. This leads to an infinite series expansion of Hardy's inequality. The series obtained is in some sense optimal. In establishing these results we derive various sharp improved Hardy–Sobolev Inequalities.
Secular evolution in action: central values and radial trends in the stellar populations of boxy bulges

We determine central values and radial trends in the stellar populations of the bulges of a sample of 28 edge-on S0–Sb disc galaxies, 22 of which are boxy/peanut-shaped (and therefore barred). Our principal findings are the following. (1) At a given velocity dispersion, the central stellar populations of galaxies with boxy/peanut-shaped bulges are indistinguishable from those of early-type (elliptical and S0) galaxies. Either secular evolution affects stellar populations no differently to monolithic collapse or mergers, or secular evolution is not important in the central regions of these galaxies, despite the fact that they are barred. (2) The radial metallicity gradients of boxy/peanut-shaped bulges are uncorrelated with velocity dispersion and are, on average, shallower than those of unbarred early-type galaxies. This is qualitatively consistent with chemodynamical models of bar formation, in which radial inflow and outflow smear out pre-existing gradients.
Generic competition and market exclusivity periods in pharmaceuticals

In this paper we examine generic competition and market exclusivity periods for pharmaceuticals experiencing their initial generic entry between 1995 and 2005. We find that generic competition has increased over several dimensions. First, an increasing number of drugs are subject to generic entry, including drugs with relatively modest annual average sales. Second, drugs with larger sales attract more generic entrants and have shorter market exclusivity periods than smaller selling drugs. Third, blockbuster drugs with annual sales in excess of $1 billion have experienced significant decreases in their market exclusivity periods in recent years. We also find that Hatch-Waxman Act patent challenges have negatively affected market exclusivity periods over the 1995 to 2005 period. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Random regression models with B-splines to estimate genetic parameters for body weight of young bulls in performance tests

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for body weight of beef cattle in performance tests. Different random regression models with quadratic B-splines and heterogeneous residual variance were fitted to estimate covariance functions for body weights of Nellore and crossbred Charolais × Nellore bulls. The criteria −2 residual log-likelihood (−2RLL), Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), and consistent AIC (CAIC) were used to choose the most appropriate model. For Nellore bulls, residual variance was modeled with six classes [. ]
Identification of credit supply shocks in a Bayesian SVAR model of the Hungarian economy

Using Hungarian macroeconomic and financial data, we estimate a Bayesian structural VAR model suitable for macroprudential simulations. We identify standard macroeconomic and credit supply shocks by sign and zero restrictions. In contrast to the previous literature, different types of credit shocks are distinguished in our paper: a risk assessment and a policy shock. Our main findings are the following. First, we demonstrate that both credit supply and macroeconomic shocks explain the variance of endogenous variables at roughly similar order of magnitude. Second, it is shown that credit supply shocks do not have a dominant role in the decline of the Hungarian economy over the crisis period that started in 2008, although their contribution was non-negligible. Third, the importance of unidentified shocks increased in the crisis period.
Equilibrium Fast Trading

High-speed market connections improve investors' ability to search for attractive quotes in fragmented markets, raising gains from trade. They also enable fast traders to observe market information before slow traders, generating adverse selection, and thus negative externalities. When investing in fast trading technologies, institutions do not internalize these externalities. Accordingly, they overinvest in equilibrium. Completely banning fast trading is dominated by offering two types of markets: one accepting fast traders, the other banning them. However, utilitarian welfare is maximized by having i) a single market type on which fast and slow traders coexist and ii) Pigovian taxes on investment in the fast trading technology.
Meat quality of fattening pigs fed yellow lupin-based diets

Meat quality of fattening pigs fed yellow lupin-based diets. The 30 crossbred pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] were fattened in three-phase fattening period. In their nutrition as a source of protein was used soybean meal (Group C) or soybean meal and seeds of yellow lupine in the amount of 7.5% (Group E1) and 15% (Group E2). After achieving body weight of about 117.5 kg animals were slaughtered. The samples of musculus longissimus lumborum collected from all slaughtered pigs. Significant differences were found in drip loss percentage between groups C and E1 (P ≤0.05). As regards the fatty acids, there were lower proportions of C18:2 in group E1 vs C (P ≤0.05) and of C18:2 and C20:4 in group E2 vs C (P ≤0.01). Differences in PUFA percentage, PUFA/SFA ratio, and proportion of n-6 fatty acids were significant, with lower values of the traits in group E1 vs C (P ≤0.05) and in group E2 vs C (P ≤0.01), which shows that the dietetic value of pork has slightly deteriorated. The chemical composition and the physical parameters of the meat samples were normal and at a similar level in all
Using concrete admixtures for sulphuric acid resistance

The degradation of concrete sewer pipes by sulphuric acid attack is a problem of global scope, resulting in substantial economic losses each year. In this study, five admixtures, which offer a range of potential improvement mechanisms, were used at various dosages to enhance the resistance of concrete made with Type 50E cement to chemical sulphuric acid attack. The resistance to sulphuric acid of concrete specimens incorporating these admixtures was measured and compared to that of control specimens. An attempt was made to determine whether there is a relationship between the effect of the various admixtures on mechanical strength and porosity and the resistance of concrete to H2SO4 attack. Results indicate that metakaolin reduced the mass loss of concrete specimens due to immersion for eight weeks in H2SO4 solutions having concentrations of 7% and 3% (by volume) by 38 and 25%, respectively, compared with that of the control specimens. Other admixtures (OCI, Caltite and Xypex) reduced the mass loss of con.
Epidemiological significance of major hemoparasites of ruminants in and around Debre-Zeit, Central Ethiopia

Prevalence of hemoparasites of ruminants (cattle, sheep and goat) in and around Debre-Zeit was determined using diagnostic records from November, 2010 to April, 2011. A total of 384 blood samples collected from ruminants present in Debre-Zeit town and surrounding peasant associated areas were examined by Giemsa stained, thin blood smears and Diff-quick method for hemoparasite. Packed cell volume (PCV) for each sample was estimated and hematocrit centrifugation (HCT) technique was used to determine the presence of hemoflagellates. An overall prevalence of hemoparasites was 6.3% which consisted of Anaplasma species (Anaplasma ovis 2.1%, Anaplasma marginale 1.6%, Anaplasma centerale 0.3%), Babesia species (Babesia bigeemina, Babesia bovis and Babesia ovis total of 0.9%) and Trypanosome species (only Trypanosome vivax 1.6%). The hemoparasite detected alone or in concurrent infection had a significant (P<0.05) effect on PCV of infected animals. The result of this study shows these hemoparasites are not endemic in ruminants in the study area, which may results in serious disease conditions when such animals are subjected to stress full condition. Key words: Debre-Zeit, hemoparasites, prevalence, ruminants.
X-ray observations of the old open stellar cluster NGC 188

I present the analysis results from XMM-Newton observations of the old open stellar cluster NGC 188, which has an age of about 7 Gyr and a near solar metallicity. 58 X-ray sources were detected in the field of view of the EPIC MOS and pn cameras, and 46 sources are new X-ray detections. Visible counterparts were found for 20 sources including the variable star WV 28, the W UMa-type binaries V371 Cep and V372 Cep, and the red giant V11. 9 X-ray sources are identified with probable cluster non-members, while 43 X-ray sources are of unknown membership. X-ray emission was detected from 6 stars with high membership probability above a luminosity threshold of 10 30 erg s -1 . This indicates the presence of very active latetype stars in NGC 188 in spite of its old age. The HR diagram positions of two of these stars just above the main sequence are reminiscent of those for W Ursae Majoris-type contact binaries. Two other sources could be either members of close binary systems or the product of the coalescence of W UMa type binaries into single stars. One X-ray source in NGC 188 is located at the bottom of the red giant branch in an evolutionary status similar to that of an FK Comae-type star. Another X-ray source detected in NGC 188 has the HR diagram position of an M type star. Its X-ray to bolometric luminosity ratio, greater than the canonical 10 -3 saturation level, suggests that the star was flaring during XMM-Newton observations. M stars are most likely the most numerous X-ray sources in NGC 188 at lower X-ray luminosity thresholds.
Novel Random Copolymers of Poly(butylene 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylate) with Outstanding Barrier Properties for Green and Sustainable Packaging: Content and Length of Aliphatic Side Chains as Efficient Tools to Tailor the Material’s Final Performance

The present paper describes the synthesis of novel bio-based poly(butylene 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylate)-containing random copolymers for sustainable and flexible packaging applications. On one side, the linear butylene moiety has been substituted by glycol subunits with alkyl pendant groups of different length. On the other side, copolymers with different cis/trans isomer ratio of cyclohexane rings have been synthesized. The prepared samples were subjected to molecular, thermal, diffractometric, and mechanical characterization. The barrier performances to O2, CO2, and N2 gases were also evaluated. The presence of side alkyl groups did not alter the thermal stability, whereas it significantly influences the formation of ordered phases that deeply affect the functional properties, mainly in terms of mechanical response and barrier performance. In particular, the final materials present higher flexibility and significantly improved barrier properties with respect to the homopolymer and most polymers widely employed for flexible packaging. The improvement due to copolymerization was more pronounced in the case of higher co-unit-containing copolymers and for the samples with cyclohexane rings in the trans conformation.
Prediction of Crude Protein, Extractable Fat, Calcium and Phosphorus Contents of Broiler Chicken Carcasses Using Near-infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy

Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopic (NIRS) calibrations were developed for accurate and fast prediction of whole broiler chicken carcass composition. The Feed and Forage Foss systems Model 5000 Reflectance Transport Model 5000 with near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS)-WinISI II windows software was used for this purpose. One equation was developed for the prediction of each carcass component. One hundred and fifty freeze dried broiler whole carcass samples were ground in a Cyclotech 1,093 sample mill and analyzed for dry matter, protein, fat, calcium and phosphate. Samples were divided into two sets: a calibration set from which equations were derived and a prediction set used to validate these equations. The chemical analysis values (mean′SD) were calculated based on dry matter basis as follows: dry matter: 33.41′2.78 (range: 26.41-43.47), protein: 54.04′6.63 (range: 36.20-76.09), fat 35.44′8.34 (range: 7.50-55.03), calcium 2.55′0.65 (range: 0.99-4.41), phosphorus 1.38′0.26 (range: 0.60-2.28). One hundred and three samples were used to calibrate the equations and prediction values. The software used was modified to obtain partial least square regression statistics, as it is the most suitable for natural products analysis. The coefficients of determination (R 2 ) and the standard errors of prediction were 0.82 and 1.83 for the dry matter, 0.96 and 1.98 for protein, 0.99 and 1.07 for fat, 0.90 and 0.30 for calcium and 0.91 and 0.11 for phosphorus, respectively. The present study indicated that NIRS can be calibrated to predict the whole broiler carcass chemical composition, including minerals in a rapid, accurate, and cost effective manner. It neither requires skilled operators nor generates hazardous waste. These findings may have practical importance to improve instrumental procedures for quick evaluation of broiler carcass composition.
Exploring the Concept of Teaching Faculty Motivation

This discussion paper explores the concept of teaching faculty motivation. The writing of this paper emanates from findings of a qualitative/quantitative PHD study, which explored the motivation of both language learners and language teaching faculty at Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland. In light of these findings pertaining to teaching faculty motivation and in view of more recent calls for the enhancement of educational faculty development and the quality of education provision, this discussion paper seeks to provide thereafter an analysis of the characteristics of the motivation to teach. Consideration is also given to the context of profound changes globally, socially and economically being witnessed and experienced by teaching faculty today. In conclusion, the paper makes a number of recommendations geared towards best practice pertaining to teaching faculty motivation. Of crucial importance, it is advocated, is the promotion of the concept of possible and ideal selves in the profession as well as the promotion of reflective spaces and possibilities for alternative contingency paths.