Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Household matters: on the usefulness of an institutional approach for understanding intrahousehold allocation

This paper presents findings from a study testing the alternative of an institutional approach to model intrahousehold allocative behavior. It argues that the income-pooling test and the conventional neoclassical household models only capture part of allocative behavior as they start from the premise that human behavior is built upon free human agency only. The paper proposes an alternative economic institutional approach and sets out an expanded test framework. Research findings from my own south Indian household survey show that conventional and expanded test results may differ and that unveiling decision-making processes may indicate why individuals act as if they hold common preferences. The article demonstrates that changes in selected allocative outcomes only occur as a result of changes in underlying allocative processes. It further suggests that membership of women’s groups is one effective way of changing intrahousehold decision-making processes and outcomes.
The Effect of Regular Physical Activity on Academic Achievement: A Study of High School Students in Sari

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of sports and regular physical activity on academic performance in high school students of Sari, Iran. In this quasi-experimental research, 100 female and 100 male students were randomly selected as the sample after being matched for age, height, and weight, and were assigned to two groups. The experimental group was asked to perform 15 minutes of stretching exercises for 5 weeks in the school. The control group performed no physical activity. Pretests and posttests were given in math, English, and chemistry. The data were analyzed in SPSS using descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, independent samples t-test, and dependent samples t-test. The results indicated significant differences between the experimental and control groups in academic performance. Gender differences were also observed, with male students having a better academic performance than female students.
Mixing in flows down gentle slopes into stratified environments

Observations of the flow of dense fluid into uniformly density-stratified environments down plane slopes with small inclination to the horizontal ([les ] 20°) are described, and a quantitative model for such flows is presented. In these experiments the dense fluid is released at the top of the slope for a finite period of time. The resulting downslope gravity current, or downflow, has uniform thickness with a distinct upper boundary, until it approaches its level of neutral density where the fluid leaves the proximity of the slope. Turbulent transfers of mass and momentum occur across the upper boundary, causing a continuous loss of fluid from the downflow in most cases, and associated loss of momentum. The flow may be characterized by the local values of the Richardson number Ri, the Reynolds number Re (generally large), and of M = QN3/g′2, where Q is the (two-dimensional) volume flux, N the buoyancy frequency and g′ the (negative) buoyancy of the dense fluid. The model for the downflow describes the turbulent transfers in terms of entrainment, detrainment and drag coefficients, Ee, Ed and k respectively, and the observations enable the determination of these coefficients in terms of the local values of M and Ri. The model may be regarded as an extension of that Ellison & Turner (1959) to stratified environments, describing the consequent substantial changes in mixing and distribution of the inflow. It permits the modelling of the bulk properties of these flows in geophysical situations, including shallow and deep flows in the ocean.
On a mathematical model in ice sheet dynamics

In this talk we consider a three-dimensional isothermal model for ice sheet dynamics in Glaciology. The model is derived from the Continuum Mechanics principles and well-known experimental results carried out in Glaciology. The final formulation of the model gives rise to a degenerate quasi-linear elliptic-parabolic equation for the ice-thickness function. Under appropriate initial and Dirichlet boundary conditions, we discuss the existence and uniqueness of weak solutions for this mathematical model. Then, we prove the localization properties of finite speed of propagations and waiting time for the ice-thickness function. To establish these properties we use here a suitable energy method.
Boundary layer and free-tropospheric dimethyl sulfide in the Arctic spring and summer

Abstract. Vertical distributions of atmospheric dimethyl sulfide (DMS(g)) were sampled aboard the research aircraft Polar 6 near Lancaster Sound, Nunavut, Canada, in July 2014 and on pan-Arctic flights in April 2015 that started from Longyearbyen, Spitzbergen, and passed through Alert and Eureka, Nunavut, and Inuvik, Northwest Territories. Larger mean DMS(g) mixing ratios were present during April 2015 (campaign mean of 116 ± 8 pptv) compared to July 2014 (campaign mean of 20 ± 6 pptv). During July 2014, the largest mixing ratios were found near the surface over the ice edge and open water. DMS(g) mixing ratios decreased with altitude up to about 3 km. During April 2015, profiles of DMS(g) were more uniform with height and some profiles showed an increase with altitude. DMS reached as high as 100 pptv near 2500 m. Relative to the observation averages, GEOS-Chem ( www.geos-chem.org ) chemical transport model simulations were higher during July and lower during April. Based on the simulations, more than 90 % of the July DMS(g) below 2 km and more than 90 % of the April DMS(g) originated from Arctic seawater (north of 66° N). During April, 60 % of the DMS(g), between 500 and 3000 m originated from Arctic seawater. During July 2014, FLEXPART (FLEXible PARTicle dispersion model) simulations locate the sampled air mass over Baffin Bay and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago 4 days back from the observations. During April 2015, the locations of the air masses 4 days back from sampling were varied: Baffin Bay/Canadian Archipelago, the Arctic Ocean, Greenland and the Pacific Ocean. Our results highlight the role of open water below the flight as the source of DMS(g) during July 2014 and the influence of long-range transport (LRT) of DMS(g) from further afield in the Arctic above 2500 m during April 2015.
Shell architecture and its relation to shell occupation by the hermit crab Clibanarius antillensis under different wave action conditions

We studied the intertidal hermit crab Clibanarius antillensis at Montepio Beach, Veracruz, Mexico, to determine whether architecture and weight of occupied shells varied with the degree of exposure to wave action. Data on shell use were obtained from 30-m transects perpendicular to the shoreline. The gastropod shells species used by C. antillensis were classified into four groups according to their morphology: neritiform, conical, turriculate, and turbinate. Neither the size nor the weight of hermit crabs varied along transects. A pattern showing differential use of shell type according to water velocity was detected. Neritiform and turriculate shells were the least occupied, and their abundance decreased with increasing water velocities. Conical and turbinate shells were the most used and their presence increased with increasing water velocities. Turbinate and conical shells are heavier and have a higher weight/exposed-area ratio than neritiform and turriculate shells, so using them at higher energy sites seems to be more advantageous than using turriculate shells. The pattern that emerges is one in which C. antillensis occupy different shells along the intertidal transect, probably due to the advantages that different shells may bring, such as minimising drag and the risk of dislodgement.
Can the Inspiration Deep Influence on the Respiratory Variables andThoracic-Abdominal Asynchrony in Patients with Copd?

Objective: To determinate by the OEP the effects of deep inspiration on physiological variables and thoracic-abdominal asynchrony in patients with COPD, compared with healthy individuals matched for age. Methods: Ten patients with COPD and 12 healthy individuals were evaluated using OEP during deep inspiration. TAA was estimated using the phase angle in a Lissajous figure for three consecutive and consistent respiratory cycles. Results: There was significant difference (p<0.01) on the phase angle between the abdominal rib cage (RCa) and the abdomen (AB) in COPD patients compared to the control (-20.7°±26.3° vs -0.3°±8.8°). Greater compartmental contribution to the tidal volume was found in the pulmonary rib cage (RCp) in both the control group (p<0.009) and the COPD group (p<0.003). The degree of obstruction was not correlated with TAA between the different compartments. Conclusion: During deep inspiration for assincroniatoracoabdominal in patients with COPD in relation to healthy, not sort of adding then to improves the respiratory pattern in this group of patients and the degree of airway obstruction of these patients correlates with the presence ATA.
Molecular dynamics of pyrazine after excitation to the S2 electronic state using a realistic 24-mode model Hamiltonian

The molecular dynamics of pyrazine after excitation to the S2 electronic state is investigated using the S2 absorption spectrum as a benchmark. We first present a realistic model Hamiltonian including all 24 vibrational modes of the pyrazine molecule. Using this model, we determined the potential energy surfaces of the lowest two excited states, S1 and S2, which are strongly coupled to each other. We then treated the nuclear motion of all 24 vibrational modes using the multiconfiguration time-dependent Hartree (MCTDH) wave packet propagation method. This method obtains results of good accuracy with acceptable computational effort for such a large system. The calculated spectrum is in good agreement with the experimental one. Furthermore, our results shed light on the role of the 20 modes which are only weakly coupled to the system, and demonstrate that essential physical features, such as symmetries, have to be considered when one wants to treat the molecular dynamics of pyrazine realistically.
Modulation of Shallow-Water Equatorial Waves due to a Varying Equivalent Height Background

AbstractThe dynamics of convectively coupled equatorial waves (CCEWs) is analyzed in an idealized model of the large-scale atmospheric circulation. The model is composed of a linear rotating shallow-water system with a variable equivalent height, or equivalent gravity wave speed, which varies in space. This model is based on the hypothesis that moist convection acts to remove convective instability, therefore modulating the equivalent height of a shallow-water system. Asymptotic solutions are derived in the case of a small perturbation around a constant coefficient, which is assumed to be a mean moist equivalent height derived from satellite observations. The first-order solutions correspond to the free normal modes of the linear shallow-water system and the second-order flow is derived solving a perturbation eigenvalue problem. The asymptotic solutions are documented in the case of a zonally varying equivalent height and for wavenumbers and frequencies that are consistent with observations of CCEWs. This.
Seasonal variation of the Hough modes of the diurnal component of ozone heating evaluated from Aura Microwave Limb Sounder observations

[1] The global distribution of atmospheric ozone from August 2004 to December 2008 observed by Aura Microwave Limb Sounder is used to calculate the daily ozone heating rate. Comparison with a photochemical model shows that the Strobel/Zhu parameterized model of the solar heating rate gives an accurate diurnal cycle of the heating in the 10–70 km altitude range. The heating calculated using the Strobel/Zhu model is decomposed into Hough modes and the annual (AO), semiannual (SAO), and quasi-biennial (QBO) periodicities of each Hough mode are presented. The results show that the majority of the O3 heating goes into the symmetric (1,−2), (1,1), and (1,−4) modes. The largest propagating mode (1,1) and the largest trapped mode (1,−2) have obvious SAO signatures near 47 km, where the heating magnitude is largest. The forcing of the propagating (1,1) mode by ozone heating is larger during solstices than during equinoxes. There are also AO in the (1,−2) and (1,1) modes. The QBO signatures are relatively weak in the two modes in the region of large heating rate. The heating rate of the strongest propagating mode (1,1) reaches maximum near December/January solstice; that for the strongest trapped mode (1,−2) reaches maximum near equinoxes. The strongest annual variation takes place in the (1,−1) mode; it reaches 3.6 K/d near 45 km at the December/January solstice. A new parameterization of the diurnal component of the heating rate, which covers the vertical range from 10 km to 70 km, is developed based on the seasonal variations in each Hough mode.
Photoluminescence of Bioceramic Materials (PLB) as a Complementary and Alternative Therapy for Diabetes

The rapid rise of diabetes in Asia and Africa is surpassing that of western countries. Diabetes incurs a significant financial burden on patients and national economies. Consequently, factors such as a miserable life-long treatment of hypoglycemic therapy and the possibility of drug intolerance necessitate a search for non-pharmacological alternatives to reduce the requirement of anti-diabetic drugs. Photoluminescence refers to materials that absorb light energy and then release that energy in the form of light. In this study, Photoluminescence of Bioceramic Materials (PLB) was applied to control hyperglycemia and glycosuria in diabetes from the bench to the clinical bedside examination. The PLB treatments resulted in a tendency to promote glucose diffusion into C2C12 cell line and show a significant decrease in glycosuria in STZ (streptozotocin) induced diabetic rats. The possible mechanisms of the PLB effects on hyperglycemia also correlate with our previous publication and include molecular diffusion, calcium dependent nitric oxide, suppression of oxidative stress and autonomous nervous system regulation. In the future, PLB may have the role of clinical applications on ameliorating hyperglycemia and improving diabetes-related complications.
Natural disasters and university enrolment: evidence from L’Aquila earthquake

ABSTRACT Although there are several studies looking at the effect of natural disasters on economic growth, less attention has been dedicated to their impact on educational outcomes, especially in more developed countries. We use the synthetic control method to examine how the L’Aquila earthquake affected subsequent enrolment at the local university. This issue has wide economic implications as the University of L’Aquila made a large contribution to the local economy before the earthquake. Our results indicate that the earthquake had no statistically significant effect on first-year enrolment at the University of L’Aquila in the three academic years after the disaster. This natural disaster, however, caused a compositional change in the first-year student population, with a substantial increase in the number of students aged 21 or above. This is likely to have been driven by post-disaster measures adopted in order to mitigate the expected negative effects on enrolment triggered by the earthquake.
Achieving education for all: How much does money matter?

This paper explores the extent to which differences in the resources allocated to education explain differences in educational access and performance across countries. Cross-country regression analysis shows that the link between educational access and performance and public education expenditure is weak. The paper suggests that levels of household spending, the effectiveness of the public expenditure management system and the composition of public education spending are important factors explaining this weak link. The results imply that the achievement of the education millennium development goals will require more than just increases in expenditure on primary education. This does not imply that resources are unnecessary, but that increasing resources alone is unlikely to be sufficient. The composition of resources and institutions that govern the use of these resources play a central role in translating resources into better schooling outcomes. A stronger focus on these aspects of education systems will be required if the Millennium Development Goals in education are to be achieved.
Phytosterol Variability in Almond Germplasm

Phytosterols are important dietary components that contribute to reducing serum cholesterol levels. The objective of this research was to assess genetic diversity for total content and profile of free and esterified phytosterols in a world germplasm collection of almond (Prunus amygdalus Batsch; syn. P. dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb). Steryl glycosides and acylated steryl glycosides were not measured. Fruit from 160 almond accessions were collected in 2009 and 2010. Kernel phytosterol content ranged from 1126 to 2769 mgkg L1 in 2009 and from 1191 to 2777 mgkg L1 in 2010. The phytosterol fraction was mainly made up of b-sitosterol (from 59.1% to 84.1% in 2009 and from 55.9% to 84.6% in 2010) and D 5 -avenasterol (from 8.9% to 25.4% in 2009 and from 8.5% to 28.2% in 2010). Significant genotypic effects were observed for kernel phytosterol content and concentration of major phytosterols. Kernel oil content was positively correlated with kernel phytosterol content in both years. The results suggested that almond germplasm contains genetic variability for both phytosterol content and profile that can be used for developing cultivars with increased levels of phytosterols and contrasting phytosterol profiles. Positive correlation between kernel phytosterol content and kernel oil content suggests the feasibility of simultaneous selection for both traits.
NURSES’ JOB SATISFACTION AND THEIR PERCEIVED ORGANIZATIONAL JUSTICE IN KERMAN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES: AN EVALUATION FOR THE IRANIAN HEALTH SYSTEM TRANSFORMATION PLAN

Received: February 2017, Accepted: May 2017 Background: Nurses’ job satisfaction is a determining factor in providing high quality and safe care services and obtaining patient satisfaction. It seems that with the implementation of the Transformation Plan for the Iranian Health System and due to changes in various factors such as professional, individual, and organizational circumstances, nurses’ perceived organizational justice, and as a result, their job satisfaction has changed. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim to determine nurses’ perception of organizational justice and job satisfaction in the context of the Transformation Plan for the Iranian Health System. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, the job satisfaction and perception of organizational justice of 345 nurses in hospitals affiliated with Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, were assessed in the first half of 2016. The subjects were selected through stratified random sampling. The data collection tools consisted of the Perceived Organizational Justice Scale (Niehoff and Moorman) and Mueller/McCloskey Nurse Job Satisfaction Scale (MMSS). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tests, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression in SPSS software and with the consideration of the significance level of 0.05. Results: Mean score of nurses’ perceived organization justice and job satisfaction were 50.580 ± 12.93 and 76.000 ± 20.34, respectively. A positive and significant correlation was observed between perceived organizational justice and job satisfaction of nurses (r = 0.635; P = 0.001). Based on the results of this study, nurses’ perceived organizational justice can significantly predict their job satisfaction up to 39.3%. Conclusion: The rate of perception of organizational justice is a predictive factor of nurses’ job satisfaction. Therefore, in the context of the Transformation Plan for the Iranian Health System, the policymakers’ consideration of factors effective on the establishment of organizational justice, and as result, improvement of nurses’ job satisfaction seems necessary.
THE MEDIATING ROLE OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVATION AND TECHNOLOGY USE ON PERCEIVED ACADEMIC CLIMATE AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS

This study sought to determine the mediating role of Academic Achievement Motivation and Technology Use on Perceived Academic Climate and Academic Performance of Polytechnic Students. This study employed the descriptive research design of ex-post facto type. Four hundred and eighty-seven participants selected through the stratified random sampling technique, were used for the study. Three main instruments were used in collecting data, they are: Achievement Motivation Scale (AMS), Perceived Academic Climate Scale (PACS) and Technology Use Scale (TUS). The data collected were analyzed using correlation matrix and hierarchical multiple regression analysis in order to establish the relationship of the independent variables with the dependent variables. The results revealed that all the variables: Academic Achievement Motivation (R 2 = .149, β = .29, F (2,484) = 5.419, P < . 05); Perceived Academic Climate (R 2 = .251, β = .57, F (3,483) = 7.003, P < . 05); and Students’ Academic Performance (R 2 = .156, β = .34, F (4,482) = 2.58, P < . 05) separately contributed significantly to the prediction of technological use among the students. Students who reported higher level of academic achievement motivation and perceived the academic climate positively, as well as those with higher level of academic performance showed higher level of technological usage. Based on the findings, recommendation and conclusion were drawn.
Isolation of biliary lipid carrying vesicles, analysis of their biochemical properties and hepatic ABCG5 mRNA expression in diosgenin-fed rats

Objective: An attempt was made to isolate vesicles, rich in biliary-type lipid from livers of ratsfed with diosgenin, which is reported to increase cholesterol carrying vesicles in hepatocytes, and to determine their lipid, alkaline phosphodiesterase I, protein status and hepatic ATP-binding cassette half-transporter genes 5/8 (ABCG5/ABCG8) expression. Material and Methods: The livers were removed, homogenized, subjected to centrifugation, and the microsomal fraction was obtained. This microsomal fraction was then loaded onto a 12% self generating gradients of OptiPrep TM in a Beckman Vti 65 vertical-tube rotor and centrifuge at 350000 xg for 90 min at 4°C. The gradient fractions were analysed for total phospholipid, cholesterol, protein and alkaline phosphodiesterase I (PDE). Results: There were no differences in total phospholipid, cholesterol and protein contents of the subcellular fractions of livers from control and diosgenin fed rats. However, PDE activity was significantly lower in some subcellular fractions in diosgenin-fed rats compared to controls. The gradient fractions with density 1.05-1.07 g/ml had increased amounts of cholesterol, PDE activity and some phospholipids, but contained very little protein. However, the gradient fractions with density 1.09-1.23 g/ml were significantly rich in cholesterol, phospholipids and protein, but not PDE activity, suggesting another population of vesicles. Hepatic ABCG5 mRNA expression was increased in diosgenin-fed rats compared with the control group, although, no significant difference was found in hepatic ABCG8 mRNA expression between control and diosgenin-fed rats. Conclusion: These findings suggested that ABCG5 is involved in diosgenin induced biliary cholesterol secretion and may provide an insight into mechanisms involved in biliary lipid transport.