Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sexual Behavior and Age Differences in Methamphetamine Dependent and Non-Dependent Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)

Objective: Methamphetamine consumers use can have more efficient practices, be hyperactive, and take sexual risk-taking behaviors. These behaviors are particularly remarkable in homosexuals. Methods: The present study was conducted based on casual-comparative method in the field of descriptive studies. Since 1 March to 25 June 2015, a total of 62 MSM subjects were selected based on chain method and divided into two groups of methamphetamine dependent (n=30) and non-dependent ones (n=32). sexual behaviors were examined by sexual behavior questionnaire based on 3 dimensions of sexual thoughts, sexual pleasure, and sexual hyperactivity. High-risk sexual behavior were evaluated by sexual behavior questionnaire, their relation with participants’ educational status, occupation, age, income, and number of sexual partners in the last 3 months were analyzed using the parametric T-test. Results: Data analysis showed that methamphetamine dependent MSM were significantly higher (P<0.01) in all 3 components of sexual thoughts and pleasure, hyperactivity, and sexual behavior compared to non-dependent group. However, regarding age, there was no significant difference between age and sexual risk behavior (P=0.05). Conclusion: methamphetamine dependent MSM have a unique experience of thoughts, pleasure, and aspirations and have high tendency to high-risk sexual behavior. These findings are consistent with the previous research on the importance of stimulant consumption and specifically methamphetamine in creating high-risk sexual behavior. Controlling methamphetamine use plays an important role in preventing the transmission of infectious diseases. A B S T R A C T Article info:
Visual tourism and post-colonialism: imaginative geographies of Africa in a Portuguese travel magazine

This paper is about tourism, visual culture, and imperialism in the post-colonial present. International literature on these issues has been especially focused on the experience of British and French post-colonialism. Few studies have addressed this issue regarding other post-colonial realities. This paper runs counter to that fact by analysing the visual touristic discourse produced in the post-colonial Portugal. The paper examines the way the sub-Saharan Africa is represented in a Portuguese travel photo-magazine – the Blue Travel magazine – so as to verify the extent to which the ideology of colonialism continues to shape the post-colonial touristic discourse in this former colonizing country of the southern Europe. More than 522 photographs were analysed. Using visual methodologies, the paper concludes that many aspects of the photographs contain encoded encomiastic messages of colonialism and participate in a discursive construction of Africa that was clearly shaped by an imperialist gaze. The paper suggests that not only there is an obvious nostalgia for empire in the Portuguese touristic discourse on sub-Saharan Africa, but also that many imperialist myths continue to circulate diffusely within the Portuguese post-colonial society and to shape the way sub-Saharan Africa is touristically imagined.
A Forecast Rationality Test that Allows for Loss Function Asymmetries

In this paper, we propose a conditional moment type test for forecast rationality that allows for an asymmetric loss function, has power against generic (non)linear alternatives and does not assume any particular functional form for the forecaster’s loss function. The construction of the test is based on the simple idea that asymmetric preferences imply an unconditional bias of the forecast error but not a conditional bias. The null hypothesis of forecast rationality under asymmetric loss (i.e. no conditional bias) is tested by constructing a Bierens type test. We compare our nonlinear forecast rationality test to the linear J-test of Elliott, Komunjer and Timmermann (2005, 2008; EKT hereafter) through an empirical application using data from the Survey of Professional Forecasters issued by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. In a Monte Carlo exercise we show that: i) the J-test is loss function sensitive, meaning that it is not robust to dierent choices of loss function and could lead to incorrect inferences if the forecaster’s underlying loss function does not belong to the class of loss dened in EKT; and ii) our test has higher power than theJ-test in the presence of nonlinear dependencies between the forecast error and the information set used to generate the forecasts.
Analysis of DNA Gel Electrophoresis Images with Backpropagation Neural Network Based Canny Edge Detection Algorithm

Gel Electrophoresis (GE) is one of the most used methods which separate nucleic acid and protein molecules according to electric charge, amount of them, molecule weights and other physical features. GE is used in many fields such as genetic, molecular biology and biochemistry. In this paper, Canny edge detection algorithm based on artificial neural network is used to separate and detect DNA bands automatically. Thus, GE analysis of gel electrophoresis period is realized and many properties of DNA bounds like intensity are extracted from digital images automatically. Keywords: DNA Gel Electrophoresis, Canny Algorithm, Thresholding, Artificial Neural Network.
Biochemical responses of Sankankuppi (Clerodendron inerme L.) to salinity stress

The present investigation was made to study the effect of different concentrations of sodium chloride on biochemical activity in different parts of Clerodendron inerme. The plant could survive a wide range of 100 to 500 mM of NaCl concentrations. The upper limit for the survival of this species was 500 mM NaCl. However, favorable growth response by seedling was confined to 200 mM NaCl. Biochemical compounds such as amino acid, sugar, protein, proline, glycinebetaine, and pigment chlorophyll content was increased up to 200 mM NaCl.
On the Description of the Orientation State for Fiber Suspensions in Homogeneous Flows

This work investigates the two‐ and three‐dimensional description of fiber orientation in homogeneous flow fields. Motion of the fibers is described using the Dinh‐Armstrong model which was developed for semiconcentrated fiber suspensions. The calculation of rheological properties for fiber suspensions requires the determination of fourth‐order moments of orientation distribution function which is defined as the fourth‐order orientation tensor. Solution of the distribution function is obtained in terms of the velocity gradients and transient calculations are presented for simple shear, planar elongational, and uniaxial extensional flows. Second‐ and fourth‐order tensors are calculated by using the distribution function and the components of the second‐order tensor are utilized to define an orientation ellipsoid for the graphical representation of the orientation state. The fourth‐order tensor is approximated from second‐order tensors through quadratic and hybrid closure equations, and compared with the ex.
Long-range predictability in the tropics. Part II: 30-60-day variability

Abstract It is suggested that the slow evolution of the tropical Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) has the potential to improve the predictability of tropical and extratropical circulation systems at lead times beyond 2 weeks. In practice, however, the MJO phenomenon is extremely difficult to predict because of the lack of good observations, problems with ocean forecasts, and well-known model deficiencies. In this study, the potential skill in forecasting tropical intraseasonal variability is investigated by eliminating all those errors. This is accomplished by conducting five ensemble predictability experiments with a complex general circulation model and by verifying them under the perfect model assumption. The experiments are forced with different combinations of initial and boundary conditions to explore their sensitivity to uncertainties in those conditions. When “perfect” initial and boundary conditions are provided, the model produces a realistic climatology and variability as compared to reanalysis,.
Phenolic Contents and Antioxidant Activity of Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis (Link). Schindler

The ethanol and methanol extracts of Jojoba ( Simmondsia chinensis (Link). Schnider) leaves and seeds were screened for antioxidant activity. The antioxidative potential of ethanol and methanol extracts of Jojoba ( Simmondsia chinensis ) were investigated for the first time using DPPH 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhdrazyl, total phenolic contents, antioxidant activity. Total phenolic substance amounts were calculated according to Folin-Ciocalteu method, substance concentrations in mg/GAE g, equivalent to gallic acid based on mg/ml gallic acid equivalent (GAE). The phenolic substance amounts in the leaves extracts (jojoba leaves: 313 mg/g GAE). Free radical clearance activities of the extracts were determined by using DPPH free radical. The Phenolic substances were calculated in highest jojoba leaves and lowest jojoba seeds. When DPPH radical clearance activity results were analyzed, it was seen that the highest activity was exhibited by jojoba leaf extract (% 43.20, 0.5 mg/ml concentration). The antioxidant activities of extracts were calculated in (nmol/g) via ascorbic acid system. When the activity scores are analyzed, higher scores were found in the ethanol extracts of jojoba leaves. The antioxidant activity was lower in the extracts with methanol.
Isoenzyme and Protein Patterns of In Vitro Micropropagated Plantlets of Gentiana Lutea L. after Application of Various Growth Regulators

ABSTRACT The electrophoretic patterns of reduced proteins and ADH, ACPH, EST and GOT from leaves of in vitro micropropagated plantlets of Gentiana lutea L. were investigated. Five variants of Murashige and Skoog (MS) media differing in the type and concentration of growth regulators were used. Qualitative isoenzyme variations between the in vitro plantlets were found for ADH, ACPH and EST, whereas the variations for GOT isoenzymes were only quantitative. The isoenzyme variation was discussed in respect to the differences in the type of growth regulators included in the nutrient media.
Management and communication of archaeological artefacts and architectural heritage using digital IS. What today? What next?

In this paper, we reviewed 20 years of development of 3D based IS to support archaeological and AH artefact knowledge, management and communication and their theoretical work basis. In detail, we illustrated our experiences showing the advantages and limits we had observed after extensive use. In conclusion, we have illustrated a new paradigm based on IoT-related technologies, potentially able to overcome existing problems, and the theoretical foundation of the new framework that has been designed, the concept of the Smart Cultural Object, sources and recipients of advanced information and related technological underpinning.
The effect of Mn 2 + doping on strcuture and photoluminescence of ZnO nanofilms synthesized by sol – gel method

J.H. Li, D.Z. Shen, J.Y. Zhang , D.X. Zhao, B.S. Li, Y.M. Lu, Y.C. Liu, X.W. Fan Key Laboratory of Excited State Process, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 16 East Nan-Hu Road, Open Economic Zone Changchun 130033, People’s Republic of China Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Advanced Optoelectronic Functional Material Research, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, People’s Republic of China
THE EVIDENCE OF THE COSMIC ENERGY GRAVITATIONAL GENESIS OF THE FORTHCOMING INTENSIFICATION OF THE GLOBAL SEISMOTECTONIC, VOLCANIC, CLIMATIC AND MAGNETIC ACTIVITY OF THE EARTH, AND THE PROBLEM OF THE CONTROLLED THERMONUCLEAR REACTIONS

The article presents the fundamentals of the thermohydrogravidynamic theory of the global seismotectonic, volcanic, climatic and magnetic activity of the Earth based on the author's generalized differential formulation of the first law of thermodynamics extending the classical Gibbs' formulation by taking into account the infinitesimal increment  dK of the macroscopic kinetic energy
An Analysis of the Relationship Between Values Perception and Self-Esteem of Religious Culture Teacher Candidates

The main aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between the values perception and self-esteem of religious culture and moral knowledge teacher candidates. The study group of the study is composed of 243 teacher candidates who are studying in the Primary Education Religious Culture and Moral Knowledge Teacher Program of the Faculty of Theology at Abant Izzet Baysal University and Necmettin Erbakan University.The study utilized “Dilmac and Aricak Values Scale” developed by Dilmac and Aricak to determine the value orientation of teacher candidates, “Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory” to determine their self-esteem, and “Personal Information Form” developed by researchers for their personal information. The data was analyzed by SPSS software package.In this study, the relationship between the value perception and self-esteem of teacher candidates studying in the Primary Education Religious Culture and Moral Knowledge Teacher Program of the Faculty of Theology was examined, the results of the relationship between the students’ values perception and self-esteem was summarized with the help of Schwartz theory of basic values, and some analyzes and assessments were made within this context.The t-test, ANOVA, and correlation analyzes were used to identify the effects of the variables on values perception. Keywords: Values, Self, Self-Esteem.
As Seen on TV: Price Discrimination and Competition in Television Advertising

In this paper we examine the empirical relationship between price discrimination and competition in television advertising. While most empirical papers on the topic document a positive relationship, we find that price discrimination is negatively related to competition (as measured by the number of competing firms), a result that is consistent with conventional wisdom. Our results also show that only incumbent stations (unlike entrants) respond by engaging less in price discrimination when faced with a more competitive environment. Our evidence suggests that incumbents may use price discrimination as a strategic tool to accommodate entry - a strategy that has received scant attention in the existing entry literature.
A Comparison of Internet-Based Participant Recruitment Methods: Engaging the Hidden Population of Cannabis Users in Research

While a growing number of researchers are embracing Internet-based data collection methods, the adoption of Internet-based recruitment methods has been relatively slow. This may be because little is known regarding the relative strengths and weaknesses of different methods of Internet-based participant recruitment, nor how these different recruitment strategies impact on the data collected. These issues are addressed in this article with reference to a study comparing the effectiveness of three Internet-based strategies in recruiting cannabis users for an online study. Consideration of the recruitment data leads us to recommend that researchers use multipronged Internet-based recruitment campaigns with appropriately detailed recruitment messages tailored to the population of interest and located carefully to ensure they reach the intended audience. Further, we suggest that building rapport directly with potential participants, or utilising derived rapport and implicit endorsements, is an important aspect of successful Internet-based participant recruitment strategies.
Supplier Perceptions of Dependencies in Supplier-Manufacturer Relationships

The purpose of this research is to explore the relationship between supplier’s dependency and the relationship orientation of supplier-manufacturer relationship. The main tools of data collection instrument used was a questionnaire which was administrated to a total sample of 210 managers are classified by job title and respondents are also classified by their job functions are corporate executive, purchasing, manufacturing/production, material, and operation from Malaysia electrical and electronic manufacturing industry. The response rate was 26% while 96% was usable questionnaires. Sample selection was based on random sampling. The data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and correlation between independent and dependent variables. The analyses involved statistical methods such as reliability and validity tests and multiple regressions. The findings show that supplier perceive dependency has a significant relationship with relationship orientation statically.
Tobin’s q, RoA, Diversification and Risk

This study aims to explain the link between corporate diversification, firm performance and risk. To test the research hypotheses, a sample of 63 companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange over the period 2008-2012 was taken. We construct two models with Tobin’s q, RoA, Size, Debt, Growth and Standard deviation of stock returns. Analysis of the research models is based on panel(data) analysis. In these models the presence or absence of effects models (fixed or random) is reviewed and finally the best model is estimated. Inference is based on significant level or p-value, thus likely that any value or significance level of the test is less than 0.05 is rejected at the 95 percent confidence level. The results indicate that there is no significant relationship between diversification strategy, firm performance and risk.
The Fibonacci Strategy Revisited: Can You Really Make Money by Betting on Soccer Draws?

This article investigates the strategy of betting on soccer draws using the Fibonacci sequence. In the previous literature, this strategy has been found to be both simple and profitable, indicating that the soccer betting market is not efficient. The strategy is tested both in a simulated market and on a real data set of almost 60,000 European soccer matches. Contrary to the previous findings in the literature, all tested versions of the Fibonacci betting strategy are found to lose money.
The Mathematics Enthusiast The Mathematics Enthusiast

: It is necessary to expand the analysis about affective processes in mathematic learning in different contexts. In Brazil this research area is still in the embryonic phase, but it is a space that has strong potential to respond the gaps that still exist in the field, leading to the understanding affective processes in mathematic learning. It is in this way that the present research aims to analyze how the mathematic learning difficulty is produced in the subjectivity of a child from the elementary school in Brazil. To understand how the student's development occurs in the school space, and how the difficulty is build, we took as a theoretical basis the Theory of Subjectivity by Fernando González Rey. The case study was a resource used in the constructive-interpretative process. The research was carried out in a public school in the Distrito Federal, Brazil. The mathematic learn difficulty, in this work, was produced by the research participant in different contexts, including, family, school and friendships. Several experiences and influences of the person generate subjective senses that will emerge in subjective configurations in often school activities, regardless if these subjective senses were produced in school or outside it.
Effect of rake angle and cutting speed on energy demands of mulcher with vertical axis of rotation

The contribution deals with the reduction of agriculture energy demands. For maintenance and treatment of permanent grassland areas, areas left fallow and put to rest the mulching in combination with other workflows (mowing, grazing) is advantageous procedure. As conventional impact grass cutting and chopping is energy demanding procedure, it is proper to reduce the energy demands of such device. In the paper the effect of shape of cutting tool, particularly the rake angle, on energy demands of mulcher with vertical axis of rotation is studied. The effect of cutting speed on energy demands is also verified. The measurement was performed using mulcher MZ 6000 made by Bednar FMT Ltd. with working width of 6 m and three rotors. During the measurement the test rides using the cutting tools with different rake angle and cutting speeds of 105m s-1, 89 m s-1 and 79 m s-1 were performed. The rake angle of cutting tools were chosen 0°, 15° and 25°. The test area was pasture with permanent grassland. During the measurement the torque and power, transferred through PTO to the machine, fuel consumption and GPS coordinates were measured. From each test ride the samples of grass matter were taken in order to determine the yield and moisture content. It was found that increase of the rake angle up to 25° and decrease of the cutting speed resulted in decrease of the power requirement of the mulcher.
A Prospective Hospital-Based Study on the Clinico-Etiological Profile of First Episode Seizures in Children

Introduction: Seizures are one of the most common neurological causes of childhood hospitalization having significant mortality and morbidity. There is limited data regarding acute seizures episodes in the pediatric population from developing countries. Aims: The current study aims to find the common etiologies of first episode seizure in children, and classify their types and outcomes in various age groups presenting to a tertiary center in Assam, North East India. Settings & design: A hospital-based prospective study was carried out in the Department of Pediatrics, Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh from 1st October 2015 to 31st March 2016, and all children aged 1 month to 12 years admitted with the first episode of seizures over this six-month period, were evaluated. Methods and materials: A pre-designed structured proforma was filled up for each subject and the variables studied were demographics, clinical presentations, laboratory tests, brain imaging studies, electroencephalography, diagnosis and outcome. The data was analyzed using SPSS for Windows version 16, and p value at <. 05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 65 patients were admitted for seizures with 40 (61.5%) males and 25 (38.5%) females. Among these patients, 45 (69.2%) presented with fever and 53 (81.5%) of children were less than 5 years of age. Generalized tonic – clonic seizures was the most common seizure type (73.8%). Febrile seizures (40%), seizure disorder (12.3%), CNS infections and neurocysticercosis were common etiologies. Abnormal brain images were noted in 7 (43.75%) of 16 patients in whom neuroimaging was done, and most common abnormality was neurocysticercosis in 4 (25%). Conclusion: Febrile convulsions and CNS infections were common causes of seizures in febrile children, whereas seizure disorder and neurocysticercosis were the commonest causes in afebrile children. EEG and neuroimaging should be advised in all afebrile children for the diagnosis of seizure disorder and neurocysticercosis respectively. In afebrile children less than five years of age, seizure disorder was commonly diagnosed, whereas NCC was more common in the greater than five year old children. Children diagnosed as seizure disorder require long term follow up studies including neurophysiologic studies.