Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
More Money, More Quality? Impact Of An Unconditional Transfer On Approval Rates, National Exam Results And Ideb

This paper estimates the impact of a compulsory transfer from central to local governments on the official index of basic education quality, IDEB, and on the variables that compose the index : passing rate and scores on a standardized exam. The identification hypothesis uses a rule of a federal transference to municipalities according to population brackets, which ensures an exogenous variation on the estimation of a Regression in a Discontinuity Design (RDD). The results indicate that the transfer has positive effects on IDEB of first cycle primary schools, especially on second grade passing rate, but also on mathematics and Portuguese scores.
Numerical Evaluation of Ship Maneuvering Performance in Waves

This paper considers a numerical computation of ship maneuvering performance in waves. For this purpose, modular-type maneuvering model (MMG model) is adopted and wave drift forces and moments are included in maneuvering equation of motion. Wave drift forces ware calculated using a seakeeping program based on higher-order Rankine panel method. When calculating the wave drift force acting on a ship, the forward speed, wave heading, wave period and drift angle of the ship are considered as key parameters. It means that ship’s lateral speed is also included to calculate wave drift force. Numerical simulations are carried out in regular waves using S175 containership and computation results are validated by comparing them with results of free-running model test. Using the developed program, numerical simulation in irregular waves are, also, conducted and discussion is made on the sensitivities of time signal of wave elevation on turning performance.
The Complex Behaviour of a Simple Neural Oscillator Model in the Human Cortex

The brain is a complex organ responsible for memory storage and reasoning; however, the mechanisms underlying these processes remain unknown. This paper forms a contribution to a lot of theoretical studies devoted to regular or chaotic oscillations of interconnected neurons assuming that the smallest information unit in the brain is not a neuron but, instead, a coupling of inhibitory and excitatory neurons forming a simple oscillator. Several coefficients of variation for peak intervals and correlation coefficients for peak interval histograms are evaluated and the sensitivity of such oscillator units is tested to changes in initial membrane potentials, interconnection signal delays, and changes in synaptic weights based on known histologically verified neuron couplings. Results present only a low dependence of oscillation patterns to changes in initial membrane potentials or interconnection signal delays in comparison to a strong sensitivity to changes in synaptic weights showing the stability and robustness of encoded oscillating patterns to signal outages or remoteness of interconnected neurons. Presented simulations prove that the selected neuronal couplings are able to produce a variety of different behavioural patterns, with periodicity ranging from milliseconds to thousands of milliseconds between the spikes. Many detected different intrinsic frequencies then support the idea of possibly large informational capacity of such memory units.
Comparison of diagenetic and low‐grade metamorphic evolution of chlorite in associated metapelites and metabasites: an integrated TEM and XRD study

Chlorite is a common sheet silicate that occurs in various lithologies over a wide grade range involving diagenesis and low‐grade metamorphism. Thus, the reaction progress of chlorite offers a unique opportunity for direct correlation of zonal classification of metasedimentary rocks based on illite crystallinity with metabasite mineral facies. To provide such correlation, chlorite crystallinity indices, apparent mean crystallite sizes and lattice strains, crystallite size distributions and compositions of chlorite from coexisting metapelites and metabasites were determined by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), analytical electron microscopy (AEM) and electron microprobe (EMP) methods. Samples were from Palaeozoic and Mesozoic formations of the Bükkium (innermost Western Carpathians, Hungary) that underwent Alpine (Cretaceous) orogenic metamorphism. Metapelites range in grade from late diagenesis to epizone, whereas metabasites vary from prehnite–pumpellyite through pumpellyite–actinolite to greenschist facies.
Feedback improves the generalized degrees of freedom of the strong interference channel

Author(s): Cadambe, Viveck R; Jafar, Syed A | Abstract: We provide inner and outer bounds on the generalized degrees of freedom of the two user symmetric interference channel. The bounds are tight in the moderately weak and strong interference regimes. Feedback is shown to provide unbounded improvements to the generalized degrees of freedom of the two user interference channel in the very strong interference regime. It is also shown that feedback does not improve the GDOF of the channel if the interference is moderately weak or moderately strong. We also finally present bounds for the generalized degrees of freedom of the symmetric MIMO interference channel with feedback. (This report is the exact paper submitted to IEEE GLOBECOM for review, April 1, 2008 on EDAS. Uploaded, for the record, as CPCC report in Oct. 2011.)
Modeling the Operating Speed in Tangents and Curves of Four-lane Highways Based on Geometric and Roadside Factors

Operating speed is an index that represents drivers’ speeding behaviors on different highways and shows the comfort and safety levels they experience. Many models had been proposed in previous studies to predict operating speed and most of these works had used geometric, with few of them conducted using roadside variables to predict operating speed. Also, the operating speed study in multilane rural highways had been gained less attention by researchers. In this study, two four-lane rural highways (Kole jub-Borujerd and Borujerd-Khorramabad) had been surveyed for analyzing the operating speed. More than 13,800 spot speed data was gathered in 108 tangent and 30 curve segments. Two linear regression models were developed to predict operating speed in the tangent and curve segments using geometric and roadside factors simultaneously with the acceptable R-squared statistic (0.730 and 0.854 respectively). The results showed that segment length, guardrail median, and flat roadside configuration have a positive effect while slope, accesses density, curvature, and adjacent land use length have a negative effect on operating speed. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis demonstrates that the effect of slope on operating speed in curves is twice comparing to its effect in tangents; while, operating speed in tangents is approximately 2.5 times more sensitive to access density than operating speed in curves. Thus, it can be concluded that not only geometric features affect operating speed but also roadside features affect it. The outcomes of this study can be useful in design and safety planning studies of rural multilane highways.
On the oxygen abundance determination in HII regions. - High-metallicity regions

This is our second paper devoted to the problem of line intensity -oxygen abundance calibration starting from the idea of McGaugh ([CITE]) that the strong oxygen lines ($[{\rm OII}] \lambda \lambda 3727, 3729$ and $[{\rm OIII}] \lambda \lambda 4959, 5007$) contain the necessary information to determine accurate abundances in HII regions. In the previous study (Pilyugin 2000) the corresponding relations were obtained for the low-metallicity HII regions ($12+{\rm log O/H} \leq 7.95$, the lower branch of the O/H - R 23 diagram). The high-metallicity HII regions ($12+{\rm log O/H} \geq 8.2$, the upper branch of the O/H - R 23 diagram) are considered in the present study. A relation of the type ${\rm O/H}=f(P, R_{23}$) between oxygen abundance and the value of abundance index R 23 , introduced by Pagel et al. ([CITE]), and the excitation parameter P (which is defined here as the contribution of the radiation in $[{\rm OIII}] \lambda \lambda 4959, 5007$ lines to the "total" oxygen radiation) has been derived empirically using the available oxygen abundances determined via measurement of a temperature-sensitive line ratio [OIII]4959,5007/[OIII]4363 ( T e -method). By comparing oxygen abundances in high-metallicity HII regions derived with the T e -method and those derived with the suggested relations ( P -method), it was found that the precision of oxygen abundance determination with the P -method is around 0.1 dex (the mean difference for the 38 HII regions considered is ~0.08 dex) and is comparable to that of the T e -method. A relation of the type $T_{\rm e}=f(P, R_{23}$) between electron temperature and the values of abundance index R 23 and the excitation parameter P was derived empirically using the available electron temperatures determined via measurement of temperature-sensitive line ratios. The maximum value of differences between electron temperatures determined via measurement of temperature-sensitive line ratios and those derived with the suggested relation is around 1000 K for HII regions considered here, the mean value of differences for 38 HII regions is ~500 K, which is the same order of magnitude as the uncertainties of electron temperature determinations in high-metallicity HII regions via measured temperature-sensitive line ratios.
Evaluation of Antioxidant Levels in Blood Sera of Iraqi Patients with T2DM

Back ground: oxidative stress is one of the problems that can encounter of diabetic patients. Reactive oxygen species formed as a result of oxidative stress. Antioxidants system serves to protection of cells from damage that may be occurred due the action of these species. In this work, we attempt to investigate the biochemical parameters including enzymatic and non- enzymatic antioxidants in patients with type 2 diabetic mellitus. Subjects and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 58 subjects include 29 males and 29 females, in age range of 40-72 years. They were classified into two groups, the first group represents patients group that include 30 patients. Second group consist of 28 healthy persons as a control group. BMI was calculated, fasting blood glucose, uric acid, urea and creatinine levels were measured by enzymatic methods. Glutathione peroxidase (GP x) and glutathione reductase (GR) levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Trace elements levels (zinc, magnesium and selenium) were estimated by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: Results showed a significant increase in levels of FBG, UA, creatinine and significant decrease in levels of GP x, GR, Zn, MN, and Se in patents group related to the control group. There is no significant difference in level of urea between patients and control groups. Conclusion: Free radical generation increase in diabetic case, that lead to decrease in antioxidants levels of GPx1, GSR, Zinc, Selenium and Manganese. The levels of GPx1, GSR, Se, Zn, and Mn are the better indicators to evaluate the oxidative stress, and can be used as markers for early detection of diabetes. Keywords: T2DM, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, zinc, manganese, selenium .
Research Article SEED QUALITY OF SOYBEAN CULTIVARS AFFECTED BY POD POSITION AND WATER STRESS AT REPRODUCTIVE STAGES

A field experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of different irrigation treatments (I 1 , I 2 , I 3 and I 4 : well-watering on the bases of 70 mm evaporation from class A pan and irrigation disruptions at flowering, seed filling and during flowering and seed filling stages, respectively) and pod positions (upper, lower and middle parts of the canopy) on seed quality of three soybean cultivars (Clark, Williams and L 17 ). Seed quality as determined by seed weight, electrical conductivity of seed leachates, viability and germination percentages, germination rate and seedling dry weight significantly reduced for seeds produced under I 3 and I 4 . Significant differences in mean seed weight, viability, electrical conductivity and germination rate among soybean cultivars under different irrigation treatments were attributed to variation in genetic constitution. Seeds of upper parts of the canopies were larger and exhibited higher quality, compared with those of middle and lower parts. The advantage of the upper seeds was more evident under I 3 and I 4 treatments. Seed weight had the highest positive correlation with seedling dry weight. Thus, sufficient water supply and production of large and uniform seeds could be a practical way to improving seed lot quality in soybean cultivars.
Turbulence associated with mountain waves over Northern Scandinavia – a case study using the ESRAD VHF radar and the WRF mesoscale model

Abstract. We use measurements by the 52 MHz wind-profiling radar ESRAD, situated near Kiruna in Arctic Sweden, and simulations using the Advanced Research and Weather Forecasting model, WRF, to study vertical winds and turbulence in the troposphere in mountain-wave conditions on 23, 24 and 25 January 2003. We find that WRF can accurately match the vertical wind signatures at the radar site when the spatial resolution for the simulations is 1 km. The horizontal and vertical wavelengths of the dominating mountain-waves are ~10–20 km and the amplitudes in vertical wind 1–2 m/s. Turbulence below 5500 m height, is seen by ESRAD about 40% of the time. This is a much higher rate than WRF predictions for conditions of Richardson number (Ri)
Impact of Talent Management Strategies on Organizational Performance in Selected Deposit Money Banks in Lagos State, Nigeria

This study critically examined the Impact of Talent Management Strategies on Organizational Performance in Selected Deposit Money Banks (DMB) in Lagos State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to; (i) determine the extent succession planning relates to sustainability; (ii) ascertain to what extent human capital development impacts on innovative capabilities of employees; and, (iii) examine the degree compensation impacts on employee engagement, in selected DMBs under study. The study adopted the survey design. The population of the study was 3126 comprising management and junior staff drawn from the selected DMBs in Lagos state, Nigeria. These include First Bank of Nigeria Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, and Ecobank Plc. The sample size of 359 was obtained from the population using Bill Godden’s formula at 5% error margin and 90% level of confidence.
Economic job factors affecting nurse emigration from South Africa : a cross-country comparative analysis of working conditions among nurses.

II LIST OF ACRONYMS IV TABLE OF CONTENTS V LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES VII CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK . 6 2.1 The extent of the shortage of nurses 6 2.2 The emigration of nurses 8 2.2.1 The extent of nurse emigration 8 2.2.2 Implications of nurse emigration 12 2.2.3 Ethical considerations and policy implications 13 2.3 Theories of migration 15 2.3.1 General theory 15 2.3.2 Nurse emigration 17 2.3. 3 Factors affecting nurse migration 18 2.3. 3.1 Job factors 19 2.3. 3.2 Broader societal factors 23 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND DATA 25 3.
Recurrent Subthreshold Depression in Type 2 Diabetes: An Important Risk Factor for Poor Health Outcomes

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between recurrent subthreshold depressive episodes and functioning in a prospective community sample of people with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A prospective community study in Quebec, Canada, was carried out between 2008 and 2013 (n = 1,064). Five yearly follow-up assessments (telephone interviews) were conducted. Baseline and the first three follow-up assessments were used to identify recurrent subthreshold depressive episodes (Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ]-9). Functioning (World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II [WHODAS-II]) and health-related quality of life (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] unhealthy days) at 4- and 5-year follow-up assessments were the outcome measures. RESULTS Nearly half of the participants suffered from at least one episode of subthreshold depressive symptoms. After adjusting for potentially confounding factors, the risk of poor functioning/impaired health–related quality of life was nearly three times higher (relative risk = 2.86) for participants with four subthreshold depressive episodes compared with participants with no/minimal depression. Results suggest a dose-response relationship: the risk of poor functioning/impaired health–related quality of life increased with the number of recurrent subthreshold depressive episodes even after controlling for potentially confounding variables (significant linear trend, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Recurrent subthreshold depressive symptoms might be an important risk factor for poor health outcomes in type 2 diabetes. Early identification, monitoring, and treatment of recurrent subthreshold depressive symptoms might improve functioning and quality of life in people with type 2 diabetes.
Resposta do capim-tanzânia à aplicação de soro ácido de leite

The objective of this work was to evaluate the dry matter production and nutrient uptake by Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzânia fertilized with acid whey. Soil samples of an Alfisol were collected in 0-20 cm, 20-40 cm and 40-60 cm layers and were used to fill PVC columns with three rings with 20 cm height, obeying the collecting depth. The doses of whey were based on its K content and 0, 75, 150, 225 and 300 kg/ha K2O were added in each application: the first one applied before sowing, the second after the first cut and the third after the second cut. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse in a completely randomized design during 112 days. After this period, the rings of the columns were separated and soil samples were taken for analysis. The dry matter production increased with whey application and the total maximum theoretical production was obtained with the cumulative application of 390 m3/ha. The K, P, and Ca uptake by the grass and soil K increased with whey application.
The Importance of Nature in Coping Creating increased understanding of the importance of pure experiences of nature to human health

3: A comparison of leisure time spent in a garden with leisure time spent indoors: on measures of restoration in residents in geriatric care During the past 20 years, findings have indicated that nature plays an active role in helping people recover from stress and fatigue. Two of the most cited theories in this field are Rachel and Stephen Kaplan’s theory of recovery from Directed Attention Fatigue in nature and Roger Ulrich’s theory of aesthetic and affective responses to natural environments and stress recovery. One aim of the present study is to test whether being outdoors in a green recreational environment causes people to become more focused, compared to being in a room indoors (in line with hypotheses suggested by the Kaplans). Another aim is to test whether people experience stress reduction, i.e. as evidenced by changes in blood pressure and heart rate, if they are placed in an environment with many green elements (in line with hypotheses suggested by Ulrich). The overall study design is that of an intervention study. Fifteen elderly persons living at a home for very elderly people participated. Their power of concentration, blood pressure and heart rate were measured before and after an hour of rest in a garden or in an indoor setting. Seven elderly people were randomly chosen to have their first series of tests in a garden, while eight elderly people had their first series of test indoors. The results indicate that powers of concentration increase for very elderly people after a visit to a garden outside the geriatric home in which they live, compared to that after resting indoors in their favorite room. The results did not show any effects on blood pressure or heart rate. It is suggested that having a one-hour rest outdoors in a garden setting plays a role in elderly people’s power of concentration, and could thereby affect their performance of activities of daily living. One important factor in this study was that both the outdoor environment and the indoor environment at the home were highly valued by participants. Abstract 4: Measures of restoration in geriatric care residences: the influence of nature on elderly people’s power of concentration, blood pressure and pulse rate In this paper, we have studied how the same group of elderly people’s frame of mind influences their response to experiencing nature, measured in terms of blood pressure, pulse rate, concentration and results from protocols. Two theories concerning the importance of psychological balance have been put forward earlier by Lawton and4: Measures of restoration in geriatric care residences: the influence of nature on elderly people’s power of concentration, blood pressure and pulse rate In this paper, we have studied how the same group of elderly people’s frame of mind influences their response to experiencing nature, measured in terms of blood pressure, pulse rate, concentration and results from protocols. Two theories concerning the importance of psychological balance have been put forward earlier by Lawton and
Evaluation of reflectivity of metal parts by a thermo-camera

All objects, apart from black-bodies, reflect a part of the incident radiation. The reflected fraction of incident radiation is termed as „reflectivity‟. The reflectivity of surfaces is often a function of the wavelength, the material, the quality of the surface, and the incident angle of the radiation. In order to evaluate the specular reflectivity of a surface at small incident angles, a method, based on thermal radiation measurement by a thermo-camera, was developed. A quasi black-body, a so-called „Hohlraumstrahler‟, was realized and used as thermal radiation source. The temperature of the source was continuously monitored by temperature probes at 3 different locations inside the source, while the radiation flux of the source was measured by a thermo-camera. During a calibration process, the temperature data from the probes and the radiation flux measured by the thermo-camera were simultaneously recorded and evaluated. In a next step, the radiation from the source was reflected by the samples and measured by the thermo-camera along with the temperature data from the probes. Using the calibration data, the reflected radiation flux could be calculated. The surface profiles of the samples were also measured by a stylus instrument. The calculated reflectivities were evaluated together with the surface roughness of the samples. The results showed good coincidence with the theoretical model of Bennett and Porteus [1].