Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Innovation and productivity in manufacturing and service firms in Catalonia: a regional approach

This article analyses the determinants of research and development (R&D) and the role of innovation on labour productivity in Catalan firms. Our empirical analysis found a considerable heterogeneity in firm performances between the manufacturing and service industries and between low- and high-tech industries. The frontiers that separate manufacturing and service industries are increasingly blurred. In Catalonia high-tech knowledge-intensive services (KIS) play a strategic role in promoting innovation in both manufacturing and service industries, and driving growth throughout the regional economy. Empirical results show new firms created during the period 2002–2004 that have a greater R&D intensity than incumbent firms (54.1% in high-tech manufacturing industries and 68.8% in high-tech KIS). Small and young firms in the high-tech KIS sector are very prone to carrying out R&D and they invest more in innovation projects. R&D expenditures, output innovation, investment in physical capital, market share and export have positive effects on labour productivity in both the manufacturing and service sectors. Firm size, on the other hand, has a positive effect on productivity in manufacturing industries but not in services.
Cluster-biased Transformation of Texts across Heterogeneous Domains

In the recent years we have witnessed a rapid increase of diverse text content generated on the Web or digitized in archives. It is then more difficult for users to perform search and comparison within large volumes of text data, due to the terminology gap between the domain of user’s knowledge and the search domain. For example, users often struggle when searching in unfamiliar domains if they do not know correct keywords (e.g., searching for information related to a specific time or a foreign country) or when comparing documents generated by different sources. In this paper, we approach the problem of terminology gap by providing a general framework to bridge different domains and, by this, to facilitate search and comparison as if they would be carried in user’s familiar domains. We first propose a cluster-biased transformation technique which allows mapping words across different domains and we then adapt this method to enable mapping entire documents (e.g., set of words, relational graphs) across domains. The proposed methods are unsupervised and can be applied to any scenario. We test the performance of our approaches on documents from geographically as well as temporally different domains.
It Is All Quiet in the Minor Hemisphere: An Investigation into the Laterality of Consciousness, Attention and Vision in the Human Brain

This is a meta-analysis of the literature on laterality of motor control in relation to vision, neglect and attention. It documents the role of directionality of signal transfer between the two hemispheres. By indexing cases in which macular vision was spared or damaged in lesions affecting the minor or major hemispheres, respectively, we show that the minor hemisphere’s role is to dilate (extend) the space in which vision occurs rather than providing for the elementary aspects of vision. We review the statistical relationship between the laterality of seeing and speaking and that of behavioral handedness of subjects, in studies employing inspection time and lexical decision paradigms; the distinction between the two modes of handedness (i.e. behavioral and neural) is defined. We provide evidence that brainedness (i.e. the laterality of the executive hemisphere) encompasses the destination of all signals relating to consciousness, and that the minor hemisphere relates to three-dimensional (3-D) spatial awareness. However, 3-D spatial awareness relies on signals travelling from the nondominant side of the body/space to the major hemisphere via the posterior aspect of the callosum, which may explain why neglect occurs exclusively in lesions affecting the minor hemisphere, as defined in this article. This is a comprehensive review of clinical, neuropathological and physiological data, and indicates that macular vision occurs in the major hemisphere and that handedness is a reflection of the laterality of conscious awareness.
Reproducibility of Accelerometer and Posture-derived Measures of Physical Activity.

PURPOSE The present study estimated the long-term reproducibility of accelerometer-based measures over 6-months in adults and the implications for statistical power, and attenuation in regression coefficients for future activity-disease studies. METHODS We used data from 914 adults in the Interactive Diet and Activity Tracking in AARP (IDATA) study. Participants wore an ActivPAL 3 (AP) and an ActiGraph GT3X (AG) twice, 6 months apart. AP measures included: time spent sitting or lying, standing, and stepping; while AG measures included: time spent in sedentary, light, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). Reproducibility of each metric and implications for epidemiological studies was determined based on Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs; 95% CI). RESULTS The ICCs for AP estimates were, 0.58 (95% CI: 0.53, 0.63) for sitting, 0.62 (0.57, 0.67) for standing, and 0.57 (0.51, 0.62) for stepping. ICCs for AG were 0.56 (0.50, 0.61) for sedentary, 0.54 (0.49, 0.60) for light PA, and 0.58 (0.52, 0.63) for MVPA. Modelling showed that increasing the number of replicate administrations to 2-3 resulted in the most noticeable increases in ICCs, statistical power, and reductions in attenuation coefficients. For example, administering the AP twice reduced within-subject variability by half and resulted in an increase in the ICC associated with sitting time from 0.58 to 0.74. Similar comparisons for AG and measure of sedentary time resulted in an increase in ICCs from 0.56 to 0.72. Increasing the number of replicate administrations from one to two reduced the attenuation in activity-outcome associations from 40% to 25%. CONCLUSION Accelerometer-based classifications of activity are moderately stable over time but there is considerable within-subject variability that needs to be considered when estimating usual activity in future studies.
Miocene carpological floras of the Konin region (Central Poland)

Abstract Carbonaceous, three-dimensionally preserved macroscopic plant remains from the Lubstów, Gosławice and Pątnów brown coal open-pit mines are described and illustrated, providing a comprehensive elaboration of the middle Miocene carpological floras of the Konin region. The diaspores represent the following families: Pinaceae, Sciadopityaceae, Cupressaceae, Annonaceae, Cabombaceae, Nymphaeaceae, Araceae, Typhaceae, Cyperaceae, Vitaceae, Rosaceae, Rhamnaceae, Fagaceae, Myricaceae, Cornaceae, Nyssaceae, Symplocaceae, Ericaceae, Araliaceae, and Adoxaceae. Forty-two species were recognised or documented for the first time in the Konin region. Two genera, three species and three morphotypes are described as new taxa. Most of these plant remains represent azonal vegetation. Ericaceous bogs, pine bogs and mixed coniferous bogs, accompanied by Gyptostrobus swamp forests and various aquatic plant communities, are suggested as the most widespread vegetation types. Remains representing mesophytic, zonal vegetation, resembling extant evergreen broad-leaved and mixed mesophytic forests, are sparse. A Sciadopitys raised bog, a mixed coniferous bog subtype, was one of the important biomass sources forming the brown coal of the I-Middle Polish seam group. Other bog types recognised in Lubstów presumably also played a part in this process. Wildfire is suggested as an important factor controlling the Miocene vegetation of the Konin region. The floristic composition and lithostratigraphy indicate the Badenian age (16.3–12.8 Ma) for the studied floras, but radiometric data suggest that two Lubstów floras are older and one is younger than 13.6 Ma. Biostrati-graphically, Lubstów floras were correlated with the Klettwitz – Salzhausen floristic complex. Based on several climatic indicators and biostratigraphic correlation, the climate is estimated to have been humid, warm-temperate or subtropical. The upper Miocene lower Rhenish Basin floras are the most comparable in floristic and plant communities’ composition. Tropical – subtropical, Mediterranean and extinct genera represent approximately 40% of the genera identified in Lubstów.
Pressure distributions around a circular cylinder in cross-flow

Results related to time-mean pressure distributions around a circular cylinder in cross-flow are presented and discussed briefly with special emphasis on the effect of relative pressure hole size and the position of separation. Experiments cover Reynolds numbers from $0.2 imes 10^3$ to $2.1 imes 10^5$.
Meteorological and water quality changes in Lake Trasimeno (Umbria, Italy) during the last fifty years

This paper illustrates the results of an analysis performed on historical data of the main meteorological and water quality variables collected during the last fifty years in the basin of Lake Trasimeno, a shallow lake subjected to important water level fluctuations. The results reveal a significant increase of the annual mean of minimum and maximum air temperature, water temperature and solar radiation, and a significant reduction of precipitation and cloud cover, which have mostly occurred during the last twenty years. The decadal rate of warming observed in the last twenty years for air temperature (0.33 °C decade-1) is consistent with the estimate reported by the IPCC for the land-surface temperature in the Northern Hemisphere, whereas the surface water temperature in Lake Trasimeno shows a more marked increase (0.65 °C decade-1), comparable to that observed in other lakes of Mediterranean areas. On a monthly scale, the most significant variations are observed in late-spring and early summer months for temperature and solar irradiation, and in winter and spring months for rainfall, which result in an appreciable modification of the seasonal progression. The alterations of the thermal and hydrological balance of the lake have caused a progressive lowering of the water level and the emergence of evaporative conditions. As a consequence of the drought, a progressive accumulation of dissolved salts (3.5 106 kg y-1) is observed, which is partially explained by meteoric loading. The analysis also shows that an increase in the total alkalinity has occurred during the main drought phases of the last forty years, which has been shown to be consistent with what expected on the basis of the changes in the ionic composition of the waters. With decreasing water levels, a strong reduction in water transparency has also been observed, which does not appear to be connected with a change in the trophic state of the lake, but rather with the increase of suspended solids from bottom sediments, in agreement with the predictions based on resuspension models in shallow waters. On putting the results into the future scenario of climate change, an accelerating drought and progressive worsening of the water quality can be predicted for Lake Trasimeno in the near future.
Hydrological system time lag responses to meteorological shifts

Hydrological system’s sensibility and resilience to dry periods are crucial for estimating the potential impacts of droughts. Quantifying response times (RT) of this system’s components relative to droughts allows one to develop a predictive understanding of future impacts. In this context, this study proposes the use of non-parametric statistical methods to estimate RT between meteorological shifts, given by the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), and the respective changes in the hydrological system, measured by river discharge (Q) and reservoir storage time series. Change point (CP) analyses were applied to time series of (i) SPI and accumulated storage relative to 32 reservoirs within the Parana basin; and (ii) SPI, Q and reservoir storage relative to Furnas hydroelectric power plant. Based on the responses from CP analyses, RT in case (i) varied from 0 – 6 months, whereas, in case (ii), results indicate that significant changes in Q occurred in the same month of changes in rainfall. Results also suggest a minor role of anthropogenic factors (dam operation) compared to natural forcing in reservoir depletion during the 2014 drought than that in 2000/2001. This study reinforces the importance of an optimized reservoir management, considering the balance between anthropogenic and natural forcing as a strategy to combat droughts impacts.
Knowledge and attitude of basic life support (BLS) among school teachers in Hebron, Palestine

Background: Patients in all settings fully expect that they will be resuscitated if they have a cardiac arrest. It is therefore necessary to increase the number of qualified people, including school teachers and students who can play a vital role in performing basic and advanced cardiac life support at the scene of a medical emergency. Since life threatening events, such as cardiac arrest, must be responded to within six minutes, the retention of skills becomes a key concern in all urgent cases. The purpose of this study was to assess the existing knowledge of BLS among primary and secondary school teachers in Hebron, Palestine. Methods: After approval from Institute Ethical Committee and informed consent from the participant, the present study was conducted among primary and secondary school teachers. A self-administered questionnaire based on knowledge and attitude of BLS was used to collect data. Results: In general, only 42.5%of school teachers knew about CPR, but 57.5% had no previous information about CPR. Sources of information about CPR included television (26.5%), nurses and Drs (25.8), and the Internet (18.7%). Approximately 53% agreed that CPR training courses should be mandatory. Only 18.1% of teachers didn’t know the contact numbers for emergency services. Conclusions: This study has highlighted a critical issue that a majority of school teachers have limited knowledge about CPR. We recommend the mandatory implementation of CPR and basic life-support training for all school teachers across Palestine, and the need for incorporation of the BLS teaching into the Palestinian schools’ curricula without delay.
Documento de Trabajo 09 / 01 Detecting earnings management in a Spanish context

The aim of this study is to examine whether different accrual models detect earnings management in a sample of Spanish firms that have received GAAP audit qualifications. The unexpected accruals obtained from the Jones model, the modified Jones model, the Jones working capital model and the modified Jones working capital model are significantly positive, supporting the hypothesis that earnings have been managed upwards. However, the unexpected accruals obtained from the margin model are not significantly positive. We should be cautious in the interpretation of these results because of the almost certainly bias towards the inclusions of the most obvious and spectacular cases of earnings management. Potential extreme financial performance bias can not be ruled out as explanation for these results. An important limitation of this paper is the reduced number of firms that constitutes the estimation sample and also the prediction sample.
Pulmonary Textures Classification via a Multi-Scale Attention Network

Precise classification of pulmonary textures is crucial to develop a computer aided diagnosis (CAD) system of diffuse lung diseases (DLDs). Although deep learning techniques have been applied to this task, the classification performance is not satisfied for clinical requirements, since commonly-used deep networks built by stacking convolutional blocks are not able to learn discriminative feature representation to distinguish complex pulmonary textures. For addressing this problem, we design a multi-scale attention network (MSAN) architecture comprised by several stacked residual attention modules followed by a multi-scale fusion module. Our deep network can not only exploit powerful information on different scales but also automatically select optimal features for more discriminative feature representation. Besides, we develop visualization techniques to make the proposed deep model transparent for humans. The proposed method is evaluated by using a large dataset. Experimental results show that our method has achieved the average classification accuracy of 94.78% and the average f-value of 0.9475 in the classification of 7 categories of pulmonary textures. Besides, visualization results intuitively explain the working behavior of the deep network. The proposed method has achieved the state-of-the-art performance to classify pulmonary textures on high resolution CT images.
SKEWNESS AND COMPARABILITY OF SCHOOL BASED CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT SCORES

One of the outstanding variables that probably determine the academic performance of students in schools has been traced to intelligence. Intelligence has been variously viewed by researchers. Denga (1987) and Vernon (1976) claimed that it is the individual's inherited potentialities for growth (genotype) and the result of interaction with the prenatal and postnatal environment (phenotype) while Wechsler (1958) argued that it is the global capacity of an individual to act purposefully, think rationally and to deal effectively with the environment. Looking critically at the assertions of Denga (1987), Vernon (1976) and Wechsler (1958), it is very clear that the intelligence level of all individuals cannot be the same. This probably accounted for the assertion of Gbore (2006) By
Quantum Gates to Other Universes

We present a microscopic model of a bridge connecting two large Anti‐de‐Sitter Universes. The Universes admit a holographic description as three‐dimensional N=4 supersymmetric gauge theories based on large linear quivers, and the bridge is a small rank‐n gauge group that acts as a messenger. On the gravity side, the bridge is a piece of a highly‐curved AdS5 × S5 throat carrying n units of five‐form flux. We derive a universal expression for the mixing of the two massless gravitons: M2≃3n2(κ42+κ4′2)/16π2 , where M is the mass splitting of the gravitons, κ42,κ4′2 are the effective gravitational couplings of the AdS4 Universes, and n is the quantized charge of the gate. This agrees with earlier results based on double‐trace deformations, with the important difference that the effective coupling is quantized. We argue that the apparent non‐localities of holographic double‐trace theories are resolved by integrating‐in the (scarce) degrees of freedom of the gate.
Effects of a Smartphone-Based Approach-Avoidance Intervention on Chocolate Craving and Consumption: Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Repeatedly pushing high-calorie food stimuli away based on joystick movements has been found to reduce approach biases toward these stimuli. Some studies also found that such avoidance training reduced consumption of high-calorie foods. Objective This study aimed to test effects of a smartphone-based approach-avoidance intervention on chocolate craving and consumption, to make such interventions suitable for daily use. Methods Within a 10-day period, regular chocolate eaters (n=105, 86% female) performed five sessions during which they continuously avoided (ie, swiped upward) chocolate stimuli (experimental group, n=35), performed five sessions during which they approached and avoided chocolate stimuli equally often (placebo control group, n=35), or did not perform any training sessions (inactive control group, n=35). Training effects were measured during laboratory sessions before and after the intervention period and further continuously through daily ecological momentary assessment. Results Self-reported chocolate craving and consumption as well as body fat mass significantly decreased from pre- to postmeasurement across all groups. Ecological momentary assessment reports evidenced no differences in chocolate craving and consumption between intervention days and rest days as a function of the group. Conclusions A smartphone-based approach-avoidance training did not affect eating-related and anthropometric measures over and above measurement-based changes in this study. Future controlled studies need to examine whether other techniques of modifying food approach tendencies show an add-on benefit over conventional, monitoring-based intervention effects. Trial Registration AsPredicted 8203; https://aspredicted.org/pt9df.pdf.
Vegetative associations affecting Glaucomys volans in central Virginia

This study examined the vegetative requirements of the flying squirell, Glaucomys volans (Linnaeus, 1758) in central Virginia. Three separate forested areas, all within 22 km of one another, were compared with respect to vegetation and G. volans distribution. Phytosociological methods were used to analyze the vegetation, while traps installed on trees in geometrically regular grids were used to determine animal distribution.
Sedum danjoense (Crassulaceae), a new species of succulent plants from the Danjo Islands in Japan

We compared Sedum formosanum with related species using morphological traits and molecular phylogenetic analysis of nrITS sequences. Morphological comparisons revealed that the plants historically treated as S . formosanum in the Danjo Islands of Japan had 4-merous flower; 8 stamens; narrow triangular sepals of equal size; horizontal carpels when matured; and an irregular branching form. These traits differed from those of S . formosanum in other regions, which has 5-merous flowers; 10 stamens, thick spatulate sepals of unequal size; erect carpels when matured; and a trichotomous branching form. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that plants known as S . formosanum in the Danjo Islands were sister group to S . tetractinum , which are endemic to China and belong to a different clade than S . formosanum , which are found in other regions. Based on the present morphological comparisons and phylogenetical analyses, we describe plants from the Danjo Islands as a new species, S. danjoense , which is distinct from S . formosanum .
Effects of Geographic Region on the Composition of Bactrian Camel Milk in Mongolia

Summary Camels are known to occupy arid and desert countries. These pastoralist areas and conditions make it difficult to estimate camel milk production. Camel milk is considered to have anti-cancer, hypo-allergic and anti-diabetic properties. A high content of unsaturated fatty acids contributes to its overall dietary quality. The low quantity of β-casein and the lack of β-lactoglobulin are linked to the hypo-allergic effect of camel milk. Although the Bactrian camel is an important domestic animal in Mongolia, few studies have focused on Bactrian camel milk in this country. Our study characterizes the amino acid and fatty acid compositions of Bactrian camel milk collected from several geographical areas in Mongolia. The findings establish a theoretical basis for additional studies on the composition of milk from Bactrian camels in Mongolia. Abstract Camel milk is considered as an essential source of nutrition for desert people. However, few studies have investigated how geography affects Bactrian camel milk in Mongolia. In this study, we evaluated the differences in gross composition, fatty acid composition, and amino acid composition among Bactrian camel milk samples collected from 102 Bactrian camels in five different Mongolian regions. The proportion of long-chain fatty acids, out of total fatty acids, was high in all samples of Bactrian camel milk. The primary fatty acids detected in the samples were palmitic acid (23.99–30.72%), oleic acid (17.21–24.24%), and stearic acid (11.13–16.49%), while the dominant amino acids were leucine, lysine, valine, and aspartic acid. Cysteine was the least common amino acid detected in the Bactrian camel milk samples. Considerable differences in the fatty acid and amino acid compositions were observed among Bactrian camel milk from different regions of Mongolia. The findings suggest that geography strongly affects the composition of camel milk.