Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum Magnesium as an Important and Independent Predictor of Acute Exacerbations of COPD Patients

Magnesium is one of the most important factors for regulation of inflammatory response as well as muscle function. A decrease in serum Mg +2 is associated with airway hyper - reactivity, impaired pulmonary function. Data suggest that low serum Mg +2 levels are associated with an increased risk of exacerbation of symptoms in COPD patients. The aim of this study was to establish efficacy of S. Magnesium levels as a predictor of acute exacerbation of COPD. The present study was conducted on 50 normal healthy contr ols and 150 non - tubercular Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients attending OPD/indoor at Pulmonary Medicine Department of L N Rathi Memorial Hohpital, Jodhpur. All the subjects were subjected to PFT assessment and Serum Magnesium was deter mined. Data thus obtained were compared with controls by student’s t - test. Our results show that all PFT parameters were found to be significantly low in COPD Patients as compared to controls. S. Mg levels in moderate and severe COPD Patients compared to h ealthy subjects were significantly low (with p - value 0.0000001). We can conclude that there is direct negative correlation between COPD and blood Mg ++ levels. Our data suggest proportionate fall in Mg ++ values is strongly associated with the rise in the s everity of
Impact of marine mercury cycling on coastal atmospheric mercury concentrations in the North- and Baltic Sea region

The cycling of mercury between ocean and atmosphere is an important part of the global Hg cycle. Here we study the regional contribution of the air-sea exchange in the North- and Baltic Sea region. We use a newly developed coupled regional chemistry transport modeling (CTM) system to determine the flux between atmosphere and ocean based on the meteorological model COSMO-CLM, the ocean-ecosystem model ECOSMO, the atmospheric CTM CMAQ and a newly developed module for mercury partitioning and speciation in the ocean (MECOSMO). The model was evaluated using atmospheric observations of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), surface concentrations of dissolved gaseous mercury (DGM), and air-sea flux (ASF) calculations based on observations made on seven cruises in the western and central Baltic Sea and three cruises in the North Sea performed between 1991 and 2006. It was shown that the model is in good agreement with observations: DGM (Normalized Mean Bias NMB=-0.27 N=413), ASF (NMB=-0.32, N=413), GEM (NMB=0.07, N=2359). Generally, the model was able to reproduce the seasonal DGM cycle with the best agreement during winter and autumn (NMBWinter=-0.26, NMBSpring=-0.41, NMBSummer=-0.29, NMBAutumn=-0.03). The modelled mercury evasion from the Baltic Sea ranged from 3400 to 4000 kg/a for the simulation period 1994–2007 which is on the lower end of previous estimates. Modelled atmospheric deposition, river inflow and air-sea exchange lead to an annual net Hg accumulation in the Baltic Sea of 500 to 1000 kg/a. For the North Sea the model calculates an annual mercury flux into the atmosphere between 5700 and 6000 kg/a. The mercury flux from the ocean influenced coastal atmospheric mercury concentrations. Running CMAQ coupled with the ocean model lead to better agreement with GEM observations. Directly at the coast GEM concentrations could be increased by up to 10% on annual average and observed peaks could be reproduced much better. At stations 100km downwind the impact was still observable but reduced to 1–3%.
The Multistep Beveridge-Nelson Decomposition Tommaso Proietti

The Beveridge-Nelson decomposition defines the trend component in terms of the eventual forecast function, as the value the series would take if it were on its long-run path. The paper introduces the multistep Beveridge-Nelson decomposition, which arises when the forecast function is obtained by the direct autoregressive approach, which optimizes the predictive ability of the AR model at forecast horizons greater than one. We compare our proposal with the standard Beveridge-Nelson decomposition, for which the forecast function is obtained by iterating the one-step-ahead predictions via the chain rule. We illustrate that the multistep BeveridgeNelson trend is more efficient than the standard one in the presence of model misspecification and we subsequently assess the predictive validity of the extracted transitory component with respect to future growth.
Student perspectives on the relationship between a curve and its tangent in the transition from Euclidean Geometry to Analysis

The tangent line is a central concept in many mathematics and science courses. In this paper we describe a model of students’ thinking – concept images as well as ability in symbolic manipulation – about the tangent line of a curve as it has developed through students’ experiences in Euclidean Geometry and Analysis courses. Data was collected through a questionnaire administered to 196 Year 12 students. Through Latent Class Analysis, the participants were classified in three hierarchical groups representing the transition from a Geometrical Global perspective on the tangent line to an Analytical Local perspective. In the light of this classification, and through qualitative explanations of the students’ responses, we describe students’ thinking about tangents in terms of seven factors. We confirm the model constituted by these seven factors through Confirmatory Factor Analysis.
DETERMINING FACTORS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF HIKING IN DINGHY SAILING: A LITERATURE REVIEW

The aims of this study were to identify and analyse the research studies related to the sailing technique “hiking”, as well as analysing the influential factors in this technique. The data was obtained from an analysis carried out on nine databases, limiting the investigation to the period between 1975 and 2013. The articles analysed in this review collected physiological, biomechanical, training variables, literature reviews and other studies that serve to show the technique in depth. Hiking is considered the most decisive technique in the performance of a boat dinghy with middle and high winds, which is aerobic and dynamic in nature, due to the constant movement that the sailor must perform while hiking to counterbalance the ship's movements. The quadriceps muscle is the most important for maintaining the position of hiking, being the muscle that reaches the higher percentage of maximum voluntary contraction (% MVC) and suffers more stress due to the high restriction of oxygen and perfusion associated with their high level of isometric work; while the knee is the joint that does more work, because of the higher moments of force applied during the action of hiking. As for the types of training, no specific training on this technique has achieved results applicable to practice.
The Acute Effects of Pre-Event Lower Limb Massage on Some Selected Physical Fitness Components of Junior Male Soccer Trainees of Ethiopian Youth Sport Academy

Objectives: To examine the acute effects of pre-event warm-up modalities on some selected physical fitness components of junior male soccer trainees of the Ethiopian youth sport academy. Design: Experimental study design was employed.Methods: Thirty three (33) junior soccer trainees were included as a subject using purposive and availability sampling technique. Quantitative method of data analysis both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics was used. The descriptive statistics was presented as a form of central tendency which is mean and variability (standard deviation). The inferential statistics was parametric test which are dependent t-test (Paired sample t-tests) to show the significant difference of explosive power, speed, agility and flexibility performance following the three conditions. Result: The result can show that the mean value of the trainees explosive power test after traditional, pre-event massage and combined warm-up protocols were 2.27m, 2.23m and 2.23m respectively. The mean value of the trainees speed test after traditional, pre-event massage and combined warm-up protocols were 4.15s, 4.40s and 4.13s respectively. The mean value of the trainees agility test after traditional, pre-event massage and combined warm-up protocols were 15.83s, 16.35s and 15.74s respectively. The mean value of the trainees sit and reach test after traditional, pre-event massage and combined warm-up protocols were 12.85cm, 14.58cm and 15.18 respectively.Conclusion: significant difference were observed between pre-test (Traditional Warm up) and the other warm up modalities (pre-event lower limb massage and the combination of pre-event lower limb massage with traditional warm-up) on standing broad jump test, 30m speed test, Illinois agility test and sit & reach test at P<0.05. However, insignificant results have been found between pre-test (Traditional warm up) and the combination of pre-event lower limb massage with traditional warm-up on 30m speed test. Therefore, coaches and athletes to use the combined warm up protocol which pre-event lower limb massage first then traditional warm-up Keywords: Pre-Event, Massage, warm-up, performance, traditional warm up
Acylated Ghrelin, Growth Hormone and IGF-1 Levels in the Cord Blood of Small for Gestational Age Newborns

Background: Ghrelin is a pleiotropic hormone that regulates feeding and energy balance and stimulates growth hormone release. Ghrelin also exerts developmental and organizational effects during prenatal life. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine ghrelin levels in cord blood of small for gestational age (SGA) infants and its association with GH (growth hormone) and IGF-1 levels (insulin-like growth factor-1). Methods: Cord blood sample was obtained from 31 SGA and 25 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants. Acylated ghrelin, GH, and IGF-1 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: No significant differences were observed in ghrelin and GH concentrations between SGA and AGA infants. However, IGF-1 levels were significantly lower in SGA infants. Cord blood ghrelin was negatively correlated with the infants’ birth weight (r = -0.33, P = 0.013); on the other hand, IGF-1 level was positively correlated with birth weight (r = 0.43, P = 0.002). Conclusions: IGF-1 has the most significant effect on intrauterine growth. Acylated ghrelin is detectable in cord blood and correlated with birth weight, suggesting a role in intrauterine development, but its level is not affected by intrauterine growth retarda-
Input from a chemosensory organ, the osphradium, does not mediate aerial respiration in Lymnaea stagnalis

Breathing behaviour is driven by chemosensory information sensed by oxygen or car- bon dioxide receptors that detect the level of these substances either internally or in the external environment. In terrestrial species, oxygen chemosensation is primarily through internal sensors, whereas in aquatic animals, such as the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis, external oxygen chemo - receptors are thought to be more important, due to the low partial pressure of oxygen in water. It has been hypothesized that an external chemosensory organ, the osphradium, modulates aerial respiratory behaviour in hypoxic conditions in Lymnaea, but recent data indicate that this may not be the case. In the present study, we removed the input from this organ to the central nervous system and measured aerial respiratory behaviour. We assessed breathing behaviour prior to surgery and then operated on the snails, severing either (1) the osphradial nerve proximal to the osphradium or (2) the right internal parietal (RIP) nerve into which the osphradial nerve, in addition to other axons from the lung/pneumostome area, projects. We also used a sham-operated control group. Severing either the osphradial or RIP nerve did not alter breathing behaviour in eumoxic or hypoxic conditions relative to the behaviour prior to surgery or that of sham-operated animals. Therefore, we conclude that input from the osphradium does not drive aerial respiratory behaviour.
Variations of surface water extent and water storage in large river basins: A comparison of different global data sources

For the period 2003–2004 and for six large river basins, the present study compares monthly time series of multi‐satellite‐derived surface water extent with other independent global data sets related to land water dynamics, such as water mass variations monitored by GRACE, simulated surface and total water storage from WGHM, water levels from altimetry, and GPCP precipitation estimates. In general, the datasets show a strong agreement with each other at seasonal timescale. In particular, over the Amazon and the Ganges basins, analysis of seasonal phase differences and hysteresis behavior between surface water extent, water level and storage reveal the complex relations between water extent and storage variations and the different effects of water transport processes within large river basins. The results highlight the value of combining multi‐satellite techniques for retrieving surface water storage dynamics.
Drying Shrinkage of Deformable Porous Media: Mechanisms Induced by the Fluid Removal

Mechanisms of free shrinkage strains of desiccatin g deformable porous media are studied . The roles of surface evaporation rate, surface tension, and viscosity of pore fluid, soil compressibility and permeability are investigated. For drying tests on two geomaterials with three different pore fluids the evolution of shrinkage strain and fluid content is reported. Most of the strain s occur in the saturated phase of drying prior to cracking . Simulations of this phase include evaporative fluxes at the external surface s, a consequent water transport across the sample toward the surface producing pore pressure and stress gradients, local water content change, and deformation. Biot theory is used.
R&D cooperation versus R&D subcontracting: empirical evidence from French survey data

This paper uses a survey of French firms active in R&D to identify the determinants of the trade-off between R&D subcontracting and R&D cooperation. We observe that R&D subcontracting is more likely than R&D cooperation when the partner is chosen on objective criteria, such as prices, quality certificates and geographic proximity. Subcontracting relationships also involve less uncertainty, are less likely to lead to patent deposits and less frequently involve public research institutions. These results are coherent with the hypothesis that R&D subcontracting mainly concerns standardized R&D processes.
Mycorrhizal fungi and their multifunctional roles

The effects of mycorrhizal fungi have traditionally been considered within the rather narrow perspective of their effects on the mineral nutrition of individual plants. Most biologists are familiar with the idea that these symbiotic fungi may improve plant uptake of dissolved mineral nutrients. What other effects do these symbionts have? Research during the past 20 years has increasingly viewed symbiotic mycorrhizal associations between plants and fungi within a wider, multifunctional perspective. New molecular methods have been applied to investigate mycorrhizal fungal communities (Bruns & Bidartondo, 2002) and greater attention has been paid to their possible effects at the level of the plant community. As we have acquired greater knowledge about fungal species diversity, so we have become more aware of the potential functional diversity of mycorrhizal fungi. The new multifunctional perspective includes mobilisation of N and P from organic polymers, possible release of nutrients from mineral particles or rock surfaces via weathering, effects on carbon cycling, interactions with myco-heterotrophic plants, mediation of plant responses to stress factors such as drought, soil acidification, toxic metals and plant pathogens, as well as a range of possible interactions with groups of other soil microorganisms.
Two ways of finding a host: A specialist and a generalist parasitoid species (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae)

Two closely related parasitoid wasp species with different host specificities were used for experimental studies on the biology of host finding, a crucial element of parasitoid life history: The habitat and host specialist Nasonia vitripennis and the habitat and host generalist Dibrachys microgastri (Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae). The host finding parameters tested included reaction to olfactory cues, aspects of locomotor activity, ability to locate hidden hosts and day-night-activity. The results revealed distinct inter- specific differences that match the respective host and habitat ranges of the two species. In N. vitripennis host finding is dominated by olfactory reaction to hosts and host habitat, i.e., fly puparia and birds' nests. In D. microgastri olfactory cues have only a minor role. Its host finding is characterized by rapid searching at random. Both species are able to locate hidden hosts. Although still incomplete, these insights into host finding by two parasitoid species with different life history strategies indicate they can be char- acterized by specific combinations of behavioural host finding features.
Non‐Audit Service Fees and Financial Reporting Quality: A Meta‐Analysis

Auditing as a corporate governance mechanism has attracted considerable research attention. Because of the information asymmetry between corporate managers and outside shareholders, auditors are hired to provide independent assurance that financial statements are prepared following generally accepted accounting principles. The credibility of such assurance depends on the independence, both in fact and in appearance, of the auditor. Over the years, however, the independence of auditors has come under increased scrutiny because of their joint provision of both audit and non-audit services. A sizable literature on the impact of non-audit fees on financial reporting quality has developed. The evidence from this literature, however, remains inconclusive. This paper provides a meta-analysis of the available literature by assessing (a) the net effect of non-audit fees on financial reporting quality, and (b) whether there is homogeneity in the financial reporting quality proxies used in the extant literature. Findings suggest that the level of client-specific non-audit fees is associated with reduced financial reporting quality. However, the underlying studies used to conduct this meta-analysis are not homogenous.
Attitudes towards Wildlife Conservation in Kenya

Human-wildlife conflicts are widespread in many parts of Kenya and are posing great difficulties in the work of wildlife conservation. Up until recently, most wildlife conservation efforts were solely concentrated to protected areas with adjacent rural communities having little or no involvement. However, when working with conservation projects, it is vital to not only work with directly affected factors, such as the animals and the environment, but also with the nearby communities and the local people. Consequently, studies like this one, concerning the feelings and opinions of the local people towards the environment and wildlife will be of great help in order to secure a future for both parties. In this context, it is also important to acknowledge that wildlife conservation to a large extent is dependent upon public acceptance and, with a large part of the countries inhabitants living in cities, it is important to get the opinions of people living in urban areas as well. Attitudes and opinions towards wildlife are affected by a multitude of factors. The factor studied in this paper, that can have profound effects on perceptions and attitudes towards wildlife conservation, is place of residence. This study’s primary focus was placed upon the attitudes of Kenyan citizens on the subject of wildlife conservation, with an emphasis on rural residents and as contrasted with urban residents. The study also aimed to study the success of a community-based conservation (CBC) project in regards to the opinions and attitudes of the rural residents living within the conservation area. It was found that the majority of the respondents (both rural and urban) showed positive attitudes towards wildlife conservation in general. However, marked differences in values between the two samples were found. The urbanites displayed a wide array of different values towards the environment and wildlife, while all rural participants shared the same utilitarian view. In addition, the results showed that the rural participants were of a much more positive attitude than anticipated if compared to previous published research and in this specific case, these findings can be correlated with the CBC project applied in that region. Further the results found in this study indicate that rural communities show more favourable attitudes towards wildlife conservation if they perceive they are receiving enough benefits from the conservation project to outweigh the costs of such work. This suggests that CBC can be used effectively both in regards of having a successful conservation and as a means of generating further development of rural communities as well as creating favourable attitudes towards conservation.
Conceptualising online literacies an investigation into Thai EFL students' web-based research practices

I CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINAL AUTHORSHIP. III PUBLICATION. IV ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . V TABLE OF CONTENTS . VII LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES . X Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Background to the study.1 1.2 Research rationale . 3 1.3 Purpose of the study . 5 1.4 Significance of the study . 6 1.5 Structure of this thesis.8 Chapter 2. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE.11 2.1 Introduction.11 2.2 English Language Teaching in Thailand . 14 2.2.1 The role of English in Thailand. 14 2.2.2 Integration of Internet in Thai Education . 18 2.3 Literacy in the digital age.22 2.3. 1 New literacies as the theoretical framework. 23 2.3. 2 Literacy learning in the 21st century classroom . 27 2.4 Web as a source of information in ELT classrooms.29 2.4. 1 Affordances and hindrances. 32 2.5 A review of recent empirical studies related to the use of the Web as an information source . 40 2.5. 1 Search . 43 2.5. 2 Evaluate . 57 2.5. 3 Communicate . 60 2.5. 4 Teaching pedagogies addressing the 21st century skills . 66 2.6 Conclusion.67 Chapter 3. METHODOLOGY . 71