Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Compton Shoulder Diagnostics in Active Galactic Nuclei for Probing the Metallicity of the Obscuring Compton-thick Tori

We analyzed the spectral shape of the Compton shoulder around the neutral Fe–Kα line of the Compton-thick type II Seyfert nucleus of the Circinus galaxy. The characteristics of this Compton shoulder with respect to the reflected continuum and Fe–Kα line core intensity are powerful diagnostics tools for analyzing the structure of the molecular tori, which obscures the central engine. We applied our Monte-Carlo-based X-ray reflection spectral model to the Chandra High Energy Transmission Grating data and successfully constrained the various spectral parameters independently, using only the spectral data only around the Fe–Kα emission line. The obtained column density and inclination angle are consistent with previous observations and the Compton-thick type II Seyfert picture. In addition, we determined the metal abundance of the molecular torus for the case of the smooth and clumpy torus to be and 1.74 ± 0.16 solar abundance, respectively. Such slightly over-solar abundance can be useful information for discussing the star formation rate in the molecular tori of active galactic nuclei.
Men Medically Assisted to Reproduce: AID, IVF, and ICSI, an Assessment of the Revolution in the Medical Treatment of Male Factor Infertility

Face aux problemes d’infertilite, qui concernent 15% a 20% des couples, on a assiste au developpement des techniques de fecondation in vitro (FIV). Entre 1982 et 2000, 85 000 enfants sont nes en France grâce a une FIV (estimation basee sur une exploitation croisee de l’enquete FIVNAT et des donnees administratives). Cinq bilans mondiaux et deux bilans europeens ont ete consacres a la FIV mais leur exploitation reste limitee par les problemes de non-exhaustivite des donnees pour des regions telles que l’Europe meridionale et orientale. Les taux de succes de la FIV sont de l’ordre de 15% a 20% de grossesses par ponction. Cependant, ces taux chutent quand l’âge de la femme augmente et lorsque l’homme a un sperme presentant des anomalies severes. Dans le cas d’une infertilite masculine severe, l’insemination artificielle avec spermatozoides de donneur (IAD) a longtemps ete la seule reponse medicale, mais elle pose le probleme de l’acceptation d’un donneur de sperme. Depuis 1992, une nouvelle technique de FIV est proposee : l’injection intra-cytoplasmique de spermatozoide (ICSI). Cette technique s’est largement developpee en France et dans de nombreux pays : elle representait 30% a 60% de l’activite de fecondation assistee en 1998. Malgre ce developpement important, de nombreuses questions demeurent sur les consequences de la technique, en particulier quant a l’etat de sante a court et long terme des enfants concus par ICSI.
Bondholder Wealth in Mergers and Acquisitions : Evidence on the Impact and Spillover of Governance and Legal Standards

This paper demonstrates that the bondholder wealth effects of M&As are strongly affected by cross-country variations in governance and legal standards. We examine deals that involve European firms with outstanding Eurobonds, and find that governance considerations are in fact better predictors of bond performance than either deal or firm characteristics. Firstly, bond returns in both bidding and target firms are systematically higher in M&As that involve firms from the stakeholder-oriented governance regimes of Continental Europe. Secondly, cross-border deals tend to induce lower bond returns. However, bondholders reap considerably higher gains if the deal exposes their firm to a jurisdiction with better creditor rights and claims enforcement. This suggests that cross-border M&As provide much greater scope for the functional spillover of creditor protection than has been previously assumed. Finally, bond performance is driven by both asset and financial risk changes, the merging firms' relative size, as well as a negative listing effect.
Risk premium shocks, monetary policy and exchange rate pass-through in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland

This paper investigates the role of monetary policy in a small open economy, where exchange rate shocks are important. VAR models are estimated for the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. Contemporaneous and sign restrictions are imposed in order to identify the effect of monetary policy and risk premium shocks. Estimates from the same model for Canada, Sweden and the UK are used as a benchmark for developed economies with low inflation. The results suggest that the typical size of a risk premium shock renders it almost impossible for the interest rate policy to smooth the exchange rate with the aim of minimizing inflationary consequences. On the other hand, low inflation may decrease the exchange rate pass-through, which helps the monetary policy ignore exchange rate shocks.
Multi-Elliptical Geometry of Scatterers in Modeling Propagation Effect at Receiver

In the proposed chapter, the authors present a geometric-statistical propagation model that defines three groups of received signal components, i.e., direct path, delayed scattering, and local scattering components. The multi-elliptical propagation model, which rep- resents the geometry of scatterer locations, is the basis for determining the delayed components. For the generation of the local components, a statistical distribution is used. The basis for this model is a power angular spectrum (PAS) of the received signal, which is closely related to a type of propagation environment and transmitter-receiver spatial positions. Therefore, we have an opportunity to evaluate the influence of the environment type and an object motion direction on the basic characteristics such as envelope distribu- tion, PAS, autocorrelation function, and spectral power density. The multi-elliptical model considers the propagation phenomena occurring in the azimuth plane. In the chapter, we will also show the 3D extension of modeling effects of propagation phenomena.
Band-stop filter sensor based on SIW cavity for the non-invasive measuring of blood glucose

Design and realisation of a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) planar sensor for the non-invasive monitoring of blood glucose concentration (BGC) is described. The structure of the presented sensor is similar to a conventional band-stop filter. To produce a substantial and localised field enhancement in the sensing region by the SIW technology, the slots and interdigital arms on the upper conductor of the SIW cavity are utilised. Further, the fingertip is used as materials under test and its displacement and fingerprints effects are studied. The introduced sensor is then fabricated and measured. The evaluated results indicate that the developed sensor features improvement in both the fingertip positioning and fingerprints effects compared to the other work. Also, the frequency resonance shift of the proposed sensor observing the valuable enhancement of non-invasive BGC detection sensitivity is much more than the previous study.
Prevalence of hyperglycaemia, obesity and metabolic syndrome (a three component study) among hospital personnel in the Littoral Region of Cameroon

There is evidence worldwide of the high prevalence of obesity, hyperglycemia and metabolic syndrome in health care providers, although very scanty data is available on this in sub Saharan Africa. The present study aims to determine the frequency of diabetes, elevated Body mass index (BMI) and metabolic syndrome among health-care workers in some hospitals and clinics in Douala, Cameroon. An observational and cross-sectional study was done for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. The 2005 definition of The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) was used for 147 health workers. Data were grouped and analyzed according to gender and age. 7.5% of the hospital workers had metabolic syndrome, 71.2% were at high risk of developing metabolic syndrome because of elevated abdominal obesity, 38.4% were obese (BMI ≥ 30) and 4.8% had elevated blood sugar levels. The prevalence rate increased with age: 2.9% (18 to 36 years), 9.5% (37 to 55 years) and 50% for more than 56 years. The definition gave the highest prevalence rate of 7.5% while the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) gave 0.7% with the World health organization (WHO) (1999) giving the lowest prevalence rate of 00%. There is a high prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome among health care personnel in the Littoral region of Cameroon. It is imperative to implement programs to screen these risk factors by means of routine medical exams and improving the lifestyles of Cameroonian health care workers. These study findings could be the basis for future research among hospital staff and the general population. Key words: International Diabetes Federation (IDF), hyperglycemia, metabolic syndrome, body mass index.
Morphological Analysis in Learning to Read Pseudowords in Hebrew.

This paper examines the role of morphology in gradeschool children's learning to read nonpointed Hebrew. It presents two experiments testing the reading of morphologically based nonpointed pseudowords. One hundred seventy-one Hebrew-speaking children and adolescents in seven age/schooling groups (beginning and end of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th, and 11th grade) and a group of adults participated in the study. Participants were administered two tasks of reading aloud nonpointed pseudowords with morphological composition: words in isolation and words in sentential context. Results pinpoint the developmental milestones on the way to efficient nonpointed word recognition in Hebrew: learning to use morphological pattern cues to fill in missing phonological information, where second grade is an important “watershed” period; and overcoming homography by learning to detect morphosyntactic cues, an ability that develops more gradually and over a longer period than pattern recognition.
Opioids and frequency counts in the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database: a quantitative view of the epidemic

Background The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), contains information on adverse drug events and medication error reports submitted to the FDA through the MedWatch program. A significant number of adverse events reported in the FAERS database have been for opioid use. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency counts and associated deaths of opioid drug names in the FAERS database. Methods Drug data were obtained from the DRUG and OUTCOME files in the database. Drugs identified included: morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, tramadol, hydromorphone, methadone, codeine, oxymorphone, meperidine, propoxyphene, diphenoxylate, and heroin. Frequency counts and concomitant deaths of opioid drug names were determined via the MySQL database management system. Results Fifteen different opioid drugs identified in the FAERS database were associated with ADEs, including death, and 3 drugs (oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl) accounted for more than half of the reports. The highest frequency count value was 158,181 for oxycodone, which represents approximately 20.2% of the frequency counts for the opioids. The lowest frequency count value was 2,161 for dextromethorphan, which represents approximately 0.3% of the total. The opioid with the highest proportion of deaths to drug count was heroin (71.8%), followed by dextromethorphan (55.6%), methadone (37.2%), morphine (26.8%), and propoxyphene (23.7%). Conclusion The FAERS database represents an important source for detection and reporting of adverse drug events (ADEs), in particular the opioids and related drugs. It remains a challenge to estimate the true incidence of ADEs for this class of drugs in the general population.
Assessing Measurable Residual Disease in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. BCR-ABL1 IS in the Avant-Garde of Molecular Hematology

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a malignancy of the myeloid cell lineage characterized by a recurrent chromosomal abnormality: the Philadelphia chromosome, which results from the reciprocal translocation of the chromosomes 9 and 22. The Philadelphia chromosome contains a fusion gene called BCR-ABL1. The BCR-ABL1 codes for an aberrantly functioning tyrosine kinase that drives the malignant proliferation of the founding clone. The advent of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) represents a landmark in the treatment of CML, that has led to tremendous improvement in the remission and survival rates. Since the introduction of imatinib, the first TKI, several other TKI have been approved that further broadened the arsenal against CML. Patients treated with TKIs require sensitive monitoring of BCR-ABL1 transcripts with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCT), which has become an essential part of managing patients with CML. In this review, we discuss the importance of the BCR-ABL1 assay, and we highlight the growing importance of BCR-ABL1 dynamics. We also introduce a mathematical correction for the BCR-ABL1 assay that could help homogenizing the use of the ABL1 as a control gene. Finally, we discuss the growing body of evidence concerning treatment-free remission. Along with the continuous improvement in the therapeutic arsenal against CML, the molecular monitoring of CML represents the avant-garde in the struggle to make CML a curable disease.
International Portfolio Balance: Modeling the External Adjustment Process

Unprecedented growth in private cross-border asset trade and asymmetric international balance sheets are well-documented stylized facts of nancial integration. Moreover, we observe that current accounts are no longer the number one determinant of external balances. Advancing the work of Blanchard et al. (2005), this paper develops a portfolio-balance model that recognizes these stylized facts and shows how they inuence the joint dynamics of the current account, the exchange rate and relative asset prices. Calibrating the model to the external adjustment process of the US, the model produces results that are broadly consistent with recent empirical trends. In particular, we nd that the composition of its international balance sheet helps the US to better cope with external shocks.
Shading-aware Multiview Stereo ECCV 2016-Supplemental Material

• Figure 1 shows another comparison against Zollhoefer et al. [2] on their Vase dataset. Similar to the results presented in our paper, our algorithm is able to recover more details and a better overall shape of the object. A . ply file of our reconstruction fused with FSSR [3] can be found in the zip file of this supplemental material and the . ply file of Zollhoefer et al. is available at their project page.
AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF VARICOCELE

Background: Varicocele, an abnormal dilatation and tortuosity of the pampiniform plexus of veins is found in about 15% of the general population with a marked left sided predominance. However this incidence rises to 35% in men with primary infertility and 70 to 80% in men with secondary infertility. Methods: Hospital based prospective study conducted on 100 cases reporting to General surgery department within the study duration and eligible as per inclusion criteria was included in study. Results: In our study out of Out of 100 patients maximum 42.00% patients were farmer followed by 22.00% patients were Coolies and Rickshaw Pullers, 17.00% patients were students, 10.00% were laborer and 9.00% were policemen. Conclusion: It conclude that Varicocele epidemiology remains incompletely understood. We need well‑designed, large‑scale studies that include evaluation of important clinical factors to comprehend fully the epidemiological aspects of this condition.
DYNAMICS OF COLLABORATIVE INVENTION Tracking Growth of Cooperative and Total Patents in the Region

The paper targets the relationship between growth of cooperation and later growth of innovation at the regional level. Patent data for German regions and eleven subsequent years is used to identify collaborative activity as well as the innovative output in each region. The results confirm to some extend previous expectations based on the assumption of an inverted U-relationship. Depending on the regional level of cooperation there are positive and negative effects of a change in regional cooperation behaviour in the industries Radio, Television and Communication Equipment and Machinery and Equipment. No significant results are obtained for the industries Chemicals and Chemical Products as well as Medical, Precision and Optical Instruments.
Creditor Rights, Inequality and Development in a Neoclassical Growth Model

I study the implications of the limited enforceability of credit contracts for inequality and economic growth. I introduce limited enforcement into a deterministic neoclassical growth model. Two types of agents differ in their initial wealth, ability and patience and each operate a private firm. The agents can borrow and lend to each other but face enforcement constraints. This results in capital being misallocated across agents. Three main conclusions are obtained from this model. First, capital misallocation disappears in the long run if agents are equally patient. In contrast, if agents' discount rates differ, capital misallocation persists asymptotically. Second, poor creditor rights magnify the effect of heterogeneity in ability on long run wealth inequality, because wealth accumulation functions as a substitute for poor creditor rights. Third, the interest rate is generally lower than in an economy without enforcement constraints.
Bacteria urinary tract infection in HIV-infected children and adolescents in Abuja, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) remains the second commonest opportunistic infections among HIV infected children. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and causative bacteria of UTI in HIV infected children and adolescents on antiretroviral medications in our health institution. Method: The study was a cross sectional design conducted between October 2017 and March 2018 among HIV infected children and adolescents aged 2 months to 18 years on follow up attendance at the Paediatric Outpatient Special Treatment Clinic (POSTC) of University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH). Early morning midstream urine was collected from each participant for urinalysis, microscopy and aerobic bacterial culture. Bacteria were identified from culture by standard microbiological methods and antibiogram of the isolates was determined by the disk diffusion method. Result: Of 166 HIV infected children and adolescents studied, 106 (63.9%) were males, 82 (49.4%) were in age group 5-10 years, and 110 (66.3%) were from lower socio-economic class. Significant bacteria (UTI) were isolated in 54 (32.5%) subjects, with 38 (70.4%) from females, and 51 (94.4%) from those on first line antiretroviral therapy. Isolates recovered were Escherichia coli 20 (37.0%), Klebsiella pneumoniae 16 (29.6%), Staphylococcus aureus 8 (14.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 6 (11.1%), and Proteus mirabilis 4 (7.4%). Leucocyturia in 19 (35.2%), nitrituria in 10 (18.5%), and haematuria in 15 (27.8%) subjects with significant bacteriuria were also recorded. Isolates were sensitive to ofloxacin (81.5%), nalidixic acid (74.1%) and cefuroxime (61.1%), while they were resistant to cotrimoxazole (100%), ampicillin (98.1%) and piperacillin (94.4%). Significant difference was observed in the mean CD4 cell count and viral load of subjects with significant bacteriuria compared to those without; 838.6 ± 177.8 versus 1009.9 ± 234.7 cells/μL ( p =0.02), and 10, 360.5 ± 471.0 versus 5, 840.8 ± 563.8 copies/ml ( p =0.003) for CD4 cell count and viral load respectively. Conclusion: This study reported a high prevalence of UTI among HIV infected children and adolescents, especially in those with high viral load. Routine screening for UTI should be offered to HIV infected children and adolescents with high viral load. Keywords: HIV, urinary tract infection, children, adolescents
Mall Shopping Motives and Activities: A Multimethod Approach

ABSTRACT Using ethnographic methods, this study first develops an understanding of the “mall experience” as perceived by Egyptian consumers. An interpretive model of shopper experiences is deduced from the findings and related to shopping activities performed at the mall. The result is 10 different clusters of shopping activities. Based on these qualitative findings, a structured questionnaire was generated in order to test and generalize these findings and the resulting typology of mall shoppers. Seven main shopping motives were identified in subsequent survey research: three functional motives—safety, bargain hunting, and convenience—and four hedonic motives—entertainment, freedom, appreciation of modernity, and self-identity. Measures of the 10 different shopping activities derived in the “mall experience model” were then correlated with the shopping motives derived in the survey. A two-step cluster analysis produced three main clusters of shoppers: family-focused, hedonists, and strivers. These three types of shoppers are further described in terms of their motives, mall activities, and demographic characteristics. The largest number of Egyptian shoppers belonged to the Strivers category.
Large-scale patterns in internal bioerosion of Porites: cross continental shelf trends on the Great Barrier Reef

Internal bioerosion of the coral Porites lobata Dana (Coelenterata, Scleractinia) was examined on 5 reefs across the central region of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia: Orpheus Island, Britomart Reef, Rib Reef, Davies Reef, and Myrmidon Reef. Ninety corals were sliced into discs (n, = 270 replicates) and X-rayed to identify internal bioeroders and quantify the degree of bioerosion caused by each bioeroding group. Total internal bioerosion decreased significantly with distance offshore, across the continental shelf. Abundances of bivalves and sponges decreased the most significantly. Sponges were significantly lower on the outer shelf. Abundance of sipunculans and polychaetes showed only a nomlnal decrease across the shelf. Boring bivalves dominated the inshore area while the relative abundance of sponges increased with &stance from shore. The relative abundance of worms (polychaetes and sipunculans) remained generally constant across the shelf. The explanatory hypothesis is offered that there may be a link between internal bioerosion and the already documented decreasing productivity and increased abundance of grazing fish with distance from shore. Three predictions are also made: (1) that observed changes in internal bioeroders may influence sediment composition across the continental shelf, with inshore sediments being more poorly sorted, and possessing more fines produced by internal bioeroders; (2) that offshore lagoonal sediments may have a greater contribution derived from grazing fish; and (3) that the observed higher levels of bioerosion inshore may increase susceptibility of corals there to dislodgement and fragmentation imposed by physical disturbance.
Decomposing productivity and efficiency among Western Australian grain producers

We provide empirical evidence to decompose productivity growth of a group of producers into technical change and efficiency measures at the farm level. Using four years of farm-level data from forty-five grain producers in the low- to medium-rainfall zone of Western Australia, we decompose productivity numbers to analyze total factor productivity. The results show that producers are generally technical, mix, and scale efficient, but the results for input and output mix efficiencies vary. The outcomes for input mix efficiency suggest that producers face some rigidity in their production decisions. In contrast, output mix efficiency suggests that most producers adjust their output mixes to account for different seasonal conditions and enterprise mixes.