Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An attempt to estimate parameters useful for establishing a normal range for peak nasal inspiratory flow

Introduction : Measurement of peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) has gained wide acceptance among clinicians due to its simplicity. Unfortunately, due to the lack of reference values, a single measurement does not provide any relevant information on the degree of nasal obstruction. We have therefore attempted to evaluate parameters that would be useful for establishing reference ranges for PNIF. Material and methods : The study was a part of an epidemiological study ECAP ( Epidemiologia Chorob Alergicznych w Polsce [ The Epidemiology of Allergic Diseases in Poland ]). Inhabitants of Wroclaw, Poland, aged 6–7, 13–14 and 20–45 years were randomly selected for the study. All the subjects had their medical history taken and their PNIF measured (using an In-Check inspiratory flow meter manufactured by Clement-Clark). Patients with a diagnosis of rhinitis and/or asthma were excluded from the study. In each subject, the highest of the five measurements (PNIF MAX) was included in the analysis. Results : A total of 221 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. PNIF MAX differed significantly between females and males. A significant correlation was observed between height and PNIF MAX, although no such correlation was found between age and PNIF MAX. For this reason, in order to establish a reference range for PNIF, a regression equation that included sex and height was analysed. The following relationship was arrived at: PNIF MAX = –137.7 – 22.5x + 1.7y, where x is the sex (1 for females and 0 for males) and y is the height. The coefficient of determination (R 2 ) for this relationship was 0.45, which means that the regression equation explains about 45% of the observed variability of PNIF MAX. Conclusions : We found that PNIF MAX correlated with sex and height and that it did not correlate with age. The difficulties in establishing normal ranges for PNIF are most likely due to the differences in nasal anatomy between the subjects. Pneumonol. Alergol. Pol. 2011; 79, 5: 320–325
Spatial analysis of shell parameters suggests low species number of Mastus (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Enidae) in central and eastern Crete

Contrasting views in recent literature set the species number of the land snail Mastus in Crete (Greece) between 3 and over 17. In order to contribute to a better understanding of the spatial complexity of the genus, a biogeographical approach was employed in central and eastern Crete (6,000 km) where distribution patterns of shell parameters of 1,600 samples totalling 5,500 specimens were analysed and evaluated at a 2 km scale. The results support grouping of the central and eastern Cretan populations in five obviously independent and genetically separated systematic entities, which are referred to as species. M. cretensis (Pfeiffer) and M. sitiensis Maassen are widely distributed in Crete. M. abundans Maassen, M. gittenbergeri Maassen and M. violacea Maassen occupy smaller ranges which largely conform with those of endemic species of the clausiliid Albinaria. The conclusions are only partly in agreement with the previous results of anatomical studies, but are consistent with predictions based on species-area relation data.
A Comparison of Machine Learning Algorithms in Opinion Polarity Classification of Customer Reviews

In this paper we analyze reviews written by customers of an online shop, by employing opinion polarity classification on document level using five machine learning algorithms: Na¨ive Bayes, Support Vector Machine, Neural networks, C4.5 algorithm and classifier based on maximum entropy. We achieved the best results using Support Vector Machine algorithm (accuracy=0.845) and maximum entropy classifier (accuracy=0.84). Although those results are not as good as results that can be achieved in topic-based categorization, compared to similar researches in opinion polarity classification, they indicate a relatively good predictive performance of classical machine learning algorithms.
Effect of Altering Parent Sex Ratio on Egg Laying and Subsequent Development in Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Different male and female sex ratios were compared in the parent population of Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) to standardize its laboratory rearing and to use it as fictitious host of beneficial insects. Egg laying and percent egg hatching was decreased significantly with the increase in number of males to one female as compared to pairing of one male and one female (control). The highest decrease in fecundity was 20% and in hatching 7% when five males were paired with one female. On the other side, egg laying and hatching was significantly decreased when female number was increased in pairing to one male. In 1:5 (male: female) egg laying per female and hatching percentage was decreased to 61% and 9.8% respectively, over control. There was a significant increase in egg laying and percent egg hatching when males and females were increased in equal ratio in pairing as compared to control. At 150: 150 ratio (male: female) egg laying was 2.5 fold over control, whereas percent hatching was 90% and at par to control. Changes in developmental parameters as adult's longevity, larval and pupal periods and Fi male to female ratio were non-significant in all treated sex ratios.
HOMOLOGY MODELING OF ARYL HYDROCARBON RECEPTOR AND DOCKING OF AGONISTS AND ANTAGONISTS

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ah receptor or AhR) is a nuclear receptor, located in the cytoplasm. Because of its association with carcinogenicity, the AhR has become a critical receptor for identifying the unknown endocrine disruptors. The experimental 3D structure of the receptor is not available. This calls for the creation of the homology model of the Ligand-binding Domain (LBD) for the purpose of application of the structurebased methods. High affinity heterodimer of HIF2 alpha and ARNT C-terminal PAS domain was used as a template for the development of Homology model. The generated model was evaluated stereochemically and validated further by docking a set of known agonists and antagonists into the modeled LBD of mouse AhR. An attempt has been made to explain the observed experimental binding affinities and the site-directed mutagenesis data as reported in the literature with the results of docking. The results of docking of antagonists indicate that these form distinct H-bonds with the receptor as against the agonists where hydrophobic interactions have predominated. The model can be used for the screening of ligands for AhR binding activity.
Fueling Innovation through Information Technology in SMEs*

This paper describes a study that investigates the mediating effects of information technology (IT) on the relationships among product and process innovations and firm performance (measured in multiple profitability and growth rate metrics). Using structural equation modeling on a sample of 397 small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), we find evidence that (1) increases on the strategic emphasis placed on innovation, both product and process, positively impact the prominence managers place on IT; (2) the impact of innovation (both product and process) on performance (both profitability and growth) is primarily indirect, felt via the mechanism of the importance managers place on IT; and (3) an increased emphasis on IT abets managers' perception of their firms' performance, as compared with that observed among peer firms (other SMEs).
The Effect of Investor Sentiment on Stock Returns: Insight from Emerging Asian Markets

This paper investigates the link between investor sentiment and stock returns in emerging Asian markets. Two dimensions of sentiment are examined: stock specific sentiment and market wide sentiment. Using panel regression with firm fixed effects, we show that stock specific sentiment strongly and positively affects stock returns after controlling for firm characteristics. Overall, there is a positive relationship between market wide sentiment and returns but the relationship does not hold at the country level. For individual countries, we detect substantial country-to-country variations in the influence of market wide sentiment on returns. The evidence also suggests that stock specific sentiment may have a greater influence on returns than market specific sentiment. Furthermore, the effect of investor sentiment on stock returns in emerging Asian markets generally persists after accounting for macroeconomic factors.
A Direct, Approximate Solution to the Modified Green-Ampt Infiltration Equation

Accurately predicting the rainfall-runoff process is of vital importance for water quality models as well as for correct design of various types of hydraulic structures. This article presents a method of describing the cumulative infiltration process as an explicit function of time using an approximation to the modified Green-Ampt equation given by Mein and Larson (1971). The resulting equation is helpful in predicting cumulative infiltration and therefore infiltration capacity for computer simulation models. The proposed method takes about 50% less time than the usual iterative technique for the same degree of accuracy. The maximum error due to approximation was 1% and generally the error was much less, making this solution acceptable for most practical problems.
Concept of an ecologically balanced area based on Ecological Footprint

As environmental problems increase on a global scale, a framework must be established to achieve environmental balance. Because the power of local governments is rising as a result of decentralization in Japan, local governments must shoulder the responsibility of dealing with environmental consumption within a region and set up a suitable system for an area. This study examines an ecologically balanced area based on the balance of environmental productivity and consumption capacity. Using a case study approach examining Ibaraki prefecture in Japan, which has been influenced strongly by Tokyo because of its location in the national capital region, it is possible to explain how the concept promotes understanding of ecological productivity and consumption. The study evaluated the Ecological Footprint (EF) of all 44 municipalities in Ibaraki prefecture and connected municipalities with a high environmental load with a low environmental load as one area. To the lower one, the higher one pays for its obligation for environmental management. Results of a case study demonstrated a method to let the designed areas manage their environment voluntarily and to promote local production for local consumption through interregional cooperation. This concept used in environmental planning will improve the ecological balance. The conclusions show that most municipalities in Ibaraki prefecture are not ecologically balanced and that the environmental consumption of the area is influenced by the positional relation with Tokyo metropolitan district. The median value of environmental load excess ratio of all municipalities was designed as a reduction goal in ecologically balanced areas. Consequently, the 44 municipalities in Ibaraki prefecture were formed into 11 areas, with four municipalities left without matching with the others.
Interacting dark sector and precision cosmology

We consider a recently proposed model in which dark matter interacts with a thermal background of dark radiation. Dark radiation consists of relativistic degrees of freedom which allow larger values of the expansion rate of the universe today to be consistent with CMB data (H0-problem). Scattering between dark matter and radiation suppresses the matter power spectrum at small scales and can explain the apparent discrepancies between ΛCDM predictions of the matter power spectrum and direct measurements of Large Scale Structure LSS (σ8-problem). We go beyond previous work in two ways: 1. we enlarge the parameter space of our previous model and allow for an arbitrary fraction of the dark matter to be interacting and 2. we update the data sets used in our fits, most importantly we include LSS data with full k-dependence to explore the sensitivity of current data to the shape of the matter power spectrum. We find that LSS data prefer models with overall suppressed matter clustering due to dark matter - dark radiation interactions over ΛCDM at 3–4 σ. However recent weak lensing measurements of the power spectrum are not yet precise enough to clearly distinguish two limits of the model with different predicted shapes for the linear matter power spectrum. In two appendices we give a derivation of the coupled dark matter and dark radiation perturbation equations from the Boltzmann equation in order to clarify a confusion in the recent literature, and we derive analytic approximations to the solutions of the perturbation equations in the two physically interesting limits of all dark matter weakly interacting or a small fraction of dark matter strongly interacting.
Optimum choice of RF frequency for two beam linear colliders

Recent experimental results on normal conducting RF structures indicate that the scaling of the gradient limit with frequency is less favourable than was believed. We therefore reconsider the optimum choice of RF frequency and iris aperture for a normal conducting, two-beam linear collider with E/sub CMS/=3 TeV, a loaded accelerating gradient of 150 MV/m and a luminosity of 8/spl middot/10/sup 34/cm/sup -2/s/sup -1/. The optimisation criterion is minimizing RF costs for investment and operation with constraints put on peak surface electric fields and pulsed heating of accelerating structures. Analytical models are employed where applicable, while interpolation of simulation program results is used for the calculation of luminosity and RF structure properties.
Grey seal diet at the southern limit of its European distribution: combining dietary analyses and fatty acid profiles

The north-east Atlantic grey seal, Halichoerus grypus, is widely distributed along the European coastline from northern Russia to France, with the core population centred around Scotland. To date, very little is known of the diet of the species at the southern margin of the species range. However, because grey seal numbers have been increasing over the last few decades in France, the issue of their potential interactions with coastal fisheries is frequently raised. The diet of grey seal in the Molène Archipelago was investigated by combining scat, stomach content and fatty acid analyses, since all three approaches have complementary potentials to reveal feeding habits of a predator. A total of 145 scats mostly of moulting adult males, 14 stomach contents of yearlings and 14 blubber samples from animals of all ages were analysed following standard methodologies. Scats revealed a diet mainly constituted of 50.6% by mass (M) of wrasse, Labridae (mostly Labrus bergylta), 20.7%M conger eel, Conger conger, and 11.9%M sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax. Stomach contents were made up of 52.3%M cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis, 9.5%M sole, Solea solea, and 9.4 %M conger eel. All these prey are different from the diet observed in core areas. Fatty acid analysis from the blubber confirmed that the diet differed between the Molène Archipelago and one of the Scottish breeding sites. It also showed that most of the inter-individual variability was explained by variation in seal body masses, which could be linked to behavioural ontogeny of foraging strategies. Most of the prey species identified in the food of the grey seal in Brittany are also targeted by professional and/or recreational fisheries in the area; additionally, several prey size-ranges also partly overlap with marketed size-ranges for several species.
Impact of universal childhood vaccination against hepatitis B in Ghana: A pilot study

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is of public health importance worldwide. Vaccination against the infection, especially in early childhood has significantly reduced the public health impact. This pilot study was undertaken in Cape Coast Metropolitan area to assess the impact of the introduction of HBV vaccination in children. A cross-sectional multi-stage cluster sampling of 501 pupils from 30 public and private primary and junior high schools within the Cape Coast metropolis. A questionnaire covering basic demographic details and immunisation history were administered to the participants after consent and assent had been sought. Hepatitis B serological test for HBsAg, HBcAb, HBsAb, HBeAg and HbeAb was undertaken using Hepatitis B test kit and capillary blood from the participants. The general prevalence of HBcAb, HBsAg and HBsAb was found to be 3.6, 2.6 and 19.8% respectively. The prevalence of HBcAb was 2.6 and 6.1% among pupils delivered after and before the vaccine programme introduction respectively. Introduction of the vaccination programme in Ghana has had a positive impact on the HBV infection in Ghana
A Possible Cause of the Siberian LIPs: "Collisions Aggrgation Effect" of an Aerolite Impact

The authors believe that the main reason for the formation of the Siberian LIPs may be the nonlinear "Collisions Aggregation Effect" caused by a meteorite impact in the Falkland Plateau crater or Wilkes Land crater, and the correspondence of the Falkland Plateau crater may be better. As a result, the authors have reached the following conclusions and understandings: 1. The late Permian: the siberian LIPs are in the Siberian plate at 60°N, 80°E; the Falkland Plateau crater is located in the southwestern corner of the Gondwana, about at 70°S, 30°E, at the southernmost point of the South American plates, close to the southern orogenic belt of the South America and the stress state of the Falkland Plateau crater may be under pressure; the Wilkes Land crater may be located at 60°S, 110°E, at the eastern Antarctic continent, close to the Australian plate, is not located in the orogenic belt and the stress state of the Wilkes Land crater should not be pressure-type, but is in a wide range of ice covered area; 2. Figure 6 and 7 show the location relationship between the Siberian LIPs and Falkland Plateau crater or Wilkes Land crater does not have a antipodal characteristic, nor have a linear "Collisions Aggregation Effect" profile, but have a nonlinear "Collisions Aggregation Effect" distribution, the Falkland Plateau crater correspondence may be better; 3. Whether or not the Falkland Plateau crater or Wilkes Land crater was finally confirmed as a true meteorite crater, their relationships with the Siberian LIPs should have a nonlinear distribution of "Collisions Aggregation Effect" when the time they formed close to the Siberian LIPs, and is the main reason for the formation of the Siberian LIPs. The velocity vector direction of the meteorite impact may have a smaller angle of impact, and significantly eastward (relative to the Earth's center); 4. About the celestial body which its impact can form LIPs or cause the formation of LIPs, it should have: the impact time should be earlier than LIPs or almost simultaneously; a certain size; the "impact point" and the LIPs distribution area have the "Collisions Aggregation Effect" distribution characteristics; 5. Figure 2 shows a possible formation model about LIPs of a celestial body collision: due to the violent impact of a celestial body, created a tectonic weakness in the crust, even up to the crust-mantle boundary, a fault zone pointing to the Earth's center, and a radial spherical fracture group at the "impact point" or "collisions aggregation point"; the magma originating from the mantle intrude along the weak zone under pressure, a large number of magma invaded and gathered in the radial spherical fracture group, causing the overlying strata rising slowly, forming a dome and a similar head-tail structure of the mantle plume that the head dilated, tail slender deep into the mantle on the longitudinal.
Buckling and Initial Postbuckling Behavior of Sandwich Beams Including Transverse Shear

An asymptotic solution is presented for the buckling and initial postbuckling behavior of sandwich beams. The effect of transverse shear is included, and the shear correction is calculated from energy equivalency. The asymptotic procedure is based on the nonlinear beam equation (with transverse shear included ), and closed-form solutions are derived for the critical load and for the load and midpoint dee ection and axial shortening vs applied compressiveload during theinitial postbuckling phase.Illustrativeresultsarepresented fora few typical sandwich construction cone gurations, in particular, with regard to the effect of face sheet and core material system. Nomenclature A = total cross-sectional area c = subscript for the core E = Young’ s modulus e = distance of the neutral axis of the section from the core midline . EI/eq = equivalent rigidity f1 = subscript for the top face sheet f2 = subscript for the bottom face sheet G = shear modulus N G = “ effective” shear modulus of the section L = beam length P = axial force Pcr = critical load s = distance along the dee ected beam V = shear force (normal to the dee ected beam axis) v = vertical displacement ® = shear correction coefe cient ¯ = slope of the dee ected beam axis °eq = equivalent for the section shear angle µ = rotation of the cross section due to bending
Determinants of Corporate Dividend Policy in India: A Dynamic Panel Data Analysis

The present study empirically examines the determinants of dividend policy of National Stock Exchange (NSE) listed firms in India, using dynamic panel data model for the sample of 95 NSE listed firms with continuous dividend payments from 2012/2013 to 2017/2018. The empirical results reveal that profitability, liquidity, leverage, risk, size of the firm and inflation are the major determinants of dividend policy of selected NSE listed firms in India. Findings deduced from empirical evidence bears testimony to the fact that profitability, liquidity, size of the firm and inflation have significant negative impact on dividend policy of the selected NSE firms covered by the study. These findings seem contradictory to the expected outcome contained in the existing literature on the Indian context. The risk variable tends to have negative and significant impact, which is line with the existing literature. Besides, the lagged dividend, investment opportunities, taxation and yield curve do not play significant role in determining the dividend policy.
Seismic Analysis of the Garmrood Embankment Dam with Asphaltic Concrete Core

ABSTRACT The seismic behaviour of asphaltic concrete core dam under earthquake loads has been studied. The study consists of three parts; element tests on asphalt concrete, numerical analysis and some model tests. In the first part, a series of triaxial monotonic and cyclic tests were performed at the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI)'s laboratory to determine the geotechnical parameters of asphalt concrete. Then, numerical analyses were carried out for Garmrood dam in Iran with a height of 110 m. The different stages of construction and impounding were analyzed using a hyperbolic stress-strain model. The dynamic analysis was then performed using two different models; nonlinear elasto-plastic material model and an equivalent linear method followed by the Newmark approach to estimate the permanent displacements. Finally, some 1-g model shaking table tests were performed on a typical rockfill dam to have a qualitative picture of the modes of seismic behaviour of an asphaltic concrete core rockfill dam. Element tests result shows that the asphaltic concrete is resistant to earthquake excitations and the earthquake has to be very strong to cause any detrimental cracking or material degradation of the properties of a ductile asphaltic concrete. In addition, the obtained results from numerical analysis and model tests show the appropriate response of the dam during and after earthquake caused shaking.