Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of the time-varying sea surface height and heat content trends in the eastern Nordic Seas

Abstract. The Nordic Seas is the main ocean conveyor of heat between the North Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic Ocean. Although the decadal variability of the Subpolar North Atlantic has been given significant attention lately, especially regarding the cooling trend since mid-2000s, less is known about the potential connection downstream in the northern basins. Using sea surface heights from satellite altimetry over the past 25 years (1993–2017), we find significant variability on multiyear-to-decadal time scales in the Nordic Seas. In particular, the regional trends in sea surface height show signs of a slowdown since mid-2000s as compared to the rapid increase in the preceding decade since early 1990s. This change is most prominent in the Atlantic origin waters in the eastern Nordic Seas and is closely linked, as estimated from hydrography, to heat content. Furthermore, we formulate a simple heat budget for the eastern Nordic Seas to discuss the relative importance of local and remote sources of variability; advection of temperature anomalies in the Atlantic inflow is found to be the main mechanism. A conceptual model of ocean heat convergence, with only upstream temperature measurements at the inflow to the Nordic Seas as input, is able to reproduce key aspects of the decadal variability of the Nordic Seas' heat content. Based on these results, we argue that there is a strong connection with the upstream Subpolar North Atlantic. However, although the shift in trends in the mid-2000s is coincident in the Nordic Seas and the Subpolar North Atlantic, the eastern Nordic Seas has not seen a reversal of trends but instead maintain elevated sea surface heights and heat content in the recent decade considered here.
Convergence clubs of economic liberalization in ASEAN, China, and India (Kelab Penumpuan Liberalisasi Ekonomi di ASEAN, China dan India)

The emergence of China and India as major international forces alongside ASEAN has triggered interest in strengthening the economic ties between these countries; hence, this serves as the motivation for this study to embark upon an analysis on economic liberalization and its link to economic growth. The present study also aims to examine the possibility of convergence clubs to exist between ASEAN, China, and India. The pooled mean group (PMG) estimator approach was employed to assess the dynamic effects of economic liberalization, while Phillips and Sul methodology was used to assess the economic possibility of convergence clubs. The empirical evidence supports the positive nexus between economic liberalization and economic growth of ASEAN, China and India for the 1988 to 2014 period. The results also offered support to the hypothesis that not all countries converge to a single equilibrium state, and the results of Philips and Sul's method revealed the existence of three convergence clubs. The first club consists of Singapore and Brunei Darussalam, the second club is represented by Thailand, China, and Indonesia, while the third group comprises of the Philippines, India, Vietnam, Lao PDR, and Myanmar. Interestingly, Malaysia was found to be the only outlier among the selected countries under study.
A review on determinants of depression among adult prisoner

Prisoner tend to be marginalized and deprived that it burdens them with psychological trauma, predominantly depression. This review will identify the determinants of depression among adult inmates. Literatures published from 2012 to March 2017 were searched from various databases. Inclusion criteria were English full text, adults with a diagnosis of depression while exclusion criteria were diagnostic instruments, clinical or drug trials. The review adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement reporting. A total of 168 studies were identified although only 14 studies were eligible for final review. Factors associated with inmates’ depression range from the potentially modifiable to non-modifiable. Recognized modifiable factors were psychological, family support, and environment while non-modifiable were biological, demographic, individual, and social. Determinants identified should be addressed in formulation of better targeting therapy, in terms of both prevention and treatment of depression among inmates.
Construction Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (CMSMEs) Innovations

Abstract Innovation is at the core of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs)/construction micro, small, and medium enterprises (CMSMEs) world over. Be that as it may, the overwhelming sorts of innovation among enduring and effective CMSMEs, and the effects of such innovation(s) on the achievement of the CMSMEs is hazy. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the transcendent sorts of innovation among the successful construction micro, small, and medium enterprises. The examination utilized subjective research technique to exploratively decide the sorts of innovations. Recorded interviews comprised the exploration of information from 43 CMSMEs through 14 states out of the 19 states constituting northern Nigeria. While a semi-structured interview with open-ended questions was utilized to gather information through judgmental and snowballing examining procedure at stage 1 and 2 individually. Information was transcribe interpreted, open and axial codes examined and interpreted. The outcome uncover product innovation as the main type of innovation among different types of innovation and generally in charge of the accomplishment of the CMSMEs considered. The investigation improves the collection of learning regarding basic types of innovations within CMSMEs and proposes that effective CMSMEs give more consideration to product innovation to trigger their prosperity and different types of innovation. Moreover, the aftereffect of the examination proposed failing CMSMEs can endure when they focus on product innovation.
Corporate Governance, Cash Flows, and Bank Performance: Developed and Developing Countries

The purpose of the study is to investigate the impact of corporate governance on bank performance and the mediating role of cash flows between corporate governance and bank performance in developed and developing countries. The study collects data for 2006-2015 for 30 commercial banks operating in five countries (Bangladesh, Malaysia, Pakistan, Australia, and the USA) and applies bank, time (year), and country fixed effects regression analysis to determine the direct impact of corporate governance and cash flows on bank performance. Structural equation modeling is employed to investigate the mediating role of cash flows between corporate governance and bank performance. The results suggest that the impact of corporate governance on bank performance is more significant in developed countries than in developing countries. The results also show that investment cash flows mediate the relationship between corporate governance and bank performance in developed as well as developing countries, while operating cash flows mediate the relationship between bank performance and corporate governance in developing countries only. (JEL: C23, G30, G34)
CMAR_A_196286 6521..6529

*These authors contributed equally to this work Introduction: Since the new 2014 grading system was recommended by the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP), it has been validated in patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa) and it has shown excellent prognostic value. However, its predictive power in high-risk PCa remains unclear. Methods: A total of 420 patients with high-risk PCa who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) were included in this study. Biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS) was set as the endpoint. Results: Biochemical recurrence occurred in 84/420 (20.0%) patients at the end of follow-up. Compared to the three-tier grouping system, the five-tier grouping system could more effectively distinguish the BRFS of patients with higher predictive accuracy (C-index: 0.599 vs 0.646). The BRFS of patients with grade group (GG) 1 and GG 2 was similar (P=0.593). Also, the prognosis between those with GG 2 and GG 3 could be clearly distinguished (P=0.001). However, the discrimination capacity between patients with GG 3 and GG 4 was limited (P=0.681). When tertiary Gleason pattern (TGP5) and intraductal carcinoma of the prostate (IDC-P) were excluded, the HR value of the GG 4 group vs the GG 3 group increased from 1.15 (95% CI: 0.59–2.22) to 1.49 (95% CI: 0.72–3.10) and 1.36 (95% CI:0.65–2.83), respectively. Conclusions: This study is the first to validate the new 2014 ISUP grading system in patients with high-risk PCa who underwent RP. The 2014 system could effectively classify patients into five groups with high predictive accuracy. Notably, the existence of TGP5 and IDC-P needs to be routinely reported in clinical practice, which could help to support the predictive value of the new grading system.
Detection of Micro-Defects on Irregular Reflective Surfaces Based on Improved Faster R-CNN

The detection of defects on irregular surfaces with specular reflection characteristics is an important part of the production process of sanitary equipment. Currently, defect detection algorithms for most irregular surfaces rely on the handcrafted extraction of shallow features, and the ability to recognize these defects is limited. To improve the detection accuracy of micro-defects on irregular surfaces in an industrial environment, we propose an improved Faster R-CNN model. Considering the variety of defect shapes and sizes, we selected the K-Means algorithm to generate the aspect ratio of the anchor box according to the size of the ground truth, and the feature matrices are fused with different receptive fields to improve the detection performance of the model. The experimental results show that the recognition accuracy of the improved model is 94.6% on a collected ceramic dataset. Compared with SVM (Support Vector Machine) and other deep learning-based models, the proposed model has better detection performance and robustness to illumination, which proves the practicability and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Modeling, simulation and operational parameters of dissolved air ̄otation

This paper presents the mathematical formulation of a model for bubble± ̄oc agglomeration in the contact zone of dissolved air ̄otation (DAF). It also contains rising velocity formulae for a bubble± ̄oc agglomerate in the separation zone of DAF. The bubble± ̄oc agglomeration model is based on the population balance of air bubbles, particles, and bubble±particle agglomerates, and the rate of bubble± ̄oc collision and attachment. The model has been designed for two cases: where particles are larger than bubbles and vice versa. The requirements of pre-treatment (coagulation and ̄occulation) and the amount of air as bubbles are discussed, with the support of a model simulation. The air supply±consumption ratio (Asc) is derived as an important static parameter determining DAF performance, and should be greater than 1. The traditional DAF parameter, the air±solid ratio (As), is proportional to the air supply±consumption ratio. The DAF model parameter evaluation suggested that it should be on the order of 0.01 or more. To ensure a sucient bubble± ̄oc collision rate, the DAF model simulation revealed, the kinetic parameter (bubble volume concentration times ̄oc diameter, fbd) should be greater than 6.06 10 m. The performance of DAF in treating a high concentration suspension (4100mg/L) is dependent mainly on the air±solid ratio (or the air supply±consumption ratio). For low concentration suspensions ( 100mg/L), fbd instead of the air±solid ratio is a dominant operational parameter in ensuring an acceptable bubble± ̄oc collision frequency. The bubble volume concentration required for treating a low concentration suspension can be reduced with the increase of ̄oc size by prēocculation.
Impacts of alien plant invasions on water resources and yields from the Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS)

A key motivation for managing invasive alien plant (IAP) species is their impacts on streamflows, which, for the wetter half of South Africa, are about 970 m3∙ha−1∙a−1 or 1 444 mill. m3∙a−1 (2.9% of naturalised mean annual runoff), comparable to forest plantations. However, the implications of these reductions for the reliability of yields from large water supply systems are less well known. The impacts on yields from the WCWSS were modelled under three invasion scenarios: ‘Baseline’ invasions; increased invasions by 2045 under ‘No management’; and under ‘Effective control’ (i.e. minimal invasions). Monthly streamflow reductions (SFRs) by invasions were simulated using the Pitman rainfall−runoff catchment model, with taxon-specific mean annual and low-flow SFR factors for dryland (upland) invasions and crop factors for riparian invasions. These streamflow reduction sequences were input into the WCWSS yield model and the model was run in stochastic mode for the three scenarios. The 98% assured total system yields were predicted to be ±580 million m3∙a−1 under ‘Effective control’, compared with ±542 million m3∙a−1 under ‘Baseline’ invasions and ±450 mill. m3∙a−1 in 45 years’ time with ‘No management’. The ‘Baseline’ invasions already reduce the yield by 38 mill. m3∙a−1 (two thirds of the capacity of the Wemmershoek Dam) and, in 45 years’ time with no clearing, the reductions would increase to 130 mill. m3∙a−1 (capacity of the Berg River Dam). Therefore IAP-related SFRs can have significant impacts on the yields of large, complex water supply systems. A key reason for this substantial impact on yields is that all the catchments in the WCWSS are invaded, and the invasions are increasing. Invasions also will cost more to clear in the future. So, the best option for all the water-users in the WCWSS is a combined effort to clear the catchments and protect their least expensive source of water.
Perceptions and actual behaviours of non-professional interpreters and interpreting users

The notion of the invisible interpreter, once – and for long – an uncontested principle, has recently started to be deconstructed in favour of the image of the interpreter as an active third party in the interaction. This study aims to contribute to this process through an analysis of interpreter visibility in a prison setting using a corpus of 19 interpreted interviews and pre-interview surveys. It describes the self-perceptions of non-professional interpreters and the expectations of interpreting users about the interpreter role, and contrasts these with actual behaviours during the interpreted event. Results indicate that these interpreters tend to perceive themselves as less visible than they in fact are and that interpreters’ visibility in actual interaction is negotiated by all parties through conversational acceptance and rejection mechanisms.
Banking regulation - A study of its effectiveness in reducing risk in European banks

We gathered a dataset of 24 European banks from 10 different countries in order to test the effectiveness of European banking regulation through a fixed effects panel regression. Our results suggest that increased capital requirements, tier 1 capital ratio, and more supervisory power lead to higher bank risk. We also found that increased activity restrictions lead to lower risk, however, the coefficient estimate is not statistically significant. For the bank-specific and macro controls we find that return on assets and unemployment rate are the best predictors of bank risk. A higher return on assets will lead to lower risk while a higher unemployment rate leads to higher risk. We conclude that regulatory measures employed during this period were not effective in reducing risk. This thesis is a part of the MSc programme at BI Norwegian Business School. The school takes no responsibility for the methods used, results found, or conclusions drawn. 1011856 0967262 GRA 19703
3D Printed Models Offer Superior Advantages in Medical Student Education

each station before proceeding to the next one. When students arrived at the 3D printed model station, they were asked to complete a pre-and post-intervention survey with the aim of assessing their knowledge and understanding of cardiac lesions, as well as their opinion towards the educational benefit of each modality (presented at each station). Results showed that student’s knowledge was significantly improved for every cardiac lesion (p<0.001) after the use of 3D printed models. There was a strong positive correlation between the mean knowledge increase and improved understanding of the complexity of CHD (p=0.03). Regarding the preferred teaching tools in CHD, pathology, 3D printed models and spoken explanation were ranked as the most helpful teaching methods with 80.7%, 74.2% and 65% of students rating them as the top 3 choices, respectively. Further, students strongly agreed that 3D printed models increased their confidence in explaining and understanding congenital heart anatomy and disease when compared to other modalities (mean score: 4.24 ± 0.69 out of 5).
Changes in Total Polyphenol Content and Antioxidant Capacity of Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) from Spring to Autumn

Total polyphenol content and antioxidant/reducing capacity of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) leaves and roots collected from wild-grown plants were investigated during the vegetation period. From both fresh and dried samples of leaves and roots, water extracts were prepared by brewing at 60, 80 and 100 °C for 3 hours, and ethanolic extracts of 20 % (v/v) and 70 % (v/v) by extracting at room temperature for 72 hours. The total polyphenol content was determined spectrophotometrically with Folin-Cioceltau reagent and the antioxidant capacity was measured by ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) assay. Our results showed that the optimal harvest time is in the spring (April). Water extracts had the highest total polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity in this period. The amount of valuable compounds released increased by higher extraction temperature in both plant parts. In water extracts of nettle leaves, two times higher polyphenol content was obtained than in that of roots. Both kind of ethanolic extractions resulted in a higher polyphenol content in the leaves harvested in the spring period. For the roots, it was higher for samples collected in the autumn, which is also reflected in the values of antioxidant capacity. Water extracts of fresh leaves harvested in April had more than twice higher total polyphenol content than in October. For dried samples, raising the temperature did not cause a significant change in the total polyphenol content, however, it has resulted in increased antioxidant capacity both for the dried leaf and root samples.
An explorative study of current strategies to reduce sedentary behaviour in hospital wards

Prolonged sitting (or sedentary behaviour—SB) has profound detrimental effects on health and is associated with increased risk of chronic disease, hospitalisation and premature death. However, while in hospital, a person will spend the vast majority of the day sitting or lying down. A number of strategies have started to be implemented to counteract this phenomenon and get patients up and moving. This is the first explorative study that used device-based measurements of the postural physical activity of older hospitalised adults taking part in such initiatives. A total of 43 patients, mean age 83.8y (SD 8.3), wore a waterproofed activity monitor (activPAL3) for 4 days (including overnight); physical activity was analysed for waking hours. Interventions designed to get patients up and moving were introduced sequentially. Participants were grouped based on the highest level of intervention they received. There were 4 groups: “control” (n = 12), “education” (advice on SB reduction via infographics on the ward noticeboards, n = 12), “#endpjparalysis” (up and dressed by the nurses before 11: 30 am, n = 9), “personalised activity passports” (agreed by Occupational Therapists and other members of the multidisciplinary team with patients, on SB reduction, n = 10). ANOVA revealed the absence of any differences between the 4 groups for total sitting time (p = 0.989), time spent upright (standing and walking) (p = 0.700), number of sitting events (i.e. sit to stand transitions) (p = 0.418) and longest upright period (p = 0.915). This small explorative study of sequential initiatives within a ward setting to reduce SB found they were not successful. The cross-sectional service-improvement nature of the study limited the ability to assess change in individuals as interventions were introduced. Further work is warranted to untangle the determinants of SB in hospital settings and implement interventions of sustainable SB change in this setting.
Anemia Prevalence after Iron Supplementation among Pregnant Women in Midwifes Practice of Primary Health Care Facilities in Eastern Indonesia

Background Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in pregnant women is common, and iron supplementation is given during pregnancy to reduce birth complication. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of anemia and type of anemia after iron supplementation among pregnant women in the eastern part of Indonesia. Methods A cross-sectional study design was conducted between January and March 2019 in three Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities at Kupang, West Timor. After consent, pregnant women who had taken their iron supplementation for at least 3 months were asked for iron pills intake by using a self-designed questionnaire and by counting the pills leftover. Complete blood count examination was performed, and the type of anemia was assessed using Shine and Lal index (SLI; MCV ∗ MCV ∗ MCH/100) to determine whether anemia was due to iron deficiency or β-thalassemia trait (β-TT). In a subset of iron tablets distributed in the PHCs, Fe-concentration was measured. Results Of 102 pregnant women included, only 25.5% had taken the pills with a pill count of >80%. Interestingly, Fe-concentration in the pills from three different PHC facilities varied between 75% and 100%. After iron supplementation, however, anemia was detected in 34.3%, and based on SLI, 14.7% was suspected because of iron deficiency and 19.6% was suspective of β-TT. Of note, nonanemic pregnant women (17.6%) had also low SLI, suggesting β-TT or other hemoglobinopathies. Conclusion Assessment of Shine and Lal index as the first step to screen the type of anemia in pregnant women from a limited area is of potential value, especially because Indonesia is located in the thalassemia belt area. An integrative approach and counseling among pregnant women with β-TT and their partners will increase thalassemia awareness and optimal birth management.