Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The relationship between the North Atlantic Oscillation and the Silk Road pattern in summer

The Silk Road pattern (SRP), which is the leading mode of upper-tropospheric meridional wind anomalies over the midlatitude Eurasia, has been widely used to explain the impacts of the summer North Atlantic Oscillation (SNAO) on East Asian climate. However, the relationship between the SNAO and SRP has not been fully elaborated yet. This study classifies the SNAO into two categories according to whether it is closely associated with the SRP or not: the strongly-linked category and weakly-linked category, on the interannual timescale. The SNAO of the strongly-linked category is featured by its concentrated and significant southern pole over the northwestern Europe, and corresponding significant negative (positive) precipitation and upper-tropospheric wind convergence (divergence) anomalies over the northwestern Europe. The wind convergence (divergence) anomalies directly induce the positive (negative) planetary vortex stretching anomalies, which contribute overwhelmingly to positive (negative) Rossby wave source anomalies of the northwestern Europe. These Rossby wave source anomalies, acting as disturbances, further inspire circulation anomalies of surrounding regions, including meridional wind anomalies over the Caspian Sea, which are crucial for the SRP formation. Resultantly the downstream SRP are triggered. All these essential features responsible for a strong SNAO-SRP linkage are weak for the weakly-linked category. The SNAO-SRP correspondence on the inter-decadal timescale is also discussed, and generally similar results are found. Results suggest the importance of shapes for the SNAO southern pole (including the location, the space extent, and the intensity) in determining whether the SNAO can closely link the SRP. Therefore, the shapes of SNAO southern pole should be concerned in the discussion on SNAO’s remote impacts.
Daptomycin Population Pharmacokinetics in Patients Affected by Severe Gram-Positive Infections: An Update

Daptomycin pharmacokinetics may not depend on renal function only and it significantly differs between healthy volunteers and severely ill patients. Herein, we propose a population pharmacokinetics model based on 424 plasma daptomycin concentrations collected from 156 patients affected by severe Gram-positive infections during a routine therapeutic drug monitoring protocol. Model building and validation were performed using NONMEM 7.2 (ICON plc), Xpose4 and Perl-speaks-to-NONMEM. The final pop-PK model was a one-compartment first-order elimination model, with a 2.7% IIV for drug clearance (Cl), influence of creatinine clearance on drug clearance and of sex on distribution volume. After model validation, we simulated 10,000 patients with the Monte-Carlo method to predict the efficacy and tolerability of different daptomycin daily dosages. For the most common 6 mg/kg daily dose, the simulated probability of overcoming the toxic minimum concentration (24.3 mg/L) was 14.8% and the efficacy (expressed as a cumulative fraction of response) against methicillin-resistant S. aureus, S. pneumoniae and E. faecium was 95.77%, 99.99% and 68%, respectively. According to the model-informed precision dosing paradigm, pharmacokinetic models such as ours could help clinicians to perform patient-tailored antimicrobial dosing and maximize the odds of therapy success without neglecting toxicity risks.
Summen n-ter Potenzen in Körpern.

Die Artinsche Lösung des 17. Hilbertschen Problems beruht wesentlich auf einer damals neuartigen Kennzeichnung der Quadratsummen in Körpern. Artin zeigte, daß die Quadratsummen mit den in allen Anordnungen positiven Elementen des Körpers übereinstimmen. Dieser Zusammenhang gestattete es, die Untersuchung lokal, nämlich in Bezug auf jeweils eine Anordnung durchzuführen. In Gegenstand und Methode ist die vorliegende Arbeit eine unmittelbare Fortentwicklung der Untersuchungen von Artin über Quadratsummen. Allgemeiner als bei Artin werden für jede natürliche Zahl n Summen w-ter Potenzen in Körpern untersucht, und zur Untersuchung dieser Summen ziehen wir verallgemeinerte Anordnungen — die Ordnungen fl-ter Stufe — heran. Entsprechend der Rolle von Anordnungen wird auch durch die Ordnungen «-ter Stufe eine lokale Untersuchung der Summen w-ter Potenzen in Körpern ermöglicht.
The Observed Impact of the South Asian Summer Monsoon on Land-Atmosphere Heat Transfers and Its Inhomogeneity over the Tibetan Plateau

To promote Tibetan meteorological research, the third Tibetan Plateau (TP) Experiment for atmospheric sciences (TIPEX III) has been carried out over the plateau region since 2014, with near-surface heat fluxes measured at different sites. Using the observational data of near-surface heat fluxes measured at 8 plateau stations in TIPEX III, as well as the ECMWF ERA Interim reanalysis data, the land-atmosphere heat transfers over different regions of TP and their responses to the South Asian summer monsoon (SASM) during active/break periods were investigated. Inhomogeneity was found in the land-atmosphere heat transfers over the plateau, with large differences among plateau stations. During the observation period, the daily averaged total heat transfer (the sum of sensible and latent heat flux) varied from 70.2 to 101.2 Wm−2 among the 8 plateau stations, with the sensible heat flux from 18.8 to 60.1 Wm−2 and the latent heat flux from 10.1 to 74.7 Wm−2. These heat transfers were strongly affected by the SASM evolution, but with strong inhomogeneities over the plateau stations. Overall, the more southern station locations exhibited more SASM impacts. The land-atmosphere heat transfers (the total, sensible and latent heat fluxes) were greatly weakened/strengthened during the SASM active/break period at Namco (southeast plateau), Baingoin (central plateau), Lhari (central plateau), and Nagqu (central plateau), which were closely related to the weakened/strengthened radiation conditions. However, the SASM impacts were quite small or even negligible for the other plateau stations, which complicated our conclusions, and further investigations are still needed.
“There’s a Reason for all the Numbers”: Using a Literacy Framework in Enabling Education to Bridge the Gap Between Low Adult Numeracy Levels and Undergraduate Mathematics

If the Australian government is going to reach its target of 40% of 25–34-year-olds attaining a bachelor degree by 2025, it is critical that enabling courses are properly situated to bridge the gap between the alarmingly low numeracy of the adult population, and the mathematical or quantitative literacy (QL) required for undergraduate study. Yet, however, there is no single, widely accepted model for building the QL of adult learners. Data from students in one enabling course at a regional Australian university was analysed to identify potential congruence between students’ understandings of their mathematics learning and the key elements of the four resources model (4RM), widely used to teach literacy in K-12 environments. Results showed that the 4RM can be mapped on to students’ existing understandings, suggesting the model has strong potential for developing enabling curriculum and helping students prepare for undergraduate mathematics.
Website Aesthetic in Millenial’s Customer Experience on Satisfaction and Impulse Buying: EWOM as Moderator

Various online website marketplaces attract consumers to experience a good and visually pleasing shopping experience, especially for the young age group in generation Y or millennials. This study was made to explore the effect of online shopping experience in terms of aesthetics on customer satisfaction and impulse buying with eWOM as moderation. Through this study, there is a goal to contribute in explaining the importance of website aesthetics in the consumer shopping experience by adding eWOM for the millennial group which can affect customer satisfaction and impulse buying. The research was conducted by collecting data through a survey using a questionnaire distributed online. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Model- Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS). The findings in this study are first, good aesthetics can directly increase customer satisfaction, and second, aesthetics influence impulse buying. The research implication, so that companies can set up the eWOM area as an active and positive means for customers to exchange and share their own opinions about the online shopping experience.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrochemical Activities of Ruthenium(II) Bipyridyl-Dithiocarbamate Complexes

Five heteroleptic ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes [Ru(FL1)(dcbpy)(NCS)] (1), [Ru(FL2)(dcbpy)(NCS)] (2), [Ru(FL3)(dcbpy)(NCS)] (3), [Ru(FL1)(dcbpy)(NCS)] (4), and [Ru(FL5)(dcbpy)(NCS)] (5) (where FL1 = aniline dithiocarbamate, FL2 = p-anisidine dithiocarbamate, FL3 = p-toluidine dithiocarbamate, FL4 = dibenzyl dithiocarbamate, and FL5 = diphenyl dithiocarbamate, dcbpy =2, 2 ′ -bipyridine-4,4 ′ -dicarboxylic acid, NCS = ammonium thiocyanate) have been synthesized and characterized with melting point, FTIR, UV-Vis, photoluminescence, and NMR (1H and 13C NMR) techniques, while the electrochemical activities of the complexes were studied using cyclic voltammetry. The FTIR of the heteroleptic complexes showed successful coordination of the ligands to ruthenium(II) ion, while the UV-Vis confirmed six coordinate octahedral geometry of the complexes, and the photoluminescence gave the photophysical properties with high intensities indicating potentials for dye sensitization. The electrochemical activities of the ruthenium(II) complexes showed redox potentials which could enhance the dye-sensitizing abilities.
Consequences of income concentration for democratic processes in contemporary Western and comparable societies: Evidence for OECD countries, 2017–2019

The study focuses on the relation of economic inequality and political democracy, specifically exploring the democratic consequences of income concentration. It places income concentration among a composite of factors of democracy and considers democracy within a set of results of economic inequality. The study first surveys how the relationship of income and other economic inequality to democracy is theorized and researched in sociology and economics. It then outlines a conceptual framework for analyzing economic inequality’s relationship with and especially net balance of consequences for democracy. It collects and analyzes cross-national data by empirical analyses and reports and discusses the results. Its key result is that income inequality is consequential mostly in an adverse way for political democracy and social freedom. The article’s intended contribution is to better understanding and explaining the relations of economic inequality to democracy among contemporary societies.
Modeling blended cement concrete tensile creep for standard ring test application

The tensile creep of concrete with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) is investigated in this paper. A total of 21 series of tensile creep tests using dog‐bone specimens under uniaxial tensile loading have been carried out. The cement replacement rates considered were 30% fly ash, 40% and 60% GGBFS. The characteristic compressive strength of concrete was ranging from 25 to 100 MPa. The tests were conducted from the age of 2 days until 28 days. It is observed that the tensile creep of fly ash concretes was slightly lower than that of the reference mixtures without SCM. For GGBFS concrete, the higher the GGBFS content, the higher the tensile creep. Existing creep models, originally developed for creep in compression, could not predict the experimental tensile creep results. Thus, a new tensile creep model was proposed including creep prediction for concrete with fly ash and GGBFS. The new model was calibrated only for controlled environmental conditions (23°C and 50% RH) and has been validated by analyzing the development of concrete tensile stress in the restrained ring test.
On the Limitations of Manipulation Checks: An Obstacle Toward Cumulative Science

Manipulation checks do not allow ruling out or accepting alternative explanations of causal effects (Sigall & Mills, 1998). In order to gauge the influence of this argument on current research practices, we surveyed the views of researchers on manipulation checks. Results confirmed that a manipulation check still stands as a totem of experimental rigor. Except in rare circumstances, such as when pilot testing, manipulation checks do not provide information relevant to construct validity. While it seems cost free to include seemingly informative manipulation checks, we claim it is actually costly because it wrongly enhances subjective confidence in the validity of research findings. We conclude that manipulation checks may hinder efforts to adopt a cumulative culture and practice of hypothesis testing.
Towards autonomous and optimal excavation of shield machine: a deep reinforcement learning-based approach

Autonomous excavation operation is a major trend in the development of a new generation of intelligent tunnel boring machines (TBMs). However, existing technologies are limited to supervised machine learning and static optimization, which cannot outperform human operation and deal with ever changing geological conditions and the long-term performance measure. The aim of this study is to resolve the problem of dynamic optimization of the shield excavation performance, as well as to achieve autonomous optimal excavation. In this study, a novel autonomous optimal excavation approach that integrates deep reinforcement learning and optimal control is proposed for shield machines. Based on a first-principles analysis of the machine-ground interaction dynamics of the excavation process, a deep neural network model is developed using construction field data consisting of 1.1 million samples. The multi-system coupling mechanism is revealed by establishing an overall system model. Based on the overall system analysis, the autonomous optimal excavation problem is decomposed into a multi-objective dynamic optimization problem and an optimal control problem. Subsequently, a dimensionless multi-objective comprehensive excavation performance measure is proposed. A deep reinforcement learning method is used to solve for the optimal action sequence trajectory, and optimal closed-loop feedback controllers are designed to achieve accurate execution. The performance of the proposed approach is compared to that of human operation by using the construction field data. The simulation results show that the proposed approach not only has the potential to replace human operation but also can significantly improve the comprehensive excavation performance.
Cáncer De Mama En México: Una Prioridad Apremiante (Breast Cancer in Mexico: An Urgent Priority)

Breast cancer is a serious threat to the health of women globally and an unrecognized priority in middle-income countries. This paper presents data from Mexico. It shows that breast cancer accounts for more deaths than cervical cancer since 2006. It is the second cause of death among women aged 30 to 54 and affects all socioeconomic groups. Data on detection, although underreported, show 6000 new cases in 1990 and a projected increase to over 16500 per year by 2020. Further, the majority of cases are self-detected and only 10% of all cases are detected in stage I. Mexico´s social security systems cover approximately 40 to 45% of the population and include breast cancer treatments. Since 2007 the rest of the population has had the right to breast cancer treatment through Seguro Popular. Despite these entitlements, services are lacking and interventions for early detection, particularly mammography, are very limited. As of 2006 only 22% of women aged 40 to 69 reported having a mammography in the past year. Barriers exist on both the demand and supply sides. Lobbying, education, awareness building and an articulated policy response will be important to ensure extended coverage, access to and acceptance of both treatment and early detection.
Phytochemical Components and Human Health Effects of Old versus Modern Italian Wheat Varieties: The Case of Durum Wheat Senatore Cappelli

The Mediterranean diet has significant beneficial health effects and wheat is a major component of the Mediterranean diet, mainly in the form of bread and pasta. Modern wheat generally refers to varieties that were developed after the introduction of dwarfing genes in the 1950s, while old varieties are considered those developed before that time. Research findings on Italian wheat varieties showed that the total polyphenol content in both old and modern durum and soft wheat varieties are similar; but the old varieties have a higher number of polyphenols and of isomer forms. In particular, the durum wheat Senatore Cappelli genotype shows a very high variety of polyphenolic components. Recent studies have demonstrated healthy cardiovascular effects (favorable changes of atherosclerosis markers such as lipid parameters and hemorheological variables) as well as a marked reduction in gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms in non-celiac gluten sensitivity subjects with the consumption of pasta obtained by old durum wheat Senatore Cappelli variety, even though this type of wheat contains high amounts of gluten. In conclusion, old wheat Italian varieties, and in particular the Senatore Cappelli genotype, are characterized by multiple nutraceutical specificities that could suggest their use for health-promoting purposes. Additional research is needed to confirm these findings, focusing attention also on the effect of different environments and years.
New reports of somatic chromosome number and symmetric or asymmetric karyotype estimation of Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw. (Cucurbitaceae)

Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw. distributed well in Eastern Himalayan region, fourteen genotypes collected randomly from Kigwema village, Kohima (Nagaland) at an average altitude of 1538 masl (meter above sea level) with 25.61°N latitude and 94.35°E longitudes. Somatic chromosome numbers are diploid in nature. Chromosome numbers are in agreement and comparable with earlier reports except 2n=2x=22. The chromosome number 2n=2x=22 could not be traced out in the present material collected for study. Two (2) new chromosome numbers 2n=2x=32 and 2n=4x=52 were recorded and expected to be diploid and tetraploid in nature respectively. It was expected that tetraploid (2n=4x=52) number of chromosome might be originated from the earlier reports of diploid chromosome number 2n=2x=26. Both chromosome numbers 2n=2x=32 and 2n=4x=52 are reported for the first time by the authors in the present study. Range of chromosome length was recorded in between 0.501 – 1.343. The range of chromosome length are in agreement with earlier reports of 0.700 – 0.900 approximately. Range of chromosome length suggested minute (<1µm) and small (1-3µm) size of chromosomes with small differences and variations in chromosome length (CVCL). Inter-chromosomal indices (A2 and Rec), intra-chromosomal index (particularly, Stebbin’s classification) and both inter and intra chromosomal indices (DI and GI) estimated symmetric nature of the karyotype.
Simultaneous Substitution of Fe and Sr in Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate: Synthesis, Structural, Magnetic, Degradation, and Cell Adhesion Properties

β-tricalcium phosphate is a promising bone graft substitute material with biocompatibility and high osteoinductivity. However, research on the ideal degradation and absorption for better clinical application remains a challenge. Now, we focus on modifying physicochemical properties and improving biological properties through essential ion co-substitution (Fe and Sr) in β-TCPs. Fe- and Sr-substituted and Fe/Sr co-substituted β-TCP were synthesized by aqueous co-precipitation with substitution levels ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 mol%. The β-TCP phase was detected by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Changes in Ca–O and P–O bond lengths of the co-substituted samples were observed through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results of VSM represent the M-H graph having a combination of diamagnetic and ferromagnetic properties. A TRIS–HCl solution immersion test showed that the degradation and resorption functions act synergistically on the surface of the co-substituted sample. Cell adhesion tests demonstrated that Fe enhances the initial adhesion and proliferation behavior of hDPSCs. The present work suggests that Fe and Sr co-substitution in β-TCP can be a candidate for promising bone graft materials in tissue engineering fields. In addition, the possibility of application of hyperthermia for cancer treatment can be expected.
CEOs’ political ideologies and innovation: Evidence from US public firms

Abstract Using both the number of patents and the number of citations that the patents receive as the measures of innovation and using political donations as an indicator of the chief executive officer (CEO)’s political preferences, we find that (1) firms led by CEOs with and without political partisanship show no differences in terms of innovation outputs; and (2) there are no differences between firms led by Republican and Democratic CEOs when it comes to innovation. The results are robust to a propensity-score-matching regression, a firm fixed effect regression, and alternate measures of innovation. Overall, the results suggest that CEOs’ personal political ideologies do not significantly affect their innovation decisions.
Ventenata dubia (Leers) Coss. (Poaceae) in Slovakia: Distribution, habitat affinities and threats

This paper presents data on the distribution of Ventanata dubia in Slovakia. I recorded the species in 145 quadrants of the Central European mapping grid. The majority of these records occurred in the Pannonian region, especially in the phytogeographical districts of Podunajská nížina, Burda and Ipeľsko-rimavská brázda Region of southern Slovakia. In the Carpathian region, the species has a scattered to rare distribution pattern and is only found in the area associated with the pre-Carpathian flora, especially in the Štiavnické vrchy Mountains. Ventenata dubia most often occupies dry grassland habitats, but also frequently occurs in human-modified habitats (quarries, unpaved roads through agricultural fields and grasslands, vineyards). It rarely occurs on forest edges or in open forests. The grass was recorded on loessal, saline, quartzite, and limestone soils, but most often on shallow soils with high basalt (volcanic) rock content. At present, it is among the less threatened plant species of the Slovak flora (NT). URL: https://www.upjs. sk/pracoviska/botanicka-zahrada/odborne-aktivity/contents-abstracts/