Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Grammar of Lalo

The thesis is a descriptive reference grammar of the present-day Lalo language as spoken in Longjie township in Yunnan province of Southwestern China. It constitutes a presentation of empirical data collected during field work in Longjie township, and includes as survey of the phonology, morphology and syntax of the language. A word-list as well as text samples are appended to the thesis. Lalo is genetically classified as a Burmese-Yipho language (and in extension a Sino-Tibetan language), more specifically a Central Yipho language, i.e., it belongs to the same subgroup of Yipho as the more well-known languages Lahu and Lisu. It is spoken in Yunnan by approximately 500 000 speakers. Lalo may be subdivided into the West mountain and East mountain subdialects, and the variety treated in the thesis belongs to the West mountain sub-dialect.The language is still the everyday vehicle of communcation in Lalo areas, but Chinese influence is growing rapidly. The Lalo phonology is based on the syllable, which has tonal and phonation type distinctions. The language is rich in initials, and the vowel system is not insignificant in size. Consonant combinations do not occur, nor may any syllable end in a consonant. Morphemes are usually monosyllabic, but words, especially nouns, are mostly disyllabic. The basic word order is SOV, nouns are counted through classifiers, verbs and adjectives are chained into complex predicates, propositions are interrogated through juxtaposition of the verb or adjective and a negated copy of it etc. All of these traits may be considered typical for Yipho-languages, and many of them are typical for the linguistic area as a whole. The thesis exclusively deals with the present-day language of one specific variant of the Lalo language, but the data has been presented so as to facilitate comparative work. The thesis is intended to present the language rather than the applicability of any given syntactic theory, and usually a quite traditional terminology is used.
Crossover Networks: A Review

Crossover networks for multi-way loudspeaker systems and audio processing are reviewed, includingbothanaloganddigitaldesigns.Ahigh-qualitycrossovernetworkmustmaintainaflat overallmagnituderesponse,withinsmalltolerances,andasufficientlylinearphaseresponse.Simultaneously,thecrossoverfiltersforeachbandmustprovideasteeptransitiontoproperly separatethebands,alsoaccountingforthefrequencyrangesofthedrivers.Furthermore,crossoverfiltersaffectthepolarresponseoftheloudspeaker,whichshouldvarysmoothlyand symmetricallyinthelisteningwindow.Thecrossoverfiltersshouldadditionallybeeconomicaltoimplementandnotcausemuchlatency. Perceptualaspectsandtheinclusionofequalization inthecrossovernetworkarediscussed.Variousapplicationsofcrossoverfiltersinaudioengineeringareexplained,suchasinmultibandcompressorsandineffectsprocessing.Several methodsarecomparedintermsofthebasicrequirementsandcomputationalcost.Theresultsleadtotherecommendationofanall-pass-filter–basedLinkwitz-Rileycrossovernetwork, whenacomputationallyefficientminimum-phasesolutionisdesired.Whenalinear-phasecrossovernetworkisselected,thethroughputdelaybecomeslargerthanwithminimum-phase filters.Digitallinear-phasecrossoverfiltershavingafiniteimpulseresponsemaybedesignedbyoptimizationandimplementedefficientlyusingacomplementarystructure.
Quality of medical services in the opinion of older adults with the example of medical facilities of the Silesian voivodeship in Poland

Purpose: The aging society poses new challenges to managers of medical facilities to ensure that older adults have adequate conditions and access to professional health care and provide them with opportunities to increase their level of satisfaction and improve the quality of their functioning in society. The aim of the survey was to examine the opinions of older adults aged 65 years and older on the quality of medical services and to identify the most important characteristics of the quality of medical services included in their assessment. Design/methodology/approach : The study used a diagnostic survey method based on a questionnaire technique that was addressed to older adults living in the Silesian Voivodeship. The survey was conducted in late 2022 and early 2023 and covered 128 older adults. Findings: The survey showed that older adults living in the Silesian Voivodeship rated the medical services offered relatively well. Older adults gave the highest ratings to the location of health facilities, the approach to patients, the efficiency of service, and the availability of services provided by primary care physicians. Research limitations/implications : Analysis of the survey of older adults’ opinions on the quality of medical services identified key areas in need of corrective actions, such as the availability of night and holiday care, the use of modern solutions, the need for additional fees for medical services, and the number of medical staff members in medical facilities. Practical implications: By measuring patient satisfaction, healthcare facilities gain information on how well their healthcare delivery meets patients' expectations and needs, and what in their services is a source of patient dissatisfaction. The results of the survey provide the basis for corrective measures to improve the services provided whereas the managers in healthcare facilities gain knowledge about the needs of older adult patients and areas requiring solutions to improve the quality of the services offered. Social implications: The use of information from the survey makes it possible, through changes, to adapt the care system to the needs of older adults and suggests a direction for further quality assurance measures in healthcare. Originality/value: The paper provides an introduction to the complex topic of improving the quality of medical services and achieving a sufficient level of satisfaction among older adults.
Early Detection and Good Team Collaboration for Preventing Maternal Death Caused by Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorder

Background: Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is considered one of the most harmful pregnancy conditions, as it is strongly linked with maternal morbidity and mortality. An accurate and early prenatal diagnosis of PAS allows time for a multidisciplinary team to plan the best course of action for delivery management. The aim of this study is to describe placenta accreta spectrum management and outcomes with early detection and a multidisciplinary team approach.Method: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 167 cases of placenta accreta from 2016 to 2021. Medical records were then reviewed, and data were collected for delivery management and maternal outcome, including estimated amounts of bleeding, urinary tract injury, delivery time, ICU referral, and maternal death.Result: Delivery management (hysterectomy and conservative management) and maternal bleeding were significantly associated with MAP score (p < 0.05), while urinary tract injury, delivery time, ICU admission, and maternal death were not significantly associated (p > 0.05). 55.1% of patients underwent hysterectomy, and the rest 44.9% underwent conservative surgery. Massive bleeding of more than 2500 mL happened in 54.5% of patients, and the rest 45.5% managed to bleed less than 45.5%. Preterm deliveries accounted for 29.9% of all deliveries, with the remaining 70.1% being term. 5.4% of patients experienced urinary tract injuries. 6.6% of patients were referred to the intensive care unit. The maternal mortality rate is 4.8%. Conclusion: Early detection of the placenta accreta spectrum, as well as good collaboration among members of a multidisciplinary team from various medical fields, are required to ensure the mother and baby's safety and survival.
Implications of maximizing China's technical potential for residential end-use energy efficiency: A 2030 outlook from the bottom-up

E RNEST O RLANDO L AWRENCE B ERKELEY N ATIONAL L ABORATORY Implications of maximizing China’s technical potential for residential end-use energy efficiency: A 2030 outlook from the bottom-up Nina Khanna, David Fridley, Nan Zhou and Jing Ke China Energy Group Environmental Energy Technologies Division Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Pre-print version of proceedings of the European Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s 2013 Summer Study on Energy Efficiency, held in Toulon, France, June 3 – 8, 2013 March 2013 This work was supported by the China Sustainable Energy Program of the Energy Foundation and the Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth, Kyoto, Japan through the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC02- 05CH11231.
Decoupled growth and grazing rates of diatoms and green algae drive increased phytoplankton productivity on HNLC sub‐Antarctic plateaux

The combination of iron limitation and microzooplankton grazing controls phytoplankton productivity and taxonomic composition in high‐nutrient low‐chlorophyll (HNLC) regions. While increased productivity and diatom contribution triggered by iron enrichment support this view, direct measurements of underpinning group‐specific growth and grazing rates are scarce for the Southern Ocean. To assess these rates, we conducted dilution experiments coupled to high‐performance liquid chromatography and flow‐cytometry in sub‐Antarctic waters on and off Campbell Plateau, southeast of Aotearoa‐New Zealand. Off the plateau, growth and grazing were closely balanced for all groups despite a two‐fold difference between slow‐ and fast‐growing groups. On Campbell Plateau, where HNLC conditions were alleviated, the balance was disrupted, mainly by the preferential growth of diatoms and green algae, which was stimulated beyond grazing. Our results expand the recognized ability of diatoms to escape grazing control to picoplanktonic green algae that also avoid grazing and contribute significantly to phytoplankton productivity and biomass accumulation.
Effects of cognitive and stress management training in middle-aged and older industrial workers in different socioeconomic settings: a randomized controlled study

Introduction The demographic change requires longer working lifetime. However, fear of job loss may lead to chronic stress whereas aging and unchallenging work may accelerate cognitive decline and early retirement. Long-time repetitive work led to impairments of cognitive functions in middle-aged and older employees, as demonstrated in a previous study conducted in a large car manufacturer. In the present study, a training concept was implemented to enhance the cognitive and emotional competence of these employees. Methods A first group of employees received a trainer-guided cognitive training only, whereas a wait list control group received a cognitive training and stress management training. This design was applied in two independent samples separated by one year either during or after a socioeconomically tense situation of the factory. Results In sample 1, with a tense occupational situation, the cognitive training effects occurred with a delay of three months. In contrast, in sample 2, with less critical socioeconomic situation, the training effects occurred immediately and persisted three months later. Stress management training showed reduction of subjectively and objectively measured stress level. Discussion The results indicate that effects of cognitive interventions are diminished under chronic stress which can be reduced after a short stress management training. This leads also to enhanced attention and memory in daily life. In contrast, in Sample 2 with less chronic stress, effects of cognitive training were stronger and persisted at least three months later, whereas stress management training had less impact. This suggests that cognitive learning in occupational settings is only efficient at lower stress levels.
Categorization and Quantification of Construction Waste of Commercial Buildings in Iraq

The construction sector has a significant and direct relationship with the development and growth of countries. Meanwhile, the population growth and the massive expansion of buildings and infrastructure projects keep up with living standards, generating more construction waste. Knowing the categorization for the CDW is very important to get better information about the waste and to have a proper plan to manage these wastes during the construction process. This study aims to categorize and quantify the CDW produced during the construction of a commercial building in Iraq, with a total floor area of 900 m2 (A three-story building with 300 m2 for each story). Data acquisition for this study took approximately two years. It concludes that soil waste represents 86.75% of total waste produced during the construction of the building, with the remaining 13.25 % mainly composed of brick (47.03%), followed by concrete (19.27%), mortar (10.65%), ceramics and marble (6.68%), gypsum (4.88%), steel (3.08%), wood (2.37%), and subbase (2.02%).
The Behavioral Effects of (Unenforceable) Contracts

Do contracts influence behavior independent of the law governing their enforceability? We explore this question in the context of employment noncompetes, using nationally representative data for 11,500 labor force participants. We show that noncompetes are associated with reductions in employee mobility and changes in the direction of that mobility (i.e., toward noncompetitors) in both states that do and do not enforce noncompetes. Decomposing mobility into job offer generation and acceptance, we detect no evidence of differences in job search, recruitment, or offer activity associated with noncompetes. Rather, we find that employees with noncompetes—even in states that do not enforce them—frequently point to their noncompete as an important reason for declining offers from competitors. Our data further show that these employees’ beliefs about the likelihood of a lawsuit or legal enforcement are important predictors of their citing a noncompete as a factor in their decision to decline competitor offers.  We gratefully acknowledge support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Grant 20151449 and the William W. Cook Endowment of the University of Michigan. We appreciate helpful comments from Matt Marx, Bentley MacLeod, Louis Kaplow, Jim Hines, Alex Tabbarrok, Ryan Nunn, seminar participants at Harvard University, University of Toronto, Stanford University, Columbia University, University of Michigan, University of Maryland, University of British Columbia, University of Bonn, University of Notre Dame, the Conference on Empirical Legal Studies, the Society for Institutional and Organizational Economics, and the American Economic Association. The authors would like to thank the following units at the University of Michigan for providing the funds to collect the data: The University of Michigan Law School, the Ross School of Business, the Rackham Graduate School, the Department of Economics MITRE, and the Office of the Vice President for Research. We are also grateful to Justin Frake for excellent research assistance. Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2858637
Helicobacter pylori Infections in Children

In the context of epidemiology, host response, disease presentation, diagnosis, and treatment management, the manifestation of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection diverges between children and adults. H. pylori infection stands out as one of the most prevalent bacterial infections globally, and its prevalence in both children and adults is decreasing in many developing countries but some still struggle with a high prevalence of pediatric H. pylori infection and its consequences. The majority of infected children are asymptomatic and pediatric studies do not support the involvement of H. pylori in functional disorders such as recurrent abdominal pain. The pathophysiology of H. pylori infection relies on complex bacterial virulence mechanisms and their interaction with the host immune system and environmental factors. This interaction gives rise to diverse gastritis phenotypes, which subsequently influence the potential development of various gastroduodenal pathologies. In clinical settings, the diagnosis of this infection in childhood requires an upper gastrointestinal endoscopic exam with mucosal biopsy samples for histology and culture, or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) at the very least. When warranted, eradication treatment should be given when good compliance is expected, and there should be systematic use of a treatment adapted to the antimicrobial susceptibility profile. To combat the burgeoning threat of multidrug resistance, vigilant surveillance of resistance patterns and strategic antibiotic management are paramount.
Transforming the Information System for Research in Primary Care (SIDIAP) in Catalonia to the OMOP Common Data Model and Its Use for COVID-19 Research

Purpose The primary aim of this work was to convert the Information System for Research in Primary Care (SIDIAP) from Catalonia, Spain, to the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) Common Data Model (CDM). Our second aim was to provide a descriptive analysis of COVID-19-related outcomes among the general population. Patients and Methods We mapped patient-level data from SIDIAP to the OMOP CDM and we performed more than 3,400 data quality checks to assess its readiness for research. We established a general population cohort as of the 1st March 2020 and identified outpatient COVID-19 diagnoses or tested positive for, hospitalised with, admitted to intensive care units (ICU) with, died with, or vaccinated against COVID-19 up to 30th June 2022. Results After verifying the high quality of the transformed dataset, we included 5,870,274 individuals in the general population cohort. Of those, 604,472 had either an outpatient COVID-19 diagnosis or positive test result, 58,991 had a hospitalisation, 5,642 had an ICU admission, and 11,233 died with COVID-19. A total of 4,584,515 received a COVID-19 vaccine. People who were hospitalised or died were more commonly older, male, and with more comorbidities. Those admitted to ICU with COVID-19 were generally younger and more often male than those hospitalised and those who died. Conclusion We successfully transformed SIDIAP to the OMOP CDM. From this dataset, a general population cohort of 5.9 million individuals was identified and their COVID-19-related outcomes over time were described. The transformed SIDIAP database is a valuable resource that can enable distributed network research in COVID-19 and beyond.
Self-Perception of Inclusion in an Inclusive Choir: An Analysis Using the Scale for the Assessment of Inclusion (SAI)

Inclusion promotes equal opportunities, and aims to eliminate discrimination, by ensuring full access, participation, and representation for all individuals in society, with music playing a crucial role in addressing this global challenge, and fostering positive and inclusive change. The aim of this study is to identify perceptions of inclusive culture, policies, values, and practices in one specific inclusive choir in Spain. The sample consisted of 135 members, ranging from 18 to 79 years of age, of which 22.2% have recognised disabilities. All of them filled in the adapted Scale for the Assessment of Inclusion (SAI) form. The results show that, regardless of gender, age, and length of participation in the choir, their members share positive perceptions of the inclusiveness of its values, policies, practices, and culture. However, perceptions vary across the groups surveyed, and are generally more favourable among participants with a disability, those without a university education, or those aged 26 or over. It is found that people who participate in an inclusive choir, in which music is the mediating resource, perceive a high level of inclusion that allows them to feel they belong to a group where diversity, equality, and the promotion of people are respected. The findings are analysed, considering the importance of conducting multidimensional evaluations that include all members of an organisation.
Temporal stability and community assembly mechanisms in healthy broiler cecum

In recent years, there has been an unprecedented advancement in in situ analytical approaches that contribute to the mechanistic understanding of microbial communities by explicitly incorporating ecology and studying their assembly. In this study, we have analyzed the temporal profiles of the healthy broiler cecal microbiome from day 3 to day 35 to recover the stable and varying components of microbial communities. During this period, the broilers were fed three different diets chronologically, and therefore, we have recovered signature microbial species that dominate during each dietary regime. Since broilers were raised in multiple pens, we have also parameterized these as an environmental condition to explore microbial niches and their overlap. All of these analyses were performed in view of different parameters such as body weight (BW-mean), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and age (days) to link them to a subset of microbes that these parameters have a bearing upon. We found that gut microbial communities exhibited strong and statistically significant specificity for several environmental variables. Through regression models, genera that positively/negatively correlate with the bird’s age were identified. Some short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria, including Izemoplasmatales, Gastranaerophilales, and Roseburia, have a positive correlation with age. Certain pathogens, such as Escherichia-Shigella, Sporomusa, Campylobacter, and Enterococcus, negatively correlated with the bird’s age, which indicated a high disease risk in the initial days. Moreover, the majority of pathways involved in amino acid biosynthesis were also positively correlated with the bird’s age. Some probiotic genera associated with improved performance included Oscillospirales; UCG-010, Shuttleworthia, Bifidobacterium, and Butyricicoccaceae; UCG-009. In general, predicted antimicrobial resistance genes (piARGs) contributed at a stable level, but there was a slight increase in abundance when the diet was changed. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies looking at the stability, complexity, and ecology of natural broiler microbiota development in a temporal setting.
Bitter taste receptor (TAS2R) 46 in human skeletal muscle: expression and activity

Bitter taste receptors are involved not only in taste perception but in various physiological functions as their anatomical location is not restricted to the gustatory system. We previously demonstrated expression and activity of the subtype hTAS2R46 in human airway smooth muscle and broncho-epithelial cells, and here we show its expression and functionality in human skeletal muscle cells. Three different cellular models were used: micro-dissected human skeletal tissues, human myoblasts/myotubes and human skeletal muscle cells differentiated from urine stem cells of healthy donors. We used qPCR, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analysis to evaluate gene and protein hTAS2R46 expression. In order to explore receptor activity, cells were incubated with the specific bitter ligands absinthin and 3ß-hydroxydihydrocostunolide, and calcium oscillation and relaxation were evaluated by calcium imaging and collagen assay, respectively, after a cholinergic stimulus. We show, for the first time, experimentally the presence and functionality of a type 2 bitter receptor in human skeletal muscle cells. Given the tendentially protective role of the bitter receptors starting from the oral cavity and following also in the other ectopic sites, and given its expression already at the myoblast level, we hypothesize that the bitter receptor can play an important role in the development, maintenance and in the protection of muscle tissue functions.