Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterizing Global Financial and Economic Integration through Analyst Forecasts

This paper employs a new approach, based on analyst forecasts, to measuring the extent of financial and economic integration across 46 developed countries and emerging markets and also determines their underlying drivers. Results show robust evidence that financial integration dominates economic integration over the short horizon, but that economic integration becomes more dominant for longer horizons of at least one year. We find that developed markets are both more economically and financially integrated than emerging markets and that their degrees of integration have more than doubled over the past 20 years. Emerging markets, on the other hand, have experienced a significantly much slower pace of real economic integration with the world markets, possibly attributing to their slow advancement in fostering greater trade openness, growth, and transparent information environments that drive the extent of their real economic integration.
A Study on the Influencing Factors of Rural Womens Poverty in Northeast China

Every country in the world has faced poverty to varying degrees. Poverty eradication is the primary development goal of the United Nations. The problem of poverty has attracted more and more attention from around the world. In China, womens poverty is more serious than mens due to historical and current social and economic structural reasons. Women have their own vulnerabilities, and at the same time, play a special role in the family. Therefore, womens poverty has attracted more and more attention from many different areas. Poor women in China are mainly concentrated in rural areas, which is of great theoretical and practical significance when studying the problem of rural womens poverty. In this paper, the poverty situation of rural women in China was investigated through interviews and questionnaires. The variables of the family income model and expenditure model of poor women were determined based on the understanding of the poverty situation of women and the economic knowledge they have acquired by means of stepwise regression. Finally, the paper puts forward effective suggestions for a national poverty alleviation policy.
Factors Affecting Market Capitalization: A Practical Study Ase 1978-2019

This study aimed to investigate the most factors that affect market capitalization. The study was applied to all companies listed on Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) for the period (1978-2019), as a case study. Secondary data were collected from (ASE), and the analytical method was followed by using the multiple regression models through a statistical program (SPSS). The result shows that there is a statistically significant effect of (No. of Transactions, Turnover Ratio, EPS, Dividend Yield Ratio, P/BV, P/E) as independent factors on the market capitalization as a dependent factor, the explanatory power of the model was (Adjusted R Square = 87%), which means that (87%) of the changes in Market Capitalization are due to the independent factors used in this study, and (13%) of the changes due to other factors. In addition, the sub hypotheses of the study were tested to find the effect of factors individually on the market capitalization. The results shows that there is a statistically significant effect for each of (No. of Transactions, EPS, Dividend Yield Ratio, P / E), on the market capitalization, as well as there is no statistically significant effect for each of the factors (Turnover Ratio, P/BV) on the market capitalization. The results of this study need to be adopted to help analysts and investors make informed investment decisions because this study used more factors than previous studies for a long period of time and for all companies listed on the ASE.
Factors Influencing Teacher Absenteeism in Public Secondary Schools in Borabu Sub-County, Kenya

Job related absenteeism has the potential to rob poor countries of precious resources that include direct and indirect costs. Taxpayer’s money is lost through paying absent workers and their substitutes. Available literature has also provided strong evidence that teacher absenteeism lowers student achievement. However, research conducted mainly in USA and Europe has produced conflicting results on causes and predictors of teacher absenteeism, but very little is known about teacher absenteeism in Kenya. This study therefore sought to examine the influence of selected personal characteristics (i.e. teachers’ age, gender, marital status, and educational qualification) on teacher absenteeism in public secondary schools in Borabu SubCounty Kenya. To achieve this, the study adopted an ex-post facto research design. The study targeted a population of 245 teachers and 21 school principals in public secondary schools in Borabu Sub-County. A sample made up of 152 teachers was selected using stratified random sampling while purposive sampling was used in selecting 20 school principals for the study. Data was collected using researcher-developed questionnaires for both teachers and principals of the sampled schools. Expert advice was sought in determining the validity of the instrument through which some ambiguities were eliminated from the initial instrument. The questionnaires yielded reliability coefficients of 0.72 and 0.69 for teachers and principal’s questionnaires respectively. Collected data was analysed using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 22.0). Descriptive statistical analysis was done using frequencies, percentages and means while inferential statistical analysis was done using ANOVA and t-test at the . 05 significance level. The study findings revealed that illness of teacher or close family member was the most common reason causing teacher absenteeism among others. Further it was revealed that most principals held the perception that female teachers had higher rate of absenteeism than their male counterparts although teachers’ gender did not have a significant influence on teacher absenteeism; t (150) =. 831; p>. 05. Regarding marital status, the study found out that principals had a perception that married teachers were likely to be absent than the single teachers. However, there was no statistically significant influence of marital status on teacher absenteeism; F (3,148) = . 288; p> . 05. Based on these findings, the study recommends among others that the negative perception developed by principals about female teachers be eliminated through sensitisation workshops and seminars. Equally introduction of biometric attendance register would be ideal to curb absenteeism and that there is need to organize workshops and other seminars to give teachers skills on how to maintain balance in work and family duties.
Gypsum Scale Control by Nitrilotrimethylenephosphonic Acid

In this paper the retardant effect of nitrilotrimethylenephosphonic acid (NTMP) on calcium sulfate dihydrate nucleation kinetics is evaluated by means of an optical technique able to accurately measure the induction period. A laboratory-scale experimental apparatus is used, in which sodium sulfate and calcium chloride are mixed to obtain a supersaturated calcium sulfate dihydrate solution; all experiments are carried out for various values of NTMP concentrations (0.005−0.05 g/L) in solution, while changing the saturation index in the range of 4.04 − 4.82; the temperature was varied in the interval 15−45 °C. Experimentally measured induction times are used to evaluate the interfacial tension (γS) between crystals and mother solution and to estimate the activation energy (Eatt) for precipitation in the presence of NTMP. The measured values of γS and Eatt are compared with those found in the absence of any additive and in the presence of citric acid, showing that NTMP is a very strong retardant for gypsum nu.
A machine learning approach to forecasting carry trade returns

ABSTRACT Carry trade refers to a risky arbitrage in interest rate differentials between two currencies. Persistent excess carry trade returns pose a challenge to foreign exchange market efficiency. Using a data set of 10 currencies between 1990 and 2017, we find (i) a machine learning model, long short-term memory (LSTM) networks, forecast carry trade returns better than linear and threshold models and other machine learning models; and (ii) excess carry trade returns deteriorate after the 2007–2008 global financial crisis in all model forecasts, indicating that the uncovered interest rate parity may still hold in the long run.
Biodegradable Barometric Endoradiosonde for Biotelemetry Applications

298 Abstract in the present work, the design, the testing and the implementations of a biodegradable and biocompatible capacitive barometric endoradiosonde to be swallowed or implanted in the human body is reported. The biodegradable requirement has been achieved exploiting Polycaprolactone (biodegradable polymer PCL) and the technique of printing thin gold films on it (200-400 nm thick). The overall system is a hysteresis comparator whose oscillation frequency depend on a pressure sensitive capacitor. The final implementation fully satisfies the requirements of small size (9.5 x 4.5mm), biocompatibility and biodegradability (PCL used as substrate), high speed (steady fosc=4.89 MHz), high frequency sensitivity (-0.548 MHz/kPa).
ROLE OF PRO-INFLAMMATORY AND TOLL LIKE RECEPTOR-4 IN CARDIAC VASCULAR PATIENT IN NASIRIYAH CITY

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) a major public health burden that lead to disability , morbidity and mortality. Inflammatory cytokines plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of CVD. Therefore, this study aim to determined role of IL6, TNF-α and TLR4 on progression CVD in infected and non infected patients. A retrospective hospital study was performed to 280 patients with age range between 20-65 years attending to Heart Medical Center of Thi-qar province during 2018 divided into: 200 (71.4%) catheterized patients represent by diagnostic, therapeutic catheter and both . As well as 80(28.6%) surgery patients included Coronary artery bypass grafting CABG, valve replacement and underwent heart defects surgery. The Swabs, Catheter tip and blood samples were taken from all patients, surgery instruments and cultured on blood culture bottle for 24 h at 37oC then sub-culture on enrichment and differential media. The results showed that positive bacterial culture appear in 62 cardiac catheterized patients and 18 of cardiac surgery patients, some specimens show poly-microbial growth. So the total isolates reach to 93 isolates, 75 of them were G +ve bacteria and 18 were G-ve bacteria and 200 specimens gave negative results for bacterial growth. The level of IL-6, TNF-a and TLR-4 estimated by ELISA and show a significant increase in CVD patients in compare with healthy control. The level of IL-6, TNF-a and TLR-4 highly increase in infected cardiac patients then in non-infected patients with statically significant different as well as in catheterized patients more than cardiac surgery patients with no significant difference between them. In conclusion : infection in CVD had a significant role in progression the disease that lead to highly increased in TLR-4 ,TNFα , IL, 6 levels this reflecting the inflammatory response in the patients and causes progression the disease. Keyword: Cardiovascular diseases, Bacterial infection, IL-6, TNF-, TLR-4
Iron chlorosis paradox in grapevine

Abstract Vitis vinifera L. cv. Pinot blanc was grown in both pot and commercial vineyard under lime‐stress conditions. Dark green to very chlorotic young leaves were sampled in order to analyze chlorophyll and iron (Fe) concentration and content, area, fresh and dry weight, specific weight per area. Iron content per individual leaf was a good parameter to separate dark green leaves from chlorotic ones in both trials, while Fe concentration on DW basis was not. Chlorosis occurrence always decreased leaf dry weight and specific weight per area.
Degree of Leverage and Risk Adjusted Performance of Listed Financial Institutions in Ghana

The Basel accord III stipulates that the performance of banks should be adjusted for risk for a fair measurement. The current study investigated how risk adjusted return on equity of listed financial institutions in Ghana, is influenced by the degree of leverage and used liquidity and size as control variable. The causal research design was used to explain the cause and effect relationships between degree of operating and financial leverage and profitability variables. The target population for this study was made up of 12 financial institutions as recorded in the Ghana stock exchange fact book (2012) comprising 10 banking and 2 insurance companies. The panel data methodology was used to analyze the outcome of the study. The analysis revealed that liquidity and degree of leverage has an inverse relationship with the risk adjusted return on equity of the listed financial institutions while operating leverage is positively related to risk adjusted return on equity of the listed financial institutions.
LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY–ELECTROSPRAY TANDEM MASS SPECTROMETRY (LC-MS/MS) DETERMINATION OF LANSOPRAZOLE IN HUMAN PLASMA

A rapid, selective, and sensitive LC-MS/MS method has been developed and validated for quantification of lansoprazole (LZ) in human plasma using esomeprazole as an internal standard (IS). The analyte and IS were extracted by single solvent liquid-liquid extraction using tert-Butyl methyl ether and separated by isocratic elution on C18 analytical column with 90:10 v/v acetonitrile, and 20 mM ammonium acetate (flow rate of 1 mL/min) as the mobile phase in the positive ion mode. Selected Reaction Monitoring transitions for LZ, internal standard and their daughter ion were observed at 369, 346, 252, and 198 m/z, respectively. The lower limit of quantification was 3.997 ng/mL and total run time for the analysis was 1.2 minutes. Linear calibration was observed in the range of 3.997 ng/mL to 2002.5 ng/mL. The method was validated for its selectivity, stability, accuracy, precision, and recovery.
A Theoretical Model for Analyzing the Thickness-Shear Vibration of a Circular Quartz Crystal Plate With Multiple Concentric Ring Electrodes

A dynamic model to analyze the thickness-shear vibration of a circular quartz crystal plate with multiple concentric ring electrodes on its upper and bottom surfaces is established with the aid of coordinate transformation. The theoretical solution is obtained, which can be written in a superposition form of Mathieu functions and modified Mathieu functions. The convergence of the solution is demonstrated, and the correctness is numerically validated via results from the finite element method (FEM). Subsequently, a systematic investigation is carried out to quantify the effect of the electrode size on the energy trapping phenomenon, i.e., the resonant frequency and mode shape, which reveals that the ring electrode has a great influence on the work performance of resonators. With the increase of the electrode inertia, i.e., the radius and mass ratio, new trapped modes emergence with the vibration mainly focused on the plate with partial electrodes. Besides, owing to the anisotropy, degenerated trapped modes have different resonant frequencies and the frequency discrepancy between them will become smaller for higher modes. Finally, the influence of multiple ring electrodes is investigated, and the qualitative analysis and quantitative results demonstrate that multiple ring electrodes will lead to a more uniform mass sensitivity compared with a single ring electrode. The outcome is widely applicable, which can provide theoretical guidance for the structural design and manufacturing of quartz resonators, as well as a thorough interpretation about the underlying physical mechanism.
Prognostic value of initial chest CT findings for clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19

Rationale: To identify whether the initial chest computed tomography (CT) findings of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are helpful for predicting the clinical outcome. Methods: A total of 224 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who underwent chest CT examination within the first day of admission were enrolled. CT findings, including the pattern and distribution of opacities, the number of lung lobes involved and the chest CT scores of lung involvement, were assessed. Independent predictors of adverse clinical outcomes were determined by multivariate regression analysis. Adverse outcome were defined as the need for mechanical ventilation or death. Results: Of 224 patients, 74 (33%) had adverse outcomes and 150 (67%) had good outcomes. There were higher frequencies of more than four lung zones involved (73% vs 32%), both central and peripheral distribution (57% vs 42%), consolidation (27% vs 17%), and air bronchogram (24% vs 13%) and higher initial chest CT scores (8.6±3.4 vs 5.4±2.1) (P < 0.05 for all) in the patients with poor outcomes. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that more than four lung zones (odds ratio [OR] 3.93; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44 to 12.89), age above 65 (OR 3.65; 95% CI: 1.11 to 10.59), the presence of comorbidity (OR 5.21; 95% CI: 1.64 to 19.22) and dyspnea on admission (OR 3.19; 95% CI: 1.35 to 8.46) were independent predictors of poor outcome. Conclusions: Involvement of more than four lung zones and a higher CT score on the initial chest CT were significantly associated with adverse clinical outcome. Initial chest CT findings may be helpful for predicting clinical outcome in patients with COVID-19.
Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) Inhibitors and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is the virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. This review provides greater insights into the role of the renin-angiotensin- aldosterone system (RAAS) axis in acute lung injury and the effects of RAAS inhibitors on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses. Specifically, the hypothesis that RAAS inhibitors facilitate viral insertion and the alternative hypothesis of the beneficial role of these drugs are discussed. Up-to-date published data concerning the RAAS inhibitors and coronavirus disease 2019 are summarized. Abstract Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been proven to be used by SARS-CoV-2 for host cell entry. Considering that angiotensin receptor blockers and ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) upregulate the expression of ACE2 in animal studies, there may be a concern about whether these drugs may increase COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. Recently, there has been a debate among clinicians about whether to continue or to stop ACEIs and angiotensin receptor blockers in the context of COVID-19. Also, some media outlets and health systems have called for the discontinuation of these drugs in the context of suspected COVID-19. This has necessitated an urgent release of guidance on the use of such medications in COVID-19 patients. To date, multiple theories relating to the pure effects of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors on COVID-19 infections have been postulated. Favorable effects include blocking the ACE2 receptors, preventing viral entry into the heart and lungs, and protecting against lung injury in COVID-19. Adverse effects include a possible retrograde feedback mechanism that upregulates ACE2 receptors. This review provides greater insight into the role of the RAAS axis in acute lung injury and the effects of RAAS inhibitors on SARS-CoVs. The hypothesis that RAAS inhibitors facilitate viral insertion and the alternative hypothesis of the beneficial role of these drugs are discussed. Up-to-date published data concerning the RAAS inhibitors and COVID-19 are summarized.
The effect of surgical suture material on osteoclast generation and implant-loosening

Background: Implant loosening - either infectious or aseptic- is a still a major complication in the field of orthopaedic surgery. In both cases, a pro-inflammatory peri-prosthetic environment is generated by the immune system - either triggered by bacteria or by implant wear particles - which leads to osteoclast differentiation and osteolysis. Since infectious cases in particular often require multiple revision surgeries, we wondered whether commonly used surgical suture material may also activate the immune system and thus contribute to loss of bone substance by generation of osteoclasts. Methods: Tissue samples from patients suffering from infectious implant loosening were collected intraoperatively and presence of osteoclasts was evaluated by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Further on, human monocytes were isolated from peripheral blood and stimulated with surgical suture material. Cell supernatant samples were collected and ELISA analysis for the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-8 was performed. These experiments were additionally carried out on ivory slices to demonstrate functionality of osteoclasts. Whole blood samples were incubated with surgical suture material and up-regulation of activation-associated cell surface markers CD11b and CD66b on neutrophils was evaluated by flow cytofluorometry analysis. Results: We were able to demonstrate that multinucleated giant cells form in direct vicinity to surgical suture material. These cells stained positive for cathepsin K, which is a typical protease found in osteoclasts. By in vitro analysis, we were able to show that monocytes differentiated into osteoclasts when stimulated with surgical suture material. Resorption pits on ivory slices provided proof that the osteoclasts were functional. Release of IL-8 into cell supernatant was increased after stimulation with suture material and was further enhanced if minor amounts of bacterial lipoteichoic acid (LTA) were added. Neutrophils were also activated by surgical suture material and up-regulation of CD11b and CD66b could be seen. Conclusion: We were able to demonstrate that surgical suture material induces a pro-inflammatory response of immune cells which leads to osteoclast differentiation, in particular in combination with bacterial infection. In conclusion, surgical suture material -aside from bacteria and implant wear particles- is a contributing factor in implant loosening.
Simple and Rapid Non-Enzymatic Procedure Allows the Isolation of Structurally Preserved Connective Tissue Micro-Fragments Enriched with SVF

The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) consists of a heterogeneous population of stem and stromal cells, generally obtained from adipose tissue by enzymatic digestion. For human cell-based therapies, mechanical process methods to obtain SVF represent an advantageous approach because they have fewer regulatory restrictions for their clinical use. The aim of this study was to characterize a novel commercial system for obtaining SVF from adipose tissue by a mechanical approach without substantial manipulations. Lipoaspirate samples collected from 27 informed patients were processed by a simple and fast mechanical system (by means of Hy-Tissue SVF). The Hy-Tissue SVF product contained a free cell fraction and micro-fragments of stromal connective tissue. The enzymatic digestion of the micro-fragments increased the yield of free cells (3.2 times) and CFU-F (2.4 times). Additionally, 10% of free cells from SVF were positive for CD34+, suggesting the presence of endothelial cells, pericytes, and potential adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC). Moreover, the SVF cells were able to proliferate and differentiate in vitro toward adipocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes. The immunophenotypic analysis of expanded cells showed positivity for typical mesenchymal stem cell markers. The Hy-Tissue SVF system allows the isolation of stromal vascular fraction, making this product of potential interest in regenerative medicine.