Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ANALYSIS OF TIME-PERIODIC SYSTEMS, WHEN CORRESPONDING EQUATIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A SMALL PARAMETER EXPLICITLY

There are many approaches to study equations with time-periodic coefficients, in which a small parameter may be assigned, in particular the classical asymptotic methods. The present paper is concerned with the analysis of the applicability of these approaches for solving nonlinear equations, which don’t contain a small parameter explicitly. A new modification of the method of direct separation of motions (MDSM) [1,2], which may be employed to study such equations, is proposed. As an example a classical problem about the stability of a pendulum with vibrating suspension axis is considered in an unconventional case, when the frequency of external loading and the natural frequency of the pendulum in the absence of this loading are of the same order. As the result it is shown that in the considered range of parameters not only the effective “stiffness” of the system changes due to the external loading, but also its effective “mass”. It is noted that application of the classical asymptotic methods in this case leads to erroneous results. A correlation between the proposed modification of the MDSM and Ritz’s method of harmonic balance, Van der Pol’s method of slowly varying amplitudes, the classical asymptotic methods and other approaches is discussed. Vladislav S. Sorokin
Learning Outcomes in Web Based Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning Environments - A Comparative Analysis

As the web-based synchronous and asynchronous learning environments are used by many schools to deliver courses, the need for the systematic impact evaluation of these new learning environments of learning outcomes becomes more significant. This paper presents an analysis of synchronous and asynchronous learning based instructions that were used for graduate courses for both on-campus (full time) and off-campus students (distance learning). The paper presents preliminary findings about learning outcomes of students in these information systems courses. The study although is limited to one schools but findings could contribute significantly to generalizability to other institutions.
Imprints of historical pollution and the 218-60 BCE tsunamigenic period in southwestern Spain

RMCG | v. 37 | núm. 1 | www.rmcg. unam.mx | DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.22201/cgeo.20072902e. 2020.1. 1543 González-Regalado, M.L. , Monge, G. , Carretero, M.I. , Pozo, M. , Rodríguez-Vidal, J., Cáceres, L.M. , Abad, M. , Campos, J.M. , Bermejo, J., Tosquella, J., Izquierdo, T. , Prudêncio, M.I. , Dias, M.I. , Marques, R. , Gómez, P., Toscano,A. , Romero, V. , Ruiz, F. , 2020, Imprints of historical pollution and the 218-60 BCE tsunamigenic period in southwestern Spain: Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Geológicas, v. 37, núm. 1, p. 89-97. ABSTRACT
Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Factors Associated with Adherence to Mediterranean Diet in Representative Adult Population in Casablanca City, Morocco: A Cross-Sectional Study

Several studies had revealed that following the Mediterranean diet (MD) contributes to beneficial health status and a decreased risk of many chronic diseases. The aim of our study was to assess adherence to MD in Casablanca City and to identify the relationship between MD adherence and sociodemographic and lifestyle parameters. This cross-sectional study concerned 719 subjects with complete dietary data. Data collection was performed using a questionnaire including sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. The dietary intake was assessed with the use of a food-frequency questionnaire. The compliance with MD was evaluated with a simplified MD score. Our study showed that high adherence to the MD was characterized by high intakes of vegetables, fruits, pulses, fish, cereals, olive oil, and low meat and dairy consumption according to the Simplified MD score. As regard to the multivariate logistic, being a man, being married, persons with a level of education >6 years, luxurious housing, and consumption of alcohol were associated with a higher adherence to MD, while, the overweight was negatively associated with a higher adherence to MD. Maintaining the traditional MD pattern is crucial for public health; in this way, more research is needed in this area in order to precisely measure these associations.
University of Groningen Membrane Modulation of Super-Secreting “midiBacillus” Expressing the Major Staphylococcus aureus Antigen – A Mass-Spectrometry-Based Absolute Quantification Approach Antelo-Varela,

Citation for published version (APA): Antelo-Varela, M. , Aguilar Suárez, R. , Bartel, J., Bernal-Cabas, M. , Stobernack, T. , Sura, T. , . Becher, D. (2020). Membrane Modulation of Super-Secreting “midiBacillus” Expressing the Major Staphylococcus aureus Antigen – A Mass-Spectrometry-Based Absolute Quantification Approach. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 8, [143]. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2020. 00143
Drug Admittance Houses’ Contribution to University Students’ Vulnerability to Misbehavior and Risk Factors: the case of Debre Berhan University, Ethiopia

This study was intended to appraise the contribution of drug admittance houses’ to University students’ vulnerability to risk factors and misbehavior, the case of Debre Berhan University, Ethiopia. A total of 119 (M=44, F=75) Debre Berhan University undergraduate regular students chosen through the nonprobability sampling technique (purposive & snowball sampling) completed the questionnaire. A respective of 11 interviewee and 35 (5 groups) focus group discussants were involved in the qualitative part. Data were collected using questionnaire, interview, and focus group discussion. Data obtained using questionnaire were analyzed using percentage whereas data procured through focus group discussion and interview were analyzed qualitatively through thematic method. The study revealed that most participants have used drugs in the last 9 months staying in the university; majority of them (90.76%) have used one or more of the different kinds of drugs while (9.24%) reported that they have not used any drugs. The types of drugs mostly used by the students were Khat, Cigarette, and Hashish and the major serious consequences of using drugs were vulnerability to negative peer pressure, tending to use Cigarette, Khat, and Hashish more and more, mood changes and depression. The perceived causes of using drugs were to: feel relaxed, feel happy and forget problems. Results in the focus group discussion and interview depicted the increasing number of drug illicit houses in Debre Berhan Town, Ethiopia. It can conclude that drug accessing houses have been expanded alarmingly in Debre Berhan Town compared to some years back and due to the expansion; students involved in the study from Debre Berhan University have engaged in abusing the various drugs types available. The research suggests that monitoring drug admittance houses especially around the university area through a collaborative effort of stakeholders should be emphasized. Also, measures to control drugs have to address both supply and demand: supply can be reduced by developing alternative sources of income for producers and distributors while the demand for drugs can be curbed by education and awareness programs about drug consumption and its negative consequences.
Recent trends and their interpretative implications

Archaeologists frequently use ethnographic data on recent hunter-gatherers to interpret and analyse data from prehistoric groups. this use of ethnographic data is not limited to the archaeology of Homo sapiens, but also to that of archaic hominins. In this article, I examine how archaeologists use ethnographic data in their research on Neanderthals. An analysis of articles published in five international journals in the ‘genomic era’ of Neanderthal research (post-2010) shows that while not ubiquitous, many archaeologists use ethnographic data to interpret a range of Neanderthal behaviours. Several key patterns in the use of ethnographic data are identified, including limited engagement with ethnographic sources, the frequent use of data to substantiate a claim, or ‘fill in the gaps’ of a sparse archaeological record, and little acknowledgement of the problems or limitations of the application of these data to Neanderthal contexts. these practices may reflect the current trend in Neanderthal research which emphasises similarities with early Homo sapiens, and takes for granted the appropriateness of analogues with recent foragers. I argue that the prevailing use of ethnographic data does not account adequately for biological and cognitive differences between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. I demonstrate this using the example of the effects of Neanderthal biology on demography and mobility and provide some recommendations for best practice of the use of ethnographic data in Neanderthal archaeological research.
Interference Effect of Two Nearby Strip Footings on Reinforced Sand

In this study, a number of model tests were conducted to study the interference effect of two near-by strip footings on dry, reinforced Ennore sand bed. Single layer of uniaxial geogrid was used for reinforcing the foundation bed. To study the interference effect between the two footings, first, the bearing capacity of single isolated footing was obtained and later on, that of closely spaced footings was determined. The experimental study indicates that the bearing capacity of single footing on the reinforced soil decreases with increase in D/B, where D and B are the depth of reinforcement and width of footing, respectively. The bearing capacity factor due to the unit weight of soil is found to decrease with increase in the width of footing. The effect of centre to centre spacing (S) between two footings, on their bearing capacity and settlement is mainly focused in this paper. The settlement behaviour of the interfering footings is found to follow the same trend as the bearing capacity. The results are presented in terms of efficiency factors (ξγ, ξδ) and their variation was obtained with the change in S. The present experimental observations are generally found in good agreement to those theoretical and experimental results available in the literature.
Soil Stabilization by Using Plastic Waste Granules Materials

Soil stabilization can be explained as the alteration of the soil properties by chemical or physical means in order to enhance the engineering quality of the soil. The main objectives of the soil stabilization are to increase the bearing capacity of the soil, its resistance to weathering process and soil permeability. which can be done by use of controlled compaction or addition of suitable admixtures like cement, lime and waste materials like fly ash, phosphor gypsum etc. This new technique of soil stabilization can be effectively used to meet the challenges of society, to reduce the quantities of waste, producing useful material from non-useful waste materials. Plastic waste such as bottles and plastic granules is used to as a reinforcement to perform the maximum dry density, CBR, UCS studies while mixing with soil for improving engineering performance of sub grade soil. Plastic waste and plastic granules were mixed randomly with the soil. A series of Standard proctor test, California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests and Unconfined compression test were carried out on randomly reinforced soil by varying percentage of plastic waste and plastic granules with different sizes and proportions. Results of tests demonstrated that inclusion of waste plastic and plastic granules in soil with appropriate amounts improved strength and deformation behavior of sub grade soils substantially. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Date of Submission: 29-07-2019 Date of acceptance: 12-08-2019 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evaluation of Adverse Health Effects of Pesticides Exposure [Biochemical & Hormonal] among Egyptian Farmers

Objective: the aim of this study was to evaluate impact of pesticides on Egyptian farmers health by studying some biochemical (liver and renal functions) and hormonal (testosterone, thyroid hormones; triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) parameters following the exposure of farmers to different periods to pesticides. In addition, clarify some underlying mechanisms of organophosphates toxicity through measuring total antioxidant capacity, lipid per oxidation markers (Malondialdehyde [MDA]) and hematological profile. Subjects and Methods: Forty five male Egyptian farmers who deal with pesticide handling and spraying were recruited in this study together with fifty control subjects. Testosterone, thyroid hormones; triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) parameters were estimated together with liver and renal functions, determination of serum malondialehyde and hematological profile was done. Results: As regards the hormonal changes; the exposed group had significantly lower levels of testosterone, T3 and T4, compared to the control group, while TSH was significantly higher in exposed farmers compared to controls, while, the blood MDA level was significantly higher in the exposed farmers than the controls. The hematological parameters showed significant increase in WBC count in the pesticide-exposed group. Enzyme activities of AST and ALT were significantly raised among the exposed farmers, while serum levels of urea and creatinine in the exposed group showed insignificant elevation as compared to controls. Conclusion: It can be concluded that chronic exposure to organophosphate can cause endocrine disrupting effects, liver and renal function impairment and oxidative stress. Further researches on large samples are needed to confirm these findings and to obtain detailed information about mechanisms of toxicity. Also, official regulations and interventions to reduce farmers' overexposure to pesticides are also needed.
A Ricardian factor content characterization of the gains from trade: the case of 19th century Japan

We show that an economy's factor content of trade can serve as a “sufficient statistic” for causal inference about the existence, magnitude and sources of the gains from trade. An attractive feature of this characterization is that it imposes little structure and no parametric assumptions on the economy. We apply this measure to an unprecedented data set on product and task-specific factor employments of traded goods in 19th century pre-industrial Japan. We indentify positive gains from trade and find that Japan's gains stemmed primarily from Ricardian augmentation of its female labour force. Our historical analysis provides a unique insight into the resource reallocations resulting from international trade between economies that were technologically separated by the industrial revolution. JEL classification: F11, F14, N10, N75. 1 Address for Correspondence: Daniel Bernhofen, School of Economics, University of Nottingham and GEP, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2 RD, UK. Tel: 44 115 846 7055, Fax: 44 115 951 4159, email: daniel.bernhofen@nottingham.ac. uk . 2 We acknowledge financial support from the National Science Foundation Grant SES-0452991 and the Leverhulme Trust Grant F/00 114/AM. Shōji Masahiro provided excellent research assistance.
Do Consumers Distinguish Marginal Cost from Fixed Cost? Evidence from Heating Price Reform in China

A central assumption in economics is that consumers distinguish marginal cost from fixed cost. This paper empirically tests this assumption by using a quasi-experiment in heating price reform in China. The introduction of a two-part tariff created policy-induced variation in the marginal cost and the fixed cost, and staggered policy implementation by building allows us to develop an event-study research design. Using administrative records on daily householdlevel heating usage over ten years, we find strong evidence that consumers distinguish marginal cost from fixed cost in a way that is consistent with standard economic theory. Consequently, the policy provided intended social welfare gains from allocative efficiency and environmental externalities. Our findings provide important implications for energy policy because a growing number of developing countries including China are in the process of implementing consumptionbased energy billing in lieu of pre-existing inefficient fixed-charge billing. ∗Ito: Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago, and NBER (e-mail: ito@uchicago.edu). Zhang: Department of Economics, University of Colorado Boulder (e-mail: shuang.zhang@colorado.edu). For helpful comments, we thank Douglas Almond, Severin Borenstein, Lucas Davis, Larry Goulder, Michael Greenstone, Kelsey Jack, Ryan Kellogg, Catherine Wolfram, and seminar participants at SIEPR, Colorado Boulder and UC Berkeley Energy Camp. We thank Theodor Kulczycki, Jing Qian and Chenyu Qiu for excellent research assistance.
CUSTOMER LOYALTY, THROUGH CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IN CUSTOMERS PT. XYZ

PT. XYZ is one paper company in East Java, Indonesia. The paper industry grows much wider opportunities to consumers to help select and purchase the product in accordance with the wishes and needs. This resulted in the emergence of competition between paper companies. Consumer expectations this time are getting a good paper and an affordable price, if these expectations are fulfilled then the customer will feel satisfied and by itself will refer to the paper company. PT. XYZ as the paper industry players feel that the best service quality to consumers is essential. The type of research used is applied research. The nature of this research is explanatory research which aims to determine the effect of service quality consisting of tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy to customer satisfaction and determine the effect of customer satisfaction on customer loyalty. This study determines the number of respondents 10 times the number of indicators (= 12 indicators) that is 120 respondents. The sample used in this study is a paper distributor that takes directly from the company PT XYZ in Surabaya. This research uses Path Analysis.There were 125 questionnaires distributed and those that met the requirements established 120 questionnaires. The sample used in this study is a paper distributor that takes directly from the company PT XYZ in Surabaya. Based on this research, it proved that the factors of service quality consisting of tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy affect consumer satisfaction PT. XYZ, so the first hypothesis can be accepted. AMOS calculation results can be seen from the path coefficient of 2.468 was obtained with CR values of probability of significance is 0.014. The hypothesis was accepted with immediate effect from the factor of service quality on customer satisfaction by 0.602. Good service quality can give satisfaction to the consumer, but not necessarily lead to a loyal customer following consumer satisfaction. Based on the findings proved consumer satisfaction is not proven to influence consumer loyalty to the product of PT. XYZ, so that the second hypothesis was rejected. The path coefficient of 1.535 was obtained with CR values of probability of significance is 0.125. A hypothesis is rejected with a direct influence on customer loyalty on customer satisfaction by 0.202.
EFFECT OF HYDROTHERMAL AGING ON FRACTURE PROPERTIES OF BONDED TITANIUM JOINTS

Fatigue delamination is a major concern for titanium laminate composites, particularly at elevated temperatures. Research has been conducted to investigate the durability of bondlines in titanium laminates following long term hydrothermal exposure. In an effort to determine the optimal titanium-polyimide bond for high-temperature in adverse conditions, Ti-15-3 cracked lap shear specimens were tested with combinations of two different polymeric resins with three different commercially available titanium surface treatments in a variety of exposure environments. After 10,000 hours in both hot (177°C) dry and hot wet conditions, the specimens were fatigued at constant amplitude to demonstrate the optimal resin/surface treatment combination. As was determined by Cobb and Johnson [1] for higher temperature tests after 5,000 hours, Ti-15-3 treated with Boeing’s Sol Gel surface preparation and subsequently bonded together using FM5 polyimide proved the most durable combination. Furthermore, as expected, most combinations exhibited more accelerated fatigue crack growth in the wet condition then the dry condition.
A NEW FORMULATION FOR OPTIMUM MAGNITUDE OF ADDITIVE MASS IN SCALING OF MODE SHAPES

One of the most important requirements for design of structures is identification of its dynamic characteristics. For large structures such as bridges, buildings, towers, airplanes, the measurement of ambient forces is difficult or impossible. Therefore, only the response signals can be measured. The methods which identify the modal parameters of structures by using output-only data are called Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) methods. As the structure is excited by unknown forces, the mode shapes cannot be scaled straightforward from the test. A major problem of OMA is that the mode shapes are un-scaled. So far, several approaches have been proposed for scaling the mode shapes. In this paper, the amount of optimum mass change has been obtained for one of the exact scaling formulas using sensitivity analysis of the FEM structure model. It is shown that the error of scaling is minimized by applying this amount of mass change. An FE model of a cantilever beam is used to demonstrate the accuracy of method. A numerical model of beam has been excited by random forces and the responses have been measured in the simulated test. SSI method is applied and the unscaled mode shapes have been obtained. The proposed relation is used to select the optimum mass change for the beam. Finally the mode shapes were scaled and the accuracy of the method has been investigated.
APPROPRIATENESS OF UTILISATION AMONG ADULT PATIENTS ATTENDING EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AT DISTRICT HOSPITAL

ABSTRACT Background: In Selangor, there had been a general increase in the numbers of patients seeking treatment at the emergency department. Inappropriate utilisation of emergency department in hospital will give rise to overcrowding, long waiting times and unnecessary usage of healthcare resources. This study aim is to determine the level of appropriateness of utilisation by patients attending to emergency department and the factors associated to it. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study utilising systematic random sampling were carried out at the emergency department of Hospital Kuala Kubu Bharu. Self-administered questionnaire was given to respondents at the emergency department. Descriptive and analytical statistics were derived from IBM SPSS Statistics version 22.0 with a pre-determined p <0.05 as significant value. Chi square and binomial logistic regression were used to determine the predictors of appropriateness of utilisation Result: The response rate was (88.2%). The results of chi-square test indicated that there were significant association between time of presentation ( p =0.005), 24-hours availability of the emergency department to respondents ( p =0.014) and employment status ( p =0.024). Binary logistic regression model showed that time of presentation and the 24-hour availability of an emergency department were significant predictors for appropriateness of utilisation. Conclusion: The study revealed, majority of the respondents utilised the emergency department appropriately. From the multivariate analysis it reveals that, time of presentation and 24-hours availability of the emergency department were significantly associated with appropriateness of utilisation. However further study would be needed to determine the relationship between cause and effect and the confounding factors. Keywords: Appropriateness of utilisation, emergency department, inappropriate utilisation