Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determinants of the Attractiveness of Foreign Direct Investments in CEMAC: an Empirical Panel Analysis Over the Period From 1985 to 2019

This article aims to determine the factors that explain the attractiveness of foreign direct investment (FDI) at the level of the six countries of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), over the period 1985-2019. Using the fixed effects panel model, the results of this research indicate that gross domestic product per capita, human capital, domestic credit provided to the private sector by banks and gross national expenditure explain the attractiveness of FDI. Moreover, by using the ordinary least squares (OLS) model to analyze the determinants of the attractiveness of FDI by country, the econometric results show differentiated effects.
Social Inequalities: Do They Matter in Asthma, Bronchitis, and Respiratory Symptoms in Children?

Background: Social inequalities (e.g., poverty and low level of education) generate inequalities in health. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the relationships between indicators of social inequalities and the frequency of respiratory symptoms, asthma, and bronchitis in children. Material and Methods: In 2019, an epidemiological cross-sectional study on 3237 students from elementary schools in Silesia Voivodships (South Poland) was conducted. The students’ parents completed a questionnaire based on the International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Social inequalities in the children’s families were determined according to parents’ education and professional status (working vs. unemployed), self-assessment of economic status, and housing conditions. To determine the influence of social factors on the occurrence of asthma, bronchitis, and respiratory symptoms, the odds ratio (OR) was calculated. Results: Children living in apartments with traces of mold had a higher risk of developing asthma (OR = 1.5, 95%CI: 1.17–1.96; p = 0.002) or bronchitis (OR = 1.4, 95%CI: 1.13–1.72; p = 0.002), wheezing attacks at nights (OR = 1.4; 95%CI: 1.01–1.93), wheezy in the last 12 months (OR = 1.6; 95%CI:1.24–2.08; p < 0.001), and chronic cough (OR = 1.9; 95%CI: 1.49–2.46; p < 0.001). Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) was associated with higher risk of cough (OR = 1.5 95%CI: 1.22–1.96; p < 0.001) and dyspnea in the last 12 months (OR = 1.4; 95%CI: 1.04–2.00; p = 0.02). Low socioeconomic status (SES) was associated with increased risk of chronic cough (OR = 1.5; 95%CI: 1.09–2.03; p = 0.009) and increased risk of wheezy in the last 12 months (OR = 1.4; 95%CI: 1.06–1.97; p = 0.008). Asthma and bronchitis were not dependent on parents’ education or professional status. Conclusions: Social inequalities have significant impacts on the occurrence of respiratory symptoms, bronchitis, and asthma in children. Interventions aimed at preventing bronchitis and childhood asthma should also focus on social health determinants.
Radio observations of the 1989 transient event in V404 Cygni (=GS 2023+338)

The bright transient X-ray source GS 2023+338, now identified with the 1938 «nova» designated V404 Cyg, was observed between 1989 May 30 and 1991 May 31 with the VLA at 1.49, 4.9, 8.4, and 14.9 GHz. A strong synchrotron-radiation source was initially present in optically thin decay, followed by a relatively slower decay, for ∼150 days, proportional to ∼(t−t 0 ) −β , with β=1.2 and 0.83 for 1.49 GHz and three high frequencies, respectively
Electrical Properties of the MoTe2−WTe2 and MoSe2−WSe2 Systems

Electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient values were measured on compact polycrystalline samples from the MoSe2−WSe2 and MoTe2−WTe2 systems. In the telluride system the resistivity versus temperature data indicated a number of activation energies from room temperature to the dissociation temperature. In the selenide system there was little divergence from the semiconducting properties of the isomorphic binary compounds. Only one activation energy was found for each of the samples from this system.
Analysis of the attainment of boundary conditions for a nonlocal diffusive Hamilton-Jacobi equation

We study whether the solutions of a parabolic equation with diffusion given by the fractional Laplacian and a dominating gradient term satisfy Dirichlet boundary data in the classical sense or in the generalized sense of viscosity solutions. The Dirichlet problem is well posed globally in time when boundary data is assumed to be satisfied in the latter sense. Thus, our main results are \emph{a)} the existence of solutions which satisfy the boundary data in the classical sense for a small time, for all H\"older-continuous initial data, with H\"older exponent above a critical a value, and \emph{b)} the nonexistence of solutions satisfying the boundary data in the classical sense for all time. In this case, the phenomenon of loss of boundary conditions occurs in finite time, depending on a largeness condition on the initial data.
Representation of maxitive measures: An overview

Abstract Idempotent integration is an analogue of Lebesgue integration where σ-maxitive measures replace σ-additive measures. In addition to reviewing and unifying several Radon–Nikodym like theorems proven in the literature for the idempotent integral, we also prove new results of the same kind.
Magnetohydrodynamic theory of field line resonances in the magnetosphere

The linearized ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations are cast into a set of global differential equations from which the field line resonance equations of the shear Alfven waves and slow magnetosonic waves are obtained naturally for finite beta plasmas in general magnetic field geometries with flux surfaces. The coupling between the shear Alfven waves and the magnetosonic waves is through the combined effects of geodesic magnetic field curvature and plasma pressure. For axisymmetric magnetospheric equilibria there is no coupling between the shear Alfven waves and the slow magnetosonic waves because the geodesic magnetic field curvature vanishes. We derive the asymptotic singular solutions of the MHD equations near the field line resonant surface. We perform numerical solutions of the field line resonance equations for a dipole magnetic field with constant plasma pressure and density along the magnetic field line. Similar to previous studies, the shear Alfven wave field line resonant frequency is roughly given by ω ≈ cL−4 ρ−1/2, where the coefficient c is roughly constant with respect to the L shell distance and ρ is the plasma mass density. The slow magnetosonic wave resonant frequency is roughly proportional to P/ρL², where P is the plasma pressure, and is much smaller than the shear Alfven wave resonant frequency even for equatorial plasma beta as high as unity.
Intrauterine Pregnancy Detection and Gestational Age Assessment During Early Pregnancy by a Handheld Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Device Compared to a High-End Ultrasound System. An Accuracy and Reliability Study

Abstract Objective: The main objective of this study is the evaluation of the accuracy and reliability of a handheld point of care ultrasound device (POCUS-hd) for intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) detection compared to comprehensive reference transabdominal ultrasound (TU). The secondary objectives were to evaluate POCUS-hd for intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) detection compared to transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound (TUTV), evaluate the inter-device agreement and inter-rater reliability of gestational age during early pregnancy. Methods: It is an observational transverse study with consecutive patient recruitment. Two blinded operators systematically used POCUS-hd and reference transabdominal ultrasound for IUP diagnosis. The accuracy of POCUS-hd for IUP diagnosis was expressed as sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive value (PPV). The gestational age (GA) was assessed based on the crown-rump length. The reliability and agreement of gestational age evaluation were assessed by Bland-Altman plots, kappa statistic, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Results: POCUS-hd compared to TU had a sensitivity of 95-100%, a specifcity of 90-100%, PPV of 95-100% and NPV of 90-100%. Inter-rater agreement for IUP detection using POCUS-hd was very good, kappa=1.0; CI95% [0.9-1.0]. The inter-device agreement limits (mean difference ± 2SD) for GA were: -3 to +2.3 days by Operator 1, -3.4 to +3.3 days by Operator 2 for POCUS-hd vs. TU and -3.1 to +2.3 days for POCUS-hd versus TUTV. Conclusion: This handheld POCUS device is an accurate and reliable diagnostic tool that can be used for IUP positive findings and GA assessment during early pregnancy by clinicians in family planning settings or general practice.
A symplectic proof of a theorem of Franks

Abstract A celebrated theorem in two-dimensional dynamics due to John Franks asserts that every area-preserving homeomorphism of the sphere has either two or infinitely many periodic points. In this work we re-prove Franks’ theorem under the additional assumption that the map is smooth. Our proof uses only tools from symplectic topology and thus differs significantly from previous proofs. A crucial role is played by the results of Ginzburg and Kerman concerning resonance relations for Hamiltonian diffeomorphisms.
Neuropeptides and degenerin/epithelial Na+ channels: a relationship from mammals to cnidarians

Ion channels of the degenerin (DEG)/epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) family serve diverse functions ranging from mechanosensation over Na+ reabsorption to H+ sensing and neurotransmission. However, several diverse DEG/ENaCs interact with neuropeptides; some are directly activated, whereas others are modulated by neuropeptides. Two questions arise: does this interaction have a common structural basis and does it have an ancient origin? Current evidence suggests that RFamide neuropeptides activate the FMRFamide‐activated Na+ channels (FaNaCs) of invertebrates via binding to a pocket at the external face of their large extracellular domain. It is likely that RFamides might activate DEG/ENaCs from the freshwater polyp Hydra (the HyNaCs) via binding to a similar pocket, although there is not yet any experimental evidence. In contrast, RFamide neuropeptides modulate acid‐sensing ion channels (ASICs) from vertebrates via binding to a central cavity enclosed by β‐sheets of the extracellular domain. Dynorphin opioid peptides, for their part, bind to the acidic pocket of ASICs, which might be evolutionarily related to the peptide binding pocket of FaNaCs, but instead of opening the channels they work as antagonists to stabilize its closed state. Moreover, peptides interacting with DEG/ENaCs from animals of different phyla, although having similar sequences, are evolutionarily unrelated to each other. Collectively, it appears that despite a seemingly similar interaction with similar peptides, the interaction of DEG/ENaCs with neuropeptides has diverse structural bases and many origins.
Margaret’s reading lessons; or, literature as curriculum

ABSTRACT All too often lost in the pressure and intensity of the current practice of English teachers and literacy educators is due acknowledgement of the continuing importance of history. This paper brings together two concerns: the work of Margaret Meek Spencer as a key figure in the history of English teaching, reading pedagogy and literacy education, and the value of curriculum inquiry as a resource for re-focusing and renewing the field. In that context, the paper introduces a particular notion of literature as curriculum, working first with one of Meek’s most generative texts and then linking with another key figure in English curriculum history, James Moffett, to outline what is possible when the relationship between literature and curriculum is richly reconceptualised.
On the Component Factor Group G/G_0 of a Pro-Lie Group G

A pro-Lie group $G$ is a topological group such that $G$ is isomorphic to the projective limit of all quotient groups $G/N$ (modulo closed normal subgroups $N$) such that $G/N$ is a finite dimensional real Lie group. A topological group is almost connected if the totally disconnected factor group $G_t:= G/G_0$ of $G$ modulo the identity component $G_0$ is compact. In this case it is straightforward that each Lie group quotient $G/N$ of $G$ has finitely many components. However, in spite of a comprehensive literature on pro-Lie groups, the following theorem, proved here, was not available until now: A pro-Lie group $G$ is almost connected if each of its Lie group quotients $G/N$ has finitely many connected components. The difficulty of the proof is the verification of the completeness of $G_t$.
Crystal growth of YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-X/ thin films prepared by TFA-MOD method

We have investigated an epitaxial growth of YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-X/ (YBCO) films on [001] SrTiO/sub 3/ substrates prepared by metal organic deposition (MOD) method using trifluoroacetate (TFA) solution. The YBCO films derived by this method have high J/sub C/ exceeding 5 MA/cm/sup 2/ at 77 K. We tried to clarify the growth mechanism of TFA-MOD YBCO films by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) from viewpoint of both macro and micro scales. We prepared partially transformed films by quench during high temperature annealing under the conditions at 730, 740, 750 /spl deg/C, dew point = 20 /spl deg/C, P(O/sub 2/) = 130 ppm, and gas flow rate = 1000 cc/min. In the growth stage, the integrated intensities of /spl theta/-/sub /spl chi// scans for the films increased with annealing time, and after more annealing, the integrated intensities decreased. SEM and TEM images indicated an existing of the pores in the films. Avrami plot was performed on the growing YBCO films, and the Avrami exponents were 1 < n < 2.
Estimation of Direct Radiative Forcing of Asian Dust Aerosols with Sun/Sky Radiometer and Lidar Measurements at Gosan, Korea

In this study the aerosol direct radiative forcing (ADRF) of Asian dust is evaluated by model simulation at Gosan, Jeju using the data from a sun/sky radiometer, a Micro-Pulse Lidar (MPL), and column radiometer measurements of solar downwelling irradiance in April, 2001. We suggest a method of determining aerosol parameters for the radiative transfer model from the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) data set. Since the AERONET measurements provide the refractive indices at only four wavelengths, and the aerosol parameters can be calculated at these wavelengths with a Mie code, we use a linear regression method for extending these measurements to the full wavelength spectrum of the radiative transfer model. The aerosol forcing by the Asian dust aerosols is estimated and compared to the aerosol forcing of non-dust aerosols. On the Asian dust event day, April 13, the daily average ADRF was estimated as -58.1 W/m 2 at the surface and -25.7 W/m 2 at the top of the atmosphere (TOA). On April 15, a non-dust day slightly influenced by anthropogenic aerosols, the ADRF was -29.0 W/m 2 at the surface and -11.6 W/m 2 at the TOA. Although the Asian dust aerosols show larger forcing, its forcing efficiency (forcing per unit optical thickness) is smaller than that of non-dust aerosols; -41.0 W/m 2 /τ 6 7 0 at the TOA and -94.9 W/m 2 /τ 6 7 0 at the surface on the dust day for dust aerosols, as opposed to -50.0 W/m 2 /τ 6 7 0 at the TOA and -129.3 W/m 2 /τ 6 7 0 at the surface on the non-dust day for non-dust aerosols. We believe that this is due to the larger single scattering albedo of dust aerosols, which causes smaller absorption, and the larger asymmetry factor which causes more forward scattering or less reflection, compared to anthropogenic aerosols. The model results were validated with the surface irradiance measurement data and the comparison showed a good agreement. The radiative transfer calculation underestimates the solar irradiance of 2∼3% on average. The aerosol profiles measured by lidar are used to estimate the influence of the vertical distribution of Asian dust aerosols on the ADRF. Using the vertical aerosol profiles, we found an instantaneous short wave radiative heating larger than 2 K/day. We believe the enhanced heating rate by the aerosol layers contributes to the increase in static stability within the dust layer. This fact is verified by the temperature profile measured by the sonde, and may explain the longevity and consequently long-range transport of Asian dust.
Active noise control using adaptive POLYnominal Gaussian WinOwed wavelet networks

The capabilities of wavelet networks in function approximation make them appealing for black box system identification. In this paper, a new active noise control (ANC) algorithm is developed based on adaptive wavelet networks. The proposed adaptive nonlinear noise control approach employs frames from POLYnominal WinOwed with Gaussian wavelets. Also, a novel network structure for active noise control is derived incorporating a nonlinear static mapping cascaded with an infinite impulse response filter to model the dynamic part of the network. Online dynamic backpropagation learning algorithms based on gradient descent method are applied to adjust the network parameters. Local convergence of the closed-loop system is proved using discrete Lyapunov function.The performance of the proposed ANC system is examined for typical linear/nonlinear cases. The simulation results demonstrate superior performance of this method in terms of stability, fast convergence rate and noise attenuation while avoiding curse of dimensionality.
Opinion Dynamics and Social Power Evolution: A Single–Timescale Model

This article studies the evolution of self-appraisal and social power in a social influence system. We consider a modification of the recent DeGroot–Friedkin (DF) model, called the single–timescale DF model, in which the opinion formation process takes place on the same timescale as the reflected appraisal process. We provide a comprehensive analysis of the equilibria and convergence properties of the model for the settings of irreducible and reducible influence networks. For the setting of irreducible influence networks, the single-timescale DF model has the same behavior as the original DF model, e.g., it predicts among other things that the social power ranking among individuals is asymptotically equal to their centrality ranking, and that social power tends to accumulate at the top of the centrality ranking hierarchy. For the setting of reducible influence networks, the single-timescale DF model behaves differently from the original DF model in ways that we fully characterize.
Has the concept of systems consolidation outlived its usefulness? Identification and evaluation of premises underlying systems consolidation

Systems consolidation has mostly been treated as a neural construct defined by the time-dependent change in memory representation from the hippocampus (HPC) to other structures, primarily the neocortex. Here, we identify and evaluate the explicit and implicit premises that underlie traditional or standard models and theories of systems consolidation based on evidence from research on humans and other animals. We use the principle that changes in neural representation over time and experience are accompanied by corresponding changes in psychological representations, and vice versa, to argue that each of the premises underlying traditional or standard models and theories of systems consolidation is found wanting. One solution is to modify or abandon the premises or theories and models. This is reflected in moderated models of systems consolidation that emphasize the early role of the HPC in training neocortical memories until they stabilize. The fault, however, may lie in the very concept of systems consolidation and its defining feature. We propose that the concept be replaced by one of memory systems reorganization, which does not carry the theoretical baggage of systems consolidation and is flexible enough to capture the dynamic nature of memory from inception to very long-term retention and retrieval at a psychological and neural level. The term “memory system reorganization” implies that memory traces are not fixed, even after they are presumably consolidated. Memories can continue to change as a result of experience and interactions among memory systems across the lifetime. As will become clear, hippocampal training of neocortical memories is only one type of such interaction, and not always the most important one, even at inception. We end by suggesting some principles of memory reorganization that can help guide research on dynamic memory processes that capture corresponding changes in memory at the psychological and neural levels.
Rain Estimation from Geosynchronous Satellite Imagery—Visible and Infrared Studies

Abstract A diagnostic method to estimate rainfall over large space and time scales by the use of geosynchronous visible or infrared satellite imagery has been derived and tested. Based on the finding that arms of active convection and rainfall in the tropics are brighter or colder on the satellite visible or infrared photographs than inactive regions, ATS-3 and SMS/GOES images were calibrated with gage-adjusted 10 cm radar data over south Florida. The resulting empirical relationships require a time sequence of cloud area, measured from the satellite images at a specified threshold brightness or temperature to calculate rain volume over a given period. Satellite rain estimates were made for two areas in south Florida that differ in size by an order of magnitude (1.3×104km2 vs 1.1×105km2) and verified by a combined system of gages and radar. Contrary to our expectations, the rain estimates for the smaller area agreed better with the raingage-radar groundtruth than the satellite rain estimates for the large.
Candida Genotyping of Blood Culture Isolates from Patients Admitted to 16 Hospitals in Madrid: Genotype Spreading during the COVID-19 Pandemic Driven by Fluconazole-Resistant C. parapsilosis

Background: Candidaemia and invasive candidiasis are typically hospital-acquired. Genotyping isolates from patients admitted to different hospitals may be helpful in tracking clones spreading across hospitals, especially those showing antifungal resistance. Methods: We characterized Candida clusters by studying Candida isolates (C. albicans, n = 1041; C. parapsilosis, n = 354, and C. tropicalis, n = 125) from blood cultures (53.8%) and intra-abdominal samples (46.2%) collected as part of the CANDIMAD (Candida in Madrid) study in Madrid (2019–2021). Species-specific microsatellite markers were used to define the genotypes of Candida spp. found in a single patient (singleton) or several patients (cluster) from a single hospital (intra-hospital cluster) or different hospitals (widespread cluster). Results: We found 83 clusters, of which 20 were intra-hospital, 49 were widespread, and 14 were intra-hospital and widespread. Some intra-hospital clusters were first detected before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the number of clusters increased during the pandemic, especially for C. parapsilosis. The proportion of widespread clusters was significantly higher for genotypes found in both compartments than those exclusively found in either the blood cultures or intra-abdominal samples. Most C. albicans- and C. tropicalis-resistant genotypes were singleton and presented exclusively in either blood cultures or intra-abdominal samples. Fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis isolates belonged to intra-hospital clusters harboring either the Y132F or G458S ERG11p substitutions; the dominant genotype was also widespread. Conclusions: the number of clusters—and patients involved—increased during the COVID-19 pandemic mainly due to the emergence of fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis genotypes.