Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is government contract a driver of trade credit? The moderating role of bargaining power, financial and institutional constraints

Abstract This paper studies the effect of government contracts on trade credit by using cross-country firm-level data. Trade credit is defined as a firm’s deferral of payment to its sellers when it buys material inputs. We apply the instrumental variable to take into account the endogeneity problem caused by the simultaneous relationship between government contracts and trade credit. Our empirical results prove that government contracts have negative effects on trade credit. These effects become more pronounced when firms have higher bargaining power and more severe financial and institutional constraints and are located in middle-income countries. Our results are robust for alternative measures of financial and institutional constraints. These findings have important policy implications: Contracting with the government helps firms to reduce their dependence on trade credit by switching to other cheaper forms of financing, especially in the case of firms with high bargaining power and financial and institutional constraints.
Latitudinal Variance in the Drivers and Pacing of Warmth During Mid‐Pleistocene MIS 31 in the Antarctic Zone of the Southern Ocean

Early Pleistocene Marine Isotope Stage (MIS)‐31 (1.081–1.062 Ma) is a unique interval of extreme global warming, including evidence of a West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) collapse. Here we present a new 1,000‐year resolution, spanning 1.110–1.030 Ma, diatom‐based reconstruction of primary productivity, relative sea surface temperature changes, sea‐ice proximity/open ocean conditions and diatom species absolute abundances during MIS‐31, from the Scotia Sea (59°S) using deep‐sea sediments collected during International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 382. The lower Jaramillo magnetic reversal (base of C1r.1n, 1.071 Ma) provides a robust and independent time‐stratigraphic marker to correlate records from other drill cores in the Antarctic Zone of the Southern Ocean (AZSO). An increase in open ocean species Fragilariopsis kerguelensis in early MIS‐31 at 53°S (Ocean Drilling Program Site 1,094) correlates with increased obliquity forcing, whereas at 59°S (IODP Site U1537; this study) three progressively increasing, successive peaks in the relative abundance of F. kerguelensis correlate with Southern Hemisphere‐phased precession pacing. These observations reveal a complex pattern of ocean temperature change and sustained sea surface temperature increase lasting longer than a precession cycle within the Atlantic sector of the AZSO. Timing of an inferred WAIS collapse is consistent with delayed warmth (possibly driven by sea‐ice dynamics) in the southern AZSO, supporting models that indicate WAIS sensitivity to local sub‐ice shelf melting. Anthropogenically enhanced impingement of relatively warm water beneath the ice shelves today highlights the importance of understanding dynamic responses of the WAIS during MIS‐31, a warmer than Holocene interglacial.
Metamaterial Inspired Compact Antenna for UWB and GPS Applications

Abstract| Three types of UWB antennas are proposed and investigated for UWB commu-nication applications. The proposed antennas consists of a planar circular patch monopole ul-trawideband antenna, one of which is incorporated along with the GPS (1.5GHz) band due toaddition of four unit cells of complimentary meander-line and a T-slot on the patch. Simulated S 11 is i 6dB over 1.46{1.54GHz and a wide bandwidth starting from a frequency of 3.45GHz. The antenna is designed on a low-cost FR4 substrate having dimensions 37 : 5 £ 31 : 5 £ 1 : 6mm 3 . Ithas a uniform gain in the S and C bands. The antenna is fabricated and the match between thesimulated and experimental results suggests that the proposed antenna can be a used for GPS,WiMAX, WLAN and other UWB applications.1. INTRODUCTION UWB is a radio technology which may be used for short ranges at a very low energy level, withhigh bandwidth communication which uses a vast portion of the radio spectrum [1]. Printedmonopole antennas fabricated on a substrate oﬁers a wide impedance bandwidth that can coverultrawideband [2]. The frequency band from 3.1GHz to 10.6GHz. It is approved as UWB byFederal Communications Commission (FCC) [3]. It has been used for radar, sensing and militarycommunication applications over the past couple of decades [4]. The main challenges faced in the design of UWB antennas are the miniaturization, improvingthe e–ciency, uniform gain, larger operating range, optimized radiation pattern and polarizationto provide wide coverage. It has been a greater challenge to accommodate both the UWB and theGPS band for a compact antenna. These problems have become an active topic of research.In the recent years, eﬁorts have been made by implementing rectangular, circular disc, ellipticaland binomial curved-shaped UWB monopole antenna in the designs to overcome the drawbacks [8{17]. In order to keep the antenna footprint unaltered, designers have resorted to the approach ofembedding slots of diﬁerent shapes in the radiating element and/or ground plane of the antennasystems.One such eﬁort to resolve the drawbacks is the implementation of metamaterial structures [6]. Metamaterials are artiﬂcially engineered structures providing electromagnetic properties which arenot encountered in nature. These materials simultaneously have negative permeability and permit-tivity which was ﬂrst theoretically predicted by Veselago [7]. This paper proposes the design and performance of a compact UWB antennas with fractionalbandwidth of
EFFECT OF TIME-DEPENDENT TRANSPIRATION ON AXISYMMETRIC STAGNATION-POINT FLOW AND HEATTRANSFER OF A VISCOUS FLUID ON A MOVING CIRCULAR CYLINDER

temperature or wall heat flux are investigated. The impinging free stream is steady with a strain rate . A reduction of Navier-Stokes equations and energy equation is obtained by use of appropriate transformations. The general semi-similar solutions are obtained when angular and axial velocities of the cylinder and also its wall temperature or its wall heat flux vary as certain functions of time. The cylinder may perform different types of motions. It may move or rotate with constant speed, with exponentially increasing/decreasing axial/angular velocity, with harmonically varying axial/angular speed, or with accelerating/decelerating oscillatory axial/angular speed. The cylinder surface temperature or its surface heat flux may have the same type of behavior as the cylinder motion. Semi-similar solutions of the unsteady Navier-Stokes and energy equations are obtained numerically using a finite-difference scheme. All the solutions above are presented for different Reynolds numbers ( υ 2 / Re 2 a k = ) and different functions of dimensionless transpiration rate, ) /( ) ( ) ( 0 a k U S τ τ = , where is cylinder radius and is
Clinical Profile of Indoor Covid-19 Patients at a Medical Institute In India: A Retrospective analysis

Background: COVID-19 has caused a very high burden of morbidity and mortality across the world, India being also badly affected. The disease has a wide spectrum ranging from asymptomatic to severe illness and death. Research work on the epidemiological and clinical profile of patients is scarce in India. Objectives: This study was conducted to know the clinico-epidemiological profile of indoor hospitalized Covid 19 patients. Methods: a retrospective analysis (record based) conducted at a designated COVID tertiary care center. Study period-1st August 2020 to 31st October 2020. Study Unit- Laboratory confirmed COVID 19 patients admitted in the hospital. Sample size- All the 894 patients with complete record were included in the study. Results: The mean age was 47.68± 17.62 years. Around 14.1% of the population was asymptomatic. 75.7% were classified as having a mild disease. The cure rate was 82.9% and deaths were reported in 9.4%. Conclusions: Our findings were similar to findings observed in other studies. A positive significant correlation was noticed between age, duration, clinical severity and outcome of patient. The clinical severity was also found to be associated with age, duration of symptoms and outcome of patient
Pharmacological Management of Core Symptoms and Comorbidities of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Purpose The pharmacological management of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children remains a challenge due to limited effective management options and the absence of approved drugs to manage the core symptoms. This review aims to describe and highlight effective pharmacological management options employed in managing the core symptoms and comorbidities of ASD from eligible studies over the past decade. Methods A search of databases; PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and PsychInfo for pharmacotherapeutic options for ASD was conducted in this systematic review. Duplicate studies were removed by utilizing the EndNote citation manager. The studies were subsequently screened independently by two authors. Eligible studies from 01 January 2012 to 01 January 2022 were included based on established eligibility criteria. A narrative synthesis was used for data analysis. Results The systematic review provides a comprehensive list of effective management options for ASD comorbidities and core symptoms from 33 included studies. The management options for ASD comorbidities; insomnia, hyperactivity, irritability and aggression, gastrointestinal disturbances, and subclinical epileptiform discharges, were reviewed. Risperidone, aripiprazole, methylphenidate, guanfacine, levetiracetam, and atomoxetine are examples of effective pharmacological drugs against ASD comorbidities. Additionally, this review identified various drugs that improve the core symptoms of ASD and include but are not limited to, bumetanide, buspirone, intranasal oxytocin, intranasal vasopressin, and prednisolone. Conclusion This review has successfully summarized the pharmacological advancements made in the past decade to manage ASD. Although there is still no pharmacological cure for ASD core symptoms or additional drugs that have obtained regulatory approval for use in ASD, the availability of promising pharmacological agents are under evaluation and study.
Monetary Policy and Financial Performance of Consumer Goods Manufacturing Firms: Evidence from Flour Mills Nigeria Plc

This study examines the effect of monetary policy on the financial performance of Flour Mills Nigeria plc using an annual dataset from 1990 to 2021. The financial performance is measured as return on assets while monetary policy is a proxy by monetary policy rate. Other control variables in the model are exchange rate, inflation rate and managerial efficiency. In the estimation, this study employed the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model. The results of this study reveal that monetary policy has a significant negative effect on the financial performance of flour mills plc while the exchange rate and inflation rate have no significant influence on the financial performance of the company. The result further suggested that managerial efficiency has a significant positive effect on the financial performance of the sampled firm. According to the results, this study recommended that monetary authorities should cut down the monetary policy rate. The foregoing will serve as an incentive for the company to increase its production operation and in the long will help to boost output and financial performance. Finally, the study recommends the need for the company to strengthen its efforts in improving managerial efficiency because of its positive influence on financial performance.
Exploring the role and mechanism of gut microbiota in methamphetamine addiction using antibiotic treatment followed by fecal microbiota transplantation

Recently, the role of the gut microbiota in the context of drug addiction has attracted the attention of researchers; however, the specific effects and underlying mechanisms require further exploration. To accomplish this, C57BL/6 mice were firstly treated with methamphetamine (MA). Conditioned place preference (CPP) behavior changes, gut permeability and function, microglial activation, and inflammatory cytokine expression were systematically analyzed in antibiotics‐treated mice with microbiota depletion and in fecal microbiota transplantation mice with microbiota reconstitution. MA treatment altered microbiota composition and caused gut dysbiosis. Depletion of gut microbiota with antibiotics inhibited MA‐induced CPP formation, and fecal microbiota transplantation reversed this inhibition. Mechanistic analyses indicated that antibiotic treatment decreased gut permeability and neuroinflammation, while fecal microbiota transplantation offset the impact of antibiotic treatment. Additionally, MA‐induced microglial activation was suppressed by antibiotics but restored by microbiota transplantation, and this correlated well with the CPP score. Compared to antibiotic treatment, microbiota transplantation significantly increased 5‐HT4 receptor expression in both the nucleus accumbens and the hippocampus. Furthermore, when fecal microbiota from healthy mice was transplanted into MA‐treated mice, the CPP scores decreased. Our results provide a novel avenue for understanding MA addiction and suggest a potential future intervention strategy.
Color Change and Surface Roughness of Enamel: Peroxide Free Versus Peroxide Containing Whitening Agents

Objective: to evaluate the effect of peroxide free versus peroxide containing whitening agents on color change and surface roughness of enamel. Methods: A total of 30 bovine incisors were used for the current study. Teeth roots were sectioned and crowns were mounted in self-cured acrylic resin blocks. The teeth were randomly divided into three groups (n= 10) according to the whitening agent used: Group I: Control group (No treatment), Group II: Peroxide free whitening agent (BlanX White Shock toothpaste) and Group III: Peroxide containing whitening agent (White smile bleaching agent). The specimens were stained using black tea solution. BlanX toothpaste was used twice daily for 8 days while white smile bleaching material was applied for 3 sessions, 20 min each. Color change was assessed using VITA Easyshade spectrophotometer and surface roughness (Ra) was measured using a white light interferometer. Data were tabulated and statistically analyzed. Results: Color change results revealed that both whitening agents were able to restore color comparable to the control group with no significant difference between them. Regarding surface roughness, no significant difference was reported between BlanX toothpaste and the control group which showed low surface roughness while white smile bleaching agent recorded the highest surface roughness value. Conclusion: BlanX toothpaste was able to improve tooth color without altering enamel surface roughness. Although, white smile bleaching agent was effective in restoring tooth color, it negatively affects surface roughness.
Comparison between Cold Knife, Monopolar Electrosurgery and Combining Both Methods for Abdominal Incision (Clinical Trial)

Background: Scalpels have been used to make abdominal surgical incisions by manually cutting through tissue with a sharp blade. Although physicians are less excited about electrosurgery, it is becoming a more essential and growing element of surgical practise. The worry of major burns and consequent scarring with electrosurgery continues, as contrasted to the scalpel, which makes a clean, incised incision with minimal tissue loss. Aim of the work: To assess early and late postoperative wound complications using the cold knife. Patients and methods: Over a 6-month period, patients with gynaecological conditions undergoing abdominal incisions in the Outpatient and Inpatient Clinics at El Sayed Galal Hospital, Al-Azhar University were evaluated for early and late postoperative wound complications using the cold knife, monopolar electrosurgery, and a combination of both methods in the Outpatient and Inpatient Clinics at El Sayed Galal Hospital, Al-Azhar University. Results: Incision time, blood loss, VAS score over time in the first 24 hours, and the number of morphine and paracetamol pills differ statistically significantly across the study groups. When compared to cold knife incisions, electrosurgery was proven to be safe and effective in making skin incisions in abdominal wounds, and it did not promote wound infection. Conclusion: When compared to cold knife incision, electrosurgery may be deemed safe and successful in producing skin incisions in abdominal incisions due to lower wound infection rates, postoperative discomfort, and analgesic requirements.
Breeding biology review of White‑backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus in Brazil and a case study in the largest restinga protected area (Aves, Charadriiformes, Recurvirostridae)

In Brazil, the White-backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus is distributed in the midwest, south and southeast but breeding information is scarce. In this study, species breeding information in the country was compiled from online platform (WikiAves, eBird) and literature. A case study describing nests and egg biometry were reported in Restinga of Jurubatiba National Park (RJNP), on the north cost of Rio de Janeiro state, as well potential threats to the species. Sampling was carried out in September and December 2018, monthly in 2019 and between January to March and September to December in 2020. Overall, 70 breeding records were compiled, between 1997 and November 2021, being 64 from WikiAves in all regions of Brazil, four records from eBird in São Paulo state (in 2021) and two records in literature (one from São Paulo state, in 2007 and one from Rio de Janeiro in 2012). In RJNP, 44 nests were identified being 34 active, with an average of 3.5 eggs per nest, and overall 118 eggs were measured. The main materials used to build the nests were the saltmarsh plant and mud. Around 60% of nests were degraded or predated. Predation was the main cause of egg loss. Successful nests (with chicks or hatching signs) represented 26% of the total nests monitored. This study reports the first information on the biometry of the species' eggs and nests, confirming the northern coast of Rio de Janeiro state as a nesting area for the species.
High-latitude Pi2 pulsations, ELF intensity, and particle flux variations: a case study

On rapporte les observations magnetiques au sol qui confirment des resultats anterieurs indiquant que les pulsations Pi2 sont dominees par des fluctuations periodiques de courants alignes ascendants localises. Les observations par satellite revelent des modulations de l'intensite d'onde EBF en phase avec les pulsations du champ magnetique au sol
Occupational Exposure to Needle Stick Injuries among Health Care Workers in a Tertiary care hospital: A KAP study

Background: Needle stick injuries (NSIs) are serious occupational health problem related to accidental exposure of health care workers (HCWs) while involved in patient care services. The percutaneous exposure to potentially contaminated blood and body fluids with blood borne pathogens are responsible for significant prevalence of Hepatitis B, C & HIV infections amongst HCWs. Methods: This is a descriptive cross sectional study conducted in hospital settings over a period of one year. 178 HCWs were selected for study using systematic random sampling after proportional allocation for each professional category in the hospital. Collected data was processed on SPSS ver 24. The association between needle stick and associated factors were measured using the odds ratio at a 95% confidence interval. The statistical significance was made at a p-value of less than 0.05. Results Total of 62 incidences of sustaining a needle stick injury in a year was recorded amongst 178 HCWs. In this study, statistically significant results with p value less than 0.05 was obtained with association with variables like gender [AOR=1.36 (0.64 - 2.68)], experience in years as HCWs [AOR=1.23 (0.32 - 2.12)], profession [AOR=0.063 (0.001- 0.43)], observance of universal precautions as wearing gloves [AOR=0.33 (0.169 – 0.631)] or any training on PEP or universal precautions [AOR=2.29 (1.320 - 4.696)]. Conclusion: NSIs have the potential to affect the health system both directly and indirectly. To lessen the dangers and impacts of NSIs stringent training should coordinate the endeavors toward preparing of health care workers, utilization of wellbeing designed gadgets, and diminishing patient burden per health care workers.
Modelling of stratospheric ions - A first attempt

Several observations of positive and negative ions around 35 km have shown the complexity of the ion chemistry in the stratosphere. The presence of cluster ions such as H ~ X. (H 20)m (with probably X = CH 3CN) has been detected. Negative ions such as N03(HN03)n and HS04(H2S04). (HN03)m are also present. The chemical kinetics of these ions is still poorly known. The purpose of the paper is to present and discuss preliminary results obtained with a model which simulates the behavior of stratospheric ions.
On the Problems and Countermeasures of College Students' Mental Health and Safe Work under Network Environment

Under the network environment, mental health and safety work on college is related to national security and campus security. Moreover, it affects the healthy development of college students. In the era of ever-changing mobile Internet, colleges and universities must take practical countermeasures against the problems in mental health and safety education on college and improve the relevance and effectiveness of college students' network safety education. This paper first finds the problems of college students' mental health and safety through questionnaire survey and analyzes the current situation of college students' mental health and safety under the current networked environment. In response to the problems found, we propose complete and systematic educational countermeasures. At the same time, we need to firmly establish the strategic awareness of network security education and strengthen the construction of network security education in colleges and universities. We should strengthen the construction of network security education in colleges and universities, form a joint effort of schools, families, government, and society, and improve the quality and effectiveness of network security education.
Sound Event Detection for Human Safety and Security in Noisy Environments

The objective of a sound event detector is to recognize anomalies in an audio clip and return their onset and offset. However, detecting sound events in noisy environments is a challenging task. This is due to the fact that in a real audio signal several sound sources co-exist. Moreover, the characteristics of polyphonic audios are different from isolated recordings. It is also necessary to consider the presence of noise (e.g. thermal and environmental). In this contribution, we present a sound anomaly detection system based on a fully convolutional network which exploits image spatial filtering and an Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling module. To cope with the lack of datasets specifically designed for sound event detection, a dataset for the specific application of noisy bus environments has been designed. The dataset has been obtained by mixing background audio files, recorded in a real environment, with anomalous events extracted from monophonic collections of labelled audios. The performances of the proposed system have been evaluated through segment-based metrics such as error rate, recall, and F1-Score. Moreover, robustness and precision have been evaluated through four different tests. The analysis of the results shows that the proposed sound event detector outperforms both state-of-the-art methods and general purpose deep learning-solutions.