Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The shape of the relationship between self-employment and economic development is a hotly debated issue. This paper contributes to the line of research by examining the relationship between self-employment and economic development for a panel of 29 countries over 39 years using panel data analysis techniques. No clear evidence of a U-shaped relationship was found. A robust, negative linear relationship seems to describe the relationship the best. Interestingly, the study also found that the business ownership rate is converging toward a common value with a convergence speed of about 5.5% per year. JEL Classification: L26, L51, M13
Optimization of Vancomycin Dosing Regimens to Achieve Therapeutic Targets in Critically Ill Patients in Thailand

It is essential to rapidly achieve therapeutic vancomycin concentrations in critically ill patients with gram-positive bacterial infections. This study aimed to determine optimal vancomycin dosing regimens for critically ill patients. Using an external dataset – therapeutic drug monitoring concentration data from 51 critically ill patients receiving vancomycin, we validated a population pharmacokinetic model to describe vancomycin plasma concentrations over time. The final population pharmacokinetic model was used to simulate different vancomycin doses for patients with varying degrees of renal function in order to determine the percentage of patients achieving therapeutic targets. Based on simulations, less than 90% of patients achieved a vancomycin trough concentration (Ctrough) ≥ 15 mg/L following administration of the standard vancomycin maintenance doses of 1000 mg every 12 hr (for patients with a creatinine clearance (CrCL) ≥ 50 mL/min) or 1000 mg every 24 hr (for those with CrCL 30-50 mL/min). Model predictions showed that to ensure ≥ 90% of patients achieve a target vancomycin Ctrough, 1250 mg every 6 hr (for CrCL ≥ 50 mL/min) and 1000 mg every 8 hr (for CrCL 30-50 mL/min) are needed. In conclusion, alternative vancomycin dosing regimens may improve the percentage of attaining target vancomycin Ctrough at steady state in critically ill patients in Thailand. However, routine monitoring of vancomycin Ctrough and serum creatinine are also recommended to ensure therapeutic and toxicity outcomes.
THE PATTERNS OF ASSOCIATION BETWEEN STRATEGIC ORIENTATIONS, INNOVATION, AND FIRM PERFORMANCE: A CO- OCCURRENCE NETWORK ANALYSIS APPLICATION

Strategic orientation represents market-based resources embedded into organizational culture which can be examined through company ́s annual reports. This paper aims to identify the relevance and association patterns of strategic orientations, innovation and firm performance to better understand how these constructs are adopted and exhibited in practice. Drawing on annual reports of 48 firms within S&P 500’s, a co-occurrence network analysis is conducted to statistically and visually extract information from the text data. Results indicate that market orientation plays a central role in the associations, linking other orientations with innovation and firm performance. Unexpectedly, innovation is not closely associated with performance. Three major co-occurrence patterns of association were identified, suggesting that customers, competitors, and resources within firms cover a central place in corporate narratives. Implications for practitioners and researchers are discussed and future lines of research are presented.
U. S. National Combustion Meeting Organized by the Western States Section of the Combustion Institute and hosted by the University of Utah May 19-22, 2013 Theoretical assessment on reaction kinetics HCO and CH2OH unimolecular decomposition

The HCO and CH2OH unimolecular decomposition reaction kinetics have been studied theoretically over a wide temperature (300-2700 K) and pressure range (0.01-1000 atm). The potential energy surfaces (PES) of CH2OH and HCO were examined at the CCSD(T)/CBS//QCISD(T)/aug-cc-pvdz level, and the thermochemistry of species are in very good agreement with the values recommended by Active Thermochemical Tables. The decomposition of HCO shows a very strong non-RRKM behavior and thus was treated using state specificity and collision-averaged unimolecular decomposition theory based on the results from a quantum scattering calculations (Keller et al., J. Chem. Phys. 1996, 105, 4983) in which the key parameters of PES agree with current calculations. The obtained theoretical rates can be presented by a Troe formula using the following parameters: kinf = 4.93E16 × T -0.93 × exp(-9927/T); k0 = 3.94E21 × T -2.24 × exp(-9568/T); Fc = 0.852 × exp(T/51.4) + 0.147 × exp(-T/3570) + exp(-3420/T) for N2 as bath gas; k0 = 7.43E21×T -2.36 × exp(9755/T); Fc = 0.897 × exp(-T/139) + 0.103 × exp(-T/1.09E4) + exp(-4.55E3/T) for Ar as bath gas and setting Helium collisional efficiency 1.3 times larger than Argon. The results agree well with the most of the currently available HCO decomposition experimental data. The recommended Troe formula for CH2OH decomposition rate is: kinf = 6.535E11 × T 0.567 × exp(-20744/T); k0 = 4.145E31 × T -4.517 × exp(-21116/T); Fc = 0.578 × exp(-T/2.30) + 0.422 × exp(-T/3174) + exp(-1.47E6/T) for Ar as bath gas. The newly obtained rates are very different from the recommendation by Baulch et al. (J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, 2005, 34, 757) based on some empirical estimations, but fall in the right range of scattered experimental measurements in the literature. The combustion simulations using these recommended rates result in much better agreement with experimental measured flame speed.
Differential Diagnostic Value of Parathyroid 99mTc-MIBI SPECT/CT in MIBI Uptake Lesion

Background: To investigate the role of parathyroid technetium-99m-hexakis2-methoxy-2-methylpropylisonitrile (99mTc-MIBI) single photon emission computed tomography/ computed tomography (SPECT/CT) combined with the serum calcium (Ca) and serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the differential diagnosis of MIBI uptake lesion. Methods: 201 patients with MIBI uptake lesion on parathyroid 99mTc-MIBI SPECT/CT from January 2015 to July 2019 were enrolled in this study. All patients who underwent surgical resection were classified into two groups: primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and non-PHPT in terms of the pathological findings. Radiological performance of 99mTc-MIBI SPECT/CT, serum Ca and serum PTH were comparable between the two groups.Results: 201 patients (135 females; median age, 53.0 years; age range, 29 – 79 years) were included. Pathological findings were as follows: PHPT was in 126 (62.7%) patients, including parathyroid adenoma in 106 patients, parathyroid cancer in 12 patients and parathyroid hyperplasia in 8 patients, while non-PHPT were in 75 (37.3%) patients, including thyroid adenoma in 14 patients, thyroid papillary cancer in 15 patients and thyroid nodular goiter in 46 patients. In the following multivariable logistic regression analysis, serum Ca and diameter of the shortest axis of the lesion were the independent factors for differentiating PHPT from non-PHPT. In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses, the cut-off value of serum Ca differentiating PHPT from non-PHPT was 2.6 mmol/L, yielding the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.931, sensitivity of 85.7%, specificity of 89.2%; the cut-off value of diameter of the shortest axis of the lesion was 20.4mm, yielding AUC of 0.728, sensitivity of 62.2%, specificity of 87.1%. Conclusion: Parathyroid 99mTc-MIBI SPECT/CT combined with serum Ca and serum PTH contributed to the differential diagnosis of PHPT from non-PHPT, evenly can assist the determination of the specific pathology of MIBI uptake lesion before surgery.
Performance evaluation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes for physiological and qualitative traits

Pakistan is an agricultural country and its economy mainly depends on agriculture. Wheat is an important cereal crop and is used as staple food in Pakistan. To fulfill the food supply of increasing population of the country it is basic task for plant breeders to improve the yield and quality of the crop. Present study was conducted in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, PMASArid Agriculture University Rawalpind to identify the potential wheat genotypes for physiological and qualitative traits. Thirty different genotypes were used as a genetic material. The analyses of variance showed highly significance variations among wheat genotypes for under consideration traits. From the results of experiment it was concluded that genotype “Bhakar-1” provided highest mean value for flour yield and protein content. Hence this genotype can be used to improve these traits. However the mean value for genotype Satluj-86 was lower for most of the studied traits such as transpiration rate, protein content and dry gluten contents, so this genotype may be avoided for cultivation in rainfed conditions and not to include in breeding programs. [Raza MA, Ahmad HM, Akram Z, Ali Q. Performance evaluation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes for physiological and qualitative traits. Life Sci J 2015;12(4s):80-86]. (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com. 11
THE EFFECT OF ACTION OBSERVATION AND MOTOR IMAGERY ON CORTICOSPINAL EXCITABILITY DURING A MOTOR-RELATED TASK IN HEALTHY ADULTS

ix Acknowledgements . x Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 1.1 Motor Learning . 1 1.1.1 Physical execution . 1 1.2 Alternative Motor Learning Modalities . 1 1.2.1 Motor Imagery . 2 1.2.2 Action Observation . 3 1.2.3 Action Observation + Motor Imagery . 3 1.3 Present Study . 5 Chapter 2: Background and Rationale . 6 2.1 Motor Simulation Theory . 6 2.2 Motor Imagery: An Internal Representation of Movement . 6 2.3 Evidence of Motor Representation in Imagery . 7
Evidence Can Change Partisan Minds Rethinking the Bounds of Partisan-Motivated Reasoning

Can factual information change partisan opinions? Theories of partisan-motivated reasoning maintain that political persuasion is difficult because citizens are motivated to defend their partisan viewpoints. However, most evidence of motivated reasoning is equally consistent with alternative explanations, in part because few previous studies have randomized individuals’ motivation to defend a particular position. In this article, I present four studies that highlight and address the empirical challenges associated with empirically identifying partisan-motivated reasoning. Without a partisan affect manipulation, people updated their opinions in response to the quality and direction of new evidence, even when it disconfirmed their party’s position. But when randomly manipulated to feel adversarial towards the opposing party, partisans became more likely to dismiss counter-attitudinal information and ended up disagreeing more after considering the same information. These results suggest that partisan-motivated reasoning may impede evidence-based belief updating when partisan affect is intensified, but not by default.
Adsorption of Sulfur Compounds from Diesel with Ion-Impregnated Activated Carbons

The adsorption of benzothiophene sulfone (BTO) and dibenzothiophene sulfone (DBTO) from model diesel fuel were evaluated using granular activated carbon (GAC) and modified activated carbon. Modified activated carbon was impregnated with metal ions, Cu2+, Fe3+, and Ni2+, and the effect on its adsorption characteristics was determined. Adsorption performance was investigated using batch process at room temperature and agitation speed of 120 rpm. Results indicated a significant increase in the adsorption capacity compared to that of the unmodified GAC. Increasing adsorption capacity followed the order Cu2+/AC 0.90. Adsorption process seemed to proceed in a two-step process. First, a very fast rate for the first few minutes, then a markedly reduced rate until equilibrium is reached. All the adsorbents use.
PERFORMANCE OF RC WALL BUILDING SUBJECTED TO EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI IN SEQUENCE

Chile is in one of the most seismically active areas in the world and due to its location and geography, strong ground motions are usually followed by large tsunamis. Thus, high density coastal cities in Chile are exposed not only to earthquakes but also to tsunamis. Typically, residential buildings in Chile are medium-rise reinforced concrete (RC) wall buildings, which have shown adequate seismic behavior in the strong events of the last decade in terms of preventing collapse and protecting human life. Additionally, these buildings have shown adequate behavior after the latest tsunamis following the 2010 Maule earthquake and 2015 Illapel earthquake, were only non-structural damage was observed in first stories due to the tsunami action. Although there is a significant exposure of RC wall buildings to the sequential action of earthquake and tsunami, most of the research has been focused mainly on the seismic behavior of these structures. Little research has been found regarding the tsunami behavior of this type of buildings, and even less regarding the sequential action of both earthquake and tsunami. In order to understand the behavior of the typical Chilean residential buildings to both hazards, a real building is selected as a case study. Nonlinear finite element simulations of a representative slice of the building are performed using the software DIANA considering a double pushover analysis. The earthquake pushover is applied first until a specific damage state is reached and then the earthquake loading is removed. Then, the tsunami pushover is applied considering only the hydrodynamic forces of the wave through the variable depth pushover (VDPO) approach. Additional effects such as flooding at the back of the building, buoyancy, uplift and debris impact were neglected. A set of tsunami load cases are evaluated considering different loading directions and Froude numbers. Based on the results of this research, the main variables affecting the tsunami capacity of the building are analyzed, and the impact of the previous earthquake damage in the tsunami capacity of the building is discussed.
Effects of Soil Bulk Density on Gas Transport Parameters and Pore‐Network Properties across a Sandy Field Site

The gas diffusion coefficient, air permeability, and their interrelations with air‐filled porosity are essential for characterization of diffusive and convective transport of gases in soils. Variations in soil bulk density can affect water retention, air‐filled pore space, and pore‐network connectivity and tortuosity and, thereby, control gas diffusion and air permeability. Considering 86 undisturbed core samples with variable bulk densities that were extracted on a 15 by 15 m grid from the top layer of a sandy field, the effects of soil bulk density on gas transport parameters and the soil water characteristic were investigated. Interactions with soil organic matter, sand, and clay fractions were also examined. To evaluate bulk density effects, two constitutive parameters were derived from each of the three measured relationships. The Campbell pore‐size distribution index (b) and the air‐entry matric potential (ψae) were derived from the soil water characteristic; the diffusive percolation threshold (εDPT), the air‐filled porosity where gas diffusivity ceases to almost zero because of interconnected water films creating isolated–inactive air content, and a pore‐network connectivity index (A2) were derived from the gas diffusivity curve, and the analogous parameters convective percolation threshold (εCPT) and convective pore‐network connectivity index (B2) from the air permeability curve. All six parameters showed significant negative correlations with bulk density. To further account for the effects of both bulk density and macroporosity in parametric gas transport models, a diffusive‐analog macroporosity–dependent model (DAMP) for gas diffusivity and a generalized Kawamoto et al. model (GK) for air permeability, which yielded improved predictive capabilities when compared with previous models, were developed. Both new models apply a reference point of prediction at −100 cm H2O matric potential (macroporosity drained), corresponding to the point where analysis of pore‐network tortuosity (T) and equivalent pore diameter for gas transport (dg) showed diminishing effects of water blockage on gas transport in the sandy soil.
The Investigation of Flipped Classrooms on Students’ Speaking Performance and Self-regulated Learning

INTRODUCTION The advent of technology has made it possible to implement flipped classrooms in English Language Teaching (ELT) field, including in teaching speaking skills. Technology is believed to support foreign language learning (Golonka et al., 2014) as it provides various platforms that support ABSTRACT Over the years, few studies have investigated the implementation of flipped classrooms focusing on students’ speaking performance and self-regulated learning (SRL). However, none of these studies was carried out using rich statistical and qualitative data to study both variables at the same time. This study, therefore, aims to (1) examine the effects of flipped classrooms with various technology tools on students’ speaking performance and SRL and (2) explore how students develop their SRL during the implementation process. The explanatory sequential mixed-method approach was used to obtain data from 53 tenth grade students, with 27 in the experimental group and 26 in the control group by employing a quasi-experimental design and an interview method. The result showed that the students taught by flipped classrooms had better speaking and SRL scores than their counterparts in the control group. In addition, the students developed their SRL through three phases, namely forethought, performance-control, and self-reflection, with four possible implications for English Language Teaching.
Dermatoglyphics and Dental Caries: A Correlation Study among School Children of Kanpur City, India

Original Research Dermatoglyphics and Dental Caries: A Correlation Study among School Children of Kanpur City, India. Saxena A, Pradhan D, Pruthi N Abstract: background: Dermatoglyphics a known diagnostic tool in the field of genetic, medical and dentistry is the study of the configuration of epidermal ridges on fingers, palms and soles. The epithelium of finger buds and enamel both are ectodermal in origin. Hence, dermatoglyphics can be used in predicting dental caries. Aim: The aim of the present study was to find out an association between the different patterns of fingerprints and Dental caries amongst school children of 12-15 years of age. Materials and Method: The study was conducted on 276 school children in age group of 12 to 15 years from 6 private schools of Kanpur city. The finger prints of both hands were taken using the blue ink and pattern were analysed, for recording dentition status, DMFT index was recorded. SPSS version 17.0 was used to analyze the data. Results: There was increase in frequency of whorls and decrease in frequency of loops in caries active children when compared to caries free children. On the other hand caries free group showed significant decrease in frequency of whorls and increase in frequency of loops pattern ( p<0.05). Conclusion: Dental caries susceptibility of an individual increased with incidence of whorl pattern and it decreased with incidence of loop pattern.
Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation Potential of Liquid Habitat from River Challawa to Tillapia zilli

Contamination of water bodies by heavy metals is a serious health hazard not only to the aquatic biota but also to their predator. The degree of contamination is a function of bioavailability. This work was aimed at assessing the differential bioaccumulation of heavy metals (Zinc, Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Aluminium, Copper and Iron) in liver and skeletal muscles of Tilapia zilli. The liver was used for its role in detoxification and the skeletal muscle for been the part of fish mostly consumed. Tilapia zilli was exposed to three liquid habitats for a period of 72 hours. Station A situated upstream of river Challawa, Station B situated downstream of river Challawa, a control obtained from Tigga Dam where test models were obtained from. Analysis of liquid habitats showed that all the liquid habitats had levels of heavy metal above limits set by the Federal Ministry of Environment for Surface water, except in few cases where the control had levels below set limits. Results of Bioaccumulation factor show that heavy metals were bioaccumulated in the following order: Zn>Fe>CU> Cd>Al>Cr>Pb, Liver had higher bioaccumulation potential as compared to the skeletal muscles of Tilapia zilli. Despite the low levels of heavy metals bioaccumulated by the skeletal muscle as compared to the liver, continuous consumption of contaminated fish still poses a serious threat to consumers. The observed level of heavy metals show that the Challawa River is highly polluted and continuous monitoring and proper effluent treatment must be observed to reduce the level of deterioration of the aquatic ecosystem.
Study of Metal Adsorbent Prepared from Tur Dal (Cajanus cajan) Husk: A Value Addition to Agro-waste

The aim of the present investigation was to develop metal adsorbent from agro-waste (husk) of tur dal (Cajanus cajan) for their value addition and to improve the effectiveness of developed adsorbent by optimizing the conditions of adsorption for complete removal of Cu ions from its 50 ml, 50 ppm solution. The washed and dried tur dal husk was carbonized in air tight container at 500 0 C for 1 hr. to get its carbon form possessing adsorption property. The physicochemical characterization of prepared adsorbent was done for yield, bulk density, conductivity, particle size, moisture, ash, water soluble content, pH, calorific value, trace elements, crystal nature and structural morphology. The optimum parameters for adsorption was studied by varying pH (2-10), agitation speed (50-250 rpm), temperature (10-60 0 C), adsorbent dose (0.25- 2.75 g) and contact time (0.5-4 hr.). The study concludes tur dal husk can be exploited for the preparation of metal adsorbent. The prepared adsorbent was found to be most effective in an adsorption condition of 6 pH, 150 rpm agitation speed, 60 0 C temperature, 2.75g adsorbent dose and 3 hr. contact time. The thermodynamic study revealed adsorption by the developed adsorbent was endothermic (positive
Heritage lecture / Allocution du patrimoine

Judy Myers (myers@zoology.ubc.ca) is a professor emerita in the Department of Zoology and the Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia. Her Heritage Lecture was presented at the Joint Annual meeting of the Entomological Societies of Canada, British Columbia, and America, in Vancouver, November 2018. Fundamental ecological insights as a legacy of spruce budworm research in Canada