Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional morphometry of the pterygoid hamulus. A comparative study of modern and medieval populations

Abstract The pterygoid hamulus (PH) is located in the infratemporal fossa and is part of the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone. Its location on the cranial base and the multitude of anatomical structures whose attachments lie on the surface of the pterygoid hamulus make it of high functional and topographic significance. Due to insufficient literature on the PH morphometry, we decided to study this issue using modern and archaeological material. In total, 99 observations were subjected to quantitative and qualitative analysis (50 - from modern times and 49 - from medieval times). On the basis of the statistical analysis, statistically significant differences in the length of PH were found with respect to age and sex. Statistically significant differences in the PH width were also noticed with respect to sex and the period of origin. The results obtained may help better understand the development mechanism of the pterygoid hamulus bursitis.
Tribological investigation of multilayer CrN/CrCN/TaN films deposited by close field unbalanced magnettron sputtering

Abstract CrN/CrCN/TaN multilayer films were deposited onto the CoCrMo alloy substrates at different number layers as two, four and 8 layers by close-field unbalanced magnetron sputtering method. Microstructure and the tribo-logical properties of the films were characterized by XRD, SEM, pin-on-disk wear test, scratch test, micro hardness. CrN/CrCN/TaN multilayer coatings exhibited good adhesion properties on the CoCrMo alloy substrate. A very high hardness value of 60 GPa was obtained for 8 multilayered coating. As a result of the pin-on-disc wear tests, it was found that the tribological properties of the CoCrMo alloy were enhanced by coating its surface with this architecture by using close-field unbalanced magnetron system with used parameters.
The Performance of Extracellular Polymeric Substance (EPS) on Stability of Aerobic Granular Sludge (AGS)

Abstract Various article which indicating the Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) instability, particularly in prolonged phase operating duration become a significant obstacle to its implementation. Generally, prolonged the operation period will lost its stability that can degrade performance effectiveness. As AGS stabilization in hydrodynamic shear force and resisting mass transfer resistance within the reactor generally defined or evaluated by microbial community, bioactivity, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) structure and granular aspect. The aim of this research in order to illustrate the EPS formation on AGS which is preserved at 4°C in sequencing batch reactor (SBR) by sewage for eight months. The effective of granulation method and redevelopment of AGS stability by particular pressure produced with several hydrodynamic shear force and mass transfer resistance which controlled by low organic loading rate (OLR) between 0.26 and 0.81 kg CODs/m3 d with 1.33 cm/s of superficial air velocity (SAV). The confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX) were implemented to notice the evolution in composition of EPS that revealed the intermolecular interaction helped the aerobic granule stability as seed to achieved the performance of EPS on stability of AGS.
Residents’ perceptions of tourism activity in a rural North-Eastern Portuguese community: a cluster analysis

Abstract The recognition of the role of tourism planners in seeking to contribute to local residents’ well-being by mitigating the potential costs of tourism development has been given more attention in the last decades. Several studies on the perception of positive or negative impacts, based on sustainability (namely the three pillars: economic, sociocultural and environmental) have been developed. However, the studies have been somewhat limited in terms of approaches, namely with respect to the contribution and participation of stakeholders. In this study, we attempted to use a bidirectional analysis of involvement and tourism knowledge to segment the residents and analyse their perception of the impacts. A total of 373 valid surveys were applied in a rural mountainous municipality (Boticas) during 2015 and 2016. In this municipality, tourism (activity) is an emergent activity. The results show that more informed and more involved residents have more positive perceptions of tourism than other groups, while less informed and less involved residents have more negative perceptions of it. The study contributes to increasing the knowledge about residents’ perceptions of tourism, adding the aspects of involvement, especially in rural areas. This type of proposal can be applied to any destination to help manage residents’ opinions and, consequently, their support of tourism development.
Functional diversity of soil microorganisms in the conditions of an ecological farming system

Abstract In the current study, we investigate the relationships among the soil functional diversity, physicochemical properties and heavy metals presence in an ecological farming system. The soil samples were collected from permanent research sites, from A soil horizons, at a depth from 0.05 m to 0.15 m, in June 2018. In fresh soil samples, we evaluated the metabolic profiles of their microbial communities, using Biolog® Eco Plates. The research showed that the soil physical properties got adjusted after a long-term application of an ecological farming system and that the measured values were stabilised, reaching the levels comparable with the average values for the relevant soil type. It is necessary to devote a continual attention to soil reaction, because soil is naturally acidified through acid atmospheric fallout as well as through calcium uptake-off by plants. The values of the selected heavy metals in the monitored period did not exceed the limit values specified in the Act No. 220/2004 Coll. Based on the results of Shannon’s diversity, we can conclude that the diversity in the investigated sites was low, from moderate to medium. The differences (3.26–3.36) among all 11 study localities were very small and not significant. There were determined the correlations between the soil functional diversity, soil physicochemical properties, and heavy metal contents. The average well colour development (AWCD) positively correlated with soil reaction and with Mg content and significantly negatively correlated with contents of Hg, Zn and Cu; equitability significantly positively correlated with soil reaction, Mg, AWCD and Shannon’s diversity. Spearman’s correlation coefficients confirmed the positive correlation between Shannon’s diversity and soil reaction, AWCD and Mg. In our study, no correlation was found between the functional diversity of microorganisms and the soil physical properties.
Validity of Weak-Form Market Efficiency in Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs): Evidence from Linear and Nonlinear Unit Root Tests

Abstract This paper aims to focus weekly stock market prices from the CEECs (Lithuania, Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Slovenia, Poland, Bulgaria, the Slovak Republic, Latvia, Estonia, and the Czech Republic) markets for evidence of weak-form market efficiency. This is complemented by the use of comprehensive unit root tests to test for abnormal return behaviour in these stock markets. For this purpose, Harvey et al. (2008) linearity test was applied in order to determine the characteristics of the series. The results indicate that the series with linear characteristics are Slovenia, Bulgaria, the Slovak Republic, Estonia, and the Czech Republic and those with non-linear characteristics are Lithuania, Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Poland, and Latvia. Then, in order to examine the weak-form market efficiency, DF-GLS (1996), Phillips-Perron (1988) and Lee-Strazicich (2003) unit root tests are applied to linear series and Kapetanios et al. (2003) and Kruse (2011) tests were applied to nonlinear series. The linear and nonlinear unit root tests evidence that all the selected stock markets in CEECs have a unit root, in other words, are non-stationary. In the period analyzed, the results suggest that the weak-form efficient market hypothesis holds in the CEECs. Accordingly, the results indicate support for the validity of the random walks hypothesis in all the selected stock markets in CEECs. It means that investors should not be able to earn abnormal returns by carrying out the same analysis and analysing historical prices in CEECs. The finding of weak-form market efficiency has notable implications from the point of capital allocation, stock price predictability, and the influence of shocks to stock prices.
Novel Genotype in Two Siblings with 5-α-reductase 2 Deficiency: Different Clinical Course due to the Time of Diagnosis

Abstract Steroid 5-α-reductase-2 (5-ARD) deficiency is a result of mutations of the SRD5A2 gene. It causes the disorder of sexual differentiation (DSD) in 46,XY individuals with a variable genital phenotype. We present two siblings with female external genitalia at birth and bilateral inguinal testes, raised as females. These are the first molecularly characterized patients from the Republic of North Macedonia (RN Macedonia) with a different clinical course due to the time of the diagnosis. Diagnosis of Patient 1 was based upon the detection of bilateral inguinal testes and testosterone/dihidrotestosterone ratio. Sex reversal was initiated by testes removal at the age of 20 months. Breast implantation and vaginoplasty were performed in adolescence and the girl is comfortable with the female sex. Her sibling, Patient 2, raised as a girl, was clinically assessed at 11.5 years due to the growth of phalus, deep voice and Adam’s apple enlargement. No change of gender was accepted. Complex molecular analysis including multiplex quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening for sex chromosome aneuploidies and SRY presence, Sanger sequencing combined with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), and real-time PCR analysis for detection of exon copy number changes confirmed a novel c.146C>A (p.Ala49Asp) point mutation in the first exon inherited from the mother, and complete deletion of the first exon and adjacent regions inherited from the father. Novel genotype causing 5-ARD is presented. Genetic analysis is useful for the diagnosis and timely gender assignment in patients with 5-ARD. However, final gender assignment is difficult and requires combined medical interventions.
Factors that influence stabilization times in children requiring transport

To the Editor: We commend Dr. Borrows and colleagues (1) for their well-written, thoughtful paper regarding patientand teamrelated factors on stabilization time during pediatric intensive care transport. The study provided the reassuring and timely conclusion that additional time spent stabilizing the patient is time well spent, a conclusion supported by previous publications in the field (2, 3). However, we feel that it is unrealistic to expect that the majority of the interventions be carried out by the lesser experienced referring hospital. Our institution is a secondary level pediatric hospital with a high dependency unit but without a pediatric critical care unit. We transport 35–45 children per year (2005–2009, unpublished data) to access tertiary critical care services, without a specialist transport team. In this context, we were particularly interested in the suggestion that referring hospitals may be able to reduce transport stabilization times by carrying out most critical care interventions before the arrival of the team. With the increased centralization of pediatric services to tertiary institutions, there has been an inevitable diminution in the ability of community hospitals to safely provide advanced techniques such as central vascular access in a chubby toddler or the commencement of inotropic infusions in a neonate (4). Although telephone advice and medication protocols go some way toward addressing these issues, they are no substitute for the experience, judgment, and manual skills that a trained pediatric intensivist can provide. We feel that this is a trend that is likely to continue and that it is a justification for the transport team to get to the referring unit quicker, with the aim of spending more time there, not less. In addition, the study included many relevant variables relating to patient and team factors, but we feel that many other simple logistic and pertinent factors could have been described, such as the time spent by the referring hospital sourcing a pediatric intensive care unit bed, time accrued waiting for blood results, and hard copies of radiographs. Waiting for the arrival of family members, for the availability of additional staff, and for the ambulance all incur increasing delay. These factors may appear like minor issues but greatly affect the efficiency of the real transfer experience in a community hospital. Given the high economic cost of pediatric intensive care and specialist transport services, we fear that our experience will become a more common one than that described in the paper by Dr. Borrows and colleagues (1). The authors have not disclosed any potential conflicts of interest.
Change and Stability. How the Party Leaderships of the Danish Progress Party and Danish People’s Party are Organized

Abstract The purpose of this article is to show the role played by the party leadership in the Progress Party and the Danish People’s Party in the formation and consolidation of party organization, policy and strategy. The added knowledge provided by this article is an elaboration on one of the successful so-called radical right political parties of this century, namely the Danish People’s Party, and its predecessor, the Progress Party, for the non-Danish speaking audience. Based on a plethora of data sources (interviews, documents, surveys and secondary material), the analysis shows that the differences in how the Progress Party and the Danish People’s Party are organized are much larger than any organizational modifications after the party leader change from Kjærsgaard to Thulesen Dahl. While Kjærsgaard was not able to implement marked organizational changes within the Progress Party, she did stand for a different strategy and policy than Glistrup, focusing on parliamentary influence, and a right-wing position on the new politics dimension, but more pro welfare on the redistributive dimension. There were no substantial changes in organization, strategy or policy when Thulesen Dahl took over the leadership of the Danish People’s Party; however, the strategy prior to the 2019 election did change. In sum, the overall expectation that party organisational change was larger when Kjærsgaard took over from Glistrup in the Progress Party, and in particular when establishing the new Danish People’s Party, than when Thulesen Dahl took over from Kjærsgaard, is mainly supported.
The effect of prosodic focus varies by phrasal tones: the case of South Kyungsang Korean

Abstract This study examines the production and perception of corrective focus in South Kyungsang Korean, using phone number strings. It shows that focus prosody varies greatly by tonal pattern (HHL, HLL, LHT, LHL) within phrases. Prosodic focus in High-initial phrases was clearly produced and accurately recognized, compared to that in Low-initial phrases. Additionally, the identification rate of HLL was higher than that of HHL, mainly because the focused initial H of the HHL contrasted with the second H within phrases, in terms of pitch. The results confirm that the encoding of prosodic focus is not uniform within a language; rather, focus prosody within a language can vary depending on the tonal pattern of an utterance.
International Strategy as the Facilitator of the Speed, Scope, and Scale of Firms’ Internationalization

Abstract Purpose: Strategy determines the patterns of internationalization. The speed, scale, and scope of internationalization are important dimensions from the perspective of firms’ behaviors and activities. The aim of the article is to identify and verify the relationship between the international strategy and its impact on three dimensions of the studied phenomenon. Methodology: The article uses a quantitative approach. The survey was conducted on a sample of 355 internationalized firms from Poland, varying in size. Findings: The analysis with t test and U test (ANOVA) shows a correlation between a company’s international strategy as a planning instrument and the speed and scope of internationalization. Research limitations/implications: While considering a firm’s development, especially its international growth, one should plan the activities related to entering into foreign markets. The results presented in this article are just a starting point for further analyses. In an attempt to eliminate its limitations, further research should focus on building a comprehensive model that includes the remaining components of international strategy and other categories that stimulate internationalization processes. Originality: The originality of this article lies in three elements: (i) the article comprehensively captures the scale, scope, and speed of internationalization at the same time, (ii) the strategy is introduced as a determining factor of the scale, scope, and speed of internationalization, and (iii) the article enriches empirical studies about emerging markets such as Poland.
Validating a destructive measurement system using Gauge R&R — a case study

Abstract The research study aims to evaluate the precision of the measurement system using Gauge R&R. An experimental research design adopting a positivist empirical approach with deductive strategy was followed to assess the effectiveness of Crossed Gauge R&R technique for validating a measurement system using destructive testing. Crossed Gauge R&R technique in Minitab was found to be highly effective in quantifying different components of measurement variation relative to process variation. Clue generation from the Crossed Gauge R&R study combined with manufacturing and measurement process know-how helped in identifying and eliminating the root causes for measurement variation. Overall Crossed Gauge R&R proved successful in validating the burst strength test equipment. However, it should be noted that manufacturing and test equipment played an equally important part in developing and executing the gauge R&R study and accurately analysing the results. So, Crossed Gauge R&R should be used as an aid rather than the solution for measurement system validation.
Calculation of temperature distribution and rheological properties of the lithosphere along transect IV in the Western Carpathian-Pannonian Basin region

Abstract 2D integrated modelling algorithm was used to calculate the temperature distribution in the lithosphere along the transect IV located in the Western Carpathian-Pannonian Basin area. Based on the determined temperature field and given rheological parameters of the rocks, it was possible to calculate the strength distribution for both compressional and extensional regimes, construct the strength envelopes for chosen columns of the main tectonic units of the model, and thus construct a simple rheological model of the lithosphere along transect IV. The obtained results indicate decrease of the lithospheric strength from the European platform and the Western Carpathians towards the Pannonian Basin. The largest strength (valid for all tectonic units) can be observed within the upper crust with its maxima on the boundary between upper and lower crust, decreasing towards lower crust and disappearing in the lithospheric mantle, suggesting mostly rigid deformation occurring in the upper crust. A local increase in the values of strength can be observed in the eastern segment of the Western Carpathians where crustal thickening accompanies the lithospheric thickening (formation of the lithospheric root), unlike the previous models along transects I and II, that pass through the western segment of the Western Carpathians and their lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary is almost flat and therefore no accompanying crustal thickening is observed and the decrease in strength is slow and steady.
Postglacial talus slope development imaged by the ERT method: comparison of slopes from SW Spitsbergen, Norway and Tatra Mountains, Poland

Abstract Talus slopes are a common sedimentary formation both in polar and high-mountain areas, but their development is still not sufficiently understood. This article discusses the environmental factors that have been influencing development of talus slopes since the deglaciation and their impact on the internal structure of slopes. Case studies of the slopes from SW Spitsbergen and the Tatra Mountains in Poland were compared in order to explore different evolution stages. Slopes’ structure was analysed using geophysical surveys based on two-dimensional electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) with a Wenner-Schlumberger array and an electrode spacing of 5 m, combined with geomorphological observations. The investigated talus slopes represent the paraglacial, periglacial and talus-alluvial environments. New data on the internal structure of talus slopes developing in the present or past glaciated areas adds to understanding talus slope evolution. There are many different views concerning the development of slopes during the paraglacial period, whose analysis seems to be crucial in the background of climate change and their record in slope structures. In addition, the study provided valuable information on the development and degradation of permafrost in slope materials.
Informal payments by patients in Croatia: benign custom or detrimental residue from socialism?

Abstract Almost three decades after the collapse of the socialist system, numerous informal practices inherited from that period have remained deeply entrenched in the Croatian economy and society. Faced with burdensome regulations and complicated procedures, many citizens and companies opt to resolve their problems using string-pulling, bribery and undeclared work. However, there are many other informal means of conduct, which have not been given adequate attention so far. One of them is the practice of giving gratuity and gifts to medical practitioners for services that are already covered by health insurance, whose roots and the exact function are still not sufficiently understood. To start filling the gap, this paper explores which groups of citizens give out-of-pocket payments to doctors and nurses, as well as what motivates them to do so. The logistic regression analysis applied on data from the Special Eurobarometer Survey No 470, which was conducted in October 2017 on a stratified sample of 1,038 Croatians, reveals that these payments by no means represent a benevolent custom of expressing gratitude for healing. Even though a certain portion of citizens exercises this practice out of choice, informal payments more commonly occur following a direct request by medical staff or simply because the patient feels a pressure to do so. As revealed by the analysis, the majority of such transactions in Croatia highly resemble standard forms of bribery. In line with this, it is recipients rather than donors of gifts and cash supplements who should be targeted in endeavours to eradicate the phenomenon.