Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conceptualisations of personal growth in Ghanaian Orthodox Christians

ABSTRACT Personal growth is integral to mental health. Hegemonic psychological theories about personal growth were formulated in an individualistic culture where people experience an independent self. Conceptualisations of personal growth may be different in collectivistic cultures where people experience an interdependent self. Ghanaian Orthodox Christians are embedded in a collectivistic culture where religion permeates every-day life. The aim of this study was to investigate how Ghanaian Orthodox Christians conceptualise personal growth. We interviewed 12 participants from the University of Ghana who belonged to different Orthodox Christian Churches. The results showed that the participants wanted material success, and they acknowledged that this takes effort. Relationships were facilitating their ambitions, and for that reason learning to adapt to social norms was important. Most important of all was their relationship to God. The results implied a conceptualisation of personal growth that relies on an interdependent experience of the self.
An Integrated EPLOS Database as a Tool Supporting TSL Companies

The paper presents the conceptual design of a database for the European Portal of Logistics Services (EPLOS) and its application. The database contains the data on logistics companies, the infrastructure for road, railway, inland, and air transport, as well as the data on the nodal elements of logistics infrastructure (warehouse facilities, seaports, transhipment terminals). Complete and verified information is the fundamental condition for rational decisions about the realization of logistics processes on a meso- and macroeconomic scale. Authors present the relations in the making of the EPLOS database, its assumed scope, and the potential benefits for the TSL market from accessing the EPLOS database.
Marketing - The Retro Revolution

Remembering Marketing The Future is History PART ONE: PUTTING THE 'CON' INTO CONCEPT Reviewing Marketing The Defective Vision of Theodore Levitt Redeeming Marketing The Spiritual Side of Trade Reconfiguring Marketing The Greatest Sham on Earth PART TWO: DOWNSIZING STRATEGY Repositioning Marketing Ballyhoo's Who Representing Marketing The Secret of the Black Magic Box Replanning Marketing If Ever a Whiz of a Swiz There Was PART THREE: FIXING THE MIX Replacing Marketing Reading Retroscapes Rebracing Marketing Yes, We have no Bananaburgers Revolting Marketing Gross is Good Conclusion Trapping the Substance Rejuvenating Marketing The Big Tease
Why travelers switch to the sharing accommodation platforms? A push-pull-mooring framework

Purpose Drawing on and extending the push-pull-mooring (PPM) framework, this paper aims to empirically explore the influencing mechanism of traveler switching intention from the hotel reservation platforms to the sharing accommodation platforms (SAPs). Design/methodology/approach This study adopts structural equation modeling to analyze the 543 responses collected among hotel reservation platforms and SAPs travelers. Findings The results support the positive effect of both push factors (e.g. dissatisfaction with product, service and information quality of hotels on the hotel reservation platform) and pull factors (e.g. price value, authenticity, interaction, home benefits and novelty of SAPs) on traveler switching intention. Except for the negative effect of switching cost, other mooring factors including prior switching experience and social influence positively affect traveler switching intention. The authors also found the switching cost negatively and prior switching experience positively moderated the push effects on traveler switching intention, while the social influence positively moderated the pull effects on traveler switching intention. Research limitations/implications Recommendations of future SAP participation research to consider the competing platforms, the unique experiences of SAPs and mooring factors. Examining the factors of different sources is also useful for practitioners to better understand travelers’ demands and to improve the overall welfare of travelers. Originality/value This paper embraces an extended PPM framework to explore traveler switching intention in online travel platforms. Moreover, this paper provides unique insights into the switching behavior from the hotel reservation platforms to the SAPs.
Prognostic nutrition index as a predictor of coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki Disease

Background: Kawasaki Disease (KD) is considered a major acquired heart disease in children under the age of 5. Coronary artery lesions (CAL) can occur in serious cases despite extreme therapy efforts. Previous studies have reported low serum albumin level was associated with disease outcome, but no further investigation was addressed yet. Method: This retrospective (case-control) study randomly included children with KD who were admitted and underwent laboratory tests before undergoing IVIG treatment in this institution, the largest tertiary medical center in southern Taiwan from 2012-2016. PNI, an albumin-based formula product, was evaluated as a predictor of CAL the first time. The progression of CAL was monitored using serial echocardiography for six months. We performed multivariable logistic regression analysis on the laboratory test and PNI with the disease outcome of the KD patients. Result: Of the 284 children, 158 had CAL, including transient dilatation, while the other 126 did not develop CAL during the 6-month follow-up period. A multivariate logistic regression model revealed that PNI and platelet count are significant predictors of CAL with a 95% confidence interval estimator of 2.532 (1.394-4.599) and1.004 (1.002-1.006), respectively. Using PNI to predict CAL presence gave an area under the receiver-operating-characteristics (ROC) curve of 0.596, and the PNI cut-off point is taken as 55.24, with a sensitivity of 0.509 and specificity of 0.678. Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate that PNI, an albumin-based formula product, is a useful index with clearly cut-off value for predicting CAL formation prior to initial IVIG therapy and thus warn clinicians to adopt aggressive therapeutic and coronary arteries imaging surveillance strategies before CAL can develop.
Detection of Oil in Water Column, Final Report: Detection Prototype Tests

Abstract : This report summarizes the results of Phase II (Detection Prototype Tests) of an RDC effort to develop a readily deployable system for the in-situ detection, identification, and characterization of submerged oil in the water column. The first phase of the project involved initial development and testing of three technologies to address the detection problem. This second phase involved testing two of the prototypes at the Ohmsett facility in Leonardo, New Jersey. A system developed by NORBIT US Ltd. addresses the detection of hydrocarbons using the backscatter from acoustic signals from a Wide Band Multibeam Sonar (WBMS). A system developed by WET Labs, named Wide-angle-scattering Inversion to Detect Oil in Water (WINDOW), uses the scattering and refraction of light to determine the mass and volume concentration, droplet size and density of the entrained oil. Both systems demonstrated the qualitative ability to detect and/or map oil suspended in the water column with high levels of confidence as well as provide the data quickly and efficiently. Testing of the systems quantitative ability to characterize the oil plume, however, was not possible due to difficulties with correlating and validating the submerged plumes specific droplet size and concentration characteristics with the equipment currently available at the Ohmsett facility. It is recommended that both prototypes be further developed and tested in field tests that eliminate the limitations seen in tank testing. It is also recommended that Ohmsett continue to develop its capability to create suspended oil plumes as well as investigate additional procedures for confirming particle size distribution and concentration during testing.
The International Mobility of Talent: Types, Causes, and Development Impact

Entrepreneurs, technical experts, professionals, international students, writers, and artists are among the most highly mobile people in the global economy today. These talented elite often originate from developing countries and migrate to industrial economies. Many return home with new ideas, experiences, and capital useful for national development, whilst others remain to produce quality goods and services that are useful everywhere in the global economy. The economic potential of globalization is ultimately dependent on the international mobility of highly talented individuals that transfer knowledge, new technologies, ideas, business capacities, and other creative capabilities. Developing countries and advanced economies may both gain from this mobility if it is effectively and smartly managed. This volume, with original contributions from outstanding international experts in the subject, provides a novel analysis of the main determinants and development impact of talent mobility in the global economy. Contributors to this volume - Tony Addison, Brooks World Poverty Institute (BWPI), University of Manchester Diego F. Angel-Urdinola, World Bank Stephen Bach, King's College, University of London Mario Cervantes, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Directorate for Science, Technology, and Industry Jean-Marc Coicaud, United Nations University Anthony P. D'Costa, University of Washington Andrea Goldstein, OECD Development Centre Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen, University of Aarhus, Denmark Yevgeny Kuznetsov, World Bank Charles Sabel, Columbia Law School AnnaLee Saxenian, UC Berkeley School of Information Anthony Shorrocks, UNU-WIDER Andres Solimano, UN-ECLAC Taizo Takeno, University of Tokyo Kristian Thorn, Danish Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation Quentin Wodon, World Bank
Causes of General Aviation Weather-Related, Non-Fatal Incidents: Analysis Using NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System Data

Adverse weather remains a major cause of general aviation accidents. However, weather alone is never the sole culprit. Searching for other salient causal factors, the authors turned to incident analysis. Incidents are less serious than accidents, but far more common, and have witnesses to better determine causes. The current research examined 100 GA weather-related incident reports made to the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) during 2005-06. With pilot permission, ASRS gathered additional data on nearly 300 variables related to possible root causes. The following factors seemed to constitute a problem for 5%, or more, of pilots: 1. Darkness (4 dusk +17 night = 21% of pilots). 2. Moisture affecting visibility (clouds, fog, rain, snow > 50%) and/or air movement affecting aircraft handling (thunderstorm, icing, turbulence > 25%). 3. Multiple weather factors experienced simultaneously (85%). 4. Failure to get a preflight weather briefing, or “briefing” with only a low-grade (non-aviation-oriented) source (5%). 5. Deterioration of weather forecast accuracy over time (66% correct forecasts at departure, decreasing to 37% correct at destination). 6. Weather that materialized worse than predicted (35%. This implicitly includes lack of en-route forecast updates). 7. Lack of weather-related training and experience (> 50%, non-instrument-rated and new instrument-rated pilots). 8. Inadequate equipment (less-experienced pilots tend to have less-capable airframes and avionics). 9. Ambulance missions (7%, particularly helicopter ambulance). 10. “Non-weather-related factors”: decision-making (26%), time pressure (21%), “get-home-itis” (9%), aircraft equipment problem (8%), fatigue (7%), distraction by passenger or crew (5%). In broad terms, this analysis reveals two major at-risk target groups with distinct training needs: (1) Non-instrument-rated pilots; and (2) Newly minted instrument-rated pilots.
THERMAL PERFORMANCE SIMULATION OF AN ATRIUM BUILDING

In recent years highly glazed spaces and atrium buildings are seen as a sign of advanced technology. An atrium is the social center of a building where people gather for social activities and also is a significant element of passive building systems when well designed to provide user requirements. The study aims to accomplish a thermal performance simulation of an atrium building by specifying a prototype model of an office building in Istanbul. With the help of building simulation tools EnergyPlus (Version 1.2.3), FLUENT (Version 6.2.16)- total energy consumption and air stratification of the atrium building is performed.
Dolphin Hydrodynamics Annual Report FY 82.

Abstract : The biohydrodynamic characteristics of dolphins were investigated to determine the mechanisms used to attain drag reduction and the applicability of these mechanisms to marine vehicle design. The results to date indicate possible drag reduction capabilities in the dolphin. Continued work is recommended in order to obtain definitive answers to unanswered questions raised during the reported investigation.
Effect of Bio-Fertilization and Foliar Spraying in the Mustard Seed Content Brassica Alba L. from Some Fatty Acids

The field experiment was carried out in the fields of one of the agricultural in the district of Mahaweel in the province of Babylon during the agricultural season 2016-2017 to study the effect of bio-fertilization and foliar spraying in the content of mustard seeds from some fatty acids. The factorial experiment was applied in accordance with the randomized complete blocls design (RCBD) with three replicates. The experiment included two factors: the first factor is the bio-fertilization of the mycorraiza fungi (without addition, addition of the mycorraiza) and the second factor is the foliar spray with PRO.SOL solution in three concentrations (0, 5, 10) Ml/l.Fatty acids were estimated (Eruic acid,Oleic acid, Linoleic acid, Palmitic acid, Stearic acid α-Linolenic (Using HPLC, the results showed that bio-fertilization and foliar spraying increased the seed content of fatty acids by the superiority of treatment T 5 on all other treatments and gave the highest rates of Palmitic (179.21) μg/ml, Stearic (132.01) ug/ml and Eruic (225.19) ug/ml and Oleic (140.03) ug/ml and linoleic (77.20) ug/ml and α-linolenic (178.95) ug/ml.
Discourse Analysis in Tamil Speaking Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. Though PD is primarily a motor speech disorder during the initial stages, as the disease progresses, a gradual decline in linguistic aspects is observed as well. The effects of disease (PD) on cognition, word retrieval, syntax, and speech/voice processes may act together to manifest uniquely in spoken language tasks. There is a dearth of studies focusing on the discourse abilities in PD, especially in Indian context. Aim: The present study aims at investigating the micro and macrostructure discourse by using personal narrative task in Tamil speaking individuals with idiopathic PD and comparing it with the neuro-typical individuals Method: Two groups comprising 5 Tamil-speaking individuals with idiopathic PD in the age range of 60–85 years and 5 neuro-typical individuals were included in the study. To assess their discourse skills, participants were engaged in a personal narrative task. The analyses done were based on macro and micro structural aspects of discourse. The raw scores were subjected to suitable statistical analysis. Results: There was a statistical significance between the Parkinson & Normal group on Total number of words, No. of Different words, No. of content words, No. of Functional words, Free morphemes, Complex structure per utterances & Relevant piece per utterance in microstructural aspects. However there was no significant difference observed in the macrostructural aspects due to smaller sample size. Conclusion: It can be concluded that in addition to speech impairment, language structure is also affected in persons with PD. Intervening at the level of discourse is an important aspect as it enhances the quality of life. Keywords: Parkinson’s disease, Discourse, Tamil speaking, Micro analysis, Macro Analysis.
Atorvastatin Alleviates Behavioral Symptoms in MPTP-lesioned Mice: Associated With NOX2-mediated Autophagy and Oxidative Stress

Background Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons. It is characterized by static tremors, stiffness, slow movements, and gait disturbances, but it is also accompanied by anxiety and depression. Our previous study showed that statins, especially atorvastatin, could reduce the risk of PD, but the mechanism is still unclear. Results In this paper, we used an animal model of PD in which depression was determined by a tail suspension test, followed by an elevated plus-maze test to determine anxiety levels, and muscle status was measured by a rotarod test. We found that atorvastatin can increase muscle capacity and the coordination of movement and improved anxiety and depression，which mechanism may be related to decrease the expression of α-synuclein Ser129 and NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2), and increase the protein expression of LC-3II/LC3-I, and promote autophagy flow. To further confirm that atorvastatin protection was achieved by inhibiting NOX2, we injected the midbrain substratum with NOX2 shRNA (M) lentivirus and found that silent NOX2 produced the same effect as atorvastatin. Further research found that atorvastatin could reduce MPTP-induced oxidative stress damage by increasing Nrf2, NQO-1 and HO-1, while inhibiting NOX2 decreased the antioxidative stress effect of atorvastatin. Conclusions： Our results suggest that atorvastatin can improve muscle capacity, anxiety and depression by inhibiting NOX2, which may be related to NOX2-mediated oxidative stress and autophagy in dopaminergic neurons. Atorvastatin may be identified as a drug that can effectively improve behavioral disorders in PD mice. NOX2 may be a potential gene target for new drug development in PD.
The Development of Planning and Measurement Tools for Casualty Evacuation Operations at the Joint Readiness Training Center

Abstract : The present investigation sought to quantify small unit casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) practices at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) and to determine the extent to which a job performance aid, the Warrior Leaders Casualty Evacuation Guide, might improve unit CASEVAC performance. Unit CASEVAC practices were measured by trainers/mentors using the Casualty Evacuation Checklist, a tool developed especially for the investigation. Over the course of ten unit rotations at JRTC, 768 checklists were collected and analyzed. The Warrior Leaders Casualty Evacuation Guide was found to positively influence unit performance in the areas of CASEVAC planning and execution. Unit strengths and weaknesses in CASEVAC operations were identified. Overall, units that rehearsed their CASEVAC plans were significantly less likely to have their CASEVAC operations interrupt mission accomplishment than units that did not rehearse their plans. This finding was consistent with previous research on troop leading procedures and unit information management practices at JRTC.
Completed Suicide in the Navy and Marine Corps

Abstract : All completed suicides among active-duty Navy and Marine Corps members during calendar years 1966 through 1977 were extracted from archival death records. The resulting sample included 549 Navy and 427 Marine Corps personnel. Comparisons were made between the services, and the subgroups were described in terms of demographic variables and methods of injury. Incidence rates for Marine Corps middle-range (E-4 through E-6) and junior enlisted personnel (E-1 through E-3) were double and triple the comparable Navy rates, respectively, but were lower than rates for the general U.S. population of white males. The Marine Corps sample was significantly younger and had less service than the Navy sample. Marine Corps personnel committed suicide significantly more often using firearms than Navy personnel. Findings were compared with data available for Army service members and previous studies of naval personnel. The risks inherent in inferring that the use of firearms in Navy and Marine Corps completed suicides relates to their availability to military personnel were noted.
The comparison of the apoptosis effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles into MDA-MB-231 cell line in microgravity and gravity conditions

Objective (s): Gravity could aﬀect some system features and perform directly as an organizing field factor. Recent investigations have examined the titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) in biomedical applications, mostly in the cancer treatment field. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of simulated microgravity combined with TiO2 NPs in MDA-MB-231 cells proliferation for the first time. In other words, this study examined the utility of the microgravity environment in nano-therapy. Materials and Methods: The MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line and TiO2 NPs were purchased. The 2D clinostat was applied for the simulation of the microgravity. The morphological studies, MTT cytotoxicity assay, Acridine orange/Ethidium bromide double staining studies and flow cytometry analysis were utilized.Results: The MTT assay, the morphological studies, Acridine orange/Ethidium bromide double staining studies and flow cytometry analysis confirmed the apoptosis-inducing effect of microgravity in combination with TiO2 NPs. The IC50 of simulated microgravity in the presence of TiO2 NPs was determined to be 130 µM. Furthermore, MDA-MB-231 cells exposed to microgravity adopted a different phenotype. Conclusion: Based on our observation, although the relative mechanisms need to be explored further, microgravity can strictly affect the TiO2 NPs effects on MDA-MB-231 cells. The significance of this study lied in the fact that simulating microgravity can be a powerful physical cure for cancer therapy and open new horizons for the studies in the field of biology, biophysics, and medicine.
Applying Fuzzy Modeling to Flexible Manufacturing Systems

Flexible Manufacturing systems (FMS) demand meeting challenges varying with time, resources and energy. The choice of controller for FMS is made difficult because changing demands in production and schedules. Fuzzy logic relates with handling of uncertainties in an evolved and structured manner and is adopted as the solution. To increase the efficiency of the control action, the fuzzy controller is implemented at two levels for the system
On the Influence of the Vertical Earthquake Component on Structural Responses of High-Rise Buildings Isolated with Double Friction Pendulum Bearings

The double friction pendulum (DFP) bearing is adapted from the well-known single friction pendulum (SFP) bearing. This type of bearings has been widely used for structural vibration controls. The main advantage of the DFP is its capacity to accommodate larger displacements as compared with the SFP one. This paper aims to assess the effect of the vertical earthquake component on the seismic behaviour of a base-isolated high-rise building. In this respect, the mathematical model of the building subjected to earthquake excitations with an implementation of a DFP bearing system is established. The model presented herein considers earthquake excitations in horizontal (X and Y) and vertical (Z) directions. A series model of two friction elements is presented for the bearing, where the friction load of the bearing surface is governed by a modified Bouc-Wen model, which is dependent on the sliding velocity and the contact pressure. The numerical results of an example of a base-isolated 9-story steel building subjected to near-source and far-field earthquakes show the high effectiveness of the bearing system in reduction of the seismic response of the building, especially in the near-source region, as well as exhibit considerable effectiveness of the vertical earthquake component on the bearing and structural behaviour.