Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Designing Alliances: How adversaries provoke peacetime military coordination

ABSTRACT States form military alliances for the security benefits they provide. Despite this common purpose of military alliances, alliances vary a great deal in their design. Notably, some states form alliances that involve extensive peacetime military coordination while others form alliances with minimal peacetime military coordination. I argue that this variation in alliance design is motivated by the bargaining power of any challengers the members face. When a state faces a relatively weak challenger it will not have an incentive to pay the greater cost associated with a high level of peacetime coordination because a low level of peacetime military coordination will deter the challenger. However, if a state faces a relatively strong challenger a low level of peacetime military coordination will fail to deter the challenger and, thus, it will be willing to pay the additional costs associated with a high level of peacetime military coordination. An empirical analysis of the design of alliances from 1816 to 2001 supports hypotheses derived from the argument. The findings highlight how the design of alliances is driven, in part, by the characteristics of nonmembers.
Effects of output power fluctuation on short‐circuit current of induction‐type wind power generators

Effects of the fluctuation inherent in wind speed are studied by a probabilistic method. The random variation in wind speed is responsible for random behavior in output power and internal voltage of a wind power generator. In case of fault occurrence at the instant of high internal voltage, the resultant short‐circuit current will be big, and vice versa. The DC component is also affected.
Adult male–female social bond advertising: The primary function of coordinated singing intensity in a small ape

Adult male and female coordinated singing occur in diverse animal taxa. Adult male–female social bond advertising and strengthening have been proposed as two important functional hypotheses of coordinated singing. Here we studied these two functions in four groups of cao vit gibbon (Nomascus nasutus), a small ape that lives in polygynous family groups and adult members coordinated their sex‐specific songs to produce complex duets or trios (three members sing together), using 6‐year field behavioral data. In this study, we used the number of successful great call sequences per bout or per minute, and latency period from start of the adult male call to the first successful great call sequence to represent singing intensity. We used the proportion of proximity, behavioral synchronization, and grooming between adult male and female to represent bond strength. We used linear mixed‐effects model to investigate the correlation between singing intensity and adult male–female social bond strength. We found a negative correlation between all three bond strength indicators and female latency period (N = 209), and a positive correlation between the number of successful great call sequences per bout (N = 253) and per minute (N = 254) and proximity. We used paired Wilcoxon signed‐rank test to investigate if adult gibbons increase bond strength after singing. We found proximity (hourly level: N = 45; daily level: N = 54), behavioral synchronization (hourly level: N = 57; daily level: N = 49), and grooming (daily level: N = 34) in most of the groups did not increase significantly after singing in an hourly or daily level. Together, these results indicate that cao vit gibbon coordinated singing serves primarily in adult male–female social bond advertising and distinct singing intensity indicators advertise different information on adult male–female social bond strength.
EFFECT OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ON INVESTMENT EFFICIENCY OF QUOTED OIL AND GAS FIRMS IN NIGERIA

This study examined effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on investment efficiency of quoted oil and gas firms in Nigeria. The study employed Ex post facto research design. The sample size of seven (7) oil and gas firms was derived from the population of the quoted twelve (12) oil and gas firms in Nigeria. Judgmental approach was employed during the sampling procedure. The study used secondary data sourced from the annual reports of the quoted oil and gas firms in Nigeria Stock Exchange fact books of official lists covering a ten-year period (2010-2019). The study employed Multiple Regression Model as the technique of data analysis with the aid of SPSS 23 statistical software. Analysis of findings showed that CSR charitable donation expenditure, CSR expenditure on education and CSR societal expenditure reveal significant relationship with investment efficiency of oil and gas firms in Nigeria. Nevertheless, CSR health expenditure and CSR environmental expenditure show insignificant effect on investment efficiency of oil and gas firms in Nigeria. The study also reveals that there is significant relationship between CSR sports expenditure and investment efficiency of oil and gas firms in Nigeria. With respect to the findings, the study recommends that the oil and gas firms should boost and monitor their CSR charitable donation expenditure, CSR on health expenditures, CSR environmental and CSR sport expenditures and observe them closely since they reveal negative effect. The study also recommends that CSR expenditure on education and CSR societal expenditure should be upheld and sustained since they reveal significant positive effect on investment efficiency of oil and gas firms in Nigeria.
PARTICULATE MATTER CONCENTRATION AND EMISSION FACTOR IN THREE DIFFERENT LAYING HEN HOUSING SYSTEMS

The aim of this study was to evaluate PM10 concentration in three different laying hens houses (traditional battery cages with aerated open manure storage, aviary system and vertical tiered cages with manure belts with forced air drying) and to evaluate particulate matter emission into atmosphere during one year of observation. Internal and external temperature and relative humidity, ventilation rate, PM10 concentration have been continuously monitored in order to evaluate particulate matter concentration changes during the day and the season and to define PM10 emission factors. PM10 concentration was corrected by gravimetric technique to lower measurements error. In the aviary system house, TSP and fine particulate matter (particles smaller than 2.5 micron) concentration was measured. Average yearly PM10 concentration was remarkably higher in the aviary system house with 0.215 mg m-3 vs 108 mg m-3 for the ventilated belt house and vs 0.094 mg m-3 for the traditional battery cages house. In the Aviary system housing, TSP concentration was 0.444 mg m-3 and PM2.5 was 0.032 mg m-3, highlighting the existence of a severe working environment for men and animals. Recorded values for PM10 emission were 0.433 mg h-1 hen-1 for battery cages housing type, 0.081 mg h-1 hen-1 for ventilated belt cages house, values lower than those available in literature, while the aviary system housing type showed the highest PM10 emission (1.230 mg h-1 hen-1) with appreciable peaks during the morning, together with the increased animal activity and daily farmer operations, as feed administration, cleaning and droppings removal.
Suspended Particulate Matter drives the spatial segregation of
nitrogen turnover along the hyper-turbid Ems estuary

Abstract. Estuaries are nutrient filters and change riverine nutrient loads before they reach coastal oceans. They have been extensively changed by anthropogenic activities like draining, deepening, and dredging to meet economic and social demand, causing significant regime changes like tidal amplifications and in some cases to hyper-turbid conditions. Furthermore, increased nutrient loads, especially nitrogen, mainly by agriculture cause coastal eutrophication. Estuaries can either act as a sink or as a source of nitrate, depending on environmental and geomorphological conditions. These factors vary along an estuary, and change nitrogen turnover in the system. Here, we investigate the factors controlling nitrogen turnover in the hyper-turbid Ems estuary (Northern Germany) that has been strongly impacted by human activities. During two research cruises in August 2014 and June 2020, we measured water column properties, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, dual stable isotopes of nitrate and dissolved nitrous oxide concentration along the estuary. Overall, the Ems estuary acts as a nitrate sink in both years. However, three distinct biogeochemical zones exist along the estuary. A strong fractionation (~ 26 ‰) of nitrate stable isotopes points towards nitrate removal via water column denitrification in the hyper-turbid Tidal River, driven by anoxic conditions in deeper water layers. In the Middle Reaches of the estuary nitrification gains in importance turning this section into a net nitrate source. The Outer Reaches are dominated by mixing with nitrate uptake in 2020. We find that the overarching control on biogeochemical nitrogen cycling, zonation and nitrous oxide production in the Ems estuary is exerted by suspended particulate matter concentrations and the linked oxygen deficits.
Association Between Sex and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Outcomes for Patients With Melanoma

Key Points Question Does the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy vary between female and male patients with advanced melanoma? Findings In this population-based cohort study that included 1369 patients 65 years of age or older with advanced melanoma, a significant sex difference in overall mortality was seen among patients treated with nivolumab plus ipilimumab combination immunotherapy, with women having a 2-fold higher mortality risk than their male counterparts. Meaning This study suggests that the sex of the patient must be considered when designing a treatment strategy for patients with metastatic melanoma to optimize outcomes.
Maximum Possible Ground Motion for Linear Structures

This article develops a method to generate ground motion time histories that maximize the response of a given linearly elastic structure. The root mean square (RMS) level of the input power spectral density (PSD) is used as a strong motion parameter. It is related to seismological data that is readily available. An empirical relation to estimate RMS value of the PSD from peak ground acceleration, magnitude, rupture distance, and shear wave velocity is derived from world-wide strong motion data. The ground motion is obtained by solving the inverse problem such that the structural response is maximized under the constraint of fixed value of RMS level of the input PSD enforced using a Lagrange multiplier. The proposed methodology is illustrated for a single-degree of freedom system, a six storey building and an earthen dam. It is shown that the critical PSD obtained in all the cases is a narrow band process resulting in stochastic resonance and not a Dirac-delta function with the entire energy of the system concentrated at its natural frequency. Moreover, the critical excitation samples generated using this critical PSD resembles actual earthquake acceleration time histories.
Temporal Muscle and Stroke—A Narrative Review on Current Meaning and Clinical Applications of Temporal Muscle Thickness, Area, and Volume

Background: Evaluating muscle mass and function among stroke patients is important. However, evaluating muscle volume and function is not easy due to the disturbances of consciousness and paresis. Temporal muscle thickness (TMT) has been introduced as a novel surrogate marker for muscle mass, function, and nutritional status. We herein performed a narrative literature review on temporal muscle and stroke to understand the current meaning of TMT in clinical stroke practice. Methods: The search was performed in PubMed, last updated in October 2021. Reports on temporal muscle morphomics and stroke-related diseases or clinical entities were collected. Results: Four studies reported on TMT and subarachnoid hemorrhage, two studies on intracerebral hemorrhage, two studies on ischemic stroke, two studies on standard TMT values, and two studies on nutritional status. TMT was reported as a prognostic factor for several diseases, a surrogate marker for skeletal muscle mass, and an indicator of nutritional status. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasonography were used to measure TMT. Conclusions: TMT is gradually being used as a prognostic factor for stroke or a surrogate marker for skeletal muscle mass and nutritional status. The establishment of standard methods to measure TMT and large prospective studies to further investigate the relationship between TMT and diseases are needed.
Reducing the Healthcare-Associated Infections in a Rehabilitation Hospital under the Guidance of Lean Six Sigma and DMAIC

The reduction of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) is one of the most important issues in the healthcare context for every type of hospital. In three operational units of the Scientific Clinical Institutes Maugeri SpA SB, a rehabilitation hospital in Cassano delle Murge (Italy), some corrective measures were introduced in 2017 to reduce the occurrence of HAIs. Lean Six Sigma was used together with the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control (DMAIC) roadmap to analyze both the impact of such measures on HAIs and the length of hospital stay (LOS) in the Rehabilitative Cardiology, Rehabilitative Neurology, Functional Recovery and Rehabilitation units in the Medical Center for Intensive Rehabilitation. The data of 2415 patients were analyzed, considering the phases both before and after the introduction of the measures. The hospital experienced a LOS reduction in both patients with and without HAIs; in particular, Cardiology had the greatest reduction for patients with infections (−7 days). The overall decrease in HAIs in the hospital was 3.44%, going from 169 to 121 cases of infections. The noteworthy decrease in LOS implies an increase in admissions and in the turnover indicator of the hospital, which has a positive impact on the hospital management as well as on costs.
Knowledge and Attitude about Immunization Recommended by Government of India and Indian Academy of Paediatrics among Medical Students

Background: Immunization being the most cost-effective treatment for preventing disease and extending life, is essential to know about its schedule and be aware of vaccines that are available up to date. Immunization is one of the most important strategies for protecting children from disease. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge and attitude of immunization among medical students recommended by Government of India (NIS) and Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP). Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Chennai among final year MBBS students, Medical Interns using a structured questionnaire. The study was conducted between February 2021 & April 2021. Results: In a total of 259 study participants, around78(65%) of Medical Interns and 74(52%) of final year MBBS students are aware that as per NIS, BCG vaccine in catch up can be given until 1 year of age. Conclusion: The degree of knowledge among medical students should be emphasised and various initiatives regarding the knowledge and awareness about immunization among the interns and the medical students should be introduced.
Subbandgap laser-induced single event effects: carrier generation via two-photon absorption

Carrier generation based on subbandgap two-photon absorption is demonstrated and shown to be a viable alternative to the conventional single-photon excitation approach in laser-induced single event effects. The two-photon approach exhibits characteristics distinct from those of single-photon excitation, and may be advantageous for a range of single-event effect investigations. The charge track produced by two-photon absorption more closely resembles that of heavy-ion irradiation and, because the photon energy is subbandgap, backside injection through bulk silicon wafers is straightforward and three-dimensional mapping is possible.
A review of ground vehicle dynamic state estimations utilising GPS/INS

This paper provides an extensive overview of existing vehicle dynamic state estimators that utilise the in-car Inertial Navigation Sensors and Global Positioning System. The different approaches are categorised, the techniques are summarised and the limitations and advantages of each approach are provided. Recommendations for future research are also given. The review is intended to be fairly comprehensive, but with an emphasis on vehicle sideslip estimation.
Maximum Level of COVID-19 Vaccination in Rich and Democratic Countries, and in Other Political Systems

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations play a main role in the immunization program of countries to decrease the numbers of COVID-19 related infected individuals and deaths. However, countries, after a certain share of people vaccinated against COVID-19 have to cope with vaccine hesitancy and resistance in population. One of the fundamental problems is the detection of the max share of people vaccinable between countries without the introduction of any rule that affects basic aspects of individual freedoms of people in public and private life. The study here confronts this problem with a global analysis based on N=150 countries, using relationships between socioeconomic, institutional and political variables, and levels of vaccination. Results reveal that the share of people vaccinated increases with the level of development (and democratization) of countries, achieving the maximum level of about 70%; beyond this level, the share of vaccination starts to decrease across countries. Moreover, findings reveal that governments with Monarchy and Parliamentary Monarchy have average share of people vaccinated higher than Mixed Executives. These main findings suggest that in developed and democratic countries the maximum level of vaccination has a physiological limit, but many Western (democratic) countries are applying restriction rules (e.g., green pass/vaccine passport) to overcome this max level reducing and regulating, at the same time, many aspects of public and private life of individuals. Discussion explains these sociopolitical phenomena with aspects of politics of fear, focused on deaths of COVID-19, and of strong leaders having domestic and international support that apply rules in contexts of social insecurity with consequential reduction of equity, trust and solidarity and increase of socioeconomic issues. All these results here could aid policymakers to prepare sustainable policy responses against COVID-19 in society without distressing basics of democracy with rules of autocratic systems that can generate economic and social deterioration, and problems for mental health and economic conditions of people in society.
"High Intermediate Risk Pulmonary Embolism: The Use of Very Low Dose Catheter-Directed Ultrasound- Accelerated Thrombolysis"

In the for in-hospital mortality rates are 25% and 65%, respectively Intermediate Risk PE represents a group characterized by the of right ventricular dysfunction ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the hemodynamic benefit, clot burden reduction and safety utilizing an ultra-low dose of Tissue Plasminogen Activator (TPA) with Catheter directed Ultrasound accelerated thrombolysis (USAT) in the management of high Intermediate Risk Pulmonary Embolism. Design: Retrospective, observational case series. Setting: Single Center Academic Community Hospital. Patients: Fifty-two consecutive patients (27 males) with high Intermediate Risk PE treated with USAT were analyzed. Measurements and Main Results: Forty-nine patients underwent bilateral USAT with 0.5 mg/hr/catheter of TPA (unilateral: 1.0 mg/hr). Mean duration of therapy was 22.08 + 4.90 hours. Changes in pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), Clot obstruction index by Miller score and procedure related bleeding complications were assessed. Paired t-testing was used to determine significance Mean RV/LV ratio was 1.52 + 0.36. Miller score decreased 55.0% (mean 19.7 + 3.8 to 8.9 + 4.7; p value < 0.0001). The systolic PAP decreased 7.3% from 63.6 + 15.1 mmHg to 59.0 + 17.5 mmHg (p value = 0.0045). The mean PAP decreased 5.4% from 37.5 + 8.0 mmHg to 35.5 + 9.1 mmHg (p value = 0.0097). No procedural or bleeding related complications occurred. Conclusion: Low dose USAT with 0.5mg/hr/catheter with TPA for 24 hours is highly effective in reducing clot burden and PAP without bleeding or procedural related complications in high Intermediate Risk PE. Catheter-Directed Ultrasound-Accelerated Thrombolysis.
ACOLCHADO, RIEGO Y MICROTÚNELES EN TOMATE, CHILE ANAHEIM Y CHILE PIMIENTO

The objective of the present study is to show a compilation of information in tomato and hot and sweet pepper grown under plastic mulching, combined with drip irrigation or with microtunnels. Sweet pepper under mulching needs to be irrigated preferably when soil moisture decreases to 50 % if the purpose is to increase unit area yield to 18.05 t·ha -1 (39 %) as an average of four water application methods. When mulching and flood-irrigating sweet pepper, we suggest the application of all nitrogen fertilizer before placing the plastic on the field. The use of microtunnels in sweet pepper is an excellent way to repeal insects transmitting virosis. But adequate precautions should be taken; especially in tomato and peppers, which are sensitive to higher than optimum temperatures that may cause negative effects on crop growth and yield. This happened in the present study with sweet pepper. Tomato grown under mulching with drip irrigation had a yield increase of up to 26.7 t·ha -1 (39 %) and resulted in water savings of 1,800 m
Asymptotic Analysis of Wireless Systems with Rayleigh Fading

This thesis looks at ways to improve either the reliability or the rate at which we can successfully transmit information over Rayleigh-fading wireless communication channels. We study four wireless schemes, the first in the low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regime, the remaining three at high SNR. The analysis provides insights that apply to more general SNRs. Firstly we investigate a point-to-point multiple antenna link at low SNR. At low SNR channel estimates can be unreliable, and therefore we assume the channel is unknown to both transmitter and receiver. Adopting a block-fading model we find the mutual information between transmitter and receiver up to second order in the SNR. The expression is valid for input distributions with regular behavior of fourth- and sixth-order moments, in particular most practical schemes. Subject to input-signal constraints, we determine the optimal signaling to maximize this mutual information. We undertake high SNR analysis by finding the diversity-multiplexing gain trade-off of three further wireless systems with fading. Using techniques from existing works we find the optimal diversity-multiplexing gain trade-off for an M by N multiple antenna system with R single antenna relays. This uses a two-stage protocol in which the source first transmits to relays, then the relays multiply their received signal by a unitary matrix, before forwarding the result to the receiver. The trade-off is found to be equal to that of a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) link with R transmit and min{M,N} receive antennas. Next we consider a network with two source-destination pairs (an interference channel) and establish relationships between the rate and diversity achievable by certain schemes. We show through two more schemes how cooperation amongst the nodes achieves a higher diversity, but with a reduced rate of the system. These schemes can easily be generalized from two to m source-destination pairs. A final scheme is considered where n relay nodes are added to the m source-destination pairs, which act to cancel interference in an aim to increase diversity. The outage behavior of this scheme is analyzed and it is shown that for sufficiently many relay nodes, a diversity linear in n can be obtained.