Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Linear Function Approximation as a Resource Efficient Method to Solve the Travelling Salesman Problem

This paper presents an approach to combinatorial optimization problems using linear function approximation (LFA) to solve the Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP). We create a reinforcement learning model in which we parameterize our policy using linear function approximation instead of the more commonly used neural networks. We then evaluated our models based on two factors: training time and optimality. When we compared our results with a state-of-the-art neural network solver, we found that our model was able to solve the TSP accurately while using drastically less computational resources and time to train than the neural network algorithm (Kool et al., 2019).
Construction of operators with prescribed orbits in Fréchet spaces with a continuous norm

Let $X$ be a separable, infinite dimensional real or complex Frechet space admitting a continuous norm. Let $\{v_n:\ n\geq 1\}$ be a dense set of linearly independent vectors of $X$. We show that there exists a continuous linear operator $T$ on $X$ such that the orbit of $v_1$ under $T$ is exactly the set $\{v_n:\ n\geq 1\}$. Thus, we extend a result of Grivaux for Banach spaces to the setting of non-normable Frechet spaces with a continuous norm. We also provide some consequences of the main result.
Extending Green Innovations Across Clusters: HOW can Firms Benefit Most?

This paper analyses how green product and process innovations affect firms’ sustainable performance. It seems evident that green innovations should benefit not only society but also the firms, although it is not clearly stated how this relationship works, especially inside clusters. We theorise that green process and product innovations have a curvilinear relationship with firm sustainable performance and that the geographical concentration of clusters has a positive reinforcing role for green product innovations. To test these theoretical expectations, moderated regression and quantile regression were applied to a sample of 175 firms from the Spanish footwear industry. Results confirm that although green innovations do improve performance, they have an inverted “U” shape that makes investments in green innovation less profitable above a certain threshold. In addition, we observe that geographical concentration is stronger for green product innovations since green process innovations need more tacit-based knowledge and internal capabilities, making the cluster effect less significant.
A New Approach to Skillful Seasonal Prediction of Southeast Asia Tropical Cyclone Occurrence

Predicting the peak‐season (July–September) tropical cyclones (TCs) in Southeast Asia (SEA) several months ahead remains challenging, related to limited understanding and prediction of the dynamics affecting the variability of SEA TC activity. Here, we introduce a new statistical approach to sequentially identify mutually independent predictors for the occurrence frequency of peak‐season TCs in the South China Sea (SCS) and east of the Philippines (PHL). These predictors, which are identified from the preseason (April‐June) environmental fields, can capture the interannual variability of different clusters of peak‐season TCs, through a cross‐season effect on large‐scale environment that governs TC genesis and track. The physically oriented approach provides a skillful seasonal prediction in the 41‐year period (1979–2019), with r = 0.73 and 0.54 for SCS and PHL TC frequency, respectively. The lower performance for PHL TCs is likely related to the nonstationarity of the cross‐season TC‐environment relationship. We further develop the statistical approach to a hybrid method using the predictors derived from dynamical seasonal forecasts. The hybrid prediction shows a significant skill for both SCS and PHL TCs, for lead times up to four or 5 months ahead, related to the good performance of models for the sea surface temperatures and low‐level winds in the tropics. The statistical and hybrid predictions outperform the dynamical predictions, showing the potential for operational use.
NSS_A_310257 1097..1108

1Department of Neuroscience, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia; 2Split Sleep Medicine Center, University Hospital Center Split, Split, Croatia Purpose: Due to the possible interplay of factors predisposing to severe COVID-19 outcomes and negative health consequences of poorly controlled OSA, adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy among OSA patients might be crucial during COVID-19 pandemics. Lockdown-related changes in CPAP adherence were investigated in CPAP users willing to participate in this study. Pre-lockdown adherence, age, gender, comorbidities and anxiety were analyzed as predictors of COVID-19 lockdown adherence. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study performed at Split Sleep Medicine Center included 101 severe OSA patients (78.2% male). CPAP memory cards were assessed during 6 months of pre-lockdown and 40 days of lockdown (March/April 2020) period. A total of 81 patients in pre-lockdown met good CPAP adherence criteria (≥4 hours/night on 70% nights). Results: CPAP adherence improved during COVID-19 lockdown in the total sample of severe OSA patients. The percentage of adherent nights and CPAP usage hours per night increased during lockdown in good pre-lockdown CPAP adherers (p=0.011 and p=0.001, respectively), women (p=0.003 and p=0.001, respectively) and respondents younger than 58 years (p=0.007 and p<0.001, respectively). Out of 20/101 poor pre-lockdown CPAP adherers, 9 have shifted to good lockdown adherence. When comorbidities, BMI and anxiety were taken into account, older and male respondents were recognized as less likely to improve CPAP usage hours during lockdown (R=9.4%; p=0.032). Conclusion: The lockdown-related CPAP adherence improved in severe OSA patients, with a shift in almost half of poor pre-lockdown adherers towards good lockdown CPAP adherence. Women, younger and good pre-lockdown CPAP adherers were more adherent during lockdown. Despite being vulnerable groups for both OSA and COVID-19, no expected adherence improvements were observed in men and older patients.
AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE IMPACT OF OWNERSHIP AND BOARD STRUCTURE ON CAPITAL STRUCTURE OF LISTED FIRMS IN SUB-SAHARA AFRICAN COUNTRIES

Corporate governance and capital structure are two compelling factors that affect the performance and value of the firm. The two concepts are important areas in financial management for firms to achieve high value and growth rate. This paper examines the impact of ownership and board structures on the capital structure of firms listed on the stock exchanges of selected sub-Saharan African countries for the period 2010 to 20019. The study analyses whether ownership and board structure plays any significant role in the capital structure of the firm. The result of the panel data regression analysis reveals that concentrated ownership structure negatively impacts on debt ratio in sub-Saharan African firms. The study shows that managerial ownership and board structure explains the capital structure of firms in sub-Saharan Africa. The study demonstrates evidence of a significant negative influence of managerial shareholding and CEO’s tenure on the debt ratio of listed firms in sub-Sahara Africa. The result of the study suggests that the outside directors and board size positively influence the debt ratio of listed firms in sub-Sahara African countries. Given the results of this study, it is imperative for stakeholders in the region to continually improve the ownership and board structures of the firm to avoid the negative effect of debt on performance and the value of shareholders’ wealth.
Model of Asthma Intestinal Helminths Protect in a Murine

Underdeveloped nations are relatively protected from the worldwide asthma epidemic; the hygiene hypothesis suggests this is due to suppression of Th2-mediated inﬂammation by increased exposure to pathogens and their products. Although microbial expo-sures can promote Th2-suppressing Th1 responses, even Th2-skewing infections, such as helminths, appear to suppress atopy, suggesting an alternate explanation for these observations. To investigate whether induction of regulatory responses by helminths may counter allergic inﬂammation, we examined the effects of helminth infection in a murine model of atopic asthma. We chose Heligosomoides polygyrus , a gastrointestinal nematode, as the experimental helminth; this worm does not enter the lung in its life cycle. We found that H. polygyrus infection suppressed allergen-induced airway eosinophilia, bronchial hyperreactivity, and in vitro allergen-recall Th2 responses in an IL-10-dependent manner; total and OVA-speciﬁc IgE, however, were increased by worm infection. Finally, helminth-infected mice were protected against eosinophilic inﬂammation induced by adoptive transfer of OVA-stimulated CD4 (cid:1) cells, and transfer of cells from helminth-infected/OVA-exposed mice suppressed OVA-induced eosinophilic inﬂammation, suggesting a role for regulatory cells. Increased CD4 (cid:1) CD25 (cid:1) Foxp3 (cid:1) cells were found in thoracic lymph nodes of helminth-infected/OVA-exposed mice. Helminthic colonization appears to protect against asthma and atopic disorders; the regulatory cytokine, IL-10, may be a critical player. The Journal of Immunology, 2006, 177: 1628–1635. haracteristic features of asthma include eosinophilic airway inﬂammation hyperresponsiveness, both
Determination of REV and Effective Properties of Fluvial Depositional Systems

Fluvial reservoirs are difficult to model due to the high permeability contrast between the sandstone bodies and the overbank deposits and the complex geometry of the permeable (sandstone bodies) and impermeable zones (overbank deposits). A set of fluvial meandering models has been generated using FLUMY R ©. The models represent a range of Net-to-Gross ratios and sandstone body geometries. In order to quantify the effect of sample size on effective properties, the models are evaluated based on the statistical moments of the probability distributions of porosity and single-phase permeability as a function of sample size. The porosity and permeability show a high spread at small sample volumes, but the spread reduces as the sample size increases. A normalized standard deviation, the coefficient of variation, has been used as a criterion for the variability of the probability distributions. The coefficient of variation of the porosity and the horizontal permeability show a monotonic decline as a function of sample size. The coefficient of variation of the vertical permeability does not show a monotonic decline. This is caused by a drastic decrease of the mean of the vertical permeability with increasing sample volume. The mean of the horizontal permeability also decreases with increasing sample size, but to a lesser extent. The mean of the probability distributions of permeability as a function of sample size converges much earlier than the standard deviation. This convergence indicates that we can determine the effective properties at the Representative Elementary Volume (REV), without reaching REV. The convergence of the mean could potentially be used as a criterion for the relevant spatial scale of upscaling from the fine scale static model to the coarse scale model. Furthermore, if cells are uncorrelated at a scale where the mean of the permeability is not a function of sample volume anymore, random attribution of properties can be used to populate dynamic grid cells.
DDDT_A_198444 2811..2824

Xiaoxue Shi Lijie Fu 1Department of Urology Surgery, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Urological Surgery 2, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, People’s Republic of China Background: Cadmium (Cd) is considered a heavy metal and potential pollutant to the environment. Purpose: The purpose of this studywas to evaluate the protective potential of piceatannol (PT; 10 mg/kg body weight/day) against cadmium (Cd; 5 mg/kg body weight/day)-induced testicular dysfunction in Wistar rats. Materials and methods: Rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, PT, Cd, and Cd + PT. Results: Treatment with Cd resulted in a significant decrease in body, testicular, and epididymal weights, sperm quantity and quality, steroidogenic marker–enzyme activities, mRNAand protein-expression levels of SF1, StAR, and P450 side chain–cleaving enzyme, and serum male sex hormonal levels when compared to controls. Testicular malondialdehyde levels were significantly increased, with a significant reduction in enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants in Cd-treated rats compared to control rats. Testicular histomorphometric results supported the biochemical and molecular alterations observed in the study. In addition, significant downregulation in mRNAand protein-expression levels of cytosolic Nrf2, HO1, γGCS, GPx, and NQO1, as well as significant upregulation in mRNAand protein-expression levels of Nrf2 and Keap1 in testicular tissue, were noticed in rats administered Cd. PT treatment inCd-treated rats caused marked alleviation in body and organ weights, sperm analysis, steroidogenesis, serum hormonal levels, histomorphometric changes, and oxidative and antioxidative status in testes when compared to Cd alone–treated rats. Further, treatment of rats with PTl showed a marked improvement in mRNAand protein-expression levels of Nrf2 and its regulated genes and proteins. Conclusion: The present study provides compelling evidence that PT treatment results in significant protection against Cd-induced testicular dysfunctions, such as spermatogenesis, steroidogenesis, and oxidative stress in rats, possibly through modification of the Nrf2– Keap1 signalling pathway.
Deleterious effects of the ciliate epibiont Zoothamnium sp. on fitness of the copepod Acartia tonsa

The effects of the colonial peritrich ciliate epibiont, Zoothamnium sp. , on fitness components of the copepod Acartia tonsa were examined during a three-week infestation event in Long Island Sound. Infestation rate and intensity (ciliate load copepod), copepod body size and mating success were measured on six separate occasions in the field. Infestation rates exceeded 60% in both male and female copepods. Infested females had a significantly greater ciliate load than males on three of the six sampling dates. Infested males were significantly smaller than uninfested males midway through the event, whereas infested females were significantly smaller during the peak in infestation rate and intensity. There was no difference in the frequency of unmated females between infested and uninfested individuals on any sampling date. Laboratory experiments were carried out under three food regimes (starvation, food-limited and food-unlimited). Survivorship was significantly lower for infested versus uninfested males under starvation, but not under the food-unlimited condition. Infested females, however, showed significantly lower survivorship than uninfested ones under all three food regimes. In addition, infested females produced significantly fewer eggs than uninfested females under starvation and food-unlimited conditions. Overall, both male and female A. tonsa bearing the ciliate epibiont Zoothamnium experience a significant decrease in components of fitness.
AMEP_A_295058 309..318

1College of Medicine, Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Medical Education College of Medicine, Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Aim: Different students use different learning styles and acquire knowledge from various sources during their medical college learning journey. Every student has a preference for a certain sensory mode to receive and process all acquired information. Identifying learning styles among different students can help students try to strengthen their preferred learning style and improve other nonpreferred learning styles. Our objective is to assess the preferred sensory modality and the learning preferences by utilizing the VARK questionnaire in medical faculty students at Imam Mohammed Bin Saud Islamic University (IMBSU) and the influence of gender and its relation to academic achievements. Methodology: A survey was distributed to medical students of IMBSU in Riyadh. VARK questionnaire was used to assess the learning preference. Other questions regarding demographic data were also included in the same questionnaire. Results: Of the 146 students, 113 students completed the questionnaire. Of them, 95 (84.1%) were males, and 18 (15.9%) were females. The multimodal learning style was preferred by 70% of the respondents, with the remaining 30% having a unimodal style preference. The aural (A) and the kinesthetic (K) styles were the most preferred unimodal styles. Overall, the most common style was the quad-modal (VARK type 2) style, with 21.20% having this preference. Conclusion: No statistically significant differences were observed between male and female students concerning their learning preferences. The participants’ preferred learning style or learning model was also observed to have no statistically significant impact on GPA and academic performance.
Comparative Analysis of Elastic and Collagen Fibers of Coronary and Carotid Arteries in Autopsied Patients

Comparative Analysis of Elastic and Collagen Fibers of Coronary and Carotid Arteries in Autopsied Patients Luciano Alves Matias da Silveira1*, Gabriela Ribeiro Juliano2, Laura Sanches Aguiar2, Guilherme Ribeiro Juliano2, Bianca Gonçalves Silva Torquato2, Mariana Silva Oliveira2, Fernando Pimenta de Paula2 , Vicente de Paula Antunes Teixeira3, Mara Lúcia da Fonseca Ferraz4 Department of Surgery, Postgraduate Student of Health Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba (MG), Brazil;Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba (MG), Brazil;Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba (MG), Brazil;Department of Health Science, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba (MG), Brazil
Nanocomposites, Vinyl Ester, Layered Silicate, Microvoids

In this paper, the flexural and tensile strength of the neat vinyl ester and the corresponding nanocomposites are investigated. In addition, the influence of the voids content of the nanocomposites on the mechanical strength is presented. Various amounts of clay were used in this work which include 2, 4, and 5 wt. % clay loading. To characterise interlaminar structure of the nanocomposites, XRD, SEM and TEM were performed. The mechanical strength of the neat sample was improved by the incorporation of layered silicate up to 4 wt. %. Further addition of layered silicate resulted in decreasing the strength properties. This could be due to the presence of high numbers of microvoids in the nanocomposites structure at high clay loading. The increment in microvoids content was proportional to the clay loading. At 2 wt. % clay content, the voids were about 2.45 %. However, at 4 and 5 wt. %, the voids amount represented 6.40% and 9.03 % respectively.
AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ATTITUDE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TOWARDS HEALTH ECONOMICS AND PHARMACOECONOMICS EDUCATION

Pharmacoeconomics research identifies, compares, and measures the costs and outcomes of several pharmaceutical products. Pharmacoeconomics refers to a sub-discipline of health economics for over 25 years. Pharmacoeconomic is applied to guide the use of limited resources to yield maximum value to patients, society, and healthcare payers. The implementation of the pharmacoeconomic course in pharmacy colleges has been done in several countries as learning pharmacoeconomics improves the skill, knowledge, and competence to value pharmaceutical interventions. Thus, this study was conducted to assess the awareness and attitude of health professions about health economics and pharmacoeconomics education. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study design conducted from January to June 2021. The demographics, awareness level, knowledge, and attitude towards health economics and pharmacoeconomics education were investigated. Results: Almost 300 participants were included in the current study; 35%, 52%, and 13% were nurses, pharmacists, and physicians, respectively. Only 41% and 34% had heard about health economics and pharmacoeconomics before, respectively. The overall awareness level was high among 51.3% participants. The factors that significantly influenced the awareness level included age (P=0.0001), sex (p=0.0001), health profession (P=0.0001), hearing about health economics (P=0.0001), and pharmacoeconomics (P=0.0001), courses taken in this field (P=0.0001), and training through extracurricular activities (P=0.0001). Conclusion: The health professionals in this study showed low awareness regarding health economics and pharmacoeconomics; almost one-half only had high awareness, whereas the remaining percentage reported a low level of awareness.
COPD_A_326894 33..42

1Physical Therapy Division, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, Brazil; 2Department of Physical Therapy, University Paulista, Brasília, DF, Brazil; 3Laboratory of Molecular Analysis, Graduate Program of Sciences and Technology of Health, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; 4Faculty of Physiotherapy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 5Department of Medicine Clinical (LIM 20), School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; 6Universidade Brasil, PostGraduation Program in Bioengineering, São Paulo, Brazil; 7Laboratory of Pulmonary and Exercise Immunology (LABPEI), Brazilian Institute of Teaching and Research in Pulmonary and Exercise Immunology (IBEPIPE) and Nove de Julho University (UNINOVE), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; 8Federal University of Sao Paulo, Post-Graduation Program in Sciences of Human Movement and Rehabilitation, São Paulo, Brazil; 9Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil; 10Rehabilitation Sciences Graduation Program, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, Brazil Background: Long-term cigarette smoke (CS) induces substantive extrapulmonary effects, including musculoskeletal system disorders. Exercise training seems to protect long-term smokers against fiber atrophy in the locomotor muscles. Nevertheless, the extracellular matrix (ECM) changes in response to aerobic training remain largely unknown. Thus, we investigated the effects of moderate treadmill training on aerobic performance, crosssectional area (CSA), fiber distribution, and metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) activity on quadriceps muscle in mice exposed to chronic CS. Methods: Male mice were randomized into four groups: control or smoke (6 per group) and exercise or exercise+smoke (5 per group). Animals were exposed to 12 commercially filtered cigarettes per day (0.8 mg of nicotine, 10 mg of tar, and 10 mg of CO per cigarette). The CSA, fibers distribution, and MMP-2 activity by zymography were assessed after a period of treadmill training (50% of maximal exercise capacity for 60 min/day, 5 days/week) for 24 weeks. Results: The CS exposure did not change CSA compared to the control group (p>0.05), but minor fibers in the frequency distribution (<1000 μm) were observed. Long-term CS exposure attenuated CSA increases in exercise conditions (smoke+exercise vs exercise) while did not impair aerobic performance. Quadriceps CSA increased in mice nonsmoker submitted to aerobic training (p = 0.001). There was higher pro-MMP-2 activity in the smoke +exercise group when compared to the smoke group (p = 0.01). Regarding active MMP-2, the exercise showed higher values when compared to the control group (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Moderate treadmill training for 24 weeks in mice exposed to CS did not modify CSA, despite inducing higher pro-MMP-2 activity in the quadriceps muscle, suggesting limited effects on ECM remodeling. Our findings may contribute to new insights into molecular mechanisms for CS conditions.